HISTORY

of the CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST

of LATTER-DAY SAINTS
An Introduction and Notes
! "# H# Roerts
Se$en %o&u'es
%o&u'e I( Ta&e of Contents
)reface
Introduction
Cha*ter I( Jose*h S'ith+s "irth and Linea,e--The )ro*het+s
First %ision---This is .! "e&o$ed Son#-
Cha*ter II( The %isitation of .oroni--E/istence of the "oo0
of .or'on .ade 1no2n#
Cha*ter III( The Ne*hite Record De&i$ered to Jose*h--The
An,e&+s 3arnin,--The 3or0 of Trans&ation#
Cha*ter I%( O&i$er Co2der! "eco'es the )ro*het+s Scrie--The
Trans&ation of the )&ates Continued#
Cha*ter %( Restoration of the Aaronic )riesthood--First
"a*tis's#
Cha*ter %I( The Testi'on! of the Es*ecia& 3itnesses to the
"oo0 of .or'on#
Cha*ter %II( The Da! A**ointed for Or,ani4in, the
Church--Re$e&ation on Church 5o$ern'ent#
Cha*ter %III( The "oo0 of .or'on )u&ished--The Church
Or,ani4ed#
Cha*ter I6( The Co''ence'ent of the )u&ic .inistr! of the
Church#
Cha*ter 6( Further .o&estation at Co&es$i&&e ! .os--The
Re$e&ation E'od!in, the %ision of .oses#
Cha*ter 6I( Further Li,ht Res*ectin, the Sacra'ent--)ro*het+s
Re'o$a& to Fa!ette#
Cha*ter 6II( Lost "oo0s of Ancient Scri*ture--Co''and'ent to
the Church in Ne2 Yor0 to .o$e to Ohio#
Cha*ter 6III( )ros*ects of the Church at the O*enin, of the
Year 7897--Re'o$a& of the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith
fro' Ne2 Yor0 to Ohio--Doctrina& De$e&o*'ent
Cha*ter 6I%( Effort to O$er2he&' the Church !
Fa&sehood--Sundr! Re$e&ations Leadin, to
Doctrina& De$e&o*'ent#
Cha*ter 6%( The I'*ortant Conference of June 9rd-:th--Arri$a&
of the E&ders in 3estern .issouri#
Cha*ter 6%I( The Foundin, of ;ion#
Cha*ter 6%II( The A*ostas! of E4ra "ooth--)re*arations for
)u&ishin, the "oo0 of Co''and'ents#
Cha*ter 6%III( The A'herst Conference--The %ision of the De,rees
of 5&or! in .an+s Future Life#
Cha*ter 6I6( .o %io&ence at Hira'--The Second Journe! of the
)ro*het to ;ion< and Return to 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66( -The E$enin, and .ornin, Star-
Cha*ter 66I( Lar,er %ie2s of the Doctrine of )riesthood
Re$ea&ed--The .eetin, of The )ro*het Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< "ri,ha' Youn,< and Heer C# 1i'a&&#
Cha*ter 66II( The )ro*hec! on the 3ar of the Ree&&ion--The
O&i$e Leaf--Co''unication to .r# Seaton--3arnin,
to ;ion#
Cha*ter 66III( The En=o!'ent of S*iritua& "&essin,s in the
Church--The 3ord of 3isdo'#
Cha*ter 66I%( 1irt&and to e a Sta0e of ;ion--Re,u&ation of
Church Affairs in .issouri
Cha*ter 66%( )re*arations for "ui&din, the 1irt&and
Te'*&e--Tria& and E/co''unication of -Doctor-
)hi&astus Hur&urt#
Cha*ter 66%I( The )&at of the Cit! of ;ion--Its
Te'*&es--Corres*ondence on Affairs in ;ion and
Eu,ene#
Cha*ter 66%II( )re*aration of the .o in Jac0son Count! to
Resort to %io&ence--I'*ortant E/cer*ts fro' the
-Star#-
Cha*ter 66%III( .o %io&ence in the Land of ;ion#
Cha*ter 66I6( .inor E$ents in ;ion and 1irt&and--An A**ea& to
the 5o$ernor of .issouri#
Cha*ter 666( The )ro*het+s .ission to Canada#
Cha*ter 666I( E/*u&sion of the Saints fro' Jac0son Count!#
Cha*ter 666II( Re'e'rance of Canada Saints--Corres*ondence and
)etition Re&ati$e to .issouri Affairs#
Cha*ter 666III( The )ro*het+s S!'*ath! for the E/i&ed
Saints--Reasons for Their E/*u&sion fro' ;ion#
Cha*ter 666I%( A )ress Esta&ished at 1irt&and--"&essin, U*on
the )ro*het+s Fa'i&!--Res*onsii&it! for La2&ess
Acts in .issouri#
Cha*ter 666%( I'*ortant Corres*ondence on Jac0son Count!
Affairs< Chief&! "et2een Leadin, Officia&s of the
Church in ;ion and State Officia&s of
.issouri#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
)eriod I#
Histor! of Jose*h S'ith< the )ro*het ! Hi'se&f
An Introduction and Notes ! "# H# Roerts
)REFACE#
In *u&ishin, the HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY
SAINTS< it is fe&t that a so&e'n dut! is ein, *erfor'ed to the Saints and
to the 2or&d# The e$ents 2hich 'a0e u* the histor! of the Church in this
a,e are the 'ost i'*ortant that histor! can chronic&e# It is due
therefore oth to the Saints the'se&$es and to the 2or&d that a faithfu&
and co'*&ete histor! of the facts in 2hich the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints had its ori,in< to,ether 2ith the e$ents throu,h 2hich
it 2as suse>uent&! de$e&o*ed< and a&& the circu'stances< e/*eriences and
tria&s throu,h 2hich it *assed e 'ade 0no2n to 'an0ind# It is i'*ortant<
too< that so far as *ossi&e the e$ents 2hich 'a0e u* the histor! e
re&ated ! the *ersons 2ho 2itnessed the'< since such state'ents ,i$e the
reader testi'on! of the facts at first hand? and there is *&aced on record
at the sa'e ti'e the hi,hest order of historica& e$idence of the truth of
2hat is stated# It 2as these considerations 2hich induced the Church
authorities< under 2hose aus*ices this histor! is *u&ished< to ta0e the
narrati$e of the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< as found in the 'anuscri*t Histor!
of the Church--no2 in the archi$es of the Historian+s office--for the od!
of the 2or0< rather than to authori4e the 2ritin, of a histor! in the
ordinar! 2a!# The editors of the 2or0 are not o&i$ious to the fact that
to *roceed in the 'anner fo&&o2ed in these $o&u'es has its disad$anta,es?
that it renders it i'*ossi&e to corre&ate the facts< and ,i$e unit! to
the 2or0? that it 'a0es the od! of the 2or0 'ore of the nature of anna&s
than of histor!? 2ith the acco'*an!in, resu&t that the conc&usion of an
e$ent< or e$en a series of e$ents< is fre>uent&! *ost*oned indefinite&!<
and each reader is &eft to e his o2n -*hi&oso*her of histor!- 2hi&e
*erusin, these *a,es? that is< to for' his o2n conc&usions u*on the data
here *resented to hi'# To o$erco'e< at &east in so'e s'a&& de,ree< the
o$ious disad$anta,es of the st!&e in 2hich it has een deter'ined to
*u&ish this histor!< 'ar,ina& notes re&atin, to i'*ortant 'atters are
,i$en< 2hich< 2hi&e it is not c&ai'ed that the! o$erco'e the difficu&ties
of the anna&istic st!&e of the 'ain od! of the 2or0< 2i&& ne$erthe&ess<
e of ,reat ser$ice to the reader oth in this res*ect and a&so in here
and there en&ar,in, u*on the )ro*het+s narrati$e 2here that narrati$e does
not inc&ude a&& the facts 0no2n u*on the su=ect#
Fro' the first the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith had a c&ear a**rehension of
the i'*ortance of 0ee*in, a faithfu& record of the e$ents connected 2ith
the ,reat 2or0 2hich 5od 2as rin,in, forth throu,h his instru'enta&it!?
and it is to his a**reciation of the i'*ortance of that fact< and his
ne$er tirin, ener,! res*ectin, it< that 2e are indeted for the 'inute
co'*&eteness of our Church anna&s# 3hi&e the $er! ra*idit! 2ith 2hich
e$ents ha**ened< to,ether 2ith the >uic0&! chan,in, circu'stances throu,h
2hich the *ur*oses of 5od 2ere unfo&ded in the ,reat Dis*ensation of the
fu&ness of Ti'es< necessari&! occu*ied the ti'e of the )ro*het< and 2e&&
ni,h 'ade it i'*ossi&e for hi' to ,i$e a&& the attention to the 'a0in, of
anna&s that is necessar! to such 2or0< sti&& he >uite thorou,h&!
su*er$ised the 2ritin, of his histor!< 2ith the resu&t that 'ore co'*&ete
historica& data ha$e een 2ritten and *reser$ed res*ectin, the co'in,
forth of the 2or0 of 5od in these &ast da!s than an! other ,reat 'o$e'ent
2hatsoe$er#
One difficu&t! the )ro*het e/*erienced in 2ritin, the anna&s of the
Church< 2hich he usua&&! ca&&ed his histor!< 2as the unfaithfu&ness of
so'e 2ho' he e'*&o!ed in this ser$ice< and the fre>uent chan,e of
historians< o2in, to the e$er shiftin, conditions surroundin, the Church
in the ear&! !ears of its e/istence# It 2ou&d e 'ar$e&ous indeed if
under a&& these circu'stances there had een no 'ista0es 'ade in our
anna&s< no conf&ict of dates< no errors in the re&ation of e$ents# "ut
2hether these conditions are ta0en into account or not< the 'anuscri*t
anna&s of the Church are astonishin,&! free fro' errors of dates< re&ation
of facts< or anachronis's of e$er! descri*tion# 3hen the Church
historians 5eor,e A# S'ith and 3i&ford 3oodruff co'*&eted their
*u&ication of the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith< do2n to the 8th of Au,ust<
78@@< 2hich histor! 2as *u&ished in insta&&'ents in the Deseret Ne2s<
Utah< and in the .i&&ennia& Star< En,&and< the! e/*ressed the'se&$es u*on
the correctness of 2hat the! had *u&ished in the fo&&o2in, 'anner(
-The Histor! of Jose*h S'ith is no2 efore the 2or&d< and 2e are
satisfied that a histor! 'ore correct in its detai&s than this 2as ne$er
*u&ished# To ha$e it strict&! correct< the ,reatest *ossi&e *ains ha$e
een ta0en ! the historians and c&er0s en,a,ed in the 2or0# The! 2ere
e!e and ear 2itnesses of near&! a&& the transactions recorded in this
histor!< 'ost of 2hich 2ere re*orted as the! trans*ired< and< 2here the!
2ere not *ersona&&! *resent< the! ha$e had access to those 2ho 2ere#
.oreo$er< since the death of the )ro*het Jose*h< the histor! has een
carefu&&! re$ised under the strict ins*ection of )resident "ri,ha' Youn,<
and a**ro$ed ! hi'< 3e< therefore< here! ear our testi'on! to a&& the
2or&d< unto 2ho' these 2ords sha&& co'e< that the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith
is true< and is one of the 'ost authentic histories e$er 2ritten#-
Their state'ent assured&! is true? and !et ! a carefu& re$ision of
the 2or0 the! did< and the correction of a fe2 errors in dates and other
detai&s< the 2or0 has een rou,ht to a sti&& hi,her state of *erfection#
3here ,ra''atica& accurac! 2as $io&ated in the ori,ina& record it has een
corrected< so far as oser$ed? ut no historica& or doctrina& state'ent
has een chan,ed# So'e chan,es 2i&& e oser$ed in the 'atter of the
io,ra*hies of the &eadin, e&ders of the ear&! da!s of the Church# 3hen a
'an of *ro'inence connected hi'se&f 2ith the Church< the )ro*het Jose*h
usua&&! ,a$e a io,ra*hica& s0etch of hi' in his o2n histor!< then
2ritin,? and so'eti'es these io,ra*hies 2ere &on, and undu&! interru*ted
the 'o$e'ent of e$ents# To rid the od! of the 2or0 of this incu'rance
it 2as decided to *&ace a&& io,ra*hica& 'atter in 'ar,ina& notes? this
'ade it necessar! to condense $er! 'uch those found in the )ro*het+s
narrati$e< 2hi&e se$ere re$it!--after accurac!--has een the ai' in those
*re*ared ! the annotator#
The 'ost carefu& attention has een ,i$en to this 2or0 ! those
en,a,ed in its *re*aration# The 'anuscri*t has een read to the Church
Historian< )resident Anthon H# Lund< 2ith constant reference to the
ori,ina& 'anuscri*t histor! and a&& co*ies of it *u&ished in the Ti'es
and Seasons and the .i&&ennia& Star? and a&so to $arious editions of the
Doctrine and Co$enants< and the "oo0 of Co''and'ents *u&ished at
Inde*endence< .issouri< in 7899< 2here the re$e&ations recei$ed ! the
)ro*het Jose*h S'ith are contained# In the course of this 2or0 s&i,ht
$ariations in *hraseo&o,! 2ere disco$ered in the se$era& editions of the
Doctrine and Co$enants< that dout&ess arose throu,h care&ess *roof
readin,? and as et2een the 'ost carefu&&! *roof-read editions and the
re$e&ations found in the 'anuscri*t Histor! of the Church there 2ere so'e
s&i,ht differences< 2hich 2ere corrected to a,ree 2ith the ori,ina&
'anuscri*t? ut the corrections 2ere ne$er 'ade unti& first su'itted to
the First )residenc!< and carefu&&! considered and a**ro$ed ! the'# 3e
therefore fee& that this ,reat care has resu&ted in *resentin, to the
Church and to the 2or&d the re$e&ations 2hich the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith
recei$ed in their 'ost *erfect for'? and that a standard is created for
a&& future *u&ication of these re$e&ations# S*ea0in, of the re$e&ations
that a**ear in this oo0< it is *ro*er to re'ar0 that one of the chief
$a&ues of this $o&u'e of the Histor! of the Church 2i&& arise fro' the
fact that the ,reater nu'er of those re$e&ations recei$ed ! the )ro*het
Jose*h S'ith is *u&ished in it--one hundred and one< out of a hundred and
thirt!-three found in the Doctrine and Co$enants? and as the! are
*u&ished in connection 2ith the circu'stances e/istin, 2hen rou,ht
forth< the student of the doctrines of the Church 2i&& find this $o&u'e of
a&'ost inca&cu&a&e enefit to hi'#
In the Introduction it is e&ie$ed the reader 2i&& find a fittin,
ac0,round fro' 2hich are *ro=ected 2ith 'a=estic o&dness the ,reat
e$ents and s*&endid doctrines of the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es#
That dis*ensation< of 2hich this histor! is ut the chronic&e< ears an
i'*ortant re&ation to a&& for'er dis*ensations since the 2or&d e,an# It
is the ocean into 2hich the! as strea's f&o2# It is their co'*&e'ent< and
unif!in, force--it 'a0es the' a&& one? and de'onstrates that 2hi&e thin,s
to 'en a**ear ut in *arts< 5od fore$er stands in the *resence of the
2ho&e< and dis*enses His *ro$idences 2ith reference to His *erfect
co'*rehension of the end fro' the e,innin,# It is to e/hiit this
re&ation of dis*ensations that the Introduction is 2ritten< and the
i'*ortance of the su=ect 'ust e the a*o&o,! for its &en,th#
INTRODUCTION
ANTIAUITY OF THE 5OS)EL
THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS is
a&so the histor! of the o*enin, and *ro,ress of the Dis*ensation of the
Fu&ness of Ti'es? and as that dis*ensation ears an i'*ortant re&ation to
a&& dis*ensations 2hich ha$e *receded it< &et us here ascertain in 2hat
that re&ation consists# "! doin, so 2e sha&& ha$e a etter a**reciation
of the fu&& i'*ort of those e$ents 2hich 'a0e u* the histor! of the
Church#
A dis*ensation< 2ithout reference to an! s*ecific a**&ication or
&i'itation of the ter'< is the act of dea&in, out or distriutin,< such as
the dis*ensation of =ustice ! courts< the dis*ensation of &essin,s or
aff&ictions ! the hand of )ro$idence# Theo&o,ica&&! a dis*ensation is
defined as one of the se$era& s!ste's or odies of &a2 in 2hich at
different *eriods 5od has re$ea&ed his 'ind and 2i&& to 'an< such as the
)atriarcha& Dis*ensation< the .osaic Dis*ensation< or the Christian
Dis*ensation# The 2ord is a&so so'eti'es a**&ied to the *eriods of ti'e
durin, 2hich the said &a2s otain# That is< the *eriod fro' Ada' to Noah
is usua&&! ca&&ed the )atriarcha& Dis*ensation# Fro' Noah to the ca&&in,
of Araha'< the Noachian Dis*ensation? and fro' Araha' to the ca&&in, of
.oses< the Araha'ic Dis*ensation# "ut the 2ord dis*ensation as connected
2ith the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ 'eans the o*enin, of the hea$ens to 'en?
the ,i$in, out or dis*ensin, to the' the 2ord of 5od? the re$ea&in, to 'en
in 2ho&e or the *art the *rinci*&es and ordinances of the 5os*e&? the
conferrin, of di$ine authorit! u*on certain chosen ones< ! 2hich the! are
e'*o2ered to act in the na'e< that is< in the authorit! of 5od< and for
Hi'# That is a dis*ensation as re&atin, to the 5os*e&? and the
Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es is the dis*ensation 2hich inc&udes
a&& others and ,athers to itse&f a&& thin,s 2hich ear an! re&ation
2hatsoe$er to the 2or0 of 5od# A&so it is the &ast dis*ensation< the one
in 2hich 2i&& e ,athered to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth 2hich
are in hea$en< and 2hich are on earth? e$en in Hi'# It is the
dis*ensation 2hich 2i&& see fu&fi&&ed a&& the decrees of 5od res*ectin,
the sa&$ation of 'en and the rede'*tion of the earth itse&f? and ears
such re&ation to a&& other dis*ensations of the 5os*e& as the ocean does
to a&& earth+s strea's# It recei$es and unites the' a&& in itse&f#
That there ha$e een 'an! dis*ensations of the 5os*e&< 'an! ti'es
that di$ine authorit! has een conferred u*on 'en< is a**arent fro' the
Scri*ture narrati$e of such e$ents# And !et< stran,e as it 'a! see'< in
the face of such Scri*ture narrati$es< there are those a'on, *rofessin,
Christians 2ho ho&d that the 5os*e& had no ear&ier ori,in than the ti'e of
.essiah+s 'inistr! in the f&esh# As a 'atter of fact< ho2e$er< the 5os*e&
of Jesus Christ has e/isted fro' the $er! ear&iest a,es of the 2or&d#
There are< indeed< certain *assa,es of Scri*ture 2hich &ead us to e&ie$e
that e$en efore the earth 2as 'ade or e$er 'an 2as *&aced u*on it< the
5os*e& had een for'u&ated and 2as understood ! the s*irits 2hich
inhaited the 0in,do' of the Father? and 2ho< in course of ti'e< 2ou&d e
&essed 2ith a *roation on the earth--an earth-&ife# If this e not
true< of 2hat si,nificance is the Scri*ture 2hich s*ea0s of Jesus as the
La' ordained efore the foundation of the 2or&d< ut re$ea&ed in this da!
for the sa&$ation of 'anB 3hat of the -La' s&ain fro' the foundation of
the 2or&d-B And further( -The! that d2e&& on the earth sha&& 2onder<
2hose na'es 2ere not 2ritten in the "oo0 of Life fro' the foundation of
the 2or&d#- -3here 2ast thou<- as0ed the Lord of Jo< -2hen I &aid the
foundations of the earthB C C C 3hen the 'ornin, stars san, to,ether< and
a&& the sons of 5od shouted for =o!B- There is e$idence in these
e/*ressions found in Scri*ture that efore the foundations of the earth
2ere &aid the sacrifice necessar! to the rede'*tion of 'en 2as understood<
and the -La'- for the sacrifice 2as chosen< Jesus< the .essiah# There is
e$idence in these e/*ressions fro' Scri*ture of the *re-e/istence of the
s*irits of 'en< and the na'es of so'e of the' at &east 2ere 2ritten in the
-"oo0 of Life- fro' the foundation of the 2or&d< and it is not un&i0e&!
that the shoutin, of a&& the sons of 5od for =o! at the creation of the
earth 2as in conse>uence of the *ros*ects 2hich o*ened efore the' ecause
of the earth-&ife and the sa&$ation that 2ou&d co'e to the' throu,h the
5os*e&--e$en in the *ros*ects of that -eterna& &ife< 2hich 5od that cannot
&ie *ro'ised efore the 2or&d e,an#-
The 5os*e& Re$ea&ed to Ada'#
The 5os*e&< then< is of ,reat anti>uit!# O&der than the hi&&s< o&der
than the earth? for in the hea$en&! 0in,do' 2as it for'u&ated efore the
foundations of the earth 2ere &aid# Nor 2ere 'en &eft in i,norance of the
*&an of their rede'*tion unti& the co'in, of the .essiah in the f&esh#
Fro' the first that *&an 2as 0no2n# Our anna&s are i'*erfect on that
head< dout&ess< ut enou,h e/ists e$en in the Je2ish scri*tures to
indicate the e/istence of a 0no2&ed,e of the fact of the Atone'ent and of
the rede'*tion of 'an throu,h that 'eans# Ae&< the son of Ada'< is the
first 2e read of in the Je2ish scri*tures as offerin, -the first&in,s of
his f&oc0- as a sacrifice unto 5od# Ho2 ca'e he to offer sacrifice of the
first&in,s of his f&oc0B Dout&ess ehind Ae&+s sacrifice< as ehind
si'i&ar offerin,s in suse>uent a,es< stood the fact of the Christ+s
Atone'ent# In it 2as fi,ured forth the 'eans of 'an+s
rede'*tion--throu,h a sacrifice< and that the sacrifice of the first-orn#
"ut 2here &earned Ae& to offer sacrifice if not fro' his father Ada'B It
is reasona&! certain that Ada' as 2e&& as Ae& offered sacrifices< in
&i0e 'anner and for the sa'e intent? and to Ada'< thou,h the Je2ish
scri*tures are si&ent res*ectin, it< 5od 'ust ha$e re$ea&ed oth the
necessit! of offerin, sacrifice and the ,reat thin, of 2hich it 2as ut
the s!'o&# And here< to so'e ad$anta,e< 'a! e >uoted a *assa,e fro' the
2ritin,s of .oses< as re$ea&ed to Jose*h S'ith< in Dece'er< 789D# Fro'
2hat 2as then 'ade 0no2n to the ,reat &atter-da! )ro*het of the 2ritin,s
of .oses< it a**ears that our oo0 of 5enesis does not contain a&& that
2as re$ea&ed to .oses res*ectin, the re$e&ations of 5od to Ada' and his
chi&dren of the first ,eneration# Accordin, to this 'ore co'*&ete account
of the re$e&ation to .oses< after Ada' 2as dri$en fro' Eden< 5od ,a$e
co''and'ents oth to hi' and his 2ife< that the! shou&d 2orshi* the Lord
their 5od< and shou&d offer the first&in,s of their f&oc0s for an offerin,
unto the Lord< and Ada' 2as oedient unto the co''and'ent(
And after 'an! da!s an an,e& of the Lord a**eared unto Ada'<
sa!in,( 3h! doest thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Ada' said
unto hi'( I 0no2 not< sa$e the Lord co''anded 'e# And the an,e&
s*a0e< sa!in,? This thin, is a si'i&itude of the sacrifice of the
On&! "e,otten of the Father< 2hich is fu&& of ,race and truth#
3herefore< thou sha&t do a&& that thou doest in the na'e of the Son<
and thou sha&t re*ent and ca&& u*on 5od in the na'e of the Son
fore$er'ore#
After so'e ti'e e&a*sed and 'en 'u&ti*&ied in the earth and
2ic0edness increased? after Ae&< the ri,hteous< 2as s&ain and Cain 2as a
$a,aond in the earth for the 'urder? after La'ech had a&so eco'e a
'urderer and Satan had ,reat *o2er a'on, the disoedient--then< it is
2ritten(
And 5od cursed the earth 2ith a sore curse< and 2as an,r! 2ith the
2ic0ed< 2ith a&& the sons of 'en 2ho' he had 'ade? for the! 2ou&d not
hear0en unto His $oice< nor e&ie$e on His On&! "e,otten son< e$en
Hi' 2ho' He dec&ared shou&d co'e in the 'eridian of ti'e< 2ho 2as
*re*ared fro' efore the foundation of the 2or&d# And thus the
5os*e& e,an to e *reached< fro' the e,innin,< ein, dec&ared !
ho&! an,e&s sent forth fro' the *resence of 5od< and ! His o2n
$oice< and ! the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host# And thus a&& thin,s 2ere
confir'ed unto Ada'< ! an ho&! ordinance< and the 5os*e& *reached<
and a decree sent forth< that it shou&d e in the 2or&d< unti& the
end thereof#
Esta&ish'ent of the Ancient Church#
As the 5os*e& 2as thus *reached there 2ere those a'on, the chi&dren
of Ada' 2ho oe!ed it< and a record of those 'en 2as 0e*t< and the!
constituted the ancient Church of 5od# Enoch 2as of the nu'er of
ri,hteous ones< and a *reacher of ri,hteousness# In these re$ea&ed
2ritin,s of .oses he is re*resented in the course of his 'inistr! as
referrin, to the 'anner in 2hich the 5os*e& 2as tau,ht to Ada'(
And he said unto the'( "ecause that Ada' fe&&< 2e are< and ! his
fa&& ca'e death? and 2e are 'ade *arta0ers of 'iser! and 2oe# "eho&d
Satan hath co'e a'on, the chi&dren of 'en< and te'*teth the' to
2orshi* hi'? and 'en ha$e eco'e carna&< sensua&< and de$i&ish< and
are shut out fro' the *resence of 5od# "ut 5od hath 'ade 0no2n unto
our fathers that a&& 'en 'ust re*ent# And He ca&&ed u*on our father
Ada' ! His o2n $oice< sa!in,( I a' 5od? I 'ade the 2or&d< and 'en
efore the! 2ere in the f&esh# And He a&so said unto hi'( If thou
2i&t turn unto 'e< and hear0en unto '! $oice< and e&ie$e< and re*ent
of a&& th! trans,ressions< and e a*ti4ed< e$en in 2ater< in the
na'e of 'ine On&! "e,otten son< 2ho is fu&& of ,race and truth< 2hich
is Jesus Christ< the on&! na'e 2hich sha&& e ,i$en under hea$en<
2here! sa&$ation sha&& co'e unto the chi&dren of 'en< !e sha&&
recei$e the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< as0in, a&& thin,s in His na'e<
and 2hatsoe$er !e sha&& as0< it sha&& e ,i$en !ou#
Ada' 2as oedient to the co''and'ents of the Lord< and tau,ht the' to
his chi&dren< 'an! of 2ho' e&ie$ed the'< oe!ed< and eca'e the sons of
5od#
Enoch< 2e are to&d< -2a&0ed 2ith 5od( and he 2as not? for 5od too0
hi'#- )au&< in s*ea0in, of hi'< sa!s( -"! faith Enoch 2as trans&ated
that he shou&d not see death? and 2as not found< ecause 5od had
trans&ated hi'#- "ut the 2ritin,s of .oses< as re$ea&ed to Jose*h S'ith<
and fro' 2hich I ha$e een >uotin,< ,i$e infor'ation that not on&! 2as
Enoch trans&ated ut the Saints inhaitin, his cit!< into 2hich he had
,athered his *eo*&e< and this cit! 2as ca&&ed ;ion? -And it ca'e to *ass
that ;ion 2as not< for 5od recei$ed it u* into His o2n oso'? and fro'
thence 2ent forth the sa!in,< ;ion is f&ed#-
The 5os*e& $ersus the La2#
Thus the 5os*e& 2as tau,ht to the ancients# Noah 2as a *reacher of
it as 2e&& as Enoch# So< too< 2as .e&chi4ede0< *riest of the .ost Hi,h
5od< 1in, of Sa&e'< 2ho 'et Araha' in his da! and &essed hi'# )au&<
the A*ost&e of the 5enti&es< ears un'ista0a&e testi'on! to the fact that
the 5os*e& 2as *reached unto Araha'? and a&so that it 2as offered to
Israe& under .oses efore -the &a2 of carna& co''and'ents- 2as ,i$en# -I
2ou&d not that !e shou&d e i,norant<- he sa!s< -ho2 that a&& our fathers
2ere under the c&oud< and a&& *assed throu,h the sea? and 2ere a&&
a*ti4ed unto .oses in the c&oud and in the sea? and did a&& eat the sa'e
s*iritua& 'eat? and did a&& drin0 the sa'e s*iritua& drin0( for the! dran0
of that s*iritua& Roc0 that fo&&o2ed the'? and that Roc0 2as Christ#-
Referrin, a,ain to the fact of the *resentation of the 5os*e& to
ancient Israe&< )au& sa!s that the 5os*e& 2as *reached unto ancient
Israe&< as 2e&& as unto Israe& in his da!? ut the *reachin, of the 5os*e&
to ancient Israe& 2as not *rofita&e to the'< ecause the! recei$ed it not
in faith< and as a resu&t dis*&eased 5od ! their une&ief< and the
ree&&ious *erished in the 2i&derness#
)au&+s ,reat contro$ers! 2ith the Christian Je2s 2as in re&ation to
the su*eriorit! of the 5os*e& to the &a2 of .oses# .an! of the Christian
Je2s 2hi&e acce*tin, Jesus of Na4areth as the *ro'ised .essiah< sti&& he&d
to the &a2 2ith so'ethin, &i0e su*erstitious re$erence< and cou&d not e
*ersuaded that the 5os*e& su*erseded the &a2< and 2as< in fact< a
fu&fi&&'ent of a&& its t!*es and s!'o&s# This contro$ers! cu&'inated in
)au&+s no2 ce&erated &etter to the 5a&atians< 2herein he sa!s(
1no2 !e therefore that the! 2hich are of faith< the sa'e are the
chi&dren of Araha'# And the scri*ture< foreseein, that 5od 2ou&d
=ustif! the heathen throu,h faith< *reached efore the 5os*e& unto
Araha'< sa!in,< in thee sha&& a&& nations e &essed# C C C C No2
to Araha' and his seed 2ere the *ro'ises 'ade# He saith not< And to
seeds< as of 'an!( ut as of one# And to th! seed< 2hich is Christ#
And this I sa!< that the co$enant< that 2as confir'ed efore of 5od
in Christ< the &a2< 2hich 2as four hundred and thirt! !ears after<
cannot disannu&< that it shou&d 'a0e the *ro'ise of none effect# C C
C C 3herefore then ser$eth the &a2B It 2as added ecause of
trans,ressions< ti&& the seed shou&d co'e to 2ho' the *ro'ise 2as
'ade? and it 2as ordained ! an,e&s in the hand of a 'ediator# C C C
3herefore the &a2 2as our schoo&'aster to rin, us unto Christ< that
2e 'i,ht e =ustified ! faith# "ut after that faith is co'e< 2e are
no &on,er under a schoo&'aster# For !e are a&& the chi&dren of 5od
! faith in Christ Jesus#
Fro' .oses to John the "a*tist and .essiah
In ,reater c&earness< ho2e$er< than in these sa!in,s of )au& ,athered
u* fro' his 2ritin,s &i0e scattered ra!s of &i,ht fro' a *ris'+s
ref&ection< the anti>uit! of the 5os*e&< as far as it concerns ancient
Israe&< is stated in a re$e&ation of 5od to the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith# And
not on&! the anti>uit! of the 5os*e&< ut in ,reater c&earness a&so is
stated the reasons 2h!< after the 5os*e& 2as first *reached to ancient
Israe&< the &a2 of carna& co''and'ents 2as -added- to the 5os*e&< or ,i$en
in its *&ace< to act as a schoo&'aster to rin, Israe& unto Christ# And
! the 0no2&ed,e i'*arted in that re$e&ation the ti'e et2een the .osaic
dis*ensation and the co'in, of John the "a*tist< to *re*are the 2a! for
the co'in, of the Christ< is s*anned ! a state'ent so rationa&< that the
truth of it cannot e reasona&! >uestioned#
S*ea0in, of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood and its *o2ers in
ad'inisterin, the ordinances of the 5os*e&< and ho2 it ca'e to disa**ear
as an or,ani4ation in Israe&< the *assa,e in >uestion sa!s(
This ,reater )riesthood ad'inistereth the 5os*e& and ho&deth the
0e! of the '!steries of the 0in,do'< e$en the 0e! of the 0no2&ed,e of
5od# Therefore< in the ordinances thereof< the *o2er of ,od&iness is
'anifest# And 2ithout the ordinances thereof< and the authorit! of
the )riesthood< the *o2er of ,od&iness is not 'anifest unto 'en in
the f&esh( for 2ithout this no 'an can see the face of 5od< e$en the
Father< and &i$e# No2 this .oses *&ain&! tau,ht to the chi&dren of
Israe& in the 2i&derness and sou,ht di&i,ent&! to sanctif! his *eo*&e
that the! 'i,ht eho&d the face of 5od? ut the! hardened their
hearts and cou&d not endure his *resence? therefore< the Lord in his
2rath< for his an,er 2as 0ind&ed a,ainst the'< s2ore that the! shou&d
not enter into his rest 2hi&e in the 2i&derness< 2hich rest is the
fu&ness of his ,&or!# Therefore he too0 .oses out of their 'idst<
and the Ho&! )riesthood a&so? and the &esser )riesthood continued<
2hich )riesthood ho&deth the 0e! of the 'inisterin, of an,e&s and the
*re*arator! 5os*e&? 2hich 5os*e& is the 5os*e& of re*entance and of
a*tis'< and the re'ission of sins< and the &a2 of carna&
co''and'ents< 2hich the Lord in his 2rath< caused to continue 2ith
the house of Aaron a'on, the chi&dren of Israe& unti& John< 2ho' 5od
raised u*< ein, fi&&ed 2ith the Ho&! 5host fro' his 'other+s 2o'?
for he 2as a*ti4ed 2hi&e he 2as !et in his chi&dhood< and 2as
ordained ! the an,e& of 5od at the 2hen he 2as ei,ht da!s o&d unto
this *o2er to o$erthro2 the 0in,do' of the Je2s< and to 'a0e strai,ht
the 2a! of the Lord efore the fate of his *eo*&e< to *re*are the'
for the co'in, of the Lord< in 2hose hand is ,i$en a&& *o2er#
As efore re'ar0ed< this *assa,e s*ans the inter$a& of ti'e et2een
.oses and John the "a*tist< and ,i$es a fu&&er e/*&anation than can e
found in the 2ritin,s of )au& or e&se2here< for the reason 2h! and in 2hat
'anner the &a2 su**&anted the 5os*e&? and 2hat 'easure of the )riesthood
re'ained 2ith Israe& unto the co'in, of John? in 2hat the 'ission of John
consisted< and in 2hat 'anner he 2as >ua&ified to fu&fi& that 'ission#
It shou&d e re'ar0ed< ho2e$er< that 2hi&e the Lord too0 .oses out of
the 'idst of ancient Israe&< and the Ho&! .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood a&so< as
an institution< as an or,ani4ation< it is e$ident that suse>uent&!
s*ecia& dis*ensations of that )riesthood 2ere ,i$en to indi$idua&
*ro*hets< such as Sa'ue&< Nathan< E&i=ah< Isaiah< Jere'iah< E4e0ie&< and
Danie&( for these 'en e/ercised *o2ers and en=o!ed *ri$i&e,es 2hich
e&on, e/c&usi$e&! to the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood#
The Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e#
3ith the *eriod et2een .oses and John the "a*tist s*anned< 2e co'e
to the Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e# This dis*ensation e,ins
2ith the *reachin, of John the "a*tist in the 2i&derness# It 2as 'ade
,&orious ! the *ersona& 'inistr! of Jesus of Na4areth< the Son of 5od? !
His sufferin, and death< for the rede'*tion of 'an0ind? ! His ,&orious
resurrection fro' the dead? ! His suse>uent 'inistr! a'on, His
fo&&o2ers< and His fina& ascension into hea$en to the throne of His
Father? ! the faithfu& 'inistr! of His A*ost&es< ! 2ho' the ,ood tidin,s
of 'an+s sa&$ation 2ere *u&ished to the 2or&d( ! the esta&ish'ent of
the Church as the a,enc! throu,h 2hich the 5os*e& 2as to e 'ore 2ide&!
*roc&ai'ed< and those 2ho acce*ted the 5os*e& 2ere 'ore thorou,h&!
instructed in its doctrines< ,uarded fro' error< and fina&&! *erfected in
the Christian &ife# An ins*ired $o&u'e of Scri*ture< the Ne2 Testa'ent<
2as a&so rou,ht into e/istence< fro' the teachin,s of the ins*ired
A*ost&es< in 2hich the ,reat funda'enta& truths of the 5os*e& 2ere
e'odied and cast in a for' that 2ou&d e endurin,< and to 2hich 'en cou&d
a**ea& throu,h a&& the a,es to co'e< as an authoritati$e state'ent< not
on&! of 2hat Jesus said and 2hat He did< ut a&so a state'ent of 2hat
doctrines are to e e&ie$ed? 2hat *rece*ts to e *racticed? 2hat
ordinances to e oser$ed# "! thus e'od!in, the chief doctrines of
Christ in a $o&u'e of Scri*ture that shou&d &i$e fore$er< and e *u&ished
in a&& the &an,ua,es of the 2or&d< *ro$ision 2as 'ade for such a
disse'ination of the 0no2&ed,e of 5od< that the 2or&d 2ou&d ne$er a,ain e
2ho&&! 2ithout that 0no2&ed,e? and thou,h the Church 'i,ht eco'e
corru*ted< as it after2ards did? thou,h 'en a'itious of distinction and
*o2er 'i,ht usur* authorit! and esta&ish churches< in 2hich the! tau,ht
for doctrines the co''and'ents of 'en< as the! certain&! did? sti&& in
this $o&u'e of Scri*ture 'en henceforth 2ou&d ha$e at hand a standard of
truth ! 2hich to test the utterances of 2ou&d-e teachers< 2hi&e at the
sa'e ti'e it 2ou&d 0ee* ao$e the hori4on of a 2or&d+s 0no2&ed,e the ,reat
truths of the 5os*e&--the e/istence and character of 5od? the
'anifestation of Hi' throu,h the *erson and character of Jesus of
Na4areth? the re&ationshi* e/istin, et2een 5od and 'an? the fa&& of 'en?
and the rede'*tion *ro$ided for hi' in the atone'ent of Jesus Christ# A&&
this 2as achie$ed in the Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e? a 'i,ht!
2or0 acco'*&ished ! the Son of 5od and His associates? a 2or0 sea&ed not
on&! ! the &ood of Jesus Christ< ut ! the &ood a&so of 'an! faithfu&
2itnesses< 2hich sha&& 'a0e their testi'on! of force in the 2or&d#
The Identit! of the Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e and the
Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es Considered#
At this *oint 2e are confronted 2ith a >uestion that 'ust e sett&ed
efore *ro,ress is *ossi&e 2ith this Introduction# O2in, to the
*hraseo&o,! of certain *assa,es of Scri*ture< 'a0in, reference to the
co'in, of .essiah in the f&esh< and to the 2or0 of 5od in those da!s< the
Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e is 'ista0en for the Dis*ensation of
the Fu&ness of Ti'es# In .ar0+s 5os*e&< for instance< John the "a*tist is
re*resented as sa!in,< -The ti'e is fu&fi&&ed< and the 0in,do' of 5od is
at hand( re*ent !e< and e&ie$e the ,os*e&#- The 2ords in Ita&ics are
usua&&! understood to 'a0e reference to the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of
Ti'es# A,ain it is 2ritten( -"ut 2hen the fu&ness of the ti'e 2as co'e<
5od sent forth His Son< 'ade of a 2o'an< 'ade under the &a2< to redee'
the' that 2ere under the &a2#- The 2ords< -2hen the fu&ness of the ti'e
2as co'e<- are su**osed to refer to the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of
Ti'es# Other *assa,es of Scri*ture referrin, to the da!s of .essiah+s
*ersona& 'inistr! a'on, 'en in the f&esh< s*ea0 of the' as the -&ast
da!s#- )au&< in the o*enin, sentence of his &etter to the Here2s< does
this( -5od< 2ho at sundr! ti'es and in di$ers 'anners s*a0e in ti'e *ast
unto the fathers ! the *ro*hets< hath in these &ast da!s s*o0en unto us
! His Son< 2ho' He hath a**ointed heir of a&& thin,s#- So St# John< in
addressin, the Saints in his da!( -&itt&e chi&dren< it is the &ast ti'e(
and as !e ha$e heard that anti-Christ sha&& co'e< e$en no2 are there 'an!
anti-Christs? 2here! 2e 0no2 that it is the &ast ti'e#- These< 2ith t2o
other s*ecia& *assa,es of Scri*ture to e se*arate&! considered<
constitute the authorit! u*on 2hich the .eridian Dis*ensation is
confounded 2ith the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es# And !et a&&
these *assa,es are susce*ti&e of >uite a different and 'ore natura&
renderin,# 3ithout contro$ers! it 2i&& e conceded that the Lord had an
a**ointed ti'e for His Son Jesus to co'e to earth in the f&esh and *erfor'
the 'ission that had een assi,ned hi'? to suffer? to die? to arise a,ain
fro' the dead# And 2hen the fu&ness of this ti'e 2as co'e< 5od indeed
sent forth His Son into the 2or&d# As for those ins*ired 2riters 2ho
s*ea0 of the -&ast da!s<- and the -&ast ti'es---the! s*ea0 re&ati$e&!?
that is< 2ith reference to for'er da!s and ti'es? and< of course< the da!s
and ti'es in 2hich the! &i$ed to the' 2ere the &ast da!s< and the &ast
ti'es? ut the! 2ere not the &ast da!s of the earth+s te'*ora& e/istence?
the! 2ere not the &ast da!s in an! ,enera& sense at a&&< as there ha$e
een no2 so'e t2o thousand !ears of da!s since then# The! 2ere not the
-&ast da!s- that are understood as i''ediate&! *recedin, the ,&orious
co'in, of the Son of 5od#
Joe&+s 5reat )ro*hec! of the Dis*ensation of the Last Da!s#
Of the s*ecia& *assa,es efore referred to< and 2hich I said 2ou&d
recei$e se*arate consideration< the first is )eter+s >uotation fro' the
)ro*het Joe& concernin, the out*ourin, of the S*irit of 5od u*on -a&&
f&esh in the &ast da!s#- This >uotation fro' Joe& is re,arded as
identif!in, the da!s in 2hich the A*ost&e 2as s*ea0in,< as -the &ast
da!s-? and the dis*ensation in 2hich he 2as &i$in, as the Dis*ensation of
the &ast Da!s and of the Fu&ness of Ti'es# The conditions e/istin, 2hen
)eter 2as s*ea0in,< and the *ro*hec! of Joe&< ho2e$er< ad'it of no such
inter*retation# The circu'stances 2ere as fo&&o2s( The Ho&! 5host in an
e/traordinar! 'anner rested u*on the A*ost&es and ,a$e the' the *o2er of
s*ea0in, in other &an,ua,es than those the! had &earned# So'e in the
&istenin, 'u&titude attriuted this sin,u&ar 'anifestation to drun0enness<
2hereu*on the A*ost&e )eter arose and refuted the s&ander< sa!in,( -These
are not drun0en< as !e su**ose< seein, it is ut the third hour of the
da!# "ut this is that 2hich 2as s*o0en< ! the )ro*het Joe&? and it sha&&
co'e to *ass in this &ast da!s< saith 5od< I 2i&& *our out of '! S*irit
u*on a&& f&esh( and !our sons and !our dau,hters sha&& *ro*hes!< and !our
!oun, 'en sha&& see $isions< and !our o&d 'en sha&& drea' drea's( and on
'! ser$ants and on '! hand'aidens I 2i&& *our out in those da!s of '!
S*irit? and the! sha&& *ro*hes!( and I 2i&& sho2 2onders in hea$en ao$e<
and si,ns in the earth eneath? &ood< and fire< and $a*or of s'o0e( the
sun sha&& e turned into dar0ness and the 'oon into &ood< efore that
,reat and nota&e da! of the Lord co'e( and it sha&& co'e to *ass< that
2hosoe$er sha&& ca&& on the na'e of the Lord sha&& e sa$ed#- -For<- to
finish the *assa,e as it stands in Joe&< ut 2hich is not in )eter+s
>uotation< -For in .ount ;ion and in Jerusa&e' sha&& e de&i$erance< as
the Lord hath said< and in the re'nant 2ho' the Lord sha&& ca&&#-
"ecause )eter< referrin, to the S*irit that 2as then restin, u*on the
T2e&$e A*ost&es< said< -this is that 2hich 2as s*o0en ! the )ro*het
Joe&<- etc#< the $er! ,enera& o*inion *re$ai&s that Joe&+s *ro*hec! 2as
then fu&fi&&ed? and hence the &ast da!s 2ere co'e# This is an entire
'isa**rehension of the *ur*ose of )eter in 'a0in, the >uotation? as a&so
of the >uoted *assa,e itse&f# "e!ond a&& contro$ers! )eter 'eant on&!(
This S*irit 2hich !ou no2 see restin, u*on these A*ost&es of Jesus of
Na4areth< is that sa'e S*irit 2hich !our )ro*het Joe& sa!s 2i&&< in the
&ast da!s< e *oured out u*on a&& f&esh< O$ious&! he did not 'ean that
this occasion of the A*ost&es recei$in, the Ho&! 5host 2as a co'*&ete
fu&fi&&'ent of Joe&+s *rediction# To insist u*on such an e/e,esis 2ou&d
e to char,e the chief of the A*ost&es 2ith *a&*a&e i,norance of the
'eanin, of Joe&+s *ro*hec!# On the occasion in >uestion the Ho&! 5host
2as *oured out u*on the T2e&$e A*ost&es< 2ho 2ere ,i$en the *o2er to s*ea0
in $arious ton,ues? Joe&+s *ro*hec! for its co'*&ete fu&fi&&'ent re>uires
that the S*irit of the Lord< the Ho&! 5host< sha&& e *oured out u*on a&&
f&esh< and undouted&! refers to that ti'e 2hich sha&& co'e in the &essed
'i&&enniu' 2hen the en'it! sha&& not on&! cease et2een 'an and 'an< ut
e$en et2een the easts of the forests and of the fie&ds? and et2een 'an
and east< as descried ! Isaiah in the fo&&o2in, &an,ua,e(
The 2o&f a&so sha&& d2e&& 2ith the La'< and the &eo*ard sha&&
&ie do2n 2ith the 0id? and the ca&f and the !oun, &ion and the
fat&in, to,ether? and a &itt&e chi&d sha&& &ead the'# And the co2
and the ear sha&& feed? their !oun, ones sha&& &ie do2n to,ether?
and the &ion sha&& eat stra2 &i0e the o/# And the suc0&in, chi&d
sha&& *&a! on the ho&e of the as*< and the 2eaned chi&d sha&& *ut his
hand on the coc0atrice den# The! sha&& not hurt nor destro! in a&&
'! ho&! 'ountain? for the earth sha&& e fu&& of the 0no2&ed,e of the
Lord< as the 2aters co$er the sea#
Co'*are these conditions so $i$id&! descried 2ith 2hat Joe& hi'se&f
sa!s of the *eriod 2hen the S*irit of the Lord sha&& e *oured out u*on
a&& f&esh< and it 2i&& at once e c&ear that the t2o )ro*hets are dea&in,
2ith the sa'e *eriod< and not on&! dea&in, 2ith the sa'e *eriod< ut that
the *eriod itse&f is certain&! far e!ond< in ti'e< the da!s of )eter? in
fact is sti&& in the future? for the sun has not !et een turned into
&ac0ness? nor the 'oon into &ood? nor ha$e the stars 2ithdra2n their
shinin,# It is o$ious that the e$ents u*on the da! of )entecost did not
fu&fi& the ter's of this *ro*hec!< e/ce*t in those *articu&ars a&read!
*ointed out# The 'ention in this *ro*hec!< ho2e$er< of those s*ecia&
si,ns 2hich Jesus refers to as i''ediate&! *recedin, His o2n second and
,&orious co'in,< c&ear&! de'onstrate that Joe& 2as s*ea0in, of the &ast
da!s indeed< and not of a circu'stance that occurred in connection 2ith a
*eriod 'ore *ro*er&! desi,nated as the Dis*ensation of the .eridian of
Ti'e# I''ediate&! fo&&o2in, the *rediction of the out*ourin, of 5od+s
S*irit u*on a&& f&esh< Joe& re*resents the Lord as sa!in,( -And I 2i&&
sho2 2onders in the hea$ens and in the earth< &ood< and fire< and *i&&ars
of s'o0e# The sun sha&& e turned into dar0ness< and the 'oon into &ood<
efore the ,reat and terri&e da! of the Lord co'es#- And &ater( -The
sun and the 'oon sha&& e dar0ened< and the stars sha&& 2ithdra2 their
shinin,# The Lord a&so sha&& roar out of ;ion< and utter his $oice fro'
Jerusa&e'? and the hea$ens and the earth sha&& sha0e< ut the Lord 2i&& e
the ho*e of his *eo*&e< and the stren,th of the chi&dren of Israe&#
Co'*are this 2ith the Sa$ior+s descri*tion of conditions in the earth
that 2i&& *recede His o2n second co'in,(
I''ediate&! after the triu&ation of those da!s sha&& the sun e
dar0ened< and the 'oon sha&& not ,i$e her &i,ht and the stars sha&&
fa&& fro' hea$en< and the *o2ers of the hea$ens sha&& e sha0en( and
then sha&& a**ear the si,n of the Son of .an in hea$en( and then
sha&& a&& the tries of the earth 'ourn< and the! sha&& see the Son
of .an co'in, in the c&ouds of hea$en 2ith *o2er and ,reat ,&or!#
And he sha&& send his an,e&s 2ith a ,reat sound of a tru'*et< and
the! sha&& ,ather to,ether his e&ect fro' the four 2inds< fro' one
end of hea$en to the other#
The sa'e 2onders in hea$en and earth? the sa'e chan,es in sun and
'oon< and stars? the sa'e *ro'ises of the ,atherin, of 5od+s *eo*&e as are
found in the *ro*hec! of Joe&# There can e no >uestion< then< ut that
the *ro*hec! of Joe& refers to the sa'e -&ast da!s- that Jesus here
a&&udes to--the da!s of the co'in, of the Son of .an--and not to the da!s
of )eter and the other A*ost&es in the .eridian of ti'e#
The su' of the 'atter then is< that )eter 2as not &i$in, in the -&ast
da!s-? that the *ro*hec! of Joe& 2as not in its entiret! fu&fi&&ed in the
out*ourin, of 5od+s S*irit u*on the A*ost&es on the da! of )entecost? that
at no ti'e suse>uent to the da!s of the A*ost&es has there e/isted such
conditions in the earth as a'ount to a co'*&ete fu&fi&&'ent of Joe&+s
*ro*hec!? therefore at so'e ti'e future fro' the da!s of the A*ost&es< 2e
'a! &oo0 for2ard to a uni$ersa& out*ourin, of 5od+s Ho&! S*irit u*on a&&
f&esh< resu&tin, in a uni$ersa& *eace and 2ides*read 0no2&ed,e of 5od<
rou,ht aout< un>uestiona&!< ! a suse>uent dis*ensation fro' that in
2hich )eter 2rou,ht--the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es< in 2hich
5od *ro'ises to -,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth 2hich
are in hea$en and 2hich are on earth? e$en in Hi'#-
Danie&+s )ro*hec! of the Rise of the 1in,do' of 5od in the Last Da!s#
The second s*ecia& Scri*ture to 2hich I ha$e *ro'ised a se*arate
consideration is the *ro*hec! of Danie& re&ati$e to the succession of the
,reat earth e'*ires? and the fina& esta&ish'ent of the 1in,do' of 5od<
2hich in -the &ast da!s- sha&& fi&& the 2ho&e earth and re'ain for e$er#
"! an error on the *art of Christian 2riters Danie&+s )ro*hec! concernin,
the 1in,do' of 5od to e set u* in -the &ast da!s- is su**osed to ha$e
een fu&fi&&ed ! the foundin, of -The S*iritua& 1in,do' of Christ- in the
da!s of .essiah+s earth&! 'inistr!? and therefore the conc&usion is dra2n
that those da!s 2ere -the &ast da!s<- and the dis*ensation then ushered
in< the fina& dis*ensation of the 5os*e&# It is '! *ur*ose here to refute
that error#
The *ro*hec! in >uestion is fa'i&iar< and co'es fro' Danie&+s
inter*retation of the 1in, of "a!&on+s drea' of the ,reat i'a,e< 2hose
-ri,htness 2as e/ce&&ent< 2hose for' 2as terri&e#- The head of the
i'a,e 2as of ,o&d? his reast and ar's 2ere of si&$er? the od! and thi,hs
of rass? the &e,s of iron? and the feet and the toes *art of iron and
*art of c&a!# The 0in, in his drea' a&so sa2 a &itt&e stone cut out of
the 'ountain 2ithout hands< that s'ote the i'a,e u*on the feet of 'i/ed
c&a! and iron< and ro0e it to *ieces--unti& it eca'e &i0e the chaff of
the su''er threshin, f&oor< and the 2ind of hea$en carried it a2a!< that
no *&ace 2as found for it( ut the &itt&e stone cut fro' the 'ountain
2ithout hands< 2hich s'ote the i'a,e on the feet and ,round it to dust<
eca'e a ,reat 'ountain and fi&&ed the 2ho&e earth# This it the drea'?
and this is the *ro*het+s inter*retation< addressed to the 0in, of
"a!&on(
Thou< O 0in,< art a 0in, of 0in,s( for the 5od of hea$en hath
,i$en thee a 0in,do'< *o2er< and stren,th< and ,&or!# And
2heresoe$er the chi&dren of 'en d2e&&< the easts of the fie&d and
the fo2&s of the hea$en hath he ,i$en into thine hand< and hath 'ade
thee ru&er o$er the' a&&# Thou art this head of ,o&d# And after
that sha&& arise another 0in,do' inferior to thee< and another third
0in,do' of east< 2hich sha&& ear ru&e o$er a&& the earth# And the
fourth 0in,do' sha&& e stron, as iron( foras'uch as iron rea0eth
in *ieces and sudueth a&& thin,s( and as iron that rea0eth a&&
these sha&& it rea0 in *ieces and ruise# And 2hereas thou sa2est
the feet and toes< *art of *otters+ c&a!< and *art of iron< the
0in,do' sha&& e di$ided( ut there sha&& e in it the stren,th of
the iron< foras'uch as thou sa2est the iron 'i/ed 2ith 'ir! c&a!#
And as the toes and the feet 2ere *art of iron< and *art of c&a!< to
the 0in,do' sha&& e *art&! stron,< and *art&! ro0en# And 2here
thou sa2est iron 'i/ed 2ith 'ir! c&a!< the! sha&& 'in,&e the'se&$es
2ith the seed of 'en( ut the! sha&& not c&ea$e one to another< e$en
as iron is not 'i/ed 2ith c&a!# And in the da!s of these 0in,s sha&&
the 5od of hea$en set u* a 0in,do'< 2hich sha&& ne$er e destro!ed(
and the 0in,do' sha&& not e &eft to other *eo*&e< ut it sha&& rea0
in *ieces and consu'e a&& these 0in,do's and it sha&& stand fore$er#
Foras'uch as thou sa2est that the stone 2as cut out of the 'ountain
2ithout an! hands< and that it ra0e in *ieces the iron< the rass<
the c&a!< the si&$er< and the ,o&d( the ,reat 5od hath 'ade 0no2n to
the 0in, 2hat sha&& co'e to *ass hereafter( and the drea' is
certain< and the inter*retations thereof sure#
As understood ! the &earned< Danie&+s inter*retation stands thus(
E7F The 5o&den Head--the Ass!rio-"a!&onish 'onarch! Ethe :th and Gth
centur!< "#C#F?
EHF The Si&$er reast and Ar's--the .edo-)ersian e'*ire Efro' G98
"#C# to aout 99@ "#C#F?
E9F The "ra4en "e&&! and Thi,hs--the 5reco-.acedonian 0in,do'<
es*ecia&&! after A&e/ander< those of E,!*t and S!ria Efro' aout 99D "#C#
to 7:D "#C#F?
E@F The Le,s of Iron--the *o2er of Ro'e< estridin, the east and
2est< ut ro0en into a nu'er of states< the ten toes< 2hich retained
so'e of its 2ar&i0e stren,th Ethe ironF< 'in,&ed 2ith e&e'ents of 2ea0ness
Ethe soft *otters+ c&a!F< 2hich rendered the 2ho&e i'*eria& structure
unsta&e#
EGF The Stone cut 2ithout hands out of the Li$in, Roc0< dashin, do2n
the i'a,e< eco'in, a ,reat 'ountain< and fi&&in, a&& the earth--The
S*iritua& 1in,do' of Christ#
The &ast *hrase---The S*iritua& 1in,do' of Christ---'eanin, of course
the -Christian churches- 2hich ha$e e/isted fro' the ti'e of Christ< and
that no2 e/ist< and 2hich< ta0en to,ether< for' Christ+s s*iritua&
0in,do'#
On the fore,oin, e/e,esis< 2hich is the one co''on&! acce*ted !
orthodo/ Christians< I 'a0e the fo&&o2in, se$era& oser$ations(
First( The *hrase 2ith reference to the &itt&e Stone< -cut out of
the Li$in, Roc0<- is one introduced ! Dr# S'ith< fro' 2hose O&d Testa'ent
Histor! the ao$e ana&!sis of Danie&+s inter*retation is ta0en# The
&an,ua,e of the "i&e is< -cut out of the 'ountain 2ithout hands#- 3h! it
is chan,ed ! the Doctor one 'a! not con=ecture< un&ess it is to &a! the
foundation of an ar,u'ent not 2arranted ! the te/t of Danie&+s
inter*retation# It is enou,h here to note that the chan,e in *hraseo&o,!
is 2ho&&! ,ratuitous and un2arranted#
Second( The c&ai' that the -&itt&e Stone cut fro' the 'ountain
2ithout hands<- is the -S*iritua& 1in,do' of Christ---if ! that
-s*iritua& 0in,do'- is 'eant not a rea& 0in,do'< actua&&! e/istin,<
$isi&e and tan,i&e--is an assu'*tion of the Doctor+s# It is not the
&an,ua,e of the "i&e< nor is there an! e$idence in Scri*ture for
e&ie$in, that the -0in,do'<- re*resented ! -the stone cut out of the
'ountain 2ithout hands<- is an! &ess a 'ateria& 0in,do' than those 2hich
*receded it# The differences et2een this 0in,do' of 5od and the other
0in,do's of the $ision are not in the 0in,do' ein, -s*iritua&<- ut in
these? E7F that the 0in,do' 2hich 5od sha&& set u* 2i&& ne$er e
destro!ed? EHF ne$er &eft to another *eo*&e? E9F 2i&& rea0 in *ieces and
consu'e a&& other 0in,do's? E@F it sha&& fi&& the 2ho&e earth? EGF and
stand fore$er# 3e are 2arranted in the e&ief< ho2e$er< that it 2i&& e a
tan,i&e< ona fide ,o$ern'ent of 5od on earth< consistin, of a 0in,?
suordinate officers? &a2s? su=ects? and the 2ho&e earth for its
territor!--for its do'inion# The co'in, forth of such a ,o$ern'ent< the
foundin, of such a 0in,do'< is in har'on! 2ith a&& the ho*es of a&& the
saints< and the *redictions of a&& the *ro*hets 2ho ha$e touched u*on the
su=ect# It is the actua& rei,n of Christ on earth 2ith His Saints< in
fu&fi&&'ent of the ho*es he&d out to the' in e$er! dis*ensation of the
5os*e&# It is to e the urden of the son, of the redee'ed out of e$er!
0indred< and ton,ue< and *eo*&e< and nation< that Christ has 'ade the'
unto their 5od 0in,s and *riests---and 2e sha&& rei,n on the earth#- -It
is to e the chorus in hea$en--the 0in,do's of this 2or&d are eco'e the
0in,do's of our Lord< and of His Christ? and He sha&& rei,n for e$er and
e$er#- And the e&ders in hea$en sha&& sa!(
3e ,i$e thee than0s< O Lord 5od A&'i,ht!< 2hich art< and 2ast<
and art to co'e? ecause thou hast ta0en to thee th! ,reat *o2er<
and hast rei,ned# And the nations 2ere an,r!< and th! 2rath is co'e<
and the ti'e of the dead< that the! shou&d e =ud,ed< and that thou
shou&dst ,i$e re2ard unto th! ser$ants the *ro*hets< and to the
saints< and the' that fear th! na'e< s'a&& and ,reat? and shou&dst
destro! the' 2hich destro! the earth#
And sti&& a,ain(
"&essed and ho&! is he that hath *art in the first resurrection(
on such the second death hath no *o2er< ut the! sha&& e *riests of
5od and of Christ< and sha&& rei,n 2ith hi' a thousand !ears#
It shou&d e oser$ed res*ectin, the &ast *assa,e and the one
*recedin, it< that -the rei,n on earth- of the 0in,do' of 5od is
connected 2ith the resurrection of the ri,hteous saints? so that it 2i&&
e the -&ast da!s- indeed--not in the da!s of the Ro'an e'*ire# And this
rei,n of the saints on earth< this 0in,do' of 5od 2hich the! sha&&
constitute sha&& e a rei,n of ri,hteousness< ut a $erita&e 0in,do'
ne$erthe&ess#
Third( The orthodo/ e/e,esis under consideration o'its one i'*ortant
'atter of fact< $i4#< that instead of four ,reat do'inant *o&itica& *o2ers
s!'o&i4ed in the i'a,e 2hich Neuchadne44ar sa2< and 2hich Danie&
inter*reted< there are fi$e( $i4#< E7F The Head of 5o&d--"a!&onish
1in,do'? EHF the Chest and Ar's of Si&$er--the .edo-)ersian .onarch!? E9F
the "ra4en "e&&! and Thi,hs--the 5reco-.acedonian E'*ire? E@F the Le,s of
Iron--Ro'e? EGF the Feet and Toes .i/ed of Iron and C&a!--the 'odern
0in,do's and states of the 2or&d#
This fai&ure to reco,ni4e the fifth *o&itica& *o2er re*resented !
the feet and toes of Danie&+s i'a,e &eads to serious errors 2ith res*ect
to this *ro*hec!# It has &ed the theo&o,ians to assi,n the settin, u* of
5od+s 0in,do' s*o0en of in the *ro*hec! to the 2ron, *eriod of the 2or&d+s
histor!# The! sa! the 0in,do' re*resented ! the stone cut fro' the
'ountain 2ithout hands is -the s*iritua& 0in,do' of Christ?- and that the
said 0in,do' 2as set u* in the da!s of .essiah+s earth&! 'inistr! in the
'eridian of ti'e# This< ho2e$er< cannot e correct? for the Church 2hich
Jesus esta&ished ! His *ersona& 'inistr! and 2hich< it is ,ranted< is
so'eti'es s*o0en of as the 1in,do' of 5od< 2as founded in the da!s of the
Ro'an e'*ire< the fourth 2or&d *o2er of Danie&+s *ro*hec!? and at a ti'e<
too< 2hen i'*eria& Ro'e 2as at the $er! 4enith of her ,&or! and *o2er#
3hereas the ter's of Danie&+s *ro*hec! re>uire that the 0in,do' 2hich 5od
sha&& esta&ish< and 2hich 2as re*resented ! the stone cut fro' the
'ountain 2ithout hands< sha&& e set u* in the da!s of the fifth *o&itica&
2or&d *o2er--in the da!s of the 0in,do' re*resented ! the *ieces of iron
and c&a! in the feet and toes of the i'a,e# The &an,ua,e of the *ro*hec!
on this *oint is( -And 2hereas thou sa2est the feet and toes< *art of
*otters+ c&a!< and *art of iron< the 0in,do' Ii# e# the *o&itica& *o2er so
re*resented< and that succeeds the fourth *o2er or Ro'an e'*ire<J sha&& e
di$ided? ut there sha&& e in it of the stren,th of the iron< foras'uch
as thou sa2est the iron 'i/ed 2ith 'ir! c&a!# And as the toes of the feet
2ere *art of iron< and *art of c&a!< C C C the! Ii# e#< the 0in,do'
re*resented ! the *ieces of iron and c&a!<J sha&& 'in,&e the'se&$es 2ith
the seed of 'en( ut the! sha&& not c&ea$e one to another e$en as iron is
not 'i/ed 2ith c&a!# And in the da!s of these 0in,s Inot in the da!s of
the Ro'an e'*ireJ--in the da!s of these 0in,s sha&& the 5od of hea$en set
u* a 0in,do'< 2hich ne$er sha&& e destro!ed#-
Fourth( One of the *ecu&iarities of the 0in,do' of 5od of Danie&+s
*ro*hec! is< that 2hen it is esta&ished a'on, 'en it 2i&& not on&! ne$er
e destro!ed< ut -the 0in,do' sha&& not e &eft to other *eo*&e#- "!
2hich sa!in, 2e can on&! conc&ude that 2hen the 0in,do' of 5od sha&& e
set u* ! the Lord in the &ast da!s< it 2i&& not e ta0en fro' the *eo*&e
to 2ho' it sha&& co'e< and e ,i$en< or &eft< to another *eo*&e# "ut ho2
stands it 2ith the institution 2hich arose fro' the *reachin, of the
5os*e& in the da!s of .essiah+s earth&! 'inistr!< the church< so'eti'es
ca&&ed the 0in,do' of 5od< and the 0in,do' of hea$enB 3as it not -&eft to
other *eo*&eB- .essiah hi'se&f said of the Je2s< -Therefore sa! I unto
!ou< the 0in,do' of 5od sha&& e ta0en fro' !ou and ,i$en to a nation
rin,in, forth the fruits thereof#- This *assa,e co'es< too< as a
conc&usion to the *ara&e of the househo&der 2ho &et oth his house and
his $ine!ard to un2orth! husand'en< 2ho successi$e&! eat< stoned< and
s&e2 the ser$ants< and e$en the son and heir 2ho' the 'aster sent to
co&&ect his *ortion of the fruit of the $ine!ard# -3hen the Lord of the
$ine!ard co'eth< 2hat 2i&& he do unto those husand'enB- as0ed Jesus of
his hearers# -He 2i&& 'isera&! destro! these 2ic0ed 'en<- the! re*&ied<
-and 2i&& &et out his $ine!ard unto other husand'en< 2hich sha&& render
hi' the fruits in their season#- The! had *ronounced =ud,'ent u*on
the'se&$es# The *ara&e *resented the case of the Je2s to 2ho' Jesus 2as
s*ea0in,< e/act&!< and Jesus >uic0&! 'ade the a**&ication of the
=ud,'ent--
-Therefore sa! I unto !ou< The 0in,do' of 5od sha&& e ta0en fro'
!ou< and ,i$en unto a nation rin,in, forth the fruits thereof#- There
can e no 'ista0in, the 'eanin, of the *ara&e or its a**&ication? and
so'e !ears &ater 2e ha$e )au& sa!in, to the contradictin, and &as*he'in,
Je2s of Antioch in )isidia( -It 2as necessar! that the 2ord of 5od shou&d
first ha$e een s*o0en to !ou? ut seein, !e *ut it fro' !ou< and =ud,e
!ourse&$es un2orth! of e$er&astin, &ife< &o 2e turn to the 5enti&es# For
so hath the Lord co''anded us#- And so it ca'e to *ass that as Israe& in
those da!s re=ected the 5os*e& of the 0in,do' 2hich 2as first offered to
the'< so 5od a&so re=ected the'? and the! ha$e stood re=ected to this da!?
s'itten and trodden under foot of the 5enti&e races< a scoff< a hiss< and
a !2ord in e$er! &and that the! ha$e inhaited( 2hi&e the 0in,do' of 5od
first offered to the' 2as &eft to other *eo*&e< to the 5enti&es< 2ho< for
a season< rou,ht forth the fruits thereof# "ut the fact that the 0in,do'
then *reached to the Je2s 2as ta0en fro' the' and ,i$en to another *eo*&e<
is *roof *ositi$e that it 2as not the 0in,do' 2hich 2as to fu&fi&& the
ter's of Danie&+s ,reat *ro*hec!#
Fifth( Another characteristic of the 0in,do' of 5od of Danie&+s
*ro*hec! is< that it 2i&& ne$er e destro!ed< ut 2i&& rea0 in *ieces and
consu'e a&& other 0in,do's< and stand for e$er# This is not true of that
institution rou,ht into e/istence ! the *reachin, of .essiah and the
A*ost&es< so'eti'es ca&&ed the 0in,do' of 5od< ut 'ore *ro*er&! the
Church of Christ# Saddenin, as the thou,ht 'a! see'< the Church founded
! the &aors of Jesus and His A*ost&es 2as destro!ed fro' the earth? the
5os*e& 2as *er$erted? its ordinances 2ere chan,ed? its &a2s 2ere
trans,ressed? its co$enant 2as< on the *art of 'an< ro0en? and the 2or&d
2as &eft to f&ounder in the dar0ness of a &on, *eriod of a*ostas! fro'
5od# For the reason< then< that the institution founded ! the *reachin,
of the A*ost&es 2as destro!ed in the earth< as 2e&& as for the other
reasons considered< the conc&usion is forced u*on the 'ind that the Church
founded ! Jesus and the A*ost&es 2as not the fu&fi&&'ent of Danie&+s
,reat *ro*hec! res*ectin, the 0in,do' 2hich 5od *ro'ised to set u* in the
&ast da!s( and hence 2e 'a! &oo0 for another dis*ensation e!ond the
ti'es of the A*ost&es< 2hich 2i&& cu&'inate in suduin, the 0in,do's of
this 2or&d and 'a0in, the' the 0in,do' of our 5od and His Christ< fo&&o2ed
! that rei,n of ri,hteousness and *eace of 2hich a&& the *ro*hets ha$e
s*o0en#
Ha$in, considered the Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e and
corrected the *o*u&ar error 2hich confounds that dis*ensation 2ith the
Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es< it is necessar! no2 to consider the
dec&ine of the Christian re&i,ion#
The Announce'ent of the Uni$ersa& A*ostas!#
It is a 'ost start&in, announce'ent 2ith 2hich the )ro*het Jose*h
S'ith e,ins his 'essa,e to the 2or&d# Concernin, the >uestion< he as0ed
5od---3hich of a&& the sects is ri,ht< and 2hich sha&& I =oinB- he sa!s(
-I 2as ans2ered that I 'ust =oin none of the'< for the! 2ere a&&
2ron,< and the *ersona,e 2ho addressed 'e said that a&& their creeds 2ere
an ao'ination in His si,ht( that those *rofessors 2ere a&& corru*t? that
the! dra2 near to 'e 2ith their &i*s< ut their hearts are far fro' 'e?
the! teach for doctrines the co''and'ents of 'en( ha$in, a for' of
,od&iness< ut the! den! the *o2er thereof#-
This is a tre'endous arrai,n'ent of a&& Christendo'# It char,es a
condition of uni$ersa& a*ostas! fro' 5od< es*ecia&&! u*on Christendo' that
2as d2e&&in, in a fancied securit! of ein, the farthest re'o$ed fro' the
*ossii&it! of such a char,e? each di$ision of the so-ca&&ed Christian
Church fe&icitatin, itse&f 2ith the f&atterin, unction that its o2n
*articu&ar societ! *ossessed the en&i,htened fu&ness of the Christian
re&i,ion# 3hi&e the o&dness of this dec&aration of the !oun, )ro*het is
astoundin,< u*on ref&ection it 'ust e conceded that =ust such a condition
of affairs in the re&i,ious 2or&d is consistent 2ith the 2or0 he< under
the direction of di$ine *ro$idence< 2as aout to inau,urate# Nothin, &ess
than a co'*&ete a*ostas! fro' the Christian re&i,ion 2ou&d 2arrant the
esta&ish'ent of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< of sects
there 2ere a&read! enou,h in e/istence# Di$ision and sudi$ision had
a&read! created of confusion 'ore than enou,h< and there 2as no *ossi&e
e/cuse for the introduction of a ne2 Christian sect# "ut if 'en throu,h
a*ostas! had corru*ted the Christian re&i,ion and &ost di$ine authorit! to
ad'inister the ordinances of the 5os*e&< it 2as of the ut'ost i'*ortance
that a ne2 dis*ensation of the true Christian re&i,ion shou&d e ,i$en to
the 2or&d# It shou&d a&so e oser$ed at this *oint< that Jose*h S'ith<
then ut a o!< scarce&! re'o$ed fro' chi&dhood< 2as not hi'se&f
*ronouncin, =ud,'ent u*on the status of Christendo'# It 2as not he 2ho
dec&ared the sects to e a&& 2ron,< their creeds an ao'ination< and the
*rofessors thereof corru*t# He of a&& *ersons< oth on account of his
e/tre'e !outhfu&ness and his &ac0 of ,enera& infor'ation< 2as a'on, the
&east >ua&ified to *ronounce u*on such a >uestion< indeed< he hi'se&f
confesses his unfitness for such an office# His see0in, 0no2&ed,e fro' 5od
u*on this $er! >uestion---2hich of a&& the sects is ri,htB- is a
confession of his o2n inai&it! to deter'ine the 'atter# No hu'an 2isdo'
2as sufficient to ans2er that >uestion# No 'an in a&& the 2or&d 2as so
*re-e'inent as to e =ustified in *roc&ai'in, the di$ine acce*tance of one
church in *reference to another# Di$ine 2isdo' a&one 2as sufficient to
*ass =ud,'ent u*on such a >uestion? and there is *ecu&iar force in the
circu'stance that the announce'ent 2hich Jose*h S'ith 'a0es 2ith reference
to this su=ect is not for'u&ated ! hi' nor ! an! other 'an< ut is
,i$en to hi' of 5od# 5od has een the =ud,e of a*ostate Christendo'<
Jose*h S'ith ut His 'essen,er< to hera&d that =ud,'ent to the 2or&d#
It no2 eco'es '! 'e&ancho&! tas0 to trace throu,h the ear&!
Christian centuries the dec&ine of the Christian re&i,ion# "! this *hrase
I 'ean that a rea&&! unChristian re&i,ion 2as ,radua&&! sustituted for
the eautifu& re&i,ion of Jesus Christ? that a uni$ersa& a*ostas! fro' the
Christian doctrine and the Christian Church too0 *&ace# So tracin, the
dec&ine of Christianit!< I sha&& esta&ish the truth of the first ,reat
'essa,e 2ith 2hich the 'odern *ro*het< Jose*h S'ith< ca'e to the 2or&d?
and sha&& a&so *ro$e the fact< that a necessit! e/isted for the
esta&ish'ent of such a 2or0 as he c&ai's< under 5od< to ha$e founded< and
of 2hich the se$era& $o&u'es of this 2or0 are the detai&ed histor!#
Character of the Ear&! Christians#
First of a&&< it shou&d e re'ar0ed that the ear&! Christians 2ere
not so far re'o$ed fro' the *ossession of the co''on 2ea0nesses of
hu'anit! as to *rec&ude the *ossii&it! of a*ostati4in, fro' the Christian
re&i,ion# O2in, to our ein, so far re'o$ed fro' the' in ti'e< ! 2hich
'an! of their defects are oscured< and the e/a,,erated ce&eration of
their $irtues< e/tra$a,ant ideas of the sanctit! of their &i$es< and the
ho&iness of their natures ha$e $er! ,enera&&! otained< 2hereas a &itt&e
in>uir! into the character of the ear&! Saints 2i&& *ro$e that the! 2ere
$er! hu'an< and 'en of &i0e *assions 2ith ourse&$es# The 'other of
;eedee+s chi&dren e/hiited a rather a'itious s*irit< and the t2o
rethren the'se&$es ,a$e 'uch offense to their fe&&o2 A*ost&es ! as*irin,
to sit one on the ri,ht hand of Jesus and the other on His &eft 2hen He
shou&d co'e in His 0in,do'# E$en )eter< the chief A*ost&e< e/hiited his
fu&& share of hu'an 2ea0ness 2hen he thrice denied his Lord in the
*resence of his ene'ies< throu,h fear< and e$en confir'ed that denia& !
cursin, and s2earin,# It 2as rather a heated contro$ers!< too< that
arose in the ear&! Christian Church as to 2hether those 2ho acce*ted the
Christian faith 2ere sti&& ound to the oser$ances of the &a2s of .oses<
and 'ore es*ecia&&! to the rite of circu'cision# A&thou,h there see's to
ha$e een an a'ica&e and authoritati$e sett&e'ent of that >uestion ! the
decision of 2hat so'e &earned 2riters ha$e ca&&ed the first ,enera&
counci& of the Church he&d ! the A*ost&es and E&ders at Jerusa&e'< !et
the o&d difficu&t! ro0e out a,ain and a,ain< not on&! et2een the Je2ish
saints and the 5enti&e con$erts< ut e$en a'on, the A*ost&es the'se&$es<
&eadin, to serious accusations one a,ainst another< the strainin, of
friendshi* et2een fe&&o2-2or0'en in the 'inistr!< throu,h cri'inations
and recri'inations#
After the sett&e'ent of this $er! >uestion of circu'cision ! the
counci& at Jerusa&e'< )eter 2ent do2n to Antioch and at first 'in,&ed
unreser$ed&! 2ith oth 5enti&e and Je2ish con$erts 2ithout distinction<
acce*tin, oth Je2 and 5enti&e in *erfect fe&&o2shi*< de*artin, entire&!
fro' the restraints *&aced on a Je2 ! the &a2 of .oses< 2hich rendered it
un&a2fu& for one 2ho 2as a Je2 to ha$e such unrestricted fe&&o2shi* 2ith
the 5enti&es# "ut 2hen certain ones ca'e do2n fro' Ja'es< 2ho resided at
Jerusa&e'< then )eter< fearfu& of offendin, -the' 2hich 2ere of the
circu'cision<- sudden&! 2ithdre2 his socia& fe&&o2shi* fro' the 5enti&e
con$erts# Other Je2ish rethren did the sa'e? "arnaas< the friend of
)au&< ein, a'on, the nu'er# 3hereu*on )au&< as he hi'se&f testified<
2ithstood )eter to the face< direct&! char,in, hi' efore a&& the rethren
2ith dissi'u&ation< sa!in,( -If thou< ein, a Je2< &i$est after the
'anner of 5enti&es< and not as do the Je2s< 2h! co'*e&&est thou the
5enti&es to &i$e as do the Je2sB- Yet this sa'e )au& not2ithstandin, his
&o!a&t! to the 5enti&e con$erts on that occasion< his 4ea& for the
decision 2hich had een rendered ! the counci& of the Church at
Jerusa&e'< and not2ithstandin, his usua&&! stron, 'ora& coura,e
suse>uent&! sho2ed< ! his conduct< that he< too< 2as not e!ond the
2ea0ness of -eco'in, a&& thin,s to a&& 'en?- for a short ti'e after the
incident 2ith )eter at Antioch< 2hen in the *ro$ince of 5a&atia< and he
desired Ti'oth! to e his co'*anion in the 'inistr!< )au& too0 hi' and
circu'cised hi'< ecause it 2as 2e&& 0no2n that 2hi&e his 'other 2as a
Je2ess< his father 2as a 5ree0< and a&& this for fear of the Je2s#
This >uestion continued to e a cause of contention< e$en after this
shar* dis*utation at Antioch? for thou,h the decision of the counci& at
Jerusa&e' 2as a,ainst the contention of the Judai4in, *art!< !et the!
continued to a,itate the >uestion 2hene$er o**ortunit! *resented itse&f<
and see'ed es*ecia&&! to fo&&o2 c&ose u*on the footste*s of )au& in his
'issionar! =ourne!s? and in 5a&atia< at &east< succeeded in turnin, the
saints of that *ro$ince fro' the ,race of Christ unto another ,os*e&<
*er$ertin, the 5os*e& of Christ# This >uestion continued to a,itate the
Church throu,hout the A*osto&ic a,e< and 2as fina&&! sett&ed throu,h
o$er2he&'in, nu'ers of 5enti&es ein, con$erted< and ta0in, *ossession of
the Church< rather than throu,h an! *rofound res*ect for the decision of
the counci& at Jerusa&e'#
The 2ithdra2a& of John .ar0 fro' the 'inistr! 2hi&e acco'*an!in, )au&
and "arnaas on their first 'ission in Asia .inor< and 2hich 2ithdra2a&
,re2 out of a fa&terin, of his 4ea& or a 'isunderstandin, 2ith his
co'*anions< 2i&& e readi&! ca&&ed to 'ind# Suse>uent&!< 2hen )au&
*ro*osed to "arnaas that the! ,o a,ain and $isit the rethren in e$er!
cit! 2here the! had *reached 2hi&e on their first 'ission< a shar*
contention arose et2een the' aout this sa'e John .ar0# "arnaas desired
to ta0e hi' a,ain into the 'inistr!< ut )au& serious&! o=ected? and so
*ronounced 2as the >uarre& et2een the' that these t2o friends and fe&&o2
!o0e'en in the 'inistr! *arted co'*an! no 'ore to e united# It is =ust
*ossi&e a&so that in addition to this 'isunderstandin, aout John .ar0<
the se$ere re*roof 2hich )au& ad'inistered to "arnaas in the affair of
dissi'u&ation at Antioch had so'e2hat strained their friendshi*#
Turnin, fro' these 'isunderstandin,s and cri'inations a'on, the
&eadin, officers of the Church< &et us in>uire ho2 it stood 2ith the
'e'ers# The e*ist&e of )au& to the church at Corinth disc&oses the fact
that there 2ere serious schis's a'on, the'? so'e oastin, that the! 2ere
of )au&< others that the! 2ere of A*o&&os< others of Ce*has< and sti&&
others of Christ? 2hich &ed )au& to as0 shar*&!< -Is Christ di$idedB 2as
)au& crucified for !ouB- There 2ere end&ess strifes as 2e&& as di$isions
a'on, the'< 2hich caused )au& to denounce the' as carna&&! 'inded# A'on,
the' a&so 2as such fornication as 2as not na'ed a'on, the 5enti&es< -that
one shou&d ha$e his father+s 2ifeK- And this sha'efu& sin had not hu'&ed
the church at Corinth< for )au& denounced the' for ein, *uffed u* in the
*resence of such a cri'e< rather than ha$in, 'ourned o$er it# The! 2ere
in the hait of ,oin, to &a2 one 2ith another< and that efore the 2or&d<
in $io&ation of the teachin,s of Jesus Christ# The! desecrated the
ordinance of the Lord+s Su**er ! their drun0enness< for 2hich the! 2ere
shar*&! re*ro$ed ! the A*ost&e# The! ate and dran0 un2orthi&!< -not
discernin, the Lord+s od!( for 2hich cause 'an! 2ere sic0&! a'on, the'<
and 'an! s&e*t- Ethat is< diedF# There 2ere heresies a&so a'on, the'<
so'e den!in, the resurrection of the dead< 2hi&e others *ossessed not the
0no2&ed,e of 5od< 2hich the A*ost&e dec&ared 2as their sha'e# It is
true< this shar* &etter of re*roof 'ade the Corinthian saints sorr!< and
sorr!< too< after a ,od&! fashion< in that it rou,ht the' to a *artia&
re*entance? ut e$en in the second e*ist&e< fro' 2hich 2e &earn of their
*artia& re*entance< the A*ost&e cou&d sti&& char,e that there 2ere 'an! in
the church 2ho had not re*ented of the unc&eanness and fornication and
&asci$iousness 2hich the! had co''itted# Fro' this second &etter< a&so<
2e &earn that there 2ere 'an! in the Church at &ar,e 2ho corru*ted the
2ord of 5od? that there 2ere those< e$en in the 'inistr!< 2ho 2ere -fa&se
*ro*hets< deceitfu& 2or0ers< transfor'in, the'se&$es into the A*ost&es of
Christ#-
Of the churches throu,hout the *ro$ince of 5a&atia< it is scarce&!
necessar! to sa! 'ore than 2e ha$e a&read! said concernin, the in$asion of
that *ro$ince ! Judai4in, Christian 'inisters 2ho 2ere turnin, a2a! the
saints fro' the ,race of Christ ac0 to the e,,ar&! e&e'ents of the &a2
of carna& co''and'ents? a circu'stance 2hich &ed )au& to e/c&ai'( -I
'ar$e& that !e are so soon re'o$ed fro' hi' that had ca&&ed !ou unto the
,race of Christ unto another ,os*e&( 2hich is not another? ut there e
so'e that trou&e !ou and 2ou&d *er$ert the ,os*e& of Christ#
That there 2ere t2o distinct *arties in the Church at this ti'e<
et2een 2ho' itter contentions arose< is further e$idenced ! the &etter
of )au& to the )hi&i**ians# So'e *reached Christ e$en of en$! and strife<
and so'e of ,ood 2i&&# -The one *reach Christ of contention< not
sincere&!<- sa!s )au&< -su**osin, to add aff&iction to '! onds( ut the
other of &o$e< 0no2in, that I a' set for the defense of the 5os*e&#-
-"e2are of do,s<- said he a,ain to the sa'e *eo*&e? -e2are of e$i&
2or0ers? e2are of the concision#- -"rethren< e fo&&o2ers to,ether of
'e<- he ad'onishes the'< -and 'ar0 the' 2hich 2a&0 so as !e ha$e us for an
e/a'*&e< For 'an! 2a&0< of 2ho' I ha$e to&d !ou often< and no2 te&& !ou
e$en 2ee*in,< that the! are the ene'ies of the cross of Christ( 2hose end
is destruction< 2hose 5od is their e&&!< and 2hose ,&or! is in their
sha'e< 2ho 'ind earth&! thin,s#- To the Co&ossians )au& found it
necessar! to sa!( -"e2are &est an! 'an s*oi& !ou throu,h *hi&oso*h! and
$ain deceit< after the tradition of 'en< after the rudi'ents of the 2or&d<
and not after Christ# C C C Let no 'an e,ui&e !ou of !our re2ard in a
$o&untar! hu'i&it! and 2orshi*in, of an,e&s< intrudin, into those thin,s
2hich he hath not seen< $ain&! *uffed u* ! his f&esh&! 'ind#-
"ut it is in )au&+s *astora& &etters that 2e ,et a dee*er insi,ht
into corru*tions threatenin, the ear&! church< and e$en e,innin, to &a!
the foundation for that suse>uent a*ostas! 2hich o$er2he&'ed it# The
A*ost&e sent Ti'oth! to the saints at E*hesus to re*resent hi'< that he
'i,ht char,e so'e to teach no other doctrines than those 2hich he had
de&i$ered to the'( -Neither ,i$e heed to fa&es and end&ess ,enea&o,ies<
2hich 'inister >uestions< rather than ,od&! edif!in, 2hich is in faith<-
for so'e had turned aside fro' the co''and'ent of charit!< out of a *ure
heart< and a ,ood conscience< and faith unfei,ned< unto -$ain =an,&in,(
desirin, to e teachers of the &a2? understandin, neither 2hat the! sa!
nor 2hereof the! affir'#- Others concernin, faith had 'ade shi*2rec0< of
2ho' 2ere H!'enaeus and A&e/ander< 2ho' )au& had de&i$ered unto Satan that
the! 'i,ht &earn not to &as*he'e# Others had -erred concernin, the
faith-< and had -,i$en heed to $ain a&in,s< and o**osition of science
fa&se&! so ca&&ed#- In his second &etter to Ti'oth!< )au& infor's hi'
that a&& the saints in Asia had turned a2a! fro' hi'< -of 2ho' 2ere
)h!,e&&us and Her'o,enes#- He ad'onishes Ti'oth! a,ain to shun -*rofane
and $ain a&in,s<- -for<- said he< -the! 2i&& increase unto 'ore
un,od&iness< and their 2ord 2i&& eat as doth a can0er? of 2ho' is
H!'enaeus and )hi&etus? 2ho< concernin, the truth< ha$e erred< sa!in,
that the resurrection is *assed a&read!< and o$erthro2n the faith of
so'e#- De'os< once a fe&&o2-&aorer 2ith )au&< had forsa0en hi'< -ha$in,
&o$ed this *resent 2or&d(- and at )au&+s first ans2er< that is< 2hen
arrai,ned efore the court at Ro'e< no 'an stood 2ith hi'< ut a&& 'en
forsoo0 hi'? he *ra!s that 5od 2i&& not &a! this to their char,e#
)au& ad'onished Titus to ho&d fast to the faith< for there 2ere 'an!
unru&! and $ain ta&0ers and decei$ers< es*ecia&&! those of the
circu'cision? 2ho su$erted 2ho&e houses< teachin, thin,s 2hich the! ou,ht
not< for fi&th! &ucre+s sa0e? and 2ere ,i$in, heed to Je2ish fa&es and
co''and'ents of 'en and turnin, fro' the truth#
)eter a&so had so'ethin, to sa! 2ith reference to the dan,er of
heresies and fa&se teachers 2hich 'enaced the Church# He dec&ared that
there 2ou&d e fa&se teachers a'on, the saints< 2ho -*ri$i&! 2ou&d rin,
in da'na&e heresies< e$en den!in, the Lord that ou,ht the'< and rin,
u*on the'se&$es s2ift destruction#- -And 'an!<- said he< -sha&& fo&&o2
their *ernicious 2a!s( ! reason of 2ho' the truth sha&& e e$i& s*o0en
of# And throu,h co$etousness sha&& the! 2ith fei,ned 2ords 'a0e
'erchandise of !ou? 2hose =ud,'ent no2 for a &on, ti'e &in,ereth not< and
their da'nation s&u'ereth not# For if 5od s*ared not the an,e&s that
sinned< ut cast the' do2n to he&& and de&i$ered the' unto chains of
dar0ness to e reser$ed unto =ud,'ent---he ar,ued that the Lord 2ou&d not
s*are these corru*ters of the 5os*e& of Christ< 2ho< &i0e the do,< had
turned a,ain to his o2n $o'it< and the so2 2ho 2as 2ashed to her 2a&&o2in,
in the 'ire# He char,ed a&so that so'e 2ere 2restin, the e*ist&es of
)au&< as the! 2ere so'e of the -other scri*tures<- unto their o2n
destruction#
John< the disci*&e 2ho' Jesus &o$ed< a&so ears testi'on! to the
e/istence of anti-Christs< fa&se *ro*hets< and the de*ra$it! of 'an! in
the ear&! Church# -It is the &ast ti'e<- said he< -and as !e ha$e heard
that anti-Christ sha&& co'e< e$en no2 there are 'an! anti-Christs< 2here!
2e 0no2 that it is the &ast ti'e?- C C C C -The! 2ent out fro' us C C C C
that the! 'i,ht e 'anifest that the! 2ere not a&& of us#- -Tr! the
s*irits<- said he< in the sa'e e*ist&e< -2hether the! are of 5od? ecause
'an! fa&se *ro*hets are ,one out into the 2or&d#- A,ain( -.an!
decei$ers are entered into the 2or&d< 2ho confess not that Jesus Christ is
co'e in the f&esh# This is a decei$er< an anti-Christ#-
Jude a&so is a 2itness a,ainst this c&ass of decei$ers# He ad'onished
the saints to -contend earnest&! for the faith 2hich 2as once de&i$ered
unto the saints?- -for<- said he< -there are certain 'en cre*t in
una2ares< C C C un,od&! 'en< turnin, the ,race of our 5od into
&asci$iousness and den!in, the on&! Lord 5od< and our Lord Jesus Christ#-
The rest of the e*ist&e he de$otes to a descri*tion of their 2ic0edness<
co'*arin, it 2ith the conduct of Satan< and the $i&eness of the
inhaitants of Sodo' and 5o'orrah#
I ha$e not ,i$en this re$ie2 of the condition of the Church of Christ
in the A*osto&ic a,e 2ith the $ie2 of esta&ishin, the idea that the
Church at that ti'e 2as in a co'*&ete state of a*ostas!( nor ha$e I d2e&t
u*on the 2ea0nesses and sins of the ear&! saints for the *ur*ose of
ho&din, the' u* for conte'*t# .! on&! *ur*ose has een to dis*e&< first
of a&&< the e/tra$a,ant ideas that otain in 'an! 'inds concernin, the
aso&ute sanctit! of the ear&! Christians( and second&!< and 'ain&!< to
sho2 that there 2ere e&e'ents and tendencies e/istin, in the ear&! Church<
e$en in the da!s of the A*ost&es< that 2ou&d< 2hen unrestrained !
A*osto&ic authorit! and *o2er< &ead to its entire o$erthro2#
3e ha$e no ,ood reason to e&ie$e that there occurred an! chan,e for
the etter in the affairs of the Church after the de'ise of the A*ost&es<
no reason to e&ie$e that there 2ere fe2er heresies or fe2er fa&se
teachers< or fa&se *ro*hets to &ead a2a! the *eo*&e 2ith their $ain
*hi&oso*hies< their foo&ish a&in,s< and o**osition of science fa&se&!
so ca&&ed# On the contrar!< one is forced to e&ie$e the *rediction of
)au&< $i4#< that e$i& 'en and seducers 2ou&d 2a/ 2orse and 2orse<
decei$in, and ein, decei$ed? for 2ho< after the A*ost&es 2ere fa&&en
as&ee*< 2ou&d stand u* and correct the heresies< that 2ere rou,ht into
the Church< reu0e the schis'atics< the fa&se teachers and fa&se *ro*hets
that arose to dra2 a2a! disci*&es after the'B If fa&se teachers
insinuated the'se&$es into the Church< rou,ht in da'na&e heresies !
reason of 2hich the 2a! of truth 2as e$i& s*o0en of< and the *ure re&i,ion
of Jesus Christ corru*ted e$en 2hi&e ins*ired A*ost&es 2ere sti&& in the
Church< it is not unreasona&e to conc&ude that a&& these e$i&s 2ou&d
increase and re$e& unchec0ed after the death of the A*ost&es#
The Rise of Fa&se Teachers#
I cannot< of course< in this introduction< enter into e$en a rief
histor! of fa&se teachers in the ear&! Christian centuries# That of
itse&f 2ou&d e 'atter for a $o&u'e# I sha&& therefore content '!se&f
2ith 'a0in, >uotations fro' re&ia&e authorities that 2i&& direct&!
esta&ish the fact of the ra*id increase in the nu'er of fa&se teachers<
and the *ernicious effects of their doctrines u*on the Christian re&i,ion#
It shou&d e said efore 'a0in, these >uotations< ho2e$er< that )rotestant
2riters are interested in 'aintainin, that the Christian re&i,ion 2as
*er*etuated< e$en throu,h the a,es of a*ostas!< and ,i$en ac0 to 'an0ind
! the a,enc! of the so-ca&&ed -Refor'ation- of the si/teenth centur!#
Hence in their 2ritin,s< 2hen statin, the corru*tions of the ear&! Church<
the! are es*ecia&&! ,uarded< &est too stron, a state'ent 2ou&d &ead to the
e&ief that the Christian re&i,ion had een utter&! su$erted# Indeed< it
is 2e&& 0no2n that .i&ner 2rote his Church Histor! 2hich shou&d e
re,arded not so 'uch as the histor! of the Church as the histor! of
*iet!--to counteract the inf&uence of .oshei'+s Institutes of
Ecc&esiastica& Histor!< 2hich 2or0 .i&ner considered too fran0 in its
state'ents of *er$ersions and auses of re&i,ion# The )rotestant 2riters
'ust need set forth the theor! that the Christian re&i,ion sur$i$ed a&&
the auses and corru*tions of it throu,h a,es of a*ostas!< e&se the! 2ou&d
ha$e no &o,ica& ,round for the si/teenth centur! -Refor'ation- to stand
u*on# The! see' not o&i$ious to the fact< thou,h ne$er 'entionin, it<
that if the Christian re&i,ion 2as dis*&aced ! a *a,ani4ed re&i,ion--a
fa&se re&i,ion--as is fu&&! *redicted< as 2e sha&& see &ater< in the Ne2
Testa'ent *ro*hecies< and of 2hich the 2or0s of )rotestant 2riters ,o far
to2ards *ro$in,--then the on&! *ossi&e 2a! in 2hich the true Christian
re&i,ion and the Church of Christ cou&d e restored 2ou&d e ! re-o*enin,
of the hea$ens< and the ,i$in, forth of a ne2 dis*ensation of the 5os*e&<
to,ether 2ith a rene2a& of di$ine authorit! to *reach it< and ad'inister
its ordinances of sa&$ation# Catho&ics ho&d that there has een no ,reat
a*ostas! in the Church# Their theor! is< that there has een a constant<
unro0en< *er*etuation of the Christian Church fro' the da!s of the
.essiah and His A*ost&es unti& no2? and that the Ro'an Catho&ic church is
that $er! Church so *er*etuated throu,h the a,es# Catho&ic 2riters ad'it
that there ha$e een $er! corru*t *eriods in the church and 'an! 2ic0ed
*re&ates< and so'e $i&e *o*es? !et the! ho&d that the church has
*ersisted< that the Christian re&i,ion has een *reser$ed in the earth#
3ith these re'ar0s on the *osition of the )rotestant and Catho&ic
churches res*ectin, their attitude on the su=ect of the *er*etuation of
the Christian re&i,ion< I *roceed 2ith the >uotations *ro'ised? and<
first< a *assa,e fro' Neander+s Histor! of the Christian Re&i,ion and
Church< on the $er! ,reat difference et2een the 2ritin,s of the A*ost&es
and the 2ritin,s of the so-ca&&ed A*osto&ic Fathers? and the suddenness of
that transition< to the dis*ara,e'ent of the *roductions of the Fathers(
A *heno'enon< sin,u&ar in its 0ind< is the stri0in, difference
et2een the 2ritin,s of the a*ost&es and the 2ritin,s of the
A*osto&ic Fathers< 2ho 2ere so near&! their conte'*oraries< in other
cases< transitions are 2ont to e ,radua&? ut in this instance 2e
oser$e a sudden chan,e# There are here no ,radua& ,radations ut
a&& at once an aru*t transition fro' one st!&e of &an,ua,e to
another? a *heno'enon 2hich shou&d &ead us to ac0no2&ed,e the fact
of a s*ecia& a,enc! of the Di$ine S*irit in the sou&s of the
A*ost&es# After the ti'e of the first e/traordinar! o*erations of
the Ho&! 5host fo&&o2ed ! the *eriod of the free de$e&o*'ent of
hu'an nature in Christianit!? and here< as in a&& other cases< the
e,innin, 'ust e s'a&& and fee&e efore the effects of Christianit!
cou&d *enetrate 'ore 2ide&! and rin, fu&&! under their inf&uence the
,reat *o2ers of the hu'an 'ind# It 2as to e sho2n first< 2hat the
di$ine *o2er cou&d effect ! the foo&ishness of *reachin,# The
2ritin,s of the so-ca&&ed A*osto&ic Fathers ha$e unha**i&!< for the
'ost *art< co'e do2n to us in a condition $er! &itt&e 2orth! of
confidence< *art&! ecause under the na'e of these 'en< so hi,h&!
$enerated in the Church< 2ritin,s 2ere ear&! for,ed for the *ur*ose
of ,i$in, authorit! to *articu&ar o*inions or *rinci*&es? and *art&!
ecause their o2n 2ritin,s 2hich 2ere e/tant eca'e inter*o&ated in
suser$ience to a Je2ish hierarchica& interest 2hich ai'ed to crush
the free s*irit of the 5os*e&#
There is no authorit! of scri*ture for the su**osition 'ade here !
Dr# Neander that the e/traordinar! o*erations of the Ho&! 5host 2ere to e
confined to the A*ost&es? the 2ho&e tenor of scri*ture authorit! is to the
contrar!# It is the theor! of the 5os*e& itse&f< that a&& 2ho recei$e it<
and *articu&ar&! its 'inisters< sha&& ha$e the di$ine S*irit as a s*ecia&
a,enc! 2or0in, in their sou&s< throu,h a&& ti'e< and there is no 2arrant
for the e&ief that its o*erations 2ere to e confined to those 2ho first
recei$ed it and eca'e its first 'inisters# Therefore< this sudden
transition in the 'atter of e/ce&&ence and trust2orthiness et2een the
2ritin,s of the A*ost&es and the 2ritin,s of the A*osto&ic Fathers
indicates not on&! a deterioration in the character of the teachers in the
Church and 2hat is tau,ht< ut 'ore es*ecia&&! indicates the *ro,ress of
the -'!ster! of ini>uit!- 2hich 2as at 2or0 su$ertin, the Christian
re&i,ion and destro!in, the Church of Christ#
On the >uestion of for,ed oo0s and 2ritin,s 'entioned in the *assa,e
fro' Neander< Dr# Nathanie& Lardner refers to a dissertation 2ritten !
Dr# .oshei'< 2hich sho2s the reasons and causes for the 'an! for,ed
2ritin,s *roduced in the first and second centuries< and then adds( -A&&
o2n that Christians of a&& sorts 2ere ,ui&t! of this fraud< indeed 2e 'a!
sa! it 2as one ,reat fau&t of the ti'es? for truth needs no such defenses<
and 2ou&d &ush at the si,ht of the'#-
Euseius< >uotin, He,esi**us on the su=ect of fa&se teachers and
referrin, to the condition of the Church aout the c&ose of the first
centur!< sa!s(
The Church continued unti& then Ic&ose of the first centur!J as
a *ure and uncorru*t $ir,in< 2hi&st if there 2ere an! at a&& that
atte'*ted to *er$ert the sound doctrine of the sa$in, 5os*e&< the!
2ere !et s0u&0in, in dar0 retreats( ut 2hen the sacred choir of
A*ost&es eca'e e/tinct< and the ,eneration of those that had een
*ri$i&e,ed to hear their ins*ired 2isdo' had *assed a2a!< then a&so
the co'inations of i'*ious errors arose ! the fraud and de&usions
of fa&se teachers# These a&so< as there 2ere none of the A*ost&es
&eft< henceforth atte'*ted 2ithout sha'e< to *reach their fa&se
doctrine a,ainst the ,os*e& of truth#
Dr# .oshei' has the fo&&o2in, on the sa'e su=ect(
Not &on, after the Sa$ior+s ascension< $arious histories of his
&ife and doctrines< fu&& of i'*ositions and fa&es< 2ere co'*osed !
*ersons of no ad intentions< *erha*s< ut 2ho 2ere su*erstitious<
si'*&e< and *ious&! fraudu&ent? and after2ards $arious other s*urious
2ritin,s 2ere *a&'ed u*on the 2or&d< fa&se&! inscried 2ith the na'es
of the ho&! A*ost&es#
This condition of thin,s 2ith reference to the 2riters in the
centuries under consideration< natura&&! &eads one to the ref&ection< that
if there 2ere so 'uch of fraud< and so 'an! for,ed 2ritin,s< 2hat 'ust
ha$e een the state of the Church at this ti'e 2ith reference to ora&
teachin,B 3e are =ustified in e&ie$in,< I thin0< that ad as 2as the
state of thin,s 2ith reference to the 2ritin,s of these ear&! teachers of
the Church< the discourses of such as *reached 'a! e de*ended u*on as
ein, 'uch 2orse# In this $ie2 of the case< one can readi&! understand
that the -authorit! of anti>uit!- so ,enera&&! ur,ed as a reason for
acce*tin, the testi'onies of the Fathers< that -hand'aid to scri*ture<- as
-anti>uit!- is so'eti'es ca&&ed< the 2ho&e od! of it< 2ritten and ora&<
'a! indeed -e re,arded<- as Dr# Jortin re'ar0s< -as "riarean< for she has
a hundred hands< and these hands often c&ash and eat one another#-
.oreo$er< it often ha**ens that those 2ho are conde'ned ! so'e of
these Fathers as heretics 2ere not on&! censured for their heresies< ut
so'eti'es for the truths 2hich the! he&d# For e/a'*&e( )a*ias< a "isho*
and Christian Father in the second centur!< is conde'ned ! Euseius for
sa!in, that he recei$ed fro' A*osto&ic 'en--'eanin, there! 'en 2ho 2ere
associated 2ith the A*ost&es--the fact that there 2ou&d e a cor*orea&
rei,n of Christ on earth 2ith the saints< after the resurrection< 2hich
2ou&d continue throu,h a thousand !ears#
)rodicus is censured ! C&e'ent of A&e/andria for ho&din, that 'en
are ! nature the chi&dren of Deit!#
.arcion< esides ein, conde'ned for his 'an! errors< is a&so
censured ! Irenaeus for e&ie$in, in sa&$ation for the dead< concernin,
2hich< it 'ust e ac0no2&ed,ed< .arcion did ho&d *ecu&iar $ie2s? ut that
is no reason 2h! the ,enera& *rinci*&e shou&d e conde'ned# He tau,ht
that Jesus Christ 2ent to Hades and *reached there< and rou,ht hence a&&
that e&ie$ed on hi'# -The ancients<- continue Irenaeus< as >uoted !
Lardner< -ein, of o*inion that eterna& &ife is not to e otained ut
throu,h faith in Jesus Christ< and that 5od is too 'ercifu& to &et 'en
*erish for not hearin, the 5os*e&< su**osed that the Lord *reached a&so to
the dead< that the! 'i,ht ha$e the sa'e ad$anta,e 2ith the &i$in,#- He
further adds< -In the &an,ua,e of .arcion and the fathers< he&& does not
necessari&! 'ean the *&ace of the da'ned? in that *&ace is Tartarus< the
*&ace of tor'ent< and )aradise< or the oso' of Araha'< a *&ace of rest
and refresh'ent# In that *art of Hades Jesus found the =ust 'en of the
O&d Testa'ent# The! 2ere not 'isera&e< ut 2ere in a *&ace of co'fort
and *&easure#- -For Christ<- he continues< -*ro'iseth the Je2s after this
&ife< rest in Hades< e$en in the oso' of Araha'#- This far the doctrine
of .arcion is in strict a,ree'ent 2ith the Ne2 Testa'ent< thou,h denounced
as &as*he'! ! his o**onent# The unfortunate *art of .arcion+s doctrine
on this head is that he tau,ht that Cain and the 2ic0ed of Sodo' and the
E,!*tians< and in fact a&& the nations in ,enera&< thou,h the! had &i$ed
in a&& 'anner of 2ic0edness< 2ere sa$ed ! the Lord< ut that Ae&< Enoch<
Noah< and the *atriarchs and *ro*hets and other ri,hteous 'en 2ho 2a&0ed
2ith 5od and *&eased Hi' in their earth &ife< did not otain sa&$ation
ecause the! sus*ected that in the *reachin, of Christ in the s*irit 2or&d
there 2as so'e sche'e of dece*tion to &ead the' a2a! fro' their *resent
>ua&ified acce*tance 2ith 5od< and therefore the! 2ou&d not co'e to Christ
nor e&ie$e in hi'< for 2hich reason< as he sa!s< -their sou&s re'ained in
he&&#-
.arcion is a&so conde'ned for e&ie$in, in the eternit! of 'atter#
So< too< Her'o,enes is censured ! Tertu&&ian for the sa'e cause< and for
ar,uin, that 5od 'ade the 2or&d out of 'atter and cou&d not ha$e 'ade it
out of nothin,#
And so throu,hout there is censure and counter censure et2een the
orthodo/ and the heretics< and it is difficu&t at ti'es to deter'ine 2hich
are the orthodo/ and 2hich heretics< so fre>uent&! do the! chan,e *&aces#
Nor 2as there an! i'*ro$e'ent in the a,es that succeeded these that ha$e
een rief&! considered# The editor of Dr# Jortin+s &earned 2or0 on
ecc&esiastica& histor!< 3i&&ia' Tro&&o*e< on a *assa,e of Jortin+s on the
ear&! fathers< sa!s of the fathers of the fourth centur!(
After the counci& of Nice< a c&ass of 2riters s*ran, u*<
,reat&! inferior to their *redecessors< in 2hate$er &i,ht their
*retensions are $ie2ed# Sad&! deficient in &earnin,< *re=udiced in
o*inion< and ine&e,ant in st!&e< the! cannot e ad'itted for a 'o'ent
into co'*etition 2ith those 2ho 2ere conte'*orar! 2ith the A*ost&es
and their i''ediate successors#
The 2ho&e tenor of his re'ar0s is to the effect that 2hi&e the
fathers of the second and third centuries are not to e re&ied u*on in
their inter*retations of scri*ture< 2ere fre>uent&! decei$ed in o*inions<
and not a&2a!s to e de*ended u*on in 'atters of tradition< !et the! 2ere
,reat&! to e *referred in a&& res*ects to the fathers of succeedin,
centuries#
The De$e&o*'ent of Fa&se Doctrines After the Death of the A*ost&es#
Here< too< I sha&& re&! $er! &ar,e&! u*on the conc&usions of the
&earned# Dr# Lardner< referrin, to the de$e&o*'ent of the heresies< the
seeds of 2hich 2ere so2n in the da!s of the A*ost&es< sa!s(
Euseius re&ates that I,natius< on his 2a! fro' Antioch to Ro'e<
e/horted the churches to e2are of heresies 2hich 2ere then s*rin,in,
u*< and 2hich 2ou&d increase? and that he after2ards 2rote his
e*ist&es in order to ,uard the' a,ainst these corru*tions< and to
confir' the' in the faith< This o*inion that the seeds of these
heresies 2ere so2n in the ti'e of the A*ost&es< and s*ran, u*
i''ediate&! after is an o*inion *roa&e in itse&f and is e'raced !
se$era& &earned 'oderns( *articu&ar&! ! %itrin,a< and ! the &ate
Re$# .r# "re0e& of Li$er*oo&#
A certain .r# Deacon atte'*ted to refute the .r# "re0e& referred to
! Dr# Lardner< and to 'aintain the *urit! of the Church of the first
three centuries# On this .r# "re0e& oser$ed that -If this *oint 2ere
thorou,h&! e/a'ined< it 2ou&d a**ear that the Christian Church *reser$ed
her $ir,in *urit! no &on,er than the A*osto&ic a,e< at &east if 2e 'a!
,i$e credit to He,esi**us#- Re&!in, u*on the su**ort of the
ecc&esiastica& histor! of Socrates< a 2riter of the first ha&f of the
fifth centur!< .r# "re0e& a&so sa!s( -To 'ention the corru*tions and
inno$ations in re&i,ion of the four first centuries< is 2ho&&!
su*erf&uous? 2hen it is so $er! notorious< that< e$en efore the rei,n of
Constantine< there s*ran, u* a sort of heathenish Christianit! 2hich
'in,&ed itse&f 2ith the true Christian re&i,ion#-
Of the i'*endin, de*arture fro' the Christian re&i,ion i''ediate&!
succeedin, the da!s of the a*ost&es< Dr# Neander sa!s(
A&read!< in the &atter *art of the a,e of St# )au&< 2e sha&& see
'an! thin,s different fro' 2hat the! had een ori,ina&&!? and so it
cannot a**ear stran,e if other chan,es co'e to e introduced into the
constitution of the EChristianF co''unities ! the a&tered
circu'stances of the ti'es i''ediate&! succeedin, those of St# )au&
or St# John# Then ensued those stron,&! 'ar0ed o**ositions and
schis's< those dan,ers 2ith 2hich the corru*tions en,endered !
'anifo&d forei,n e&e'ents threatened *ri'iti$e Christianit!#
Dr# )hi&i* S'ith< the author of the Students+ Ecc&esiastica& Histor!<
in s*ea0in, of the ear&! corru*tions of the Christian re&i,ion< sa!s(
The sad truth is that as soon as Christianit! 2as ,enera&&!
diffused< it e,an to asor corru*tion fro' a&& the &ands in
2hich it 2as *&anted and to ref&ect the co'*&e/ion of a&& their
s!ste's of re&i,ion and *hi&oso*h!#
Dean .i&'an< in his *reface to his annotated edition of Ed2ard
5ison+s ,reat 2or0< The Dec&ine and Fa&& of the Ro'an E'*ire< and
co''entin, u*on that ,reat author+s attitude res*ectin, the Christian
re&i,ion< sa!s(
If< after a&&< the $ie2 of the ear&! *ro,ress of Christianit! e
'e&ancho&! and hu'i&iatin,< 2e 'ust e2are &est 2e char,e the 2ho&e
of this on the infide&it! of the historian# It is id&e< it is
disin,enuous to den! or to disse'&e the ear&! de*ra$ations of
Christianit!< its ,radua& ut ra*id de*arture fro' its *ri'iti$e
si'*&icit! and *urit!< sti&& 'ore fro' its s*irit of uni$ersa& &o$e#
It 'a! e no unsa&utar! &esson to the Christian 2or&d< that this
si&ent< this una$oida&e *erha*s< !et fata& chan,e sha&& ha$e een
dra2n ! an i'*artia&< or e$en an hosti&e hand#
Dr# .oshei'< in his Institutes< dea&s at &en,th 2ith the auses 2hich
arose in the Church in the second and third centuries< 2hich I arid,e to
the fo&&o2in,< and first as to the second centur!( .an! rites 2ere added
2ithout necessit! to oth *u&ic and *ri$ate re&i,ious 2orshi*< to the
,reat offense of ,ood 'en? and *rinci*a&&! ecause of the *er$ersit! of
'an0ind 2ho are 'ore de&i,hted 2ith the *o'* and s*&endor of e/terna&
for's and *a,eantr! than 2ith the true de$otion of the heart# There is
,ood reason to e&ie$e that the Christian isho*s *ur*ose&! 'u&ti*&ied
sacred rites for the sa0e of renderin, the Je2s and *a,ans 'ore friend&!
to the'# For oth these c&asses had a&2a!s een accusto'ed to nu'erous
and s*&endid cere'onies< and e&ie$ed the' an essentia& *art of re&i,ion#
In *ursuance of this *o&ic!< and to si&ence the ca&u'nies of the *a,ans
and the Je2s a,ainst the' to the effect that the Christians 2ere
*ronounced atheists< ecause destitute of te'*&es< a&tars< $icti's<
*riests< and a&& that *o'* in 2hich the $u&,ar su**ose the essence of
re&i,ion to consist--the Christian &eaders introduced 'an! rites< that
the! 'i,ht e a&e to 'aintain that the! rea&&! had those thin,s 2hich the
*a,ans had< on&! the! susisted under different for's# So'e of these
rites--=ustified< as 2as su**osed< ! a co'*arison of the Christian
o&ations 2ith Je2ish $icti's and sacrifices--in ti'e corru*ted
essentia&&! the doctrine of the Lord+s su**er< and con$erted it into a
sacrifice# To add further to the di,nit! of the Christian Re&i,ion< the
churches of the east fei,ned '!steries si'i&ar to those of the *a,an
re&i,ions? and< as 2ith the *a,ans< the ho&! rites of the '!steries 2ere
concea&ed fro' the $u&,ar( -And the! not on&! a**&ied the ter's used in
the *a,an '!steries to the Christian institutions< *articu&ar&! a*tis'
and the Lord+s su**er< ut the! ,radua&&! introduced a&so the rites 2hich
2ere desi,nated ! those ter's#- This *ractice ori,inated in the eastern
*ro$inces of the e'*ire< and thence< after the ti'es of Adrian E2ho first
introduced the 5recian '!steries a'on, the LatinsF< it s*read a'on, the
Christians of the 2est< -A &ar,e *art< therefore< of Christian oser$ances
and institutions< e$en in this centur!< had the as*ect of the *a,an
'!steries#- In &i0e 'anner 'an! cere'onies and custo's of the E,!*tians
2ere ado*ted#
S*ea0in, of the third centur! the Doctor sa!s that a&& the 'onu'ents
of this centur! sho2 that there 2as a ,reat increase of cere'onies in the
Church o2in, to the *re$ai&in, *assion for the )&atonic *hi&oso*h!# Hence
arose the *u&ic e/orcis's< the 'u&ti*&ication of fasts< the a$ersion to
'atri'on!< and the *ainfu& austerities and *enances 2hich 2ere en=oined
u*on offenders#
The Re$o&ution of the Fourth Centur!( Constantine#
It 2i&& e oser$ed that I ha$e so far confined '! >uotations
concernin, the corru*tions 2hich arose in the Church to the first three
centuries of the Christian Era# I ha$e done so *ur*ose&!? and chief&!
that I 'i,ht sho2 ! such >uotations that the forces 2hich 2ere to rin,
aout the destruction of the Christian Church 2ere acti$e durin, those
a,es? and a&so ecause an e$ent too0 *&ace in the first *art of the fourth
centur! that cu&'inated in the triu'*h of those forces# This e$ent 2as
the esta&ish'ent of Christianit! as the state re&i,ion of Ro'e#
Constantine the 5reat 2as the e'*eror under 2hose rei,n this un&oo0ed for
re$o&ution too0 *&ace# He 2as the son of Constantine Ch&orus< e'*eror of
the 3est in the *recedin, rei,n< 2hich rei,n he had shared 2ith 5a&erius
.a/i'inus< 2ho ru&ed the East# Constantine 2as an -e'*eror orn of an
e'*eror< the *ious son of a 'ost *ious and $irtuous father<- is the
f&atterin, announce'ent of his *arenta,e on the *aterna& side< ! his
conte'*orar!< Euseius< the church historian? thou,h he ne,&ects to
'ention the oscure ori,in and hu'&e $ocation Ethat of inn 0ee*erF of his
'other< Ne&ena< 2ho' her husand re*udiated 2hen raised to the di,nit! of
-Caesar- in the rei,n of Dioc&etian#
Constantine 2as *roc&ai'ed e'*eror ! the ar'! in "ritain on the
death of his father at Yor0< 9D: A# D#( ut ci$i& strife ra,ed throu,h
the e'*ire for ei,hteen !ears< occasioned ! the contendin, as*irants for
the i'*eria& di,nit!# The future *atron of Christianit!< ho2e$er<
o$erca'e a&& his ri$a&s and rei,ned so&e 'onarch of Ro'e fro' 9H9 A# D#<
to the ti'e of his death< fourteen !ears &ater<
The *o&ic! of Constantine+s father to2ards the Christians in his
di$ision of the e'*ire< the 3est< had een one not on&! of to&eration ut
a&so of friendshi*? and this *o&ic! the son fo&&o2ed fro' the co''ence'ent
of his career as e'*eror# The fact of oth his o2n and his father+s
friend&iness to2ard the Church< on the one hand< and the hosti&it! of his
ri$a&s a,ainst the Church on the other< rou,ht to hi' the united su**ort
of the Christians throu,hout the e'*ire? and thou,h the! 2ere not so
nu'erous as the! are fre>uent&! re*resented to e< !et it cannot e denied
that the Christians 2ere i'*ortant factors in deter'inin, the course of
e$ents in the e'*ire at this ti'e< and tru&! the! 2ere faithfu& a&&ies to
Constantine< and he< on his *art< ne,&ected not to 'eet their
antici*ations of re2ard#
A carefu& stud! of his &ife and character 2i&& force the con$iction
u*on the 'ind that Constantine 2as a 'ost suita&e head for the re$o&ution
2hich ended ! esta&ishin, a *seudo-Christianit! as the state re&i,ion of
the deca!in, e'*ire# A *rofessed Christian for 'an! !ears< if 2e 'a!
e&ie$e Iactantius and Euseius he *ost*oned his a*tis'< after the
fashion of his ti'es< unti& the $er! &ast !ear of his &ife< in order that<
*urified at once fro' a&& the stains of sin ! 'eans of it< he 'i,ht e
sure of enterin, into &iss# Such the e/*&anation of those 2ho 2ou&d
defend this de&a! of the e'*eror+s? ut one cannot fai& to re'e'er that
it 2as >uite custo'ar! at this ti'e a'on, 'an! *rofessin, the Christian
re&i,ion to *ut off a*tis' as &on, as the! dared that the! 'i,ht en=o! a
&ife of sin< and then throu,h the 'eans of a*tis'< =ust efore death< as
! 'a,ic< otain for,i$eness# On the 'oti$es that *ro'*ted Constantine+s
acce*tance of Christianit!< our historians are not a,reed# Accordin, to
Euseius his con$ersion 2as rou,ht aout throu,h seein, in the hea$ens a
&u'inous cross at 'idda!< and ao$e it the inscri*tion( -"! this
Con>uer#- This 'iracu&ous si,n 2as su**&e'ented on the ni,ht fo&&o2in, !
the a**earance of Jesus Christ to the e'*eror in a drea'< 2ith the sa'e
s!'o&< the cross< and directed hi' to 'a0e it the ensi,n of his anners
and his *rotection a,ainst the *o2er of the ene'!# Accordin, to
Theodoret the e'*eror 2as con$erted throu,h the ar,u'ents of his Christian
'other# Accordin, to ;osi'us< it 2as throu,h the ar,u'ents of an
E,!*tian Christian isho*--su**osed to e Hosius< "isho* of Cordoa--2ho
*ro'ised hi' aso&ution for his cri'es< 2hich inc&uded a nu'er of
'urders< if he 2ou&d ut acce*t Christianit!#
It is as difficu&t to sett&e u*on the ti'e of Constantine+s
con$ersion as it is the 'eans and nature of it# Neander inc&ines to the
o*inion that he 2as ear&! inf&uenced in fa$or of Christianit! throu,h the
e/a'*&e if not the teachin,s of his *arents< 2ho< if not fu&&! con$erted
to the Christian faith< 2ere at &east to&erant of it? and 'a! e
reasona&! counted a'on, that nu'er 2ho at &east ad'itted Christ to e
the *antheon of the ,ods# "ut an act of his in 9D8 A# D#< after the death
of his father< and he hi'se&f had een *roc&ai'ed e'*eror of the 3est<
sho2s that he 2as at that ti'e sti&& attached to the *a,an for's of
2orshi*? for hearin, that the Fran0s 2ho had een inc&ined to ree&&ion
a,ainst his ,o$ern'ent had< on his *re*arations to 'a0e 2ar u*on the'<
&aid do2n their ar's< he offered *u&ic than0s in a ce&erated te'*&e of
A*o&&o and ,a$e a 'a,nificent offerin, to the ,od#
The stor! of his con$ersion as re&ated ! Euseius 2ou&d fi/ that
e$ent in the !ear 97H A# D#? and sure&! if the o*en $ision of the &u'inous
cross and the suse>uent a**earin, of Christ in his drea'< 2ere rea&ities<
Constantine had sufficient ,rounds for a *ro'*t and une>ui$oca& con$ersion
to the Christian faith# "ut after that< if 2e consider the conduct of the
e'*eror< 2e sha&& find hi'< ho2e$er< astonishin, it 'a! see'< sti&&
attached to *a,an cere'onies of 2orshi*# As &ate as 9H7< A# D#< nine
!ears after the $isitation of Christ to hi'< 2e find hi' accused of
artfu&&! a&ancin, the ho*es and fears of oth his *a,an and Christian
su=ects ! *u&ishin, in the sa'e !ear t2o edicts? the first of 2hich
en=oined the so&e'n oser$ance of Sunda!? and the second directed the
consu&tation of the Harus*ices--the soothsa!ers of the o&d *a,an
re&i,ion# Of this circu'stance< Neander< 2ho is dis*osed to *a&&iate the
conduct of Constantine as far as *ossi&e< after inti'atin, that this
&a*se 'i,ht e accounted for on the ,rounds of state *o&ic!< sa!s< -Yet
the other h!*othesis< $i4#< that Constantine had actua&&! fa&&en ac0 into
heathen su*erstitions 'a! indeed e re,arded as the 'ore natura&#- Fi$e
!ears after his su**osed 'iracu&ous con$ersion -2e find 'ar0s of the *a,an
state re&i,ion u*on the i'*eria& coins#- -A 'eda& 2as struc0<- sa!s Dr#
John 3# Dra*er< dout&ess referrin, to the sa'e thin,< -on 2hich 2as
i'*ressed his IConstantine+sJ tit&e of L5od<+ to,ether 2ith the 'ono,ra'
of Christ#- -Another<- he continues< -re*resented hi' as raised ! a hand
fro' the s0! 2hi&e seated in the chariot of the Sun# "ut 'ore
*articu&ar&! the ,reat *ro*hec! *i&&ar< a co&u'n one hundred and t2ent!
feet in hei,ht< e/hiited the true re&i,ious condition of the founder of
Constantino*&e# The statue on its su''it 'in,&ed to,ether the Sun< the
Sa$ior< and the E'*eror< the od! 2as a co&ossa& i'a,e of A*o&&o< 2hose
features 2ere re*&aced ! those of Constantine< and around the head< &i0e
ra!s< 2ere fi/ed the nai&s of the cross of Christ recent&! disco$ered in
Jerusa&e'#- 3hi&e on the da! Constantino*&e 2as for'a&&! 'ade the
ca*ita& of the e'*ire< he honored the statue of Fortune 2ith his ,ifts#
In $ie2 of a&& these acts< ran,in, as the! do o$er the ,reater *art of the
first Christian e'*eror+s &ife< and throu,h 'an! !ears after his su**osed
con$ersion< I thin0 5ion is =ustified in his re'ar0s u*on this *art of
Constantine+s conduct( -It 2as an arduous tas0 to eradicate the haits
and *re=udices of his education< to ac0no2&ed,e the di$ine *o2er of
Christ< and to understand that the truth of his re$e&ation 2as
inco'*ati&e 2ith the 2orshi* of the ,ods#-
Turnin, fro' the consideration of the e>ui$oca& conduct of the
e'*eror to his character< 2e ha$e a su=ect aout 2hich there is &ess
disa,ree'ent a'on, authorities? for e$en Christian a*o&o,ists are
co'*e&&ed to ad'it the 2ic0edness of this first Christian e'*eror#
-Re&!in,< 2ith *resu'*tuous confidence<- sa!s Neander< -on the ,reat
thin,s 2hich 5od had done< throu,h hi'< for the ad$ance'ent of the
Christian Church< he found it eas! to e/cuse or e/tenuate to his
conscience 'an! a 2ron, deed< into 2hich he had suffered hi'se&f to e
etra!ed ! a'ition< the &o$e of ru&e< the aritrar! e/ercise of *o2er<
or the =ea&ous! of des*otis'#-
-It is indeed true that Constantine+s &ife 2as not such as the
*rece*ts of Christianit! re>uired<- Dr# .oshei' re'ar0s< ut softens the
state'ent a,ainst the e'*eror ! sa!in, that< -It is ut too notorious
that 'an! *ersons 2ho &oo0 u*on the Christian re&i,ion as induita&! true
and of di$ine ori,in< !et do not confor' their &i$es to a&& its ho&!
*rece*ts#-
Dr# Lardner< after dra2in, a 'ost fa$ora&e out&ine of Constantine+s
*erson and character< and citin, the f&atter! of conte'*orar! *ane,!rists
as a descri*tion of the 'an< sa!s( -Ha$in, oser$ed these $irtues of
Constantine< and other thin,s< 2hich are to his ad$anta,e? a =ust res*ect
to truth o&i,eth us to ta0e notice of so'e other thin,s< 2hich see' to
cast a ref&ection u*on hi'#- And then in the 'ost nai$e 'anner he adds(
-A'on, these< one of the chief is *uttin, to death so 'an! of his
re&ati$esK- He enu'erates the $icti's of the first Christian e'*eror as
fo&&o2s( -.a/i'i&ian Hercu&ius< his 2ife+s father? "assianus< husand of
his sister Anastasia( Cris*us< his o2n son? Fausta< his 2ife? Licinius<
husand of his sister Contantia? and Licinianus< or Licinius< the !oun,er<
his ne*he2< and son of the fore'entioned Licinius#- The &ast na'ed
$icti' 2as a 'ere &ad 2hen *ut to death< -not 'ore than a &itt&e ao$e
e&e$en !ears of a,e< if so 'uch<- is Dr# Lardner+s o2n descri*tion of hi'#
Fausta 2as suffocated in a stea' ath< thou,h she had een his 2ife for
t2ent! !ears and 'other of three of his sons# It shou&d e re'e'ered
that this is the &ist of $icti's ad'itted ! a 'ost &earned and *ious
Christian 2riter< not a cata&o,ue dra2n u* ! *a,an historians< 2ho' 2e
'i,ht sus*ect of 'a&ice a,ainst one 2ho had deserted the shrines of the
ancient ,ods for the faith of the Christians< "ut this rather for'ida&e
&ist of 'urdered $icti's< ad'itted ! Dr# Lardner< sha0es not his faith in
the ,oodness of the first Christian e'*eror# So'e of these -e/ecutions-
he *a&&iates< if not =ustifies< on the ,round of *o&itica& necessit!? and
others on the ,round of do'estic *erfid!? thou,h he a&'ost stu'&es in his
efforts at e/cusin, the ta0in, off of Cris*us< the e'*eror+s o2n son?
Fausta< his 2ife? and the &ad Licinius# -These are the e/ecutions<- he
sa!s< -2hich ao$e a&& others cast a ref&ection u*on the rei,n of
Constantine? thou,h there are a&so hints of the death of so'e others aout
the sa'e ti'e< 2ith 2ho' Constantine had ti&& then &i$ed in friendshi*#-
After 2hich the Doctor i''ediate&! adds--in the $er! face of a&& the facts
he adduces< and after recitin, the conde'nation of oth heathen and
Christian 2riters of so'e of these 'urders--the fo&&o2in,( -I do ! no
'eans thin0 that Constantine 2as a 'an of a crue& dis*osition? and
therefore I a' un2i&&in, to touch u*on an! other actions of a &i0e nature(
as his 'a0in, so'e 5er'an *rinces ta0en ca*ti$e< fi,ht in the theatre? and
sendin, the head of .a/entius to Africa< after it had een 'ade a *art of
Constantine+s triu'*ha& entr! at Ro'e#- 3hen one finds a soer Christian
2riter of the ei,hteenth centur! 2ho can thus s*ea0 of Constantine? and
further re'e'ers that to this da! a *riest of the 5ree0 church se&do'
'entions the na'e of the -i'*eria& saint<- 2ithout addin, this tit&e<
-E>ua& to the A*ost&es?- one is not sur*rised that 2hi&e he &i$ed< and at
his court a Christian isho* cou&d e found 2ho -con,ratu&ated hi' as
constituted ! 5od to ru&e o$er a&&< in the *resent 2or&d< and destined to
rei,n 2ith the son of 5od in the 2or&d to co'e#- On that Euseius< 2ho
is s*o0en of as one of the est isho*s of the i'*eria& court< -did not
scru*&e for a 'o'ent to ascrie to the *urest 'oti$es of a true ser$ant of
5od a&& those transactions into 2hich the e'*eror< 2ithout e$incin, the
s&i,htest re,ard to truth or to hu'anit!< had suffered hi'se&f to e dra2n
! an a'ition 2hich cou&d not aide a ri$a&< in the stru,,&e 2ith
Licinius? 2hen he re*resents the e'*eror< in a 2ar 2hich< e!ond a dout<
had een underta0en fro' 'oti$es of a *ure&! se&fish *o&ic!< as
'arsha&&in, the order of the att&e< and ,i$in, out the 2ords of co''and
! di$ine ins*iration esto2ed in ans2er to his *ra!er#-
Enou,h of this# Let us &oo0 no &on,er at this first of the Christian
e'*erors throu,h the e!es of church'en see0in, to e/to& his $irtues and
hide his cri'es< a&& for the honor of the Church# So odious had he eco'e
in Ro'e for his 'an! 'urders that a *as>uinade 2hich co'*ared his rei,n to
that of the detested Nero 2as nai&ed to the *a&ace ,ates# -The ,ui&t!
e'*eror<- sa!s one< -in the first urst of an,er< 2as on the *oint of
dar0enin, the tra,ed!< if such a thin, had een *ossi&e< ! a 'assacre of
the Ro'an *o*u&ace 2ho had thus insu&ted hi'#- His rothers 2ere
consu&ted on this 'easure of $en,eance< ho2e$er< and the resu&t of their
counse& 2as a reso&ution to de,rade Ro'e to a suordinate ran0< and ui&d
a 'etro*o&is e&se2here< and hence the ne2 ca*ita& of the e'*ire rose on
the shores of the "os*horus#
Ref&ectin, u*on the career of Constantine fro' the da!s of his !oun,
'anhood< 2hich had in it so'ethin, of the >ua&it! that 'a0es the
successfu& &eader of 'en< to the ti'e 2hen he fe&& under the inf&uence of
the fa&se *riests of a corru*ted re&i,ion< Dra*er sa!s(
Fro' the rou,h so&dier 2ho acce*ted the *ur*&e at Yor0< ho2
,reat the chan,e to the effe'inate e'*eror of the "os*horus< in
si&0en roes stiffened 2ith threads of ,o&d< a diade' of sa**hires
and *ear&s< and fa&se hair< stained of $arious tints? his ste*s
stea&thi&! ,uarded ! '!sterious eunuchs f&ittin, throu,h the *a&ace<
the streets fu&& of s*ies< and an e$er 2atchfu& *o&iceK The sa'e 'an
2ho a**roaches us as the Ro'an i'*erator retires fro' us as the
Asiatic des*ot# In the &ast da!s of his &ife he *ut aside the
i'*eria& *ur*&e< and< assu'in, the custo'ar! 2hite ,ar'ents< *re*ared
for a*tis'< that the sins of his &on, and e$i& &ife 'i,ht a&& e
2ashed a2a!# Since co'*&ete *urification can thus e on&! once
otained< he 2as desirous to *rocrastinate that cere'on! to the &ast
'o'ent# )rofound&! *o&itic< e$en in his re&ations 2ith hea$en< he
thenceforth rec&ined on a 2hite ed< too0 no further *art in 2or&d&!
affairs and< ha$in, thus insured a ri,ht to the continuance of that
*ros*erit! in a future &ife 2hich he had en=o!ed in this< e/*ired#
And so 5ion(
The su&i'e theor! of the ,os*e& had 'ade a 'uch fainter
i'*ression on the heart< than on the understandin,< of Constantine
hi'se&f# He *ursued the ,reat o=ects of his a'ition throu,h the
dar0 and &ood! *aths of 2ar and *o&ic!? and< after the $ictor!< he
aandoned hi'se&f< 2ithout 'oderation< to the ause of his fortune#
Instead of assertin, his =ust su*eriorit! ao$e the i'*erfect herois'
and *rofane *hi&oso*h! of Tra=an and the Antonines< the 'ature a,e of
Constantine forfeited the re*utation 2hich he had ac>uired in his
!outh# As he ,radua&&! ad$anced in the 0no2&ed,e of truth< he
*ro*ortionate&! dec&ined in the *ractice of $irtue? and the sa'e !ear
of his rei,n in 2hich he con$ened the counci& of Nice< 2as *o&&uted
! the e/ecution< or rather 'urder of his e&dest son ECris*usF# C C
C C At the ti'e of the death of Cris*us< the e'*eror cou&d no
&on,er hesitate in the choice of re&i,ion? he cou&d no &on,er e
i,norant that the church 2as *ossessed of an infa&&i&e re'ed!<
Ea*tis'F thou,h he chose to defer the a**&ication of it ti&& the
a**roach of death had re'o$ed the te'*tation and dan,er of a re&a*se#
C C C C The e/a'*&e and re*utation of Constantine see'ed to
countenance the de&a! of a*tis'# Future t!rants 2ere encoura,ed to
e&ie$e that the innocent &ood 2hich the! 'i,ht shed in a &on, rei,n
2ou&d instant&! e 2ashed a2a! in the 2aters of re,eneration? and the
ause of re&i,ion dan,erous&! under'ined the foundations of 'ora&
$irtue#
Such then< 2as the first Christian e'*eror# He u*&ifted
-Christianit!- fro' the condition of a *ersecuted re&i,ion< and 'ade it
the state re&i,ion of Ro'e? and a&so *ro$ided 'eans for its 2ider
acce*tance# If for this it sha&& e c&ai'ed< as it is< that 'uch in his
e$i& &ife shou&d e o$er&oo0ed< it 2ou&d sti&& e *ertinent to as0 2hether
his acts in connection 2ith Christianit! did not dease rather than e/a&t
it? and if his *ro$isions for its 2ider acce*tation did not tend rather to
the corru*tion of 2hat re'ained true in the Christianit! then e/tant< than
to the esta&ish'ent of true re&i,ion#
Corru*ted Christianit! .ade a )ersecutin, Re&i,ion#
The edict of .i&an< ! 2hich 2as intended no 'ore than the
esta&ish'ent of re&i,ious &iert! in the e'*ire< and 2hich 2as issued in
979 A# D#< ! Constantine and his co&&ea,ue< Licinius< 2as 2e&& enou,h#
Freedo' to teach and *ractice the truth is a&& the Christian church cou&d
as0 or e/*ect# Had he sto**ed here< his action in this *articu&ar 2ou&d
ha$e 'et 2ith uni$ersa& a**&ause# "ut he 2ent e!ond this# He not on&!
*rotected the Christians ! his &a2s< ut *rohiited ! e/*ress edicts the
free e/ercise of re&i,ion to the *a,ans# His *roscri*tions 2ere 'i&d at
first< ,oin, no further than to *rohiit soothsa!in, and di$ination in
*ri$ate houses or an!2here in secret# Later< ho2e$er< if 2e 'a! e&ie$e
the 2ords of Euseius< he *&aced the *a,an re&i,ion under the an of the
&a2s# Euseius sa!s(
The e'*eror *roceeded to act 2ith ,reat $i,or< ,a$e the
,o$ern'ent of the *ro$inces chief&! to Christians< and 2hen an!
5enti&es 2ere 'ade ,o$ernors the! 2ere *rohiited to sacrifice#
3hich &a2 co'*rehended not on&! *residents of *ro$inces ut a&so
hi,her officers and e$en the *raeiorian *raefects# If the! 2ere
Christians< the! 2ere re>uired to act accordin, to their *rinci*&es#
If the! 2ere other2ise dis*osed< sti&& the *ractice of ido&atrous
rites 2ere foridden# C C C C And soon after that 2ere t2o &a2s
*u&ished at one and the sa'e ti'e< one *rohiitin, the detesta&e
rites of ido&atr! hitherto *racticed in cities and countr! *&aces(
and that for the future none shou&d erect statues to the ,ods< nor
*erfor' the $ain arts of di$ination< nor offer u* an! sacrifices#
The other &a2 2as for en&ar,in, Christian oratories and churches< or
for reui&din, the' 'ore ,rand and s*&endid#
3hen contrastin, the course of the first Christian e'*eror 2ith the
*a,an e'*erors< Euseius sa!s< -The! co''anded the te'*&es to e
'a,nificent&! adorned( he de'o&ished the' to the foundation< es*ecia&&!
such as 2ere 'ost res*ected ! su*erstitious *eo*&e#- Later he e/*ress&!
sa!s that throu,hout the 2ho&e Ro'an e'*ire< the doors of ido&atr! 2ere
shut to the co''ona&t! and to the so&dier!< and that -e$er! 0ind of
sacrifice 2as *rohiited#- A,ain< he sa!s that there 2ere se$era& &a2s<
*u&ished for these *ur*oses< foriddin, sacrifices< di$inations< raisin,
statues< and the secret '!steries or rites of initiation# And he sa!s
further that -in E,!*t a sort of *riesthood< consecrated to the honor of
the Ni&e< 2as entire&! su**ressed#- I a' not un'indfu& that so'e
res*ecta&e authorities >uestion if Constantine rea&&! de*arted fro' the
*o&ic! of to&eration announced in his edict of .i&an( and that e$en
5ion is inc&ined to e&ie$e in his to&eration of *a,anis'# The
state'ent here 'ade ! Euseius< the conte'*orar! and io,ra*her of
Constantine< ho2e$er< to,ether 2ith reference to the edicts of su**ression
>uoted ! his son Constans in the succeedin, rei,n< and 2hich is >uoted !
Lardner< esta&ishes e!ond >uestion the *o&ic! of into&erance of
Constantine to2ard *a,anis'< es*ecia&&! 2hen 2hat Euseius has said is
su**&e'ented ! the fact that the e'*eror destro!ed a nu'er of heathen
te'*&es< and *ere'*tori&! ordered the c&osin, of the others# A'on, the
heathen te'*&es destro!ed 2as one at Ae,ae< in Ci&ieia< erected to
Aescu&a*ius< ce&erated for the nu'er of sic0 that had een hea&ed there<
and he&d in hi,h estee' ! 'en of the etter c&ass a'on, the *a,ans and
*hi&oso*hers# It is said that ! its destruction and the *u&ic
e/hiition of certain i'a,es of the ,ods< 'an! tric0s of the *riests 2ere
e/*osed and< eca'e o=ects of s*ort to the *o*u&ace# "ut 2hi&e this 'a!
ha$e een the conduct of so'e insincere *a,ans< those 2ho re'ained
heathens< as LeC&erc has 2e&& said< -2ere no dout e/tre'e&! shoc0ed at
the 'anner in 2hich the statues of their ,ods 2ere treated? and cou&d not
consider the Christians as 'en of 'oderation# For< in short< those
statues 2ere as dear to the'< as an!thin,< the 'ost sacred< cou&d e to
the Christians#- Euseius taunted the *hi&oso*hers aout the destruction
of the te'*&e< 2ithout an! interference on the *art of the ,od to 2ho' it
had een erected< a**arent&! a&& un'indfu& of the fact that =ust such
taunts had een hur&ed at the Christian 'art!rs in the da!s that the
-0in,do' of 5od suffered $io&ence< and the $io&ent too0 it ! force#-
-Had not Euseius<- re'ar0ed Lardner< -often heard 2ith his o2n ears< and
read in the histor! of ancient 'art!rs< the insu&ts and triu'*hs of the
heathens o$er the Christians< that the! *rofessed the'se&$es the
2orshi*ers of the ,reat and on&! true 5od< and !et e$er!od!< that
*&eased< 2as a&e to 'o&est and destro! the'< as he sa2 ,oodB-
The 4ea& of Christian 2riters has done a&& in its *o2er to e/cuse or
*a&&iate the conduct of Constantine in his acts for the su**ression of the
*a,an re&i,ion and 2orshi*? ut after a&& is said ! his a*o&o,ists that
can e said? after e$er! a&&o2ance is conceded for the ti'es in 2hich he
&i$ed< and the *re$ious conduct of the *a,ans throu,h t2o centuries of
$io&ence to2ards the Christians< the fact re'ains that the first Christian
e'*eror did ! his edicts *ut the ancient re&i,ion of the e'*ire under the
an of the &a2< and ! acts of $io&ence destro!ed so'e of its te'*&es and
c&osed the rest ! i'*eria& decree< that the *a,an ,ods 'i,ht not e
2orshi*ed? and this< dout&ess< 2ith the a**ro$a&--and it 2ou&d not e
difficu&t to e&ie$e< under a&& the circu'stances< at the su,,estion of
Christian isho*s 2ho thron,ed his court# On the foundation of
into&erance thus &aid ! hi'< others hastened to ui&d# In the succeedin,
rei,n< a'on, the first &a2s enacted 2as this one a,ainst *a,an sacrifices(
Let su*erstition cease? &et the 'adness of sacrificin, he ao&ished#
For 2hoe$er sha&& *resu'e contrar! to the constitution of our father< a
*rince of &essed 'e'or!< and contrar! to this co''and of our c&e'enc!< to
offer sacrifices< &et a *ro*er and con$enient *unish'ent e inf&icted< and
e/ecution *resent&! done u*on hi'#
This edict 2as su**&e'ented a fe2 !ears &ater ! the fo&&o2in,
edict(
It is our *&easure that in a&& *&aces and in a&& cities< the
te'*&es e i''ediate&! shut< and carefu&&! ,uarded that none 'a! ha$e
the *o2er of offendin,# It is &i0e2ise our *&easure< that a&& our
su=ects shou&d astain fro' sacrifices# If an! one shou&d e ,ui&t!
of such an act< &et hi' fee& the s2ord of $en,eance? and after his
e/ecution< &et his *ro*ert! e confiscated to the *u&ic use# 3e
denounce the sa'e *ena&ties a,ainst the ,o$ernors of the *ro$inces<
if the! ne,&ect to *unish the cri'ina&s#
It is not necessar! to *ursue the su=ect 'uch further# It 2i&& e
sufficient to sa! that durin, the fourth centur!< ! fo&&o2in, the *o&ic!
of su**ression inau,urated ! this first Christian e'*eror< Christianit!
2as chan,ed fro' a *ersecuted to a *ersecutin, re&i,ion# 3ithout
restraint fro' the ecc&esiastica& authorities< the Christian e'*erors
issued edicts a,ainst the *a,an re&i,ion< *roscried its fo&&o2ers<
destro!ed its te'*&es< and confiscated its *ro*ert! to the uses of the
ri$a& re&i,ion# E$en Neander< s*ea0in, of this re$o&ution< and
constrained as he is to sa! a&& that he can for the honor of the Christian
Church< is co'*e&&ed to ad'it that -the re&ation of thin,s had eco'e
re$ersed# As in for'er ti'es the oser$ance of the *a,an cere'onies< the
re&i,ion of the state< had a**eared in the &i,ht of a ci$i& dut!< and the
*rofession of Christianit! in that of a cri'e a,ainst the state? so no2 it
2as the case< not indeed that the out2ard *rofession of Christianit! 2as
co''anded as a uni$ersa& ci$i& dut!< for a,ainst this the s*irit of
Christianit! too earnest&! re'onstrated? ut that the e/ercise of the
*a,an re&i,ion 2as 'ade *o&itica&&! dan,erous#- In the *a,es of this
e'inent Christian historian one 'a! read that efore the c&ose of the
centur! 2hich 2itnessed the e&e$ation of Christianit! to the di,nit! of
the state re&i,ion of the e'*ire< 2i&d troo*s of Christian 'on0s 2ere
underta0in, ca'*ai,ns< es*ecia&&! in the countr!< for the destruction of
the heathen te'*&es in 2hich sacrifices 2ere a&&e,ed to ha$e een
*erfor'ed( of isho*s 2ho not on&! su*erintended the destruction of
heathen te'*&es at the head of ands of so&diers and ,&adiators< ut
*araded throu,h the streets of the cities the s!'o&s of the heathen
faith< *ro$o0in, ci$i& conf&icts 2hich Christian e'*erors did not hesitate
to ta0e ad$anta,e of for the 'ore co'*&ete su**ression of *a,anis'#
.eanti'e a *a,an a*o&o,ist< Lianius< arises to *&ead the cause of
re&i,ious to&eration< and in the course of his address to the Christian
e'*eror< Theodosius< he *uts to sha'e the Christianit! then in $o,ue< !
sho2in, the e'*eror ho2 far the Church had de*arted fro' the s*irit of the
Christian re&i,ion< ! sa!in,( -Force is said not to e *er'itted< e$en
accordin, to the &a2s of !our o2n re&i,ion( *ersuasion is said to e
*raised< ut force conde'ned ! the'# 3h! then< do !ou 2rea0 !our fur!
a,ainst the te'*&es< 2hen this sure&! is not to *ersuade< ut to use
forceB Thus< then< it is *&ain !ou 2ou&d trans,ress e$en the &a2s of !our
o2n re&i,ion#- Lardner ca&&s attention to the fact that as under *a,an
e'*erors *re$ious to Constantine Christianit! had een in a state of
*ersecution< so no2< after Constantine< he *roceeds to sho2 that *a,anis'
under Christian e'*erors 2as a&& a&on, in a state of
*ersecution---Ho2e$er< I 2ou&d ho*e< not so se$ere and $i,orous as that of
the Christians in the fore,oin, *eriod of near three hundred !ears#- And
so LeC&erc< as >uoted ! Lardner(
Thus it 2as that the Christians continued to return to the
*a,ans 2hat the! had suffered fro' the' durin, the first three
centuries instead of ,ainin, the' ! *atience and 'i&dness< 2hich
the! had so 'uch reco''ended 2hen the! 2ere the 2ea0est# This
conduct 2as *ro*er to 'a0e the *a,ans 'ore ostinate< ! teachin,
the' that the Christians affected to s*ea0 of hu'anit! and 'oderation
fro' interest on&!< and not fro' a *rinci*&e of re&i,ion as the!
*retended# At &east it is certain< that there! the! &ost the ri,ht
to co'*&ain of the 'anner in 2hich the *a,ans had treated the' in
ti'es *ast< or to oast of the 'i&dness of their re&i,ion< 2hich the!
effectua&&! dis*ara,ed ! those *ersecutions< C C C Nor ou,ht 2e
to i'a,ine that the *ena&ties &aid ! Christians u*on the *a,ans 2ere
&i,ht# If a sacrifice 2as offered in a *ri$ate *&ace< 2ith the
0no2&ed,e of the *ro*rietor< the *&ace 2as confiscated? if not< the!
2ere to *a! a fine of t2ent! *ounds of ,o&d< as 'uch as if it had
een done in a te'*&e? and in so'e cases the *ena&t! of death 2as
a**ointed# 3e 'a! &oo0 into the oration of Lianius for the te'*&es<
2here that orator sustains the sa'e character efore Theodosius as
the Christians had for'er&! done efore *a,an e'*erors< I 'ust
ac0no2&ed,e that this *heno'enon< if I 'a! so ca&& it< ,i$es 'e *ain(
for I cou&d 2ish that the! 2ho defended the truth had *reser$ed to
the'se&$es the honor of ein, the on&! *ersons that 2ere *ersecuted
for re&i,ion#
)ersecution of -Heretics#-
Once started u*on the *o&ic! of su**ressin, ! force those of a
different re&i,ion< Christianit! did not sto* 2ith the *ersecution of the
*a,ans? ad and un-Christian as that 2as< sti&& 'ore serious resu&ts
occurred fro' the *ersecutions inf&icted u*on so ca&&ed heretics in the
Church< ! those 2ho 2ere considered orthodo/# It is true that there 2ere
heretics in the Church efore the da!s of Constantine( 'uch *ro,ress had
een 'ade in the 'atter of *a,ani4in, Christianit!< and 'ore or &ess of
into&erance 2as 'anifested ! Christian sects to2ards one another? ut it
2as the *o&ic! and e/a'*&e of this first Christian e'*eror that &aid the
rea& foundation for that 'onu'ent of sha'e and dis,race to the Christian
na'e 2hich rises u*on the *&ains of Christian discord and strife and 2ar
2a,ed a,ainst heretics in the na'e and for the ,&or! of Christ# It is
this 2hich constitutes the 'ost 'e&ancho&! *a,e of ecc&esiastica& histor!#
In his office of su*re'e *ontiff in the o&d *a,an re&i,ion< 2hich he
he&d ! $irtue of ein, e'*eror of Ro'e< Constantine 'a! natura&&! ha$e
su**osed that the su*re'e headshi* of the re&i,ion he had *rotected and
the Church he had e&e$ated fe&& to hi' for the sa'e reason? and 2ith it
the ri,ht to reconci&e differences< co'*ose factions< and deter'ine 2hat
shou&d e the orthodo/ faith# At an! rate 2e find hi' actin, so'e2hat in
this ca*acit!# 3hen contendin, church *arties a**ea&ed to hi'< he at
first 2as indifferent to their dis*utes< and tried to sha'e the' into
har'on! ! referrin, to the conduct of the 5ree0 *hi&oso*hers< 2ho ne$er
discussed difficu&t >uestions efore i,norant 'u&titudes? 2ho cou&d
'aintain their ar,u'ents 2ithout &osin, their te'*er? and assert their
freedo' 2ithout $io&atin, an! friendshi*#- His efforts at reconci&in,
the differences that arose a'on, Christians o$er 2hat is 0no2n as the
Arian contro$ers! 2ere of no a$ai&? and after si/ !ears of itter strife<
the e'*eror su''oned the isho*s of the Church to Nicea in "ith!nia#
After &on, de&ieration Arianis' 2as conde'ned< and orthodo/ Christianit!
2as esta&ished ! decree of the counci&< ratified ! the e'*eror< to
2hich a&& Christians 'ust confor'# Those 2ho resisted the di$ine =ud,'ent
of the s!nod 'ust *re*are the'se&$es for i''ediate e/i&e# Ho2 effectua&
the ar,u'ent< -e&ief or anish'ent<- e$en a'on, the isho*s at the
counci&< 2as< 'a! e deter'ined fro' the fact that -the o**osition to the
decision of the counci& 2as a&'ost instant&! reduced fro' se$enteen to
t2o#- In his 4ea& to enforce orthodo/! the e'*eror for,ot his for'er
'oderation< and in 9H: A#D#--the !ear fo&&o2in, the counci& of Nicea--he
issued a ,enera& edict a,ainst heretics< in 2hich after conde'nin, his o2n
*ast forearance as occasionin, 'en+s ein, seduced< he sa!s to the
$arious heretica& *arties(
3herefore< since this !our *ernicious 2ic0edness is no &on,er to
e endured< 2e ! this *resent &a2 co''and !ou< that !ou no 'ore
*resu'e to 'eet to,ether# And 2e ha$e ,i$en orders that a&& those
*&aces 2here !ou are 2ont to ho&d asse'&ies shou&d e ta0en a2a!#
Yea< our concern for this 'atter is such< that 2e not on&! forid !ou
to asse'&e to an! *u&ic *&ace ut 2e &i0e2ise forid a&& asse'&ies
of !our foo&ish su*erstition in *ri$ate houses< and in a&& *ri$ate
*&aces 2hate$er# A&& of !ou< therefore< 2ho ha$e an! sincere &o$e of
truth< co'e to the Catho&ic church# And that this re'ed! 'a! ha$e
its fu&& effect< 2e ordain that a&& !our su*erstitious con$entic&es<
I 'ean oratories of a&& heretics< if it e fit to ca&& such houses
oratories< e forth2ith ta0en a2a!< and 2ithout an! o**osition
de&i$ered to the Catho&ic church( and that the rest of !our *&aces
e ad=ud,ed to the *u&ic#
-Thus the dens of heretics 2ere &aid o*en ! the i'*eria& edict<-
e/u&tant&! e/c&ai's Euseius< the Christian isho*< -and the 2i&d easts<
the rin, &eaders of their i'*iet!< 2ere scattered#- And thus 2as the
*a,ani4ed Christian church &aunched u*on that career of *ersecution of
heretics 2ithin the church< as 2e&& as u*on the *o&ic! of *ersecutin,
those of a different re&i,ion( a *o&ic! that has fi&&ed the 2or&d 2ith
re&i,ious 2ars< and deeds of crue&t! 2hich 2ou&d etter eco'e the rei,n
of a Nero than Christian ru&ers of Christian nations# It is a terri&e
arrai,n'ent 2hich 5ion dra2s a,ainst a*ostate Christendo' in the
conc&udin, *ara,ra*h of his re$ie2 of the *ersecutions 2hich had een
endured ! the fo&&o2ers of Christ in the Christian centuries *recedin,
Constantine< He sa!s(
3e sha&& conc&ude this cha*ter ! a 'e&ancho&! truth< 2hich
otrudes itse&f on the re&uctant 'ind? that< e$en ad'ittin,< 2ithout
hesitation or in>uir!< a&& that histor! has recorded< or de$otion has
fei,ned< on the su=ect of 'art!rdo's< it 'ust sti&& e ac0no2&ed,ed
that the Christians< in the course of their intestine dissensions
ha$e inf&icted far ,reater se$erities on each other than the! ha$e
e/*erienced fro' the 4ea& of infide&s# Durin, the a,es of i,norance
2hich fo&&o2ed the su$ersion of the Ro'an e'*ire in the 2est< the
isho*s of the i'*eria& cit! e/tended their do'inion o$er the &ait!
as 2e&& as c&er,! of the Latin church# The faric of su*erstition
2hich the! had erected< and 2hich 'i,ht &on, ha$e defied the fee&e
efforts of reason< 2as at &en,th assau&ted ! a cro2d of darin,
fanatics< 2ho< fro' the t2e&fth to the si/teenth centur!< assu'ed the
*o*u&ar character of refor'ers# The church of Ro'e defended !
$io&ence the e'*ire 2hich she had ac>uired ! fraud? a s!ste' of
*eace and ene$o&ence 2as soon dis,raced ! *roscri*tions< 2ars<
'assacres< and the institution of the ho&! office? and as the
refor'ers 2ere ani'ated ! the &o$e of ci$i& as 2e&& as re&i,ious
freedo'< the Catho&ic *rinces connected their o2n interest 2ith that
of the c&er,!< and enforced ! fire and s2ord the error of s*iritua&
censures# In the Nether&ands a&one 'ore than one hundred thousand of
the su=ects of Char&es the Fifth are said to ha$e suffered ! the
hand of the e/ecutioner? and this e/traordinar! nu'er is attested !
5rotius< a 'an of ,enius and &earnin, 2ho *reser$ed his 'oderation
a'idst the fur! of contendin, sects< and 2ho co'*osed the anna&s of
his o2n a,e and centur!< at the ti'e 2hen the in$ention of *rintin,
had faci&itated the 'eans of inte&&i,ence and increased the dan,er of
detection# If 2e are o&i,ed to su'it our e&ief to the authorit!
of 5rotius< it 'ust e a&&o2ed that the nu'er of *rotestants 2ho
2ere e/ecuted in a sin,&e *ro$ince and a sin,&e rei,n far e/ceeded
that of the *ri'iti$e 'art!rs in the s*ace of three centuries< and of
the Ro'an e'*ireK
"oth 5ui4ot and .i&'an< e'inent Christian scho&ars< annotated the
2or0 of Ed2ard 5ion< the for'er in French< the &atter in an En,&ish
edition? and at e$er! *oint 2here the! cou&d 'odif! a state'ent or soften
a *assa,e a**arent&! un=ust to Christianit!< the! did so? ut in the
*resence of the i'*ortant and terri&e *assa,es =ust >uoted< the! re'ained
aso&ute&! si&entK Nor has an! other Christian 2riter since their da!< so
far as I 0no2< atte'*ted to contradict the state'ent of .r# 5ion# It is
*ro*er to sa!< ho2e$er< that in a note .r# 5ion hi'se&f cites the fact
that Fra )ao&a an Ita&ian 2riter< *&aces the nu'er of "e&,ic 'art!rs at
fift! thousand< ut e$en that co'*utation 2ou&d sti&& &ea$e the conc&usion
of .r# 5ion+s ref&ections uni'*aired#
The circu'stance of the Church< e&e$ated ! Constantine eco'in, a
*ersecutin, Church is a stron, e$idence of its *a,ani4ed state? for the
true Christian re&i,ion is not a *ersecutin, re&i,ion? the true Church of
Christ is not a *ersecutin, Church# 3hen the Sa'aritans 2ou&d not recei$e
the .essiah< so'e of the A*ost&es 2ou&d ha$e the' consu'ed ! fire fro'
hea$en? ut the .aster turned and reu0ed the'< sa!in,< -Ye 0no2 not 2hat
'anner of s*irit !e are of< For the Son of 'an is not co'e to destro!
'en+s &i$es< ut to sa$e the'#- It is true that .essiah said( -thin0
not that I a' co'e to send *eace on earth( I ca'e not to send *eace< ut
a s2ord# For I a' co'e to set a 'an at $ariance a,ainst his father< and
the dau,hter a,ainst her 'other< and the dau,hter-in-&a2 a,ainst her
'other-in-&a2# And a 'an+s foes sha&& e the! of his o2n househo&d#-
This< ho2e$er< is ut a *rediction of the effect of the *roc&a'ation of
the 5os*e&< not an authori4ation to force the acce*tance of Christianit!
! the s2ord? nor does it authori4e the Church to in$o0e the ar' of the
ci$i& authorit! to e/ecute ! force her doctrina& decrees# The 5os*e& of
Jesus Christ< it is true< did not rin, *eace< ut a s2ord( the s2ord<
ho2e$er< 2as found in the hands of those 2ho re=ected the 5os*e&< not in
the hands of those 2ho acce*ted and *reached it# And 2hen the Church
de*arted so far fro' the s*irit of Christ that she ,ras*ed the s2ord in
her o2n hands< or dictated the ci$i& authorit! to 2ie&d it in her eha&f<
and that eca'e the *o&ic! of the Church< the ado*tion of that *o&ic!
*roc&ai'ed her a*ostate condition to the 2or&d< in a 'anner to e 0no2n
and read of a&& 'en#
Christianit! "efore and After Constantine#
I thin0 sufficient has een said to =ustif! the e&ief that the rei,n
of Constantine 'ar0s the *eriod 2hen the *a,ani4ation of Christianit! had
eco'e co'*&ete# I do not 'ean ! this that there is an! *articu&ar date
2hich one 'a! set do2n to sho2 that here true Christianit! ceases< and
there a*ostate Christianit! e,ins? 2hich is a *oint fre>uent&! insisted
u*on ! those 2ho contend for the unro0en *er*etuit! of Christianit! fro'
the da!s of .essiah# The! de'and to 0no2 on 2hat ni,ht it 2as that the
2ho&e co&&ection of Christians< of different nationa&ities and &an,ua,es<
2ent to ed sound in the Christian faith< to a2a0e the ne/t 'ornin, a&&
*a,ans# I c&ai' no such sudden re$o&ution rou,ht aout the a*ostas!
2hich I a' sure too0 *&ace# 3e ha$e seen ! 2hat has a&read! een said<
that e$en in the ti'e of the A*ost&es there 2as a tendenc! on the *art of
the Christians to de*art fro' the re&i,ion of Jesus Christ? that after the
da!s of the A*ost&es there 2as a stead! increase in the nu'er and
inf&uence of fa&se teachers? an insidious introduction of heresies? a
'u&ti*&ication of rites and cere'onies 2e&& 0no2n in the *a,an ce&eration
of re&i,ious '!steries< ut entire&! forei,n to the 5os*e&? and an
a'a&,a'ation of *a,an doctrines 2ith Christian *rinci*&es# It re'ains to
e sho2n that there 2as a stead! increase of i''ora&it! a'on, the
*rofessin, Christians? a 'ar0ed &oss of s*iritua&it!? a ra*id ,ro2th of
*ride and 2or&d&iness on the *art of Christian isho*s and other church
&eaders? and at &ast< an utter de*arture fro' the true and &i$in, 5od and
Jesus Christ 2ho' He had sent< and the esta&ish'ent of a s!ste' in its
*&ace< as deasin, to 'en as it 2as dishonora&e to 5od#
Ta0in, then the rei,n of Constantine as the *eriod e!ond 2hich the
true re&i,ion of Christ did not e/tend< nor the true Church of Christ
e/ist< &et us consider Christianit! efore his rei,n and after it# Here I
sha&& as0 the reader to ta0e into account as *art of the consideration of
Christianit! *re$ious to Constantine 2hat I ha$e a&read! set efore hi' in
this introduction concernin, the tendenc! to di$ision and heresies 2hich
e/isted in the Church in the da!s of the A*ost&es? and a&so those
>uotations I ha$e 'ade fro' e'inent Christian authorities< 2hich ,i$e
e$idence of the ear&! corru*tion of Christianit!< and 2hich too *&ain&!
testif! that it 2as in a state of stead! dec&ine throu,h the second and
third centuries< unti& it 2as fit on&! for such enthrone'ent as a
Constantine cou&d ,i$e it< 2hen he 'ade it the state re&i,ion of a corru*t
e'*ire hastenin, to its deca!# If the reader 2i&& do this< it 2i&&
o$iate the necessit! of '! referrin, to these 'atters a,ain#
Dec&ine in .ora& and S*iritua& Li$in, A'on, Christians#
It 2i&& e conceded that the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ co''ands a $er!
hi,h order of 'ora& and s*iritua& &i$in,< and that the A*ost&es en=oined
this 'ora& &a2 u*on the ear&! saints as essentia& to the fa$or of 5od#
Others a&so after the da!s of the A*ost&es< fo&&o2ed in the sa'e
ad'onition< and indeed the shar* contrast that e/isted et2een the &i$es
of con$erts efore and after their acce*tance of Christianit! 2as a 'atter
of *ride not on&! to St# )au&< ut to Justin .art!r of the second centur!
2ho< in reference to the chan,e *roduced in the &i$es of Christian
con$erts< said(
3e< 2ho 2ere once s&a$es of &ust< no2 ha$e de&i,ht on&! in
*urit! of 'ora&s? 2e< 2ho once *racticed arts of 'a,ic< ha$e
consecrated ourse&$es to the Eterna& and 5ood 5od? 2e< 2ho once
*ri4ed ,ain ao$e a&& thin,s< ,i$e e$en 2hat 2e ha$e to the co''on
use and share it 2ith such as are in need? 2e< 2ho once hated and
'urdered one another< 2ho on account of differences of custo's 2ou&d
ha$e no co''on hearth 2ith stran,ers< do no2< since the a**earance of
Christ< &i$e to,ether 2ith the'? 2e *ra! for our ene'ies< 2e see0 to
con$ince those that hate us 2ithout cause< so that the! 'a! order
their &i$es accordin, to Christ+s ,&orious doctrine and attain to the
=o!fu& ho*e of recei$in, &i0e &essin,s 2ith us fro' 5od< the Lord of
a&&#
It 2as not &on,< ho2e$er< efore there 2as a 'ar0ed de*arture fro'
this hi,h 'ora& &e$e& a'on, the Christians# In tracin, that dec&ine I
sha&& use chief&! the Histor! of the Church ! Jose*h .i&ner< *u&ished in
7MN@# .! reason for doin, so is as fo&&o2s( I ha$e a&read! stated in
this 2ritin,< that .i&ner 2rote 2hat so'e re,ard as his -,reat histor! of
the Church<- to counteract the inf&uence of Dr# .oshei'+s s*&endid
Institutes of Ecc&esiastica& Histor!< 2hich is e$ident&! ! so'e re,arded
as too 'uch a histor! of the *er$ersions and auses of re&i,ion< .i&ner
*&ain&! infor's his readers that he intends to 2rite the histor! of those
on&! 2ho ha$e een rea&< not no'ina&< Christians< irres*ecti$e of the
e/terna& Church to 2hich the! e&on,ed< *roceedin, u*on the theor! that
these ,ood 'en constitute the Church of Christ# His histor!< in other
2ords< is a histor! of *iet!< not of the Church# It 2i&& e his *ur*ose
therefore to e/a&t the 'ora&it! of the Christians in a&& a,es? and I >uote
his 2or0 res*ectin, the 'ora& deteriorations of the Christians that I 'a!
not e char,ed 2ith >uotin, authorities 2ho so'e thin0 ha$e 'ade too 'uch
of Christian shortco'in,s# .i&ner sa!s that a ,&oo'! c&oud< concernin,
'ora& conditions< hun, o$er the c&ose of the first centur!< and *roceeds
to ar,ue that the first i'*ressions 'ade ! the effusions of the s*irit
are the stron,est? that hu'an de*ra$it! o$erorne for a ti'e arose afresh<
*articu&ar&! in the ne/t ,eneration< and hence the disorders of schis's
and heresies in the Church# Neander does not a,ree 2ith the *hi&oso*h! of
.i&ner# He sa!s< -Christianit!< since it first entered hu'an nature< has
o*erated< 2here$er it has struc0 root< 2ith the sa'e di$ine *o2er for
sanctification? and this di$ine *o2er cannot e 2ea0ened ! the &a*se of
a,es# In this res*ect< therefore< the *eriod of the first a**earance of
Christianit! cou&d ha$e no ad$anta,e o$er an! of the fo&&o2in, a,es of the
Christian Church#- And he fo&&o2s this dec&aration 2ith a state'ent<
that the chan,e 2hich Christianit! *roduced in the &i$es of those 2ho
acce*ted it a**eared so stron,&! 'ar0ed ! the contrast it *resented 2ith
2hat the! had *re$ious&! een 2hen *a,ans# The correctness of the
*hi&oso*h! I sha&& &ea$e these t2o ,reat Christian authorities to sett&e
et2een the'se&$es# I a' concerned 'ore *articu&ar&! 2ith the facts in
the case#
In conse>uence of the *ro'inence that has een ,i$en to the
*ersecutions of the Christians durin, the first three centuries< the
i'*ression $er! e/tensi$e&! *re$ai&s that the ear&! Christian Church 2as
constant&! under the hard *ressure of continuous and re&ent&ess
*ersecutions# This< ho2e$er< is not the case# There 2ere 'an! *eriods of
*eace ,ranted to the Christians# Indeed their *eriods of *ersecution 2ere
on&! occasiona&< and it is a >uestion if these *eriods of *eace 2ere not
'ore detri'enta& to Christianit! than the seasons of *ersecution# .i&ner<
under the authorit! of Ori,en< sa!s that the &on, *eace ,ranted the Church
in the third centur!< durin, the rei,n of the se$era& e'*erors< fro' aout
H:D A# D#< to the o*enin, of the fourth centur!< *roduced a ,reat de,ree
of &u0e-2ar'ness and re&i,ious indecoru'# -Let the reader<- he sa!s<
-on&! notice the indifference 2hich Ori,en here descries and the conduct
of Christians oth in the first and second centuries< and he 2i&& e
affected 2ith the ,reatness of the dec&ension#- Then he >uotes Ori,en(
-Se$era& co'e to church on&! on so&e'n festi$a&s< and then not so 'uch for
instruction as di$ersion# So'e ,o out a,ain as soon as the! ha$e heard
the &ecture< 2ithout conferrin, or as0in, the *astors >uestions# Others
sta! not ti&& the &ecture is ended< and others hear not so 'uch as a
sin,&e 2ord< ut entertain the'se&$es in a corner of the church#-
Co'in, to the 'idd&e of the third centur!< =ust *re$ious to that
se$ere *ersecution inau,urated ! the e'*eror Decius< and s*ea0in, of
C!*rian< "isho* of Cartha,e< .i&ner e/c&ai's( -A star of the first
'a,nitude< 2hen 2e consider the ti'e in 2hich he &i$edK Let us recreate
ourse&$es 2ith the conte'*&ation of it# 3e are fati,ued 2ith huntin, for
Christian ,oodness< and 2e ha$e disco$ered ut &itt&e and that &itt&e 2ith
'uch difficu&t!# 3e sha&& find C!*rian to e a character 2ho *artoo0
indeed of the dec&ensions 2hich 2e ha$e noticed and &a'ented< ut 2ho 2as
sti&& far su*erior< I a**rehend< in rea& si'*&icit! and *iet!< to the
Christians of the East#- This sa'e C!*rian< in 2ho' .i&ner de&i,hts<
s*ea0in, of the effects of the &on, *eace u*on the Church 2hich *receded
the Decian *ersecution< sa!s(
Each had een ent on i'*ro$in, his o2n *atri'on!< and had
for,otten 2hat e&ie$ers had done under the A*ost&es< and 2hat the!
ou,ht a&2a!s to do# The! 2ere roodin, o$er the arts of a'assin,
2ea&th? the *astors and the deacons each for,ot his dut!? 2or0s of
'erc! 2ere ne,&ected< and disci*&ine 2as at the &o2est e? &u/ur!
and effe'inac! *re$ai&ed? 'eretricious arts in dress 2ere cu&ti$ated?
fraud and dece*tion *racticed a'on, rethren# Christians 2ou&d unite
the'se&$es in 'atri'on! 2ith une&ie$ers? cou&d s2ear< not on&!
2ithout re$erence ut 2ithout $eracit!# 3ith hau,ht! as*erit! the!
des*ised their ecc&esiastica& su*eriors? the! rai&ed a,ainst one
another 2ith outra,eous acri'on!< and conducted >uarre&s 2ith
deter'ined 'a&ice# E$en 'an! isho*s< 2ho ou,ht to e ,uides and
*atterns to the rest< ne,&ected the *ecu&iar duties of their
stations< ,a$e the'se&$es u* to secu&ar *ursuits# The! deserted
their *&aces of residence and their f&oc0s? the! tra$e&ed throu,h
distant *ro$inces in >uest of *&easure and ,ain? ,a$e no assistance
to their need! rethren ut 2ere insatia&e in their thirst of 'one!#
The! *ossessed estates ! fraud and 'u&ti*&ied usur!# 3hat ha$e 2e
not deser$ed to suffer for such conductB E$en the di$ine 2ord hath
foreto&d us 2hat 2e 'i,ht e/*ect( -If his chi&dren forsa0e '! &a2
and 2a&0 not in '! =ud,'ents< I 2i&& $isit their offenses 2ith the
rod and their sins 2ith scour,es#- These thin,s had een denounced
and foreto&d ut in $ain# Our sins had rou,ht our affairs to that
*ass< that ecause 2e had des*ised the Lord+s directions< 2e 2ere
o&i,ed to under,o a correction of our 'u&ti*&ied e$i&s and a tria&
of our faith ! se$ere re'edies#
Referrin, to the &on, rei,n of *eace in the c&osin, decade of the
third centur!< .i&ner sa!s(
This ne2 scene Ithe to&eration of Christianit! ! a *a,an
,o$ern'entJ did not *ro$e fa$ora&e to the ,ro2th of ,race and
ho&iness# In no *eriod since the A*ost&es 2as there e$er so ,reat a
,enera& deca! as in this# Not e$en in *articu&ar instances can 2e
disco$er durin, this inter$a& 'uch of &i$e&! Christianit!#
Here I dro* .i&ner to ta0e u* Euseius< 2ho 2as an e!e 2itness of the
'ora& dec&ension a'on, the Christians *re$ious to the &ast ,reat *a,an
*ersecution under the e'*eror Dioc&etian# Referrin, to the &on, *eriod of
*eace 2hich the Church had en=o!ed--a *eriod of fort! !ears--he sa!s(
"ut 2hen< ! reason of e/cessi$e &iert!< 2e sun0 into
ne,&i,ence and s&oth< one en$!in, and re$i&in, another in different
2a!s< and 2e 2ere a&'ost< as it 2ere< u*on the *oint of ta0in, u*
ar's a,ainst each other 2ith 2ords as 2ith darts and s*ears< *re&ates
in$ei,hin, a,ainst *re&ates< and *eo*&e risin, u* a,ainst *eo*&e< and
h!*ocris! and dissi'u&ation had arisen to the ,reatest hei,ht of
'a&i,nit!< then the di$ine =ud,'ent< 2hich usua&&! *roceeds 2ith a
&enient hand< 2hi&st the 'u&titudes 2ere !et cro2din, into the
Church< 2ith ,ent&e and 'i&d $isitations e,an to aff&ict the
e*isco*ac!? the *ersecution ha$in, e,un 2ith those rethren in the
ar'!# "ut as if destitute of a&& sensii&it!< 2e 2ere not *ro'*t in
'easures to a**ease and *ro*itiate the Deit!? so'e indeed &i0e
atheists< re,ardin, our situation as unheeded and unoser$ed ! a
)ro$idence< 2e added one 2ic0edness and 'iser! to another# "ut so'e
that a**eared to e our *astors desertin, the &a2 of *iet!< 2ere
inf&a'ed a,ainst each other 2ith 'utua& strifes< on&! accu'u&atin,
>uarre&s and threats< ri$a&shi*< hosti&it! and hatred to each other
on&! an/ious to assert the ,o$ern'ent as a 0ind of so$erei,nt! for
the'se&$es#
Here I sha&& a$ai& '!se&f of so'e ref&ections u*on this condition
2hich I ha$e e&se2here e/*ressed# Let it e re'e'ered that 2hat is said
in the fore,oin, >uotation is fro' a 2riter conte'*orar! 2ith the e$ents<
and 2ho sa!s< in the $er! cha*ter fo&&o2in, the one fro' 2hich I ha$e =ust
>uoted< that it 2as not for hi' to record the di'ensions and fo&&ies 2hich
the she*herds of the *eo*&e e/ercised a,ainst each other efore the
*ersecution# He a&so adds( -3e sha&& not 'a0e 'ention of those that 2ere
sha0en ! the *ersecution< nor of those that suffered shi*2rec0 in their
sa&$ation< and of their o2n accord 2ere sun0 in the de*ths of the 2ater!
,u&f#- Then in his "oo0 of .art!rs< referrin, to e$ents that occurred
et2een the edicts orderin, the *ersecution< he sa!s( -"ut the e$ents
that occurred in the inter'ediate ti'es< esides those a&read! re&ated< I
ha$e thou,ht *ro*er to *ass !( I 'ean 'ore *articu&ar&! the
circu'stances of the different heads of the churches< 2ho fro' ein,
she*herds of the reasona&e f&oc0s of Christ< that did not ,o$ern in a
&a2fu& and eco'in, 'anner< 2ere conde'ned ! di$ine =ustice< as un2orth!
of such a char,e< to e the 0ee*ers of the unreasona&e ca'e&< an ani'a&
defor'ed in the structure of his od!? and conde'ned further to e the
0ee*ers of the i'*eria& horses# C C C C .oreo$er< the a'itious as*irin,s
of 'an! to office< and the in=udicious and un&a2fu& ordinations that too0
*&ace< the di$isions a'on, the confessors the'se&$es< the ,reat schis's
and difficu&ties industrious&! fo'ented ! the factions a'on, the ne2
'e'ers< a,ainst the re&ics of the Church< de$isin, one inno$ation after
another< and un'ercifu&&! thrustin, the' into the 'idst of a&& these
ca&a'ities< hea*in, u* aff&iction u*on aff&iction? a&& this< I sa!< I ha$e
reso&$ed to *ass !< =ud,in, it forei,n to '! *ur*ose< 2ishin,< as I said
in the e,innin,< to shun and a$oid ,i$in, an account of the'#- Hence<
ho2e$er ad the condition of the Church is re*resented to e !
ecc&esiastica& 2riters< 2e 'ust 0no2 that it 2as sti&& 2orse than that?
ho2e$er nu'erous the schis's? ho2e$er unho&! the a'ition of as*irin,
*re&ates? ho2e$er fre>uent and serious the inno$ations u*on the *ri'iti$e
ordinances of the 5os*e&? ho2e$er ,reat the confusion and a*ostas! in the
Church is re*resented to e? 2e 'ust 0no2 that it is sti&& 2orse than
that< since the Church historians conte'*oraneous 2ith the e$ents refused
to record these thin,s in their fu&&ness< &est it shou&d ha$e disastrous
to the Church? =ust as so'e of our 'odern scho&ars *rofessin, to 2rite
Church histor! e/*ress their deter'ination to c&ose their e!es to the
corru*tion and auses 2hich for' the ,reater *art of the 'e&ancho&! stor!
of ecc&esiastica& histor!< for fear that re&atin, these thin,s 2ou&d 'a0e
it a**ear that rea& re&i,ion scarce&! had an! e/istence#
I sha&& sa! no 'ore u*on the 'atter of 'ora& dec&ensions a'on,
Christians< e/ce*t this( If there 2ere such 'ora& dec&ensions a'on,
Christians as are re*resented ! the fore,oin, hi,h authorities on
Christian affairs in the centuries *recedin, Constantine< 2hat 'ora&
dec&ension 'ust ha$e *re$ai&ed 2hen fro' a *roscried re&i,ion
Christianit! 2as e/a&ted to the di,nit! of the state re&i,ion of the
e'*ire? and her *re&ates and c&er,! 2ere reca&&ed fro' e/i&e and
sufferin,< *o$ert! and dis,race< and &oaded 2ith the 2ea&th and honors
that the &ord of the Ro'an 2or&d cou&d esto2B Consider< in this
connection< the *ro*ositions of Constantine at the counci& of Nicea for
the *ro*a,anda of Christianit!< and *ass a candid =ud,'ent u*on the 'ora&
or rather i''ora& effect the! 2ou&d *roduce u*on the Church# Neander thus
states the'(
-The heathen 2ou&d e 'ost easi&! &ed to sa&$ation< if the condition
of the Christians 2ere 'ade to a**ear to the' in a&& res*ects en$ia&e#
-The! Ithe isho*sJ shou&d consider that the ad$anta,e to e deri$ed
fro' *reachin, cou&d not e&on, to a&&#
-So'e< he said< 'i,ht e dra2n to the faith ! ein, seasona&!
su**&ied 2ith the 'eans of susistence#
-Others 2ere accusto'ed to re*air to that >uarter 2here the! found
*rotection and intercession Ea&&udin, to the intercessions of the
isho*sF#
-Others 2ou&d e 2on ! an affa&e rece*tion<
-Others ! ein, honored 2ith *resents<
-There 2ere ut fe2 2ho honest&! &o$ed the e/hiitions of re&i,ious
doctrine? ut fe2 2ere the friends of truth Etherefore ut fe2 sincere
con$ertsF<
-For this reason the! shou&d acco''odate the'se&$es to the characters
of a&&< and &i0e s0i&&fu& *h!sicians< ,i$e to each 'an that 2hich 'i,ht
contriute to his cure< so that in e$er! 2a! the sa$in, doctrine 'i,ht e
,&orified in a&&#-
The effect of ado*tin, such 'ethods for the 'ore ra*id *ro*a,ation of
Christianit!< as is here *ro*osed ! the e'*eror to the isho*s asse'&ed
at the counci& of Nicea< 'ust e a**arent to a&&< and is >uite uni$ersa&&!
&a'ented ! Christian 2riters of &ater a,es# -A course of )roceedin, u*on
such *rinci*&es<- re'ar0s Neander hi'se&f< -'ust entire&! ha$e thro2n o*en
a 2ide door for a&& 'anner of h!*ocris!# E$en Euseius< the *ane,!rist of
Constantine< &inded as he 2as ! the s*&endor 2hich the &atter had cast
o$er the out2ard Church--e$en he is o&i,ed to rec0on a'on, the ,rie$ous
e$i&s of this *eriod< of 2hich he 2as an e!e 2itness< the indescria&e
h!*ocris! of those 2ho ,a$e the'se&$es out as Christians 'ere&! for
te'*ora& ad$anta,e< and 2ho< ! their out2ard sho2 of 4ea& for the faith<
contri$ed to 2in the confidence of the e'*eror< 2hich he suffered the' to
ause#- -The *iercin, e!e of a'ition and a$arice<- sa!s 5ion< -soon
disco$ered that the *rofession of Christianit! 'i,ht contriute to the
interest of the *resent as 2e&& as of a future &ife# The ho*es of 2ea&th
and honors< the e/a'*&e of an e'*eror< his e/hortations< his irresisti&e
s'i&es< diffused con$iction a'on, the $ena& and ose>uious cro2ds 2hich
usua&&! fi&& the a*art'ents of a *a&ace# The cities 2hich si,na&i4ed a
for2ard 4ea& ! the $o&untar! destruction of their te'*&es< 2ere
distin,uished ! 'unici*a& *ri$i&e,es and re2arded 2ith *o*u&ar donati$es#
C C C As the &o2er ran0s of societ! are ,o$erned ! i'itation< the
con$ersion of those 2ho *ossessed an e'inence of irth< of *o2er< or of
riches< 2as soon fo&&o2ed ! de*endent 'u&titudes# The sa&$ation of the
co''on *eo*&e 2as *urchased at an eas! rate< if it e true that in one
!ear t2e&$e thousand 'en 2ere a*ti4ed at Ro'e< esides a *ro*ortiona&e
nu'er of 2o'en and chi&dren? and that a 2hite ,ar'ent< 2ith t2ent! *ieces
of ,o&d< had een *ro'ised ! the e'*eror to e$er! con$ert#
Under a&& these circu'stances it is s'a&& 2onder if 'en e/c&ai'ed as
Au,ustine did so'e2hat &ater in his co''entar! on St# John---Ho2 'an! see0
Jesus on&! that He 'a! enefit the' in earth&! 'attersK One 'an has a &a2
suit< so he see0s the intercession of the c&er,!? another is o**ressed !
his su*erior< so he ta0es refu,e in the Church# Others are see0in,< one
in this 2a! and another in that< to e interceded for in so'e >uarter
2here the! ha$e ut &itt&e inf&uence the'se&$es# The Church is dai&! fu&&
of such *ersons# Se&do' is Jesus sou,ht for Jesus+ sa0eK- After nice&!
a&ancin, the *ossii&it! and *roai&it! of those 2ho ca'e into the
Church for *resent 2or&d&! ad$anta,e ein, con$erted in ti'e to a true
faith in the Christian re&i,ion< Neander sa!s( -"e!ond a&& dout the
nu'er 2as far ,reater of those 2ho ,re2 hardened in that 2or&d&! sense !
2hich fro' the first the! had *rofaned a ho&! *rofession< and 2ho 2ere
thus the 'eans of introducin, into the Church a ,reat 'ass of corru*tion#-
-Unha**i&!<- he adds< -there 2ere isho*s 2hose on&! 2ish 2as to 'a0e
the con$ersion to Christianit! a ri,ht eas! thin, for the *a,ans# C C C
Hence the! a*ti4ed e$en those 2ho &i$ed in o*en sin< and 2ho *&ain&!
enou,h 'anifested that it 2as not their *ur*ose to forsa0e it# The!
i'a,ined that 2hen these 2ere on&! a*ti4ed and introduced into the
fe&&o2shi* of the Church< it 2as then ti'e enou,h to ad'onish the' a,ainst
sin#- Sure&! it 2as not difficu&t a'on, such a 'ass of uncon$erted
'e'ers thus rou,ht into the Church to find e&e'ents that 2ou&d foster
the errors< oth in ethics and in doctrine< 2hich aout this ti'e arose in
the Church# It is s'a&& 2onder that it 2as 2e&& ni,h *u&ic&! ado*ted in
this a,e--as 2e are infor'ed ! .oshei'---That to decei$e and &ie is a
$irtue 2hen re&i,ion can e *ro'oted ! it< and that error in re&i,ion
ou,ht to e $isited 2ith *ena&ties and *unish'ents#- The first of these
e$i&s resu&ted in the accu'u&ation of that 'ass of '!th and fa&e that
urdens the anna&s of the dar0 a,es? the second esta&ished the -ho&!
in>uisition<- a&i0e the sha'e of the Ro'an Catho&ic church and the
so-ca&&ed Christian ci$i&i4ation she has inf&uenced# -It is a&'ost
incredi&e<- continues .oshei'< s*ea0in, of the first e$i& referred to<
-2hat a 'ass of the 'ost insi*id fa&es< and 2hat a host of *ious
fa&sehoods ha$e< throu,h a&& the centuries< ,ro2n out of it< to the ,reat
detri'ent of true re&i,ion# If so'e in>uisiti$e *erson 2ere to e/a'ine
the conduct and the 2ritin,s of the ,reat and 'ost *ious teachers of this
centur!< I fear he 2ou&d find aout a&& of the' infected 2ith this
&e*ros!#- -Those id&e fictions<- he adds< -2hich a re,ard for the
)&atonic *hi&oso*h!< and for the *re$ai&in, o*inions of the da! had
induced 'ost theo&o,ians to e'race< e$en efore the ti'e of Constantine<
2ere no2 in $arious 2a!s confir'ed< e/tended and e'e&&ished# Hence it is
that 2e see< on e$er! side< e$ident traces of e/cessi$e $eneration for
de*arted saints? of a *urif!in, fire for the sou& 2hen se*arated fro' the
od!? of the ce&iac! of the c&er,!? of the 2orshi* of i'a,es and re&ics?
and of 'an! other o*inions< 2hich in *rocess of ti'e a&'ost anished the
true re&i,ion< or---and here the Doctor *erha*s re'e'ered that he 2as a
)rotestant and that his *osition as such 2ou&d not ad'it of concedin, the
utter su$ersion of the Christian re&i,ion< and hence added---or at &east
$er! 'uch oscured and corru*ted it#- -5enuine *iet!- he continues< -2as
su**&anted ! a &on, train of su*erstitious oser$ances 2hich ori,inated
*art&! fro' o*inions inconsiderate&! e'raced< *art&! fro' a *re*osterous
dis*osition to ado*t *rofane rites and co'ine the' 2ith Christian
2orshi*< and *art&! fro' the natura& *redi&ections of 'an0ind in ,enera&
for a s*&endid and ostentatious re&i,ion#-
The Loss of S*iritua& 5ifts#
Not on&! did the 'ora& dec&ensions in the Church< 2hich started soon
after the de'ise of the A*ost&es< *roceed 2ith acce&erated *ace after
Constantine eca'e the *atron of the Church< and 2ith such resu&tin, e$i&s
as I ha$e *ointed out< ut there 2as a &i0e dec&ension in the en=o!'ent of
s*iritua& ,ifts in the Church# It is 2e&& 0no2n that the A*ost&es
*ro'ised the Ho&! 5host to those 2ho recei$ed the 5os*e&< and the
en=o!'ent of those su*ernatura& ,ifts 2hich ,o 2ith it# Indeed Jesus
Hi'se&f said in His &ast co''ission to His disci*&es(
5o !e into a&& the 2or&d< and *reach the 5os*e& to e$er!
creature# He that e&ie$eth and is a*ti4ed sha&& e sa$ed( ut he
that e&ie$eth not sha&& e da'ned# And these si,ns sha&& fo&&o2
the' that e&ie$e in '! na'e( the! sha&& cast out de$i&s? the! sha&&
s*ea0 2ith ne2 ton,ues? the! sha&& ta0e u* ser*ents? and if the!
drin0 an! dead&! thin,< it sha&& not hurt the'? the! sha&& &a! hands
on the sic0< and the! sha&& reco$er#
)au&< in s*ea0in, of the s*iritua& ,ifts *ro'ised in the 5os*e& sa!s(
No2 there are di$ersities of ,ifts ut the sa'e S*irit# And
there are differences of ad'inistrations< ut the sa'e Lord# And
there are di$ersities of o*erations< ut it is the sa'e 5od 2hich
2or0eth a&& in a&&# "ut the 'anifestation of the S*irit is ,i$en to
e$er! 'an to *rofit 2itha&# For to one is ,i$en ! the S*irit the
2ord of 2isdo'? to another the 2ord of 0no2&ed,e ! the sa'e S*irit?
to another faith ! the sa'e S*irit? to another the ,ifts of hea&in,
! the sa'e S*irit? to another the 2or0in, of 'irac&es? to another
*ro*hec!? to another discernin, of s*irits? to another di$erse 0inds
of ton,ues? to another the inter*retation of ton,ues? ut a&& these
2or0eth ! that one and the se&f-sa'e S*irit< di$idin, to e$er! 'an
se$era&&! as he 2i&&#
It is 2e&& 0no2n that the s*iritua& ,ifts here enu'erated 2ere
en=o!ed ! the saints in the ear&! Christian centuries? and es*ecia&&! in
A*osto&ic ti'es# The Ne2 Testa'ent oo0s are re*&ete 2ith reference to
the en=o!'ent of these ,ifts of the S*irit a'on, the saints# Nor is there
an! inti'ation of the discontinuance of the'# On the contrar! it is
reasona&e to conc&ude that so &on, as the saints sha&& continue in the
en=o!'ent of the Ho&! 5host< that &on, a&so 2i&& the! en=o! the s*iritua&
,ifts 2hich *roceed fro' a *ossession of Hi'# .oreo$er< -the fruit of the
S*irit is &o$e< =o!< *eace< &on,sufferin,< ,ent&eness< ,oodness< faith<
'ee0ness< te'*erance( a,ainst such there is no &a2# And the! that are
Christ+s ha$e crucified the f&esh 2ith the affections and &usts#- Such
are the effects of the o*erations of the Ho&! 5host u*on the nature of
'an# These fruits of the S*irit indicate the chan,e that the S*irit of
5od 'a! effect in hu'an nature? ! 2hich that 2hich is corru*ted throu,h
sin 'a! e confor'ed to that 2hich is *ure and ho&!< accordin, to the
2or0in, 2here! the S*irit is a&e to sudue a&& thin,s unto Hi'se&f< in
the' that ,i$e *&ace for His ind2e&&in, in their sou&s# This effectua&
2or0in, of the S*irit in the sou&s of 'en< ! 2hich the! 2ere transfor'ed
fro' $i&eness to ho&iness< 2as the oast of the ear&! saints# And< u*on
ref&ection< a&& 2i&& concede that the $ictories of the S*irit in refor'in,
the &i$es of 'en and 'a0in, the' in their $er! nature confor' to the
&i0eness of Christ in ri,hteousness< are 'ore to e desired and 'ore to e
ce&erated than those $ictories 2hich are *h!sica& or inte&&ectua& 'ere&!
in their nature# Indeed these &atter fruits of the S*irit deri$e their
chief $a&ue fro' the e/tent to 2hich the! contriute to the *roduction of
the for'er--that is< to the e/tent that the! esta&ish 'en in the faith<
ena&e the' to crucif! the f&esh 2ith the &usts thereof< and he&* the' to
&i$e in har'on! 2ith the s2eet inf&uence of the S*irit of 5od# 3hen 'en
&i$e in har'on! 2ith that S*irit there 2i&& ri,hteousness otain? there
2i&& &o$e aound? there 2i&& the 5os*e& of Christ a**ear triu'*hant#
3here these fruits do not a**ear< there the 5os*e& of Christ is not? there
the *o2ers of dar0ness< for the ti'e ein,< are triu'*hant# Yet
not2ithstandin, this *ro'ise< concernin, the en=o!'ent of the s*iritua&
,ifts of the 5os*e&< the e$idence is aundant and conc&usi$e that 2hen a&&
the A*ost&es 2ere deceased< then there 2as a 'ar0ed dec&ension in the
'anifestation of the s*iritua& *o2ers of the 5os*e&# -3ith the c&ose of
the Ne2 Testa'ent records<- sa!s Dr# )hi&&i* S'ith< author of The
Students+ Ecc&esiastica& Histor!< -and the death of the &ast sur$i$in,
A*ost&e< the histor! of the Church *asses fro' its sacred to its *ure&!
hu'an *hase# The 'iracu&ous ,ifts 2hich attested the di$ine 'ission of
the A*ost&es ceased? not indeed ! an! for'a& record of their 2ithdra2a&<
ut ! the c&ear e$idence that the! 2ere *ossessed no &on,er#
Dr# Jortin ears 2itness to the sa'e fact# He sa!s(
The 2ords of Euseius inti'ate that he thou,ht those
e/traordinar! *o2ers to e< at &east< not $er! co''on after2ards--Ii#
e#< the e,innin, of the second centur!J# -The! 2ent aout<- sa!s
he< -2ith 5od+s co-o*erati$e ,race< for e$en then the di$ine S*irit
*erfor'ed 'an! 'irac&es ! the'#- C C C This rin,s the *roai&it!
of 'irac&es do2n to the e,innin, of the second centur!< in the
'idd&e of 2hich Justin .art!r sa!s( -There are *ro*hetic ,ifts a'on,
us e$en unti& no2(- and a'on,st these ,ifts he rec0ons u* 'iracu&ous
*o2ers< as hea&in, the sic0< castin, out e$i& s*irits< etc# His
2ords i'*&! an o*inion that such ,ifts 2ere not on&! e/ercised in his
ti'e< ut had een continued do2n to his ti'e< and he 'a! e =ust&!
su**osed to s*ea0 the sense of his conte'*orar! Christians? and that
is a&& that I cite hi' for# It see's *roa&e that if 2e had a fu&&
and authentic histor! of the *ro*a,ation of the 5os*e&< fro' the ti'e
of the A*ost&es to the 'idd&e of the second centur!< co'*osed ! e!e
2itnesses and ! the *reachers of Christianit!< 2e shou&d find
'irac&es 2rou,ht for the con$ersion of the *a,ans# "ut fro' A# D# MD
to 7GD is a dar0 inter$a&< and 2e ha$e $er! short accounts of the
transactions of those da!s< un&ess 2e shou&d acce*t of ,round&ess
ru'ors and fri$o&ous ta&es#
So< a&so< Dr# .oshei'< s*ea0in, of the second centur!< and after
co''entin, on the e/tent to 2hich the e/traordinar! di$ine ,ifts
contriuted to the e/tension of the &i'its of the Church< sa!s( -The ,ift
of forei,n ton,ues a**ears to ha$e ,radua&&! ceased< as soon as 'an!
nations eca'e en&i,htened 2ith the truth? C C C ut the other ,ifts 2ith
2hich 5od fa$ored the risin, Church of Christ< 2ere< as 2e &earn fro'
nu'erous testi'onies of the ancients< sti&& conferred u*on *articu&ar
*ersons here and there#- And 2hen 2ritin, of the fourth and succeedin,
centuries< he< too< ears 2itness of the dec&ension< and fina& cessation
of these s*iritua& *o2ers a'on, the Christians? and< indeed< the 'ost of
our ecc&esiastica& 2riters for' the sa'e conc&usion#
Thus the Christians &ost the en=o!'ent of the s*iritua& ,ifts of the
5os*e&< such as ins*ired drea's< *ro*hecies< hea&in,s< s*ea0in, in ne2
ton,ues< 'inisterin, of an,e&s< and< 'ost to e &a'ented of a&&< direct
re$e&ation fro' 5od< ! 2hich the 2i&& of 5od 'i,ht e 'ade 0no2n to His
*eo*&e and his Church *reser$ed fro' error< fro' decadence< and fro'
destruction( and ! the asence of these s*iritua& ,ifts and *o2ers a'on,
the Christians of the third and fourth centuries< 2e 'a! 0no2 that a 'ere
'an-'ade re&i,ion< ha$in, indeed a for' of ,od&iness ut den!in, the *o2er
thereof< had succeeded to the s*iritua&&! ,ifted re&i,ion< of Jesus
Christ< 2herein the *o2er of 5od is e$er *resent and out2ard&! as 2e&& as
in2ard&! 'anifested#
De*arture of -Christendo'- fro' the True Doctrine of Deit!#
In nothin, *erha*s 2as there a 2ider de*arture fro' the rea& truth of
Christianit! than in the doctrine concernin, 5od defined ! the ,enera&
counci& of the Church he&d 2ithin the &ifeti'e of Constantine< and 2hich<
in fact< he asse'&ed u*on his o2n authorit!# This 2as the ce&erated
Counci& of Nicea< in "ith!nia< Asia .inor< he&d in 9HG A# D# The 'ain
*ur*ose for 2hich the first ,enera& Counci& of the Church 2as asse'&ed
2as to sett&e a dis*ute et2een one Arius< a *res!ter of A&e/andria< and
his isho*< A&e/ander< of the sa'e cit!< res*ectin, the doctrine of the
5odhead# The dis*ute *ro$ed to e far-reachin, in its effects< and for
three hundred !ears the ri$a&r! of the contendin, factions distured the
*eace of Christendo'# 3e sha&& ha$e c&earer conce*tions of the su=ect<
ho2e$er< and e etter a&e to =ud,e of the e/tent to 2hich there 2as a
de*arture fro' the true doctrine res*ectin, the 5odhead< ! the
definitions for'u&ated and enforced u*on the Church ! the counci& of
Nicea< if 2e first consider the doctrine of the 5odhead as found in the
Testa'ent#
The Christian Doctrine of 5od#
The e/istence of 5od oth Jesus and the A*ost&es acce*ted as a fact#
In a&& the teachin,s of the for'er He no2here see0s to *ro$e 5od+s
e/istence# He assu'es that< and *roceeds fro' that asis 2ith His
doctrine# He dec&ares the fact that 5od 2as His Father< and fre>uent&!
ca&&s Hi'se&f the Son of 5od# After His resurrection and de*arture into
hea$en< the A*ost&es tau,ht that He< the Son of 5od< 2as 2ith 5od the
Father in the e,innin,( that He< as 2e&& as the Father< 2as 5od? that
under the direction of the Father He 2as the Creator of 2or&ds? that
2ithout hi' 2as not an!thin, 'ade that 2as 'ade# That in hi' d2e&t a&&
the fu&ness of the 5odhead odi&!? and that He 2as the e/*ress i'a,e of
the Father+s *erson# Jesus Hi'se&f tau,ht that He and the Father 2ere
one? that 2hosoe$er had seen Hi' had seen the Father a&so? that it 2as
*art of His 'ission to re$ea& 5od< the Father< throu,h His o2n
*ersona&it!? for as 2as the Son< so too 2as the Father# Hence Jesus 2as
5od 'anifested in f&esh--a re$e&ation of 5od to the 2or&d# That is< a
re$e&ation< not on&! of the ein, of 5od< ut of the 0ind of ein, 5od is#
Jesus a&so tau,ht Eand in doin, so sho2ed in 2hat the -oneness- of
Hi'se&f and His Father consistedF that the disci*&es 'i,ht e one 2ith
Hi'< and a&so one 2ith each other< as He and the Father 2ere one# Not
one in *erson--not a&& 'er,ed into one indi$idua&< and a&& distinctions of
*ersona&it! &ost? ut one in 'ind< in 0no2&ed,e< in &o$e< in 2i&&--one !
reason of the ind2e&&in, in a&& of the one s*irit< e$en as the 'ind and
2i&& of 5od the Father 2as a&so in Jesus Christ#
The Ho&! 5host< too< 2as u*he&d ! the Christian re&i,ion to e 5od#
Jesus ascried to Hi' a distinct *ersona&it!? as *roceedin, fro' the
Father? as sent forth in the na'e of the Son< as fee&in, &o$e?
e/*eriencin, ,rief? as foriddin,? as aidin,? as teachin,? as earin,
2itness? as a**ointin, to 2or0? and as intercedin, for 'en# A&& of 2hich
c&ear&! esta&ishes for Hi' a *ersona&it!#
The distinct *ersona&it! of these three indi$idua& 5ods Eunited
ho2e$er into one 5odhead< or Di$ine Counci&F< 2as 'ade a**arent at the
a*tis' of Jesus? for as He< 5od the Son< ca'e u* out of the 2ater fro'
His a*tis' at the hands of John< a 'anifestation of the *resence of the
Ho&! 5host 2as ,i$en in the si,n of the do$e 2hich rested u*on Jesus<
2hi&e out of the ,&or! of hea$en the $oice of 5od the Father 2as heard
sa!in,< -This<- referrin, to Jesus< -is '! e&o$ed Son< in 2ho' I a' 2e&&
*&eased#- The distinctness of the *ersona&it! of each 'e'er of the
5odhead is a&so sho2n ! the co''and'ent to a*ti4e those 2ho e&ie$e this
5os*e& e>ua&&! in the na'e of each *erson of the Ho&! Trinit!# That is<
in the na'e of the Father< and of the Son< and of the Ho&! 5host# And
a,ain< a&so< in the A*osto&ic enediction< $i4#< -The ,race of the Lord
Jesus Christ< and the &o$e of 5od< and the co''union of the Ho&! 5host< e
2ith !ou a&&#-
These three *ersona,es constitute the Christian 5odhead the Ho&!
Trinit!# In ear&! Christian theo&o,! the! 2ere re,arded as the Su*re'e
5o$ernin, and Creatin, )o2er in hea$en and in earth# Of 2hich Trinit! the
Father 2as 2orshi*ed in the na'e of the Son< 2hi&e the Ho&! 5host ore
record of oth the Father and the Son# And thou,h the Ho&! Trinit! 2as
'ade a&& of three distinct *ersons< !et did the! constitute ut one
5odhead< or Su*re'e 5o$ernin, )o2er#
This out&ine of the doctrine of 5od deri$ed fro' the Ne2 Testa'ent
re*resents Hi' as anthro*o'or*hic? that is< &i0e a 'an in for'? or<
rather< it re-affir's the o&d doctrine found in the oo0 of 5enesis< $i4#<
that 'an is created in the i'a,e of 5od< and after His &i0eness# The
out&ine of Ne2 Testa'ent doctrine of 5od a&so ascries to Hi' 2hat are
ca&&ed hu'an attriutes and fee&in,s? ut as in the fore,oin, 2e first sa!
that 5od is re*resented as ein, in hu'an for'< and then to ,et the e/act
truth sa!( -Or< rather< 'an 2as created in the i'a,e and &i0eness of
5od<- so in this &atter case< 2hen 2e ha$e said that the doctrine of the
Ne2 Testa'ent ascries hu'an attriutes and fee&in,s to 5od< to ,et the
e/act truth 2e shou&d sa!( -Or< rather< 'an *ossesses the attriutes of
5od---the attriutes of 0no2in,< 2i&&in,< =ud,in,< &o$in,< etc#--thou,h it
shou&d e stated< of course< that 'an does not *ossess these attriutes in
their *erfection< as 5od does# The sa'e 'a! a&so e said of the *h!sica&
*erfections# 3hi&e 'an has een created in the i'a,e and &i0eness of 5od<
!et our odies in their *resent state of i'*erfection--so'eti'es stunted
in ,ro2th< diseased< su=ect to sic0ness< 2astin, deca!< and death--cannot
e said to e &i0e 5od+s ,&orious< *erfect *h!sica& od!< !et 2e ha$e the
Di$ine 2ord that our odies sha&& e &i0e His(
-For our con$ersation is in hea$en( fro' 2hence a&so 2e &oo0 for
the Sa$ior< the Lord Jesus Christ? 2ho sha&& chan,e our $i&e od!
that it 'a! e fashioned &i0e unto his ,&orious od!< accordin, to
the 2or0in, 2here! he is a&e e$en to sudue a&& thin,s unto
hi'se&f#-
So a&so the attriutes of the s*irit of 'an--the attriutes of the
'ind no2 i'*erfect< i'*ure< unho&!< and &i'ited in the ran,e of $ision and
a**rehension of thin,s< o2in, &ar,e&! to the conditions in 2hich 'an finds
hi'se&f *&aced in this earth-&ife Eand a&& for a 2ise *ur*ose in 5od+s
econo'!F? !et the ti'e 2i&& co'e that it 2i&& e 2ith the s*irit as 2ith
the od!? for 5od sha&& chan,e our $i&e s*irit that it 'a! e fashioned
&i0e unto His o2n ,&orious s*irit< -accordin, to the 2or0in, 2here! He is
a&e e$en to sudue a&& thin,s unto Hi'se&f#- That 2hereas no2 2e see
on&! as throu,h a ,&ass< dar0&!< then 2e sha&& see as 2e are seen( that
2hereas no2 2e 0no2 ut in *art< then 2e sha&& 0no2 e$en as 2e are 0no2n#
The fore,oin, doctrine of 5od< tau,ht to the Christians in A*osto&ic
ti'es< a2a0ened their *ious re$erence 2ithout e/citin, their curiosit!#
The! dea&t 2ith no 'eta*h!sica& astractions< ut 2ere contented to acce*t
the teachin,s of the A*ost&es in hu'&e faith< and e&ie$ed that Jesus
Christ 2as the co'*&ete 'anifestation of Deit!< and the e/*ress i'a,e of
5od His Father? and hence a re$e&ation to the' of 5od? 2hi&e the Ho&!
5host the! acce*ted as 5od+s 2itness and 'essen,er to the'#
)a,ani4ation of the Christian Doctrine of 5od#
"ut Christianit!< as is 2e&& 0no2n< ca'e in contact 2ith other
doctrines concernin, Deit!# It 2as a&'ost i''ediate&! rou,ht in touch
2ith the '!sticis' of the Orient and a&so 2ith the *hi&oso*h! of the
5ree0s< 2ho too0 so 'uch de&i,ht in inte&&ectua& sut&eties# In the
Orienta& *hi&oso*hies< and in the 5ree0< there 2as concei$ed the idea of a
trinit! in Deit!? an idea 2hich *ossi&! 'a! ha$e co'e do2n fro' the
doctrines re$ea&ed to the *atriarchs concernin, the 5odhead< ut 2hich had
een corru*ted and rendered uninte&&i,i&e ! the $ain *hi&oso*hi4in,s of
'en# In so'e of the Orienta& s!ste's the trinit! or Tri'urti consisted of
"rah'a< the Creator? %ishnu< the )reser$er? and Si$a< the Destro!er# It
2i&& e seen< ho2e$er< that this trinit! is not necessari&! one of
*ersons< or indi$idua&s< ut 'a! e one of attriutes< >ua&ities< or e$en
a trinit! of functions in one ein,? and in this 2a! it is usua&&!
understood#
)&ato+s trinit! is so'eti'es stated in the ter's< -First Cause?
Reason< or Lo,os? and Sou& of the Uni$erse?- ut 'ore co''on&! in these(
-5oodness< Inte&&ect< and 3i&&#- The nature of the 5ree0 trinit! has &on,
een a 'atter of contention a'on, the &earned< and one indeed that is not
sett&ed to this da!# Is there indicated in his s!ste' -a true and *ro*er
tri-*ersona&it!< or 'ere&! a *ersonification of three i'*ersona&ities<- a
trinit! of attriutes or functionsB The ans2ers to these >uestions are
$aried< and 2ou&d re>uire too 'uch s*ace for consideration here#
Christians ha$in, een tau,ht to acce*t the Ne2 Testa'ent doctrine of the
Father< Son and Ho&! S*irit as constitutin, one 5odhead< Christianit! no
sooner ca'e in contact 2ith the *hi&oso*hies of the 5ree0s and E,!*tians
than there 2as an effort 'ade to identif! the Christian trinit! 2ith that
of the 5ree0 and other *hi&oso*hies# The te'*tation to do this 2as $er!
,reat# Christianit! 2as a *roscried re&i,ion and its fo&&o2ers detested#
3hene$er it cou&d e so2n< therefore< that under ne2 s!'o&s the Church
rea&&! tau,ht the sa'e doctrines that the o&d *hi&oso*hers< 2hich 2ere
he&d in estee'< did< it 2as re,arded as a distinct ,ain to Christianit!#
The 'ere fact of Christianit! teachin, a trinit! of an! 0ind 2as a
sufficient asis of co'*arison< under the te'*tation offered< and hence in
a short ti'e 2e ha$e the a&&e,ed fo&&o2ers of Christ in$o&$ed in a&& the
'eta*h!sica& dis*utations of the a,e# The chief difficu&t! in those
s*ecu&ations 2as to define the nature of the Lo,os< or 3ord of 5od( a
tit&e that is ,i$en to our Sa$ior ! the A*ost&e St# John< e it
re'e'ered# Ado*tin, aso&ute -ein,- as the *ostu&ate of their
conce*tion of 5od< aso&ute oneness< and therefore aso&ute sin,&eness<
their difficu&ties arose in tr!in, to reconci&e the e/istence of three
*ersons in the 5odhead to the *ostu&ate of unit!# The dis*utations 2ere
carried on chief&! concernin, Christ< the -3ord<- in His re&ationshi* to
the 5odhead( and the dis*utants concerned the'se&$es 2ith such >uestions
as these( -Is Jesus the 3ordB- -If he e the 2ord< did He e'anate fro'
5od in ti'e or efore ti'eB- -If He e'anated fro' 5od< is He co-eterna&
and of the sa'e< that is identica&< sustance 2ith Hi'< or 'ere&! of a
si'i&ar sustanceB- -Is He distinct fro' the Father< that is< se*arate
fro' Hi'< or is He notB- -Is He 'ade or e,ottenB- -Can He e,et in
returnB- -Has He *aternit!< or *roducti$e $irtue 2ithout *aternit!B-
Si'i&ar >uestions 2ere as0ed as to the other )erson of the 5odhead< the
Ho&! S*irit# These >uestions 2ere $io&ent&! a,itated at A&e/andria ! the
isho* of that cit!< A&e/ander< and one of the *res!ters< Arius< 978-9H7
A# D#? thence s*read throu,hout Christendo'< and cu&'inated fina&&! in the
Counci& at Nicea< 9HG A# D# Arius he&d the doctrine that Lo,os or 3ord
2as a de*endent or s*ontaneous *roduction created out of nothin, ! the
2i&& of the Father< Hence the Son of 5od< ! 2ho' a&& thin,s 2ere 'ade<
e,otten efore a&& 2or&ds? ut there had een a ti'e 2hen the Lo,os 2as
not? and a&so He 2as of a sustance< ho2e$er si'i&ar it 'i,ht e<
different fro' the Father# This doctrine< in the 'inds of the o**onents
of Arius< detracted fro' the di$ine nature of Christ< in fact< denied Hi'
true Deit! and re&e,ated Hi' to the *osition of a creature< a,ainst 2hich
the *iet! of a &ar,e nu'er of Christians ree&&ed# After si/ !ears of
hot dis*utation and fre>uent a**ea&s ! the contestants to the e'*eror<
the counci& of Nicea 2as asse'&ed and the '!steries of the Christian
faith su'itted to *u&ic deate< a *ortion of the ti'e< at &east< in the
*resence of the e'*eror< 2ho< to so'e e/tent< see'ed to e/ercise the
functions of *resident o$er the asse'&!# The doctrine of Arius 2as
conde'ned< and after -&on, de&ierations< a'on, stru,,&es< and scru*u&ous
e/a'inations<- the fo&&o2in, creed 2as ado*ted(
3e e&ie$e in one 5od< the Father A&'i,ht!< creator of a&&
thin,s $isi&e and in$isi&e? and in one Lord Jesus Christ< the Son
of 5od< on&! e,otten of the Father< that is< of the sustance of the
Father 5od of 5od< Li,ht of Li,ht< $er! 5od of $er! 5od< e,otten not
'ade< ein, of the sa'e sustance 2ith the Father< ! 2ho' a&& thin,s
2ere 'ade in hea$en and in earth< 2ho for us 'en and for our
sa&$ation ca'e do2n fro' hea$en< 2as incarnate< 2as 'ade 'an<
suffered< rose a,ain the third da!< ascended into the hea$ens< and He
2i&& co'e to =ud,e the &i$in, and the dead? and in the Ho&! 5host#
Those 2ho sa! there 2as a ti'e 2hen He 2as not< and He 2as not efore
He 2as e,otten< and He 2as 'ade of nothin, Ehe 2as createdF< or 2ho
sa! that He is of another h!*ostatis< or of another sustance Ethan
the FatherF< or that the Son of 5od is created< that he is 'uta&e<
or su=ect to chan,e< the Catho&ic church anathe'ati4es#
Arius hi'se&f 2as conde'ned as a heretic and anished into one of the
re'ote *ro$inces< I&!ricu'< his friends and disci*&es randed ! &a2< 2ith
the odius na'e of -)or*h!rians<- ecause it is su**osed that Arius< &i0e
)or*h!r!< had sou,ht to in=ure Christianit!# His 2ritin,s 2ere conde'ned
to the f&a'es and a ca*ita& *unish'ent 2as *ronounced a,ainst those in
2hose *ossession the! shou&d e found# Three !ears &ater< ho2e$er<
throu,h the inf&uence of the 2o'en at the i'*eria& court< Constantine
softened in his de'eanor to2ards Arius and his fo&&o2ers# The e/i&es 2ere
reca&&ed and Arius hi'se&f 2as recei$ed at court and his faith a**ro$ed !
a s!nod of *re&ates and *res!ters at Jerusa&e'? ut on the da! that he
2as to e *u&ic&! recei$ed in the cathedra& church at Constantino*&e< !
the order of the e'*eror< 2ho< ! the 2a!< recei$ed the sacra'ent at the
hands of Arius< he e/*ired under circu'stances 2hich ha$e &ed 'an! to
e&ie$e that other 'eans than the *ra!ers of the orthodo/ a,ainst hi' 2ere
the cause of his death# The &eaders of the orthodo/ *art!< Athanasius of
A&e/andria< Eustathius of Antioch< and )au& of Constantino*&e< 2ere no2 to
fee& the 2rath of the first Christian e'*eror# The! 2ere de*osed on
$arious occasions and ! the sentence of nu'erous counci&s< and anished
into distant *ro$inces# In fact< so far fro' the ado*tion of the Nicene
creed endin, the conf&ict 2hich had arisen< it 2as 'ore &i0e the o*enin,
of that contro$ers! 2hich a,itated Christendo' for so &on,< and resu&ted
in so 'an! sha'efu& conf&icts# Counci&s 2ere arra!ed a,ainst counci&s<
and thou,h the! ne$er cou&d con$ince one another of error< the! ne$er
fai&ed< in the s*irit of such Christian charit! as 2as then e/tant< to
c&ose their decrees 2ith curses# %otes 2ere artered for and *urchased in
those counci&s< and facts =ustif! the &atent sarcas' in 5ion+s re'ar0<
that -the cause of truth and =ustice 2as *ro'oted ! the inf&uence of
,o&d#- There 2ere *ersecutions and counter-*ersecutions< as no2 one *art!
and then the other *re$ai&ed( there 2ere assassinations and &ood!
att&es o$er this doctrine of Deit!< the accounts of 2hich fi&&< as the!
a&so dis,race< our Christian anna&s# The creed 2hich 2as ado*ted at
Nicea< ho2e$er< eca'e the sett&ed doctrine of orthodo/ Christendo'< and
re'ains so to this da!#
It is difficu&t to deter'ine 2hich is rea&&! the 2orst< the creed
itse&f or the e/*&anations of it# At an! rate< 2e do not c&ear&! see the
i'*iet! of its doctrines unti& 2e &isten to the e/*&anations that ha$e
een 'ade of it# Athanasius hi'se&f has &eft on record a creed
e/*&anator! of the one ado*ted at Nicea# True< a'on, the &earned< 'an!
dout Athanasius ein, the author of the creed 2hich ears his na'e? ut<
ho2e$er 'uch dout 'a! e thro2n u*on that >uestion< no one hesitates to
acce*t it as the orthodo/ e/*&anation of the doctrine of Deit!< and< in
fact< it is acce*ted as one of the i'*ortant s!'o&s of the Christian
faith< and is as fo&&o2s(
3e 2orshi* one 5od in Trinit!< and Trinit! in Unit!< neither
confoundin, the *ersons nor di$idin, the sustance# For there is one
*erson of the Father< another of the Son< and another of the Ho&!
5host# "ut the 5odhead of the Father< Son and Ho&! 5host is a&& one?
the ,&or! e>ua&< the 'a=est! co-eterna&# Such as the Father is< such
is the Son< and such is the Ho&! 5host# The Father uncreate< the Son
uncreate< and the Ho&! 5host uncreate# The Father inco'*rehensi&e<
the Son inco'*rehensi&e< and the Ho&! 5host inco'*rehensi&e# The
Father eterna&< the Son eterna&< and the Ho&! 5host eterna&# And !et
there are not three eterna&s ut one eterna&# As a&so there are not
three inco'*rehensi&es nor three uncreate< ut one uncreate and one
inco'*rehensi&e# So &i0e2ise the Father is a&'i,ht!< the Son
a&'i,ht!< and the Ho&! 5host a&'i,ht!? and !et the! are not three
a&'i,hties< ut one a&'i,ht!# So the Father is 5od< the Son is 5od<
and the Ho&! 5host is 5od? and !et there are not three 5ods< ut one
5od#
As a&read! stated< this creed of St# Athanasius is acce*ted as one of
the s!'o&s of the orthodo/ Christian faith# It is understood that these
t2o creeds teach that 5od is incor*orea&< that is to sa!< an i''ateria&
ein,# The Catho&ic church sa!s? -There is ut one 5od< the creator of
hea$en and earth< the su*re'e incor*orea&< uncreated ein, 2ho e/ists of
Hi'se&f and is infinite in a&& his attriutes#- 3hi&e the Church of
En,&and teaches in her artic&es of faith -that there is ut one &i$in, and
true 5od e$er&astin,< 2ithout od!< *arts< or *assions< of infinite
*o2er< 2isdo' and ,oodness#- This $ie2 of 5od as an incor*orea&<
i''ateria&< odi&ess< *art&ess< *assion&ess ein, is no2 and has een fro'
the da!s of the ,reat a*ostas! fro' 5od and Christ< in the second and
third centuries< the doctrine of Deit! ,enera&&! acce*ted ! a*ostate
Christendo'# The si'*&e doctrine of the Christian 5odhead< set forth in
the Ne2 Testa'ent is corru*ted ! the 'eanin,&ess =ar,on of these creeds<
and their e/*&anations? and the &earned 2ho *rofess a e&ief in the' are
2anderin, in the dar0ness of the '!sticis's of the o&d *a,an *hi&oso*hies#
No 2onder that Athanasius hi'se&f< 2ho' 5ion 2ith a >uiet sarcas' ca&&s
the 'ost sa,acious of the Christian theo&o,ians< candid&! confessed that
2hene$er he forced his understandin, to 'ediate on the di$init! of the
Lo,os Eand 2hich< of course< in$o&$ed the 2ho&e doctrine of the 5odheadF<
his -toi&so'e and una$ai&in, efforts recoi&ed on the'se&$es( and the 'ore
he thou,ht< the &ess he co'*rehended( and the 'ore he 2rote< the &ess
ca*a&e 2as he of e/*ressin, his thou,htsK- It is a fine *assa,e 2ith
2hich 5ion c&oses his ref&ections u*on this su=ect< and hence I sha&&
,i$e it *&ace here(
In e$er! ste* of the in>uir!< 2e are co'*e&&ed to fee& and
ac0no2&ed,e the i''easura&e dis*ro*ortion et2een the si4e of the
o=ect and the ca*acit! of the hu'an 'ind# 3e 'a! tr! to astract
the notions of ti'e< of s*ace< and of 'atter< 2hich so c&ose&! adhere
to a&& the *erce*tions of our e/*eri'enta& 0no2&ed,e? ut as soon as
2e *resu'e to reason of infinite sustance< or s*iritua& ,eneration?
as often as 2e deduce an! *ositi$e conc&usions fro' a ne,ati$e idea<
2e are in$o&$ed in dar0ness< *er*&e/it!< and ine$ita&e
contradiction#
Recurrence to the Ne2 Testa'ent doctrine of 5od< and a co'*arison of
it 2ith the doctrine of Deit! set forth in the Nicean and Athanasian
creeds< 2i&& e/hiit the 2ide de*arture--the aso&ute a*ostas!--that has
ta0en *&ace in res*ect of this 'ost funda'enta& of a&& doctrines of
re&i,ion--the doctrine of 5od# Tru&! -Christians- ha$e denied the Lord
that ou,ht the'< and turned &itera&&! to fa&es# The! ha$e enthroned a
conce*tion of a ne,ati$e idea of -ein,<- 2hich can stand in no *ossi&e
re&ationshi* to 'an< nor 'an to it? and to this the! ascrie di$ine
attriutes and ,i$e it tit&e< 0nee and adoration 2hich e&on, to 5od
a&one# S'a&& 2onder that the an,e& 2ho' John sa2 f&!in, in the 'idst of
hea$en ha$in, the e$er&astin, 5os*e& to co''it to the earth in the hour of
5od+s =ud,'ent< in the &ast da!s< shou&d cr! a&oud to the inhaitants of
the earth< sa!in,< -Fear 5od< and ,i$e ,&or! to Hi'? C C C and 2orshi* hi'
that 'ade hea$en< and earth< and the sea< and the fountains of
2aters---s'a&& 2onder< I re*eat< that such shou&d e *art of this ,reat
'essa,e< for tru&! the 2ho&e 2or&d had de*arted fro' the 2orshi* of the
true and &i$in, 5od#
The Church of Christ Dis*&aced ! the Churches of .en#
The de*arture fro' the for' and s*irit of church ,o$ern'ent 2as no
&ess 'ar0ed than the 'ora& and s*iritua& dec&ension a'on, the Christians
of the ear&! centuries of the era< or the de*arture fro' the true doctrine
of Deit!# "e!ond fi&&in, the $acanc! in the counci& of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es< occasioned ! the fa&& of Judas< there is no c&ear and
satisfactor! e$idence that other successors of the A*ost&es 2ere e$er
chosen< thou,h the fair i'*&ication is that the or,ani4ation of the Church
2ith A*ost&es< )ro*hets< E$an,e&is'< Se$enties< "isho*s< Teachers< etc#<
2as to e *er*etuated as at first esta&ished# At &east this or,ani4ation
2as ,i$en for the *erfectin, of the saints< for the 2or0 of the 'inistr!<
unti& the saints shou&d co'e to a unit! of the faith and the 0no2&ed,e of
the Son of 5od? so that the *&ain inference is that so &on, as there are
saints to e *erfected< or edified< or united< or rou,ht to the 0no2&ed,e
of 5od? so &on, as there is 2or0 for a 'inistr!< or the necessit! of a
Church throu,h the a,enc! of 2hich the truth is to e tau,ht to the 2or&d
so &on, it 2i&& e necessar! to *er*etuate the or,ani4ation ,i$en of 5od
for the achie$e'ent of those hi,h *ur*oses# To sa! that 'an cou&d de$ise
a etter or,ani4ation for the acco'*&ish'ent of these se$era& o=ects
2ou&d e to cha&&en,e the 2isdo' of 5od# To sa! that an! of these 'eans
*ro$ided in the Church or,ani4ation cou&d e dis*ensed 2ith< 2ou&d e to
contradict the *&ain teachin, of scri*ture< 2hich< in this $er! connection
forids the e!e to sa! to the hand< I ha$e no need of thee? or the head to
the feet< I ha$e no need of !ou? that is< one officer of the Church 'a!
not sa! to another officer< I ha$e no need of thee# The doctrine of
scri*ture is that a&& the officers of the Church to,ether 2ith their
se$era& ,ifts are essentia& to the Church of Christ? essentia& to its
*erfection( essentia& to the *erfor'ance of the sacred functions assi,ned
to it# Yet it 'ust e conceded that the or,ani4ation descried in the Ne2
Testa'ent did not sur$i$e the &ast of the A*ost&es? or *reser$e 'uch
e!ond that ti'e< the s*irit 2hich the .aster had i'*ressed u*on it#
The A*ost&es< 2hi&e the! &i$ed< e/ercised a ,enera& =urisdiction o$er
the Church< to 2hich a&& su'itted 2ithout >uestion# In the e/ercise of
their ,enera& authorit! the! or,ani4ed ranches of the Church< a**ointed
E&ders or "isho*s to ta0e the o$ersi,ht of the'< and instructed the' in
Church ,o$ern'ent< and disci*&ine< and doctrine# After the de'ise of the
A*ost&es< there see's to ha$e een &eft no centra& authorit! to e/ercise
the functions of ,enera& su*er$ision or *residenc! o$er the entire Church<
such as the T2e&$e had e/ercised# That center of unit!< to,ether 2ith the
*o2er thereof< see's to ha$e $anished fro' the Church 2ith the A*ost&es#
The isho*s and so'e suordinate officers re'ained< it is true< ut these
2ere &oca&< not ,enera& authorities# The Church in each cit! or district
or countr! after the A*osto&ic a,e< see's to ha$e een re,arded as a sort
of inde*endent re*u&ic of itse&f< 2ithout an! ond of consociation 2ith
an! other church e!ond that 2hich 2as the resu&t of *ossessin, a co''on
faith in Christianit!< 2hich ond 2as one of s!'*ath! 'ere&!< not of
hierarcha& association# The rise of the hierarch! 2ith the centra&i4ation
of its *o2ers in the isho* of Ro'e< and 2hich u&ti'ate&! do'inated the
2ho&e Church< and not on&! the Church ut< direct&! or indirect&!< the
2estern ci$i&i4ed 2or&d< ca'e &ater< and 2as of ,radua& de$e&o*'ent( and
2hen it 2as fina&&! esta&ished< it 2as not the or,ani4ation descried in
the Ne2 Testa'ent< the Church 2ith an ins*ired *riesthood of A*ost&es< and
)ro*hets< E$an,e&ists< Se$enties< and )astors< etc#< ut a hierarch!
fashioned ! 'an out of such re'nants of Church or,ani4ation as sur$i$ed
A*osto&ic ti'es# As the nu'er of Christians increased< the isho*s of
&ar,e cities or,ani4ed ne2 ranches of the Church in the suurs of their
cities< and in the to2ns and $i&&a,es ad=acent< and ordained for the' a
'inistr!# It 2as ut natura& *erha*s that the officers of these ne2
ranches of the Church< oth the isho*s and the suordinate c&er,!<
shou&d &oo0 to the one 2ho had rou,ht the' into e/istence as a sort of
,enera& *residin, authorit! o$er the'# And hence< in ti'e arose 2hat 2ere
ca&&ed 'etro*o&itan isho*s< isho*s 2ho had under their direction the
isho*s of nei,horin, to2ns and $i&&a,es--isho*s of the -suurs and the
fie&ds<- the! 2ere so'eti'es ca&&ed--and *erha*s of the entire *ro$ince of
2hich the 'etro*o&itan cit! 2as reco,ni4ed as the center# As the isho*s
of the 'etro*o&is of a *ro$ince< in the 'anner descried< eca'e the
center of ecc&esiastica& unit! for that *ro$ince< so< too< in ti'e< the
isho*s of cities 2hich 2ere the ca*ita&s of the three ,reat di$isions of
the e'*ire--Antioch< A&e/andria and Ro'e--asserted a su*erior di,nit! o$er
'etro*o&itan isho*s# It 2as in these cities that the e/archs of the
e'*ire resided< and if 2e 'a! trust the authorit! of Neander< the isho*s
of these cities a&so< at first< too0 that tit&e< ut &ater 'ade choice of
the 'ore ecc&esiastica& na'e of )atriarch# In addition to the i'*ortance
attached to these cities as the ca*ita&s of the ,reat di$isions of the
e'*ire< a su*erior di,nit! in the 'inds of Christians attached to the
Churches founded ! the A*ost&es as the surest de*ositories of the
A*osto&ic teachin, and doctrine? and as A*osto&ic ori,in cou&d e c&ai'ed
for the churches in the three cities na'ed< it is not sur*risin,< 2hen
their *o&itica& i'*ortance is added< that the isho*s of those cities
c&ai'ed su*erior di,nit! for their office< and united under their
=urisdiction the 'etro*o&itan isho*s of the res*ecti$e three ,reat
di$isions of the e'*ire# Suse>uent&! the sa'e tit&e 2as ,ranted to the
isho* of Jerusa&e'< and to the isho* of Constantino*&e? to the for'er it
2as ,ranted in $irtue of the *ecu&iar sanctit! 2hich attaches to
Jerusa&e'< and the fact that the first Christian Church 2as *&anted there?
to the &atter< ecause it 2as 'ade the ca*ita& of the e'*ire< -Ne2 Ro'e?-
and ecause a&so it 2as *ecu&iar&! the cit! of the first i'*eria& *atron
of Christianit!# Thus fi$e *atriarchates 2ere esta&ished#
-Throu,h circu'stances too nu'erous and intricate to detai& here< the
isho*s of Ro'e chan,ed the *ri'ac! of 'ere *recedence 2hich had een
accorded the' a'on, associated rethren< to a *ri'ac! of *o2er and
=urisdiction< 2hich resu&ted in the isho*s of Ro'e eco'in, reco,ni4ed as
the su*re'e head of the Christian Church< and the *a*ac! entered u*on that
'ar$e&ous career 2hich ! the i'*artia& can ut e re,arded as the sha'e
of the Christian na'e#
Attention has a&read! een ca&&ed to the corru*tions 2hich *re$ai&ed
in that *eriod of *eace in the c&osin, decades of the third centur!< 2here
isho*s are re*resented as ein, fu&& of *ride and ostentation( as
desertin, the &a2 of *iet! and ein, inf&a'ed a,ainst each other 2ith
'utua& strifes< on&! accu'u&atin, >uarre&s< threats< ri$a&shi*s<
hosti&ities< hatred to2ards each other< and on&! an/ious to assert the
Church ,o$ern'ent as a 0ind of so$erei,nt! for the'se&$es# And a&& this
2hen Christianit! 2as a *roscried re&i,ion? and 2hen the Church< and
es*ecia&&! its &eaders< the isho*s< 2ere &ia&e to se$erest *ersecution#
Reason and a due consideration of hu'an nature oth co'ined to fi/ u*on
us the con$iction that the itterness of ri$a&r!< of hatred< of a'ition<
'ust ha$e ,reat&! increased 2hen 'etro*o&itan and *atriarcha& isho*s<
for'er&! *roscried and hunted &i0e 2i&d easts< rose to the di,nit! of
e$i& *rinces< and too0 u*on the' 'ore and e$er 'ore of the s*irit of
2or&d&iness as 2ea&th and honor and *o*u&ar a**&ause 2ere 'ade the
acco'*ani'ents of their ecc&esiastica& offices# Histor! confir's 2hat
reason and a 0no2&ed,e of hu'an nature su,,ests? for the histor! of the
Church after the e&e$ation of *roscried Christianit! to the di,nit! of
the state re&i,ion of the Ro'an e'*ire< is ut the 'e&ancho&! histor! of
unho&! a'itions< =ea&ousies< strifes< contentions< 'urders< and 2ars
et2een ri$a& isho*s and their adherents< on the one hand? and e>ua&&!
unho&! stru,,&es for 2or&d&! ad$anta,es 2ith 0in,s and ru&ers of this
2or&d< on the other# The s*irit that actuated the isho*s of the Church
after their e&e$ation throu,h the *o&ic! of Constantino*&e+s ad'ira&!
i&&ustrated ! a re'ar0 of 5re,or! of Na4ian4us< 'ade in Constantino*&e<
98D A# D#< 2hen de*&orin, the e$i&s of the Church# He sa!s(
3ou&d to hea$en there 2ere no *ri'ac!< no e'inence of *&ace< and
no t!rannica& *recedence of ran0? that 2e 'i,ht e 0no2n ! e'inence
of $irtue a&oneK "ut< as the case no2 stands< the distinction of a
seat at the ri,ht hand or the &eft< or in the 'idd&e? at a i,,er or
a &o2er *&ace? of ,oin, efore or aside of each other< has ,i$en rise
to 'an! disorders a'on, us< to no sa&utar! *ur*ose 2hatsoe$er and
*&un,ed 'u&titudes in ruin#
.atters in Church ,o$ern'ent did not 'end 2ith ti'e< ut ,re2 2orse
and 2orse# )ride increased( ri$a&shi* et2een contendin, *re&ates ,re2
'ore e'ittered? a'ition 'ounted hi,her and e$er hi,her in the reasts of
the she*herds of the f&oc0 of Christ# In his association 2ith his
A*ost&es--to 2ho' he co''itted the 0e!s of His 0in,do'--the .aster had
discoura,ed a'ition and had said that he 2ho 2ou&d e ,reat a'on, his
fo&&o2ers 'ust e their 'inister( and 2hosoe$er 2ou&d e chief a'on,
the'< 2as to e their ser$ant? and the ,o$ern'ent of His Church 2as to e
distinct in these *articu&ars fro' the ,o$ern'ents of this 2or&d# "ut
a&& in $ain 2ere the instructions of .essiah to the 2or&d&!< a'itious
*re&ates of an a*ostate Christianit! 2hich had ,radua&&! su**&anted the
re&i,ion of Jesus Christ? and henceforth 2e 'a! see in that hierarch!
2hich usur*ed the *&ace of the Church of Christ fro' the ti'e of
Constantine< a&& the s*irit of *ride< en$!< =ea&ous!< contention< strife<
se&fishness< itterness< and unho&! a'ition 2hich characteri4ed the
*rinces and ru&ers of this 2or&d< attended< too< 2ith a&& the e$i&s that
2ait u*on these *assions of ru&ers 2hen once &et &oose< $i4#< secret
*&ottin,s< usur*ations of authorit!< corru*t e&ections< crue&
i'*rison'ents< anish'ents< secret and *u&ic 'urders< and 2ars( a&&
underta0en< of course in the interest of the ,ent&e re&i,ion of Jesus
Christ< and the 'aintenance of that authorit! 2hich is ased on &o$e< and
2hose contro& o$er 'en is throu,h the 'eans of *ersuasion and the teachin,
of true 0no2&ed,e# Is it not e$ident that the 0in,do' of *eace< 2herein
2as to d2e&& ri,hteousness and truth< had eco'e 'ere&! one of the
0in,do's of this 2or&dB And 2ere not the Fratrice&i of the thirteenth
centur!< thou,h denounced as heretics< ri,ht 2hen the! &oud&! *roc&ai'ed
their con$iction that -the fata& ,ift of a Christian e'*eror had een the
doo' of the true Christian re&i,ionB-
The Testi'on! of )ro*hec! to the Uni$ersa& A*ostas!#
C&ear as the fact is 'ade in this historica& $ie2 that there 2as a
co'*&ete and uni$ersa& a*ostas! fro' the re&i,ion esta&ished in the
Dis*ensation of the .eridian of Ti'e( and c&ear as is the *roof fro' the
sa'e re$ie2 that the Church of Christ then esta&ished 2as destro!ed<
there is !et another &ine of e$idence *ointin, to the sa'e so&e'n fact
that I can not a&to,ether o'it< thou,h often used in our &iterature< $i4#<
the testi'on! of *ro*hec! to the a*ostas! fro' the Christian re&i,ion< and
the destruction of the Church of Christ#
The A*ost&es the'se&$es throu,h the ins*iration of the Ho&! 5host
2ere fu&&! a2are that such an a*ostas! 2ou&d ta0e *&ace< as the fo&&o2in,
se$era& *redictions ear 2itness( )au& *assin, throu,h E*hesus ad'onished
the E&ders of that Church to ta0e heed to the f&oc0 -o$er 2hich the Ho&!
5host hath 'ade !ou o$erseers? C C C for I 0no2 this< that after '!
de*artin, sha&& ,rie$ous 2o&$es enter in a'on, !ou< not s*arin, the f&oc0#
A&so of !our o2n se&$es sha&& 'en arise< s*ea0in, *er$erse thin,s< to dra2
a2a! disci*&es after the'#-
To Ti'oth! )au& said( -The S*irit s*ea0eth e/*ress&!< that in the
&atter ti'es so'e sha&& de*art fro' the faith< ,i$in, heed to seducin,
s*irits< and doctrines of de$i&s? s*ea0in, &ies in h!*ocris!? ha$in,
their conscience seared 2ith a hot iron? foriddin, to 'arr! and
co''andin, to astain fro' 'eats#- And a,ain( -I char,e thee< C C C
*reach the 2ord( e instant in season< out of season? re*ro$e< reu0e<
e/hort 2ith a&& &on, sufferin, and doctrine# For the ti'e 2i&& co'e 2hen
the! 2i&& not endure sound doctrine( ut after their o2n &usts the! sha&&
hea* to the'se&$es teachers< ha$in, itchin, ears? and the! sha&& turn a2a!
their ears fro' the truth( and sha&& e turned unto fa&es#-
And sti&& a,ain he said to Ti'oth!( -This 0no2 a&so< that in the
&ast da!s *eri&ous ti'es sha&& co'e# For 'en sha&& e &o$ers of their o2n
se&$es< co$etous< oasters< *roud< &as*he'ers< disoedient to *arents<
unthan0fu&< unho&!< 2ithout natura& affection< truce rea0ers< fa&se
accusers< incontinent< fierce< des*isers of those that are ,ood< traitors<
head!< hi,h'inded< &o$ers of *&easure 'ore than &o$ers of 5od? ha$in, a
for' of 5od&iness< ut den!in, the *o2er thereof( fro' such turn a2a!#-
)eter+s *ro*hec! concernin, the rise of fa&se teachers a'on, the
saints< 2ho *ri$ate&! 2ou&d rin, in da'nation heresies< e$en den!in, the
Lord 2ho ou,ht the'< and ! reason of 2ho' the 2a! of truth 2ou&d e e$i&
s*o0en of< 2e ha$e a&read! >uoted#
)au& in his second e*ist&e to the Thessa&onians ,i$es utterance to a
*ro*hec! 2hich co$ers the 2ho&e ,round of the aso&ute and uni$ersa&
a*ostas! of Christendo'# A *ro*hec! 2hich< if the a*ostas! of so-ca&&ed
Christendo' has not een co'*&ete and uni$ersa&< *ro$es e!ond a&&
>uestion that the ,reat A*ost&e of the 5enti&es is a fa&se *ro*het? or if
fu&fi&&ed< then it *ro$es that the Church of Christ< so far as it e/isted
in the earth 2as to e destro!ed? that another and different re&i,ion 2as
to e sustituted for the Christian re&i,ion? that another church< one
founded ! 'en< 2as to ta0e the *&ace of the Church of Christ< a 2or&d&!
church do'inated ! the $er! s*irit of Lucifer< 2ho< under its ru&e< 2ou&d
o**ose and e/a&t hi'se&f ao$e a&& that is ca&&ed 5od? and sit in the
te'*&e of 5od sho2in, hi'se&f< so far as this 2or&d is concerned< that he
is 5od# .oreo$er )au& dec&ared in this $er! *ro*hec! I a' aout to >uote
that the forces 2hich 2ou&d u&ti'ate&! rin, to *ass this uni$ersa&
a*ostas! fro' the Christian re&i,ion---the '!ster! of ini>uit!--- 2as
a&read! at 2or0 e$en in his da!# 3ith this introduction< 2hich is a&so to
e considered as '! co''ent u*on and inter*retation of the *assa,e< I
>uote )au&+s ,reat *rediction on the uni$ersa& A*ostas!(
No2 2e eseech !ou< rethren< ! the co'in, of our Lord Jesus
Christ< and ! our ,atherin, to,ether unto hi'< that !e e not soon
sha0en in 'ind< or e trou&ed< neither ! s*irit< nor ! 2ord< nor
! &etter as fro' us< as that the da! of Christ is at and# Let no
'an decei$e !ou ! an! 'eans? for that da! sha&& not co'e< e/ce*t
there co'e a fa&&in, a2a! first< and that 'an of sin e re$ea&ed< the
Son of )erdition? 2ho o**oseth and e/a&teth hi'se&f ao$e a&& that is
ca&&ed 5od< or that is 2orshi*ed? so that he as 5od sitteth in the
te'*&e of 5od< sho2in, hi'se&f that he is 5od# Re'e'er !e not<
that< 2hen I 2as !et 2ith !ou< I to&d !ou these thin,sB And no2 !e
0no2 2hat 2ithho&deth that he 'i,ht e re$ea&ed in his ti'e# For the
'!ster! of ini>uit! doth a&read! 2or0( on&! he 2ho no2 &etteth
EhinderethF 2i&& &et EhinderF< unti& he e ta0en out of the 2a!# And
then sha&& that 3ic0ed e re$ea&ed< 2ho' the Lord sha&& consu'e 2ith
the s*irit of his 'outh< and sha&& destro! 2ith the ri,htness of his
co'in, e$en hi' 2hose co'in, is after the 2or0in, of Satan 2ith a&&
*o2er and si,ns and &!in, 2onders< and 2ith a&& decei$a&eness of
unri,hteousness in the' that *erish? ecause the! recei$e not the
&o$e of the truth< that the! 'i,ht e sa$ed# And for this cause 5od
sha&& send the' stron, de&usion< that the! shou&d e&ie$e a &ie(
that the! a&& 'i,ht e da'ned 2ho e&ie$e not the truth< ut had
*&easure in unri,hteousness#
A 'ore ancient *ro*het than )au& a&so *redicted a &i0e condition of
the 2or&d in the &ast da!s( -"eho&d<- sa!s Isaiah< -the Lord 'a0eth the
earth e'*t!< and 'a0eth it 2aste< and turneth it u*side do2n< and
scattereth aroad the inhaitants thereof# And it sha&& e< as 2ith the
*eo*&e< so 2ith the *riest< C C C The &and sha&& e utter&! e'*tied< and
utter&! s*oi&ed( for the Lord hath s*o0en this 2ord# The earth 'ourneth
and fadeth a2a!< the 2or&d &an,uisheth and fadeth a2a!< the hau,ht! *eo*&e
of the earth do &an,uish# The earth a&so is defi&ed under the inhaitants
thereof( ecause the! ha$e trans,ressed the &a2s< chan,ed the ordinance<
ro0en the e$er&astin, co$enant# Therefore hath the curse de$oured the
earth< and the! that d2e&& therein are deso&ate( therefore the
inhaitants of the earth are urned< and fe2 'en &eft#-
C&ear&! a&& this *ro*hec! of Isaiah+s has not !et een fu&fi&&ed? for
the earth< ho2e$er 'uch it 'a! ha$e een defi&ed under the inhaitants
thereof< has not !et een urned< and ut fe2 'en &eft# That is a
=ud,'ent that sti&& han,s o$er the 2or&d? and 2i&& co'e u*on it as sure as
the Lord has s*o0en the 2ord? and that< too< ecause 'en ha$e trans,ressed
the &a2s( ecause the! ha$e chan,ed the ordinances< ecause the! ha$e
ro0en--not the co$enant 'ade 2ith .oses< or 2ith Araha'--ut ecause
the! ha$e ro0en the e$er&astin, co$enant? of 2hich co$enant the &ood of
Christ is the si,n and sea&# In other 2ords< the! ha$e ro0en the 5os*e&
co$enant--de*arted fro' the 5os*e& faith--hence the *redicted =ud,'ent#
If I did not thin0 these t2o ,reat *ro*hecies foreto&d co'*&ete&! the
uni$ersa& a*ostas! of Christendo'< I shou&d e te'*ted to enter into the
consideration of the ,reat *ro*hecies to e found in the oo0 of Danie&
and the oo0 of Re$e&ation< and sho2 ho2 to oth of these *ro*hets< as
2e&& as unto )au& and other Ne2 Testa'ent 2riters< the Lord re$ea&ed the
rise of an earth *o2er that 2ou&d not on&! o*en his 'outh in &as*he'!
a,ainst 5od< to &as*he'e His na'e and the' 2ho d2e&& in hea$en( 2ho
2ou&d s*ea0 ,reat 2ords a,ainst the .ost Hi,h< and so 'a,nif! hi'se&f as
to stand u* a,ainst the )rince of *rinces--ut 2ho 2ou&d a&so 'a0e 2ar
2ith the saints and -*re$ai& a,ainst the'?- 2ho 2ou&d -2ear out the
saints of the .ost Hi,h(- -destro! the 'i,ht! and the ho&! *eo*&e?-
-'a0e 2ar 2ith the saints and o$erco'e the'#- "ut e&ie$in, that the t2o
)assa,es >uoted at &en,th entire&! co$er the su=ect *ro*hetica&&!< I
sha&& not here enter into further *ro*hetic *roofs either as to the
corru*tions of the Christian re&i,ion or the destruction of the Christian
Church< dee'in, that 2hat has a&read! een set forth sufficient on that
head#
Conc&usion
The su' of the 2ho&e 'atter is(--The *ur*ose of 'an+s creation< and
the *&an of his rede'*tion< 2ere 0no2n to 5od and the i''ense host of the
s*irits of 'en efore the creation of the earth# Ada' ca'e to the ne2
creation< the earth< under the di$ine co''and'ent to *eo*&e it 2ith his
offs*rin,# Fro' Ada' to .essiah nu'erous dis*ensations of the 5os*e& 2ere
,i$en to 'en? ut these dis*ensations 2ere &i'ited in their
effecti$eness< o2in, to the *roneness of 'en to re=ect the truth< and to
2a&0 in dar0ness rather than &i,ht ecause their deeds 2ere e$i&# Yet 5od
&eft not Hi'se&f 2ithout 2itnesses in the earth? for there 2ere a fe2 in
a&& dis*ensations 2ho honored Hi' and His ri,hteous &a2s# Fina&&!< 2hen
the a**ointed ti'e 2as co'e< Jesus of Na4areth< the Son of 5od< ca'e and
'ade the a**ointed Atone'ent for the sins of the 2or&d and rou,ht 'en
under the do'inion of His 'erc!# He tau,ht the 5os*e&? He rou,ht &ife
and i''orta&it! to &i,ht? He rou,ht into e/istence His Church< and then
ascended on hi,h to His Father# For a ti'e the 5os*e& in its *urit! 2as
*reached in the 2or&d ! the chosen A*ost&es< thou,h e$en in their da! 'en
e,an to 'ar it 2ith their $ain *hi&oso*hies< their doctrines of science<
fa&se&! so ca&&ed? and 2hen the A*ost&es 2ere a&& fa&&en as&ee*< then
corru*tions ran riot in the Church< doctrines of 'en 2ere tau,ht for the
co''and'ents of 5odK a church 'ade ! 'en 2as sustituted for the Church
of Christ? a church fu&& of *ride and 2or&d&iness? a church 2hich 2hi&e it
c&un, to for's of ,od&iness ran riot in e/cesses and ao'inations--unti&
s*iritua& dar0ness fe&& &i0e a *a&& o$er the nations? and thus the! &a!
for a,es# In $ain 'en sou,ht to esta&ish refor's< and throu,h the' rin,
ac0 the re&i,ion of Jesus Christ< and the Church of Christ# To do that<
ho2e$er< 2as e!ond the *o2er of these 'en< ho2e$er ,ood their intentions#
The 5os*e& ta0en fro' the earth< di$ine authorit! &ost< the Church of
Christ destro!ed< there 2as ut one 2a! in 2hich a&& these cou&d e
restored< $i4#( "! re-o*enin, the hea$ens and dis*ensin, a,ain a
0no2&ed,e of the 5os*e&? ! once 'ore conferrin, di$ine authorit! u*on
'en< to,ether 2ith a co''ission to teach a&& the 2or&d< and re-esta&ish
the Church of Christ on earth# In a 2ord< it 2ou&d re>uire the inco'in,
of the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es to restore a&& thin,s< and
,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth in hea$en and in earth#
Such Dis*ensation is *ro'ised of 5od< as 2e ha$e seen( and no2 it on&!
re'ains to add that the Histor! of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints< as set forth in these $o&u'es< is the histor! of that
series of e$ents 2hich has resu&ted in the restoration of the 5os*e& in
its fu&&ness< and the re-esta&ish'ent of the Church of Jesus Christ on
earth#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
)ERIOD I#
HISTORY OF JOSE)H S.ITH< THE )RO)HET
CHA)TER I# JOSE)H S.ITH+S "IRTH AND LINEA5E--THE )RO)HET+S FIRST
%ISION---THIS IS .Y "ELO%ED SON#-
O3IN5 to the 'an! re*orts 2hich ha$e een *ut in circu&ation !
e$i&-dis*osed and desi,nin, *ersons< in re&ation to the rise and *ro,ress
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< a&& of 2hich ha$e een
desi,ned ! the authors thereof to 'i&itate a,ainst its character as a
Church and its *ro,ress in the 2or&d--I ha$e een induced to 2rite this
histor!< to disause the *u&ic 'ind< and *ut a&& in>uirers after truth
into *ossession of the facts< as the! ha$e trans*ired< in re&ation oth to
'!se&f and the Church< so far as I ha$e such facts in '! *ossession# In
this histor! I sha&& *resent the $arious e$ents in re&ation to this
Church< in truth and ri,hteousness< as the! ha$e trans*ired< or as the! at
*resent e/ist< ein, no2 the ei,hth !ear since the or,ani4ation of said
Church#
I 2as orn in the !ear of our Lord one thousand ei,ht hundred and
fi$e< on the t2ent!-third da! of Dece'er< in the to2n of Sharon< 3indsor
count!< state of %er'ont# .! father< Jose*h S'ith< 2as orn Ju&! 7Hth<
7MM7< in To*sfie&d< Esse/ count!< .assachusetts? his father< Asae& S'ith<
2as orn .arch Mth< 7M@@< in To*sfie&d< .assachusetts? his father< Sa'ue&
S'ith< 2as orn Januar! H:th< 7M7@< in To*sfie&d< .assachusetts? his
father< Sa'ue& S'ith< 2as orn =anuar! H:th< 7:::< in To*sfie&d<
.assachusetts? his father< Roert S'ith< ca'e fro' En,&and# .! father<
Jose*h S'ith< Senior< &eft the state of %er'ont< and 'o$ed to )a&'!ra<
Ontario Eno2 3a!neF count!< in the state of Ne2 Yor0< 2hen I 2as in '!
tenth !ear< or thereaouts# In aout four !ears after '! father+s arri$a&
in )a&'!ra he 'o$ed 2ith his fa'i&! into .anchester< in the sa'e count! of
Ontario< his fa'i&! consistin, of e&e$en sou&s< na'e&!--'! father< Jose*h
S'ith< '! 'other< Luc! S'ith< E2hose na'e< *re$ious to her 'arria,e< 2as
.ac0< dau,hter of So&o'on .ac0<F '! rothers< A&$in< E2ho died No$e'er
7Nth< 78H@< in the HMth !ear of his a,e<F H!ru'< '!se&f< Sa'ue& Harrison<
3i&&ia'< Don Car&os< and '! sisters So*hronia< Catherine< and Luc!#
So'e ti'e in the second !ear after our re'o$a& to .anchester< there
2as in the *&ace 2here 2e &i$ed an unusua& e/cite'ent on the su=ect of
re&i,ion# It co''enced 2ith the .ethodists< ut soon eca'e ,enera& a'on,
a&& the sects in that re,ion of countr!# Indeed< the 2ho&e district of
countr! see'ed affected ! it< and ,reat 'u&titudes united the'se&$es to
the different re&i,ious *arties< 2hich created no s'a&& stir and di$ision
a'on,st the *eo*&e< so'e cr!in,< -Lo hereK- and others< -Lo< thereK- So'e
2ere contendin, for the .ethodist faith< so'e for the )res!terian< and
so'e for the "a*tist# For not2ithstandin, the ,reat &o$e 2hich the
con$erts to these different faiths e/*ressed at the ti'e of their
con$ersion< and the ,reat 4ea& 'anifested ! the res*ecti$e c&er,!< 2ho
2ere acti$e in ,ettin, u* and *ro'otin, this e/traordinar! scene of
re&i,ious fee&in,< in order to ha$e e$er!od! con$erted< as the! 2ere
*&eased to ca&& it< &et the' =oin 2hat sect the! *&eased--!et 2hen the
con$erts e,an to fi&e off< so'e to one *art! and so'e to another< it 2as
seen that the see'in,&! ,ood fee&in,s of oth the *riests and the con$erts
2ere 'ore *retended than rea&? for a scene of ,reat confusion and ad
fee&in, ensued? *riest contendin, a,ainst *riest< and con$ert a,ainst
con$ert? so that a&& their ,ood fee&in,s one for another< if the! e$er had
an!< 2ere entire&! &ost in a strife of 2ords and a contest aout o*inions#
I 2as at this ti'e in '! fifteenth !ear# .! father+s fa'i&! 2as
*rose&!ted to the )res!terian faith< and four of the' =oined that church<
na'e&!--'! 'other Luc!? '! rothers H!ru' and Sa'ue& Harrison? and '!
sister So*hronia# Durin, this ti'e of ,reat e/cite'ent< '! 'ind 2as
ca&&ed u* to serious ref&ection and ,reat uneasiness? ut< thou,h '!
fee&in,s 2ere dee* and often *oi,nant< sti&& I 0e*t '!se&f a&oof fro' a&&
these *arties< thou,h I attended their se$era& 'eetin,s as often as
occasion 2ou&d *er'it# In *rocess of ti'e '! 'ind eca'e so'e2hat *artia&
to the .ethodist sect< and I fe&t so'e desire to e united 2ith the'? ut
so ,reat 2ere the confusion and strife a'on, the different deno'inations<
that it 2as i'*ossi&e for a *erson !oun, as I 2as< and so unac>uainted
2ith 'en and thin,s< to co'e to an! certain conc&usion 2ho 2as ri,ht and
2ho 2as 2ron,# .! 'ind at ti'es 2as ,reat&! e/cited< the cr! and tu'u&t
2ere so ,reat and incessant# The )res!terians 2ere 'ost decided a,ainst
the "a*tists and .ethodists< and used a&& the *o2ers of oth reason and
so*histr! to *ro$e their errors< or< at &east< to 'a0e the *eo*&e thin0
the! 2ere in error# On the other hand< the "a*tists and .ethodists in
their turn 2ere e>ua&&! 4ea&ous in endea$orin, to esta&ish their o2n
tenets and dis*ro$e a&& others#
In the 'idst of this 2ar of 2ords and tu'u&t of o*inions< I often
said to '!se&f< 2hat is to e doneB 3ho of a&& these *arties are ri,ht?
or< are the! a&& 2ron, to,etherB If an! one of the' e ri,ht< 2hich is
it< and ho2 sha&& I 0no2 itB 3hi&e I 2as &aorin, under the e/tre'e
difficu&ties caused ! the contests of these *arties of re&i,ionists< I
2as one da! readin, the E*ist&e of Ja'es< first cha*ter and fifth $erse<
2hich reads(
If an! of !ou &ac0 2isdo'< &et hi' as0 of 5od< that ,i$eth to a&& 'en
&iera&&!< and u*raideth not< and it sha&& e ,i$en hi'#
Ne$er did an! *assa,e of Scri*ture co'e 2ith 'ore *o2er to the heart
of 'an than this did at this ti'e to 'ine# It see'ed to enter 2ith ,reat
force into e$er! fee&in, of '! heart# I ref&ected on it a,ain and a,ain<
0no2in, that if an! *erson needed 2isdo' fro' 5od< I did? for ho2 to act I
did not 0no2 and un&ess I cou&d ,et 'ore 2isdo' than I then had< I 2ou&d
ne$er 0no2? for the teachers of re&i,ion of the different sects understood
the sa'e *assa,e of Scri*ture so different&! as to destro! a&& confidence
in sett&in, the >uestion ! an a**ea& to the "i&e# At &en,th I ca'e to
the conc&usion that I 'ust either re'ain in dar0ness and confusion< or
e&se I 'ust do as Ja'es directs< that is< as0 of 5od# I at &en,th ca'e to
the deter'ination to -as0 of 5od<- conc&udin, that if He ,a$e 2isdo' to
the' that &ac0ed 2isdo'< and 2ou&d ,i$e &iera&&!< and not u*raid< I
'i,ht $enture# So< in accordance 2ith this< '! deter'ination to As0 5od<
I retired to the 2oods to 'a0e the atte'*t# It 2as on the 'ornin, of a
eautifu&< c&ear da!< ear&! in the s*rin, of ei,hteen hundred and t2ent!#
It 2as the first ti'e in '! &ife that I had 'ade such an atte'*t< for
a'idst a&& '! an/ieties I had ne$er as !et 'ade the atte'*t to *ra!
$oca&&!#
After I had retired to the *&ace 2here I had *re$ious&! desi,ned to
,o< ha$in, &oo0ed around 'e< and findin, '!se&f a&one< I 0nee&ed do2n and
e,an to offer u* the desires of '! heart to 5od# I had scarce&! done so<
2hen i''ediate&! I 2as sei4ed u*on ! so'e *o2er 2hich entire&! o$erca'e
'e< and had such an astonishin, inf&uence o$er 'e as to ind '! ton,ue so
that I cou&d not s*ea0# Thic0 dar0ness ,athered around 'e< and it see'ed
to 'e for a ti'e as if I 2ere doo'ed to sudden destruction# "ut< e/ertin,
a&& '! *o2ers to ca&& u*on 5od to de&i$er 'e out of the *o2er of this
ene'! 2hich had sei4ed u*on 'e< and at the $er! 'o'ent 2hen I 2as read! to
sin0 into des*air and aandon '!se&f to destruction--not to an i'a,inar!
ruin< ut to the *o2er of so'e actua& ein, fro' the unseen 2or&d< 2ho had
such 'ar$e&ous *o2er as I had ne$er efore fe&t in an! ein,--=ust at this
'o'ent of ,reat a&ar'< I sa2 a *i&&ar of &i,ht e/act&! o$er '! head< ao$e
the ri,htness of the sun< 2hich descended ,radua&&! unti& it fe&& u*on
'e#
It no sooner a**eared than I found '!se&f de&i$ered fro' the ene'!
2hich he&d 'e ound# 3hen the &i,ht rested u*on 'e I sa2 *ersona,es<
2hose ri,htness and ,&or! def! a&& descri*tion< standin, ao$e 'e in the
air# One of the' s*a0e unto 'e< ca&&in, 'e ! na'e< and said--*ointin, to
the other--
-THIS IS .Y "ELO%ED SON< HEAR HI.#-
.! o=ect in ,oin, to in>uire of the Lord 2as to 0no2 2hich of a&&
the sects 2as ri,ht< that I 'i,ht 0no2 2hich to =oin# No sooner<
therefore< did I ,et *ossession of '!se&f< so as to e a&e to s*ea0< than
I as0ed the *ersona,es 2ho stood ao$e 'e in the &i,ht< 2hich of a&& the
sects 2as ri,ht--and 2hich I shou&d =oin# I 2as ans2ered that I 'ust =oin
none of the'< for the! 2ere a&& 2ron,< and the *ersona,e 2ho addressed 'e
said that a&& their creeds 2ere an ao'ination in His si,ht( that those
*rofessors 2ere a&& corru*t? that -the! dra2 near to 'e 2ith their &i*s<
ut their hearts are far fro' 'e? the! teach for doctrines the
co''and'ents of 'en( ha$in, a for' of ,od&iness< ut the! den! the *o2er
thereof#- He a,ain forade 'e to =oin 2ith an! of the'( and 'an! other
thin,s did he sa! unto 'e< 2hich I cannot 2rite at this ti'e# 3hen I ca'e
to '!se&f a,ain< I found '!se&f &!in, on '! ac0< &oo0in, u* into hea$en#
3hen the &i,ht had de*arted< I had no stren,th? ut soon reco$erin, in
so'e de,ree< I 2ent ho'e# And as I &eaned u* to the fire*&ace< 'other
in>uired 2hat the 'atter 2as# I re*&ied< -Ne$er 'ind< a&& is 2e&&--I a'
2e&& enou,h off#- I then said to '! 'other<--I ha$e &earned for '!se&f
that )res!terianis' is not true#-
It see's as thou,h the ad$ersar! 2as a2are< at a $er! ear&! *eriod of
'! &ife< that I 2as destined to *ro$e a disturer and an anno!er of his
0in,do'? e&se 2h! shou&d the *o2ers of dar0ness co'ine a,ainst 'eB 3h!
the o**osition and *ersecution that arose a,ainst 'e< a&'ost in '!
infanc!B So'e fe2 da!s after I had this $ision< I ha**ened to e in
co'*an! 2ith one of the .ethodist *reachers< 2ho 2as $er! acti$e in the
efore-'entioned re&i,ious e/cite'ent< and< con$ersin, 2ith hi' on the
su=ect of re&i,ion< I too0 occasion to ,i$e hi' an account of the $ision
2hich I had had# I 2as ,reat&! sur*rised at his eha$ior? he treated '!
co''unication not on&! &i,ht&!< ut 2ith ,reat conte'*t< sa!in,< it 2as
a&& of the de$i&< that there 2ere no such thin,s as $isions or re$e&ations
in these da!s? that a&& such thin,s had ceased 2ith the A*ost&es< and that
there 2ou&d ne$er e an! 'ore of the'# I soon found< ho2e$er< that '!
te&&in, the stor! had e/cited a ,reat dea& of *re=udice a,ainst 'e a'on,
*rofessors of re&i,ion< and 2as the cause of ,reat *ersecution< 2hich
continued to increase? and thou,h I 2as an oscure o!< on&! et2een
fourteen and fifteen !ears of a,e< and '! circu'stances in &ife such as to
'a0e a o! of no conse>uence in the 2or&d< !et 'en of hi,h standin, 2ou&d
ta0e notice sufficient to e/cite the *u&ic 'ind a,ainst 'e< and create a
itter *ersecution? and this 2as co''on a'on, a&& the sects--a&& united to
*ersecute 'e#
It caused 'e serious ref&ection then< and often has since< ho2 $er!
stran,e it 2as that an oscure o!< of a &itt&e o$er fourteen !ears of
a,e< and one< too< 2ho 2as doo'ed to the necessit! of otainin, a scant!
'aintenance ! his dai&! &aor< shou&d e thou,ht a character of
sufficient i'*ortance to attract the attention of the ,reat ones of the
'ost *o*u&ar sects of the da!< and in a 'anner to create in the' a s*irit
of the 'ost itter *ersecution and re$i&in,# "ut stran,e or not< so it
2as< and it 2as often the cause of ,reat sorro2 to '!se&f# Ho2e$er< it
2as ne$erthe&ess a fact that I had ehe&d a $ision# I ha$e thou,ht since<
that I fe&t 'uch &i0e )au&< 2hen he 'ade his defense efore 1in, A,ri**a<
and re&ated the account of the $ision he had 2hen he sa2 a &i,ht< and
heard a $oice? ut sti&& there 2ere ut fe2 2ho e&ie$ed hi'? so'e said he
2as dishonest< others said he 2as 'ad? and he 2as ridicu&ed and re$i&ed#
"ut a&& this did not destro! the rea&it! of his $ision# He had seen a
$ision< he 0ne2 he had< and a&& the *ersecution under hea$en cou&d not
'a0e it other2ise? and thou,h the! shou&d *ersecute hi' unto death< !et he
0ne2< and 2ou&d 0no2 to the &ast reath< that he had oth seen a &i,ht<
and heard a $oice s*ea0in, unto hi'< and a&& the 2or&d cou&d not 'a0e hi'
thin0 or e&ie$e other2ise# So it 2as 2ith 'e# I had actua&&! seen a
&i,ht< and in the 'idst of that &i,ht I sa2 t2o *ersona,es< and the! did
in rea&it! s*ea0 to 'e? and thou,h I 2as hated and *ersecuted for sa!in,
that I had seen a $ision< !et it 2as true? and 2hi&e the! 2ere *ersecutin,
'e< re$i&in, 'e< and s*ea0in, a&& 'anner of e$i& a,ainst 'e fa&se&! for so
sa!in,< I 2as &ed to sa! in '! heart< 3h! *ersecute 'e for te&&in, the
truthB I ha$e actua&&! seen a $ision< and 2ho a' I that I can 2ithstand
5od< or 2h! does the 2or&d thin0 to 'a0e 'e den! 2hat I ha$e actua&&!
seenB For I had seen a $ision? I 0ne2 it< and I 0ne2 that 5od 0ne2 it<
and I cou&d not den! it< neither dared I do it< at &east I 0ne2 that ! so
doin, I 2ou&d offend 5od< and co'e under conde'nation#
I had no2 ,ot '! 'ind satisfied so far as the sectarian 2or&d 2as
concerned? that it 2as not '! dut! to =oin 2ith an! of the'< ut to
continue as I 2as unti& further directed# I had found the testi'on! of
Ja'es to e true< that a 'an 2ho &ac0ed 2isdo' 'i,ht as0 of 5od< and
otain< and not e u*raided#
CHA)TER II# THE %ISITATION OF .ORONI--E6ISTENCE OF THE "OO1
OF .OR.ON .ADE 1NO3N#
I CONTINUED to *ursue '! co''on $ocation in &ife unti& the
t2ent!-first of Se*te'er< one thousand ei,ht hundred and t2ent!-three<
a&& the ti'e sufferin, se$ere *ersecution at the hands of a&& c&asses of
'en< oth re&i,ious and irre&i,ious< ecause I continued to affir' that I
had seen a $ision#
Durin, the s*ace of ti'e 2hich inter$ened et2een the ti'e I had the
$ision and the !ear ei,hteen hundred and t2ent!-three--ha$in, een
foridden to =oin an! of the re&i,ious sects of the da!< and ein, of $er!
tender !ears< and *ersecuted ! those 2ho ou,ht to ha$e een '! friends<
and to ha$e treated 'e 0ind&!< and if the! su**osed 'e to e de&uded to
ha$e endea$ored in a *ro*er and affectionate 'anner to ha$e rec&ai'ed
'e<--I 2as &eft to a&& 0inds of te'*tations? and 'in,&in, 2ith a&& 0inds
of societ!< I fre>uent&! fe&& into 'an! foo&ish errors< and dis*&a!ed the
2ea0ness of !outh< and the foi&es of hu'an nature? 2hich< I a' sorr! to
sa!< &ed 'e into di$ers te'*tations< offensi$e in the si,ht of 5od# In
'a0in, this confession< no one need su**ose 'e ,ui&t! of an! ,reat or
'a&i,nant sins# A dis*osition to co''it such 2as ne$er in '! nature# "ut
I 2as ,ui&t! of &e$it!< and so'eti'es associated 2ith =o$ia& co'*an!<
etc#< not consistent 2ith that character 2hich ou,ht to e 'aintained !
one 2ho 2as ca&&ed of 5od as I had een# "ut this 2i&& not see' $er!
stran,e to an! one 2ho reco&&ects '! !outh< and is ac>uainted 2ith '!
nati$e cheer! te'*era'ent#
In conse>uence of these thin,s< I often fe&t conde'ned for '!
2ea0ness and i'*erfections? 2hen< on the e$enin, of the ao$e-'entioned
t2ent!-first of Se*te'er< after I had retired to '! ed for the ni,ht< I
etoo0 '!se&f to *ra!er and su**&ication to A&'i,ht! 5od for for,i$eness
of a&& '! sins and fo&&ies< and a&so for a 'anifestation to 'e< that I
'i,ht 0no2 of '! state and standin, efore Hi'? for I had fu&& confidence
in otainin, a di$ine 'anifestation< as I *re$ious&! had done# 3hi&e I
2as thus in the act of ca&&in, u*on 5od< I disco$ered a &i,ht a**earin, in
'! roo'< 2hich continued to increase unti& the roo' 2as &i,hter than at
noonda!< 2hen i''ediate&! a *ersona,e a**eared at '! edside< standin, in
the air< for his feet did not touch the f&oor# He had on a &oose roe of
'ost e/>uisite 2hiteness# It 2as a 2hiteness e!ond an!thin, earth&! I
had e$er seen? nor do I e&ie$e that an! earth&! thin, cou&d e 'ade to
a**ear so e/ceedin,&! 2hite and ri&&iant# His hands 2ere na0ed and his
ar's a&so< a &itt&e ao$e the 2rist< so< a&so 2ere his feet na0ed< as 2ere
his &e,s< a &itt&e ao$e the an0&es# His head and nec0 2ere a&so are# I
cou&d disco$er that he had no other c&othin, on ut this roe< as it 2as
o*en< so that I cou&d see into his oso'# Not on&! 2as his roe
e/ceedin,&! 2hite< ut his 2ho&e *erson 2as ,&orious e!ond descri*tion<
and his countenance tru&! &i0e &i,htnin,# The roo' 2as e/ceedin,&! &i,ht<
ut not so $er! ri,ht as i''ediate&! around his *erson#
3hen first I &oo0ed u*on hi'< I 2as afraid? ut the fear soon &eft
'e# He ca&&ed 'e ! na'e< and said unto 'e that he 2as a 'essen,er sent
fro' the *resence of 5od to 'e and that his na'e 2as .oroni? that 5od had
a 2or0 for 'e to do? and that '! na'e shou&d e had for ,ood and e$i&
a'on, a&& nations< 0indreds< and ton,ues< or that it shou&d e oth ,ood
and e$i& s*o0en of a'on, a&& *eo*&e# He said there 2as a oo0 de*osited<
2ritten u*on ,o&d *&ates< ,i$in, an account of the for'er inhaitants of
this continent< and the sources fro' 2hence the! s*ran,# He a&so said
that the fu&&ness of the e$er&astin, 5os*e& 2as contained in it< as
de&i$ered ! the Sa$ior to the ancient inhaitants? a&so that there 2ere
t2o stones in si&$er o2s--and these stones< fastened to a reast*&ate<
constituted 2hat is ca&&ed the Uri' and Thu''i'--de*osited 2ith the
*&ates? and the *ossession and use of these stones 2ere 2hat constituted
-Seers- in ancient or for'er ti'es? and that 5od had *re*ared the' for the
*ur*ose of trans&atin, the oo0#
After te&&in, 'e these thin,s< he co''enced >uotin, the *ro*hecies of
the O&d Testa'ent# He first >uoted *art of the third cha*ter of .a&achi
and he >uoted a&so the fourth or &ast cha*ter of the sa'e *ro*hec!< thou,h
2ith a &itt&e $ariation fro' the 2a! it reads in our "i&es# Instead of
>uotin, the first $erse as it reads in our oo0s< he >uoted it thus(
For eho&d the da! co'eth that sha&& urn as an o$en< and a&&
the *roud< !ea< and a&& that do 2ic0ed&! sha&& urn as stu&e? for
the! that co'e sha&& urn the'< saith the Lord of hosts< that it
sha&& &ea$e the' neither root nor ranch#
And a,ain< he >uoted the fifth $erse thus(
"eho&d I 2i&& re$ea& unto !ou the )riesthood< ! the hand of
E&i=ah the *ro*het< efore the co'in, of the ,reat and dreadfu& da!
of the Lord#
He a&so >uoted the ne/t $erse different&!(
And he sha&& *&ant in the hearts of the chi&dren the *ro'ises
'ade to the fathers< and the hearts of the chi&dren sha&& turn to
their fathers? if it 2ere not so< the 2ho&e earth 2ou&d e utter&!
2asted at his co'in,#
In addition to these< he >uoted the e&e$enth cha*ter of Isaiah<
sa!in, that it 2as aout to e fu&fi&&ed# He >uoted a&so the third
cha*ter of Acts< t2ent!-second and t2ent!-third $erses< *recise&! as the!
stand in our Ne2 Testa'ent# He said that that )ro*het 2as Christ? ut the
da! had not !et co'e 2hen -the! 2ho 2ou&d not hear his $oice shou&d e cut
off fro' a'on, the *eo*&e<- ut soon 2ou&d co'e# He a&so >uoted the
second cha*ter of Joe&< fro' the t2ent! ei,hth $erse to the &ast# He a&so
said that this 2as not !et fu&fi&&ed< ut 2as soon to e# And he further
stated that the fu&&ness of the 5enti&es 2as soon to co'e in# He >uoted
'an! other *assa,es of Scri*ture< and offered 'an! e/*&anations 2hich
cannot e 'entioned here#
A,ain< he to&d 'e< that 2hen I ,ot those *&ates of 2hich he had
s*o0en--for the ti'e that the! shou&d e otained 2as not !et fu&fi&&ed--I
shou&d not sho2 the' to an! *erson? neither the reast *&ate 2ith the Uri'
and Thu''i'? on&! to those to 2ho' I shou&d e co''anded to sho2 the'? if
I did I shou&d e destro!ed# 3hi&e he 2as con$ersin, 2ith 'e aout the
*&ates< the $ision 2as o*ened to '! 'ind that I cou&d see the *&ace 2here
the *&ates 2ere de*osited< and that so c&ear&! and distinct&! that I 0ne2
the *&ace a,ain 2hen I $isited it#
After this co''unication< I sa2 the &i,ht in the roo' e,an to ,ather
i''ediate&! around the *erson of hi' 2ho had een s*ea0in, to 'e< and it
continued to do so< unti& the roo' 2as a,ain &eft dar0< e/ce*t =ust around
'e< 2hen instant&! I sa2< as it 2ere< a conduit o*en ri,ht u* into hea$en<
and he ascended unti& he entire&! disa**eared< and the roo' 2as &eft as it
had een efore this hea$en&! &i,ht had 'ade its a**earance# I &a! 'usin,
on the sin,u&arit! of the scene and 'ar$e&in, ,reat&! at 2hat had een
to&d to 'e ! this e/traordinar! 'essen,er? 2hen< in the 'idst of '!
'editation< I sudden&! disco$ered that '! roo' 2as a,ain e,innin, to ,et
&i,hted< and in an instant< as it 2ere< the sa'e hea$en&! 'essen,er 2as
a,ain ! '! edside# He co''enced< and a,ain re&ated the $er! sa'e thin,s
2hich he had done at the first $isit< 2ithout the &east $ariation? 2hich
ha$in, done< he infor'ed 'e of ,reat =ud,'ents 2hich 2ere co'in, u*on the
earth< 2ith ,reat deso&ations ! fa'ine< s2ord< and *esti&ence? and that
these ,rie$ous =ud,'ents 2ou&d co'e on the earth in this ,eneration#
Ha$in, re&ated these thin,s< he a,ain ascended as he had done efore#
"! this ti'e< so dee* 2ere the i'*ressions 'ade on '! 'ind< that
s&ee* had f&ed fro' '! e!es< and I &a! o$er2he&'ed in astonish'ent at 2hat
I had oth seen and heard# "ut 2hat 2as '! sur*rise 2hen a,ain I ehe&d
the sa'e 'essen,er at '! edside< and heard hi' rehearse or re*eat o$er
a,ain to 'e the sa'e thin,s as efore? and added a caution to 'e< te&&in,
'e that Satan 2ou&d tr! to te'*t 'e< Ein conse>uence of the indi,ent
circu'stances of '! father+s fa'i&!<F to ,et the *&ates for the *ur*ose of
,ettin, rich# This he forade 'e< sa!in, that I 'ust ha$e no other o=ect
in $ie2 in ,ettin, the *&ates ut to ,&orif! 5od< and 'ust not e
inf&uenced ! an! other 'oti$e than that of ui&din, His 0in,do'?
other2ise I cou&d not ,et the'# After this third $isit< he a,ain ascended
into hea$en as efore< and I 2as a,ain &eft to *onder on the stran,eness
of 2hat I had =ust e/*erienced? 2hen a&'ost i''ediate&! after the hea$en&!
'essen,er had ascended fro' 'e the third ti'e< the coc0 cro2ed< and I
found that da! 2as a**roachin,< so that our inter$ie2s 'ust ha$e occu*ied
the 2ho&e of that ni,ht#
I short&! after arose fro' '! ed< and< as usua&< to the necessar!
&aors of the da!? ut in atte'*tin, to 2or0 as at other ti'es< I found '!
stren,th so e/hausted as to render 'e entire&! una&e# .! father< 2ho 2as
&aorin, a&on, 2ith 'e< disco$ered so'ethin, to e 2ron, 2ith 'e< and to&d
'e to ,o ho'e# I started 2ith the intention of ,oin, to the house? ut<
in atte'*tin, to cross the fence out of the fie&d 2here 2e 2ere< '!
stren,th entire&! fai&ed 'e< and I fe&& he&*&ess on the ,round< and for a
ti'e 2as >uite unconscious of an!thin,# The first thin, that I can
reco&&ect 2as a $oice s*ea0in, unto 'e< ca&&in, 'e ! na'e# I &oo0ed u*<
and ehe&d the sa'e 'essen,er standin, o$er '! head< surrounded ! &i,ht
as efore# He then a,ain re&ated unto 'e a&& that he had re&ated to 'e
the *re$ious ni,ht< and co''anded 'e to ,o to '! father and te&& hi' of
the $ision and co''and'ents 2hich I had recei$ed# I oe!ed? I returned to
'! father in the fie&d< and rehearsed the 2ho&e 'atter to hi'# He re*&ied
to 'e that it 2as of 5od< and to&d 'e to ,o and do as co''anded ! the
'essen,er# I &eft the fie&d< and 2ent to the *&ace 2here the 'essen,er
had to&d 'e the *&ates 2ere de*osited? and o2in, to the distinctness of
the $ision 2hich I had had concernin, it< I 0ne2 the *&ace the instant
that I arri$ed there#
Con$enient to the $i&&a,e of .anchester< Ontario count!< Ne2 Yor0<
stands a hi&& of considera&e si4e< and the 'ost e&e$ated of an! in the
nei,horhood# On the 2est side of this hi&&< not far fro' the to*< under
a stone of considera&e si4e< &a! the *&ates< de*osited in a stone o/#
This stone 2as thic0 and roundin, in the 'idd&e on the u**er side< and
thinner to2ards the ed,es< so that the 'idd&e *art of it 2as $isi&e ao$e
the ,round< ut the ed,e a&& around 2as co$ered 2ith earth#
Ha$in, re'o$ed the earth< I otained a &e$er< 2hich I ,ot fi/ed under
the ed,e of the stone< and 2ith a &itt&e e/ertion raised it u*# I &oo0ed
in< and there indeed did I eho&d the *&ates< the Uri' and Thu''i'< and
the reast*&ate< as stated ! the 'essen,er# The o/ in 2hich the! &a!
2as for'ed ! &a!in, stones to,ether in so'e 0ind of ce'ent# In the
otto' of the o/ 2ere &aid t2o stones cross2ise of the o/< and on these
stones &a! the *&ates and the other thin,s 2ith the'#
I 'ade an atte'*t to ta0e the' out< ut 2as foridden ! the
'essen,er< and 2as a,ain infor'ed that the ti'e for rin,in, the' forth
had not !et arri$ed< neither 2ou&d it< unti& four !ears fro' that ti'e?
ut he to&d 'e that I shou&d co'e to that *&ace *recise&! in one !ear fro'
that ti'e and that he 2ou&d there 'eet 2ith 'e< and that I shou&d continue
to do so unti& the ti'e shou&d co'e for otainin, the *&ates#
Accordin,&!< as I had een co''anded< I 2ent at the end of each !ear< and
at each ti'e I found the sa'e 'essen,er there< and recei$ed instruction
and inte&&i,ence fro' hi' at each of our inter$ie2s< res*ectin, 2hat the
Lord 2as ,oin, to do< and ho2 and in 2hat 'anner His 0in,do' 2as to e
conducted in the &ast da!s#
As '! father+s 2or&d&! circu'stances 2ere $er! &i'ited< 2e 2ere under
the necessit! of &aorin, 2ith our hands< hirin, out ! da!+s 2or0 and
other2ise as 2e cou&d ,et o**ortunit!# So'eti'es 2e 2ere at ho'e< and
so'eti'es aroad< and ! continued &aor< 2ere ena&ed to ,et a
co'forta&e 'aintenance# In the !ear 78H@ '! father+s fa'i&! 'et 2ith a
,reat aff&iction ! the death of '! e&dest rother< A&$in# In the 'onth
of Octoer< 78HG< I hired 2ith an o&d ,ent&e'an ! the na'e of Josiah
Sto2e&< 2ho &i$ed in Chenan,o Count!< state of Ne2 Yor0# He had heard
so'ethin, of a si&$er 'ine ha$in, een o*ened ! the S*aniards in Har'on!<
Sus>uehanna count!< state of )enns!&$ania? and had< *re$ious to '! hirin,
to hi'< een di,,in,< in order< if *ossi&e< to disco$er the 'ine# After
I 2ent to &i$e 2ith hi'< he too0 'e< 2ith the rest of his hands< to di,
for the si&$er 'ine< at 2hich I continued to 2or0 for near&! a 'onth<
2ithout success in our underta0in,< and fina&&! I *re$ai&ed 2ith the o&d
,ent&e'an to cease di,,in, after it# Hence arose the $er! *re$a&ent stor!
of '! ha$in, een a 'one! di,,er#
Durin, the ti'e that I 2as thus e'*&o!ed< I 2as *ut to oard 2ith a
.r# Isaac Ha&e< of that *&ace? it 2as there I first sa2 '! 2ife Ehis
dau,hterF< E''a Ha&e# On the 78th of Januar!< 78HM 2e 2ere 'arried<
2hi&e I 2as !et e'*&o!ed in the ser$ice of .r# Stoa&# O2in, to '!
continuin, to assert that I had seen a $ision< *ersecution sti&& fo&&o2ed
'e< and '! 2ife+s father+s fa'i&! 2ere $er! 'uch o**osed to our ein,
'arried# I 2as< therefore< under the necessit! of ta0in, her e&se2here?
so 2e 2ent and 2ere 'arried at the house of S>uire Tari&&< in South
"ainrid,e< Chenan,o count!< Ne2 Yor0# I''ediate&! after '! 'arria,e< I
&eft .r# Stoa&+s and 2ent to '! father+s< and far'ed 2ith hi' that season#
CHA)TER III#
THE NE)HITE RECORD DELI%ERED TO JOSE)H--THE
AN5EL+S 3ARNIN5--THE 3OR1 OF TRANSLATION#
AT &en,th the ti'e arri$ed for otainin, the *&ates the Uri' and
Thu''i'< and the "reast*&ate# On the t2ent!-second da! of Se*te'er< one
thousand ei,ht hundred and t2ent!-se$en< ha$in, ,one as usua& at the end
of another !ear to the *&ace 2here the! 2ere de*osited< the sa'e hea$en&!
'essen,er de&i$ered the' u* to 'e 2ith this char,e( that I shou&d e
res*onsi&e for the'? that if I shou&d &et the' ,o care&ess&!< or throu,h
an! ne,&ect of 'ine< I shou&d e cut off? ut that if I 2ou&d use a&& '!
endea$ors to *reser$e the'< unti& he< the 'essen,er shou&d ca&& for the'<
the! shou&d e *rotected#
I soon found out the reason 2h! I had recei$ed such strict char,es to
0ee* the' safe< and 2h! it 2as that the 'essen,er had said that 2hen I had
done 2hat 2as re>uired at '! hand< he 2ou&d ca&& for the'# For no sooner
2as it 0no2n that I had the'< than the 'ost strenuous e/ertions 2ere used
to ,et the' fro' 'e# E$er! strata,e' that cou&d e in$ented 2as resorted
to for that *ur*ose# The *ersecution eca'e 'ore itter and se$ere than
efore< and 'u&titudes 2ere on the a&ert continua&&! to ,et the' fro' 'e
if *ossi&e# "ut ! the 2isdo' of 5od< the! re'ained safe in '! hands<
unti& I had acco'*&ished ! the' 2hat 2as re>uired at '! hand# 3hen<
accordin, to arran,e'ents< the 'essen,er ca&&ed for the'< I de&i$ered the'
u* to hi'? and he has the' in his char,e unti& this da!< ein, the second
da! of .a!< one thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt!-ei,ht#
The e/cite'ent< ho2e$er< sti&& continued< and ru'or 2ith her thousand
ton,ues 2as a&& the ti'e e'*&o!ed in circu&atin, fa&sehoods aout '!
father+s fa'i&!< and aout '!se&f# If I 2ere to re&ate a thousandth *art
of the'< it 2ou&d fi&& u* $o&u'es# The *ersecution< ho2e$er< eca'e so
into&era&e that I 2as under the necessit! of &ea$in, .anchester< and
,oin, 2ith '! 2ife to Sus>uehanna count!< in the state of )enns!&$ania#
3hi&e *re*arin, to start<--ein, $er! *oor< and the *ersecution so
hea$! u*on us that there 2as no *roai&it! that 2e 2ou&d e$er e
other2ise--in the 'idst of our aff&ictions 2e found a friend in a
,ent&e'an ! the na'e of .artin Harris< 2ho ca'e to us and ,a$e 'e fift!
do&&ars to assist us on our =ourne!# .r# Harris 2as a resident of )a&'!ra
to2nshi*< 3a!ne count!< in the state of Ne2 Yor0< and a far'er of
res*ectai&it!# "! this ti'e&! aid 2as I ena&ed to reach the *&ace of '!
destination in )enns!&$ania? and i''ediate&! after '! arri$a& there I
co''enced co*!in, the characters off the *&ates# I co*ied a considera&e
nu'er of the'< and ! 'eans of the Uri' and Thu''i' I trans&ated so'e of
the'< 2hich I did et2een the ti'e I arri$ed at the house of '! 2ife+s
father< in the 'onth of Dece'er< and the Feruar! fo&&o2in,#
So'e ti'e in this 'onth of Feruar!< the afore'entioned .r# .artin
Harris ca'e to our *&ace< ,ot the characters 2hich I had dra2n off the
*&ates< and started 2ith the' to the cit! of Ne2 Yor0# For 2hat too0
*&ace re&ati$e to hi' and the characters< I refer to his o2n account of
the circu'stances< as he re&ated the' to 'e after his return< 2hich 2as as
fo&&o2s(
I 2ent to the cit! of Ne2 Yor0< and *resented the characters 2hich
had een trans&ated< 2ith the trans&ation thereof< to )rofessor Char&es
Anthon< a ,ent&e'an ce&erated for his &iterar! attain'ents# )rofessor
Anthon stated that the trans&ation 2as correct< 'ore so than an! he had
efore seen trans&ated fro' the E,!*tian# I then sho2ed hi' those 2hich
2ere not !et trans&ated< and he said that the! 2ere E,!*tian< Cha&daic<
Ass!ric< and Araic? and he said the! 2ere true characters# He ,a$e 'e a
certificate< certif!in, to the *eo*&e of )a&'!ra that the! 2ere true
characters< and that the trans&ation of such of the' as had een
trans&ated 2as a&so correct< I too0 the certificate and *ut it into '!
*oc0et< and 2as =ust &ea$in, the house< 2hen .r# Anthon ca&&ed 'e ac0<
and as0ed 'e ho2 the !oun, 'an found out that there 2ere ,o&d *&ates in
the *&ace 2here he found the'# I ans2ered that an an,e& of 5od had
re$ea&ed it unto hi'#
He then said to 'e< -Let 'e see that certificate#- I accordin,&!
too0 it out of '! *oc0et and ,a$e it to hi'< 2hen he too0 it and tore it
to *ieces< sa!in,< that there 2as no such thin, no2 as 'inisterin, of
an,e&s< and that if I 2ou&d rin, the *&ates to hi'< he 2ou&d trans&ate
the'# I infor'ed hi' that *art of the *&ates 2ere sea&ed< and that I 2as
foridden to rin, the'# He re*&ied< -I cannot read a sea&ed oo0#- I
&eft hi' and 2ent to Dr# .itche&&< 2ho sanctioned 2hat )rofessor Anthon
had said res*ectin, oth the characters and the trans&ation#
.r# Harris< ha$in, returned fro' his tour< &eft 'e and 2ent ho'e to
)a&'!ra< arran,ed his affairs< and returned a,ain to '! house aout the
7Hth of A*ri&< 78H8< and co''enced 2ritin, for 'e 2hi&e I trans&ated fro'
the *&ates< 2hich 2e continued unti& the 7@th of June fo&&o2in,< ! 2hich
ti'e he had 2ritten one hundred and si/teen *a,es of 'anuscri*t on
foo&sca* *a*er# So'e ti'e after .r# Harris had e,un to 2rite for 'e< he
e,an to i'*ortune 'e to ,i$e hi' &iert! to carr! the 2ritin,s ho'e and
sho2 the'? and desired of 'e that I 2ou&d in>uire of the Lord< throu,h the
Uri' and Thu''i'< if he 'i,ht not do so# I did in>uire< and the ans2er
2as that he 'ust not# Ho2e$er< he 2as not satisfied 2ith this ans2er< and
desired that I shou&d in>uire a,ain# I did so< and the ans2er 2as as
efore# Sti&& he cou&d not e contented< ut insisted that shou&d in>uire
once 'ore# After 'uch so&icitation I a,ain in>uired of the Lord< and
*er'ission 2as ,ranted hi' to ha$e the 2ritin,s on certain conditions?
2hich 2ere< that he sho2 the' on&! to his rother< )reser$ed Harris< his
o2n 2ife< his father and his 'other< and a .rs# Co< a sister to his
2ife# In accordance 2ith this &ast ans2er< I re>uired of hi' that he
shou&d ind hi'se&f in a co$enant to 'e in a 'ost so&e'n 'anner that he
2ou&d not do other2ise than had een directed# He did so# He ound
hi'se&f as I re>uired of hi'< too0 the 2ritin,s< and 2ent his 2a!#
Not2ithstandin,< ho2e$er< the ,reat restrictions 2hich he had een &aid
under< and the so&e'nit! of the co$enant 2hich he had 'ade 2ith 'e< he did
sho2 the' to others< and ! strata,e' the! ,ot the' a2a! fro' hi'< and
the! ne$er ha$e een reco$ered unto this da!#
In the 'eanti'e< 2hi&e .artin Harris 2as ,one 2ith the 2ritin,s< I
2ent to $isit '! father+s fa'i&! at .anchester# I continued there for a
short season< and then returned to '! *&ace in )enns!&$ania# I''ediate&!
after '! return ho'e< I 2as 2a&0in, out a &itt&e distance< 2hen< eho&d<
the for'er hea$en&! 'essen,er a**eared and handed to 'e the Uri' and
Thu''i' a,ain--for it had een ta0en fro' 'e in conse>uence of '! ha$in,
2earied the Lord in as0in, for the *ri$i&e,e of &ettin, .artin Harris ta0e
the 2ritin,s< 2hich he &ost ! trans,ression--and I in>uired of the Lord
throu,h it< and otained the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ,i$en Ju&!< 78H8< concernin,
certain 'anuscri*ts of the first *art of the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich had
een ta0en fro' the *ossession of .artin Harris#
7# The 2or0s< and the desi,ns< and the *ur*oses of 5od cannot e
frustrated< neither can the! co'e to nau,ht#
H# For 5od doth not 2a&0 in croo0ed *aths< neither doth he turn to
the ri,ht hand nor to the &eft< neither doth he $ar! fro' that 2hich he
hath said< therefore his *aths are strai,ht< and his course is one eterna&
round#
9# Re'e'er< re'e'er that it is not the 2or0 of 5od that is
frustrated< ut the 2or0 of 'en?
@# For a&thou,h a 'an 'a! ha$e 'an! re$e&ations< and ha$e *o2er to do
'an! 'i,ht! 2or0s< !et if he oasts in his o2n stren,th< and sets at
nau,ht the counse&s of 5od< and fo&&o2s after the dictates of his o2n 2i&&
and carna& desires< he 'ust fa&& and incur the $en,eance of a =ust 5od
u*on hi'#
G# "eho&d< !ou ha$e een entrusted 2ith these thin,s< ut ho2 strict
2ere !our co''and'ents< and re'e'er a&so the *ro'ises 2hich 2ere 'ade to
!ou< if !ou did not trans,ress the'#
:# And eho&d< ho2 oft !ou ha$e trans,ressed the co''and'ents and the
&a2s of 5od< and ha$e ,one on in the *ersuasions of 'en#
M# For< eho&d< !ou shou&d not ha$e feared 'an 'ore than 5od#
A&thou,h 'en set at nau,ht the counse&s of 5od< and des*ise his 2ords--
8# Yet !ou shou&d ha$e een faithfu& and he 2ou&d ha$e e/tended his
ar' and su**orted !ou a,ainst a&& the fier! darts of the ad$ersar!? and he
2ou&d ha$e een 2ith !ou in e$er! ti'e of trou&e#
N# "eho&d< thou art Jose*h< and thou 2ast chosen to do the 2or0 of
the Lord< ut ecause of trans,ression< if thou art not a2are thou 2i&t
fa&&#
7D# "ut re'e'er 5od is 'ercifu&? therefore< re*ent of that 2hich
thou hast done 2hich is contrar! to the co''and'ent 2hich I ,a$e !ou< and
thou art sti&& chosen< and art a,ain ca&&ed to the 2or0?
77# E/ce*t thou do this< thou sha&t e de&i$ered u* and eco'e as
other 'en and ha$e no 'ore ,ift#
7H# And 2hen thou de&i$eredst u* that 2hich 5od had ,i$en thee si,ht
and *o2er to trans&ate< thou de&i$eredst u* that 2hich 2as sacred into the
hands of a 2ic0ed 'an<
79# 3ho has set at nau,ht the counse&s of 5od< and has ro0en the
'ost sacred *ro'ises 2hich 2ere 'ade efore 5od< and has de*ended u*on his
o2n =ud,'ent and oasted in his o2n 2isdo'#
7@# And this is the reason that thou hast &ost th! *ri$i&e,es for a
season--
7G# For thou hast suffered the counse& of th! director to e tra'*&ed
u*on fro' the e,innin,#
7:# Ne$erthe&ess< '! 2or0 sha&& ,o forth< for inas'uch as the
0no2&ed,e of a Sa$ior has co'e into the 2or&d< throu,h the testi'on! of
the Je2s< e$en so sha&& the 0no2&ed,e of a Sa$ior co'e unto '! *eo*&e--
7M# And to the Ne*hites< and the Jacoites< and the Jose*hites< and
the ;ora'ites< throu,h the testi'on! of their fathers--
78# And this testi'on! sha&& co'e to the 0no2&ed,e of the La'anites
and the Le'ue&ites< and the Ish'ae&ites< 2ho d2ind&ed in une&ief ecause
of the ini>uit! of their fathers< 2ho' the Lord has suffered to destro!
their rethren the Ne*hites< ecause of their ini>uities and their
ao'inations#
7N# And for this $er! *ur*ose are these *&ates *reser$ed 2hich
contain these records--that the *ro'ises of the Lord 'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed<
2hich he 'ade to his *eo*&e?
HD# And that the La'anites 'i,ht co'e to the 0no2&ed,e of their
fathers< and that the! 'i,ht 0no2 the *ro'ises of the Lord< and that the!
'a! e&ie$e the ,os*e& and re&! u*on the 'erits of Jesus Christ< and e
,&orified throu,h faith in his na'e< and that throu,h their re*entance
the! 'i,ht e sa$ed# A'en#
After I had otained the ao$e re$e&ation< oth the *&ates and the
Uri' and Thu''i' 2ere ta0en fro' 'e a,ain? ut in a fe2 da!s the! 2ere
returned to 'e< 2hen I in>uired of the Lord< and the Lord said thus unto
'e(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< infor'in, hi' of the
a&teration of the 'anuscri*t of the fore *art of the "oo0 of .or'on#
7# No2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that ecause !ou de&i$ered u* those
2ritin,s 2hich !ou had *o2er ,i$en unto !ou to trans&ate ! the 'eans of
the Uri' and Thu''i'< into the hands of a 2ic0ed 'an< !ou ha$e &ost the'#
H# And !ou a&so &ost !our ,ift at the sa'e ti'e< and !our 'ind eca'e
dar0ened#
9# Ne$erthe&ess< it is no2 restored unto !ou a,ain? therefore see
that !ou are faithfu& and continue on unto the finishin, of the re'ainder
of the 2or0 of trans&ation as !ou ha$e e,un#
@# Do not run faster or &aor 'ore than !ou ha$e stren,th and 'eans
*ro$ided to ena&e !ou to trans&ate? ut e di&i,ent unto the end(
G# )ra! a&2a!s< that !ou 'a! co'e off con>ueror? !ea< that !ou 'a!
con>uer Satan< and that !ou 'a! esca*e the hands of the ser$ants of Satan
that do u*ho&d his 2or0#
:# "eho&d< the! ha$e sou,ht to destro! !ou? !ea< e$en the 'an in 2ho'
!ou ha$e trusted has sou,ht to destro! !ou#
M# And for this cause I said that he is a 2ic0ed 'an< for he has
sou,ht to ta0e a2a! the thin,s 2here2ith !ou ha$e een entrusted? and he
has a&so sou,ht to destro! !our ,ift#
8# And ecause !ou ha$e de&i$ered the 2ritin,s into his hands<
eho&d< 2ic0ed 'en ha$e ta0en the' fro' !ou#
N# Therefore< !ou ha$e de&i$ered the' u*< !ea< that 2hich 2as sacred<
unto 2ic0edness#
7D# And< eho&d< Satan hath *ut it into their hearts to a&ter the
2ords 2hich !ou ha$e caused to e 2ritten< or 2hich !ou ha$e trans&ated<
2hich ha$e ,one out of !our hands#
77# And eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that ecause the! ha$e a&tered the
2ords< the! read contrar! fro' that 2hich !ou trans&ated and caused to e
2ritten?
7H# And< on this 2ise< the de$i& has sou,ht to &a! a cunnin, *&an<
that he 'a! destro! this 2or0?
79# For he hath *ut it into their hearts to do this< that ! &!in,
the! 'a! sa! the! ha$e cau,ht !ou in the 2ords 2hich !ou ha$e *retended to
trans&ate#
7@# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that I 2i&& not suffer that Satan sha&&
acco'*&ish his e$i& desi,n in this thin,#
7G# For eho&d< he has *ut it into their hearts to ,et thee to te'*t
the Lord th! 5od in as0in, to trans&ate it o$er a,ain#
7:# And then< eho&d< the! sa! and thin0 in their hearts--3e 2i&& see
if 5od has ,i$en hi' *o2er to trans&ate? if so< he 2i&& a&so ,i$e hi'
*o2er a,ain?
7M# And if 5od ,i$eth hi' *o2er a,ain< or if he trans&ates a,ain< or<
in other 2ords< if he rin,eth forth the sa'e 2ords< eho&d< 2e ha$e the
sa'e 2ith us< and 2e ha$e a&tered the'?
78# Therefore the! 2i&& not a,ree< and 2e 2i&& sa! that he has &ied
in his 2ords< and that he has no ,ift< and that he has no *o2er?
7N# Therefore 2e 2i&& destro! hi'< and a&so the 2or0? and 2e 2i&& do
this that 2e 'a! not e asha'ed in the end< and that 2e 'a! ,et ,&or! of
the 2or&d#
HD# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that Satan has ,reat ho&d u*on
their hearts? he stirreth the' u* to ini>uit! a,ainst that 2hich is ,ood?
H7# And their hearts are corru*t< and fu&& of 2ic0edness and
ao'inations? and the! &o$e dar0ness rather than &i,ht< ecause their
deeds are e$i&? therefore the! 2i&& not as0 of 'e#
HH# Satan stirreth the' u*< that he 'a! &ead their sou&s to
destruction#
H9# And thus he has &aid a cunnin, *&an< thin0in, to destro! the 2or0
of 5od? ut I 2i&& re>uire this at their hands< and it sha&& turn to their
sha'e and conde'nation in the da! of =ud,'ent#
H@# Yea< he stirreth u* their hearts to an,er a,ainst this 2or0#
HG# Yea< he saith unto the'( Decei$e and &ie in 2ait to catch< that
!e 'a! destro!? eho&d< this is no har'# And thus he f&attereth the'< and
te&&eth the' that it is no sin to &ie that the! 'a! catch a 'an in a &ie<
that the! 'a! destro! hi'#
H:# And thus he f&attereth the'< and &eadeth the' a&on, unti& he
dra,,eth their sou&s do2n to he&&? and thus he causeth the' to catch
the'se&$es in their o2n snare#
HM# And thus he ,oeth u* and do2n< to and fro in the earth< see0in,
to destro! the sou&s of 'en#
H8# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< 2oe e unto hi' that &ieth to
decei$e ecause he su**oseth that another &ieth to decei$e< for such are
not e/e'*t fro' the =ustice of 5od#
HN# No2< eho&d< the! ha$e a&tered these 2ords< ecause Satan saith
unto the'? He hath decei$ed !ou--and thus he f&attereth the' a2a! to do
ini>uit!< to ,et thee to te'*t the Lord th! 5od#
9D# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that !ou sha&& not trans&ate a,ain those
2ords 2hich ha$e ,one forth out of !our hands?
97# For< eho&d< the! sha&& not acco'*&ish their e$i& desi,ns in
&!in, a,ainst those 2ords# For< eho&d< if !ou shou&d rin, forth the
sa'e 2ords the! 2i&& sa! that !ou ha$e &ied and that !ou ha$e *retended to
trans&ate< ut that !ou ha$e contradicted !ourse&f#
9H# And< eho&d< the! 2i&& *u&ish this< and Satan 2i&& harden the
hearts of the *eo*&e to stir the' u* to an,er a,ainst !ou< that the! 2i&&
not e&ie$e '! 2ords#
99# Thus Satan thin0eth to o$er*o2er !our testi'on! in this
,eneration< that the 2or0 'a! not co'e forth in this ,eneration#
9@# "ut eho&d< here is 2isdo'< and ecause I sho2 unto !ou 2isdo'<
and ,i$e !ou co''and'ents concernin, these thin,s< 2hat !ou sha&& do< sho2
it not unto the 2or&d unti& !ou ha$e acco'*&ished the 2or0 of trans&ation#
9G# .ar$e& not that I said unto !ou? Here is 2isdo'< sho2 it not unto
the 2or&d--for I said< sho2 it not unto the 2or&d< that !ou 'a! e
*reser$ed#
9:# "eho&d< I do not sa! that !ou sha&& not sho2 it unto the
ri,hteous?
9M# "ut as !ou cannot a&2a!s =ud,e the ri,hteous< or as !ou cannot
a&2a!s te&& the 2ic0ed fro' the ri,hteous< therefore I sa! unto !ou< ho&d
!our *eace unti& I sha&& see fit to 'a0e a&& thin,s 0no2n unto the 2or&d
concernin, the 'atter#
98# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that an account of those thin,s
that !ou ha$e 2ritten< 2hich ha$e ,one out of !our hands< is en,ra$en u*on
the *&ates of Ne*hi?
9N# Yea< and !ou re'e'er it 2as said in those 2ritin,s that a 'ore
*articu&ar account 2as ,i$en of these thin,s u*on the *&ates of Ne*hi#
@D# And no2< ecause the account 2hich is en,ra$en u*on the *&ates of
Ne*hi is 'ore *articu&ar concernin, the thin,s 2hich< in '! 2isdo'< I
2ou&d rin, to the 0no2&ed,e of the *eo*&e in this account--
@7# Therefore< !ou sha&& trans&ate the en,ra$in,s 2hich are on the
*&ates of Ne*hi do2n e$en ti&& !ou co'e to the rei,n of 1in, "en=a'in< or
unti& !ou co'e to that 2hich !ou ha$e trans&ated< 2hich !ou ha$e retained?
@H# And eho&d< !ou sha&& *u&ish it as the record of Ne*hi? and thus
I 2i&& confound those 2ho ha$e a&tered '! 2ords#
@9# I 2i&& not suffer that the! sha&& destro! '! 2or0? !ea< I 2i&&
sho2 unto the' that '! 2isdo' is ,reater than the cunnin, of the de$i&#
@@# "eho&d< the! ha$e on&! ,ot a *art< or an arid,'ent of the
account of Ne*hi#
@G# "eho&d< there are 'an! thin,s en,ra$en u*on the *&ates of Ne*hi
2hich do thro2 ,reater $ie2s u*on '! ,os*e&? therefore< it is 2isdo' in 'e
that !ou shou&d trans&ate this first *art of the en,ra$in,s of Ne*hi< and
send forth in this 2or0#
@:# And eho&d< a&& the re'ainder of this 2or0 does contain a&& those
*arts of '! ,os*e& 2hich '! ho&! *ro*hets< !ea< and a&so '! disci*&es<
desired in their *ra!ers shou&d co'e forth unto this *eo*&e#
@M# And I said unto the'< that it shou&d e ,ranted unto the'
accordin, to their faith in their *ra!ers?
@8# Yea< and this 2as their faith--that '! ,os*e&< 2hich I ,a$e unto
the' that the! 'i,ht *reach in their da!s< 'i,ht co'e unto their rethren
the La'anites< and a&so a&& that had eco'e La'anites ecause of their
dissensions#
@N# No2< this is not a&&--their faith in their *ra!ers 2as that this
,os*e& shou&d e 'ade 0no2n a&so< if it 2ere *ossi&e that other nations
shou&d *ossess this &and?
GD# And thus the! did &ea$e a &essin, u*on this &and in their
*ra!ers< that 2hosoe$er shou&d e&ie$e in this ,os*e& in this &and 'i,ht
ha$e eterna& &ife?
G7# Yea< that it 'i,ht e free unto a&& of 2hatsoe$er nation<
0indred< ton,ue< or *eo*&e the! 'a! e#
GH# And no2< eho&d< accordin, to their faith in their *ra!ers 2i&& I
rin, this *art of '! ,os*e& to the 0no2&ed,e of '! *eo*&e# "eho&d< I do
not rin, it to destro! that 2hich the! ha$e recei$ed< ut to ui&d it u*#
G9# And for this cause ha$e I said( If this ,eneration harden not
their hearts< I 2i&& esta&ish '! church a'on, the'#
G@# No2 I do not sa! this to destro! '! church< ut I sa! this to
ui&d u* '! church?
GG# Therefore< 2hosoe$er e&on,eth to '! church need not fear< for
such sha&& inherit the 0in,do' of hea$en#
G:# "ut it is the! 2ho do not fear 'e< neither 0ee* '! co''and'ents
ut ui&d u* churches unto the'se&$es to ,et ,ain< !ea< and a&& those that
do 2ic0ed&! and ui&d u* the 0in,do' of the de$i&--!ea< $eri&!< $eri&!< I
sa! unto !ou< that it is the! that I 2i&& distur< and cause to tre'&e
and sha0e to the center#
GM# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od# I ca'e unto 'ine o2n<
and 'ine o2n recei$ed 'e not#
G8# I a' the &i,ht 2hich shineth in dar0ness< and the dar0ness
co'*rehendeth it not#
GN# I a' he 2ho said--Other shee* ha$e I 2hich are not of this
fo&d--unto '! disci*&es< and 'an! there 2ere that understood 'e not#
:D# And I 2i&& sho2 unto this *eo*&e that I had other shee*< and that
the! 2ere a ranch of the house of Jaco?
:7# And I 2i&& rin, to &i,ht their 'ar$e&ous 2or0s< 2hich the! did
in '! na'e?
:H# Yea< and I 2i&& a&so rin, to &i,ht '! ,os*e& 2hich 2as
'inistered unto the'< and< eho&d< the! sha&& not den! that 2hich !ou ha$e
recei$ed< ut the! sha&& ui&d it u*< and sha&& rin, to &i,ht the true
*oints of '! doctrine< !ea< and the on&! doctrine 2hich is in 'e#
:9# And this I do that I 'a! esta&ish '! ,os*e&< that there 'a! not
e so 'uch contention? !ea< Satan doth stir u* the hearts of the *eo*&e to
contention concernin, the *oints of '! doctrine? and in these thin,s the!
do err< for the! do 2rest the scri*tures and do not understand the'#
:@# Therefore< I 2i&& unfo&d unto the' this ,reat '!ster!?
:G# For< eho&d< I 2i&& ,ather the' as a hen ,athereth her chic0ens
under her 2in,s< if the! 2i&& not harden their hearts?
::# Yea< if the! 2i&& co'e< the! 'a!< and *arta0e of the 2aters of
&ife free&!#
:M# "eho&d< this is '! doctrine--2hosoe$er re*enteth and co'eth unto
'e< the sa'e is '! church#
:8# 3hosoe$er dec&areth 'ore or &ess than this< the sa'e is not of
'e< ut is a,ainst 'e< therefore he is not of '! church<
:N# And no2< eho&d 2hosoe$er is of '! church< and endureth of '!
church to the end< hi' 2i&& I esta&ish u*on '! roc0< and the ,ates of
he&& sha&& not *re$ai& a,ainst the'#
MD# And no2< re'e'er the 2ords of hi' 2ho is the &ife and &i,ht of
the 2or&d< !our Redee'er< !our Lord and !our 5od# A'en#
I did not< ho2e$er< ,o i''ediate&! to trans&atin,< ut 2ent to
&aorin, 2ith '! hands u*on a s'a&& far' 2hich I had *urchased of '!
2ife+s father< in order to *ro$ide for '! fa'i&!# In the 'onth of
Feruar!< 78HN< '! father ca'e to $isit us< at 2hich ti'e I recei$ed the
fo&&o2in, re$e&ation for hi'(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< ,i$en Feruar!< 78HN#
7# No2 eho&d< a 'ar$e&ous 2or0 is aout to co'e forth a'on, the
chi&dren of 'en#
H# Therefore< O !e that e'ar0 in the ser$ice of 5od< see that !e
ser$e hi' 2ith a&& !our heart< 'i,ht< 'ind and stren,th< that !e 'a! stand
&a'e&ess efore 5od at the &ast da!#
9# Therefore< if !e ha$e desires to ser$e 5od !e are ca&&ed to the
2or0?
@# For eho&d the fie&d is 2hite a&read! to har$est< and &o< he that
thrusteth in his sic0&e 2ith his 'i,ht< the sa'e &a!eth u* in store that
he *erisheth not< ut rin,eth sa&$ation to his sou&?
G# And faith< ho*e< charit! and &o$e< 2ith an e!e sin,&e to the ,&or!
of 5od< >ua&if! hi' for the 2or0#
:# Re'e'er faith< $irtue< 0no2&ed,e< te'*erance< *atience< rother&!
0indness< ,od&iness< charit!< hu'i&it!< di&i,ence#
M# As0< and !e sha&& recei$e< 0noc0< and it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
A'en#
The fo&&o2in, I a**&ied for and otained< at the re>uest of the
afore'entioned .artin Harris(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .arch< 78HN#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that as '! ser$ant .artin Harris has
desired a 2itness at '! hand< that !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
ha$e ,ot the *&ates of 2hich !ou ha$e testified and orne record that !ou
ha$e recei$ed of 'e?
H# And no2< eho&d< this sha&& !ou sa! unto hi'<--He 2ho s*a0e unto
!ou said unto !ou? I< the Lord< a' 5od< and ha$e ,i$en these thin,s unto
!ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and ha$e co''anded !ou that !ou shou&d
stand as a 2itness of these thin,s?
9# And I ha$e caused !ou that !ou shou&d enter into a co$enant 2ith
'e< that !ou shou&d not sho2 the' e/ce*t to those *ersons to 2ho' I
co''anded !ou? and !ou ha$e no *o2er o$er the' e/ce*t I ,rant it unto !ou#
@# And !ou ha$e a ,ift to trans&ate the *&ates? and this is the first
,ift that I esto2ed u*on !ou? and I ha$e co''anded that !ou shou&d
*retend to no other ,ift unti& '! *ur*ose is fu&fi&&ed in this? for I 2i&&
,rant unto !ou no other ,ift unti& it is finished#
G# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that 2oe sha&& co'e unto the inhaitants
of the earth if the! 2i&& not hear0en unto '! 2ords?
:# For hereafter !ou sha&& e ordained and ,o forth and de&i$er '!
2ords unto the chi&dren of 'en#
M# "eho&d< if the! 2i&& not e&ie$e '! 2ords< the! 2ou&d not e&ie$e
!ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h< if it 2ere *ossi&e that !ou shou&d sho2 the' a&&
these thin,s 2hich I ha$e co''itted unto !ou#
8# Oh< this une&ie$in, and stiffnec0ed ,eneration--'ine an,er is
0ind&ed a,ainst the'#
N# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I ha$e reser$ed those thin,s 2hich
I ha$e entrusted unto !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h< for a 2ise *ur*ose in 'e<
and it sha&& e 'ade 0no2n unto future ,enerations?
7D# "ut this ,eneration sha&& ha$e '! 2ord throu,h !ou<
77# And in addition to !our testi'on!< the testi'on! of three of '!
ser$ants< 2ho' I sha&& ca&& and ordain< unto 2ho' I 2i&& sho2 these
thin,s< and the! sha&& ,o forth 2ith '! 2ords that are ,i$en throu,h !ou#
7H# Yea< the! sha&& 0no2 of a suret! that these thin,s are true< for
fro' hea$en 2i&& I dec&are it unto the'#
79# I 2i&& ,i$e the' *o2er that the! 'a! eho&d and $ie2 these thin,s
as the! are?
7@# And to none e&se 2i&& I ,rant this *o2er< to recei$e this sa'e
testi'on! a'on, this ,eneration< in this the e,innin, of the risin, u*
and the co'in, forth of '! Church out of the 2i&derness--c&ear as the
'oon< and fair as the sun< and terri&e as an arra! 2ith anners<
7G# And the testi'on! of three 2itnesses 2i&& I send forth of '!
2ord#
7:# And eho&d< 2hosoe$er e&ie$eth on '! 2ords< the' 2i&& I $isit
2ith the 'anifestation of '! S*irit? and the! sha&& e orn of 'e< e$en of
2ater and of the S*irit--
7M# And !ou 'ust 2ait !et a &itt&e 2hi&e< for !e are not !et
ordained--
78# And their testi'on! sha&& a&so ,o forth unto the conde'nation of
this ,eneration if the! harden their hearts a,ainst the'?
7N# For a deso&atin, scour,e sha&& ,o forth a'on, the inhaitants of
the earth< and sha&& continue to e *oured out fro' ti'e to ti'e< if the!
re*ent not< unti& the earth is e'*t!< and the inhaitants thereof are
consu'ed a2a! and utter&! destro!ed ! the ri,htness of '! co'in,#
HD# "eho&d< I te&& !ou these thin,s< e$en as I a&so to&d the *eo*&e
of the destruction of Jerusa&e'? and '! 2ord sha&& e $erified at this
ti'e as it hath hitherto een $erified#
H7# And no2 I co''and !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h< to re*ent and 2a&0 'ore
u*ri,ht&! efore 'e and to !ie&d to the *ersuasions of 'en no 'ore?
HH# And that !ou e fir' in 0ee*in, the co''and'ents 2here2ith I ha$e
co''anded !ou? and if !ou do this< eho&d I ,rant unto !ou eterna& &ife<
e$en if !ou shou&d e s&ain#
H9# And no2< a,ain< I s*ea0 unto !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h< concernin,
the 'an that desires the 2itness--
H@# "eho&d< I sa! unto hi'< he e/a&ts hi'se&f and does not hu'&e
hi'se&f sufficient&! efore 'e? ut if he 2i&& o2 do2n efore 'e< and
hu'&e hi'se&f in 'i,ht! *ra!er and faith< in the sincerit! of his head<
then 2i&& I ,rant unto hi' a $ie2 of the thin,s 2hich he desires to see#
HG# And then he sha&& sa! unto the *eo*&e of this ,eneration? "eho&d<
I ha$e seen the thin,s 2hich the Lord hath sho2n unto Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
and I 0no2 of a suret! that the! are true< for I ha$e seen the'< for the!
ha$e een sho2n unto 'e ! the *o2er of 5od and not of 'an#
H:# And I the Lord co''anded hi'< '! ser$ant .artin Harris< that he
sha&& sa! no 'ore unto the' concernin, these thin,s< e/ce*t he sha&& sa!?
I ha$e seen the'< and the! ha$e een sho2n unto 'e ! the *o2er of 5od?
and these are the 2ords 2hich he sha&& sa!#
HM# "ut if he den! this he 2i&& rea0 the co$enant 2hich he has
efore co$enanted 2ith 'e< and eho&d< he is conde'ned#
H8# And no2< e/ce*t he hu'&e hi'se&f and ac0no2&ed,e unto 'e the
thin,s that he has done 2hich are 2ron,< and co$enant 2ith 'e that he 2i&&
0ee* '! co''and'ents< and e/ercise faith in 'e< eho&d< I sa! unto hi'< he
sha&& ha$e no such $ie2s< for I 2i&& ,rant unto hi' no $ie2s of the thin,s
of 2hich I ha$e s*o0en#
HN# And if this e the case< I co''and !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h< that
!ou sha&& sa! unto hi'< that he sha&& do no 'ore< nor trou&e 'e an! 'ore
concernin, this 'atter#
9D# And if this e the case< eho&d< I sa! unto thee Jose*h< 2hen
thou hast trans&ated a fe2 'ore *a,es thou sha&t sto* for a season< e$en
unti& I co''and thee a,ain? then thou 'a!est trans&ate a,ain<
97# And e/ce*t thou do this< eho&d< thou sha&t ha$e no 'ore ,ift<
and I 2i&& ta0e a2a! the thin,s 2hich I ha$e entrusted 2ith thee#
9H# And no2< ecause I foresee the &!in, in 2ait to destro! thee<
!ea< I foresee that if '! ser$ant .artin Harris hu'&eth not hi'se&f and
recei$e a 2itness fro' '! hand< that he 2i&& fa&& into trans,ression?
99# And there are 'an! that &ie in 2ait to destro! thee fro' off the
face of the earth? and for this cause< that th! da!s 'a! e *ro&on,ed< I
ha$e ,i$en unto thee these co''and'ents#
9@# Yea< for this cause I ha$e said( Sto* and stand sti&& unti& I
co''and thee< and I 2i&& *ro$ide 'eans 2here! thou 'a!est acco'*&ish the
thin, 2hich I ha$e co''anded thee#
9G# And if thou art faithfu& in 0ee*in, '! co''and'ents< thou sha&t
e &ifted u* at the &ast da!# A'en#
CHA)TER I%#
OLI%ER CO3DERY "ECO.ES THE )RO)HET+S SCRI"E--
THE TRANSLATION OF THE )LATES CONTINUES#
ON the Gth da! of A*ri&< 78HN< O&i$er Co2der! ca'e to '! house<
unti& 2hich ti'e I had ne$er seen hi'# He stated to 'e that ha$in, een
teachin, schoo& in the nei,horhood 2here '! father resided< and '! father
ein, one of those 2ho sent to the schoo&< he 2ent to oard for a season
at his house< and 2hi&e there the fa'i&! re&ated to hi' the circu'stance
of '! ha$in, recei$ed the *&ates< and accordin,&! he had co'e to 'a0e
in>uiries of 'e# T2o da!s after the arri$a& of .r# Co2der! Eein, the
Mth of A*ri&F I co''enced to trans&ate the "oo0 of .or'on< and he e,an
to 2rite for 'e< 2hich ha$in, continued for so'e ti'e< I in>uired of the
Lord throu,h the Uri' and Thu''i'< and otained the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en A*ri&< 78HN< to O&i$er Co2der! and Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#
7# A ,reat and 'ar$e&ous 2or0 is aout to co'e forth unto the
chi&dren of 'en#
H# "eho&d< I a' 5od? ,i$e heed unto '! 2ord< 2hich is >uic0 and
*o2erfu&< shar*er than a t2o-ed,ed s2ord< to the di$idin, asunder of oth
=oints and 'arro2< therefore ,i$e heed unto '! 2ords#
9# "eho&d< the fie&d is 2hite a&read! to har$est< therefore< 2ho so
desireth to rea*< &et hi' thrust in his sic0&e 2ith his 'i,ht< and rea*
2hi&e the da! &asts< that he 'a! treasure u* for his sou& e$er&astin,
sa&$ation in the 0in,do' of 5od#
@# Yea< 2hosoe$er 2i&& thrust in his sic0&e and rea*< the sa'e is
ca&&ed of 5od#
G# Therefore< if !ou 2i&& as0 of 'e !ou sha&& recei$e? if !ou 2i&&
0noc0 it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
:# No2< as !ou ha$e as0ed< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou 0ee* '!
co''and'ents< and see0 to rin, forth and esta&ish the cause of ;ion?
M# See0 not for riches ut for 2isdo'< and eho&d< the '!steries of
5od sha&& e unfo&ded unto !ou< and then sha&& !ou e 'ade rich# "eho&d
he that hath eterna& &ife is rich#
8# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< e$en as !ou desire of 'e so it
sha&& e unto !ou? and if !ou desire< !ou sha&& e the 'eans of doin, 'uch
,ood in this ,eneration#
N# Sa! nothin, ut re*entance unto this ,eneration? 0ee* '!
co''and'ents< and assist to rin, forth '! 2or0< accordin, to '!
co''and'ents< and !ou sha&& e &essed#
7D# "eho&d thou hast a ,ift< and &essed art thou ecause of th!
,ift# Re'e'er it is sacred and co'eth fro' ao$e--
77# And if thou 2i&t in>uire< thou sha&t 0no2 '!steries 2hich are
,reat and 'ar$e&ous? therefore thou sha&t e/ercise th! ,ift< that thou
'a!est find out '!steries< that thou 'a!est rin, 'an! to the 0no2&ed,e of
the truth< !ea< con$ince the' of the error of their 2a!s#
7H# .a0e not th! ,ift 0no2n unto an! sa$e it e those 2ho are of th!
faith# Trif&e not 2ith sacred thin,s#
79# If thou 2i&t do ,ood< !ea< and ho&d out faithfu& to the end thou
sha&t e sa$ed in the 0in,do' of 5od< 2hich is the ,reatest of a&& the
,ifts of 5od< for there is no ,ift ,reater than the ,ift of sa&$ation#
7@# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto thee< &essed art thou for 2hat thou
hast done? for thou hast in>uired of 'e< and eho&d< as often as thou hast
in>uired< thou hast recei$ed instruction of '! S*irit# If it had not een
so< thou 2ou&dst not ha$e co'e to the *&ace 2here thou art at this ti'e#
7G# "eho&d< thou 0no2est that thou hast in>uired of 'e and I did
en&i,hten th! 'ind? and no2 I te&& thee these thin,s that thou 'a!est 0no2
that thou hast een en&i,htened ! the s*irit of truth?
7:# Yea< I te&& thee< that thou 'a!est 0no2 that there is none e&se
sa$e 5od that 0no2est th! thou,hts and the intents of th! heart#
7M# I te&& thee these thin,s as a 2itness unto thee--that the 2ords
or the 2or0 2hich thou hast een 2ritin, are true#
78# Therefore e di&i,ent? stand ! '! ser$ant Jose*h< faithfu&&!< in
2hatsoe$er difficu&t circu'stances he 'a! e for the 2ord+s sa0e#
7N# Ad'onish hi' in his fau&ts and a&so recei$e ad'onition of hi'#
"e *atient? e soer? e te'*erate? ha$e *atience< faith< ho*e and
charit!#
HD# "eho&d< thou art O&i$er< and I ha$e s*o0en unto thee ecause of
th! desire? therefore treasure u* these 2ords in th! heart# "e faithfu&
and di&i,ent in 0ee*in, the co''and'ents of 5od< and I 2i&& encirc&e thee
in the ar's of '! &o$e#
H7# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od# I a' the sa'e that
ca'e unto 'ine o2n< and 'ine o2n recei$ed 'e not# I a' the &i,ht 2hich
shineth in dar0ness< and the dar0ness co'*rehendeth it not#
HH# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< if !ou desire a further 2itness<
cast !our 'ind u*on the ni,ht that !ou cried unto 'e in !our heart< that
!ou 'i,ht 0no2 concernin, the truth of these thin,s#
H9# Did I not s*ea0 *eace to !our 'ind concernin, the 'atterB 3hat
,reater 2itness can !ou ha$e than fro' 5odB
H@# And no2< eho&d< !ou ha$e recei$ed a 2itness? for if I ha$e to&d
!ou thin,s 2hich no 'an 0no2eth< ha$e !ou not recei$ed a 2itnessB
HG# And eho&d< I ,rant unto !ou a ,ift< if !ou desire of 'e< to
trans&ate e$en as '! ser$ant Jose*h#
H:# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that there are records 2hich
contain 'uch of '! ,os*e&< 2hich ha$e een 0e*t ac0 ecause of the
2ic0edness of the *eo*&e?
HM# And no2 I co''and !ou< that if !ou ha$e ,ood desires--a desire to
&a! u* treasures for !ourse&f in hea$en--then sha&& !ou assist in rin,in,
to &i,ht< 2ith !our ,ift< those *arts of '! scri*tures 2hich ha$e een
hidden ecause of ini>uit!#
H8# And no2< eho&d< I ,i$e unto !ou< and a&so unto '! ser$ant
Jose*h< the 0e!s of this ,ift< 2hich sha&& rin, to &i,ht this 'inistr!?
and in the 'outh of t2o or three 2itnesses sha&& e$er! 2ord e
esta&ished#
HN# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< if the! re=ect '! 2ords< and this
*art of '! ,os*e& and 'inistr!< &essed are !e< for the! can do no 'ore
unto !ou than unto 'e?
9D# And e$en if the! do unto !ou e$en as the! ha$e done unto 'e<
&essed are !e< for !ou sha&& d2e&& 2ith 'e in ,&or!#
97# "ut if the! re=ect not '! 2ords< 2hich sha&& e esta&ished !
the testi'on! 2hich sha&& e ,i$en< &essed are the!< and then sha&& !e
ha$e =o! in the fruit of !our &aors#
9H# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< as I said unto '! disci*&es<
2here t2o or three are ,athered to,ether in '! na'e< as touchin, one
thin,< eho&d< there 2i&& I e in the 'idst of the'--e$en so a' I in the
'idst of !ou#
99# Fear not to do ,ood< '! sons< for 2hatsoe$er !e so2 that sha&& !e
a&so rea*? therefore< if !e so2 ,ood !e sha&& a&so rea* ,ood for !our
re2ard#
9@# Therefore< fear not< &itt&e f&oc0? do ,ood? &et earth and he&&
co'ine a,ainst !ou< for if !e are ui&t u*on '! roc0< the! cannot
*re$ai&#
9G# "eho&d< I do not conde'n !ou< ,o !our 2a!s and sin no 'ore?
*erfor' 2ith soerness the 2or0 2hich I ha$e co''anded !ou#
9:# Loo0 unto 'e in e$er! thou,ht? dout not< fear not#
9M# "eho&d the 2ounds 2hich *ierced '! side< and a&so the *rints of
the nai&s in '! hands and feet? e faithfu&< 0ee* '! co''and'ents< and !e
sha&& inherit the 0in,do' of hea$en# A'en#
After 2e had recei$ed this re$e&ation< O&i$er Co2der! stated to 'e
that after he had ,one to '! father+s to oard< and after the fa'i&! had
co''unicated to hi' concernin, '! ha$in, otained the *&ates< that one
ni,ht after he had retired to ed he ca&&ed u*on the Lord to 0no2 if these
thin,s 2ere so< and the Lord 'anifested to hi' that the! 2ere true< ut he
had 0e*t the circu'stance entire&! secret< and had 'entioned it to no one?
so that after this re$e&ation 2as ,i$en< he 0ne2 that the 2or0 2as true<
ecause no ein, &i$in, 0ne2 of the thin, a&&uded to in the re$e&ation<
ut 5od and hi'se&f#
Durin, the 'onth of A*ri& I continued to trans&ate< and he to 2rite<
2ith &itt&e cessation< durin, 2hich ti'e 2e recei$ed se$era& re$e&ations#
A difference of o*inion arisin, et2een us aout the account of John the
A*ost&e< 'entioned in the Ne2 Testa'ent< as to 2hether he died or
continued to &i$e< 2e 'utua&&! a,reed to sett&e it ! the Uri' and Thu''i'
and the fo&&o2in, is the 2ord 2hich 2e recei$ed(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and O&i$er Co2der!< in
Har'on!< )enns!&$ania< A*ri&< 78HN< 2hen the! desired to 0no2 2hether
John< the e&o$ed disci*&e< tarried on earth or died# Trans&ated fro'
*arch'ent< 2ritten and hid u* ! hi'se&f#
7# And the Lord said unto 'e< John< '! e&o$ed< 2hat desirest thouB
For if !ou sha&& as0 2hat !ou 2i&&< it sha&& e ,ranted unto !ou#
H# And I said unto hi'( Lord< ,i$e unto 'e *o2er o$er death< that I
'a! &i$e and rin, sou&s unto thee#
9# And the Lord said unto 'e( %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto thee<
ecause thou desirest this thou sha&t tarr! unti& I co'e in '! ,&or!< and
sha&& *ro*hes! efore nations< 0indreds< ton,ues and *eo*&e#
@# And for this cause the Lord said unto )eter? if I 2i&& that he
tarr! ti&& I co'e< 2hat is that to theeB For he desired of 'e that he
'i,ht rin, sou&s unto 'e< ut thou desiredst that thou 'i,htest s*eedi&!
co'e unto 'e in '! 0in,do'#
G# I sa! unto thee< )eter< this 2as a ,ood desire? ut '! e&o$ed has
desired that he 'i,ht do 'ore< or a ,reater 2or0 !et a'on, 'en than 2hat
he has efore done#
:# Yea< he has underta0en a ,reater 2or0? therefore< I 2i&& 'a0e hi'
as f&a'in, fire and a 'inisterin, an,e&? he sha&& 'inister for those 2ho
sha&& e heirs of sa&$ation 2ho d2e&& on the earth#
M# And I 2i&& 'a0e thee to 'inister for hi' and for th! rother
Ja'es? and unto !ou three I 2i&& ,i$e this *o2er and the 0e!s of this
'inistr! unti& I co'e#
8# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< !e sha&& oth ha$e accordin, to !our
desires< for !e oth =o! in that 2hich !e ha$e desired#
3hi&st continuin, the 2or0 of trans&ation< durin, the 'onth of A*ri&<
O&i$er Co2der! eca'e e/ceedin,&! an/ious to ha$e the *o2er esto2ed u*on
hi'< and in re&ation to this desire the fo&&o2in, re$e&ations 2ere
otained(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en A*ri&< 78HN#
7# O&i$er Co2der!< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that assured&! as
the Lord &i$eth< 2ho is !our 5od and !our Redee'er< e$en so sure&! sha&&
!ou recei$e a 0no2&ed,e of 2hatsoe$er thin,s !ou sha&& as0 in faith< 2ith
an honest heart< e&ie$in, that !ou sha&& recei$e a 0no2&ed,e concernin,
the en,ra$in,s of o&d records< 2hich are ancient< 2hich contain those
*arts of '! scri*ture of 2hich has een s*o0en ! the 'anifestation of '!
S*irit#
H# Yea< eho&d< I 2i&& te&& !ou in !our 'ind and in !our heart< !
the Ho&! 5host< 2hich sha&& co'e u*on !ou and 2hich sha&& d2e&& in !our
heart#
9# No2< eho&d< this is the s*irit of re$e&ation? eho&d< this is the
s*irit ! 2hich .oses rou,ht the chi&dren of Israe& throu,h the Red Sea
on dr! ,round#
@# Therefore this is th! ,ift< a**&! unto it< and &essed art thou<
for it sha&& de&i$er !ou out of the hands of !our ene'ies< 2hen< if it
2ere not so< the! 2ou&d s&a! !ou and rin, !our sou& to destruction#
G# Oh< re'e'er these 2ords< and 0ee* '! co''and'ents# Re'e'er<
this is !our ,ift#
:# No2 this is not a&& th! ,ift? for !ou ha$e another ,ift< 2hich is
the ,ift of Aaron? eho&d< it has to&d !ou 'an! thin,s?
M# "eho&d< there is no other *o2er< sa$e the *o2er of 5od< that can
cause this ,ift of Aaron to e 2ith !ou#
8# Therefore< dout not< for it is the ,ift of 5od? and !ou sha&&
ho&d it in !our hands< and do 'ar$e&ous 2or0s? and no *o2er sha&& e a&e
to ta0e it a2a! out of !our hands< for it is the 2or0 of 5od#
N# And< therefore< 2hatsoe$er !ou sha&& as0 'e to te&& !ou ! that
'eans< that 2i&& I ,rant unto !ou< and !ou sha&& ha$e 0no2&ed,e concernin,
it#
7D# Re'e'er that 2ithout faith !ou can do nothin,? therefore as0 in
faith# Trif&e not 2ith these thin,s? do not as0 for that 2hich !ou ou,ht
not#
77# As0 that !ou 'a! 0no2 the '!steries of 5od< and that !ou 'a!
trans&ate and recei$e 0no2&ed,e fro' a&& those ancient records 2hich ha$e
een hid u*< that are sacred? and accordin, to !our faith sha&& it e done
unto !ou#
7H# "eho&d< it is I that ha$e s*o0en it? and I a' the sa'e that s*a0e
unto !ou fro' the e,innin,# A'en#
Re$e&ation< ,i$en to O&i$er Co2der!< A*ri&< 78HN# 7# "eho&d< I sa!
unto !ou< '! son< that ecause !ou did not trans&ate accordin, to that
2hich !ou desired of 'e< and did co''ence a,ain to 2rite for '! ser$ant<
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< e$en so I 2ou&d that !e shou&d continue unti& !ou ha$e
finished this record< 2hich I ha$e entrusted unto hi'#
H# And then< eho&d< other records ha$e I< that I 2i&& ,i$e unto !ou
*o2er that !ou 'a! assist to trans&ate#
9# "e *atient< '! son< for it is 2isdo' in 'e< and it is not
e/*edient that !ou shou&d trans&ate at this *resent ti'e#
@# "eho&d< the 2or0 2hich !ou are ca&&ed to do is to 2rite for '!
ser$ant Jose*h#
G# And< eho&d< it is ecause that !ou did not continue as !ou
co''enced< 2hen !ou e,an to trans&ate< that I ha$e ta0en a2a! this
*ri$i&e,e fro' !ou#
:# Do not 'ur'ur< '! son< for it is 2isdo' in 'e that I ha$e dea&t
2ith !ou after this 'anner#
M# "eho&d< !ou ha$e not understood? !ou ha$e su**osed that I 2ou&d
,i$e it unto !ou< 2hen !ou too0 no thou,ht sa$e it 2as to as0 'e#
8# "ut< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that !ou 'ust stud! it out in !our
'ind? then !ou 'ust as0 'e if it e ri,ht< and if it is ri,ht I 2i&& cause
that !our oso' sha&& urn 2ithin !ou? therefore< !ou sha&& fee& that it
is ri,ht#
N# "ut if it e not ri,ht< !ou sha&& ha$e no such fee&in,s< ut !ou
sha&& ha$e a stu*or of thou,ht that sha&& cause !ou to for,et the thin,
2hich is 2ron,? therefore< !ou cannot 2rite that 2hich is sacred sa$e it
e ,i$en !ou fro' 'e#
7D# No2< if !ou had 0no2n this !ou cou&d ha$e trans&ated?
ne$erthe&ess< it is not e/*edient that !ou shou&d trans&ate no2#
77# "eho&d< it 2as e/*edient 2hen !ou co''enced? ut !ou feared< and
the ti'e is *ast< and it is not e/*edient no2?
7H# For< do !ou not eho&d that I ha$e ,i$en unto '! ser$ant Jose*h
sufficient stren,th< 2here! it is 'ade u*B and neither of !ou ha$e I
conde'ned#
79# Do this thin, 2hich I ha$e co''anded !ou< and !ou sha&& *ros*er#
"e faithfu&< and !ie&d to no te'*tation#
7@# Stand fast in the 2or0 2here2ith I ha$e ca&&ed !ou< and a hair of
!our head sha&& not e &ost< and !ou sha&& e &ifted u* at the &ast da!#
A'en#
CHA)TER %#
RESTORATION OF THE AARONIC )RIESTHOOD--FIRST "A)TIS.S#
3E sti&& continued the 2or0 of trans&ation< 2hen in the ensuin, 'onth
E.a!< 78HNF< 2e on a certain da! 2ent into the 2oods to *ra! and in>uire
of the Lord res*ectin, a*tis' for the re'ission of sins< that 2e found
'entioned in the trans&ation of the *&ates# 3hi&e 2e 2ere thus e'*&o!ed<
*ra!in, and ca&&in, u*on the Lord< a 'essen,er fro' hea$en descended in a
c&oud of &i,ht< and ha$in, &aid his hands u*on us< he ordained us< sa!in,(
U*on !ou '! fe&&o2 ser$ants< in the na'e of .essiah I confer the
)riesthood of Aaron< 2hich ho&ds the 0e!s of the 'inisterin, of
an,e&s< and of the 5os*e& of re*entance< and of a*tis' ! i''ersion
for the re'ission of sins? and this sha&& ne$er e ta0en a,ain fro'
the earth< unti& the sons of Le$i do offer a,ain an offerin, unto the
Lord in ri,hteousness#
He said this Aaronic )riesthood had not the *o2er of &a!in, on hands
for the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< ut that this shou&d e conferred on us
hereafter? and he co''anded us to ,o and e a*ti4ed< and ,a$e us
directions that I shou&d a*ti4e O&i$er Co2der!< and after2ards that he
shou&d a*ti4e 'e# Accordin,&! 2e 2ent and 2ere a*ti4ed# I a*ti4ed hi'
first< and after2ards he a*ti4ed 'e< after 2hich I &aid '! hands u*on his
head and ordained hi' to the Aaronic )riesthood< and after2ards he &aid
his hands on 'e and ordained 'e to the sa'e )riesthood--for so 2e 2ere
co''anded#
The 'essen,er 2ho $isited us on this occasion< and conferred this
)riesthood u*on us< said that his na'e 2as John< the sa'e that is ca&&ed
John the "a*tist in the Ne2 Testa'ent< and that he acted under the
direction of )eter< Ja'es and John 2ho he&d the 0e!s of the )riesthood of
.e&chi4ede0< 2hich )riesthood he said 2ou&d in due ti'e e conferred on
us< and that I shou&d e ca&&ed the first E&der of the Church< and he
EO&i$er Co2der!F the second# It 2as on the 7Gth da! of .a!< 78HN< that 2e
2ere ordained under the hand of this 'essen,er and a*ti4ed#
I''ediate&! on our co'in, u* out of the 2ater after 2e had een
a*ti4ed< 2e e/*erienced ,reat and ,&orious &essin,s fro' our Hea$en&!
Father# No sooner had I a*ti4ed O&i$er Co2der!< than the Ho&! 5host fe&&
u*on hi'< and he stood u* and *ro*hesied 'an! thin,s 2hich shou&d short&!
co'e to *ass# And a,ain< so soon as I had een a*ti4ed ! hi'< I a&so
had the s*irit of *ro*hec!< 2hen standin, u*< I *ro*hesied concernin, the
rise of this church< and 'an! other thin,s connected 2ith the Church< and
this ,eneration of the chi&dren of 'en# 3e 2ere fi&&ed 2ith the Ho&!
5host< and re=oiced in the 5od of our sa&$ation#
Our 'inds ein, no2 en&i,htened< 2e e,an to ha$e the Scri*tures &aid
o*en to our understandin,s< and the true 'eanin, and intention of their
'ore '!sterious *assa,es re$ea&ed unto us in a 'anner 2hich 2e ne$er cou&d
attain to *re$ious&!< nor e$er efore had thou,ht of# In the 'eanti'e 2e
2ere forced to 0ee* secret the circu'stances of ha$in, recei$ed the
)riesthood and our ha$in, een a*ti4ed< o2in, to a s*irit of *ersecution
2hich had a&read! 'anifested itse&f in the nei,horhood# 3e had een
threatened 2ith ein, 'oed fro' ti'e to ti'e< and this< too< !
*rofessors of re&i,ion# And their intentions of 'oin, us 2ere on&!
counteracted ! the inf&uence of '! 2ife+s father+s fa'i&! Eunder Di$ine
*ro$idenceF< 2ho had eco'e $er! friend&! to 'e< and 2ho 2ere o**osed to
'os< and 2ere 2i&&in, that I shou&d e a&&o2ed to continue the 2or0 of
trans&ation 2ithout interru*tion? and therefore offered and *ro'ised us
*rotection fro' a&& un&a2fu& *roceedin,s as far as in the' &a!#
After a fe2 da!s< ho2e$er< fee&in, it to e our dut!< 2e co''enced to
reason out of the Scri*tures 2ith our ac>uaintances and friends< as 2e
ha**ened to 'eet 2ith the'# Aout this ti'e '! rother Sa'ue& H# S'ith
ca'e to $isit us# 3e infor'ed hi' of 2hat the Lord 2as aout to do for
the chi&dren of 'en< and e,an to reason 2ith hi' out of the "i&e# 3e
a&so sho2ed hi' that *art of the 2or0 2hich 2e had trans&ated< and &aored
to *ersuade hi' concernin, the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ< 2hich 2as no2 aout
to e re$ea&ed in its fu&ness# He 2as not< ho2e$er< $er! easi&! *ersuaded
of these thin,s< ut after 'uch in>uir! and e/*&anation he retired to the
2oods< in order that ! secret and fer$ent *ra!er he 'i,ht otain of a
'ercifu& 5od< 2isdo' to ena&e hi' to =ud,e for hi'se&f# The resu&t 2as
that he otained re$e&ation for hi'se&f sufficient to con$ince hi' of the
truth of our assertions to hi'? and on the t2ent!-fifth da! of that sa'e
'onth in 2hich 2e had een a*ti4ed and ordained< O&i$er Co2der! a*ti4ed
hi'? and he returned to his father+s house< ,reat&! ,&orif!in, and
*raisin, 5od< ein, fi&&ed 2ith the Ho&! S*irit#
Not 'an! da!s after2ards< '! rother H!ru'
S'ith ca'e to us to in>uire concernin, these thin,s< 2hen at his
earnest re>uest< I in>uired of the Lord throu,h the Uri' and Thu''i'< and
recei$ed for hi' the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en to H!ru' S'ith< Har'on!< Sus>uenhanna Count!<
)enns!&$ania< .a!< 78HN#
7# A ,reat and 'ar$e&ous 2or0 is aout to co'e forth a'on, the
chi&dren of 'en#
H# "eho&d< I a' 5od? ,i$e heed to '! 2ord< 2hich is >uic0 and
*o2erfu&< shar*er than a t2o-ed,ed s2ord to the di$idin, asunder of oth
=oints and 'arro2? therefore ,i$e heed unto '! 2ord#
9# "eho&d< the fie&d is 2hite a&read! to har$est? therefore< 2ho
desireth to rea* &et hi' thrust in his sic0&e 2ith his 'i,ht< and rea*
2hi&e the da! &asts< that he 'a! treasure u* for his sou& e$er&astin,
sa&$ation in the 0in,do' of 5od#
@# Yea< 2hosoe$er 2i&& thrust in his sic0&e and rea*< the sa'e is
ca&&ed of 5od#
G# Therefore< if !ou 2i&& as0 'e< !ou sha&& recei$e? if !ou 2i&&
0noc0 it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
:# No2< as !ou ha$e as0ed< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< 0ee* '!
co''and'ents< and see0 to rin, forth and esta&ish the cause of ;ion#
M# See0 not for riches ut for 2isdo'? and< eho&d< the '!steries of
5od sha&& e unfo&ded unto !ou< and then sha&& !ou e 'ade rich# "eho&d<
he that hath eterna& &ife is rich#
8# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< e$en as !ou desire of 'e so it
sha&& e done unto !ou? and< if !ou desire< !ou sha&& e the 'eans of
doin, 'uch ,ood in this ,eneration#
N# Sa! nothin, ut re*entance unto this ,eneration# 1ee* '!
co''and'ents< and assist to rin, forth '! 2or0< accordin, to '!
co''and'ents< and !ou sha&& e &essed#
7D# "eho&d< thou hast a ,ift< or thou sha&t ha$e a ,ift if thou 2i&t
desire of 'e in faith< 2ith an honest heart< e&ie$in, in the *o2er of
Jesus Christ< or in '! *o2er 2hich s*ea0eth unto thee?
77# For< eho&d< it is I that s*ea0? eho&d# I a' the &i,ht 2hich
shineth in dar0ness< and ! '! *o2er I ,i$e these 2ords unto thee#
7H# And no2< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto thee< *ut !our trust in that
S*irit 2hich &eadeth to do ,ood--!ea< to do =ust&!< to 2a&0 hu'&!< to
=ud,e ri,hteous&!< and this is '! S*irit#
79# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< I 2i&& i'*art unto !ou of '!
S*irit< 2hich sha&& en&i,hten !our 'ind< 2hich sha&& fi&& !our sou& 2ith
=o!?
7@# And then sha&& !e 0no2< or ! this sha&& !ou 0no2< a&& thin,s
2hatsoe$er !ou desire of 'e 2hich are *ertainin, unto thin,s of
ri,hteousness< in faith e&ie$in, in 'e that !ou sha&& recei$e#
7G# "eho&d< I co''and !ou that !ou need not su**ose that !ou are
ca&&ed to *reach unti& !ou are ca&&ed#
7:# 3ait a &itt&e &on,er< unti& !ou sha&& ha$e '! 2ord< '! roc0< '!
Church< and '! ,os*e&< that !ou 'a! 0no2 of a suret! '! doctrine#
7M# And then< eho&d< accordin, to !our desires< !ea< e$en accordin,
to !our faith sha&& it e done unto !ou#
78# 1ee* '! co''and'ents? ho&d !our *eace? a**ea& unto '! S*irit?
7N# Yea< c&ea$e unto 'e 2ith a&& !our heart< that !ou 'a! assist in
rin,in, to &i,ht those thin,s of 2hich ha$e een s*o0en--!ea< the
trans&ation of '! 2or0? e *atient unti& !ou sha&& acco'*&ish it#
HD# "eho&d< this is !our 2or0< to 0ee* '! co''and'ents< !ea< 2ith a&&
!our 'i,ht< 'ind and stren,th#
H7# See0 not to dec&are '! 2ord ut first see0 to otain '! 2ord and
then sha&& !our ton,ue e &oosed? then< if !ou desire< !ou sha&& ha$e '!
S*irit and '! 2ord< !ea< the *o2er of 5od unto the con$incin, of 'en#
HH# "ut no2 ho&d !our *eace? stud! '! 2ord 2hich hath ,one forth
a'on, the chi&dren of 'en< and a&so stud! '! 2ord 2hich sha&& co'e forth
a'on, the chi&dren of 'en< or that 2hich is no2 trans&atin,< !ea< unti&
!ou ha$e otained a&& 2hich I sha&& ,rant unto the chi&dren of 'an in this
,eneration< and then sha&& a&& thin,s e added thereto#
H9# "eho&d thou art H!ru'< '! son? see0 the 0in,do' of 5od and a&&
thin,s sha&& e added accordin, to that 2hich is =ust#
H@# "ui&d u*on '! roc0< 2hich is '! ,os*e&?
HG# Den! not the s*irit of re$e&ation nor the s*irit of *ro*hec!< for
2oe unto hi' that denieth these thin,s?
H:# Therefore< treasure u* in !our heart unti& the ti'e 2hich is in
'! 2isdo' that !ou sha&& ,o forth#
HM# "eho&d I s*ea0 unto a&& 2ho ha$e ,ood desires< and ha$e thrust in
their sic0&e to rea*#
H8# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od# I a' the &ife and the
&i,ht of the 2or&d#
HN# I a' the sa'e 2ho ca'e unto 'ine o2n and 'ine o2n recei$ed 'e
not?
9D# "ut $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that as 'an! as recei$e 'e<
to the' 2i&& I ,i$e *o2er to eco'e the sons of 5od< e$en to the' that
e&ie$e on '! na'e# A'en#
Aout the sa'e ti'e an o&d ,ent&e'an ca'e to $isit us of 2hose na'e I
2ish to 'a0e honora&e 'ention--.r# Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen#< of Co&es$i&&e<
"roo'e count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2ho< ha$in, heard of the 'anner in 2hich 2e 2ere
occu*!in, our ti'e< $er! 0ind&! and considerate&! rou,ht us a >uantit! of
*ro$isions< in order that 2e 'i,ht not e interru*ted in the 2or0 of
trans&ation ! the 2ant of such necessaries of &ife? and I 2ou&d =ust
'ention here< as in dut! ound< that he se$era& ti'es rou,ht us su**&ies<
a distance of at &east thirt! 'i&es< 2hich ena&ed us to continue the 2or0
2hen other2ise 2e 'ust ha$e re&in>uished it for a season#
"ein, $er! an/ious to 0no2 his dut! as to this 2or0< I in>uired of
the Lord for hi'< and otained the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en to Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< at Har'on!< Sus>uehanna
Count!< )enns!&$ania< .a!< 78HN#
7# A ,reat and 'ar$e&ous 2or0 is aout to co'e forth a'on, the
chi&dren of 'en#
H# "eho&d< I a' 5od? ,i$e heed to '! 2ord< 2hich is >uic0 and
*o2erfu&< shar*er than a t2o-ed,ed s2ord< to the di$idin, asunder of oth
=oints and 'arro2? therefore< ,i$e heed unto '! 2ord#
9# "eho&d< the fie&d is 2hite a&read! to har$est? therefore< 2hoso
desireth to rea* &et hi' thrust in his sic0&e 2ith his 'i,ht< and rea*
2hi&e the da! &asts< that he 'a! treasure u* for his sou& e$er&astin,
sa&$ation in the 0in,do' of 5od#
@# Yea< 2hosoe$er 2i&& thrust in his sic0&e and rea*< the sa'e is
ca&&ed of 5od#
G# Therefore< if !ou 2i&& as0 of 'e !ou sha&& recei$e? if !ou 2i&&
0noc0 it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
:# No2< as !ou ha$e as0ed< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< 0ee* '!
co''and'ents< and see0 to rin, forth and esta&ish the cause of ;ion#
M# "eho&d I s*ea0 unto !ou< and a&so to a&& those 2ho ha$e desires to
rin, forth and esta&ish this 2or0
8# And no one can assist in this 2or0 e/ce*t he sha&& e hu'&e and
fu&& of &o$e< ha$in, faith< ho*e< and charit!< ein, te'*erate in a&&
thin,s< 2hatsoe$er sha&& e entrusted to his care#
N# "eho&d< I a' the &i,ht and the &ife of the 2or&d< that s*ea0 these
2ords< therefore ,i$e heed 2ith !our 'i,ht< and then !ou are ca&&ed#
A'en#
Short&! after co''encin, to trans&ate< I eca'e ac>uainted 2ith .r#
)eter 3hit'er< of Fa!ette< Seneca count!< Ne2 Yor0< and a&so 2ith so'e of
his fa'i&!# In the e,innin, of the 'onth of June< his son< Da$id
3hit'er<O ca'e to the *&ace 2here 2e 2ere residin,< and rou,ht 2ith hi'
a t2o-horse 2a,on< for the *ur*ose of ha$in, us acco'*an! hi' to his
father+s *&ace< and there re'ain unti& 2e shou&d finish the 2or0# It 2as
arran,ed that 2e shou&d ha$e our oard free of char,e< and the assistance
of one of his rothers to 2rite for 'e< and a&so his o2n assistance 2hen
con$enient# Ha$in, 'uch need of such ti'e&! aid in an underta0in, so
arduous< and ein, infor'ed that the *eo*&e in the nei,horhood of the
3hit'ers 2ere an/ious&! a2aitin, the o**ortunit! to in>uire into these
thin,s< 2e acce*ted the in$itation< and acco'*anied .r# 3hit'er to his
father+s house< and there resided unti& the trans&ation 2as finished and
the co*!ri,ht secured# U*on our arri$a&< 2e found .r# 3hit'er+s fa'i&!
$er! an/ious Concernin, the 2or0< and $er! friend&! to2ard ourse&$es#
The! continued so< oarded and &od,ed us accordin, to arran,e'ents? and
John 3hit'er< in *articu&ar< assisted us $er! 'uch in 2ritin, durin, the
re'ainder of the 2or0#
In the 'eanti'e< Da$id< John and )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< eca'e our
4ea&ous friends and assistants in the 2or0? and ein, an/ious to 0no2
their res*ecti$e duties< and ha$in, desired 2ith 'uch earnestness that I
in>uire of the Lord concernin, the'< I did so< throu,h the 'eans of the
Uri' and Thu''i'< and otained for the' in succession the fo&&o2in,
re$e&ations(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en to Da$id 3hit'er< at Fa!ette< Seneca Count!< Ne2
Yor0< June< 78HN#O
7# A ,reat and 'ar$e&ous 2or0 is aout to co'e forth unto the
chi&dren of 'en#
H# "eho&d< I a' 5od? ,i$e heed to '! 2ord< 2hich is >uic0 and
*o2erfu&< shar*er than a t2o-ed,ed s2ord< to the di$idin, asunder of oth
=oints and 'arro2? therefore ,i$e heed unto '! 2ord#
9# "eho&d< the fie&d is 2hite a&read! to har$est? therefore 2hoso
desireth to rea*< &et hi' thrust in his sic0&e 2ith his 'i,ht< and rea*
2hi&e the da! &asts< that he 'a! treasure u* for his sou& e$er&astin,
sa&$ation in the 0in,do' of 5od#
@# Yea< 2hosoe$er 2i&& thrust in his sic0&e and rea*< the sa'e is
ca&&ed of 5od#
G# Therefore< if !ou 2i&& as0 of 'e !ou sha&& recei$e? if !ou 2i&&
0noc0 it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
:# See0 to rin, forth and esta&ish '! ;ion# 1ee* '! co''and'ents
in a&& thin,s#
M# And< if !ou 0ee* '! co''and'ents and endure to the end !ou sha&&
ha$e eterna& &ife< 2hich ,ift is the ,reatest of a&& the ,ifts of 5od#
8# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that if !ou sha&& as0 the Father in '!
na'e< in faith e&ie$in,< !ou sha&& recei$e the Ho&! 5host< 2hich ,i$eth
utterance< that !ou 'a! stand as a 2itness of the thin,s of 2hich !ou
sha&& oth hear and see< and a&so that !ou 'a! dec&are re*entance unto
this ,eneration#
N# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of the &i$in, 5od< 2ho created
the hea$ens and the earth< a &i,ht 2hich cannot e hid in dar0ness?
7D# 3herefore< I 'ust rin, forth the fu&ness of '! ,os*e& fro' the
5enti&es unto the house of Israe&#
77# And eho&d< thou art Da$id< and thou art ca&&ed to assist? 2hich
thin, if !e do< and are faithfu&< !e sha&& e &essed oth s*iritua&&! and
te'*ora&&!< and ,reat sha&& e !our re2ard# A'en#
Re$e&ation ,i$en to John 3hit'er< June< 78HN#
7# Hear0en< '! ser$ant John< and &isten to the 2ords of Jesus Christ<
!our Lord and !our Redee'er<
H# For eho&d< I s*ea0 unto !ou 2ith shar*ness and 2ith *o2er< for
'ine ar' is o$er a&& the earth#
9# And I 2i&& te&& !ou that 2hich no 'an 0no2eth sa$e 'e and thee
a&one--
@# For 'an! ti'es !ou ha$e desired of 'e to 0no2 that 2hich 2ou&d e
of the 'ost 2orth unto !ou#
G# "eho&d< &essed are !ou for this thin,< and for s*ea0in, '! 2ords
2hich I ha$e ,i$en !ou accordin, to '! co''and'ents#
:# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that the thin, 2hich 2i&& e of
the 'ost 2orth unto !ou 2i&& e to dec&are re*entance unto this *eo*&e<
that !ou 'a! rin, sou&s unto 'e< that !ou 'a! rest the' in the 0in,do' of
'! Father# A'en#
Re$e&ation to )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< June< 78HN#
7# Har0en< '! ser$ant )eter< and &isten to the 2ords of Jesus Christ<
!our Lord and !our Redee'er<
H# For eho&d< I s*ea0 unto !ou 2ith shar*ness and 2ith *o2er< for
'ine ar' is o$er a&& the earth<
9# And I 2i&& te&& !ou that 2hich no 'an 0no2eth sa$e 'e and thee
a&one--
@# For 'an! ti'es !ou ha$e desired of 'e to 0no2 that 2hich 2ou&d e
of the 'ost 2orth unto !ou#
G# "eho&d< &essed are !ou for this thin,< and for s*ea0in, '! 2ords
2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou accordin, to '! co''and'ents#
:# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that the thin, 2hich 2i&& e of
the 'ost 2orth unto !ou 2i&& e to dec&are re*entance unto this *eo*&e<
that !ou 'a! rin, sou&s unto 'e< that !ou 'a! rest 2ith the' in the
0in,do' of '! Father# A'en#
3e found the *eo*&e of Seneca count! in ,enera& friend&!< and
dis*osed to en>uire into truth of these stran,e 'atters 2hich no2 e,an to
e noised aroad# .an! o*ened their houses to us< in order that 2e 'i,ht
ha$e an o**ortunit! of 'eetin, 2ith our friends for the *ur*ose of
instruction and e/*&anation# 3e 'et 2ith 'an! fro' ti'e to ti'e 2ho 2ere
2i&&in, to hear us< and 2ho desired to find out the truth as it is in
Christ Jesus< and a**arent&! 2i&&in, to oe! the 5os*e&< 2hen once fair&!
con$inced and satisfied in their o2n 'inds? and in this sa'e 'onth of
June< '! rother H!ru' S'ith< Da$id 3hit'er< and )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< 2ere
a*ti4ed in Seneca &a0e< the t2o for'er ! '!se&f< the &atter ! O&i$er
Co2der!# Fro' this ti'e forth 'an! eca'e e&ie$ers< and so'e 2ere
a*ti4ed 2hi&st 2e continued to instruct and *ersuade as 'an! as a**&ied
for infor'ation#
CHA)TER %I#
THE TESTI.ONY OF THE ES)ECIAL 3ITNESSES TO THE "OO1 OF .OR.ON#
In the course of the 2or0 of trans&ation< 2e ascertained that three
s*ecia& 2itnesses 2ere to e *ro$ided ! the Lord< to 2ho' He 2ou&d ,rant
that the! shou&d see the *&ates fro' 2hich this 2or0 Ethe "oo0 of .or'onF
shou&d e trans&ated? and that these 2itnesses shou&d ear record of the
sa'e< as 2i&& e found recorded< "oo0 of .or'on< *a,e G87 I"oo0 of Ether<
cha*ter G< $erses H< 9 and @< *# @8M< edition 7NHDJ< a&so *a,e 8: III
Ne*hi< cha*ter 77< $erse 9< *# M9< edition 7NHDJ# A&'ost i''ediate&!
after 2e had 'ade this disco$er!< it occurred to O&i$er Co2der!< Da$id
3hit'er and the afore'entioned .artin Harris E2ho had co'e to in>uire
after our *ro,ress in the 2or0F that the! 2ou&d ha$e 'e in>uire of the
Lord to 0no2 if the! 'i,ht not otain of hi' the *ri$i&e,e to e these
three s*ecia& 2itnesses? and fina&&! the! eca'e so $er! so&icitous< and
ur,ed 'e so 'uch to in>uire that at &en,th I co'*&ied? and throu,h the
Uri' and Thu''i'< I otained of the Lord for the' the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to O&i$er Co2der!< Da$id 3hit'er< and .artin Harris< at
Fa!ette< Seneca Count!< Ne2 Yor0< June< 78HN< ,i$en *re$ious to their
$ie2in, the *&ates containin, the "oo0 of .or'on#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that !ou 'ust re&! u*on '! 2ord< 2hich if
!ou do 2ith fu&& *ur*ose of heart< !ou sha&& ha$e a $ie2 of the *&ates<
and a&so the reast*&ate< the s2ord of Laan< the Uri' and Thu''i'< 2hich
2ere ,i$en to the rother of Jared u*on the 'ount< 2hen he ta&0ed 2ith the
Lord face to face< and the 'iracu&ous directors 2hich 2ere ,i$en to Lehi
2hi&e in the 2i&derness< on the orders of the Red Sea#
H# And it is ! !our faith that !ou sha&& otain a $ie2 of the'< e$en
! that faith 2hich 2as had ! the *ro*hets of o&d#
9# And after that !ou ha$e otained faith< and ha$e seen the' 2ith
!our e!es< !ou sha&& testif! of the'< ! the *o2er of 5od?
@# And this !ou sha&& do that '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'a! not
e destro!ed< that I 'a! rin, aout '! ri,hteous *ur*oses unto the
chi&dren of 'en in this 2or0#
G# And !e sha&& testif! that !ou ha$e seen the'< e$en as '! ser$ant
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< has seen the'? for it is ! '! *o2er that he has seen
the'< and it is ecause he had faith#
:# And he has trans&ated the oo0< e$en that *art 2hich I ha$e
co''anded hi'< and as !our Lord and !our 5od &i$eth it is true#
M# 3herefore !ou ha$e recei$ed the sa'e *o2er< and the sa'e faith<
and the sa'e ,ift &i0e unto hi'?
8# And if !ou do these &ast co''and'ents of 'ine< 2hich I ha$e ,i$en
!ou< the ,ates of he&& sha&& not *re$ai& a,ainst !ou? for '! ,race is
sufficient for !ou< and !ou sha&& e &ifted u* at the &ast da!#
N# And< I< Jesus Christ< !our Lord and !our 5od< ha$e s*o0en it unto
!ou< that I 'i,ht rin, aout '! ri,hteous *ur*oses unto the chi&dren of
'en# A'en#
Not 'an! da!s after the ao$e co''and'ent 2as ,i$en< 2e four< $i4#<
.artin Harris< Da$id 3hit'er< O&i$er Co2der! and '!se&f< a,reed to retire
into the 2oods< and tr! to otain< ! fer$ent and hu'&e *ra!er< the
fu&fi&'ent of the *ro'ises ,i$en in the ao$e re$e&ation--that the! shou&d
ha$e a $ie2 of the *&ates# 3e accordin,&! 'ade choice of a *iece of 2oods
con$enient to .r# 3hit'er+s house< to 2hich 2e retired< and ha$in, 0ne&t
do2n< 2e e,an to *ra! in 'uch faith to A&'i,ht! 5od to esto2 u*on us a
rea&i4ation of these *ro'ises#
Accordin, to *re$ious arran,e'ent< I co''enced *ra!er to our Hea$en&!
Father< and 2as fo&&o2ed ! each of the others in succession# 3e did not
at the first tria&< ho2e$er< otain an! ans2er or 'anifestation of di$ine
fa$or in our eha&f# 3e a,ain oser$ed the sa'e order of *ra!er< each
ca&&in, on and *ra!in, fer$ent&! to 5od in rotation< ut 2ith the sa'e
resu&t as efore#
U*on this< our second fai&ure< .artin Harris *ro*osed that he shou&d
2ithdra2 hi'se&f fro' us< e&ie$in,< as he e/*ressed hi'se&f< that his
*resence 2as the cause of our not otainin, 2hat 2e 2ished for# He
accordin,&! 2ithdre2 fro' us< and 2e 0ne&t do2n a,ain< and had not een
'an! 'inutes en,a,ed in *ra!er< 2hen *resent&! 2e ehe&d a &i,ht ao$e us
in the air< of e/ceedin, ri,htness? and eho&d< an an,e& stood efore us#
In his hands he he&d the *&ates 2hich 2e had een *ra!in, for these to
ha$e a $ie2 of# He turned o$er the &ea$es one ! one< so that 2e cou&d
see the'< and discern the en,ra$in,s thereon distinct&!# He then
addressed hi'se&f to Da$id 3hit'er< and said< -Da$id< &essed is the Lord<
and he that 0ee*s His co''and'ents?- 2hen< i''ediate&! after2ards< 2e
heard a $oice fro' out of the ri,ht &i,ht ao$e us< sa!in,<
-These *&ates ha$e een re$ea&ed ! the *o2er of 5od< and the! ha$e
een trans&ated ! the *o2er of 5od# The trans&ation of the' 2hich !ou
ha$e seen is correct< and I co''and !ou to ear record of 2hat !ou no2 see
and hear#-
I no2 &eft Da$id and O&i$er< and 2ent in *ursuit of .artin Harris<
2ho' I found at a considera&e distance< fer$ent&! en,a,ed in *ra!er# He
soon to&d 'e< ho2e$er< that he had not !et *re$ai&ed 2ith the Lord< and
earnest&! re>uested 'e to =oin hi' in *ra!er< that he a&so 'i,ht rea&i4e
the sa'e &essin,s 2hich 2e had =ust recei$ed# 3e accordin,&! =oined in
*ra!er< and u&ti'ate&! otained our desires< for efore 2e had !et
finished< the sa'e $ision 2as o*ened to our $ie2< at &east it 2as a,ain
o*ened to 'e< and I once 'ore ehe&d and heard the sa'e thin,s? 2hi&st at
the sa'e 'o'ent< .artin Harris cried out< a**arent&! in an ecstas! of =o!<
- +Tis enou,h? +tis enou,h? 'ine e!es ha$e ehe&d? 'ine e!es ha$e ehe&d?-
and =u'*in, u*< he shouted<-Hosanna<- &essin, 5od< and other2ise re=oiced
e/ceedin,&!#
Ha$in, thus< throu,h the 'erc! of 5od< otained these ,&orious
'anifestations< it no2 re'ained for these three indi$idua&s to fu&fi& the
co''and'ent 2hich the! had recei$ed< $i4#< to ear record of these thin,s?
in order to acco'*&ish 2hich< the! dre2 u* and suscried the fo&&o2in,
docu'ent(
The Testi'on! of Three 3itnesses#
"E IT 1NO3N unto a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e< unto
2ho' this 2or0 sha&& co'e( That 2e< throu,h the ,race of 5od the Father<
and our Lord Jesus Christ< ha$e seen the *&ates 2hich contain this record<
2hich is a record of the *eo*&e of Ne*hi< and a&so of the La'anites< their
rethren< and a&so of the *eo*&e of Jared< 2ho ca'e fro' the to2er of
2hich hath een s*o0en# And 2e a&so 0no2 that the! ha$e een trans&ated
! the ,ift and *o2er of 5od< for his $oice hath dec&ared it unto us?
2herefore 2e 0no2 of a suret! that the 2or0 is true# And 2e a&so testif!
that 2e ha$e seen the en,ra$in,s 2hich are u*on the *&ates? and the! ha$e
een sho2n unto us ! the *o2er of 5od< and not of 'an# And 2e dec&are
2ith 2ords of soerness< that an an,e& of 5od ca'e do2n fro' hea$en< and
he rou,ht and &aid efore our e!es< that 2e ehe&d and sa2 the *&ates<
and the en,ra$in,s thereon? and 2e 0no2 that it is ! the ,race of 5od the
the Father< and our Lord Jesus Christ< that 2e ehe&d and ear record that
these thin,s are true# And it is 'ar$e&ous in our e!es# Ne$erthe&ess<
the $oice of the Lord co''anded us that 2e shou&d ear record of it?
2herefore< to e oedient unto the co''and'ents of 5od< 2e ear testi'on!
of these thin,s# And 2e 0no2 that if 2e are faithfu& in Christ< 2e sha&&
rid our ,ar'ents of the &ood of a&& 'en< and e found s*ot&ess efore the
=ud,'ent seat of Christ< and sha&& d2e&& 2ith hi' eterna&&! in the
hea$ens# And the honor e to the Father< and to the Son and to the Ho&!
5host< 2hich is one 5od# A'en#
OLI%ER CO3DERY< DA%ID 3HIT.ER< .ARTIN HARRIS#
Soon after these thin,s had trans*ired< the fo&&o2in, additiona&
testi'on! 2as otained(
The Testi'on! of Ei,ht 3itnesses#
"E IT 1NO3N unto a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e< unto
2ho' this 2or0 sha&& co'e? that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< the trans&ator of this
2or0< has sho2n unto us the *&ates of 2hich hath een s*o0en< 2hich ha$e
the a**earance of ,o&d? and as 'an! of the &ea$es as the said S'ith has
trans&ated 2e did hand&e 2ith our hands? and 2e a&so sa2 the en,ra$in,s
thereon< a&& of 2hich has the a**earance of ancient 2or0< and of curious
2or0'anshi*# And this 2e ear record 2ith 2ords of soerness< that the
said S'ith has sho2n unto us< for 2e ha$e seen and hefted< and 0no2 of a
suret! that the said S'ith has ,ot the *&ates of 2hich 2e ha$e s*o0en#
And 2e ,i$e our na'es unto the 2or&d to 2itness unto the 2or&d that 2hich
2e ha$e seen# And 2e &ie not< 5od earin, 2itness of it# CHRISTIAN
3HIT.ER< JACO" 3HIT.ER< )ETER 3HIT.ER< JUN#< JOHN 3HIT.ER< HIRA. )A5E<
JOSE)H S.ITH< SEN< HYRU. S.ITH< SA.UEL H# S.ITH#
.eanti'e 2e continued to trans&ate< at inter$a&s< 2hen not under the
necessit! of attendin, to the nu'erous in>uirers 2ho no2 e,an to $isit
us--so'e for the sa0e of findin, the truth others for the *ur*ose of
*uttin, hard >uestions< and tr!in, to confound us# A'on, the &atter c&ass
2ere se$era& &earned *riests< 2ho ,enera&&! ca'e for the *ur*ose of
dis*utation# Ho2e$er< the Lord continued to *our out u*on us His Ho&!
S*irit< and as often as 2e had need< He ,a$e us in that 'o'ent 2hat to
sa!? so that a&thou,h un&earned and ine/*erienced in re&i,ious
contro$ersies< !et 2e 2ere a&e to confound those &earned *riests of the
da!? 2hi&st at the sa'e ti'e 2e 2ere ena&ed to con$ince the honest in
heart that 2e had otained< throu,h the 'erc! of 5od< the true and e$er
&astin, 5os*e& of Jesus Christ? and occasiona&&! 2e ad'inistered the
ordinance of a*tis' for the re'ission of sins to such as e&ie$ed#
CHA)TER %II#
THE DAY A))OINTED FOR OR5ANI;IN5 THE CHURCH--RE%ELATION ON
CHURCH 5O%ERN.ENT#
3e no2 eca'e an/ious to ha$e that *ro'ise rea&i4ed to us< 2hich the
an,e& that conferred u*on us the Aaronic )riesthood had ,i$en us< $i4#<
that *ro$ided 2e continued faithfu&< 2e shou&d a&so ha$e the .e&chi4ede0
)riesthood< 2hich ho&ds the authorit! of the &a!in, on of hands for the
,ift of the Ho&! 5host# 3e had for so'e ti'e 'ade this 'atter a su=ect
of hu'&e *ra!er< and at &en,th 2e ,ot to,ether in the cha'er of .r#
3hit'er+s house< in order 'ore *articu&ar&! to see0 of the Lord 2hat 2e
no2 so earnest&! desired? and here< to our uns*ea0a&e satisfaction< did
2e rea&i4e the truth of the Sa$ior+s *ro'ise---As0< and it sha&& e ,i$en
!ou? see0< and !e sha&& find? 0noc0< and it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou---for
2e had not &on, een en,a,ed in so&e'n and fer$ent *ra!er< 2hen the 2ord
of the Lord ca'e unto us in the cha'er< co''andin, us that I shou&d
ordain O&i$er Co2der! to e an E&der in the Church of Jesus Christ? and
that he a&so shou&d ordain 'e to the sa'e office? and then to ordain
others< as it shou&d e 'ade 0no2n unto us fro' ti'e to ti'e# 3e 2ere<
ho2e$er< co''anded to defer this our ordination unti& such ti'es as it
shou&d e *ractica&e to ha$e our rethren< 2ho had een and 2ho shou&d e
a*ti4ed< asse'&ed to,ether< 2hen 2e 'ust ha$e their sanction to our thus
*roceedin, to ordain each other< and ha$e the' decide ! $ote 2hether the!
2ere 2i&&in, to acce*t us as s*iritua& teachers or not? 2hen a&so 2e 2ere
co''anded to &ess read and rea0 it 2ith the'< and to ta0e 2ine< &ess
it< and drin0 it 2ith the'? after2ard *roceed to ordain each other
accordin, to co''and'ent? then ca&& out such 'en as the S*irit shou&d
dictate< and ordain the'? and then attend to the &a!in, on of hands for
the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< u*on a&& those 2ho' 2e had *re$ious&!
a*ti4ed< doin, a&& thin,s in the na'e of the Lord# The fo&&o2in,
co''and'ent 2i&& further i&&ustrate the nature of our ca&&in, to this
)riesthood< as 2e&& as that of others 2ho 2ere !et to e sou,ht after(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er<
'a0in, 0no2n the ca&&in, of T2e&$e A*ost&es in these &ast da!s( and a&so
instructions re&ati$e to ui&din, u* the Church of Christ accordin, to the
fu&ness of the 5os*e&< 5i$en in Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0< June< 78HN#
7# No2< eho&d< ecause of the thin, 2hich !ou< '! ser$ant O&i$er
Co2der!< ha$e desired to 0no2 of 'e< I ,i$e unto !ou these 2ords?
H# "eho&d< I ha$e 'anifested unto !ou< ! '! S*irit in 'an!
instances< that the thin,s 2hich !ou ha$e 2ritten are true? 2herefore !ou
0no2 that the! are true#
9# And if !ou 0no2 that the! are true< eho&d< I ,i$e unto !ou a
co''and'ent< that !ou re&! u*on the thin,s 2hich are 2ritten?
@# For in the' are a&& thin,s 2ritten concernin, the foundation of '!
church< '! ,os*e& and '! roc0#
G# 3herefore< if !ou sha&& ui&d u* '! church< u*on the foundation of
'! ,os*e& and '! roc0< the ,ates of he&& sha&& not *re$ai& a,ainst !ou#
:# "eho&d< the 2or&d is ri*enin, in ini>uit!? and it 'ust needs e
that the chi&dren of 'en are stirred u* unto re*entance< oth the 5enti&es
and a&so the house of Israe&#
M# 3herefore< as thou hast een a*ti4ed ! the hands of '! ser$ant
Jose*h S'ith Jun#< accordin, to that 2hich I ha$e co''anded hi'< he hath
fu&fi&&ed the thin, 2hich I co''anded hi'#
8# And no2< 'ar$e& not that I ha$e ca&&ed hi' unto 'ine o2n *ur*ose<
2hich *ur*ose is 0no2n in 'e 2herefore< if he sha&& e di&i,ent in 0ee*in,
'! co''and'ents he sha&& e &essed unto eterna& &ife? and his na'e is
Jose*h#
N# And no2< O&i$er Co2der!< I s*ea0 unto !ou< and a&so unto Da$id
3hit'er< ! the 2a! of co''and'ent? for eho&d< I co''and a&& 'en
e$er!2here to re*ent< and I s*ea0 unto !ou e$en as unto )au& 'ine a*ost&e<
for !ou are ca&&ed e$en 2ith that sa'e ca&&in, 2ith 2hich he 2as ca&&ed#
7D# Re'e'er the 2orth of sou&s is ,reat in the si,ht of 5od?
77# For< eho&d the Lord !our Redee'er suffered death in the f&esh?
2herefore he suffered the *ain of a&& 'en< that a&& 'en 'i,ht re*ent and
co'e unto hi'#
7H# And he hath risen a,ain fro' the dead< that he 'i,ht rin, a&&
'en unto hi'< on conditions of re*entance<
79# And ho2 ,reat is his =o! in the sou& that re*entethK
7@# 3herefore< !ou are ca&&ed to cr! re*entance unto this *eo*&e#
7G# And if it so e that !ou shou&d &aor a&& !our da!s in cr!in,
re*entance unto this *eo*&e< and rin,< sa$e it e one sou& unto 'e< ho2
,reat sha&& e !our =o! 2ith hi' in the 0in,do' of '! FatherK
7:# And no2< if !our =o! 2i&& e ,reat 2ith one sou& that !ou ha$e
rou,ht unto 'e into the 0in,do' of '! Father< ho2 ,reat 2i&& e !our =o!
if !ou shou&d rin, 'an! sou&s unto 'eK
7M# "eho&d< !ou ha$e '! ,os*e& efore !ou< and '! roc0< and '!
sa&$ation#
78# As0 the Father in '! na'e< in faith e&ie$in, that !ou sha&&
recei$e< and !ou sha&& ha$e the Ho&! 5host< 2hich 'anifesteth a&& thin,s
2hich are e/*edient unto the chi&dren of 'en#
7N# And if !ou ha$e not faith< ho*e< and charit!< !ou can do nothin,#
HD# Contend a,ainst no church< sa$e it e the church of the de$i&#
H7# Ta0e u*on !ou the na'e of Christ< and s*ea0 the truth in
soerness#
HH# And as 'an! as re*ent and are a*ti4ed in '! na'e< 2hich is Jesus
Christ< and endure to the end< the sa'e sha&& e sa$ed#
H9# "eho&d< Jesus Christ is the na'e 2hich is ,i$en of the Father<
and there is none other na'e ,i$en 2here! 'an can e sa$ed?
H@# 3herefore< a&& 'en 'ust ta0e u*on the' the na'e 2hich is ,i$en of
the Father< for in that na'e sha&& the! e ca&&ed at the &ast da!<
HG# 3herefore< if the! 0no2 not the na'e ! 2hich the! are ca&&ed<
the! cannot ha$e *&ace in the 0in,do' of '! Father#
H:# And no2< eho&d< there are others 2ho are ca&&ed to dec&are '!
,os*e&< oth unto 5enti&e and unto Je2?
HM# Yea< e$en t2e&$e? and the T2e&$e sha&& e '! disci*&es< and the!
sha&& ta0e u*on the' '! na'e? and the T2e&$e are the! 2ho sha&& desire to
ta0e u*on the' '! na'e 2ith fu&& *ur*ose of heart#
H8# And if the! desire to ta0e u*on the' '! na'e 2ith fu&& *ur*ose of
heart< the! are ca&&ed to ,o into a&& the 2or&d to *reach '! ,os*e& unto
e$er! creature#
HN# And the! are the! 2ho are ordained of 'e to a*ti4e in '! na'e<
accordin, to that 2hich is 2ritten?
9D# And !ou ha$e that 2hich is 2ritten efore !ou? 2herefore< !ou
'ust *erfor' it accordin, to the 2ords 2hich are 2ritten#
97# And no2 I s*ea0 unto !ou< the T2e&$e--"eho&d< '! ,race is
sufficient for !ou? !ou 'ust 2a&0 u*ri,ht&! efore 'e and sin not#
9H# And< eho&d< !ou are the! 2ho are ordained of 'e to ordain
*riests and teachers< to dec&are '! ,os*e&< accordin, to the *o2er of the
Ho&! 5host 2hich is in !ou< and accordin, to the ca&&in,s and ,ifts of 5od
unto 'en<
99# And I< Jesus Christ< !our Lord and !our 5od< ha$e s*o0en it#
9@# These 2ords are not of 'en< nor of 'an< ut of 'e? 2herefore !ou
sha&& testif! the! are of 'e and not of 'an?
9G# For it is '! $oice 2hich s*ea0eth the' unto !ou? for the! are
,i$en ! '! S*irit unto !ou< and ! '! *o2er !ou can read the' one to
another? and sa$e it 2ere ! '! *o2er !ou cou&d not ha$e the'?
9:# 3herefore< !ou can testif! that !ou ha$e heard '! $oice< and 0no2
'! 2ords#
9M# And no2< eho&d I ,i$e unto !ou< O&i$er Co2der!< and a&so unto
Da$id 3hit'er< that !ou sha&& search out the T2e&$e< 2ho sha&& ha$e the
desires of 2hich I ha$e s*o0en?
98# And ! their desires and their 2or0s !ou sha&& 0no2 the'#
9N# And 2hen !ou ha$e found the'< !ou sha&& sho2 these thin,s unto
the'#
@D# And !ou sha&& fa&& do2n and 2orshi* the Father in '! na'e<
@7# And !ou 'ust *reach unto the 2or&d< sa!in,( You 'ust re*ent and
e a*ti4ed in the na'e of Jesus Christ?
@H# For a&& 'en 'ust re*ent and e a*ti4ed< and not on&! 'en< ut
2o'en< and chi&dren 2ho ha$e arri$ed at the !ears of accountai&it!#
@9# And no2< after that !ou ha$e recei$ed this !ou 'ust 0ee* '!
co''and'ents in a&& thin,s?
@@# And ! !our hands I 2i&& 2or0 a 'ar$e&ous 2or0 a'on, the chi&dren
of 'en unto the con$incin, of 'en of their sins< that the! 'a! co'e unto
re*entance< and that the! 'a! co'e unto the 0in,do' of '! Father#
@G# 3herefore< the &essin,s 2hich I ,i$e unto !ou are ao$e a&&
thin,s#
@:# And after that !ou ha$e recei$ed this< if !ou 0ee* not '!
co''and'ents !ou cannot e sa$ed in the 0in,do' of '! Father#
@M# "eho&d< I< Jesus Christ< !our Lord and !our 5od< and !our
Redee'er< ! the *o2er of '! S*irit ha$e s*o0en it# A'en#
In this 'anner did the Lord continue to ,i$e us instructions fro'
ti'e to ti'e< concernin, the duties 2hich no2 de$o&$ed u*on us? and a'on,
'an! other thin,s of the 0ind< 2e otained of Hi' the fo&&o2in,< ! the
s*irit of *ro*hec! and re$e&ation? 2hich not on&! ,a$e us 'uch
infor'ation< ut a&so *ointed out to us the *recise da! u*on 2hich<
accordin, to His 2i&& and co''and'ent< 2e shou&d *roceed to or,ani4e His
Church once 'ore here u*on the earth(
A Re$e&ation on Church 5o$ern'ent#
7# The rise of the Church of Christ in these &ast da!s< ein, one
thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt! !ears since the co'in, of our Lord and
Sa$ior Jesus Christ in the f&esh< it ein, re,u&ar&! or,ani4ed and
esta&ished a,reea&e to the &a2s of our countr!< ! the 2i&& and
co''and'ents of 5od< in the fourth 'onth< and on the si/th da! of the
'onth 2hich is ca&&ed A*ri&--
H# 3hich co''and'ents 2ere ,i$en to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ho 2as
ca&&ed of 5od< and ordained an a*ost&e of Jesus Christ< to e the first
e&der of this Church?
9# And to O&i$er Co2der!< 2ho 2as a&so ca&&ed of 5od< an a*ost&e of
Jesus Christ< to e the second e&der of this church< and ordained under
his hand?
@# And this accordin, to the ,race of our Lord and Sa$ior Jesus
Christ< to 2ho' e a&& ,&or!< oth no2 and for e$er# A'en#
G# After it 2as tru&! 'anifested unto this first e&der that he had
recei$ed a re'ission of his sins< he 2as entan,&ed a,ain in the $anities
of the 2or&d?
:# "ut after re*entin, and hu'&in, hi'se&f sincere&! throu,h faith<
5od 'inistered unto hi' ! an ho&! an,e& 2hose countenance 2as as
&i,htnin,< and 2hose ,ar'ents 2ere *ure and 2hite ao$e a&& other
2hiteness?
M# And ,a$e unto hi' co''and'ents 2hich insti&&ed hi'?
8# And ,a$e hi' *o2er fro' on hi,h< ! the 'eans 2hich 2ere efore
*re*ared< to trans&ate the "oo0 of .or'on?
N# 3hich contains a record of a fa&&en *eo*&e< and the fu&ness of the
,os*e& of Jesus Christ to the 5enti&es and to the Je2s a&so#
7D# 3hich 2as ,i$en ! ins*iration< and is confir'ed to others ! the
'inisterin, of an,e&s< and is dec&ared unto the 2or&d ! the'--
77# )ro$in, to the 2or&d that the Ho&! Scri*tures are true< and that
5od does ins*ire 'en and ca&& the' to the ho&! 2or0 in this a,e and
,eneration< as 2e&& as in ,enerations of o&d<
7H# There! sho2in, that he is the sa'e 5od !esterda!< toda!< and for
e$er# A'en#
79# Therefore ha$in, so ,reat 2itnesses ! the' sha&& the 2or&d e
=ud,ed< e$en as 'an! as sha&& hereafter co'e to a 0no2&ed,e of this 2or0#
7@# And those 2ho recei$e it in faith< and 2or0 ri,hteousness< sha&&
recei$e a cro2n of eterna& &ife?
7G# "ut those 2ho harden their hearts in une&ief and re=ect it< it
sha&& turn to their o2n conde'nation--
7:# For the Lord 5od hath s*o0en it? and 2e< the e&ders of the church
ha$e heard and ear 2itness to the 2ords of the ,&orious .a=est! on hi,h<
to 2ho' e ,&or! for e$er and e$er# A'en#
7M# "! these thin,s 2e 0no2 that there is a 5od in hea$en< 2ho is
infinite and eterna&< fro' e$er&astin, to e$er&astin, the sa'e
unchan,ea&e
5od< the fra'er of hea$en and earth< and a&& thin,s 2hich are in
the'?
78# And that he created 'an< 'a&e< and fe'a&e< after his o2n i'a,e
and in his o2n &i0eness< created he the'?
7N# And ,a$e unto the' co''and'ents that the! shou&d &o$e and ser$e
hi'< the on&! &i$in, and true 5od< and that he shou&d e the on&! ein,
2ho' the! shou&d 2orshi*#
HD# "ut ! the trans,ression of these ho&! &a2s 'an eca'e sensua&
and de$i&ish< and eca'e fa&&en 'an#
H7# 3herefore< the A&'i,ht! 5od ,a$e his On&! "e,otten Son< as it is
2ritten in those scri*tures 2hich ha$e een ,i$en of hi'#
HH# He suffered te'*tations ut ,a$e no heed unto the'#
H9# He 2as crucified< died< and rose a,ain the third da!(
H@# And ascended into hea$en< to sit do2n on the ri,ht hand of the
Father< to rei,n 2ith a&'i,ht! *o2er accordin, to the 2i&& of the Father?
HG# That as 'an! as 2ou&d e&ie$e and e a*ti4ed in his ho&! na'e<
and endure in faith to the end< shou&d e sa$ed--
H:# Not on&! those 2ho e&ie$e after he ca'e in the 'eridian of ti'e<
in the f&esh< ut a&& those fro' the e,innin,< e$en as 'an! as 2ere
efore he ca'e< 2ho e&ie$ed in the 2ords of the ho&! *ro*hets< 2ho s*a0e
as the! 2ere ins*ired ! the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< 2ho tru&! testified
of hi' in a&& thin,s< shou&d ha$e eterna& &ife<
HM# As 2e&& as those 2ho shou&d co'e after< 2ho shou&d e&ie$e in the
,ifts and ca&&in,s of 5od ! the Ho&! 5host< 2hich eareth record of the
Father and of the Son?
H8# 3hich Father< Son< and Ho&! 5host are one 5od< infinite and
eterna&< 2ithout end# A'en#
HN# And 2e 0no2 that a&& 'en 'ust re*ent and e&ie$e on the na'e of
Jesus Christ< and 2orshi* the Father in his na'e< and endure in faith on
his na'e to the end< or the! cannot e sa$ed in the 0in,do' of 5od#
9D# And 2e 0no2 that =ustification throu,h the ,race of our Lord and
Sa$ior Jesus Christ is =ust and true?
97# And 2e 0no2 a&so< that sanctification throu,h the ,race of our
Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ is =ust and true< to a&& those 2ho &o$e and
ser$e 5od 2ith a&& their 'i,hts< 'inds< and stren,th#
9H# "ut there is a *ossii&it! that 'an 'a! fa&& fro' ,race and
de*art fro' the &i$in, 5od?
99# Therefore &et the church ta0e heed and *ra! a&2a!s< &est the!
fa&& into te'*tation?
9@# Yea< and e$en &et those 2ho are sanctified ta0e heed a&so#
9G# And 2e 0no2 that these thin,s are true and accordin, to the
re$e&ations of John< neither addin, to< nor di'inishin, fro' the *ro*hec!
of his oo0< the ho&! scri*tures< or the re$e&ations of 5od 2hich sha&&
co'e hereafter ! the ,ift and *o2er of the Ho&! 5host< the $oice of 5od<
or the 'inisterin, of an,e&s#
9:# And the Lord 5od has s*o0en it? and honor< *o2er and ,&or! e
rendered to his ho&! na'e< oth no2 and e$er# A'en#
9M# And a,ain< ! 2a! of co''and'ent to the church concernin, the
'anner of a*tis'--A&& those 2ho hu'&e the'se&$es efore 5od< and desire
to e a*ti4ed< and co'e forth 2ith ro0en hearts and contrite s*irits<
and 2itness efore the church that the! ha$e tru&! re*ented of a&& their
sins< and are 2i&&in, to ta0e u*on the' the na'e of Jesus Christ< ha$in, a
deter'ination to ser$e hi' to the end< and tru&! 'anifest ! their 2or0s
that the! ha$e recei$ed of the S*irit of Christ unto the re'ission of
their sins< sha&& e recei$ed ! a*tis' into his church#
98# The dut! of the e&ders< *riests< teachers< deacons< and 'e'ers
of the church of Christ--An a*ost&e is an e&der< and it is his ca&&in, to
a*ti4e?
9N# And to ordain other e&ders< *riests< teachers< and deacons?
@D# And to ad'inister read and 2ine--the e'&e's of the f&esh and
&ood of Christ--
@7# And to confir' those 2ho are a*ti4ed into the church< ! the
&a!in, on of hands for the a*tis' of fire and the Ho&! 5host< accordin,
to the scri*tures?
@H# And to teach< e/*ound< e/hort< a*ti4e< and 2atch o$er the
church?
@9# And to confir' the church ! the &a!in, on of the hands< and the
,i$in, of the Ho&! 5host?
@@# And to ta0e the &ead of a&& 'eetin,s#
@G# The e&ders are to conduct the 'eetin,s as the! are &ed ! the
Ho&! 5host< accordin, to the co''and'ents and re$e&ations of 5od#
@:# The *riest+s dut! is to *reach< teach< e/*ound< e/hort< and
a*ti4e< and ad'inister the sacra'ent<
@M# And $isit the house of each 'e'er< and e/hort the' to *ra!
$oca&&! and in secret and attend to a&& fa'i&! duties#
@8# And he 'a! a&so ordain other *riests< teachers< and deacons#
@N# And he is to ta0e the &ead of 'eetin,s 2hen there is no e&der
*resent?
GD# "ut 2hen there is an e&der *resent< he is on&! to *reach< teach<
e/*ound< e/hort< and a*ti4e<
G7# And $isit the house of each 'e'er< e/hortin, the' to *ra!
$oca&&! and in secret and attend to a&& fa'i&! duties#
GH# In a&& these duties the *riest is to assist the e&der if occasion
re>uires#
G9# The teacher+s dut! is to 2atch o$er the church a&2a!s< and e
2ith and stren,then the'?
G@# And see that there is no ini>uit! in the church< neither hardness
2ith each other< neither &!in,< ac0 itin,< nor e$i& s*ea0in,?
GG# And see that the church 'eet to,ether often< and a&so see that
a&& the 'e'ers do their dut!#
G:# And he is to ta0e the &ead of 'eetin,s in the asence of the
e&der or *riest--
GM# And is to e assisted a&2a!s< in a&& his duties in the church< !
the deacons< if occasion re>uires#
G8# "ut neither teachers nor deacons ha$e authorit! to a*ti4e<
ad'inister the sacra'ent or &a! on hands?
GN# The! are< ho2e$er< to 2arn< e/*ound< e/hort< and teach< and
in$ite a&& to co'e unto Christ#
:D# E$er! e&der< *riest< teacher< or deacon is to e ordained
accordin, to the ,ifts and ca&&in,s of 5od unto hi'? and he is to e
ordained ! the *o2er of the Ho&! 5host< 2hich is in the one 2ho ordains
hi'#
:7# The se$era& e&ders co'*osin, this church of Christ are to 'eet in
conference once in three 'onths< or fro' ti'e to ti'e as said conferences
sha&& direct or a**oint?
:H# And said conferences are to do 2hate$er church usiness is
necessar! to e done at the ti'e#
:9# The e&ders are to recei$e their &icenses fro' other e&ders< !
$ote of the church to 2hich the! e&on,< or fro' the conferences#
:@# Each *riest< teacher< or deacon< 2ho is ordained ! a *riest< 'a!
ta0e a certificate fro' hi' at the ti'e< 2hich certificate< 2hen *resented
to an e&der< sha&& entit&e hi' to a &icense< 2hich sha&& authori4e hi' to
*erfor' the duties of his ca&&in,? or he 'a! recei$e it fro' a conference#
:G# No *erson is to e ordained to an! office in this church< 2here
there is a re,u&ar&! or,ani4ed ranch of the sa'e< 2ithout the $ote of
that church?
::# "ut the *residin, e&ders< tra$e&in, isho*s< hi,h counci&ors<
hi,h *riests< and e&ders< 'a! ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of ordainin,< 2here there
is no ranch of the church that a $ote 'a! e ca&&ed#
:M# E$er! *resident of the hi,h *riesthood Eor *residin, e&derF<
isho*< hi,h counci&or and hi,h *riest< is to e ordained ! the direction
of a hi,h counci& or ,enera& conference#
:8# The dut! of the 'e'ers after the! are recei$ed ! a*tis'#--
The e&ders or *riests are to ha$e a sufficient ti'e to e/*ound a&&
thin,s concernin, the church of Christ to their understandin,< *re$ious to
their *arta0in, of the sacra'ent and ein, confir'ed ! the &a!in, on of
the hands of the e&ders< so that a&& thin,s 'a! e done in order#
:N# And the 'e'ers sha&& 'anifest efore the church< and a&so efore
the e&ders< ! a ,od&! 2a&0 and con$ersation< that the! are 2orth! of it<
that there 'a! e 2or0s and faith a,reea&e to the Ho&!
Scri*tures--2a&0in, in ho&iness efore the Lord#
MD# E$er! 'e'er of the church of Christ ha$in, chi&dren is to rin,
the' unto the e&ders efore the church< 2ho are to &a! their hands u*on
the' in the na'e of Jesus Christ< and &ess the' in his na'e#
M7# No one can e recei$ed into the church of Christ< un&ess he has
arri$ed unto the !ears of accountai&it! efore 5od< and is ca*a&e of
re*entance#
MH# "a*tis' is to e ad'inistered in the fo&&o2in, 'anner unto a&&
those 2ho re*ent--
M9# The *erson 2ho is ca&&ed of 5od and has authorit! fro' Jesus
Christ to a*ti4e< sha&& ,o do2n into the 2ater 2ith the *erson 2ho has
*resented hi'se&f or herse&f for a*tis'< and sha&& sa!< ca&&in, hi' or
her ! na'e? Ha$in, een co''issioned of Jesus Christ< I a*ti4e !ou in
the na'e of the Father< and of the Son< and of the Ho&! 5host# A'en#
M@# Then sha&& he i''erse hi' or her in the 2ater< and co'e forth
a,ain out of the 2ater#
MG# It is e/*edient that the church 'eet to,ether often to *arta0e of
read and 2ine in the re'e'rance of the Lord Jesus?
M:# And the e&der or *riest sha&& ad'inister it< and after this
'anner sha&& he ad'inister it--he sha&& 0nee& 2ith the church and ca&&
u*on the Father in so&e'n *ra!er< sa!in,?
MM# O 5od< the Eterna& Father 2e as0 thee in the na'e of th! Son<
Jesus Christ< to &ess and sanctif! this read to the sou&s of a&& those
2ho *arta0e of it< that the! 'a! eat in re'e'rance of the od! of th! Son
and 2itness unto thee< O 5od< the Eterna& Father< that the! are 2i&&in, to
ta0e u*on the' the na'e of th! Son< and a&2a!s re'e'er hi' and 0ee* his
co''and'ents 2hich he has ,i$en the'? that the! 'a! a&2a!s ha$e his S*irit
to e 2ith the'# A'en#
M8# The 'anner of ad'inisterin, the 2ine--he sha&& ta0e the cu* a&so
and sa!(
MN# O 5od< the Eterna& Father< 2e as0 thee in the na'e of th! Son<
Jesus Christ< to &ess and sanctif! this 2ine to the sou&s of a&& those
2ho drin0 of it< that the! 'a! do it in re'e'rance of the &ood of th!
Son< 2hich 2as shed for the'? that the! 'a! 2itness
unto thee< O 5od< the Eterna& Father< that the! do a&2a!s re'e'er
hi'< that the! 'a! ha$e his S*irit to e 2ith the'# A'en#
8D# An! 'e'er of the church of Christ trans,ressin,< or ein,
o$erta0en in a fau&t< sha&& e dea&t 2ith as the scri*tures direct#
87# It sha&& e the dut! of the se$era& churches< co'*osin, the
church of Christ< to send one or 'ore of their teachers to attend the
se$era& conferences he&d ! the e&ders of the church<
8H# 3ith a &ist of the na'es of the se$era& 'e'ers unitin,
the'se&$es 2ith the church< since the &ast conference? or send ! the hand
of so'e *riest? so that a re,u&ar &ist of a&& the na'es of the 2ho&e
church 'a! e 0e*t in a oo0 ! one of the e&ders 2ho'soe$er the other
e&ders sha&& a**oint fro' ti'e to ti'e?
89# And a&so< if an! ha$e een e/*e&&ed fro' the church< so that
their na'es 'a! e &otted out of the ,enera& church record of na'es#
8@# A&& 'e'ers re'o$in, fro' the church 2here the! reside< if ,oin,
to a church 2here the! are not 0no2n 'a! ta0e a &etter< certif!in, that
the! are re,u&ar 'e'ers and in ,ood standin,< 2hich certificate 'a! e
si,ned ! an! e&der or *riest if the 'e'er recei$in, the &etter is
*ersona&&! ac>uainted 2ith the e&der or *riest< or it 'a! e si,ned ! the
teachers or deacons of the church#
CHA)TER %III#
THE "OO1 OF .OR.ON )U"LISHED--THE CHURCH OR5ANI;ED#
.EANTI.E< our trans&ation dra2in, to a c&ose< 2e 2ent to )a&'!ra<
3a!ne count!< Ne2 Yor0< secured the co*!ri,ht< and a,reed 2ith .r# E,ert
"# 5randin to *rint fi$e thousand co*ies for the su' of three thousand
do&&ars#
I 2ish to 'ention here that the tit&e-*a,e of the "oo0 of .or'on is a
&itera& trans&ation< ta0en fro' the $er! &ast &eaf on the &eft hand side
of the co&&ection or oo0 of *&ates< 2hich contained the record 2hich has
een trans&ated< the &an,ua,e of the 2ho&e runnin, the sa'e as a&& Here2
2ritin, in ,enera&?C7 and that said tit&e *a,e is not ! an! 'eans a
'odern co'*osition< either of 'ine or of an! other 'an 2ho has &i$ed or
does &i$e in this ,eneration# Therefore< in order to correct an error<
2hich ,enera&&! e/ists concernin, it< I ,i$e e&o2 that *art of the
tit&e-*a,e of the En,&ish $ersion of the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich is a
,enuine and &itera& trans&ation of the tit&e-*a,e of the ori,ina& "oo0 of
.or'on as recorded on the *&ates(
THE "OO1 OF .OR.ON#
An account 2ritten ! the hand of .or'on< u*on )&ates< ta0en fro'
the )&ates of Ne*hi#
3herefore< it is an arid,'ent of the record of the *eo*&e of Ne*hi<
and a&so of the La'anites--3ritten to the La'anites< 2ho are a re'nant of
the house of Israe&< and a&so to Je2 and 5enti&e--3ritten ! 2a! of
co''and'ent< and a&so ! the s*irit of *ro*hec! and of re$e&ation--3ritten
and sea&ed u*< and hid u* unto the Lord< that the! 'i,ht not e
destro!ed--To co'e forth ! the ,ift and *o2er of 5od unto the
inter*retation thereof--Sea&ed ! the hand of .oroni and hid u* unto the
Lord< to co'e forth in due ti'e ! 2a! of the 5enti&e--The inter*retation
thereof ! the ,ift of 5od#
An arid,'ent ta0en fro' the "oo0 of Ether a&so 2hich is a record of
the *eo*&e of Jared 2ho 2ere scattered at the ti'e the Lord confounded the
&an,ua,e of the *eo*&e< 2hen the! 2ere ui&din, a to2er to ,et to
hea$en--3hich is to sho2 unto the re'nant of the house of Israe& 2hat
,reat thin,s the Lord hath done for their father? and that the! 'a! 0no2
the co$enants of the Lord that the! are not cast off fore$er--And a&so to
the con$incin, of the Je2 and 5enti&e that Jesus is the Christ< the
Eterna& 5od< 'anifestin, hi'se&f unto a&& nations--And no2< if there are
fau&ts the! are the 'ista0es of 'en 2herefore< conde'n not the thin,s of
5od< that !e 'a! e found s*ot&ess at the =ud,'ent-seat of Christ#
The re'ainder of the tit&e-*a,e is< of course< 'odern#
A Co''and'ent of 5od and not of 'an< to .artin Harris< ,i$en
E.anchester< Ne2 Yor0< .arch< 789D<F ! Hi' 2ho is Eterna&#
7# I a' A&*ha and O'e,a< Christ the Lord< !ea< e$en I a' he< the
e,innin, and the end< the Redee'er of the 2or&d#
H# I< ha$in, acco'*&ished and finished the 2i&& of hi' 2hose I a'<
e$en the Father< concernin, 'e--ha$in, done this that I 'i,ht sudue a&&
thin,s unto '!se&f---
9# Retainin, a&& *o2er e$en to the destro!in, of Satan and his 2or0s
at the end of the 2or&d< and the &ast ,reat da! of =ud,'ent< 2hich I sha&&
*ass u*on the inhaitants thereof< =ud,in, e$er! 'an accordin, to his
2or0s and the deed( 2hich he hath done#
@# And sure&! e$er! 'an 'ust re*ent or suffer< for I< 5od< a'
end&ess#
G# 3herefore< I re$o0e not the =ud,'ents 2hich I sha&& *ass< ut 2oes
sha&& ,o forth< 2ee*in,< 2ai&in, and ,nashin, of teeth< !ea< to those 2ho
are found on '! &eft hand#
:# Ne$erthe&ess< it is not 2ritten that there sha&& e no end to this
tor'ent< ut it is 2ritten end&ess tor'ent#
M# A,ain< it is 2ritten eterna& da'nation( 2herefore it is 'ore
e/*ress than other scri*tures< that it 'i,ht 2or0 u*on the hearts of the
chi&dren of 'en< a&to,ether for '! na'e+s ,&or!#
8# 3herefore< I 2i&& e/*&ain unto !ou this '!ster!< for it is 'eet
unto !ou to 0no2 e$en as 'ine a*ost&es#
N# I s*ea0 unto !ou that are chosen in this thin,< e$en as one< that
!ou 'a! enter into '! rest#
7D# For< eho&d< the '!ster! of ,od&iness< ho2 ,reat is itK For<
eho&d< I a' end&ess< and the *unish'ent 2hich is ,i$en fro' '! hand is
end&ess *unish'ent< for End&ess is '! na'e< 2herefore--
77# Eterna& *unish'ent is 5od+s *unish'ent#
7H# End&ess *unish'ent is 5od+s *unish'ent#
79# 3herefore< I co''and !ou to re*ent< and 0ee* the co''and'ents
2hich !ou ha$e recei$ed ! the hand of '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in
'! na'e?
7@# And it is ! '! a&'i,ht! *o2er that !ou ha$e recei$ed the'#
7G# Therefore I co''and !ou to re*ent--re*ent< &est I s'ite !ou !
the rod of '! 'outh and ! '! 2rath< and ! '! an,er< and !our sufferin,s
e sore--ho2 sore !ou 0no2 not< ho2 e/>uisite !ou 0no2 not< !ea< ho2 hard
to ear !ou 0no2 not#
7:# For eho&d< I< 5od< ha$e suffered these thin,s for a&&< that the!
'i,ht not suffer if the! 2ou&d re*ent?
7M# "ut if the! 2ou&d not re*ent< the! 'ust suffer e$en as I?
78# 3hich sufferin, caused '!se&f< e$en 5od< the ,reatest of a&&< to
tre'&e ecause of *ain< and to &eed at e$er! *ore< and to suffer oth
od! and s*irit--and 2ou&d that I 'i,ht not drin0 the itter cu*< and
shrin0--
7N# Ne$erthe&ess< ,&or! e to the Father< and I *artoo0 and finished
'! *re*arations unto the chi&dren of 'en#
HD# 3herefore< I co''and !ou a,ain to re*ent< &est I hu'&e !ou 2ith
'! a&'i,ht! *o2er? and that !ou confess !our sins< &est !ou suffer these
*unish'ents of 2hich I ha$e s*o0en< of 2hich in the s'a&&est< !ea< e$en in
the &east de,ree !ou ha$e tasted at the ti'e I 2ithdre2 '! S*irit#
H7# And I co''and !ou< that !ou *reach nau,ht ut re*entance and sho2
not these thin,s unto the 2or&d unti& it is 2isdo' in 'e#
HH# For the! cannot ear 'eat no2< ut 'i&0 the! 'ust recei$e?
2herefore< the! 'ust not 0no2 these thin,s &est the! *erish<
H9# Learn of 'e< and &isten to '! 2ords? 2a&0 in the 'ee0ness of '!
S*irit< and !ou sha&& ha$e *eace in 'e#
H@# I a' Jesus Christ? I ca'e ! the 2i&& of the Father< and I do his
2i&&<
HG# And a,ain< I co''and thee that thou sha&t not co$et th!
nei,hor+s 2ife? nor see0 th! nei,hor+s &ife#
H:# And a,ain< I co''and thee that thou sha&t not co$et thine o2n
*ro*ert!< ut i'*art it free&! to the *rintin, of the "oo0 of .or'on<
2hich contains the truth and the 2ord of 5od--
HM# 3hich is '! 2ord to the 5enti&e< that soon it 'a! ,o to the Je2<
of 2ho' the La'anites are a re'nant< that the! 'a! e&ie$e the ,os*e&< and
&oo0 not for a .essiah to co'e 2ho has a&read! co'e#
H8# And a,ain< I co''and thee that thou sha&t *ra! $oca&&! as 2e&& as
in th! heart? !ea< efore the 2or&d as 2e&& as in secret< in *u&ic as
2e&& as in *ri$ate#
HN# And thou sha&t dec&are ,&ad tidin,s< !ea< *u&ish it u*on the
'ountains< and u*on e$er! hi,h *&ace< and a'on, e$er! *eo*&e that thou
sha&t e *er'itted to see#
9D# And thou sha&t do it 2ith a&& hu'i&it!< trustin, in 'e< re$i&in,
not a,ainst re$i&ers#
97# And of tenets thou sha&t not ta&0< ut thou sha&t dec&are
re*entance and faith on the Sa$ior< and re'ission of sins ! a*tis' and
! fire< !ea< e$en the Ho&! 5host#
9H# "eho&d< this is a ,reat and the &ast co''and'ent 2hich I sha&&
,i$e unto !ou concernin, this 'atter? for this sha&& suffice for th! dai&!
2a&0< e$en unto the end of th! &ife#
99# And 'iser! thou sha&t recei$e if thou 2i&t s&i,ht these counse&s<
!ea< e$en the destruction of th!se&f and *ro*ert!#
9@# I'*art a *ortion of th! *ro*ert!< !ea< e$en *art of th! &ands<
and a&& sa$e the su**ort of th! fa'i&!#
9G# )a! the det thou hast contracted 2ith the *rinter# Re&ease
th!se&f fro' onda,e#
9:# Lea$e th! house and ho'e< e/ce*t 2hen thou sha&t desire to see
th! fa'i&!?
9M# And s*ea0 free&! to a&&? !ea< *reach< e/hort< dec&are the truth<
e$en 2ith a &oud $oice< 2ith a sound of re=oicin,< cr!in,--Hosanna<
hosanna< &essed e the na'e of the Lord 5odK
98# )ra! a&2a!s< and I 2i&& *our out '! S*irit u*on !ou< and ,reat
sha&& e !our &essin,--!ea< e$en 'ore than if !ou shou&d otain treasures
of earth and corru*ti&eness to the e/tent thereof#
9N# "eho&d< canst thou read this 2ithout re=oicin, and &iftin, u* th!
heart for ,&adnessB
@D# Or canst thou run aout &on,er as a &ind ,uideB
@7# Or canst thou e hu'&e and 'ee0< and conduct th!se&f 2ise&!
efore 'e( !ea< co'e unto 'e th! Sa$ior# A'en#
3hi&st the "oo0 of .or'on 2as in the hands of the *rinter< 2e sti&&
continued to ear testi'on! and ,i$e infor'ation< as far as 2e had
o**ortunit!? and a&so 'ade 0no2n to our rethren that 2e had recei$ed a
co''and'ent to or,ani4e the Church? and accordin,&! 2e 'et to,ether for
that *ur*ose< at the house of .r# )eter 3hit'er< Sen#< Eein, si/ in
nu'er<F on Tuesda!< the si/th da! of A*ri&< A# D#< one thousand ei,ht
hundred and thirt!# Ha$in, o*ened the 'eetin, ! so&e'n *ra!er to our
Hea$en&! Father< 2e *roceeded< accordin, to *re$ious co''and'ent< to ca&&
on our rethren to 0no2 2hether the! acce*ted us as their teachers in the
thin,s of the 1in,do' of 5od< and 2hether the! 2ere satisfied that 2e
shou&d *roceed and e or,ani4ed as a Church accordin, to said co''and'ent
2hich 2e had recei$ed# To these se$era& *ro*ositions the! consented ! a
unani'ous $ote# I then &aid '! hands u*on O&i$er Co2der!< and ordained
hi' an E&der of the -Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints-? after
2hich< he ordained 'e a&so to the office of an E&der of said Church# 3e
then too0 read< &essed it< and ra0e it 2ith the'? a&so 2ine< &essed
it< and dran0 it 2ith the'# 3e then &aid our hands on each indi$idua&
'e'er of the Church *resent< that the! 'i,ht recei$e the ,ift of the Ho&!
5host< and e confir'ed 'e'ers of the Church of Christ# The Ho&! 5host
2as *oured out u*on us to a $er! ,reat de,ree--so'e *ro*hesied< 2hi&st 2e
a&& *raised the Lord< and re=oiced e/ceedin,&!# 3hi&st !et to,ether< I
recei$ed the fo&&o2in, co''and'ent(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ,i$en at Fa!ette< Seneca Count!<
Ne2 Yor0< A*ri& :th< 789D#
7# "eho&d< there sha&& e a record 0e*t a'on, !ou? and in it thou
sha&& e ca&&ed a seer< a trans&ator< a *ro*het< an a*ost&e of Jesus
Christ< an e&der of the church throu,h the 2i&& of 5od the Father and the
,race of !our Lord Jesus Christ<
H# "ein, ins*ired of the Ho&! 5host to &a! the foundation thereof<
and to ui&d it u* unto the 'ost ho&! faith<
9# 3hich church 2as or,ani4ed and esta&ished in the !ear of !our
Lord ei,hteen hundred and thirt!< in the fourth 'onth< and on the si/th
da! of the 'onth< 2hich is ca&&ed A*ri&#
@# 3herefore< 'eanin, the church< thou sha&t ,i$e heed unto a&& his
2ords and co''and'ents 2hich he sha&& ,i$e unto !ou as he recei$eth the'<
2a&0in, in a&& ho&iness efore 'e?
G# For his 2ord !e sha&& recei$e< as if fro' 'ine o2n 'outh< in a&&
*atience and faith#
:# For ! doin, these thin,s the ,ates of he&& sha&& not *re$ai&
a,ainst !ou? !ea< and the Lord 5od 2i&& dis*erse the *o2ers of dar0ness
fro' efore !ou< and cause the hea$ens to sha0e for !our ,ood< and his
na'e+s ,&or!#
M# For thus saith the Lord 5od< hi' ha$e I ins*ired to 'o$e the cause
of ;ion in 'i,ht! *o2er for ,ood< and his di&i,ence I 0no2< and his
*ra!ers I ha$e heard#
8# Yea< his 2ee*in, for ;ion I ha$e seen< and I 2i&& cause that he
sha&& 'ourn for her no &on,er? for his da!s of re=oicin, are co'e unto the
re'ission of his sins< and the 'anifestations of '! &essin,s u*on his
2or0s#
N# For< eho&d< I 2i&& &ess a&& those 2ho &aor in '! $ine!ard 2ith
a 'i,ht! &essin,< and the! sha&& e&ie$e on his 2ords< 2hich are ,i$en
hi' throu,h 'e ! the Co'forter< 2hich 'anifesteth that Jesus 2as
crucified ! sinfu& 'en for the sins of the 2or&d< !ea< for the re'ission
of sins unto the contrite heart#
7D# 3herefore it ehoo$eth 'e that he shou&d e ordained ! !ou<
O&i$er Co2der!< 'ine a*ost&e?
77# This ein, an ordinance unto !ou< that !ou are an e&der under his
hand< he ein, the first unto !ou< that !ou 'i,ht e an e&der unto this
church of Christ< earin, '! na'e--
7H# And the first *reacher of this church unto the church< and efore
the 2or&d< !ea< efore the 5enti&es? !ea< and thus saith the Lord 5od< &o<
&oK to the Je2s a&so# A'en#
3e no2 *roceeded to ca&& out and ordain so'e others of the rethren
to different offices of the )riesthood< accordin, as the S*irit 'anifested
unto us( and after a ha**! ti'e s*ent in 2itnessin, and fee&in, for
ourse&$es the *o2ers and &essin,s of the Ho&! 5host< throu,h the ,race of
5od esto2ed u*on us< 2e dis'issed 2ith the *&easin, 0no2&ed,e that 2e
2ere no2 indi$idua&&! 'e'ers of< and ac0no2&ed,ed of 5od< -The Church of
Jesus Christ<- or,ani4ed in accordance 2ith co''and'ents and re$e&ations
,i$en ! Hi' to ourse&$es in these &ast da!s< as 2e&& as accordin, to the
order of the Church as recorded in the Ne2 Testa'ent# Se$era& *ersons 2ho
had attended the ao$e 'eetin,< eca'e con$inced of the truth and ca'e
for2ard short&! after< and 2ere recei$ed into the Church? a'on, the rest<
'! o2n father and 'other 2ere a*ti4ed< to '! ,reat =o! and conso&ation?
and aout the sa'e ti'e< .artin Harris and Orrin )orter Roc02e&&#
Re$e&ation to the Church of Christ 2hich 2as esta&ished in these
&ast da!s< in the !ear of our Lord< one thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt!#
5i$en at .anchester< Ne2 Yor0< A*ri&< 789D< in conse>uence of so'e
desirin, to unite 2ith the Church 2ithout rea*tis'< 2ho had *re$ious&!
een a*ti4ed#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that a&& o&d co$enants ha$e I caused to e
done a2a! in this thin,? and this is a ne2 and an e$er&astin, co$enant<
e$en that 2hich 2as fro' the e,innin,#
H# 3herefore< a&thou,h a 'an shou&d e a*ti4ed an hundred ti'es it
a$ai&eth hi' nothin,< for !ou cannot enter in at the strait ,ate ! the
&a2 of .oses< neither ! !our dead 2or0s
9# For it is ecause of !our dead 2or0s< that I ha$e caused this &ast
co$enant and this church to e ui&t u* unto 'e< e$en as in da!s of o&d#
@# 3herefore< enter !e in at the ,ate< as I ha$e co''anded< and see0
not to counse& !our 5od# A'en#
The fo&&o2in, *ersons ein, an/ious to 0no2 of the Lord 2hat 'i,ht e
their res*ecti$e duties re&ation to this 2ord< I en>uired of the Lord< and
recei$ed for the' the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to O&i$er Co2der!< H!ru' S'ith< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Jose*h
S'ith< Sen#< and Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen# 5i$en at .anchester< Ne2 Yor0< A*ri&
789D#
7# "eho&d< I s*ea0 unto !ou< O&i$er< a fe2 2ords# "eho&d< thou art
&essed< and art under no conde'nation# "ut e2are of *ride< &est thou
shou&dst enter into te'*tation#
H# .a0e 0no2n th! ca&&in, unto the church< and a&so efore the 2or&d<
and th! heart sha&& e o*ened to *reach the truth fro' henceforth and
fore$er# A'en#
9# "eho&d< I s*ea0 unto !ou< H!ru'< a fe2 2ords? for thou a&so art
under no conde'nation< and th! heart is o*ened< and th! ton,ue &oosed? and
th! ca&&in, is to e/hortation< and to stren,then the church continua&&!#
3herefore th! dut! is unto the church fore$er and this ecause of th!
fa'i&!# A'en#
@# "eho&d< I s*ea0 a fe2 2ords unto !ou< Sa'ue&? for thou a&so art
under no conde'nation< and th! ca&&in, is to e/hortation and to stren,then
the church< and thou art not as !et ca&&ed to *reach efore the 2or&d#
A'en#
G# "eho&d< I s*ea0 a fe2 2ords unto !ou< Jose*h? for thou a&so art
under no conde'nation and th! ca&&in, a&so is to e/hortation< and to
stren,then the church? and this is th! dut! fro' henceforth and fore$er#
A'en#
:# "eho&d< I 'anifest unto !ou< Jose*h 1ni,ht< ! these 2ords< that
!ou 'ust ta0e u* !our cross< in the 2hich !ou 'ust *ra! $oca&&! efore the
2or&d as 2e&& as in secret< and in !our fa'i&!< and a'on, !our friends<
and in a&& *&aces#
M# And< eho&d< it is !our dut! to unite 2ith the true church< and
,i$e !our &an,ua,e to e/hortation continua&&!< that !ou 'a! recei$e the
re2ard of the &aorer# A'en#
CHA)TER I6#
THE CO..ENCE.ENT OF THE )U"LIC .INISTRY OF THE CHURCH#
ON Sunda!< A*ri& 77th< 789D< O&i$er Co2der! *reached the first *u&ic
discourse that 2as de&i$ered ! an! of our nu'er# Our 'eetin, 2as he&d<
! *re$ious a**oint'ent< at the house of .r# )eter 3hit'er< Sen#< Fa!ette#
Lar,e nu'ers of *eo*&e attended< and the sa'e da! the fo&&o2in, 2ere
a*ti4ed< $i4#< Hira' )a,e< 1atharine )a,e< Christian 3hit'er< Anne
3hit'er< Jaco 3hit'er< E&i4aeth 3hit'er? and on the 78th da!< )eter
3hit'er< Sen#< .ar! 3hit'er< 3i&&ia' Jo&&!< E&i4aeth Jo&&!< %incent
Jo&&!< Richard "# )eterson< and E&i4aeth Anne 3hit'er--a&& ! O&i$er
Co2der!< in Seneca La0e#
Durin, this 'onth of A*ri&< I 2ent on a $isit to the residence of .r#
Jose*h 1ni,ht< of Co&es$i&&e< "roo'e count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2ith 2ho' and his
fa'i&! I had een for so'e ti'e ac>uainted< and 2hose na'e I had
*re$ious&! 'entioned as ha$in, een so 0ind and thou,htfu& to2ards us
2hi&e trans&atin, the "oo0 of .or'on# .r# 1ni,ht and his fa'i&! 2ere
Uni$ersa&ists< ut 2ere 2i&&in, to reason 2ith 'e u*on '! re&i,ious $ie2s<
and 2ere< as usua&< friend&! and hos*ita&e# 3e he&d se$era& 'eetin,s in
the nei,horhood? 2e had 'an! friends< and so'e ene'ies# Our 'eetin,s
2ere 2e&& attended< and 'an! e,an to *ra! fer$ent&! to A&'i,ht! 5od< that
He 2ou&d ,i$e the' 2isdo' to understand the truth#
A'on,st those 2ho attended our 'eetin,s re,u&ar&!< 2as Ne2e& 1ni,ht<
son of Jose*h 1ni,ht# He and I had 'an! serious con$ersations on the
i'*ortant su=ect of 'an+s eterna& sa&$ation# 3e had ,ot into the hait
of *ra!in, 'uch at our 'eetin,s< and Ne2e& had said that he 2ou&d tr! and
ta0e u* his cross< and *ra! $oca&&! durin, 'eetin,? ut 2hen 2e a,ain 'et
to,ether< he rather e/cused hi'se&f# I tried to *re$ai& u*on hi'< 'a0in,
use of the fi,ure< su**osin, that he shou&d ,et into a 'ud-ho&e< 2ou&d he
not tr! to he&* hi'se&f outB And I further said that 2e 2ere 2i&&in, no2
to he&* hi' out of the 'ud-ho&e# He re*&ied< that *ro$ided he had ,ot
into a 'ud-ho&e throu,h care&essness< he 2ou&d rather 2ait and ,et out
hi'se&f< than to ha$e others he&* hi'? and so he 2ou&d 2ait unti& he cou&d
,et into the 2oods ! hi'se&f< and there he 2ou&d *ra!# Accordin,&!< he
deferred *ra!in, unti& ne/t 'ornin,< 2hen he retired into the 2oods?
2here< accordin, to his o2n account after2ards< he 'ade se$era& atte'*ts
to *ra!< ut cou&d scarce&! do so< fee&in, that he had not done his dut!<
in refusin, to *ra! in the *resence of others# He e,an to fee& uneas!<
and continued to fee& 2orse oth in 'ind and od!< unti&< u*on reachin,
his o2n house< his a**earance 2as such as to a&ar' his 2ife $er! 'uch# He
re>uested her to ,o and rin, 'e to hi'# I 2ent and found hi' sufferin,
$er! 'uch in his 'ind< and his od! acted u*on in a $er! stran,e 'anner?
his $isa,e and &i's distorted and t2isted in e$er! sha*e and a**earance
*ossi&e to i'a,ine? and fina&&! he 2as cau,ht u* off the f&oor of the
a*art'ent< and tossed aout 'ost fearfu&&!#
His situation 2as soon 'ade 0no2n to his nei,hors and re&ati$es and
in a short ti'e as 'an! as ei,ht or nine ,ro2n *ersons had ,ot to,ether to
2itness the scene# After he had thus suffered for a ti'e< I succeeded in
,ettin, ho&d of hi' ! the hand< 2hen a&'ost i''ediate&! he s*o0e to 'e<
and 2ith ,reat earnestness re>uested 'e to cast the de$i& out of hi'<
sa!in, that he 0ne2 he 2as in hi'< and that he a&so 0ne2 that I cou&d cast
hi' out#
I re*&ied< -If !ou 0no2 that I can< it sha&& e done<- and then
a&'ost unconscious&! I reu0ed the de$i&< and co''anded hi' in the na'e of
Jesus Christ to de*art fro' hi'? 2hen i''ediate&! Ne2e& s*o0e out and said
that he sa2 the de$i& &ea$e hi' and $anish fro' his si,ht# This 2as the
first 'irac&e 2hich 2as done in the Church< or ! an! 'e'er of it? and it
2as done< not ! 'an< nor ! the *o2er of 'an< ut it 2as done ! 5od< and
! the *o2er of ,od&iness? therefore< &et the honor and the *raise< the
do'inion and the ,&or!< e ascried to the Father< Son< and Ho&! S*irit<
for e$er and e$er# A'en#
This scene 2as no2 entire&! chan,ed< for as soon as the de$i& had
de*arted fro' our friend his countenance eca'e natura&< his distortions
of od! ceased< and a&'ost i''ediate&! the S*irit of the Lord descended
u*on hi'< and the $isions of eternit! 2ere o*ened to his $ie2# So soon as
consciousness returned< his odi&! 2ea0ness 2as such that 2e 2ere o&i,ed
to &a! hi' u*on his ed< and 2ait u*on hi' for so'e ti'e# He after2ards
re&ated his e/*erience as fo&&o2s(
I no2 e,an to fee& a 'ost *&easin, sensation restin, on 'e< and
i''ediate&! the $isions of hea$en 2ere o*ened to '! $ie2# I fe&t
'!se&f attracted u*2ard< and re'ained for so'e ti'e en2ra*t in
conte'*&ation< inso'uch that I 0ne2 not 2hat 2as ,oin, on in the
roo'# "! and !< I fe&t so'e 2ei,ht *ressin, u*on '! shou&der and
the side of '! head< 2hich ser$ed to reca&& 'e to a sense of '!
situation< and I found that the S*irit of the Lord had actua&&!
cau,ht 'e u* off the f&oor< and that '! shou&der and head 2ere
*ressin, a,ainst the ea's#
A&& this 2as 2itnessed ! 'an!< to their ,reat astonish'ent and
satisfaction< 2hen the! sa2 the de$i& thus cast out< and the *o2er of 5od<
and His Ho&! S*irit thus 'ade 'anifest# As 'a! e e/*ected< such a scene
as this contriuted 'uch to 'a0e e&ie$ers of those 2ho 2itnessed it< and
fina&&! the ,reater *art of the' eca'e 'e'ers of the Church#
Soon after this occurrence I returned to Fa!ette< Seneca count!# The
"oo0 of .or'on Ethe stic0 of Jose*h in the hands of E*hrai'<F had no2 een
*u&ished for so'e ti'e< and as the ancient *ro*het had *redicted of it<
-it 2as accounted as a stran,e thin,#- No s'a&& stir 2as created ! its
a**earance# 5reat o**osition and 'uch *ersecution fo&&o2ed the e&ie$ers
of its authenticit!# "ut it had no2 co'e to *ass that truth had s*run,
out of the earth< and ri,hteousness had &oo0ed do2n fro' hea$en< so 2e
feared not our o**onents< 0no2in, that 2e had oth truth and ri,hteousness
on our side< that 2e had oth the Father and the Son< ecause 2e had the
doctrines of Christ< and aided in the'? and therefore 2e continued to
*reach and to ,i$e infor'ation to a&& 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to hear#
Durin, the &ast 2ee0 in .a!< the ao$e-'entioned Ne2e& 1ni,ht ca'e to
$isit us at Fa!ette< and 2as a*ti4ed ! Da$id 3hit'er#
On the ninth da! of June< 789D< 2e he&d our first conference as an
or,ani4ed Church# Our nu'ers 2ere aout thirt!< esides 2ho' e&ie$ers
or an/ious to &earn# Ha$in, o*ened ! sin,in, and *ra!er< 2e *artoo0
to,ether of the e'&e's of the od! and &ood of our Lord Jesus Christ#
3e then *roceeded to confir' se$era& 2ho had &ate&! een a*ti4ed< after
2hich 2e ca&&ed out and ordained se$era& to the $arious offices of the
)riesthood# .uch e/hortation and instruction 2as ,i$en< and the Ho&!
5host 2as *oured out u*on us in a 'iracu&ous 'anner--'an! of our nu'er
*ro*hesied< 2hi&st others had the hea$ens o*ened to their $ie2< and 2ere
so o$erco'e that 2e had to &a! the' on eds or other con$enient *&aces?
a'on, the rest 2as "rother Ne2e& 1ni,ht< 2ho had to e *&aced on a ed<
ein, una&e to he&* hi'se&f# "! his o2n account of the transaction< he
cou&d not understand 2h! 2e shou&d &a! hi' on the ed< as he fe&t no sense
of 2ea0ness# He fe&t his heart fi&&ed 2ith &o$e< 2ith ,&or!< and *&easure
uns*ea0a&e< and cou&d discern a&& that 2as ,oin, on in the roo'? 2hen a&&
of a sudden a $ision of the future urst u*on hi'# He sa2 there
re*resented the ,reat 2or0 2hich throu,h '! instru'enta&it! 2as !et to e
acco'*&ished# He sa2 hea$en o*ened< and ehe&d the Lord Jesus Christ<
seated at the ri,ht hand of the 'a=est! on hi,h< and had it 'ade *&ain to
his understandin, that the ti'e 2ou&d co'e 2hen he 2ou&d e ad'itted into
His *resence to en=o! His societ! for e$er and e$er# 3hen their odi&!
stren,th 2as restored to these rethren< the! shouted hosannas to 5od and
the La'< and rehearsed the ,&orious thin,s 2hich the! had seen and fe&t<
2hi&st the! 2ere !et in the s*irit#
Such scenes as these 2ere ca&cu&ated to ins*ire our hearts 2ith =o!
uns*ea0a&e< and fi&& us 2ith a2e and re$erence for that A&'i,ht! "ein,<
! 2hose ,race 2e had een ca&&ed to e instru'enta& in rin,in, aout<
for the chi&dren of 'en< the en=o!'ent of such ,&orious &essin,s as 2ere
no2 at this ti'e *oured out u*on us# To find ourse&$es en,a,ed in the
$er! sa'e order of thin,s as oser$ed ! the ho&! A*ost&es of o&d? to
rea&i4e the i'*ortance and so&e'nit! of such *roceedin,s? and to 2itness
and fee& 2ith our o2n natura& senses< the &i0e ,&orious 'anifestations of
the *o2ers of the *riesthood< the ,ifts and &essin,s of the Ho&! 5host<
and the ,oodness and condescension of a 'ercifu& 5od unto such as oe! the
e$er&astin, 5os*e& of our Lord Jesus Christ< co'ined to create 2ithin us
sensations of ra*turous ,ratitude< and ins*ire us 2ith fresh 4ea& and
ener,! in the cause of truth#
Short&! after this conference< Da$id 3hit'er a*ti4ed the fo&&o2in,
*ersons< in Seneca La0e( $i4#< John )oor'an< John Jo&&!< Ju&ia Anne Jo&&!<
Harriet Jo&&!< Jerusha S'ith< 1atherine S'ith< 3i&&ia' S'ith< Don C#
S'ith< )eter Roc02e&&< Caro&ine Roc02e&&< and E&ecta Roc02e&&#
I''ediate&! after conference I returned to '! o2n house< and fro'
thence< acco'*anied ! '! 2ife< O&i$er Co2der!< John 3hit'er and Da$id
3hit'er< 2ent a,ain on a $isit to .r# 1ni,ht< of Co&es$i&&e< "roo'e
count!# 3e found a nu'er in the nei,horhood sti&& e&ie$in,< and no2
an/ious to e a*ti4ed# 3e a**ointed a 'eetin, for the Saath< and on
the afternoon of Saturda! 2e erected a da' across a strea' of 2ater< 2hich
2as con$enient< for the *ur*ose of there attendin, to the ordinance of
a*tis'? ut durin, the ni,ht a 'o co&&ected and tore do2n our da'< 2hich
hindered us fro' attendin, to the a*tis' on the Saath# 3e after2ard
found out that this 'o had een insti,ated to this act of 'o&estation !
certain sectarian *riests of the nei,horhood< 2ho e,an to consider their
craft in dan,er< and too0 this *&an to sto* the *ro,ress of the truth? and
the se>ue& 2i&& sho2 ho2 deter'ined&! the! *rosecuted their o**osition< as
2e&& as to ho2 &itt&e *ur*ose in the end# The Saath arri$ed< and 2e
he&d our 'eetin,# O&i$er Co2der! *reached< and others of us ore
testi'on! to the truth of the "oo0 of .or'on< the doctrine of re*entance<
a*tis' for the re'ission of sins< and &a!in, on of hands for the ,ift of
the Ho&! 5host< etc# A'on,st our audience 2ere those 2ho had torn do2n
our da'< and 2ho see'ed desirous to ,i$e us trou&e< ut did not unti&
after the 'eetin, 2as dis'issed< 2hen the! i''ediate&! co''enced ta&0in,
to those 2ho' the! considered our friends< and tried to turn the' a,ainst
us and our doctrines#
A'on,st the 'an! *resent at this 'eetin,< 2as one E'i&! Courn<
sister to the 2ife of Ne2e& 1ni,ht# The Re$# .r# Shearer< a di$ine of the
)res!terian faith< 2ho had considered hi'se&f her *astor< ca'e to
understand that she 2as &i0e&! to e&ie$e our doctrine< and had< a short
ti'e *re$ious to this 'eetin,< co'e to &aor 2ith her# "ut ha$in, s*ent
so'e ti'e 2ith her 2ithout ein, a&e to *ersuade her a,ainst us< he
endea$ored to ha$e her &ea$e her sister+s house and ,o 2ith hi' to her
father+s< 2ho &i$ed at a distance# For this *ur*ose< he had recourse to
strata,e'? he to&d her that one of her rothers 2as 2aitin, at a certain
*&ace desirous to ha$e her ,o 2ith hi'# He succeeded thus in ,ettin, her
a &itt&e distance fro' the house< 2hen< seein, that her rother 2as not in
2aitin, for her< she refused to ,o an! further 2ith hi'? u*on 2hich he
too0 ho&d of her ! the ar' to force her a&on,# "ut her sister 2as soon
2ith the'< and as the t2o 2o'en 2ere too 'an! for hi' to co*e 2ith< he 2as
forced to snea0 off 2ithout acco'*&ishin, his errand< after a&& his &aor
and in,enuit!# Nothin, daunted< ho2e$er< he 2ent to her father<
re*resentin, to hi' so'e thin, or other< 2hich induced the o&d ,ent&e'an
to ,i$e hi' a *o2er of attorne!< 2hich< as soon as our 'eetin, 2as o$er<
on the ao$e-na'ed Sunda! e$enin,< he i''ediate&! ser$ed u*on her< and
carried her off to her father+s residence ! o*en $io&ence a,ainst her
2i&&# A&& his &aor 2as in $ain< ho2e$er< for the said E'i&! Courn in a
short ti'e after2ards< 2as a*ti4ed and confir'ed a 'e'er of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints#
Ear&! on .onda! 'ornin, 2e 2ere on the a&ert< and efore our ene'ies
2ere a2are of our *roceedin,s< 2e had re*aired the da'< and the fo&&o2in,
thirteen *ersons a*ti4ed< ! O&i$er Co2der!? $i4#< E''a S'ith< He4e0iah
)ec0 and 2ife< Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen#< and 2ife< 3i&&ia' Strin,ha' and 2ife<
Jose*h 1ni,ht< Jun#< Aaron Cu&$er and 2ife< Le$i Ha&e< )o&&! 1ni,ht< and
Ju&ia Strin,ha'#
"efore the a*ti4in, 2as entire&! finished< the 'o e,an a,ain to
co&&ect and short&! after 2e had retired< the! a'ounted to aout fift!
'en# The! surrounded the house of .r# 1ni,ht 2hither 2e had
retired--ra,in, 2ith an,er< and a**arent&! deter'ined to co''it $io&ence
u*on us# So'e as0ed us >uestions< others threatened us< so that 2e
thou,ht it 2isdo' to &ea$e and ,o to the house of Ne2e& 1ni,ht# There
a&so the! fo&&o2ed us< and it 2as on&! ! the e/ercise of ,reat *rudence
on our *art< and re&iance in our hea$en&! Father< that the! 2ere 0e*t fro'
&a!in, $io&ent hands u*on us? and so &on, as the! chose to sta!< 2e 2ere
o&i,ed to ans2er the' $arious un*rofita&e >uestions< and ear 2ith
insu&ts and threatenin,s 2ithout nu'er#
3e had a**ointed a 'eetin, for this e$enin,< for the *ur*ose of
attendin, to the confir'ation of those 2ho had een the sa'e 'ornin,
a*ti4ed# The ti'e a**ointed had arri$ed and our friends had near&! a&&
co&&ected to,ether< 2hen to '! sur*rise< I 2as $isited ! a consta&e< and
arrested ! hi' on a 2arrant< on the char,e of ein, a disorder&! *erson<
of settin, the countr! in an u*roar ! *reachin, the "oo0 of .or'on< etc#
The consta&e infor'ed 'e< soon after I had een arrested< that the *&an
of those 2ho had ,ot out the 2arrant 2as to ,et 'e into the hands of the
'o< 2ho 2ere no2 &!in, in a'ush for 'e? ut that he 2as deter'ined to
sa$e 'e fro' the'< as he had found 'e to e a different sort of *erson
fro' 2hat I had een re*resented to hi'# I soon found that he had to&d 'e
the truth in this 'atter< for not far fro' .r# 1ni,ht+s house< the 2a,on
in 2hich 2e had set out 2as surrounded ! a 'o< 2ho see'ed on&! to a2ait
so'e si,na& fro' the consta&e? ut to their ,reat disa**oint'ent< he ,a$e
the horse the 2hi*< and dro$e 'e out of their reach#
3hi&st dri$in, in ,reat haste one of the 2a,on 2hee&s ca'e off< 2hich
&eft us once 'ore $er! near&! surrounded ! the'< as the! had co'e on in
c&ose *ursuit# Ho2e$er< 2e 'ana,ed to re*&ace the 2hee& and a,ain &eft
the' ehind us# He dro$e on to the to2n of South "ainrid,e< Chenan,o
count!< 2here he &od,ed 'e for the ti'e ein, in an u**er roo' of a
ta$ern? and in order that a&& 'i,ht e ri,ht 2ith hi'se&f and 2ith 'e
a&so< he s&e*t durin, the ni,ht 2ith his feet a,ainst the door< and a
&oaded 'us0et ! his side< 2hi&st I occu*ied a ed 2hich 2as in the roo'?
he ha$in, dec&ared that if 2e 2ere interru*ted un&a2fu&&!< he 2ou&d fi,ht
for 'e< and defend 'e as far as it 2as in his *o2er#
On the da! fo&&o2in,< a court 2as con$ened for the *ur*ose of
in$esti,atin, those char,es 2hich had een *referred a,ainst 'e# A ,reat
e/cite'ent *re$ai&ed on account of the scanda&ous fa&sehoods 2hich had
een circu&ated< the nature of 2hich 2i&& a**ear in the se>ue&# In the
'eanti'e< '! friend< Jose*h 1ni,ht< had re*aired to t2o of his nei,hors<
$i4#< Ja'es Da$idson and John Reid< Es>rs#< res*ecta&e far'ers< 'en
reno2ned for their inte,rit!< and 2e&& $ersed in the &a2s of their
countr!? and retained the' on '! eha&f durin, '! tria&#
At &en,th the tria& co''enced a'idst a 'u&titude of s*ectators< 2ho
in ,enera& e$inced a e&ief that I 2as ,ui&t! of a&& that had een
re*orted concernin, 'e< and of course 2ere $er! 4ea&ous that I shou&d e
*unished accordin, to '! cri'es# A'on, 'an! 2itnesses ca&&ed u* a,ainst
'e< 2as .r# Josiah Stoa&--of 2ho' I ha$e 'ade 'ention as ha$in, 2or0ed for
hi' so'e ti'e--and e/a'ined to the fo&&o2in, effect(
-Did not the *risoner< Jose*h S'ith< ha$e a horse of !ouB-
-Yes#-
-Did not he ,o to !ou and te&& !ou that an an,e& had a**eared unto
hi' and authori4ed hi' to ,et the horse fro' !ouB-
-No< he to&d 'e no such stor!#-
-3e&&< ho2 had he the horse of !ouB-
-He ou,ht hi' of 'e as an! other 'an 2ou&d#-
-Ha$e !ou had !our *a!B-
-That is not !our usiness#-
The >uestion ein, a,ain *ut< the 2itness re*&ied(
-I ho&d his note for the *rice of the horse< 2hich I consider as ,ood
as the *a!? for I a' 2e&& ac>uainted 2ith Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and 0no2 hi'
to e an honest 'an? and if he 2ishes< I a' read! to &et hi' ha$e another
horse on the sa'e ter's#-
.r# Jonathan Tho'*son 2as ne/t ca&&ed u* and e/a'ined(
-Has not the *risoner< Jose*h S'ith Jun#< had a !o0e of o/en of !ouB-
-Yes#-
-Did he not otain the' of !ou ! te&&in, !ou that he had a
re$e&ation to the effect that he 2as to ha$e the'B-
-No< he did not 'ention a 2ord of the 0ind concernin, the o/en? he
*urchased the' the sa'e as an! other 'an 2ou&d#-
After a fe2 'ore such atte'*ts< the court 2as detained for a ti'e< in
order that t2o !oun, 2o'en< dau,hters of .r# Stoa&< 2ith 2ho' I had at
ti'es 0e*t co'*an!< 'i,ht e sent for< in order< if *ossi&e< to e&icit
so'ethin, fro' the' 2hich 'i,ht e 'ade a *rete/t a,ainst 'e# The !oun,
&adies arri$ed< and 2ere se$era&&! e/a'ined touchin, '! character and
conduct in ,enera&< ut *articu&ar&! as to '! eha$ior to2ards the'< oth
in *u&ic and *ri$ate? 2hen the! oth ore such testi'on! in '! fa$or as
&eft '! ene'ies 2ithout a *rete/t on their account# Se$era& other
atte'*ts 2ere 'ade to *ro$e so'ethin, a,ainst 'e< and e$en circu'stances
2hich 2ere a&&e,ed to ha$e ta0en *&ace in "roo'e count!< 2ere rou,ht
for2ard< ut these '! &a2!ers 2ou&d not ad'it of as testi'on! a,ainst 'e?
in conse>uence of 2hich '! *ersecutors 'ana,ed to detain the court unti&
the! had succeeded in otainin, a 2arrant fro' "roo'e count!< 2hich
2arrant the! ser$ed u*on 'e at the $er! 'o'ent that I 2as ac>uitted !
this court#
The consta&e 2ho ser$ed this second 2arrant u*on 'e had no sooner
arrested 'e than he e,an to ause and insu&t 'e? and so unfee&in, 2as he
2ith 'e< that a&thou,h I had een 0e*t a&& the da! in court 2ithout
an!thin, to eat since the 'ornin,< !et he hurried 'e off to "roo'e count!<
a distance of aout fifteen 'i&es< efore he a&&o2ed 'e an! 0ind of food
2hate$er# He too0 'e to a ta$ern< and ,athered in a nu'er of 'en< 2ho
used e$er! 'eans to ause< ridicu&e and insu&t 'e# The! s*it u* on 'e<
*ointed their fin,ers at 'e< sa!in,< -)ro*hes!< *ro*hes!K- and thus did
the! i'itate those 2ho crucified the Sa$ior of 'an0ind< not 0no2in, 2hat
the! did#
3e 2ere at this ti'e not far distant fro' '! o2n house# I 2ished to
e a&&o2ed the *ri$i&e,e of s*endin, the ni,ht 2ith '! 2ife at ho'e
offerin, an! 2ished for securit! for '! a**earance? ut this 2as denied
'e# I a**&ied for so'ethin, to eat# The consta&e ordered 'e so'e crusts
of read and 2ater< 2hich 2as the on&! food I that ni,ht recei$ed# At
&en,th 2e retired to ed# The consta&e 'ade 'e &ie ne/t the 2a&&# He
then &aid hi'se&f do2n ! 'e and *ut his ar' around 'e< and u*on '! 'o$in,
in the &east< 2ou&d c&ench 'e fast< fearin, that I intended to esca*e fro'
hi'? and in this $er! disa,reea&e 'anner did 2e *ass the ni,ht#
Ne/t da! I 2as rou,ht efore the 'a,istrate+s court at Co&es$i&&e<
"roo'e count!< and *ut u*on '! tria&# .! for'er faithfu& friends and
&a2!ers 2ere a,ain at '! side? '! for'er *ersecutors 2ere arra!ed a,ainst
'e# .an! 2itnesses 2ere a,ain ca&&ed for2ard and e/a'ined< so'e of 2ho'
s2ore to the 'ost *a&*a&e fa&sehoods< and &i0e the fa&se 2itnesses 2hich
had a**eared a,ainst 'e the da! *re$ious< the! contradicted the'se&$es so
*&ain&! that the court 2ou&d not ad'it their testi'on!# Others 2ere
ca&&ed< 2ho sho2ed ! their 4ea& that the! 2ere 2i&&in, enou,h to *ro$e
so'ethin, a,ainst 'e< ut a&& the! cou&d do 2as to te&& so'ethin, 2hich
so'eod! e&se had to&d the'#
In this fri$o&ous and $e/atious 'anner did the! *roceed for a
considera&e ti'e< 2hen fina&&!< Ne2e& 1ni,ht 2as ca&&ed u* and e/a'ined
! La2!er Se!'our< 2ho had een es*ecia&&! sent for on this occasion# One
La2!er "urch< a&so< 2as on the side of the *rosecution? ut .r# Se!'our
see'ed to e a 'ore 4ea&ous )res!terian< and a**eared $er! an/ious and
deter'ined that the *eo*&e shou&d not e de&uded ! an! one *rofessin, the
*o2er of ,od&iness< and not -den!in, the *o2er thereof#-
.r# 1ni,ht 2as s2orn< and .r# Se!'our interro,ated hi' as fo&&o2s(
-Did the *risoner< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< cast the de$i& out of !ouB-
-No< sir#-
-3h!< ha$e not !ou had the de$i& cast out of !ouB-
-Yes< sir#-
-And had not Joe S'ith so'e hand in its ein, doneB -
-Yes< sir#-
-And did not he cast hi' out of !ouB-
-No< sir? it 2as done ! the *o2er of 5od< and Jose*h S'ith 2as the
instru'ent in the hands of 5od< on the occasion# He co''anded hi' to co'e
out of 'e in the na'e of Jesus Christ#-
-And are !ou sure that it 2as the de$i&B-
-Yes< sir#-
-Did !ou see hi' after he 2as cast out of !ouB-
-Yes sirK I sa2 hi'#-
-)ra!< 2hat did he &oo0 &i0eB-
EHere one of '! &a2!ers infor'ed the 2itness that he need not ans2er
the >uestion# The 2itness re*&ied(
-I e&ie$e I need not ans2er !our &ast >uestion< ut I 2i&& do it<
*ro$ided I e a&&o2ed to as0 !ou one >uestion first< and !ou ans2er 'e<
$i4#< Do !ou< .r# Se!'our< understand the thin,s of the s*iritB
-No<- ans2ered .r# Se!'our< -I do not *retend to such i, thin,s#+
-3e&&< then<- re*&ied 1ni,ht< -it 2ou&d e of no use to te&& !ou 2hat
the de$i& &oo0ed &i0e< for it 2as a s*iritua& si,ht< and s*iritua&&!
discerned? and of course !ou 2ou&d not understand it 2ere I to te&& !ou of
it#-
The &a2!er dro**ed his head< 2hi&st the &oud &au,h of the audience
*roc&ai'ed his disco'fiture#
.r# Se!'our no2 addressed the court< and in a &on, and $io&ent
haran,ue endea$ored to &ac0en '! character and rin, 'e in ,ui&t of the
char,es 2hich had een rou,ht a,ainst 'e# A'on, other thin,s< he rou,ht
u* the stor! of '! ha$in, een a 'one!-di,,er? and in this 'anner
*roceeded< ho*in, e$ident&! to inf&uence the court and the *eo*&e a,ainst
'e#
.r# Da$idson and .r# Reid fo&&o2ed on '! eha&f# The! he&d forth in
true co&ors the nature of the *rosecution< the 'a&i,nance of intention<
and the a**arent dis*osition to *ersecute their c&ient< rather than to
afford hi' =ustice# The! too0 u* the different ar,u'ents 2hich had een
rou,ht ! the &a2!ers for the *rosecution< and ha$in, sho2n their utter
futi&it! and 'isa**&ication< then *roceeded to scrutini4e the e$idence
2hich had een adduced< and each< in his turn< than0ed 5od that he had
een en,a,ed in so ,ood a cause as that of defendin, a 'an 2hose character
stood so 2e&& the test of such a strict in$esti,ation# In fact< these
'en< a&thou,h not re,u&ar &a2!ers< 2ere u*on this occasion a&e to *ut to
si&ence their o**onents and con$ince the court that I 2as innocent# The!
s*o0e &i0e 'en ins*ired of 5od< 2hi&st those 2ho 2ere arra!ed a,ainst 'e
tre'&ed under the sound of their $oices< and >uai&ed efore the' &i0e
cri'ina&s efore a ar of =ustice#
The 'a=orit! of the asse'&ed 'u&titude had no2 e,un to find that
nothin, cou&d e sustained a,ainst 'e# E$en the consta&e 2ho arrested
'e< and treated 'e so ad&!< no2 ca'e and a*o&o,i4ed to 'e and as0ed '!
for,i$eness for his eha$ior to2ards 'e? and so far 2as he chan,ed< that
he infor'ed 'e that the 'o 2ere deter'ined< if the court ac>uitted 'e<
that the! 2ou&d ha$e 'e< and rai&-ride 'e< and tar and feather 'e? and
further< that he 2as 2i&&in, to fa$or 'e and &ead 'e out in safet! ! a
*ri$ate 2a!#
The court found the char,es a,ainst 'e not sustained? I 2as
accordin,&! ac>uitted< to the ,reat satisfaction of '! friends and
$e/ation of '! ene'ies< 2ho 2ere sti&& deter'ined u*on 'o&estin, 'e# "ut
throu,h the instru'enta&it! of '! ne2 friend the consta&e< I 2as ena&ed
to esca*e the' and 'a0e '! 2a! in safet! to '! 2ife+s sister+s house<
2here I found '! 2ife a2aitin, 2ith 'uch an/iet! the issue of those
un,od&! *roceedin,s< and in co'*an! 2ith her I arri$ed ne/t da! in safet!
at '! o2n house#
CHA)TER 6#
FURTHER .OLESTATION AT COLES%ILLE "Y .O"S--
THE RE%ELATION E."ODYIN5 THE %ISION OF .OSES#
AFTER a fe2 da!s I returned to Co&es$i&&e< in co'*an! 2ith O&i$er
Co2der!< for the *ur*ose of confir'in, those 2ho' 2e had een forced to
&ea$e for a ti'e# 3e had scarce&! arri$ed at .r# 1ni,ht+s< 2hen the 'o
2as seen co&&ectin, to,ether to o**ose us< and 2e considered it 2isdo' to
&ea$e for ho'e< 2hich 2e did< 2ithout e$en 2aitin, for an! refresh'ents#
Our ene'ies *ursued us< and it 2as oftenti'es as 'uch as 2e cou&d do to
e&ude the'# Ho2e$er< 2e 'ana,ed to ,et ho'e< after ha$in, tra$e&ed a&&
ni,ht< e/ce*t a short ti'e< durin, 2hich 2e 2ere forced to rest ourse&$es
under a &ar,e tree ! the 2a!side< s&ee*in, and 2atchin, a&ternate&!#
Thus 2ere 2e *ersecuted on account of our re&i,ious faith--in a
countr! the Constitution of 2hich ,uarantees to e$er! 'an the indefeasi&e
ri,ht to 2orshi* 5od accordin, to the dictates of his o2n conscience--and
! 'en< too< 2ho 2ere *rofessors of re&i,ion< and 2ho 2ere not ac02ard to
'aintain the ri,ht of re&i,ious &iert! for the'se&$es< thou,h the! cou&d
thus 2anton&! den! it to us# For instance< C!rus .c.aster< a )res!terian
of hi,h standin, in his church< 2as one of the chief insti,ators of these
*ersecutions? and he at one ti'e to&d 'e *ersona&&! that he considered 'e
,ui&t! 2ithout =ud,e or =ur!# The ce&erated Dr# "o!in,ton< a&so a
)res!terian< 2as another insti,ator of these deeds of outra,e? 2hi&st a
!oun, 'an na'ed "enton< of the sa'e re&i,ious faith< s2ore out the first
2arrant a,ainst 'e#
I cou&d 'ention 'an! others a&so< ut for re$it!+s sa0e< 2i&& 'a0e
these suffice for the *resent#
I 2i&& sa!< ho2e$er< that a'id a&& the tria&s and triu&ations 2e had
to 2ade throu,h< the Lord 2ho 2e&& 0ne2 our infanti&e and de&icate
situation< $ouchsafed for us a su**&! of stren,th< and ,ranted us -&ine
u*on &ine of 0no2&ed,e--here a &itt&e and there a &itt&e<- of 2hich the
fo&&o2in, 2as a *recious 'orse&(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ,i$en June< 789D#
7# The 2ords of 5od< 2hich he s*a0e unto .oses at a ti'e 2hen .oses
2as cau,ht u* into an e/ceedin,&! hi,h 'ountain#
H# And he sa2 5od face to face< and he ta&0ed 2ith hi'< and the ,&or!
of 5od 2as u*on .oses( therefore .oses cou&d endure his *resence#
9# And 5od s*a0e unto .oses< sa!in,( "eho&d< I a' the Lord 5od
A&'i,ht!< and End&ess is '! na'e? for I a' 2ithout e,innin, of da!s or
end of !ears? and is not this end&essB
@# And< eho&d< thou art '! son? 2herefore &oo0< and I 2i&& sho2 thee
the 2or0'anshi* of 'ine hands? ut not a&&< for '! 2or0s are 2ithout end<
and a&so '! 2ords< for the! ne$er cease#
G# 3herefore< no 'an can eho&d a&& '! 2or0s< e/ce*t he eho&d a&& '!
,&or!? and no 'an can eho&d a&& '! ,&or!< and after2ards re'ain in the
f&esh on the earth#
:# And I ha$e a 2or0 for thee< .oses< '! son? and thou art in the
si'i&itude of 'ine On&! "e,otten and 'ine On&! "e,otten is and sha&& e
the Sa$ior< for he is fu&& of ,race and truth? ut there is no 5od eside
'e< and a&& thin,s are *resent 2ith 'e< for I 0no2 the' a&&#
M# And no2< eho&d< this one thin, I sho2 unto thee< .oses< '! son?
for thou art in the 2or&d< and no2 I sho2 it unto thee#
8# And it ca'e to *ass that .oses &oo0ed< and ehe&d the 2or&d u*on
2hich he 2as created? and .oses ehe&d the 2or&d and the ends thereof< and
a&& the chi&dren of 'en 2hich are< and 2hich 2ere created? of the sa'e he
,reat&! 'ar$e&ed and 2ondered#
N# And the *resence of 5od 2ithdre2 fro' .oses< that his ,&or! 2as
not u*on .oses? and .oses 2as &eft unto hi'se&f# And as he 2as &eft unto
hi'se&f< he fe&& unto the earth#
7D# And it ca'e to *ass that it 2as for the s*ace of 'an! hours
efore .oses did a,ain recei$e his natura& stren,th &i0e unto 'an? and he
said unto hi'se&f( No2< for this cause I 0no2 that 'an is nothin,< 2hich
thin, I ne$er had su**osed#
77# "ut no2 'ine o2n e!es ha$e ehe&d 5od? ut not '! natura&< ut '!
s*iritua& e!es< for '! natura& e!es cou&d not ha$e ehe&d? for I shou&d
ha$e 2ithered and died in his *resence? ut his ,&or! 2as u*on 'e? and I
ehe&d his face< for I 2as transfi,ured efore hi'#
7H# And it ca'e to *ass that 2hen .oses had said these 2ords< eho&d<
Satan ca'e te'*tin, hi'< sa!in,( .oses< son of 'an< 2orshi* 'e#
79# And it ca'e to *ass that .oses &oo0ed u*on Satan and said( 3ho
art thouB For eho&d< I a' a son of 5od< in the si'i&itude of his On&!
"e,otten? and 2here is th! ,&or!< that I shou&d 2orshi* theeB
7@# For eho&d< I cou&d not &oo0 u*on 5od< e/ce*t his ,&or! shou&d
co'e u*on 'e< and I 2ere stren,thened efore hi'# "ut I can &oo0 u*on
thee in the natura& 'an# Is it not so< sure&!B
7G# "&essed e the na'e of '! 5od< for his S*irit hath not a&to,ether
2ithdra2n fro' 'e< or e&se 2here is th! ,&or!< for it is dar0ness unto 'eB
And I can =ud,e et2een thee and 5od? for 5od said unto 'e( 3orshi* 5od<
for hi' on&! sha&t thou ser$e#
7:# 5et thee hence< Satan? decei$e 'e not? for 5od said unto 'e(
Thou art after the si'i&itude of 'ine On&! "e,otten#
7M# And he a&so ,a$e 'e co''and'ents 2hen he ca&&ed unto 'e out of
the urnin, ush< sa!in,( Ca&& u*on 5od in the na'e of 'ine On&!
"e,otten< and 2orshi* 'e#
78# And a,ain .oses said( I 2i&& not cease to ca&& u*on 5od# I ha$e
other thin,s to in>uire of hi'< for his ,&or! has een u*on 'e< 2herefore
I can =ud,e et2een hi' and thee# De*art hence< Satan#
7N# And no2< 2hen .oses had said these 2ords Satan cried 2ith a &oud
$oice< and rent u*on the earth< and co''anded< sa!in,( I a' the On&!
"e,otten< 2orshi* 'e#
HD# And it ca'e to *ass that .oses e,an to fear e/ceedin,&!? and as
he e,an to fear< he sa2 the itterness of he&&# Ne$erthe&ess< ca&&in,
u*on 5od< he recei$ed stren,th< and he co''anded< sa!in,( De*art fro' 'e<
Satan< for this one 5od on&! 2i&& I 2orshi*< 2hich is the 5od of ,&or!#
H7# And no2 Satan e,an to tre'&e< and the earth shoo0? and .oses
recei$ed stren,th< and ca&&ed u*on 5od< sa!in,( In the na'e of the On&!
"e,otten< de*art hence< Satan#
HH# And it ca'e to *ass that Satan cried 2ith a &oud $oice< 2ith
2ee*in, and 2ai&in, and ,nashin, of teeth? and he de*arted hence< e$en
fro' the *resence of .oses< that he ehe&d hi' not#
H9# And no2 of this thin, .oses ore record? ut ecause of
2ic0edness it is not had a'on, the chi&dren of 'en#
H@# And it ca'e to *ass that 2hen Satan had de*arted fro' the
*resence of .oses< that .oses &ifted u* his e!es unto hea$en< ein, fi&&ed
2ith the Ho&! 5host< 2hich eareth record of the Father and the Son?
HG# And ca&&in, u*on the na'e of 5od< he ehe&d his ,&or! a,ain< for
it 2as u*on hi'? and he heard a $oice< sa!in,( "&essed art thou< .oses<
for I< the A&'i,ht!< ha$e chosen thee< and thou sha&t e 'ade stron,er
than 'an! 2aters? for the! sha&& oe! th! co''and as if thou 2ert 5od#
H:# And &o< I a' 2ith thee< e$en unto the end of th! da!s? for thou
sha&t de&i$er '! *eo*&e fro' onda,e< e$en Israe& '! chosen#
HM# And it ca'e to *ass< as the $oice 2as sti&& s*ea0in,< .oses cast
his e!es and ehe&d the earth< !ea< e$en a&& of it? and there 2as not a
*artic&e of it 2hich he did not eho&d< discernin, it ! the S*irit of
5od#
H8# And he ehe&d a&so the inhaitants thereof< and there 2as not a
sou& 2hich he ehe&d not? and he discerned the' ! the S*irit of 5od< and
their nu'ers 2ere ,reat< e$en nu'er&ess as the sand u*on the sea shore#
HN# And he ehe&d 'an! &ands? and each &and 2as ca&&ed earth< and
there 2ere inhaitants on the face thereof#
9D# And it ca'e to *ass that .oses ca&&ed u*on 5od< sa!in,( Te&& 'e<
I *ra! thee< 2h! these thin,s are so< and ! 2hat thou 'adest the'B
97# And eho&d< the ,&or! of the Lord 2as u*on .oses< so that .oses
stood in the *resence of 5od< and ta&0ed 2ith hi' face to face# And the
Lord 5od said unto .oses( For 'ine o2n *ur*ose ha$e I 'ade these thin,s#
Here is 2isdo' and it re'aineth in 'e#
9H# And ! the 2ord of '! *o2er< ha$e I created the'< 2hich is 'ine
On&! "e,otten Son< 2ho is fu&& of ,race and truth#
99# And 2or&ds 2ithout nu'er ha$e I created? and I a&so created the'
for 'ine o2n *ur*ose? and ! the Son I created the'< 2hich is 'ine On&!
"e,otten#
9@# And the first 'an of a&& 'en ha$e I ca&&ed Ada'< 2hich is 'an!#
9G# "ut on&! an account of this earth< and the inhaitants thereof<
,i$e I unto !ou# For eho&d< there are 'an! 2or&ds that ha$e *assed a2a!
! the 2ord of '! *o2er# And there are 'an! that no2 stand< and
innu'era&e are the! unto 'an? ut a&& thin,s are nu'ered unto 'e< for
the! are 'ine and I 0no2 the'#
9:# And it ca'e to *ass that .oses s*a0e unto the Lord< sa!in,( "e
'ercifu& unto th! ser$ant< O 5od< and te&& 'e concernin, this earth< and
the inhaitants thereof< and a&so the hea$ens< and then th! ser$ant 2i&&
e content#
9M# And the Lord 5od s*a0e unto .oses< sa!in,? The hea$ens< the! are
'an!< and the! cannot e nu'ered unto 'an< ut the! are nu'ered unto 'e<
for the! are 'ine#
98# And as one earth sha&& *ass a2a!< and the hea$ens thereof< e$en
so sha&& another co'e? and there is no end to '! 2or0s< neither to '!
2ords#
9N# For eho&d< this is '! 2or0 and '! ,&or!--to rin, to *ass the
i''orta&it! and eterna& &ife of 'an#
@D# And no2< .oses< '! son< I 2i&& s*ea0 unto thee concernin, this
earth u*on 2hich thou standest? and thou sha&t 2rite the thin,s 2hich I
sha&& s*ea0#
@7# And in a da! 2hen the chi&dren of 'en sha&& estee' '! 2ords as
nau,ht and ta0e 'an! of the' fro' the oo0 2hich thou sha&t 2rite< eho&d<
I 2i&& raise u* another &i0e unto thee? and the! sha&& e had a,ain a'on,
the chi&dren of 'en--a'on, as 'an! as sha&& e&ie$e#
@H# These 2ords 2ere s*o0en unto .oses in the 'ount< the na'e of
2hich sha&& not e 0no2n a'on, the chi&dren of 'en# And no2 the! are
s*o0en unto !ou# Sho2 the' not unto an! e/ce*t the' that e&ie$e# E$en
so# A'en#
.eanti'e< and not2ithstandin, a&& the ra,e of our ene'ies< 2e had
'uch conso&ation< and 'an! thin,s occurred to stren,then our faith and
cheer our hearts#
After our de*arture fro' Co&es$i&&e< after the tria&< the Church
there 2ere $er! an/ious< as 'i,ht e e/*ected< concernin, our a,ain
$isitin, the'< durin, 2hich ti'e Sister 1ni,ht< 2ife of Ne2e& 1ni,ht< had
a drea'< 2hich ena&ed her to sa! that 2e 2ou&d $isit the' that da!< 2hich
rea&&! ca'e to *ass< for a fe2 hours after2ards 2e arri$ed? and thus 2as
our faith 'uch stren,thened concernin, drea's and $isions in the &ast
da!s< foreto&d ! the ancient )ro*het Joe&? and a&thou,h 2e this ti'e 2ere
forced to see0 safet! fro' our ene'ies ! f&i,ht< !et did 2e fee&
confident that e$entua&&! 2e shou&d co'e off $ictorious< if 2e on&!
continued faithfu& to Hi' 2ho had ca&&ed us forth fro' dar0ness into the
'ar$e&ous &i,ht of the e$er&astin, 5os*e& of our Lord Jesus Christ#
Short&! after our return ho'e< 2e recei$ed the fo&&o2in,
co''and'ents(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and O&i$er Co2der!< ,i$en at
Har'on!< )enns!&$ania< Ju&!< 789D#
7# "eho&d thou 2ast ca&&ed and chosen to 2rite the "oo0 of .or'on<
and to '! 'inistr!? and I ha$e &ifted thee u* out of thine aff&ictions<
and ha$e counse&ed thee< that thou hast een de&i$ered fro' a&& thine
ene'ies< and thou hast een de&i$ered fro' the *o2ers of Satan and fro'
dar0nessK
H# Ne$erthe&ess< thou art not e/cusa&e in th! trans,ressions?
ne$erthe&ess< ,o th! 2a! and sin no 'ore#
9# .a,nif! thine office? and after thou hast so2ed th! fie&ds and
secured the'< ,o s*eedi&! unto the church 2hich is in Co&es$i&&e< Fa!ette<
and .anchester< and the! sha&& su**ort thee? and I 2i&& &ess the' oth
s*iritua&&! and te'*ora&&!?
@# "ut if the! recei$e thee not< I 2i&& send u*on the' a cursin,
instead of a &essin,#
G# And thou sha&t continue in ca&&in, u*on 5od in '! na'e< and
2ritin, the thin,s 2hich sha&& e ,i$en thee ! the Co'forter< and
e/*oundin, a&& scri*tures unto the church<
:# And it sha&& e ,i$en thee in the $er! 'o'ent 2hat thou sha&&
s*ea0 and 2rite< and the! sha&& hear it< or I 2i&& send unto the' a
cursin, instead of a &essin,#
M# For thou sha&t de$ote a&& th! ser$ice in ;ion? and in this thou
sha&t ha$e stren,th#
8# "e *atient in aff&ictions< for thou sha&t ha$e 'an!? ut endure
the'< for< &o< I a' 2ith thee< e$en unto the end of th! da!s#
N# And in te'*ora& &aors thou sha&t not ha$e stren,th< for this is
not th! ca&&in,# Attend to th! ca&&in, and thou sha&t ha$e 2here2ith to
'a,nif! thine office< and to e/*ound a&& Scri*tures< and continue in
&a!in, on of the hands and confir'in, the churches#
7D# And th! rother O&i$er sha&& continue in earin, '! na'e efore
the 2or&d< and a&so to the church# And he sha&& not su**ose that he can
sa! enou,h in '! cause? and &o< I a' 2ith hi' to the end#
77# In 'e he sha&& ha$e ,&or!< and not of hi'se&f< 2hether in
2ea0ness or in stren,th< 2hether in onds or free?
7H# And at a&& ti'es< and in a&& *&aces< he sha&& o*en his 'outh and
dec&are '! ,os*e& as 2ith the $oice of a tru'*< oth da! and ni,ht# And I
2i&& ,i$e unto hi' stren,th such as is not 0no2n a'on, 'en#
79# Re>uire not 'irac&es< e/ce*t I sha&& co''and !ou< e/ce*t castin,
out de$i&s< hea&in, the sic0< and a,ainst *oisonous ser*ents< and a,ainst
dead&! *oisons?
7@# And these thin,s !e sha&& not do< e/ce*t it e re>uired of !ou !
the' 2ho desire it< that the scri*tures 'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed? for !e sha&&
do accordin, to that 2hich is 2ritten#
7G# And in 2hatsoe$er *&ace !e sha&& enter< and the! recei$e !ou not
in '! na'e< !e sha&& &ea$e a cursin, instead of a &essin,< ! castin, off
the dust of !our feet a,ainst the' as a testi'on!< and c&eansin, !our feet
! the 2a!side#
7:# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that 2hosoe$er sha&& &a! their hands
u*on !ou ! $io&ence< !e sha&& co''and to e s'itten in '! na'e? and<
eho&d< I 2i&& s'ite the' accordin, to !our 2ords< in 'ine o2n due ti'e#
7M# And 2hosoe$er sha&& ,o to &a2 2ith thee sha&& e cursed ! the
&a2#
78# And thou sha&t ta0e no *urse nor scri*< neither sta$es< neither
t2o coats< for the church sha&& ,i$e unto thee in the $er! hour 2hat thou
needest for food and for rai'ent< and for shoes and for 'one!< and for
scri*#
7N# For thou art ca&&ed to *rune '! $ine!ard 2ith a 'i,ht! *runin,<
!ea< e$en for the &ast ti'e? !ea< and a&so a&& those 2ho' thou hast
ordained< and the! sha&& do e$en accordin, to this *attern# A'en#
Re$e&ation ,i$en at Har'on!< )enns!&$ania< Ju&!< 789D#
7# Hear0en unto the $oice of the Lord !our 5od< 2hi&e I s*ea0 unto
!ou< E''a S'ith< '! dau,hter? for $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< a&& those 2ho
recei$e '! ,os*e& are sons and dau,hters in '! 0in,do'#
H# A re$e&ation I ,i$e unto !ou concernin, '! 2i&& and if thou art
faithfu& and 2a&0 in the *aths of $irtue efore 'e< I 2i&& *reser$e th!
&ife< and thou sha&t recei$e an inheritance in ;ion#
9# "eho&d< th! sins are for,i$en thee< and thou art an e&ect &ad!<
2ho' I ha$e ca&&ed#
@# .ur'ur not ecause of the thin,s 2hich thou hast not seen< for
the! are 2ithhe&d fro' thee and fro' the 2or&d< 2hich is 2isdo' in 'e in a
ti'e to co'e#
G# And the office of th! ca&&in, sha&& e for a co'fort unto '!
ser$ant< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< th! husand< in his aff&ictions< 2ith
conso&in, 2ords< in the s*irit of 'ee0ness#
:# And thou sha&t ,o 2ith hi' at the ti'e of his ,oin,< and e unto
hi' for a scrie< 2hi&e there is no one to e a scrie for hi'< that I 'a!
send '! ser$ant< O&i$er Co2der!< 2hithersoe$er I 2i&&#
M# And thou sha&t e ordained under his hand to e/*ound scri*tures<
and to e/hort the church< accordin, as it sha&& e ,i$en thee ! '!
S*irit#
8# For he sha&& &a! his hands u*on thee< and thou sha&t recei$e the
Ho&! 5host< and th! ti'e sha&& e ,i$en to 2ritin,< and to &earnin, 'uch#
N# And thou needest not fear< for th! husand sha&& su**ort thee in
the church? for unto the' is his ca&&in,< that a&& thin,s 'i,ht e
re$ea&ed unto the'< 2hatsoe$er I 2i&&< accordin, to their faith#
7D# And $eri&! I sa! unto thee that thou sha&t &a! aside the thin,s
of this 2or&d< and see0 for the thin,s of a etter#
77# And it sha&& e ,i$en thee< a&so< to 'a0e a se&ection of sacred
h!'ns< as it sha&& e ,i$en thee< 2hich is *&easin, unto 'e< to e had in
'! church#
7H# For '! sou& de&i,hteth in the son, of the heart? !ea< the son, of
the ri,hteous is a *ra!er unto 'e< and it sha&& e ans2ered 2ith a
&essin, u*on their heads#
79# 3herefore< &ift u* th! heart and re=oice< and c&ea$e unto the
co$enants 2hich thou hast 'ade#
7@# Continue in the s*irit of 'ee0ness< and e2are of *ride# Let th!
sou& de&i,ht in th! husand< and the ,&or! 2hich sha&& co'e u*on hi'#
7G# 1ee* '! co''and'ents continua&&!< and a cro2n of ri,hteousness
thou sha&t recei$e# And e/ce*t thou do this< 2here I a' !ou cannot co'e#
7:# And $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that this is '! $oice unto
a&&# A'en#
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er Co2der!< and John 3hit'er< ,i$en
at Har'on!< )enns!&$ania< Ju&!< 789D#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that !ou sha&& &et !our ti'e e de$oted to
the stud!in, of the scri*tures< and to *reachin,< and to confir'in, the
church at Co&es$i&&e< and to *erfor'in, !our &aors on the &and< such as
is re>uired< unti& after !ou sha&& ,o to the 2est to ho&d the ne/t
conference? and then it sha&& e 'ade 0no2n 2hat !ou sha&& do#
H# And a&& thin,s sha&& e done ! co''on consent in the church< !
'uch *ra!er and faith< for a&& thin,s !ou sha&& recei$e ! faith# A'en#
Short&! after 2e had recei$ed the ao$e re$e&ations< O&i$er Co2der!
returned to .r# )eter 3hit'er+s< Sen#< and I e,an to arran,e and co*! the
re$e&ations< 2hich 2e had recei$ed fro' ti'e to ti'e? in 2hich I 2as
assisted ! John 3hit'er< 2ho no2 resided 2ith 'e#
3hi&st thus e'*&o!ed in the 2or0 a**ointed 'e ! '! Hea$en&! Father<
I recei$ed a &etter fro' O&i$er Co2der!< the contents of 2hich ,a$e 'e
oth sorro2 and uneasiness# Not ha$in, that &etter no2 in '! *ossession<
I cannot of course ,i$e it here in fu&&< ut 'ere&! an e/tract of the 'ost
*ro'inent *arts< 2hich I can !et< and e/*ect &on, to< re'e'er#
He 2rote to infor' 'e that he had disco$ered an error in one of the
co''and'ents--"oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants( -And tru&! 'anifest ! their
2or0s that the! ha$e recei$ed of the S*irit of Christ unto a re'ission of
their sins#-
The ao$e >uotation< he said< 2as erroneous< and added( -I co''and
!ou in the na'e of 5od to erase those 2ords< that no *riestcraft e
a'on,st usK-
I i''ediate&! 2rote to hi' in re*&!< in 2hich I as0ed hi' ! 2hat
authorit! he too0 u*on hi' to co''and 'e to a&ter or erase< to add to or
di'inish fro'< a re$e&ation or co''and'ent fro' A&'i,ht! 5od#
A fe2 da!s after2ards I $isited hi' and .r# 3hit'er+s fa'i&!< 2hen I
found the fa'i&! in ,enera& of his o*inion concernin, the 2ords ao$e
>uoted< and it 2as not 2ithout oth &aor and *erse$erance that I cou&d
*re$ai& 2ith an! of the' to reason ca&'&! on the su=ect# Ho2e$er<
Christian 3hit'er at &en,th eca'e con$inced that the sentence 2as
reasona&e< and accordin, to Scri*ture? and fina&&!< 2ith his assistance<
I succeeded in rin,in,< not on&! the 3hit'er fa'i&!< ut a&so O&i$er
Co2der! to ac0no2&ed,e that the! had een in error< and that the sentence
in dis*ute 2as in accordance 2ith the rest of the co''and'ent# And thus
2as this error rooted out< 2hich ha$in, its rise in *resu'*tion and rash
=ud,'ent< 2as the 'ore *articu&ar&! ca&cu&ated E2hen once fair&!
understoodF to teach each and a&& of us the necessit! of hu'i&it! and
'ee0ness efore the Lord< that He 'i,ht teach us of His 2a!s< that 2e
'i,ht 2a&0 in His *aths< and &i$e ! e$er! 2ord that *roceedeth forth fro'
His 'outh#
CHA)TER 6I#
FURTHER LI5HT RES)ECTIN5 THE SACRA.ENT--THE )RO)HET+S RE.O%AL TO FAYETTE#
EARLY in the 'onth of Au,ust Ne2e& 1ni,ht and his 2ife *aid us a
$isit at '! *&ace in Har'on!< )enns!&$ania? and as neither his 2ife nor
'ine had een as !et confir'ed< it 2as *ro*osed that 2e shou&d confir'
the'< and *arta0e to,ether of the Sacra'ent< efore he and his 2ife shou&d
&ea$e us# In order to *re*are for this I set out to *rocure so'e 2ine for
the occasion< ut had ,one on&! a short distance 2hen I 2as 'et ! a
hea$en&! 'essen,er< and recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation< the first four
*ara,ra*hs of 2hich 2ere 2ritten at this ti'e< and the re'ainder in the
Se*te'er fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en at Har'on!< )enns!&$ania< Au,ust< 789D#
7# Listen to the $oice of Jesus Christ< !our Lord< !our 5od< and !our
Redee'er< 2hose 2ord is >uic0 and *o2erfu&#
H# For< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that it 'attereth not 2hat !e sha&&
eat< or 2hat !e sha&& drin0< 2hen !e *arta0e of the sacra'ent< if it so e
that !e do it 2ith an e!e sin,&e to '! ,&or!--re'e'erin, unto the Father
'! od! 2hich 2as &aid do2n for !ou< and '! &ood 2hich 2as shed for the
re'ission of !our sins#
9# 3herefore< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou< that !ou sha&& not
*urchase 2ine< neither stron, drin0 of !our ene'ies?
@# 3herefore< !ou sha&& *arta0e of none e/ce*t it is 'ade ne2 a'on,
!ou? !ea< in this '! Father+s 0in,do' 2hich sha&& e ui&t u* on the
earth#
G# "eho&d< this is 2isdo' in 'e? 2herefore< 'ar$e& not< for the hour
co'eth that I 2i&& drin0 of the fruit of the $ine 2ith !ou on the earth<
and 2ith .oroni< 2ho' I ha$e sent unto !ou to re$ea& the "oo0 of .or'on<
containin, the fu&ness of '! e$er&astin, ,os*e&< to 2ho' I ha$e co''itted
the 0e!s of the record of the stic0 of E*hrai'?
:# And a&so 2ith E&ias< to 2ho' I ha$e co''itted the 0e!s of rin,in,
to *ass the restoration of a&& thin,s s*o0en ! the 'outh of a&& the ho&!
*ro*hets since the 2or&d e,an< concernin, the &ast da!s?
M# And a&so John the son of ;acharias< 2hich ;acharias he EE&iasF
$isited and ,a$e *ro'ise that he shou&d ha$e a son< and his na'e shou&d e
John< and he shou&d e fi&&ed 2ith the s*irit of E&ias?
8# 3hich John I ha$e sent unto !ou< '! ser$ant< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
and O&i$er Co2der!< to ordain !ou unto the first )riesthood 2hich !ou ha$e
recei$ed< that !ou 'i,ht e ca&&ed and ordained e$en as Aaron?
N# And a&so E&i=ah< unto 2ho' I ha$e co''itted the 0e!s of the *o2er
of turnin, the hearts of the fathers to the chi&dren< and the hearts of
the chi&dren to the fathers< that the 2ho&e earth 'a! not e s'itten 2ith
a curse?
7D# And a&so 2ith Jose*h and Jaco< and Isaac< and Araha'< !our
fathers< ! 2ho' the *ro'ises re'ain?
77# And a&so 2ith .ichae&< or Ada'< the father of a&&< the *rince of
a&&< the ancient of da!s?
7H# And a&so 2ith )eter< and Ja'es< and John< 2ho' I ha$e sent unto
!ou< ! 2ho' I ha$e ordained !ou and confir'ed !ou to e a*ost&es< and
es*ecia& 2itnesses of '! na'e< and ear the 0e!s of !our 'inistr! and of
the sa'e thin,s 2hich I re$ea&ed unto the'?
79# Unto 2ho' I ha$e co''itted the 0e!s of '! 0in,do'< and a
dis*ensation of the ,os*e& for the &ast ti'es? and for the fu&ness of
ti'es< in the 2hich I 2i&& ,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s< oth 2hich
are in hea$en< and 2hich are on earth?
7@# And a&so 2ith a&& those 2ho' '! Father hath ,i$en 'e out of the
2or&d#
7G# 3herefore< &ift u* !our heart and re=oice< and ,ird u* !our
&oins< and ta0e u*on !ou '! 2ho&e ar'or< that !e 'a! e a&e to 2ithstand
the e$i& da!< ha$in, done a&&< that !e 'a! e a&e to stand#
7:# Stand< therefore< ha$in, !our &oins ,irt aout 2ith truth< ha$in,
on the reast*&ate of ri,hteousness< and !our feet shod 2ith the
*re*aration of the ,os*e& of *eace< 2hich I ha$e sent 'ine an,e&s to
co''it unto !ou?
7M# Ta0in, the shie&d of faith 2here2ith !e sha&& e a&e to >uench
a&& the fier! darts of the 2ic0ed?
78# And ta0e the he&'et of sa&$ation< and the s2ord of '! S*irit<
2hich I 2i&& *our out u*on !ou< and '! 2ord 2hich I re$ea& unto !ou< and
e a,reed as touchin, a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er !e as0 of 'e< and e faithfu&
unti& I co'e< and !e sha&& e cau,ht u*< that 2here I a' !e sha&& e a&so#
A'en#
In oedience to the ao$e co''and'ent< 2e *re*ared so'e 2ine of our
o2n 'a0in,< and he&d our 'eetin,< consistin, on&! of fi$e< $i4#< Ne2e&
1ni,ht and his 2ife< '!se&f and '! 2ife< and John 3hit'er# 3e *artoo0
to,ether of the Sacra'ent< after 2hich 2e confir'ed these t2o sisters into
the Church< and s*ent the e$enin, in a ,&orious 'anner# The S*irit of the
Lord 2as *oured out u*on us< 2e *raised the Lord 5od< and re=oiced
e/ceedin,&!#
Aout this ti'e a s*irit of *ersecution e,an a,ain to 'anifest
itse&f a,ainst us in the nei,horhood 2here I no2 resided< 2hich 2as
co''enced ! a 'an of the .ethodist *ersuasion< 2ho *rofessed to e a
'inister of 5od# This 'an had &earned that '! father-in-&a2 and his
fa'i&! had *ro'ised us *rotection< and 2ere friend&!< and in>uirin, into
the 2or0? and 0no2in, that if he cou&d ,et hi' turned a,ainst 'e< '!
friends in that *&ace 2ou&d e ut fe2< he $isited '! father-in-&a2< and
to&d hi' fa&sehoods concernin, 'e of the 'ost sha'efu& nature< 2hich
turned the o&d ,ent&e'an and his fa'i&! so 'uch a,ainst us< that the!
2ou&d no &on,er *ro'ise us *rotection nor e&ie$e our doctrines#
To2ards the &atter end of Au,ust< in co'*an! 2ith John and Da$id
3hit'er< and '! rother H!ru' S'ith< I $isited the Church at Co&es$i&&e<
Ne2 Yor0# 3e&& 0no2in, the deter'ined hosti&it! of our ene'ies in that
>uarter< and a&so 0no2in, that it 2as our dut! to $isit the Church< 2e had
ca&&ed u*on our Hea$en&! Father< in 'i,ht! *ra!er< that He 2ou&d ,rant us
an o**ortunit! of 'eetin, 2ith the'< that he 2ou&d &ind the e!es of our
ene'ies< so that the! 2ou&d not 0no2 us< and that 2e 'i,ht on this
occasion return un'o&ested# Our *ra!ers 2ere not in $ain< for 2hen 2ithin
a &itt&e distance of .r# 1ni,ht+s *&ace< 2e encountered a &ar,e co'*an! at
2or0 u*on the *u&ic road< a'on,st 2ho' 2ere se$era& of our 'ost itter
ene'ies# The! &oo0ed earnest at us< ut not 0no2in, us< 2e *assed on
2ithout interru*tion# That e$enin, 2e asse'&ed the Church< and confir'ed
the'< *artoo0 of the Sacra'ent< and he&d a ha**! 'eetin,< ha$in, 'uch
reason to re=oice in the 5od of our sa&$ation< and sin, hosannas to His
ho&! na'e# Ne/t 'ornin, 2e set out on our return ho'e< and a&thou,h our
ene'ies had offered a re2ard of fi$e do&&ars to an! one 2ho 2ou&d ,i$e
the' infor'ation of our arri$a&< !et did 2e ,et out of the nei,horhood<
2ithout the &east anno!ance< and arri$ed ho'e in safet!< So'e fe2 da!s
after2ards< ho2e$er< Ne2e& 1ni,ht ca'e to '! *&ace< and fro' hi' 2e
&earned that< $er! short&! after our de*arture< the 'o ca'e to 0no2 of
our ha$in, een there< 2hen the! i''ediate&! co&&ected to,ether< and
threatened the rethren< and $er! 'uch anno!ed the' durin, a&& that da!#
.eanti'e< "rother 1ni,ht had co'e 2ith his 2a,on< *re*ared to 'o$e '!
fa'i&! to Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0# .r# 3hit'er< ha$in, heard of the
*ersecutions a,ainst us at Har'on!< )enns!&$ania< had in$ited us to ,o and
&i$e 2ith hi'? and durin, the &ast 2ee0 in Au,ust 2e arri$ed at Fa!ette<
a'idst the con,ratu&ations of our rethren and friends#
To our ,reat ,rief< ho2e$er< 2e soon found that Satan had een &!in,
in 2ait to decei$e< and see0in, 2ho' he 'i,ht de$our# "rother Hira' )a,e
had in his *ossession a certain stone< ! 2hich he had otained certain
-re$e&ations- concernin, the u*ui&din, of ;ion< the order of the
Church< etc#< a&& of 2hich 2ere entire&! at $ariance 2ith the order
of 5od+s house< as &aid do2n in the Ne2 Testa'ent< as 2e&& as in our &ate
re$e&ations# As a conference 'eetin, had een a**ointed for the H:th da!
of Se*te'er< I thou,ht it 2isdo' not to do 'uch 'ore than to con$erse
2ith the rethren on the su=ect< unti& the conference shou&d 'eet#
Findin,< ho2e$er< that 'an!< es*ecia&&! the 3hit'er fa'i&! and O&i$er
Co2der!< 2ere e&ie$in, 'uch in the thin,s set forth ! this stone< 2e
thou,ht est to in>uire of the Lord concernin, so i'*ortant a 'atter? and
efore conference con$ened< 2e recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to O&i$er Co2der!< ,i$en at Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0<
Se*te'er< 789D#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto thee< O&i$er< that it sha&& e ,i$en unto thee<
that thou sha&t e heard ! the church in a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er thou sha&t
teach the' ! the Co'forter< concernin, the re$e&ations and co''and'ents
2hich I ha$e ,i$en#
H# "ut< eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto thee< no one sha&& e
a**ointed to recei$e co''and'ents and re$e&ations in this Church e/ce*tin,
'! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< for he recei$eth the' e$en as .oses#
9# And thou sha&t e oedient unto the thin,s 2hich I sha&& ,i$e unto
hi'< e$en as Aaron< to dec&are faithfu&&! the co''and'ents and the
re$e&ations< 2ith *o2er and authorit! unto the Church#
@# And if thou art &ed at an! ti'e ! the co'forter to s*ea0 or teach
or at a&& ti'es ! the 2a! of co''and'ent unto the Church< thou 'a!est do
it#
G# "ut thou sha&t not 2rite ! 2a! of co''and'ent< ut ! 2isdo'?
:# And thou sha&t not co''and hi' 2ho is at th! head< and at the head
of the church?
M# For I ha$e ,i$en hi' the 0e!s of the '!steries< and the
re$e&ations 2hich are sea&ed unti& I sha&& a**oint unto the' another in
his stead#
8# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that !ou sha&& ,o unto the
La'anites and *reach '! ,os*e& unto the'? and inas'uch as the! recei$e th!
teachin,s< thou sha&t cause '! church to e esta&ished a'on, the'? and
thou sha&t ha$e re$e&ations< ut 2rite the' not ! 2a! of co''and'ent#
N# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that it is not re$ea&ed< and no
'an 0no2eth 2here the cit! of ;ion sha&& e ui&t< ut it sha&& e ,i$en
hereafter# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that it sha&& e on the orders ! the
La'anites#
7D# Thou sha&t not &ea$e this *&ace unti& after the conference? and
'! ser$ant Jose*h sha&& e a**ointed to *reside o$er the conference ! the
$oice of it< and 2hat he saith to thee thou sha&t te&&#
77# And a,ain< thou sha&t ta0e th! rother< Hira' )a,e< et2een hi'
and thee a&one< and te&& hi' that those thin,s 2hich he hath 2ritten fro'
that stone are not of 'e< and that Satan decei$eth hi'#
7H# For< eho&d< these thin,s ha$e not een a**ointed unto hi'<
neither sha&& an!thin, e a**ointed unto an! of this church contrar! to
the church co$enants#
79# For a&& thin,s 'ust e done in order< and ! co''on consent in
the church< ! the *ra!er of faith#
7@# And thou sha&t assist to sett&e a&& these thin,s< accordin, to
the co$enants of the church efore thou sha&t ta0e th! =ourne! a'on, the
La'anites#
7G# And it sha&& e ,i$en thee fro' the ti'e thou sha&t ,o< unti& the
ti'e thou sha&t return< 2hat thou sha&t do#
7:# And thou 'ust o*en th! 'outh at a&& ti'es< dec&arin, '! ,os*e&
2ith the sound of re=oicin,# A'en#
Re$e&ation< ,i$en in the *resence of Si/ E&ders< in Fa!ette<
Ne2 Yor0< Se*te'er< 789D#
7# Listen to the $oice of Jesus Christ< !our Redee'er< the 5reat I A.
2hose ar' of 'erc! hath atoned for !our sins?
H# 3ho 2i&& ,ather his *eo*&e e$en as a hen ,athereth her chic0ens
under her 2in,s< e$en as 'an! as 2i&& hear0en to '! $oice and hu'&e
the'se&$es efore 'e< and ca&& u*on 'e in 'i,ht! *ra!er#
9# "eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that at this ti'e !our
sins are for,i$en !ou< therefore !e recei$e these thin,s? ut re'e'er to
sin no 'ore< &est *eri&s sha&& co'e u*on !ou#
@# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou that !e are chosen out of the 2or&d to
dec&are '! ,os*e& 2ith the sound of re=oicin,< as 2ith the $oice of a
tru'*#
G# Lift u* !our hearts and e ,&ad< for I a' in !our 'idst< and a'
!our ad$ocate 2ith the Father? and it is his ,ood 2i&& to ,i$e !ou the
0in,do'#
:# And< as it is 2ritten--3hatsoe$er !e sha&& as0 in faith< ein,
united in *ra!er accordin, to '! co''and< !e sha&& recei$e#
M# And !e are ca&&ed to rin, to *ass the ,atherin, of 'ine e&ect?
for 'ine e&ect hear '! $oice and harden not their hearts?
8# 3herefore the decree hath ,one forth fro' the Father that the!
sha&& e ,athered in unto one *&ace u*on the face of this &and< to *re*are
their hearts and e *re*ared in a&& thin,s a,ainst the da! 2hen
triu&ation and deso&ation are sent forth u*on the 2ic0ed#
N# For the hour is ni,h and the da! soon at hand 2hen the earth is
ri*e and a&& the *roud and the! that do 2ic0ed&! sha&& e as stu&e and I
2i&& urn the' u*< saith the Lord of Hosts< that 2ic0edness sha&& not e
u*on the earth?
7D# For the hour is ni,h< and that 2hich 2as s*o0en ! 'ine a*ost&es
'ust e fu&fi&&ed? for as the! s*o0e< so sha&& it co'e to *ass?
77# For I 2i&& re$ea& '!se&f fro' hea$en 2ith *o2er and ,reat ,&or!<
2ith a&& the hosts thereof< and d2e&& in ri,hteousness 2ith 'en on earth a
thousand !ears< and the 2ic0ed sha&& not stand#
7H# And a,ain< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< and it hath ,one forth
in a fir' decree< ! the 2i&& of the Father< that 'ine a*ost&es< the
T2e&$e 2hich 2ere 2ith 'e in '! 'inistr! at Jerusa&e'< sha&& stand at '!
ri,ht hand at the da! of '! co'in, in a *i&&ar of fire< ein, c&othed 2ith
roes of ri,hteousness< 2ith cro2ns u*on their heads< in ,&or! e$en as I
a'< to =ud,e the 2ho&e house of Israe&< e$en as 'an! as ha$e &o$ed 'e and
0e*t '! co''and'ents and none e&se#
79# For a tru'* sha&& sound oth &on, and &oud< e$en as u*on .ount
Sinai< and a&& the earth sha&& >ua0e< and the! sha&& co'e forth--!ea< e$en
the dead 2hich died in 'e< to recei$e a cro2n of ri,hteousness< and to e
c&othed u*on< e$en as I a'< to e 2ith 'e< that 2e 'a! e one#
7@# "ut< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou -that efore this ,reat da! sha&&
co'e the sun sha&& e dar0ened< and the 'oon sha&& e turned into &ood<
and the stars sha&& fa&& fro' hea$en< and there sha&& e ,reater si,ns in
hea$en ao$e< and in the earth eneath?
7G# And there sha&& e 2ee*in, and 2ai&in, a'on, the hosts of 'en?
7:# And there sha&& e a ,reat hai&stor' sent forth to destro! the
cro*s of the earth#
7M# And it sha&& co'e to *ass ecause of the 2ic0edness of the 2or&d<
that I 2i&& ta0e $en,eance u*on the 2ic0ed< for the! 2i&& not re*ent? for
the cu* of 'ine indi,nation is fu&&? for eho&d< '! &ood sha&& not c&ean
the' if the! hear 'e not#
78# 3herefore< I the Lord 5od 2i&& send forth f&ies u*on the face of
the earth< 2hich sha&& ta0e ho&d of the inhaitants thereof< and sha&& eat
their f&esh< and sha&& cause 'a,,ots to co'e in u*on the'?
7N# And their ton,ues sha&& e staid that the! sha&& not utter
a,ainst 'e? and their f&esh sha&& fa&& fro' off their ones< and their
e!es fro' their soc0ets?
HD# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that the easts of the forest and the
fo2&s of the air sha&& de$our the' u*#
H7# And the ,reat and ao'ina&e church< 2hich is the 2hore of a&&
the earth< sha&& e cast do2n ! de$ourin, fire< accordin, as it is s*o0en
! the 'outh of E4e0ie& the *ro*het< 2ho s*o0e of these thin,s< 2hich ha$e
not co'e to *ass ut sure&! 'ust< as I &i$e< for ao'inations sha&& not
rei,n#
HH# And a,ain< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou that 2hen the thousand
!ears are ended< and 'en a,ain e,in to den! their 5od< then 2i&& I s*are
the earth ut for a &itt&e season?
H9# And the end sha&& co'e< and the hea$en and the earth sha&& e
consu'ed and *ass a2a!< and there sha&& e a ne2 hea$en and a ne2 earth<
H@# For a&& o&d thin,s sha&& *ass a2a!< and a&& thin,s sha&& eco'e
ne2< e$en the hea$en and the earth< and a&& the fu&ness thereof< oth 'en
and easts< the fo2&s of the air< and the fishes of the sea?
HG# And not one hair< neither 'ote< sha&& e &ost< for it is the
2or0'anshi* of 'ine hand#
H:# "ut< eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< efore the earth sha&& *ass
a2a!< .ichae&< 'ine archan,e&< sha&& sound his tru'*< and then sha&& a&&
the dead a2a0e< for their ,ra$es sha&& e o*ened< and the! sha&& co'e
forth--!ea< e$en a&&#
HM# And the ri,hteous sha&& e ,athered on '! ri,ht hand unto eterna&
&ife? and the 2ic0ed on '! &eft hand 2i&& I e asha'ed to o2n efore the
Father?
H8# 3herefore I 2i&& sa! unto the'--De*art fro' 'e< !e cursed< into
e$er&astin, fire< *re*ared for the de$i& and his an,e&s#
HN# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< ne$er at an! ti'e ha$e I
dec&ared fro' 'ine o2n 'outh that the! shou&d return< for 2here I a' the!
cannot co'e< for the! ha$e no *o2er#
9D# "ut re'e'er that a&& '! =ud,'ents are not ,i$en unto 'en and as
the 2ords ha$e ,one forth out of '! 'outh< e$en so sha&& the! e
fu&fi&&ed< that the first sha&& e &ast< and that the &ast sha&& e first
in a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er I ha$e created ! the 2ord of '! *o2er< 2hich is
the *o2er of '! s*irit#
97# For ! the *o2er of '! s*irit created I the'? !ea< a&& thin,s
oth s*iritua& and te'*ora&--
9H# First&! s*iritua&< second&! te'*ora&< 2hich is the e,innin, of
'! 2or0? and a,ain< first te'*ora&< and second&! s*iritua&< 2hich is the
&ast of '! 2or0--
99# S*ea0in, unto !ou that !ou 'a! natura&&! understand? ut unto
'!se&f '! 2or0s ha$e no end< neither e,innin,? ut it is ,i$en unto !ou
that !e 'a! understand< ecause !e ha$e as0ed it of 'e and are a,reed#
9@# 3herefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou that a&& thin,s unto 'e are
s*iritua&< and not at an! ti'e ha$e I ,i$en unto !ou a &a2 2hich 2as
te'*ora&? neither an! 'an< nor the chi&dren of 'en? neither Ada'< !our
father< 2ho' I created#
9G# "eho&d< I ,a$e unto hi' that he shou&d e an a,ent unto hi'se&f?
and I ,a$e unto hi' co''and'ent< ut no te'*ora& co''and'ent ,a$e I unto
hi'< for '! co''and'ents are s*iritua&? the! are not natura& nor te'*ora&<
neither carna& nor sensua&#
9:# And it ca'e to *ass that Ada'< ein, te'*ted of the de$i&--for<
eho&d< the de$i& 2as efore Ada'< for he ree&&ed a,ainst 'e< sa!in,<
5i$e 'e thine honor< 2hich is '! *o2er? and a&so a third *art of the hosts
of hea$en turned he a2a! fro' 'e ecause of their a,enc!?
9M# And the! 2ere thrust do2n< and then ca'e the de$i& and his
an,e&s?
98# And< eho&d< there is a *&ace *re*ared for the' fro' the
e,innin,< 2hich *&ace is he&&#
9N# And it 'ust needs e that the de$i& shou&d te'*t the chi&dren of
'en< or the! cou&d not e a,ents unto the'se&$es? for if the! ne$er shou&d
ha$e itter the! cou&d not 0no2 the s2eet--
@D# 3herefore< it ca'e to *ass that the de$i& te'*ted Ada'< and he
*artoo0 of the foridden fruit and trans,ressed the co''and'ent< 2herein
he eca'e su=ect to the 2i&& of the de$i&< ecause he !ie&ded unto
te'*tation#
@7# 3herefore< I< the Lord 5od< caused that he shou&d e cast out
fro' the 5arden of Eden< fro' '! *resence< ecause of his trans,ression<
2herein he eca'e s*iritua&&! dead< 2hich is the first death< e$en that
sa'e death 2hich is the &ast death< 2hich is s*iritua&< 2hich sha&& e
*ronounced u*on the 2ic0ed 2hen I sha&& sa!( De*art< !e cursed#
@H# "ut< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that I< the Lord 5od ,a$e unto
Ada' and unto his seed that the! shou&d not die as to the te'*ora&
death< unti& I< the Lord 5od< shou&d send forth an,e&s to dec&are unto
the' re*entance and rede'*tion< throu,h faith on the na'e of 'ine On&!
"e,otten Son#
@9# And thus did I< the Lord 5od< a**oint unto 'an the da!s of his
*roation--that ! his natura& death he 'i,ht e raised in i''orta&it!
unto eterna& &ife< e$en as 'an! as 2ou&d e&ie$e?
@@# And the! that e&ie$e not unto eterna& da'nation< for the! cannot
e redee'ed fro' their s*iritua& fa&&< ecause the! re*ent not?
@G# For the! &o$e dar0ness rather than &i,ht< and their deeds are
e$i&< and the! recei$e their 2a,es of 2ho' the! &ist to oe!#
@:# "ut< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that &itt&e chi&dren are redee'ed
fro' the foundation of the 2or&d throu,h 'ine On&! "e,otten?
@M# 3herefore< the! cannot sin< for *o2er is not ,i$en unto Satan to
te'*t &itt&e chi&dren< unti& the! e,in to eco'e accounta&e efore 'e?
@8# For it is ,i$en unto the' e$en as I 2i&&< accordin, to 'ine o2n
*&easure< that ,reat thin,s 'a! e re>uired at the hand of their fathers#
@N# And< a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that 2hoso ha$in, 0no2&ed,e< ha$e I
not co''anded to re*entB
GD# And he that hath no understandin,< it re'aineth in 'e to do
accordin, as it is 2ritten# And no2 I dec&are no 'ore unto !ou at this
ti'e# A'en#
At &en,th our conference asse'&ed< The su=ect of the stone
*re$ious&! 'entioned 2as discussed< and after considera&e in$esti,ation<
"rother )a,e< as 2e&& as the 2ho&e Church 2ho 2ere *resent< renounced the
said stone< and a&& thin,s connected there2ith< 'uch to our 'utua&
satisfaction and ha**iness# 3e no2 *artoo0 of the Sacra'ent< confir'ed
and ordained 'an!< and attended to a ,reat $ariet! of Church usiness on
the first and the t2o fo&&o2in, da!s of the conference< durin, 2hich ti'e
2e had 'uch of the *o2er of 5od 'anifested a'on,st us? the Ho&! 5host ca'e
u*on us< and fi&&ed us 2ith =o! uns*ea0a&e? and *eace< and faith< and
ho*e< and charit! aounded in our 'idst#
"efore 2e se*arated 2e recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Da$id 3hit'er< )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< and John 3hit'er<
,i$en Se*te'er< 789D#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< Da$id< that !ou ha$e feared 'an and ha$e
not re&ied on 'e for stren,th as !ou ou,ht#
H# "ut !our 'ind has een on the thin,s of the earth 'ore than on the
thin,s of 'e< !our .a0er< and the 'inistr! 2hereunto !ou ha$e een ca&&ed?
and !ou ha$e not ,i$en heed unto '! S*irit< and to those 2ho 2ere set o$er
!ou< ut ha$e een *ersuaded ! those 2ho' I ha$e not co''anded#
9# 3herefore< !ou are &eft to in>uire for !ourse&f at '! hand< and
*onder u*on the thin,s 2hich !ou ha$e recei$ed#
@# And !our ho'e sha&& e at !our father+s house unti& I ,i$e unto
!ou further co''and'ents# And !ou sha&& attend to the 'inistr! in the
church< and efore the 2or&d< and in the re,ions round aout# A'en#
G# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< )eter< that !ou sha&& ta0e !our =ourne!
2ith !our rother O&i$er? for the ti'e has co'e that it is e/*edient in 'e
that !ou sha&& o*en !our 'outh to dec&are '! ,os*e&? therefore< fear not<
ut ,i$e heed unto the 2ords and ad$ice of !our rother< 2hich he sha&&
,i$e !ou#
:# And e !ou aff&icted in a&& his aff&ictions< e$er &iftin, u* !our
heart unto 'e in *ra!er and faith< for his and !our de&i$erance? for I
ha$e ,i$en unto hi' *o2er to ui&d u* '! church a'on, the La'anites?
M# And none ha$e I a**ointed to e his counse&or o$er hi' in the
church concernin, church 'atters< e/ce*t it is his rother< Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#
8# 3herefore< ,i$e heed unto these thin,s and e di&i,ent in 0ee*in,
'! co''and'ents< and !ou sha&& e &essed unto eterna& &ife# A'en#
N# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant John< that thou sha&t co''ence
fro' this ti'e forth to *roc&ai' '! ,os*e&< as 2ith the $oice of a tru'*#
7D# And !our &aor sha&& e at !our rother )hi&i* "urrou,hs+< and in
that re,ion round aout< !ea< 2here$er !ou can e heard< unti& I co''and
!ou to ,o fro' hence#
77# And !our 2ho&e &aor sha&& e in ;ion< 2ith a&& !our sou&< fro'
henceforth? !ea< !ou sha&& e$er o*en !our 'outh in '! cause< not fearin,
2hat 'an can do< for I a' 2ith !ou# A'en#
Re$e&ation to Tho'as "# .arsh< 5i$en Se*te'er< 789D#
7# Tho'as< '! son< &essed are !ou ecause of !our faith in '! 2or0#
H# "eho&d< !ou ha$e had 'an! aff&ictions ecause of !our fa'i&!?
ne$erthe&ess< I 2i&& &ess !ou and !our fa'i&!< !ea< !our &itt&e ones? and
the da! co'eth that the! 2i&& e&ie$e and 0no2 the truth and e one 2ith
!ou in '! church#
9# Lift u* !our heart and re=oice< for the hour of !our 'ission is
co'e< and !our ton,ue sha&& e &oosed< and !ou sha&& dec&are ,&ad tidin,s
of ,reat =o! unto this ,eneration#
@# You sha&& dec&are the thin,s 2hich ha$e een re$ea&ed to '!
ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun# You sha&& e,in to *reach fro' this ti'e
forth< !ea< to rea* in the fie&d 2hich is 2hite a&read! to e urned#
G# Therefore< thrust in !our sic0&e 2ith a&& !our sou&< and !our sins
are for,i$en !ou< and !ou sha&& e &aden 2ith shea$es u*on !our ac0 for
the &aorer is 2orth! of his hire# 3herefore< !our fa'i&! sha&& &i$e#
:# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< ,o fro' the' on&! for a &itt&e
ti'e< and dec&are '! 2ord and I 2i&& *re*are a *&ace for the'#
M# Yea< I 2i&& o*en the hearts of the *eo*&e< and the! 2i&& recei$e
!ou# And I 2i&& esta&ish a church ! !our hand?
8# And !ou sha&& stren,then the' and *re*are the' a,ainst the ti'e
2hen the! sha&& e ,athered#
N# "e *atient in aff&ictions< re$i&e not a,ainst those that re$i&e#
5o$ern !our house in 'ee0ness< and e steadfast#
7D# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that !ou sha&& e a *h!sician unto the
church< ut not unto the 2or&d< for the! 2i&& not recei$e !ou#
77# 5o !our 2a! 2ithersoe$er I 2i&&< and it sha&& e ,i$en !ou ! the
Co'forter 2hat !ou sha&& do and 2hither !ou sha&& ,o#
7H# )ra! a&2a!s< &est !ou enter into te'*tation and &ose !our re2ard#
79# "e faithfu& unto the end< and &o< I a' 2ith !ou# These 2ords are
not of 'an nor of 'en< ut of 'e< e$en Jesus Christ< !our Redee'er< ! the
2i&& of the Father# A'en#
Durin, this conference< 2hich continued three da!s< the ut'ost
har'on! *re$ai&ed< and a&& thin,s 2ere sett&ed satisfactori&! to a&&
*resent a desire 2as 'anifested ! a&& the Saints to ,o for2ard and &aor
2ith a&& their *o2ers to s*read the ,reat and ,&orious *rinci*&es of
truth< 2hich had een re$ea&ed ! our Hea$en&! Father# A nu'er 2ere
a*ti4ed durin, the conference< and the 2ord of the Lord s*read and
*re$ai&ed<
At this ti'e a ,reat desire 2as 'anifested ! se$era& of the E&ders
res*ectin, the re'nants of the house of Jose*h< the La'anites< residin, in
the 2est--0no2in, that the *ur*oses of 5od 2ere ,reat res*ectin, that
*eo*&e< and ho*in, that the ti'e had co'e 2hen the *ro'ises of the
A&'i,ht! in re,ard to the' 2ere aout to e acco'*&ished< and that the!
2ou&d recei$e the 5os*e&< and en=o! its &essin,s# The desire ein, so
,reat< it 2as a,reed that 2e shou&d in>uire of the Lord res*ectin, the
*ro*riet! of sendin, so'e of the E&ders a'on, the'< 2hich 2e accordin,&!
did< and recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to )ar&e! )# )ratt and ;ia )eterson< ,i$en Octoer< 789D#O
7# And no2 concernin, '! ser$ant )ar&e! )# )ratt I eho&d< I sa! unto hi'
that as I &i$e I 2i&& that he sha&& dec&are '! ,os*e& and &earn of 'e< and
e 'ee0 and &o2&! of heart#
H# And that 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto hi' is that he sha&& ,o 2ith
'! ser$ants O&der Co2der! and )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< into the 2i&derness
a'on, the La'anites#
9# And ;ia )eterson a&so sha&& ,o 2ith the'? and I '!se&f 2i&& ,o
2ith the' and e in their 'idst? and I a' their ad$ocate 2ith the Father
and nothin, sha&& *re$ai& a,ainst the'#
@# And the! sha&& ,i$e heed to that 2hich is 2ritten< and *retend to
no other re$e&ation< and the! sha&& *ra! a&2a!s that I 'a! unfo&d the sa'e
to their understandin,#
G# And the! sha&& ,i$e heed unto these 2ords and trif&e not< and I
2i&& &ess the'# A'en#
I''ediate&! on recei$in, this re$e&ation< *re*arations 2ere 'ade for
the =ourne! of the rethren therein desi,nated< to the orders of and a
co*! of the re$e&ation 2as ,i$en the'# The! ade adieu to their rethren
and friends< and co''enced their =ourne!< *reachin, ! the 2a!< and
&ea$in, a sea&in, testi'on! ehind the'< &iftin, u* their $oice &i0e a
tru'* in the different $i&&a,es throu,h 2hich the! *assed< The! continued
their =ourne! unti& the! ca'e to 1irt&and< Ohio< 2here the! tarried so'e
ti'e< there ein, >uite a nu'er in that *&ace and $icinit! 2ho e&ie$ed
their testi'on!< and ca'e for2ard and oe!ed the 5os*e&# A'on, the nu'er
2as .r# Sidne! Ri,don< and a &ar,e *ortion of the church o$er 2hich he
*resided<
)re$ious to this< E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt had een a *reacher in the
sa'e church 2ith .r# Ri,don< and resided in the to2n of A'herst< Loraine
count!< in Ohio< and had een sent into the state of Ne2 Yor0 on a
'ission< 2here he eca'e ac>uainted 2ith the circu'stances of the co'in,
forth of the "oo0 of .or'on< and 2as introduced to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
other 'e'ers of the Church# The e&ief that there 2ere 'an! in the
church 2ith 2hich he had for'er&! een united< 2ho 2ere honest see0ers
after truth< induced E&der )ratt< 2hi&e on his =ourne! to the 2est< to
ca&& u*on his friends< and 'a0e 0no2n the ,reat thin,s 2hich the Lord had
rou,ht to *ass#
The first house at 2hich the! ca&&ed in the $icinit! of 1irt&and< 2as
.r# Ri,don+s< and after the usua& sa&utations< the! *resented hi' 2ith the
"oo0 of .or'on< statin, that it 2as a re$e&ation fro' 5od# This ein, the
first ti'e he had e$er heard of< or seen< the "oo0 of .or'on< he fe&t
$er! 'uch sur*rised at the assertion< and re*&ied that he had the "i&e
2hich he e&ie$ed 2as a re$e&ation fro' 5od< and 2ith 2hich he *retended
to ha$e so'e ac>uaintance? ut 2ith res*ect of the oo0 the! had *resented
hi'< he 'ust sa! that he had considera&e dout# U*on this< the!
e/*ressed a desire to in$esti,ate the su=ect< and ar,ue the 'atter# "ut
he re*&ied< -No< !oun, ,ent&e'an< !ou 'ust not ar,ue 2ith 'e on the
su=ect? ut I 2i&& read !our oo0< and see 2hat c&ai's it has u*on '!
faith< and 2i&& endea$or to ascertain 2hether it e a re$e&ation fro' 5od
or not#-
After so'e further con$ersation the! e/*ressed a desire to &a! the
su=ect efore the *eo*&e< and re>uested the *ri$i&e,e of *reachin, in .r#
Ri,don+s cha*e&< to 2hich he readi&! consented# The a**oint'ent 2as
accordin,&! *u&ished< and a &ar,e and res*ecta&e con,re,ation asse'&ed#
O&i$er Co2der! and )ar&e! )# )ratt se$era&&! addressed the 'eetin,# At
the conc&usion< .r# Ri,don arose< and stated to the con,re,ation that the
infor'ation the! had that e$enin, recei$ed 2as of an e/traordinar!
character< and certain&! de'anded their 'ost serious consideration? and as
the A*ost&e ad$ised his rethren to -*ro$e a&& thin,s< and ho&d fast that
2hich is ,ood<- so he 2ou&d e/hort his rethren to do &i0e2ise< and ,i$e
the 'atter a carefu& in$esti,ation< and not turn a,ainst it 2ithout ein,
fu&&! con$inced of its ein, an i'*osition< &est the! shou&d< *ossi&!<
resist the truth#
A fe2 'i&es fro' .r# Ri,don+s ho'e in .entor< at the to2n of
1irt&and< &i$ed a nu'er of the 'e'ers of his church# The! &i$ed
to,ether and had a&& thin,s co''on--fro' 2hich circu'stance has risen the
idea that this 2as the case 2ith the Church of Jesus Christ# To that
*&ace the E&ders i''ediate&! re*aired< and *roc&ai'ed the 5os*e& unto
the'< 2ith considera&e success? for their testi'on! 2as recei$ed ! 'an!
of the *eo*&e< and se$enteen ca'e for2ard in oedience to the 5os*e&#
3hi&e thus en,a,ed< the! $isited .r# Ri,don occasiona&&!< and found
hi' $er! earnest&! readin, the "oo0 of .or'on<--*ra!in, to the Lord for
direction< and 'editatin, on the thin,s he heard and read? and after a
fortni,ht fro' the ti'e the oo0 2as *ut into his hands< he 2as fu&&!
con$inced of the truth of the 2or0< ! a re$e&ation fro' Jesus Christ<
2hich 2as 'ade 0no2n to hi' in a re'ar0a&e 'anner< so that he cou&d
e/c&ai' -F&esh and &ood hath not re$ea&ed it unto 'e< ut '! father 2hich
is in hea$en#- Accordin,&! he and his 2ife 2ere oth a*ti4ed into the
Church of Jesus Christ? and< to,ether 2ith those 2ho had een *re$ious&!
ad'itted to a*tis'< 'ade a &itt&e ranch of the Church< in this section
of Ohio< of aout t2ent! 'e'ers#
This 'uch acco'*&ished< the rethren ound for the orders of the
La'anites< ade an affectionate fare2e&& to the Saints in 1irt&and and
$icinit!? and< after addin, one of their ne2 con$erts to their nu'er--Dr#
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's--the! 2ent on their 2a! re=oicin,#
CHA)TER 6II#
LOST "OO1S OF ANCIENT SCRI)TURE--CO..AND.ENT TO THE CHURCH
IN NE3 YOR1 TO .O%E TO OHIO#
THE LORD< 2ho is e$er read! to instruct such as di&i,ent&! see0 in
faith< ,a$e the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation at Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0(
Re$e&ation to E4ra Tha!re and Northro* S2eet< ,i$en Octoer< 789D#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ants E4ra and Northro*< o*en !e
!our ears and hear0en to the $oice of the Lord !our 5od< 2hose 2ord is
>uic0 and *o2erfu&< shar*er than a t2o-ed,ed s2ord< to the di$idin,
asunder of the =oints and 'arro2< sou& and s*irit? and is a discerner of
the thou,hts and intents of the heart#
H# For $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou that !e are ca&&ed to &ift u*
!our $oices as 2ith the sound of a tru'*< to dec&are '! ,os*e& unto a
croo0ed and *er$erse ,eneration#
9# For eho&d< the fie&d is 2hite a&read! to har$est? and it is the
e&e$enth hour< and the &ast ti'e that I sha&& ca&& &aorers into '!
$ine!ard#
@# And '! $ine!ard has eco'e corru*ted e$er! 2hit? and there is none
2hich doeth ,ood sa$e it e a fe2? and the! err in 'an! instances ecause
of *riestcrafts< a&& ha$in, corru*t 'inds#
G# And $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that this Church ha$e I
esta&ished and ca&&ed forth out of the 2i&derness#
:# And e$en so 2i&& I ,ather 'ine e&ect fro' the four >uarters of the
earth< e$en as 'an! as 2i&& e&ie$e in 'e< and hear0en unto '! $oice#
M# Yea< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that the fie&d is 2hite
a&read! to har$est? 2herefore< thrust in !our sic0&es< and rea* 2ith a&&
!our 'i,ht< 'ind< and stren,th#
8# O*en !our 'ouths and the! sha&& e fi&&ed< and !ou sha&& eco'e
e$en as Ne*hi of o&d< 2ho =ourne!ed fro' Jerusa&e' in the 2i&derness#
N# Yea< o*en !our 'ouths and s*are not< and !ou sha&& e &aden 2ith
shea$es u*on !our ac0s< for &o< I a' 2ith !ou#
7D# Yea< o*en !our 'ouths and the! sha&& e fi&&ed< sa!in,( Re*ent<
re*ent< and *re*are !e the 2a! of the Lord< and 'a0e his *aths strai,ht<
for the 0in,do' of hea$en is at hand?
77# Yea< re*ent and e a*ti4ed< e$er! one of !ou< for a re'ission of
!our sins? !ea< e a*ti4ed e$en ! 2ater< and then co'eth the a*tis' of
fire and of the Ho&! 5host#
7H# "eho&d $eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< this is '! ,os*e&< and
re'e'er that the! sha&& ha$e faith in 'e< or the! can in no 2ise e
sa$ed?
79# And u*on this roc0 I 2i&& ui&d '! church? !ea< u*on this roc0 !e
are ui&t< and if !e continue< the ,ates of he&& sha&& not *re$ai& a,ainst
!ou#
7@# And !e sha&& re'e'er the church artic&es and co$enants to 0ee*
the'#
7G# And 2hoso ha$in, faith !ou sha&& confir' in '! church< ! the
&a!in, on of the hands< and I 2i&& esto2 the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host u*on
the'#
7:# And the "oo0 of .or'on and the Ho&! Scri*tures are ,i$en of 'e
for !our instruction? and the *o2er of '! S*irit >uic0eneth a&& thin,s#
7M# 3herefore< e faithfu&< *ra!in, a&2a!s< ha$in, !our &a'*s tri''ed
and urnin,< and oi& 2ith !ou< that !ou 'a! e read! at the co'in, of the
"ride,roo'--
78# For eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that I co'e >uic0&!#
E$en so# A'en#
In the fore *art of No$e'er< Orson )ratt< a !oun, 'an nineteen
!ears of a,e< 2ho had een a*ti4ed at the first *reachin, of his rother<
)ar&e! )< )ratt< Se*te'er 7Nth Ehis irthda!F< aout si/ 2ee0s *re$ious<
in Canaan< Ne2 Yor0< ca'e to in>uire of the Lord 2hat his dut! 2as< and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in, ans2er(
A Re$e&ation to Orson )ratt< ,i$en No$e'er< 789D#
7# .! son Orson< hear0en and hear and eho&d 2hat I< the Lord 5od<
sha&& sa! unto !ou< e$en Jesus Christ !our Redee'er?
H# The &i,ht and the &ife of the 2or&d< a &i,ht 2hich shineth in
dar0ness and the dar0ness co'*rehendeth it not?
9# 3ho so &o$ed the 2or&d that he ,a$e his o2n &ife< that as 'an! as
2ou&d e&ie$e 'i,ht eco'e the sons of 5od# 3herefore !ou are '! son?
@# And &essed are !ou ecause !ou ha$e e&ie$ed?
G# And 'ore &essed are !ou ecause !ou are ca&&ed of 'e to *reach '!
,os*e&--
:# To &ift u* !our $oice as 2ith the sound of a tru'*< oth &on, and
&oud< and cr! re*entance unto a croo0ed and *er$erse ,eneration< *re*arin,
the 2a! of the Lord for his second co'in,#
M# For eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< the ti'e is soon at
hand that I sha&& co'e in a c&oud 2ith *o2er and ,reat ,&or!<
8# And it sha&& e a ,reat da! at the ti'e of '! co'in,< for a&&
nations sha&& tre'&e#
N# "ut efore that ,reat da! sha&& co'e< the sun sha&& e dar0ened<
and the 'oon e turned into &ood? and the stars sha&& refuse their
shinin,< and so'e sha&& fa&&< and ,reat destruction a2ait the 2ic0ed#
7D# 3herefore< &ift u* !our $oice and s*are not< for the Lord 5od
hath s*o0en? therefore *ro*hes!< and it sha&& e ,i$en ! the *o2er of the
Ho&! 5host#
77# And if !ou are faithfu&< eho&d< I a' 2ith !ou unti& I co'e--
7H# And $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< I co'e >uic0&!# I a' !our
Lord and !our Redee'er# E$en so# A'en#
In Dece'er Sidne! Ri,don ca'e to in>uire of the Lord< and 2ith hi'
ca'e Ed2ard )artrid,e? the &atter 2as a *attern of *iet!< and one of the
Lord+s ,reat 'en# Short&! after the arri$a& of these t2o rethren< thus
s*a0e the Lord(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< ,i$en at
Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0< Dece'er< 789D#
7# Listen to the $oice of the Lord !our 5od< e$en A&*ha and O'e,a<
the e,innin, and the end< 2hose course is one eterna& round< the sa'e
toda! as !esterda!< and fore$er#
H# I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od< 2ho 2as crucified for the sins
of the 2or&d< e$en as 'an! as 2i&& e&ie$e on '! na'e< that the! 'a!
eco'e the sons of 5od< e$en one in 'e as I a' one in the Father< as the
Father is one in 'e< that 2e 'a! e one#
9# "eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto '! ser$ant Sidne!< I ha$e
&oo0ed u*on thee and th! 2or0s# I ha$e heard th! *ra!ers and *re*ared thee
for a ,reater 2or0#
@# Thou art &essed< for thou sha&t do ,reat thin,s# "eho&d thou 2ast
sent forth< e$en as John< to *re*are the 2a! efore 'e< and efore E&i=ah
2hich shou&d co'e and thou 0ne2est it not#
G# Thou didst a*ti4e ! 2ater unto re*entance< ut the! recei$ed not
the Ho&! 5host?
:# "ut no2 I ,i$e unto thee a co''and'ent< that thou sha&t a*ti4e !
2ater< and the! sha&& recei$e the Ho&! 5host ! the &a!in, on of the
hands< e$en as the a*ost&es of o&d#
M# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that there sha&& e a ,reat 2or0 in the
&and< e$en a'on, the 5enti&es< for their fo&&! and their ao'inations
sha&& e 'ade 'anifest in the e!es of a&& *eo*&e#
8# For I a' 5od< and 'ine ar' is not shortened? and I 2i&& sho2
'irac&es< si,ns< and 2onders< unto a&& those 2ho e&ie$e on '! na'e#
N# And 2hoso sha&& as0 it in '! na'e in faith< the! sha&& cast out
de$i&s? the! sha&& hea& the sic0? the! sha&& cause the &ind to recei$e
their si,ht< and the deaf to hear< and the du' to s*ea0< and the &a'e to
2a&0#
7D# And the ti'e s*eedi&! co'eth that ,reat thin,s are to e sho2n
forth unto the chi&dren of 'en?
77# "ut 2ithout faith sha&& not an!thin, e sho2n forth e/ce*t
deso&ations u*on "a!&on< the sa'e 2hich has 'ade a&& nations drin0 of the
2ine of the 2rath of her fornication#
7H# And there are none that doeth ,ood e/ce*t those 2ho are read! to
recei$e the fu&ness of '! ,os*e& 2hich I ha$e sent forth unto this
,eneration#
79# 3herefore< I ca&& u*on the 2ea0 thin,s of the 2or&d< those 2ho
are un&earned and des*ised< to thresh the nations ! the *o2er of '!
S*irit?
7@# And their ar' sha&& e '! ar'< and I 2i&& e their shie&d and
their uc0&er? and I 2i&& ,ird u* their &oins< and the! sha&& fi,ht
'anfu&&! for 'e? and their ene'ies sha&& e under their feet? and I 2i&&
&et fa&& the s2ord in their eha&f< and ! the fire of 'ine indi,nation
2i&& I *reser$e the'#
7G# And the *oor and the 'ee0 sha&& ha$e the ,os*e& *reached unto
the'< and the! sha&& e &oo0in, forth for the ti'e of '! co'in,< for it is
ni,h at hand--
7:# And the! sha&& &earn the *ara&e of the fi,-tree< for e$en no2
a&read! su''er is ni,h<
7M# And I ha$e sent forth the fu&ness of '! ,os*e& ! the hand of '!
ser$ant Jose*h? and in 2ea0ness ha$e I &essed hi'?
78# And I ha$e ,i$en unto hi' the 0e!s of the '!ster! of those thin,s
2hich ha$e een sea&ed< e$en thin,s 2hich 2ere fro' the foundation of the
2or&d< and the thin,s 2hich sha&& co'e fro' this ti'e unti& the ti'e of '!
co'in,< if he aide in 'e< and if not< another 2i&& I *&ant in his stead#
7N# 3herefore< 2atch o$er hi' that his faith fai& not< and it sha&&
e ,i$en ! the Co'forter< the Ho&! 5host< that 0no2eth a&& thin,s#
HD# And a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto thee--that thou sha&t 2rite for
hi'< and the scri*tures sha&& e ,i$en< e$en as the! are in 'ine o2n
oso'< to the sa&$ation of 'ine o2n e&ect?
H7# For the! 2i&& hear '! $oice< and sha&& see 'e< and sha&& not e
as&ee*< and sha&& aide the da! of '! co'in,? for the! sha&& e *urified<
e$en as I a' *ure#
HH# And no2 I sa! unto !ou< tarr! 2ith hi'< and he sha&& =ourne! 2ith
!ou? forsa0e hi' not< and sure&! these thin,s sha&& e fu&fi&&ed#
H9# And inas'uch as !e do not 2rite< eho&d< it sha&& e ,i$en unto
hi' to *ro*hes!? and thou sha&t *reach '! ,os*e&< and ca&& on the ho&!
*ro*hets to *ro$e his 2ords< as the! sha&& e ,i$en hi'#
H@# 1ee* a&& the co''and'ents and co$enants ! 2hich !e are ound?
and I 2i&& cause the hea$ens to sha0e for !our ,ood< and Satan sha&&
tre'&e and ;ion sha&& re=oice u*on the hi&&s and f&ourish?
HG# And Israe& sha&& e sa$ed in 'ine o2n due ti'e? and ! the 0e!s
2hich I ha$e ,i$en sha&& the! e &ed< and no 'ore e confounded at a&&#
H:# Lift u* !our hearts and e ,&ad< !our rede'*tion dra2eth ni,h#
HM# Fear not< &itt&e f&oc0< the 0in,do' is !ours unti& I co'e#
"eho&d< I co'e >uic0&!# E$en so# A'en#
And the $oice of the Lord to Ed2ard )artrid,e 2as(
A Re$e&ation to Ed2ard )artrid,e< ,i$en Dece'er< 789D#
7# Thus saith the Lord 5od< the .i,ht! One of Israe&( "eho&d< I sa!
unto !ou< '! ser$ant Ed2ard< that !ou are &essed< and !our sins are
for,i$en !ou< and !ou are ca&&ed to *reach '! ,os*e& as 2ith the $oice of
a tru'*<
H# And I 2i&& &a! '! hand u*on !ou ! the hand of '! ser$ant Sidne!
Ri,don< and !ou sha&& recei$e '! S*irit< the Ho&! 5host< e$en the
Co'forter< 2hich sha&& teach !ou the *eacea&e thin,s of the 0in,do'?
9# And !ou sha&& dec&are it 2ith a &oud $oice< sa!in,? Hosanna<
&essed e the na'e of the 'ost hi,h 5od#
@# And no2 this ca&&in, and co''and'ent ,i$e I unto !ou concernin,
a&& 'en--
G# That as 'an! as sha&& co'e efore '! ser$ants Sidne! Ri,don and
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< e'racin, this ca&&in, and co''and'ent< sha&& e
ordained and sent forth to *reach the e$er&astin, ,os*e& a'on, the
nations--
:# Cr!in, re*entance< sa!in,# Sa$e !ourse&$es fro' this unto2ard
,eneration and co'e forth out of the fire< hatin, e$en the ,ar'ents
s*otted 2ith the f&esh#
M# And this co''and'ent sha&& e ,i$en unto the e&ders of '! church<
that e$er! 'an 2hich 2i&& e'race it 2ith sin,&eness of heart 'a! e
ordained and sent forth< e$en as I ha$e s*o0en#
8# I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od? 2herefore< ,ird u* !our &oins
and I 2i&& sudden&! co'e to '! te'*&e# E$en so# A'en#
It 'a! e 2e&& to oser$e here< that the Lord ,reat&! encoura,ed and
stren,thened the faith of His &itt&e f&oc0< 2hich had e'raced the fu&ness
of the e$er&astin,
5os*e&< as re$ea&ed to the' in the "oo0 of .or'on< ! ,i$in, so'e
'ore e/tended infor'ation u*on the Scri*tures< a trans&ation of 2hich had
a&read! co''enced# .uch con=ecture and con$ersation fre>uent&! occurred
a'on, the Saints< concernin, the oo0s 'entioned< and referred to< in
$arious *&aces in the O&d and Ne2 Testa'ents< 2hich 2ere no2 no2here to e
found# The co''on re'ar0 2as< -The! are &ost oo0s?- ut it see's the
A*osto&ic Church had so'e of these 2ritin,s< as Jude 'entions or >uotes
the )ro*hec! of Enoch< the se$enth fro' Ada'# To the =o! of the &itt&e
f&oc0< 2hich in a&&< fro' Co&es$i&&e to Canandai,ua< Ne2 Yor0< nu'ered
aout se$ent! 'e'ers< did the Lord re$ea& the fo&&o2in, doin,s of o&den
ti'es< fro' the *ro*hec! of Enoch(
E/tracts fro' the )ro*hec! of Enoch#
7# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch continued his s*eech< sa!in,(
"eho&d< our father Ada' tau,ht these thin,s< and 'an! ha$e e&ie$ed and
eco'e the sons of 5od< and 'an! ha$e e&ie$ed not< and ha$e *erished in
their sins< and are &oo0in, forth 2ith fear< in tor'ent< for the fier!
indi,nation of the 2rath of 5od to e *oured out u*on the'#
H# And fro' that ti'e forth Enoch e,an to *ro*hes!< sa!in, unto the
*eo*&e< That( As I 2as =ourne!in,< and stood u*on the *&ace .ahu=ah< and
cried unto the Lord< there ca'e a $oice out of hea$en< sa!in,--Turn !e<
and ,et !e u*on the .ount Si'eon#
9# And it ca'e to *ass that I turned and 2ent u* on the 'ount? and as
I stood u*on the 'ount< I ehe&d the hea$ens o*en< and I 2as c&othed u*on
2ith ,&or!?
@# And I sa2 the Lord? and he stood efore '! face< and he ta&0ed
2ith 'e< e$en as a 'an ta&0eth one 2ith another< face to face? and he said
unto 'et Loo0< and I 2i&& sho2 unto thee the 2or&d for the s*ace of 'an!
,enerations#
G# And it ca'e to *ass that I ehe&d in the $a&&e! of Shu'< and &o< a
,reat *eo*&e 2hich d2e&t in tents< 2hich 2ere the *eo*&e of Shu'#
:# And a,ain the Lord said unto 'e( Loo0? and I &oo0ed to2ards the
north and I ehe&d the *eo*&e of Canaan< 2hich d2e&t in tents#
M# And the Lord said unto 'e? *ro*hes!? and I *ro*hesied< sa!in,?
"eho&d the *eo*&e of Canaan< 2hich are nu'erous< sha&& ,o forth in att&e
arra! a,ainst the *eo*&e of Shu'< and sha&& s&a! the' that the! sha&&
utter&! e destro!ed? and the *eo*&e of Canaan sha&& di$ide the'se&$es in
the &and< and the &and sha&& e arren and unfruitfu&< and none other
*eo*&e sha&& d2e&& there ut the *eo*&e of Canaan?
8# For eho&d< the Lord sha&& curse the &and 2ith 'uch heat< and the
arrenness thereof sha&& ,o forth fore$er? and there 2as a &ac0ness ca'e
u*on a&& the chi&dren of Canaan< that the! 2ere des*ised a'on, a&& *eo*&e#
N# And it ca'e to *ass that the Lord said unto 'e( Loo0? and I
&oo0ed< and I ehe&d the &and of Sharon< and the &and of Enoch< and the
&and of O'ner< and the &and of Heni< and the &and of She'< and the &and of
Haner< and the &and of Hanannihah< and a&& the inhaitants thereof#
7D# And the Lord said unto 'e? 5o to this *eo*&e< and sa! unto
the'--Re*ent< &est I co'e out and s'ite the' 2ith a curse< and the! die#
77# And he ,a$e unto 'e a co''and'ent that I shou&d a*ti4e in the
na'e of the Father< and of the Son< 2hich is fu&& of ,race and truth< and
of the Ho&! 5host< 2hich eareth record of the Father and the Son#
7H# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch continued to ca&& u*on a&& the
*eo*&e< sa$e it 2ere the *eo*&e of Canaan< to re*ent?
79# And so ,reat 2as the faith of Enoch< that he &ed the *eo*&e of
5od< and their ene'ies ca'e to att&e a,ainst the'? and he s*a0e the 2ord
of the Lord< and the earth tre'&ed< and the 'ountains f&ed< e$en
accordin, to his co''and? and the ri$ers of 2ater 2ere turned out of their
course? and the roar of the &ions 2as heard out of the 2i&derness? and a&&
nations feared ,reat&!< so *o2erfu& 2as the 2ord of Enoch< and so ,reat
2as the *o2er of the &an,ua,e 2hich 5od had ,i$en hi'#
7@# There a&so ca'e u* a &and out of the de*th of the sea< and so
,reat 2as the fear of the ene'ies of the *eo*&e of 5od< that the! f&ed and
stood afar off and 2ent u*on the &and 2hich ca'e u* out of the de*ths of
the sea#
7G# And the ,iants of the &and< a&so stood afar off? and there 2ent
forth a curse u*on a&& *eo*&e that fou,ht a,ainst 5od?
7:# And fro' that ti'e forth there 2ere 2ars and &oodshed a'on,
the'? ut the Lord ca'e and d2e&t 2ith his *eo*&e< and the! d2e&t in
ri,hteousness#
7M# The fear of the Lord 2as u*on a&& nations< so ,reat 2as the ,&or!
of the Lord< 2hich 2as u*on his *eo*&e# And the Lord &essed the &and< and
the! 2ere &essed u*on the 'ountains< and u*on the hi,h *&aces< and did
f&ourish#
78# And the Lord ca&&ed his *eo*&e ;ion< ecause the! 2ere of one
heart and one 'ind< and d2e&t in ri,hteousness? and there 2as no *oor
a'on, the'#
7N# And Enoch continued his *reachin, in ri,hteousness unto the
*eo*&e of 5od# And it ca'e to *ass in his da!s< that he ui&t a cit! that
2as ca&&ed the cit! of Ho&iness< e$en ;ion#
HD# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch ta&0ed 2ith the Lord? and he said
unto the Lord( Sure&! ;ion sha&& d2e&& in safet! fore$er# "ut the Lord
said unto Enoch( ;ion ha$e I &essed< ut the residue of the *eo*&e ha$e
I cursed#
H7# And it ca'e to *ass that the Lord sho2ed unto Enoch a&& the
inhaitants of the earth? and he ehe&d< and &o< ;ion< in *rocess of ti'e<
2as ta0en u* into hea$en# And the Lord said unto Enoch? "eho&d 'ine aode
fore$er#
HH# And Enoch a&so ehe&d the residue of the *eo*&e 2hich 2ere the
sons of Ada'? and the! 2ere a 'i/ture of a&& the seed of Ada'< sa$e it
2ere the seed of Cain< for the seed of Cain 2ere &ac0< and had not *&ace
a'on, the'#
H9# And after that ;ion 2as ta0en u* into hea$en< Enoch ehe&d< and
&o< a&& the nations of the earth 2ere efore hi'? and there ca'e
,eneration u*on ,eneration?
H@# And Enoch 2as hi,h and &ifted u*< e$en in the oso' of the
Father< and of the Son of .an? and eho&d< the *o2er of Satan 2as u*on a&&
the face of the earth#
HG# And he sa2 an,e&s descendin, out of hea$en? and he heard a &oud
$oice sa!in,( 3o< 2o e unto the inhaitants of the earth#
H:# And he ehe&d Satan? and he had a ,reat chain in his hand< and it
$ei&ed the 2ho&e face of the earth 2ith dar0ness? and he &oo0ed u* and
&au,hed and his an,e&s re=oiced#
HM# And Enoch ehe&d an,e&s descendin, out of hea$en< earin,
testi'on! of the Father and the Son? and the Ho&! 5host fe&& on 'an!< and
the! 2ere cau,ht u* ! the *o2ers of hea$en into ;ion#
H8# And it ca'e to *ass that the 5od of hea$en &oo0ed u*on the
residue of the *eo*&e< and he 2e*t? and Enoch ore record of it< sa!in,(
Ho2 is it that the hea$ens 2ee*< and shed forth their tears as the rain
u*on the 'ountainsB
HN# And Enoch said unto the Lord( Ho2 is it that thou canst 2ee*<
seein, thou art ho&!< and fro' a&& eternit! to a&& eternit!B
9D# And 2ere it *ossi&e that 'an cou&d nu'er the *artic&es of the
earth< !ea 'i&&ions of earths &i0e this< it 2ou&d not e a e,innin, to
the nu'er of th! creations? and th! curtains are stretched out sti&&? and
!et thou art there< and th! oso' is there? and a&so thou art =ust? thou
art 'ercifu& and 0ind fore$er?
97# And thou hast ta0en ;ion to thine o2n oso'< fro' a&& th!
creations fro' a&& eternit! to a&& eternit!? and nou,ht ut *eace<
=ustice< and truth is the haitation of th! throne? and 'erc! sha&& ,o
efore th! face and ha$e no end? ho2 is it thou canst 2ee*B
9H# The Lord said unto Enoch( "eho&d these th! rethren? the! are the
2or0'anshi* of 'ine o2n hands< and I ,a$e unto the' their 0no2&ed,e< in
the da! I created the'? and in the 5arden of Eden< ,a$e I unto 'an his
a,enc!?
99# And unto th! rethren ha$e I said< and a&so ,i$en co''and'ent<
that the! shou&d &o$e one another< and that the! shou&d choose 'e< their
Father( ut eho&d< the! are 2ithout affection< and the! hate their o2n
&ood#
9@# And the fire of 'ine indi,nation is 0ind&ed a,ainst the'? and in
'! hot dis*&easure 2i&& I send in the f&oods u*on the'< for '! fierce
an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst the'#
9G# "eho&d< I a' 5od? .an of Ho&iness is '! na'e? .an of Counse& is
'! na'e? and End&ess and Eterna& is '! na'e< a&so#
9:# 3herefore< I can stretch forth 'ine hands and ho&d a&& the
creations 2hich I ha$e 'ade? and 'ine e!e can *ierce the' a&so< and a'on,
a&& the 2or0'anshi* of 'ine hands there has not een so ,reat 2ic0edness
as a'on, th! rethren#
9M# "ut eho&d< their sins sha&& e u*on the heads of their fathers?
Satan sha&& e their father< and 'iser! sha&& e their doo'? and the 2ho&e
hea$ens sha&& 2ee* o$er the'< e$en a&& the 2or0'anshi* of 'ine hands?
2herefore shou&d not the hea$ens 2ee*< seein, these sha&& sufferB
98# "ut eho&d< these 2hich thine e!es are u*on sha&& *erish in the
f&oods? and eho&d< I 2i&& shut the' u*? a *rison ha$e I *re*ared for
the'#
9N# And That 2hich I ha$e chosen hath *&ead efore '! face#
3herefore< he suffereth for their sins? inas'uch as the! 2i&& re*ent in
the da! that '! Chosen sha&& return unto 'e< and unti& that da! the! sha&&
e in tor'ent?
@D# 3herefore< for this sha&& the hea$ens 2ee*< !ea< and a&& the
2or0'anshi* of 'ine hands#
@7# And it ca'e to *ass that the Lord s*a0e unto Enoch< and to&d
Enoch a&& the doin,s of the chi&dren of 'en? 2herefore Enoch 0ne2< and
&oo0ed u*on their 2ic0edness< and their 'iser!< and 2e*t and stretched
forth his ar's< and his heart s2e&&ed 2ide as eternit!? and his o2e&s
!earned? and a&& eternit! shoo0#
@H# And Enoch a&so sa2 Noah< and his fa'i&!? that the *osterit! of
a&& the sons of Noah shou&d e sa$ed 2ith a te'*ora& sa&$ation?
@9# 3herefore Enoch sa2 that Noah ui&t an ar0? and that the Lord
s'i&ed u*on it< and he&d it in his o2n hand? ut u*on the residue of the
2ic0ed the f&oods ca'e and s2a&&o2ed the' u*#
@@# And as Enoch sa2 this< he had itterness of sou&< and 2e*t o$er
his rethren< and said unto the hea$ens( I 2i&& refuse to e co'forted?
ut the Lord said unto Enoch( Lift u* !our heart< and e ,&ad? and &oo0#
@G# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch &oo0ed? and fro' Noah< he ehe&d
a&& the fa'i&ies of the earth and he cried unto the Lord< sa!in,( 3hen
sha&& the da! of the Lord co'eB 3hen sha&& the &ood of the Ri,hteous e
shed< that a&& the! that 'ourn 'a! e sanctified< and ha$e eterna& &ifeB
@:# And the Lord said( It sha&& e in the 'eridian of ti'e< in the
da!s of 2ic0edness and $en,eance#
@M# And eho&d< Enoch sa2 the da! of the co'in, of the Son of .an
e$en in the f&esh? and his sou& re=oiced< sa!in,( The Ri,hteous is &ifted
u*< and the La' is s&ain fro' the foundation of the 2or&d? and throu,h
faith I a' in the oso' of the Father< and eho&d< ;ion is 2ith 'e#
@8# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch &oo0ed u*on the earth? and he
heard a $oice fro' the o2e&s thereof< sa!in,( 3o< 2o is 'e< the 'other
of 'en? I a' *ained< I a' 2ear!< ecause of the 2ic0edness of '! chi&dren#
3hen sha&& I rest< and e c&eansed fro' the fi&thiness 2hich has ,one
forth out of 'eB 3hen 2i&& '! Creator sanctif! 'e that I 'a! rest< and
ri,hteousness for a season aide u*on '! faceB
@N# And 2hen Enoch heard the earth 'ourn< he 2e*t< and cried unto the
Lord< sa!in,( O Lord< 2i&t thou not ha$e co'*assion u*on the earthB 3i&t
thou not &ess the chi&dren of NoahB
GD# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch continued his cr! unto the Lord<
sa!in,? I as0 thee< O Lord< in the na'e of thine On&! "e,otten e$en Jesus
Christ< that thou 2i&t ha$e 'erc! u*on Noah and his seed< that the earth
'i,ht ne$er 'ore e co$ered ! the f&ood#
G7# And the Lord cou&d not 2ithho&d? and he co$enanted 2ith Enoch<
and s2are unto hi' 2ith an oath< that he 2ou&d sta! the f&oods? that he
2ou&d ca&& u*on the chi&dren of Noah?
GH# And he sent forth an una&tera&e decree< that a re'nant of his
seed shou&d a&2a!s e found a'on, a&& nations< 2hi&e the earth shou&d
stand?
G9# And the Lord said( "&essed is he throu,h 2hose seed .essiah sha&&
co'e? for he saith--I a' .essiah< the 1in, of ;ion< the Roc0 of Hea$en<
2hich is road as eternit!? 2hoso co'eth in at the ,ate and c&i'eth u* !
'e sha&& ne$er fa&&? 2herefore< &essed are the! of 2ho' I ha$e s*o0en<
for the! sha&& co'e forth 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o!#
G@# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch cried unto the Lord< sa!in,( 3hen
the Son of .an co'eth in the f&esh< sha&& the earth restB )ra! thee< sho2
'e these thin,s#
GG# And the Lord said unto Enoch( Loo0< and he &oo0ed and ehe&d the
Son of .an &ifted u* on the cross< after the 'anner of 'en?
G:# And he heard a &oud $oice? and the hea$ens 2ere $ei&ed? and a&&
the creations of 5od 'ourned? and the earth ,roaned? and the roc0s 2ere
rent? and the Saints arose< and 2ere cro2ned at the ri,ht hand of the Son
of .an< 2ith cro2ns of ,&or!?
GM# And as 'an! of the s*irits as 2ere in *rison ca'e forth< and
stood on the ri,ht hand of 5od? and the re'ainder 2ere reser$ed in chains
of dar0ness unti& the =ud,'ent of the ,reat da!#
G8# And a,ain Enoch 2e*t and cried unto the Lord< sa!in,( 3hen sha&&
the earth restB
GN# And Enoch ehe&d the Son of .an ascend u* unto the Father? and he
ca&&ed unto the Lord< sa!in,? 3i&t thou not co'e a,ain u*on the earthB For
as 'uch as thou art 5od< and I 0no2 thee< and thou hast s2orn unto 'e< and
co''anded 'e that I shou&d as0 in the na'e of thine On&! "e,otten? thou
hast 'ade 'e< and ,i$en unto 'e a ri,ht to th! throne< and not of '!se&f<
ut throu,h Thine o2n ,race? 2herefore< I as0 thee if thou 2i&t not co'e
a,ain on the earth#
:D# And the Lord said unto Enoch? As I &i$e< e$en so 2i&& I co'e in
the &ast da!s< in the da!s of 2ic0edness and $en,eance< to fu&fi& the oath
2hich I ha$e 'ade unto !ou concernin, the chi&dren of Noah?
:7# And the da! sha&& co'e that the earth sha&& rest< ut efore that
da! the hea$ens sha&& e dar0ened< and a $ei& of dar0ness sha&& co$er the
earth? and the hea$ens sha&& sha0e< and a&so the earth? and ,reat
triu&ations sha&& e a'on, the chi&dren of 'en< ut '! *eo*&e 2i&& I
*reser$e?
:H# And ri,hteousness 2i&& I send do2n out of hea$en? and truth 2i&&
I send forth out of the earth< to ear testi'on! of 'ine On&! "e,otten?
his resurrection fro' the dead? !ea and a&so the resurrection of a&& 'en?
and ri,hteousness and truth 2i&& I cause to s2ee* the earth as 2ith a
f&ood< to ,ather out 'ine e&ect fro' the four >uarters of the earth< unto
a *&ace 2hich I sha&& *re*are< an Ho&! Cit!< that '! *eo*&e 'a! ,ird u*
their &oins< and e &oo0in, forth for the ti'e of '! co'in,? for there
sha&& e '! taernac&e< and it sha&& e ca&&ed ;ion< a Ne2 Jerusa&e'#
:9# And the Lord said unto Enoch( Then sha&t thou and a&& th! cit!
'eet the' there< and 2e 2i&& recei$e the' into our oso'< and the! sha&&
see us? and 2e 2i&& fa&& u*on their nec0s< and the! sha&& fa&& u*on our
nec0s< and 2e 2i&& 0iss each other?
:@# And there sha&& e 'ine aode< and it sha&& e ;ion< 2hich sha&&
co'e forth out of a&& the creations 2hich I ha$e 'ade? and for the s*ace
of a thousand !ears the earth sha&& rest#
:G# And it ca'e to *ass that Enoch sa2 the da! of the co'in, of the
Son of .an< in the &ast da!s< to d2e&& on the earth in ri,hteousness for
the s*ace of a thousand !ears?
::# "ut efore that da! he sa2 ,reat triu&ations a'on, the 2ic0ed?
and he a&so sa2 the sea< that it 2as trou&ed< and 'en+s hearts fai&in,
the'< &oo0in, forth 2ith fear for the =ud,'ents of the A&'i,ht! 5od< 2hich
shou&d co'e u*on the 2ic0ed#
:M# And the Lord sho2ed Enoch a&& thin,s< e$en unto the end of the
2or&d? and he sa2 the da! of the ri,hteous< the hour of their rede'*tion?
and recei$ed a fu&ness of =o!?
:8# And a&& the da!s of ;ion< in the da!s of Enoch< 2ere three
hundred and si/t!-fi$e !ears#
:N# And Enoch and a&& his *eo*&e 2a&0ed 2ith 5od< and he d2e&t in the
'idst of ;ion? and it ca'e to *ass that ;ion 2as not< for 5od recei$ed it
u* into his o2n oso'? and fro' thence 2ent forth the sa!in,< ;ion is
f&ed#
Soon after the 2ords of Enoch 2ere ,i$en< the Lord ,a$e
the fo&&o2in, co''and'ent(
A Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< ,i$en Dece'er<
789D#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that it is not e/*edient in 'e that !e
shou&d trans&ate an! 'ore unti& !e sha&& ,o to the Ohio< and this ecause
of the ene'! and for !our sa0es#
H# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou that !e sha&& not ,o unti& !e ha$e
*reached '! ,os*e& in those *arts< and ha$e stren,thened u* the church
2hithersoe$er it is found< and 'ore es*ecia&&! in Co&es$i&&e? for< eho&d<
the! *ra! unto 'e in 'uch faith#
9# And a,ain a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto the church< that it is
e/*edient in 'e that the! shou&d asse'&e to,ether at the Ohio< a,ainst
the ti'e that '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der! sha&& return unto the'#
@# "eho&d< here is 2isdo'< and &et e$er! 'an choose for hi'se&f unti&
I co'e# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER 6III#
)ROS)ECTS OF THE CHURCH AT THE O)ENIN5 OF THE YEAR 7897--RE.O%AL OF THE
)RO)HET JOSE)H FRO. NE3 YOR1 TO OHIO--DOCTRINAL DE%ELO).ENT#
THE !ear 7897 o*ened 2ith a *ros*ect ,reat and ,&orious for the
2e&fare of the 0in,do'? for on the Hnd of Januar!< 7897< a conference 2as
he&d in the to2n of Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0< at 2hich the ordinar! usiness of
the Church 2as transacted? and in addition< the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation 2as
recei$ed (
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Januar! Hnd< 7897#
7# Thus saith the Lord !our 5od< e$en Jesus Christ< the 5reat I A.<
A&*ha and O'e,a< the e,innin, and the end< the sa'e 2hich &oo0ed u*on the
2ide e/*anse of eternit!< and a&& the sera*hic hosts of hea$en< efore the
2or&d 2as 'ade?
H# The sa'e 2hich 0no2eth a&& thin,s< for a&& thin,s are *resent
efore 'ine e!es?
9# I a' the sa'e 2hich s*a0e< and the 2or&d 2as 'ade< and a&& thin,s
ca'e ! 'e#
@# I a' the sa'e 2hich ha$e ta0en the ;ion of Enoch into 'ine o2n
oso'? and $eri&!< I sa!< e$en as 'an! as ha$e e&ie$ed in '! na'e< for I
a' Christ< and in 'ine o2n na'e< ! the $irtue of the &ood 2hich I ha$e
s*i&t< ha$e I *&eaded efore the Father for the'#
G# "ut eho&d< the residue of the 2ic0ed ha$e I 0e*t in chains of
dar0ness unti& the =ud,'ent of the ,reat da!< 2hich sha&& co'e at the end
of the earth?
:# And e$en so 2i&& I cause the 2ic0ed to e 0e*t< that 2i&& not hear
'! $oice ut harden their hearts< and 2o< 2o< 2o< is their doo'#
M# "ut eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou that 'ine e!es are u*on
!ou# I a' in !our 'idst< and !e cannot see 'e?
8# "ut the da! soon co'eth that !e sha&& see 'e< and 0no2 that I a'?
for the $ei& of dar0ness sha&& soon e rent< and he that is not *urified
sha&& not aide the da!#
N# 3herefore< ,ird u* !our &oins and e *re*ared# "eho&d< the 0in,do'
is !ours< and the ene'! sha&& not o$erco'e#
7D# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< !e are c&ean< ut not a&&? and there is
none e&se 2ith 2ho' I a' 2e&& *&eased?
77# For a&& f&esh is corru*ted efore 'e? and the *o2ers of dar0ness
*re$ai& u*on the earth< a'on, the chi&dren of 'en< in the *resence of a&&
the hosts of hea$en--
7H# 3hich causeth si&ence to rei,n< and a&& eternit! is *ained< and
the an,e&s are 2aitin, the ,reat co''and to rea* do2n the earth< to ,ather
the tares that the! 'a! e urned? and< eho&d< the ene'! is co'ined#
79# And no2 I sho2 unto !ou a '!ster!< a thin, 2hich is had in secret
cha'ers< to rin, to *ass e$en !our destruction in *rocess of ti'e< and
!e 0ne2 it not?
7@# "ut no2 I te&& it unto !ou< and !e are &essed< not ecause of
!our ini>uit!< neither !our hearts of une&ief? for $eri&! so'e of !ou are
,ui&t! efore 'e< ut I 2i&& e 'ercifu& unto !our 2ea0ness#
7G# Therefore< e !e stron, fro' henceforth? fear not< for the
0in,do' is !ours#
7:# And for !our sa&$ation I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent< for I ha$e
heard !our *ra!ers< and the *oor ha$e co'*&ained efore 'e< and the rich
ha$e I 'ade< and a&& f&esh is 'ine< and I a' no res*ecter of *ersons#
7M# And I ha$e 'ade the earth rich< and eho&d it is '! footstoo&<
2herefore< a,ain I 2i&& stand u*on it#
78# And I ho&d forth and dei,n to ,i$e unto !ou ,reater riches< e$en
a &and of *ro'ise< a &and f&o2in, 2ith 'i&0 and hone!< u*on 2hich there
sha&& e no curse 2hen the Lord co'eth?
7N# And I 2i&& ,i$e it unto !ou for the &and of !our inheritance< if
!ou see0 it 2ith a&& !our hearts#
HD# And this sha&& e '! co$enant 2ith !ou< !e sha&& ha$e it for the
&and of !our inheritance< and for the inheritance of !our chi&dren
fore$er< 2hi&e the earth sha&& stand< and !e sha&& *ossess it a,ain in
eternit!< no 'ore to *ass a2a!#
H7# "ut< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou that in ti'e !e sha&& ha$e no 0in, nor
ru&er< for I 2i&& e !our 0in, and 2atch o$er !ou#
HH# 3herefore< hear '! $oice and fo&&o2 'e< and !ou sha&& e a free
*eo*&e< and !e sha&& ha$e no &a2s ut '! &a2s 2hen I co'e< for I a' !our
&a2-,i$er< and 2hat can sta! '! handB
H9# "ut< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< teach one another accordin, to the
office 2here2ith I ha$e a**ointed !ou?
H@# And &et e$er! 'an estee' his rother as hi'se&f< and *ractice
$irtue and ho&iness efore 'e#
HG# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< &et e$er! 'an estee' his rother as
hi'se&f#
H:# For 2hat 'an a'on, !ou ha$in, t2e&$e sons< and is no res*ecter of
the'< and the! ser$e hi' oedient&!< and he saith unto the one? "e thou
c&othed in roes and sit thou here? and to the other? "e thou c&othed in
ra,s and sit thou there< and &oo0eth u*on his sons and saith I a' =ustB
HM# "eho&d< this I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou as a *ara&e< and it is e$en
as I a'# I sa! unto !ou< e one? and if !e are not one !e are not 'ine#
H8# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou that the ene'! in the secret cha'ers
see0eth !our &i$es#
HN# Ye hear of 2ars in far countries< and !ou sa! that there 2i&&
soon e ,reat 2ars in far countries< ut !e 0no2 not the hearts of 'en in
!our o2n &and#
9D# I te&& !ou these thin,s ecause of !our *ra!ers? 2herefore<
treasure u* 2isdo' in !our oso's< &et the 2ic0edness of 'en re$ea& these
thin,s unto !ou ! their 2ic0edness< in a 'anner 2hich sha&& s*ea0 in !our
ears 2ith a $oice &ouder than that 2hich sha&& sha0e the earth? ut if !e
are *re*ared< !e sha&& not fear#
97# And that !e 'i,ht esca*e the *o2er of the ene'!< and e ,athered
unto 'e a ri,hteous *eo*&e< 2ithout s*ot and &a'e&ess--
9H# 3herefore< for this cause I ,a$e unto !ou the co''and'ent that !e
shou&d ,o to the Ohio? and there I 2i&& ,i$e unto !ou '! &a2? and there
!ou sha&& e endo2ed 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h?
99# And fro' thence< 2hosoe$er I 2i&&< sha&& ,o forth a'on, a&&
nations< and it sha&& e to&d the' 2hat the! sha&& do? for I ha$e a ,reat
2or0 &aid u* in store< for Israe& sha&& e sa$ed< and I 2i&& &ead the'
2hithersoe$er I 2i&&< and no *o2er sha&& sta! '! hand#
9@# And no2< I ,i$e unto the church in these *arts a co''and'ent<
that certain 'en a'on, the' sha&& e a**ointed< and the! sha&& e
a**ointed ! the $oice of the church#
9G# And the! sha&& &oo0 to the *oor and the need!< and ad'inister to
their re&ief that the! sha&& not suffer? and send the' forth to the *&ace
2hich I ha$e co''anded the'?
9:# And this sha&& e their 2or0< to ,o$ern the affairs of the
*ro*ert! of this church#
9M# And the! ha$e far's that cannot e so&d< &et the' e &eft or
rented as see'eth the' ,ood#
98# See that a&& thin,s are *reser$ed? and 2hen 'en are endo2ed 2ith
*o2er fro' on hi,h and sent forth< a&& these thin,s sha&& e ,athered unto
the oso' of the church#
9N# And if !e see0 the riches 2hich it is the 2i&& of the Father to
,i$e unto !ou< !e sha&& e the richest of a&& *eo*&e< for !e sha&& ha$e
the riches of eternit!? and it 'ust needs e that the riches of the earth
are 'ine to ,i$e? ut e2are of *ride< &est !e eco'e as the Ne*hites of
o&d#
@D# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent< that
e$er! 'an< oth e&der< *riest< teacher< and a&so 'e'er< ,o to 2ith his
'i,ht< 2ith the &aor of his hands< to *re*are and acco'*&ish the thin,s
2hich I ha$e co''anded#
@7# And &et !our *reachin, e the 2arnin, $oice< e$er! 'an to his
nei,hor< in 'i&dness and in 'ee0ness#
@H# And ,o !e out fro' a'on, the 2ic0ed# Sa$e !ourse&$es# "e !e c&ean
that ear the $esse&s of the Lord# E$en so# A'en#
Not &on, after this conference of the Hnd of Januar! c&osed< there
2as a 'an ca'e to 'e ! the na'e of Ja'es Co$i&&< 2ho had een a "a*tist
'inister for aout fort! !ears< and co$enanted 2ith the Lord that he 2ou&d
oe! an! co''and that the Lord 2ou&d ,i$e to hi' throu,h 'e< as His
ser$ant< and I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Ja'es Co$i&&< ,i$en at Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0< Januar! Gth<
7897#
7# Hear0en and &isten to the $oice of hi' 2ho is fro' a&& eternit! to
a&& eternit!< the 5reat I A.< e$en Jesus Christ--
H# The &i,ht and &ife of the 2or&d? a &i,ht 2hich shineth in dar0ness
and the dar0ness co'*rehendeth it not(
9# The sa'e 2hich ca'e in the 'eridian of ti'e unto 'ine o2n< and
'ine o2n recei$ed 'e not?
@# "ut to as 'an! as recei$ed 'e< ,a$e I *o2er to eco'e '! sons? and
e$en so 2i&& I ,i$e unto as 'an! as 2i&& recei$e 'e< *o2er to eco'e '!
sons#
G# And $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< he that recei$eth '! ,os*e&
recei$eth 'e? and he that recei$eth not '! ,os*e& recei$eth not 'e#
:# And this is '! ,os*e&--re*entance and a*tis' ! 2ater< and then
co'eth the a*tis' of fire and the Ho&! 5host< e$en the Co'forter< 2hich
sho2eth a&& thin,s< and teacheth the *eacea&e thin,s of the 0in,do'#
M# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant Ja'es< I ha$e &oo0ed
u*on th! 2or0s and I 0no2 thee#
8# And $eri&! I sa! unto thee< thine heart is no2 ri,ht efore 'e at
this ti'e and< eho&d< I ha$e esto2ed ,reat &essin,s u*on th! head<
N# Ne$erthe&ess< thou hast seen ,reat sorro2< for thou hast re=ected
'e 'an! ti'es ecause of *ride and the cares of the 2or&d#
7D# "ut< eho&d< the da!s of th! de&i$erance are co'e< if thou 2i&t
hear0en to '! $oice< 2hich saith unto thee? Arise and e a*ti4ed< and
2ash a2a! !our sins< ca&&in, on '! na'e< and !ou sha&& recei$e '! S*irit<
and a &essin, so ,reat as !ou ne$er ha$e 0no2n#
77# And if thou do this< I ha$e *re*ared thee for a ,reater 2or0#
Thou sha&t *reach the fu&ness of '! ,os*e&< 2hich I ha$e sent forth in
these &ast da!s< the co$enant 2hich I ha$e sent forth to reco$er '!
*eo*&e< 2hich are of the house of Israe&#
7H# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that *o2er sha&& rest u*on thee? thou
sha&t ha$e ,reat faith< and I 2i&& e 2ith thee and ,o efore th! face#
79# Thou art ca&&ed to &aor in '! $ine!ard< and to ui&d u* '!
church< and to rin, forth ;ion< that it 'a! re=oice u*on the hi&&s and
f&ourish#
7@# "eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto thee< thou art not ca&&ed to
,o into the eastern countries< ut thou art ca&&ed to ,o to the Ohio#
7G# And inas'uch as '! *eo*&e sha&& asse'&e the'se&$es at the Ohio<
I ha$e 0e*t in store a &essin, such as is not 0no2n a'on, the chi&dren of
'en and it sha&& e *oured forth u*on their heads# And fro' thence 'en
sha&& ,o forth into a&& nations#
7:# "eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that the *eo*&e in Ohio
ca&& u*on 'e in 'uch faith< thin0in, I 2i&& sta! '! hand in =ud,'ent u*on
the nations< ut I cannot den! '! 2ord#
7M# 3herefore &a! to 2ith !our 'i,ht and ca&& faithfu& &aorers into
'! $ine!ard< that it 'a! e *runed for the &ast ti'e#
78# And inas'uch as the! do re*ent and recei$e the fu&ness of '!
,os*e&< and eco'e sanctified< I 2i&& sta! 'ine hand in =ud,'ent#
7N# 3herefore< ,o forth< cr!in, 2ith a &oud $oice< sa!in,? The
0in,do' of hea$en is at hand? cr!in,( HosannaK &essed e the na'e of the
.ost Hi,h 5od#
HD# 5o forth a*ti4in, 2ith 2ater< *re*arin, the 2a! efore '! face
for the ti'e of '! co'in,?
H7# For the ti'e is at hand? the da! or the hour no 'an 0no2eth? ut
it sure&! sha&& co'e#
HH# And he that recei$eth these thin,s recei$eth 'e? and the! sha&&
e ,athered unto 'e in ti'e and in eternit!#
H9# And a,ain< it sha&& co'e to *ass< that on as 'an! as !e sha&&
a*ti4e 2ith 2ater< !e sha&& &a! !our hands< and the! sha&& recei$e the
,ift of the Ho&! 5host< and sha&& e &oo0in, forth for the si,ns of '!
co'in,< and sha&& 0no2 'e#
H@# "eho&d< I co'e >uic0&!# E$en so# A'en#
As Ja'es Co$i&& re=ected the 2ord of the Lord< and returned to his
for'er *rinci*&es and *eo*&e< the Lord ,a$e unto 'e and Sidne! Ri,don the
fo&&o2in, re$e&ation e/*&ainin, 2h! he oe!ed not the 2ord(
Re$e&ation ,i$en at Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0# Januar!< 7897#
7# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that the heart of '! ser$ant Ja'es
Co$i&& 2as ri,ht efore 'e< for he co$enanted 2ith 'e that he 2ou&d oe!
'! 2ord<
H# And he recei$ed the 2ord 2ith ,&adness< ut strai,ht2a! Satan
te'*ted hi'< and the fear of *ersecution and the cares of the 2or&d caused
hi' to re=ect the 2ord#
9# 3herefore he ro0e '! co$enant< and it re'aineth 2ith 'e to do
2ith hi' as see'eth 'e ,ood# A'en#
The &atter *art of Januar!< in co'*an! 2ith "rothers Sidne! Ri,don
and Ed2ard )artrid,e< I started 2ith '! 2ife for 1irt&and Ohio 2here 2e
arri$ed aout the first of Feruar!< and 2ere 0ind&! recei$ed and 2e&co'ed
into the house of "rother Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!# .! 2ife and I &i$ed in the
fa'i&! of "rother 3hitne! se$era& 2ee0s< and recei$ed e$er! 0indness and
attention 2hich cou&d e e/*ected< and es*ecia&&! fro' Sister 3hitne!#
The ranch of the Church in this *art of the Lord+s $ine!ard< 2hich
had increased to near&! one hundred 'e'ers< 2ere stri$in, to do the 2i&&
of 5od< so far as the! 0ne2 it< thou,h so'e stran,e notions and fa&se
s*irits had cre*t in a'on, the'# 3ith a &itt&e caution and so'e 2isdo'< I
soon assisted the rethren and sisters to o$erco'e the'# The *&an of
-co''on stoc0<- 2hich had e/isted in 2hat 2as ca&&ed -the fa'i&!<- 2hose
'e'ers ,enera&&! had e'raced the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< 2as readi&!
aandoned for the 'ore *erfect &a2 of the Lord? and the fa&se s*irits 2ere
easi&! discerned and re=ected ! the &i,ht of re$e&ation#
The Lord ,a$e unto the Church the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en at 1irt&and< Ohio< Feruar! @th< 7897#
7# Hear0en and hear< O !e '! *eo*&e< saith the Lord and !our 5od< !e
2ho' I de&i,ht to &ess 2ith the ,reatest of a&& &essin,s< !e that hear
'e? and !e that hear 'e not 2i&& I curse< that ha$e *rofessed '! na'e 2ith
the hea$iest of a&& cursin,s#
H# Hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church 2ho' I ha$e ca&&ed< eho&d I
,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent< that !e sha&& asse'&e !ourse&$es to,ether to
a,ree u*on '! 2ord?
9# And ! the *ra!er of !our faith !e sha&& recei$e '! &a2< that !e
'a! 0no2 ho2 to ,o$ern '! church and ha$e a&& thin,s ri,ht efore 'e#
@# And I 2i&& e !our ru&er 2hen I co'e? and eho&d< I co'e >uic0&!<
and !e sha&& see that '! &a2 is 0e*t#
G# He that recei$eth '! &a2 and doeth it< the sa'e is '! disci*&e?
and he that saith he recei$eth it and doeth it not< the sa'e is not '!
disci*&e< and sha&& e cast out fro' a'on, !ou<
:# For it is not 'eet that the thin,s 2hich e&on, to the chi&dren of
the 0in,do'< sha&& e ,i$en to the' that are not 2orth!< or to do,s< or
the *ear&s to e cast efore s2ine#
M# And a,ain< it is 'eet that '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< shou&d
ha$e a house ui&t< in 2hich to &i$e and trans&ate#
8# And a,ain< it is 'eet that '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don shou&d &i$e as
see'eth hi' ,ood< inas'uch as he 0ee*eth '! co''and'ents#
N# And a,ain< I ha$e ca&&ed '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< and I ,i$e a
co''and'ent< that he shou&d he a**ointed ! the $oice of the church< and
ordained a isho* unto the church< to &ea$e his 'erchandise and to s*end
a&& his ti'e in the &aors of the church<
7D# To see to a&& thin,s as it sha&& e a**ointed unto hi' in '! &a2s
in the da! that I sha&& ,i$e the'#
77# And this ecause his heart is *ure efore 'e< for he is &i0e unto
Nathanie& of o&d< in 2ho' there is no ,ui&e#
7H# These 2ords are ,i$en unto !ou< and the! are *ure efore 'e<
2herefore< e2are ho2 !ou ho&d the'< for the! are to e ans2ered u*on !our
sou&s in the da! of =ud,'ent# E$en so# A'en#
On the Nth of Feruar!< 7897< at 1irt&and< in the *resence of t2e&$e
E&ders< and accordin, to the *ro'ise heretofore 'ade< the Lord ,a$e the
fo&&o2in, re$e&ation< e'racin, the &a2 of the Church(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Feruar!< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church< 2ho ha$e asse'&ed !ourse&$es
to,ether in '! na'e< e$en Jesus Christ the Son of the &i$in, 5od< the
Sa$ior of the 2or&d? inas'uch as !e e&ie$e on '! na'e and 0ee* '!
co''and'ents#
H# A,ain I sa! unto !ou< hear0en and hear and oe! the &a2 2hich I
sha&& ,i$e unto !ou#
9# For $eri&! I sa!< as !e ha$e asse'&ed !ourse&$es to,ether
accordin, to the co''and'ent 2here2ith I co''anded !ou< and are a,reed as
touchin, this one thin,< and ha$e as0ed the Father in '! na'e< e$en so !e
sha&& recei$e#
@# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou this first
co''and'ent< that !e sha&& ,o forth in '! na'e< e$er! one of !ou<
e/ce*tin, '! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don#
G# And I ,i$e unto the' a co''and'ent that the! sha&& ,o forth for a
&itt&e season< and it sha&& e ,i$en ! the *o2er of the S*irit 2hen the!
sha&& return#
:# And !e sha&& ,o forth in the *o2er of '! S*irit< *reachin, '!
,os*e&< t2o ! t2o< in '! na'e< &iftin, u* !our $oices as 2ith the sound
of a tru'*< dec&arin, '! 2ord &i0e unto an,e&s of 5od#
M# And !e sha&& ,o forth a*ti4in, 2ith 2ater< sa!in,( Re*ent !e<
re*ent !e< for the 0in,do' of hea$en is at hand#
8# And fro' this *&ace !e sha&& ,o forth into the re,ions 2est2ard?
and inas'uch as !e sha&& find the' that 2i&& recei$e !ou !e sha&& ui&d u*
'! church in e$er! re,ion--
N# Unti& the ti'e sha&& co'e 2hen it sha&& e re$ea&ed unto !ou fro'
on hi,h< 2hen the cit! of the Ne2 Jerusa&e' sha&& e *re*ared< that !e 'a!
e ,athered in one< that !e 'a! e '! *eo*&e and I 2i&& ! !our 5od#
7D# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e sha&&
stand in the office 2hereunto I ha$e a**ointed hi'# And it sha&& co'e to
*ass< that if he trans,ress< another sha&& e a**ointed in his stead# E$en
so# A'en#
77# A,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that it sha&& not e ,i$en to an! one to
,o forth to *reach '! ,os*e&< or to ui&d u* '! church< e/ce*t he e
ordained ! so'e one 2ho has authorit!< and it is 0no2n to the church that
he has authorit! and has een re,u&ar&! ordained ! the heads of the
church#
7H# And a,ain< the e&ders< *riests and teachers of this church sha&&
teach the *rinci*&es of '! ,os*e&< 2hich are in the "i&e and the "oo0 of
.or'on< in the 2hich is the fu&ness of the ,os*e&?
79# And the! sha&& oser$e the co$enants and church artic&es to do
the'< and these sha&& e their teachin,s< as the! sha&& e directed ! the
S*irit#
7@# And the S*irit sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou ! the *ra!er of faith?
and if !e recei$e not the S*irit< !e sha&& not teach<
7G# And a&& this !e sha&& oser$e to do as I ha$e co''anded
concernin, !our teachin,< unti& the fu&ness of '! scri*tures is ,i$en#
7:# And as !e sha&& &ift u* !our $oices ! the Co'forter< !e sha&&
s*ea0 and *ro*hes! as see'eth 'e ,ood?
7M# For< eho&d< the Co'forter 0no2eth a&& thin,s< and eareth record
of the Father and of the Son#
78# And no2< eho&d< I s*ea0 unto the church# Thou sha&t not 0i&&?
and he that 0i&&s sha&& not ha$e for,i$eness in this 2or&d< nor in the
2or&d to co'e#
7N# And a,ain< I sa!< thou sha&t not 0i&&? ut he that 0i&&eth sha&&
die#
HD# Thou sha&t not stea&? and he that stea&eth and 2i&& not re*ent
sha&& e cast out#
H7# Thou sha&t not &ie? he that &ieth and 2i&& not re*ent< sha&& e
cast out#
HH# Thou sha&t &o$e th! 2ife 2ith a&& th! heart and sha&t c&ea$e unto
her and none e&se#
H9# And he that &oo0eth u*on a 2o'an to &ust after her sha&& den! the
faith< and sha&& not ha$e the S*irit? and if he re*ents not he sha&& e
cast out#
H@# Thou sha&t not co''it adu&ter!? and he that co''itteth adu&ter!<
and re*enteth not< sha&& e cast out#
HG# "ut he that has co''itted adu&ter! and re*ents 2ith a&& his
heart< and forsa0eth it< and doeth it no 'ore< thou sha&t for,i$e?
H:# "ut if he doeth it a,ain< he sha&& not e for,i$en< ut sha&& e
cast out#
HM# Thou sha&t not s*ea0 e$i& of th! nei,hor< nor do hi' an! har'#
H8# Thou 0no2est '! &a2s concernin, these thin,s are ,i$en in '!
scri*tures? he that sinneth and re*enteth not sha&& e cast out#
HN# If thou &o$est 'e< thou sha&t ser$e 'e and 0ee* a&& '!
co''and'ents#
9D# And eho&d< thou 2i&t re'e'er the *oor< and consecrate of th!
*ro*erties for their su**ort that 2hich thou hast to i'*art unto the'<
2ith a co$enant and a deed 2hich cannot e ro0en#
97# And inas'uch as !e i'*art of !our sustance unto the *oor< !e
2i&& do it unto 'e? and the! sha&& e &aid efore the isho* of '! church
and his counse&ors< t2o of the e&ders< or hi,h *riests such as he sha&&
a**oint or has a**ointed and set a*art for the *ur*ose#
9H# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that after the! are &aid efore the
isho* of '! church< and after that he has recei$ed these testi'onies
concernin, the consecration of the *ro*erties of '! church< that the!
cannot e ta0en fro' the church< a,reea&e to '! co''and'ents e$er! 'an
sha&& e 'ade accounta&e unto 'e< a ste2ard o$er his o2n *ro*ert!< or
that 2hich he has recei$ed ! consecration< as 'uch as is sufficient for
hi'se&f and fa'i&!#
99# And a,ain< if there sha&& e *ro*erties in the hands of the
Church< or an! indi$idua&s of it< 'ore than is necessar! for their su**ort
after this first consecration< 2hich is a residue to e consecrated unto
the isho*< it sha&& e 0e*t to ad'inister to those 2ho ha$e not< fro'
ti'e to ti'e< that e$er! 'an 2ho has need 'a! e a'*&! su**&ied and
recei$e accordin, to his 2ants#
9@# Therefore< the residue sha&& e 0e*t in '! storehouse< to
ad'inister to the *oor and the need!< as sha&& e a**ointed ! the hi,h
counci& of the church< and the isho* and his counci&?
9G# And for the *ur*ose of *urchasin, &ands for the *u&ic enefit of
the church< and ui&din, houses of 2orshi*< and ui&din, u* of the Ne2
Jerusa&e' 2hich is hereafter to e re$ea&ed--
9:# That '! co$enant *eo*&e 'a! e ,athered in one in that da! 2hen I
sha&& co'e to '! te'*&e# And this I do for the sa&$ation of '! *eo*&e#
9M# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that he that sinneth and re*enteth not
sha&& e cast out of the church< and sha&& not recei$e a,ain that 2hich he
has consecrated unto the *oor and the need! of '! Church< or in other
2ords< unto 'e--
98# For inas'uch as !e do it unto the &east of these< !e do it unto
'e#
9N# For it sha&& co'e to *ass< that 2hich I s*a0e ! the 'ouths of '!
*ro*hets< sha&& e fu&fi&&ed? for I 2i&& consecrate of the riches of those
2ho e'race '! ,os*e& a'on, the 5enti&es unto the *oor of '! *eo*&e 2ho
are of the house of Israe&#
@D# And a,ain< thou sha&t not e *roud in th! heart? &et a&& th!
,ar'ents e *&ain< and their eaut! the eaut! of the 2or0 of thine o2n
hands?
@7# And &et a&& thin,s e done in c&ean&iness efore 'e#
@H# Thou sha&t not e id&e? for he that is id&e sha&& not eat the
read nor 2ear the ,ar'ents of the &aorer#
@9# And 2hosoe$er a'on, !ou are sic0< and ha$e not faith to e
hea&ed< ut e&ie$e< sha&& e nourished 2ith a&& tenderness< 2ith hers
and 'i&d food< and that not ! the hand of an ene'!#
@@# And the e&ders of the church< t2o or 'ore< sha&& e ca&&ed< and
sha&& *ra! for and &a! their hands u*on the' in '! na'e? and if the! die
the! sha&& die unto 'e< and if the! &i$e the! sha&& &i$e unto 'e#
@G# Thou sha&t &i$e to,ether in &o$e< inso'uch that thou sha&t 2ee*
for the &oss of the' that die< and 'ore es*ecia&&! for those that ha$e not
ho*e of a ,&orious resurrection#
@:# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that those that die in 'e< sha&& not
taste of death< for it sha&& e s2eet unto the'?
@M# And the! that die not in 'e< 2o unto the'< for their death is
itter#
@8# And a,ain< it sha&& co'e to *ass that he that hath faith in 'e to
e hea&ed< and is not a**ointed unto death< sha&& e hea&ed#
@N# He 2ho hath faith to see sha&& see#
GD# He 2ho hath faith to hear sha&& hear#
G7# The &a'e 2ho hath faith to &ea* sha&& &ea*#
GH# And the! 2ho ha$e not faith to do these thin,s< ut e&ie$e in
'e< ha$e *o2er to eco'e '! sons? and inas'uch as the! rea0 not '! &a2s
thou sha&t ear their infir'ities#
G9# Thou sha&t stand in the *&ace of th! ste2ardshi*#
G@# Thou sha&t not ta0e th! rother+s ,ar'ent? thou sha&t *a! for
that 2hich thou sha&t recei$e of th! rother#
GG# And if thou otainest 'ore than that 2hich 2ou&d e for th!
su**ort? thou sha&t ,i$e it into '! storehouse< that a&& thin,s 'a! e
done accordin, to that 2hich I ha$e said#
G:# Thou sha&t as0< and '! Scri*tures sha&& e ,i$en as I ha$e
a**ointed< and the! sha&& e *reser$ed in safet!?
GM# And it is e/*edient that thou shou&dst ho&d th! *eace concernin,
the'< and not teach the' unti& !e ha$e recei$ed the' in fu&&#
G8# And I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that then !e sha&& teach the'
unto a&& 'en? for the! sha&& e tau,ht unto a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues
and *eo*&e#
GN# Thou sha&t ta0e the thin,s 2hich thou hast recei$ed< 2hich ha$e
een ,i$en unto thee in '! Scri*tures for a &a2< to e '! &a2 to ,o$ern '!
church?
:D# And he that doeth accordin, to these thin,s sha&& e sa$ed< and
he that doeth the' not sha&& e da'ned< if he so continue#
:7# If thou sha&t as0< thou sha&t recei$e re$e&ation u*on re$e&ation<
0no2&ed,e u*on 0no2&ed,e< that thou 'a!est 0no2 the '!steries and
*eacea&e thin,s--that 2hich rin,eth =o!< that 2hich rin,eth &ife
eterna&#
:H# Thou sha&t as0< and it sha&& e re$ea&ed unto !ou in 'ine o2n due
ti'e 2here the Ne2 Jerusa&e' sha&& e ui&t#
:9# And eho&d< it sha&& co'e to *ass that '! ser$ants sha&& e sent
forth to the east and to the 2est< to the north and to the south#
:@# And e$en no2< &et hi' that ,oeth to the east teach the' that
sha&& e con$erted to f&ee to the 2est< and this in conse>uence of that
2hich is co'in, on the earth< and of secret co'inations#
:G# "eho&d< thou sha&t oser$e a&& these thin,s< and ,reat sha&& e
th! re2ard? for unto !ou it is ,i$en to 0no2 the '!steries of the 0in,do'<
ut unto the 2or&d it is not ,i$en to 0no2 the'#
::# Ye sha&& oser$e the &a2s 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed and e faithfu&#
:M# And !e sha&& hereafter recei$e church co$enants< such as sha&& e
sufficient to esta&ish !ou< oth here and in the Ne2 Jerusa&e'#
:8# Therefore< he that &ac0eth 2isdo'< &et hi' as0 of 'e< and I 2i&&
,i$e hi' &iera&&! and u*raid hi' not#
:N# Lift u* !our hearts and re=oice< for unto !ou the 0in,do'< or in
other 2ords< the 0e!s of the church ha$e een ,i$en# E$en so# A'en#
MD# The *riests and teachers sha&& ha$e their ste2ardshi*s< e$en as
the 'e'ers#
M7# And the e&ders< or hi,h *riests< 2ho are a**ointed to assist the
isho* as counse&ors in a&& thin,s< are to ha$e their fa'i&ies su**orted
out of the *ro*ert! 2hich is consecrated to the isho*< for the ,ood of
the *oor< and for other *ur*oses< as efore 'entioned?
MH# Or the! are to recei$e a =ust re'uneration for a&& their
ser$ices< either a ste2ardshi* or other2ise< as 'a! e thou,ht est or
decided ! the counse&ors and isho*#
M9# And the isho*< a&so< sha&& recei$e his su**ort< or a =ust
renu'eration for a&& his ser$ices in the church#
M@# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that 2hate$er *ersons a'on, !ou<
ha$in, *ut a2a! their co'*anions for the cause of fornication< or in other
2ords< if the! sha&& testif! efore !ou in a&& &o2&iness of heart that
this is the case< !e sha&& not cast the' out fro' a'on, !ou?
MG# "ut if !e sha&& find that an! *ersons ha$e &eft their co'*anions
for the sa0e of adu&ter!< and the! the'se&$es are the offenders< and their
co'*anions are &i$in,< the! sha&& e cast out fro' a'on, !ou#
M:# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that !e sha&& e 2atchfu& and carefu&<
2ith a&& in>uir!< that !e recei$e none such a'on, !ou if the! are 'arried?
MM# And if the! are not 'arried< the! sha&& re*ent of a&& their sins
or !e sha&& not recei$e the'#
M8# And a,ain< e$er! *erson 2ho e&on,eth to this church of Christ<
sha&& oser$e to 0ee* a&& the co''and'ents and co$enants of the church#
MN# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that if an! *ersons a'on, !ou sha&&
0i&& the! sha&& e de&i$ered u* and dea&t 2ith accordin, to the &a2s of
the &and? for re'e'er that he hath no for,i$eness? and it sha&& e *ro$ed
accordin, to the &a2s of the &and#
8D# And if an! 'an or 2o'an sha&& co''it adu&ter!< he or she sha&& e
tried efore t2o e&ders of the church< or 'ore< and e$er! 2ord sha&& e
esta&ished a,ainst hi' or her ! t2o 2itnesses of the church< and not of
the ene'!? ut if there are 'ore than t2o 2itnesses it is etter#
87# "ut he or she sha&& e conde'ned ! the 'outh of t2o 2itnesses?
and the e&ders sha&& &a! the case efore the church< and the church sha&&
&ift u* their hands a,ainst hi' or her< that the! 'a! e dea&t 2ith
accordin, to the &a2 of 5od#
8H# And if it can e< it is necessar! that the isho* e *resent
a&so#
89# And thus !e sha&& do in a&& cases 2hich sha&& co'e efore !ou#
8@# And if a 'an or 2o'an sha&& ro< he or she sha&& e de&i$ered u*
unto the &a2 of the &and#
8G# And if he or she sha&& stea&< he or she sha&& e de&i$ered u*
unto the &a2 of the &and#
8:# And if he or she sha&& &ie< he or she sha&& e de&i$ered u* unto
the &a2 of the &and#
8M# And if he or she do an! 'anner of ini>uit!< he or she sha&& e
de&i$ered u* unto the &a2< e$en that of 5od#
88# And if th! rother or sister offend thee< thou sha&t ta0e hi' or
her et2een hi' or her and thee a&one? and if he or she confess thou sha&t
e reconci&ed#
8N# And if he or she confess not< thou sha&t de&i$er hi' or her u*
unto the church< not to the 'e'ers< ut to the e&ders# And it sha&& e
done in a 'eetin,< and that not efore the 2or&d#
ND# And if th! rother or sister offend 'an!< he or she sha&& e
chastened efore 'an!#
N7# And if an! one offend o*en&!< he or she sha&& e reu0ed o*en&!<
that he or she 'a! e asha'ed# And if he or she confess not< he or she
sha&& e de&i$ered u* unto the &a2 of 5od<
NH# If an! sha&& offend in secret< he or she sha&& e reu0ed in
secret< that he or she 'a! ha$e o**ortunit! to confess in secret to hi' or
her 2ho' he or she has offended< and to 5od< that the church 'a! not s*ea0
re*roachfu&&! of hi' or her#
N9# And thus sha&& !e conduct in a&& thin,s#
Soon after the fore,oin, re$e&ation 2as recei$ed< a 2o'an ca'e
'a0in, ,reat *retensions of re$ea&in, co''and'ents< &a2s and other curious
'atters? and as a&'ost e$er! *erson has ad$ocates for oth theor! and
*ractice< in the $arious notions and *ro=ects of the a,e< it eca'e
necessar! to in>uire of the Lord< 2hen I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en at 1irt&and< Feruar!< 7897#
7# O hear0en< !e e&ders of '! church< and ,i$e ear to the 2ords 2hich
I sha&& s*ea0 unto !ou#
H# For eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that !e ha$e recei$ed
a co''and'ent for a &a2 unto '! church< throu,h hi' 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed
unto !ou to recei$e co''and'ents and re$e&ations fro' '! hand#
9# And this !e sha&& 0no2 assured&!--that there is none other
a**ointed unto !ou to recei$e co''and'ents and re$e&ations unti& he e
ta0en< if he aide in 'e#
@# "ut $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that none e&se sha&& e
a**ointed unto this ,ift e/ce*t it e throu,h hi'? for if it e ta0en fro'
hi' he sha&& not ha$e *o2er e/ce*t to a**oint another in his stead#
G# And this sha&& e a &a2 unto !ou< that !e recei$e not the
teachin,s of an! that sha&& co'e efore !ou as re$e&ations or
co''and'ents?
:# And this I ,i$e unto !ou that !ou 'a! not e decei$ed< that !ou
'a! 0no2 the! are not of 'e#
M# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that he that is ordained of 'e sha&&
co'e in at the ,ate and e ordained as I ha$e to&d !ou efore< to teach
those re$e&ations 2hich !ou ha$e recei$ed and sha&& recei$e throu,h hi'
2ho' I ha$e a**ointed#
8# And no2< eho&d< I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent< that 2hen !e are
asse'&ed to,ether !e sha&& instruct and edif! each other< that !e 'a!
0no2 ho2 to act and direct '! church< ho2 to act u*on the *oints of '! &a2
and co''and'ents< 2hich I ha$e ,i$en#
N# And thus !e sha&& eco'e instructed in the &a2 of '! church< and
e sanctified ! that 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed< and !e sha&& ind !ourse&$es
to act in a&& ho&iness efore 'e--
7D# That inas'uch as !e do this< ,&or! sha&& e added to the 0in,do'
2hich !e ha$e recei$ed# Inas'uch as !e do it not< it sha&& e ta0en< e$en
that 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed#
77# )ur,e !e out the ini>uit! 2hich is a'on, !ou? sanctif! !ourse&$es
efore 'e?
7H# And if !e desire the ,&ories of the 0in,do'< a**oint !e '!
ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and u*ho&d hi' efore 'e ! the *ra!er of
faith#
79# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that if !e desire the '!steries of the
0in,do'< *ro$ide for hi' food and rai'ent< and 2hatsoe$er thin, he needeth
to acco'*&ish the 2or0 2here2ith I ha$e co''anded hi'?
7@# And if !e do it not< he sha&& re'ain unto the' that ha$e recei$ed
hi'< that I 'a! reser$e unto '!se&f a *ure *eo*&e efore 'e#
7G# A,ain I sa!< hear0en !e e&ders of '! church< 2ho' I ha$e
a**ointed# Ye are not sent forth to e tau,ht< ut to teach the chi&dren
of 'en the thin,s 2hich I ha$e *ut into !our hands ! the *o2er of '!
S*irit?
7:# And !e are to e tau,ht fro' on hi,h# Sanctif! !ourse&$es and !e
sha&& e endo2ed 2ith *o2er< that !e 'a! ,i$e e$en as I ha$e s*o0en#
7M# Hear0en !e< for< eho&d< the ,reat da! of the Lord is ni,h at
hand#
78# For the da! co'eth that the Lord sha&& utter his $oice out of
hea$en? the hea$ens sha&& sha0e and the earth sha&& tre'&e< and the tru'*
of 5od sha&& sound oth &on, and &oud< and sha&& sa! to the s&ee*in,
nations? Ye saints< arise and &i$e? !e sinners< sta! and s&ee* unti& I
sha&& ca&& a,ain#
7N# 3herefore ,ird u* !our &oins &est !e e found a'on, the 2ic0ed#
HD# Lift u* !our $oices and s*are not# Ca&& u*on the nations to
re*ent< oth o&d and !oun,< oth ond and free< sa!in,( )re*are !ourse&$es
for the ,reat da! of the Lord?
H7# For if I< 2ho a' a 'an< do &ift u* '! $oice and ca&& u*on !ou to
re*ent< and !e hate 'e< 2hat 2i&& !e sa! 2hen the da! co'eth 2hen the
thunders sha&& utter their $oices fro' the ends of the earth< s*ea0in, to
the ears of a&& that &i$e< sa!in,--Re*ent< and *re*are for the ,reat da!
of the LordB
HH# Yea< and a,ain< 2hen the &i,htnin,s sha&& strea0 forth fro' the
east unto the 2est< and sha&& utter forth their $oices unto a&& that &i$e<
and 'a0e the ears of a&& tin,&e that hear< sa!in, these 2ords--Re*ent !e<
for the ,reat da! of the Lord is co'eB
H9# And a,ain< the Lord sha&& utter his $oice out of hea$en< sa!in,(
Hear0en< O !e nations of the earth< and hear the 2ords of that 5od 2ho
'ade !ou#
H@# O< !e nations of the earth< ho2 often 2ou&d I ha$e ,athered !ou
to,ether as a hen ,athereth her chic0ens under her 2in,s ut !ou 2ou&d
notK
HG# Ho2 oft ha$e I ca&&ed u*on !ou ! the 'outh of '! ser$ants< and
! the 'inisterin, of an,e&s< and ! 'ine o2n $oice< and ! the $oice of
thunderin,s< and ! the $oice of &i,htnin,s< and ! the $oice of te'*ests<
and ! the $oice of earth>ua0es< and ,reat hai&stor's< and ! the $oice of
fa'ines and *esti&ences of e$er! 0ind and ! the ,reat sound of a tru'*<
and ! the $oice of =ud,'ent< and ! the $oice of 'erc! a&& the da! &on,<
and ! the $oice of ,&or! and honor and the riches of eterna& &ife< and
2ou&d ha$e sa$ed !ou 2ith an e$er&astin, sa&$ation< ut !e 2ou&d notK
H:# "eho&d the da! has co'e< 2hen the cu* of the 2rath of 'ine
indi,nation is fu&&#
HM# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that these are the 2ords of the
Lord !our 5od#
H8# 3herefore< &aor !e< &aor !e in '! $ine!ard for the &ast
ti'e--for the &ast ti'e ca&& u*on the inhaitants of the earth#
HN# For in 'ine o2n due ti'e 2i&& I co'e u*on the earth in =ud,'ent<
and '! *eo*&e sha&& e redee'ed and sha&& rei,n 2ith 'e on earth#
9D# For the ,reat .i&&enniu'< of 2hich I ha$e s*o0en ! the 'outh of
'! ser$ants< sha&& co'e#
97# For Satan sha&& e ound< and 2hen he is &oosed a,ain he sha&&
on&! rei,n for a &itt&e season< and then co'eth the end of the earth#
9H# And he that &i$eth in ri,hteousness sha&& e chan,ed in the
t2in0&in, of an e!e< and the earth sha&& *ass a2a! so as ! fire#
99# And the 2ic0ed sha&& ,o a2a! into un>uencha&e fire< and their
end no 'an 0no2eth on earth< nor e$er sha&& 0no2< unti& the! co'e efore
'e in =ud,'ent#
9@# Hear0en !e to these 2ords# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< the Sa$ior
of the 2or&d# Treasure these thin,s u* in !our hearts< and &et the
so&e'nities of eternit! rest u*on !our 'inds#
9G# "e soer# 1ee* a&& '! co''and'ents# E$en so# A'en#
The &atter *art of Feruar! I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation<
2hich caused the Church to a**oint a conference to e he&d ear&! in the
'onth of June ensuin,(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< ,i$en at
1irt&and< Feruar!< 7897#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord unto !ou '! ser$ants< it is e/*edient
in 'e that the e&ders of '! church shou&d e ca&&ed to,ether< fro' the
east and fro' the 2est< and fro' the north and fro' the south< ! &etter
or so'e other 2a!#
H# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that inas'uch as the! are faithfu&< and
e/ercise faith in 'e< I 2i&& *our out '! S*irit u*on the' in the da! that
the! asse'&e the'se&$es to,ether#
9# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that the! sha&& ,o forth into the
re,ions round aout< and *reach re*entance unto the *eo*&e#
@# And 'an! sha&& e con$erted< inso'uch that !e sha&& otain *o2er
to or,ani4e !ourse&$es accordin, to the &a2s of 'an?
G# That !our ene'ies 'a! not ha$e *o2er o$er !ou? that !ou 'a! e
*reser$ed in a&& thin,s? that !ou 'a! e ena&ed to 0ee* '! &a2s? that
e$er! ond 'a! e ro0en 2here2ith the ene'! see0eth to destro! '! *eo*&e#
:# "eho&d I sa! unto !ou< that !e 'ust $isit the *oor and the need!
and ad'inister to their re&ief< that the! 'a! e 0e*t unti& a&& thin,s 'a!
e done accordin, to '! &a2 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed# A'en#
CHA)TER 6I%#
EFFORT TO O%ER3HEL. THE CHURCH "Y FALSEHOOD--SUNDRY RE%ELATIONS
LEADIN5 TO DOCTRINAL DE%ELO).ENT#
AT this a,e of the Church Ii#e#< ear&! in the s*rin, of 7897J 'an!
fa&se re*orts< &ies< and foo&ish stories< 2ere *u&ished in the
ne2s*a*ers< and circu&ated in e$er! direction< to *re$ent *eo*&e fro'
in$esti,atin, the 2or0< or e'racin, the faith# A ,reat earth>ua0e in
China< 2hich destro!ed fro' one to t2o thousand inhaitants< 2as
ur&es>ued in so'e *a*ers< as - L.or'onis'+ in China#- "ut to the =o! of
the Saints 2ho had to stru,,&e a,ainst e$er! thin, that *re=udice and
2ic0edness cou&d in$ent< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation at 1irt&and< ,i$en .arch Mth< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e of '! church< to 2ho' the 0in,do' has een
,i$en? hear0en !e and ,i$e ear to hi' 2ho &aid the foundation of the
earth< 2ho 'ade the hea$ens and a&& the hosts thereof< and ! 2ho' a&&
thin,s 2ere 'ade 2hich &i$e< and 'o$e< and ha$e a ein,#
H# And a,ain I sa!< hear0en unto '! $oice< &est death sha&& o$erta0e
!ou< in an hour 2hen !e thin0 not the su''er sha&& e *ast< and the
har$est ended< and !our sou&s not sa$ed#
9# Listen to hi' 2ho is the ad$ocate 2ith the Father< 2ho is *&eadin,
!our cause efore hi'--
@# Sa!in,( Father< eho&d the sufferin,s and death of hi' 2ho did no
sin< in 2ho' thou 2ast 2e&& *&eased? eho&d the &ood of th! Son 2hich 2as
shed< the &ood of hi' 2ho' thou ,a$est that th!se&f 'i,ht e ,&orified?
G# 3herefore< Father< s*are these '! rethren that e&ie$e on '!
na'e< that the! 'a! co'e unto 'e and ha$e e$er&astin, &ife#
:# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e of '! church< and !e e&ders &isten to,ether<
and hear '! $oice 2hi&e it is ca&&ed toda!< and harden not !our hearts<
M# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou that I a' A&*ha and O'e,a< the e,innin,
and the end< the &i,ht and the &ife of the 2or&d--a &i,ht that shineth in
dar0ness and the dar0ness co'*rehendeth it not#
8# I ca'e unto 'ine o2n< and 'ine o2n recei$ed 'e not? ut unto as
'an! as recei$ed 'e ,a$e I *o2er to do 'an! 'irac&es< and to eco'e the
sons of 5od? and e$en unto the' that e&ie$ed on '! na'e ,a$e I *o2er to
otain eterna& &ife#
N# And e$en so I ha$e sent 'ine e$er&astin, co$enant into the 2or&d<
to e a &i,ht to the 2or&d< and to e a standard for '! *eo*&e< and for
the 5enti&es to see0 to it< and to e a 'essen,er efore '! face to
*re*are the 2a! efore 'e#
7D# 3herefore< co'e !e unto it< and 2ith hi' that co'eth I 2i&&
reason as 2ith 'en in da!s of o&d< and I 2i&& sho2 unto !ou '! stron,
reasonin,<
77# 3herefore< hear0en !e to,ether and &et 'e sho2 unto !ou e$en '!
2isdo'--the 2isdo' of hi' 2ho' !e sa! is the 5od of Enoch< and his
rethren<
7H# 3ho 2ere se*arated fro' the earth< and 2ere recei$ed unto
'!se&f--a cit! reser$ed unti& a da! of ri,hteousness sha&& co'e--a da!
2hich 2as sou,ht for ! ho&! 'en< and the! found it not ecause of
2ic0edness and ao'inations?
79# And confessed the! 2ere stran,ers and *i&,ri's on the earth?
7@# "ut otained a *ro'ise that the! shou&d find it and see it in
their f&esh#
7G# 3herefore< hear0en and I 2i&& reason 2ith !ou< and I 2i&& s*ea0
unto !ou and *ro*hes!< as unto 'en in da!s of o&d#
7:# And I 2i&& sho2 it *&ain&!< as I sho2ed it unto '! disci*&es as I
stood efore the' in the f&esh< and s*a0e unto the'< sa!in,( As !e ha$e
as0ed of 'e concernin, the si,ns of '! co'in, in the da! 2hen I sha&& co'e
in '! ,&or! in the c&ouds of hea$en< to fu&fi& the *ro'ises that I ha$e
'ade unto !our fathers<
7M# For as !e ha$e &oo0ed u*on the &on, asence of !our s*irits fro'
!our odies to e a onda,e< I 2i&& sho2 unto !ou ho2 the da! of
rede'*tion sha&& co'e< and a&so the restoration of the scattered Israe&#
78# And no2 !e eho&d this te'*&e 2hich is in Jerusa&e'< 2hich !e
ca&& the house of 5od< and !our ene'ies sa! that this house sha&& ne$er
fa&&#
7N# "ut< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that deso&ation sha&& co'e u*on this
,eneration as a thief in the ni,ht< and this *eo*&e sha&& e destro!ed and
scattered a'on, a&& nations#
HD# And this te'*&e 2hich !e no2 see sha&& e thro2n do2n that there
sha&& not e &eft one stone u*on another#
H7# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that this ,eneration of Je2s sha&& not
*ass a2a! unti& e$er! deso&ation 2hich I ha$e to&d !ou concernin, the'
sha&& co'e to *ass#
HH# Ye sa! that !e 0no2 that the end of the 2or&d co'eth? !e sa! a&so
that !e 0no2 that the hea$ens and the earth sha&& *ass a2a!?
H9# And in this !e sa! tru&!< for so it is? ut these thin,s 2hich I
ha$e to&d !ou sha&& not *ass a2a! unti& a&& sha&& e fu&fi&&ed<
H@# And this I ha$e to&d !ou concernin, Jerusa&e'< and 2hen that da!
sha&& co'e< sha&& a re'nant e scattered a'on, a&& nations?
HG# "ut the! sha&& e ,athered a,ain? ut the! sha&& re'ain unti& the
ti'es of the 5enti&es e fu&fi&&ed#
H:# And in that da! sha&& e heard of 2ars and ru'ors of 2ars< and
the 2ho&e earth sha&& e in co''otion< and 'en+s hearts sha&& fai& the'<
and the! sha&& sa! that Christ de&a!eth his co'in, unti& the end of the
earth#
HM# And the &o$e of 'en sha&& 2a/ co&d< and ini>uit! sha&& aound#
H8# And 2hen the ti'es of the 5enti&es is co'e in< a &i,ht sha&&
rea0 forth a'on, the' that sit in dar0ness< and it sha&& e the fu&ness
of '! ,os*e&?
HN# "ut the! recei$e it not< for the! *ercei$e not the &i,ht< and
the! turn their hearts fro' 'e ecause of the *rece*ts of 'en#
9D# And in that ,eneration sha&& the ti'es of the 5enti&es e
fu&fi&&ed#
97# And there sha&& e 'en standin, in that ,eneration< that sha&&
not *ass unti& the! sha&& see an o$erf&o2in, scour,e? for a deso&atin,
sic0ness sha&& co$er the &and#
9H# "ut '! disci*&es sha&& stand in ho&! *&aces< and sha&& not e
'o$ed? ut a'on, the 2ic0ed< 'en sha&& &ift u* their $oices and curse 5od
and die#
99# And there sha&& e earth>ua0es a&so in di$ers *&aces and 'an!
deso&ations? !et 'en 2i&& harden their hearts a,ainst 'e< and the! 2i&&
ta0e u* the s2ord< one a,ainst another< and the! 2i&& 0i&& one another#
9@# And no2< 2hen I the Lord had s*o0en these 2ords unto '!
disci*&es< the! 2ere trou&ed#
9G# And I said unto the'< "e not trou&ed< for< 2hen a&& these thin,s
sha&& co'e to *ass< !e 'a! 0no2 that the *ro'ises 2hich ha$e een 'ade
unto !ou sha&& e fu&fi&&ed#
9:# And 2hen the &i,ht sha&& e,in to rea0 forth< it sha&& e 2ith
the' &i0e unto a *ara&e 2hich I 2i&& sho2 !ou--
9M# Ye &oo0 and eho&d the fi, trees< and !e see the' 2ith !our e!es<
and !e sa! 2hen the! e,in to shoot forth< and their &ea$es are !et
tender< that su''er is no2 ni,h at hand?
98# E$en so it sha&& e in that da! 2hen the! sha&& see a&& these
thin,s< then sha&& the! 0no2 that the hour is ni,h#
9N# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that he that feareth 'e sha&& e
&oo0in, forth for the ,reat da! of the Lord to co'e< e$en for the si,ns of
the co'in, of the Son of .an#
@D# And the! sha&& see si,ns and 2onders< for the! sha&& e sho2n
forth in the hea$ens ao$e< and in the earth eneath#
@7# And the! sha&& eho&d &ood< and fire< and $a*ors of s'o0e#
@H# And efore the da! of the Lord sha&& co'e< the sun sha&& e
dar0ened< and the 'oon e turned into &ood< and the stars fa&& fro'
hea$en#
@9# And the re'nant sha&& e ,athered unto this *&ace?
@@# And then the! sha&& &oo0 for 'e< and< eho&d< I 2i&& co'e? and
the! sha&& see 'e in the c&ouds of hea$en< c&othed 2ith *o2er and ,reat
,&or!< 2ith a&& the ho&! an,e&s? and he that 2atches not for 'e sha&& e
cut off<
@G# "ut efore the ar' of the Lord sha&& fa&&< an an,e& sha&& sound
his tru'*< and the saints that ha$e s&e*t sha&& co'e forth to 'eet 'e in
the c&oud#
@:# 3herefore< if !e ha$e s&e*t in *eace< &essed are !ou? for as !ou
no2 eho&d 'e and 0no2 that I a'< e$en so sha&& !e co'e unto 'e and !our
sou&s sha&& &i$e and !our rede'*tion sha&& e *erfected? and the saints
sha&& co'e forth fro' the four >uarters of the earth#
@M# Then sha&& the ar' of the Lord fa&& u*on the nations#
@8# And then sha&& the Lord set his foot u*on this 'ount< and it
sha&& c&ea$e in t2ain< and the earth sha&& tre'&e< and ree& to and fro<
and the hea$ens a&so sha&& sha0e#
@N# And the Lord sha&& utter his $oice< and a&& the ends of the earth
sha&& hear it? and the nations of the earth sha&& 'ourn< and the! that
ha$e &au,hed sha&& see their fo&&!<
GD# And ca&a'it! sha&& co$er the 'oc0er< and the scorner sha&& e
consu'ed? and the! that ha$e 2atched for ini>uit! sha&& e he2n do2n and
cast into the fire#
G7# And then sha&& the Je2s &oo0 u*on 'e and sa!( 3hat are these
2ounds in thine hands and in th! feetB
GH# Then sha&& the! 0no2 that I a' the Lord? for I 2i&& sa! unto
the'( These 2ounds are the 2ounds 2ith 2hich I 2as 2ounded in the house of
'! friends# I a' he 2ho 2as &ifted u*# I a' Jesus that 2as crucified# I a'
the Son of 5od#
G9# And then sha&& the! 2ee* ecause of their ini>uities? then sha&&
the! &a'ent ecause the! *ersecuted their 0in,#
G@# And then sha&& the heathen nations e redee'ed< and the! that
0ne2 no &a2 sha&& ha$e *art in the first resurrection? and it sha&& e
to&era&e for the'#
GG# And Satan sha&& e ound< that he sha&& ha$e no *&ace in the
hearts of the chi&dren of 'en#
G:# And at that da!< 2hen I sha&& co'e in '! ,&or!< sha&& the *ara&e
e fu&fi&&ed 2hich I s*a0e concernin, the ten $ir,ins#
GM# For the! that are 2ise and ha$e recei$ed the truth< and ha$e
ta0en the Ho&! S*irit for their ,uide< and ha$e not een decei$ed--$eri&!
I sa! unto !ou< the! sha&& not e he2n do2n and cast into the fire< ut
sha&& aide the da!#
G8# And the earth sha&& e ,i$en unto the' for an inheritance? and
the! sha&& 'u&ti*&! and 2a/ stron,< and their chi&dren sha&& ,ro2 u*
2ithout sin unto sa&$ation#
GN# For the Lord sha&& e in their 'idst< and his ,&or! sha&& e u*on
the'< and he 2i&& e their 0in, and their &a2,i$er#
:D# And no2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< it sha&& not e ,i$en unto !ou
to 0no2 an! further concernin, this cha*ter< unti& the Ne2 Testa'ent e
trans&ated< and in it a&& these thin,s sha&& e 'ade 0no2n?
:7# 3herefore I ,i$e unto !ou that !e 'a! no2 trans&ate it< that !e
'a! e *re*ared for the thin,s to co'e#
:H# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that ,reat thin,s a2ait !ou?
:9# Ye hear of 2ars in forei,n &ands? ut< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou<
the! are ni,h< e$en at !our doors< and not 'an! !ears hence !e sha&& hear
of 2ars in !our o2n &ands#
:@# 3herefore I< the Lord< ha$e said< 5ather !e out fro' the eastern
&ands< asse'&e !e !ourse&$es to,ether !e e&ders of '! church? ,o !e forth
into the 2estern countries< ca&& u*on the inhaitants to re*ent< and
inas'uch as the! do re*ent< ui&d u* churches unto 'e#
:G# And 2ith one heart and 2ith one 'ind< ,ather u* !our riches that
!e 'a! *urchase an inheritance 2hich sha&& hereafter e a**ointed unto
!ou<
::# And it sha&& e ca&&ed the Ne2 Jerusa&e'< a &and of *eace< a cit!
of refu,e< a *&ace of safet! for the saints of the .ost Hi,h 5od?
:M# And the ,&or! of the Lord sha&& e there< and the terror of the
Lord a&so sha&& e there< inso'uch that the 2ic0ed 2i&& not co'e unto it<
and it sha&& e ca&&ed ;ion#
:8# And it sha&& co'e to *ass a'on, the 2ic0ed< that e$er! 'an that
2i&& not ta0e his s2ord a,ainst his nei,hor 'ust needs f&ee unto ;ion for
safet!#
:N# And there sha&& e ,athered unto it out of e$er! nation under
hea$en< and it sha&& e the on&! *eo*&e that sha&& not e at 2ar one 2ith
another#
MD# And it sha&& e said a'on, the 2ic0ed( Let us not ,o u* to att&e
a,ainst ;ion< for the inhaitants of ;ion are terri&e? 2herefore 2e
cannot stand#
M7# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that the ri,hteous sha&& e ,athered
out fro' a'on, a&& nations< and sha&& co'e to ;ion< sin,in, 2ith son,s of
e$er&astin, =o!#
MH# And no2 I sa! unto !ou 0ee* these thin,s fro' ,oin, aroad unto
the 2or&d unti& it is e/*edient in 'e< that !e 'a! acco'*&ish this 2or0 in
the e!es of the *eo*&e< and in the e!es of !our ene'ies< that the! 'a! not
0no2 !our 2or0s unti& !e ha$e acco'*&ished the thin, 2hich I ha$e
co''anded !ou<
M9# That 2hen the! sha&& 0no2 it< that the! 'a! consider these
thin,s#
M@# For 2hen the Lord sha&& a**ear he sha&& e terri&e unto the'<
that fear 'a! sei4e u*on the'< and the! sha&& stand afar off and tre'&e#
MG# And a&& nations sha&& e afraid ecause of the terror of the
Lord< and the *o2er of his 'i,ht# E$en so# A'en#
The ne/t da! after the ao$e 2as recei$ed< I a&so recei$ed the
fo&&o2in, re$e&ation< re&ati$e to the ,ifts of the Ho&! 5host(
Re$e&ation ,i$en at 1irt&and< .arch 8th< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e of '! church? for $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that
these thin,s 2ere s*o0en unto !ou for !our *rofit and &earnin,#
H# "ut not2ithstandin, those thin,s 2hich are 2ritten< it a&2a!s has
een ,i$en to the e&ders of '! church fro' the e,innin,< and e$er sha&&
e< to conduct a&& 'eetin,s as the! are directed and ,uided ! the Ho&!
S*irit#
9# Ne$erthe&ess !e are co''anded ne$er to cast an! one out fro' !our
*u&ic 'eetin,s< 2hich are he&d efore the 2or&d#
@# Ye are a&so co''anded not to cast an! one 2ho e&on,eth to the
church out of !our sacra'ent 'eetin,s? ne$erthe&ess< if an! ha$e
tres*assed< &et hi' not *arta0e unti& he 'a0e reconci&iation#
G# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< !e sha&& not cast an! out of !our
sacra'ent 'eetin,s 2ho are earnest&! see0in, the 0in,do'--I s*ea0 this
concernin, those 2ho are not of the church#
:# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< concernin, !our confir'ation 'eetin,s<
that if there e an! that are not of the church< that are earnest&!
see0in, after the 0in,do'< !e sha&& not cast the' out#
M# "ut !e are co''anded in a&& thin,s to as0 of 5od< 2ho ,i$eth
&iera&&!? and that 2hich the S*irit testifies unto !ou e$en so I 2ou&d
that !e shou&d do in a&& ho&iness of heart< 2a&0in, u*ri,ht&! efore 'e<
considerin, the end of !our sa&$ation< doin, a&& thin,s 2ith *ra!er and
than0s,i$in,< that !e 'a! not e seduced ! e$i& s*irits< or doctrines of
de$i&s< or the co''and'ents of 'en? for so'e are of 'en< and others of
de$i&s#
8# 3herefore< e2are &est !e are decei$ed? and that !e 'a! not e
decei$ed see0 !e earnest&! the est ,ifts< a&2a!s re'e'erin, for 2hat
the! are ,i$en?
N# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the! are ,i$en for the enefit of those
2ho &o$e 'e and 0ee* a&& '! co''and'ents< and hi' that see0eth so to do?
that a&& 'a! e enefited that see0 or that as0 of 'e< that as0 and not
for a si,n that the! 'a! consu'e it u*on their &ust#
7D# And a,ain $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I 2ou&d that !e shou&d a&2a!s
re'e'er< and a&2a!s retain in !our 'inds 2hat those ,ifts are< that are
,i$en unto the church<
77# For a&& ha$e not e$er! ,ift ,i$en unto the'? for there are 'an!
,ifts< and to e$er! 'an is ,i$en a ,ift ! the S*irit of 5od#
7H# To so'e is ,i$en one< and to so'e is ,i$en another< that a&& 'a!
e *rofited there!#
79# To so'e it is ,i$en ! the Ho&! 5host to 0no2 that Jesus Christ
is the Son of 5od< and that he 2as crucified for the sins of the 2or&d#
7@# To others it is ,i$en to e&ie$e on their 2ords< that the! a&so
'i,ht ha$e eterna& &ife if the! continue faithfu&#
7G# And a,ain< to so'e it is ,i$en ! the Ho&! 5host to 0no2 the
differences of ad'inistration< as it 2i&& e *&easin, unto the sa'e Lord<
accordin, as the Lord 2i&&< suitin, his 'ercies accordin, to the
conditions of the chi&dren of 'en#
7:# And a,ain< it is ,i$en ! the Ho&! 5host to so'e to 0no2 the
di$ersities of o*erations< 2hether the! e of 5od< that the 'anifestations
of the S*irit 'a! e ,i$en to e$er! 'an to *rofit 2itha&#
7M# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< to so'e is ,i$en< ! the S*irit
of 5od< the 2ord of 2isdo'#
78# To another is ,i$en the 2ord of 0no2&ed,e< that a&& 'a! e tau,ht
to e 2ise and to ha$e 0no2&ed,e#
7N# And a,ain< to so'e it is ,i$en to ha$e faith to e hea&ed<
HD# And to others it is ,i$en to ha$e faith to hea&#
H7# And a,ain< to so'e is ,i$en the 2or0in, of 'irac&es?
HH# And to others it is ,i$en to *ro*hes!?
H9# And to others the discernin, of s*irits#
H@# And a,ain< it is ,i$en to so'e to s*ea0 2ith ton,ues?
HG# And to another is ,i$en the inter*retation of ton,ues#
H:# And a&& these ,ifts co'e fro' 5od< for the enefit of the
chi&dren of 5od#
HM# And unto the isho* of the church< and unto such as 5od sha&&
a**oint and ordain to 2atch o$er the church< and to e e&ders unto the
church< are to ha$e it ,i$en unto the' to discern a&& those ,ifts &est
there sha&& e an! a'on, !ou *rofessin, and !et e not of 5od#
H8# And it sha&& co'e to *ass that he that as0eth in S*irit sha&&
recei$e in S*irit?
HN# That unto so'e it 'a! e ,i$en to ha$e a&& those ,ifts< that
there 'a! e a head< in order that e$er! 'e'er 'a! e *rofited there!#
9D# He that as0eth in the S*irit< as0eth accordin, to the 2i&& of
5od? 2herefore it is done e$en as he as0eth#
97# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< a&& thin,s 'ust e done in the na'e of
Christ< 2hatsoe$er !ou do in the S*irit?
9H# And !e 'ust ,i$e than0s unto 5od in the S*irit for 2hatsoe$er
&essin,s !e are &essed 2ith#
99# And !e 'ust *ractice $irtue and ho&iness efore 'e continua&&!#
E$en so# A'en#
The sa'e da! that I recei$ed the fore,oin, re$e&ation< I a&so
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,< settin, a*art John 3hit'er as a historian<
inas'uch as he is faithfu&(
Re$e&ation to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and John 3hit'er< ,i$en at
1irt&and< .arch 8th< 7897#
7# "eho&d< it is e/*edient in 'e that '! ser$ant John shou&d 2rite
and 0ee* a re,u&ar histor!< and assist !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h< in
transcriin, a&& thin,s 2hich sha&& e ,i$en !ou< unti& he is ca&&ed to
further duties#
H# A,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou that he can a&so &ift u* his $oice in
'eetin,s< 2hene$er it sha&& e e/*edient#
9# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou that it sha&& e a**ointed unto hi' to
0ee* the church record and histor! continua&&!< for O&i$er Co2der! I ha$e
a**ointed to another office#
@# 3herefore< it sha&& e ,i$en hi'< inas'uch as he is faithfu&< !
the Co'forter< to 2rite these thin,s# E$en so# A'en#
U*on in>uir! ho2 the rethren shou&d act in re,ard to *urchasin,
&ands to sett&e u*on<O and 2here the! shou&d fina&&! 'a0e a *er'anent
&ocation I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en at 1irt&and< .arch< 7897#OO
7# It is necessar! that !e shou&d re'ain for the *resent ti'e in !our
*&aces of aode< as it sha&& e suita&e to !our circu'stances#
H# And inas'uch as !e ha$e &and< !e sha&& i'*art to the eastern
rethren?
9# And inas'uch as !e ha$e not &and< &et the' u! for the *resent
ti'e in those re,ions round aout< as see'eth the' ,ood< for it 'ust needs
e necessar! that the! ha$e *&aces to &i$e for the *resent ti'e#
@# It 'ust needs e necessar!< that !e sa$e a&& the 'one! that !e
can< and that !e otain a&& that !e can in ri,hteousness< that in ti'e !e
'a! e ena&ed to *urchase &and for an inheritance< e$en the cit!#
G# The *&ace is not !et to e re$ea&ed? ut after !our rethren co'e
fro' the east there are to e certain 'en a**ointed< and to the' it sha&&
e ,i$en to 0no2 the *&ace< or to the' it sha&& e re$ea&ed#
:# And the! sha&& e a**ointed to *urchase the &ands< and to 'a0e a
co''ence'ent to &a! the foundation of the cit!? and then sha&& !e e,in to
e ,athered 2ith !our fa'i&ies< e$er! 'an accordin, to his fa'i&!<
accordin, to his circu'stances< and as is a**ointed to hi' ! the
*residenc! and the isho* of the church< accordin, to the &a2s and
co''and'ents 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed< and 2hich !e sha&& hereafter recei$e#
E$en so# A'en#
At aout this ti'e ca'e Le'an Co*&e!< one of the sect ca&&ed Sha0in,
Aua0ers< and e'raced the fu&ness of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< a**arent&!
honest-hearted< ut sti&& retainin, the idea that the Sha0ers 2ere ri,ht
in so'e *articu&ars of their faith# In order to ha$e 'ore *erfect
understandin, on the su=ect< I in>uired of the Lord< and recei$ed the
fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Sidne! Ri,don< )ar&e! )# )ratt< and Le'an Co*&e!<
,i$en .arch< 7897#
7# Hear0en unto '! 2ord< '! ser$ants Sidne!< and )ar&e!< and
Le'an? for eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that I ,i$e unto !ou a
co''and'ent that !ou sha&& ,o and *reach '! ,os*e& 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed<
e$en as !e ha$e recei$ed it< unto the Sha0ers#
H# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that the! desire to 0no2 the truth in
*art< ut not a&&< for the! are not ri,ht efore 'e and 'ust needs re*ent#
9# 3herefore< I send !ou< '! ser$ants Sidne! and )ar&e! to *reach the
,os*e& unto the'?
@# And '! ser$ant Le'an sha&& e ordained unto this 2or0< that he 'a!
reason 2ith the'< not accordin, to that 2hich he has recei$ed of the'< ut
accordin, to that 2hich sha&& e tau,ht hi' ! !ou '! ser$ants? and ! so
doin, I 2i&& &ess hi'< other2ise he sha&& not *ros*er#
G# Thus saith the Lord? for I a' 5od< and ha$e sent 'ine On&!
"e,otten Son into the 2or&d for the rede'*tion of the 2or&d< and ha$e
decreed that he that recei$eth hi' sha&& e sa$ed< and he that recei$eth
hi' not sha&& e da'ned--
:# And the! ha$e done unto the Son of .an e$en as the! &isted? and he
has ta0en his *o2er on the ri,ht hand of his ,&or! and no2 rei,neth in the
hea$ens< and 2i&& rei,n ti&& he descends on the earth to *ut a&& ene'ies
under his feet< 2hich ti'e is ni,h at hand--
M# I< the Lord 5od ha$e s*o0en it< ut the hour and the da! no 'an
0no2eth< neither the an,e&s in hea$en< nor sha&& the! 0no2 unti& he co'es#
8# 3herefore< I 2i&& that a&& 'en sha&& re*ent< for a&& are under
sin< e/ce*t those 2hich I ha$e reser$ed unto '!se&f< ho&! 'en that !e 0no2
not of#
N# 3herefore< I sa! unto !ou< that I ha$e sent unto !ou 'ine
e$er&astin, co$enant< e$en that 2hich 2as fro' the e,innin,#
7D# And that 2hich I ha$e *ro'ised I ha$e so fu&fi&&ed< and the
nations of the earth sha&& o2 to it? and< if not of the'se&$es< the!
sha&& co'e do2n< for that 2hich is no2 e/a&ted of itse&f sha&& e &aid &o2
of *o2er#
77# 3herefore< I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that !e ,o a'on, this
*eo*&e< and sa! unto the'< &i0e unto 'ine a*ost&e of o&d< 2hose na'e 2as
)eter(
7H# "e&ie$e on the na'e of the Lord Jesus< 2ho 2as on the earth< and
is to co'e< the e,innin, and the end?
79# Re*ent and e a*ti4ed in the na'e of Jesus Christ< accordin, to
the ho&! co''and'ent< for the re'ission of sins?
7@# And 2hoso doeth this sha&& recei$e the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< !
the &a!in, on of the hands of the e&ders of the church#
7G# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that 2hoso foriddeth to 'arr!
is not ordained of 5od< for 'arria,e is ordained of 5od unto 'an#
7:# 3herefore< it is &a2fu& that he shou&d ha$e one 2ife< and the!
t2ain sha&& e one f&esh< and a&& this that the earth 'i,ht ans2er the end
of its creation?
7M# And that is 'i,ht e fi&&ed 2ith the 'easure of 'an< accordin, to
his creation efore the 2or&d 2as 'ade#
78# And 2hoso foriddeth to astain fro' 'eats< that 'an shou&d not
eat the sa'e< is not ordained of 5od?
7N# For< eho&d< the easts of the fie&d and the fo2&s of the air<
and that 2hich co'eth of the earth is ordained for the use of 'an for food
and for rai'ent< and that he 'i,ht ha$e in aundance#
HD# "ut it is not ,i$en that one 'an shou&d *ossess that 2hich is
ao$e another< 2herefore the 2or&d &ieth in sin#
H7# And 2o e unto 'an that sheddeth &ood or that 2asteth f&esh and
hath no need#
HH# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that the Son of .an co'eth not
in the for' of a 2o'an neither of a 'an tra$e&in, on the earth#
H9# 3herefore< e not decei$ed< ut continue in steadfastness<
&oo0in, forth for the hea$ens to e sha0en< and the earth to tre'&e and
to ree& to and fro as a drun0en 'an< and for the $a&&e!s to e e/a&ted<
and for the 'ountains to e 'ade &o2< and for the rou,h *&aces to eco'e
s'ooth--and a&& this 2hen the an,e& sha&& sound his tru'*et<
H@# "ut efore the ,reat da! of the Lord sha&& co'e< Jaco sha&&
f&ourish in the 2i&derness< and the La'anites sha&& &osso' as the rose#
HG# ;ion sha&& f&ourish u*on the hi&&s and re=oice u*on the
'ountains< and sha&& e asse'&ed to,ether unto the *&ace 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed#
H:# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< ,o forth as I ha$e co''anded !ou? re*ent
of a&& !our sins? as0 and !e sha&& recei$e? 0noc0 and it sha&& e o*ened
unto !ou#
HM# "eho&d< I 2i&& ,o efore !ou and e !our rear2ard? and I 2i&& e
in !our 'idst< and !ou sha&& not e confounded#
H8# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< and I co'e >uic0&!# E$en so# A'en#
Durin, the 'onth of A*ri&< I continued to trans&ate the Scri*tures as
ti'e 2ou&d a&&o2# In .a!< a nu'er of E&ders ein, *resent< and not
understandin, the different s*irits aroad in the earth< I in>uired and
recei$ed fro' the Lord the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .a!< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church< and ,i$e ear to the $oice of
the &i$in, 5od? and attend to the 2ords of 2isdo' 2hich sha&& e ,i$en
unto !ou< accordin, as !e ha$e as0ed and are a,reed as touchin, the
church< and the s*irits 2hich ha$e ,one aroad in the earth#
H# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that there are 'an! s*irits 2hich
are fa&se s*irits< 2hich ha$e ,one forth in the earth< decei$in, the
2or&d#
9# And a&so Satan hath sou,ht to decei$e !ou< that he 'i,ht o$erthro2
!ou#
@# "eho&d< I the Lord< ha$e &oo0ed u*on !ou< and ha$e seen
ao'inations in the church that *rofess '! na'e#
G# "ut &essed are the! 2ho are faithfu& and endure< 2hether in &ife
or in death< for the! sha&& inherit eterna& &ife#
:# "ut 2o unto the' that are decei$ers and h!*ocrites< for< thus
saith the Lord< I 2i&& rin, the' to =ud,'ent#
M# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< there are h!*ocrites a'on, !ou< 2ho
ha$e decei$ed so'e< 2hich has ,i$en the ad$ersar! *o2er? ut eho&d such
sha&& e rec&ai'ed?
8# "ut the h!*ocrites sha&& e detected and sha&& e cut off< either
in &ife or in death< e$en as I 2i&&? and 2o unto the' 2ho are cut off fro'
'! Church< for the sa'e are o$erco'e of the 2or&d#
N# 3herefore< &et e$er! 'an e2are &est he do that 2hich is not in
truth and ri,hteousness efore 'e#
7D# And no2 co'e< saith the Lord< ! the S*irit< unto the e&ders of
his church< and &et us reason to,ether< that !e 'a! understand?
77# Let us reason e$en as a 'an reasoneth one 2ith another face to
face#
7H# No2< 2hen a 'an reasoneth he is understood of 'an< ecause he
reasoneth as a 'an? e$en so 2i&& I the Lord< reason 2ith !ou< that !ou 'a!
understand#
79# 3herefore< I the Lord as0 !ou this >uestion--Unto 2hat 2ere !e
ordainedB
7@# To *reach '! ,os*e& ! the S*irit< e$en the Co'forter 2hich 2as
sent forth to teach the truth#
7G# And then recei$ed !e s*irits 2hich !e cou&d not understand< and
recei$ed the' to e of 5od? and in this are !e =ustified(
7:# "eho&d !e sha&& ans2er this >uestion !ourse&$es? ne$erthe&ess< I
2i&& e 'ercifu& unto !ou? he that is 2ea0 a'on, !ou hereafter sha&& e
'ade stron,#
7M# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< he that is ordained of 'e and sent forth
to *reach the 2ord of truth ! the Co'forter< in the S*irit of truth< doth
he *reach it ! the S*irit of truth or so'e other 2a!B
78# And if it e ! so'e other 2a! it is not of 5od#
7N# And a,ain< he that recei$eth the 2ord of truth< doth he recei$e
it ! the S*irit of truth or so'e other 2a!B
HD# If it e so'e other 2a! it is not of 5od#
H7# Therefore< 2h! is it that !e cannot understand and 0no2 that he
that recei$eth the 2ord ! the S*irit of truth< recei$eth it as it is
*reached ! the S*irit of truthB
HH# 3herefore< he that *reacheth and he that recei$eth< understand
one another< and oth are edified and re=oice to,ether#
H9# And that 2hich doth not edif! is not of 5od< and is dar0ness#
H@# That 2hich is of 5od is &i,ht? and he that recei$eth &i,ht< and
continueth in 5od< recei$eth 'ore &i,ht? and that &i,ht ,ro2eth ri,hter
and ri,hter unti& the *erfect da!#
HG# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< and I sa! it that !ou 'a! 0no2
the truth< that !ou 'a! chase dar0ness fro' a'on, !ou?
H:# He that is ordained of 5od and sent forth< the sa'e is a**ointed
to e the ,reatest< not2ithstandin, he is the &east and the ser$ant of
a&&#
HM# 3herefore< he is *ossessor of a&& thin,s? for a&& thin,s are
su=ect unto hi'< oth in hea$en and on the earth< the &ife and the &i,ht<
the S*irit and the *o2er< sent forth ! the 2i&& of the Father< throu,h
Jesus Christ< his Son#
H8# "ut no 'an is *ossessor of a&& thin,s e/ce*t he e *urified and
c&eansed fro' a&& sin#
HN# And if !e are *urified and c&eansed fro' a&& sin< !e sha&& as0
2hatsoe$er !ou 2i&& in the na'e of Jesus and it sha&& e done#
9D# "ut 0no2 this< it sha&& e ,i$en !ou 2hat !ou sha&& as0? and as
!e are a**ointed to the head< the s*irits sha&& e su=ect unto !ou#
97# 3herefore< it sha&& co'e to *ass< that if !ou eho&d a s*irit
'anifested that !ou cannot understand< and !ou recei$e not that s*irit !e
sha&& as0 of the Father in the na'e of Jesus? and if he ,i$e not unto !ou
that s*irit< then !ou 'a! 0no2 that it is not of 5od#
9H# And it sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou *o2er o$er that s*irit? and !ou
sha&& *roc&ai' a,ainst that s*irit 2ith a &oud $oice that it is not of
5od--
99# Not 2ith rai&in, accusation< that !e e not o$erco'e< neither
2ith oastin, nor re=oicin,< &est !ou e sei4ed there2ith<
9@# He that recei$eth of 5od< &et hi' account it of 5od? and &et hi'
re=oice that he is accounted of 5od 2orth! to recei$e#
9G# And ! ,i$in, heed and doin, these thin,s 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed<
and 2hich !e sha&& hereafter recei$e--and the 0in,do' is ,i$en !ou of the
Father< and *o2er to o$erco'e a&& thin,s 2hich are not ordained of hi'--
9:# And eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &essed are !ou 2ho are no2
hearin, these 2ords of 'ine fro' the 'outh of '! ser$ant< for !our sins
are for,i$en !ou#
9M# Let '! ser$ant Jose*h 3a0efie&d< in 2ho' I a' 2e&& *&eased< and
'! ser$ant )ar&e! )# )ratt ,o forth a'on, the churches and stren,then the'
! the 2ord of e/hortation?
98# And a&so '! ser$ant John Corri&&< or as 'an! of '! ser$ants as
are ordained unto this office< and &et the' &aor in the $ine!ard? and &et
no 'an hinder the' doin, that 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto the'--
9N# 3herefore in this thin, '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e is not
=ustified? ne$erthe&ess &et hi' re*ent and he sha&& e for,i$en#
@D# "eho&d< !e are &itt&e chi&dren and !e cannot ear a&& thin,s no2?
2e 'ust ,ro2 in ,race and in the 0no2&ed,e of the truth#
@7# Fear not< &itt&e chi&dren< for !ou are 'ine< and I ha$e o$erco'e
the 2or&d< and !ou are of the' that '! Father hath ,i$en 'e?
@H# And none of the' that '! Father hath ,i$en 'e sha&& e &ost#
@9# And the Father and I are one# I a' in the Father and the Father
in 'e? and inas'uch as !e ha$e recei$ed 'e< !e are in 'e and I in !ou#
@@# 3herefore< I a' in !our 'idst< and I a' the ,ood she*herd< and
the stone of Israe&# He that ui&deth u*on this roc0 sha&& ne$er fa&&#
@G# And the da! co'eth that !ou sha&& hear '! $oice and see 'e< and
0no2 that I a'#
@:# 3atch< therefore< that !e 'a! e read!# E$en so# A'en#
Not &on, after the fore,oin, 2as recei$ed< the Saints fro' the State
of Ne2 Yor0 e,an to co'e on< and it see'ed necessar! to sett&e the'?
therefore at the so&icitation of "isho* )artrid,e< I in>uired< and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .a! 7897#
7# Hear0en unto 'e< saith the Lord !our 5od< and I 2i&& s*ea0 unto '!
ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< and ,i$e unto hi' directions? for it 'ust needs
e that he recei$e directions ho2 to or,ani4e this *eo*&e#
H# For it 'ust needs e that the! e or,ani4ed accordin, to '! &a2s?
other2ise< the! 2i&& e cut off#
9# 3herefore< &et '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< and those 2ho' he has
chosen< in 2ho' I a' 2e&& *&eased< a**oint unto this *eo*&e their
*ortions< e$er! 'an e>ua& accordin, to his fa'i&!< accordin, to his
circu'stances and his 2ants and needs#
@# And &et '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< 2hen he sha&& a**oint a 'an
his *ortion< ,i$e unto hi' a 2ritin, that sha&& secure unto hi' his
*ortion< that he sha&& ho&d it< e$en this ri,ht and this inheritance in
the church< unti& he trans,resses and is not accounted 2orth! ! the $oice
of the church accordin, to the &a2s and co$enants of the church< to e&on,
to the church#
G# And if he sha&& trans,ress and is not accounted 2orth! to e&on,
to the church< he sha&& not ha$e *o2er to c&ai' that *ortion 2hich he has
consecrated unto the isho* for the *oor and need! of '! church?
therefore< he sha&& not retain the ,ift< ut sha&& on&! ha$e c&ai' on that
*ortion that is deeded unto hi'#
:# And thus a&& thin,s sha&& e 'ade sure< accordin, to the &a2s of
the &and#
M# And &et that 2hich e&on,s to this *eo*&e e a**ointed unto this
*eo*&e#
8# And the 'one! 2hich is &eft unto this *eo*&e--&et there e an
a,ent a**ointed unto this *eo*&e< to ta0e the 'one! to *ro$ide food and
rai'ent< accordin, to the 2ants of this *eo*&e#
N# And &et e$er! 'an dea& honest&!< and e a&i0e a'on, this *eo*&e<
and recei$e a&i0e< that !e 'a! e one< e$en as I ha$e co''anded !ou#
7D# And &et that 2hich e&on,eth to this *eo*&e not e ta0en and
,i$en unto that of another church#
77# 3herefore< if another church 2ou&d recei$e 'one! of this church<
&et the' *a! unto this church a,ain accordin, as the! sha&& a,ree?
7H# And this sha&& e done throu,h the isho* or the a,ent< 2hich
sha&& e a**ointed ! the $oice of the church#
79# And a,ain< &et the isho* a**oint a storehouse unto this church?
and &et a&& thin,s oth in 'one! and in 'eat< 2hich are 'ore than is
needfu& for the 2ants of this *eo*&e< e 0e*t in the hands of the isho*#
7@# And &et hi' a&so reser$e unto hi'se&f for his o2n 2ants< and for
the 2ants of his fa'i&!< as he sha&& e e'*&o!ed in doin, this usiness#
7G# And thus ,rant unto this *eo*&e a *ri$i&e,e of or,ani4in,
the'se&$es accordin, to '! &a2s#
7:# And I consecrate unto the' this &and for a &itt&e season< unti&
I< the Lord< sha&& *ro$ide for the' other2ise< and co''and the' to ,o
hence?
7M# And the hour and the da! is not ,i$en unto the'< 2herefore &et
the' act u*on this &and as for !ears< and this sha&& turn unto the' for
their ,ood#
78# "eho&d< this sha&& e an e/a'*&e unto '! ser$ant Ed2ard
)artrid,e< in other *&aces< in a&& churches#
7N# And 2hoso is found a faithfu&< a =ust< and a 2ise ste2ard sha&&
enter into the =o! of his Lord< and sha&& inherit eterna& &ife#
HD# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< I a' Jesus Christ< 2ho co'eth >uic0&!< in
an hour !ou thin0 not# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER 6%#
THE I.)ORTANT CONFERENCE OF JUNE 9RD-:TH--ARRI%AL OF THE ELDERS IN
3ESTERN .ISSOURI#
ON the 9rd of June< the E&ders fro' the $arious *arts of the countr!
2here the! 2ere &aorin,? I'*ortant ca'e in? and the conference efore
a**ointed< con$ened in 1irt&and? and the Lord dis*&a!ed His *o2er to the
'ost *erfect satisfaction of the Saints# The 'an of sin 2as re$ea&ed< and
the authorit! of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as 'anifested and conferred
for the first ti'e u*on se$era& of the E&ders# It 2as c&ear&! e$ident
that the Lord ,a$e us *o2er in *ro*ortion to the 2or0 to e done< and
stren,th accordin, to the race set efore us< and ,race and he&* as our
needs re>uired# 5reat har'on! *re$ai&ed? se$era& 2ere ordained? faith 2as
stren,thened?
and hu'i&it!< so necessar! for the &essin, of 5od to fo&&o2 *ra!er<
characteri4ed the Saints#
The ne/t da!< as a 0ind continuation of this ,reat 2or0 of the &ast
da!s< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en June< 7897#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord unto the e&ders 2ho' he hath ca&&ed
and chosen in these &ast da!s< ! the $oice of his S*irit--
H# Sa!in,( I< the Lord< 2i&& 'a0e 0no2n unto !ou 2hat I 2i&& that !e
sha&& do fro' this ti'e unti& the ne/t conference< 2hich sha&& e he&d in
.issouri< u*on the &and 2hich I 2i&& consecrate unto '! *eo*&e< 2hich are
a re'nant of Jaco< and those 2ho are heirs accordin, to the co$enant#
9# 3herefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don ta0e their =ourne! as soon as *re*arations can e
'ade to &ea$e their ho'es< and =ourne! to the &and of .issouri#
@# And inas'uch as the! are faithfu& unto 'e< it sha&& e 'ade 0no2n
unto the' 2hat the! sha&& do?
G# And it sha&& a&so< inas'uch as the! are faithfu&< e 'ade 0no2n
unto the' the &and of !our inheritance#
:# And inas'uch as the! are not faithfu&< the! sha&& e cut off< e$en
as I 2i&&< as see'eth 'e ,ood#
M# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant L!'an 3i,ht and
'! ser$ant John Corri&& ta0e their =ourne! s*eedi&!?
8# And a&so '! ser$ant John .urdoc0< and '! ser$ant H!ru' S'ith< ta0e
their =ourne! unto the sa'e *&ace ! the 2a! of Detroit#
N# And &et the' =ourne! fro' thence *reachin, the 2ord ! the 2a!<
sa!in, none other thin,s than that 2hich the *ro*hets and a*ost&es ha$e
2ritten< and that 2hich is tau,ht the' ! the Co'forter throu,h the *ra!er
of faith#
7D# Let the' ,o t2o ! t2o and thus &et the' *reach ! the 2a! in
e$er! con,re,ation< a*ti4in, ! 2ater< and the &a!in, on of the hands !
the 2ater+s side#
77# For thus saith the Lord< I 2i&& cut '! 2or0 short in
ri,hteousness< for the da!s co'e that I 2i&& send forth =ud,'ent unto
$ictor!#
7H# And &et '! ser$ant L!'an 3i,ht e2are< for Satan desireth to sift
hi' as chaff#
79# And eho&d< he that is faithfu& sha&& e 'ade ru&er o$er 'an!
thin,s#
7@# And a,ain< I 2i&& ,i$e unto !ou a *attern in a&& thin,s< that !e
'a! not e decei$ed? for Satan is aroad in the &and< and he ,oeth forth
decei$in, the nations--
7G# 3herefore he that *ra!eth< 2hose s*irit is contrite< the sa'e is
acce*ted of 'e if he oe! 'ine ordinances#
7:# He that s*ea0eth< 2hose s*irit is contrite< 2hose &an,ua,e is
'ee0 and edifieth< the sa'e is of 5od if he oe! 'ine ordinances#
7M# And a,ain< he that tre'&eth under '! *o2er sha&& e 'ade stron,<
and sha&& rin, forth fruits of *raise and 2isdo'< accordin, to the
re$e&ations and truths 2hich I ha$e ,i$en !ou#
78# And a,ain< he that is o$erco'e and rin,eth not forth fruits<
e$en accordin, to this *attern< is not of 'e#
7N# 3herefore< ! this *attern !e sha&& 0no2 the s*irits in a&& cases
under the 2ho&e hea$ens#
HD# And the da!s ha$e co'e? accordin, to 'en+s faith it sha&& e done
unto the'#
H7# "eho&d< this co''and'ent is ,i$en unto a&& the e&ders 2ho' I ha$e
chosen#
HH# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant Tho'as "# .arsh
and '! ser$ant E4ra Tha!re< ta0e their =ourne! a&so< *reachin, the 2ord !
the 2a! unto this sa'e &and#
H9# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant Isaac .or&e!< and '! ser$ant E4ra "ooth
ta0e their =ourne!< a&so *reachin, the 2ord ! the 2a! unto this sa'e
&and#
H@# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ants Ed2ard )artrid,e and .artin Harris
ta0e their =ourne! 2ith '! ser$ants Sidne! Ri,don and Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
HG# Let '! ser$ants Da$id 3hit'er and Har$e! 3hit&oc0 a&so ta0e their
=ourne!< and *reach ! the 2a! unto this sa'e &and#
H:# And &et '! ser$ants )ar&e! )# )ratt and Orson )ratt ta0e their
=ourne!< and *reach ! the 2a!< e$en unto this sa'e &and#
HM# And &et '! ser$ants So&o'on Hancoc0 and Si'eon Carter a&so ta0e
their =ourne! unto this sa'e &and< and *reach ! the 2a!#
H8# Let '! ser$ants Edson Fu&&er and Jaco Scott a&so ta0e their
=ourne!#
HN# Let '! ser$ants Le$i 3# Hancoc0 and ;eedee Co&trin a&so ta0e
their =ourne!#
9D# Let '! ser$ants Re!no&ds Cahoon and Sa'ue& H# S'ith a&so ta0e
their =ourne!#
97# Let '! ser$ants 3hee&er "a&d2in and 3i&&ia' Carter a&so ta0e
their =ourne!#
9H# And &et '! ser$ants Ne2e& 1ni,ht and Se&ah J# 5riffin< oth e
ordained< and a&so ta0e their =ourne!#
99# Yea< $eri&! I sa!< &et a&& these ta0e their =ourne! unto one
*&ace< in their se$era& courses< and one 'an sha&& not ui&d u*on
another+s foundation< neither =ourne! in another+s trac0#
9@# He that is faithfu&< the sa'e sha&& e 0e*t and &essed 2ith 'uch
fruit#
9G# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ants Jose*h 3a0efie&d and
So&o'on Hu'*hre! ta0e their =ourne! into the eastern &ands?
9:# Let the' &aor 2ith their fa'i&ies< dec&arin, none other thin,s
than the *ro*hets and a*ost&es< that 2hich the! ha$e seen and heard and
'ost assured&! e&ie$e< that the *ro*hecies 'a! e fu&fi&&ed#
9M# In conse>uence of trans,ression< &et that 2hich 2as esto2ed u*on
He'an "assett e ta0en fro' hi'< and *&aced u*on the head of Si'onds
R!der#
98# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et Jared Carter e ordained a
*riest< and a&so 5eor,e Ja'es e ordained a *riest#
9N# Let the residue of the e&ders 2atch o$er the churches< and
dec&are the 2ord in the re,ions round aout the'? and &et the' &aor 2ith
their o2n hands that there e no ido&atr! nor 2ic0edness *racticed#
@D# And re'e'er in a&& thin,s the *oor and the need!< the sic0 and
the aff&icted< for he that doeth not these thin,s< the sa'e is not '!
disci*&e#
@7# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don<
and Ed2ard )artrid,e ta0e 2ith the' a reco''end fro' the church# And &et
there e one otained for '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der! a&so#
@H# And thus< e$en as I ha$e said< if !e are faithfu& !e sha&&
asse'&e !ourse&$es to,ether to re=oice u*on the &and of .issouri< 2hich
is the &and of !our inheritance< 2hich is no2 the &and of !our ene'ies#
@9# "ut< eho&d< I< the Lord< 2i&& hasten the cit! in its ti'e< and
2i&& cro2n the faithfu& 2ith =o! and 2ith re=oicin,#
@@# "eho&d< I a' Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od< and I 2i&& &ift the'
u* at the &ast da!# E$en so# A'en#
Short&! after the fore,oin, 2as recei$ed< at the re>uest of A&,ernon
Sidne! 5i&ert I in>uired< and otained the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en June< 7897#
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert< that I ha$e
heard !our *ra!ers< and !ou ha$e ca&&ed u*on 'e that it shou&d e 'ade
0no2n unto !ou< of the Lord !our 5od< concernin, !our ca&&in, and e&ection
in the church< 2hich I< the Lord< ha$e raised u* in these &ast da!s#
H# "eho&d< I< the Lord< 2ho 2as crucified for the sins of the 2or&d<
,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that !ou sha&& forsa0e the 2or&d#
9# Ta0e u*on !ou 'ine ordination< e$en that of an e&der< to *reach
faith and re*entance and re'ission of sins< accordin, to '! 2ord< and the
rece*tion of the Ho&! S*irit ! the &a!in, on of hands?
@# And a&so to e an a,ent unto this church in the *&ace 2hich sha&&
e a**ointed ! the isho*< accordin, to co''and'ents 2hich sha&& e ,i$en
hereafter#
G# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< !ou sha&& ta0e !our =ourne! 2ith
'! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don#
:# "eho&d these are the first ordinances 2hich !ou sha&& recei$e? and
the residue sha&& e 'ade 0no2n in a ti'e to co'e< accordin, to !our &aor
in '! $ine!ard#
M# And a,ain< I 2ou&d that !e shou&d &earn that he on&! is sa$ed 2ho
endureth unto the end# E$en so# A'en#
The ranch of the Church in Tho'*son< on account of rea0in, the
co$enant< and not 0no2in, 2hat to do< the! sent in Ne2e& 1ni,ht and other
E&ders< to as0 'e to in>uire of the Lord for the'? 2hich I did< and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Ne2e& 1ni,ht< ,i$en at 1irt&and June< 7897#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord< e$en A&*ha and O'e,a< the e,innin,
and the end< e$en he 2ho 2as crucified for the sins of the 2or&d--
H# "eho&d< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant Ne2e& 1ni,ht<
!ou sha&& stand fast in the office 2here2ith I ha$e a**ointed !ou#
9# And if !our rethren desire to esca*e their ene'ies< &et the'
re*ent of a&& their sins< and eco'e tru&! hu'&e efore 'e and contrite#
@# And as the co$enant 2hich the! 'ade unto 'e has een ro0en< e$en
so it has eco'e $oid and of none effect#
G# And 2o to hi' ! 2ho' this offense co'eth< for it had een etter
for hi' that he had een dro2ned in the de*th of the sea#
:# "ut &essed are the! 2ho ha$e 0e*t the co$enant and oser$ed the
co''and'ent< for the! sha&& otain 'erc!#
M# 3herefore< ,o to no2 and f&ee the &and< &est !our ene'ies co'e
u*on !ou? and ta0e !our =ourne!< and a**oint 2ho' !ou 2i&& to e !our
&eader< and to *a! 'onies for !ou#
8# And thus !ou sha&& ta0e !our =ourne! into the re,ions 2est2ard<
unto the &and of .issouri< unto the orders of the La'anites#
N# And after !ou ha$e done =ourne!in,< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< see0
!e a &i$in, &i0e unto 'en< unti& I *re*are a *&ace for !ou#
7D# And a,ain e *atient in triu&ation unti& I co'e? and< eho&d< I
ca'e >uic0&!< and '! re2ard is 2ith 'e< and the! 2ho ha$e sou,ht 'e ear&!
sha&& find rest to their sou&s# E$en so# A'en#
The E&ders no2 e,an to ,o to the 2estern countr!< t2o and t2o<
accordin, to the 2ord of the Lord#
Fro' )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2ho durin, the s*rin, had returned fro' his
'ission of &ast fa&&< 2e had $era& infor'ation? and fro' &etters fro' the
sti&& re'ainin, E&ders 2e had 2ritten inte&&i,ence? and as the 'ission to
3estern .issouri and the ,atherin, of the Saints to that *&ace 2as the
'ost i'*ortant su=ect 2hich then en,rossed the attention of the Church< I
2i&& here insert the co*! of a &etter< recei$ed aout this ti'e fro' that
section< dated at 1a2 To2nshi*< .issouri< .a! M< 7897 (
Our Dear&! "e&o$ed "rethren?--I ha$e nothin, *articu&ar to 2rite as
concernin, the La'anites? ecause of a short =ourne! 2hich I ha$e =ust
returned fro'< and in conse>uence of 2hich I ha$e not 2ritten to !ou since
the 7:th of &ast 'onth# "rother ;ia )eterson and '!se&f 2ent into the
count! east< 2hich is Lafa!ette< aout fort! 'i&es? and< in the na'e of
Jesus< 2e ca&&ed on the *eo*&e to re*ent< 'an! of 2ho' are< I e&ie$e<
earnest&! searchin, for truth< and if sincere&!< I *ra! the! 'a! find that
*recious treasure< for it see's to e 2ho&&! fa&&en in the streets< and
e>uit! cannot enter#
The &etter 2e recei$ed fro' !ou infor'ed us that the o**osition 2as
,reat a,ainst !ou# No2< our e&o$ed rethren< 2e $eri&! e&ie$e that 2e
a&so can re=oice that 2e are counted 2orth! to suffer sha'e for His na'e?
for a&'ost the 2ho&e countr!< consistin, of Uni$ersa&ists< Atheists<
Deists< )res!terians< .ethodists< "a*tists< and other *rofessed
Christians< *riests and *eo*&e? 2ith a&& the de$i&s fro' the inferna& *it
are united< and foa'in, out their o2n sha'e Ia,ainst usJ# 5od forid that
I shou&d rin, a rai&in, accusation a,ainst the'< for $en,eance e&on,eth
to Hi' 2ho is a&e to re*a!? and herein< rethren< 2e confide#
I a' &ate&! infor'ed of another trie of La'anites< 2ho ha$e
aundance of f&oc0s of the est 0inds of shee* and catt&e? and the!
'anufacture &an0ets of a su*erior >ua&it!# The trie is $er! nu'erous?
the! &i$e three hundred 'i&es 2est of Santa Fe< and are ca&&ed Na$ahoes#
3h! I 'ention this trie is ecause I fee& under o&i,ations to
co''unicate to '! rethren an! infor'ation concernin, the La'anites that I
'eet 2ith in '! &aors and tra$e&? e&ie$in,< as I do< that 'uch is
e/*ected fro' 'e in the cause of our Lord? and doutin, not that I a'
dai&! re'e'ered efore the throne of the .ost Hi,h ! a&& '! rethren< as
2e&& ! those 2ho ha$e not seen '! face in the f&esh as ! those 2ho ha$e#
3e e,in to e/*ect our rother )ar&e! )# )ratt soon? 2e ha$e heard
fro' hi' on&! 2hen he 2as at St# Louis# 3e are a&& 2e&&< &ess the Lord?
and *reach the 5os*e& 2e 2i&&< if earth and he&& o**ose our 2a!--for 2e
d2e&& in the 'idst of scor*ions--and in Jesus 2e trust# 5race e 2ith !ou
a&&# A'en# OLI%ER CO3DERY#
)# S#--I eseech "rother 3hitne! to re'e'er and 2rite< and direct to
'e< Inde*endence< Jac0son Count!< .issouri#
Aout the 'idd&e of June< 2hi&e 2e 2ere *re*arin, for our =ourne! to
.issouri< 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and his fa'i&! arri$ed a'on, us---to do the
2i&& of the Lord<- he said( so I in>uired of the Lord concernin, hi' and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en June< 7897#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant 3i&&ia'< !ea<
e$en the Lord of the 2ho&e earth< thou art ca&&ed and chosen? and after
thou hast een a*ti4ed ! 2ater< 2hich if !ou do 2ith an e!e sin,&e to '!
,&or!< !ou sha&& ha$e a re'ission of !our sins and a rece*tion of the Ho&!
S*irit ! the &a!in, on of hands?
H# And then thou sha&t e ordained ! the hand of '! ser$ant Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< to e an e&der unto this church< to *reach re*entance and
re'ission of sins ! 2a! of a*tis' in the na'e of Jesus Christ the Son of
the &i$in, 5od#
9# And on 2ho'soe$er !ou sha&& &a! !our hands< if the! are contrite
efore 'e< !ou sha&& ha$e *o2er to ,i$e the Ho&! S*irit#
@# And a,ain< !ou sha&& e ordained to assist '! ser$ant O&i$er
Co2der! to do the 2or0 of *rintin,< and of se&ectin, and 2ritin, oo0s for
schoo&s in this Church< that &itt&e chi&dren a&so 'a! recei$e instruction
efore 'e as is *&easin, unto 'e#
G# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< for this cause !e sha&& ta0e
!our =ourne! 2ith '! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< that
!ou 'a! e *&anted in the &and of !our inheritance to do this 2or0#
:# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant Jose*h Coe a&so ta0e his =ourne! 2ith
the'# The residue sha&& e 'ade 0no2n hereafter< e$en as I 2i&&# A'en#
Soon after I recei$ed the fore,oin,< E&der Tho'as "# .arsh ca'e to
in>uire 2hat he shou&d do? as E&der E4ra Tha!re< his !o0e-fe&&o2 in the
'inistr!< cou&d not ,et read! to start on his 'ission as soon as he
E.arshF 2ou&d? and I in>uired of the Lord< and recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en at 1irt&and< June< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e 2ho *rofess '! na'e< saith the Lord !our 5od?
for eho&d< 'ine an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst the ree&&ious< and the! sha&&
0no2 'ine ar' and 'ine indi,nation< in the da! of $isitation and of 2rath
u*on the nations#
H# And he that 2i&& not ta0e u* his cross and fo&&o2 'e< and 0ee* '!
co''and'ents< the sa'e sha&& not e sa$ed#
9# "eho&d< I< the Lord< co''and? and he that 2i&& not oe! sha&& e
cut off in 'ine o2n due ti'e< after I ha$e co''anded and the co''and'ent
is ro0en#
@# 3herefore I< the Lord< co''and and re$o0e< as it see'eth 'e ,ood?
and a&& this to e ans2ered u*on the heads of the ree&&ious< saith the
Lord#
G# 3herefore< I re$o0e the co''and'ent 2hich 2as ,i$en unto '!
ser$ants Tho'as "# .arsh and E4ra Tha!re< and ,i$e a ne2 co''and'ent unto
'! ser$ant Tho'as< that he sha&& ta0e u* his =ourne! s*eedi&! to the &and
of .issouri< and '! ser$ant Se&ah J# 5riffin sha&& a&so ,o 2ith hi'#
:# For eho&d< I re$o0e the co''and'ent 2hich 2as ,i$en unto '!
ser$ants Se&ah J# 5riffin and Ne2e& 1ni,ht< in conse>uence of the
stiffnec0edness of '! *eo*&e 2hich are in Tho'*son and their ree&&ions#
M# 3herefore< &et '! ser$ant Ne2e& 1ni,ht re'ain 2ith the'< and as
'an! as 2i&& ,o 'a! ,o< that are contrite efore 'e< and e &ed ! hi' to
the &and 2hich I ha$e a**ointed#
8# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that '! ser$ant E4ra Tha!re 'ust
re*ent of his *ride< and of his se&fishness< and oe! the for'er
co''and'ent 2hich I ha$e ,i$en hi' concernin, the *&ace u*on 2hich he
&i$es#
N# And if he 2i&& do this< as there sha&& e no di$isions 'ade u*on
the &and< he sha&& e a**ointed sti&& to ,o to the &and of .issouri#
7D# Other2ise he sha&& recei$e the 'one! 2hich he has *aid< and sha&&
&ea$e the *&ace< and sha&& e cut off out of '! church< saith the Lord 5od
of hosts?
77# And thou,h the hea$en and the earth *ass a2a!< these 2ords sha&&
not *ass a2a!< ut sha&& e fu&fi&&ed#
7H# And if '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'ust needs *a! the 'one!<
eho&d< I< the Lord< 2i&& *a! it unto hi' a,ain in the &and of .issouri<
that those of 2ho' he sha&& recei$e 'a! e re2arded a,ain accordin, to
that 2hich the! do?
79# For accordin, to that 2hich the! do the! sha&& recei$e< e$en in
&ands for their inheritance#
7@# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord unto '! *eo*&e--!ou ha$e 'an! thin,s
to do and to re*ent of? for eho&d< !our sins ha$e co'e u* unto 'e< and
are not *ardoned< ecause !ou see0 to counse& in !our o2n 2a!s#
7G# And !our hearts are not satisfied# And !e oe! not the truth< ut
ha$e *&easure in unri,hteousness#
7:# 3o unto !ou rich 'en< that 2i&& not ,i$e !our sustance to the
*oor< for !our riches 2i&& can0er !our sou&s? and this sha&& e !our
&a'entation in the da! of $isitation and of =ud,'ent< and of indi,nation(
The har$est is *ast< the su''er is ended< and '! sou& is not sa$edK
7M# 3o unto !ou *oor 'en< 2hose hearts are not ro0en< 2hose s*irits
are not contrite< and 2hose e&&ies are not satisfied< and 2hose hands are
not sta!ed fro' &a!in, ho&d u*on other 'en+s ,oods< 2hose e!es are fu&& of
,reediness< and 2ho 2i&& not &aor 2ith !our o2n handsK
78# "ut &essed are the *oor 2ho are *ure in heart< 2hose hearts are
ro0en< and 2hose s*irits are contrite for the! sha&& see the 0in,do' of
5od co'in, in *o2er and ,reat ,&or! unto their de&i$erance? for the
fatness of the earth sha&& e theirs#
7N# For eho&d< the Lord sha&& co'e< and his reco'*ense sha&& e 2ith
hi'< and he sha&& re2ard e$er! 'an< and the *oor sha&& re=oice?
HD# And their ,enerations sha&& inherit the earth fro' ,eneration to
,eneration< for e$er and e$er# And no2 I 'a0e an end of s*ea0in, unto !ou#
E$en so# A'en#
On the 7Nth of June< in co'*an! 2ith Sidne! Ri,don< .artin Harris
Ed2ard )artrid,e< 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< Jose*h Coe< A&,ernon S# 5i&ert and
his 2ife< I started fro' 1irt&and< Ohio< for the &and of .issouri<
a,reea&e to the co''and'ent efore recei$ed< 2herein it 2as *ro'ised that
if 2e 2ere faithfu&< the &and of our inheritance< e$en the *&ace for the
cit! of the Ne2 Jerusa&e'< shou&d e re$ea&ed# 3e 2ent ! 2a,on< cana&
oats< and sta,es to Cincinnati< 2here I had an inter$ie2 2ith the Re$#
3a&ter Scott< one of the founders of the Ca'*e&&ites< or Ne2&i,ht
church# "efore the c&ose of our inter$ie2< he 'anifested one of the
itterest s*irits a,ainst the doctrine of the Ne2 Testa'ent Ethat -these
si,ns sha&& fo&&o2 the' that e&ie$e<- as recorded in .ar0 the 7:th
cha*ter<F that I e$er 2itnessed a'on, 'en# 3e &eft Cincinnati in a
stea'er< and &anded at Louis$i&&e< 1entuc0!< 2here 2e 2ere detained three
da!s in 2aitin, for a stea'er to con$e! us to St# Louis# At St# Louis<
'!se&f< "rothers Harris< )he&*s< )artrid,e and Coe< 2ent ! &and on foot
to Inde*endence< Jac0son count!< .issouri< 2here 2e arri$ed aout the
'idd&e of Ju&!< and the rest of the co'*an! ca'e ! 2ater a fe2 da!s
&ater#
Not2ithstandin, the corru*tions and ao'inations of the ti'es< and
the e$i& s*irit 'anifested to2ards us on account of our e&ief in the "oo0
of .or'on< at 'an! *&aces and a'on, $arious *ersons< !et the Lord
continued His 2atchfu& care and &o$in, 0indness to us da! ! da!? and 2e
'ade it a ru&e 2here$er there 2as an o**ortunit!< to read a cha*ter in the
"i&e< and *ra!? and these seasons of 2orshi* ,a$e us ,reat conso&ation#
The 'eetin, of our rethren< 2ho had &on, a2aited our arri$a&< 2as a
,&orious one< and 'oistened 2ith 'an! tears# It see'ed ,ood and *&easant
for rethren to 'eet to,ether in unit!# "ut our ref&ections 2ere 'an!<
co'in, as 2e had fro' a hi,h&! cu&ti$ated state of societ! in the east<
and standin, no2 u*on the confines or 2estern &i'its of the United States<
and &oo0in, into the $ast 2i&derness of those that sat in dar0ness? ho2
natura& it 2as to oser$e the de,radation< &eanness of inte&&ect<
ferocit!< and =ea&ous! of a *eo*&e that 2ere near&! a centur! ehind the
ti'es< and to fee& for those 2ho roa'ed aout 2ithout the enefit of
ci$i&i4ation< refine'ent< or re&i,ion? !ea< and e/c&ai' in the &an,ua,e of
the )ro*hets( -3hen 2i&& the 2i&derness &osso' as the roseB 3hen 2i&&
;ion e ui&t u* in her ,&or!< and 2here 2i&& Th! te'*&e stand< unto 2hich
a&& nations sha&& co'e in the &ast da!sB- Our an/iet! 2as soon re&ie$ed !
recei$in, the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en in ;ion< Ju&!< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church< saith the Lord !our 5od< 2ho
ha$e asse'&ed !ourse&$es to,ether< accordin, to '! co''and'ents< in this
&and< 2hich is the &and of .issouri< 2hich is the &and 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed and consecrated for the ,atherin, of the Saints#
H# 3herefore< this is the &and of *ro'ise< and the *&ace for the cit!
of ;ion#
9# And thus saith the Lord !our 5od< if !ou 2i&& recei$e 2isdo' here
is 2isdo'# "eho&d the *&ace 2hich is no2 ca&&ed Inde*endence is the center
*&ace? and the s*ot for the te'*&e is &!in, 2est2ard< u*on a &ot 2hich is
not far fro' the court-house#
@# 3herefore< it is 2isdo' that the &and shou&d e *urchased ! the
Saints< and a&so e$er! tract &!in, 2est2ard< e$en unto the &ine runnin,
direct&! et2een Je2 and 5enti&e#
G# And a&so e$er! tract orderin, ! the *rairies< inas'uch as '!
disci*&es are ena&ed to u! &ands# "eho&d< this is 2isdo'< that the! 'a!
otain it for an e$er&astin, inheritance#
:# And &et '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert stand in the office to 2hich I
ha$e a**ointed hi'< to recei$e 'onies< to e an a,ent unto the church< to
u! &and in a&& the re,ions round aout< inas'uch as can e done in
ri,hteousness< and as 2isdo' sha&& direct#
M# And &et '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e stand in the office to 2hich I
ha$e a**ointed hi'< and di$ide unto the Saints their inheritance< e$en as
I ha$e co''anded? and a&so those 2ho' he has a**ointed to assist hi'#
8# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou &et '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert
*&ant hi'se&f in this *&ace< and esta&ish a store< that he 'a! se&& ,oods
2ithout fraud< that he 'a! otain 'one! to u! &ands for the ,ood of the
Saints< and that he 'a! otain 2hatsoe$er thin,s the disci*&es 'a! need to
*&ant the' in their inheritance#
N# And a&so &et '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert otain a &icense--eho&d
here is 2isdo'< and 2hoso readeth &et hi' understand--that he 'a! send
,oods a&so unto the *eo*&e< e$en ! 2ho' he 2i&& as c&er0s e'*&o!ed in his
ser$ice#
7D# And thus *ro$ide for '! saints< that '! ,os*e& 'a! e *reached
unto those 2ho sit in dar0ness< and in the re,ion and shado2 of death#
77# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' 3#
)he&*s e *&anted in this *&ace< and e esta&ished as a *rinter unto the
church#
7H# And &o< if the 2or&d recei$e his 2ritin,s--eho&d here is
2isdo'--&et hi' otain 2hatsoe$er he can otain in ri,hteousness< for the
,ood of the Saints#
79# And &et '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der! assist hi'< e$en as I ha$e
co''anded< in 2hatsoe$er *&ace I sha&& a**oint unto hi'< to co*!< and to
correct< and se&ect< that a&& thin,s 'a! e ri,ht efore 'e< as it sha&&
e *ro$ed ! the S*irit throu,h hi'#
7@# And thus &et those of 2ho' I ha$e s*o0en e *&anted in the &and
of ;ion< as s*eedi&! as can e< 2ith their fa'i&ies< to do those thin,s
e$en as I ha$e s*o0en#
7G# And no2 concernin, the ,atherin,--Let the isho* and the a,ent
'a0e *re*arations for those fa'i&ies 2hich ha$e een co''anded to co'e to
this &and< as soon as *ossi&e< and *&ant the' in their inheritance#
And unto the residue of oth e&ders and 'e'ers further directions
sha&& e ,i$en hereafter# E$en so# A'en#
The first Saath after our arri$a& in Jac0son count!< "rother 3# 3#
)he&*s *reached to a 2estern audience o$er the oundar! of the United
States< 2herein 2ere *resent s*eci'ens of a&& the fa'i&ies of the earth?
She'< Ha' and Ja*heth? se$era& of the La'anites or Indians--re*resentati$e
of She'? >uite a res*ecta&e nu'er of ne,roes--descendants of Ha'? and
the a&ance 2as 'ade u* of citi4ens of the surroundin, countr!< and fu&&!
re*resented the'se&$es as *ioneers of the 3est# At this 'eetin, t2o 2ere
a*ti4ed< 2ho had *re$ious&! e&ie$ed in the fu&ness of the 5os*e&#
Durin, this 2ee0 the Co&es$i&&e ranch< referred to in the &atter
*art of the &ast re$e&ation< and Sidne! Ri,don< Sidne! 5i&ert and 2ife
and E&ders .or&e! and "ooth< arri$ed# I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en in ;ion< Au,ust< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church< and ,i$e ear to '! 2ord< and
&earn of 'e 2hat I 2i&& concernin, !ou< and a&so concernin, this &and unto
2hich I ha$e sent !ou#
H# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &essed is he that 0ee*eth '!
co''and'ents< 2hether in &ife or in death? and he that is faithfu& in
triu&ation< the re2ard of the sa'e is ,reater in the 0in,do' of hea$en#
9# Ye cannot eho&d 2ith !our natura& e!es< for the *resent ti'e< the
desi,n of !our 5od concernin, those thin,s 2hich sha&& co'e hereafter< and
the ,&or! 2hich sha&& fo&&o2 after 'uch triu&ation#
@# For after 'uch triu&ation co'e the &essin,s# 3herefore the da!
co'eth that !e sha&& e cro2ned 2ith 'uch ,&or!? the hour is not !et< ut
is ni,h at hand#
G# Re'e'er this< 2hich I te&& !ou efore< that !ou 'a! &a! it to
heart< and recei$e that 2hich is to fo&&o2#
:# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< for this cause I ha$e sent
!ou--that !ou 'i,ht e oedient< and that !our hearts 'i,ht e *re*ared to
ear testi'on! of the thin,s 2hich are to co'e?
M# And a&so that !ou 'i,ht e honored in &a!in, the foundation< and
in earin, record of the &and u*on 2hich the ;ion of 5od sha&& stand?
8# And a&so that a feast of fat thin,s 'i,ht e *re*ared for the
*oor? !ea< a feast of fat thin,s< of 2ine on the &ees 2e&& refined< that
the earth 'a! 0no2 that the 'ouths of the *ro*hets sha&& not fai&?
N# Yea< a su**er of the house of the Lord< 2e&& *re*ared< unto 2hich
a&& nations sha&& e in$ited#
7D# First< the rich and the &earned< the 2ise and the no&e?
77# And after that co'eth the da! of '! *o2er? then sha&& the *oor<
the &a'e< and the &ind< and the deaf< co'e in unto the 'arria,e of the
La'< and *arta0e of the su**er of the Lord< *re*ared for the ,reat da! to
co'e#
7H# "eho&d< I< the Lord< ha$e s*o0en it#
79# And that the testi'on! 'i,ht ,o forth fro' ;ion< !ea< fro' the
'outh of the cit! of the herita,e of 5od--
7@# Yea< for this cause I ha$e sent !ou hither< and ha$e se&ected '!
ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< and ha$e a**ointed unto hi' his 'ission in this
&and#
7G# "ut if he re*ent not of his sins< 2hich are une&ief and
&indness of heart< &et hi' ta0e heed &est he fa&&#
7:# "eho&d his 'ission is ,i$en unto hi'< and it sha&& not e ,i$en
a,ain#
7M# And 2hoso standeth in this 'ission is a**ointed to e a =ud,e in
Israe&< &i0e as it 2as in ancient da!s< to di$ide the &ands of the
herita,e of 5od unto his chi&dren?
78# And to =ud,e his *eo*&e ! the testi'on! of the =ust< and ! the
assistance of his counse&ors< accordin, to the &a2s of the 0in,do' 2hich
are ,i$en ! the *ro*hets of 5od#
7N# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! &a2 sha&& e 0e*t on this &and#
HD# Let no 'an thin0 he is ru&er< ut &et 5od ru&e hi' that =ud,eth
accordin, to the counse& of his o2n 2i&&< or< in other 2ords< hi' that
counse&eth or sitteth u*on the =ud,'ent seat#
H7# Let no 'an rea0 the &a2s of the &and< for he that 0ee*eth the
&a2s of 5od hath no need to rea0 the &a2s of the &and#
HH# 3herefore< e su=ect to the *o2ers that e< unti& he rei,ns
2hose ri,ht it is to rei,n< and sudues a&& ene'ies under his feet#
H9# "eho&d< the &a2s 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed fro' '! hand are the &a2s
of the church< and in this &i,ht !e sha&& ho&d the' forth# "eho&d< here is
2isdo'#
H@# And no2 as I s*a0e concernin, '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< this
&and is the &and of his residence< and those 2ho' he has a**ointed for his
counse&or? and a&so the &and of the residence of hi' 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed
to 0ee* '! store-house?
HG# 3herefore< &et the' rin, their fa'i&ies to this &and< as the!
sha&& counse& et2een the'se&$es and 'e<
H:# For eho&d< it is not 'eet that I shou&d co''and in a&& thin,s<
for he that is co'*e&&ed in a&& thin,s< the sa'e is a s&othfu& and not a
2ise ser$ant? 2herefore he recei$eth no re2ard#
HM# %eri&! I sa!< 'en shou&d e an/ious&! en,a,ed in a ,ood cause<
and do 'an! thin,s of their o2n free 2i&&< and rin, to *ass 'uch
ri,hteousness(
H8# For the *o2er is in the'< 2herein the! are a,ents unto
the'se&$es# And inas'uch as 'en do ,ood the! sha&& in no2ise &ose their
re2ard#
HN# "ut he that doeth not an!thin, unti& he is co''anded< and
recei$eth a co''and'ent 2ith doutfu& heart< and 0ee*eth it 2ith
s&othfu&ness< the sa'e is da'ned#
9D# 3ho a' I that 'ade 'an< saith the Lord< that 2i&& ho&d hi'
,ui&t&ess that oe!s not '! co''and'entsB
97# 3ho a' I< saith the Lord< that ha$e *ro'ised and ha$e not
fu&fi&&edB
9H# I co''and and 'en oe! not? I re$o0e and the! recei$e not the
&essin,#
99# Then the! sa! in their hearts( This is not the 2or0 of the Lord<
for his *ro'ises are not fu&fi&&ed# "ut 2o unto such< for their re2ard
&ur0eth eneath< and not fro' ao$e#
9@# And no2 I ,i$e unto !ou further directions concernin, this &and#
9G# It is 2isdo' in 'e that '! ser$ant .artin Harris shou&d e an
e/a'*&e unto the church< in &a!in, his 'onies efore the isho* of the
church#
9:# And a&so< this is a &a2 unto e$er! 'an that co'eth unto this &and
to recei$e an inheritance? and he sha&& do 2ith his 'onies accordin, as
the &a2 directs#
9M# And it is 2isdo' a&so that there shou&d e &ands *urchased in
Inde*endence< for the *&ace of the store-house< and a&so for the house of
the *rintin,#
98# And other directions concernin, '! ser$ant .artin Harris sha&& e
,i$en hi' of the S*irit< that he 'a! recei$e his inheritance as see'eth
hi' ,ood?
9N# And &et hi' re*ent of his sins< for he see0eth the *raise of the
2or&d#
@D# And a&so &et '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s stand in the office
2hich I ha$e a**ointed hi'< and recei$e his inheritance in the &and?
@7# And a&so he hath need to re*ent< for I< the Lord< a' not 2e&&
*&eased 2ith hi'< for he see0eth to e/ce&< and he is not sufficient&! 'ee0
efore 'e#
@H# "eho&d< he 2ho has re*ented of his sins< the sa'e is for,i$en and
I< the Lord< re'e'er the' no 'ore#
@9# "! this !e 'a! 0no2 if a 'an re*enteth of his sins--eho&d he
2i&& confess the' and forsa0e the'#
@@# And no2< $eri&!< I sa! concernin, the residue of the e&ders of '!
church< the ti'e has not !et co'e< for 'an! !ears< for the' to recei$e
their inheritance in this &and< e/ce*t the! desire it throu,h the *ra!er
of faith< on&! as it sha&& e a**ointed unto the' of the Lord#
@G# For< eho&d< the! sha&& *ush the *eo*&e to,ether fro' the ends of
the earth#
@:# 3herefore< asse'&e !ourse&$es to,ether? and the! 2ho are not
a**ointed to sta! in this &and< &et the' *reach the ,os*e& in the re,ions
round aout? and after that &et the' return to their ho'es#
@M# Let the' *reach ! the 2a!< and ear testi'on! of the truth in
a&& *&aces< and ca&& u*on the rich< the hi,h and the &o2< and the *oor to
re*ent#
@8# And &et the' ui&d u* churches< inas'uch as the inhaitants of
the earth 2i&& re*ent#
@N# And &et there e an a,ent a**ointed ! the $oice of the church<
unto the church in Ohio< to recei$e 'onies to *urchase &ands in ;ion#
GD# And I ,i$e unto '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don a co''and'ent< that he
sha&& 2rite a descri*tion of the &and of ;ion< and a state'ent of the 2i&&
of 5od< as it sha&& e 'ade 0no2n ! the S*irit unto hi'?
G7# And an e*ist&e and suscri*tion< to e *resented unto a&& the
churches to otain 'onies< to e *ut into the hands of the isho*< of
hi'se&f or the a,ent< as see'eth hi' ,ood or as he sha&& direct< to
*urchase &ands for an inheritance for the chi&dren of 5od#
GH# For< eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the Lord 2i&&eth that the
disci*&es< and the chi&dren of 'en shou&d o*en their hearts< e$en to
*urchase this 2ho&e re,ion of countr!< as soon as the ti'e 2i&& *er'it#
G9# "eho&d< here is 2isdo'# Let the' do this &est the! recei$e none
inheritance< sa$e it e ! the sheddin, of &ood#
G@# And a,ain< inas'uch as there is &and otained< &et there e
2or0'en sent forth of a&& 0inds unto this &and< to &aor for the saints of
5od#
GG# Let a&& these thin,s e done in order? and &et the *ri$i&e,es of
the &ands e 'ade 0no2n fro' ti'e to ti'e< ! the isho* or the a,ent of
the church#
G:# And &et the 2or0 of the ,atherin, e not in haste< nor ! f&i,ht
ut &et it e done as it sha&& e counse&ed ! the e&ders of the church at
the conferences< accordin, to the 0no2&ed,e 2hich the! recei$e fro' ti'e
to ti'e#
GM# And &et '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don consecrate and dedicate this
&and< and the s*ot for the te'*&e unto the Lord#
G8# And &et a conference 'eetin, e ca&&ed? and after that &et '!
ser$ants Sidne! Ri,don and Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< return< and a&so O&i$er
Co2der! 2ith the'< to acco'*&ish the residue of the 2or0 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed unto the' in their o2n &and< and the residue as sha&& e ru&ed
! the conferences#
GN# And &et no 'an return fro' this &and e/ce*t he ear record ! the
2a! of that 2hich he 0no2s and 'ost assured&! e&ie$es#
:D# Let that 2hich has een esto2ed u*on ;ia )eterson e ta0en fro'
hi'< and &et hi' stand as a 'e'er in the church< and &aor 2ith his o2n
hands< 2ith the rethren< unti& he is sufficient&! chastened for a&& his
sins? for he confesseth the' not< and he thin0eth to hide the'#
:7# Let the residue of the e&ders of this church< 2ho are co'in, to
this &and< so'e of 2ho' are e/ceedin,&! &essed e$en ao$e 'easure< a&so
ho&d a conference u*on this &and#
:H# And &et '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e direct the conference 2hich
sha&& e he&d ! the'#
:9# And &et the' a&so return< *reachin, the ,os*e& ! the 2a!<
earin, record of the thin,s 2hich are re$ea&ed unto the'#
:@# For< $eri&!< the sound 'ust ,o forth fro' this *&ace into a&& the
2or&d< and unto the utter'ost *arts of the earth--the ,os*e& 'ust e
*reached unto e$er! creature< 2ith si,ns fo&&o2in, the' that e&ie$e#
:G# And eho&d the Son of 'an co'eth# A'en#
CHA)TER 6%I#
THE FOUNDIN5 OF ;ION#
On the second da! of Au,ust< I assisted the Co&es$i&&e ranch of the
Church to &a! the first &o,< for a house< as a foundation of ;ion in 1a2
to2nshi*< t2e&$e 'i&es 2est of Inde*endence# The &o, 2as carried and
*&aced ! t2e&$e 'en< in honor of the t2e&$e tries of Israe&# At the
sa'e ti'e< throu,h *ra!er< the &and of ;ion 2as consecrated and dedicated
! E&der Sidne! Ri,don for the ,atherin, of the Saints# It 2as a season
of =o! to those *resent< and afforded a ,&i'*se of the future< 2hich ti'e
2i&& !et unfo&d to the satisfaction of the faithfu&#
As 2e had recei$ed a co''and'ent for E&der Ri,don to 2rite a
descri*tion of the &and of ;ion< 2e sou,ht for a&& the infor'ation
necessar! to acco'*&ish so desira&e an o=ect# The countr! is un&i0e the
ti'ered states of the East# As far as the e!e can reach the eautifu&
ro&&in, *rairies &ie s*read out &i0e a sea of 'eado2s? and are decorated
2ith a ,ro2th of f&o2ers so ,or,eous and ,rand as to e/ceed descri*tion?
and nothin, is 'ore fruitfu&< or a richer stoc0ho&der in the &oo'in,
*rairie than the hone! ee# On&! on the 2ater courses is ti'er to e
found# There in stri*s fro' one to three 'i&es in 2idth< and fo&&o2in,
faithfu&&! the 'eanderin,s of the strea's< it ,ro2s in &u/uriant forests#
The forests are a 'i/ture of oa0< hic0or!< &ac0 2a&nut< e&'< ash< cherr!<
hone! &ocust< 'u&err!< coffee ean< hac0err!< o/e&der< and ass 2ood?
2ith the addition of cotton2ood< utter2ood< *ecan< and soft and hard
'a*&e u*on the otto's# The shruer! is eautifu&< and consists in *art
of *&u's< ,ra*es< cra a**&e< and *ersi''ons#
The soi& is rich and ferti&e? fro' three to ten feet dee*< and
,enera&&! co'*osed of a rich &ac0 'o&d< inter'in,&ed 2ith c&a! and sand#
It !ie&ds in aundance< 2heat< corn< s2eet *otatoes< cotton and 'an! other
co''on a,ricu&tura& *roducts# Horses< catt&e and ho,s< thou,h of an
inferior reed< are to&era&! *&entifu& and see' near&! to raise
the'se&$es ! ,ra4in, in the $ast *rairie ran,e in su''er< and feedin,
u*on the otto's in 2inter# The 2i&d ,a'e is &ess *&entifu& of course
2here 'an has co''enced the cu&ti$ation of the soi&< than in the 2i&d
*rairies# "uffa&o< e&0< deer< ear< 2o&$es< ea$er and 'an! s'a&&er
ani'a&s here roa' at *&easure# Tur0e!s< ,eese< s2ans< duc0s< !ea a $ariet!
of the feathered trie< are a'on, the rich aundance that ,race the
de&i,htfu& re,ions of this ,ood&! &and--the herita,e of the chi&dren of
5od#
The season is 'i&d and de&i,htfu& near&! three >uarters of the !ear<
and as the &and of ;ion< situated at aout e>ua& distances fro' the
At&antic and )acific oceans< as 2e&& as fro' the A&&e,han! and Roc0!
'ountains< in the thirt!-ninth de,ree of north &atitude< and et2een the
si/teenth and se$enteenth de,rees of 2est &on,itude< it ids fair--2hen
the curse is ta0en fro' the &and--to eco'e one of the 'ost &essed *&aces
on the ,&oe# The 2inters are 'i&der than the At&antic states of the sa'e
*ara&&e& of &atitude< and the 2eather is 'ore a,reea&e? so that 2ere the
$irtues of the inhaitants on&! e>ua& to the &essin,s of the Lord 2hich
He *er'its to cro2n the industr! of those inhaitants< there 2ou&d e a
'easure of the ,ood thin,s of &ife for the enefit of the Saints< fu&&<
*ressed do2n< and runnin, o$er< e$en an hundred-fo&d# The disad$anta,es
here< as in a&& ne2 countries< are se&f-e$ident--&ac0 of 'i&&s and
schoo&s? to,ether 2ith the natura& *ri$ations and incon$eniences 2hich the
hand of industr!< the refine'ent of societ!< and the *o&ish of science<
o$erco'e#
"ut a&& these i'*edi'ents $anish 2hen it is reco&&ected 2hat the
)ro*hets ha$e said concernin, ;ion in the &ast da!s? ho2 the ,&or! of
Leanon is to co'e u*on her? the fir tree< the *ine tree< and the o/ tree
to,ether< to eautif! the *&ace of His sanctuar!< that He 'a! 'a0e the
*&ace of His feet ,&orious# 3here for rass< He 2i&& rin, ,o&d? and for
iron< He 2i&& rin, si&$er? and for 2ood< rass? and for stones< iron? and
2here the feast of fat thin,s 2i&& e ,i$en to the =ust? !ea< 2hen the
s*&endor of the Lord is rou,ht to our consideration for the ,ood of His
*eo*&e< the ca&cu&ations of 'en and the $ain ,&or! of the 2or&d $anish<
and 2e e/c&ai'< -Out of ;ion the *erfection of eaut!< 5od hath shined#-
On the third da! of Au,ust< I *roceeded to dedicate the s*ot for the
Te'*&e< a &itt&e 2est of Inde*endence< and there 2ere a&so *resent Sidne!
Ri,don< Ed2ard )artrid,e< 3# 3# )he&*s< O&i$er Co2der!< .artin Harris and
Jose*h Coe#
The 8Mth )sa&' 2as read(--
His foundation is in the ho&! 'ountains#
The Lord &o$eth the ,ates of ;ion 'ore than a&& the d2e&&in,s of
Jaco#
5&orious thin,s are s*o0en of thee< O cit! of 5od# Se&ah#
I 2i&& 'a0e 'ention of Raha and "a!&on to the' that 0no2 'e? eho&d
)hi&istia< and T!re< 2ith Ethio*ia? this 'an 2as orn there#
And of ;ion it sha&& e said< This and that 'an 2as orn in her( and
the Hi,hest Hi'se&f sha&& esta&ish her#
The Lord sha&& count< 2hen he 2riteth u* the *eo*&e< that this 'an
2as orn there# Se&ah#
As 2e&& the sin,ers as the *&a!ers on instru'ents sha&& e there( a&&
'! s*rin,s are in thee#
The scene 2as so&e'n and i'*ressi$e#
On the @th I attended the first conference in the &and of ;ion# It
2as he&d at the house of "rother Joshua Le2is< in 1a2 to2nshi*< in the
*resence of the Co&es$i&&e ranch of the Church# The S*irit of the Lord
2as there#
On the Mth< I attended the funera& of Sister )o&&! 1ni,ht< the 2ife
of Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen# This 2as the first death in the Church in this
&and< and I can sa!< a 2orth! 'e'er s&ee*s in Jesus ti&& the
resurrection#
I a&so recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en in ;ion< Au,ust Mth< 7897#
7# "eho&d< &essed< saith the Lord< are the! 2ho ha$e co'e u* unto
this &and 2ith an e!e sin,&e to '! ,&or!< accordin, to '! co''and'ents#
H# For those that &i$e sha&& inherit the earth< and those that die
sha&& rest fro' a&& their &aors< and their 2or0s sha&& fo&&o2 the'? and
the! sha&& recei$e a cro2n in the 'ansions of '! Father< 2hich I ha$e
*re*ared for the'#
9# Yea< &essed are the! 2hose feet stand u*on the &and of ;ion< 2ho
ha$e oe!ed '! ,os*e&? for the! sha&& recei$e for their re2ard the ,ood
thin,s of the earth< and it sha&& rin, forth in its stren,th#
@# And the! sha&& a&so e cro2ned 2ith &essin,s fro' ao$e< !ea< and
2ith co''and'ents not a fe2< and 2ith re$e&ations in their ti'e--the! that
are faithfu& and di&i,ent efore 'e#
G# 3herefore< I ,i$e unto the' a co''and'ent< sa!in, thus? Thou sha&t
&o$e the Lord th! 5od 2ith a&& th! heart< 2ith a&& th! 'i,ht< 'ind< and
stren,th? and in the na'e of Jesus Christ thou sha&t ser$e hi'#
:# Thou sha&t &o$e th! nei,hor as th!se&f# Thou sha&t not stea&?
neither co''it adu&ter!< nor 0i&&< nor do an!thin, &i0e unto it#
M# Thou sha&t than0 the Lord th! 5od in a&& thin,s#
8# Thou sha&t offer a sacrifice unto the Lord th! 5od in
ri,hteousness< e$en that of a ro0en heart and a contrite s*irit#
N# And that thou 'a!est 'ore fu&&! 0ee* th!se&f uns*otted fro' the
2or&d< thou sha&t ,o to the house of *ra!er and offer u* th! sacra'ents
u*on '! ho&! da!?
7D# For $eri&! this is a da! a**ointed unto !ou to rest fro' !our
&aors< and to *a! th! de$otions unto the .ost Hi,h?
77# Ne$erthe&ess th! $o2s sha&& e offered u* in ri,hteousness on a&&
da!s and at a&& ti'es?
7H# "ut re'e'er that on this< the Lord+s da!< thou sha&t offer thine
o&ations and th! sacra'ents unto the .ost Hi,h< confessin, th! sins unto
th! rethren< and efore the Lord#
79# And on this da! thou sha&t do none other thin,< on&! &et th! food
e *re*ared 2ith sin,&eness of heart that th! fastin, 'a! e *erfect< or<
in other 2ords< that th! =o! 'a! e fu&&#
7@# %eri&!< this is fastin, and *ra!er< or in other 2ords re=oicin,
and *ra!er#
7G# And inas'uch as !e do these thin,s 2ith than0s,i$in,< 2ith
cheerfu& hearts and countenances< not 2ith 'uch &au,hter< for this is sin<
ut 2ith a ,&ad heart and a cheerfu& countenance--
7:# %eri&! I sa!< that inas'uch as !e do this< the fu&ness of the
earth is !ours< the easts of the fie&d and the fo2&s of the air< and that
2hich c&i'eth u*on the trees and 2a&0eth u*on the earth?
7M# Yea< and the her< and the ,ood thin,s 2hich co'e of the earth<
2hether for food or for rai'ent< or for houses< or for arns< or for
orchards< or for ,ardens< or for $ine!ards?
78# Yea< a&& thin,s 2hich co'e of the earth< in the season thereof<
are 'ade for the enefit and the use of 'an< oth to *&ease the e!e and to
,&adden the heart?
7N# Yea< for food and for rai'ent< for taste and for s'e&&< to
stren,then the od! and to en&i$en the sou&#
HD# And it *&easeth 5od that he hath ,i$en a&& these thin,s unto 'an<
for unto this end 2ere the! 'ade to e used< 2ith =ud,'ent< not to e/cess<
neither ! e/tortion#
H7# And in nothin, doth 'an offend 5od< or a,ainst none is his 2rath
0ind&ed< sa$e those 2ho confess not his hand in a&& thin,s< and oe! not
his co''and'ents#
HH# "eho&d< this is accordin, to the &a2 and the *ro*hets? 2herefore<
trou&e 'e no 'ore concernin, this 'atter#
H9# "ut &earn that he 2ho doeth the 2or0s of ri,hteousness sha&&
recei$e his re2ard< e$en *eace in this 2or&d and eterna& &ife in the 2or&d
to co'e#
H@# I< the Lord< ha$e s*o0en it< and the S*irit eareth record# A'en#
On the 8th< as there had een so'e in>uir! a'on, the E&ders 2hat the!
2ere to do< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Au,ust< 7897#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord unto the e&ders of his church< 2ho are
to return s*eedi&! to the &and fro' 2hence the! ca'e? "eho&d< it *&easeth
'e< that !ou ha$e co'e u* hither?
H# "ut 2ith so'e I a' not 2e&& *&eased< for the! 2i&& not o*en their
'ouths< ut the! hide the ta&ent 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto the'< ecause of
the fear of 'an# 3o unto such< for 'ine an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst the'#
9# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< if the! are not 'ore faithfu& unto 'e<
it sha&& e ta0en a2a!< e$en that 2hich the! ha$e#
@# For I< the Lord< ru&e in the hea$ens ao$e< and a'on, the ar'ies
of the earth? and in the da! 2hen I sha&& 'a0e u* '! =e2e&s< a&& 'en sha&&
0no2 2hat it is that es*ea0eth the *o2er of 5od#
G# "ut< $eri&!< I 2i&& s*ea0 unto !ou concernin, !our =ourne! unto
the &and fro' 2hence !ou ca'e# Let there e a craft 'ade< or ou,ht< as
see'eth !ou ,ood< it 'attereth not unto 'e< and ta0e !our =ourne! s*eedi&!
for the *&ace 2hich is ca&&ed St# Louis#
:# And fro' thence &et '! ser$ants< Sidne! Ri,don< Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and O&i$er Co2der!< ta0e their =ourne! for Cincinnati?
M# And in this *&ace &et the' &ift u* their $oice and dec&are '! 2ord
2ith &oud $oices< 2ithout 2rath or doutin,< &iftin, u* ho&! hands u*on
the'# For I a' a&e to 'a0e !ou ho&!< and !our sins are for,i$en !ou#
8# And &et the residue ta0e their =ourne! fro' St# Louis< t2o ! t2o<
and *reach the 2ord< not in haste< a'on, the con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed<
unti& the! return to the churches fro' 2hence the! ca'e#
N# And a&& this for the ,ood of the churches? for this intent ha$e I
sent the'#
7D# And &et '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e i'*art of the 'one! 2hich I
ha$e ,i$en hi'< a *ortion unto 'ine e&ders 2ho are co''anded to return<
77# And he that is a&e< &et hi' return it ! the 2a! of the a,ent?
and he that is not< of hi' it is not re>uired#
7H# And no2 I s*ea0 of the residue 2ho are to co'e unto this &and#
79# "eho&d< the! ha$e een sent to *reach '! ,os*e& a'on, the
con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed? 2herefore< I ,i$e unto the' a co''and'ent<
thus? Thou sha&t not id&e a2a! th! ti'e< neither sha&t thou ur! th!
ta&ent that it 'a! not e 0no2n#
7@# And after thou hast co'e u* unto the &and of ;ion< and hast
*roc&ai'ed '! 2ord< thou sha&t s*eedi&! return< *roc&ai'in, '! 2ord a'on,
the con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed< not in haste< neither in 2rath nor 2ith
strife#
7G# And sha0e off the dust of th! feet a,ainst those 2ho recei$e thee
not< not in their *resence< &est thou *ro$o0e the'? ut in secret and 2ash
th! feet< as a testi'on! a,ainst the' in the da! of =ud,'ent#
7:# "eho&d< this is sufficient for !ou< and the 2i&& of hi' 2ho hath
sent !ou#
7M# And ! the 'outh of '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< it sha&& e
'ade 0no2n concernin, Sidne! Ri,don and O&i$er Co2der!# The residue
hereafter# E$en so# A'en#
On the Nth< in co'*an! 2ith ten E&ders< I &eft Inde*endence &andin,
for 1irt&and# 3e started do2n the ri$er in canoes< and 2ent the first 2a!
as far as Fort Osa,e< 2here 2e had an e/ce&&ent 2i&d tur0e! for su**er#
Nothin, $er! i'*ortant occurred ti&& the third da!< 2hen 'an! of the
dan,ers so co''on u*on the 2estern 2aters< 'anifested the'se&$es? and
after 2e had enca'*ed u*on the an0 of the ri$er< at .cI&2aine+s "end<
"rother )he&*s< in o*en $ision ! da!&i,ht< sa2 the destro!er in his 'ost
horri&e *o2er< ride u*on the face of the 2aters? others heard the noise<
ut sa2 not the $ision#
The ne/t 'ornin, after *ra!er< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Au,ust< 7897#
7# "eho&d< and hear0en unto the $oice of hi' 2ho has a&& *o2er< 2ho
is fro' e$er&astin, to e$er&astin,< e$en A&*ha and O'e,a< the e,innin,
and the end#
H# "eho&d< $eri&! thus saith the Lord unto !ou< O !e e&ders of '!
church< 2ho are asse'&ed u*on this s*ot< 2hose sins are no2 for,i$en !ou<
for I< the Lord< for,i$e sins< and a' 'ercifu& unto those 2ho confess
their sins 2ith hu'&e hearts?
9# "ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is not needfu& for this 2ho&e
co'*an! of 'ine e&ders to e 'o$in, s2ift&! u*on the 2aters< 2hi&st the
inhaitants on either side are *erishin, in une&ief#
@# Ne$erthe&ess< I suffered it that !e 'i,ht ear record? eho&d<
there are 'an! dan,ers u*on the 2aters< and 'ore es*ecia&&! hereafter?
G# For I< the Lord< ha$e decreed in 'ine an,er 'an! destructions u*on
the 2aters? !ea< and es*ecia&&! u*on these 2aters#
:# Ne$erthe&ess< a&& f&esh is in 'ine hand< and he that is faithfu&
a'on, !ou sha&& not *erish ! the 2aters#
M# 3herefore< it is e/*edient that '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert and '!
ser$ant 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< e in haste u*on their errand and 'ission#
8# Ne$erthe&ess< I 2ou&d not suffer that !e shou&d *art unti& !ou
2ere chastened for a&& !our sins< that !ou 'i,ht e one< that !ou 'i,ht
not *erish in 2ic0edness<
N# "ut no2< $eri&! I sa!< it ehoo$eth 'e that !e shou&d *art#
3herefore &et '! ser$ants Sidne! 5i&ert and 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s ta0e their
for'er co'*an!< and &et the' ta0e their =ourne! in haste that the! 'a!
fi&& their 'ission< and throu,h faith the! sha&& o$erco'e?
7D# And inas'uch as the! are faithfu& the! sha&& e *reser$ed< and I<
the Lord< 2i&& e 2ith the'#
77# And &et the residue ta0e that 2hich is needfu& for c&othin,#
7H# Let '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert ta0e that 2hich is not needfu& 2ith
hi'< as !ou sha&& a,ree#
79# And no2< eho&d< for !our ,ood I ,a$e unto !ou a co''and'ent
concernin, these thin,s? and I< the Lord< 2i&& reason 2ith !ou as 2ith 'en
in da!s of o&d#
7@# "eho&d< I< the Lord< in the e,innin, &essed the 2aters< ut in
the &ast da!s< ! the 'outh of '! ser$ant John< I cursed the 2aters?
7G# 3herefore< the da!s 2i&& co'e that no f&esh sha&& e safe u*on
the 2aters#
7:# And it sha&& e said in da!s to co'e that none is a&e to ,o u*
to the &and of ;ion u*on the 2aters< ut he that is u*ri,ht in heart#
7M# And< as I< the Lord< in the e,innin, cursed the &and< e$en so in
the &ast da!s ha$e I &essed it< in its ti'e< for the use of '! Saints<
that the! 'a! *arta0e the fatness thereof#
78# And no2 I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that 2hat I sa! unto one I
sa! unto a&&< that !ou sha&& fore2arn !our rethren concernin, these
2aters< that the! co'e not in =ourne!in, u*on the'< &est their faith fai&
and the! are cau,ht in snares?
7N# I the Lord< ha$e decreed< and the destro!er rideth u*on the face
thereof< and I re$o0e not the decree?
HD# I< the Lord< 2as an,r! 2ith !ou !esterda!< ut toda! 'ine an,er
is turned a2a!#
H7# 3herefore< &et those concernin, 2ho' I ha$e s*o0en< that shou&d
ta0e their =ourne! in haste--a,ain I sa! unto !ou< &et the' ta0e their
=ourne! in haste#
HH# And it 'attereth not unto 'e< after a &itt&e< if it so e that
the! fi&& their 'ission< 2hether the! ,o ! 2ater or ! &and? &et this e
as it is 'ade 0no2n unto the' accordin, to their =ud,'ents hereafter#
H9# And no2< concernin, '! ser$ants Sidne! Ri,don< and Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and O&i$er Co2der!< &et the' co'e not a,ain u*on the 2aters< sa$e it
e u*on the cana&< 2hi&e =ourne!in, unto their ho'es< or in other 2ords
the! sha&& not co'e u*on the 2aters to =ourne!< sa$e u*on the cana&#
H@# "eho&d< I< the Lord< ha$e a**ointed a 2a! for the =ourne!in, of
'! Saints? and eho&d this is the 2a!--that after the! &ea$e the cana&<
the! sha&& =ourne! ! &and< inas'uch as the! are co''anded to =ourne! and
,o u* unto the &and of ;ion?
HG# And the! sha&& do &i0e unto the chi&dren of Israe&< *itchin,
their tents ! the 2a!#
H:# And< eho&d< this co''and'ent !ou sha&& ,i$e unto a&& !our
rethren#
HM# Ne$erthe&ess< unto 2ho' it is ,i$en *o2er to co''and the 2aters<
unto hi' it is ,i$en ! the S*irit to 0no2 a&& his 2a!s?
H8# 3herefore< &et hi' do as the S*irit of the &i$in, 5od co''andeth
hi'< 2hether u*on the &and or u*on the 2aters< as it re'aineth 2ith 'e to
do hereafter#
HN# And unto !ou it is ,i$en the course for the saints< or the 2a!
for the saints of the ca'* of the Lord< to =ourne!#
9D# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ants< Sidne! Ri,don<
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and O&i$er Co2der!< sha&& not o*en their 'ouths in the
con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed< unti& the! arri$e at Cincinnati?
97# And in that *&ace the! sha&& &ift u* their $oices unto 5od
a,ainst that *eo*&e? !ea unto hi' 2hose an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst their
2ic0edness< a *eo*&e 2ho are 2e&&-ni,h ri*ened for destruction#
9H# And fro' thence &et the' =ourne! for the con,re,ations of their
rethren< for their &aors e$en no2 are 2anted 'ore aundant&! a'on, the'
than a'on, the con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed#
99# And no2< concernin, the residue< &et the' =ourne! and dec&are the
2ord a'on, the con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed< inas'uch as it is ,i$en?
9@# And inas'uch as the! do this the! sha&& rid their ,ar'ents< and
the! sha&& e s*ot&ess efore 'e#
9G# And &et the' =ourne! to,ether< or t2o ! t2o< as see'eth the'
,ood< on&! &et '! ser$ant Re!no&ds Cahoon< and '! ser$ant Sa'ue& H# S'ith<
2ith 2ho' I a' 2e&& *&eased< e not se*arated unti& the! return to their
ho'es< and this for a 2ise *ur*ose in 'e#
9:# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< and 2hat I sa! unto one I sa!
unto a&&< e of ,ood cheer< &itt&e chi&dren< for I a' in !our 'idst< and I
ha$e not forsa0en !ou?
9M# And inas'uch as !ou ha$e hu'&ed !ourse&$es efore 'e< the
&essin,s of the 0in,do' are !ours#
98# 5ird u* !our &oins and e 2atchfu& and e soer< &oo0in, forth
for the co'in, of the Son of .an< for he co'eth in an hour !ou thin0 not#
9N# )ra! a&2a!s that !ou enter not into te'*tation< that !ou 'a!
aide the da! of his co'in,< 2hether in &ife or in death# E$en so# A'en#
On the 79th IAu,ustJ I 'et se$era& of the E&ders on their 2a! to the
&and of ;ion< and after the =o!fu& sa&utations 2ith 2hich rethren 'eet
each other< 2ho are actua&&! -contendin, for the faith once de&i$ered to
the Saints<- I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Au,ust< 7897#
7# "eho&d< and hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church< saith the Lord !our
5od< e$en Jesus Christ< !our ad$ocate< 2ho 0no2eth the 2ea0ness of 'an and
ho2 to succor the' 2ho are te'*ted#
H# And $eri&! 'ine e!es are u*on those 2ho ha$e not as !et ,one u*
unto the &and of ;ion? 2herefore !our 'ission is not !et fu&&#
9# Ne$erthe&ess< !e are &essed< for the testi'on! 2hich !e ha$e
orne is recorded in hea$en for the an,e&s to &oo0 u*on< and the! re=oice
o$er !ou< and !our sins are for,i$en !ou#
@# And no2 continue !our =ourne!# Asse'&e !ourse&$es u*on the &and
of ;ion? and ho&d a 'eetin, and re=oice to,ether< and offer a sacra'ent
unto the .ost Hi,h#
G# And then !ou 'a! return to ear record< !ea< e$en a&& to,ether< or
t2o ! t2o as see'eth !ou ,ood< it 'attereth not unto 'e? on&! e faithfu&
and dec&are ,&ad tidin,s unto the inhaitants of the earth< of a'on, the
con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed#
:# "eho&d< I< the Lord< ha$e rou,ht !ou to,ether that the *ro'ise
'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed< that the faithfu& a'on, !ou shou&d e *reser$ed and
re=oice to,ether in the &and of .issouri# I< the Lord< *ro'ised the
faithfu& and cannot &ie#
M# I< the Lord< a' 2i&&in,< if an! a'on, !ou desire to ride u*on
horses< or u*on 'u&es< or in chariots< he sha&& recei$e this &essin,< if
he recei$e it fro' the hand of the Lord< 2ith a than0fu& heart in a&&
thin,s#
8# These thin,s re'ain 2ith !ou to do accordin, to =ud,'ent and the
directions of the S*irit#
N# "eho&d< the 0in,do' is !ours# And eho&d< and &o< I a' 2ith the
faithfu& a&2a!s# E$en so# A'en#
After this 'eetin, 2ith the E&ders< Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der!<
and '!se&f< continued our =ourne! ! &and to St# Louis< 2here 2e o$ertoo0
rothers )he&*s and 5i&ert# Fro' this *&ace 2e too0 sta,e< and the! 2ent
! 2ater to 1irt&and< 2here 2e arri$ed safe and 2e&& on the HMth IAu,ustJ#
.an! thin,s trans*ired u*on this =ourne! to stren,then our faith< and
2hich dis*&a!ed the ,oodness of 5od in such a 'ar$e&ous 'anner< that 2e
cou&d not he&* eho&din, the e/ertions of Satan to &ind the e!es of the
*eo*&e< so as to hide the true &i,ht that &i,hts e$er! 'an that co'es into
the 2or&d#
In these infant da!s of the Church< there 2as a ,reat an/iet! to
otain the 2ord of the Lord u*on e$er! su=ect that in an! 2a! concerned
our sa&$ation? and as the &and of ;ion 2as no2 the 'ost i'*ortant te'*ora&
o=ect in $ie2< I en>uired of the Lord for further infor'ation u*on the
,atherin, of the Saints< and the *urchase of the &and< and other 'atters<
and recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en in 1irt&and< Au,ust< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e< and o*en !our hearts and ,i$e ear fro' afar?
and &isten< !ou that ca&& !ourse&$es the *eo*&e of the Lord< and hear the
2ord of the Lord and his 2i&& concernin, !ou#
H# Yea< $eri&!< I sa!< hear the 2ord of hi' 2hose an,er is 0ind&ed
a,ainst the 2ic0ed and ree&&ious?
9# 3ho 2i&&eth to ta0e e$en the' 2ho' he 2i&& ta0e< and *reser$eth in
&ife the' 2ho' he 2i&& *reser$e?
@# 3ho ui&deth u* at his o2n 2i&& and *&easure? and destro!eth 2hen
he *&eases< and is a&e to cast the sou& do2n to he&&#
G# "eho&d< I< the Lord< utter '! $oice< and it sha&& e oe!ed#
:# 3herefore< $eri&! I sa!< &et the 2ic0ed ta0e heed< and &et the
ree&&ious fear and tre'&e? and &et the une&ie$in, ho&d their &i*s< for
the da! of 2rath sha&& co'e u*on the' as a 2hir&2ind< and a&& f&esh sha&&
0no2 that I a' 5od#
M# And he that see0eth si,ns sha&& see si,ns< ut not unto sa&$ation#
8# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< there are those a'on, !ou 2ho see0 si,ns<
and there ha$e een such e$en fro' the e,innin,?
N# "ut< eho&d< faith co'eth not ! si,ns< ut si,ns fo&&o2 those
that e&ie$e#
7D# Yea< si,ns co'e ! faith< not ! the 2i&& of 'en< nor as the!
*&ease< ut ! the 2i&& of 5od#
77# Yea< si,ns co'e ! faith< unto 'i,ht! 2or0s< for 2ithout faith no
'an *&easeth 5od? and 2ith 2ho' 5od is an,r! he is not 2e&& *&eased?
2herefore< unto such he sho2eth no si,n< on&! in 2rath unto their
conde'nation#
7H# 3herefore< I< the Lord< a' not *&eased 2ith those a'on, !ou 2ho
ha$e sou,ht after si,ns and 2onders for faith< and not for the ,ood of 'en
unto '! ,&or!<
79# Ne$erthe&ess< I ,a$e co''and'ents< and 'an! ha$e turned a2a! fro'
'! co''and'ents and ha$e not 0e*t the'#
7@# There 2ere a'on, !ou adu&terers and adu&teresses? so'e of 2ho'
ha$e turned a2a! fro' !ou< and others re'ain 2ith !ou that hereafter sha&&
e re$ea&ed#
7G# Let such e2are and re*ent s*eedi&!< &est =ud,'ent sha&& co'e
u*on the' as a snare< and their fo&&! sha&& e 'ade 'anifest< and their
2or0s sha&& fo&&o2 the' in the e!es of the *eo*&e#
7:# And $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< as I ha$e said efore< he that &oo0eth
u*on a 2o'an to &ust after her< or if an! sha&& co''it adu&ter! in their
hearts< the! sha&& not ha$e the S*irit< ut sha&& den! the faith and sha&&
fear#
7M# 3herefore I< the Lord< ha$e said that the fearfu&< and the
une&ie$in,< and a&& &iars< and 2hosoe$er &o$eth and 'a0eth a &ie< and the
2hore'on,er< and the sorcerer< sha&& ha$e their *art in that &a0e 2hich
urneth 2ith fire and ri'stone< 2hich is the second death#
78# %eri&! I sa!< that the! sha&& not ha$e *art in the first
resurrection#
7N# And no2 eho&d< I< the Lord< sa! unto !ou that !e are not
=ustified ecause these thin,s are a'on, !ou#
HD# Ne$erthe&ess< he that endureth in faith and doeth '! 2i&&< the
sa'e sha&& o$erco'e< and sha&& recei$e an inheritance u*on the earth 2hen
the da! of transfi,uration sha&& co'e?
H7# 3hen the earth sha&& e transfi,ured< e$en accordin, to the
*attern 2hich 2as sho2n unto 'ine a*ost&es u*on the 'ount? of 2hich
account the fu&ness !e ha$e not !et recei$ed#
HH# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that as I said that I 2ou&d 'a0e
0no2n '! 2i&& unto !ou< eho&d I 2i&& 'a0e it 0no2n unto !ou< not ! the
2a! of co''and'ent< for there are 'an! 2ho oser$e not to 0ee* '!
co''and'ents#
H9# "ut unto hi' that 0ee*eth '! co''and'ents I 2i&& ,i$e the
'!steries of '! 0in,do'< and the sa'e sha&& e in hi' a 2e&& of &i$in,
2ater< s*rin,in, u* unto e$er&astin, &ife#
H@# And no2< eho&d< this is the 2i&& of the Lord !our 5od concernin,
his saints< that the! shou&d asse'&e the'se&$es to,ether unto the &and of
;ion< not in haste< &est there shou&d e confusion< 2hich rin,eth
*esti&ence#
HG# "eho&d< the &and of ;ion< I< the Lord< ho&d it in 'ine o2n hands?
H:# Ne$erthe&ess< I< the Lord< render unto Caesar the thin,s 2hich
are Caesar+s#
HM# 3herefore< I the Lord 2i&& that !ou shou&d *urchase the &ands<
that !ou 'a! ha$e ad$anta,e of the 2or&d< that !ou 'a! ha$e c&ai' on the
2or&d< that the! 'a! not e stirred u* unto an,er#
H8# For Satan *utteth it into their hearts to an,er a,ainst !ou< and
to the sheddin, of &ood#
HN# 3herefore< the &and of ;ion sha&& not e otained ut ! *urchase
or ! &ood< other2ise there is none inheritance for !ou#
9D# And if ! *urchase< eho&d !ou are &essed?
97# And if ! &ood< as !ou are foridden to shed &ood< &o< !our
ene'ies are u*on !ou< and !e sha&& e scour,ed fro' cit! to cit!< and fro'
s!na,o,ue to s!na,o,ue< and ut fe2 sha&& stand to recei$e an inheritance#
9H# I< the Lord< a' an,r! 2ith the 2ic0ed? I a' ho&din, '! S*irit
fro' the inhaitants of the earth#
99# I ha$e s2orn in '! 2rath< and decreed 2ars u*on the face of the
earth< and the 2ic0ed sha&& s&a! the 2ic0ed< and fear sha&& co'e u*on
e$er! 'an?
9@# And the Saints a&so sha&& hard&! esca*e? ne$erthe&ess< I< the
Lord< a' 2ith the'< and 2i&& co'e do2n in hea$en fro' the *resence of '!
Father and consu'e the 2ic0ed 2ith un>uencha&e fire#
9G# And eho&d< this is not !et< ut ! and !#
9:# 3herefore< seein, that I< the Lord< ha$e decreed a&& these thin,s
u*on the face of the earth< I 2i&& that '! Saints shou&d e asse'&ed u*on
the &and of ;ion?
9M# And that e$er! 'an shou&d ta0e ri,hteousness in his hands and
faithfu&ness u*on his &oins< and &ift a 2arnin, $oice unto the inhaitants
of the earth? and dec&are oth ! 2ord and ! f&i,ht< that deso&ation
sha&& co'e u*on the 2ic0ed#
98# 3herefore< &et '! disci*&es in 1irt&and arran,e their te'*ora&
concerns< 2ho d2e&& u*on this far'#
9N# Let '! ser$ant Titus "i&&in,s< 2ho has the care thereof< dis*ose
of the &and< that he 'a! e *re*ared in the co'in, s*rin, to ta0e his
=ourne! u* unto the &and of ;ion< 2ith those that d2e&& u*on the face
thereof< e/ce*tin, those 2ho' I sha&& reser$e unto '!se&f< that sha&& not
,o unti& I sha&& co''and the'#
@D# And &et a&& the 'onies 2hich can e s*ared< it 'attereth not unto
'e 2hether it e &itt&e or 'uch< e sent u* unto the &and of ;ion< unto
the' 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed to recei$e#
@7# "eho&d< I< the Lord< 2i&& ,i$e unto '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< *o2er that he sha&& e ena&ed to discern ! the S*irit those 2ho
sha&& ,o u* unto the &and of ;ion< and those of '! disci*&es 2ho sha&&
tarr!#
@H# Let '! ser$ant Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! retain his store< or in other
2ords< the store< !et for a &itt&e season#
@9# Ne$erthe&ess< &et hi' i'*art a&& the 'one! 2hich he can i'*art<
to e sent u* unto the &and of ;ion#
@@# "eho&d< these thin,s are in his o2n hands< &et hi' do accordin,
to 2isdo'#
@G# %eri&! I sa!< &et hi' e ordained as an a,ent unto the disci*&es
that sha&& tarr!< and &et hi' e ordained unto this *o2er?
@:# And no2 s*eedi&! $isit the churches< e/*oundin, these thin,s unto
the'< 2ith '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der!# "eho&d< this is '! 2i&&< otainin,
'one!s e$en as I ha$e directed#
@M# He that is faithfu& and endureth sha&& o$erco'e the 2or&d#
@8# He that sendeth u* treasures unto the &and of ;ion sha&& recei$e
an inheritance in this 2or&d< and his 2or0s sha&& fo&&o2 hi'< and a&so a
re2ard in the 2or&d to co'e#
@N# Yea< and &essed are the dead that die in the Lord< fro'
henceforth< 2hen the Lord sha&& co'e< and o&d thin,s sha&& *ass a2a!< and
a&& thin,s eco'e ne2< the! sha&& rise fro' the dead and sha&& not die
after< and sha&& recei$e an inheritance efore the Lord< in the ho&! cit!#
GD# And he that &i$eth 2hen the Lord sha&& co'e< and hath 0e*t the
faith< &essed is he? ne$erthe&ess< it is a**ointed to hi' to die at the
a,e of 'an#
G7# 3herefore< chi&dren sha&& ,ro2 u* unti& the! eco'e o&d? o&d 'en
sha&& die? ut the! sha&& not s&ee* in the dust< ut the! sha&& e chan,ed
in the t2in0&in, of an e!e#
GH# 3herefore< for this cause *reached the a*ost&es unto the 2or&d
the resurrection of the dead#
G9# These thin,s are the thin,s that !e 'ust &oo0 for? and< s*ea0in,
after the 'anner of the Lord< the! are no2 ni,h at hand< and in a ti'e to
co'e< e$en in the da! of the co'in, of the Son of .an#
G@# And unti& that hour there 2i&& e foo&ish $ir,ins a'on, the 2ise?
and at that hour co'eth an entire se*aration of the ri,hteous and the
2ic0ed? and in that da! 2i&& I send 'ine an,e&s to *&uc0 out the 2ic0ed
and cast the' into un>uencha&e fire#
GG# And no2 eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I< the Lord< a' not
*&eased 2ith '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don? he e/a&ted hi'se&f in his heart<
and recei$ed not counse&< ut ,rie$ed the S*irit?
G:# 3herefore his 2ritin, is not acce*ta&e unto the Lord< and he
sha&& 'a0e another? and if the Lord recei$e it not< eho&d he standeth no
&on,er in the office to 2hich I ha$e a**ointed hi'#
GM# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< those 2ho desire in their
hearts< in 'ee0ness< to 2arn sinners to re*entance< &et the' e ordained
unto this *o2er#
G8# For this is a da! of 2arnin,< and not a da! of 'an! 2ords# For I<
the Lord< a' not to e 'oc0ed in the &ast da!s#
GN# "eho&d< I a' fro' ao$e< and '! *o2er &ieth eneath# I a' o$er
a&& and in a&&< and throu,h a&&< and search a&& thin,s< and the da! co'eth
that a&& thin,s sha&& e su=ect unto 'e--
:D# "eho&d< I a' A&*ha and O'e,a< e$en Jesus Christ#
:7# 3herefore< &et a&& 'en e2are ho2 the! ta0e '! na'e in their
&i*s--
:H# For eho&d< $eri&! I sa!< that 'an! there e 2ho are under this
conde'nation< 2ho use the na'e of the Lord< and use it in $ain< ha$in, not
authorit!#
:9# 3herefore< &et the church re*ent of their sins< and I< the Lord<
2i&& o2n the' other2ise the! sha&& e cut off#
:@# Re'e'er that that 2hich co'eth fro' ao$e is sacred< and 'ust e
s*o0en 2ith care< and ! constraint of the S*irit? and in this there is no
conde'nation< and !e recei$e the S*irit throu,h *ra!er? 2herefore< 2ithout
this there re'aineth conde'nation#
:G# Let '! ser$ants< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< see0 the'
a ho'e< as the! are tau,ht throu,h *ra!er ! the S*irit#
::# These thin,s re'ain to o$erco'e throu,h *atience that such 'a!
recei$e a 'ore e/ceedin, and eterna& 2ei,ht of ,&or!< other2ise< a ,reater
conde'nation# A'en#
The ear&! *art of Se*te'er 2as s*ent in 'a0in, *re*arations to
re'o$e to the to2n of Hira'< and rene2 our 2or0 on the trans&ation of the
"i&e# The rethren 2ho 2ere co''anded to ,o u* to ;ion 2ere earnest&!
en,a,ed in ,ettin, read! to start in the co'in, Octoer# On the 77th of
Se*te'er I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en in 1irt&and#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord !our 5od unto !ou< O !e e&ders of '!
church< hear0en !e and hear< and recei$e '! 2i&& concernin, !ou#
H# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I 2i&& that !e shou&d o$erco'e the
2or&d? 2herefore I 2i&& ha$e co'*assion u*on !ou#
9# There are those a'on, !ou 2ho ha$e sinned? ut $eri&! I sa!< for
this once< for 'ine o2n ,&or!< and for the sa&$ation of sou&s< I ha$e
for,i$en !ou !our sins#
@# I 2i&& e 'ercifu& unto !ou< for I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou the
0in,do'#
G# And the 0e!s of the '!steries of the 0in,do' sha&& not e ta0en
fro' '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< throu,h the 'eans I ha$e a**ointed<
2hi&e he &i$eth< inas'uch as he oe!eth 'ine ordinances#
:# There are those 2ho ha$e sou,ht occasion a,ainst hi' 2ithout
cause?
M# Ne$erthe&ess< he has sinned? ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I< the
Lord for,i$e sins unto those 2ho confess their sins efore 'e and as0
for,i$eness< 2ho ha$e not sinned unto death#
8# .! disci*&es< in da!s of o&d< sou,ht occasion a,ainst one another
and for,a$e not one another in their hearts? and for this e$i& the! 2ere
aff&icted and sore&! chastened#
N# 3herefore< I sa! unto !ou< that !e ou,ht to for,i$e one another?
for he that for,i$eth not his rother his tres*asses standeth conde'ned
efore the Lord? for there re'aineth in hi' the ,reater sin#
7D# I< the Lord< 2i&& for,i$e 2ho' I 2i&& for,i$e< ut of !ou it is
re>uired to for,i$e a&& 'en#
77# And !e ou,ht to sa! in !our hearts--&et 5od =ud,e et2een 'e and
thee< and re2ard thee accordin, to th! deeds#
7H# And hi' that re*enteth not of his sins< and confesseth the' not<
!e sha&& rin, efore the church< and do 2ith hi' as the scri*ture saith
unto !ou< either ! co''and'ent or ! re$e&ation#
79# And this !e sha&& do that 5od 'a! e ,&orified--not ecause !e
for,i$e not< ha$in, not co'*assion< ut that !e 'a! e =ustified in the
e!es of the &a2< that !e 'a! not offend hi' 2ho is !our &a2,i$er--
7@# %eri&! I sa!< for this cause !e sha&& do these thin,s#
7G# "eho&d< I< the Lord< 2as an,r! 2ith hi' 2ho 2as '! ser$ant E4ra
"ooth< and a&so '! ser$ant Isaac .or&e!< for the! 0e*t not the &a2<
neither the co''and'ent?
7:# The! sou,ht e$i& in their hearts< and I< the Lord< 2ithhe&d '!
S*irit# The! conde'ned for e$i& that thin, in 2hich there 2as no e$i&?
ne$erthe&ess I ha$e for,i$en '! ser$ant Isaac .or&e!#
7M# And a&so '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< eho&d< he hath sinned< and
Satan see0eth to destro! his sou&? ut 2hen these thin,s are 'ade 0no2n
unto the' and the! re*ent of the e$i&< the! sha&& e for,i$en#
78# And no2< $eri&! I sa! that it is e/*edient in 'e that '! ser$ant
Sidne! 5i&ert< after a fe2 2ee0s< sha&& return u*on his usiness and to
his a,enc! in the &and of ;ion?
7N# And that 2hich he hath seen and heard 'a! e 'ade 0no2n unto '!
disci*&es< that the! *erish not# And for this cause ha$e I s*o0en these
thin,s#
HD# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that '! ser$ant Isaac .or&e! 'a! not
e te'*ted ao$e that 2hich he is a&e to ear< and counse& 2ron,fu&&! to
!our hurt< I ,a$e co''and'ent that his far' shou&d e so&d#
H7# I 2i&& not that '! ser$ant Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's shou&d se&& his
far'< for I< the Lord< 2i&& to retain a stron, ho&d in the &and of
1irt&and< for the s*ace of fi$e !ears< in the 2hich I 2i&& not o$erthro2
the 2ic0ed< that there! I 'a! sa$e so'e#
HH# And after that da!< I< the Lord< 2i&& not ho&d an! ,ui&t! that
sha&& ,o 2ith an o*en heart u* to the &and of ;ion? for I< the Lord<
re>uire the hearts of the chi&dren of 'en#
H9# "eho&d< no2 it is ca&&ed toda! unti& the co'in, of the Son of
.an< and $eri&! it is a da! of sacrifice< and a da! for the tithin, of '!
*eo*&e? for he that is tithed sha&& not e urned at his co'in,#
H@# For after toda! co'eth the urnin,--this is s*ea0in, after the
'anner of the Lord--for $eri&! I sa!< to'orro2 a&& the *roud and the! that
do 2ic0ed&! sha&& e as stu&e? and I 2i&& urn the' u*< for I a' the
Lord of Hosts? and I 2i&& not s*are an! that re'ain in "a!&on#
HG# 3herefore< if !e e&ie$e 'e< !e 2i&& &aor 2hi&e it is ca&&ed
toda!#
H:# And it is not 'eet that '! ser$ants< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! and Sidne!
5i&ert< shou&d se&& their store and their *ossessions here? for this is
not 2isdo' unti& the residue of the church< 2hich re'aineth in this *&ace<
sha&& ,o u* unto the &and of ;ion#
HM# "eho&d< it is said in '! &a2s< or foridden< to ,et in det to
thine ene'ies?
H8# "ut eho&d< it is not said at an! ti'e that the Lord shou&d not
ta0e 2hen he *&ease< and *a! as see'eth hi' ,ood#
HN# 3herefore< as !e are a,ents< !e are on the Lord+s errand? and
2hate$er !e do accordin, to the 2i&& of the Lord is the Lord+s usiness#
9D# And he hath set !ou to *ro$ide for his saints in these &ast da!s<
that the! 'a! otain an inheritance in the &and of ;ion#
97# And eho&d< I< the Lord< dec&are unto !ou< and '! 2ords are sure
and sha&& not fai&< that the! sha&& otain it#
9H# "ut a&& thin,s 'ust co'e to *ass in their ti'e#
99# 3herefore< e not 2ear! in 2e&&-doin,< for !e are &a!in, the
foundation of a ,reat 2or0# And out of s'a&& thin,s *roceedeth that 2hich
is ,reat#
9@# "eho&d< the Lord re>uireth the heart and a 2i&&in, 'ind? and the
2i&&in, and oedient sha&& eat the ,ood of the &and of ;ion in these &ast
da!s#
9G# And the ree&&ious sha&& e cut off out of the &and of ;ion< and
sha&& e sent a2a!< and sha&& not inherit the &and#
9:# For< $eri&! I sa! that the ree&&ious are not of the &ood of
E*hrai'< 2herefore the! sha&& e *&uc0ed out#
9M# "eho&d< I< the Lord< ha$e 'ade '! church in these &ast da!s &i0e
unto a =ud,e sittin, on a hi&& or in a hi,h *&ace< to =ud,e the nations#
98# For it sha&& co'e to *ass that the inhaitants of ;ion sha&&
=ud,e a&& thin,s *ertainin, to ;ion#
9N# And &iars and h!*ocrites sha&& e *ro$ed ! the'< and the! 2ho
are not a*ost&es and *ro*hets sha&& e 0no2n#
@D# And e$en the isho*< 2ho is a =ud,e< and his counse&ors< if the!
are not faithfu& in their ste2ardshi*s sha&& e conde'ned< and others
sha&& e *&anted in their stead#
@7# For< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that ;ion sha&& f&ourish< and the
,&or! of the Lord sha&& e u*on her?
@H# And she sha&& e an ensi,n unto the *eo*&e< and there sha&& co'e
unto her out of e$er! nation under hea$en#
@9# And the da! sha&& co'e 2hen the nations of the earth sha&&
tre'&e ecause of her< and sha&& fear ecause of her terri&e ones# The
Lord hath s*o0en it# A'en#
CHA)TER 6%II#
THE A)OSTASY OF E;RA "OOTH--)RE)ARATIONS FOR )U"LISHIN5
THE "OO1 OF CO..AND.ENTS#
On the 7Hth of Se*te'er< I re'o$ed 2ith '! fa'i&! to the to2nshi* of
Hira'< and co''enced &i$in, 2ith John Johnson# Hira' 2as in )orta,e
count!< and aout thirt! 'i&es southeaster&! fro' 1irt&and< Fro' this ti'e
unti& the fore*art of Octoer< I did &itt&e 'ore than *re*are to
re-co''ence the trans&ation of the "i&e#
Aout this ti'e E4ra "ooth ca'e out as an a*ostate# He ca'e into the
Church u*on seein, a *erson hea&ed of an infir'it! of 'an! !ears
standin,# He had een a .ethodist *riest for so'e ti'e *re$ious to his
e'racin, the fu&ness of the
5os*e&< as de$e&o*ed in the "oo0 of .or'on? and u*on his ad'ission
into the Church he 2as ordained an E&der# As 2i&& e seen ! the fore,oin,
re$e&ations< he 2ent u* to .issouri as a co'*anion of E&der .or&e!? ut
2hen he actua&&! &earned that faith< hu'i&it!< *atience< and triu&ation
,o efore &essin,< and that 5od rin,s &o2 efore He e/a&ts? that instead
of the -Sa$ior+s ,rantin, hi' *o2er to s'ite 'en and 'a0e the' e&ie$e<-
Eas he said he 2anted 5od to do in his o2n caseF--2hen he found he 'ust
eco'e a&& thin,s to a&& 'en< that he 'i,ht *erad$enture sa$e so'e? and
that< too< ! a&& di&i,ence< ! *eri&s ! sea and &and< as 2as the case in
the da!s of Jesus--then he 2as disa**ointed# In the :th cha*ter of St#
John+s 5os*e&< H:th $erse< it is 2ritten( -%eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou<
Ye see0 'e< not ecause !e sa2 the 'irac&es< ut ecause !e did eat of the
&oa$es< and 2ere fi&&ed#- So it 2as 2ith "ooth? and 2hen he 2as
disa**ointed ! his o2n e$i& heart< he turned a2a!< and< as said efore<
eca'e an a*ostate< and 2rote a series of &etters< 2hich< ! their
co&orin,< fa&sit!< and $ain ca&cu&ations to o$erthro2 the 2or0 of the
Lord< e/*osed his 2ea0ness< 2ic0edness and fo&&!< and &eft hi' a 'onu'ent
of his o2n sha'e< for the 2or&d to 2onder at#
A conference 2as he&d in 2hich "rother 3# 3# )he&*s 2as instructed to
sto* at Cincinnati on his 2a! to .issouri and *urchase a *ress and t!*e<
for the *ur*ose of esta&ishin, and *u&ishin, a 'onth&! *a*er at
Inde*endence< Jac0son count!< .issouri< to e ca&&ed the E$enin, and
.ornin, Star#
The first Sunda! in Octoer< Orson H!de< a c&er0 in "rother Sidne!
5i&ert and Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!+s store< in 1irt&and< 2as a*ti4ed< and
eca'e a 'e'er of the Church< He 2as soon after desi,nated as one of the
chosen 'en of the Lord< to ear His 2ord to the nations#
In the fore *art of Octoer< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, *ra!er throu,h
re$e&ation(
Re$e&ation
7# Hear0en< and &o< a $oice as of one sent do2n fro' on hi,h< 2ho is
'i,ht! and *o2erfu&< 2hose ,oin, forth is unto the ends of the earth< !ea<
2hose $oice is unto 'en--)re*are !e the 2a! of the Lord< 'a0e his *aths
strai,ht#
H# The 0e!s of the 0in,do' of 5od are co''itted unto 'an on the
earth< and fro' thence sha&& the ,os*e& ro&& forth unto the ends of the
earth< as the stone 2hich is cut out of the 'ountain 2ithout hands sha&&
ro&& forth< unti& it has fi&&ed the 2ho&e earth#
9# Yea< a $oice cr!in,--)re*are !e the 2a! of the Lord< *re*are !e
the su**er of the La'< 'a0e read! for the "ride,roo'#
@# )ra! unto the Lord< ca&& u*on his ho&! na'e< 'a0e 0no2n his
2onderfu& 2or0s a'on, the *eo*&e#
G# Ca&& u*on the Lord< that his 0in,do' 'a! ,o forth u*on the earth<
that the inhaitants thereof 'a! recei$e it< and e *re*ared for the da!s
to co'e< in the 2hich the Son of .an sha&& co'e do2n in hea$en< c&othed in
the ri,htness of his ,&or!< to 'eet the 0in,do' of 5od 2hich is set u* on
the earth#
:# 3herefore< 'a! the 0in,do' of 5od ,o forth< that the 0in,do' of
hea$en 'a! co'e< that thou< O 5od< 'a!est e ,&orified in hea$en so on
earth< that thine ene'ies 'a! e sudued? for thine is the honor< *o2er
and ,&or!< fore$er and e$er# A'en#
Soon after the ao$e re$e&ation 2as recei$ed< I rene2ed '! 2or0 on
the trans&ation of the Scri*tures< in co'*an! 2ith E&der Ri,don< 2ho had
re'o$ed to Hira'< to act in his office of scrie to 'e#
On the 77th of Octoer< a conference 2as he&d at "rother Johnson+s
2here I 2as &i$in,< at 2hich the E&ders 2ere instructed in the ancient
'anner of conductin, 'eetin,s< of 2hich 0no2&ed,e 'ost of the' 2ere
i,norant# A co''ittee of si/ 2as a**ointed to instruct the se$era&
ranches of the Church# E&ders Da$id 3hit'er and Re!no&ds Cahoon 2ere
a**ointed as t2o of the said co''ittee? 2ith the further dut! on their
'ission of settin, forth the condition of "rothers Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
Sidne! Ri,don< that the! 'i,ht otain 'eans to continue the trans&ation#
This conference 2as ad=ourned ti&& the HGth of Octoer< to 'eet at the
house of Irenus "urnett< in Oran,e< Cu!aho,a count!#
On the H7st< I attended a s*ecia& conference< to sett&e a difficu&t!
2hich had occurred in 1irt&and< on account of 3i&&ia' Cahoon and )eter
De$o&ue< ha$in, aused one of "rother 3hitne!+s chi&dren# E&der Ri,don and
'!se&f 2ere a**ointed to ,o to 1irt&and and sett&e the difficu&t!< 2hich
2e did#
At the conference on the HGth< at Oran,e< t2e&$e Hi,h )riests<
se$enteen E&ders< four )riests three Teachers< and four Deacons< to,ether
2ith a &ar,e con,re,ation attended# .uch usiness 2as done< and the four
re'ainin, 'e'ers of the co''ittee< authori4ed ! the conference at Hira'
on the 77th< 2ere a**ointed< and consisted of Si'eon Carter< Orson H!de<
H!ru' S'ith< and E'er Harris#
At the re>uest of 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< I in>uired of the Lord< and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Octoer< 7897#
7# "eho&d thus saith the Lord unto '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' E#
.+Le&&in--"&essed are !ou< inas'uch as !ou ha$e turned a2a! fro' !our
ini>uities< and ha$e recei$ed '! truths< saith the Lord !our Redee'er< the
Sa$ior of the 2or&d< e$en of as 'an! as e&ie$e on '! na'e#
H# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &essed are !ou for recei$in, 'ine
e$er&astin, co$enant< e$en the fu&ness of '! ,os*e&< sent forth unto the
chi&dren of 'en< that the! 'i,ht ha$e &ife and e 'ade *arta0ers of the
,&ories 2hich are to e re$ea&ed in the &ast da!s< as it 2as 2ritten !
the *ro*hets and a*ost&es in da!s of o&d#
9# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant 3i&&ia'< that !ou are c&ean< ut
not a&&? re*ent< therefore< of those thin,s 2hich are not *&easin, in '!
si,ht< saith the Lord< for the Lord 2i&& sho2 the' unto !ou#
@# And no2< $eri&!< I< the Lord< 2i&& sho2 unto !ou 2hat I 2i&&
concernin, !ou< or 2hat is '! 2i&& concernin, !ou#
G# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is '! 2i&& that !ou shou&d
*roc&ai' '! ,os*e& fro' &and to &and< and fro' cit! to cit!< !ea< in those
re,ions round aout 2here it has not een *roc&ai'ed#
:# Tarr! not 'an! da!s in this *&ace? ,o not u* unto the &and of ;ion
as !et? ut inas'uch as !ou can send< send? other2ise< thin0 not of th!
*ro*ert!#
M# 5o unto the eastern &ands< ear testi'on! in e$er! *&ace< unto
e$er! *eo*&e and in their s!na,o,ues< reasonin, 2ith the *eo*&e#
8# Let '! ser$ant Sa'ue& H# S'ith ,o 2ith !ou< and forsa0e hi' not<
and ,i$e hi' thine instructions? and he that is faithfu& sha&& e 'ade
stron, in e$er! *&ace? and I< the Lord< 2i&& ,o 2ith !ou#
N# La! !our hands u*on the sic0< and the! sha&& reco$er# Return not
ti&& I< the Lord< sha&& send !ou# "e *atient in aff&iction# As0< and !e
sha&& recei$e? 0noc0< and it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
7D# See0 not to e cu'ered# Forsa0e a&& unri,hteousness# Co''it not
adu&ter!--a te'*tation 2ith 2hich thou hast een trou&ed#
77# 1ee* these sa!in,s< for the! are true and faithfu&? and thou
sha&t 'a,nif! thine office< and *ush 'an! *eo*&e to ;ion 2ith son,s of
e$er&astin, =o! u*on their heads#
7H# Continue in these thin,s e$en unto the end< and !ou sha&& ha$e a
cro2n of eterna& &ife at the ri,ht hand of '! Father< 2ho is fu&& of ,race
and truth#
79# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord !our 5od< !our Redee'er< e$en Jesus
Christ# A'en#
I returned fro' the conference at Oran,e< to Hira'? and as O&i$er
Co2der! and John 3hit'er 2ere to start for Inde*endence< .issouri< a
s*ecia& conference 2as a**ointed for the first of No$e'er< at 2hich I
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e of '! church< saith the $oice of hi' 2ho
d2e&&s on hi,h< and 2hose e!es are u*on a&& 'en? !ea< $eri&! I sa!(
Hear0en !e *eo*&e fro' afar? and !e that are u*on the is&ands of the sea<
&isten to,ether#
H# For $eri&! the $oice of the Lord is unto a&& 'en< and there is
none to esca*e? and there is no e!e that sha&& not see< neither ear that
sha&& not hear< neither heart that sha&& not e *enetrated#
9# And the ree&&ious sha&& e *ierced 2ith 'uch sorro2? for their
ini>uities sha&& e s*o0en u*on the houseto*s< and their secret acts sha&&
e re$ea&ed#
@# And the $oice of 2arnin, sha&& e unto a&& *eo*&e< ! the 'ouths
of '! disci*&es< 2ho' I ha$e chosen in these &ast da!s#
G# And the! sha&& ,o forth and none sha&& sta! the'< for I the Lord
ha$e co''anded the'#
:# "eho&d< this is 'ine authorit!< and the authorit! of '! ser$ants<
and '! *reface unto the oo0 of '! co''and'ents< 2hich I ha$e ,i$en the'
to *u&ish unto !ou< O inhaitants of the earth#
M# 3herefore< fear and tre'&e< O !e *eo*&e< for 2hat I the Lord ha$e
decreed in the' sha&& e fu&fi&&ed#
8# And $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that the! 2ho ,o forth< earin, these
tidin,s unto the inhaitants of the earth< to the' is *o2er ,i$en to sea&
oth on earth and in hea$en< the une&ie$in, and ree&&ious?
N# Yea< $eri&!< to sea& the' u* unto the da! 2hen the 2rath of 5od
sha&& e *oured out u*on the 2ic0ed 2ithout 'easure--
7D# Unto the da! 2hen the Lord sha&& co'e to reco'*ense unto e$er!
'an accordin, to his 2or0< and 'easure to e$er! 'an accordin, to the
'easure 2hich he has 'easured to his fe&&o2 'an#
77# 3herefore the $oice of the Lord is unto the ends of the earth<
that a&& that 2i&& hear 'a! hear?
7H# )re*are !e< *re*are !e for that 2hich is to co'e< for the Lord is
ni,h?
79# And the an,er of the Lord is 0ind&ed< and his s2ord is athed in
hea$en< and it sha&& fa&& u*on the inhaitants of the earth#
7@# And the ar' of the Lord sha&& e re$ea&ed? and the da! co'eth
that the! 2ho 2i&& not hear the $oice of the Lord< neither the $oice of
his ser$ants< neither ,i$e heed to the 2ords of the *ro*hets and a*ost&es<
sha&& e cut off fro' a'on, the *eo*&e?
7G# For the! ha$e stra!ed fro' 'ine ordinances< and ha$e ro0en 'ine
e$er&astin, co$enant?
7:# The! see0 not the Lord to esta&ish his ri,hteousness< ut e$er!
'an 2a&0eth in his o2n 2a!< and after the i'a,e of his o2n 5od< 2hose
i'a,e is in the &i0eness of the 2or&d< and 2hose sustance is that of an
ido&< 2hich 2a/eth o&d and sha&& *erish in "a!&on< e$en "a!&on the
,reat< 2hich sha&& fa&&#
7M# 3herefore< I the Lord< 0no2in, the ca&a'it! 2hich shou&d co'e
u*on the inhaitants of the earth< ca&&ed u*on '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and s*a0e unto hi' fro' hea$en< and ,a$e hi' co''and'ents?
78# And a&so ,a$e co''and'ents to others< that the! shou&d *roc&ai'
these thin,s unto the 2or&d? and a&& this that it 'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed<
2hich 2as 2ritten ! the *ro*hets--
7N# The 2ea0 thin,s of the 2or&d sha&& co'e forth and rea0 do2n the
'i,ht! and stron, ones< that 'an shou&d not counse& his fe&&o2 'an<
neither trust in the ar' of f&esh--
HD# "ut that e$er! 'an 'i,ht s*ea0 in the na'e of 5od the Lord< e$en
the Sa$ior of the 2or&d?
H7# That faith a&so 'i,ht increase in the earth?
HH# That 'ine e$er&astin, co$enant 'i,ht e esta&ished?
H9# That the fu&ness of '! ,os*e& 'i,ht e *roc&ai'ed ! the 2ea0 and
the si'*&e unto the ends of the 2or&d< and efore 0in,s and ru&ers#
H@# "eho&d< I a' 5od and ha$e s*o0en it? these co''and'ents are of
'e< and 2ere ,i$en unto '! ser$ants in their 2ea0ness< after the 'anner of
their &an,ua,e< that the! 'i,ht co'e to understandin,#
HG# And inas'uch as the! erred it 'i,ht e 'ade 0no2n?
H:# And inas'uch as the! sou,ht 2isdo' the! 'i,ht e instructed?
HM# And inas'uch as the! sinned the! 'i,ht e chastened< that the!
'i,ht re*ent?
H8# And inas'uch as the! 2ere hu'&e the! 'i,ht e 'ade stron,< and
&essed fro' on hi,h< and recei$e 0no2&ed,e fro' ti'e to ti'e#
HN# And after ha$in, recei$ed the record of the Ne*hites< !ea< e$en
'! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'i,ht ha$e *o2er to trans&ate throu,h the
'erc! of 5od< ! the *o2er of 5od< the "oo0 of .or'on#
9D# And a&so those to 2ho' these co''and'ents 2ere ,i$en< 'i,ht ha$e
*o2er to &a! the foundation of this church< and to rin, it forth out of
oscurit! and out of dar0ness< the on&! true and &i$in, church u*on the
face of the 2ho&e earth< 2ith 2hich I< the Lord< a' 2e&& *&eased< s*ea0in,
unto the church co&&ecti$e&! and not indi$idua&&!--
97# For I the Lord cannot &oo0 u*on sin 2ith the &east de,ree of
a&&o2ance?
9H# Ne$erthe&ess< he that re*ents and does the co''and'ents of the
Lord sha&& e for,i$en?
99# And he that re*ents not< fro' hi' sha&& e ta0en e$en the &i,ht
2hich he has recei$ed? for '! S*irit sha&& not a&2a!s stri$e 2ith 'an<
saith the Lord of Hosts#
9@# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< O inhaitants of the earth( I
the Lord a' 2i&&in, to 'a0e these thin,s 0no2n unto a&& f&esh?
9G# For I a' no res*ecter of *ersons< and 2i&& that a&& 'en sha&&
0no2 that the da! s*eedi&! co'eth? the hour is not !et< ut is ni,h at
hand< 2hen *eace sha&& e ta0en fro' the earth< and the de$i& sha&& ha$e
*o2er o$er his o2n do'inion#
9:# And a&so the Lord sha&& ha$e *o2er o$er his saints< and sha&&
rei,n in their 'idst< and sha&& co'e do2n in =ud,'ent u*on Idu'ea< or the
2or&d#
9M# Search these co''and'ents< for the! are true and faithfu&< and
the *ro*hecies and *ro'ises 2hich are in the' sha&& a&& e fu&fi&&ed#
98# 3hat I the Lord ha$e s*o0en< I ha$e s*o0en< and I e/cuse not
'!se&f? and thou,h the hea$ens and the earth *ass a2a!< '! 2ord sha&& not
*ass a2a!< ut sha&& a&& e fu&fi&&ed< 2hether ! 'ine o2n $oice or ! the
$oice of '! ser$ants< it is the sa'e#
9N# For eho&d< and &o< the Lord is 5od< and the S*irit eareth
record< and the record is true< and the truth aideth fore$er and e$er#
A'en#
After this re$e&ation 2as recei$ed< so'e con$ersation 2as had
concernin, re$e&ations and &an,ua,e I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en No$e'er< 7897#
7# "eho&d and hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! church< 2ho ha$e asse'&ed
!ourse&$es to,ether< 2hose *ra!ers I ha$e heard< and 2hose hearts I 0no2<
and 2hose desires ha$e co'e u* efore 'e#
H# "eho&d and &o< 'ine e!es are u*on !ou< and the hea$ens and the
earth are in 'ine hands< and the riches of eternit! are 'ine to ,i$e#
9# Ye endea$ored to e&ie$e that !e shou&d recei$e the &essin, 2hich
2as offered unto !ou? ut eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou there 2ere fears
in !our hearts< and $eri&! this is the reason that !e did not recei$e#
@# And no2 I< the Lord< ,i$e unto !ou a testi'on! of the truth of
these co''and'ents 2hich are &!in, efore !ou#
G# Your e!es ha$e een u*on '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and his
&an,ua,e !ou ha$e 0no2n< and his i'*erfections !ou ha$e 0no2n? and !ou
ha$e sou,ht in !our hearts 0no2&ed,e that !ou 'i,ht e/*ress e!ond his
&an,ua,e< this !ou a&so 0no2#
:# No2< see0 !e out of the "oo0 of Co''and'ents< e$en the &east that
is a'on, the'< and a**oint hi' that is the 'ost 2ise a'on, !ou?
M# Or< if there e an! a'on, !ou that sha&& 'a0e one &i0e unto it<
then !e are =ustified in sa!in, that !e do not 0no2 that the! are true?
8# "ut if !e cannot 'a0e one &i0e unto it< !e are under conde'nation
if !e do not ear record that the! are true#
N# For !e 0no2 that there is no unri,hteousness in the'< and that
2hich is ri,hteous co'eth do2n fro' ao$e< fro' the Father of &i,hts#
7D# And a,ain $eri&! I sa! unto !ou that it is !our *ri$i&e,e< and a
*ro'ise I ,i$e unto !ou that ha$e een ordained unto this 'inistr!< that
inas'uch as !ou stri* !ourse&$es fro' =ea&ousies and fears< and hu'&e
!ourse&$es efore 'e< for !e are not sufficient&! hu'&e< the $ei& sha&&
e rent and !ou sha&& see 'e and 0no2 that I a'--not 2ith the carna&
neither natura& 'ind< ut 2ith the s*iritua&#
77# For no 'an has seen 5od at an! ti'e in the f&esh< e/ce*t
>uic0ened ! the S*irit of 5od#
7H# Neither can an! natura& 'an aide the *resence of 5od< neither
after the carna& 'ind#
79# Ye are not a&e to aide the *resence of 5od no2< neither the
'inisterin, of an,e&s< 2herefore< continue in *atience unti& !e are
*erfected#
7@# Let not !our 'inds turn ac0? and 2hen !e are 2orth!< in 'ine o2n
due ti'e< !e sha&& see and 0no2 that 2hich 2as conferred u*on !ou ! the
hands of '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun# A'en#
After the fore,oin, 2as recei$ed< 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< as the 2isest
'an< in his o2n esti'ation< ha$in, 'ore &earnin, than sense< endea$ored to
2rite a co''and'ent &i0e unto one of the &east of the Lord+s< ut fai&ed?
it 2as an a2fu& res*onsii&it! to 2rite in the na'e of the Lord# The
E&ders and a&& *resent that 2itnessed this $ain atte'*t of a 'an to
i'itate the &an,ua,e of Jesus Christ< rene2ed their faith in the fu&ness
of the 5os*e&< and in the truth of the co''and'ents and re$e&ations 2hich
the Lord had ,i$en to the Church throu,h '! instru'enta&it!? and the
E&ders si,nified a 2i&&in,ness to ear testi'on! of their truth to a&& the
2or&d# Accordin,&! I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
The testi'on! of the 2itnesses to the oo0 of the Lord+s
co''and'ents< 2hich He ,a$e to His Church throu,h Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ho
2as a**ointed ! the $oice of the Church for this *ur*ose? 2e therefore
fee& 2i&&in, to ear testi'on! to a&& the 2or&d of 'an0ind< to e$er!
creature u*on the face of a&& the earth and u*on the is&ands of the sea
that the Lord has orne record to our sou&s< throu,h the Ho&! 5host< shed
forth u*on us< that these co''and'ents 2ere ,i$en ! ins*iration of 5od<
and are *rofita&e for a&& 'en< and are $eri&! true# 3e ,i$e this
testi'on! unto the 2or&d< the Lord ein, our he&*er and it is throu,h the
,race of 5od< the Father< and His Son< Jesus Christ< that 2e are *er'itted
to ha$e this *ri$i&e,e of earin, this testi'on! unto the 2or&d< that the
chi&dren of 'en 'a! e *rofited there!#
As the fo&&o2in, E&ders--Orson H!de< Lu0e Johnson< L!'an E# Johnson<
and 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in--2ere desirous to 0no2 the 'ind of the Lord
concernin, the'se&$es< I in>uired< and recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en No$e'er< 7897#
7# .! ser$ant< Orson H!de< 2as ca&&ed ! his ordination to *roc&ai'
the e$er&astin, ,os*e&< ! the S*irit of the &i$in, 5od< fro' *eo*&e to
*eo*&e< and fro' &and to &and< in the con,re,ations of the 2ic0ed< in
their s!na,o,ues< reasonin, 2ith and e/*oundin, a&& scri*tures unto the'#
H# And< eho&d< and &o< this is an ensa'*&e unto a&& those 2ho 2ere
ordained unto this *riesthood< 2hose 'ission is a**ointed unto the' to ,o
forth--
9# And this is the ensa'*&e unto the'< that the! sha&& s*ea0 as the!
are 'o$ed u*on ! the Ho&! 5host#
@# And 2hatsoe$er the! sha&& s*ea0 2hen 'o$ed u*on ! the Ho&! 5host
sha&& e scri*ture< sha&& e the 2i&& of the Lord< sha&& e the 'ind of
the Lord< sha&& he the 2ord of the Lord< sha&& e the $oice of the Lord<
and the *o2er of 5od unto sa&$ation#
G# "eho&d< this is the *ro'ise of the Lord unto !ou< O !e '!
ser$ants#
:# 3herefore< e of ,ood cheer< and do not fear< for I the Lord a'
2ith !ou and 2i&& stand ! !ou< and !e sha&& ear record of 'e< e$en Jesus
Christ< that I a' the Son of the &i$in, 5od< that I 2as< that I a'< and
that I a' to co'e#
M# This is the 2ord of the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant Orson H!de< and
a&so unto '! ser$ant Lu0e Johnson and unto '! ser$ant L!'an Johnson< and
unto '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< and unto a&& the faithfu& e&ders of
'! church--
8# 5o !e into a&& the 2or&d< *reach the ,os*e& to e$er! creature<
actin, in the authorit! 2hich I ha$e ,i$en !ou< a*ti4in, in the na'e of
the Father< and of the Son< and of the Ho&! 5host#
N# And he that e&ie$eth and is a*ti4ed sha&& e sa$ed< and he that
e&ie$eth not sha&& e da'ned#
7D# And he that e&ie$eth sha&& e &est 2ith si,ns fo&&o2in,< e$en
as it is 2ritten#
77# And unto !ou it sha&& e ,i$en to 0no2 the si,ns of the ti'es<
and the si,ns of the co'in, of the Son of .an?
7H# And of as 'an! as the Father sha&& ear record< to !ou sha&& e
,i$en *o2er to sea& the' u* unto eterna& &ife# A'en#
79# And no2< concernin, the ite's in addition to the co$enants and
co''and'ents the! are these--
7@# There re'ain hereafter< in the due ti'e of the Lord< other
isho*s to e set a*art unto the church to 'inister e$en accordin, to the
first?
7G# 3herefore the! sha&& e hi,h *riests 2ho are 2orth!< and the!
sha&& e a**ointed ! the First )residenc! of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood<
e/ce*t the! e &itera& descendants of Aaron#
7:# And if the! e &itera& descendants of Aaron the! ha$e a &e,a&
ri,ht to the isho*ric< if the! are the firstorn a'on, the sons of Aaron?
7M# For the firstorn ho&ds the ri,ht of the *residenc! o$er this
*riesthood< and the 0e!s or authorit! of the sa'e<
78# No 'an has a &e,a& ri,ht to this office< to ho&d the 0e!s of this
*riesthood< e/ce*t he e a &itera& descendant and the firstorn of Aaron#
7N# "ut< as a hi,h *riest of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood has authorit!
to officiate in a&& the &esser offices he 'a! officiate in the office of
isho* 2hen no &itera& descendant of Aaron can e found< *ro$ided he is
ca&&ed and set a*art and ordained unto this *o2er< under the hands of the
First )residenc! of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood#
HD# And a &itera& descendant of Aaron a&so< 'ust e desi,nated !
this )residenc!< and found 2orth!< and anointed< and ordained under the
hands of this )residenc!< other2ise the! are not &e,a&&! authori4ed to
officiate in their *riesthood#
H7# "ut< ! $irtue of the decree concernin, their ri,ht of the
*riesthood descendin, fro' father to son< the! 'a! c&ai' their anointin,
if at an! ti'e the! can *ro$e their &inea,e< or do ascertain it !
re$e&ation fro' the Lord under the hands of the ao$e na'ed )residenc!#
HH# And a,ain< no isho* or hi,h *riest 2ho sha&& e set a*art for
this 'inistr! sha&& e tried or conde'ned for an! cri'e< sa$e it e efore
the First )residenc! of the church?
H9# And inas'uch as he is found ,ui&t! efore this )residenc!< !
testi'on! that cannot e i'*eached< he sha&& e conde'ned?
H@# And if he re*ent he sha&& e for,i$en< accordin, to the co$enants
and co''and'ents of the church#
HG# And a,ain< inas'uch as *arents ha$e chi&dren in ;ion< or in an!
of her sta0es 2hich are or,ani4ed< that teach the' not to understand the
doctrine of re*entance< faith in Christ the Son of the &i$in, 5od< and of
a*tis' and the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host ! the &a!in, on of the hands< 2hen
ei,ht !ears o&d< the sin e u*on the heads of the *arents#
H:# For this sha&& e a &a2 unto the inhaitants of ;ion< or in an!
of her sta0es 2hich are or,ani4ed#
HM# And their chi&dren sha&& e a*ti4ed for the re'ission of their
sins 2hen ei,ht !ears o&d< and recei$e the &a!in, on of the hands#
H8# And the! sha&& a&so teach their chi&dren to *ra!< and to 2a&0
u*ri,ht&! efore the Lord#
HN# And the inhaitants of ;ion sha&& a&so oser$e the Saath da! to
0ee* it ho&!#
9D# And the inhaitants of ;ion a&so sha&& re'e'er their &aors<
inas'uch as the! are a**ointed to &aor< in a&& faithfu&ness? for the
id&er sha&& e had in re'e'rance efore the Lord#
97# No2 I< the Lord< a' not 2e&& *&eased 2ith the inhaitants of
;ion< for there are id&ers a'on, the'? and their chi&dren are a&so ,ro2in,
u* in 2ic0edness? the! a&so see0 not earnest&! the riches of eternit! ut
their e!es are fu&& of ,reediness#
9H# These thin,s ou,ht not to e and 'ust e done a2a! fro' a'on,
the'< 2herefore< &et '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der! carr! these sa!in,s unto
the &and of ;ion#
99# And a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto the'--that he that oser$eth not
his *ra!ers efore the Lord in the season thereof< &et hi' e had in
re'e'rance efore the =ud,e of '! *eo*&e#
9@# These sa!in,s are true and faithfu&? 2herefore< trans,ress the'
not< neither ta0e therefro'#
9G# "eho&d< I a' A&*ha and O'e,a< and I co'e >uic0&!# A'en#
It had een decided ! the conference that E&der O&i$er Co2der!
shou&d carr! the co''and'ents and re$e&ations to Inde*endence< .issouri<
for *rintin,< and that I shou&d arran,e and ,et the' in readiness ! the
ti'e that he &eft< 2hich 2as to e !--or< if *ossi&e< efore--the 7Gth
of the 'onth INo$e'erJ# At this ti'e there 2ere 'an! thin,s 2hich the
E&ders desired to 0no2 re&ati$e to *reachin, the 5os*e& to the inhaitants
of the earth< and concernin, the ,atherin,? and in order to 2a&0 ! the
true &i,ht< and e instructed fro' on hi,h< on the 9rd of No$e'er< 7897<
I in>uired of the Lord and recei$ed the fo&&o2in, i'*ortant re$e&ation<
2hich has since een added to the oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< and
ca&&ed the A**endi/(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en No$e'er 9< 7897#
7# Hear0en< O !e *eo*&e of '! church< saith the Lord !our 5od and
hear the 2ord of the Lord concernin, !ou--
H# The Lord 2ho sha&& sudden&! co'e to his te'*&e? the Lord 2ho sha&&
co'e do2n u*on the 2or&d 2ith a curse to =ud,'ent? !ea< u*on a&& the
nations that for,et 5od< and u*on a&& the un,od&! a'on, !ou#
9# For he sha&& 'a0e are his ho&! ar' in the e!es of a&& the
nations< and a&& the ends of the earth sha&& see the sa&$ation of their
5od#
@# 3herefore< *re*are !e< *re*are !e< O '! *eo*&e? sanctif!
!ourse&$es? ,ather !e to,ether< O !e *eo*&e of '! church< u*on the &and of
;ion< a&& !ou that ha$e not een co''anded to tarr!#
G# 5o !e out fro' "a!&on# "e !e c&ean that ear the $esse&s of the
Lord#
:# Ca&& !our so&e'n asse'&ies< and s*ea0 often one to another# And
&et e$er! 'an ca&& u*on the na'e of the Lord#
M# Yea< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou a,ain< the ti'e has co'e 2hen the $oice
of the Lord is unto !ou? 5o !e out of "a!&on? ,ather !e out fro' a'on,
the nations< fro' the four 2inds< fro' one end of hea$en to the other#
8# Send forth the e&ders of '! church unto the nations 2hich are afar
off? unto the is&ands of the sea? send forth unto forei,n &ands? ca&& u*on
a&& nations< first u*on the 5enti&es< and then u*on the Je2s#
N# And eho&d< and &o< this sha&& e their cr!< and the $oice of the
Lord unto a&& *eo*&e? 5o !e forth unto the &and of ;ion< that the orders
of '! *eo*&e 'a! e en&ar,ed< and that her sta0es 'a! e stren,thened< and
that ;ion 'a! ,o forth unto the re,ions round aout#
7D# Yea< &et the cr! ,o forth a'on, a&& *eo*&e( A2a0e and arise and
,o forth to 'eet the "ride,roo'< eho&d and &o< the "ride,roo' co'eth? ,o
!e out to 'eet hi'# )re*are !ourse&$es for the ,reat da! of the Lord#
77# 3atch< therefore< for !e 0no2 neither the da! nor the hour#
7H# Let the'< therefore< 2ho are a'on, the 5enti&es< f&ee unto ;ion#
79# And &et the' 2ho e of Judah f&ee unto Jerusa&e'< unto the
'ountains of the Lord+s house#
7@# 5o !e out fro' a'on, the nations< e$en fro' "a!&on< fro' the
'idst of 2ic0edness< 2hich is s*iritua& "a!&on#
7G# "ut $eri&!< thus saith the Lord< &et not !our f&i,ht e in haste<
ut &et a&& thin,s e *re*ared efore !ou? and he that ,oeth< &et hi' not
&oo0 ac0 &est sudden destruction sha&& co'e u*on hi'#
7:# Hear0en and hear< O !e inhaitants of the earth# Listen< !e
e&ders of '! church to,ether< and hear the $oice of the Lord? for he
ca&&eth u*on a&& 'en< and he co''andeth a&& 'en e$er!2here to re*ent#
7M# For eho&d< the Lord 5od hath sent forth the an,e& cr!in, throu,h
the 'idst of hea$en< sa!in,( )re*are !e the 2a! of the Lord< and 'a0e his
*aths strai,ht< for the hour of his co'in, is ni,h--
78# 3hen the La' sha&& stand u*on .ount ;ion< and 2ith hi' a hundred
and fort!-four thousand< ha$in, his Father+s na'e 2ritten on their
foreheads#
7N# 3herefore< *re*are !e for the co'in, of the "ride,roo'? ,o !e< ,o
!e out to 'eet hi'#
HD# For eho&d< he sha&& stand u*on the 'ount of O&i$er< and u*on the
'i,ht! ocean< e$en the ,reat dee*< and u*on the is&ands of the sea< and
u*on the &and of ;ion#
H7# And he sha&& utter his $oice out of ;ion< and he sha&& s*ea0 fro'
Jerusa&e'< and his $oice sha&& e heard a'on, a&& *eo*&e?
HH# And it sha&& e a $oice as the $oice of 'an! 2aters< and as the
$oice of a ,reat thunder< 2hich sha&& rea0 do2n the 'ountains< and the
$a&&e!s sha&& not e found#
H9# He sha&& co''and the ,reat dee*< and it sha&& e dri$en ac0 into
the north countries< and the is&ands sha&& eco'e one &and?
H@# And the &and of Jerusa&e' and the &and of ;ion sha&& e turned
ac0 into their o2n *&ace< and the earth sha&& e &i0e as it 2as in the
da!s efore it 2as di$ided#
HG# And the Lord< e$en the Sa$ior< sha&& stand in the 'idst of his
*eo*&e< and sha&& rei,n o$er a&& f&esh#
H:# And the! 2ho are in the north countries sha&& co'e in re'e'rance
efore the Lord? and their *ro*hets sha&& hear his $oice< and sha&& no
&on,er sta! the'se&$es? and the! sha&& s'ite the roc0s< and the ice sha&&
f&o2 do2n at their *resence#
HM# And an hi,h2a! sha&& e cast u* in the 'idst of the ,reat dee*#
H8# Their ene'ies sha&& eco'e a *re! unto the'#
HN# And in the arren deserts there sha&& co'e forth *oo&s of &i$in,
2ater? and the *arched ,round sha&& no &on,er e a thirst! &and#
9D# And the! sha&& rin, forth their rich treasures unto the chi&dren
of E*hrai'< '! ser$ants#
97# And the oundaries of the e$er&astin, hi&&s sha&& tre'&e at
their *resence#
9H# And there sha&& the! fa&& do2n and e cro2ned 2ith ,&or!< e$en in
;ion< ! the hands of the ser$ants of the Lord< e$en the chi&dren of
E*hrai'#
99# And the! sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o!#
9@# "eho&d< this is the &essin, of the e$er&astin, 5od u*on the
tries of Israe&< and the richer &essin, u*on the head of E*hrai' and his
fe&&o2s#
9G# And the! a&so of the trie of Judah< after their *ain sha&& e
sanctified in ho&iness efore the Lord< to d2e&& in his *resence da! and
ni,ht< fore$er and e$er#
9:# And no2< $eri&! saith the Lord< that these thin,s 'i,ht e 0no2n
a'on, !ou< O inhaitants of the earth< I ha$e sent forth 'ine an,e& f&!in,
throu,h the 'idst of hea$en< ha$in, the e$er&astin, ,os*e&< 2ho hath
a**eared unto so'e and hath co''itted it unto 'an< 2ho sha&& a**ear unto
'an! that d2e&& on the earth#
9M# And this ,os*e& sha&& e *reached unto e$er! nation< and 0indred<
and ton,ue< and *eo*&e#
98# And the ser$ants of 5od sha&& ,o forth< sa!in, 2ith a &oud $oice<
Fear 5od and ,i$e ,&or! to hi'< for the hour of his =ud,'ent is co'e?
9N# And 2orshi* hi' that 'ade hea$en< and earth< and the sea< and the
fountains of 2aters--
@D# Ca&&in, u*on the na'e of the Lord da! and ni,ht< sa!in,? O that
thou 2ou&dst rend the hea$ens< that thou 2ou&dst co'e do2n< that the
'ountains 'i,ht f&o2 do2n at th! *resence#
@7# And it sha&& e ans2ered u*on their heads? for the *resence of
the Lord sha&& e as the 'e&tin, fire that urneth< and as the fire 2hich
causeth the 2aters to oi&#
@H# O Lord< thou sha&t co'e do2n to 'a0e th! na'e 0no2n to thine
ad$ersaries< and a&& nations sha&& tre'&e at th! *resence--
@9# 3hen thou doest terri&e thin,s< thin,s the! &oo0 not for?
@@# Yea< 2hen thou co'est do2n< and the 'ountains f&o2 do2n at th!
*resence< thou sha&t 'eet hi' 2ho re=oiceth and 2or0eth ri,hteousness< 2ho
re'e'ereth thee in th! 2a!s#
@G# For since the e,innin, of the 2or&d ha$e not 'en heard nor
*ercei$ed ! the ear< neither hath an! e!e seen< O 5od< esides thee< ho2
,reat thin,s thou hast *re*ared for hi' that 2aiteth for thee#
@:# And it sha&& e said? 3ho is this that co'eth do2n fro' 5od in
hea$en 2ith d!ed ,ar'ents? !ea< fro' the re,ions 2hich are not 0no2n<
c&othed in his ,&orious a**are&< tra$e&in, in the ,reatness of his
stren,thB
@M# And he sha&& sa!? I a' he 2ho s*a0e in ri,hteousness< 'i,ht! to
sa$e#
@8# And the Lord sha&& e red in his a**are&< and his ,ar'ents &i0e
hi' that treadeth in the 2ine-$at#
@N# And so ,reat sha&& e the ,&or! of his *resence that the sun
sha&& hide his face in sha'e< and the 'oon sha&& 2ithho&d its &i,ht< and
the stars sha&& e hur&ed fro' their *&aces#
GD# And his $oice sha&& e heard? I ha$e trodden the 2ine*ress a&one<
and ha$e rou,ht =ud,'ent u*on a&& *eo*&e? and none 2ere 2ith 'e?
G7# And I ha$e tra'*&ed the' in '! fur!< and I did tread u*on the' in
'ine an,er< and their &ood ha$e I s*rin0&ed u*on '! ,ar'ents< and stained
a&& '! rai'ent? for this 2as the da! of $en,eance 2hich 2as in '! heart#
GH# And no2 the !ear of '! redee'ed is co'e? and the! sha&& 'ention
the &o$in, 0indness of their Lord< and a&& that he has esto2ed u*on the'
accordin, to his ,oodness< and accordin, to his &o$in, 0indness< fore$er
and e$er#
G9# In a&& their aff&ictions he 2as aff&icted# And the an,e& of his
*resence sa$ed the'? and in his &o$e< and in his *it!< he redee'ed the'<
and ore the'< and carried the' a&& the da!s of o&d?
G@# Yea< and Enoch a&so< and the! 2ho 2ere 2ith hi'? the *ro*hets 2ho
2ere efore hi'? and Noah a&so< and the! 2ho 2ere efore hi'? and .oses
a&so< and the! 2ho 2ere efore hi'?
GG# And fro' .oses to E&i=ah< and fro' E&i=ah to John< 2ho 2ere 2ith
Christ in his resurrection< and the ho&! a*ost&es< 2ith Araha'< Isaac<
and Jaco< sha&& e in the *resence of the La'#
G:# And the ,ra$es of the saints sha&& e o*ened? and the! sha&& co'e
forth and stand on the ri,ht hand of the La'< 2hen he sha&& stand u*on
.ount ;ion< and u*on the ho&! cit!< the Ne2 Jerusa&e'? and the! sha&& sin,
the son, of the La'< da! and ni,ht fore$er and e$er#
GM# And for this cause< that 'en 'i,ht e 'ade *arta0ers of the
,&ories 2hich 2ere to e re$ea&ed< the Lord sent forth the fu&ness of his
,os*e&< his e$er&astin, co$enant< reasonin, in *&ainness and si'*&icit!--
G8# To *re*are the 2ea0 for those thin,s 2hich are co'in, on the
earth< and for the Lord+s errand in the da! 2hen the 2ea0 sha&& confound
the 2ise< and the &itt&e one eco'e a stron, nation< and t2o sha&& *ut
their tens of thousands to f&i,ht#
GN# And ! the 2ea0 thin,s of the earth the Lord sha&& thrash the
nations ! the *o2er of his S*irit#
:D# And for this cause these co''and'ents 2ere ,i$en? the! 2ere
co''anded to e 0e*t fro' the 2or&d in the da! that the! 2ere ,i$en< ut
no2 are to ,o forth unto a&& f&esh--
:7# And this accordin, to the 'ind and 2i&& of the Lord< 2ho ru&eth
o$er a&& f&esh#
:H# And unto hi' that re*enteth and sanctifieth hi'se&f efore the
Lord sha&& e ,i$en eterna& &ife#
:9# And u*on the' that hear0en not to the $oice of the Lord sha&& e
fu&fi&&ed that 2hich 2as 2ritten ! the *ro*het .oses< that the! shou&d e
cut off fro' a'on, the *eo*&e#
:@# And a&so that 2hich 2as 2ritten ! the *ro*het .a&achi( For<
eho&d< the da! co'eth that sha&& urn as an o$en< and a&& the *roud< !ea<
and a&& that do 2ic0ed&!< sha&& e stu&e? and the da! that co'eth sha&&
urn the' u*< saith the Lord of hosts< that it sha&& &ea$e the' neither
root nor ranch#
:G# 3herefore< this sha&& e the ans2er of the Lord unto the'?
::# In that da! 2hen I ca'e unto 'ine o2n< no 'an a'on, !ou recei$ed
'e< and !ou 2ere dri$en out#
:M# 3hen I ca&&ed a,ain there 2as none of !ou to ans2er? !et '! ar'
2as not shortened at a&& that I cou&d not redee'< neither '! *o2er to
de&i$er<
:8# "eho&d< at '! reu0e I dr! u* the sea# I 'a0e the ri$ers a
2i&derness? their fish stin0< and die for thirst#
:N# I c&othe the hea$ens 2ith &ac0ness< and 'a0e sac0c&oth their
co$erin,#
MD# And this sha&& !e ha$e of '! hand--!e sha&& &ie do2n in sorro2#
M7# "eho&d< and &o< there are none to de&i$er !ou? for !e oe!ed not
'! $oice 2hen I ca&&ed to !ou out of the hea$ens? !e e&ie$ed not '!
ser$ants< and 2hen the! 2ere sent unto !ou !e recei$ed the' not#
MH# 3herefore< the! sea&ed u* the testi'on! and ound u* the &a2< and
!e 2ere de&i$ered o$er unto dar0ness#
M9# These sha&& ,o a2a! into outer dar0ness< 2here there is 2ee*in,<
and 2ai&in,< and ,nashin, of teeth#
M@# "eho&d the Lord !our 5od hath s*o0en it# A'en#
The "oo0 of Co''and'ents and Re$e&ations 2as to e dedicated !
*ra!er to the ser$ice of A&'i,ht! 5od ! 'e? and after I had done this I
in>uired of the Lord concernin, these thin,s< and recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en No$e'er< 7897#
7# Hear0en unto 'e< saith the Lord !our 5od< for '! ser$ant O&i$er
Co2der!+s sa0e# It is not 2isdo' in 'e that he shou&d e entrusted 2ith
the co''and'ents and the 'one!s 2hich he sha&& carr! unto the &and of
;ion< e/ce*t one ,o 2ith hi' 2ho 2i&& e true and faithfu&#
H# 3herefore< I< the Lord< 2i&& that '! ser$ant< John 3hit'er< shou&d
,o 2ith '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der!?
9# And a&so that he sha&& continue in 2ritin, and 'a0in, a histor! of
a&& the i'*ortant thin,s 2hich he sha&& oser$e and 0no2 concernin, '!
church?
@# And a&so that he recei$e counse& and assistance fro' '! ser$ant
O&i$er Co2der! and others#
G# And a&so '! ser$ants 2ho are aroad in the earth shou&d send forth
the accounts of their ste2ardshi*s to the &and of ;ion#
:# For the &and of ;ion sha&& e a seat and a *&ace to recei$e and do
a&& these thin,s#
M# Ne$erthe&ess< &et '! ser$ant John 3hit'er tra$e& 'an! ti'es fro'
*&ace to *&ace< and fro' church to church< that he 'a! the 'ore easi&!
otain 0no2&ed,e--
8# )reachin, and e/*oundin,< 2ritin,< co*!in,< se&ectin,< and
otainin, a&& thin,s 2hich sha&& e for the ,ood of the church< and for
the risin, ,enerations that sha&& ,ro2 u* on the &and of ;ion< to *ossess
it fro' ,eneration to ,eneration< fore$er and e$er# A'en#
.! ti'e 2as occu*ied c&ose&! in re$ie2in, the co''and'ents and
sittin, in conference< for near&! t2o 2ee0s? for fro' the first to the
t2e&fth of No$e'er 2e he&d four s*ecia& conferences# In the &ast 2hich
2as he&d at "rother Johnson+s< in Hira'< after de&ierate consideration<
in conse>uence of the oo0 of re$e&ations< no2 to e *rinted< ein, the
foundation of the Church in these &ast da!s< and a enefit to the 2or&d<
sho2in, that the 0e!s of the '!steries of the 0in,do' of our Sa$ior are
a,ain entrusted to 'an? and the riches of eternit! 2ithin the co'*ass of
those 2ho are 2i&&in, to &i$e ! e$er! 2ord that *roceedeth out of the
'outh of 5od--therefore the conference $oted that the! *ri4e the
re$e&ations to e 2orth to the Church the riches of the 2ho&e earth<
s*ea0in, te'*ora&&!# The ,reat enefits to the 2or&d 2hich resu&t fro' the
"oo0 of .or'on and the re$e&ations 2hich the Lord has seen fit in His
infinite 2isdo' to ,rant unto us for our sa&$ation< and for the sa&$ation
of a&& that 2i&& e&ie$e< 2ere du&! a**reciated? and in ans2er to an
in>uir!< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en No$e'er< 7897#
7# "eho&d< and hear0en< O !e inhaitants of ;ion< and a&& !e *eo*&e
of '! church 2ho are afar off< and hear the 2ord of the Lord 2hich I ,i$e
unto '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and a&so unto '! ser$ant .artin
Harris< and a&so unto '! ser$ant O&i$er Co2der!< and a&so unto '! ser$ant
John 3hit'er< and a&so unto '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don< and a&so unto '!
ser$ant 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< ! the 2a! of co''and'ent unto the'#
H# For I ,i$e unto the' a co''and'ent? 2herefore hear0en and hear<
for thus saith the Lord unto the'--
9# I< the Lord< ha$e a**ointed the'< and ordained the' to e ste2ards
o$er the re$e&ations and co''and'ents 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto the'< and
2hich I sha&& hereafter ,i$e unto the'?
@# And an account of this ste2ardshi* 2i&& I re>uire of the' in the
da! of =ud,'ent#
G# 3herefore< I ha$e a**ointed unto the'< and this is their usiness
in the church of 5od< to 'ana,e the' and the concerns thereof< !ea< the
enefits thereof#
:# 3herefore a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto the'< that the! sha&& not ,i$e
these thin,s unto the church< neither unto the 2or&d?
M# Ne$erthe&ess< inas'uch as the! recei$e 'ore than is needfu& for
their necessities and their 2ants< it sha&& e ,i$en into '! storehouse?
8# And the enefits sha&& e consecrated unto the inhaitants of
;ion< and unto their ,enerations< inas'uch as the! eco'e heirs accordin,
to the &a2s of the 0in,do'#
N# "eho&d< this is 2hat the &ord re>uires of e$er! 'an in his
ste2ardshi*< e$en as I< the Lord< ha$e a**ointed or sha&& hereafter
a**oint unto an! 'an#
7D# And eho&d< none are e/e'*t fro' this &a2 2ho e&on, to the
church of the &i$in, 5od<
77# Yea< neither the isho*< neither the a,ent 2ho 0ee*eth the Lord+s
storehouse< neither he 2ho is a**ointed in a ste2ardshi* o$er te'*ora&
thin,s#
7H# He 2ho is a**ointed to ad'inister s*iritua& thin,s< the sa'e is
2orth! of his hire< e$en as those 2ho are a**ointed to a ste2ardshi* to
ad'inister in te'*ora& thin,s?
79# Yea< e$en 'ore aundant&!< 2hich aundance is 'u&ti*&ied unto
the' throu,h the 'anifestations of the S*irit#
7@# Ne$erthe&ess< in !our te'*ora& thin,s !ou sha&& e e>ua&< and
this not ,rud,in,&!< other2ise the aundance of the 'anifestations of the
S*irit sha&& e 2ithhe&d#
7G# No2< this co''and'ent I ,i$e unto '! ser$ants for their enefit
2hi&e the! re'ain< for a 'anifestation of '! &essin,s u*on their heads<
and for a re2ard of their di&i,ence and for their securit!(
7:# For food and for rai'ent? for an inheritance? for houses and for
&ands in 2hatsoe$er circu'stances I< the Lord< sha&& *&ace the'< and
2hithersoe$er I< the Lord< sha&& send the'#
7M# For the! ha$e een faithfu& o$er 'an! thin,s< and ha$e done 2e&&
inas'uch as the! ha$e not sinned#
78# "eho&d< I< the Lord< a' 'ercifu& and 2i&& &ess the'< and the!
sha&& enter into the =o! of these thin,s# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER 6%III#
THE A.HERST CONFERENCE--THE %ISION OF THE DE5REES OF 5LORY IN
.AN+S FUTURE LIFE#
After O&i$er Co2der! and John 3hit'er had de*arted for Jac0son
count!< .issouri< I resu'ed the trans&ation of the Scri*tures< and
continued to &aor in this ranch of '! ca&&in, 2ith E&der Sidne! Ri,don
as '! scrie< unti& I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Dece'er 7st< 7897#
7# "eho&d< thus saith the Lord unto !ou '! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< that the ti'e has $eri&! co'e that it is
necessar! and e/*edient in 'e that !ou shou&d o*en !our 'ouths in
*roc&ai'in, '! ,os*e&< the thin,s of the 0in,do'< e/*oundin, the '!steries
thereof out of the scri*tures< accordin, to that *ortion of S*irit and
*o2er 2hich sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou< e$en as I 2i&&#
H# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< *roc&ai' unto the 2or&d in the re,ions
round aout< and in the church a&so< for the s*ace of a season< e$en unti&
it sha&& e 'ade 0no2n unto !ou#
9# %eri&! this is a 'ission for a season< 2hich I ,i$e unto !ou#
@# 3herefore< &aor !e in '! $ine!ard# Ca&& u*on the inhaitants of
the earth< and ear record< and *re*are the 2a! for the co''and'ents and
re$e&ations 2hich are to co'e#
G# No2< eho&d this is 2isdo'? 2hoso readeth< &et hi' understand and
recei$e a&so?
:# For unto hi' that recei$eth it sha&& e ,i$en 'ore aundant&!<
e$en *o2er#
M# 3herefore< confound !our ene'ies? ca&& u*on the' to 'eet !ou oth
in *u&ic and in *ri$ate? and inas'uch as !e are faithfu& their sha'e
sha&& e 'ade 'anifest#
8# 3herefore< &et the' rin, forth their stron, reasons a,ainst the
Lord#
N# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou--there is no 2ea*on that is
for'ed a,ainst !ou sha&& *ros*er?
7D# And if an! 'an &ift his $oice a,ainst !ou he sha&& e confounded
in 'ine o2n due ti'e#
77# 3herefore< 0ee* '! co''and'ents? the! are true and faithfu&# E$en
so# A'en#
1no2in, no2 the 'ind of the Lord< that the ti'e had co'e that the
5os*e& shou&d e *roc&ai'ed in *o2er and de'onstration to the 2or&d< fro'
the Scri*tures< reasonin, 2ith 'en as in da!s of o&d< I too0 a =ourne! to
1irt&and< in co'*an! 2ith E&der Sidne! Ri,don on the 9rd da! of Dece'er<
to fu&fi& the ao$e re$e&ation# On the @th< se$era& of the E&ders and
'e'ers asse'&ed to,ether to &earn their dut!< and for edification< and
after so'e ti'e had een s*ent in con$ersin, aout our te'*ora& and
s*iritua& 2e&fare< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation 5i$en Dece'er @th< 7897
7# Hear0en< and &isten to the $oice of the Lord< O !e 2ho ha$e
asse'&ed !ourse&$es to,ether< 2ho are the hi,h *riests of '! church< to
2ho' the 0in,do' and *o2er ha$e een ,i$en#
H# For $eri&! thus saith the Lord< it is e/*edient in 'e for a isho*
to e a**ointed unto !ou< or of !ou< unto the church in this *art of the
Lord+s $ine!ard#
9# And $eri&! in this thin, !e ha$e done 2ise&!< for it is re>uired
of the Lord< at the hand of e$er! ste2ard< to render an account of his
ste2ardshi*< oth in ti'e and in eternit!#
@# For he 2ho is faithfu& and 2ise in ti'e is accounted 2orth! to
inherit the 'ansions *re*ared for hi' of '! Father#
G# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the e&ders of the church in this *art of '!
$ine!ard sha&& render an account of their ste2ardshi* unto the isho*< 2ho
sha&& e a**ointed of 'e in this *art of '! $ine!ard#
:# These thin,s sha&& e had on record< to e handed o$er unto the
isho* in ;ion#
M# And the dut! of the isho* sha&& e 'ade 0no2n ! the co''and'ents
2hich ha$e een ,i$en< and the $oice of the conference#
8# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! is the
'an 2ho sha&& e a**ointed and ordained unto this *o2er# This is the 2i&&
of the Lord !our 5od< !our Redee'er# E$en so# A'en#
N# The 2ord of the Lord< in addition to the &a2 2hich has een ,i$en<
'a0in, 0no2n the dut! of the isho* 2ho has een ordained unto the church
in this *art of the $ine!ard< 2hich is $eri&! this--
7D# To 0ee* the Lord+s storehouse? to recei$e the funds of the church
in this *art of the $ine!ard<
77# To ta0e an account of the e&ders as efore has een co''anded?
and to ad'inister to their 2ants< 2ho sha&& *a! for that 2hich the!
recei$e< inas'uch as the! ha$e 2here2ith to *a!?
7H# That this a&so 'a! e consecrated to the ,ood of the church< to
the *oor and need!#
79# And he 2ho hath not 2here2ith to *a!< an account sha&& e ta0en
and handed o$er to the isho* of ;ion< 2ho sha&& *a! the det out of that
2hich the Lord sha&& *ut into his hands#
7@# And the &aors of the faithfu& 2ho &aor in s*iritua& thin,s< in
ad'inisterin, the ,os*e& and the thin,s of the 0in,do' unto the church<
and unto the 2or&d< sha&& ans2er the det unto the isho* in ;ion?
7G# Thus it co'eth out of the church< for accordin, to the &a2 e$er!
'an that co'eth u* to ;ion 'ust &a! a&& thin,s efore the isho* in ;ion#
7:# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that as e$er! e&der in this *art
of the $ine!ard 'ust ,i$e an account of his ste2ardshi* unto the isho* in
this *art of the $ine!ard--
7M# A certificate fro' the =ud,e or isho* in this *art of the
$ine!ard< unto the isho* in the $ine!ard< unto the isho* in ;ion<
rendereth e$er! 'an acce*ta&e< and ans2ereth a&& thin,s< for an
inheritance< and to e recei$ed as a 2ise ste2ard and as a faithfu&
&aorer?
78# Other2ise he sha&& not e acce*ted of the isho* of ;ion#
7N# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et e$er! e&der 2ho sha&& ,i$e an
account unto the isho* of the church in this *art of the $ine!ard e
reco''ended ! the church or churches< in 2hich he &aors< that he 'a!
render hi'se&f and his accounts a**ro$ed in a&& thin,s#
HD# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ants 2ho are a**ointed as ste2ards o$er the
&iterar! concerns of '! church ha$e c&ai' for assistance u*on the isho*
or isho*s in a&& thin,s--
H7# That the re$e&ations 'a! e *u&ished< and ,o forth unto the ends
of the earth? that the! a&so 'a! otain funds 2hich sha&& enefit the
church in a&& thin,s?
HH# That the! a&so 'a! render the'se&$es a**ro$ed in a&& thin,s< and
e accounted as 2ise ste2ards#
H9# And no2< eho&d< this sha&& e an ensa'*&e for a&& the e/tensi$e
ranches of '! church< in 2hatsoe$er &and the! sha&& e esta&ished# And
no2 I 'a0e an end of '! sa!in,s# A'en#
H@# A fe2 2ords in addition to the &a2s of the 0in,do'< res*ectin,
the 'e'ers of the church--the! that are a**ointed ! the Ho&! S*irit to
,o u* unto ;ion< and the! 2ho are *ri$i&e,ed to ,o u* unto ;ion--
HG# Let the' carr! u* unto the isho* a certificate fro' three e&ders
of the church< or a certificate fro' the isho*?
H:# Other2ise he 2ho sha&& ,o u* unto the &and of ;ion sha&& not e
accounted as a 2ise ste2ard# This is a&so an ensa'*&e# A'en#
Fro' this ti'e unti& the 8th or 7Dth of Januar!< 789H< '!se&f and
E&der Ri,don continued to *reach in Sha&ers$i&&e< Ra$enna< and other
*&aces< settin, forth the truth< $indicatin, the cause of our Redee'er?
sho2in, that the da! of $en,eance 2as co'in, u*on this ,eneration &i0e a
thief in the ni,ht? that *re=udice< &indness and dar0ness fi&&ed the
'inds of 'an!< and caused the' to *ersecute the true Church< and re=ect
the true &i,ht? ! 2hich 'eans 2e did 'uch to2ards a&&a!in, the e/cited
fee&in,s 2hich 2ere ,ro2in, out of the scanda&ous &etters then ein,
*u&ished in the Ohio Star< at Ra$enna< ! the efore-'entioned a*ostate<
E4ra "ooth# On the 7Dth of Januar!< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation
'a0in, 0no2n the 2i&& of the Lord concernin, the E&ders of the Church
unti& the con$enin, of the ne/t conference#
Re$e&ation of Januar! 7Dth< 789HO
7# For $eri&!< thus saith the Lord< it is e/*edient in 'e that the!
shou&d continue *reachin, the ,os*e&< and in e/hortation to the churches
in the re,ions round aout< unti& conference?
H# And then< eho&d< it sha&& e 'ade 0no2n unto the'< ! the $oice
of the conference< their se$era& 'issions#
9# No2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou '! ser$ants< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
Sidne! Ri,don< saith the Lord< it is e/*edient to trans&ate a,ain?
@# And< inas'uch as it is *ractica&e< to *reach in the re,ions round
aout unti& conference? and after that it is e/*edient to continue the
2or0 of trans&ation unti& it e finished#
G# And &et this e a *attern unto the e&ders unti& further 0no2&ed,e<
e$en as it is 2ritten#
:# No2 I ,i$e no 'ore unto !ou at this ti'e# 5ird u* !our &oins and
e soer# E$en so# A'en#
U*on the rece*tion of the fore,oin, 2ord of the Lord< I reco''enced
the trans&ation of the Scri*tures< and &aored di&i,ent&! unti& =ust
efore the conference< 2hich 2as to con$ene on the HGth of Januar!# Durin,
this *eriod< I a&so recei$ed the fo&&o2in,< as an e/*&anation of the First
E*ist&e to the Corinthians< Mth cha*ter< 7@th $erse(
Re$e&ation#
7# For the une&ie$in, husand is sanctified ! the 2ife< and the
une&ie$in, 2ife is sanctified ! the husand? e&se 2ere !our chi&dren
unc&ean< ut no2 are the! ho&!#
H# No2< in the da!s of the a*ost&es the &a2 of circu'cision 2as had
a'on, a&& the Je2s 2ho e&ie$ed not the ,os*e& of Jesus Christ#
9# And it ca'e to *ass that there arose a ,reat contention a'on, the
*eo*&e concernin, the &a2 of circu'cision< for the une&ie$in, husand 2as
desirous that his chi&dren shou&d e circu'cised and eco'e su=ect to the
&a2 of .oses< 2hich &a2 2as fu&fi&&ed#
@# And it ca'e to *ass that the chi&dren< ein, rou,ht u* in
su=ection to the &a2 of .oses< ,a$e heed to the traditions of their
fathers and e&ie$ed not the ,os*e& of Christ< 2herein the! eca'e unho&!#
G# 3herefore< for this cause the a*ost&e 2rote unto the church<
,i$in, unto the' a co''and'ent< not of the Lord< ut of hi'se&f< that a
e&ie$er shou&d not e united to an une&ie$er? e/ce*t the &a2 of .oses
shou&d e done a2a! a'on, the'#
:# That their chi&dren 'i,ht re'ain 2ithout circu'cision? and that
the tradition 'i,ht e done a2a!< 2hich saith that &itt&e chi&dren are
unho&!? for it 2as had a'on, the Je2s?
M# "ut &itt&e chi&dren are ho&!< ein, sanctified throu,h the
atone'ent of Jesus Christ? and this is 2hat the scri*tures 'ean#
A fe2 da!s efore the conference 2as to co''ence in A'herst< Lorain
count!< I started 2ith the E&ders that &i$ed in '! o2n $icinit!< and
arri$ed in ,ood ti'e# At this conference 'uch har'on! *re$ai&ed< and
considera&e usiness 2as done to ad$ance the 0in,do'< and *ro'u&,ate the
5os*e& to the inhaitants of the surroundin, countr!# The E&ders see'ed
an/ious for 'e to in>uire of the Lord that the! 'i,ht 0no2 His 2i&&< or
&earn 2hat 2ou&d e 'ost *&easin, to Hi' for the' to do< in order to rin,
'en to a sense of their condition? for< as it 2as 2ritten< a&& 'en ha$e
,one out of the 2a!< so that none doeth ,ood< no< not one# I in>uired and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Januar!< 789H#
7# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< I 2ho s*ea0 e$en ! the $oice of
'! s*irit< e$en A&*ha and O'e,a< !our Lord and !our 5od--
H# Hear0en< O !e 2ho ha$e ,i$en !our na'es to ,o forth to *roc&ai' '!
,os*e&< and to *rune '! $ine!ard#
9# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that it is '! 2i&& that !ou shou&d ,o forth
and not tarr!< neither e id&e ut &aor 2ith !our 'i,ht--
@# Liftin, u* !our $oices as 2ith the sound of a tru'*< *roc&ai'in,
the truth accordin, to the re$e&ations and co''and'ents 2hich I ha$e ,i$en
!ou#
G# And thus< if !e are faithfu& !e sha&& e &aden 2ith 'an! shea$es<
and cro2ned 2ith honor< and ,&or!< and i''orta&it!< and eterna& &ife#
:# Therefore< $eri&! I sa! unto '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< I
re$o0e the co''ission 2hich I ,a$e unto hi' to ,o unto the eastern
countries?
M# And I ,i$e unto hi' a ne2 co''ission and a ne2 co''and'ent< in the
2hich I< the Lord< chasten hi' for the 'ur'urin,s of his heart?
8# And he sinned? ne$erthe&ess< I for,i$e hi' and sa! unto hi' a,ain<
5o !e into the south countries#
N# And &et '! ser$ant Lu0e Johnson ,o 2ith hi'< and *roc&ai' the
thin,s 2hich I ha$e co''anded the'--
7D# Ca&&in, on the na'e of the Lord for the Co'forter< 2hich sha&&
teach the' a&& thin,s that are e/*edient for the'--
77# )ra!in, a&2a!s that the! faint not and inas'uch as the! do this<
I 2i&& e 2ith the' e$en unto the end#
7H# "eho&d< this is the 2i&& of the Lord !our 5od concernin, !ou#
E$en so# A'en#
79# And a,ain< $eri&! thus saith the Lord< &et '! ser$ant Orson
H!de and '! ser$ant Sa'ue& H# S'ith ta0e their =ourne! into the
eastern countries< and *roc&ai' the thin,s 2hich I ha$e co''anded the'?
and inas'uch as the! are faithfu&< &o< I 2i&& e 2ith the' e$en unto the
end#
7@# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto '! ser$ant L!'an Johnson< and unto
'! ser$ant Orson )ratt< the! sha&& a&so ta0e their =ourne! into the
eastern countries? and eho&d< and &o< I a' 2ith the' a&so< e$en unto the
end#
7G# And a,ain< I sa! unto '! ser$ant Asa Dodds< and unto '! ser$ant
Ca&$es 3i&son< that the! a&so sha&& ta0e their =ourne! unto the 2estern
countries< and *roc&ai' '! ,os*e&< e$en as I ha$e co''anded the'#
7:# And he 2ho is faithfu& sha&& o$erco'e a&& thin,s< and sha&& e
&ifted u* at the &ast da!#
7M# And a,ain< I sa! unto '! ser$ant .a=or N# Ash&e!< and '! ser$ant
"urr Ri,,s< &et the' ta0e their =ourne! a&so into the south countr!#
78# Yea< &et a&& those ta0e their =ourne!< as I ha$e co''anded the'<
,oin, fro' house to house< and fro' $i&&a,e to $i&&a,e< and fro' cit! to
cit!#
7N# And in 2hatsoe$er house !e enter< and the! recei$e !ou< &ea$e
!our &essin, u*on that house#
HD# And in 2hatsoe$er house !e enter< and the! recei$e !ou not< !e
sha&& de*art s*eedi&! fro' that house< and sha0e off the dust of !our feet
as a testi'on! a,ainst the'#
H7# And !ou sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith =o! and ,&adness? and 0no2 this<
that in the da! of =ud,'ent !ou sha&& e =ud,es of that house< and conde'n
the'?
HH# And it sha&& e 'ore to&era&e for the heathen in the da! of
=ud,'ent< than for that house? therefore< ,ird u* !our &oins and e
faithfu&< and !e sha&& o$erco'e a&& thin,s and e &ifted u* at the &ast
da!# E$en so# A'en#
H9# And a,ain< thus saith the Lord unto !ou< O !e e&ders of '!
church< 2ho ha$e ,i$en !our na'es that !ou 'i,ht 0no2 his 2i&& concernin,
!ou--
H@# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< that it is the dut! of the church to
assist in su**ortin, the fa'i&ies of those< and a&so to su**ort the
fa'i&ies of those 2ho are ca&&ed and 'ust needs e sent unto the 2or&d to
*roc&ai' the ,os*e& unto the 2or&d#
HG# 3herefore< I< the Lord< ,i$e unto !ou this co''and'ent< that !e
otain *&aces for !our fa'i&ies inas'uch as !our rethren are 2i&&in, to
o*en their hearts#
H:# And &et a&& such as can otain *&aces for their fa'i&ies< and
su**ort of the church for the'< not fai& to ,o into the 2or&d< 2hether to
the east< or to the 2est< or to the north< or to the south#
HM# Let the' as0 and the! sha&& recei$e< 0noc0 and it sha&& e o*ened
unto the'< and e 'ade 0no2n fro' on hi,h< e$en ! the Co'forter< 2hither
the! sha&& ,o#
H8# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that e$er! 'an 2ho is o&i,ed
to *ro$ide for his o2n fa'i&!< &et hi' *ro$ide< and he sha&& in no2ise
&ose his cro2n? and &et hi' &aor in the church#
HN# Let e$er! 'an e di&i,ent in a&& thin,s# And the id&er sha&& not
ha$e *&ace in the church< e/ce*t he re*ent and 'end his 2a!s#
9D# 3herefore< &et '! ser$ant Si'eon Carter and '! ser$ant E'er
Harris e united in the 'inistr!?
97# And a&so '! ser$ant E4ra Tha!re and '! ser$ant Tho'as "# .arsh?
9H# A&so '! ser$ant H!ru' S'ith and '! ser$ant Re!no&ds Cahoon?
99# And a&so '! ser$ant Danie& Stanton and '! ser$ant Se!'our
"runson?
9@# And a&so '! ser$ant S!&$ester S'ith and '! ser$ant 5ideon Carter?
9G# And a&so '! ser$ant Ru,,&es Ea'es and '! ser$ant Ste*hen "urnett?
9:# And a&so '! ser$ant .icah "# 3e&ton and a&so '! ser$ant Eden
S'ith# E$en so# A'en#
U*on '! return fro' A'herst conference< I resu'ed the trans&ation of
the Scri*tures# Fro' sundr! re$e&ations 2hich had een recei$ed< it 2as
a**arent that 'an! i'*ortant *oints touchin, the sa&$ation of 'an< had
een ta0en fro' the "i&e< or &ost efore it 2as co'*i&ed# It a**eared
se&f-e$ident fro' 2hat truths 2ere &eft< that if 5od re2arded e$er! one
accordin, to the deeds done in the od! the ter' -Hea$en<- as intended for
the Saints+ eterna& ho'e 'ust inc&ude 'ore 0in,do's than one# Accordin,&!<
on the 7:th of Feruar!< 789H< 2hi&e trans&atin, St# John+s 5os*e&< '!se&f
and E&der Ri,don sa2 the fo&&o2in, $ision(
%ision of the 5&ories#
7# Hear< O !e hea$ens< and ,i$e ear< O earth< and re=oice !e in
haitants thereof< for the Lord is 5od< and eside hi' there is no Sa$ior#
H# 5reat is his 2isdo'< 'ar$e&ous are his 2a!s< and the e/tent of his
doin,s none can find out#
9# His *ur*oses fai& not< neither are there an! 2ho can sta! his
hand#
@# Fro' eternit! to eternit! he is the sa'e< and his !ears ne$er
fai&#
G# For thus saith the Lord--I< the Lord< a' 'ercifu& and ,racious
unto those 2ho fear 'e< and de&i,ht to honor those 2ho ser$e 'e in
ri,hteousness and in truth unto the end#
:# 5reat sha&& e their re2ard and eterna& sha&& e their ,&or!<
M# And to the' 2i&& I re$ea& a&& '!steries< !ea< a&& the hidden
'!steries of '! 0in,do' fro' da!s of o&d< and for a,es to co'e< 2i&& I
'a0e 0no2n unto the' the ,ood *&easure of '! 2i&& concernin, a&& thin,s
*ertainin, to '! 0in,do'#
8# Yea< e$en the 2onders of eternit! sha&& the! 0no2< and thin,s to
co'e 2i&& I sho2 the'< e$en the thin,s of 'an! ,enerations#
N# And their 2isdo' sha&& e ,reat< and their understandin, reach to
hea$en? and efore the' the 2isdo' of the 2ise sha&& *erish< and the
understandin, of the *rudent sha&& co'e to nau,ht#
7D# For ! '! S*irit 2i&& I en&i,hten the'< and ! '! *o2er 2i&& I
'a0e 0no2n unto the' the secrets of '! 2i&&--!ea< e$en those thin,s 2hich
e!e has not seen< nor ear heard< nor !et entered into the heart of 'an#
77# 3e< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< ein, in the S*irit on
the si/teenth da! of Feruar!< in the !ear of our Lord one thousand ei,ht
hundred and thirt!-t2o--
7H# "! the *o2er of the S*irit our e!es 2ere o*ened and our
understandin,s 2ere en&i,htened< so as to see and understand the thin,s of
5od--
79# E$en those thin,s 2hich 2ere fro' the e,innin, efore the 2or&d
2as< 2hich 2ere ordained of the Father< throu,h his On&! "e,otten Son< 2ho
2as in the oso' of the Father< e$en fro' the e,innin,?
7@# Of 2ho' 2e ear record? and the record 2hich 2e ear is the
fu&&ness of the ,os*e& of Jesus Christ 2ho is the Son< 2ho' 2e sa2 and
2ith 2ho' 2e con$ersed in the hea$en&! $ision#
7G# For 2hi&e 2e 2ere doin, the 2or0 of trans&ation< 2hich the Lord
had a**ointed unto us< 2e ca'e to the t2ent!-ninth $erse of the fifth
cha*ter of John< 2hich 2as ,i$en unto us as fo&&o2s(
7:# S*ea0in, of the resurrection of the dead< concernin, those 2ho
sha&& hear the $oice of the Son of .an< and sha&& co'e forth--
7M# The! 2ho ha$e done ,ood in the resurrection of the =ust< and the!
2ho ha$e done e$i& in the resurrection of the un=ust--
78# No2 this caused us to 'ar$e&< for it 2as ,i$en unto us of the
S*irit#
7N# And 2hi&e 2e 'editated u*on these thin,s< the Lord touched the
e!es of our understandin,s and the! 2ere o*ened< and the ,&or! of the Lord
shone round aout#
HD# And 2e ehe&d the ,&or! of the Son< on the ri,ht hand of the
Father< and recei$ed of his fu&&ness?
H7# And sa2 the ho&! an,e&s< and the' 2ho are sanctified efore his
throne< 2orshi*in, 5od< and the La'< 2ho 2orshi* hi' fore$er and e$er#
HH# And no2< after the 'an! testi'onies 2hich ha$e een ,i$en of hi'<
this is the testi'on!< &ast of a&&< 2hich 2e ,i$e of hi'? That he &i$esK
H9# For 2e sa2 hi'< e$en on the ri,ht hand of 5od? and 2e heard the
$oice earin, record that he is the On&! "e,otten of the Father--
H@# That ! hi'< and throu,h hi'< and of hi'< the 2or&ds are and 2ere
created< and the inhaitants thereof are e,otten sons and dau,hters unto
5od#
HG# And this 2e sa2 a&so< and ear record< that an an,e& of 5od 2ho
2as in authorit! in the *resence of 5od< 2ho ree&&ed a,ainst the On&!
"e,otten Son 2ho' the Father &o$ed and 2ho 2as in the oso' of the Father<
2as thrust do2n fro' the *resence of 5od and the Son<
H:# And 2as ca&&ed )erdition< for the hea$ens 2e*t o$er hi'--he 2as
Lucifer< a son of the 'ornin,#
HM# And 2e ehe&d< and &o< he is fa&&enK is fa&&en< e$en a son of the
'ornin,K
H8# And 2hi&e 2e 2ere !et in the S*irit< the Lord co''anded us that
2e shou&d 2rite the $ision? for 2e ehe&d Satan< that o&d ser*ent< e$en
the de$i&< 2ho ree&&ed a,ainst 5od< and sou,ht to ta0e the 0in,do' of our
5od and his Christ--
HN# 3herefore< he 'a0eth 2ar 2ith the saints of 5od< and enco'*asseth
the' round aout#
9D# And 2e sa2 a $ision of the sufferin,s of those 2ith 2ho' he 'ade
2ar and o$erca'e< for thus ca'e the $oice of the Lord unto us?
97# Thus saith the Lord concernin, a&& those 2ho 0no2 '! *o2er< and
ha$e een 'ade *arta0ers thereof< and suffered the'se&$es throu,h the
*o2er of the de$i& to e o$erco'e< and to den! the truth and def! '!
*o2er--
9H# The! are the! 2ho are the sons of *erdition< of 2ho' I sa! that
it had een etter for the' ne$er to ha$e een orn?
99# For the! are $esse&s of 2rath< doo'ed to suffer the 2rath of 5od<
2ith the de$i& and his an,e&s in eternit!?
9@# Concernin, 2ho' I ha$e said there is no for,i$eness in this 2or&d
nor in the 2or&d to co'e--
9G# Ha$in, denied the Ho&! S*irit after ha$in, recei$ed it< and
ha$in, denied the On&! "e,otten Son of the Father< ha$in, crucified hi'
unto the'se&$es and *ut hi' to an o*en sha'e#
9:# These are the! 2ho sha&& ,o a2a! into the &a0e of fire and
ri'stone< 2ith the de$i& and his an,e&s--
9M# And the on&! ones on 2ho' the second death sha&& ha$e an! *o2er?
98# Yea< $eri&!< the on&! ones 2ho sha&& not e redee'ed in the due
ti'e of the Lord< after the sufferin,s of his 2rath#
9N# For a&& the rest sha&& e rou,ht forth ! the resurrection of
the dead< throu,h the triu'*h and the ,&or! of the La'< 2ho 2as s&ain<
2ho 2as in the oso' of the Father efore the 2or&ds 2ere 'ade#
@D# And this is the ,os*e&< the ,&ad tidin,s< 2hich the $oice out of
the hea$ens ore record unto us--
@7# That he ca'e into the 2or&d< e$en Jesus< to e crucified for the
2or&d< and to ear the sins of the 2or&d< and to sanctif! the 2or&d< and
to c&eanse it fro' a&& unri,hteousness?
@H# That throu,h hi' a&& 'i,ht e sa$ed 2ho' the Father had *ut into
his *o2er and 'ade ! hi'?
@9# 3ho ,&orifies the Father< and sa$es a&& the 2or0s of his hands<
e/ce*t those sons of *erdition 2ho den! the Son after the Father has
re$ea&ed hi'#
@@# 3herefore< he sa$es a&& e/ce*t the'--the! sha&& ,o a2a! into
e$er&astin, *unish'ent< 2hich is end&ess *unish'ent< 2hich is eterna&
*unish'ent< to rei,n 2ith the de$i& and his an,e&s in eternit!< 2here
their 2or' dieth not< and the fire is not >uenched< 2hich is their
tor'ent--
@G# And the end thereof< neither the *&ace thereof< nor their
tor'ent< no 'an 0no2s?
@:# Neither 2as it re$ea&ed< neither is< neither 2i&& e re$ea&ed
unto 'an< e/ce*t to the' 2ho are 'ade *arta0ers thereof?
@M# Ne$erthe&ess< I< the Lord< sho2 it ! $ision unto 'an!< ut
strai,ht2a! shut it u* a,ain?
@8# 3herefore< the end< the 2idth< the hei,ht< the de*th< and the
'iser! thereof< the! understand not< neither an! 'an e/ce*t those 2ho are
ordained unto this conde'nation<
@N# And 2e heard the $oice< sa!in,? 3rite the $ision< for &o< this is
the end of the $ision of the sufferin,s of the un,od&!#
GD# And a,ain 2e ear record--for 2e sa2 and heard< and this is the
testi'on! of the ,os*e& of Christ concernin, the' 2ho sha&& co'e forth in
the resurrection of the =ust--
G7# The! are the! 2ho recei$ed the testi'on! of Jesus< and e&ie$ed
on his na'e and 2ere a*ti4ed after the 'anner of his uria&< ein, uried
in the 2ater in his na'e< and this accordin, to the co''and'ent 2hich he
has ,i$en--
GH# That ! 0ee*in, the co''and'ents the! 'i,ht e 2ashed and
c&eansed fro' a&& their sins< and recei$e the Ho&! S*irit ! the &a!in, on
of the hands of hi' 2ho is ordained and sea&ed unto this *o2er?
G9# And 2ho o$erco'e ! faith< and are sea&ed ! the Ho&! S*irit of
*ro'ise< 2hich the Father sheds forth u*on a&& those 2ho are =ust and
true#
G@# The! are the! 2ho are the church of the Firstorn#
GG# The! are the! into 2hose hands the Father has ,i$en a&& thin,s--
G:# The! are the! 2ho are *riests and 0in,s< 2ho ha$e recei$ed of his
fu&&ness< and of his ,&or!?
GM# And are *riests of the .ost Hi,h< after the order of .e&chi4ede0<
2hich 2as after the order of Enoch< 2hich 2as after the order of the On&!
"e,otten Son#
G8# 3herefore< as it is 2ritten< the! are ,ods< e$en the sons of
5od--
GN# 3herefore< a&& thin,s are theirs< 2hether &ife or death< or
thin,s *resent< or thin,s to co'e< a&& are theirs and the! are Christ+s<
and Christ is 5od+s#
:D# And the! sha&& o$erco'e a&& thin,s#
:7# 3herefore< &et no 'an ,&or! in 'an< ut rather &et hi' ,&or! in
5od< 2ho sha&& sudue a&& ene'ies under his feet#
:H# These sha&& d2e&& in the *resence of 5od and his Christ fore$er
and e$er#
:9# These are the! 2ho' he sha&& rin, 2ith hi'< 2hen he sha&& co'e
in the c&ouds of hea$en to rei,n on earth o$er his *eo*&e#
:@# These are the! 2ho sha&& ha$e *art in the first resurrection#
:G# These are the! 2ho sha&& co'e forth in the resurrection of the
=ust#
::# These are the! 2ho are co'e unto .ount ;ion< and unto the cit! of
the &i$in, 5od< the hea$en&! *&ace< the ho&iest of a&&#
:M# These are the! 2ho ha$e co'e to an innu'era&e co'*an! of an,e&s<
to the ,enera& asse'&! and church of Enoch< and of the Firstorn#
:8# These are the! 2hose na'es are 2ritten in hea$en< 2here 5od and
Christ are the =ud,e of a&&#
:N# These are the! 2ho are =ust 'en 'ade *erfect throu,h Jesus the
'ediator of the ne2 co$enant< 2ho 2rou,ht out this *erfect atone'ent
throu,h the sheddin, of his o2n &ood#
MD# These are the! 2hose odies are ce&estia&< 2hose ,&or! is that of
the sun< e$en< the ,&or! of 5od< the hi,hest of a&&< 2hose ,&or! the sun
of the fir'a'ent is 2ritten of as ein, t!*ica&#
M7# And a,ain< 2e sa2 the terrestria& 2or&d< and eho&d and &o< these
are the! 2ho are of the terrestria&< 2hose ,&or! differs fro' that of the
church of the Firstorn 2ho ha$e recei$ed the fu&&ness of the Father< e$en
as that of the 'oon differs fro' the sun in the fir'a'ent#
MH# "eho&d< these are the! 2ho died 2ithout &a2?
M9# And a&so the! 2ho are the s*irits of 'en 0e*t in *rison< 2ho' the
Son $isited< and *reached the ,os*e& unto the'< that the! 'i,ht e =ud,ed
accordin, to 'en in the f&esh?
M@# 3ho recei$ed not the testi'on! of Jesus in the f&esh< ut
after2ards recei$ed it#
MG# These are the! 2ho are honora&e 'en of the earth< 2ho 2ere
&inded ! the craftiness of 'en#
M:# These are the! 2ho recei$e of his ,&or!< ut not of his fu&&ness#
MM# These are the! 2ho recei$e of the *resence of the Son< ut not of
the fu&&ness of the Father#
M8# 3herefore< the! are odies terrestria&< and not odies ce&estia&<
and differ in ,&or! as the 'oon differs fro' the sun#
MN# These are the! 2ho are not $a&iant in the testi'on! of Jesus?
2herefore< the! otain not the cro2n o$er the 0in,do' of our 5od#
8D# And no2 this is the end of the $ision 2hich 2e sa2 of the
terrestria&< that the Lord co''anded us to 2rite 2hi&e 2e 2ere !et in the
S*irit#
87# And a,ain< 2e sa2 the ,&or! of the te&estia&< 2hich ,&or! is that
of the &esser< e$en as the ,&or! of the stars differs fro' that of the
,&or! of the 'oon in the fir'a'ent#
8H# These are the! 2ho recei$ed not the ,os*e& of Christ< neither the
testi'on! of Jesus#
89# These are the! 2ho den! not the Ho&! S*irit#
8@# These are the! 2ho are thrust do2n to he&&#
8G# These are the! 2ho sha&& not e redee'ed fro' the de$i& unti& the
&ast resurrection< unti& the Lord< e$en Christ the La'< sha&& ha$e
finished his 2or0#
8:# These are the! 2ho recei$e not of his fu&&ness in the eterna&
2or&d< ut of the Ho&! S*irit throu,h the 'inistration of the terrestria&?
8M# And the terrestria& throu,h the 'inistration of the ce&estia&#
88# And a&so the te&estia& recei$e it of the ad'inisterin, of an,e&s
2ho are a**ointed to 'inister for the'< or 2ho are a**ointed to e
'inisterin, s*irits for the'? for the! sha&& e heirs of sa&$ation#
8N# And thus 2e sa2< in the hea$en&! $ision< the ,&or! of the
te&estia&< 2hich sur*asses a&& understandin,?
ND# And no 'an 0no2s it e/ce*t hi' to 2ho' 5od has re$ea&ed it#
N7# And thus 2e sa2 the ,&or! of the terrestria& 2hich e/ce&s in a&&
thin,s the ,&or! of the te&estia&< e$en in ,&or!< and in *o2er< and in
'i,ht< and in do'inion#
NH# And thus 2e sa2 the ,&or! of the ce&estia&< 2hich e/ce&s in a&&
thin,s--2here 5od< e$en the Father< rei,ns u*on his throne fore$er and
e$er?
N9# "efore 2hose throne a&& thin,s o2 in hu'&e re$erence< and ,i$e
hi' ,&or! fore$er and e$er#
N@# The! 2ho d2e&& in his *resence are the church of the Firstorn?
and the! see as the! are seen< and 0no2 as the! are 0no2n< ha$in, recei$ed
of his fu&&ness and of his ,race?
NG# And he 'a0es the' e>ua& in *o2er< and in 'i,ht< and in do'inion#
N:# And the ,&or! of the ce&estia& is one< e$en as the ,&or! of the
sun is one#
NM# And the ,&or! of the terrestria& is one< e$en as the ,&or! of the
'oon is one#
N8# And the ,&or! of the te&estia& is one< e$en as the ,&or! of the
stars is one? for as one star differs fro' another star in ,&or!< e$en so
differs one fro' another in ,&or! in the te&estia& 2or&d?
NN# For these are the! 2ho are of )au&< and of A*o&&os< and of
Ce*has#
7DD# These are the! 2ho sa! the! are so'e of one and so'e of
another--so'e of Christ and so'e of John< and so'e of .oses< and so'e of
E&ias< and so'e of Esaias< and so'e of Isaiah< and so'e of Enoch?
7D7# "ut recei$ed not the ,os*e&< neither the testi'on! of Jesus<
neither the *ro*hets< neither the e$er&astin, co$enant#
7DH# Last of a&&< these a&& are the! 2ho 2i&& not e ,athered 2ith
the saints< to e cau,ht u* unto the church of the Firstorn< and recei$ed
into the c&oud#
7D9# These are the! 2ho are &iars< and sorcerers< and adu&terers< and
2hore'on,ers< and 2hosoe$er &o$es and 'a0es a &ie#
7D@# These are the! 2ho suffer the 2rath of 5od on earth#
7DG# These are the! 2ho suffer the $en,eance of eterna& fire#
7D:# These are the! 2ho are cast do2n to he&& and suffer the 2rath of
A&'i,ht! 5od< unti& the fu&&ness of ti'es< 2hen Christ sha&& ha$e sudued
a&& ene'ies under his feet< and sha&& ha$e *erfected his 2or0?
7DM# 3hen he sha&& de&i$er u* the 0in,do'< and *resent it unto the
Father< s*ot&ess< sa!in,? I ha$e o$erco'e and ha$e trodden the 2ine-*ress
a&one< e$en the 2ine-*ress of the fierceness of the 2rath of A&'i,ht! 5od#
7D8# Then sha&& he e cro2ned 2ith the cro2n of his ,&or!< to sit on
the throne of his *o2er to rei,n fore$er and e$er#
7DN# "ut eho&d< and &o< 2e sa2 the ,&or! and the inhaitants of the
te&estia& 2or&d< that the! 2ere as innu'era&e as the stars in the
fir'a'ent of hea$en< or as the sand u*on the seashore?
77D# And heard the $oice of the Lord< sa!in,( These a&& sha&& o2 the
0nee< and e$er! ton,ue sha&& confess to hi' 2ho sits u*on the throne
fore$er and e$er?
777# For the! sha&& e =ud,ed accordin, to their 2or0s< and e$er! 'an
sha&& recei$e accordin, to his o2n 2or0s< his o2n do'inion< in the
'ansions 2hich are *re*ared?
77H# And the! sha&& e ser$ants of the .ost Hi,h? ut 2here 5od and
Christ d2e&& the! cannot co'e< 2or&ds 2ithout end#
779# This is the end of the $ision 2hich 2e sa2< 2hich 2e 2ere
co''anded to 2rite 2hi&e 2e 2ere !et in the S*irit#
77@# "ut ,reat and 'ar$e&ous are the 2or0s of the Lord< and the
'!steries of his 0in,do' 2hich he sho2ed unto us< 2hich sur*ass a&&
understandin, in ,&or!< and in 'i,ht and in do'inion?
77G# 3hich he co''anded us 2e shou&d not 2rite 2hi&e 2e 2ere !et in
the S*irit< and are not &a2fu& for 'an to utter?
77:# Neither is 'an ca*a&e to 'a0e the' 0no2n< for the! are on&! to
e seen and understood ! the *o2er of the Ho&! S*irit< 2hich 5od esto2s
on those 2ho &o$e hi'< and *urif! the'se&$es efore hi'?
77M# To 2ho' he ,rants this *ri$i&e,e of seein, and 0no2in, for
the'se&$es?
778# That throu,h the *o2er and 'anifestation of the S*irit< 2hi&e in
the f&esh< the! 'a! e a&e to ear his *resence in the 2or&d of ,&or!#
77N# And to 5od and the La' e ,&or!< and honor< and do'inion
fore$er and e$er# A'en#
Nothin, cou&d e 'ore *&easin, to the Saints u*on the order of the
0in,do' of the Lord< than the &i,ht 2hich urst u*on the 2or&d throu,h the
fore,oin, $ision# E$er! &a2< e$er! co''and'ent< e$er! *ro'ise< e$er!
truth< and e$er! *oint touchin, the destin! of 'an< fro' 5enesis to
Re$e&ation< 2here the *urit! of the scri*tures re'ains unsu&&ied ! the
fo&&! of 'en< ,o to sho2 the *erfection of the theor! Iof different
de,rees of ,&or! in the future &ifeJ and 2itnesses the fact that that
docu'ent is a transcri*t fro' the records of the eterna& 2or&d# The
su&i'it! of the ideas? the *urit! of the &an,ua,e? the sco*e for action?
the continued duration for co'*&etion< in order that the heirs of
sa&$ation 'a! confess the Lord and o2 the 0nee? the re2ards for
faithfu&ness< and the *unish'ents for sins< are so 'uch e!ond the
narro2-'indedness of 'en< that e$er! honest 'an is constrained to e/c&ai'(
-It ca'e fro' 5od#-
Aout the first of .arch< in connection 2ith the trans&ation of the
Scri*tures< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, e/*&anation of the Re$e&ation of St#
John(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en at Hira'< )orta,e Count!< Ohio#
7# A# 3hat is the sea of ,&ass s*o0en of ! John< @th cha*ter< and
:th $erse of the Re$e&ationB
A# It is the earth< in its sanctified< i''orta&< and eterna& state#
H# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the four easts< s*o0en of in the
sa'e $erseB
A# The! are fi,urati$e e/*ressions< used ! the Re$e&ator< John< in
descriin, hea$en< the *aradise of 5od< the ha**iness of 'an< and of
easts< and of cree*in, thin,s and of the fo2&s of the air? that 2hich is
s*iritua& ein, in the &i0eness of that 2hich is te'*ora&? and that 2hich
is te'*ora& in the &i0eness of that 2hich is s*iritua&? the s*irit of 'an
in the &i0eness of his *erson< as a&so the s*irit of the east< and e$er!
other creature 2hich 5od has created#
9# A# Are the four easts &i'ited to indi$idua& easts< or do the!
re*resent c&asses or ordersB
A# The! are &i'ited to four indi$idua& easts< 2hich 2ere sho2n to
John< to re*resent the ,&or! of the c&asses of ein,s in their destined
order or s*here of creation< in the en=o!'ent of their eterna& fe&icit!#
@# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the e!es and 2in,s< 2hich the
easts hadB
A# Their e!es are a re*resentation of &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e< that is<
the! are fu&& of 0no2&ed,e? and their 2in,s are a re*resentation of *o2er<
to 'o$e< to act< etc#
G# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the four and t2ent! e&ders< s*o0en
of ! JohnB
A# 3e are to understand that these e&ders 2ho' John sa2< 2ere e&ders
2ho had een faithfu& in the 2or0 of the 'inistr! and 2ere dead? 2ho
e&on,ed to the se$en churches< and 2ere then in the *aradise of 5od#
:# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the oo0 2hich John sa2< 2hich 2as
sea&ed on the ac0 2ith se$en sea&sB
A# 3e are to understand that it contains the re$ea&ed 2i&&<
'!steries< and 2or0s of 5od? the hidden thin,s of his econo'! concernin,
this earth durin, the se$en thousand !ears of its continuance< or its
te'*ora& e/istence#
M# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the se$en sea&s 2ith 2hich it 2as
sea&edB
A# 3e are to understand that the first sea& contains the thin,s of
the first thousand !ears< and the second a&so of the second thousand
!ears< and so on unti& the se$enth#
8# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the four an,e&s< s*o0en of in the
Mth cha*ter and 7st $erse of Re$e&ationB
A# 3e are to understand that the! are four an,e&s sent forth fro'
5od< to 2ho' is ,i$en *o2er o$er the four *arts of the earth< to sa$e &ife
and to destro!? these are the! 2ho ha$e the e$er&astin, ,os*e& to co''it
to e$er! nation< 0indred< ton,ue< and *eo*&e? ha$in, *o2er to shut u* the
hea$ens< to sea& u* unto &ife< or to cast do2n to the re,ions of dar0ness#
N# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the an,e& ascendin, fro' the east<
Re$e&ation Mth cha*ter and Hnd $erseB
A# 3e are to understand that the an,e& ascendin, fro' the east is he
to 2ho' is ,i$en the sea& of the &i$in, 5od o$er the t2e&$e tries of
Israe&? 2herefore< he crieth unto the four an,e&s ha$in, the e$er&astin,
,os*e&< sa!in,( Hurt not the earth< neither the sea< nor the trees< ti&&
2e ha$e sea&ed the ser$ants of our 5od in their foreheads# And< if !ou
2i&& recei$e it< this is E&ias 2hich 2as to co'e to ,ather to,ether the
tries of Israe& and restore a&& thin,s#
7D# A# 3hat ti'e are the thin,s s*o0en of in this cha*ter to e
acco'*&ishedB
A# The! are to e acco'*&ished in the si/th thousand !ears< or the
o*enin, of the si/th sea&#
77# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! sea&in, the one hundred and
fort!-four thousand< out of a&& the tries of Israe&--t2e&$e thousand out
of e$er! trieB
A# 3e are to understand that those 2ho are sea&ed are hi,h *riests<
ordained unto the ho&! order of 5od< to ad'inister the e$er&astin, ,os*e&?
for the! are the! 2ho are ordained out of e$er! nation< 0indred< ton,ue<
and *eo*&e< ! the an,e&s to 2ho' is ,i$en *o2er o$er the nations of the
earth< to rin, as 'an! as 2i&& co'e to the church of the Firstorn#
7H# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the soundin, of the tru'*ets<
'entioned in the 8th cha*ter of Re$e&ationB
A# 3e are to understand that as 5od 'ade the 2or&d in si/ da!s< and
on the se$enth da! he finished his 2or0< and sanctified it< and a&so
for'ed 'an out of the dust of the earth< e$en so< in the e,innin, of the
se$enth thousand !ears 2i&& the Lord 5od sanctif! the earth< and co'*&ete
the sa&$ation of 'an< and =ud,e a&& thin,s< and sha&& redee' a&& thin,s<
e/ce*t that 2hich he hath not *ut into his *o2er< 2hen he sha&& ha$e
sea&ed a&& thin,s< unto the end of a&& thin,s? and the soundin, of the
tru'*ets of the se$en an,e&s are the *re*arin, and finishin, of his 2or0<
in the e,innin, of the se$enth thousand !ears--the *re*arin, of the 2a!
efore the ti'e of his co'in,#
79# A# 3hen are the thin,s to e acco'*&ished< 2hich are 2ritten in
the Nth cha*ter of Re$e&ationB
A# The! are to e acco'*&ished after the o*enin, of the se$enth sea&<
efore the co'in, of Christ#
7@# A# 3hat are 2e to understand ! the &itt&e oo0 2hich 2as eaten
! John< as 'entioned in the 7Dth cha*ter of Re$e&ationB
A# 3e are to understand that it 2as a 'ission< and an ordinance< for
hi' to ,ather the tries of Israe&? eho&d< this is E&ias< 2ho< as it is
2ritten< 'ust co'e and restore a&& thin,s#
7G# A# 3hat is to e understood ! the t2o 2itnesses< in the e&e$enth
cha*ter of Re$e&ationB
A# The! are t2o *ro*hets that are to e raised u* to the Je2ish
nation in the &ast da!s< at the ti'e of the restoration< and to *ro*hes!
to the Je2s a&ter the! are ,athered and ha$e ui&t the cit! of Jerusa&e'
in the &and of their fathers#
"esides the 2or0 of trans&atin,< *re$ious to the HDth of .arch< I
recei$ed the four fo&&o2in, re$e&ations(--
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .arch< 789H# The order ,i$en of the Lord to Enoch
IJose*h S'ith< Jun#<J for the *ur*ose of esta&ishin, the *oor#
7# The Lord s*a0e unto Enoch IJose*h S'ith< Jun#J< sa!in,? Hear0en
unto 'e< saith the Lord !our 5od< 2ho are ordained unto the hi,h
*riesthood of '! church< 2ho ha$e asse'&ed !ourse&$es to,ether?
H# And &isten to the counse& of hi' 2ho has ordained !ou fro' on
hi,h< 2ho sha&& s*ea0 in !our ears the 2ords of 2isdo'< that sa&$ation 'a!
e unto !ou in that thin, 2hich !ou ha$e *resented efore 'e< saith the
Lord 5od#
9# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the ti'e has co'e< and is no2 at hand?
and eho&d< and &o< it 'ust needs e that there e an or,ani4ation of '!
*eo*&e< in re,u&atin, and esta&ishin, the affairs of the storehouse for
the *oor of '! *eo*&e< oth in this *&ace and in the &and of ;ion--
@# Or in other 2ords< the cit! of Enoch--Jose*h--< for a *er'anent
and e$er&astin, esta&ish'ent and order unto '! church< to ad$ance the
cause< 2hich !e ha$e es*oused< to the sa&$ation of 'an< and to the ,&or!
of !our Father 2ho is in hea$en?
G# That !ou 'a! e e>ua& in the onds of hea$en&! thin,s< !ea< and
earth&! thin,s a&so< for the otainin, of hea$en&! thin,s#
:# For if !e are not e>ua& in earth&! thin,s !e cannot e e>ua& in
otainin, hea$en&! thin,s?
M# For if !ou 2i&& that I ,i$e unto !ou a *&ace in the ce&estia&
2or&d< !ou 'ust *re*are !ourse&$es ! doin, the thin,s 2hich I ha$e
co''anded !ou and re>uired of !ou#
8# And no2< $eri&! thus saith the Lord< it is e/*edient that a&&
thin,s e done unto '! ,&or!< ! !ou 2ho are =oined to,ether in this
order?
N# Or< in other 2ords< &et '! ser$ant Ahashdah INe2e& 1# 3hitne!J and
'! ser$ant 5a4e&a'< or Enoch IJose*h S'ith< Jun#<J and '! ser$ant
)e&a,ora' ISidne! Ri,donJ< sit in counci& 2ith the saints 2hich are in
;ion?
7D# Other2ise Satan see0eth to turn their hearts a2a! fro' the truth<
that the! eco'e &inded and understand not the thin,s 2hich are *re*ared
for the'#
77# 3herefore< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou< to *re*are and or,ani4e
!ourse&$es ! a ond or e$er&astin, co$enant that cannot e ro0en#
7H# And he 2ho rea0eth it sha&& &ose his office and standin, in the
church< and sha&& e de&i$ered o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan unti& the
da! of rede'*tion#
79# "eho&d this is the *re*aration 2here2ith I *re*are !ou< and the
foundation< and the ensa'*&e 2hich I ,i$e unto !ou< 2here! !ou 'a!
acco'*&ish the co''and'ents 2hich are ,i$en !ou?
7@# That throu,h '! *ro$idence< not2ithstandin, the triu&ation 2hich
sha&& descend u*on !ou< that the church 'a! stand inde*endent ao$e a&&
other creatures eneath the ce&estia& 2or&d?
7G# That !ou 'a! co'e u* unto the cro2n *re*ared for !ou< and e 'ade
ru&ers o$er 'an! 0in,do's saith the Lord 5od< the Ho&! One of ;ion< 2ho
hath esta&ished the foundations of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an?
7:# 3ho hath a**ointed .ichae& !our *rince< and esta&ished his feet<
and set hi' u*on hi,h< and ,i$en unto hi' the 0e!s of sa&$ation under the
counse& and direction of the Ho&! One< 2ho is 2ithout e,innin, of da!s or
end of &ife
7M# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< !e are &itt&e chi&dren< and !e
ha$e not as !et understood ho2 ,reat &essin,s the Father hath in his o2n
hands and *re*ared for !ou?
78# And !e cannot ear a&& thin,s no2? ne$erthe&ess< e of ,ood
cheer< for I 2i&& &ead !ou a&on,# The 0in,do' is !ours and the &essin,s
thereof are !ours< and the riches of eternit! are !ours#
7N# And he 2ho recei$eth a&& thin,s 2ith than0fu&ness sha&& e 'ade
,&orious? and the thin,s of this earth sha&& e added unto hi' e$en an
hundred fo&d< !ea< 'ore#
HD# 3herefore< do the thin,s 2hich I ha$e co''anded !ou< saith !our
Redee'er< e$en the Son Ah'an< 2ho *re*areth a&& thin,s efore he ta0eth
!ou?
H7# For !e are the church of the Firstorn< and e 2i&& ta0e !ou u*
in a c&oud< and a**oint e$er! 'an his *ortion#
HH# And he that is a faithfu& and 2ise ste2ard sha&& inherit a&&
thin,s# A'en#
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .arch< 789H#
7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is '! 2i&& that '! ser$ant Jared
Carter shou&d ,o a,ain into the eastern countries< fro' *&ace to *&ace<
and fro' cit! to cit!< in the *o2er of the ordination 2here2ith he has
een ordained< *roc&ai'in, ,&ad tidin,s of ,reat =o!< e$en the e$er&astin,
,os*e&#
H# And I 2i&& send u*on hi' the Co'forter< 2hich sha&& teach hi' the
truth and the 2a! 2hither he sha&& ,o?
9# And inas'uch as he is faithfu&< I 2i&& cro2n hi' a,ain 2ith
shea$es#
@# 3herefore< &et !our heart e ,&ad< '! ser$ant Jared Carter< and
fear not< saith !our Lord< e$en Jesus Christ# A'en#
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .arch< 789H#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou '! ser$ant Ste*hen "urnett(
5o !e< ,o !e into the 2or&d and *reach the ,os*e& to e$er! creature that
co'eth under the sound of !our $oice#
H# And inas'uch as !ou desire a co'*anion< I 2i&& ,i$e unto !ou '!
ser$ant Eden S'ith#
9# 3herefore< ,o !e and *reach '! ,os*e&< 2hether to the north or to
the south< to the east or to the 2est< it 'attereth not< for !e cannot ,o
a'iss#
@# Therefore< dec&are the thin,s 2hich !e ha$e heard< and $eri&!
e&ie$e< and 0no2 to e true#
G# "eho&d< this is the 2i&& of hi' 2ho hath ca&&ed !ou< !our
Redee'er< e$en Jesus Christ# A'en#
Re$e&ation< ,i$en .arch< 789H#O
7# %eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou '! ser$ant Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's(
Listen to the $oice of hi' 2ho s*ea0eth< to the 2ord of the Lord !our 5od<
and hear0en to the ca&&in, 2here2ith !ou are ca&&ed< e$en to e a hi,h
*riest in '! church< and a counse&or unto '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
H# Unto 2ho' I ha$e ,i$en the 0e!s of the 0in,do'< 2hich e&on,
a&2a!s unto the )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood?
9# Therefore< $eri&! I ac0no2&ed,e hi' and 2i&& &ess hi'< and a&so
thee< inas'uch as thou art faithfu& in counse&< in the office 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed unto !ou< in *ra!er a&2a!s< $oca&&! and in th! heart in *u&ic
and in *ri$ate< a&so in th! 'inistr! in *roc&ai'in, the ,os*e& in the &and
of the &i$in,< and a'on, th! rethren#
@# And in doin, these thin,s thou 2i&t do the ,reatest ,ood unto th!
fe&&o2 ein,s< and 2i&t *ro'ote the ,&or! of hi' 2ho is !our Lord#
G# 3herefore< e faithfu&? stand in the office 2hich I ha$e a**ointed
unto !ou? succor the 2ea0< &ift u* the hands 2hich han, do2n< and
stren,then the fee&e 0nees#
:# And if thou art faithfu& unto the end thou sha&t ha$e a cro2n of
i''orta&it!< and eterna& &ife in the 'ansions 2hich I ha$e *re*ared in the
house of '! Father#
M# "eho&d< and &o< these are the 2ords of A&*ha and O'e,a< e$en Jesus
Christ# A'en#
CHA)TER 6I6#
.O" %IOLENCE AT HIRA.--THE SECOND JOURNEY OF THE )RO)HET TO ;ION<
AND RETURN TO 1IRTLAND#
I RECEI%ED a &etter fro' the rethren 2ho 2ent u* to the &and of
;ion< statin, that the! had arri$ed at Inde*endence< .issouri< in ,ood
hea&th and s*irits< 2ith a *rintin, *ress and a store of ,oods# A,reea&e
to the instructions of the fa&& conference< the! a&so sent 'e the
*ros*ectus of a 'onth&! *a*er< The E$enin, and .ornin, Star#
The ti'e for the acco'*&ish'ent of these thin,s is ra*id&!
a**roachin,# It 2i&& e attended 2ith the sore =ud,'ents of 5od u*on the
2ic0ed# And as in a&& *ast a,es< efore a&&o2in, =ud,'ents to fa&& u*on
the 2ic0ed< 5od has sent the' a 2ord of 2arnin, and an o**ortunit! to
re*ent< so too in the crisis *endin, the Lord 2i&& not rin, the
threatened ca&a'it! u*on 'an0ind 2ithout sendin, forth due 2arnin,#
-Therefore< in the fear of Hi' Ethe LordF and to s*read the truth a'on,
a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues and *eo*&e< this *a*er is sent forth< that
a 2ic0ed 2or&d 'a! 0no2 that Jesus Christ the Redee'er< 2ho sha&& co'e to
;ion 2i&& soon a**ear#- The E$enin, and .ornin, Star--in addition to ein,
a hera&d of Israe&+s return to the fa$or of 5od and a 'essen,er of the
e$er&astin, 5os*e&--2i&& a&so contain 2hate$er of truth or infor'ation
that 2i&& enefit the Saints of 5od te'*ora&&! as 2e&& as s*iritua&&!<
-2ithout interferin, 2ith *o&itics< roi&s or the ,ainsa!in, of the
2or&d#- It is a&so announced that fro' the Star *ress it 'a! e e/*ected
as soon as 2isdo' directs< that there 2i&& e issued -'an! sacred records
2hich ha$e s&e*t for a,es#- The star 2as to e a ro!a& >uarto sheet<
issued 'onth&!< at one do&&ar a !ear< unti& it shou&d e dee'ed *ro*er to
*u&ish it oftener# The *ros*ectus 2as issued In Feruar! and si,ned ! 3#
3# )he&*s#
Accordin, to *re$ious intentions< 2e no2 e,an to 'a0e *re*arations
to $isit the rethren 2ho had re'o$ed to the &and of .issouri# "efore
,oin, to Hira' to &i$e 2ith Father Johnson< '! 2ife had ta0en t2o
chi&dren Et2insF< of John .urdoc0+s< to rear# She recei$ed the' 2hen on&!
nine da!s o&d? the! 2ere no2 near&! e&e$en 'onths# I 2ou&d re'ar0 that
nothin, i'*ortant had occurred since I ca'e to reside in Father Johnson+s
house in Hira'< e/ce*t that I had he&d 'eetin,s on the Saaths and
e$enin,s< and a*ti4ed a nu'er#
Father Johnson+s son< O&'sted Johnson< aout this ti'e ca'e ho'e on a
$isit< durin, 2hich I to&d hi' if he did not oe! the 5os*e&< the s*irit
he 2as of 2ou&d &ead hi' to destruction< and 2hen he 2ent a2a!< he 2ou&d
ne$er return or see his father a,ain# He 2ent to the Southern States and
.e/ico? on his return he too0 sic0 and died in %ir,inia#
In addition to the a*ostate E4ra "ooth< Si'onds R!der<O E&i Johnson<
Ed2ard Johnson and John Johnson< Jun#< had a*ostati4ed#
On the H@th of .arch< the t2ins efore 'entioned< 2hich had een sic0
of the 'eas&es for so'e ti'e< caused us to e ro0en of our rest in ta0in,
care of the'< es*ecia&&! '! 2ife# In the e$enin, I to&d her she had etter
retire to rest 2ith one of the chi&dren< and I 2ou&d 2atch 2ith the sic0er
chi&d# In the ni,ht she to&d 'e I had etter &ie do2n on the trund&e ed<
and I did so< and 2as soon after a2a0ened ! her screa'in, 'urder< 2hen I
found '!se&f ,oin, out of the door< in the hands of aout a do4en 'en?
so'e of 2hose hands 2ere in '! hair< and so'e had ho&d of '! shirt<
dra2ers and &i's# The foot of the trund&e ed 2as to2ards the door<
&ea$in, on&! roo' enou,h for the door to s2in, o*en# .! 2ife heard a
,ent&e ta**in, on the 2indo2s 2hich she then too0 no *articu&ar notice of
Eut 2hich 2as un>uestiona&! desi,ned for ascertainin, 2hether or not 2e
2ere a&& as&ee*F < and soon after the 'o urst o*en the door and
surrounded the ed in an instant< and< as I said< the first I 0ne2 I 2as
,oin, out of the door in the hands of an infuriated 'o# I 'ade a
des*erate stru,,&e< as I 2as forced out< to e/tricate '!se&f< ut on&!
c&eared one &e,< 2ith 2hich I 'ade a *ass at one 'an< and he fe&& on the
door ste*s# I 2as i''ediate&! o$er*o2ered a,ain? and the! s2ore ! 5-- --<
the! 2ou&d 0i&& 'e if I did not e sti&&< 2hich >uieted 'e# As the! *assed
around the house 2ith 'e< the fe&&o2 that I 0ic0ed ca'e to 'e and thrust
his hand< a&& co$ered 2ith &ood< into '! face and 2ith an e/u&tin, hoarse
&au,h< 'uttered -5e< ,ee< 5-- d-- !e< I+&& fi/ !e#-
The! then sei4ed 'e ! the throat and he&d on ti&& I &ost '! reath#
After I ca'e to< as the! *assed a&on, 2ith 'e aout thirt! rods fro' the
house I sa2 E&der Ri,don stretched out on the ,round< 2hither the! had
dra,,ed hi' ! his hee&s# I su**osed he 2as dead# I e,an to *&ead 2ith
the'< sa!in,< -You 2i&& ha$e 'erc! and s*are '! &ife< I ho*e#- To 2hich
the! re*&ied< -5--d--!e< ca&& on !er 5od for he&*< 2e+&& sho2 !e no
'erc!?- and the *eo*&e e,an to sho2 the'se&$es in e$er! direction? one
co'in, fro' the orchard had a *&an0? and I e/*ected the! 2ou&d 0i&& 'e<
and carr! 'e off on the *&an0# The! then turned to the ri,ht< and 2ent on
aout thirt! rods further? aout si/t! rods fro' the house< and thirt!
fro' 2here I sa2 E&der Ri,don< into the 'eado2< 2here the! sto**ed< and
one said< -Si'onds< Si'onds<- E'eanin,< I su**osed< Si'onds R!der<F -*u&&
u* his dra2ers< *u&& u* his dra2ers< he 2i&& ta0e co&d#- Another re*&ied(
-Ain+t !e ,oin, to 0i&& +i'B ain+t !e ,oin, to 0i&& +i'B- 2hen a ,rou* of
'oers co&&ected a &itt&e 2a! off< and said( -Si'onds< Si'onds< co'e
here?- and -Si'onds- char,ed those 2ho had ho&d of 'e to 0ee* 'e fro'
touchin, the ,round Eas the! had done a&& the ti'eF< &est I shou&d ,et a
s*rin, u*on the'# The! he&d a counci&< and as I cou&d occasiona&&!
o$erhear a 2ord< I su**osed it 2as to 0no2 2hether or not it 2as est to
0i&& 'e# The! returned after a 2hi&e< 2hen I &earned that the! had
conc&uded not to 0i&& 'e< ut to eat and scratch 'e 2e&&< tear off '!
shirt and dra2ers< and &ea$e 'e na0ed# One cried< -Si'onds< Si'onds<
2here+s the tar uc0etB- -I don+t 0no2<- ans2ered one< -2here +tis< E&i+s
&eft it# The! ran ac0 and fetched the uc0et of tar< 2hen one e/c&ai'ed<
2ith an oath< -Let us tar u* his 'outh<- and the! tried to force the
tar-*add&e into '! 'outh? I t2isted '! head around< so that the! cou&d
not? and the! cried out< -5--d--!e< ho&d u* !er head and &et us ,i$e !e
so'e tar#- The! then tried to force a $ia& into '! 'outh< and ro0e it in
'! teeth# A&& '! c&othes 2ere torn off 'e e/ce*t '! shirt co&&ar? and one
'an fe&& on 'e and scratched '! od! 2ith his nai&s &i0e a 'ad cat< and
then 'uttered out( -5-- d---!e< that+s the 2a! the Ho&! 5host fa&&s on
fo&0sK-
The! then &eft 'e< and I atte'*ted to rise< ut fe&& a,ain? I *u&&ed
the tar a2a! fro' '! &i*s< so that I cou&d reathe 'ore free&!< and after
u*< 2hereu*on I sa2 t2o &i,hts# I 'ade '! 2a! to2ards one of the'< and
found it 2as Father Johnson+s# 3hen I ca'e to the door I 2as na0ed< and
the tar 'ade 'e &oo0 as if I 2ere co$ered 2ith &ood< and 2hen '! 2ife sa2
'e she thou,ht I 2as a&& crushed to *ieces< and fainted# Durin, the affra!
aroad< the sisters of the nei,horhood had co&&ected at '! roo'# I ca&&ed
for a &an0et< the! thre2 'e one and shut the door? I 2ra**ed it around 'e
and 2ent in#
In the 'eanti'e< "rother John )oor'an heard an outcr! across the corn
fie&d< and runnin, that 2a! 'et father Johnson< 2ho had een fastened in
his house at the co''ence'ent of the assau&t< ! ha$in, his door arred !
the 'o< ut on ca&&in, to his 2ife to rin, his ,un< sa!in, he 2ou&d &o2
a ho&e throu,h the door< the 'o f&ed< and Father Johnson< sei4in, a c&u<
ran after the *art! that had E&der Ri,don< and 0noc0ed do2n one 'an< and
raised his c&u to &e$e& another< e/c&ai'in,< -3hat are !ou doin, hereB-
2hen the! &eft E&der Ri,don and turned u*on Father Johnson< 2ho< turnin,
to run to2ard his o2n house< 'et "rother )oor'an co'in, out of the corn
fie&d? each su**osin, the other to e a 'oer< an encounter ensued< and
)oor'an ,a$e Johnson a se$ere &o2 on the &eft shou&der 2ith a stic0 or
stone< 2hich rou,ht hi' to the ,round# )oor'an ran i''ediate&! to2ards
Father Johnson+s< and arri$in, 2hi&e I 2as 2aitin, for the &an0et<
e/c&ai'ed< -I+' afraid I+$e 0i&&ed hi'#- 1i&&ed 2hoB as0ed one? 2hen
)oor'an hasti&! re&ated the circu'stances of the rencounter near the corn
fie&d< and 2ent into the shed and hid hi'se&f# Father Johnson soon
reco$ered so as to co'e to the house< 2hen the 2ho&e '!ster! 2as >uic0&!
so&$ed concernin, the difficu&t! et2een hi' and )oor'an< 2ho< on &earnin,
the facts< =o!fu&&! ca'e fro' his hidin, *&ace#
.! friends s*ent the ni,ht in scra*in, and re'o$in, the tar< and
2ashin, and c&eansin, '! od!? so that ! 'ornin, I 2as read! to e
c&othed a,ain# This ein, the Saath 'ornin,< the *eo*&e asse'&ed for
'eetin, at the usua& hour of 2orshi*< and a'on, the' ca'e a&so the
'oers? $i4#( Si'onds R!der< a Ca'*e&&ite *reacher and &eader of the
'o? one .cC&entic< 2ho had his hands in '! hair? one Streeter< son of a
Ca'*e&&ite 'inister? and Fe&atiah A&&en< Es>#< 2ho ,a$e the 'o a arre&
of 2his0e! to raise their s*irits# "esides these na'ed< there 2ere 'an!
others in the 'o# 3ith '! f&esh a&& scarified and defaced< I *reached to
the con,re,ation as usua&< and in the afternoon of the sa'e da! a*ti4ed
three indi$idua&s#
The ne/t 'ornin, I 2ent to see E&der Ri,don< and found hi' cra4!< and
his head hi,h&! inf&a'ed< for the! had dra,,ed hi' ! his hee&s< and
those< too< so hi,h fro' the ,round that he cou&d not raise his head fro'
the rou,h< fro4en surface< 2hich &acerated it e/ceedin,&!? and 2hen he sa2
'e he ca&&ed to his 2ife to rin, hi' his ra4or# She as0ed hi' 2hat he
2anted of it? and he re*&ied< to 0i&& 'e# Sister Ri,don &eft the roo'< and
he as0ed 'e to rin, his ra4or? I as0ed hi' 2hat he 2anted of it< and he
re*&ied he 2anted to 0i&& his 2ife? and he continued de&irious so'e da!s#
The feathers 2hich 2ere used 2ith the tar on this occasion< the 'o too0
out of E&der Ri,don+s house# After the! had sei4ed hi'< and dra,,ed hi'
out< one of the anditti returned to ,et so'e *i&&o2s? 2hen the 2o'en shut
hi' in and 0e*t hi' a *risoner so'e ti'e#
Durin, the 'oin, one of the t2ins contracted a se$ere co&d<
continued to ,ro2 2orse unti& Frida!< and then died# The 'oers co'*osed
of $arious re&i,ious *arties< ut 'ost&! Ca'*e&&ites< .ethodists and
"a*tists< 2ho continued to 'o&est and 'enace Father Johnson+s house for a
&on, ti'e# E&der Ri,don re'o$ed to 1irt&and 2ith his fa'i&!--then sic0
2ith the 'eas&es--the fo&&o2in, 3ednesda!? and< on account of the 'o< he
2ent to Chardon on Saturda!< .arch 97st#
A*ri& first< I started for .issouri< in co'*an! 2ith Ne2e& 1#
3hitne!< )eter 3hit'er< and Jesse 5ause< to fu&fi& the re$e&ation# Not
2ishin, to ,o ! 1irt&and< as another 'o e/isted in that nei,horhood
Eand indeed< the s*irit of 'oocrac! 2as $er! *re$a&ent throu,h that
2ho&e re,ion of countr! at the ti'eF< rother 5eor,e )it0in too0 us in his
2a,on ! the 'ost e/*editious route to 3arren< 2here 2e arri$ed the sa'e
da!< and 2ere there =oined ! E&der Ri,don< 2ho &eft Chardon in the
'ornin,? and *roceedin, on2ard< 2e arri$ed at 3e&&s$i&&e the ne/t da!< and
the da! fo&&o2in, at Steuen$i&&e< 2here 2e &eft the 2a,on? and on
3ednesda!< the @th of A*ri&< 2e too0 *assa,e on oard a stea' *ac0et for
3hee&in,< %ir,inia? 2here 2e *urchased a &ot of *a*er for the *ress in
;ion< then in care of 3# 3# )he&*s#
After 2e &eft Hira'< fearin, for the safet! of '! fa'i&!< on account
of the 'o< I 2rote to '! 2ife Ein connection 2ith "isho* 3hitne!F
su,,estin, that she ,o to 1irt&and and tarr! 2ith "rother 3hitne!+s fa'i&!
unti& our return# Fro' 3hee&in, 2e too0 *assa,e on oard the stea'er
Trenton# 3hi&e at the doc0< durin, the ni,ht< the oat 2as t2ice on fire
urnin, the 2ho&e 2idth of the oat throu,h into the cain< ut 2ith so
&itt&e da'a,e that the oat 2ent on in the 'ornin,? and 2hen 2e arri$ed at
Cincinnati< so'e of the 'o 2hich had fo&&o2ed us< &eft us< and 2e arri$ed
at Louis$i&&e the sa'e ni,ht# Ca*tain "ritt&e offered us *rotection on
oard of his oat< and ,a$e us su**er and rea0fast ,ratuitous&!#
At Louis$i&&e 2e 2ere =oined ! E&der Titus "i&&in,s< 2ho 2as
=ourne!in, 2ith a co'*an! of Saints fro' 1irt&and to ;ion< and 2e too0
*assa,e on the stea'er Char&eston for St# Louis< 2here 2e *arted fro'
"rother "i&&in,s and co'*an!< and ! sta,e arri$ed at Inde*endence<
.issouri< on the t2ent!-fourth of A*ri&< ha$in, tra$e&ed a distance of
aout three hundred 'i&es fro' St# Louis# 3e found the rethren in ;ion<
,enera&&! en=o!in, hea&th and faith? and the! 2ere e/tre'e&! ,&ad to
2e&co'e us a'on, the'#
On the H:th< I ca&&ed a ,enera& counci& of the Church< and 2as
ac0no2&ed,ed as the )resident< of the Hi,h )riesthood< accordin, to a
*re$ious ordination at a conference of Hi,h )riests< E&ders and 'e'ers<
he&d at A'herst< Ohio< on the HGth of Januar!< 789H# The ri,ht hand of
fe&&o2shi* 2as ,i$en to 'e ! the "isho*< Ed2ard )artrid,e< in eha&f of
the Church# The scene 2as so&e'n< i'*ressi$e and de&i,htfu&# Durin, the
inter'ission< a difficu&t! or hardness 2hich had e/isted et2een "isho*
)artrid,e and E&der Ri,don< 2as a'ica&! sett&ed< and 2hen 2e ca'e
to,ether in the afternoon< a&& hearts see'ed to re=oice and I recei$ed the
fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en A*ri&< 789H< sho2in, the order ,i$en to Enoch<
and the Church in his da!#
7# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ants< that inas'uch as
!ou ha$e for,i$en one another !our tres*asses< e$en so I< the Lord<
for,i$e !ou#
H# Ne$erthe&ess< there are those a'on, !ou 2ho ha$e sinned
e/ceedin,&!< !ea< e$en a&& of !ou ha$e sinned? ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou<
e2are fro' henceforth< and refrain fro' sin< &est sore =ud,'ents fa&&
u*on !our heads#
9# For of hi' unto 2ho' 'uch is ,i$en 'uch is re>uired? and he 2ho
sins a,ainst the ,reater &i,ht sha&& recei$e the ,reater conde'nation
@# Ye ca&& u*on '! na'e for re$e&ations< and I ,i$e the' unto !ou?
and inas'uch as !e 0ee* not '! sa!in,s< 2hich I ,i$e unto !ou< !e eco'e
trans,ressors? and =ustice and =ud,'ent are the *ena&t! 2hich is affi/ed
unto '! &a2#
G# Therefore< 2hat I sa! unto one I sa! unto a&&( 3atch< for the
ad$ersar! s*readeth his do'inions< and dar0ness rei,neth?
:# And the an,er of 5od 0ind&eth a,ainst the inhaitants of the
earth? and none doeth ,ood< for a&& ha$e ,one out of the 2a!#
M# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I< the Lord< 2i&& not &a! an! sin
to !our char,e ,o !our 2a!s and sin no 'ore? ut unto that sou& 2ho
sinneth sha&& the for'er sins return< saith the Lord !our 5od#
8# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou a ne2 co''and'ent< that
!ou 'a! understand '! 2i&& concernin, !ou?
N# Or< in other 2ords< I ,i$e unto !ou directions ho2 !ou 'a! act
efore 'e< that it 'a! turn to !ou for !our sa&$ation#
7D# I< the Lord< a' ound 2hen !e do 2hat 7 sa!? ut 2hen !e do not
2hat I sa!< !e ha$e no *ro'ise#
77# Therefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is e/*edient for '!
ser$ants A&a' and Ahashdah INe2e& 1# 3hitne!J< .aha&a&ee& and )e&a,ora'
ISidne! Ri,donJ< and '! ser$ant 5a4e&a' IJose*h S'ithJ< and Horah and
O&ihah IO&i$er Co2der!J< and Sha&e'anasseh and .ahe'son I.artin HarrisJ<
to e ound to,ether ! a ond and co$enant that cannot e ro0en !
trans,ression< e/ce*t =ud,'ent sha&& i''ediate&! fo&&o2< in !our se$era&
ste2ardshi*s--
7H# To 'ana,e the affairs of the *oor< and a&& thin,s *ertainin, to
the isho*ric oth in the &and of ;ion and in the &and of Shinehah
I1irt&andJ?
79# For I ha$e consecrated the &and of Shinehah I1irt&andJ in 'ine
o2n due ti'e for the enefit of the saints of the .ost Hi,h< and for a
sta0e to ;ion#
7@# For ;ion 'ust increase in eaut!< and in ho&iness< her orders
'ust e en&ar,ed? her sta0es 'ust e stren,thened? !ea< $eri&! I sa! unto
!ou< ;ion 'ust arise and *ut on her eautifu& ,ar'ents#
7G# Therefore< I ,i$e unto !ou this co''and'ent< that !e ind
!ourse&$es ! this co$enant< and it sha&& e done accordin, to the &a2s of
the Lord#
7:# "eho&d< here is 2isdo' a&so in 'e for !our ,ood#
7M# And !ou are to e e>ua&< or in other 2ords< !ou are to ha$e e>ua&
c&ai's on the *ro*erties< for the enefit of 'ana,in, the concerns of !our
ste2ardshi*s< e$er! 'an accordin, to his 2ants and his needs< inas'uch as
his 2ants are =ust--
78# And a&& this for the enefit of the church of the &i$in, 5od<
that e$er! 'an 'a! i'*ro$e u*on his ta&ent< that e$er! 'an 'a! ,ain other
ta&ents< !ea< e$en an hundred fo&d< to e cast into the Lord+s storehouse<
to eco'e the co''on *ro*ert! of the 2ho&e church--
7N# E$er! 'an see0in, the interest of his nei,hor< and doin, a&&
thin,s 2ith an e!e sin,&e to the ,&or! of 5od#
HD# This order I ha$e a**ointed to e an e$er&astin, order unto !ou<
and unto !our successors< inas'uch as !ou sin not#
H7# And the sou& that sins a,ainst this co$enant< and hardeneth his
heart a,ainst it< sha&& e dea&t 2ith accordin, to the &a2s of '! church<
and sha&& e de&i$ered o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan unti& the da! of
rede'*tion#
HH# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< and this is 2isdo'< 'a0e unto
!ourse&$es friends 2ith the 'a''on of unri,hteousness< and the! 2i&& not
destro! !ou#
H9# Lea$e =ud,'ent a&one 2ith 'e< for it is 'ine and I 2i&& re*a!#
)eace e 2ith !ou< '! &essin,s continue 2ith !ou#
H@# For e$en !et the 0in,do' is !ours< and sha&& e fore$er< if !ou
fa&& not fro' !our steadfastness# E$en so# A'en#
On the HMth< 2e transacted considera&e usiness for the sa&$ation of
the Saints< 2ho 2ere sett&in, a'on, a ferocious set of 'oers< &i0e &a's
a'on, 2o&$es# It 2as '! endea$or to so or,ani4e the Church< that the
rethren 'i,ht e$entua&&! e inde*endent of e$er! incu'rance eneath the
ce&estia& 0in,do'< ! onds and co$enants of 'utua& friendshi*< and 'utua&
&o$e#
On the H8th and HNth< I $isited the rethren ao$e "i, "&ue ri$er< in
1a2 to2nshi*< a fe2 'i&es 2est of Inde*endence< and recei$ed a 2e&co'e
on&! 0no2n ! rethren and sisters united as one in the sa'e faith< and !
the sa'e a*tis'< and su**orted ! the sa'e Lord# The Co&es$i&&e ranch<
in *articu&ar< re=oiced as the ancient Saints did 2ith )au&# It is ,ood
to re=oice 2ith the *eo*&e of 5od# On the 9Dth< I returned to
Inde*endence< and a,ain sat in counci& 2ith the rethren< and recei$ed the
fo&&o2in,?
Re$e&ation< ,i$en A*ri&< 789H#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord< in addition to the &a2s of the church
concernin, 2o'en and chi&dren< those 2ho e&on, to the church< 2ho ha$e
&ost their husands or fathers(
H# 3o'en ha$e c&ai' on their husands for their 'aintenance< unti&
their husands are ta0en? and if the! are not found trans,ressors the!
sha&& ha$e fe&&o2shi* in the church#
9# And if the! are not faithfu& the! sha&& not ha$e fe&&o2shi* in the
church? !et the! 'a! re'ain u*on their inheritances accordin, to the &a2s
of the &and#
@# A&& chi&dren ha$e c&ai' u*on their *arents for their 'aintenance
unti& the! are of a,e#
G# And after that< the! ha$e c&ai' u*on the church< or in other 2ords
u*on the Lord+s storehouse< if their *arents ha$e not 2here2ith to ,i$e
the' inheritances#
:# And the storehouse sha&& e 0e*t ! the consecrations of the
church? and 2ido2s and or*hans sha&& e *ro$ided for< as a&so the *oor#
A'en#
Our counci& 2as continued on the 7st of .a!< 2hen it 2as ordered that
three thousand co*ies of the "oo0 of Co''and'ents e *rinted in the first
edition? that 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< O&i$er Co2der!< and John 3hit'er< e
a**ointed to re$ie2 and *re*are such re$e&ations for the *ress as sha&& e
dee'ed *ro*er for *u&ication< and *rint the' as soon as *ossi&e at
Inde*endence< .issouri? the announce'ent to e 'ade that the! are
-)u&ished ! 3# 3# )he&*s P Co#- It 2as a&so ordered that 3# 3# )he&*s
correct and *rint the h!'ns 2hich had een se&ected ! E''a S'ith in
fu&fi&&'ent of the re$e&ation#
Arran,e'ents 2ere a&so 'ade for su**&!in, the Saints 2ith stores in
.issouri and Ohio< action< 2ith a fe2 e/ce*tions< 2as hai&ed 2ith =o! !
the rethren# "efore 2e &eft Inde*endence< E&der Ri,don *reached t2o 'ost
*o2erfu& discourses< 2hich< so far as out2ard a**earance 2as concerned<
,a$e ,reat satisfaction to the *eo*&e#
On the :th of .a! I ,a$e the *artin, hand to the rethren in
Inde*endence< and< in co'*an! 2ith "rothers Ri,don and 3hitne! co''enced a
return to 1irt&and< ! sta,e to St# Louis< fro' thence to %incennes<
Indiana? and fro' thence to Ne2 A&an!< near the fa&&s of the Ohio ri$er#
"efore 2e arri$ed at the &atter *&ace< the horses eca'e fri,htened< and
2hi&e ,oin, at fu&& s*eed "isho* 3hitne! atte'*ted to =u'* out of the
coach< ut ha$in, his coat fast< cau,ht his foot in the 2hee&< and had his
&e, and foot ro0en in se$era& *&aces? at the sa'e ti'e I =u'*ed out
unhurt# 3e *ut u* at .r# )orter+s *u&ic house< in 5reen$i&&e< for four
2ee0s< 2hi&e E&der Ri,don 2ent direct&! for2ard to 1irt&and# Durin, a&&
this ti'e< "rother 3hitne! &ost not a 'ea& of $ictua&s or a ni,ht+s s&ee*<
and Dr# )orter< our &and&ord+s rother< 2ho attended hi'< said it 2as a
*it! 2e had not ,ot so'e -.or'on- there< as the! cou&d set ro0en ones or
do an!thin, e&se# I tarried 2ith "rother 3hitne! and ad'inistered to hi'
ti&& he 2as a&e to e 'o$ed# 3hi&e at this *&ace I fre>uent&! 2a&0ed out
in the 2oods< 2here I sa2 se$era& fresh ,ra$es? and one da! 2hen I rose
fro' the dinner ta&e< I 2a&0ed direct&! to the door and co''enced
$o'itin, 'ost *rofuse&!# I raised &ar,e >uantities of &ood and *oisonous
'atter< and so ,reat 2ere the 'uscu&ar contortions of '! s!ste'< that '!
=a2 in a fe2 'o'ents 2as dis&ocated# This I succeeded in re*&acin, 2ith '!
o2n hands< and 'ade '! 2a! to "rother 3hitne! E2ho 2as on the edF< as
s*eedi&! as *ossi&e? he &aid his hands on 'e and ad'inistered to 'e in
the na'e of the Lord< and I 2as hea&ed in an instant< a&thou,h the effect
of the *oison 2as so *o2erfu&< as to cause 'uch of the hair to eco'e
&oosened fro' '! head# Than0s e to '! Hea$en&! Father for His
interference in '! eha&f at this critica& 'o'ent< in the na'e of Jesus
Christ# A'en#
"rother 3hitne! had not had his foot 'o$ed fro' the ed for near&!
four 2ee0s< 2hen I 2ent into his roo'< after a 2a&0 in the ,ro$e< and to&d
hi' if he 2ou&d a,ree to start for ho'e in the 'ornin,< 2e 2ou&d ta0e a
2a,on to the ri$er< aout four 'i&es< and there 2ou&d e a ferr!-oat in
2aitin, 2hich 2ou&d ta0e us >uic0&! across< 2here 2e 2ou&d find a hac0
2hich 2ou&d ta0e us direct&! to the &andin,< 2here 2e shou&d find a oat<
in 2aitin,< and 2e 2ou&d e ,oin, u* the ri$er efore ten o+c&oc0< and
ha$e a *ros*erous =ourne! ho'e# He too0 coura,e and to&d 'e he 2ou&d ,o#
3e started ne/t 'ornin,< and found e$er!thin, as I had to&d hi'< for 2e
2ere *assin, ra*id&! u* the ri$er efore ten o+c&oc0< and< &andin, at
3e&&s$i&&e< too0 sta,e coach to Chardon< fro' thence in a 2a,on to
1irt&and< 2here 2e arri$ed so'e ti'e in June<
CHA)TER 66#
-THE E%ENIN5 AND .ORNIN5 STAR#-
As soon as I cou&d arran,e '! affairs< I reco''enced the trans&ation
of the Scri*tures< and thus s*ent 'ost of the su''er# In Ju&! 2e recei$ed
the first nu'er of The E$enin, and .ornin, Star< 2hich 2as a =o!ous treat
to the Saints# De&i,htfu&< indeed< 2as it to conte'*&ate that the &itt&e
and of rethren had eco'e so &ar,e< and ,ro2n so stron,< in so short a
ti'e as to e a&e to issue a *a*er of their o2n< 2hich contained not on&!
so'e of the re$e&ations< ut other infor'ation a&so<--2hich 2ou&d ,ratif!
and en&i,hten the hu'&e in>uirer after truth#
So e'ittered 2as the *u&ic 'ind a,ainst the truth< that the *ress
uni$ersa&&! had een arra!ed a,ainst us? and a&thou,h 'an! ne2s*a*ers
*u&ished the *ros*ectus of our *a*er< !et it a**eared to ha$e een done
'ore to ca&u'niate the editor< than ,i$e *u&icit! to the forthco'in,
*eriodica&# Editors thou,ht to do us har'< 2hi&e the Saints re=oiced that
the! cou&d do nothin, a,ainst the truth ut for it#
The fo&&o2in, are e/tracts fro' The E$enin, and .ornin, Star<
Inde*endence< .issouri< June< 789H--first nu'er(
TO .AN#
3ith the he&* of 5od< the first nu'er of The E$enin, and .ornin,
Star co'es to the 2or&d for the o=ects s*ecified in its *ros*ectus< 2hich
2as *u&ished &ast 2inter# That 2e shou&d no2 reca*itu&ate so'e of its
&eadin, o=ects< and rief&! add a fe2 re'ar0s< 2i&& natura&&! e
e/*ected? and 2e cheerfu&&! do so< that this ,eneration 'a! 0no2--
That the Star co'es in these &ast da!s as the friend of 'an< to
*ersuade hi' to turn to 5od and &i$e< efore the ,reat and terri&e da! of
the Lord s2ee*s the earth of its 2ic0edness?
That it co'es not on&! as the 'essen,er of truth< to rin, the
re$e&ations and co''and'ents of 5od 2hich ha$e een< ut to *u&ish those
that 5od ,i$es no2< as in the da!s of o&d< for He is the sa'e 5od
!esterda!< toda!< and for e$er? C C C C
That it co'es as the harin,er of *eace and ,ood 2i&& to the' that
ser$e the Lord 2ith a deter'ination to ha$e *art in the first
resurrection< and fina&&! eco'e 1in,s and )riests to 5od the Father in
the ce&estia& 0in,do'< 2here 5od and Christ are< and 2here the! 2i&& e
for eternit!? C C C C C
That it co'es accordin, to the 2i&& of 5od fro' those 2ho are not
asha'ed to ta0e u*on the' the na'e of Christ and 2a&0 &o2&! in the $a&&e!
of hu'i&iation< and &et the so&e'nities of eternit! rest u*on the'?
0no2in, that the ,reat da! of the Lord 2i&& soon usher in the Saath of
creation< for the rest of the Saints< that the Sa$ior 'a! rei,n His
thousand !ears of *eace u*on the earth 2hi&e Satan is ound?
That it co'es in 'ee0ness and 'erc! to a&& 'an0ind< that the! 'a! do
2or0s 'eet for re*entance and e sa$ed in the first resurrection< and
after2ards d2e&& 2ith the s*irits of =ust 'en 'ade *erfect in the
ce&estia& 0in,do'?
That it co'es to rin, ,ood tidin,s of ,reat =o! to a&& *eo*&e< ut
'ore es*ecia&&! to the house of Israe& scattered aroad< that the da! of
their rede'*tion is near< for the Lord hath set His hand a,ain the second
ti'e to restore the' to the &ands of their inheritance?
That it co'es to sho2 that the ensi,n is no2 set u* unto 2hich a&&
nations sha&& co'e< and 2orshi* the Lord< the 5od of Jaco< acce*ta&!?
That it co'es 2hen 2ar< and the *&a,ue< or *esti&ence as it is
ca&&ed< are s2ee*in, their thousands and tens of thousands to the ,ra$e<
to sho2 that the da! of triu&ation s*o0en of ! our Sa$ior is ni,h at
hand< e$en at the doors?
That it co'es to re*eat the ,reat caution of )au&( "e2are &est an!
'an s*oi& !ou Ethe disci*&es of ChristF< throu,h *hi&oso*h! and $ain
deceit< after the traditions of 'en and the rudi'ents of the 2or&d?
That it co'es to *re*are the 2a! of the Lord< that 2hen He co'es He
'a! ha$e a ho&! *eo*&e read! to recei$e Hi'?
That it co'es to sho2 that no 'an can e too ,ood to e sa$ed< ut
that 'an! 'a! e too ad(
That it co'es to dec&are that ,oodness consists in doin, ,ood< not
'ere&! in *reachin, it(
That it co'es to sho2 that a&& 'en+s re&i,ion is $ain 2ithout
charit!?
That it co'es to o*en the 2a! for ;ion to rise and *ut on her
eautifu& ,ar'ents and eco'e the ,&or! of the earth< that her &and 'a! e
=oined< or 'arried Eaccordin, to the 0no2n trans&ation of IsaiahF to
Jerusa&e' a,ain< and the! e one as the! 2ere in the da!s of )e&e,# C C C
C C C
.an ein, created ut &itt&e e&o2 the an,e&s< on&! 2ants to 0no2 for
hi'se&f and not ! another< that< ! oe!in, the co''ands of his Creator<
he can rise a,ain after death< in the f&esh< and rei,n 2ith Christ a
thousand !ears on the earth 2ithout sin? e chan,ed in the t2in0&in, of an
e!e< and eco'e a 1in, and )riest to 5od in eternit!--to forsa0e his sins<
and sa!? Lord< I a' thineK The first 2ords of 2hich 2e ha$e an! account
that Jesus Christ s*a0e concernin, the thin,s of eterna& &ife< 2ere<
Suffer it to e so no2? for thus it eco'eth us to fu&fi& a&&
ri,hteousness# Then he 2as a*ti4ed? and tru&!< if it eca'e the Sa$ior of
the 2or&d< ho&! as He 2as to e a*ti4ed in the 'eridian of ti'e to fu&fi&
a&& ri,hteousness< ho2 'uch 'ore necessar! it is for 'an to e a*ti4ed in
order to e sa$ed# C C C
As this *a*er is de$oted to the ,reat concerns of eterna& thin,s and
the ,atherin, of the Saints< it 2i&& &ea$e *o&itics< the ,ainsa!in, of the
2or&d< and 'an! other 'atters< for their *ro*er channe&s< endea$orin, !
a&& 'eans to set an e/a'*&e efore the 2or&d< 2hich< 2hen fo&&o2ed< 2i&&
&ead our fe&&o2-'en to the ,ates of ,&or!< 2here the 2ic0ed cease fro'
trou&in,< and 2here the 2ear! 2i&& find rest# That there 'a! e errors
oth in us and in the *a*er< 2e readi&! ad'it< ut 2e 'ean to ,ro2 etter<
ti&& fro' &itt&e chi&dren< 2e a&& co'e into the unit! of the faith and of
the 0no2&ed,e of the Son of 5od unto a *erfect 'an< unto the 'easure of
the stature of the fu&&ness of Christ< 2hich 2e *ra! 'a! e the ha**! &ot
of thousands< efore He co'es 2ith the hundred and fort! and four thousand
that are 2ithout ,ui&e#
TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST A"ROAD IN THE EARTH#
It is the dut! of the Church of Christ< to ;ion< to stand as an
ensi,n to a&& nations< that the Lord has set His hand the second ti'e to
restore the house of Israe& to the &ands of their inheritance? and it
ehoo$es the 'e'ers of this Church to 'anifest efore the 2or&d ! a
,od&! 2a&0< ! a no&e e/a'*&e< as 2e&& as ! ster&in, *rece*t< !
*rudence in &i$in,< ! *&ainness in dress< ! industr!< ! econo'!< !
faith and 2or0s< and< ao$e a&&< ! so&e'nit!< hu'i&it! and *atience< that
this is a da! of 2arnin, and not a da! of 'an! 2ords#
This ein, the order in ;ion< ho2 'uch 'ore necessar! is it< that the
churches of Christ< 2hich ha$e not !et co'e u* to this &and shou&d sho2
the 2or&d< ! 2e&& ordered conduct in a&& thin,s< that the! are the
chi&dren of the &i$in, 5odK It is a&&-i'*ortant< and the sa&$ation of 'an!
sou&s de*ends u*on their fau&t&ess e/a'*&e# The! 2i&&< therefore< 0no2in,
that the Lord 2i&& sudden&! co'e to His te'*&e< do their *art in *re*arin,
the 2a!< ! oser$in, the Saath da!< and 0ee*in, it ho&!? ! teachin,
their chi&dren the 5os*e&< and teachin, the' to *ra! ! a$oidin, e/tre'es
in a&& 'atters< ! shunnin, e$er! a**earance of e$i&? ! stud!in, to e
a**ro$ed< and doin, unto others as the! 2ou&d ha$e others do unto the'? !
earin, trou&e and *ersecution *atient&!< 2ithout a 'ur'ur< 0no2in, that
.ichae&< the Arch-an,e&< 2hen contendin, 2ith the de$i&--he dis*uted aout
the od! of .oses--durst not rin, a,ainst hi' a rai&in, accusation< ut
said< The Lord reu0e thee# The! 2i&& not on&! set an e/a'*&e 2orth! of
i'itation< ut the! 2i&& &et their &i,ht so shine that others< seein,
their ,ood 2or0s< 'a! ,o and do &i0e2ise# E/a'*&e is the ,reat thin, that
defies the 2or&d 2ith a&& its $ain ,&or!? ! &ettin, their 'oderation e
0no2n unto a&& 'en< oth in dress and in &i$in,? in 2ords and in deeds? in
2atchin, and in *ra!in,? in &o$e and in &aor< and in 2or0s as 2e&& as in
faith< the! Ithe SaintsJ *reach the 2or&d a &ecture< the! set the in>uirer
an e/a'*&e< and teach a&& Christendo' a &esson< that studied *reachin, and
*u&*it e&o>uence ha$e fai&ed to acco'*&ish#
CO..ON SCHOOLS#
The disci*&es shou&d &ose no ti'e in *re*arin, schoo&s for their
chi&dren< that the! 'a! e tau,ht as is *&easin, unto the Lord< and
rou,ht u* in the 2a! of ho&iness# Those a**ointed to se&ect and *re*are
oo0s for the use of schoo&s< 2i&& attend to that su=ect as soon as 'ore
2ei,ht! 'atters are finished# "ut the *arents and ,uardians in the Church
of Christ need not 2ait--it is a&&-i'*ortant that chi&dren to eco'e ,ood
shou&d e tau,ht I,oodJ# .oses< 2hi&e de&i$erin, the 2ords of the Lord to
the con,re,ation of Israe&< that is< to the *arents< sa!s< -And these
2ords 2hich I co''and thee this da!< sha&& e in th! heart( and thou sha&t
teach the' di&i,ent&! unto th! chi&dren< and sha&t ta&0 of the' 2hen thou
sittest in th! house and 2hen thou 2a&0est ! the 2a!< and 2hen thou &iest
do2n< and 2hen thou risest u*# And thou sha&t ind the' for a si,n u*on
th! hand< and the! sha&& e as front&ets et2een thine e!es#- If it 2ere
necessar! then to teach their chi&dren di&i,ent&!< ho2 'uch 'ore necessar!
is it no2< 2hen the Church of Christ is to e an ensi,n< !ea< e$en an
ensa'*&e to the 2or&d< for ,oodB A 2ord to the 2ise ou,ht to e
sufficient< for chi&dren soon eco'e 'en and 2o'en# Yes< the! are the!
that 'ust fo&&o2 us< and *erfor' the duties 2hich not on&! a**ertain to
this 2or&d< ut to the second co'in, of the Sa$ior< e$en *re*arin, for the
Saath of creation< and for eternit!#
THE -STAR- OFFICE#
The Star office is situated 2ithin t2e&$e 'i&es of the 2est &ine of
the state of .issouri? 2hich at *resent is the 2estern &i'its of the
United States< and aout 7HD 'i&es 2est of an! *ress in the state< in
aout 9N de,rees of north &atitude< and aout 7M 7QH de,rees of 2est
&on,itude< H 7QH 'i&es south of .issouri ri$er? H8D 'i&es ! &and< or GDD
! 2ater< 2est of St# Louis? near&! 7<HDD 'i&es 2est of 3ashin,ton? 7<9DD
'i&es fro' Ne2 Yor0< and 'ore than 7<GDD 'i&es fro' "oston#
In Au,ust 2e 2ere a,ain de&i,hted to recei$e the Star# The fo&&o2in,
is e/tracted fro' the second IJu&!J nu'er(
THE ELDERS IN THE LAND OF ;ION< TO THE CHURCH OF CHRIST SCATTERED A"ROAD#
"rethren< 2e thin0 it *ro*er to ,i$e !ou so'e ,enera& infor'ation
res*ectin, the *resent state of the Church in ;ion< and a&so the 2or0 of
the ,atherin,# Not2ithstandin, that near&! a&& Christendo' dout the
*ro*riet! of recei$in, re$e&ations for the ,o$ern'ent of the Church of
Christ in this a,e< and ,enera&&! ado*t the Scri*tures of the O&d and Ne2
Testa'ents as the on&! ru&e of faith and *ractice< !et 2e e&ie$e< fro'
the Scri*tures of truth< that to e$er! church in *ast a,es 2hich the Lord
reco,ni4ed to e His< He ,a$e re$e&ations< 2ise&! ca&cu&ated to ,o$ern
the' in the *ecu&iar situation and circu'stances under 2hich the! 2ere
*&aced< and to ena&e the' ! authorit! to do the *ecu&iar 2or0 2hich the!
2ere to *erfor'# The "i&e contains re$e&ations ,i$en at different ti'es
to different *eo*&e< under different circu'stances< as 2i&& e seen !
editoria& artic&es in this *a*er# The o&d 2or&d 2as destro!ed for
re=ectin, the re$e&ations of 5od ,i$en to the' throu,h Noah# The
Israe&ites 2ere destro!ed in the 2i&derness for des*isin, the re$e&ations
,i$en to the' throu,h .oses? and Christ said that the 2or&d< in the da!s
of the A*ost&es< 2ou&d e conde'ned for not recei$in, the 2ord of 5od
throu,h the'( Thus 2e see that the =ud,'ents of 5od in the *ast a,es ha$e
co'e u*on the *eo*&e not so 'uch for ne,&ectin, the re$e&ations ,i$en to
their forefathers< as for re=ectin, those ,i$en i''ediate&! to the'se&$es#
Of the &essin,s of hea$en it 'a! e said< that the! a&2a!s rested u*on
the heads of those to 2ho' the! 2ere *ro'ised# Therefore seein, that it
not on&! 2as< ut< as &on, as 5od re'ains the sa'e< a&2a!s 2i&& e< the
*ri$i&e,e of the true Church to recei$e re$e&ations containin, &essin,s
and cursin,s< *ecu&iar&! ada*ted to itse&f as a Church< 2e conc&ude that
it is a 'ista0en notion that the Scri*tures of the O&d and Ne2 Testa'ents
are the on&! ru&e of faith and *ractice? ne$erthe&ess< inas'uch as the
*rece*ts and e/a'*&es contained in the' are tru&! a**&ica&e to us under
our *articu&ar circu'stances< 2e are ound to e ,o$erned ! the' and 2e
a&so can recei$e 'uch enefit fro' such *ro*hecies as *oint out the e$ents
that sha&& ta0e *&ace in our da! and a,e# Of these there are 'an!< oth in
the O&d and the Ne2 Testa'ents# The! s*ea0 *&ain&! of ,reat thin,s that
sha&& e acco'*&ished in the &ast da!s--such as *reachin, the e$er&astin,
5os*e& to a&& nations? the ,atherin, of the e&ect fro' the four 2inds of
hea$en? the ui&din, u* of ;ion and Jerusa&e'< or the in,atherin, of the
re'nants of Jaco< and the *&antin, the' in the &ands of their fathers+
inheritance? the necessar! *re*aration to 'eet the Sa$ior at His second
co'in,< 2ith a&& the Saints< to d2e&& 2ith the' in the 'i&&ennia& rei,n#
And no2< 2ho 2ith the "i&e in his hand< can su**ose that these ,reat and
'ar$e&ous 2or0s can e acco'*&ished ! the Church 2ithout 'ore re$e&ations
fro' the LordB 3e cannot< for 2e 2orshi* the 5od of Israe&< in 2ho' is
neither $aria&eness nor shado2 of turnin,?--conse>uent&! as in da!s of
o&d< so in these &ast da!s< He has ,i$en us re$e&ations ! 2hich 2e 'a!
0no2 ho2 to or,ani4e the Church of Christ< and ! His authorit! to *erfor'
the 2or0 2hich He has en=oined u*on us# And no2 rethren< if 2e 2ish for
&essin,s u*on this Church< 2e 'ust 2a&0 hu'&! efore the Lord< and
oser$e to 0ee* a&& His co''and'ents# Not2ithstandin, the 2or0 of the
,atherin, 2i&& e acco'*&ished< 2e e&ie$e in a s*eed! 'anner< !et the
Lord has co''anded that it sha&& not e done in haste< nor ! f&i,ht< ut
that a&& thin,s sha&& e *re*ared efore !ou? and for this *ur*ose He has
'ade it the dut! of the "isho* or a,ent in the &and of ;ion to 'a0e 0no2n<
fro' ti'e to ti'e< the *ri$i&e,es of the &and to the conferences< 2hich
'a! deter'ine and 'a0e 0no2n ho2 'an! can e acco''odated# And the Saints
2i&& re'e'er that the "isho* in the &and of ;ion 2i&& not recei$e an!< as
2ise ste2ards< 2ithout the! rin, a reco''end fro' the "isho* in Ohio< or
fro' three E&ders# The E&ders therefore< 2i&& e carefu& not to reco''end
and send u* churches to this *&ace< 2ithout first recei$in, infor'ation
fro' the "isho* in Ohio or in the &and of ;ion< that the! can e
acco''odated 2hen the! arri$e< so as to e sett&ed 2ithout confusion<
2hich 2ou&d *roduce *esti&ence# Therefore< if a church is desirous to co'e
to the &and of ;ion< 2e 2ou&d reco''end that first< ! &etter or other2ise
the! 'a0e 0no2n their desires and their situation to the "isho* in Ohio<
or in the &and of ;ion and recei$e infor'ation fro' the' efore the!
start# "rethren 2i&& *ercei$e as 2e&& as 2e< that 2here churches of fift!
or a hundred sou&s each< are co'in, to the &and of ;ion< fro' different
*arts of the nation and< as soon 2i&& e the case< fro' different nations<
2ithout a 0no2&ed,e of each other the! 2ou&d< 2hen the! arri$e< e in a
state of confusion< and &aor under 'an! disad$anta,es 2hich 'i,ht e
a$oided ! strict&! oser$in, the ru&es and re,u&ations of the Church#
.oreo$er ! ein, in haste and forcin, the sa&e of *ro*ert!< unreasona&e
sacrifices ha$e een 'ade and a&thou,h this is a da! of sacrifice and
tithin,< !et to 'a0e &a$ish and unreasona&e sacrifices is not 2e&&
*&easin, in the si,ht of the Lord#
It is aout one !ear since the 2or0 of the ,atherin, co''enced< in
2hich ti'e et2een three and four hundred ha$e arri$ed here and are 'ost&!
&ocated u*on their inheritances< and are ,enera&&! in ,ood hea&th and
s*irits and are doin, 2e&&# The e/*ense of =ourne!in, and sett&in, here
to,ether 2ith the esta&ish'ent of a *rintin, office and store< ha$e
*roa&! e/ceeded the e/*ectations of our rethren aroad< and a&thou,h
;ion< accordin, to the )ro*hets< is to eco'e &i0e Eden< or the ,arden of
the Lord< !et< at *resent it is as it 2ere ut a 2i&derness and desert<
and the disad$anta,es of sett&in, in a ne2 countr!< !ou 0no2< are 'an! and
,reat# Therefore *rudence 2ou&d dictate the churches aroad< at *resent<
not to co'e u* to ;ion unti& *re*arations cars e 'ade for the'< and the!
recei$e infor'ation as ao$e# The *ros*ect for cro*s in this re,ion of
countr! is< at *resent to&era&! ,ood< ut ca&&s for *ro$isions 2i&&
undouted&! e considera&e< for esides the e'i,ration of the 2hites< the
,o$ern'ent of the United States is sett&in, the Indians Eor re'nants of
Jose*hF< i''ediate&! to the 2est< and the! 'ust e fed#
"rethren< 2e dro* the ao$e re'ar0s for !our enefit unti& !ou can
ha$e the re$e&ations to *eruse for !ourse&$es< 2hich 2i&& e *u&ished as
soon as the! consistent&! can e# A&thou,h the Lord has said< that it is
His usiness to *ro$ide for His Saints in these &ast da!s< !et re'e'er He
is not ound so to do< un&ess 2e oser$e His sa!in,s and 0ee* the'#
TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF CHRIST< 3HO )REACH 5OOD TIDIN5S TO THE
3ORLD#
"rethren< as stars of the ensi,n 2hich is no2 set u* for the enefit
of a&& nations< !ou are to en&i,hten the 2or&d< !ou are to *re*are the 2a!
for the *eo*&e to co'e u* to ;ion? !ou are to instruct 'en ho2 to recei$e
the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&< and the e$er&astin, co$enants< e$en the' that
2ere fro' the e,innin,? !ou are to carr! the ar0 of safet! efore the
2onderin, 'u&titudes 2ithout fear< entreatin, and eseechin, a&& 'en to e
sa$ed? !ou are to set an e/a'*&e of 'ee0ness and hu'i&it! efore Saints
and sinners< as did the Sa$ior< and 2hen re$i&ed !ou are not to re$i&e
a,ain< !ou are to reason 2ith 'en< as in da!s of o&d to ear *atient&! and
ans2er as the s*irit of truth sha&& direct< a&&o2in, a&& credit for e$er!
ite' of ,ood# You are to 2a&0 in the $a&&e! of hu'i&it!< and *ra! for the
sa&$ation of a&&? !es< !ou are to *ra! for !our ene'ies? and 2arn in
co'*assion 2ithout threatenin, the 2ic0ed 2ith =ud,'ents 2hich are to e
*oured out u*on the 2or&d hereafter# You ha$e no ri,ht to ta0e the
=ud,'ents< 2hich fe&& u*on the un,od&! efore the f&ood< and *our the'
u*on the head of this ,eneration? !ou ha$e no authorit! to use the
=ud,'ents 2hich 5od sent u*on )haraoh in E,!*t< to terrif! the inhaitants
of A'erica< neither ha$e !ou an! direction ! co''and'ent< to co&&ect the
ca&a'ities of si/ thousand !ears and *aint the' u*on the curtain of these
&ast da!s to scare 'an0ind to re*entance? no< !ou are to *reach the
5os*e&< 2hich is the *o2er of 5od unto sa&$ation< e$en ,&ad tidin,s of
,reat =o! unto a&& *eo*&e#
A,ain< !ou are not to ta0e the &essin,s of an indi$idua&< or of a
church< fro' the da!s of Enoch to the da!s of the A*ost&es< and *&ace the'
u*on an indi$idua& or a church in these &ast da!s? ut !ou are to teach
a&& 'en that the! sha&& e =ud,ed accordin, to their 2or0s# For< if 5od is
the sa'e !esterda!< toda!< and for e$er< His re2ard is a&2a!s 2ith Hi'?
and His re$e&ations and &essin,s and =ud,'ents< efore the f&ood< 2ere
fitted for that *eo*&e and that ti'e< in the da!s of Araha'< for that 'an
and that ti'e? in the da!s of .oses< for that 'an and that ti'e? in the
da!s of Da$id< for that 'an and that ti'e? in the da!s of )au& for that
'an and that ti'e< and no2< for this ,eneration and this ti'e# You
therefore< 'ust reason fro' the "i&e and the "oo0 of .or'on< 2ith ,reat
care and not *er$ert the 'eanin, of 5od+s sacred 2ord# If our Hea$en&!
Father sa2 fit to destro! Sodo' and 5o'orrah for their 2ic0edness< Nine$eh
for its ao'ination and Jerusa&e' for a trans,ression of His co''and'ents<
2hat ha$e their destruction to do 2ith the sa&$ation of the 2or&d no2B The
Lord sa!s< %en,eance is 'ine< and I 2i&& re*a!# Teach a&& 'en to trust in
5od and not in 'an< and do 2or0s 'eet for re*entance# A,ain< teach a&& 'en
that 5od is a 5od of the &i$in, and not of the dead# Fina&&!< 2hate$er !ou
do< do it 2ith an e!e sin,&e to the ,&or! of 5od# You are the &i,ht of the
2or&d in 'atters of *ure re&i,ion< and 'an! sou&s 'a! e re>uired at !our
hands# Let the idea not &ea$e !ou< that not on&! the e!es of the 2or&d<
ut the e!es of the an,e&s and of 5od are u*on !ou#
FOREI5N NE3S#
It is a da! of stran,e a**earances# E$er!thin, indicates so'ethin,
'ore than 'eets the e!e# E$er! nation is o*enin, e$ents 2hich astonish
'an0ind# E$en the heart of 'an e,ins to 'e&t at the *ros*ect efore hi'#
The un>uencha&e thirst for ne2s? the continuit! of e'i,ration< the 2ars
and ru'ors of 2ars< 2ith 'an! other si,ns of the distress of nations< fro'
the o&d 2or&d--as the &and is ca&&ed across the ocean--2his*er so &oud to
the understandin,< that he 2ho runs 'a! read the &ae& on the eastern
s0!--The end is ni,h# France is fi&&ed 2ith a s*irit of ree&&ion< and
2hen the cho&era 2as s2ee*in, its thousands 'os 2ere co&&ectin, to s&a!
their tens of thousands# 3hi&e the hos*ita&s 2ere cro2ded 2ith the sic0<
and the ,roans of the d!in, fi&&ed the air< the fashiona&e French 2ere
ho&din, cho&era a&&s and dancin, at the =ud,'ents of the A&'i,ht!# In
En,&and< 2here an an/ious 'u&titude ha$e een 2aitin, for refor'ation in
,o$ern'ent for !ears< disa**oint'ent is destruction# The house of &ords
has re=ected the Refor' "i&&< and the *roud-hearted En,&ish'an sa!s(
Refor' or Re$o&utionK No sto* there? for the sound co'es across the
At&antic( Refor' or ruinK A&& the 0in,do's of the east see' to e
*re*arin, to act the *art a&&otted to the'< 2hen the Lord reu0es the
nations# As on a 'ornin, of so'e ,reat festi$a&< the church e&&< the
cannon< the s'a&& ar's< the 'usic< and the cheers of the 'u&titude< arouse
a&& to 2hat is ,oin, on< and thunder to 'an? "eho&d the da!K So a&so
earth>ua0es< 2ars and ru'ors of 2ars< the distress of nations< the
constant tide of e'i,ration to the 2est< the 2ide s*readin, ra$a,es of the
cho&era< and the =o! of the Saints of 5od as the! co'e out of "a!&on<
a&ar' the 2or&d< and 2his*er to e$er! 'orta&? 3atch !e< for the ti'e is at
hand for the second co'in, of Jesus Christ< the Redee'er of Israe&< 2ith
*eace on earth and ,ood 2i&& to 'an# 3atch the si,ns of His co'in,< that
!e e not decei$ed#
ITE.S FOR THE )U"LIC#
In connection 2ith the Star< 2e *u&ish a 2ee0&! *a*er< entit&ed the
U**er .issouri Ad$ertiser# It 2i&& contain s0etches of the ne2s of the
da!< *o&itics< ad$ertise'ents< and 2hate$er tends to *ro'ote the interest
of the ,reat 3est#
The Au,ust nu'er of the Star< Ino# 9J contained the fo&&o2in,(
THE CHOLERA#
This deso&atin, sic0ness is s*readin, steadi&! o$er the United
States# The account of its ra$a,es in 'an! *&aces 2e cannot ,i$e# The
2ho&e nu'er of cases in Ne2 Yor0< to Ju&! 97st< is 9<M97# Deaths< 7<GHD#
No 'an can sto* the 2or0 of the Lord< for 5od ru&es the *esti&ence<
and the *esti&ence ru&es 'en# Forts< sentine&s< and oceans 'a! hinder 'en<
or 'one! 'a! rie< ut 2hen the *esti&ence rides on the 2in,s of the
2ind< the sentine& has no *o2er? the fort is no ostac&e< the ocean is no
arrier< and 'one! has no $a&ue< the destro!in, an,e& ,oes 2a$in, the
anner of death o$er a&&? and 2ho sha&& esca*e his *ointed arro2B Not he
that cou&d ra$e death at the cannon+s 'outh< ut shrin0s at the sound of
the cho&era? not he that 2orshi*ed his 5od in so'e state&! cha*e&< e$er!
Saath ti&& the cho&era co'es< and then f&ees for his &ife? no< none ut
he that trusts in 5od< sha&& e a&e to Stand 2hen a thousand sha&& fa&&
at his side< and ten thousand at his ri,ht hand ! the noiso'e *esti&ence#
TO THE HONORA"LE .EN OF THE 3ORLD#
To the honora&e searchers for truth( 2e< in a s*irit of candor and
'ee0ness are ound ! e$er! tie that 'a0es 'an the friend of 'an< ! e$er!
endo2'ent of hea$en< that renders inte&&i,ent ein,s see0ers of ha**iness
to sho2 !ou the 2a! to sa&$ation# In fact< 2e are not on&! ound to do
thus for those that see0 the riches of eternit!< ut< to 2a&0 in the
trac0s of our Sa$ior< 2e 'ust &o$e our ene'ies? &ess the' that curse us?
do ,ood to the' that hate us< and *ra! for the' that des*itefu&&! use us<
and *ersecute us< or e&se !ou and the 2or&d 'a! 0no2 that 2e are not the
chi&dren of 5od# Therefore to e oedient to the *rece*ts of our di$ine
.aster< 2e sa! unto !ou--Search the Scri*tures--search the re$e&ations
2hich 2e *u&ish< and as0 !our Hea$en&! Father< in the na'e of His Son
Jesus Christ< to 'anifest the truth unto !ou< and if !ou do it 2ith an e!e
sin,&e to His ,&or!< nothin, doutin,< He 2i&& ans2er !ou ! the *o2er of
His Ho&! S*irit# You 2i&& then 0no2 for !ourse&$es and not for another#
You 2i&& not then e de*endent on 'an for the 0no2&ed,e of 5od? nor 2i&&
there e an! roo' for s*ecu&ation# No? for 2hen 'en recei$e their
instruction fro' Hi' that 'ade the'< the! 0no2 ho2 he 2i&& sa$e the'# Then
a,ain 2e sa!( Search the Scri*tures< search the )ro*hets< and &earn 2hat
*ortion of the' e&on,s to !ou and the *eo*&e of the nineteenth centur!#
You< no dout< 2i&& a,ree 2ith us< and sa! that !ou ha$e no ri,ht to c&ai'
the *ro'ises of the inhaitants efore the f&ood? that !ou cannot found
!our ho*es of sa&$ation u*on the oedience of the chi&dren of Israe& 2hen
=ourne!in, in the 2i&derness? nor can !ou e/*ect that the &essin,s 2hich
the A*ost&es *ronounced u*on the churches of Christ< ei,hteen hundred
!ears a,o< 2ere intended for !ou# A,ain< if others+ &essin,s are not !our
&essin,s< others+ curses are not !our curses? !ou stand then in these
&ast da!s< as a&& ha$e stood efore !ou< a,ents unto !ourse&$es< to e
=ud,ed accordin, to !our 2or0s#
E$er! 'an &i$es for hi'se&f# Ada' 2as 'ade to o*en the 2a!s of the
2or&d and for dressin, the ,arden# Noah 2as orn to sa$e seed of
e$er!thin,< 2hen the earth 2as 2ashed of its 2ic0edness ! the f&ood? and
the Son of 5od ca'e into the 2or&d to redee' it fro' the fa&&# "ut e/ce*t
a 'an e orn a,ain< he cannot see the 0in,do' of 5od# This eterna& truth
sett&es the >uestion of a&& 'en+s re&i,ion# A 'an 'a! e sa$ed< after the
=ud,'ent< in the terrestria& 0in,do' or in the te&estia& 0in,do' ut he
can ne$er see the ce&estia& 0in,do' of 5od 2ithout ein, orn of the 2ater
and the S*irit# He 'a! recei$e a ,&or! &i0e unto the 'oon Ii#e# of 2hich
the &i,ht of the 'oon is t!*ica&J< or a star Ii#e# of 2hich the &i,ht of
the stars is t!*ica&J< ut he can ne$er co'e unto .ount ;ion and unto the
cit! of the &i$in, 5od< the hea$en&! Jerusa&e'< and to an innu'era&e
co'*an! of an,e&s? to the ,enera& asse'&! and Church of the First-orn<
2hich are 2ritten in hea$en and to 5od the =ud,e of a&&< and to the
s*irits of =ust 'en 'ade *erfect< and to Jesus the .ediator of the ne2
co$enant< un&ess he eco'es as a &itt&e chi&d< and is tau,ht ! the S*irit
of 5od# 3herefore< 2e a,ain sa! search the re$e&ations of 5od? stud! the
*ro*hecies< and re=oice that 5od ,rants unto the 2or&d Seers and )ro*hets#
The! are the! 2ho sa2 the '!steries of ,od&iness? the! sa2 the f&ood
efore it ca'e? the! sa2 an,e&s ascendin, and descendin, u*on a &adder
that reached fro' earth to hea$en? the! sa2 the stone cut out of the
'ountain< 2hich fi&&ed the 2ho&e earth< the! sa2 the Son of 5od co'e fro'
the re,ions of &iss and d2e&& 2ith 'en on earth? the! sa2 the de&i$erer
co'e out of ;ion< and turn a2a! un,od&iness fro' Jaco? the! sa2 the ,&or!
of the Lord 2hen He sho2ed the transfi,uration of the earth on the 'ount?
the! sa2 e$er! 'ountain &aid &o2 and e$er! $a&&e! e/a&ted 2hen the Lord
2as ta0in, $en,eance u*on the 2ic0ed? the! sa2 truth s*rin, out of the
earth< and ri,hteousness &oo0 do2n fro' hea$en in the &ast da!s efore the
Lord ca'e the second ti'e to ,ather His e&ect? the! sa2 the end of
2ic0edness on earth< and the Saath of creation cro2ned 2ith *eace? the!
sa2 the end of the ,&orious thousand !ears< 2hen Satan 2as &oosed for a
&itt&e season< the! sa2 the da! of =ud,'ent 2hen a&& 'en recei$ed
accordin, to their 2or0s< and the! sa2 the hea$en and earth f&ee a2a! to
'a0e roo' for the cit! of 5od< 2hen the ri,hteous recei$e an inheritance
in eternit!# And< fe&&o2 so=ourners u*on earth it is !our *ri$i&e,e to
*urif! !ourse&$es and co'e u* to the sa'e ,&or!< and see for !ourse&$es<
and 0no2 for !ourse&$es# As0< and it sha&& e ,i$en !ou? see0< and !e
sha&& find? 0noc0< and it sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
CHA)TER 66I#
LAR5ER %IE3S ON THE DOCTRINE OF )RIESTHOOD RE%EALED--THE .EETIN5 OF THE
)RO)HET JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< "RI5HA. YOUN5< AND HE"ER C# 1I."ALL#
ON Se*te'er the 7Dth< 5eor,e A# S'ith 2as a*ti4ed ! Jose*h H#
3a0efie&d< at )otsda'< St# La2rence count!< Ne2 Yor0? and confir'ed !
E&der So&o'on Hu'*hr!#
The E&ders durin, the 'onth of Se*te'er e,an to return fro' their
'issions to the Eastern States< and *resent the histories of their se$era&
ste2ardshi*s in the Lord+s $ine!ard? and 2hi&e to,ether in these seasons
of =o!< I in>uired of the Lord< and recei$ed on the HHnd and H9rd of
Se*te'er< the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation on )riesthood(
Re$e&ation#
7# A re$e&ation of Jesus Christ unto his ser$ant Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and si/ e&ders< as the! united their hearts and &ifted their $oices
on hi,h#
H# Yea< the 2ord of the Lord concernin, his church< esta&ished in
the &ast da!s for the restoration of his *eo*&e< as he has s*o0en ! the
'outh of his *ro*hets< and for the ,atherin, of his saints to stand u*on
.ount ;ion< 2hich sha&& e the cit! of Ne2 Jerusa&e'#
9# 3hich cit! sha&& e ui&t< e,innin, at the te'*&e &ot 2hich is
a**ointed ! the fin,er of the Lord< in the 2estern oundaries of the
State of .issouri< and dedicated ! the hand of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
others 2ith 2ho' the Lord 2as 2e&& *&eased#
@# %eri&! this is the 2ord of the Lord< that the cit! Ne2 Jerusa&e'
sha&& e ui&t ! the ,atherin, of the saints< e,innin, at this *&ace<
e$en the *&ace of the te'*&e< 2hich te'*&e sha&& e reared in this
,eneration#
G# For $eri&! this ,eneration sha&& not a&& *ass a2a! unti& an house
sha&& e ui&t unto the Lord< and a c&oud sha&& rest u*on it< 2hich c&oud
sha&& e e$en the ,&or! of the Lord< 2hich sha&& fi&& the house#
:# And the sons of .oses< accordin, to the Ho&! )riesthood 2hich he
recei$ed under the hand of his father-in-&a2< Jethro?
M# And Jethro recei$ed it under the hand of Ca&e?
8# And Ca&e recei$ed it under the hand of E&ihu?
N# And E&ihu under the hand of Jere'!?
7D# And Jere'! under the hand of 5ad?
77# And 5ad under the hand of Esaias?
7H# And Esaias recei$ed it under the hand of 5od#
79# Esaias a&so &i$ed in the da!s of Araha' and 2as &essed of hi'--
7@# 3hich Araha' recei$ed the *riesthood fro' .e&chi4ede0< 2ho
recei$ed it throu,h the &inea,e of his fathers< e$en ti&& Noah?
7G# And fro' Noah ti&& Enoch< throu,h the &inea,e of their fathers(
7:# And fro' Enoch to Ae&< 2ho 2as s&ain ! the cons*irac! of his
rother< 2ho recei$ed the *riesthood ! the co''and'ents of 5od< ! the
hand of his father Ada'< 2ho 2as the first 'an--
7M# 3hich *riesthood continueth in the church of 5od in a&&
,enerations and is 2ithout e,innin, of da!s or end of !ears#
78# And the Lord confir'ed a *riesthood a&so u*on Aaron and his seed<
throu,hout a&& their ,enerations< 2hich *riesthood a&so continueth and
aideth fore$er 2ith the *riesthood 2hich is after the ho&iest order of
5od#
7N# And this ,reater *riesthood ad'inistereth the ,os*e& and ho&deth
the 0e! of the '!steries of the 0in,do'< e$en the 0e! of the 0no2&ed,e of
5od#
HD# Therefore< in the ordinances thereof< the *o2er of ,od&iness is
'anifest#
H7# And 2ithout the ordinances thereof< and the authorit! of the
*riesthood< the *o2er of ,od&iness is not 'anifest unto 'en in the f&esh?
HH# For 2ithout this no 'an can see the face of 5od< e$en the Father<
and &i$e#
H9# No2 this .oses *&ain&! tau,ht to the chi&dren of Israe& in the
2i&derness< and sou,ht di&i,ent&! to sanctif! his *eo*&e that the! 'i,ht
eho&d the face of 5od?
H@# "ut the! hardened their hearts and cou&d not endure his *resence?
therefore< the Lord in his 2rath< for his an,er 2as 0ind&ed a,ainst the'<
s2ore that the! shou&d not enter into his rest 2hi&e in the 2i&derness<
2hich rest is the fu&&ness of his ,&or!#
HG# Therefore< he too0 .oses out of their 'idst< and the Ho&!
)riesthood a&so?
H:# And the &esser *riesthood continued< 2hich *riesthood ho&deth the
0e! of the 'inisterin, of an,e&s and the *re*arator! ,os*e&?
HM# 3hich ,os*e& is the ,os*e& of re*entance and of a*tis'< and the
re'ission of sins< and the &a2 of carna& co''and'ents< 2hich the Lord in
his 2rath caused to continue 2ith the house of Aaron a'on, the chi&dren of
Israe& unti& John< 2ho' 5od raised u*< ein, fi&&ed 2ith the Ho&! 5host
fro' his 'other+s 2o'#
H8# For he 2as a*ti4ed 2hi&e he 2as !et in his chi&dhood< and 2as
ordained ! the an,e& of 5od at the ti'e he 2as ei,ht da!s o&d unto this
*o2er< to o$erthro2 the 0in,do' of the Je2s< and to 'a0e strai,ht the 2a!
of the Lord efore the face of his *eo*&e< to *re*are the' for the co'in,
of the Lord in 2hose hand is ,i$en a&& *o2er#
HN# And a,ain< the offices of e&der and isho* are necessar!
a**enda,es e&on,in, unto the hi,h *riesthood#
9D# And a,ain< the offices of teacher and deacon are necessar!
a**enda,es e&on,in, to the &esser *riesthood< 2hich *riesthood 2as
confir'ed u*on Aaron and his sons#
97# Therefore< as I said concernin, the sons of .oses--for the sons
of .oses and a&so the sons of Aaron sha&& offer an acce*ta&e offerin, and
sacrifice in the house of the Lord< 2hich house sha&& e ui&t unto the
Lord in this ,eneration< u*on the consecrated s*ot as I ha$e a**ointed--
9H# And the sons of .oses and of Aaron sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith the ,&or!
of the Lord< u*on .ount ;ion in the Lord+s house< 2hose sons are !e? and
a&so 'an! 2ho' I ha$e ca&&ed and sent forth to ui&d u* '! church#
99# For 2hoso is faithfu& unto the otainin, these t2o *riesthoods of
2hich I ha$e s*o0en and the 'a,nif!in, their ca&&in,< are sanctified !
the S*irit unto the rene2in, of their odies#
9@# The! eco'e the sons of .oses and of Aaron and the seed of
Araha'< and the church and 0in,do'< and the e&ect of 5od#
9G# And a&so a&& the! 2ho recei$e this *riesthood recei$e 'e< saith
the Lord?
9:# For he that recei$eth '! ser$ants recei$eth 'e?
9M# And he that recei$eth 'e recei$eth '! Father?
98# And he that recei$eth '! Father recei$eth '! Father+s 0in,do'?
therefore a&& that '! Father hath sha&& e ,i$en unto hi'#
9N# And this is accordin, to the oath and co$enant 2hich e&on,eth to
the *riesthood#
@D# Therefore< a&& those 2ho recei$e the *riesthood< recei$e this
oath and co$enant of '! Father< 2hich he cannot rea0< neither can it e
'o$ed#
@7# "ut 2hoso rea0eth this co$enant after he hath recei$ed it< and
a&to,ether turneth therefro'< sha&& not ha$e for,i$eness of sins in this
2or&d nor in the 2or&d to co'e#
@H# And 2o unto a&& those 2ho co'e not unto this *riesthood 2hich !e
ha$e recei$ed< 2hich I no2 confir' u*on !ou 2ho are *resent this da!< !
'ine o2n $oice out of the hea$ens? and e$en I ha$e ,i$en the hea$en&!
hosts and 'ine an,e&s char,e concernin, !ou#
@9# And I no2 ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent to e2are concernin,
!ourse&$es< to ,i$e di&i,ent heed to the 2ords of eterna& &ife#
@@# For !ou sha&& &i$e ! e$er! 2ord that *roceedeth forth fro' the
'outh of 5od#
@G# For the 2ord of the Lord is truth< and 2hatsoe$er is truth is
&i,ht< and 2hatsoe$er is &i,ht is S*irit< e$en the S*irit of Jesus Christ#
@:# And the S*irit ,i$eth &i,ht to e$er! 'an that co'eth into the
2or&d? and the S*irit en&i,hteneth e$er! 'an throu,h the 2or&d< that
hear0eneth to the $oice of the S*irit#
@M# And e$er! one that hear0eneth to the $oice of the S*irit co'eth
unto 5od< e$en the Father#
@8# And the Father teacheth hi' of the co$enant 2hich he has rene2ed
and confir'ed u*on !ou< 2hich is confir'ed u*on !ou for !our sa0es< and
not for !our sa0es on&!< ut for the sa0e of the 2ho&e 2or&d#
@N# And the 2ho&e 2or&d &ieth in sin< and ,roaneth under dar0ness and
under the onda,e of sin#
GD# And ! this !ou 'a! 0no2 the! are under the onda,e of sin<
ecause the! co'e not unto 'e#
G7# For 2hoso co'eth not unto 'e is under the onda,e of sin#
GH# And 2hoso recei$eth not '! $oice is not ac>uainted 2ith '! $oice<
and is not of 'e#
G9# And ! this !ou 'a! 0no2 the ri,hteous fro' the 2ic0ed< and that
the 2ho&e 2or&d ,roaneth under sin and dar0ness e$en no2#
G@# And !our 'inds in ti'es *ast ha$e een dar0ened ecause of
une&ief< and ecause !ou ha$e treated &i,ht&! the thin,s !ou ha$e
recei$ed--
GG# 3hich $anit! and une&ief ha$e rou,ht the 2ho&e church under
conde'nation#
G:# And this conde'nation resteth u*on the chi&dren of ;ion< e$en
a&&#
GM# And the! sha&& re'ain under this conde'nation unti& the! re*ent
and re'e'er the ne2 co$enant< e$en the "oo0 of .or'on and the for'er
co''and'ents 2hich I ha$e ,i$en the'< not on&! to sa!< ut to do accordin,
to that 2hich I ha$e 2ritten--
G8# That the! 'a! rin, forth fruit 'eet for their Father+s 0in,do'<
other2ise there re'aineth a scour,e and =ud,'ent to e *oured out u*on the
chi&dren of ;ion#
GN# For sha&& the chi&dren of the 0in,do' *o&&ute '! ho&! &andB
%eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< Na!#
:D# %eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou 2ho no2 hear '! 2ords< 2hich are
'! $oice< &essed are !e inas'uch as !ou recei$e these thin,s?
:7# For I 2i&& for,i$e !ou of !our sins 2ith this co''and'ent--that
!ou re'ain steadfast in !our 'inds in so&e'nit! and the s*irit of *ra!er<
in earin, testi'on! to a&& the 2or&d of those thin,s 2hich are
co''unicated unto !ou#
:H# Therefore< ,o !e into a&& the 2or&d? and unto 2hatsoe$er *&ace !e
cannot ,o !e sha&& send< that the testi'on! 'a! ,o fro' !ou into a&& the
2or&d unto e$er! creature#
:9# And as I said unto 'ine a*ost&es< e$en so I sa! unto !ou< for !ou
are 'ine a*ost&es< e$en 5od+s hi,h *riests? !e are the! 2ho' '! Father
hath ,i$en 'e? !e are '! friends?
:@# Therefore< as I said unto 'ine a*ost&es I sa! unto !ou a,ain<
that e$er! sou& 2ho e&ie$eth on !our 2ords< and is a*ti4ed ! 2ater for
the re'ission of sins< sha&& recei$e the Ho&! 5host#
:G# And these si,ns sha&& fo&&o2 the' that e&ie$e--
::# In '! na'e the! sha&& do 'an! 2onderfu& 2or0s?
:M# In '! na'e the! sha&& cast out de$i&s?
:8# In '! na'e the! sha&& hea& the sic0?
:N# In '! na'e the! sha&& o*en the e!es of the &ind and unsto* the
ears of the deaf?
MD# And the ton,ue of the du' sha&& s*ea0?
M7# And if an! 'an sha&& ad'inister *oison unto the' it sha&& not
hurt the'?
MH# And the *oison of a ser*ent sha&& not ha$e *o2er to har' the'#
M9# "ut a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto the'< that the! sha&& not oast
the'se&$es of these thin,s< neither s*ea0 the' efore the 2or&d? for these
thin,s are ,i$en unto !ou for !our *rofit and for sa&$ation#
M@# %eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the! 2ho e&ie$e not on !our 2ords
and are not a*ti4ed in 2ater in '! na'e< for the re'ission of their sins<
that the! 'a! recei$e the Ho&! 5host< sha&& e da'ned< and sha&& not co'e
into '! Father+s 0in,do' 2here '! Father and I a'#
MG# And this re$e&ation unto !ou< and co''and'ent< is in force fro'
this $er! hour u*on a&& the 2or&d< and the ,os*e& is unto a&& 2ho ha$e not
recei$ed it#
M:# "ut< $eri&! I sa! unto a&& those to 2ho' the 0in,do' has een
,i$en--fro' !ou it 'ust e *reached unto the'< that the! sha&& re*ent of
their for'er e$i& 2or0s< for the! are to e u*raided for their e$i&
hearts of une&ief< and !our rethren in ;ion for their ree&&ion a,ainst
!ou at the ti'e I sent !ou#
MM# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< for fro' henceforth I sha&&
ca&& !ou friends< it is e/*edient that I ,i$e unto !ou this co''and'ent<
that !e eco'e e$en as '! friends in da!s 2hen I 2as 2ith the'< tra$e&in,
to *reach the ,os*e& in '! *o2er?
M8# For I suffered the' not to ha$e *urse or scri*< neither t2o
coats#
MN# "eho&d< I send !ou out to *ro$e the 2or&d< and the &aorer is
2orth! of his hire#
8D# And an! 'an that sha&& ,o and *reach this ,os*e& of the 0in,do'
and fai& not to continue faithfu& in a&& thin,s< sha&& not e 2ear! in
'ind< neither dar0ened< neither in od!< &i'< nor =oint? and a hair of
his head sha&& not fa&& to the ,round unnoticed# And the! sha&& not ,o
hun,r!< neither athirst#
87# Therefore< ta0e !e no thou,ht for the 'orro2< for 2hat !e sha&&
eat or 2hat !e sha&& drin0< or 2here2itha& !e sha&& e c&othed#
8H# For< consider the &i&ies of the fie&d< ho2 the! ,ro2< the! toi&
not< neither do the! s*in? and the 0in,do's of the 2or&d< in a&& their
,&or!< are not arra!ed &i0e one of these#
89# For !our Father< 2ho is in hea$en< 0no2eth that !ou ha$e need of
a&& these thin,s#
8@# Therefore< &et the 'orro2 ta0e thou,ht for the thin,s of itse&f#
8G# Neither ta0e !e thou,ht eforehand 2hat !e sha&& sa!? ut
treasure u* in !our 'inds continua&&! the 2ords of &ife< and it sha&& e
,i$en !ou in the $er! hour that *ortion that sha&& e 'eted unto e$er!
'an#
8:# Therefore< &et no 'an a'on, !ou< for this co''and'ent is unto a&&
the faithfu& 2ho are ca&&ed of 5od in the church unto the 'inistr!< fro'
this hour ta0e *urse or scri*< that ,oeth forth to *roc&ai' this ,os*e& of
the 0in,do'#
8M# "eho&d< I send !ou out to re*ro$e the 2or&d of a&& their
unri,hteous deeds< and to teach the' of a =ud,'ent 2hich is to co'e#
88# And 2hoso recei$eth !ou< there I 2i&& e a&so< for I 2i&& ,o
efore !our face# I 2i&& e on !our ri,ht hand and on !our &eft< and '!
S*irit sha&& e in !our hearts< and 'ine an,e&s round aout !ou< to ear
!ou u*#
8N# 3hoso recei$eth !ou recei$eth 'e? and the sa'e 2i&& feed !ou< and
c&othe !ou< and ,i$e !ou 'one!#
ND# And he 2ho feeds !ou< or c&othes !ou< or ,i$es !ou 'one!< sha&&
in no2ise &ose his re2ard#
N7# And he that doeth not these thin,s is not '! disci*&e? ! this
!ou 'a! 0no2 '! disci*&es#
NH# He that recei$eth !ou not< ,o a2a! fro' hi' a&one ! !ourse&$es<
and c&eanse !our feet e$en 2ith 2ater< *ure 2ater< 2hether in heat or in
co&d< and ear testi'on! of it unto !our Father 2hich is in hea$en< and
return not a,ain unto that 'an#
N9# And in 2hatsoe$er $i&&a,e or cit! !e enter< do &i0e2ise#
N@# Ne$erthe&ess< search di&i,ent&! and s*are not? and 2o unto that
house< or that $i&&a,e or cit! that re=ecteth !ou< or !our 2ords< or !our
testi'on! concernin, 'e#
NG# 3o< I sa! a,ain< unto that house< or that $i&&a,e or cit! that
re=ecteth !ou< or !our 2ords< or !our testi'on! of 'e?
N:# For I< the A&'i,ht!< ha$e &aid '! hands u*on the nations< to
scour,e the' for their 2ic0edness#
NM# And *&a,ues sha&& ,o forth< and the! sha&& not e ta0en fro' the
earth unti& I ha$e co'*&eted '! 2or0< 2hich sha&& e cut short in
ri,hteousness--
N8# Unti& a&& sha&& 0no2 'e< 2ho re'ain e$en fro' the &east unto the
,reatest< and sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith the 0no2&ed,e of the Lord< and sha&&
see e!e to e!e< and sha&& &ift u* their $oice< and 2ith the $oice to,ether
sin, this ne2 son,< sa!in,?
NN# The Lord hath rou,ht a,ain ;ion?
The Lord hath redee'ed his *eo*&e< Israe&<
Accordin, to the e&ection of ,race<
2hich 2as rou,ht to *ass ! the faith
And co$enant of their fathers#
7DD# The Lord hath redee'ed his *eo*&e(
And Satan is ound and ti'e is no &on,er#
The Lord hath ,athered a&& thin,s in one#
The Lord hath rou,ht do2n ;ion fro' ao$e#
The Lord hath rou,ht u* ;ion fro' eneath#
7D7# The earth hath tra$ai&ed and rou,ht forth her stren,th?
And truth is esta&ished in her o2e&s?
And the hea$ens ha$e s'i&ed u*on her?
And she is c&othed 2ith the ,&or! of her 5od?
For he stands in the 'idst of his *eo*&e#
7DH# 5&or!< and honor< and *o2er< and 'i,ht<
"e ascried to our 5od? for he is fu&& of 'erc!<
Justice< ,race and truth< and *eace<
Fore$er and e$er< A'en#
7D9# And a,ain< $eri&!< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< it is e/*edient that
e$er! 'an 2ho ,oes forth to *roc&ai' 'ine e$er&astin, ,os*e&< that
inas'uch as the! ha$e fa'i&ies< and recei$e 'one! ! ,ift< that the!
shou&d send it unto the' or 'a0e use of it for their enefit< as the Lord
sha&& direct the'< for thus it see'eth 'e ,ood#
7D@# And &et a&& those 2ho ha$e not fa'i&ies< 2ho recei$e 'one!< send
it u* unto the isho* in ;ion< or unto the isho* in Ohio< that it 'a! e
consecrated for the rin,in, forth of the re$e&ations and the *rintin,
thereof< and for esta&ishin, ;ion#
7DG# And if an! 'an sha&& ,i$e unto an! of !ou a coat< or a suit<
ta0e the o&d and cast it unto the *oor< and ,o on !our 2a! re=oicin,#
7D:# And if an! 'an a'on, !ou e stron, in the S*irit< &et hi' ta0e
2ith hi' hi' that is 2ea0< that he 'a! e edified in a&& 'ee0ness< that he
'a! eco'e stron, a&so#
7DM# Therefore< ta0e 2ith !ou those 2ho are ordained unto the &esser
*riesthood< and send the' efore !ou to 'a0e a**oint'ents< and to *re*are
the 2a!< and to fi&& a**oint'ents that !ou !ourse&$es are not a&e to
fi&&#
7D8# "eho&d< this is the 2a! that 'ine a*ost&es< in ancient da!s<
ui&t u* '! church unto 'e#
7DN# Therefore< &et e$er! 'an stand in his o2n office< and &aor in
his o2n ca&&in,? and &et not the head sa! unto the feet it hath no need of
the feet? for 2ithout the feet ho2 sha&& the od! e a&e to standB
77D# A&so the od! hath need of e$er! 'e'er< that a&& 'a! e edified
to,ether< that the s!ste' 'a! e 0e*t *erfect#
777# And eho&d< the hi,h *riests shou&d tra$e&< and a&so the e&ders
and a&so the &esser *riests? ut the deacons and teachers shou&d e
a**ointed to 2atch o$er the church< to e standin, 'inisters unto the
church#
77H# And the isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< a&so shou&d tra$e& round aout
and a'on, a&& the churches< searchin, after the *oor to ad'inister to
their 2ants ! hu'&in, the rich and the *roud#
779# He shou&d a&so e'*&o! an a,ent to ta0e char,e and to do his
secu&ar usiness as he sha&& direct#
77@# Ne$erthe&ess< &et the isho* ,o unto the cit! of Ne2 Yor0< a&so
to the cit! of A&an!< and a&so to the cit! of "oston< and 2arn the *eo*&e
of those cities 2ith the sound of the ,os*e&< 2ith a &oud $oice< of the
deso&ation and utter ao&ish'ent 2hich a2ait the' if the! do re=ect these
thin,s#
77G# For if the! do re=ect these thin,s the hour of their =ud,'ent is
ni,h< and their house sha&& e &eft unto the' deso&ate#
77:# Let hi' trust in 'e and he sha&& not e confounded? and a hair
of his head sha&& not fa&& to the ,round unnoticed#
77M# And $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the rest of '! ser$ants< ,o !e forth
as !our circu'stances sha&& *er'it< in !our se$era& ca&&in,s< unto the
,reat and nota&e cities and $i&&a,es< re*ro$in, the 2or&d in
ri,hteousness of a&& their unri,hteous and un,od&! deeds< settin, forth
c&ear&! and understandin,&! the deso&ation of ao'ination in the &ast
da!s#
778# For< 2ith !ou saith the Lord A&'i,ht!< I 2i&& rend their
0in,do's? I 2i&& not on&! sha0e the earth< ut the starr! hea$ens sha&&
tre'&e#
77N# For I< the Lord< ha$e *ut forth '! hand to e/ert the *o2ers of
hea$en? !e cannot see it no2< !et a &itt&e 2hi&e and !e sha&& see it< and
0no2 that I a'< and that I 2i&& co'e and rei,n 2ith '! *eo*&e#
7HD# I a' A&*ha and O'e,a< the e,innin, and the end# A'en#
I continued the trans&ation of the "i&e and 'inisterin, to the
Church< throu,h the fa&&< e/ce*tin, a hurried =ourne! to A&an!< Ne2 Yor0
and "oston< in co'*an! 2ith "isho* 3hitne!< fro' 2hich I returned on the
:th of No$e'er< i''ediate&! after the irth of '! son Jose*h S'ith< the
third#
Aout the 8th of No$e'er I recei$ed a $isit fro' E&ders Jose*h
Youn,< "ri,ha' Youn,< and Heer
C# 1i'a&& of .endon< .onroe count!< Ne2 Yor0# The! s*ent four or
fi$e da!s at 1irt&and< durin, 2hich 2e had 'an! interestin, 'o'ents# At
one of our inter$ie2s< "rother "ri,ha' Youn, and John )# 5reene s*o0e in
ton,ues< 2hich 2as the first ti'e I had heard this ,ift a'on, the
rethren? others a&so s*o0e< and I recei$ed the ,ift '!se&f#
In ans2er to &etters recei$ed fro' the rethren in .issouri< I 2rote
as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< No$# HMth< 789H# "ROTHER 3ILLIA. 3# )HEL)S(--I sa! rother<
ecause I fee& so fro' the heart< and a&thou,h it is not &on, since I
2rote a &etter unto !ou< !et I fee& as thou,h !ou 2ou&d e/cuse 'e for
2ritin, this< as I ha$e 'an! thin,s 2hich I 2ish to co''unicate# So'e
thin,s 2hich I 2i&& 'ention in this &etter< 2hich are &!in, 2ith ,reat
2ei,ht on '! 'ind# I a' 2e&&< and '! fa'i&! a&so? 5od ,rant that !ou 'a!
en=o! the sa'e< and !ours< and a&& the rethren and sisters 2ho re'e'er
to in>uire after the co''and'ents of the Lord< and the 2e&fare of ;ion and
such a ein, as '!se&f? and 2hi&e I dictate this &etter< I fanc! to '!se&f
that !ou are sa!in, or thin0in, so'ethin, si'i&ar to these 2ords(---.!
5od< ,reat and 'i,ht! art Thou< therefore sho2 unto Th! ser$ant 2hat sha&&
eco'e of those 2ho are essa!in, to co'e u* unto ;ion< in order to 0ee*
the co''and'ents of 5od< and !et recei$e not their inheritance !
consecrations< ! order of deed fro' the "isho*< the 'an that 5od has
a**ointed in a &e,a& 2a!< a,reea&! to the &a2 ,i$en to or,ani4e and
re,u&ate the Church< and a&& the affairs of the sa'e#-
"rother 3i&&ia'< in the &o$e of 5od< ha$in, the 'ost i'*&icit
confidence in !ou as a 'an of 5od< ha$in, otained this confidence ! a
$ision of hea$en< therefore I 2i&& *roceed to unfo&d to !ou so'e of the
fee&in,s of '! heart< and to ans2er the >uestion#
First&!< it is the dut! of the Lord+s c&er0< 2ho' He has a**ointed<
to 0ee* a histor!< and a 5enera& Church Record of a&& thin,s that
trans*ire in ;ion< and of a&& those 2ho consecrate *ro*erties and recei$e
inheritances &e,a&&! fro' the "isho*? and a&so their 'anner of &ife< their
faith< and 2or0s and a&so of the a*ostates 2ho a*ostati4e after recei$in,
their inheritances# It is contrar! to the 2i&& and co''and'ent of 5od<
that those 2ho recei$e not their inheritance ! consecration< a,reea&! to
His &a2< 2hich he has ,i$en< that He 'a! tithe His *eo*&e< to *re*are the'
a,ainst the da! of $en,eance and urnin, shou&d ha$e their na'es enro&&ed
2ith the *eo*&e of 5od? neither is their ,enea&o,! to e 0e*t< or to e
had 2here it 'a! e found on an! of the records or histor! of the Church?
their na'es sha&& not e found neither the na'es of the fathers< nor the
na'es of the chi&dren 2ritten in the oo0 of the &a2 of 5od< saith the
Lord of hosts# Yea< thus saith the sti&& s'a&& $oice< 2hich 2his*ereth
throu,h and *ierceth a&& thin,s< and oftenti'es it 'a0eth '! ones to
>ua0e 2hi&e it 'a0eth 'anifest< sa!in,( and it sha&& co'e to *ass< that I<
the Lord 5od< 2i&& send one 'i,ht! and stron,< ho&din, the sce*tre of
*o2er in his hand< c&othed 2ith &i,ht for a co$erin,< 2hose 'outh sha&&
utter 2ords< eterna& 2ords? 2hi&e his o2e&s sha&& e a fountain of truth<
to set in order the house of 5od< and to arran,e ! &ot the inheritances
of the Saints< 2hose na'es are found< and the na'es of their fathers< and
of their chi&dren enro&&ed in the oo0 of the &a2 of 5od( 2hi&e that 'an<
2ho 2as ca&&ed of 5od< and a**ointed< that *utteth forth his hand to
stead! the ar0 of 5od< sha&& fa&& ! the shaft of death< &i0e as a tree
that is s'itten ! the $i$id shaft of &i,htnin,? and a&& the! 2ho are not
found 2ritten in the oo0 of re'e'rance sha&& find none inheritance in
that da! ut the! sha&& e cut asunder< and their *ortion sha&& e
a**ointed the' a'on, une&ie$ers< 2here are 2ai&in, and ,nashin, of teeth#
These thin,s I sa! not of '!se&f? therefore< as the Lord s*ea0eth< He 2i&&
a&so fu&fi&# And the! 2ho are of the Hi,h )riesthood< 2hose na'es are not
found 2ritten in the oo0 of the &a2< or that are found to ha$e
a*ostati4ed< or to ha$e een cut off fro' the Church? as 2e&& as the
&esser )riesthood< or the 'e'ers< in that da!< sha&& not find an
inheritance a'on, the Saints of the .ost Hi,h? therefore it sha&& e done
unto the' as unto the chi&dren of the *riest< as 2i&& e found recorded in
the second cha*ter< and si/t!-first and si/t!-second $erses of E4ra#
No2< "rother 3i&&ia'< if 2hat I ha$e said is true< ho2 carefu& 'en
ou,ht to e 2hat the! do in the &ast da!s< &est the! are cut short of
their e/*ectations< and the! that thin0 the! stand shou&d fa&&< ecause
the! 0ee* not the Lord+s co''and'ents? 2hi&st !ou< 2ho do the 2i&& of the
Lord and 0ee* His co''and'ents< ha$e need to re=oice 2ith uns*ea0a&e =o!<
for such sha&& e e/a&ted $er! hi,h< and sha&& e &ifted u* in triu'*h
ao$e a&& the 0in,do's of this 2or&d? ut I 'ust dro* this su=ect at the
e,innin, Iof itJ#
Oh< Lord< 2hen 2i&& the ti'e co'e 2hen "rother 3i&&ia'< Th! ser$ant<
and '!se&f< sha&& eho&d the da! that 2e 'a! stand to,ether and ,a4e u*on
eterna& 2isdo' en,ra$en u*on the hea$ens< 2hi&e the 'a=est! of our 5od
ho&deth u* the dar0 curtain unti& 2e 'a! read the round of eternit!< to
the fu&&ness and satisfaction of our i''orta& sou&sB Oh< Lord< de&i$er us
in due ti'e fro' the &itt&e< narro2 *rison< a&'ost as it 2ere< tota&
dar0ness of *a*er< *en and in0?--and a croo0ed< ro0en< scattered and
i'*erfect &an,ua,e#
I ha$e otained ten suscriers for the Star# Lo$e for a&& the
rethren# Yours in onds# A'en# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
On the :th of Dece'er< 789H< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation
e/*&ainin, the *ara&e of the 2heat and tares(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou '! ser$ants< concernin, the
*ara&e of the 2heat and of the tares?
H# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa!< the fie&d 2as the 2or&d< and the a*ost&es
2ere the so2ers of the seed?
9# And after the! ha$e fa&&en as&ee*< the ,reat *ersecutor of the
church< the a*ostate< the 2hore< e$en "a!&on< that 'a0eth a&& nations to
drin0 of her cu*< in 2hose hearts the ene'!< e$en Satan< sitteth to
rei,n--eho&d he so2eth the tares? 2herefore< the tares cho0e the 2heat
and dri$e the church into the 2i&derness#
@# "ut eho&d< in the &ast da!s< e$en no2 2hi&e the Lord is e,innin,
to rin, forth the 2ord< and the &ade is s*rin,in, u* and is !et tender--
G# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the an,e&s are cr!in, unto the Lord
da! and ni,ht< 2ho are read! and 2aitin, to e sent forth to rea* do2n the
fie&ds?
:# "ut the Lord saith unto the'< *&uc0 not u* the tares 2hi&e the
&ade is !et tender Efor $eri&! !our faith is 2ea0F< &est !ou destro! the
2heat a&so#
M# Therefore< &et the 2heat and the tares ,ro2 to,ether unti& the
har$est is fu&&! ri*e? then !e sha&& first ,ather out the 2heat fro' a'on,
the tares< and after the ,atherin, of the 2heat< eho&d and &o< the tares
are ound in und&es< and the fie&d re'aineth to e urned#
8# Therefore< thus saith the Lord unto !ou< 2ith 2ho' the *riesthood
hath continued throu,h the &inea,e of !our fathers--
N# For !e are &a2fu& heirs< accordin, to the f&esh< and ha$e een hid
fro' the 2or&d 2ith Christ in 5od--
7D# Therefore< !our &ife and the *riesthood ha$e re'ained< and 'ust
needs re'ain throu,h !ou and !our &inea,e unti& the restoration of a&&
thin,s s*o0en ! the 'ouths of a&& the ho&! *ro*hets since the 2or&d
e,an#
77# Therefore< &essed are !e if !e continue in '! ,oodness< a &i,ht
unto the 5enti&es< and throu,h this *riesthood< a sa$ior unto '! *eo*&e
Israe&# The Lord hath said it# A'en#
CHA)TER 66II#
THE )RO)HECY ON THE 3AR OF THE RE"ELLION--THE OLI%E LEAF--
CO..UNICATION TO .R# SEATON--3ARNIN5 TO ;ION#
A))EARANCES of trou&es a'on, the nations eca'e 'ore $isi&e this
season than the! had *re$ious&! een since the Church e,an her =ourne!
out of the 2i&derness# The ra$a,es of the cho&era 2ere fri,htfu& in a&'ost
a&& the &ar,e cities on the ,&oe# The *&a,ue ro0e out in India< 2hi&e
the United States< a'id a&& her *o'* and ,reatness< 2as threatened 2ith
i''ediate disso&ution# The *eo*&e of South Caro&ina< in con$ention
asse'&ed Ein No$e'erF< *assed ordinances< dec&arin, their state a free
and inde*endent nation? and a**ointed Thursda!< the 97st da! of Januar!<
7899< as a da! of hu'i&iation and *ra!er< to i'*&ore A&'i,ht! 5od to
$ouchsafe His &essin,s< and restore &iert! and ha**iness 2ithin their
orders# )resident Jac0son issued his *roc&a'ation a,ainst this ree&&ion<
ca&&ed out a force sufficient to >ue&& it< and i'*&ored the &essin,s of
5od to assist the nation to e/tricate itse&f fro' the horrors of the
a**roachin, and so&e'n crisis#
On Christ'as da! I789HJ< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation and
*ro*hec! on 2ar#
Re$e&ation and )ro*hec!#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord concernin, the 2ars that 2i&&
short&! co'e to *ass< e,innin, at the ree&&ion of South Caro&ina< 2hich
2i&& e$entua&&! ter'inate in the death and 'iser! of 'an! sou&s?
H# And the ti'e 2i&& co'e that 2ar 2i&& e *oured out u*on a&&
nations< e,innin, at this *&ace#
9# For eho&d< the Southern States sha&& e di$ided a,ainst the
Northern States< and the Southern States 2i&& ca&& on other nations< e$en
the nation of 5reat "ritain< as it is ca&&ed< and the! sha&& a&so ca&&
u*on other nations< in order to defend the'se&$es a,ainst other nations?
and then 2ar sha&& e *oured out u*on a&& nations#
@# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< after 'an! da!s< s&a$es sha&& rise u*
a,ainst their 'asters< 2ho sha&& e 'arsha&ed and disci*&ed for 2ar#
G# And it sha&& co'e to *ass a&so that the re'nants 2ho are &eft of
the &and 2i&& 'arsha& the'se&$es< and sha&& eco'e e/ceedin,&! an,r!< and
sha&& $e/ the 5enti&es 2ith a sore $e/ation#
:# And thus< 2ith the s2ord and ! &oodshed the inhaitants of the
earth sha&& 'ourn? and 2ith fa'ine< and *&a,ue< and earth>ua0e< and the
thunder of hea$en< and the fierce and $i$id &i,htnin, a&so< sha&& the
inhaitants of the earth e 'ade to fee& the 2rath< and indi,nation< and
chastenin, hand of an A&'i,ht! 5od< unti& the consu'*tion decreed hath
'ade a fu&& end of a&& nations?
M# That the cr! of the saints< and the &ood of the saints< sha&&
cease to co'e u* into the ears of the Lord of Saaoth< fro' the earth< to
e a$en,ed of their ene'ies#
8# 3herefore< stand !e in ho&! *&aces< and e not 'o$ed< unti& the
da! of the Lord co'e? for eho&d< it co'eth >uic0&!< saith the Lord# A'en#
T2o da!s after the *recedin, *ro*hec!< on the HMth of Dece'er< I
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou 2ho ha$e asse'&ed
!ourse&$es to,ether to recei$e his 2i&& concernin, !ou(
H# "eho&d< this is *&easin, unto !our Lord< and the an,e&s re=oice
o$er !ou? the a&'s of !our *ra!er ha$e co'e u* into the ears of the Lord
of Saaoth< and are recorded in the oo0 of the na'es of the sanctified<
e$en the' of the ce&estia& 2or&d#
9# 3herefore< I no2 send u*on !ou another Co'forter< e$en u*on !ou '!
friends< that it 'a! aide in !our hearts< e$en the Ho&! S*irit of
*ro'ise? 2hich other Co'forter is the sa'e that I *ro'ised unto '!
disci*&es< as is recorded in the testi'on! of John#
@# This Co'forter is the *ro'ise 2hich I ,i$e unto !ou of eterna&
&ife< e$en the ,&or! of the ce&estia& 0in,do'?
G# 3hich ,&or! is that of the church of the Firstorn< e$en of 5od<
the ho&iest of a&&< throu,h Jesus Christ his Son--
:# He that ascended u* on hi,h< as a&so he descended e&o2 a&&
thin,s< in that he co'*rehended a&& thin,s< that he 'i,ht e in a&& and
throu,h a&& thin,s< the &i,ht of truth?
M# 3hich truth shineth# This is the &i,ht of Christ# As a&so he is in
the sun< and the &i,ht of the sun< and the *o2er thereof ! 2hich it 2as
'ade#
8# As a&so he is in the 'oon< and is the &i,ht of the 'oon< and the
*o2er thereof ! 2hich it 2as 'ade?
N# As a&so the &i,ht of the stars< and the *o2er thereof ! 2hich
the! 2ere 'ade?
7D# And the earth a&so< and the *o2er thereof< e$en the earth u*on
2hich !ou stand#
77# And the &i,ht 2hich shineth< 2hich ,i$eth !ou &i,ht< is throu,h
hi' 2ho en&i,hteneth !our e!es< 2hich is the sa'e &i,ht that >uic0eneth
!our understandin,s?
7H# 3hich &i,ht *roceedeth forth fro' the *resence of 5od to fi&& the
i''ensit! of s*ace--
79# The &i,ht 2hich is in a&& thin,s< 2hich ,i$eth &ife to a&&
thin,s< 2hich is the &a2 ! 2hich a&& thin,s are ,o$erned< e$en the *o2er
of 5od 2ho sitteth u*on his throne< 2ho is in the oso' of eternit!< 2ho
is in the 'idst of a&& thin,s#
7@# No2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that throu,h the rede'*tion 2hich is
'ade for !ou is rou,ht to *ass the resurrection fro' the dead#
7G# And the s*irit and the od! are the sou& of 'an#
7:# And the resurrection fro' the dead is the rede'*tion of the sou&#
7M# And the rede'*tion of the sou& is throu,h hi' that >uic0eneth a&&
thin,s< in 2hose oso' it is decreed that the *oor and the 'ee0 of the
earth sha&& inherit it#
78# Therefore it 'ust needs e sanctified fro' a&& unri,hteousness<
that it 'a! e *re*ared for the ce&estia& ,&or!?
7N# For after it hath fi&&ed the 'easure of its creation< it sha&& e
cro2ned 2ith ,&or!< e$en 2ith the *resence of 5od the Father?
HD# That odies 2ho are of the ce&estia& 0in,do' 'a! *ossess it
fore$er and e$er? for< for this intent 2as it 'ade and created< and for
this intent are the! sanctified#
H7# And the! 2ho are not sanctified throu,h the &a2 2hich I ha$e
,i$en unto !ou< e$en the &a2 of Christ< 'ust inherit another 0in,do'< e$en
that of a terrestria& 0in,do'< or that of a te&estia& 0in,do'#
HH# For he 2ho is not a&e to aide the &a2 of a ce&estia& 0in,do'
cannot aide a ce&estia& ,&or!#
H9# And he 2ho cannot aide the &a2 of a terrestria& 0in,do' cannot
aide a terrestria& ,&or!#
H@# And he 2ho cannot aide the &a2 of a te&estia& 0in,do' cannot
aide a te&estia& ,&or!? therefore he is not 'eet for a 0in,do' of ,&or!#
Therefore he 'ust aide a 0in,do' 2hich is not a 0in,do' of ,&or!#
HG# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the earth aideth the &a2 of a
ce&estia& 0in,do'< for it fi&&eth the 'easure of its creation< and
trans,resseth not the &a2--
H:# 3herefore< it sha&& e sanctified? !ea< not2ithstandin, it sha&&
die< it sha&& e >uic0ened a,ain< and sha&& aide the *o2er ! 2hich it is
>uic0ened< and the ri,hteous sha&& inherit it#
HM# For not2ithstandin, the! die< the! a&so sha&& rise a,ain< a
s*iritua& od!#
H8# The! 2ho are of a ce&estia& s*irit sha&& recei$e the sa'e od!
2hich 2as a natura& od!? e$en !e sha&& recei$e !our odies< and !our
,&or! sha&& e that ,&or! ! 2hich !our odies are >uic0ened#
HN# Ye 2ho are >uic0ened ! a *ortion of the ce&estia& ,&or! sha&&
then recei$e of the sa'e< e$en a fu&&ness#
9D# And the! 2ho are >uic0ened ! a *ortion of the terrestria& ,&or!
sha&& then recei$e of the sa'e< e$en a fu&&ness#
97# And a&so the! 2ho are >uic0ened ! a *ortion of the te&estia&
,&or! sha&& then recei$e of the sa'e< e$en a fu&&ness#
9H# And the! 2ho re'ain sha&& a&so e >uic0ened< ne$erthe&ess< the!
sha&& return a,ain to their o2n *&ace< to en=o! that 2hich the! are
2i&&in, to recei$e< ecause the! 2ere not 2i&&in, to en=o! that 2hich the!
'i,ht ha$e recei$ed#
99# For 2hat doth it *rofit a 'an if a ,ift is esto2ed u*on hi'< and
he recei$e not the ,iftB "eho&d< he re=oices not in that 2hich is ,i$en
unto hi'< neither re=oices in hi' 2ho is the ,i$er of the ,ift#
9@# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that 2hich is ,o$erned ! &a2
is a&so *reser$ed &a2 and *erfected and sanctified ! the sa'e#
9G# That 2hich rea0eth a &a2< and aideth not ! &a2< ut see0eth to
eco'e a &a2 unto itse&f< and 2i&&eth to aide in sin< and a&to,ether
aideth in sin< cannot e sanctified ! &a2< neither ! 'erc!< =ustice<
nor =ud,'ent# Therefore< the! 'ust re'ain fi&th! sti&&#
9:# A&& 0in,do's ha$e a &a2 ,i$en?
9M# And there are 'an! 0in,do's? for there is no s*ace in the 2hich
there is no 0in,do'? and there is no 0in,do' in 2hich there is no s*ace<
either a ,reater or a &esser 0in,do'#
98# And unto e$er! 0in,do' is ,i$en a &a2? and unto e$er! &a2 there
are certain ounds a&so and conditions
9N# A&& ein,s 2ho aide not in those conditions are not =ustified#
@D# For inte&&i,ence c&ea$eth unto inte&&i,ence? 2isdo' recei$eth
2isdo'? truth e'raceth truth? $irtue &o$eth $irtue? &i,ht c&ea$eth unto
&i,ht? 'erc! hath co'*assion on 'erc! and c&ai'eth her o2n? =ustice
continueth its course and c&ai'eth its o2n? =ud,'ent ,oeth efore the face
of hi' 2ho sitteth u*on the throne and ,o$erneth and e/ecuteth a&& thin,s#
@7# He co'*rehendeth a&& thin,s< and a&& thin,s are efore hi'< and
a&& thin,s are round aout hi'< and he is ao$e a&& thin,s< and in a&&
thin,s< and is throu,h a&& thin,s and is round aout a&& thin,s? and a&&
thin,s are ! hi'< and of hi'< e$en 5od< fore$er and e$er#
@H# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< he hath ,i$en a &a2 unto a&&
thin,s< ! 2hich the! 'o$e in their ti'es and their seasons<
@9# And their courses are fi/ed< e$en the courses of the hea$ens and
the earth< 2hich co'*rehend the earth and a&& the *&anets#
@@# And the! ,i$e &i,ht to each other in their ti'es and in their
seasons< in their 'inutes in their hours in their da!s< in their 2ee0s< in
their 'onths< in their !ears--a&& these are one !ear 2ith 5od< ut not
2ith 'an#
@G# The earth ro&&s u*on her 2in,s< and the sun ,i$eth his &i,ht !
da!< and the 'oon ,i$eth her &i,ht ! ni,ht< and the stars a&so ,i$e their
&i,ht< as the! ro&& u*on their 2in,s in their ,&or!< in the 'idst of the
*o2er of 5od#
@:# Unto 2hat sha&& I &i0en these 0in,do's< that !e 'a! understandB
@M# "eho&d< a&& these are 0in,do's< and an! 'an 2ho hath seen an! or
the &east of these hath seen 5od 'o$in, in his 'a=est! and *o2er#
@8# I sa! unto !ou< he hath seen hi'? ne$erthe&ess< he 2ho ca'e unto
his o2n 2as not co'*rehended#
@N# The &i,ht shineth in dar0ness< and the dar0ness co'*rehendeth it
not? ne$erthe&ess the da! sha&& co'e 2hen !ou sha&& co'*rehend e$en 5od<
ein, >uic0ened in hi' and ! hi'#
GD# Then sha&& !e 0no2 that !e ha$e seen 'e< that I a'< and that I a'
the true &i,ht that is in !ou< and that !ou are in 'e< other2ise !e cou&d
not aound#
G7# "eho&d< I 2i&& &i0en these 0in,do's unto a 'an ha$in, a fie&d<
and he sent forth his ser$ants into the fie&d to di, in the fie&d#
GH# And he said unto the first? 5o !e and &aor in the fie&d and in
the first hour I 2i&& co'e unto !ou< and !e sha&& eho&d the =o! of '!
countenance#
G9# And he said unto the second? 5o !e a&so into the fie&d< and in
the second hour I 2i&& $isit !ou 2ith the =o! of '! countenance#
G@# And a&so unto the third< sa!in,? I 2i&& $isit !ou?
GG# And unto the fourth< and so on unto the t2e&fth#
G:# And the &ord of the fie&d 2ent unto the first in the first hour<
and tarried 2ith hi' a&& that hour< and he 2as 'ade ,&ad 2ith the &i,ht of
the countenance of his &ord#
GM# And then he 2ithdre2 fro' the first that he 'i,ht $isit the
second a&so< and the third< and the fourth< and so on unto the t2e&fth#
G8# And thus the! a&& recei$ed the &i,ht of the countenance of their
&ord< e$er! 'an in his hour< and in his ti'e< and in his season--
GN# "e,innin, at the first< and so on unto the &ast< and fro' the
&ast unto the first< and fro' the first unto the &ast<
:D# E$er! 'an in his o2n order< unti& his hour 2as finished< e$en
accordin, as his &ord had co''anded hi'< that his &ord 'i,ht e ,&orified
in hi'< and he in his &ord< that the! a&& 'i,ht e ,&orified#
:7# Therefore unto this *ara&e I 2i&& &i0en a&& these 0in,do's< and
the inhaitants thereof--e$er! 0in,do' in its hour< and in its ti'e< and
in its season< e$en accordin, to the decree 2hich 5od hath 'ade#
:H# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< I &ea$e these
sa!in,s 2ith !ou to *onder in !our hearts 2ith this co''and'ent 2hich I
,i$e unto !ou< that !e sha&& ca&& u*on 'e 2hi&e I a' near--
:9# Dra2 near unto 'e and I 2i&& dra2 near unto !ou? see0 'e
di&i,ent&! and !e sha&& find 'e? as0< and !e sha&& recei$e? 0noc0 and it
sha&& e o*ened unto !ou#
:@# 3hatsoe$er !e as0 the Father in '! na'e it sha&& e ,i$en unto
!ou< that is e/*edient for !ou(
:G# And if !e as0 an!thin, that is not e/*edient for !ou< it sha&&
turn unto !our conde'nation#
::# "eho&d that 2hich !ou hear is as the $oice of one cr!in, in the
2i&derness--in the 2i&derness< ecause !ou cannot see hi'--'! $oice<
ecause '! $oice is S*irit? '! S*irit is truth? truth aideth and hath no
end< and if it e in !ou it sha&& aound#
:M# And if !our e!e e sin,&e to '! ,&or! !our 2ho&e odies sha&& e
fi&&ed 2ith &i,ht< and there sha&& e no dar0ness in !ou? and that od!
2hich is fi&&ed 2ith &i,ht co'*rehendeth a&& thin,s#
:8# Therefore< sanctif! !ourse&$es that !our 'inds eco'e sin,&e to
5od and the da!s 2i&& co'e that !ou sha&& see hi'? for he 2i&& un$ei& his
face unto !ou< and it sha&& e in his o2n ti'e< and in his o2n 2a!< and
accordin, to his o2n 2i&&#
:N# Re'e'er the ,reat and &ast *ro'ise 2hich I ha$e 'ade unto !ou<
cast a2a! !our id&e thou,hts and !our e/cess of &au,hter far fro' !ou#
MD# Tarr! !e< tarr! !e in this *&ace< and ca&& a so&e'n asse'&!<
e$en of those 2ho are the first &aorers in this &ast 0in,do'#
M7# And &et those 2ho' the! ha$e 2arned in their tra$e&in, ca&& on
the Lord< and *onder the 2arnin, in their hearts 2hich the! ha$e recei$ed<
for a &itt&e season#
MH# "eho&d< and &o< I 2i&& ta0e care of !our f&oc0s< and 2i&& raise
u* e&ders and send unto the'#
M9# "eho&d< I 2i&& hasten '! 2or0 in its ti'e#
M@# And I ,i$e unto !ou< 2ho are the first &aorers in this &ast
0in,do'< a co''and'ent that !ou asse'&e !ourse&$es to,ether< and or,ani4e
!ourse&$es< and *re*are !ourse&$es< and sanctif! !ourse&$es? !ea< *urif!
!our hearts< and c&eanse !our hands and !our feet efore 'e< that I 'a!
'a0e !ou c&ean?
MG# That I 'a! testif! unto !our Father< and !our 5od< and '! 5od<
that !ou are c&ean fro' the &ood of this 2ic0ed ,eneration< that I 'a!
fu&fi& this *ro'ise< this ,reat and &ast *ro'ise< 2hich I ha$e 'ade unto
!ou< 2hen I 2i&&#
M:# A&so< I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that !e sha&& continue in
*ra!er and fastin, fro' this ti'e forth#
MM# And I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that !ou sha&& teach one
another the doctrine of the 0in,do'#
M8# Teach !e di&i,ent&! and '! ,race sha&& attend !ou< that !ou 'a!
e instructed 'ore *erfect&! in theor!< in *rinci*&e< in doctrine< in the
&a2 of the ,os*e&< in a&& thin,s that *ertain unto the 0in,do' of 5od that
are e/*edient for !ou to understand#
MN# Of thin,s oth in hea$en and in the earth< and under the earth?
thin,s 2hich ha$e een< thin,s 2hich are< thin,s 2hich 'ust short&! co'e
to *ass? thin,s 2hich are at ho'e< thin,s 2hich are aroad? the 2ars and
the *er*&e/ities of the nations and the =ud,'ents 2hich are on the &and?
and a 0no2&ed,e a&so of countries and of 0in,do's--
8D# That !e 'a! e *re*ared in a&& thin,s 2hen I sha&& send !ou a,ain
to 'a,nif! the ca&&in, 2hereunto I ha$e ca&&ed !ou< and the 'ission 2ith
2hich I ha$e co''issioned !ou#
87# "eho&d< I sent !ou out to testif! and 2arn the *eo*&e< and it
eco'eth e$er! 'an 2ho hath een 2arned to 2arn his nei,hor#
8H# Therefore< the! are &eft 2ithout e/cuse< and their sins are u*on
their o2n heads#
89# He that see0eth 'e ear&! sha&& find 'e< and sha&& not e
forsa0en#
8@# Therefore< tarr! !e< and &aor di&i,ent&!< that !ou 'a! e
*erfected in !our 'inistr! to ,o forth a'on, the 5enti&es for the &ast
ti'e as 'an! as the 'outh of the Lord sha&& na'e< to ind u* the &a2 and
sea& u* the testi'on!< and to *re*are the saints for the hour of =ud,'ent
2hich is to co'e?
8G# That their sou&s 'a! esca*e the 2rath of 5od< the deso&ation of
ao'ination 2hich a2aits the 2ic0ed< oth in this 2or&d and in the 2or&d
to co'e# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< &et those 2ho are not the first e&ders
continue in the $ine!ard unti& the 'outh of the Lord sha&& ca&& the'< for
their ti'e is not !et co'e? their ,ar'ents are not c&ean fro' the &ood of
this ,eneration#
8:# Aide !e in the &iert! 2here2ith !e are 'ade free< entan,&e not
!ourse&$es in sin< ut &et !our hands e c&ean< unti& the Lord co'es#
8M# For not 'an! da!s hence and the earth sha&& tre'&e and ree& to
and fro as a drun0en 'an? and the sun sha&& hide his face< and sha&&
refuse to ,i$e &i,ht? and the 'oon sha&& e athed in &ood? and the stars
sha&& eco'e e/ceedin,&! an,r!< and sha&& cast the'se&$es do2n as a fi,
that fa&&eth fro' off a fi,-tree#
88# And after !our testi'on! co'eth 2rath and indi,nation u*on the
*eo*&e# C
8N# For after !our testi'on! co'eth the testi'on! of earth>ua0es<
that sha&& cause ,roanin,s in the 'idst of her< and 'en sha&& fa&& u*on
the ,round and sha&& not e a&e to stand#
ND# And a&so co'eth the testi'on! of the $oice of thunderin,s< and
the $oice of &i,htnin,s< and the $oice of te'*ests< and the $oice of the
2a$es of the sea hea$in, the'se&$es e!ond their ounds#
N7# And a&& thin,s sha&& e in co''otion? and sure&!< 'en+s hearts
sha&& fai& the'? for fear sha&& co'e u*on a&& *eo*&e#
NH# And an,e&s sha&& f&! throu,h the 'idst of hea$en cr!in, 2ith a
&oud $oice< soundin, the tru'* of 5od< sa!in,? )re*are !e< *re*are !e< O
inhaitants of the earth? for the =ud,'ent of our 5od is co'e# "eho&d< and
&o< the "ride,roo' co'eth? ,o !e out to 'eet hi'#
N9# And i''ediate&! there sha&& a**ear a ,reat si,n in hea$en< and
a&& *eo*&e sha&& see it to,ether#
N@# And another an,e& sha&& sound his tru'*< sa!in,( That ,reat
church< the 'other of ao'inations< that 'ade a&& nations drin0 of the
2ine of the 2rath of her fornication< that *ersecuteth the saints of 5od<
that shed their &ood--he 2ho sitteth u*on 'an! 2aters< and u*on the
is&ands of the sea--eho&d< she is the tares of the earth? she is ound in
und&es< her ands are 'ade stron,< no 'an can &oose the'? therefore< she
is read! to e urned# And he sha&& sound his tru'* oth &on, and &oud<
and a&& nations sha&& hear it#
NG# And there sha&& e si&ence in hea$en for the s*ace of ha&f an
hour? and i''ediate&! after sha&& the curtain of hea$en e unfo&ded< as a
scro&& is unfo&ded after it is ro&&ed u*< and the face of the Lord sha&&
e un$ei&ed?
N:# And the saints that are u*on the earth< 2ho are a&i$e< sha&& e
>uic0ened and e cau,ht u* to 'eet hi'#
NM# And the! 2ho ha$e s&e*t in their ,ra$es sha&& co'e forth< for
their ,ra$es sha&& e o*ened? and the! a&so sha&& e cau,ht u* to 'eet hi'
in the 'idst of the *i&&ar of hea$en--
N8# The! are Christ+s< the first fruits< the! 2ho sha&& descend 2ith
hi' first< and the! 2ho are on the earth and in their ,ra$es< 2ho are
first cau,ht u* to 'eet hi'? and a&& this ! the $oice of the soundin, of
the tru'* of the an,e& of 5od#
NN# And after this another an,e& sha&& sound< 2hich is the second
tru'*? and then co'eth the rede'*tion of those 2ho are Christ+s at his
co'in,? 2ho ha$e recei$ed their *art in that *rison 2hich is *re*ared for
the'< that the! 'i,ht recei$e the ,os*e&< and e =ud,ed accordin, to 'en
in the f&esh#
7DD# And a,ain< another tru'* sha&& sound< 2hich is the third tru'*?
and then co'e the s*irits of 'en 2ho are to e =ud,ed< and are found under
conde'nation?
7D7# And these are the rest of the dead and the! &i$e not a,ain unti&
the thousand !ears are ended neither a,ain< unti& the end of the earth#
7DH# And another tru'* sha&& sound< 2hich is the fourth tru'*< sa!in,
there are found a'on, those 2ho are to re'ain unti& that ,reat and &ast
da!< e$en the end< 2ho sha&& re'ain fi&th! sti&&#
7D9# And another tru'* sha&& sound< 2hich is the fifth tru'*< 2hich
is the fifth an,e& 2ho co''itteth the e$er&astin, ,os*e&--f&!in, throu,h
the 'idst of hea$en< unto a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e?
7D@# And this sha&& e the sound of his tru'*< sa!in, to a&& *eo*&e
oth in hea$en and in earth< and that are under the earth--for e$er! ear
sha&& hear it< and e$er! 0nee sha&& o2< and e$er! ton,ue sha&& confess<
2hi&e the! hear the sound of the tru'*< sa!in,? Fear 5od< and ,i$e ,&or!
to hi' 2ho sitteth u*on the throne< fore$er and e$er< for the hour of his
=ud,'ent is co'e#
7DG# And a,ain< another an,e& sha&& sound his tru'*< 2hich is the
si/th an,e&< sa!in,? She is fa&&en 2ho 'ade a&& nations drin0 of the 2ine
of the 2rath of her fornication? she is fa&&en< is fa&&enK
7D:# And a,ain< another an,e& sha&& sound his tru'*< 2hich is the
se$enth an,e&< sa!in,( It is finished? it is finishedK The La' of 5od
hath o$erco'e and trodden the 2ine-*ress a&one< e$en the 2ine-*ress of the
fierceness of the 2rath of A&'i,ht! 5od#
7DM# And then sha&& the an,e&s e cro2ned 2ith the ,&or! of his
'i,ht< and the saints sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith his ,&or!< and recei$e their
inheritance and e 'ade e>ua& 2ith hi'#
7D8# And then sha&& the first an,e& a,ain sound his tru'* in the ears
of a&& &i$in,< and re$ea& the secret acts of 'en< and the 'i,ht! 2or0s of
5od in the first thousand !ears#
7DN# And then sha&& the second an,e& sound his tru'*< and re$ea& the
secret acts of 'en< and the thou,hts and intents of their hearts< and the
'i,ht! 2or0s of 5od in the second thousand !ears--
77D# And so on< unti& the se$enth an,e& sha&& sound his tru'*? and he
sha&& stand forth u*on the &and and u*on the sea< and s2ear in the na'e of
hi' 2ho sitteth u*on the throne< that there sha&& e ti'e no &on,er? and
Satan sha&& e ound< that o&d ser*ent< 2ho is ca&&ed the de$i&< and sha&&
not e &oosed for the s*ace of a thousand !ears#
777# And then he sha&& e &oosed for a &itt&e season< that he 'a!
,ather to,ether his ar'ies#
77H# And .ichae&< the se$enth an,e&< e$en the archan,e&< sha&& ,ather
to,ether his ar'ies< e$en the hosts of hea$en#
779# And the de$i& sha&& ,ather to,ether his ar'ies e$en the hosts of
he&&< and sha&& co'e u* to att&e a,ainst .ichae& and his ar'ies#
77@# And then co'eth the att&e of the ,reat 5od? and the de$i& and
his ar'ies sha&& e cast a2a! into their o2n *&ace< that the! sha&& not
ha$e *o2er o$er the saints an! 'ore at a&&#
77G# For .ichae& sha&& fi,ht their att&es< and sha&& o$erco'e hi'
2ho see0eth the throne of hi' 2ho sitteth u*on the throne< e$en the La'#
77:# This is the ,&or! of 5od< and the sanctified< and the! sha&& not
an! 'ore see death#
77M# Therefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< ca&& !our so&e'n
asse'&!< as I ha$e co''anded !ou#
778# And as a&& ha$e not faith< see0 !e di&i,ent&! and teach one
another 2ords of 2isdo'? !ea< see0 !e out of the est oo0s 2ords of
2isdo'? see0 &earnin,< e$en ! stud! and a&so ! faith#
77N# Or,ani4e !ourse&$es? *re*are e$er! needfu& thin,? and esta&ish
a house< e$en a house of *ra!er< a house of fastin,< a house of faith< a
house of &earnin,< a house of ,&or!< a house of order< a house of 5od?
7HD# That !our inco'in,s 'a! e in the na'e of the Lord? that !our
out,oin,s 'a! e in the na'e of the Lord? that a&& !our sa&utations 'a! e
in the na'e of the Lord< 2ith u*&ifted hands unto the .ost Hi,h#
7H7# Therefore< cease fro' a&& !our &i,ht s*eeches< fro' a&&
&au,hter< fro' a&& !our &ustfu& desires< fro' a&& !our *ride and
&i,ht-'indedness< and fro' a&& !our 2ic0ed doin,s#
7HH# A**oint a'on, !ourse&$es a teacher< and &et not a&& e s*o0es'en
at once? ut &et one s*ea0 at a ti'e and &et a&& &isten unto his sa!in,s<
that 2hen a&& ha$e s*o0en that a&& 'a! e edified of a&&< and that e$er!
'an 'a! ha$e an e>ua& *ri$i&e,e#
7H9# See that !e &o$e one another? cease to e co$etous? &earn to
i'*art one to another as the ,os*e& re>uires#
7H@# Cease to e id&e? cease to e unc&ean? cease to find fau&t one
2ith another? cease to s&ee* &on,er than is needfu&? retire to th! ed
ear&!< that !e 'a! not e 2ear!? rise ear&!< that !our odies and !our
'inds 'a! e in$i,orated#
7HG# And ao$e a&& thin,s< c&othe !ourse&$es 2ith the ond of
charit!< as 2ith a 'ant&e< 2hich is the ond of *erfectness and *eace#
7H:# )ra! a&2a!s< that !e 'a! not faint< unti& I co'e< "eho&d< and
&o< I 2i&& co'e >uic0&!< and recei$e !ou unto '!se&f# A'en#
7HM# And a,ain< the order of the house *re*ared for the *residenc! of
the schoo& of the *ro*hets< esta&ished for their instruction in a&&
thin,s that are e/*edient for the'< e$en for a&& the officers of the
church or in other 2ords those 2ho are ca&&ed to the 'inistr! in the
church< e,innin, at the hi,h *riests e$en do2n to the deacons--
7H8# And this sha&& e the order of the house of the *residenc! of
the schoo&( He that is a**ointed to e *resident< or teacher< sha&& e
found standin, in his *&ace in the house 2hich sha&& e *re*ared for hi'#
7HN# Therefore< he sha&& e first in the house of 5od< in a *&ace
that the con,re,ation in the house 'a! hear his 2ords carefu&&! and
distinct&!< not 2ith &oud s*eech#
79D# And 2hen he co'eth into the house of 5od< for he shou&d e first
in the house--eho&d< this is eautifu&< that he 'a! e an e/a'*&e--
797# Let hi' offer hi'se&f in *ra!er u*on his 0nees efore 5od< in
to0en or re'e'rance of the e$er&astin, co$enant#
79H# And 2hen an! sha&& co'e in after hi'< &et the teacher arise<
and< 2ith u*&ifted hands to hea$en< !ea e$en direct&!< sa&ute his rother
or rethren 2ith these 2ords?
799# Art thou a rother or rethrenB I sa&ute !ou in the na'e of the
Lord Jesus Christ in to0en or re'e'rance of the e$er&astin, co$enant in
2hich co$enant I recei$e !ou to fe&&o2shi*< in a deter'ination that is
fi/ed< i''o$a&e< and unchan,ea&e< to e !our friend and rother throu,h
the ,race of 5od in the onds of &o$e< to 2a&0 in a&& the co''and'ents of
5od &a'e&ess in than0s,i$in,< fore$er and e$er# A'en#
79@# And he that is found un2orth! of this sa&utation sha&& not ha$e
*&ace a'on, !ou? for !e sha&& not suffer that 'ine house sha&& e *o&&uted
! hi'#
79G# And he that co'eth in and is faithfu& efore 'e and is a
rother< or if the! e rethren< the! sha&& sa&ute the *resident or
teacher 2ith u*&ifted hands to hea$en< 2ith this sa'e *ra!er and co$enant<
or ! sa!in, A'en< in to0en of the sa'e#
79:# "eho&d< $eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< this is an ensa'*&e unto !ou for
a sa&utation to one another in the house of 5od< in the schoo& of the
*ro*hets#
79M# And !e are ca&&ed to do this ! *ra!er and than0s,i$in, as the
S*irit sha&& ,i$e utterance in a&& !our doin,s in the house of the Lord<
in the schoo& of the *ro*hets< that it 'a! eco'e a sanctuar!< a
taernac&e of the Ho&! S*irit to !our edification#
798# And !e sha&& not recei$e an! a'on, !ou into this schoo& sa$e he
is c&ean fro' the &ood of this ,eneration?
79N# And he sha&& e recei$ed ! the ordinance of the 2ashin, of
feet< for unto this end 2as the ordinance of the 2ashin, of feet
instituted#
7@D# And a,ain< the ordinance of 2ashin, feet is to e ad'inistered
! the *resident< or *residin, e&der of the church#
7@7# It is to e co''enced 2ith *ra!er? and after *arta0in, of read
and 2ine< he is to ,ird hi'se&f accordin, to the *attern ,i$en in the
thirteenth cha*ter of John+s testi'on! concernin, 'e# A'en#
I 2rote to N# E# Seaton< Es>#< editor of the--< as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< Januar! @th< 7899#
.r# Editor(--Sir< Considerin, the &iera& *rinci*&es u*on 2hich !our
interestin, and $a&ua&e *a*er is *u&ished< '!se&f ein, a suscrier<
and fee&in, a dee* interest in the cause of ;ion< and in the ha**iness of
'! rethren of 'an0ind< I cheerfu&&! ta0e u* '! *en to contriute '! 'ite
at this $er! interestin, and i'*ortant *eriod#
For so'e &en,th of ti'e I ha$e een carefu&&! re$ie2in, the state of
thin,s< as it no2 a**ears< throu,hout our Christian &and? and ha$e &oo0ed
at it 2ith fee&in,s of the 'ost *ainfu& an/iet!# 3hi&e u*on one hand I
eho&d the 'anifest 2ithdra2a& of 5od+s Ho&! S*irit< and the $ei& of
stu*idit! 2hich see's to e dra2n o$er the hearts of the *eo*&e? u*on the
other hand< I eho&d the =ud,'ents of 5od that ha$e s2e*t< and are sti&&
s2ee*in,< hundreds and thousands of our race Eand I fear un*re*aredF do2n
to the shades of death# 3ith this so&e'n and a&ar'in, fact efore 'e< I a'
&ed to e/c&ai'< -O that '! head 2ere 2aters< and 'ine e!es a fountain of
tears< that I 'i,ht 2ee* da! and ni,ht#-
I thin0 that it is hi,h ti'e for a Christian 2or&d to a2a0e out of
s&ee*< and cr! 'i,hti&! to that 5od< da! and ni,ht< 2hose an,er 2e ha$e
=ust&! incurred# Are not these thin,s a sufficient sti'u&ant to arouse the
facu&ties and ca&& forth the ener,ies of e$er! 'an< 2o'an or chi&d that
*ossesses fee&in,s of s!'*ath! for their fe&&o2s< or that is in an! de,ree
endeared to the uddin, cause of our ,&orious LordB I &ea$e an inte&&i,ent
co''unit! to ans2er this i'*ortant >uestion< 2ith a confession< that this
is 2hat has caused 'e to o$er&oo0 '! o2n inai&it!< and e/*ose '! 2ea0ness
to a &earned 2or&d< ut< trustin, in that 5od 2ho has said that these
thin,s are hid fro' the 2ise and *rudent and re$ea&ed unto aes< I ste*
forth into the fie&d to te&& !ou 2hat the Lord is doin,< and 2hat !ou 'ust
do< to en=o! the s'i&es of !our Sa$ior in these &ast da!s#
The ti'e has at &ast arri$ed 2hen the 5od of Araha'< of Isaac< and
of Jaco< has set His hand a,ain the second ti'e to reco$er the re'nants
of his *eo*&e< 2hich ha$e een &eft fro' Ass!ria< and fro' E,!*t< and fro'
)athros< and fro' Cush< and fro' E&a' and fro' Shinar< and fro' Ha'ath<
and fro' the is&ands of the sea< and 2ith the' to rin, in the fu&&ness of
the 5enti&es< and esta&ish that co$enant 2ith the'< 2hich 2as *ro'ised
2hen their sins shou&d e ta0en a2a!# See Isaiah /i< Ro'ans /i( HG< H:
and HM< and a&so Jere'iah ///i( 97< 9H and 99# This co$enant has ne$er
een esta&ished 2ith the house of Israe&< nor 2ith the house of Judah<
for it re>uires t2o *arties to 'a0e a co$enant< and those t2o *arties 'ust
e a,reed< or no co$enant can e 'ade#
Christ< in the da!s of His f&esh< *ro*osed to 'a0e a co$enant 2ith
the'< ut the! re=ected Hi' and His *ro*osa&s< and in conse>uence thereof<
the! 2ere ro0en off< and no co$enant 2as 'ade 2ith the' at that ti'e# "ut
their une&ief has not rendered the *ro'ise of 5od of none effect? no< for
there 2as another da! &i'ited in Da$id< 2hich 2as the da! of His *o2er?
and then His *eo*&e< Israe&< shou&d e a 2i&&in, *eo*&e?--and He 2ou&d
2rite His &a2 in their hearts< and *rint it in their thou,hts? their sins
and their ini>uities He 2ou&d re'e'er no 'ore#
Thus after this chosen fa'i&! had re=ected Christ and His *ro*osa&s<
the hera&ds of sa&$ation said to the'< -Lo< 2e turn unto the 5enti&es?-
and the 5enti&es recei$ed the co$enant< and 2ere ,rafted in fro' 2hence
the chosen fa'i&! 2ere ro0en off( ut the 5enti&es ha$e not continued in
the ,oodness of 5od< ut ha$e de*arted fro' the faith that 2as once
de&i$ered to the Saints< and ha$e ro0en the co$enant in 2hich their
fathers 2ere esta&ished ESee Isaiah //i$( GF? and ha$e eco'e
hi,h-'inded< and ha$e not feared? therefore< ut fe2 of the' 2i&& e
,athered 2ith the chosen fa'i&!# Ha$e not the *ride< hi,h-'indedness< and
une&ief of the 5enti&es< *ro$o0ed the Ho&! One of Israe& to 2ithdra2 His
Ho&! S*irit fro' the'< and send forth His =ud,'ents to scour,e the' for
their 2ic0ednessB This is certain&! the case#
Christ said to His disci*&es E.ar0 /$i? 7M and 78F< that these si,ns
shou&d fo&&o2 the' that e&ie$e?---In '! na'e sha&& the! cast out de$i&s?
the! sha&& s*ea0 2ith ne2 ton,ues? the! sha&& ta0e u* ser*ents and if the!
drin0 an! dead&! thin, it sha&& not hurt the' the! sha&& &a! hands on the
sic0< and the! sha&& reco$er?- and a&so< in connection 2ith this< read 7st
Corinthians< 7Hth cha*ter# "! the fore,oin, testi'onies 2e 'a! &oo0 at the
Christian 2or&d and see the a*ostas! there has een fro' the a*osto&ic
*&atfor'< and 2ho can &oo0 at this and not e/c&ai' in the &an,ua,e of
Isaiah< -The earth a&so is defi&ed under the inhaitants thereof? ecause
the! ha$e trans,ressed the &a2s< chan,ed the ordinances< and ro0en the
e$er&astin, co$enantB-
The *&ain fact is this< the *o2er of 5od e,ins to fa&& u*on the
nations< and the &i,ht of the &atter-da! ,&or! e,ins to rea0 forth
throu,h the dar0 at'os*here of sectarian 2ic0edness< and their ini>uit!
ro&&s u* into $ie2< and the nations of the 5enti&es are &i0e the 2a$es of
the sea< castin, u* 'ire and dirt< or a&& in co''otion< and the! are
hasti&! *re*arin, to act the *art a&&otted the'< 2hen the Lord reu0es the
nations< 2hen He sha&& ru&e the' 2ith a rod of iron< and rea0 the' in
*ieces &i0e a *otter+s $esse&# The Lord dec&ared to His ser$ants< so'e
ei,hteen 'onths since< that He 2as then 2ithdra2in, His S*irit fro' the
earth and 2e can see that such is the fact for not on&! the churches are
d2ind&in, a2a!< ut there are no con$ersions< or ut $er! fe2? and this is
not a&&< the ,o$ern'ents of the earth are thro2n into confusion and
di$ision? and Destruction< to the e!e of the s*iritua& eho&der< see's to
e 2ritten ! the fin,er of an in$isi&e hand< in &ar,e ca*ita&s< u*on
a&'ost e$er! thin, 2e eho&d#
And no2 2hat re'ains to e done< under circu'stances &i0e theseB I
2i&& *roceed to te&& !ou 2hat the Lord re>uires of a&& *eo*&e< hi,h and
&o2< rich and *oor< 'a&e and fe'a&e 'inisters and *eo*&e< *rofessors of
re&i,ion and non-*rofessors< in order that the! 'a! en=o! the Ho&! S*irit
of 5od to a fu&&ness and esca*e the =ud,'ents of 5od< 2hich are a&'ost
read! to urst u*on the nations of the earth# Re*ent of a&& !our sins< and
e a*ti4ed in 2ater for the re'ission of the'< in the na'e of the Father<
and of the Son< and of the Ho&! 5host< and recei$e the ordinance of the
&a!in, on of the hands of hi' 2ho is ordained and sea&ed unto this *o2er<
that !e 'a! recei$e the Ho&! S*irit of 5od? and this is accordin, to the
Ho&! Scri*tures< and the "oo0 of .or'on? and the on&! 2a! that 'an can
enter into the ce&estia& 0in,do'#
These are the re>uire'ents of the ne2 co$enant< or first *rinci*&es
of the 5os*e& of Christ? then -Add to !our faith< $irtue? and to $irtue<
0no2&ed,e? and to 0no2&ed,e< te'*erance? and to te'*erance< *atience( and
to *atience ,od&iness? and to ,od&iness< rother&! 0indness? and to
rother&! 0indness< charit! for &o$e? for if these thin,s e in !ou< and
aound< the! 'a0e !ou that !e sha&& neither e arren nor unfruitfu&< in
the 0no2&ed,e of our Lord Jesus Christ#-
The "oo0 of .or'on is a record of the forefathers of our 2estern
tries of Indians? ha$in, een found throu,h the 'inistration of an ho&!
an,e&< and trans&ated into our o2n &an,ua,e ! the ,ift and *o2er of 5od<
after ha$in, een hid u* in the earth for the &ast fourteen hundred !ears<
containin, the 2ord of 5od 2hich 2as de&i$ered unto the'# "! it 2e &earn
that our 2estern tries of Indians are descendants fro' that Jose*h 2hich
2as so&d into E,!*t< and that the &and of A'erica is a *ro'ised &and unto
the'< and unto it a&& the tries of Israe& 2i&& co'e 2ith as 'an! of the
5enti&es as sha&& co'*&! 2ith the re>uisitions of the ne2 co$enant# "ut
the trie of Judah 2i&& return to o&d Jerusa&e'# The cit! of ;ion s*o0en
of ! Da$id< in the one hundred and second )sa&'< 2i&& e ui&t u*on the
&and of A'erica< -And the ranso'ed of the Lord sha&& return< and co'e to
;ion 2ith son,s and e$er&astin, =o! u*on their heads- EIsaiah ///$( 7DF?
and then the! 2i&& e de&i$ered fro' the o$erf&o2in, scour,e that sha&&
*ass throu,h the &and# "ut Judah sha&& otain de&i$erance at Jerusa&e'#
See Joe& ii(9H? Isaiah //$i( HD and H7? Jere'iah ///i( 7H< )sa&' 7(G?
E4e0ie& ///i$( 77< 7H and 79# These are testi'onies that the 5ood She*herd
2i&& *ut forth His o2n shee*< and &ead the' out fro' a&& nations 2here
the! ha$e een scattered in a c&oud! and dar0 da!< to ;ion and to
Jerusa&e'< esides 'an! 'ore testi'onies 2hich 'i,ht e rou,ht#
And no2 I a' *re*ared to sa! ! the authorit! of Jesus Christ< that
not 'an! !ears sha&& *ass a2a! efore the United States sha&& *resent such
a scene of &oodshed as has not a *ara&&e& in the histor! of our nation?
*esti&ence< hai&< fa'ine< and earth>ua0e 2i&& s2ee* the 2ic0ed of this
,eneration fro' off the face of the &and< to o*en and *re*are the 2a! for
the return of the &ost tries of Israe& fro' the north countr!# The *eo*&e
of the Lord< those 2ho ha$e co'*&ied 2ith the re>uire'ents of the ne2
co$enant< ha$e a&read! co''enced ,atherin, to,ether to ;ion< 2hich is in
the state of .issouri< therefore I dec&are unto !ou the 2arnin, 2hich the
Lord has co''anded to dec&are unto this ,eneration< re'e'erin, that the
e!es of '! .a0er are u*on 'e and that to hi' I a' accounta&e for e$er!
2ord I sa! 2ishin, nothin, 2orse to '! fe&&o2-'en than their eterna&
sa&$ation? therefore< -Fear 5od< and ,i$e ,&or! to Hi'< for the hour of
His =ud,'ent is co'e#- Re*ent !e< re*ent !e< and e'race the e$er&astin,
co$enant< and f&ee to ;ion< efore the o$erf&o2in, scour,e o$erta0e !ou<
for there are those no2 &i$in, u*on the earth 2hose e!es sha&& not e
c&osed in death unti& the! see a&& these thin,s< 2hich I ha$e s*o0en<
fu&fi&&ed# Re'e'er these thin,s? ca&& u*on the Lord 2hi&e He is near< and
see0 Hi' 2hi&e He 'a! e found< is the e/hortation of !our un2orth!
ser$ant# ISi,nedJ JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
I.)ORTANT CORRES)ONDENCE 3ITH THE "RETHREN IN ;ION 1IRTLAND#
Januar! 7@< 7899#
"rother 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s( I send !ou the -o&i$e &eaf- 2hich 2e ha$e
*&uc0ed fro' the Tree of )aradise< the Lord+s 'essa,e of *eace to us< for
thou,h our rethren in ;ion indu&,e in fee&in,s to2ards us< 2hich are not
accordin, to the re>uire'ents of the ne2 co$enant< !et< 2e ha$e the
satisfaction of 0no2in, that the Lord a**ro$es of us< and has acce*ted us
and esta&ished His na'e in 1irt&and for the sa&$ation of the nations? for
the Lord 2i&& ha$e a *&ace 2hence His 2ord 2i&& ,o forth< in these &ast
da!s< in *urit!? for if ;ion 2i&& not *urif! herse&f< so as to e a**ro$ed
of in a&& thin,s in His si,ht< He 2i&& see0 another *eo*&e< for His 2or0
2i&& ,o on unti& Israe& is ,athered< and the! 2ho 2i&& not hear His $oice<
'ust e/*ect to fee& His 2rath# Let 'e sa! unto !ou< see0 to *urif!
!ourse&$es< and a&so a&& the inhaitants of ;ion< &est the Lord+s an,er e
0ind&ed to fierceness# Re*ent< re*ent< is the $oice of 5od to ;ion? and
stran,e as it 'a! a**ear< !et it is true< 'an0ind 2i&& *ersist in
se&f-=ustification unti& a&& their ini>uit! is e/*osed< and their
character *ast ein, redee'ed< and that 2hich is treasured u* in their
hearts e e/*osed to the ,a4e of 'an0ind# I sa! to !ou Eand 2hat I sa! to
!ou I sa! to a&&F hear the 2arnin, $oice of 5od< &est ;ion fa&&< and the
Lord s2are in His 2rath the inhaitants of ;ion sha&& not enter into His
rest#
The rethren in 1irt&and *ra! for !ou unceasin,&!< for 0no2in, the
terrors of the Lord< the! ,reat&! fear for !ou# You 2i&& see that the Lord
co''anded us< in 1irt&and< to ui&d a house of 5od< and esta&ish a schoo&
for the )ro*hets< this is the 2ord of the Lord to us and 2e 'ust< !ea<
the Lord he&*in, us< 2e 2i&& oe!? as on conditions of our oedience He
has *ro'ised us ,reat thin,s< !ea< e$en a $isit fro' the hea$ens to honor
us 2ith His o2n *resence# 3e ,reat&! fear efore the Lord &est 2e shou&d
fai& of this ,reat honor< 2hich our
.aster *ro*oses to confer on us? 2e are see0in, for hu'i&it! and
,reat faith &est 2e e asha'ed in His *resence# Our hearts are ,reat&!
,rie$ed at the s*irit 2hich is reathed oth in !our &etter and that of
"rother 5i&ert+s< the $er! s*irit 2hich is 2astin, the stren,th of ;ion
&i0e a *esti&ence? and if it is not detected and dri$en fro' !ou< it 2i&&
ri*en ;ion for the threatened =ud,'ents of 5od# Re'e'er 5od sees the
secret s*rin,s of hu'an action< and 0no2s the hearts of a&& &i$in,#
"rother< suffer us to s*ea0 *&ain&!< for 5od has res*ect to the fee&in,s
of His Saints< and He 2i&& not suffer the' to e tanta&i4ed 2ith i'*unit!#
Te&& "rother 5i&ert that &o2 insinuations 5od hates? ut He re=oices in
an honest heart< and 0no2s etter 2ho is ,ui&t! than he does# 3e send hi'
this 2arnin, $oice< and &et hi' fear ,reat&! for hi'se&f< &est a 2orse
thin, o$erta0e hi'? a&& 2e can sa! ! 2a! of conc&usion is< if the
fountain of our tears e not dried u*< 2e 2i&& sti&& 2ee* for ;ion# This
fro' !our rother 2ho tre'&es for ;ion< and for the 2rath of hea$en<
2hich a2aits her if she re*ent not# ISi,nedJ JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
)# S#--I a' not in the hait of cr!in, *eace< 2hen there is no *eace?
and< 0no2in, the threatened =ud,'ents of 5od I sa!< 3o unto the' 2ho are
at ease in ;ion? fearfu&ness 2i&& s*eedi&! &a! ho&d of the h!*ocrite# I
did not sus*ect !ou had &ost the co''and'ents< ut thou,ht fro' !our
&etters !ou had ne,&ected to read the'< other2ise !ou 2ou&d not ha$e
2ritten as !ou did#
It is in $ain to tr! to hide a ad s*irit fro' the e!es of the' 2ho
are s*iritua&< for it 2i&& sho2 itse&f in s*ea0in, and in 2ritin,< as 2e&&
as in a&& our other conduct# It is a&so need&ess to 'a0e ,reat *retensions
2hen the heart is not ri,ht? the Lord 2i&& e/*ose it to the $ie2 of His
faithfu& Saints# 3e 2ish !ou to render the Star as interestin, as
*ossi&e< ! settin, forth the rise< *ro,ress< and faith of the Church< as
2e&& as the doctrine? for if !ou do not render it 'ore interestin, than at
*resent< it 2i&& fa&&< and the Church suffer a ,reat &oss there!#
ISi,nedJ J# S# JUN#
1IRTLAND .ILLS< 5EAU5A CO#< OHIO# Januar! 7@< 7899#
Fro' a Conference of T2e&$e Hi,h )riests< to the "isho*< his Counci&
and the Inhaitants of ;ion#
Orson H!de< and H!ru' S'ith ein, a**ointed ! the said conference to
2rite this e*ist&e in oedience to the co''and'ent< ,i$en the HHnd and
H9rd of Se*te'er &ast< 2hich sa!s? -"ut $eri&! I sa! unto a&& those to
2ho' the 0in,do' has een ,i$en--fro' !ou it 'ust e *reached unto the'<
that the! sha&& re*ent of their for'er e$i& 2or0s? for the! are to e
u*raided for their e$i& hearts of une&ief< and !our rethren in ;ion for
their ree&&ion a,ainst !ou at the ti'e I sent !ou#-
"rother Jose*h< and certain others< ha$e 2ritten to !ou on this
a&&-i'*ortant su=ect< ut !ou ha$e ne$er een a**rised of these thin,s !
the united $oice of the conference of those Hi,h )riests that 2ere *resent
at the ti'e this co''and'ent 2as ,i$en#
3e therefore< Orson and H!ru'< the co''ittee a**ointed ! said
conference to 2rite this e*ist&e< ha$in, recei$ed the *ra!ers of said
conference< that 2e 'i,ht e ena&ed to 2rite the 'ind and 2i&& of 5od
u*on this su=ect< no2 ta0e u* our *en to address !ou in the na'e of the
conference< re&!in, u*on the ar' of the 5reat Head of the Church#
In the co''and'ent ao$e a&&uded to< the chi&dren of ;ion 2ere a&&<
!ea< e$en e$er! one< under conde'nation< and 2ere to re'ain in that state
unti& the! re*ented and re'e'ered the ne2 co$enant< e$en the "oo0 of
.or'on< and the for'er co''and'ents< 2hich the Lord had ,i$en the'< not
on&! to sa!< ut to do the'< and rin, forth fruit 'eet for the Father+s
0in,do'? other2ise there re'aineth a scour,e and a =ud,'ent to e *oured
out u*on the chi&dren of ;ion? for -sha&& the chi&dren of the 0in,do'
*o&&ute '! ho&! &andB I sa! unto !ou< Na!#-
The ans2ers recei$ed fro' those &etters< 2hich ha$e een sent to !ou
u*on this su=ect< ha$e fai&ed to rin, to us that satisfactor! confession
and ac0no2&ed,'ent< 2hich the s*irit of our .aster re>uires# 3e<
therefore< fee&in, a dee* interest for ;ion< and 0no2in, the =ud,'ents of
5od that 2i&& co'e u*on her e/ce*t she re*ent< resort to these &ast< and
'ost effectua& 'eans in our *o2er< to rin, her to a sense of her standin,
efore the .ost Hi,h#
At the ti'e Jose*h< Sidne!< and Ne2e& &eft ;ion< a&& 'atters of
hardness and 'isunderstandin, 2ere sett&ed and uried Eas the! su**osedF<
and !ou ,a$e the' the hand of fe&&o2shi*? ut< after2ards< !ou rou,ht u*
a&& these thin,s a,ain< in a censorious s*irit< accusin, "rother Jose*h in
rather an indirect 2a! of see0in, after 'onarchia& *o2er and authorit!#
This ca'e to us in "rother Corri&&+s &etter of June Hnd# 3e are sensi&e
that this is not the thin, "rother Jose*h is see0in, after< ut to 'a,nif!
the hi,h office and ca&&in, 2hereunto he has een ca&&ed and a**ointed !
the co''and of 5od< and the united $oice of this Church# It 'i,ht not e
a'iss for !ou to ca&& to 'ind the circu'stances of the Ne*hites< and the
chi&dren of Israe& risin, u* a,ainst their )ro*hets and accusin, the' of
see0in, after 0in,&! *o2er< and see 2hat efe&& the'< and ta0e 2arnin,
efore it is too &ate#
"rother 5i&ert+s &etter of Dece'er 7Dth< has een recei$ed and read
attenti$e&!< and the &o2< dar0< and &ind insinuations< 2hich 2ere in it<
2ere not recei$ed ! us as fro' the fountain of &i,ht< thou,h his c&ai's
and *retensions to ho&iness 2ere ,reat# 3e are not un2i&&in, to e
chastened or reu0ed for our fau&ts< ut 2e 2ant to recei$e it in &an,ua,e
that 2e can understand< as Nathan said to Da$id< -Thou art the 'an#- 3e
are a2are that "rother 5i&ert is doin, 'uch< and has a 'u&titude of
usiness on hand? ut &et hi' *ur,e out a&& the o&d &ea$en< and do his
usiness in the s*irit of the Lord< and then the Lord 2i&& &ess hi'<
other2ise the fro2n of the Lord 2i&& re'ain u*on hi'# There is 'anifest&!
an uneasiness in "rother 5i&ert< and a fearfu&ness that 5od 2i&& not
*ro$ide for His Saints in these &ast da!s< and these fears &ead hi' on to
co$etousness# This ou,ht not so to e? ut &et hi' do =ust as the Lord has
co''anded hi'< and then the Lord 2i&& o*en His coffers< and his 2ants 2i&&
e &iera&&! su**&ied# "ut if this uneas!< co$etous dis*osition e
cherished ! hi'< the Lord 2i&& rin, hi' to *o$ert!< sha'e< and dis,race#
"rother )he&*s+ &etter of Dece'er 7Gth is a&so recei$ed and
carefu&&! read< and it etra!s a &i,htness of s*irit that i&& eco'es a
'an *&aced in the i'*ortant and res*onsi&e station that he is *&aced in#
If !ou ha$e fat eef< and *otatoes< eat the' in sin,&eness of heart< and
oast not !ourse&$es in these thin,s# Thin0 not< rethren< that 2e 'a0e a
'an an offender for a 2ord? this is not the case? ut 2e 2ant to see a
s*irit in ;ion< ! 2hich the Lord 2i&& ui&d it u*? that is the *&ain<
so&e'n< and *ure s*irit of Christ# "rother )he&*s re>uested in his &ast
&etter that "rother Jose*h shou&d co'e to ;ion? ut 2e sa! that "rother
Jose*h 2i&& not sett&e in ;ion unti& she re*ent< and *urif! herse&f< and
aide ! the ne2 co$enant< and re'e'er the co''and'ents that ha$e een
,i$en her< to do the' as 2e&& as sa! the'#
You 'a! thin0 it stran,e that 2e 'anifest no cheerfu&ness of heart
u*on the rece*tion of !our &etters? !ou 'a! thin0 that our 'inds are
*re=udiced so 'uch that 2e can see no ,ood that co'es fro' !ou< ut rest
assured< rethren< that this is not the case#
3e ha$e the est of fee&in,s< and fee&in,s of the ,reatest an/iet!
for the 2e&fare of ;ion? 2e fee& 'ore &i0e 2ee*in, o$er ;ion than 2e do
&i0e re=oicin, o$er her< for 2e 0no2 that the =ud,'ents of 5od han, o$er
her< and 2i&& fa&& u*on her e/ce*t she re*ent< and *urif! herse&f efore
the Lord< and *ut a2a! fro' her e$er! fou& s*irit# 3e no2 sa! to ;ion<
this once< in the na'e of the Lord< Re*entK Re*entK a2a0e< a2a0e< *ut on
th! eautifu& ,ar'ents< efore !ou are 'ade to fee& the chastenin, rod of
Hi' 2hose an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst !ou# Let not Satan te'*t !ou to thin0
2e 2ant to 'a0e !ou o2 to us< to do'ineer o$er !ou< for 5od 0no2s this is
not the case< our e!es are 2atered 2ith tears< and our hearts are *oured
out to 5od in *ra!er for !ou< that He 2i&& s*are !ou< and turn a2a! His
an,er fro' !ou#
There are 'an! thin,s in the &ast &etters fro' "rothers 5i&ert and
)he&*s that are ,ood< and 2e estee' the' 'uch# The idea of ha$in, -certain
ones a**ointed to re,u&ate ;ion< and Tra$e&in, E&ders ha$e nothin, to do
2ith this *art of the 'atter<- is so'ethin, 2e hi,h&! a**roate< and !ou
2i&& dout&ess 0no2 efore this reaches !ou< 2h! 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in
o**osed !ou in this 'o$e# 3e fear there 2as so'ethin, in "rother 5i&ert<
2hen he returned to this *&ace fro' Ne2 Yor0 &ast fa&&< in re&ation to his
rother 3i&&ia'< that 2as not ri,ht? for "rother 5i&ert 2as as0ed t2o or
three ti'es aout his rother 3i&&ia'< ut ,a$e e$asi$e ans2ers< and at
the sa'e ti'e< he 0ne2 that 3i&&ia' 2as in C&e$e&and? ut the Lord has
ta0en hi'# 3e 'ere&! 'ention this< that a&& 'a! ta0e 2arnin, to 2or0 in
the &i,ht< for 5od 2i&& rin, e$er! secret thin, to &i,ht#
3e no2 c&ose our e*ist&e ! sa!in, unto !ou the Lord has co''anded us
to *urif! ourse&$es< to 2ash our hands and our feet< that He 'a! testif!
to His Father and our Father< to His 5od and our 5od< that 2e are c&ean
fro' the &ood of this ,eneration? and efore 2e cou&d 2ash our hands and
our feet 2e 2ere constrained to 2rite this &etter# Therefore< 2ith the
fee&in,s of ine/*ressi&e an/iet! for !our 2e&fare< 2e sa! a,ain< Re*ent<
re*ent< or ;ion 'ust suffer< for the scour,e and =ud,'ent 'ust co'e u*on
her#
Let the "isho* read this to the E&ders< that the! 'a! 2arn the
'e'ers of the scour,e that is co'in,< e/ce*t the! re*ent# Te&& the' to
read the "oo0 of .or'on< and oe! it? read the co''and'ents that are
*rinted< and oe! the'? !ea< hu'&e !ourse&$es under the 'i,ht! hand of
5od< that *erad$enture He 'a! turn a2a! His an,er fro' !ou# Te&& the' that
the! ha$e not co'e u* to ;ion to sit do2n in id&eness< ne,&ectin, the
thin,s of 5od< ut the! are to e di&i,ent and faithfu& in oe!in, the ne2
co$enant#
There is one c&ause in "rother Jose*h+s &etter 2hich !ou 'a! not
understand? that is this< -If the *eo*&e of ;ion did not re*ent< the Lord
2ou&d see0 another *&ace< and another *eo*&e#- ;ion is the *&ace 2here the
te'*&e 2i&& e ui&t< and the *eo*&e ,athered< ut a&& *eo*&e u*on that
ho&! &and ein, under conde'nation< the Lord 2i&& cut off< if the! re*ent
not< and rin, another race u*on it< that 2i&& ser$e Hi'# The Lord 2i&&
see0 another *&ace to rin, forth and *re*are his 2ord to ,o forth to the
nations< and as 2e said efore< so 2e sa! a,ain#
"rother Jose*h 2i&& not sett&e in ;ion< e/ce*t she re*ent< and ser$e
5od< and oe! the ne2 co$enant# 3ith this e/*&anation< the conference
sanctions "rother Jose*h+s &etter#
"rethren< the conference 'eets a,ain this e$enin, to hear this &etter
read< and if it 'eet their 'inds< 2e ha$e a&& a,reed to 0nee& do2n efore
the Lord< and cr! unto Hi' 2ith a&& our hearts< that this e*ist&e< and
"rother Jose*h+s and the re$e&ations a&so< 'a! ha$e their desired effect<
and acco'*&ish the thin, 2hereunto the! are sent and that the! 'a!
sti'u&ate !ou to c&eanse ;ion< that she 'ourn not# Therefore 2hen !ou ,et
this< 0no2 !e that a conference of t2e&$e Hi,h )riests ha$e cried unto the
Lord for !ou< and are sti&& cr!in,< sa!in,< S*are th! *eo*&e O Lord and
,i$e not th! herita,e to re*roach# 3e no2 fee& that our ,ar'ents are c&ean
fro' !ou< and a&& 'en< 2hen 2e ha$e 2ashed our feet and hands< accordin,
to the co''and'ent#
3e ha$e 2ritten *&ain&! at this ti'e< ut 2e e&ie$e not harsh&!#
)&ainness is 2hat the Lord re>uires and 2e shou&d not fee& ourse&$es
c&ear< un&ess 2e had done so? and if the thin,s 2e ha$e to&d !ou e not
attended to< !ou 2i&& not &on, ha$e occasion to sa!< or to thin0 rather<
that 2e 'a! e 2ron, in 2hat 2e ha$e stated# Your un2orth! rethren are
deter'ined to *ra! unto the Lord for ;ion< as &on, as 2e can shed the
s!'*athetic tear< or fee& an! s*irit to su**&icate the throne of ,race in
her eha&f#
The Schoo& of the )ro*hets 2i&& co''ence< if the Lord 2i&&< in t2o or
three da!s# It is a ,enera& ti'e of hea&th 2ith us# The cause of 5od see's
to e ra*id&! ad$ancin, in the eastern countr!? the ,ifts are e,innin, to
rea0 forth so as to astonish the 2or&d< and e$en e&ie$ers 'ar$e& at the
*o2er and ,oodness of 5od# Than0s e rendered to His ho&! na'e for 2hat He
is doin,# 3e are !our un2orth! rethren in the Lord< and 'a! the Lord he&*
us a&& to do His 2i&&< that 2e 'a! at &ast e sa$ed in His 0in,do'# ORSON
HYDE< HYRU. S.ITH
N# "#--3e stated that "rother 5i&ert< 2hen he 2as in 1irt&and< 0ne2
that 3i&&ia' 2as in C&e$e&and &ast fa&&# 3e 2rote this u*on the stren,th
of hearsa! ut 3i&&ia' ein, &eft at St# Louis< stren,thened our
su**ositions that such 2as the fact# 3e stated further res*ectin, this
'atter< or this ite' than the testi'on! 2i&& 2arrant us# 3ith this
e/ce*tion the conference sanctions this &etter# O# H#< H# S#
CHA)TER 66III#
THE ENJOY.ENT OF S)IRITUAL "LESSIN5S IN THE CHURCH--THE 3ORD OF 3ISDO.#
THIS 2inter I789H-99J 2as s*ent in trans&atin, the scri*tures? in the
Schoo& of the )ro*hets? and sittin, in conferences# I had 'an! ,&orious
seasons of refreshin,# The ,ifts 2hich fo&&o2 the' that e&ie$e and oe!
the 5os*e&< as to0ens that the Lord is e$er the sa'e in His dea&in,s 2ith
the hu'&e &o$ers and fo&&o2ers of truth< e,an to e *oured out a'on, us<
as in ancient da!s?--for as 2e< $i4<( Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don<
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< H!ru' S'ith< ;eedee Co&trin<
Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< John .urdoc0< L!'an E# Johnson<
Orson H!de< E4ra Tha!er< Hi,h )riests? and Le$i Hancoc0<O and 3i&&ia'
S'ith<OO E&ders< 2ere asse'&ed in conference< on the HHnd da! of
Januar!< I s*o0e to the conference in another ton,ue< and 2as fo&&o2ed in
the sa'e ,ift ! "rother ;eedee Co&trin< and he ! "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith<
after 2hich the Lord *oured out His S*irit in a 'iracu&ous 'anner< unti&
a&& the E&ders s*a0e in ton,ues< and se$era& 'e'ers< oth 'a&e and
fe'a&e< e/ercised the sa'e ,ift# 5reat and ,&orious 2ere the di$ine
'anifestations of the Ho&! S*irit# )raises 2ere sun, to 5od and the La'?
s*ea0in, and *ra!in,< a&& in ton,ues< occu*ied the conference unti& a &ate
hour at ni,ht< so re=oiced 2ere 2e at the return of these &on, asent
&essin,s#
On the H9rd of Januar!< 2e a,ain asse'&ed in conference? 2hen< after
'uch s*ea0in,< sin,in, *ra!in,< and *raisin, 5od< a&& in ton,ues< 2e
*roceeded to the 2ashin, of feet Eaccordin, to the *ractice recorded in
the 79th cha*ter of John+s 5os*e&F< as co''anded of the Lord# Each E&der
2ashed his o2n feet first< after 2hich I ,irded '!se&f 2ith a to2e& and
2ashed the feet of a&& of the'< 2i*in, the' 2ith the to2e& 2ith 2hich I
2as ,irded# A'on, the nu'er< '! father *resented hi'se&f< ut efore I
2ashed his feet< I as0ed of hi' a father+s &essin,< 2hich he ,ranted !
&a!in, his hands u*on '! head< in the na'e of Jesus Christ< and dec&arin,
that I shou&d continue in the )riest+s office unti& Christ co'es# At the
c&ose of the scene< "rother Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< ein, 'o$ed u*on ! the
Ho&! 5host< 2ashed '! feet in to0en of his fi/ed deter'ination to e 2ith
'e in sufferin,< or in =ourne!in,< in &ife or in death< and to e
continua&&! on '! ri,ht hand( in 2hich I acce*ted hi' in the na'e of the
Lord#
I then said to the E&ders< As I ha$e done so do !e? 2ash !e<
therefore< one another+s feet< and ! the *o2er of the Ho&! 5host I
*ronounced the' a&& c&ean fro' the &ood of this ,eneration? ut if an! of
the' shou&d sin 2i&fu&&! after the! 2ere thus c&eansed< and sea&ed u* unto
eterna& &ife< the! shou&d e ,i$en o$er unto the uffetin,s of
Satan unti& the da! of rede'*tion# Ha$in, continued a&& da! in
fastin,< and *ra!er< and ordinances< 2e c&osed ! *arta0in, of the Lord+s
su**er# I &essed the read and 2ine in the na'e of the Lord< 2hen 2e a&&
ate and dran0< and 2ere fi&&ed? then 2e san, a h!'n< and the 'eetin,
ad=ourned#
I co'*&eted the trans&ation and re$ie2 of the Ne2 Testa'ent< on the
Hnd of Feruar!< 7899 and sea&ed it u* no 'ore to e o*ened ti&& it
arri$ed in ;ion#
AN E)ISTLE
Of the First )residenc!< to the Church of Christ in Tho'*son<
5eau,a Count!< Ohio#
1IRTLAND< Feruar! :th< 7899#
Dear "rethren( 3e sa&ute !ou< ! this our e*ist&e< in the onds of
&o$e< re=oicin, in !our steadfastness in the faith 2hich is in Christ
Jesus our Lord( and 2e desire !our *ros*erit! in the 2a!s of truth and
ri,hteousness< *ra!in, for !ou continua&&!< that !our faith fai& not< and
that !ou 'a! o$erco'e a&& the e$i&s 2ith 2hich !ou are surrounded< and
eco'e *ure and ho&! efore 5od< e$en our Father< to 2ho' e ,&or! for
e$er and e$er# A'en#
It has see'ed ,ood unto the Ho&! S*irit and unto us< to send this our
e*ist&e to !ou ! the hand of our e&o$ed "rother Sa&'on 5ee< !our
'essen,er< 2ho has een ordained ! us< in oedience to the co''and'ents
of 5od< to the office of E&der to *reside o$er the
Church in Tho'*son< ta0in, the o$ersi,ht thereof< to &ead !ou and to
teach the thin,s 2hich are accordin, to ,od&iness? in 2ho' 2e ha$e ,reat
confidence< as 2e *resu'e a&so !ou ha$e< 2e therefore sa! to !ou !ea< not
us on&!< ut the Lord a&so< recei$e hi' as such< 0no2in, that the Lord has
a**ointed hi' to this office for !our ,ood< ho&din, hi' u* ! !our
*ra!ers< *ra!in, for hi' continua&&! that he 'a! e endo2ed 2ith 2isdo'
and understandin, in the 0no2&ed,e of the Lord< that throu,h hi' !ou 'a!
e 0e*t fro' e$i& s*irits< and a&& strifes and dissensions< and ,ro2 in
,race and in the 0no2&ed,e of our Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ#
"rethren e&o$ed< continue in rother&! &o$e< 2a&0 in 'ee0ness<
2atchin, unto *ra!er that !ou e not o$erco'e# Fo&&o2 after *eace< as said
our e&o$ed rother )au&< that !ou 'a! e the chi&dren of our Hea$en&!
Father< and not ,i$e occasion for stu'&in,< to Saint or sinner# Fina&&!<
rethren< *ra! for us< that 2e 'a! e ena&ed to do the 2or0 2hereunto 2e
are ca&&ed< that !ou 'a! en=o! the '!steries of 5od< e$en a fu&&ness? and
'a! the ,race of our Lord Jesus Christ e 2ith !ou a&&# A'en# JOSE)H
S.ITH< JUN#< SIDNEY RI5DON< FREDERIC1 5# 3ILLIA.S#
The fo&&o2in, &etter 2as 2ritten ! John .urdoc0< a Hi,h )riest< E2ho
had *re$ious&! een 2ith the Church in Tho'*sonF< to Sa&'on 5ee< E&der of
the Church in Tho'*son(
1IRTLAND< Feruar! 77< 7899#
"e&o$ed rethren and sisters in the Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ< I
eseech !ou in the o2e&s of 'erc! to re'e'er the e/hortation 2hich I
,a$e !ou 2hi&e I 2as !et *resent 2ith !ou< to e2are of de&usi$e s*irits#
I re=oice that our Hea$en&! Father hath &essed !ou ,reat&!< as He a&so
has 'e< in ena&in, 'e to s*ea0 the *raises of 5od and the '!steries of
the 0in,do' in other ton,ues accordin, to *ro'ise? and this 2ithout
thro2in, 'e do2n or 2a&&o2in, 'e on the ,round< or an! thin, uneco'in, or
i''ora&< a&so< 2ithout an! e/terna& o*eration of the s!ste'< ut it is the
interna& o*eration and *o2er of the S*irit of 5od< so that I 0no2 that
those odd actions and stran,e noises are not caused ! the S*irit of the
Lord as is re*resented ! "rother 1in,# Therefore in the na'e of the Lord
Jesus Christ< ! the S*irit of the &i$in, 5od< accordin, to the authorit!
of the Ho&! )riesthood co''itted to 'e< I co''and "rother Tho'as 1in,< Eas
thou,h I 2ere *resentF< to cease fro' !our diao&ica& acts of enthusias'<
and a&so fro' actin, as an E&der in this Church of Christ< unti& !ou co'e
and ,i$e fu&& testi'on! to the Hi,h )riests in 1irt&and< that !ou are
2orth! of that ho&! ca&&in,? ecause those are the thin,s of 5od< and are
to e used in the fear of 5od? and I no2 not on&! co''and !ou ut e/hort
!ou in eha&f of !our sou&+s sa&$ation< to su'it< and &et "rother 5ee e
u*he&d ! the *ra!er of faith of e$er! rother and sister< and if there e
this union of s*irit and *ra!er of faith< e$er! fa&se s*irit sha&& e
ound and cast out fro' a'on, !ou#
.! e&o$ed chi&dren in the onds of the 5os*e&< and the o2e&s of
'erc!< 2hich is the e$er&astin, &o$e of 5od I do eseech !ou to &i$e
faithfu& and in oedience to the co''and'ents of 5od? and in the na'e of
the Lord Jesus< I sa!< the &essin,s of 5od sha&& attend !ou# JOHN
.URDOC1#
Feruar! 7H#--Ha$in, recei$ed Seaton+s *a*er< fro' Rochester< Ne2
Yor0< containin, a *art of '! co''unication< 2ritten on the @th of
Januar!< I 2rote as fo&&o2s(
To N# E# Seaton< Rochester# DEAR SIR?--I 2as so'e2hat disa**ointed on
recei$in, '! *a*er 2ith on&! a *art of '! &etter inserted in it# The
&etter 2hich I 2rote !ou for *u&ication< I 2rote ! the co''and'ent of
5od< and I a' >uite an/ious to ha$e it a&& &aid efore the *u&ic< for it
is of i'*ortance to the'? ut I ha$e no c&ai' u*on !ou< neither do I 2ish
to ur,e !ou< e!ond that 2hich is reasona&e< to do it# I ha$e on&! to
a**ea& to !our e/tended ,enerosit! to a&& re&i,ious societies that c&ai'
that Christ has co'e in the f&esh? and a&so to te&& !ou 2hat 2i&& e the
conse>uence of a ne,&ect to *u&ish it#
So'e *arts of the &etter 2ere $er! se$ere u*on the 2ic0edness of
sectarianis' I ac0no2&ed,e and the truth re'e'er< is hard and se$ere
a,ainst a&& ini>uit! and 2ic0edness< ut this is no reason 2h! it shou&d
not e *u&ished< ut the $er! reason 2h! it shou&d e# I &a! the a/ at
the root of the tree and I &on, to see 'an! of the sturd! oa0s< 2hich ha$e
&on, cu'ered the ,round< fa&& *rostrate# I no2 sa! unto !ou< that if !ou
2ish to c&ear !our ,ar'ents fro' the &ood of !our readers< I e/hort !ou
to *u&ish that &etter entire? ut if not< the sin e u*on !our head#
Acce*t< sir the ,ood 2ishes and tender re,ard of !our un2orth! ser$ant<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
Feruar! 79#--A counci& of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed to in$esti,ate the
*roceedin,s of "rother "urr Ri,,s< 2ho 2as accused of fai&in, to 'a,nif!
his ca&&in, as Hi,h )riest< and had een ,ui&t! of ne,&ect of dut!< of
ausin, the E&ders< and of treatin, their ad'onitions 2ith conte'*t# After
the counci& had considered the case< "rother Ri,,s a,reed to 'a0e
satisfaction< ut did not sho2 'uch hu'i&it!#
Feruar! 7G#--In a counci& I ordained Har*in Ri,,s< and Isaac
.c3eth!< E&ders#
Feruar! 7M#--In conference I ordained John Johnson to the office of
E&der#
Feruar! H:#--A s*ecia& counci& of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed in ;ion< to
ta0e into consideration '! &etter to "rother )he&*s of the 77th of
Januar!< and the re$e&ation ca&&ed the O&i$e Leaf< referred to in '!
&etter< and the e*ist&e of Orson H!de and H!ru' S'ith of the 7@th of
Januar!< in eha&f of the conference of Hi,h )riests( and O&i$er Co2der!<
3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< and John Corri&& 2ere a**ointed a co''ittee to 2rite an
e*ist&e fro' the conference to the rethren in 1irt&and? 2hich 2as 2ritten
and sanctioned ! the conference#
The sa'e da! a conference of Hi,h )riests 2as a,ain ca&&ed in
1irt&and< concernin, "rother "urr Ri,,s< 2ho 2as accused of ne,&ectin, to
'a0e satisfaction to the Church as he had a,reed< and dis,racin, the Hi,h
)riesthood ! ne,&ect of dut!< and sa!in, he did not care ho2 soon he 2as
cut off fro' the Church# He 2as cut off ! a unani'ous $ote of the
counci&#
Feruar! HM#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation(
THE 3ORD OF 3ISDO.#
7# A 3ord of 3isdo'< for the enefit of the counci& of hi,h *riests<
asse'&ed in 1irt&and< and the church< and a&so the saints in ;ion--
H# To e sent ,reetin,? not ! co''and'ent or constraint< ut !
re$e&ation and the 2ord of 2isdo'< sho2in, forth the order and 2i&& of 5od
in the te'*ora& sa&$ation of a&& saints in the &ast da!s--
9# 5i$en for a *rinci*&e 2ith *ro'ise< ada*ted to the ca*acit! of the
2ea0 and the 2ea0est of a&& saints< 2ho are or can e ca&&ed saints#
@# "eho&d< $eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou( In conse>uence of
e$i&s and desi,ns 2hich do and 2i&& e/ist in the hearts of cons*irin, 'en
in the &ast da!s< I ha$e 2arned !ou< and fore2arn !ou< ! ,i$in, unto !ou
this 2ord of 2isdo' ! re$e&ation--
G# That inas'uch as an! 'an drin0eth 2ine or stron, drin0 a'on, !ou<
eho&d it is not ,ood< neither 'eet in the si,ht of !our Father< on&! in
asse'&in, !ourse&$es to,ether to offer u* !our sacra'ents efore hi'#
:# And< eho&d< this shou&d e 2ine< !ea< *ure 2ine of the ,ra*e of
the $ine< of !our o2n 'a0e#
M# And< a,ain< stron, drin0s are not for the e&&!< ut for the
2ashin, of !our odies#
8# And a,ain< toacco is not for the od!< neither for the e&&!< and
is not ,ood for 'an< ut is an her for ruises and a&& sic0 catt&e< to e
used 2ith =ud,'ent and s0i&&#
N# And a,ain< hot drin0s are not for the od! or e&&!#
7D# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< a&& 2ho&eso'e hers 5od hath
ordained for the constitution< nature< and use of 'an--
77# E$er! her in the season thereof< and e$er! fruit in the season
thereof? a&& these to e used 2ith *rudence and than0s,i$in,#
7H# Yea< f&esh a&so of easts and of the fo2&s of the air< I< the
Lord< ha$e ordained for the use of 'an 2ith than0s,i$in,? ne$erthe&ess
the! are to e used s*arin,&!?
79# And it is *&easin, unto 'e that the! shou&d not e used< on&! in
ti'es of 2inter< or of co&d< or fa'ine#
7@# A&& ,rain is ordained for the use of 'an and of easts< to e the
staff of &ife< not on&! for 'an ut for the easts of the fie&d< and the
fo2&s of hea$en< and a&& 2i&d ani'a&s that run or cree* on the earth?
7G# And these hath 5od 'ade for the use of 'an on&! in ti'es of
fa'ine and e/cess of hun,er#
7:# A&& ,rain is ,ood for the food of 'an as a&so the fruit of the
$ine< that 2hich !ie&deth fruit< 2hether in the ,round or ao$e the
,round--
7M# Ne$erthe&ess< 2heat for 'an< and corn for the o/< and oats for
the horse< and r!e for the fo2&s and for s2ine< and for a&& easts of the
fie&d< and ar&e! for a&& usefu& ani'a&s< and for 'i&d drin0s< as a&so
other ,rain#
78# And a&& saints 2ho re'e'er to 0ee* and do these sa!in,s< 2a&0in,
in oedience to the co''and'ents< sha&& recei$e hea&th in their na$a& and
'arro2 to their ones?
7N# And sha&& find 2isdo' and ,reat treasures of 0no2&ed,e< e$en
hidden treasures?
HD# And sha&& run and not e 2ear!< and sha&& 2a&0 and not faint#
H7# And I< the Lord< ,i$e unto the' a *ro'ise< that the destro!in,
an,e& sha&& *ass ! the'< as the chi&dren of Israe&< and not s&a! the'#
A'en#
.arch 8#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation(
Re$e&ation#
7# Thus saith the Lord< $eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou '! son< th!
sins are for,i$en thee< accordin, to th! *etition< for th! *ra!ers and the
*ra!ers of th! rethren ha$e co'e u* into '! ears#
H# Therefore< thou art &essed fro' henceforth that ear the 0e!s of
the 0in,do' ,i$en unto !ou? 2hich 0in,do' is co'in, forth for the &ast
ti'e#
9# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the 0e!s of this 0in,do' sha&& ne$er e
ta0en fro' !ou< 2hi&e thou art in the 2or&d< neither in the 2or&d to co'e?
@# Ne$erthe&ess< throu,h !ou sha&& the orac&es e ,i$en to another<
!ea< e$en unto the church#
G# And a&& the! 2ho recei$e the orac&es of 5od< &et the' e2are ho2
the! ho&d the' &est the! are accounted as a &i,ht thin,< and are rou,ht
under conde'nation there!< and stu'&e and fa&& 2hen the stor's descend<
and the 2inds &o2< and the rains descend< and eat u*on their house<
:# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto th! rethren< Sidne! Ri,don and
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< their sins are for,i$en the' a&so< and the! are
accounted as e>ua& 2ith thee in ho&din, the 0e!s of this &ast 0in,do'?
M# As a&so throu,h !our ad'inistration the 0e!s of the schoo& of the
*ro*hets< 2hich I ha$e co''anded to e or,ani4ed?
8# That there! the! 'a! e *erfected in their 'inistr! for the
sa&$ation of ;ion< and of the nations of Israe&< and of the 5enti&es< as
'an! as 2i&& e&ie$e?
N# That throu,h !our ad'inistration the! 'a! recei$e the 2ord and
throu,h their ad'inistration the 2ord 'a! ,o forth unto the ends of the
earth< unto the 5enti&es first< and then< eho&d< and &o< the! sha&& turn
unto the Je2s#
7D# And then co'eth the da! 2hen the ar' of the Lord sha&& e
re$ea&ed in *o2er in con$incin, the nations< the heathen nations< the
house of Jose*h< of the ,os*e& of their sa&$ation#
77# For it sha&& co'e to *ass in that da!< that e$er! 'an sha&& hear
the fu&&ness of the ,os*e& in his o2n ton,ue< and in his o2n &an,ua,e<
throu,h those 2ho are ordained unto this *o2er< ! the ad'inistration of
the Co'forter< shed forth u*on the' for the re$e&ation of Jesus Christ#
7H# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent
that !ou continue in the 'inistr! and *residenc!#
79# And 2hen !ou ha$e finished the trans&ation of the *ro*hets< !ou
sha&& fro' thenceforth *reside o$er the affairs of the church and the
schoo&?
7@# And fro' ti'e to ti'e< as sha&& e 'anifested ! the Co'forter<
recei$e re$e&ations to unfo&d the '!steries of the 0in,do'
7G# And set in order the churches< and stud! and &earn< and eco'e
ac>uainted 2ith a&& ,ood oo0s< and 2ith &an,ua,es< ton,ues< and *eo*&e#
7:# And this sha&& e !our usiness and 'ission in a&& !our &i$es< to
*reside in counci&< and set in order a&& the affairs of this church and
0in,do'#
7M# "e not asha'ed< neither confounded? ut e ad'onished in a&& !our
hi,h-'indedness and *ride< for it rin,eth a snare u*on !our sou&s#
78# Set in order !our houses? 0ee* s&othfu&ness and unc&eanness far
fro' !ou#
7N# No2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et there e a *&ace *ro$ided< as
soon as it is *ossi&e< for the fa'i&! of th! counse&or and scrie< e$en
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's#
HD# And &et 'ine a,ed ser$ant< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< continue 2ith his
fa'i&! u*on the *&ace 2here he no2 &i$es? and &et it not e so&d unti& the
'outh of the Lord sha&& na'e#
H7# And &et '! counse&or< e$en Sidne! Ri,don< re'ain 2here he no2
resides unti& the 'outh of the Lord sha&& na'e#
HH# And &et the isho* search di&i,ent&! to otain an a,ent< and &et
hi' e a 'an 2ho has ,ot riches in store--a 'an of 5od< and of stron,
faith--
H9# That there! he 'a! e ena&ed to dischar,e e$er! det? that the
storehouse of the Lord 'a! not e rou,ht into disre*ute efore the e!es
of the *eo*&e#
H@# Search di&i,ent&!< *ra! a&2a!s< and e e&ie$in,< and a&& thin,s
sha&& 2or0 to,ether for !our ,ood< if !e 2a&0 u*ri,ht&! and re'e'er the
co$enant 2here2ith !e ha$e co$enanted one 2ith another#
HG# Let !our fa'i&ies e s'a&&< es*ecia&&! 'ine a,ed ser$ant Jose*h
S'ith+s< Sen#< as *ertainin, to those 2ho do not e&on, to !our fa'i&ies?
H:# That those thin,s that are *ro$ided for !ou< to rin, to *ass '!
2or0< e not ta0en fro' !ou and ,i$en to those that are not 2orth!--
HM# And there! !ou e hindered in acco'*&ishin, those thin,s 2hich I
ha$e co''anded !ou#
H8# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it is '! 2i&& that '! hand'aid
%ienna Ja>ues shou&d recei$e 'one! to ear her e/*enses< and ,o u* unto
the &and of ;ion?
HN# And the residue of the 'one! 'a! e consecrated unto 'e< and she
e re2arded in 'ine o2n due ti'e#
9D# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is 'eet in 'ine e!es that she
shou&d ,o u* unto the &and of ;ion< and recei$e an inheritance fro' the
hand of the isho*?
97# That she 'a! sett&e do2n in *eace inas'uch as she is faithfu&<
and not e id&e in her da!s fro' thenceforth#
9H# And eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that !e sha&& 2rite this
co''and'ent< and sa! unto !our rethren in ;ion< in &o$e ,reetin,< that I
ha$e ca&&ed !ou a&so to *reside o$er ;ion in 'ine o2n due ti'e#
99# Therefore< &et the' cease 2ear!in, 'e concernin, this 'atter#
9@# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou that !our rethren in ;ion e,in to
re*ent< and the an,e&s re=oice o$er the'#
9G# Ne$erthe&ess< I a' not 2e&& *&eased 2ith 'an! thin,s? and I a'
not 2e&& *&eased 2ith '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< neither 2ith '!
ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert< and the isho* a&so< and others ha$e 'an! thin,s
to re*ent of#
9:# "ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that I< the Lord< 2i&& contend 2ith
;ion< and *&ead 2ith her stron, ones< and chasten her unti& she o$erco'es
and is c&ean efore 'e#
9M# For she sha&& not e re'o$ed out of her *&ace# I< the Lord ha$e
s*o0en it# A'en#
.arch N< 7899#- Ha$in, co'e to that *rotion of the ancient 2ritin,s ca&&ed the A*ocr!*ha< I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou concernin, the A*ocr!*ha--
There are 'an! thin,s contained therein that are true< and it is
'ost&! trans&ated correct&!?
H# There are 'an! thin,s contained therein that are not true< 2hich
are inter*o&ations ! the hands of 'en#
9# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< that it is not needfu& that the A*ocr!*ha
shou&d e trans&ated#
@# Therefore< 2hoso readeth it< &et hi' understand< for the S*irit
'anifesteth truth?
G# And 2hoso is en&i,htened ! the S*irit sha&& otain enefit
therefro'<
:# And 2hoso recei$eth not ! the S*irit< cannot e enefited#
Therefore it is not needfu& that it shou&d e trans&ated# A'en#
.arch 7H#--A counci& of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed in the schoo& roo' and
decided that Horace Co2in and ;eruae& Sno2< A'asa .# L!'an and 3i&&ia'
F# Cahoon< Jen0ins Sa&isur! and Tru'an 3ait< =ourne! east on a 'ission<
t2o ! t2o< *aired as their na'es are 2ritten# "rothers Co2in and
Sa&isur! 2ere ordained at the sa'e ti'e#
.arch 7G#--A counci& 2as ca&&ed to consider the case of "rother La0e<
fro' 3ooster< 3a!ne count!< Ohio< 2ho ca'e *rofessin, to ha$e recei$ed
re$e&ations# On in$esti,ation< it 2as unani'ous&! a,reed< that said
"rother La0e 2as under the inf&uence of an e$i& s*irit< and that his
&icense as )riest e ta0en fro' hi'#
The sa'e da! I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Enoch EJose*h S'ith< Jun#<F ,i$en to the Saints in 1irt&and#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord< I ,i$e unto the united order<
or,ani4ed a,reea&e to the co''and'ent *re$ious&! ,i$en< a re$e&ation and
co''and'ent concernin, '! ser$ant Sheder&ao'ach IFrederic0 5# 3i&&ia'sJ<
that !e sha&& recei$e hi' into the order# 3hat I sa! unto one I sa! unto
a&&#
H# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou '! ser$ant Sheder&ao'ach IFrederic0 5#
3i&&ia'sJ< !ou sha&& e a &i$e&! 'e'er in this order? and inas'uch as !ou
are faithfu& in 0ee*in, a&& for'er co''and'ents !ou sha&& e &essed
fore$er# A'en#
CHA)TER 66I%#
1IRTLAND TO "E A STA1E OF ;ION--RE5ULATION OF CHURCH AFFAIRS IN .ISSOURI#
.arch 78#--5reat =o! and satisfaction continua&&! ea'ed in the
countenances of the Schoo& of the )ro*hets< and the Saints< on account of
the thin,s re$ea&ed< and our *ro,ress in the 0no2&ed,e of 5od# The Hi,h
)riests asse'&ed in the schoo& roo' of the )ro*hets< and 2ere or,ani4ed
accordin, to re$e&ation? *ra!er ! Sidne! Ri,don#
-Doctor- Hur&urt 2as ordained an E&der? after 2hich E&der Ri,don
e/*ressed a desire that hi'se&f and "rother Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's shou&d
e ordained to the offices to 2hich the! had een ca&&ed< $i4#< those of
)residents of the Hi,h )riesthood< and to e e>ua& in ho&din, the 0e!s of
the 0in,do' 2ith "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< accordin, to the re$e&ation
,i$en on the 8th of .arch< 7899# Accordin,&! I &aid '! hands on "rothers
Sidne! and Frederic0< and ordained the' to ta0e *art 2ith 'e in ho&din,
the 0e!s of this &ast 0in,do'< and to assist in the )residenc! of the Hi,h
)riesthood< as '! Counse&ors? after 2hich I e/horted the rethren to
faithfu&ness and di&i,ence in 0ee*in, the co''and'ents of 5od< and ,a$e
'uch instruction for the enefit of the Saints< 2ith a *ro'ise that the
*ure in heart shou&d see a hea$en&! $ision? and after re'ainin, a short
ti'e in secret *ra!er< the *ro'ise 2as $erified? for 'an! *resent had the
e!es of their understandin, o*ened ! the S*irit of 5od< so as to eho&d
'an! thin,s# I then &essed the read and 2ine< and distriuted a *ortion
to each# .an! of the rethren sa2 a hea$en&! $ision of the Sa$ior< and
concourses of an,e&s< and 'an! other thin,s< of 2hich each one has a
record of 2hat he sa2#
.arch H9#--A counci& 2as ca&&ed for the *ur*ose of a**ointin, a
co''ittee to *urchase &and in 1irt&and< u*on 2hich the Saints 'i,ht ui&d
a Sta0e of ;ion# "rother Jose*h Coe and .oses Dai&e! 2ere a**ointed to
ascertain the ter's of sa&e of certain far's? and "rother E4ra Tha!re to
ascertain the *rice of )eter French+s far'# The rethren a,reed to
continue in *ra!er and fastin, for the u&ti'ate success of their 'ission#
After an asence of aout three hours "rothers Coe and Dai&e! returned and
re*orted that E&i=ah S'ith+s far' cou&d e otained for four thousand
do&&ars? and .r# .or&e!+s for t2ent!-one hundred? and "rother Tha!re
re*orted that )eter French 2ou&d se&& his far' for fi$e thousand do&&ars#
The counci& decided to *urchase the far's< and a**ointed E4ra Tha!re and
Jose*h Coe to su*erintend the *urchase? and the! 2ere ordained under the
hands of Sidne! Ri,don< and set a*art as ,enera& a,ents of the Church for
that *ur*ose#
On the H:th of .arch a counci& of Hi,h )riests< t2ent!-one in nu'er<
con$ened for the ,enera& 2e&fare of the Church< in 2hat 2as then ca&&ed
;ion< in Jac0son count!< .issouri# On account of a re$e&ation< '! &etter<
and an e*ist&e fro' the Church in 1irt&and< a so&e'n asse'&! had een
ca&&ed< and a sincere and hu'&e re*entance 'anifested< inso'uch that on
the H:th of feruar!< one 'onth *re$ious< a ,enera& e*ist&e had een
2ritten in conference< 2hich 2as satisfactor! to the )residenc! and Church
at 1irt&and< At the sittin, of the counci& of the H:th of .arch< accordin,
to the *&an tau,ht at the so&e'n asse'&!< 2hich 2as< that the se$en Hi,h
)riests 2ho 2ere sent fro' 1irt&and to ui&d u* ;ion< $i4#--O&i$er
Co2der!< 3# 3#
)he&*s< John 3hit'er< A&,eron Sidne! 5i&ert< "isho* )artrid,e and
his t2o counse&ors--shou&d stand at the head of affairs re&atin, to the
Church< in that section of the Lord+s $ine!ard? and these se$en 'en< 2ith
the co''on consent of the ranches co'*risin, the Church 2ere to a**oint
*residin, E&ders< to ta0e the 2atchcare of the se$era& ranches< as the!
2ere a**ointed( No2< therefore< as 'an! of the Hi,h )riests and
E&ders--2hose ca&&in, 2as to tra$e& and *reach to the 2or&d--2ent u* to
;ion< and co''enced re,u&atin, and settin, the ranches in order< and
c&ai'in, for the'se&$es as 'uch *o2er ! the authorit! of their
)riesthood< and ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< as those set a*art and a**ointed
to *reside o$er the ranches< it eca'e necessar! to ca&& the counci& no2
s*o0en of< to set in order the E&ders of Israe&# After a &on, discussion
it 2as decided fro' the re$e&ations< that the order tau,ht in the so&e'n
asse'&! 2as correct? and that the E&ders< 2hen the! arri$ed at ;ion< 2ere
ound ! the authorities set in the Church< to e su'issi$e to the *o2ers
that e? their &aors and ca&&in, ein, 'ore *articu&ar&! to *ush the
*eo*&e to,ether fro' the ends of the earth to the *&aces the Lord had
a**ointed# This decision in counci& ,a$e ,enera& satisfaction< and the
E&ders soon sa2 the eaut! of e$er! 'an standin, in his *&ace#
A*ri& H#--F# 5# 3i&&ia's 2as a**ointed ! a counci& of Hi,h )riests<
an a,ent to su*erintend and e'*&o! 'en to &aor in the ric0-!ard on the
French far'< a&so to rent the far'# The French far' 2as *urchased on
account of the faci&ities found there for 'a0in, ric0< 2hich 2as
essentia& to the ui&din, u* of the cit!# The counci& a&so instructed
"rother E4ra Tha!re to *urchase the tanner! of Arno&d .ason< in 1irt&and#
On the :th of A*ri&< in the &and of ;ion< aout ei,ht! officia&s<
to,ether 2ith so'e unofficia& 'e'ers of the Church< 'et for instruction
and the ser$ice of 5od< at the Ferr! on "i, "&ue ri$er near the 2estern
&i'its of Jac0son count!< 2hich is the oundar! &ine of the state of
.issouri and a&so of the United States# It 2as an ear&! s*rin,< and the
&ea$es and &osso's en&i$ened and ,ratified the sou& of 'an &i0e a ,&i'*se
of )aradise# The da! 2as s*ent in a $er! a,reea&e 'anner< in ,i$in, and
recei$in, 0no2&ed,e 2hich a**ertained to this &ast 0in,do'--it ein, =ust
78DD !ears since the Sa$ior &aid do2n His &ife that 'en 'i,ht ha$e
e$er&astin, &ife< and on&! three !ears since the Church had co'e out of
the 2i&derness< *re*arator! for the &ast dis*ensation# The Saints had
,reat reason to re=oice( the! thou,ht u*on the ti'e 2hen this 2or&d ca'e
into e/istence< and the 'ornin, stars san, to,ether< and a&& the sons of
5od shouted for =o!? the! thou,ht of the ti'e 2hen Israe& ate the
-)asso$er<- as 2ai&in, ca'e u* for the &oss of the firstorn of E,!*t?
the! fe&t &i0e the she*herds 2ho 2atched their f&oc0s ! ni,ht< 2hen the
an,e&ic choir s2eet&! san, the e&ectrif!in, strain< -)eace on earth< ,ood
2i&& to 'an?- and the so&e'nities of eternit! rested u*on the'# This 2as
the first atte'*t 'ade ! the Church to ce&erate the anni$ersar! of her
irthda!< and those 2ho *rofessed not our faith ta&0ed aout it as a
stran,e thin,#
3hi&e the Church 2as thus re=oicin,< the ne2s fro' aroad 2as< that
9D<DDD out of a *o*u&ation of 7DD<DDD had died of star$ation< in
conse>uence of the fa'ine *roduced ! three !ear+s drouth< fo&&o2ed ! a
f&ood< in the Ca*e %erde Is&ands? that si/teen shoc0s of earth>ua0e had
een fe&t the *re$ious Feruar!< at St# 1itts and Ne$is< in the 3est
Indian Is&ands? that the )o&ish Je2s 2ere aout to $isit Jerusa&e'? that
2ar 2as ra,in, et2een Tur0e! and E,!*t? that a ,reat fire had occurred in
Li$er*oo&? that $o&canic eru*tions< 2ars and ru'ors of 2ars< 2ere
*re$ai&in, in different sections of the earth< and fire-a&&s and fearfu&
si,ns 2ere seen in the hea$ens< 2ith 'an! other a&ar'in, a**earances<
2hich caused the hearts of the 2ic0ed to tre'&e< none of 2hich 2as 'ore
a2fu& than the continued s*read of the Asiatic cho&era in Euro*e< 2hich
had a&read! s2e*t fro' the earth< in the short s*ace of fifteen !ears<
aout si/t! 'i&&ions of inhaitants#
"rother Jared Carter *resented 'e a &etter< 2hich he had recei$ed
fro' his rother< and re>uested 'e to ans2er it< 2hich I did as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< A*ri& 79< 7899#
Dear "rother Carter?--Your &etter to "rother Jared is =ust *ut into
'! hand< and I ha$e carefu&&! *erused its contents< and e'race this
o**ortunit! to ans2er it# 3e *roceed to ans2er !our >uestions? first
concernin, !our &aor in the re,ion 2here !ou &i$e? 2e ac>uiesce in !our
fee&in,s on this su=ect unti& the 'outh of the Lord sha&& na'e#
Res*ectin, the $ision !ou s*ea0 of 2e do not consider ourse&$es ound to
recei$e an! re$e&ation fro' an! one 'an or 2o'an 2ithout his ein, &e,a&&!
constituted and ordained to that authorit!< and ,i$in, sufficient *roof of
it#
I 2i&& infor' !ou that it is contrar! to the econo'! of 5od for an!
'e'er of the Church< or an! one< to recei$e instructions for those in
authorit!< hi,her than the'se&$es< therefore !ou 2i&& see the i'*ro*riet!
of ,i$in, heed to the'? ut if an! *erson ha$e a $ision or a $isitation
fro' a hea$en&! 'essen,er< it 'ust e for his o2n enefit and instruction?
for the funda'enta& *rinci*&es< ,o$ern'ent< and doctrine of the Church are
$ested in the 0e!s of the 0in,do' Res*ectin, an a*ostate< or one 2ho has
een cut off fro' the Church< and 2ho 2ishes to co'e in a,ain< the &a2 of
our Church e/*ress&! sa!s that such sha&& re*ent< and e a*ti4ed< and e
ad'itted as at the first#
The dut! of a Hi,h )riest is to ad'inister in s*iritua& and ho&!
thin,s< and to ho&d co''union 2ith 5od? ut not to e/ercise 'onarchia&
,o$ern'ent< or to a**oint 'eetin,s for the E&ders 2ithout their consent#
And a,ain< it is the Hi,h )riests+ dut! to e etter >ua&ified to teach
*rinci*&es and doctrines< than the E&ders? for the office of E&der is an
a**enda,e to the Hi,h )riesthood< and it concentrates and centers in one#
And a,ain< the *rocess of &aorin, 2ith 'e'er( 3e are to dea& 2ith the'
*recise&! as the Scri*tures direct# If th! rother tres*ass a,ainst thee<
ta0e hi' et2een hi' and thee a&one and< if he 'a0e thee satisfaction<
thou hast sa$ed th! rother? and if not< *roceed to ta0e another 2ith
thee< etc#< and 2hen there is no
"isho*< the! are to e tried ! the $oice of the Church? and if an
E&der< or a Hi,h )riest e *resent< he is to ta0e the &ead in 'ana,in, the
usiness? ut if not< such as ha$e the hi,hest authorit! shou&d *reside#
3ith res*ect to *re*arin, to ,o to ;ion?--First it 2ou&d e *&easin,
to the Lord that the church or churches ,oin, to ;ion shou&d e or,ani4ed<
and a suita&e *erson a**ointed 2ho is 2e&& ac>uainted 2ith the condition
of the church< and he e sent to 1irt&and to infor' the "isho*< and
*rocure a &icense fro' hi' a,reea&e to the re$e&ation? ! so doin, !ou
2i&& *re$ent confusion and disorder< and esca*e 'an! difficu&ties that
attend an unor,ani4ed and in =ourne!in, in the &ast da!s#
And a,ain< those in det< shou&d in a&& cases *a! their dets< and
the rich are in no 2ise to cast out the *oor< or &ea$e the' ehind< for it
is said that the *oor sha&& inherit the earth#
You >uoted a *assa,e in Jere'iah< 2ith re,ard to =ourne!in, to ;ion?
the 2ord of the Lord stands sure< so &et it e done#
There are t2o *ara,ra*hs in !our &etter 2hich I do not co''end< a
the! 2ere 2ritten &ind&!# S*ea0in, of the E&ders ein, sent &i0e
&i,htnin, fro' the o2 of Judah< the second< no secrets in the counci&s of
;ion# You 'ention these as if fear rested u*on !our 'ind< other2ise 2e
cannot understand it# And a,ain 2e ne$er in>uire at the hand of 5od for
s*ecia& re$e&ation on&! in case of there ein, no *re$ious re$e&ation to
suit the case? and that in a counci& of Hi,h )riests#
For further infor'ation on the su=ect aout 2hich !ou ha$e 2ritten I
2i&& refer !ou to the E&ders 2ho ha$e recent&! &eft here for the east !
co''and'ent< so'e of 2ho' !ou 2i&& *roa&! see soon# You 'a! de*end on
an! infor'ation !ou 'a! recei$e fro' the' that are faithfu&# You 'a!
e/*ect to see "rothers Orson )ratt and L!'an E# Johnson for 2ho' 2e ha$e
,reat fe&&o2shi*#
It is a ,reat thin, to in>uire at the hands of 5od< or to co'e into
His *resence? and 2e fee& fearfu& to a**roach Hi' on su=ects that are of
&itt&e or no conse>uence< to satisf! the >ueries of indi$idua&s<
es*ecia&&! aout thin,s the 0no2&ed,e of 2hich 'en ou,ht to otain in a&&
sincerit!< efore 5od for the'se&$es< in hu'i&it! ! the *ra!er of faith?
and 'ore es*ecia&&! a Teacher or a Hi,h )riest in the Church I s*ea0 these
thin,s not ! 2a! of re*roach< ut ! 2a! of instruction? and I s*ea0 as
if ac>uainted 2ith !ou 2hereas 2e are stran,ers to each other in the
f&esh#
I &o$e !our sou&< and the sou&s of the chi&dren of 'en and *ra! and
do a&& I can for the sa&$ation of a&&#
I no2 c&ose ! sendin, !ou a sa&utation of *eace in the na'e of the
Lord Jesus Christ# A'en#
The &essin, of our Lord Jesus Christ e and aide 2ith !ou a&&#
A'en# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
)# S#--If it e con$enient to send a de&e,ate to 1irt&and< to *rocure
&icense for the rethren to ,o to ;ion< it can e done ! t2o or 'ore
E&ders# 3e ha$e recei$ed t2o &etters fro' "rother Sher2ood< statin, the
order and condition of the Church< and res*ectin, the $ision of his 2ife<
ut on account of a 'u&titude of usiness the! ha$e not een ans2ered !
us? !ou 2i&& *&ease read this &etter to "rother Sher2ood# J# S#
In A*ri& the Schoo& of the )ro*hets c&osed to co''ence a,ain in the
fa&&#
A LETTER TO THE "RETHREN IN ;ION<
1IRTLAND# A*ri& H7< 7899#
Dear "rethren in ;ion( A,reea&e to a notice 2e ,a$e !ou< in "rother
3hitne!+s &ast &etter to !ou 2ith res*ect to ans2erin, !our &etters< 2e
no2 co''ence< after ,i$in, than0s to our Hea$en&! Father for e$er!
e/*ression of His ,oodness in *reser$in, our un*rofita&e &i$es to the
*resent ti'e< and for the hea&th and other &essin,s 2hich 2e no2 en=o!
throu,h His 'ercies#
3ith =o! 2e recei$ed !our ,enera& e*ist&e< 2ritten the H:th of
Feruar!< 2hich contained the confession of our rethren concerned< a&& of
2hich 2as to our entire satisfaction#
It 2as read ! the rethren in 1irt&and 2ith fee&in,s of the dee*est
interest< 0no2in, as 2e did< that the an,er of the Lord 2as 0ind&ed
a,ainst !ou< and nothin, ut re*entance< of the ,reatest hu'i&it!< 2ou&d
turn it a2a!? and I 2i&& assure !ou that e/*ressions of =o! ea'ed on
e$er! countenance 2hen the! sa2 that our e*ist&e and the re$e&ation had
een recei$ed ! our rethren in ;ion< and had had the desired effect#
For !our satisfaction< I here insert a re$e&ation ,i$en to
Sheder&ao'ach EFrederic0 5# 3i&&ia'sF< the 7Gth of .arch< 7899<
constitutin, hi' a 'e'er of the United Fir'#
3ith res*ect to "rother 5i&ert+s &etter of the 7Dth of Dece'er< I
2ou&d sa! to hi'? first&!< he 2rote it in a&& sincerit! of heart< and 2e
2ere *&eased 2ith the st!&e< and co'*osition? ut u*on 'ature ref&ection<
and in>uir! at the hands of the Lord< 2e find so'e thin,s that are
unreconci&a&e< es*ecia&&! to so'e? I 'ean 2ith res*ect to hints ,i$en
that are not c&ear&! e/*&ained#
As e$er! &etter that co'es fro' ;ion 'ust ,o the rounds of the
rethren for ins*ection< it is necessar! that there shou&d e no dis,uise
in the'< ut that e$er! su=ect 2ritten u*on ! the rethren shou&d e
*&ain to the understandin, of a&&< that no =ea&ous! 'a! e raised< and
2hen 2e reu0e< do it in a&& 'ee0ness# The &etter 2ritten the H@th of
Feruar! 2as not 2ritten in that contrition of heart in 2hich it shou&d
ha$e een< for it a**ears to ha$e een 2ritten in too 'uch of a s*irit of
=ustification? ut the &etter to "rother 3hitne! of the HDth of .arch< 2as
2ritten to our entire satisfaction#
No2 I 2ou&d sa! to "rother 5i&ert< that I do not 2rite this ! 2a!
of chastise'ent< ut to sho2 hi' the aso&ute necessit! of ha$in, a&& his
co''unications 2ritten in a 'anner to e c&ear&! understood# 3e are 2e&&
a2are of the ,reat care u*on his 'ind< in conse>uence of 'uch usiness<
ut he 'ust *ut his trust in 5od< and he 'a! rest assured that he has our
*ra!ers da! and ni,ht< that he 'a! ha$e stren,th to o$erco'e e$er!
difficu&t!# 3e ha$e &earned of the Lord that it is his dut! to assist a&&
the *oor rethren that are *ure in heart< and that he has done 2ron, in
2ithho&din, credit fro' the'< as the! 'ust ha$e assistance? and the Lord
esta&ished hi' in ;ion for that e/*ress *ur*ose#
It is not the 2i&& of the Lord to *rint an! of the Ne2 Trans&ation in
the Star? ut 2hen it is *u&ished< it 2i&& a&& ,o to the 2or&d to,ether<
in a $o&u'e ! itse&f? and the Ne2 Testa'ent and the "oo0 of .or'on 2i&&
e *rinted to,ether#
3ith res*ect to "rother O&i$er+s *ri$ate &etter to 'e on the su=ect
of ,i$in, deeds< and recei$in, contriutions fro' rethren< I ha$e nothin,
further to sa! on the su=ect than to reco''end that !ou 'a0e !ourse&$es
ac>uainted 2ith the co''and'ents of the Lord< and the &a2s of the state<
and ,o$ern !ourse&$es accordin,&!# "rother E&&iot 2as here !esterda! and
sho2ed 'e a &etter fro' "rother )he&*s< and 2e 2ere 2e&& *&eased 2ith the
s*irit in 2hich it 2as 2ritten# The *roai&it! is that he IE&&iotJ 2i&&
not ,o to ;ion at *resent< as he has ou,ht I&andsJ in Cha,rin#
3e re=oice to hear that the Se'inar! &ands are reduced in *rice< and
are co'in, into 'ar0et? and e assured that 2e sha&& use our inf&uence to
send rethren to ;ion 2ho are a&e to he&* !ou in the *urchase of &ands#
3e ha$e =ust recei$ed a &etter fro' "rother Sidne!< he has ui&t u* a
church of ei,ht 'e'ers< in .edina count!< Ohio< and has *ros*ects of
'ore# 3ith res*ect to the deaths in ;ion< 2e fee& to 'ourn 2ith those that
'ourn< ut re'e'er that the 5od of a&& the earth 2i&& do ri,ht# And no2<
'! e&o$ed rethren< I co''end !ou to 5od and His ,race< *ra!in, Hi' to
0ee* and *reser$e !ou &a'e&ess< of the co'in, of our Lord Jesus Christ#
A'en# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
)# S#--Sa! to "rother Corri&& that his confession ,a$e 'e ,reat
satisfaction< and a&& thin,s are no2 sett&ed on '! *art# J# S#
In the 'onth of A*ri&< the first re,u&ar 'o rushed to,ether< in
Inde*endence< to consu&t u*on a *&an< for the re'o$a&< or i''ediate
destruction< of the Church in Jac0son count!# The nu'er of the 'o 2as
aout three hundred# A fe2 of the first E&ders 'et in secret< and *ra!ed
to Hi' 2ho said to the 2ind< -"e sti&&<- to frustrate the' in their 2ic0ed
desi,ns# The 'o< therefore< after s*endin, the da! in a fruit&ess
endea$or to unite u*on a ,enera& sche'e for -'o$in, the .or'ons out of
their di,,in,s- Eas the! assertedF< eca'e a &itt&e the 2orse for &i>uor
and ro0e u* in a re,u&ar .issouri -ro2<- sho2in, a deter'ined reso&ution
that e$er! 'an 2ou&d -carr! his o2n head#-
A*ri& 9D<--A conference of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed at the schoo& roo'<
in 1irt&and< and a**ointed "rother A&ert "ro2n a co''ittee to circu&ate a
suscri*tion< to *rocure 'one! to *a! for the use of the house 2here
'eetin,s had een he&d the *ast season# John )# 5reene 2as instructed to
,o and ta0e char,e of the ranch of the Church in )ar0ha' count!< carr!in,
2ith hi' an e*ist&e to the rethren? and as soon as con$enient he 2as to
re'o$e his fa'i&! to that *&ace# It 2as a&so decided that Sister %ienna
Ja>ues shou&d not *roceed i''ediate&! on her =ourne! to ;ion< ut 2ait
unti& 3i&&ia' Hoert 2as read!< and ,o in co'*an! 2ith hi'#
.a! @#--A conference of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed in 1irt&and< to ta0e
into consideration the necessit! of ui&din, a schoo& house< for the
acco''odation of the E&ders< 2ho shou&d co'e to,ether to recei$e
instruction *re*arator! for their 'issions< and 'inistr!< accordin, to a
re$e&ation on that su=ect< ,i$en .arch 8< 7899< and ! unani'ous $oice
of the conference? H!ru' S'ith< Jared
Carter< and Re!no&ds Cahoon 2ere a**ointed a co''ittee to otain
suscri*tions< for the *ur*ose of erectin, such a ui&din,#
A counci& had *re$ious&! een he&d in Norton To2nshi*< .edina count!<
Ohio< at 2hich Sidne! Ri,don *resided# The counci& too0 into
consideration the standin, of "a&d2in 3e&ton< Aaron S'ith< and----Ha!s<
E&ders? and Ja'es "raden< )riest? and decided that their ordinations 2ere
i&&e,a&< and that the churches shou&d not recei$e the' in their se$era&
offices# The doin,s of the counci& 2ere re$ie2ed< and sanctioned ! the
First )residenc!< $i4( Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's< and entered on record in 1irt&and#
.a! :<--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord( It sha&& co'e to *ass that e$er!
sou& 2ho forsa0eth his sins and co'eth unto 'e< and ca&&eth on '! na'e<
and oe!eth '! $oice< and 0ee*eth '! co''and'ents< sha&& see '! face and
0no2 that I a'#
H# And that I a' the true &i,ht that &i,hteth e$er! 'an that co'eth
into the 2or&d?
9# And that I a' in the Father< and the Father in 'e< and the Father
and I are one--
@# The Father ecause he ,a$e 'e of his fu&ness< and the Son ecause
I 2as in the 2or&d and 'ade f&esh '! taernac&e< and d2e&t a'on, the sons
of 'en#
G# I 2as in the 2or&d and recei$ed of '! Father< and the 2or0s of hi'
2ere *&ain&! 'anifest#
:# And John sa2 and ore record of the fu&ness of '! ,&or!< and the
fu&ness of John+s record is hereafter to e re$ea&ed#
M# And he ore record< sa!in,( I sa2 his ,&or!< that he 2as in the
e,innin,< efore the 2or&d 2as?
8# Therefore< in the e,innin, the 3ord 2as< for he 2as the 3ord e$en
the 'essen,er of sa&$ation--
N# The &i,ht and the Redee'er of the 2or&d? the S*irit of truth< 2ho
ca'e into the 2or&d< ecause the 2or&d 2as 'ade ! hi'< and in hi' 2as the
&ife of 'en and the &i,ht of 'en#
7D# The 2or&ds 2ere 'ade ! hi'? 'en 2ere 'ade ! hi'? a&& thin,s
2ere 'ade ! hi'< and throu,h hi'< and of hi'#
77# And I< John< ear record that I ehe&d his ,&or!< as the ,&or! of
the On&! "e,otten of the Father< fu&& of ,race and truth< e$en the S*irit
of truth< 2hich ca'e and d2e&t in the f&esh< and d2e&t a'on, us#
7H# And I< John< sa2 that he recei$ed not of the fu&ness at the
first< ut recei$ed ,race for ,race?
79# And he recei$ed not of the fu&ness at first< ut continued fro'
,race to ,race< unti& he recei$ed a fu&ness?
7@# And thus he 2as ca&&ed the Son of 5od< ecause he recei$ed not of
the fu&ness at the first#
7G# And I< John< ear record< and &o< the hea$ens 2ere o*ened< and
the Ho&! 5host descended u*on hi' in the for' of a do$e< and sat u*on hi'<
and there ca'e a $oice out of hea$en sa!in,( This is '! e&o$ed Son#
7:# And I< John< ear record that he recei$ed a fu&ness of the ,&or!
of the Father?
7M# And he recei$ed a&& *o2er< oth in hea$en and on earth< and the
,&or! of the Father 2as 2ith hi'< for he d2e&t in hi'#
78# And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that if !ou are faithfu& !ou sha&&
recei$e the fu&ness of the record of John#
7N# I ,i$e unto !ou these sa!in,s that !ou 'a! understand and 0no2
ho2 to 2orshi*< and 0no2 2hat !ou 2orshi*< that !ou 'a! co'e unto the
Father in '! na'e< and in due ti'e recei$e of his fu&ness#
HD# For if !ou 0ee* '! co''and'ents !ou sha&& recei$e of his fu&ness<
and e ,&orified in 'e as I a' in the Father? therefore< I sa! unto !ou<
!ou sha&& recei$e ,race for ,race#
H7# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I 2as in the e,innin, 2ith the
Father< and a' the Firstorn?
HH# And a&& those 2ho are e,otten throu,h 'e are *arta0ers of the
,&or! of the sa'e< and are the church of the Firstorn
H9# Ye 2ere a&so in the e,innin, 2ith the Father? that 2hich is
S*irit< e$en the S*irit of truth?
H@# And Truth is 0no2&ed,e of thin,s as the! are< and as the! 2ere<
and as the! are to co'e?
HG# And 2hatsoe$er is 'ore or &ess than this is the s*irit of that
2ic0ed one 2ho 2as a &iar fro' the e,innin,#
H:# The S*irit of truth is of 5od# I a' the S*irit of truth< and John
ore record of 'e< sa!in,? He recei$ed a fu&ness of truth< !ea< e$en of
a&& truth?
HM# And no 'an recei$eth a fu&ness un&ess he 0ee*eth his
co''and'ents#
H8# He that 0ee*eth his co''and'ents recei$eth truth and &i,ht< unti&
he is ,&orified in truth and 0no2eth a&& thin,s#
HN# .an 2as a&so in the e,innin, 2ith 5od# Inte&&i,ence< or the
&i,ht of truth< 2as not created or 'ade< neither indeed can e#
9D# A&& truth is inde*endent in that s*here in 2hich 5od has *&aced
it< to act for itse&f< as a&& inte&&i,ence a&so? other2ise there is no
e/istence#
97# "eho&d< here is the a,enc! of 'an< and here is the conde'nation
of 'an? ecause that 2hich 2as fro' the e,innin, is *&ain&! 'anifest unto
the'< and the! recei$e not the &i,ht#
9H# And e$er! 'an 2hose s*irit recei$eth not the &i,ht is under
conde'nation#
99# For 'an is s*irit# The e&e'ents are eterna&< and s*irit and
e&e'ent< inse*ara&! connected< recei$e a fu&ness of =o!?
9@# And 2hen se*arated< 'an cannot recei$e a fu&ness of =o!#
9G# The e&e'ents are the taernac&e of 5od? !ea< 'an is the
taernac&e of 5od< e$en te'*&es? and 2hatsoe$er te'*&e is defi&ed< 5od
sha&& destro! that te'*&e#
9:# The ,&or! of 5od is inte&&i,ence< or< in other 2ords< &i,ht and
truth#
9M# Li,ht and truth forsa0e that e$i& one#
98# E$er! s*irit of 'an 2as innocent in the e,innin,? and 5od ha$in,
redee'ed 'an fro' the fa&&< 'en eca'e a,ain< in their infant state<
innocent efore 5od#
9N# And that 2ic0ed one co'eth and ta0eth a2a! &i,ht and truth<
throu,h disoedience< fro' the chi&dren of 'en< and ecause of the
tradition of their fathers#
@D# "ut I ha$e co''anded !ou to rin, u* !our chi&dren in &i,ht and
truth#
@7# "ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< !ou
ha$e continued under this conde'nation?
@H# You ha$e not tau,ht !our chi&dren &i,ht and truth< accordin, to
the co''and'ents? and that 2ic0ed one hath *o2er< as !et< o$er !ou< and
this is the cause of !our aff&iction#
@9# And no2 a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou--if !ou 2i&& e de&i$ered
!ou sha&& set in order !our o2n house< for there are 'an! thin,s that are
not ri,ht in !our house#
@@# %eri&!< I sa! unto '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don< that in so'e thin,s
he hath not 0e*t the co''and'ents concernin, his chi&dren? therefore<
first set in order th! house#
@G# %eri&!< I sa! unto '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< or in other
2ords< I 2i&& ca&& !ou friends< for !ou are '! friends< and !e sha&& ha$e
an inheritance 2ith 'e--
@:# I ca&&ed !ou ser$ants for the 2or&d+s sa0e< and !e are their
ser$ants for '! sa0e--
@M# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto Jose*h S'ith< Jun#--You ha$e not 0e*t
the co''and'ents< and 'ust needs stand reu0ed efore the Lord?
@8# Your fa'i&! 'ust needs re*ent and forsa0e so'e thin,s< and ,i$e
'ore earnest heed unto !our sa!in,s< or e re'o$ed out of their *&ace#
@N# 3hat I sa! unto one I sa! unto a&&? *ra! a&2a!s &est that 2ic0ed
one ha$e *o2er in !ou< and re'o$e !ou out of !our *&ace#
GD# .! ser$ant Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! a&so< a isho* of '! church< hath
need to e chastened< and set in order his fa'i&!< and see that the! are
'ore di&i,ent and concerned at ho'e< and *ra! a&2a!s< or the! sha&& e
re'o$ed out of their *&ace#
G7# No2< I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< &et '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don ,o
on his =ourne!< and 'a0e haste< and a&so *roc&ai' the acce*ta&e !ear of
the Lord< and the ,os*e& of sa&$ation< as I sha&& ,i$e hi' utterance< and
! !our *ra!er of faith 2ith one consent I 2i&& u*ho&d hi'#
GH# And &et '! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's
'a0e haste a&so< and it sha&& e ,i$en the' e$en accordin, to the *ra!er
of faith? and inas'uch as !ou 0ee* '! sa!in,s !ou sha&& not e confounded
in this 2or&d< nor in the 2or&d to co'e#
G9# And< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is '! 2i&& that !ou shou&d
hasten to trans&ate '! scri*tures< and to otain a 0no2&ed,e of histor!<
and of countries< and of 0in,do's< of &a2s of 5od and 'an< and a&& this
for the sa&$ation of ;ion# A'en#
The sa'e date E.a! :thF I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< a co''and'ent I
,i$e unto !ou< that !e sha&& co''ence a 2or0 of &a!in, out and *re*arin, a
e,innin, and foundation of the cit! of the sta0e of ;ion< here in the
&and of 1irt&and< e,innin, at '! house#
H# And eho&d< it 'ust e done accordin, to the *attern 2hich I ha$e
,i$en unto !ou#
9# And &et the first &ot on the south e consecrated unto 'e for the
ui&din, of a house for the *residenc!< for the 2or0 of the *residenc!< in
otainin, re$e&ations< and for the 2or0 of the 'inistr! of the *residenc!<
in a&& thin,s *ertainin, to the church and 0in,do'#
@# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it sha&& e ui&t fift!-fi$e !
si/t!-fi$e feet in the 2idth thereof and in the &en,th thereof< in the
inner court#
G# And there sha&& e a &o2er court and a hi,her court< accordin, to
the *attern 2hich sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou hereafter#
:# And it sha&& e dedicated unto the Lord fro' the foundation
thereof< accordin, to the order of the *riesthood< accordin, to the
*attern 2hich sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou hereafter#
M# And it sha&& e 2ho&&! dedicated unto the Lord for the 2or0 of the
*residenc!#
8# And !e sha&& not suffer an! unc&ean thin, to co'e in unto it? and
'! ,&or! sha&& e there< and '! *resence sha&& e there#
N# "ut if there sha&& co'e into it an! unc&ean thin, '! ,&or! sha&&
not e there? and '! *resence sha&& not co'e into it
7D# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the second &ot on the south
sha&& e dedicated unto 'e for the ui&din, of a house unto 'e< for the
2or0 of the *rintin, of the trans&ation of '! scri*tures< and a&& thin,s
2hatsoe$er I sha&& co''and !ou#
77# And it sha&& e fift!-fi$e ! si/t!-fi$e feet in the 2idth
thereof and the &en,th thereof< in the inner court? and there sha&& e a
&o2er and a hi,her court#
7H# And this house sha&& e 2ho&&! dedicated unto the Lord fro' the
foundation thereof< for the 2or0 of the *rintin,< in a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er
I sha&& co''and !ou< to e ho&!< undefi&ed< accordin, to the *attern in
a&& thin,s as it sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou#
79# And on the third &ot sha&& '! ser$ant H!ru' S'ith recei$e his
inheritance#
7@# And on the first and second &ots on the north sha&& '! ser$ants
Re!no&ds Cahoon and Jared Carter recei$e their inheritances--
7G# That the! 'a! do the 2or0 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto the'< to e
a co''ittee to ui&d 'ine houses< accordin, to the co''and'ent< 2hich I<
the Lord 5od< ha$e ,i$en unto !ou#
7:# These t2o houses are not to e ui&t unti& I ,i$e unto !ou a
co''and'ent concernin, the'#
7M# And no2 I ,i$e unto !ou no 'ore at this ti'e# A'en#
The si,ns of the ti'es continued to attract the attention of the
2or&d< The cho&era had ro0en out at Ha$ana< and it 2as re*orted that fi$e
hundred 2ere *erishin, dai&!< and O*orto< in the *ro$ince of
Entre-.inho-e-Douro< )ortu,a&< 2as e/*eriencin, the sa'e ca&a'it!# The
inf&uen4a 2as ra,in, at St# )etersur,< Russia? 'ore than one hundred
thousand 2ere sufferin, fro' its effects< and it 2as re*orted to e 'ore
$io&ent at .osco2# So dreadfu& 2ere the effects of the cho&era< 2hich
s*read consternation a'on, the inhaitants of the earth< that it 2as
re*orted that the e!es of so'e of the aff&icted urst fro' their soc0ets#
A treat! 2as entered into aout this ti'e 2ith se$era& tries of
Indians< so'e to e &ocated on the east of 3innea,o &a0e< and others to
e re'o$ed 2est of the .ississi**i#
.a! HG#--.! unc&e< John S'ith and fa'i&! arri$ed in 1irt&and< fro'
)otsda'< Ne2 Yor0< '! unc&e ein, an E&der in the Church? and his 2ife and
e&dest son< 5eor,e A&ert S'ith< a &ad of fifteen< 2ere 'e'ers# The! 2ere
the first of '! father+s re&ati$es 2ho oe!ed the 5os*e&#
CHA)TER 66%#
)RE)ARATION FOR "UILDIN5 THE 1IRTLAND TE.)LE--TRIAL AND
E6CO..UNICATION OF -DOCTOR- )HILASTUS HURL"URT#
June 7# 5reat *re*arations 2ere 'a0in, to co''ence a house of the
Lord? and not2ithstandin, the Church 2as *oor< !et our unit!< har'on! and
charit! aounded to stren,then us to do the co''and'ents of 5od# The
ui&din, of the house of the Lord in 1irt&and 2as a 'atter that continued
to increase in its interest in the hearts of the rethren< and the
ui&din, co''ittee issued the fo&&o2in, circu&ar to the different ranches
of the Church(
CIRCULAR#
1IRTLAND< June 7< 7899#
To the Church of Christ in--
3e fee& under o&i,ations to 2rite to !ou as 2e&& as to a&& the
rethren of the different ranches? and 2e do this< that !ou< 2ith us< 'a!
e/ert !ourse&$es to rin, aout the fu&fi&'ent of the co''and of the Lord
concernin, the esta&ishin,< or *re*arin, a house< 2herein the E&ders 2ho
ha$e een co''anded of the Lord so to do< 'a! ,ather the'se&$es to,ether<
and *re*are a&& thin,s< and ca&& a so&e'n asse'&! and treasure u* 2ords
of 2isdo'< that the! 'a! ,o forth to the 5enti&es for the &ast ti'e? and
no2< in order to acco'*&ish this< 2e are directed< !ea< 2e are under the
necessit!< to ca&& u*on the 2ho&e Church as a od!< that the! 'a0e e$er!
*ossi&e e/ertion to aid te'*ora&&!< as 2e&& as s*iritua&&!< in this ,reat
2or0 that the Lord is e,innin,< and is aout to acco'*&ish# And un&ess
2e fu&fi& this co''and< $i4( esta&ish an house< and *re*are a&& thin,s
necessar! 2here! the e&ders 'a! ,ather into a schoo&< ca&&ed the Schoo&
of the )ro*hets< and recei$e that instruction 2hich the Lord desi,ns the!
shou&d recei$e< 2e 'a! a&& des*air of otainin, the ,reat &essin, that
5od has *ro'ised to the faithfu& of the Church of Christ? therefore it is
as i'*ortant< as our sa&$ation< that 2e oe! this ao$e-'entioned co''and<
as 2e&& as a&& the co''and'ents of the Lord#
Therefore< rethren< 2e 2rite this e*ist&e to !ou< to stir u* !our
'inds to 'a0e that e/ertion 2hich the Lord re>uires of !ou< to &end a
te'*ora& aid in these thin,s ao$e 2ritten< and in order that !ou 'a! 0no2
ho2 to conduct the usiness< 2e 2i&& re&ate 2hat 2e ha$e done and are
doin, here#
3e ha$e 'et in conference< and a,reed to for' a suscri*tion< and
circu&ate it throu,h the churches# The conference a&so a**ointed H!ru'
S'ith< Re!no&ds Cahoon< and Jared Carter< a co''ittee to su*erintend this
usiness< $i4? that of circu&atin, suscri*tions to esta&ish a fund to
ui&d a house< and to aid the E&ders to attend this schoo&# The
suscri*tions are no2 in circu&ation a'on, us< and our Hea$en&! Father is
o*enin, the hearts of our rethren e!ond the e/*ectation of 'an!? and not
one rother a'on, us< as !et< refuses to e/ert hi'se&f to do so'ethin, in
a te'*ora& 2a! to rin, aout the esta&ishin, of this house and schoo&
and 2e sa!< 'a! our Hea$en&! Father o*en !our hearts a&so< that !ou< 2ith
us 'a! ,ather to,ether so'ethin, to aid as a te'*ora& enefit#
)roa&! !ou had etter ca&& the officers of the Church i''ediate&!
to,ether< and a**oint so'eone to circu&ate a suscri*tion that each
indi$idua&< after si,nin,< 'a! ha$e a sufficient ti'e to 'a0e *re*arations
to *a! 2hat he suscries? for it 2i&& e necessar!< 2here$er the rethren
are at a distance fro' 1irt&and< that the! e/ert the'se&$es to send on
their ,ift or assistance as soon as the! can to 1irt&and< thou,h the! can<
if the! e&ie$e est< 2ait on those that si,n unti& the first of
Se*te'er< and then co&&ect and send it to 1irt&and#
These considerations 2e ha$e 2ritten to !ou< 0no2in, it to e our
dut! thus to do< and 'a! the Lord he&* !ou to e/ert !ourse&$es 2ith us< in
raisin, the 'eans to rin, aout the ,&orious 2or0 of the Lord? and 'a! 2e
a&& e 0e*t ! the ,race of 5od unto eterna& &ife# A'en# HYRU. S.ITH<
REYNOLDS CAHOON< JARED CARTER< Co''ittee#
The sa'e da! IJune 7stJ I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou 2ho' I &o$e< and 2ho'
I &o$e I a&so chasten that their sins 'a! e for,i$en< for 2ith the
chastise'ent I *re*are a 2a! for their de&i$erance in a&& thin,s out of
te'*tation< and I ha$e &o$ed !ou--
H# 3herefore< !e 'ust needs e chastened and stand reu0ed efore '!
face?
9# For !e ha$e sinned a,ainst 'e a $er! ,rie$ous sin< in that !e ha$e
not considered the ,reat co''and'ent in a&& thin,s< that I ha$e ,i$en unto
!ou concernin, the ui&din, of 'ine house?
@# For the *re*aration 2here2ith I desi,n to *re*are 'ine a*ost&es to
*rune '! $ine!ard for the &ast ti'e< that I 'a! rin, to *ass '! stran,e
act< that I 'a! *our out '! S*irit u*on a&& f&esh--
G# "ut eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that there are 'an! 2ho ha$e
een ordained a'on, !ou< 2ho' I ha$e ca&&ed ut fe2 of the' are chosen#
:# The! 2ho are not chosen ha$e sinned a $er! ,rie$ous sin< in that
the! are 2a&0in, in dar0ness at noon-da!#
M# And for this cause I ,a$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that !ou shou&d
ca&& !our so&e'n asse'&!< that !our fastin,s and !our 'ournin, 'i,ht co'e
u* into the ears of the Lord of Saaoth< 2hich is ! inter*retation< the
creator of the first da!< the e,innin, and the end#
8# Yea< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I ,a$e unto !ou a co''and'ent that !ou
shou&d ui&d a house< in the 2hich house I desi,n to endo2 those 2ho' I
ha$e chosen 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h<
N# For this is the *ro'ise of the Father unto !ou? therefore I
co''and !ou to tarr!< e$en as 'ine a*ost&es at Jerusa&e'#
7D# Ne$erthe&ess< '! ser$ants sinned a $er! ,rie$ous sin? and
contentions arose in the schoo& of the *ro*hets? 2hich 2as $er! ,rie$ous
unto 'e< saith !our Lord? therefore I sent the' forth to e chastened#
77# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it is '! 2i&& that !ou shou&d ui&d a
house# If !ou 0ee* '! co''and'ents !ou sha&& ha$e *o2er to ui&d it#
7H# If !ou 0ee* not '! co''and'ents< the &o$e of the Father sha&& not
continue 2ith !ou< therefore !ou sha&& 2a&0 in dar0ness#
79# No2 here is 2isdo'< and the 'ind of the Lord--&et the house e
ui&t< not after the 'anner of the 2or&d< for I ,i$e not unto !ou that !e
sha&& &i$e after the 'anner of the 2or&d#
7@# Therefore< &et it e ui&t after the 'anner 2hich I sha&& sho2
unto three of !ou< 2ho' !e sha&& a**oint and ordain unto this *o2er#
7G# And the si4e thereof sha&& e fift! and fi$e feet in 2idth< and
&et it e si/t!-fi$e feet in &en,th< in the inner court thereof#
7:# And &et the &o2er *art of the inner court e dedicated unto 'e
for !our sacra'ent offerin,< and for !our *reachin,< and !our fastin,< and
!our *ra!in,< and the offerin, u* of !our 'ost ho&! desires unto 'e< saith
!our Lord#
7M# And &et the hi,her *art of the inner court e dedicated unto 'e
for the schoo& of 'ine a*ost&es< saith Son Ah'an? or< in other 2ords<
A&*hus? or< in other 2ords< O'e,us? e$en Jesus Christ !our Lord# A'en#
June 9#--A conference of Hi,h )riests con$ened in the trans&atin,
roo' in 1irt&and# The first case *resented 2as that of -Doctor- )hi&astus
Hur&urt< 2ho 2as accused of un-Christian conduct 2ith 2o'en< 2hi&e on a
'ission to the east# On in$esti,ation it 2as decided that his co''ission
e ta0en fro' hi'< and that he e no &on,er a 'e'er of the Church of
Christ#
The ne/t 'atter efore the conference 2as to ascertain 2hat shou&d e
the di'ensions or si4e of the house< that is to e ui&t for a house of
2orshi* and for the Schoo& of the )ro*hets# I had recei$ed a re$e&ation on
the si4e of the house in 2hich the 2ord of the Lord 2as that it shou&d e
fift!-fi$e feet 2ide< and si/t!-fi$e feet &on,< in the inner court# The
conference a**ointed Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's to otain a draft or construction of the inner court of the
house#
June @<--A si'i&ar conference asse'&ed at the sa'e *&ace and too0
into consideration ho2 the French far' shou&d e dis*osed of# The
conference cou&d not a,ree 2ho shou&d ta0e char,e of it< ut a&& a,reed to
in>uire of the Lord? accordin,&! 2e recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation to Enoch IJose*h S'ith< Jun#J Sho2in, the Order of the
Cit! or Sta0e of ;ion< in Shinehah I1irt&and<J ,i$en for a Sa'*&e
to the Saints in 1irt&and<
7# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< here is 2isdo'< 2here! !e 'a! 0no2 ho2
to act concernin, this 'atter< for it is e/*edient in 'e that this sta0e
that I ha$e set for the stren,th of ;ion shou&d e 'ade stron,#
H# Therefore< &et '! ser$ant Ahashdah INe2e& 1# 3hitne!J ta0e char,e
of the *&ace 2hich is na'ed a'on, !ou< u*on 2hich I desi,n to ui&d 'ine
ho&! house#
9# And a,ain< &et it e di$ided into &ots< accordin, to 2isdo'< for
the enefit of those 2ho see0 inheritances< as it sha&& e deter'ined in
counci& a'on, !ou#
@# Therefore< ta0e heed that !e see to this 'atter< and that *ortion
that is necessar! to enefit 'ine order< for the *ur*ose of rin,in, forth
'! 2ord to the chi&dren of 'en#
G# For eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< this is the 'ost e/*edient in
'e< that '! 2ord shou&d ,o forth unto the chi&dren of 'en< for the *ur*ose
of suduin, the hearts of the chi&dren of 'en for !our ,ood# E$en so#
A'en#
:# And a,ain $eri&! I sa! unto !ou it is 2isdo' and e/*edient in 'e
that '! ser$ant ;o're IJohn JohnsonJ 2hose offerin, I ha$e acce*ted< and
2hose *ra!ers I ha$e heard< unto 2ho' I ,i$e a *ro'ise of eterna& &ife
inas'uch as he 0ee*eth '! co''and'ents fro' henceforth--
M# For he is a descendant of Seth IJose*hJ and a *arta0er of the
&essin,s of the *ro'ise 'ade unto his fathers--
8# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it is e/*edient in 'e that he shou&d eco'e
a 'e'er of the order< that he 'a! assist in rin,in, forth '! 2ord unto
the chi&dren of 'en
N# Therefore !e sha&& ordain hi' unto this &essin,< and he sha&&
see0 di&i,ent&! to ta0e a2a! incu'rances that are u*on the house na'ed
a'on, !ou< that he 'a! d2e&& therein# E$en so# A'en#
;o're IJohn JohnsonJ 2as ordained ! the conference to the Hi,h
)riesthood< and ad'itted accordin, to the re$e&ation#
June G#--5eor,e A# S'ith hau&ed the first &oad of stone for the
Te'*&e< and H!ru' S'ith and Re!no&ds Cahoon co''enced di,,in, the trench
for the 2a&&s of the Lord+s house< and finished the sa'e 2ith their o2n
hands#
June :#--A conference of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed< and chose Orson H!de
a c&er0 to the )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood# This conference 2as 'ore
es*ecia&&! ca&&ed to counse& the co''ittee< 2ho had een a**ointed to ta0e
the o$ersi,ht of the ui&din, of the house of the Lord# The conference
$oted that the co''ittee< ERe!no&ds Cahoon< Jared Carter< and H!ru'
S'ithF< *roceeded i''ediate&! to co''ence ui&din, the house? or to
otainin, 'ateria&s< stone< ric0< &u'er< etc#< for the sa'e#
June H7#---Doctor- Hur&urt ein, dissatisfied 2ith the decision of
the counci& on his case *resented the fo&&o2in, a**ea&(
I< Doctor )hi&astus Hur&urt< ha$in, een tried efore the "isho*+s
counci& of Hi,h )riests on a char,e of unChristian-&i0e conduct 2ith the
fe'a&e se/< and '!se&f ein, asent at the ti'e< and considerin, that
strict =ustice 2as not done 'e< I do< ! these *resents< 'ost so&e'n&!
enter '! a**ea& unto the )resident+s counci& of hi,h *riests for a
re-hearin,< accordin, to the *ri$i&e,e ,uaranteed to 'e in the &a2s of the
Church< 2hich counci& is no2 asse'&ed in the schoo& roo'< in 1irt&and<
this H7st da! of June< 7899#
It 2as $oted ! the counci& *resent< 2hen this 2as recei$ed< that
"rother Hur&urt e ,ranted a re-hearin,? and after *ra!er E2hich 2as
custo'ar! at the o*enin, of a&& counci&s of the ChurchF < the counci&
*roceeded to ordain t2o Hi,h )riests< to 'a0e out the nu'er< Et2e&$eF
that the counci&< or Church court< 'i,ht e or,ani4ed# "! the choice of
the counci& "rothers John and 3i&&ia' S'ith 2ere ordained under the hands
of E&der Ri,don#
"rother Hur&urt+s case 2as then &aid efore the court< and the
testi'on! a,ainst hi' ,i$en ! Orson H!de and H!ru' S'ith< and du&!
in$esti,ated# The decision of the court 2as< that "rother Hur&urt shou&d
e for,i$en< ecause of the &iera& confession 2hich he 'ade# This court
a&so decided that the "isho*+s counci& decided correct&! on the case< and
that "rother Hur&urt+s cri'e 2as sufficient to cut hi' off fro' the
Church? ut on his confession he 2as restored#
The )resident+s court a&so too0 "rother Danie& Co*&e!+s )riest+s
&icense and 'e'ershi* fro' hi' ecause he refused to fu&fi& his 'ission
accordin, to the counci& of the Hi,h )riesthood of the ho&! order of 5od#
June H9<---Doctor- )hi&astus Hur&urt 2as a,ain ca&&ed in >uestion<
! a ,enera& counci&? and "rother 5ee< of Tho'*son< testified that "rother
Hur&urt said that he decei$ed Jose*h S'ith+s 5od< or the s*irit ! 2hich
he is actuated# There 2as a&so corrooratin, testi'on! rou,ht a,ainst hi'
! "rother Hod,es# The counci& cut hi' off fro' the Church#
A counci& of the E&ders of the Church 2as he&d at 3estfie&d< Ne2
Yor0< the sa'e da!# E&der 5&adden "isho* 2as *resident and "rother Chester
L# Heath c&er0# "rother )au& entered a co'*&aint a,ainst "rother Ja'es
Hi,!< an E&der< for circu&atin, fa&se and s&anderous re*orts< and not
oser$in, the order of the 5os*e&< and *resented e$idence uni'*eacha&e<
to sustantiate the sa'e to the satisfaction of the counci&? u*on 2hich
e$idence--and fro' "rother Hi,!+s o2n 'outh< and the s*irit he
'anifested--
he 2as dec&ared ,ui&t! ! the counci&< and he 2as cut off fro' the
Church< The counci& then de'anded his &icense and the Church record< 2hich
he utter&! refused to ,i$e u*? therefore< reso&$ed that the *roceedin,s of
the counci& e sent to 1irt&and< that it 'a! e 0no2n a'on, the different
ranches of the Church#
CHA)TER 66%I#
THE )LAT OF THE CITY OF ;ION--ITS TE.)LES--CORRES)ONDENCE ON AFFAIRS IN
;ION AND EU5ENE#
An e/*&anation of the *&at of the cit! of ;ion< sent to the rethren
in ;ion< the HGth of June< 7899(
THE *&at contains one 'i&e s>uare? a&& the s>uares in the *&at
contain ten acres each< ein, fort! rods s>uare# You 2i&& oser$e that the
&ots are &aid off a&ternate&! in the s>uares? in one s>uare runnin, fro'
the south and north to the &ine throu,h the center of the s>uare? and in
the ne/t< the &ots run fro' the east and 2est to the center &ine# Each &ot
is four *erches in front and t2ent! ac0< 'a0in, one ha&f of an acre in
each &ot< so that no one street 2i&& e ui&t on entire&! throu,h the
street? ut on one s>uare the houses 2i&& stand on one street< and on the
ne/t one< another< e/ce*t the 'idd&e ran,e of s>uares< 2hich runs north
and south< in 2hich ran,e are the *ainted s>uares# The &ots are &aid off
in these s>uares< north and south< a&& of the'? ecause these s>uares are
fort! *erches ! si/t!< ein, t2ent! *erches &on,er than the others< their
,reatest &en,th ein, east and 2est< and ! runnin, a&& these s>uares<
north and south< it 'a0es a&& the &ots in the cit! of one si4e#
The *ainted s>uares in the 'idd&e are for *u&ic ui&din,s# The one
2ithout an! fi,ures is for store-houses for the "isho*< and to e de$oted
to his use# Fi,ure first is for te'*&es for the use of the *residenc!? the
circ&es inside of the s>uares< are the *&aces for the te'*&es# You 2i&&
see it contains t2e&$e fi,ures< t2o are for the te'*&es of the &esser
)riesthood# It is a&so to contain t2e&$e te'*&es#
The 2ho&e *&ot is su**osed to contain fro' fifteen to t2ent! thousand
*eo*&e( !ou 2i&& therefore see that it 2i&& re>uire t2ent!-four ui&din,s
to su**&! the' 2ith houses of 2orshi*< schoo&s< etc#? and none of these
te'*&es are to e s'a&&er than the one of 2hich 2e send !ou a draft# This
te'*&e is to e ui&t in the s>uare 'ar0ed fi,ure 7? and to e ui&t 2here
the circ&e is 2hich has a cross on it on the north end# South of the *&ot
2here the &ine is dra2n< is to e &aid off for arns< sta&es< etc#< for
the use of the cit!? so that no arns or sta&es 2i&& e in the cit! a'on,
the houses? the ,round to e occu*ied for these 'ust e &aid off accordin,
to 2isdo'# On the north and south are to e &aid off the far's for the
a,ricu&turist< and sufficient >uantit! of &and to su**&! the 2ho&e *&ot?
and if it cannot e &aid off 2ithout ,oin, too ,reat a distance fro' the
cit!< there 'ust a&so e so'e &aid off on the east and 2est#
3hen this s>uare is thus &aid off and su**&ied< &a! off another in
the sa'e 2a!< and so fi&& u* the 2or&d in these &ast da!s? and &et e$er!
'an &i$e in the cit!< for this is the cit! of ;ion# A&& the streets are of
one 2idth< ein, ei,ht *erches 2ide# A&so< the s*ace round the outer ed,e
of the *ainted s>uares< is to e ei,ht *erches et2een the te'*&e and the
street on e$er! side# No one &ot< in this cit!< is to contain 'ore than
one house< and that to e ui&t t2ent!-fi$e feet ac0 fro' the street<
&ea$in, a s'a&& !ard in front< to e *&anted in a ,ro$e< accordin, to the
taste of the ui&der? the rest of the &ot for ,ardens? a&& the houses are
to e ui&t of ric0 and stone# The sca&e of the *&ot is fort! *erches to
the inch#
The na'es of the te'*&es to e ui&t on the *ainted s>uares as
re*resented on the *&ot of the cit! of ;ion< 2hich is no2 aout to e
for2arded thither(--nu'ers 7D< 77< and 7H< are to e ca&&ed< House of the
Lord< for the )residenc! of the Hi,h and 'ost Ho&! )riesthood< after the
order of .e&chi4ede0< 2hich 2as after the order of the Son of 5od< u*on
.ount ;ion< Cit! of the Ne2 Jerusa&e'# Nu'ers M< 8< and N< the Sacred
A*osto&ic Re*ositor!< for the use of the "isho*# Nu'ers @< G< and :< the
Ho&! E$an,e&ica& House< for the Hi,h )riesthood of the Ho&! Order of 5od#
Nu'ers 7< H< and 9< the House of the Lord< for the E&ders of ;ion< an
Ensi,n to the Nations# Nu'ers HH< H9< and H@< House of the Lord for the
)residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood< after the Order of Aaron< a Standard
for the )eo*&e# Nu'ers 7N< HD< and H7< House of the Lord< the La2 of the
1in,do' of Hea$en< and .essen,er to the )eo*&e? for the Hi,hest )riesthood
after the Order of Aaron# Nu'ers 7:< 7M< and 78< House of the Lord for
the Teachers in ;ion< .essen,er to the Church# Nu'ers 79< 7@< and 7G<
House of the Lord for the Deacons in ;ion< He&*s in 5o$ern'ent# Underneath
'ust e 2ritten on each house--
HOLINESS TO THE LORD#
A descri*tion of the House of the Lord< 2hich is to e ui&t
first in ;ion(
The house of the Lord for the )residenc!< is ei,ht!-se$en feet &on,
and si/t!-one feet 2ide< and ten feet ta0en off of the east end for the
stair2a!< &ea$es the inner court< se$ent!-ei,ht feet ! si/t!-one< 2hich
is ca&cu&ated and di$ided for seats in the fo&&o2in, 'anner< $i4( the t2o
ais&es four feet 2ide each? the 'idd&e &oc0 of *e2s are e&e$en feet ten
inches &on,< and three feet 2ide each? and the t2o &ines dra2n throu,h the
'idd&e are four inches a*art? in 2hich s*ace a curtain is to dro* at ri,ht
an,&es< and di$ide the house into four *arts if necessar!# The *e2s of the
side &oc0s are fourteen and a ha&f feet &on,< and three feet 2ide# The
fi$e *e2s in each corner of the house< are t2e&$e feet si/ inches &on,#
The o*en s*aces et2een the corner and side *e2s are for fire*&aces? those
in the 2est are nine feet 2ide< and the east ones are ei,ht feet and ei,ht
inches 2ide< and the chi'ne!s carried u* in the 2a&& 2here the! are 'ar0ed
2ith a *enci&#
The *u&*it in the 2est end of the house is to e occu*ied ! the Hi,h
)riesthood< as fo&&o2s(--Nu'er 7< is for the )resident and his counci&?
nu'er H< for the "isho* and his counci&? nu'er 9< for the Hi,h )riests?
and nu'er @ for the E&ders? each of these is ei,ht feet &on,< containin,
three co$es or stands for the res*ecti$e s*ea0ers? and those seats
o**osite the' are for $isitin, officers< 2ho are to occu*! seats accordin,
to their res*ecti$e ,rades# The t2o s*aces in the 'idd&e are stairs t2o
feet 2ide# The 'idd&e *u&*it is to e e&e$ated? the first seats one foot<
the second t2o feet< the third three feet< and the fourth four feet# And
those u*on each side are a&so to e e&e$ated( the first one ei,ht inches<
the second si/teen< the third t2ent!-four< the fourth thirt!-t2o# The
corner seats are to e occu*ied ! sin,ers< and e&e$ated--the first seat
si/ inches< the second t2e&$e< the third ei,hteen< the fourth t2ent!-four<
and the fifth thirt!-t2o inches# The *u&*it in the east end of the house
is to e occu*ied ! the Lesser )riesthood# Nu'er 7< is for the
)residenc! of the Lesser )riesthood? nu'er H< for the )riests? nu'er 9<
for the Teachers? and nu'er @< for the Deacons? and the seats ! their
sides< are a&so to e occu*ied ! $isitin, officers? each one o**osite his
res*ecti$e ,rade# The *u&*its are to e finished 2ith *ane& 2or0< in the
est 2or0'an&i0e 'anner? and the ui&din, to e constructed of stone and
ric0 of the est >ua&it!# Oser$e *articu&ar&! that as there are *u&*its
at each end of the house< the ac0s of the con,re,ation 'ust e to one of
the'< and the! 2i&& 2ant occasiona&&! to chan,e# In order for this the
house 'ust ha$e *e2s instead of s&i*s< and in the *e2s &et the seats e
&oose< that the! 'a! s&i* fro' one side of the *e2 to the other< so as to
face either *u&*it< as occasion 'a! re>uire#
The side $ie2 re*resents fi$e 2indo2s in each stor!# The 2indo2s are
to ha$e each fort!-ei,ht &i,hts< of se$en ! nine ,&ass< si/ one 2a! and
ei,ht the other? the sides and &inte&s of the 2indo2s to e of he2n stone<
and on the to* of the &inte& is to e a 5othic to*< as !ou see< ut the
2indo2s 'ust ha$e a &inte&? and so 2ith the outside doors< a&& 2ith 5othic
to*s#
.a0e !our house fourteen feet hi,h et2een the f&oors# There 2i&& not
e a ,a&&er! ut a cha'er? each stor! to e fourteen feet hi,h< arched
o$erhead 2ith an e&&i*tic arch# Let the foundation of the house e of
stone? &et it e raised sufficient&! hi,h to a&&o2 of an0in, u* so hi,h
as to ad'it of a descent e$er! 2a! fro' the house< so far as to di$ide the
distance et2een this house< and the one ne/t to it# On the to* of the
foundation< ao$e the e'an0'ent< &et there e t2o ro2s of he2n stone< and
then co''ence the ric0-2or0 on the he2n stone# The entire hei,ht of the
house is to e t2ent!-ei,ht feet< each stor! ein, fourteen feet? 'a0e the
2a&& a sufficient thic0ness for a house of this si4e# The end $ie2
re*resents fi$e 2indo2s of the sa'e si4e as those at the side< the 'idd&e
2indo2 e/ce*ted< 2hich is to e the sa'e< 2ith the addition of side
&i,hts# This 'idd&e 2indo2 is desi,ned to &i,ht the roo's oth ao$e and
e&o2< as the u**er f&oor is to e &aid off in the sa'e 2a! as the &o2er
one< and arched o$erhead?
2ith the sa'e arran,e'ent of curtains< or $ei&s< as efore 'entioned#
The doors are to e fi$e feet 2ide< and nine feet hi,h< and to e in
the east end of the house# The 2est end is to ha$e no doors< ut in other
res*ects is to e &i0e the east< e/ce*t the 2indo2s are to e o**osite the
a&&e!s 2hich run east and 2est# The roof of the house is to ha$e
one-fourth *itch< the door to ha$e 5othic to*< the sa'e as the 2indo2s#
The shin,&es of the roof to e *ainted efore the! are *ut on# There is to
e a fan&i,ht< as !ou see# The 2indo2s and doors are a&& to ha$e $enetian
&inds# A e&fr! is to e in the east end< and a e&& of $er! &ar,e si4e#
You 2i&& e carefu& to ha$e hoo0s and rin,s to sus*end !our $ei&s on<
so that the! can e &et do2n or raised at an! ti'e< at *&easure# A&so< as
!ou see< the *u&*its are to ha$e four seats< risin, one ao$e another? for
instance< the E&der+s seat is the &o2est< ne/t co'es the Hi,h )riest+s<
ne/t the "isho*+s? so each of these 'ust ha$e a $ei& that is sus*ended
fro' the u**er f&oor< so as to e &et do2n? 2hich 2i&& at an! ti'e 2hen
necessar! e &et do2n< and shut off each stand or seat ! itse&f#
The sa'e da! IJune HGthJ< 2e 2rote to "rother 3# 3# )he&*s< and
others in ;ion< fro' 1irt&and< as fo&&o2s(
"rethren(--3e ha$e recei$ed !our &ast< containin, a nu'er of
>uestions 2hich !ou desire us to ans2er? this 2e do the 'ore readi&! as 2e
desire 2ith a&& our hearts the *ros*erit! of ;ion< and the *eace of her
inhaitants? for 2e ha$e as ,reat an interest in the 2e&fare of ;ion< as
!ou can ha$e#
First< as res*ects ,ettin, the "oo0 of Co''and'ents ound< 2e thin0
it is not necessar!# The! 2i&& e so&d 2e&& 2ithout indin,< and there is
no oo0inder to e had that 2e 0no2 of< nor are there 'ateria&s to e had
for indin,< 2ithout 0ee*in, the oo0s too &on, fro' circu&ation#
3ith re,ard to the co*ies of the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich are in the
hands of "rother "ur0ett< 2e sa! to !ou< ,et the' fro' "rother
"ur0ett< and ,i$e hi' a recei*t for the' in the na'e of the Literar!
Fir'# Let "rother 5i&ert *a! "rother Cha*in his 'one!#
3e ha$e not found the "oo0 of Jasher< nor an! other of the &ost oo0s
'entioned in the "i&e as !et? nor 2i&& 2e otain the' at *resent#
Res*ectin, the A*ocr!*ha< the Lord said to us that there 2ere 'an! thin,s
in it 2hich 2ere true< and there 2ere 'an! thin,s in it 2hich 2ere not
true< and to those 2ho desire it< shou&d e ,i$en ! the S*irit to 0no2
the true fro' the fa&se#
3e ha$e recei$ed so'e re$e&ations 2ithin a short ti'e ac0< 2hich !ou
2i&& otain in due season# As soon as 2e can ,et ti'e< 2e 2i&& re$ie2 the
'anuscri*ts of the "oo0 of .or'on< after 2hich the! 2i&& e for2arded to
!ou#
3e co''end the *&an hi,h&! of !our choosin, a teacher to instruct the
Hi,h )riests< that the! 'a! e a&e to si&ence ,ainsa!ers# Concernin,
"isho*s< 2e reco''end the fo&&o2in,? Let "rother Isaac .or&e! e ordained
second "isho* in ;ion< and &et "rother John Corri&& e ordained third#
Let "rother Ed2ard )artrid,e choose as counse&ors in their *&ace<
"rother )ar&e! )# )ratt and "rother Titus "i&&in,s< ordainin, "rother
"i&&in,s to the Hi,h )riesthood#
Let "rother .or&e! choose for his counse&ors< "rother Christian
3hit'er< 2ho' ordain to the Hi,h )riesthood< and "rother Ne2e& 1ni,ht# Let
"rother Corri&& choose "rother Danie& Stanton and "rother He4e0iah )ec0<
for his counse&ors? &et "rother He4e0iah a&so< e ordained to the Hi,h
)riesthood#
;o're IJohn JohnsonJ has een recei$ed as a 'e'er of the fir'< !
co''and'ent< and has =ust co'e to 1irt&and to &i$e? as soon as 2e ,et a
*o2er of attorne! si,ned a,reea&! to &a2< for A&a' IEd2ard )artrid,eJ 2e
2i&& for2ard it to hi'< and 2i&& i''ediate&! e/*ect one fro' that *art of
the fir' to Ahashdah INe2e& 1# 3hitne!J< si,ned in the sa'e 'anner# 3e
2ou&d a,ain sa! to A&a' IEd2ard )artrid,eJ< e sure to ,et a for'
accordin, to &a2 for securin, a ,ift# 3e ha$e found ! e/a'inin, the &a2<
that a ,ift cannot e retained 2ithout this#
The truth triu'*hs ,&orious&! in the east? 'u&titudes are e'racin,
it# I< Sidne!< 2ho 2rite this &etter in eha&f of the )residenc!< had the
*ri$i&e,e of seein, '! a,ed 'other a*ti4ed into the faith of the 5os*e&<
a fe2 2ee0s since< at the ad$anced a,e of se$ent!-fi$e# She no2 resides
2ith 'e#
3e send ! this 'ai&< a draft of the cit! of ;ion< 2ith e/*&anations<
and a draft of the house to e ui&t i''ediate&! in ;ion< for the
)residenc!< as 2e&& as for a&& *ur*oses of re&i,ion and instruction#
1irt&and< the sta0e of ;ion< is stren,thenin, continua&&!# 3hen the
ene'ies &oo0 at her the! 2a, their heads and 'arch a&on,# 3e antici*ate
the da! 2hen the ene'ies 2i&& ha$e f&ed a2a! and e far fro' us#
You 2i&& re'e'er that the *o2er of a,enc! 'ust e si,ned ! the
2i$es as 2e&& as the husands< and the 2i$es 'ust e e/a'ined in the
'atter se*arate and a*art fro' the husands< the sa'e as si,nin, a deed<
and a s*ecification to that effect inserted at the otto'< ! the =ustice
efore 2ho' such ac0no2&ed,'ent is 'ade< other2ise the *o2er of attorne!
2i&& e of none effect#
Shou&d !ou not understand the e/*&anations sent 2ith the drafts< !ou
2i&& infor' us< so that !ou 'a! ha$e a *ro*er understandin,< for it is
'eet that a&& thin,s shou&d e done accordin, to the *attern#
3e ha$e found the fo&&o2in, errors in the Co''and'ents as *rinted(
fortieth cha*ter< tenth $erse< third &ine< instead of -corru*ta&e<- *ut
corru*ted# Fourteenth $erse of the sa'e cha*ter< fifth &ine< instead of
-res*ecter to *ersons<- *ut res*ecter of *ersons# T2ent!-first $erse<
second &ine of the sa'e cha*ter< instead of -res*ecter to<- *ut res*ecter
of# Fort!-fourth cha*ter< t2e&fth $erse< &ast &ine< instead of -hands<-
*ut heads#
ITE.S OF INSTRUCTION CONCERNIN5 THE CONSECRATION OF )RO)ERTY#
"rother Ed2ard )artrid,e(
SIR(--I *roceed to ans2er !our >uestions< concernin, the consecration
of *ro*ert!#--First< it is not ri,ht to condescend to $er! ,reat
*articu&ars in ta0in, in$entories# The fact is this< a 'an is ound ! the
&a2 of the Church< to consecrate to the "isho* efore he can e considered
a &e,a& heir to the 0in,do' of ;ion? and this< too< 2ithout constraint?
and un&ess he does this< he cannot e ac0no2&ed,ed efore the Lord on the
Church "oo0 therefore< to condescend to *articu&ars< I 2i&& te&& !ou that
e$er! 'an 'ust e his o2n =ud,e ho2 'uch he shou&d recei$e and ho2 'uch he
shou&d suffer to re'ain in the hands of the "isho*# I s*ea0 of those 2ho
consecrate 'ore than the! need for the su**ort of the'se&$es and their
fa'i&ies#
The 'atter of consecration 'ust e done ! the 'utua& consent of oth
*arties? for to ,i$e the "isho* *o2er to sa! ho2 'uch e$er! 'an sha&&
ha$e< and he e o&i,ed to co'*&! 2ith the "isho*+s =ud,'ent< is ,i$in, to
the "isho* 'ore *o2er than a 0in, has? and u*on the other hand< to &et
e$er! 'an sa! ho2 'uch he needs< and the "isho* e o&i,ed to co'*&! 2ith
his =ud,'ent< is to thro2 ;ion into confusion< and 'a0e a s&a$e of the
"isho*# The fact is< there 'ust e a a&ance or e>ui&iriu' of *o2er<
et2een the "isho* and the *eo*&e< and thus har'on! and ,ood 2i&& 'a! e
*reser$ed a'on, !ou#
Therefore< those *ersons consecratin, *ro*ert! to the "isho* in
;ion< and then recei$in, an inheritance ac0< 'ust reasona&! sho2 to
the "isho* that the! need as 'uch as the! c&ai'# "ut in case the t2o
*arties cannot co'e to a 'utua& a,ree'ent< the "isho* is to ha$e nothin,
to do aout recei$in, such consecrations< and the case 'ust e &aid efore
a counci& of t2e&$e Hi,h )riests< the "isho* not ein, one of the counci&<
ut he is to &a! the case efore the'#
Sa! to "rother 5i&ert that 2e ha$e no 'eans in our *o2er to assist
hi' in a *ecuniar! 2a!< as 2e 0no2 not the hour 2hen 2e sha&& e sued for
dets 2hich 2e ha$e contracted ourse&$es in Ne2 Yor0# Sa! to hi' that he
'ust e/ert hi'se&f to the ut'ost to otain 'eans hi'se&f< to re*&enish his
store< for it 'ust e re*&enished< and it is his dut! to attend to it#
3e 2ere not a &itt&e sur*rised to hear that so'e of our &etters of a
*u&ic nature< 2hich 2e sent for the ,ood of ;ion< ha$e een 0e*t ac0
fro' the "isho*s# This is conduct 2hich 2e hi,h&! disa**roate#
ANS3ERS TO AUERIES TO "ROTHER )HEL)S+ LETTER OF JUNE @TH#
First< in re&ation to the *oor( 3hen the "isho*s are a**ointed
accordin, to our reco''endation< it 2i&& de$o&$e u*on the' to see to the
*oor< accordin, to the &a2s of the Church#
In re,ard to the *rintin, of the Ne2 Trans&ation? It cannot e done
unti& 2e can attend to it ourse&$es< and this 2e 2i&& do as soon as the
Lord *er'its#
As to Sheder&ao'ach< IF# 5# 3i&&ia'sJ< a&& 'e'ers of the United Fir'
are considered one# The order of the Literar! Fir' is a 'atter of
ste2ardshi*< 2hich is of the ,reatest i'*ortance? and the 'ercanti&e
esta&ish'ent 5od co''anded to e de$oted to the su**ort thereof< and 5od
2i&& rin, e$er! trans,ression unto =ud,'ent#
Sa! to the rothers Hu&et and to a&& others< that the Lord ne$er
authori4ed the' to sa! that the de$i&< his an,e&s or the sons of
*erdition< shou&d e$er e restored? for their fate of destin! 2as not
re$ea&ed to 'an< is not re$ea&ed< nor e$er sha&& e re$ea&ed< sa$e to
those 2ho are 'ade *arta0ers thereof? conse>uent&! those 2ho teach this
doctrine ha$e not recei$ed it of the S*irit of the Lord# Tru&! "rother
O&i$er dec&ared it to e the doctrine of de$i&s# 3e therefore co''and that
this doctrine e tau,ht no 'ore in ;ion# 3e sanction the decision of the
"isho* and his counci&< in re&ation to this doctrine ein, a ar to
co''union#
The nu'er of disci*&es in 1irt&and is aout one hundred and fift!#
3e ha$e co''enced ui&din, the house of the Lord< in this *&ace< and it
,oes on ra*id&!# 5ood ne2s fro' the east and south of the success of the
&aorers is often sa&utin, our ears# It is a ,enera& ti'e of hea&th a'on,
us? fa'i&ies a&& 2e&&< and da! and ni,ht 2e *ra! for the sa&$ation of
;ion#
3e de&i$er "rother ;ia )eterson o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan< in
the na'e of the Lord< that he 'a! &earn not to trans,ress the co''and'ents
of 5od# 3e conc&ude our &etter ! the usua& sa&utation< in to0en of the
ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant# 3e hasten to c&ose< ecause the 'ai& is =ust
,oin,# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< SIDNEY RI5DON< F# 5# 3ILLIA.S#
)# S#--3e fee& ,ratified 2ith the 2a! in 2hich "rother 3i&&ia' 3#
)he&*s is conductin, the Star at *resent< 2e ho*e he 2i&& see0 to
render it 'ore and 'ore interestin,# In re&ation to the si4e of
"isho*rics( 3hen ;ion is once *ro*er&! re,u&ated there 2i&& e a "isho*
to each s>uare of the si4e of the one 2e send !ou 2ith this? ut at
*resent it 'ust e done accordin, to 2isdo'# It is needfu&< rethren< that
!ou shou&d e a&& of one heart< and of one 'ind< in doin, the 2i&& of the
Lord#
There shou&d e/ist the ,reatest freedo' and fa'i&iarit! a'on, the
ru&ers in ;ion#
3e 2ere e/ceedin,&! sorr! to hear the co'*&aint that 2as 'ade in
"rother Ed2ard )artrid,e+s &etter< that the &etters attendin, the O&i$e
Leaf had een 0e*t fro' hi' as it is 'eet that he shou&d 0no2 a&& thin,s
in re&ation to ;ion< as the Lord has a**ointed hi' to e a =ud,e in ;ion#
3e ho*e< dear rethren< that the &i0e occurrence 2i&& not ta0e *&ace
a,ain# 3hen 2e direct &etters to ;ion to an! of the Hi,h )riests 2hich
*ertain to the re,u&ation of her affairs< 2e a&2a!s desi,n that the!
shou&d e &aid efore the "isho*< so as to ena&e hi' to *erfor' his dut!#
3e sa! so 'uch< ho*in, it 2i&& e recei$ed in 0indness< and our rethren
2i&& e carefu& of one anothers+ fee&in,s< and 2a&0 in &o$e< honorin, one
another 'ore than the'se&$es< as is re>uired ! the Lord# Yours as e$er<
J# S#< S# R#< F# 5# 3#
A SECOND CO..UNICATION TO THE "RETHREN IN ;ION#
1IRTLAND< Ju&! Hnd< 7899#
To the "rethren in ;ion( 3e recei$ed !our &etters of June Mth( one
fro' "rothers 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and O&i$er Co2der!? one fro' "rother Da$id
3hit'er? and one fro' "rother Sidne! 5i&ert< for 2hich 2e are than0fu& to
our Hea$en&! Father< as a&so to hear of !our 2e&fare< and the *ros*erit!
of ;ion# Ha$in, recei$ed !our &etters in the 'ai& of toda!< 2e hasten to
ans2er< in order that our re*&! 'a! ,o 2ith to'orro2+s 'ai&#
3e are e/ceedin,&! fati,ued< o2in, to a ,reat *ress of usiness# 3e
this da! finished the trans&atin, of the Scri*tures< for 2hich 2e returned
,ratitude to our Hea$en&! Father< and sat i''ediate&! do2n to ans2er !our
&etters# 3e re=oiced ,reat&! to hear of the safe arri$a& of Sister %ienna
Ja>ues and "rother 3i&&ia' Hoert< and than0 our Hea$en&! Father that
their &i$es ha$e een s*ared the' ti&& their arri$a&# The hea&th of the
rethren and sisters in 1irt&and is ,ood at *resent? no case of sic0ness
0no2n to us# "rother Jose*h C# 1in,sur!+s 2ife is dec&inin, fast< and
cannot continue 'uch &on,er< ut 2i&& soon e in the *aradise of 5od#
3e are en,a,ed in 2ritin, a &etter to Eu,ene res*ectin, the t2o
S'iths< as 2e ha$e recei$ed t2o &etters fro' the'? one fro' John S'ith<
the other fro' the E&der of the Church# As to the ,ift of ton,ues< a&& 2e
can sa! is< that in this *&ace< 2e ha$e recei$ed it as the ancients did?
2e 2ish !ou< ho2e$er< to e carefu& &est in this !ou e decei$ed# 5uard
a,ainst e$i&s 2hich 'a! arise fro' an! accounts ,i$en ! 2o'en< or
other2ise? e carefu& in a&& thin,s &est an! root of itterness s*rin, u*
a'on, !ou< and there! 'an! e defi&ed# Satan 2i&& no dout trou&e !ou
aout the ,ift of ton,ues< un&ess !ou are carefu&? !ou cannot 2atch hi'
too c&ose&!< nor *ra! too 'uch# .a! the Lord ,i$e !ou 2isdo' in a&&
thin,s# In a &etter 'ai&ed &ast 2ee0< !ou 2i&& dout&ess< efore !ou
recei$e this< ha$e otained infor'ation aout the Ne2 Trans&ation# Consi,n
the o/ of the "oo0 of Co''and'ents to N# 1# 3hitne! Co#< 1irt&and<
5eau,a< count!< Ohio< care of 1e&&! and 3a&2orth< C&e$e&and< Cu!aho,a
count!< Ohio#
I< Sidne!< 2rite this in ,reat haste< in ans2er to !ours to "rother
Jose*h< as I a' ,oin, off i''ediate&!< in co'*an! 2ith "rother Frederic0
to *roc&ai' the 5os*e&--2e thin0 of startin, to'orro2# Ha$in, finished the
trans&ation of the "i&e< a fe2 hours since< and needin, so'e recreation<
2e 0no2 of one 2a! 2e can s*end our ti'e 'ore to di$ine acce*tance than in
endea$orin, to ui&d u* His ;ion in these &ast da!s< as 2e are not 2i&&in,
to id&e an! ti'e a2a! 2hich can e s*ent to usefu& *ur*oses# Doors are
o*enin, continua&&! for *roc&ai'in, the 5os*e&# The s*irit of itterness
a'on, the *eo*&e is fast susidin,< and a s*irit of in>uir! is ta0in, its
*&ace# I *reached &ast Sunda! at Chardon< our count! seat? I had the court
house? there 2as a ,enera& turn-out< ,ood attention< and a *ressin,
in$itation for 'ore 'eetin,s< 2hich 2i&& e ,ranted< if the Lord 2i&&<
2hen 2e return fro' this tour#
"rother Jose*h is ,oin, to ta0e a tour 2ith "rother 5eor,e Ja'es< of
"ro2nhe&'< as soon as "rother 5eor,e co'es to this *&ace# 3e ho*e< our
rethren< that the ,reatest freedo' and fran0ness 2i&& e/ist et2een !ou
and the "isho*< not 2ithho&din, fro' one another an! infor'ation fro' us<
ut co''unicatin, 2ith the ,reatest freedo'< &est !ou shou&d *roduce e$i&s
of a serious character< and the Lord eco'e offended? for 0no2 assured&!<
if 2e< ! our 2ic0edness< rin, e$i& on our o2n heads< the Lord 2i&& &et
us ear it ti&& 2e ,et 2ear! and hate ini>uit!# "rother Frederic0 2ants
!ou to sa! to "rother "ur0e< that the 'an fro' 2ho' he e/*ected to ,et the
'i&& stones< has run off< so he 2i&& not e a&e to ,et the'? ut "rother
"ur0e can ,et the' of the sa'e 'an+s 'a0e< in St# Louis#
3e conc&ude ! ,i$in, our heartiest a**roation to e$er! 'easure
ca&cu&ated for the s*read of the truth< in these &ast da!s? and our
stron,est desires and sincerest *ra!ers for the *ros*erit! of ;ion# Sa! to
a&& the rethren and sisters in ;ion< that the! ha$e our hearts< our est
2ishes and the stron,est desires of our s*irits for their 2e&fare<
te'*ora&< s*iritua&< and eterna&# As e$er< 2e sa&ute !ou in the na'e of
the Lord Jesus# A'en# SIDNEY RI5DON< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< F# 5# 3ILLIA.S#
CORRES)ONDENCE O%ER TROU"LES IN THE EU5ENE "RANCH OF THE CHURCH#
1IRTLAND< Ju&! Hnd< 7899#
"rother John S'ith(
3e ha$e =ust recei$ed !our &etter< of the 8th of June< 2hich see's to
ha$e een 2ritten in a s*irit of =ustification on !our *art# You 2i&&
reco&&ect that *re$ious to !our &ea$in, this *&ace< !ou 2ere tried efore
the "isho*+s court< 2hich found !ou ,ui&t! of 'isde'eanor< and decided
that !ou shou&d no &on,er retain !our authorit! in the Church? a&& of
2hich 2e< as )residents of the Hi,h )riesthood< sanction# You na'e
so'ethin, in !our &etter< that too0 *&ace at "rother O&ne!+s in
Sha&ers$i&&e< on the HMth and H8th of Au,ust< 2hich 2e *erfect&!
reco&&ect< and had !ou 'ade such confession as !ou 2ere re>uired to< at
Chi**e2a!< a&& thin,s 2ou&d ha$e 2or0ed to,ether for !our ,ood< and as I
to&d !ou? ut !ou did not 'anifest that de,ree of hu'i&it! to the rethren
that 2as re>uired< ut re'ained ostinate? for that reason 5od 2ithdre2
His S*irit fro' !ou< and &eft !ou in dar0ness# In !our &etter !ou sa! 'an!
hard thin,s a,ainst the rethren< es*ecia&&! a,ainst Father Jose*h S'ith#
"rother Re!no&ds Cahoon< and "isho* 3hitne!< a&& of 2hich 2e hi,h&!
disa**ro$e# It see's a&so that !our son Eden is confederate 2ith !ou< and
needs to e re*ro$ed< to,ether 2ith !ourse&f< in a&& hu'i&it! efore the
Lord< or !ou 'ust e/*ect to e dea&t 2ith accordin, to the &a2s of the
Church# 3e sa! !ou are no 'ore than a *ri$ate 'e'er in the Church# JOSE)H
S.ITH< JUN#< F# 5# 3ILLIA.S )RESIDENTS
1IRTLAND< Ju&! Hnd< 7899#
To The Church at Eu,ene(
DEAR "RETHREN(--It is tru&! *ainfu& to e under the necessit! of
2ritin, on a su=ect 2hich en,a,es our attention at this ti'e< $i4? the
case of John S'ith< and Eden S'ith< his son# 3e ha$e =ust recei$ed a
&etter fro' !ou concernin, their standin, in the Church# 3e do not ho&d
the' in fe&&o2shi*# 3e 2ou&d infor' !ou that John S'ith has een dea&t
2ith< and his authorit! ta0en fro' hi'< and !ou are re>uired not to
recei$e his teachin,s< ut to treat hi' as a trans,ressor< unti& he
re*ents and hu'&es hi'se&f efore the Lord< to the entire satisfaction of
the Church? and a&so< !ou ha$e authorit! to ca&& a conference< and sit in
=ud,'ent on Eden+s case< and dea& 2ith hi' as the &a2 directs#
3e fee& to reu0e the E&ders of that ranch of the Church of Christ<
for not 'a,nif!in, their office< and &ettin, the trans,ressor ,o
un*unished# 3e< therefore< en=oin u*on !ou< to e 2atchfu& on !our *art<
and search out ini>uit!< and *ut it do2n 2here$er it 'a! e found# You
2i&& see ! this< rethren< that !ou ha$e authorit! to sit in counci& on
the S'iths? and if found ,ui&t!< to dea& 2ith the' accordin,&!# 3e ha$e
this da! directed a &etter to John S'ith< there! 'a0in, 0no2n to hi' our
disa**roation of the course he has *ursued# 3e co''end !ou to 5od and His
,race< e$er *ra!in, He 2i&& 0ee* and *reser$e !ou &a'e&ess ti&& He co'e#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< SIDNEY RI5DON< F# 5# 3ILLIA.S#
)ostscri*t ! "isho* 3hitne!< sa'e date(
DEAR "RETHREN(--Yours of the 9rd of June ca'e safe to hand the &ast
'ai&< and John S'ith+s< 2hich 2as directed to "rother Jose*h# No2< '!
rethren< on this sheet !ou ha$e "rother Jose*h+s sanction to '!
*roceedin,s< and the &etter I &ast 2rote !ou< and !ou 2i&& ,o$ern
!ourse&$es accordin,&!< for !ou ha$e fu&& *o2er and authorit! to ca&& the
t2o rothers S'ith to an account for their conduct? and< un&ess the!
re*ent and 'a0e satisfaction< not on&! to !our ranch of the Church< ut
a&so to this ranch< the! 'ust e cut off fro' the od!? for under
e/istin, circu'stances< 2e ha$e no fe&&o2shi* 2ith the'# "rother John
S'ith+s authorit!< as an officer in the Church< 2as ta0en fro' hi' efore
he &eft< and he ou,ht to ha$e ,i$en u* his &icense? ut he 2ent a2a!
2ithout doin, so< and it see's he has 'ade use of it to i'*ose u*on !ou#
As to the t2o sisters !ou s*o0e of in !our &ast< if there is no testi'on!
on either side< a&& !ou can do is to forid the' to *arta0e of the
Sacra'ent un2orthi&!? and *ra! 'uch< and 5od 2i&& rin, a&& thin,s to
&i,ht# N# 1# 3HITNEY< "isho*#
CHA)TER 66%II#
)RE)ARATIONS OF THE .O" IN JAC1SON COUNTY TO RESORT TO %IOLENCE--
I.)ORTANT E6CER)TS FRO. THE STAR#
JULY< 2hich once da2ned u*on the $irtue and inde*endence of the
United States< no2 da2ned u*on the sa$a,e ararit! and 'oocrac! of
.issouri# .ost of the c&er,! actin, as 'issionaries to the Indians< or to
the frontier inhaitants< 2ere a'on, the 'ost *ro'inent characters< that
rose u* and rushed on to destro! the ri,hts of the Church< as 2e&& as the
&i$es of her 'e'ers# One Re$erend )i/&e!< 2ho had een sent ! the
.issionar!
Societ! to ci$i&i4e and Christiani4e the heathen of the 2est< 2as a
&ac0 rod in the hands of Satan? as 2e&& as a *oisoned shaft in the hands
of our other foes# He 2rote horri&e fa&sehoods aout the Saints 2hich he
sent to the re&i,ious *a*ers in the East< fro' ti'e to ti'e< in order to
sour the *u&ic 'ind a,ainst the'? and used his inf&uence a'on, oth
Indians and 2hites to o$erthro2 the Church in Jac0son count!# On the first
of Ju&!< he 2rote a s&anderous tract entit&ed< -"e2are of Fa&se )ro*hets<-
2hich he carried fro' house to house< to incense the inhaitants a,ainst
the Church< to 'o the'< and dri$e the' a2a!# The Ju&! nu'er of The
E$enin, and .ornin, Star< *ursued a 'i&d and *acific course? the first
artic&e therein< entit&ed< -"e2are of Fa&se )ro*hets<- 2as ca&cu&ated to
disause the honest *u&ic 'ind fro' )i/&e!+s fa&sehoods? and the caution
a,ainst -Free )eo*&e of Co&or<- sett&in, in .issouri< 2as sufficient to
si&ence the fears of e$er! soer 'ind< !et< it 2as a&& in $ain? the hour
of tria& 'ust co'e( not2ithstandin, the constitution of .issouri--as
*u&ished in the sa'e *a*er--sa!s(
Artic&e @th# That a&& 'en ha$e a natura& and indefeasi&e ri,ht to
2orshi* A&'i,ht! 5od accordin, to the dictates of their o2n consciences?
and that no 'an can e co'*e&&ed to erect< su**ort< or attend an! *&ace of
2orshi*< or to 'aintain an! 'inister of the 5os*e&< or teacher of
re&i,ion? that no hu'an authorit! can contro& or interfere 2ith the ri,hts
of conscience? that no *erson can e$er e hurt< 'o&ested< or restrained in
his re&i,ious *rofessions< or senti'ents< if he do not distur others in
their re&i,ious 2orshi*#
Gth# That no *erson< on account of his re&i,ious o*inions< can e
rendered ine&i,i&e to an! office of trust or *rofit under this state?
that no *reference can e$er e ,i$en ! &a2< to an! sect or 'ode of
2orshi*#
Yet< ecause the Saints in s*iritua& thin,s e&ie$ed and tau,ht
different&! fro' their nei,hors--a&thou,h oth the faith and the
teachin,s of the Saints 2ere accordin, to the &a2s of hea$en--the 'o dre2
u* and *u&ished the fo&&o2in, 'anifesto(
THE .ANIFESTO OF THE .O"# 3e< the undersi,ned< citi4ens of Jac0son
count!< e&ie$in, that an i'*ortant crisis is at hand< as re,ards our
ci$i& societ!< in conse>uence of a *retended re&i,ious sect of *eo*&e that
ha$e sett&ed< and are sti&& sett&in, in our count!< st!&in, the'se&$es
-.or'ons?- and intendin,< as 2e do< to rid our societ!< -*eacea&! if 2e
can< forci&! if 2e 'ust<- and e&ie$in, as 2e do< that the ar' of the
ci$i& &a2 does not afford us a ,uarantee< or at &east a sufficient one<
a,ainst the e$i&s 2hich are no2 inf&icted u*on us< and see' to e
increasin,< ! the said re&i,ious sect< dee' it e/*edient< and of the
hi,hest i'*ortance< to for' ourse&$es into a co'*an! for the etter and
easier acco'*&ish'ent of our *ur*ose--a *ur*ose 2hich 2e dee' it a&'ost
su*erf&uous to sa!< is =ustified as 2e&& ! the &a2 of nature< as ! the
&a2 of se&f-*reser$ation#
It is 'ore than t2o !ears since the first of these fanatics< or
0na$es< Efor one or the other the! undouted&! areF 'ade their first
a**earance a'on,st us< and *retended as the! did< and no2 do< to ho&d
*ersona& co''unication and con$erse face to face 2ith the .ost Hi,h 5od?
to recei$e co''unications and re$e&ations direct fro' hea$en? to hea& the
sic0 ! &a!in, on hands? and< in short< to *erfor' a&& the 2onder-2or0in,
'irac&es 2rou,ht ! the ins*ired A*ost&es and )ro*hets of o&d#
3e e&ie$ed the' de&uded fanatics< or 2ea0 and desi,nin, 0na$es and
that the! and their *retensions 2ou&d soon *ass a2a!? ut in this 2e 2ere
decei$ed# The arts of a fe2 desi,nin, &eaders a'on,st the' ha$e thus far
succeeded in ho&din, the' to,ether as a societ!? and since the arri$a& of
the first of the'< the! ha$e een dai&! increasin, in nu'ers? and if the!
had een res*ecta&e citi4ens in societ! and thus de&uded< the! 2ou&d ha$e
een entit&ed to our *it! rather than to our conte'*t and hatred? ut fro'
their a**earance< fro' their 'anners< and fro' their conduct since their
co'in, a'on, us< 2e ha$e e$er! reason to fear that< 2ith ut $er! fe2
e/ce*tions< the! 2ere of the $er! dre,s of that societ! fro' 2hich the!
ca'e< &a4!< id&e< and $icious# This 2e concei$e is not id&e assertion< ut
a fact susce*ti&e of *roof< for 2ith these fe2 e/ce*tions ao$e na'ed<
the! rou,ht into our countr! &itt&e or no *ro*ert! 2ith the' and &eft
&ess ehind the'< and 2e infer that those on&! !o0e the'se&$es to the
-.or'on- car 2ho had nothin, earth&! or hea$en&! to &ose ! the chan,e?
and 2e fear that if so'e of the &eaders a'on,st the'< had *aid the forfeit
due to cri'e< instead of ein, chosen a'assadors of the .ost Hi,h< the!
2ou&d ha$e een in'ates of so&itar! ce&&s# "ut their conduct here sta'*s
their characters in their true co&ors# .ore than a !ear since< it 2as
ascertained that the! had een ta'*erin, 2ith our s&a$es< and endea$orin,
to so2 dissensions and raise seditions a'on,st the'# Of this their
-.or'on- &eaders 2ere infor'ed< and the! said the! 2ou&d dea& 2ith an! of
their 'e'ers 2ho shou&d a,ain in &i0e case offend# "ut ho2 s*acious are
a**earances# In a &ate nu'er of the Star< *u&ished in Inde*endence !
the &eaders of the sect< there is an artic&e in$itin, free ne,roes and
'u&attoes fro' other states to eco'e -.or'ons<- and re'o$e and sett&e
a'on, us# This e/hiits the' in sti&& 'ore odious co&ors# It 'anifests a
desire on the *art of their societ!< to inf&ict on our societ! an in=ur!
that the! 0no2 2ou&d e to us entire&! insu**orta&e< and one of the
surest 'eans of dri$in, us fro' the countr!? for it 2ou&d re>uire none of
the su*ernatura& ,ifts that the! *retend to< to see that the introduction
of such a caste a'on,st us 2ou&d corru*t our &ac0s< and insti,ate the' to
&oodshed#
The! o*en&! &as*he'e the .ost Hi,h 5od< and cast conte'*t on
His ho&! re&i,ion< ! *retendin, to recei$e re$e&ations direct fro'
hea$en< ! *retendin, to s*ea0 un0no2n ton,ues< ! direct ins*iration< and
! di$ers *retenses dero,ator! to 5od and re&i,ion< and to the utter
su$ersion of hu'an reason#
The! dec&are o*en&! that their 5od hath ,i$en the' this count! of
&and< and that sooner or &ater the! 'ust and 2i&& ha$e *ossession of our
&ands for an inheritance? and< in fine< the! ha$e conducted the'se&$es on
'an! other occasions< in such a 'anner< that 2e e&ie$e it a dut! 2e o2e
to ourse&$es< our 2i$es< and chi&dren< to the cause of *u&ic 'ora&s< to
re'o$e the' fro' a'on, us< as 2e are not *re*ared to ,i$e u* our *&easant
*&aces and ,ood&! *ossessions to the' or to recei$e into the oso' of our
fa'i&ies< as fit co'*anions for our 2i$es and dau,hters< the de,raded and
corru*ted free ne,roes and 'u&attoes that are no2 in$ited to sett&e a'on,
us#
Under such a state of thin,s< e$en our eautifu& count! 2ou&d cease
to e a desira&e residence< and our situation into&era&e# 3e< therefore<
a,ree that after ti'e&! 2arnin,< and recei$in, an ade>uate co'*ensation
for 2hat &itt&e *ro*ert! the! cannot ta0e 2ith the'< the! refuse to &ea$e
us in *eace< as the! found us--2e a,ree to use such 'eans as 'a! e
sufficient to re'o$e the'< and to that end 2e each *&ed,e to each other
our odi&! *o2ers< our &i$es< fortunes and sacred honors#
3e 2i&& 'eet at the court house< at the to2n of Inde*endence< on
Saturda! ne/t< the HDth inst#< IJu&!J< to consu&t on suse>uent 'o$e'ents#
A'on, the hundreds of na'es attached to the ao$e docu'ent 2ere(
Le2is Fran0&in< =ai&or? Sa'ue& C# O2ens< count! c&er0? Russe& Hic0s<
de*ut! count! c&er0? R# 3# Cu''ins< Indian a,ent? Ja'es H# F&ourno!<
*ost'aster? S# D# Lucas< co&one& and =ud,e of the court? Henr! Chi&es<
attorne!-at-&a2? N# 1# O&'stead< .# D#? John S'ith< =ustice of the *eace?
Sa'ue& 3eston< =ustice of the *eace? 3i&&ia' "ro2n< consta&e? Aner F#
Sta*&es< ca*tain? Tho'as )itcher< de*ut! consta&e? .oses 5# 3i&son and
Tho'as 3i&son< 'erchants#
FREE )EO)LE OF COLOR#
To *re$ent an! 'isunderstandin, a'on, the churches aroad<
res*ectin, free *eo*&e of co&or< 2ho 'a! thin0 of co'in, to the 2estern
oundaries of .issouri< as 'e'ers of the Church< 2e >uote the fo&&o2in,
c&auses fro' the &a2s of .issouri(
-Section @#--"e it further enacted< that hereafter no free ne,ro or
'u&atto< other than a citi4en of so'eone of the United States sha&& co'e
into or sett&e in this state under an! *rete/t 2hate$er? and u*on
co'*&aint 'ade to an! =ustice of the *eace< that such *erson is in his
count!< contrar! to the *ro$isions of this section< if it sha&& a**ear
that such *erson is a free ne,ro or 'u&atto< and that he hath co'e into
this state after the *assa,e of this act< and such *erson sha&& not
*roduce a certificate< attested ! the sea& of so'e court of record in
so'eone of the United States< e$idencin, that he is a citi4en of such
state< the =ustice sha&& co''and hi' forth2ith to de*art fro' this state?
and in case such ne,ro or 'u&atto sha&& not de*art fro' the state 2ithin
thirt! da!s after ein, co''anded so to do as aforesaid< an! =ustice of
the *eace< u*on co'*&aint thereof to hi' 'ade 'a! cause such *erson to e
rou,ht efore hi' and 'a! co''it hi' to the co''on ,oa& of the count! in
2hich he 'a! e found< unti& the ne/t ter' of the circuit court to e he&d
in such count!# And the said court sha&& cause such *erson to e rou,ht
efore the' and e/a'ine into the cause of co''it'ent? and if it sha&&
a**ear that such *erson ca'e into the state contrar! to the *ro$isions of
this act< and continued therein after ein, co''anded to de*art as
aforesaid< such court 'a! sentence such *erson to recei$e ten &ashes on
his or her are ac0< and order hi' to de*art the state? and if he or she
sha&& not de*art< the sa'e *roceedin,s sha&& e had and *unish'ent
inf&icted< as often as 'a! e necessar!< unti& such *erson sha&& de*art
the state#
-Sec# G#--"e it further enacted< that if an! *erson sha&&< after the
ta0in, effect of this act< rin, into this state an! free ne,ro or
'u&atto< not ha$in, in his *ossession a certificate of citi4enshi* as
re>uired ! this act< Ehe or sheF sha&& forfeit an! *a! for e$er! *erson
so rou,ht< the su' of fi$e hundred do&&ars< to e reco$ered ! action of
det in the na'e of the state< to the use of the uni$ersit!< in an! court
ha$in, co'*etent =urisdiction? in 2hich action the defendant 'a! e he&d
to ai&< of ri,ht and 2ithout affida$it? and it sha&& e the dut! of the
attorne! ,enera& or circuit attorne! of the district in 2hich an! *erson
so offendin, 'a! e found< i''ediate&! u*on infor'ation ,i$en of such
offenses to co''ence and *rosecute an action as aforesaid#-
S&a$es are rea& estate in this and other states< and 2isdo' 2ou&d
dictate ,reat care a'on, the ranches of the Church of Christ on this
su=ect# So &on, as 2e ha$e no s*ecia& ru&e in the Church< as to *eo*&e of
co&or< &et *rudence ,uide< and 2hi&e the!< as 2e&& as 2e< are in the hands
of a 'ercifu& 5od< 2e sa!( Shun e$er! a**earance of e$i&#
-THE E%ENIN5 AND .ORNIN5 STAR- E6TRA#
Ju&! 7:< 7899#
Ha$in, &earned 2ith e/tre'e re,ret< that an artic&e entit&ed< -Free
)eo*&e of Co&or<- in the &ast nu'er of the Star< has een 'isunderstood<
2e fee& in dut! ound to state< in this E/tra< that our intention 2as not
on&! to sto* free *eo*&e of co&or fro' e'i,ratin, to this state< ut to
*re$ent the' fro' ein, ad'itted as 'e'ers of the Church#
On the second co&u'n of the one hundred and e&e$enth *a,e of the sa'e
*a*er< 'a! e found this *ara,ra*h(---Our rethren 2i&& find an e/tract of
the &a2 of this state< re&ati$e to free *eo*&e of co&or< on another *a,e
of this *a*er# 5reat care shou&d e ta0en on this *oint# The Saints 'ust
shun e$er! a**earance of e$i&# As to s&a$es< 2e ha$e nothin, to sa!? in
connection 2ith the 2onderfu& e$ents of this a,e 'uch is doin, to2ards
ao&ishin, s&a$er!< and co&oni4in, the &ac0s in Africa#
3e often &a'ent the situation of our sister states in the south< and
2e fear< &est< as has een the case< the &ac0s shou&d rise and s*i&&
innocent &ood< for the! are i,norant< and a &itt&e 'a! &ead the' to
distur the *eace of societ!# To e short< 2e are o**osed to ha$in, free
*eo*&e of co&or ad'itted into the state? and 2e sa!< that none 2i&& e
ad'itted into the Church? for 2e are deter'ined to oe! the &a2s and
constitutions of our countr!< that 2e 'a! ha$e that *rotection 2hich the
sons of &iert! inherit fro' the &e,ac! of 3ashin,ton< throu,h the
fa$ora&e aus*ices of a Jefferson and Jac0son#
The E&ders Stationed in ;ion< to the Churches Aroad< in Lo$e
5reetin,( EFro' The E$enin, and .ornin, Star< Ju&! nu'er#F
DEAR "RETHREN(--One !ear ha$in, *assed since 2e addressed the
churches aroad< on the situation of ;ion and the state of the ,atherin,
it see's to e our dut! to a,ain address the Saints on the sa'e su=ects#
A&thou,h !ou fre>uent&! &earn throu,h the 'ediu' of the Star our situation
and *ro,ress< !et 2e indu&,e a ho*e< that a circu&ar fro' us< *articu&ar&!
settin, these thin,s forth at this ti'e< 2i&& e recei$ed ! !ou in
fe&&o2shi*# 3e ha$e aundant reason to than0 the Lord for His ,oodness and
'erc! 'anifested unto us< since 2e 2ere *&anted in this &and# 3ith the
e/ce*tion of the 2inter season< the ,atherin, has continued s&o2&!# At
*resent 2e ha$e not the e/act nu'er of the disci*&es? ut su**ose that
there are near se$en hundred<--inc&ude 2ith these their chi&dren and those
2ho e&on, to fa'i&ies< and the nu'er 2i&& *roa&! a'ount to 'ore than
t2e&$e hundred sou&s# .an! ha$e een *&anted u*on their inheritances<
2here< &essed 2ith a fruitfu& soi&< and a hea&th! c&i'ate< the! are
e,innin, to en=o! so'e of the co'forts of &ife#
This in connection 2ith *eace and satisfaction of *ure and undefi&ed
re&i,ion? 2hich is to $isit the 2ido2 and father&ess in their aff&ictions
and to 0ee* ourse&$es uns*otted fro' the 2or&d< rin,s do2n the &essin,s
of *eace and &o$e fro' our Father< and confir's our faith in the *ro'ise<
that 2e sha&& see Hi' in the f&esh< 2hen He co'es to e ,&orified in His
Saints< and to e ad'ired in a&& the' that e&ie$e in that da!#
Here &et us re'ar0< that our dut! ur,es us to notice a fe2 &etters
2hich ha$e een sent fro' this *&ace< ! *ersons see0in, the &oa$es and
fishes< or ! such as ha$e &ost their standin, a'on, 'en of character in
the 2or&d# In the &etters a&&uded to< are so'e facts? ut 'ost of the
state'ents are fa&se# It is said that 2o'en ,o out to 2or0? this is a
fact< and not on&! 2o'en< ut 'en< too? for in the Church of Christ< a&&
that are a&e ha$e to 2or0 to fu&fi& the co''and'ents of the Lord? and the
situation in 2hich 'an! ha$e co'e u* here< has rou,ht the' under the
necessit! of see0in, e'*&o!'ent fro' those 2ho do not e&on, to the
Church# Yet< 2e can sa! as far as our 0no2&ed,e e/tends< that the! ha$e
een honora&! co'*ensated# And 2e are 2i&&in, to decree concernin,
'an0ind< Thou sha&t eat th! read ! the s2eat of th! ro2< shou&d e
fu&fi&&ed# .e'ers of the Church ha$e< or 2i&& ha$e< -deeds- Ito their
&andsJ in their o2n na'e#
One "ates< fro' Ne2 London< Ohio--2ho suscried fift! do&&ars for
the *ur*ose of *urchasin, &ands< and the necessaries for the Saints--after
his arri$a& here< sued E"isho*F Ed2ard )artrid,e< and otained a =ud,'ent
for the sa'e# "ates short&! after denied the faith and ran a2a! on Sunda!<
&ea$in, dets un*aid# 3e do not 'ention this to cast ref&ection< ut to
,i$e a sa'*&e of his 2or0 'anifested since he ca'e to this &and# No 'an
that has consecrated *ro*ert! to the
Lord< for the enefit of the *oor and the need!< ! a deed of ,ift
accordin, to the &a2s of the &and< has thou,ht of suin, for it< an! 'ore
than the 'en of the 2or&d< 2ho ,i$e< or donate to ui&d 'eetin, houses<
and co&&e,es? or send 'issionaries to India or the Ca*e of 5ood Ho*e#
E$er! Saint that has co'e to this &and to esca*e the deso&ations 2hich
a2ait the 2ic0ed< and *re*are for the co'in, of the Lord< is 2e&&
satisfied 2ith the countr!< and the order of the 0in,do' of our 5od? and
2e are ha**! to sa! that the inhaitants of ;ion are ,ro2in, in ,race and
in the 0no2&ed,e of those thin,s 2hich &ead to *eace and eterna& ,&or!#
And our hearts are fi&&ed 2ith than0s,i$in, for the *ri$i&e,e of earin,
this testi'on! concernin, our rethren on this &and# One o=ect in 2ritin,
this e*ist&e is< to ,i$e so'e instructions to those 2ho co'e u* to the
&and of ;ion# Throu,h a 'ista0en idea 'an! of the rethren aroad< that
had *ro*ert!< ha$e ,i$en so'e a2a!< and sacrificed so'e< the! hard&! 0no2
ho2# This is not ri,ht nor accordin, to the co''and'ents# 3e 2ou&d ad$ise
in the first *&ace< that e$er! disci*&e< if in his *o2er< *a! his =ust
dets so as to o2e no 'an< and then if he has an! *ro*ert! &eft< &et hi'
e carefu& of it? and he can he&* the *oor< ! consecratin, so'e for their
inheritances? for as !et< there has not een enou,h consecrated to *&ant
the *oor in inheritances< accordin, to the re,u&ation of the Church and
the desire of the faithfu&#
This 'i,ht ha$e een done< had such as had *ro*ert! een *rudent# It
see's as thou,h a notion 2as *re$a&ent in "a!&on< that the Church of
Christ 2as a co''on stoc0 concern# This ou,ht not so to e< for it is not
the case# 3hen a disci*&e co'es to ;ion for an inheritance< it is his
dut!< if he has an!thin, to consecrate to the Lord for the enefit of the
*oor and need!< or to *urchase &ands< to consecrate it accordin, to the
&a2 of the Lord< and a&so accordin, to the &a2 of the &and< and the Lord
has said< that in 0ee*in, his &a2s 2e ha$e no need to rea0 the &a2s of
the &and? and 2e ha$e aundant reason to e than0fu&< that 2e are
*er'itted to esta&ish ourse&$es under the *rotection of a ,o$ern'ent that
0no2s no e/ce*tions to sect or societ!< ut ,i$es a&& its citi4ens the
*ri$i&e,e of 2orshi*in, 5od accordin, to their o2n desire# A,ain< 2hi&e in
the 2or&d< it is not the dut! of a disci*&e to e/haust a&& his 'eans in
rin,in, the *oor to ;ion< and this ecause if a&& shou&d do so< there
2ou&d e nothin, to *ut in the storehouse in ;ion for the *ur*ose 2hich
the Lord has co''anded#
Do not thin0< rethren< ! this< that 2e 2ou&d ad$ise or direct that
the *oor e ne,&ected in the &east? this is not the desire of our hearts+?
for 2e are 'indfu& of the 2ord of our Father< 2hich infor's us that in His
oso' it is decreed that the *oor and the 'ee0 of the earth sha&& *ossess
it#
The 2e&fare of the *oor has a&2a!s a *&ace in our hearts? !et 2e are
confident that our e/*erience< e$en had 2e nothin, e&se to *ro'*t us to
ad$ise on this *oint< and that 2ho&&! for the ,ood of the cause in 2hich
2e &aor< 2ou&d e sufficient in the 'inds of our rethren aroad< to
e/cuse a *&ainness on this i'*ortant *art of our su=ect# To see nu'ers
of disci*&es co'e to this &and< destitute of 'eans to *rocure an
inheritance< and 'uch &ess the necessaries of &ife< a2a0ens a s!'*ath! in
our oso's of no ordinar! fee&in,? and 2e shou&d do in=ustice to the
Saints 2ere 2e to re'ain si&ent< 2hen *erha*s< a fe2 2ords< ! 2a! of
ad$ice< 'a! e the 'eans of instructin, the'< that hereafter ,reat
difficu&ties 'a! e a$oided# For the disci*&es to su**ose that the! can
co'e to this &and 2ithout ou,ht to eat< or to drin0< or to 2ear< or
an!thin, to *urchase these necessaries 2ith< is a $ain thou,ht# For the'
to su**ose that the Lord 2i&& o*en the 2indo2s of hea$en< and rain do2n
an,e&+s food for the' ! the 2a!< 2hen their 2ho&e =ourne! &ies throu,h a
ferti&e countr!< stored 2ith the &essin,s of &ife fro' His o2n hand for
the' to susist u*on< is a&so $ain# For the' to su**ose that their c&othes
and shoes 2i&& not 2ear out u*on the =ourne!< 2hen the 2ho&e of it &ies
throu,h a countr! 2here there are thousands of shee* fro' 2hich 2oo& in
aundance can e *rocured to 'a0e the' ,ar'ents< and catt&e u*on a
thousand hi&&s< to afford &eather for shoes< is =ust as $ain#
The circu'stances of the Saints in ,atherin, to the &and of ;ion in
these &ast da!s are $er! different fro' those of the chi&dren of Israe&<
after the! des*ised the *ro'ised rest of the Lord< after the! 2ere rou,ht
out of the &and of E,!*t# )re$ious to that< the Lord *ro'ised the'< if
the! 2ou&d oe! His $oice and 0ee* His co''and'ents< that He 2ou&d send
the hornet efore the'< and dri$e out those nations 2hich then inhaited
the *ro'ised &and< so that the! 'i,ht ha$e *eacea&e *ossession of the
sa'e< 2ithout the sheddin, of &ood# "ut in conse>uence of their une&ief
and ree&&ion< the! 2ere co'*e&&ed to otain it ! the s2ord< 2ith the
sacrifice of 'an! &i$es#
"ut to su**ose 2e can co'e u* here and ta0e *ossession of this &and
! the sheddin, of &ood< 2ou&d e settin, at nau,ht the &a2 of the
,&orious 5os*e& and a&so the 2ord of our ,reat Redee'er< and to su**ose 2e
can ta0e *ossession of this countr! 2ithout 'a0in, re,u&ar *urchases of
the sa'e< accordin, to the &a2s of our nation< 2ou&d e re*roachin, this
,reat re*u&ic< in 2hich the 'ost of us 2ere orn< and under 2hose
aus*ices 2e a&& ha$e *rotection#
3e fee& as thou,h enou,h 2as said on this *oint< 0no2in, that a 2ord
to the 2ise is sufficient? and that a&& our rethren are a2are of the
fact< that a&& the tithes cannot e ,athered into the storehouse of the
Lord< that the 2indo2s of hea$en 'a! e o*ened< and a &essin, e *oured
out that there is not roo' enou,h to contain it< if a&& the 'eans of the
Saints are e/hausted< efore the! reach the *&ace 2here the! can ha$e the
*ri$i&e,e of so doin,# Do not conc&ude fro' these re'ar0s< rethren< that
2e dout in the &east< that the Lord 2i&& *ro$ide for His Saints in these
&ast da!s? or thin0 that 2e 2ou&d e/tend our hands to stead! the ar0? for
this is not the case# 3e 0no2 that the Saints ha$e the unchan,ea&e 2ord
of 5od that the! sha&& e *ro$ided for? !et 2e 0no2< if an! are i'*rudent<
or &a$ish< or ne,&i,ent< or indo&ent< in ta0in, that *ro*er care< and
'a0in, that *ro*er use of 2hat the Lord has 'ade the' ste2ards o$er< the!
are not counted 2ise? for a strict account of e$er! one+s ste2ardshi* is
re>uired< not on&! in ti'e< ut 2i&& e in eternit!# Neither do 2e
a**rehend that 2e sha&& e considered *uttin, out our hands to stead! the
ar0 of 5od ! ,i$in, ad$ice to our rethren u*on i'*ortant *oints re&ati$e
to their co'in, to ;ion< 2hen the e/*erience of a&'ost t2o !ears+
,atherin,< has tau,ht us to re$ere that sacred 2ord fro' hea$en< -Let not
!our f&i,ht e in haste< ut &et a&& thin,s e *re*ared efore !ou#-
Then< rethren< 2e 2ou&d ad$ise< that 2here there are 'an! *oor in a
church< that the E&ders counse& to,ether< and 'a0e *re*arations to send a
*art at one ti'e< and a *art at another# And &et the *oor re=oice in that
the! are e/a&ted< ut the rich in that the! are 'ade &o2< for there is no
res*ect of *ersons in the si,ht of the Lord#
The disci*&es of Christ< &essed 2ith i''ediate re$e&ations fro' Hi'<
shou&d e 2ise and not ta0e the 2a! of the 2or&d< nor ui&d air-cast&es<
ut consider that 2hen the! ha$e een ,athered to ;ion< 'eans 2i&& e
needed to *urchase their inheritances< and 'eans 2i&& e needed to
*urchase food and rai'ent for at &east one !ear? or at an! rate< food? and
2here disci*&es< or churches< are &essed 2ith 'eans to do as 'uch as
this< the! 2ou&d e etter off in ;ion than in the 2or&d< trou&ed as it
is< and 2i&& short&! e< 2ith *&a,ues< fa'ines< *esti&ences< and utter
destruction u*on the un,od&!#
On the su=ect of fa&se re*orts< 2hich are *ut in circu&ation !
e$i&-'inded 'en< to ridicu&e the idea of the ,atherin, of Israe& in these
&ast da!s< 2e 2ou&d sa! to our rethren aroad< e&ie$e the' not? The
E$enin, and .ornin, Star 2as esta&ished e/*ress&! to *u&ish the truth<
and the 2ord of the Lord< that the Saints 'i,ht not e decei$ed< ! such
as 'a0e road the orders of their ,ar'ents< and &o$e the u**er'ost roo's
at feasts? !ea< ! such as ind hea$! urdens 2hich are ,rie$ous to e
orne< and &a! the' u*on 'en+s shou&ders ut 2i&& not 'o$e the' 2ith one
of their fin,ers# Yea< 2e ,i$e this caution that the disci*&es 'a! not
,i$e heed to the ,ainsa!in, of those 2ho see0 the honor of this 2or&d and
the ,&or! of the sa'e< rather than see0 the honor of 5od and His ,&or!?
nor those 2ho ha$e turned a2a! fro' the Church of Christ< and denied the
faith de&i$ered to His Saints in these &ast da!s#
"rethren< the Lord has e,un to ,ather His chi&dren< e$en Israe&<
that the! 'a! *re*are to enter into and en=o! His rest 2hen He co'es in
His ,&or!< and He 2i&& do it# No 'atter 2hat !our ideas or notions 'a! e
u*on the su=ect? no 'atter 2hat foo&ish re*orts the 2ic0ed 'a! circu&ate
to ,ratif! an e$i& dis*osition< the Lord 2i&& continue to ,ather the
ri,hteous< and destro! the 2ic0ed< ti&& the sound ,oes forth--it is
finished#
It ou,ht to e 0no2n aroad that 'uch i'*ro$e'ent is needed in the
catt&e< shee*< and ho,s in this *art of the countr!# As co2s here are
2orth fro' ten to fifteen do&&ars< our rethren 2ou&d do 2e&&< and 2e
2ou&d ad$ise the'< to *urchase efore the! arri$e in this re,ion# In fact<
if the! =ourne! accordin, to the co''and'ents of the Lord< *itchin, their
tents ! the 2a!< &i0e Israe& in da!s of o&d< it 2ou&d e no 'ore than
ri,ht to dri$e co2s enou,h to su**&! e$er! fa'i&! or co'*an! 2ith 'i&0 on
the 2a!# The! 2ou&d then ha$e the' 2hen the! arri$ed here< and if the!
se&ected of the est reeds< the! 2ou&d &a! a foundation for i'*ro$e'ent#
A thin, of 2hich a&& our rethren 2ho are ac>uainted 2ith raisin, stoc0
2i&& at once see the *ro*riet!#
The shee* of this state are &ar,e< ut as their 2oo& is coarse< the
reed 2ou&d soon e i'*ro$ed if our rethren 2ou&d dri$e 2ith the' so'e
'erinos or sa/ons# As soon as 2oo& and f&a/ are had a'on, the rethren<
sufficient for the *ur*ose< the! 2i&& 'anufacture c&oth for their o2n use
in the Church# The s2ine in this countr! are not ,ood< ein, the o&d
fashioned shac0 reed< and 'uch inferior to the &ar,e< 2hite ,rass reed
of the eastern states# If an! cou&d introduce this reed< 2hat &itt&e *or0
'i,ht e 2anted in the 2inter< 2ou&d e 'uch etter< and easier raised#
It is a 'atter of 'uch sur*rise to us< that our rethren shou&d co'e
u* to the &and of ;ion< as 'an! do< 2ithout rin,in, ,arden seeds< and
e$en seeds of a&& 0inds# The Jaredites and Ne*hites too0 2ith the' of a&&
0inds? and the Jaredites< a&& 0inds of ani'a&s# And a&thou,h the Lord has
said that it 2as His usiness to *ro$ide for His Saints< !et He has not
said that He 2ou&d do it< un&ess the! 0e*t His co''and'ents#
And not2ithstandin, the fu&ness of the earth is for the Saints< the!
can ne$er e/*ect it un&ess the! use the 'eans *ut into their hands to
otain the sa'e in the 'anner *ro$ided ! our Lord# 3hen !ou f&ee to ;ion<
2e en=oin the 2ord< *re*are a&& thin,s< that !ou 'a! e read! to &aor for
a &i$in,< for the Lord has *ro'ised to ta0e the curse off the &and of ;ion
in His o2n due ti'e< and the 2i&&in, and the oedient< not the id&e< 2i&&
eat the ,ood of the sa'e? for the! are to e had in re'e'rance efore the
Lord#
One $er! i'*ortant re>uisition for the Saints that co'e u* to the
&and of ;ion is< that efore the! start< the! *rocure a certificate fro'
three E&ders of the Church< or fro' the "isho* in Ohio< accordin, to the
co''and'ents? and 2hen the! arri$e< to *resent it to the "isho* in ;ion?
other2ise the! are not considered 2ise ste2ards< and cannot e recei$ed
into fe&&o2shi* 2ith the Church< ti&& the! *ro$e the'se&$es ! their o2n
,oodness#
So'e of our rethren 'a! thin0< at the first instant< *erha*s< that
this is use&ess and for'a&< ut a fe2 ref&ections 2i&& e sufficient for
the' to see the *ro*riet! of it< and 'ore es*ecia&&!< 2hen the! &earn that
it is a co''and'ent ,i$en us of the Lord#
On another *a,e of this *a*er< our rethren 2i&& find an e/tract of
the &a2 of this state re&ati$e to free *eo*&e of co&or# 5reat care shou&d
e ta0en on this *oint# The Saints 'ust shun e$er! a**earance of e$i&# As
to s&a$es< 2e ha$e nothin, to sa!# In connection 2ith the 2onderfu& e$ents
of this a,e< 'uch is doin, to2ards ao&ishin, s&a$er!< and co&oni4in, the
&ac0s in Africa#
The fore,oin, re'ar0s ha$e een addressed to our rethren aroad<
considered as one ,enera& od!< and ha$e een desi,ned as ,enera&
infor'ation to a&&# 3e cannot c&ose this e*ist&e< co'*ati&e 2ith our
dut!< 2ithout *articu&ar&! addressin, ourse&$es to our rethren< the
E&ders to 2ho' is entrusted the *reachin, of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&<--the
,&ad tidin,s of sa&$ation to Israe&< and to a&& the 5enti&es if the! 2i&&
&isten to the in$itation#
"rethren< 2e are a2are of !our 'an! aff&ictions< or at &east in *art<
so'e of us ha$in, een e!e 2itnesses to the thin,s of 5od and ha$in, een
ca&&ed to ear testi'on! of the sa'e fro' the first< since this 5os*e& has
een *roc&ai'ed in these &ast da!s# The desire of our hearts for !our
*ros*erit! 2e can tru&! sa! is ine/*ressi&e< for 2hen !ou are *ros*ered<
2e are< and 2hen !ou are &essed 2e are &essed a&so# The aff&iction 2hich
!ou are necessari&! ca&&ed to under,o in these da!s of triu&ation and
$en,eance u*on the 2ic0ed< ca&& forth fro' our hearts unceasin, *ra!ers to
our co''on *arents in !our eha&f< that !ou 'a! e ena&ed to de&i$er His
'essa,e in the de'onstration of His S*irit< and ca&& to,ether His e&ect
fro' the ends of the earth< to the *&ace of the na'e of the Lord of hosts<
e$en to .ount ;ion#
"! those fe2 e/*ressions< !ou 2i&& see rethren< ho2 i'*ortant 2e
$ie2 !our ca&&in,# 3e do not consider that it is our dut! to direct !ou in
!our 'issions? ut 2e 2i&& ,i$e !ou in fe2 2ords 2hat 2e ha$e reason to
e/*ect re&ati$e to the ,atherin, of the Saints< accordin, to the
re$e&ations of the Lord#
"! the authorit! of !our ca&&in, and ordination< !ou< no dout< 2i&&
ad'it that it 2i&& e e/*ected that !ou 0no2 !our dut!< and at a&& ti'es
and in a&& *&aces< teach the disci*&es theirs? ut 2e are sorr! to sa!<
that in so'e instances< so'e of our rethren ha$e fai&ed to do so#
3e 2i&& re'ind our rethren of a c&ause in the co$enants< 2hich
infor's us that a&& 2ho are ordained in this Church< are to e ordained
accordin, to the ,ifts and ca&&in,s of 5od unto the'< ! the *o2er of the
Ho&! 5host 2hich is in the one 2ho ordains the'# 3e 2ou&d a&so re'ind the'
of one $a&ua&e caution recorded in )au&+s first &etter to Ti'oth!< 2hich
sa!s< -La! hands sudden&! on no 'an< neither e *arta0er of other 'en+s
sins#- Those cautions< ho2e$er< are *articu&ar&! addressed to our !oun,
rethren in the 'inistr!# 3e 0no2 that 'an! of our rethren are 2ise in
these i'*ortant *arts of their &aors< and ha$e rid their ,ar'ents of the
&ood of this ,eneration< and are a**ro$ed efore the Lord# 3e 2i&&
*roceed further< rethren< to notice so'e *articu&ar ite's i''ediate&!
connected 2ith !our duties< and 2hat< as 2e said efore< 2e ha$e reason to
e/*ect fro' !ou< accordin, to the re$e&ations# In one ,i$en Dece'er @th<
7897< 2e &earn that it is the dut! of the E&ders of the Church in the East
to render an account of their ste2ardshi* unto the "isho* a**ointed unto
the Church in that *art of the Lord+s $ine!ard#
The Lord sa!s< -And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that as e$er! E&der
in this *art of the $ine!ard< Ethe EastF 'ust ,i$e an account of his
ste2ardshi* unto the "isho* in this *art of the $ine!ard a certificate
fro' the =ud,e or "isho* in this *art of the $ine!ard< unto the "isho* in
;ion< rendereth e$er! 'an acce*ta&e< and ans2ereth a&& thin,s for an
inheritance< and to e recei$ed as a 2ise ste2ard< and as a faithfu&
&aorer? other2ise he sha&& not e acce*ted of the "isho* in ;ion#
-And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et e$er! E&der 2ho sha&& ,i$e an
account unto the "isho* of the Church< in this *art of the $ine!ard< Ethe
EastF e reco''ended ! the church or churches< in 2hich he &aors< that
he 'a! render hi'se&f and his accounts a**ro$ed in a&& thin,s#
3e ho*e rethren< that !ou 2i&& e *articu&ar to teach the disci*&es
aroad *rudence and econo'! in a&& thin,s# Teach the' in *&ainness< that
2ithout re,u&ar reco''ends< the! cannot e recei$ed in fe&&o2shi* 2ith the
Church in ;ion< unti& after the! ha$e *ro$en the'se&$es 2orth! ! their
,od&! 2a&0# And those 2ho are reco''ended ! !ou< 2e e/*ect 2i&& e such
as are *ersona&&! 0no2n to !ou to e disci*&es indeed< and 2orth! the
confidence of a&& Saints#
%ie2in, the >uotation re&ati$e to !our otainin, a certificate fro'
the "isho* in the East concernin, !our 2orthiness< !ou cannot &a'e us
rethren if 2e are strict on this *oint# It 'a! e understood< therefore<
! our rethren< the E&ders< 2ho co'e fro' the East and do not rin, a
re,u&ar certificate sho2in, that their &aors ha$e een acce*ted there<
that the! cannot e acce*ted in ;ion# 3e do not set ourse&$es u* as =ud,es
in this? 2e ha$e on&! a desire to see the order of our Redee'er+s 0in,do'
oser$ed in a&& thin,s? for His co''and'ents are *recious 2ith us< 2e ha$e
the' in our hands< and the! are sacred to our hearts#
Our rethren 2ho &aor in the churches a distance to the 2est of the
residence of the "isho* in the East< 2ho do not render their accounts to
hi'< shou&d e *articu&ar to rin, reco''ends fro' the churches in 2hich
the! do &aor< and *resent the' 2ith the accounts of their &aors to the
"isho* i''ediate&! after their arri$a& here# And those E&ders 2ho &aor
continua&&! in *reachin, the 5os*e& to the 2or&d< shou&d a&so e
*articu&ar to render their account of the sa'e< that the! 'a! sho2
the'se&$es a**ro$ed in a&& thin,s< and e 0no2n to e 2orth! of the hi,h
office in 2hich the! stand in the Church of Christ#
Ha$in, said considera&e concernin, those *articu&ar *oints 2hich are
necessar! to e oser$ed ! our rethren 2ho =ourne! to this &and< and
a&so a fe2 2ords to the E&ders< 2e dee' it a *ri$i&e,e efore 2e conc&ude<
to sa! so'ethin, 'ore to the Church at &ar,e# In the *re$ious re'ar0s<
ho2e$er< 2e *resu'e our rethren 'a! 'a0e 'an! i'*ro$e'ents? and *erha*s
disco$er so'e errors? if so< 2e can sa! that the est of 'oti$es has
*ro'*ted us to 2rite to our rethren and if so'e s'a&& errors are to e
found< 2e are certain that the ,enera& ideas are correct< and 2i&& e a
'eans of doin, ,ood< if those 2ho are i''ediate&! interested in the sa'e<
,i$e heed to the'#
Dear rethren in the Ne2 Co$enant< acce*t this as a to0en for a
sa&utation in the na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ< fro' !our rethren in
;ion# 3hi&e 2e are *er'itted to 2itness the ,reat thin,s 2hich are
continua&&! ta0in, *&ace in fu&fi&'ent of the *ro*hecies concernin, the
&ast da!s< as the chi&dren of 5od are ,athered ho'e to *re*are the'se&$es
for the su**er of the La'< our &an,ua,e that is< the En,&ish ton,ue<
fai&s to e/*ress our =o!#
E6TRACTS FRO. THE ELDERS+ LETTERS TO THE EDITOR OF THE -E%ENIN5
AND .ORNIN5 STAR#- JULY NU."ER#
)AL.YRA< .ISSOURI .a! 7:th< 7899#
The Lord is o*enin, the e!es of the &ind< and &essin, our &aors#
3e ha$e a*ti4ed ei,hteen 'e'ers in this sett&e'ent# 5# .# HIN1LE< ELISHA
H# 5RO%ES#
SI6 .ILES )RO. AUINCY< .o#< June 9< 7899#
E$er! fe2 da!s there are so'e honest sou&s orn into the 0in,do' of
5od# )ersecution ra,es to a considera&e e/tent# It see's as if e$er!
deno'ination< sect< *art!< and c&u< 2ere *re*ared to fi,ht a,ainst the
2or0 of the Lord# A 'an has =ust to&d 'e that in )a&'!ra< in fort!-ei,ht
hours< the cho&era had ta0en fort!-se$en to their ,ra$es# The disease is
in the countr! as 2e&& as the to2n< and carries off a&& a,es< co&ors and
conditions< s*arin, none# 5EOR5E .# HIN1LE#
CHENAN5O )OINT< N# Y#< .a! 7:< 7899#
Dear "rothers(--It is aout si/ 2ee0s since I &eft 1irt&and to ta0e a
'ission to the East? since 2hich ti'e I ha$e $isited t2e&$e churches and
*assed three others in co'in, to this *&ace? a&& of 2hich are near&! in
the course fro' 1irt&and to Chenan,o< N# Y#? so ,ro2s< and so s*reads the
'i,ht! 2or0 of the Lord# So'e of said churches are co'*osed of near&! one
hundred 'e'ers? and in near&! a&& of the'< the 2or0 is sti&& ,oin, on# O<
'a! the Lord cause His ,&orious $oice to e heard< unti& error and
su*erstition sha&& ,i$e 2a! to the e$er&astin, 5os*e& of Jesus# I fee&
'uch 2ea0ness as a 'an< ut in the stren,th of Christ< I a' reso&$ed to
&o2 the tru'*et of the 5os*e& unti& the *eo*&e of 5od are de&i$ered fro'
the 'erchants and traffic0ers of sou&s unto the ,&orious &iert! of the
5os*e&# I ha$e a*ti4ed four since I &eft 1irt&and# As for '!se&f I
intend< if *ossi&e< to attend the schoo& at the &atter Jerusa&e'< to
2hich I a' confident it is '! *ri$i&e,e to ,o< as often as the o&d
A*ost&es 2ent to the for'er Jerusa&e'#
I ha$e tra$e&ed aout fi$e hundred 'i&es in aout si/ 2ee0s< and he&d
fifteen 'eetin,s< and I trust that I sha&& continue to recei$e the ,race
of 5od to su**ort 'e e$en to the end# SYL%ESTER S.ITH#
STATE OF THE 3ORLD#
EFro' the Ju&! Star#F
The f&ood of 2aters< occasioned ! the ,reat rains in the eastern and
'idd&e states< did i''ense da'a,e? 2ar et2een Tur0e! and Russia continued
to ra,e? and the e*ide'ic disease of London continued its fri,htfu&
ra$a,es? so terri&e 2ere its effects as to c&ose a&& the *rinci*a& *&aces
of a'use'ent and sus*end the court of refor' for the 'etro*o&is#
Ju&! 79#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, ha$in, returned fro' his 'ission to
Canada< acco'*anied ! so'e t2ent! or thirt! of the rethren< a counci& of
E&ders asse'&ed in 1irt&and# There 2ere *resent at the counci& 5ideon H#
Carter<
Jaco 3ood< Dennis La0e< "ri,ha' Youn,< Ja'es La0e< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!<
John S'ith< Lu0e S# Johnson and '!se&f# E&der Ja'es La0e desired to 0no2
the 2i&& of the Lord< 2hether he shou&d *roceed on to ;ion< or re'ain in
1irt&and< It 2as decided that he shou&d re'ain in 1irt&and#
CHA)TER 66%III#
.O" %IOLENCE IN THE LAND OF ;ION#
ON the HDth of Ju&!< the 'o co&&ected< and de'anded the
discontinuance of the Church *rintin, esta&ish'ent in Jac0son count!< the
c&osin, of the store< and the cessation of a&& 'echanica& &aors# The
rethren refused co'*&iance< and the conse>uence 2as that the house of 3#
3# )he&*s< 2hich contained the *rintin, esta&ish'ent< 2as thro2n do2n<
the 'ateria&s ta0en *ossession of ! the 'o< 'an! *a*ers destro!ed< and
the fa'i&! and furniture thro2n out of doors#
The 'o then *roceeded to $io&ence to2ards Ed2ard )artrid,e< the
"isho* of the Church< as he re&ates in his autoio,ra*h!(
I 2as ta0en fro' '! house ! the 'o< 5eor,e Si'*son ein, their
&eader< 2ho escorted 'e aout ha&f a 'i&e< to the court house< on the
*u&ic s>uare in Inde*endence? and then and there< a fe2 rods fro' said
court house< surrounded ! hundreds of the 'o< I 2as stri**ed of '! hat<
coat and $est and daued 2ith tar fro' head to foot< and then had a
>uantit! of feathers *ut u*on 'e? and a&& this ecause I
2ou&d not a,ree to &ea$e the count!< and '! ho'e 2here I had &i$ed
t2o !ears#
"efore tarrin, and featherin, 'e I 2as *er'itted to s*ea0# I to&d
the' that the Saints had suffered *ersecution in a&& a,es of the 2or&d?
that I had done nothin, 2hich ou,ht to offend an!one? that if the! aused
'e< the! 2ou&d ause an innocent *erson? that I 2as 2i&&in, to suffer for
the sa0e of Christ? ut< to &ea$e the countr!< I 2as not then 2i&&in, to
consent to it# "! this ti'e the 'u&titude 'ade so 'uch noise that I cou&d
not e heard? so'e 2ere cursin, and s2earin,< sa!in,< -ca&& u*on !our
Jesus<- etc#? others 2ere e>ua&&! nois! in tr!in, to sti&& the rest< that
the! 'i,ht e ena&ed to hear 2hat I 2as sa!in,#
Unti& after I had s*o0en< I 0ne2 not 2hat the! intended to do 2ith
'e< 2hether to 0i&& 'e< to 2hi* 'e< or 2hat e&se I 0ne2 not# I ore '!
ause 2ith so 'uch resi,nation and 'ee0ness< that it a**eared to astound
the 'u&titude< 2ho *er'itted 'e to retire in si&ence< 'an! &oo0in, $er!
so&e'n< their s!'*athies ha$in, een touched as I thou,ht? and as to
'!se&f< I 2as so fi&&ed 2ith the S*irit and &o$e of 5od< that I had no
hatred to2ards '! *ersecutors or an!one e&se#
Char&es A&&en 2as ne/t stri**ed and tarred and feathered< ecause he
2ou&d not a,ree to &ea$e the count!< or den! the "oo0 of .or'on# Others
2ere rou,ht u* to e ser$ed &i0e2ise or 2hi**ed#
"ut fro' so'e cause the 'o ceased o*erations< and ad=ourned unti&
Tuesda!< the H9rd# E&der Sidne! 5i&ert< the 0ee*er of the store< a,reed
to c&ose it? and that 'a! ha$e een one reason 2h! the 2or0 of destruction
2as sudden&! sto**ed for t2o da!s#
In the course of this da!+s 2ic0ed< outra,eous< and un&a2fu&
*roceedin,s< 'an! so&e'n rea&ities of hu'an de,radation< as 2e&& as
thri&&in, incidents 2ere *resented to the Saints# An ar'ed and 2e&&
or,ani4ed 'o< in a ,o$ern'ent *rofessin, to e ,o$erned ! &a2< 2ith the
Lieutenant 5o$ernor ELi&urn 3# "o,,sF< the second officer in the state<
ca&'&! &oo0in, on< and secret&! aidin, e$er! 'o$e'ent< sa!in, to the
Saints< -You no2 0no2 2hat our Jac0son o!s can do< and !ou 'ust &ea$e the
count!?- and a&& the =ustices< =ud,es< consta&es< sheriffs< and 'i&itar!
officers< headed ! such 2estern 'issionaries and c&er,!'en as the
Re$erends .cCo!< 1a$anau,h< Hunter< Fit4hu,h< )i/&e!< Li0ens< and
Lo$e&ad!< consistin, of .ethodists< "a*tists< )res!terians< and a&& the
different sects of re&i,ionists that inhaited that countr!< 2ith that
,reat 'ora& refor'er< and re,ister of the &and office at Le/in,ton< fort!
'i&es east< 0no2n as the head and father of the Cu'er&and )res!terians<
e$en the Re$erend Finis E2in,< *u&ic&! *u&ishin, that -.or'ons 2ere the
co''on ene'ies of 'an0ind< and ou,ht to e destro!ed---a&& these so&e'n
rea&ities 2ere enou,h to 'e&t the heart of a sa$a,e? 2hi&e there 2as not a
so&itar! offense on record< or *roof< that a Saint had ro0en the &a2 of
the &and#
3hen "isho* )artrid,e< 2ho 2as 2ithout ,ui&e< and E&der Char&es
A&&en< 2a&0ed off< coated &i0e so'e unna'ed< un0no2n i*eds< one of the
sisters cried a&oud( -3hi&e !ou< 2ho ha$e done this 2ic0ed deed< 'ust
suffer the $en,eance of 5od< the!< ha$in, endured *ersecution< can
re=oice< for henceforth for the'< is &aid u* a cro2n eterna& in the
hea$ens#-
Sure&! this 2as a ti'e for a2fu& ref&ection? 'an< unrestrained< &i0e
the rute east< 'a! tor'ent the od!? ut 5od 2i&& *unish the sou&K
After the 'o had retired< and 2hi&e e$enin, 2as s*readin, her dar0
'ant&e o$er the scene< as if to hide it fro' the ,a4e of da!< 'en< 2o'en<
and chi&dren< 2ho had een dri$en or fri,htened fro' their ho'es< ! !e&&s
and threats< e,an to return fro' their hidin, *&aces in thic0ets<
corn-fie&ds< 2oods< and ,ro$es< and $ie2 2ith hea$! hearts the scene of
deso&ation and 2o( and 2hi&e the! 'ourned o$er fa&&en 'an< the! re=oiced
2ith =o! uns*ea0a&e that the! 2ere accounted 2orth! to suffer in the
,&orious cause of their Di$ine .aster# There &a! the *rintin, office a
hea* of ruins? E&der )he&*s+s furniture stre2ed o$er the ,arden as co''on
*&under? the re$e&ations< oo0 2or0s< *a*ers< and *ress in the hands of
the 'o< as the oot! of hi,h2a! roers? there 2as "isho* )artrid,e< in
the 'idst of his fa'i&!< 2ith a fe2 friends< endea$orin, to scra*e off the
tar 2hich< fro' its eatin, his f&esh< see'ed to ha$e een *re*ared 2ith
&i'e< *ear&-ash< acid< or so'e f&esh-eatin, sustance< to destro! hi'? and
there 2as Char&es A&&en in the sa'e a2fu& condition# The heart sic0ens at
the recita&< ho2 'uch 'ore at the *ictureK .ore than once< those *eo*&e<
in this oasted &and of &iert!< 2ere rou,ht into =eo*ard!< and
threatened 2ith e/*u&sion or death< ecause the! desired to 2orshi* 5od
accordin, to the re$e&ations of hea$en< the constitution of their countr!<
and the dictates of their o2n consciences# Oh< &iert!< ho2 art thou
fa&&enK A&as< c&er,!'en< 2here is !our charit!K
Ear&! in the 'ornin, of the H9rd of Ju&!< the 'o a,ain asse'&ed<
ar'ed 2ith 2ea*ons of 2ar< and earin, a red f&a,? 2hereu*on the E&ders<
&ed ! the S*irit of 5od< and in order to sa$e ti'e< and sto* the effusion
of &ood< entered into a treat! 2ith the 'o< to &ea$e the count! 2ithin a
certain ti'e# The treat! 2as as fo&&o2s(
.e'orandu' of a,ree'ent et2een the undersi,ned of the .or'on Societ!
in Jac0son Count!< .issouri< and a co''ittee a**ointed ! a *u&ic 'eetin,
of the citi4ens of said count!< 'ade on the H9rd da! of Ju&!< 7899#
It is understood that the undersi,ned 'e'ers of the societ!< do ,i$e
their so&e'n *&ed,es< each for hi'se&f< as fo&&o2s< to-2it?--
That O&i$er Co2der!< 3# 3# )he&*s< 3i&&ia' .+Le&&in< Ed2ard
)artrid,e< L!'an 3i,ht< Si'eon Carter< )eter and John 3hit'er< and Har$e!
H# 3hit&oc0 sha&& re'o$e 2ith their fa'i&ies out of this count! on or
efore the first da! of Januar! ne/t< and that the!< as 2e&& as the t2o
hereinafter na'ed< use a&& their inf&uence to induce a&& the rethren no2
here to re'o$e as soon as *ossi&e( one ha&f< sa!< ! the first of Januar!
ne/t< and a&& ! the first da! of A*ri& ne/t? to ad$ise and tr! a&& 'eans
in their *o2er to sto* an! 'ore of their sect fro' 'o$in, to this count!?
and as to those no2 on the road< the! 2i&& use their inf&uence to *re$ent
their sett&in, *er'anent&! in the count!< ut that the! sha&& on&! 'a0e
arran,e'ents for te'*orar! she&ter< ti&& a ne2 &ocation is a,reed on for
the societ!# John Corri&& and A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert< are a&&o2ed to
re'ain as ,enera& a,ents to 2ind u* the usiness of the societ!< so &on,
as necessit! sha&& re>uire? and said 5i&ert 'a! se&& out his 'erchandise
no2 on hand< ut is to 'a0e no ne2 i'*ortation#
The Star is not a,ain to e *u&ished nor a *ress set u* ! an! of
the societ! in this count!#
If the said Ed2ard )artrid,e and 3# 3# )he&*s 'o$e their fa'i&ies !
the first da! of Januar!< as aforesaid< that the! the'se&$es 2i&& e
a&&o2ed to ,o and co'e< in order to transact and 2ind u* their usiness#
The co''ittee *&ed,e the'se&$es to use a&& their inf&uence to *re$ent
an! $io&ence ein, used< so &on, as a co'*&iance 2ith the fore,oin, ter's
is oser$ed ! the *arties concerned< to 2hich a,ree'ent is suscried the
na'es of the ao$e na'ed co''ittee< as a&so those of the .or'on rethren
na'ed in the re*ort as ha$in, een *resent#
3hich re*ort of the co''ittee 2as unani'ous&! ado*ted ! the 'eetin,<
and thereu*on the 'eetin, ad=ourned sine die# RICHARD SI.)SON< Chair'an#
S# D# LUCAS< J# H# FLOURNOY< Secretaries#
The e/ecution of this treat! *resented an o**ortunit! for the
rethren in ;ion to confer 2ith the )residenc! of the Church in Ohio
concernin, their situation< 2hich the! i'*ro$ed t2o or three da!s &ater !
sendin, E&der O&i$er Co2der! as a s*ecia& 'essen,er to 1irt&and#
On the second da! of Au,ust< the 3estern .onitor< *rinted at
Fa!ette< .issouri< edited ! 3eston F# "irch< *u&ished the *roceedin,s
of the 'o as fo&&o2s(
.OR.ONIS.#
At a 'eetin, of the citi4ens of Jac0son count!< .issouri< ca&&ed for
the *ur*ose of ado*tin, 'easures to rid the'se&$es of the sect of
fanatics< ca&&ed .or'ons< he&d at Inde*endence on the HDth da! of Ju&!<
7899<--2hich 'eetin, 2as co'*osed of ,ent&e'en fro' e$er! *art of the
count!< there ein, *resent et2een four and fi$e hundred *ersons( the
'eetin, 2as or,ani4ed ! ca&&in, Co&one& Richard Si'*son to the chair and
a**ointin, Ja'es H# F&ourno! and Co&one& Sa'ue& D# Lucas< secretaries#--it
2as reso&$ed< that a co''ittee of se$en e a**ointed to re*ort an address
to the *u&ic< in re&ation to the o=ect of this 'eetin,? and the chair
na'ed the fo&&o2in, ,ent&e'en to 2it( Russe& Hic0s< Es>#< Roert Johnson<
Henr! Chi&es< Es>#< Co&one& Ja'es Ha'ri,ht< Tho'as Huds*eth< Joe& F#
Chi&es and Ja'es .# Hunter# The 'eetin, then ad=ourned< and con$ened
a,ain< 2hen
Roert Johnson< the chair'an of the said co''ittee< su'itted for the
consideration of the 'eetin,< the fo&&o2in, address(
-This 'eetin,< *rofessin, to act< not fro' the e/cite'ent of the
'o'ent< ut under a dee* and aidin, con$iction< that the occasion is one
that ca&&s for coo& de&ieration< as 2e&& as ener,etic action< dee' it
*ro*er to &a! efore the *u&ic an e/*ose of our *ecu&iar situation< in
re,ard to this sin,u&ar sect of *retended Christians? and a so&e'n
dec&aration of our una&tera&e deter'ination to a'end it#
-The e$i& is one that no one cou&d ha$e foreseen< and is therefore
un*ro$ided for ! the &a2s? and the de&a!s incident to &e,is&ation 2ou&d
*ut the 'ischief e!ond re'ed!#
-"ut &itt&e 'ore than t2o !ears a,o< so'e t2o or three of these
*eo*&e 'ade their a**earance on the U**er .issouri< and the! no2 nu'er
so'e t2e&$e hundred sou&s in this count!? and each successi$e autu'n and
s*rin, *ours forth its s2ar's a'on, us< 2ith a ,radua& fa&&in, of the
character of those 2ho co'*ose the'? unti& it see's that those co''unities
fro' 2hich the! co'e< 2ere f&oodin, us 2ith the $er! dre,s of their
co'*osition# E&e$ated< as the! 'ost&! are< ut &itt&e ao$e the condition
of our &ac0s< either in re,ard to *ro*ert! or education? the! ha$e eco'e
a su=ect of 'uch an/iet! on that *art< serious and 2e&& ,rounded
co'*&aints ha$in, een a&read! 'ade of their corru*tin, inf&uence on our
s&a$es#
-3e are dai&! to&d< and not ! the i,norant a&one< ut ! a&& c&asses
of the'< that 2e< Ethe 5enti&esF of this count! are to e cut off< and our
&ands a**ro*riated ! the' for inheritances# 3hether this is to e
acco'*&ished ! the hand of the destro!in, an,e&< the =ud,'ents of 5od< or
the ar' of *o2er< the! are not fu&&! a,reed a'on, the'se&$es#
-So'e recent re'ar0s in the E$enin, and .ornin, Star< their or,an in
this *&ace< ! their tendenc! to 'oderate such ho*es< and re*ress such
desires< sho2 *&ain&! that 'an! of this de&uded and infatuated *eo*&e ha$e
een tau,ht to e&ie$e that our &ands 2ere to e 2on fro' us ! the s2ord#
Fro' this sa'e Star 2e &earn that for 2ant of 'ore honest or co''enda&e
e'*&o!'ent< 'an! of their societ! are no2 *reachin, throu,h the states of
Ne2 Yor0< Ohio< and I&&inois? and that their nu'ers are increased e!ond
e$er! rationa& ca&cu&ation? a&& of 2ho' are re>uired as soon as con$enient
to co'e u* to ;ion< 2hich na'e the! ha$e thou,ht *ro*er to confer on our
&itt&e $i&&a,e# .ost of those 2ho ha$e a&read! co'e< are characteri4ed !
the *rofoundest i,norance< the ,rossest su*erstition< and the 'ost a=ect
*o$ert!#
-Indeed< it is a su=ect of re,ret ! the Star itse&f< that the! ha$e
co'e not on&! una&e to u! an inheritance< 2hich 'eans so'e fifteen acres
of 2i&d &and for each fa'i&!< ut destitute of the 'eans of *rocurin,
read and 'eat# 3hen 2e ref&ect on the e/tensi$e fie&d in 2hich the sect
is o*eratin,< and that there e/ists in e$er! countr! a &ea$en of
su*erstition that e'races 2ith a$idit!< notions the 'ost e/tra$a,ant and
unheard of< and that 2hate$er can e ,&eaned ! the' fro' the *ur&ieus of
$ice< and the aodes of i,norance< is to e cast &i0e a 2aif into our
socia& circ&e it re>uires no ,ift of *ro*hec! to te&& that the da! is not
far distant 2hen the ci$i& ,o$ern'ent of the count! 2i&& e in their
hands? 2hen the sheriff< the =ustices< and the count! =ud,es 2i&& e
.or'ons< or *ersons 2ishin, to court their fa$or fro' 'oti$es of interest
or a'ition#
-3hat 2ou&d e the fate of our &i$es and *ro*ert!< in the hands of
=urors and 2itnesses< 2ho do not &ush to dec&are< and 2ou&d not u*on
occasion hesitate to s2ear< that the! ha$e 2rou,ht 'irac&es< and ha$e een
the su=ects of 'iracu&ous and su*ernatura& cures< ha$e con$erse 2ith 5od
and His an,e&s< and *ossess and e/ercise the ,ifts of di$ination and of
un0no2n ton,ues< and fired 2ith the *ros*ect of otainin, inheritances
2ithout 'one! and 2ithout *rice--'a! e etter i'a,ined than descried#
-One of the 'eans resorted to ! the'< in order to dri$e us to
e'i,rate< is an indirect in$itation to the free rethren of co&or in
I&&inois< to co'e u* &i0e the rest< to the &and of ;ion# True< the! sa!
this 2as not intended to in$ite< ut to *re$ent their e'i,ration? ut this
2ea0 atte'*t to >uiet our a**rehension< is ut a *oor co'*&i'ent to our
understandin,# The artic&e a&&uded to< contained an e/tract fro' our &a2s<
and a&& necessar! directions and cautions to e oser$ed ! co&ored
rethren< to ena&e the' u*on their arri$a& here< to c&ai' and e/ercise
the ri,hts of citi4enshi*# Conte'*oraneous 2ith the a**earance of this
artic&e< 2as the e/*ectation a'on, the rethren here< that a considera&e
nu'er of this de,raded caste 2ere on&! a2aitin, this infor'ation efore
the! shou&d set out on their =ourne!# 3ith the corru*tin, inf&uence of
these on our s&a$es< and the stench< oth *h!sica& and 'ora&< that their
introduction 2ou&d set af&oat in our socia& at'os*here< and the $e/ation
that 2ou&d attend the ci$i& ru&e of these fanatics< it 2ou&d re>uire
neither a $isit fro' the destro!in, an,e&< nor the =ud,'ents of an
offended 5od< to render our situation here insu**orta&e# True< it 'a! e
said< and tru&! no dout< that the fate has 'ar0ed the rise and fa&& of
Johanna Southcote and Ann Lee< 2i&& a&so attend the *ro,ress of Joe S'ith?
ut this is no o*iate to our fears< for 2hen the faric fa&&s< the ruish
2i&& re'ain#
-Of their *retended re$e&ations fro' hea$en--their *ersona&
intercourse 2ith 5od and His an,e&s--the 'a&adies the! *retend to hea& !
the &a!in, on of hands--and the conte'*ti&e ,ierish 2ith 2hich the!
haitua&&! *rofane the Saath< and 2hich the! di,nif! 2ith the
a**e&&ation of un0no2n ton,ues< 2e ha$e nothin, to sa!? $en,eance e&on,s
to 5od a&one# "ut as to the other 'atters set forth in this *a*er 2e fee&
ca&&ed on ! e$er! consideration of se&f-*reser$ation< ,ood societ!<
*u&ic 'ora&s and the fair *ros*ects< that if not &asted in the ,er'<
a2ait this !oun, and eautifu& count!< at once to dec&are< and 2e do
here! 'ost so&e'n&! dec&are?--
- L7--That no .or'on sha&& in future 'o$e and sett&e in this count!#
- LH--That those no2 here< 2ho sha&& ,i$e a definite *&ed,e of their
intention< 2ithin a reasona&e ti'e to re'o$e out of the count!< sha&& e
a&&o2ed to re'ain un'o&ested unti& the! ha$e sufficient ti'e to se&& their
*ro*ert!< and c&ose their usiness< 2ithout an! 'ateria& sacrifice#
- L9--That the editor of the Star e re>uired forth2ith to c&ose his
office< and discontinue the usiness of *rintin, in this count!? and as to
a&& other stores and sho*s e&on,in, to the sect< their o2ners 'ust in
e$er! case strict&! co'*&! 2ith the ter's of the second artic&e of this
dec&aration? and u*on fai&ure *ro'*t and efficient 'easures 2i&& e ta0en
to c&ose the sa'e#
- L@--That the .or'on &eaders here< are re>uired to use their
inf&uence in *re$entin, an! further e'i,ration of their distant rethren
to this count!< and to counse& and ad$ise their rethren here to co'*&!
2ith the ao$e re>uisitions#
- LG--That those 2ho fai& to co'*&! 2ith these re>uisitions< e
referred to those of their rethren 2ho ha$e the ,ifts of di$ination< and
of un0no2n ton,ues< to infor' the' of the &ot that a2aits the'#+
-3hich address ein, read and considered< 2as unani'ous&! ado*ted#
And thereu*on it 2as reso&$ed that a co''ittee of t2e&$e e a**ointed
forth2ith to 2ait on the .or'on &eaders< and see that the fore,oin,
re>uisitions are strict&! co'*&ied 2ith ! the'? and u*on their refusa&<
that said co''ittee do< as the or,an of this count!< infor' the' that it
is our un2a$erin, *ur*ose and fi/ed deter'ination< after the fu&&est
consideration of a&& the conse>uences and res*onsii&ities under 2hich 2e
act< to use such 'eans as sha&& insure their fu&& and co'*&ete ado*tion
and that said co''ittee< so far as 'a! e 2ithin their *o2er< re*ort to
this *resent 'eetin,# And the fo&&o2in, ,ent&e'en 2ere na'ed as said
co''ittee?--
-Roert Johnson< Ja'es Ca'*e&&< Co&one& .oses 3i&son< Joe& F#
Chi&es< Hon# Richard Fristoe< Aner F# Sta*&es< 5arr Johnson< Le2is
Fran0&in< Russe&& Hic0s< Es>#< Co&one& S# D# Lucas< Tho'as 3i&son and
Ja'es .# Hunter< to 2ho' 2as added Co&one& R# Si'*son< chair'an#
And after an ad=ourn'ent of t2o hours< the 'eetin, a,ain con$ened<
and the co''ittee of t2e&$e re*orted that the! had ca&&ed on .r# )he&*s<
the editor of the Star? Ed2ard )artrid,e< the "isho* of the sect?
and .r# 5i&ert< the 0ee*er of the Lord+s store house? and so'e
others? and that the! dec&ined ,i$in, an! direct ans2er to the
re>uisitions 'ade of the'< and 2ished an unreasona&e ti'e for
consu&tation< not on&! 2ith their rethren here< ut in Ohio#
-3hereu*on it 2as unani'ous&! reso&$ed ! the 'eetin,< that the Star
*rintin, office shou&d e ra4ed to the ,round< the t!*e and *ress secured#
3hich reso&ution 2as< 2ith the ut'ost order< and the &east noise and
disturance *ossi&e< forth2ith carried into e/ecution< as a&so so'e other
ste*s of a si'i&ar tendenc!? ut no &ood 2as s*i&&ed< nor an! &o2s
inf&icted# The 'eetin, then ad=ourned ti&& the H9rd instant< to 'eet a,ain
to 0no2 further concernin, the deter'ination of the .or'ons#
-Reso&$ed< that a co*! of these *roceedin,s e *osted u* at the *ost
office in this *&ace< for the infor'ation of a&& concerned? and that the
secretaries of this 'eetin, send co*ies of the sa'e to the *rinci*a&
editors in the eastern and 'idd&e states for *u&ication? that the .or'on
rethren 'a! 0no2 at a distance that the ,ates of ;ion are c&osed a,ainst
the'--that their interests 2i&& e est *ro'oted ! re'ainin, a'on, those
2ho 0no2 and a**reciate their 'erits#- RICHARD SI.)SON< Chair'an< S# D#
LUCAS< J# H# FLOURNOY< Secretaries#
The citi4ens+ 'eetin, a,ain con$ened on the H9rd da! of Ju&!< 7899<
2hich 2as co'*osed of ,ent&e'en fro' a&& *arts of the count!< and 'uch
'ore unani'ous&! attended than the 'eetin, of the HDth instant#
The 'eetin, 2as or,ani4ed ! the chair'an ta0in, his seat< 2hen the
fo&&o2in, ,ent&e'en 2ere a**ointed a co''ittee< to 2it(--
Henr! Chi&es< Es>#< Dr# N# 1# O&'stead< H# L# "ra4i&e< Es>#<
;achariah 3a&&er< Sa'ue& 3eston# Es>#< 3i&&ia' L# Ir2in< Leonidas O&dha'<
S# C# O2ens< Es>#< 5eor,e Si'*son< Ca*tain "en=a'in .a=ors< Ja'es C#
Sad&er< Co&one& 3i&&ia' "o2er,< Henr! Youn,er< Russe&& Hic0s< Es>#< Aaron
O$erton< John Harris< and Har'on 5re,,< to 2ait u*on the .or'on &eaders<
2ho had inti'ated a 2ish to ha$e a conference 2ith said co''ittee#
After an ad=ourn'ent of t2o hours< the 'eetin, a,ain con$ened< 2hen
the co''ittee re*orted to the 'eetin, that the! had 2aited on 'ost of the
.or'on &eaders< consistin, of the "isho*< .r# )artrid,e? .r# )he&*s<
Editor of the Star? .r# 5i&ert< the 0ee*er of the Lord+s store house< and
.essrs< Corri&&< 3hit'er< and .or&e!< E&ders of the Church? and that the
said co''ittee had entered into an a'ica&e a,ree'ent 2ith the'< 2hich
the! had reduced to 2ritin,< 2hich the! su'itted( and that the co''ittee
ha$e assured .r# )he&*s< that 2hen e$er he 2as read! to 'o$e< that the
a'ount of a&& his &oses shou&d e *aid to hi' ! the citi4ens# The 2ritten
a,ree'ent is as fo&&o2s(
The fore,oin, is co*ied entire to ,i$e one sa'*&e of h!*ocritica&
o'ast< and current fa&sehoods< 2ith 2hich the countr! 2as f&ooded in the
ear&! da!s of this Church# The dec&aration of the 'o< ! 2hich the!
*&ed,ed to each other their &i$es< their odi&! *o2ers< fortunes< and
sacred honors to re'o$e the Church fro' Jac0son count!< is a $er! ,ood
c&i'a/ for a&& the ar,u'ents used< fa&sehoods hoods set forth< and e$en a
fu&& inter*retation of the su&i'e ad'ission that -$en,eance e&on,s to
5od a&one#- The e$ents that fo&&o2ed fro' this ti'e ti&& No$e'er< e/*&ain
the 'odus o*erandi 'uch 'ore c&ear&! than the *u&ication in the .onitor<
or other *a*ers that ,enera&&! 2ere so 2i&&in, to ,i$e the 2estern
'issionaries< the doctors< &a2!ers< =ud,es< =ustices< sheriffs<
consta&es< 'i&itar! officers and other distin,uished *ersona,es a fair
chance a,ainst the .or'ons#
On the sa'e da! EJu&! H9rdF< 2hi&e the rethren in .issouri 2ere
*re*arin, to &ea$e the count!< throu,h the $io&ence of the 'o< the corner
stones of the Lord+s House 2ere &aid in 1irt&and< after the order of the
Ho&! )riesthood#
Au,ust H#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou '! friends< I s*ea0 unto !ou 2ith '!
$oice< e$en the $oice of '! S*irit< that I 'a! sho2 unto !ou '! 2i&&
concernin, !our rethren in the &and of ;ion< 'an! of 2ho' are tru&!
hu'&e and are see0in, di&i,ent&! to &earn 2isdo' and to find truth#
H# %eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &essed are such< for the! sha&&
otain? for I< the Lord< sho2 'erc! unto a&& the 'ee0< and u*on a&&
2ho'soe$er I 2i&&< that I 'a! e =ustified 2hen I sha&& rin, the' unto
=ud,'ent#
9# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< concernin, the schoo& in ;ion< I< the
Lord< a' 2e&& *&eased that there shou&d e a schoo& in ;ion< and a&so 2ith
'! ser$ant )ar&e! )# )ratt< for he aideth in 'e#
@# And inas'uch as he continueth to aide in 'e he sha&& continue to
*reside o$er the schoo& in the &and of ;ion unti& I sha&& ,i$e unto hi'
other co''and'ents#
G# And I 2i&& &ess hi' 2ith a 'u&ti*&icit! of &essin,s< in
e/*oundin, a&& scri*tures and '!steries to the edification of the schoo&<
and of the church in ;ion#
:# And to the residue of the schoo&< I< the Lord< a' 2i&&in, to sho2
'erc!? ne$erthe&ess< there are those that 'ust needs e chastened< and
their 2or0s sha&& e 'ade 0no2n#
M# The a/ is &aid at the root of the trees< and e$er! tree that
rin,eth not forth ,ood fruit sha&& e he2n do2n and cast into the fire#
I< the Lord< ha$e s*o0en it#
8# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou a&& a'on, the' 2ho 0no2 their hearts are
honest< and are ro0en< and their s*irits contrite< and are 2i&&in, to
oser$e their co$enants ! sacrifice--!ea< e$er! sacrifice 2hich I< the
Lord< sha&& co''and--the! are acce*ted of 'e#
N# For I< the Lord 2i&& cause the' to rin, forth as a $er! fruitfu&
tree 2hich is *&anted in a ,ood&! &and< ! a *ure strea'< that !ie&deth
'uch *recious fruit#
7D# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that it is '! 2i&& that a house shou&d e
ui&t unto 'e in the &and of ;ion &i0e unto the *attern 2hich I ha$e ,i$en
!ou#
77# Yea< &et it e ui&t s*eedi&!< ! the tithin, of '! *eo*&e#
7H# "eho&d< this is the tithin, and the sacrifice 2hich I< the Lord<
re>uire at their hands< that there 'a! e a house ui&t unto 'e for the
sa&$ation of ;ion--
79# For a *&ace of than0s,i$in, for a&& saints< and for a *&ace of
instruction for a&& those 2ho are ca&&ed to the 2or0 of the 'inistr! in
a&& their se$era& ca&&in,s and offices?
7@# That the! 'a! e *erfected in the understandin, of their
'inistr!< in theor!< in *rinci*&e< and in doctrine< in a&& thin,s
*ertainin, to the 0in,do' of 5od on the earth< the 0e!s of 2hich 0in,do'
ha$e een conferred u*on !ou#
7G# And inas'uch as '! *eo*&e ui&d a house unto 'e in the na'e of
the Lord< and do not suffer an! unc&ean thin, to co'e into it< that it e
not defi&ed '! ,&or! sha&& rest u*on it?
7:# Yea< and '! *resence sha&& e there< for I 2i&& co'e into it< and
a&& the *ure in heart that sha&& co'e into it sha&& see 5od#
7M# "ut if it e defi&ed I 2i&& not co'e into it< and '! ,&or! sha&&
not e there? for I 2i&& not co'e into unho&! te'*&es#
78# And< no2< eho&d< if ;ion do these thin,s she sha&& *ros*er< and
s*read herse&f and eco'e $er! ,&orious< $er! ,reat< and $er! terri&e#
7N# And the nations of the earth sha&& honor her< and sha&& sa!(
Sure&! ;ion is the cit! of our 5od< and sure&! ;ion cannot fa&&< neither
e 'o$ed out of her *&ace< for 5od is there< and the hand of the Lord is
there?
HD# And he hath s2orn ! the *o2er of his 'i,ht to e her sa&$ation
and her hi,h to2er#
H7# Therefore< $eri&!< thus saith the Lord< &et ;ion re=oice< for
this is ;ion--THE )URE IN HEART? therefore< &et ;ion re=oice< 2hi&e a&&
the 2ic0ed sha&& 'ourn#
HH# For eho&d< and &o< $en,eance co'eth s*eedi&! u*on the un,od&! as
the 2hir&2ind? and 2ho sha&& esca*e itB
H9# The Lord+s scour,e sha&& *ass o$er ! ni,ht and ! da! and the
re*ort thereof sha&& $e/ a&& *eo*&e? !ea< it sha&& not e sta!ed unti& the
Lord co'e?
H@# For the indi,nation of the Lord is 0ind&ed a,ainst their
ao'inations and a&& their 2ic0ed 2or0s#
HG# Ne$erthe&ess< ;ion sha&& esca*e if she oser$e to do a&& thin,s
2hatsoe$er I ha$e co''anded her#
H:# "ut if she oser$e not to do 2hatsoe$er I ha$e co''anded her< I
2i&& $isit her accordin, to a&& her 2or0s< 2ith sore aff&iction< 2ith
*esti&ence< 2ith *&a,ue< 2ith s2ord< 2ith $en,eance< 2ith de$ourin, fire#
HM# Ne$erthe&ess< &et it e read this once to her ears< that I< the
Lord< ha$e acce*ted of her offerin,? and if she sin no 'ore none of these
thin,s sha&& co'e u*on her?
H8# And I 2i&& &ess her 2ith &essin,s< and 'u&ti*&! a 'u&ti*&icit!
of &essin,s u*on her< and u*on her ,enerations fore$er and e$er< saith
the Lord !our 5od# A'en#
Au,ust :th#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou '! friends< fear not< &et !our hearts e
co'forted? !ea re=oice e$er'ore< and in e$er!thin, ,i$e than0s?
H# 3aitin, *atient&! on the Lord< for !our *ra!ers ha$e entered into
the ears of the Lord of Saaoth< and are recorded 2ith this sea& and
testa'ent--the Lord hath s2orn and decreed that the! sha&& e ,ranted#
9# Therefore< he ,i$eth this *ro'ise unto !ou< 2ith an i''uta&e
co$enant that the! sha&& e fu&fi&&ed? and a&& thin,s 2here2ith !ou ha$e
een aff&icted sha&& 2or0 to,ether for !our ,ood and to '! na'e+s ,&or!<
saith the Lord#
@# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou concernin, the &a2s of the &and< it
is '! 2i&& that '! *eo*&e shou&d oser$e to do a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er I
co''and the'#
G# And that &a2 of the &and 2hich is constitutiona&< su**ortin, that
*rinci*&e of freedo' in 'aintainin, ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es< e&on,s to a&&
'an0ind< and is =ustifia&e efore 'e#
:# Therefore< I< the Lord< =ustif! !ou< and !our rethren of '!
church< in efriendin, that &a2 2hich is the constitutiona& &a2 of the
&and?
M# And as *ertainin, to &a2 of 'an< 2hatsoe$er is 'ore or &ess than
this co'eth of e$i&#
8# I< the Lord 5od< 'a0e !ou free< therefore !e are free indeed? and
the &a2 a&so 'a0eth !ou free#
N# Ne$erthe&ess< 2hen the 2ic0ed ru&e the *eo*&e 'ourn#
7D# 3herefore< honest 'en and 2ise 'en shou&d e sou,ht for
di&i,ent&!< and ,ood 'en and 2ise 'en !e shou&d oser$e to u*ho&d<
other2ise 2hatsoe$er is &ess than these co'eth of e$i&#
77# And I ,i$e unto !ou a co''and'ent< that !e sha&& forsa0e a&& e$i&
and c&ea$e unto a&& ,ood< that !e sha&& &i$e ! e$er! 2ord 2hich
*roceedeth forth out of the 'outh of 5od#
7H# For he 2i&& ,i$e unto the faithfu& &ine u*on &ine< *rece*t u*on
*rece*t? and I 2i&& tr! !ou and *ro$e !ou here2ith#
79# And 2hoso &a!eth do2n his &ife in '! cause< for '! na'e+s sa0e<
sha&& find it a,ain< e$en &ife eterna&#
7@# Therefore< e not afraid of !our ene'ies< for I ha$e decreed in
'! heart< saith the Lord< that I 2i&& *ro$e !ou in a&& thin,s 2hether !ou
2i&& aide in '! co$enant< e$en unto death< that !ou 'a! e found 2orth!#
7G# For if !e 2i&& not aide in '! co$enant !e are not 2orth! of 'e#
7:# Therefore< renounce 2ar and *roc&ai' *eace< and see0 di&i,ent&!
to turn the hearts of the chi&dren to their fathers< and the hearts of the
fathers to the chi&dren?
7M# And a,ain< the hearts of the Je2s unto the *ro*hets< and the
*ro*hets unto the Je2s? &est I co'e and s'ite the 2ho&e earth 2ith a
curse< and a&& f&esh e consu'ed efore 'e#
78# Let not !our hearts e trou&ed? for in '! Father+s house are
'an! 'ansions< and I ha$e *re*ared a *&ace for !ou? and 2here '! Father
and I a'< there !e sha&& e a&so#
7N# "eho&d< I< the Lord< a' not 2e&& *&eased 2ith 'an! 2ho are in the
church at 1irt&and?
HD# For the! do not forsa0e their sins< and their 2ic0ed 2a!s< the
*ride of their hearts< and their co$etousness< and a&& their detesta&e
thin,s< and oser$e the 2ords of 2isdo' and eterna& &ife 2hich I ha$e
,i$en unto the'#
H7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that I< the Lord< 2i&& chasten the' and
2i&& do 2hatsoe$er I &ist< if the! do not re*ent and oser$e a&& thin,s
2hatsoe$er I ha$e said unto the'#
HH# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< if !e oser$e to do 2hatsoe$er I
co''and !ou< I the Lord< 2i&& turn a2a! a&& 2rath and indi,nation fro'
!ou< and the ,ates of he&& sha&& not *re$ai& a,ainst !ou#
H9# No2< I s*ea0 unto !ou concernin, !our fa'i&ies--if 'en 2i&& s'ite
!ou< or !our fa'i&ies< once< and !e ear it *atient&! and re$i&e not
a,ainst the'< neither see0 re$en,e< !e sha&& e re2arded?
H@# "ut if !e ear it not *atient&!< it sha&& e accounted unto !ou
as ein, 'eted out as a =ust 'easure unto !ou#
HG# And a,ain< if !our ene'! sha&& s'ite !ou the second ti'e< and !ou
re$i&e not a,ainst !our ene'!< and ear it *atient&!< !our re2ard sha&& e
an hundredfo&d#
H:# And a,ain< if he sha&& s'ite !ou the third ti'e< and !e ear it
*atient&!< !our re2ard sha&& e dou&ed unto !ou four-fo&d?
HM# And these three testi'onies sha&& stand a,ainst !our ene'! if he
re*ent not< and sha&& not e &otted out#
H8# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< if that ene'! sha&& esca*e '!
$en,eance< that he e not rou,ht into =ud,'ent efore 'e< then !e sha&&
see to it that !e 2arn hi' in '! na'e< that he co'e no 'ore u*on !ou<
neither u*on !our fa'i&!< e$en !our chi&dren+s chi&dren unto the third and
fourth ,eneration#
HN# And then< if he sha&& co'e u*on !ou or !our chi&dren< or !our
chi&dren+s chi&dren unto the third and fourth ,eneration< I ha$e de&i$ered
thine ene'! into thine hands?
9D# And then if thou 2i&t s*are hi'< thou sha&t e re2arded for th!
ri,hteousness< and a&so th! chi&dren and th! chi&dren+s chi&dren unto the
third and fourth ,eneration#
97# Ne$erthe&ess< thine ene'! is in thine hands? and if thou
re2ardest hi' accordin, to his 2or0s thou art =ustified? if he has sou,ht
th! &ife< and th! &ife is endan,ered ! hi'< thine ene'! is in thine hands
and thou art =ustified#
9H# "eho&d< this is the &a2 I ,a$e unto '! ser$ant Ne*hi< and th!
fathers< Jose*h< and Jaco< and Isaac< and Araha'< and a&& 'ine ancient
*ro*hets and a*ost&es#
99# And a,ain< this is the &a2 that I ,a$e unto 'ine ancients< that
the! shou&d not ,o out unto att&e a,ainst an! nation< 0indred< ton,ue< or
*eo*&e< sa$e I< the Lord< co''anded the'#
9@# And if an! nation< ton,ue< or *eo*&e shou&d *roc&ai' 2ar a,ainst
the'< the! shou&d first &ift a standard of *eace unto that *eo*&e< nation<
or ton,ue?
9G# And if that *eo*&e did not acce*t the offerin, of *eace< neither
the second nor the third ti'e< the! shou&d rin, these testi'onies efore
the Lord?
9:# Then I< the Lord< 2ou&d ,i$e unto the' a co''and'ent< and =ustif!
the' in ,oin, out to att&e a,ainst that nation< ton,ue< or *eo*&e#
9M# And I< the Lord< 2ou&d fi,ht their att&es< and their chi&dren+s
att&es< and their chi&dren+s chi&dren< unti& the! had a$en,ed the'se&$es
on a&& their ene'ies< to the third and fourth ,eneration#
98# "eho&d< this is an ensa'*&e unto a&& *eo*&e< saith the Lord !our
5od< for =ustification efore 'e#
9N# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< if after thine ene'! has co'e
u*on thee the first ti'e< he re*ent and co'e unto thee *ra!in, th!
for,i$eness< thou sha&t for,i$e hi'< and sha&t ho&d it no 'ore as a
testi'on! a,ainst thine ene'!--
@D# And so on unto the second and third ti'e? and as oft as thine
ene'! re*enteth of the tres*ass 2here2ith he has tres*assed a,ainst thee<
thou sha&t for,i$e hi'< unti& se$ent! ti'es se$en#
@7# And if he tres*ass a,ainst thee and re*ent not the first ti'e<
ne$erthe&ess thou sha&t for,i$e hi'#
@H# And if he tres*ass a,ainst thee the second ti'e< and re*ent not<
ne$erthe&ess thou sha&t for,i$e hi'#
@9# And if he tres*ass a,ainst thee the third ti'e< and re*ent not<
thou sha&t a&so for,i$e hi'#
@@# "ut if he tres*ass a,ainst thee the fourth ti'e thou sha&t not
for,i$e hi'< ut sha&t rin, these testi'onies efore the Lord? and the!
sha&& not e &otted out unti& he re*ent and re2ard thee four-fo&d in a&&
thin,s 2here2ith he has tres*assed a,ainst thee#
@G# And if he do this< thou sha&t for,i$e hi' 2ith a&& thine heart?
and if he do not this< I< the Lord< 2i&& a$en,e thee of thine ene'! an
hundred-fo&d?
@:# And u*on his chi&dren< and u*on his chi&dren+s chi&dren of a&&
the' that hate 'e< unto the third and fourth ,eneration#
@M# "ut if the chi&dren sha&& re*ent< or the chi&dren+s chi&dren< and
turn to the Lord their 5od< 2ith a&& their hearts and 2ith a&& their
'i,ht< 'ind< and stren,th< and restore four-fo&d for a&& their tres*asses
2here2ith the! ha$e tres*assed< or 2here2ith their fathers ha$e
tres*assed< or their father+s fathers< then thine indi,nation sha&& e
turned a2a!?
@8# And $en,eance sha&& no 'ore co'e u*on the'< saith the Lord th!
5od< and their tres*asses sha&& ne$er e rou,ht an! 'ore as a testi'on!
efore the Lord a,ainst the'# A'en#
CHA)TER 66I6#
.INOR E%ENTS IN ;ION AND 1IRTLAND--AN A))EAL TO THE 5O%ERNOR OF .ISSOURI#
Au,ust H7#--At a counci& of Hi,h )riests in ;ion< E&der Christian
3hit'er 2as ordained to the Hi,h )riesthood# And on the H8th< the counci&
reso&$ed< that no Hi,h )riest< E&der< or )riest< sha&& ordain an! )riest<
E&der< or Hi,h )riest in the &and of ;ion< 2ithout the consent of a
conference of Hi,h )riests#
Soon after the arri$a& of O&i$er Co2der! at 1irt&and< arran,e'ents
2ere 'ade to dis*atch E&ders Orson H!de and John 5ou&dO to Jac0son
count!< .issouri< 2ith ad$ice to the Saints in their unfortunate
situation< throu,h the &ate outra,e of the 'o#
Se*te'er @#--I 2rote as fo&&o2s to Sister %ienna Ja>ues+ at
Inde*endence< .issouri(
Dear Sister(--Ha$in, a fe2 &eisure 'o'ents< I sit do2n to co''unicate
to !ou a fe2 2ords< 2hich I 0no2 I a' under o&i,ation to i'*ro$e for !our
satisfaction< if it shou&d e a satisfaction for !ou to recei$e a fe2
2ords fro' !our un2orth! rother in Christ# I recei$ed !our &etter so'e
ti'e since< containin, a histor! of !our =ourne! and !our safe arri$a&<
for 2hich I &ess the Lord? I ha$e often fe&t a 2his*erin, since I
recei$ed !our &etter< &i0e this( -Jose*h< thou art indeted to th! 5od for
the offerin, of th! Sister %ienna< 2hich *ro$ed a sa$or of &ife as
*ertainin, to th! *ecuniar! concerns# Therefore she shou&d not e
for,otten of thee< for the Lord hath done this< and thou shou&dst re'e'er
her in a&& th! *ra!ers and a&so ! &etter< for she oftenti'es ca&&eth on
the Lord< sa!in,< O Lord< ins*ire th! ser$ant Jose*h to co''unicate !
&etter so'e 2ord to thine un2orth! hand'aiden< and sa! a&& '! sins are
for,i$en< and art thou not content 2ith the chastise'ent 2here2ith thou
hast chastised th! hand'aidenB- Yea< sister< this see's to e the
2his*erin, of a s*irit< and =ud,e !e 2hat s*irit it is I 2as a2are 2hen
!ou &eft 1irt&and that the Lord 2ou&d chasten !ou< ut I *ra!ed fer$ent&!
in the na'e of Jesus that !ou 'i,ht &i$e to recei$e !our inheritance<
a,reea&e to the co''and'ent 2hich 2as ,i$en concernin, !ou# I a' not at
a&& astonished at 2hat has ha**ened to !ou< neither to 2hat has ha**ened
to ;ion< and I cou&d te&& a&& the 2h!s and 2herefores of a&& these
ca&a'ities# "ut a&as< it is in $ain to 2arn and ,i$e *rece*ts< for a&& 'en
are natura&&! dis*osed to 2a&0 in their o2n *aths as the! are *ointed out
! their o2n fin,ers and are not 2i&&in, to consider and 2a&0 in the *ath
2hich is *ointed out ! another< sa!in,< This is the 2a!< 2a&0 !e in it<
a&thou,h he shou&d e an unerrin, director< and the Lord his 5od sent hi'#
Ne$erthe&ess< I do not fee& dis*osed to cast an! ref&ections< ut I fee&
to cr! 'i,hti&! unto the Lord that a&& thin,s< 2hich ha$e ha**ened 'a!
2or0 to,ether for ,ood? !ea< I fee& to sa!< O Lord< &et ;ion e co'forted<
&et her 2aste *&aces e ui&t u* and esta&ished an hundred fo&d? &et Th!
Saints co'e unto ;ion out of e$er! nation? &et her e e/a&ted to the third
hea$ens< and &et Th! =ud,'ent e sent forth unto $ictor!? and after this
,reat triu&ation< &et Th! &essin, fa&& u*on Th! *eo*&e< and &et Th!
hand'aid &i$e ti&& her sou& sha&& e satisfied in eho&din, the ,&or! of
;ion? for not2ithstandin, her *resent aff&iction< she sha&& !et arise and
*ut on her eautifu& ,ar'ents< and e the =o! and ,&or! of the 2ho&e
earth# Therefore &et !our heart e co'forted? &i$e in strict oedience to
the co''and'ents of 5od< and 2a&0 hu'&! efore Hi'< and He 2i&& e/a&t
thee in His o2n due ti'e# I 2i&& assure !ou that the Lord has res*ect unto
the offerin, !ou 'ade# "rother Da$id 3# )atten has =ust returned fro' his
tour to the east< and ,i$es us ,reat satisfaction as to his 'inistr!# He
has raised u* a church of aout ei,ht!-three 'e'ers in that *art of the
countr! 2here his friends &i$e--in the state of Ne2 Yor0# .an! 2ere hea&ed
throu,h his instru'enta&it!< se$era& cri**&es 2ere restored# As 'an! as
t2e&$e that 2ere aff&icted ca'e at a ti'e fro' a distance to e hea&ed? he
and others ad'inistered in the na'e of Jesus< and the! 2ere 'ade 2ho&e#
Thus !ou see that the &aorers in the Lord+s $ine!ard are &aorin, 2ith
their 'i,ht< 2hi&e the da! &asts< 0no2in, -the ni,ht soon co'eth 2hen no
'an can 2or0# ISi,nedJ JOSE)H S.ITH#
Se*te'er 77#--The fo&&o2in, 'e'ers< residin, in 1irt&and< $i4#( F#
5# 3i&&ia's< Sidne! Ri,don< N# 1# 3hitne!< 2ith '!se&f< and O&i$er
Co2der!< de&e,ate to re*resent the residue of the 'e'ers in Inde*endence<
.issouri< 'et in counci&< to consider the e/*edienc! of esta&ishin, a
*rintin, *ress in 1irt&and< 2hen it 2as
Reso&$ed< unani'ous&!< that a *ress e esta&ished< and conducted
under the fir' na'e of F# 5# 3i&&ia's P Co#
Reso&$ed< that the ao$e fir' *u&ish a *a*er< as soon as
arran,e'ents can e 'ade< entit&ed the Latter-da! Saints .essen,er and
Ad$ocate#
Reso&$ed< a&so< that The E$enin, and .ornin, Star< for'er&! *u&ished
in Jac0son count!< .issouri< ! the fir' of F# 5# 3i&&ia's P Co#< to e
conducted ! O&i$er Co2der!< one of the 'e'ers of the fir'< unti& it is
transferred to its for'er &ocation#
The sa'e da! "isho* )artrid,e 2as ac0no2&ed,ed ! the counci& in
;ion< to e the head of the Church in ;ion at that ti'e? and ! $irtue of
his office< 2as ac0no2&ed,ed the 'oderator or *resident of the counci&s or
conferences#
Ten Hi,h )riests 2ere a**ointed to 2atch o$er the ten ranches of the
Church in ;ion#
A h!'n< concernin, the tra$e&s< toi&s< trou&es< and triu&ations of
the Ne*hites< 2as sun, in ton,ues ! E&der 3# 3# )he&*s< inter*reted !
E&der L!'an 3i,ht<
Se*te'er H:#--The counci& a,ain asse'&ed in
;ion< and ordained Jesse Hitchcoc0< E&ias Hi,ee< and Isaac Hi,ee<
Hi,h )riests#
"rother John TannerO sent his t2o sons to 1irt&and to &earn the 2i&&
of the Lord< 2hether he shou&d re'o$e to ;ion or 1irt&and< It 2as decided
! the unani'ous $oice of the counci&< on the H8th of Se*te'er< that it
2as the 2i&& of the Lord for a&& 2ho 2ere a&e and 2i&&in,< to ui&d u*
and stren,then the sta0e in 1irt&and# "rother Tanner 2as counse&ed
accordin,&!#
Aout this ti'e< E&ders H!de and 5ou&d arri$ed in ;ion< and the
Church ha$in, 'ade the necessar! *re*arations< E&ders 3# 3# )he&*s and
Orson H!de 2ere dis*atched to the 5o$ernor of .issouri< residin, at
Jefferson Cit!< the ca*ita& of the state< 2ith the fo&&o2in,(
)ETITION#
Se*te'er H8< 7899#
To His E/ce&&enc! Danie& Dun0&in< 5o$ernor of the State of .issouri(
3e< the undersi,ned< citi4ens of the Re*u&ic of the United States of
A'erica< inhaitants of the state of .issouri< and residents of Jac0son
count!< 'e'ers of the Church of Christ< $u&,ar&! ca&&ed -.or'ons<-
e&ie$in, in 5od< and 2orshi*in, Hi' accordin, to His re$ea&ed 2i&&
contained in the Ho&! "i&e< and the fu&ness of the 5os*e& contained in
the "oo0 of .or'on< and the re$e&ations and co''and'ents of 5od throu,h
Jesus Christ< res*ectfu&&! sho2?--
That 2e< !our *etitioners< ha$in, *urchased &ands of the United
States< and of the State of .issouri< and of the inhaitants of said
state< for the *ur*ose of i'*ro$in, the sa'e< and *eacea&! en=o!in, our
ri,hts< *ri$i&e,es i''unities< and re&i,ion< accordin, to the constitution
and &a2s of the state and nationa& ,o$ern'ents< ha$e suffered un=ust&! and
un&a2fu&&! in *ro*ert!< in *erson< and in re*utation< as fo&&o2s(--
First< in the s*rin, of 789H< so'e *ersons< in the dead&! hours of
the ni,ht< co''enced stonin, or ric0-attin, so'e of our houses< and
rea0in, in our 2indo2s< disturin, ourse&$es< our 2i$es< and our
chi&dren? and a&so< so'e fe2 da!s after< the! ca&&ed a count! 'eetin, to
consu&t 'easures to re'o$e us< ut after so'e confusion a'on, the'se&$es<
the! dis*ersed 2ith doin, no 'ore than threatenin, on that da!# In the
fa&& of the sa'e !ear< the!< or so'e one< urned a &ar,e >uantit! of ha!
in the stac0< and soon after co''enced shootin, into so'e of our houses<
and at 'an! ti'es insu&tin, 2ith ausi$e &an,ua,e#
Second&!< aout the 'idd&e of Ju&! &ast< !ea< in fact< *re$ious< the!
co''enced ric0-attin, our houses a,ain< and rea0in, in our 2indo2s# At
this ti'e< Ju&! 78th< the fo&&o2in, docu'ent 2as in circu&ation( C C C C
C C C
On Saturda!< the HDth of Ju&! &ast< accordin, to the fore,oin,
docu'ent< there asse'&ed< sudden&!< in the to2n of Inde*endence< at the
court house< et2een four and fi$e hundred *ersons< 2ho sent Roert
Johnson< Ja'es Ca'*e&&< .oses 3i&son< Joe& F# Chi&es< Richard "ristoe<
Aner F# Sta*&es< 5arr Johnson< Le2is Fran0&in< Ru'e&& Hic0s< S# D# Lucas<
Tho'as 3i&son# Ja'es .# Hunter< and Richard Si'*son to so'e of !our
*etitioners? na'e&!< Ed2ard )artrid,e< A# S# 5i&ert< John Corri&&< Isaac
.or&e!< John 3hit'er< and 3# 3# )he&*s< and de'anded that 2e shou&d
i''ediate&! sto* the *u&ication of the E$enin, and .ornin, Star< and
c&ose *rintin, in Jac0son count!? and that 2e< as E&ders of said Church<
shou&d a,ree to re'o$e out of the count! forth2ith# 3e as0ed for three
'onths for consideration< The! 2ou&d not ,rant it# 3e as0ed for ten da!s#
The! 2ou&d not ,rant it< ut said fifteen 'inutes 2as the &on,est< and
refused to hear an! reasons# Of course the con$ersation ro0e u*#
The four or fi$e hundred *ersons< as a 'o< then *roceeded to
de'o&ish or ra4e to the ,round< the *rintin, office and d2e&&in, house of
3# 3# )he&*s P Co# .rs# )he&*s< 2ith a sic0 infant and the rest of her
chi&dren< to,ether 2ith the furniture in the house< 2ere thro2n out of
doors--the *ress 2as ro0en< the t!*e *ied--the oo02or0< furniture<
a**aratus< *ro*ert!< etc#< of the office< 2ere *rinci*a&&! destro!ed< and
the office thro2n do2n< 2here! se$en hands 2ere thro2n out of e'*&o!'ent<
and three fa'i&ies &eft destitute of the 'eans of susistence#
The &oss of the 2ho&e office< inc&udin, the sto**a,e of The E$enin,
and .ornin, Star a 'onth&! *a*er< and the U**er .issouri Ad$ertiser< a
2ee0&! *a*er< 2as aout si/ thousand do&&ars< 2ithout the da'a,es 2hich
'ust resu&t in conse>uence of their sus*ension#
The 'o then *roceeded to de'o&ish the store-house and destro! the
,oods of 5i&ert< 3hitne! P Co#? ut .r# 5i&ert assurin, the' the ,oods
shou&d e *ac0ed ! the H9rd inst#< IJu&!J the! then sto**ed the
destruction of *ro*ert!< and *roceeded to do *ersona& $io&ence# The! too0
Ed2ard )artrid,e< the "isho* of the Church< fro' his d2e&&in, house !
force< and a .r# A&&en< and stri**in, the' of their coats< $ests< and
hats< or causin, the' to do it the'se&$es< tarred and feathered the' in
the *resence of the 'o< efore the court house# The! cau,ht other 'e'ers
of the Church to ser$e the' in &i0e 'anner< ut the! 'ade their esca*e#
3ith horrid !e&&s and the 'ost &as*he'ous e*ithets the! sou,ht for other
&eadin, E&ders< ut found the' not# It ein, &ate< the! ad=ourned unti&
the H9rd inst#
On the H9rd inst#< ear&! in the da!< the 'o a,ain asse'&ed to the
nu'er of aout fi$e hundred< 'an! of the' ar'ed 2ith rif&es< dir0s<
*isto&s< c&us and 2hi*s? one or t2o co'*anies ridin, into to2n earin,
the red f&a,< raisin, a,ain the horrid !e&&# The! *roceeded to ta0e so'e
of the &eadin, E&ders ! force< dec&arin, it to e their intention to 2hi*
the' 2ith fro' fift! to fi$e hundred &ashes a*iece< to de'o&ish their
d2e&&in, houses< and &et their ne,roes &oose to ,o throu,h our
*&antations< and &a! o*en our fie&ds for the destruction of our cro*s#
3hereu*on John Corri&&< John 3hit'er< 3# 3# )he&*s< A# S# 5i&ert<
Ed2ard )artrid,e< and Isaac .or&e!< 'ade no resistance< ut offered
the'se&$es a ranso' for the Church< 2i&&in, to e scour,ed or die< if that
2ou&d a**ease their an,er to2ards the Church< ut 2ere assured ! the 'o<
that e$er! 'an< 2o'an< and chi&d 2ou&d e 2hi**ed or scour,ed< unti& the!
2ere dri$en out of the count!< as the 'o dec&ared that either the! or the
-.or'ons- 'ust &ea$e the count!< or the!< or the -.or'ons- 'ust die#
The 'o then chose a ne2 co''ittee< consistin, of Sa'ue& C# O2ens<
Leonidas O&dha'< 5# 3# Si'*son< .# L# Ir2in< John Harris< Henr! Chi&es<
Har$e! H# Youn,er< Hu,h L# "ra4i&e< N# 1# O&'stead< Ja'es C# Sad&er<
3i&&ia' "o2ers< "en=a'in .a=ors< ;achariah 3a&&er< Har'an 5re,,< Aaron
O$erton< and Sa'ue& 3eston< 2ho 2ith Ed2ard
)artrid,e< Isaac .or&e!< John Corri&&< 3# 3# )he&*s< A# S# 5i&ert<
and John 3hit'er< entered into the fo&&o2in, sti*u&ation(--
-.e'orandu' of a,ree'ent et2een the undersi,ned of the .or'on
societ! in Jac0son count!< .issouri< and a co''ittee a**ointed ! a *u&ic
'eetin, of the citi4ens of said count!< 'ade the H9rd da! of Ju&!< 7899#
-It is understood that the undersi,ned 'e'ers of the societ! do ,i$e
their so&e'n *&ed,e each for hi'se&f< as fo&&o2s< to 2it(--
-That O&i$er Co2der!< 3# 3# )he&*s< 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< Ed2ard
)artrid,e< L!'an 3i,ht< Si'eon Carter< )eter and John 3hit'er< and Har$e!
3hit&oc0< sha&& re'o$e 2ith their fa'i&ies out of this count! on or efore
the first da! of Januar! ne/t? and that the!< as 2e&& as the t2o
hereinafter na'ed< use a&& their inf&uence to induce a&& the rethren no2
here< to re'o$e as soon as *ossi&e--one ha&f< sa!< ! the first of
Januar! ne/t< and a&& ! the first da! of A*ri& ne/t? to ad$ise and tr!
a&& 'eans in their *o2er< to sto* an! 'ore of their sect fro' 'o$in, to
this count!< and as to those no2 on the road< the! 2i&& use their
inf&uence to *re$ent their sett&in, *er'anent&! in the count!< ut that
the! sha&& on&! 'a0e arran,e'ents for te'*orar! she&ter< ti&& a ne2
&ocation is a,reed on for the societ!# John Corri&& and A&,ernon S#
5i&ert< are a&&o2ed to re'ain as ,enera& a,ents to 2ind u* the usiness
of the societ!< so &on, as necessit! sha&& re>uire? and said 5i&ert 'a!
se&& out his 'erchandise no2 on hand< ut is to 'a0e no ne2 i'*ortations#
-The Star is not a,ain to e *u&ished< nor a *ress set u* ! an! of
the societ! in this count!#
-If the said Ed2ard )artrid,e and 3# 3# )he&*s 'o$e their fa'i&ies !
the first da! of Januar! as aforesaid< the! the'se&$es 2i&& e a&&o2ed to
,o and co'e in order to transact and 2ind u* their usiness#
The co''ittee *&ed,e the'se&$es to use a&& their inf&uence to *re$ent
an! $io&ence ein, used so &on, as a co'*&iance 2ith the fore,oin, ter's
is oser$ed ! the *arties concerned#
-To 2hich a,ree'ent are suscried the na'es of the ao$e-na'ed
co''ittee< as a&so those of the .or'on rethren na'ed in the re*ort as
ha$in, een *resent#-
The da'a,es 2hich !our *etitioners ha$e sustained in conse>uence of
this outra,e and sti*u&ation are< at *resent< inca&cu&a&e# A ,reat nu'er
of industrious inhaitants 2ho 2ere de*endent on their &aors for su**ort<
ha$e een thro2n out of e'*&o!'ent< and are 0e*t so ! the threatenin,s of
those 2ho co'*ose the 'o# ISee their reso&utions as *u&ished in the
3estern .onitor< nu'ers 7< H< 9< @ and G< Au,ust H< 7899#J In esti'atin,
the da'a,es 2hich ha$e resu&ted fro' the e,innin, to this ti'e fro' those
i&&e,a& and inhu'an *roceedin,s a,ainst !our *oor and *ersecuted
*etitioners< 2ere the! to na'e 'an! thousands of do&&ars< it 2ou&d e
short of a re'uneration# .ost of the 'echanic+s sho*s ha$e een c&osed?
t2o *air of &ac0s'ith+s e&&o2s ha$e een cut in *ieces? our 'erchant< as
!ou 2i&& see ! the fore,oin, sti*u&ation< has een foridden to i'*ort or
rin, into the countr! an! 'ore ,oods< ! 2hich his usiness has een
ruined#
Soon after the ao$e sti*u&ation 2as 'ade< so'e of !our *etitioners
*roceeded to 'a0e a ne2 &ocation in %an "uren count! on the south< ut the
sett&ers in that count! dre2 u* an a,ree'ent a'on, the'se&$es to dri$e us
fro' that count!< after 2e had co''enced &aorin, there? the! threatened
to shoot our catt&e< and destro! our &aor< and in fact< -the fo/es ha$e
ho&es< and the irds of the air ha$e nests< ut 2e ha$e not 2here to &a!
our heads#- 3e 2ere o&i,ed to return#
Since the sti*u&ation 2as entered into< so'e of our houses ha$e een
ro0en o*en< and the in'ates threatened to e shot if the! stirred? and
a&so so'e of our houses ha$e een stoned or ric0-atted#
A&so< that since so'e *u&ications ha$e a**eared in the 3estern
.onitor and other *a*ers< censurin, the conduct of the 'o< the &eaders
ha$e e,un to threaten &ife< dec&arin, that if an! of the .or'ons
atte'*ted te'*ted to see0 redress ! &a2 or other2ise< for character<
*erson< or *ro*ert!< the! sha&& dieK
No2 therefore< for ourse&$es< as 'e'ers of the Church< 2e dec&are<
2ith the e/ce*tion of *o$ert!< 2hich has not !et eco'e a cri'e ! the
&a2s of the &and< that the cri'es char,ed a,ainst us so far as 2e are
ac>uainted< contained in the docu'ents ao$e 2ritten< and those in the
*roceedin,s of the 'o< as *u&ished in the 3estern .onitor of Au,ust Hnd<
are not true# In re&ation to in$itin, free *eo*&e of co&or to e'i,rate to
this section of countr!< and other 'atters re&ati$e to our societ!< see
the 7DNth< 77Dth< and 777th *a,es of The E$enin, and .ornin, Star< and the
E/tra acco'*an!in, the sa'e< dated Ju&! 7:th< 2hich are anne/ed to this
*etition# Our situation is a critica& one? 2e are &ocated u*on the 2estern
&i'its of the state< and of the United States? 2here des*eradoes can
co''it outra,es< and e$en 'urder< and esca*e in a fe2 'inutes e!ond the
reach of *rocess? 2here the 'ost aandoned of a&& c&asses fro' a&'ost
e$er! state 'a! too often *ass to the .e/ican states< or to the 'ore
re'ote re,ions of the Roc0! .ountains to esca*e the ,ras* of =ustice?
2here nu'erous tries of Indians< &ocated ! the 5enera& 5o$ern'ent a'id
the corru*tin, inf&uence of 'id-da! 'os< 'i,ht 'assacre our defense&ess
2o'en and chi&dren< 2ith i'*unit!#
Inf&uenced ! the *rece*ts of our e&o$ed Sa$ior 2hen 2e ha$e een
s'itten on the one chee0< 2e ha$e turned the other a&so? 2hen 2e ha$e een
sued at the &a2< and our coat een ta0en< 2e ha$e ,i$en the' our c&oa0
a&so? 2hen the! ha$e co'*e&&ed us to ,o 2ith the' a 'i&e< 2e ha$e ,one
2ith the' t2ain? 2e ha$e orne the ao$e outra,es 2ithout 'ur'urin,? ut
2e cannot *atient&! ear the' an! &on,er? accordin, to the &a2s of 5od and
'an< 2e ha$e orne enou,h# "e&ie$in, 2ith a&& honora&e 'en< that 2hene$er
that fata& hour sha&& arri$e that the *oorest citi4en+s *erson< *ro*ert!<
or ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es< sha&& e tra'*&ed u*on ! a &a2&ess 'o 2ith
i'*unit!< that 'o'ent a da,,er is *&un,ed into the heart of the
constitution< and the union 'ust tre'&eK Assurin, ourse&$es that no
re*u&ican 2i&& suffer the &iert! of the *ress< the freedo' of s*eech<
and the &iert! of conscience< to e si&enced ! a 'o< 2ithout raisin, a
he&*in, hand to sa$e his countr! fro' dis,race< 2e so&icit assistance to
otain our ri,hts< ho&din, ourse&$es a'ena&e to the &a2s of our count!
2hene$er 2e trans,ress the'#
1no2in, as 2e do< that the threats of this 'o< in 'ost cases ha$e
een *ut into e/ecution< and 0no2in, a&so that e$er! officer< ci$i& and
'i&itar!< 2ith a $er! fe2 e/ce*tions< has *&ed,ed his &ife and honor to
force us fro' the count!< dead or a&i$e? and e&ie$in, that ci$i& *rocess
cannot e ser$ed 2ithout the aid of the e/ecuti$e? and not 2ishin, to ha$e
the &ood of our defense&ess 2o'en and chi&dren to stain the &and 2hich
has once een stained ! the &ood of our fathers to *urchase our &iert!<
2e a**ea& to the 5o$ernor for aid< as0in, hi' to raise ! e/*ress
*roc&a'ation< or other2ise< a sufficient nu'er of troo*s< 2ho< 2ith us<
'a! e e'*o2ered to defend our ri,hts< that 2e 'a! sue for da'a,es for the
&oss of *ro*ert!< for ause< for defa'ation< as to ourse&$es< and if
ad$isa&e tr! for treason a,ainst the ,o$ern'ent? that the &a2 of the &and
'a! not e defi&ed< or nu&&ified< ut *eace e restored to our countr!#
And 2e 2i&& e$er *ra!#
This *etition 2as si,ned ! Ed2ard )artrid,e and near&! a&& the
'e'ers of the Church in Jac0son count!#
CHA)TER 666#
THE )RO)HET+S .ISSION TO CANADA#
Octoer G#--I started on a =ourne! to the east< and to Canada< in
co'*an! 2ith E&ders Ri,don and Free'an Nic0erson< and arri$ed the sa'e
da! at La'+s ta$ern< in Ashtau&a? and the da! fo&&o2in,< the Saath<
2e arri$ed in S*rin,fie&d< 2hi&st the rethren 2ere in 'eetin,< and E&der
Ri,don s*o0e to the con,re,ation# A &ar,e and attenti$e con,re,ation
asse'&ed at "rother Rudd+s in the e$enin,< to 2ho' 2e ore our
testi'on!#O 3e continued at S*rin,fie&d unti& the 8th of Octoer< 2hen
2e re'o$ed to "rother Round!+s at E&0 Cree0? and continuin, our =ourne! on
the e$enin, of the Nth< 2e arri$ed at a ta$ern< and on the 7Dth< at
"rother Jo Le2is<+ in 3estfie&d 2here 2e 'et the rethren accordin, to
*re$ious a**oint'ent< and s*o0e to the' as the S*irit ,a$e utterance<
,reat&! to their ,ratification#
This da!< Octoer 7Dth< E&der Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's 2rote as fo&&o2s
fro' 1irt&and to the Saints in .issouri(
Dear "rethren(--It is a &on, ti'e since 2e ha$e recei$ed an!
inte&&i,ence fro' !ou< sa$e a &etter recei$ed ! "rother E&&iott fro'
E&der John 3hit'er< 2hich infor'ed us that he had 2ritten four &etters
since E&der O&i$er Co2der! &eft< ut 2e ha$e not recei$ed an! of the'< nor
an! others fro' ;ion< e/ce*t one fro' "isho* )artrid,e< of Au,ust 79th<
and ha$e had no infor'ation< to e de*ended u*on< concernin, the riot< and
the situation of the rethren in ;ion< and considerin, that the ene'! ha$e
co''enced interce*tin, our &etters< I direct this to .rs# "i&&in,s<
thin0in,< ! so doin, that !ou 'a! ,et it# The rethren here are a&&
en,a,ed in the 2or0 of the Lord< and are usin, e$er! e/ertion in their
*o2er for the 2e&fare of ;ion and for the *ro'otion of the ,reat cause of
our Redee'er# I''ediate&! after the arri$a& of O&i$er Co2der! 2e sat in
counci& to 0no2 2hat shou&d e done# The decision of the counci& 2as< that
'easures shou&d e i''ediate&! ta0en to see0 redress ! the &a2s of our
countr!< for !our ,rie$ances< accordin,&! t2o 'essen,ers 2ere dis*atched
for that *ur*ose# ELet this suffice< for this 'a! fa&& into the hands of
the ene'!F# 3e ha$e not recei$ed an! re$e&ation for a &on, ti'e E2hich has
een 2rittenF< and none concernin, the *resent situation of ;ion? ut it
has een 'anifested to Jose*h< and co''unicated to 'e ! hi'< that the
rethren in ;ion shou&d not se&& an! of their inheritances< nor 'o$e out
of the count!< sa$e those 2ho si,ned the a,ree'ent to ,o< and if it
eco'es necessar! for those to 'o$e for their *ersona& safet!< &et the' e
directed ! 2isdo' and see0 for ho'es 2here the Lord sha&& o*en the 2a!#
If E&der )he&*s is o&i,ed to 'o$e fro' that *&ace< &et hi' ta0e his
fa'i&! and E&der Co2der!+s 2ife< and co'e to 1irt&and< ut not to rin,
an!thin, 2ith hi' e/ce*t his eddin, and c&othin, and &et E&der 5i&ert
furnish hi' 2ith the 'eans to ear his e/*enses< ut it 2ou&d not e
e/*edient for E&der )he&*s to co'e< *ro$ided the *ros*ect is fa$ora&e for
a reconci&iation to the e/tent that the Saints are not o&i,ed to &ea$e
the count!# 3e can do no 'ore for !ou than 2e are doin,? ut 2e ha$e this
,reat conso&ation< that 5od 2i&& de&i$er ;ion< and esta&ish !ou u*on the
&and of !our e$er&astin, inheritance# Re'e'er that this is on&! for the
tria& of !our faith< and he that o$erco'es and endures to the end< 2i&& e
re2arded a hundred fo&d in this 2or&d< and in the 2or&d to co'e 2i&&
recei$e eterna& &ife? so< rethren< !ou ha$e ,reat reason to re=oice< for
!our rede'*tion dra2eth ni,h#
)residents S'ith and Ri,don are asent on a 'ission< and 2e do not
e/*ect their return unti& so'e ti'e in No$e'er# The! ha$e ,one do2n the
&a0e to Nia,ara< fro' thence the! e/*ect to ,o into U**er Canada< as far
as Lon, )oint< and *reach in a&& the 'ost noted *&aces on their 2a!#
3e he&d a counci& 'eetin, this 'ornin,< on the su=ect of ui&din,<
etc# It 2as decided ! the counci& that 2e shou&d discontinue the ui&din,
of the Te'*&e durin, the 2inter< for 2ant of 'ateria&s? and to *re*are and
,et a&& thin,s in readiness to reco''ence it ear&! in the s*rin,# It 2as
a&so a,reed that 2e shou&d set the hands i''ediate&! to erect a house for
the *rintin, office< 2hich is to e thirt! ! thirt!-ei,ht feet on the
,round? the first stor! to e occu*ied for the Schoo& of the )ro*hets this
2inter< and the u**er stor! for the *rintin, *ress#
O&i$er Co2der! started for Ne2 Yor0 on the first of Octoer for the
*rintin, esta&ish'ent< 2ith ei,ht hundred do&&ars# There 2i&& e as 'an!
hands e'*&o!ed u*on the house as can 2or0< and e$er! e/ertion 'ade to ,et
the *rintin, into o*eration< re*u&ish the Star< co''encin, fro' the &ast
nu'er *rinted< to e conducted ! O&i$er Co2der! Eunti& an o**ortunit!
offers to transfer it a,ain to ;ion< to e conducted ! 3# 3# )he&*s P
Co#< as usua&F< and a&so *u&ish a *a*er under the fir'-na'e of F# 5#
3i&&ia's P Co#< entit&ed the Latter-da! Saints+ .essen,er and Ad$ocate<
2hich 2i&& e for2arded to suscriers for the Star ! the first of
Dece'er# O&i$er has 2ritten to !ou for the na'es and residences of the
suscriers for the Star< and if !ou ha$e not sent the'< 2e 2ish !ou to
send the' i''ediate&!< that there 'a! e no de&a! in the *a*ers ,oin, to
suscriers as soon as the! can e *rinted#
"isho* 3hitne!< a&so< started for Ne2 Yor0 at the sa'e ti'e< to
re*&enish his store in 1irt&and< 2ith 'one! enou,h to *a! a&& the dets of
oth esta&ish'ents< and e/*ects to rin, a &ar,er su**&! of ,oods than at
an! for'er ti'e# Thus !ou see the ,oodness and 'erc! of 5od in *ro$idin,
for His Saints# Not one 2ee0 efore "isho* 3hitne! started< the 2a! see'ed
hed,ed u*< and ten or t2e&$e hundred do&&ars 2as the 'ost that he had< and
0ne2 not 2here to otain the a'ount he 2anted? ut ! a re'ar0a&e
inter*osition of Di$ine )ro$idence< he 2as furnished 2ith a&& he 2anted<
for 2hich &et us raise our hearts in ,ratitude to 5od< and *raise His ho&!
na'e< that He is a *resent he&* in e$er! ti'e of need#
3e ha$e seen a &etter< 2ritten to Sister 3hitne!< in Ne&son< that has
a ,reat dea& to sa! aout the ,ift of ton,ues< and the inter*retation
2hich 2as ,i$en ! 2a! of *ro*hec!< na'e&!< -that ;ion 2ou&d e de&i$ered
! =ud,'ents<- and that certain ones na'ed< 2ou&d ,o to such and such
*&aces a'on, the La'anites< and + ,reat thin,s 2ou&d e done ! the'<- and
a&so< that t2o La'anites 2ere at a 'eetin,< and the fo&&o2in, *ro*hec! 2as
de&i$ered to the'(---That the! 2ere our friends and that the Lord had sent
the' there and the ti'e 2ou&d soon co'e 2hen the! 2ou&d e'race the
5os*e&?- and< a&so< -that if 2e 2i&& not fi,ht for ourse&$es< the Indians
2i&& fi,ht for us#- Thou,h a&& this 'a! e true< !et< it is not needfu&
that it shou&d e s*o0en< for it is of no ser$ice to the Saints and has a
tendenc! to stir u* the *eo*&e to an,er#
No *ro*hec! s*o0en in ton,ues shou&d e 'ade *u&ic< for this
reason(--.an! 2ho *retend to ha$e the ,ift of inter*retation are &ia&e to
e 'ista0en and do not ,i$e the true inter*retation of 2hat is s*o0en<
therefore ,reat care shou&d e ta0en as res*ects this thin, ut if an!
s*ea0 in ton,ues a 2ord of e/hortation< or doctrine< or the *rinci*&es of
the 5os*e&< etc#< &et it e inter*reted for the edification of the Church#
3hen !ou recei$e this &etter I 2ish !ou to 2rite i''ediate&! and
direct !our &etters to Da$id E&&iott< Cha,rin< Cu!aho,a count!< Ohio< and
*ut this 'ar0 -6- on the ac0 of it< if !ou do not 2ish it ro0en o*en and
he 2i&& for2ard it to us< and !ou 2i&& *&ease to na'e in !our &etter<
2here and to 2ho' 2e sha&& direct our re*&! and thus 2e 'a! e$ade
interce*tion# Yours in the onds of &o$e< F# 5# 3i&&ia's#
At this ti'e the e$i& and desi,nin, circu&ated a re*ort< that ;ion
2as to e e/tended as far east as Ohio< 2hich in so'e de,ree tended to
distract the 'inds of the Saints< and *roduced a 'o'entar! indecision
aout re'o$in, thither< accordin, to the co''and'ents? ut the re*ort 2as
soon corrected< and the rethren continued to re'o$e to ;ion and 1irt&and#
On the 77th of Octoer< 2e &eft 3estfie&d< and continuin, our
=ourne!< staid that ni,ht 2ith a 'an na'ed Nash< an infide&< 2ith 2ho' 2e
reasoned< ut to no *ur*ose# On the 7Hth< arri$ed at Father Nic0erson+s<
at )err!sur,< Ne2 Yor0< 2here I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou< '! friends Sidne! and
Jose*h< !our fa'i&ies are 2e&&? the! are in 'ine hands< and I 2i&& do 2ith
the' as see'eth 'e ,ood? for in 'e there is a&& *o2er#
H# Therefore< fo&&o2 'e< and &isten to the counse& 2hich I sha&& ,i$e
unto !ou#
9# "eho&d< and &o< I ha$e 'uch *eo*&e in this *&ace< in the re,ions
round aout? and an effectua& door sha&& e o*ened in the re,ions round
aout in this eastern &and#
@# Therefore< I< the Lord< ha$e suffered !ou to co'e unto this *&ace?
for thus it 2as e/*edient in 'e for the sa&$ation of sou&s#
G# Therefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &ift u* !our $oices unto this
*eo*&e s*ea0 the thou,hts that I sha&& *ut into !our hearts< and !ou sha&&
not e confounded efore 'en?
:# For it sha&& e ,i$en !ou in the $er! hour< !ea< in the $er!
'o'ent< 2hat !e sha&& sa!#
M# "ut a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou< that !e sha&& dec&are
2hatsoe$er thin, !e dec&are in '! na'e< in so&e'nit! of heart< in the
s*irit of 'ee0ness< in a&& thin,s#
8# And I ,i$e unto !ou this *ro'ise< that inas'uch as !e do this the
Ho&! 5host sha&& e shed forth in earin, record unto a&& thin,s
2hatsoe$er !e sha&& sa!#
N# And it is e/*edient in 'e that !ou< '! ser$ant Sidne!< shou&d e a
s*o0es'an unto this *eo*&e? !ea< $eri&!< I 2i&& ordain !ou unto this
ca&&in,< e$en to e a s*o0es'an unto '! ser$ant Jose*h#
7D# And I 2i&& ,i$e unto hi' *o2er to e 'i,ht! in testi'on!#
77# And I 2i&& ,i$e unto thee *o2er to e 'i,ht! in e/*oundin, a&&
scri*tures< that thou 'a!est e a s*o0es'an unto hi'< and he sha&& e a
re$e&ator unto thee< that thou 'a!est 0no2 the certaint! of a&& thin,s
*ertainin, to the thin,s of '! 0in,do' on the earth#
7H# Therefore< continue !our =ourne! and &et !our hearts re=oice? for
eho&d< and &o< I a' 2ith !ou e$en unto the end#
79# And no2 I ,i$e unto !ou a 2ord concernin, ;ion# ;ion sha&& e
redee'ed< a&thou,h she is chastened for a &itt&e season#
7@# Th! rethren< '! ser$ants Orson H!de and John 5ou&d< are in '!
hands? and inas'uch as the! 0ee* '! co''and'ents the! sha&& e sa$ed#
7G# Therefore< &et !our hearts e co'forted? for a&& thin,s sha&&
2or0 to,ether for ,ood to the' that 2a&0 u*ri,ht&!< and to the
sanctification of the church#
7:# For I 2i&& raise u* unto '!se&f a *ure *eo*&e< that 2i&& ser$e 'e
in ri,hteousness?
7M# And a&& that ca&& u*on the na'e of the Lord< and 0ee* his
co''and'ents< sha&& e sa$ed# E$en so# A'en#
On the da! fo&&o2in, EOctoer 79thF < E&der Ri,don *reached to a
&ar,e con,re,ation< at Free'an Nic0erson+s< and I ore record 2hi&e the
Lord ,a$e His S*irit in a re'ar0a&e 'anner#
.onda!< 7@#--Continued our =ourne! to2ards Canada< and arri$ed at
Lodi< 2here 2e had an a**oint'ent< and *reached in the e$enin, to a s'a&&
asse'&!< and 'ade an a**oint'ent for Tuesda!< the 7Gth< at 7D o+c&oc0
a#'#< to e in the )res!terian 'eetin, house# 3hen the hour arri$ed< the
0ee*er of the house refused to o*en the doors< and the 'eetin, 2as thus
*re$ented# 3e ca'e i''ediate&! a2a!< &ea$in, the *eo*&e in ,reat
confusion< and continued our =ourne! ti&& Frida!< the 78th< 2hen 2e
arri$ed at the house of Free'an A# Nic0erson< in U**er Canada< ha$in,
*assed throu,h a fine and 2e&&-cu&ti$ated countr!< after enterin, the
*ro$ince< and ha$in, had 'an! *ecu&iar fee&in,s in re&ation to oth the
countr! and *eo*&e# 3e 2ere 0ind&! recei$ed ! Free'an A# Nic0erson< 2ho
&i$ed at .ount )&easant< 2hich 2as near "rantford< the count! seat of
"rant count!#
Sunda!< HD#--At 7D o+c&oc0 2e 'et an attenti$e con,re,ation at
"rantford? and the sa'e e$enin, a &ar,e asse'&! at .ount )&easant< at .r#
Nic0erson+s# The *eo*&e ,a$e ,ood heed to the thin,s s*o0en#
Tuesda!< HH#--3e 2ent to the $i&&a,e of Co&urn? and a&thou,h it
sno2ed se$ere&!< 2e he&d a 'eetin, ! cand&e-&i,ht on 3ednesda! e$enin,<
and 2ere *u&ic&! o**osed ! a 3es&e!an .ethodist# He 2as $er! tu'u&tuous<
ut e/hiited a ,reat &ac0 of reason< 0no2&ed,e< and 2isdo'< and ,a$e us
no o**ortunit! to re*&!#
Thursda!< H@#--At the house of .r# "e'an< in Co&urn< 2hence 2e &eft
for 3aterford< 2here 2e s*o0e to a s'a&& con,re,ation? thence to .ount
)&easant< and *reached to a &ar,e con,re,ation the sa'e e$enin,< 2hen
Free'an A# Nic0erson and his 2ife dec&ared their e&ief in the 2or0< and
offered the'se&$es for a*tis'# 5reat e/cite'ent *re$ai&ed in e$er! *&ace
2e $isited#
Saturda!< H:#--)reached at .ount )&easant? the *eo*&e 2ere $er!
tender and in>uirin,#
Sunda!< HM#--)reached to a &ar,e con,re,ation at .ount )&easant<
after 2hich I a*ti4ed t2e&$e< and others 2ere dee*&! i'*ressed< and
desired another 'eetin,< 2hich I a**ointed for the da! fo&&o2in,#
.onda!< H8#--In the e$enin,< 2e ro0e read< and &aid on hands for
the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< and for confir'ation< ha$in, a*ti4ed t2o
'ore# The S*irit 2as ,i$en in ,reat *o2er to so'e< and *eace to others#O
Tuesda!< HN#--After *reachin, at 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#< I a*ti4ed t2o< and
Confir'ed the' at the 2ater+s side# Last e$enin, 2e ordained F# A#
Nic0erson an E&der? and one of the sisters recei$ed the ,ift of ton,ues<
2hich 'ade the Saints re=oice e/ceedin,&!#OO Tuesda!< the HNth of
Octoer< a&so 2e too0 our de*arture fro' .ount )&easant< on our return to
1irt&and< and arri$ed at "uffa&o< Ne2 Yor0< on the 97st#
Frida!< No$e'er 7#--I &eft "uffa&o< Ne2 Yor0< at 8 o+c&oc0 a#'#< and
arri$ed at '! house in 1irt&and on .onda!< the @th< 7D a#'# and found '!
fa'i&! 2e&&< accordin, to the *ro'ise of the Lord in the re$e&ation of
Octoer 7Hth< for 2hich I fe&t to than0 '! Hea$en&! Father#
On the 8th of Octoer E&ders )he&*s and H!de had *resented the
*etition of the Saints in Jac0son count! to the 5o$ernor of .issouri< 2ho
at that ti'e ,a$e the' for an ans2er that the Attorne!-5enera& of the
State 2as asent< ut *ro'ised that on his return he 2ou&d infor' the' of
his conc&usions ! 'ai&< addressed at Inde*endence< 2hither the rethren
i''ediate&! returned# Aout the H8th of Octoer< in *ursuance of 5o$ernor
Dun0&in+s *ro'ise< the rethren in ;ion recei$ed the fo&&o2in,
co''unication fro' hi' in re*&! to their *etition of Se*te'er H8(
CITY OF JEFFERSON< E6ECUTI%E DE)ART.ENT#
Octoer 7N< 7899#
To Ed2ard )artrid,e< 3# 3# )he&*s< Isaac .or&e!< John Corri&&< A# S#
5i&ert< John 3hit'er and others(
Your 'e'oria&< so&icitin, '! inter*osition a,ainst $io&ence
threatened !ou< and redress for in=uries recei$ed ! a *ortion of the
citi4ens of Jac0son count! has een recei$ed< and its contents du&!
considered# I shou&d thin0 '!se&f un2orth! the confidence 2ith 2hich I
ha$e een honored ! '! fe&&o2-citi4ens< did I not *ro'*t&! e'*&o! a&& the
'eans 2hich the constitution and &a2s ha$e *&aced at '! dis*osa& to a$ert
the ca&a'ities 2ith 2hich !ou are threatened#
Ours is a ,o$ern'ent of &a2s? to the' 2e o2e a&& oedience? and their
faithfu& ad'inistration is the est ,uarantee for the en=o!'ent of our
ri,hts#
No citi4en< nor nu'er of citi4ens< ha$e a ri,ht to ta0e the redress
of their ,rie$ances< 2hether rea& or i'a,inar!< into their o2n hands# Such
conduct stri0es at the $er! e/istence of societ!< and su$erts the
foundation on 2hich it is ased# Not ein, 2i&&in, to *ersuade '!se&f se&f
that an! *ortion of the citi4ens of the state of .issouri are so &ost to a
sense of these truths as to re>uire the e/ercise of force< in order to
ensure a res*ect for the'< after ad$isin, 2ith the Attorne!-5enera&< and
e/ercisin, '! est =ud,'ent< I 2ou&d ad$ise !ou to 'a0e a tria& of the
efficac! of the &a2s# The =ud,e of !our circuit is a conser$ator of the
*eace? if an affida$it is 'ade efore hi' ! an! of !ou< that !our &i$es
are threatened< and !ou e&ie$e the' in dan,er< it 2ou&d e his dut! to
ha$e the offenders a**rehended and ind the' to 0ee* the *eace# Justices
of the *eace in their res*ecti$e counties< ha$e the sa'e authorit!< and it
is 'ade their dut! to e/ercise it# Ta0e< then< this course(--otain a
2arrant< &et it e *&aced in the hands of the *ro*er officer< and the
e/*eri'ent 2i&& e tested< 2hether the &a2s can e *eacea&! e/ecuted or
not# In the e$ent the! cannot e< and that fact is officia&&! notified to
'e< '! dut! 2i&& re>uire 'e to ta0e such ste*s as 2i&& enforce a faithfu&
e/ecution of the'#
3ith re,ard to the in=uries !ou ha$e sustained ! destruction of
*ro*ert!< etc#< the &a2 is o*en to redress? I cannot *er'it '!se&f to
dout that the courts 2i&& e o*en to !ou< nor Ie&ie$eJ that !ou 2i&&
find difficu&t! in *rocurin, &e,a& ad$ocates to sue for da'a,es therein#
Res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant< DANIEL DUN1LIN#
3# 3# )he&*s< Es>#< Inde*endence< Jac0son Count!< .o#
I''ediate&! on recei*t of the 5o$ernor+s &etter< the 'e'ers of the
Church ,enera&&!< Ethou,h the! had &ain id&e since the outra,e in Ju&!F<
e,an to &aor as usua&< and ui&d and set in order their houses< ,ardens<
etc# The rethren in ;ion 2ere a&so usi&! en,a,ed in de$isin, 'eans of
redress for their ,rie$ances? and ha$in, consu&ted 2ith four &a2!ers fro'
C&a! count!< then attendin, court in Inde*endence< the! recei$ed fro' the'
the fo&&o2in, &etter on the da! 2ritten? 2hich I 2i&& co*! entire< that
the *rinci*&es ! 2hich the &a2!ers of this ,eneration are actuated 'a! e
recorded< as 2e&& as the difficu&ties the Saints had to encounter in
fo&&o2in, the 5o$ernor+s instructions(
INDE)ENDENCE< Oct# 9D< 7899#
5ENTLE.EN(--The first thin, necessar! to e done< under circu'stances
&i0e ours< is to ascertain and fi/ u*on the a'ount of fee to e *aid< and
to secure the *a!'ent thereof ! the necessar! *a*ers( and then the
res*onsii&it! of ad$isin, fa&&s u*on us# 3e are no2 &aorin, under a&&
the disad$anta,es of an en,a,e'ent 2ithout an! of its ad$anta,es? it
therefore eco'es us to 0no2 2hether 2e can a,ree as to the fee or not?
and that 2e shou&d e *aid< too< accordin, to the situation in 2hich 2e
*&ace ourse&$es# 3e ha$e een doin, a *ractice here a'on, these *eo*&e< to
a considera&e e/tent< and ! this en,a,e'ent 2e 'ust e/*ect to &ose the
,reatest *art of it< 2hich 2i&& e to a&& of us a considera&e &oss?
esides that< the a'ount in$o&$ed 'ust e $er! considera&e< and the
a'ount in$o&$ed 'ust e ,enera&&! the criterion of the fee# Ta0in, a&&
these 'atters into consideration 2e *ro*ose to !ou to rin, a&& the suits
!ou 'a! 2ant rou,ht< and attend to the' =oint&! throu,hout< for the su'
of t2o hundred and fift! do&&ars each< 'a0in, for a&& four< of us< the su'
of one thousand do&&ars#
This 'a! see' to e a &ar,e su' for a fee for &a2!ers in this
countr!< ut the circu'stances here in$o&$ed 'a0e it necessar!# This
'atter 'ust e attended to in the first *&ace< and then such ad$ice< for
the *resent< as 'a! see' to e dictated ! 2isdo'< and e necessar!< 2e
2i&& ,i$e !ou? and in the *ro*er ti'e 2e 2i&& rin, the suits# If this
*ro*osa& suits< !ou 2i&& *&ease e/ecute notes< and send the' to us? and if
not a,reed to< a**rise us ! &etter i''ediate&!< for 2e can e en,a,ed on
the o**osite side in a&& *roai&it!# 3e *refer to rin, !our suits< as 2e
ha$e een threatened ! the 'o< 2e 2ish to sho2 the' 2e disre,ard their
e'*t! ra$adoes# ESi,nedF 3OOD< REESE< DONI)HAN< ATCHISON#
As a dernier ressort< the rethren acce*ted the fore,oin,
*ro*osition< and "rothers )he&*s and )artrid,e ,a$e their note of one
thousand do&&ars< endorsed ! 5i&ert P 3hitne!# No sooner had this ne2s
s*read a'on, the 'o< than the! e,an to con,re,ate and *re*are for
att&e#
CHA)TER 666I#
E6)ULSION OF THE SAINTS FRO. JAC1SON COUNTY#
THURSDAY ni,ht< the 97st of Octoer< ,a$e the Saints in ;ion aundant
*roof that no *&ed,e on the *art of their ene'ies< 2ritten or $era&< 2as
&on,er to e re,arded? for on that ni,ht< et2een fort! and fift! *ersons
in nu'er 'an! of 2ho' 2ere ar'ed 2ith ,uns< *roceeded a,ainst a ranch of
the Church< 2est of the "i, "&ue< and unroofed and *art&! de'o&ished ten
d2e&&in, houses? and a'id the shrie0s and screa's of the 2o'en and
chi&dren< 2hi**ed and eat in a sa$a,e and ruta& 'anner< se$era& of the
'en( 2hi&e their horrid threats fri,htened 2o'en and chi&dren into the
2i&derness# Such of the 'en as cou&d esca*e f&ed for their &i$es? for $er!
fe2 of the' had ar's< neither 2ere the! or,ani4ed? and the! 2ere
threatened 2ith death if the! 'ade an! resistance? such therefore as cou&d
not esca*e ! f&i,ht< recei$ed a *e&tin, 2ith stones and a eatin, 2ith
,uns and 2hi*s# On Frida!< the first of No$e'er< 2o'en and chi&dren
sa&&ied forth fro' their ,&oo'! retreats< to conte'*&ate 2ith heartrendin,
an,uish the ra$a,es of a ruth&ess 'o< in the &acerated and ruised odies
of their husands< and in the destruction of their houses< and their
furniture# House&ess and un*rotected ! the ar' of the ci$i& &a2 in
Jac0son count!< the drear! 'onth of No$e'er starin, the' in the face and
&oud&! *roc&ai'in, an inc&e'ent season at hand? the continua& threats of
the 'o that the! 2ou&d dri$e e$er! -.or'on- fro' the count!? and the
inai&it! of 'an! to 'o$e< ecause of their *o$ert!< caused an an,uish of
heart indescria&e#
On Frida! ni,ht< the 7st of No$e'er< a *art! of the 'o *roceeded to
attac0 a ranch of the Church sett&ed on the *rairie< aout t2e&$e or
fourteen 'i&es fro' the to2n of Inde*endence# T2o of their nu'er 2ere
sent in ad$ance< as s*ies< $i4#< Roert Johnson< and ------ Harris< ar'ed
2ith t2o ,uns and three *isto&s# The! 2ere disco$ered ! so'e of the
Saints< and 2ithout the &east in=ur! ein, done to the'< said 'oer
Roert Johnson struc0 )ar&e! )# )ratt o$er the head 2ith the reech of his
,un< after 2hich the! 2ere ta0en and detained ti&& 'ornin,? 2hich action<
it 2as e&ie$ed< *re$ented a ,enera& attac0 of the 'o that ni,ht# In the
'ornin, the t2o *risoners< not2ithstandin, their attac0 u*on )ar&e! )#
)ratt the e$enin, *re$ious< 2ere &ierated 2ithout recei$in, the &east
in=ur!#
The sa'e ni,ht< EFrida!F< another *art! in Inde*endence co''enced
stonin, houses< rea0in, do2n doors and 2indo2s and destro!in, furniture#
This ni,ht the ric0 *art attached to the d2e&&in, house of A# S# 5i&ert<
2as *art&! *u&&ed do2n< and the 2indo2s of his d2e&&in, ro0en in 2ith
ric0ats and roc0s< 2hi&e a ,ent&e'an< a stran,er< &a! sic0 2ith fe$er in
his house# The sa'e ni,ht three doors of the store of .essrs# 5i&ert P
3hitne! 2ere s*&it o*en< and after 'idni,ht the ,oods< such as
ca&icos< hand0erchiefs< sha2&s< ca'rics< &a! scattered in the streets# An
e/*ress ca'e fro' Inde*endence after 'idni,ht to a *art! of the rethren
2ho had or,ani4ed aout ha&f a 'i&e fro' the to2n for the safet! of their
&i$es< and rou,ht the infor'ation that the 'o 2ere tearin, do2n houses<
and scatterin, ,oods of the store in the streets# U*on recei$in, this
infor'ation the co'*an! of rethren referred to 'arched into Inde*endence<
ut the 'ain od! of the 'o f&ed at their a**roach# One Richard .cCart!<
ho2e$er< 2as cau,ht in the act of thro2in, roc0s and ric0ats into the
doors< 2hi&e the ,oods &a! scattered around hi' in the streets# He 2as
i''ediate&! ta0en efore Sa'ue& 3eston< Es>#< =ustice of the *eace< and
co'*&aint 2as then 'ade to said 3eston< and a 2arrant re>uested< that
.cCart! 'i,ht e secured? ut 3eston refused to do an!thin, in the case at
that ti'e< and .cCart! 2as &ierated#
The sa'e ni,ht so'e of the houses of the Saints in Inde*endence had
&on, *o&es thrust throu,h the shutters and sash into the roo's of
defense&ess 2o'en and chi&dren< fro' 2hence their husands and fathers had
een dri$en ! the dastard&! attac0s of the 'o< 2hich 2ere 'ade ! ten<
fifteen< or t2ent! 'en u*on a house at a ti'e# Saturda!< da!< the Hnd of
No$e'er< a&& the fa'i&ies of the Saints in Inde*endence 'o$ed 2ith their
,oods aout ha&f a 'i&e out of to2n and or,ani4ed to the nu'er of thirt!<
for the *reser$ation of &ife and *ersona& effects# The sa'e ni,ht a *art!
fro' Inde*endence 'et a *art! fro' 2est of the "&ue< and 'ade an attac0
u*on a ranch of the Church &ocated at the "&ue< aout si/ 'i&es fro' the
$i&&a,e of Inde*endence# Here the! tore the roof fro' one d2e&&in, and
ro0e o*en another house? the! found the o2ner< Da$id "ennett< sic0 in
ed< and eat hi' 'ost inhu'an&!< s2earin, the! 2ou&d &o2 out his rains#
The! dischar,ed a *isto& at hi'< and the a&& cut a dee* ,ash across the
to* of his head# In this s0ir'ish a !oun, 'an of the 'o< 2as shot in the
thi,h? ut ! 2hich *art! the shot 2as fired is not 0no2n#
The ne/t da!< Sunda!< No$e'er 9rd< four of the rethren< $i4#<
Joshua Le2is< Hira' )a,e< and t2o others< 2ere dis*atched for Le/in,ton
to see the circuit =ud,e< and otain a *eace 2arrant# T2o other rethren
ca&&ed on Es>uire Si&$ers< in Inde*endence< and as0ed hi' for a *eace
2arrant< ut he refused to issue one on account< as he after2ards
dec&ared< of his fears of the 'o# This da! 'an! of the citi4ens<
*rofessin, friendshi*< ad$ised the Saints to &ea$e the count! as s*eedi&!
as *ossi&e? for the Saturda! ni,ht affra! had enra,ed the 2ho&e count!<
and the *eo*&e 2ere deter'ined to co'e out on .onda! and 'assacre
indiscri'inate&!? and< in short< it 2as co''on&! dec&ared a'on, the 'o<
that -.onda! 2ou&d e a &ood! da!#-
.onda! ca'e< and a &ar,e *art! of the 'o ,athered at the "&ue< too0
the Ferr! oat e&on,in, to the Church< threatened &i$es< etc# "ut the!
soon aandoned the ferr!< and 2ent to 3i&son+s store< aout one 'i&e 2est
of the "&ue# 3ord had een *re$ious&! sent to a ranch of the Church<
se$era& 'i&es 2est of the "&ue< that the 'o 2ere destro!in, *ro*ert! on
the east side of the ri$er< and the sufferers there 2anted he&* to
*reser$e &i$es and *ro*ert!# Nineteen 'en $o&unteered< and started to
their assistance? ut disco$erin, that fift! or si/t! of the 'o had
,athered at said 3i&son+s the! turned ac0# At this ti'e t2o s'a&& o!s
*assed on their 2a! to 3i&son+s 2ho ,a$e infor'ation to the 'o< that the
-.or'ons- 2ere on the road 2est of the'# "et2een fort! and fift! of the
'o ar'ed 2ith ,uns< i''ediate&! started on horseac0 and on foot in
*ursuit? after ridin, aout t2o or t2o and a ha&f 'i&es< the! disco$ered
the'< 2hen the said co'*an! of nineteen rethren i''ediate&! dis*ersed<
and f&ed in different directions# The 'o hunted the'< turnin, their
horses 'eanti'e into a corn fie&d e&on,in, to the Saints# Corn fie&ds and
houses 2ere searched< the 'o at the sa'e ti'e threatenin, 2o'en and
chi&dren that the! 2ou&d *u&& do2n their houses and 0i&& the' if the! did
not te&& 2here the 'en had f&ed# Thus the! 2ere e'*&o!ed in huntin, the
'en and threatenin, the 2o'en< 2hen a co'*an! of thirt! of the rethren
fro' the *rairie< ar'ed 2ith se$enteen ,uns< 'ade their a**earance#
The for'er co'*an! of nineteen had dis*ersed< and f&ed< and ut one
or t2o of the' returned in the suse>uent att&e# On the a**roach of the
&atter co'*an! of thirt! 'en< so'e of the 'o Cried< -Fire< 5--d--!e<
fire#- T2o or three ,uns 2ere then fired ! the 'o< 2hich fire 2as
returned ! the other *art! 2ithout &oss of ti'e# This co'*an! is the sa'e
that is re*resented ! the 'o as ha$in, ,one forth in the e$enin, of the
ao$e incident earin, the o&i$e ranch of *eace# The 'o retreated
i''ediate&! after the first fire< &ea$in, so'e of their horses in
3hit'er+s corn fie&d< and t2o of their nu'er< Hu,h L# "ra4ea&e and Tho'as
Lin$i&& dead on the ,round# Thus fe&& Hu,h L# "ra4ea&e< 2ho had een heard
to sa!< -3ith ten fe&&o2s< I 2i&& 2ade to '! 0nees in &ood< ut that I
2i&& dri$e the -.or'ons- fro' Jac0son count!#- The ne/t 'ornin, the cor*se
of "ra4ea&e 2as disco$ered on the att&e ,round 2ith a ,un ! his side#
Se$era& 2ere 2ounded on oth sides< ut none 'orta&&! a'on, the rethren
e/ce*t Andre2 "arer< 2ho e/*ired the ne/t da!# This attac0 of the 'o
2as 'ade aout sunset< .onda!< No$e'er the @th? and the sa'e ni,ht<
runners 2ere dis*atched in e$er! direction under *retense of ca&&in, out
the 'i&itia? s*readin, e$er! ru'or ca&cu&ated to a&ar' and e/cite the
uninfor'ed as the! 2ent? such as that the -.or'ons- had ta0en
Inde*endence< and that the Indians had surrounded it< the -.or'ons- and
Indians ein, co&&ea,ued to,ether#
The sa'e e$enin,< No$e'er @th--not ein, satisfied 2ith rea0in,
o*en the store of 5i&ert P 3hitne!< and de'o&ishin, a *art of the
d2e&&in, house of said 5i&ert the frida! ni,ht *re$ious--the 'o
*er'itted the said .cCart!< 2ho 2as detected on Frida! ni,ht as one of the
rea0ers of the store doors< to ta0e out a 2arrant< and arrest the said
5i&ert and others of the Church< for a *retended assau&t< and fa&se
i'*rison'ent of said .cCart!# Late in the e$enin,< 2hi&e the court 2as
*roceedin, 2ith their tria& in the court house< a ,ent&e'an unconnected
2ith the court< as 2as e&ie$ed< *ercei$in, the *risoners to e 2ithout
counse& and in i''inent dan,er< ad$ised rother 5i&ert and his rethren<
to ,o to =ai& as the on&! a&ternati$e to sa$e &ife? for the north door of
the court house 2as a&read! arred< and an infuriated 'o thron,ed the
house< 2ith a deter'ination to eat and 0i&&? ut throu,h the
inter*osition of this ,ent&e'an ESa'ue& C# O2ens< c&er0 of the count!
court< so it 2as after2ards &earnedF< said 5i&ert and four of his
rethren 2ere co''itted to the count! =ai& of Jac0son count!< the dun,eon
of 2hich 'ust ha$e een a *a&ace co'*ared 2ith a court roo' 2here di,nit!
and 'erc! 2ere stran,ers< and nau,ht ut the 2rath of 'an as 'anifested in
horrid threats shoc0ed the ears of the *risoners#
The sa'e ni,ht< the *risoners< 5i&ert< .or&e!< and Corri&&< 2ere
&ierated fro' the =ai&< that the! 'i,ht ha$e an inter$ie2 2ith their
rethren< and tr! to ne,otiate so'e 'easures for *eace? and on their
return to =ai& aout H o+c&oc0< Tuesda! 'ornin,< in the custod! of the
de*ut! sheriff< an ar'ed force of si/ or se$en 'en stood near the =ai& and
hai&ed the'# The! 2ere ans2ered ! the sheriff< 2ho ,a$e his na'e and the
na'es of the *risoners< cr!in,< -Don+t fire< don+t fire< the *risoners are
in '! char,e#- The!< ho2e$er< fired one or t2o ,uns< 2hen .or&e! and
Corri&& retreated? ut 5i&ert stood< fir'&! he&d ! the sheriff< 2hi&e
se$era& ,uns 2ere *resented at hi'# T2o< 'ore des*erate than the rest<
atte'*ted to shoot< ut one of their ,uns f&ashed< and the other 'issed
fire# 5i&ert 2as then 0noc0ed do2n ! Tho'as 3i&son< 2ho 2as a ,rocer
&i$in, at Inde*endence# Aout this ti'e a fe2 of the inhaitants of the
to2n arri$ed< and 5i&ert a,ain entered the =ai&< fro' 2hich he< 2ith
three of his rethren< 2ere &ierated aout sunrise< 2ithout further
*rosecution of the tria&# 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in 2as one of the *risoners#
On the 'ornin, of the Gth of No$e'er< Inde*endence e,an to e
cro2ded 2ith indi$idua&s fro' different *arts of the count! ar'ed 2ith
,uns and other 2ea*ons< and re*ort said the 'i&itia had een ca&&ed out
under the sanction or at the insti,ation of Lieutenant 5o$ernor "o,,s? and
that one Co&one& )itcher had the co''and# A'on, this 'i&itia Eso-ca&&edF
2ere inc&uded the 'ost cons*icuous characters of the 'o? and it 'a! tru&!
e said that the a**earance of the ran0s of this od! 2as 2e&& ca&cu&ated
to e/cite sus*icion of their horri&e desi,ns#
%er! ear&! on the sa'e 'ornin,< se$era& ranches of the Church
recei$ed inte&&i,ence that a nu'er of their rethren 2ere in *rison< and
the deter'ination of the 'o 2as to 0i&& the'? and that the ranch of the
Church near the to2n of Inde*endence 2as in i''inent dan,er< as the 'ain
od! of the 'o 2as ,athered at that *&ace# In this critica& situation<
aout one hundred of the Saints< fro' different ranches< $o&unteered for
the *rotection of their rethren near Inde*endence< and *roceeded on the
road to2ards Inde*endence< and ha&ted aout one 'i&e 2est of the to2n<
2here the! a2aited further infor'ation concernin, the 'o$e'ents of the
'o# The! soon &earned that the *risoners 2ere not 'assacred< and that the
'o had not fa&&en u*on the ranch of the Church near Inde*endence< as had
een re*orted# The! 2ere a&so infor'ed< that the 'i&itia had een ca&&ed
out for their *rotection? ut in this the! *&aced &itt&e confidence< for
the od! con,re,ated had e$er! a**earance of a 'o? and suse>uent e$ents
fu&&! $erified their sus*icions#
On a**&ication to Co&one& )itcher< it 2as found that there 2as no
a&ternati$e< ut for the Church to &ea$e the count! forth2ith< and de&i$er
into his hands certain 'en to e tried for 'urder< said to ha$e een
co''itted ! the' in the att&e< as he ca&&ed it< of the *re$ious e$enin,#
The ar's of the Saints 2ere a&so de'anded ! Co&one& )itcher# A'on, the
co''ittee a**ointed to recei$e the ar's of the rethren 2ere se$era& of
the 'ost unre&entin, of the o&d Ju&! 'o co''ittee< 2ho had directed in
the de'o&ishin, of the *rintin, office< and the *ersona& in=uries
inf&icted on rethren that da!< $i4#< Henr! Chi&es< Aner Sta*&es< and
Le2is Fran0&in< 2ho had not ceased to *ursue the Saints< fro' the first to
the &ast< 2ith fee&in,s the 'ost hosti&e#
These une/*ected re>uisitions of the Co&one&< 'ade hi' a**ear &i0e
one standin, at the head of oth ci$i& and 'i&itar! &a2< stretchin, his
authorit! e!ond the constitutiona& &i'its that re,u&ate oth ci$i& and
'i&itar! *o2er in our Re*u&ic# Rather than to ha$e su'itted to these
unreasona&e re>uire'ents< the Saints 2ou&d ha$e cheerfu&&! shed their
&ood in defense of their ri,hts< the &ierties of their countr! and of
their 2i$es and chi&dren? ut the fear of $io&atin, &a2< in resistin, this
*retended 'i&itia< and the f&atterin, assurance of *rotection and
honora&e usa,e *ro'ised ! Lieutenant 5o$ernor "o,,s< in 2ho'< u* to this
ti'e< the! had re*osed confidence< induced the Saints to su'it< e&ie$in,
that he did not to&erate so ,ross a $io&ation of a&& &a2< as had een
*racticed in Jac0son count!# "ut as so ,&arin,&! e/*osed in the se>ue&<
it 2as the desi,n and craft of this 'an to ro an innocent *eo*&e of their
ar's ! strata,e'< and &ea$e 'ore than one thousand defense&ess 'en< 2o'en
and chi&dren to e dri$en fro' their ho'es a'on, stran,ers in a stran,e
&and to see0 she&ter fro' the stor'! &ast of 2inter# A&& earth and he&&
cannot den! that a aser 0na$e< a ,reater traitor< and a 'ore 2ho&esa&e
utcher< or 'urderer of 'an0ind e$er 2ent untried< un*unished< and
unhun,--since han,in, is the *o*u&ar 'ethod of e/ecution a'on, the
5enti&es in a&& countries *rofessin, Christianit!< instead of &ood for
&ood< accordin, to the &a2 of hea$en# The conduct of Co&one&s Lucas and
)itcher< had &on, *ro$en the' to e o*en and a$o2ed ene'ies of the Saints#
"oth of these 'en had their na'es attached to the 'o circu&ar< as ear&!
as the Ju&! *re$ious< the o=ect of 2hich 2as to dri$e the Saints fro'
Jac0son count!# "ut 2ith assurances fro' the Lieutenant 5o$ernor and
others that the o=ect 2as to disar' the co'atants on oth sides< and
that *eace 2ou&d e the resu&t< the rethren surrendered their ar's to the
nu'er of fift! or u*2ards#
The 'en *resent< 2ho 2ere accused of ein, in the att&e the e$enin,
efore< a&so ,a$e the'se&$es u* for tria&? ut after detainin, the' one
da! and a ni,ht on a *retended tria& for 'urder< in 2hich ti'e the! 2ere
threatened and ric0-atted< Co&one& )itcher< after recei$in, a 2atch of
one of the *risoners to satisf! -costs of court<- too0 the' into a corn
fie&d< and said to the'< -C&earK- I.eanin,< of course< c&ear out< &ea$e#J
After the Saints had surrendered their ar's< 2hich had een used on&!
in se&f-defense< the tries of Indians in ti'e of 2ar &et &oose u*on 2o'en
and chi&dren< cou&d not ha$e a**eared 'ore hideous and terrific< than did
the co'*anies of ruffians 2ho 2ent in $arious directions< 2e&& ar'ed< on
foot and on horseac0< urstin, into houses 2ithout fear< 0no2in, the ar's
2ere secured? fri,htenin, distracted 2o'en 2ith 2hat the! 2ou&d do to
their husands if the! cou&d catch the'? 2arnin, 2o'en and chi&dren to
f&ee i''ediate&!< or the! 2ou&d tear their houses do2n o$er their heads<
and 'assacre the' efore ni,ht# At the head of these co'*anies a**eared
the Re$erend Isaac .cCo!< 2ith a ,un u*on his shou&der< orderin, the
Saints to &ea$e the count! forth2ith< and surrender 2hat ar's the! had#
Other *retended *reachers of the 5os*e& too0 a cons*icuous *art in the
*ersecution< ca&&in, the -.or'ons- the -co''on ene'! of 'an0ind<- and
e/u&tin, in their aff&ictions#
On Tuesda! and 3ednesda! ni,hts< the Gth and :th of No$e'er< 2o'en
and chi&dren f&ed in e$er! direction efore the 'erci&ess 'o# One *art!
of aout one hundred and fift! 2o'en and chi&dren f&ed to the *rairie<
2here the! 2andered for se$era& da!s 2ith on&! aout si/ 'en to *rotect
the'# Other *arties f&ed to the .issouri ri$er< and too0 &od,in, for the
ni,ht 2here the! cou&d find it# One .r# "arnet o*ened his house for a
ni,ht+s she&ter to a 2anderin, co'*an! of distressed 2o'en and chi&dren<
2ho 2ere f&eein, to the ri$er# Durin, this dis*ersion of the 2o'en and
chi&dren< *arties of the 'o 2ere huntin, the 'en< firin, u*on so'e< t!in,
u* and 2hi**in, others< and *ursuin, others 2ith horses for se$era& 'i&es#
Thursda!< No$e'er Mth< the shores of the .issouri ri$er e,an to e
&ined on oth sides of the ferr!< 2ith 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< ,oods<
2a,ons< o/es< chests< and *ro$isions? 2hi&e the ferr!'en 2ere usi&!
e'*&o!ed in crossin, the' o$er# 3hen ni,ht a,ain c&osed u*on the Saints<
the 2i&derness had 'uch the a**earance of a ca'* 'eetin,# Hundreds of
*eo*&e 2ere seen in e$er! direction? so'e in tents< and so'e in the o*en
air< around their fires< 2hi&e the rain descended in torrents# Husands
2ere in>uirin, for their 2i$es< and 2o'en for their husands? *arents for
chi&dren< and chi&dren for *arents# So'e had the ,ood fortune to esca*e
2ith their fa'i&ies< househo&d ,oods< and so'e *ro$isions? 2hi&e others
0ne2 not the fate of their friends< and had &ost a&& their effects# The
scene 2as indescria&e< and 2ou&d ha$e 'e&ted the hearts of an! *eo*&e
u*on earth< e/ce*t the &ind o**ressor< and the *re=udiced and i,norant
i,ot# Ne/t da! the Co'*an! increased< and the! 2ere chief&! en,a,ed in
fe&&in, s'a&& cotton2ood trees< and erectin, the' into te'*orar! cains<
so that 2hen ni,ht ca'e on< the! had the a**earance of a $i&&a,e of
2i,2a's< and the ni,ht ein, c&ear< the occu*ants e,an to en=o! so'e
de,ree of co'fort#
Lieutenant 5o$ernor "o,,s has een re*resented as 'ere&! a curious
and disinterested oser$er of these e$ents? !et he 2as e$ident&! the head
and front of the 'o? for as 'a! easi&! e seen ! 2hat fo&&o2s< no
i'*ortant 'o$e 2as 'ade 2ithout his sanction# He certain&! 2as the secret
'o$er in the affairs of the HDth and H9rd of Ju&!? and< as 2i&& a**ear in
the se>ue&< ! his authorit! the 'o 2as con$erted into 'i&itia< to effect
! strata,e' 2hat he 0ne2< as 2e&& as his he&&ish host< cou&d not e done
! &e,a& force# As Lieutenant 5o$ernor< he had on&! to 2in0< and the 'o
2ent fro' 'a&treat'ent to 'urder# The horri&e ca&cu&ations of this second
Nero 2ere often de$e&o*ed in a 2a! that cou&d not e 'ista0en# Ear&! on
the 'ornin, of the Gth< sa! at 7 o+c&oc0 a# '#< he ca'e to )he&*s<
5i&ert< and )artrid,e< and to&d the' to f&ee for their &i$es# No2< un&ess
he had ,i$en the order to 'urder no one 2ou&d ha$e atte'*ted it< after the
Church had a,reed to ,o a2a!# His conscience< ho2e$er< see'ed to $aci&&ate
at its 'oorin,s< and &ed hi' to ,i$e the secret a&ar' to these 'en#
The Saints 2ho f&ed fro' Jac0son count!< too0 refu,e in the
nei,horin, Counties< chief&! in C&a! count!< the inhaitants of 2hich
recei$ed the' 2ith so'e de,ree of 0indness# Those 2ho f&ed to the count!
of %an "uren 2ere a,ain dri$en< and co'*e&&ed to f&ee< and these 2ho f&ed
to Lafa!ette count!< 2ere soon e/*e&&ed< or the 'ost of the'< and had to
'o$e 2here$er the! cou&d find *rotection#
No$e'er 79#--Aout @ o+c&oc0 a#'# I 2as a2a0ened ! "rother Da$is
0noc0in, at '! door< and ca&&in, on 'e to arise and eho&d the si,ns in
the hea$ens# I arose< and to '! ,reat =o!< ehe&d the stars fa&& fro'
hea$en &i0e a sho2er of hai&stones? a &itera& fu&fi&&'ent of the 2ord of
5od< as recorded in the ho&! Scri*tures< and a sure si,n that the co'in,
of Christ is c&ose at hand# In the 'idst of this sho2er of fire< I 2as &ed
to e/c&ai'< -Ho2 'ar$e&ous are Th! 2or0s< O LordK I than0 Thee for Th!
'erc! unto Th! ser$ant? sa$e 'e in Th! 0in,do' for Christ+s sa0e# A'en#-
The a**earance of these si,ns $aried in different sections of the
countr!( in ;ion< a&& hea$en see'ed en2ra**ed in s*&endid fire2or0s< as if
e$er! star in the road e/*anse had een sudden&! hur&ed fro' its course<
and sent &a2&ess throu,h the 2i&ds of ether# So'e at ti'es a**eared &i0e
ri,ht shootin, 'eteors< 2ith &on, trains of &i,ht fo&&o2in, in their
course< and in nu'ers rese'&ed &ar,e dro*s of rain in sunshine# These
see'ed to $anish 2hen the! fe&& ehind the trees< or ca'e near the ,round#
So'e of the &on, trains of &i,ht fo&&o2in, the 'eteoric stars< 2ere
$isi&e for so'e seconds? these strea0s 2ou&d cur& and t2ist u* &i0e
ser*ents 2rithin,# The a**earance 2as eautifu&< ,rand< and su&i'e e!ond
descri*tion? and it see'ed as if the arti&&er! and fire2or0s of eternit!
2ere set in 'otion to enchant and entertain the Saints< and terrif! and
a2e the sinners of the earth# "eautifu& and terrific as 2as the scener!<
it 2i&& not fu&&! co'*are 2ith the ti'e 2hen the sun sha&& eco'e &ac0
&i0e sac0-c&oth of hair< the 'oon &i0e &ood< and the stars fa&& to the
earth--Re$# $i(79#
CHA)TER 666II#
RE.E."RANCE OF CANADA SAINTS--CORRES)ONDENCE AND )ETITION RELATI%E
TO .ISSOURI AFFAIRS#
No$e'er 7N#--I 2rote as fo&&o2s< fro' 1irt&and< to .oses C#
Nic0erson< .ount )&easant< U**er Canada(
"rother .oses(--3e arri$ed at this *&ace on the fourth u&ti'o< after
a fati,uin, =ourne!< durin, 2hich 2e 2ere &essed 2ith usua& hea&th# 3e
*arted 2ith Father and .other Nic0erson at "uffa&o< in ,ood hea&th< and
the! e/*ressed a de,ree of satisfaction for the *ros*erit! and &essin,s
of their =ourne!#
Since our arri$a& here< "rother Sidne! has een aff&icted 2ith sore
e!es< 2hich is *roa&! the reason 2h! !ou ha$e not *re$ious&! heard fro'
us< as he 2as ca&cu&atin, to 2rite !ou i''ediate&!# "ut thou,h I e/*ect he
2i&& undouted&! 2rite !ou soon< as his e!es are e$ident&! etter< !et
&est !ou shou&d e i'*atient to &earn so'ethin, concernin, us< I ha$e
thou,ht that *erha*s a fe2 &ines fro' 'e< thou,h there 'a! e a &ac0 of
f&uenc! accordin, to the &iterati of the a,e< 'i,ht e recei$ed 2ith a
de,ree of satisfaction on !our *art< at &east< 2hen !ou ca&& to 'ind the
near re&ation 2ith 2hich 2e are united ! the e$er&astin, ties of the
5os*e& of our Lord Jesus Christ# 3e found our fa'i&ies and the Church in
this *&ace 2e&&< ,enera&&!# Nothin, of conse>uence ha**ened 2hi&e 2e 2ere
asent< e/ce*t the death of one of our rethren--Da$id Johnson--a !oun,
'an of ,reat 2orth as a *ri$ate citi4en a'on, us< the &oss of 2ho' 2e
=ust&! 'ourn#
3e 2ere fa$ored 2ith fre>uent inte&&i,ence fro' different sections of
our countr!< res*ectin, the *ro,ress of the 5os*e& and our *ra!ers are
dai&! to our Father< that it 'a! ,reat&! s*read e$en ti&& a&& nations
sha&& hear the ,&orious ne2s and co'e to a 0no2&ed,e of the truth#
3e ha$e recei$ed &etters fro' our rethren in .issouri of &ate< ut
2e cannot te&&< fro' their contents< the *roa&e e/tent to 2hich those
*ersons 2ho are desirous to e/*e& the' fro' that countr! 2i&& carr! their
un&a2fu& and unri,hteous *ur*oses# Our rethren ha$e a**&ied to the
e/ecuti$e of the state< 2ho has *ro'ised the' a&& the assistance that the
ci$i& &a2 can ,i$e? and in a&& *roai&it! a suit has een co''enced ere
this#
3e are infor'ed< ho2e$er< that those *ersons are $er! $io&ent< and
threaten i''ediate e/ter'ination u*on a&& those 2ho *rofess our doctrine#
Ho2 far the! 2i&& e suffered to e/ecute their threats< 2e 0no2 not< ut
2e trust in the Lord< and &ea$e the e$ent 2ith Hi' to ,o$ern in his o2n
2ise *ro$idence#
I sha&& e/*ect a co''unication fro' !ou on recei*t of this< and ho*e
!ou 2i&& ,i$e 'e infor'ation concernin, the rethren< their hea&th< faith<
etc#< a&so infor' 'e concernin, our friends 2ith 2ho' 2e for'ed
ac>uaintance#
You are a2are< no dout< dear rother< that an/ieties ine/*ressi&e
cro2d the'se&$es continua&&! u*on '! 'ind for the Saints< 2hen I consider
the 'an! te'*tations to 2hich 2e are su=ect< fro' the cunnin, and
f&atter! of the ,reat ad$ersar! of our sou&s( and I can tru&! sa! 2ith
'uch fer$enc! ha$e I ca&&ed u*on the Lord for our rethren in Canada# And
2hen I ca&& to 'ind 2ith 2hat readiness the! recei$ed the 2ord of truth !
the 'inistr! of "rother Sidne! and '!se&f< I a' tru&! under ,reat
o&i,ations to hu'&e '!se&f efore Hi'#
3hen I conte'*&ate the ra*idit! 2ith 2hich the ,reat and ,&orious da!
of the co'in, of the Son of .an ad$ances< 2hen He sha&& co'e to recei$e
His Saints unto Hi'se&f< 2here the! sha&& d2e&& in His *resence< and e
cro2ned 2ith ,&or! and i''orta&it!? 2hen I consider that soon the hea$ens
are to e sha0en< and the earth tre'&e and ree& to and fro? and that the
hea$ens are to e unfo&ded as a scro&& 2hen it is ro&&ed u*? and that
e$er! 'ountain and is&and are to f&ee a2a!< I cr! out in '! heart< 3hat
'anner of *ersons ou,ht 2e to e in a&& ho&! con$ersation and ,od&inessK
You re'e'er the testi'on! 2hich I ore in the na'e of the Lord
Jesus< concernin, the ,reat 2or0 2hich He has rou,ht forth in the &ast
da!s# You 0no2 '! 'anner of co''unication< ho2 that in 2ea0ness and
si'*&icit!< I dec&ared to !ou 2hat the Lord had rou,ht forth ! the
'inisterin, of His ho&! an,e&s to 'e for this ,eneration# I *ra! that the
Lord 'a! ena&e !ou to treasure these thin,s in !our 'ind< for I 0no2 that
His S*irit 2i&& ear testi'on! to a&& 2ho see0 di&i,ent&! after 0no2&ed,e
fro' Hi'# I ho*e !ou 2i&& search the Scri*tures to see 2hether these
thin,s are not a&so consistent 2ith those thin,s 2hich the ancient
)ro*hets and A*ost&es ha$e 2ritten#
I re'e'er "rother Free'an and 2ife< Ranso' a&so< and Sister L!dia<
and &itt&e Char&es< 2ith a&& the rethren and sisters# I entreat for an
interest in a&& !our *ra!ers efore the throne of 'erc!< in the na'e of
Jesus# I ho*e the Lord 2i&& ,rant that I 'a! see !ou a&& a,ain< and ao$e
a&& that 2e 'a! o$erco'e< and sit do2n to,ether in the 0in,do' of our
Father# Your rother< etc#< JOSE)H S.ITH#
Nothin, of note occurred fro' the fa&&in, of the stars on the 79th<
to this date< No$e'er 7Nth< 2hen '! heart is so'e2hat sorro2fu&< ut I
fee& to trust in the Lord< the 5od of Jaco# I ha$e &earned in '! tra$e&s
that 'an is treacherous and se&fish< ut fe2 e/ce*ted#
"rother Sidne! is a 'an 2ho' I &o$e< ut he is not ca*a&e of that
*ure and steadfast &o$e for those 2ho are his enefactors that shou&d
characteri4e a )resident of the Church of Christ# This< 2ith so'e other
&itt&e thin,s< such as se&fishness and inde*endence of 'ind< 2hich too
often 'anifested destro! the confidence of those 2ho 2ou&d &a! do2n their
&i$es for hi'--these are his fau&ts# "ut not2ithstandin, these thin,s< he
is a $er! ,reat and ,ood 'an? a 'an of ,reat *o2er of 2ords< and can ,ain
the friendshi* of his hearers $er! >uic0&!# He is a 'an 2ho' 5od 2i&&
u*ho&d< if he 2i&& continue faithfu& to his ca&&in,# O 5od< ,rant that he
'a!< for the Lord+s sa0e# A'en#
And a,ain< &essed e "rother Sidne!( not2ithstandin, he sha&& e
hi,h and &ifted u*< !et he sha&& o2 do2n under the !o0e &i0e unto an ass
that Croucheth eneath his urden< that &earneth his 'aster+s 2i&& ! the
stro0e of the rod? thus saith the Lord( !et< the Lord 2i&& ha$e 'erc! on
hi'< and he sha&& rin, forth 'uch fruit< e$en as the $ine of the choice
,ra*e< 2hen her c&usters are ri*e< efore the ti'e of the ,&eanin, of the
$inta,e? and the Lord sha&& 'a0e his heart 'err! as 2ith s2eet 2ine<
ecause of Hi' 2ho *utteth forth His hand< and &ifteth hi' u* out of dee*
'ire< and *ointeth hi' out the 2a!< and ,uideth his feet 2hen he stu'&es<
and hu'&eth hi' in his *ride# "&essed are his ,enerations( ne$erthe&ess
one sha&& hunt after the' as a 'an hunteth after an ass that has stra!ed
in the 2i&derness< and strai,ht2a! findeth hi' and rin,eth hi' into the
fo&d# Thus sha&& the Lord 2atch o$er his ,eneration< that the! 'a! e
sa$ed# E$en so# A'en#
The 'an 2ho 2i&&eth to do 2e&&< 2e shou&d e/to& his $irtues< and
s*ea0 not of his fau&ts ehind his ac0# A 'an 2ho 2i&fu&&! turneth a2a!
fro' his friend 2ithout a cause< is not easi&! for,i$en# The 0indness of a
'an shou&d ne$er e for,otten# That *erson 2ho ne$er forsa0eth his trust<
shou&d e$er ha$e the hi,hest *&ace of re,ard in our hearts< and our &o$e
shou&d ne$er fai&< ut increase 'ore and 'ore< and this is '! dis*osition
and these '! senti'ents#
"rother Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's is one of those 'en in 2ho' I *&ace the
,reatest confidence and trust< for I ha$e found hi' e$er fu&& of &o$e and
rother&! 0indness# He is not a 'an of 'an! 2ords< ut is e$er 2innin,<
ecause of his constant 'ind# He sha&& e$er ha$e *&ace in '! heart< and is
e$er entit&ed to '! confidence# He is *erfect&! honest and u*ri,ht< and
see0s 2ith a&& his heart to 'a,nif! his )residenc! in the Church of
Christ< ut fai&s in 'an! instances< in conse>uence of a 2ant of
Confidence In hi'se&f# 5od ,rant that he 'a! o$erco'e a&& e$i&# "&essed e
"rother Frederic0< for he sha&& ne$er 2ant a friend< and his ,eneration
after hi' sha&& f&ourish# The Lord hath a**ointed hi' an inheritance u*on
the &and of ;ion( !ea< and his head sha&& &osso'< and he sha&& e as an
o&i$e ranch that is o2ed do2n 2ith fruit# E$en so# A'en#
The fo&&o2in, is a co*! of a &etter fro' the Attorne!-5enera& of
.issouri to the counse& e'*&o!ed ! the Church to *rosecute the 'o in
Jac0son count!(
CITY OF JEFFERSON< No$e'er H7< 7899# .essrs# Doni*han and Atchison(
5ENTLE.EN( Fro' con$ersation I ha$e had 2ith the 5o$ernor< I
e&ie$e I a' 2arranted in sa!in, to !ou< and throu,h !ou to the
.or'ons< that if the! desire to e re*&aced in *ossession of their
*ro*ert!< that is their houses in Jac0son Count!< an ade>uate force 2i&&
e sent forth2ith to effect that o=ect# )erha*s a direct a**&ication had
etter e 'ade to hi' for that *ur*ose< if the! 2ish thus to e
re-*ossessed# The 'i&itia ha$e een ordered to ho&d the'se&$es in
readiness#
If the .or'ons 2i&& or,ani4e the'se&$es into re,u&ar co'*anies< or a
re,u&ar co'*an! of 'i&itia either $o&unteers or other2ise< the! 2i&& I
ha$e no dout< e su**&ied 2ith *u&ic ar's# This 'ust e u*on a**&ication
therefore< a $o&unteer co'*an! 'ust e acce*ted ! the Co&one& and that is
a 'atter in his discretion# )erha*s the est 2a! 2ou&d e to or,ani4e and
e&ect officers as is done in ordinar! cases--not $o&unteers< !ou cou&d
,i$e the' the necessar! directions on these *oints# If the Co&one& shou&d
refuse to order an e&ection of co'*an! officers< after the! ha$e re*orted
the'se&$es to hi' for that *ur*ose< he 2ou&d< I *resu'e e
court-'artia&ed< on re*resentation to the 5o$ernor of the facts# As on&! a
certain >uantit! of *u&ic ar's can e distriuted in each count!< those
2ho first a**&! 2i&& e 'ost &i0e&! to recei$e the'# The &ess< therefore
that is said u*on the su=ect the etter# I a'< 2ith ,reat res*ect< !our
oedient ser$ant< ESi,nedF R# 3# 3ELLS#
A,ain< Jud,e R!&and 2rote A'os Reese< Es>#< Circuit Attorne!< a&so of
counse& for the e/i&ed Saints< as fo&&o2s(
NE3 LE6IN5TON< No$e'er H@< 7899# Dear Sir(--I ha$e een re>uested !
the 5o$ernor< to infor' hi' aout the outra,eous acts of un*ara&&e&ed
$io&ence that ha$e &ate&! ha**ened in Jac0son count!< and ha$e a&so een
re>uested to e/a'ine into these outra,es< and ta0e ste*s to *unish the
,ui&t! and screen the innocent#
I cannot *roceed un&ess so'e *erson sha&& e 2i&&in, to 'a0e the
*ro*er infor'ation efore 'e# I no2 re>uest !ou to infor' 'e 2hether the
-.or'ons- are 2i&&in, to ta0e &e,a& ste*s a,ainst the citi4ens of Jac0son
count!? 2hether the! 2ish to return there or not< and &et 'e 0no2 a&& the
'atters connected 2ith this unha**! affair# It 2i&& e necessar! for !ou
to see the *ersons in=ured< and e infor'ed of their desires and
intentions# The 'i&itar! force 2i&& re*air to Jac0son Count!< to aid the
e/ecution of an! order I 'a0e on this su=ect# "e *articu&ar in !our
infor'ation to 'e# I a' 2i&&in, to ,o an! ti'e to Jac0son count!< for the
*ur*ose of ho&din, a court of in>uir!< and indin, o$er to 0ee* the *eace
such *ersons as I sha&& thin0 ou,ht to e restrained#
It is a dis,race to the state for such acts to ha**en 2ithin its
&i'its< and the dis,race 2i&& attach to our officia& characters< if 2e
ne,&ect to ta0e *ro*er 'eans to insure the *unish'ent due such offenders#
I 2ish to 0no2 2hether Joshua Le2is and H!ru' )a,e handed the 2rit to
the sheriff of Jac0son count!< that I 'ade and issued on their affida$it<
a,ainst so'e of the rin,&eaders of the 'o in Jac0son count!< dated the
si/th of this 'onth#
I 2i&& 0no2 2h! he refused to e/ecute the 2rit< if it e$er ca'e to
his hands# In>uire into this su=ect and &et 'e 0no2# I shou&d e ,&ad to
see !ou< and a,ree u*on 2hat course to ta0e# After !ou ha$e sufficient&!
infor'ed !ourse&f< co'e do2n and see 'e# As !ou &i$e near the scene of
these outra,es< !ou are etter a&e to recei$e a&& infor'ation necessar!
and *re*are for future action< than I a'#
3rite 'e as soon as !ou are *ro*er&! infor'ed< and state 2hen !ou can
co'e do2n and see 'e on this usiness# 1ee* co*ies of a&& the &etters !ou
2rite on this su=ect# Your friend< Si,nedF JOHN F# RYLAND#
No$e'er HH#--.! rother Don Car&os ca'e to &i$e 2ith 'e and &earn
the art of *rintin,#
E&ders Orson H!de and John 5ou&d returned fro' .issouri to 1irt&and
on the HGth< and rou,ht the 'e&ancho&! inte&&i,ence of the 'o in Jac0son
count! *ersecutin, the rethren#
E&der A# S# 5i&ert 2rote the 5o$ernor of .issouri as fo&&o2s(
EConfidentia&#F LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY< No$e'er HN< 7899# Dear
Sir(--Yesterda! I sa2 .r# Doni*han< an attorne! of this *&ace< 2ho
infor'ed 'e that he sa2 the Attorne!-5enera&< .r# 3e&&s< in Sa&ine count!<
&ast Saturda! 2ee0< and that .r# 3e&&s had ac>uainted hi' 2ith !our
intention of orderin, a court of in>uir! to e he&d in Jac0son count! in
re&ation to the &ate riotous *roceedin,s in that count!# .r# Doni*han is
of o*inion< fro' the con$ersation he had 2ith .r# 3e&&s< that said order
2i&& e sus*ended ti&& a co''unication is recei$ed fro' our *eo*&e< or
their counse&# This is therefore to ac>uaint !our E/ce&&enc!< that 'ost of
the heads of our Church had an inter$ie2 !esterda! on the su=ect of an
i''ediate court of in>uir!< to e he&d in Jac0son count!? and ! their
re>uest to 'e< I hasten to &a! efore !our E/ce&&enc! serious difficu&ties
attendin, our *eo*&e on an i''ediate court of in>uir! ein, ca&&ed#
Our Church is at this ti'e scattered in e$er! direction( so'e in the
ne2 count! of %an "uren? a *art in this count!? and a *art in Lafa!ette<
and Ra!# So'e of our *rinci*a& 2itnesses 2ou&d e 2o'en and chi&dren< and
2hi&e the ra,e of the 'o continues< it 2ou&d e i'*ossi&e to ,ather the'
in safet! at Inde*endence# That !our E/ce&&enc! 'a! 0no2 of the unaatin,
fur! 2ith 2hich the &ast re'nant of our *eo*&e re'ainin, in that count!
are *ursued at this ti'e< I here state that a fe2 fa'i&ies< *erha*s
fifteen or t2ent!< 2ho sett&ed the'se&$es 'ore than t2o !ears a,o on the
*rairie aout fifteen 'i&es fro' the count! seat of Jac0son count!< had
ho*ed fro' the oscurit! of their &ocation that the! 'i,ht esca*e the
$en,eance of the ene'! throu,h the 2inter? conse>uent&! the! re'ained on
their *&antations recei$in, occasiona&&!< a fe2 indi$idua& threats< ti&&
&ast Sunda!< 2hen a 'o 'ade their a**earance a'on, the'? so'e 2ith
*isto&s coc0ed< and *resented to their reasts< co''anded the' to &ea$e
the count! in three da!s< or the! 2ou&d tear their houses do2n o$er their
heads< etc< etc#
T2o e/*resses arri$ed here fro' said nei,horhood &ast .onda!
'ornin,< for ad$ice< and counse& ad$ised their s*eed! re'o$a& for the
*reser$ation of &ife and their *ersona& effects# I su**ose these fa'i&ies
2i&& e out of the count! of Jac0son this 2ee0# In this distressed
situation< in eha&f of '! rethren< I *ra! !our E/ce&&enc! to a2ait a
further co''unication< 2hich 2i&& soon fo&&o2 this< settin, forth a'on,
other thin,s the i'*ortance of our *eo*&e ein, restored to their
*ossessions< that the! 'a! ha$e an e>ua& chance 2ith their ene'ies in
*roducin, i'*ortant testi'on! efore the court< 2hich the ene'! are no2
deter'ined to de*ri$e the' of# I trust that !our E/ce&&enc! 2i&& *ercei$e
the a,itation and consternation that 'ust necessari&! *re$ai& a'on, 'ost
of our *eo*&e at this da!< fro' the un*ara&&e&ed usa,e the! ha$e recei$ed<
and 'an! of the' 2anderin, at this ti'e destitute of she&ter#
An i''ediate court of in>uir! ca&&ed 2hi&e our *eo*&e are thus
situated< 2ou&d ,i$e our ene'ies a decided ad$anta,e in *oint of testi'on!
2hi&e the! are in *ossession of their o2n ho'es< and ours a&so? 2ith no
ene'! in the count! to 'o&est or 'a0e the' afraid# %er! res*ectfu&&!< !our
oedient ser$ant< A# S# 5IL"ERT#
To his E/ce&&enc! Danie& Dun0&in< Jefferson Cit!< .o# I ha$e seen and
read the ao$e &etter< and on ref&ection< I concur entire&! in the o*inion
therein e/*ressed# I a&so thin0 that at the ne/t re,u&ar ter' of the
court< an e/a'ination of the cri'ina& 'atter cannot e ,one into< 2ithout
a ,uard for the court and 2itnesses# ESi,nedF A.OS REESE#
Those 2ho 2ere threatened ! the 'o on Sunda!< the H@th< f&ed into
C&a! count!< and enca'*ed on the an0s of the .issouri ri$er# A nu'er of
the fa'i&ies 2ent into %an "uren count!( their 2ho&e nu'er of 'en< 2o'en<
and chi&dren< ein, u*2ards of one hundred and fift!#
Aout the 7st of Dece'er< E&der Co2der! and "isho* 3hitne! arri$ed
at 1irt&and 2ith a ne2 *ress and t!*e< and on the @th co''enced
distriutin, the t!*e#
Dece'er G#--I 2rote to "isho* )artrid,e< Liert!< C&a! count!<
.issouri< as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< Dece'er G< 7899# Dear "rethren(--3e ha$e =ust recei$ed a
&etter fro' "rother )he&*s< dated :th and Mth No$e'er< at Liert!< 2hich
,i$es us the *ainfu& inte&&i,ence of the ra,e of the ene'!< and !our
*resent unsett&ed situation# "ut I 'ust infor' !ou that there is a ,reat
duiet! restin, u*on our 'inds< 2ith re,ard to the true state of affairs
of ;ion? for there see's to e so'e difference in the state'ents of E&der
)he&*s+ &etter< and that of E&der H!de+s co''unication to the editors of
the .issouri Re*u&ican# E&der H!de states that -on .onda!< the @th< the
'o co&&ected in Inde*endence< to the nu'er of t2o or three hundred< 2e&&
ar'ed? that a *art of their nu'er 2ent ao$e "&ue< to dri$e a2a! our
*eo*&e< and destro! our *ro*ert!? ut the! 2ere 'et ! a *art! of our
*eo*&e< 2ho< ein, *re*ared< *oured a dead&! fire u*on the'? t2o of their
nu'er fe&& dead on the ,round< and a nu'er 2ere 'orta&&! 2ounded< a'on,
the for'er 2as "ra4ea&e#
-Tuesda! 'ornin, there 2ere a nu'er of the 'o 'issin,< and cou&d
not e accounted for? and 2hi&e 2e 2ere at Liert! &andin,< on 3ednesda!<
a 'essen,er rode u*< sa!in, that he had =ust co'e fro' the seat of 2ar<
and that the ni,ht efore another att&e 2as fou,ht< in 2hich .r# Hic0s
fe&&< ha$in, three a&&s and so'e uc0-shot throu,h his od!< and aout
t2ent! 'ore shared a si'i&ar fate< and a&so< that one or t2o of our 'en
2ere 0i&&ed and as 'an! 2ounded? and he EH!deF heard the cannonadin,
distinct&!< and a&so stated that the 'an 2ho ro0e o*en the store< too0
5i&ert< )he&*s< and one 'ore< for fa&se i'*rison'ent< and *ut the' in
*rison< and as near as he cou&d &earn< ne$er to &et the' esca*e a&i$e#
This state'ent of E&der H!de is so'e2hat different fro' that of E&der
)he&*s< 2ho states that -on Frida! ni,ht the rethren had 'ustered aout
fort! or fift! 'en< ar'ed< and 'arched into the $i&&a,e< too0 one *risoner
and fired one ,un Ethrou,h 'ista0eF and on Saturda! the 'o fe&& u*on our
rethren ao$e "&ue< and one of .anshi*+s sons 2as 'orta&&! 2ounded# On
.onda! a re,u&ar action 2as fou,ht near Christian 3hit'er+s< under the
co''and of E&der Da$id 3hit'er# 3e had four 2ounded? the! had fi$e 2ounded
and t2o 0i&&ed< $i4#( Lin$i&& and "ra4ea&e# Fro' Frida! ti&& Tuesda!< our
rethren 2ere under ar's< 2hen one hundred and fift! of the' ca'e forth<
&i0e .oroni< to att&e# On Tuesda! 'ornin, the 'o had co&&ected to the
nu'er of three hundred< and efore an! &ood 2as shed< 2e a,reed to ,o
a2a! i''ediate&!< and the ene'! too0 our ,uns#-
E&der )he&*s a&so states that -since the ao$e 2as 2ritten E$i4#? on
the :thF< another horrid scene has trans*ired( after our *eo*&e
surrendered their ar's a *art! of the 'o 2ent acti$e "&ue< and e,an to
2hi* and e$en 'urder< and the rethren ha$e een dri$en into the 2oods<
and are f&eein, to the ferr!? and a&so the 'o ha$e hired the ferr!'en to
carr! the' across the ri$er Eut the! 'ade the rethren *a! the ferr!a,eF?
and it 2as re*orted that the 'o had 0i&&ed t2o 'ore of the rethren#-
It a**ears< rethren that the ao$e state'ents 2ere 'ade 'ost&! fro'
re*orts< and there is no certaint! of their ein, correct? therefore< it
is difficu&t for us to ad$ise and 2e can on&! sa! that the destinies of
a&& *eo*&e are in the hands of a =ust 5od< and He 2i&& do no in=ustice to
an! one? and this one thin, is sure< that the! 2ho 2i&& &i$e ,od&! in
Christ Jesus< sha&& suffer *ersecution? and efore their roes are 'ade
2hite in the &ood of the La'< it is to e e/*ected< accordin, to John
the Re$e&ator< the! 2i&& *ass throu,h ,reat triu&ation#
I 2ish 2hen !ou recei$e this &etter< that !ou 2ou&d co&&ect e$er!
*articu&ar concernin, the 'o< fro' the e,innin,< and send us a correct
state'ent of facts< as the! occurred fro' ti'e to ti'e that< 'a! e
ena&ed to ,i$e the *u&ic correct infor'ation on the su=ect and infor'
us a&so of the situation of the rethren< 2ith res*ect to their 'eans of
sustenance#
I 2ou&d infor' !ou< that it is not the 2i&& of the Lord for !ou to
se&& !our &ands in ;ion< if 'eans can *ossi&! e *rocured for !our
sustenance 2ithout# E$er! e/ertion shou&d e 'ade to 'aintain the cause
!ou ha$e es*oused< and to contriute to the necessities of one another< as
'uch as *ossi&e in this !our ,reat ca&a'it!< and re'e'er not to 'ur'ur
at the dea&in,s of 5od 2ith His creatures# You are not as !et rou,ht into
as tr!in, circu'stances as 2ere the ancient )ro*hets and A*ost&es# Ca&& to
'ind a Danie&< the three Here2 chi&dren< Jere'iah< )au&< Ste*hen< and
'an! others< too nu'erous to 'ention< 2ho 2ere stoned< sa2n asunder<
te'*ted< s&ain 2ith the s2ord< and 2andered aout in shee* s0ins and ,oat
s0ins< ein, destitute< aff&icted< tor'ented< of 2ho' the 2or&d 2as not
2orth!# The! 2andered in deserts and in 'ountains< and hid in dens and
ca$es of the earth? !et the! a&& otained a ,ood re*ort throu,h faith? and
a'idst a&& their aff&ictions the! re=oiced that the! 2ere counted 2orth!
to recei$e *ersecutions for Christ+s sa0e#
3e 0no2 not 2hat 2e sha&& e ca&&ed to *ass throu,h efore ;ion is
de&i$ered and esta&ished? therefore< 2e ha$e ,reat need to &i$e near to
5od< and a&2a!s to e in strict oedience to a&& His co''and'ents< that 2e
'a! ha$e a conscience $oid of offense to2ard 5od and 'an# It is !our
*ri$i&e,e to use e$er! &a2fu& 'eans in !our *o2er to see0 redress for !our
,rie$ances fro' !our ene'ies< and *rosecute the' to the e/tent of the &a2?
ut it 2i&& e i'*ossi&e for us to render !ou an! te'*ora& assistance< as
our 'eans are a&read! e/hausted< and 2e are dee*&! in det< and 0no2 of no
'eans 2here! 2e sha&& e a&e to e/tricate ourse&$es#
The inhaitants of this count! threaten our destruction< and 2e 0no2
not ho2 soon the! 'a! e *er'itted to fo&&o2 the e/a'*&e of the
.issourians? ut our trust is in 5od< and 2e are deter'ined His ,race
assistin, us< to 'aintain the cause and ho&d out faithfu& unto the end<
that 2e 'a! e cro2ned 2ith cro2ns of ce&estia& ,&or!< and enter into the
rest that is *re*ared for the chi&dren of 5od#
3e are no2 distriutin, the t!*e< and intend to co''ence settin,
toda!< and issue a *a*er the &ast of this 2ee0< or e,innin, of ne/t 3e
2rote to E&der )he&*s so'e ti'e since< and a&so sent ! E&der H!de< for
the &ist of na'es of suscriers to the Star< 2hich 2e ha$e not !et
recei$ed< and< unti& 2e recei$e it< the 'ost of the suscriers 2i&& e
de*ri$ed of the *a*er? and 2hen !ou recei$e this< if !ou ha$e not sent the
&ist< I 2ish !ou to attend to it i''ediate&!< as 'uch incon$enience 2i&&
fo&&o2 a de&a!#
3e e/*ect short&! to *u&ish a *o&itica& *a*er< 2ee0&!< in fa$or of
the *resent ad'inistration? the inf&uentia& 'en of that *art! ha$e offered
a &iera& *atrona,e to us< and 2e ho*e to succeed< for there! 2e can sho2
the *u&ic the *urit! of our intention in su**ortin, the ,o$ern'ent under
2hich 2e &i$e#
3e &earn ! E&der )he&*s< that the rethren ha$e surrendered their
ar's to the .issourians and are f&eein, across the ri$er# If that is the
case< it is not 'eet that the! shou&d reco''ence hosti&ities 2ith the'<
ut if not< !ou shou&d 'aintain the ,round as &on, as there is a 'an &eft<
as the s*ot of ,round u*on 2hich !ou are &ocated< is the *&ace a**ointed
of the Lord for !our inheritance< and it is ri,ht in the si,ht of 5od that
!ou contend for it to the &ast#
You 2i&& reco&&ect that the Lord has said< that ;ion shou&d not e
re'o$ed out of her *&ace? therefore the &and shou&d not e so&d ut e
he&d ! the Saints unti& the Lord in His 2isdo' sha&& o*en a 2a! for !our
return< and unti& that ti'e if !ou can *urchase a tract of &and in C&a!
count! for *resent e'er,encies it is ri,ht !ou shou&d do so< if !ou can do
it< and not se&& !our &and in Jac0son count!# It is not safe for us to
send !ou a 2ritten re$e&ation on the su=ect< ut 2hat is stated ao$e is
accordin, to 2isdo'# I haste to a c&ose to ,i$e roo' for "rother O&i$er
and re'ain !ours in the onds of the e$er&astin, co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH<
JUN#
Dece'er :#--"ein, *re*ared to co''ence our &aors in the *rintin,
usiness< I as0 5od in the na'e of Jesus< to esta&ish it for e$er< and
cause that His 2ord 'a! s*eedi&! ,o forth to the nations of the earth< to
the acco'*&ishin, of His ,reat 2or0 in rin,in, aout the restoration of
the house of Israe&#
This da!< a&so< the E&ders in .issouri sent the fo&&o2in, *etition(
To his E/ce&&enc!< Danie& Dun0&in< 5o$ernor of the State of .issouri(
3e< the undersi,ned &eadin, 'e'ers of the Church of Christ $u&,ar&!
ca&&ed -.or'ons<- 2ou&d res*ectfu&&! re*resent to !our E/ce&&enc!--in
addition to the *etition *resented to !ou ! .essrs# )he&*s and H!de< and
the affida$it of .essrs )he&*s< 5i&ert< and .+Le&&in< after ha$in, read
a&so the &etters of the Attorne!-5enera& and District Jud,e of this
Circuit to .r Reese--that 2hereas our societ!< 'en< 2o'en< and chi&dren<
after ha$in, een in so'e cases 2ounded< scour,ed< and threatened 2ith
death< ha$e een dri$en ! force of ar's fro' their &ands houses and 'uch
of their *ro*ert! in Jac0son count!--'ost of 2hich &ands houses< and
*ro*ert!< ha$e een *ossessed ! the 'o of Jac0son count! or others and
are no2 un&a2fu&&! &a2fu&&! detained fro' the use and *ossession of our
*eo*&e? that 2hereas our *eo*&e ha$e een dri$en and scattered into the
counties of C&a!< Ra!< %an "uren< Lafa!ette< and others< 2here< in 'an!
cases< the! are destitute of the co''on necessaries of &ife e$en in this
2inter season? that 2hereas< the ,uns 2hich 2ere ta0en fro' our *eo*&e< as
set forth in the affida$it< are 0e*t fro' the'? therefore< in eha&f of
our societ!< 2hich is so scattered and sufferin,< 2e< !our *etitioners<
as0 aid and assistance of !our E/ce&&enc!< that 2e 'a! e restored to our
&ands< houses< and *ro*ert!< and *rotected in the' ! the 'i&itia of the
state< if &e,a&< or ! a detach'ent of the United States Ran,ers< 2hich
'i,ht e &ocated at Inde*endence< instead of at Canton'ent Lea$en2orth<
ti&& *eace can e restored# This cou&d e done< *roa&!< ! conferrin,
2ith the )resident< or *erha*s 2ith Co&one& Dod,e# A&so< 2e as0 that our
'en 'a! e or,ani4ed into co'*anies of Jac0son 5uards< and e furnished
2ith ar's ! the state< to assist in 'aintainin, their ri,hts a,ainst the
unha&&o2ed *o2er of the 'o of Jac0son count!#
And then< 2hen arran,e'ents are 'ade to *rotect us in our *ersons and
*ro*ert! E2hich cannot e done 2ithout an ar'ed force< nor 2ou&d it e
*rudent to ris0 our &i$es there 2ithout ,uards< ti&& 2e recei$e stren,th
fro' our friends to *rotect ourse&$esF< 2e 2ish a court of in>uir!
instituted< to in$esti,ate the 2ho&e 'atter of the 'o a,ainst the
-.or'ons(- and 2e 2i&& e$er *ra!# 3# 3# )HEL)S< ISAAC .ORLEY< JOHN
3HIT.ER< ED3ARD )ARTRID5E< JOHN CORRILL< A# S# 5IL"ERT#
The fo&&o2in, &etter acco'*anied the fore,oin, *etition(
LI"ERTY< Dece'er :< 7899# Dear Sir(--Your E/ce&&enc! 2i&& *ercei$e
! the *etition< earin, ate 2ith this &etter< that 2e intend to return to
Jac0son count! as soon as arran,e'ents can e 'ade to *rotect us after 2e
are reinstated in our *ossessions#
3e do not 2ish to ,o ti&& 2e 0no2 that our &i$es are not in dan,er
fro' a &a2&ess 'o# Your E/ce&&enc! 2i&& understand that at this inc&e'ent
season it 2i&& re>uire ti'e to restore us< and troo*s to *rotect us after
2e are there< for the threats of the 'o ha$e not ceased# Your oedient
ser$ant< 3# 3# )HEL)S#
To Danie& Dun0&in< 5o$ernor of .issouri#
CHA)TER 666III#
THE )RO)HET+S SY.)ATHY FOR THE E6ILED SAINTS--REASONS FOR THEIR
E6)ULSION FRO. ;ION#
A Letter fro' the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith to the E/i&ed Saints in
.issouri# 1IRTLAND .ILLS< OHIO< Dece'er 7D< 7899# Ed2ard )artrid,e< 3#
3# )he&*s< John 3hit'er< A# S# 5i&ert< John Corri&&< Isaac .or&e!< and
a&& the Saints 2ho' if 'a! concern# "ELO%ED "RETHREN#--This 'ornin,+s 'ai&
rou,ht &etters fro' "isho* )artrid,e< and E&ders Corri&& and )he&*s< a&&
'ai&ed at Liert! No$e'er 7Nth< 2hich ,a$e us the 'e&ancho&! inte&&i,ence
of !our f&i,ht fro' the &and of !our inheritance< ha$in, een dri$en
efore the face of !our ene'ies in that *&ace#
Fro' *re$ious &etters 2e &earned that a nu'er of our rethren had
een s&ain< ut 2e cou&d not &earn fro' the &etters referred to ao$e<
that there had een 'ore than one 0i&&ed< and that one "rother "arer< and
that "rother Di&e 2as 2ounded in the o2e&s# 3e 2ere than0fu& to &earn
that no 'ore had een s&ain< and our dai&! *ra!ers are that the Lord 2i&&
not suffer His Saints< 2ho ha$e ,one u* to His &and to 0ee* His
co''and'ents< to stain His ho&! 'ountain 2ith their &ood#
I cannot &earn fro' an! co''unication ! the S*irit to 'e< that ;ion
has forfeited her c&ai' to a ce&estia& cro2n< not2ithstandin, the Lord has
caused her to e thus aff&icted< e/ce*t it 'a! e so'e indi$idua&s< 2ho
ha$e 2a&0ed in disoedience< and forsa0en the ne2 co$enant< a&& such 2i&&
e 'ade 'anifest ! their 2or0s in due ti'e# I ha$e a&2a!s e/*ected that
;ion 2ou&d suffer so'e aff&iction< fro' 2hat I cou&d &earn fro' the
co''and'ents 2hich ha$e een ,i$en# "ut I 2ou&d re'ind !ou of a certain
c&ause in one 2hich sa!s< that after 'uch triu&ation co'eth the
&essin,# "! this and a&so others and a&so one recei$ed of &ate< I 0no2
that ;ion in the due ti'e of the Lord< 2i&& e redee'ed? ut ho2 'an! 2i&&
e the da!s of her *urification triu&ation< and aff&iction< the Lord has
0e*t hid fro' '! e!es? and 2hen I in>uire concernin, this su=ect< the
$oice of the Lord is( "e sti&&< and 0no2 that I a' 5odK a&& those 2ho
suffer for '! na'e sha&& rei,n 2ith 'e< and he that &a!eth do2n his &ife
for '! sa0e sha&& find it a,ain#
No2< there are t2o thin,s of 2hich I a' i,norant? and the Lord 2i&&
not sho2 the' unto 'e< *erha*s for a 2ise *ur*ose in Hi'se&f--I 'ean in
so'e res*ects--and the! are these? 3h! 5od has suffered so ,reat a
ca&a'it! to co'e u*on ;ion and 2hat the ,reat 'o$in, cause of this ,reat
aff&iction is? and a,ain< ! 2hat 'eans He 2i&& return her ac0 to her
inheritance< 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o! u*on her head# These t2o
thin,s< rethren< are in *art 0e*t ac0 that the! are not *&ain&! sho2n
unto 'e? ut there are so'e thin,s that are *&ain&! 'anifest 2hich ha$e
incurred the dis*&easure of the A&'i,ht!# 3hen I conte'*&ate u*on a&&
thin,s that ha$e een 'anifested< I a' a2are that I ou,ht not to 'ur'ur
and do not 'ur'ur< on&! in this< that those 2ho are innocent are co'*e&&ed
to suffer for the ini>uities of the ,ui&t! and I cannot account for this<
on&! on this 2ise< that the sa!in, of the Sa$ior has not een strict&!
oser$ed? -If th! ri,ht e!e offend thee< *&uc0 it out< and cast it fro'
thee? or if th! ri,ht ar' offend thee< cut it off< and cast it fro' thee#-
No2 the fact is< if an! of the 'e'ers of our od! is disordered< the rest
of our od! 2i&& e affected 2ith it< and then a&& are rou,ht into
onda,e to,ether? and !et< not2ithstandin, a&& this< it is 2ith difficu&t!
that I can restrain '! fee&in,s 2hen I 0no2 that !ou< '! rethren< 2ith
2ho' I ha$e had so 'an! ha**! hours--sittin,< as it 2ere< in hea$en&!
*&aces in Christ Jesus? and a&so< ha$in, the 2itness 2hich I fee&< and
e$er ha$e fe&t< of the *urit! of !our 'oti$es--are cast out and are as
stran,ers and *i&,ri's on the earth< e/*osed to hun,er< co&d< na0edness<
*eri&< s2ord--I sa! 2hen I conte'*&ate this< it is 2ith difficu&t! I can
0ee* fro' co'*&ainin, and 'ur'urin, a,ainst this dis*ensation? ut I a'
sensi&e that this is not ri,ht< and 'a! 5od ,rant that not2ithstandin,
!our ,reat aff&ictions and sufferin,s there 'a! not an!thin, se*arate us
fro' &o$e of Christ#
"rethren< 2hen 2e &earn !our sufferin,s< it a2a0ens e$er! s!'*ath! of
our hearts? it 2ei,hs us do2n? 2e cannot refrain fro' tears< !et< 2e are
not a&e to rea&i4e on&! in *art< !our sufferin,s? and I often hear the
rethren sa!in,< the! 2ish the! 2ere 2ith !ou< that the! 'i,ht ear a *art
of !our sufferin,s? and I '!se&f shou&d ha$e een 2ith !ou< had not 5od
*re$ented it in the order of His *ro$idence< that the !o0e of aff&iction
'i,ht e &ess ,rie$ous u*on !ou< 5od ha$in, fore2arned 'e< concernin,
these thin,s< for !our sa0e? and a&so< E&der
Co2der! cou&d not &i,hten !our aff&ictions ! tarr!in, &on,er 2ith
!ou< for his *resence 2ou&d ha$e so 'uch the 'ore enra,ed !our ene'ies?
therefore 5od hath dea&t 'ercifu&&! 2ith us# O rethren< &et us e
than0fu& that it is as 2e&& 2ith us as it is< and 2e are !et a&i$e and
*read$enture< 5od hath &aid u* in store ,reat ,ood for us in this
,eneration< and 'a! ,rant that 2e 'a! !et ,&orif! His na'e#
I fee& than0fu& that there ha$e no 'ore denied the faith? I *ra! 5od
in the na'e of Jesus that !ou a&& 'a! e 0e*t in the faith unto the end
&et !our sufferin,s e 2hat the! 'a!< it is etter in the e!es of 5od that
!ou shou&d die< than that !ou shou&d ,i$e u* the &and of ;ion< the
inheritances 2hich !ou ha$e *urchased 2ith !our 'one!s? for e$er! 'an that
,i$eth not u* his inheritance< thou,h he shou&d die< !et 2hen the Lord
sha&& co'e< he sha&& stand u*on it< and 2ith Jo in his f&esh he sha&& see
5od# Therefore< this is '! counse& that !ou retain !our &ands< e$en unto
the utter'ost< and e'*&o! e$er! &a2fu& 'eans to see0 redress of !our
ene'ies? and *ra! to 5od< da! and ni,ht< to return !ou in *eace and in
safet! to the &ands of !our inheritance? and 2hen the =ud,e fai& !ou<
a**ea& unto the e/ecuti$e? and 2hen the e/ecuti$e fai& !ou< a**ea& unto
the *resident? and 2hen the *resident fai& !ou< and a&& &a2s fai& !ou< and
the hu'anit! of the *eo*&e fai& !ou< and a&& thin,s e&se fai& !ou ut 5od
a&one< and !ou continue to 2ear! Hi' 2ith !our i'*ortunin,s< as the *oor
2o'an did the un=ust =ud,e< He 2i&& not fai& to e/ecute =ud,'ent u*on !our
ene'ies< and to a$en,e His o2n e&ect that cr! unto Hi' da! and ni,ht#
"eho&d He 2i&& not fai& !ouK He 2i&& co'e 2ith ten thousand of His
Saints< and a&& His ad$ersaries sha&& e destro!ed 2ith the reath of His
&i*sK A&& those 2ho 0ee* their inheritances< not2ithstandin, the! shou&d
e eaten and dri$en< sha&& e &i0ened unto the 2ise $ir,ins 2ho too0 oi&
in their &a'*s# "ut a&& those 2ho are une&ie$in, and fearfu&< 2i&& e
&i0ened unto the foo&ish $ir,ins< 2ho too0 no oi& in their &a'*s? and 2hen
the! sha&& return and sa! unto the Saints< 5i$e us of !our &ands--eho&d<
there 2i&& e no roo' found for the'# As res*ects ,i$in, deeds< I 2ou&d
ad$ise !ou to ,i$e deeds as far as the rethren ha$e &e,a& and =ust c&ai's
for the'< and then &et e$er! 'an ans2er to 5od for the dis*osa& of the'#
I 2ou&d su,,est so'e ideas to E&der )he&*s< not 0no2in, that the!
2i&& e of an! rea& enefit< ut su,,est the' for consideration# I 2ou&d
e ,&ad if he 2ere here< 2ere it *ossi&e for hi' to co'e< ut dare not
ad$ise< not 0no2in, 2hat sha&& efa&& us< as 2e are under $er! hea$! and
serious threatenin,s fro' a ,reat 'an! *eo*&e in this *&ace#
"ut< *erha*s< the *eo*&e in Liert! 'a! fee& 2i&&in,< 5od ha$in,
*o2er to soften the hearts of a&& 'en< to ha$e a *ress esta&ished there?
and if not< in so'e other *&ace? an! *&ace 2here it can e the 'ost
con$enient< and it is *ossi&e to ,et to it? 5od 2i&& e 2i&&in, to ha$e
it in an! *&ace 2here it can e esta&ished in safet!# 3e 'ust e 2ise as
ser*ents and har'&ess as do$es# A,ain< I desire that E&der )he&*s shou&d
co&&ect a&& the infor'ation< and ,i$e us a true histor! of the e,innin,
and rise of ;ion< and her ca&a'ities#
No2 hear the *ra!er of !our un2orth! rother in the ne2 and
e$er&astin, co$enant(--O .! 5odK Thou 2ho hast ca&&ed and chosen a fe2<
throu,h Th! 2ea0 instru'ent< ! co''and'ent< and sent the' to .issouri< a
*&ace 2hich Thou didst ca&& ;ion< and co''anded Th! ser$ants to consecrate
it unto Th!se&f for a *&ace of refu,e and safet! for the ,atherin, of Th!
Saints< to e ui&t u* a ho&! cit! unto Th!se&f? and as Thou hast said
that no other *&ace shou&d e a**ointed &i0e unto this< therefore< I as0
Thee in the na'e of Jesus Christ< to return Th! *eo*&e unto their houses
and their inheritances< to en=o! the fruit of their &aors? that a&& the
2aste *&aces 'a! e ui&t u*? that a&& the ene'ies of Th! *eo*&e< 2ho 2i&&
not re*ent and turn unto Thee 'a! e destro!ed fro' off the face of the
&and? and &et a house e ui&t and esta&ished unto Th! na'e? and &et a&&
the &osses that Th! *eo*&e ha$e sustained< e re2arded unto the'< e$en
'ore than four-fo&d< that the orders of ;ion 'a! e en&ar,ed fore$er< and
&et her e esta&ished no 'ore to e thro2n do2n? and &et a&& th! Saints<
2hen the! are scattered< as shee*< and are *ersecuted< f&ee unto ;ion< and
e esta&ished in the 'idst of her? and &et her e or,ani4ed accordin, to
Th! &a2? and &et this *ra!er e$er e recorded efore Th! face# 5i$e Th!
Ho&! S*irit unto '! rethren< unto 2ho' I 2rite? send Thine an,e&s to
,uard the'< and de&i$er the' fro' a&& e$i&? and 2hen the! turn their faces
to2ard ;ion< and o2 do2n efore Thee and *ra!< 'a! their sins ne$er co'e
u* efore Th! face< neither ha$e *&ace in the oo0 of Th! re'e'rance? and
'a! the! de*art fro' a&& their ini>uities# )ro$ide food for the' as Thou
doest for the ra$ens? *ro$ide c&othin, to co$er their na0edness< and
houses that the! 'a! d2e&& therein? ,i$e unto the' friends in aundance<
and &et their na'es e recorded in the La'+s oo0 of &ife eterna&&!
efore Th! face# A'en#
Fina&&!< rethren< the ,race of our Lord Jesus Christ e 2ith !ou a&&
unti& His co'in, in His 0in,do'# A'en# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN
Dece'er 7H#--An e/*ress arri$ed at Liert!< fro' %an "uren count!<
2ith infor'ation that those fa'i&ies< 2hich had f&ed fro' Jac0son count!<
and &ocated there< 2ere aout to e dri$en fro' that count!< after
ui&din, their houses and cartin, their 2inter+s store of *ro$isions<
,rain< etc#< fort! or fift! 'i&es# Se$era& fa'i&ies are a&read! f&eein,
fro' thence# The conta'inatin, inf&uence of the Jac0son count! 'o< is
*redo'inant in this ne2 count! of %an "uren< the 2ho&e *o*u&ation of 2hich
is esti'ated at aout thirt! or fort! fa'i&ies# The destruction of cro*s<
househo&d furniture< and c&othin,< is $er! ,reat< and 'uch of their stoc0
is &ost# The 'ain od! of the Church is no2 in C&a! count!< 2here the
*eo*&e are as 0ind and acco''odatin, as cou&d reasona&! e e/*ected# The
continued threats of deaths to indi$idua&s of the Church< if the! 'a0e
their a**earance in Jac0son Count!< *re$ent the 'ost of the'< e$en at this
da!< fro' returnin, to that count!< to secure *ersona& *ro*ert!< 2hich
the! 2ere o&i,ed to &ea$e in their f&i,ht#
The fo&&o2in, is an e/tract of a &etter to 'e< fro' E&der )he&*s<
dated--
CLAY COUNTY< .issouri# Dece'er 7G< 7899# The condition of the
scattered Saints is &a'enta&e< and affords a ,&oo'! *ros*ect# No re,u&ar
order can e enforced< nor an! usua& disci*&ine 0e*t u*< a'on, the 2or&d<
!ea< the 'ost 2ic0ed *art of it< so'e co''it one sin< and so'e another EI
s*ea0 of the ree&&ious< for there are Saints that are as i''o$a&e as the
e$er&astin, hi&&sF< and 2hat can de doneB 3e are in C&a!< Ra!< Lafa!ette<
Jac0son< %an "uren and other counties and cannot hear fro' one another
oftener than 2e do fro' !ou# I 0no2 it 2as ri,ht that 2e shou&d e dri$en
out of the &and of ;ion that the ree&&ious 'i,ht e sent a2a!# "ut<
rethren< if the Lord 2i&&< I shou&d &i0e to 0no2 2hat the honest in heart
sha&& doB Our c&othes are 2orn out? 2e 2ant the necessaries of &ife< and
sha&& 2e &ease< u!< or other2ise otain &and 2here 2e are to ti&&< that
2e 'a! raise enou,h to eatB Such is the co''on &an,ua,e of the honest< for
the! 2ant to do the 2i&& of 5od# I a' sensi&e that 2e sha&& not e a&e
to &i$e a,ain in ;ion< ti&& 5od or the )resident ru&es out the 'o#
The 5o$ernor is 2i&&in, to restore us< ut as the constitution ,i$es
hi' no *o2er to ,uard us 2hen ac0< 2e are not 2i&&in, to ,o# The 'o
s2ear if 2e co'e 2e sha&& dieK If< fro' 2hat has een done in ;ion< 2e< or
the 'ost of us< ha$e ,ot to e *ersecuted fro' cit! to cit!< and fro'
s!na,o,ue to s!na,o,ue< 2e 2ant to 0no2 it? for there are those a'on, us
that 2ou&d rather earn eterna& &ife on such conditions than &ose it? ut
2e ho*e for etter thin,s and sha&& 2ait *atient&! for the 2ord of the
Lord#
Our *eo*&e fare $er! 2e&&< and 2hen the! are discreet &itt&e or no
*ersecution is fe&t# The 'i&itia in the u**er counties is in readiness at
a 'o'ent+s 2arnin,< ha$in, een ordered out ! the 5o$ernor< to ,uard a
court 'artia& and court of in>uir!< ut 2e cannot attend a court of
in>uir!< on account of e/*ense ti&& 2e are restored and *rotected#
ESi,nedF 3# 3# )HEL)S#
Dece'er 7:#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation#
7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< concernin, !our rethren 2ho ha$e een
aff&icted< and *ersecuted< and cast out fro' the &and of their
inheritance--
H# I< the Lord< ha$e suffered the aff&iction to co'e u*on the'<
2here2ith the! ha$e een aff&icted< in conse>uence of their
trans,ressions?
9# Yet I 2i&& o2n the'< and the! sha&& e 'ine in that da! 2hen I
sha&& co'e to 'a0e u* '! =e2e&s#
@# Therefore< the! 'ust needs e chastened and tried< e$en as
Araha'< 2ho 2as co''anded to offer u* his on&! son#
G# For a&& those 2ho 2i&& not endure chastenin, ut den! 'e< cannot
e sanctified#
:# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< there 2ere =arrin,s< and contentions? and
en$!in,s< and strifes< and &ustfu& and co$etous desires a'on, the'?
therefore ! these thin,s the! *o&&uted their inheritances#
M# The! 2ere s&o2 to hear0en unto the $oice of the Lord their 5od?
therefore< the Lord their 5od is s&o2 to hear0en unto their *ra!ers< to
ans2er the' in the da! of their trou&e#
8# In the da! of their *eace the! estee'ed &i,ht&! '! counse&? ut in
the da! of their trou&e< of necessit! the! fee& after 'e#
N# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< not2ithstandin, their sins< '! o2e&s are
fi&&ed 2ith co'*assion to2ards the'# I 2i&& not utter&! cast the' off? and
in the da! of 2rath I 2i&& re'e'er 'erc!#
7D# I ha$e s2orn< and the decree hath ,one forth ! a for'er
co''and'ent 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou< that I 2ou&d &et fa&& the s2ord
of 'ine indi,nation in eha&f of '! *eo*&e? and e$en as I ha$e said< it
sha&& co'e to *ass#
77# .ine indi,nation is soon to e *oured out 2ithout 'easure u*on
a&& nations? and this 2i&& I do 2hen the cu* of their ini>uit! is fu&&#
7H# And in that da! a&& 2ho are found u*on the 2atch-to2er or in
other 2ords< a&& 'ine Israe&< sha&& e sa$ed#
79# And the! that ha$e een scattered sha&& e ,athered#
7@# And a&& the! 2ho ha$e 'ourned sha&& e co'forted#
7G# And a&& the! 2ho ha$e ,i$en their &i$es for '! na'e sha&& he
cro2ned#
7:# Therefore< &et !our hearts e co'forted concernin, ;ion? for a&&
f&esh is in 'ine hands? e sti&& and 0no2 that I a' 5od#
7M# ;ion sha&& not e 'o$ed out of her *&ace< not2ithstandin, her
chi&dren are scattered#
78# The! that re'ain< and are *ure in heart< sha&& return< and co'e
to their inheritances< the! and their chi&dren< 2ith son,s of e$er&astin,
=o!< to ui&d u* the 2aste *&aces of ;ion--
7N# And a&& these thin,s that the *ro*hets 'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed#
HD# And< eho&d< there is none other *&ace a**ointed than that 2hich
I ha$e a**ointed? neither sha&& there e an! other *&ace a**ointed than
that 2hich I ha$e a**ointed< for the 2or0 of the ,atherin, of '! saints--
H7# Unti& the da! co'eth 2hen there is found no 'ore roo' for the'<
and then I ha$e other *&aces 2hich I 2i&& a**oint unto the'< and the!
sha&& e ca&&ed sta0es< for the curtains or the stren,th of ;ion#
HH# "eho&d< it is '! 2i&& that a&& the! 2ho ca&& on '! na'e and
2orshi* 'e accordin, to 'ine e$er&astin, ,os*e& shou&d ,ather to,ether and
stand in ho&! *&aces?
H9# And *re*are for the re$e&ation 2hich is to co'e< 2hen the $ei& of
the co$erin, of '! te'*&e in '! taernac&e 2hich hideth the earth sha&& e
ta0en off and a&& f&esh sha&& see 'e to,ether#
H@# And e$er! corru*ti&e thin, oth of 'an or of the easts of the
fie&d< or of the fo2&s of the hea$ens< or of the fish of the sea that
d2e&&s u*on a&& the face of the earth< sha&& e consu'ed?
HG# And a&so that of e&e'ent sha&& 'e&t 2ith fer$ent heat and a&&
thin,s sha&& eco'e ne2< that '! 0no2&ed,e and ,&or! 'a! d2e&& u*on a&&
the earth#
H:# And in that da! the en'it! of 'an and the en'it! of easts< !ea<
the en'it! of a&& f&esh< sha&& cease fro' efore '! face#
HM# And in that da! 2hatsoe$er an! 'an sha&& as0< it sha&& e ,i$en
unto hi'#
H8# And in that da! Satan sha&& not ha$e *o2er to te'*t an! 'an#
HN# And there sha&& e no sorro2 ecause there is no death#
9D# In that da! an infant sha&& not die unti& he is o&d? and his &ife
sha&& e as the a,e of a tree?
97# And 2hen he dies he sha&& not s&ee*< that is to sa! in the earth<
ut sha&& e chan,ed in the t2in0&in, of an e!e< and sha&& e cau,ht u*<
and his rest sha&& e ,&orious#
9H# Yea< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< in that da! 2hen the Lord sha&& co'e<
he sha&& re$ea& a&& thin,s--
99# Thin,s 2hich ha$e *assed< and hidden thin,s 2hich no 'an 0ne2<
thin,s of the earth< ! 2hich it 2as 'ade< and the *ur*ose and the end
thereof--
9@# Thin,s 'ost *recious< thin,s that are ao$e< and thin,s that are
eneath< thin,s that are in the earth< and u*on the earth< and in hea$en#
9G# And a&& the! 2ho suffer *ersecution for '! na'e and endure in
faith< thou,h the! are ca&&ed to &a! do2n their &i$es for '! sa0e !et
sha&& the! *arta0e of a&& this ,&or!#
9:# 3herefore< fear not e$en unto death? for in this 2or&d !our =o!
is not fu&&< ut in 'e !our =o! is fu&&#
9M# Therefore< care not for the od! neither the &ife of the od! ut
care for the sou&< and for the &ife of the sou&#
98# And see0 the face of the Lord a&2a!s< that in *atience !e 'a!
*ossess !our sou&s< and !e sha&& ha$e eterna& &ife#
9N# 3hen 'en are ca&&ed unto 'ine e$er&astin, ,os*e&< and co$enant
2ith an e$er&astin, co$enant< the! are accounted as the sa&t of the earth
and the sa$or of 'en?
@D# The! are ca&&ed to e the sa$or of 'en? therefore< if that sa&t
of the earth &ose its sa$or< eho&d< it is thenceforth ,ood for nothin,
on&! to e cast out and trodden under the feet of 'en#
@7# "eho&d< here is 2isdo' concernin, the chi&dren of ;ion< e$en 'an!
ut not a&&< the! 2ere found trans,ressors< therefore the! 'ust needs e
chastened--
@H# He that e/a&teth hi'se&f sha&& e aased< and he that aaseth
hi'se&f sha&& e e/a&ted#
@9# And no2< I 2i&& sho2 unto !ou a *ara&e< that !ou 'a! 0no2 '!
2i&& concernin, the rede'*tion of ;ion#
@@# A certain no&e'an had a s*ot of &and< $er! choice< and he said
unto his ser$ants? 5o !e unto '! $ine!ard< e$en u*on this $er! choice
*iece of &and< and *&ant t2e&$e o&i$e-trees?
@G# And set 2atch'en round aout the' and ui&d a to2er< that one 'a!
o$er&oo0 the &and round aout< to e a 2atch'an u*on the to2er< that 'ine
o&i$e-trees 'a! not e ro0en do2n 2hen the ene'! sha&& co'e to s*oi& and
ta0e unto the'se&$es the fruit of '! $ine!ard#
@:# No2< the ser$ants of the no&e'an 2ent and did as their &ord
co''anded the'< and *&anted the o&i$e-trees and ui&t a hed,e round aout
and set 2atch'en< and e,an to ui&d a to2er#
@M# And 2hi&e the! 2ere !et &a!in, the foundation thereof< the! e,an
to sa! a'on, the'se&$es( And 2hat need hath '! &ord of this to2erB
@8# And consu&ted for a &on, ti'e< sa!in, a'on, the'se&$es( 3hat need
hath '! &ord of this to2er< seein, this is a ti'e of *eaceB
@N# .i,ht not this 'one! e ,i$en to the e/chan,esB For there is no
need of these thin,s#
GD# And 2hi&e the! 2ere at $ariance one 2ith another the! eca'e $er!
s&othfu&< and the! hear0ened not unto the co''and'ents of their &ord#
G7# And the ene'! ca'e ! ni,ht< and ro0e do2n the hed,e? and the
ser$ants of the no&e'an arose and 2ere affri,hted< and f&ed? and the
ene'! destro!ed their 2or0s< and ro0e do2n the o&i$e-trees#
GH# No2< eho&d< the no&e'an< the &ord of the $ine!ard< ca&&ed u*on
his ser$ants< and said unto the'< 3h!K 3hat is the cause of this ,reat
e$i&B
G9# Ou,ht !e not to ha$e done e$en as I co''anded !ou< and--after !e
had *&anted the $ine!ard< and ui&t the hed,e round aout< and set
2atch'en u*on the 2a&&s thereof--ui&t the to2er a&so< and set a 2atch'an
u*on the to2er< and 2atched for '! $ine!ard< and not ha$e fa&&en as&ee*<
&est the ene'! shou&d co'e u*on !ouB
G@# And eho&d< the 2atch'an u*on the to2er 2ou&d ha$e seen the ene'!
2hi&e he 2as !et afar off? and then !e cou&d ha$e 'ade read! and 0e*t the
ene'! fro' rea0in, do2n the hed,e thereof< and sa$ed '! $ine!ard fro' the
hands of the destro!er#
GG# And the &ord of the $ine!ard said unto one of his ser$ants( 5o
and ,ather to,ether the residue of '! ser$ants< and ta0e a&& the stren,th
of 'ine house< 2hich are '! 2arriors< '! !oun, 'en< and the! that are of
'idd&e a,e a&so a'on, a&& '! ser$ants< 2ho are the stren,th of 'ine house<
sa$e those on&! 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed to tarr!?
G:# And ,o !e strai,ht2a! unto the &and of '! $ine!ard< and redee' '!
$ine!ard? for it is 'ine? I ha$e ou,ht it 2ith 'one!#
GM# Therefore< ,et !e strai,ht2a! unto '! &and? rea0 do2n the 2a&&s
of 'ine ene'ies? thro2 do2n their to2er< and scatter their 2atch'en#
G8# And inas'uch as the! ,ather to,ether a,ainst !ou< a$en,e 'e of
'ine ene'ies< that ! and ! I 'a! co'e 2ith the residue of 'ine house and
*ossess the &and#
GN# And the ser$ant said unto his &ord( 3hen sha&& these thin,s eB
:D# And he said unto his ser$ant( 3hen I 2i&&? ,o !e strai,ht2a!< and
do a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er I ha$e co''anded !ou?
:7# And this sha&& e '! sea& and &essin, u*on !ou--a faithfu& and
2ise ste2ard in the 'idst of 'ine house< a ru&er in '! 0in,do'#
:H# And his ser$ant 2ent strai,ht2a!< and did a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er
his &ord co''anded hi'? and after 'an! da!s a&& thin,s 2ere fu&fi&&ed#
:9# A,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I 2i&& sho2 unto !ou 2isdo' in 'e
concernin, a&& the churches< inas'uch as the! are 2i&&in, to e ,uided in
a ri,ht and *ro*er 2a! for their sa&$ation--
:@# That the 2or0 of the ,atherin, to,ether of '! saints 'a!
continue< that I 'a! ui&d the' u* unto '! na'e u*on Ho&! *&aces? for the
ti'e of har$est is co'e< and '! 2ord 'ust needs e fu&fi&&ed#
:G# Therefore< I 'ust ,ather to,ether '! *eo*&e< accordin, to the
*ara&e of the 2heat and the tares< that the 2heat 'a! e secured in the
,arners to *ossess eterna& &ife< and e cro2ned 2ith ce&estia& ,&or!< 2hen
I sha&& co'e in the 0in,do' of '! Father to re2ard e$er! 'an accordin, as
his 2or0 sha&& e?
::# 3hi&e the tares sha&& e ound in und&es< and the their ands
'ade stron,< that the! 'a! e urned 2ith un>uencha&e fire#
:M# Therefore< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto a&& the churches< that the!
sha&& continue to ,ather to,ether unto the *&aces 2hich I ha$e a**ointed#
:8# Ne$erthe&ess< as I ha$e said unto !ou in a for'er co''and'ent &et
not !our ,atherin, e in haste nor ! f&i,ht< ut &et a&& thin,s e
*re*ared efore !ou#
:N# And in order that a&& thin,s e *re*ared efore !ou< oser$e the
co''and'ent 2hich I ha$e ,i$en concernin, those thin,s--
MD# 3hich saith< or teacheth< to *urchase a&& the &ands 2ith 'one!
2hich can e *urchased for 'one!< in the re,ion round aout the &and 2hich
I ha$e a**ointed to e the &and of ;ion< for the e,innin, of the
,atherin, of '! saints?
M7# A&& the &and 2hich can he *urchased in Jac0son count!< and the
counties round aout< and &ea$e the residue in 'ine hand#
MH# No2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et a&& the churches ,ather to,ether
a&& their 'one!s? &et these thin,s e done in their ti'e< ut not in
haste? and oser$e to ha$e a&& thin,s *re*ared efore !ou#
M9# And &et honora&e 'en e a**ointed< e$en 2ise 'en< and send the'
to *urchase these &ands#
M@# And the churches in the eastern counties? 2hen the! are ui&t u*<
if the! 2i&& har0en unto this counse& the! 'a! u! &ands and ,ather
to,ether u*on the' and in this 2a! the! 'a! esta&ish ;ion#
MG# There is e$en no2 a&read! in store sufficient< !ea< e$en an
aundance< to redee' ;ion< and esta&ish her 2aste *&aces< no 'ore to e
thro2n do2n< 2ere the churches< 2ho ca&& the'se&$es after '! na'e< 2i&&in,
to hear0en to '! $oice#
M:# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< those 2ho ha$e een scattered ! their
ene'ies< it is '! 2i&& that the! shou&d continue to i'*ortune for redress<
and rede'*tion< ! the hands of those 2ho are *&aced as ru&ers and are in
authorit! o$er !ou--
MM# Accordin, to the &a2s and constitution of the *eo*&e< 2hich I
ha$e suffered to e esta&ished< and shou&d e 'aintained for the ri,hts
and *rotection of a&& f&esh< accordin, to =ust and ho&! *rinci*&es?
M8# That e$er! 'an 'a! act in doctrine and *rinci*&e *ertainin, to
futurit!< accordin, to the 'ora& a,enc! 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto hi'< that
e$er! 'an 'a! e accounta&e for his o2n sins in the da! of =ud,'ent#
MN# Therefore< it is not ri,ht that an! 'an shou&d e in onda,e one
to another#
8D# And for this *ur*ose ha$e I esta&ished the Constitution of this
&and< ! the hands of 2ise 'en 2ho' I raised u* unto this $er! *ur*ose<
and redee'ed the &and ! the sheddin, of &ood#
87# No2< unto 2hat sha&& I &i0en the chi&dren of ;ionB I 2i&& &i0en
the' unto the *ara&e of the 2o'an and the un=ust =ud,e< for 'en ou,ht
a&2a!s to *ra! and not to faint< 2hich saith--
8H# There 2as in a cit! a =ud,e 2hich feared not 5od< neither
re,arded 'an#
89# And there 2as a 2ido2 in that cit!< and she ca'e unto hi'<
sa!in,( A$en,e 'e of 'ine ad$ersar!#
8@# And he 2ou&d not for a 2hi&e< ut after2ard he said 2ithin
hi'se&f( Thou,h I fear not 5od< nor re,ard 'an< !et ecause this 2ido2
trou&eth 'e I 2i&& a$en,e her< &est ! her continua& co'in, she 2ear! 'e#
8G# Thus 2i&& I &i0en the chi&dren of ;ion#
8:# Let the' i'*ortune at the feet of the =ud,e?
8M# And if he heed the' not< &et the' i'*ortune at the feet of the
,o$ernor?
88# And if the ,o$ernor heed the' not< &et the' i'*ortune at the feet
of the *resident?
8N# And if the *resident heed the' not< then 2i&& the Lord arise and
co'e forth out of his hidin, *&ace< and in his fur! $e/ the nation?
ND# And in his hot dis*&easure< and in his fierce an,er< in his ti'e<
2i&& cut off those 2ic0ed< unfaithfu&< and un=ust ste2ards< and a**oint
the' their *ortion a'on, h!*ocrites< and une&ie$ers?
N7# E$en in outer dar0ness< 2here there is 2ee*in,< and 2ai&in,< and
,nashin, of teeth#
NH# )ra! !e< therefore< that their ears 'a! e o*ened unto !our
cries< that I 'a! e 'ercifu& unto the'< that these thin,s 'a! not co'e
u*on the'#
N9# 3hat I ha$e said unto !ou 'ust needs e< that a&& 'en 'a! e &eft
2ithout e/cuse?
N@# That 2ise 'en and ru&ers 'a! hear and 0no2 that 2hich the! ha$e
ne$er considered?
NG# That I 'a! *roceed to rin, to *ass '! act< '! stran,e act< and
*erfor' '! 2or0< '! stran,e 2or0< that 'en 'a! discern et2een the
ri,hteous and the 2ic0ed< saith !our 5od<
N:# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou it is contrar! to '! co''and'ent and '!
2i&& that '! ser$ant Sidne! 5i&ert shou&d se&& '! storehouse< 2hich I
ha$e a**ointed unto '! *eo*&e< into the hands of 'ine ene'ies#
NM# Let not that 2hich I ha$e a**ointed e *o&&uted ! 'ine ene'ies<
! the consent of those 2ho ca&& the'se&$es after '! na'e?
N8# For this is a $er! sore and ,rie$ous sin a,ainst 'e< and a,ainst
'! *eo*&e< in conse>uence of those thin,s 2hich I ha$e decreed and 2hich
are soon to efa&& the nations#
NN# Therefore< it is '! 2i&& that '! *eo*&e shou&d c&ai'< and ho&d
c&ai' u*on that 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto the' thou,h the! shou&d not e
*er'itted to d2e&& thereon#
7DD# Ne$erthe&ess< I do not sa! the! sha&& not d2e&& thereon< for
inas'uch as the! rin, forth fruit and 2or0s 'eet for '! 0in,do' the!
sha&& d2e&& thereon#
7D7# The! sha&& ui&d< and another sha&& not inherit it? the! sha&&
*&ant $ine!ards< and the! sha&& eat the fruit thereof# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER 666I%#
A )RESS ESTA"LISHED AT 1IRTLAND--"LESSIN5S U)ON THE )RO)HET+S
FA.ILY--RES)ONSI"ILITY FOR LA3LESS ACTS IN .ISSOURI#
Dece'er 78#--The E&ders asse'&ed in the *rintin, office< and o2ed
do2n efore the Lord< and I dedicated the *rintin, *ress and a&& that
*ertained thereunto< to 5od< 2hich dedication 2as confir'ed ! E&der
Ri,don< and '! rother< H!ru' S'ith# 3e then *roceeded to ta0e the first
*roof sheet of the re*rinted Star< edited ! E&der O&i$er Co2der!#
"&essed of the Lord is "rother O&i$er< ne$erthe&ess there are t2o
e$i&s in hi' that he 'ust needs forsa0e< or he cannot a&to,ether esca*e
the uffetin,s of the ad$ersar!# If he forsa0e these e$i&s he sha&& e
for,i$en< and sha&& e 'ade &i0e unto the o2 2hich the Lord hath set in
the hea$ens? he sha&& e a si,n and an ensi,n unto the nations# "eho&d< he
is &essed of the Lord for his constanc! and steadfastness in the 2or0 of
the Lord? 2herefore< he sha&& e &essed in his ,eneration< and the! sha&&
ne$er e cut off< and he sha&& e he&*ed out of 'an! trou&es? and if he
0ee* the co''and'ents< and hear0en unto the counse& of the Lord< his rest
sha&& e ,&orious#
And a,ain< &essed of the Lord is '! father< and a&so '! 'other< and
'! rothers and '! sisters? for the! sha&& !et find rede'*tion in the
house of the Lord< and their offs*rin, sha&& e a &essin,< a =o!< and a
co'fort unto the'#
"&essed is '! 'other< for her sou& is e$er fi&&ed 2ith ene$o&ence
and *hi&anthro*!? and not2ithstandin, her a,e< !et she sha&& recei$e
stren,th< and sha&& e co'forted in the 'idst of her house< and she sha&&
ha$e eterna& &ife#
And &essed is '! father< for the hand of the Lord sha&& e o$er hi'<
for he sha&& see the aff&iction of his chi&dren *ass a2a!? and 2hen his
head is fu&&! ri*e< he sha&& eho&d hi'se&f as an o&i$e tree< 2hose
ranches are o2ed do2n 2ith 'uch fruit? he sha&& a&so *ossess a 'ansion
on hi,h#
"&essed of the Lord is '! rother H!ru'< for the inte,rit! of his
heart? he sha&& e ,irt aout 2ith truth< and faithfu&ness sha&& e the
stren,th of his &oins( fro' ,eneration to ,eneration he sha&& e a shaft
in the hands of his 5od to e/ecute =ud,'ent u*on his ene'ies? and he sha&&
e hid ! the hand of the Lord< that none of his secret *arts sha&& e
disco$ered unto his hurt? his na'e sha&& e accounted a &essin, a'on,
'en? and 2hen he is in trou&e< and ,reat triu&ation hath co'e u*on hi'<
he sha&& re'e'er the 5od of Jaco? and He 2i&& shie&d hi' fro' the *o2er
of Satan? and he sha&& recei$e counse& in the house of the .ost Hi,h< that
he 'a! e stren,thened in ho*e< that the ,oin,s of his feet 'a! e
esta&ished for e$er#
"&essed of the Lord is '! rother Sa'ue&< ecause the Lord sha&& sa!
unto hi'< Sa'ue&< Sa'ue&? therefore he sha&& e 'ade a teacher in the
house of the Lord< and the Lord sha&& 'ature his 'ind in =ud,'ent< and
there! he sha&& otain the estee' and fe&&o2shi* of his rethren< and his
sou& sha&& e esta&ished and he sha&& enefit the house of the Lord<
ecause he sha&& otain ans2er to *ra!er in his faithfu&ness<
"rother 3i&&ia' is as the fierce &ion< 2hich di$ideth not the s*oi&
ecause of his stren,th? and in the *ride of his heart he 2i&& ne,&ect the
'ore 2ei,ht! 'atters unti& his sou& is o2ed do2n in sorro2? and then he
sha&& return and ca&& on the na'e of his 5od< and sha&& find for,i$eness<
and sha&& 2a/ $a&iant< therefore< he sha&& e sa$ed unto the utter'ost(
and as the roarin, &ion of the forest in the 'idst of his *re!< so sha&&
the hand of his ,eneration e &ifted u* a,ainst those 2ho are set on hi,h<
that fi,ht a,ainst the 5od of Israe&? fear&ess and undaunted sha&& the! e
in att&e< in a$en,in, the 2ron,s of the innocent< and re&ie$in, the
o**ressed? therefore< the &essin,s of the 5od of Jaco sha&& e in the
'idst of his house< not2ithstandin, his ree&&ious heart#
And no2< O 5od< &et the residue of '! father+s house e$er co'e u* in
re'e'rance efore Thee< that Thou 'a!est sa$e the' fro' the hand of the
o**ressor< and esta&ish their feet u*on the doc0 of A,es< that the! 'a!
ha$e *&ace in Th! house< and e sa$ed in Th! 0in,do'? and &et a&& thin,s
e e$en as I ha$e said< for Christ+s sa0e# A'en#
Dece'er 7N#--3i&&ia' )ratt and Da$id )atten too0 their =ourne! to
the &and of ;ion< for the *ur*ose of earin, dis*atches to the rethren in
that *&ace< fro' 1irt&and< O 'a! 5od ,rant that the! 'a! e a &essin, to
;ion< as 0ind an,e&s fro' hea$en# A'en#
The fo&&o2in, circu&ar 2as *u&ished in the Dece'er nu'er of the
Star(
THE ELDERS IN 1IRTLAND TO THEIR "RETHREN A"ROAD#
Dear "rethren in Christ< and Co'*anions in Triu&ation(--It see'eth
,ood unto us to dro* a fe2 &ines to !ou< ,i$in, !ou so'e instruction
re&ati$e to conductin, the affairs of the 0in,do' of 5od< 2hich has een
co''itted unto us in these &atter ti'es ! the 2i&& and testa'ent of our
.ediator< 2hose intercessions in our eha&f are &od,ed in the oso' of the
Eterna& Father< and ere &on, 2i&& urst 2ith &essin,s u*on the heads of
a&& the faithfu&#
3e ha$e a&& een chi&dren< and are too 'uch so at the *resent ti'e?
ut 2e ho*e in the Lord that 2e 'a! ,ro2 in ,race and e *re*ared for a&&
thin,s 2hich the oso' of futurit! 'a! disc&ose unto us# Ti'e is ra*id&!
ro&&in, on< and the *ro*hecies 'ust e fu&fi&&ed# The da!s of triu&ation
are fast a**roachin,< and the ti'e to test the fide&it! of the Saints has
co'e# Ru'or 2ith her ten thousand ton,ues is diffusin, her uncertain
sounds in a&'ost e$er! ear? ut in these ti'es of sore tria& &et the
Saints e *atient and see the sa&$ation of 5od# Those 2ho cannot endure
*ersecution< and stand in the da! of aff&iction< cannot stand in the da!
2hen the Son of 5od sha&& urst the $ei&< and a**ear in a&& the ,&or! of
His Father< 2ith a&& the ho&! an,e&s#
On the su=ect of ordination< a fe2 2ords are necessar!# In 'an!
instances there has een too 'uch haste in this thin,< and the ad'onition
of )au& has een too s&i,htin,&! *assed o$er< 2hich sa!s< -La! hands
sudden&! u*on no 'an#- So'e ha$e een ordained to the 'inistr!< and ha$e
ne$er acted in that ca*acit!< or 'a,nified their ca&&in, at a&&# Such 'a!
e/*ect to &ose their a**oint'ent< e/ce*t the! a2a0e and 'a,nif! their
office# Let the E&ders aroad e e/ceedin,&! carefu& u*on this su=ect<
and 2hen the! ordain a 'an to the ho&! 'inistr!< &et hi' e a faithfu&
'an< 2ho is a&e to teach others a&so? that the cause of Christ suffer
not# It is not the 'u&titude of *reachers that is to rin, aout the
,&orious 'i&&enniu'K ut it is those 2ho are -ca&&ed< and chosen< and
faithfu&#-
Let the E&ders e e/ceedin,&! carefu& aout unnecessari&! disturin,
and harro2in, u* the fee&in,s of the *eo*&e# Re'e'er that !our usiness
is to *reach the 5os*e& in a&& hu'i&it! and 'ee0ness< and 2arn sinners to
re*ent and co'e to Christ# A$oid contentions and $ain dis*utes 2ith 'en of
corru*t 'inds< 2ho do not desire to 0no2 the truth# Re'e'er that -it is a
da! of 2arnin,< and not a da! of 'an! 2ords#- If the! recei$e not !our
testi'on! in one *&ace< f&ee to another< re'e'erin, to cast no
ref&ections< nor thro2 out an! itter sa!in,s# If !ou do !our dut!< it
2i&& e =ust as 2e&& 2ith !ou< as thou,h a&& 'en e'raced the 5os*e&#
"e carefu& aout sendin, o!s to *reach the 5os*e& to the 2or&d? if
the! ,o< &et the' e acco'*anied ! so'e one 2ho is a&e to ,uide the' in
the *ro*er channe&< &est the! eco'e *uffed u*< and fa&& under
conde'nation< and into the snare of the de$i&# Fina&&!< in these critica&
ti'es< e carefu&? ca&& on the Lord da! and ni,ht? e2are of *ride? e2are
of fa&se rethren< 2ho 2i&& cree* in a'on, !ou to s*! out !our &ierties#
A2a0e to ri,hteousness< and sin not< &et !our &i,ht shine< and sho2
!ourse&$es 2or0'en that need not e asha'ed< ri,ht&! di$idin, the 2ord of
truth# A**&! !ourse&$es di&i,ent&! to stud!< that !our 'inds 'a! e stored
2ith a&& necessar! infor'ation#
3e re'ain !our rethren in Christ< an/ious&! *ra!in, for the da! of
rede'*tion to co'e< 2hen ini>uit! sha&& e s2e*t fro' the earth and
e$er&astin, ri,hteousness rou,ht in# Fare2e&&#
.onda! ni,ht< the H@th of Dece'er< four a,ed fa'i&ies< &i$in, near
the to2n of Inde*endence< 2hose *enur! and infir'ities< incidents to o&d
a,e< forade a s*eed! re'o$a&< 2ere dri$en fro' their ho'es ! a *art! of
the 'o< 2ho tore do2n their chi'ne!s< ro0e in their doors and 2indo2s<
and hur&ed &ar,e stones into their houses< ! 2hich the &ife of o&d .r#
.i&&er< in *articu&ar< 2as ,reat&! endan,ered# .r# .i&&er is a,ed
si/t!-fi$e !ears< and the !oun,est 'an in the four fa'i&ies# So'e of these
'en ha$e toi&ed and &ed in the defense of their countr!? and o&d .r#
Jones< one of the sufferers< ser$ed as &ife ,uard to 5enera& 5eor,e
3ashin,ton< in the Re$o&ution# 3e&& 'a! the so&dier of -Se$ent!-si/-
conte'*&ate 2ith horror the scenes 2hich surround hi' at this da! in
Jac0son count!< 2here &iert!< &a2< and e>ua& ri,hts< are trodden under
foot# It is no2 a**arent that no 'an e'racin, the faith of the Latter-da!
Saints< 2hate$er e his a,e or for'er standin, in societ!< 'a! ho*e to
esca*e the 2rath of the Jac0son count! 'o 2hene$er it is in their *o2er
to inf&ict ause#
A court of in>uir! 2as he&d at Liert!< C&a! count!< .issouri< the
&atter *art of this 'onth< to in>uire into the Conduct of Co&one& )itcher<
for dri$in, the Saints< or -.or'ons<- fro' Jac0son count!< 2hich resu&ted
in his arrest for further tria& ! a court-'artia&#
Dece'er H:#--Ja'es "&anchard and A&on4o Rider 2ere cut off fro' the
Church ! a counci& of E&ders< in 1irt&and< for re*eated trans,ressions<
and *ro'isin, to refor'< and ne$er fu&fi&&in,# Ne&son Acre 2as a&so cut
off< on account of his asentin, hi'se&f fro' the 'eetin,s< and sa!in,
that he 2anted no 'ore of the Church< and that he desired to e cut off#
None of these ein, *resent< the counci& notified the' of their e/*u&sion
! &etters# This e$enin, a "isho*+s court 2as ca&&ed to in$esti,ate the
case of E&der E4e0ie& Rider< 2ho had said 'an! hard thin,s a,ainst "isho*
3hitne!( that "rother 3hitne! 2as not fit for a "isho*? that he treated
the rethren 2ho ca'e into the store 2ith disres*ect? that he 2as
o$erearin,< and fain 2ou&d 2a&0 on the nec0s of the rethren# "rother
Stor! 2as a&so in a si'i&ar trans,ression# I reu0ed the' shar*&!< and
to&d the' that the Church 'ust fee& the 2rath of 5od e/ce*t the! re*ent of
their sins and cast a2a! their 'ur'urin,s and co'*&ainin,s one of another#
E&der Ri,don a&so &ectured the' on the sa'e *rinci*&es# "rothers Rider and
Stor! confessed their 2ron,s< and a&& for,a$e one another#
Dece'er HM#--A isho*+s court 2as ca&&ed to in$esti,ate co'*&aints
'ade a,ainst "rothers E&&iot< Ha,,art< and "aitt< and their 2i$es< and
Jen0ins Sa&isur!< a&& of 2ho' 2ere *resent? ut the accusers not ein,
*resent< the court ad=ourned sine die#
The 'o in Jac0son count! so&d the 'ateria&s< or rather ,a$e .essrs#
Da$is and 1e&&! &ea$e to ta0e The E$enin, and .ornin, Star esta&ish'ent
to Liert!< C&a! count!< 2here the! co''enced the *u&ication of The
.issouri En>uirer< a 2ee0&! *a*er# The! Ethat is< Da$is and 1e&&!F a&so
*aid our &a2!ers< e'*&o!ed as counse& a,ainst the 'o< three hundred
do&&ars< on the one thousand do&&ar note< on a,ree'ent? a s'a&& a'ount
to2ards an esta&ish'ent 2hich< 2ith oo0 2or0 and furniture< had cost
so'e three or four thousand do&&ars#
Fro' the $er! features of the ce&erated 'o circu&ar< *re$ious&!
inserted< it 2i&& e seen that the! 'editated a 'ost darin, infraction of
the constitution of our countr! that the! 'i,ht ,ratif! a s*irit of
*ersecution a,ainst an innocent *eo*&e# To 2ho' sha&& &a'e e attached in
this tra,ed!B In Ju&! &ast the! o&d&! 'ade 0no2n their deter'ination to
dri$e the -.or'ons- fro' Jac0son count!< -*eacea&! if the! cou&d<
forci&! if the! 'ust<- o*en&! dec&arin,< that -the ar' of the ci$i& &a2
did not afford the' a sufficient ,uarantee a,ainst the increasin, e$i&s of
this re&i,ious sect?- and in their circu&ar the! further sa!< -3e dee' it
e/*edient< and of the hi,hest i'*ortance< to for' ourse&$es into a co'*an!
for the etter and easier acco'*&ish'ent of our *ur*oses?- and conc&ude
2ith these hi,htoned 2ords( -3e therefore a,ree< that after ti'e&!
2arnin,< and u*on recei$in, an ade>uate co'*ensation for 2hat &itt&e
*ro*ert! the! cannot ta0e 2ith the'< the! refuse to &ea$e us in *eace< as
the! found us--2e a,ree to use such 'eans as 'a! e sufficient to re'o$e
the'? and to this end< 2e each *&ed,e to each other our &i$es< our odi&!
*o2ers< fortunes< and sacred honors#-
In ans2er to their o&d and darin, reso&$es to ,uard a,ainst
antici*ated e$i&s< I ,i$e the fo&&o2in, e/tract fro' the 5o$ernor+s &etter
in re&ation to this affair< dated Octoer 7Nth< 7899(
No citi4en nor nu'er of citi4ens< ha$e a ri,ht to ta0e the redress
of their ,rie$ances< 2hether rea& or i'a,inar!< into their o2n hands< such
conduct stri0es at the $er! e/istence of societ!< and su$erts the
foundation on 2hich it is ased#
I as0 a,ain< to 2ho' sha&& &a'e e attached for this tra,ed!B 3hen
the 'o *re$ious&! and *u&ic&! dec&ared their intentions? and the
*rinci*&es in$o&$ed 2ere understood ! the E/ecuti$e< as a**ears ! the
fore,oin,? and a&so ! the =udiciar!< accordin, to Jud,e R!&and+s &etter?
2hi&e the constitution of the &and ,uarantees e>ua& ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es
to a&&--a&& this considered< to 2ho' shou&d &a'e e attached< ut to
Jac0son count! 'oers< and to .issouriB
CHA)TER 666%#
I.)ORTANT CORRES)ONDENCE ON JAC1SON COUNTY AFFAIRS CHIEFLY "ET3EEN
LEADIN5 OFFICIALS OF THE CHURCH IN ;ION AND STATE OFFICIALS OF .ISSOURI#C7
AL5ERNON SIDNEY 5IL"ERT+S LETTER TO 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN#
LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY< .O#<
Januar! N< 789@#
Dear Sir(--Since '! co''unication of the HNth of No$e'er< and a
*etition dated :th of Dece'er &ast< to 2hich '! na'e 2as attached< I a'
induced to tres*ass a,ain u*on !our *atience< 2ith further *articu&ars in
re&ation to the unfortunate faction in Jac0son count!< on 2hich su=ect I
shou&d e si&ent< 2ere it not that I entertain a ho*e of su,,estin, so'e
ideas that 'a! u&ti'ate&! *ro$e usefu& in a'e&ioratin, the *resent
sufferin, conditions of '! rethren< and in so'e de,ree restorin, *eace to
oth *arties#
"ein, *articu&ar&! ac>uainted 2ith the situation of oth *arties at
this da!< '! desire is to 2rite i'*artia&&!? not2ithstandin, I fee& $er!
sensi&! the dee* 2ound that has een inf&icted u*on the Church of 2hich I
a' a 'e'er< ! the citi4ens of Jac0son count!< The *etition to !our
E/ce&&enc!< dated the :th of Dece'er &ast< 2as dra2n u* hasti&! ! .r#
)he&*s< and si,ned ! se$era& of us< =ust efore the c&osin, of the 'ai&?
and there is one ite' in *articu&ar in said *etition that needs so'e
e/*&anation? the re>uest that -our 'en 'a! e or,ani4ed into co'*anies of
Jac0son 5uards< and furnished 2ith ar's ! the state<- 2as 'ade at the
instance of disinterested ad$isers? and a&so a co''unication fro' the
Attorne! 5enera& to .essrs# Doni*han and Atchison< dated the H7st of
No$e'er &ast< ,i$es his $ie2s as to the *ro*riet! of or,ani4in, into
re,u&ar co'*anies< etc# The necessit! of ein, co'*e&&ed to resort to
ar's< to re,ain our *ossessions in Jac0son count!< is ! no 'eans
a,reea&e to the fee&in,s of the Church and 2ou&d ne$er e thou,ht of ut
fro' *ure necessit!#
In re&ation to a court of in>uir!< serious difficu&ties continue to
e/ist< 2e&& ca&cu&ated to *rec&ude the 'ost i'*ortant testi'on! of our
Church? and there a**ears to e no e$i& 2hich 'an is ca*a&e of
inf&ictin, u*on his fe&&o2-'an< ut 2hat our *eo*&e are threatened 2ith<
at this da! ! the citi4ens of Jac0son count!# This inti'idates a ,reat
'an!< *articu&ar&! 2o'en and chi&dren< and no 'i&itar! ,uard 2ou&d
di'inish their fears so far as to induce the' to attend the court in that
count!# This< 2ith other serious difficu&ties< 2i&& ,i$e a decided
ad$anta,e to the offenders< in a court of in>uir!< 2hi&e the! triu'*h in
*o2er< nu'ers< etc#
The citi4ens of Jac0son count! are 2e&& a2are that the! ha$e this
ad$anta,e< and the &eaders of the faction< if the! 'ust su'it to such a
court< 2ou&d ,&ad&! hasten it# The Church are an/ious for a thorou,h
in$esti,ation into the 2ho&e affair if their testi'on! can e ta0en
2ithout so ,reat *eri& as the! ha$e reason to fear# It is '! o*inion fro'
*resent a**earances< that not one-fourth of the 2itnesses of our *eo*&e
can e *re$ai&ed u*on to ,o into Jac0son count! to testif!# The inf&uence
of the *art! that co'*ose that faction is considera&e< and this inf&uence
o*erates in so'e de,ree u*on the drafted 'i&itia so far as to &essen
confidence in the &o!a&t! of that od!? and I a' satisfied that the
inf&uence of the Jac0son count! faction 2i&& not e entire&! *ut do2n
2hi&e the! ha$e ad$ocates a'on, certain re&i,ious sects#
1no2in, that !our E/ce&&enc! 'ust e a2are of the une>ua& contest in
2hich 2e are en,a,ed< and that the &itt&e handfu& that co'*ose our Church
are not the on&! suffers that fee& the o**ressi$e hand of *riest&! *o2er?
2ith these difficu&ties e/istin,< and 'an! others not enu'erated it 2ou&d
e '! 2ish to ado*t such 'easures as are est ca&cu&ated to a&&a! the ra,e
of Jac0son count!< and restore the in=ured to their ri,htfu& *ossessions?
and to this end< I 2ou&d su,,est the *ro*riet! of *urchasin, the
*ossessions of the 'ost $io&ent &eaders of the faction< and if the! assent
to this *ro*osition< if the ho&din,s of aout t2ent! of the 'ost
inf&uentia& in that count! E2hich 2ou&d e'race the $er! &eaders of the
factionF cou&d e otained< I thin0 the 'a=orit! 2ou&d cease in their
*ersecutions< at &east 2hen a due e/ercise of e/ecuti$e counse& and
authorit! 2as 'anifested# I su,,est this 'easure ecause it is of a
*acific nature< 2e&& 0no2in, that no &e,a& ste*s are ca&cu&ated to sudue
their odurac!< on&! 2hen *ushed 2ith ener,! ! the hi,hest authorities of
the state#
In this *ro*osa&< I e&ie$e that I shou&d ha$e the concurrence of '!
rethren# I therefore ,i$e this ear&! inti'ation of an intention< on the
*art of so'e of the &eadin, 'en in the Church< to *urchase out so'e of the
*rinci*a& &eaders of the faction< if funds sufficient can e raised<
ho*in, there! to re,ain *eacefu& *ossession of their ho'es and in 'a0in,
a tria& of this 'easure at a future da!< 2e 2ou&d dee' it i'*ortant< and
of ,reat uti&it!< if 2e cou&d a$ai& ourse&$es of counse& and directions
fro' !our E/ce&&enc!< e&ie$in, there 2i&& e a da!< in ne,otiations for
*eace< in 2hich an e/ecuti$e inter*osition 2ou&d *roduce a sa&utar! effect
u*on oth *arties#
In this co''unication< 2ith honest! of heart< I ha$e endea$ored
rief&! to touch u*on a fe2 interestin, *oints< in *&ain truth< e&ie$in,
that I ha$e ,i$en no 2ron, ias on either side< and 2ith earnest *ra!ers
to our ,reat "enefactor< that the chief ru&er of this state 'a! co'e to a
fu&& 0no2&ed,e of the ,ross outra,es in Jac0son count!< I suscrie
'!se&f< Your oedient ser$ant< AL5ERNON S# 5IL"ERT#
To his E/ce&&enc!< Danie& Dun0&in< Jefferson Cit!< .issouri#
LETTER OF THE FIRST )RESIDENCY TO THE SCATTERED SAINTS#
5reetin,(
3e !our co'*anions in triu&ation< e'race the *resent o**ortunit! of
sendin, !ou this to0en of our &o$e and ,ood 2i&&< assurin, !ou that our
o2e&s are fi&&ed 2ith co'*assion< and that our *ra!ers are dai&!
ascendin, to 5od in the na'e of Jesus Christ< in !our eha&f#
3e ha$e =ust recei$ed inte&&i,ence fro' !ou< throu,h the 'ediu' of
"rother E&&iot< of Cha,rin< 'a0in, in>uiries concernin, the course 2hich
!ou are to *ursue# In addition to the 0no2&ed,e contained in the ao$e on
this su=ect< 2e sa!< if it is not the dut! of the 5o$ernor to ca&& out
and 0ee* a standin, force in Jac0son count! to *rotect !ou on !our &ands
E2hich it a**ears 'ust e done< as 2e understand the 'o are deter'ined to
'assacre !ou< if the 5o$ernor ta0e !ou ac0 u*on !our &ands< and &ea$e !ou
un*rotectedF< it 2i&& eco'e !our dut! to *etition the 5o$ernor to
*etition the )resident to send a force there to *rotect !ou< 2hen !ou are
reinstated#
The 5o$ernor *ro*oses to ta0e !ou ac0 to !our &ands 2hene$er !ou are
read! to ,o Eif 2e understand correct&!F? ut cannot 0ee* u* an ar'! to
,uard !ou? and 2hi&e the hosti&e fee&in,s of the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!
re'ain unaated *roa&! !ou dare not ,o ac0 to e &eft un,uarded#
Therefore< in !our *etition to the 5o$ernor set a&& these thin,s forth in
their *ro*er &i,ht< and *ra! hi' to notif! the )resident< of !our
situation? and a&so *etition the )resident !ourse&$es< accordin, to the
direction of the Lord# 3e ha$e *etitioned 5o$ernor Dun0&in in !our eha&f<
and enc&osed in it a *rinted re$e&ation< the sa'e as this 2hich 2e no2
send !ou# The *etition 2as si,ned ! so'ethin, &i0e si/t! rethren< and
'ai&ed for Jefferson cit! one 2ee0 a,o? and he 2i&& *roa&! recei$e it
t2o 2ee0s efore !ou recei$e this#
3e a&so intend to send a *etition and this re$e&ation to the
)resident forth2ith< in !our eha&f< and then 2e 2i&& act the *art of the
*oor 2ido2 to *erfection< if *ossi&e< and &et our ru&ers read their
destin! if the! do not &end a he&*in, hand# 3e e/hort !ou to *rosecute and
tr! e$er! &a2fu& 'eans to rin, the 'o to =ustice as fast as
circu'stances 2i&& *er'it# 3ith re,ard to !our tarr!in, in C&a! count!< 2e
cannot ad$ise !ou 'ust e ,o$erned ! circu'stances< *erha*s !ou 2i&& ha$e
to hire out< and ta0e far's to cu&ti$ate to otain read unti& the Lord
de&i$ers !ou#
3e sent !ou a fift! do&&ar United States note so'e ti'e a,o? if !ou
ha$e recei$ed it *&ease ac0no2&ed,e the recei*t of it to us< that 2e 'a!
e satisfied !ou recei$ed it# 3e sha&& do a&& that is in our *o2er to
assist !ou in e$er! 2a! 2e can# 3e 0no2 !our situation is a tr!in, one<
ut e *atient< and 'ur'ur not a,ainst the Lord< and !ou sha&& see that
a&& these thin,s sha&& turn to !our ,reatest ,ood#
In>uire of E&der .arsh< and find out the entire secret of 'i/in, and
co'*oundin, &ead and anti'on!< so as to 'a0e t!*e 'eta&< and 2rite us
concernin, it# Jose*h has sent !ou another fift! do&&ar note< 'a0in, in
a&& one hundred do&&ars< 2rite us concernin, it# There is a *ros*ect of
the eastern churches doin, so'ethin, handso'e to2ards the de&i$erance of
;ion< in the course of a !ear< if ;ion is not de&i$ered other2ise#
Thou,h the Lord said this aff&iction ca'e u*on !ou ecause of !our
sins< *o&&utin, !our inheritances< etc#< !et there is an e/ce*tion of so'e
na'e&!< the heads of ;ion? for the Lord said< Your rethren in ;ion e,in
to re*ent< and the an,e&s re=oice o$er the'# You 2i&& a&so see an
e/ce*tion at the to* of the second co&u'n of this re$e&ation therefore
this aff&iction ca'e u*on the Church to chasten those in trans,ression<
and *re*are the hearts of those 2ho had re*ented< for an endo2'ent fro'
the Lord#
3e sha&& not e a&e to send !ou an! 'ore 'one! at *resent un&ess the
Lord *uts it into our hands une/*ected&!# There is not >uite so 'uch
dan,er of a 'o u*on us as there has een# The hand of the Lord has thus
far een stretched out to *rotect us# Doctor )hi&astus Hur&urt< an
a*ostate E&der fro' this Church has een to the state of Ne2 Yor0< and
,athered u* a&& the ridicu&ous stories that cou&d e in$ented< and so'e
affida$its res*ectin, the character of Jose*h and the S'ith fa'i&!? and
e/hiited the' to nu'erous con,re,ations in Cha,rin< 1irt&and .entor and
)ains$i&&e< and he has fired the 'inds of the *eo*&e 2ith 'uch indi,nation
a,ainst Jose*h and the Church#
Hur&urt a&so 'ade 'an! harsh threats< that he 2ou&d ta0e the &ife of
Jose*h< if he cou&d not destro! -.or'onis'- 2ithout# "rother Jose*h too0
hi' 2ith a *eace 2arrant and after three da!s+ tria&< and in$esti,atin,
the 'erits of our re&i,ion< in the to2n of )ains$i&&e< ! a&e attorne!s
on oth sides< he 2as ound o$er to the count! court# Thus his inf&uence
2as *rett! 'uch destro!ed< and since the tria&< the s*irit of hosti&it!
see's to e ro0en do2n in a ,ood de,ree? ut ho2 &on, it 2i&& continue
so< 2e cannot sa!#
You *urchased !our inheritances 2ith 'one!< therefore< eho&d !ou are
&essed? !ou ha$e not *urchased !our &ands ! the sheddin, of &ood
conse>uent&! !ou do not co'e under the censure of this co''and'ent 2hich
sa!s< -If ! &ood< &o !our ene'ies are u*on !ou< and !e sha&& e dri$en
fro' cit! to cit!?+ ,i$e !ourse&$es no uneasiness on this account#
Fare2e&&< in the onds of the ne2 co$enant< and *arta0ers in
triu&ation#
ESi,nedF ORSON HYDE< C&er0 of the )residenc! of the Church#
5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN TO THE "RETHREN IN .ISSOURI# CITY OF JEFFERSON<
Feruar! @< 789@# 5ent&e'en(--Your co''unication of the :th Dece'er< 2as
re,u&ar&! recei$ed< and du&! considered? and had I not e/*ected to ha$e
recei$ed the e$idence rou,ht out on the in>uir! ordered into the 'i&itar!
conduct of Co&one& )itcher< in a short ti'e after I recei$ed !our
*etition< I shou&d ha$e re*&ied to it &on, since#
Last e$enin, I 2as infor'ed that the further in>uir! of the court 2as
*ost*oned unti& the HDth inst# Then< efore I cou&d hear an!thin, fro'
this court the court of ci$i& =urisdiction 2i&& ho&d its session in
Jac0son count!? conse>uent&!< I cannot recei$e an!thin, fro' one<
*re*arator! to arran,e'ents for the other#
I a' $er! sensi&e indeed of the in=uries !our *eo*&e co'*&ain of<
and shou&d consider '!se&f $er! re'iss in the dischar,e of '! duties 2ere
I not to do e$er!thin, in '! *o2er consistent 2ith the &e,a& e/ercise of
the'< to afford !our societ! the redress to 2hich the! see' entit&ed# One
of !our re>uests needs no e$idence to su**ort the ri,ht to ha$e it
,ranted? it is that !our *eo*&e e *ut in *ossession of their ho'es fro'
2hich the! ha$e een e/*e&&ed# "ut 2hat 'a! e the dut! of the E/ecuti$e
after that 2i&& de*end u*on contin,encies#
If< u*on in>uir!< it is found that !our *eo*&e 2ere 2ron,fu&&!
dis*ossessed of their ar's ! Co&one& )itcher then an order 2i&& e issued
to ha$e the' returned< and shou&d !our 'en or,ani4e accordin, to
&a2--2hich the! ha$e a ri,ht to do< indeed it is their dut! to do so<
un&ess e/e'*ted ! re&i,ious scru*&es--and a**&! for *u&ic ar's< the
E/ecuti$e cou&d not distin,uish et2een their ri,ht to ha$e the' and the
ri,ht of e$er! other descri*tion of *eo*&e si'i&ar&! situated#
As to the re>uest for 0ee*in, u* a 'i&itar! force to *rotect !our
*eo*&e< and *re$ent the co''ission of cri'es and in=uries 2ere I to
co'*&!< it 2ou&d transcend the *o2ers 2ith 2hich the E/ecuti$e of this
state is c&othed# The Federa& Constitution has ,i$en to Con,ress the *o2er
to *ro$ide for ca&&in, forth the 'i&itia to e/ecute the &a2s of the Union<
su**ress insurrection< or re*e& in$asion? and for these *ur*oses< the
)resident of the United States is authori4ed to 'a0e the ca&& u*on the
e/ecuti$e of the res*ecti$e states? and the &a2s of this state e'*o2er the
-co''ander-in-chief< in case of actua& or threatened in$asion<
insurrection or 2ar< or *u&ic dan,er< or other e'er,enc!< to ca&& forth
into actua& ser$ice< such *ortion of the 'i&itia as he 'a! dee'
e/*edient#- These< to,ether 2ith the ,enera& *ro$ision of our state
constitution that -the 5o$ernor sha&& ta0e care that the &a2s are
faithfu&&! e/ecuted<- are a&& u*on this ranch of e/ecuti$e *o2er# None of
these< as I consider< e'races this *art of !our re>uest# The 2ords< -or
other e'er,enc!<- in our 'i&itia &a2< see' >uite road? ut the e'er,enc!
to co'e 2ithin the o=ect of that *ro$ision< shou&d e of a *u&ic
nature#
Your case is certain&! a $er! e'er,ent one< and the conse>uences as
i'*ortant to !our societ!< as if the 2ar had een 2a,ed a,ainst the 2ho&e
state< !et the *u&ic has no other interest in it< than that the &a2s e
faithfu&&! e/ecuted? thus far I *resu'e the 2ho&e co''unit! fee& a dee*
interest< for that 2hich is the case of the -.or'ons- toda!< 'a! e the
case of the Catho&ics to'orro2< and after the'< an! other sect that 'a!
eco'e ono/ious to a 'a=orit! of the *eo*&e of an! section of the state#
So far as a faithfu& e/ecution of the &a2s is concerned< the E/ecuti$e is
dis*osed to do e$er!thin, consistent 2ith the 'eans furnished hi' ! the
&e,is&ature< and I thin0 I 'a! safe&! sa! the sa'e of the =udiciar!#
As no2 ad$ised< I a' of the o*inion that a 'i&itar! ,uard 2i&& e
necessar! to *rotect the state 2itnesses and officers of the court< and to
assist in the e/ecution of its orders< 2hi&e sittin, in Jac0son count!# "!
this 'ai& I 2rite to .r# Reese< enc&osin, hi' an order on the ca*tain of
the -Liert! "&ues<- re>uirin, the ca*tain to co'*&! 2ith the re>uisition
of the circuit attorne!< in *rotectin, the court and officers< and
e/ecutin, their *rece*ts and orders durin, the *ro,ress of these tria&s#
Under the *rotection of this ,uard< !our *eo*&e can< if the! thin0 *ro*er<
return to their ho'es in Jac0son count!< and e *rotected in the' durin,
the *ro,ress of the tria& in >uestion ! 2hich ti'e< facts 2i&& e
de$e&o*ed u*on 2hich I can act 'ore definite&!# The Attorne!-5enera& 2i&&
e re>uired to assist the Circuit Attorne! if the &atter dee' it
necessar!#
On the su=ect of ci$i& in=uries I 'ust refer !ou to the courts such
>uestions rest 2ith the' e/c&usi$e&!# The &a2s are sufficient to afford a
re'ed! for e$er! in=ur! of this 0ind< and< 2hene$er !ou 'a0e out a case
entit&in, !ou to da'a,es< there can e no dout entertained of their a'*&e
a2ard Justice is so'eti'es s&o2 in its *ro,ress ut is not &ess sure on
that account
%er! res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant< ESi,nedF DANIEL DUN1LIN#
To .essrs# 3# 3# )he&*s< Isaac .or&e!< John 3hit'er< Ed2ard )artrid,e<
John Corri&& and A# S# 5i&ert#
LETTER OF AL5ERNON S# 5IL"ERT TO A# LEONARD ESA#< ATTORNEY#
Liert! C&a! Count!< .issouri< Feruar! 79< 789@#
A# Leonard Es>(
DEAR SIR?--I ha$e recei$ed a &ine fro' 3i&&ia' )ratt< 2ho ca&&ed on
!ou a fe2 2ee0s since to in>uire if !our ser$ices cou&d e secured in the
*rosecution of c&ai's for da'a,es ! our Church a,ainst the citi4ens of
Jac0son count! and ! his &etter it a**ears that !ou are 2i&&in, to en,a,e
in our case# So far as I ha$e con$ersed 2ith the *rinci*a& &eaders of our
Church< the! are desirous to secure !our ser$ices< 2hich a&so 'eets the
a**roation of our counse& in this count!< $i4#< .essrs# Reese Doni*han<
Atchison and 3ood#
I 2rite this a fe2 'o'ents efore c&osin, the 'ai&< and ha$e not ti'e
to state *articu&ars as to the e/tent of the suits ut e&ie$e that four
or fi$e suits ha$e een rou,ht ! )he&*s P Co#< for the destruction of
the *rintin, office< etc#< etc#< and ! )artrid,e and others for *ersona&
ause# I understand that at the ne/t .onda! ter' of the circuit court<
*etition 2i&& e 'ade for a chan,e of $enue in Jac0son count!< and I
su**ose no case can e tried efore ne/t June or Octoer ter'# If it is
e/*edient< so'e one of our *eo*&e 2i&& ca&& on !ou in a fe2 da!s< and
durin, the interi'< 2ish !ou to dro* 'e a &ine if con$enient#
3e ha$e this da! recei$ed a co''unication of the @th instant< fro'
the 5o$ernor< in 2hich he states< that he is of o*inion that a 'i&itar!
,uard 2i&& e necessar!< to *rotect the state 2itnesses and officers of
the court< and to assist in the e/ecution of its orders< 2hi&e sittin, in
Jac0son count!#
"! this 'ai& I 2rite to .r# Reese< enc&osin, hi' an order on the
ca*tain of the -Liert! "&ues<- re>uirin, the ca*tain to co'*&! 2ith the
re>uisition of the circuit attorne!< in *rotectin, the court and officers<
and e/ecutin, their *rece*ts and orders durin, the *ro,ress of these
tria&s#
The fore,oin, re&ates to a court of in>uir! into cri'ina& 'atters< to
e he&d in Jac0son count!< ne/t .onda! 2ee0#
%er! res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant< AL5ERNON S# 5IL"ERT#
THE "RETHREN IN CLAY COUNTY< .ISSOURI< TO JUD5E RYLAND# LI"ERTY<
Feruar! 7N< 789@# To the Hon# John F# R!&and< Jud,e of the Fifth Circuit
Court .issouri(
SIR(--Learnin, that a court of in>uir! is to e he&d in Jac0son
count!< at the ne/t re,u&ar ter' of the circuit court for that count!< or
that so'e 0ind of &e,a& *roceedin, is to e co''enced for the *ur*ose of
otainin, the facts< as far as can e< of rin,in, to *unish'ent the
,ui&t! in that count!<--3e< therefore< *ra! !our honor to a$ai& !ourse&f
of e$er! 'eans in !our *o2er to e/ecute the &a2 and 'a0e it honora&e? and
e&ie$in, that the testi'on! of so'e of the 'e'ers of our Church 2i&& e
i'*ortant< and dee'in, it unsafe to ris0 our *ersons in that count!
2ithout a ,uard< 2e re>uest that the order fro' the E/ecuti$e< a&read!
trans'itted< 'a! e *ut in force# Res*ectfu&&!< etc#
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E< A# S# 5IL"ERT< 3# 3# )HEL)S< JOHN CORRILL< JOHN
3HIT.ER#
Another re>uest si'i&ar to the ao$e 2as sent< sa'e date< to A'os
Reese< Circuit Attorne!#
LETTER OF 3# 3# )HEL)S et a&# TO JUD5E 3OOD3ARD#
LI"ERTY< Feruar! 7N< 789@# 5eor,e 3ood2ard< Jud,e Ad$ocate< in the case
of the State of .issouri< $ersus Co&one& Tho'as )itcher( SIR(--The
undersi,ned re>uest of !ou< if it e consistent 2ith custo' and &a2< an
officia& co*! of the *roceedin,s recorded ! !ou< in the ao$e stated
case< for the *ur*ose of *reser$ation< as an i'*ortant &in0 in the histor!
of our unfortunate societ!# Res*ectfu&&!<
3# 3# )HEL)S< ED3ARD )ARTRID5E< AL5ERNON S# 5IL"ERT#
AFFIDA%IT OF A"I5AIL LEONARD# I Ai,ai& Leonard de*ose and &a!< that
on the ni,ht of the HDth of Feruar!< 7899< in the count! of Jac0son and
State of .issouri< a co'*an! of 'en< aout fift! or si/t! in nu'er< ar'ed
2ith 2hi*s and ,uns ca'e to the house of '! husand# A'on, the' 2ere John
Youn,< .r# Yocu'< .r# Cantre&&< .r# )atterson and .r No&and# Fi$e of the
nu'er entered the house a'on, the' 2as John Youn,# The! ordered '!
husand to &ea$e the house< threatenin, to shoot hi' if he did not# He not
co'*&!in, 2ith their desire< one of the fi$e too0 a chair and struc0 hi'
u*on the head< 0noc0in, hi' do2n< and then dra,,in, hi' out of the house?
I< in the 'eanti'e< e,,in, of the' to s*are his &ife< 2hen one of the
nu'er ca&&ed to the others< te&&in, the' to ta0e 'e into the house for I
2ou&d o$er*o2er e$er! de$i& of the'#- Three of the co'*an! then a**roached
'e and *resentin, their ,uns< dec&ared 2ith an oath< if I did not ,o in<
the! 2ou&d &o2 'e throu,h# 3hi&e this 2as ha**enin, .r# )atterson =u'*ed
u*on '! husand 2ith his hee&s? '! husand then ,ot u*< the! stri**ed a&&
his c&othes fro' hi' e/ce*tin, his *anta&oons< then fi$e or si/ attac0ed
hi' 2ith 2hi*s and ,un stic0s< and 2hi**ed hi' ti&& he cou&d not stand<
and he fe&& to the ,round# I then 2ent to the'< and too0 their 2hi*s fro'
the'? I then ca&&ed to .rs# "ruce 2ho &i$ed in the sa'e house 2ith us< to
co'e out and he&* 'e carr! '! husand into the house# 3hen carried in he
2as $er! 'uch &acerated and ruised< and una&e to &ie u*on a ed< and
a&so una&e to 2or0 for a nu'er of 'onths# A&so at the sa'e ti'e and
*&ace# .r Josiah Su'ner 2as ta0en fro' the house and ca'e in $er! &ood!
and ruised fro' 2hi**in,# ESi,nedF A"I5AIL LEONARD#
The fo&&o2in, &etter fro' 3# 3# )he&*s reached the hand of the
)ro*het at 1irt&and at a ti'e 2hen he had recei$ed so'e eastern *a*ers
de*&orin, the success attendin, u*on the *reachin, of -.or'onis'- in the
East# The )ro*het introduces the &etter of E&der )he&*s in his histor! in
the fo&&o2in, &an,ua,e( -Thus< 2hi&e the *ress 2as 'ournin, the *ros*erit!
of the 2or0< and the Saints 2ere re=oicin, in the East< trou&es chan,ed
and 'u&ti*&ied in the 3est< as 'a! e seen ! the fo&&o2in, &etter(-
LETTER OF 3.# 3# )HEL)S TO THE "RETHREN IN 1IRTLAND< DETAILIN5 THE
FARCICAL EFFORT OF THE OFFICERS OF .ISSOURI TO ENFORCE THE LA3# CLAY
COUNTY< .ISSOURI< Fe# HM< 789@# Dear "rethren--The ti'es are so i, 2ith
e$ents< and the an/iet! of e$er!od! so ,reat to 2atch the'< that I fee&
so'e2hat i'*ressed to 2rite oftener than I ha$e done< in order to ,i$e !ou
'ore of the -stran,e acts- of this re,ion# I ha$e =ust returned fro'
Inde*endence< the seat of 2ar in the 3est# Aout a do4en of our rethren<
a'on, 2ho' 2ere "isho* )artrid,e# E&der Corri&& and '!se&f< 2ere
su*oenaed in eha&f of the state< and on the H9rd of Feruar!< aout 7H
o+c&oc0< 2e 2ere on the an0 o**osite E$erett+s Ferr!< 2here 2e found
Ca*tain Atchison+s co'*an! of -Liert! "&ues---near&! fift! ran0 and
fi&e--read! to ,uard us into Jac0son count!# The so&diers 2ere 2e&& ar'ed
2ith United States 'us0ets< a!onets fi/ed etc#< and to 'e the scene 2as
-*assin, stran,e<- and &on, to e re'e'ered< the 'artia& &a2 in force to
,uard the ci$i&K Aout t2ent!-fi$e 'en crossed o$er to effect a &andin, in
safet!< and 2hen the! ca'e near the 2arehouse the! fired si/ or ei,ht
,uns< thou,h the ene'! had not ,athered to 2itness the &andin,#
After 2e 2ere a&& across< and 2aitin, for the a,,a,e 2a,on< it 2as
thou,ht 'ost ad$isa&e to enca'* in the 2oods< and the 2itnesses< 2ith
ha&f the co'*an!< 'arched near&! a 'i&e to2ards Inde*endence< to ui&d
ni,ht fires< as 2e 2ere 2ithout tents< and the 2eather co&d enou,h to sno2
a &itt&e# 3hi&e on the 2a!< the >uarter'aster and others< that had ,one on
ahead to *re*are >uarters in to2n< sent an e/*ress ac0< 2hich 2as not of
the 'ost *acific a**earance# Ca*tain Atchison continued the e/*ress to
Co&one& A&&en for the t2o hundred drafted 'i&itia< and a&so to Liert! for
'ore a''unition? and the ni,ht *assed off in 2ar&i0e st!&e< 2ith the
sentine&s 'archin, si&ent&! at a *ro*er distance fro' the 2atch fires#
Ear&! in the 'ornin, 2e 'arched< stron,&! ,uarded ! the troo*s< to
the seat of 2ar< and >uartered in the &oc0house< for'er&! the ta$ern
stand of S# F&ourno!? after rea0fast 2e 2ere $isited ! the District
Attorne!< .r# Reese< and the Attorne!-5enera&< .r# 3e&&s# Fro' the' 2e
&earned that a&& ho*es of cri'ina& *rosecutions 2ere at an end# .r# 3e&&s
had een sent ! the ,o$ernor to in$esti,ate< as far as *ossi&e< the
Jac0son outra,e? ut the o&d front of the 'o? ound e$en unto death Eas
I ha$e heardF< 2as not to e *enetrated ! ci$i& &a2< or a2ed ! e/ecuti$e
inf&uence# Short&! after< Ca*tain
Atchison infor'ed 'e that he had =ust recei$ed an order fro' the
=ud,e that his co'*an!+s ser$ice 2as no &on,er 2anted in Jac0son count!?
and 2e 2ere 'arched out of to2n to the tune of Yan0ee Dood&e< in >uic0
ti'e< and soon returned to our ca'* 2ithout the &oss of an! &i$es# This
order 2as issued ! the court< a**arent&!< on account of the s*eed!
,atherin, of the o&d 'o< or citi4ens of Jac0son count!< and their
assu'in, such a oisterous and 'oocratic a**earance# .uch credit is due
to Ca*tain Atchison for his ,a&&antr! and hos*ita&it!< and I thin0 I can
sa! of the officers and co'*an! that their conduct as so&diers and 'en is
hi,h&! re*uta&e? so 'uch the 'ore so< 0no2in, as I do< the fata& resu&ts
of the tria& had the 'i&itia co'e or not co'e# I can add that the
Ca*tain+s safe return refreshed '! 'ind 2ith 6eno*hon+s safe retreat of
the Ten ThousandK Thus ends a&& ho*e of -redress<- e$en 2ith a ,uard
ordered ! the 5o$ernor for the *rotection of the court and 2itnesses#
"efore a cro* is har$ested it eco'es ri*e of itse&f# The dreadfu&
deeds no2 done in Jac0son count!< 2ith i'*unit!< 'ust rin, 'atters to a
focus short&!# 3ithin t2o or three 2ee0s *ast so'e of the 'ost sa$a,e acts
e$er 2itnessed ha$e een co''itted ! these itter ranches# O&d Father
Lindse!< 2hose &oc0s ha$e een 2hitened ! the &asts of near&! se$ent!
2inters< had his house thro2n do2n< after he 2as dri$en fro' it? his
,oods< corn< etc< *i&ed to,ether and fire *ut to it< ut fortunate&! after
the 'o retired< his son e/tin,uished it#
The 'o has >uit 2hi**in, and no2 eats 2ith c&us# L!'an Leonard<
one of the nu'er that returned fro' %an "uren count! had t2o chairs
ro0en to s*&inters u*on hi'< and 2as then dra,,ed out of doors and eat
2ith c&us ti&& he 2as su**osed to e dead< ut he is !et a&i$e# Josiah
Su'ner and "arnet Co&e 2ere se$ere&! eaten at the sa'e ti'e# The 'o ha$e
co''enced urnin, houses< stac0s< etc#? and 2e sha&& not thin0 it out of
their *o2er< ! an! 'eans< to *roceed to 'urder an! of our *eo*&e that
sha&& tr! to &i$e in that count!< or *erha*s< on&! ,o there#
Such scenes as are ha**enin, around us are ca&cu&ated to arouse
fee&in,s and *assions in a&&< and to stren,then the faith and fortif! the
hearts of the Saints for ,reat thin,s# Our Sa$ior &aid do2n His &ife for
our sa0es< and sha&& 2e< 2ho *rofess to &i$e ! e$er! 2ord that *roceeds
out of the 'outh of 5od--sha&& 2e< the ser$ants of the Lord of the
$ine!ard< 2ho are ca&&ed and chosen to *rune it for the &ast ti'e--sha&&
2e< !ea< $eri&! 2e< 2ho are en&i,htened ! the 2isdo' of hea$en--sha&& 2e
fear to do at &east this 'uch for Jesus 2ho has done so 'uch for usB No?
2e 2i&& oe! the $oice of the S*irit that 5od 'a! o$erco'e the 2or&d# I a'
a ser$ant< etc#< 3# 3# )HEL)S#
SECOND )ETITION TO THE )RESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES# LI"ERTY< CLAY
COUNTY< .ISSOURI< A*ri& 7D< 789@# To the )resident of the United States of
A'erica( 3e< the undersi,ned< !our *etitioners< citi4ens of the United
States of A'erica< and residents of the count! of C&a!< in the state of
.issouri< ein, 'e'ers of the Church of Christ< re*roachfu&&! ca&&ed
-.or'on<- e, &ea$e to refer the )resident to our for'er *etition< dated
in Octoer &ast? and a&so to &a! efore hi' the acco'*an!in, hand-i&&<
dated Dece'er 7Hth< 7899< 2ith assurances that the said hand-i&&
e/hiits ut a faint s0etch of the sufferin,s of !our *etitioners and
their rethren< u* to the *eriod of its *u&ication#
The said hand-i&& sho2s< that at the ti'e of dis*ersion a nu'er of
our fa'i&ies f&ed into the ne2 and unsett&ed count! of %an "uren? ut
ein, una&e to *rocure *ro$isions in that count! throu,h the 2inter< 'an!
of the' 2ere co'*e&&ed to return to their ho'es in Jac0son count! or
*erish of hun,er# "ut the! had no sooner set foot u*on that soi&--2hich a
fe2 'onths efore the! had *urchased of the United States--than the! 2ere
a,ain 'et ! the citi4ens of Jac0son count!< and a rene2a& of sa$a,e
ararities 2as inf&icted u*on these fa'i&ies ! eatin, 2ith c&us and
stic0s< *resentin, 0ni$es and fire ar's< and threatenin,s of death if the!
did not f&ee fro' the count!# These inhu'an assau&ts u*on a nu'er of
these fa'i&ies 2ere re*eated at t2o or three different ti'es throu,h the
*ast 2inter< ti&& the! 2ere co'*e&&ed at &ast to aandon their *ossessions
in Jac0son count!< and f&ee 2ith their 2ounded odies into this count!<
here to 'in,&e their tears and unite their su**&ications< 2ith hundreds of
their rethren< to our Hea$en&! Father and the chief ru&er of our nation#
"et2een one and t2o thousand of the *eo*&e ca&&ed -.or'ons- had een
dri$en ! force of ar's fro' the count! of Jac0son in this state since the
first of No$e'er &ast< ein, co'*e&&ed to &ea$e their hi,h&! cu&ti$ated
fie&ds--the ,reater *art of their &ands ha$in, een ou,ht of the United
States--and a&& this on account of our e&ief in direct re$e&ation fro'
5od to the chi&dren of 'en accordin, to the Ho&! Scri*tures# 3e 0no2 that
such i&&e,a& $io&ence has not een inf&icted u*on an! sect or co''unit! of
*eo*&e ! the citi4ens of the United States since the Dec&aration of
Inde*endence#
That this is a re&i,ious *ersecution is notorious throu,hout our
countr!? for 2hi&e the officers of the count!< oth ci$i& and 'i&itar!<
2ere acco'*&ices in these un*ara&&e&ed outra,es< en,a,ed in the
destruction of the *rintin, office< d2e&&in, houses< etc#< !et the records
of the =udicia& triuna&s of that count! are no2 stained ! an! record of
cri'e co''itted ! our *eo*&e# Our nu'ers ein, ,reat&! inferior to the
ene'! 2ere una&e to stand in se&f defense? and our &i$es< at this da!<
are continua&&! threatened ! that infuriated *eo*&e< so that our *ersona&
safet! forids one of our nu'er ,oin, into that count! on usiness#
3e e, &ea$e to state that no i'*artia& in$esti,ation into this
cri'ina& 'atter can e 'ade< ecause the offenders 'ust e tried in the
count! 2here the offense 2as co''itted and the inhaitants of the count!<
oth 'a,istrates and *eo*&e< 2ith the e/ce*tion of a fe2< ein, co'ined<
=ustice cannot e e/*ected# At this da! !our *etitioners do not 0no2 of a
so&itar! fa'i&! e&on,in, to our Church in Jac0son count! ut 2hat has
een $io&ent&! e/*e&&ed fro' that count! ! the inhaitants thereof#
Your *etitioners ha$e not ,one into detai& 2ith an account of their
indi$idua& sufferin,s fro' death< and ruised odies< and the uni$ersa&
distress 2hich *re$ai&s at this da!< in a ,reater or &ess de,ree
throu,hout our co''unit!# Not on&! ha$e those sacred ri,hts ,uaranteed to
e$er! re&i,ious sect een *u&ic&! in$aded< in o*en hosti&it! to the
s*irit and ,enius of our free ,o$ern'ent< ut such of their houses as ha$e
not een urnt< and their &ands and 'ost of the *roducts of the &aor of
their hands for the &ast !ear< ha$e een 2rested fro' the' ! a and of
out&a2s con,re,ated in Jac0son count!< on the 2estern frontiers of the
United States< and this 2ithin aout thirt! 'i&es of the United States
'i&itar! *ost at Fort Lea$en2orth< on the .issouri ri$er#
Your *etitioners sa! that the! do not enter into a 'inute detai& of
their sufferin,s in this *etition &est the! shou&d 2ear! the *atience of
their $enera&e chief< 2hose arduous duties the! 0no2 are ,reat< and dai&!
accu'u&atin,# 3e on&! ho*e to sho2 hi' that this is an un*recedented
e'er,enc! in the histor! of our countr!< that the 'a,istrac! thereof is
set at defiance< and =ustice chec0ed in o*en $io&ation of its &a2s? and
that 2e< !our *etitioners< 2ho are a&'ost 2ho&&! nati$e orn citi4ens of
these United States< of 2ho' 2e *urchased our &ands in Jac0son count!<
.issouri< 2ith intent to cu&ti$ate the sa'e as *eacea&e citi4ens< are no2
forced fro' the'< and are no2 d2e&&in, in the counties of C&a!< Ra! and
Lafa!ette< in the state of .issouri< 2ithout *er'anent ho'es< and
sufferin, a&& the *ri$ations 2hich 'ust necessari&! resu&t fro' such
inhu'an treat'ent# Under these sufferin,s !our *etitioners *etitioned the
,o$ernor of this state in Dece'er &ast< in ans2er to 2hich the! recei$ed
the fo&&o2in, &etter( C C C C C C C C C
"! the fore,oin, &etter fro' the 5o$ernor< the )resident 2i&&
*ercei$e a dis*osition 'anifested ! hi' to enforce the &a2s as far as
'eans ha$e een furnished hi' ! the &e,is&ature of this state# "ut the
*o2ers $ested in the e/ecuti$e of this state a**ear to e inade>uate for
re&ie$in, the distresses of !our *etitioners in their *resent e'er,enc!#
He is 2i&&in, to send a ,uard to conduct our fa'i&ies ac0 to their
*ossessions< ut is not authori4ed to direct a 'i&itar! force to e
stationed an! &en,th of ti'e for the *rotection of !our *etitioners# This
ste* 2ou&d e &a!in, the foundation for a 'ore fata& tra,ed! than the
first< as our nu'ers at *resent are too s'a&& to contend sin,&e handed
2ith the 'o of said count!? and as the Federa& Constitution has ,i$en to
Con,ress the *o2er to *ro$ide for ca&&in, forth the 'i&itia to e/ecute the
&a2s of the Union< su**ress insurrections< or re*e& in$asions? and for
these *ur*oses the )resident of the United States is authori4ed to 'a0e
the ca&& u*on the e/ecuti$e of the res*ecti$e states? therefore< 2e !our
*etitioners< in eha&f of our societ!< 2hich is so scattered and
sufferin,< 'ost hu'&! *ra! that 2e 'a! e restored to our &ands< houses<
and *ro*ert! in Jac0son count!< and *rotected in the' ! an ar'ed force<
ti&& *eace can e restored# And as in dut! ound< 2i&& e$er *ra!#
Here fo&&o2ed one hundred and fourteen si,natures< a'on, 2ho' 2ere(
Ed2ard )artrid,e< John Corri&&< John 3hit'er< Isaac .or&e!< A# S# 5i&ert<
3# 3# )he&*s< etc#< etc#
LETTER OF AL5ERNON S# 5IL"ERT et a&# TO THE )RESIDENT ACCO.)ANYIN5
FORE5OIN5 )ETITION# LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY< .ISSOURI< A*ri& 7D< 789@# To the
)resident of the United States( 3e< the undersi,ned< so'e of the &eadin,
'e'ers of the Church of Christ< 2hose na'es are suscried to the
acco'*an!in, *etition< e, &ea$e to refer the )resident to the *etition
and hand-i&& here2ith# 3e are not insensi&e to the 'u&ti*&icit! of
usiness and nu'erous *etitions< ! 2hich the cares and *er*&e/ities of
our chief ru&er are dai&! increased? and it is 2ith diffidence that 2e
$enture to &a! efore the e/ecuti$e< at this e'er,ent *eriod< these t2o
docu'ents< 2herein is rief&! *ortra!ed the 'ost un*ara&&e&ed *ersecution
and f&a,rant outra,e of &a2 that has dis,raced the countr! since the
ado*tion of the Dec&aration of Inde*endence< ut 0no2in, the inde*endent
fortitude< and $i,orous ener,! for *reser$in, the ri,hts of the citi4ens
of this re*u&ic< 2hich has hitherto 'ar0ed the course of our chief
'a,istrate< 2e are encoura,ed to ho*e< that this co''unication 2i&& not
*ass unnoticed< ut that the )resident 2i&& consider our &ocation on the
e/tre'e 2estern frontier of the United States< e/*osed to 'an! i,norant
and &a2&ess ruffians< 2ho are a&read! con,re,ated< and deter'ined to
nu&&if! a&& &a2 that 2i&& secure to !our *etitioners the *eacea&e
*ossession of their &ands in Jac0son count!# 3e a,ain re*eat< that our
societ! are 2anderin, in ad=oinin, counties at this da!< ereft of their
houses and &ands< and threatened 2ith death ! the aforesaid out&a2s of
Jac0son count!#
And &est the )resident shou&d ha$e een decei$ed in re,ard to our
true situation< ! the 'isre*resentations of certain indi$idua&s< 2ho<
fro' re&i,ious< *o&itica&< and s*ecu&ati$e 'oti$es< are dis*osed to co$er
the ,ross outra,es of the 'o< 2e e, &ea$e to refer hi' to the 5o$ernor
of this state< at the sa'e ti'e infor'in, hi' that the nu'er of 'en
co'*osin, the 'o of Jac0son count!< 'a! e esti'ated at fro' three to
fi$e hundred< 'ost of the' e>ui**ed 2ith fire-ar's#
After notin, the state'ents here 'ade< if it shou&d e the
dis*osition of the )resident to ,rant aid< 2e 'ost hu'&! entreat that
ear&! re&ief 'a! e e/tended to sufferin, fa'i&ies< 2ho are no2 e/*e&&ed
fro' their *ossessions ! force of ar's# Our &ands in Jac0son count!< are
aout thirt! 'i&es distant fro' Fort Lea$en2orth< on the .issouri ri$er#
3ith due res*ect< 2e are< sir< !our oedient ser$ants< A# S# 5IL"ERT<
3# 3# )HEL)S< ED3ARD )ARTRID5E#
)# S#--In Feruar! &ast a nu'er of our *eo*&e 2ere 'arched under a
,uard furnished ! the ,o$ernor of the state< into Jac0son count!< for the
*ur*ose of *rosecutin, the 'o cri'ina&&!? ut the Attorne!-5enera& of the
state< and the District Attorne!< 0no2in, the force and *o2er of the 'o<
ad$ised us to re&in>uish a&& ho*e of cri'ina& *rosecution to effect
an!thin, a,ainst that and of out&a2s< and 2e returned under ,uard<
2ithout the &east *ros*ect of e$er otainin, our ri,hts and *ossessions in
Jac0son count!< ! an! other 'eans than a fe2 co'*anies of the United
States re,u&ar troo*s< to ,uard and assist us ti&& 2e are safe&! sett&ed#
A# S# 5#< 3# 3# )#< E# )#
The fore,oin, &etter and *etition 2ere for2arded ! 'ai& the sa'e
da!< A*ri& 7Dth? a&so the fo&&o2in,(
LETTER OF THE "RETHREN TO 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN AS1IN5 HI. TO 3RITE THE
)RESIDENT IN CONNECTION 3ITH THEIR )ETITION# LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY<
.ISSOURI< A*ri& 7D< 789@# To His E/ce&&enc!< Danie& Dun0&in< 5o$ernor of
.issouri( DEAR SIR?--Not2ithstandin, !ou 'a! ha$e eco'e so'e2hat tired of
recei$in, co''unications fro' us !et 2e e, of !our E/ce&&enc! to *ardon
us for this< as 2e ha$e this da! for2arded a *etition to the )resident of
the United States< settin, forth our distressed condition< to,ether 2ith
!our E/ce&&enc!+s $ie2s of it< as 2e&& as the &i'ited *o2ers 2ith 2hich
!ou are c&othed< to afford that *rotection 2hich 2e need< to en=o! our
ri,hts and &ands in Jac0son count!# A fe2 &ines fro' the 5o$ernor of the
state< in connection 2ith our hu'&e entreaties for our *ossessions and
*ri$i&e,es< 2e thin0 2ou&d e of considera&e conse>uence to2ards rin,in,
aout the desired resu&t< and 2ou&d e ,ratefu&&! ac0no2&ed,ed ! us< and
our societ!< and 2e 'a! add< ! a&& honora&e 'en#
3e therefore< as hu'&e *etitioners< as0 as a fa$or of !our
E/ce&&enc! to 2rite to the )resident of the United States< that he 'a!
assist us< or our societ!< in otainin, our ri,hts in Jac0son count!< and
he&* *rotect us 2hen there< ti&& 2e are safe# As in dut! ound< 2e 2i&&
e$er *ra!# ESi,nedF 3# 3# )HEL)S< JOHN 3HIT.ER< A# S# 5IL"ERT< ED3ARD
)ARTRID5E< JOHN CORRILL#
LETTER OF 3# 3# )HEL)S TO U# S# SENATOR "ENTON OF .ISSOURI ON THE
SU"JECT OF THE )ETITION TO THE )RESIDENT# LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY< .ISSOURI<
A*ri& 7D< 789@# DEAR SIR(--As our societ! has =ust sent a *etition and
hand-i&& to the )resident of the United States< settin, forth their
distressed condition since e/*e&&ed fro' their ho'es ! the Jac0son count!
'o? and as !ou 'a! re'e'er that I 2as aout to esta&ish &ast su''er<
*re$ious to the destruction of '! office ! the 'o< a 2ee0&! ne2s*a*er<
in fa$or of the *resent ad'inistration# I ha$e thou,ht est to address
this co''unication to !our honor< and refer !ou to said *etition and
hand-i&&< and assure !ou< at the sa'e ti'e< that '! deter'ination is to
*u&ish a 2ee0&! *a*er< in Jac0son count!< in fa$or of the *resent
ad'inistration as soon as our societ! is restored to its &e,a& ri,hts and
*ossessions#
As a *eo*&e 2e are ound to su**ort our re*u&ican ,o$ern'ent and its
institutions? and 'ore than a&&< '! *ress< 2hich 2as 2rested fro' 'e< is
no2 *rintin, a 'ean o**osition *a*er< ! -1e&&! and Da$is#- An!
co''unication fro' !ou 2i&& e 2e&& recei$ed ! Your oedient ser$ant< 3#
3# )HEL)S# Hon# Tho'as H# "enton#
LETTER FRO. 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN TO THE "RETHREN< ANS3ERIN5 THE ONE
IN%ITIN5 HI. TO 3RITE THE )RESIDENT ON THE SU"JECT OF THE SAINTS+
)ETITION# CITY OF JEFFERSON< A*ri& HD< 789@# To .essrs# 3# 3# )he&*s<
Ed2ard )artrid,e< John Corri&&< John 3hit'er< and A# S# 5i&ert(
5ENTLE.EN(--Yours of the 7Dth inst#< 2as recei$ed !esterda!< in 2hich !ou
re>uest 'e as e/ecuti$e of this state to =oin !ou in an a**ea& to the
)resident of the United States for *rotection in the en=o!'ent of !our
ri,hts in Jac0son count!# It 2i&& readi&! occur to !ou< no dout< the
*ossii&it! of !our ha$in, as0ed of the )resident *rotection in a 2a! that
he< no 'ore than the e/ecuti$e of this state< can render# If !ou as0 for
that 2hich I 'a! e of o*inion he has *o2er to ,rant< I shou&d ha$e no
o=ection to =oin in ur,in, it u*on hi'? ut I cou&d no 'ore as0 the
)resident--ho2e$er 2i&&in, I a' to see !our societ! restored and *rotected
in their ri,hts--to do that 2hich I 'a! e&ie$e he has no *o2er to do<
than I cou&d do such an act '!se&f# If !ou 2i&& send 'e a co*! of !our
*etition to the )resident< I 2i&& =ud,e of his ri,ht to ,rant it? and if
of o*inion he *ossesses the *o2er< I 2i&& 2rite in fa$or of its e/ercise#
I a' no2 in corres*ondence 2ith the federa& ,o$ern'ent< on the
su=ect of de*osits of 'unitions of 2ar on our northern and 2estern
orders< and ha$e no dout ut I sha&& succeed in *rocurin, one< 2hich
2i&& e &ocated< if &eft to 'e< Eand the Secretar! of 3ar see's 2i&&in, to
e ,o$erned ! the o*inion of the e/ecuti$e of this stateF< so'e2here near
the state &ine< either in Jac0son or C&a! count!# The esta&ish'ent 2i&&
e an -arsena&<- and 2i&& *roa&! e *&aced under the co''and of a
&ieutenant of the ar'!# This 2i&& afford !ou the est 'eans of 'i&itar!
*rotection< the nature of !our case 2i&& ad'it# A&thou,h I can see no
direct i'*ro*riet! in 'a0in, the su=ect of this *ara,ra*h *u&ic< !et I
shou&d *refer it not to e so considered for the *resent< as the erection
of an arsena& is on&! in e/*ectanc!#
)er'it 'e to su,,est to !ou< that as !ou no2 ha$e ,reat&! the
ad$anta,e of !our ad$ersaries< in *u&ic esti'ation< there is a ,reat
*ro*riet! in retainin, that ad$anta,e< 2hich !ou can easi&! do ! 0ee*in,
!our ad$ersaries in the 2ron,# The &a2s< oth ci$i& and 'i&itar!< see'
deficient in affordin, !our societ! *ro*er *rotection? ne$erthe&ess<
*u&ic senti'ent is a *o2erfu& corrector of error< and !ou shou&d 'a0e it
!our *o&ic! to continue to deser$e it# 3ith 'uch res*ect< and ,reat
re,ard< I a' !our oedient ser$ant< DANIEL DUN1LIN#
THE "RETHREN IN .ISSOURI TO 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN< INFOR.IN5 HI. THAT THEY
E6)ECT THE ARRI%AL OF REINFORCE.ENTS FRO. THEIR "RETHREN IN THE EAST#
LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY< .O#< A*ri& H@< 789@# DEAR SIR?--In our &ast
co''unication of the 7Dth instant< 2e o'itted to 'a0e in>uir! concernin,
the e$idence rou,ht u* efore the court of in>uir!< in the case of
Co&one& )itcher# The court 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent< on the HDth of
Feruar! &ast< and for so'e reason un0no2n to us< 2e ha$e not een a&e to
otain infor'ation concernin, the o*inion or decision of that court? 2e
ho*ed that the testi'on! 2ou&d ha$e een trans'itted to !our E/ce&&enc!
efore this< that an order 'i,ht e issued for the return of our ar's of
2hich 2e ha$e een 2ron,fu&&! dis*ossessed< as 2e e&ie$e 2i&& c&ear&!
a**ear to the co''ander-in-chief 2hen the e$idence is &aid efore hi'#
As su,,ested in !our co''unication of the @th of Feruar!< 2e ha$e
conc&uded to or,ani4e accordin, to &a2< and a**&! for *u&ic ar's? ut 2e
feared that such a ste*< 2hich 'ust e attended 2ith *u&ic cere'onies<
'i,ht *roduce so'e e/cite'ent? and 2e ha$e thus far de&a!ed an! 'o$e'ent
of that nature< ho*in, to re,ain our ar's fro' Jac0son count!< that 2e
'i,ht inde*endent&! e>ui* ourse&$es and e *re*ared to assist in the
'aintenance of our constitutiona& ri,hts and &ierties< as ,uaranteed to
us ! our countr!? and a&so to defend our *ersons and *ro*ert! fro' a
&a2&ess 'o< 2hen it sha&& *&ease the e/ecuti$e at so'e future da!< to *ut
us in *ossession of our ho'es< fro' 2hich 2e ha$e een 'ost 2ic0ed&!
e/*e&&ed# 3e are ha**! to 'a0e an e/*ression of our than0s for the
2i&&in,ness 'anifested ! the e/ecuti$e to enforce the &a2s< so far as he
can consistent&! -2ith the 'eans furnished hi' ! the &e,is&ature - and 2e
are fir'&! *ersuaded that a future da! 2i&& $erif! to hi' that 2hate$er
aid 2e 'a! recei$e fro' the e/ecuti$e has not een &a$ished u*on a and of
traitors< ut u*on a *eo*&e 2hose res*ect and $eneration for the &a2s of
our countr!< and its *ure re*u&ican *rinci*&es are as ,reat as that of
an! other societ! in these United States#
As our Jac0son foes and their corres*ondents are us! in circu&atin,
s&anderous and 2ic0ed re*orts concernin, our *eo*&e their $ie2s< etc#< 2e
ha$e dee'ed it e/*edient to infor' !our E/ce&&enc! that 2e ha$e recei$ed
co''unications fro' our friends in the East< infor'in, us that a nu'er of
our rethren< *erha*s t2o or three hundred< 2ou&d re'o$e to Jac0son count!
in the course of the ensuin, su''er? and 2e are satisfied that 2hen the
Jac0son 'o ,et the inte&&i,ence that a &ar,e nu'er of our *eo*&e are
aout to re'o$e into that count!< the! 2i&& raise a ,reat hue-and-cr!< and
circu&ate 'an! u,ears throu,h the 'ediu' of their fa$orite *ress? ut 2e
thin0 !our E/ce&&enc! is 2e&& a2are that our o=ect is *ure&! to defend
ourse&$es and *ossessions a,ainst another outra,eous attac0 fro' the 'o<
inas'uch as the e/ecuti$e of this state cannot 0ee* u* a 'i&itar! force
-to *rotect our *eo*&e in that count!< 2ithout transcendin, his *o2ers#-
3e 2ant< therefore< the *ri$i&e,e of defendin, ourse&$es and the
constitution of our countr!< 2hi&e 5od is 2i&&in, 2e shou&d ha$e a ein,
on His footstoo&#
3e do not 0no2 at 2hat ti'e our friends 2i&& arri$e< ut e/*ect 'ore
certain inte&&i,ence in a fe2 2ee0s# 3hene$er the! do arri$e< it 2ou&d e
the 2ish of our *eo*&e in this count!< to return to our ho'es< in co'*an!
2ith our friends< under ,uard? and 2hen once in &e,a& *ossession of our
ho'es in Jac0son count!< 2e sha&& endea$or to ta0e care of the'< 2ithout
further 2ear!in, the *atience of our 2orth! chief 'a,istrate# 3e 2i&&
2rite hereafter< or send an e/*ress# Durin, the inter'ediate ti'e< 2e
2ou&d e ,&ad to hear of the *ros*ects of reco$erin, our ar's# 3ith due
res*ect< 2e are< sir< !our oedient ser$ants< ESi,nedF A# S# 5IL"ERT<
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E< 3# 3# )HEL)S< JOHN CORRILL< JOHN 3HIT.ER#
)# S# .an! of the rethren 2ho are e/*ected here soon< had 'ade
arran,e'ents to e'i,rate to this state efore the outra,es of the 'o &ast
fa&&# 3e ho*e the *ainfu& e'er,enc! of our case 2i&& *&ead an e/cuse for
our fre>uent co''unications#
LETTER OF 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN RE)LYIN5 TO THE CO..UNICATION OF A)RIL
H@TH FRO. THE "RETHREN IN CLAY COUNTY# CITY OF JEFFERSON< .a! H< 789@# To
.essrs# 3# 3# )he&*s and others( 5ENTLE.EN(--Yours of the H@th u&ti'o is
efore 'e< in re*&! to 2hich I can infor' !ou< that eco'in, i'*atient at
the de&a! of the court of in>uir! in 'a0in, their re*ort in the case of
Lieutenant-Co&one& )itcher<--on the 77th u&ti'o I 2rote to 5enera&
Tho'*son for the reasons of such de&a!? &ast ni,ht I recei$ed his re*&!<
and 2ith it the re*ort of the court of in>uir!< fro' the tenor of 2hich< I
find no difficu&t! in decidin, that the ar's !our *eo*&e 2ere re>uired to
surrender on the Gth of &ast No$e'er< shou&d e returned? and ha$e issued
an order to Co&one& Lucas to de&i$er the' to !ou or !our order< 2hich
order is here enc&osed# Res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant< ESi,nedF
DANIEL DUN1LIN#
Fo&&o2in, is the order referred to ao$e(
CITY OF JEFFERSON< .a! H< 789@# To Sa'ue& D# Lucas< Co&# 99rd
Re,i'ent( SIR(--The court ordered to in>uire into the conduct of
Lieutenant-Co&one& )itcher< in the 'o$e'ent he 'ade on the Gth of No$e'er
&ast< re*ort it as their unani'ous o*inion that there 2as no insurrection
on that da!< and that Co&one& )itcher 2as not authori4ed to ca&& out his
troo*s on the Gth of No$e'er< 7899# It 2as then unnecessar! to re>uire
the .or'ons to ,i$e u* their ar's# Therefore< !ou 2i&& de&i$er to 3# 3#
)he&*s< Ed2ard )artrid,e< John Corri&&< John 3hit'er< and A# S# 5i&ert<
or their order< the fift!-t2o ,uns and one *isto& re*orted !
Lieutenant-Co&one& )itcher to !ou on the 9rd of Dece'er &ast< as ha$in,
een recei$ed ! hi' fro' the .or'ons on the Gth of the *recedin, Octoer<
INo$e'erJ# Res*ectfu&&!< DANIEL DUN1LIN< Co''ander-in-Chief#
LETTER TO 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN ANS3ERIN5 HIS OF A)RIL THE HDTH 3HEREIN HE
CAUTIONED THE SAINTS TO 1EE) THEIR ENE.IES IN THE 3RON5# LI"ERTY< CLAY
COUNTY< .a! M< 789@# DEAR SIR?--Your fa$or of the HDth u&ti'o< ca'e to
hand the 7st instant< 2hich ,i$es us a ,&ea' of ho*e that the ti'e 2i&&
co'e 2hen 2e 'a! e/*erience a *artia& 'iti,ation of our sufferin,s# The
sa&utar! ad$ice at the conc&usion of !our &etter is recei$ed 2ith ,reat
deference#
Since our &ast of the H@th u&ti'o< the 'o of Jac0son count! ha$e
urned our d2e&&in,s? as near as 2e can ascertain< et2een one hundred and
one hundred and fift! 2ere consu'ed ! fire in aout one 2ee0< our ar's
2ere a&so ta0en fro' the de*ositor! Ethe =ai&F aout ten da!s since< and
distriuted a'on, the 'o# 5reat efforts are no2 'a0in, ! said 'o to
stir u* the citi4ens of this count! EC&a!F and Lafa!ette< to si'i&ar
outra,es a,ainst us? ut 2e thin0 the! 2i&& fai& of acco'*&ishin, their
2ic0ed desi,ns in this count!# 3e here anne/ a co*! of the *etition to the
)resident< si,ned ! aout one hundred and t2ent!# 3ith ,reat res*ect<
etc#< ESi,nedF A# S# 5IL"ERT< 3# 3# )HEL)S< Danie& Dun0&in< 5o$ernor of
.issouri#
LETTER TO COLONEL S# D# LUCAS AS1IN5 A"OUT AR.S SURRENDERED AT
INDE)ENDENCE# LI"ERTY< CLAY COUNTY< .ISSOURI< .a! 7G< 789@# Co&one& S# D#
Lucas( SIR(--3e ha$e this da! recei$ed a co''unication fro' the 5o$ernor
of this state< co$erin, the order here2ith< and 2e hasten to for2ard the
said order to !ou ! the earer< .r# Richardson< 2ho is instructed to
recei$e !our re*&!# 3e 2ou&d further re'ar0 that under e/istin,
circu'stances< 2e ho*e to recei$e our ar's on this side the ri$er< and 2e
2ou&d na'e a *&ace near one of the ferries for !our con$enience< as the
ar's are fe2 in nu'er< 2e re>uest that the! 'a! e de&i$ered 2ith as
&itt&e de&a! as *ossi&e# Res*ectfu&&! !ours< ESi,nedF A# S# 5IL"ERT< 3#
3# )HEL)S< JOHN CORRILL< ED3ARD )ARTRID5E< JOHN 3HIT.ER#
)# S#--3e 2i&& than0 !ou for a 2ritten co''unication< in ans2er to
this &etter< and the acco'*an!in, order#
A&& ho*e for re&ief fro' the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent 2as destro!ed on
recei*t of the fo&&o2in, co''unication fro' the cit! of 3ashin,ton(
RE)LY OF THE 5ENERAL 5O%ERN.ENT TO THE )ETITION OF THE SAINTS# 3AR
DE)ART.ENT< .a! H< 789@# 5ENTLE.EN(--The )resident has referred to this
de*art'ent the 'e'oria& and &etter addressed to hi' ! !ourse&$es and
other citi4ens of .issouri< re>uestin, his inter*osition in order to
*rotect !our *ersons and *ro*ert!#
In ans2er< I a' instructed to infor' !ou< that the offenses of 2hich
!ou co'*&ain< are $io&ations of the &a2s of the state of .issouri< and not
of the &a2s of the United States# The *o2ers of the )resident under the
constitution and &a2s< to direct the e'*&o!'ent of a 'i&itar! force< in
cases 2here the ordinar! ci$i& authorit! is found insufficient< e/tend
on&! to *roceedin,s under the &a2s of the United States#
3here an insurrection is an! state e/ists< a,ainst the ,o$ern'ent
thereof< the )resident is re>uired on the a**&ication of such state< or of
the e/ecuti$e E2hen the &e,is&ature cannot e con$enedF< to ca&& forth
such nu'er of the 'i&itia< as he 'a! =ud,e sufficient to su**ress such
insurrection#
"ut this state of thin,s does not e/ist in .issouri< or if it does<
the fact is not sho2n in the 'ode *ointed out ! &a2# The )resident cannot
ca&& out a 'i&itia force to aid in the e/ecution of the state &a2s< unti&
the *ro*er re>uisition is 'ade u*on hi' ! the constituted authorities#
%er! res*ectfu&&!< !our 'ost oedient ser$ant< ESi,nedF LE3IS CASS# To
.essrs# A# 5i&ert< 3# )he&*s< Ed2ard )artrid,e< and others< Liert!< C&a!
Count!< .issouri#
END OF %OLU.E I#
E*h# 7(8-7D#
I )eter 7( 78-HG#
Re$# /iii( 8#
Re$# /$ii( 8#
Jo ///$iii( @-:#
)au& to Titus 7(H#
)ear& of 5reat )rice< "oo0 of .oses< ch# $(:-8< Edition of 7NDH< >uoted
throu,hout#
)ear& of 5reat )rice< "oo0 of .oses< ch# $( G:-GN#
)ear& of 5reat )rice< "oo0 of .oses< ch $i( @8-GH#
5en# $( H@#
He# /i( G#
)ear& of 5reat )rice< "oo0 of .oses< ch# $ii( :N#
He# $ii( 7#
7 Cor# /( 7-@#
He# iii( 7@-7N and i$( 7-H# This cites the c&ose of one cha*ter and the
o*enin, $erses of another< ut it shou&d e re'e'ered that )au& did not
di$ide his e*ist&e into cha*ters and $erses? and this a202ard di$ision is
ut one of the 'an! di$isions that e/ist in the Scri*tures#
5a&# iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///i$( 7N-H8#
.ar0 i( 7G#
5a&# i$( @#
He i( 7< H#
I John ii( 78#
Acts ii( 7G-H7#
Joe& ii( H8-9H#
Isaiah /i( :-N#
.att# //i$( HN-97#
E*h# i( 7D#
Dan# ii( 9M-@G#
Edition of 78M8< *a,e :HH#
Re$# $(7D#
Re$# /i( 7G#
Re$# /i( 7M< 78#
Re$# //( :#
.att# //i( @9#
Acts /ii( @:< @M#
Histor! of the Church< $o&# 7< *# :#
.att# //( HD-H@#
.att# //$i( :N-MG#
Acts /$
5a&atians ii( 7-7@#
Acts /$i( 7-@#
5a&# i( :< M#
Acts /iii( 79#
I Cor# i( 7H-79#
I Cor# iii( 9< @#
I Cor# $( 7-9#
I Cor# $i( 7-HD< and .att# /$iii( 7G< 7M#
I Cor# /i( H-HH and HN< 9D#
I Cor# /i( 7N#
I Cor# /$( 7H-9@#
II Cor# /i( H7
II Cor# ii( 7M#
II Cor# /i( 7H-7@#
5a&# i( :< M#
)hi&# i( 7G< 7:#
)hi&# iii( H#
)hi&# iii( 7M< 7N#
Co&# ii( 8< 78#
I Ti'# i( @-M#
I Ti'# i( 7N< HD#
I Ti'# $i( HD< H7#
II Ti'# i( 7G#
II Ti'# H( 7:< 78#
II Ti'# i$( 7D#
II Ti'# i$( 7:#
Titus i( N-7@#
II )eter ii#
II )eter iii( 7:#
I John ii( 78< 7N#
I John i$( 7#
II John $ii( G#
Jude 9< @#
II Ti'# iii( 79#
%o&# i< **# :G:< :GM#
Lardner+s 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# 99D#
Eus# Ec# Hist#< 0# iii< ch# 9H#
Institutes< 0# i cent# 7< *art ii< ch# ii#
Jortin+s Re'ar0s on Ecc&esiastica& Histor!< $o&# i< *# H@8#
Euseius< 0# iii< ch# 9N#
Lardner 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# @78#
Lardner 3or0s< $o&# $iii< @@N(@MD? a&so I )eter iii( 78-H7? Iid< i$( :? I
Cor# /$( HN#
Lardner 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# @:D#
Lardner 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# G87-H#
Lardner< $o&# $iii< *# 9@G#
He&d in 9HG A# D#
Jortin< $o&# i< *# 7::< note#
Lardner< $o&# $iii< *# 9@@#
Lardner< $o&# $iii< *# 9@G#
Neander+s Histor! of the Christian Re&i,ion and Church< $o&# i< *# 7N7#
Student+s Ecc&es# Hist#< $o&# i< *# @N#
5ion+s Ro'an E'*ire< )reface ! Dean .i&'an< *# 7G#
Institutes< $o&# i< cent# ii< ch# i$#
Institutes< $o&# iii< cent# iii< *art ii# ch# i$#
Neander Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< *# HG9# Dec&ine and Fa&&< $o&# ii< cha*# //#
Euseius+ Life of Constantine< 0# i< HM#
Hist# Ecc&es#< $o&# I< 0# i< ch# 7M#
;osi'us< 0# ii< *# 7D@#
Neander+s Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# 8#
5ion< Dec&ine and Fa&&< $o&# iii< ch# //#
Neander Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# H9#
Neander Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# H7#
Inte&&ectua& De$e&o*'ent of Euro*e< $o&# i< *# H8D#
5ion< Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# //#
Neander Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# H@#
.oshei'+s Institutes< $o&# i< *# H7@#
Lardner< $o&# i$< *# 9N#
Larnder< $o&# i$< *# 9N#
Lardner< $o&# i$< *# @@#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# HG#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# HG#
Dra*er< Inte&&ectua& De$e&o*'ent< $o&# 7< *# H89#
Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# //#
Life of Constantine EEuseiusF I< ch# ii( @@#
Life of Constantine EEuseiusF I< ch# @G#
Life of Constantine EEuseiusF I< ch# i$( H9< HG#
Lardner< $o&# $iii< *# 7:N#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# H:< HM#
Lardner< 3or0s< $o&# i$< *# @N#
Lardner< 3or0s< $o&# i$< *# GD#
Lardner< 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# 7:N#
In 9G9 A# D#< accordin, to 5othford#
The &a2 is e/tant in the Theodocian Code
Neander< $o&# ii< *# 9@#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< **# 88-77D#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# :M#
Lardner< 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# 7:@#
Lardner< 3or0s< $o&# $iii< *# HM:#
Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# //i#
Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# //i#
Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# //i#
Lardner< 3or0s< $o&# i$< *# 9:#
Life of Constantine< Euseius< *# ::#
This e$ent occured aout @M: A# D#
Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# /$i#
Lu0e i/( G@-G:#
.att# /( 9@-9:#
End of Re&i,ious Contro$ers!< .i&ner< Letter H:#
I Cor# $i( N-77#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< *# HGD#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< *# HGN#
.i&ner+s Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< cent# iii< ch# $i#
.i&ner+s Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< cent# iii< ch# $i#
.i&ner+s Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< cent# iii< ch# $iii#
.i&ner+s Ch# Hist#< $o&# i< cent# iii< ch# /$ii#
Euseius+ Ecc&# Hist#< 0# $iii< ch# i#
Ne2 3itnesses for 5od< **# MG< M:#
Euseius+ Ecc&# Hist#< 0# $iii< ch# ii#
"oo0 of .art!rs< ch# 7H#
See .i&ner+s Introduction to his Church Hist#< $o&# i#
Neander+s Church Hist#< $o& ii< **# HN-9D#
Neander+s Church Hist#< $o& ii< *# 9D#
Dec&ine and Fa&&< ch# //#
Au,ustine on St# John< tract HG< ch# 7D#
Neander+s Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# 7HD#
.oshei'< oo0 ii< cent< i$< *art ii< cha*# iii#
.ar0< /$i( 7G-78#
I Cor#< /ii( @-77#
5a&# $( HH-H@#
Student+s Ecc&esiastica& Histor!< $o&# i< *# :H#
Jortin+s Ecc&# Hist#< $o&# i< **# 79@-:#
John /? .att# //$ii? .ar0 /i$( :7< :H#
For a&& of 2hich see John i( 7-@< 7@? He# i( 7-9? .att# //$iii( 78#
Co&# i( 7G-7N< and ii( N#
He# i( H< 9#
John /( 9D? /$ii( 77-HH#
John /i$( N#
John /i$( 7-N? John i( 78#
I Ti'# iii( 7:#
John /i$( 7D< 77< 7N< HD? a&so John /$ii#
E*h# iii( 7@-7N#
Acts $( 7-7@# To &ie to the Ho&! 5host is to &ie to 5od< ecause the Ho&!
5host is 5od#
.att# //$iii( 7N< HD#
II Cor# /iii( 7@#
)hi&# iii( HD< H7#
I Cor# /i$#
See Shedd+s Histor! of Christian Doctrine< $o&# i< *# 9@H< et se># and
note#
John i( 7-G< 7@#
Hist# Christian Counci&s EHefe&eF< *# HN@#
Catho&ic "e&ief E"runoF< *# 7#
i#e# 2ithout 'ateria&it!
Dec&ine and Fa&&< //i#
II )eter< ii(7#
Re$# /i$( :< M#
I Cor# /ii? E*h# i$#
I Cor# /ii#
.att# //#
Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# 7N:#
See **# &//iii-&//$#
This re'ar0 is >uoted ! Neander< Ch# Hist#< $o&# ii< *# 7N8#
.att# //( H:< HM#
Acts //( H8-9D#
I Ti'# i$( 7< H< 9#
II Ti'# i$( 7< H< 9< @#
II Ti'# iii( 7-G#
See *a,e /&$iii< and II )eter i( 9#
II Thes# ii( 7-7H#
Isaiah //i$( 7-:#
He# /iii( 7D#
Re$# /iii( :#
Dan# $ii( HG? $iii( HG#
Dan# $ii( H7#
Dan# $ii( HG#
Dan $iii( H@#
Re$# /iii( M#
That is< 7898< since the Church 2as or,ani4ed A*ri& :th< 789D# The
date at 2hich the )ro*het e,an the 2ritin, of this Histor! is a&so
indicated on a suse>uent *a,e 2here reference is 'ade to the fina& return
of the *&ates to the an,e&< in 2hose char,e the! re'ained -unti& this da!<
the second da! of .a!< 7898#-
The .ac0 fa'i&!< at &east ac0 to Eene4er .ac0 ,randfather of Luc!
2as fro' the state of Connecticut EJose*h S'ith and his )ro,enitors< !
Luc! S'ith< ch# i/#F
3ith this a,rees a &etter 2hich the )ro*het addressed to O&i$er
Co2der! u*on hearin, that it 2as the intention of the &atter to *u&ish a
series of artic&es in the Saints+ .essen,er and Ad$ocate< on -Ear&! Scenes
and Incidents in the Church#- The &etter referred to a**eared in $o&# I<
no# 9< of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< 789@#
LETTER OF JOSE)H S.ITH TO OLI%ER CO3DERY(
Dear "rother( Ha$in, &earned fro' the first nu'er of the .essen,er and
Ad$ocate< that !ou 2ere not on&! aout to -,i$e a histor! of the rise and
*ro,ress of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints?- ut that said histor!
2ou&d necessari&! e'race '! &ife and character< I ha$e een induced to
,i$e !ou the ti'e and *&ace of '! irth? as I ha$e &earned that 'an! of
the o**osers of those *rinci*&es 2hich I ha$e he&d forth to the 2or&d<
*rofess a *ersona& ac>uaintance 2ith 'e< thou,h 2hen in '! *resence<
re*resent 'e to e another *erson< in a,e< education< and stature< fro'
2hat I a'#
I 2as orn Eaccordin, to the record of the sa'e< 0e*t ! '! *arentsF in
the to2n of Sharon< 3indsor count!< %er'ont< on the H9rd of Dece'er<
78DG# At the a,e of ten '! father+s fa'i&! re'o$ed to )a&'!ra< Ne2 Yor0<
2here< in the $icinit! of 2hich< I &i$ed< or< 'ade it '! *&ace of
residence< unti& I 2as t2ent!-one? the &atter *art in the to2n of
.anchester#
Durin, this ti'e< as is co''on to 'ost< or a&& !ouths< I fe&& into 'an!
$ices and fo&&ies? ut as '! accusers are< and ha$e een for2ard to accuse
'e of ein, ,ui&t! of ,ross and outra,eous $io&ations of the *eace and
,ood order of the co''unit!< I ta0e the occasion to re'ar0 that< thou,h as
I ha$e said ao$e< -as is co''on to 'ost< or a&& !ouths< I fe&& into 'an!
$ices and fo&&ies<- I ha$e not< neither can it e sustained< in truth<
een ,ui&t! of 2ron,in, or in=urin, an! 'an or societ! of 'en? and those
i'*erfections to 2hich I a&&ude< and for 2hich I ha$e often had occasion
to &a'ent< 2ere a &i,ht< and too often< $ain 'ind< e/hiitin, a foo&ish
and trif&in, con$ersation#
This ein, a&&< and the 2orst< that '! accusers can sustantiate a,ainst
'! 'ora& character< I 2ish to add that it is not 2ithout a dee* fee&in, of
re,ret that I a' thus ca&&ed u*on in ans2er to '! o2n conscience< to
fu&fi& a dut! I o2e to '!se&f< as 2e&& as to the cause of truth< in 'a0in,
this *u&ic confession of '! for'er uncircu's*ect 2a&0< and trif&in,
con$ersation and 'ore *articu&ar&!< as I often acted in $io&ation of those
ho&! *rece*ts 2hich I 0ne2 ca'e fro' 5od# "ut as the -Artic&es and
Co$enants<- of this Church are *&ain u*on this *articu&ar *oint< I do not
dee' it i'*ortant to *roceed further# I on&! add< that I do not< nor ne$er
ha$e< *retended to e an! other than a 'an -su=ect to *assion<- and
&ia&e< 2ithout the assistin, ,race of the Sa$ior< to de$iate fro' that
*erfect *ath in 2hich a&& 'en are co''anded to 2a&0#
"! ,i$in, the ao$e a *&ace in !our $a&ua&e *a*er< !ou 2i&& confer a
&astin, fa$or u*on '!se&f< as an indi$idua&< and< as I hu'&! ho*e<
suser$e the cause of ri,hteousness#
I a'< 2ith fee&in,s of estee'< !our fe&&o2-&aorer in the 5os*e& of our
Lord<
ISi,nedJ Jose*h S'ith#
In the ori,ina& *u&ication of the histor! in the Ti'es and Seasons
at Nau$oo< this na'e a**ears as -Ne*hi<- and the .i&&ennia& Star
*er*etuated the error in its re*u&ication of the Histor!# That it is an
error is e$ident< and it is so noted in the 'anuscri*ts to 2hich access
has een had in the *re*aration of this 2or0# See a&so "oo0 of Doctrine
and Co$enants< section HM< *ar# G< and section 7H8< *ar# HD#
.ost &i0e&! the first *art of the cha*ter< as that dea&s 2ith the
co'in, of a 'essen,er to *re*are the 2a! for the ,&orious co'in, of
.essiah#
The fo&&o2in, descri*tion of Cu'orah is fro' the *en of O&i$er Co2der!(
You are ac>uainted 2ith the 'ai& road fro' )a&'!ra< 3a!ne count!< to
Canandai,ua< Ontario count!< Ne2 Yor0< and a&so< as !ou *ass fro' the
for'er to the &atter *&ace< efore arri$in, at the &itt&e $i&&a,e of
.anchester< sa! fro' three to four< or aout four 'i&es fro' )a&'!ra< !ou
*ass a &ar,e hi&& on the east side of the road# 3h! I sa! &ar,e< is
ecause it is as &ar,e *erha*s< as an! in that countr!# To a *erson
ac>uainted 2ith this road a descri*tion 2ou&d e unnecessar!< as it is the
&ar,est and rises the hi,hest of an! on that route# The north end rises
>uite sudden unti& it assu'es a &e$e& 2ith the 'ore souther&! e/tre'it!<
and I thin0 I 'a! sa! an e&e$ation hi,her than at the south a short
distance< sa! ha&f or three fourths of a 'i&e# As !ou *ass to2ard
Canandai,ua it &essens ,radua&&! unti& the surface assu'es its co''on
&e$e&< or is ro0en ! other s'a&&er hi&&s or rid,es< 2ater-courses and
ra$ines# I thin0 I a' =ustified in sa!in, that this is the hi,hest hi&&
for so'e distance round< and I a' certain that its a**earance< as it rises
so sudden&! fro' the *&ain on the north< 'ust attract the notice of the
tra$e&er as he *asses !#--.essen,er and Ad$ocate< 7897#
A ,enea&o,! of the )ro*het+s fa'i&! in the Church records ,i$es the
date of A&$in+s death< No$e'er 7N< 78HG# Luc! S'ith+s Histor! of the
)ro*het a,rees 2ith the te/t ao$e#--78H@< No$e'er 7N#
E''a Ha&e 2as orn in the to2n of Har'on!< Sus>uehanna count!<
)enns!&$ania< Ju&! 7D< 78D@# It 2i&& therefore e oser$ed that E''a Ha&e
2as in her t2ent!-third !ear at the ti'e of her 'arria,e 2ith the )ro*het?
hence of a,e? hence< under the &a2< 'istress of her o2n actions# This is
re'ar0ed ecause the )ro*het< in 2or0s 2ritten a,ainst hi'< is char,ed
2ith ha$in, aducted his 2ife#
See footnote *a,e H#
.artin Harris< 2ho suse>uent&! eca'e one of the Three 3itnesses to
the "oo0 of .or'on< 2as orn in East-to2n< Sarato,a count!< Ne2 Yor0< on
the 78th of .a!< 7M89# 3hen in his ninth !ear his father 'o$ed 2ith his
fa'i&! into )a&'!ra< 3a!ne count!< so that 'an and o! .artin Harris had
&i$ed in )a&'!ra so'e thirt!-si/ !ears# He had a'assed a considera&e
*ro*ert! in &ands< and had esta&ished a re*utation for usiness
re&iai&it!#
In a &etter to E# D# Ho2e< of )aines$i&&e< Ohio< 2ho *u&ished a oo0
a,ainst the Church in 789@< )rofessor Anthon ac0no2&ed,ed the $isit of
.artin Harris to hi' and the *resentation of the characters in >uestion#
He states< ho2e$er< that Harris< 2ho' he descries as -a *&ain< a**arent&!
si'*&e-hearted far'er<- *resented hi' 2ith a note fro' Dr# Sa'ue& L#
.itche&&< of Ne2 Yor0< re>uestin, hi' EAnthonF to deci*her< if *ossi&e< a
*a*er 2hich the -far'er- 2ou&d hand to hi'# The ca&& on Dr# .itche&&<
a&&uded to in .artin Harris+ state'ent ao$e< 'ust< therefore< ha$e
referred to a second $isit to Dr# .itche&&< after his ad$enture 2ith
)rofessor Anthon# The &atter+s co''unication to Ho2e ears the date of
Feruar! 7Mth< 789@< and is *u&ished in e/tenso in S'uc0er+s Histor! of
the .or'ons< **# 9M-9N#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /# This re$e&ation 2as ,i$en at Har'on!<
)enns!&$ania in the su''er of 78H8< a short ti'e after the re$e&ation
0no2n as section 9< in the Doctrine and Co$enants#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# i$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# $#
O&i$er Co2der! 2as orn in the to2n of 3e&&s< Rut&and count!<
%er'ont< Oct# 9< 78D:# He 'arried E&i4aeth Ann 3hit'er< in 1a2 to2nshi*<
Jac0son count!< .issouri< Dec# 78< 789H# She 2as orn in Fa!ette< Seneca
count!< Ne2 Yor0< Januar! HH< 787G#
)re$ious to =oinin, the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< O&i$er Co2der!< had 'et
Da$id 3hit'er at )a&'!ra< and con$ersed 2ith hi' concernin, the ru'ors
rife in that $icinit! aout the findin, of the "oo0 of .or'on *&ates# This
chance 'eetin, resu&ted in a friendshi* et2een the !oun, 'en< and fina&&!
2hen Co2der! deter'ined to $isit the )ro*het in Har'on!< he 2ent $ia the
3hit'er residence< at Fa!ette< 2hich 2as near the to2n of 3ater&oo< at the
head of Seneca &a0e< Seneca count!< Ne2 Yor0? and *ro'ised his friend
Da$id 3hit'er that after $isitin, the )ro*het he 2ou&d 2rite hi' his
i'*ressions as to the truth or untruth of Jose*h S'ith+s ha$in, an ancient
record# ESee state'ent of Da$id 3hit'er in 1ansas Cit! Journa&< June Gth<
788:? a&so state'ent of the sa'e to Orson )ratt and Jose*h F# S'ith< in
78M8< .i&&ennia& Star< $o&# /&< **# M:N-MM@#F
This date< Mth of A*ri&< and the one ao$e< Gth of A*ri&< 78HN< in
the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith< *u&ished in the .i&&ennia& Star< are ,i$en
as the 7Gth and 7Mth of A*ri&< res*ecti$e&!# The dates in the Star<
ho2e$er< are t!*o,ra*hica& errors< as in the ori,ina& .S of the Histor!
the dates are as ,i$en in the te/t# See a&so Co2der!+s &etters to 3# 3#
)he&*s< *u&ished in .essen,er and Ad$ocate< 789@< 2here the dates are
a&so ,i$en as in the te/t ao$e--Gth and Mth of A*ri&#
Doctrine and Co$enants< section $i#
St# John< cha*# //i< $erse HH#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# $ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# $iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /iii#
RESTORATION OF THE .ELCHI;EDE1 )RIESTHOOD#--The *ro'ise to confer
u*on Jose*h and O&i$er the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as fu&fi&&ed? ut as
there is no definite account of the e$ent in the histor! of the )ro*het
Jose*h< or< for 'atter of that< in an! of our anna&s< the e$idences of the
fact of their ordination to the hi,her or .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood *ro'ised
the' ! John the "a*tist< are *resented no2< to,ether 2ith a consideration
of the *&ace 2here< and the ti'e 2hen the ,reat e$ent occurred#
The )ro*het Jose*h< in a co''unication to the Church< under date of
Se*te'er :< 78@H< 'a0es undouted a&&usion to the restoration of the
.e&chi4ede0 )riesthood in the course of an ecstatic re$ie2 of the ,reat
thin,s 5od had re$ea&ed to hi'# He said( -And a,ain< 2hat do 2e hearB 5&ad
tidin,s fro' Cu'orah# .oroni< an an,e& fro' hea$en< dec&arin, the
fu&fi&'ent of the *ro*hets--the oo0 to e re$ea&ed# A $oice of the Lord
in the 2i&derness of Fa!ette< Seneca count!< dec&arin, the three 2itnesses
to ear record of the oo0# The $oice of .ichae& on the an0s of the
Sus>uehanna< detectin, the de$i& 2hen he a**eared as an an,e& of &i,ht#
The $oice of )eter< Ja'es and John in the 2i&derness et2een Har'on!<
Sus>uehanna count!< and Co&es$i&&e< "roo'e count!< on the Sus>uehanna
ri$er< dec&arin, the'se&$es as *ossessin, the 0e!s of the 0in,do'< and of
the Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es#- EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec#
c//$iii( HD#F
In one of the ear&! re$e&ations ,i$en to the )ro*het Jose*h< the Lord
'a0es 'ost direct reference to the restoration of the hi,her )riesthood
throu,h the 'inistration of )eter< Ja'es and John# The su=ect 'atter of
the re$e&ation is the Sacra'ent of the Lord+s su**er? and in the course of
it the Lord *ro'ises to -drin0 of the fruit of the $ine- 2ith His ser$ants
on earth to 2ho' the re$e&ation is addressed? -and 2ith .oroni< C C C and
a&so .ichae&< or Ada'< the father of a&&< C C C and a&so 2ith )eter< and
Ja'es< and John< 2ho' I ha$e sent unto !ou< ! 2ho' I ha$e ordained !ou
and confir'ed !ou to e A*ost&es< and s*ecia& 2itnesses of '! na'e< and
ear the 0e!s of !our 'inistr!< and of the sa'e thin,s 2hich I re$ea&ed
unto the'? unto 2ho' I ha$e co''itted the 0e!s of '! 0in,do'< and a
dis*ensation of the ,os*e& for the &ast ti'es? and for the fu&ness of
ti'es#- EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# //$iiF# This re$e&ation 2as ,i$en
so'e ti'e ear&! in Au,ust< 789D< ut on&! the first four $erses 2ere
2ritten at that ti'e# The rest of it 2as 2ritten in Se*te'er of that
!ear# ESee cha*ter /i of this $o&u'eF# These t2o a&&usions--the one ! the
)ro*het and the other ! the Lord--to the restoration of the .e&chi4ede0
)riesthood not on&! 'a0e c&ear the fact that the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood
2as restored in accordance 2ith the *ro'ise of John the "a*tist 2hen
conferrin, the Aaronic )riesthood< ut the! 'a0e it *ossi&e to fi/ u*on
the *&ace 2here< and a**ro/i'ate&! the ti'e 2hen< the e$ent occurred#
Undouted&! the *&ace 2here the ordination 2as *erfor'ed 2as on the an0s
of the Sus>uehanna ri$er< in the 2i&derness et2een Co&es$i&&e< in "roo'e
count!< Ne2 Yor0< and Har'on!< in Sus>uehanna count!< )enns!&$ania? for it
is there the )ro*het sa!s the $oice of )eter< Ja'es and John 2as heard
dec&arin, the'se&$es as -*ossessin, the 0e!s of the 0in,do'< and of the
Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es?- for 2hich a**earin, and dec&aration
there cou&d e no other occasion than the ordination of O&i$er and Jose*h
to the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood in fu&fi&'ent of the *ro'ises 'ade ! John
the "a*tist# The ti'e at 2hich the ordination too0 *&ace 2as e$ident&!
et2een the 7Gth of .a!< 78HN< and Au,ust< 789D# The &ast na'ed date is
the one under 2hich the Lord so definite&! referred to the circu'stance of
ha$in, sent )eter< Ja'es and John to ordain Jose*h and others to e
A*ost&es< e$en s*ecia& 2itnesses of His na'e< and unto 2ho' He had
co''itted the 0e!s of the 0in,do'# Hence the ti'e of the ordination 'ust
ha$e een et2een those t2o dates#
Fro' infor'ation contained in other re$e&ations< ho2e$er< this *eriod
2ithin 2hich the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as restored 'a! e considera&!
reduced# In A*ri&< 789D< a re$e&ation 2as ,i$en concernin, the
or,ani4ation and ,o$ern'ent of the Church< and in that re$e&ation the Lord
said( -3hich co''and'ents Ii#e# to or,ani4e the ChurchJ 2ere ,i$en to
Jose*h S'ith< Jr#< 2ho 2as ca&&ed of 5od and ordained an a*ost&e of Jesus
Christ to e the first E&der of this Church? and to O&i$er Co2der!< 2ho
2as a&so ca&&ed of 5od< an A*ost&e of Jesus Christ< to e the second E&der
of this Church< and ordained under his hand#- EDoctrine and Co$enants<
sec# //( H< 9#F This a&&usion to the ordination of these 'en to the
a*ost&eshi* reduces the ti'e of their ordination to the *eriod et2een the
7Gth of .a!< 78HN< and A*ri& :< 789D#
"ut the ti'e 2ithin 2hich the ordination too0 *&ace 'a! e sti&& further
reduced# In a re$e&ation earin, the date of June< 78HN< 'a0in, 0no2n the
ca&&in, of the T2e&$e A*ost&es in these &ast da!s< and addressed to O&i$er
Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er< the Lord said( -I s*ea0 unto !ou< e$en as unto
)au& 'ine A*ost&e< for !ou are ca&&ed e$en 2ith that sa'e ca&&in, 2ith
2hich he 2as ca&&ed#- As this cou&d scarce&! e said of 'en 2ho had not
een ordained to the sa'e ho&! a*ost&eshi* as that he&d ! )au&< and
conse>uent&! to the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood< the conc&usion is reasona&e
that the ordination *ro'ised ! John the "a*tist< dout&ess occurred so'e
ti'e et2een .a! 7G< 78HN< and the e/*iration of the 'onth of June of that
sa'e !ear#
That there 2as a distinct ad'inistration of an,e&s in the restoration of
the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood is sustained ! the testi'on! of O&i$er
Co2der!# On the occasion of his returnin, to the Church at 1anes$i&&e<
Io2a< in the fa&& of 78@8< after an asence of e&e$en !ears fro' the od!
of the Saints< in the course of the *u&ic address 2hich he then
de&i$ered< he said( -I 2as *resent 2ith Jose*h 2hen an ho&! an,e& fro' 5od
ca'e do2n fro' hea$en and conferred on us< or restored< the &esser or
Aaronic )riesthood< and said to us< at the sa'e ti'e< that it shou&d
re'ain u*on the earth 2hi&e the earth stands# I 2as a&so *resent 2ith
Jose*h 2hen the hi,her or .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as conferred ! the ho&!
an,e& fro' on hi,h# This )riesthood< 2e then conferred on each other !
the 2i&& and co''and'ent of 5od#- The authorit! for the fore,oin,
state'ent is the re*ort of "isho* Reuen .i&&er< 2ho 2as *resent on the
occasion of O&i$er Co2der!+s de&i$erin, the address fro' 2hich the ao$e
is >uoted# "isho* .i&&er+s notes of Co2der!+s re'ar0s 2ere *u&ished in
the Deseret Ne2s of the 79th of A*ri&< 78GN# It is to e oser$ed that
O&i$er Co2der!< in this >uotation< is re*resented as sa!in, 2ith reference
to the restoration of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood< that it 2as ! the -ho&!
an,e&<- 2hereas< accordin, to the state'ent of the )ro*het< that
)riesthood 2as restored ! three an,e&s--)eter< Ja'es and John# The
discre*anc! 'a! arise fro' i'*erfect recordin, of O&i$er+s &an,ua,e# In a
si,ned state'ent 2hich O&i$er Co2der! ,a$e to Sa'ue& 3# Richards< under
date of Januar! 79< 78@N--the state'ent has een *u&ished a nu'er of
ti'es in our Church *eriodica&s--ein, aout t2o 'onths and a ha&f after
de&i$erin, the address re*orted ! "isho* .i&&er< he said( -John the
"a*tist< ho&din, the 0e!s of the Aaronic )riesthood? )eter< Ja'es and
John< ho&din, the 0e!s of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood< ha$e a&so 'inistered
for those 2ho sha&& e heirs of sa&$ation< and 2ith these ad'inistrations
ordained 'en to the sa'e )riesthood# These )riesthoods< 2ith their
authorit!< are no2< and 'ust continue to e in the od! of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints# C C C Acce*t assurances< dear rother<
of the unfei,ned *ra!er of hi' 2ho< in connection 2ith Jose*h< the Seer<
2as &essed 2ith the ao$e ad'inistrations#- ISi,nedJ OLI%ER CO3DERY#
It 'a! e 2e&& at this *oint to ca&& attention to the sin,u&ar and
i'*ortant fact that the )ro*het< neither in his narrati$e of the ao$e
rea&&! ,reat and dra'atic e$ent< nor in an! of those ,reat $isions and
re$e&ations 2hich *recede or fo&&o2 it< sto*s to co''ent or ,ro2 e&o>uent
o$er the i'*ortance of an ad'inistration or the ,randeur of an occasion#
He 'a! ne$er ha$e heard the 'a/i'< -A true ta&e s*eeds est ein, *&ain&!
to&d<- ut had he heard of it and ado*ted it as his 'otto< he cou&d not
ha$e fo&&o2ed it 'ore c&ose&! than unconscious&! he has done in his
narrati$e# He see's to ha$e ut one o=ect in $ie2< and that is to ,et on
record the *&ain truth *ertainin, to the co'in, forth of the 2or0 of 5od#
O&i$er Co2der!< ho2e$er< 2ho shared in this 'inistration of the an,e&<
John the "a*tist< has &eft u*on record a descri*tion of the scene and the
i'*ressions it &eft u*on his 'ind< and 2hich< 2itha& is of such sin,u&ar
eaut! and *o2er that I thin0 the histor! of the e$ent shou&d not ,o to
the 2or&d 2ithout it# After s*ea0in, of his o2n and the )ro*het+s desire
to hear the co''and'ent ,i$en< -Arise and e a*ti4ed<- he sa!s(
-This 2as not &on, desired efore it 2as rea&i4ed# The Lord< 2ho is rich
in 'erc!< and e$er 2i&&in, to ans2er the consistent *ra!er of the hu'&e<
after 2e had ca&&ed u*on hi' in a fer$ent 'anner< aside fro' the aodes of
'en< condescended to 'anifest to us His 2i&&# On a sudden< as fro' the
'idst of eternit!< the $oice of the Redee'er s*a0e *eace to us< 2hi&e the
$ei& 2as *arted and the an,e& of 5od ca'e do2n c&othed 2ith ,&or! and
de&i$ered the an/ious&! &oo0ed for 'essa,e< and the 0e!s of the 5os*e& of
re*entance# -3hat =o!K 2hat 2onderK 2hat a'a4e'entK 3hi&e the 2or&d 2as
rac0ed and distracted--2hi&e 'i&&ions 2ere ,ro*in, as the &ind for the
2a&&< and 2hi&e a&& 'en 2ere restin, u*on uncertaint!< as a ,enera& 'ass<
our e!es ehe&d--our ears heard# As in the L&a4e of da!?+ !es<
'ore--ao$e the ,&itter of the .a! sunea'< 2hich then shed its ri&&ianc!
o$er the face of natureK Then his $oice< thou,h 'i&d< *ierced to the
center< and his 2ords< LI a' th! fe&&o2-ser$ant<+ dis*e&&ed e$er! fear# 3e
&istened< 2e ,a4ed< 2e ad'iredK +T2as the $oice of an an,e& fro'
,&or!--+t2as a 'essa,e fro' the .ost Hi,h< and as 2e heard 2e re=oiced<
2hi&e His &o$e en0ind&ed u*on our sou&s< and 2e 2ere ra*t in the $ision of
the A&'i,ht!K 3here 2as roo' for doutB No2here? uncertaint! had f&ed<
dout had sun0< no 'ore to rise< 2hi&e fiction and dece*tion had f&ed
fore$er# "ut< dear rother< thin0 further< thin0 for a 'o'ent 2hat =o!
fi&&ed our hearts and 2ith 2hat sur*rise 2e 'ust ha$e o2ed< Efor 2ho
2ou&d not ha$e o2ed the 0nee for such a &essin,BF 2hen 2e recei$ed under
his hands the Ho&! )riesthood< as he said< LU*on !ou '! fe&&o2 ser$ants<
in the na'e of .essiah< I confer this )riesthood and this authorit!< 2hich
re'ain u*on earth< that the sons of Le$i 'a! !et offer an offerin, unto
the Lord in ri,hteousnessK+
-I sha&& not atte'*t to *aint to !ou the fee&in,s of this heart< nor the
'a=estic eaut! and ,&or! 2hich surrounded us on this occasion? ut !ou
2i&& e&ie$e 'e 2hen I sa!< that earth< nor 'en< 2ith the e&o>uence of
ti'e< cannot e,in to c&othe &an,ua,e in as interestin, and su&i'e a
'anner as this ho&! *ersona,e# No? nor has this earth *o2er to ,i$e the
=o!< to esto2 the *eace< or co'*rehend the 2isdo' 2hich 2as contained in
each sentence as it 2as de&i$ered ! the *o2er of the Ho&! S*iritK .an 'a!
decei$e his fe&&o2 'an? dece*tion 'a! fo&&o2 dece*tion< and the chi&dren
of the 2ic0ed one 'a! ha$e *o2er to seduce the foo&ish and untau,ht< ti&&
nau,ht ut fiction feeds the 'an!< and the fruit of fa&sehood carries in
its current the ,idd! to the ,ra$e< ut one touch 2ith the fin,er of his
&o$e< !es< one ra! of ,&or! fro' the u**er 2or&d< or one 2ord fro' the
'outh of the Sa$ior< fro' the oso' of eternit!< stri0es it a&& into
insi,nificance< and &ots it fore$er fro' the 'indK The assurance that 2e
2ere in the *resence of an an,e&? the certaint! that 2e heard the $oice of
Jesus< and the truth unsu&&ied as it f&o2ed fro' a *ure *ersona,e<
dictated ! the 2i&& of 5od< is to 'e< *ast descri*tion< and I sha&& e$er
&oo0 u*on this e/*ression of the Sa$ior+s ,oodness 2ith 2onder and
than0s,i$in, 2hi&e I a' *er'itted to tarr!< and in those 'ansions 2here
*erfection d2e&&s and sin ne$er co'es< I ho*e to adore in that da! 2hich
sha&& ne$er cease#---E.essen,er and Ad$ocate< 789@#F
Sa'ue& H# S'ith 2as orn in Tunrid,e< %t#< .arch 79< 78D8# He 2as
the fourth son of Jose*h and Luc! S'ith#
H!ru' S'ith 2as orn in Tunrid,e< %t#< Feruar! N< 78DD# He 2as the
second son of Jose*h and Luc! S'ith< and at this ti'e the o&dest son
&i$in,#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /i#
There is no record in the Church anna&s of the ti'e and *&ace of the
irth of Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen# He 2as 2e&& ad$anced in &ife< ho2e$er< 2hen
the 2or0 of 5od in these &ast da!s e,an to co'e forth# Fro' the =ourna&
of his son< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< it is &earned that Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen#< 'arried
)o&&! )ec0? that he 'o$ed into the state of Ne2 Yor0 and sett&ed on the
Sus>uehanna ri$er< near the ,reat end< in Chenan,o count!< in 78DN# T2o
!ears &ater he re'o$ed to Co&es$i&&e< "roo'e count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2here he
re'ained nineteen !ears# -.! father<- sa!s Ne2e& 1ni,ht in his =ourna&<
-o2ned a far'< a ,rist 'i&& and cardin, 'achine# He 2as not rich !et he
*ossessed enou,h of this 2or&d+s ,oods to secure to hi'se&f and fa'i&!<
not on&! the necessaries< ut a&so the co'forts of &ife# His fa'i&!<
consistin, of '! 'other< three sons and four dau,hters< he reared in a
,entee& and res*ecta&e 'anner< and ,a$e his chi&dren a ,ood< co''on
schoo& education# .! father 2as a soer< honest 'an< ,enera&&! res*ected
and e&o$ed ! his nei,hors and ac>uaintances# He did not e&on, to an!
re&i,ious sect< ut 2as a e&ie$er in the Uni$ersa&ian doctrine#- The
usiness in 2hich Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen#< en,a,ed< 'ade it necessar! at ti'es
for hi' to hire 'en< and the )ro*het Jose*h 2as occasiona&&! e'*&o!ed !
hi'# To the 1ni,ht fa'i&!< 2ho 2ere ,reat&! attached to hi'< the !oun,
)ro*het re&ated 'an! of the thin,s 5od had re$ea&ed res*ectin, the "oo0 of
.or'on< then as !et< to co'e forth# So far at &east 2as the e&der 1ni,ht
ta0en into the )ro*het+s confidence that he *ur*ose&! so arran,ed his
affairs as to e at the S'ith fa'i&! residence< near .anchester< at the
ti'e the *&ates of the "oo0 of .or'on 2ere ,i$en into Jose*h+s *ossession#
.r# 1ni,ht had dri$en to the S'ith residence 2ith a horse and carria,e<
and in this con$e!ance< accordin, to the state'ent of oth Luc! S'ith<
'other of the )ro*het< ESee Luc! S'ith+s Histor! or the )ro*het< ch#
//iiiF< and Jose*h 1ni,ht< Sen#< Jose*h< in co'*an! 2ith his 2ife E''a<
dro$e a2a! $er! ear&!--efore da!&i,ht--on the 'ornin, of Se*te'er the
HHnd# It is *resu'ed< of course< the )ro*het dro$e to Cu'orah< and there
recei$ed fro' .oroni the *&ates of the "oo0 of .or'on< the Uri' and
Thu''i' and "reast*&ate< 2hich 2ere< for so'e ti'e--e/ce*tin, the Uri' and
Thu''i'--concea&ed in the 2oods# .r# 1ni,ht re'ained at the S'ith
residence se$era& da!s< and 2as there the da! Jose*h rou,ht ho'e the
*&ates? and in co'*an! 2ith Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< and .r# Stoa&--2ho 2as
a&so *resent at the S'ith residence in co'*an! 2ith .r# 1ni,ht--2ent in
search of those 'en 2ho had assai&ed the )ro*het 2hi&e on his 2a! ho'e
2ith the *&ates< ut the! did not find the'# Fro' Jose*h+s narrati$e in
the te/t it 2i&& e seen that the senior Jose*h 1ni,ht+s interest in the
2or0 continued#
Doctrine and Co$enants sec /ii#
)eter 3hit'er< Sen#< 2as orn A*ri& 7@< 7MM9# Of the *&ace of his
irth there is no record in the Church anna&s< ut it 2as dout&ess in the
state of )enns!&$ania# He 'arried .ar! .usse&'an< 2ho 2as orn HMth of
Au,ust< 7MM8? and to the' 2ere orn ei,ht chi&dren# The E&der 3hit'er 2as
a strict )res!terian< and trained his chi&dren in that faith# In the
ear&! !ears of the 7Nth centur! he 'o$ed fro' the state of )enns!&$ania to
Ne2 Yor0< and sett&ed in Fa!ette to2nshi*< aout three 'i&es south of
3ater&oo< 2here the )ro*het 'ade his ac>uaintance#
Da$id 3hit'er 2as orn near Harrisur,< )enns!&$ania< Januar! Mth<
78DG< and 2as the fourth son of )eter 3hit'er< Sen#< and .ar! .usse&'an
3hit'er#
John 3hit'er 2as orn Au,ust HMth< 78DH# He 2as the third son of
)eter 3hit'er< Sen#< and .ar! .usse&'an 3hit'er#
)eter 3hit'er< Jun#< 2as orn Se*te'er HMth< 78DN< and 2as the fifth
son< ut si/th chi&d of .ar! .usse&'an and )eter 3hit'er< Sen#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /i$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$i#
See a&so re$e&ation ,i$en .arch< 78HN< *a,e HN#
In the ori,ina& 'anuscri*t co*! of the Histor!< the reference here
'ade are to the first edition of the "oo0 of .or'on< ut to a$oid
confusion< the *a,es< cha*ters and $erses of the &ater and *re$ai&in,
editions are ,i$en# In the first edition Ino2 $er! rareJ the reference
fro' the "oo0 of Ether is on *a,e G@8< to2ard the 'idd&e of cha*ter H? and
that fro' Ne*hi is on *a,e 8:< to2ard the e,innin, of cha*ter 8# The
>uotations are as fo&&o2s(
-And eho&d< !e 'a! e *ri$i&e,ed that !e 'a! sho2 the *&ates unto those
2ho sha&& assist to rin, forth this 2or0? and unto three sha&& the! e
sho2n ! the *o2er of 5od? 2herefore< the! sha&& 0no2 of a suret! that
these thin,s are true# And in the 'outh of three 2itnesses sha&& these
thin,s e esta&ished? and the testi'on! of three< and this 2or0< in the
2hich sha&& e sho2n forth the *o2er of 5od and a&so his 2ord< of 2hich
the Father< and the Son< and the Ho&! 5host ear record(--and a&& this
sha&& stand as a testi'on! a,ainst the 2or&d at the &ast da!#---"oo0 of
Ether< $( H-@#
LAnd '! rother< Jaco a&so has seen hi' as I ha$e seen hi'? 2herefore< I
2i&& send their 2ords forth unto '! chi&dren to *ro$e unto the' that '!
2ords are true# 3herefore< ! the 2ords of three< 5od hath said< I 2i&&
esta&ish '! 2ord# Ne$erthe&ess< 5od sendeth 'ore 2itnesses< and he
*ro$eth a&& his 2ords#---II Ne*hi /i( 9#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$ii#
There are so'e other detai&s connected 2ith the otainin, of the
testi'on! of the Three 3itnesses 2hich ou,ht not to e o'itted at this
*oint# The da! on 2hich the Three 3itnesses recei$ed their 'anifestation
the usua& 'ornin, fa'i&! ser$ice 2as he&d at the 3hit'er residence<
na'e&!< scri*ture-readin,< sin,in,< and *ra!er# "esides the 3hit'er
fa'i&!< the )ro*het and his 2ife and O&i$er Co2der!< there 2ere *resent
the )ro*het+s father and 'other and .artin Harris# As soon as Jose*h rose
fro' his 0nees< he a**roached .artin Harris and said< -2ith a so&e'nit!
that thri&&s throu,h '! $eins to this da!<- sa!s the )ro*hets 'other< 2ho
re&ates this circu'stance( -.artin Harris< !ou ha$e ,ot to hu'&e !ourse&f
efore !our 5od this da!< that !ou 'a! otain a for,i$eness of !our sins#
If !ou do< it is the 2i&& of 5od that !ou shou&d &oo0 u*on the *&ates in
co'*an! 2ith O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er#- EHistor! of the )ro*het
Jose*h< ! Luc! S'ith< ch# ///i#F 3hen the for'er trans,ression of .artin
Harris in the 'atter of etra!in, the trust of the )ro*het< ! 2hich *art
of the trans&ation of the "oo0 of .or'on had een &ost Esee *# H7F--2hen
this and the *ride and se&f-2i&& of the 'an+s character are ta0en into
account< there 2as certain&! a necessit! for the ad'onition 2hich the
)ro*het ,a$e .artin Harris that 'ornin,# The circu'stance a&so affords an
e/*&anation of .artin+s difficu&t! in otainin, a testi'on! 2hich< after
his 2ithdra2a& fro' the'< a**ears to ha$e een ,i$en so readi&! to O&i$er
Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er#
Another circu'stance is re&ated ! Luc! S'ith 2hich is here a*ro*os<
na'e&!< the =o! of the )ro*het in ha$in, other 2itnesses than hi'se&f to
the truth of the 2or0 the Lord 2as then rin,in, forth to the 2or&d#
S*ea0in, of the 2itnesses returnin, to the 3hit'er ho'e after seein, the
*&ates< she sa!s( -3hen the! returned to the house< it 2as et2een three
and four o+c&oc0 *#'# .rs# 3hit'er< .r# S'ith< and '!se&f 2ere sittin, in
the edroo' at the ti'e# On co'in, in<
Jose*h thre2 hi'se&f do2n eside 'e< and e/c&ai'ed< LFather< 'other< !ou
do not 0no2 ho2 ha**! I a'? the Lord has no2 caused the *&ates to e sho2n
to three 'ore esides '!se&f# The! ha$e seen an an,e&< 2ho has testified
to the'< and the! 2i&& ha$e to ear 2itness to the truth of 2hat I ha$e
said< for no2 the! 0no2 for the'se&$es that I do not ,o aout to decei$e
the *eo*&e< and I fee& as if I 2as re&ie$ed of a urden 2hich 2as a&'ost
too hea$! for 'e to ear< and it re=oices '! sou& that I a' not an! &on,er
to e entire&! a&one in the 2or&d#+ U*on this< .artin Harris ca'e in# He
see'ed a&'ost o$erco'e 2ith =o!< and testified o&d&! to 2hat he had oth
seen and heard# And so did Da$id and O&i$er< addin, that no ton,ue cou&d
e/*ress the =o! of their hearts and the ,reatness of the thin,s 2hich the!
had oth seen and heard#---Histor! of the )ro*het Jose*h< ch# ///i#
In an e/tended inter$ie2 et2een E&ders Orson )ratt< Jose*h F# S'ith
Eoth of the counci& of the T2e&$e A*ost&esF and Da$id 3hit'er< at the
ho'e of .r# 3hit'er< in Rich'ond< .issouri< in Se*te'er< 78M8< the
>uestion 2as as0ed the then a,ed 2itness if he and the other 2itnesses did
or did not si,n the testi'onies the'se&$es# 3hit'er re*&ied that each
si,ned his o2n na'e#--)ratt and S'ith Re*ort< .i&&ennia& Star< $o&# /i<
nos# @N< GD# Re*ort is dated Se*t# 7M< 78M8#
In the first edition of the "oo0 of .or'on the testi'on! of Three
3itnesses< and a&so the Testi'on! of Ei,ht 3itnesses a**ear at the end--or
on the &ast t2o *a,es of the $o&u'e< instead of ein,< as in the &ater
editions< on the *a,e fo&&o2in, the tit&e-*a,e# The first edition a&so had
the fo&&o2in,(
)REFACE#
TO THE READER--
As 'an! fa&se re*orts ha$e een circu&ated res*ectin, the fo&&o2in, 2or0<
and a&so 'an! un&a2fu& 'easures ta0en ! e$i& desi,nin, *ersons to destro!
'e< and a&so the 2or0< I 2ou&d infor' !ou that I trans&ated< ! the ,ift
and *o2er of 5od< and caused to e 2ritten< one hundred and si/teen *a,es<
the 2hich I too0 fro' the oo0 of Lehi< 2hich 2as an account arid,ed fro'
the *&ates of Lehi< ! the hand of .or'on? 2hich said account< so'e *erson
or *ersons ha$e sto&en and 0e*t fro' 'e< not2ithstandin, '! ut'ost
e/ertions to reco$er it a,ain--and ein, co''anded of the Lord that I
shou&d not trans&ate the sa'e o$er a,ain< for Satan had *ut it into their
hearts to te'*t the Lord their 5od< ! a&terin, the 2ords< that the! did
read contrar! fro' that 2hich I trans&ated and caused to e 2ritten? and
if I shou&d rin, forth the sa'e 2ords a,ain< or< in other 2ords< if I
shou&d trans&ate the sa'e o$er a,ain< the! 2ou&d *u&ish that 2hich the!
had sto&en< and Satan 2ou&d stir u* the hearts of this ,eneration< that
the! 'i,ht not recei$e this 2or0? ut eho&d< the
Lord said unto 'e I 2i&& not suffer that Satan sha&& acco'*&ish his e$i&
desi,n in this thin,? therefore thou sha&t trans&ate fro' the *&ates of
Ne*hi< unti& !e co'e to that 2hich !e ha$e trans&ated< 2hich !e ha$e
retained? and eho&d !e sha&& *u&ish it as the record of Ne*hi? and thus
I 2i&& confound those 2ho ha$e a&tered '! 2ords# I 2i&& not suffer that
the! sha&& destro! '! 2or0? !ea< I 2i&& sho2 unto the' that '! 2isdo' is
,reater than the cunnin, of the de$i&# 3herefore to e oedient unto the
co''and'ents of 5od I ha$e throu,h His ,race and 'erc! acco'*&ished that
2hich He hath co''anded 'e< res*ectin, this thin, I 2ou&d a&so infor' !ou
that the *&ates of 2hich hath een s*o0en< 2ere found in the to2nshi* of
.anchester< Ontario count!< Ne2 Yor0#
THE AUTHOR
Accordin, to Luc! S'ith Esee Histor! of the )ro*het Jose*h< ch# ///iF
the ei,ht 2itnesses otained a $ie2 of the *&ates near the S'ith residence
at .anchester#
It 2as on the occasion of the )ro*het Jose*h+s co'in, o$er to .anchester
fro' Fa!ette< acco'*anied ! se$era& of the 3hit'ers and Hira' )a,e to
'a0e arran,e'ents aout ,ettin, the "oo0 of .or'on *rinted After arri$in,
at the S'ith residence Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< H!ru' S'ith< and Sa'ue& H#
S'ith =oined Jose*h+s co'*an! fro' Fa!ette and to,ether the! re*aired to a
*&ace in the 2oods 2here 'e'ers of the s'ith fa'i&! 2ere 2ont to ho&d
secret *ra!er and there the *&ates 2ere sho2n to these ei,ht 2itness !
the )ro*het hi'se&f The difference et2een the testi'on! ,i$en the Three
3itnesses and that ,i$en to the Ei,ht< is that the for'er 2as attended !
a s*&endid dis*&a! of the ,&or! and *o2er of 5od and the 'inistration of
an an,e&< 2hi&e the &atter 2as attended ! no such dis*&a! ut 2as a *&ain
'atter-of-fact e/hiition of the *&ates ! the )ro*het to his friends< and
the! not on&! sa2 the *&ates< ut hand&ed the' and e/a'ined the en,ra$in,s
u*on the'#
In the first edition< the 2ords -Author and )ro*rietor- a**ear
instead of the 2ord -trans&ator#- The reason for this is o$ious under the
&a2s then e/istin, the co*!ri,ht 2as secured to -authors and *ro*rietors-
and hence on the tit&e *a,e of the first edition# -Jose*h S'ith< Junior<
author and *ro*rietor<- ta0es the *&ace of the &ine -Trans&ated ! Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#<- in the &ater editions# The )ro*het 'ere&! ado*ted the
*hraseo&o,! of the &a2 )recedin, the *reface to the first edition a**ears
the fo&&o2in, certificate of co*!ri,ht 2hich is interestin, not on&! as
e/*&ainin, the fore,oin, *oint< ut a&so as *reser$in, an i'*ortant date
in Church histor!(
Northern District of Ne2 Yor0< to 2it(
"E IT RE.E."ERED< That on the e&e$enth da! of June< in the fift!-third
!ear of the inde*endence of the United States of A'erica< A# D# 78HN<
JOSE)H S.ITH JUN#< of the said district< hath de*osited in this office the
tit&e of a "oo0< the ri,ht 2hereof the c&ai's as author< in the 2ords
fo&&o2in, to 2it( IHere fo&&o2s the tit&e *a,e 2ith the 2ords< -"! Jose*h
S'ith< Junior< Author and )ro*rietor< )a&'!ra? )rinted ! E# "# 5randin
for the Author< 789D#-J
In confor'it! to the act of the Con,ress of the United States< entit&ed
-An act for the encoura,e'ent of &earnin, ! securin, the co*ies of .a*s<
Charts and "oo0s< to the authors and *ro*rietors of such co*ies< durin,
the ti'es therein 'entioned?- and a&so the act< entit&ed< -An act
su**&e'entar! to an act< entit&ed< LAn act for the encoura,e'ent of
&earnin,< ! securin, the co*ies of .a*s< Charts< and "oo0s< to to the
authors and *ro*rietors of such co*ies< durin, the ti'es therein
'entioned<+ and e/tendin, the enefits thereof to the arts of desi,nin,<
en,ra$in,< and etchin, historica& and other *rints-
R# R# LANSIN5< C&er0 of the Northern District of Ne2 Yor0#
This occasion is un>uestiona&! the one that the )ro*het Jose*h
a&&udes to in his &etter to the saints in Nau$oo< under date or Se*te'er
:th 78@H# EDoctrine and Co$enants sec# 7HG(H7F 2here he sa!s#- A,ain 2hat
do 2e hear C C C the $oice of 5od in the cha'er of o&d father )eter
3hit'er< in Fa!ette< Seneca count!< and at sundr! ti'es< and in di$ers
*&aces throu,h a&& the tra$e&s and triu&ations of this Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-da! Saints#-
It 'ust not e thou,ht ecause of the reference in the te/t ao$e to
the desire of Jose*h and O&i$er to ha$e the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood
conferred u*on the'< and the co''and'ent ,i$en that the! shou&d ordain
each other E&ders of the Church--it 'ust not e thou,ht ecause of this I
re*eat that there is an! conf&ict et2een 2hat is here stated in the te/t
and 2hat has een said 2ith reference to the restoration of the 0e!s of
the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood ! )eter< Ja'es and John# This -$oice of 5od in
the cha'er of o&d Father )eter 3hit'er< in Fa!ette<- co''andin, Jose*h
and O&i$er to ordain each other -E&ders of the Church<- ut a&so
co''andin, the' to defer said ordinations unti& their rethren 2ho had
een and shou&d e a*ti4ed cou&d e asse'&ed to,ether to ,i$e their
sanction to such *rocedure--2as a&& *re$ious to their ordination to the
A*ost&eshi* under the hands or )eter Ja'es and John and? to e re,arded as
instruction to the' as to ho2 the! shou&d *roceed in the 'atter of
ordainin, each other and ca&&in, and ordainin, others to the sa'e 'inistr!
after the! the'se&$es shou&d ha$e recei$ed the 0e!s of this .e&chi4ede0
)riesthood the ordination of each other to e E&ders of the Church 2as
deferred unti& the 'eetin, at 2hich the Church 2as or,ani4ed< the :th of
A*ri&< 789D Esee * MG#F "ut this $oice of 5od in )eter 3hit'er+s cha'er
2hich to&d the' ho2 to *roceed in the 'atter of ordainin, each other 2as
,i$en in or efore June 78HN# The e$idence of this is in the fact that the
re$e&ation in 3hit'er+s cha'er aout
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< section //#
%erses :G< :: and :M 2ere added ! the )ro*het so'e ti'e after the
rest of the re$e&ation 2as ,i$en#
That is< fro' ri,ht to &eft#
Doctrine and Co$enants< section /i/# No 2ords of the )ro*het
introduce this re$e&ation in his Histor!# Nothin, is 0no2n of the
circu'stances 2hich ca&&ed it forth And !et there are fe2 re$e&ations that
ha$e een ,i$en in the *resent dis*ensation of the 5os*e& 'ore i'*ortant
than this one# The doctrine of the atone'ent of the Lord Jesus< as
direct&! a**&!in, to the indi$idua&< and 5od+s e/*osition of -Eterna&
)unish'ent<- as here set forth< ,i$e it a *&ace of first i'*ortance in the
doctrina& de$e&o*'ent of the Church#
Nothin, is said ! the )ro*het in his Histor! of the difficu&ties
that arose 2hi&st the "oo0 of .or'on 2as in the hands of the *rinter - nor
of the care that 2as ta0en to *re$ent the 'anuscri*t fa&&in, into the
hands of ene'ies of the 2or0# It is *ro*er ho2e$er that these 'atters
shou&d e stated at this *oint# It a**ears that 2hen the arran,e'ents 2as
co'*&eted 2ith .r# 5randin or *rintin, the "oo0 of .or'on the )ro*het 2ent
do2n to Har'on! in )enns!&$ania# "efore ta0in, his de*arture ho2e$er it
2as arran,ed(
First( that O&i$er Co2der! transcrie the 2ho&e 'anuscri*t- hence it ca'e
aout that there 2ere t2o 'anuscri*t co*ies< of the "oo0 of .or'on< the
ori,ina&< 2hich 2as ta0en in char,e ! the )ro*het after the *u&ication
of the oo0 and the co*! 'ade ! O&i$er Co2der! for the *rinter+s use and
2hich fina&&! 2as ,i$en ! hi' into the custod! of Da$id 3hit'er< 2ith
2hose fa'i&! it re'ains to this da! E7ND7F
Second( that the co*! 'ade ! O&i$er Co2der! fro' the ori,ina& 'anuscri*t
on&! shou&d e ta0en to the *rinters< so that if that shou&d e destro!ed
the ori,ina& 2ou&d re'ain in the hands of the )ro*het and his associates
fro' 2hich it cou&d e re*&aced? and e$en this co*! 2as su**&ied the
*rinter in s'a&& >uantities at a ti'e< usua&&! enou,h on&! for a sin,&e
da!+s 2or0 of the *rinter#
Third( that in ,oin, to and fro' the office 2hene$er carried the
'anuscri*t--usua&&! it 2as O&i$er Co2der!--shou&d a&2a!s ha$e a ,uard to
attend hi'#
Fourth( that a ,uard shou&d e 0e*t constant&! u*on the 2atch< oth ni,ht
and da!< aout the house to *rotect the 'anuscri*t fro' 'a&icious *ersons
2ho 'i,ht see0 to destro! it# EThe authorities for the ao$e are# Luc!
s'ith+s Histor! of the )ro*het Jose*h< ch ///i? the state'ents of Ste*hen
S# Hardin, 2ho a nu'er of ti'es $isited 5randin+s esta&ish'ent 2hi&e the
"oo0 of .or'on 2as ein, *rinted? His state'ent is *u&ished in The
)ro*het of )a&'!ra ! Tho'as 5re,, *,# 9@-G:# This is that sa'e Ste*hen S#
Hardin, 2ho 2as ,o$ernor of Utah Territor! fro' Ju&!< 78:H to Ju&!< 78:9?
a&so the state'ent of J# H# 5i&ert< the *rinci*a& co'*ositor on the "oo0
of .or'on The e/tre'e care in a&&o2in, the *rinter to ha$e ut a s'a&&
a'ount of co*! at a ti'e is su=ect of ridicu&e in near&! a&& anti
-.or'on- oo0s that treat of this *eriod# In addition to a&& this is the
e$idence of the 'anuscri*t in the hands of the 3hit'er fa'i&!< near&!
e$er! *a,e of 2hich is in the hand2ritin, of O&i$er Co2der!< and ! ein,
di$ided into -ta0es- c&ear&! ears e$idence of ha$in, *assed throu,h the
*rinters hands the e$idence a&so in the e/istence of *ortions of the
ori,ina& 'anuscri*t no2 in the *ossession of )resident Jose*h F# S'ith<
2hich 2as ta0en fro' its de*ositor! in one of the corner stones of the
Nau$oo House< 2here it 2as *&aced ! the hands of Jose*h the )ro*het< 2ith
other re&ics on the occasion of &a!in, the corner stone of that ui&din,
on the Hnd of Octoer 78@7# Unfortunate&! a ,reat *art of the 'anuscri*t
2as destro!ed ! da'*ness ut enou,h is *reser$ed to esta&ish the fact
that it is the ori,ina&F#
Not2ithstandin, a&& the *recautions ta0en ! the &itt&e ,rou* of rethren
en,a,ed in *u&ishin, the oo0# The Ne*hite record< 'uti&ated !
inter&ineations of hu'an inter$entions and added $u&,aris's intended to
destro! the 2or0< ca'e near&! ein, ,i$en to the 2or&d efore the "oo0 of
.or'on itse&f 2as *u&ished# This 2as the 2or0 of one Es>uire Co&e<
e/-=ustice of the *eace< 2ho undertoo0 to *u&ish the "oo0 of .or'on< in
insta&'ents in a 2ee0&! *eriodica& ca&&ed Do,err! )a*er on 3inter Hi&&#
He otained the use of 5randin+s *ress ni,hts and on Sunda!s< and sure&!
'ust ha$e otained the ad$ance sheets of the *rinted for's of the "oo0 of
.or'on 2hich he 2as usin, 2ith the 0no2&ed,e of .r# 5randin< at &east it
is difficu&t to concei$e ho2 he cou&d otain and use the' 2ithout his
0no2&ed,e H!ru' S'ith< fee&in, uneas! concernin, the securit! of that *art
of the "oo0 of .or'on in the hands of the *rinter induced O&i$er Co2der!
one Sunda! to ,o 2ith hi' to the *rinter+s to see if a&& 2as 2e&& and
there the! found S>uire Co&e at 2or0 on his Do,err! )a*er< and *u&ishin,
'uti&ated e/tracts fro' the "oo0 of .or'on# He refused to desist fro' his
un&a2fu& course ut Jose*h 2as sent for and ca'e u* durin, the 2ee0 fro'
Har'on!< and ! fir'&! assertin, his ri,hts under the co*!ri,ht &a2 and !
threatenin, to *rosecute those 2ho infrin,ed the' Co&e 2as induced to
aandon his intention of *u&ishin, the "oo0 of .or'on in his *a*er#
This difficu&t! *ast another arose The *eo*&e of )a&'!ra and $icinit! he&d
a 'ass 'eetin, and *assed a reso&ution *&ed,in, the'se&$es not to *urchase
the "oo0 of .or'on 2hen *u&ished and to use their inf&uence to *re$ent
others fro' *urchasin, it# This had the effect of causin, .r 5randin to
sus*end *rintin, unti& he cou&d otain rene2ed assurance of recei$in, the
a'ount a,reed u*on for *rintin, the edition of fi$e thousand# A,ain the
)ro*het 2as sent for< and a,ain he 'ade the =ourne! fro' Har'on! to
)a&'!ra >uieted the fears of .r# 5randin ! rene2ed assurance on the *art
of hi'se&f and .artin Harris that the a'ount a,reed u*on 2ou&d e *aid#
The 2or0 *roceeded< and at &ast issued fro' the *ress< not2ithstandin, a&&
the difficu&ties it had encountered Esee Luc! S'ith+s Histor! of the
)ro*het Jose*h< ch# ///iiiF#
The fo&&o2in, state'ent is interestin, as furnishin, the na'es of
these si/(
Na'es of the si/ 'e'ers of the Church as the! 2ere or,ani4ed A*ri& :<
789D--
O&i$er Co2der!< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith< )eter 3hit'er< Jun#<
Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Da$id 3hit'er#
So'e of these had een a*ti4ed *re$ious&!< ut 2ere a&& a*ti4ed on the
da! of or,ani4ation#
These na'es 2ere ,i$en to Jose*h 1ni,ht ! O&i$er Co2der!#
Esi,nedF JOSE)H 1NI5HT# 5# S# L# Cit!< Au,# 77th< 78:H# 3itnesses 5# A#
S.ITH< RO"T# L# CA.)"ELL< THOS# "ULLOC1< JOHN %# LON5# ECo*!F
There has een so'e >uestion as to the nu'er that had een a*ti4ed
*re$ious to the or,ani4ation of the Church on the :th da! of A*ri& 789D
Da$id 3hit'er in his -Address to A&& "e&ie$ers in Christ<- a *a'*h&et of
se$ent!-fi$e *a,es *u&ished in 788M< sa!s that there 2ere si/ E&ders and
aout se$ent! 'e'ers efore A*ri& :th 789D# Others ha$e esti'ated the
nu'er at thirt!< thirt!-fi$e< and fort!#
These esti'ates< ho2e$er< are e!ond a&& >uestion too &ar,e# In the
'inutes of the second conference of the Church< he&d at Fa!ette< Ne2 Yor0<
on the H:th of Se*te'er< 789D this state'ent is 'ade( -Nu'er of the
se$era& 'e'ers unitin, to this Church since the &ast conference<
thirt!-fi$e( 'a0in, in 2ho&e no2 e&on,in, to this Church si/t!-t2o#- -The
&ast conference<- referred to 2as one he&d on the Nth of June< 789D# If
there 2ere ut si/t!-t2o 'e'ers in Se*te'er< 789D< and thirt!-fi$e of
the' 2ere added since the conference of the Church he&d on the Nth of June
of that !ear< then there 2ere ut t2ent!-se$en in the Church on the said
Nth of Jun# In the &ast 2ee0 of .a!< 789D< Ne2e& 1ni,ht 2as a*ti4ed--one?
on the 78th of A*ri&< 789D< O&i$er Co2der! a*ti4ed se$en< Ethe na'es are
,i$en on *# 87F< on the 77th of A*ri&< O&i$er a*ti4ed si/ *ersons Etheir
na'es are a&so ,i$en on *# 87F? on the :th of A*ri& 789D< the sa'e da!
that the Church 2as or,ani4ed< there 2ere four *ersons a*ti4ed< t2o of
2ho' 2ere the father and 'other of the )ro*het Esee *# MNF# This 'a0es a
tota& of ei,hteen a*ti4ed et2een the Nth of June conference and the :th
of A*ri& 'eetin,? and as there 2ere ut t2ent!-se$en in the Church on the
Nth of June< the nu'er that had een a*ti4ed u* to the :th of A*ri&<
789D< 'ust ha$e een ut nine# The Far 3est Record< containin, the 'inutes
of the conferences of the Nth of June< and the H:th of Se*te'er< 2as 0e*t
! the c&er0s of the Hi,h Counci& in .issouri< and the 'inutes of the t2o
conferences ao$e referred to< and 2hich ,i$e the infor'ation here set
forth< occu*! *a,es one and t2o of that record The accurac! of the 'inutes
of the conference of the H:th of Se*te'er< 789D< 2hich fi/ the 'e'ershi*
of the Church at that ti'e at si/t!-t2o< is confir'ed ! the fo&&o2in,
re'ar0 of the )ro*het< to e found in his histor! in Dece'er of that sa'e
!ear< 2hich re'ar0 i''ediate&! *recedes e/tracts fro' the *ro*hec! of
Enoch in this $o&u'e Ech# /iiF( -To the =o! of the &itt&e f&oc0< 2hich in
a&&< fro' Co&es$i&&e to Canandai,ua< Ne2 Yor0< nu'ered aout se$ent!
'e'ers< did the Lord re$ea& the fo&&o2in,<- etc# 3hen it is re'e'ered
that the )ro*het is here s*ea0in, of conditions e/istin, in Dece'er 789D
and the fi,ures ,i$en are e/c&usi$e of the additions 2hich had een 'ade
in 1irt&and< Ohio< it stron,&! sustains the correctness of the 'inutes of
the conference of Se*te'er H:th< 2hich record the 'e'ershi* of the
Church at that ti'e to e ut si/t!-t2o# The correctness of this nu'er a
a&so sti&& further confir'ed ! a rief historica& s0etch of -The Rise and
)ro,ress of the Church of Christ<- *u&ished in the E$enin, and .ornin,
Star under date of A*ri&< 7899< 2here it is said( -In Octoer 789D< the
nu'er of disci*&es had increased to et2een se$ent! and ei,ht!#- E*#
7:N#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //i#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //iii#
The date of this conference< in the Histor! of the )ro*het< *u&ished
in the Ti'es and Seasons and the .i&&ennia& Star< as a&so in the Histor!
in 'anuscri*t in the custod! of the Church Historian--fro' 2hich the
histor! *u&ished in those *eriodica&s 2as ta0en--is ,i$en as the -first
da! of June-? ut the 'inutes of the conference< 2ritten< as the 'inutes
the'se&$es state< ! O&i$er Co2der!< and recorded in the Far 3est Record<
are dated -June Nth<- 789D# It is for this reason that the date is chan,ed
in the te/t# These 'inutes a&so state that this conference of June Nth<
2as ad=ourned to con$ene a,ain at the sa'e *&ace on the -H:th of
Se*te'er< 789D-
In a s*eech 'ade at a *u&ic ,atherin, in Nau$oo< on the 7Mth of .a!<
78@@< the ao$e-'entioned .r# Reid 2ho defended the )ro*het in these ear&!
*rosecutions efore the courts of Ne2 Yor0< $er! stron,&! corrorates the
state'ents of the )ro*het+s Histor! 2ith reference to those court tria&s
and the )ro*het+s $indication in the' .r# Reid ne$er eca'e a 'e'er of
the Church< ut 2as a&2a!s the )ro*het+s staunch and true friend His
re'ar0s on the occasion referred to 2ere as fo&&o2s(
The first ac>uaintance I had 2ith 5en# S'ith 2as aout the !ear 78H9# He
ca'e into '! nei,horhood< ein, then aout ei,hteen !ears of a,e< and
resided there t2o !ears( durin, 2hich ti'e I eca'e inti'ate&! ac>uainted
2ith hi'# I do 0no2 that his character 2as irre*roacha&e? that he 2as
2e&& 0no2n for truth and u*ri,htness< that he 'o$ed in the first circ&es
of the co''unit!< and he 2as often s*o0en of as a !oun, 'an of
inte&&i,ence and ,ood 'ora&s and *ossessin, a 'ind susce*ti&e of the
hi,hest inte&&ectua& attain'ents#
I ear&! disco$ered that his 'ind 2as constant&! in search of truth<
e/*ressin, an an/ious desire to 0no2 the 2i&& of 5od concernin, His
chi&dren here e&o2< often s*ea0in, of those thin,s 2hich *rofessed
Christians e&ie$e in# I ha$e often oser$ed to '! est infor'ed friends
Ethose that 2ere free fro' su*erstition and i,otr!F that I thou,ht Jose*h
2as *redestinated ! his 5od fro' a&& eternit! to e an instru'ent in the
hands of the ,reat Dis*enser of a&& ,ood< to do a ,reat 2or0 2hat it 2as I
0ne2 not# After &i$in, in that nei,horhood aout three !ears< en=o!in,
the ,ood fee&in,s of his ac>uaintances< as a 2orth! !outh he to&d his
*articu&ar friends that he had had a re$e&ation fro' 5od to ,o to the 2est
aout ei,ht! 'i&es< to his fathers< in 2hich nei,horhood he 2ou&d find
hid in the earth an o&d histor! 2ritten on ,o&den *&ates< 2hich 2ou&d ,i$e
,reat &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e concernin, the 2i&& of 5od to2ards His *eo*&e in
this ,eneration( unfo&din, the destin! of a&& nations 0indreds and
ton,ues( he said that he distinct&! heard the $oice of Hi' that s*a0e#
Jose*h 1ni,ht< one of the fathers of !our Church< a 2orth! 'an and '!
inti'ate friend< 2ent 2ith hi'# 3hen I ref&ect u*on our for'er friendshi*
.r# Chair'an< and u*on the scenes that he Ei#e# Jose*h 1ni,htF has *assed
throu,h in conse>uence of 'a&-ad'inistration< 'oocrac! and crue&t!< I
fee& to &ift u* '! $oice to hi,h hea$en and *ra! 5od to &ess the a,ed
$eteran and that his si&$er &oc0s 'a! ,o do2n to the ,ra$e in *eace< &i0e
a shoc0 of corn fu&&! ri*e# In a fe2 da!s his friends returned 2ith the
,&ad ne2s that Jose*h had found the *&ates and had ,one do2n to his
father-in-&a2+s for the *ur*ose of trans&atin, the'# I e&ie$e he re'ained
there unti& he finished the trans&ation# After the oo0 2as *u&ished< he
ca'e to &i$e in the nei,horhood of Father 1ni,ht+s aout four 'i&es fro'
'e< and e,an to *reach the 5os*e&< and 'an! 2ere *ric0ed in their hearts<
e&ie$ed and 2ere a*ti4ed in the na'e of the Lord Jesus# He soon for'ed a
church at Co&es$i&&e< his 'eetin,s 2ere nu'erous&! attended( the e!es of
a&& *eo*&e 2ere u*on hi' 2ith astonish'ent# O< .r# Chair'an< the 2or&d 2as
turned u* side do2n at once< and the de$i&< a&2a!s read! to assist and
he&* a&on, in a&& difficu&ties that arise a'on, 'en< *ersonified in so'e
of the re&i,ionists e,un to *ric0 u* his ears and =u'* and 0ic0 and run
aout &i0e Ji' Cro2< ca&&in, for rotten e,,s to he&* in the 2a0e? !ou
2ou&d ha$e thou,ht< sir< that 5o, and .a,o, 2ere &et &oose on the !oun,
'an# He ca&&ed u*on the 2or&d+s *eo*&e Eas the! are ca&&edF ut ,ot no
he&*( he then f&e2 aout in the sectarian churches &i0e &i,htnin,< and
the! i''ediate&! ca'e to his aid and unitin, their efforts< roared a,ainst
hi' &i0e the thunders of .ount Sinai# 3hen those fier! i,ots 2ere &et
&oose< the! united in *ourin, the red hot $ia&s of their 2rath u*on his
head# The cr! of a Fa&se *ro*hetK fa&se *ro*hetK- 2as sounded fro' $i&&a,e
to $i&&a,e< and e$er! fou& e*ithet that 'a&ice and 2ic0ed in,enuit! cou&d
in$ent 2as hea*ed u*on hi'# Yes< sir< the sa'e s*irit that inf&uenced the
)res!terians of .assachusetts< aout one hundred and fift! !ears a,o< in
their *ersecution of the Aua0ers< 2hen the! first e,an to *reach their
doctrines in that state 2as fu&&! 'anifested ! those re&i,ious i,ots 2ho
2ere afraid if the! &et the' a&one their doctrines 2ou&d co'e to nau,ht# C
C C "ut< .r# Chair'an< I a' 2anderin, too far fro' the su=ect I 2i&&
return to the *ersecutions 2hich fo&&o2ed 5enera& S'ith< 2hen his chee0s
&osso'ed 2ith the eaut! of !outh< and his e!es s*ar0ed 2ith innocence#
Those i,ots soon 'ade u* a fa&se accusation a,ainst hi' and had hi'
arrai,ned efore Jose*h Cha'er&ain a =ustice of the *eace< a 'an that 2as
a&2a!s read! to dea& =ustice to a&&< and a 'an of ,reat discern'ent of
'ind# The case ca'e on aout 7D o+c&oc0 a#'# I 2as ca&&ed u*on to defend
the *risoner# The *rosecutors e'*&o!ed the est counse& the! cou&d ,et<
and ransac0ed the to2n of "ainrid,e and count! of Chenan,o for 2itnesses
that 2ou&d s2ear hard enou,h to con$ict the *risoner? ut the! entire&!
fai&ed# Yes< sir< &et 'e sa! to !ou that not one &e'ish nor s*ot 2as
found a,ainst his character< he co'e fro' that tria&< not 2ithstandin, the
'i,ht! efforts that 2ere 'ade to con$ict hi' of cri'e ! his $i,i&ant
*ersecutors< 2ith his character unstained ! e$en the a**earance of ,ui&t#
The tria& c&osed aout 7H o+c&oc0 at ni,ht# After a fe2 'o'ents+
de&ieration< the court *ronounced the 2ords -not ,ui&t!- and the *risoner
2as dischar,ed# "ut a&asK the de$i&< not satisfied 2ith his defeat<
stirred u* a 'an not un&i0e hi'se&f< 2ho 2as 'ore fit to d2e&& a'on, the
fie&ds of he&& than to e&on, to the hu'an fa'i&!< to ,o to Co&es$i&&e and
,et another 2rit< and ta0e hi' to "roo'e count! for another tria& The!
2ere sure the! cou&d send that o! to he&& or Te/as< the! did not care
2hich? and in ha&f an hour after he 2as dischar,ed ! the court< he 2as
arrested a,ain< and on the 2a! to Co&es$i&&e for another tria&# I 2as
a,ain ca&&ed u*on ! his friends to defend hi' a,ainst his 'a&i,nant
*ersecutors< and c&ear hi' fro' the fa&se char,es the! had *referred
a,ainst hi'# I 'ade e$er! reasona&e e/cuse I cou&d< as I 2as near&! 2orn
do2n throu,h fati,ue and 2ant of s&ee*? as I had een en,a,ed in &a2 suits
for t2o da!s< and near&! the 2ho&e of t2o ni,hts "ut I sa2 the *ersecution
2as ,reat a,ainst hi'? and here &et 'e sa!< .r# Chair'an< sin,u&ar as it
'a! see'< 2hi&e .r 1ni,ht 2as *&eadin, 2ith 'e to ,o< a *ecu&iar
i'*ression or thou,ht struc0 '! 'ind< that I 'ust ,o and defend hi'< for
he 2as the Lord+s anointed# I did not 0no2 2hat it 'eant< ut thou,ht I
'ust ,o and c&ear the Lord+s anointed# I said I 2ou&d ,o< and started 2ith
as 'uch faith as the A*ost&es had 2hen the! cou&d re'o$e 'ountains
acco'*anied ! Father 1ni,ht< 2ho 2as &i0e the o&d *atriarchs that
fo&&o2ed the ar0 of 5od to the cit! of Da$id# C C C C C The ne/t 'ornin,
aout 7D o+c&oc0 the court 2as or,ani4ed# The *risoner 2as to e tried !
three =ustices of the *eace< that his de*arture out of the count! 'i,ht e
'ade sure# Neither ta&ents nor 'one! 2ere 2antin, to insure the' success#
The! e'*&o!ed the est &a2!er in that count!< and introduced t2ent! or
thirt! 2itnesses efore dar0 ut *ro$ed nothin,# The! then sent out
runners and ransac0ed the hi&&s and $a&es ,ro, sho*s and ditches and
,athered to,ether a co'*an! that &oo0ed as if the! had co'e fro' he&& and
had een 2hi**ed ! the soot o! thereof? 2hich the! rou,ht for2ard to
testif! one after the other< ut 2ith no etter success than efore<
a&thou,h the! 2run, and t2isted into e$er! sha*e< in tr!in, to te&&
so'ethin, that 2ou&d cri'inate the *risoner# Nothin, 2as *ro$en a,ainst
hi' 2hate$er# Ha$in, ,ot throu,h 2ith the e/a'ination of their 2itnesses
aout H o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,< the case 2as ar,ued aout t2o hours# There
2as not one *artic&e of testi'on! a,ainst the *risoner# No< sir< he ca'e
out &i0e the three chi&dren fro' the fier! furnace< 2ithout the s'e&& of
fire u*on his ,ar'ents# The court de&ierated u*on the case for ha&f an
hour 2ith c&osed doors< and then 2e 2ere ca&&ed in# The court arrai,ned
the *risoner and said( -.r# S'ith< 2e ha$e had !our case under
consideration< e/a'ined the testi'on! and find nothin, to conde'n !ou and
therefore !ou are dischar,ed#- The! then *roceeded to re*ri'and hi'
se$ere&!< not ecause an!thin, dero,ator! to his character in an! sha*e
had een *ro$en a,ainst hi' ! the host of 2itnesses that had testified
durin, the tria&< ut 'ere&! to *&ease those fiends in hu'an sha*e 2ho
2ere en,a,ed in the unha&&o2ed *ersecution of an innocent 'an< sheer&! on
account of his re&i,ious o*inions
After the! had ,ot throu,h I arose and said( -This court *uts 'e in 'ind
of a certain tria& he&d efore Fe&i/ of o&d< 2hen the ene'ies of )au&
arrai,ned hi' efore the $enera&e =ud,e for so'e a&&e,ed cri'e< and
nothin, 2as found in hi' 2orth! of death or of onds# Yet to *&ease the
Je2s< 2ho 2ere his accusers he 2as &eft ound contrar! to &a2( and this
court has ser$ed .r# S'ith in the sa'e 2a!< ! their un&a2fu& and unca&&ed
for re*ri'and after his dischar,e< to *&ease his accusers#- 3e ,ot hi'
a2a! that ni,ht fro' the 'idst of three hundred *eo*&e 2ithout his
recei$in, an! in=ur!? ut I a' 2e&& a2are that 2e 2ere assisted ! so'e
hi,her *o2er than 'an? for to &oo0 ac0 on the scene< I cannot te&& ho2 2e
succeeded in ,ettin, hi' a2a!# I ta0e no ,&or! to '!se&f? it 2as the
Lord+s 2or0 and 'ar$e&ous in our e!es<--Ti'es and Seasons< $o&# $# **#
G@N-GGH#
)ear& of 5reat )rice#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //i$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //$i#
)art of *ara,ra*h 9M< sec# //< Doctrine and Co$enants#
Doctrine and Co$enants< section //$ii#
.r# Ha&e< the )ro*het+s father-in-&a2 retained the itterness then
en,endered in his 'ind? and so'e !ears &ater--na'e&!< in 7897--'ade an
affida$it concernin, the character of Jose*h the )ro*het 2hich has een
$er! ,enera&&! >uoted in anti--.or'on- 2or0s#
In the 'anuscri*t of the )ro*het Jose*h+s Histor! this conference is
said to ha$e een a**ointed for the -first da! of Se*te'er?- ut in the
Far 3est Record< a 'anuscri*t record 0e*t ! the c&er0s of the Hi,h
Counci& in .issouri--and to 2hich reference has efore een 'ade--are the
'inutes of the Nth of June conference E789DF< 2hich state that that
conference ad=ourned to 'eet a,ain on the H:th of Se*te'er# The record
a&so contains the 'inutes of the ao$e conference earin, the date of
se*te'er H:th# In addition to these reasons for chan,in, the date in the
te/t is the fact that i''ediate&!< or at &east $er! soon after the c&ose
of the conference< a re$e&ation 2as sou,ht and otained concernin, the
'ission to the La'anites< to 2hich< e$en *re$ious to the conference#
O&i$er Co2der! had een a**ointed EDoctrine and Co$enants< //$iii( 8-7DF#
The said re$e&ation ears the date of -Octoer 789D#- EDoctrine and
Co$enants< sec# ///iiF< 2hich 2ou&d scarce&! e the case if the conference
had een he&d on the first rather than near the c&ose of Se*te'er< as
there is e$er! reason to e&ie$e fro' the record that this re$e&ation 2as
recei$ed i''ediate&! after the conference c&osed# .oreo$er< the H:th of
Se*te'er< 789D< ca'e on Sunda!? 2hereas the first of Se*te'er ca'e on
3ednesda!< and as the conference &asted ut three da!s< the rethren 2ou&d
scarce&! arran,e such a ,atherin, 2ithout a**ointin, it for such da!s as
2ou&d inc&ude a Sunda!#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //$iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///i#
Tho'as "a&d2in .arsh< to 2ho' the fore,oin, re$e&ation 2as ,i$en
throu,h the )ro*het Jose*h< 2as orn in .assachusetts< No$e'er 7< 7MNN<
and after his 'arria,e to E&i4aeth 5od0in in 78HD< he 2ent into the
,rocer! usiness in Ne2 Yor0 after2ards en,a,in, in a t!*e foundr! in
"oston# Here he =oined the .ethodist church< ut on co'*arin, its
*rinci*&es 2ith the scri*ture< and fai&in, to 'a0e the' corres*ond< he
2ithdre2 fro' a&& sects< ut e/*ected and indeed *redicted the rise of a
ne2 church 2hich shou&d ha$e the truth in its *urit!# He 2as 'o$ed ! the
s*irit to 'a0e a =ourne! 2est< durin, 2hich he heard of the "oo0 of
.or'on# He 'et .artin Harris at the office 2here it 2as ein, *rinted< and
secured *roof sheets of the first si/teen *a,es# He &ater 'et O&i$er
Co2der!< and re'ained 2ith hi' t2o da!s< recei$in, fro' hi' fu&&
infor'ation as to the co'in, forth of the "oo0 of .or'on# Returnin, to his
ho'e near "oston< he 0e*t u* a corres*ondence 2ith the )ro*het and O&i$er
for aout a !ear< and u*on &earnin, of the or,ani4ation of the Church he
'o$ed to )a&'!ra in Se*te'er< 789D< and 2as a*ti4ed ! Da$id 3hit'er<
and a fe2 da!s &ater 2as ordained an E&der ! O&i$er Co2der!#
Of course this 0no2&ed,e arose fro' 2hat the rethren had &earned
fro' the "oo0 of .or'on of the *ro'ises of 5od to the La'anites#
The consideration of the -*ro*riet!- of sendin, E&ders a'on, the
La'anites here referred to 2as dout&ess restricted to the *ro*riet! of
increasin, the nu'er of E&ders to ,o a'on, the'? for efore the
conference con$ened the *ro*riet! of sendin, E&ders to the La'anites had
een sett&ed ! the 2ord of the Lord# In a re$e&ation recei$e efore the
conference of se*te'er H:th# O&i$er Co2der! 2as a**ointed to ,o on a
'ission to the La'anites< thou,h instructed not to &ea$e Fa!ette unti&
after the conference# ESee *# a&so Doctrine and Co$enants //$iii? 8-7D#F
And efore the conference ad=ourned another re$e&ation 2as recei$ed in
2hich )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< 2as a**ointed to acco'*an! O&i$er Co2der! on
his 'ission# ESee *# 77:? and Doctrine and Co$enants< sec ///( G-:# Hence
these in>uiries after the conference concernin, the -*ro*riet!- of sendin,
E&ders a'on, the La'anites< I re*eat< 'ust ha$e had reference 'ere&! to
the *ro*riet! of increasin, the nu'er that shou&d ,o# It 2i&& e oser$ed
a&so that the re$e&ation 2hich fo&&o2s in the te/t 'ere&! a**oints )ar&e!
)# )ratt and ;ia )eterson to acco'*an! E&ders Co2der! and 3hit'er#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///ii#
)ar&e! )ar0er )ratt 2as orn on the 7Hth da! of A*ri&< 78DM< in
"ur&in,ton#
Otse,o count! state of Ne2 Yor0# He 2as the third son of Jared and Charit!
)ratt Jared 2as the son of Oediah and Je'i'a )ratt? Oediah 2as the son
of Christo*her and Sarah )ratt? Christo*her 2as the son of 3i&&ia' and
Hannah )ratt? 3i&&ia' 2as the son of Jose*h )ratt< Jose*h 2as the son of
Lieutenant 3i&&ia' and E&i4aeth )ratt< 2ho 2ere found a'on, the first
sett&ers of Hartford< Connecticut< in the !ear 7:9N#
This 3i&&ia' )ratt 2as a 'e'er of the &e,is&ature for so'e t2ent!-fi$e or
thirt! sessions? and the ,enera& court ,a$e hi' one hundred acres of &and
in Sa!roo0 Connecticut< for ser$ices *erfor'ed as &ieutenant in the
)e>uot 2ar( he 2as one of the =ud,es of the first court in Ne2 London
count!# )ar&e! )# )ratt is a &inea& descendant of the se$enth ,eneration<
fro' that distin,uished *i&,ri' and hu'&e *ioneer to the ne2 2or&d#
)ar&e! )# )ratt 2as reared to hard 2or0 on a far' and thou,h his
o**ortunities for ac>uirin, an education 2ere e/tre'e&! &i'ited he 2as
rou,ht u* in the strictest schoo& of 'ora&s# E$en in ear&! !outh he ,a$e
e$idence of a *rofound&! re&i,ious nature< and 2hi&e !et in his teens
eca'e identified 2ith the "a*tist church# In 78H: he &eft Ne2 Yor0 state
and sett&ed so'e thirt! 'i&es 2est of the to2n of C&e$e&and< in the state
of Ohio< and &aid the foundation of a 2i&derness ho'e# The ne/t !ear<
78HM< he returned to Canaan< Co&u'ia count!< Ne2 Yor0<--the count! 2here
'uch of his o!hood 2as s*ent the ho'e< too< of his *arents--and there
'arried Than0fu& Ha&se!< on the Nth of Se*te'er< 78HM# The sa'e 'onth the
ne2&! 'arried cou*&e returned to the 2i&derness ho'e 2est of C&e$e&and#
Aout ei,hteen 'onths &ater Sidne! Ri,don< 2ho 2as connected 2ith
A&e/ander Ca'*e&& 3a&ter Scott and others in that a,,ressi$e refor'
'o$e'ent a'on, the Christian sects 2hich resu&ted in the foundin, of the
sect of the -Disci*&es- or -Ca'*e&&ites<- ca'e into .r# )ratt+s
nei,horhood *reachin, the doctrines of faith< re*entance and a*tis'# As
his doctrine 'ore near&! confor'ed to the scri*tures than an! other .r#
)ratt had heard< he acce*ted S!dne! Ri,don+s teachin,s< =oined the
-Disci*&es<- and eca'e a 'inister in that church# He deter'ined to ta0e
u* the 'inistr! as his &ife+s &aor< so&d his *ossessions and started
first of a&& to ca&& u*on his re&ati$es in Ne2 Yor0# En route< ho2e$er< he
2as 'o$ed u*on ! the s*irit to sto* off at Ne2ar0< in Ne2 Yor0< 2hi&e his
2ife continued her =ourne! to her father+s ho'e# At Ne2ar0< .r# )ratt
first heard of and sa2 the "oo0 of .or'on< and< 2ithout de&a!< hastened to
)a&'!ra to in$esti,ate the stor! of its co'in, forth# At the ho'e of the
S'iths< near .anchester< he 'et 2ith H!ru'< rother of the )ro*het< and
fro' hi' &earned the *articu&ars of the 2or0# In co'*an! 2ith H!ru' S'ith
he 2ent to Fa!ette< 2here he 'et 2ith O&i$er Co2der!? and aout the first
of Se*te'er he 2as a*ti4ed ! hi' in Seneca La0e< and strai,ht2a! 2as
ordained an E&der of the Church# After these e$ents he continued his
=ourne! to the ho'e of his 0indred in Co&u'ia count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2here he
a*ti4ed his rother Orson< then a !outh of nineteen !ears# He returned to
Fa!ette in ti'e to attend the conference< 2here he 'et the )ro*het Jose*h<
and recei$ed the a**oint'ent to the La'anite 'ission as re&ated in the
te/t#
After tra$e&in, for so'e da!s the La'anite 'ission ca&&ed at so'e
Indian enca'*'ents near the cit! of "uffa&o< 2here the! s*ent *art of a
da! instructin, the' in the 0no2&ed,e of their forefathers# These Indians
2ere of the Cattarau,us trie< and 0ind&! recei$ed the rethren< 2ho &eft
2ith certain of their nu'er 2ho cou&d read En,&ish< t2o co*ies of the
"oo0 of .or'on# And then continued their =ourne! 2est2ard# EAutoio,ra*h!
of )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# @N< :7#F
Sidne! Ri,don 2as orn in Saint C&air to2nshi*< A&&e,hen! count!<
state of )enns!&$ania< on the 7Nth of Feruar!< A# D# 7MN9< and 2as the
!oun,est son of 3i&&ia' and Nanc! Ri,don 3i&&ia' Ri,don< his father< a
nati$e of Hartford count!< state of .ar!&and< 2as orn A# D# 7M@9< and
died .a! H:th< A# D# 787D# 3i&&ia' Ri,don 2as the son of Tho'as "a0er and
Ann Luc! Ri,don# Tho'as "a0er Ri,don 2as a nati$e of the state of
.ar!&and< and 2as the son of Tho'as "a0er Ri,don< 2ho ca'e fro' 5reat
"ritain# Ann Luc! Ri,don< ,rand'other of Sidne! Ri,don< 2as a nati$e of
Ire&and< and e'i,rated to the cit! of "oston< .assachusetts and 2as there
'arried to Tho'as "a0er Ri,don< Nanc! Ri,don+s 'other 2as a nati$e of
Freeho&d< .on'outh count!< Ne2 Jerse!? she 2as orn .arch 7:th< 7MGN and
died Octoer 9rd< 789N< and 2as the e&dest dau,hter of "!rant 5a&&aher<
2ho 2as a nati$e of Ire&and# E&i4aeth 5a&&aher< 'other to the aforesaid
Nanc! Ri,don< 2as the second 2ife of the said "!rant 5a&&aher< and her
'aiden na'e 2as Reed# She 2as a nati$e of .on'outh count!< Ne2 Jerse!# Her
*arents 2ere nati$es of Scot&and#
The ear&! da!s of Sidne! Ri,don+s &ife 2ere une$entfu&# His !outh and the
ear&! !ears of his 'anhood 2ere s*ent at his father+s far' in St# C&air
to2nshi*< A&&e,hen! count!< )enns!&$ania# 3hen Sidne! 2as se$enteen !ears
o&d his father died< ut he continued on the sa'e far' 2ith his 'other
unti& he 2as t2ent!-si/# In his t2ent!-fifth !ear he =oined the -Re,u&ar
"a*tist- societ! or church# The *astor in char,e 2as the Re$# Da$id
)hi&&i*s< a c&er,!'an fro' 3a&es# In .arch< 787N< .r# Ri,don &eft the far'
and 'ade his ho'e 2ith the Re$# Andre2 C&ar0< of )ittsur,< a&so a "a*tist
'inister# 3hi&e residin, 2ith .r# C&ar0 he too0 out a &icense and e,an
fro' that ti'e his career as a 'inister# In .a! 787N< he re'o$ed fro'
)enns!&$ania to Tru'u&& count!< Ohio# In Ju&! of the sa'e !ear he 'ade
his ho'e 2ith Ada'son "ent&e!< a 'inister of the sa'e faith# 3hi&e
residin, at "ent&e!+s he 'et )hee "roo0< to 2ho' he 2as 'arried on the
7Hth da! of June< 78HD# She 2as a nati$e of the state of Ne2 Jerse!<
"rid,eto2n< Cu'er&and count!< ut had *re$ious&! re'o$ed to Tru'u&&
count! Ohio#
Sidne! Ri,don continued to *reach throu,hout Tru'u&& count! unti&
No$e'er< 78H7# )assin, throu,h )ittsur,h aout that ti'e< for the
*ur*ose of $isitin, his re&ati$es at the o&d ho'estead in St# C&air
to2nshi*< A&&e,hen! count! )enns!&$ania# He 2as in$ited to *reach to the
"a*tist societ! of )ittsur,h< 2hich he did the fo&&o2in, and se$era&
succeedin, Sunda!s As the con,re,ation had no re,u&ar *astor the! in$ited
hi' to ta0e char,e and eco'e their re,u&ar 'inister( a ca&& 2hich he
acce*ted and re'o$ed fro' 3arren in Tru'u&& count!< Ohio< to )ittsur,h
in Feruar!< 78HH# .eanti'e 'is,i$in,s arose in his 'ind 2ith reference to
so'e of the doctrines of the church 2ith 2hich he 2as connected<
es*ecia&&! 2ith reference to the fate of una*ti4ed infants# Fina&&!<
after ser$in, his con,re,ation aout t2o !ears and si/ 'onths< he ,a$e u*
his char,e in Au,ust< 78H@< and retired fro' the 'inistr!# After ta0in,
this ste* he =oined his 2ife+s rother< Richard "roo0< in the tannin,
usiness# To,ether the! started a s'a&& tanner! in 2hich .r# Ri,don 2or0ed
as a =ourne!'an for so'e t2o !ears# .eanti'e he had for'ed the
ac>uaintance of .r# A&e/ander Ca'*e&&< ,enera&&! re,arded as the founder
of the sect of the -Disci*&es<- or -Ca'*e&&ites<- and .r# 3a&ter Scott< a
Scotch'an ! irth< ut at this ti'e a resident of )ittsur,h and a
dissenter fro' a Scandina$ian church 2ith 2hich he had for'er&! een
associated# These three ,ent&e'en often 'et and discussed the su=ect of
re&i,ion< the necessit! for a uni$ersa& refor'ation a'on, the churches<
the aandon'ent of their creeds< etc# The consu&tations the! he&d &ed
u&ti'ate&! to the esta&ish'ent of the church or sect of the -Disci*&es#-
.r# Ri,don &eft )ittsur,h in 78H:< and 2ent to "ainrid,e< 5eau,a count!<
Ohio< 2here the *eo*&e ur,ed hi' to s*ea0 to the'# He did so< fo&&o2in, in
his teachin,s that &ine of doctrine 2hich in his consu&tation 2ith .essrs#
Ca'*e&& and Scott the! had considered 2ere essentia& to Christian
s*iritua& &ife< $i4#< faith in 5od< re*entance of sins a*tis' !
i''ersion in 2ater for the re'ission of sins< and ho&iness of &ife--a
,od&! 2a&0 and con$ersation# .r Ri,don contained to &aor in "ainrid,e
for aout one !ear< 2hen the *eo*&e of .entor< in the sa'e count!< ut
so'e thirt! 'i&es distant fro' "ainrid,e< in$ited hi' to reside a'on,
the' and *reach This he consented to do< and not2ithstandin, he at first
'et 2ith so'e o**osition< he *re$ai&ed a,ainst it and e/tended his &aors
into surroundin, to2nshi*s and counties unti& he had in a nu'er of *&aces
a &ar,e fo&&o2in,# Such 2ere his circu'stances and such his &aor 2hen the
'essa,e of -.or'onis'- found hi'--2hen )ar&e! )# )ratt *resented hi' 2ith
the "oo0 of .or'on and its attendant 'essa,e#
The circu'stance of O&i$er Co2der! )ar&e! )# )ratt and their
associates *resentin, Sidne! Ri,don 2ith the "oo0 of .or'on is thus
re&ated in the Life of Sidne! Ri,don< ! his son< John 3# Ri,don E.s *#
78F( -In the fa&& of 789D )ar&e! )# )ratt< ;ia )eterson< O&i$er Co2der!<
and )eter 3hit'er ca&&ed at the ho'e of Sidne! Ri,don in the to2n of
.entor< Ohio< and )ar&e! )# )ratt *resented to hi' a ound $o&u'e of the
"oo0 of .or'on in the *resence of his 2ife and his o&dest chi&d< Atha&ia
Ri,don< no2 Atha&ia Roinson< 2ho 2as then a ,ir& ten !ears o&d and no2
E7NDDF &i$in, in the to2n of Friendshi* A&&e,hen! count! state of Ne2
Yor0? and 2ho re'e'ers the transaction as 2e&& as an! incident of her
&ife# )ar&e! )# )ratt< at the ti'e he handed the oo0 to Sidne! Ri,don<
said it 2as a -Re$e&ation fro' 5od#-
A,ain referrin, to this circu'stance near the c&ose of the s0etch of his
father+s &ife< John 3# Ri,don re&ates ho2< in the fa&& of 78:9< he $isited
the territor! of Utah< 2here he s*ent the 2inter a'on, the -.or'on-
*eo*&e# He 2as not fa$ora&! i'*ressed 2ith their re&i,ious &ife< and ca'e
to the conc&usion that the "oo0 of .or'on itse&f 2as a fraud# He
deter'ined in his o2n heart that if e$er he returned ho'e and found his
father< Sidne! Ri,don< a&i$e< he 2ou&d tr! and find out 2hat he 0ne2 of
the ori,in of the "oo0 of .or'on# -A&thou,h<- he adds< -he had ne$er to&d
ut one stor! aout it< and that 2as that )ar&e! )# )ratt and O&i$er
Co2der! *resented hi' 2ith a ound $o&u'e of that oo0 in the !ear 789D
2hi&e he ESidne! Ri,donF 2as *reachin, Ca'*e&&is' at .entor< Ohio#- 3hat
John 3# Ri,don c&ai's to ha$e seen in Utah< ho2e$er< to,ether 2ith the
fact that Sidne! Ri,don had een char,ed 2ith 2ritin, the "oo0 of .or'on<
'ade hi' sus*icious( -and<- he re'ar0s< -I conc&uded I 2ou&d 'a0e an
in$esti,ation for '! o2n satisfaction and find out if I cou&d if he had
a&& these !ears een decei$in, his fa'i&! and the 2or&d< ! te&&in, that
2hich 2as not true< and I 2as in earnest# If Sidne! Ri,don< '! father< had
thro2n his &ife a2a! ! te&&in, a fa&sehood and rin,in, sorro2 and
dis,race u*on his fa'i&!< I 2anted to 0no2 it and 2as deter'ined to find
out the facts< no 'atter 2hat the conse>uences 'i,ht e# I reached ho'e in
the fa&& of 78:G< found '! father in ,ood hea&th and Ehe 2as $er! 'uch
*&eased to see 'e# As he had not heard an!thin, fro' 'e for so'e ti'e< he
2as afraid that I had een 0i&&ed ! the Indians# Short&! after I had
arri$ed ho'e#
I 2ent to '! father+s roo'( he 2as there and a&one< no2 2as the ti'e for
'e to co''ence '! in>uiries in re,ard to the ori,in of the "oo0 of .or'on<
and as to the truth of the -.or'on- re&i,ion# I to&d hi' 2hat I had seen
at Sa&t La0e Cit!< and I said to hi' that 2hat I had seen at Sa&t La0e had
not i'*ressed 'e $er! fa$ora&! to2ard the -.or'on Church< and as to the
ori,in of the "oo0 of .or'on I had so'e douts# You ha$e een char,ed 2ith
2ritin, that oo0 and ,i$in, it to Jose*h S'ith to introduce to the 2or&d#
You ha$e a&2a!s to&d 'e one stor! that !ou ne$er sa2 the oo0 unti& it 2as
*resented to !ou ! )ar&e! )# )ratt and O&i$er Co2der!< and a&& !ou e$er
0ne2 of the ori,in of that oo0 2as 2hat the! to&d !ou and 2hat Jose*h
S'ith and the 2itnesses 2ho c&ai'ed to ha$e seen the *&ates had to&d !ou#
Is this trueB If so a&& ri,ht< if it is not !ou o2e it to 'e and !our
fa'i&! to te&& it You are an o&d 'an and !ou 2i&& soon *ass a2a! and I
2ish to 0no2 if Jose*h S'ith< in !our inti'ac! 2ith hi' for fourteen
!ears< has not said so'ethin, to !ou that &ed !ou to e&ie$e he otained
that oo0 in so'e other 2a! than 2hat he had to&d !ou# 5i$e 'e a&& !ou
0no2 aout it< that I 'a! 0no2 the truth# .! father< after I had finished
sa!in, 2hat I ha$e re*eated ao$e< &oo0ed at 'e a 'o'ent< raised his hand
ao$e his head and s&o2&! said 2ith tears ,&istenin, in his e!es( -.! son<
I can s2ear efore hi,h hea$en that 2hat I ha$e to&d !ou aout the ori,in
of that oo0 is true# Your 'other and sister .rs# Atha&ia Roinson< 2ere
*resent 2hen that oo0 2as handed to 'e in .entor Ohio< and a&& I e$er
0ne2 aout the ori,in of that oo0 2as 2hat )ar&e! )# )ratt< O&i$er
Co2der!< Jose*h S'ith and the 2itnesses 2ho c&ai'ed the! sa2 the *&ates
ha$e to&d 'e< and in a&& '! inti'ac! 2ith Jose*h S'ith he ne$er to&d 'e
ut the one stor!< and that 2as that he found it en,ra$ed u*on ,o&d *&ates
in a hi&& near )a&'!ra< Ne2 Yor0< and that an an,e& had a**eared to hi'
and directed hi' 2here to find it( and I ha$e ne$er< to !ou or to an!one
e&se< to&d ut the one stor!< and that I no2 re*eat to !ou#- I e&ie$ed
hi' and no2 e&ie$e he to&d 'e the truth# He a&so said to 'e after that
that -.or'onis' 2as true? that Jose*h S'ith 2as a )ro*het< and this 2or&d
2ou&d find it out so'e da!# After '! father+s death< '! 'other< 2ho
sur$i$ed hi' se$era& !ears< 2as in the en=o!'ent of ,ood hea&th u* to the
ti'e of her &ast sic0ness< she ein, ei,ht!-si/ !ears o&d# A short ti'e
efore her death I had a con$ersation 2ith her aout the ori,in of the
"oo0 of .or'on< and 2anted to 0no2 2hat she re'e'ered aout its ein,
*resented to '! father# She said to 'e in that con$ersation that 2hat '!
father had to&d 'e aout the oo0 ein, *resented to hi' 2as true< for she
2as *resent at the ti'e and 0ne2 that 2as the first ti'e he e$er sa2 it<
and that the stories to&d aout '! father 2ritin, the "oo0 of .or'on 2ere
not true# This she said to 'e in her o&d a,e and 2hen the shado2s of the
,ra$e 2ere ,atherin, around her and I e&ie$e her#- ELife of Sidne!
Ri,don< ! his son John 3# Ri,don< .s **# 788-7NGF
Our author a&so 'entions in his s0etch of his father+s &ife< an affida$it
,i$en to hi' ! his sister< Atha&ia Roinson< to the sa'e effect as the
state'ent of Sidne! Ri,don and his 2ife< re&ati$e to the co'in, of )ratt
and Co2der! to their ho'e in .entor< and *resentin, to her father a ound
co*! of the "oo0 of .or'on# Atha&ia 2as ten !ears o&d at the ti'e< and
distinct&! re'e'ered throu,hout her &ife the circu'stance# EIid< .s< **#
7NG-:F#
Frederic0 5ran,er 3i&&ia's 2as orn in Suffie&d< Hartford count!#
Connecticut< Octoer H8th< 7M8M# He 2as therefore a 'an of fort!-three
!ears of a,e 2hen the 5os*e& 2as rou,ht to hi' at 1irt&and ! O&i$er
Co2der! and associates# He 2as a 'an of considera&e inf&uence in the
co''unit! 2here he resided# He o2ned a far' near 1irt&and< ut at the ti'e
the 5os*e& found hi' he 2as *racticin, 'edicine< and 2as 2ide&! 0no2n as
Dr# 3i&&ia's# He aandoned the *ractice of his *rofession< ho2e$er< for
the 2or0 of the 'inistr!< and acco'*anied the La'anite 'ission to
.issouri#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///iii#
Orson )ratt 2as orn Se*te'er 78< 7877< in Hartford< 3ashin,ton
count!< Ne2 Yor0# His ancestors are enu'erated in the io,ra*hica& note of
his rother< )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# 778< 77N# The hu'&e circu'stances of
his *arents co'*e&&ed hi' to see0 e'*&o!'ent 2here he cou&d otain it in
$arious *&aces< 'ain&! at far'in, durin, 2hich ti'e< ho2e$er< he 'ana,ed
to ,et so'e schoo&in,< *a!in, es*ecia& attention to arith'etic and ,ainin,
an ac>uaintance a&so 2ith oo00ee*in, ,ra''ar< ,eo,ra*h! and sur$e!in,#
The ear&! &essons of 'ora&it! and re&i,ion tau,ht at his father+s ho'e
'ade dee* i'*ressions on his !outhfu& 'ind< and &ed hi' in the autu'n of
78HN *articu&ar&! to see0 the Lord For this *ur*ose he retired fre>uent&!
to the &one&! fie&ds or the 2oods for *ra!er# This continued ti&&
Se*te'er< 789D< 2hen his rother )ar&e! )# )ratt< an E&der of the Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! saints< ca'e into the nei,horhood 2here he
resided< and as re&ated in the te/t 2as con$erted at the first *reachin,
of his rother )ar&e! )# )ratt#
Doctrine and Co$enant< section ///i$#
Ed2ard )artrid,e 2as orn in )ittsfie&d< "er0shire count!<
.assachusetts< on the HMth of Au,ust 7MN9< of 3i&&ia' and Je'i'a
)artrid,e# His father+s ancestor e'i,rated fro' "er2ic0< Scot&and< durin,
the se$enteenth centur!< and sett&ed at Had&e!< .assachusetts< on
Connecticut ri$er# Nothin, 2orth! of note trans*ired
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///$i#
The 'ost *ro'inent of the -&ost oo0s- of the O&d Testa'ent are
'entioned in the fo&&o2in, *assa,es( I Chronic&es< //i/( HN? II Chronic&es
i/( HN? II Chronic&es< /ii( 7G? I Sa'ue&< /( HG? I 1in,s< i$( 9H< 99# The
fo&&o2in, is the &ist of -&ost oo0s- 'entioned in the Ne2 Testa'ent(
Scri*ture of Araha'+s Ti'e( -And the scri*ture< foreseein, that 5od 2ou&d
=ustif! the heathen throu,h faith< *reached efore the 5os*e& unto Araha'
E5a&atians iii( 8#F The Christian 2or&d sa!s# -.oses 2as 5od+s first *en-
ut it a**ears fro' the ao$e >uotation that so'e one 2rote scri*tures
e$en efore Araha'+s da! and he read the'< &earned the 5os*e& fro' the'
and a&so &earned that 5od 2ou&d =ustif! the heathen throu,h faith#
)ro*hec! of Enoch( S*ea0in, of characters 2ho are &i0e -ra,in, 2a$es of
the sea< foa'in, out their o2n sha'e#- Jude sa!s( -And Enoch a&so< the
se$enth fro' Ada' *ro*hesied of these sa!in,< "eho&d< the Lord co'eth 2ith
ten thousands of His saints to e/ecute =ud,'ent u*on a&&<- etc# EJude# 7@<
7G#F Fro' this it a**ears that Enoch had a re$e&ation concernin, the
,&orious co'in, of the Son of 5od to =ud,'ent# .a! not the *ro*hec! of
Enoch ha$e een a'on, the scri*tures 2ith 2hich Araha' 2as ac>uaintedB
Another E*ist&e of Jude( -3hen I ,a$e a&& di&i,ence to 2rite unto !ou of
the co''on sa&$ation it 2as needfu& for 'e to 2rite unto !ou< and e/hort
!ou that !e shou&d earnest&! contend for the faith 2hich 2as once
de&i$ered unto the saints#- EJude 9#F 3e ha$e ut one e*ist&e of Jude#
3ou&d not the e*ist&e on the co''on sa&$ation- e as i'*ortant as the one
the on&! one 2e no2 ha$e fro' Jude+s *enB
Another E*ist&e to the E*hesians( In E*hesians< iii and 9rd< )au& a&&udes
to another e*ist&e 2hich he had 2ritten to that *eo*&e< ut of 2hich the
2or&d has no 0no2&ed,e e/ce*t fro' this reference 2hich is 'ade ! its
author# This e*ist&e contained a re$e&ation fro' 5od#
An E*ist&e to the Laodiceans( -3hen the e*ist&e ICo&ossiansJ is read a'on,
!ou< cause that it e read a&so in the church of the Laodiceans? and that
!e &i0e2ise read the e*ist&e fro' Laodicea#- ECo&ossians< i$( 7:#F The
e*ist&es to the Laodiceans is a'on, the &ost scri*ture#
Another E*ist&e to the Corinthians( In the -first &etter to the
Corinthians- is this state'ent( -I 2rote !ou in an e*ist&e not to co'*an!
2ish fornicators- E7 Corinthians< $( NF# Fro' this it 2ou&d a**ear that
our so-ca&&ed first e*ist&e to the Corinthians is rea&&! not the first<
since )au& in it s*ea0s of a for'er &etter he the Corinthians< and 2hich
2as dout&ess as ,ood scri*ture as the t2o 2hich ha$e een *reser$ed#
This *ro*hec! of Enoch Is contained In the -3ritin,s of .oses<- 2hich
aout this ti'e 2ere re$ea&ed to the )ro*het< and are no2 *u&ished in the
-)ear& of 5reat )rice#- It 2i&& e understood< then< ! the reader< that
the -)ro*hec! of Enoch- itse&f is found in the -3ritin,s of .oses<- and
that in the te/t ao$e 2e ha$e ut a fe2 e/tracts of the 'ost *ro'inent
*arts of -Enoch+s )ro*hec!#- For the co'*&ete *ro*hec! the reader is
referred to the -)ear& of 5reat )rice#- ECha*ter $ii#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< section ///$ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///$iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ///i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /i#
Ne2e& 1i'a&& 3hitne! 2as descended fro' the 3hitne!s of 3aterto2n<
.ass#< 2ho e'i,rated fro' En,&and in 7:9G# His 'other 2as a nati$e of the
-"a! state-< and his father of the state of %er'ont# There a&so Ne2e& 2as
orn in .ar&orou,h< 3indha' count!< Feruar! G< 7MNG# A natura& usiness
'an he 'ade his o2n 2a! in the 2or&d and after fi,urin, as a so&dier
durin, the 2ar of 787H< and ta0in, *art in the att&e of )&attsur,h< near
La0e Cha'*&ain< he esta&ished hi'se&f as an Indian trader at 5reen "a!<
La0e .ichi,an# He ne/t sett&ed in Ohio< 2here he 'ade the ac>uaintance of
A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert< a 'erchant of )aines$i&&e#
This or,ani4ation< ca&&ed -the fa'i&!<- ca'e into e/istence efore
the 5os*e& 2as *reached in 1irt&and< throu,h an effort of the *eo*&e of
this nei,horhood to &i$e as the ear&! Christians are said to ha$e &i$ed<
$i4#< -And the 'u&titude of the' that e&ie$ed 2ere of one heart and of
one sou&? neither said an! of the' that ou,ht of the thin,s 2hich he
*ossessed 2as his o2n< ut the! had a&& thin,s co''on#---EActs i$(9H#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /ii#
The 2ords< -or Hi,h )riests<- 2ere added ! the )ro*het so'e !ears
after( and a&so the 2ords< -Hi,h Counci&<- in the 9@th $erse#---Orson
)ratt#
The 2ords< -or Hi,h )riests<- 2ere added ! the )ro*het so'e !ears
after#--Orson )ratt
%erses M@ to N9 inc&usi$e< 2ere ,i$en so'e da!s after the first M9
$erses#--Orson )ratt#
This 2o'an+s na'e< accordin, to the histor! of the church 0e*t !
John 3hit'er< 2as Hu&e# -She *rofessed to e a *ro*hetess of the Lord
and *rofessed to ha$e 'an! re$e&ations and 0ne2 the "oo0 of .or'on 2as
true< and that she shou&d eco'e a teacher in the church of Christ# She
a**eared to e $er! sancti'onious and decei$ed so'e 2ho 2ere not a&e to
detect her in her h!*ocris!? others< ho2e$er had the s*irit of discern'ent
and her fo&&ies and ao'inations 2ere 'anifest# John 3hit'er+s Histor! of
the Church< ch# iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /&iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /&i$#
This earth>ua0e in China is a 'atter of so'e interest in connection
2ith the histor! of the church since it 2as the 'eans of rin,in, Si'onds
R!der< a so'e2hat noted *reacher of the Ca'*e&&ite faith< into the
Church# Accordin, to Ha!den+s Histor! of the Disci*&es on the 3estern
Reser$e Ea Ca'*e&&ite oo0F< .r# R!der 2as 'uch *er*&e/ed o$er
-.or'onis'<- and for a ti'e 2as undecided 2hether to =oin the Church or
not# -In the 'onth of June<- E7897F 2rites .r Ha!den< -he read in a
ne2s*a*er an account of the destruction of )e0in in China and he
re'e'ered that si/ 2ee0s efore< a !oun, +.or'on+ ,ir& had *redicted the
destruction of that cit!#- J# H# 1enned!< in his Ear&! Da!s of .or'onis'
EScriner+s P Sons< 7888F< refers to the sa'e thin, and adds( -This a**ea&
to the su*erstitious *art of his nature 2as the fina& 2ei,ht in the
a&ance and he thre2 the 2ho&e *o2er of his inf&uence u*on the side of
+.or'onis'<+ His surrender caused an e/cite'ent a&'ost e>ua& to that 2hich
fo&&o2ed the fa&& of Ri,don#- E**# 7D9-@F# It 2as dout&ess this *ro*hec!
and the con$ersion connected 2ith it that &ed the *a*ers 'entioned in the
te/t to refer to it as -.or'onis'- in China# The discre*anc! in da!s<
Ha!den and 1enned! referrin, to the *u&ished accounts of the e$ents as
a**earin, in June< and the )ro*het 'a0in, reference to it *re$ious to the
Mth of .arch< need cause no confusion# It 2i&& e seen that the )ro*het
a&&udes to it in connection 2ith a nu'er of other thin,s as ta0in, *&ace
-at this a,e of the Church---a $er! indefinite reference as to the ti'e in
2hich a thin, 'a! ha$e occurred#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /&$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec /&$i# 3ith reference to the 'atters
'entioned in $erses 7M in this re$e&ation< John 3hit'er 2rites? -In the
e,innin, of the Church#
)re$ious to this O&i$er Co2der! had acted as historian and recorder#
John 3hit'er< accordin, to his o2n re*resentations< said he 2ou&d rather
not 0ee* the Church histor!< ut oser$ed---The 2i&& of the Lord e done<
and if He desires it< I 2ish that He 2ou&d 'anifest it throu,h Jose*h the
seer#---John 3hit'er+s Histor! of the Church< ch# $i#--Accordin,&! the
re$e&ation 2as ,i$en
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /&$ii#
This >uestion 2as a,itatin, the 'inds of the rethren in conse>uence
of the e/*ected arri$a& in the near future of the Saints fro' Ne2 Yor0<
2ho had een co''anded to ,ather to Ohio< and for 2hose rece*tion it 2as
necessar! to 'a0e *re*arations#
Doctrine and Co$enants< section /&$iii#
This sect of Christians arose in En,&and< and Ann Lee has the credit
of ein, its founder# The! deri$e their na'e fro' their 'anner of
2orshi*--2hich is for'ed ! sin,in, and dancin, and c&a**in, their hands
in re,u&ar ti'e to a no$e& ut rather *&easant 0ind of 'usic# This sect
2as *ersecuted in En,&and and ca'e to A'erica in 7MM@# The! first sett&ed
in 3ater$&iet< near A&an!< Ne2 Yor0#
The! ha$e< or thin0 the! ha$e< re$e&ations fro' hea$en or ,ifts fro' the
Ho&! S*irit< 2hich direct the' in the choice of their &eaders and in other
i'*ortant concerns# Their dress and 'anners are si'i&ar to those of the
societ! of Friends EAua0ersF< hence the! are often ca&&ed Sha0in, Aua0ers#
EHa!2ard+s "oo0 of A&& Re&i,ions< **# 87-8GF -The! assert< 2ith the
Aua0ers< that a&& ordinances< es*ecia&&! a*tis' and the Lord+s su**er<
ceased in the a*osto&ic a,e? and that 5od had sent no one to *reach since
that ti'e ti&& the! 2ere raised u*< to ca&& in the e&ect in a ne2
dis*ensation# The! den! the doctrine of the Trinit! and a $icarious
atone'ent< as a&so the resurrection of the od!#- E"urder+s Histor! of A&&
Re&i,ions *# GDH#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /&i/#
E&ders Ri,don and )ratt fu&fi&&ed the 'ission a**ointed to the' !
this re$e&ation# In co'*an! 2ith Le'an Co*&e!< 2ho at his o2n earnest
re>uest had een ordained to the )riesthood< EJohn 3hit'er+s Histor! of
the Church< *# HDF the! $isited the sett&e'ent of the Sha0ers< near
C&e$e&and< Ohio< and *reached the 5os*e& to the' -ut<- 2rites E&der
)ratt< -the! utter&! refused to hear or oe! the 5os*e&#---Autoio,ra*h!
of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *# :G Efirst ed#F John 3hit'er a&so re'ar0s u*on this
incident( -The ao$e-na'ed rethren 2ent and *roc&ai'ed the 5os*e&
accordin, to the re$e&ation ,i$en the'< ut the sha0ers hear0ened not to
their 2ords and recei$ed not the 5os*e& at that ti'e< for the! are ound
in tradition and *riestcraft< and thus the! are &ed a2a! 2ith foo&ish and
$ain i'a,inations#--John 3hit'er+s Histor! of the Church# .s# *# HD#
This is a $er! rief a&&usion to $er! i'*ortant and stran,e
*heno'ena# E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< in his Autoio,ra*h!< has a 'uch 'ore
e/tended account of the s*irit 'anifestations 2hich ca&&ed forth the
re$e&ation u*on the su=ect< -As I 2ent forth a'on, the different
ranches<- he sa!s a&&udin, to the ranches in the $icinit! of 1irt&and< -
so'e $er! stran,e s*iritua& o*erations 2ere 'anifested< 2hich 2ere
dis,ustin, rather than edif!in,< so'e *ersons 2ou&d see' to s2oon a2a! and
'a0e unsee'&! ,estures< and e dra2n or disfi,ured in their countenances#
Others 2ou&d fa&& into ecstasies and e dra2n into contortions cra'*< fits
etc# Others 2ou&d see' to ha$e $isions and re$e&ations 2hich 2ere not
edif!in, and 2hich 2ere not con,enia& to the doctrine and s*irit of the
5os*e&# In short< a fa&se and &!in, s*irit see'ed to e cree*in, into the
Church A&& these thin,s 2ere ne2 and stran,e to 'e and had ori,inated in
the Church durin, our asence< and *re$ious to the arri$a& of )resident
Jose*h S'ith fro' Ne2 Yor0# Fee&in, our 2ea0ness and ine/*erience< and
&est 2e shou&d err in =ud,'ent concernin, these s*iritua& *heno'ena<
'!se&f< John .urdoc0 and se$era& other E&ders< 2ent to Jose*h s'ith and
as0ed hi' to in>uire of the Lord concernin, these s*irits or
'anifestations# After 2e had =oined in *ra!er in his trans&atin, roo'< he
dictated in our *resence the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation#- This is the re$e&ation
,i$en in the te/t ao$e on s*iritua& 'anifestations
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec L#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt? in his Autoio,ra*h!< referrin, to this
re$e&ation for he 2as *resent 2hen it 2as ,i$en--indeed it 2as otained
chief&! at his o2n and E&der John .urdoc0+s so&icitation--ta0es occasion
to re&ate ho2 this and other re$e&ations 2ere ,i$en throu,h the )ro*het#
-Each sentence<- sa!s he< -2as uttered s&o2&! and $er! distinct&!< and
2ith a *ause et2een each sufficient&! &on, for it to e recorded ! an
ordinar! 2riter in &on, hand# This 2as the 'anner in 2hich a&& his 2ritten
re$e&ations 2ere dictated and 2ritten# There 2as ne$er an! hesitation<
re$ie2in,< or readin, ac0 in order to 0ee* the run of the su=ect neither
did an! of these co''unications under,o re$isions< inter&inin,s or
corrections# As he dictated the' so the! stood< so far as I ha$e
2itnessed( and I 2as *resent to 2itness the dictation of se$era&
co''unications of se$era& *a,es each#---Aut# )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# :9-::#
This state'ent of E&der )ratt+s is true in a ,enera& 2a!< and $a&ua&e as
a descri*tion of the 'anner in 2hich re$e&ations 2ere dictated ! the
)ro*het( and needs 'odif!in, on&! to the e/tent of sa!in, that so'e of the
ear&! re$e&ations first *u&ished in the "oo0 of Co''and'ents in 7899<
2ere re$ised ! the )ro*het hi'se&f in the 2a! of correctin, errors 'ade
! the scries and *u&ishers( and so'e additiona& c&auses 2ere inserted
to thro2 increased &i,ht u*on the su=ects treated in the re$e&ations and
*ara,ra*hs added< to 'a0e the *rinci*&es or instructions +a**&! to
officers not in the Church at the ti'e so'e of the ear&ier re$e&ations
2ere ,i$en# The addition of $erses< :G< :: and :M in sec# // of the
Doctrine and Co$enants is an e/a'*&e#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &i#
This date in the )ro*het+s narrati$e is ,i$en the :th of June< ut
the 'inutes of the conference in the For 3est Record are dated June 9rd in
John 3hit'er+s Histor! of the Church it is 2ritten( -June 9rd 7897< a
,enera& conference 2as ca&&ed and a &essin, *ro'ised if the E&ders 2ere
faithfu& and hu'&e efore Hi' Ei#e# the LordF# Therefore the E&ders
asse'&ed fro' the east and fro' the 2est fro' the north and the south and
a&so 'an! 'e'ers-# E*# H7#F 3hit'er ho2e$er s*ea0s of the conference as
continuin, se$era& da!s E*# HH#F and then under date of -the :th of June
states that the re$e&ation 2as ,i$en 2hich Jose*h the )ro*het in the te/t
of his Histor! ao$e s*ea0s of as ha$in, een ,i$en the da! fo&&o2in, the
c&ose of the conference# The 9rd of June 7897< fe&& u*on Frida!< so that
the ,reat *roai&it! is that this i'*ortant conference co''enced on
Frida! and continued throu,h Saturda! and Sunda!< and then efore the
E&ders dis*ersed on .onda! the :th< the re$e&ation a&&uded to ! the
)ro*het 2as ,i$en# )re$ious conferences of a ,enera& character usua&&!
occu*ied three da!s# See *# 778< and hence it is &i0e&! that this one did#
The 'anner in 2hich the 'an of sin 2as re$ea&ed and the authorit! of
the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 'anifested is re&ated ! John 3hit'er in his
Histor! of the Church Ech# $iiF# After ,i$in, the na'es of those 2ho 2ere
ordained Hi,h )riests the da! on 2hich the t2o *o2ers 2ere 'anifested he
sa!s( -Jose*h S'ith< Jun# *ro*hesied the da! *re$ious that the 'an of sin
2ou&d e re$ea&ed 3hi&e the Lord *oured out His S*irit u*on His ser$ants
the de$i& too0 a notion to 'a0e 0no2n his *o2er He ound Har$e! 3hit&oc0
and John .urdoc0 so that the! cou&d not s*ea0< and others 2ere affected
ut the Lord sho2ed to Jose*h< the seer the desi,n of the thin, he
co''anded the de$i& in the na'e of Christ and he de*arted to our =o! and
co'fort+
)ar&e! )# )ratt a&so a&&udes to this su=ect in his Autoio,ra*h!# In this
conference 'uch instruction 2as ,i$en ! )resident S'ith 2ho s*o0e in
,reat *o2er< as he 2as 'o$ed u*on ! the Ho&! 5host( and the s*irit of
*o2er and of testi'on! rested do2n u*on the E&ders in a 'ar$e&ous 'anner
Here a&so 2ere so'e stran,e 'anifestations of fa&se s*irits 2hich 2ere
i''ediate&! reu0ed#- E*# MH#F
A 'isa**rehension has arisen in the 'inds of so'e res*ectin, the
state'ent---The authorit! of the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as 'anifested and
conferred for the first ti'e u*on se$era& of the E&ders#- It has een
su**osed that this *assa,e 'eant that the hi,her or .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood
2as no2 for the first ti'e conferred u*on 'en in this dis*ensation# This
of course is an error< since e$en efore the Church 2as or,ani4ed the
A*ost&eshi* the hi,hest authorit! in the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as
conferred u*on Jose*h S'ith and O&i$er Co2der! and $er! *roa&! u*on
Da$id 3hit'er a&so ESee **# @D-@H note#F the )ro*het does not 'ean that
the .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2as ,i$en for the first ti'e in the Church# It
2as at this conference< ho2e$er< that the s*ecia& office of Hi,h )riest
2as for the first ti'e conferred u*on 'en in this dis*ensation< e/ce*t in
so far as A*ost&es are a&so Hi,h )riests EDoctrine and Co$enants sec#
&///i$( :9F< and of course as there 2ere 'en 2ho had een ordained to the
a*ost&eshi* efore this conference of June 7897 in that 'anner there had
een Hi,h )riests in the Church ut not other2ise
In addition to the s*iritua& 'anifestations a&read! 'entioned as
ha$in, occurred at this conference of June 9rd-:th it shou&d e said that
accordin, to John 3hit'er+s Histor! of the Church Ech# $F( -The S*irit of
the Lord fe&& u*on Jose*h in an unusua& 'anner< and he *ro*hesied that
John the Re$e&ator 2as then a'on, the Ten Tries of Israe& 2ho had een
&ed a2a! ! Sha&'aneser 0in, of Ass!ria to *re*are the' for their return
fro' their &on, dis*ersion to a,ain *ossess the &and of their fathers# He
*ro*hesied 'an! 'ore thin,s that I ha$e not 2ritten After he had
*ro*hesied he &aid his hands u*on L!'an 3i,ht and ordained hi' to the Hi,h
)riesthood Ei#e# ordained hi' a Hi,h )riestF< after the ho&! order of 5od
And the S*irit fe&& u*on L!'an and he *ro*hesied concernin, the co'in, of
Christ He said that there 2ere so'e in the con,re,ation that shou&d &i$e
unti& the Sa$ior shou&d descend fro' hea$en 2ith a shout< 2ith a&& the
ho&! an,e&s 2ith Hi'# He said the co'in, of the Sa$ior shou&d e &i0e the
sun risin, in the east< and 2i&& co$er the 2ho&e earth# So 2ith the co'in,
of the Son of .an? !ea< He 2i&& a**ear in His ri,htness and consu'e a&&
Ethe 2ic0edF efore Hi'< and the hi&&s 2i&& e &aid &o2< and the $a&&e!s
e e/a&ted< and the croo0ed e 'ade strai,ht and the rou,h s'ooth And so'e
of '! rethren sha&& suffer 'art!rdo' for the sa0e of the re&i,ion of
Jesus Christ< and sea& their testi'on! of Jesus Christ< and sea& their
testi'on! of Jesus 2ith their &ood# He sa2 the hea$ens o*ened and the Son
of .an sittin, on the ri,ht hand of the Father< 'a0in, intercession for
his rethren< the Saints He said that 5od 2ou&d 2or0 a 2or0 in these &ast
da!s that ton,ue cannot e/*ress and the 'ind is not ca*a&e to concei$e#
The ,&or! of the Lord shone around#-
-The con,re,ation at this conference nu'er t2o thousand sou&s#---Cannon+s
Life of Jose*h S'ith the )ro*het< *# 779#
This 2as the fourth ,enera& conference of the Church the others 2ere he&d
on the Nth of June< 789D? the H:th of Se*te'er< 789D? and the Hnd of
Januar!< 7897< res*ecti$e&!( and a&& at Fa!ette< Seneca Count!< Ne2 Yor0#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &iii#
It is difficu&t to deter'ine 2ith e/actness in 2hat the
trans,ressions of the saints at Tho'*son consisted ut it is e$ident that
se&fishness and ree&&ion 2ere at the otto' of their trou&e< and that
Le'an Co*&e! and E4ra Tha!re 2ere i''ediate&! concerned in it# The saints
co'*risin, the Co&es$i&&e ranch 2hen the! arri$ed at the ,atherin, *&ace<
in Ohio 2ere ad$ised to re'ain to,ether and 2ere sett&ed at Tho'*son< a
*&ace in the $icinit! of 1irt&and# On their arri$a& "isho* Ed2ard
)artrid,e ur,ed the )ro*het Jose*h to in>uire of the Lord concernin, the
'anner of sett&in, the'< and *ro$idin, for the'# 3hereu*on the )ro*het
in>uired of the Lord and recei$ed the re$e&ation found on *a,e 7M9# It
2i&& e seen fro' that re$e&ation that the saints of the Co&es$i&&e ranch
2ere to e or,ani4ed under the &a2 of consecration and ste2ardshi*# That
is< in rief the saints 2ere to 'a0e a consecration of 2hatsoe$er thin,s
the! *ossessed unto the "isho* and then each 'an recei$e fro' the "isho* a
ste2ardshi*# E$er! 'an 2as to e e>ua& in his ste2ardshi*< accordin, to
his fa'i&!< his circu'stances< and his needs# For detai&s in the 'atter
the reader is referred to the re$e&ation itse&f# It is e$ident that so'e
of the rethren a&read! &i$in, at Tho'*son< had a,reed to enter into the
&a2 of consecration and ste2ardshi* 2ith the Saints fro' Co&es$i&&e? and
that after2ards the! ro0e this co$enant# A'on, these 2ere Le'an Co*&e!
and E4ra Tha!re# -A 'an ! the na'e of Co*&e!<- sa!s Ne2e& 1ni,ht in his
=ourna&< -had a considera&e tract of &and there in Tho'*son 2hich he
offered to &et the saints occu*!# Conse>uent&! a contract 2as a,reed u*on
and 2e co''enced 2or0 in ,ood faith# "ut in a short ti'e Co*&e! ro0e the
en,a,e'ent< and I 2ent to 1irt&and to see "rother Jose*h<- etc# Scra*s of
"io,ra*h!< in 2hich is *u&ished Ne2e& 1ni,ht+s =ourna&< ch# $i#F Of this
'atter< John 3hit'er< then the Church Historian< 2rites( -At this ti'e
Ithe ear&! *art of JuneJ the Church at Tho'*son Ohio 2as in$o&$ed in
difficu&t! ecause of the ree&&ion of Le'an Co*&e!< 2ho 2ou&d not do as
he had *re$ious&! a,reed< 2hich thin, confused the 2ho&e Church and
fina&&! the Lord s*a0e throu,h Jose*h the )ro*het< sa!in,( -He then >uotes
the re$e&ation to Ne2e& 1ni,ht ,i$en in the te/t ao$e#- EJohn 3hit'er+s
Histor! of the Church cha*# $iiiF# For E4ra Tha!re+s *art in the
*roceedin,s at Tho'*son see the re$e&ation ,i$en to Tho'as "# .arsh< **#
78:< 78M#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &i$#
-The Church at Tho'*son<- sa!s John 3hit'er< -'ade a&& *ossi&e haste
to &ea$e for .issouri< and &eft< and none of their ene'ies har'ed the'#-
EJohn 3hit'er+s Histor! of the Church< cha*# $iii#F Ne2e& 1ni,ht 2as
a**ointed the &eader of this co'*an!< 2hich 2as 'ade u* of the Co&es$i&&e
ranch and under his &eadershi* the! 'ade the entire =ourne! fro' Tho'*son
to .issouri#
It 2as dout&ess the Na$a=o Indians< 2hose reser$ation is no2 &ocated
in north eastern Ari4ona of 2ho' O&i$er heard#
THE .ISSION TO THE LA.ANITES--As the -'ission to the La'anites- is a
$er! *ro'inent e$ent in ear&! Church histor!< it is *ro*er that the &aors
of the rethren en,a,ed in at shou&d e s*o0en of 'ore fu&&! than a**ears
an!2here in the )ro*het+s narrati$e and at this *oint fo&&o2in, the &etter
of O&i$er Co2der! see's as a**ro*riate a *&ace as 2i&& e found to s*ea0
of it# It has a&read! een said that the rethren of the 'ission ca&&ed
u*on the Cattarau,us trie< near "uffa&o< Ne2 Yor0# E*# 7HD noteF After
&ea$in, 1irt&and on their =ourne! 2est2ard the! $isited the 3!andot trie
of Indians near Sandus0!< Ohio 2ith 2ho' the! s*ent se$era& da!s#
-3e 2ere 2e&& recei$ed<- 2rites E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< -and had an
o**ortunit! of &a!in, efore the' the record of their forefathers< 2hich
2e did The! re=oiced in the tidin,s id us 5ods*eed and desired us to
2rite to the' in re&ation to our success a'on, the tries further 2est<
2ho had a&read! re'o$ed to the Indian territor!< 2here these e/*ected soon
to ,o#---Aut# )# )# )ratt< *# G@#
On arri$in, at Inde*endence t2o of the co'*an! secured e'*&o!'ent< 2hi&e
the other three crossed the frontier and e,an their &aors a'on, the
Indians The! $isited the Sha2nees s*endin, one ni,ht 2ith the' and the
ne/t da! crossed the 1ansas ri$er and e,an their &aors a'on, the
De&a2ares# The! sou,ht an inter$ie2 2ith the chief of the De&a2ares< 0no2n
a'on, the 2hites as Chief Anderson# He 2as the ,rand sache' of ten nations
or tries and conse>uent&! *ossessed of &ar,e inf&uence# He had a&2a!s
o**osed the introduction of 'issionaries a'on, his *eo*&e and therefore
did not at first e/tend a $er! heart! 2e&co'e to the rethren# Ho2e$er<
throu,h an inter*reter the rethren 'ade 0no2n their errand and e/*&ained
to hi' the "oo0 of .or'on and the infor'ation it contained for his *eo*&e#
The! as0ed to e heard efore a fu&& counci& of his nation a *ro*osition
2hich the chief too0 under consideration unti& the ne/t da!# Ne/t 'ornin,
the con$ersation 2ith the De&a2are Chief 2as rene2ed< ut he 2as not
inc&ined at first to ca&& the counci&# "ut as he e,an to understand
etter the nature of the "oo0 of .or'on he chan,ed his 'ind and as0ed the
rethren to sus*end their con$ersation unti& the counci& cou&d e
asse'&ed# A runner 2as dis*atched to the tries and in aout an hour
fort! &eadin, 'en 2ere asse'&ed and seated in ,ra$e si&ence to hear the
'essa,e concernin, the oo0 of their forefathers# At the re>uest of the
chief O&i$er Co2der! in sustance de&i$ered the fo&&o2in, address#
OLI%ER CO3DERY+S S)EECH TO THE DELA3ARES#
-A,ed Chief and $enera&e Counci& of the De&a2are nation? 2e are ,&ad of
this o**ortunit! to address !ou as our red rethren and friends# 3e ha$e
tra$e&ed a &on, fro' to2ards the risin, sun to rin, !ou ,&ad ne2s# 3e
ha$e tra$e&ed the 2i&derness crossed the dee* and 2ide ri$ers and 2aded in
the dee* sno2s and in the face of the stor's of 2inter< to co''unicate to
!ou ,reat 0no2&ed,e 2hich has &ate&! co'e to oar ears and hearts and 2hich
2i&& do the red 'an ,ood as 2e&& as the *a&e face#
-Once the red 'en 2ere 'an!? the! occu*ied the countr! fro' sea to
sea--fro' the risin, to the settin, sun? the 2ho&e &and 2as theirs? the
5reat S*irit ,a$e it to the'< and no *a&e faces d2e&t a'on, the'# "ut no2
the! are fe2 in nu'ers( their *ossessions are s'a&&< and the *a&e faces
are 'an!#
-Thousands of 'oons a,o< 2hen the red 'en+s forefathers d2e&t in *eace and
*ossessed this 2ho&e &and the 5reat s*irit ta&0ed 2ith the'< and re$ea&ed
His &a2 and
His 2i&& and 'uch 0no2&ed,e to their 2ise 'en and *ro*hets This the! 2rote
in a "oo0< to,ether 2ith their histor! and the thin,s 2hich shou&d efa&&
their chi&dren in the &atter da!s#
-This "oo0 2as 2ritten on *&ates of ,o&d and handed do2n fro' father to
son for 'an! a,es and ,enerations#
-It 2as then that the *eo*&e *ros*ered and 2ere stron, and 'i,ht!? the!
cu&ti$ated the earth ui&t ui&din,s and cities and aounded in a&& ,ood
thin,s< as the *a&e faces no2 do#
-"ut the! eca'e 2ic0ed? the! 0i&&ed one another and shed 'uch &ood? the!
0i&&ed their *ro*hets and 2ise 'en< and sou,ht to destro! the "oo0# The
5reat S*irit eca'e an,r! and 2ou&d s*ea0 to the' no 'ore? the! had no
'ore ,ood and 2ise drea's? no 'ore $isions< no 'ore an,e&s sent a'on, the'
! the 5reat s*irit? and the Lord co''anded .or'on and .oroni< their &ast
2ise 'en and *ro*hets to hide the "oo0 in the earth that it 'i,ht e
*reser$ed in safet! and e found and 'ade 0no2n in the &atter-da! to the
*a&e faces 2ho shou&d *ossess the &and that the! 'i,ht a,ain 'a0e it 0no2n
to the red 'en< in order to restore the' to the 0no2&ed,e of the 2i&& of
the 5reat S*irit and to His fa$or# And if the red 'en 2ou&d then recei$e
this "oo0 and &earn the thin,s 2ritten in it and do accordin, thereunto<
the! shou&d e restored to a&& their ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es? shou&d cease
to fi,ht and 0i&& one another? shou&d eco'e one *eo*&e? cu&ti$ate the
earth in *eace< in co''on 2ith the *a&e faces 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to e&ie$e
and oe! the sa'e "oo0 and e ,ood 'en and &i$e in *eace#
-Then shou&d the red 'en eco'e ,reat and ha$e *&ent! to eat and ,ood
c&othes to 2ear< and shou&d e in fa$or 2ith the 5reat S*irit and e His
chi&dren 2hi&e He 2ou&d e their 5reat Father and ta&0 2ith the'< and
raise u* *ro*hets and 2ise and ,ood 'en a'on, the' a,ain 2ho shou&d teach
the' 'an! thin,s#
-This "oo0< 2hich contained these thin,s 2as hid in the earth ! .oroni<
in a hi&& ca&&ed ! hi' Cu'orah< 2hich hi&& is no2 in the state of Ne2
Yor0< near the $i&&a,e of )a&'!ra< in Ontario count!#
-In that nei,horhood there &i$ed a !oun, 'an na'ed Jose*h s'ith 2ho
*ra!ed to the 5reat S*irit 'uch in order that he 'i,ht 0no2 the truth< and
the 5reat S*irit sent an an,e& to hi' and to&d hi' 2here this "oo0 2as hid
! .oroni< and co''anded hi' to ,o and ,et it# He accordin,&! 2ent to the
*&ace and du, in the earth and found the "oo0 2ritten on ,o&den *&ates#
-"ut it 2as 2ritten in the &an,ua,e of the forefathers of the red 'en?
therefore this !oun, 'an< ein, a *a&e face< cou&d not understand it? ut
the an,e& to&d hi' and sho2ed hi' and ,a$e hi' 0no2&ed,e of the &an,ua,e
and ho2 to inter*ret the "oo0 so he inter*reted it into the &an,ua,e of
the *a&e faces< and 2rote it on *a*er and caused it to e *rinted< and
*u&ished thousands of co*ies of it a'on, the'< and then sent us to the
red 'en to rin, so'e co*ies of it to the'< and to te&& the' this ne2s# So
2e ha$e no2 co'e fro' hi'< and here is a co*! of the "oo0< 2hich 2e no2
*resent to our red friend< the Chief of the De&a2ares 2hich 2e ho*e he
2i&& cause to e read and 0no2n a'on, his trie? it 2i&& do the' ,ood#-
3e then *resented hi' 2ith a "oo0 of .or'on#
There 2as a *ause in the counci& and so'e con$ersation in their o2n
&an,ua,e< after 2hich the chief 'ade the fo&&o2in, re*&!?
THE CHIEF+S RE)LY#
-3e fee& tru&! than0fu& to our 2hite friends 2ho ha$e co'e so far and een
at such *ains to te&& us ,ood ne2s< and es*ecia&&! this ne2 ne2s
concernin, the "oo0 of our forefathers? it 'a0es us ,&ad in here<--*&acin,
his hand on his heart -It is no2 2inter 2e are ne2 sett&ers in this *&ace?
the sno2 is dee*< our catt&e and horses are d!in, our 2i,2a's are *oor? 2e
ha$e 'uch to do in the s*rin,--to ui&d houses and fence and 'a0e far's<
ut 2e 2i&& ui&d a counci& house and 'eet to,ether< and !ou sha&& read to
us and teach us 'ore concernin, the "oo0 of our fathers and the 2i&& of
the 5reat S*irit#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt in his re*ort of the 'atter adds? -3e continued for
se$era& da!s to instruct the o&d Chief and 'an! of his trie# The interest
eca'e 'ore and 'ore intense on their *art< fro' da! to da!< unti& at
&en,th near&! the 2ho&e trie e,an to fee& a s*irit of in>uir! and
e/cite'ent on the su=ect# 3e found se$era& a'on, the' 2ho cou&d read and
to the' 2e ,a$e co*ies of the "oo0< e/*&ainin, to the' that it 2as the
"oo0 of their forefathers< so'e e,an to re=oice e/ceedin,&! and too0
,reat *ains to te&& the ne2s to others in their o2n &an,ua,e# The
e/cite'ent no2 reached the frontier sett&e'ents in .issouri< and stirred
u* the =ea&ous! and en$! of the Indian a,ents and sectarian 'issionaries
to that de,ree that 2e 2ere soon ordered out of the Indian countr! as
disturers of the *eace< and e$en threatened 2ith the 'i&itar! in case of
non-co'*&iance# 3e accordin,&! de*arted fro' the Indian countr! and ca'e
o$er the &ine< and co''enced &aorin, in Jac0son count!< .issouri< a'on,
the 2hites 3e 2ere 2e&& recei$ed and &istened to ! 'an!< and so'e 2ere
a*ti4ed and added to the Church#
-Thus ended our first Indian 'ission< in 2hich 2e had *reached the 5os*e&
in its fu&ness and distriuted the record of their forefathers a'on, three
$i4Q# The Cattarau,us Indians< near "uffa&o< N# Y#< the 3!andots< of Ohio
and the De&a2ares< 2est of .issouri#--Aut# )# )# )ratt< **# G:-:7#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &$#
3i&&ia' 3ine )he&*s s*o0en of in the fore,oin, re$e&ation< 2as orn
at Hano$er< .orris count!< Ne2 Jerse!< Feruar! 7Mth< 7MNH# He 2as
therefore in his fortieth !ear 2hen he ca'e to the Church at 1irt&and< to
cast in his &ot 2ith the saints It a**ears that efore 'a0in, his
a**earance at 1irt&and# He had resided chief&! in the state of Ne2 Yor0?
and had een so'e2hat acti$e in *o&itics# He had een the editor of a
*artisan ne2s*a*er? and had as*ired to e the candidate for the office of
&ieutenant-,o$ernor of Ne2 Yor0# On the H8th of A*ri&< 787G< he 'arried
Sa&&! 3ater'an at S'!rna< Chenan,o count! Ne2 Yor0#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &$i#
The *hrase in the ninth $erse of the fore,oin, re$e&ation -As there
sha&& e no di$isions 'ade u*on the &and<- undouted&! has reference to
the &and u*on 2hich E4ra Tha!re 2as &i$in, at Tho'*son and 2hich he had
co$enanted< under so'e arran,e'ent for co'*ensation to ,rant to the Church
and 2hich contract he atte'*ted at &east to re*udiate#
Reference is 'ade to oth .r# A&e/ander Ca'*e&& and .r# Scott and
the foundin, of the -Ca'*e&&ite- or -Disci*&es- sect in the io,ra*hica&
s0etch of Sidne! Ri,don? as a&so Ri,don+s connection 2ith that
'o$e'ent#--see **# 7HD< 7H7#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &$ii#
%erse fifteen#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &$iii#
The Co&es$i&&e ranch of the Church nu'ered aout si/t!
sou&s#--State'ent 'ade ! O&i$er Co2der! in John 3hit'er+s Histor! of the
Church< ch# i/#
S*ea0in, of this second of Au,ust 'eetin, addition to 2hat the
)ro*het re&ates in his narrati$e# John 3hit'er< in his Histor! of the
Church< Ech# i/F ,i$es the fo&&o2in, interestin, detai&s fro' a state'ent
of O&i$er Co2der!+s? -On the second da! of Au,ust< 7897< Ri,don stood u*
and as0ed< sa!in,<
-Do !ou recei$e this &and for the &and of !our inheritance 2ith than0fu&
hearts fro' the LordB+
-Ans2er fro' a&&( -3e do#-
-Do !ou *&ed,e !ourse&$es to 0ee* the &a2 of 5od in this &and 2hich !ou
ne$er ha$e 0e*t in !our o2n &andsB
-3e do#-
-Do !ou *&ed,e !ourse&$es to see that others of !our rethren 2ho sha&&
co'e hither do 0ee* the &a2s of 5odB+
-3e do#-
-After *ra!er< he arose and said( I no2 *ronounce this &and consecrated
and dedicated unto the Lord for a *ossession and inheritance for the
saints< and for a&& the faithfu& ser$ants of the Lord to the re'otest a,es
of ti'e# In the na'e of Jesus Christ< ha$in, authorit! fro' Hi'# A'en#+-
This is the 3ashin,ton &on,itude# It is et2een ninet!-fi$e and
ninet!-si/ de,rees 2est &on,itude fro' 5reen2ich#
)o&&! 1ni,ht+s hea&th had een fai&in, for so'e ti'e< accordin, to a
state'ent 'ade ! her son< Ne2e&< she 2as $er! i&& durin, her =ourne! fro'
1irt&and to .issouri# -Yet<- sa!s her son< -she 2ou&d not consent to sto*
tra$e&in,? her on&!< or her ,reatest desire 2as to set her feet u*on the
&and of ;ion< and to ha$e her od! interred in that &and I 2ent on shore
and ou,ht &u'er to 'a0e a coffin case she shou&d die efore 2e arri$ed
at our *&ace of destination--so fast did she fai&# "ut the Lord ,a$e her
the desire of her heart< and she &i$ed to stand u*on that &and# EScra*s of
"io,ra*h!< *# MD#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/i#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/i$#
It 2ou&d e 'ore *ro*er to sa! -re$ision of the "i&e- than
-trans&ation- of it? as the )ro*het did not at an! ti'e *retend to a
0no2&ed,e of the ancient &an,ua,es that 2ou&d ena&e hi' to trans&ate fro'
the Here2 or the 5ree0 as -trans&ation is co''on&! understood# "ut 2hat
he did 2as to re$ise the En,&ish te/t of the "i&e under the ins*iration
of 5od< and that &ed hi' not on&! to ,i$e different renderin,s of $arious
*assa,es< ut a&so to su**&! 'issin, *arts#
The 'irac&e here referred to is thus re&ated in Ha!den+s Histor! of
the Disci*&es Ea Ca'*e&&ite 2or0F< **# HGD-7# -E4ra "ooth< of .antua< a
.ethodist *reacher of 'uch 'ore than ordinar! cu&ture< and 2ith stron,
natura& ai&ities< in co'*an! 2ith his 2ife# .r# and .rs# Johnson< and
so'e other citi4ens of this *&ace IHira'J< $isited S'ith at his ho'e in
1irt&and< in 7897# .rs# Johnson had een aff&icted for so'e ti'e 2ith a
&a'e ar'< and 2as not at the ti'e of the $isit a&e to &ift her hand to
her head# The *art! $isited S'ith *art&! out of curiosit! and *art&! to
see for the'se&$es 2hat there 'i,ht e in the ne2 doctrine# Durin, the
inter$ie2 the con$ersation turned on the su=ect of su*ernatura& ,ifts<
such as 2ere conferred in the da!s of the a*ost&es# So'e one said +Here is
.rs# Johnson 2ith a &a'e ar'? has 5od ,i$en an! *o2er to 'an no2 on the
earth to cure herB+
A fe2 'o'ents &ater< 2hen the con$ersation had turned in another
direction< S'ith rose< and 2a&0in, across the roo'< ta0in, .rs# Johnson !
the hand< said in the 'ost so&e'n and i'*ressi$e 'anner( +3o'an< in the
na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ I co''and thee to e 2ho&e+ and i''ediate&!
&eft the roo' The co'*an! 2ere a2e stric0en at the infinite *resu'*tion of
the 'an< and the ca&' assurance 2ith 2hich he s*o0e# The sudden 'enta& and
'ora& shoc0--I 0no2 not ho2 etter to e/*&ain the 2e&&-attested
fact--e&ectrified the rheu'atic ar'--.rs# Johnson at once &ifted it u*
2ith ease< and on her return ho'e the ne/t da! she 2as a&e to do her
2ashin, 2ithout difficu&t! or *ain#-
See *a,e H7H< $erses 7G< 7:#
It is ,enera&&! su**osed that E4ra "ooth 2as the first to turn a2a!
fro' the faith? ut this is an error# Others denied the faith efore hi'<
ut he 2as the first a*ostate< I thin0< to *u&ish an!thin, a,ainst the
Church# That he 2as not the first a*ostate< ho2e$er< is e$ident fro' the
fact that John 3hit'er in his histor! 'a0es 'ention of others turnin, fro'
the faith e$en efore the =ourne! of the E&ders to .issouri 2as
underta0en? 2hereas "ooth did not announce his a*ostas! unti& his return
fro' that =ourne! in the 'onth of se*te'er# 3ritin, of a ti'e *re$ious to
the asse'&in, of the conference of June 9rd-:th< 7897# John 3hit'er
re'ar0s( -Aout these da!s the disci*&es arri$ed fro' the state of Ne2
Yor0 to this *&ace< 1irt&and< Ohio# The! had so'e difficu&t! et2een
the'se&$es ecause of so'e that did not continue faithfu&--2ho denied the
truth and turned to fa&es#- ECh# $iii#F A,ain in cha*ter $iii he sa!s(
-After so'e of the E&ders had &eft Ii#e#< for .issouriJ< and the ti'e for
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and others to &ea$e Ihad co'eJ--so'e of those 2ho had
een co''anded to ta0e their =ourne! s*eedi&!< had denied the faith and
turned fro' the truth#- And sti&& s*ea0in, of a ti'e *re$ious to the
a*ostas! of "ooth< and efore detai&in, the e$ents 2hich ha**ened on the
&and of ;ion a'on, the E&ders 2ho 2ent there< he sa!s( -There 2as 'uch
trou&e and une&ief a'on, those 2ho ca&&ed the'se&$es disci*&es of
Christ? so'e a*ostati4ed and eca'e ene'ies to the cause of 5od< and
*ersecuted the Saints#- ECha*ter i/ F A&& this 2as efore "ooth+s
a*ostas!# In the 'inutes of a conference he&d on the :th of Se*te'er<
7897< and si,ned ! o&i$er Co2der!< it is recorded( -U*on testi'on!
satisfactor! to this conference< it 2as $oted that E4ra "ooth e si&enced
fro' *reachin, as an E&der in this Church#-
The series of &etters referred to in the te/t ao$e 2ere nine in
nu'er< and first a**eared in the Ohio Star< *u&ished at Ra$enna< the
count! seat of )orta,e count!# After2ards the! 2ere *u&ished in E# D#
Ho2e+s "oo0 .or'onis' Un$ei&ed< **# 7MG-HH7#
Orson H!de 2as orn Januar! 8th< 78DG< at O/ford< Ne2 Ha$en count!<
Connecticut# He 2as the son of Nathan and Sa&&! H!de# His father ser$ed in
the United States ar'! in the 2ar of 787H# 3hen Orson 2as se$en !ears o&d
his 'other died and the &ar,e fa'i&! of Nathan H!de< consistin, of nine
sons and three dau,hters< 2ere scattered# Orson 2as ta0en in char,e ! a
'an of the na'e of Nathan 3hee&er# Se$en !ears &ater< or 2hen !oun, H!de
2as fourteen !ears of a,e# .r# 3hee&er 'o$ed fro' the state of Connecticut
to Ohio< sett&in, in the $icinit! of 1irt&and# Orson acco'*anied hi' and
continued to &i$e 2ith hi' in Ohio for aout four !ears< after 2hich he
en,a,ed in $arious occu*ations on his o2n account< at &ast eco'in, a
c&er0 in the fir' of 5i&ert P 3hitne!< 'erchants# In the !ear 78HM a
re&i,ious re$i$a& of unusua& fer$or occurred in 1irt&and and $icinit!< and
under it inf&uence Orson H!de eca'e a con$ert to the .ethodist faith? and
short&! after2ards 2as 'ade a c&ass &eader# -At aout the sa'e ti'e<-
2rites Ed2ard Tu&&id,e< in a io,ra*hica& s0etch of hi'< -e heard that a
+,o&den "i&e+ had een du, out of a roc0 in the state of Ne2 Yor0# It 2as
treated< ho2e$er< as a hoa/? ut< on readin, the re*ort< H!de re'ar0ed(
+3ho 0no2s ut that this +,o&den "i&e+ 'a! rea0 u* our re&i,ion and
chan,e its 2ho&e features and earin,#- EUtah and her Founders<
"io,ra*hica& s0etches< *# MDF so'e ti'e suse>uent to his eco'in, a
.ethodist he heard Sidne! Ri,don *reach the Ca'*e&&ite faith< and ein,
con$inced that the doctrine Ri,don ad$ocated 2as 'ore scri*tura& than that
2hich he had e'raced he acce*ted it and 2as a*ti4ed into the Ca'*e&&ite
church# He a&so eca'e a theo&o,ica& student under his ne2 teacher+s
instruction 2ith a $ie2 of eco'in, a 'inister of the ne2 church? and< in
fact< e,an to *reach and had a&read! assisted in foundin, se$era&
Ca'*e&&ite con,re,ations in Lorain and Huron counties# In 789D< he 2as
'ade *astor o$er these con,re,ations# In the fa&& of that !ear the
La'anite 'ission of the Church of Jesus Christ arri$ed in the northeast
*art of Ohio< and soon the 2ho&e countr! 2as a,itated ! the *resentation
of the "oo0 of .or'on and its attendant 'essa,e< the restored 5os*e& of
Jesus Christ# At first Orson H!de< at the re>uest of 'e'ers of the
Ca'*e&&ite faith o**osed the "oo0 of .or'on in *u&ic addresses? ut
fee&in, re*ro$ed ! the S*irit for this course< he sus*ended his
o**osition in order to 'a0e further in>uir!< 2ith the resu&t that after
'uch *ra!er and so'e hesitanc! he acce*ted the ,reat &atter-da! 'essa,e<
and 2as a*ti4ed< as re&ated in the te/t#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/$#
This 2as a $er! i'*ortant conference and continued throu,h t2o da!s< the
HGth and H:th of Octoer--Tuesda! and 3ednesda!# The 'inutes of it are
contained in the Far 3est Record< **# 7D-79# %er! 'an! of the rethren
ho&din, the )riesthood addressed the conference< and each one e/*ressed
his 2i&&in,ness to consecrate a&& he *ossessed to 5od and His cause# The
'inutes of the )ro*hets re'ar0s u*on this su=ect< as re&atin, to his o2n
2i&&in,ness to consecrate a&& to the Lord are of *articu&ar interest# It
stands as fo&&o2s in the record( -"rother Jose*h S'ith# Jun#< said that he
had nothin, to consecrate to the Lord of the thin,s of the earth< !et he
fe&t to consecrate hi'se&f and fa'i&!# 3as than0fu& that 5od had ,i$en hi'
a *&ace a'on, His Saints< fe&t 2i&&in, to &aor for their ,ood#- E*# 79F#
It a**ears at this ti'e that the )ro*het and other &eadin, E&ders of the
Church 2ere 'uch e'arrassed in the 2or0 of trans&atin, the scri*tures and
*reachin, the 5os*e&? in conse>uence of the difficu&t! the! encountered to
do this 2or0 of the 'inistr! and at the sa'e ti'e *ro$ide for their
fa'i&ies# It a**ears a&so that the saints 2ere so'e2hat ac02ard in
*ro$idin, 'eans for the su**ort of the 'inistr! of the Church Referrin, to
the su=ect the )ro*het accordin, to the 'inutes ao$e referred to said(
-The Lord he&d the Church ound to *ro$ide for the fa'i&ies of the asent
E&ders 2hi&e *roc&ai'in, the 5os*e& Further said that 5od had often sea&ed
u* the hea$ens ecause of co$etousness in the Church#- E*# 79F#
The re'ar0s of Si'eon Carter< one of the Hi,h )riests in attendance at the
conference< are of interest and i'*ortance< o2in, to the &i,ht the! thro2
u*on the $ie2s of the faithfu& rethren res*ectin, the =ourne! to the &and
of ;ion and the 2or0 that had een acco'*&ished there# The 'inute of his
re'ar0s stands as fo&&o2s( -"rother Si'eon Carter said that he 2as
than0fu& that he had een s*ared and *reser$ed to ,o to the &and of ;ion
accordin, to the co''and'ent of the Lord< for he recei$ed it as fro' His
'outh< and a&so than0ed the Lord that his feet had trodden u*on the
consecrated ,round 2hich 2as the inheritance of the saints# Testified that
the "oo0 of .or'on 2as true# .ourned ecause of the fa&&in, a2a! Iin
1irt&andJ since he too0 his =ourne! to the &and of ;ion#- E*# 7HF
Another ite' of interest 2i&& e found in the fo&&o2in, circu'stance?
se$era& of the rethren too0 occasion to testif! to the truth of the "oo0
of .or'on? and no2 the 'inutes---"rother H!ru' S'ith said that he thou,ht
est that the infor'ation of the co'in, forth of the "oo0 of .or'on e
re&ated ! Jose*h hi'se&f to the E&ders *resent< that a&& 'i,ht 0no2 for
the'se&$es#- -"rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun# said that it 2as not intended to
te&& the 2or&d a&& the *articu&ars of the co'in, forth of the "oo0 of
.or'on? and a&so said that it 2as not e/*edient for hi' to re&ate these
thin,s#- E*# 79F# This 2i&& account for the )ro*het confinin, hi'se&f to
the 'erest ,enera&ities in a&& his state'ents concernin, the co'in, forth
of the "oo0 of .or'on#
The e/act date of the irth of 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in cannot e
ascertained He 2as orn in the state of Tennessee aout the !ear 78D:# He
first heard the 5os*e& *reached ! E&ders Sa'ue& H# S'ith and Re!no&ds
Cahoon< 2hi&e those rethren 2ere en route fro' 1irt&and to Inde*endence
.issouri< in the ear&! su''er of 7897# He c&osed u* his affairs as soon as
*ossi&e and fo&&o2ed these 'issionaries to Jac0son count!# On the 2a! to
that *&ace he 2as a*ti4ed and ordained an E&der# Durin, the sa'e su''er
he 'ade his 2a! to 1irt&and< 2here 2e find hi' in attendance at the
s*ecia& conference of octoer HGth see0in, to &earn the 2i&& of the Lord<
throu,h the )ro*het< res*ectin, hi'se&f#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/$i#
This s*ecia& conference at Hira' on No$e'er 7st< shou&d recei$e
&ar,er notice# The nu'er of co*ies in the edition of the "oo0 of
Co''and'ents to e *rinted 2as considered and the decision reached that
ten thousand shou&d e *u&ished# The conference &asted t2o da!s# In the
afternoon of the first da! of the conference< accordin, to the 'inutes of
the 'eetin,< the *reface to the "oo0 of Co''and'ents 2as -recei$ed !
ins*iration#- The sa'e afternoon the fo&&o2in, occurred( -"rother Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< said that inas'uch as the Lord had esto2ed a ,reat &essin,
u*on us in ,i$in, co''and'ents and re$e&ations< he as0ed the conference
2hat testi'on! the! 2ere 2i&&in, to attach to these co''and'ents 2hich
2ou&d short&! e sent to the 2or&d# A nu'er of the rethren arose and
said that the! 2ere 2i&&in, to testif! to the 2or&d that the! 0ne2 that
the! 2ere of the Lord#- EFar 3est Record< *# 7:#F
In the second da!+s *roceedin,s of the conference it is recorded? -The
re$e&ation of &ast e$enin, read ! the 'oderator Ithis 2as O&i$er
Co2der!J# The rethren then arose in turn and ore 2itness to the truth of
the "oo0 of Co''and'ents< after 2hich "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< arose
and e/*ressed his fee&in,s and ,ratitude concernin, the co''and'ents and
*reface recei$ed !esterda!#+ EFar 3est Record< *# 7:#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# i# This re$e&ation 2hich< in the current
edition and in fact in a&& editions of the Doctrine and Co$enants< stands
as section i< is the Lord+s )reface to the re$e&ations 2hich He has ,i$en
to this Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/$ii#
This -Testi'on!- to the truth of the -"oo0 of Co''and'ents- 2as
dout&ess dra2n u* 2ith the intention of ha$in, it si,ned ! the E&ders
*resent at the conference? ut 2hether that 2as done or not does not
a**ear in the .s# of the )ro*het+s histor!# The testi'on! itse&f< ho2e$er<
is in the 'anuscri*t Histor!# This is re'ar0ed ecause it has not een
*u&ished heretofore in the Histor! of the )ro*het# The 'atter a**ears to
stand thus? Each of the E&ders *resent at the conference testified to the
truth of the re$e&ations then aout to e *u&ished? and< as a&read! seen
E*# HHH noteF< e/*ressed a 2i&&in,ness to testif! to the truth of the
re$e&ations to a&& the 2or&d# Accordin,&! this testi'on! 2as *re*ared 2ith
the intention of ha$in, it si,ned and *u&ished in the -"oo0 of
Co''and'ents#- It 'a! ha$e een si,ned< too< and carried to .issouri< ut
o2in, to the fact that the *rintin, *ress 2as destro!ed ! a 'o efore
the -"oo0 of Co''and'ents- 2as a&& *rinted< the -Testi'on!- does not
a**ear in the *art of it that 2as *rinted# The na'es of the E&ders *resent
at this s*ecia& conference< accordin, to the 'inutes of it in the Far 3est
Record E*# 7GF< are as fo&&o2s( Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er Co2der!< Da$id
3hit'er< John 3hit'er< )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< 3i&&ia' "#
.+Le&&in< Orson H!de< Lu0e Johnson< L!'an E# Johnson#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/$iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c///iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/i/# It 'ust not e understood fro' the
first *ara,ra*h of this re$e&ation that O&i$er Co2der! 2as untrust2orth!<
and therefore it 2as necessar! that a co'*anion e *ro$ided for hi'# The
fact 2as that 'uch of the =ourne! et2een 1irt&and and Inde*endence< or
;ion< 2as throu,h a s*arse&! sett&ed countr!< the 2estern *ortion of it
throu,h a frontier countr! 2here there is a&2a!s a ,atherin,< 'ore or
&ess< of &a2&ess *eo*&e? and it 2as at considera&e ris0 that a *erson
tra$e&ed throu,h such a countr!< es*ecia&&! 2hen a&one and carr!in, 'one!
2ith hi'# It 2as 2isdo' then< for the sa0e of O&i$er Co2der!< and to
insure the safet! of the 'one! and the sacred thin,s he 2as to carr! 2ith
hi'< that one shou&d ,o 2ith hi' that 2ou&d e a true and faithfu&
co'*anion< hence the a**oint'ent of John 3hit'er#
In the 'inutes of the s*ecia& conference of No$e'er 7Hth< s*o0en of
in the fore,oin, ! the )ro*het< occurs the fo&&o2in, account of 2hat too0
*&ace in addition to 2hat the )ro*het has 2ritten( -"rother Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< said one ite' he 2ished acted u*on 2as that our rothers O&i$er
Co2der! and John 3hit'er and the sacred 2ritin,s 2hich the! ha$e entrusted
to the' to carr! to ;ion--e dedicated to the Lord ! the *ra!er of faith#
Second&!< "rother O&i$er has &aored 2ith 'e fro' the e,innin, in
2ritin,< Pc# "rother .artin has &aored 2ith 'e fro' the e,innin, and
"rothers John 3hit'er and Sidne! Ri,don a&so for a considera&e ti'e< and
as these sacred 2ritin,s are no2 ,oin, to the Church for its enefit< that
2e 'a! ha$e c&ai' on the Church for reco'*ense--if this conference thin0
these thin,s 2orth *ri4in, to he had on record to sho2 hereafter--I fee&
that it 2i&& e accordin, to the 'ind of the S*irit< for ! it these
thin,s 2ere *ut into '! heart 2hich I 0no2 to e the S*irit of truth
-%oted? that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< e a**ointed to dedicate and consecrate
these rethren and the sacred 2ritin,s and a&& the! ha$e entrusted to
their care to the Lord# Done accordin,&!# C C C C %oted? that in
conse>uence of the di&i,ence of our rethren Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er
Co2der!< John 3hit'er< and Sidne! Ri,don in rin,in, to &i,ht ! the ,race
of 5od these sacred thin,s<--Ithe!J e a**ointed to 'ana,e the' accordin,
to the &a2s of the Church and the co''and'ents of the Lord# And a&so that
in conse>uence of the fa'i&ies of Jose*h S'ith< H!ru' S'ith< )eter
3hit'er< Christian 3hit'er< Jaco 3hit'er< Hira' )a,e and Da$id 3hit'er
ad'inisterin, to their 2ants in te'*ora& thin,s? and a&so Ion account ofJ
the &aors of Sa'ue& H# S'ith< )eter 3hit'er Jun#< 3i&&ia' S'ith and Don
Car&os S'ith--$oted ! the conference that the ao$e na'ed rethren e
re'e'ered to the "isho* in ;ion as ein, 2orth! of inheritances a'on, the
*eo*&e of the Lord accordin, to the &a2s of said Church#---Far 3est
Record< **# 78< 7N#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//i#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//ii#
These are the &etters referred to at *# H7M< note#
This conference had een a**ointed to 'eet on the HGth of Januar!< at
A'herst Lorain count!< Ohio#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//i$#
The chief ite' of interest connected 2ith this A'herst conference
he&d on the HGth of Januar!< 789H< is the fact that it 2as here that the
)ro*het Jose*h 2as sustained and ordained as )resident of the Hi,h
)riesthood#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//$i#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//$ii#
It 2as not a&2a!s desira&e that the indi$idua&s 2ho' the Lord
addressed in re$e&ations shou&d at the ti'e e 0no2n ! the 2or&d< and
hence in this and in so'e suse>uent re$e&ations the rethren 2ere
addressed ! other than their o2n na'es# The te'*orar! necessit! ha$in,
*assed for 0ee*in, the na'es of the indi$idua&s addressed un0no2n< their
rea& na'es 2ere suse>uent&! ,i$en in rac0ets#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//$iii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///i#
It has een said that there 2as no First *residenc! in the Church of
Jesus Christ in for'er da!s and that this od! is *ecu&iar to the
Dis*ensation of the Fu&ness of Ti'es# Here the Lord dec&ares that the 0e!s
of the 0in,do' e&on, a&2a!s unto the *residenc! of the Hi,h *riesthood#
In other 2ords the! e&on, to the )residenc! of the Church in a discourse
de&i$ered Ju&! H 789N the *ro*het Jose*h S'ith said that Ada' he&d the
0e!s of the First *residenc! then Noah a&so he&d this office# He said(
-The *riesthood is e$er&astin,# The Sa$ior< .oses and E&ias ,a$e the 0e!s
to )eter< Ja'es and John< on the 'ount 2hen the! 2ere transfi,ured efore
hi'#- This ein, true< then )eter< Ja'es and John 2ere chosen ! the Lord
as a First )residenc! and ser$ed in that ca*acit! in the Church of Jesus
Christ in their dis*ensation# It 2as ! $irtue of this ca&&in, that the!
2ere sent to confer u*on Jose*h s'ith and O&i$er Co2der! the 0e!s of the
0in,do' DPC HM(79#F
The *ros*ectus of The E$enin, and .ornin, Star< referred to ao$e
docu'ent< fro' 2hich the fo&&o2in, is condensed( it is announced that the
Star 2i&& e de$oted to unfo&din, the 'eanin, of the re$e&ations of 5od
fro' the ear&iest ti'es to the *resent< ut 'ore es*ecia&&! those
re$e&ations 2hich 5od has ,i$en in the *resent dis*ensation? that 5od 'ade
choice of Israe& in ancient ti'es throu,h 2ho' to 'a0e 0no2n His 2i&& unto
'an0ind? ut o2in, to trans,ression Israe& 2as ta0en ca*ti$e and scattered
a'on, a&& nations? 5od< ho2e$er< *ro'ised that in the &ast da!s He 2ou&d
,ather Israe& then scattered and rin, the' a,ain into their o2n &ands
2here the! shou&d e 2onderfu&&! *ros*ered#
The ti'e for the acco'*&ish'ent of these thin,s is ra*id&! a**roachin,# It
2i&& e attended 2ith the sore =ud,'ents of 5od u*on the 2ic0ed# And as in
a&& *ast a,es< efore a&&o2in, =ud,'ents to fa&& u*on the 2ic0ed< 5od has
sent the' a 2ord of 2arnin, and an o**ortunit! to re*ent so too in the
crisis *endin, the Lord 2i&& not rin, the threatened ca&a'it! u*on
'an0ind 2ithout sendin, forth due 2arnin,# -Therefore< in the fear of Hi'
Ethe LordF and to s*read the truth a'on, a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues
and *eo*&e< this *a*er is sent forth< that a 2ic0ed 2or&d 'a! 0no2 that
Jesus Christ the Redee'er< 2ho sha&& co'e to ;ion 2i&& soon a**ear#- The
E$enin, and .ornin, Star--in addition to ein, a hera&d of Israe&+s return
to the fa$or of 5od and a 'essen,er of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&--2i&& a&so
contain 2hate$er of truth or infor'ation that 2i&& enefit the Saints of
5od te'*ora&&! as 2e&& as s*iritua&&!< -2ithout interferin, 2ith *o&itics<
roi&s or the ,ainsa!in, of the 2or&d#- It is a&so announced that fro' the
Star *ress it 'a! e e/*ected as soon as 2isdo' directs< that there 2i&&
e issued -'an! sacred records 2hich ha$e s&e*t for a,es#- The Star 2as to
e a ro!a& >uarto sheet< issued 'onth&!< at one do&&ar a !ear< unti& it
shou&d e dee'ed *ro*er to *u&ish it oftener# The *ros*ectus 2as issued
In Feruar! and si,ned ! 3# 3# )he&*s#
The Johnson fa'i&! 2as one of the t!*ica& A'erican fa'i&ies of o&d
co&onia& ti'es--the 'en 2ere &ar,e< stron,< ra$e< sensi&e< honest<
2e&&-to-do# -.! ,randfather< Israe& Johnson<- 2rites Lu0e Johnson in his
autoio,ra*hica& s0etch< -&i$ed in Chesterfie&d< Ne2 Ha'*shire< and 2as
'uch res*ected ! his nei,hors for his honest!< inte,rit! and industr!#
.! father< John Johnson< 2as orn in Chesterfie&d< Ne2 Ha'*shire< A*ri&
77th< 7MMN# He fo&&o2ed the occu*ation of far'in, on a &ar,e sca&e< and
2as noted for *a!in, his dets and &i$in, inde*endent&! fro' )o'fret<
%er'ont< to Hira'< )orta,e count!< Ohio# He 2as connected 2ith the
.ethodist church for aout fi$e !ears *re$ious to recei$in, the 5os*e&#-
Lu0e Johnson then re&ates the circu'stance of the )ro*het< throu,h the
*o2er of 5od< hea&in, his 'other of chronic rheu'atis' in the ar' 2hich
con$erted E4ra "ooth as a&read! re&ated on *a,e H7G< and then resu'es( -.!
father 2as satisfied in re,ard to the truth of .or'onis'< and 2as a*ti4ed
! Jose*h s'ith Jun in the 2inter of 789D-7< and furnished hi' and his
fa'i&! a ho'e< 2hi&e he trans&ated a *ortion of the "i&e#-
Their na'es 2ere Jose*h S# and Ju&ia# The! 2ere orn in Oran,e<
Cu!aho,a count! Ohio< A*ri& 9D< 7897# E''a S'ith< the )ro*het+s 2ife< had
,i$en irth to t2ins a o! and ,ir&--on the sa'e date# The! &i$ed ut
three hours and E''a s'ith too0 the 'other&ess .urdoc0 t2ins in the fond
ho*e that the! 2ou&d fi&& the $oid in her &ife occasioned ! the &oss of
her o2n#
.ention has a&read! een 'ade of Si'onds R!der+s con$ersion to the
5os*e& throu,h the fu&fi&'ent of a *ro*hec! re&atin, to an earth>ua0e in
)e0in< China Esee *# 7G8F# The initia& *oint of his a*ostas! is e>ua&&!
interestin,# It a**ears that so'e ti'e after his a*tis' he 2as ordained
an E&der of the Church EFar 3est Record< *# @F? and so'e2hat &ater
infor'ed ! a co''unication si,ned ! the )ro*het Jose*h and Sidne!
Ri,don< that it 2as the 2i&& of the Lord< 'ade 0no2n ! the s*irit that he
shou&d *reach the 5os*e&# "oth in the &etter he recei$ed and in the
officia& co''ission to *reach< ho2e$er< his na'e 2as s*e&&ed R-i-d-e-r<
instead of R-!-d-e-r< and is soer&! stated in the Histor! of the
Disci*&es on the 3estern Reser$e EHa!denF that he thou,ht if the - s*irit
throu,h 2hich he had een ca&&ed to *reach cou&d err in the 'atter of
s*e&&in, his na'e< it 'i,ht ha$e erred in ca&&in, hi' to the 'inistr! as
2e&&< or< in other 2ords he 2as &ed to dout if he 2ere ca&&ed at a&& !
the s*irit of 5od< ecause of the error in s*e&&in, his na'eK The sa'e
circu'stance is referred to in 1enned!+s Ear&! Da!s of .or'onis' E*# 7D7F#
1enned! a&so re'ar0s that 2hi&e in the uncertain 'ood e/cited ! this
incident E4ra "ooth returned fro' .issouri< and a co'*arison of
e/*eriences &ed to a co'*&ete o$erthro2 of a&& e&ief in the ne2 creed in
the 'inds of oth#
The 'an 2ho' the )ro*het struc0 2as na'ed 3aste# He 2as re,arded<
sa!s Lu0e Johnson< as the stron,est 'an in the 3estern Reser$e< and had
oasted that he cou&d ta0e the )ro*het out of the house a&one -At the ti'e
the! Ithe 'oJ 2ere ta0in, hi' Ithe )ro*hetJ out of the house< 3aste had
ho&d of one foot Jose*h dre2 u* his &e, and ,a$e hi' a 0ic0 2hich sent hi'
s*ra2&in, into the street# He after2ards said that the )ro*het 2as the
'ost *o2erfu& 'an he e$er had ho&d of in his &ife - EHistor! of Lu0e
Johnson< ! hi'se&f< .i&&ennia& Star $o&# //$i< *# 89G#F
This &o2 ro0e his co&&ar one< accordin, to the state'ent of his
son< Lu0e Johnson# Da$id 3hit'er &aid his hands u*on hi'< and he 2as
i''ediate&! hea&ed# E.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# //$i< *# 89GF
Accordin, to the state'ent of Lu0e Johnson Eautoio,ra*hica& s0etch<
.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# //$i< *# 89@-GF< there 2ere aout fort! or fift! in
the 'o that attac0ed the )ro*het on this occasion He a&so states that a
Dr# Dennison< a 'an of considera&e inf&uence in the co''unit!< 2as a
'e'er of this 'o< and threatened to do the )ro*het ,reat odi&! in=ur!<
ut 2hen he sa2 the )ro*het in the hands of his ene'ies his heart fai&ed
hi'# Carnot .ason 2as the one 2ho first sei4ed the )ro*het and dra,,ed hi'
fro' his ed# S*ea0in, of the fate that o$ertoo0 so'e of the 'e'ers of
the 'o< Johnson re'ar0s that .ason< soon after the 'oin,< -had an
attac0 of s*ina& affection#- Fu&&ars< another of the 'o< died of cho&era<
in C&e$e&and< Ohio< and Dr# Dennison 2as sent to the *enitentiar! for ten
!ears Eut for 2hat offense he does not sa!F and died efore the ter'
e/*ired#
This 2as Jose*h .urdoc0< 2hose death occurred .arch HN< 789H< his a,e
ein, one da! &ess than e&e$en 'onths#
Chardon 2as the count! seat of 5eau,a count! and aout fi$e 'i&es
fro' 1irt&and#
Titus "i&&in,s 2as orn on .arch HGth< 7MN9< at 5reenfie&d< Fran0&in
count!< .assachusetts# He is said to e the second *erson a*ti4ed in
1irt&and< Ohio< the a*tis' ta0in, *&ace in No$e'er< 789D#
-A&& differences<- sa!s the 'inutes of this 'eetin,< recorded in the
Far 3est Record---a&& differences sett&ed< and the hearts of a&& 2ere
united to,ether in &o$e#---E*# HG#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///ii#
It shou&d e re'e'ered that these Co&es$i&&e Saints 2ere a'on, the
first to recei$e the 5os*e& under the teachin,s of the )ro*het< and hence
his heart 2as natura&&! tender to2ard the'< and this $isit 2as dout&ess
es*ecia&&! de&i,htfu& oth to the saints and the )ro*het#
Doctrine and co$enants< sec# &///iii#
This action of course< annu&&ed the reso&ution at the 1irt&and
conference to *u&ish an edition of ten thousand# ESee *# HHH#F
The arran,e'ents here referred to for the esta&ish'ent of stores in
.issouri and Ohio< as disc&osed ! the 'inutes of these counci& 'eetin,s
of the H:th< HMth< 9Dth of A*ri&< and the 7st of .a!< 2ere that the
rethren in 'ercanti&e *ursuits in 1irt&and and ;ion shou&d e united in
one fir' and the esta&ish'ents in 1irt&and and ;ion res*ecti$e&! 2ere
re,arded 'ere&! as ranches of the one fir'# Sti&& it 2as reso&$ed that
each of these ranches shou&d ha$e a se*arate co'*an! na'e# The na'e of
the ranch in ;ion 2as to e -5i&ert< 3hitne! P Co'*an!<- and the one in
1irt&and -Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! P Co'*an!#- 3# 3# )he&*s and A# S# 5i&ert 2ere
a**ointed to draft the ond for the united fir'# A# S# 5i&ert and Ne2e&
1# 3hitne! 2ere a**ointed to e the a,ents of the ne2 fir'# It 2as a&so
reso&$ed that 2hene$er an! s*ecia& usiness shou&d arise it 2ou&d e the
dut! of the united fir' ! its ranches at Jac0son count! .issouri and
5eau,a count!< Ohio< to re,u&ate the sa'e ! s*ecia& a,enc!# It 2as a&so
reso&$ed that the united fir' ne,otiate a &oan of fifteen thousand do&&ars
at si/ *er centu'# The fir' of Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! P Co# 2as a**ointed to
transact the usiness#
This is an instance of the )ro*het Jose*h+s *o2er as a seer# Another
e/a'*&e is ,i$en ! Da$id 3hit'er in his account of ,oin, to Har'on!<
)enns!&$ania after the )ro*het and O&i$er Co2der! in order to ta0e the' to
his father+s ho'e in Fa!ette Ne2 Yor0 in the su''er of 78HN 2hen the "oo0
of .or'on 2as in course of trans&ation# -3hen I arri$ed at Har'on!<- sa!s
Da$id< -Jose*h and O&i$er 2ere co'in, to2ard 'e< and 'et 'e so'e distance
fro' the house# O&i$er to&d 'e that Jose*h had infor'ed hi' 2hen I started
fro' ho'e< 2here I had sto**ed the first ni,ht ho2 I read the si,n at the
ta$ern< 2here I sto**ed the ne/t ni,ht etc# and that I 2ou&d e there that
da! efore dinner and this 2as 2h! the! had co'e out to 'eet 'e? a&& of
2hich 2as e/act&! as Jose*h had to&d O&i$er< at 2hich I 2as ,reat&!
astonished- EDa$id 3hit'er+s State'ent to Orson )ratt and Jose*h F# S'ith
.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# /&< nos# @N< GD#F
The sa&utator! address 2as si,ned ! 3# 3# )he&*s#
This is in *&ain a&&usion to the re$e&ation on *a,e 78G 2here 3# 3#
)he&*s and O&i$er Co2der! are a**ointed a co''ittee to *re*are oo0s for
schoo&s in the Church< that &itt&e chi&dren 'i,ht recei$e instruction<
2hich is *&easin, efore the Lord# That re$e&ation and the ao$e artic&e
fro' the Star of June< 789H< *&ain&! foreshado2 the ,reat interest the
Church 2ou&d ta0e in education#
5eor,e A&ert S'ith 2as orn at )otsda'< St# La2rence count!< Ne2
Yor0< on the H:th of June 787M# He 2as the son of John S'ith< the si/th
son of Asae& and .ar! S'ith# John S'ith 2as therefore a rother of the
)ro*het+s father< and 5eor,e A&ert and the )ro*het 2ere cousins# In the
fa&& of 78H8< Asae& S'ith< ,randfather of the su=ect of this note<
recei$ed a &etter fro' Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< infor'in, hi' of so'e of the
$isions the !outhfu& )ro*het had recei$ed# Soon after this a &etter fro'
the !oun, )ro*het hi'se&f 2as recei$ed ! John S'ith and read in the
hearin, of 5eor,e A&ert# The &etter dec&ared that the =ud,'ents of 5od
2ou&d o$erta0e the 2ic0ed of this ,eneration un&ess the! re*ented# The
&etter 'ade a dee* i'*ression u*on 5eor,e A&ert( 2hi&e his father
re'ar0ed that -Jose*h 2rote &i0e a *ro*het#- In Au,ust< 789D< Jose*h
S'ith< Sen#< $isited his rother John rin,in, 2ith hi' the "oo0 of
.or'on< a co*! of 2hich he &eft at the for'ers residence# Durin, the
te'*orar! asence of his unc&e< 2ho 2as $isitin, other ranches of the
fa'i&!< 5eor,e A&ert cha'*ioned the "oo0 of .or'on< and ans2ered
o=ections ur,ed a,ainst it ! the nei,hors 2ho ca'e in to e/a'ine it#
.eanti'e he for'u&ated so'e o=ections of his o2n 2hich his Unc&e Jose*h
on his return ans2ered to his co'*&ete satisfaction( and he ne$er
after2ards ceased to ad$ocate the di$ine authenticit! of the "oo0 of
.or'on# Not2ithstandin, this con$iction< ho2e$er< he 2as not a*ti4ed
unti& so'e t2o !ears had e&a*sed as 2i&& e seen ! reference to the date
of his a*tis' in the te/t of the )ro*het+s narrati$e
At this *oint I thin0 it *ro*er that a &etter 2ritten ! Asae& S'ith
,randfather of the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith Jun#< shou&d e introduced# A co*!
of the &etter 2as otained ! 5eor,e A# S'ith< the su=ect of the
fore,oin, io,ra*hica& note< 2hi&e on a $isit to To*sfie&d in 78MH# The
ori,ina& 2as in the hands of a son of .r# Jaco To2n< then the to2n c&er0
of To*sfie&d< and 2ho< 2hi&e un2i&&in, to *art 2ith the ori,ina&< ecause
2ritten to and recei$ed ! his father< *er'itted )resident 5eor,e A# S'ith
to co*! it#
On the outside of the &etter< esides the su*erscri*tion< -.r# Jaco To2n<
To*sfie&d Co''on2ea&th of .assachusetts<- is this( -Rec+d Fe# 7@< 7MN:<
fro' Asae&
S'ith#- Fro' 2hich it a**ears 2hen co'*ared 2ith the date under 2hich it
2as 2ritten the &etter 2as one 'onth on the =ourne! fro' Tunrid,e %t#< to
To*sfie&d< a distance of 7GD 'i&es< and 2as *roa&! carried ! *ri$ate
con$e!ance#
The &etter is *roduced here for t2o reasons( first for its o2n intrinsic
interest as a &iterar! re&ic of one of the )ro*hets ancestors and of the
A'erican Re$o&utionar! *eriod? second< as sho2in, the character of the
stoc0 fro' 2hich the )ro*het Jose*h descended# This &etter e/hiits in
Asae& S'ith a no&e inde*endence of character< united 2ith a chi&d&i0e
hu'i&it! efore 5od to,ether 2ith unounded faith and trust in the 2isdo'
of *ro$idence and of His o$er-ru&in, hand in the affairs of nations#
Lo!a&t! to his countr! and faith in the stai&it! of the ,o$ern'ent under
the o$er-ru&in, *ro$idences of 5od are e>ua&&! cons*icuous# The &etter
2i&& ,o far to2ards refutin, the s&anders 2hich untruthfu& 2riters ha$e
een *&eased to circu&ate concernin, the character of that race fro' 2hich
the )ro*het descended#
ASAEL S.ITH+S LETTER TO .R# JACO" TO3N#
-TUN"RID5E# Jan# 7@th< 7MN:#
-Res*ected Sir(--Ha$in, a fa$ora&e o**ortunit!< a&tho+ on $er! short
notice< I 2ith =o! and ,ratitude e'race it returnin, here2ith '! 'ost
heart! than0s for !our res*ect sho2n in !our fa$or of the 9Dth of
No$e'er< ! .r# 3i&&is< 2hich I $ie2 as a sin,u&ar s*eci'en of
friendshi*< 2hich has $er! &itt&e een *racticed ! an! of '! friends in
To*sfie&d< a&thou,h often re>uested#
-.! fa'i&! are a&& throu,h the ,oodness of the Di$ine "enediction in a
to&era&e ,ood state of hea&th and desire to e re'e'ered to !ou and to
a&& in>uirin, friends
-I ha$e set 'e u* a ne2 house since .r# 3i&&is 2as here and e/*ect to
re'o$e into it ne/t s*rin,< and e,in a,ain on an entire ne2 far'< and '!
son Jose*h 2i&& &i$e on the o&d far' Eif this that has een ut four !ears
occu*ied can e ca&&ed o&dF and carr! it on at the ha&$es 2hich ha&f I
ho*e 2i&& near&! furnish '! fa'i&! 2ith food 2hi&st I 2ith '! four
!oun,est sons sha&& endea$or to rin, to another far' etc#
-As to ne2s< I ha$e nothin, as I 0no2 of< 2orth noticin,< e/ce*t that
,rain has ta0en a sudden rise a'on,st us aout one-third#
-As to the Jacoin *art!< the! are not $er! nu'erous here< or if the! are<
the! are *rett! sti&&? there are so'e in this state< $i4#< in "ennin,ton<
2ho &i0e other chi&dren cr!in, for a ratt&e< ha$e &ared out a,ainst their
ru&ers< in ho*es to 2rest fro' the'< if *ossi&e< 2hat the! estee' the
*&a!thin, of *o2er and trust# "ut the! ha$e een *rett! 2e&& 2hi**ed and
ha$e eco'e to&era&! >uiet a,ain< and I a' in ho*es if the! &i$e to to
arri$e to the !ears of discretion< 2hen the e'*ire of reason sha&& ta0e
*&ace< that the! 2i&& then eco'e ,ood 'e'ers of societ!< not2ithstandin,
their nois!< nucious eha$ior in their chi&dhood< for 2hich the! 2ere
either ca*a&e of hearin, or ,i$in, an! reason#
-For '! *art< I a' so 2i&&in, to trust the ,o$ern'ent of the 2or&d in the
hands of the Su*re'e Ru&er of uni$ersa& nature< that I do not at *resent
2ish to tr! to 2rest it out of His hands< and I ha$e so 'uch confidence in
His ai&ities to teach our senators 2isdo'< 2hat I do not thin0 it 2orth
2hi&e for 'e to inter*ose< fro' the &itt&e stoc0 of 0no2&ed,e that He has
fa$ored 'e 2ith< in the affair< either one 2a! or the other# He has
conducted us throu,h a ,&orious Re$o&ution and has rou,ht us into the
*ro'ised &and of *eace and &iert! and I e&ie$e that He is aout to rin,
a&& the 2or&d into the sa'e eatitude in His o2n ti'e and 2a!? 2hich<
a&tho His 2a!s 'a! a**ear ne$er so inconsistent to our &ind reason< !et
'a! e *erfect&! consistent 2ith His desi,ns# And I e&ie$e that the stone
is no2 cut out of the 'ountain 2ithout hands< s*o0en of ! Danie&< and has
s'itten the i'a,e u*on his feet< ! 2hich the iron< the c&a!< the rass<
the si&$er and the ,o&d< E$i4#F a&& the 'onarchia& and ecc&esiastica&
t!rann! 2i&& e ro0en to *ieces and eco'e as the chaff of the su''er
threshin, f&oor< the 2ind sha&& carr! the' a&& a2a!< that there sha&& e
no *&ace found for the'#
-5i$e '! est re,ards to !our *arents and te&& the' that I ha$e ta0en u*
2ith the e&e$enth co''and'ent that the ne,ro tau,ht to the 'inister< 2hich
2as thus--
-The 'inister as0ed the ne,ro ho2 'an! co''and'ents there 2ere< his ans2er
2as LE&een< sir#+ LA!e<+ re*&ied the other< L2hat is the e&e$enthB That
is one I ne$er heard of#+ LThe e&e$enth co''and'ent< sir< is 'ind !our o2n
usiness#+
So I choose to do and ,i$e '!se&f ut &itt&e concern aout 2hat *asses in
the *o&itica& 2or&d
-5i$e '! est re,ards to Dr# .eria'< .r# 3i&&is< Jose*h Dor'an and .r#
Cree< and te&& .r# Cree I than0 hi' for his res*ects and ho*e he 2i&&
acce*t of 'ine# 3rite to 'e as often and as &ar,e as !ou can and o&i,e
!our sincere friend and 2e&&-2isher# ESi,nedF ASAEL S.ITH -.r# Jaco To2n<
Jun#-
The fo&&o2in, a**ears on the ac0 of the first *a,e of the &etter< ein,
e$ident&! of the nature of a *ostscri*t--
-5i$e '! heart! than0s to .r Char&es Ro,ers for his res*ects sho2n in
2ritin, 'e a fe2 &ines< and te&& hi' that I shou&d a 2rote to hi' no2< had
I had ti'e< ut no2 2ai$e it for the *resent< as I ha$e considera&e *art
of 2hat I intended to a 2rit to !ou#
-If I shou&d &i$e and do 2e&& I e/*ect to co'e to To*sfie&d '!se&f ne/t
2inter< 2hich if I do I sha&& co'e and *a! !ou a $isit# Fare2e&&#
-Te&& .r# Jose*h Cree that if he 2i&& co'e here and set u* his trade< I
2i&& 2arrant hi' as 'uch 2or0 as he can do and ,ood *a!#-
On the 'ar,in of the second *a,e of the &etter a**ears the fo&&o2in,--
-I e/*ect '! son Jose*h 2i&& e 'arried in a fe2 da!s#-
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///i$#
Three chi&dren had *re$ious&! een orn to Jose*h and E''a? a son< on
June 7G< 78H8< 2ho died the sa'e hour? and a son and dau,hter on A*ri& 9D<
7897< 2ho &i$ed three hours# These &atter chi&dren 2ere orn the sa'e da!
as the .urdoc0 t2ins< 2hose ado*tion into Jose*h+s fa'i&! at the a,e of
nine da!s< is 'entioned on *a,e H:D#
Jose*h Youn, 'entioned ao$e< 2as na'ed for his ,randfather Jose*h
Youn,< a *h!sician and sur,eon in the "ritish-A'erican ar'! durin, the
French and Indian 2ar# John Youn,< the father of Jose*h Youn,< su=ect of
this note< 2as a nati$e of Ho*0inton< .idd&ese/ count!< .assachusetts# He
'arried Na! Ho2e< 2ho ore to hi' e&e$en chi&dren< of 2ho' Jose*h 2as
the se$enth chi&d and second son< Jose*h 2as orn on the Mth of A*ri&<
7MNM< in Ho*0inton< .idd&ese/ count!< .assachusetts# In ear&! &ife he
eca'e attached to re&i,ion< and 2as $er! 'ora& and de$out# In his !outh
he assisted his father in a,ricu&tura& *ursuits# He 2as a .ethodist
*reacher for a nu'er of !ears and &aored in the United states and
Canada# On A*ri& :th 789H< he 2as a*ti4ed into the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-da! Saints< ! E&der Danie& "o2en< in Co&u'ia< )enns!&$ania?
and 2as ordained an E&der a fe2 da!s after2ards under the hands of E4ra
Landon# After *reachin, in the state of Ne2 Yor0 for se$era& 'onths he
too0 a 'ission to Canada in the su''er of 789H in co'*an! 2ith his rother
)hinehas< E&ea4er .i&&er and others# The! or,ani4ed t2o s'a&& ranches and
returned to .endon in aout four 'onths# He then 2ent to 1irt&and 2ith
Heer C# 1i'a&& and his rother "ri,ha' as re&ated in the te/t
Heer Chase 1i'a&& 2as orn June 7@< 78D7< in She&don< Fran0&in
count!< %er'ont# His *arents 2ere A'erican orn< thou,h of Scotch
e/traction< the ancient na'e of the fa'i&! ein,< it is e&ie$ed Ca'*e&&#
His o**ortunities for ac>uirin, an education e$en of the co''on schoo&
order 2ere e/tre'e&! &i'ited At the a,e of nineteen he 2as a**renticed to
his e&der rother< Char&es< to &earn the *otter+s trade He ser$ed so'e t2o
!ears as an a**rentice and then 2or0ed for his rother as a =ourne!'an
*otter# 3hi&e !et in the e'*&o! of his rother the! to,ether 'o$ed to
.endon< .onroe count!< 2here the &atter esta&ished a *otter!# 3hi&e
&i$in, here Heer 'arried %i&ate .urra! of %ictor< a to2n near .endon< ut
in the ad=oinin, count! of Ontario# Soon after his 'arria,e he =oined the
"a*tist church three 2ee0s &ater< and so'e ti'e in the 2inter of 7897< a
nu'er of the E&ders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints
e,an *reachin, in the to2n of %ictor and Heer C# 1i'a&& and a nu'er of
the Youn,s attended their 'eetin,s# Then fo&&o2ed the $isit to the ranch
of the Church in Co&u'ia< )enns!&$ania< 'entioned in the io,ra*hica&
note of "ri,ha' Youn,# After his return fro' Co&u'ia< he 2as a*ti4ed !
A&*heus 5ifford on the 7Gth of A*ri&< 789H# Durin, the su''er of 789H
Heer C# 1i'a&& 2as ordained an E&der and 2ith the Youn,s &aored *art of
his ti'e in the 'inistr!< and succeeded in raisin, u* se$era& s'a&&
ranches of the Church# In Se*te'er he 'ade the =ourne! to 1irt&and<
s*o0en of ! the )ro*het in his narrati$e#
"ri,ha' Youn, 2as orn in 3hitin,ha'< 3indha' count!< %er'ont< June
7< 78D7# He 2as the ninth chi&d and fourth son of John and Na! Ho2e
Youn, He 2as ear&! tau,ht ! his *arents to &i$e a strict&! 'ora& &ife it
2as not unti& he 2as in his t2ent!-second !ear that he ,a$e serious
thou,ht to re&i,ion He soon after2ards =oined the .ethodist church# On the
8th of Octoer he 'arried .iria' 3or0s dau,hter of Asa and Jerusha 3or0s
and for a nu'er of !ears fo&&o2ed the trade of car*enter and =oiner<
*ainter and ,&a4ier# In the s*rin, of 78HN he 'ade his ho'e at .endon a
s'a&& to2n so'e fifteen 'i&es south and east of Rochester in .onroe count!
2here his father a&so resided# A !ear &ater he sa2 for the first ti'e the
"oo0 of .or'on< a co*! that 2as &eft at the house of his rother< )hinehas
H# Youn,< ! Sa'ue& H# S'ith< rother of the )ro*het# In the fa&& of 7897
E&ders A&*heus 5ifford< E&ia& Stron, and others a**eared in the $icinit!
of .endon *reachin, the restored 5os*e& as re$ea&ed throu,h Jose*h S'ith
the )ro*het and "ri,ha' e&ie$ed their testi'on!# In co'*an! 2ith his
rother )hinehas and Heer C# 1i'a&& he $isited a ranch of the Church in
Co&u'ia< "radford count!< )enns!&$ania# The three rethren re'ained 2ith
the ranch of the Church aout a 2ee0 durin, 2hich ti'e their faith 2as
'uch stren,thened in the 'ission of the 'odern )ro*het on returnin, to
.endon< "ri,ha' Youn, in co'*an! 2ith John )# 5reene started for Canada to
find Jose*h Youn, an e&der rother of "ri,ha'+s< then a *reacher in the
.ethodist church# On 'eetin, his rother "ri,ha' re&ated 2hat he had
&earned of the ne2 dis*ensation and Jose*h re=oiced at hearin, the ,&ad
tidin,s# To,ether the! returned to .endon< 2here the! arri$ed in .arch<
789H( and on the 7@th of A*ri& fo&&o2in, "ri,ha' 2as a*ti4ed ! E&ea4er
.i&&er and confir'ed a 'e'er of the Church at the 2ater+s ed,e# A&'ost
i''ediate&! after2ards .i&&er ordained hi' an E&der in the Church# Durin,
the su''er of 789H he *reached in .endon and $icinit! and assisted in
raisin, u* se$era& ranches of the Church# On the 8th of Se*te'er his
2ife died of consu'*tion< &ea$in, hi' 2ith t2o s'a&& chi&dren< oth ,ir&s#
After the death of his 2ife he 'ade his ho'e 2ith Heer C# 1i'a&&< the
&atter+s 2ife ta0in, in char,e his 'other&ess aes# In the sa'e 'onth of
Se*te'er in co'*an! 2ith Heer C# 1i'a&& and his rother Jose*h< he 2ent
to 1irt&and on his $isit to the )ro*het< as re&ated in the te/t#
The ao$e incident is thus re&ated ! )resident "ri,ha' Youn, in his
o2n histor!(--In Se*te'er< 789H< "rother Heer C# 1i'a&& too0 his horse
and 2a,on< "rother Jose*h Youn, and '!se&f acco'*an!in, hi'< and started
for 1irt&and to see the )ro*het Jose*h# 3e $isited 'an! friends on the 2a!
and so'e ranches of the Church# 3e e/horted the' and *ra!ed 2ith the'<
and I s*o0e in ton,ues So'e *ronounced it ,enuine and fro' the Lord< and
others *ronounced it of the de$i& 3e *roceeded to 1irt&and and sto**ed at
John )# 5reene+s< 2ho had =ust arri$ed there 2ith his fa'i&!# 3e rested a
fe2 'inutes< too0 so'e refresh'ents and started to see the )ro*het# 3e
2ent to his father+s house and &earned that he 2as in the 2oods cho**in,#
3e i''ediate&! re*aired to the 2oods 2here 2e found the )ro*het and t2o or
three of his rothers< cho**in, and hau&in, 2ood# Here '! =o! 2as fu&& at
the *ri$i&e,e of sha0in, the hand of the )ro*het of 5od< and recei$in, the
sure testi'on! ! the s*irit of *ro*hec!< that he 2as a&& that an! 'an
cou&d e&ie$e hi' to e as a true *ro*het# He 2as ha**! to see us and id
us 2e&co'e# 3e soon returned to his house he acco'*an!in, us#
In the e$enin,< a fe2 of the rethren ca'e in< and 2e con$ersed u*on the
thin,s of the 0in,do'# He ca&&ed u*on 'e to *ra!( in '! *ra!er I s*o0e in
ton,ues As soon as 2e arose fro' our 0nees< the rethren f&oc0ed around
hi'< and as0ed his o*inion concernin, the ,ift of ton,ues that 2as u*on
'e# He to&d the' it 2as the *ure Ada'ic &an,ua,e# So'e said to hi' the!
e/*ected he 2ou&d conde'n the ,ift "rother "ri,ha' had< ut he said -No<
it is of 5od#---.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# //$< *# @9N#
The ,ift of ton,ues here s*o0en of 2as first e/ercised in one of the
)enns!&$ania ranches( ne/t at .endon< 2here the Youn,s and 1i'a&&s
resided then in the ranches et2een .endon and 1irt&and< then in 1irt&and
under the circu'stances ao$e re&ated and short&! after2ards it 2as a ,ift
>uite ,enera&&! e/ercised ! the Saints in Ohio# -And it ca'e to *ass<-
2rites John 3hit'er in his histor! of the Church Echa*# /F< -that in the
fa&& of 789H< the disci*&es in Ohio recei$ed the ,ift of ton,ues< and in
June< 7899< 2e recei$ed the ,ift of ton,ues in ;ion#-
The *art of the ao$e &etter< e,innin, 2ith the 2ords< -It is the
dut! of the Lord+s c&er0< etc#< and endin, 2ith the 2ords< -As 2i&& e
found recorded in the second cha*ter and si/t!-first and si/t!-second
$erses of E4ra<- 2as acce*ted after2ards as the 2ord of the Lord< that is<
as a re$e&ation u*on the 'atters treated therein< and a**ears in the
Doctrine and Co$enants as section &///$#
-And the chi&dren of the *riests( the chi&dren of Haaiah< the
chi&dren of 1o4< the chi&dren of "ar4i&&ai? 2hich too0 a 2ife of the
dau,hters of "ar4i&&ai the 5i&eadite< and 2as ca&&ed after their na'e(
these sou,ht their re,ister a'on, those that 2ere rec0oned ! ,enea&o,!<
ut the! 2ere not found< therefore 2ere the!< as *o&&uted< *ut fro' the
*riesthood#---E4ra ii( :7< :H#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///$i#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///$ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///$iii# This is the re$e&ation
referred to as -The O&i$e Leaf<- *&uc0ed fro' the Tree of )aradise< in the
)ro*het+s &etter of Januar! 77< 7899# See *a,e 97:#
This na'e is a&so s*e&&ed Se/ton in the .s# Histor!# .r# Seaton &i$ed
at Rochester< Ne2 Yor0< and *u&ished a *a*er there< ut the na'e of the
*a*er cannot e ascertained#
The )ro*het states suse>uent&! that he 2rote this co''unication !
co''and'ent of the Lord# The ,enera& condition of the 2or&d as noted !
the )ro*het at the co''ence'ent of this cha*ter 2as dout&ess the occasion
of the Lord sendin, forth such a note of 2arnin, to the inhaitants of the
earth as is here *resented# It shou&d e said< ho2e$er< in addition to
2hat is here set do2n< i#e# at the e,innin, of the cha*ter--that the
-*&a,ue<- or Asiatic cho&era< 2hich first ro0e out in India< s*read a&so
throu,hout the United States in that sa'e !ear# One historian< s*ea0in, of
its ra$a,es in the United States< sa!s( -It 2as on the H7st of June< 789H<
that the eastern *&a,ue< 0no2n as the Asiatic cho&era< 'ade its first
a**earance in the United states< in the cit! of Ne2 Yor0# Its ra*id s*read
*roduced uni$ersa& *anic< thou,h it 2as &ess fata& in the South At&antic
states than in the north and in the $a&&e! of the .ississi**i# Thousands
of *ersons of a&& a,es and conditions died of it 2ithin a fe2 'onths# The
'ost roust constitutions in 'an! instances eca'e $icti's of its
'a&i,nanc! 2ithin thirt!-si/ hours fro' it first attac0#---Histor! U# S#<
Ste*hens< *# @GD#
This is the re$e&ation e,innin, on *# 9DH and section &///$iii of
the Doctrine and Co$enants#
See **# 97D< 977< $erses 77N-79:#
-1irt&and .i&&s- and -1irt&and- are identica&# The na'e -1irt&and
.i&&s- arose fro' the e/istence of so'e 'i&&s on the an0s of the ranch
of the Cha,rin ri$er on 2hich 1irt&and is situated#
See *# HNH< $erse M:#
See *# HN7< $erses GG-GN#
;eedee Co&trin 2as orn at O$id< Seneca count!< Ne2 Yor0< Se*te'er
M< 78D@# He 2as the son of John and Sarah Co&trin and 2as a*ti4ed into
the Church soon after its or,ani4ation#
L!'an L# Johnson 2as orn in )o'fret< 3indsor count!< %er'ont<
Octoer H@ 7877# He 2as a*ti4ed into the Church in Feruar! 7897 !
Sidne! Ri,don and 2as ordained an E&der under the hands of the )ro*het
Jose*h S'ith#
Le$i 3ard Hancoc0 2as orn A*ri& M< 78D9 in o&d S*rin,fie&d< Ha'*den
count! .assachusetts# He 2as the !oun,est son of Tho'as Hancoc0 and A'!
3ard Hancoc0# 3hen Le$i 2as aout t2o !ears o&d his fa'i&! re'o$ed to
.assachusetts to Ohio sett&in, in Cha,rin Ca!aho,a count! not far fro'
1irt&and# Here Le$i ,re2 to 'anhood< occu*ied chief&! in far'in, 2ith his
father e$er he *urchased a far' in Ashtau&a count! 2hich is in the
e/tre'e northeast *art of Ohio# He 2as direct&! in the *ath2a! of E&ders
Co2der!< )ratt< 3hit'er and )eterson< 2hen =ourne!in, 2est2ard on their
'ission to the La'anites< and short&! after the! *assed throu,h his
nei,horhood he fo&&o2ed the' to 1irt&and 2here he 2as a*ti4ed on the
7:th of No$e'er< 789D< ! E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< and 2as soon after2ards
ordained an E&der under the hands of O&i$er Co2der!#
3i&&ia' S'ith 2as the fifth son of Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< and Luc!
S'ith# He 2as orn in Ro!a&ton< 3indsor count!< %er'ont< .arch 79< 7877?
and 2as a*ti4ed soon after the Church 2as or,ani4ed#
It 2as the intention of the )ro*het to ha$e this re$ised $ersion of
the scri*tures 2hich he had 'ade 2ith such &aorious care *u&ished in
;ion< at the *rintin, esta&ish'ent of the Church in that *&ace ENe2
Testa'ent and "oo0 of .or'on to e *u&ished to,ether? see *# 9@7F ut
efore the 2or0 cou&d e$en e co''enced< the *ersecution arose 2hich 'ade
the underta0in, i'*ractica&e And such 2as the unsett&ed state of the
Church throu,hout the re'ainin, !ears of the )ro*het+s &ife that he found
no o**ortunit! to *u&ish the re$ised scri*tures< and to this da! there is
no authoritati$e *u&ication of his trans&ation of the O&d and Ne2
Testa'ents ,i$en to the 2or&d e/ce*t in such e/cer*ts as a**ear in the
)ear& of 5reat )rice< on this su=ect the &ate )resident 5eor,e A# Cannon<
in his Life of Jose*h S'ith< re'ar0s in a footnote E*# 77HF---3e ha$e
heard )resident "ri,ha' Youn, state that the )ro*het efore his death had
s*o0en to hi' aout ,oin, throu,h the trans&ation of the Scri*tures a,ain
and *erfectin, it u*on *oints of doctrine 2hich the Lord had restrained
hi' fro' ,i$in, in *&ainness and fu&ness at the ti'e of 2hich 2e 2rite
IHnd Fe#< 7899J#-
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &///i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /c#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /ci#
A'asa .ason L!'an 2as orn in the to2nshi* of L!'an 5rafton count!<
Ne2 Ha'*shire< on the 9Dth of .arch 7879# He 2as the third son of "os2e&&
L!'an and .artha .ason# His father d!in, 2hen A'asa 2as aout ei,ht !ears
of a,e< and so'e ti'e &ater his 'other 'arr!in, a,ain he 2as reared in the
ho'e of his ,randfather on the 'aterna& side< )ere4 .ason< unti& he 2as
e&e$en !ears of a,e# )ere4 .ason then retired fro' his far' to &i$e 2ith
his e&dest son )er&e! .ason 2ith 2ho' a&so< accordin, to the 2ishes of his
'other< A'asa &i$ed durin, the ne/t se$en !ears# 3hen !oun, L!'an 2as in
his ei,hteenth !ear he eca'e thou,htfu& on the su=ect of re&i,ion and
earnest&! sou,ht the fa$or of the Lord ! ri,hteous de*ort'ent< thou,h
2ithout connectin, hi'se&f 2ith an! of the re&i,ious sects# Aout one !ear
&ater E&ders Orson )ratt and L!'an E# Johnson *assed throu,h the section
of Ne2 Ha'*shire 2here !oun, L!'an &i$ed on a *reachin, tour# He e&ie$ed
the 'essa,e *roc&ai'ed ! these ne2 e$an,e&s and 2as a*ti4ed on the HMth
of A*ri&< 789H ! E&der L!'an E# Johnson< and confir'ed on the fo&&o2in,
da! ! E&der Orson )ratt# In conse>uence of the i&& fee&in,s 2hich arose
in his unc&e+s fa'i&! o2in, to his =oinin, the Church< A'asa de*arted fro'
the ho'e of his 0indred and set out on foot for the ,atherin, *&ace of the
saints in Ohio# After a =ourne! of so'e se$en hundred 'i&es< in 2hich he
endured 'an! hardshi*s--for 'uch of the =ourne! 2as 'ade on foot and 2ith
ut scant 'eans of susistence--he arri$ed at Hira' in *orta,e count!< and
en,a,ed to 2or0 for Father Johnson at ten do&&ars a 'onth# It 2as at this
ti'e that the )ro*het 2as 'a0in, his ho'e at Father Johnson+s thou,h on
the arri$a& of !oun, L!'an at Hira' he 2as asent in .issouri# Aout the
first of Ju&!< ho2e$er< Jose*h returned fro' his 2estern =ourne!< and
A'asa had the =o! of 'eetin, the )ro*het of the ne2 dis*ensation# Of that
'eetin, and the i'*ressions it *roduced< he sa!s( -Of the i'*ressions
*roduced I 2i&& here sa! a&thou,h there 2as nothin, stran,e or different
fro' other 'en in his *ersona& a**earance< !et 2hen he ,ras*ed '! hand in
that cordia& 2a! E0no2n to those 2ho ha$e 'et hi' in the honest si'*&icit!
of truthF< I fe&t as one of o&d in the *resence of the Lord? '! stren,th
stand on '! feet? ut in a&& this there 2as no fear< ut the serenit! and
*eace of hea$en *er$aded '! sou&< and the sti&& s'a&& $oice of the s*irit
2his*ered its &i$in, testi'on! in the de*ths of '! sou&< 2here it has e$er
re'ained< that he 2as the 'an of 5od#- Autoio,ra*hica& S0etch of A'asa .#
L!'an< .i&&ennia& Star< $o&# $ii< *# 7M9#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /cii#
Here fo&&o2s the re$e&ations on *a,e 999#
See *# 9HN#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /ciii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /ci$#
The ao$e ite's of *&a,ues and re'o$a& of Indians are fro' the
E$enin, and .ornin, Star< for .a! 7899#
For an account of their con$ersation to the 5os*e& see *a,e H8G#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /c$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /c$i#
O2in, to the suse>uent *ro'inence of this 'an< -Doctor- )hi&astus
Hur&urt< as a itter anti--.or'on- 'ore shou&d e said of hi' than is
,i$en in the )ro*het+s narrati$e# He 2as not a *h!sician< as the tit&e
-Doctor- 2ou&d see' to indicate< ut ein, the se$enth son in his father+s
fa'i&! accordin, to the o&d fo&0&ore su*erstition that the se$enth son
2ou&d *ossess su*ernatura& >ua&ities that 2ou&d 'a0e hi' a *h!sician he
2as ca&&ed -Doc<- or -Doctor<- -This said LDoctor<+- 2rote Sidne! Ri,don
in 789N< to the "oston Journa&< -2as ne$er a *h!sician at an! ti'e< nor
an!thin, e&se ut a ase ruffian He 2as the se$enth son and his *arents
ca&&ed hi' +Doctor+? it 2as his na'e< and not the tit&e of his *rofession#
He once e&on,ed to the .ethodist church and 2as e/c&uded for i''ora&ities
He after2ards i'*osed hi'se&f on the Church of Latter-da! saints< and 2as
e/c&uded for usin, oscene &an,ua,e to a !oun, &ad! a 'e'er of the said
church 2ho resented his insu&t 2ith indi,nation 2hich eca'e oth her
character and *rofession# Jose*h E# Johnson< in a co''unication to the
Deseret E$enin, Ne2s< under date of Dece'er H8< 788D< sa!s of -Doctor-
Hur&urt( -In the !ear A# D# 7899< then &i$in, in 1irt&and< Ohio< I eca'e
ac>uainted 2ith a 'an suse>uent&! 0no2n as Dr# Hur&urt< 2ho ca'e to
in$esti,ate the truth of L.or'onis'+# C&ai'in, to e satisfied< he 2as
a*ti4ed and eca'e a 'e'er in fu&& fe&&o2shi*# He 2as a 'an of fine
*h!si>ue $er! *o'*ous ,ood &oo0in, and $er! a'itious 2ith so'e ener,!<
thou,h of *oor education# Soon after his arri$a& he ca'e to '! 'other+s
house to oard< 2here he re'ained for near&! a !ear< 2hi&e he 'ade an
effort to ,et into a ,ood *ractice of 'edicine< sou,ht *osition in the
Church and 2as e$er stri$in, to 'a0e 'arita& connection 2ith an! of the
first fa'i&ies# Fina&&! C C C he 2as char,ed 2ith i&&icit intercourse 2ith
the se/< 2as tried and cut of fro' the Church# He denied< e/*ostu&ated<
threatened< ut to no use< the facts 2ere too a**arent< and he at once
a$o2ed hi'se&f the ene'! of the Church#-
The account of the counci& of E&ders at 3estfie&d 2as co*ied into the
1irt&and Church record on the HNth of June< 7899#
The first of the fo&&o2in, deed-for's 2as used in consecratin,
*ro*ert! to the Church? the second< in securin, the ste2ardshi* to those
enterin, into the &a2 of consecration and ste2ardshi*< so'eti'es ca&&ed
the order of Enoch< ecause it 2as the &a2 under 2hich the )atriarch Enoch
and his *eo*&e &i$ed# These deed for's 2ere found in the *ri$ate *a*ers of
"isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e(
I# "E IT 1NO3N< THAT I< Titus "i&&in,s of Jac0son count! and the state of
.issouri< ha$in, eco'e a 'e'er of the Church of Christ< or,ani4ed
accordin, to &a2< and esta&ished ! the re$e&ations of the Lord< on the
:th da! of A*ri& 789D< do< of '! o2n free 2i&& and accord< ha$in, first
*aid '! =ust dets< ,rant and here! ,i$e unto Ed2ard )artrid,e of Jac0son
count!< and state of .issouri< "isho* of said Church the fo&&o2in,
descried *ro*ert!< $i4(--sundr! artic&es of furniture $a&ued fift!-fi$e
do&&ars t2ent!-se$en cents a&so t2o eds< eddin, and e/tra c&othin,
$a&ued se$ent!-three do&&ars t2ent!-fi$e cents? a&so far'in, utensi&s
$a&ued fort!-one do&&ars< a&so one horse< t2o 2a,ons t2o co2s and t2o
ca&$es< $a&ued one hundred fort!-se$en do&&ars#
For the *ur*ose of *urchasin, &ands in Jac0son count!< .o#< and ui&din,
u* the Ne2 Jerusa&e'< e$en ;ion< and for re&ie$in, the 2ants of the *oor
and need!# For 2hich I< the said Titus "i&&in,s do co$enant and ind
'!se&f and '! heirs fore$er< to re&ease a&& '! ri,ht and interest to the
ao$e descried *ro*ert!< unto hi'< the said Ed2ard )artrid,e "isho* of
said Church#
And I< the said Ed2ard )artrid,e< "isho* of said Church ha$in, recei$ed
the ao$e descried *ro*ert!< of the said Titus "i&&in,s< do ind '!se&f<
that I 2i&& cause the sa'e to e e/*ended for the ao$e 'entioned *ur*oses
of the said Titus "i&&in,s to the satisfaction of said Church and in case
I shou&d e re'o$ed fro' the office of "isho* of said Church< ! death or
other2ise# I here! ind '!se&f and '! heirs fore$er< to 'a0e o$er to '!
successor in office< for the enefit of said Church a&& the ao$e
descried *ro*ert!< 2hich 'a! then e in '! *ossession#
IN TESTI.ONY 3HEREOF< 2e ha$e hereunto set our hands and sea&s
this########### da! of#######< in the !ear of our Lord< one thousand<
ei,ht hundred and thirt! ##### In the *resence of --------------------##
TITUS "ILLIN5S# ED3ARD )ARTRID5E
II# "E IT 1NO3N THAT I< Ed2ard )artrid,e< of Jac0son count!< state of
.issouri "isho* of the Church of Christ< or,ani4ed accordin, to &a2< and
esta&ished ! the re$e&ations of the Lord on the :th da! of A*ri& 789D
ha$e &eased and ! these *resents do &ease unto Titus "i&&in,s of Jac0son
count!< and state of .issouri a 'e'er of said Church the fo&&o2in,
descried *iece or *arce& of &and ein, a *art of section No# three<
to2nshi* No fort!-nine< ran,e No thirt!-t2o situated in Jac0son count!<
and state of .issouri and is ounded as fo&&o2s $ia(--"e,innin, ei,ht!
rods E# fro' the S#3# corner of said section thence N# one hundred and
si/t! rods? thence E# t2ent!-se$en rods? t2ent!-fi$e &in0s? thence S# one
hundred and si/t! rods? thence 3 se$ent!-se$en rods? t2ent!-fi$e &in0s< to
the *&ace of e,innin,< containin, t2ent!-se$en and one-ha&f acres e the
sa'e 'ore or &ess< su=ect to roads and hi,h2a!s# And a&so ha$e &oaned the
fo&&o2in, descried *ro*ert!< $i4(--Sundr! artic&es of furniture< $a&ued
fift!-fi$e do&&ars t2ent!-fi$e cents< a&so t2o eds< eddin, and c&othin,<
$a&ued se$ent!-three do&&ars t2ent!-se$en cents a&so sundr! far'in,
utensi&s< $a&ued fort!-one do&&ars? a&so one horse< t2o co2s< t2o ca&$es<
and t2o 2a,ons< $a&ued one hundred fort!-se$en do&&ars< to ha$e and to
ho&d the ao$e descried *ro*ert!< ! hi' the said Titus "i&&in,s< to e
used and occu*ied as to hi' sha&& see' 'eet and *ro*er#
And as a consideration for the use of the ao$e descried *ro*ert! I< the
said Titus "i&&in,s< do ind '!se&f to *a! the ta/es< and a&so to *a!
!ear&! unto the said Ed2ard )artrid,e< "isho* of said Church< or his
successor in office< for the enefit of said Church< a&& that I sha&& 'a0e
or accu'u&ate 'ore than is needfu& for the su**ort and co'fort of '!se&f
and fa'i&!# And it is a,reed ! the *arties that this &ease and &oan sha&&
e indin, durin, the &ife of the said Titus "i&&in,s< un&ess he
trans,resses and is not dee'ed 2orth! ! the authorit! of the Church
accordin, to its &a2s to e&on, to the Church# And in that case I< the
said Titus "i&&in,s< do ac0no2&ed,e that I forfeit a&& c&ai' to the ao$e
descried &eased and &oaned *ro*ert!< and here! ind '!se&f to ,i$e ac0
the &ease< and a&so *a! an e>ui$a&ent for the &oaned Iartic&esJ for the
enefit of said Church< unto the said Ed2ard )artrid,e< "isho* of said
Church< or his successor in office# And further< in case of said Titus
"i&&in,s+ or fa'i&!+s inai&it! in conse>uence of infir'it! or o&d a,e to
*ro$ide for the'se&$es 2hi&e 'e'ers of this Church# I< the said Ed2ard
)artrid,e "isho* of said Church< do ind '!se&f to ad'inister to their
necessities out of an! fund in '! hands a**ro*riated for that *ur*ose< not
other2ise dis*osed of< to the satisfaction of the Church# And further< in
case of the death of the said Titus "i&&in,s< his 2ife or 2ido2< ein, at
the ti'e a 'e'er of said Church< has c&ai' u*on the ao$e descried
&eased and &oaned *ro*ert! u*on *recise&! the sa'e conditions that her
said husand had the' as ao$e descried< and the chi&dren of the said
Titus "i&&in,s in case of the death of oth their *arents< a&so ha$e c&ai'
u*on the ao$e descried *ro*ert!< for their su**ort< unti& the! sha&&
eco'e of a,e and no &on,er< su=ect to the sa'e conditions !ear&! that
their *arents 2ere? *ro$ided< ho2e$er< shou&d the *arents not e 'e'ers
of said Church< and in *ossession of the ao$e descried *ro*ert! at the
ti'e of their deaths< the c&ai' of the chi&dren as ao$e descried< is
nu&& and $oid#
IN TESTI.ONY 3HEREOF 2e ha$e hereunto set our hands and sea&s this da!
of##########< in the !ear of our Lord one thousand ei,ht hundred and
thirt!# In *resence of -------------------------- SI5NED ED3ARD )ARTRID5E
TITUS "ILLIN5S
This 2as a sett&e'ent in Ohio 2here a ranch of the Church had een
or,ani4ed#
This 2as Eden S'ith< son of the John S'ith *re$ious&! na'ed< and
*resident of the ranch of the Church at Eu,ene# He is 'entioned in a
re$e&ation ,i$en in .arch< 789H#--ESee *# HGMF 2here he is a**ointed to
tra$e& as a 'issionar! co'*anion to Ste*hen "urnett#
The Re$erends Finis E2in, and Isaac .cCo! 2ere e>ua&&! itter and
near&! as acti$e# The for'er 2as the head and front of the Cu'er&and
)res!terian church< and is credited 2ith *u&ishin, this state'ent? -The
.or'ons are the co''on ene'ies of 'an0ind and ou,ht to e destro!ed#-
Of this Re$erend )i/&e! and the *art ta0en ! the c&er,! a,ainst the
Saints ,enera&&! in these Jac0son count! trou&es< E&der Ne2e& 1ni,ht< in
his =ourna&< *u&ished in Scra*s of "io,ra*h!< *a,e M:< sa!s( -The
sectarian *riests and 'issionaries around us 2ere a'on, the first to co'e
out oth secret&! and o*en&! a,ainst us# A'on, the 'ore acti$e of these
2as a .r# )i/&e!< 2ho did not content hi'se&f in s&anderin, us to the
*eo*&e of Jac0son count!< ut a&so 2rote to eastern *a*ers te&&in,
horri&e &ies aout us< 2ith the e$ident intention of rousin, a s*irit of
hatred a,ainst us# His ta&0 2as of the itterest 0ind< his s*eeches
*erfect&! inf&a''ator!? and he a**eared to ha$e an inf&uence a'on, the
*eo*&e to carr! the' 2ith hi' in his he&&ish desi,ns# Nor did he confine
his actions to the 2hite sett&ers< ut tried to stir u* the Indians
a,ainst us< and use e$er! 'eans in his *o2er to acco'*&ish his *ur*oses#
His efforts 2ere seconded ! such 'en as Re$erends .cCo!< Fit4hu,h "o,ard<
1a$anau,h< Lo$e&ad!< Li0ens< Hunter< and others< and ! their *erse$erance
at &ast< the *u&ic 'ind eca'e so e/cited that on the HDth of Ju&! a
'eetin, 2as ca&&ed and &ar,e&! attended ! not on&! the ra&e of the
count!< ut a&so the 'en ho&din, officia& *ositions#-
As stated in the )ro*het+s narrati$e< the artic&e in the Star<
+"e2are of Fa&se )ro*hets+ 2ritten as an ans2er to Re$erend )i/&e!+s
tract< 2as of a 'i&d and *acific character# It *roceeds to *&ace in
contrast< 'ere&!< the course and character of true )ro*hets and fa&se
ones--fi/in, 'an! of the 'ar0s of fa&se *ro*hets< ho2e$er on the sectarian
'inisters of the ti'es 2ho< 2hi&e c&in,in, to for's of ,od&iness< 2ere
den!in, the *o2er thereof# It 'a0es no direct a&&usion to the tract of
Re$# )i/&e!< nor does it sa! a *ersona& 2ord of the course he 2as
*ursuin,? ut indirect&! it e$ident&! refers to hi' and his nefarious 2or0
in the fo&&o2in, *assa,es( -3hen< therefore< an! 'an< no 'atter 2ho< or
ho2 hi,h his standin, 'a! e utters or *u&ishes an!thin, 2hich after2ards
*ro$es to e untrue< he is a fa&se *ro*het And if he does it unca&&ed for<
for the *ur*ose of in=urin, his fe&&o2-ein,s< or for the sa0e of ,ain< or
to decei$e an! 'an ! *uttin, a fa&se co&orin, u*on a 'atter of re&i,ion<
to &ead astra! or *re=udice the 'inds of an! to hinder the' fro' recei$in,
the truth< 2o unto hi'< he is a fa&se *ro*hetK C C C C Here then 2e can
sa!< 2here 2e find a *erson utterin, or *u&ishin, 2hat he does not 0no2
to e a truth< 'ere&! to 'a0e a noise< 2here! the &east saint on earth
'i,ht e offended--e2are of fa&se *ro*hets# C C C C Did !ou e$er hear< or
ha$e !ou e$er read of a true *ro*het that s*a0e e$i& of an! 'an< or that
2ou&d &ie to further the cause of 5od or an!thin, e&seB If !ou ha$e<
rethren< then has the h!*ocrite an e/cuse for &ea$in, his o2n fau&t
une/*osed< and *u&ishin, his nei,hor+s to the 2or&d# Then has the fa&se
*ro*het an o**ortunit! to *&ead his ri,ht to send his &!in, 2ords aroad<
that he 'a! otain the *raise and ,&or! of this 2or&d< and decei$e the
si'*&e#-
The co''ent of the editor of the Star on this c&ause of .issouri+s
constitution is---It sho2s a &iera&it! of o*inion of the ,reat 'en of the
2est< and 2i&& $ie 2ith that of an! other state# It is ,ood it is =ust and
it is the citi4en+s ri,ht+
This docu'ent is so'eti'es referred to as -The secret constitution<-
and 2as dout&ess re,arded as a -constitution- ! the 'o< ! 2hich the!
2ere ound to,ether to acco'*&ish the o=ects set forth in the docu'ent
itse&f# The saints eca'e a2are of its e/istence and the fact of its ein,
circu&ated a'on, the o&d sett&ers aout the 'idd&e of Ju&!? ho2 &on,
efore that it had een circu&ated is not 0no2n< ut it 2as dout&ess
dra2n u* ear&! in that 'onth
Re&ati$e to the char,es a,ainst the saints in the fore,oin,
docu'ents< E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt has the fo&&o2in, *ertinent co''ent in
his Histor! of the )ersecution of the Saints< *a,es H:-HN?
-I 2i&& rief&! notice a fe2 ite's of the fore,oin, ond of cons*irac!<
for I consider 'ost of it as too arefaced to need an! co''ent In the
first *&ace I 2ou&d in>uire 2hether our e&ief as set forth in this
dec&aration< as to ,ifts< 'irac&es< re$e&ations and ton,ues is not the
sa'e that a&& the A*ost&es and disci*&es tau,ht e&ie$ed and *racticed<
and the doctrine of the Ne2 Testa'entB
Second&!--I 2ou&d in>uire 2hen the Ne2 Testa'ent re&i,ion ceased and a &a2
re$ea&ed or instituted 2hich 'ade &as*he'! of the e&ief and *ractice of
it+ or 2hat ho&! re&i,ion the Jac0son 'o 2ere s*ea0in, of< 2hich 2as
thro2n into conte'*t ! the re$i$a& of the Ne2 Testa'ent re&i,ion(
Third&!--The! co'*&ain of our societ! ein, $er! *oor as to *ro*ert!? ut
ha$e the! ne$er read in the Ne2 Testa'ent that 5od had chosen the *oor in
this 2or&d< rich in faith< and heirs of the 0in,do' of 5odB And 2hen did
*o$ert! eco'e a cri'e 0no2n to the &a2B
Fourth&!--Concernin, free ne,roes and 'u&attoes# Do not the &a2s of
.issouri *ro$ide aundant&! for the re'o$a& fro' the state of a&& free
ne,roes and 'u&attoes Ee/ce*t certain *ri$i&e,ed onesFB And a&so for the
*unish'ent of those 2ho introduce or haror the'B The state'ent concernin,
our in$itation to the' to eco'e -.or'ons<- and re'o$e to this state< and
sett&e a'on, us< is a 2ic0ed farication< as no such thin, 2as e$er
*u&ished in the Star< or an!2here e&se< ! our *eo*&e< or an!thin, in the
shado2 of it? and 2e cha&&en,e the *eo*&e of Jac0son Icount!J< or an!
other *eo*&e to *roduce such a *u&ication fro' us# In fact one do4en free
ne,roes or 'u&attoes ne$er e&on,ed to our societ! in an! *art of the
2or&d< fro' its first or,ani4ation to this da! E789NF#
Fifth&!--As to cri'e or $ice< 2e so&e'n&! a**ea& to a&& the records of the
courts of Jac0son count!< and cha&&en,e the count! to *roduce the na'e of
an! indi$idua& of our societ! on the &ist of indict'ents< fro' the ti'e of
our first sett&e'ent in the count!< to the ti'e of our e/*u&sion< a *eriod
of 'ore than t2o !ears#
Si/th&!--As it res*ects the ridicu&ous re*ort of our threatenin, that 2e
2ou&d ha$e their &ands for a *ossession< it is too si'*&e to re>uire a
notice< as the &a2s of the countr! ,uarantee to e$er! 'an his ri,hts< and
aundant&! *rotect hi' in their fu&& en=o!'ent# And 2e here! dec&are that
2e sett&ed no &ands on&! such as our 'one! *urchased< and that no such
thin, e$er entered our hearts as *ossessin, an! inheritance in an! other
2a!# Se$enth&!--3e as0 2hat *u&ic 'ora&s 2ere in dan,er of ein,
corru*ted 2here officers of the *eace cou&d o*en&! $io&ate their se$era&
oaths in the 'ost a2fu& 'anner< and =oin 2ith hundreds of others in
'urder< treason< roer!< house urnin,< stea&in,< etc#
This artic&e< -Free )eo*&e of Co&or<- referred to in the )ro*het+s
Histor!< ut not >uoted in e/tenso an!2here ! hi'< is here ,i$en entire<
and is fo&&o2ed 2ith
The E$enin, and .ornin, Star e/tra< *u&ished on the 7:th of Ju&!< 7899#
The i'*ortance of these docu'ents =ustifies their introduction in this
'anner# It 2i&& e oser$ed that the 'o in their 'anifesto char,e that
the Saints in the first artic&e in >uestion# -In$ite free ne,roes and
'u&attoes fro' other states to eco'e L.or'ons<+ and re'o$e and sett&e
a'on, us-# On this fa&se accusation the 'o *retended to found the
fo&&o2in, a**rehensions( -This e/hiits the' in sti&& 'ore odious co&ors#
It 'anifests a desire on the *art of their societ! to inf&ict on our
societ! an in=ur! that the! 0no2 2ou&d e to us entire&! unsu**orta&e<
and one of the surest 'eans of dri$in, us fro' the countr!< for it 2ou&d
re>uire none of the su*ernatura& ,ifts that the! *retend to< to see that
the introduction of such a caste a'on, us 2ou&d corru*t our &ac0s< and
insti,ate the' to &oodshed#-
The *u&ication of the artic&e< -Free )eo*&e of Co&or- co'*&ete&! refutes
the fa&se accusation of the 'o a,ainst the Saints#
This -E/tra<- as soon as the rethren &earned 2hat construction 2as
ein, *ut u*on the artic&e -Free )eo*&e of Co&or<- 2as *rinted in the for'
of a handi&& and circu&ated as *ro'*t&! as *ossi&e# In it< ho2e$er< the
editor of the Star ,oes too far 2hen he sa!s that no free *eo*&e of co&or
-2i&& e ad'itted into the Church#- Such 2as ne$er the doctrine or *o&ic!
of the Church# Indeed in the artic&e -Free )eo*&e of Co&or<- the editor
hi'se&f had said( -So &on, as 2e ha$e no s*ecia& ru&e in the Church as to
free *eo*&e of co&or< &et *rudence ,uide#- And a,ain in the -Address of
the E&ders stationed in ;ion to the Churches Aroad<- *u&ished in the
Ju&! nu'er of the Star< and a&so found on *a,e 9MN of this $o&u'e< occurs
the fo&&o2in,? -our rethren 2i&& find an e/tract of the &a2 of this state
re&ati$e to free *eo*&e of co&or on another *a,e of this *a*er# 5reat care
shou&d e ta0en on this *oint# The Saints 'ust shun e$er! a**earance of
e$i&# As to s&a$es 2e ha$e nothin, to sa!# In connection 2ith the
2onderfu& e$ents of this a,e< 'uch is doin, to2ards ao&ishin, s&a$er! and
co&oni4in, the &ac0s in Africa#- This< 2ith the *assa,e fro' the artic&e
-Free )eo*&e of Co&or<- is >uoted to sho2 that the Church had for'u&ated
no doctrine< or *o&ic! 2ith reference to s&a$es or free *eo*&e of co&or
and in for'in, his =ud,'ent of this 'atter the reader 'ust re'e'er that
the state'ent aout not ad'ittin, such *eo*&e into the Church is 'ere&!
the $ie2 at that ti'e of the editor of the star< and ! no 'eans
re*resents the *o&ic! of the Church# As a 'atter of fact there 2ere $er!
fe2< if an!< *eo*&e of co&or in the Church at that ti'e# The -fears- of
the .issourians on that head 2ere sheer farications of e$i&-dis*osed
'inds#
The 'o consisted of fro' three to fi$e hundred#--Ti'es and Seasons<
$o&# 7< *# 78#
The incident is thus descried in the Ti'es and Seasons< $o&# 7< *#
78( -In a short ti'e hundreds of the 'o ,athered around the *rintin,
office< 2hich 2as a t2o stor! ric0 ui&din, 2hich the! soon thre2 do2n#
The *ress 2as thro2n fro' the u**er stor!< and a&so the a**aratus< oo0
2or0< *a*er t!*e< etc# A fa'i&! residin, in the &o2er stor! 2as a&so
thrust out in ,reat haste After destro!in, the *rintin, esta&ish'ent<
the! *roceeded to 5i&ert 3# 3hitne!+s store for the sa'e *ur*ose< ut
5i&ert a,reein, to o/ the ,oods< soon< the! conc&uded to &et it a&one#-
The! succeeded in ta0in, Char&es A&&en< 2ho' the! tarred and
feathered u*on the *u&ic s>uare< surrounded ! hundreds of the 'o# A
nu'er 'ore 2ere ta0en< ut the! succeeded in 'a0in, their esca*e< throu,h
the o$er an/iet! of their 0ee*ers< 2ho 2ished to ha$e the -s*ort- of
seein, those 2ho 2ere ein, tarred#--Ti'es and Seasons< $o&# I< *# 78#
The )ro*het+s state'ent on this head is aundant&! sustained e$en !
those historians 2ho eco'e a*o&o,ists for the actions of the 'o and a&so
! the dec&aration *ut forth ! the 'o the'se&$es# It 2i&& e re'e'ered
that the -.o .anifesto<- or -Secret Constitution- E*# 9M@< this $o&u'eF
those 2ho si,ned it =ustified their deter'ination -to rid their societ! of
the .or'ons- ! resortin, to 'o $io&ence ecause said the!< -2e e&ie$e
that the ar' of the ci$i& &a2 does not afford us a ,uarantee or at &east a
sufficient one a,ainst the e$i&s 2hich are no2 inf&icted u*on us#- In the
address ado*ted at their 'eetin, of the HDth of Ju&!< 2hich 2as *u&ished
in the 3estern .onitor Esee *# 9N:F the 'o further e/cuse their &a2&ess
intentions ! sa!in,( -The e$i& is one that no one cou&d ha$e foreseen<
and therefore is un*ro$ided for ! the &a2s? and the de&a!s incident to
&e,is&ation 2ou&d *ut the 'ischief e!ond re'ed!#- In a&& of 2hich one
*&ain&! sees unconscious ad'ission that the Saints 2ere not ,ui&t! of
infraction of the &a2s of the &and# As to the historian a*o&o,ists
referred to in the o*enin, sentence of this note< I >uote the fo&&o2in,
state'ents fro' the Histor! of Jac0son Count!< .issouri< *u&ished ! the
Union Historica& Co'*an!< 1ansas Cit!< .issouri< 7887( -Assu'in, this that
the! Ithe saintsJ 2ere the ho&! *eo*&e of the Lord< that the Lord 2as the
rea& o2ner of a&& thin,s< and that a&& His *ossessions 2ere free to the'<
the! 2ere not ca&cu&ated to e $er! res*ectfu& of the ri,hts and interests
of their non-L.or'on+ nei,hors# "ut thou,h no o$ert arts of trans,ression
u*on such ri,hts 2ere ein, co''itted< the ra*id&! ,atherin, 'e'ers of
the L.or'ons+ C C C 'ade the ne2 sect an o=ect of *rofound so&icitude to
the *eo*&e- ESee a&so co''ent of )ar&e! )# )ratt on char,es of the 'o<
Gth *ara,ra*h in note at *# 9MM this $o&u'eF#
It 2as at this *oint< too< that se$era& of the rethren ste**ed
for2ard and offered the'se&$es as a ranso' for the Church< e/*ressin,
the'se&$es as ein, 2i&&in, to e scour,ed or to die if that 2ou&d a**ease
the an,er of the 'o a,ainst the saints# The 'o 2ou&d not acce*t the
sacrifice of the rethren< ho2e$er< ut rene2ed their threats of $io&ence
a,ainst the 2ho&e Church# The rethren 2ho offered the'se&$es as a ranso'
for the Saints 2ere John Corri&&< John 3hit'er 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< A&,ernon
S# 5i&ert< Ed2ard )artrid,e< and Isaac .or&e!#
This a,ree'ent 2as si,ned on the *art of the rethren ! Ed2ard
)artrid,e< Isaac .or&e!< John Corri&&< 3# 3# )he&*s< A&,ernon S# 5i&ert<
and John 3hit'er? and on the *art of the 'o ! the .o Co''ittee 2hose
na'es are ,i$en in the artic&e fro' the 3estern .onitor< *a,e 9NN#
Fa!ette 2as the count! seat of Ho2ard count!< aout one hundred and
fift! 'i&es direct&! east of Inde*endence#
The docu'ent is a&read! *rinted in fu&& on *a,es 9N@< 9NG#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /c$ii# Res*ectin, the schoo& of the
)ro*hets referred to in the ao$e re$e&ation< E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2hose
course is so hi,h&! co''ended in the re$e&ation< 2rites in his
Autoio,ra*h!< *a,e 7DD( in the &atter *art of the su''er E7899F and in
the autu'n< I de$oted a&'ost '! entire ti'e in 'inisterin, a'on, the
churches ho&din, 'eetin,s< $isitin, the sic0 co'fortin, the aff&icted and
,i$in, counse&# A schoo& of E&ders 2as a&so or,ani4ed< o$er 2hich I 2as
ca&&ed to *reside# This c&ass< to the nu'er of aout si/t!< 'et for
instructions once a 2ee0# The *&ace of 'eetin, 2as in the o*en air under
so'e ta&& trees in a retired *&ace in the 2i&derness< 2here 2e *ra!ed<
*reached and *ro*hesied< and e/ercised ourse&$es in the ,ifts of the Ho&!
S*irit# Here ,reat &essin,s 2ere *oured out< and 'an! ,reat and 'ar$e&ous
thin,s 2ere 'anifested and tau,ht# The Lord ,a$e 'e ,reat 2isdo' and
ena&ed 'e to teach and edif! the E&ders< and co'fort and encoura,e the'
in their *re*arations for the ,reat 2or0 2hich &a! efore us# I 2as a&so
'uch edified and stren,thened# To attend this schoo& I had to tra$e& on
foot< and so'eti'es 2ith are feet at that< aout si/ 'i&es# This I did
once a 2ee0< esides $isitin, and *reachin, in fi$e or si/ ranches a
2ee0#
-This re$e&ation<- 2rites E&der )ratt EAutoio,ra*h!< *# 7DHF<- 2as
not co'*&ied 2ith ! the &eaders and Church in .issouri as a 2ho&e
Enot2ithstandin, 'an! 2ere hu'&e and faithfu&F? therefore< the threatened
=ud,'ent 2as *oured out to the utter'ost< as the histor! of the fi$e
fo&&o2in, !ears 2i&& sho2#-
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /c$iii#
There 2ere t2ent! Hi,h )riests *resent at the counci& 'eetin,# The
'inutes of the 'eetin, are found in the Far 3est Record *a,es 9G< 9:#
The e/act date of E&der Co2der!+s arri$a& in 1irt&and as a s*ecia&
'essen,er fro' the rethren in ;ion cannot e ascertained#
This 2as the sa'e John 5ou&d 2ho 2as suse>uent&! ordained a 'e'er
of the First Counci& of Se$ent!#
The 'inutes of the counci& are contained in the Far 3est Record< *a,e
9:# The na'es of the *residents of the ranches and the nu'er of the
ranch each *resided o$er res*ecti$e&! are ,i$en as fo&&o2s( Ne2e& 1ni,ht<
"ranch No# 7? Danie& Stanton< "ranch No# H? Da$id 3hit'er< "ranch No 9?
John Corri&&< "ranch No @? Tho'as "# .arsh< "ranch No# G? )eter Dustin<
"ranch No# :? L!'an 3i,ht< "ranch No# M? )ar&e! )# )ratt< "ranch No 8?
Si'eon Carter< "ranch No# N? Ca&$in "eee< "ranch No# 7D#
The Hi,ee fa'i&! suse>uent&! eca'e $er! *ro'inent in the Church#
E&ias Hi,ee 2as the son of Isaac and So*hia Hi,ee# He 2as orn H9rd of
Octoer< 7MNG< in 5a&&o2a!< 5&oucester count!< Ne2 Jerse!# At the a,e of
t2ent!-t2o he 'arried Sarah 3ard and re'o$ed to Cincinnati# He recei$ed
the 5os*e& in the s*rin, of 789H< and durin, the su''er fo&&o2in, 2ent to
Jac0son count!< .issouri< ut returned to Cincinnati the fo&&o2in, 2inter<
2here he 2as ordained an E&der ! his "rother Isaac< on the HDth of
Feruar!< 7899# He returned to .issouri 2ith his fa'i&!< arri$in, in ;ion
in the 'onth of .arch< 7899< and on the H:th of Se*te'er fo&&o2in, he 2as
ordained a Hi,h )riest#--E.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# //i< *a,e HD9? a&so Far
3est Record< *a,e 9M#F
Isaac Hi,ee 2as a&so the son of Isaac and So*hia Hi,ee# He 2as orn
in 5a&&o2a!< 5&oucester count!< Ne2 Jerse!< on the H9rd of Dece'er< 7MNM#
3hen et2een fi$e and si/ !ears o&d he re'o$ed 2ith his *arents to Ohio#
Feruar! 77th< 787N< he 'arried He4iah Strin,# Aout the first of .a!<
789H< his *arents recei$ed the 5os*e&< and a fe2 'onths after2ards hi'se&f
and 2ife did the sa'e# In the s*rin, of 7899< he re'o$ed 2ith his fa'i&!
to ;ion< and in Se*te'er fo&&o2in,< as stated ! the )ro*het 2as ordained
a Hi,h )riest#
John Tanner 2as the son of Joshua and Than0fu& Tefft Tanner# He 2as
orn at Ho*0inton< Rhode Is&and< Au,ust 7G< 7MM8# Accordin, to the
tradition of the fa'i&!< Francis Tanner< the ,randfather of John Tanner<
the su=ect of this s0etch< ca'e fro' En,&and 2ith his t2o
rothers--Nathan and 3i&&ia'--and sett&ed in the state of Rhode Is&and<
aout the !ear 7M78#
Docu'ent 2i&& e found on *a,es 9M7-9M:# It 2as the 'o+s -secret
constitution#-
Free'an Nic0erson 2as orn in South Dennis< "arnsta&e count!<
.assachusetts Feruar! G< 7MM8# His Father+s na'e 2as E&ea4er Nic0erson<
his 'other+s Than0fu& Chase Nic0erson# Her father 2as a sea'an# In 78DD
Free'an e'i,rated to %er'ont< and sett&ed in 3indsor count!< and here he
'arried Hu&dah Cha*'an< dau,hter of E&i*ha&et and Ai,ai& Chase Cha*'an<
on Januar! 7D< 78D7# He ser$ed in the 2ar of 787H and 2as co''issioned a
&ieutenant# He recei$ed the 5os*e& at Da!ton Cattarau,us count! Ne2 Yor0<
in A*ri&< 7899< ein, a*ti4ed ! E&der ;eruae& Sno2 and 2as soon after
ordained a Deacon# "rother Nic0erson *erfor'ed a 'ission a'on, the Saints
in 1irt&and and $icinit! in the ear&! fa&& of 7899< and on the Gth of
Octoer started for Canada in co'*an! 2ith the )ro*het and Sidne! Ri,don<
ta0in, the' on this =ourne! 2ith his o2n tea' and con$e!ance#---Oituar!
Record<- E.s#F< *a,e @G#
Ashtau&a is in Ashtau&a count!< Ohio< so'e fort! 'i&es northeast of
1irt&and
3hi&e on this =ourne! to Canada the )ro*het 0e*t a dai&! =ourna& fro'
2hich the narrati$e he ,i$es in the te/t 2as e$ident&! ta0en# This =ourna&
is in the )ro*het+s o2n hand2ritin, and is one of the interestin, re&ics
a'on, the records of the Church# At $arious *oints in the )ro*het+s
narrati$e of this 'ission< I sha&& >uote 2hate$er 'a! e of interest in
addition to the narrati$e ,i$en in the te/t of this 'eetin, at Rudd+s the
)ro*het sa!s# -Had a ,reat con,re,ation--*aid ,ood attention# O 5od< sea&
our testi'on! to their heartsK---E)a,e :#F
S*rin,fie&d is in the 2estern *art of Erie count!< )enns!&$ania#
3estfie&d 2as in Chautau>ua count!< Ne2 Yor0< near the shore of La0e Erie#
The )ro*het in his Journa& a&so sa!s under this date E77th of
OctoerF( -I fee& $er! 2e&& in '! 'ind# The Lord is 2ith us< ut ha$e 'uch
an/iet! aout '! fa'i&!#---EJourna& *a,e MF#
This 2as "rother Free'an Nic0erson 2ho 2as con$e!in, the' to Canada<
and this )err!sur,< Cattarau,us count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2as his *&ace of
residence#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c#
3aterford is i''ediate&! south of "rantford< in the ad=oinin, count!
of Norfo&0#
-The resu&t is in the hands of 5od<- adds the )ro*het# EJourna&< *a,e
7@#F I a&so add the )ro*het+s entr! for the Gth 2hich is o'itted in his
narrati$e# Frida!< HGth# -This afternoon< at a .r# )atric0+s< e/*ect to
ho&d a 'eetin, this e$enin,# )eo*&e $er! su*erstitious# O 5od< esta&ish
th! 2ord a'on, this *eo*&e# He&d a 'eetin, this e$enin,? had an attenti$e
con,re,ation? the s*irit ,a$e utterance#- E)a,e 7@#F
-.a! 5od carr! on His 2or0 in this *&ace<- adds the )ro*het< -ti&&
a&& sha&& 0no2 Hi'# A'en#- E)a,e 7:#F
-.a! 5od<- adds the )ro*het< -increase the ,ifts a'on, the' for His
Son+s sa0e#- EJourna&< *a,e 7MF On the HNth the )ro*het+s *art! started
for ho'e -.a! the Lord *ros*er our =ourne!# A'en<- he 2rites in his
Journa&< *a,e 7M#
These e/cer*ts fro' the )ro*het+s Dai&! Journa& o'itted fro' the narrati$e
'ade u* fro' it ha$e een re*roduced in these notes in order that the
dee*&! re&i,ious and *ra!erfu& nature of the )ro*het 'i,ht e oser$ed#
The! are indeed ,e's of e/*ression< and e/hiit the )ro*het+s *rofound
re&iance u*on 5od and his &essin,s#- -O 5od< sea& our testi'on! to their
hearts(- -I fee& $er! 2e&& in '! 'ind#- -The Lord is 2ith us?- -The Lord
,a$e His s*irit in a re'ar0a&e 'anner to so'e Saints< for 2hich I a'
than0fu& to the 5od of Araha'<- he e/c&ai's# -Lord &ess '! fa'i&!< and
*reser$e the'<- is a fre>uent *ra!er# -This da! 2e e/*ect to start for
Canada# Lord e 2ith us on our =ourne!# A'en- And thus in a&& thin,s he
re'e'ers the Lord< see0s the ,uidance of His S*irit< trusts in Hi'<
re&ies u*on Hi' for success< and *&eads for the *resence of His *rotectin,
*o2er#
It 2as e$enin,# I 2as out in the act of *ostin, ,uards a short
distance fro' the d2e&&in,s< 2hen t2o 'en assai&ed us< ar'ed 2ith ,uns and
*isto&s? and su**osin, it a,ainst our *rinci*&es to 'a0e an! defense< the!
attac0ed the ,uards# I 2as 2ithout ar's< ut ste**ed for2ard to interfere
et2een the'< 2hen one of the' dre2 his ,un ac02ards< and 2ith oth hands
struc0 the arre& of it across the to* of '! head# I sta,,ered ac0 ut
did not fa&&< the &ood ca'e strea'in, do2n '! face and I 2as for an
instant stunned ! the &o2< ut reco$erin, '!se&f< I ca&&ed he&* fro' the
house and disar'ed the'< and *ut the' under ,uard ti&& 'ornin,# Their ar's
2ere then restored< and the! &et ,o in *eace# The ta0in, of these t2o 'en
*ro$ed a *re$enti$e a,ainst an attac0 that ni,ht the! 2ere the ad$ance of
a *art! of 'en 2ho 2ere aout to co'e u*on the sett&e'ent ut 2ere
disconcerted ! this 'eans# EAutoio,ra*h! of )# )# )ratt< *# 7D9#F
-.cCart! 2as arrested and ta0en efore s>uire 3eston<- sa!s L!'an
3i,ht< in an affida$it u*on the su=ect< -and a&thou,h se$en *ersons
testified a,ainst hi'< he 2as ac>uitted 2ithout de&a!# The ne/t da! the
2itnesses 2ere ta0en efore the sa'e 'an ES>uire 3estonF for fa&se
i'*rison'ent< and ! the testi'on! of this one ur,&ar 2ere found ,ui&t!
and co''itted to =ai&#- In re&ation to this 'atter< John Corri&& terse&!
re'ar0ed< -A&thou,h 2e cou&d not otain a 2arrant a,ainst hi' for rea0in,
o*en the store< !et he had ,otten one for us for catchin, hi' at it#-
The other t2o 'e'ers 2ere )ar&e! )# )ratt and -.r# .arsh<- su**osed
to e Tho'as "# .arsh# The! ca&&ed u*on Jud,e R!&and at Le/in,ton and 'ade
oath concernin, the outra,es co''itted a,ainst the' and the saints in
Jac0son count! ut the =ud,e refused to issue an! *rocess a,ainst the 'o<
and ad$ised that the Saints fi,ht and 0i&& the 'o 2hene$er the &atter
ca'e u*on the'#--)ratt+s )ersecutions< *a,e 9M#
This co'*an! of rethren 2as &ed ! Da$id 3hit'er# ESee John
3hit'er+s Histor! of the Church< Cha*ter 7DF
Andre2 "arer< 2ho fe&& on this occasion 2as the first direct 'art!r
to the cause# A'on, those 2ounded 2as )hi&o Di&e of Ohio# He 2as 2ounded
in the ado'en at the first fire of the 'o# Ne2e& 1ni,ht in his Journa&<
EScra*s of "io,ra*h!< *a,e 87#F sa!s that he 2as e/a'ined ! a sur,eon of
,reat e/*erience 2ho had ser$ed in the .oha20 3ar and he said he ne$er
0ne2 a 'an to &i$e 2ho 2as 2ounded in such a 'anner# 1ni,ht a&so ,i$es the
fo&&o2in, account of his $isit to the 2ounded 'an< and the 'anner in 2hich
he 2as hea&ed ! the *o2er of 5od( -The ne/t da! ENo$e'er GthF< I 2ent to
see "rother Di&e and found the house 2here he &a! surrounded ! the 'o#
I 'ana,ed to ,et in< and 2ent to the ed? t2o 'en ca'e and seated
the'se&$es at the door? as I &oo0ed u*on "rother Di&e &!in, there in
e/tre'e a,on!< I dre2 the ed curtains 2ith one hand and &aid the other on
his head< *ra!in, secret&! to our Hea$en&! Father in his eha&f I then
&eft< as I did not 2ant to *ut '!se&f into the *o2er of the 'o? and the
ne/t da! usiness too0 'e so'e ten 'i&es fro' the *&ace< 2here I 'et
"rother Di&e 'a0in, his esca*e fro' the count!# He to&d 'e that as soon
as I *&aced '! hand u*on his head< the *ain and soreness see'ed ,radua&&!
to 'o$e as efore a *o2er dri$in, it< unti& in a fe2 'inutes it &eft his
od!# He then dischar,ed aout a ,a&&on of *utrid 'atter< and the a&&s
and *ieces of c&othin, 2hich had *assed into his od!#-
This co'*an! of $o&unteers 2as &ed ! L!'an 3i,ht< a o&d and
coura,eous 'an< E3i,ht+s Affida$it efore .unici*a& Court of
Nau$oo#--.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# //i< *a,e GD:F#
Another circu'stance 2hich e'arrassed the Saints not a &itt&e in
their 'o$e'ents a,ainst the 'o 2as the fact that the! 2ere di$ided as to
2hat action it 2ou&d e *ro*er for the' to ta0e in the *re'ises# )ar&e! )#
)ratt in his )ersecutions of the Saints< *a,e 97< sa!s that the Saints<
-ha$in, *assed throu,h the 'ost a,,ra$atin, insu&ts and in=uries 2ithout
'a0in, the &east resistance a ,enera& in>uir! *re$ai&ed at that ti'e
throu,hout the Church as to the *ro*riet! of se&f-defense# So'e c&ai'ed
the ri,ht of defendin, the'se&$es and their fa'i&ies fro' destruction<
2hi&e others douted the *ro*riet! of se&f-defense#- Under these
conditions it can e readi&! understood that the defense of the Saints 2as
not so effecti$e a,ainst their ene'ies as it 'i,ht ha$e een had the! een
*erfect&! a,reed as to the e/tent to 2hich the! 2ou&d e =ustified in
defendin, the'se&$es and their fa'i&ies a,ainst the $io&ence of the 'o#
3hoso sheddeth 'an+s &ood ! 'an sha&& his &ood e shed 5en# i/( :#
Ne2e& 1ni,ht< in his Journa&< Scra*s of "io,ra*h!< *a,e 8G< s*ea0s of
5o$ernor "o,,s as fo&&o2s( -A&thou,h 5o$ernor "o,,s did not co'e out and
sho2 hi'se&f o*en&! in his true co&ors< 2e ha$e sufficient e$idence that
he sustained a&& the 'o$es of the 'o and e$en directed the'# He it 2as
2ho *ut in action the 'o$e'ents of Ju&! IHDth and H9rdJ< and continued his
e/ertions unti& he had acco'*&ished a&& his he&&ish desi,ns#-
L!'an 3i,ht in an affida$it efore the .unici*a& Court of Nau$oo< in
78@9< said of this incident of disar'in, the Saints( -I here a,reed that
the Church 2ou&d ,i$e u* their ar's *ro$ided the said Co&one& )itcher
2ou&d ta0e the ar's fro' the 'o# To this the Co&one& cheerfu&&! a,reed<
and *&ed,ed his honor 2ith that of Lieutenant 5o$ernor "o,,s< O2ens and
others# This treat! entered into< 2e returned ho'e restin, secured on
their honor< that 2e shou&d not e further 'o&ested? ut this so&e'n
contract 2as $io&ated in e$er! sense of the 2ord# The ar's of the 'o 2ere
ne$er ta0en a2a!< and the 'a=orit! of the 'i&itia to '! certain 0no2&ed,e<
2ere en,a,ed the ne/t da! 2ith the 'o< Co&one& )itcher and "o,,s not
e/ce*ted< ,oin, fro' house to house in ,an,s of fro' si/t! to se$ent! in
nu'er threatenin, the &i$es of 2o'en and chi&dren if the! did not &ea$e
forth2ith#---E.i&&ennia& Star< //i( GD:#F 3i,ht+s state'ent is a&so
su**orted ! John Corri&&# "rief Histor! of the Church of Christ< *a,e HD<
789N#F
See Histor! of the .or'ons< Sa'ue& .# S'uc0er< **# 8N< ND#
E&ders 3# 3# )he&*s< A# S# 5i&ert< and 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in Ethe &ast
na'ed had a&so een i'*risoned 2ith the othersF< after their esca*e
throu,h the 2arnin, of "o,,s< 2ent into C&a! count! and 'ade an affida$it
e'od!in, sustantia&&! the fore,oin, narrati$e concernin, e$ents 2hich
had occurred in Jac0son count! fro' the 97st of Octoer< and for2arded the
sa'e to 5o$ernor Dun0&in ! e/*ress#
Of the e/tent of the in=uries inf&icted u*on the Saints in this
Jac0son count! *ersecution I 2ou&d add that accordin, to a state'ent 'ade
in a *etition to Con,ress for redress of their Jac0son count! ,rie$ances<
it is re*resented that -The houses of the .or'ons in the count! of Jac0son
a'ountin, to aout t2o hundred 2ere urned do2n or other2ise destro!ed !
the 'o< as 2e&& as 'uch of their cro*s< furniture< and stoc0# The da'a,e
done to the *ro*ert! of the .or'ons ! the 'o in the count! of Jac0son<
as ao$e re&ated as near as the! can ascertain< 2ou&d a'ount to the su' of
R7MG<DDD#DD# The nu'er of .or'ons thus dri$en fro' the count! of Jac0son
a'ounted to aout t2e&$e hundred sou&s#---E.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# 7M< *a,e
@9G#F
Accordin, to a state'ent 'ade in an affida$it efore the .unici*a& Court
of Nau$oo< )ar&e! )# )ratt a&so states that the nu'er dri$en fro' the
count! 2as t2e&$e hundred< and that t2o hundred and three houses 2ere
destro!ed# L!'an 3i,ht< in an affida$it efore the sa'e od! a&so sa!s of
the 'o< that -the! urned t2o hundred and three houses and one ,rist
'i&&< these ein, the on&! residences of the Saints in Jac0son count!#-
Of the s*irit of crue&t! 2ith 2hich the 'o *rosecuted their deter'ination
to e/*e& the Saints fro' Jac0son count!< the fo&&o2in, instances are ,i$en
in addition to 2hat is said in the )ro*het+s narrati$e# L!'an 3i,ht in the
efore 'entioned affida$it< sa!s( -I sa2 one hundred and ninet! 2o'en and
chi&dren dri$en thirt! 'i&es across the *rairie in the 'onth of No$e'er<
2ith three decre*it 'en on&! in their co'*an!? the ,round 2as thin&!
trusted 2ith s&eet< and I cou&d easi&! fo&&o2 on their trai& ! the &ood
that f&o2ed fro' their &acerated feet on the stu&e of the urnt *rairie#
This co'*an! not 0no2in, the situation of the countr! or the e/tent of
Jac0son count!< ui&t >uite a nu'er of cains that *ro$ed to e in the
order of Jac0son count!# The 'o infuriated at this< rushed on the' in
the 'onth of Januar!< 789@< urned these scant! cains and scattered the
inhaitants to the four 2inds< fro' 2hich cause 'an! 2ere ta0en sudden&!
i&& and of this i&&ness died#---E.i&&ennia& Star< $o&# //i< *a,e GD:#F
Another instance is thus re&ated ! Ne2e& 1ni,ht in his Journa&< Scra*s of
"io,ra*h!< *a,es 8@ and 8G( -I 'ust not o'it to 'ention one act of
crue&t!< 2hich if *ossi&e< see's to sur*ass a&& others# In one of the
sett&e'ents Iin Jac0son count!J 2ere four fa'i&ies of $er! o&d 'en infir'
and $er! *oor# The! see'ed to thin0 that the! 2ou&d not e 'o&ested and so
re'ained ehind ut no sooner did the 'o &earn of it< than the! 2ent to
their houses< ro0e their 2indo2s and doors and hur&ed ,reat stones into
their roo's endan,erin, their &i$es? thus 2ere these *oor o&d 'en and
their fa'i&ies dri$en efore the ruth&ess 'o in 'id2inter# These 'en had
ser$ed in the Re$o&utionar! 3ar--and "rother Jones had een one of 5enera&
3ashin,ton+s od! ,uard--ut this a$ai&ed the' nothin,< for the! 2ere of
the hated *eo*&e# Thus 2ere a&& the saints co'*e&&ed to f&ee into C&a!
count!< 2here the s!'*athies of the *eo*&e 2ere e/tended to2ard the'#-
S*ea0in, of this e$ent as it a**eared to the e/i&ed Saints i$ouac0ed
on the .issouri otto's< E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt in his Autoio,ra*h!< E*a,e
77DF sa!s( -Aout H o+c&oc0 the ne/t 'ornin, INo$e'er 79thJ< 2e 2ere
ca&&ed u* ! the cr! of si,ns in the hea$ens# 3e arose< and to our ,reat
astonish'ent a&& the fir'a'ent see'ed in$o&$ed in s*&endid fire2or0s< as
if e$er! star in the road e/*anse had een hur&ed fro' its course< and
sent &a2&ess throu,h the 2i&ds of ether# Thousands of ri,ht 'eteors 2ere
shootin, throu,h s*ace in e$er! direction< 2ith &on, trains of &i,ht
fo&&o2in, in their course# This &asted for se$era& hours< and 2as on&!
c&osed ! the da2n of the risin, sun# E$er! heart 2as fi&&ed 2ith =o! at
this 'a=estic dis*&a! of si,ns and 2onders< sho2in, the near a**roach of
the co'in, of the Son of 5od#- Ste*hens in his Histor! of the United
States E*a,e @GGF< thus s*ea0s of the sa'e e$ent( -Durin, the fa&& of 7899
occurred a natura& *heno'enon of a 'ost 2onderfu& character# This 2as on
the ni,ht of the 79th of No$e'er# It 2as 2hat is 0no2n as the L'eteoric
sho2er<+ or the Lfa&&in, of the stars#+ It 2as 2itnessed 2ith a'a4e'ent
and astonish'ent throu,hout the entire &i'its of the United States#-
The s&i,ht discre*ancies 2hich the )ro*het notes et2een the re*ort
of E&der H!de and the co''unications of 3# 3# )he&*s &ie chief&! fro' the
inaccurac! of the re*orts current at that ti'e# It 2i&& e seen that the!
are not $er! i'*ortant< ut dout&ess on account of the an/iet! of the
)ro*het and rethren at 1irt&and< see'ed so at the ti'e< and at an! rate
2ere so'e2hat confusin,#
This &etter 2as< as 2i&& e seen ! the test of it< 2ritten after the
first definite and detai&ed account of 2hat had ta0en *&ace in .issouri
reached the )ro*het+s hand# 3e 0no2 of nothin, 2ritten ! hi' that etter
'anifests the noi&it! of his sou&< or the ,ent&e s!'*ath! of his nature<
than this co''unication#
)a,e 7N7< $erses 9 and @#
Doctrine and Co$enants sec# ci# The re$e&ation e/*&ains 2h! the
Saints 2ere dri$en fro' ;ion#
A&& the nu'ers of The E$enin, and .ornin, Star fro' the first
issued< in June 789H< u* to and inc&udin, the nu'er for Ju&!< 7899
Efourteen nu'ers in a&&<F 2ere re*rinted at 1irt&and( thou,h in the
re*rint the *a,e 2as chan,ed fro' >uarto to octa$o for'# The &ast nu'er
issued in ;ion 2as in Ju&!< 7899? the first re*rinted nu'er 2as issued in
1irt&and in Dece'er of the sa'e !ear#
)a,es 9M7-:#
)a,e @@G#
In order to ,rou* the corres*ondence concernin, the trou&es in
Jac0son count! as c&ose to the recita& of those e$ents in the te/t of the
)ro*hets narrati$e as 'a! e< se$era& of the co''unications in this
cha*ter are ta0en fro' the *&ace assi,ned the' ! *re$ious editors and
,i$en in this conc&udin, cha*ter of $o&u'e I#
In '! =ud,'ent< it does see' that under the *o2ers conferred u*on the
e/ecuti$e ! the *ro$ision of the funda'enta& &a2 of the state--the
constitution--and the 'i&itia &a2 he >uotes< the ,o$ernor cou&d ha$e
,ranted the re>uest of the saints to e *rotected in their ho'es< unti&
*eace 2as restored# Sure&! the c&ause< -or other e'er,enc!<- in the
section of the &a2 =ust referred to 2as road enou,h to =ustif! hi' in
*rotectin,< ! the state 'i&itia< t2e&$e hundred citi4ens of the United
States in their ho'es unti& 'o-$io&ence had susided--unti& res*ect for
the ci$i& &a2 had een restored< and these citi4ens a&&o2ed to d2e&& in
safet! u*on the &ands the! had *urchased fro' the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent#
Under these *ro$isions he cou&d ha$e -cured those crue& de$i&s of their
2i&&<- 2ithout -doin, e$en a &itt&e 2ron,< in order to do a ,reat
ri,ht---2ithout -2restin, the &a2 to his authorit!
It re>uired no ,reat 2isdo' ho2e$er to foresee that for the saints to
return to their ho'es and then e &eft there 2ithout *rotection--&eft to
the 'erc! of hu'an 2retches in 2hose $eins ran none of the 'i&0 of hu'an
0indness--2ou&d not e far re'o$ed fro' suicide as the 'o ,reat&!
outnu'ered the saints To return under these circu'stances 2ou&d on&! e
&a!in, the foundation for a ,reater tra,ed! than the one a&read! enacted
and the rethren 2ise&! conc&uded not to atte'*t to re,ain *ossession of
their ho'es unti& so'e 'easure 2as ado*ted to *rotect the' 2hen
there--unti& -5od or the )resident ru&ed out the 'o
Thus ended the on&! effort that 2as e$er 'ade ! the officers of
.issouri to rin, to =ustice these $io&ators of the &a2# One c&ass of
citi4ens had cons*ired a,ainst the &ierties of another c&ass< and ein,
the stron,er had 2ithout the authorit! of the &a2< or shado2 of
=ustification< dri$en t2e&$e hundred of the' fro' their *ossessions and
there 2as not $irtue enou,h in the e/ecuti$e of the state and his
associates to *unish the offenders# The deter'ination of the 'o to resist
the &a2 2as stron,er than the deter'ination of the state officers to
e/ecute it and 'a0e it honora&e# And !et the constitution of the state
'ade it the i'*erati$e dut! of the e/ecuti$e to -ta0e care that the &a2s
are faithfu&&! e/ecuted<- and the &a2s of the state e'*o2ered the
co''ander-in-chief of the 'i&itia Ethe ,o$ernorF -in case of C C C
insurrection< or 2ar< or *u&ic dan,er< or other e'er,enc!< to ca&& forth
into actua& ser$ice such *ortion of the 'i&itia as he 'i,ht dee'
e/*edient#- 3ith this *o2er *&aced in his hands ! the &a2s of the state<
5o$ernor Dun0&in *er'itted 'os to o$era2e the court of in>uir! he hi'se&f
had ordered< and a&&o2ed the' to continue unchec0ed in their unha&&o2ed
deeds of de$astation and $io&ence And 2hi&e the 'oocrats triu'*hed o$er
&a2 and order< the ,o$ernor+s &etters to the &eadin, E&ders of the Church
contained 'an! *rett!< *atriotic senti'ents< ut he &ac0ed the 'ora&
coura,e to e/ecute the &a2 of the state#
The &etter here referred to 2i&& e found on *a,es @M:-8#
The ar's 2ere ne$er returned to their o2ners# "efore Lucas recei$ed
the 5o$ernor+s order< for2arded to hi' ! the rethren< he had &eft
Jac0son count! sett&ed in Le/in,ton< .issouri< and resi,ned his
co''ission# Suse>uent&! 5o$ernor
Dun0&in issued a second re>uisition for the ar's< this ti'e directin, it
to Co&one& )itcher< ut et2een the issuin, of the t2o orders< the first
to Lucas and the second to )itcher< the ar's 2ere distriuted a'on, the
'o< and the! inso&ent&! oasted that the ar's shou&d not e returned<
not2ithstandin, the order of the chief e/ecuti$e of the state#
%o&u'e III( Ta&e of Contents
Introduction
Cha*ter I( The )ro*het Jose*h+s De*arture fro' 1irt&and and
Arri$a& in .issouri#
Cha*ter II( E/co''unication of O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id
3hit'er--The 3or0 in En,&and#
Cha*ter III( Read=ust'ent and Sett&e'ent of Affairs at Far
3est#
Cha*ter I%( Se&ection of Lands in Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess
Counties for Sett&e'ent--Ada'-Ondi-Ah'an#
Cha*ter %( Inde*endence Da! at Far 3est--Sundr! E$ents and
Re$e&ations--E*ist&e of Da$id 3# )atten#
Cha*ter %I( The "e,innin, of Trou&e in Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess
Counties#
Cha*ter %II( Increasin, Difficu&ties "et2een the Saints and
the .os of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&& Counties#
Cha*ter %III( .o .o$e'ents in Ca&d2e&&< Da$iess and Carro&&
Counties--Arri$a& of 1irt&and Ca'* at Far 3est#
Cha*ter I6( The Or,ani4ation and Journe! of 1irt&and Ca'*#
Cha*ter 6( The Journe! of 1irt&and Ca'* EContinuedF#
Cha*ter 6I( E/*u&sion of the Saints fro' De 3itt< Carro&&
Count!< .issouri#
Cha*ter 6II( .o$e'ents of the .o U*on De 3itt--"att&e of
Croo0ed Ri$er--E/ter'inatin, Order of 5o$ernor
"o,,s#
Cha*ter 6III( .o .o$e'ents Aout Far 3est--Treacher! of
Co&one& Hinc0&e--Sorro2fu& Scenes#
Cha*ter 6I%( Ri$a&r! A'on, the .i&itia 5enera&s for )ossession
of the )risoners---Tria&- at Rich'ond#
Cha*ter 6%( The Case of the Saints )resented to the .issouri
Le,is&ature--The )ro*het+s Co''unication to the
Saints fro' Liert! )rison#
Cha*ter 6%I( Case of the -.or'ons- "efore the .issouri
Le,is&ature--C&ose of the Year 7898#
Cha*ter 6%II( )re*arations for Lea$in, .issouri--Action of the
State Le,is&ature#
Cha*ter 6%III( The E/i&ed Saints 5ather at Auinc!--)ro*osition
to Sett&e at Co''erce#
Cha*ter 6I6( Letters to the )ro*het--Affairs in
En,&and--)etitions#
Cha*ter 66( Sundr! .o$e'ents in the Interest of the E/i&ed
Saints--The )ro*het+s Letters fro' Liert!
)rison#
Cha*ter 66I( Stirrin, Scenes aout Far 3est--The E*ist&e of
the )ro*het and His Fe&&o2 )risoners#
Cha*ter 66II( The )ro*het+s Account of His E/*eriences in
.issouri--Fu&fi&&'ent of a )ro*hetic
Re$e&ation--Co'*&ete E/odus of the Saints fro'
.issouri#
Cha*ter 66III( Sett&e'ent in Co''erce< I&&inois#
Cha*ter 66I%( Ad$entures of the )risoners Re'ainin, in
.issouri--The )ro*het+s Narrati$e of )ersona&
E/*eriences in .issouri#
Cha*ter 66%( Co''erce--The )ro*het+s Histor!--Doctrina&
De$e&o*'ent#
Cha*ter 66%I( The )ro*het+s .inistr! in the %icinit! of
Co''erce--Address to the T2e&$e#
Cha*ter 66%II( "a*tis' of Isaac 5a&&and--E*ist&e of the T2e&$e
to the Church#
Cha*ter 66%III( The Esca*e of )ar&e! )# )ratt and His Fe&&o2
)risoners fro' .issouri--The C&ose of an E*och#
A**endi/ to %o&u'e III( Affida$its of H!ru' S'ith et# a&# on
Affairs in .issouri< 7897-9N?
Officia&&! Suscried to "efore the
.unici*a& Court of Nau$oo the First Da!
of Ju&!< 78@9#
INTRODUCTION TO %OLU.E III#
En&i,hten'ent a Factor in Deter'inin, Res*onsii&it! for Conduct#
%OLU.E THREE conc&udes< for the *resent< the histor! of the Church in
.issouri# I thin0 it *ro*er< therefore< that here shou&d e considered the
causes of the .issouri *ersecutions< 2hich resu&ted in the e/*u&sion of
the entire Church fro' that state#
There ha$e een< of course< 'ore e/tensi$e *ersecutions than those
inf&icted on the Saints in .issouri? ut I dout if there has e$er een a
*ersecution 'ore crue& or terror-&aden in its character# %ie2ed fro' the
stand*oint of its net resu&ts there 2ere so'e fift! *eo*&e< 'en< 2o'en<
and chi&dren< 0i&&ed outri,ht? aout as 'an! 'ore 2ere 2ounded or crue&&!
eaten< and 'an! 'ore *erished indirect&! ecause of the e/*osure to 2hich
the! 2ere su=ected throu,h the 2inters of 7899-@ and 7898-N#
In round nu'ers it is esti'ated that et2een t2e&$e and fifteen
thousand *eo*&e< citi4ens of the United States< after ein, dis*ossessed
of their &ands< 2ere forci&! dri$en fro' the state# It is 0no2n that the!
*aid to the United States ,o$ern'ent for &and a&one< three hundred and
ei,hteen thousand do&&ars< 2hich< at the 'ini'u' *rice of one do&&ar and a
>uarter *er acre< 2ou&d ,i$e the' &and ho&din,s of o$er t2o hundred and
fift! thousand acres< 2hich re*resented for that da! $er! &ar,e
interests#
To this &ist of resu&ts 'ust e added the 'ore horri&e one of
se$era& cases of ra$ish'ent at Far 3est? and a&so< after are&! esca*in,
fro' the sentence of death *ronounced ! a court 'artia&< the crue&
i'*rison'ent throu,h 2ear! 'onths of a nu'er of Church &eaders#
In *assin, =ud,'ent u*on such 'atters as these account 'ust e ta0en
of the a,e and countr! in 2hich the! occurred? &i0e2ise the *retensions to
ri,ht $ie2s of &ife< and de$otion to freedo' on the *art of the
*er*etrators of the in=ustice# Undouted&! a hea$ier det is incurred to
histor!< to hu'anit! and to 5od< 2hen the *arties 2ho resort to such acts
of 'o $io&ence and in=ustice &i$e in an en&i,htened a,e< and 2here the
free institutions of their countr! ,uarantee oth the freedo' and securit!
of its citi4ens#
If in the =un,&e a 'an 'eets a ti,er and is torn to *ieces< no one
thin0s of ho&din, the ti,er to an! 'ora& accountai&it!# )erha*s the hunt
2i&& e for'ed to destro! the east< ut that is 'ere&! to e rid of a
dan,erous ani'a&< and *re$ent the re*etition of the deed# If another 'eets
a crue& death a'on, sa$a,es in heathen &ands< 2hi&e so'e 'ora&
res*onsii&it! 2ou&d ho&d a,ainst the'< accordin, to their de,ree of
en&i,hten'ent< !et the fact that it 2as an act of sa$a,es 2ou&d e he&d to
reduce the de,ree of 'ora& tur*itude# And &i0e2ise e$en in ci$i&i4ed
states< in &oca&ities to 2hich the $icious 'a! ,ra$itate< 2hen acts of
$io&ence are co''itted there# so'e a&&o2ance 'a! e< and ,enera&&! is<
'ade for the i,norance and ,enera& ruta&it! of the *articu&ar
nei,horhood#
"! this *rocess of reasonin, I thin0 it 2i&& a**ear >uite c&ear that
'ora& res*onsii&it!< oth on the *art of indi$idua&s and co''unities or
nations< increases in *ro*ortion to their en&i,hten'ent# If< therefore<
this *rinci*&e e 0e*t in $ie2< the *ersecution of the Latter-da! Saints
! the *eo*&e of .issouri 2as a $er! heinous offense#
True it 'a! e said that the 2orst acts of crue&t! 2ere *er*etrated
! &o2< rutish 'en a'on, the 'o or in the 'i&itia--for these odies 2ere
con$erti&e fro' one to the Other on shortest *ossi&e notice< and 2ho&&!
as the e/i,encies of the ene'ies of the Saints de'anded--ut these 2ere
&ed and aetted ! >uite a different order of 'en( ! &a2!ers< 'e'ers of
the state &e,is&ature< ! count! and district =ud,es< ! *h!sicians< !
*rofessed 'inisters of the ,os*e&< ! 'erchants< ! &eadin, *o&iticians<
! ca*tains< 'a=ors< co&one&s< and ,enera&s--of se$era& ,rades--of the
'i&itia< ! 'an! other hi,h officia&s of the state inc&udin, the 5o$ernor
and Lieutenant 5o$ernor< and fina&&! ! the action of the state
&e,is&ature 2hich a**ro*riated t2o hundred thousand do&&ars to defra! the
e/*enses incurred ! the 'o-'i&itia in carr!in, out the 5o$ernor+s order<
e/ter'inatin, the Saints fro' the state# These facts are 'ade a**arent in
the *a,es of this and the t2o *recedin, $o&u'es of the HISTORY OF THE
CHURCH# The facts cannot e >uestioned# The! are 2ritten out 'ost
circu'stantia&&! in the )ro*het+s stor!# Ti'es< *&aces< and na'es are
,i$en of the incidents re&ated< and the 'ore i'*ortant of these 'a! e
corroorated ! histories of these e$ents other than our o2n#
The *ersecutions then of the Latter-da! Saints in .issouri< and their
ana& e/*u&sion fro' that state< 2ere cri'es a,ainst the en&i,hten'ent of
the a,e and of the state 2here the acts Occurred? a cri'e a,ainst the
constitutions and institutions oth of the state of .issouri and of the
United States? as a&so a cri'e a,ainst the Christian re&i,ion# A&& this 2e
ha$e in 'ind 2hen s*ea0in, of the se$erit! and crue&t! of these co'*ared
2ith other *ersecutions# The state of .issouri 2as ,ui&t! of a ,reater
cri'e 2hen it *ersecuted the Latter-da! Saints than states 2ere 2hich in
the ararous ti'es of the dar0 a,es *ersecuted their *eo*&e? thou,h 2hen
esti'ated in net resu&ts there 'a! ha$e een 'ore 'urders and roeries<
,reater destruction of *ro*ert!< and 'ore 2ide-s*read sufferin, in the
&atter than in the for'er#
It is in the &i,ht of the *rinci*&e here &aid do2n that I *ro*ose to
re$ie2 the causes of the *ersecutions of the Latter-da! Saints in
.issouri#
The )eo*&e of .issouri and the Saints#
The *eo*&e of the state of .issouri< and es*ecia&&! those &i$in, in
2estern and u**er .issouri< in the ear&! decades of the nineteenth
centur!< 2ere chief&! fro' the states of the South-- fro' 1entuc0!<
Tennessee< %ir,inia< and the Caro&inas# This is not stated as a 'atter of
re*roach< for a'on, the A'erican *eo*&e there ha$e een no etter or
no&er citi4ens of the Re*u&ic than the *eo*&e of the states enu'erated#
I 'ere&! 'a0e the state'ent in order to *resent a fact< and ecause other
facts ,ro2 out of it# To sa! that .issouri 2as sett&ed ! e'i,rants fro'
the states of the South carries 2ith it the e/*&anation 2h! .issouri 2as
one of the s&a$e states< and her *eo*&e attached to the socia& and
industria& 'ethods of &ife attendant u*on that circu'stance# That is to
sa!< the! &oo0ed 2ith conte'*t u*on 'anua& &aor? re,ardin, it as 'enia&
and *ro*er on&! for s&a$es to *erfor'# 3ith that idea is c&ose&! re&ated
another? na'e&!< that 2hite *eo*&e 2ho fro' circu'stances 2ere co'*e&&ed
to *erfor' 'anua& &aor< or 2ho fo&&o2ed it fro' *rinci*&e< in the e!es of
the *eo*&e of the South 2ere of an inferior c&ass? conte'*tuous&!
characteri4ed ! so'e as -2hite trash<- and ! others< inc&ined to e 'ore
*o&ite< as -*oor 2hites#-
Freedo' fro' 'anua& &aor ,a$e to those of acti$e dis*ositions in
such co''unities an o**ortunit! to fo&&o2 the 'ore desira&e $ocations of
*rofessiona& &ife? the &a2< 'edicine< the Christian 'inistr!<
'erchandi4in, and ,enera& usiness? or &eisure for *o&itica& or 'i&itar!
acti$ities? or the *ursuit of *&easure< fishin,< huntin,< horse racin,<
and socia& &ife ,enera&&!# These conditions natura&&! resu&ted in *ride<
often in arro,ance< and a des*erate sort of coura,e< 2hich he&d honor hi,h
and 2ea0ness and co2ardice in conte'*t? a&so so'ethin, of into&erance for
those dis*osed to set the'se&$es a,ainst such an order of thin,s#
The reader 2i&& reco,ni4e< of course< that I ha$e so far in 'ind on&!
the etter e&e'ent of the *o*u&ation< the &east of the e$i&s and so'e of
the ad$anta,es resu&tin, fro' such industria& and socia& conditions# There
2ere< ho2e$er< >uite different and 'ore serious resu&ts than an! !et noted
arisin, fro' this s!ste' of societ!# 3hi&e those dis*osed to acti$it! and
inc&ined to honora&e *ursuits 'i,ht en=o! certain ad$anta,es fro' the
s!ste'< on the other hand< it fostered 'an+s natura& inc&ination to
id&eness and &o$e of ease that co'es of id&eness? and fostered =ea&ous!
and itterness a,ainst those 'ore industrious and successfu&# In such a
c&ass the s!ste' &ed to i,norance< irre&i,ion< and cri'ina& tendencies?
constitutin, the' a dan,erous e&e'ent in the co''unit!# It 2as dout&ess
this c&ass the )ro*het Jose*h had in 'ind 2hen he said soon after his
first arri$a& in 2estern .issouri( -Our ref&ections 2ere ,reat< co'in, as
2e had fro' a hi,h&! cu&ti$ated state of societ! in the East< and standin,
no2 u*on the confines or 2estern &i'its of the United States< and &oo0in,
into the $ast 2i&derness of those that sat in dar0ness# Ho2 natura& it 2as
to oser$e the de,radation< &eanness of inte&&ect< ferocit! and =ea&ous!
of a *eo*&e that 2ere near&! a centur! ehind the ti'es< and to fee& for
those 2ho roa'ed aout 2ithout the enefit of ci$i&i4ation< refine'ent< or
re&i,ionK-
.an! of the *ositions in the hi,her 2a&0s of &ife< in 2estern
.issouri< 2ere sou,ht ! the un2orth!< the corru*ti&e and the
$icious--'en 2ho sou,ht a&& the ad$anta,es of the southern idea&s of &ife
2ithout *ossessin, the refinin, $irtues 2hich for ,enerations in the o&der
states of the south 'ade so'e of the e$i&s of the socia& s!ste' that
otained there at &east to&era&e# Such 2ere the "ra4ea&es< the 3i&sons<
the Hunters< the 1a$anau,hs< the Li0ens< the Lo$e&ad!s< the .cCart!s< the
.cCo!s< the )i/&e!s< the Si'sons< the Si&$ers< the 3estons< the 5i&&ia's<
the "irches< the "&ac0s< the "o,arts< the C&ar0s< the Li$ese!s< and the
)enistons#
Another circu'stance 2hich inf&uenced so'e2hat the character of
2estern .issouri+s *o*u&ation in the ear&! decades of the nineteenth
centur!< 2as the fact that these sections of the state constituted *art of
the frontiers of the United States< and here had ,ra$itated a 'ore or &ess
&a2&ess c&ass 2hich sou,ht the securit! of *ro/i'it! to the oundar! &ines
of the United States< fro' 2hose confines the! cou&d 'a0e their esca*e in
the e$ent of ein, hard *ressed for $io&ations of &a2 in the o&der states
2hence the! had co'e< or in their ne2 haitat# Such 2ere the Lo$e&s< the
Ha20ins< the Heather&e!s and 'an! others#
The Latter-da! Saints 2ho sett&ed in .issouri fro' 7897 to 789N had
co'e for the 'ost *art fro' the Ne2 En,&and States and Ne2 Yor0# There
2ere< therefore< 'ar0ed differences in character et2een the' and the o&d
sett&ers of .issouri? differences of ideas as to industria& and socia&
&ife? of 'ora& and re&i,ious &ife# The Saints 2ere descendants chief&! of
the )uritans< and oth ! inheritance and trainin, had fa&&en heirs to the
)uritan+s strict $ie2s of industr!< re&i,ion and 'ora&it!# The )uritans
tau,ht that a&& &aor 2as honora&e< and industr! a dut!# Re&i,ion
occu*ied a &ar,e share of their attention--entered in fact into a&& the
affairs of &ife--thou,h its duties 'eant &ar,e&! a re,u&ar attendance u*on
church ser$ice? a strict oser$ance of the *ro*rieties 2hi&e there? a
ri,id oser$ance throu,hout of the Saath da!# Neither 2or0 nor
a'use'ents 2ere to&erated on that da!# In the o&den ti'e a'on, so'e of
their forefathers it had een un&a2fu& to sit in "oston Co''on on the
Saath or to 2a&0 in the streets of "oston< e/ce*t to church# Once a 'an
2as *u&ic&! 2hi**ed for shootin, a fo2& on Sunda!# A 2o'an 2as threatened
2ith anish'ent for s'i&in, in church# A *erson asent fro' church for
'ore than one Sunda! 2as in dan,er of ein, fined< 2hi**ed< or set in the
stoc0s# S2earin, 2as *rohiited in near&! a&& the Ne2 En,&and co&onies<
and a s*&it stic0 2as so'eti'es *&aced on the s2earer+s ton,ue#
"oth food and dress 2ere *&ain< and the &atter< in so'e instances<
2as re,u&ated ! &a2# A'use'ents 2ere fe2# Dancin, and card-*&a!in, 2ere
foridden< and there 2as &itt&e 'usic# The state sou,ht to ta0e entire
char,e of the indi$idua&< and su**osed that tendenc! to2ard i''ora&it!
cou&d e ste''ed ! &e,is&ation# In ear&! Connecticut no one under t2ent!
2as a&&o2ed to use toacco< and none to use it 'ore than once a da!# The
&a2s 2ere se$ere and the *ena&ties crue&# The stoc0s and 2hi**in,-*ost and
*i&&or! 2ere in fre>uent re>uisition to correct 'ora& de&in>uents# An
offender 'i,ht e 'ade to stand on a stoo& in church 2ith the na'e of his
'isde'eanor dis*&a!ed on his reast# A'on, the co''on *unish'ents 2ere
cro**in, or orin, the ears and randin, 2ith a hot iron#
Of course in &ater !ears there 2as a ,enera& re&a/ation fro' these
se$erities< and 'an! of these custo's and &a2s< ! the ti'e our ,eneration
of Saints ca'e on the scene< 2ere oso&ete# Sti&&< the 'ora& and s*iritua&
at'os*here in 2hich the Saints and their fathers had een reared 2as
austere in its 'ora& character< and stood in 'ar0ed contrast to the 'ora&
at'os*here of the South< 2here< in res*ect of such thin,s as church
attendance< re&i,ious oser$ances< *ersona& &iert! in eatin,< drin0in,
and a'use'ents< there 2as 2ider freedo'#
In the s*arse&! sett&ed countr! of 2estern .issouri< the descendants
of the o&d ca$a&iers and their fo&&o2in,< 2ho sett&ed the South< and the
descendants of the )uritans< 2ho sett&ed the North< 2ere to 'eet( and $er!
natura&&! one 'a! see in these anta,onistic e&e'ents--aside fro' the cause
of anta,onis' 2hich 2i&& e found in the ne2&! re$ea&ed re&i,ion of the
Latter-da! Saints--natura& causes of irritation et2een the' founded in
the differences of character< and their res*ecti$e conce*tions of
industria&< 'ora&< and re&i,ious duties# That the o&d sett&ers in
.issouri< e$en those friend&! dis*osed to2ards the Saints< reco,ni4ed the
inco'*atii&it! of the t2o c&asses is e$ident fro' the *u&ic utterances
of a 'ass 'eetin, he&d at Liert!< in C&a! count!< 2hen the Saints 2ere
ur,ed to see0 a ne2 &oca&it! 2here the! cou&d &i$e ! the'se&$es# -The!
are eastern 'en<- said the address< -2hose 'anners< haits< custo's< and
e$en dia&ect< are essentia&&! different fro' our o2n# 3e earnest&! ur,e
the' to see0 so'e other aidin, *&ace< 2here the 'anners< the haits< and
custo's of the *eo*&e 2i&& e 'ore consonant 2ith their o2n#-
This difference of character et2een the Saints and the o&d sett&ers
I account one of the causes of the .issouri *ersecutions#
The Auestion of S&a$er!#
The >uestion of s&a$er! in .issouri 2as a de&icate one# It 2i&&
*erha*s e re'e'ered that it 2as the a**&ication of the territor! of
.issouri for ad'ission into the Union< 7878-7N< that rou,ht the >uestion
of s&a$er! into one of its acute sta,es efore the countr!? and
inau,urated a &on, series of deates in the Nationa& Con,ress on the
su=ect#
It 2as u*on the ad'ission of .issouri into the Union in 78H7 that the
,reat Co'*ro'ise 2hich ears the state+s na'e sett&ed< not the >uestion of
s&a$er! itse&f< ut< for the ti'e< the a,itation of it#
That Co'*ro'ise consisted fina&&! in this( that 2hi&e .issouri
herse&f 2as ad'itted 2ith a c&ause in her constitution *er'ittin, s&a$er!<
and a&so *rohiitin, free *eo*&e of co&or fro' i''i,ratin, into the state<
s&a$er! 2as fore$er to e *rohiited in a&& territor! of the United States
north of the &ine thirt!-si/ de,rees and thirt! 'inutes north &atitude
Ethe southern oundar! &ine of the state of .issouriF? and .issouri 2as
re>uired -! a so&e'n< *u&ic act- of her &e,is&ature< to dec&are that the
c&ause in her constitution re&atin, to the i''i,ration of free ne,roes
into the state< shou&d ne$er e construed to authori4e the *assa,e of an!
&a2 ! 2hich an! citi4en of either of the states in this Union sha&& e
e/c&uded fro' the en=o!'ent of an! of the *ri$i&e,es and i''unities to
2hich he is entit&ed under the Constitution of the United States#
These historica& facts are referred to here that the reader 'a! e
re'inded that s&a$er! 2as a de&icate >uestion in .issouri? that her *eo*&e
2ere su*er-sensiti$e aout it since she 2as the first territor! u*on 2hich
the Nationa& Con,ress sou,ht to i'*ose the *rohiition of s&a$er! as a
condition *recedent to her ad'ission into the Union< 2hich< u* to that
ti'e< had een a 'atter &eft to the *eo*&e of the territor! see0in,
ad'ission to deter'ine for the'se&$es# Of course this atte'*t at
restriction of s&a$er! 2as 'ade ! northern 'e'ers of the nationa&
Con,ress# A&& the senti'ent for the restriction of s&a$er! 2as in the
North# In 7897 the senti'ent for the *ositi$e ao&ition of s&a$er! had
'ade such *ro,ress in .assachusetts< that 3i&&ia' L&o!d 5arrison
esta&ished in "oston -The Lierator<- a *a*er 2hich ad$ocated -the
i''ediate and unconditiona& e'anci*ation of e$er! s&a$e in the United
States#- As a resu&t of this a,itation anti-s&a$er! societies 2ere for'ed
and acti$e 'easures ta0en to ad$ocate these o*inions ! 'eans of &ectures
and *a'*h&ets# These e/tre'e 'easures a,ainst s&a$er! did not 'eet 2ith
the a**ro$a& of a&& or e$en the 'a=orit! of the *eo*&e of Ne2 En,&and<
'uch &ess 2ith the a**ro$a& of the *eo*&e of other northern states# Sti&&
this a,itation arose and 2as chief&! su**orted in Ne2 En,&and# It 2i&& not
e difficu&t to understand< therefore# that an! considera&e nu'er of
*eo*&e fro' that section of the Union i''i,ratin, into a s&a$e state 2ou&d
arouse sus*icion? es*ecia&&! 2hen that i''i,ration 2as into a s&a$e state
u*on 2hich< 2hen as a territor! she had 'ade a**&ication for ad'ission
into the Union< *rohiition of s&a$er! 2as sou,ht to e enforced ! the
northern 'e'ers of the Nationa& Con,ress# Nor 2i&& it e sufficient to
dis*e& this sus*icion to a$er that these *articu&ar i''i,rants fro' Ne2
En,&and< and other northern states are not ao&itionists? that the! ta0e
no *art 2ith< and do not share the fanatica& senti'ents of< the
ao&itionists? that their o=ects and *ur*oses are of an entire&!
different and &ar,er character#
The ans2er to a&& this 2as ,i$en in a *u&ic docu'ent dra2n u* to
$oice the senti'ent of a ,reat 'ass 'eetin, of the *eo*&e of C&a!
count!--a *eo*&e< e it re'e'ered< 2ho at the ti'e E789:F 2ere not
unfriend&! to2ards the Saints# ut a *eo*&e 2ho a fe2 !ears efore had
recei$ed the Saints into their ho'es< and ,i$en the' she&ter 2hen the!
2ere e/i&es fro' Jac0son count!< and 2ho< at the ti'e of the utterance I
a' aout to >uote 2as *u&ished< 2ere in a co$enant of *eace 2ith the
Saints< and the Saints in a co$enant of *eace 2ith the'- -I sa! the ans2er
to a&& disc&ai'ers on the *art of the Saints res*ectin, their not ein,
ao&itionists 2as found in this *u&ic utterance( -The! are eastern 'en<
2hose 'anners< haits< custo's and e$en dia&ect are essentia&&! different
fro' our o2n# The! are non-s&a$eho&ders< and o**osed to s&a$er!< 2hich in
this *ecu&iar *eriod< 2hen ao&itionis' has reared its defor'ed and
ha,,ard $isa,e in our &and< is 2e&& ca&cu&ated to e/cite dee* and aidin,
*re=udices in an! co''unit! 2here s&a$er! is to&erated and *rotected#-
I ca&& attention to these facts that the student of the histor! of
the Church 'a! a**reciate the 2ei,ht of inf&uence the! 2ou&d ha$e in
creatin, *o*u&ar senti'ent a,ainst the Saints? a 'atter 2hich hitherto< if
I 'a! e *er'itted to sa! so< has not een fu&&! a**reciated# One can
readi&! see 2hat a *otent factor this senti'ent a,ainst Ne2 En,&and and
other northern states *eo*&e 2ou&d e in the hands of *o&itica& de'a,o,ues
and sectarian *riests see0in, to e/ter'inate 2hat the! 2ou&d res*ecti$e&!
consider an undesira&e e&e'ent in *o&itics and a re&i,ious ri$a&# That
oth *o&itica& de'a,o,ues and sectarian *riests 'ade the 'ost of the
o**ortunit! 2hich hosti&e senti'ent in .issouri a,ainst ao&ition and
ao&itionists afforded< aundant&! a**ears in the *a,es of the first
$o&u'e of the Church Histor!# That senti'ent 2as a**ea&ed to fro' the
first? indeed in the $er! first 'anifesto of the 'o --0no2n as -The
Secret Constitution<---issued a,ainst the Saints in .issouri< it 2as a
*ro'inent feature# This 2as at Inde*endence< in Ju&!< 7899# In that
-.anifesto- the fo&&o2in, *assa,e occurs( -.ore than a !ear since< it 2as
ascertained that the! Ithe SaintsJ had een ta'*erin, 2ith our s&a$es< and
endea$orin, to so2 dissensions and raise seditions a'on,st the'# Of this
their .or'on &eaders 2ere infor'ed< and the! said the! 2ou&d dea& 2ith an!
of their 'e'ers 2ho shou&d a,ain in &i0e case offend# "ut ho2 s*ecious
are a**earances# In a &ate nu'er of the Star< *u&ished in Inde*endence
! the &eaders of the sect< there is an artic&e in$itin, free ne,roes and
'u&attoes fro' other states to eco'e .or'ons< and re'o$e and sett&e a'on,
us# This e/hiits the' in sti&& 'ore odious co&ors# It 'anifests a desire
on the *art of their societ!< to inf&ict on our societ! an in=ur! that
the! 0no2 2ou&d e to us entire&! insu**orta&e< and one of the surest
'eans of dri$in, us fro' the countr!? for it 2ou&d re>uire none of the
su*ernatura& ,ifts that the! *retend to< to see that the introduction of
such a caste a'on,st us 2ou&d corru*t our &ac0s< and insti,ate the' to
&oodshed#-
The artic&e on -Free )eo*&e of Co&or- referred to a**eared in the
E$enin, and .ornin, Star for Ju&!# The char,e of so2in, dissensions and
ins*irin, seditions a'on, the s&a$es< and in$itin, free ne,roes to sett&e
in .issouri< had no foundation in truth# Concernin, such *eo*&e the
.issouri &a2s *ro$ided that( If an! ne,ro or 'u&atto ca'e into the state
of .issouri< 2ithout a certificate fro' a court of record in so'e one of
the United States< e$idencin, that he 2as a citi4en of such state< on
co'*&aint efore an! =ustice of the *eace# such ne,ro or 'u&atto cou&d e
co''anded ! the =ustice to &ea$e the state? and if the co&ored *erson so
ordered did not &ea$e the state 2ithin thirt! da!s< on co'*&aint of an!
citi4en# such *erson cou&d e a,ain rou,ht efore the =ustice 2ho 'i,ht
co''it hi' to the co''on =ai& of the count!< unti& the con$enin, of the
circuit court< 2hen it eca'e the dut! of the =ud,e of the circuit court
to in>uire into the cause of co''it'ent? and if it 2as found that the
ne,ro or 'u&atto had re'ained in the state contrar! to the *ro$isions of
this statute< the court 2as authori4ed to sentence such *erson to recei$e
ten &ashes on his or her are ac0< and then order hi' or her to de*art
fro' the state? if the *erson so treated shou&d sti&& refuse to ,o< then
the sa'e *roceedin,s 2ere to e re*eated and *unish'ent inf&icted as often
as 2as necessar! unti& such *erson de*arted#
And further( If an! *erson rou,ht into the state of .issouri a free
ne,ro or 'u&atto< 2ithout the aforesaid certificate of citi4enshi*< for
e$er! such ne,ro or 'u&atto the *erson offendin, 2as &ia&e to a forfeit
of fi$e hundred do&&ars? to e reco$ered ! action of det in the na'e of
the state#
The editor of the Star co''entin, u*on this &a2 said( -S&a$es are
rea& estate in this and other states< and 2isdo' 2ou&d dictate ,reat care
a'on, the ranches of the Church of Christ on this su=ect#
So &on, as 2e ha$e no s*ecia& ru&e in the Church as to *eo*&e of
co&or< &et *rudence ,uide? and 2hi&e the!< as 2e&& as 2e< are in the hands
of a 'ercifu& 5od< 2e sa!( shun e$er! a**earance of e$i&#-
)u&ishin, this &a2 and the ao$e co''ent 2as construed ! the o&d
sett&ers to e an in$itation to free *eo*&e of co&or to sett&e in Jac0son
count!K 3hereu*on an e/tra 2as *u&ished to the Ju&! nu'er of the Star on
the si/teenth of the 'onth< 2hich said( -The intention in *u&ishin, the
artic&e< -Free )eo*&e of Co&or<- 2as not on&! to sto* free *eo*&e of co&or
fro' i''i,ratin, to .issouri< ut to *re$ent the' fro' ein, ad'itted as
'e'ers of the Church# C C C C C To e short< 2e are o**osed to ha$in,
free *eo*&e of co&or ad'itted into the State#-
"ut in the face of a&& this the .issourians sti&& c&ai'ed that the
artic&e 2as 'ere&! *u&ished to ,i$e directions and cautions to e
oser$ed ! -co&ored rethren<- to ena&e the' u*on their arri$a& in
.issouri< to -c&ai' and e/ercise the ri,hts of citi4enshi*#-
-Conte'*oraneous 2ith the a**earance of this artic&e---the ao$e artic&e
in the Star--continued the char,e *u&ished in the 3estern .onitor---2as
the e/*ectation a'on, the rethren< that a considera&e nu'er of this
de,raded caste 2ere on&! 2aitin, this infor'ation efore the! shou&d set
out on their =ourne!#- And this ase fa&sehood 2as used to inf&a'e the
'inds of the o&d sett&ers a,ainst the Saints#
I do not refer to this >uestion of s&a$er! in connection 2ith the
*ersecution of the Saints in .issouri in order to set it do2n as one of
the causes of that *ersecution? ecause< as a 'atter of fact< the $ie2s of
the Saints< and es*ecia&&! of the &eadin, E&ders of the Church on that
>uestion 2ere such that the! cou&d ne$er e truthfu&&! char,ed 2ith ein,
a 'enace to that institution# The )ro*het Jose*h hi'se&f< at the ti'e of
the Jac0son count! trou&es and suse>uent&!< he&d $er! conser$ati$e $ie2s
on the su=ect of s&a$er!< sur*risin,&! conser$ati$e $ie2s 2hen his o2n
te'*era'ent and en$iron'ent are ta0en into account< of 2hich fact an! one
'a! con$ince hi'se&f ! readin, his *a*er on the su=ect of ao&ition in
%o&u'e II of the Church Histor!< *a,es @9:-@D#
Fina&&!< it 2as ,i$en ! the ins*iration of 5od to the )ro*het first
to utter the 'ost states'an-&i0e 2ord u*on this $e/ed >uestion of s&a$er!<
and had the nation and *eo*&e of the United States ut ,i$en heed to his
reco''endations it 2ou&d ha$e sett&ed the >uestion in har'on! 2ith the
con$ictions of the *eo*&e of the North< and 2ithout in=ustice to the
South# Here fo&&o2s his states'an-&i0e 2ord< *u&ished throu,hout the
United States in 78@@--e&e$en !ears efore Ra&*h 3a&do E'erson 'ade
sustantia&&! the sa'e reco''endation< and for 2hich the *hi&oso*her
recei$ed no end of *raise(--
-)etition< a&so< !e ,ood&! inhaitants of the s&a$e states< !our
&e,is&ators to ao&ish s&a$er! ! the !ear 78GD< or no2< and sa$e the
ao&itionist fro' re*roach and ruin< and infa'! and sha'e# )ra! Con,ress
to *a! e$er! 'an a reasona&e *rice for his s&a$es out of the sur*&us
re$enue arisin, fro' the sa&e of the *u&ic &ands< and fro' the deduction
of *a! fro' the 'e'ers of Con,ress# "rea0 off the shac0&es fro' the *oor
&ac0 'an< and hire hi' to &aor &i0e other hu'an ein,s? for an hour of
$irtuous &iert! is 2orth a 2ho&e eternit! of onda,e#-
"ut no2 to return to the course of the .issourians in 'isre*resentin,
the $ie2s of the Saints on the su=ect of s&a$er!# Not2ithstandin, the
e/*&icit denia&s throu,h the -E$enin, and .ornin, Star<- that the artic&e
on -Free )eo*&e of Co&or- 2as intended to in$ite such a c&ass into the
state? and the further dec&aration that the Saints 2ere o**osed to such
*ersons co'in, into the state? as a&so the fact that it is doutfu& if
there 2ere an! free ne,roes 2ho 2ere 'e'ers of the
Church--not2ithstandin, a&& this< their ene'ies continued to 'isre*resent
the'< and their $ie2s on the su=ect of s&a$er!# The! sa2 in the fact that
'an! of the' 2ere fro' Ne2 En,&and# 2here ao&ition senti'ent 2as rife<
their o**ortunit! to char,e the' 2ith ao&ition senti'ents and intention
to interfere 2ith s&a$er!< 2ith e$er! *ros*ect of ha$in, it >uite
,enera&&! e&ie$ed--hence the char,e 2as 'ade and eca'e a *rete/t if not
a cause of acts of a,,ression u*on the Saints< and as such is a factor
that 'ust e ta0en account of in these *a,es#
)o&itica& Fears#
I 0no2 of no circu'stances 2hich de$e&o*ed 2hat the *o&itica& faith
of the Saints rea&&! 2as durin, their so=ourn in the state of .issouri?
and dout if an! data e/ists fro' 2hich it cou&d e deter'ined 2hether a
'a=orit! of the' 2ere 3hi,s of Re*u&ican- De'ocrats< as the *art! no2
desi,nated as the De'ocratic *art! 2as then ca&&ed# In fact< *o&itics<
&oca& or nationa&< concerned the Saints ut $er! &itt&e durin, their sta!
in .issouri# Their 'inds 2ere occu*ied ! >uite other< and I 'a! sa!<
&ar,er and hi,her thin,s? and their acti$ities 2ere concerned 2ith other
issues than those *o&itica&# The! 2ere concerned aout the rede'*tion of
;ion< her esta&ish'ent< the *roc&a'ation of the 5os*e&< the sa&$ation of
'en< the *re*aration of the earth for the inco'in, of that 1in,do' 2hose
1in, is the Lord# Their 'ission enco'*assed the 2ho&e 2or&d< it 2as not
confined to the state of .issouri and her *ett! *o&itica& affairs? nor
e$en to the *o&itica& affairs of the United States< i'*ortant as the!
2ere# -.or'onis'- 2as a 2or&d-'o$e'ent< not 'ere&! a nationa& one# It
concerned itse&f 2ith the dee*er and roader su=ect of re&i,ion< rather
than 2ith the *rinci*&es and 'ethods of the ad'inistration of ,o$ern'ent<
state or nationa&# Sti&&< in co''on 2ith other *eo*&e of the count!< state
and nation of 2hich the! 2ere citi4ens< the! *ossessed ci$i& and *o&itica&
ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es< acco'*anied as such ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es a&2a!s
are in a re*u&ic 2ith certain duties oth to the state and the'se&$es<
a'on, 2hich the e/ercise of the e&ecti$e franchise# As this 'ade the' a
*o2er in the co''unit!< their actua& and *ros*ecti$e inf&uence in the
affairs of the counties 2here the! resided< and in the state< 2as a 'atter
of fre>uent discussion a'on, the o&d sett&ers in .issouri# I do not 0no2
that it 2as e$er char,ed that the! 2ere 3hi,s< and that ! actin, 2ith
that *art! in .issouri the! cou&d 2rest the contro& of the state fro' the
Re*u&ican-De'ocratic *art! then in *o2er? thou,h that the! 2ere 3hi,s
'i,ht ha$e een inferred fro' the fact of their ein, chief&! fro' Ne2
En,&and and other northern states? !et this 2as not char,ed# There 2as
re*eated&! e/*ressed< ho2e$er< a fear of their *o&itica& *o2er# In the
docu'ent issued ! the 'o 'eetin, at Inde*endence on the HDth of Ju&!<
7899< it is said( - 3hen 2e ref&ect on the e/tensi$e fie&d in 2hich the
sect is o*eratin,< and that there e/ists in e$er! countr! a &ea$en of
su*erstition that e'races 2ith a$idit!< notions the 'ost e/tra$a,ant and
unheard of< and that 2hate$er can e ,&eaned ! the' fro' the *ur&ieus of
$ice and the aodes of i,norance< is to e cast &i0e a 2aif into our
socia& circ&e< it re>uires no ,ift of *ro*hec! to te&& that the da! is not
far distant 2hen the ci$i& ,o$ern'ent of the count! 2i&& e in their
hands? 2hen the sheriff< the =ustices< and the count! =ud,es 2i&& e
.or'ons< or *ersons 2ishin, to court their fa$or fro' 'oti$es of interest
or a'ition#-
It 2as an effort to *re$ent 'e'ers of the Church fro' $otin, at an
e&ection at 5a&&atin< Da$iess count!< in Au,ust< 7898< 2hich &ed to the
co''ence'ent of those acts of hosti&it! a,ainst the Saints 2hich ended
u&ti'ate&! in their e/*u&sion fro' that state# There 2as no *o&itica&
offense e$en char,ed a,ainst the Saints? on&! that if *er'itted to
e/ercise the franchise the! 2ou&d in ti'e otain contro& of the counties
2here the! resided< so ra*id&! 2ere the! increasin, in nu'ers? and the
o&d sett&ers 2ou&d &ose the offices? and as these< o&d sett&ers 2ere dear
&o$ers of office< it 2as *o&itica& =ea&ous! orn of fear 2hich *ro'*ted in
*art the acts of a,,ression a,ainst the Saints# 3hen such =ea&ous! is
a2a0ened< *rete/ts for the =ustification of its e/istence are not
difficu&t to find< and in this instance the o&d sett&ers in .issouri
re&ied u*on the fa&se char,es of i,norance< su*erstition< and ,enera&
un2orthiness of the saints to e considered ,ood citi4ens of the state#
The char,e 2as not that the! 2ere a&& of one *o&itica& faith? or that the!
$oted so&id&!? or that the! 2ere under the *o&itica& dictation of their
re&i,ious &eaders? or that re&i,ious inf&uence 2as dra,,ed into *o&itica&
affairs# None of these char,es 2ere 'ade( it 2as si'*&! a fear that the
o&d sett&ers 2ou&d &ose the offices< and the ne2 sett&ers< the Saints<
ein, in the 'a=orit!< 2ou&d ho&d the'# Ho2 'uch =ustification there 2as
for this -fear- 'a! not e deter'ined< since it 2as ased u*on no
acco'*&ished fact< ut re,arded as the natura& outco'e of the o*eration of
the *o&itica& s!ste' otainin, in the United States? na'e&!< the ri,ht of
the 'a=orit! to choose the *u&ic officers? and if the Saints ha**ened to
e in the 'a=orit! it 2as re,arded as &i0e&! that the! 2ou&d e&ect their
friends to office< a'on, 2ho'< at &east< 2ou&d ha$e een so'e 'e'ers of
their o2n faith# Ho2 the 'atter 2ou&d ha$e ter'inated in the e$ent of the
Saints ha$in, een *er'itted to re'ain in .issouri--2hat 2ou&d ha$e een
the *o&itica& a&i,n'ent of the 'e'ers of the Church I 'ean< no one can
sa!# The on&! *o&itica& utterance 'ade ! an! Church &eader 2as that ,i$en
out ! the )ro*het Jose*h soon after his arri$a& in .issouri< and ca&&ed
at the ti'e -The )o&itica& .otto of the Church#- I >uote it(
The Constitution of our countr! for'ed ! the Fathers of
Liert!? *eace and ,ood order in societ!? &o$e to 5od< and ,ood 2i&&
to 'an# A&& ,ood and 2ho&eso'e &a2s? $irtue and truth ao$e a&&
thin,s< and Aristarch! Ia ,o$ern'ent ! ,ood 'enJ &i$e for e$er? ut
2oe to t!rants< 'os< aristocrac!< anarch! and tor!is'< and a&& those
2ho in$ent or see0 out unri,hteous or e$asi$e &a2 suits< under the
*rete/t and co&or of &a2 or office< either re&i,ious or *o&itica&#
E/a&t the standard of De'ocrac!K Do2n 2ith that of *riestcraft< and
&et a&& the *eo*&e sa! A'enK That the &ood of the fathers 'a! not
cr! fro' the ,round a,ainst us# Sacred is the 'e'or! of that &ood
2hich ou,ht for us our &iert!#-
This sure&! is sufficient&! non-*artisan< cos'o*o&itan and *atriotic#
Is it not of the essence of A'ericanis'B And under such senti'ents 2ou&d
not e$er! 'e'er of the Church e a&e to *erfor' his *o&itica& dut! in
either of the ,reat A'erican *arties then e/istin, or after2ards to ariseB
It is not necessar! to *ursue this su=ect further# It is enou,h to
sa! that the *o&itica& fears of the o&d sett&ers of .issouri< thou,h ased
u*on con=ecture as to 2hat cou&d or 'i,ht ha**en< 2ere rea& fears< and
eca'e one of the causes of the .issouri *ersecutions#
The Saints and the Indians#
The interest of the Saints in the A'erican Indians ,ro2s out of the
0no2&ed,e the! ha$e of their forefathers< re$ea&ed throu,h the "oo0 of
.or'on# Fro' the historica& *arts of that oo0 the! &earned the ori,in of
these Indians? that the! are of the house of Israe&( fro' the *ro*hetic
*arts of the oo0 the! &earn of their future< that it is to e ,&orious?
that fa&&en as their fortunes no2 are< the! 2i&& not a&2a!s re'ain so?
e/tinction is not their fate< ut efore 'an! ,enerations sha&& *ass a2a!
the! 2i&& eco'e a 2hite and a de&i,htso'e *eo*&e< fa$ored of 5od< and
*ro'inent in rin,in, to *ass His *ur*oses in the &and of ;ion-- the t2o
A'ericas# It 2as a 'ission to the La'anites or Indians 2hich first rou,ht
se$era& of the E&ders of the Church of Christ to 2estern .issouri# 3hen
the *eo*&e of .issouri &earned in 2hat estee' the Saints he&d the
forefathers of the Indians< and a&so the Indians the'se&$es< oth on
account of their forefathers and the *ro'ises of 5od to the'< it 2as ut
reasona&e that the! shou&d conc&ude there 2as--as indeed there is--a
stron, s!'*ath! on the *art of the Saints to2ards the Indians? and there
2as ,reat reason to e&ie$e that this s!'*ath! 'i,ht eco'e 'utua&#
It 2as in this sustratu' of truth that the fa&se accusations a,ainst
the Saints 2ere founded to the effect that the! 2ere see0in, to enter into
an a&&iance 2ith the Indian tries of the 2est for the *ur*ose of dri$in,
the o&d sett&ers fro' their *ossessions in 2estern .issouri# in order that
the Saints 2ith the Indians 'i,ht *ossess the &and to the e/c&usion of the
-5enti&es#-
To a**reciate the seriousness of this char,e< it shou&d e re'e'ered
that the Indian tries for'er&! residin, east of the .ississi**i< aout
this ti'e--durin, )resident Jac0son+s t2o *residentia& ter's<
78HN-789M--2ere ein, trans*&anted into the countr! i''ediate&! 2est of
.issouri< so that there 2ere ,reat nu'ers of these *eo*&e-- a'ountin, to
'an! thousands--ein, 'assed =ust e!ond the oundaries of the state# .an!
of the tries 2ere in no a'ia&e 'ood either# In so'e instances the ter's
of the treaties ! 2hich the! acce*ted &ands in the Indian territor! 2est
of .issouri< for &ands that constituted their o&d ho'es in the East and
South< 2ere forced u*on the' after--to the'--disastrous 2ars? so that it
'i,ht 2e&& e sus*ected that the! 2ou&d e read! to fo&&o2 an! &eader 2ho
2ou&d ho&d out *ro'ise of re,ainin, their &ost *ossessions< or 2ho 2ou&d
,i$e the' the ho*e of re$en,e u*on their des*oi&ers#
Let these facts e considered and ,i$en their due 2ei,ht< and the
reader 2i&& not find it difficu&t to *ercei$e 2hat a *otent factor a,ainst
the Saints this char,e of ho&din, co''unication 2ith the Indians for the
*ur*ose of dis*ossessin, the *eo*&e of 2estern .issouri of their ho'es
2ou&d e? and< as in the case of the s&a$er! >uestion< their ene'ies 2ere
not s&o2 to see the ad$anta,e< and 'ade the 'ost of it# It 2as not unti&
the a,itation for the re'o$a& of the Saints fro' C&a! count! e,an#
ho2e$er< 789:< that this char,e of o&din, co''unication 2ith the Indians
for the *ur*oses a&read! set forth< 2as *u&ic&! 'ade# Then in the
docu'ent ado*ted at the 'ass 'eetin, settin, forth the se$era& reasons of
the o&d sett&ers for as0in, the Saints to re'o$e fro' C&a! count!# this
*assa,e occurs(
-In addition to a&& this< the! are char,ed< as the! ha$e
hitherto een< 2ith 0ee*in, u* a constant co''unication 2ith our
Indian tries on the frontiers? 2ith dec&arin,< e$en fro' the *u&*it<
that the Indians are a *art of 5od+s chosen *eo*&e< and are destined
! hea$en to inherit this &and< in co''on 2ith the'se&$es# 3e do not
$ouch for the correctness of these state'ents? ut 2hether the! are
true or fa&se< their effect has een the sa'e in e/citin, the
co''unit!# In ti'es of ,reater tran>ui&it!< such ridicu&ous re'ar0s
'i,ht 2e&& e re,arded as the offs*rin, of fren4ied fanaticis'? ut
at this ti'e< our defense&ess situation on the frontier< the &ood!
disasters of our fe&&o2 citi4ens in F&orida and other *arts of the
South< a&& tend to 'a0e a *ortion of our citi4ens re,ard such
senti'ents 2ith horror< if not a&ar'# These and 'an! other causes
ha$e co'ined to raise a *re=udice a,ainst the'< and a fee&in, of
hosti&it!< that the first s*ar0 'a!< and 2e dee*&! fear 2i&&< i,nite
into a&& the horrors and deso&ations of a ci$i& 2ar< the 2orst e$i&
that can efa&& an! countr!#-
5o$ernor Dun0&in< short&! after this< in ans2er to a**ea&s 'ade to
hi' ! the Saints for *rotection< ! the e/ecution of the &a2< on this
char,e of ho&din, co''unication 2ith the Indians< said( -Your nei,hors
accuse !our *eo*&e 2ith ho&din, i&&icit co''unication 2ith the Indians<
and of ein, o**osed to s&a$er!# You den!# 3hether the char,e or the
denia& is true< I cannot te&&# The fact e/ists< and !our nei,hors see' to
e&ie$e it true? and 2hether true or fa&se< the conse>uences 2i&& e the
sa'e Eif !our o**onents are not 'ere&! ,asconnadin,F< un&ess !ou can< !
!our conduct and ar,u'ents< con$ince the' of !our innocence# If !ou cannot
do this< a&& I can sa! to !ou is that in this Re*u&ic the $o/ *o*u&i is
the $o/ Dei#-
Of course this fa&se accusation 2as e'*hatica&&! denied ! the
Saints# In a *u&ic 'eetin, he&d ! the 'e'ers of the Church to dra2 u* a
re*&! to the re>uest of the *eo*&e of C&a! count!< that the Saints re'o$e
fro' that count!< the! said( -3e den! ho&din, an! co''unication 2ith the
Indians< and 'ean to ho&d ourse&$es as read! to defend our countr! a,ainst
their ararous ra$a,es as an! other *eo*&e# 3e e&ie$e that a&& 'en are
ound to sustain and u*ho&d the res*ecti$e ,o$ern'ents in 2hich the!
reside< 2hi&e *rotected in their inherent and ina&iena&e ri,hts ! the
&a2s of such ,o$ern'ents? and that sedition and ree&&ion are uneco'in,
e$er! citi4en thus *rotected< and shou&d e *unished accordin,&!#-
In a co''unication si,ned ! the )ro*het Jose*h and se$era& other
*residin, officers of the Church< and addressed to the &eadin, 'en of C&a!
count!< referrin, to the Indian char,e# this 2as said( -Another char,e of
,reat 'a,nitude is rou,ht a,ainst our friends in the 2est< that of
0ee*in, u* a constant co''unication 2ith the Indian tries on the
frontier? 2ith dec&arin,< e$en fro' the *u&*it< that the Indians are a
*art of 5od+s chosen *eo*&e< and are destined ! hea$en to inherit this
&and< in co''on 2ith the'se&$es# 3e 0no2 of nothin, under the *resent
as*ect of our Indian re&ations ca&cu&ated to arouse the fears of the
*eo*&e of the U**er .issouri 'ore than a co'ination of inf&uences of this
nature? and 2e cannot &oo0 u*on it as ein, other than one of the 'ost
sut&e *ur*oses of those 2hose fee&in,s are e'ittered a,ainst our
friends< to turn the e!e of sus*icion u*on the' fro' e$er! 'an 2ho is
ac>uainted 2ith the ararous crue&t! of rude sa$a,es# Since a ru'or 2as
af&oat that the 2estern Indians 2ere sho2in, si,ns of 2ar< 2e ha$e
recei$ed fre>uent *ri$ate &etters fro' our friends< 2ho ha$e not on&!
e/*ressed fears for their o2n safet!< in case the Indians shou&d rea0
out< ut a decided deter'ination to e a'on, the first to re*e& an!
in$asion and defend the frontier fro' a&& hosti&ities# 3e 'ention the &ast
fact ecause it 2as 2ho&&! unca&&ed for on our *art< and ca'e *re$ious to
an! e/cite'ent on the *art of the *eo*&e of C&a! count! a,ainst our
friends< and 'ust definite&! sho2 that this char,e is untrue#-
"ut a&& these denia&s 2ent for nothin,# As re'ar0ed ! 5o$ernor
Dun0&in< 2hether the denia& or the char,e 2as true< *eo*&e at a distance<
at &east< 'i,ht not te&&? >uite ,enera&&!< ho2e$er< the char,e 2as
e&ie$ed< and he&*ed to s2e&& the $o&u'e of *re=udice--a&read! too
,reat--a,ainst the Saints# Indeed< so *otent a factor 2as this char,e of
ho&din, i&&icit co''unication 2ith the Indians< in arousin, *re=udice
a,ainst the Saints< that it 2as used a,ainst the' 2ith ,reat effect after
their sett&e'ent in Utah# It 2as one of the char,es 'ade a,ainst the' at
the ti'e the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent of the United States 2as induced ! their
ene'ies to send out an ar'! to su**ress a ree&&ion in Utah that had no
e/istence e/ce*t in the hate-fren4ied 'inds of the detractors of the
Saints#
-It is char,ed<- said Ste*hen A# Dou,&as in a s*eech at S*rin,fie&d<
I&&inois< on the 7Hth of June< 78GM---it is char,ed C C C C that the
.or'on ,o$ern'ent< 2ith "ri,ha' Youn, at its head< is no2 for'in,
a&&iances 2ith Indian tries in Utah and ad=oinin, territories<
sti'u&atin, the Indians to acts of hosti&it!< and or,ani4in, ands of his
o2n fo&&o2ers< under the na'e of Danites or destro!in, an,e&s< to
*rosecute a s!ste' of roer! and 'urders u*on A'erican citi4ens 2ho
su**ort the authorit! of the United States< and denounce the infa'ous and
dis,ustin, *ractices and institutions of the .or'on ,o$ern'ent#-
The ar'! ca'e on&! to find the fore,oin, 2ith other char,es that had
induced the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent to send it to Utah< untrue# "ut this is
di,ression#
.or'on co''unication 2ith the A'erican Indians for the *ur*ose of
des*oi&in, the 5enti&es and ta0in, *ossession of their &ands can ne$er e
set do2n as one of the causes of the .issouri *ersecution? for such
co''unication ne$er too0 *&ace-- the char,e of it 2as untrue# It 2as<
ho2e$er< one of a nu'er of *rete/ts< and eca'e a factor in creatin,
*u&ic *re=udice< 2hich a&one 'ade *ossi&e the e/*u&sion of the Saints
fro' .issouri#
The Un2isdo' of the Saints#
I co'e no2 to one of the 'ost de&icate sudi$isions of this
Introduction? na'e&!< the un2isdo' of the Saints# To a**reciate this as a
factor in the .issouri *ersecutions one needs to ta0e into account not
on&! hu'an nature< ut a&so hu'an nature under the stress of re&i,ious
i'*u&se and inf&uence# First< ho2e$er< as to the facts in$o&$ed#
To the Saints of those ti'es had een ,i$en a dis*ensation of the
5os*e&--a ne2 re$e&ation of it# The! had een &essed 2ith the s*irit of
faith to recei$e it# To the' it 2as 'ade 0no2n that 5od had a,ain s*o0en
fro' hea$en? He had a,ain conferred di$ine authorit! u*on 'en to act in
His na'e--'an! of the rethren< the 'a=orit! of the 'a&e 'e'ershi* of the
Church in fact< he&d that di$ine authorit!< the *riesthood of 5od? the
ter's of 'an+s sa&$ation 2ere restated? the s*iritua& *o2ers and ,ifts of
the 5os*e& 2ere ,uaranteed ane2 and *&enteous&! en=o!ed ! the Saints# To
the' 2as 'ade 0no2n the truth of a ne2 $o&u'e of scri*ture< the "oo0 of
.or'on# The 0no2&ed,e i'*arted ! that oo0 2as in itse&f< and es*ecia&&!
to the'< 2onderfu&# Fro' it the! &earned that the ancient inhaitants of
the A'erican continents< the ruins of 2hose ci$i&i4ation cha&&en,ed the
curiosit! of 'en and e/cited their 2onder< 2ere of the house of Israe&?
the A'erican Indians 2ere their fa&&en descendants and< of course< a&so of
the house of Israe& and heirs to the ,enera& *ro'ises 'ade to that *eo*&e<
to sa! nothin, of s*ecia& *ro'ises 'ade to the' as direct descendants of
the house of the *atriarch Jose*h< son of Jaco# .essiah in his
resurrected and ,&orified state had $isited A'erica and its inhaitants
short&! after His resurrection at Jerusa&e'< and esta&ished the Christian
institution<-- a Christian 'inistr!< and a Christian Church< fo&&o2ed ! a
$erita&e ,o&den a,e of *eace< *ros*erit!< and ri,hteousness? and a&thou,h
the descendants of that ancient 5od-fa$ored *eo*&e 2ere no2 fa&&en fro'
the hi,h estate of their fathers< !et 2ere the *ro'ises and *ro*hecies
,reat concernin, the'# 5od 2ou&d a,ain $isit the' ! His ,race< the!
shou&d e redee'ed fro' their i,norance and araris'< and the! shou&d !et
e i'*ortant factors in esta&ishin, a -Ne2 Jerusa&e'<- the ;ion of 5od on
this &and of A'erica< ,i$en to the descendants of the ancient *atriarch
Jose*h< 2hose descendants *rinci*a&&! the Indians are# The Saints had een
e$en so far fa$ored as to ha$e the *&ace for the chief cit! of refu,e and
safet! *ointed out to the' ! re$e&ation? as a&so the site of its
te'*&e--Inde*endence< .issouri? and the! 2ere re>uired ! the co''and'ents
of 5od to ear 2itness to the 2or&d of these thin,s# In $ie2 of a&& this--
the fact that the! 2ere 'ade at once the de*ositor! and 2itnesses of these
,reat re$e&ations< is it not &i0e&! that the! 2ou&d re,ard the'se&$es as a
*eo*&e *ecu&iar&! fa$ored of 5odB And is it 'atter of astonish'ent if so'e
a'on, the'< not *ossessed of the soundest =ud,'ent< shou&d run into an
e/cess of 4ea& and ,i$e e/*ression to un2ise< as a&so to un2arranted
conc&usionsB
.oreo$er< the Lord had s*o0en of the future ,&or! of ;ion--of the
cit!< the &ocation of 2hich the E&ders 2ere to testif!? a&so of the ,&or!
of the te'*&e< 2ith its future c&oud ! da! and *i&&ar of fire ! ni,ht?
of the future union of this Ne2-3or&d ;ion 2ith the Ancient ;ion of Enoch<
2here the Lord 2i&& 'a0e His aode< -and for the s*ace of a thousand !ears
sha&& the earth rest?- a&so of his co$enant 2ith the' concernin, ;ion<
oth as *ertainin, to ti'e and eternit!< 2herein He said( -I ha$e 'ade the
earth rich? and eho&d it is '! footstoo&< 2herefore< a,ain I 2i&& stand
u*on it? and I ho&d forth< and dei,n to ,i$e unto !ou ,reater riches< e$en
a &and of *ro'ise< a &and f&o2in, 2ith 'i&0 and hone!< u*on 2hich there
sha&& e no curse 2hen the Lord co'eth( and I 2i&& ,i$e it unto !ou for
the &and of !our inheritance< if !ou see0 it 2ith a&& !our hearts# And
this sha&& e '! co$enant 2ith !ou< !ou sha&& ha$e it for the &and of !our
inheritance< and for the inheritance of !our chi&dren fore$er< 2hi&e the
earth sha&& stand< and !ou sha&& *ossess it a,ain in eternit!< no 'ore to
*ass a2a!#-
The Lord said a,ain concernin, ;ion( -3herefore I< the Lord< ha$e
said< ,ather !e out fro' the eastern &ands< asse'&e !ourse&$es to,ether
!e e&ders of '! Church? ,o !e forth into the 2estern countries< ca&& u*on
the inhaitants to re*ent< and inas'uch as the! do re*ent< ui&d u*
churches unto 'e? and 2ith one heart and 2ith one 'ind< ,ather u* !our
riches that !e 'a! *urchase an inheritance 2hich sha&& hereafter e
a**ointed unto !ou< and it sha&& e ca&&ed the Ne2 Jerusa&e'< a &and of
*eace< a cit! of refu,e<a *&ace of safet! for the Saints of the .ost Hi,h
5od? and the ,&or! of the Lord sha&& e there< inso'uch that the 2ic0ed
2i&& not co'e unto it< and it sha&& e ca&&ed ;ion# And it sha&& co'e to
*ass< a'on, the 2ic0ed< that e$er! 'an that 2i&& not ta0e his s2ord
a,ainst his nei,hor< 'ust needs f&ee unto ;ion for safet!# And there
sha&& e ,athered unto it out of e$er! nation under hea$en? and it sha&&
e the on&! *eo*&e that sha&& not e at 2ar one 2ith another# And it sha&&
e said a'on, the 2ic0ed< Let us not ,o u* to att&e a,ainst ;ion< for the
inhaitants of ;ion are terri&e? 2herefore 2e cannot stand#-
These *ro'ises to the Saints res*ectin, ;ion? these descri*tions
,i$en to the' of her future sanctified and ,&orified state? their
connection 2ith a 2or0 so e/a&ted and far-reachin,< 2as a*t to fire their
'inds 2ith a 4ea& not a&2a!s te'*ered 2ith 2isdo'# It 2as in $ain that
&i'itations of ti'e and conditions 2ere *&aced u*on these ,enera&
descri*tions of the future ,reatness and ,&or! of the cit! of 5od? nor
cou&d the! understand that their o2n re&ationshi* to these ,reat thin,s
2as 'ere&! to &a! the foundation of the'< to &ocate the site of the future
cit! and te'*&e< and then ear 2itness of it to the 2or&d# Yet that their
2or0 in connection 2ith the foundin, of ;ion 2as chief&! this< is c&ear&!
to e seen in the re$e&ations of 5od to the'#
The i''ediate and triu'*hant esta&ish'ent of ;ion< thou,h e/*ected
! 'an! of the Saints< 2as no2here conte'*&ated in the re$e&ations of 5od
to the Church# That ho*e of i''ediate esta&ish'ent and ,&orification of
;ion 2as the resu&t of fau&t! deductions fro' the re$e&ations of 5od? ut
the Lord 2as not &ind res*ectin, the e$ents aout to ta0e *&ace on the
&and of ;ion< nor did He ho&d out an! fa&se ho*e to His *eo*&e had the!
ut read His re$e&ations ari,ht# A fe2 da!s efore the first conference
he&d ! the E&ders on the &and of ;ion< the Lord said to the' throu,h His
)ro*het(
-Hear0en< O !e e&ders of '! Church< and ,i$e ear to '! 2ord< and
&earn of 'e 2hat I 2i&& concernin, !ou< and a&so concernin, this &and unto
2hich I ha$e sent !ou( For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &essed is he that
0ee*eth '! co''and'ents< 2hether in &ife or in death? and he that is
faithfu& in triu&ation< the re2ard of the sa'e is ,reater in the 0in,do'
of hea$en# Ye cannot eho&d 2ith !our natura& e!es< for the *resent ti'e<
the desi,n of !our 5od concernin, those thin,s 2hich sha&& co'e hereafter<
and the ,&or! 2hich sha&& fo&&o2 after 'uch triu&ation# For after 'uch
triu&ation co'es the &essin,s# 3herefore the da! co'eth that !e sha&& e
cro2ned 2ith 'uch ,&or!? the hour is not !et< ut is ni,h at hand#
Re'e'er this< 2hich I te&& !ou efore< that !ou 'a! &a! it to heart< and
recei$e that 2hich sha&& fo&&o2# "eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< for this
cause I ha$e sent !ou that !ou 'i,ht e oedient< and that !our hearts
'i,ht e *re*ared to ear testi'on! of the thin,s 2hich are to co'e? and
a&so that !ou 'i,ht e honored of &a!in, the foundation< and of earin,
record of the &and u*on 2hich the ;ion of 5od sha&& stand? C C C C and
that the testi'on! 'i,ht ,o forth fro' ;ion< !ea< fro' the 'outh of the
cit! of the herita,e of 5od# C C C C And no2< $eri&!< I sa!<
concernin, the residue of the e&ders of '! Church< the ti'e has not !et
co'e< for 'an! !ears< for the' to recei$e their inheritance in this &and<
e/ce*t the! desire it throu,h the *ra!er of faith< on&! as it sha&& e
a**ointed unto the' of the Lord# For< eho&d< the! sha&& *ush the *eo*&e
to,ether fro' the ends of the earth#-
These state'ents< 2hen ri,ht&! considered< dis*e& a&& notion of the
i''ediate esta&ish'ent of ;ion# The Lord distinct&! 2arns His ser$ants
a,ainst an! such su**osition# He *redicts-triu&ation-efore the ,&or!
sha&& co'e# It is on&! after -'uch triu&ation- that the &essin,s are
*ro'ised# He re'inds the' that He has -to&d the' efore- of this< and as0s
the' -to &a! it to heart<- and ,i$es the' to understand that it 2i&& e
-'an! !ears- efore so'e of the E&ders of His Church 2i&& recei$e their
inheritance in the ,ood&! &and#
The Lord sti&& further foreshado2ed the trou&e 2hich after2ards
o$ertoo0 His *eo*&e ! ur,in, the' to 'a0e arran,e'ents for the *urchase
of the 2ho&e re,ion that had een desi,nated as the center *&ace of ;ion#
-For< eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the Lord 2i&&eth that the disci*&es<
and the chi&dren of 'en shou&d o*en their hearts< e$en to *urchase this
2ho&e re,ion of countr!< as soon as ti'e 2i&& *er'it# "eho&d< here is
2isdo'# Let the' do this &est the! recei$e none inheritance< sa$e it e !
the sheddin, of &ood#-
In this sa'e 'onth of Au,ust the Lord a,ain said( -"eho&d< the &and
of ;ion< I< the Lord< ho&d it in 'ine o2n hands? ne$erthe&ess< I< the
Lord< render unto Caesar the thin,s 2hich are Caesar+s( 2herefore< I< the
Lord< 2i&& that !ou shou&d *urchase the &ands that !ou 'a! ha$e ad$anta,e
of the 2or&d< that !ou 'a! ha$e c&ai' on the 2or&d< that the! 'a! not e
stirred u* unto an,er? for Satan *utteth it into their hearts to an,er
a,ainst !ou< and to the sheddin, of &ood? 2herefore the &and of ;ion
sha&& not e otained ut ! *urchase or ! &ood< other2ise there is none
inheritance for !ou# And if ! *urchase eho&d !ou are &essed? and if !
&ood< as !ou are foridden to shed &ood< &o< !our ene'ies are u*on !ou<
and !e sha&& e scour,ed fro' cit! to cit!< and fro' s!na,o,ue to
s!na,o,ue< and ut fe2 sha&& stand to recei$e an inheritance#-
Aout a 'onth after this 2ord< the Lord said( -"eho&d the Lord
re>uireth the heart and a 2i&&in, 'ind? and the 2i&&in, and oedient sha&&
eat the ,ood of the &and of ;ion in these &ast da!s? and the ree&&ious
sha&& e cut off out of the &and of ;ion< and sha&& e sent a2a!< and
sha&& not inherit the &and? for< $eri&!< I sa! that the ree&&ious are not
of the &ood of E*hrai'< 2herefore the! sha&& e *&uc0ed out#-
A&& this 'a0es it $er! c&ear that 2hi&e ,reat thin,s 2ere *ro'ised
concernin, the esta&ish'ent of ;ion and the ,&or! that is to e hers< !et
a&& 2as *redicated u*on the faithfu&ness of the Saints in 0ee*in, the
co''and'ents of the Lord--in *urchasin, the &ands that constituted the
center *&ace of ;ion< and &i$in, u*on the' in a&& ri,hteousness#
This the! fai&ed to do# In A re$e&ation ,i$en in No$e'er< 7897< a
fe2 'onths after the &and had een dedicated unto the Lord for the
,atherin, of His *eo*&e< He thus co'*&ained of those 2ho had asse'&ed in
2estern .issouri(
-And the inhaitants of ;ion sha&& a&so oser$e the Saath da!
to 0ee* it ho&!# And the inhaitants of ;ion a&so sha&& re'e'er
their &aors< inas'uch as the! are a**ointed to &aor< in a&&
faithfu&ness? for the id&er sha&& e had in re'e'rance efore the
Lord# No2< I< the Lord< a' not 2e&& *&eased 2ith the inhaitants of
;ion< for there are id&ers a'on, the'? and their chi&dren are a&so
,ro2in, u* in 2ic0edness? the! a&so see0 not earnest&! the riches of
eternit!< ut their e!es are fu&& of ,reediness# These thin,s ou,ht
not to e< and 'ust e done a2a! fro' a'on, the'( 2herefore &et '!
ser$ant< O&i$er Co2der! carr! these sa!in,s unto the &and of ;ion#
And a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto the'< that he that oser$eth not his
*ra!ers efore the Lord in the season thereof< &et hi' e had in
re'e'rance efore the =ud,e of '! *eo*&e# These sa!in,s are true and
faithfu&? 2herefore trans,ress the' not< neither ta0e therefro'#-
In addition to these e$i&s there 2ere =ea&ousies and ic0erin,s a'on,
so'e of the rethren in ;ion< and a&so et2een so'e of the E&ders in
;ion< and &eadin, E&ders in 1irt&and# In the s*rin, of 789H the
)ro*het $isited the Saints in Jac0son count!< and there 2ere
reconci&iations a'on, the rethren< and for,i$eness of sins otained fro'
the Lord? ut short&! after the )ro*het+s de*arture for 1irt&and these
i&& fee&in,s ro0e out a,ain 2ith rene2ed itterness? care&essness as to
0ee*in, the co''and'ents of 5od characteri4ed the conduct of the Saints in
;ion< and there arose so'e confusion a&so in the ,o$ern'ent of the Church
there< o2in, to conf&ictin, c&ai's of authorit! et2een tra$e&in, E&ders
and the standin, 'inistr! in the ranches of the Church# This &ed to the
fo&&o2in, re*roof fro' the Lord in a re$e&ation ,i$en on the HHnd and H9rd
of Se*te'er< 789H(
And !our 'inds in ti'es *ast ha$e een dar0ened ecause of une&ief<
and ecause !ou ha$e treated &i,ht&! the thin,s !ou ha$e recei$ed< 2hich
$anit! and une&ief hath rou,ht the 2ho&e Church under conde'nation# And
this conde'nation resteth u*on the chi&dren of ;ion< e$en a&&( and the!
sha&& re'ain under this conde'nation unti& the! re*ent and re'e'er the
ne2 co$enant< e$en the "oo0 of .or'on< and the for'er co''and'ents 2hich I
ha$e ,i$en the'< not on&! to sa!< ut to do accordin, to that 2hich I
ha$e 2ritten< that the! 'a! rin, forth fruit 'eet for their Father+s
0in,do'< other2ise there re'aineth a scour,e and a =ud,e'ent to e *oured
out u*on the chi&dren of ;ion( for sha&& the chi&dren of the 0in,do'
*o&&ute '! ho&! &andB %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< Na!#-
3hen this re$e&ation< ,i$en ear&! in Januar!< 7899< 2as sent to the
E&ders in ;ion< it 2as acco'*anied a&so ! a &etter fro' the )ro*het<
shar*&! re*ro$in, the rethren and Saints in ;ion< in 2hich the fo&&o2in,
*assa,e occurs(
-Let 'e sa! unto !ou< see0 to *urif! !ourse&$es< and a&so the
inhaitants of ;ion< &est the Lord+s an,er e 0ind&ed to fierceness#
Re*ent< re*ent< it is the $oice of 5od to ;ion? and stran,e as it 'a!
a**ear< !et it is true< 'an0ind 2i&& *ersist in se&f-=ustification
unti& a&& their ini>uit! is e/*osed< and their character *ast ein,
redee'ed< and that 2hich is treasured u* in their hearts e e/*osed
to the ,a4e of 'an0ind# I sa! to !ou Eand 2hat I sa! to !ou< I sa! to
a&&F< hear the 2arnin, $oice of 5od< &est ;ion fa&&< and the Lord
s2ear in His 2rath< +The inhaitants of ;ion sha&& not enter into '!
rest#+-
H!ru' S'ith and Orson H!de 2ere a**ointed ! a Counci& of the Hi,h
)riests in 1irt&and at this ti'e< to 2rite a &etter of re*roof and 2arnin,
to the rethren in ;ion# In this co''unication the conduct of the Saints
in ;ion 2as re$ie2ed in ,reat *&ainness# The 2ho&e s*irit of the
co''unication 'a! e =ud,ed ! the fo&&o2in, *ara,ra*h(
-3e fee& 'ore &i0e 2ee*in, o$er ;ion than re=oicin, o$er her<
for 2e 0no2 that the =ud,'ents of 5od han, o$er her< and 2i&& fa&&
u*on her e/ce*t she re*ent< and *urif! herse&f efore the Lord< and
*ut a2a! fro' her e$er! fou& s*irit# 3e no2 sa! to ;ion< this once<
in the na'e of the Lord< Re*entK re*entK a2a0eK a2a0eK *ut on th!
eautifu& ,ar'ents< efore !ou are 'ade to fee& the chastenin, rod of
Hi' 2hose an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst !ou# Let not Satan te'*t !ou to
thin0 2e 2ant to 'a0e !ou o2 to us< to do'ineer o$er !ou< for 5od
0no2s this is not the case? our e!es are 2atered 2ith tears< and our
hearts are *oured out to 5od in *ra!er for !ou< that He 2i&& s*are
!ou< and turn a2a! His an,er fro' !ou# C C C Therefore< 2ith the
fee&in,s of ine/*ressi&e an/iet! for !our 2e&fare< 2e sa! a,ain<
Re*ent< re*ent< or ;ion 'ust suffer< for the scour,e and =ud,'ent
'ust co'e u*on her#-
A&& this re*roof and 2arnin,< ho2e$er< on&! *roduced a *artia&
re*entance< and in Ju&! fo&&o2in, acts of $io&ence e,an to e *er*etrated
u*on the Saints ! the o&d sett&ers of .issouri< and in the 'onth of
No$e'er< under circu'stances of ,reat crue&t!< a&& the Saints 2ere dri$en
fro' Jac0son count!< and &ater 'ore than t2o hundred of their ho'es<
to,ether 2ith their *u&ic i'*ro$e'ents< 2ere destro!ed#
3hen the Lord re$ea&ed to the )ro*het Jose*h 2h! this aff&iction had
efa&&en the *eo*&e< He said( -%eri&! I sa! unto !ou concernin, !our
rethren 2ho ha$e een aff&icted< and *ersecuted< and cast out fro' the
&and of their inheritance< I< the Lord< ha$e suffered the aff&iction to
co'e u*on the' 2here2ith the! ha$e een aff&icted< in conse>uence of their
trans,ressions? !et I 2i&& o2n the'< and the! sha&& e 'ine in that da!
2hen I sha&& co'e to 'a0e u* '! =e2e&s# Therefore< the! 'ust needs e
chastened and tried< e$en as Araha'< 2ho 2as co''anded to offer u* his
on&! son? for a&& those 2ho 2i&& not endure chastenin,< ut den! 'e<
cannot e sanctified# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< there 2ere =arrin,s< and
contentions< and en$!in,s< and strifes and &ustfu& and co$etous desires
a'on, the'? therefore< ! these thin,s the! *o&&uted their inheritances#
The! 2ere s&o2 to hear0en unto the $oice of the Lord their 5od< therefore
the Lord their 5od is s&o2 to hear0en unto their *ra!ers< to ans2er the'
in the da! of their trou&e# In the da! of their *eace the! estee'ed
&i,ht&! '! counse&? ut in the da! of their trou&e< of necessit! the!
fee& after 'e# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< not2ithstandin, their sins '! o2e&s
are fi&&ed 2ith co'*assion to2ards the'? I 2i&& not utter&! cast the' off?
and in the da! of 2rath I 2i&& re'e'er 'erc!#
Fro' this it is $er! c&ear that the reason 2h! the Saints 2ere
*re$ai&ed a,ainst ! their ene'ies and dri$en fro' the center *&ace of
;ion< 2as ecause of their fai&ure to &i$e u* to the hi,h re>uire'ents
'ade of the' ! the Lord# In suse>uent efforts to redee' ;ion< !
atte'*tin, to return the e/i&es to Jac0son count!< the Saints in a&& *arts
of the &and a,ain fai&ed to res*ond 2ith sufficient *ro'*tness and
fu&&ness to the re>uire'ents of the Lord< for He co''anded the' a,ain to
consecrate 'one! to *urchase &ands in Jac0son count! and in the counties
round aout< sa!in, to the Church( -There is e$en no2 a&read! in store a
sufficient< !ea e$en aundance< to redee' ;ion< and esta&ish her 2aste
*&aces< no 'ore to e thro2n do2n< 2ere the churches 2ho ca&& the'se&$es
after '! na'e 2i&&in, to hear0en to '! $oice#-
The Lord a&so co''anded the' to ,ather u* their forces and to ,o in
sufficient stren,th to *ossess the &and< and 'aintain their inheritance
a,ainst their ene'ies# This< ho2e$er< the! fai&ed to do# Instead of
raisin, fi$e hundred 'en< as the! 2ere co''anded to do< the! started fro'
1irt&and in -;ion+s Ca'*- 2ith a co'*an! of on&! aout one hundred and
thirt! 'en <and t2ent! a,,a,e 2a,ons# This nu'er 2as increased !
additions en route to one hundred and ei,ht!-t2o 'en< ut e$en this nu'er
fe&& far short of the stren,th re>uired to acco'*&ish the *ur*ose for
2hich the ca'* 2as or,ani4ed# In the 'atter of raisin, 'one! for the
*urchase of &ands the fai&ure 2as 'ore cons*icuous than in raisin, 'en to
ta0e *ossession of the'< and hence this effort to redee' ;ion fai&ed#
Here &et 'e *ause in *ointin, out the un2isdo' of the Saints< to 'a0e
an e/*&anation< &est there shou&d e a 'isunderstandin, of 2hat is thus
far set do2n res*ectin, their trans,ressions< ! reason of 2hich the! 2ere
*re$ai&ed a,ainst ! their ene'ies# These trans,ressions< e it
understood< 2ere no $io&ations of the &a2s of the &and< nor did the!
consist in an! acts of a,,ression or of tres*ass u*on their .issouri
nei,hors# The o&d sett&ers of .issouri the'se&$es are our 2itnesses here?
for in a&& their *rocedure in this Jac0son count! *ersecution there is no
accusation 'ade a,ainst the Saints of $io&ations of the &a2# On the
contrar!< in their *u&ic utterances a,ainst the Saints and in
=ustification of their o2n course< the o&d sett&ers dec&are--after
e/*ressin, their deter'ination to rid their societ! of the Saints<
*eacefu&&! if the! cou&d< ut forci&! if the! 'ust---that the ar' of the
ci$i& &a2 does not afford us a ,uarantee< or at &east a sufficient one<
a,ainst the e$i&s 2hich are no2 inf&icted u*on us< and see' to e
increasin, ! the said re&i,ious sect#- A 'ore e'*hatic ac0no2&ed,e'ent
that the a&&e,ed offenses of the Saints 2ere not co,ni4a&e ! the &a2s<
that the Saints had not $io&ated the &a2s of the &and< cou&d not e 'ade#
In their second 'anifesto the 'o said( -The e$i& is one that no one
cou&d ha$e foreseen< and is therefore un*ro$ided for ! the &a2s? and the
de&a!s incident to &e,is&ation 2ou&d *ut the 'ischief e!ond re'ed!#-
Another ad'ission that a'ounts to a dec&aration< that the Saints< 2hate$er
the nature of the co'*&aints 'ade a,ainst the' 2ere< had not $io&ated an!
of the &a2s of the state< that their offendin, 2as not co,ni4a&e ! the
&a2s of the &and#
The trans,ressions and sinfu&ness referred to in the re$e&ations and
&etters of re*roof and 2arnin, >uoted< and for 2hich trans,ressions the
Saints 2ere &eft in the hands of their ene'ies< 2ere sins a,ainst each
other and the Lord--une&ief in the 2ord of 5od< hardness of heart to2ards
each other< re=ection of the ser$ants of 5od< fau&t-findin,< ic0erin,s<
=ea&ousies< co$etousness< *ride< id&eness< oastfu&ness< &e$it! of thou,ht
and conduct< disre,ard of the scri*tures< es*ecia&&! of the "oo0 of
.or'on< ne,&ectin, to instruct their chi&dren in sacred thin,s and to
rin, the' u* in the fear and ad'onition of the Lord? a&& of 2hich 2ere
dis*&easin, to the Lord< contrar! to His co''and'ents< and a $io&ation of
the conditions u*on 2hich He had *ro'ised to redee' ;ion and *reser$e His
*eo*&e fro' their ene'ies# -Ye ca&& u*on '! na'e for re$e&ations?- said
the Lord to the E&ders in ;ion< -and I ,i$e the' unto !ou? and inas'uch as
!e 0ee* not '! sa!in,s< 2hich I ,i$e unto !ou< !e eco'e trans,ressors<
and =ustice and =ud,'ent are the *ena&t! 2hich is affi/ed to '! &a2# C C
C I< the Lord< a' ound 2hen !e do 2hat I sa!? ut 2hen !e do not 2hat I
sa!< !e ha$e no *ro'ise#-
This< then< 2as the nature of their offenses? the! sinned a,ainst the
Lord in the *articu&ars na'ed? the! sinned a,ainst each other in the
'anner descried? the! did not tres*ass a,ainst their non-.or'on
nei,hors< nor rea0 the &a2s of the &and? ut the! fai&ed to &i$e in
accordance 2ith the hi,h 'ora& and s*iritua& &a2 of the 5os*e&? the!
fai&ed to 'eet the conditions on 2hich 5od 2as *&ed,ed to their
'aintenance u*on the &and of ;ion< and hence 2ere &eft in the hands of
their ene'ies#
At the co''ence'ent of this sudi$ision of the Introduction I ca&&ed
attention to the ,reat thin,s 2hich 5od had re$ea&ed to the Saints< the
,reatness of the dis*ensation co''itted unto the'< acco'*anied ! the
*ro'ise to esta&ish ;ion and ,i$e unto the Saints the &and thereof as an
e$er&astin, inheritance# It 2ou&d e 'ar$e&ous indeed< and *ast a&& hu'an
e/*erience< if these ,reat thin,s did not turn the heads of so'e of the
2ea0-'inded< and 'a0e the' $ain-,&orious and oastfu&# I dout not for a
'o'ent that 'an! $ain and foo&ish thin,s 2ere said ! such characters in
the *resence of< and *erha*s direct&! to< the o&d sett&ers of Jac0son
count!< aout the Saints ta0in, *ossession of the &and< and the 2ic0ed
ein, dri$en a2a!# There 2as dout&ess enou,h of this 0ind of ta&0 to ,i$e
co&or to 2hat the .issourians char,ed on this $i4#< -The! Ithe SaintsJ
dec&are o*en&! that their 5od hath ,i$en the' this count! of &and< and
that sooner or &ater the! 'ust and 2i&& ta0e *ossession of our &ands for
an inheritance#-
The .issourians 'ade 'uch of< and attached a sinister 'eanin, to the
fo&&o2in, e/*ression in one of the re$e&ations to the Saints( -The &and of
;ion sha&& not e otained ut ! *urchase or ! &ood< other2ise there is
none inheritance for !ou#- This the .issourians *retended to re,ard as a
threat to ta0e *ossession of their &and ! ar'ed con>uest# Had the! read
the conte/t of the *assa,e the! 2ou&d ha$e 0no2n ho2 entire&! ,round&ess
2ere their fears< if indeed the! had an! fears< for I a' con$inced that
a&& their e/*ressed a**rehensions on this head 2ere 'ere *retense# The
*assa,e and its conte/t are( -3herefore the &and of ;ion sha&& not e
otained ut ! *urchase or ! &ood< other2ise there is none inheritance
for !ou# And if ! *urchase< eho&d !ou are &essed? and if ! &ood< as
!ou are foridden to shed &ood< &o< !our ene'ies are u*on !ou< and !e
sha&& e scour,ed fro' cit! to cit!< and fro' s!na,o,ue to s!na,o,ue and
ut fe2 sha&& stand to recei$e an inheritance#-
C&ear&! this is a 2arnin, to the Saints< not a threat to the
.issourians# If the Saints otained the &and ! *urchase the! 2ere
&essed# If ! &ood--since the Saints 2ere foridden to shed &ood< &o
their ene'ies 2ou&d e u*on the' and the! 2ou&d e dri$en fro' cit! to
cit! --not the .issourians< ut the Saints# In conse>uence of the
a,itation of this 'atter ! the foo&ish< the fo&&o2in, *assa,e occurred in
The E$enin, and .ornin, Star for Ju&!< 7899< addressed to the churches
scattered aroad( -To su**ose that 2e can co'e u* here and ta0e *ossession
of this &and ! the sheddin, of &ood< 2ou&d e settin, at nou,ht the &a2
of the ,&orious 5os*e&< and a&so the 2ord of our ,reat Redee'er# And to
su**ose that 2e can ta0e *ossession of this countr! 2ithout 'a0in, re,u&ar
*urchases of the sa'e accordin, to the &a2s of our nation< 2ou&d e
re*roachin, this ,reat Re*u&ic< in 2hich the 'ost of us 2ere orn< and
under 2hose aus*ices 2e a&& ha$e *rotection#-
Of this the .issourians said that 2hether the! 2ere to e
dis*ossessed of their &ands -! the hand of the destro!in, an,e&< the
=ud,'ents of 5od< or the ar' of *o2er< the! Ithe SaintsJ are not fu&&!
a,reed a'on, the'se&$es# So'e recent re'ar0s in the E$enin, and .ornin,
Star< their or,an in this *&ace< ! their tendenc! to 'oderate such ho*es<
and re*ress such desires< sho2 *&ain&! that 'an! of this de&uded and
infatuated *eo*&e ha$e een tau,ht to e&ie$e that our &ands 2ere to e
2on fro' us ! the s2ordK-
Thus the $er! efforts of the Church to correct the 'isconce*tions and
si&ence the utterances of the o$er-4ea&ous and foo&ish 'e'ers< 2ere 'ade
to contriute as *roof that the Saints conte'*&ated the $er! ar'ed
con>uest of the &and 2hich the! disc&ai'ed# Histor!< ho2e$er< 2i&& do the
Saints =ustice< and it 2i&& sa!< and no2 sa!s< that neither their ,enera&
*rinci*&es< nor the s*ecia& co''and'ents under 2hich the! 'o$ed into the
&and of ;ion< nor an! act of theirs 2arranted the &east sus*icion that
the! at an! ti'e conte'*&ated ta0in, *ossession of the &and ! force< or
in an! other 'anner 2hatsoe$er e/ce*t ! *urchase and *ossession under the
&a2s of the state of .issouri and the United States# And 2hi&e histor!
2i&& do the' this =ustice it 2i&& at the sa'e ti'e sa! that the -fears- of
the .issourians on this head 2ere si'u&ated? that to the foo&ish oasts of
a fe2 i,norant *ersons the! attached an undue i'*ortance ecause it
ha**ened to ,i$e a co&orin, to their *retended fears in the e!es of those
at a distance 2ho had no o**ortunit! to &earn the truth< and tended to
*re=udice the *u&ic 'ind a,ainst the Saints< and thus ser$ed the *ur*ose
of their ene'ies#
In &i0e 'anner there 'a! ha$e een so'e ta&0 a'on, the sa'e c&ass of
*eo*&e--the i,norant and o$er-4ea&ous Church 'e'ers--res*ectin, the
Indians< and their future union 2ith the Saints in redee'in, the &and of
;ion? a circu'stance 2hich &ed the ,ood *eo*&e of C&a! count! and 5o$ernor
Dun0&in< to refer to the char,e of the Saints ho&din, i&&icit
co''unication 2ith the Indians< desi,nin, to e'*&o! the' in ta0in,
*ossession of the &and of ;ion# Of this char,e a&so histor! 2i&& and does
$indicate the Saints# It 2i&&< and does sa!< that the! disc&ai'ed ho&din,
an! such co''unication? that neither their ,enera& *rinci*&es nor an!
s*ecia& co''and'ent fro' 5od< and *articu&ar&! that no action of theirs
2arranted an! sus*icion on the su=ect< 'uch &ess =ustified the char,e of
such a diao&ica& *ur*ose#
After the Saints 2ithdre2 fro' C&a! count! and at the su,,estion of
her citi4ens--inc&udin, so'e of the 'ost inf&uentia& 'en in 2estern
.issouri< so'e of 2ho' after2ards attained nationa& re*utations--&ocated
in the s*arse&! sett&ed counties of Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess< the situation
eca'e so'e2hat chan,ed# For t2o !ears the 2or0 of *urchasin, &ands<
&ocatin, sett&e'ents< o*enin, far's< esta&ishin, 'ercanti&e houses< and
*re*arin, for 'anufacturin, and co''ercia& enter*rises 2ent steadi&! on#
In Ca&d2e&& and ad=oinin, counties< ! the autu'n of 7898< the Saints had
o*ened t2o thousand far's< and *aid to the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent three
hundred and ei,hteen thousand do&&ars for &and< 2hich at the 'ini'u' *rice
for ,o$ern'ent &and 2ou&d ,i$e the' o$er t2o hundred and fift! thousand
acres# One hundred and fift! houses had een erected in Far 3est? there
2ere four dr! ,oods stores< three fa'i&! ,roceries< ha&f a do4en
&ac0s'ith+s sho*s< and t2o hote&s# The e/ca$ation for a te'*&e 7HD ! 8D
feet had een 'ade< and a &ar,e co''odious schoo&house had een erected on
the *u&ic s>uare# The to2n of Ada'-Ondi-Ah'an 2as a&so 'a0in, ra*id
*ro,ress#
"! this ti'e the )ro*het Jose*h and other &eadin, 'en of the Church
had &eft 1irt&and and &ocated 2ith the Saints in .issouri< and e$er!thin,
&oo0ed *ro*itious for the *er'anent esta&ish'ent of the Saints in the
orders of ;ion# The Saints had no2 een dri$en odi&! fro' Jac0son
count!? and their ho'es< store houses and *rintin, esta&ish'ent had een
destro!ed# The courts of .issouri had *ro$en *o2er&ess to restore to the'
their ho'es< their &ands and other *ro*ert!# The e/ecuti$e of the state
confessed hi'se&f *o2er&ess to return the' to their *ossessions in Jac0son
count!< and 'aintain the' there a,ainst the 2ishes of the *eo*&e of that
count!# Indeed< 5o$ernor Dun0&in had 2ea0&! ,i$en u* the $indication of
the outra,ed &a2s of the state< as 2e ha$e seen< sa!in, that 2hether the
char,es of their ene'ies or the denia&s ! the Saints 2ere true he cou&d
not te&&? their nei,hors see'ed to e&ie$e the' true< and 2hether true or
fa&se the conse>uences 2ou&d e the sa'e< un&ess the Saints ! their
conduct and ar,u'ent cou&d con$ince the .issourians of their innocence#
-If !ou cannot do this<- said the ,o$ernor< -a&& I can sa! to !ou is that
in this Re*u&ic the $o/ *o*u&i is the $o/ DeiK- The Saints at so'e
considera&e sacrifice had 2ithdra2n fro' C&a! count! at the re>uest of
her citi4ens< in the interests of *eace< and had sett&ed in the ne2
counties of Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess< 2here sett&ers 2ere fe2 and the countr!
&ess desira&e than in Jac0son and C&a! counties# In doin, these thin,s
the! had re*eated&! sacrificed their ri,hts as citi4ens< oth of .issouri
and of the United States# S'itten on the one chee0--s*ea0in,
fi,urati$e&!-- the! had turned the other? sued at the &a2 for their coat<
the! had ,i$en their c&oa0 a&so? co'*e&&ed to ,o one 'i&e 2ith their
ene'!< the! had ,one 2ith hi' t2ain# After doin, a&& this for the sa0e of
*eace and the friendshi* of the .issourians< 2hen the Saints sa2 for'in,
a,ain those e&e'ents 2hich threatened their *eace? 2hen o&d ene'ies
a**eared u*on the ne2 scene of the Saints+ acti$ities< and o*en&!
threatened their *eace and oasted that the! 2ou&d a,ain *ros*er !
des*oi&in, the' of their ne2 *ossessions? 2hen the! sa2 the red ri,ht hand
of a re&ent&ess *ersecution ar'in, a,ain to *&a,ue the'< it is s'a&&
2onder if ri,hteous an,er f&ushed their chee0< 'ade ri,ht their e!es 2ith
indi,nation and &ed the' instincti$e&! to for' the reso&ution that the!
2ou&d su'it no 'ore to such acts of des*o&iation< in=ustice and outra,e#
It 2as this sense of outra,ed =ustice and hu'anit! 2hich &ed to the
de&i$erance of a $er! noted -Oration- ! Sidne! Ri,don at Far 3est< on the
Fourth of Ju&!< 7898< in the course of 2hich there 2as e/*ressed a stron,
deter'ination to no 'ore su'it >uiet&! to 'o $io&ence< and acts of
*i&&a,e# At this distance of ti'e fro' that occasion< and a&ancin,
a,ainst the heated utterances of the s*ea0er the suse>uent uses 'ade of
the' to incite the *u&ic 'ind to that series of acts 2hich cu&'inated in
the e/*u&sion of the Saints fro' the state< 2e sa! those utterances 2ere
unti'e&!< e/tre'e< and un2ise# So indeed the! 2ere# The s*ea0er see's to
ha$e thro2n discretion to the 2inds< and in the fer$or of his rhetoric
'ade threats of reta&iation on eha&f of the Saints< if assai&ed< that
2ent e!ond a&& ounds of reason and hu'anit!< and *ro$ed a $er! da'a,in,
as a&so a $er! *otent factor a,ainst the Saints in the suse>uent
'o$e'ents of their ene'ies a,ainst the'#
"ut 2hi&e this oratorica& outurst a,ainst in=ustice 2as un2ise< it
2as a $er! natura& thin,# The 'ar$e& is not that it ca'e at the ti'e it
did< ut that it did not co'e ear&ier< 'ore $ehe'ent&!< and that so'e of
the thin,s it threatened 2ere not effecti$e&! carried out# 3hat the
)ro*het thou,ht< and ho2 he fe&t res*ectin, the re*eated acts of in=ustice
hea*ed u*on hi'se&f and the Saints in .issouri? ho2 he fe&t and 2hat he
*ro*osed for the future is 'ade c&ear in his =ourna& entr! for Se*te'er
7st< 7898? and< fortunate&!< is 'ore te'*erate&! e/*ressed than in the
oration of Ju&! the fourth# He said(
-There is ,reat e/cite'ent at *resent a'on, the .issourians< 2ho
are see0in, if *ossi&e an occasion a,ainst us# The! are continua&&!
chafin, us< and *ro$o0in, us to an,er if *ossi&e< one si,n of
threatenin, after another< ut 2e do not fear the'< for the Lord 5od<
the Eterna& Father is our 5od< and Jesus the .ediator is our Sa$ior<
and in the ,reat I A' is our stren,th and confidence#
-3e ha$e een dri$en ti'e after ti'e< and that 2ithout cause?
and s'itten a,ain and a,ain< and that 2ithout *ro$ocation? unti& 2e
ha$e *ro$ed the 2or&d 2ith 0indness< and the 2or&d has *ro$ed us<
that 2e ha$e no desi,ns a,ainst an! 'an or set of 'en< that 2e in=ure
no 'an< that 2e are *eacea&e 2ith a&& 'en< 'indin, our o2n usiness<
and our usiness on&!# 3e ha$e suffered our ri,hts and our &ierties
to e ta0en fro' us? 2e ha$e not a$en,ed ourse&$es of those 2ron,s?
2e ha$e a**ea&ed to 'a,istrates< to sheriffs< to =ud,es< to
,o$ern'ent and to the )resident of the United States< a&& in $ain?
!et 2e ha$e !ie&ded *eacea&! to a&& these thin,s# 3e ha$e not
co'*&ained at the ,reat 5od< 2e 'ur'ured not< ut *eacea&! &eft a&&<
and retired into the ac0 countr!< in the road and 2i&d *rairies< in
the arren and deso&ate *&ains< and there co''enced ane2? 2e 'ade the
deso&ate *&aces to ud and &osso' as the rose? and no2 the
fiend-&i0e race is dis*osed to ,i$e us no rest# Their father the
de$i&< is hour&! ca&&in, u*on the' to e u* and doin,< and the!< &i0e
2i&&in, and oedient chi&dren< need not the second ad'onition? ut in
the na'e of Jesus Christ< the Son of the &i$in, 5od< 2e 2i&& endure
it no &on,er< if the ,reat 5od 2i&& ar' us 2ith coura,e< 2ith
stren,th and 2ith *o2er< to resist the' in their *ersecutions# 3e
2i&& not act on the offensi$e< ut a&2a!s on the defensi$e? our
ri,hts and our &ierties sha&& not e ta0en fro' us< and 2e *eacea&!
su'it to it as 2e ha$e done heretofore< ut 2e 2i&& a$en,e ourse&$es
of our ene'ies< inas'uch as the! 2i&& not &et us a&one#-
No one can 'ar$e& at the conc&usion here arri$ed at if he 2i&& ut
*a! attention to and ,i$e due 2ei,ht to the enu'erated 2ron,s 2hich
*recede it# It 2ou&d e as0in, the Saints to e 'ore than hu'an if 2e sa!
the! ou,ht not to ha$e indu&,ed< 'uch &ess to ha$e e/*ressed< such
fee&in,s of resent'ent#
.eanti'e< ho2e$er< 2e 'a! not c&ose our e!es to the fact that there
2as un2isdo' 'anifested on the *art of a fe2 of the Saints< 2hich ,a$e
ad$anta,e to their ene'ies< ! affordin, *rete/ts for so'e of their
accusations# That un2isdo'< as 2e ha$e seen< consisted of oastin, as to
2hat the Lord 2ou&d do in the i''ediate future in ,i$in, the' *ossession
of 2estern .issouri as an inheritance? *erha*s so'e un2ise a&&usions to
the su**osed *art the La'anites 2ou&d ta0e in the esta&ish'ent and
rede'*tion of ;ion? and the $ehe'ent threats of reta&iation in the e$ent
of their ein, further assai&ed# These un2ise utterances< ho2e$er< 2ere
'ade< for the 'ost *art< ! the o$er4ea&ous and i,norant# .en 2ho had no
,ras* of the rea& ,enius of the ,reat 2or0 2hose foundations 2ere then
ein, &aid? 'en 2ho< in co''on 2ith 'en of &i0e nature in a&& a,es and in
a&& ,reat 'o$e'ents< ha$e een trou&e-reeders? 2ho< in their
conte'*&ation of u&ti'ate resu&ts to e achie$ed< o$er&ea*ed the
inter$enin, s*ace throu,h 2hich the 'o$e'ent 'ust *ass< the difficu&ties
it 'ust encounter and o$erco'e< the e/*eriences its adherents 'ust ,ain<
the ,reat and $aried &aors the! 'ust *erfor'# The! see' not to understand
that ,reat 'o$e'ents re>uire ti'e for the achie$e'ent of their ends? that
ti'e 2ith 5od is one thin,< 2ith 'an >uite another thin,? that the thin,
2hich is -ni,h at hand- 2ith the Lord 'a! e to 'en afar off? and
o$er&oo0in, these i'*ortant facts &eads such 'en into 'an! errors of
thou,ht and action# It 2as 2ho&&! re*rehensi&e< un2arranted< and
co2ard&!< ho2e$er< on the *art of the .issourians to ta0e ad$anta,e of the
un2ise utterances of such characters and char,e their senti'ents and fo&&!
to the 2ho&e od! re&i,ious< that ne$er entertained such senti'ents nor
conte'*&ated the actions such senti'ents su,,est# And this is to e said
e$en of those 2ho 2ere un2ise enou,h to ,i$e the ad$anta,e here noted to
the ene'ies of the Saints< the! at no ti'e or *&ace 2ere e$er ,ui&t! of
atte'*tin, in an! 'anner to carr! into effect ! an! action of their o2n
the un2ise and un2arranted o*inions the! entertained and e/*ressed# Their
oastin,s and $ain s*ecu&ations 2ere in re&ation to 2hat the Lord 2as
,oin, to do< not 2hat the! the'se&$es *ur*osed doin,# These utterances
2ere 'ere&! the effer$escence of o$er2rou,ht 'inds< of o$er4ea&ous<
foo&ish< ut 2e&& 'eanin, and har'&ess *eo*&e# Unha**i&!< ho2e$er< 2hat
the! said ,a$e the ene'! an ad$anta,e that he 2as not s&o2 to a$ai&
hi'se&f of< and the un2isdo' of so'e of the Saints is a factor that 'ust
e rec0oned 2ith in dea&in, 2ith the causes of the *ersecutions of the
Saints in .issouri#
The Rea& Cause of the .issouri )ersecutions#
Ha$in, considered those facts and circu'stances 2hich 'a! e re,arded
as the 'inor causes and *rete/ts of the .issouri *ersecutions< &et us no2
co'e to the heart of the 'atter< to the rea& cause of the *ersecution of
the Saints#
It 2as a,ainst the Saints as a re&i,ious sect that the .issourians
first co'*&ained# It 2as -in conse>uence of a *retended re&i,ious sect of
*eo*&e- that had sett&ed< and 2as sti&& sett&in, in their countr!<-st!&in,
the'se&$es .or'ons<-that &ed the .issourians of Jac0son count! to *retend
to e&ie$e that an i'*ortant crisis re,ardin, their ci$i& societ! 2as at
hand# -It is 'ore than t2o !ears<- the! said< -since the first of these
fanatics< or 0na$es Efor one or other the! undouted&! areF< 'ade their
first a**earance a'on,st us< and *retended as the! did< and do no2< to
ho&d *ersona& co''unication and con$erse face to face 2ith the .ost Hi,h?
to recei$e co''unications and re$e&ations direct fro' hea$en? to hea& the
sic0 ! &a!in, on hands? and< in short< to *erfor' a&& the 2onder-2or0in,
'irac&es 2rou,ht ! the ins*ired a*ost&es and *ro*hets of o&d# 3e e&ie$ed
the' de&uded fanatics< or 2ea0 and desi,nin, 0na$es< and that the! and
their *retensions 2ou&d soon *ass a2a!? ut in this 2e 2ere decei$ed# C C
C The! o*en&! &as*he'e the .ost Hi,h 5od< and cast conte'*t on His ho&!
re&i,ion< ! *retendin, to recei$e re$e&ations direct fro' hea$en< !
*retendin, to s*ea0 un0no2n ton,ues ! direct ins*iration< and ! di$ers
*retenses dero,ator! to 5od and re&i,ion< and to the utter su$ersion of
hu'an reason#-
The fore,oin, is >uoted fro' the first -.anifesto<- or -Secret
Constitution- of the 'o# So'e2hat &ater< in a second 'anifesto issued to
the *u&ic in =ustification of their conte'*&ated acts of $io&ence a,ainst
the Saints< the! sa!( -3hat 2ou&d e the fate of our &i$es and *ro*ert!<
in the hands of =urors and 2itnesses< 2ho do not &ush to dec&are< and
2ou&d not u*on occasion hesitate to s2ear< that the! ha$e 2rou,ht
'irac&es< and ha$e een the su=ects of 'iracu&ous and su*ernatura& cures<
ha$e con$ersed 2ith 5od and His an,e&s< and *ossess and e/ercise the ,ifts
of di$ination and of un0no2n ton,ues< and fired 2ith the *ros*ect of
otainin, inheritances 2ithout 'one! and 2ithout *rice--'a! e etter
i'a,ined than descried# C C C Of their *retended re$e&ations fro'
hea$en--their *ersona& intercourse 2ith 5od and His an,e&s--the 'a&adies
the! *retend to hea& ! the &a!in, on of hands--and the conte'*ti&e
,ierish 2ith 2hich the! haitua&&! *rofane the Saath< and 2hich the!
di,nif! 2ith the a**e&&ation of un0no2n ton,ues< 2e ha$e nothin, to sa!(
$en,eance e&on,s to 5od a&one#-
Yet it 2as ecause the Saints entertained these re&i,ious e&iefs
that the 'o of Jac0son count! issuin, this -'anifesto<- *roceeded to ta0e
-$en,eance- into their o2n hands< and 2rea0 it u*on the Saints# A&& their
other accusations a,ainst the'<--na'e&!< id&eness< i,norance< in$itin,
-free ne,roes- into the state< incitin, the s&a$es to insuordination to
their 'asters< c&ai'in, Jac0son count! as their inheritance to e otained
! force if not &oodshed< and *o$ert!--a&& these char,es< e/ce*t< *erha*s
the &ast Efor so'e of the Saints 2ere $er! *oor< thou,h I ha$e !et to
&earn that that is a cri'eF< 2ere aso&ute&! untrue# The Saints< ho2e$er<
did c&ai' the e/istence of s*iritua& *o2er in their re&i,ion? that the
channe& of co''unication et2een 5od and 'en ! 'eans of re$e&ation< the
$isitation of an,e&s< and the ins*iration of the Ho&! 5host< had een
o*ened ane2? that ,ifts of the 5os*e&--ton,ues< inter*retations< $isions<
ins*ired drea's< hea&in,s--that a&& the s*iritua& *o2ers and ,races of the
5os*e&< in fact< 2ere 'anifested in the re&i,ion the! had acce*ted# "!
this re&i,ion< a&so< the! 2ere ad'onished to ri,hteousness of &ife? to the
strict oser$ance of the Saath? to res*ect for the na'e of Deit!? to
te'*erance? to industr!? to true s*ea0in, and true actin,? to *atience--in
a 2ord< to ,od&iness? a&& of 2hich ut to &i$e 2as to *&ace the'se&$es in
'ar0ed contrast to those aout the'< and their ri,hteous &i$es 2ere a
,reat reu0e to the ,enera& disso&ute conduct of the .issourians# It 2as
this effort at a ,od&! 2a&0 and con$ersation< and the re&i,ion 2hich
co''anded it< that 2as offensi$e in the e!es of the .issourians< and 2hich
&ed the' to for' their stron, deter'ination to e rid of a *eo*&e and a
re&i,ion 2hich 'ade their o2n &i$es a re*roach#
That this 2as re,arded as the chief< if not the so&e cause of their
*ersecution< a**ears in the suse>uent discussion of the Jac0son count!
difficu&ties< oth *ro et con# A&& other >uestions< a&& the 'inor causes
and *rete/ts 2ere &ost si,ht of in that discussion# 5o$ernor Dun0&in< in a
co''unication to Co&one& J# Thornton< in ans2er to a &etter 2ritten !
that ,ent&e'an *ro*osin, a co'*ro'ise et2een the Saints and their ene'ies
in Jac0son count!< reco,ni4es 2hat he ca&&s -the eccentricit! of the
re&i,ious o*inions of the .or'ons- as ein, the cause of their
*ersecution# -I a' fu&&! *ersuaded<- he re'ar0s< -that the eccentricit! of
the re&i,ious o*inions and *ractices of the .or'ons is at the otto' of
the outra,es co''itted a,ainst the'#-
In this i'*ortant co''unication he no 2here considers an!thin, e&se
as the cause of their *ersecution< ut ar,ues at &en,th in fa$or of their
ri,ht to the entertain'ent of their re&i,ious $ie2s< eccentric ho2soe$er
the! 'i,ht e< so &on, as the! did not interfere 2ith the ri,hts of
others# -The! ha$e the ri,ht constitutiona&&! ,uaranteed to the'<- he
re'ar0s< -and it is indefeasi&e< to 2orshi* Joe S'ith as a 'an< an an,e&<
or e$en as the on&! true and &i$in, 5od< and to ca&& their haitation
;ion< the Ho&! Land< or e$en hea$en itse&f# Indeed< there is nothin, so
asurd or ridicu&ous that the! ha$e not a ri,ht to ado*t as their
re&i,ion< so that in its e/ercise the! do not interfere 2ith the ri,hts of
others#-
The *eo*&e of C&a! count! 2hen the! ca&&ed u*on the Saints to
*eacea&! re'o$e fro' their orders and see0 a &oca&it! 2here the! cou&d
for' a co''unit! that shou&d e &ar,e&!< if not e/c&usi$e&!< 'ade u* of
their o2n Church 'e'ershi*< indicated $er! c&ear&! that it 2as the
re&i,ion of the Saints that 2as the chief cause of co'*&aint a,ainst the'#
In a docu'ent the! *u&ished settin, forth the reasons 2h! the! su,,ested
such re'o$a&< the! said? -The re&i,ious tenets of this *eo*&e are so
different fro' the *resent churches of the a,e< that the! a&2a!s ha$e< and
a&2a!s 2i&&< e/cite dee* *re=udices a,ainst the' in an! *o*u&ous countr!
2here the! 'a! &ocate# 3e< therefore< in a s*irit of fran0 and friend&!
0indness< do ad$ise the' to see0 a ho'e 2here the! 'a! otain &ar,e and
se*arate odies of &and< and ha$e a co''unit! of their o2n#-
A,ain< after the surrender at Far 3est< 2hen the Church &eaders had
een etra!ed into onda,e? after the Saints had de&i$ered u* their ar's?
after the! had si,ned o$er their *ro*erties to defra! the e/*enses of the
-2ar?- and 2hen the 2ho&e od! of the Church 2as 'a0in, hast! *re*arations
to de*art fro' the state< a nu'er of the rethren 2ere asse'&ed on the
te'*&e s>uare at Far 3est< and in the course of a &on, s*eech< 2hich he
read to the'< 5enera& John "# C&ar0 said(
-I a' sorr!< ,ent&e'en< to see so ,reat a nu'er of a**arent&!
inte&&i,ent 'en found in the situation !ou are? and ohK that I cou&d
in$o0e that 5reat S*irit< the Un0no2n 5od< to rest u*on !ou< and 'a0e
!ou sufficient&! inte&&i,ent to rea0 that chain of su*erstition< and
&ierate !ou fro' those fetters of fanaticis' 2ith 2hich !ou are
ound--that !ou no &on,er 2orshi* a 'anK I 2ou&d ad$ise !ou to
scatter aroad< and ne$er a,ain or,ani4e !ourse&$es 2ith "isho*s<
)residents< etc#< &est !ou e/cite the =ea&ousies of the *eo*&e< and
su=ect !ourse&$es to the sa'e ca&a'ities that ha$e no2 co'e u*on
!ou#-
This to a *eo*&e 2hose &eaders had een etra!ed into the hands of
their ene'ies? 2ho the'se&$es had een disar'ed< thou,h actin, on&! in
defense of their ho'es and fa'i&ies? 2ho had een co'*e&&ed at the 'u44&e
of the 'us0et to si,n a2a! their *ro*ert! to defra! the e/*enses of the
'i&itia 'os that had rou,ht their ca&a'ities u*on the'? 2ho 2ere then
under an order of e/*u&sion fro' the state and 'a0in, hurried *re*arations
for their enforced de*arture--this to 'en 2ho had sacrificed or had een
roed of the 'ost sacred ri,hts of A'erican citi4enshi*K And he 2ho thus
addressed the rethren i'*udent&! to&d the' in the $er! s*eech fro' 2hich
I >uote< that he a**ro$ed of a&& that had een done to the'K "ut the
fore,oin, >uotation is not 'ade in order to *oint out the 'oc0er! of the
s*eech? or the 'i/ture of h!*ocris! and &as*he'! in it? or the utter
conte'*tii&it! of hi' 2ho de&i$ered it# I >uote the *assa,e 'ere&! to
*oint out the fact that it 2as hatred of their a&&e,ed -su*erstition- and
-fanaticis'<- in other 2ords the re&i,ion of the Saints that 2as the cause
of their *ersecution# The cri'es a,ainst 2hich the Saints are 2arned for
the future--under *ena&t! of ha$in, their *resent trou&es re$isited u*on
the'--is ,atherin, to,ether in &ar,e odies< and or,ani4in, the'se&$es
2ith "isho*s< )residents< etc# In other 2ords it 2as the re&i,ion of the
*eo*&e and the or,ani4ation 2hich 2as oth the de*ositor! of its
doctrines< and the instru'enta&it! ! 2hich the! 2ere *ro'u&,ated--the
Church-- 2hich 2as the o=ect of the .issourians+ ani'osit!< the thin,
the! 2ere deter'ined to destro!#
Later< 2hen the )ro*het Jose*h and other &eadin, rethren 2ere under
e/a'ination efore Jud,e Austin A# 1in, at Rich'ond< Ra! count!< s*ecia&
in>uir! 2as 'ade as to the e&ief of the 2itnesses in the dec&aration of
the )ro*het Danie&( -And in the da!s of these 0in,s sha&& the 5od of
hea$en set u* a 0in,do'< 2hich sha&& ne$er e destro!ed( and the 0in,do'
sha&& not e &eft to other *eo*&e< ut it sha&& rea0 in *ieces and
consu'e a&& these 0in,do's< and it sha&& stand for e$er#-
The =ud,e on ein, ans2ered that the Saints e&ie$ed the *ro*hec!<
turned to the c&er0 and to&d hi' to 2rite the ans2er do2n as it 2as -a
stron, *oint for treasonK- I ca&& it another e$idence that it 2as the
re&i,ious e&iefs of the Saints that constituted their offense# True the
)ro*het and se$era& other rethren 2ere technica&&! he&d for tria& on the
char,e of -treason< 'urder< arson< ur,&ar!< roer!< &arcen! and
*er=ur!<- ut no one in .issouri e$er serious&! e&ie$ed the char,es since
the! 2ere 2ho&&! untrue or ,re2 out of those acts of se&f defense< and
defense of their fa'i&ies a,ainst the a,,ressions of 'o $io&ence-- a
course 2hich a&& 'en ha$e a ri,ht to ta0e in the *rotection of their o2n
&i$es and the *reser$ation of their ho'es fro' the hand of the des*oi&er#
The 'eetin, of discordant e&e'ents of societ!--Ne2 En,&and *eo*&e and
*eo*&e fro' the Southern States< descendants of )uritans and descendants
of Ca$a&iers--'a! ha$e een a cause of dis&i0e< and< on the *art of the
.issourians< a cause of irritation a,ainst the Saints? the sus*ected
e/istence of anti-s&a$er! senti'ents a'on, the Saints 'a! ha$e een to the
.issourians a cause of distrust? the interest of the Saints in the Indians
and the e&iefs of the for'er in the future rehai&itation of the &atter
as a *eo*&e fa$ored of 5od< 'a! ha$e een< under a&& the circu'stances< a
cause of uneasiness to the .issourians? and the desire to *&under the
Saints and to *rofit ! dis*ossessin, the' of their &ands and ho'es 'i,ht
ha$e een< and dout&ess 2as< an incenti$e to 'an! of the 'o 2ho
*artici*ated in the e$ents 2hich cu&'inated in the e/*u&sion of the Saints
fro' the state? ut< at otto'< I re*eat< it 2as the destruction of the
re&i,ion of the Saints< and of the or,ani4ation that tau,ht its doctrines<
and contro&&ed its 'e'ershi* in ecc&esiastica& affairs< that 2ere the
o=ecti$es of a&& that a,itation< $io&ence and in=ustice< 2hich 'a0e u*
the *ersecution of the Latter-da! Saints in .issouri# "ut ho2 sha&& the
truth of this e esta&ished e!ond reasona&e doutB Listen(--
The author of the -Dec&ine and Fa&& of the Ro'an E'*ire- ,i$es the
fo&&o2in, *en-*icture of conditions 2ith reference to re&i,ious to&eration
2hich otained in the e'*ire under the rei,n of the Antonines< Adrian and
.arcus Aure&ius< second centur!< A# D# -The fir' edifice of Ro'an *o2er
2as raised and *reser$ed ! the 2isdo' of a,es# The oedient *ro$inces of
Tra=an and the Antonines 2ere united ! &a2s< and adorned ! arts# The!
'i,ht occasiona&&! suffer fro' the *artia& ause of de&e,ated authorit!?
ut the ,enera& *rinci*&e of ,o$ern'ent 2as 2ise< si'*&e< and eneficent#
The! en=o!ed the re&i,ion of their ancestors< 2hi&st in ci$i& honors and
ad$anta,es the! 2ere e/a&ted< ! =ust de,rees< to an e>ua&it! 2ith their
con>uerors# The *o&ic! of the e'*erors and the senate< as far as it
concerned re&i,ion< 2as ha**i&! seconded ! the ref&ections of the
en&i,htened< and the haits of the su*erstitious< *art of their su=ects#
The $arious 'odes of 2orshi*< 2hich *re$ai&ed in the Ro'an 2or&d< 2ere a&&
considered ! the *eo*&e as e>ua&&! true? ! the *hi&oso*her< as e>ua&&!
fa&se? and ! the 'a,istrate< as e>ua&&! usefu&# And thus to&eration
*roduced not on&! 'utua& indu&,ence< ut e$en re&i,ious concord# The
su*erstition of the *eo*&e 2as not e'ittered ! an! 'i/ture of
theo&o,ica& rancor? nor 2as it confined ! the chains of an! s*ecu&ati$e
s!ste'# The de$out *o&!theist< thou,h fond&! attached to his nationa&
rites< ad'itted 2ith i'*&icit faith the different re&i,ions of the earth#
Fear< ,ratitude< and curiosit!< a drea' or an o'en< a sin,u&ar disorder<
or a distant =ourne!< *er*etua&&! dis*osed hi' to 'u&ti*&! the artic&es of
his e&ief< and to en&ar,e the &ist of his *rotectors# The thin te/ture of
the )a,an '!tho&o,! 2as inter2o$en 2ith $arious ut not discordant
'ateria&s# As soon as it 2as a&&o2ed that sa,es and heroes< 2ho had &i$ed
or 2ho had died for the enefit of their countr!< 2ere e/a&ted to a state
of *o2er and i''orta&it!< it 2as uni$ersa&&! confessed that the! deser$ed<
if not the adoration< at &east the re$erence< of a&& 'an0ind# The deities
of a thousand ,ro$es and a thousand strea's *ossessed in *eace their &oca&
and res*ecti$e inf&uence( nor cou&d the Ro'an 2ho de*recated the 2rath of
the Tier< deride the E,!*tian 2ho *resented his offerin, to the
eneficent ,enius of the Ni&e# The $isi&e *o2ers of nature< the *&anets<
and the e&e'ents< 2ere the sa'e throu,hout the uni$erse# The in$isi&e
,o$ernors of the 'ora& 2or&d 2ere ine$ita&! cast in a si'i&ar 'ou&d of
fiction and a&&e,or!# E$er! $irtue< and e$en $ice< ac>uired its di$ine
re*resentati$e? e$er! art and *rofession its *atron< 2hose attriutes< in
the 'ost distant a,es and countries< 2ere unifor'&! deri$ed fro' the
character of their *ecu&iar $otaries# A re*u&ic of ,ods of such o**osite
te'*ers and interests re>uired< in e$er! s!ste'< the 'oderatin, hand of a
su*re'e 'a,istrate< 2ho< ! the *ro,ress of 0no2&ed,e and f&atter!< 2as
,radua&&! in$ested 2ith the su&i'e *erfections of an eterna& *arent< and
an o'ni*otent 'onarch# Such 2as the 'i&d s*irit of anti>uit!< that the
nations 2ere &ess attenti$e to the difference< than to the rese'&ance< of
their re&i,ious 2orshi*# The 5ree0< the Ro'an< and the "ararian< as the!
'et efore their res*ecti$e a&tars< easi&! *ersuaded the'se&$es< that
under $arious na'es< and 2ith $arious cere'onies< the! adored the sa'e
deities# C C C C Ro'e< the ca*ita& of a ,reat 'onarch!< 2as
incessant&! fi&&ed 2ith su=ects and stran,ers fro' e$er! *art of the
2or&d< 2ho a&& introduced and en=o!ed the fa$orite su*erstitions of their
nati$e countr!# E$er! cit! in the e'*ire 2as =ustified in 'aintainin, the
*urit! of its ancient cere'onies? and the Ro'an senate< usin, the co''on
*ri$i&e,e< so'eti'es inter*osed to chec0 this inundation of forei,n rites#
The E,!*tian su*erstition< of a&& the 'ost conte'*ti&e and a=ect< 2as
fre>uent&! *rohiited? the te'*&es of Sera*is and Isis de'o&ished< and
their 2orshi*ers anished fro' Ro'e and Ita&!# "ut the 4ea& of fanaticis'
*re$ai&ed o$er the co&d and fee&e efforts of *o&ic!# The e/i&es returned<
the *rose&!tes 'u&ti*&ied< the te'*&es 2ere restored 2ith increasin,
s*&endor< and Isis and Sera*is at &en,th assu'ed their *&ace a'on, the
Ro'an deities# C C C C Ro'e ,radua&&! eca'e the co''on te'*&e of her
su=ects? and the freedo' of the cit! 2as esto2ed on a&& the ,ods of
'an0ind#-
So'e Christian editors of 5ion+s ,reat 2or0< in their annotations#
ho&d that the author of the -Dec&ine and Fa&&- ,i$es in the fore,oin, a
too fa$ora&e $ie2 of *a,an-re&i,ious to&eration? ut after ,i$in, due
2ei,ht to the instances of into&erance the! cite in e$idence of their
contention< and $ie2in, the' in connection 2ith the e/tent of the e'*ire
and the *eriod of ti'e co$ered ! 5ion+s descri*tion< I do not re,ard
the' as of sufficient i'*ortance to 2arrant an! chan,e in the
re*resentation 'ade ! our author of conditions as to re&i,ious to&eration
in the Ro'an e'*ire at the ti'e of 2hich he 2rites# Es*ecia&&!< since
5ion hi'se&f in a foot note ad'its that -so'e oscure traces of an
into&erant s*irit a**ears in the conduct of the E,!*tians<- the case
chief&! re&ied u*on ! his critics to dis*ro$e his descri*tion of
uni$ersa& re&i,ious to&eration in the e'*ire? and in the sa'e note he
refers to the Christians and the Je2s as for'in, an i'*ortant e/ce*tion?
so i'*ortant an e/ce*tion indeed that he *ro'ises< and suse>uent&! ,i$es<
a distinct cha*ter to the discussion of the su=ect#
It is to Christianit! as the chief e/ce*tion to the Ro'an *o&ic! of
uni$ersa& re&i,ious to&eration that I 2ish no2 to direct attention# Let it
e orne in 'ind that the s*irit of uni$ersa& re&i,ious to&eration 2ithin
the Ro'an e'*ire c&ai'ed for the second centur! of our era< &ar,e&!
otained a&so in the first centur!# It 2as in this rei,n of uni$ersa&
re&i,ious to&eration that the Christian re&i,ion 2as rou,ht forth and
de$e&o*ed# Christ 2as orn in the ei,hteenth !ear of the rei,n of Tierius
Caesar< in the Ro'an *ro$ince of )a&estine< in 2hich< a&so< His *ersona&
&aors as re&i,ious teacher and refor'er 2ere chief&! confined# In the
$i&&a,es of 5a&i&ee< and suse>uent&! in Sa'aria and Judea and in the
ancient cit! of Jerusa&e'< He 2ent aout doin, ,ood? s*ea0in, 2ords of
encoura,e'ent to the o**ressed and the *oor? hea&in, the sic0? o*enin, the
e!es of the &ind? c&eansin, the &e*ers? teachin,< as no one e$er tau,ht
efore< the fatherhood of 5od< the rotherhood of 'en< and *roc&ai'in,
Hi'se&f the Son of 5od and the Redee'er of the 2or&d# He ,athered aout
Hi' a fe2 de$out fo&&o2ers< and fro' their nu'er e esta&ished a
*riesthood and or,ani4ed a Church to *er*etuate the ,ent&e doctrines He
Hi'se&f tau,ht# Stran,e&! enou,h< not2ithstandin, the eaut! and *urit! of
His 'ora& *rece*ts< and the ,ent&eness of His o2n de*ort'ent< *roc&a'ation
of His doctrines e$er!2here incited hosti&it!# The *eo*&e of the $i&&a,e
in 2hich He 2as reared re=ected Hi'#
His o2n *eo*&e< the Je2s< 2ere so hosti&e that the! at &ast c&a'ored
for His e/ecution? and so dee* 2as their hatred that the! 2ere 2i&&in,
that res*onsii&it! for the sheddin, of His &ood shou&d e u*on their
heads and u*on the heads of their chi&dren after the'< if on&! the Ro'an
authorities 2ou&d sanction His e/ecutionK He 2as fina&&! crucified a'id
the re=oicin,s of His ene'ies#
After His resurrection He a**eared a'on, His disci*&es and
co''issioned the' to e$an,e&i4e the 2or&d# As the! 2ent aout this 2or0
the! encountered the sa'e s*irit of o**osition that had 'et their .aster#
3hi**in,s< i'*rison'ent< and 'art!rdo' confronted the' on e$er! hand< and
2hen the! e/tended their &aors e!ond the orders of )a&estine<
not2ithstandin, the ,enera& re&i,ious to&erance that otained in the Ro'an
e'*ire< the Christians 2ere e$er!2here s*o0en a,ainst< and their 'inisters
e$er!2here o**osed and *ersecuted#
)assin, ! the *ersecutions inf&icted u*on the Christians ! the Je2s
--the 2hi**in, of )eter and John< under the order of the Je2ish Sanhedrin<
the 'art!rdo' of Ste*hen< the e/ecution of Saint Ja'es< the re*eated
'oin, and 2hi**in,s of )au&--I ca&& attention to the first ,reat *a,an
*ersecution under the crue& edict of the E'*eror Nero< in the second ha&f
of the first Christian centur!# The e'*eror ha$in, seton fire the cit! of
Ro'e in order that he 'i,ht $ie2 a ,reat conf&a,ration< and 2ishin, to
di$ert sus*icion fro' hi'se&f< he first accused and then tried to co'*e&
the Christians to confess the cri'e# At this *oint I su''on Tacitus< the
reno2ned Ro'an anna&ist< to te&& the re'ainder of the stor!(
-3ith this $ie2 he inf&icted the 'ost e/>uisite tortures on those 'en
2ho< under the $u&,ar a**e&&ation of Christians< 2ere a&read! randed 2ith
deser$ed infa'!# The! deri$ed their na'e and ori,in fro' Christ< 2ho< in
the rei,n of Tierius< had suffered death ! the sentence of the
*rocurator )ontius )i&ate# For a2hi&e this dire su*erstition 2as chec0ed<
ut it a,ain urst forth< and not on&! s*read itse&f o$er Judea< the first
seat of this 'ischie$ous sect< ut 2as e$en introduced into Ro'e< the
co''on as!&u'< 2hich recei$es and *rotects 2hate$er is i'*ure< 2hate$er is
atrocious# The confessions of those that 2ere sei4ed disco$ered a ,reat
'u&titude of their acco'*&ices< and the! 2ere a&& con$icted not so 'uch
for the cri'e of settin, fire to the cit!< as for their hatred of hu'an
0ind# The! died in tor'ents< and their tor'ents 2ere e'ittered ! insu&ts
and derision# So'e 2ere nai&ed on crosses? others se2n u* in the s0ins of
2i&d easts and e/*osed to the fur! of do,s? others< a,ain< s'eared o$er
2ith co'usti&e 'ateria&s< 2ere used as torches to i&&u'inate the
dar0ness of the ni,ht# The ,ardens of Nero 2ere destined for the
'e&ancho&! s*ectac&e< 2hich 2as acco'*anied 2ith a horse race< and honored
2ith the *resence of the e'*eror< 2ho 'in,&ed 2ith the *o*u&ace in the
dress and attitude of a charioteer# The ,ui&t of the Christians deser$ed
indeed the 'ost e/e'*&ar! *unish'ents< ut the *u&ic ahorrence 2as
chan,ed into co''iseration fro' the o*inion that those unha**! 2retches
2ere sacrificed< not so 'uch to the *u&ic 2e&fare as to the crue&t! of a
=ea&ous t!rant#-
This first ,reat *ersecution of the Christians under the authorit! of
the Ro'an e'*eror< is sufficient&! characteristic to descrie the other
*ersecutions 2hich 2ere inter'ittin,&! *er*etrated u*on the Christians
throu,h the t2o succeedin, centuries# 3hat see's to e the 'ost
incon,ruous circu'stance connected 2ith these *ersecutions is< that the!
occurred not on&! under such 2retches as Nero and Do'itian< ut under such
$irtuous e'*erors as Tra=an< Adrian< .arcus Aure&ius and Dioc&etian#
Inter'ittin,&!< then< throu,h three trou&ed centuries< and under
circu'stances of the ut'ost crue&t!< *ersecution ra,ed a,ainst the
Christians# As the hi,hest authorit! on Ro'an histor! re'ar0s( -If the
e'*ire had een aff&icted ! an! recent ca&a'it!< ! a *&a,ue< a fa'ine<
or an unsuccessfu& 2ar? if the Tier had< or the Ni&e had not risen ao$e
its an0s? if the earth had sha0en< or if the te'*erate order of the
seasons had een interru*ted< the su*erstitious *a,ans 2ere con$inced that
the cri'es and i'*urities of the Christians< 2ho 2ere s*ared ! the
e/cessi$e &enit! of the ,o$ern'ent< had at &en,th *ro$o0ed the di$ine
=ustice#- And ho2e$er $irtuous the e'*erors 2ere< or ho2e$er 'i&d and
e>uita&e in character the ,o$ernors of the *ro$inces< it is certain that
the! did not hesitate to a**ease the ra,e of the *eo*&e ! sacrificin, the
ono/ious Christian $icti's# A&& this at a ti'e< too< 2hen re&i,ious
to&erance and in &ar,e 'easure e$en re&i,ious freedo' 2ere en=o!ed !
those of a&& other re&i,ions 2ithin the e'*ire< and in fact 2e 'a! sa!
that the *ersecution of the Christians 2as the on&! circu'stance 2hich
ro0e in u*on the re&i,ious concord of the 2or&d# Fro' the a*o&o,ies of
the ear&! church fathers< addressed to so'e of the e'*erors of the second
and third centuries< 2e find the' 'a0in, the 'ost *athetic co'*&aints to
the effect< -that the Christians 2ho oe!ed the dictates< and so&icited
the &iert! of conscience< 2ere a&one< a'on, a&& the su=ects of the Ro'an
e'*ire< e/c&uded fro' the co''on enefits of their aus*icious ,o$ern'ent#-
3h! 2as thisB Sure&! it did not arise fro' an! $icious *rinci*&e
inherent in the Christian re&i,ion itse&f# -If 2e serious&! consider the
*urit! of the Christian re&i,ion<- re'ar0s 5ion< in the o*enin,
*ara,ra*h of his ,reat treatise on the -Conduct of the Ro'an 5o$ern'ent
To2ard the Christians<- -the sanctit! of its 'ora& *rece*ts< and the
innocence as 2e&& as the austere &i$es of the ,reater nu'er of those 2ho<
durin, the first a,es< e'raced the faith of the ,os*e&< 2e shou&d
natura&&! su**ose that so ene$o&ent a doctrine 2ou&d ha$e een recei$ed
2ith due re$erence e$en ! the une&ie$in, 2or&d? that the &earned and
*o&ite< ho2e$er the! 'i,ht deride the 'irac&es< 2ou&d ha$e estee'ed the
$irtues of the ne2 sect? and that the 'a,istrates< instead of *ersecutin,<
2ou&d ha$e *rotected an order of 'en 2ho !ie&ded the 'ost *assi$e
oedience to the &a2s< thou,h the! dec&ined the acti$e cares of 2ar and
,o$ern'ent# If< on the other hand< 2e reco&&ect the uni$ersa& to&erance of
*o&!theis'< as it 2as in$aria&! 'aintained ! the faith of the *eo*&e<
the incredu&it! of *hi&oso*hers< and the *o&ic! of the Ro'an senate and
e'*erors< 2e are at a &oss to disco$er 2hat ne2 offense the Christians had
co''itted< 2hat ne2 *ro$ocation cou&d e/as*erate the 'i&d indifference of
anti>uit!< and 2hat ne2 'oti$es cou&d ur,e the Ro'an *rinces< 2ho ehe&d
2ithout concern a thousand for's of re&i,ion susistin, in *eace under
their ,ent&e s2a!< to inf&ict a se$ere *unish'ent u*on an! *art of their
su=ects 2ho had chosen for the'se&$es a sin,u&ar ut an inoffensi$e 'ode
of faith and 2orshi*#-
3hat< then< I a,ain as0< 2as the cause of the sin,u&ar de*arture fro'
the en&i,htened *o&ic! of the e'*ire in ,rantin, re&i,ious to&eration and
e$en &ar,e re&i,ious freedo' to its su=ectsB I a' sure that 'odern
Christians 2i&& scarce&! e satisfied 2ith the $arious causes assi,ned for
this stran,e conduct on the *art of the Ro'an e'*erors 2ho *ersecuted the
Christians# These causes< or at &east the *rinci*a& ones< are conceded !
oth infide& and Christian authorities to e(
First< the Christians 2ere a sect and not a nation< and 2ere o*en to
the char,e that the! had deserted the faith of their forefathers< a thin,
ine/*&ica&e to the Ro'an 'ind# It cou&d e c&ai'ed on the *art of the
Christians< of course< that this 2as not true? that so far 2ere the! fro'
desertin, the faith of their fathers< that their *resent Christian faith
2as ut the co'*&e'ent of their fathers+ faith< the fu&fi&&'ent a&i0e of
its *ro*hecies and s!'o&s--in a 2ord< the ,os*e& 2as the fu&fi&&'ent of
the &a2# This< ho2e$er< 2as a refine'ent of e/*&anation to 2hich the
hau,ht! Ro'ans cou&d not e e/*ected to ,i$e attention#
Second< the Christians conde'ned and ahorred the *u&ic re&i,ion of
the state< so c&ose&! connected 2ith the affairs of the ,o$ern'ent< and
hence the! 2ere =ud,ed to e ene'ies of the state< a circu'stance 2hich
'ade the' o=ects of detestation to those intrusted 2ith the
ad'inistration of the &a2s#
Third< the Christians in their 2orshi* e'*&o!ed no i'a,es< nor
te'*&es< nor incense< nor sacrifices? neither did the! re*resent their 5od
! an! cor*orea& fi,ure or s!'o&< therefore the! 2ere ad=ud,ed to e
atheists< and accordin,&! detested#
Fourth< the ,&oo' and austere as*ect of the Christians< and their
thorou,h ahorrence of the co''on usiness and *&easures of &ife< their
denunciation of 2ar< to,ether 2ith their fre>uent *redictions of i'*endin,
di$ine =ud,'ents< caused the' to e re,arded as the ene'ies of 'an0ind#
Fifth< the secrec! in 2hich the! conducted their re&i,ious ser$ices
Ea *o&ic! first orn of necessit!< ecause of the fear of their
ad$ersaries< and after2ards continued under the fa&se notion that it 2ou&d
render their sacred institutions 'ore res*ecta&eF dre2 u*on the' the
sus*icion that the! on&! -concea&ed 2hat the! 2ou&d ha$e &ushed to
disc&ose?- and this &eft the' o*en to the 'isre*resentation and ca&u'n! of
their ene'ies< ! 2hich the fur! of the 'u&titude 2as aroused a,ainst
the'#
Si/th< the se$ere si'*&icit! of the Christian 'ode of 2orshi*<
e'*&o!in, as it did neither sacrifices nor an e&aorate
*riesthood--e/cited the ani'osit! of the *a,an *riests and their
ser$itors< in e/act *ro*ortion as the Christians eca'e a 'enace to their
occu*ation? for it 2as *ainfu&&! a**arent to the' that if Christianit! 2as
successfu& there 2ou&d e no need of the *a,an *riesthood--its occu*ation
2ou&d e ,one#
A&& these a&&e,ed causes for the *ersecution of the Christians 2ithin
the Ro'an e'*ire 'a! e a&&o2ed< thou,h so'e of the' 'a! e 'ore *ro*er&!
re,arded as *rete/ts for< than causes of the *ersecution# "ut ac0 of a&&
the assi,ned causes--2hich are at est ut secondar! in their nature--one
'a! see 'o$in, a force< the *ri'ar! cause of the *ersecution< of 2hich the
a**rehensions of 'a,istrates< the hatred of the *a,an *riesthood< and the
c&a'or of the 'u&titude 2ere ut the out2ard 'anifestations# That *ri'ar!
cause of the *ersecution of the Christians is to e found in the itter
hatred of that dar0 s*irit 2ho in hea$en< efore he fe&& fro' his hi,h
estate< 2as 0no2n under the s*&endid a**e&&ation of -The Li,ht "earer<-
-Lucifer<- -Son of the .ornin,<- as hi,h in fa$or as in station< efore
his sin of ree&&ion a,ainst the Father-5od#
"e!ond the 'ere fact that he i'*ious&! did ree& in hea$en a,ainst
5od< and that he 2as i'*e&&ed thereto ! a $au&tin, a'ition 2hich
o$er&ea*ed itse&f< the Here2 scri*tures ,i$e us &itt&e infor'ation
concernin, Lucifer# No cause for the ree&&ion is assi,ned< thou,h
e$idence of the fact and rea&it! of the ree&&ion is aundant# In so'e
ancient scri*ture re$ea&ed to Jose*h S'ith< ho2e$er< the cause of that
Lucifer-&ed ree&&ion is stated# It 2as i''ediate&! connected 2ith 'an+s
earth-&ife< and the 'eans and conditions of his sa&$ation#
In order that the reader 'a! a**reciate the force of the truth to e
*resented< it is necessar! to re'ind hi' that the s*irit of 'an had an
e/istence efore he d2e&t in his od! of f&esh and ones--a se&f-conscious
e/istence< in 2hich he *ossessed a&& the facu&ties and attriutes that the
s*irit or 'ind of 'an no2 *ossesses? that the ti'e had co'e 2hen the
*resent earth-&ife eca'e necessar! to his continued *ro,ress? that a&&
that 2ou&d ta0e *&ace in that earth- &ife 2as 0no2n to 5od--the fa&& of
'an< the 2ic0edness of the hu'an race< the rede'*tion throu,h the
atone'ent of a sin&ess sacrifice--a&& 2as 0no2n< and for a&& these e$ents
a'*&e *ro$isions 2ere to e 'ade? one chosen to o*en the series of
dis*ensations that shou&d 'a0e u* the histor! of 'an+s earth- &ife? one
chosen to redee' 'an fro' his fa&&en state# It 2as at this *oint that
Lucifer ca'e efore the ,rand counci& in hea$en sa!in,( "eho&d-- here a'
I< send 'e< I 2i&& e Th! son< and I 2i&& redee' a&& 'an0ind< that one
sou& sha&& not e &ost< and sure&! I 2i&& do it? 2herefore ,i$e 'e Thine
honor# -"ut< eho&d<- said the Lord< -.! "e&o$ed Son< 2hich 2as .! "e&o$ed
and Chosen fro' the e,innin,< said unto .e --Father< Th! 2i&& e done<
and the ,&or! e Thine fore$er# 3herefore< ecause that Satan ree&&ed
a,ainst .e< and sou,ht to destro! the a,enc! of 'an< 2hich I< the Lord
5od< had ,i$en hi'? and a&so that I shou&d ,i$e unto hi' .ine o2n *o2er?
! the *o2er of .ine On&! "e,otten< I caused that he shou&d e cast do2n?
and he eca'e Satan< !ea< e$en the de$i&< the father of a&& &ies< to
decei$e and to &ind 'en< and to &ead the' ca*ti$e at his 2i&&< e$en as
'an! as 2ou&d not hear0en unto .! $oice#-
This disc&oses the reason of Lucifer+s ree&&ion--o**osition to the
*&an of 'an+s rede'*tion-- a counter *&an that in$o&$ed the destruction of
the a,enc! of 'an# Then 2hatB
-I ehe&d Satan<- sa!s Jesus< -as &i,htnin, fa&& fro' hea$en#-
-And the an,e&s 2hich 0e*t not their first estate< ut &eft their o2n
haitation< He hath reser$ed in e$er&astin, chains< under dar0ness< unto
the =ud,'ent of the ,reat da!#-
-And there 2as 2ar in hea$en( .ichae& and his an,e&s fou,ht a,ainst
the dra,on? and the dra,on fou,ht and his an,e&s< and *re$ai&ed not?
neither 2as their *&ace found an! 'ore in hea$en# And the ,reat dra,on 2as
cast out< that o&d ser*ent< ca&&ed the de$i&< and Satan< 2hich decei$eth
the 2ho&e 2or&d? he 2as cast out into the earth< and his an,e&s 2ere cast
out 2ith hi'# And I heard a &oud $oice sa!in, in hea$en< No2 is ca'e
sa&$ation< and stren,th< and the 0in,do' of our 5od< and the *o2er of His
Christ( for the accuser of our rethren is cast do2n< 2hich accused the'
efore our 5od da! and ni,ht# And the! o$erca'e hi' ! the &ood of the
La'< and ! the 2ord of their testi'on!? and the! &o$ed not their &i$es
unto the death# Therefore re=oice< !e hea$ens< and !e that d2e&& in the'#
3oe to the inhaiters of the earth< and of the seaK for the de$i& is co'e
do2n unto !ou< ha$in, ,reat 2rath< ecause he 0no2eth that he hath ut a
short ti'e#-
Lucifer< then< eco'es a factor to e rec0oned 2ith in the
*ersecution of the Saints# In hea$en he o**osed the ,os*e& of Jesus
Christ? cast out into the earth 2i&& he not o**ose it thereB Herein &ies
the rea& cause of the *ersecution of the Christians 2ithin the Ro'an
e'*ire# So &on, as the inhaitants of the earth 2ere content 2ith the
*a,an su*erstitions< 2herein there 2as no *o2er of 5od unto sa&$ation? so
&on, as the! 2ere content 2ith conf&ictin, *a,an *hi&oso*hies< 2herein 2as
no *o2er of 5od unto sa&$ation< it 2as a 'atter of indifference to Lucifer
2hether the! 2orshi*ed Ju*iter O&!'*us< or Isis? A*o&&o< or .iner$a? or
o2ed at the *hi&oso*her+s shrine of the Un0no2n 5od-- a&& 2ere e>ua&&!
arren of sa$in, *o2er and &eft the 0in,do' of Lucifer undi'inished in its
stren,th and nu'ers? &eft a&& nations in his thra&do'# "ut 2hen the
Christ and His a*ost&es ca'e *reachin, re*entance and the co'in, of the
0in,do' of hea$en? 'a0in, 0no2n the ori,in of 'an and his re&ationshi* to
Deit!? 'a0in, 0no2n the *ur*ose of 5od to redee' hi' fro' his fa&&en
state? esta&ishin, His Church as the de*ositor! of di$ine truth< and the
instru'enta&it! for con$e!in, to 'an di$ine instruction--then Lucifer sa2
cause for a&ar'< for it 2as e$ident that the da!s of his do'inion 2ere
nu'ered? his 0in,do' 'ust dec&ine if Christianit! *re$ai&ed? his s2a!
o$er the 0in,do's of the earth 'ust e ro0en if Christ 2as *reached( and
hence in a&& the itterness of hatred< 2ith a&& the stren,th of his
cunnin,< 2ith a&& the *o2er of his resourcefu&ness< and usin, e$er!
instru'enta&it! he cou&d co''and--corru*ted hu'an nature o$er 2hich he had
inf&uence? the a**rehension of 'a,istrates? the =ea&ous! of *a,an
*riesthoods-- a&& 2ere e'*&o!ed to destro! that institution 2rou,ht out in
the 2isdo' of 5od to rin, to *ass the sa&$ation of 'an? and hence the
fire< the s2ord and the rac0? the &ions< the dun,eons<--in a 2ord< the
*a,an *ersecutions of the Saints of 5od? Lucifer and his hatred of the
truth the *ri'ar! cause of a&&< a&& other causes and *rete/ts ut
secondar!< 'ere instru'enta&ities used ! hi' to i'*ede the *ro,ress of
and destro!< if *ossi&e< the truth< the ,os*e&< 2herein &ies the *o2er of
'an+s sa&$ation#
It is said that histor! re*eats itse&f? and this in 'atters of
re&i,ion as in other thin,s# In the introduction to the first $o&u'e of
the Church Histor!< the *a,ani4ation of Christianit! 2as discussed at so'e
&en,th< and 2hen the Lord 2ou&d a,ain *re*are the 2a! for the inco'in, of
the &ast dis*ensation of the 5os*e&--the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of
ti'es --as *art of that *re*aration< He esta&ished a ,reat re*u&ic in
the Ne2 3or&d< the chief corner stone of 2hose te'*&e of &iert! 2as
re&i,ious freedo'# The Con,ress of the United States< ! e/*ress *ro$ision
of the Constitution< is *rohiited fro' 'a0in, an! &a2 res*ectin, an
esta&ish'ent of re&i,ion< or *rohiitin, the free e/ercise thereof#
Si'i&ar ,uarantees of re&i,ious freedo' are *ro$ided for in the
constitutions of a&& the states# The c&ause in .issouri+s constitution on
the su=ect 2as as fo&&o2s(
-A&& 'en ha$e a natura& and indefeasi&e ri,ht to 2orshi* A&'i,ht!
5od accordin, to the dictates of their o2n consciences? that no 'an can e
co'*e&&ed to erect< su**ort or attend an! *&ace of 2orshi*< or to 'aintain
an! 'inister of the ,os*e& or teacher of re&i,ion? that no hu'an authorit!
can contro& or interfere 2ith the ri,hts of conscience? that no *erson can
e$er e hurt< 'o&ested or restrained in his re&i,ious *rofessions or
senti'ents< if he do not distur others in their re&i,ious 2orshi*( that
no *erson< on account of his re&i,ious o*inions< can e rendered
ine&i,i&e to an! office of trust or *rofit under this state? that no
*reference can e$er e ,i$en ! &a2 to an! sect or 'ode of 2orshi*? and
that no re&i,ious cor*oration can e$er e esta&ished in this state#-
Under these ,uarantees of re&i,ious &iert!< in oth state and
nationa& constitutions< infide&s< Je2s< and a&& sects of the Christian
re&i,ion &i$ed in unro0en *eace# In the co&onia& histor! of the countr!
there had een so'e into&erance and acts of $io&ence *racticed ! the
sects of Christians on one another< ut in the 'ain< and es*ecia&&! since
the esta&ish'ent of the re*u&ic of the United States< under its *resent
Constitution< there had een aso&ute re&i,ious freedo'# "ut no2 a stran,e
thin, occurred# A !outh< !et in his ear&! teens< start&ed the nei,horhood
in 2hich he resided 2ith the announce'ent that he had recei$ed a
re$e&ation fro' 5od? a ne2 dis*ensation of the 5os*e& of Christ had een
co''itted to hi'? he is authori4ed to found a,ain the $er! Church of
Christ? 'en are to teach once 'ore ! di$ine authorit!? and the 2or&d is
to e 'ade read! for the inco'in, of the ,&orious 0in,do'< 2hose 0in,
sha&& e the resurrected< ,&orified Christ? and *eace and truth and
ri,hteousness are to aound# Stran,e&! enou,h< not2ithstandin, a&& the
,uarantees of re&i,ious freedo' in the state and nationa& constitutions<
this *roc&a'ation is resented ! the *eo*&e< and those 2ho ad$ocate it are
*ersecuted in $arious 2a!s< unti& at the &ast< as set forth in the three
$o&u'es of the Church Histor! no2 *u&ished< it cu&'inated in the death
and 'iser! of 'an! sou&s< and the fina& e/*u&sion of fro' t2e&$e to
fifteen thousand Saints fro' the state of .issouri< under a&& the
circu'stances of crue&t! detai&ed in this histor!#
3h! is this $io&ence done to the *rinci*&e of re&i,ious freedo'< a
*rinci*&e that is oth the *ride and oast of the A'erican *eo*&eB 3h! are
constitutions and institutions $io&ated in efforts 'ade ! the authorities
of the so$erei,n state of .issouri to destro! this re&i,ion and this
Church of ChristB 3hat is the cause of these .issouri *ersecutionsB In
$ie2 of the *rinci*&es a&read! set forth in these *a,es< the *ri'ar! cause
of these *ersecutions in .issouri 2i&& not e difficu&t to find# In the'<
as in the Ro'an *ersecutions of the Christians< the cunnin, and *o2er of
Lucifer 2i&& e a**arent# So &on, as on&! a*ostate for's of Christianit!
otained? as &on, as 'en adhered to 'ere for's of ,od&iness and denied the
*o2er thereof< so &on, Lucifer cared not 2ith 2hat de$otion the! c&un, to
these &ife&ess for's of re&i,ion# He &au,hed? his 0in,do' 2as
undi'inished? the nations 2ere he&d in his thra&do'# "ut 2hen the )ro*het
of the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es announced his re$e&ation?
2hen 5od a,ain stood re$ea&ed once 'ore efore a 2itness? 2hen the di$ine
*&an of &ife and sa&$ation 2as a,ain co''unicated to 'en throu,h an
ins*ired *ro*het? 2hen the Church of Christ in a&& its co'*&eteness and
*o2er 2as restored to the earth< then it eho$ed Lucifer to &oo0 to his
do'inions< to stren,then his forces< and to *re*are for the fina& conf&ict
for *ossession of this 2or&d? for no2 5od had ta0en it in hand to co'*&ete
His 2or0 of redee'in, the earth< of sa$in, 'en< and o$erthro2in, Lucifer
and his *o2er so far as this earth is concerned? and hence 2hen Jose*h
S'ith announced his ne2 re$e&ation the inco'in, of the dis*ensation of the
fu&&ness of ti'es< Lucifer 2ith a&& the cunnin, and *o2er at his co''and<
and settin, in 'otion e$er! force--the fears and =ea&ousies of 'en<
'isre*resentation and ca&u'n!< hatred of ri,hteousness and truth< in a
2ord< e$er! force that he cou&d su''ons< e$er! *rete/t that he cou&d
su,,est to 'en of e$i& dis*osed 'inds 2as e'*&o!ed to destro! the
inau,uration of that 2or0 2hich 2as to sudue his *o2er< con>uer his
do'inions< and render 'en free fro' his inf&uence# Lucifer+s itterness<
then< his hatred< his cunnin,< his de$ise'ents 2ere the cause of the
.issouri *ersecutions# A&& e&se 2as secondar!< *rete/t< his
instru'enta&ities< nothin, 'ore#
Retriution#
"ut 2hat of .issouriB .issouri< 2ho had $io&ated her constitution
2hich ,uaranteed re&i,ious freedo' to a&& 2ho ca'e 2ithin her ordersK
.issouri< 2hose officers fro' the 5o$ernor do2n entered into a 2ic0ed
cons*irac!< contrar! to a&& &a2 and ri,hteousness< and dro$e the Saints
fro' the stateK .issouri< 2ho had $io&ated not on&! her o2n constitution
! eco'in, a *art! to a re&i,ious *ersecution< ut had a&so $io&ated the
s*irit of our ti'es< and outra,ed the ci$i&i4ation of the nineteenth
centur!--2hat of .issouriB Did she *a! an! *ena&t! for her 2ron,-doin,B
Are states such entities as 'a! e he&d to an accountin, for reaches of
*u&ic faith and *u&ic 'ora&s-- constitutiona& i''ora&itiesB Is there
2ithin the state a *u&ic conscience to 2hich an a**ea& can e 'ade? and
in the e$ent of the *u&ic conscience ein, outra,ed is there retriutionB
I ans2er these >uestions in the affir'ati$e? and ho&d that .issouri
*aid dear&! for the $io&ations of her ,uarantees of re&i,ious freedo'< and
her &a2&essness and her crue&ties *racticed to2ards the Latter-da! Saints#
I ha$e a&read! referred to the re&ationshi* 2hich the state of
.issouri sustained to the ,reat >uestion of s&a$er!# "! the *o&itica&
co'*ro'ise 2hich ore her na'e< .issouri eca'e a -ca*e of s&a$er! thrust
into free territor!#- E/ce*t for the state of .issouri a&one< her southern
oundar! &ine 2as to 'ar0 the further'ost *oint north2ard e!ond 2hich
s&a$er! 'ust not e e/tended into the territor! of the United States# In
78G@< ho2e$er< the .issouri co'*ro'ise 2as *ractica&&! o$erthro2n ! the
introduction into Con,ress of the -1ansas-Neras0a Act<- ! Ste*hen A#
Dou,&as< United States senator fro' I&&inois# This act *ro$ided for the
or,ani4ation of t2o ne2 territories fro' the Louisiana *urchase< 2est of
.issouri and Io2a# The act *ro*osed that the ne2 territories shou&d e
o*en to s&a$er!< if their inhaitants desired it# This &eft the >uestion
of s&a$er! in the status it occu*ied *re$ious to the .issouri Co'*ro'ise<
and &eft the *eo*&e in the *ros*ecti$e states to deter'ine for the'se&$es
2hether s&a$er! shou&d or shou&d not *re$ai& in their state# This o*ened
a,ain the s&a$er! >uestion< and there 2as e,un that a,itation 2hich
fina&&! resu&ted in the ,reat A'erican Ci$i& 3ar#
As soon as it eca'e a**arent that the *eo*&e of ne2 territories 2ere
to deter'ine for the'se&$es the >uestion of s&a$er!< $er! natura&&! each
*art! e,an a stru,,&e for *ossession of the ne2 territor! accordin, as
its senti'ents or interests dictated# The stru,,&e e,an ! the ao&ition
*art! of the north or,ani4in, -E'i,rant Aid Societies<- and sendin,
e'i,rants of their o2n faith into 1ansas# The s&a$e ho&ders of .issouri
a&so sent sett&ers re*resentin, their faith and interests into the ne2
territor! in the ho*e of rin,in, it into the Union as a s&a$e state# This
rou,ht on a order 2arfare in 2hich the sett&e'ents of 2estern .issouri
and eastern 1ansas a&ternate&! suffered fro' the raids and counter raids
of the res*ecti$e *arties throu,h so'e si/ !ears efore the outrea0 of
the Ci$i& 3ar# As to 2hich 2ere the 'ore &a2&ess or crue&< the fanatica&
ao&itionists or the *ro-s&a$er! *art!< the -=a!ha20ers<- as the or,ani4ed
ands of ruffians of the for'er *art! 2ere ca&&ed< or the -ush2hac0ers<-
as the si'i&ar&! or,ani4ed ands of the *ro- s&a$er! 'en 2ere ca&&ed< is
not a >uestion necessar! for 'e to discuss here# "oth he&d the &a2s in
conte'*t< and $ied 2ith each other in co''ittin, atrocities The 2estern
counties of .issouri< 2here the Latter-da! Saints had suffered so crue&&!
at the hands of *eo*&e of those counties so'e ei,hteen or t2ent! !ears
efore< 2ere in this order 2arfare &aid deso&ate< and a&& the hardshi*s
the .issourians had inf&icted u*on the Saints 2ere no2 $isited u*on their
heads< on&! 'ore aundant&!#
S*ea0in, of the situation in .issouri in 78:7< the out-,oin,
5o$ernor< Roert .# Ste2art< in his address to the &e,is&ature< and
referrin, to .issouri and her ri,ht to e heard on the s&a$er! >uestion<
said(
-.issouri has a ri,ht to s*ea0 on this su=ect< ecause she has
suffered# "ounded on three sides ! free territor!< her order
counties ha$e een the fre>uent scenes of 0idna**in, and $io&ence<
and this state has *roa&! &ost as 'uch< in the &ast t2o !ears< in
the aduction of s&a$es< as a&& the rest of the Southern States# At
this 'o'ent se$era& of the 2estern counties are deso&ated< and a&'ost
de*o*u&ated< fro' fear of a andit horde< 2ho ha$e een co''ittin,
de*redations--arson< theft< and fou& 'urder u*on the ad=acent
order-
"ri,adier-5enera& Danie& .# Frost< 2ho had een e'*&o!ed in
re*ressin, &a2&essness in the 2estern counties of .issouri< in re*ortin,
conditions *re$ai&in, there in No$e'er< 78:D< said(
-The deserted and charred re'ains of once ha**! ho'es< co'ined
2ith the ,enera& terror that *re$ai&ed a'on,st the citi4ens 2ho sti&&
c&un, to their *ossessions< ,a$e ut too certain *roof of the
*ersecution to 2hich the! had a&& een su=ected< and 2hich the!
2ou&d a,ain ha$e to endure< 2ith rene2ed $io&ence< so soon as ar'ed
*rotection shou&d e 2ithdra2n#-C -In $ie2 of this condition of
affairs<- continues the historian of .issouri I a' >uotin,< -and in
order to carr! out fu&&! 5o$ernor Ste2art+s order to re*e& in$asions
and restore *eace to the order< 5enera& Frost deter'ined to &ea$e a
considera&e force in the threatened district# Accordin,&!< a
atta&ion of $o&unteers< consistin, of three co'*anies of ran,ers and
one of arti&&er!< 2as en&isted< and Lieutenant-Co&one& John S# "o2en<
2ho after2ards rose to hi,h ran0 in the Confederate ser$ice< 2as
chosen to the co''and#-
-3ith the or,ani4ation of this force< and *erha*s o2in, a&so< in so'e
de,ree< to the inc&e'enc! of the season< +=a!ha20in,<+ as such< ca'e to an
end< thou,h the thin, itse&f< durin, the first t2o or three !ears of the
Ci$i& 3ar< and< in fact< as &on, as there 2as an!thin, &eft on the
.issouri side of the order 2orth ta0in,< f&ourished 'ore $i,orous&! than
e$er# The o&d =a!ha20in, &eaders< ho2e$er< no2 ca'e 2ith United States
co''issions in their *oc0ets and at the head of re,u&ar&! en&isted troo*s<
in 2hich ,uise the! carried on a s!ste' of roer! and 'urder that &eft a
,ood *ortion of the frontier south of the .issouri ri$er as *erfect a
2aste as 5er'an! 2as at the end of the Thirt! Years+ 3ar#-
3hi&e this descri*tion confines the scenes of $io&ence and ra*ine to
the order counties south of the .issouri ri$er<--it inc&uded Jac0son
count!< ho2e$er< 2hich 2as one of the hea$iest sufferers oth in this
order 2arfare and suse>uent&! durin, the Ci$i& 3ar--sti&&< the counties
north of that strea' a&so suffered fro' &a2&essness and $io&ence#
At the outrea0 of the Ci$i& 3ar .issouri 2as *ecu&iar&! situated#
She 2as surrounded on three sides ! free states# The ,reat 'a=orit! of
her o2n *eo*&e 2ere for the Union< ut her ,o$ern'ent< 2ith C&airorne
Jac0son as the state e/ecuti$e< 2as in s!'*ath! 2ith the South# As the
e/tre'e Southern States one after another seceded fro' the Union< .issouri
2as confronted 2ith the >uestion( 3hat *osition she ou,ht to assu'e in the
i'*endin, conf&ict# The >uestion 2as referred to a state con$ention in
2hich a**eared no secessionists# Indeed< the *eo*&e of .issouri in this
e&ection ! a 'a=orit! of ei,ht! thousand decided a,ainst secession# The
con$ention< in settin, forth the attitude of the state on the su=ect<
said that .issouri+s *osition 2as< -E$ident&! that of a State 2hose
interests are ound u* in the 'aintenance of the Union< and 2hose 0ind
fee&in,s and stron, s!'*athies are 2ith the *eo*&e of the Southern States<
2ith 2ho' 2e are connected ! ties of friendshi* and &ood# 3e 2ant the
*eace and har'on! of the countr! restored< and 2e 2ant the' 2ith us# To ,o
2ith the' as the! are no2 is to ruin ourse&$es 2ithout doin, the' an!
,ood#-
3hi&e this dout&ess $oiced the senti'ent of a ,reat 'a=orit! of
.issouri+s *eo*&e< the ,o$ern'ent of the state and 'an! thousands of its
inhaitants s!'*athi4ed 2ith the South# The ,enera& asse'&! of the state
authori4ed the raisin, and e>ui*'ent of &ar,e 'i&itar! forces he&d
su=ect< of course< to the orders of the ,o$ernor< under the *retense of
ein, *re*ared to re*e& in$asion fro' an! >uarter 2hatsoe$er< and ena&e
the state to 'aintain a neutra& attitude# The ,o$ernor refused to raise
.issouri+s >uota of four re,i'ents under )resident Linco&n+s first ca&&
for se$ent!-fi$e thousand 'en to su**&ies the ree&&ion< on the ,round
that these re,i'ents 2ere intended to for' -*art of the )resident+s ar'!<
to 'a0e 2ar u*on the *eo*&e of the seceded states#- This he dec&ared to e
i&&e,a&< unconstitutiona&< and therefore cou&d not e co'*&ied 2ith# This
*reci*itated a conf&ict et2een the state and nationa& forces that
resu&ted in a ci$i& 2ar 2ithin the state since so'e of her citi4ens sided
2ith the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent and so'e 2ith the state#
On the HDth of A*ri&< 78:7< the state 'i&itia under the ,o$ernor+s
orders ca*tured the Federa& arsena& at Liert!< C&a! count!< and in the
nineteen 'onths fo&&o2in, that e$ent -o$er three hundred att&es and
s0ir'ishes 2ere fou,ht 2ithin the &i'its of the state<- and it is assu'ed
that in the &ast t2o !ears of the 2ar< there 2ere ha&f as 'an! 'ore? -and
it 'a! e said of the'<- continues our historian< -that the! 2ere
re&ati$e&! 'ore destructi$e of &ife< as ! this ti'e the contest had
de,enerated into a dis,racefu& internecine stru,,&e#-
In the fa&& of 78:@< 5enera& Ster&in, )rice *enetrated the state at
the head of t2e&$e thousand 'en? ca*tured Le/in,ton< in Ra! count!< and
Inde*endence< in Jac0son count!< and thence 'ade his esca*e into Ar0ansas#
-In the course of this raid he 'arched 7<@9G 'i&es< fou,ht fort!-three
att&es and s0ir'ishes< and accordin, to his o2n ca&cu&ation destro!ed
u*2ards of +ten 'i&&ion do&&ars+ 2orth of *ro*ert!<+ a fair share of 2hich
e&on,ed to his o2n friends#-
In Au,ust< 78:9< the ce&erated .i&itar! Order No# 77 2as issued fro'
1ansas Cit!< ! 5enera& Tho'as E2in,< ! 2hich -a&& *ersons &i$in, in
Cass< Jac0son< and "ates counties< .issouri< and in that *art of %ernon
inc&uded in this district< e/ce*t those &i$in, 2ithin one 'i&e of the
&i'its of Inde*endence< Hic0'an+s .i&&s< )&easant Hi&&< and Harrison$i&&e<
and e/ce*t those in that *art of 1a2 to2nshi*< Jac0son count!< north of
"rush cree0 and 2est of the "i, "&ue< e'racin, 1ansas Cit! and 3est*ort<
are here! ordered to re'o$e fro' their *resent *&aces of residence 2ithin
fifteen da!s fro' the date hereof# Those 2ho< 2ithin that ti'e< esta&ish
their &o!a&t! to the satisfaction of the co''andin, officer of the
'i&itar! station nearest their *resent *&ace of residence< 2i&& recei$e
fro' hi' certificates statin, the fact of their &o!a&t!< and the na'es of
the 2itnesses ! 2ho' it can e sho2n# A&& 2ho recei$e such certificates
2i&& e *er'itted to re'o$e to an! 'i&itar! station in this district< or
to an! *art of the state of 1ansas< e/ce*t the counties on the eastern
orders of the state# A&& others sha&& re'o$e out of this district#
Officers co''andin, co'*anies and detach'ents ser$in, in the counties
na'ed 2i&& see that this *ara,ra*h is *ro'*t&! oe!ed#-
The ad'onition in the &ast c&ause to co''andin, officers 2as ri,id&!
fo&&o2ed? and 2ithin the district na'ed scenes of $io&ence and crue&t!
2ere a**a&&in,# This order 2ith its crue& e/ecution has een 'ore se$ere&!
critici4ed than an! other act durin, the entire Ci$i& 3ar# The
=ustification for it has een ur,ed on the ,round that Jac0son count!
afforded a fie&d of o*erations for Confederates? that here the
ush2hac0in, 'arauders recruited their forces< and found the 'eans of
su**ort? that the *o&ic! 2as necessar! on the ,round of *uttin, an end to
that 0ind of 2arfare# On the other hand< it is contended that -tried !
an! 0no2n standard<- the *eo*&e in that section of .issouri 2ere as &o!a&
to the Union as 2ere their nei,hors in 1ansas# -The! had $oted a,ainst
secession? the! had not on&!< thus far< 0e*t their >uota in the Union ar'!
fu&&< and that 2ithout draft or ount!< ut the! continued to do so? and
if the! did not *rotect the'se&$es a,ainst the outra,es a&i0e of
Confederate ush2hac0ers and Union =a!ha20ers< it 2as ecause ear&! in the
2ar the! had een disar'ed ! Federa& authorit! and 2ere conse>uent&!
2ithout the 'eans of defense#-
"! the e/ecution of the order< ho2e$er< the *eo*&e in the districts
na'ed -2ere dri$en fro' their ho'es< their d2e&&in,s urned< their far's
&aid 2aste< and the ,reat u&0 of their 'o$a&e *ro*ert! handed o$er<
2ithout &et or hindrance< to the 1ansas +=a!ha20ers#+ It 2as a ruta&
order< ruth&ess&! enforced< ut so far fro' e/*e&&in, or e/ter'inatin, the
,uerri&&as< it si'*&! handed the 2ho&e district o$er to the'#- -Indeed<-
continues Lucien Carr< -2e are assured ! one 2ho 2as on the ,round< that
fro' this ti'e unti& the end of the 2ar< no one 2earin, the Federa&
unifor' dared ris0 his &ife 2ithin the de$atasted re,ion# The on&! *eo*&e
2ho' the enforce'ent of the order did in=ure 2ere so'e thousands of those
2ho' it 2as E2in,+s dut! to *rotect#-
3hether =ustified or not ! the attitude of the Jac0son count! *eo*&e
in the Ci$i& 3ar< the e/ecution of Order No# 77 certain&! 2as ut a
re-enact'ent< thou,h u*on a &ar,er sca&e< of those scenes 2hich the
inhaitants of that section of the countr! thirt! !ears efore had
*er*etrated u*on the Latter-da! Saints in e/*e&&in, the' fro' Jac0son
count!# The a2fu& scenes then enacted ins*ired the no2 ce&erated *aintin,
! 5# C# "in,ha'< earin, the tit&e -Ci$i& 3ar<- and dedicated ! the
artist -to a&& 2ho cherish the *rinci*&es of ci$i& &iert!#-
Connected 2ith the scenes of ci$i& strife in .issouri< is a *ro*hec!
uttered ! Jose*h S'ith 'an! !ears efore the! e,an< and recent&!
*u&ished in a $aria&e *a*er ! E&der Junius F# 3e&&s< in the No$e'er
nu'er of the I'*ro$e'ent Era for 7NDH# E&der 3e&&s< it a**ears< had the
*&easure of an inter$ie2 2ith the Hon# Leonidas .# La2son< of Ne2 Yor0
cit!< for'er&! a resident of C&a! count!< .issouri< and a rother-in-&a2
of 5enera& A&e/ander 3# Doni*han< 2hose na'e so fre>uent&! occurs in our
*a,es< dea&in, 2ith e$ents in the histor! of the Church 2hi&e in .issouri#
In the course of the inter$ie2< 2hich too0 *&ace at the Uni$ersit!
C&u< Ne2 Yor0 cit!< .r# La2son referred to an incident connected 2ith a
$isit to 5enera& Doni*han in 78:9# 5enera& Doni*han< it 2i&& e re'e'ered
! those ac>uainted 2ith his histor!< too0 no *art in the Ci$i& 3ar e!ond
that of a sorro2fu& s*ectator# On the occasion of .r# La2son+s $isit to
hi'< =ust referred to< the! rode throu,h Jac0son count! to,ether< and in a
&etter to E&der 3e&&s< under date of Feruar! M< 7NDH# .r# La2son re&ates
the fo&&o2in, incident< 2hich is *art of a io,ra*hica& s0etch of 5enera&
Doni*han< *re*ared ! .r# La2son(
-In the !ear 78:9< I $isited 5enera& A# 3# Doni*han at his ho'e in
Liert!< C&a! count!< .issouri# This 2as soon after the de$astation of
Jac0son count!< .issouri# under 2hat is 0no2n as +Order No# 77#+ This
de$astation 2as co'*&ete# Far's 2ere e$er!2here destro!ed< and the
far'houses 2ere urned# Durin, this $isit 5enera& Doni*han re&ated the
fo&&o2in, historica& fact? and *ersona& incidents(
-Aout the !ear 7897-H< the .or'ons sett&ed in Jac0son count!< .o#<
under the &eadershi* of Jose*h S'ith# The *eo*&e of Jac0son count! eca'e
dissatisfied 2ith their *resence< and forced the' to &ea$e? and the!
crossed the .issouri ri$er and sett&ed in the counties of De 1a&<
Ca&d2e&& and Ra!# The! founded the to2n of Far 3est< and e,an to *re*are
the foundation of a te'*&e# It 2as here that the trou&es arose 2hich
cu&'inated in the e/*u&sion of the .or'ons fro' the state of .issouri
accordin, to the co''and of 5o$ernor Li&urn 3# "o,,s# This 2as 0no2n in
.issouri anna&s as the .or'on 3ar# There 2ere 'an! a'on, those 2ho oe!ed
the order of the ,o$ernor< in the state 'i&itia< 2ho e&ie$ed that the
'o$e'ent a,ainst the .or'ons 2as un=ust and crue&< and that the e/cite'ent
2as 0e*t u* ! those 2ho co$eted the ho'es< the arns and the fie&ds of
the .or'on *eo*&e# The &atter< durin, their residence in the state of
.issouri< *aid< in entr! fees for the &and the! c&ai'ed< to the United
States ,o$ern'ent &and office< 'ore than R9DD<DDD< 2hich< for that *eriod
re*resented a tre'endous interest# Durin, their so=ourn in .issouri the
.or'ons did not *ractice or teach *o&!,a'!< so that >uestion did not enter
into it#
-Fo&&o2in, the ear&! e/cite'ent< Jose*h S'ith 2as indicted for
treason a,ainst the state of .issouri< and 5enera& Doni*han 2as one of the
counse& e'*&o!ed to defend hi'< he ha$in, sho2n a friend&! interest in
S'ith< 2ho' he considered $er! ad&! treated# Jose*h S'ith 2as *&aced in
*rison in Liert!< .issouri< to a2ait his tria&# This *&ace 2as the
residence of 5enera& Doni*han# His *artner in the *ractice of &a2 2as
Ja'es H# "a&d2in#
-On one occasion 5enera& Doni*han caused the sheriff of the count! to
rin, Jose*h S'ith fro' the *rison to his &a2 office< for the *ur*ose of
consu&tation aout his defense# Durin, S'ith+s *resence in the office< a
citi4en of Jac0son count!< .issouri< ca'e in for the *ur*ose of *a!in, a
fee 2hich 2as due ! hi' to the fir' of Doni*han and "a&d2in< and offered
in *a!'ent a tract of &and in Jac0son count!#
-Doni*han to&d hi' that his *artner< .r# "a&d2in< 2as asent at the
'o'ent< ut as soon as he had an o**ortunit! he 2ou&d consu&t hi' and
decide aout the 'atter# 3hen the Jac0son count! 'an retired< Jose*h
S'ith< 2ho had o$erheard the con$ersation< addressed 5enera& Doni*han
aout as fo&&o2s(
-Doni*han< I ad$ise !ou not to ta0e that Jac0son count! &and in
*a!'ent of the det# 5od+s 2rath han,s o$er Jac0son count!# 5od+s
*eo*&e ha$e een ruth&ess&! dri$en fro' it< and !ou 2i&& &i$e to see
the da! 2hen it 2i&& e $isited ! fire and s2ord# The Lord of Hosts
2i&& s2ee* it 2ith the eso' of destruction# The fie&ds and far's and
houses 2i&& e destro!ed< and on&! the chi'ne!s 2i&& e &eft to 'ar0
the deso&ation# -
-5enera& Doni*han said to 'e that the de$astation of Jac0son count!
forci&! re'inded hi' of this re'ar0a&e *rediction of the .or'on
*ro*het#-
Esi,nedF L# .# LA3SON#
-There is a *rediction of the )ro*het Jose*h<- re'ar0s E&der 3e&&s<
in co''entin, u*on .r# La2son+s stor!< -not efore *ut into *rint< and
histor! has recorded its co'*&ete fu&fi&&'ent#-
That a =ust retriution o$ertoo0 the entire state< as 2e&& as the
inhaitants of Jac0son count!< and other 2estern counties< I thin0 'ust e
conceded ! a&& 2ho are fa'i&iar 2ith the e$ents of her histor! in the
Ci$i& 3ar# That 2hich she did to an inoffensi$e *eo*&e 2as done to her
inhaitants< es*ecia&&! to those &i$in, 2ithin the districts for'er&!
occu*ied ! the Latter-da! Saints? on&! the 'easure 'eted out to the
.issourians 2as hea*ed u*< *ressed do2n< and 'ade to run o$er#
The .issourians had co'*&ained that the Latter-da! Saints 2ere
eastern 'en< 2hose 'anners< haits< custo's< and e$en dia&ect 2ere
different fro' their o2n? ut the .issourians &i$ed to see ,reat thron,s
of those sa'e eastern 'en f&oc0 into an ad=oinin, territor! and infest
their order< so that the sett&ers of 2estern .issouri eca'e accusto'ed
to< and &earned to endure the stran,e 'anners< custo's and dia&ect so
different fro' their o2n#
The .issourians co'*&ained of the ra*idit! 2ith 2hich the Saints 2ere
,atherin, into the state to esta&ish their ;ion? ut the .issourians
&i$ed to see hordes of the detested easterners ,ather into their re,ion of
countr! ! continuous strea's of e'i,rant trains< sent there ! -E'i,rant
Aid Co'*anies- of Ne2 En,&and#
The .issourians fa&se&! char,ed that the co'in, of -;ion+s Ca'*- into
2estern .issouri to aid their rethren to re*ossess their ho'es in Jac0son
count!< 2as an ar'ed in$asion of the state? ut the .issourians &i$ed to
see for'ida&e hosts of eastern and northern 'en ,ather u*on their
frontiers and fre>uent&! in$ade the state# -The character of 'uch of this
e'i,ration 'a! e ,athered<- sa!s one historian< -fro' the fact that the
1ansas E'i,ration Societies< Lea,ues and Co''ittees C C C sent out 'en
on&!?- and that in so'e of their ands Shar*+s rif&es 2ere 'ore nu'erous
than a,ricu&tura& i'*&e'ents#- Of course the -"&ue Lod,es- of .issouri
2ere or,ani4ed &ar,e&! on the sa'e *rinci*&e as the -E'i,rant Aid
Co'*anies- of Ne2 En,&and< and ado*ted *ractica&&! the sa'e 'ethods<
e/*ectin, to add 1ansas to the &ist of s&a$e states# "ut -certain&!<-
re'ar0s Lucien Carr< -if a co'*an! of so-ca&&ed northern e'i,rants< in
2hich there 2ere t2o hundred and t2ent!-fi$e 'en and on&! fi$e 2o'en<
2hose 2a,ons contained no $isi&e furniture< a,ricu&tura& i'*&e'ents or
'echanica& too&s< ut aounded in a&& the re>uisite artic&es for ca'*in,
and ca'*ai,nin, *ur*oses< 2ere considered as ona fide sett&ers and
*er'itted to $ote< there cou&d not ha$e een a sufficient reason for
ru&in, out an! and of .issourians 2ho e$er crossed the order and
dec&ared their intention of re'ainin,< e$en thou,h the! &eft the ne/t
da!#-
A'on, the 'en sent to the orders of .issouri ! the -E'i,rant Aid
Co'*anies- of Ne2 En,&and 2ere so'e of the 'ost des*erate ad$enturers? and
the .issourians 2ho had *retended to e a&ar'ed at the co'in, of -;ion+s
Ca'*<- and fei,ned to re,ard it as an ar'ed in$asion of the state< sa2
their state re*eated&! in$aded--es*ecia&&! Jac0son count!--! the ands of
Union -=a!ha20ers- or,ani4ed fro' a'on, these des*erate eastern and
northern 'en< 2ho ruth&ess&! &aid 2aste their ho'es and far's#
The .issourians had fa&se&! char,ed the Saints 2ith ao&ition
'adness< 2ith ta'*erin, 2ith their s&a$es< 2ith in$itin, free ne,roes into
the state to corru*t their &ac0s< 2hose $er! *resence 2ou&d render their
institution of s&a$e &aor insecure? ut the! &i$ed to see their s!ste' of
s&a$e &aor ao&ished ! the settin, free of so'e one hundred and fifteen
thousand s&a$es< $a&ued at R@D<DDD<DDD< ei,ht thousand of 2ho' 2ere
-'artia&ed and disci*&ined for 2ar- in the Federa& ar'ies< and 'an! of
the' 'arched to 2ar a,ainst their for'er 'asters#
5o$ernor Dun0&in and his ad$isors in the ,o$ern'ent of .issouri
c&ai'ed that there 2as no 2arrant of authorit! under the &a2s and
constitution of the state for ca&&in, out a *er'anent 'i&itar! force to
*rotect the Saints in the *eacefu& *ossession of their ho'es unti& the
ci$i& authorit! *ro$ed itse&f co'*etent to 0ee* the *eace and *rotect the
citi4ens in the en=o!'ent of their ,uaranteed ri,hts? ut the *eo*&e in
the 2estern *art of .issouri sa2 the ti'e co'e 2hen the! the'se&$es *ra!ed
for the sa'e *rotection? and 5o$ernor Ste2art< un&i0e 5o$ernor Dun0&in<
a**ro$ed the a**oint'ent of a atta&ion of $o&unteers consistin, of three
co'*anies of ran,ers and one of arti&&er!< a&& of 2hich 2ere *&aced under
co''and of Lieutenant- Co&one& John L# "o2en< to do the $er! thin, the
Saints had *ra!ed 'i,ht e done in their case# "ut e$en this *ro$ision
for their *rotection did not a$ai&? for their o&d =a!ha20in, ene'ies soon
rea**eared under ne2 conditions --2hich 2i&& e stated in the ne/t
*ara,ra*h--under 2hich the! rene2ed their incursions of ra*ine and 'urder#
The state authorities of .issouri con$erted the 'os 2hich had
*&undered the Saints< urned their ho'es and &aid 2aste their &ands< into
the state 'i&itia 2hich ,a$e the for'er 'o a &e,a& status< under 2hich
,uise the! *&undered the Saints< co'*e&&ed the' to si,n a2a! their
*ro*ert! and a,ree to &ea$e the state# To resist this 'o-'i&itia 2as to
e ,ui&t! of treason? ut the *eo*&e of 2estern .issouri &i$ed to see a
&i0e *o&ic! *ursued to2ards the'# The! suffered 'uch in Jac0son and other
2estern counties in the order 2ar< *re$ious to the o*enin, of the Ci$i&
3ar< fro' the inroads of ao&ition -=a!ha20ers- in the interest of
anti-s&a$er!# For a ti'e this 2as in *art su**ressed ! the state 'i&itia
under 5enera& Frost and ! the *er'anent force stationed on the order
under Lieutenant-Co&one& "o2en# ut &ater< and 2hen the Ci$i& 3ar ro0e
out< these o&d -=a!ha20in,- &eaders -no2 ca'e 2ith United States
co''issions in their *oc0ets< and at the head of re,u&ar&! en&isted
troo*s< in 2hich ,uise the! carried on a s!ste' of roer! and 'urder that
&eft a ,ood *ortion of the frontier south of the .issouri ri$er as *erfect
a 2aste as 5er'an! 2as at the end of the Thirt! Years+ 3ar#-
Such 2retches as 5enera&s Lane and Jennison< thou,h Union officers<
and denounced a&i0e ! 5o$ernor Roinson of 1ansas--of course a stron,
Union 'an--and 5enera& Ha&&ec0< co''ander-in-chief of the 2estern ar'ies
of the Union< 2ere *er'itted to dis,race a&i0e the Union cause and our
hu'an nature ! their uns*ea0a&e atrocities# "ut the! 2ere retained in
office< ne$erthe&ess# It 2as the outra,es co''itted ! these 'en and their
co''ands< and the 1ansas -Red Le,s- that &ed to the e>ua&&! sa$a,e
re*risa&s on the *eo*&e of 1ansas# In re$en,e for 2hat 2estern .issouri
had suffered< out&a2ed .issourians sac0ed La2rence< 1ansas< a Union cit!<
'assacred one hundred and ei,ht!-three of its inhaitants< and &eft it in
f&a'es# In =ustification of their act of sa$a,er!< the! dec&ared(
-Jennison has &aid 2aste our ho'es< and the +Red Le,s+ ha$e *er*etrated
unheard of cri'es# Houses ha$e een *&undered and urned< defense&ess 'en
shot do2n< and 2o'en outra,ed# 3e are here for re$en,e--and 2e ha$e ,ot
it#- Ho2 near&! this &an,ua,e of the .issourians--and there can e no
>uestion that it descries 2hat had een done in .issouri ! Lane<
Jennison< and their co''ands< and the 1ansas -Red Le,s---fo&&o2s the
co'*&aint =ust&! 'ade ! the Latter-da! Saints !ears efore a,ainst the
.issouriansK "ut than0 5od< there is recorded a,ainst the Saints no such
horri&e deeds of re*risa&#
The .issourians fa&se&! char,ed that the Saints he&d i&&icit
co''unication 2ith the Indian tries then asse'&ed near the frontiers of
the state< and *retended to an a&ar' that their state 'i,ht e in$aded !
the sa$a,es< *ro'*ted thereto ! -.or'on- fanaticis'? ut these sa'e
.issourians &i$ed to see cause for rea& fear of such an in$asion 2hen the
5o$ernor of an ad=oinin, state--Ar0ansas--authori4e "ri,adier 5enera&
A&ert )i0e to raise t2o 'ounted re,i'ents of Chocta2 and Chic0asa2
Indians to actua&&! in$ade the state# These re,i'ents of sa$a,es 2ere
en,a,ed in the att&e of )ea Rid,e< on the south2est orders of .issouri#
5enera& )i0e< 2ho &ed the' in that att&e< dressed hi'se&f in ,aud!<
sa$a,e costu'e< and 2ore a &ar,e *&u'e on his head --a &a Nie& 5i&&ia' at
Far 3est--to *&ease the Indians# It is a&so char,ed that efore the att&e
of )ea Rid,e< he 'addened his Indians 2ith &i>uor -that the! 'i,ht a&&o2
the sa$a,e nature of their race to ha$e unchec0ed de$e&o*'ent# In their
fur! the! res*ected none of the usa,es of ci$i&i4ed 2arfare< ut sca&*ed
the he&*&ess 2ounded< and co''itted atrocities too horri&e to 'ention#-
The -fear- e/*ressed ! the .issourians res*ectin, the a&&e,ed i&&icit
co''unication of the Saints 2ith the Indians 2as 'ere fei,nin,< ut 2ith
this e/a'*&e efore the'< and 0no2in, that there 2ere 'an! thousands of
Indians on their frontiers that 'i,ht e si'i&ar&! induced to ta0e u*
ar's< their for'er fei,ned fears eca'e rea& ones#
The .issourians instead of de'andin, the e/ecution of the &a2 in
su**ort of the &ierties of the Saints< e/*ressed the fear that the
*resence of the Saints 2ou&d ,i$e rise to -Ci$i& 3ar<- in 2hich none cou&d
e neutra&s< since their ho'es 'ust e the theatre on 2hich it 2ou&d e
fou,ht< so the! dro$e the Saints a2a!? ut the .issourians &i$ed to see
the outrea0 of a ci$i& 2ar in their state that 2as one of the 'ost
a**a&&in, 'en e$er 2itnessed? and .issouri< 2hen a&& thin,s are
considered< and es*ecia&&! 2estern .issouri< suffered 'ore than an! other
state of the Union# In other states the 2ar &asted at 'ost ut four !ears?
ut countin, her 2estern order 2arfare in the stru,,&e for 1ansas< the
2ar 2as 2a,ed in 2estern .issouri fro' 78GG to 78:G< ten !ears? and for
'an! !ears after the c&ose of the Ci$i& 3ar< a ,uerri&&a 2arfare 2as
inter'ittent&! carried on ! ands of out&a2s harored in 2estern
.issouri--es*ecia&&! in Jac0son< Ra!< Ca&d2e&& and C&a! counties--that
terrori4ed the co''unit! and shoc0ed the 2or&d ! the darin, and atrocit!
of their cri'es--inc&udin, an0 roeries in o*en da!< e/*ress train
2rec0in, and roeries< and 'urders# Not unti& 7887 2as this effectua&&!
sto**ed ! the etra!a& and 'urder of the out&a2 chief of these ands#
.issouri sent into the Union Ar'ies one hundred and nine thousand of
her sons< inc&udin, ei,ht thousand ne,roes# Aout thirt! thousand en&isted
in the confederate ar'!# Accordin, to officia& re*orts the *ercenta,e of
troo*s to *o*u&ation in the 2estern states and territories 2as 79#: *er
cent< and in the Ne2 En,&and states 7H *er cent? 2hi&st in .issouri< if
there e added to her >uota sent to the northern ar'! the thirt! thousand
sent to the confederate ar'!< her *ercenta,e 2as fourteen *er cent< or
si/t! *er cent of those 2ho 2ere su=ect to 'i&itar! dut!# Of the deaths
a'on, these en&isted 'en< on&! a**ro/i'ate esti'ates 'a! e 'ade< since of
the 'orta&it! a'on, the Confederates no officia& records 2ere 0e*t# "ut of
those 2ho entered the Union ser$ice< thirteen thousand ei,ht hundred and
ei,ht!-fi$e deaths are officia&&! re*orted# The rate of 'orta&it! in the
Confederate forces< o2in, to the ,reater hardshi*s the! endured< and the
&ac0 of 'edica& attendants to care for the 2ounded< 2as 'uch hi,her< and
is ,enera&&! esti'ated at t2e&$e thousand< E'ost of 2ho' 2ere fro' 2estern
.issouriF< 2hich added to the deaths of those in the Union ar'! 2ou&d
a,,re,ate the &oss a'on, the troo*s fro' .issouri to t2ent!-fi$e thousand
ei,ht hundred and ei,ht!-fi$e# -This esti'ate<- sa!s Lucien Carr< -does
not co$er those 2ho 2ere 0i&&ed in the s0ir'ishes that too0 *&ace et2een
the ho'e ,uards and the ,uerri&&as? nor does it inc&ude those 2ho 2ere not
in either ar'!< ut 2ho 2ere shot do2n ! -ush2hac0ers- and
-ush2hac0in,- Federa& so&diers# Of these &atter there is no record<
thou,h there 2ere ut fe2 sections of the state in 2hich such scenes 2ere
not 'ore or &ess fre>uent# Assu'in, the deaths fro' these t2o sources to
ha$e een 7<HDD< and su''in, u* the resu&ts< it 2i&& e found that the
nu'er of .issourians 2ho 2ere 0i&&ed in the 2ar and died fro' disease
durin, their ter' of ser$ice a'ounted to not &ess than HM<DDD 'en#-
The &oss in treasure 2as in fu&& *ro*ortion to the &oss in &ood# The
state e/*ended RM<DDD<DDD in fittin, out and 'aintainin, her Union troo*s
in the fie&d# She &ost R@D<DDD<DDD in s&a$e *ro*ert!? and four !ears
after the c&ose of the 2ar--t2o of 2hich< 78:M-8< 2ere re'ar0a&!
*ros*erous--the ta/a&e 2ea&th of the state 2as R@:<DDD<DDD &ess than it
2as in 78:D# -In 'an! *ortions of the state<- sa!s the historian to 2ho' I
a' indeted for so 'an! of the facts re&atin, to .issouri in these *a,es<
-es*ecia&&! in the southern and 2estern orders< 2ho&e counties had een
de$astated# The houses 2ere urned< the fences destro!ed< and the far's
&aid 2aste# .uch of the &i$e stoc0 of the state had disa**eared? and
e$er!2here< e$en in those sections that 2ere co'*arati$e&! >uiet and
*eacefu&< the >uantit! of &and in cu&ti$ation 2as 'uch &ess than it had
een at the outrea0 of the 2ar# Added to these sources of dec&ine< and in
so'e 'easure a cause of the'< 2as the considera&e e'i,ration fro' the
state 2hich no2 too0 *&ace< and *articu&ar&! fro' those re,ions that &a!
in the *ath2a! of the ar'ies< or fro' those nei,horhoods that 2ere ,i$en
o$er to the -ush2hac0ers#- The a'ount of &oss fro' these different
sources cannot e accurate&! ,au,ed< ut so'e idea 'a! e for'ed of it<
and of the unsett&ed condition of affairs< fro' the fact that on&! @7 out
of the 779 counties in the state recei*ted for the ta/ oo0s for 78:7? and
in these counties< on&! RHGD<DDD out of the R:DD<DDD char,ed a,ainst the'
2ere co&&ected#-
This on&! in a ,enera& 2a! indicates the &osses in *ro*ert! sustained
! the state durin, the *eriod under consideration< ut it assists one to
understand so'e2hat the enor'it! of those &osses#
It is in no s*irit of ,&oatin, e/u&tation that these facts in
.issouri+s histor! are referred to here# It ,i$es no ,ratification to the
2riter to recount the 2oes of .issouri< and his ho*e is that it 2i&& ,i$e
none to the reader# These facts of histor! are set do2n on&! ecause the!
are $a&ua&e for the &esson the! teach# It 'a! e that $isi&e retriution
does not a&2a!s fo&&o2 in the 2a0e of state or nationa& 2ron,-doin,? ut
it is 2e&& that it shou&d so'eti'es do so< &est 'en shou&d co'e to thin0
that Eterna& Justice s&ee*s< or 'a! e th2arted< or< 2hat 2ou&d e 2orst
of a&&< that she does not e/ist# I sa! it is 2e&&< therefore< that
so'eti'es $isi&e retriution shou&d fo&&o2 state and nationa& as 2e&& as
indi$idua& trans,ressions< that the truth of the ,reat *rinci*&e that -as
'en so2< so sha&& the! rea*<- 'a! e $indicated# .issouri in her treat'ent
of the Latter-da! Saints durin, the !ears 7899-N< so2ed the 2ind? in the
disastrous e$ents 2hich o$ertoo0 her durin, the !ears 78GG-:G< she rea*ed
the 2hir&2ind# Let us ho*e that in those e$ents Justice 2as fu&&!
$indicated so far as the state of .issouri is concerned? and that the
&essons of her sad e/*erience 'a! not e &ost to the 2or&d# .a! the a2fu&
and $isi&e retriution $isited u*on .issouri teach a&& states and nations
that 2hen the! fee& *o2er the! 'ust not for,et Justice? 'a! it teach a&&
*eo*&es that states and nations in their cor*orate ca*acit! are such
entities as 'a! e he&d accounta&e efore 5od and the 2or&d for their
actions? that ri,hteousness e/a&teth a nation< 2hi&e in=ustice is a
re*roach to an! *eo*&e# .a! the retriution that 2as so *a&*a&! $isited
u*on the state of .issouri satisf! and encoura,e the Latter-da! Saints?
not that I 2ou&d see the' re=oice in the sufferin, of the 2ic0ed? ut
re=oice rather in the e$idence that Justice s&u'ereth not? that their
2ron,s are not hidden fro' the A&&-seein, e!e of 5od? that the! are 2ithin
the circ&e of His &o$e? that the! cannot e un=ust&! assai&ed 2ith
i'*unit!< ho2e$er hu'&e and 2ea0 the! 'a! e# Fro' a&& these
considerations 'a! the! e esta&ished in *eace< ho*e< confidence and
charit!? 0no2in, that 5od is their friend? that His ar' is stron, to
*rotect? or< if in the course of 5od+s econo'! in the 'ana,e'ent of the
affairs of the 2or&d it 'ust needs e that for a ti'e the! suffer at the
hands of o**ressors< that He 2i&& a$en,e the' of their ene'ies? and a'*&!
re2ard the' for their sufferin,s in His cause#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS#
)ERIOD I#
THE )RO)HET JOSE)H+S DE)ARTURE FRO. 1IRTLAND AND ARRI%AL IN .ISSOURI#
Januar!< 7898#--A ne2 !ear da2ned u*on the Church in 1irt&and in a&&
the itterness of the s*irit of a*ostate 'oocrac!? 2hich continued to
ra,e and ,ro2 hotter and hotter< unti& E&der Ri,don and '!se&f 2ere
o&i,ed to f&ee fro' its dead&! inf&uence< as did the A*ost&es and
)ro*hets of o&d< and as Jesus said< -2hen the! *ersecute !ou in one cit!<
f&ee to another#- On the e$enin, of the 7Hth of Januar!< aout ten
o+c&oc0< 2e &eft 1irt&and< on horseac0< to esca*e 'o $io&ence< 2hich 2as
aout to urst u*on us under the co&or of &e,a& *rocess to co$er the
he&&ish desi,ns of our ene'ies< and to sa$e the'se&$es fro' the =ust
=ud,'ent of the &a2#
3e continued our tra$e&s durin, the ni,ht< and at ei,ht o+c&oc0 on
the 'ornin, of the 79th< arri$ed a'on, the rethren in Norton To2nshi*<
.edina count!< Ohio< a distance of si/t! 'i&es fro' 1irt&and# Here 2e
tarried aout thirt!-si/ hours< 2hen our fa'i&ies arri$ed? and on the 7:th
2e *ursued our =ourne! 2ith our fa'i&ies< in co$ered 2a,ons to2ards the
cit! of Far 3est< in .issouri# 3e *assed throu,h Da!ton and Eaton< in
Ohio< and Du&in< Indiana? in the &atter *&ace 2e tarried nine da!s< and
refreshed ourse&$es#
Aout Januar! 7:< 7898< ein, destitute of 'one! to *ursue '!
=ourne!< I said to "rother "ri,ha' Youn,( -You are one of the T2e&$e 2ho
ha$e char,e of the 0in,do' in a&& the 2or&d? I e&ie$e I sha&& thro2
'!se&f u*on !ou< and &oo0 to !ou for counse& in this case#- "rother Youn,
thou,ht I 2as not earnest< ut I to&d hi' I 2as# "rother "ri,ha' then
said< -If !ou 2i&& ta0e '! counse& it 2i&& e that !ou rest !ourse&f< and
e assured !ou sha&& ha$e 'one! in *&ent! to *ursue !our =ourne!#-
There 2as a rother &i$in, in the *&ace 2ho had tried for so'e ti'e
to se&& his far' ut cou&d not? he as0ed counse& of "rother Youn,
concernin, his *ro*ert!? "rother Youn, to&d hi' that if he 2ou&d do ri,ht<
and oe! counse&< he shou&d ha$e an o**ortunit! to se&&# In aout three
da!s "rother To'&inson ca'e to "rother "ri,ha' and said he had an offer
for his *&ace? "rother "ri,ha' to&d hi' that this 2as the 'anifestation of
the hand of the Lord to de&i$er "rother Jose*h S'ith fro' his *resent
necessities# "rother "ri,ha'+s *ro'ise 2as soon $erified< and I ,ot three
hundred do&&ars fro' "rother To'&inson< 2hich ena&ed 'e to *ursue '!
=ourne!#
The 2eather 2as e/tre'e&! co&d< 2e 2ere o&i,ed to secrete ourse&$es
in our 2a,ons< so'eti'es< to e&ude the ,ras* of our *ursuers< 2ho
continued their *ursuit of us 'ore than t2o hundred 'i&es fro' 1irt&and<
ar'ed 2ith *isto&s and ,uns< see0in, our &i$es# The! fre>uent&! crossed
our trac0< t2ice the! 2ere in the houses 2here 2e sto**ed< once 2e tarried
a&& ni,ht in the sa'e house 2ith the'< 2ith on&! a *artition et2een us
and the'? and heard their oaths and i'*recations< and threats concernin,
us< if the! cou&d catch us? and &ate in the e$enin, the! ca'e in to our
roo' and e/a'ined us# ut decided 2e 2ere not the 'en# At other ti'es 2e
*assed the' in the streets< and ,a4ed u*on the'< and the! on us< ut the!
0ne2 us not# One L!ons 2as one of our *ursuers#
I *arted 2ith "rother Ri,don at Du&in< and tra$e&in, different
routes 2e 'et at Terre Haute< 2here< after restin,< 2e se*arated a,ain<
and I *ursued '! =ourne!< crossin, the .ississi**i ri$er at Auinc!<
I&&inois#
TRIAL OF THE FAR 3EST )RESIDENCY OF THE CHURCH#
.inutes of the )roceedin,s of the Co''ittee of the 2ho&e Church
in ;ion< in 5enera& Asse'&!< at the fo&&o2in, *&aces< to-2it( At Far
3est< Feruar! G< 7898? Carter+s Sett&e'ent on the :th? Dur*h!+s
Sett&e'ent< on the Mth? Curtis+ D2e&&in,-house on the 8th? and Haun+s
.i&&s on the Nth# Tho'as "# .arsh< .oderator< John C&e'inson< C&er0#
After *ra!er< the .oderator stated the o=ect of the 'eetin,< ,i$in,
a re&ation of the recent or,ani4ation of the Church here and in 1irt&and#
He a&so read a certain re$e&ation ,i$en in 1irt&and< Se*te'er 9< 789M<
2hich 'ade 0no2n that John 3hit'er and 3# 3# )he&*s< 2ere in
trans,ression< and if the! re*ented not< the! shou&d e re'o$ed out of
their *&aces? a&so read a certain c&ause contained in the a**ea&
*u&ished in the o&d Star< on the 789rd *a,e as fo&&o2s(
-And to se&& our &ands 2ou&d a'ount to a denia& of our faith< as that
is the *&ace 2here the ;ion of 5od sha&& stand< accordin, to our faith and
e&ief in the re$e&ations of 5od#-
E&der John .urdoc0 then too0 the stand and sho2ed to the
con,re,ation< 2h! the Hi,h Counci& *roceeded thus 2as that the Church ha$e
a $oice in the 'atter? and that he considered it *erfect&! &e,a& accordin,
to the instructions of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
E&der 5eor,e .# Hin0&e then set forth the 2a! in 2hich the )residenc!
of Far 3est had een &aored 2ith< that a co''ittee of three< of 2ho' he
2as one< had &aored 2ith the'# He then read a 2ritten docu'ent<
containin, a nu'er of accusations a,ainst the three *residents# He s*o0e
'an! thin,s a,ainst the'< settin, forth in a *&ain and ener,etic 'anner
the ini>uit! of E&ders )he&*s and 3hit'er< in usin, the 'onies 2hich 2ere
&oaned to the Church# A&so Da$id 3hit'er+s 2ron,-doin, in *ersistin, in
the use of tea< coffee< and toacco#
"isho* )artrid,e then arose and endea$ored to rectif! so'e 'ista0es
of 'inor i'*ortance< 'ade ! E&der Hin0&e? a&so the "isho* s*o0e a,ainst
the *roceedin,s of the 'eetin,< as ein, hast! and i&&e,a&< for he thou,ht
the! ou,ht to e had efore the Co''on Counci&< and said that he cou&d not
&ift his hand a,ainst the )residenc! at *resent# He then read a &etter
fro' )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
A &etter fro' 3i&&ia' S'ith 2as then read ! Tho'as "# .arsh< 2ho
'ade so'e co''ents on the sa'e< and a&so on the &etter read ! "isho*
)artrid,e#
E&der 5eor,e .ore!< 2ho 2as one of the co''ittee sent to &aor 2ith
the .issouri )residenc!< s*o0e< settin, forth in a $er! ener,etic 'anner<
the *roceedin,s of that )residenc!< as ein, ini>uitous#
E&der Tho'as 5ro$er< a&so< ein, one of the co''ittee< s*o0e a,ainst
the conduct of the )residenc!< and of O&i$er Co2der!< on their $isit to
&aor 2ith the'#
E&der Da$id 3# )atten s*o0e 2ith 'uch 4ea& a,ainst the )residenc!<
and in fa$or of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and that the 2o&$es a&&uded to< in his
&etter< 2ere the dissenters in 1irt&and#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht stated that he considered a&& other accusations of
'inor i'*ortance co'*ared to "rothers )he&*s and 3hit'er se&&in, their
&ands in Jac0son count!? that the! had set an e/a'*&e 2hich a&& the Saints
2ere &ia&e to fo&&o2# He said that it 2as a he&&ish *rinci*&e on 2hich
the! had acted< and that the! had f&at&! denied the faith in so doin,#
E&der E&ias Hi,ee sanctioned 2hat had een done ! the Counci&<
s*ea0in, a,ainst the )residenc!#
E&der .urdoc0 stated that sufficient had een said to sustantiate
the accusations a,ainst the'#
E&der So&o'on Hancoc0 *&eaded in fa$or of the )residenc!< statin,
that he cou&d not raise his hand a,ainst the'#
E&der John Corri&& then s*o0e a,ainst the *roceedin,s of the Hi,h
Counci& and &aored hard to sho2 that the 'eetin, 2as i&&e,a&< and that
the )residenc! ou,ht to e arrai,ned efore a *ro*er triuna&< 2hich he
considered to e a "isho* and T2e&$e Hi,h )riests# He &aored in fa$or of
the )residenc!< and said that he shou&d not raise his hands a,ainst the'
at *resent< a&thou,h he did not u*ho&d the )residents in their ini>uit!#
Si'eon Carter s*o0e a,ainst the 'eetin, as ein, hast!#
E&der 5ro$es fo&&o2ed "rother Carter in &i0e oser$ations#
E&der )atten a,ain too0 the stand in $indication of the cause of the
'eetin,#
E&der .or&e! s*o0e a,ainst the )residenc!< at the sa'e ti'e *&eadin,
'erc!#
Titus "i&&in,s said he cou&d not $ote unti& the! had a hearin, in the
Co''on Counci&#
E&der .arsh said that the 'eetin, 2as accordin, to the direction of
"rother Jose*h< he therefore considered it &e,a&#
E&der .oses .artin s*o0e in fa$or of the &e,a&it! of the 'eetin,< and
a,ainst the conduct of the )residenc!< 2ith ,reat ener,!< a&&e,in, that
the *resent corru*tions of the Church here< 2ere o2in, to the 2ic0edness
and 'is'ana,e'ent of her &eaders#
The .oderator then ca&&ed the $ote in fa$or of the .issouri
)residenc!? the ne,ati$e 2as then ca&&ed< and the $ote a,ainst Da$id
3hit'er< John 3hit'er< and 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s 2as unani'ous< e/ce*tin,
ei,ht or ten< and this 'inorit! on&! 2ished the' to continue in office a
&itt&e &on,er< or unti& Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< arri$ed#
THO.AS "# .ARSH< .oderator<
JOHN CLE.INSON# C&er0#
.inutes of )roceedin,s in Other Sett&e'ents than Far 3est#
In Si'eon Carter+s sett&e'ent the Saints asse'&ed on the :th
instant< 2hen the! unani'ous&! re=ected the three ao$e-na'ed )residents#
On the Mth< the Saints asse'&ed at Ed'ond Dur*h!+s< a,reea&e to
a**oint'ent< 2here the ao$e-na'ed )residents 2ere unani'ous&! re=ected?
a&so on the 8th at Nahu' Curtis+ d2e&&in,-house< the! 2ere unani'ous&!
re=ected ! the asse'&!? a&so at Haun+s .i&&s< on the Nth< the Saints
unani'ous&! re=ected the'#
At a 'eetin, of the Hi,h Counci& the "isho* and his counse&< Feruar!
7D< 7898< it 2as 'o$ed< seconded< and carried< that O&i$er Co2der!<
3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< and John 3hit'er< stand no &on,er as chair'an and
c&er0s to si,n and record &icenses#
%oted that Tho'as "# .arsh and Da$id 3# )atten e authori4ed to
attend to such usiness for the ti'e ein,#
A&so $oted that Tho'as "# .arsh and Da$id 3# )atten e *residents<
*ro te'*ore< of the Church of Latter-da! Saints in .issouri< unti&
)residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< arri$e in the &and of
;ion#
J# .URDOC1< .oderator<
T# "# .ARSH< C&er0#
Hi,h Counci& .eetin, at Far 3est#
The Hi,h Counci& of ;ion 'et in Far 3est< on Saturda!< .arch 7D 7898<
a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent? 2hen after discussion it 2as reso&$ed<
First--That the Hi,h Counci& reco''end ! 2ritin, to the $arious
ranches of this Church< that a&& those 2ho 2ish to recei$e ordination<
*rocure reco''ends fro' the ranches to 2hich the! e&on,< and ha$e such
reco''ends *ass throu,h the hands of the different >uoru's for ins*ection<
*re$ious to the a**&icants+ ordination#
Second--Reso&$ed that the Hi,h Counci& reco''end to a&& those 2ho
ho&d &icenses< et2een the a,es of ei,hteen and fort!-fi$e< and do not
officiate in their res*ecti$e offices< e su=ect to 'i&itar! dut!#
A char,e 2as then *referred a,ainst 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er< for *ersistin, in unchristian-&i0e conduct#
Si/ counci&ors 2ere a**ointed to s*ea0< $i4#< Si'eon Carter< Isaac
Hi,ee and Le$i Jac0'an< on the *art of the accuser? and Jared Carter<
Tho'as 5ro$er< and Sa'ue& "ent< on the *art of the accused? 2hen the
fo&&o2in, &etter< e&on,in, to Tho'as "# .arsh< 2as read !
"rother .arce&&us F# Co2der!< earer of the sa'e< *re$ious to ,i$in,
it to its ri,htfu& o2ner(
-FAR 3EST< .arch 7D< 7898#
-Sir--It is contrar! to the *rinci*&es of the re$e&ations of Jesus
Christ and His ,os*e&< and the &a2s of the &and< to tr! a *erson for an
offense ! an i&&e,a& triuna&< or ! 'en *re=udiced a,ainst hi'< or !
authorit! that has ,i$en an o*inion or decision eforehand< or in his
asence#
-%er! res*ectfu&&! 2e ha$e the honor to e<
DA%ID 3HIT.ER<
-3ILLIA. 3# )HEL)S<
JOHN 3HIT.ER<
-)residents of the Church of Christ in .issouri#
-To Tho'as "# .arsh< one of the IT2e&$eJ Tra$e&in, Counci&ors#-
Attested( OLI%ER CO3DERY<
C&er0 of the Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Christ in .issouri#
I certif! the fore,oin, to e a true co*! fro' the ori,ina&#
OLI%ER CO3DERY<
C&er0 of the Hi,h Counci&#
A&& the effect the ao$e &etter had u*on the Counci&< 2as to con$ince
the' sti&& 'ore of the 2ic0edness of those 'en< ! endea$orin, to *a&'
the'se&$es off u*on the Church< as her )residents< after the Church had !
a united $oice< re'o$ed the' fro' their *residentia& office< for their
un,od&! conduct? and the &etter 2as considered no 'ore nor &ess than a
direct insu&t or conte'*t cast u*on the authorities of 5od< and the Church
of Jesus Christ? therefore the Counci& *roceeded to usiness#
A nu'er of char,es 2ere sustained a,ainst these 'en< the *rinci*a&
of 2hich 2as c&ai'in, RH<DDD Church funds< 2hich the! had suscried for
ui&din, a house to the Lord in this *&ace< 2hen the! he&d in their
*ossession the cit! *&at< and 2ere sittin, in the *residentia& chair?
2hich suscri*tion the! 2ere intendin, to *a! fro' the a$ai&s of the to2n
&ots? ut 2hen the to2n *&at 2as transferred into the hands of the "isho*
for the enefit of the Church< it 2as a,reed that the Church shou&d ta0e
this suscri*tion off the hands of 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er( ut in
the transaction of the usiness< the! ound the "isho* in a hea$!
'ort,a,e< to *a! the' the ao$e RH<DDD< in t2o !ears fro' the date
thereof< a *art of 2hich the! had a&read! recei$ed< and c&ai'ed the
re'ainder#
The si/ counci&ors 'ade a fe2 a**ro*riate re'ar0s< ut none fe&t to
*&ead for 'erc!< as it had not een as0ed on the *art of the accused< and
a&& 2ith one consent dec&ared that =ustice ou,ht to ha$e her de'ands#
After so'e re'ar0s ! )residents .arsh and )atten< settin, forth the
ini>uit! of those 'en in c&ai'in, the RH<DDD s*o0en of< 2hich did not
e&on, to the'< an! 'ore than to an! other *erson in the Church< it 2as
decided that 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er e no &on,er 'e'ers of
the Church of Christ of Latter-da! Saints< and e ,i$en o$er to the
uffetin,s of Satan< unti& the! &earn to &as*he'e no 'ore a,ainst the
authorities of 5od< nor f&eece the f&oc0 of Christ#
The Counci& 2as then as0ed if the! concurred 2ith the decision< if
so< to 'anifest it ! risin,? the! a&& arose#
The $ote 2as then *ut to the con,re,ation< and 2as carried
unani'ous&!#
The ne,ati$e 2as ca&&ed< ut no one $oted#
"rother .arce&&us F# Co2der! arose and said he 2ished to &ea$e it
understood that he did not $ote either 2a!< ecause he did not consider it
a &e,a& triuna&# He a&so offered insu&t to the Hi,h Counci&< and to the
Church< ! readin, a &etter e&on,in, to Tho'as "# .arsh< efore ,i$in, it
to hi'< and in s*ea0in, a,ainst the authorities of the Church#
A 'otion 2as then 'ade ! )resident )atten< that fe&&o2shi* e
2ithdra2n fro' .arce&&us F# Co2der!< unti& he 'a0e satisfaction< 2hich 2as
seconded and carried unani'ous&!#
THO.AS "# .ARSH<
DA%ID 3# )ATTEN<
)residents#
E"ENE;ER RO"INSON<
C&er0 of Hi,h Counci&#
3hen I had arri$ed 2ithin one hundred and t2ent! 'i&es of Far 3est<
the rethren 'et 'e 2ith tea's and 'one! to he&* 'e for2ard< and 2hen
ei,ht 'i&es fro' the cit!< 2e 2ere 'et ! an escort< $i4#< Tho'as "# .arsh
and others< 2ho recei$ed us 2ith o*en ar's? and on the 79th of .arch< 2ith
'! fa'i&! and so'e others I *ut u* at "rother "arnard+s for the ni,ht#
Here 2e 2ere 'et ! another escort of the rethren fro' the to2n< 2ho ca'e
to 'a0e us 2e&co'e to their &itt&e ;ion#
On the 7@th of .arch< as 2e 2ere aout enterin, Far 3est< 'an! of the
rethren ca'e out to 'eet us< 2ho a&so 2ith o*en ar's 2e&co'ed us to their
oso's# 3e 2ere i''ediate&! recei$ed under the hos*ita&e roof of "rother
5eor,e 3# Harris< 2ho treated us 2ith a&& *ossi&e 0indness< and 2e
refreshed ourse&$es 2ith 'uch satisfaction< after our &on, and tedious
=ourne!< the rethren rin,in, in such thin,s as 2e had need of for our
co'fort and con$enience#
After ein, here t2o or three da!s< '! rother Sa'ue& arri$ed 2ith
his fa'i&!#
Short&! after his arri$a&< 2hi&e 2a&0in, 2ith hi' and certain other
rethren< the fo&&o2in, senti'ents occurred to '! 'ind(
The )o&itica& .otto of the Church of Latter-da! Saints#
The Constitution of our countr! for'ed ! the Fathers of &iert!#
)eace and ,ood order in societ!# Lo$e to 5od< and ,ood 2i&& to 'an# A&&
,ood and 2ho&eso'e &a2s< $irtue and truth ao$e a&& thin,s< and
aristarch!< &i$e for e$erK "ut 2oe to t!rants< 'os< aristocrac!< anarch!<
and tor!is'< and a&& those 2ho in$ent or see0 out unri,hteous and
$e/atious &a2 suits< under the *rete/t and co&or of &a2< or office< either
re&i,ious or *o&itica&# E/a&t the standard of De'ocrac!K Do2n 2ith that of
*riestcraft< and &et a&& the *eo*&e sa! A'enK that the &ood of our
fathers 'a! not cr! fro' the ,round a,ainst us# Sacred is the 'e'or! of
that &ood 2hich ou,ht for us our &iert!#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
THO.AS "# .ARSH<
DA%ID 3# )ATTEN<
"RI5HA. YOUN5<
SA.UEL H# S.ITH<
5EOR5E .# HIN1LE<
JOHN CORRILL<
5EOR5E 3# RO"INSON#
The )ro*het+s Ans2ers to Auestions on Scri*ture#
3ho is the Ste' of Jesse s*o0en of in the 7st< Hnd< 9rd< @th< and Gth
$erses of the 77th cha*ter of IsaiahB#
%eri&! thus saith the Lord< it is Christ#
3hat is the rod s*o0en of in the first $erse of the 77th cha*ter of
Isaiah that shou&d co'e of the Ste' of JesseB
"eho&d< thus saith the Lord< it is a ser$ant in the hands of Christ<
2ho is *art&! a descendant of Jesse as 2e&& as of E*hrai'< or of the House
of Jose*h< on 2ho' there is &aid 'uch *o2er# 3hat is the root of Jesse
s*o0en of in the 7Dth $erse of the 77th cha*terB
"eho&d< thus saith the Lord< it is a descendant of Jesse< as 2e&& as
of Jose*h< unto 2ho' ri,ht&! e&on,s the )riesthood< and the 0e!s of the
1in,do'< for an ensi,n< and for the ,atherin, of '! *eo*&e in the &ast
da!s#
Auestions ! E&ias Hi,ee(
-3hat is 'eant ! the co''and in Isaiah< GHnd cha*ter< 7st $erse<
2hich saith< *ut on th! stren,th O ;ionB And 2hat *eo*&e had Isaiah
reference toB-
He had reference to those 2ho' 5od shou&d ca&& in the &ast da!s< 2ho
shou&d ho&d the *o2er of )riesthood to rin, a,ain ;ion< and the
rede'*tion of Israe&? and to *ut on her stren,th is to *ut on the
authorit! of the )riesthood< 2hich she E;ionF has a ri,ht to ! &inea,e?
a&so to return to that *o2er 2hich she had &ost#
-3hat are 2e to understand ! ;ion &oosin, herse&f fro' the ands of
her nec0? Hnd $erseB-
3e are to understand that the scattered re'nants are e/horted to
return to the Lord fro' 2hence the! ha$e fa&&en< 2hich if the! do< the
*ro'ise of the Lord is that He 2i&& s*ea0 to the'< or ,i$e the'
re$e&ation# See the :th< Mth and 8th $erses# The ands of her nec0 are the
curses of 5od u*on her< or the re'nants of Israe& in their scattered
condition a'on, the 5enti&es#
The )ro*het+s Letter to the )residenc! of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints in 1irt&and#
FAR 3EST< .arch HN< 7898#
Dear and 3e&& "e&o$ed "rethren--Throu,h the ,race and 'erc! of our
5od< after a &on, and tedious =ourne! of t2o 'onths and one da!< '! fa'i&!
and I arri$ed safe in the cit! of Far 3est< ha$in, een 'et at Hunts$i&&e<
one hundred and t2ent! 'i&es fro' this *&ace< ! '! rethren 2ith tea's
and 'one!< to for2ard us on our =ourne!# 3hen 2ithin ei,ht 'i&es of the
cit! of Far 3est# 2e 2ere 'et ! an escort of rethren fro' the cit!<
$i4#( Tho'as "# .arsh< John Corri&&< E&ias Hi,ee< and se$era& others of
the faithfu& of the 3est< 2ho recei$ed us 2ith o*en ar's and 2ar' hearts<
and 2e&co'ed us to the oso' of their societ!# On our arri$a& in the cit!
2e 2ere ,reeted on e$er! hand ! the Saints< 2ho id us 2e&co'e to the
&and of their inheritance#
Dear rethren< !ou 'a! e assured that so friend&! a 'eetin, and
rece*tion *aid us 2e&& for our &on, se$en !ears of ser$itude< *ersecution<
and aff&iction in the 'idst of our ene'ies< in the &and of 1irt&and? !ea<
$eri&! our hearts 2ere fu&&? and 2e fee& ,ratefu& to A&'i,ht! 5od for His
0indness unto us# The *articu&ars of our =ourne!< rethren< cannot 2e&& e
2ritten< ut 2e trust that the sa'e 5od 2ho has *rotected us 2i&& *rotect
!ou a&so< and 2i&&< sooner or &ater< ,rant us the *ri$i&e,e of seein, each
other face to face< and of rehearsin, a&& our sufferin,s#
3e ha$e heard of the destruction of the *rintin, office< 2hich 2e
*resu'e to e&ie$e 'ust ha$e een occasioned ! the )arrish *art!< or 'ore
*ro*er&! the aristocrats or anarchists#
The Saints here ha$e *ro$ided a roo' for us< and dai&! necessaries<
2hich are rou,ht in fro' a&& *arts of the countr! to 'a0e us co'forta&e?
so that I ha$e nothin, to do ut to attend to '! s*iritua& concerns< or
the s*iritua& affairs of the Church#
The difficu&ties of the Church had een ad=usted efore '! arri$a&
here< ! a =udicious Hi,h Counci&< 2ith Tho'as "# .arsh and Da$id 3#
)atten< 2ho acted as *residents *ro te'*ore of the Church of ;ion< ein,
a**ointed ! the $oice of the Counci& and Church< 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and
John 3hit'er ha$in, een cut off fro' the Church< Da$id 3hit'er re'ainin,
as !et# The Saints at this ti'e are in union? and *eace and &o$e *re$ai&
throu,hout? in a 2ord< hea$en s'i&es u*on the Saints in Ca&d2e&&# %arious
and 'an! ha$e een the fa&sehoods 2ritten fro' 1irt&and to this *&ace< ut
Ithe!J ha$e a$ai&ed nothin,# 3e ha$e no uneasiness aout the *o2er of our
ene'ies in this *&ace to do us har'#
"rother Sa'ue& H# S'ith and fa'i&! arri$ed here soon after 2e did< in
,ood hea&th# "rothers "ri,ha' Youn,< Danie& S# .i&es< and Le$i Richards
arri$ed here 2hen 2e did# The! 2ere 2ith us on the &ast *art of our
=ourne!< 2hich ended 'uch to our satisfaction# The! a&so are 2e&&# The!
ha$e *ro$ided *&aces for their fa'i&ies< and are no2 aout to rea0 the
,round for seed#
Ha$in, een under the hands of I'en 2ho ur,ed a,ainst 'eJ 2ic0ed and
$e/atious &a2 suits for se$en !ears *ast< '! usiness Iin 1irt&andJ 2as so
deran,ed that I 2as not a&e to &ea$e it in so ,ood a situation as I had
antici*ated? ut if there are an! 2ron,s< the! sha&& a&& e noticed< so
far as the Lord ,i$es 'e ai&it! and *o2er to do so#
Sa! to a&& the rethren< that I ha$e not for,otten the'< ut re'e'er
the' in '! *ra!ers# Sa! to .other "ea'an that I re'e'er her< a&so "rother
Danie& Carter< "rother Stron, and fa'i&!< "rother 5ran,er and fa'i&!?
fina&&! I cannot enu'erate the' a&& for 2ant of roo'< I 2i&& =ust na'e
"rother 1ni,ht< the "isho*< etc#? '! est res*ects to the' a&&< and I
co''end the' and the Church of 5od in 1irt&and to our Hea$en&! Father< and
the 2ord of His ,race< 2hich is a&e to 'a0e !ou 2ise unto sa&$ation#
I 2ou&d =ust sa! to "rother .ar0s< that I sa2 in a $ision 2hi&e on
the road< that 2hereas he 2as c&ose&! *ursued ! an innu'era&e concourse
of ene'ies< and as the! *ressed u*on hi' hard< as if the! 2ere aout to
de$our hi'< and had see'in,&! otained so'e de,ree of ad$anta,e o$er hi'<
ut aout this ti'e a chariot of fire ca'e< and near the *&ace< e$en the
an,e& of the Lord *ut forth his hand unto "rother .ar0s and said unto hi'<
-Thou art '! son< co'e here<- and i''ediate&! he 2as cau,ht u* in the
chariot< and rode a2a! triu'*hant&! out of their 'idst# And a,ain the Lord
said< I 2i&& raise thee u* for a &essin, unto 'an! *eo*&e#- No2 the
*articu&ars of this 2ho&e 'atter cannot e 2ritten at this ti'e< ut the
$ision 2as e$ident&! ,i$en to 'e that I 'i,ht 0no2 that the hand of the
Lord 2ou&d e on his eha&f#
I trans'it to !ou the .otto of the Church of Latter-da! Saints#
3e &eft )resident Ri,don thirt! 'i&es this side of )aris< I&&inois<
in conse>uence of the sic0ness of "rother 5eor,e 3# Roinson+s 2ife#
On !esterda! "rother Roinson arri$ed here< 2ho infor'ed us that his
father-in-&a2 ESidne! Ri,donF 2as at Hunts$i&&e< detained on account of
the i&& hea&th of his 2ife# The! 2i&& *roa&! e here soon#
Choice seeds of a&& 0inds of fruit< a&so choice reeds of catt&e<
2ou&d e in 'uch de'and? and est &ood of horses< ,arden seeds of e$er!
descri*tion< and ha! seeds of a&& sorts< are 'uch needed in this *&ace#
%er! res*ectfu&&! I suscrie '!se&f !our ser$ant in Christ< our Lord
and Sa$ior#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
)resident of the Church of Christ of Latter-da! Saints#
CHA)TER II#
E6CO..UNICATION OF OLI%ER CO3DERY AND DA%ID 3HIT.ER--THE 3OR1
IN EN5LAND#
)RESIDENT RI5DON arri$ed at Far 3est 2ith his fa'i&!< 3ednesda!<
A*ri& @th< ha$in, had a tedious =ourne!< and his fa'i&! ha$in, suffered
'an! aff&ictions#
.inutes of a 5enera& Conference of the Church at Far 3est#
FAR 3EST< A*ri& :< 7898#
A,reea&e to a reso&ution *assed ! the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion# .arch
9< 7898< the Saints in .issouri asse'&ed in this *&ace to ce&erate the
anni$ersar! of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints# and to
transact Church usiness< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don<
*residin,#
The 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! sin,in,< and *ra!er ! Da$id 3# )atten<
after 2hich )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< read the order of the da! as
fo&&o2s? Doors 2i&& e o*ened at N o+c&oc0 a# '#< and the 'eetin, 2i&&
co''ence ! sin,in, and *ra!er# A se/ton 2i&& then e a**ointed as a door
0ee*er< and other ser$ices in the House of the Lord# T2o historians 2i&&
then e a**ointed to 2rite and 0ee* the Church histor!? a&so a ,enera&
recorder to 0ee* the records of the 2ho&e Church< and to e the c&er0 of
the First )residenc!# And a c&er0 2i&& e a**ointed for the Hi,h Counci&<
and to 0ee* the Church records of this Sta0e# Three *residents 2i&& e
a**ointed to *reside o$er this Church of ;ion< after 2hich an address 2i&&
e de&i$ered ! the )residenc!# Then an inter'ission of one hour< 2hen the
'eetin, 2i&& a,ain con$ene< and o*en ! sin,in, and *ra!er# The Sacra'ent
2i&& then e ad'inistered< and the &essin, of infants attended to#
The 'eetin, *roceeded to usiness# 5eor,e .ore! 2as a**ointed se/ton<
and Di'ic0 Huntin,ton assistant? John Corri&& and E&ias Hi,ee<
historians? 5eor,e 3# Roinson< ,enera& Church recorder and c&er0 to the
First )residenc!? Eene4er Roinson< Church c&er0 and recorder for Far
3est and c&er0 of the Hi,h Counci&? Tho'as "# .arsh< )resident *ro te'*ore
of the Church in ;ion< and "ri,ha' Youn, and Da$id 3# )atten< his
assistant )residents#
After one hour+s ad=ourn'ent< 'eetin, a,ain o*ened ! Da$id 3#
)atten# The read and 2ine 2ere ad'inistered< and ninet!-fi$e infants 2ere
&essed#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< )resident#
E"ENE;ER RO"INSON< C&er0#
.inutes of the First Auarter&! Conference at Far 3est#
A,reea&e to a reso&ution of the Hi,h Counci&< .arch 9< 7898< the
,enera& authorities of the Church 'et< to ho&d the Auarter&! Conference of
the Church of Latter-da! Saints< at Far 3est< on the Mth of A*ri&< 7898#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< Tho'as "# .arsh< Da$id
3# )atten< and "ri,ha' Youn,< too0 the stand< after 2hich the se$era&
>uoru's< the Hi,h Counci&< the Hi,h )riests< the Se$enties< the E&ders<
the "isho*s< the )riests< Teachers and Deacons< 2ere or,ani4ed ! their
)residents#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'ade so'e re'ar0s and a&so ,a$e so'e
instructions res*ectin, the order of the da!# After sin,in,< *ra!er !
"ri,ha' Youn,< and sin,in, a,ain< )resident S'ith then addressed the
con,re,ation at considera&e &en,th< fo&&o2ed ! )resident Ri,don#
Ad=ourned t2ent! 'inutes#
O*ened ! Da$id 3# )atten< 2ho a&so 'ade so'e re'ar0s res*ectin, the
T2e&$e A*ost&es# He s*o0e of Tho'as "# .arsh< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< Orson H!de< )ar&e! )# )ratt< and Orson )ratt< as ein, 'en of
5od< 2ho' he cou&d reco''end 2ith cheerfu&ness and confidence# He s*o0e
so'e2hat doutfu& of 3i&&ia' S'ith< for so'ethin, he had heard res*ectin,
his faith in the 2or0# He a&so s*o0e of 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in< Lu0e S#
Johnson< L!'an E# Johnson< and John F# "o!nton< as ein, 'en 2ho' he cou&d
not reco''end to the conference#
)resident John .urdoc0 re*resented the Hi,h Counci&# The re*ort 2as
fa$ora&e# The seats of E&isha H# 5ro$es< Ca&$in "eee< and L!'an 3i,ht
2ere $acant in conse>uence of their ha$in, 'o$ed so far a2a! the! cou&d
not attend the Counci&#
Tho'as "# .arsh no'inated Jared Carter< to fi&& the seat of E&isha H#
5ro$es? John )# 5reene that of Ca&$in "eee< and 5eor,e 3# Harris that of
L!'an 3i,ht? 2hich no'inations 2ere se$era&&! and unani'ous&! sanctioned#
5eor,e 3# Harris 2as ordained a Hi,h )riest#
On 'otion< conference ad=ourned to the 8th< N o+c&oc0 a# '#
Sunda!< A*ri& 8th< N o+c&oc0 a# '#< conference con$ened and o*ened as
usua&< *ra!er ! "ri,ha' Youn,#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s res*ectin, the
1irt&and "an0# He 2as fo&&o2ed ! "ri,ha' Youn,< 2ho ,a$e a short histor!
of his tra$e&s to .assachusetts and Ne2 Yor0#
)resident Char&es C# Rich re*resented his >uoru' of Hi,h )riests< and
read their na'es# The *rinci*a& *art 2ere in ,ood standin,#
)resident Danie& S# .i&es and Le$i 3# Hancoc0 re*resented the
Se$enties#
The >uoru' of E&ders 2ere re*resented ! their )resident< Har$e!
5reen< nu'erin, one hundred and t2ent!-four in ,ood standin,#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s on the 3ord of
3isdo'< ,i$in, the reason of its co'in, forth< sa!in, it shou&d e
oser$ed#
Ad=ourned for one hour#
Conference con$ened a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent< and o*ened as usua&<
after 2hich "isho* )artrid,e re*resented his Counci& and the Lesser
)riesthood< and 'ade a re*ort of recei*ts and e/*enditures of Church funds
2hich had *assed throu,h his hands#
It 2as then 'o$ed< seconded and carried< that the First )residenc! e
a**ointed to si,n the &icenses of the officia& 'e'ers of the Church#
Conference ad=ourned unti& the first Frida! in Ju&! ne/t# JOSE)H
S.ITH< JUN#< )resident# E"ENE;ER RO"INSON< C&er0#
The fo&&o2in, &etter 2as sent to John 3hit'er< in conse>uence of his
2ithho&din, the records of the Church in the cit! of Far 3est 2hen ca&&ed
for ! the c&er0#
.r# John 3hit'er< Sir( 3e 2ere desirous of honorin, !ou !
,i$in, *u&icit! to !our notes on the histor! of the Church of
Latter-da! Saints< after 'a0in, such corrections as 2e thou,ht 2ou&d
e necessar!< 0no2in, !our inco'*etenc! as a historian< and that
2ritin,s co'in, fro' !our *en< cou&d not e *ut to *ress 2ithout our
correctin, the'< or e&se the Church 'ust suffer re*roach# Indeed<
sir< 2e ne$er su**osed !ou ca*a&e of 2ritin, a histor!< ut 2ere
2i&&in, to &et it co'e out under !our na'e< not2ithstandin, it 2ou&d
rea&&! not e !ours ut ours# 3e are sti&& 2i&&in, to honor !ou< if
!ou can e 'ade to 0no2 !our o2n interest< and ,i$e u* !our notes< so
that the! can e corrected and 'ade fit for the *ress? ut if not< 2e
ha$e a&& the 'ateria&s for another< 2hich 2e sha&& co''ence this 2ee0
to 2rite#
Your hu'&e ser$ants<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
SIDNEY RI5DON<
)residents of the 2ho&e Church of Latter-da! Saints#
Attest( E"ENE;ER RO"INSON< C&er0#
3ednesda!< A*ri& 77#--E&der Se!'our "runson *referred the fo&&o2in,
char,es a,ainst O&i$er Co2der!< to the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est(
To the "isho* and Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< I *refer the fo&&o2in, char,es a,ainst )resident O&i$er Co2der!#
-First--For *ersecutin, the rethren ! ur,in, on $e/atious &a2 suits
a,ainst the'< and thus distressin, the innocent#
-Second--For see0in, to destro! the character of )resident Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< ! fa&se&! insinuatin, that he 2as ,ui&t! of adu&ter!#
-Third--For treatin, the Church 2ith conte'*t ! not attendin,
'eetin,s#
-Fourth--For $irtua&&! den!in, the faith ! dec&arin, that he 2ou&d
not e ,o$erned ! an! ecc&esiastica& authorit! or re$e&ations 2hate$er<
in his te'*ora& affairs#
-Fifth--For se&&in, his &ands in Jac0son count!< contrar! to the
re$e&ations#
-Si/th--For 2ritin, and sendin, an insu&tin, &etter to )resident
Tho'as "# .arsh< 2hi&e the &atter 2as on the Hi,h Counci&< attendin, to
the duties of his office as )resident of the Counci&< and ! insu&tin, the
Hi,h Counci& 2ith the contents of said &etter#
-Se$enth--For &ea$in, his ca&&in, to 2hich 5od had a**ointed hi' !
re$e&ation< for the sa0e of fi&th! &ucre< and turnin, to the *ractice of
&a2#
Ei,hth--For dis,racin, the Church ! ein, connected in the o,us
usiness< as co''on re*ort sa!s#
-Ninth--For dishonest&! retainin, notes after the! had een *aid? and
fina&&!< for &ea$in, and forsa0in, the cause of 5od< and returnin, to the
e,,ar&! e&e'ents of the 2or&d< and ne,&ectin, his hi,h and ho&! ca&&in,<
accordin, to his *rofession#-
The "isho* and Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed at the "isho*+s office< A*ri&
7H< 7898# After the or,ani4ation of the Counci&< the ao$e char,es of the
77th instant 2ere read< a&so a &etter fro' O&i$er Co2der!< as 2i&& e
found record in the Church record of the cit! of Far 3est< "oo0 A# The
7st< Hnd< 9rd< Mth< 8th< and Nth char,es 2ere sustained# The @th and Gth
char,es 2ere re=ected< and the :th 2as 2ithdra2n# Conse>uent&! he EO&i$er
Co2der!F 2as considered no &on,er a 'e'er of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-da! Saints# A&so $oted ! the Hi,h Counci& that O&i$er Co2der!
e no &on,er a co''ittee to se&ect &ocations for the ,atherin, of the
Saints#
A*ri& 79#--The fo&&o2in, char,es 2ere *referred a,ainst Da$id
3hit'er< efore the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est< in counci& asse'&ed#
-First--For not oser$in, the 3ord of 3isdo'#
Second--For unchristian-&i0e conduct in ne,&ectin, to attend
'eetin,s< in unitin, 2ith and *ossessin, the sa'e s*irit as the
dissenters#
-Third--In 2ritin, &etters to the dissenters in 1irt&and unfa$ora&e
to the cause< and to the character of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
-Fourth--In ne,&ectin, the duties of his ca&&in,< and se*aratin,
hi'se&f fro' the Church< 2hi&e he had a na'e a'on, us#
-Fifth--For si,nin, hi'se&f )resident of the Church of Christ in an
insu&tin, &etter to the Hi,h Counci& after he had een cut off fro' the
)residenc!#-
After readin, the ao$e char,es< to,ether 2ith a &etter sent to the
)resident of said Counci&< the Counci& he&d that the char,es 2ere
sustained< and conse>uent&! considered Da$id 3hit'er no &on,er a 'e'er of
the Church of Latter-da! Saints#
The sa'e da! three char,es 2ere *referred a,ainst L!'an E# Johnson<
2hich 2ere read< to,ether 2ith a &etter fro' hi'< in ans2er to the one
recorded in Far 3est Record# The char,es 2ere sustained< and he 2as cut
off fro' the Church#
The 2or0 continued to *ros*er in En,&and< and E&ders Richards and
Russe&& ha$in, *re$ious&! een ca&&ed to )reston< to *re*are for their
return to A'erica< a ,enera& conference 2as he&d in the Te'*erance Ha&&<
ECoc0 )itF )reston< on Sunda!< A*ri& 7st< for the *ur*ose of settin, in
order the churches< etc# "rother Jose*h Fie&din, 2as chosen )resident o$er
the 2ho&e Church in En,&and< and 3i&&ard Richards and 3i&&ia' C&a!ton
2ere chosen his Counse&ors< and 2ere ordained to the Hi,h )riesthood and
to the )residenc!# This 2as the first notice ,i$en E&der Richards that he
2ou&d e re>uired to continue in En,&and# At this conference ei,ht E&ders
2ere ordained< a'on, 2ho' 2as Tho'as 3ester< and se$era& )riests<
Teachers and Deacons? aout fort! 2ere confir'ed< 2ho had *re$ious&! een
a*ti4ed? aout si/t! chi&dren 2ere &essed< and t2ent! a*ti4ed that da!#
Conference continued 2ithout inter'ission fro' N a#'# to G *#'# Aout
fift! officia& 'e'ers 'et in counci& in the e$enin,#
Fro' the 7st to the 8th of A*ri& )residents 1i'a&& and H!de $isited
the churches a short distance fro' )reston< and on the 8th attended
'eetin, in the -Coc0 )it#- After *reachin, ! E&der Richards< the! ore
their fare2e&& testi'on! to the truth of the 2or0# After the! had c&osed<
and 2hi&e E&der Russe&& 2as s*ea0in,< the ene'! se$ered the ,as *i*es
2hich &i,hted the house< and thre2 the asse'&! into dar0ness in an
instant# The da'a,e 2as soon re*aired< and the desi,n of rea0in, u* the
'eetin, frustrated#
On Tuesda!< the 7Dth of A*ri&< at 7H o+c&oc0< E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de
&eft )reston ! coach for Li$er*oo&#
3hi&e the E&ders 2ere in Li$er*oo& the! 2rote as fo&&o2s(
A )ro*hec!#
LI%ER)OOL< 5OOD FRIDAY< A*ri& 79< 7898#
DEAR "ROTHERS AND SISTERS IN )RESTON(--It see'eth ,ood unto us< and
a&so to the Ho&! S*irit< to 2rite !ou a fe2 2ords 2hich cause *ain in our
hearts< and 2i&& a&so *ain !ou 2hen the! are fu&fi&&ed efore !ou< !et !ou
sha&& ha$e =o! in the end# "rother Tho'as 3ester 2i&& not aide in the
S*irit of the Lord< ut 2i&& re=ect the truth< and eco'e the ene'! of the
*eo*&e of 5od< and e/*ose the '!steries that ha$e een co''itted to hi'<
that a ri,hteous =ud,'ent 'a! e e/ecuted u*on hi'< un&ess he s*eedi&!
re*ent# 3hen this sorro2fu& *rediction sha&& e fu&fi&&ed< this &etter
sha&& e read to the Church< and it sha&& *ro$e a so&e'n 2arnin, to a&& to
e2are#
Fare2e&& in the Lord<
HE"ER C# 1I."ALL<
ORSON HYDE#
The fore,oin, &etter 2as 2ritten and sea&ed in the *resence of
)residents Jose*h Fie&din, and 3i&&ard Richards< 2ho had ,one to Li$er*oo&
to 2itness the rethren sai&< and< ! the 2riters< co''itted to their
s*ecia& char,e< that no one shou&d 0no2 the contents unti& the fu&fi&&'ent
thereof#
)re$ious to this *eriod< $er! fe2 of the foo&ish and 2ic0ed stories
2hich fi&&ed the 2ee0&! =ourna&s and *a'*h&ets in A'erica concernin, the
-.or'ons<- as the Saints 2ere ter'ed< had found their 2a! into the En,&ish
*rints? ut i''ediate&! after E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de &eft )reston< on or
aout the 7Gth of A*ri&< one Li$ese! Ea .ethodist )riest 2ho had
*re$ious&! s*ent so'e !ears in A'erica< and said he heard nothin, aout
the Saints in A'ericaF ca'e out 2ith a *a'*h&et< 'ade u* of for,ed
&etters< a*ostate &ies< and -2a&0 on the 2ater- stories< he found in o&d
A'erican *a*ers< 2hich he had *ic0ed u* 2hi&e in A'erica# "ut he sto**ed
the circu&ation of his o2n *a'*h&et ! statin, to a *u&ic con,re,ation<
that he had accidenta&&! found the contents of his *a'*h&et in o&d *a*ers
in his trun0< 2hich 2as >uite *ro$identia&< to sto* such ao'ina&e 2or0
as the Saints 2ere en,a,ed in? and in the sa'e &ecture said he -2ished the
*eo*&e to *urchase his *a'*h&et< as he had een at a ,reat e/*ense to
*rocure the 'ateria&s for 2ritin, itK- His hearers retired#
On the HDth of A*ri& E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& on
the shi* 5arric0#
CHA)TER III#
READJUST.ENT AND SETTLE.ENT OF AFFAIRS AT FAR 3EST#
A*ri& 7M#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation 5i$en at Far 3est#
7# %eri&! thus saith the Lord< it is 2isdo' in '! ser$ant Da$id 3#
)atten< that he sett&e u* a&& his usiness as soon as he *ossi&! can< and
'a0e a dis*osition of his 'erchandise< that he 'a! *erfor' a 'ission unto
'e ne/t s*rin,< in co'*an! 2ith others< e$en t2e&$e< inc&udin, hi'se&f< to
testif! of '! na'e< and ear ,&ad tidin,s unto a&& the 2or&d?
H# For $eri&! thus saith the Lord< that inas'uch as there are those
a'on, !ou 2ho den! '! na'e< others sha&& e *&anted in their stead< and
recei$e their isho*ric# A'en#
I a&so recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation 5i$en to "ri,ha' Youn, at Far 3est#
%eri&! thus saith the Lord< &et '! ser$ant "ri,ha' Youn, ,o unto the
*&ace 2hich he has ou,ht< on .i&& Cree0< and there *ro$ide for his fa'i&!
unti& an effectua& door is o*ened for the su**ort of his fa'i&!< unti& I
sha&& co''and hi' to ,o hence< and not to &ea$e his fa'i&! unti& the! are
a'*&! *ro$ided for# A'en#
A*ri& H:#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation 5i$en at Far 3est 'a0in, 0no2n the 2i&& of 5od concernin, the
ui&din, u* of that *&ace< and of the Lord+s House#
7# %eri&! thus saith the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and a&so '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don< and a&so '! ser$ant H!ru' S'ith<
and !our counse&ors 2ho are and sha&& e a**ointed hereafter?
H# And a&so unto !ou '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< and his counse&ors?
9# And a&so unto '! faithfu& ser$ants< 2ho are of the Hi,h Counci& of
'! Church in ;ion Efor thus it sha&& e ca&&edF< and unto a&& the E&ders
and *eo*&e of '! Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< scattered
aroad in a&& the 2or&d?
@# For thus sha&& '! Church e ca&&ed in the &ast da!s< e$en the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints#
G# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou a&&< Arise and shine forth< that th! &i,ht
'a! e a standard for the nations<
:# And that the ,atherin, to,ether u*on the &and of ;ion< and u*on
her sta0es< 'a! e for a defense< and for a refu,e fro' the stor'< and
fro' 2rath 2hen it sha&& e *oured out 2ithout 'i/ture u*on the 2ho&e
earth#
M# Let the cit!< Far 3est< e a ho&! and consecrated &and unto 'e<
and it sha&& e ca&&ed 'ost ho&!< for the ,round u*on 2hich thou standest
is ho&!?
8# Therefore I co''and !ou to ui&d an house unto 'e< for the
,atherin, to,ether of '! Saints< that the! 'a! 2orshi* 'e?
N# And &et there e a e,innin, of this 2or0< and a foundation< and a
*re*arator! 2or0< this fo&&o2in, su''er?
7D# And &et the e,innin, e 'ade on the @th da! of Ju&! ne/t< and
fro' that ti'e forth &et '! *eo*&e &aor di&i,ent&! to ui&d an house unto
'! na'e<
77# And in one !ear fro' this da! &et the' reco''ence &a!in, the
foundation of '! house(
7H# Thus &et the' fro' that ti'e forth &aor di&i,ent&! unti& it
sha&& e finished< fro' the Corner stone thereof unto the to* thereof<
unti& there sha&& not an! thin, re'ain that is not finished#
79# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et not '! ser$ant Jose*h< neither '!
ser$ant Sidne!< neither '! ser$ant H!ru'< ,et in det an! 'ore for the
ui&din, of an house unto '! na'e?
7@# "ut &et an house e ui&t unto '! na'e accordin, to the *attern
2hich I 2i&& sho2 unto the'#
7G# And if '! *eo*&e sha&& ui&d it not accordin, to the *attern
2hich I sha&& sho2 unto their )residenc!< I 2i&& not acce*t it at their
hands#
7:# "ut if '! *eo*&e do ui&d it accordin, to the *attern 2hich I
sha&& sho2 unto their )residenc!< e$en '! ser$ant Jose*h and his
counse&ors< then I 2i&& acce*t it at the hands of '! *eo*&e#
7M# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it is '! 2i&& that the cit! of
Far 3est shou&d e ui&t u* s*eedi&! ! the ,atherin, of '! Saints<
78# And a&so that other *&aces shou&d e a**ointed for sta0es in the
re,ion round aout< as the! sha&& e 'anifested unto '! ser$ant Jose*h<
fro' ti'e to ti'e?
7N# For eho&d< I 2i&& e 2ith hi'< and I 2i&& sanctif! hi' efore
the *eo*&e< for unto hi' ha$e I ,i$en the 0e!s of this 0in,do' and
'inistr!# E$en so# A'en#
The Teachers+ >uoru' $oted toda! IA*ri& H:thJ not to ho&d an! 'e'er
of the >uoru' in fe&&o2shi*< 2ho 2ou&d not sett&e his o2n difficu&ties in
the Church< and sho2 hi'se&f a**ro$ed in a&& thin,s? and that the! 2ou&d
not o&d an! 'e'er of the >uoru' in fe&&o2shi* 2ho 2ou&d ta0e un&a2fu&
interest#
A*ri& HM#--This da! I chief&! s*ent in 2ritin, a histor! of the
Church fro' the ear&iest *eriod of its e/istence< u* to this date#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci&#
Saturda!< A*ri& H8< 7898# This 'ornin, )residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
and Sidne! Ri,don attended the Hi,h Counci&< ! in$itation#
The usiness efore the Counci& 2as an a**ea& case< fro' the ranch
of the Church near 5u!'on+s .i&&# A "rother Jac0son 2as accuser< and Aaron
L!on accused# Tho'as "# .arsh and Da$id 3# )atten *residin,#
It a**eared< in ca&&in, the Counci& to order< that so'e of the seats
2ere $acant< 2hich the Counci& *roceeded to fi&&< ut as there 2ere not a
sufficient nu'er *resent 2ho 2ere e&i,i&e for the station< )residents
S'ith and Ri,don 2ere stron,&! so&icited to act as Counci&ors< or to
*reside and &et the *residin, officers act as Counci&ors#
The! acce*ted the for'er *ro*osa&< and )resident S'ith 2as chosen to
act on the *art of the defense< and to s*ea0 u*on the case< to,ether 2ith
5eor,e 3# Harris#
)resident Ri,don 2as chosen to s*ea0 on the *art of the *rosecution<
to,ether 2ith 5eor,e .# Hin0&e#
After so'e discussion as to 2hether 2itnesses shou&d e ad'itted to
testif! a,ainst Aaron L!on< or 2hether he shou&d ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of
confessin, his o2n sins< it 2as decided that 2itnesses shou&d e ad'itted<
and a&so the 2ritten testi'on! of the 2ife of a rother of the na'e of
Jac0son#
IThis tria& is 2ritten u* at ,reat &en,th in the 'inutes of the Far
3est Record< and a&so in 5# 3# Roinson+s su''ar! of the *roceedin,s
heretofore *rinted# Condensed< the account of the fau&t of "rother Aaron
L!on 2as this( He c&ai'ed to ha$e had a re$e&ation that a Sister Jac0son<
2ho 2as a 'arried 2o'an< and 2hose husand 2as sti&& &i$in,< 2as to eco'e
his 2ife# L!on c&ai'ed that it had een re$ea&ed to hi' that the 2o'an+s
husand 2as dead# He e/erted undue inf&uence in *ersuadin, her of these
thin,s< and she consented to e his 2ife? ut efore the! 2ere 'arried the
2o'an+s husand a**eared on the scene< 2ith the resu&t< of course< that
the *ros*ecti$e 'arria,e did not ta0e *&ace# The 2itnesses 2ere *er'itted
to testif!< a&thou,h "rother L!on confessed the facts and ad'itted his
error# The conc&usion of the 'atter fo&&o2s as stated ! 5# 3# Roinson<
c&er0 of the Counci&J#
Counci& decided that< inas'uch as this 'an had confessed his sins<
and as0ed for,i$eness< and *ro'ised to 'a0e 2e&& the *aths of his feet<
and do< as 'uch as &ies in his *o2er< 2hat 5od shou&d re>uire at his
hands< he shou&d ,i$e u* his &icense as Hi,h )riest< and stand as a 'e'er
in the Church? and this in conse>uence of his ein, considered inca*a&e
of 'a,nif!in, that office#
5# 3# RO"INSON#
Sunda!< HN#--I s*ent the da! chief&! in 'eetin, 2ith the Saints<
'inisterin, the 2ords of &ife#
.onda! 9D#--The First )residenc! 2ere en,a,ed in 2ritin, the Church
histor! and in recitation of ,ra''ar &essons< 2hich recitations at this
*eriod 2ere usua&&! attended each 'ornin, efore 2ritin,#
.a! 7st< Hnd< 9rd< and @th#--The First )residenc! 2ere en,a,ed in
2ritin, Church histor! and ad'inisterin, to the sic0# Recei$ed a &etter
fro' John E# )a,e on the @th#
Saturda!< G#--The )residenc! 2rote for the E&ders+ Journa&? a&so
recei$ed inte&&i,ence fro' Canada ! "rother "ai&e!< that t2o hundred
2a,ons< 2ith fa'i&ies< 2ou&d *roa&! e here in three 2ee0s? a&so
&istened to an address on *o&itica& 'atters de&i$ered ! 5enera& 3i&son<
Federa& candidate for Con,ress#
Sunda!< .a! :#--I *reached to the Saints< settin, forth the e$i&s
that e/isted< and that 2ou&d e/ist< ! reason of hast! =ud,'ent or
decisions u*on an! su=ect ,i$en ! an! *eo*&e or in =ud,in, efore the!
had heard oth sides of a >uestion# I a&so cautioned the Saints a,ainst
'en 2ho ca'e a'on,st the' 2hinin, and ,ro2&in, aout their 'one!< ecause
the! had 0e*t the Saints< and orne so'e of the urden 2ith others< and
thus thin0in, that others< 2ho are sti&& *oorer< and ha$e orne ,reater
urdens than the! the'se&$es< ou,ht to 'a0e u* their &osses# I cautioned
the Saints to e2are of such< for the! 2ere thro2in, out insinuations here
and there< to &e$e& a dart at the est interests of the Church< and if
*ossi&e destro! the character of its )residenc!# I a&so ,a$e so'e
instructions in the '!steries of the 0in,do' of 5od? such as the histor!
of the *&anets< Araha'+s 2ritin,s u*on the *&anetar! s!ste's< etc#
In the afternoon I s*o0e a,ain on different su=ects( the *rinci*&e
of 2isdo'< and the 3ord of 3isdo'#
The Teachers+ >uoru' at Far 3est nu'ered t2ent!-four 'e'ers#
.onda!< M#--I s*ent the da! in co'*an! 2ith Jud,e .orain< one of our
nei,horin, count! =ud,es< and De'ocratic candidate for the state senate#
I a&so $isited 2ith E&ders Re!no&ds Cahoon and )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2ho
had this da! arri$ed in Far 3est< the for'er fro' 1irt&and< the &atter
fro' Ne2 Yor0 Cit! 2here he had een *reachin, for so'e ti'e? and our
hearts 2ere 'ade ,&ad 2ith the *&easin, inte&&i,ence of the ,atherin, of
the Saints fro' a&& *arts of the earth to this *&ace< to a$oid the
destructions 2hich are co'in, u*on this ,eneration< is s*o0en ! a&& the
ho&! *ro*hets since the 2or&d e,an#
Ja'es 5# .arsh< son of Tho'as "# .arsh< a,ed fourteen !ears< e&e$en
'onths< and se$en da!s< died this da!< in the fu&& triu'*h of the
e$er&astin, 5os*e&#
Tuesda!< 8#--I s*ent the da! 2ith E&der Ri,don in $isitin, E&der
Cahoon at the *&ace he had se&ected for his residence< and in attendin, to
so'e of our *ri$ate< *ersona& affairs? a&so in the afternoon I ans2ered
the >uestions 2hich 2ere fre>uent&! as0ed 'e< 2hi&e on '! &ast =ourne! ut
one fro' 1irt&and to .issouri< as *rinted in the E&ders+ Journa&< $o&# I<
Nu'er II< *a,es H8 and HN< as fo&&o2s(
First---Do !ou e&ie$e the "i&eB-
If 2e do< 2e are the on&! *eo*&e under hea$en that does< for there
are none of the re&i,ious sects of the da! that do#
Second---3herein do !ou differ fro' other sectsB-
In that 2e e&ie$e the "i&e< and a&& other sects *rofess to e&ie$e
their inter*retations of the "i&e< and their creeds#
Third---3i&& e$er!od! e da'ned< ut .or'onsB-
Yes< and a ,reat *ortion of the'< un&ess the! re*ent< and 2or0
ri,hteousness#
Fourth---Ho2 and 2here did !ou otain the "oo0 of .or'onB-
.oroni< 2ho de*osited the *&ates in a hi&& in .anchester< Ontario
count!< Ne2 Yor0< ein, dead and raised a,ain therefro'< a**eared unto 'e<
and to&d 'e 2here the! 2ere< and ,a$e 'e directions ho2 to otain the'# I
otained the'< and the Uri' and Thu''i' 2ith the'< ! the 'eans of 2hich I
trans&ated the *&ates? and thus ca'e the "oo0 of .or'on#
Fifth---Do !ou e&ie$e Jose*h S'ith< Jun< to e a )ro*hetB-
Yes< and e$er! other 'an 2ho has the testi'on! of Jesus# For the
testi'on! of Jesus is the s*irit of *ro*hec!#-- Re$e&ation< /i/( 7Dth
$erse#
Si/th---Do the .or'ons e&ie$e in ha$in, a&& thin,s in co''onB-
No#
Se$enth---Do the .or'ons e&ie$e in ha$in, 'ore 2i$es than oneB-
-No< not at the sa'e ti'e# "ut the! e&ie$e that if their co'*anion
dies< the! ha$e a ri,ht to 'arr! a,ain# "ut 2e do disa**ro$e of the
custo'< 2hich has ,ained in the 2or&d< and has een *racticed a'on, us< to
our ,reat 'ortification< in 'arr!in, in fi$e or si/ 2ee0s< or e$en in t2o
or three 'onths< after the death of their co'*anion# 3e e&ie$e that due
res*ect ou,ht to e had to the 'e'or! of the dead< and the fee&in,s of
oth friends and chi&dren#
Ei,hth----Can the! Ithe .or'onsJ raise the deadB-
No< nor can an! other *eo*&e that no2 &i$es< or e$er did &i$e# "ut
5od can raise the dead< throu,h 'an as an instru'ent#
Ninth---3hat si,ns does Jose*h S'ith ,i$e of his di$ine 'issionB-
The si,ns 2hich 5od is *&eased to &et hi' ,i$e< accordin, as His
2isdo' thin0s est< in order that He 'a! =ud,e the 2or&d a,reea&! to His
o2n *&an#
Tenth---3as not Jose*h S'ith a 'one! di,,erB-
Yes< ut it 2as ne$er a $er! *rofita&e =o for hi'< as he on&! ,ot
fourteen do&&ars a 'onth for it#
E&e$enth---Did not Jose*h S'ith stea& his 2ifeB-
As0 her< she 2as of a,e< she can ans2er for herse&f#
T2e&fth---Do the *eo*&e ha$e to ,i$e u* their 'one! 2hen the! =oin
his ChurchB-
No other re>uire'ent than to ear their *ro*ortion of the e/*enses of
the Church< and su**ort the *oor#
Thirteenth---Are the .or'ons ao&itionistsB-
No< un&ess de&i$erin, the *eo*&e fro' *riestcraft< and the *riests
fro' the *o2er of Satan< shou&d e considered ao&ition# "ut 2e do not
e&ie$e in settin, the ne,roes free#
Fourteenth---Do the! not stir u* the Indians to 2ar< and to co''it
de*redationsB-
No< and the! 2ho re*orted the stor! 0ne2 it 2as fa&se 2hen the! *ut
it in circu&ation# These and si'i&ar re*orts are *a&'ed u*on the *eo*&e !
the *riests< and this is the on&! reason 2h! 2e e$er thou,ht of ans2erin,
the'#
Fifteenth---Do the .or'ons a*ti4e in the na'e of LJoe+ S'ithB-
No< ut if the! did< it 2ou&d e as $a&id as the a*tis' ad'inistered
! the sectarian *riests#
Si/teenth-- ---If the .or'on doctrine is true< 2hat has eco'e of a&&
those 2ho died since the da!s of the A*ost&esB-
A&& those 2ho ha$e not had an o**ortunit! of hearin, the 5os*e&< and
ein, ad'inistered unto ! an ins*ired 'an in the f&esh< 'ust ha$e it
hereafter< efore the! can e fina&&! =ud,ed#
Se$enteenth---Does not LJoe+ S'ith *rofess to e Jesus ChristB-
No< ut he *rofesses to e His rother< as a&& other Saints ha$e done
and no2 do< .att#< /ii( @N< GD< -And He stretched forth His hand to2ard
His disci*&es and said< "eho&d '! 'other and '! rethren? for 2hosoe$er
sha&& do the 2i&& of '! Father< 2hich is in hea$en< the sa'e is '!
rother< and sister< and 'other#-
Ei,hteenth---Is there an!thin, in the "i&e 2hich &icenses !ou to
e&ie$e in re$e&ation no2-a-da!sB-
Is there an!thin, that does not authori4e us to e&ie$e soB If there
is< 2e ha$e< as !et< not een a&e to find it#
Nineteenth---Is not the canon of the Scri*tures fu&&B-
If it is< there is a ,reat defect in the oo0< or e&se it 2ou&d ha$e
said so#
T2entieth---3hat are the funda'enta& *rinci*&es of !our re&i,ionB-
The funda'enta& *rinci*&es of our re&i,ion are the testi'on! of the
A*ost&es and )ro*hets< concernin, Jesus Christ< that He died< 2as uried<
and rose a,ain the third da!< and ascended into hea$en? and a&& other
thin,s 2hich *ertain to our re&i,ion are on&! a**enda,es to it# "ut in
connection 2ith these< 2e e&ie$e in the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< the *o2er
of faith< the en=o!'ent of the s*iritua& ,ifts accordin, to the 2i&& of
5od< the restoration of the house of Israe&< and the fina& triu'*h of
truth#
I *u&ished the fore,oin, ans2ers to sa$e '!se&f the trou&e of
re*eatin, the sa'e a thousand ti'es o$er and o$er a,ain#
3ednesda!< N#--I attended the funera& of Ja'es 5# .arsh< and co'*&ied
2ith the re>uest that I shou&d *reach on the occasion#
Thursda!< 7D#--I &istened to an address on the *o&itica& *o&ic! of
our nation< de&i$ered ! )resident Ri,don< at the schoo& house< in the
south2est >uarter of the cit!< to a &ar,e concourse of *eo*&e fro' a&&
sections of the count!< and fro' other counties a&so# A&thou,h )resident
Ri,don 2as sufferin, under a se$ere co&d and ,reat hoarseness< !et ein,
assisted ! the S*irit of 5od< he 2as ena&ed c&ear&! to e&ucidate the
*o&ic! of the Federa& and De'ocratic *arties fro' their rise in our
countr! to the *resent ti'e< to the understandin, of a&& *resent< ,i$in,
an i'*artia& re$ie2 to oth sides of the >uestion# This address 2as
de&i$ered in conse>uence of a *artia& e&ectioneerin, Federa& s*eech of
5enera& 3i&son at the sa'e *&ace a short ti'e *re$ious&!< and the *o&itics
of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< ,enera&&! ein, De'ocratic# It see'ed
desira&e to hear an e&ucidation of the *rinci*&es of oth *arties< 2ith
2hich I 2as hi,h&! edified#
Frida!< 77#--I attended the tria& of 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in and Dr#
.cCord< for trans,ression< efore the "isho*+s court#
.cCord said he 2as sorr! to trou&e the Counci& on his account< for
he had intended to 2ithdra2 fro' the Church efore he &eft the *&ace? that
he had no confidence in the 2or0 of 5od< or His )ro*het< and shou&d ,o his
2a!# He ,a$e u* his &icense and de*arted#
3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in stated aout the sa'e as .cCord< and that he had
no confidence in the heads of the Church< e&ie$in, the! had trans,ressed<
and had ,ot out of the 2a!< conse>uent&! he >uit *ra!in, and 0ee*in, the
co''and'ents of 5od< and indu&,ed hi'se&f in his &ustfu& desires< ut 2hen
he heard that the First )residenc! had 'ade a ,enera& sett&e'ent< and
ac0no2&ed,ed their sins< he e,an to *ra! a,ain# 3hen I interro,ated hi'<
he said he had seen nothin, out of the 2a! hi'se&f< ut he =ud,ed fro'
hearsa!#
Saturda!< 7H#-- )resident Ri,don and '!se&f attended the Hi,h Counci&
for the *ur*ose of *resentin, for their consideration so'e usiness
re&atin, to our *ecuniar! concerns#
3e stated to the Counci& our situation< as to 'aintainin, our
fa'i&ies< and the re&ation 2e no2 stand in to the Church< s*endin, as 2e
ha$e for ei,ht !ears< our ti'e< ta&ents< and *ro*ert!< in the ser$ice of
the Church( and ein, reduced as it 2ere to e,,ar!< and ein, sti&&
detained in the usiness and ser$ice of the Church< it a**ears necessar!
that so'ethin, shou&d e done for the su**ort of our fa'i&ies ! the
Church< or e&se 2e 'ust do it ! our o2n &aors? and if the Church sa! to
us< -He&* !ourse&$es<- 2e 2i&& than0 the' and i''ediate&! do so? ut if
the Church sa!< -Ser$e us<- so'e *ro$ision 'ust e 'ade for our
sustenance#
The Counci& in$esti,ated the 'atter< and instructed the "isho* to
'a0e o$er to )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< each an
ei,ht!-acre &ot of &and fro' the *ro*ert! of the Church< situated ad=acent
to the cit! cor*oration? a&so a**ointed three of their nu'er< $i4#<
5eor,e 3# Harris< E&ias Hi,ee and Si'eon Carter< a co''ittee to confer
2ith said )residenc!< and satisf! the' for their ser$ices the *resent
!ear? not for *reachin,< or for recei$in, the 2ord of 5od ! re$e&ation<
neither for instructin, the Saints in ri,hteousness< ut for ser$ices
rendered in the *rintin, esta&ish'ent< in trans&atin, the ancient
records< etc#< etc# Said co''ittee a,reed that )residents S'ith and Ri,don
shou&d recei$e R7<7DD each as a =ust re'uneration for their ser$ices this
!ear#
Sunda!< 79#--E&der Re!no&ds Cahoon *reached in the forenoon# In the
afternoon )resident Ri,don *reached a funera& ser'on on the death of S2ain
3i&&ia's< son of Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's#
.onda!< 7@#--I s*ent in *&o2in, '! ,arden< 2hi&e E&der Ri,don 2as
*re*arin, and correctin, so'e 'atter for the *ress# E&der Har&o2 Redfie&d
arri$ed fro' 1irt&and< Ohio#
CHA)TER I%#
SELECTION OF LANDS IN CALD3ELL AND DA%IESS COUNTIES FOR
SETTLE.ENT--ADA.-ONDI-AH.AN#
Frida!< .a! 78#--I &eft Far 3est< in co'*an! 2ith Sidne! Ri,don<
Tho'as "# .arsh< Da$id 3# )atten< "isho* )artrid,e< E&ias Hi,ee< Si'eon
Carter< A&anson Ri*&e!< and 'an! others< for the *ur*ose of $isitin, the
north countr!< and &a!in, off a sta0e of ;ion? 'a0in, &ocations< and
&a!in, c&ai' to &ands to faci&itate the ,atherin, of the Saints< and for
the enefit of the *oor< in u*ho&din, the Church of 5od# 3e tra$e&ed to
the 'outh of Hone! Cree0< 2hich is a triutar! of 5rand ri$er< 2here 2e
ca'*ed for the ni,ht# 3e *assed throu,h a eautifu& countr! the ,reater
*art of 2hich is *rairie< and thic0&! co$ered 2ith ,rass and 2eeds< a'on,
2hich is *&ent! of ,a'e< such as deer< tur0e!< and *rairie hen# 3e
disco$ered a &ar,e< &ac0 2o&f< and '! do, ,a$e hi' chase< ut he outran
us# 3e ha$e nothin, to fear in ca'*in, out< e/ce*t the ratt&esna0e< 2hich
is nati$e to this countr!< thou,h not $er! nu'erous# 3e turned our horses
&oose< and &et the' feed on the *rairie#
Saturda!< 7N#--This 'ornin, 2e struc0 our tents and for'ed a &ine of
'arch< crossin, 5rand Ri$er at the 'outh of Hone! Cree0 and Ne&son+s
Ferr!# 5rand Ri$er is a &ar,e< eautifu&< dee* and ra*id strea'< durin,
the hi,h 2aters of S*rin,< and 2i&& undouted&! ad'it of na$i,ation !
stea'oat and other 2ater craft# At the 'outh of Hone! Cree0 is a ,ood
&andin,# 3e *ursued our course u* the ri$er< 'ost&! throu,h ti'er< for
aout ei,hteen 'i&es< 2hen 2e arri$ed at Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht+s ho'e# He
&i$es at the foot of To2er 0i&& Ea na'e I ,a$e the *&ace in conse>uence of
the re'ains of an o&d Ne*hite a&tar or to2er that stood thereF< 2here 2e
ca'*ed for the Saath#
In the afternoon I 2ent u* the ri$er aout ha&f a 'i&e to 3i,ht+s
Ferr!< acco'*anied ! )resident Ri,don< and '! C&er0< 5eor,e 3# Roinson<
for the *ur*ose of se&ectin, and &a!in, c&ai' to a cit! *&at near said
ferr! in Da$iess Count!< to2nshi* :D< ran,es HM and H8< and sections HG<
9:< 97< and 9D< 2hich the rethren ca&&ed -S*rin, Hi&&<- ut ! the 'outh
of the Lord it 2as na'ed Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< ecause< said He< it is the
*&ace 2here Ada' sha&& co'e to $isit his *eo*&e< or the Ancient of Da!s
sha&& sit< as s*o0en of ! Danie& the )ro*het#
Sunda!< 7D#--This da! 2as s*ent ! our co'*an! *rinci*a&&! at
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an? ut near the c&ose of the da!< 2e struc0 our tents< and
tra$e&ed aout si/ 'i&es north and enca'*ed for the ni,ht 2ith Jud,e .orin
and co'*an!< 2ho 2ere a&so tra$e&in, north#
.onda!< H7#--This 'ornin,< after 'a0in, so'e &ocations in this *&ace<
2hich is in to2nshi* :7< ran,es HM and H8< 2e returned to Roinson+s
5ro$e< aout t2o 'i&es< to secure so'e &and near 5rand Ri$er< 2hich 2e
*assed the da! *re$ious? and findin, a 'ista0e in the for'er sur$e!< I
sent the sur$e!or south fi$e or si/ 'i&es to otain a correct &ine< 2hi&e
so'e of us tarried to otain 2ater for the ca'*#
In the e$enin,< I ca&&ed a counci& of the rethren< to 0no2 2hether
it 2as 2isdo' to ,o i''ediate&! into the north countr!< or tarr! here and
here aouts< to secure &and on 5rand Ri$er< etc# The rethren S*o0e their
'inds free&! on the su=ect< 2hen I stated to the counci& that I fe&t
i'*ressed to tarr! and secure a&& the &and near !< that is not secured
et2een this and Far 3est< es*ecia&&! on 5rand Ri$er# )resident Ri,don
concurred< and the counci& $oted unani'ous&! to secure the &and on 5rand
Ri$er< and et2een this and Far 3est#
E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de this da! EH7st .a!F arri$ed at 1irt&and fro'
En,&and#
Tuesda!< HH#--)resident Ri,don 2ent east 2ith a co'*an!< and se&ected
so'e of the est &ocations in the count!< and returned 2ith a ,ood re*ort
of that $icinit!< and 2ith infor'ation of $a&ua&e &ocations 2hich 'i,ht
e secured# Fo&&o2in, a2hi&e the course of the co'*an!< I returned to ca'*
in Roinson+s 5ro$e< and thence 2ent 2est to otain so'e ,a'e to su**&!
our necessities# 3e disco$ered so'e anti>uities aout one 'i&e 2est of the
ca'*< consistin, of stone 'ounds< a**arent&! erected in s>uare *i&es<
thou,h so'e2hat deca!ed and o&iterated ! the 2eather of 'an! !ears#
These 'ounds 2ere *roa&! erected ! the aori,ines of the &and< to
secrete treasures# 3e returned 2ithout ,a'e#
3ednesda!< H9#--3e a&& tra$e&ed east< &ocatin, &ands< to secure a
c&ai'< on 5ro$e Cree0< and near the Cit! of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an To2ards
e$enin, I acco'*anied E&der Ri,don to Co&one& 3i,ht+s< and the re'ainder
of the co'*an! returned to their tents#
Thursda!< H@#--This 'ornin, the co'*an! returned to 5ro$e Cree0 to
finish the sur$e!< acco'*anied ! )resident Ri,don and Co&one& 3i,ht< and
I returned to Far 3est#
Frida!< HG#--The co'*an! 2ent u* 5rand Ri$er and 'ade so'e &ocations#
In the afternoon the! struc0 their tents and re'o$ed to Co&one& 3i,ht+s#
Saturda!< H:#--The co'*an! sur$e!ed &ands on the other side of the
ri$er o**osite Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Sunda!< HM#--The co'*an! &ocatin, &ands s*ent the da! at Co&one&
3i,ht+s#
.onda!< H8#--The co'*an! started for ho'e EFar 3estF< and I &eft Far
3est the sa'e da! in co'*an! 2ith "rother H!ru' S'ith and fifteen or
t2ent! others< to see0 &ocations in the north< and aout noon 2e 'et
)resident Ri,don and his Co'*an! ,oin, into the cit!< 2here the! arri$ed
the sa'e e$enin,#
)resident H!ru' S'ith returned to Far 3est on the 9Dth< and I
returned on the 7st of June< on account of '! fa'i&!< for I had a son orn
unto 'e#
.onda!< June @#--I &eft Far 3est 2ith )resident Ri,don< '! rother
H!ru' and others for Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and sta!ed at "rother .oses Dai&e!+s
o$er ni,ht? and on the 'ornin, of the Gth< 2ent to Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht+s
in the rain# 3e continued sur$e!in,< ui&din, houses< da! after da!< for
'an! da!s< unti& the sur$e!or had co'*&eted the cit! *&at#
.onda!< June 77#--)resident Jose*h Fie&din, 2as 'arried to Hannah
5reen2ood< )reston< En,&and#
June 7:#--.! unc&e< John S'ith< and fa'i&!< 2ith si/ other fa'i&ies<
arri$ed in Far 3est< a&& in ,ood hea&th and s*irits# I counse&ed the' to
sett&e at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
.inutes of the .eetin, 2hich Or,ani4ed the Sta0e of ;ion ca&&ed
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< .issouri< Da$iess count!< June HG< 7898# A
conference of E&ders and 'e'ers of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints 2as he&d in this *&ace this da!< for the *ur*ose of
or,ani4in, this Sta0e of ;ion< ca&&ed Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
The 'eetin, con$ened at 7D o+c&oc0 a# '#< in the ,ro$e near the house
of E&der L!'an 3i,ht#
)resident Jose*h S'ith# Jun#< 2as ca&&ed to the chair# He e/*&ained
the o=ect of the 'eetin,< 2hich 2as to or,ani4e a )residenc! and Hi,h
Counci& to *reside o$er this Sta0e of ;ion< and attend to the affairs of
the Church in Da$iess count!#
It 2as then 'o$ed< seconded and carried ! the unani'ous $oice of the
asse'&!< that John S'ith shou&d act as )resident of the Sta0e of
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Re!no&ds Cahoon 2as unani'ous&! chosen first counse&or< and L!'an
3i,ht second counse&or#
After *ra!er the *residents ordained E&der 3i,ht as second counse&or#
%inson 1ni,ht 2as chosen actin, "isho* *ro te'*ore ! the unani'ous
$oice of the asse'&!#
)resident John S'ith then *roceeded to or,ani4e the Hi,h Counci&# The
counci&ors 2ere chosen accordin, to the fo&&o2in, order< ! a unani'ous
$ote( John Le'on< first? Danie& Stanton< second? .a!he2 Hi&&'an< third?
Danie& Carter< fourth? Isaac )err!< fifth? Harrison Sa,ers< si/th? A&anson
"ro2n< se$enth? Tho'as 5ordon< ei,hth? Loren4o D# "arnes< ninth? 5eor,e A#
S'ith< tenth ? Har$e! O&'stead< e&e$enth? E4ra Tha!er< t2e&fth#
After the ordination of the counci&ors 2ho had not *re$ious&! een
ordained to the Hi,h )riesthood< )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'ade
re'ar0s ! 2a! of char,e to the *residents and counse&ors< instructin,
the' in the duties of their ca&&in,s< and the res*onsii&it! of their
stations< e/hortin, the' to e cautious and de&ierate in a&& their
counci&s< and e carefu& and act in ri,hteousness in a&& thin,s#
)resident John S'ith< Re!no&ds Cahoon< and L!'an 3i,ht then 'ade so'e
re'ar0s#
Loren4o D# "arnes 2as unani'ous&! chosen c&er0 of this Counci& and
Sta0e# After sin,in, the 2e&& 0no2n h!'n< Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< the 'eetin,
c&osed ! *ra!er ! )resident Cahoon< and a enediction ! )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
LOREN;O D# "ARNES<
ISAAC )ERRY<
C&er0s#
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an is &ocated i''ediate&! on the north side of 5rand
Ri$er< in Da$iess count!< .issouri< aout t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es north of Far
3est# It is situated on an e&e$ated s*ot of ,round< 2hich renders the
*&ace as hea&thfu& as an! *art of the United States and o$er&oo0in, the
ri$er and the countr! round aout< it is certain&! a eautifu& &ocation#
June H8#--This da! %ictoria 2as cro2ned >ueen of En,&and#
CHA)TER %#
INDE)ENDENCE DAY AT FAR 3EST--SUNDRY E%ENTS AND RE%ELATIONS--E)ISTLE
OF DA%ID 3# )ATTEN#
Ju&! @#--The da! 2as s*ent in ce&eratin, the Dec&aration of
Inde*endence of the United States of A'erica< and a&so ! the Saints
'a0in, a -Dec&aration of Inde*endence- fro' a&& 'os and *ersecutions
2hich ha$e een inf&icted u*on the'< ti'e after ti'e< unti& the! cou&d
ear it no &on,er? ha$in, een dri$en ! ruth&ess 'os and ene'ies of
truth fro' their ho'es< and ha$in, had their *ro*ert! confiscated< their
&i$es e/*osed< and their a&& Jeo*ardi4ed ! such ararous Conduct# The
corner stones of the Houses of the Lord< a,reea&e to the Co''and'ents of
the Lord unto us< ,i$en A*ri& H:< 7898< 2ere &aid#
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as *resident of the da! H!ru' S'ith<
$ice-*resident? Sidne! Ri,don< orator? Re!no&ds Cahoon< chief 'arsha&<
5eor,e .# Hinc0&e and J# Hunt< assistant 'arsha&s? and 5eor,e 3# Roinson<
C&er0#
The order of the da! 2as s*&endid# The *rocession co''enced for'in,
at 7D o+c&oc0 a# '#< in the fo&&o2in, order( First< the infantr!
E'i&itiaF? second< the )atriarchs of the Church? the *resident<
$ice-*resident< and orator? the T2e&$e A*ost&es< *residents of the sta0es<
and Hi,h Counci&? "isho* and counse&ors? architects< &adies and ,ent&e'en#
The ca$a&r! rou,ht u* the rear of the &ar,e *rocession< 2hich 'arched to
'usic< and for'ed a circ&e< 2ith the &adies in front< round the
e/ca$ation# The southeast Corner stone of the Lord+s House in Far 3est<
.issouri< 2as then &aid ! the *residents of the sta0e< assisted ! t2e&$e
'en# The south2est corner< ! the *residents of the E&ders< assisted !
t2e&$e 'en# The north2est corner ! the "isho*< assisted ! t2e&$e 'en#
The northeast corner ! the *resident of the Teachers< assisted ! t2e&$e
'en# This house is to e one hundred and ten feet &on,< and ei,ht! feet
road#
The oration 2as de&i$ered ! )resident Ri,don< at the c&ose of 2hich
2as a shout of Hosanna< and a son,< co'*osed for the occasion ! Le$i 3#
Hancoc0< 2as sun, ! So&o'on Hancoc0# The 'ost *erfect order *re$ai&ed
throu,hout the da!#
Ju&! :#--This da! I recei$ed a &etter fro' Heer C# 1i'a&& and Orson
H!de< dated at 1irt&and Ohio< e/*ressin, their ,ood fee&in,s< fir'ness in
the faith and *ros*erit!#
A&so another &etter fro' '! rother Don Car&os S'ith< as fo&&o2s(
NINE .ILES FRO. TERRE HAUTE< INDIANA#
"rother Jose*h(--I sit do2n to infor' !ou of our situation at the
*resent ti'e# I started fro' Norton< Ohio< the Mth of .a!< in co'*an! 2ith
father< 3i&&ia'< 3i&0ins Jen0ins Sa&isur!< 3i&&ia' .cC&ar! and Le2is
Roins< and fa'i&ies< a&so Sister Sin,&!# 3e started 2ith fifteen horses<
se$en 2a,ons< and t2o co2s# 3e ha$e &eft t2o horses ! the 2a! sic0< and a
third horse Eour 'ain de*endenceF 2as ta0en &a'e &ast e$enin,< and is not
a&e to tra$e&< and 2e ha$e sto**ed to doctor hi'# 3e 2ere disa**ointed on
e$er! hand efore 2e started in ,ettin, 'one!# 3e ,ot no assistance
2hate$er< on&! as 2e ha$e ta0en in Sister Sin,&!< and she has assisted us
as far as her 'eans e/tended# 3e had< 2hen 2e started< RMG in 'one!# 3e
so&d the t2o co2s for R79#GD *er co2# 3e ha$e so&d of !our ,oods to the
a'ount of R@G#M@< and no2 2e ha$e on&! RHG to carr! t2ent!-ei,ht sou&s and
thirteen horses fi$e hundred 'i&es#
3e ha$e &i$ed $er! c&ose and ca'*ed out at ni,ht< not2ithstandin, the
rain and co&d< and '! a! on&! t2o 2ee0s o&d 2hen 2e started# A,nes is
$er! fee&e? father and 'other are not 2e&& and $er! 'uch fati,ued? 'other
has a se$ere co&d< and in fact it is nothin, ut the *ra!er of faith and
the *o2er of 5od< that 2i&& sustain the' and rin, the' throu,h# Our
coura,e is ,ood< and I thin0 2e sha&& e rou,ht throu,h# I &ea$e it 2ith
!ou and H!ru' to de$ise so'e 2a! to assist us to so'e 'ore e/*ense 'one!#
3e ha$e unaccounta&! ad roads< had our horses do2n in the 'ud< and ro0e
one 2a,on ton,ue and thi&&s< and ro0e do2n the carria,e t2ice< and !et 2e
are a&& a&i$e and enca'*ed on a dr! *&ace for a&'ost the first ti'e#
)o$ert! is a hea$! &oad< ut 2e are a&& o&i,ed to 2e&ter under it#
It is no2 dar0 and I c&ose# .a! the Lord &ess !ou a&&< and rin, us
to,ether< is '! *ra!er# A'en# A&& the arran,e'ents that rother H!ru' &eft
for ,ettin, 'one! fai&ed? the! did not ,ain us one cent#
DON C# S.ITH#
The three re$e&ations 2hich I recei$ed Januar! 7H< 7898< the da! I
&eft 1irt&and< 2ere read in the *u&ic con,re,ation at Far 3est? and the
sa'e da! I in>uired of the Lord< -O LordK Sho2 unto th! ser$ant ho2 'uch
thou re>uirest of the *ro*erties of th! *eo*&e for a tithin,<- and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in, ans2er< 2hich 2as a&so read in *u&ic(
Re$e&ation< 5i$en at Far 3est< Ju&! 8< 7898#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord< I re>uire a&& their sur*&us *ro*ert!
to e *ut into the hands of the "isho* of '! Church of ;ion<
H# For the ui&din, of 'ine house< and for the &a!in, of the
foundation of ;ion and for the )riesthood< and for the dets of the
)residenc! of '! Church?
9# And this sha&& e the e,innin, of the tithin, of '! *eo*&e?
@# And after that< those 2ho ha$e thus een tithed< sha&& *a!
one-tenth of a&& their interest annua&&!? and this sha&& e a standin, &a2
unto the' fore$er< for '! ho&! )riesthood< saith the Lord#
G# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it sha&& co'e to *ass< that a&& those 2ho
,ather unto the Land of ;ion sha&& e tithed of their sur*&us *ro*erties<
and sha&& oser$e this &a2< or the! sha&& not e found 2orth! to aide
a'on, !ou#
:# And I sa! unto !ou< if '! *eo*&e oser$e not this &a2< to 0ee* it
ho&!< and ! this &a2 sanctif! the &and of ;ion unto 'e< that '! statutes
and '! =ud,'ents 'a! e 0e*t thereon< that it 'a! e 'ost ho&!< eho&d<
$eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it sha&& not e a &and of ;ion unto !ou?
M# And this sha&& e an ensa'*&e unto a&& the sta0es of ;ion# E$en
so# A'en#
A&so I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation< ,i$en Ju&! 8< 7898< 'a0in, 0no2n the dis*osition of the
*ro*erties tithed as na'ed in the *recedin, re$e&ation#O
%eri&!< thus saith the Lord< the ti'e is no2 co'e that it sha&& e
dis*osed of ! a counci& co'*osed of the First )residenc! of '! Church<
and of the isho* and his counci&< and ! '! Hi,h Counci&< and ! 'ine o2n
$oice unto the'< saith the Lord# E$en so# A'en#
A&so I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en to 3i&&ia' .ar0s< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< O&i$er 5ran,er and
others< at Far 3est< Ju&! 8< 7898#
7# %eri&! thus saith the Lord unto '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' .ar0s< and a&so
unto '! ser$ant N# 1# 3hitne!< &et the' sett&e u* their usiness s*eedi&!
and =ourne! fro' the &and of 1irt&and< efore I< the Lord< send a,ain the
sno2s u*on the earth?
H# Let the' a2a0e< and arise< and co'e forth< and not tarr!< for I<
the Lord< co''and it?
9# Therefore if the! tarr! it sha&& not e 2e&& 2ith the'#
@# Let the' re*ent of a&& their sins< and of a&& their co$etous
desires< efore 'e< saith the Lord< for 2hat is *ro*ert! unto 'e< saith
the LordB
G# Let the *ro*erties of 1irt&and e turned out for dets< saith the
Lord# Let the' ,o< saith the Lord< and 2hatsoe$er re'aineth< &et it re'ain
in !our hands< saith the Lord?
:# For ha$e I not the fo2&s of hea$en< and a&so the fish of the sea<
and the easts of the 'ountainsB Ha$e I not 'ade the earthB Do I not ho&d
the destinies of a&& the ar'ies of the nations of the earthB
M# Therefore 2i&& I not 'a0e so&itar! *&aces to ud and to &osso'<
and to rin, forth in aundance< saith the LordB
8# Is there not roo' enou,h u*on the 'ountains of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an<
and on the *&ains of O&aha Shinehah< or the &and 2here Ada' d2e&t< that
!ou shou&d co$et that 2hich is ut the dro*< and ne,&ect the 'ore 2ei,ht!
'attersB
N# Therefore co'e u* hither unto the &and of '! *eo*&e< e$en ;ion#
7D# Let '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' .ar0s e faithfu& o$er a fe2 thin,s< and
he sha&& e ru&er o$er 'an!# Let hi' *reside in the 'idst of '! *eo*&e in
the cit! of Far 3est< and &et hi' e &essed 2ith the &essin,s of '!
*eo*&e#
77# Let '! ser$ant N# 1# 3hitne! e asha'ed of the Nicho&atine and
and of a&& their secret ao'inations< and of a&& his &itt&eness of sou&
efore 'e< saith the Lord< and co'e u* to the &and of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and
e a "isho* unto '! *eo*&e< saith the Lord< not in na'e ut in deed< saith
the Lord#
7H# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< I re'e'er '! ser$ant O&i$er 5ran,er<
eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto hi'< that his na'e sha&& e had in sacred
re'e'rance fro' ,eneration to ,eneration< for e$er and e$er< saith the
Lord#
79# Therefore &et hi' contend earnest&! for the rede'*tion of the
First )residenc! of '! Church< saith the Lord< and 2hen he fa&&s he sha&&
rise a,ain< for his sacrifice sha&& e 'ore sacred unto 'e< than his
increase< saith the Lord?
7@# Therefore &et hi' co'e u* hither s*eedi&!< unto the &and of ;ion<
and in the due ti'e he sha&& e 'ade a 'erchant unto '! na'e< saith the
Lord< for the enefit of '! *eo*&e?
7G# Therefore &et no 'an des*ise '! ser$ant O&i$er 5ran,er< ut &et
the &essin,s of '! *eo*&e e on hi' for e$er and e$er#
7:# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et a&& '! ser$ants in the &and
of 1irt&and re'e'er the Lord their 5od< and 'ine house a&so< to 0ee* and
*reser$e it ho&!< and to o$erthro2 the 'one! chan,ers in 'ine o2n due
ti'e< saith the Lord# E$en so# A'en#
A&so I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en at Far 3est< Ju&! 8< 7898< in ans2er to the >uestion<
Sho2 unto us th! 2i&& O Lord concernin, the T2e&$e#
7# %eri&!< thus saith the Lord< &et a conference e he&d i''ediate&!<
&et the T2e&$e e or,ani4ed< and &et 'en e a**ointed to su**&! the *&ace
of those 2ho are fa&&en#
H# Let '! ser$ant Tho'as re'ain for a season in the &and of ;ion< to
*u&ish '! 2ord#
9# Let the residue continue to *reach fro' that hour< and if the!
2i&& do this in a&& &o2&iness of heart< in 'ee0ness and hu'i&it!< and
&on,-sufferin,< I< the Lord< ,i$e unto the' a *ro'ise that I 2i&& *ro$ide
for their fa'i&ies< and an effectua& door sha&& e o*ened for the'< fro'
henceforth?
@# And ne/t s*rin, &et the' de*art to ,o o$er the ,reat 2aters< and
there *ro'u&,ate '! ,os*e&< the fu&&ness thereof< and ear record of '!
na'e#
G# Let the' ta0e &ea$e of '! Saints in the cit! Far 3est< on the
H:th da! of A*ri& ne/t< on the ui&din, s*ot of '! house< saith the
Lord#
:# Let '! ser$ant John Ta!&or< and a&so '! ser$ant John E# )a,e< a&so
'! ser$ant 3i&ford 3oodruff< and a&so '! ser$ant 3i&&ard Richards< e
a**ointed to fi&& the *&aces of those 2ho ha$e fa&&en< and e officia&&!
notified of their a**oint'ent#
.inutes of a .eetin, of the T2e&$e#
Far 3est< Ju&! N< 7898< a conference of the T2e&$e A*ost&es asse'&ed
at Far 3est< a,reea&e to the re$e&ation< ,i$en Ju&! 8< 7898# )resent<
Tho'as "# .arsh< Da$id 3# )atten< "ri,ha' Youn,< )ar&e! )# )ratt and
3i&&ia' S'ith# T# "# .arsh< *residin,#
Reso&$ed 7st# That the *ersons 2ho are to fi&& the *&aces of those
2ho are fa&&en< e i''ediate&! notified to co'e to Far 3est? as a&so<
those of the T2e&$e 2ho are not *resent#
Reso&$ed Hnd# That Tho'as "# .arsh notif! 3i&ford 3oodruff< that
)ar&e! )# )ratt notif! Orson )ratt< and that )resident Ri,don notif!
3i&&ard Richards< 2ho is no2 in En,&and#
%oted that )resident .arsh *u&ish the sa'e in ne/t nu'er of The
E&ders+ Journa&#
)resident Ri,don ,a$e so'e counse& concernin, the *ro$isions
necessar! to e 'ade for the fa'i&ies of the T2e&$e< 2hi&e &aorin, in the
cause of their Redee'er< ad$isin, the' to instruct their con$erts to 'o$e
2ithout de&a! to the *&aces of ,atherin,< and there to strict&! attend to
the &a2 of 5od#
T# "# .ARSH< )resident#
5# 3# RO"INSON< C&er0#
Tuesda!< 7D#-- Aout this ti'e I $isited Ada'-ondi-Ah'an in co'*an!
2ith )resident Ri,don< "rother H!ru'< and 5eor,e 3# Roinson#
Thursda!< H:#--The First )residenc!< Hi,h Counci&< and "isho*+s court
asse'&ed at Far 3est to dis*ose of the *u&ic *ro*erties of the Church in
the hands of the "isho*< 'an! of the rethren ha$in, consecrated their
sur*&us *ro*ert! accordin, to the re$e&ations#
It 2as a,reed that the First )residenc! shou&d 0ee* a&& their
*ro*erties that the! cou&d dis*ose of to ad$anta,e< for their su**ort< and
the re'ainder e *ut into the hands of the "isho* or "isho*s< accordin, to
the co''and'ents#
.o$ed< seconded< and carried unani'ous&!(
-First--That the First )residenc! sha&& ha$e their e/*enses defra!ed
in ,oin, to< and returnin, fro' Ada' ondi-Ah'an? e>ua&&! ! the "isho* of
each *&ace#
-Second--That a&& the tra$e&in, e/*enses of the First )residenc!
sha&& e defra!ed#
-Third--That the "isho* e authori4ed to *a! orders co'in, fro' the
east< inas'uch as the! 2i&& consecrate &iera&&!< ut this is to e done
under the ins*ection of the First )residenc!#
-Fourth--That the First )residenc! sha&& ha$e the *rero,ati$e to
direct the "isho* as to 2hose orders sha&& or 'a! e *aid ! hi' in this
*&ace< or in his =urisdiction#
-Fifth--That the "isho* of ;ion recei$e a&& consecrations fro' those
&i$in, east< 2est< and south< 2ho are not in the =urisdiction of a "isho*
of an! other sta0e#
-Si/th--That 2e use our inf&uence to *ut a sto* to the se&&in, of
&i>uors in the cit! Far 3est< or in our 'idst< that our streets 'a! not e
fi&&ed 2ith drun0enness? and that 2e use our inf&uence to rin, do2n the
*rice of *ro$isions#
-Se$enth--That "rother 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s e re>uested to dra2 u* a
*etition to &ocate the count! seat at Far 3est#-
Saturda!< H8#--I &eft Far 3est for Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< in co'*an! 2ith
)resident Ri,don< to transact so'e i'*ortant usiness< and to sett&e so'e
Canadian rethren in that *&ace< as the! are e'i,ratin, ra*id&! to this
&and fro' a&& *arts of the countr!#
E&der "aitt< 2ith his co'*an! fro' Canada has arri$ed< and "rother
Theodore Tur&e! is 2ith hi'#
Sunda!< HN#--E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de ha$in, =ust returned fro'
En,&and< *reached in Far 3est#
.onda!< 9D#--The circuit court sat in Far 3est< Jud,e 1in, *residin,#
I returned this e$enin, fro' Ada'-ondi-Ah'an to Far 3est< 2ith
)resident Ri,don#
Tuesda!< 97#--Attended the circuit court a2hi&e< and recei$ed a $isit
fro' Jud,e 1in,#
So'e ti'e in Ju&! 2e succeeded in *u&ishin, the third nu'er of the
E&ders+ Journa&? Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< editor? Tho'as "# .arsh< *rinter and
*u&isher# In this nu'er of the Journa& 2as *u&ished the fo&&o2in,
E*ist&e of Da$id 3# )atten< one of the T2e&$e A*ost&es of the &ast da!s(
The E*ist&e of EIder Da$id 3# )atten#
To the Saints Scattered aroad(
DEAR "RETHREN(-- 3hereas 'an! ha$e ta0en in hand to set forth
the 0in,do' of 5od on earth< and ha$e testified of the ,race of 5od<
as ,i$en unto the' to *u&ish unto !ou< I a&so fee& it '! dut! to
2rite unto !ou< touchin, the ,race of 5od ,i$en unto 'e< to !ou-2ard<
concernin, the dis*ensation 2e ha$e recei$ed< 2hich is the ,reatest
of a&& dis*ensations< and has een s*o0en of ! the 'outh of a&& the
ho&! )ro*hets since the 2or&d e,an#
In this '! co''unication to !ou< I desi,n to notice so'e of
these *ro*hecies# No2< the A*ost&e )au& sa!s on this 2ise( -For I
2ou&d not rethren< that !e shou&d e i,norant of this '!ster!< &est
!e shou&d e 2ise in !our o2n conceits? that &indness in *art is
ha**ened to Israe&< unti& the fu&&ness of the 5enti&es e co'e in#
And so a&& Israe& sha&& e sa$ed( as it is 2ritten< There sha&& co'e
out of ;ion the De&i$erer< and sha&& turn a2a! un,od&iness fro'
Jaco#- 3hat is it that he sa!sB -For I 2ou&d not ha$e !ou i,norant#-
I,norant of 2hatB 3h! of this '!ster!< that &indness in *art had to
Israe&# And to 2hat endB 3h!< that sa&$ation 'i,ht co'e unto the
5enti&es# -No2 if the fa&& of the' e the riches of the 2or&d< and
the di'inishin, of the' the riches of the 5enti&es? ho2 'uch 'ore
their fu&&nessK- -For I s*ea0 to !ou 5enti&es< inas'uch as I a' the
A*ost&e of the 5enti&es< I 'a,nif! 'ine office# H ESee Ro'#< /i( 7H<
79F# No2 2e are to understand the A*ost&e< as s*ea0in, of the return
of Israe&< 2hen he said< -Ho2 'uch 'ore their fu&&ness<- in their
return# -For I 2ou&d not ha$e !ou i,norant concernin, this 'atter<-
that &indnesss 2i&& de*art fro' the' in the da! that the fu&&ness of
the 5enti&es is co'e in# And the reason is $er! o$ious< ecause it
is said< that -Out of ;ion sha&& co'e the de&i$erer?- and for 2hat
causeB 3h!B That the 2ord of 5od 'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed< that this
de&i$erer 'i,ht< throu,h the ,race and 'erc! of 5od< -turn a2a!
un,od&iness fro' Jaco#- This 2or0 e$ident&! co''ences at the ti'e
5od e,ins to ta0e the dar0ness fro' the 'inds of Israe&< for this
2i&& e the 2or0 of 5od ! the de&i$erer< for He sha&& turn a2a!
un,od&iness fro' the 2here fa'i&! of Jaco< -for this is '! co$enant
unto the'< 2hen I sha&& ta0e a2a! their sins#-
No2< then< 2e can see that this de&i$erer is a 0ind of harin,er
or forerunner< that is< one that is sent to *re*are the 2a! for
another< and this de&i$erer is such a one< for he co'es to turn a2a!
un,od&iness fro' Jaco< conse>uent&! he 'ust recei$e a dis*ensation
and an authorit! suita&e to his ca&&in,< or he cou&d not turn a2a!
un,od&iness fro' Jaco< nor fu&fi&& the Scri*tures# "ut the 2ords of
the *ro*hets 'ust e fu&fi&&ed< and in order to do this< to this
'essen,er 'ust e ,i$en the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es<
accordin, to the *ro*hets# For )au& sa!s a,ain< in s*ea0in, of the
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< -Ha$in, 'ade 0no2n unto us the
'!ster! of His 2i&&< accordin, to His ,ood *&easure< 2hich He hath
*ur*osed in Hi'se&f( that in the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of
ti'es< He 'i,ht ,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth
2hich are in hea$en< and 2hich are on earth? e$en in Hi'#-EE*hesians<
i( NF# And Isaiah sa!s< -And it sha&& co'e to *ass in that da!< that
the Lord sha&& set His hand a,ain the second ti'e to reco$er the
re'nant of His *eo*&e#- Echa*ter /i( 77F# No2 is the ti'e that the
de&i$erer sha&& co'e out of ;ion and turn a2a! un,od&iness fro' the
house of Israe&# No2 the Lord has said that He 2ou&d set His hand the
second ti'e< and 2e as0< for 2hat< ut to reco$er the house of JacoB
For 2hat ha$e the! fa&&enB .ost assured&! the! ha$e ro0en the
co$enant that 5od had 'ade 2ith their fathers< and throu,h their
fathers 2ith the'# For )au& sa!s< -Thou 2i&t sa! then< The ranches
2ere ro0en off< that I 'i,ht e ,rafted in# 3e&&? ecause of
une&ief the! 2ere ro0en off< and thou standest ! faith# "e not
hi,h'inded< ut fear#---Ro'#< /i( 78< HD#
No2 it is e$ident that the Je2s did forsa0e the Lord< and !
that 'eans the! ro0e the co$enant< and no2 2e see the need of the
Lord settin, His hand the second ti'e to ,ather His *eo*&e accordin,
to E*h#< i( 7D< -That in the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es<
he 'i,ht ,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth 2hich are
in hea$en< and 2hich are on earth#- No2< I as0< 2hat is a
dis*ensationB I ans2er< it is *o2er and authorit! to dis*ense the
2ord of 5od< and to ad'inister in a&& the ordinances thereof# This is
2hat 2e are to understand ! it< for no 'an e$er had the Ho&! 5host
to de&i$er the 5os*e&< or to *ro*hes! of thin,s to co'e< ut had
&iert! to fu&fi&& his 'ission? conse>uent&! the ar,u'ent is c&ear?
for it *ro$es itse&f? ne$erthe&ess I 2i&& ca&& on the Scri*tures to
*ro$e the assertion( -If !e ha$e heard of the dis*ensation of the
,race of 5od< 2hich is ,i$en 'e to !ou-2ard ( ho2 that ! re$e&ation
he 'ade 0no2n unto 'e the '!ster!? Eas I 2rote afore in fe2 2ordsF#-
EE*hesians< iii( H#F And a&so< Co&ossians< i( HG# -3hereof I a' 'ade
a 'inister< accordin, to the dis*ensation of 5od 2hich is ,i$en to 'e
for !ou< to fu&fi&& the 2ord of 5od#- It is e$ident< then< that the
dis*ensation ,i$en to the A*ost&e ca'e to hi' ! re$e&ation fro' 5od#
Then ! this 2e 'a! understand< in so'e de,ree< the *o2er ! 2hich he
s*a0e< and a&so the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es#
No2 this< at first thou,ht< 2ou&d a**ear $er! s'a&& to so'e 2ho
are not ac>uainted 2ith the order of 5od fro' the e,innin,? ut 2hen
2e ta0e under consideration the *&an of 5od for the sa&$ation of the
2or&d< 2e can readi&! see that *&an carried out 'ost faithfu&&! in
a&& its earin,s# Soon after the fa&& of Ada'< the *&an of sa&$ation
2as 'ade 0no2n to hi' of 5od Hi'se&f? 2ho in &i0e 'anner< in the
'eridian of ti'e< re$ea&ed the sa'e in sendin, His first e,otten Son
Jesus Christ< 2ho a&so re$ea&ed the sa'e to the A*ost&es? and 5od
raised hi' fro' the dead to *erfect the *&an< and the A*ost&es 2ere
'ade s*ecia& 2itnesses of that *&an< and testified that in the
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< 5od 2ou&d ,ather to,ether in
one a&& thin,s in Christ< 2hether the! e thin,s in hea$en< or thin,s
on the earth#
No2 the thin, to e 0no2n is< 2hat the fu&&ness of ti'es 'eans<
or the e/tent or authorit! thereof# It 'eans this< that the
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es is 'ade u* of a&& the
dis*ensations that e$er ha$e een ,i$en since the 2or&d e,an< unti&
this ti'e# Unto Ada' first 2as ,i$en a dis*ensation# It is 2e&& 0no2n
that 5od s*a0e to hi' 2ith His o2n $oice in the ,arden< and ,a$e hi'
the *ro'ise of the .essiah# And unto Noah a&so 2as a dis*ensation
,i$en? for Jesus said< -As it 2as in the da!s of Noah< so sha&& it e
a&so in the da!s of the Son of 'an?- and as the ri,hteous 2ere sa$ed
then< and the 2ic0ed destro!ed< so it 2i&& e no2# And fro' Noah to
Araha'< and fro' Araha' to .oses< and fro' .oses to E&ias< and fro'
E&ias to John the "a*tist< and fro' then to Jesus Christ< and fro'
Jesus Christ to )eter< Ja'es< and John< the A*ost&es--a&& recei$ed in
their ti'e a dis*ensation ! re$e&ation fro' 5od< to acco'*&ish the
,reat sche'e of restitution< s*o0en of ! a&& the ho&! *ro*hets since
the 2or&d e,an? the end of 2hich is the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness
of ti'es< in the 2hich a&& thin,s sha&& e fu&fi&&ed that ha$e een
s*o0en of since the earth 2as 'ade#
No2 the >uestion is< unto 2ho' is this dis*ensation to e ,i$enB
Or ! 2ho' to e re$ea&edB The ans2er is< to the de&i$erer that is to
co'e out of ;ion< and e ,i$en to hi' ! the an,e& of 5od# -And I sa2
another an,e&< f&! in the 'idst of hea$en< ha$in, the e$er&astin,
5os*e& to *reach unto the' that d2e&& on the earth< and to e$er!
nation< and 0indred< and ton,ue< and *eo*&e< sa!in, 2ith a &oud
$oice< Fear 5od< and ,i$e ,&or! to Hi'( for the hour of His =ud,'ent
is co'e( and 2orshi* Hi' that 'ade hea$en< and earth< and the sea<
and the fountains of 2aters#- ERe$e&ation< /i$( :< MF# No2 oser$e<
this an,e& de&i$ers the e$er&astin, 5os*e& to 'an on the earth< and
that< too< 2hen the hour of the =ud,'ents of 5od had co'e on the
,eneration in 2hich the Lord shou&d set His hand the second ti'e to
,ather His *eo*&e< as stated ao$e# No2 2e ha$e &earned that this
de&i$erer 'ust e c&othed 2ith the *o2er of a&& the other
dis*ensations< or his dis*ensation cou&d not e ca&&ed the
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< for this it 'eans< that a&&
thin,s sha&& e re$ea&ed oth in hea$en and on earth? for the Lord
said there is nothin, secret that sha&& not e re$ea&ed< or hid that
sha&& not co'e aroad< and e *roc&ai'ed u*on the house to*< and this
'a! 2ith *ro*riet! e ca&&ed the fu&&ness of ti'es#
The authorit! connected 2ith the ordinances< renders the ti'e
$er! desira&e to the 'an of 5od< and renders hi' ha**! a'idst a&&
his tria&s and aff&ictions# To such a one throu,h the ,race of 5od 2e
are indeted for this dis*ensation< as ,i$en ! the an,e& of the
Lord# "ut to 2hat trie of Israe& 2as it to e de&i$eredB 3e ans2er<
to E*hrai'< ecause to hi' 2ere the ,reater &essin,s ,i$en# For the
Lord said to his father Jose*h< A seer sha&& the Lord th! 5od raise
u* of the fruit of th! &oins< and he sha&& e a choice seer unto the
fruit of th! &oins# Yea< he tru&! said< Thus saith the Lord< a choice
seer 2i&& I raise u* out of the fruit of th! &oins< and he sha&& e
estee'ed hi,h&!< and unto hi' 2i&& I ,i$e co''and'ent that he sha&&
do a 2or0 for the fruit of th! &oins< his rethren< 2hich sha&& e of
,reat 2orth unto the'< e$en to the rin,in, of the' to the 0no2&ed,e
of the co$enants 2hich I ha$e 'ade 2ith their fathers# And I 2i&&
,i$e unto hi' a co''and'ent that he sha&& do none other 2or0 sa$e the
2or0 2hich I sha&& co''and hi'< and I 2i&& 'a0e hi' ,reat in 'ine
e!es< for he sha&& do '! 2or0< and he sha&& e ,reat &i0e unto .oses?
and out of 2ea0ness he sha&& e 'ade stron,< in that da! 2hen '! 2or0
sha&& co''ence a'on, a&& *eo*&e< unto the restorin, of the house of
Israe&< saith the Lord#
And thus *ro*hesied Jose*h< sa!in,--"eho&d< that seer 2i&& the
Lord &ess< and the! that see0 to destro! hi' sha&& e confounded#
"eho&d< I a' sure of the fu&fi&&'ent of this *ro'ise< and his na'e
sha&& e ca&&ed after the na'e of his father< and he sha&& e &i0e
unto 'e< for the thin, 2hich the Lord sha&& rin, forth ! his hand<
! the *o2er of the Father< sha&& rin, forth '! *eo*&e unto
sa&$ation#
And thus *ro*hesied Jose*h< -I a' sure of this thin,< e$en as I
a' sure of the *ro'ise of .oses#- EII Ne*hi< iii( :-7:F# And a,ain<
Jesus sa!s< as recorded in the "oo0 of .or'on< *a,e GH:( -"eho&d '!
ser$ant sha&& dea& $er! *rudent&!? he sha&& e e/a&ted and e/to&&ed<
and e $er! hi,h# As 'an! as 2ere astonished at thee# C C C So sha&&
he s*rin0&e 'an! nations? the 0in,s sha&& shut their 'ouths at hi'<
for that 2hich had een to&d the' sha&& the! see? and that 2hich the!
had not heard sha&& the! consider#- U*on this ser$ant is esto2ed the
0e!s of the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< that fro' hi' the
)riesthood of 5od< throu,h our Lord Jesus Christ< 'i,ht e ,i$en to
'an!< and the order of this dis*ensation esta&ished on the earth#
And to the Church He has said ! co''and'ent< -3herefore< 'eanin, the
Church< thou sha&t ,i$e heed unto a&& his 2ords and co''and'ents<
2hich he sha&& ,i$e unto !ou as he recei$eth the'< 2a&0in, in a&&
ho&iness efore 'e? for his 2ord !e sha&& recei$e as if fro' '! o2n
'outh< in a&& *atience and faith? for ! doin, these thin,s< the
,ates of he&& sha&& not *re$ai& a,ainst !ou#--- Doctrine and
Co$enants< sec# //i#
No2< '! readers< !ou can see in so'e de,ree the ,race ,i$en to
this 'an of 5od< to us-2ard( that 2e< ! the ,reat 'erc! of 5od<
shou&d recei$e fro' under his hands< the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ<
ha$in, the *ro'ise of *arta0in, of the fruit of the $ine on the earth
2ith hi'< and 2ith the ho&! )ro*hets and )atriarchs< our fathers# For
those ho&! 'en are an,e&s no2? and these are the! 2ho 'a0e the
fu&&ness of ti'es co'*&ete 2ith us? and the! 2ho sin a,ainst this
authorit! ,i$en to hi' Ethe afore'entioned 'an of 5odF< sin not
a,ainst hi' on&!< ut a,ainst .oroni< 2ho ho&ds the 0e!s of the stic0
of E*hrai' I"oo0 of .or'onJ< and a&so E&ias< 2ho ho&ds the 0e!s of
rin,in, to *ass the restitution of a&& thin,s< and a&so John< the
son of ;acharias< 2hich ;acharias E&ias $isited< and ,a$e *ro'ise
that he shou&d ha$e a son< and his na'e shou&d e John< and he shou&d
e fi&&ed 2ith the s*irit of E&ias< 2hich John I ha$e sent unto !ou<
'! ser$ants Jose*h S'ith< Jun< and O&i$er Co2der!< to ordain !ou to
this first )riesthood< e$en as Aaron? and a&so E&i=ah 2ho ho&ds the
0e!s of co''ittin, the *o2er to turn the hearts of the fathers to the
chi&dren< and the hearts of the chi&dren to the fathers< that the
2ho&e earth 'a! not e s'itten 2ith a curse? and a&so Jose*h and
Jaco and Isaac and Araha'< !our fathers< ! 2ho' the *ro'ises
re'ain? and a&so .ichae&< or Ada'< the Father of a&&< the )rince of
a&&< the Ancient of Da!s? and a&so )eter and Ja'es and John< 2ho' I
ha$e sent unto !ou< ! 2ho' I ha$e ordained !ou< and confir'ed !ou to
e A*ost&es and es*ecia& 2itnesses of '! na'e< and ear the 0e!s of
!our 'inistr!< and of the sa'e thin,s I re$ea&ed unto the'< unto 2ho'
I ha$e co''itted the 0e!s of '! 0in,do'< and a dis*ensation of the
5os*e& for the &ast ti'es< and for the fu&&ness of ti'es< in the
2hich I 2i&& ,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s< oth 2hich are in
hea$en< and 2hich are on earth# EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# //$ii#F
Therefore< rethren< e2are concernin, !ourse&$es< that !ou sin
not a,ainst the authorit! of this dis*ensation< nor thin0 &i,ht&! of
those 2ho' 5od has counted 2orth! for so ,reat a ca&&in,< and for
2hose sa0e He hath 'ade the' ser$ants unto !ou< that !ou 'i,ht e
'ade the heirs of 5od to inherit so ,reat a &essin,< and e *re*ared
for the ,reat asse'&!< and sit there 2ith the Ancient of Da!s< e$en
Ada' our father< 2ho sha&& co'e to *re*are !ou for the co'in, of
Jesus Christ our Lord? for the ti'e is at hand< therefore ,ather u*
!our effects< and ,ather to,ether u*on the &and 2hich the Lord has
a**ointed for !our safet!#
DA%ID 3# )ATTEN#
CHA)TER %I#
THE "E5INNIN5 OF TROU"LE IN CALD3ELL AND DA%IESS COUNTIES#
3ednesda!< Au,ust 7#---I tarried at ho'e 2ith '! fa'i&!< a&so the Hnd
and 9rd< to refresh '!se&f after '! 'an! &ate fati,ues and arduous duties
2hich I had een ca&&ed u*on to *erfor'#
Sunda!< G#---I attended 'eetin,# E&der Erastus Sno2 *reached< after
2hich I addressed the con,re,ation< and *articu&ar&! the E&ders< on the
*rinci*&e of 2isdo'< etc# )resident Ri,don *reached in the afternoon< and
se$era& 2ere confir'ed< a'on, 2ho' 2as Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 2ho had
recent&! een re-a*ti4ed#
.onda!< :#---This 'ornin, '! counci& 'et 'e at '! house< to consider
the conduct of certain Canada rethren< 2ho had sett&ed on the for0s of
5rand ri$er< contrar! to counse&# On in$esti,ation< it 2as reso&$ed that
the! 'ust return to Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< accordin, to counse&< or the! 2ou&d
not e considered one 2ith us#
This da! the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& count! asse'&ed at Far 3est< and
or,ani4ed ! ca&&in, E&ias Hi,ee to the chair< and a**ointin, 5eor,e 3#
Roinson secretar!# 3# 3# )he&*s ha$in, resi,ned the office of *ost'aster<
it 2as $oted unani'ous&! that Sidne! Ri,don e reco''ended to the
)ost'aster 5enera&< as the *erson of our choice to fi&& the *&ace of 3# 3#
)he&*s< as *ost'aster in this cit!#
In the afternoon< the citi4ens of Far 3est asse'&ed in the schoo&
house and or,ani4ed the 'eetin, ! ca&&in, Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee to the
chair< and a**ointin, 5eor,e 3# Roinson< secretar!# I stated to the
'eetin,< that the ti'e had co'e 2hen it 2as necessar! that 2e shou&d ha$e
a 2ee0&! ne2s*a*er< to unite the *eo*&e< and ,i$e the ne2s of the da!# It
2as unani'ous&! a,reed that such a *a*er e esta&ished< and that
)resident Sidne! Ri,don shou&d e the editor# It 2as a&so $oted that a
*etition e circu&ated to &ocate the count! seat at Far 3est# I addressed
the 'eetin, on the *ro*riet! of the 'easure< and a&so on the dut! of the
rethren to co'e into cities to ui&d and &i$e< and carr! on their far's
out of the cities< accordin, to the order of 5od# )resident Ri,don and
"rother H!ru' S'ith s*o0e u*on the sa'e su=ect#
So'e t2o 2ee0s *re$ious to this< Jud,e .orin< 2ho &i$ed at .i&& )ort<
infor'ed John D# LeeC and Le$i Ste2art< that it 2as deter'ined ! the 'o
to *re$ent the -.or'ons- fro' $otin, at the e&ection on the si/th da! of
Au,ust< and there! e&ect Co&one& 3i&&ia' )# )eniston< 2ho &ed the 'o in
C&a! count!# He a&so ad$ised the' to ,o *re*ared for an attac0< to stand
their ,round< and ha$e their ri,hts#
The rethren< ho*in, etter thin,s< ,a$e &itt&e heed to Jud,e .orin+s
friend&! counse&< and re*aired to the *o&&s at 5a&&atin< the shire to2n of
Da$iess count!< 2ithout 2ea*ons#
Aout e&e$en o+c&oc0 a# '#< 3i&&ia' )# )eniston 'ounted a arre&< and
haran,ued the e&ectors for the *ur*ose of e/citin, the' a,ainst the
-.or'ons- sa!in, -The .or'on &eaders are a set of horse thie$es< &iars<
counterfeiters< and !ou 0no2 the! *rofess to hea& the sic0< and cast out
de$i&s< and !ou a&& 0no2 that is a &ie#- He further said that the 'e'ers
of the Church 2ere du*es< and not too ,ood to ta0e a fa&se oath on an!
co''on occasion? that the! 2ou&d stea&< and he did not consider *ro*ert!
safe 2here the! 2ere? that he 2as o**osed to their sett&in, in Da$iess
count!? and if the! suffered the -.or'ons- to $ote< the *eo*&e 2ou&d soon
&ose their suffra,e? -and<- said he< addressin, the Saints< -I headed a
'o to dri$e !ou out of C&a! count!< and 2ou&d not *re$ent !our ein,
'oed no2#-
Richard Eca&&ed Dic0F 3e&din,< the 'o u&&!< =ust drun0 enou,h for
the occasion< e,an a discussion 2ith "rother Sa'ue& "ro2n< ! sa!in,<
-The .or'ons 2ere not a&&o2ed to $ote in C&a! count! no 'ore than the
ne,roes<- and atte'*ted to stri0e "ro2n< 2ho ,radua&&! retreated< *arr!in,
the &o2 2ith his u're&&a< 2hi&e 3e&din, continued to *ress u*on hi'<
ca&&in, hi' a &iar< etc#< and 'ean2hi&e tr!in, to re*eat the &o2 on
"ro2n# )err! Dur*h! sou,ht to su**ress the difficu&t! ! ho&din, 3e&din,+s
ar'< 2hen fi$e or si/ of the 'oers sei4ed Dur*h! and co''enced eatin,
hi' 2ith c&us< oards< and cr!in,< -0i&& hi'< 0i&& hi'< 2hen a ,enera&
scuff&e co''enced 2ith fists and c&us< the 'oers ein, aout ten to one
of the rethren# Araha' Ne&son 2as 0noc0ed do2n< and had his c&othes torn
off< and 2hi&e tr!in, to ,et u* 2as attac0ed a,ain< 2hen his rother<
H!ru' Ne&son< ran in a'on,st the'< and 0noc0ed the 'oers do2n 2ith the
utt of his 2hi*# Ri&e! Ste2art struc0 3e&din, on the head< 2hich rou,ht
hi' to the ,round# The 'o cried out< -Dic0 3e&din+s dead? 2ho 0i&&ed
Dic0B- And the! fe&& u*on Ri&e!< 0noc0ed hi' do2n< 0ic0ed hi'< cr!in,<
-1i&& hi'< 0i&& hi'? shoot hi'<- and the! 2ou&d ha$e 0i&&ed hi'< had not
John L# "ut&er s*run, in a'on,st the' and 0noc0ed the' do2n# Durin, aout
fi$e 'inutes it 2as one succession of 0noc0 do2ns< 2hen the 'o dis*ersed
to ,et fire ar's#
%er! fe2 of the rethren $oted# Ri&e!< esca*in, across the ri$er< had
his 2ounds dressed< and returned ho'e#
John L# "ut&er ca&&ed the rethren to,ether and 'ade a s*eech<
sa!in,< -3e are A'erican citi4ens? our fathers fou,ht for their &iert!<
and 2e 2i&& 'aintain the sa'e *rinci*&es#- The authorities of the count!
fina&&! ca'e to the rethren< and re>uested the' to 2ithdra2< statin, that
it 2as a *re'editated thin, to *re$ent the -.or'ons- fro' $otin,#
The rethren he&d a counci& aout one-fourth of a 'i&e out of to2n<
2here the! sa2 'o recruits co'in, in< in s'a&& *arties< fro' fi$e and
ten< to t2ent!-fi$e in nu'er cursin, and s2earin,< and ar'ed 2ith c&us<
*isto&s< dir0s< and so'e ,uns# The rethren not ha$in, ar's< thou,ht it
2isdo' to return to their far's< co&&ect their fa'i&ies< and hide the' in
a thic0et of ha4e& ush< 2hich the! did< and stood ,uard around the'
throu,h the ni,ht< 2hi&e the 2o'en and chi&dren &a! on the ,round in the
rain#
Tuesda!< M#--A re*ort ca'e to Far 3est this 'ornin,< ! 2a! of those
not e&on,in, to the Church< to the effect that at the e&ection at
5a&&atin< !esterda!< t2o or three of our rethren 2ere 0i&&ed ! the
.issourians< and &eft u*on the ,round< and not suffered to e inferred?
that the rethren 2ere *re$ented fro' $otin,< and a 'a=orit! of the
inhaitants of Da$iess count! 2ere deter'ined to dri$e the Saints fro'
that count!#
On hearin, this re*ort< I started for 5a&&atin< to assist the
rethren< acco'*anied ! )resident Ri,don< "rother H!ru' S'ith< and
fifteen or t2ent! others< 2ho 2ere ar'ed for their o2n *rotection? and the
co''and of the co'*an! 2as ,i$en to 5eor,e 3# Roinson#
On our 2a! 2e 2ere =oined ! the rethren fro' different *arts of the
count!< so'e of 2ho' 2ere attac0ed ! the 'o< ut 2e a&& reached Co&one&
3i,ht+s that ni,ht in safet!< 2here 2e found so'e of the rethren 2ho had
een 'oed at 5a&&atin< 2ith others< 2aitin, for our counse&# Here 2e
recei$ed the cheerin, inte&&i,ence that none of the rethren 2ere 0i&&ed<
a&thou,h se$era& 2ere ad&! 2ounded#
Fro' the est infor'ation< aout one hundred and fift! .issourians
2arred a,ainst fro' si/ to t2e&$e of our rethren< 2ho fou,ht &i0e &ions#
Se$era& .issourians had their s0u&&s crac0ed# "&essed e the 'e'or! of
those fe2 rethren 2ho contended so strenuous&! for their constitutiona&
ri,hts and re&i,ious freedo'< a,ainst such an o$er2he&'in, force of
des*eradoesK
3ednesda!< 8#--After s*endin, the ni,ht in counse& at Co&one&
3i,ht+s< I rode out 2ith so'e of the rethren to $ie2 the situation of
affairs in that re,ion< and a'on, others< ca&&ed on Ada' "&ac0< =ustice of
the *eace< and =ud,e e&ect for Da$iess count!< 2ho had so'e ti'e *re$ious
so&d his far' to "rother %inson 1ni,ht< and recei$ed *art *a! accordin, to
a,ree'ent< and after2ards united hi'se&f 2ith a and of 'oers to dri$e
the Saints fro'< and *re$ent their sett&in, in< Da$iess count!# On
interro,ation< he confessed 2hat he had done< and in conse>uence of this
$io&ation of his oath as 'a,istrate< 2e as0ed hi' to ,i$e us so'e
satisfaction so that 2e 'i,ht 0no2 2hether he 2as our friend or ene'!<
2hether or not he 2ou&d ad'inister the &a2 in =ustice? and *o&ite&!
re>uested hi' to si,n an a,ree'ent of *eace< ut ein, =ea&ous he 2ou&d
not si,n it< ut said he 2ou&d 2rite one hi'se&f and si,n it< 2hich he
did< as fo&&o2s--
Ada' "&ac0+s A,ree'ent#
I< Ada' "&ac0< a =ustice of the )eace of Da$iess count!< do here! Sertif!
to the *eo*&e< co&ed .or'in< that he is ound to su*ort the Constitution
of this State< and of the United State< and he is not attached to an! 'o<
nor 2i&& not attach hi'se&f to an! such *eo*&e< and so &on, as the! 2i&&
not 'o&est 'e< I 2i&& not 'o&est the'# This the 8th da! of Au,ust< 7898#
ADA. "LAC1< J# )#
Ho*in, he 2ou&d aide his o2n decision< and su**ort the &a2< 2e &eft
hi' in *eace< and returned to Co&one& 3i,ht+s at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
In the e$enin, so'e of the citi4ens fro' .i&& )ort ca&&ed on us< and
2e a,reed to 'eet so'e of the *rinci*a& 'en of the count! in counci&< at
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an the ne/t da! at t2e&$e o+c&oc0< noon#
Thursda!< N#--The Co''ittee asse'&ed at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an at t2e&$e<
accordin, to *re$ious a**oint'ent< $i4#< on the *art of .i&& )ort
citi4ens< Jose*h .orin< Senator e&ect( John 3i&&ia's< re*resentati$e
e&ect? Ja'es "# Turner< c&er0 of the circuit court< and others( on the
*art of the Saints< L!'an 3i,ht< %inson 1ni,ht< John S'ith< Re!no&ds
Cahoon< and others# At this 'eetin, oth *arties entered into a co$enant
of *eace< to *reser$e each other+s ri,hts< and stand in each other+s
defense? that if 'en did 2ron,< neither *art! 2ou&d u*ho&d the' or
endea$or to screen the' fro' =ustice< ut de&i$er u* a&& offenders to e
dea&t 2ith accordin, to &a2 and =ustice# The asse'&! dis*ersed on these
friend&! ter's< '!se&f and friends returnin, to Far 3est< 2here 2e arri$ed
aout 'idni,ht and found a&& >uiet#
Frida!< 7D#--"ein, so'e2hat fati,ued I s*ent the da! 2ith '! fa'i&!<
transactin, ut &itt&e usiness#
The s*irit of 'oocrac! continued to sta&0 aroad< not2ithstandin,
a&& our treaties of *eace< as 2i&& e seen ! the fo&&o2in, affida$it--
)eniston+s Affida$it#
STATE OF .ISSOURI< F
RAY COUNTY# F ss#
)ersona&&! a**eared efore 'e< the undersi,ned< =ud,e of the Fifth
Judicia& Circuit< 3i&&ia' )# )eniston< and 'a0es oath that he has ,ood
reason to e&ie$e< and that he $eri&! does e&ie$e< that there is no2
co&&ected and e'odied in the Count! of Da$iess< a &ar,e od! of ar'ed
'en< 2hose 'o$e'ents and conduct are of a hi,h&! insurrectionar! and
un&a2fu& character? that the! consist of aout fi$e hundred 'en< and that
the!< or a *art of the'< to the nu'er of one hundred and t2ent!< ha$e
co''itted $io&ence a,ainst Ada' "&ac0< ! surroundin, his house< and
ta0in, hi' in a $io&ent 'anner< and su=ectin, hi' to ,reat indi,nities<
! forcin, hi'< under threats of i''ediate death< to si,n a *a*er 2ritin,
of a $er! dis,racefu& character< and ! threatenin, to do the sa'e to a&&
the o&d sett&ers and citi4ens of Da$iess count!? and that the! ha$e< as a
co&&ected and ar'ed od!< threatened to *ut to instant death this affiant
on si,ht? and that he $eri&! e&ie$es the! 2i&& acco'*&ish that act
2ithout the! are *re$ented? and a&so that the! ha$e threatened the sa'e to
3'# "o2'an and others? and this affiant states that he $eri&! e&ie$es a&&
the ao$e facts to e true< and that the od! of 'en no2 asse'&ed do
intend to co''it ,reat $io&ence to 'an! of the citi4ens of Da$iess count!<
and that the! ha$e a&read! done so to Ada' "&ac0? and this affiant $eri&!
e&ie$es< fro' infor'ation of others< that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and L!'an
3i,ht are the &eaders of this od! of ar'ed 'en< and the na'es of others
thus co'ined are not certain&! 0no2n to this affiant? and he further
states the fact to e that it is his o*inion< and he $eri&! e&ie$es< that
it is the o=ect of this od! of ar'ed 'en< to ta0e $en,eance for so'e
in=uries< or i'a,inar! in=uries< done to so'e of their friends< and to
inti'idate and dri$e fro' the count! a&i the o&d citi4ens< and *ossess
the'se&$es of their &ands< or to force such as do not &ea$e< to co'e into
their 'easures and su'it to their dictation#
3ILLIA. )# )ENISTON#
S2orn to and suscried efore 'e the undersi,ned =ud,e< as
aforesaid< this 7Dth da! of Au,ust< 7898#
AUSTIN A# 1IN5#
The ao$e 2as a&so s2orn to ! 3i&&ia' "o2'an< 3i&son .c1inne!< and
John Netherton# So it is that 2hen 'en+s hearts eco'e hardened and
corru*t< the! 2i&& 'ore readi&! s2ear to &ies than s*ea0 the truth#
At this ti'e so'e of the rethren had re'o$ed 2ith their fa'i&ies
fro' the $icinit! of 5a&&atin< to Diah'an and Far 3est< for safet!#
Saturda!< 77#--This 'ornin, I &eft Far 3est< 2ith '! counci& and
E&der A&'on 3# "aitt< to $isit the rethren on the For0s of 5rand ri$er<
2ho had co'e fro' Canada 2ith E&der "aitt< and sett&ed at that *&ace
contrar! to counse&#
In the afternoon< after '! de*arture< a co''ittee fro' Ra! count!
arri$ed at Far 3est< to in>uire into the *roceedin,s of our societ! in
,oin, ar'ed into Da$iess count!< co'*&aint ha$in, een entered in Ra!
count! ! Ada' "&ac0< 3i&&ia' )# )eniston< and others# The co''ittee fro'
Ra! count! re>uested an inter$ie2 2ith a co''ittee of Ca&d2e&&< and a
,enera& 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed at the cit! ha&&< at si/ in the e$enin,< 2hen
it 2as stated that the! 2ere asse'&ed to ta0e into consideration the
doin,s of the citi4ens of Ra! count!< 2herein the! ha$e accused the
-.or'ons- of this *&ace of rea0in, the *eace< in defendin, their ri,hts
and those of their rethren in the count! of Da$iess# The 'eetin, 2as
or,ani4ed ! a**ointin, "isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e< chair'an? and 5eo# 3#
Roinson< c&er0# The 'eetin, ado*ted the fo&&o2in,--
Reso&utions#
-Reso&$ed 7st# That a co''ittee of se$en e a**ointed to confer 2ith
the co''ittee fro' Ra! count!#
-Reso&$ed Hnd# That this co''ittee< 2ith their secretar!< e
authori4ed to ans2er such >uestions as 'a! e offered ! the co''ittee
fro' Ra! count!< and as are na'ed in the docu'ent *resented to this
'eetin,< *ur*ortin, to e the *rea'&e and reso&utions of the citi4ens of
Ra! count!#
-Reso&$ed 9rd# That 2hereas the docu'ent referred to has no date or
si,nature< our co''ittee =ud,e of the fact< and act accordin,&!#
-Reso&$ed @th# That our co''ittee re*ort their *roceedin,s to this
'eetin, as soon as *ossi&e#
-ED3ARD )ARTRID5E< Chair'an<
-5EO# 3# RO"INSON< C&er0#-
Sunda!< 7H#--I continued 2ith the rethren at the For0s of 5rand
ri$er< offerin, such counse& as their situation re>uired#
.onda!< 79#--I returned 2ith '! counci& to Far 3est# 3e 2ere chased
ten or t2e&$e 'i&es< ! so'e e$i& desi,nin, 'en ut 2e e&uded their
*ursuit# 3hen 2ithin aout ei,ht 'i&es of ho'e< 2e 'et so'e rethren 2ho
had co'e to infor' us that a 2rit had een issued ! Jud,e 1in,< for '!
arrest< and that of L!'an 3i,ht< for atte'*tin, to defend our ri,hts
a,ainst the 'o#
Tuesda! and 3ednesda!< 7@ and 7G#--I s*ent *rinci*a&&! at ho'e<
en,a,ed in do'estic affairs#
Thursda!< 7:#--I s*ent *rinci*a&&! at ho'e#
The sheriff of Da$iess count!< acco'*anied ! Jud,e .orin ca&&ed and
notified 'e that he had a 2rit to ta0e 'e to Da$iess count!< for tria& for
$isitin, that count! on the se$enth instant#
It had een current&! re*orted that I 2ou&d not e a**rehended !
&e,a& *rocess< and that I 2ou&d not su'it to the &a2s of the &and? ut I
to&d the sheriff that I intended a&2a!s to su'it to the &a2s of our
countr!< ut I 2ished to e tried in '! o2n count!< as the citi4ens of
Da$iess count! 2ere hi,h&! e/as*erated at 'e< and that the &a2s of the
countr! ,a$e 'e this *ri$i&e,e# U*on hearin, this< the sheriff dec&ined
ser$in, the 2rit< and said he 2ou&d ,o to Rich'ond< and see Jud,e 1in, on
the su=ect# I to&d hi' I 2ou&d re'ain at ho'e unti& his return#
The sheriff returned fro' Rich'ond< and found 'e at ho'e E2here I had
re'ained durin, his asenceF< and infor'ed 'e $er! ,ra$e&!< that I 2as out
of his =urisdiction< and that he cou&d not act in Ca&d2e&& count!< and
retired#
Au,ust HD#--Nothin, *ecu&iar trans*ired at Far 3est< fro' the
si/teenth to this da!< 2hen the inhaitants of the different *arts of the
count! 'et to or,ani4e the'se&$es into A,ricu&tura& Co'*anies# I 2as
*resent and too0 *art in their de&ierations# One co'*an! 2as for'ed
ca&&ed the -3estern A,ricu&tura& Co'*an!<-2hich $oted to enc&ose one fie&d
for ,raIn containin, t2e&$e sections< se$en thousand si/ hundred and
ei,ht! acres of &and# Another co'*an! 2as a&so or,ani4ed< ca&&ed the
-Eastern A,ricu&tura& Co'*an!<- the e/tent of the fie&d not decided#
Tuesda!< H7#--Another co'*an! 2as for'ed< ca&&ed the -Southern
A,ricu&tura& Co'*an!<- the fie&d to e as &ar,e as the first 'entioned#
3ednesda!< HH#--I s*ent *art of the da! in counse&in, 2ith se$era&
rethren u*on different su=ects#
The rethren continued to ,ather to ;ion dai&!#
So'e ti'e this 'onth the Saints 2ere 2arned ! the 'o to &ea$e De
3itt< Carro&& count!#
Thursda!< H9#--This da! I s*ent transactin, a $ariet! of usiness
aout the cit!#
Frida!< H@#--I 2as at ho'e# A&so on the HGth< H:th< HMth< H8th< HNth<
and 9Dth#
Affida$it of Ada' "&ac0#
STATE OF .ISSOURI< F
COUNTY OF DA%IESS# F ss#
"efore 'e< 3i&&ia' Dr!den< one of the =ustices of the *eace of said
count!< *ersona&&! ca'e Ada' "&ac0< 2ho ein, du&! s2orn accordin, to &a2<
de*oseth and saith( that on or aout the 8th da! of Au,ust< 7898< in the
count! of Da$iess< there ca'e an ar'ed force of 'en< said to e one
hundred and fift!-four< to the est of his infor'ation< and surrounded his
house and fa'i&!< and threatened hi' 2ith instant death if he did not si,n
a certain instru'ent of 2ritin,< indin, hi'se&f< as a =ustice of the
*eace for said count! of Da$iess< not to 'o&est the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons?
and threatened the &i$es of hi'se&f and other indi$idua&s< and did sa!
the! intended to 'a0e e$er! citi4en si,n such o&i,ation< and further said
the! intended to ha$e satisfaction for ause the! had recei$ed on the
.onda! *re$ious< and that the! cou&d not su'it to the &a2s+ and further
saith< that fro' the est infor'ation and his o2n *ersona& 0no2&ed,e< that
Andre2 IA&ansonJ Ri*&e!< 5eor,e A# S'ith< E*hrai' O2ens< Har$e! Hu'stead<
Hira' Ne&son< A# "ro2n< John L# "ut&er< Corne&ius I)#J Lott< John 3ood< H#
Redfie&d< Ri&e! Ste2art< Ja'es 3hita0er< Andre2 Thor< A'os Tus< Dr#
5our4e< and Ara' Ne&son 2as ,ui&t! of aidin, and aettin, in co''ittin,
and *er*etratin, the ao$e offense#
ADA. "LAC1#
S2orn to and suscried this the H8th of Au,ust< 7898#
3# DRYDEN#
Justice of the )eace of the Count! aforesaid#
This docu'ent< 2ith that of the 8th of Au,ust< of said "&ac0< sho2s
hi' in his true &i,ht--a detesta&e< un*rinci*&ed 'oocrat and *er=ured
'an#
Thursda!< 9D#--This da! 5o$ernor "o,,s issued the fo&&o2in, order to
5enera& Atchison--
)roc&a'ation of 5o$ernor "o,,s#
HEADAUARTERS OF .ILITIA< ADJUTANT 5ENERAL+S OFFICE<
Au,ust 9Dth< 7898#
5enera& Da$id R# Atchison< 9rd Di$ision< .issouri .i&itia#
SIR--Indications of Indian disturances on our i''ediate frontier<
and the recent ci$i& disturances in the counties of Ca&d2e&&< Da$iess<
and Carro&&< render it necessar!< as a *recautionar! 'easure< that an
effecti$e force of the 'i&itia e he&d in readiness to 'eet either
contin,enc!# The Co''ander-in-Chief therefore orders that !ou cause to e
raised i''ediate&!< 2ithin the &i'its of !our di$ision< to e he&d in
readiness< and su=ect to further orders< four hundred 'ounted 'en< ar'ed
and e>ui**ed as infantr! or rif&e'en< and for'ed into co'*anies accordin,
to &a2< under officers a&read! in co''ission# The Co''ander-in-Chief
su,,ests the *ro*riet! of !our causin, the ao$e to e carried into
effect< in a 'anner ca&cu&ated to *roduce as &itt&e e/cite'ent as
*ossi&e< and re*ort !our *roceedin,s to hi' throu,h the Ad=utant 5enera&#
"! order of the Co''ander-in-Chief<
"# .# LISLE< Ad=utant-5enera&#
A si'i&ar &etter 2as a&so addressed to .a=or 5enera&s John "# C&ar0<
Sa'ue& D# Lucas< Da$id 3i&&oc0< Le2is "o&ton< Henr! 3# Cra2ther< and
Tho'as D# 5rant#
I s*ent considera&e ti'e to da! in con$ersation 2ith "rother John
Corri&&< in conse>uence of so'e e/*ressions 'ade ! hi'< in *resence of
se$era& rethren 2ho had not een &on, in the *&ace# "rother Corri&&+s
conduct for so'e ti'e had een $er! uneco'in,< es*ecia&&! in a 'an in
2ho' so 'uch confidence had een *&aced# He said he 2ou&d not !ie&d his
=ud,'ent to an!thin, *ro*osed ! the Church< or an! indi$idua&s of the
Church< or e$en the 5reat I A'< ,i$en throu,h the a**ointed or,an< as
re$e&ation< ut 2ou&d a&2a!s act u*on his o2n =ud,'ent< &et hi' e&ie$e in
2hate$er re&i,ion he 'i,ht# He stated he 2ou&d a&2a!s sa! 2hat he *&eased<
for he 2as a Re*u&ican< and as such 2ou&d do< sa!< act< and e&ie$e 2hat
he *&eased#
.ar0 such re*u&icanis' as thisK A 'an to o**ose his o2n =ud,'ent to
the =ud,'ent of 5od< and at the sa'e ti'e to *rofess to e&ie$e in that
sa'e 5od< 2ho has said< -The foo&ishness of 5od is 2iser than 'an? and the
2ea0ness of 5od is stron,er< than 'an#-
)resident Ri,don a&so 'ade so'e oser$ations to "rother Corri&&<
2hich he after2ards ac0no2&ed,ed 2ere correct< and that he understood
thin,s different after the inter$ie2 fro' 2hat he did efore#
CHA)TER %II#
INCREASIN5 DIFFICULTIES "ET3EEN THE SAINTS AND THE .O"S OF
DA%IESS AND CALD3ELL COUNTIES#
Saturda!< Se*te'er 7< 7898#--The First )residenc!< 2ith Jud,e
Hi,ee< as sur$e!or< started this 'ornin, for the ha&f-2a! house< as it is
ca&&ed< 0e*t ! "rother Litt&efie&d< so'e fourteen or fifteen 'i&es fro'
Far 3est< direct&! north--for the *ur*ose of a**ointin, a cit! of ;ion<
for the ,atherin, of the Saints in that *&ace< for safet!< and fro' the
stor' 2hich 2i&& soon co'e u*on this ,eneration< and that the rethren 'a!
e to,ether< and that the! 'a! recei$e instructions to *re*are the' for
that ,reat da! 2hich 2i&& co'e u*on this ,eneration as a thief in the
ni,ht#
There is ,reat e/cite'ent at *resent a'on, the .issourians< 2ho are
see0in, if *ossi&e an occasion a,ainst us# The! are continua&&! chafin,
us< and *ro$o0in, us to an,er if *ossi&e< one si,n of threatenin, after
another< ut 2e do not fear the'< for the Lord 5od< the Eterna& Father is
our 5od< and Jesus the .ediator is our Sa$ior< and in the ,reat I A' is
our stren,th and confidence#
3e ha$e een dri$en ti'e after ti'e< and that 2ithout cause? and
s'itten a,ain and a,ain< and that 2ithout *ro$ocation? unti& 2e ha$e
*ro$ed the 2or&d 2ith 0indness< and the 2or&d has *ro$ed us that 2e ha$e
no desi,ns a,ainst an! 'an or set of 'en< that 2e in=ure no 'an< that 2e
are *eacea&e 2ith a&& 'en< 'indin, our o2n usiness< and our usiness
on&!# 2e ha$e suffered our ri,hts and our &ierties to e ta0en fro' us?
2e ha$e not a$en,ed ourse&$es of those 2ron,s? 2e ha$e a**ea&ed to
'a,istrates< to sheriffs< to =ud,es< to ,o$ern'ent and to the )resident of
the United States< a&& in $ain? !et 2e ha$e !ie&ded *eacea&! to a&& these
thin,s# 3e ha$e not co'*&ained at the 5reat 5od< 2e 'ur'ured not< ut
*eacea&! &eft a&&? and retired into the ac0 countr!< in the road and
2I&d *rairies< in the arren and deso&ate *&ains< and there co''enced
ane2? 2e 'ade the deso&ate *&aces to ud and &osso' as the rose? and no2
the fiend-&i0e race is dis*osed to ,i$e us no rest# Their father the
de$i&< is hour&! ca&&in, u*on the' to e u* and doin,< and the!< &i0e
2i&&in, and oedient chi&dren< need not the second ad'onition? ut in the
na'e of Jesus Christ the Son of the &i$in, 5od< 2e 2i&& endure it no
&on,er< if the ,reat 5od 2i&& ar' us 2ith coura,e< 2ith stren,th and 2ith
*o2er< to resist the' in their *ersecutions# 3e 2i&& not act on the
offensi$e< ut a&2a!s on the defensi$e? our ri,hts and our &ierties sha&&
not e ta0en fro' us< and 2e *eacea&! su'it to it< as 2e ha$e done
heretofore< ut 2e 2i&& a$en,e ourse&$es of our ene'ies< inas'uch as the!
2i&& not &et us a&one#
"ut to return a,ain to our su=ect# 3e found the *&ace for the cit!<
and the rethren 2ere instructed to ,ather i''ediate&! into it< and soon
the! shou&d e or,ani4ed accordin, to the &a2s of 5od# A 'ore *articu&ar
histor! of this cit! 'a! e e/*ected hereafter< *erha*s at its
or,ani4ation and dedication# 3e found a ne2 route ho'e< sa$in,< I shou&d
thin0< three or four 'i&es# 3e arri$ed at Far 3est aout the c&ose of da!#
The Hi,h )riests 'et at "rother )ea+s at Far 3est< and recei$ed Le$i
Richards into their >uoru'#
Sunda!< H#--The First )residenc! attended 'eetin, as usua& in the
'ornin,# I tarried at ho'e in the a art of the ti'e in co'*an! 2ith a
,ent&e'an fro' Li$in,ston count!< 2ho had eco'e considera&! e/cited< on
account of a &ar,e co&&ection of *eo*&e< as he said< to ta0e Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< and L!'an 3i,ht< for ,oin, to one Ada' "&ac0+s in Da$iess count!?
and as the said )resident S'ith and Co&one& 3i,ht had resisted the officer
2ho had endea$ored to ta0e the'< accordin,&! these 'en are asse'&in, to
ta0e the'--as the! sa!# The! are co&&ectin, fro' e$er! *art of the
countr!< to Da$iess count!# Re*ort sa!s that the! are co&&ectin, fro'
e&e$en counties< to he&* ta0e t2o 'en 2ho had ne$er resisted the &a2 or
officer< nor had the! thou,ht of doin, so< and this their ene'ies 0ne2 at
the sa'e ti'e< or 'an! of the' at &east 0ne2 it# This &oo0s a &itt&e too
'uch &i0e 'oocrac!< it forete&&s so'e e$i& intentions# The 2ho&e of u**er
.issouri is in an u*roar and confusion#
This e$enin, I sent for 5enera& Atchison< of Liert!< C&a! count!<
2ho is the 'a=or ,enera& of this di$ision--to co'e and counse& 2ith us<
and to see if 2e cou&d not *ut a sto* to this co&&ection of *eo*&e< and to
*ut a sto* to hosti&ities in Da$iess count!# I a&so sent a &etter to Jud,e
1in, containin, a *etition for hi' to assist in *uttin, do2n and
scatterin, the 'o co&&ectin, in Da$iess count!#
.onda!< 9#--Nothin, of i'*ortance occurred toda!# Re*orts co'e in
concernin, the co&&ection of a 'o in Da$iess count!< 2hich has een
co&&ectin, e$er since the e&ection in Da$iess count!< on the si/th of
Au,ust &ast# I 2as at ho'e 'ost of the da!#
This e$enin, 5enera& Atchison arri$ed in Far 3est#
Tuesda!< @#--This da! I s*ent in counci& 2ith 5enera& Atchison# He
sa!s he 2i&& do a&& In his *o2er to dis*erse the 'o# 3e e'*&o!ed hi' and
A&e/ander Doni*han Ehis *artnerF as our counse& in &a2# The! are
considered the first &a2!ers in u**er .issouri#
)resident Ri,don and '!se&f co''enced this da! the stud! of &a2<
under the instruction of 5enera&s Atchison and Doni*han# The! thin0< !
di&i,ent a**&ication< 2e can e ad'itted to the ar in t2e&$e 'onths#
The resu&t of our consu&tation 2ith our &a2!ers 2as that '!se&f and
Co&one& 3i,ht $o&unteer to e tried ! Jud,e 1in, in Da$iess count!#
Co&one& 3i,ht 2as *resent< ha$in, een *re$ious&! notified to attend the
consu&tation# Accordin,&!< Thursda! ne/t< 2as a**ointed for the tria&< and
2ord to that effect 2as sent to Jud,e 1in, E2ho had *re$ious&! a,reed to
tr! the caseF# A&& are to 'eet at "rother Litt&efie&d+s< near the count!
&ine in the southern *art of Da$iess count!# I 2as at ho'e in the e$enin,
after si/ o+c&oc0#
3ednesda!< G#--I ,a$e the fo&&o2in, affida$it< that the truth 'i,ht
a**ear efore the *u&ic in the 'atter in contro$ers!(
The )ro*het+s Affida$it on the Ada' "&ac0 Incident#
STATE OF .ISSOURI< F
CALD3ELL COUNTY F ss#
"efore 'e< E&ias Hi,ee< one of the =ustices of the count! court<
2ithin and for the count! of Ca&d2e&& aforesaid< *ersona&&! ca'e Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< 2ho< ein, du&! s2orn accordin, to &a2< de*oseth and saith(
That on the se$enth da! of Au,ust< one thousand ei,ht hundred and
thirt!-ei,ht< ein, infor'ed that an affra! had ta0en *&ace in Da$iess
count!< at the e&ection< in the to2n of 5a&&atin< in 2hich t2o *ersons
2ere Ire*ortedJ 0i&&ed< and one *erson ad&! 2ounded< and f&ed to the
2oods to sa$e his &ife? a&& of 2hich 2ere said to e *ersons e&on,in, to
the societ! of the Church of Latter-da! Saints? and further< said
infor'ant stated that those *ersons 2ho co''itted the outra,e 2ou&d not
suffer the odies of those 2ho had een 0i&&ed to e ta0en off the ,round
and uried#
These re*orts< 2ith others< one of 2hich 2as that the Saints had not
the *ri$i&e,e of $otin, at the *o&&s as other citi4ens? another 2as that
those o**osed to the Saints 2ere deter'ined to dri$e the' fro' Da$iess
count!< and a&so that the! 2ere ar'in, and stren,thenin, their forces and
*re*arin, for att&e? and that the Saints 2ere *re*arin, and 'a0in, read!
to stand in se&f defense--these re*orts ha$in, e/cited the fee&in,s of the
citi4ens of Far 3est and $icinit!< I 2as in$ited ! Dr# A$ard and so'e
others to ,o out to Da$iess count!< to the scene of these outra,es? the!
ha$in, *re$ious&! deter'ined to ,o out and &earn the facts concernin, said
re*orts#
Accordin,&! so'e of the citi4ens< '!se&f a'on, the nu'er< 2ent out<
t2o< three< and four< in co'*anies< as the! ,ot read!# The re*orts and
e/cite'ent continued unti& se$era& of those s'a&& co'*anies throu,h the
da! 2ere induced to fo&&o2 the first< 2ho 2ere a&& ea,er to &earn the
facts concernin, this 'atter# 3e arri$ed in the e$enin, at the house of
L!'an 3i,ht< aout three 'i&es fro' 5a&&atin< the scene of the re*orted
outra,es# 3ere 2e &earned the truth concernin, the said affra!< 2hich had
een considera&! e/a,,erated< !et there had een a serious outra,e
co''itted# 3e there &earned that the 'o 2as co&&ected at .i&&*ort< to a
considera&e nu'er? that Ada' "&ac0 2as at their head? and that the! 2ere
to attac0 the Saints the ne/t da!< at the *&ace 2e then 2ere in< ca&&ed
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# This re*ort 2e 2ere sti&& inc&ined to e&ie$e 'i,ht e
true< as this Ada' "&ac0< 2ho 2as said to e their &eader< had een< ut a
fe2 'onths efore< en,a,ed in endea$orin, to dri$e those of the societ!
2ho had sett&ed in that $icinit!< fro' the count!# This had eco'e
notorious< fro' the fact that said "&ac0 had *ersona&&! ordered se$era& of
said societ! to &ea$e the count!#
The ne/t 'ornin, 2e dis*atched a co''ittee to said "&ac0+s< to
ascertain the truth of these re*orts< and to 0no2 2hat his intentions
2ere? and as 2e understood he 2as a *eace officer< 2e 2ished to 0no2 2hat
2e 'i,ht e/*ect fro' hi'# The! re*orted that .r# "&ac0< instead of ,i$in,
the' an! assurance of *eace< insu&ted the' and ,a$e the' no satisfaction#
"ein, desirous of 0no2in, the fee&in,s of .r# "&ac0 for '!se&f< and ein,
in 2ant of ,ood 2ater< and understandin, that there 2as none nearer than
.r# "&ac0+s s*rin,< '!se&f 2ith se$era& others 'ounted our horses and rode
u* to .r# "&ac0+s fence#
Dr# A$ard< 2ith one or t2o others 2ho had ridden ahead< 2ent into .r#
"&ac0+s house? '!se&f and so'e others 2ent to the s*rin, for 2ater# I 2as
short&! after sent for ! .r# "&ac0< and in$ited into the house< ein,
introduced to .r# "&ac0 ! Dr# A$ard# .r# "&ac0 2ished 'e to e seated# 3e
then co''enced a con$ersation on the su=ect at the &ate difficu&ties< and
*resent e/cite'ent# I found .r# "&ac0 >uite hosti&e in his fee&in,s to2ard
the Saints? ut he assured us he did not e&on, to the 'o< neither 2ou&d
he ta0e an! *art 2ith the'? ut said he 2as ound ! his oath to su**ort
the Constitution of the United States< and the &a2s of the State of
.issouri# De*onent then as0ed hi' if he 2ou&d 'a0e said state'ent in
2ritin,< so as to refute the state'ent of those 2ho had affir'ed that he
E"&ac0F 2as one of the &eaders of the 'o# .r# "&ac0 ans2ered in the
affir'ati$e# Accordin,&! he did so< 2hich 2ritin, is in *ossession of the
de*onent# The de*onent further saith< that no $io&ence 2as offered to an!
indi$idua& in his *resence< or 2ithin his 0no2&ed,e? and that no insu&tin,
&an,ua,e 2as ,i$en ! either *art!< e/ce*t on the *art of .rs# "&ac0< 2ho<
2hi&e .r# "&ac0 2as en,a,ed in 'a0in, out the ao$e-na'ed 2ritin,< E2hich
he 'ade 2ith his o2n handF< ,a$e to this de*onent< and others of his
societ!< hi,h&! insu&tin, &an,ua,e and fa&se accusations< 2hich 2ere
ca&cu&ated in their nature to ,reat&! irritate< if *ossi&e< the fee&in,s
of the !standers e&on,in, to said societ!< in &an,ua,e &i0e this--ein,
as0ed ! the de*onent if she 0ne2 an!thin, in the -.or'on- *eo*&e
dero,ator! to the character of ,ent&e'en< she ans2ered in the ne,ati$e<
ut said she did not 0no2 ut the o=ect of their $isit 2as to stea&
so'ethin, fro' the'# After .r# "&ac0 had e/ecuted the 2ritin,< de*onent
as0ed .r# "&ac0 if he had an! unfriend&! fee&in,s to2ards the de*onent<
and if he Ithe de*onentJ had not treated hi' ,entee&&!# He ans2ered in the
affir'ati$e# De*onent then too0 &ea$e of said "&ac0 and re*aired to the
house of L!'an 3i,ht# The ne/t da! he returned to Far 3est< and further
this de*onent saith not#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
S2orn to and suscried this fifth da! of Se*te'er< A# D# 7898#
ELIAS HI5"EE< J# C# C# C#
Jud,e 1in, arri$ed at Far 3est< on his 2a! to Da$iess to 'eet the *ro*osed
tria&# 5enera& Atchison had ,one efore Jud,e 1in, arri$ed< and the =ud,e
tarried a&& ni,ht# I 2as at ho'e after si/ o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,#
Thursda!< :#--At ha&f-*ast se$en this 'ornin,< I started on
horseac0< acco'*anied ! se$era& rethren< a'on, 2ho' 2ere '! rother
H!ru' and Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee< to attend '! tria& at "rother Litt&efie&d+s#
I thou,ht it not 2isdo' to 'a0e '! a**earance efore the *u&ic at the
count! seat of Da$iess count!< in conse>uence of the 'an! threats 'ade
a,ainst 'e< and the hi,h state of e/cite'ent# The tria& cou&d not *roceed<
on account of the asence of the *&aintiff< and &ac0 of testi'on!< and the
court ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 at ten o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,< at a .r#
Ra,&in+s< so'e si/ or ei,ht 'i&es further south< and 2ithin ha&f a 'i&e of
the &ine of Ca&d2e&&# Ra,&in is a re,u&ar 'o character# 3e a&& returned
to Far 3est< 2here 2e arri$ed efore dar0#
Frida!< M#--Aout sunrise I started 2ith '! friends< and arri$ed at
.r# Ra,&in+s at the a**ointed hour# 3e did not 0no2 ut there 2ou&d e a
disturance a'on, the 'o characters toda!? 2e accordin,&! had a co'*an!
of 'en *&aced at the count! &ine< so as to e read! at a 'inute+s 2arnin,<
if there shou&d e an! difficu&t! at the tria&#
The tria& co''enced? 3i&&ia' )# )eniston< 2ho 2as the *rosecutor< had
no 2itnesses ut Ada' "&ac0< ut he contri$ed to s2ear to a ,reat 'an!
thin,s that ne$er had an e/istence< and I *resu'e ne$er entered into the
heart of an! other 'an< and in fine< I thin0 he s2ore ! the =o< and that
he 2as e'*&o!ed so to do ! )eniston#
The 2itnesses on the *art of the defense 2ere Di'ic0 "# Huntin,ton<
5ideon Carter< Ada' Li,htner< and 5eor,e 3# Roinson#
The =ud,e ound Co&one& 3i,ht and '!se&f o$er to court in a fi$e
hundred do&&ar ond# There 2as no *roof a,ainst us to cri'inate us< ut it
is su**osed he did it to *acif! as 'uch as *ossi&e< the fee&in,s of the
'oers# The =ud,e stated after2ards< in the *resence of 5eor,e 3#
Roinson< that there 2as nothin, *ro$en a,ainst us 2orth! of onds< ut 2e
su'itted 2ithout 'ur'urin, a 2ord< ,a$e the onds< 2ith sufficient
securities< and a&& returned ho'e the sa'e e$enin,#
I found t2o *ersons in Da$iess count! at the tria&< 2ho 2ere sent
fro' Chariton count! as a co''ittee< to in>uire into a&& this 'atter< as
the 'oers had sent to that *&ace for assistance< the! said< to ta0e
S'ith and 3i,ht? ut their rea& o=ect 2as to dri$e the rethren fro' the
count! of Da$iess< as had een done in Jac0son count!# The! said the
*eo*&e in Chariton count! did not see *ro*er to send he&* 2ithout 0no2in,
for 2hat *ur*ose the! 2ere doin, it< and this the! said 2as their errand#
The! acco'*anied us to Far 3est< to ho&d a counci& 2ith us< in order to
&earn the facts of this ,reat e/cite'ent< 2hich is< as it 2ere< turnin,
the 2or&d u*side do2n# 3e arri$ed ho'e in the e$enin,#
The )residenc! 'et in counci& 2ith the co''ittee fro' Chariton
count!< to,ether 2ith 5enera& Atchison< 2here a re&ation 2as ,i$en of our
affairs in ,enera&< the *resent state of e/cite'ent< and the cause of a&&
this confusion# The ,ent&e'en fro' Chariton e/*ressed their fu&&est
satisfaction u*on the su=ect< and considered the! had een outra,eous&!
i'*osed u*on in this 'atter# The! &eft this afternoon a**arent&! *erfect&!
satisfied 2ith the inter$ie2#
Ne2s ca'e this e$enin, that the 'o 2ere to attac0 Ada'-ondi-Ah'an<
and a fe2 of the rethren fro' Far 3est started to assist the rethren to
defend the'se&$es#
Sunda!< N#--This 'ornin, a co'*an! in addition to that 2hich 2ent
&ast e$enin, 2ent to Ada'-ondi-Ah'an to assist the rethren there in their
defense a,ainst the 'o#
Ca*tain 3i&&ia' A&&red too0 a co'*an! of ten 'ounted 'en and 2ent to
interce*t a tea' 2ith ,uns and a''unition< sent fro' Rich'ond to the 'o
in Da$iess count!# The! found the 2a,on ro0en do2n< and the o/es of ,uns
dra2n into the hi,h ,rass near ! the 2a,on? there 2as no one *resent that
cou&d e disco$ered# In a short ti'e t2o 'en on horseac0 ca'e fro'
to2ards the ca'* of the 'o< and i''ediate&! ehind the' 2as a 'an 2ith a
2a,on? the! a&& ca'e u* and 2ere ta0en ! $irtue of a 2rit on the
su**osition that the! 2ere aettin, the 'o< ! carr!in, ,uns and
a''unition to the'# The 'en 2ere ta0en to,ether 2ith the ,uns to Far 3est?
the ,uns 2ere distriuted a'on, the rethren< for their defense< and the
*risoners 2ere he&d in custod!# This 2as a ,&orious da! indeed< the *&ans
of the 'o 2ere frustrated in &osin, their ,uns< and a&& their efforts
a**eared to e &asted# Ca*tain A&&red acted under the ci$i& authorities
in Ca&d2e&&< 2ho issued the 2rit for securin, the ar's and arrestin, the
carriers# The *risoners 2ere rou,ht to Far 3est for tria&#
The 'o continue to ta0e *risoners at their *&easure? so'e the! 0ee*<
and so'e the! &et ,o# The! tr! a&& in their *o2er to 'a0e us co''it the
first act of $io&ence# The! fre>uent&! send in 2ord that the! are
torturin, the *risoners to death< in the 'ost crue& 'anner< ut 2e
understand a&& their 2a!s< and their cunnin, and 2isdo' are not *ast
findin, out#
.onda!< 7D#--This da! the *risoners ta0en ! Ca*tain A&&red on
Sunda!< $i4#< John "# Co'er< 3i&&ia' L# .cHone!< and A&&en .i&&er< 2ere
rou,ht e fore A&ert )ett!< =ustice of the *eace for e/a'ination# The
*risoners as0ed for ai&< to a&&o2 ti'e to ,et counse&# The &a2 a&&o2ed no
ai&< ut the court ad=ourned ti&& 3ednesda! to ,i$e ti'e to the *risoners
to ,et counse&#
After the arrest the facts 2ere co''unicated to Jud,e 1in, ! &etter<
under date of Rich'ond< Se*te'er 7Dth< as0in, his ad$ice ho2 to dis*ose
of the ,uns and *risoners#
Jud,e 1in, ad$ised ! &etter to turn the *risoners &oose< and &et
the' recei$e 0ind treat'ent? that the ,uns 2ere ,o$ern'ent *ro*ert!< in
the care of Ca*tain )o&&ard of his $icinit!< ut 2hether the! 2ent ! his
authorit! or *er'ission he cou&d not sa!< he 2as at a &oss to ,i$e an!
ad$ice aout the'? ut said that the! shou&d not< throu,h an! a,enc! of
his< e ta0en fro' us to e con$erted and used for i&&e,a& *ur*oses# The
&etter 2as si,ned ! A# A# 1in, Edirected to .essrs# S'ith and Ri,donF#
Under the sa'e date Jud,e 1in, ad$ised 5enera& Atchison -to send t2o
hundred or 'ore 'en< and dis*e& the forces in Da$iess count! and a&& the
asse'&ed ar'ed forces in Ca&d2e&&< and cause those -.or'ons+ 2ho refuse
to ,i$e u*< to surrender< and e reco,ni4ed< for it 2i&& not do to
co'*ro'ise the &a2 2ith the'#- 3hat co'*ro'ise need there e< Jud,e 1in,<
for no -.or'ons- had refused to surrender to the re>uisitions of the &a2B
It is 'o $io&ence< a&one< that the -.or'ons- are contendin, a,ainst#
A *etition 2as this da! 'ade out ! the citi4ens of Ra! count!<
directed to 5enera& Atchison as0in, hi' to ca&& out the 'i&itia to
su**ress the insurrection in Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess counties< and sa$e the
effusion of &ood< 2hich 'ust s*eedi&! ta0e *&ace un&ess *re$ented# Si,ned
! Jesse Coates and t2ent!-ei,ht others#
3ednesda!< 7H#--This da! the *risoners< IA&&red+sJ John "# Co'er and
his co'rades< 2ere *ut u*on tria&# It 2as *ro$en to the court that the
,uns 2ere ta0en ! one of the *risoners and that he 2ith the others 2ere
ta0in, the' to Da$iess count! to ar' the 'o# It 2as a&so *ro$ed that the
'o 2as co&&ectin, for the *ur*ose of dri$in, the Saints fro' their ho'es#
The *risoners 2ere he&d to ai& for their a**earance at the circuit court<
Co'er as *rinci*a&< the others 2ere 'ere&! in his ser$ice#
This da! a&so a co''unication 2as sent to 5o$ernor "o,,s< dated
Da$iess count!< containin, a&& the fa&sehoods and &ies that the e$i&
,enius of 'oocrats< $i&&ains< and 'urderers cou&d in$ent< char,in, the
-.or'ons- 2ith e$er! cri'e the! the'se&$es had een ,ui&t! of< and ca&&in,
the -.or'ons- i'*ostors< ree&s< Canadian refu,ees< e'issaries of the
*rince of dar0ness< and si,ned< -The Citi4ens of Da$iess and Li$in,ston
Counties#-
Under this date< 5enera& Atchison infor'ed the 5o$ernor< ! &etter
fro' head>uarters at Rich'ond that on the so&icitation of the citi4ens and
the ad$ice of the =ud,e of the circuit< he had ordered out four co'*anies
of fift! 'en each fro' the 'i&itia of C&a! count!< and a &i0e nu'er fro'
Ra!? a&so four hundred 'en to ho&d the'se&$es in readiness if re>uired<
a&& 'ounted rif&e'en< e/ce*t one co'*an! of infantr!# The troo*s 2ere to
*roceed i''ediate&! to the scene of e/cite'ent and insurrection#
CHA)TER %III#
.O" .O%E.ENTS IN CALD3ELL< DA%IESS AND CARROLL COUNTIES--ARRI%AL
OF 1IRTLAND CA.) AT FAR 3EST#
A"OUT this ti'e ISe*te'er 7HthJ si/t! or 'ore 'oers entered De
3itt and 2arned the rethren to &ea$e that *&ace#
Frida!< 7@#--I 2as at ho'e after three o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,#
3i&&ia' Dr!den< Justice of the )eace in Da$iess count!< stated to the
5o$ernor< in a &on, co''unication< that he had issued a 2rit a,ainst
A&anson Ri*&e!< 5eor,e A# S'ith< and others< for assau&tin, and
threatenin, Ada' "&ac0< on the ei,hth of Au,ust &ast? and that the
officer< 2ith a ,uard of ten 'en< in atte'*tin, to ser$e the 2rit< 2as
forci&! dri$en fro' the to2n 2here the offenders 2ere su**osed to e< and
that the -.or'ons- 2ere so 2e&& ar'ed and so nu'erous in Ca&d2e&& and
Da$iess< that the =udicia& *o2er of those counties 2as 2ho&&! una&e to
e/ecute a 2rit a,ainst a -.or'on<- and that the -.or'ons- he&d the
-institutions of the countr! in utter conte'*t<- 2ith 'an! 'ore such
fa&sehoods of the &ac0est 0ind# U*on this re*resentation 5o$ernor "o,,s
issued an order to 5enera& Da$id R# Atchison< of the third Di$ision of
.issouri 'i&itia< throu,h the Ad=utant 5enera&< "# .# Lis&e< to raise a
sufficient force of troo*s under his co''and< and aid the ci$i& officers
in Da$iess count!< to e/ecute a&& 2rits and other *rocesses< in their
char,e< and es*ecia&&! assist the officer char,ed 2ith the e/ecution of a
2rit issued ! 3i&&ia' Dr!den< Justice of the )eace< on the t2ent!-ninth
of Au,ust &ast< for the arrest of A&anson Ri*&e!< 5eor,e A# S'ith and
others< and rin, the offenders to =ustice# The fo&&o2in, &etter ,i$es a
to&era&e fair $ie2 of the 'o$e'ents of the 'i&itia for a fe2 da!s *ast(
Doni*han+s Re*ort to Atchison#
HEADAUARTERS< FIRST "RI5ADE< 9RD DI%ISION .ISSOURI
.ILITIA< CA.) AT 5RAND RI%ER< Se*te'er 7G< 7898#
.a=or 5enera& Da$id R# Atchison< Co''andin, 9rd Di$ision .issouri
.i&itia(
SIR(--In *ursuance of !our orders< dated 77th instant< I issued
orders to Co&one& 3i&&ia' A# Dunn< co''andin, the H8th re,i'ent< to raise
four co'*anies of 'ounted rif&e'en< consistin, of fift! 'en each? a&so to
Co&one& John "ou&2are< co''andin, MDth re,i'ent< to raise t2o co'*anies of
'ounted rif&e'en< consistin, each of &i0e nu'er to start forth2ith for
ser$ice in the counties of Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess#
On the sa'e da!< Co&one& Dunn otained the four co'*anies of
$o&unteers re>uired fro' the H8th re,i'ent< and on the 'ornin, of the 7Hth
I too0 the co''and in *erson< and 'arched to the &ine of Ca&d2e&&< at
2hich *oint< I ordered the co&one&s to 'arch the re,i'ents to the ti'er
of Croo0ed ri$er# I then started for Far 3est< the count! seat of
Ca&d2e&&< acco'*anied ! '! aid a&one#
On arri$in, at that *&ace< I found Co'er< .i&&er< and .cHone!< the
*risoners 'entioned in !our order# I de'anded of the ,uard< 2ho had the'
in confine'ent< to de&i$er the' o$er to 'e< 2hich 2as *ro'*t&! done# I
a&so found that the ,uns that had een ca*tured ! the Sheriff and
citi4ens of Ca&d2e&&< had een distriuted and *&aced in the hands of the
so&dier!< and scattered o$er the countr!? I ordered the' to e i''ediate&!
co&&ected and de&i$ered u* to 'e# I then sent an e/*ress to Co&one& Dunn
to 'arch the re,i'ent ! da!&i,ht< for that *&ace< 2here he arri$ed aout
se$en a# '#< 'a0in, fort! 'i&es since ten o+c&oc0< a# '#< on the *re$ious
da!#
3hen '! co''and arri$ed< the ,uns 2ere de&i$ered u*< a'ountin, to
fort!-t2o stand< three stand cou&d not e *roduced< as the! had *roa&!
,one to Da$iess count!# I sent these ,uns under a ,uard to !our co''and in
Ra! count!< to,ether 2ith the *risoner Co'er< the other t2o ein, citi4ens
of Da$iess I retained< and rou,ht 2ith 'e to this count!< and re&eased
the' on *aro& of honor< as I concei$ed their detention i&&e,a&#
At ei,ht o+c&oc0 a#'#< 2e too0 u* the &ine of 'arch< and *roceeded
throu,h .i&&*ort in Da$iess count!< thirt!-se$en 'i&es fro' our for'er
enca'*'ent< and arri$ed at the ca'* of the citi4ens of Da$iess and other
ad=oinin, counties< 2hich a'ounted to et2een t2o and three hundred< as
their co''ander< Dr# Austin< of Carro&& count!< infor'ed 'e# Your order
re>uirin, the' to dis*erse< 2hich had een for2arded in ad$ance of '!
co''and< ! !our aid< Ja'es .# Hu,hes< 2as read to the'< and the! 2ere
re>uired to dis*erse# The! *rofessed that their o=ect for ar'in, and
co&&ectin, 2as so&e&! for defense< ut the! 2ere 'archin, and counter
'archin, ,uards out? and '!se&f and others 2ho a**roached the ca'* 2ere
ta0en to tas0 and re>uired to 2ait the a**roach of the ser,eant of the
,uard# I had an inter$ie2 2ith Dr# Austin< and his *rofessions 2ere a&&
*acific# "ut the! sti&& continue in ar's< 'archin, and counter 'archin,#
I then *roceeded 2ith !our aid< J# .# Hu,hes< and '! aid< "en=a'in
Ho&&ida!< to the .or'on enca'*'ent co''anded ! Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht# 3e
he&d a conference 2ith hi'< and he *rofessed entire 2i&&in,ness to disand
and surrender u* to 'e e$er! one of the .or'ons accused of cri'e< and
re>uired in return that the hosti&e forces< co&&ected ! the other
citi4ens of the count!< shou&d a&so disand# At the ca'* co''anded ! Dr#
Austin< I de'anded the *risoner< de'anded in !our order< 2ho had een
re&eased on the e$enin, after '! arri$a& in their $icinit!#
I too0 u* '! &ine of 'arch< and enca'*ed in the direct road et2een
the t2o hosti&e enca'*'ents< 2here I ha$e re'ained since< 2ithin aout t2o
and a ha&f 'i&es of 3i,ht+s enca'*'ent< and so'eti'es the other ca'* is
nearer< and so'eti'es further fro' 'e# I intend to occu*! this *osition
unti& !our arri$a&< as I dee' it est to *reser$e *eace< and *re$ent an
en,a,e'ent et2een the *arties< and if 0e*t so for a fe2 da!s< the! 2i&&
dout&ess disand 2ithout coercion# I ha$e the honor to e< !ours 2ith
res*ect<
A# 3# DONI)HAN<
"ri,-5enera& 7st "ri,ade< 9rd Di$ision .issouri .i&itia#
"! this it is c&ear&! seen that the officers and troo*s actin, under
the 5o$ernor+s orders had $er! &itt&e re,ard for the &a2s of the &and<
other2ise Co'er< .i&&er< and .cHone! 2ou&d not ha$e een dischar,ed !
the'#
I 2as at and aout ho'e this da!< attendin, to '! usiness as usua&#
Sunda!< 7:#--He&d 'eetin, in the afternoon< had *reachin, and
rea0in, of read# I 2as at ho'e a&& da! 2ith '! fa'i&!#
.onda!< 7M#--I 2as counse&in, 2ith the rethren at ho'e and aout the
cit!#
Atchison+s Re*ort to the 5o$ernor#
HEADAUARTERS 9RD DI%ISION< .ISSOURI .ILITIA<
5RAND RI%ER< Se*# 7M< 7898<
To his E/ce&&enc! the Co''ander-in-Chief(
SIR(--I arri$ed at the count! seat of this count!< Da$iess< on the
e$enin, of the 7Gth instant< 2ith the troo*s raised fro' the 'i&itia of
Ra! count!< 2hen I 2as =oined ! the troo*s fro' C&a! count! under the
co''and of 5enera& Doni*han# In the sa'e nei,horhood I found fro' t2o to
three hundred 'en in ar's< *rinci*a&&! fro' the counties of Li$in,ston<
Carro&& and Sa&ine# These 'en 2ere e'odied under the *rete/t of defendin,
the citi4ens of Da$iess count!< a,ainst the .or'ons< and 2ere o*eratin,
under the orders of a Dr# Austin fro' Carro&& count!# The citi4ens of
Da$iess< or a &ar,e *ortion of the'< residin, on each side of 5rand ri$er<
had &eft their far's< and re'o$ed their fa'i&ies either to the ad=oinin,
counties< or co&&ected the' to,ether at a *&ace ca&&ed the Ca'* 5round#
The 2ho&e count! on the east side of 5rand ri$er a**ears to e deserted<
2ith the e/ce*tion of a fe2 2ho are not so ti'id as their nei,hors# The
.or'ons of Da$iess count! ha$e a&so &eft their far's< and ha$e enca'*ed
for safet! at a *&ace i''ediate&! on the east an0 of 5rand ri$er< ca&&ed
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# The nu'ers are su**osed to e aout t2o hundred and
fift! 'en< citi4ens of Da$iess count!< and fro' fift! to one hundred 'en<
citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& count!? oth *arties ha$e een scoutin, throu,h the
countr!< and occasiona&&! ta0in, *risoners< and threatenin, and insu&tin,
each other< ut as !et no &ood has een shed# I ha$e ordered a&& ar'ed
'en fro' ad=oinin, counties to re*air to their ho'es? and Li$in,ston
count! 'en< and others< to the a'ount of one hundred 'en< ha$e returned#
and there re'ain no2 aout one hundred and fift!< 2ho 2i&&< I a' in ho*es<
return in a fe2 da!s# I ha$e een infor'ed ! the .or'ons< that a&& of
those 2ho ha$e een char,ed 2ith a $io&ation of the &a2s 2i&& e in toda!
for tria&? 2hen that is done# the troo*s under '! co''and 2i&& e no
&on,er re>uired in this count!< if the citi4ens of other counties 2i&&
return to their res*ecti$e ho'es# I ha$e *ro*osed to &ea$e t2o co'*anies
of fift! 'en each< in this count!< and dischar,e the re'ainder of the
troo*s? said t2o co'*anies 2i&& re'ain for the *reser$ation of order<
unti& *eace and confidence are restored# I a&so enc&ose to !our E/ce&&enc!
the re*ort of 5enera& Doni*han< and refer !ou for *articu&ars to .a=or
Ro,ers#
I ha$e the honor to e !our oedient ser$ant<
D# R# ATCHISON<
.a=or 5enera& 9rd Di$ision .issouri .i&itia#
Tuesda!< 78#--I ha$e een at ho'e a&& da!< considera&! un2e&&< ut
a' so'e2hat etter this e$enin,#
This da! the 5o$ernor ordered Ca*tain Chi&ds to ha$e the "oon$i&&e
5uards 'ounted< 2ith ten da!s+ *ro$isions< and in readiness to 'arch on
his arri$a& at the end of the 2ee0# The 5o$ernor a&so ordered 5enera& S#
D# Lucas< of the fourth di$ision to 'arch i''ediate&! 2ith four hundred
'ounted 'en to the scene of difficu&t!< and co-o*erate 2ith 5enera&
Atchison# Si'i&ar orders 2ere issued to .a=or 5enera&s Le2is "o&ton< John
"# C&ar0< and Tho'as D# 5rant#
3ednesda!< 7N#--I 2as at and aout ho'e#
Thursda!< HD#--I 2as at ho'e unti& aout ten o+c&oc0< 2hen I rode out
on horseac0# I returned a &itt&e efore sunset< and 2as at ho'e throu,h
the e$enin,#
The fo&&o2in, e/tracts fro' 5enera& Atchison+s &etter of this date<
to the 5o$ernor< fro' Liert!< 2i&& ,i$e a *rett! correct $ie2 of the
'o$e'ents of the 'i&itia#
E/cer*ts of Atchison+s Letter to the 5o$ernor#
SIR(--The troo*s ordered out for the *ur*ose of *uttin, do2n the
insurrection su**osed to e/ist in the counties of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&&<
2ere dischar,ed on the HDth instant< 2ith the e/ce*tion of t2o co'*anies
of the Ra! 'i&itia< no2 stationed in the count! of Da$iess< under the
co''and of "ri,adier 5enera& )ar0s# It 2as dee'ed necessar! in the state
of e/cite'ent in that count! that those co'*anies shou&d re'ain there for
a short *eriod &on,er< sa! so'e t2ent! da!s< unti& confidence and
tran>ui&it! shou&d e restored# A&& the offenders a,ainst the &a2 in that
count!< a,ainst 2ho' *rocess 2as ta0en out< 2ere arrested and rou,ht
efore a court of in>uir!< and reco,ni4ed to a**ear at the Circuit Court#
.r# Tho'as C# "irch attended to the *rosecution on the *art of the State#
The citi4ens of other counties 2ho ca'e in ar'ed< to the assistance of the
citi4ens of Da$iess count!< ha$e dis*ersed and returned to their
res*ecti$e ho'es< and the .or'ons ha$e a&so returned to their res*ecti$e
ho'es< so that I consider the insurrection< for the *resent at &east< to
e at an end# Fro' the est infor'ation I can ,et< there are aout t2o
hundred and fift! .or'on fa'i&ies in Da$iess count!< near&! one ha&f of
the *o*u&ation< and the 2ho&e of the .or'on forces in Da$iess< Ca&d2e&&<
and the ad=oinin, counties< is esti'ated at fro' thirteen to fifteen
hundred 'en< ca*a&e of earin, ar's# The .or'ons of Da$iess count!< as I
stated in a for'er re*ort< 2ere enca'*ed in a to2n ca&&ed Ada'-ondi-Ah'an<
and are headed ! L!'an 3i,ht< a o&d< ra$e< s0i&&fu&< and I 'a! add< a
des*erate 'an? the! a**eared to e actin, on the defensi$e< and I 'ust
further add< ,a$e u* the offenders 2ith a ,ood dea& of *ro'*tness# The
ar's ta0en ! the .or'ons< and *risoners 2ere a&so ,i$en u* u*on de'and<
2ith see'in, cheerfu&ness#
The 'o this da! a,ain threatened De 3itt#
Frida!< H7#--I 2as aout ho'e#
Saturda!< HH#--I 2ent out ear&! in the 'ornin,< returned to rea0fast
at ha&f *ast se$en< and too0 an airin, on horseac0 at nine in the
'ornin,#
)etition of the Saints of De 3itt to 5o$ernor "o,,s#
DE 3ITT< CARROLL COUNTY< STATE OF .ISSOURI<
Se*te'er HH< 7898#
To his E/ce&&enc! Li&urn 3# "o,,s< 5o$ernor of the State of
.issouri(
Your )etitioners< citi4ens of the count! of Carro&&< do here!
*etition !our E/ce&&enc!< *ra!in, for re&ief( That 2hereas< !our
*etitioners ha$e on the HDth instant< een sore&! a,,rie$ed< ! ein,
eset ! a &a2&ess 'o< certain inhaitants of this and other counties< to
the in=ur! of the ,ood citi4ens of this and the ad=acent *&aces? that on
the aforesaid da!< there ca'e fro' one hundred to one hundred and fift!
ar'ed 'en< and threatened 2ith force and $io&ence< to dri$e certain
*eacea&e citi4ens fro' their ho'es< in defiance of a&& &a2< and
threatened then to dri$e said citi4ens out of the count!< ut< on
de&ieration< conc&uded to ,i$e the'< said citi4ens< ti&& the first of
Octoer ne/t< to &ea$e said count!? and threatened< if not ,one ! that
ti'e< to e/ter'inate the'< 2ithout re,ard to a,e or se/< and destro! their
chatte&s< ! thro2in, the' into the ri$er# 3e therefore *ra! !ou to ta0e
such ste*s as sha&& *ut a sto* to a&& &a2&ess *roceedin,? and 2e< !our
)etitioners< 2i&& e$er *ra!< Pc#
"en=# 1endric0# John Ti&&ford<
Dud&e! Tho'as< H# 5# Sher2ood<
3i&&ia' )# Lundo2< John .urdoc0<
Jno# 1endric0< 5# .# Hin0&e<
Thos# Dehart< Ja'es %a&ance<
Francis "ro2n< Jae4 La0e<
A&ert Loree H# .# 3a&&ace<
Sa'ue& La0e< D# Tho'as< Enon-.or'onF
Asa .anchester<
3'# 3inston< Nathan Harrison<
John C&ar0< E&i4aeth S'ith<
Thos# Ho&&in,shead< Henr! Root<
Asa 3# "arnes< A# L# Ca&d2e&&<
E&i=ah T# Ro,ers< Rufus A&&en<
John Dou,hert!< E4e0ie& "arnes<
.oses Harris< D# H# "arnes<
)err! Tha!er< 3'# S# S'ith<
"# "# "art&e!< Ja'es Ha'*ton<
Jonathan Harris< Roert Ha'*ton<
3'# J# Hatfie&d< Jonathan Ha'*ton<
O&i$er O&ne!< 5eor,e )eacoc0<
John Thor*< Danie& C&ar0<
H# T# Chi*'an< John )roctor<
Da$id Di/on< Ja'es .c5uin<
"en=# Hens&e!< S'ith Hu'*hre!<
Fran0&in N# Tha!er#
Sunda!< H9#--I attended 'eetin, oth forenoon and afternoon< and 2as
at ho'e in the e$enin,#
.onda!< H@#--I 2as at ho'e unti& ha&f-*ast ei,ht a# '#< 2hen I rode
out on horseac0< and returned aout fi$e in the e$enin,#
The ,o$ernor< ha$in, heard that *eace had een restored in Da$iess
and Ca&d2e&& counties< ordered 5enera&s C&ar0< Cro2ther< Le2is< and "o&ton
to dischar,e their troo*s# The order 2as dated at Jonesorou,h#
Tuesda!< HG#--5enera& )ar0s 2rote the ,o$ernor fro' .i&& )ort< that
he had een in the u**er *art of Da$iess count! to assist the consta&e in
rin,in, offenders to =ustice< and that the 'a=or-,enera&< 2ith the troo*s
fro' Ra! and C&a! counties on the 78th instant< Ee/ce*t t2o co'*anies fro'
Ra! under his co''andF 2ere disanded# In this &etter 5enera& )ar0s
said(
3hate$er 'a! ha$e een the dis*osition of the *eo*&e ca&&ed
.or'ons< efore our arri$a& here< since 2e ha$e 'ade our a**earance
the! ha$e sho2n no dis*osition to resist the &a2s< or of hosti&e
intentions# There has een so 'uch *re=udice and e/a,,eration
concerned in this 'atter< that I found thin,s entire&! different fro'
2hat I 2as *re*ared to e/*ect# 3hen 2e arri$ed here< 2e found a &ar,e
od! of 'en fro' the counties ad=oinin,< ar'ed and in the fie&d< for
the *ur*ose< as I &earned< of assistin, the *eo*&e of this count!
a,ainst the .or'ons< 2ithout ein, ca&&ed out ! the *ro*er
authorities#
)# S#--Since 2ritin, the ao$e< I recei$ed infor'ation that if
the co''ittee do not a,ree< the deter'ination of the Da$iess count!
'en is to dri$e the .or'ons 2ith *o2der and &ead#
The sa'e da!< 5enera& )ar0s 2rote 5enera& Atchison as fo&&o2s(
I a' ha**! to e a&e to state to !ou< that the dee* e/cite'ent
e/istin, et2een the *arties< has in a ,reat de,ree ceased? and so
far I ha$e had no occasion to resort to force< in assistin, the
consta&es# On to'orro2< a co''ittee fro' Da$iess count! 'eets a
co''ittee of the .or'ons at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< to *ro*ose to the' to
u! or se&&< and I e/*ect to e there#
3ednesda!< H:#--Fifteen or t2ent! of the .or'ons 2ere cited to tria&
at 5a&&atin 2here L!'an 3i,ht has *&ed,ed hi'se&f to 'e that the! 2i&&
attend#
I 2as at ho'e unti& ten or e&e$en o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,< 2hen I rode
out< and returned ho'e and s*ent the e$enin,#
The 'o co''ittee 'et a co''ittee of the rethren< and the rethren
entered into an a,ree'ent to *urchase a&& the &ands and *ossessions of
those 2ho desired to se&& and &ea$e Da$iess count!# The Hi,h Counci& of
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an 2as i''ediate&! ca&&ed and E&ders Don C# S'ith< 5eor,e A#
S'ith< Loren4o D# "arnes and Harrison Sa,ers 2ere a**ointed to ,o
i''ediate&! to the churches in the south and east and raise 'en and 'eans
to fu&fi&& the contract# The co''ittee arri$ed at Far 3est &ate in the
e$enin,< and ca&&ed u*on 'e and ,a$e 'e the fore,oin, infor'ation# I
a**ro$ed of the action of the rethren#
Thursda!< HM#--I 2as ho'e and aout the cit!#
E/tract of a Letter fro' 5enera& Atchison to 5o$ernor "o,,s< Dated--
LI"ERTY< Se*te'er HMth< 7898#
The force under 5enera& )ar0s is dee'ed sufficient to e/ecute the
&a2s and 0ee* the *eace in Da$iess count!# Thin,s are not so ad in that
count! as re*resented ! ru'or< and< in fact< fro' affida$its I ha$e no
dout !our E/ce&&enc! has een decei$ed ! the e/a,,erated state'ents of
desi,nin, or ha&f cra4! 'en# I ha$e found there is no cause of a&ar' on
account of the .or'ons? the! are not to e feared? the! are $er! 'uch
a&ar'ed#
Frida!< H8#--I 2as aout ho'e unti& near sundo2n< 2hen I rode out#
E&der John E# )a,e arri$ed at De 3itt 2ith his Canada co'*an!
so'eti'e this 2ee0#
Saturda!< HN#--I rode out on horseac0< returnin, aout three in the
afternoon and s*ent the e$enin, at ho'e#
Sunda!< 9D#--I &eft ho'e aout ten o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,#
.onda!< Octoer 7#--I returned ho'e aout fi$e o+c&oc0 2here I
tarried the re'ainder of the e$enin,# The 'o ha$in, &eft Da$iess count!
Eafter the! 2ere or,ani4ed into a 'i&itia ! Atchison< Doni*han and )ar0s
and disandedF 2ent to Carro&& count! and ,athered at De 3itt< threatenin,
$en,eance to the Saints 2ithout re,ard to a,e< se/ or condition? ut
Da$iess count! 2as for a season freed fro' those *eace disturers#
Tuesda!< H#--The 'o *ressed harder u*on De 3itt and fired u*on the
Saints#
The 1irt&and Ca'* arri$ed in Far 3est fro' 1irt&and# I 2ent in
co'*an! 2ith Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith< Isaac .or&e! and 5eor,e 3#
Roinson< and 'et the' so'e 'i&es out< and escorted the' into the cit!<
2here the! enca'*ed on the *u&ic s>uare direct&! south< and c&ose ! the
e/ca$ation for the Lord+s House# Here friends ,reeted friends in the na'e
of the Lord# Isaac .or&e!< )atriarch at Far 3est< furnished a eef for the
ca'*# )resident Ri,don *ro$ided a su**er for the sic0< and the rethren
*ro$ided for the' &i0e 'en of 5od< for the! 2ere hun,r!< ha$in, eaten ut
&itt&e for se$era& da!s< and ha$in, tra$e&ed e&e$en 'i&es this da!? ei,ht
hundred and si/t! 'i&es fro' 1irt&and< the 2a! the ca'* tra$e&ed#
CHA)TER I6#
THE OR5ANI;ATION AND JOURNEY OF 1IRTLAND CA.)#
AT a 'eetin, of the Se$enties in the House of the Lord in 1irt&and<
on the si/th da! of .arch< 7898< the 'o$in, of the Saints fro' 1irt&and to
the &and of .issouri< in accordance 2ith the co''and'ents and re$e&ations
of 5od< 2as s*o0en of and a&so the *racticai&it! of the >uoru' of the
Se$enties &ocatin, in as co'*act a od! as *ossi&e in so'e sta0e of ;ion
in the 2est< 2here the! cou&d 'eet to,ether 2hen the! 2ere not &aorin, in
the $ine!ard of the Lord? and a&so cou&d recei$e counse& fro' the T2e&$e
and the First )residenc! in 'atters *ertainin, to their 'ission to the
nations 2ith ,reater faci&ities than the! 2ou&d if scattered here and
there o$er a&& the face of the &and#
The su=ect 2as discussed at so'e &en,th< and a reso&ution 2as *assed
re>uestin, the Counci&ors to consu&t to,ether and 'a0e a re*ort on the
su=ect at the ne/t 'eetin, of the >uoru'# The 'eetin, 2as then ad=ourned
to Saturda!< the 7Dth instant< at one o+c&oc0 *# '#
At that ti'e the >uoru' 'et a,ain and the )residents re*orted that
the! had consu&ted to,ether on the su=ect referred to the' at the &ast
'eetin,< and that the! 2ere of the o*inion that the su=ect shou&d e &aid
efore the First )residenc! of the Church for their counse& and ad$ice?
and a&so if it 2ou&d e thou,ht e/*edient to a**oint the *&ace for their
&ocation in Far 3est or so'e other *&ace 2here it shou&d see' ,ood unto
the'#
The 'easures *ro*osed ! the Counci&ors 2ere unani'ous&! a**ro$ed of
! the 'e'ers of the >uoru' *resent# The )residents further stated that
the! had ta0en into consideration the e/tre'e *o$ert! of the Se$enties in
1irt&and and $icinit!< and that it see'ed to the' a&'ost an i'*ossi&e
thin, for the >uoru' Ias suchJ to 'o$e fro' this *&ace under e/istin,
circu'stances? that the 'easures entered into ! the Hi,h Counci& and Hi,h
)riests for re'o$in, the Saints had fai&ed and the! had ,i$en u* 'a0in,
an! further atte'*ts after their sche'e of ,oin, ! 2ater had fa&&en
throu,h< and that the! had further ad$ised e$er! indi$idua& of the Church
2ishin, to ,o u* unto ;ion to &oo0 out for hi'se&f indi$idua&&! and 'a0e
the est of it he cou&d#
.uch 2as said on the su=ect? and 2hi&e the su=ect of ,oin, u* in a
od!--2hich see'ed to e the *re$ai&in, desire of the 'e'ers *resent--2as
under discussion< the S*irit of the Lord ca'e do2n< in 'i,ht! *o2er< and
so'e of the E&ders e,an to *ro*hes! that if the >uoru' 2ou&d ,o u* in a
od! to,ether< and ,o accordin, to the co''and'ents and re$e&ations of
5od< *itchin, their tents ! the 2a!< that the! shou&d not 2ant for
an!thin, on the =ourne! that 2ou&d e necessar! for the' to ha$e? and
further that there shou&d e nothin, 2antin, to2ards re'o$in, the 2ho&e
>uoru' of Se$enties that 2ou&d ,o in a od!< ut that there shou&d e a
sufficienc! of a&& thin,s for carr!in, such an e/*edition into effect#
)resident Ja'es Foster arose in turn to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s on the the
su=ect< and in the course of his address he dec&ared that he sa2 a $ision
in 2hich 2as sho2n unto hi' a co'*an! Ehe shou&d thin0 of aout fi$e
hundredF startin, fro' 1irt&and and ,oin, u* to ;ion# That he sa2 the'
'o$in, in order< enca'*in, in order ! the 2a!< and that he 0ne2 there!
that it 2as the 2i&& of 5od that the >uoru' shou&d ,o u* in that 'anner#
The S*irit ore record of the truth of his assertions for it rested
do2n on the asse'&! in *o2er< inso'uch that a&& *resent 2ere satisfied
that it 2as the 2i&& of 5od that the >uoru' shou&d ,o u* in a co'*an!
to,ether to the &and of ;ion< and that the! shou&d *roceed i''ediate&! to
'a0e *re*arations for the =ourne!# The Counci&ors 2ere re>uested to de$ise
the est course to e *ursued to carr! the *&an into effect< and the
'eetin, ad=ourned to Tuesda!< 79th< at one *# '#
In the forenoon of that da! the Counci& of the Se$enties 'et and
in$ited )resident H!ru' S'ith< and sent for )resident 3i&&ia' .ar0s< ut
he 2as not at ho'e< and conse>uent&! did not attend# "en=a'in S# 3i&er<
in asence of the c&er0< 2as in$ited to act as c&er0 *ro te'# After the
'eetin, 2as o*ened ! )resident H!ru' S'ith ! *ra!er< the! *roceeded to
dra2 u* under the su*er$ision of )resident S'ith the out&ines of the
fo&&o2in, Constitution for the or,ani4ation and ,o$ern'ent of the ca'*<
2hich 2as ado*ted at the 'eetin, in the afternoon#
At the ti'e a**ointed in the afternoon the >uoru' 'et accordin, to
ad=ourn'ent# Se$era& of the Hi,h Counci& and Hi,h )riests attended the
'eetin,# The S*irit of 5od 2as 'anifested as efore# The su=ect 2as
discussed and the Constitution *resented< 2hich 2as a**ro$ed ! the >uoru'
and ! the $isitin, E&ders 2ho testified that the 'o$e'ent 2as of ,od and
reco''ended it to the rethren of the Church? and said that the! shou&d
&a! the su=ect i''ediate&! efore their o2n >uoru's# On 'otion it 2as
reso&$ed that t2o of the >uoru' shou&d e a**ointed to act as 'e'ers of
the Counci&< *ro te'< in the *&ace of Danie& S# .i&es and Le$i
Hancoc0--2ho 2ere then in the 2est--ti&& the ca'* shou&d arri$e at Far
3est# This to e in accordance 2ith the first artic&e of the Constitution<
2hich reco,ni4ed the 2ho&e se$en IFirst Se$en )residents of the Se$ent!J
as counci&ors of the ca'*#
On 'otion it 2as reso&$ed that the )resident of Se$enties shou&d ha$e
the ri,ht of no'inatin, the t2o assistant counci&ors and a&& other
officers of the ca'* re>uired ! the Constitution< or on the =ourne!< u*
to the &and of ;ion# In accordance 2ith the ao$e reso&ution E&ias S'ith<
c&er0 of the Counci&< and "en=a'in S# 3i&er< 2ere no'inated and recei$ed
the unani'ous $ote of the >uoru' as Counci&ors of the ca'*# The
Constitution 2as read and e/*&ained to the 'eetin, ite' ! ite'< that
there 'i,ht e no 'isunderstandin, concernin, an! *art of it or of the
'oti$es and desi,ns of the Se$enties in the 'o$e'ent then in a,itation?
and those 2ho suscried to the Constitution 2ere e/horted to 'a0e a&&
*re*arations in their *o2er to carr! into effect the o=ect of the ca'*<
and the 'eetin, 2as ad=ourned to Saturda!< 7Mth< at one *# '#
The Constitution#
The counci& of the Se$enties 'et this da! in the attic stor! of the
Lord+s House and too0 into consideration the *ro*riet! and necessit! of
the od! of the Se$enties ,oin, u* to the &and of ;ion in a co'*an!
to,ether the *resent season< and ado*ted the fo&&o2in, ru&es and &a2s< for
the or,ani4ation and ,o$ern'ent of the ca'*(
First--That the )residents of the Se$enties< se$en in nu'er< sha&&
e the Counci&ors Ii# e# &eadersJ of the ca'*? and that there sha&& e one
'an a**ointed as treasurer< 2ho sha&& ! the ad$ice of the Counci&ors
'ana,e the financia& concerns durin, the =ourne!< and 0ee* a =ust and
accurate account of a&& 'onies recei$ed and e/*ended for the use of the
ca'*#
Second--That there sha&& e one 'an a**ointed to *reside o$er each
tent< to ta0e char,e of it? and that fro' the ti'e of their a**oint'ent
the tent-'en sha&& 'a0e a&& necessar! arran,e'ents for the *ro$idin, of
tea's and tents for the =ourne!? and the! sha&& recei$e counse& and ad$ice
fro' the Counci&ors? and further'ore< sha&& see that c&ean&iness and
decenc! are oser$ed in a&& cases< the co''and'ents 0e*t< and the 3ord of
3isdo' heeded< that is< no toacco< tea< coffee< snuff or ardent s*irits
of an! 0ind are to e ta0en interna&&!#
Third--That e$er! 'an sha&& e the head of his o2n fa'i&!< and sha&&
see that the! are rou,ht into su=ection accordin, to the order of the
ca'*#
Fourth--That a&& those 2ho sha&& suscrie to the reso&utions< ru&es
and re,u&ations< sha&& 'a0e e$er! e/ertion< and use a&& &a2fu& 'eans to
*ro$ide for the'se&$es and their fa'i&ies< and for the use and enefit of
the ca'* to 2hich the! e&on,? and a&so to hand o$er to the Se$en
Counci&ors a&& 'onies a**ro*riated for that *ur*ose on or efore the da!
the ca'* sha&& start#
Fifth--That the 'one! sha&& e retained in the hands of the
Counci&ors< ein, di$ided *ro*ortionate&! a'on, the' for safet! and to e
*aid o$er to the Treasurer as circu'stances 'a! re>uire#
Si/th--That an! faithfu& rethren 2ishin, to =ourne! 2ith us can do
so ! suscriin, to< and oser$in, these ru&es and re,u&ations#
Se$enth--That e$er! indi$idua& sha&& at the end of the =ourne!-- 2hen
a sett&e'ent is to e 'ade< or as soon thereafter as their circu'stances
2i&& ad'it--*a! their *ro*ortiona& *art of the e/*enses of the =ourne!# "!
e/*enses it is understood a&& that is necessari&! *aid out for the use of
a tea'< 2a,on or co2< if the! safe&! arri$e at the *&ace 2here the ca'*
sha&& fina&&! rea0 u*#
Ei,hth--That these ru&es and &a2s sha&& e strict&! oser$ed< and
e$er! *erson 2ho sha&& eha$e disorder&! and not confor' to the' sha&& e
disfe&&o2shi*ed ! the ca'* and &eft ! the 2a!side#
Ninth--That this sha&& e the &a2 of the ca'* in =ourne!in, fro' this
*&ace u* to the &and of ;ion< and that it 'a! e added unto or a'ended as
circu'stances 'a! re>uire ! the $oice of those 2ho sha&& suscrie unto
it#
IThe na'es of the *ersons and nu'er in their res*ecti$e fa'i&ies<
2ho suscried to the fore,oin, constitutionJ#
NA.E No# in fa'i&!
Ja'es Foster########################: E&ea4er 1in,< Jun#
###############9
Josiah "utterfie&d##################@ Tho'as 5# Fisher ################
@
;erah )u&si*her#################### M A&fred "ro2n#####################
H
Jose*h Youn,####################### G Ste*hen Head&oc0#################
H
Henr! Harri'an######################H John R#
Fo&,er####################@
E&ias S'ith#########################9 Nathan 1# 1ni,ht#################
N
3# S# 3i&ur####################### H Joe&
Judd#########################9
Joshua S# Ho&'an####################8 Tho'as Nic0erson#################
@
J# D# )ar0er########################9 "rother Nic0erson+s fa'i&!#######
G
Duncan .cArthur#####################N Da$id D#
De''in,##################H
Ste*hen Star0s##################### : Nanc! Richerson
##################9
Anson Ca&&##########################9 Jose*h
.cCase&and#################@
A'os "# Fu&&er##################### 9 Hira' H# "!in,ton################
@
Jere'iah 3i&&e!#################### @ Da$id
5ra!########################8
Hira' Da!ton###################### 7H A&e/ander 3ri,ht#################
7
Tru'an O# An,e&&####################@ Adoni=ah
Coo&e!###################G
Do'inicus Carter####################: E&i=ah
Chene!#####################H
Jonathan H# Ho&'er##################9 Jesse
"a0er#######################H
J# "# No&e#########################M E&ias )u&si*her #################
8
Le$i "# 3i&der##################### : Jason "runett####################
M
Ja'es S# Ho&'on#####################M E# "# 5a!&and####################
:
A'os Nic0erson######################: Sa'ue& Fo2&er####################
8
Le2is Ea,er#########################9 Da$id 1# Dustin##################
H
Ste*hen Shu'2a! ####################9 Char&es "ird#####################
M
Enoch S# Sanorn####################G Tho'as "utterfie&d###############
9
Jonathan Cros!#####################H 3i&&ia' Fie&d####################
G
Jonathan Ha'*ton####################@ 3i&&ia' Shu'an###################
M
Otis Shu'2a!########## #############M Corne&ius %an&eu$en##############
9
Frederic0 .# %an&eu$en##############: "en=a'in 1# Hu&&#################
:
"en=a'in "utterfie&d############### M O&i$er O&ne!#####################
N
E&ea4er 1in,# ##################### M 3i&&ia' "os&e!###################
H
John Tanner########################7D Jose*h )ine######################
:
A&anson )ettin,i&&################# G Noah )ac0ard#####################
N
3i&&ia' )err! ######################@ John .# 1in,#####################
@
3arren S'ith####################### M Jonathan Dunha'##################
@
Sa'ue& "arnet###################### G Joe& H# Johnson##################
:
3i&&ia' Car*enter###################G Austin 3# Co2&es#################
N
John 5rea&e###################### 8 Jonathan H# Ha&e#################
G
Arno&d Hea&e!###################### 9 5eor,e 3# "roo0s#################
@
Joe& Har$e!#########################G Araha' 3ood#####################
@
Justin "&ood########################G Shear'an A# 5i&ert##############
9
Reuen Danie&s##################### M 3i&&ia' "# )ratt#################
@
Ja'es )utna'####################### : Sa'ue& )ar0er####################
@
Danie& )u&si*her################### @ Danie&
"o2en######################M
Char&es Tho'*son################### H Richard "rasier##################
@
Nathan "# "a&d2in################## H John )u&si*her###################
H
.ichae& 5riffith####################: A&a 3hitt&e#####################
:
Henr! Ste$ens###################### 9 Joe& Drur!#######################
G
Le$i Os,ood######################## G Jonathan Fisher##################
G
C!rus "# Fisher#################### : "en=a'in "a0er###################
:
E&i=ah .erria'##################### H A'asa
Chene!######################:
Sa'ue& Ha&e#########################9 Josiah
.i&&er####################7D
.artin Hanchet##################### G A'os
"a&d2in#####################7H
Orin Chene!#########################N John
S2eat#######################7D
5eor,e Strin,ha'################### : Danie& A&&en< Jun################
@
.ar! )ar0er######################## @ Ste*hen Richardson###############
8
Ju&ia Johnson#######################8 .artin H# )ec0###################
:
;e'ira Dra*er###################### : John La'erau/####################
:
Isaac Ro,ers########################@ Jesse )# Har'on #################
:
Ara' "o!nton###################### M John %an&eu$en< Jun##############
N
.ichae& .cDona&d################### G Aaron Chene!#####################
:
Ja'es "ro2n######################## M Nathan Chene!####################
@
A&e/ander Ca'*e&&################# Ed2in )# .erria'#################
9
Jose*h C# C&ar0#################### : Henr! .unroe#####################
9
Jared )orter########################9 Ira )# Thornton##################
M
3i&&ia' Ear&#######################77 O&i$er Ro2e######################
:
Danie& "&iss########################H Ste*hen Ro2e#####################
:
Isaac 3# )ierce ####################G John Thor* ######################
M
Jae4 La0e##########################G Danie& L# Nu*tire################
9
Sa'ue& .u&&iner#################### G 3i&&ia' 5ri&e##################
9
Aaron .# Yor0###################### @ Char&es N# "a&d2in###############
H
Ja'es Stro*#########################: 3i&&ia' Dra*er< Sen##############
H
Reuen Hed&oc0##################### 8 Laan .orris#####################
H
Andre2 La'ereau/################### M Lucius N# Sco$i&#################
@
3i&&ia' 3i&son##################### 9 Aaron Johnson####################
@
John Carter#########################H Jose*h Coon #####################
@
Sa'ue& )ar0er###################### @ Nathan Sta0er####################
:
Isaac De2itt########################8 Asa
3ri,ht#######################7D
Hira' 5riffiths#####################9 ;e*haniah 3# "re2ster############
N
John Ha'ond######################## : .unro Crosier####################
H
Arno&d Ste$ens##################### : Asa*h "&anchard##################
7
5ardner Sno2####################### 9 Ethan A# .oore###################
8
5eor,e Sno2######################## H 3i&&ia' Care!####################
Tho'as Dra*er##################### Ja'es Lethead####################
Ara' "ond######################### 9 John Ru&ison#####################
8
.arch 7M#--.et a,ain a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent in the attic stor! of
the Lord+s House< at 7 *# '# A ,enera& attendance of those e&on,in, to
the ca'* and 'an! others e&on,in, to the different >uoru's of the Church
ca'e in# The roo' 2as fu&& to o$erf&o2in,# E&der Josiah "utterfie&d<
*resided# After o*enin, ! *ra!er the o=ect of the 'eetin, 2as stated !
the chair'an< $i4#< the re'o$in, of the Saints to ;ion# E&der Ja'es Foster
ne/t &aid efore the 'eetin, the 'o$e'ents of the Se$enties in re&ation to
that desired o=ect and 2as fo&&o2ed ! EIders Jose*h Youn,< Henr!
Harri'an< ;era )u&si*her< and ! others of the different >uoru's< 2ho
hi,h&! a**ro$ed of the *roceedin,s of the >uoru' of Se$enties in re&ation
to the order of re'o$in, and of the or,ani4ation of the ca'*# The
Constitution 2as read ! the c&er0< 2hich 2as s*o0en of in ter's of
co''endation ! a&& 2ho s*o0e# .uch of the S*irit of 5od 2as 'anifested on
this occasion and the hearts of a&& 'ade ,&ad in antici*ation of their
de&i$erance fro' 1irt&and#
)resident H!ru' S'ith ca'e in and addressed the 'eetin, at so'e
&en,th on the 'o$e'ents of the Saints in 1irt&and in re&ation to their
e'i,ration to the &and of ;ion since the co''and'ent had ,one forth for
the honest in heart to rise u* and ,o u* unto that &and# He stated that
2hat he had said and done in reference to charterin, a stea'oat< for the
*ur*ose of re'o$in, the Church as a od!< he had done accordin, to his o2n
=ud,'ent 2ithout reference to the testi'on! of the S*irit of 5od? that he
had reco''ended that course and had ad$ised the Hi,h Counci& and Hi,h
)riests to ado*t that 'easure< actin, so&e&! ! his o2n 2isdo'< for it had
see'ed to hi' that the 2ho&e od! of the Church in 1irt&and cou&d e
re'o$ed 2ith &ess e/*ense in the 2a! he had *ro*osed than in an! other# He
said further that the Saints had to act often ti'es u*on their o2n
res*onsii&it! 2ithout an! reference to the testi'on! of the S*irit of 5od
in re&ation to te'*ora& affairs< that he has so acted in this 'atter and
has ne$er had an! testi'on! fro' 5od that the *&an of ,oin, ! 2ater 2as
a**ro$ed of ! Hi'< and that the fai&ure of the sche'e 2as e$idence in his
'ind that 5od did not a**ro$e of it#
He then dec&ared that he 0ne2 ! the S*irit of 5od that the 'o$e'ents
that 2ere 'a0in, ! the >uoru' of the Se$enties for their re'o$a& and the
*&an of their =ourne!in, 2as accordin, to the 2i&& of the Lord# He ad$ised
a&& 2ho 2ere ca&cu&atin, to ,o u* to ;ion at *resent< 2hose circu'stances
2ou&d ad'it< to =oin 2ith the Se$enties in their *&an and ,o u* 2ith the'?
and if he 2ere so situated that he cou&d =oin the ca'* hi'se&f and ,o 2ith
the'< he 2ou&d do so< and strict&! co'*&! 2ith the ru&es 2hich had een
ado*ted for the re,u&ation of the ca'* on the =ourne!# It 2ou&d e his
de&i,ht to ,o as an indi$idua& 2ithout ha$in, an! concern 2hate$er in the
'ana,e'ent of affairs< either direct&! or indirect&!< durin, the =ourne!#
In ans2er to an in>uir! that 2as 'ade aout the difficu&ties that
'i,ht attend the 'o$e'ents of so &ar,e a od!< he oser$ed that no score<
for there 2ou&d no difficu&t! attend the ca'*< if there shou&d e G<DDD
*ersons in it# The 'ore the etter? and the ad$anta,es of their ,oin,
a&to,ether 2ou&d e ,reater than the! cou&d *ossi&! e if the! shou&d ,o
in s'a&& co'*anies< as *ro$isions and other necessities cou&d e *urchased
in &ar,e >uantities 'uch chea*er than the! cou&d ! s'a&& s>uads 2ho 2ou&d
e under the necessit! of u!in, at ,reat disad$anta,e#
After ad$isin, the ca'* not to e too *articu&ar in re,ard to the
3ord of 3isdo' and ad$ised the' to ha$e the assistance of the Hi,h Counci&
in carr!in, the *&an into e/ecution< and ,i$in, other ad$ice aout
or,ani4in, the ca'*< )resident H!ru' S'ith retired#
The Constitution ein, read a,ain< aout fort! 2ho did not e&on, to
the >uoru' of Se$enties ca'e for2ard and suscried their na'es to it<
'a0in, in a&& aout ei,ht!# The 'eetin, 2as then ad=ourned to Tuesda!<
.arch HDth< at 7 *#'#
.arch HD#--In the afternoon the Se$en Counci&ors 'et to consu&t on
the est 'easures to e *ursued for *rocurin, tea's and tents and other
thin,s necessar! for the =ourne!# After considerin, the su=ect carefu&&!
it 2as thou,ht that t2o ,ood tea's and one tent< if no 'ore cou&d e
otained< 2ou&d suffice for ei,hteen *ersons? and that it 2ou&d e
ad$isa&e to a**oint the o$erseers of tents at the 'eetin, to e he&d in
the afternoon< 2hose dut! accordin, to the Constitution 2ou&d e to for'
their co'*anies of ei,hteen< or as near that nu'er as circu'stances 2i&&
ad'it of< and *roceed i''ediate&! to *rocure tea's and a tent for the
sa'e< and to 'a0e a&& necessar! arran,e'ents for the =ourne!#
E&ders O&i$er 5ran,er< .a!he2 Hi&&'an and Har$e! Redfie&d and so'e
others attended 2ho 2ere re>uested to e/*ress their $ie2s of the
e/*edition< as a ru'or had ,one forth that the! considered it an
i'*ractica&e underta0in, and one that 2ou&d ne$er e acco'*&ished# E&der
5ran,er said that he considered it 2ou&d e the ,reatest thin, e$er
acco'*&ished since the or,ani4ation of the Church or e$en since the e/odus
of Israe& fro' E,!*t if the Saints in 1irt&and< considerin, their *o$ert!<
shou&d succeed in ,oin, fro' that *&ace in a od!< and that it 2ou&d
re>uire ,reat 2isdo' and *rudence and the 'ost deter'ined *erse$erance to
effect such a 'easure< thou,h he considered it *ossi&e to do it and
e&ie$ed 5od 2ou&d &ess the' in so doin,#
E&der Redfie&d s*o0e at so'e &en,th and said that in conse>uence of
the ru'ors 2hich 2ere af&oat he had thou,ht the Se$enties 2ere ta0in,
un2arranta&e ,round< and had e/*ressed his $ie2s free&! on the su=ect<
and rather =ustified hi'se&f on that score< thou,h he conde'ned the
*rinci*&e of e&ie$in, re*orts 2hich 2ere *ut in circu&ation 2ithout first
considerin, their foundation and the source fro' 2hich the! ca'e# He said
he 2as con$inced that the thin,s he had heard 2ere untrue concernin, so'e
'o$e'ents 2hich he had heard the Se$enties 2ere 'a0in,< and the
dec&arations and denunciations the! ,a$e so'e of the other >uoru's< 2hich
had co'e to his ears< 2ere &i0e2ise 2ithout foundation# He said he 2as
heart and hand 2ith the Counci& of the Se$enties in their endea$ors to
re'o$e the Saints in 1irt&and to the &and of ;ion< and the S*irit
testified to hi' that the 'o$e'ents 2ere in ri,hteousness and accordin, to
the 2i&& of 5od#
E&der Hi&&'an s*o0e in confir'ation of 2hat his rethren had said<
a**ro$ed of the 'o$e'ent and said that the Hi,h )riests and Hi,h Counci&
had at a 'eetin, he&d a da! or t2o *re$ious *assed a reso&ution to u*ho&d
and su**ort the Se$enties in their underta0in,#
A se&ection of na'es for o$erseers of tents 2as 'ade and the 'eetin,
ad=ourned#
At one *# '# the 'e'ers of the ca'* and others 2ho attended 'et in
the u**er court of the Lord+s House# E&der Henr! Harri'an *resided< and
o*ened ! *ra!er# He a&so addressed the 'eetin, fo&&o2ed ! E&der Foster<
oth settin, forth the ,reatness of the underta0in, in hand< of the
necessit! of e$er! indi$idua& estirrin, hi'se&f and 'a0in, e$er! e/ertion
to *re*are for the =ourne!# The na'es of those 2ho had si,ned the
Constitution 2ere read o$er< that if there 2ere an! o=ection a,ainst
their ,oin, in the ca'* in conse>uence of an! difficu&t! that 'i,ht e/ist
or of disoedience to the co''and'ents of the Lord it 'i,ht e 'ade
'anifest ! those 2ho 'i,ht 0no2 of the e/istence of an! such thin,#
The na'es of those se&ected for o$erseers of tents 2ere read o$er one
! one and 2ere $oted in ! the $oice of the ca'*< and Jonathan H# Ha&e
2as a**ointed treasurer< and the 'eetin, 2as then ad=ourned#
After the HDth of .arch the Counci& 'et often to counse& on the
thin,s 2hich fro' ti'e to ti'e *ressed the'se&$es u*on their attention
re&ati$e to the *re*aration necessar! for the =ourne!< thin,s oth
s*iritua& and te'*ora&? and to as0 counse& and ,i$e their ad$ice that the!
'i,ht decide in ri,hteousness a&& thin,s *ertainin, to their ca&&in, and
the affairs of the ca'*< and to i'*&ore their hea$en&! Father to *ro$ide
'eans to soften the hearts of the ene'ies of the Saints< in 1irt&and< and
in the re,ion round aout( that His *eo*&e 'i,ht e de&i$ered fro' their
*o2er< as the! ha$e fa&&en into the hands of their ene'ies &i0e Israe& of
o&d< in conse>uence of disoedience and their s&o2ness of heart to oe!
the co''and'ents of the Lord 2hich He had ,i$en unto the'? and that He
2ou&d ha$e 'erc! u*on the' and de&i$er the' fro' onda,e in this &and<
that the! 'i,ht ,o u* to the &and of ;ion accordin, to the co''and'ents
and re$e&ations of the Lord ! His ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
accordin, to the *attern ,i$en unto the'#
In these 'eetin,s for counse& and *ra!er 5od tru&! $erified His
*ro'ises? for 2hen His ser$ants as0ed the! recei$ed< and His S*irit 2as
*oured out u*on the' aundant&!< fro' ti'e to ti'e 'anifestin, the 2i&& of
the Lord concernin, the 'o$e'ents necessar! to e 'ade in order to carr!
the arduous underta0in, into effect< in re'o$in, the >uoru' of Se$enties<
and those that =oined 2ith the'< fro' 1irt&and to the &and of ;ion#
The e/tre'e *o$ert! of the 'a=orit! of those e&on,in, to the ca'*
and the de*ression of their s*irits in conse>uence thereof and the
do2nfa&& of 1irt&and? the o**osition of those 2ho had dissented fro' the
Church and of those 2ho fro' the e,innin, had o**osed the co''and'ents of
5od 2hich He had esta&ished in the &ast da!s a'on, the chi&dren of 'en<
and &ast of a&&< thou,h not &east< the o**osition of 'an! 2ho ca&&ed
the'se&$es Saints< 2ere ostac&es 2hich *resented the'se&$es in for'ida&e
as*ect a,ainst the e/ertions of the Counci& to rin, aout the order of
thin,s to e entered into in order to acco'*&ish the 2or0< and to unite
the fee&in,s of the rethren and to restore their confidence in each
other< 2hich had in a ,reat 'easure een &ost durin, the *ast !ear< or
since the fai&ure of their i'a,inar! 'eans of s*ecu&ation< of ,randeur and
2ea&th#
Thursda!< Ju&! G#--The ca'* co''enced or,ani4in, on a *iece of &and
in the rear of the house for'er&! occu*ied ! .a!he2 Hi&&'an< aout one
hundred rods south of the House of the Lord< in 1irt&and# The 'ornin, 2as
eautifu&# At an ear&! hour the hea$ens 2ere o$ers*read 2ith a c&oud 2hich
continued to hide the scorchin, ra!s of the sun ti&& to2ards e$enin,< 2hen
it 'o$ed a2a!# The hori4on at e$er! *oint that 2as unostructed !
inter$enin, o=ects 2as c&ear< and e$er!thin, see'ed to indicate that the
5od of hea$en has His a&&-searchin, e!e u*on the ca'* of the Saints< and
had *re*ared the da! for the e/*ress *ur*ose of or,ani4in, the ca'*< that
the Saints 'i,ht start on their =ourne! in the order 2hich had een sho2n
in the e,innin,# Aout t2ent! tents 2ere *itched in the course of the da!
and se$era& other co'*anies ca'e on &ate 2ho had not ti'e to *itch their
tents# .an! s*ectators fro' the to2ns round aout ca'e to eho&d the
scene< and< 2ith fe2 e/ce*tions< the! eha$ed 2ith the ,reatest decoru'#
The da! 2as so&e'n to a&& concerned and the ,reatest so&e'nit! 2as $isi&e
on the countenances of the Saints 2ho e/*ected to tarr! for a season in
1irt&and< and a&so on the countenances of 'an! of the une&ie$ers in the
e$er&astin, 5os*e& of Jesus Christ and of the ,reat 2or0 of the ,atherin,
of the Saints of the .ost Hi,h in these &ast da!s of 2ic0edness efore
5od+s =ud,'ents sha&& ha$e een *oured out 2ithout 'easure u*on the
2ic0ed< to s2ee* the' off fro' the face of the earth#
"et2een four and fi$e hundred of the ca'* tented on the ,round durin,
the ni,ht# The s*ectators retired at a &ate hour and &eft the ca'* in
>uietude# The ni,ht 2as c&ear and the enca'*'ent and a&& around 2as so&e'n
as eternit!? 2hich scene< to,ether 2ith the re'e'rance of those other
scenes throu,h 2hich the Saints in 1irt&and had *assed durin, the &ast t2o
!ears a&& *resented the'se&$es to the thin0in, 'ind? and< to,ether 2ith
the ,reatness of the underta0in,< the &en,th of the =ourne!< and 'an!
other thin,s co'ined< cou&d not fai& to a2a0en sensations that cou&d e
etter fe&t than descried#
Frida!< Ju&! :#--At an ear&! hour in the 'ornin, the *eo*&e e,an to
asse'&e to 2itness the e/odus of the ca'*< and se$era& hundred *ersons
had ,athered to,ether efore a&& thin,s cou&d e arran,ed in order to 'o$e
off fro' the ,round 2ithout confusion< a&& of 2hich consu'ed 'ost of the
forenoon# At t2e&$e o+c&oc0< noon< the ca'* e,an to 'o$e< and at
ha&f-*ast t2e&$e the 2ho&e co'*an! had &eft the ,round in order< and too0
u* their &ine of 'arch to2ards Chester< south fro' 1irt&and< 2here the!
enca'*ed at si/ o+c&oc0 *# '#< a distance of se$en 'i&es fro' 1irt&and#
After the tents 2ere *itched and a&& thin,s arran,ed an enu'eration
of the ca'* 2as ta0en< 2hen it 2as ascertained that there 2ere in the ca'*
GHN sou&s *resent--a fe2 necessari&! asent--of 2hich HG: 2ere 'a&es< and
HM9 fe'a&es# There 2ere 7DG fa'i&ies< a&& on the ,round e/ce*tin, fi$e<
2hich had not ti'e to ,et read! in season to start 2ith the ca'*< t2o of
2hich ca'e u* in the e$enin,? of the others E&der .artin H# )ec0 =oined at
)etersur,h? the other t2o< E&ders S# Shu'2a! and "rother Char&es 3ood<
=oined the ca'* at the sa'e *&ace a fe2 hours after# )resident 3i&&ia'
.ar0s and so'e other rethren fro' 1irt&and acco'*anied the ca'* to
Chester< and on *artin, 2ith the Counci&ors &essed the'< in the na'e of
the Lord< and &eft his &essin, 2ith the'< and 2ith the ca'*< co$enantin,
to u*ho&d the' ! the *ra!er of faith and re>uired the sa'e of the
Counci&ors and of the rethren of the ca'*#
The fee&in,s of the rethren on &ea$in, 1irt&and and *artin, 2ith
those 2ho 2ere &eft ehind 2ere so'e2hat *ecu&iar< not2ithstandin, the
scenes the! had *assed throu,h in 1irt&and ? ut the consciousness of
doin, the 2i&& of their hea$en&! Father< and oe!in, His co''and'ents in
=ourne!in, to ;ion< o$er a&anced e$er! other consideration that cou&d
*ossi&! e *resented to their 'inds< and uo!ed u* their s*irits< and
he&*ed the' to o$erco'e the 2ea0nesses and infir'ities of hu'an nature
2hich 'en are su=ect to here on the earth#
Saturda!< Ju&! M#--Started fro' Chester aout ha&f-*ast si/ in the
'ornin,< and ca'*ed in Aurora< )orta,e count!--thirteen 'i&es fro'
Chester--at four *# '#< on the far' of .r# Lace!# The road et2een Chester
and Aurora< throu,h Russe&& and "ainrid,e< in 5eau,a count!< 2as ad and
so'e2hat hi&&!# The 2eather ein, e/tre'e&! 2ar' and the ca'* not ein,
sufficient&! accusto'ed to 'o$in, and actin, in concert< a&& contriuted
to 'a0e so'e confusion in the ca'* durin, the &atter *art of the da!# One
2a,on< Andre2 La'ereau/+s< ro0e do2n t2ice and so'e other s'a&& accidents
ha**ened< ut nothin, $er! serious# Durin, the da! se$era& chi&dren 2ere
sic0< so'e dan,erous&! so< and so'e adu&ts 2ere attac0ed ! the destro!er#
Sunda!< Ju&! 8#--)u&ic 2orshi* at e&e$en o+c&oc0< E&der Jose*h Youn,
*reached# .an! ca'e in the course of the da! to $isit the ca'* The
,enera&&! treated us 2ith ,reat ci$i&it!< thou,h there 2ere so'e
e/ce*tions# In the afternoon aout ha&f-*ast fi$e the heads of fa'i&ies
2ere ca&&ed to,ether and 2ere instructed ! E&ders Foster< )u&si*her<
"utterfie&d and Dunha' to 0ee* their fa'i&ies in 'ore strict su=ection to
the &a2s of 5od< and to adhere strict&! to the Constitution of the ca'*#
The! 2ere to&d that the destro!er 2as in the ca'* and so'e 2ou&d fa&&
$icti's to his *o2er if the! did not co'*&! 2ith the re>uisitions of the
Lord#
A $ote 2as ca&&ed and the ca'* co$enanted a ne2 strict&! to oser$e
the &a2s of the ca'* and the co''and'ents of the Lord# Soon after
ni,ht-fa&& a co'*an! of 'arauders 2ere heard aout the ca'*< ut 2e 2ere
not 'o&ested durin, the ni,ht#
.onda!< Ju&! N#--At se$en in the 'ornin, the ca'* e,an to 'o$e<
*assed throu,h the $i&&a,e of Aurora< throu,h the corner of Streetsorou,h
to Hudson< a handso'e $i&&a,e< in 2hich is situated the -3estern Reser$e
Co&&e,e#- Sto**ed at one o+c&oc0 near the south &ine of that to2n# Da$id
E&&iot ro0e his 2a,on do2n near Streetsorou,h< and Sa'ue& Ha&e+s 2a,on
ton,ue 2as ro0en a &itt&e south of the $i&&a,e of Hudson# The fourth
di$ision of the ca'* ca'e u* aout t2o o+c&oc0< at 2hich ti'e the first
'o$ed on and *assed throu,h Sto2e Corners< so ca&&ed< across the
)ittsur,h and A0ron cana& E2hich is !et in an unfinished state at the
fa&&s on the Cu!aho,a ri$er< 2hich e'*ties into La0e Erie at C&e$e&andF<
and enca'*ed for the ni,ht on .r# Ca'*+s far'< at Ta&'ad,e< at ha&f-*ast
si/ in the e$enin,# The first< second and third di$isions ca'e on to the
,rounds to,ether< the fourth< co'*osed chief&! of o/ tea's< did not co'e
u* ti&& ten o+c&oc0# The roads 2ere ,enera&&! ,ood< the countr! &e$e&<
2ith fe2 e/ce*tions< the 2eather e/tre'e&! 2ar'< ut near&! a&& 2ithstood
the fati,ue of the da! 2ith fortitude and *atience< fee&in, than0fu& for
the &essin,s 2hich the Lord esto2ed u*on the ca'* of His Saints#
The countr! throu,h 2hich 2e *assed this da! 2as etter ada*ted to
*astura,e than ti&&a,e< the ,rass ,enera&&! &oo0ed 2e&&< so'e fine fie&ds
of 2heat 2ere seen 2hich had e,an to 2hiten for the har$est#
Joe& H# Johnson+s o/en fai&ed and 2ere &eft ehind< and so'e others
2ere $er! 'uch fati,ued and did not arri$e at the enca'*'ent unti& &ate at
ni,ht# Tra$e&ed t2ent! 'i&es< 2hich 2as three or four 'ore than 2e shou&d
ha$e done if acco''odations for the tea's cou&d ha$e een otained short
of that distance#
Tuesda!< Ju&! 7D#--"efore startin, the Counci& dre2 u* the fo&&o2in,
reso&utions for the further or,ani4ation of the ca'*< 2hich 2ere
unani'ous&! ado*ted(
Reso&$ed--First# That the en,ineer of the ca'* sha&& recei$e
ad$ice fro' the Counci&ors concernin, the duties of his office< and
that he sha&& ca&& on his assistants to *erfor' those duties 2hich he
cannot attend to hi'se&f< and that he sha&& e re&ie$ed fro' the
arduous tas0 of I*ersona&&!J su*erintendin, the 'o$e'ents of the ca'*
durin, the =ourne!#
Second--That the horn sha&& e &o2n for risin, at four o+c&oc0<
and at t2ent! 'inutes *ast four for *ra!er e$er! 'ornin,< at 2hich
ti'e each o$erseer sha&& see that the in'ates of his tent are in
order< that 2orshi* 'a! co''ence throu,hout the ca'* at the sa'e
ti'e< i''ediate&! after the &o2in, of the horn#
Third--That the head of each di$ision sha&& 0ee* a ro&& of a&&
a&e-odied 'en< and that he sha&& ca&& out as 'an! 'en each ni,ht as
the en,ineer sha&& re>uire of his di$ision to stand on ,uard#
One-ha&f of 2hich ,uard sha&& stand the fore *art of the ni,ht< and
the other the &atter *art< ein, re,u&ar&! re&ie$ed ! the en,ineer
or one of his assistants at one o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,#
Fourth--That e$er! co'*an! in the ca'* is entit&ed to an e>ua&
*ro*ortion of the 'i&0 2hether the co2s are o2ned ! the indi$idua&s
of the se$era& tents or not< and that it sha&& e so distriuted< as
near as 'a! e< a'on, the se$era& co'*anies in the ca'*#
Fifth--That Tho'as "utterfie&d sha&& e a**ointed herds'an of
the ca'*< 2hose dut! it sha&& e to su*erintend the dri$in, of the
co2s and other stoc0< and to see that the! are 2e&& ta0en care of on
the =ourne!< and that he sha&& ca&& on as 'an! as sha&& e necessar!
to assist hi' in *erfor'in, those duties#
Si/th--That in no case at *resent sha&& the ca'* 'o$e 'ore than
fifteen 'i&es in one da!< un&ess circu'stances sha&& aso&ute&!
re>uire it#
Joe& H# Johnson so&d one of his o/en for ten do&&ars< the other ca'e
u* 2ith the ca'*#
The ca'* e,an to 'o$e at nine o+c&oc0 and *assed throu,h the $i&&a,e
of Ta&'ad,e< one 'i&e< then turned south2est to .idd&eur, a fine $i&&a,e
situated on a ranch of the Cu!aho,a< three 'i&es fro' Ta&'ad,e< and
enca'*ed for the ni,ht in the to2n of Co$entr!< aout one 'i&e fro' the
$i&&a,e of A0ron< 2hich is situated on the Ohio and Erie cana&# At t2e&$e
o+c&oc0< for the *ur*ose of &i,htenin, our &oads< 2e &eft so'e of our
,oods on the cana& oats to e con$e!ed ! 2ater# The 2ind rose hi,h and
the roads 2ere dust! 2hich 'ade it hard tra$e&in, on account of the dust#
In the afternoon 2e had a s'a&& sho2er of rain< the first that had fa&&en
since the ca'* started# "en=a'in "utterfie&d &eft the ca'* in the 'ornin,
and started off ! hi'se&f# Tra$e&ed this da! si/ 'i&es# "rother John
Ha''ond ro0e his 2a,on< the on&! accident#
3ednesda!< Ju&! 77#--After the ,oods that 2ere to e sent ! 2ater
2ere con$e!ed to A0ron< the ca'* 'o$ed on< a&& ut the first di$ision
2hich 2aited to attend to the uria& of "rother and Sister 3i&ur+s &itt&e
son< a,ed si/ 'onths and t2e&$e da!s< 2ho died at 77 o+c&oc0 a# '# and 2as
interred in an orchard on the far' of Israe& A&&en in Co$entr!< at H *# '#
He had een sic0 t2o or three da!s< and so'e other chi&dren in the ca'*
had a&so een sic0< ut a&& reco$ered e/ce*tin, "rother 3i&ur+s son#
)assed this da! throu,h Ne2 )orta,e on the Ohio cana&< 2hich 2e crossed
t2o or three 'i&es e&o2 that *&ace< and enca'*ed on the far' of .r#
"oc0'ans< in Chi**e2a! to2nshi*< count! of 3a!ne# A hea$! sho2er of rain
fe&& in the afternoon and the 2ho&e co'*an! ,ot thorou,h&! 2et for the
first ti'e since 2e started? ut $er! fe2 co'*&ained< ho2e$er< and a&&
retired to rest 2et and 2ear! after the usua& duties of the e$enin, 2ere
ended#
The countr! throu,h 2hich 2e *assed this da! 2as so'e2hat une$en and
s2a'*!# Near Ne2 )orta,e it is &o2 and to a&& a**earance 'ust e >uite
unhea&thfu&# The cro*s of 2heat< corn and ,rass &oo0 2e&&< the 2heat ein,
,enera&&! aout ri*e and read! to har$est# John Ha''ond ro0e his 2a,on
a,ain toda! and 2as &eft ehind to re*air it< and did not ,et u* to the
enca'*'ent at ni,ht# Tra$e&ed this da! e&e$en 'i&es#
Thursda!< Ju&! 7H#--Left the enca'*'ent at ha&f-*ast ei,ht? *assed
throu,h the $i&&a,e of Do!&esto2n< situated on a hi&& in the to2nshi* of
Chi**e2a!# Crossed Chi**e2a! cree0? so'e of the head2aters of the
.us0in,u' ri$er ca'e throu,h the to2nshi* of .i&ton< 2here 2e sto**ed at
one *# '# to feed# Then *assed throu,h the to2nshi* of 5reen into 3a!ne<
and enca'*ed on the far' of .r# ----------------< t2o 'i&es fro' 3ooster<
at se$en in the e$enin,# The road 2as rou,h in so'e *&aces< in so'e *&aces
ston!< and< in conse>uence of the sho2er of rain 2hich fe&& the da!
efore< in so'e *&aces 'udd!#
The countr! throu,h 2hich 2e *assed toda! is so'e2hat hi&&!< the soi&
*roducti$e and the cro*s of 2heat< corn and oats &oo0 fine and eautifu&#
Ti'er< *rinci*a&&! of oa0< 2ith so'e chestnut and so'e other 0inds of
forest trees< is scattered here and there#
John Ha''ond o$ertoo0 us in the 'ornin, on horseac0< his 2a,on had
ro0en a,ain< the third ti'e< so it cou&d not e easi&! 'ended# The
Counci& ad$ised hi' to ,o ac0 and ,et the rethren residin, near Ne2
)orta,e to assist hi' in e/chan,in, it for another< or &et hi' ha$e one to
,o u* to ;ion 2ith< and ha$e it returned to the'< as he had no2 fa&&en so
far ehind that 2e cou&d not 2e&& assist hi' 2ithout hinderin, 'an!
others#
Nathan "# "a&d2in ro0e one of his 2a,on tires< and Henr! Harri'an
one of his a/&e-trees< and sto**ed near Chi**e2a! cree0 to ha$e the'
'ended# "rother "a&d2in ca'e u* in the e$enin, and Henr! Harri'an the ne/t
'ornin,#
It rained a &itt&e in the course of the da!< the air 2as coo& and the
horses and o/en *erfor'ed the =ourne! 2ith ,reater ease than an! other da!
since the ca'* started# Tra$e&ed in the course of the da! aout se$enteen
'i&es#
Frida!< Ju&! 79#--The fourth di$ision &eft the enca'*'ent aout ei,ht
o+c&oc0< the third and second fo&&o2ed< and the first &eft at nine )assed
throu,h 3ooster< the count! seat of 3a!ne count!< a &ar,e and eautifu&
$i&&a,e surrounded ! a ferti&e countr! and is a *&ace of considera&e
usiness# There are ei,ht or ten *u&ic houses and se$era& s!na,o,ues for
2orshi*< and 'an! other co''odious and e&e,ant ui&din,s in the $i&&a,e
2hich is in 3a!ne to2nshi*#
At 3ooster 2e too0 the road to .ansfie&d< 2est fro' 3ooster
thirt!-three 'i&es# )assed throu,h the $i&&a,e of Jefferson< a s'a&& *&ace
in the to2nshi* of )&ain< thence to Reedsorou,h in .ohican to2nshi*< and
enca'*ed a &itt&e after fi$e *# '# on the far' of 3i&&ia' Crothers< in
.ohican< thirteen 'i&es fro' 3ooster< 'a0in, this da! si/teen 'i&es#
The countr! 2est of 3ooster is rather hi&&!< so'e eautifu& f&ats on
the cree0s< thou,h not in so ,ood a state of cu&ti$ation as in 'an! other
*&aces# Crossed A**&ecree0 east of 3ooster< and 1i&&uc0 2est of the to2n<
a ranch of the 3hite 3o'an and .ohican cree0< 2hich fa&& into the sa'e
strea' in Coshocton count!# The roads 2ere so'e2hat etter than et2een
Ne2 )orta,e and 3ooster< thou,h 'ore hi&&!# On the f&ats of .ohican the
road 2as ad< ein, 'udd! and ston!# The countr! 2est of 3ooster is not so
*roducti$e as it is north of that *&ace throu,h 2hich 2e *assed on the
t2e&fth inst#< !et so'e eautifu& fie&ds of ,rain 2ere seen# T2o 2a,ons
fai&ed this da!< Jose*h C# C&ar0+s and Ed2in )# .erria'+s# The first 2as
'ended at 3ooster< the other ro0e do2n =ust at the entrance of the fie&d
in 2hich 2e *itched our tents# "ou,ht four arre&s of f&our< the first
*ro$isions 2e *urchased after the ca'* started# The *eo*&e et2een
1irt&and and 3ooster 2ere ,enera&&! a**rised of our co'in, efore 2e
arri$ed< and 2ere not so 'uch sur*rised to see us as the! 2ere 2est of
that *&ace# After 2e &eft the 'ain road to Co&u'us< as 2e fo&&o2ed a&on,<
the! see'ed astonished and fi&&ed 2ith 2onder and a'a4e'ent at seein, so
&ar,e a od! 'o$in, to,ether< and so'e did not fai& to e/*ress their
fee&in,s 2ith 2ar'th to the rethren as the! *assed a&on,< dec&arin,
a,ainst the -fa&&ac!-< as the! ca&&ed it< of -Jo S'ith+s- *ro*hecies< and
e/*ressin, their *it! for the de&uded e&ie$ers in 'odern re$e&ation# 3e
sa2 this da! the first har$estin, of ,rain of an! 0ind< thou,h 'an! of the
far'ers in 3a!ne count! had done 'ost of their ha!in,#
Saturda!< Ju&! 7@#--Struc0 our tents at se$en a# '# and the fourth
di$ision &eft the enca'*'ent fo&&o2ed ! the third and second< the first
&eft at ei,ht# 3e *assed throu,h Jero'e$i&&e< a s'a&& $i&&a,e situated on
a ranch of the .ohican< thence throu,h the $i&&a,e of Ha!s$i&&e in
%er'i&&ion to2nshi*< count! of Rich&and< and *itched our tents on the far'
of .r# So&o'on "raden< in the to2n of )etersorou,h# The countr! 2e *assed
throu,h this da! is eautifu&&! di$ersified 2ith hi&&s and $a&&e!s# The
ti'ered &ands 2ere co$ered *rinci*a&&! 2ith oa0< the roads ,ood< the
2eather 2ar' and dr!# "rother 3i&&ia' )err! turned o$er his 2a,on and his
2ife and chi&dren 2ere hurt< thou,h not dan,erous&!# A !oun, 2o'an< a
dau,hter of John %an&eu$en< Jun#< ca'e $er! near ein, 0i&&ed ! ha$in, a
2a,on run o$er her< these 2ere the on&! accidents that occurred durin, the
da!# This 2as the first da! since 2e &eft 1irt&and that 2e tra$e&ed
2ithout rea0in, do2n one or 'ore 2a,ons# )itched our tents at t2o *# '#
on a hi&& near the east &ine of )etersur, to2nshi* and 2ashed and
*re*ared for the Saath# In the afternoon a co'*&aint 2as *re*ared ! N#
"# "a&d2in a,ainst Ara' "ond for 'ur'urin, and other unchristian-&i0e
conduct# The Counci&< after hearin, the co'*&aint and the defense<
referred the case to the co'*an! in their o2n tent to sett&e a'on,
the'se&$es# This 2as the second co'*&aint 'ade to the Counci& of an!
conse>uence on the 2a! fro' 1irt&and# Tra$e&ed this da! ten 'i&es#
Sunda!< Ju&! 7G#--The Counci& 'et in the 'ornin, and 'ade so'e
arran,e'ents aout the order of the da!# E&der Josiah "utterfie&d and
Jose*h Youn, 2ere a**ointed to *reside durin, the da!#
At e&e$en o+c&oc0 *u&ic 2orshi* co''enced# .an! of the citi4ens of
the to2n attended< 'ost of 2ho' eha$ed 2e&&< and treated us 2ith res*ect#
E&der Jonathan Dunha' de&i$ered a discourse on the first *rinci*&es of the
5os*e&< fro' .ar0< 7:th cha*ter< fo&&o2ed ! se$era& others of the E&ders#
.artin H# )ec0 ca'e u* and =oined the ca'* aout noon< and Ste*hen
Shu'2a! and Char&es 3ood ca'e u* in the afternoon# John Ha''ond< 2ho 2as
&eft ehind at Ne2 )orta,e in conse>uence of rea0in, his 2a,on< a&so
=oined us a,ain# "en=a'in "utterfie&d< 2ho &eft the ca'* at Ta&'ad,e<
)orta,e count!< found his 2a! into ca'* a,ain in the course of the da!#
.onda!< Ju&! 7:#--Started in our usua& order in the 'ornin,<
tra$e&in, 2est to2ard .ansfie&d< throu,h 2hich 2e *assed in the afternoon
aout four o+c&oc0# )assed throu,h the $i&&a,e of )etersur, t2o 'i&es
fro' our enca'*'ent< then throu,h .iff&ic to2nshi*< three or four 'i&es
east of .ansfie&d# In .adison to2nshi* 2e 2ere 'et ! the sheriff and a
de*ut!< and a .r# Strin,er< 2ho had ta0en out a 2arrant for se$era& of the
rethren for 1irt&and Safet! Societ! 'one!< and too0 Josiah "utterfie&d<
Jonathan Dunha' and Jonathan H# Ha&e for Jose*h Youn,< and co''itted the'
to =ai&# As 2e ca'e to .ansfie&d 2e 2ere honored ! the dischar,e of
arti&&er!< ut as the Lord 2ou&d ha$e it 2e 2ere not en=oined nor 'o&ested
'ore than ! insu&tin, &an,ua,e fro' so'e of the nu'erous cro2d of *ersons
that thron,ed the streets# Fro' .ansfie&d 2e ca'e throu,h Ne2cast&e< In
the to2nshi* of S*rin,fie&d< and enca'*ed on the far' of Frederic0 Casse&
o$er ni,ht# .ansfie&d is a fine $i&&a,e< the count! seat of Rich&and<
situated on a hi&& surrounded ! a ferti&e countr!# Tra$e&ed this da!
si/teen 'i&es#
"en=a'in "utterfie&d &eft the ca'* a,ain efore ni,ht in i&& hu'or
and 2ent off ! hi'se&f#
Tuesda!< Ju&! 7M#--Started at ei,ht in the 'ornin,? *assed throu,h
the $i&&a,e of Ontario in S*rin,fie&d thence throu,h the to2n of Sandus0!
into Jac0son< in Cra2ford count!< and enca'*ed si/ 'i&es east of "uc!rus<
the count! seat of Cra2ford count!# Tra$e&ed si/teen 'i&es#
The countr! 2e *assed throu,h et2een .ansfie&d and "uc!rus is the
hi,hest in the State of Ohio< ein, on the head2aters of the Sciota 2hich
fa&&s into the Ohio< and of the Sandus0! that fa&&s into Erie< the countr!
thou,h hi,h is ,enera&&! &e$e&#
Just at dar0 the rethren 2ho had een co''itted to *rison ca'e u*#
The! 2ere dischar,ed ! the court at 7H o+c&oc0< noon< after 2hich the!
tra$e&ed t2ent!-t2o 'i&es#
The court for Rich&and count! 2as in session and 2ou&d ha$e een
ad=ourned the e$enin, the rethren< Josiah< "utterfie&d Jonathan Dunha'
and Jonathan H# Ha&e< 2ere arrested< had it not een for that occurrence#
Their case 2as ca&&ed on the sa'e e$enin, and ad=ourned ti&& ei,ht o+c&oc0
ne/t 'ornin,# Do'inicus Carter 2ent ac0 fro' our ca'* and staid 2ith the'
ti&& the! 2ere &ierated# 3e 2ere a&& ,&ad and than0ed the Lord for their
de&i$erance out of the hands of our ene'ies#
3ednesda!< Ju&! 78#--The Counci& 'et in the 'ornin, and ca&&ed
to,ether the o$erseers of tents and ,a$e the' so'e instructions concernin,
their dut! in *residin, o$er their tents< and Do'inicus Carter 2as
a**ointed co''issar! of the ca'*< and Aaron .# Yor0 chosen o$erseer of
tent No# 9< third di$ision< in his *&ace? and the tent re'o$ed to No# G<
first di$ision# Aout ei,ht the ca'* started< *assed throu,h "en=a'in and
too0 the road to u**er Sandus0!< and sto**ed at one *# '# on the ed,e of a
*rairie to rest# For the first ti'e 2e had the *ri$i&e,e of enca'*in,
2ithout *a!# The road in the afternoon in so'e *&aces 2as rather ad in
the ,ro$es et2een the o*enin,s of the ,rand *rairie< the ed,e of 2hich
ordered on the ri,ht of our road fro' our enca'*'ent east of "uc!rus ti&&
2e enca'*ed at ni,ht in the to2n of 5rand )rairie< count! of .arion< on
the &ine et2een that count! and Cra2ford< ten 'i&es south2est fro'
"uc!rus# )assed throu,h the to2nshi* of Antri'< in Cra2ford count!< in the
afternoon# Tra$e&ed this da! si/teen 'i&es# As 2e *assed throu,h "uc!rus
the *eo*&e see'ed 'uch a,itated and 'ade 'an! re'ar0s concernin, us# One
'an said he had recei$ed a &iera& education and had *re*ared hi'se&f for
the 'inistr!< ut it no2 a$ai&ed hi' nothin,# The 'o$e'ents of the
-.or'ons- 2ere actions and not 2ords< and &oo0ed 'ore &i0e &o$e and &i0e
the s*irit of union than an!thin, that had co'e under his oser$ation#
Thursda!< Ju&! 7N#--The second< third and fourth di$isions started
aout ei,ht o+c&oc0< the first sta!ed on the ,round< so'e of the' unti&
afternoon< to re*air 2a,ons# Tra$e&ed throu,h a *rairie countr! to Litt&e
Sandus0!< a &itt&e north of 2est fro' the *&ace of our enca'*'ent on the
ni,ht of the ei,hteenth# Then turned 2est and *itched our tents on the
2est side of the *rairie< aout a 'i&e and a ha&f fro' the $i&&a,e of
Sandus0!# Tra$e&ed this da! se$en and one-ha&f 'i&es# No *articu&ar
occurrence throu,h the da! 2orth! of notice# Enca'*ed for the first ti'e
in a strai,ht &ine< and ein, on a *rairie the tents and 2a,ons *resented
a eautifu& *icture to a distant eho&der< and cou&d not fai& to rin, to
the 'ind of an!one fa'i&iar 2ith the histor! of the =ourne!in,s of Israe&
fro' E,!*t< the *ro*hec! of "a&aa'< concernin, Israe&+s *ros*erit!< and
his *athetic e/c&a'ation< 2hen he ehe&d the' aidin, in their tents fro'
the to* of )eor( -Ho2 ,ood&! are th! tents< O Jaco< and th! taernac&es<
O Israe&K As the $a&&e!s< as the! s*read forth< as ,ardens ! the ri$er
side< as the trees of &i,na&oes 2hich the Lord hath *&anted< and as cedar
trees eside the 2aters#-
Frida!< Ju&! HD#--The Counci& 'et in the 'ornin, to attend to another
co'*&aint *referred ! E# "# 5a!&ord< su*erintendent of the fourth
di$ision< a,ainst Ara' "ond for 'ur'urin, and co'*&ainin,< and for
*ersona& ause# E&der ;era )u&si*her< 2ho *resided< ,a$e hi' a se$ere
re*ri'and for his conduct in ,enera& on the =ourne! and for ausin, others
2ithout an! *ro$ocation< and he 2as infor'ed that he 2ou&d e &eft ! the
2a!side if he did not refor'< and eha$e 'ore &i0e a 'an of 5od than he
had of &ate< or for a fe2 da!s *ast# So'e other usiness re&ati$e to our
circu'stances and situation in =ourne!in, 2as ta&0ed o$er and the Counci&
unani'ous&! decided that the ca'* shou&d e ca&&ed to,ether efore 2e
started and so'e instructions ,i$en to the' concernin, their duties< and
a&so to re*ri'and so'e for indu&,in, the'se&$es in co$etousness and
'ur'urin, a,ainst the Counci&< and a&so others of the ca'* 2ho he&d
i'*ortant stations as ca*tains of di$isions or o$erseers of tents#
The ca'* 2as accordin,&! ca&&ed to,ether and such instructions ,i$en
the' as the S*irit of the Lord dictated< ! E&ders )u&si*her< Youn,<
"utterfie&d< Foster and Harri'an< 2hich had the desired effect in
restorin, ,ood order and the s*irit of union in the ca'*#
On 'otion of Sa'ue& )ar0er it 2as unani'ous&! reso&$ed that the
Counci&ors shou&d e e/cused fro' standin, on ,uard durin, the =ourne!
that the! 'i,ht ha$e 'ore ti'e to counse& to,ether and to attend to those
duties 2hich necessari&! de$o&$ed u*on the' as Counci&ors of the ca'*#
Ja'es A# C&ar0< Jared )orter and Danie& "&iss 2ere a**ointed to assist the
herds'an in ta0in, care of the herds< as it 2as found too arduous for one#
The ca'* started aout nine and tra$e&ed 2est2ard&! t2o 'i&es to
"o2sher$i&&e< 2hich is one hundred and fort!-three 'i&es fro' Detroit?
thence four 'i&es in the sa'e direction< and then turned south and ca'e
throu,h the $i&&a,e of "ur&in,ton< situated on Ta!'oc0t! cree0< a ranch
of the Sandus0!< and *itched our tents in the hi,h2a! near a schoo&house<
aout one-ha&f 'i&e fro' "ur&in,ton< in the to2nshi* of 5rand< .arion
count!< et2een three and four o+c&oc0 *# '#
A hea$! sho2er of rain feI& soon after 2e enca'*ed and it continued
to rain 'ost of the ni,ht# .ost of the co'*an! ,ot thorou,h&! 2et#
Distance this da! nine and one-ha&f 'i&es#
Saturda!< Ju&! H7#--Started aout ei,ht a# '#? tra$e&ed south2ester&!
throu,h the to2nshi* of 5oshen< Hardin count! to the Sciota ri$er< in the
to2nshi* of Dud&e!< 2here 2e sto**ed to refresh ourse&$es and tea's< at
Jud,e 3hee&er+s# Fro' thence 2e ca'e to .r# "os'an+s< in to2nshi* of
Jac0son< 2here 2e enca'*ed in the hi,h2a!< se$en 'i&es fro' Sciota< 'a0in,
in a&& si/teen 'i&es# It 2as >uite coo& and co'forta&e tra$e&in,< ut the
road 2as e/tre'e&! ad< ein, in so'e *&aces a&'ost i'*assa&e< ut the
Lord attended us and His &essin,s 2ere 'u&ti*&ied u*on us so that no
accident of an! account ha**ened to us durin, the da!# Ne2e& 1# 1ni,ht
ro0e an a/&e-tree out of his 2a,on 2hich 2as 'ended in a short ti'e#
Sunda!< Ju&! HH#--On account of fora,e 2e 2ere under the necessit! of
tra$e&in, aout fi$e 'i&es throu,h Rush cree0< and *itched our tents on a
rise of ,round< ! the 2a!side< on the far' of .r# )artia&< inn-0ee*er in
the to2n of Rush Cree0< Lo,an count!< and he&d *u&ic 'eetin, at fi$e *#
'# Attended to offerin, our sacra'ents to the .ost Hi,h< rea0in, read
for the first ti'e on our =ourne!# The first t2o Saaths after 2e started
on our =ourne! 2e 2ere so circu'stanced and thron,ed 2ith $isitors that 2e
o'itted attendin, to the ordinance of the Lord+s Su**er# At our 'eetin, in
the afternoon the Lord &essed us ! the out*ourin, of His S*irit< our
hearts 2ere co'forted and 'ost of the ca'* fe&t than0fu& for the &essin,s
conferred u*on us ! our hea$en&! Father< thus far on the =ourne! to the
&and of ;ion#
As 2e *assed a&on, the road in the 'ornin,< 'o&estin, no one< so'e of
the co'*an! 2ere sa&uted in 'odern st!&e ! ha$in, e,,s thro2n at the' !
so'e ruffians fro' their d2e&&in,s near the road< ut on seein, so'e of
our co'*an! sto*< the! desisted fro' their course fearin, the conse>uences
fro' a**earances< and e$en sho2ed three or four a!onets< inti'atin, that
the! 2ou&d defend the'se&$es in case of assau&t# No one< ho2e$er< intended
doin, an! har' to the'< and on&! 2ished the' to understand that 2e noticed
their intrusion u*on our *ri$i&e,es as citi4ens to tra$e& the hi,h road
un'o&ested# So'eti'e in the ni,ht a &u'inous od! aout the si4e of a
cannon a&& ca'e do2n fro' o$er the enca'*'ent near the ,round then
2hir&ed round so'e fort! or fift! ti'es and 'o$ed off in a hori4onta&
direction< soon *assin, out of si,ht#
.onda!< Ju&! H9#--The ca'* e,an to 'o$e at a >uarter *ast se$en a#
'#< and ca'e throu,h the $i&&a,e of Rushs!&$ania< 2here 2e 2ere threatened
efore our arri$a& 2ith *rosecution for -1irt&and "an0 .one!<- si,ned !
F# 5# 3i&&ia's< *resident< and 3arren )arrish< cashier# So'e of the
co'*an! *assed on fro' our enca'*'ent in the 'ornin, to find out 2hat 2as
intended a,ainst us< ut no *erson 'ade an! atte'*t to sto* an! one< and
2e *assed on in safet!# Fro' Rushs!&$ania 2e ca'e throu,h the $i&&a,e of
"e&&efontaine< the count! seat of Lo,an count!? t2e&$e 'i&es thence to
.c1ee+s cree0< a ranch of the .ia'i< in the to2nshi* of Union< and ca'*ed
at the side of the cree0 at se$en o+c&oc0# Tra$e&ed this da! si/teen
'i&es#
On the road near "e&&efontaine one of the sons of .artin H# )ec0< had
a 2a,on 2hee& run o$er his &e,< ut as the Lord 2ou&d ha$e it< and to the
astonish'ent of a&&--considerin, the 2ei,ht of the &oad on the 2a,on--he
recei$ed no *articu&ar in=ur!< a&thou,h the 2hee& ran o$er the o!+s &e,
on a hard road 2ithout an! ostruction 2hate$er# The 2hee& 'ade a dee* cut
in the &i'< ut after hands 2ere &aid on hi' in the na'e of the Lord< the
o! 2as a&e to 2a&0 considera&e in the course of the afternoon# This 2as
one< ut not the first< of the 2onderfu& 'anifestations of 5od+s *o2er
unto us on the =ourne!#
After 2e &eft "uc!rus hi&& 2e ca'e to "e&&efontaine< the road 2as in
'an! *&aces $er! ad< es*ecia&&! in the ac02oods# In .arion and Hardin
counties *ro$isions 2ere scarce and cou&d not e otained< conse>uent&! 2e
2ere o&i,ed to do 2ith 2hat 2e had? and here 2as another 'anifestation of
the *o2er of Jeho$ah< for se$en and a ha&f ushe&s of corn sufficed for
the 2ho&e ca'*< consistin, of si/ hundred and t2ent! sou&s< for the s*ace
of three da!s< and none &ac0ed for food< thou,h so'e co'*&ained and
'ur'ured ecause the! did not ha$e that to eat 2hich their sou&s &usted
after#
Tuesda!< Ju&! H@#--3e &a! in our enca'*'ent at .c1ee+s cree0 throu,h
the da! to 2ash our c&othes and refresh our tea's< as the! 2ere $er! 'uch
fati,ued ! tra$e&in, for se$era& da!s on a rou,h and 'udd! road# 3e too0
t2o =os< one of cho**in, cord 2ood< and one of shoe'a0in,< and earned
aout t2ent! do&&ars< esides 'endin, and re*airin, se$era& 2a,ons and
*uttin, thin,s in order in the ca'*#
3ednesda!< Ju&! HG#--Started on our =ourne! and ca'e throu,h 3est
Liert!< situated on .ad ri$er< thence into the to2nshi* of Sa&e'<
Cha'*ai,n count!< and enca'*ed aout t2o 'i&es north of Terana on the
far' of Jose*h %ance< 5o$ernor of the state of Ohio# The enca'*'ent 2as
for'ed near his residence< at si/ o+c&oc0< ha$in, tra$e&ed t2e&$e 'i&es
this da!# The countr! in the $a&&e! of .ad ri$er is &e$e& and eautifu&
and $er! ferti&e# 3e sa2 e/tensi$e fie&ds of 2heat on each side of the
2a!< 'ost&! rea*ed< and cro*s of a&& 0inds 2ere far etter than an! 2e had
seen e&se2here on our =ourne!#
In the e$enin, the ca'* 2as ca&&ed to,ether ! the Counci&< and so'e
of the' se$ere&! re*ri'anded in ,enera& ter's for their unchristian-&i0e
conduct< and 'uch instruction ,i$en concernin, our duties to 5od< and a
one another< in order to 'o$e on our =ourne! in ri,hteousness< that 2e
'i,ht otain the fa$or of the Lord< and ha$e His &essin,s attend us fro'
da! to da!#
After the asse'&! 2as dis'issed< the Counci& returned and &istened
to a co'*&aint *resented ! "# S# 3i&ur a,ainst Ste*hen Star0s< for so'e
unchristian-&i0e conduct durin, the da!# The trou&e 2as a'ica&! sett&ed
to the satisfaction of a&& concerned# The Counci& ad=ourned< after
transactin, so'e other usiness< at e&e$en o+c&oc0 *# '# Fro' 1irt&and to
our enca'*'ent in Sa&e'< is t2o hundred and fifteen 'i&es#
Thursda!< Ju&! H:#--Ca'* e,an to 'o$e at ei,ht o+c&oc0? the first
di$ision< ho2e$er< did not &ea$e the ,rounds unti& after e&e$en# Se$era&
of the rethren 2ent out to &aor oth !esterda! and toda!< in order to
*rocure 'eans to further us on our =ourne!< and the! did not co'e u* 2ith
us at ni,ht# 3e tra$e&ed south throu,h the $i&&a,e of Urana< the count!
seat of Cha'*ai,n count!? thence into the to2nshi* of .one!fie&d< C&ar0
count!< and ca'*ed on the far' of .r# A# "rene'an< four and one ha&f 'i&es
off the Nationa& road at S*rin,fie&d# Tra$e&ed t2e&$e 'i&es< *&us t2o
hundred and fifteen 'i&es fro' 1irt&and< e>ua&s t2o hundred and
t2ent!-se$en 'i&es#
The ca'* 2as ca&&ed to,ether in the e$enin, and a ti'e&! &ecture 2as
,i$en ! E&der )u&si*her< on our situation< and a&& 2ere e/horted to e
united in heart and hand in order to =oin to,ether# The S*irit of the Lord
2as 'anifested and 2e returned to our tents fee&in, than0fu& for the
&essin,s of the Lord u*on us#
Frida!< Ju&! HM#--Continued our =ourne! to S*rin,fie&d on the
Nationa& road< one hundred and se$ent!-one 'i&es fro' 3hee&in,< in
%ir,inia# Crossed "uc0 cree0< a ranch of .ad ri$er =ust efore enterin,
the $i&&a,e on the north# S*rin,fie&d is a &ar,e and eautifu& $i&&a,e<
the count! seat of C&ar0 count!< containin, aout three thousand
inhaitants# There are 'an! e&e,ant ui&din,s of ric0< and it see's to e
a *&ace of considera&e trade#
A &itt&e 2est of S*rin,fie&d 2e &eft the Nationa& road and too0 the
road to Da!ton< distance fro' S*rin,fie&d t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es< and *assed
throu,h the to2nshi* of .ad ri$er< and a s'a&& $i&&a,e ca&&ed 3ashin,ton
in the sa'e to2nshi*< and *itched our tents =ust at dar0 in a ,ro$e near
Leno/< in .ad ri$er to2nshi*# The da! 2as e/cessi$e&! 2ar' and the road
dust!< ut 2e a&& arri$ed safe&! at our enca'*'ent in the e$enin,< e/ce*t
so'e of those 2ho sto**ed to &aor# .an! of the *eo*&e a&& a&on, the road
see'ed >uite astonished to see so 'an! in the co'*an!# So'e =ud,in, there
2ere three hundred tea's< and 'ade so'e curious re'ar0s concernin, us and
-Jo S'ith?- and one 'an threatened to shoot E&der Dunha' if he did not
i''ediate&! &ea$e his *re'ises 2hen he ca&&ed to *rocure fora,e for our
tea's at noon# After 2e enca'*ed a sta,e 2ent ! and the *assen,ers
eha$ed as the! *assed us 'ore &i0e the sa$a,es of the 2est than an!thin,
2e ha$e seen since the co''ence'ent of our =ourne!# Distance tra$e&ed
toda!< fifteen 'i&es# J# D# )ar0er< 2ho had &eft 1irt&and so'e ti'e after
2e did< o$ertoo0 us at our enca'*'ent this e$enin, and staid 2ith us ti&&
.onda! 'ornin,#
Saturda!< Ju&! H8#--3e re'o$ed fro' .ad ri$er to2nshi* and ca'e to
Fairfie&d< three 'i&es< thence to "ath to2nshi* and enca'*ed aout noon
ha&f a 'i&e fro' the road on the an0s of .ad ri$er in 5reen count!< fi$e
and one ha&f 'i&es fro' Da!ton# Distance this da! nine 'i&es# Distance
fro' 1irt&and< t2o hundred and fift!-one 'i&es#
Sunda!< Ju&! HN#--3e he&d a *u&ic 'eetin, in a ,ro$e on a far' of
.r# Hou,h'an< aout one fourth of a 'i&e fro' our enca'*'ent< at e&e$en
o+c&oc0< E&der ;era )u&si*her *reached#
In the afternoon 2e had a sacra'ent 'eetin, on the ca'* ,rounds#
E&der Duncan .cArthur< after the ad'inistration of the Lord+s Su**er< ore
testi'on! of the truth of the re$e&ations of the Lord in these &ast da!s
to the nu'erous s*ectators 2ho 2ere *resent< and in a rief 2a! 'ade 0no2n
unto the' so'e of those thin,s that the Lord 2as doin, in the earth? and
others that 2ou&d short&! co'e to *ass a'on, the inhaitants thereof# The
S*irit of 5od attended his testi'on! and 2e had a =o!fu& 'eetin,#
The Counci& 'et in the 'ornin, to re,u&ate so'e thin,s re&ati$e to
the duties of the da!< and ad=ourned ti&& fi$e *# '# At that ti'e the! 'et
a,ain and too0 into consideration the case of Ara' "ond and unani'ous&!
reso&$ed that for his 'ur'urin, and not ,i$in, heed to the re,u&ations of
the ca'*< he shou&d e disfe&&o2shi*ed ! the ca'* and &eft to the care of
hi'se&f< 2hich decision 2as 'ade 0no2n unto hi' and a**roated ! those
2ho 2ere *resent at the ti'e# He accordin,&! &eft the ca'* the ne/t da!#
3arren S'ith< 2ho &eft 1irt&and aout the first of June< ca'e into the
ca'* 2ith his fa'i&! and =oined us# 3i&&ia' 5ri&e--2hose 2ife
acco'*anied us fro' 1irt&and --a&so =oined the ca'* this da!# 3e found
'an! of the Saints fro' 1irt&and and other *&aces< and E&der John E# )a,e<
2ith a *art of his co'*an! that started fro' Oa0 )oint< in St# La2rence
count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2hither the! had f&ed in the course of the *ast 2inter<
fro' the co''otions and ru'ors of 2ar in Canada# The! 2ere scattered
a&on, the road fro' S*rin,fie&d to Da!ton< so'e of the' &aorin, for 'eans
to *rosecute their =ourne! and so'e had sto**ed to recruit their tea's as
2e&& as their *urses< that the! 'i,ht continue their =ourne! after the
2ar' season had *assed# .an! of the' ca'e to $isit us and 2ere recei$ed
2ith fee&in,s of ,ratitude for the ,oodness of our hea$en&! Father for the
*reser$ation of our &i$es and for the *ri$i&e,e of 'eetin, each other in
this &and of stran,ers#
The 2eather has een e/tre'e&! hot and dr! in the &and< and in the
south2estern *art of the state of Ohio< for 'an! 2ee0s( and rain 2as 'uch
needed< and su**&ication 2as 'ade to the 5od of Israe& for rain on the
&and in this re,ion of countr!< at the 'eetin, in the forenoon< and at the
c&ose of the ser$ice in the after*art of the da!# E&der Dunha' and E&der
Char&es Tho'*son each he&d a 'eetin, in the afternoon< aout t2o 'i&es
fro' ca'*#
.onda!< Ju&! 9D#--3e re'ained in our enca'*'ent durin, the da! and
2ere $isited ! se$era& ,ent&e'en< and 2ere so&icited to tarr! in this
*&ace for a season and ta0e a =o on the S*rin,fie&d and Da!ton turn*i0e#
So'e of the rethren 2ent out to 'a0e 2hat disco$eries the! cou&d re&ati$e
to &aor< and *art&! en,a,ed so'e s'a&& =os on condition that 2e tarried
here for a fe2 da!s# In the afternoon and e$enin, it rained on each side
of us< that is< to the north and to the south< and at no ,reat distance
fro' us >uite hard< to a&& a**earances? and 2e a&so had a s'a&& sho2er in
the afternoon< thou,h not enou,h to 2ater the earth sufficient&!< !et it
coo&ed the air and ,reat&! re$i$ed oth the ani'a& and $e,eta&e 0in,do's<
for 2hich 2e than0 that
"ein, that ru&es the ar'ies of hea$en and the inhaitants of the
earth< and sendeth rain oth u*on the =ust and u*on the un=ust#
E&der John E# )a,e< 2ho *reached aout one 'i&e fro' us in the
e$enin,< tarried 2ith us o$er ni,ht and &eft us in the 'ornin, to ,o to
his fa'i&! at Fairfie&d< fi$e 'i&es and one ha&f distant< 2here the! had
resided for a fe2 2ee0s since the Canada ca'* EJohn E# )a,e+s co'*an!F had
sto**ed#
Tuesda!< Ju&! 97#--A *art of our co'*an! 2ent off to 2or0 on a =o of
raisin, a &e$ee for .r# Hush'an< and so'e one 2a! and so'e another to
&aor durin, the da!# In the 'ornin, a&& the 'en in the ca'* 2ere ca&&ed
out and 2ere 'ade ac>uainted 2ith our *ecuniar! circu'stances< and an
in>uir! 'ade 2ho< if an! 2ished to &ea$e the ca'* and &oo0 out for
the'se&$es# One 'an< "rother Asa 3ri,ht< said that his 2ife had a&2a!s
een o**osed to ,oin, in the ca'*< and that he had to&d so'e of the
rethren in the ca'* that in conse>uence of that and so'e other thin,s it
2as his choice to &ea$e# E&der Ste*hen Head&oc0 a&so co'*&ained of the
'ur'urin, of so'e of the ca'*< and said that he had rather &ea$e the
ca'*--thou,h he desired 2ith a&& his heart to ,o in it u* to the &and of
;ion--than to hear so 'uch co'*&ainin, as he had for a fe2 da!s *ast< and
had free&! e/*ressed his 'ind efore to that effect to so'e of the
rethren#
He 2as re*ri'anded ! E&der )u&si*her for his o2n ne,&ect of dut! and
to&d to set his o2n tent in order< and then if he 0ne2 of an! infrin,e'ent
on the ru&es of the ca'* ! others< to tr!< as the &a2 of 5od re>uired< to
rec&ai' the offenders and restore the' to order that the &essin,s of 5od
'i,ht e *oured out u*on the ca'* durin, the &on, and tedious =ourne!
2hich sti&& &a! efore it# A $ote 2as ta0en to see ho2 'an! 2ere desirous
of sto**in, and &aorin,< if the Counci& thou,ht ad$isa&e to do so# So'e
further in>uiries 2ere 'ade concernin, the conditions that had een or
'i,ht e offered to the ca'* to 'a0e a *iece of turn *i0e road or do an!
other 2or0 that 'i,ht e otained ! the Counci&< and under their
su*erintendenc!< 2hen a&&< 2ith a fe2 e/ce*tions<--and the! 2ere *ersons
una&e to &aor-- $oted to aide ! the ad$ice of the Counci&< and 2ou&d
sta! or ,o< as the! shou&d ad$ise or direct#
E&der John E# )a,e 'ade a short s*eech< e/hortin, a&& to fu&fi&&
their co$enants< &et 2hat 2ou&d co'e< &ife or death< inas'uch as the! 2ere
in ri,hteousness efore 5od< and said that a&& our deeds 2ou&d e had in
re'e'rance? that 2e 2ou&d e re2arded for the'< 2hether ,ood or e$i&<
oth in ti'e and in eternit!? and further oser$ed that the =ourne!in, of
the Saints to ;ion in oedience to the co''and'ents of the Lord afforded
an o**ortunit! for the' to eco'e 2hat the! desired? either to e as ,reat
and as no&e as the! cou&d or to sin0 into oscurit! in the e!es of 5od
and His Saints and e the &east in this &ast 0in,do' 2hich 5od has set His
hand to ui&d u* u*on the earth# After 'a0in, 'an! a**ro*riate re'ar0s he
i'*&ored the &essin,s of hea$en u*on us< 2hich 2as res*onded to ! a
heart! a'en< and then a&& dis*ersed to attend to the duties of the da!#
In the course of the da! 2e too0 a =o of 'a0in, ha&f a 'i&e of
turn*i0e< and re'o$ed our enca'*'ent into a eautifu& ,ro$e near the ed,e
of a *rairie aout one-fourth of a 'i&e< and aout the sa'e distance fro'
.ad ri$er# Here 2e e,an to 'a0e *re*arations to co''ence 2or0< ut 'ade
&itt&e *ro,ress< for 'ost of the &aorin, 'en 2ere asent< and 2e did not
,et our tents *itched ti&& near&! ni,ht#
3ednesda!< Au,ust 7#--"e,an at an ear&! hour to 'a0e arran,e'ents to
co''ence our =o# Sent off *art of the 'en to finish the &e$ee and so'e to
ui&d a fence around our ca'*< and aout t2e&$e o+c&oc0 'ade a e,innin,
on the road# A fe2 sic0 in the ca'* this da!< ut 'ost of us 2ere in ,ood
hea&th and satisfied 2ith our situation#
Thursda!< Au,ust H#--%er! 2ar' and dr! as it had een for 'an! da!s<
2ith the e/ce*tion of the sho2ers on .onda! e$enin,#
)ro,ressed 2ith our &aors on the road rather s&o2&!< for 2e 2ere not
in condition to 2or0 to ,ood ad$anta,e< as 2e had not too&s enou,h< and
had een on our =ourne! so &on, that it 2as rather fati,uin, to &aor hard
in the co''ence'ent# So'e sic0ness in the ca'*< ut no 'ore than 2ou&d e
e/*ected< o2in, to our chan,e of c&i'ate< and the e/tre'e heat and drouth
in the &and#
Frida!< Au,ust 9#--.ade ,reat *ro,ress in the turn*i0e< and the
des*ondin, s*irits of so'e e,an to re$i$e< for &aorin, had &oo0ed to
so'e to e rather a hard 2a! to *rocure 'eans to *rosecute our =ourne!<
thou,h ut fe2 co'*&ained# So'e ne2 cases of sic0ness< ut 'an! of those
2ho 2ere un2e&& the da! efore 2ere reco$erin, fast# The 'en and o!s in
ca'* 2ere ca&&ed to,ether in the e$enin, and instructed ! the Counci& as
the S*irit of the Lord 'anifested unto the' concernin, c&ean&iness and
decenc! and the i'*ortance of ein, industrious in &aorin, 2ith their
hands to *rocure 'eans to ,o on our 2a!# The co$enant to *ut our stren,th<
our *ro*erties and 'onies to,ether for the *ur*ose of ,oin, to,ether in
the ca'* to ;ion< and of de&i$erin, the *oor fro' their *o$ert! and
o**ression in the &and of 1irt&and 2as ad$erted to ! E&ders )u&si*her and
Foster< and a&& e/horted and entreated to ,i$e heed to it if the! 2ished
to en=o! the &essin,s of the Lord#
The Counci& at a 'eetin, he&d in the afternoon had ta0en into
consideration the *ro*riet! of a**ointin, three 'en to sit as counci&ors
or =ud,es I0no2n as an Assistant Counci&< see *# 7H8J to sett&e 'atters
and difficu&ties et2een rethren< that the Counci& 'i,ht e re&ie$ed in
so'e 'easure fro' the arduous duties of sett&in, contro$ersies and ha$e
'ore ti'e to de$ote to other thin,s that de$o&$ed u*on the' as )residents
of the ca'*# Duncan .cArthur< 5ordon Sno2 and 5eor,e Strin,ha' 2ere
no'inated< and the su=ect 2as &aid efore the 'eetin, in the e$enin, to
recei$e the unani'ous a**roation of a&& *resent# The 'an! &essin,s
conferred on us ! our Hea$en&! Father since He first 'ade 0no2n His 2i&&
unto the Counci& of Se$enties< that it 2as His 2i&& that the Se$enties
shou&d ,o to ;ion in a ca'* to,ether< 2ere reca*itu&ated and our hearts
2ere 'ade ,&ad and 2e re=oiced in the Roc0 of our sa&$ation 2hose 'ercies
had een e/tended unto us< not2ithstandin, our 'ur'urin,s a,ainst Hi' and
s&o2ness of heart to e&ie$e His 2ords< and the 'an! *ro'ises 2hich He had
'ade unto us# At the c&ose of the 'eetin, our united *ra!ers ascended to
5od in the na'e of His Son< Jesus Christ< for the reco$er! of E&der Jaco
Cha*'an+s fa'i&! 2ho resided near the cit! of Da!ton< and had sent unto us
for so'e of the E&ders to ,o and &a! hands on the' in the na'e of the
Lord< as the! 2ere sore&! aff&icted 2ith disease< and for the reco$er! of
the sic0 in our o2n ca'*< and that the destro!er 'i,ht cease to 'a0e
inroads a'on, us#
Saturda!< Au,ust @#--Our circu'stances aout the sa'e as on the da!
*re$ious# A hea$! sho2er to2ards e$enin, coo&ed the air and ,reat&!
re$i$ed the $e,etation 2hich 2as sufferin, for 2ant of rain in the countr!
round aout# In the e$enin, the ca'* 2as ca&&ed to,ether a,ain and the
na'es of those 2ho had asented the'se&$es fro' &aor 2ere read o$er and
those 2ho had no e/cuse for their asence 2ere se$ere&! re*ri'anded< and
the o$erseers of tents instructed ! the Counci& to 2ithho&d the usua&
rations a&&otted fro' such indi$idua&s as cou&d ut 2ou&d not &aor< that
the id&er shou&d not eat the read of the &aorer< accordin, to the
co''and'ents of the Lord#--Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /&ii#
CHA)TER 6#
THE JOURNEY OF 1IRTLAND CA.)# ECONTINUEDF#
Sunda!< Au,ust G#--One 'onth had *assed a2a! since the ca'* 2as
or,ani4ed and 2e 2ere a&& *resent in the ca'* 2ith fe2 e/ce*tions# E&der
Jose*h Youn, *reached fro' Acts /$i< and 9Dth $erse< on the *rinci*&es of
sa&$ation throu,h the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ# A res*ecta&e con,re,ation
of stran,ers asse'&ed 2ith us and ,a$e the est attention to 2hat 2as
dec&ared unto the'# The sacra'ent of the Lord+s su**er 2as ad'inistered in
the afternoon ! E&ders Foster and 3i&ur and the ser$ices of the da! 2ere
c&osed ! sin,in, and i'*&orin, the &essin,s of 5od u*on us and u*on the
Saints of the .ost Hi,h in e$er! &and< and for the triu'*h of Christ+s
0in,do' on the earth# The Counci& 'et after the *u&ic ser$ices of the da!
2ere ended< to transact so'e usiness of the ca'* 2hich see'ed to e
necessar!? and after that 2as dis*osed of E&der ;era )u&si*her su,,ested
the *ro*riet! of ordainin, 5eor,e Strin,ha' to the office of an E&der< and
said that the S*irit had orne 2itness to hi' for so'e ti'e that it 2as
the 2i&& of the Lord that he shou&d e ordained to that office# The
su=ect 2as ta0en into consideration and the Counci& decided that he
shou&d e ordained if it 2as con,enia& to his o2n fee&in,s# On ein,
interro,ated he said that he 2as 2i&&in, to e ordained and 2ou&d do
an!thin, the Lord re>uired of hi' for the ui&din, u* of His 0in,do' on
the earth# E&der Ja'es Foster 2ith so'e others then *roceeded to ordain
hi' accordin, to the ru&es of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< an E&der in
said Church# The Counci& then ad=ourned#
.onda!< Au,ust :#--So'e co'*&ainin, in the ca'* and so'e sic0<
*rinci*a&&! chi&dren and a,ed *ersons# 3e *ro,ressed fine&! in our &aors
on the road< and a ,reater interest see'ed to e 'anifested for the
2e&fare of the 2ho&e od! than had een since the ca'* sto**ed# John
Ha''ond &ost one of his horses in the ni,ht< the first one that had died
durin, our =ourne!#
Tuesda!< Au,ust M#--No occurrence 2orth! of note durin, the da!# The
destro!er continued to aff&ict us 2ith sic0ness as a od!< and 'an! of the
'en 2ere una&e to &aor# In the e$enin, the &aorers 2ere ca&&ed to,ether
and so'e instructions 2ere ,i$en to the' concernin, our &aors and the
necessit! of di&i,ence i'*ressed u*on those 2ho 'anifested an indifference
to the ,enera& interest of the 2ho&e ca'*#
3ednesda!< Au,ust 8#--This 'ornin, found another of our horses dead<
one that had een ou,ht for the enefit of the ca'*< and efore noon 2e
had to 0i&& another that had his &e, ro0en# It e&on,ed to John .atthe2s
2ho had &eft the ca'* a fe2 da!s efore 2ithout the consent of the
Counci&# Sic0ness sti&& *re$ai&ed a'on, us thou,h the &aorin, 'en 2ere in
etter hea&th than usua& and the s*irit of &o$e and union 2as 'anifested
! 'ost of the ca'* and a&& that 2ere a&e &aored cheerfu&&! 2ithout a
'ur'ur durin, the da!# In the e$enin, a chi&d of Hira' H# "!in,ton died<
2hich 2as the second ti'e death had entered our ca'* on the road fro'
1irt&and to this *&ace#
Thursda!< Au,ust N#--"rother "!in,ton+s chi&d 2as uried at t2e&$e
o+c&oc0# So'e sic0ness in the ca'* this da!< ut not >uite so 'uch as
there has een for a fe2 da!s *ast# A &itt&e sho2er aout noon coo&ed the
air thou,h enou,h did not fa&& to 2ater the earth 2hich 2as sufferin, fro'
2ant of rain and had een for so'e ti'e< inso'uch that the sho2er that
fe&& on the @th instant did not suffice to 2ater it enou,h to restore
$e,etation to its natura& state< and the cro*s of corn and other ,rains
2ere sufferin, a&'ost e!ond descri*tion in the re,ion of countr! round
aout#
Frida!< Au,ust 7D#--The 2eather continued e/tre'e&! hot and dr!#
E&der Ja'es Foster too0 his tent in co'*an! 2ith J# S# Ho&'an< S# Shu'2a!
of the 9rd di$ision and Joe& Har$e! of the @th< 2ith the in'ates of their
tents and 2ent to 2or0 on a =o of ui&din, a &e$ee for .r# Hush'an aout
t2o 'i&es fro' the ca'*< 2here E# "# 5a!&ord of the @th di$ision had 'o$ed
his tent a fe2 da!s efore< and 2as di,,in, a ditch for the sa'e
indi$idua&# In the e$enin, a dau,hter of Tho'as Carico< a,ed one !ear and
fi$e 'onths< died< and 2as uried the ne/t da!#
Saturda!< Au,ust 77#--One or t2o sho2ers of rain coo&ed the air and
re$i$ed the &an,uid and droo*in, s*irits of those in the ca'*< and
s!'*to's of etter hea&th 2ere $isi&e on the countenances of the
aff&icted# In the fore *art of the ni,ht Sarah E'i&!< dau,hter of
Do'inicus Carter< a,ed aout t2o !ears and three 'onths< died< ein, the
fourth one the destro!er too0 fro' our 'idst#
Sunda!< Au,ust 7H#--E&der )u&si*her *reached in the forenoon to a
&ar,e con,re,ation of stran,ers 'ost of 2ho' ,a$e the est attention# At
t2o *# '# the funera& of E&der Carter+s chi&d 2as attended< and at four
E&der John E# )a,e< 2ho had een in$ited< *reached a ser'on on the
,atherin, of Israe& and the &ocation of .ount ;ion< after 2hich the
Counci& 'et to re,u&ate and set in order so'e thin,s that see'ed to e
necessar! in the ca'*< in order to *reser$e har'on! and union a'on, us#
E&der Char&es Tho'*son 2as ca&&ed in >uestion for so'ethin, he had tau,ht
concernin, the order of 'o$in, of the ca'*# After ein, sho2n the
i'*ro*riet! of his conduct< and the fa&&ac! of so'e of his $ie2s and the
effect the *ro'u&,atin, of the' had and 2ou&d ha$e in the ca'*< he 'ade
a'*&e retraction efore the Counci&< and efore the ca'* 2hich 2as ca&&ed
to,ether for that *ur*ose in the e$enin,#
Se$era& rethren fro' E&der )a,e+s ca'* and others that resided in
this re,ion of countr! s*ent the Saath 2ith us# A'on, the nu'er 2ere
E&der Ne&son and "rother Ide< 2ho resided near the cit! of Da!ton# Se$era&
of the rethren 2ho had resided in 1irt&and< ein, no2 on the 2a! to the
&and of ;ion< had sto**ed to &aor near us and the! 2ere a&so *resent< and
'et 2ith us at co''union 2hich 2as ad'inistered ! E&ders John E# )a,e and
Jonathan H# Ha&e at the c&ose of the 'eetin, in the afternoon#
.onda!< Au,ust 79#--Richard D# "&anchard =oined the ca'* ! the
consent of the Counci&# So'e2hat coo&er to2ards e$enin, than it had een
for so'e ti'e# Aout t2ent! sic0 in the ca'*< 'ost&! 2o'en and chi&dren<
ut none are dan,erous&! i&&# The &aorers 2ere ca&&ed to,ether a,ain in
the e$enin, and so'e instructions ,i$en the' concernin, our &aors and
*ros*ects in re&ation to 'eans to *rosecute our =ourne!< and a s*irit of
union 2as 'anifested 2hich cheered our hearts and 'ade us than0fu& to the
5od of Israe& for that and the 'an! other &essin,s 2e dai&! recei$ed fro'
His &iera& hand#
Tuesda!< Au,ust 7@#--The da! *assed a2a! as usua&# For so'e ti'e *ast
'ost of the &aorers 2ere a&e to *erfor' the 2or0 assi,ned the'< and ut
fe2 co'*arati$e&! 2ere sic0 in the ca'*< and these ,enera&&! 2ere ,ro2in,
etter#
3ednesda!< Au,ust 7G#--It rained 'ost of the afternoon 2hich hindered
us fro' our &aors a considera&e *art of the ti'e#
"rother Jonas )utna' and fa'i&! ! the ad$ice of the Counci& &eft the
ca'* and 'o$ed aout t2e&$e 'i&es on to a far' e&on,in, to "rother Ide to
ta0e char,e of it 2hi&e he I"rother IdeJ 2ent to *re*are a *&ace for
hi'se&f and the s'a&& ranch of the Church in this $icinit! in so'e of the
Sta0es of ;ion in the 2est# 3e 2ere not 2i&&in, that "rother )utna' shou&d
&ea$e the ca'* u*on an! other *rinci*&e than that of 'utua& consent of a&&
concerned< for he 2as estee'ed ! a&& as a =ust 'an< and de$out< and one
that 2as 2orth! of the fe&&o2shi* of the Saints# E&der E&i=ah Chene! 2ho
had &eft 1irt&and efore the ca'* 2ith his fa'i&! ca'e into our enca'*'ent
in the forenoon ha$in, een &essed of the Lord on his =ourne! and 2as
recei$ed 2ith a heart! 2e&co'e ! the rethren of the ca'*#
Thursda!< Au,ust 7:#--E&der "# S# 3i&ur too0 aout t2ent! 'en 2ith
E&der 5eor,e Strin,ha' and his tent and co'*an! and 2ent to the cit! of
Da!ton to do a =o of 2or0 2hich had een en,a,ed ! the ad$ice of the
Counci&#
In the e$enin, 5# 3# "roo0s and 2ife 2ere ca&&ed efore the Counci&
and in>uir! 'ade into so'e thin,s 2hich had een in circu&ation for so'e
da!s res*ectin, the'< and in the course of the in$esti,ation it 2as
ac0no2&ed,ed that "rother "roo0s+ 2ife had used tea 'ost of the ti'e on
the road< and had used *rofane &an,ua,e< and she dec&ared she 2ou&d sti&&
*ursue the sa'e course< and it 2as not in the *o2er of her husand or the
Counci& to sto* it# She further said that she 2as not a 'e'er of the
Church and did not e/*ect to co'e under the ru&es of the ca'*#
The decision of the Counci& 2as that the! 'ust &ea$e the ca'*< and
"rother "roo0s 2as se$ere&! re*ri'anded for not 0ee*in, his tent in order
accordin, to the Constitution of the ca'*< and not 0ee*in, his fa'i&! in
su=ection< as a 'an of 5od< es*ecia&&! as an E&der of Israe&#
Frida!< Au,ust 7M#--E&ders J# Foster and Henr! Harri'an< ha$in,
finished the =o of e'an0'ent I&e$eeJ ca'e ac0 in to the enca'*'ent
the'se&$es ut did not rin, ac0 their tents# In the afternoon the
Counci& 'et and se$era& of the 'e'ers of the ca'* 2ere tried for reach
of the Constitution< and Nathan 1# 1ni,ht *resented an a**ea& fro' a
decision of the Assistant Counci& on a char,e *referred a,ainst hi'se&f
and 2ife ! A'os Jac0son< o$erseer of his tent< for so'e 'isde'eanor in
res*ect to the order of the ca'* and unchristian-&i0e conduct on the
=ourne!< 2hich decision 2as that the! had $io&ated the Constitution of the
ca'* and disre,arded their co$enant to oser$e and 0ee* it< and
conse>uent&! 'ust e &eft ! the 2a!side# After an in>uir! into the affair
the decision 'ade I! the Assistant Counci&J 2as confir'ed ! the Counci&
of the ca'*#
Josiah .i&&er 2as ad$ised< in conse>uence of the conduct of his
son-in-&a2< Aaron Do&*h< 2ho 2as not a 'e'er of the Church< and 2ou&d not
confor' to the order of the ca'*< to ta0e his fa'i&! and ,o ! hi'se&f#
Nathan Sta0er 2as re>uested to &ea$e the ca'* in conse>uence of the
deter'ination of his 2ife< to a&& a**earances< not to oser$e the ru&es
and re,u&ations of the ca'*# There had een contentions in the tent
et2een herse&f and Andre2 La'ereau/< o$erseer of the tent< and a&so
contentions 2ith his fa'i&! se$era& ti'es on the road< and after the ca'*
sto**ed in this *&ace# The Counci& had eco'e 2ear! of tr!in, to sett&e
these contentions et2een the'# Andre2 La'ereau/ ha$in, ,one to Da!ton to
&aor< ta0in, his fa'i&! 2ith hi'< 2as not *resent at the Counci&< neither
2as there an! ne2 co'*&aint 'ade< ut the i'*ossii&it! of "rother Sta0er
to 0ee* his fa'i&! in order 2as a**arent to a&&< and it 2as thou,ht to e
the est thin, for hi' to ta0e his fa'i&! and &ea$e the ca'*# So'e other
thin,s 2ere rou,ht efore the Counci& and in>uir! 'ade into the conduct
of se$era& indi$idua&s< and the Counci& had co'e to the deter'ination to
*ut ini>uit! fro' the ca'* 2here$er it cou&d e found< that 5od+s an,er
'i,ht e turned a2a! and His &essin,s rest do2n u*on us#
Saturda!< Au,ust 78#--Josiah .i&&er< a,reea&e to the counse& ,i$en
hi'< too0 his fa'i&! and &eft the ca'* 2ith the est of fee&in,s e/istin,
et2een hi' and the Counci& of the ca'*? he &eft it on&! in conse>uence of
the dis*osition of his son-in-&a2< Aaron Do&*h< to set at nau,ht the
Constitution ! 2hich the ca'* 2ere ound ! a,ree'ent to *ut their
stren,th< *ro*erties and 'onies to,ether in order to 'o$e the ca'* to the
&and of ;ion#
Another chi&d died this da!< a,ed aout three !ears< a dau,hter of .artha
Hi,!< 2ho 2as in co'*an! 2ith ;# H# "re2ster# Sister Hi,!+s husand had
&eft her so'e ti'e efore the ca'* started# The rethren finished their
=o at .r# Harsh'an+s on Frida!< and at Da!ton on Saturda!# The hea&th of
the ca'* 2as 'uch etter than usua& since 2e sto**ed here#
Sunda!< Au,ust 7N#--As usua& a &ar,e con,re,ation 'et 3ith us and
,a$e ,ood attention to the ser$ices of the da!# E&der Joe& H# Johnson< !
the re>uest of E&ders Youn, and Harri'an< 2ho *resided< *reached on the
first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e& fro' 5a&atians i< in the forenoon# In the
afternoon the sacra'ent 2as ad'inistered a,reea&e to the co''and'ents of
the Lord#
.onda!< Au,ust HD#--Nathan 1# 1ni,ht and 5eor,e 3# "roo0s< 2ho had
een e/c&uded fro' the ca'* as efore stated< &eft the ca'*# Danie& "&iss
2ent 2ith 5eor,e 3# "roo0s ! the consent of the Counci&--at his o2n
re>uest--as he 2as not 2e&& *ro$ided for as to a *&ace for his fa'i&! to
ride on the road#
Tuesda!< Au,ust H7#--T2o o!s orn in the ca'* in the 'ornin,# One<
the son of 5ardner Sno2< the other of Frederic0 .# %an&eu$en# The Counci&
he&d a consu&tation in the afternoon and conc&uded to 'a0e *re*arations to
start on our =ourne! as soon as *ossi&e< if the Lord did not o*en the 2a!
c&ear&! efore us to tarr! &on,er in this *&ace# J# A# C&ar0 2as e/c&uded
fro' the ca'*#
3ednesda!< Au,ust HH#--Finished our =o of ,radin, in the 'ornin, and
the re'ainder of the da! 'ost of us rested ourse&$es< and 'ade so'e
*re*aration to start a,ain on our 2a!# E/tre'e&! hot< and the earth
*arched 2ith drou,ht to a ,reater de,ree than has een 0no2n for 'an!
!ears in this re,ion of countr!#
Andre2 J# S>uires ca&&ed on us on his 2a! to 1irt&and on Tuesda!
afternoon< and &eft a,ain after ha$in, so'e consu&tation 2ith the Counci&
of the Se$enties aout his standin, in the Church< and 2ent on his 2a! to
1irt&and#
Thursda!< Au,ust H9#--The Counci& 'et to re,u&ate so'e thin,s and
conc&uded to start on .onda!< the HMth instant< and to &aor a&& the ti'e
2e cou&d ti&& that ti'e# Se$era& reso&utions 2ere *assed a'on, 2hich 2as
the fo&&o2in,( That those of the ca'* 2ho 2ere asent shou&d co'e ac0 to
the enca'*'ent and that the $acancies in o$erseers of tents e fi&&ed and
then a&& ca&&ed to,ether and instructed 'ore *articu&ar&! concernin, the
duties of their office efore the ca'* sha&& start a,ain? that the ca'*
sha&& e reor,ani4ed< inas'uch as so'e ha$e &eft since its or,ani4ation#
John Ha''ond 2as e/*e&&ed ! the assistant Counci& fro' the ca'* for
not standin, at the head of his fa'i&!< his 2ife 'a0in, 'uch disturance
in the tent< of 2hich "rother Ha''ond 2as the o$erseer# Frida!< Au,ust
H@#--.ost of the rethren 2ho 2ere asent ca'e into the ca'* durin, the
da! to 'a0e *re*arations to ,o on our =ourne!#
E&der Jose*h Youn, 2ent to Da!ton to attend the funera& of 3i&&ia'
Tenn!< &ate of 1irt&and< 2ho died !esterda!#
Saturda!< Au,ust HG#--In the afternoon the o$erseers of the tents
2ere ca&&ed to,ether ! the Counci&< and in>uir! 'ade into the affairs of
each tent to see if there 2ere an! difficu&ties e/istin, a'on, the' or an!
other *ersons in the ca'*# The in>uir! resu&ted in disco$erin, 'uch that
2as not as it shou&d e# Se$era& tents 2ere in disorder< and the Counci&
*roceeded to 'a0e in>uir! and to set in order the in'ates of those tents
that 2ere in a state of confusion# .ost of the difficu&ties 2ere a'ica&!
sett&ed< one e/ce*tion# John Ru&ison 2as turned out of the ca'* ! the
assistant Counci&# The sa'e Counci& 2ere directed to ,o to "rother
Nic0erson+s tent and set it in order? rea0in, the 3ord of 3isdo' and
dise&ief in so'e of the re$e&ations constituted the difficu&ties in this
tent#
Sunda!< Au,ust H:#--As usua& a *u&ic 'eetin, 2as he&d in the
forenoon and a sacra'ent 'eetin, in the afternoon# The S*irit of the Lord
2as *oured out on the asse'&! and so'e 2ere con$inced of the truth of
2hat 2as dec&ared unto the'#
.onda!< Au,ust HM#--Ha$in, finished our turn*i0e contract< 2e 'ade
e$er! *ossi&e e/ertion to continue our =ourne! on the 'orro2< ! shoein,
horses and fi/in, 2a,ons# 3e had a &ac0s'ith sho* in o*eration in the
ca'* for se$era& da!s< doin, the necessar! 2or0# In the e$enin, a hea$!
sho2er of rain fe&& 2hich 2as ,reat&! needed< and it see'ed for so'e ti'e
*ast that it 2ou&d e a&'ost i'*ossi&e for us to tra$e& in conse>uence of
the drou,ht< and the dust that f&e2 on the hi,h2a!? ut as the Lord had
een 'ercifu& to us efore< so He 2as in this instance< for 2hich 2e fe&t
than0fu& in $er! deed#
Tuesda!< Au,ust H8#--.ade e$er! e/ertion in our *o2er to start< ut
found it i'*ossi&e aout noon< as 2e had to 'a0e *ro$isions for se$era&
fa'i&ies 2ho had een de*ri$ed of a tea' ! those 2ho 2ere turned out of
the ca'* ta0in, their tea's 2ith the'#
Char&es 3ood 2as e/*e&&ed fro' the ca'* ! t2o of the Counci&< Ja'es
Foster and Henr! Harri'an< on the HMth# "rother 3ood 2as tentin, aout t2o
'i&es fro' our enca'*'ent 2ith t2o or three other fa'i&ies< 2ho for so'e
'isde'eanor had een e/*e&&ed fro' the ca'*# "rothers Foster and Harri'an<
! the consent of a&& concerned< acted in this 'atter 2ithout a 'a=orit!
of the Counci& ein, *resent< ut this 2as not the *ractice of the
Counci&< as a 'a=orit! 2as considered necessar! to ha$e a tria& or counci&
concernin, an! 'atter re&atin, to the affairs of the ca'*? ut in this
instance no e/ce*tions 2ere 'ade ! an!# In the e$enin, the rethren in
the ca'* 2ere ca&&ed to,ether and our &aors and triu&ations 2ere ta&0ed
o$er# The S*irit of 5od rested do2n u*on the ca'* 2ith *o2er< and after
sin,in, the h!'n< -The s*irit of 5od &i0e a fire is urnin,<- 2e conc&uded
! a son,< -Hosanna to 5od and the La'<- and retired 2ith =o!fu& hearts
to our tents#
3ednesda!< Au,ust HN#--Ear&! in the 'ornin, 2e e,an to &ea$e the
,round< ha$in, the *re$ious da! reor,ani4ed as far as *ossi&e# ;# H#
"re2ster and his father-in-&a2< J# Hi,! 2ho 2as 2ith hi'< 2ere &eft
ehind for 2ant of a tea' to carr! the' 2ith their fa'i&ies#
3e *assed throu,h the cit! of Da!ton< situated near the =unction of
.ad ri$er 2ith the 5reat .ia'i< and too0 the road to Eaton and tra$e&ed
throu,h the to2nshi* of Jefferson and *ut u* in the to2nshi* of Jac0son<
near the $i&&a,e of Johns$i&&e< t2e&$e 'i&es fro' Da!ton< and *itched our
tents in the hi,h2a!< ha$in, tra$e&ed ei,hteen 'i&es# Ha$in, een at 2or0
one 'onth 2e a&& 2ere than0fu& for the *ri$i&e,e of a,ain 'archin, on our
2a!#
Our &aors in "ath and its $icinit! a'ounted to aout ----#
Thursda!< Au,ust 9D#--Tra$e&ed throu,h T2in to2nshi* on the north
&ine< and throu,h 3ashin,ton to2nshi*< in )re&e count!? *assed throu,h
the $i&&a,e on of A&e/ander< in T2in to2nshi* and then throu,h the $i&&a,e
of Eaton< t2e&$e 'i&es fro' Johns$i&&e< and *itched our tents on the &ine
of Indiana and Ohio< e&e$en 'i&es fro' Eaton< ha$in, tra$e&ed t2ent!-four
'i&es< and are no2 t2o hundred and ninet!-three 'i&es fro' 1irt&and#
The &and fro' Da!ton to the Ohio &ine is ,enera&&! ad< and co$ered
2ith 'a*&e< each< e&'< ash< 2hite2ood and other northern ti'er? and the
soi& after &ea$in, the otto's of the .ia'i is not so ferti&e as the &ands
on that I.ia'iJ and .ad ri$er# The road 2as ,enera&&! ,ood< and the
2eather e/tre'e&! fine# Our tea's stood the =ourne! 'uch etter than 2hen
2e first started fro' 1irt&and#
On Thursda! a dau,hter of Otis Shu'2a! died< at Eaton< on the road<
and 2as uried in the 2oods near 2here 2e ca'*ed at ni,ht< in the to2nshi*
of Jac0son< )re&e count!< Ohio#
Frida!< Au,ust 97#--Started ear&!< crossed the &ine of Indiana a fe2
rods fro' our enca'*'ent into the to2nshi* of 3a!ne< 3a!ne count! Indiana#
3e ca'e to the $i&&a,e of Rich'ond< on the east ranch of 3hite2ater< four
'i&es# Rich'ond is a f&ourishin, *&ace on the nationa& road< 2hich 2e ca'e
to soon after 2e *assed the &ine< or et2een there and Rich'ond# Fro'
Rich'ond 2e ca'e to Center$i&&e< the count! seat of 3a!ne count!< si/
'i&es? and thence 2e ca'e to the $i&&a,e of 5er'anto2n< ei,ht 'i&es< and
enca'*ed for the ni,ht near that $i&&a,e< aout sunset# Crossed durin, the
da! se$era& triutar! strea's of the 3hite2ater< the *rinci*a& of 2hich
2as No&ands For0< 2est of Center$i&&e# Tra$e&ed fourteen 'i&es#
Se*te'er 7#--The ca'* started at ei,ht a#'# 3e ca'e throu,h a s'a&&
$i&&a,e ca&&ed Ca'rid,e one 'i&e fro' 5er'anto2n? then throu,h Du&in
three 'i&es? throu,h Louis$i&&e< nine 'i&es? then to F&atroc0< in Fran0&in
to2nshi*< Henr! count!? thence to Ro!s$i&&e< on the east side of "&ue
ri$er< and 1ni,ht+s To2n< on the east side ten 'i&es< and enca'*ed ! the
side of the 2a! one 'i&e 2est of 1ni,ht+s To2n< =ust at dar0# The air 2as
coo& in the e$enin, and after the fires 2ere ui&t< 2hich 2as necessar!
for our co'fort and con$enience< our enca'*'ent &oo0ed eautifu&< and 2e
attracted the attention of a&& 2ho *assed !C and of the citi4ens of the
nei,horhood 2ho dec&ared that our co'*an! e/ceeded an! the! had efore
seen in a&& their &i$es# Distance fro' 1irt&and three hundred and
thirt!-fi$e 'i&es
Sunda!< Se*te'er H#--Frost seen in the 'ornin,# ein, >uite coo&< 2e
thou,ht it our dut! to ,o on our 2a!< so 2e started at ei,ht o+c&oc0< and
ca'e throu,h the s'a&& $i&&a,es of Liert! and )ort&and< and sto**ed at
noon in Center to2nshi*< Hancoc0 count!< at .r# Ca&d2e&&+s< aout nine
'i&es fro' our enca'*'ent# Here the son of E# )# .erria' died? the od!
2as carried on to our *&ace of enca'*'ent at ni,ht# In the afternoon 2e
ca'e throu,h 5reenfie&d< the count! seat of Hancoc0 count!# Crossed Su,ar
cree0< nine 'i&es< and enca'*ed at ni,ht on "uc0 cree0 on the 2est &ine of
Hancoc0 count!< and east &ine of .arion count!< ha$in, tra$e&ed t2ent!-one
'i&es throu,h a &o2< &e$e& countr! of c&a! soi& and hard road# The cro*s
of corn 2ere s'a&&< and a&& ,rain scarce# The 2eather is coo& and the
roads ,ood< ut fro' a**earances the! had een a&'ost i'*assa&e# Three
hundred and fift!-si/ 'i&es fro' 1irt&and#
.onda!< Se*te'er 9#--Co&d and frost! in the 'ornin,# 3e arose at
four< as usua&< and at ha&f-*ast fi$e Sister "athshea 3i&&e!< 2ho 2as
sic0 2hen 2e started fro' 1irt&and< died and 2as uried to,ether 2ith
"rother .erria'+s chi&d in the northeast corner of T# Ruther+s orchard<
Jones to2nshi*< Hancoc0 count!< aout one-fourth of a 'i&e east fro' "uc0
cree0# The sta,e ro0e Lucius N# Sco$i&+s 2a,on do2n# 3e ca'e this da! to
Indiana*o&is< on the east side of 3hite ri$er< the 'etro*o&is of the state
of Indiana< and *itched our tents at ni,ht si/ and one-si/th 'i&es 2est of
the cit!< in 3a!ne to2nshi*< on the far' of "rother .i&&er# Distance fro'
1irt&and< three hundred and se$ent!-three 'i&es#
Tuesda!< Se*te'er @#--In the 'ornin, "# S# 3i&ur< 2ho had een &eft
ehind in Da!ton< Ohio< to transact so'e usiness< ca'e u* in the sta,e
aout four o+c&oc0# The ca'* 2as ca&&ed to,ether in the 'ornin,< and
2arned ! the Counci& of the dis*&easure of our hea$en&! Father 2ith so'e
for their 2ic0edness< and that His =ud,'ents 2ou&d fa&& u*on the' 2ith
,reater 2ei,ht than the! had if there 2as not a s*eed! re*entance# The
Counci& a&so entreated a&& to e hu'&e and *ra! 'uch< for the destro!er
2as in our 'idst and 'an! 2ere aff&icted# Ira Thornton< o$erseer of tent
No# ei,ht< third di$ision< ! &ea$e of the Counci&< sta!ed ehind to ,o u*
to the &and of ;ion 2ith his father-in-&a2< 2ho resided near our
enca'*'ent< and 2as ,oin, to start in a fe2 da!s# "rother Thornton durin,
the =ourne! had een a faithfu& rother< and sto**ed no2 'ere&! on his
2ife+s account< and not that he 2as or had een disaffected 2ith the
'o$e'ents in the ca'* or 2ith the 'ana,e'ent of the Counci&#
Josiah "utterfie&d sto**ed to ,et a 2a,on 2hee& 'ade< and the ca'*
started at a &ate hour# 3e ca'e throu,h Cu'er&and $i&&a,e< t2o 'i&es ?
thence throu,h )&ainfie&d< in 5ui&ford to2nshi*< Hendric0s count!< fi$e
'i&es? and sto**ed at noon in Liert! to2nshi*< t2o 'i&es east of
"e&&$i&&e< fi$e 'i&es fro' )&ainfie&d< throu,h 2hich 2e *assed in the
afternoon? thence throu,h the $i&&a,e of "e&&$i&&e ei,ht 'i&es< and
enca'*ed &ate in the e$enin, aout three 'i&es 2est of "e&&$i&&e< ha$in,
tra$e&ed t2ent!-three 'i&es# Da$id E&&iot &eft the ca'* this 'ornin,#
Distance fro' 1irt&and< three hundred and ninet!-si/ 'i&es#
3ednesda!< Se*te'er G#--Tho'as Nic0erson+s chi&d died in the ni,ht<
and 2as uried 2here 2e sto**ed at noon on the far' of Noa& Fouts< 2est of
the $i&&a,e of )utna'$i&&e# )assed this da! throu,h .t# .eridian#
)utna'$i&&e< and .anhattan# Crossed 3a&nut and .cCra! cree0 and enca'*ed
! the side of the 2a! =ust 2est of C&a! count!< ha$in, tra$e&ed t2ent!
'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< four hundred and si/teen 'i&es#
Thursda!< Se*te'er :#--Tra$e&ed thirteen 'i&es throu,h a fine
countr!< ,ood road< and *itched our tents et2een t2o and three 'i&es east
of Terre Haute< the count! seat of %i,o count!< situated on the 2est side
of the 3aash< on a s2e&& of &and in a eautifu& *rairie surrounded ! a
fruitfu& and ferti&e countr!# Distance fro' 1irt&and< four hundred and
thirt!-three 'i&es#
Frida!< Se*te'er M#--So'eti'e in the ni,ht a dau,hter of Otis
Shu'2a! died? and in the 'ornin, a chi&d of J# A# C&ar0 died# "oth 2ere
uried in the ,ra$e!ard in Terre Haute throu,h 2hich 2e *assed< and
crossed the 3aash aout t2e&$e o+c&oc0 at oth ferries< and &eft the
nationa& road and turnin, to the ri,ht< too0 the North Ar' )rairie road to
)aris# Tra$e&ed nine 'i&es< and enca'*ed in LaFa!ette to2nshi*<
three-fourths of a 'i&e east of the I&&inois &ine# The distance fro'
1irt&and< the 2a! 2e ca'e< to Terre Haute is four hundred and thirt!-si/
'i&es# E# Cherr! did not co'e u*< and 2as &eft ehind? his fa'i&! 2as
sic0#
Saturda!< Se*te'er 8#--Crossed the I&&inois &ine in the 'ornin, into
Ed,ar count!? crossed the North Ar' )rairie< so-ca&&ed? crossed Su,ar
cree0 and ca'e throu,h )aris< the count! seat of Ed,ar count!< and
tra$e&ed fourteen 'i&es on a *rairie< and *ut u* for the ni,ht at a &ate
hour< *itchin, our tents on the *rairie near the house of .r# 1e&&er< 2ho
a**eared friend&! and o&i,in,# Tra$e&ed toda! t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es# Distance
fro' 1irt&and< four hundred and se$ent! 'i&es#
Sunda!< Se*te'er N#--Started ear&!< and ca'e to A'ro cree0< in a
,ro$e< t2o 'i&es< and enca'*ed durin, the da!# The fourth di$ision ca'e u*
=ust as 2e started in the 'ornin,? for the! 2ere una&e to tra$e& as fast
as the other di$isions o2in, to the heat of the da! on Saturda!# Distance
fro' 1irt&and< four hundred and Se$ent!-t2o 'i&es#
The Counci& 'et after 2e enca'*ed< and after 'uch consu&tation
conc&uded to ca&& the heads of fa'i&ies to,ether and &a! efore the' our
situation 2ith res*ect to 'eans and the *ros*ects efore us and the
a**arent i'*ossii&it! of our otainin, &aor for ourse&$es and for the
su**ort of our fa'i&ies in the cit! of Far 3est durin, the co'in, 2inter?
and to ad$ise the'< es*ecia&&! those that did not e&on, to the Se$enties<
to co''ence &oo0in, for *&aces for the'se&$es 2here the! cou&d *rocure a
susistence durin, the 3inter and *rocure 'eans sufficient to re'o$e the'
to .issouri in the S*rin,# Accordin,&! in the afternoon the ca'* 2ere
ca&&ed to,ether and those thin,s &aid efore the' for their consideration<
2hich see'ed to 'eet 2ith the a**ro$a& of a &ar,e 'a=orit! of the heads of
fa'i&ies in the ca'*# Distance fro' 1irt&and< four hundred and se$ent!-t2o
'i&es#
.onda!< Se*te'er 7D#--Considera&e an/iet! see'ed to e 'anifested
! so'e concernin, the ad$ice of the Counci&< and so'e co'*&ained< &i0e
ancient Israe&< and said that the! did not than0 the Counci& for rin,in,
the' so far< and had rather een &eft in 1irt&and< and so'e said one thin,
and so'e another# A'on, the nu'er 2ere Aaron Chene!< Nathan Chene!<
3i&&ia' Dra*er and Tho'as Dra*er and Henr! .unroe< 2ho 2ere sent for< to
co'e and sett&e 2ith the c&er0s and &oo0 out for >uarters i''ediate&!#
The'ira Dra*er< A&fred Dra*er and Corne&ius %an&eu$en &eft the ca'* 2ith
the'# Reuen Danie&s< 2hose 2ife 2as sic0 and had a son orn in the ni,ht<
to,ether 2ith Ethan A# .oore and Joe& Har$e!< a&so &eft the ca'* to sto*
for a fe2 da!s and then *ursue their =ourne! ! the'se&$es# After the ca'*
started Jose*h Coon sto**ed ecause his 2ife 2as sic0# 3e tra$e&ed fi$e or
si/ 'i&es 2est of the &itt&e A'arras< 2here 2e enca'*ed# 3e *assed
throu,h a s'a&& *&ace ca&&ed Inde*endence< 2hich is in an oa0 o*enin,< in
2hich 2e had enca'*ed# It 2as aout si/ 'i&es throu,h it< and then 2e
crossed throu,h a *rairie fifteen 'i&es< and enca'*ed on the 2est side of
the East Ocha or 1as0as0ias< so'e of the tea's not co'in, u* to the
enca'*'ent ti&& t2e&$e o+c&oc0# Tra$e&ed t2ent!-t2o 'i&es# Distance fro'
1irt&and< four hundred and ninet!-four 'i&es#
Tuesda!< Se*te'er 77#--Crossed another *rairie< fourteen 'i&es< and
enca'*ed at four *# '# on the 2est side of the 3est Ocha< in .acon count!<
ha$in, tra$e&ed si/teen 'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< fi$e hundred and
ten 'i&es#
.an! in the ca'* at this ti'e 2ere sic0 and aff&icted# So'e 2ith
fe$er and a,ue< and so'e 2ith one thin, and so'e 2ith another# The 'ost
dan,erous 2ere E&der Josiah 3i&&e! and John 3ri,ht< son of Asa 3ri,ht<
a,ed aout fourteen !ears#
3ednesda!< Se*te'er 7H#--Started at ei,ht o+c&oc0 and crossed
another *rairie t2e&$e 'i&es< then throu,h a *iece of ti'er &and on the
head2aters of San Juan ri$er< then o$er a three-'i&e *rairie< and sto**ed
to refresh our tea's in the ed,e of the 2ood a &itt&e after noon< si/teen
'i&es fro' our enca'*'ent of the ni,ht efore# In the afternoon crossed
o$er a *rairie four 'i&es< then throu,h a *iece of ti'ered &and< then
another *rairie t2o 'i&es< and enca'*ed ! the side of a s'a&& cree0<
ha$in, tra$e&ed this da! t2ent!-t2o 'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< fi$e
hundred and thirt!-nine 'i&es#
Thursda!< Se*te'er 79#--In the 'ornin, it 2as ascertained that
5eor,e Strin,ha' and "en=a'in "a0er< 2ith Jose*h C# C&ar0 had sto**ed
ehind< or cou&d not co'e u* ecause of the fai&ure of their tea's# Asa
3ri,ht did not co'e u* at ni,ht< ut ca'e u* in the 'ornin, ! hi'se&f
efore 2e started< to sett&e his accounts# His son ein, sic0 2as the
reason of his sta!in, ehind# A&a 3hitt&e and Joe& H# Johnson a&so
sett&ed their accounts< as the! e/*ected to sto* at S*rin,fie&d or sooner
if the! cou&d find a *&ace#
Started at a &ate hour and tra$e&ed fourteen 'i&es thou,h a *rairie
countr! do2n the San,a'on ri$er< 2hich ran on the ri,ht of the road in a
2ester&! course to the I&&inois# 3e enca'*ed aout three *#'# on a *iece
of &and &aid out for a $i&&a,e ca&&ed "o&i$a or "o&i$ar# 2ar# Here Ira
Thornton+s chi&d died# Distance fro' 1irt&and< fi$e hundred and
fift!-three 'i&es#
Frida!< Se*te'er 7@#--"efore the first di$ision &eft the ,round
E&der Strin,ha' and "en=a'in "a0er ca'e u*< ut 2e &eft the' there# 3e
ca'e this da! to S*rin,fie&d< ei,hteen 'i&es< crossin, se$era& s'a&&
cree0s and *assin, throu,h a s'a&& *&ace ca&&ed Rochester# Fro'
S*rin,fie&d 2e ca'e four 'i&es< and enca'*ed for the ni,ht# 3e cou&d not
*rocure an!thin, for our tea's to eat and 2ere o&i,ed to fasten the' to
our 2a,ons and ,i$e the' a &itt&e corn or turn the' onto dr! *rairie
a&'ost destitute of $e,etation# S*rin,fie&d is destined to e the seat of
,o$ern'ent of I&&inois and the state house is no2 in course of ui&din,#
It is situated on a eautifu& *rairie and &oo0s &I0e a f&ourishin, *&ace
thou,h it is !et in its infanc!# E&der J# H# Johnson and his 'other and
their fa'i&ies< to,ether 2ith A&a 3hitt&e< Jonathan and C!rus "# Fisher<
Ed2in )# .erria' and Sa'ue& Ha&e--2ho 2as sic0--and 2ife< a&so sto**ed at
S*rin,fie&d or near there< and Richard "rasher 2ent to Huron< three 'i&es
2est fro' S*rin,fie&d to sto* 2ith his friends for a short season#
Tra$e&ed t2ent!-t2o 'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< fi$e hundred and
se$ent!-fi$e 'i&es#
Saturda!< Se*te'er 7G#--3i&&ia' 5ri&e &eft the ca'* in the 'ornin,
to sto* at S*rin,fie&d durin, the 2inter< and Ira Thornton &eft and 2ent
on 2ith A&&en 3ait#
3e started efore rea0fast and tra$e&ed fourteen 'i&es# )assed
throu,h a s'a&& $i&&a,e ca&&ed "er&in and ca'*ed on S*rin, cree0 in Is&and
5ro$e# Here T# )# )ierce+s chi&d died< and 2as uried on Sunda!< near
E&der 1ee&er+s house# E&der 1ee&er 2as &ate fro' Ne2 )orta,e< Ohio# Here
2e tarried ti&& .onda! 'ornin,# Distance fro' 1irt&and< fi$e hundred and
ei,ht!-nine 'i&es#
Sunda!< Se*te'er 7:#--3e he&d a 'eetin, in the afternoon and
attended to co''union# 3e had ut fe2 s*ectators in the ca'* durin, the
da!# A s*irit of union rare&! 'anifested 2as fe&t at the 'eetin,< and our
sou&s re=oiced in the Ho&! One of Israe&#
.onda!< Se*te'er 7M#--This 'ornin, E&ias )u&si*her< Danie&
)u&si*her< Ste$en Star0s< Hira' H# "!in,ton and .onro Crosier sett&ed
their accounts and sto**ed ehind# Tra$e&ed this da! throu,h Jac0son$i&&e<
a fine $i&&a,e< the count! seat of .or,an count!< 2hich 2e entered aout
fourteen 'i&es east of Jac0son$i&&e# Fro' thence 2e ca'e to 5ene$a a
s'a&&< dust! *&ace< and enca'*ed near Da$id Orton+s on a *rairie< ha$in,
tra$e&ed t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es# .ost of the ca'* 2as &ate in arri$in, on the
,round< and so'e did not co'e u* ti&& 'ornin,# Distance fro' 1irt&and< si/
hundred and fourteen 'i&es#
Tuesda!< Se*te'er 78#--3arren S'ith< Jonas )utna'< Ste*hen Shu'2a!
and D# C# De''in, and Jose*h Youn, sto**ed at 5ene$a< .or,an count!< and
in the course of the da!< Asa*h "&anchard< Ste*hen Head&oc0 and "# 1# Ha&&
a&so sto**ed near E/eter< and Ja'es C# Sno2< 2ho' 2e found near 5ene$a<
=oined us# 3e ca'e throu,h E/eter to )hi&i*+s ferr! on the I&&inois ri$er<
four 'i&es e&o2 Na*&es< 2hich is on the sa'e ri$er< on the strai,ht road
fro' Jac0son$i&&e to Auinc! on the .ississi**i< 2hich 2e &eft and tra$e&ed
si/ 'i&es east of the ferr!# 3e arri$ed at the ferr! aout four *# '#< and
so'e of the tea's 2ent o$er and enca'*ed on the 2est side of the ri$er in
)i0e count!# In the ni,ht Da$id E&&iot< 2ho' 2e had &eft in )utna' count!<
Indiana< ca'e u* on horseac0< ha$in, arri$ed 2ith his fa'i&! 2ithin
fifteen 'i&es of us in the e$enin, and &eft us a,ain to hasten on his tea'
that he 'i,ht o$erta0e us at Louis$i&&e< .issouri# Distance fro' 1irt&and<
si/ hundred and t2ent!-nine 'i&es#
3ednesda!< Se*te'er 7N#--3e a&& ,ot o$er the I&&inois at ha&f-*ast
one *# '# and ca'e to 5ri,,s$i&&e< then to )ittsfie&d< the count! seat of
)i0e count!< t2e&$e 'i&es< and enca'*ed on a s'a&& hi&& one 'i&e 2est of
the $i&&a,e# 3hi&e 2e 2ere crossin, the ri$er t2o rethren arri$ed fro'
Far 3est and rou,ht us the first direct infor'ation fro' that *&ace or
fro' an! of the rethren in the 3est since 2e started on our =ourne!# The
countr! et2een the I&&inois ri$er and )ittsfie&d is 'ore ro&&in, than it
is on the east of that ri$er< es*ecia&&! east of S*rin,fie&d# Distance
tra$e&ed fro' 1irt&and< si/ hundred and fort!-t2o 'i&es#
Thursda!< Se*te'er HD#--Started on our =ourne! and care to At&as< a
s'a&& $i&&a,e< the for'er count! seat of )i0e count!< t2e&$e 'i&es throu,h
a ro&&in, *rairie countr!< then to the Sn!e< a ranch of the .ississi**i<
aout si/ 'i&es fro' the ri$er 2here 2e crossed in the afternoon< a&& ut
three 2a,ons< into the to2n of Louisiana< in the state of .issouri? and
enca'*ed aout three-fourths of a 'i&e 2est of the to2n# Tra$e&ed t2ent!
'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< si/ hundred and si/t!-t2o 'i&es#
Frida!< Se*te'er H7#--Tra$e&ed aout se$enteen 'i&es throu,h a hot
countr! and enca'*ed in a 2ood near a *rairie in a hea$! rain 2hich fe&&
a&& the afternoon< and 2as the first that had fa&&en on us since 2e &eft
"ath< Ohio< and 2as the 'ost tedious ti'e 2e had *assed throu,h# In the
e$enin, it thundered and rained *o2erfu&&!< 'ost of us 2ent to ed 2ithout
our su**er< and tied our horses to our 2a,ons# 3e thou,ht it a *eri&ous
ti'e< ut fe2 co'*&ained< near&! a&& ore it *atient&!# Duncan .cArthur
ro0e do2n his 2a,on in the forenoon and did not co'e u* at ni,ht#
Saturda!< Se*te'er HH#--Tra$e&ed this da! ei,hteen 'i&es< ei,ht
'i&es of 2hich 2as the 2orst road 2e had on the =ourne!# The other ten
'i&es *rairie# Tho'as Carico ro0e do2n his 2a,on and sto**ed and 'ended
it< and did not o$erta0e the ca'* at ni,ht# E&easer 1in, and sons< 2ho
&eft 1irt&and efore the ca'*< ca'e u* and enca'*ed 2ith us at ni,ht# The
air 2as coo& and chi&&! and to2ards nI,ht unco'forta&! co&d# 3e enca'*ed
aout one-ha&f 'i&e east of Lic0 cree0< in .onroe count!# Distance fro'
1irt&and< si/ hundred and ninet!-se$en 'i&es#
Sunda!< Se*te'er H9#--A hea$! frost in the 'ornin,< ut after the
sun arose it 2as *&easant and 2ar'# 3e thou,ht it our dut! to tra$e& and
accordin,&! started on our 2a!# The road $er! rou,h and ad *art of the
2a!< es*ecia&&! in the ti'ered &and# Duncan .cArthur and Tho'as Carico<
2ho had een &eft ehind in conse>uence of rea0in, do2n their 2a,ons<
o$ertoo0 us in the 'ornin, efore 2e a&& started< so'e ha$in, to sta!
ehind to find their horses< 2hich 2ent ac0 across the *rairie aout nine
'i&es in the ni,ht# E# "# 5a!&ord ro0e do2n his 2a,on and ,ot ad&! hurt<
and did not o$erta0e us ti&& .onda! ni,ht# 3e tra$e&ed to )aris< the
count! seat of .onroe count!< t2ent! 'i&es< and enca'*ed one 'i&e 2est of
the to2n &ate in the e$enin, near a *rairie# Crossed south for0 of Sa&t
ri$er< fi$e 'i&es east of )aris< and se$era& other triutar! strea's of
the sa'e ri$er< 'ost of 2hich 2ere dr! ! reason of the e/tre'e drou,ht
2hich had *re$ai&ed in this &and durin, the su''er# Tra$e&ed toda!
t2ent!-one 'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< se$en hundred and ei,hteen
'i&es#
.onda!< Se*te'er H@#--Reor,ani4ed the ca'* 2hich had eco'e rather
disor,ani4ed ! reason of so 'an! sto**in, ! the 2a!# The third di$ision
2as *ut into the first and second< as that di$ision had eco'e >uite
s'a&&# The Counci& ca&&ed the ca'* to,ether and &aid efore the' the
scant! 'eans in their hands< and 2anted the rethren to furnish such
thin,s as the! had to dis*ose of to *urchase corn< etc#< for our catt&e
and horses< that 2e 'i,ht continue our =ourne!# Tra$e&ed t2ent! 'i&es
efore sunset< 'ost of the 2a! *rairie< and enca'*ed on the E&0 for0 of
Sa&t ri$er# 3e found the inhaitants in co''otion and $o&unteerin,< under
the order of 5o$ernor "o,,s< as 2e 2ere re*eated&! to&d< to ,o u* and
fi,ht the -.or'ons- in Far 3est and that re,ion of countr!# 3e 2ere $er!
correct&! infor'ed that one hundred and ten 'en had &eft Hunts$i&&e in the
'ornin, on that e/*edition? and that the ,o$ernor had ca&&ed on fi$e
thousand fro' the u**er counties < and if 2e 2ent an! farther 2e shou&d
'eet 2ith difficu&t! and e$en death as the! 2ou&d as &ea$e 0i&& us as not#
3e had een sa&uted 2ith such re*orts e$er! da! after 3e ca'e throu,h
Jac0son$i&&e< I&&inois? ut 2e *aid &itt&e attention to it< trustin, in
that 5od for *rotection 2hich had ca&&ed u*on us to ,ather ourse&$es
to,ether to the &and of ;ion< and 2ho had thus far de&i$ered us out of the
hands of a&& our ene'ies< on e$er! hand< not on&! in 1irt&and< ut on a&&
our =ourne!# Tra$e&ed this da! t2ent! 'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< se$en
hundred and thirt!-ei,ht 'i&es#
Tuesda!< Se*te'er HG#--Tho'as Nic0erson &ost his horses and cou&d
not find the' efore the ca'* started< and did not o$erta0e us at ni,ht#
3e ca'e throu,h Hunts$i&&e< the count! seat of Rando&*h count!< e&e$en
'i&es< 2here 2e 2ere to&d efore 2e arri$ed there< that 2e shou&d e
sto**ed< ut nothin, of the 0ind occurred 2hen 2e ca'e throu,h the to2n<
and 2e e$en heard no threats 2hate$er< ut a&& a**eared friend&!# A 'i&e
and a ha&f 2est of Hunts$i&&e 2e crossed the east ranch of Chariton< and
one and a ha&f 'i&es 2est of the ri$er 2e found Ira A'es and so'e other
rethren near the *&ace 2here the cit! of .anti is to e ui&t< and
enca'*ed for the ni,ht on Dar0 cree0< si/ 'i&es fro' Hunts$i&&e# Tra$e&ed
this da! se$enteen 'i&es# Distance fro' 1irt&and< se$en hundred and
fift!-fi$e 'i&es#
3ednesda!< Se*te'er H:#--In the 'ornin, E&der Ja'es Foster at a &ate
hour *ro*osed to disand and rea0 u* the ca'* in conse>uence of so'e
ru'ors he had heard fro' the 2est 2hich he said he e&ie$ed# E&der
)u&si*her ein, a2a! on&! fi$e of the Counci&ors cou&d e *resent# The
other four o=ected to this *ro*osa&< ut so far !ie&ded as to consent to
ha$e the ca'* sto* ti&& an e'ass! cou&d e sent to Far 3est to see the
state of thin,s in that re,ion and ascertain 2hether it 2ou&d e 2isdo' or
not for us to ,o into that or an! of the 2estern states this 2inter#
The ca'* 2as ca&&ed to,ether and the su=ect 2as *artia&&! &aid
efore the' ! E&der Foster< 2hich *roduced a sadness of countenance
se&do' seen in the course of our =ourne!# 3hi&e 2e 2ere ta&0in, o$er the
su=ect E&der )u&si*her ca'e u*< =ust as a ,ent&e'an ! the na'e of Sa'ue&
"end< of )i0e count!< .issouri< ca'e a&on,< and 2ithout 0no2in, our
intentions or destination< to&d us of the state of affairs in Far 3est<
and Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and e$er!thin, 2e desired to 0no2 concernin, so'e
*articu&ar thin,s# On ein, to&d that our intentions 2ere to sto* for a
2hi&e< he ad$ised us to ,o ri,ht a&on,# "e to&d us aout the Da$iess
count! 'o and that the $o&unteers ca&&ed for ! the ,o$ernor< 2hich had
rende4$oused at 1eats$i&&e< 2ou&d e dischar,ed at t2e&$e o+c&oc0< noon#
On reconsiderin, the su=ect a 'otion 2as 'ade to ,o on 2hich 2as
carried unani'ous&!# Accordin,&! 2e 'o$ed on and ca'e to Chariton ri$er in
Chariton count!< si/teen 'i&es and enca'*ed aout four *# '# on the 2est
side of the ri$er# In the afternoon efore 2e started fro' the *&ace 2here
2e sto**ed to feed on the se$en 'i&e *rairie< near "rother 1e&&o,+s< the
'i&itia $o&unteers e,an to ,o ! on their return ho'e# and 2e continued
to 'eet the' 'ost of the afternoon# .ost of the' *assed us ci$i&&!< ut
so'e of the' 2ere rather sauc!< fe2 re*&ies< ho2e$er< 2ere 'ade to the'#
3e 'et so'e rethren fro' Far 3est durin, the da! 2hich confir'ed 2hat 2e
had een to&d in the 'ornin, ! .r# "end# "rother Nic0erson o$ertoo0 us
ha$in, found his horses< and ei,ht or ten 2a,ons of rethren fro' Huron
count!< Ohio< and other *&aces< a&so Ira O# Tho'*son< 2ho had for'er&!
een 2ith us as a 'e'er of the ca'*< sta!ed 2ith us at ni,ht# Tra$e&ed
si/teen 'i&es this da!# Distance fro' 1irt&and< se$en hundred and
se$ent!-one 'i&es#
Thursda!< Se*te'er HM#--Started in the 'ornin, in so'e confusion<
o2in, to so'e 'isunderstandin,< on and ca'e to 1eats$i&&e on a ranch of
the Chariton< t2o 'i&es< and aout ha&f a 'i&e 2est of the to2n< 2hich is
the count! seat of Chariton count!# 3e &eft the state road and too0 the
road to Chi&&icothe and 2ent u* on the east side of 5rand ri$er< crossed a
*rairie aout ei,hteen 'i&es< eautifu&&! di$ersified 2ith $a&&e!s and
ro&&in, s2e&&s 2hich ,i$e it a tru&! *ictures>ue a**earance# It has een
sur$e!ed and a&&otted for 'i&itar! *ur*oses< and for that reason is sti&&
unoccu*ied# 3e enca'*ed at ni,ht at the conf&uence of the for0s of Ye&&o2
cree0< ha$in, tra$e&ed t2ent!-t2o 'i&es#
E&der Ja'es Foster &eft us at 1eats$i&&e to ,o ! the 2a! of De 3itt<
to see his son-in-&a2< Jonathan Tho'*son# In the e$enin, the Counci& 'et
to sett&e so'e difficu&ties and set in order so'e thin,s that see'ed to
re>uire attention to ena&e us to 'o$e in order and in *eace the re'ainder
of the =ourne!# Tra$e&ed t2ent!-t2o 'i&es toda!# Distance fro' 1irt&and<
se$en hundred and ninet!-three 'i&es#
Frida!< Se*te'er H8#--Crossed Tur0e! cree0< se$en 'i&es? Locus<
four? and *itched our tents on the east side of )arson+s cree0< in Linn
count!< si/ 'i&es fro' Locus cree0< 'a0in, se$enteen 'i&es# Distance fro'
1irt&and< ei,ht hundred and ten 'i&es#
Saturda!< Se*te'er HN#--Ca'e to .r# 5re,or!+s on .adison cree0< si/
'i&es? thence to Chi&&icothe< a to2n &ate&! &aid out for the count! seat
of Li$in,ston count!< ei,ht 'i&es? and enca'*ed aout a 'i&e 2est to2ard
5rand ri$er#
Tho'as Carico+s and J# H# Ho&'es+ 2a,ons 2ere turned o$er in the
course of the da!< ut no *articu&ar in=ur! 2as done to an! *erson# The
road 2as ne2< and in so'e *&aces rou,h< es*ecia&&! in the ti'ered &and on
the cree0s# Tra$e&ed fifteen 'i&es toda!# Distance fro' 1irt&and< ei,ht
hundred and t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es#
Sunda!< Se*te'er 9D#--Ca'e to 5rand ri$er< t2o and one-ha&f 'i&es<
crossed o$er and ca'e to a s'a&& co&&ection of houses< ca&&ed Utica? t2o
and one-ha&f 'i&es< here 2e found "rother S&iter fro' 1irt&and< and so'e
other rethren# Fro' Utica 2e ca'e throu,h a rou,h and ro&&in, countr! for
ten 'i&es to "rother 3a&0er+s< on Shoa& cree0< crossed the cree0 and
ca'*ed on the 2est side near the *rairie# Richard "&anchard< 2ho =oined
the ca'* at "ath< &eft the ca'* and 2ent to =oin his friends 2ho &i$ed
near Chi&&icothe# Tra$e&ed fifteen 'i&es toda!# Distance fro' 1irt&and<
ei,ht hundred and fort! 'i&es#
.onda!< Octoer 7#--Ca'e fro' E&der 3a&0er+s across the *rairie<
aout nineteen 'i&es< and enca'*ed on "rush! cree0# Joshua S# Ho&'an< !
*er'ission of one or t2o of the Counci&< 2ent on Sunda! e$enin, to $isit
E&der Jaco .!ers< for'er&! fro' Rich&and count!< Ohio< and ear&! in the
'ornin, started on his 2a! 2ithout 2aitin, for the ca'*< disre,ardin, the
ad$ice of the Counci&< and in the e$enin,< at a 'eetin, of the ca'*< his
*roceedin,s 2ere conde'ned ! a unani'ous $ote# Tra$e&ed t2ent! 'i&es and
enca'*ed on "rush! for0 of Shoa& cree0< on the *rairie# The entire
distance fro' 1irt&and< ei,ht hundred and si/t! 'i&es#
Tuesda!< Octoer H#--Crossed Lon,< Lo,< and 5oose cree0s< and arri$ed
in Far 3est aout fi$e *# '# Here 2e 2ere recei$ed 2ith =o!fu& sa&utations
! the rethren in that cit!# Fi$e 'i&es fro' the cit! 2e 2ere 'et ! the
First )residenc! of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
Sidne! Ri,don and H!ru' S'ith< to,ether 2ith Isaac .or&e!< )atriarch of
Far 3est< and 5eor,e 3# Roinson< and ! se$era& other rethren et2een
there and the cit!< 2ho recei$ed us 2ith o*en ar's< and escorted us into
the cit!# 3e enca'*ed on the *u&ic s>uare round the foundation of the
Te'*&e# Tra$e&ed this da! ten 'i&es# 3ho&e distance fro' 1irt&and< ei,ht
hundred and se$ent! 'i&es#
IHere the ca'* =ourna&+s narrati$e ends# The t2o fo&&o2in,
entries 2hich co'*&ete the histor! of this re'ar0a&e =ourne! are
ta0en fro' the )ro*het+s account of the *roceedin,s re&ati$e to the
ca'* on its arri$a&#J
3ednesda!< Octoer 9#--The ca'* continued their =ourne! to A'rosia&
cree0< 2here the! *itched their tents# I 2ent 2ith the' a 'i&e or t2o< to
a eautifu& s*rin,< on the *rairie< acco'*anied ! E&der Ri,don< rother
H!ru' and "ri,ha' Youn,< 2ith 2ho' I returned to the cit!< 2here I s*ent
the re'ainder of the da!#
Thursda!< Octoer @#--This is a da! &on, to e re'e'ered ! that
*art of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< ca&&ed the Ca'*<
or 1irt&and Ca'* No# 7#
for the! arri$ed at their destination and e,an to *itch their tents
aout sunset< 2hen one of the rethren &i$in, in the *&ace *roc&ai'ed 2ith
a &oud $oice(
-"rethren< !our &on, and tedious =ourne! is no2 ended? !ou are no2 on
the *u&ic s>uare of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# This is the *&ace 2here Ada' &essed
his *osterit!< 2hen the! rose u* and ca&&ed hi' .ichae&< the )rince< the
Arch-an,e&< and he ein, fu&& of the Ho&! ,host *redicted 2hat shou&d
efa&& his *osterit! to the &atest ,eneration#---Doctrine and Co$enants#
CHA)TER 6I#
E6)ULSION OF THE SAINTS FRO. DE 3ITT< CARROLL COUNTY< .ISSOURI#
3ednesda!< Octoer 9#--Sister A&ice Hod,in died at )reston on the Hnd
of Se*te'er< 7898# And it 2as such a 2onderfu& thin, for a Latter-da!
Saint to die in En,&and< that E&der 3i&&ard Richards 2as arrai,ned efore
the .a!or+s Court at )reston< on the 9rd of Octoer< char,ed 2ith -0i&&in,
and s&a!in,- the said A&ice 2ith a -&ac0 stic0<- etc#< ut 2as dischar,ed
2ithout ein, *er'itted to 'a0e his defense< as soon as it 2as disco$ered
that the ini>uit! of his accusers 2as aout to e 'ade 'anifest#
The 'o continued to fire u*on the rethren at De 3itt#
The fo&&o2in, is an e/tract fro' 5enera& )ar0s+ e/*ress to 5enera&
Atchison(
DEAR SIR(--I recei$ed this 'ornin, an affida$it fro' Carro&& count!#
The fo&&o2in, is a co*!+ -Henr! Root< on his oath< states that on the
ni,ht of the first of Octoer< there 2as co&&ected in the $icinit! of De
3itt< an ar'ed force< consistin, of fro' thirt! to fift! *ersons< and on
the 'ornin, of the second of Octoer the! ca'e into the to2n of De 3itt
and fired on the ci$i& inhaitants of that *&ace# Thirteen of said
indi$idua&s 2ere seen ! 'e in that *&ace< and I e&ie$e there is actua&&!
an insurrection in that *&ace#
HENRY ROOT#
-Suscried and s2orn to this 9rd da! of Octoer< 7898#
-3ILLIA. "# .ORTON< J# )#-
In conse>uence of 2hich infor'ation< and e&ief of an attac0 ein,
'ade on said *&ace< I ha$e ordered out the t2o co'*anies raised ! !our
order< to e he&d in readiness under the co''ands of Ca*tains "o,art and
Houston< to 'arch for De 3itt< in Carro&& count!< ! ei,ht o+c&oc0
to'orro2 'ornin,< ar'ed and e>ui**ed as the &a2 directs< 2ith si/ da!s+
*ro$isions and fift! rounds of *o2der and a&&# I 2i&& *roceed 2ith these
troo*s in *erson< &ea$in, Co&one& Tho'as in co''and of 5rand ri$er# As
soon as I reach De 3itt< I 2i&& ad$ise !ou of the state of affairs 'ore
fu&&!# I 2i&& use a&& due *recaution in the affair< and dee*&! re,ret the
necessit! of this recourse# H# 5# )AR1S< "ri,adier-5enera& Hnd "ri,ade<
9rd Di$ision#
Thursda!< Octoer @#--I s*ent 'ost of this da! 2ith '! fa'i&!#
The 'o a,ain fired u*on the Saints at De 3itt< 2ho 2ere co'*e&&ed to
return the fire in se&f-defense#
To sho2 ho2 firerands< arro2s and death 2ere scattered throu,h the
State< and that too ! 'en hi,h in authorit!< and 2ho 2ere s2orn to
*reser$e the *u&ic *eace< I >uote the fo&&o2in, fro' a co''unication of
5enera& Lucas to the ,o$ernor dated "oon$i&&e< .issouri< Octoer @< 7898(
Letter of 5enera& Lucas to 5o$ernor "o,,s#
DEAR SIR(--As 2e *assed do2n the .issouri ri$er< on .onda! &ast< 2e
sa2 a &ar,e force of .or'ons at De 3itt< in Carro&& count!< under ar's#
Their co''ander< Co&one& Hin0&e< for'er&! of Ca&d2e&& count!< infor'ed 'e
that there 2ere t2o hundred< and that the! 2ere hour&! e/*ectin, an attac0
fro' the citi4ens of Carro&& count!< 2ho he said 2ere then enca'*ed on&!
si/ 'i&es fro' there< 2aitin, for a reinforce'ent fro' Sa&ine count!#
Hin0&e said the! had deter'ined to fi,ht# Ne2s had =ust een recei$ed at
this *&ace< throu,h Dr# Scott of Fa!ette< that a fi,ht too0 *&ace on
!esterda!< and that se$era& *ersons 2ere 0i&&ed# Dr# Scott infor'ed 'e
that he ,ot his infor'ation fro' a ,ent&e'an of res*ectai&it!< 2ho had
heard the firin, of their ,uns as he *assed do2n# If a fi,ht has actua&&!
ta0en *&ace< of 2hich I ha$e no dout< it 2i&& create e/cite'ent in the
2ho&e of u**er .issouri< and those ase and de,raded ein,s 2i&& e
e/ter'inated fro' the face of the earth# If one of the citi4ens of Carro&&
shou&d e 0i&&ed< efore fi$e da!s I e&ie$e that there 2i&& e fro' four
to fi$e thousand $o&unteers in the fie&d a,ainst the .or'ons< and nothin,
ut their &ood 2i&& satisf! the'# It is an un*&easant state of affairs#
The re'ed! I do not *retend to su,,est to !our E/ce&&enc!# .! troo*s of
the Fourth Di$ision 2ere on&! dis'issed su=ect to further orders< and can
e ca&&ed into the fie&d at an hour+s 2arnin,# SA.UEL D# LUCAS#
-"ase and de,raded ein,s#- 3hoe$er heard efore of hi,h-'inded and
honora&e 'en condescendin, to sacrifice their honor< ! stoo*in, to 2a,e
2ar< 2ithout cause or *ro$ocation a,ainst -ase and de,raded ein,s#- "ut
5enera& Lucas is read! 2ith his 2ho&e Di$ision< at -an hour+s 2arnin,<- to
enter the fie&d of att&e on such de,raded ter's< if his o2n state'ent is
true# "ut 5enera& Lucas 0ne2 etter# He 0ne2 the Saints 2ere a&& innocent<
unoffendin, *eo*&e< and 2ou&d not fi,ht< on&! in se&f-defense< and 2h!
2rite such a &etter to the ,o$ernor to inf&uence his 'indB 3h! not 0ee* to
truth and =usticeB )oor LucasK The anna&s of eternit! 2i&& unfo&d to !ou
2ho are the -ase ein,s<- and 2hat it 2i&& ta0e to -satisf!- for the
sheddin, of -.or'on &ood#-
Frida!< Octoer G#--Re*ort of the co''ittee of Chariton count!(
The undersi,ned co''ittee 2ere a**ointed at a *u&ic 'eetin, ! the
citi4ens of Chariton count!< on the 9rd da! of Octoer for the *ur*ose of
re*airin, to De 3itt< in Carro&& count!< to in>uire into the nature of the
difficu&ties et2een the citi4ens of Carro&& and the .or'ons# 3e arri$ed
at the *&ace of difficu&ties on the @th of Octoer< and found a &ar,e
*ortion of the citi4ens of Carro&& and the ad=oinin, counties asse'&ed
near De 3itt< 2ei& ar'ed# 3e in>uired into the nature of the difficu&ties#
The! said that there 2as a &ar,e *ortion of the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons
e'odied in De 3itt< fro' different *arts of the 2or&d# The! 2ere
un2i&&in, for the' to re'ain there< 2hich is the cause of their 2a,in, 2ar
a,ainst the'# To use the ,ent&e'en+s &an,ua,e< -the! 2ere 2a,in, a 2ar of
e/ter'ination< or to re'o$e the' fro' the said count!#- 3e a&so 2ent into
De 3itt< to see the situation of the .or'ons# 3e found the' in the act of
defense< e,,in, for *eace< and 2ishin, for the ci$i& authorities to
re*air there as ear&! as *ossi&e< to sett&e the difficu&ties et2een the
*arties# Hosti&ities ha$e co''enced and 2i&& continue unti& the! are
sto**ed ! the ci$i& authorities# This 2e e&ie$e to e a correct
state'ent of oth *arties# This the Gth da! of Octoer< 789G#
JOHN 3# )RICE<
3.# H# LO5AN#
Suscried to and s2orn efore 'e< the undersi,ned< one of the
Justices of the )eace 2ithin and for Chariton count!< and State of
.issouri< the Gth da! of Octoer< 7898#
JOHN .ORSE< J# )#
This da! a&so IOctoer GJ 5enera& Atchison 2rote the ,o$ernor fro'
"oon$i&&e< that in Carro&& count! the citi4ens 2ere in ar's for the
*ur*ose of dri$in, the -.or'ons- fro' that count!#
The third Auarter&! Conference of the Church in Ca&d2e&& count! 2as
he&d at Far 3est< )resident "ri,ha' Youn, *residin,# As there 2as not a
sufficient nu'er of 'e'ers *resent to for' a >uoru' for usiness after
sin,in, and *ra!er< conference ad=ourned ti&& H *# '#< 2hen the! 'et and
o*ened as usua&< )residents .arsh and Youn, *residin,# There 2as not a
sufficient nu'er of the 'e'ers of the Hi,h Counci& or an! other >uoru'
to do usiness as a >uarter&! Conference# The! $oted to ordain a fe2
E&ders< a**ointed a fe2 'issions< and ad=ourned ti&& to'orro2 at ten
o+c&oc0 a# '#
Aout this ti'e I too0 a =ourne! in co'*an! 2ith so'e others< to the
&o2er *art of the count! of Ca&d2e&&< for the *ur*ose of se&ectin, a
&ocation for a to2n# 3hi&e on '! =ourne!< I 2as 'et ! one of 2ho stated
that our *eo*&e 2ho had sett&ed in that *&ace 2ere and had een so'e ti'e<
surrounded ! a 'o< 2ho had threatened their &i$es< and had shot at the'
se$era& ti'es? and that he 2as on his 2a! to Far 3est< to infor' the
rethren there of the facts#
I 2as sur*rised on recei$in, this inte&&i,ence< a&thou,h there had<
*re$ious to this ti'e< een so'e 'anifestations of 'os< ut I had ho*ed
that the ,ood sense of the 'a=orit! of the *eo*&e and their res*ect for
the Constitution< 2ou&d ha$e *ut do2n an! s*irit of *ersecution 2hich
'i,ht ha$e een 'anifested in that nei,horhood#
I''ediate&! on recei$in, this inte&&i,ence I 'ade *re*arations to ,o
to that *&ace< and endea$or< if *ossi&e< to a&&a! the fee&in,s of the
citi4ens< and sa$e the &i$es of '! rethren 2ho 2ere thus e/*osed to their
2rath#
Saturda!< Octoer :#--I arri$ed at De 3itt< and found that the
accounts of the situation of that *&ace 2ere correct< for it 2as 2ith 'uch
difficu&t and ! tra$e&in, unfre>uented roads< that I 2as a&e to ,et
there< a&& the *rinci*a& roads ein, stron,&! ,uarded ! the 'o< 2ho
refused a&& in,ress as 2e&& as e,ress# I found '! rethren< 2ho 2ere on&!
a handfu& in co'*arison to the 'o ! 2hich the! 2ere surrounded< in this
situation< and their *ro$isions near&! e/hausted< and no *ros*ect of
otainin, an! 'ore# 3e thou,ht it necessar! to send i''ediate&! to the
,o$ernor< to infor' hi' of the circu'stances< ho*in, to recei$e fro' the
e/ecuti$e the *rotection 2hich 2e needed? and 2hich 2as ,uaranteed to us
in co''on 2ith other citi4ens# Se$era& ,ent&e'en of standin, and
res*ectai&it!< 2ho &i$ed in the i''ediate $icinit! 2ho 2ere not in an!
2a! connected 2ith the Church of Latter-da! Saints< 2ho had 2itnessed the
*roceedin,s of our ene'ies< ca'e for2ard and 'ade affida$its to the
treat'ent 2e had recei$ed< and concernin, our *eri&ous situation? and
offered their ser$ices to ,o and *resent the case to the ,o$ernor
the'se&$es#
The Auarter&! Conference con$ened at Far 3est this da! IOctoer :thJ
at ten o+c&oc0 accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< )residents .arsh and Youn,
*residin, E&der "en=a'in L# C&a** said he had =ust returned fro'
1entuc0!< 2here he had een &aorin,< and that 'an! doors 2ere o*en there#
A ca&& 2as 'ade for $o&unteers to ,o into the $ine!ard and *reach< 2hen
E&ders Ja'es Carro&&< Ja'es 5a&&iher< Lu'an A# Shurt&iff< Ja'es Dana< Aha4
Coo0< Isaac Dec0er< Corne&ius )# Lott and A&*heus 5ifford offered
the'se&$es# )resident .arsh instructed the' not to ,o forth oastin, of
their faith< or of the =ud,'ents of the Lord< ut to ,o in the s*irit of
'ee0ness< and *reach re*entance#
E&der John Ta!&or fro' Canada< ! re>uest< ,a$e a state'ent of his
fee&in,s res*ectin, his ha$in, een a**ointed as one of the T2e&$e< sa!in,
that he 2as 2i&&in, to do an!thin, that 5od 2ou&d re>uire of hi'?
2hereu*on it 2as $oted that "rother John Ta!&or fi&& one of the $acancies
in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e# Ste*hen Chase 2as ordained *resident of the
EIders+ >uoru' in Far 3est# Isaac Lane!< Horace A&e/ander and A&ert S&oan
2ere ordained E&ders under the hands of the *residents# Sa'ue& "ent and
Isaac Hi,ee 2ere a**ointed to fi&& the *&aces of John .urdoc0 and 5eor,e
.# Hin0&e in the Hi,h Counci&< the t2o &ast na'ed rethren ha$in, re'o$ed
to De 3itt# Conference ad=ourned to the first Frida! and Saturda! in
Januar! ne/t< at ten a# '# E"ENE;ER RO"INSON< C&er0#
There 2ere se$en cut off fro' the Church in )reston< En,&and< this
da!#
5enera& )ar0s 2rote 5enera& Atchison fro' "ri,ade Head>uarters< fi$e
'i&es fro' De 3itt< Carro&& count!(
Co''unication of C&ar0 to Atchison on Affairs at De 3itt#
SIR(--I''ediate&! after '! e/*ress to !ou ! .r# 3arder 2as sent< I
*roceeded to this *&ace< 2hich I reached !esterda! 2ith t2o co'*anies of
'ounted 'en fro' Ra! count!# I ordered Co&one& Jones to ca&& out three
co'*anies fro' this count!< to ho&d the'se&$es in readiness to =oin 'e at
Carro&ton on the fifth instant< 2hich order has not een carried into
effect# None of Carro&& count! re,i'ent is 2ith 'e#
On arri$in, in the $icinit! of De 3itt< I found a od! of ar'ed 'en
under the co''and of Dr# Austin< enca'*ed near De 3itt< esie,in, that
*&ace< to the nu'er of t2o or three hundred< 2ith a *iece of arti&&er!
read! to attac0 the to2n of De 3itt# On the other side< Hin0&e has in that
*&ace three or four hundred .or'ons to defend it< and sa!s he 2i&& die
efore he 2i&& e dri$en fro' thence#
On the @th instant the! had a s0ir'ish--fifteen or thirt! ,uns fired
on oth sides< one 'an fro' Sa&ine count! 2ounded in the hi*#
The .or'ons are at this ti'e too stron,< and no attac0 is e/*ected
efore 3ednesda! or Thursda! ne/t< at 2hich ti'e Dr# Austin ho*es his
forces 2i&& a'ount to fi$e hundred 'en< 2hen he 2i&& 'a0e a second atte'*t
on the to2n of De 3itt< 2ith s'a&& ar's and cannon# In this *osture of
affairs< I can do nothin, ut ne,otiate et2een the *arties unti& further
aid is sent 'e#
I recei$ed !our friend&! &etter of the Gth instant< ! .r# 3arder<
authori4in, 'e to ca&& on 5enera& Doni*han< 2hich ca&& I ha$e 'ade on hi'
for fi$e co'*anies fro' )&atte< C&a! and C&inton counties< 2ith t2o
co'*anies I ordered fro' Li$in,ston< of 2hich I dout 2hether these &ast
2i&& co'e? if the! do< I thin0 I 2i&& ha$e a force sufficient to 'ana,e
these e&&i,erents# Shou&d these troo*s arri$e here in ti'e< I ho*e to e
a&e to *re$ent &oodshed# Nothin, see's so 'uch in de'and here Eto hear
the Carro&& count! 'en ta&0F as .or'on sca&*s? as !et the! are scarce# I
e&ie$e Hin0&e< 2ith the *resent force and *osition< 2i&& eat Austin 2ith
fi$e hundred of his troo*s# The .or'ons sa! the! 2i&& die efore the! 2i&&
e dri$en out< etc# As !et the! ha$e acted on the defensi$e< as far as I
can &earn# It is '! sett&ed o*inion< the .or'ons 2i&& ha$e no rest unti&
the! &ea$e? 2hether the! 2i&& or not< ti'e on&! can te&&#
H# 5# )AR1S#
Under the sa'e date< IOctoer :thJ fro' the 'o ca'* near De 3itt<
e&e$en &ood-thirst! fe&&o2s< $i4#< Con,ra$e Jac0son< Lar0in H# 3oods<
Tho'as Jac0son< Ro&&a .# Da$iess< Ja'es Jac0son< Jun#< Johnson Jac0son<
John L# To'&in< Sidne! S#
3oods< 5eo# Cri,&er# 3i&&ia' L# "an0s< and 3hitfie&d Dic0en< 2rote a
'ost inf&a''ator!< &!in, and 'urderous co''unication to the citi4ens of
Ho2ard count!< ca&&in, u*on the' as friends and fe&&o2 citi4ens< to co'e
to their i''ediate rescue< as the -.or'ons- 2ere then firin, u*on the' and
the! 2ou&d ha$e to act on the defensi$e unti& the! cou&d *rocure 'ore
assistance#
A# C# 3oods< a citi4en of Ho2ard count!< 'ade a certificate to the
sa'e &ies< 2hich he ,athered in the 'o ca'*? he did not ,o into De 3itt<
or ta0e an! trou&e to &earn the truth of 2hat he certified# 3hi&e the
*eo*&e 2i&& &ie and the authorities 2i&& u*ho&d the'< 2hat =ustice can
honest 'en e/*ectB
Tuesda!< Octoer N#--5enera& C&ar0 2rote the ,o$ernor fro' "oon$i&&e<
that the na'es suscried to the *a*er na'ed ao$e< are 2orth!< *rudent
and *atriotic citi4ens of Ho2ard count!< !et these 'en 2ou&d &ea$e their
fa'i&ies and e$er!thin, dear< and ,o to a nei,horin, count! to see0 the
&ood of innocent 'en< 2o'en and chi&drenK If this constitutes -2orth<
*rudence and *atriotis'<- &et 'e e 2orth&ess< i'*rudent and un*atriotic#
The 'essen,er< .r# Ca&d2e&&< 2ho had een dis*atched to the ,o$ernor
for assistance< returned< ut instead of recei$in, an! aid or e$en
s!'*ath! fro' his E/ce&&enc!< 2e 2ere to&d that -the >uarre& 2as et2een
the .or'ons and the 'o<- and that -2e 'i,ht fi,ht it out#-
Aout this ti'e a 'o< co''anded ! H!ru' Stand&!< too0 S'ith
Hu'*hre!+s ,oods out of his house< and said Stand&! set fire to Hu'*hre!+s
house and urned it efore his e!es< and ordered hi' to &ea$e the *&ace
forth2ith< 2hich he did ! f&eein, fro' De 3itt to Ca&d2e&& count!# The
'o had sent to Jac0son count! and ,ot a cannon< *o2der and a&&s< and
odies of ar'ed 'en had ,athered in< to aid the'< fro' Ra!< Sa&ine<
Ho2ard< Li$in,ston< C&inton< C&a!< )&atte counties and other *arts of the
state< and a 'an ! the na'e of Jac0son< fro' Ho2ard count!< 2as a**ointed
their &eader#
The Saints 2ere foridden to ,o out of the to2n under *ain of death<
and 2ere shot at 2hen the! atte'*ted to ,o out to ,et food< of 2hich the!
2ere destitute# As fast as their catt&e or horses ,ot 2here the 'o cou&d
,et ho&d of the'< the! 2ere ta0en as s*oi&< as a&so other 0inds of
*ro*ert!# "! these outra,es the rethren 2ere o&i,ed< 'ost of the'< to
&i$e in 2a,ons or tents#
A**&ication had een 'ade to the =ud,e of the Circuit Court for
*rotection< and he ordered out t2o co'*anies of 'i&itia< one co''anded !
Ca*tain Sa'ue& "o,art< a .ethodist 'inister< and one of the 2orst of the
'oocrats# The 2ho&e force 2as *&aced under the co''and of 5enera& )ar0s<
another 'oer< if his &etter s*ea0s his fee&in,s< and his actions do not
e&ie hi'< for he ne$er 'ade the first atte'*t to dis*erse the 'o< and
2hen as0ed the reason of his conduct< he a&2a!s re*&ied that "o,art and
his co'*an! 2ere 'utinous and 'oocratic< that he dare not atte'*t a
dis*ersion of the 'o# T2o other *rinci*a& 'en of the 'o 2ere .a=or
Ash&!< 'e'er of the Le,is&ature< and Sashie& 3oods< a )res!terian
c&er,!'an#
5enera& )ar0s infor'ed us that a ,reater *art of his 'en under
Ca*tain "o,art had 'utinied< and that he 2ou&d e o&i,ed to dra2 the' off
fro' the *&ace< for fear the! 2ou&d =oin the 'o? conse>uent&! he cou&d
offer us no assistance#
3e had no2 no ho*es 2hate$er of successfu&&! resistin, the 'o< 2ho
0e*t constant&! increasin,? our *ro$isions 2ere entire&! e/hausted< and 2e
2ere 2orn out ! continua&&! standin, on ,uard< and 2atchin, the 'o$e'ents
of our ene'ies< 2ho< durin, the ti'e I 2as there< fired at us a ,reat 'an!
ti'es# So'e of the rethren *erished fro' star$ation ? and for once in '!
&ife< I had the *ain of eho&din, so'e of '! fe&&o2 creatures fa&& $icti's
to the s*irit of *ersecution< 2hich did then< and has since< *re$ai&ed to
such an e/tent in U**er .issouri# The! 2ere 'en< too< 2ho 2ere $irtuous
and a,ainst 2ho' no &e,a& *rocess cou&d for one 'o'ent e sustained< ut
2ho< in conse>uence of their &o$e of 5od< attach'ent to His cause< and
their deter'ination to 0ee* the faith< 2ere thus rou,ht to an unti'e&!
,ra$e#
In the 'eanti'e Henr! Root and Da$id Tho'as< 2ho had een the sou&
cause of the sett&e'ent of our *eo*&e in De 3itt< so&icited the Saints to
&ea$e the said he had assurances fro' the 'o< that if the! 2ou&d &ea$e
the *&ace the! 2ou&d not e hurt< and that the! 2ou&d e *aid for a&&
&osses 2hich the! had sustained< and that the! had co'e as 'ediators to
acco'*&ish this o=ect< and that *ersons shou&d e a**ointed to set a
$a&ue on the *ro*ert! 2hich the! had to &ea$e< and that the! shou&d e
*aid for it# The Saints fina&&!< throu,h necessit!< had to co'*&!< and
&ea$e the *&ace# Accordin,&! the co''ittee 2as a**ointed--Jud,e Eric0son
2as one of the co''ittee< and .a=or F&ore!< of Ruts$i&&e< another< the
na'es of others are not re'e'ered# The! a**raised the rea& estate< that
2as a&&#
3hen the *eo*&e ca'e to start< 'an! of their horses< o/en and co2s
2ere ,one< and cou&d not e found# It 2as 0no2n at the ti'e< and the 'o
oasted of it< that the! had 0i&&ed the o/en and &i$ed on the'# .an!
houses e&on,in, to '! rethren 2ere urned< their catt&e dri$en a2a!< and
a ,reat >uantit! of their *ro*ert! 2as destro!ed ! the 'o# The *eo*&e of
De 3itt utter&! fai&ed to fu&fi&& their *&ed,e to *a! the Saints for the
&osses the! sustained# The ,o$ernor ha$in, turned a deaf ear to our
entreaties< the 'i&itia ha$in, 'utinied< the ,reater *art of the' ein,
read! to =oin the 'o< the rethren< seein, no *ros*ect of re&ief< ca'e to
the conc&usion to &ea$e that *&ace< and see0 a she&ter e&se2here#
5atherin, u* as 'an! 2a,ons as cou&d e ,ot read!< 2hich 2as aout
se$ent!< 2ith a re'nant of the *ro*ert! the! had een a&e to sa$e fro'
their ruth&ess foes< the! &eft De 3itt and started for Ca&d2e&& count! on
the afternoon of Thursda!< Octoer 77< 7898# The! tra$e&ed that da! aout
t2e&$e 'i&es< and enca'*ed in a ,ro$e of ti'er near the road#
That e$enin, a 2o'an< of the na'e of Jensen< 2ho had so'e short ti'e
efore ,i$en irth to a chi&d< died in conse>uence of the e/*osure
occasioned ! the o*erations of the 'o< and ha$in, to 'o$e efore her
stren,th 2ou&d *ro*er&! ad'it of it# She 2as uried in the ,ro$e< 2ithout
a coffin#
Durin, our =ourne! 2e 2ere continua&&! harassed and threatened ! the
'o< 2ho shot at us se$era& ti'es< 2hi&st se$era& of our rethren died
fro' the fati,ue and *ri$ation 2hich the! had to endure< and 2e had to
inter the' ! the 2a!side< 2ithout a coffin< and under circu'stances the
'ost distressin,# 3e arri$ed in Ca&d2e&& on the t2e&fth of Octoer#
CHA)TER 6II#
.O%E.ENTS OF THE .O" U)ON DE 3ITT--"ATTLE OF CROO1ED
RI%ER--E6TER.INATIN5 ORDER OF 5O%ERNOR "O55S#
No sooner had the rethren &eft De 3itt than Sashie& 3oods ca&&ed the
'o to,ether< and 'ade a s*eech to the' to the effect that the! 'ust
hasten to assist their friends in Da$iess count! The &and sa&es< he said
2ere co'in, on and if the! cou&d ,et the -.or'ons- dri$en out< the! cou&d
,et a&& the &ands entit&ed to *re-e'*tions< and that the! 'ust hasten to
Da$iess count! in order to acco'*&ish their o=ect? that if the! 2ou&d
=oin and dri$e out the Saints< the o&d sett&ers cou&d ,et a&& the &ands
ac0 a,ain< as 2e&& as a&& the *a! the! had recei$ed for the'# He assured
the 'o that the! had nothin, to fear fro' the state authorities in so
doin,< for the! had no2 fu&& *roof that those authorities 2ou&d not assist
the -.or'ons<- and that the! Ithe 'oJ 'i,ht as 2e&& ta0e their *ro*ert!
fro' the' as not# His *ro*osition 2as a,reed to< and accordin,&! the 2ho&e
anditti started for Da$iess count!< ta0in, 2ith the' their cannon#
In the 'eanti'e< Corne&ius 3i&&ia' 2as usi&! en,a,ed in raisin, a
'o in )&atte and C&inton counties< to aid 3oods in his effort to dri$e
*eacea&e citi4ens fro' their ho'es and ta0e their *ro*ert!#
On '! arri$a& in Ca&d2e&&< I 2as infor'ed ! 5enera& Doni*han< of
C&a! count!< that a co'*an! of 'oers< ei,ht hundred stron,< 2ere
'archin, to2ard a sett&e'ent of our *eo*&e in Da$iess count!# He ordered
out one of the officers to raise a force and 'arch i''ediate&! to 2hat he
ca&&ed 3i,ht+s To2n IAda'-ondi-Ah'anJ< and defend our *eo*&e fro' the
attac0s of the 'o< unti& he shou&d raise the 'i&itia in his IC&a!J and
the ad=oinin, counties to *ut the' do2n# A s'a&& co'*an! of 'i&itia< 2ho
2ere on their 2a! to Da$iess count!< and 2ho had *assed throu,h Far 3est<
he ordered ac0 a,ain< statin, that the! 2ere not to e de*ended u*on< as
'an! of the' 2ere dis*osed to =oin the 'o< and to use his o2n e/*ression<
2ere -da'ned rotten hearted#-
Sunda!< Octoer 7@#--I *reached to the rethren at Far 3est fro' the
sa!in, of the Sa$ior( -5reater &o$e hath no 'an than this< that he &a!
do2n his &ife for his rethren#- At the c&ose I ca&&ed u*on a&& that 2ou&d
stand ! 'e to 'eet 'e on the *u&ic s>uare the ne/t da!#
There 2ere se$en cut off fro' the Church in )reston< En,&and< this
da!# It 2as a ,enera& ti'e of *runin, in En,&and# The *o2ers of dar0ness
ra,ed< and it see'ed as thou,h Satan 2as fu&&! deter'ined to 'a0e an end
of the 2or0 in that 0in,do'# E&ders Jose*h Fie&din, and 3i&&ard Richards
had as 'uch as the! cou&d do for so'e ti'e< to see to the ranches a&read!
*&anted< 2ithout *&antin, ne2 ones#
.onda!< Octoer 7G#--The rethren asse'&ed on the *u&ic s>uare of
Far 3est and for'ed a co'*an! of aout one hundred< 2ho too0 u* a &ine of
'arch for Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# Here &et it e distinct&! understood that this
co'*an! 2ere 'i&itia of the count! of Ca&d2e&&< actin, under
Lieutenant-Co&one& 5eor,e .# Hin0&e< a,reea&e to the order of 5enera&
Doni*han< and the rethren 2ere $er! carefu& in a&& their 'o$e'ents to act
in strict accordance 2ith the constitutiona& &a2s of the &and#
The s*ecia& o=ect of this 'arch 2as to *rotect Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and
re*e& the attac0s of the 'o in Da$iess Ha$in, so'e *ro*ert! in that
count! and ha$in, a house ui&din, there< I 2ent u* at the sa'e ti'e#
3hi&e I 2as there a nu'er of houses e&on,in, to our *eo*&e 2ere urned
! the 'o< 2ho co''itted 'an! other de*redations< such as dri$in, off
horses< shee*< catt&e< ho,s< etc# A nu'er of those 2hose houses 2ere
urned do2n< as 2e&& as those 2ho &i$ed in scattered and &one&!
situations< f&ed into the to2n for safet!< and for she&ter fro' the
inc&e'enc! of the 2eather< as a considera&e sno2stor' too0 *&ace on the
7Mth and 78th# 3o'en and chi&dren< so'e in the 'ost de&icate condition<
2ere thus o&i,ed to &ea$e their ho'es and tra$e& se$era& 'i&es in order
to effect their esca*e# .! fee&in,s 2ere such as I cannot descrie 2hen I
sa2 the' f&oc0 into the $i&&a,e< a&'ost entire&! destitute of c&othes< and
on&! esca*in, 2ith their &i$es#
Durin, this state of affairs< 5enera& )ar0s arri$ed in Da$iess
count!< and 2as at the house of Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht on the 78th< 2hen the
inte&&i,ence 2as rou,ht that the 'o 2ere urnin, houses? and a&so 2hen
2o'en and chi&dren 2ere f&eein, for safet!< a'on, 2ho' 2as A,nes .# S'ith<
2ife of '! rother< Don Car&os S'ith< 2ho 2as asent on a 'ission in
Tennessee# Her house had een *&undered and urned ! the 'o< and she had
tra$e&ed near&! three 'i&es< carr!in, her t2o he&*&ess aes< and had to
2ade 5rand ri$er#
Co&one& 3i,ht< 2ho he&d a co''ission in the GNth re,i'ent under his
E5enera& )ar0s+F co''and< as0ed 2hat 2as to e done# )ar0s to&d hi' that
he 'ust i''ediate&! ca&& out his 'en and ,o and *ut the 'o do2n#
Accordin,&! a force 2as i''ediate&! raised for the *ur*ose of >ue&&in, the
'o< and in a short ti'e 2as on its 'arch< 2ith a deter'ination to
dis*erse the 'o< or die in the atte'*t? as the *eo*&e cou&d ear such
treat'ent as 2as ein, inf&icted u*on the' no &on,er#
The 'o< ha$in, &earned the orders of 5enera& )ar0s< and &i0e2ise
ein, a2are of the deter'ination of the o**ressed< ro0e u* their
enca'*'ent and f&ed# The 'o seein, that the! cou&d not succeed ! force<
no2 resorted to strate,e'? and after re'o$in, their *ro*ert! out of their
houses< 2hich 2ere nothin, ut &o, cains< the! fired the'< and then
re*orted to the authorities of the state that the .or'ons- 2ere urnin,
and destro!in, a&& efore the'#
Frida!< Octoer 7N#--E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton >uitted his te'*ora&
usiness in En,&and< and ,a$e hi'se&f 2ho&&! to the 'inistr!< and soon
co''enced *reachin, and a*ti4in, in .anchester#
As I 2as dri$en a2a! fro' 1irt&and 2ithout the *ri$i&e,e of sett&in,
'! usiness< I had< *re$ious to this< e'*&o!ed Co&one& O&i$er 5ran,er as
'! a,ent< to c&ose a&& '! affairs in the east< and as I ha$e een accused
of -runnin, a2a!< cheatin, '! creditors< etc#< I 2i&& insert one of the
'an! cards and &etters I ha$e recei$ed fro' ,ent&e'en 2ho ha$e had the
est o**ortunit! of 0no2in, '! usiness transactions< and 2hose testi'on!
co'es unso&icited(
A Card#
)AINS%ILLE< Octoer 7N< 7898#
3e< the undersi,ned< ein, *ersona& ac>uaintances of O&i$er 5ran,er<
fir'&! e&ie$e that the course 2hich he has *ursued in sett&in, the
c&ai's< accounts< etc#< a,ainst the for'er citi4ens of 1irt&and to2nshi*<
has done 'uch credit to hi'se&f< and a&& others that co''itted to hi' the
care of ad=ustin, their usiness 2ith this co''unit!< 2hich a&so furnishes
e$idence that there 2as no intention on their *art of defraudin, their
creditors#
ISi,nedJ
THO.AS 5RIFFITH<
JOHN S# SEY.OUR#
Aout this ti'e 3i&&ia' .or,an< sheriff of Da$iess count!< Sa'ue&
"o,art< Co&one& 3i&&ia' )# )enniston< Doctor Sa'ue& %ena&e< Jonathan J#
Dr!den< Ja'es Stone and Tho'as J# .artin< 'ade co''unications or
affida$its of the 'ost inf&a''ator! 0ind< char,in, u*on the -.or'ons-
those de*redations 2hich had een co''itted ! the 'o< endea$orin,
there! to raise the an,er of those in authorit!< ra&&!in, a sufficient
force around their standard< and *roduce a tota& o$erthro2< 'assacre< or
anish'ent of the -.or'ons- fro' the state# These and their associates
2ere the ones 2ho fired their o2n houses and then f&ed the countr! cr!in,
-fire and 'urder#-
It 2as re*orted in Far 3est toda! IOctoer 7NthJ that Orson H!de had
&eft that *&ace< the ni,ht *re$ious< &ea$in, a &etter for one of the
rethren< 2hich 2ou&d de$e&o* the secret#
.onda!< HH#--On the retreat of the 'o fro' Da$iess count!< I
returned to Ca&d2e&&< 2ith a co'*an! of the rethren< and arri$ed at Far
3est aout se$en in the e$enin,< 2here I had ho*ed to en=o! so'e res*ite
fro' our ene'ies< at &east for a short ti'e? ut u*on '! arri$a& there< I
2as infor'ed that a 'o had co''enced hosti&ities on the orders of
Ca&d2e&& count!< ad=oinin, Ra! count!< and that the! had ta0en so'e of our
rethren *risoners< urned so'e houses< and had co''itted de*redations on
the *eacea&e inhaitants#
Tuesda!< H9#--Ne2s ca'e to Far 3est< this 'ornin,< that the rethren
had found the cannon< 2hich the 'o rou,ht fro' Inde*endence< uried in
the earth and had secured it ! order of 5enera& )ar0s# The 2ord of the
Lord 2as ,i$en se$era& 'onths since< for the Saints to ,ather into the
cities ut the! ha$e een s&o2 to oe! unti& the =ud,'ents 2ere u*on the'<
and no2 the! are ,atherin, ! f&i,ht and haste< &ea$in, a&& their effects<
and are ,&ad to ,et off at that# The cit! of Far 3est is &itera&&!
cro2ded< and the rethren are ,atherin, fro' a&& >uarters#
Fourteen citi4ens of Ra! count!< one of 2ho' 2as a .r# Hud,ins< a
*ost'aster< 2rote the ,o$ernor an inf&a''ator! e*ist&e# Tho'as C# "urch<
of Rich'ond 2rote a si'i&ar co''unication# A&so the citi4ens of Ra!
count!< in *u&ic 'eetin,< a**ea&ed to the ,o$ernor of the state< to ,i$e
the *eo*&e of U**er .issouri *rotection fro' the fearfu& od! of -thie$es
and roers?- 2hi&e the fact is the Saints 2ere 'indin, their o2n
usiness< on&! as the! 2ere dri$en fro' it ! those 2ho 2ere cr!in,
thie$es and roers#
The 'ai& ca'e in this e$enin,< ut not a sin,&e &etter to an!od!<
fro' 2hich it is e$ident there is no de*osit sacred to those 'arauders 2ho
are infestin, the countr! and tr!in, to destro! the Saints#
3ednesda!< H@#--Austin A# 1in, and Ada' "&ac0 rene2ed their
inf&a''ator! co''unications to the ,o$ernor< as did other citi4ens of
Rich'ond< $i4#< C# R# .orehead< 3i&&ia' Thornton< and Jaco 5ud,e&< 2ho
scru*&ed at no fa&sehood or e/a,,eration< to raise the ,o$ernor+s an,er
a,ainst us#
Tho'as "# .arsh< for'er&! *resident of the T2e&$e< ha$in,
a*ostati4ed< re*aired to Rich'ond and 'ade affida$it efore Henr! Jacos<
=ustice of the *eace< to a&& the $i&est s&anders< as*ersions< &ies and
ca&u'nies to2ards '!se&f and the Church< that his 2ic0ed heart cou&d
in$ent# He had een &ifted u* in *ride ! his e/a&tation to office and the
re$e&ations of hea$en concernin, hi'< unti& he 2as read! to e o$erthro2n
! the first ad$erse 2ind that shou&d cross his trac0< and no2 he has
fa&&en< &ied and s2orn fa&se&!< and is read! to ta0e the &i$es of his est
friends# Let a&& 'en ta0e 2arnin, ! hi'< and &earn that he 2ho e/a&teth
hi'se&f< 5od 2i&& aase# Orson H!de 2as a&so at Rich'ond and testified to
'ost of .arsh+s state'ents#
The fo&&o2in, &etter< ein, a fair s*eci'en of the -truth and
honest!- of 'an! others 2hich I sha&& notice< I ,i$e it in fu&&(
Co''unication of 3oods and Dic0son to 5o$ernor "o,,s#
CARROLTON< .ISSOURI< Octoer H@< 7898#
Sir#--3e 2ere infor'ed< &ast ni,ht< ! an e/*ress fro' Ra! count!<
that Ca*tain "o,art and a&& his co'*an!< a'ountin, to et2een fift! and
si/t! 'en 2ere 'assacred ! the .or'ons at "unco'e< t2e&$e 'i&es north of
Rich'ond< e/ce*t three# This state'ent !ou 'a! re&! on as ein, true< and
&ast ni,ht the! e/*ected Rich'ond to e &aid in ashes this 'ornin,# 3e
cou&d distinct&! hear cannon< and 2e 0no2 the .or'ons had one in their
*ossession# Rich'ond is aout t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es 2est of this *&ace< on a
strai,ht &ine# 3e 0no2 not the hour or 'inute 2e 2i&& e &aid in
ashes--our countr! is ruined--for 5od+s sa0e ,i$e us assistance as >uic0
as *ossi&e#
Yours< etc#<
SASHIEL 3OODS<
JOSE)H DIC1SON#
These 'oers 'ust ha$e had $er! accute ears to hear cannon< Ea si/
*ounderF thirt!-se$en 'i&esK So 'uch for the &ies of a *riest of this
2or&d# No2 for the truth of the case# This da! aout noon< Ca*tain "o,art<
2ith so'e thirt! or fort! 'en ca&&ed on "rother Thoret )arsons< at the
head of the east ranch of Lo, cree0< 2here he 2as &i$in,< and 2arned hi'
to e ,one efore ne/t da! at ten in the 'ornin,< dec&arin, a&so that he
2ou&d ,i$e Far 3est thunder and &i,htnin, efore ne/t da! at noon< if he
had ,ood &uc0 in 'eetin, Nei& 5i&&u'< ECorne&ius 5i&&ia'F 2ho 2ou&d ca'*
aout si/ 'i&es 2est of Far 3est that ni,ht< and that he shou&d ca'* on
Croo0ed cree0# He then de*arted to2ards Croo0ed cree0#
"rother )arsons dis*atched a 'essen,er 2ith this ne2s to Far 3est<
and fo&&o2ed after "o,art to 2atch his 'o$e'ents# "rothers Jose*h Ho&roo0
and Da$id Juda< 2ho 2ent out this 'ornin, to 2atch the 'o$e'ents of the
ene'!< sa2 ei,ht ar'ed 'oers ca&& at the house of "rother )in0ha'< 2here
the! too0 three *risoners< Nathan )in0ha'< "rothers 3i&&ia' See&! and
Addison 5reen< and four horses< ar's< etc# 3hen de*artin, the! threatened
Father )in0ha' that if he did not &ea$e the state i''ediate&! the! -2ou&d
ha$e his da'ned o&d sca&*#- Ha$in, &earned of "o,art+s 'o$e'ents the
rethren returned to Far 3est near 'idni,ht< and re*orted their
*roceedin,s and those of the 'o#
On hearin, the re*ort< Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee< the first =ud,e of the
count!< ordered Lieutenant Co&one& Hin0&e< the hi,hest officer in co''and
in Far 3est< to send out a co'*an! to dis*erse the 'o and reta0e their
*risoners< 2ho'< it 2as re*orted< the! intended to 'urder that ni,ht# The
tru'*et sounded< and the rethren 2ere asse'&ed on the *u&ic s>uare
aout 'idni,ht< 2hen the facts 2ere stated< and aout se$ent!-fi$e
$o&unteered to oe! the =ud,e+s order< under co''and of Ca*tain Da$id 3#
)atten< 2ho i''ediate&! co''enced their 'arch on horseac0< ho*in, 2ithout
the &oss of &ood to sur*rise and scatter the ca'*< reta0e the *risoners
and *re$ent the attac0 threatenin, Far 3est#
Thursda!< HG#--Fifteen of the co'*an! 2ere detached fro' the 'ain
od! 2hi&e si/t! continued their 'arch ti&& the! arri$ed near the ford of
Croo0ed ri$er< Eor cree0F 2here the! dis'ounted< tied their horses< and
&ea$in, four or fi$e 'en to ,uard the'< *roceeded to2ards the ford< not
0no2in, the &ocation of the enca'*'ent# It 2as =ust at the da2nin, of
&i,ht in the east< 2hen the! 2ere 'archin, >uiet&! a&on, the road< and
near the to* of the hi&& 2hich descends to the ri$er that the re*ort of a
,un 2as heard< and !oun, )atric0 O+"anion ree&ed out of the ran0s and fe&&
'orta&&! 2ounded# Thus the 2or0 of death co''enced< 2hen Ca*tain )atten
ordered a char,e and rushed do2n the hi&& on a fast trot< and 2hen 2ithin
aout fift! !ards of the ca'* for'ed a &ine# The 'o for'ed a &ine under
the an0 of the ri$er< e&o2 their tents# It 2as !et so dar0 that &itt&e
cou&d e seen ! &oo0in, at the 2est< 2hi&e the 'o &oo0in, to2ards the
da2nin, &i,ht< cou&d see )atten and his 'en< 2hen the! fired a roadside<
and three or four of the rethren fe&&# Ca*tain )atten ordered the fire
returned< 2hich 2as instant&! oe!ed< to ,reat disad$anta,e in the
dar0ness 2hich !et continued# The fire 2as re*eated ! the 'o< and
returned ! Ca*tain )atten+s co'*an!< 2ho ,a$e the 2atch2ord -5od and
Liert!#- Ca*tain )atten then ordered a char,e< 2hich 2as instant&!
oe!ed# The *arties i''ediate&! ca'e in contact< 2ith their s2ords< and
the 'o 2ere soon *ut to f&i,ht< crossin, the ri$er at the ford and such
*&aces as the! cou&d ,et a chance# In the *ursuit< one of the 'o f&ed
fro' ehind a tree< 2hee&ed< and shot Ca*tain )atten< 2ho instant&! fe&&<
'orta&&! 2ounded< ha$in, recei$ed a &ar,e a&& in his o2e&s#
The ,round 2as soon c&eared< and the rethren ,athered u* a 2a,on or
t2o< and 'a0in, eds therein of tents< etc< too0 their 2ounded and
retreated to2ards Far 3est# Three rethren 2ere 2ounded in the o2e&s< one
in the nec0< one in the shou&der< one throu,h the hi*s< one throu,h oth
thi,hs< one in the ar's< a&& ! 'us0et shot# One had his ar' ro0en ! a
s2ord# "rother 5ideon Carter 2as shot in the head< and &eft dead on the
,round so defaced that the rethren did not 0no2 hi'# "o,art re*orted that
he had &ost one 'an# The three *risoners 2ere re&eased and returned 2ith
the rethren to Far 3est# Ca*tain )atten 2as carried so'e of the 2a! in a
&itter< ut it caused so 'uch distress that he e,,ed to e &eft ! the
2a! side# He 2as carried into "rother 3inchester+s< three 'i&es fro' the
cit! of Far 3est< 2here he died that ni,ht# )atric0 O+"anion died soon
after< and "rother Carter+s od! 2as a&so rou,ht fro' Croo0ed ri$er< 2hen
it 2as disco$ered 2ho he 2as#
I 2ent 2ith '! rother H!ru' and L!'an 3i,ht to 'eet the rethren on
their return< near Lo, cree0< 2here I sa2 Ca*tain )atten in a 'ost
distressin, condition# His 2ound 2as incura&e#
"rother Da$id )atten 2as a $er! 2orth! 'an< e&o$ed ! a&& ,ood 'en
2ho 0ne2 hi'# He 2as one of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< and died as he had &i$ed<
a 'an of 5od< and stron, in the faith of a ,&orious resurrection< in a
2or&d 2here 'os 2i&& ha$e no *o2er or *&ace# One of his &ast e/*ressions
to his 2ife 2as---3hate$er !ou do e&se< do not den! the faith#-
Ho2 different his fate to that of the a*ostate< Tho'as "# .arsh< 2ho
this da! $ented a&& the &!in, s*&een and 'a&ice of his heart to2ards the
2or0 of 5od< in a &etter to "rother and Sister Aot< to 2hich 2as anne/ed
an addenda ! Orson H!de#
The fo&&o2in, &etter 2i&& sho2 the state of *u&ic fee&in, in the
countr! at this ti'e(
E# .# R!&and+s Letter to .essrs# Rees and 3i&&ia's#
LE6IN5TON< si/ o+c&oc0 *# '#<
Octoer HG< 7898#
To .essrs# A'os Rees and 3i&e! C# 3i&&ia's(
5ENTLE.EN(--This &etter is sent on after !ou on e/*ress ! .r#
"r!ant< of Ra! count!< since !ou &eft this 'ornin,# .r# C# R# .orehead
ca'e here on e/*ress for 'en to assist in re*e&&in, a threatened attac0
u*on Rich'ond toni,ht# He rou,ht ne2s that the .or'on ar'ed force had
attac0ed Ca*tain "o,art this 'ornin, at da!&i,ht< and had cut off his
2ho&e co'*an! of fift! 'en# Since .r# .orehead &eft Rich'ond< one of the
co'*an! E"o,art+sF has co'e in and re*orted that there 2ere ten of his
co'rades 0i&&ed and the re'ainder 2ere ta0en *risoners< after 'an! of the'
had een se$ere&! 2ounded? he stated further that Rich'ond 2ou&d e sac0ed
and urned ! the .or'on anditts toni,ht# Nothin, can e/ceed the
consternation 2hich this ne2s ,a$e rise to# The 2o'en and chi&dren are
f&!in, fro' Rich'ond in e$er! direction# A nu'er of the' ha$e re*aired to
Le/in,ton< a'on,st 2ho' is .rs# Rees# 3e 2i&& ha$e sent fro' this count!
since one o+c&oc0 this e$enin, aout one hundred 2e&&-ar'ed and darin,
'en< *erha*s the 'ost effecti$e our count! can oast of# The! 2i&&
certain&! ,i$e the' Ethe .or'onsF a 2ar' rece*tion at Rich'ond toni,ht#
You 2i&& see the necessit! of hurr!in, on to the Cit! of Jefferson< and
a&so of i'*artin, correct infor'ation to the *u&ic as !ou ,o a&on,# .!
i'*ression is< that !ou had etter send one of !our nu'er to Ho2ard<
Coo*er and "oone counties< in order that $o&unteers 'a! e ,ettin, read!
and f&oc0in, to the scene of trou&e as fast as *ossi&e# The! 'ust 'a0e
haste and *ut a sto* to the de$astation 2hich is 'enaced ! these
infuriated fanatics< and the! 'ust ,o *re*ared and 2ith the fu&&
deter'ination to e/ter'inate or e/*e& the' fro' the state en 'asse#
Nothin, ut this can ,i$e tran>ui&it! to the *u&ic 'ind< and re-esta&ish
the su*re'ac! of the &a2s# There 'ust e no further de&a!in, 2ith this
>uestion an! 2here# The .or'ons 'ust &ea$e the state< or 2e 2i&&< one and
a&&< and to this co'*&e/ion it 'ust co'e at &ast# 3e ha$e ,reat re&iance
u*on !our ai&it!< discretion and fitness for the tas0 !ou ha$e
underta0en< and 2e ha$e on&! ti'e to sa!< 5od s*eed !ou#
Yours tru&!<
E# .# RYLAND< Jud,e#
The rethren had not thou,ht of ,oin, to Rich'ond--it 2as a &ie out
of 2ho&e c&oth#
5o$ernor "o,,s+ Order to 5enera& John "# C&ar0#
FRIDAY< HEADAUARTERS OF THE .ILITIA<
CITY OF JEFFERSON Octoer H:< 7898#
5enera& John "# C&ar0< 7st Di$ision .issouri .i&itia(
SIR(--A**&ication has een 'ade to the co''ander-in-chief< ! the
citi4ens of Da$iess count!< in this state< for *rotection< and to e
restored to their ho'es and *ro*ert!< 2ith inte&&i,ence that the .or'ons<
2ith an ar'ed force< ha$e e/*e&&ed the inhaitants of that count! fro'
their ho'es< ha$e *i&&a,ed and urnt their d2e&&in,s< dri$en off their
stoc0< and 2ere destro!in, their cro*s? that the! Ethe .or'onsF ha$e urnt
to ashes the to2ns of 5a&&atin and .i&&*ort in said count!? the for'er
ein, the count! seat of said count!< and inc&udin, the c&er0+s office and
a&& the *u&ic records of the count!< and that there is not no2 a ci$i&
officer 2ithin said count!# The co''ander-in-chief therefore orders that
there e raised< fro' the 7st< @th< Gth< :th and 7Hth Di$isions of the
'i&itia of this state< four hundred 'en each< to e 'ounted and ar'ed as
Infantr! or Rif&e'en< each 'an to furnish hi'se&f 2ith at &east fift!
rounds of a''unition< and at &east fifteen da!s *ro$isions# The troo*s
fro' the 7st< Gth< :th and 7Hth< 2i&& rende4$ous at Fa!ette< in Ho2ard
count!< on Saturda!< the 9rd da! of ne/t 'onth ENo$e'erF at 3hich *oint
the! 2i&& recei$e further instructions as to their &ine of 'arch# You 2i&&
therefore cause to e raised the >uota of 'en re>uired of !our di$ision
Efour hundred 'enF 2ithout de&a!< either ! $o&unteer or drafts< and
rende4$ous at Fa!ette< in Ho2ard count!< on Saturda!< the third da! of
ne/t 'onth ENo$e'erF and there =oin the troo*s fro' the Gth< :th and 7Hth
di$isions# The troo*s fro' the @th di$ision 2i&& =oin !ou at Rich'ond in
Ra! count!# You 2i&& cause the troo*s raised in !our di$ision< to e
for'ed into co'*anies accordin, to &a2< and *&aced under officers a&read!
in co''ission# If $o&unteer co'*anies are raised< the! sha&& e&ect their
o2n officers# The *reference shou&d a&2a!s e ,i$en to $o&unteer co'*anies
a&read! or,ani4ed and co''issioned# You 2i&& a&so detai& the necessar!
fie&d and staff officers# For the con$enience of trans*ortin, the ca'*
e>ui*a,e< *ro$isions and hos*ita& stores for the troo*s under !our
co''and< !ou are authori4ed to e'*&o! t2o or three a,,a,e 2a,ons# "!
order of the Co''ander-in-Chief<
"# . LISLE< Ad=#-5enera&#
Letters of Horace 1in,sur! and John 3# Ha2den on the "usiness Inte,rit!
of the )ro*het and his A,ents in 1irt&and#
To a&& *ersons that are or 'a! e interested# I< Horace
1in,sur!< of )ains$i&&e to2nshi*< 5eau,a count!< and state of Ohio<
fee&in, the i'*ortance of reco''endin, to re'e'rance e$er! 2orth!
citi4en 2ho has ! his conduct co''ended hi'se&f to *ersona&
ac>uaintance ! his course of strict inte,rit!< and desire for truth
and co''on =ustice< fee& it '! dut! to state that O&i$er 5ran,er+s
'ana,e'ent in the arran,e'ent of the unfinished usiness of *eo*&e
that ha$e 'o$ed to the Far 3est< in redee'in, their *&ed,es and
there! sustainin, their inte,rit!< has een tru&! *raise2orth!< and
has entit&ed hi' to '! hi,hest estee'< and e$er ,ratefu&
reco&&ection#
HORACE 1IN5S"URY#
)aines$i&&e< Octoer H:< 7898#
To 2ho' it 'a! concern# This 'a! certif! that durin, the !ear of
ei,hteen hundred and thirt!-se$en< I had dea&in,s 2ith .essrs# Jose*h
S'ith< Junior< and Sidne! Ri,don# to,ether 2ith other 'e'ers of the
I.or'onJ societ!< to the a'ount of aout three thousand do&&ars< and
durin, the s*rin, of ei,hteen hundred and thirt!-ei,ht< I ha$e
recei$ed '! *a! in fu&& of Co&one& O&i$er 5ran,er to '! satisfaction#
And I 2ou&d here re'ar0 that it is due .essrs# S'ith and Ri,don< and
the I.or'onJ societ! ,enera&&!< to sa! that the! ha$e e$er dea&t
honora&! and fair 2ith 'e< and I ha$e recei$ed as ,ood treat'ent
fro' the' as I ha$e recei$ed fro' an! other societ! in this $icinit!?
and so far as I ha$e een correct&! infor'ed and 'ade ac>uainted 2ith
their usiness transactions ,enera&&!< the! ha$e< so far as I can
=ud,e< een honora&e and honest< and ha$e 'ade e$er! e/ertion to
arran,e and sett&e their affairs# And I 2ou&d further state< that the
c&osin, u* of '! usiness 2ith said societ! has een 2ith their
a,ent< Co&one& 5ran,er< a**ointed ! the' for that *ur*ose? and I
consider it hi,h&! due Co&one& 5ran,er fro' 'e< here to state that he
has acted tru&! and honest&! in a&& his usiness 2ith 'e< and has
acco'*&ished 'ore than I cou&d reasona&! ha$e e/*ected# And I ha$e
a&so een 'ade ac>uainted 2ith his usiness in that section? and
2here$er he has een ca&&ed u*on to act< he has done so and 2ith ,ood
'ana,e'ent he has acco'*&ished and effected the c&ose of a &ar,e
a'ount of usiness for said societ!< and as I e&ie$e< to the entire
satisfaction of a&& concerned#
JOHN 3# HA3DEN#
)aines$i&&e< 5eau,a count!< Ohio< Octoer HM< 7898#
Saturda!< HM#--"rother )atten 2as uried this da! at Far 3est< and
efore the funera&< I ca&&ed at "rother )atten+s house< and 2hi&e
'editatin, on the scene efore 'e in *resence of his friends< I cou&d not
he&* *ointin, to his &ife&ess od! and testif!in,< -There &ies a 'an that
has done =ust as he said he 2ou&d--he has &aid do2n his &ife for his
friends#-
5o$ernor "o,,s+ E/ter'inatin, Order#
HEADAUARTERS .ILITIA< CITY OF JEFFERSON<
Octoer HM< 7898#
SIR<--Since the order of the 'ornin, to !ou< directin, !ou to cause
four hundred 'ounted 'en to e raised 2ithin !our di$ision< I ha$e
recei$ed ! A'os Rees< Es>#< and 3i&e! C# 3i&&ia's< Es>#< one of '! aids<
infor'ation of the 'ost a**a&&in, character< 2hich chan,es the 2ho&e face
of thin,s< and *&aces the .or'ons in the attitude of o*en and a$o2ed
defiance of the &a2s< and of ha$in, 'ade o*en 2ar u*on the *eo*&e of this
state# Your orders are< therefore< to hasten !our o*erations and endea$or
to reach Rich'ond< in Ra! count!< 2ith a&& *ossi&e s*eed# The .or'ons
'ust e treated as ene'ies and 'ust e e/ter'inated or dri$en fro' the
state< if necessar! for the *u&ic ,ood# Their outra,es are e!ond a&&
descri*tion# If !ou can increase !our force< !ou are authori4ed to do so<
to an! e/tent !ou 'a! thin0 necessar!# I ha$e =ust issued orders to
.a=or-5enera& 3a&&oc0< of .arion count!< to raise fi$e hundred 'en< and to
'arch the' to the northern *art of Da$iess and there to unite 2ith 5enera&
Doni*han< of C&a!< 2ho has een ordered 2ith fi$e hundred 'en to *roceed
to the sa'e *oint for the *ur*ose of interce*tin, the retreat of the
.or'ons to the north# The! ha$e een directed to co''unicate 2ith !ou !
e/*ress? and !ou can a&so co''unicate 2ith the' if !ou find it necessar!#
Instead< therefore< of *roceedin, as at first directed< to reinstate the
citi4ens of Da$iess in their ho'es< !ou 2i&& *roceed i''ediate&! to
Rich'ond< and there o*erate a,ainst the .or'ons# "ri,adier-5enera& )ar0s<
of Ra!< has een ordered to ha$e four hundred 'en of his ri,ade in
readiness to =oin You at Rich'ond# The 2ho&e force 2i&& e *&aced under
!our co''and#
L# 3# "O55S<
5o$ernor and Co''ander-in-Chief#
To 5enera& C&ar0#
5reat e/cite'ent no2 *re$ai&ed< and 'os 2ere heard of in e$er!
direction< 2ho see'ed deter'ined on our destruction# The! urned the
houses in the countr!< and too0 off a&& the catt&e the! cou&d find# The!
destro!ed corn fie&ds< too0 'an! *risoners< and threatened death to a&&
the .or'ons#
The A**ea& of Atchison and Lucas to 5o$ernor "o,,s< As0in, his )resence at
the seat of 3ar#
HEADAUARTERS OF THE 9RD AND @TH DI%ISION< .ISSOURI
.ILITIA< RICH.OND< Octoer H8< 7898#
To the Co''ander-in-Chief< .issouri .i&itia(
SIR(--Fro' &ate outra,es co''itted ! the .or'ons< ci$i& 2ar is
ine$ita&e# The! ha$e set the &a2s of the countr! at defiance< and are in
o*en ree&&ion# 3e ha$e aout t2o thousand 'en under ar's to 0ee* the' in
chec0# The *resence of the co''ander-in-chief is dee'ed aso&ute&!
necessar!< and 2e 'ost res*ectfu&&! ur,e that !our e/ce&&enc! e at the
seat of 2ar as soon as *ossi&e# Your 'ost oedient ser$ants<
DA%ID R# ATCHISON< .# 5# 9rd Di$#
SA.UEL D# LUCAS< .# 5# @th Di$#
CHA)TER 6III#
.O" .O%E.ENTS ON FAR 3EST--TREACHERY OF COLONEL HIN1LE--SORRO3FUL SCENES#
LIL"URN 3# "O55S had eco'e so hardened ! 'oin, the Saints in
Jac0son count!< and his conscience so -seared as 2ith a hot iron<- that he
2as considered a fit su=ect for the ,uernatoria& chair? and it 2as
*roa&! his hatred to truth and the -.or'ons<- and his &ood-thirst!<
'urderous dis*osition< that raised hi' to the station he occu*ied# His
e/ter'inatin, order of the t2ent!-se$enth aroused e$er! s*irit in the
state< of the &i0e sta'* of his o2n? and the .issouri 'oocrats 2ere
f&oc0in, to the standard of 5enera& C&ar0 fro' a&'ost e$er! >uarter#
C&ar0< a&thou,h not the ran0in, officer< 2as se&ected ! 5o$ernor
"o,,s as the 'ost fit instru'ent to carr! out his 'urderous desi,ns? for
ad as the! 2ere in .issouri< $er! fe2 co''andin, officers 2ere ,et
sufficient&! hardened to ,o a&& &en,ths 2ith "o,,s in this conte'*&ated
inhu'an utcher!< and e/*u&sion fro' one of the shou&d-e free and
inde*endent states of the Re*u&ic of North A'erica< 2here the
Constitution dec&ares< that -e$er! 'an sha&& ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of
2orshi*in, 5od accordin, to the dictates of his o2n conscience? - and this
2as a&& the offense the Saints had een ,ui&t! of#
And here I 2ou&d state< that 2hi&e the e$i& s*irits 2ere ra,in, u*
and do2n in the state to raise 'os a,ainst the -.or'ons<- Satan hi'se&f
2as no &ess us! in stri$in, to stir u* 'ischief in the ca'* of the
Saints( and a'on, the 'ost cons*icuous of his 2i&&in, de$otees 2as one
Doctor Sa'*son A$ard< 2ho had een in the Church ut a short ti'e< and
2ho< a&thou,h he had ,enera&&! eha$ed 2ith a to&era&e de,ree of e/terna&
decoru'< 2as secret&! as*irin, to e the ,reatest of the ,reat< and eco'e
the &eader of the *eo*&e# This 2as his *ride and his fo&&!< ut as he had
no ho*es of acco'*&ishin, it ! ,ainin, the hearts of the *eo*&e o*en&! he
2atched his o**ortunit! 2ith the rethren--at a ti'e 2hen 'os o**ressed<
roed< 2hi**ed< urned< *&undered and s&e2< ti&& forearance see'ed no
&on,er a $irtue< and nothin, ut the ,race of 5od 2ithout 'easure cou&d
su**ort 'en under such tria&s--to for' a secret co'ination ! 2hich he
'i,ht rise a 'i,ht! con>ueror< at the e/*ense and the o$erthro2 of the
Church# This he tried to acco'*&ish ! his s'ooth< f&atterin,< and 2innin,
s*eeches< 2hich he fre>uent&! 'ade to his associates< 2hi&e his roo' 2as
2e&& ,uarded ! so'e of his fo&&o2ers< read! to ,i$e hi' the si,na& on the
a**roach of an!one 2ho 2ou&d not a**ro$e of his 'easures#
In these *roceedin,s he stated that he had the sanction of the heads
of the Church for 2hat he 2as aout to do? and ! his s'i&es and f&atter!<
*ersuaded the' to e&ie$e it< and *roceeded to ad'inister to the fe2 under
his contro&< an oath< indin, the' to e$er&astin, secrec! to e$er!thin,
2hich shou&d e co''unicated to the' ! hi'se&f# Thus A$ard initiated
'e'ers into his and< fir'&! indin, the'< ! a&& that 2as sacred< in the
*rotectin, of each other in a&& thin,s that 2ere &a2fu&? and 2as carefu&
to *icture out a ,reat ,&or! that 2as then ho$erin, o$er the Church< and
2ou&d soon urst u*on the Saints as a c&oud ! da!< and a *i&&ar of fire
! ni,ht< and 2ou&d soon un$ei& the s&u'erin, '!steries of hea$en< 2hich
2ou&d ,&adden the hearts and arouse the stu*id s*irits of the Saints of
the &atter-da!< and fi&& their hearts 2ith that &o$e 2hich is uns*ea0a&e
and fu&& of ,&or!< and ar' the' 2ith *o2er< that the ,ates of he&& cou&d
not *re$ai& a,ainst the'? and 2ou&d often affir' to his co'*an! that the
*rinci*a& 'en of the Church had *ut hi' for2ard as a s*o0es'an< and a
&eader of this and< 2hich he na'ed Danites#
Thus he du*ed 'an!< 2hich ,a$e hi' the o**ortunit! of fi,urin, as a
*erson of i'*ortance# He he&d his 'eetin,s dai&!< and carried on his
craft! 2or0 in ,reat haste< to *re$ent 'ature ref&ection u*on the 'atter
! his fo&&o2ers< unti& he had the' ound under the *ena&ties of death to
0ee* the secrets and certain si,ns of the or,ani4ation ! 2hich the! 2ere
to 0no2 each other ! da! or ni,ht#
After those *erfor'ances< he he&d 'eetin,s to or,ani4e his 'en into
co'*anies of tens and fifties< a**ointin, a ca*tain o$er each co'*an!#
After co'*&etin, this or,ani4ation< he 2ent on to teach the 'e'ers of it
their dut! under the orders of their ca*tains? he then ca&&ed his ca*tains
to,ether and tau,ht the' in a sec&uded *&ace< as fo&&o2s(
A$ard+s Instructions to His Ca*tains#
.! rethren< as !ou ha$e een chosen to e our &eadin, 'en< our
ca*tains to ru&e o$er this &ast 0in,do' of Jesus Christ--and !ou ha$e
een or,ani4ed after the ancient order--I ha$e ca&&ed u*on !ou here
toda! to teach !ou< and instruct !ou in the thin,s that *ertain to
!our dut!< and to sho2 !ou 2hat !our *ri$i&e,es are< and 2hat the!
soon 2i&& e# 1no2 !e not< rethren< that it soon 2i&& e !our
*ri$i&e,e to ta0e !our res*ecti$e co'*anies and ,o out on a scout on
the orders of the sett&e'ents< and ta0e to !ourse&$es s*oi&s of the
,oods of the un,od&! 5enti&esB for it is 2ritten< the riches of the
5enti&es sha&& e consecrated to '! *eo*&e< the house of Israe&? and
thus !ou 2i&& 2aste a2a! the 5enti&es ! roin, and *&underin, the'
of their *ro*ert!? and in this 2a! 2e 2i&& ui&d u* the 0in,do' of
5od< and ro&& forth the &itt&e stone that Danie& sa2 cut out of the
'ountain 2ithout hands and ro&& forth unti& it fi&&ed the 2ho&e
earth# For this is the $er! 2a! that 5od destines to ui&d u* his
0in,do' in the &ast da!s# If an! us shou&d e reco,ni4ed< 2ho can
har' usB for 2e 2i&& stand ! each other and defend one another in
a&& thin,s# If our ene'ies s2ear a,ainst us< 2e can s2ear a&so# IThe
ca*tains 2ere confounded at this< ut A$ard continuedJ# 3h! do !ou
start&e at this< rethrenB As the Lord &i$eth< I 2ou&d s2ear to a &ie
to c&ear an! of !ou? and if this 2ou&d not do< I 2ou&d *ut the' or
hi' under the sand as .oses did the E,!*tian< and in this 2a! 2e 2i&&
consecrate 'uch unto the Lord< and ui&d u* His 1in,do'? and 2ho can
stand a,ainst usB And if an! of us trans,ress< 2e 2i&& dea& 2ith hi'
a'on,st ourse&$es# And if an! one of this Danite societ! re$ea&s an!
of these thin,s< I 2i&& *ut hi' 2here the do,s cannot ite hi'#
At this &ecture a&& of the officers re$o&ted< and said it 2ou&d not
do< the! 2ou&d not ,o into an! such 'easures< and it 2ou&d not do to na'e
an! such thin,? -such *roceedin,s 2ou&d e in o*en $io&ation of the &a2s
of our countr!< 2ou&d e roin, our fe&&o2 citi4ens of their ri,hts< and
are not accordin, to the &an,ua,e and doctrine of Christ< or of the Church
of Latter-da! Saints#-
A$ard re*&ied< and said there 2as no &a2s that 2ere e/ecuted in
=ustice< and he cared not for the'< this ein, a different dis*ensation< a
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es? in this dis*ensation he &earned
fro' the Scri*tures that the 0in,do' of 5od 2as to *ut do2n a&& other
0in,do's< and the Lord Hi'se&f 2as to rei,n< and His &a2s a&one 2ere the
&a2s that 2ou&d e/ist#
A$ard+s teachin,s 2ere sti&& 'anfu&&! re=ected ! a&&# A$ard then
said that the! had etter dro* the su=ect< a&thou,h he had recei$ed his
authorit! fro' Sidne! Ri,don the e$enin, efore# The 'eetin, then ro0e
u*? the e!es of those *resent 2ere o*ened< A$ard+s craft 2as no &on,er in
the dar0< and ut $er! &itt&e confidence 2as *&aced in hi'< e$en ! the
2ar'est of the 'e'ers of his Danite sche'e#
3hen a 0no2&ed,e of A$ard+s rasca&it! ca'e to the )residenc! of the
Church< he 2as cutoff fro' the Church< and e$er! 'eans *ro*er used to
destro! his inf&uence< at 2hich he 2as hi,h&! incensed and 2ent aout
2his*erin, his e$i& insinuations< ut findin, e$er! effort una$ai&in,< he
a,ain turned cons*irator< and sou,ht to 'a0e friends 2ith the 'o#
And here &et it e distinct&! understood< that these co'*anies of
tens and fifties ,ot u* ! A$ard< 2ere a&to,ether se*arate and distinct
fro' those co'*anies of tens and fifties or,ani4ed ! the rethren for
se&f defense< in case of an attac0 fro' the 'o# This &atter or,ani4ation
2as ca&&ed into e/istence 'ore *articu&ar&! that in this ti'e of a&ar' no
fa'i&! or *erson 'i,ht e ne,&ected? therefore< one co'*an! 2ou&d e
en,a,ed in dra2in, 2ood< another in cuttin, it< another in ,atherin, corn<
another in ,rindin, another in utcherin,< another in distriutin, 'eat<
etc#< etc#< so that a&& shou&d e e'*&o!ed in turn< and no one &ac0 the
necessaries of &ife# Therefore< &et no one hereafter< ! 'ista0e or
desi,n< confound this or,ani4ation of the Church for ,ood and ri,hteous
*ur*oses< 2ith the or,ani4ation of the -Danites<- of the a*ostate A$ard<
2hich died a&'ost efore it had e/isted#
The 'o e,an to enca'* at Rich'ond on the t2ent!-si/th< and ! this
ti'e a'ounted to aout t2o thousand read! to fu&fi&& the e/ter'inatin,
order< and =oin the standard of the ,o$ernor# The! too0 u* a &ine of 'arch
for Far 3est< tra$e&in, ut *art 2a!< 2here the! enca'*ed for the ni,ht#
Tuesda!< Octoer 9D#--The ad$ance ,uard of the 'o 2ere *atro&&in,
the countr! and ta0in, 'an! *risoners< a'on, 2ho' 2ere "rother Ste*hen
3inchester< and "rother Care!< 2hose s0u&& the! &aid o*en ! a &o2 fro' a
rif&e arre&# In this 'an,&ed condition< the 'o &aid hi' in their 2a,on
and 2ent on their 2a!< den!in, hi' e$er! co'fort< and thus he re'ained
that afternoon and ni,ht#
5enera& C&ar0 2as in ca'* at Chariton under a forced 'arch to
Rich'ond< 2ith aout a thousand 'en< and the ,o$ernor+s e/ter'inatin,
order#
For the histor! of this da! at Haun+s .i&&s< on Shoa& cree0< I >uote
the fo&&o2in, affida$it of E&der Jose*h Youn,< First )resident of the
Se$enties(
Jose*h Youn,+s Narrati$e of the .assacre at Haun+s .i&&s#
On the si/th da! of Ju&! &ast< I started 2ith '! fa'i&! fro'
1irt&and< Ohio< for the state of .issouri< the count! of Ca&d2e&&< in
the u**er *art of the state< ein, the *&ace of '! destination#
On the thirteenth da! of Octoer I crossed the .ississi**i at
Louisiana< at 2hich *&ace I heard $a,ue re*orts of the disturances
in the u**er countr!< ut nothin, that cou&d e re&ied u*on# I
continued '! course 2est2ard ti&& I crossed 5rand ri$er< at a *&ace
ca&&ed Co'*ton+s Ferr!< at 2hich *&ace I heard< for the first ti'e<
that if I *roceeded an! farther on '! =ourne!< I 2ou&d e in dan,er
of ein, sto**ed ! a od! of ar'ed 'en# I 2as not 2i&&in,< ho2e$er<
2hi&e treadin, '! nati$e soi&< and reathin, re*u&ican air< to
aandon '! o=ect< 2hich 2as to &ocate '!se&f and fa'i&! in a fine<
hea&th! countr!< 2here 2e cou&d en=o! the societ! of our friends and
connections# Conse>uent&!< I *rosecuted '! =ourne! ti&& I ca'e to
3hitne!+s .i&&s< situated on Shoa& cree0< in the eastern *art of
Ca&d2e&& count!#
After crossin, the cree0 and ,oin, aout three 'i&es< 2e 'et a
*art! of the 'o< aout fort! in nu'er< ar'ed 2ith rif&es< and
'ounted on horses< 2ho infor'ed us that 2e cou&d ,o no farther 2est<
threatenin, us 2ith instant death if 2e *roceeded an! farther# I
as0ed the' the reason of this *rohiition? to 2hich the! re*&ied<
that 2e 2ere -.or'ons?- that e$er!one 2ho adhered to our re&i,ious
faith< 2ou&d ha$e to &ea$e the state in ten da!s< or renounce their
re&i,ion# Accordin,&! the! dro$e us ac0 to the 'i&&s ao$e
'entioned#
Here 2e tarried three da!s? and< on Frida!< the t2ent!-si/th< 2e
re-crossed the cree0< and fo&&o2in, u* its an0s< 2e succeeded in
e&udin, the 'o for the ti'e ein,< and ,ained the residence of a
friend in .!er+s sett&e'ent#
On Sunda!< t2ent!-ei,hth Octoer< 2e arri$ed aout t2e&$e
o+c&oc0< at Haun+s .i&&s< 2here 2e found a nu'er of our friends
co&&ected to,ether< 2ho 2ere ho&din, a counci&< and de&ieratin, on
the est course for the' to *ursue< to defend the'se&$es a,ainst the
'o< 2ho 2ere co&&ectin, in the nei,horhood under the co''and of
Co&one& Jennin,s of Li$in,ston count!< and threatenin, the' 2ith
house urnin, and 0i&&in,# The decision of the counci& 2as< that our
friends there shou&d *&ace the'se&$es in an attitude of se&f defense#
Accordin,&! aout t2ent!-ei,ht of our 'en ar'ed the'se&$es< and 2ere
in constant readiness for an attac0 of an! s'a&& od! of 'en that
'i,ht co'e do2n u*on the'#
The sa'e e$enin,< for so'e reason est 0no2n to the'se&$es the
'o sent one of their nu'er to enter into a treat! 2ith our friends<
2hich 2as acce*ted< on the condition of 'utua& forearance on oth
sides< and that each *art!< as far as their inf&uence e/tended<
shou&d e/ert the'se&$es to *re$ent an! further hosti&ities u*on
either *art!#
At this ti'e< ho2e$er< there 2as another 'o co&&ectin, on 5rand
ri$er< at 3i&&ia' .ann+s< 2ho 2ere threatenin, us< conse>uent&! 2e
re'ained under ar's#
.onda! *assed a2a! 2ithout 'o&estation fro' an! >uarter#
On Tuesda!< the 9Dth< that &ood! tra,ed! 2as acted< the scene
of 2hich I sha&& ne$er for,et# .ore than three-fourths of the da! had
*assed in tran>ui&it!< as s'i&in, as the *recedin, one# I thin0 there
2as no indi$idua& of our co'*an! that 2as a**rised of the sudden and
a2fu& fate that hun, o$er our heads &i0e an o$er2he&'in, torrent<
2hich 2as to chan,e the *ros*ects< the fee&in,s and the circu'stances
of aout thirt! fa'i&ies# The an0s of Shoa& cree0 on either side
tee'ed 2ith chi&dren s*ortin, and *&a!in,< 2hi&e their 'others 2ere
en,a,ed in do'estic e'*&o!'ents< and their fathers e'*&o!ed in
,uardin, the 'i&&s and other *ro*ert!< 2hi&e others 2ere en,a,ed in
,atherin, in their cro*s for their 2inter consu'*tion# The 2eather
2as $er! *&easant< the sun shone c&ear< a&& 2as tran>ui&< and no one
e/*ressed an! a**rehension of the a2fu& crisis that 2as near us--e$en
at our doors#
It 2as aout four o+c&oc0< 2hi&e sittin, in '! cain 2ith '!
ae in '! ar's< and '! 2ife standin, ! '! side< the door ein,
o*en< I cast '! e!es on the o**osite an0 of Shoa& cree0 and sa2 a
&ar,e co'*an! of ar'ed 'en< on horses< directin, their course to2ards
the 'i&&s 2ith a&& *ossi&e s*eed# As the! ad$anced throu,h the
scatterin, trees that stood on the ed,e of the *rairie the! see'ed to
for' the'se&$es into a three s>uare *osition< for'in, a $an,uard in
front#
At this 'o'ent< Da$id E$ans< seein, the su*eriorit! of their
nu'ers< Ethere ein, t2o hundred and fort! of the'< accordin, to
their o2n accountF< s2un, his hat< and cried for *eace# This not
ein, heeded< the! continued to ad$ance< and their &eader< .r#
Nehe'iah Co'stoc0< fired a ,un< 2hich 2as fo&&o2ed ! a so&e'n *ause
of ten or t2e&$e seconds< 2hen< a&& at once< the! dischar,ed aout
one hundred rif&es< ai'in, at a &ac0s'ith sho* into 2hich our
friends had f&ed for safet!? and char,ed u* to the sho*< the crac0s
of 2hich et2een the &o,s 2ere sufficient&! &ar,e to ena&e the' to
ai' direct&! at the odies of those 2ho had there f&ed for refu,e
fro' the fire of their 'urderers# There 2ere se$era& fa'i&ies tented
in the rear of the sho*< 2hose &i$es 2ere e/*osed< and a'idst a
sho2er of u&&ets f&ed to the 2oods in different directions#
After standin, and ,a4in, on this &ood! scene for a fe2
'inutes< and findin, '!se&f in the utter'ost dan,er< the u&&ets
ha$in, reached the house 2here I 2as &i$in,< I co''itted '! fa'i&! to
the *rotection of hea$en< and &ea$in, the house on the o**osite side<
I too0 a *ath 2hich &ed u* the hi&&< fo&&o2in, in the trai& of three
of '! rethren that had f&ed fro' the sho*# 3hi&e ascendin, the hi&&
2e 2ere disco$ered ! the 'o< 2ho i''ediate&! fired at us< and
continued so to do ti&& 2e reached the su''it# In descendin, the
hi&&< I secreted '!se&f in a thic0et of ushes< 2here I &a! ti&&
ei,ht o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,< at 2hich ti'e I heard a fe'a&e $oice
ca&&in, '! na'e in an under tone< te&&in, 'e that the 'o had ,one
and there 2as no dan,er# I i''ediate&! &eft the thic0et< and 2ent to
the house of "en=a'in Le2is< 2here I found '! fa'i&! E2ho had f&ed
thereF in safet!< and t2o of '! friends 'orta&&! 2ounded< one of 2ho'
died efore 'ornin,# Here 2e *assed the *ainfu& ni,ht in dee* and
a2fu& ref&ections on the scenes of the *recedin, e$enin,#
After da!&i,ht a**eared< so'e four or fi$e 'en< 2ho 2ith '!se&f<
had esca*ed 2ith our &i$es fro' the horrid 'assacre< and 2ho re*aired
as soon as *ossi&e to the 'i&&s< to &earn the condition of our
friends< 2hose fate 2e had ut too tru&! antici*ated# 3hen 2e arri$ed
at the house of .r# Haun< 2e found .r# .erric0+s od! &!in, in the
rear of the house< .r# .c"ride+s in front< &itera&&! 'an,&ed fro'
head to foot# 3e 2ere infor'ed ! .iss Reecca Judd< 2ho 2as an e!e
2itness< that he 2as shot 2ith his o2n ,un< after he had ,i$en it u*<
and then cut to *ieces 2ith a corn cutter ! a .r# Ro,ers of Da$iess
count!< 2ho 0ee*s a ferr! on 5rand ri$er< and 2ho has since
re*eated&! oasted of this act of sa$a,e ararit!# .r# Yor0+s od!
2e found in the house< and after $ie2in, these cor*ses< 2e
i''ediate&! 2ent to the &ac0s'ith+s sho*< 2here 2e found nine of our
friends< ei,ht of 2ho' 2ere a&read! dead? the other< .r# Co/< of
Indiana< stru,,&in, in the a,onies of death and soon e/*ired# 3e
i''ediate&! *re*ared and carried the' to the *&ace of inter'ent# The
&ast office of 0indness due to the re'ains of de*arted friends< 2as
not attended 2ith the custo'ar! cere'onies or decenc!< for 2e 2ere in
=eo*ard!< e$er! 'o'ent e/*ectin, to e fired u*on ! the 'o< 2ho< 2e
su**osed< 2ere &!in, in a'ush< 2aitin, for the first o**ortunit! to
des*atch the re'ainin, fe2 2ho 2ere *ro$identia&&! *reser$ed fro' the
s&au,hter of the *recedin, da!# Ho2e$er< 2e acco'*&ished 2ithout
'o&estation this *ainfu& tas0# The *&ace of ur!in, 2as a $au&t in
the ,round< for'er&! intended for a 2e&&< into 2hich 2e thre2 the
odies of our friends *ro'iscuous&!# A'on, those s&ain I 2i&& 'ention
Sardius S'ith< son of 3arren S'ith< aout nine !ears o&d< 2ho<
throu,h fear< had cra2&ed under the e&&o2s in the sho*< 2here he
re'ained ti&& the 'assacre 2as o$er< 2hen he 2as disco$ered ! a .r#
5&a4e< of Carro&& count!< 2ho *resented his rif&e near the o!+s
head< and &itera&&! &o2ed off the u**er *art of it# .r# Stan&e!< of
Carro&&< to&d 'e after2ards that 5&a4e oasted of this fiend-&i0e
'urder and heroic deed a&& o$er the countr!#
The nu'er 0i&&ed and 'orta&&! 2ounded in this 2anton s&au,hter
2as ei,hteen or nineteen< 2hose na'es as far as I reco&&ect 2ere as
fo&&o2s( Tho'as .c"ride< Le$i N# .erric0< E&ias "enner< Josiah
Fu&&er< "en=a'in Le2is< A&e/ander Ca'*e&&< 3arren S'ith Sardius
S'ith< 5eor,e S# Richards< .r# 3i&&ia' Na*ier< Au,ustine Har'er<
Si'on Co/< .r# IHira'J Aott< John Yor0< Char&es .erric0< Ea o!
ei,ht or nine nears o&dF< IJohn Lee< John "!ersJ< and three or four
others< 2hose na'es I do not reco&&ect< as the! 2ere stran,ers< to
'e# A'on, the 2ounded 2ho reco$ered 2ere Isaac Lane!< Nathan 1#
1ni,ht< .r# I3i&&ia'J Yo0u'< t2o rothers ! the na'e of IJaco and
5eor,eJ .!ers< Tar&ton Le2is< .r# IJacoJ Haun< and se$era& others<
IJaco Fout4< Jaco )otts< Char&es Ji'ison< John 3a&0er< A&'a S'ith<
a,ed aout nine !earsJ# .iss .ar! Sted2e&&< 2hi&e f&eein,< 2as shot
throu,h the hand< and< faintin,< fe&& o$er a &o,< into 2hich the!
shot u*2ards of t2ent! a&&s#
To finish their 2or0 of destruction< this and of 'urderers<
co'*osed of 'en fro' Da$iess< Li$in,ston< Ra!< Carro&&< and Chariton
counties< &ed ! so'e of the *rinci*a& 'en of that section of the
u**er countr!< Ea'on, 2ho' I a' infor'ed 2ere .r# Ash!< of Chariton<
'e'er of the state &e,is&ature? Co&one& Jennin,s< of Li$in,ston
count!< Tho'as O# "r!on< c&er0 of Li$in,ston count!? .r# 3hitne!< Dr#
Randa&&< and 'an! othersF< *roceeded to ro the houses< 2a,ons< and
tents< of eddin, and c&othin,? dro$e off horses and 2a,ons< &ea$in,
2ido2s and or*hans destitute of the necessaries of &ife? and e$en
stri**ed the c&othin, fro' the odies of the s&ain# Accordin, to
their o2n account< the! fired se$en rounds in this a2fu& utcher!<
'a0in, u*2ards of si/teen hundred shots at a &itt&e co'*an! of 'en<
aout thirt! in nu'er# I here! certif! the ao$e to e a true
state'ent of facts< accordin, to the est of '! 0no2&ed,e#
JOSE)H YOUN5#
STATE OF ILLINOIS< F
COUNTY OF ADA.S# F ss#
I here! certif! that Jose*h Youn, this da! ca'e efore 'e< and
'ade oath in due for' of &a2< that the state'ents contained in the
fore,oin, sheet are true< accordin, to the est of his 0no2&ed,e and
e&ief# In testi'on! 2hereof I ha$e hereunto set '! hand and affi/ed
the sea& of the Circuit Court at Auinc!< this fourth da! of June< in
the !ear of our Lord one thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt!-nine#
C# .# 3OODS<
C&er0 Circuit Court< Ada's Co#<
I&&#
A !oun,er rother of the o! here 0i&&ed< a,ed ei,ht< 2as shot
throu,h the hi*# The &itt&e fe&&o2 hi'se&f states that seein, his father
and rother oth 0i&&ed< he thou,ht the! 2ou&d shoot hi' a,ain if he
stirred< and so fei,ned hi'se&f dead< and &a! *erfect&! sti&&< ti&& he
heard his 'other ca&& hi' after dar0#
Nathan 1# 1ni,ht sa2 a .issourian cut do2n Father .c"ride 2ith a
corn-cutter< and a&so sa2 the' stri**in, the d!in,< and heard the o!s
cr!in, for 'erc!# "rother 1ni,ht 'ade his esca*e across the 'i&&-da'<
after recei$in, 2ounds throu,h his &un,s and fin,er# After the 'assacre
2as o$er< he 2as &ed to a house ! a 2o'an< and 2hi&st &!in, there 2ounded
he heard .r# Jesse .au*in sa! that he &e2 one of the o!s+ rains out#
So'e ti'e &ater 2hi&st 2a&0in, the streets of Far 3est "rother 1ni,ht 2as
'et ! three .issourians 2ho threatened to utcher hi'< and one of the' !
the na'e of Ro,ers dre2 a utcher 0nife< and said that he had not ,ot his
corn-cutter 2ith hi'< that he cut do2n .c"ride 2ith< -ut ! ------ I ha$e
,ot so'ethin, that 2i&& do as 2e&&(- ut ! a ,reat chance "rother 1ni,ht
'ade his esca*e fro' the ruffian#
5enera& Atchison 2ithdre2 fro' the ar'! at Rich'ond as soon as the
,o$ernor+s e/ter'ination order 2as recei$ed# U* to this ti'e 2e 2ere
i,norant at Far 3est of the 'o$e'ents of the 'o at Rich'ond< and the
,o$ernor+s order of e/ter'ination#
On the 9Dth of Octoer a &ar,e co'*an! of ar'ed so&diers 2ere seen
a**roachin, Far 3est# The! ca'e u* near to the to2n< and then dre2 ac0
aout a 'i&e< and enca'*ed for the ni,ht# 3e 2ere infor'ed that the! 2ere
'i&itia< ordered out ! the ,o$ernor for the *ur*ose of sto**in, our
*roceedin,s< it ha$in, een re*resented to his e/ce&&enc!< ! 2ic0ed and
desi,nin, 'en fro' Da$iess that 2e 2ere the a,,ressors< and had co''itted
outra,es in Da$iess count!# The! had not !et ,ot the ,o$ernor+s order of
e/ter'ination< 2hich I e&ie$e did not arri$e ti&& the ne/t da!#
3ednesda!< Octoer 97#--The 'i&itia of Far 3est ,uarded the cit! the
*ast ni,ht< and arran,ed a te'*orar! fortification of 2a,ons< ti'er<
etc#< on the south# The sisters< 'an! of the'< 2ere en,a,ed in ,atherin,
u* their 'ost $a&ua&e effects< fearin, a terri&e att&e in the 'ornin,<
and that the houses 'i,ht e fired and the! o&i,ed to f&ee# The ene'! 2as
fi$e to one a,ainst us#
Aout ei,ht o+c&oc0 a f&a, of truce 2as sent fro' the ene'!< 2hich
2as 'et ! se$era& of our *eo*&e< and it 2as ho*ed that 'atters 2ou&d e
satisfactori&! arran,ed after the officers had heard a true state'ent of
a&& the circu'stances# Co&one& Hin0&e 2ent to 'eet the f&a,< and secret&!
'ade the fo&&o2in, en,a,e'ent( First< to ,i$e u* their Ithe Church+sJ
&eaders to e tried and *unished? second< to 'a0e an a**ro*riation of the
*ro*ert! of a&& 2ho had ta0en u* ar's< for the *a!'ent of their dets< and
inde'nif! for the da'a,e done ! the'? third< that the re'ainder of the
Saints shou&d &ea$e the state< and e *rotected 2hi&e doin, so ! the
'i&itia? ut the! 2ere to e *er'itted to re'ain under *rotection unti&
further orders 2ere recei$ed fro' the co''ander-in-chief? fourth< to ,i$e
u* their ar's of e$er! descri*tion< 2hich 2ou&d e recei*ted for#
The ene'! 2as reinforced ! aout one thousand fi$e hundred 'en
toda!< and ne2s of the destruction of *ro*ert! ! the 'o reached us fro'
e$er! >uarter#
To2ards e$enin, I 2as 2aited u*on ! Co&one& Hin0&e< 2ho stated that
the officers of the 'i&itia desired to ha$e an inter$ie2 2ith 'e and so'e
others< ho*in, that the difficu&ties 'i,ht e sett&ed 2ithout ha$in,
occasion to carr! into effect the e/ter'inatin, orders 2hich the! had
recei$ed fro' the ,o$ernor# I i''ediate&! co'*&ied 2ith the re>uest< and
in co'*an! 2ith E&ders Sidne! Ri,don and )ar&e! )# )ratt< Co&one& 3i,ht
and 5eor,e 3# Roinson< 2ent into the ca'* of the 'i&itia# "ut =ud,e of
'! sur*rise< 2hen< instead of ein, treated 2ith that res*ect 2hich is due
fro' one citi4en to another< 2e 2ere ta0en as *risoners of 2ar< and
treated 2ith the ut'ost conte'*t# The officers 2ou&d not con$erse 2ith
us< and the so&diers< a&'ost to a 'an< insu&ted us as 'uch as the! fe&t
dis*osed< reathin, out threats a,ainst 'e and '! co'*anions# I cannot
e,in to te&& the scene 2hich I there 2itnessed# The &oud cries and !e&&s
of 'ore than one thousand $oices< 2hich rent the air and cou&d e heard
for 'i&es< and the horrid and &as*he'ous threats and curses 2hich 2ere
*oured u*on us in torrents< 2ere enou,h to a**a&& the stoutest heart# In
the e$enin, 2e had to &ie do2n on the co&d ,round< surrounded ! a stron,
,uard< 2ho 2ere on&! 0e*t ac0 ! the *o2er of 5od fro' de*ri$in, us of
&ife# 3e *etitioned the officers to 0no2 2h! 2e 2ere thus treated< ut
the! utter&! refused to ,i$e us an! ans2er< or to con$erse 2ith us# After
2e arri$ed in the ca'*< "rother Ste*hen 3inchester and e&e$en other
rethren 2ho 2ere *risoners< $o&unteered< 2ith *er'ission of the officers<
to carr! "rother Care! into the cit! to his fa'i&!< he ha$in, &ain e/*osed
to the 2eather for a sho2 to the inhu'an 2retches< 2ithout ha$in, his
2ound dressed or ein, nourished in an! 'anner# He died soon after he
reached ho'e#
Thursda!< No$e'er 7#--"rothers H!ru' S'ith and A'asa L!'an 2ere
rou,ht *risoners into ca'*# The officers of the 'i&itia he&d a court
'artia&< and sentenced us to e shot< on Frida! 'ornin,< on the *u&ic
s>uare of Far 3est as a 2arnin, to the -.or'ons#- Ho2e$er<
not2ithstandin, their sentence and deter'ination< the! 2ere not *er'itted
to carr! their 'urderous sentence into e/ecution# Ha$in, an o**ortunit! of
s*ea0in, to 5enera& 3i&son< I in>uired of hi' 2h! I 2as thus treated# I
to&d hi' I 2as not a2are of ha$in, done an!thin, 2orth! of such treat'ent?
that I had a&2a!s een a su**orter of the Constitution and of de'ocrac!#
His ans2er 2as< -I 0no2 it< and that is the reason 2h! I 2ant to 0i&& !ou<
or ha$e !ou 0i&&ed#-
The 'i&itia 2ent into the to2n< and 2ithout an! restraint 2hate$er<
*&undered the houses< and a use the innocent and unoffendin, inhaitants
and &eft 'an! destitute# The! 2ent to '! house< dro$e '! fa'i&! out of
doors< carried a2a! 'ost of '! *ro*ert!# 5enera& Doni*han dec&ared he
2ou&d ha$e nothin, to do 2ith such co&d-&ooded 'urder< and that he 2ou&d
2ithdra2 his ri,ade in the 'ornin,#
5o$ernor "o,,s 2rote 5enera& C&ar0 fro' Jefferson Cit!< that he
considered fu&& and a'*&e *o2ers 2ere $ested in hi' IC&ar0J to carr! into
effect the for'er orders? sa!s "o,,s(
E/cer*t fro' 5o$ernor "o,,s+ Co''unication to 5enera& Lucas#
The case is no2 a $er! *&ain one--the -.or'ons- 'ust e sudued?
and *eace restored to the co''unit!? !ou 2i&& therefore *roceed
2ithout de&a! to e/ecute the for'er orders# Fu&& confidence is
re*osed in !our ai&it! to do so? !our force 2i&& e a'*&! sufficient
to acco'*&ish the o=ect# Shou&d !ou need the aid of arti&&er!< I
2ou&d su,,est that an a**&ication e 'ade to the co''andin, officer
of Fort Lea$en2orth< for such as !ou 'a! need# You are authori4ed to
re>uest the &oan of it in the na'e of the state of .issouri# The
rin,&eaders of this ree&&ion shou&d e 'ade an e/a'*&e of? and if it
shou&d eco'e necessar! for the *u&ic *eace< the -.or'ons- shou&d e
e/ter'inated< or e/*e&&ed fro' the state#
This 'ornin, 5enera& Lucas ordered the Ca&d2e&& 'i&itia to ,i$e u*
their ar's# Hin0&e< ha$in, 'ade a treat! 2ith the 'o on his o2n
res*onsii&it!< to carr! out his treacher!< 'arched the troo*s out of the
cit!< and the rethren ,a$e u* their ar's< their o2n *ro*ert!< 2hich no
,o$ern'ent on earth had a ri,ht to re>uire#
The 'o Eca&&ed 5o$ernor+s troo*sF then 'arched into to2n< and under
*retense of searchin, for ar's tore u* f&oors< u*set ha!stac0s< *&undered
the 'ost $a&ua&e effects the! cou&d &a! their hands on< 2anton&! 2asted
and destro!ed a ,reat a'ount of *ro*ert!< co'*e&&ed the rethren at the
*oint of the a!onet to si,n deeds of trust to *a! the e/*enses of the
'o< e$en 2hi&e the *&ace 2as desecrated ! the chastit! of 2o'en ein,
$io&ated# Aout ei,ht! 'en 2ere ta0en *risoners< the re'ainder 2ere
ordered to &ea$e the state< and 2ere foridden< under threat of ein, shot
! the 'o to asse'&e 'ore than three in a *&ace#
Frida!< No$e'er H#--Aout this ti'e Sa'*son A$ard 2as found ! the
'o secreted in the ha4e& rush so'e 'i&es fro' Far 3est< and rou,ht into
ca'*< 2here he and the! 2ere -hai& fe&&o2s 2e&& 'et?- for A$ard to&d the'
that Daniteis' 2as an order of the Church< and ! his &!in, tried to 'a0e
the Church a sca*e-,oat for his sins#
.!se&f and fe&&o2 *risoners 2ere ta0en to the to2n< into the *u&ic
s>uare< and efore our de*arture 2e< after 'uch entreat!< 2ere suffered to
see our fa'i&ies< ein, attended a&& the 2hi&e ! a stron, ,uard# I found
'! 2ife and chi&dren in tears< 2ho feared 2e had een shot ! those 2ho
had s2orn to ta0e our &i$es< and that the! 2ou&d see 'e no 'ore# 3hen I
entered '! house< the! c&un, to '! ,ar'ents< their e!es strea'in, 2ith
tears< 2hi&e 'in,&ed e'otions of =o! and sorro2 2ere 'anifested in their
countenances# I re>uested to ha$e a *ri$ate inter$ie2 2ith the' a fe2
'inutes< ut this *ri$i&e,e 2as denied 'e ! the ,uard# I 2as then o&i,ed
to ta0e '! de*arture# 3ho can rea&i4e the fee&in,s 2hich I e/*erienced at
that ti'e< to e thus torn fro' '! co'*anion< and &ea$e her surrounded
2ith 'onsters in the sha*e of 'en< and '! chi&dren< too< not 0no2in, ho2
their 2ants 2ou&d e su**&ied? 2hi&e I 2as to e ta0en far fro' the' in
order that '! ene'ies 'i,ht destro! 'e 2hen the! thou,ht *ro*er to do so#
.! *artner 2e*t< '! chi&dren c&un, to 'e< unti& the! 2ere thrust fro' 'e
! the s2ords of the ,uards# I fe&t o$er2he&'ed 2hi&e I 2itnessed the
scene< and cou&d on&! reco''end the' to the care of that 5od 2hose
0indness had fo&&o2ed 'e to the *resent ti'e< and 2ho a&one cou&d *rotect
the'< and de&i$er 'e fro' the hands of '! ene'ies< and restore 'e to '!
fa'i&!#
After this *ainfu& scene I 2as ta0en ac0 to the ca'*< and 2ith the
rest of '! rethren< na'e&!< Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith< )ar&e! )# )ratt<
L!'an 3i,ht< A'asa L!'an< and 5eor,e 3# Roinson< started off for
Inde*endence< Jac0son count!< and enca'*ed at ni,ht on Croo0ed ri$er<
under a stron, ,uard co''anded ! 5enera&s Lucas and 3i&son#
The fo&&o2in, &etter ,i$es the *articu&ars re&atin, to the 'o$e'ents
of the ,o$ernor+s troo*s in con=unction 2ith the 'o(
Re*ort of 5enera& S# D# Lucas to 5o$ernor "o,,s#
HEADAUARTERS< CA.) NEAR FAR 3EST<
No$e'er H# 7898#
To His E/ce&&enc!< L# 3# "o,,s< Co''ander-in-Chief< .issouri .i&itia(
SIR(--On .onda!< Octoer HNth< the troo*s ordered out ! .a=or-
5enera& Atchison and '!se&f Eas *er our re*ort to !ou of said dateF<
too0 u* their &ine of 'arch fro' ca'* near Rich'ond< for Far 3est# 3e
enca'*ed on the ni,ht of the HNth at Lin$i&&e+s cree0 Ea short
distance fro' the roadF< aout si/teen 'i&es fro' Far 3est< at 2hich
*oint 2e recei$ed an e/*ress fro' "ri,adier-5enera& Doni*han<
infor'in, us that he 2as then enca'*ed on Lo, cree0 2ith a force of
fi$e hundred 'en< and that he 2ou&d =oin us at the crossin, of said
cree0< on the road fro' Rich'ond to Far 3est< ! ten o+c&oc0 the ne/t
'ornin,#
On the 9Dth of Octoer< the troo*s ,ot to,ether at the &ast
na'ed *oint< 2hen 2e 'ustered aout ei,hteen hundred 'en# 3hi&st at
this *&ace 2e recei$ed !our orders of the H:th u&ti'o< and I recei$ed
an order of the HMth u&ti'o< and a &etter fro' !ou of the sa'e date#
At this *oint .a=or-5enera& Atchison &eft 'e for Liert!< 2hen I 2as
&eft in so&e co''and# I then too0 u* '! &ine of 'arch for 5oose
cree0< one 'i&e south of Far 3est< 2hich *oint 2e reached aout one
hour ! sun in the e$enin,# Just as the troo*s 2ere enca'*in,< I
recei$ed inte&&i,ence fro' 5enera& Doni*han< fro' his *osition on the
ri,ht< that he had disco$ered a *art! of 'ounted .or'ons a**roachin,
Far 3est fro' the east< and re>uested *er'ission to interce*t the'<
if *ossi&e# Lea$e 2as ,ranted< and his ri,ade started off at near&!
fu&& s*eed to acco'*&ish the order< ut the .or'ons succeeded in
reachin, the fort# 5enera& Doni*han a**roached 2ithin t2o hundred
!ards of their fortress< 2hen the! dis*&a!ed a force of aout ei,ht
hundred I7GDJ 'en# At this =uncture< I ordered 5enera& 5raha'+s
ri,ade Eho&din, 5enera& )ar0s+ and *art of 5enera& 3i&son+s 'ounted
in reser$eF to 'arch fu&& s*eed to the re&ief of the First "ri,ade<
Third Di$ision< ut fro' the ine>ua&it! of the force of the first
detach'ent< Eein, on&! t2o hundred and fift! stron, at that ti'e<
and the -.or'ons ei,ht hundred I7GDJ it 2as considered *rudent to
2ithdra2 the troo*s< and 'arch a,ainst the' in the 'ornin,< 2hich 2as
accordin,&! done< and the! a&& returned< as dar0 set in< to ca'*# At
this *&ace I esta&ished '! head>uarters< and continued there durin,
the e/*edition a,ainst the .or'ons# The detach'ent under 5enera&
3i&son returned aout nine o+c&oc0 *# '#
The ne/t 'ornin,< 97st of Octoer< I recei$ed a 'essa,e fro'
Co&one& Hin0&e< the co''ander of the .or'on forces ICa&d2e&&
'i&itiaJ< re>uestin, an inter$ie2 2ith 'e on an e'inence near Far
3est< 2hich he 2ou&d desi,nate ! hoistin, a 2hite f&a,# I sent hi'
2ord I 2ou&d 'eet hi' at t2o o+c&oc0 *# '#< ein, so 'uch en,a,ed in
recei$in, and enca'*in, fresh troo*s< 2ho 2ere hour&! co'in, in< that
I cou&d not attend efore# Accordin,&! at that ti'e< I started 2ith
'! staff officers and "ri,adier-5enera&s 3i&son< Doni*han and 5raha'<
5enera& )ar0s ein, &eft in co''and# 3e 'et hi' and so'e other
.or'ons at the *oint efore 'entioned# He stated that his o=ect in
as0in, 'e to 'eet hi' there< 2as to 0no2 if there cou&d not e so'e
co'*ro'ise or sett&e'ent of the difficu&t! 2ithout a resort to ar's#
After ,i$in, hi' to understand the nature of !our orders< I 'ade
hi' the fo&&o2in, *ro*ositions< 2hich I furnished hi' a co*! of< a&so
a co*! of !our order< $i4#(
-First--To ,i$e u* their Ithe Church+sJ &eaders to e tried and
*unished#
-Second--To 'a0e an a**ro*riation of their *ro*ert!< a&& 2ho
ha$e ta0en u* ar's< to the *a!'ent of their dets< and inde'nif! for
da'a,es done ! the'#
-Third--That the a&ance shou&d &ea$e the State< and e
*rotected out ! the 'i&itia< ut to e *er'itted to re'ain under
*rotection unti& further orders 2ere recei$ed fro' the
co''ander-in-chief#
-Fourth--To ,i$e u* the ar's of e$er! descri*tion< to e
recei*ted for#-
Co&one& Hin0&e a,reed to the *ro*osition readi&!< ut 2ished to
*ost*one the 'atter unti& 'ornin,# I then to&d hi' that I 2ou&d
re>uire Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< L!'an 3i,ht< )ar&e! )#
)ratt< and 5eor,e 3# Roinson< as hosta,e for his faithfu& co'*&iance
2ith the ter's< and 2ou&d *&ed,e '!se&f and each one of the officers
*resent< that in case he< after ref&ectin, and consu&tin, u*on the
*ro*osition durin, the ni,ht< dec&ined accedin, to the'< that the
hosta,es shou&d e returned to hi' in the 'ornin,< at the sa'e *oint
the! 2ere recei$ed< ut it 2as understood in case the! did co'*&!<
the! 2ere to e he&d for tria& as *art of the &eaders ca&&ed for !
the first sti*u&ation? I then ,a$e hi' unti& one hour ! sun in the
e$enin, to *roduce and de&i$er the'# 3e then returned to ca'*< and I
directed the troo*s to 'a0e *re*arations to 'arch to Far 3est ! an
hour and a ha&f ! the sun< 2ith a deter'ination in case the hosta,es
2ere not *roduced to 'a0e an attac0 u*on the to2n forth2ith#
I directed 5enera& )ar0s+ ri,ade to e 'ounted< and to for' on
the ri,ht of the di$ision< to act as f&an0ers if necessar!< and if
re>uired to *ass entire&! around the to2n< and for' on the north
side< 2ith instructions to 'a0e the attac0 at the re*ort of the
cannon< 2hich 2as to e the si,na& for the ,enera& attac0# 5enera&
5raha'+s ri,ade 2as 'ounted< and for'ed on the e/tre'e &eft to act
as f&an0ers< and if re>uired to for' the &ine on the 2est side< 2ith
si'i&ar instructions as to the co''ence'ent of the attac0#
5enera& Doni*han+s ri,ade 2as ordered to *arade on foot< and to
for' on the &eft of 5enera& )ar0s< 2ith instructions to for' the &ine
of att&e on the south side< 2ith the sa'e instructions as to
co''ence'ent of attac0#
The arti&&er! co'*an!< 2ith one *iece of ordnance< 2as *&aced at
the head of 5enera& Doni*han+s and 5enera& 3i&son+s ri,ade< 2ith
instructions to occu*! an e'inence 2ithin three hundred !ards of the
to2n#
The ar'! ein, dis*osed of in this 'anner< at the a**ointed ti'e
I too0 u* the &ine of 'arch in direction of Far 3est# 3hen the troo*s
,ot 2ithin aout si/ hundred !ards< I disco$ered the f&a, and the
hosta,es ad$ancin,# I i''ediate&! ha&ted the ar'!< and rode out and
'et the'< recei$ed the hosta,es< and *&aced a ,uard o$er the' for
their safet! and *rotection< and ordered the forces ac0 to our
enca'*'ent# I cannot forear< at this *oint< e/*ressin, '!
,ratification and a**roation of the ,ood conduct and ,a&&ant
ra$er! e$inced ! a&& the officers and 'en under '! co''and# The!
'arched u* 2ith as 'uch deter'ination and de&ieration as o&d
$eterans--not 0no2in, ut that the char,e 2ou&d e sounded e$er!
'o'ent for surroundin, the to2n# There 2as no noise or confusion<
nothin, ut an ea,er an/iet! u*on the countenance of e$er! 'an to ,et
at the 2or0#
3hen the hosta,es 2ere recei$ed< the troo*s< 2ith so'e s&i,ht
e/ce*tions< 'arched ac0 in *rofound si&ence#
No$e'er 7st# I ordered the 2ho&e forces< a'ountin, to t2o
thousand fi$e hundred 'en# to *arade at nine o+c&oc0 a# '#< and to
ta0e u* the &ine of 'arch for Far 3est at ha&f-*ast nine o+c&oc0< to
recei$e the *risoners and their ar's#
The troo*s 'arched out and for'ed in the *rairie aout t2o
hundred !ards southeast of the to2n# 5enera& 3i&son+s ri,ade for'ed
the 2est &ine< 5enera& Doni*han+s the east &ine< 5enera& 5raha' and
5enera& )ar0s the south &ine< 2ith the arti&&er! co'*an! and the
cannon in the center of the t2o &atter< &ea$in, one side of the
s>uare o*en#
The -.or'on- ar'!< reduced to aout si/ hundred 'en ! desertion
and other2ise< under their co''ander< Co&one& Hin0&e 'arched out of
their to2n throu,h the s*ace into our s>uare< for'ed a ho&&o2 s>uare<
and ,rounded their ar's# Co&one& Hin0&e then rode for2ard and
de&i$ered u* to 'e his s2ord and *isto&s#
I then directed a co'*an! fro' the res*ecti$e ri,ades to for' a
front< rear< ri,ht and &eft f&an0 ,uards< and to 'arch the *risoners
ac0 to Far 3est< and *rotect and ta0e char,e of the' unti& the ne/t
'ornin,# I then detai&ed a co'*an! fro' 5enera& Doni*han+s co''and to
ta0e char,e of the ar's# Then< in order to ,ratif! the ar'! and to
&et the -.or'ons- see our forces< 'arched around the to2n< and
throu,h the *rinci*a& streets and ac0 to head>uarters#
Considerin, the 2ar at an end in this *&ace I issued orders for
5enera& Doni*han+s ri,ade< 2ith the e/ce*tion of one co'*an!< and
5enera& 5raha'+s ri,ade< to ta0e u* their &ine of 'arch for their
res*ecti$e head>uarters and dis'iss their 'en< and directed 5enera&
3i&son to ta0e char,e of the *risoners Ede'anded for tria&F and ar's<
and to 'arch the' to '! head>uarters at Inde*endence< to a2ait
further orders< and to dis'iss a&& e/ce*t a ,uard for the *risoners
and ar's#
No$e'er Hnd# I re&ie$ed the ,uard *&aced o$er the *risoners at
Far 3est ! four co'*anies of 5enera& )ar0s+ ri,ade< and *&aced the'
under the co''and of Co&one& Tho'*son< Second ri,ade< Third
di$ision< 2ith instructions to re*ort to 5enera& C&ar0# The a&ance
of 5enera& )ar0s+ ri,ade< 2ith Ca*tain 5i&&iu'+s co'*an! of 5enera&
Doni*han+s ri,ade< under the co''and of 5enera& )ar0s< I ordered to
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< a .or'on to2n in Da$iess count!< 2ith instructions
to disar' the .or'on forces at that *&ace and to &ea$e a ,uard of
fift! 'en for the *rotection of *risoners< and to re*ort to 5enera&
C&ar0#
In order to carr! the treat! and sti*u&ations into effect I ha$e
re>uired !our aid-de-ca'*< Co&one& 3i&&ia's< to,ether 2ith Co&one&
"urch< and .a=or A# Rees< of Ra!< to attend to dra2in, u* the *a*ers
&e,a&&!< and directed Co&one& Tho'*son to 2ait on the' 2ith a *ortion
of his co''and< and to cause a&& their orders and re>uire'ents<
consistent 2ith the sti*u&ations< to e carried into effect#
This da!< aout t2e&$e o+c&oc0< there 2as a atta&ion of one
hundred 'en fro' )&atte arri$ed at Far 3est< 2hich I ordered ac0<
ha$in, understood that .a=or-5enera& C&ar0 2ou&d e on in a da! or
t2o 2ith sufficient force to o*erate in Da$iess and Li$in,ston< and
for an! ser$ice that 'a! e re>uired#
SA.UEL D# LUCAS<
.a=or-5enera&< Co''andin,#
CHA)TER 6I%#
RI%ALRY A.ON5 THE .ILITIA 5ENERALS FOR )OSSESSION OF THE
)RISONERS---TRIAL- AT RICH.OND#
Saturda!< 9#--3e continued our 'arch and arri$ed at the .issouri
ri$er< 2hich se*arated us fro' Jac0son count!< 2here 2e 2ere hurried
across the ferr! 2hen ut fe2 troo*s had *assed# The truth 2as< 5enera&
C&ar0 had sent an e/*ress fro' Rich'ond to 5enera& Lucas< to ha$e the
*risoners sent to hi'< and thus *re$ent our ,oin, to Jac0son count!< oth
ar'ies ein, co'*etitors for the honor of *ossessin, -the ro!a&
*risoners#- C&ar0 2anted the *ri$i&e,e of *uttin, us to death hi'se&f< and
Lucas and his troo*s 2ere desirous of e/hiitin, us in the streets of
Inde*endence#
Sunda!< @#--3e 2ere $isited ! so'e &adies and ,ent&e'en# One of the
2o'en ca'e u*< and $er! candid&! in>uired of the troo*s 2hich of the
*risoners 2as the Lord 2ho' the -.or'ons- 2orshi*ed# One of the ,uard
*ointed to 'e 2ith a si,nificant s'i&e< and said< -This is he#- The 2o'an
then turnin, to 'e in>uired 2hether I *rofessed to e the Lord and Sa$iorB
I re*&ied< that I *rofessed to e nothin, ut a 'an< and a 'inister of
sa&$ation< sent ! Jesus Christ to *reach the 5os*e&#
This ans2er so sur*rised the 2o'an that she e,an to in>uire into our
doctrine< and I *reached a discourse< oth to her and her co'*anions< and
to the 2onderin, so&diers< 2ho &istened 2ith a&'ost reath&ess attention
2hi&e I set forth the doctrine of faith in Jesus Christ< and re*entance<
and a*tis' for re'ission of sins< 2ith the *ro'ise of the Ho&! 5host< as
recorded in the second cha*ter of the Acts of the A*ost&es#
The 2o'an 2as satisfied< and *raised 5od in the hearin, of the
so&diers< and 2ent a2a!< *ra!in, that 5od 2ou&d *rotect and de&i$er us#
Thus 2as fu&fi&&ed a *ro*hec! 2hich had een s*o0en *u&ic&! ! 'e< a fe2
'onths *re$ious--that a ser'on shou&d e *reached in Jac0son count! ! one
of our E&ders< efore the c&ose of 7898#
The troo*s ha$in, crossed the ri$er aout ten o+c&oc0< 2e *roceeded
on and arri$ed at Inde*endence< *ast noon< in the 'idst of a ,reat rain<
and a 'u&titude of s*ectators 2ho had asse'&ed to see us< and hear the
u,&es sound a &ast of triu'*hant =o!< 2hich echoed throu,h the ca'*# 3e
2ere ushered into a $acant house *re*ared for our rece*tion< 2ith a f&oor
for our eds and &oc0s of 2ood for our *i&&o2s#
5enera& C&ar0 arri$ed at Far 3est 2ith one thousand si/ hundred 'en<
and fi$e hundred 'ore 2ere 2ithin ei,ht 'i&es of the cit!#
Thus< Far 3est has een $isited ! si/ thousand 'en in one 2ee0< 2hen
the 'i&itia of the cit! Eefore an! 2ere ta0en *risonersF a'ounted on&! to
aout fi$e hundred#
After de*ri$in, these of their ar's the 'o continued to hunt the
rethren &i0e 2i&d easts< and shoot se$era&< ra$ished the 2o'en< and
0i&&ed one near the cit!# No Saint 2as *er'itted to ,o in or out of the
cit!? and 'eanti'e the Saints &i$ed on *arched corn#
5enera& C&ar0 ordered 5enera& Lucas< 2ho had *re$ious&! ,one to
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an 2ith his troo*s< -to ta0e the 2ho&e of the 'en of the
L.or'ons+ *risoners< and *&ace such a ,uard around the' and the to2n as
2i&& *rotect the *risoners and secure the' unti& the! can e dea&t 2ith
*ro*er&!<- and secure a&& their *ro*ert!< ti&& the est 'eans cou&d e
ado*ted for *a!in, the da'a,es the citi4ens had sustained#
.onda!< G#--3e 2ere 0e*t under a s'a&& ,uard< and 2ere treated 2ith
so'e de,ree of hos*ita&it! and *o&iteness< 2hi&e 'an! f&oc0ed to see us#
3e s*ent 'ost of our ti'e in *reachin, and con$ersation< e/*&anator! of
our doctrines and *ractice< 2hich re'o$ed 'ountains of *re=udice< and
en&isted the *o*u&ace in our fa$or< not2ithstandin, their o&d hatred and
2ic0edness to2ards our societ!#
The rethren at Far 3est 2ere ordered ! 5enera& C&ar0 to for' a
&ine< 2hen the na'es of fift!- si/ *resent 2ere ca&&ed and 'ade *risoners
to a2ait their tria& for so'ethin, the! 0ne2 not 2hat# The! 2ere 0e*t
under a c&ose ,uard#
Tuesda!< :#--5enera& C&ar0 *araded the rethren at Far 3est< and then
addressed the' as fo&&o2s#
5enera& C&ar0+s Harran,ue to the "rethren#
5ent&e'en< !ou 2hose na'es are not attached to this &ist of
na'es< 2i&& no2 ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of ,oin, to !our fie&ds and
*ro$idin, corn< 2ood< etc## for !our fa'i&ies# Those 2ho are no2
ta0en 2i&& ,o fro' this to *rison< e tried< and recei$e the due
de'erit of their cri'es# "ut !ou Ee/ce*t such as char,es 'a!
hereafter e *referred a,ainstF are no2 at &iert!< as soon as the
troo*s are re'o$ed that no2 ,uard the *&ace< 2hich I sha&& cause to
e done i''ediate&!# It no2 de$o&$es u*on !ou to fu&fi&& the treat!
that !ou ha$e entered into< the &eadin, ite's of 2hich I sha&& no2
&a! efore !ou(
The first re>uires that !our &eadin, 'en e ,i$en u* to e tried
accordin, to &a2? this !ou ha$e a&read! co'*&ied 2ith#
The second is< that !ou de&i$er u* !our ar's? this has een
attended to#
The third sti*u&ation is< that !ou si,n o$er !our *ro*erties to
defra! the e/*enses of the 2ar? this !ou ha$e a&so done#
Another artic&e !et re'ains for !ou to co'*&! 2ith< and that is<
that !ou &ea$e the state forth2ith? and 2hate$er 'a! e !our fee&in,s
concernin, this< or 2hate$er !our innocence< it is nothin, to 'e?
5enera& Lucas< 2ho is e>ua& in authorit! 2ith 'e< has 'ade this
treat! 2ith !ou--I a**ro$e of it--I shou&d ha$e done the sa'e had I
een here--I a' therefore deter'ined to see it fu&fi&&ed# The
character of this state has suffered a&'ost e!ond rede'*tion< fro'
the character< conduct and inf&uence that !ou ha$e e/erted< and 2e
dee' it an act of =ustice to restore her character to its for'er
standin, a'on, the states< ! e$er! *ro*er 'eans#
The orders of the ,o$ernor to 'e 2ere< that !ou shou&d e
e/ter'inated< and not a&&o2ed to re'ain in the state< and had !our
&eaders not een ,i$en u*< and the ter's of the treat! co'*&ied 2ith<
efore this< !ou and !our fa'i&ies 2ou&d ha$e een destro!ed and !our
houses in ashes#
There is a discretionar! *o2er $ested in '! hands 2hich I sha&&
e/ercise in !our fa$or for a season? for this &enit! !ou are indeted
to '! c&e'enc!# I do not sa! that !ou sha&& ,o no2< ut !ou 'ust not
thin0 of sta!in, here another season< or of *uttin, in cro*s< for the
'o'ent You do this the citi4ens 2i&& e u*on !ou# If I a' ca&&ed here
a,ain< in case of a non-co'*&iance of a treat! 'ade< do not thin0
that I sha&& act an! 'ore as I ha$e done--!ou need not e/*ect an!
'erc!< ut e/ter'ination< for I a' deter'ined the ,o$ernor+s order
sha&& e e/ecuted# As for !our &eaders< do not once thin0--do not
i'a,ine for a 'o'ent--do not &et it enter !our 'ind that the! 2i&& e
de&i$ered< or that !ou 2i&& see their faces a,ain< for their fate is
fi/ed--their die is cast--their doo' is sea&ed#
I a' sorr!< ,ent&e'en< to see so ,reat a nu'er of a**arent&!
inte&&i,ent 'en found in the situation that !ou are? and ohK that I
cou&d in$o0e that 5reat S*irit< the un0no2n 5od< to rest u*on !ou<
and 'a0e !ou sufficient&! inte&&i,ent to rea0 that chain of
su*erstition< and &ierate !ou fro' those fetters of fanaticis' 2ith
2hich !ou are ound--that !ou no &on,er 2orshi* a 'an#
I 2ou&d ad$ise !ou to scatter aroad< and ne$er a,ain or,ani4e
!ourse&$es 2ith "isho*s< )residents< etc#< &est !ou e/cite the
=ea&ousies of the *eo*&e< and su=ect !ourse&$es to the sa'e
ca&a'ities that ha$e no2 co'e u*on !ou#
You ha$e a&2a!s een the a,,ressors--!ou ha$e rou,ht u*on
!ourse&$es these difficu&ties ! ein, disaffected and not ein,
su=ect to ru&e--and '! ad$ice is< that !ou eco'e as other citi4ens<
&est ! a recurrence of these e$ents !ou rin, u*on !ourse&$es
irretrie$a&e ruin#
The ,o$ernor 2rote 5enera& C&ar0 as fo&&o2s(
It 2i&& a&so e necessar! that !ou ho&d a 'i&itar! court of
in>uir! in Da$iess count!< and arrest the .or'ons 2ho ha$e een
,ui&t! of the &ate outra,es< co''itted to2ards the inhaitants of
said count!# .! instructions to !ou are to sett&e this 2ho&e 'atter
co'*&ete&!< if *ossi&e< efore !ou disand !our forces? if the
.or'ons are dis*osed $o&untari&! to &ea$e the state< of course it
2ou&d e ad$isa&e in !ou to *ro'ote that o=ect< in an! 2a! dee'ed
*ro*er# The rin,&eaders of this ree&&ion< thou,h< ou,ht ! no 'eans
to e *er'itted to esca*e the *unish'ent the! 'erit#
The *risoners at Far 3est 2ere started off for Rich'ond< under a
stron, ,uard#
3ednesda!< M#--The fo&&o2in, order 2as issued at Far 3est ! 5enera&
C&ar0(
"ri,adier-5enera& Roert 3i&son 2i&& ta0e u* the &ine of 'arch
2ith his ri,ade on this 'ornin, for Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< in Da$iess
count!< and ta0e *ossession of the *risoners at that *&ace< and
*roceed to ascertain those 2ho co''itted cri'es< and 2hen done< to
*ut the' under c&ose ,uard< and 2hen he 'o$es< ta0e the' to
1e!tes$i&&e< after ha$in, the' reco,ni4ed ! the *ro*er authorit!#
Thursda!< 8#--There 2as a se$ere sno2stor' !esterda! and toda!#
5enera& 3i&son arri$ed at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an? he *&aced ,uards around the
to2n so that no *ersons 'i,ht *ass out or in 2ithout *er'ission# A&& the
'en in to2n 2ere then ta0en and *ut under ,uard and a court of in>uir! 2as
instituted 2ith Ada' "&ac0 on the ench? the said Ada' "&ac0 e&on,ed to
the 'o< and 2as one of the &eaders of it fro' the ti'e 'oin, first
co''enced in Da$iess count!# The attorne! e&on,ed to 5enera& C&ar0+s
ar'!#
Short&! after our arri$a& in Jac0son count!< Co&one& Ster&in, )rice<
fro' the ar'! of 5enera& C&ar0< ca'e 2ith orders fro' 5enera& C&ar0< 2ho
2as co''ander-in-chief of the e/*edition< to ha$e us for2arded forth 2ith
to Rich'ond# Accordin,&!< on Thursda! 'ornin,< 2e started 2ith three
,uards on&!< and the! had een otained 2ith ,reat difficu&t!< after
&aorin, a&& the *re$ious da! to ,et the'# "et2een Inde*endence and Ro!+s
Ferr!< on the .issouri ri$er< the! a&& ,ot drun0< and 2e ,ot *ossession of
their ar's and horses#
It 2as &ate in the afternoon< near the settin, of the sun# 3e
tra$e&ed aout ha&f a 'i&e after 2e crossed the ri$er< and *ut u* for the
ni,ht#
Frida!< N#--This 'ornin, there ca'e a nu'er of 'en< so'e of the'
ar'ed# Their threatenin,s and sa$a,e a**earance 2ere such as to 'a0e us
afraid to *roceed 2ithout 'ore ,uards A 'essen,er 2as therefore dis*atched
to Rich'ond to otain the'# 3e started efore their arri$a&< ut had not
,one far efore 2e 'et Co&one& )rice 2ith a ,uard of aout se$ent!-four
'en< and 2ere conducted ! the' to Rich'ond< and *ut into an o&d $acant
house< and a ,uard set#
So'e ti'e throu,h the course of that da! 5enera& C&ar0 ca'e in< and
2e 2ere introduced to hi'# 3e in>uired of hi' the reason 2h! 2e had een
thus carried fro' our ho'es< and 2hat 2ere the char,es a,ainst us# He said
that he 2as not then a&e to deter'ine< ut 2ou&d e in a short ti'e? and
2ith $er! &itt&e 'ore con$ersation 2ithdre2#
So'e short ti'e after he had 2ithdra2n Co&one& )rice ca'e in 2ith t2o
chains in his hands< and a nu'er of )ad&oc0s# The t2o chains he fastened
to,ether# He had 2ith hi' ten 'en< ar'ed< 2ho stood at the ti'e of these
o*erations 2ith a thu' u*on the coc0 of their ,uns# The! first nai&ed
do2n the 2indo2s< then ca'e and ordered a 'an ! the na'e of John
Fu&0erson< 2ho' he had 2ith hi'< to chain us to,ether 2ith chains and
*ad&oc0s< ein, se$en in nu'er# After that he searched us< e/a'inin, our
*oc0ets to see if 2e had an! ar's# He found nothin, ut *oc0et 0ni$es< ut
these he too0 a2a! 2ith hi'#
Saturda!< No$e'er 7D#--The fo&&o2in, is a true s*eci'en of .issouri
&iert!#
For' of )er'it#
I *er'it Da$id Ho&'an to re'o$e fro' Da$iess to Ca&d2e&& count! there
to re'ain durin, the 2inter< or to *ass out of the state#
R# 3ILSON< "ri,adier-5enera&#
"! F# 5# COC1NU< Aid#
No$e'er 7D< 7898#
5enera& C&ar0 had s*ent his ti'e since our arri$a& at Rich'ond in
searchin, the &a2s to find authorit! for tr!in, us ! court 'artia&# Had
he not een a &a2!er of e'inence< I shou&d ha$e su**osed it no $er!
difficu&t tas0 to decide that >uiet< *eacefu& unoffendin,< and *ri$ate
citi4ens too< e/ce*t as 'inisters of the 5os*e&< 2ere not a'ena&e to a
'i&itar! triuna&< in a countr! ,o$erned ! ci$i& &a2s# "ut e this as it
'a!< 5enera& C&ar0 2rote the ,o$ernor that he had--
5enera& C&ar0+s Re*ort to 5o$ernor "o,,s#
Detained 5enera& 3hite and his fie&d offices here a da! or t2o for
the *ur*ose of ho&din, a court 'artia&< if necessar!# I this da! 'ade out
char,es a,ainst the *risoners< and ca&&ed on Jud,e 1in, to tr! the' as a
co''ittin, court? and I a' no2 usi&! en,a,ed in *rocurin, 2itnesses and
su'ittin, facts# There ein, no ci$i& officers in Ca&d2e&&< I ha$e to use
the 'i&itar! to ,et 2itnesses fro' there< 2hich I do 2ithout reser$e# The
'ost of the *risoners here I consider ,ui&t! of treason? and I e&ie$e
2i&& e con$icted? and the on&! difficu&t! in &a2 is< can the! e tried in
an! count! ut Ca&d2e&&B If not< the! cannot e there indicted< unti& a
chan,e of *o*u&ation# In the e$ent the &atter $ie2 is ta0en ! the ci$i&
courts< I su,,est the *ro*riet! of tr!in, Jo S'ith and those &eaders ta0en
! 5enera& Lucas< ! a court 'artia&< for 'utin!# This I a' in fa$or of
on&! as dernier resort# I 2ou&d ha$e ta0en this course 2ith S'ith at an!
rate? ut it ein, doutfu& 2hether a court 'artia& has =urisdiction or
not in the *resent case--that is< 2hether these *eo*&e are to e treated
as in ti'e of 2ar< and the 'utineers as ha$in, 'utinied in ti'e of
2ar--and I 2ou&d here as0 !ou to for2ard to 'e the attorne!-,enera&+s
o*inion on this *oint# It 2i&& not do to a&&o2 these &eaders to return to
their treasona&e 2or0 a,ain< on account of their not ein, indicted in
Ca&d2e&&# The! ha$e co''itted treason< 'urder< arson< ur,&ar!< roer!<
&arcen!< and *er=ur!#
The three da!s+ in$esti,ation ha$in, c&osed at Ada'- Ondi-Ah'an<
e$er! 'an 2as honora&! ac>uitted< Ada' "&ac0 ein, =ud,e#
5enera& 3i&son then ordered e$er! fa'i&! to e out of Diah'an in ten
da!s< 2ith *er'ission to ,o to Ca&d2e&&< and there tarr! unti& s*rin,< and
then &ea$e the state under *ain of e/ter'ination# The 2eather is $er!
co&d< 'ore so than usua& for this season of the !ear#
In 0ee*in, the order of 5enera& 3i&son the Saints had to &ea$e their
cro*s and houses< and to &i$e in tents and 2a,ons< in this inc&e'ent
season of the !ear# As for their f&oc0s and herds< the 'o had re&ie$ed
the' fro' the trou&e of ta0in, care of the'< or fro' the *ain of seein,
the' star$e to death--! stea&in, the'#
An arran,e'ent 2as 'ade in 2hich it 2as sti*u&ated that a co''ittee
of t2e&$e< 2hich had een *re$ious&! a**ointed< shou&d ha$e the *ri$i&e,e
of ,oin, fro' Far 3est to Da$iess count!< for the ter' of four 2ee0s< for
the *ur*ose of con$e!in, their cro*s fro' Da$iess to Ca&d2e&&# The
co''ittee 2ere to 2ear 2hite ad,es on their hats for *rotection#
Aout thirt! of the rethren ha$e een 0i&&ed< 'an! 2ounded< aout a
hundred are 'issin,< and aout si/t! at Rich'ond a2aitin, their tria&--for
2hat the! 0no2 not#
Sunda!< 77#--3hi&e in Rich'ond 2e 2ere under the char,e of Co&one&
)rice fro' Chariton count!< 2ho a&&o2ed a&& 'anner of auses to e hea*ed
u*on us# Durin, this ti'e '! aff&ictions 2ere ,reat< and our situation 2as
tru&! *ainfu&#
5enera& C&ar0 infor'ed us that he 2ou&d turn us o$er to the ci$i&
authorities for tria&# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don<
)ar&e! )ratt< L!'an 3i,ht< A'asa L!'an 5eor,e 3# Roinson< Ca&e "a&d2in<
A&anson Ri*&e!< 3ashin,ton %oorhees< Sidne! Turner< John "uchanan< Jaco
5ates< Chand&er Ho&roo0< 5eor,e 3# Harris< Jesse D# Hunter< Andre2
3hit&oc0< .artin C# A&&red< 3i&&ia' A&&red< 5eor,e D# 5rant< Dar2in Chase<
E&i=ah Ne2'an< A&$in 5# Ti**ets< ;ede0iah O2ens< Isaac .or&e!< Tho'as
"ec0< .oses C&a2son< John J# Tanner< Danie& Shearer< Danie& S# Tho'as<
A&e/ander .cRae< E&isha Ed2ards< John S# Hi,ee< Eene4er )a,e< "en=a'in
Co$e!< Eene4er Roinson< Lu'an 5is< Ja'es .# Henderson< Da$id
)ette,re2< Ed2ard )artrid,e< Francis Hi,ee< Da$id Fra'*ton< 5eor,e
1i'a&&< Jose*h 3# Youn,er< Henr! ;oris0ie< A&&en J# Stout< Sheffie&d
Danie&s< Si&as .a!nard< Anthon! Head< "en=a'in Jones< Danie& 5arn< John T#
Ear&< and Nor'an Shearer< 2ere rou,ht efore Austin A# 1in,< at Rich'ond<
for tria&< char,ed 2ith the se$era& cri'es of hi,h treason a,ainst the
state< 'urder< ur,&ar!< arson< roer!< and &arcen!#
.onda!< 7H#--The first act of the court 2as to send out a od! of
ar'ed 'en< 2ithout a ci$i& *rocess< to otain 2itnesses#
Tuesda!< 79#--3e 2ere *&aced at the ar< Austin A# 1in, *residin,<
and Tho'as C# "urch< the state+s attorne!# 3itnesses 2ere ca&&ed and s2orn
at the *oint of the a!onet#
Dr# Sa'*son A$ard 2as the first rou,ht efore the court# He had
*re$ious&! to&d .r# O&i$er O&ne! that if he IO&ne!J 2ished to sa$e
hi'se&f< he 'ust s2ear hard a,ainst the heads of the Church< as the! 2ere
the ones the court 2anted to cri'inate? and if he cou&d s2ear hard a,ainst
the'< the! 2ou&d not Ethat is< neither court nor 'oF distur hi'# -I
intend to do it<- said he< -in order to esca*e< for if I do not< the! 2i&&
ta0e '! &ife#-
This introduction is sufficient to sho2 the character of his
testi'on!< and he s2ore =ust accordin, to the state'ent he had 'ade<
dout&ess thin0in, it a 2ise course to in,ratiate hi'se&f into the ,ood
,races of the 'o#
The fo&&o2in, 2itnesses 2ere e/a'ined in eha&f of the state< 'an! of
2ho'< if 2e 'a! =ud,e fro' their testi'on!< s2ore u*on the sa'e *rinci*&e
as A$ard the! 2ere( 3!att Cra$ens< Nehe'iah Od&e< Ca*tain Sa'ue& "o,art<
.orris )he&*s< John Corri&&< Roert Snod,rass< 5eor,e 3a&ton< 5eor,e .#
Hin0&e< Ja'es C# O2ens< Nathanie& Carr< Aner Sco$i&< John C&e'inson< Reed
)ec0< Ja'es C# O2ens Ere-e/a'inedF< 3i&&ia' S*&a2n< Tho'as .# Od&e< John
Ra,&in< A&&en Rathun< Jere'iah .!ers< Andre2 J# Jo< Freeurn H# 5ardner<
"urr Ri,,s< E&isha Ca'ron< Char&es "&ec0&e!< Ja'es Co< Jesse 1e&&!<
Addison )rice< Sa'ue& 1i'a&&< 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< John 3hit'er< Ja'es "#
Turner< 5eor,e 3# 3orthin,ton< Jose*h H# .c5ee< John Loc0hart< )orter
Ya&e< "en=a'in S&ade< E4ra 3i&&ia's< Addison 5reen< John Ta!&or< Ti'oth!
Le2is< and )atrich L!nch#
Sunda!< 78#--3hi&e our suit 2as ,oin, for2ard 5enera& 3i&son ,a$e the
fo&&o2in, *er'it< in Da$iess count!(
)er'it#
I *er'it the fo&&o2in, *ersons< as a co''ittee on the *art of the
.or'ons< to *ass and re-*ass in and throu,h the count! of Da$iess durin,
the 2inter< to-2it#( 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< John Reed< "en=a'in S# 3i&ur<
.a!he2 Hi&&'an< ;# 3i&son< E# "# 5a!&ord< Henr! Herri'an< Danie& Stanton<
O&i$er Sno2< 3i&&ia' Ear&< Jonathan H# Ha&e< Henr! Hu'*hre!--u*on a&&
&a2fu& usiness#
R# 3ILSON< "ri,#-5en# Co''andin,#
"! F# 5# COC1NU< Aid#
No$e'er 78< 7898#
3e 2ere ca&&ed u*on for our 2itnesses< and 2e ,a$e the na'es of so'e
fort! or fift!# Ca*tain "o,art 2as des*atched 2ith a co'*an! of 'i&itia to
*rocure the'# He arrested a&& he cou&d find< thrust the' into *rison< and
2e 2ere not a&&o2ed to see the'#
Durin, the 2ee0 2e 2ere a,ain ca&&ed u*on 'ost tauntin,&! for
2itnesses? 2e ,a$e the na'es of so'e others< and the! 2ere thrust into
*rison< so 'an! as 2ere to e found#
In the 'eanti'e .a&inda )orter< De&ia F# )ine< Nanc! Ri,don< Jonathan
3# "ar&o2< Thoret )arsons< E4ra Chi*'an< and Ar4a Judd< Jun#< $o&unteered<
and 2ere s2orn< on the defense< ut 2ere *re$ented as 'uch as *ossi&e !
threats fro' te&&in, the truth# 3e sa2 a 'an at the 2indo2 ! the na'e of
A&&en< and ec0oned hi' to co'e in< and had hi' s2orn< ut 2hen he did not
testif! to *&ease the court< se$era& rushed u*on hi' 2ith their a!onets<
and he f&ed the *&ace? three 'en too0 after hi' 2ith &oaded ,uns< and he
are&! esca*ed 2ith his &ife# It 2as of no use to ,et an! 'ore 2itnesses<
e$en if 2e cou&d ha$e done so#
Thus this 'oc0 in$esti,ation continued fro' da! to da!< ti&&
Saturda!< 2hen se$era& of the rethren 2ere dischar,ed ! Jud,e 1in, as
fo&&o2s--
Defendants a,ainst 2ho' nothin, is *ro$en< $i4#< A'asa L!'an<
John "uchanan< Andre2 3hit&oc0< A&$ah L# Ti**ets< Jedediah O2ens<
Isaac .or&e!< John J# Tanner< Danie& S# Tho'as< E&isha Ed2ards<
"en=a'in Co$e!< Da$id Fra'*ton< Henr! ;oris0ie< A&&en J# Stout<
Sheffie&d Danie&s< Si&as .a!nard< Anthon! Head< John T# Ear&<
Eene4er "ro2n< Ja'es Ne2err!< S!&$ester Hu&ett< Chand&er Ho&roo0<
.artin C# A&&red< 3i&&ia' A&&red# The ao$e defendants ha$e een
dischar,ed ! 'e< there ein, no e$idence a,ainst the'#
AUSTIN A# 1IN5< Jud,e< etc#
No$e'er H@< 7898#
Our Church or,ani4ation 2as con$erted< ! the testi'on! of the
a*ostates< into a te'*ora& 0in,do'< 2hich 2as to fi&& the 2ho&e earth and
sudue a&& other 0in,do's#
The =ud,e< 2ho ! the ! 2as a .ethodist< as0ed 'uch concernin, our
$ie2s of the *ro*hec! of Danie&( -In the da!s of these 0in,s sha&& the 5od
of hea$en set u* a 0in,do' 2hich sha&& rea0 in *ieces a&& other 0in,do's<
and stand fore$er<- C C C C -and the 0in,do' and the ,reatness of the
0in,do'< under the 2ho&e hea$en< sha&& e ,i$en to the Saints of the .ost
Hi,h#- As if it 2ere treason to e&ie$e the "i&e#
3ednesda!< H8#--Danie& Ash!< a 'e'er of the state senate< 2rote
5enera& C&ar0 that he 2as in the att&e I'assacreJ at Haun+s .i&&s< that
thirt!-one -.or'ons- 2ere 0i&&ed< and se$en of his *art! 2ounded#
The re'ainin, *risoners 2ere a&& re&eased or ad'itted to ai&< e/ce*t
L!'an 3i,ht< Ca&e "a&d2in< H!ru' S'ith< A&e/ander .cRae< Sidne! Ri,don<
and '!se&f< 2ho 2ere sent to Liert!< C&a! count!< to =ai&< to stand our
tria& for treason and 'urder# Our treason consisted of ha$in, 2hi**ed the
'o out of Da$iess count!< and ta0in, their cannon fro' the'? the 'urder<
of 0i&&in, the 'an in the "o,art att&e? a&so )ar&e! )# )ratt< .orris
)he&*s< Lu'an 5is< Dar2in Chase< and Nor'an Shearer< 2ho 2ere *ut into
Rich'ond =ai& to stand their tria& for the sa'e -cri'es#-
Durin, the in$esti,ation 2e 2ere confined in chains and recei$ed 'uch
ause# The 'atter of dri$in, a2a! 2itnesses or castin, the' into *rison<
or chasin, the' out of the count!< 2as carried to such &en,th that our
&a2!ers< 5enera& Doni*han and A'os Rees< to&d us not to rin, our
2itnesses there at a&&? for if 2e did< there 2ou&d not e one of the' &eft
for fina& tria&? for no sooner 2ou&d "o,art and his 'en 0no2 2ho the!
2ere< than the! 2ou&d *ut the' out of the countr!#
As to 'a0in, an! i'*ression on 1in,< Doni*han said< if a cohort of
an,e&s 2ere to co'e do2n< and dec&are 2e 2ere innocent< it 2ou&d a&& e
the sa'e? for he E1in,F had deter'ined fro' the e,innin, to cast us into
*rison# 3e ne$er ,ot the *ri$i&e,e of introducin, our 2itnesses at a&&? if
2e had< 2e cou&d ha$e dis*ro$ed a&& the e$idence of our ene'ies#
.# Arthur< Es>#< to the Re*resentati$es fro' C&a! Count!#
LI"ERTY< No$e'er HN< 7898#
RES)ECTED FRIENDS(--Hu'anit! to an in=ured *eo*&e *ro'*ts 'e at
*resent to address !ou thus+ You 2ere a2are of the treat'ent Eto so'e
e/tent efore !ou &eft ho'eF recei$ed ! that unfortunate race of
ein,s ca&&ed the .or'ons< fro' Da$iess< in the for' of hu'an ein,s
inhaitin, Da$iess< Li$in,ston< and *art of Ra! counties? not ein,
satisfied 2ith the re&in>uish'ent of a&& their ri,hts as citi4ens and
hu'an ein,s< in the treat! forced u*on the' ! 5enera& Lucas< !
,i$in, u* their ar's< and thro2in, the'se&$es u*on the 'erc! of the
state< and their fe&&o2 citi4ens ,enera&&!< ho*in, there! *rotection
of their &i$es and *ro*ert!< the! are no2 recei$in, treat'ent fro'
those de'ons< that 'a0es hu'anit! shudder< and the co&d chi&&s run
o$er an! 'an< not entire&! destitute of the fee&in,s of hu'anit!#
These de'ons are no2 constant&! stro&&in, u* and do2n Ca&d2e&&
count!< in s'a&& co'*anies ar'ed< insu&tin, the 2o'en in an! 2a! and
e$er! 2a!< and *&underin, the *oor de$i&s of a&& the 'eans of
susistence Escant! as it 2asF &eft the'< and dri$in, off their
horses< catt&e< ho,s< etc#< and rif&in, their houses and far's of
e$er!thin, therein< ta0in, eds< eddin,< 2ardroes< roes< and such
thin,s as the! see the! 2ant< &ea$in, the *oor .or'ons 'ons in a
star$in, and na0ed condition#
These are facts I ha$e fro' authorit! that cannot e >uestioned<
and can e 'aintained and sustantiated at an! ti'e# There is no2 a
*etition af&oat in our to2n< si,ned ! the citi4ens of a&& *arties
and ,rades< 2hich 2i&& e sent !ou in a fe2 da!s< *ra!in, the
&e,is&ature to 'a0e so'e s*eed! enact'ent a**&ica&e to their case#
The! are entire&! 2i&&in, to &ea$e our state< so soon as this
inc&e'ent season is o$er? and a nu'er ha$e a&read! &eft< and are
&ea$in, dai&!< scatterin, the'se&$es to the four 2inds of the earth#
No2< sirs< I do not 2ant ! an! 'eans to dictate to !ou the
course to e *ursued< ut one fact I 2i&& 'ere&! su,,est# I this da!
2as con$ersin, 2ith .r# 5eor,e .# )r!er< 2ho is =ust fro' Far 3est<
re&atin, the outra,es there co''itted dai&!# I su,,ested to hi' the
*ro*riet! of the &e,is&ature+s *&acin, a ,uard to *atro& on the &ines
of Ca&d2e&& count!< sa!< of aout t2ent!-fi$e 'en< and ,i$e the'<
sa!< aout one do&&ar or one and a ha&f *er da!< each 'an< and find
their *ro$isions< etc#< unti&< sa!< the first da! of June ne/t? these
'en renderin, that *rotection necessar! to the .or'ons< and a&&o2in,
the' to fo&&o2 and rin, to =ustice an! indi$idua&s 2ho ha$e
heretofore or 2i&& hereafter e ,ui&t! of *&underin, or an! $io&ation
of the &a2s# I 2ou&d su,,est that 5eor,e .# )r!er e a**ointed
ca*tain of said ,uard< and that he e a&&o2ed to raise his o2n 'en<
if he is 2i&&in, thus to act# He is a 'an of correct haits< and 2i&&
do =ustice to a&& sides< and render due satisfaction#
Shou&d this course not e a**ro$ed of< I 2ou&d reco''end the
restoration of their Ithe .or'ons+J ar's for their o2n *rotection#
One or the other of these su,,estions is certain&! due the .or'ons
fro' the state# She has no2 their &eaders *risoners< to the nu'er of
fift! or si/t!< and I a**rehend no dan,er fro' the re'ainder in an!
2a! unti& the! 2i&& &ea$e the state#
.# ARTHUR#
.r# Arthur is not a -.or'on<- ut a friend of 'an#
Attested Co*! of the .itti'us under 2hich Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Others<
2ere sent fro' Jud,e 0in, to the Jai&er of Liert! )rison< in C&a! Count!<
.issouri#
STATE OF .ISSOURI< F
RAY COUNTY# F
To the 1ee*er of the Jai& of C&a! Count!(
5REETIN5(--3hereas< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith< L!'an
3i,ht< A&e/ander .cRae< and Ca&e "a&d2in< as a&so Sidne! Ri,don<
ha$e een rou,ht efore 'e< Austin A# 1in,< =ud,e of the fifth
=udicia& circuit in the state of .issouri< and char,ed 2ith the
offense of treason a,ainst the state of .issouri< and the said
defendants< on their e/a'ination efore 'e< ein, he&d to ans2er
further to said char,e< the said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith<
L!'an 3i,ht< A&e/ander .cRae< and Ca&e "a&d2in< to ans2er in the
count! of Da$iess< and the said Sidne! Ri,don to ans2er further in
the count! of Ca&d2e&&< for said char,e of treason< and there ein,
no =ai& in said counties? these are therefore to co''and that !ou
recei$e the said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith< L!'an 3i,ht<
A&e/ander .cRae< Ca&e "a&d2in< and Sidne! Ri,don into !our custod!
in the =ai& of the said count! of C&a!< there to re'ain unti& the! e
de&i$ered therefro' ! due course of &a2#
5i$en under '! hand and sea& the HNth da! of No$e'er< 7898#
AUSTIN A# 1IN5#
State of .issouri< Count! of C&a!#
I< Sa'ue& Had&e!< sheriff of C&a! count!< do here! certif! that
the ao$e is a true co*! of the 'itti'us to 'e< directed in the cases
therein na'ed# SA.UEL HADLEY< Jai&er# "! SA.UEL TILLERY< De*ut!
Jai&er# C&a! Count!< .issouri#
Frida!< 9D#--Aout this ti'e those of us 2ho had een sentenced
thereto< 2ere con$e!ed to Liert! =ai&< *ut in c&ose confine'ent< and a&&
co''unication 2ith our friends cut off#
Durin, our tria& 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in< acco'*anied ! "urr Ri,,s and
others< at ti'es 2ere us! in *&underin, and roin, the houses of Sidne!
Ri,don< 5eor,e .ore!< the 2ido2 )hee Ann )atten< and others< under
*retense or co&or of &a2< on an order fro' 5enera& C&ar0< as testified to
! the 'e'ers of the different fa'i&ies roed#
Saturda!< Dece'er 7< 7898#--A co''ittee on the *art of the -.or'ons-
and a &i0e co''ittee on the *art of the citi4ens of Da$iess count!< 'et at
Ada'-Ondi-Ah'an< on the first of Dece'er< 7898< the fo&&o2in,
*ro*ositions ! the -.or'on- co''ittee 2ere 'ade and a,reed to ! the
Da$iess count! co''ittee(
First--That the .or'on co''ittee e a&&o2ed to e'*&o!< sa!
t2ent! tea'sters for the *ur*ose of hau&in, off their *ro*ert!#
Second--That the .or'on co''ittee co&&ect 2hate$er stoc0 the!
'a! ha$e in Da$iess count! at so'e *oint< and so'e t2o or three of
the Da$iess count! co''ittee e notified to attend for the *ur*ose of
e/a'inin, said stoc0< and con$e! or attend the .or'on co''ittee out
of the &i'its of the count!? and it is further understood< that the
.or'on co''ittee is not to dri$e or ta0e fro' this count! an! stoc0
of an! descri*tion< at an! other ti'e< nor under an! other
circu'stances< than these 'entioned#
As 2itness our hands<
3ILLIA. )# )ENISTON<
DR# 1# 1ERR<
ADA. "LAC1<
Co''ittee#
The ao$e *ro*ositions 2ere 'ade and a,reed to ! the
undersi,ned co''ittee on the *art of the .or'ons#
3ILLIA. HUNTIN5TON<
"# S# 3IL"UR<
J# R# HALE<
HENRY HERRI.AN<
;# 3ILSON#
CHA)TER 6%#

THE CASE OF THE SAINTS )RESENTED TO THE .ISSOURI
LE5ISLATURE--THE )RO)HET+S CO..UNICATION TO THE SAINTS FRO. LI"ERTY
)RISON#
3ednesda!< Dece'er G#--The .issouri Le,is&ature ha$in, asse'&ed<
5o$ernor "o,,s &aid efore the House of Re*resentati$es a&& the
infor'ation in his *ossession re&ati$e to the difficu&ties et2een the 'o
and the -.or'ons#-
.onda!< Dece'er 7D#--
.e'oria& of a Co''ittee to the State Le,is&ature of .issouri in "eha&f of
the Citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& Count!#
To the Honora&e Le,is&ature of the State of .issouri in Senate and House
of Re*resentati$es con$ened(
3e< the undersi,ned *etitioners and inhaitants of Ca&d2e&&
count!< .issouri< in conse>uence of the &ate ca&a'it! that has co'e
u*on us ta0en in connection 2ith for'er aff&ictions< fee& it a dut!
2e o2e to ourse&$es and our countr! to &a! our case efore !our
honora&e od! for Consideration# It is a 2e&& 0no2n fact< that a
societ! of our *eo*&e co''enced sett&in, in Jac0son count!< .issouri<
in the su''er of 7897< 2here the!< accordin, to their ai&it!<
*urchased &ands< and sett&ed u*on the'< 2ith the intention and
e/*ectation of eco'in, *er'anent citi4ens in co''on 2ith others#
Soon after the sett&e'ent e,an< *ersecution co''enced? and as
the societ! increased< *ersecution a&so increased< unti& the societ!
at &ast 2as co'*e&&ed to &ea$e the count!? and a&thou,h an account of
these *ersecutions has een *u&ished to the 2or&d< !et 2e fee& that
it 2i&& not e i'*ro*er to notice a fe2 of the 'ost *ro'inent ite's
in this 'e'oria&#
On the HDth of Ju&!< 7899< a 'o con$ened at Inde*endence--a
co''ittee of 2hich ca&&ed u*on a fe2 of the 'en of our Church there<
and stated to the' that the store< *rintin, office< and indeed a&&
other 'echanic sho*s 'ust e c&osed forth2ith< and the societ! &ea$e
the count! i''ediate&!#
These *ro*ositions 2ere so une/*ected< that a certain ti'e 2as
as0ed for to consider on the su=ect< efore an ans2er shou&d e
returned< 2hich 2as refused< and our 'en ein, indi$idua&&!
interro,ated< each one ans2ered that he cou&d not consent to co'*&!
2ith their *ro*ositions# One of the 'o re*&ied that he 2as sorr!<
for the 2or0 of destruction 2ou&d co''ence i''ediate&!#
In a short ti'e the *rintin,-office< 2hich 2as a t2o stor! ric0
ui&din,< 2as assai&ed ! the 'o and soon thro2n do2n< and 2ith it
'uch $a&ua&e *ro*ert! destro!ed# Ne/t the! 2ent to the store for the
sa'e *ur*ose? ut .r# 5i&ert< one of the o2ners< a,reein, to c&ose
it< the! aandoned their desi,n# Their ne/t 'o$e 2as the dra,,in, of
"isho* )artrid,e fro' his house and fa'i&! to the *u&ic s>uare<
2here< surrounded ! hundreds< the! *artia&&! stri**ed hi' of his
c&othes< and tarred and feathered hi' fro' head to foot# A 'an ! the
na'e of A&&en 2as a&so tarred at the sa'e ti'e# This 2as Saturda!<
and the 'o a,reed to 'eet the fo&&o2in, Tuesda!< to acco'*&ish their
*ur*ose of dri$in, or 'assacrin, the societ!#
Tuesda! ca'e< and the 'o ca'e a&so< earin, 2ith the' a red
f&a, in to0en of &ood# So'e t2o or three of the *rinci*a& 'en of the
societ! offered their &i$es< if that 2ou&d a**ease the 2rath of the
'o< so that the rest of the societ! 'i,ht d2e&& in *eace u*on their
&ands# The ans2er 2as< that un&ess the societ! 2ou&d &ea$e en 'asse<
e$er! 'an shou&d die for hi'se&f# "ein, in a defense&ess situation<
to sa$e a ,enera& 'assacre< it 2as a,reed that one ha&f of the
societ! shou&d &ea$e the count! ! the first of the ne/t Januar!< and
the re'ainder ! the first of the fo&&o2in, A*ri&# A treat! 2as
entered into and ratified< and a&& thin,s 2ent on s'ooth&! for
a2hi&e# "ut so'eti'e in Octoer< the 2rath of the 'o e,an a,ain to
e 0ind&ed< inso'uch that the! shot at so'e of our *eo*&e< 2hi**ed
others< and thre2 do2n their houses< and co''itted 'an! other
de*redations? indeed the societ! of Saints 2ere harassed for so'e
ti'e oth da! and ni,ht? their houses 2ere ric0-atted and ro0en
o*en and 2o'en and chi&dren insu&ted# The store-house of A# S#
5i&ert and Co'*an! 2as ro0en o*en< ransac0ed< and so'e of the ,oods
stre2ed in the streets#
These auses< 2ith 'an! others of a $er! a,,ra$ated nature< so
stirred u* the indi,nant fee&in,s of our *eo*&e< that 2hen a *art! of
the'< sa! aout thirt!< 'et a co'*an! of the 'o of aout dou&e
their nu'er< a s0ir'ish too0 *&ace< in 2hich so'e t2o or three of
the 'o< and one of our *eo*&e< 2ere 0i&&ed# This raised< as it 2ere<
the 2ho&e count! in ar's< and nothin, 2ou&d satisf! the 'o ut an
i''ediate surrender of the ar's of our *eo*&e< 2ho forth2ith 2ere to
&ea$e the count!# Fift!-one ,uns 2ere ,i$en u*< 2hich ha$e ne$er een
returned< or *aid for< to this da!# The ne/t da!< *arties of the 'o<
fro' fift! to se$ent!< headed ! *riests< 2ent fro' house to house<
threatenin, 2o'en and chi&dren 2ith death if the! 2ere not ,one
efore the! returned# This so a&ar'ed our *eo*&e that the! f&ed in
different directions? so'e too0 she&ter in the 2oods< 2hi&e others
2andered in the *rairies ti&& their feet &ed? and the 2eather ein,
$er! co&d< their sufferin,s in other res*ects 2ere ,reat#
The societ! 'ade their esca*e to C&a! count! as fast as the!
*ossi&! cou&d< 2here the *eo*&e recei$ed the' 0ind&!< and
ad'inistered to their 2ants# After the societ! had &eft Jac0son
count!< their ui&din,s< a'ountin, to aout t2o hundred< 2ere either
urned or other2ise destro!ed< and 'uch of their cro*s< as 2e&& as
furniture and stoc0? 2hich if *ro*er&! esti'ated 2ou&d 'a0e a &ar,e
su'< for the &oss of 2hich the! ha$e not as !et recei$ed an!
re'uneration#
The societ! re'ained in C&a! count! near&! three !ears? 2hen< at
the su,,estion of the *eo*&e there< the! re'o$ed to that section of
the state 0no2n as Ca&d2e&& count!# Here the *eo*&e ou,ht out 'ost
of the for'er inhaitants< and a&so entered 'uch of the 2i&d &and#
.an! soon o2ned a nu'er of ei,hties Iei,ht! acresJ 2hi&e there 2as
scarce&! a 'an 2ho did not secure to hi'se&f at &east a fort! Ifort!
acresJ# Here 2e 2ere *er'itted to en=o! *eace for a season? ut as
our societ! increased in nu'ers< and sett&e'ents 2ere 'ade in
Da$iess and Carro&& counties< the 'o s*irit s*read itse&f a,ain# For
'onths *re$ious to our ,i$in, u* our ar's to 5enera& Lucas+ ar'!< 2e
heard &itt&e e&se than ru'ors of 'os co&&ectin, in different *&aces
and threatenin, our *eo*&e# It is 2e&& 0no2n that the *eo*&e of our
Church< 2ho had &ocated the'se&$es at De 3itt# had to ,i$e u* to a
'o< and &ea$e the *&ace< not2ithstandin, the 'i&itia 2ere ca&&ed out
for their *rotection#
Fro' De 3itt the 'o 2ent to2ards Da$iess count!< and 2hi&e on
their 2a! there the! too0 t2o of our 'en *risoners< and 'ade the'
ride u*on the cannon< and to&d the' that the! 2ou&d dri$e the
-.or'ons- fro' Da$iess to Ca&d2e&&< and fro' Ca&d2e&& to he&&? and
that the! 2ou&d ,i$e the' no >uarter< on&! at the cannon+s 'outh# The
threats of the 'o induced so'e of our *eo*&e to ,o to Da$iess to
he&* to *rotect their rethren 2ho had sett&ed at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< on
5rand ri$er# The 'o soon f&ed fro' Da$iess count!? and after the!
2ere dis*ersed and the cannon ta0en< durin, 2hich ti'e no &ood 2as
shed< the *eo*&e of Ca&d2e&& returned to their ho'es< in ho*es of
en=o!in, *eace and >uiet? ut in this the! 2ere disa**ointed? for a
&ar,e 'o 2as soon found to e co&&ectin, on the 5rindstone for0 of
5rand ri$er fro' ten to fifteen 'i&es off< under the co''and of
Corne&ius 5i&&iu'< a scoutin, *art! of 2hich ca'e 2ithin four 'i&es
of Far 3est< in o*en da!&i,ht< and dro$e off stoc0 e&on,in, to our
*eo*&e#
Aout this ti'e< 2ord ca'e to Far 3est that a *art! of the 'o
had co'e into Ca&d2e&& count! to the south of Far 3est? that the!
2ere ta0in, horses and catt&e< urnin, houses and orderin, the
inhaitants to &ea$e their ho'es i''ediate&!? and that the! had then
actua&&! in their *ossession three 'en *risoners# This re*ort reached
Far 3est in the e$enin,< and 2as confir'ed aout 'idni,ht# A co'*an!
of aout si/t! 'en 2ent forth under the co''and of Da$id 3# )atten to
dis*erse the 'o< as the! su**osed# A att&e 2as the resu&t< in 2hich
Ca*tain )atten and three of his 'en 2ere 0i&&ed< and others 2ounded#
"o,art< it a**ears< had ut one 0i&&ed and others 2ounded#
Not2ithstandin, the un&a2fu& acts co''itted ! Ca*tain "o,art+s 'en
*re$ious to the att&e< it is no2 asserted and c&ai'ed that he 2as
re,u&ar&! ordered out as a 'i&itia ca*tain< to *reser$e the *eace
a&on, the &ine of Ra! and Ca&d2e&& counties# The att&e 2as fou,ht
four or fi$e da!s *re$ious to the arri$a& of 5enera& Lucas and his
ar'!# Aout the ti'e of the att&e 2ith Ca*tain "o,art< a nu'er of
our *eo*&e 2ho 2ere &i$in, near Haun+s 'i&&< on Shoa& cree0< aout
t2ent! 'i&es e&o2 Far 3est< to,ether 2ith a nu'er of e'i,rants 2ho
had een sto**ed there in conse>uence of the e/cite'ent< 'ade an
a,ree'ent 2ith the 'o in that $icinit! that neither *art! shou&d
'o&est the other< ut d2e&& in *eace# Short&! after this a,ree'ent
2as 'ade< a 'o *art! of fro' t2o to three hundred< 'an! of 2ho' are
su**osed to e fro' Chariton count!< so'e fro' Da$iess< and a&so
those 2ho had a,reed to d2e&& in *eace< ca'e u*on our *eo*&e there<
2hose nu'er in 'en 2as aout fort!< at a ti'e the! &itt&e e/*ected
an! such thin,< and 2ithout an! cere'on!< not2ithstandin, the! e,,ed
for >uarter< shot the' do2n as the! 2ou&d ti,ers or *anthers# So'e
fe2 'ade their esca*e ! f&eein,# Ei,hteen 2ere 0i&&ed and a nu'er
'ore 2ere se$ere&! 2ounded#
This tra,ed! 2as conducted in the 'ost ruta& and sa$a,e 'anner#
An o&d 'an IFather Tho'as .c"rideJ after the 'assacre 2as *artia&&!
o$er< thre2 hi'se&f into their hands and e,,ed for >uarter< 2hen he
2as instant&! shot do2n? that not 0i&&in, hi'< the! too0 an o&d corn
cutter and &itera&&! 'an,&ed hi' to *ieces# A &ad of ten !ears of
a,e< after ein, shot do2n< a&so e,,ed to e s*ared< 2hen one of the
'o *&aced the 'u44&e of his ,un to the o!+s head and &e2 out his
rains#
The s&au,hter of these not satisf!in, the 'o< the! then
*roceeded to ro and *&under# The scene that *resented itse&f after
the 'assacre< to the 2ido2s and or*hans of the 0i&&ed< is e!ond
descri*tion# It 2as tru&! a ti'e of 2ee*in,< 'ournin, and
&a'entation#
As !et 2e ha$e not heard of an! one ein, arrested for these
'urders< not2ithstandin, there are 'en oastin, aout the countr!
that the! did 0i&& on that occasion 'ore than one -.or'on?- 2hereas
a&& our *eo*&e 2ho 2ere in the att&e 2ith Ca*tain )atten a,ainst
"o,art< that can e found< ha$e een arrested< and are no2 confined
in =ai& to a2ait their tria& for 'urder#
3hen 5enera& Lucas arri$ed near Far 3est< and *resented the
5o$ernor+s order< 2e 2ere ,reat&! sur*rised? !et 2e fe&t 2i&&in, to
su'it to the authorities of the state# 3e ,a$e u* our ar's 2ithout
re&uctance# 3e 2ere then 'ade *risoners< and confined to the &i'its
of the to2n for aout a 2ee0< durin, 2hich ti'e the 'en fro' the
countr! 2ere not *er'itted to ,o to their fa'i&ies< 'an! of 2ho' 2ere
in a sufferin, condition for 2ant of food and fire2ood< the 2eather
ein, $er! co&d and stor'!#
.uch *ro*ert! 2as destro!ed ! the troo*s in to2n durin, their
sta! there< such as urnin, house &o,s< rai&s< corn-cris< oards?
the usin, of corn and ha!< the *&underin, of houses< the 0i&&in, of
catt&e< shee* and ho,s< and a&so the ta0in, of horses not their o2n?
and a&& this 2ithout re,ard to o2ners< or as0in, &ea$e of an! one# In
the 'eanti'e 'en 2ere aused< 2o'en insu&ted and aused ! the
troo*s? and a&& this 2hi&e 2e 2ere 0e*t *risoners#
3hi&st the to2n 2as ,uarded< 2e 2ere ca&&ed to,ether ! the
order of 5enera& Lucas# and a ,uard *&aced c&ose around us< and in
that situation 2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to si,n a deed of trust for the
*ur*ose of 'a0in, our indi$idua& *ro*ert!< a&& ho&den< as the! said<
to *a! a&& the dets of e$er! indi$idua& e&on,in, to the Church< and
a&so to *a! for a&& da'a,es the o&d inhaitants of Da$iess 'a! ha$e
sustained in conse>uence of the &ate difficu&ties in that count!#
5enera& C&ar0 had no2 arri$ed< and the first i'*ortant 'o$e 'ade
! hi' 2as the co&&ectin, of our 'en to,ether on the s>uare and
se&ectin, aout fift! of the'< 2ho' he i''ediate&! 'arched into a
house< and *&aced in c&ose confine'ent# This 2as done 2ithout the aid
of the sheriff< or an! &e,a& *rocess# The ne/t da! fort!-si/ of those
ta0en< 2ere dri$en off to Rich'ond< &i0e a *arce& of 'enia& s&a$es<
not 0no2in, 2h! the! 2ere ta0en< or 2hat the! 2ere ta0en for# After
ein, confined in Rich'ond 'ore than t2o 2ee0s< aout one ha&f 2ere
&ierated? the rest< after another 2ee0+s confine'ent< 2ere re>uired
to a**ear at court< and ha$e since een &et to ai&# Since 5enera&
C&ar0 2ithdre2 his troo*s fro' Far 3est< *arties of ar'ed 'en ha$e
,one throu,h the countr!< dri$in, off horses< shee* and catt&e< and
a&so *&underin, houses? the ararit! of 5enera& Lucas+ troo*s ou,ht
not to e *assed o$er in si&ence# The! shot our catt&e and ho,s
'ere&! for the sa0e of destro!in, the'< &ea$in, the' for the ra$ens
to eat# The! too0 *risoner an a,ed 'an ! the na'e of John Tanner<
and 2ithout an! reason for it< he 2as struc0 o$er the head 2ith a
,un< 2hich &aid his s0u&& are# Another 'an ! the na'e of Care! 2as
a&so ta0en *risoner ! the'< and 2ithout an! *ro$ocation had his
rains dashed out ! a ,un# He 2as &aid in a 2a,on and there
*er'itted to re'ain for the s*ace of t2ent!-four hours? durin, 2hich
ti'e no one 2as *er'itted to ad'inister to hi' co'fort or
conso&ation? and after he 2as re'o$ed fro' that situation< he &i$ed
ut a fe2 hours#
The destruction of *ro*ert! at and aout Far 3est is $er! ,reat#
.an! are stri**ed are< as it 2ere# and others *artia&&! so? indeed
ta0e us as a od! at this ti'e< 2e are a *oor and aff&icted *eo*&e?
and if 2e are co'*e&&ed to &ea$e the state in the S*rin,< 'an!< !es a
&ar,e *ortion of our societ!< 2i&& ha$e to e re'o$ed at the e/*ense
of the state? as those 2ho 'i,ht ha$e he&*ed the' are no2 dearred
that *ri$i&e,e in conse>uence of the deed of trust 2e 2ere co'*e&&ed
to si,n? 2hich deed so o*erated u*on our rea& estate< that it 2i&&
se&& for ut &itt&e or nothin, at this ti'e#
3e ha$e no2 'ade a rief state'ent of so'e of the 'ost *ro'inent
features of the trou&es that ha$e efa&&en our *eo*&e since our
first sett&e'ent in this state? and 2e e&ie$e that these
*ersecutions ha$e co'e in conse>uence of our re&i,ious faith< and not
for an! i''ora&it! on our *art# That instances ha$e een< of &ate<
2here indi$idua&s ha$e tres*assed u*on the ri,hts of others< and
there! ro0en the &a2s of the &and< 2e 2i&& not *retend to den!? ut
!et 2e do e&ie$e that no cri'e can e sustantiated a,ainst an! of
the *eo*&e 2ho ha$e a standin, in our Church of an ear&ier date than
the difficu&ties in Da$iess count!# And 2hen it is considered that
the ri,hts of this *eo*&e ha$e een tra'*&ed u*on fro' ti'e to ti'e
2ith i'*unit!< and auses a&'ost innu'era&e hea*ed u*on the' it
ou,ht in so'e de,ree to *a&&iate for an! infraction of the &a2 2hich
'a! ha$e een 'ade on the *art of our *eo*&e#
The &ate order of 5o$ernor "o,,s to dri$e us fro' the state< or
e/ter'inate us< is a thin, so no$e&< un&a2fu&< t!rannica&< and
o**ressi$e< that 2e ha$e een induced to dra2 u* this 'e'oria&< and
*resent this state'ent of our case to !our honora&e od!< *ra!in,
that a &a2 'a! e *assed< rescindin, the order of the ,o$ernor to
dri$e us fro' the state< and a&so ,i$in, us the sanction of the
&e,is&ature to *ossess our &ands in *eace# 3e as0 an e/*ression of
the &e,is&ature< disa**ro$in, the conduct of those 2ho co'*e&&ed us
to si,n a deed of trust< and a&so disa**ro$in, of an! 'an or set of
'en ta0in, our *ro*ert! in conse>uence of that deed of trust< and
a**ro*riatin, it to the *a!'ent of dets not contracted ! us or for
the *a!'ent of da'a,es sustained in conse>uence of tres*asses
co''itted ! others#
3e ha$e no co''on stoc0? our *ro*ert! is indi$idua& *ro*ert!<
and 2e fee& 2i&&in, to *a! our dets as other indi$idua&s do? ut 2e
are not 2i&&in, to e ound for other *eo*&e+s dets# The ar's 2hich
2ere ta0en fro' us here< 2hich 2e understand to e aout si/ hundred
and thirt!< esides s2ords and *isto&s< 2e care not so 'uch aout< as
2e do the *a! for the'? on&! 2e are ound to do 'i&itar! dut!< 2hich
2e are 2i&&in, to do< and 2hich 2e thin0 2as sufficient&! 'anifested
! the raisin, of a $o&unteer co'*an! &ast fa&& at Far 3est 2hen
ca&&ed u*on ! 5enera& )ar0s to raise troo*s for the frontier#
The ar's ,i$en u* ! us< 2e consider 2ere 2orth et2een t2e&$e
and fifteen thousand do&&ars? ut 2e understand the! ha$e een
,reat&! da'a,ed since ta0en< and at this ti'e *roa&! 2ou&d not
rin, near their for'er $a&ue# And as the! 2ere< oth here and in
Jac0son count!< ta0en ! the 'i&itia< and conse>uent&! ! the
authorit! of the state< 2e therefore as0 !our honora&e od! to cause
an a**ro*riation to e 'ade ! &a2< 2here! 2e 'a! e *aid for the'<
or other2ise ha$e the' returned to us< and the da'a,es 'ade ,ood#
The &osses sustained ! our *eo*&e in &ea$in, Jac0son count! are
such that it is i'*ossi&e to otain an! co'*ensation for the' !
&a2< ecause those 2ho ha$e sustained the' are una&e to *ro$e those
tres*asses u*on indi$idua&s# That the facts do e/ist that the
ui&din,s< cro*s< stoc0< furniture< rai&s< ti'er< etc#< of the
societ! ha$e een destro!ed in Jac0son count!< is not douted !
those 2ho are ac>uainted in this u**er countr! Ithe *art of the state
north of the .issouri ri$er 2as so ca&&edJ? and since these
tres*asses cannot e *ro$en u*on indi$idua&s< 2e as0 !our honora&e
od! to consider this case? and if in !our &iera&it! and 2isdo' !ou
can concei$e it to e *ro*er to 'a0e an a**ro*riation ! &a2 to these
sufferers< 'an! of 2ho' are sti&& *ressed do2n 2ith *o$ert! in
conse>uence of their &osses< the! 2ou&d e a&e to *a! their dets<
and a&so in so'e de,ree e re&ie$ed fro' *o$ert! and 2oe? 2hi&st the
2ido2+s heart 2ou&d e 'ade to re=oice< and the or*han+s tear
'easura&! dried u*< and the *ra!ers of a ,ratefu& *eo*&e ascend on
hi,h< 2ith than0s,i$in, and *raise to the Author of our e/istence for
such eneficent act#
In &a!in, our case efore !our honora&e od!< 2e sa! that 2e
are 2i&&in,< and e$er ha$e een< to confor' to the Constitution and
&a2s of the United States< and of this state# 3e as0< in co''on 2ith
others< the *rotection of the &a2s# 3e as0 for the *ri$i&e,e
,uaranteed to a&& free citi4ens of the United States< and of this
state< to e e/tended to us that 2e 'a! e *er'itted to sett&e and
&i$e 2here 2e *&ease< and 2orshi* 5od accordin, to the dictates of
our conscience 2ithout 'o&estation# And 2hi&e 2e as0 for ourse&$es
this *ri$i&e,e< 2e are 2i&&in, a&& others shou&d en=o! the sa'e#
3e no2 &a! our case at the feet of !ou &e,is&ators< and as0 !our
honora&e od! to consider it# and do for us< after 'ature
de&ieration< that 2hich !our 2isdo'< *atriotis' and *hi&anthro*! 'a!
dictate# And 2e< as in dut! ound< 2i&& e$er *ra!#
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E<
HE"ER C# 1I."ALL<
JOHN TAYLOR<
THEODORE TURLEY<
"RI5HA. YOUN5<
ISAAC .ORLEY<
5EOR5E 3# HARRIS<
JOHN .URDOC1<
JOHN .# "URR#
A co''ittee a**ointed ! the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& count!<
to draft the 'e'oria& and si,n it in their eha&f#
Far 3est< Ca&d2e&& count!< .issouri< Dece'er 7D< 7898#
.inutes of a hi,h Counci& He&d at Far 3est< Thursda!< Dece'er 79< 7898#
A,reea&e to a**oint'ent< the standin, Hi,h Counci& 'et< 2hen it
2as found that se$era& 2ere asent< 2ho< Eso'e of the'F ha$e had to
f&ee for their &i$es? therefore it ein, necessar! that those
$acancies e fi&&ed< the 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed for that *ur*ose< and
a&so to e/*ress each other+s fee&in,s res*ectin, the 2ord of the
Lord? )resident "ri,ha' Youn, *residin,#
The counci& 2as o*ened ! *ra!er ! E&der 1i'a&&# After *ra!er#
)resident Youn, 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s< sa!in, he thou,ht it a&&
i'*ortant to ha$e the Counci& reor,ani4ed# and *re*ared to do
usiness# He ad$ised the counci&ors to e 2ise and =udicious in a&&
their 'o$e'ents< and not hast! in their transactions# As for his
faith< it 2as the sa'e as e$er? and he fe&&o2shi*ed a&& such as &o$ed
the 5os*e& of our Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ< in act as he&& as
2ord#
E&der 1i'a&& arose and said he fe&t as for'er&!< for he had
endea$ored to 0ee* a strai,htfor2ard course? ut 2herein he had een
out of the 2a! in an! 'anner< he 'eant to 'end in that thin,? and he
2as deter'ined< as far as *ossi&e< to do as he 2ou&d e done !? and
his faith 2as as ,ood as e$er? he 2as in fe&&o2shi* 2ith a&& 2ho
2anted to do ri,ht#
Si'eon Carter said< as to his faith in the 2or0 it 2as the sa'e
as o$er? he did not thin0 that Jose*h 2as a fa&&en )ro*het< ut he
e&ie$ed in e$er! re$e&ation that had co'e throu,h hi'? sti&& he
thou,ht that *erha*s Jose*h had not acted in a&& thin,s accordin, to
the est 2isdo'? !et ho2 far he had een un2ise he cou&d not sa!# He
did not thin0 that Jose*h 2ou&d e re'o$ed and another *&anted in his
stead? ut he e&ie$ed that he 2ou&d sti&& *erfor' his 2or0# He 2as
sti&& deter'ined to *erse$ere and act in ri,hteousness in a&& thin,s<
so that he 'i,ht at &ast ,ain a cro2n of ,&or!< and rei,n in the
0in,do' of 5od#
Jared Carter< res*onded to )resident "ri,ha' Youn,+s fee&in,s<
and 2ished a&& to 2a&0 2ith the rethren#
Tho'as 5ro$er said he 2as fir' in the faith< and he e&ie$ed the
ti'e 2ou&d co'e 2hen Jose*h 2ou&d stand efore 0in,s< and s*ea0
'ar$e&ous 2ords#
Da$id Dort e/*ressed his fee&in,s in a si'i&ar 'anner#
Le$i Jac0'an sa!s his faith is the sa'e as e$er< and he has
confidence in "rother Jose*h< as e$er#
So&o'on Hancoc0 sa!s he is a fir' e&ie$er in the "oo0 of .or'on
and Doctrine and Co$enants< and that "rother Jose*h is not a fa&&en
*ro*het< ut 2i&& !et e e/a&ted and eco'e $er! hi,h#
John "ad,er sa!s his confidence in the 2or0 is the sa'e as e$er<
and his faith< if *ossi&e< is stron,er than e$er# He e&ie$es that
it 2as necessar! that these scour,es shou&d co'e#
5eor,e 3# Harris sa!s that< as it res*ects the scour,es 2hich
ha$e co'e u*on us< the hand of 5od 2as in it#
Sa'ue& "ent sa!s that his faith is as it e$er 2as< and that he
fee&s to *raise 5od in *risons and in dun,eons< and in a&&
circu'stances#
After so'e consu&tation it 2as thou,ht e/*edient to no'inate
Hi,h )riests to fi&& the $acancies#
The Counci& 2as or,ani4ed as fo&&o2s( Si'eon Carter# No# 7?
Jared Carter< H? Tho'as 5ro$er 9? Da$id Dort< @? Le$i Jac0'an< G?
So&o'on Hancoc0< :? John "ad,er< M? John .urdoc0< 8? John E# )a,e< N?
5eor,e 3# Harris< 7D? John Ta!&or< 77? Sa'ue& "ent< 7H#
%oted that John .urdoc0 fi&& the $acanc! of John )# 5reene< No#
@< and Da$id Dort the *&ace of E&ias Hi,ee< No# 77< and John "ad,er
the *&ace of 5eor,e .ore!< No# M< and L!'an Sher'an the *&ace of
Ne2e& 1ni,ht< unti& he returns#
Counci& ad=ourned unti& Frida! e$enin,< si/ o+c&oc0# C&osed !
*ra!er ! )resident "ri,ha' Youn,#
E# RO"INSON< C&er0#
Isaac Russe&&< 2ho had eco'e connected 2ith a s'a&& ca'* of the
Saints< of aout thirt! fa'i&ies< ,oin, 2est< turned fro' his course at
Louisiana< and &ed the' north ten 'i&es on the S*anish c&ai's< 2here the!
ui&t huts or &i$ed in tents throu,h the 2inter in ,reat sufferin,#
Russe&& turned *ro*het Ea*ostateF# He said Jose*h had fa&&en and he 2as
a**ointed to &ead the *eo*&e#
Chand&er Ro,ers< 2ho 2as 'o$in, 2est< 2as 'et ! a 'o at Hunts$i&&e<
and co'*e&&ed to turn ac0< and fe&& in 2ith Russe&&+s ca'*# Russe&& said
he 2as -the chosen of the Lord?- and 2hen the! &eft the *&ace< the! 2ou&d
ha$e to ,o on foot< and ta0e nothin, 2ith the'< and the! 'ust se&& their
tea's# So'e 2ou&d not se&& and he cursed the'#
Sunda!< Dece'er 7:#--I 2rote the fo&&o2in, &etter(
The )ro*het+s Letter to the Church#
LI"ERTY JAIL< .ISSOURI<
Dece'er 7:< 7898#
To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints in Ca&d2e&&
count!< and a&& the Saints 2ho are scattered aroad< 2ho are
*ersecuted< and 'ade deso&ate< and 2ho are aff&icted in di$ers
'anners for Christ+s sa0e and the 5os*e&+s< ! the hands of a crue&
'o and the t!rannica& dis*osition of the authorities of this state?
and 2hose *eri&s are ,reat&! au,'ented ! the 2ic0edness and
corru*tion of fa&se rethren< ,reetin,(
.a! ,race< 'erc!< and the *eace of 5od e and aide 2ith !ou?
and not2ithstandin, a&& !our sufferin,s< 2e assure !ou that !ou ha$e
our *ra!ers and fer$ent desires for !our 2e&fare< da! and ni,ht# 3e
e&ie$e that that 5od 2ho seeth us in this so&itar! *&ace< 2i&& hear
our *ra!ers< and re2ard !ou o*en&!#
1no2 assured&!< dear rethren< that it is for the testi'on! of
Jesus that 2e are in onds and in *rison# "ut 2e sa! unto !ou< that
2e consider that our condition is etter Enot2ithstandin, our
sufferin,sF than that of those 2ho ha$e *ersecuted us< and s'itten
us< and orne fa&se 2itness a,ainst us? and 2e 'ost assured&! e&ie$e
that those 2ho do ear fa&se 2itness a,ainst us< do see' to ha$e a
,reat triu'*h o$er us for the *resent# "ut 2e 2ant !ou to re'e'er
Ha'an and .ordecai( !ou 0no2 that Ha'an cou&d not e satisfied so
&on, as he sa2 .ordecai at the 0in,+s ,ate< and he sou,ht the &ife of
.ordecai and the destruction of the *eo*&e of the Je2s# "ut the Lord
so ordered it< that Ha'an 2as han,ed u*on his o2n ,a&&o2s#
So sha&& it co'e to *ass 2ith *oor Ha'an in the &ast da!s< and
those 2ho ha$e sou,ht ! une&ief and 2ic0edness and ! the *rinci*&e
of 'oocrac! to destro! us and the *eo*&e of 5od< ! 0i&&in, and
scatterin, the' aroad< and 2i&fu&&! and 'a&icious&! de&i$erin, us
into the hands of 'urderers< desirin, us to e *ut to death< there!
ha$in, us dra,,ed aout in chains and cast into *rison# And for 2hat
causeB It is ecause 2e 2ere honest 'en< and 2ere deter'ined to
defend the &i$es of the Saints at the e/*ense of our o2n# I sa! unto
!ou< that those 2ho ha$e thus $i&e&! treated us< &i0e Ha'an< sha&& e
han,ed u*on their o2n ,a&&o2s? or< in other 2ords< sha&& fa&& into
their o2n ,in< and snare< and ditch< and tra*< 2hich the! ha$e
*re*ared for us< and sha&& ,o ac02ards and stu'&e and fa&&< and
their na'e sha&& e &otted out< and 5od sha&& re2ard the' accordin,
to a&& their ao'inations#
Dear rethren< do not thin0 that our hearts faint< as thou,h
so'e stran,e thin, had ha**ened unto us< for 2e ha$e seen and een
assured of a&& these thin,s eforehand< and ha$e an assurance of a
etter ho*e than that of our *ersecutors# Therefore 5od hath 'ade
road our shou&ders for the urden# 3e ,&or! in our triu&ation<
ecause 2e 0no2 that 5od is 2ith us< that He is our friend< and that
He 2i&& sa$e our sou&s# 3e do not care for the' that can 0i&& the
od!? the! cannot har' our sou&s# 3e as0 no fa$ors at the hands of
'os< nor of the 2or&d< nor of the de$i&< nor of his e'issaries the
dissenters< and those 2ho &o$e< and 'a0e< and s2ear fa&sehoods< to
ta0e a2a! our &i$es# 3e ha$e ne$er disse'&ed< nor 2i&& 2e for the
sa0e of our &i$es#
Foras'uch< then< as 2e 0no2 that 2e ha$e een endea$orin, 2ith
a&& our 'ind< 'i,ht< and stren,th< to do the 2i&& of 5od< and a&&
thin,s 2hatsoe$er He has co''anded us? and as to our &i,ht s*eeches<
2hich 'a! ha$e esca*ed our &i*s fro' ti'e to ti'e< the! ha$e nothin,
to do 2ith the fi/ed *ur*oses of our hearts? therefore it sufficeth
us to sa!< that our sou&s 2ere $e/ed fro' da! to da!# 3e refer !ou to
Isaiah< 2ho considers those 2ho 'a0e a 'an an offender for a 2ord<
and &a! a snare for hi' that re*ro$eth in the ,ate# 3e e&ie$e that
the o&d )ro*het $eri&! to&d the truth+ and 2e ha$e no retraction to
'a0e# 3e ha$e re*ro$ed in the ,ate< and 'en ha$e &aid snares for us#
3e ha$e s*o0en 2ords< and 'en ha$e 'ade us offenders# And
not2ithstandin, a&& this< our 'inds are not !et dar0ened< ut fee&
stron, in the Lord# "ut eho&d the 2ords of the Sa$ior( -If the &i,ht
2hich is in !ou eco'e dar0ness< eho&d ho2 ,reat is that dar0ness#-
Loo0 at the dissenters# A,ain< -If !ou 2ere of the 2or&d the 2or&d
2ou&d &o$e its o2n#- Loo0 at .r# Hin0&e--a 2o&f in shee*+s c&othin,#
Loo0 at his rother John Corri&&# Loo0 at the e&o$ed rother Reed
)ec0< 2ho aided hi' in &eadin, us< as the Sa$ior 2as &ed< into the
ca'* of his ene'ies< as a &a' *re*ared for the s&au,hter< as a shee*
du' efore his shearers? so 2e o*ened not our 'ouths#
"ut these 'en< &i0e "a&aa'< ein, ,reed! for re2ard< so&d us
into the hands of those 2ho &o$ed the'< for the 2or&d &o$es his o2n#
I 2ou&d re'e'er 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in< 2ho co'es u* to us as one of
Jo+s co'forters# 5od suffered such 0ind of ein,s to aff&ict
Jo--ut it ne$er entered into their hearts that Jo 2ou&d ,et out of
it a&&# This *oor 'an 2ho *rofesses to e 'uch of a *ro*het< has no
other du' ass to ride ut Da$id 3hit'er<C to forid his 'adness 2hen
he ,oes u* to curse Israe&? and this ass not ein, of the sa'e 0ind
as "a&aa'+s< therefore< the an,e& not2ithstandin, a**eared unto hi'<
!et he cou&d not *enetrate his understandin, sufficient&!< ut that
he *ra!s out cursin,s instead of &essin,s# )oor assK 3hoe$er &i$es
to see it< 2i&& see hi' and his rider *erish &i0e those 2ho *erished
in the ,ain-sa!in, of 1orah< or after the sa'e conde'nation# No2 as
for these and the rest of their co'*an!< 2e 2i&& not *resu'e to sa!
that the 2or&d &o$es the'? ut 2e *resu'e to sa! the! &o$e the 2or&d<
and 2e c&assif! the' in the error of "a&aa'< and in the ,ain-sa!in,s
of 1orah< and 2ith the co'*an! of 1orah< Dathan< and Aira'#
)erha*s our rethren 2i&& sa!< ecause 2e thus 2rite< that 2e
are offended at these characters# If 2e are< it is not for a 2ord<
neither ecause the! re*ro$ed in the ,ate--ut ecause the! ha$e een
the 'eans of sheddin, innocent &ood# Are the! not 'urderers then at
heartB Are not their consciences seared as 2ith a hot ironB 3e
confess that 2e are offended? ut the Sa$ior said# -It 'ust needs e
that offenses co'e< ut 2oe unto the' ! 2ho' the! co'e#- And a,ain<
-"&essed are !e 2hen 'en sha&& re$i&e !ou< and *ersecute !ou< and
sha&& sa! a&& 'anner of e$i& a,ainst !ou fa&se&! for '! sa0e? re=oice
and e e/ceedin, ,&ad< for ,reat is !our re2ard in hea$en< for so
*ersecuted the! the )ro*hets 2hich 2ere efore !ou#-
No2< dear rethren< if an! 'en e$er had reason to c&ai' this
*ro'ise< 2e are the 'en? for 2e 0no2 that the 2or&d not on&! hate as<
ut the! s*ea0 a&& 'anner of e$i& of us fa&se&!< for no other reason
than that 2e ha$e een endea$orin, to teach the fu&&ness of the
5os*e& of Jesus Christ#
After 2e 2ere artered a2a! ! Hin0&e< and 2ere ta0en into the
'i&itia ca'*< 2e had a&& the e$idence 2e cou&d ha$e as0ed for that
the 2or&d hated us# If there 2ere *riests a'on, the' of a&& the
different sects< the! hated us< and that 'ost cordia&&! too# If there
2ere ,enera&s< the! hated us? if there 2ere co&one&s< the! hated us?
and the so&diers< and officers of e$er! 0ind< hated us? and the 'ost
*rofane< &as*he'ous< and drun0ards? and 2hore'on,ers< hated us--the!
a&& hated us< 'ost cordia&&!# And no2 2hat did the! hate us forB
)ure&! ecause of the testi'on! of Jesus Christ# 3as it ecause 2e
2ere &iarsB 3e 0no2 that it has een so re*orted ! so'e< ut it has
een re*orted fa&se&!# 3as it ecause 2e ha$e co''itted treason
a,ainst the ,o$ern'ent in Da$iess count!< or ur,&ar!< or &arcen!< or
arson< or an! other un&a2fu& act in Da$iess count!B 3e 0no2 that 2e
ha$e een so re*orted ! *riests< and certain &a2!ers< and certain
=ud,es< 2ho are the insti,ators< aiders< and aettors of a certain
,an, of 'urderers and roers< 2ho ha$e een carr!in, on a sche'e of
'oocrac! to u*ho&d their *riestcraft< a,ainst the Saints of the &ast
da!s? and for a nu'er of !ears ha$e tried< ! s 2e&& conte'*&ated
and *re'editated sche'e< to *ut do2n ! *h!sica& *o2er a s!ste' of
re&i,ion that a&& the 2or&d< ! their 'utua& attain'ents< and ! an!
fair 'eans 2hate$er< 2ere not a&e to resist#
Hence 'oers 2ere encoura,ed ! *riests and Le$ites< ! the
)harisees< ! the Sadducees< and Essenes< and Herodians< and the 'ost
2orth&ess< aandoned< and deauched< &a2&ess< and inhu'an< and the
'ost east&! set of 'en that the earth can oast of--and indeed a
*ara&&e& cannot e found an!2here e&se--to ,ather to,ether to stea&<
to *&under< to star$e< and to e/ter'inate< and urn the houses of the
-.or'ons#-
These are characters that< ! their treasona&e and o$ert acts<
ha$e deso&ated and &aid 2aste Da$iess count!# These are the
characters that 2ou&d fain 'a0e a&& the 2or&d e&ie$e that 2e are
,ui&t! of the ao$e na'ed acts# "ut the! re*resent us fa&se&!? 2e
stood in our o2n defense< and 2e e&ie$e that no 'an of us acted on&!
in a =ust< a &a2fu&< and a ri,hteous reta&iation a,ainst such
'arauders#
3e sa! unto !ou< that 2e ha$e not co''itted treason< nor an!
other un&a2fu& act in Da$iess count!# 3as it for 'urder in Ra!
count!< a,ainst 'o-'i&itia? 2ho 2as as a 2o&f in the first instance<
hide and hair< teeth< &e,s and tai&< 2ho after2ards *ut on a 'i&itia
shee* s0in 2ith the 2oo& on? 2ho cou&d sa&&! fort< in the da! ti'e<
into the f&oc0< and snar&< and sho2 his teeth< and scatter and de$our
the f&oc0< and satiate hi'se&f u*on his *re!< and then snea0 ac0
into the ra'&e in order that he 'i,ht concea& hi'se&f in his 2e&&
tried s0in 2ith the 2oo& onB
3e are 2e&& a2are that there is a certain set of *riests and
sate&&ites< and 'oers that 2ou&d fain 'a0e a&& the 2or&d e&ie$e
that 2e 2ere ,ui&t! of the doin,s of this ho2&in, 2o&f that 'ade such
ha$oc a'on, the shee*< 2ho< 2hen he retreated< ho2&ed and &eated at
such a des*erate rate< that if one cou&d ha$e een there< he 2ou&d
ha$e thou,ht that a&& the 2o&$es< 2hether 2ra**ed u* in shee* s0ins
or in ,oat s0ins or in so'e other s0ins< and in fine a&& the easts
of the forest< 2ere a2fu&&! a&ar'ed< and catchin, the scent of
innocent &ood< the! sa&&ied forth 2ith one tre'endous ho2& and
cr!in, of a&& sorts? and such a ho2&in,# and such a tre'endous ha$oc
ne$er 2as 0no2n efore? such inhu'anit!< and re&ent&ess crue&t! and
ararit! as 2ere *racticed a,ainst the Saints in .issouri can
scarce&! e found in the anna&s of histor!#
No2 those characters if a&&o2ed to 2ou&d 'a0e the 2or&d e&ie$e
that 2e had co''itted 'urder< ! 'a0in, an attac0 u*on this ho2&in,
2o&f# 2hi&e the fact is 2e 2ere at ho'e and in our ed< and as&ee*<
and 0ne2 nothin, of that transaction an! 'ore than 2e 0no2 2hat is
,oin, on in China 2hi&e 2e are 2ithin these 2a&&s# Therefore 2e sa!
a,ain unto !ou< 2e are innocent of these thin,s< and the! ha$e
re*resented us fa&se&!#
3as it for co''ittin, adu&ter! that 2e 2ere assai&edB 3e are
a2are that that fa&se s&ander has ,one aroad< for it has een
reiterated in our ears# These are fa&sehoods a&so# Rene,ade -.or'on-
dissenters are runnin, throu,h the 2or&d and s*readin, $arious fou&
and &ie&ous re*orts a,ainst us< thin0in, there! to ,ain the
friendshi* of the 2or&d< ecause the! 0no2 that 2e are not of the
2or&d< and that the 2or&d hates us? therefore the! Ithe 2or&dJ 'a0e a
too& of these fe&&o2s Ithe dissentersJ? and ! the' tr! to do a&& the
in=ur! the! can< and after that the! hate the' 2orse than the! do us<
ecause the! find the' to e ase traitors and s!co*hants#
Such characters 5od hates? 2e cannot &o$e the'# The 2or&d hates
the'< and 2e so'eti'es thin0 that the de$i& ou,ht to e asha'ed of
the'#
3e ha$e heard that it is re*orted ! so'e< that so'e of us
shou&d ha$e said< that 2e not on&! dedicated our *ro*ert!< ut our
fa'i&ies a&so to the Lord? and Satan< ta0in, ad$anta,e of this< has
*er$erted it into &icentiousness< such as a co''unit! of 2i$es< 2hich
is an ao'ination in the si,ht of 5od#
3hen 2e consecrate our *ro*ert! to the Lord it is to ad'inister
to the 2ants of the *oor and need!< for this is the &a2 of 5od? it is
not for the enefit of the rich< those 2ho ha$e no need? and 2hen a
'an consecrates or dedicates his 2ife and chi&dren< he does not ,i$e
the' to his rother< or to his nei,hor< for there is no such &a2(
for the &a2 of 5od is< Thou sha&t not co''it adu&ter!# Thou sha&t not
co$et th! nei,hor+s 2ife# He that &oo0eth u*on a 2o'an to &ust after
her< has co''itted adu&ter! a&read! in his heart# No2 for a 'an to
consecrate his *ro*ert!< 2ife and chi&dren< to the Lord< is nothin,
'ore nor &ess than to feed the hun,r!< c&othe the na0ed< $isit the
2ido2 and father&ess< the sic0 and aff&icted< and do a&& he can to
ad'inister to their re&ief in their aff&ictions< and for hi' and his
house to ser$e the Lord# In order to do this< he and a&& his house
'ust e $irtuous< and 'ust shun the $er! a**earance of e$i&#
No2 if an! *erson has re*resented an!thin, other2ise than 2hat
2e no2 2rite< he or she is a &iar< and has re*resented us
fa&se&!--and this is another 'anner of e$i& 2hich is s*o0en a,ainst
us fa&se&!#
3e ha$e &earned a&so since 2e ha$e een *risoners< that 'an!
fa&se and *ernicious thin,s< 2hich 2ere ca&cu&ated to &ead the Saints
far astra! and to do ,reat in=ur!< ha$e een tau,ht ! Dr# A$ard as
co'in, fro' the )residenc!< and 2e ha$e reason to fear that 'an!
other desi,nin, and corru*t characters &i0e unto hi'se&f< ha$e een
teachin, 'an! thin,s 2hich the )residenc! ne$er 0ne2 2ere ein,
tau,ht in the Church ! an!od! unti& after the! 2ere 'ade *risoners#
Had the! 0no2n of such thin,s the! 2ou&d ha$e s*urned the' and their
authors as the! 2ou&d the ,ates of he&&# Thus 2e find that there ha$e
een frauds and secret ao'inations and e$i& 2or0s of dar0ness ,oin,
on< &eadin, the 'inds of the 2ea0 and un2ar! into confusion and
distraction< and a&& the ti'e *a&'in, it off u*on the )residenc!<
2hi&e the )residenc! 2ere i,norant as 2e&& as innocent of those
thin,s 2hich those *ersons 2ere *racticin, in the Church in their
na'e# .eanti'e the )residenc! 2ere attendin, to their o2n secu&ar and
fa'i&! concerns< 2ei,hed do2n 2ith sorro2< in det< in *o$ert!< in
hun,er< essa!in, to e fed< !et findin, Ii# e# su**ortin,J
the'se&$es# The! occasiona&&! recei$ed deeds of charit!< it is true?
ut these 2ere inade>uate to their susistence? and ecause the!
recei$ed those deeds< the! 2ere en$ied and hated ! those 2ho
*rofessed to e their friends#
"ut not2ithstandin, 2e thus s*ea0< 2e honor the Church< 2hen 2e
s*ea0 of the Church as a Church< for their &iera&it!< 0indness<
*atience< and &one sufferin,< and their continua& 0indness to2ards
us#
And no2< rethren< 2e sa! unto !ou--2hat 'ore can 2e enu'erateB
Is not a&& 'anner of e$i& of e$er! descri*tion s*o0en of us fa&se&!<
!ea< 2e sa! unto !ou fa&se&!# 3e ha$e een 'isre*resented and
'isunderstood< and e&ied< and the *urit! And inte,rit! and
u*ri,htness of our hearts ha$e not een 0no2n--and it is throu,h
i,norance--!ea< the $er! de*ths of i,norance is the cause of it? and
not on&! i,norance< ut on the *art of so'e< ,ross 2ic0edness and
h!*ocris! a&so? for so'e< ! a &on, face and sancti'onious *ra!ers<
and $er! *ious ser'ons< had *o2er to &ead the 'inds of the i,norant
and un2ar!< and there! otain such inf&uence that 2hen 2e a**roached
their ini>uities the de$i& ,ained ,reat ad$anta,e--2ou&d rin, ,reat
trou&e and sorro2 u*on our heads? and< in fine< 2e ha$e 2aded
throu,h an ocean of triu&ation and 'ean ause< *racticed u*on us !
the i&& red and the i,norant< such as Hin0&e< Corri&&< )he&*s<
A$ard< Reed )ec0< C&e'inson< and $arious others< 2ho are so $er!
i,norant that the! cannot a**ear res*ecta&e in an! decent and
ci$i&i4ed societ!< and 2hose e!es are fu&& of adu&ter!< and cannot
cease fro' sin# Such characters as .cLe&&in< John 3hit'er< Da$id
3hit'er< O&i$er Co2der!< and .artin Harris< are too 'ean to 'ention?
and 2e had &i0ed to ha$e for,otten the'# .arsh and -another<- 2hose
hearts are fu&& of corru*tion# 2hose c&oa0 of h!*ocris! 2as not
sufficient to shie&d the' or to ho&d the' u* in the hour of trou&e<
2ho after ha$in, esca*ed the *o&&ution of the 2or&d throu,h the
0no2&ed,e of their Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ< eca'e a,ain
entan,&ed and o$erco'e--their &atter end is 2orse than the first# "ut
it has ha**ened unto the' accordin, to the 2ord of the Scri*ture(
-The do, has returned to his $o'it< and the so2 that 2as 2ashed to
her 2a&&o2in, in the 'ire#-
A,ain< if 'en sin 2i&fu&&! after the! ha$e recei$ed the
0no2&ed,e of the truth< there re'aineth no 'ore sacrifice for sin<
ut a certain fearfu& &oo0in, for of =ud,'ent and fier! indi,nation
to co'e< 2hich sha&& de$our these ad$ersaries# For he 2ho des*ised
.oses+ &a2 died 2ithout 'erc! under t2o or three 2itnesses# Of ho2
'uch 'ore se$ere *unish'ent su**ose !e< sha&& he e thou,ht 2orth!<
2ho hath so&d his rother< and denied the ne2 and e$er&astin,
co$enant ! 2hich he 2as sanctified< ca&&in, it an unho&! thin,< and
doin, des*ite to the S*irit of ,race#
And a,ain 2e sa! unto !ou< that inas'uch as there is $irtue in
us< and the Ho&! )riesthood has een conferred u*on us--and the 0e!s
of the 0in,do' ha$e not een ta0en fro' us< for $eri&! thus saith the
Lord< -"e of ,ood cheer< for the 0e!s that I ,a$e unto !ou are !et
2ith !ou---therefore 2e sa! unto !ou< dear rethren< in the na'e of
the Lord Jesus Christ< 2e de&i$er these characters unto the
uffetin,s of Satan unti& the da! of rede'*tion< that the! 'a! e
dea&t 2ith accordin, to their 2or0s? and fro' henceforth their 2or0s
sha&& e 'ade 'anifest#
And no2 dear and 2e&& e&o$ed rethren--and 2hen 2e sa!
rethren< 2e 'ean those 2ho ha$e continued faithfu& in Christ< 'en<
2o'en and chi&dren--2e fee& to e/hort !ou in the na'e of the Lord
Jesus< to e stron, in the faith in the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant<
and nothin, fri,htened at !our ene'ies# For 2hat has ha**ened unto us
is an e$ident to0en to the' of da'nation? ut unto us< of sa&$ation<
and that of 5od# Therefore ho&d on e$en unto death? for -he that
see0s to Sa$e his &ife sha&& &ose it? and he that &oses his &ife for
'! sa0e< and the 5os*e&+s< sha&& find it<- saith Jesus Christ#
"rethren< fro' henceforth< &et truth and ri,hteousness *re$ai&
and aound in !ou? and in a&& thin,s e te'*erate? astain fro'
drun0enness< and fro' s2earin,< and fro' a&& *rofane &an,ua,e< and
fro' e$er!thin, 2hich is unri,hteous or unho&!? a&so fro' en'it!< and
hatred< and co$etousness< and fro' e$er! unho&! desire# "e honest one
2ith another< for it see's that so'e ha$e co'e short of these thin,s<
and so'e ha$e een uncharita&e< and ha$e 'anifested ,reediness
ecause of their dets to2ards those 2ho ha$e een *ersecuted and
dra,,ed aout 2ith chains 2ithout cause< and i'*risoned# Such
characters 5od hates--and the! sha&& ha$e their turn of sorro2 in the
ro&&in, of the ,reat 2hee&< for it ro&&eth and none can hinder# ;ion
sha&& !et &i$e< thou,h she see' to e dead#
Re'e'er that 2hatsoe$er 'easure !ou 'ete out to others< it
sha&& e 'easured to !ou a,ain# 3e sa! unto !ou< rethren< e not
afraid of !our ad$ersaries? contend earnest&! a,ainst 'os< and the
un&a2fu& 2or0s of dissenters and of dar0ness#
And the $er! 5od of *eace sha&& e 2ith !ou< and 'a0e a 2a! for
!our esca*e fro' the ad$ersar! of Your sou&s# 3e co''end !ou to 5od
and the 2ord of His ,race< 2hich is a&e to 'a0e us 2ise unto
sa&$ation# A'en#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
CHA)TER 6%I#
CASE OF THE -.OR.ONS- "EFORE THE .ISSOURI LE5ISLATURE--CLOSE OF THE
YEAR 7898#
THIS da! I7:th Dece'erJ E&der Da$id H# Redfie&d arri$ed in Jefferson
Cit!< and on .onda!< 7Mth< *resented the *etition of the rethren to
5enera& Da$id R# Atchison and others< 2ho 2ere $er! an/ious to hear fro'
Ca&d2e&&< as there 2ere 'an! re*orts in circu&ation< such as -the .or'ons
0e*t u* the Danite s!ste'<- -2ere ,oin, to ui&d the Lord+s house<- and
-'ore &ood 2ou&d e s*i&&ed efore the! &eft the state<- 2hich created a
hardness in the 'inds of the *eo*&e#
In the afternoon "rother Redfie&d had an inter$ie2 2ith 5o$ernor
"o,,s< 2ho in>uired aout our *eo*&e and *ro*ert! 2ith as 'uch a**arent
interest as thou,h his 2ho&e sou& 2as en,a,ed for our 2e&fare? and said
that he had heard that -the citi4ens 2ere co''ittin, de*redations on the
L.or'ons<+ and dri$in, off their stoc0#-
"rother Redfie&d infor'ed hi' that ar'ed forces ca'e in the *&ace and
aused 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< sto&e horses< dro$e off catt&e< and
*&undered houses of e$er!thin, that *&eased their fanc!#
5o$ernor "o,,s said that he 2ou&d 2rite Jud,e 1in, and Co&one& )rice<
to ,o to Far 3est< and *ut do2n e$er! hosti&e a**earance# He a&so stated
that -the sti*u&ations entered into ! the L.or'ons+ to &ea$e the state<
and to si,n the deed of trust< 2ere unconstitutiona&< and not $a&id#-
"rother Redfie&d re*&ied< -3e 2ant the &e,is&ature to *ass a &a2 to
that effect< sho2in, that the sti*u&ations and deeds of trust are not
$a&id and are unconstitutiona&? and un&ess !ou do *ass such a &a2< 2e
sha&& not consider ourse&$es safe in the state# You sa! there has een a
stain u*on the character of the state< and no2 is the ti'e to *ass so'e
&a2 to that effect? and un&ess !ou do< fare2e&& to the $irtue of the
state? fare2e&& to her honor and ,ood na'e? fare2e&& to her Christian
$irtue< unti& she sha&& e *eo*&ed ! a different race of 'en? fare2e&& to
e$er! na'e that inds 'an to 'an? fare2e&& to a fine soi& and a ,&orious
ho'e? the! are ,one< the! are rent fro' us ! a &a2&ess anditti#-
Tuesda!< Dece'er 78#--.r# Turner< fro' the =oint co''ittee on the
-.or'on- in$esti,ation< su'itted a re*ort< *rea'&e and reso&utions< as
fo&&o2s(
The Turner Co''ittee Re*ort to the .issouri Le,is&ature<
In Senate< Tuesda!< Dece'er 78< 7898#
.r# Turner< fro' the =oint co''ittee on the .or'on in$esti,ation<
su'itted the fo&&o2in, re*ort< *rea'&e and reso&utions(
The =oint co''ittee to 2ho' 2as referred so 'uch of the ,o$ernor+s
'essa,e as re&ates to the recent difficu&ties et2een the *eo*&e ca&&ed
.or'ons< and a *art of the *eo*&e of this state< 2ith instructions to
in>uire into the causes of said disturances< and the conduct of the
'i&itar! o*erations in su**ressin, the'< ha$e ta0en the sa'e under
consideration< and 2ou&d res*ectfu&&! su'it the fo&&o2in, re*ort and
reso&utions(
The! ha$e thou,ht it un2ise and in=udicious under a&& the e/istin,
circu'stances of this case< to *redicate a re*ort u*on the *a*ers<
docu'ents< etc#< *ur*ortin, to e co*ies of the e$idence ta0en efore an
e/a'inin, court< he&d in Rich'ond< in Ra! count!< for the *ur*ose of
in>uirin, into the char,es a&&e,ed a,ainst the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons<
,ro2in, out of the &ate difficu&ties et2een that *eo*&e and other
citi4ens of this state#
The! consider the e$idence adduced in the e/a'ination there he&d< in
a ,reat de,ree< e/*arte< and not of the character 2hich shou&d e desired
for the asis of a fair and candid in$esti,ation# .oreo$er< the *a*ers<
docu'ents< etc#< ha$e not een certified in such 'anner as to satisf! the
co''ittee of their authenticit!#
It has een re*resented to the' that the e/a'inin, court has sent on
for further tria&< 'an! of that c&ass of citi4ens ca&&ed .or'ons< char,ed
2ith $arious cri'es and offenses? under the char,e of treason< and for
'urder and as accessories thereto< efore and after the fact< ei,ht? and
for other fe&onies< t2ent!-se$en# S*ecia& ter's of the circuit court are
e/*ected to e he&d in the se$era& counties< in 2hich the ao$e 'entioned
cri'es are re*resented to ha$e een co''itted# 5rand =uries 2i&& then ha$e
these char,es a,ainst said *eo*&e efore the'< and 'ust act u*on the sa'e
docu'entar! e$idence 2hich the co''ittee 2ou&d necessari&! e co'*e&&ed to
e/a'ine< ! 2hich circu'stance t2o co-ordinate ranches of this ,o$ern'ent
'a! e rou,ht into co&&ision--a contin,enc! that shou&d e studious&!
a$oided and cautious&! ,uarded a,ainst#
Another insu*era&e o=ection that has *resented itse&f to the 'ind
of the co''ittee< and 2hich 2ou&d induce the' to sus*end an in$esti,ation<
under *resent and e/istin, circu'stances< 2ou&d e the conse>uences &i0e&!
to resu&t fro' a *u&ication of their re*ort# Those *ersons 2ho ha$e een
sent on for further tria&< ha$e ,uaranteed to the' the sacred and
constitutiona& ri,ht of -a s*eed! tria& ! an i'*artia& =ur! of the
$icina,e<- and if the ,ui&t of the accused shou&d e confir'ed ! the
re*ort of the co''ittee< it 2ou&d so *re=udice *u&ic senti'ent a,ainst
the'< as to de*ri$e the' of that ri,ht< 2hich shou&d not e ta0en a2a! !
an! consideration in$o&$ed in this in>uir!#
If the co''ittee 2ere to find it necessar! in the *rosecution of
their o=ect< to ha$e access to the *a*ers< docu'ents< etc#< connected
2ith this difficu&t!< the *roa&e interference of the se$era& courts
ein, in session< 'i,ht serious&! interru*t their $ie2s# It 'i,ht
reasona&! e e/*ected that a&& the e$idence of e$er! descri*tion< 2ou&d
e in the *ossession of the courts< to e used on the fina& tria&< and !
that 'eans the in$esti,ation 2ou&d e *rotracted to a 'uch ,reater &en,th
than 2ou&d e necessar! under different circu'stances# The! 2ou&d
therefore reco''end< in order to a$oid a&& the difficu&ties that ha$e een
*resented< that a co''ittee< after the ad=ourn'ent of the ,enera&
asse'&!< ,o into the $icinit! of the scene of difficu&ties< and 'a0e
their in$esti,ation< and re*ort at such ti'e< and in such 'anner< as the
&e,is&ature 'a! direct# If this course shou&d e ado*ted< the co''ittee
e&ie$e that the session 2ou&d e 'uch shortened# and hea$! e/*enses sa$ed
to the state< 2hich other2ise 2ou&d necessari&! e incurred in sendin, for
2itnesses< and rin,in, the' fro' so ,reat a distance# "! a reso&ution of
oth houses< the s*ecia& 'essa,e of the ,o$ernor in re&ation to the
su=ect of in>uir!< 2ith the acco'*an!in, docu'ents< 2as referred to the
co''ittee< 2ith instructions to se&ect such docu'ents as in their o*inion
ou,ht to e *u&ished 2ith the 'essa,e< and re*ort to their res*ecti$e
houses# The co''ittee after a fu&& consideration of the su=ect< 2ith due
re,ard to its i'*ortance< are of o*inion that it is ine/*edient at this
ti'e< to *u&ish an! of the docu'ents< under the authorit! of the ,enera&
asse'&!< and su'it to the t2o houses the &eadin, reasons for that
o*inion#
The docu'ents 'a! e di$ided into se$era& c&asses(
First--The affida$its and corres*ondence *recedin, each series of
authori4ed 'i&itar! o*erations#
Second--The orders issued u*on such e$idence#
Third--The 'i&itar! o*erations and corres*ondence conse>uent thereon?
and
Fourth--The e$idence ta0en efore a court of in>uir!< he&d for the
in$esti,ation of cri'ina& char,es a,ainst indi$idua&s#
It 2as found ! the =oint co''ittee< at an ear&! *eriod after their
or,ani4ation< that< in order to a fu&& and satisfactor! in$esti,ation of
the su=ects referred to the'< a 'ass of additiona& testi'on!< ora& and
2ritten< 2ou&d e re>uired# This eco'es a**arent to the co''ittee< fro'
the contents of the docu'ents referred to the'# These docu'ents< a&thou,h
the! are ser$icea&e in ,i$in, direction to the courts of in>uir!< are
none of the'< e/ce*t the officia& orders and corres*ondence< such as ou,ht
to e recei$ed as conc&usi$e e$idence of the facts stated? nor are their
contents such as 2ou&d< 2ithout the aid of further e$idence< ena&e the
co''ittee to for' a satisfactor! o*inion in re&ation to the 'ateria&
*oints of the in>uir!#
The co*! of the e/a'ination ta0en efore the cri'ina& court of
in>uir!< is 'anifest&! not such e$idence as ou,ht to e recei$ed ! the
co''ittee#
First--"ecause it is not authenticated? and
Second--It is confined chief&! to the o=ect of that in>uir!? na'e&!(
the in$esti,ation of cri'ina& char,es a,ainst indi$idua&s under arrest?
for these reasons< ut ao$e a&&< for the reason that it 2ou&d e a direct
interference 2ith the ad'inistration of =ustice< this docu'ent ou,ht not
to e *u&ished< 2ith the sanction of the &e,is&ature#
The co''ittee conc&ude< that it 2ou&d not e *ro*er to *u&ish the
officia& orders and corres*ondence et2een the officers in co''and< and
the e/ecuti$e< 2ithout the e$idence on 2hich the! 2ere founded? and that
e$idence is not sufficient&! fu&& and satisfactor! to authori4e its
*u&ication# To *u&ish the 2ho&e to,ether 'i,ht tend to ,i$e a direction
to the *u&ic 'ind< *re=udicia& to an i'*artia& ad'inistration of =ustice
in *endin, cases< 2hi&e it 2i&& not afford the 'eans of for'in, an!
satisfactor! conc&usion as to the cause of the &ate disturances< or the
conduct of the 'i&itar! o*erations< in su**ressin, the'#
The co''ittee therefore reco''end to each house to ado*t the
fo&&o2in, reso&utions#
Reso&$ed< That it is ine/*edient at this ti'e< to *rosecute further
the in>uir! into the causes of the &ate disturances and the conduct of
the 'i&itar! o*erations in su**ressin, the'#
Reso&$ed< That it is ine/*edient to *u&ish at this ti'e< an! of the
docu'ents acco'*an!in, the ,o$ernor+s 'essa,e in re&ation to the &ate
disturances#
Reso&$ed< That it is e/*edient to a**oint a =oint co''ittee< co'*osed
of -------- senators< and -------- re*resentati$es< to in$esti,ate the
cause of said disturances< and the conduct of the 'i&itar! o*erations in
su**ressin, the'# To 'eet at such ti'e< and to e in$ested 2ith such
*o2ers as 'a! e *rescried ! &a2#
3ednesda!< Dece'er 7N#--.r# John Corri&& *resented the *etition to
the house# 3hi&e it 2as readin, the 'e'ers 2ere si&ent as the house of
death? after 2hich the deate co''enced< and e/cite'ent increased ti&& the
house 2as in an u*roar? their faces turned red? their e!es f&ashed fire<
and their countenances s*o0e $o&u'es#
.r# Chi&ds< of Jac0son count!< said< there 2as not one 2ord of truth
in it< so far as he had heard< and that it ou,ht ne$er to ha$e een
*resented to that od!# Not &on, a,o 2e a**ro*riated t2o thousand do&&ars
to their re&ief< and no2 the! ha$e *etitioned for the *a! for their &ands<
2hich 2e too0 a2a! fro' the'# 3e ,ot rid of a ,reat e$i& 2hen 2e dro$e
the' fro' Jac0son count!< and 2e ha$e had *eace there e$er since? and the
state 2i&& a&2a!s e in difficu&t! so &on, as the! suffer the' to &i$e in
the state? and the >uic0er the! ,et that *etition fro' efore this od!
the etter#
.r# Ash&e!< fro' Li$in,ston< said the *etition 2as fa&se fro'
e,innin, to end< and that hi'se&f and the -.or'ons- cou&d not &i$e
to,ether< for he 2ou&d a&2a!s e found fi,htin, a,ainst the'< and one or
the other 'ust &ea$e the state# He ,a$e a histor! of the Haun+s .i&&
'assacre< and said he sa2 Jac0 Ro,ers cut u* .c"ride 2ith a corn-cutter#
.r# Corri&& corrected .r# Chi&ds< and stated facts in the *etition
2hich he 2as ac>uainted 2ith< and that .r# Chi&ds ou,ht to 0no2 that there
cou&d not e the first cri'e esta&ished a,ainst the -.or'ons- 2hi&e in
Jac0son count!#
One 'e'er ho*ed the 'atter 2ou&d not e &oo0ed o$er in si&ence< for
his constituents re>uired of hi' to 0no2 the cause of the &ate
disturances#
.r# Youn,< of Lafa!ette< s*o0e $er! itter&! a,ainst the *etition and
the -.or'ons#-
An a,ed 'e'er fro' St# Char&es 'o$ed a reference of the i&& to a
se&ect co''ittee? and< continued he< -as the ,ent&e'an that =ust s*o0e<
and other ,ent&e'en< 2ant the *etition ru&ed out of the house for fear
their e$i& doin,s 2i&& e rou,ht to &i,ht? this ,oes to *ro$e to 'e and
others< that the *etition is true#-
.r# Red'an< of Ho2ard count!< 'ade a &on, s*eech in fa$or of a s*eed!
in$esti,ation of the 2ho&e 'atter? said he< -The ,o$ernor+s order has ,one
forth< and the .or'ons are &ea$in,? hundreds are 2aitin, to cross the
.ississi**i ri$er< and ! and ! the! are ,one< and our state is &asted?
her character is ,one? 2e ,a$e the' no chance for a fair in$esti,ation#
The state de'ands of us that 2e ,i$e the' a s*eed! in$esti,ation#-
.r# 5!er< fro' St# Louis< a,reed 2ith the ,ent&e'an fro' Ho2ard
count!< that the co''ittee shou&d ha$e *o2er to ca&& 2itnesses fro' an!
*art of the state< and defend the'? and un&ess the ,o$ernor+s order 2as
rescinded< he for one 2ou&d &ea$e the state# Other ,ent&e'en 'ade si'i&ar
re'ar0s#
The testi'on! *resented the co''ittee of in$esti,ation< efore
referred to< 2as the ,o$ernor+s orders< 5enera& C&ar0+s re*orts< the
re*ort of the e/ *arte tria& at Rich'ond< and a &ot of *a*ers si,ned !
nood!< ,i$en to nood!< and directed to nood!< containin, an!thin, our
ene'ies 2ere dis*osed to 2rite#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est#
The Hi,h counci& of ;ion 'et in Far 3est< 3ednesda!< Dece'er 7N<
7898#
The Counci& 2as or,ani4ed as fo&&o2s( Eene4er Roinson< No# 7? Jared
Carter< No# H? Tho'as 5ro$er< 9? Re!no&ds Cahoon< @? Theodore Tur&e!< G?
So&o'on Hancoc0< :? John "ad,er< M? John .urdoc0< 8? Har&o2 Redfie&d< N?
5eor,e 3# Harris< 7D? Da$id Dort< 77? Sa'ue& "ent 7H# The Counci& 2as
o*ened ! *ra!er ! )resident "ri,ha' Youn,< 2ho *resided#
Har&o2 Redfie&d ,a$e a state'ent of his fee&in,s# He said his faith
2as as ,ood as it e$er 2as< not2ithstandin, he did not fee& to fe&&o2shi*
a&& the *roceedin,s of his rethren in Da$iess count!? he thou,ht the! did
not act as 2ise&! as the! 'i,ht ha$e done#
%oted ! the Counci& that John E# )a,e and John Ta!&or e ordained
to the A*ost&eshi*< to fi&& $acancies in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e# The!
ca'e for2ard and recei$ed their ordination under the hands of "ri,ha'
Youn, and Heer C# 1i'a&&#
%oted that 2e send a *etition to the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent< and send it
! 'ai&#
%oted that Ed2ard )artrid,e and John Ta!&or e a co''ittee to draft
the ao$e 'entioned *etition? a&so it is their *ri$i&e,e to choose another
*erson to assist the'#
Counci& ad=ourned unti& ne/t 3ednesda! at one o+c&oc0< at sa'e *&ace#
E# RO"INSON< C&er0#
Tuesda!< Dece'er HG#--.! rother< Don Car&os< and '! cousin 5eor,e
A# S'ith returned Ifro' 'issions throu,h 1entuc0! and TennesseeJ< ha$in,
tra$e&ed fifteen hundred 'i&es--nine hundred on foot< and the re'ainder !
stea'oat and other2ise# The! $isited se$era& ranches< and 2ou&d ha$e
acco'*&ished the o=ect of their 'ission< had it not een for the trou&es
at Far 3est#
3hen near&! ho'e the! 2ere 0no2n and *ursued ! the 'o< 2hich
co'*e&&ed the' to tra$e& one hundred 'i&es in t2o da!s and ni,hts# The
,round at the ti'e 2as s&i**er!< and a se$ere north2est 2ind 2as &o2in,
in their faces? the! had ut &itt&e to eat< and narro2&! esca*ed free4in,
oth ni,hts#
3ednesda!< Dece'er H:#--Da$id H# Redfie&d ha$in, returned to Far
3est< 'ade his re*ort< and the Hi,h Counci& $oted that the! 2ere satisfied
2ith his *roceedin,s#
Thursda!< Dece'er HM#--Anson Ca&& 2ent to Ra! count!< near E&0 Horn<
to se&& so'e *ro*ert!< and 2as ta0en ! ten of the 'o and one o&d ne,ro#
So'e of the 'o 2ere t2o of Jud,e Dic0e!+s sons< a .r# Ada's< and a
consta&e# The! ordered hi' to disar' hi'se&f# He to&d the' he had no ar's
aout his *erson# The! ordered hi' to turn his *oc0ets 2ron, side out#
The! then said the! 2ou&d *ee& off his na0ed ac0 efore 'ornin,< 2ith a
hic0or! ,ad# The! eat hi' 2ith their na0ed hands ti'es 2ithout nu'er?
the! struc0 hi' in the face 2ith a o2ie 0nife< and se$ere&! hurt hi' a
nu'er of ti'es#
After ausin, hi' aout four hours< sa!in, he 2as a ----- -.or'on<-
and the! 2ou&d ser$e hi' as the! had others< tie hi' 2ith a hic0or! 2ithe
and ,ad hi'< and 0ee* hi' ti&& 'ornin,< the! then started off and ca'e to
a ha4e& ,ro$e? 2hi&e consu&tin, to,ether 2hat course to *ursue 2ith hi'<
he &ea*ed into the ush< 2hen the! *ursued hi'< ut he 'ade his esca*e and
returned to Far 3est#
After 'uch contro$ers! and an,r! dis*utation< as the *a*ers of
.issouri< *u&ished at the ti'e< aundant&! testif!< our *etition and
'e'oria& 2as &aid on the ta&e unti& the @th of Ju&! fo&&o2in,? thus
utter&! refusin, to ,rant the re>uest of the 'e'oria&ists to in$esti,ate
the su=ect#
After 2e 2ere cast into *rison< 2e heard nothin, ut threatenin,s<
that< if an! =ud,e or =ur!< or court of an! 0ind< shou&d c&ear an! of us<
2e shou&d ne$er ,et out of the state a&i$e#
The state a**ro*riated t2o thousand do&&ars to e distriuted a'on,
the *eo*&e of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&& counties the -.or'ons- of Ca&d2e&& not
e/ce*ted# The *eo*&e of Da$iess thou,ht the! cou&d &i$e on -.or'on-
*ro*ert!< and did not 2ant their thousand< conse>uent&! it 2as *retended
to e ,i$en to those of Ca&d2e&&# Jud,e Ca'eron< .r# .cHenr!< and others
attended to the distriution# Jud,e Ca'eron 2ou&d dri$e in the rethren+s
ho,s E'an! of 2hich 2ere identifiedF and shoot the' do2n in the streets?
and 2ithout further &eedin,< and ha&f dressin,< the! 2ere cut u* and
distriuted ! .cHenr! to the *oor< at a char,e of four and fi$e cents *er
*ound? 2hich< to,ether 2ith a fe2 *ieces of refuse ,oods< such as ca&icoes
at dou&e and tre&e *rices soon consu'ed the t2o thousand do&&ars? doin,
the rethren $er! &itt&e ,ood< or in rea&it! none< as the *ro*ert!
destro!ed ! the'< Ii# e# the distriutin, co''issionJ 2as e>ua& to 2hat
the! ,a$e the Saints#
The *roceedin,s of the &e,is&ature 2ere 2ar'&! o**osed ! a 'inorit!
of the house--a'on, 2ho' 2ere Da$id R# Atchison of C&a! count! and a&& the
'e'ers fro' St# Louis and .essrs# Ro&&ins and 5ordon< fro' "oone count!<
and ! $arious other 'e'ers fro' other counties? ut the 'o 'a=orit!
carried the da!< for the ,ui&t! 2retches feared an in$esti,ation--0no2in,
that it 2ou&d endan,er their &i$es and &ierties# So'e ti'e durin, this
session the &e,is&ature a**ro*riated t2o hundred thousand do&&ars to *a!
the troo*s for dri$in, the Saints out of the state#
.an! of the state =ourna&s tried to hide the ini>uit! of the state !
thro2in, a co$erin, of &ies o$er her atrocious deeds# "ut can the! hide
the ,o$ernor+s crue& order for anish'ent or e/ter'inationB Can the!
concea& the facts of the dis,racefu& treat! of the ,enera&s 2ith their o2n
officers and 'en at the cit! of Far 3estB Can the! concea& the fact that
t2e&$e or fifteen thousand 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< ha$e een anished
fro' the state 2ithout tria& or conde'nationB And this at an e/*ense of
t2o hundred thousand do&&ars--and this su' a**ro*riated ! the state
&e,is&ature< in order to *a! the troo*s for this act of &a2&esS outra,eB
Can the! concea& the fact that 2e ha$e een i'*risoned for 'an! 'onths<
2hi&e our fa'i&ies< friends and 2itnesses ha$e een dri$en a2a!B Can the!
concea& the &ood of the 'urdered husands and fathers< or stif&e the
cries of the 2ido2s and the father&essB Na!K The roc0s and 'ountains 'a!
co$er the' in un0no2n de*ths< the a2fu& a!ss of the fatho'&ess dee* 'a!
s2a&&o2 the' u*< and sti&& their horrid deeds 2i&& stand forth in the
road &i,ht of da!< for the 2onderin, ,a4e of an,e&s and of 'enK The!
cannot e hid#
So'e ti'e in Dece'er Heer C# 1i'a&& and A&anson Ri*&e! 2ere
a**ointed< ! the rethren in Far 3est< to $isit us at Liert! =ai& as
often as circu'stances 2ou&d *er'it< or occasion re>uired< 2hich dut! the!
faithfu&&! *erfor'ed# 3e 2ere so'eti'es $isited ! our friends< 2hose
0indness and attention I sha&& e$er re'e'er 2ith fee&in,s of &i$e&!
,ratitude? ut fre>uent&! 2e 2ere not suffered to ha$e that *ri$i&e,e# Our
food 2as of the coarsest 0ind< and ser$ed u* in a 'anner 2hich 2as
dis,ustin,#
Thus< in a &and of &iert!< in the to2n of Liert!< C&a! count!<
.issouri< '! fe&&o2 *risoners and I in chains< and dun,eons< sa2 the c&ose
of 7898#
CHA)TER 6%II#

)RE)ARATIONS FOR LEA%IN5 .ISSOURI--ACTION OF THE
STATE LE5ISLATURE#
Tuesda!< Januar! 7< 789N#--The da! da2ned u*on us as *risoners of
ho*e< ut not as sons of &iert!# O Co&u'ia< Co&u'iaK Ho2 thou art
fa&&enK -The &and of the free< the ho'e of the ra$eK- -The as!&u' of the
o**ressed---o**ressin, th! no&est sons in a &oathso'e dun,eon< 2ithout
an! *ro$ocation< on&! that the! ha$e c&ai'ed to 2orshi* the 5od of their
fathers accordin, to His o2n 2ord< and the dictates of their o2n
consciences# E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt and his co'*anions in triu&ation 2ere
sti&& he&d in onda,e in their do&efu& *rison in Rich'ond#
.onda!< Januar! M#--Anson Ca&& returned to his far' on the three
for0s of 5rand ri$er< to see if he cou&d secure an! of the *ro*ert! he had
&eft in his f&i,ht to Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and 2as there 'et ! the 'o< and
eaten 2ith a hoo* *o&e aout his &i's< od! and head? the 'an that used
the *o&e aout his *erson 2as 5eor,e 3# O+Nea&# 3ith 'uch difficu&t!
"rother Ca&& returned to Far 3est< 2ith his *erson 'uch ruised< and fro'
that ti'e ,a$e u* a&& ho*es of securin, an! of his *ro*ert!#
Tuesda!< Januar! 8#--Aout this ti'e En,&and and Ire&and 2ere $isited
! a tre'endous stor' of 2ind fro' the north2est< 2hich unroofed and &e2
do2n 'an! houses in the cities and in the countr! doin, such da'a,e to the
shi**in,? 'an! hundreds of *ersons 2ere turned out of doors< 'an! &i$es
&ost on the &and and sea< and an i''ense a'ount of *ro*ert! 2as destro!ed#
Such a 2ind had not een 2itnessed ! an! one &i$in,? and so'e e,an to
thin0 that the =ud,'ents 2ere aout to fo&&o2 the E&ders+ *reachin,#
Thursda!< Januar! 7D#--
.issouri State Senate Reso&utions on .or'on Difficu&ties#
Reso&$ed ! the Senate< the House of Re*resentati$es concurrin,
therein< that the three reso&utions of the 78th of Dece'er e
referred to a =oint co''ittee of the t2o Houses< heretofore raised<
on the su=ect of the .or'on difficu&ties< 2ith the instructions to
re*ort a i&& in confor'it! thereto< as soon as the! can con$enient&!
*re*are the sa'e? 2hich 2as a,reed to#
3ednesda!< Januar! 7:#--.r# Turner< fro' the =oint se&ect co''ittee<
introduced to the Senate< -A "i&& to *ro$ide for the in$esti,ation of the
&ate disturances in this state#- This i&& consists of t2ent!-three
sections< of 2hich the fo&&o2in, is the first(
7st# A =oint co''ittee sha&& e a**ointed to in$esti,ate the
causes of the &ate disturances et2een the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons and
other inhaitants of this state< and the conduct of the 'i&itar!
o*erations in re*ressin, the'? 2hich co''ittee sha&& consist of t2o
senators< to e e&ected ! the Senate and three re*resentati$es< to
e e&ected ! the House of Re*resentati$es#
The i&& further *ro$ided that the co''ittee shou&d 'eet at Rich'ond<
Ra! count!< on the first .onda! in .a!< and thereafter at such ti'es and
*&aces as the! shou&d a**oint< that the! shou&d choose a chair'an< c&er0<
ser,eant-at-ar's and assistants? issue su*oenas and other *rocesses?
ad'inister oaths? 0ee* a record? furnish roo's? *a! 2itnesses one do&&ar
and fiftY cents *er da! out of the treasur!? recei$e their *a! as 'e'ers
of the &e,is&ature? c&er0 four do&&ars *er da!< and one do&&ar and fift!
cents for each arrest# In short< a&& *arties concerned 2ere to e *aid the
hi,hest *rice--and this co''ittee 2ere to e c&othed 2ith a&& the *o2ers
of the hi,hest courts of record# This i&& did not concern the -.or'ons<-
as the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s< and the action of 5enera&
C&ar0 thereon< 2ou&d co'*e& a&& the Saints to e out of the state efore
the court 2ou&d sit< so that the! 2ou&d ha$e no testi'on! ut fro' 'oers
and 2orse< a*ostates? and this 2as e$ident&! their o=ect in *ost*onin,
the ti'e so &on,#
Aout this ti'e )resident "ri,ha' Youn, *ro*osed to "isho* )artrid,e
to he&* the *oor out of the state# The "isho* re*&ied< -The *oor 'a! ta0e
care of the'se&$es< and I 2i&& ta0e care of '!se&f#- )resident "ri,ha'
Youn, re*&ied< -If !ou 2i&& not he&* the' out< I 2i&&#-
Thursda!< Januar! H@#--I 2rote as fo&&o2s fro' Liert! =ai&(
The )ro*het+s )etition to the .issouri Le,is&ature#
To the Honora&e Le,is&ature of .issouri(
Your 'e'oria&ists< ha$in, a fe2 da!s since so&icited !our
attention to the sa'e su=ect< 2ou&d no2 res*ectfu&&! su'it to !our
honora&e od! a fe2 additiona& facts in su**ort of their *ra!er#
The! are no2 i'*risoned under a char,e of treason a,ainst the
state of .issouri< and their &i$es< and fortunes< and characters< are
sus*ended u*on the resu&t of the tria& on the cri'ina& char,es
*referred a,ainst the'# Therefore !our honora&e od! 2i&& e/cuse
the' for 'anifestin, the dee* concern the! fee& in re&ation to their
tria& for a cri'e so enor'ous as that of treason#
It is not our o=ect to co'*&ain--to as*erse an! one# A&& 2e as0
is a fair and i'*artia& tria&# 3e as0 the s!'*athies of no one# 3e
as0 sheer =ustice? is a&& 2e e/*ect< and a&& 2e 'erit< ut 2e 'erit
that# 3e 0no2 the *eo*&e of no count! in this state to 2hich 2e 2ou&d
as0 our fina& tria& to e sent< 2ho are *re=udiced in our fa$or# "ut
2e e&ie$e that the state of e/cite'ent e/istin, in 'ost of the u**er
counties is such that a =ur! 2ou&d e i'*ro*er&! inf&uenced ! it#
"ut that e/cite'ent< and the *re=udice a,ainst us in the counties
co'*risin, the fifth Judicia& Circuit< are not the on&! ostac&es 2e
are co'*e&&ed to 'eet# 3e 0no2 that 'uch of that *re=udice a,ainst us
is not so 'uch to e attriuted to a 2ant of honest 'oti$es a'on,st
the citi4ens as it is to 'isre*resentation#
It is a difficu&t tas0 to chan,e o*inions once for'ed# The other
ostac&e 2hich 2e candid&! consider one of the 'ost 2ei,ht!< is the
fee&in, 2hich 2e e&ie$e is entertained ! Hon# Austin A# 1in,
a,ainst us< and his conse>uent inai&it! to do us i'*artia& =ustice#
It is fro' no dis*osition to s*ea0 disres*ectfu&&! of that hi,h
officer< that 2e &a! efore !our honora&e od! the facts 2e do? ut
si'*&! that the &e,is&ature 'a! e a**rised of our rea& condition# 3e
&oo0 u*on Jud,e 1in, as &i0e a&& other 'ere 'en< &ia&e to e
inf&uenced ! his fee&in,s< his *re=udices< and his *re$ious&! for'ed
o*inions# Fro' his re*utation 2e consider hi' as ein, *artia&&!< if
not entire&!< co''itted a,ainst us# He has 2ritten 'uch u*on the
su=ect of our &ate difficu&ties< in 2hich he has *&aced us in the
2ron,# These &etters ha$e een *u&ished to the 2or&d# He has a&so
*resided at an e/cited *u&ic 'eetin, as chair'an< and no dout
sanctioned a&& the *roceedin,s# 3e do not co'*&ain of the citi4ens
2ho he&d that 'eetin,< the! 2ere entit&ed to that *ri$i&e,e# "ut for
the =ud,e efore 2ho' the $er! 'en 2ere to e tried for a ca*ita&
offense to *artici*ate in an e/*ression of conde'nation of these sa'e
indi$idua&s< is to us< at &east< a**arent&! 2ron,? and 2e cannot
thin0 that 2e shou&d< after such a course on the *art of the =ud,e<
ha$e the sa'e chance of a fair and i'*artia& tria& as a&& ad'it 2e
ou,ht to ha$e#
3e e&ie$e that the foundation of the fee&in, a,ainst us< 2hich
2e ha$e reason to thin0 Jud,e 1in, entertains< 'a! e traced to the
unfortunate trou&es 2hich occurred in Jac0son count! so'e fe2 !ears
a,o? in a att&e et2een the -.or'ons- and a *ortion of the citi4ens
of that count!< .r# "ra4ea&e< the rother-in-&a2 of Jud,e 1in,< 2as
0i&&ed# It is natura& that the =ud,e shou&d ha$e so'e fee&in,s
a,ainst us< 2hether 2e 2ere ri,ht or 2ron, in that contro$ers!#
3e 'ention these facts< not to dis*ara,e Jud,e 1in,? 2e e&ie$e
that fro' the re&ation he ears to us< he 2ou&d hi'se&f *refer that
our tria&s shou&d e had in a different circuit< and efore a
different court# .an! other reasons and facts 2e 'i,ht 'ention< ut
2e foreear#
This &etter 2as directed to Ja'es .# Hu,hes< Es>#< 'e'er of the
House of Re*resentati$es< Jefferson Cit!< 2ith the fo&&o2in, re>uest(
3i&& !ou e so 0ind as to *resent this to the House# The
co''unit! here 2ou&d< I e&ie$e< ha$e no o=ection for the tria& of
these 'en ein, transferred to St# Louis# )# H# "#
Saturda!< H:#--
.inutes of a )u&ic .eetin, at Far 3est#
A 'eetin, of a res*ecta&e nu'er of the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&&
count!< 'e'ers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<
2as he&d in Far 3est< accordin, to *re$ious notice< to de$ise and
ta0e into consideration such 'easures as 'i,ht e thou,ht necessar!
in order to co'*&! 2ith the orders of the E/ecuti$e to re'o$e fro'
the state of .issouri i''ediate&!< as 'ade 0no2n ! 5enera& C&ar0 to
the citi4ens of said count!< in the 'onth of No$e'er &ast#
The 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order ! Don C# S'ith? and on 'otion<
John S'ith 2as unani'ous&! ca&&ed to the chair< and E&ias S'ith
a**ointed secretar!#
The o=ect of the 'eetin, 2as then stated ! the chair'an< 2ho
rief&! ad$erted to the causes 2hich had rou,ht aout the *resent
state of affairs< and ca&&ed for an e/*ression of senti'ent on the
est course to e *ursued in the *resent e'er,enc!#
Se$era& ,ent&e'en addressed the 'eetin, on the su=ect of our
re'o$a& fro' the state and the see'in, i'*ossii&it! of co'*&!in,
2ith the orders of the ,o$ernor of .issouri< in conse>uence of the
e/tre'e *o$ert! of 'an!< 2hich had co'e u*on the' ! ein, dri$en
fro' *&ace to *&ace< de*ri$ed of their constitutiona& ri,hts and
*ri$i&e,es< as citi4ens of this< and the United States< and 2ere of
the o*inion that an a**ea& to the citi4ens of U**er .issouri ou,ht to
e 'ade< settin, forth our condition< and c&ai'in, their assistance
to2ards furnishin, 'eans for the re'o$a& of the *oor of this count!
out of the state< as ein, our ri,ht and our due in the *resent case#
On 'otion< reso&$ed< That a co''ittee of se$en e a**ointed to
'a0e a draft of a *rea'&e and reso&utions in accordance 2ith the
fore,oin, senti'ents to e *resented to a future 'eetin, for their
consideration#
The fo&&o2in, 2ere then a**ointed# $i4#<--John Ta!&or< A&anson
Ri*&e!< "ri,ha' Youn,< Theodore Tur&e!< Heer C# 1i'a&&< John S'ith
and Don C# S'ith#
Reso&$ed( That the co''ittee e further instructed to ascertain
the nu'er of fa'i&ies 2ho are actua&&! destitute of 'eans for their
re'o$a&< and re*ort at the ne/t 'eetin,#
Reso&$ed( That it is the o*inion of this 'eetin, that an
e/ertion shou&d e 'ade to ascertain ho2 'uch can e otained fro'
indi$idua&s of the societ! Ithe ChurchJ< and that it is the dut! of
those 2ho ha$e< to assist those 2ho ha$e not< that there! 2e 'a!< as
far as *ossi&e< 2ithin and of ourse&$es< co'*&! 2ith the de'ands of
the E/ecuti$e#
Ad=ourned to 'eet a,ain on Tuesda!< the HNth instant< at t2e&$e
o+c&oc0< '#
JOHN S.ITH< Chair'an#
ELIAS S.ITH< Secretar!#
Tuesda!< HN#--
.inutes of the Second .eetin, at Far 3est#
The rethren 'et a,ain accordin, to ad=ourn'ent# John S'ith 2as
a,ain ca&&ed to the chair< and E&ias S'ith a**ointed secretar!#
The co''ittee a**ointed to dra2 u* a *rea'&e and reso&utions to
e *resented to the 'eetin, for consideration< *resented ! their
chair'an< John Ta!&or< a 'e'oria& of the transactions of the *eo*&e
of .issouri to2ards us since our first sett&e'ent in this state< in
2hich 2as contained so'e of our senti'ents and fee&in,s on the
su=ect of our *ersecutions ! the authorit! of the state< and our
de*ri$ation of the ri,hts of citi4enshi* ,uaranteed to us ! the
Constitution# The docu'ent under *re*aration ! the co''ittee 2as !et
in an unfinished state< o2in, to causes 2hich 2ere stated ! the
co''ittee? and the! further a*o&o,i4ed for not dra2in, it u* in the
for' of reso&utions< a,reea&e to the $ote of the for'er 'eetin,#
The re*ort 2as acce*ted as far as co'*&eted< and ! a $ote of
the 'eetin,< the sa'e co''ittee 2ere directed to finish it< and
*re*are it for and send it to the *ress for *u&ication< and the!
2ere instructed to d2e&& 'inute&! on the su=ect re&atin, to our
ar's< and the fiend-&i0e conduct of the officers of the 'i&itia in
se>uesterin, a&& the est of the' after their surrender on condition
of ein, returned to us a,ain< or sufferin, the' to e e/chan,ed for
others< not 2orth ha&f their $a&ue< in $io&ation of their ond< and
of the honor of the co''ander of the forces sent a,ainst us ! the
State#
On 'otion of )resident "ri,ha' Youn,< it 2as reso&$ed that 2e
this da! enter into a co$enant to stand ! and assist each other to
the ut'ost of our ai&ities in re'o$in, fro' this state< and that 2e
2i&& ne$er desert the *oor 2ho are 2orth!< ti&& the! sha&& e out of
the reach of the e/ter'inatin, order of 5enera& C&ar0< actin, for and
in the na'e of the state#
After an e/*ression of senti'ents ! se$era& 2ho addressed the
'eetin, on the *ro*riet! of ta0in, efficient 'easures to re'o$e the
*oor fro' the state< it 2as reso&$ed< that a co''ittee of se$en e
a**ointed to su*erintend the usiness of our re'o$a&< and to *ro$ide
for those 2ho ha$e not the 'eans of 'o$in,< ti&& the 2or0 sha&& e
co'*&eted#
The fo&&o2in, 2ere then a**ointed< $i4#< 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton<
Char&es "ird< A&anson Ri*&e!< Theodore Tur&e!< Danie& Shearer<
Shadrach Round!< and Jonathan H# Ha&e#
Reso&$ed( That the secretar! draft an instru'ent e/*ressi$e of
the sense of the co$enant entered into this da!< ! those *resent<
and that those 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to suscrie to the co$enant shou&d
do it< that their na'es 'i,ht e 0no2n< 2hich 2ou&d ena&e the
co''ittee 'ore e/*editious&! to carr! their usiness into effect#
The instru'ent 2as accordin,&! dra2n< and ! $ote of the 'eetin,
the secretar! attached the na'es of those 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to
suscrie to it#
Ad=ourned to 'eet a,ain on Frida!< the 7st of Feruar! ne/t< at
t2e&$e o+c&oc0< '#
JOHN S.ITH< Chair'an#
ELIAS S.ITH< Secretar!#
The fo&&o2in, is the co$enant referred to in the *recedin, 'inutes<
2ith the na'es 2hich 2ere then and after2ards attached to it< as far as
the! ha$e een *reser$ed(
3e< 2hose na'es are hereunder 2ritten< do for ourse&$es
indi$idua&&! here! co$enant to stand ! and assist one another< to
the ut'ost of our ai&ities< in re'o$in, fro' this state in
co'*&iance 2ith the authorit! of the state? and 2e do here!
ac0no2&ed,e ourse&$es fir'&! ound to the e/tent of a&& our a$ai&a&e
*ro*ert!< to e dis*osed of ! a co''ittee 2ho sha&& e a**ointed for
the *ur*ose of *ro$idin, 'eans for the re'o$in, fro' this state of
the *oor and destitute 2ho sha&& e considered 2orth!< ti&& there
sha&& not e one &eft 2ho desires re'o$e fro' the state+ 2ith this
*ro$iso< that no indi$idua& sha&& e de*ri$ed of the ri,ht of the
dis*osa& of his o2n *ro*ert! for the ao$e *ur*ose< or of ha$in, the
contro& of it< or so 'uch of it as sha&& e necessar! for the
re'o$in, of his o2n fa'i&!< and to e entit&ed to the o$er-*&us<
after the 2or0 is effected? and further'ore< said co''ittee sha&&
,i$e recei*ts for a&& *ro*ert!< and an account of the e/*enditure of
the sa'e#
Far 3est< .issouri< Januar! HN< 789N#
List of Na'es Suscried to the Fore,oin,#
John S'ith< Ja'es .c.i&&an< 3'# Huntin,ton< Chand&er Ho&roo0< Char&es
"ird< A&e/ander 3ri,ht< A&anson Ri*&e!< 3i&&ia' Ta!&or< Theodore Tur&e!<
John Ta!&or< Danie& Shearer< Reuen )# Hart2e&&< Shadrach Round!< John
Lo2r!< Jonathan H# Ha&e< 3e&co'e Cha*'an< E&ias S'ith< So&o'on Hancoc0<
"ri,ha' Youn,< Ar4a Ada's< Ja'es "urnha'< Henr! Jacos< Leicester 5a!&ord<
Ja'es Carro&&< Sa'ue& 3i&&ia's< Da$id L!ons< John .i&&er< John Ta!&or<
Aaron .# Yor0< Don Car&os S'ith< 5eor,e A# S'ith< 3i&&ia' J# Ste2art<
Danie& Ho2e< Isaac "# Cha*'an< Ja'es "radin< Ros2e&& Ste*hens< Jonathan
"ec0e&shi'er< Reuen Head&oc0< Da$id Jones< Da$id Ho&'an< 3'# .# Fossett<
Joe& 5oddard< Char&es N# "a&d2in< )hineas R# "ird< Jesse N# Reed< Duncan
.cArthur< "en=a'in Johnson< A&&en Ta&&e!< Jonathan Ha'*ton< Ja'es Ha'*ton<
Anson Ca&&< Sher'an A# 5i&ert< )eter Do**< Ja'es S# Ho&'an< Sa'ue& Ro&*h<
Andre2 L!t&e< Ae& La'< Aaron Johnson< Danie& .cArthur< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
3i&&ia' 5re,or!< 5eor,e 3# Harris< ;enas Curtis< 5eor,e 3# Da$idson< John
Reed< Har$e! Stron,< 3i&&ia' R# Orton< E&i4aeth .ac0&e!< Sa'ue& D# T!&er<
Sarah .ac0&e!< John H# 5off< Andre2 .ore< Tho'as "utterfie&d< Har$e!
Do2ne!< D2i,ht Hardin< John .aa< Nor$i& .# Head< Luc! 3hee&er< Ste*hen %#
Foot< John Tur*in< Jaco 5# "i,&er< 3i&&ia' Ear&< E&i "a,&e!< ;enos H#
5ur&e!< 3i&&ia' .i&a'< Jose*h 3# Coo&id,e< Loren4o C&ar0< Anthon! Head<
3i&&ia' A&&red< S# A# )# 1e&se!< 3'# %an Ausda&&< .oses E$ord< Nathan 1#
1ni,ht< O*he&ia Harris< John Thor*< ;ua .cDona&d< Andre2 Rose< .ar! 5off<
John S# .artin< Har$e! J# .oore< A&ert S&oan< Francis Chase< John D# Lee<
Ste*hen .ar0ha'< E&i*has .arsh< John Outhouse< Jose*h 3ri,ht< 3'# F#
Lea$ens< John "ad,er< Danie& T!&er< Le$i Richards< Noah Ro,ers< Erastus
"in,ha'< Ste*hen N# St# John< E&isha E$erett< Francis Lee< John L!t&e< E&i
Lee< Le$i Jac0'an< "en=a'in Co$e!< Tho'as 5u!'an< .iche& "or0du&&< Nahu'
Curtis< .i&es Randa&&< L!'an Curtis< Horace E$ans< )hi&i* "a&&ard< Da$id
Dort< 3i&&ia' 5ou&d< Le$i Hancoc0< Reuen .idd&eton< Ed2in 3hitin,<
3i&&ia' Har*er< 3i&&ia' "arton< Sea Joes< E&isha S'ith< Char&es "ut&er<
Ja'es 5a&&aher< Richard 3a&ton< Roert Jac0son< Isaac 1erron< Le'ue&
.erric0< Jose*h Rose< Ja'es Dunn< Da$id Foot< Orin Hartshorn< L# S#
Nic0erson< Nathan Ha20e< .oses Da&e!< )ierce Ha2&e!< Da$id Sessions<
Tho'as J# Fisher< )erri,rine Sessions< Ja'es Leithead< A&ford )# Chi&ds<
A&fred Lee< Ja'es Da&e!< Ste*hen Jones< Noah T# 5u!'an< E&ea4er Harris<
Da$id 3inters< E&i=ah "# 5a!&ord< John )ac0< Tho'as 5ro$er< S!&$anus
Hic0s< A&e/ander "ad&a'< Horatio N# 1ent< )hee 1e&&o,< Jose*h 3# )ierce<
A&ert .iner< Tho'as 5ates< 3i&&ia' 3ood&and< S>uire "o4arth< .artin C#
A&&red< Nathan Le2is< Jedediah O2en< )hi&ander A$er!< Orin )# Roc02e&&<
"en=a'in F# "ird< Nathan "# "a&d2in< Char&es S>uire< Tru'an "race< Jaco
Curtis< Sarah 3i/o'< Rache& .edfo< Le2is ;oris0i< L!'an Ste$ens< Henr!
;oris0i< Ros2e&& E$ans< .orris Harris< Leonard C&ar0< Aso&o' Tid2e&&<
Nehe'iah Har'on< A&$in 3ine,ar< Danie& Cathcart< Sa'ue& T# 3ine,ar<
5ersho' Sto0es< John E# )a,e< Rache& )a,e< Le$i 5ifford< "arnet Co&e<
Ed'und Durfee< 3i&&ia' Tho'*son< Josiah "utterfie&d< Nathan Chene!< John
1i&&ion< Ja'es Sherr!< John )atten< Da$id Fra'*ton< John 3i&0ins<
E&i4aeth )etti,re2< Ara' A&&en< Char&es Tho'*son< 3i&&ia' Fe&sha2#
The co''ittee 2ho had een a**ointed for re'o$in, the *oor fro' the
state of .issouri< $i4#( 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< Char&es "ird< A&anson Ri*&e!<
Theodore Tur&e!< Danie& Shearer< Shadrach Round!< and Jonathan H# Ha&e<
'et in the e$enin, of that da! IJanuar! HN< 7G9NJ< at the house of
Theodore Tur&e!< and or,ani4ed ! a**ointin, 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton chair'an<
Danie& Shearer treasurer< and A&anson Ri*&e! c&er0< and 'ade so'e
arran,e'ents for carr!in, into o*eration the usiness of re'o$in, the
*oor# )resident "ri,ha' Youn, ,ot ei,ht! suscriers to the co$enant the
first da!< and three hundred the second da!#
Thursda!< 97#--.r# Turner+s i&& of the 7:th instant *assed the
senate# I sent the *oor rethren a hundred do&&ar i&& fro' =ai&< to
assist the' in their distressed situation#
Frida!< Feruar! 7--
.inutes of a .eetin, of the Co''ittee on Re'o$a&#
The co''ittee 'et accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< at the house of Theodore
Tur&e!? John S'ith 2as *resent and acted as chair'an< and E&ias S'ith as
secretar!# The 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order ! the chair'an#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That the co$enant entered into at the &ast
'eetin, e read ! the Secretar!< 2hich 2as done accordin,&!#
The chair'an then ca&&ed for the e/*ression of senti'ents on the
su=ect of the co$enant#
Reso&$ed< That the co''ittee e increased to e&e$en#
The fo&&o2in, 2ere then a**ointed( E&ias S'ith< Erastus "in,ha'<
Ste*hen .ar0ha'< and Ja'es Ne2err!#
Se$era& of the co''ittee addressed the 'eetin, on the arduous tas0
efore the'< and e/horted a&& to e/ert the'se&$es to re&ie$e and assist
the' in the dischar,e of the duties of their office< to the ut'ost of
their ai&ities#
E&ders Ta!&or and Youn,< in the 'ost forci&e 'anner addressed the
asse'&! on the *ro*riet! of union in order to carr! our reso&utions into
effect< and e/horted the rethren to use 2isdo' in the sa&e of their
*ro*ert!# JOHN S.ITH< Chair'an< ELIAS S.iTH< Secretar!#
The co''ittee 'et a,ain in the e$enin, at Theodore Tur&e!+s# A&anson
Ri*&e! dec&ined actin, as c&er0< and E&ias S'ith 2as a**ointed in his
stead#
Reso&$ed< That e/ertions e 'ade to re'o$e the fa'i&ies of the
)residenc! and the other *risoners first#
Se$era& of the co''ittee 'ade re*ort of 2hat had een done ! the'
to2ards carr!in, the usiness of the co''ittee into o*eration# E&der John
Ta!&or had a&so een a**ointed to $isit the ranches of the Church on Lo,
and U**er 5oose cree0s< and 'ade a re*ort of his *roceedin,s#
Reso&$ed< That Char&es "ird e a**ointed to ,o do2n to2ards the
.ississi**i ri$er and esta&ish de*osits of corn for the rethren on the
road< and 'a0e contracts for ferria,e< etc#
.onda!< Feruar! @#--.r# Turner+s i&& of 7:th Januar! ca'e u* for
the first readin,< -2hen .r# 3ri,ht 'o$ed that the i&& e &aid on the
Ca&e unti& the @th da! of Ju&! ne/t? and u*on this >uestion .r# )ri''
desired the !eas and na!s< 2hich 2ere ordered< and the decision 2as in the
affir'ati$e- ! e&e$en 'a=orit!< 2hich ! 'an! 2as considered an a**ro$a&
of a&& the 2ron,s the Saints had sustained in the state#
:th and Mth# The co''ittee on the re'o$a& of the Saints fro'
.issouri 2ere in session# Ste*hen .ar0ha' started for I&&inois< 2ith '!
2ife and chi&dren< and Jonathan Ho&'es and 2ife#
CHA)TER 6%III#
THE E6ILED SAINTS 5ATHER AT AUINCY< ILLINOIS--)RO)OSITION TO
SETTLE AT CO..ERCE#
SO.E ti'e this 'onth there 2as a conference of the Church at Auinc!<
a re*ort of 2hich is as fo&&o2s(
.inutes of a Conference of the Church He&d at Auinc!#
At a 'eetin, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< he&d
in the to2n of Auinc!< Feruar! --< 789N< to ta0e into consideration the
e/*edienc! of &ocatin, the Church in so'e *&ace< "rother 3i&&ia' .ar0s 2as
chosen *resident and Roert "# Tho'*son< c&er0#
E&der John )# 5reene< ! re>uest< then stated the o=ect of the
'eetin,< and stated that a &iera& offer had een 'ade ! a ,ent&e'an< of
aout t2ent! thousand acres< &!in, et2een the .ississi**i and Des .oines
ri$ers< at t2o do&&ars *er acre< to e *aid in t2ent! annua& insta&&'ents<
2ithout interest? that a co''ittee had e/a'ined the &and and re*orted $er!
fa$ora&! res*ectin, it< and thou,ht it e$er! 2a! suited for a &ocation
for the Church#
"rother Ro,ers then 'ade so'e state'ents< and ,a$e infor'ation
res*ectin, the &and< ein, one of the co''ittee a**ointed to e/a'ine it#
)resident 3i&&ia' .ar0s oser$ed that he 2as a&to,ether in fa$or of
'a0in, the *urchase< *ro$idin, that it 2as the 2i&& of the Lord that 2e
shou&d a,ain ,ather to,ether? ut fro' the circu'stances of ein, dri$en
fro' the other *&aces< he a&'ost 2as &ed to the conc&usion that it 2as not
2isdo' that 2e shou&d do so< ut ho*ed that the rethren 2ou&d s*ea0 their
'inds? the Lord 2ou&d undouted&! 'anifest His 2i&& ! His S*irit#
"rother Israe& "ar&o2 thou,ht that it 'i,ht e in conse>uence of not
ui&din, accordin, to the *attern< that 2e had thus een scattered#
"rother .ace s*o0e in fa$or of an i''ediate ,atherin,#
"isho* )artrid,e then s*o0e on the su=ect< and thou,ht it 2as not
e/*edient under the *resent circu'stances to co&&ect to,ether< ut thou,ht
it 2as etter to scatter into different *arts and *ro$ide for the *oor<
2hich 2ou&d e acce*ta&e to 5od#
Jud,e Hi,ee said that he had een $er! fa$ora&e to the *ro*osition
of *urchasin, the &and and ,atherin, u*on it< ut since the "isho* had
e/*ressed his o*inion he 2as 2i&&in, to ,i$e u* the idea#
Se$era& of the rethren then s*o0e on the su=ect< after 2hich it 2as
'o$ed and seconded< and unani'ous&! a,reed u*on that it 2ou&d not e
dee'ed ad$isa&e to &ocate on the &ands for the *resent#
A co''ittee 2as a**ointed to draft a *etition to the 5enera&
,o$ern'ent< statin, our ,rie$ances< and one &i0e2ise to e *resented to
the citi4ens Iof the United StatesJ for the sa'e o=ect#
Tuesda!< Feruar! 7H#--The co''ittee Ion re'o$a&J sent a de&e,ation
to Sister .urie to ascertain her necessities# Danie& Shearer and Erastus
"in,ha' 2ent# A**&ications for assistance 2ere 'ade fro' Sister .or,an L#
5ardner< Jere'iah .ac0&e!+s fa'i&!< "rother Forush< Echoed Chene!< T# D#
T!&er< D# .cArthur and others#
3ednesda!< Feruar! 79#--%oted that Theodore Tur&e! e a**ointed to
su*erintend the 'ana,e'ent of the tea's *ro$ided for re'o$in, the *oor<
and see that the! are furnished for the =ourne!#
Thursda!< Feruar! 7@#--The *ersecution 2as so itter a,ainst E&der
"ri,ha' Youn, Eon 2ho' de$o&$ed the *residenc! of the T2e&$e ! a,e<
Tho'as "# .arsh ha$in, a*ostati4edF and his &ife 2as so di&i,ent&! sou,ht
for< that he 2as co'*e&&ed to f&ee? and he &eft Far 3est on this da! for
I&&inois#
.! rother Don Car&os S'ith had carried a *etition to the 'o< to ,et
assistance to he&* our father+s fa'i&! out of .issouri# I 0no2 not ho2
'uch he otained< ut '! father and 'other started this da! for Auinc!<
2ith an o/ tea'#
The co''ittee on re'o$a& discussed the *ro*riet! of *a!in, the dets
of the Saints in C&a! count!# A&anson
Ri*&e! 2as re>uested to ca&& on &a2!er "arnet< 2ho 2as in to2n< and
'a0e arran,e'ents concernin, the 'atter# A &etter of attorne! 2as dra2n u*
for the rethren to si,n< 2ho fe&t 2i&&in, to dis*ose of their rea& estate
to dischar,e their dets< a**ointin, A&anson Ri*&e! their attorne! for
that *ur*ose# This 2as not e/act&! accordin, to the 'inds of the
co''ittee< for the! on&! directed "rother Ri*&e! to confer 2ith the *erson
ao$e na'ed< for the *ur*ose of otainin, infor'ation 2ithout reference to
his ein, a**ointed an attorne! for that *ur*ose< inde*endent of an! other
*erson or *ersons#
Frida!< Feruar! 7G#--.! fa'i&! arri$ed at the .ississi**i< o**osite
Auinc!< after a =ourne! of a&'ost insu**orta&e hardshi*s< and E&der
.ar0ha' returned i''ediate&! to Far 3est#
.onda!< 78#--
The 5o$ernor+s Order to Return the Ar's "e&on,in, to the Saints#
E6ECUTI%E DE)ART.ENT< CITY OF JEFFERSON<
Feruar! 78< 789N#
To Co&one& 3i&e! C# 3i&&ia's< Aid to the Co''ander-in-Chief(
SIR(--You 2i&& ta0e the 'easures as soon as *ractica&e< to
cause the ar's surrendered ! the .or'ons< to e de&i$ered to the
*ro*er o2ners u*on their *roducin, satisfactor! e$idence of their
c&ai's# If in an! case !ou thin0 an i'*ro*er use 2ou&d e 'ade of
the'< !ou can retain such< usin, a sound discretion in the 'atter#
You 2i&& ca&& u*on Ca*tain )o&&ard or an! other *erson 2ho 'a! ha$e
ar's in *ossession< and ta0e char,e of the'? and this 2i&& e !our
authorit! for so doin,#
I a' res*ectfu&&!<
Your oedient ser$ant<
LIL"URN 3# "O55S#
Litt&e enefit 2ou&d ha$e resu&ted fro' this order< e$en if it had
een *ro'*t&! e/ecuted< as 'an! of the rethren 2ho o2ned the ar's had
&eft the state and it 2ou&d e $er! difficu&t to decide 2hat 2ou&d e
satisfactor! e$idence of c&ai's#
Tuesda!< Feruar! 7N#--The co''ittee on re'o$a& a**ointed Char&es
"ird to $isit the se$era& *arts of Ca&d2e&& count!< and 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton
the to2n of Far 3est< to ascertain the nu'er of fa'i&ies that 2ou&d ha$e
to e assisted in re'o$in,< and so&icit 'eans fro' those 2ho are a&e to
,i$e for the assistance of the need!< and 'a0e re*ort as soon as *ossi&e#
Thursda!< Feruar! H7--E&der .ar0ha' arri$ed at Far 3est< and in the
e$enin, the co''ittee on re'o$a& 2ere in counci&# E&ders "in,ha'< Tur&e!<
and Shearer< 2ere a**ointed to se&& the house of Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< to a
,ent&e'an fro' C&a! count!#
Char&es "ird 2as sent to Liert! re&ati$e to a *o2er of attorne!#
Co''ittee Reso&utions#
Reso&$ed( To send Ste*hen .ar0ha' to I&&inois< to $isit the
rethren there and otain a *o2er of attorne! fro' such as had &eft
their &ands 2ithout se&&in, the'# A re*ort of the co''ittee a**ointed
to $isit the different *arts of the countr! to ascertain the nu'er
of fa'i&ies 2ho 2ere destitute of tea's for their re'o$a&< 2as 'ade#
3i&&ia' Huntin,ton re*orted thirt!-t2o fa'i&ies< and Char&es "ird
se$en< as far as the! had *rosecuted their &aors#
Reso&$ed( To send Erastus "in,ha' to $isit the north-2est *art
of Ca&d2e&& count! for the sa'e *ur*ose< and then ad=ourned ti&&
.onda! ne/t#
Saturda!< Feruar! HG#--At a 'eetin, of the De'ocratic Association<
he&d this e$enin, at Auinc!< Ada's count! I&&inois< .r# Lindsa! introduced
a reso&ution settin, forth that the *eo*&e ca&&ed -Latter-da! Saints- 2ere
'an! of the' in a situation re>uirin, the aid of the citi4ens of Auinc!
and reco''endin, that 'easures e ado*ted for their re&ief< 2hich
reso&ution 2as ado*ted< and a co''ittee consistin, of ei,ht *ersons
a**ointed ! the chair? of 2hich co''ittee J# 3# 3hitne! 2as chair'an# The
association then ad=ourned to 'eet on 3ednesda! e$enin, ne/t after
instructin, the co''ittee to *rocure the Con,re,ationa& church as a *&ace
of 'eetin,< and to in$ite as 'an! of our *eo*&e to attend as shou&d choose
to do so? for it 2as in their eha&f that the 'eetin, 2as to e he&d# A&so
a&& other citi4ens of the to2n 2ho fe&t to do so 2ere in$ited to attend#
The co''ittee not ein, a&e to otain the 'eetin, house< *rocured the
Court House for that *ur*ose#
After 2e 2ere cast into *rison< 2e heard nothin, ut threatenin,s<
that if an! =ud,e or =ur!< or court of an! 0ind< shou&d c&ear an! of us<
2e shou&d ne$er ,et out of the state a&i$e#
This soon deter'ined our course< and that 2as to esca*e out of their
hands as soon as 2e cou&d< and ! an! 'eans 2e cou&d# After 2e had een
so'e &en,th of ti'e in *rison< 2e de'anded a haeas cor*us of Jud,e
Turnha'< one of the count! =ud,es< 2hich 2ith so'e considera&e
re&uctance< 2as ,ranted# 5reat threatenin,s 2ere 'ade at this ti'e< ! the
'o< that if an! of us 2ere &ierated< 2e shou&d ne$er ,et out of the
count! a&i$e#
After the in$esti,ation< Sidne! Ri,don 2as re&eased fro' *rison !
the decision of the =ud,e? the re'ainder 2ere co''itted to =ai&? he<
ho2e$er< returned 2ith us unti& a fa$ora&e o**ortunit! offered for his
de*arture# Throu,h the friendshi* of the sheriff< .r# Sa'ue& Had&e!< and
the =ai&or< .r# Sa'ue& Ti&&er!< he 2as &et out of the =ai& secret&! in the
ni,ht< after ha$in, dec&ared in *rison< that the sufferin,s of Jesus
Christ 2ere a foo& to his? and ein, so&e'n&! 2arned ! the' to e out of
the state 2ith as &itt&e de&a! as *ossi&e< he 'ade his esca*e# "ein,
*ursued ! a od! of ar'ed 'en< it 2as throu,h the direction of a 0ind
)ro$idence that he esca*ed out of their hands< and safe&! arri$ed in
Auinc!< I&&inois#
Aout this ti'e< E&ders Heer C# 1i'a&& and A&anson Ri*&e! 2ere at
Liert!< 2here the! had een a&'ost 2ee0&! i'*ortunin, at the feet of the
=ud,es? and 2hi&e *erfor'in, this dut! on a certain occasion Jud,e Hu,hes
stared the' fu&& in the face< and oser$ed to one of his associates< that
-! the &oo0 of these 'en+s e!es< the! are 2hi**ed< ut not con>uered? and
&et us e2are ho2 2e treat these 'en? for their &oo0s es*ea0 innocence?-
and at that ti'e he entreated his associates to ad'it of ai& for a&& the
*risoners? ut the hardness of their hearts 2ou&d not ad'it of so
charita&e a deed# "ut the rethren continued to i'*ortune at the feet of
the =ud,es< and a&so to $isit the *risoners# No one of the ru&in, *art of
the co''unit! dis*uted the innocence of the *risoners< ut said< in
conse>uence of the fur! of the 'o< that e$en-handed =ustice cou&d not e
ad'inistered? E&ders 1i'a&& and Ri*&e! 2ere therefore co'*e&&ed to
aandon the idea of i'*ortunin, at the feet of the =ud,es< and &ea$e the
*risoners in the hands of 5od#
3hen E&der Israe& "ar&o2 &eft .issouri in the fa&& of 7898< either !
'issin, his 2a!< or so'e other cause< he struc0 the Des .oines ri$er so'e
distance ao$e its 'outh# He 2as in a destitute situation? and 'a0in, his
2ants 0no2n< found friends 2ho assisted hi'< and ,a$e hi' introductions to
se$era& ,ent&e'en< a'on, 2ho' 2as Dr# Isaac 5a&&and< to 2ho' he
co''unicated the situation of the Saints? the re&ation of 2hich en&isted
.r# 5a&&and+s s!'*athies< or interest< or oth united< and hence a
*ro$identia& introduction of the Church to Co''erce Ithe *&ace of
residence of .r# 5a&&andJ and its $icinit!? for "rother "ar&o2 2ent direct
to Auinc!< the *&ace of his destination< and 'ade 0no2n his inter$ie2 2ith
Dr# 5a&&and to the Church#
Co''unication of Isaac 5a&&and#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< Feruar! H:< 789N#
.r# D# 3# Ro,ers(
DEAR SIR(--Yours of the 77th instant 2as recei$ed !esterda!# I
*ercei$e that it had een 2ritten efore !our rethren $isited '! house# I
had a&so 2ritten to .r# "ar&o2 efore I recei$ed !ours< and 2hich is
here2ith a&so sent# I 2ish here to re'ar0 that aout ten or fifteen houses
or cains can e had in this nei,horhood< and se$era& far's 'a! e rented
here< on the ha&f reed &ands# I thin0 that 'ore than fift! fa'i&ies can
e acco''odated 2ith *&aces to d2e&& in< ut not a ,reat >uantit! of
cu&ti$ated &and< as the i'*ro$e'ents on that tract are ,enera&&! ne2?
there are< ho2e$er< se$era& far's 2hich can a&so e rented#
Since 2ritin, to .r# "ar&o2< I ha$e con$ersed 2ith a friend of 'ine<
2ho has a&so con$ersed 2ith 5o$ernor Lucas< of Io2a territor!< in re&ation
to !our Church and *eo*&e# 5o$ernor Lucas sa!s that the *eo*&e ca&&ed
.or'ons 2ere ,ood citi4ens in the state of Ohio< and that he res*ects the'
no2 as ,ood and $irtuous citi4ens< and fee&s dis*osed to treat the' as
such#
I 2ish a&so to sa!< throu,h !ou< to !our *eo*&e< that Isaac %an A&&en
Es>#< the attorne!-,enera& of Io2a territor!< is a *ersona& and tried
friend of 'ine? and I fee& fu&&! authori4ed< fro' a con$ersation 2hich I
ha$e had 2ith hi' on the su=ect< to sa! that I can assure !ou of his
ut'ost endea$ors to *rotect !ou fro' insu&t or $io&ence#
I 2i&& here re*eat 2hat I ha$e 2ritten to .r# "ar&o2< that I do
e&ie$e that under a territoria& for' of ,o$ern'ent 2hich is direct&!
connected 2ith the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent of the United States< !our Church
2i&& e etter secured a,ainst the ca*riciousness of *u&ic o*inion< than
under a state ,o$ern'ent< 2here 'urder< ra*ine and roer! are ad'ira&e
EKF traits in the character of a de'a,o,ue? and 2here the ,reatest
$i&&ains often reach the hi,hest offices# I ha$e 2ritten to 5o$ernor Lucas
on the su=ect? and 2hen I recei$e his ans2er< I 2i&& co''unicate it to
!our Church#
I desire $er! 'uch to 0no2 ho2 !our ca*ti$e rethren in .issouri are
farin,# I shou&d &i0e to 0no2 if Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< is at &iert! or not<
and 2hat his *ros*ects are# I sha&& e at Cartha,e< our count! seat<
durin, the fore *art of ne/t 2ee0< and soon after that< E*erha*s the ne/t
2ee0 fo&&o2in,F I e/*ect to ,o to "ur&in,ton< Io2a territor!< 2hen I
e/*ect to see the ,o$ernor and con$erse 2ith hi' on the su=ect# I 2i&&
*roa&! e at ho'e fro' the :th unti& the 7Hth of .arch# I sha&& e
*&eased to see !ou or an! of !our *eo*&e at '! house at an! ti'e 2hen !ou
can 'a0e it con$enient# It is no2 necessar! that so'ethin, definite shou&d
e done in re&ation to rentin, far's< as the season for co''encin, such
o*erations is fast a**roachin, us# A .r# 3hitne!< a 'erchant in Auinc!< is
o2ner and *ro*rietor of se$era& far's in this $icinit!< and it 'i,ht e
2e&& to see hi' on the su=ect#
I 2ish to ser$e !our cause in an! 'atter 2hich )ro$idence 'a! afford
'e the o**ortunit! of doin,< and I therefore re>uest that !ou fee& no
hesitanc! or re&uctance in co''unicatin, to 'e !our 2ishes< at a&& ti'es
and on an! su=ect# I shou&d e 'uch ,ratified if it cou&d e con$enient
for .r# Ri,don< or so'e one or 'ore of the &eadin, 'e'ers of !our Church
to s*end so'e ti'e 2ith 'e in tra$e&in, throu,h the tract< and in hearin,
and &earnin, the state of the *u&ic 'ind< and fee&in,s of the co''unit!<
in re&ation to the &ocation of the Church# I fee& that I a' assu'in, a
$er! ,reat res*onsii&it! in this underta0in,< and I 2ish to e ,o$erned
! the dictates of 2isdo' and discretion< 2hi&e at the sa'e ti'e I a'
a2are that 2e are often dis*osed to $ie2 thin,s as 2e 2ou&d 2ish to ha$e
the'< rather than as the! rea&&! are? and our ,reat an/iet! to acco'*&ish
an o=ect 'a! so'eti'es di'inish the ostac&es e&o2 their rea& 'easure#
The &itt&e 0no2&ed,e 2hich I ha$e as !et of the doctrine< order or
*ractice of the Church< &ea$es 'e under the necessit! of actin, in a&&
this 'atter as a stran,er< thou,h< as I sincere&! ho*e< as a friend< for
such< I assure !ou I fee& '!se&f to e< oth to2ards !ou co&&ecti$e&!< as
a *eo*&e< and indi$idua&&! as sufferers# If it shou&d not e con$enient
for an! one to co'e u* aout the Mth or 8th of .arch< *&ease 2rite 'e !
the 'ai&# Sa! to .r# Ri,don< that I re,ret that I 2as asent 2hen he 2as
at '! house# I cannot $isit Auinc! unti& after '! return fro' "ur&in,ton<
2hen< I thin0 if it is thou,ht necessar!< I can#
Acce*t< dear sir< for !ourse&f and in eha&f of the Church and
*eo*&e< assurance of '! sincere s!'*ath! in !our sufferin,s and 2ron,s<
and dee* so&icitude for !our i''ediate re&ief fro' *resent distress< and
future triu'*hant con>uest o$er e$er! ene'!# Yours tru&!< ISAAC 5ALLAND#
.inutes of the .eetin, of the De'ocratic Association of Auinc!#
3ednesda!< Feruar! HM< 789N< si/ o+c&oc0 *# '#
The 'e'ers of the De'ocratic Association and the citi4ens of Auinc!
,enera&&!< asse'&ed in the court house< to ta0e into consideration the
state and condition of the *eo*&e ca&&ed the -Latter-da! Saints<- and
or,ani4ed the 'eetin, ! a**ointin, 5enera& Leach chair'an< and Ja'es D#
.or,an secretar!# .r# 3hitne!< fro' the co''ittee a**ointed at a for'er
'eetin,< su'itted the fo&&o2in,(
The se&ect co''ittee to 2ho' the su=ect 2as referred of in>uirin,
into and re*ortin, the situation of the *ersons 2ho ha$e recent&! arri$ed
here fro' .issouri< and 2hether their circu'stances are such as that the!
2ou&d need the aid of the citi4ens of Auinc! and its $icinit!< to e
,uided ! 2hat the! 'i,ht dee' the *rinci*&es of an e/*anded ene$o&ence<
ha$e attended to the duties assi,ned the'< and ha$e conc&uded on the
fo&&o2in,(
RE)ORT#
-The first idea that occurred to !our co''ittee 2as< to otain
correct&! the facts of the case< for 2ithout the' the co''ittee cou&d co'e
to no conc&usion as to 2hat it 'i,ht e *ro*er for us to do# 3ithout the
facts the! cou&d for' no asis u*on 2hich the co''ittee 'i,ht reco''end to
this association 2hat 2ou&d e *ro*er for us to do< or 2hat 'easures to
ado*t# The co''ittee< soon after their a**oint'ent< sent in$itations to
.r# Ri,don and se$era& others to 'eet the co''ittee and ,i$e the' a
state'ent of the facts< and to disc&ose their situation# Those indi$idua&s
accordin,&! 'et the co''ittee and entered into a free con$ersation and
disc&osure of the facts of their situation? and after so'e ti'e s*ent
therein< the co''ittee conc&uded to ad=ourn and re*ort to this 'eetin,<
ut not 2ithout first re>uestin, those indi$idua&s to dra2 u* and send us
in 2ritin,< a condensed state'ent of the facts re&ati$e to the su=ect in
char,e of !our co''ittee< 2hich those indi$idua&s en,a,ed to do< and 2hich
the co''ittee re>uest 'a! e ta0en as *art of their re*ort#
-That state'ent is here2ith &ettered A#
-The co''ittee e&ie$e that our duties at this ti'e< and on this
occasion< are a&& inc&uded 2ithin the &i'its of an e/*anded ene$o&ence
and hu'anit!< and 2hich are ,uided and directed ! that charit! 2hich
ne$er fai&eth#
-Fro' the facts a&read! disc&osed< inde*endent of the state'ent
furnished to the co''ittee< 2e fee& it our dut! to reco''end to this
association that the! ado*t the fo&&o2in, reso&utions(
-Reso&$ed< That the stran,ers recent&! arri$ed here fro' the state of
.issouri< 0no2n ! the na'e of the LLatter-da! Saints<+ are entit&ed to
our s!'*ath! and 0indest re,ard< and that 2e reco''end to the citi4ens of
Auinc! to e/tend a&& the 0indness in their *o2er to esto2 on the *ersons
2ho are in aff&iction#
-Reso&$ed< That a nu'erous co''ittee e raised< co'*osed of so'e
indi$idua&s in e$er! >uarter of the to2n and its $icinit!< 2hose dut! it
sha&& e to e/*&ain to our 'is,uided fe&&o2 citi4ens< if an! such there
e< 2ho are dis*osed to e/cite *re=udices and circu&ate unfounded ru'ors?
and *articu&ar&! to e/*&ain to the' that these *eo*&e ha$e no desi,n to
&o2er the 2a,es of the &aorin, c&ass< ut to *rocure so'ethin, to sa$e
the' fro' star$in,#
-Reso&$ed< That a standin, co''ittee e raised and e co'*osed of
indi$idua&s 2ho sha&& i''ediate&! infor' .r# Ri,don and others< as 'an! as
the! 'a! thin0 *ro*er< of their a**oint'ent< and 2ho sha&& e authori4ed
to otain infor'ation fro' ti'e to ti'e? and shou&d the! Ithe co''itteeJ
e of o*inion that an! indi$idua&s< either fro' destitution or sic0ness<
or if the! find the' house&ess< that the! a**ea& direct&! and *ro'*t&! to
the citi4ens of Auinc! to furnish the' 2ith the 'eans to re&ie$e a&& such
cases#
-Reso&$ed< That the co''ittee &ast aforesaid e instructed to use
their ut'ost endea$ors to otain e'*&o!'ent for a&& these *eo*&e< 2ho are
a&e and 2i&&in, to &aor? and a&so to afford the' a&& needfu&< suita&e
and *ro*er encoura,e'ent#
-Reso&$ed< That 2e reco''end to a&& the citi4ens of Auinc!< that in
a&& their intercourse 2ith the stran,ers< the! use and oser$e a eco'in,
decoru' and de&icac!< and e *articu&ar&! carefu& not to indu&,e in an!
con$ersation or e/*ressions ca&cu&ated to 2ound their fee&in,s< or in an!
2a! to ref&ect u*on those< 2ho ! e$er! &a2 of hu'anit!< are entit&ed to
our s!'*ath! and co''iseration# -A&& 2hich is su'itted< -J# 3# 3HITNEY<
Chair'an#
-AUINCY< Feruar! HM< 789N#-
Docu'ent A#
-This< ,ent&e'en< is a rief out&ine of the difficu&ties that 2e ha$e
&aored under< in conse>uence of the re*eated *ersecutions that ha$e een
hea*ed u*on us? and as the ,o$ernor+s e/ter'inatin, order has not een
rescinded< 2e as a *eo*&e 2ere o&i,ed to &ea$e the state of .issouri< and
2ith it our &ands< corn< 2heat< *or0< etc#< that 2e had *ro$ided for
ourse&$es and fa'i&ies< to,ether 2ith our fodder< 2hich 2e ha$e co&&ected
for our catt&e< horses< etc#< those of the' that 2e ha$e een a&e to
*reser$e fro' the 2rec0 of that deso&ation 2hich has s*read itse&f o$er
Da$iess and Ca&d2e&& counties# In conse>uence of our rethren ein,
o&i,ed to &ea$e the state< and as a s!'*ath! and friend&! s*irit has een
'anifested ! the citi4ens of Auinc!< nu'ers of our rethren< ,&ad to
otain an as!&u' fro' the hand of *ersecution< ha$e co'e to this *&ace#
-3e cannot ut e/*ress our fee&in,s of ,ratitude to the inhaitants
of this *&ace< for the friend&! fee&in,s 2hich ha$e een 'anifested< and
the ene$o&ent hand 2hich has een stretched out to a *oor< o**ressed<
in=ured< and *ersecuted *eo*&e# And as !ou< ,ent&e'en of the De'ocratic
Association< ha$e fe&t interested in our 2e&fare< and ha$e desired to e
*ut in *ossession of a 0no2&ed,e of our situation< our *resent 2ants< and
2hat 2ou&d e 'ost conduci$e to our *resent ,ood< to,ether 2ith 2hat &ed
to those difficu&ties< 2e thou,ht that those docu'ents I.e'oria&< Order of
E/ter'ination< and 5enera& C&ar0+s AddressJ 2ou&d furnish !ou 2ith as
correct infor'ation of our difficu&ties< and 2hat &ed to the'< as an!thin,
2e are in *ossession of#
-If 2e shou&d sa! 2hat our *resent 2ants are< it 2ou&d e e!ond a&&
ca&cu&ation? as 2e ha$e een roed of our corn< 2heat< horses< catt&e<
co2s< ho,s< 2earin, a**are&< houses and ho'es< and< indeed< of a&& that
renders &ife to&era&e# 3e do not< 2e cannot e/*ect to e *&aced in the
situation that 2e once 2ere in? nor are 2e ca*a&e of ourse&$es of
su**&!in, the 'an! 2ants of those of our *oor rethren< 2ho are dai&!
cro2din, here and &oo0in, to us for re&ief< in conse>uence of our
*ro*ert!< as 2e&& as theirs< ein, in the hands of a ruth&ess and
deso&atin, 'o#
-It is i'*ossi&e to ,i$e an e/act account of the 2ido2s< and those
that are entire&! destitute< as there are so 'an! co'in, here dai&!? ut
fro' in>uir!< the *roa&e a'ount 2i&& e so'ethin, near t2ent!? esides
nu'ers of others 2ho are a&e odied 'en< oth a&e and 2i&&in, to 2or0<
to otain a susistence< !et o2in, to their *ecu&iar situation< are
destitute of 'eans to su**&! the i''ediate 2ants that the necessities of
their fa'i&ies ca&& for#
-3e 2ou&d not *ro*ose< ,ent&e'en< 2hat !ou sha&& do? ut after 'a0in,
these state'ents< sha&& &ea$e it to !our o2n =ud,'ent and ,enerosit!# As
to 2hat 2e thin0 2ou&d e the est 'eans to *ro'ote our *er'anent ,ood< 2e
thin0 that to ,i$e us e'*&o!'ent< rent us far's< and a&&o2 us the
*rotection and *ri$i&e,es of other citi4ens< 2ou&d raise us fro' a state
of de*endence< &ierate us fro' the iron ,ras* of *o$ert!< *ut us in
*ossession of a co'*etenc!< and de&i$er us fro' the ruinous effects of
*ersecution< des*otis'< and t!rann!#
-3ritten in eha&f of a co''ittee of the Latter-da! Saints# ELIAS
HI5"EE< )resident< JOHN )# 5REENE< C&er0#
-To the Auinc! De'ocratic Association#-
State'ent of Sidne! Ri,don#
.r# Ri,don then 'ade a state'ent of the 2ron,s recei$ed ! the
.or'ons< fro' a *ortion of the *eo*&e of .issouri< and of their *resent
sufferin, condition#
On 'otion of .r# "ushne&&< the re*ort and reso&utions 2ere &aid u*on
the ta&e unti& to'orro2 e$enin,#
On 'otion of .r# "ushne&&< the 'eetin, ad=ourned to 'eet at this
*&ace to'orro2 e$enin, at se$en o+c&oc0#
Ste*hen .ar0ha' &eft Far 3est Ion the HMth of Feruar!J for I&&inois<
to fu&fi&& his a**oint'ent of the H7st instant#
.inutes of the Ad=ourned .eetin, of the De'ocratic Association of Auinc!#
Thursda! e$enin,< Feruar! H8th# .et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# The
'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order ! the chair'an#
On 'otion of .r# .orris< a co''ittee of three 2as a**ointed to ta0e
u* a co&&ection? .essrs# J# T# Ho&'es< 3hitne! and .orris 2ere a**ointed#
The co''ittee suse>uent&! re*orted that R@8#HG had een co&&ected# On
'otion the a'ount 2as *aid o$er to the co''ittee on eha&f of the .or'ons#
On 'otion of .r# Ho&'es< a co''ittee of three< consistin, of S# Ho&'es<
"ushne&& and .orris< 2as a**ointed to dra2 u* suscri*tion *a*ers and
circu&ate the' a'on, the citi4ens< for the *ur*ose of recei$in,
contriutions in c&othin, and *ro$isions# On 'otion si/ 2ere added to that
co''ittee#
On 'otion of J# T# Ho&'es< J# D# .or,an 2as a**ointed a co''ittee to
2ait u*on the Auinc! 5ra!s -'i&itia co'*an!- for the *ur*ose of recei$in,
suscri*tions# .r# .or,an suse>uent&! re*orted that t2ent! do&&ars had
een suscried ! that co'*an!#
The fo&&o2in, reso&utions 2ere then offered ! .r# J# T# Ho&'es(
Reso&$ed< That 2e re,ard the ri,hts of conscience as natura& and
ina&iena&e< and the 'ost sacred ,uaranteed ! the Constitution of our
free ,o$ern'ent#
Reso&$ed< That 2e re,ard the acts of a&& 'os as f&a,rant $io&ations
of &a2? and those 2ho co'*ose the'< indi$idua&&! res*onsi&e< oth to the
&a2s of 5od and 'an< for e$er! de*redation co''itted u*on the *ro*ert!<
ri,hts< or &ife of an! citi4en#
Reso&$ed< that the inhaitants u*on the 2estern frontier of the state
of .issouri< in their &ate *ersecutions of the c&ass of *eo*&e deno'inated
.or'ons< ha$e $io&ated the sacred ri,hts of conscience< and e$er! &a2 of
=ustice and hu'anit!#
Reso&$ed< That the ,o$ernor of .issouri< in refusin, *rotection to
this c&ass of *eo*&e< 2hen *ressed u*on ! a heart&ess 'o< and turnin,
u*on the' a and of un*rinci*&ed 'i&itia< 2ith orders encoura,in, their
e/ter'ination< has rou,ht a &astin, dis,race u*on the state o$er 2hich he
*resides#
The reso&utions 2ere su**orted in a s*irited 'anner ! .essrs#
Ho&'es< .orris and 3hitne!#
On 'otion< the reso&utions 2ere ado*ted#
On 'otion the 'eetin, then ad=ourned# SA.UEL LEACH< Chair'an< J# D#
.OR5AN< Secretar!#
CHA)TER 6I6#
LETTERS TO THE )RO)HET--AFFAIRS IN EN5LAND--)ETITIONS#
Tuesda!< .arch G#--
Ed2ard )artrid,e+s Letter to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Others< Confined in
Liert! Jai&< .issouri#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--Ha$in, an o**ortunit! to send direct to !ou !
"rother Ro,ers< I fee& to 2rite a fe2 &ines to !ou#
)resident Ri,don< Jud,e Hi,ee< Israe& "ar&o2< and '!se&f 2ent to see
Dr# Isaac 5a&&and 2ee0 efore &ast# "rothers Ri,don< Hi,ee and '!se&f are
of the o*inion that it is not 2isdo' to 'a0e a trade 2ith the Doctor at
*resent? *ossi&! it 'a! e 2isdo' to effect a trade hereafter#
The *eo*&e here recei$e us 0ind&!? the! ha$e contriuted near R7DD
cash< esides other *ro*ert!< for the re&ief of the sufferin, a'on, our
*eo*&e# "rother Jose*h+s 2ife &i$es at Jud,e C&e$e&and+s? I ha$e not seen
her< ut I sent her 2ord of this o**ortunit! to send to !ou# "rother
H!ru'+s 2ife &i$es not far fro' 'e# I ha$e een to see her a nu'er of
ti'es? her hea&th 2as $er! *oor 2hen she arri$ed< ut she has een ,ettin,
etter? she 0no2s of this o**ortunit! to send# I sa2 Sister 3i,ht soon
after her arri$a& here? a&& 2ere 2e&&? I understand she has 'o$ed aout
t2o 'i&es 2ith father and John Hi,ee< 2ho are fishin, this s*rin,# Sister
.cRae is here< &i$in, 2ith "rother Henderson< and is 2e&&? I e&ie$e she
0no2s of this o**ortunit! to send# "rother "a&d2in+s fa'i&! I ha$e not
seen< and do not 0no2 that she has ,ot here as !et# She< ho2e$er< 'a! e
u*on the other side of the ri$er? the ice has run these three da!s *ast<
so that there has een no crossin,? the 2eather is no2 'oderatin,< and the
crossin, 2i&& soon co''ence a,ain#
This *&ace is fu&& of our *eo*&e< !et the! are scatterin, off near&!
a&& the 2hi&e# I e/*ect to start to'orro2 for )ittsfie&d< )i0e count!<
I&&inois< aout fort!-fi$e 'i&es southeast fro' this *&ace# "rother 5eor,e
3# Roinson to&d 'e this 'ornin, that he e/*ected that his father-in-&a2<
Jud,e Hi,ee< and hi'se&f 2ou&d ,o on a far' aout t2ent! 'i&es northeast
fro' this *&ace# So'e of the &eadin, 'en ha$e ,i$en us Ithat is the
SaintsJ an in$itation to sett&e in and aout this *&ace# .an! no dout
2i&& sta! here#
"rethren< I ho*e that !ou 2i&& ear *atient&! the *ri$ations that !ou
are ca&&ed to endure? the Lord 2i&& de&i$er !ou in His o2n due ti'e#
Your &etter res*ectin, the trade 2ith 5a&&and 2as not recei$ed here
unti& after our return fro' his residence< at the head of the shoa&s or
ra*ids# If "rother Ri,don 2ere not here< 2e 'i,ht< after recei$in, !our
&etter< co'e to a different conc&usion res*ectin, that trade# There are
so'e here that are san,uine that 2e ou,ht to trade 2ith the Doctor#
"isho*s 3hitne! and 1ni,ht are not here< and ha$e not een< as I 0no2 of#
"rothers .or&e! and "i&&in,s ha$e sett&ed so'e t2ent! or t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es
north of this *&ace< for the *resent# A "rother Lee< 2ho &i$ed near Haun+s
.i&&< died on the o**osite side of the ri$er a fe2 da!s since# "rother
Ri,don *reached his funera& ser'on in the court-house# It is a ,enera&
ti'e of hea&th here#
3e ,reat&! desire to see !ou and to ha$e !ou en=o! !our freedo'# The
citi4ens here are 2i&&in, that 2e shou&d en=o! the *ri$i&e,es ,uaranteed
to a&& ci$i& *eo*&e 2ithout 'o&estation# I re'ain !our rother in the
Lord< ED3ARD )ARTRID5E#
Don Car&os S'ith to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Others Confined in Liert!
Jai&< .issouri#
AUINCY< I&&inois< .arch :< 789N#
"ROTHERS HYRU. AND JOSE)H(--Ha$in, an o**ortunit! to send a &ine to
!ou< I do not fee& dis*osed to &et it s&i* unnoticed# Father+s fa'i&! ha$e
a&& arri$ed in this state e/ce*t !ou t2o? and cou&d I ut see !our faces
this side of the .ississi**i< and 0no2 and rea&i4e that !ou had een
de&i$ered fro' !our ene'ies< it 2ou&d certain&! &i,ht u* a ne2 ,&ea' of
ho*e in our oso's? nothin, cou&d e 'ore satisfactor!< nothin, cou&d ,i$e
us 'ore =o!#
E''a and the chi&dren are 2e&&? the! &i$e three 'i&es fro' here< and
ha$e a to&era&! ,ood *&ace# H!ru'+s chi&dren and 'other 5rino&d+s are
&i$in, at *resent 2ith father? the! are a&& 2e&&# .ar! I2ife of H!ru'
S'ithJ has not ,ot her hea&th !et< ut I thin0 it increases s&o2&!# She
&i$es in the house 2ith o&d Father Di/on? &i0e2ise "rother Roert T#
Tho'*son and fa'i&!? the! are *roa&! a ha&f 'i&e fro' father+s# 3e are
tr!in, to ,et a house< and to ,et the fa'i&! to,ether? 2e sha&& do the
est 2e can for the'< and that 2hich 2e consider to e 'ost in accordance
2ith H!ru'+s fee&in,s#
Father and 'other stood their =ourne! re'ar0a&! 2e&&# The! are in
to&era&e hea&th# Sa'ue&+s 2ife has een sic0 e$er since the! arri$ed#
3i&&ia' has re'o$ed fort! 'i&es fro' here< ut is here no2< and sa!s he is
an/ious to ha$e !ou &ierated< and see !ou en=o! &iert! once 'ore# .!
fa'i&! is 2e&&? '! hea&th has not een ,ood for aout t2o 2ee0s? and for
t2o or three da!s the toothache has een '! tor'entor# It a&& ori,inated
2ith a se$ere co&d#
Dear rethren< 2e =ust heard that the ,o$ernor sa!s that he is ,oin,
to set !ou a&& at &iert!? I ho*e it is true? other &etters that !ou 2i&&
*roa&! recei$e 2i&& ,i$e !ou infor'ation concernin, the 2ar' fee&in, of
the *eo*&e here to2ards us#
After 2ritin, these hurried &ines in 'iser!< I c&ose ! &ea$in, the
&essin,s of 5od 2ith !ou< and *ra!in, for !our hea&th< *ros*erit! and
restitution to &iert!#
This fro' a true friend and rother< DON C# S.ITH#
3i&&ia' S'ith to Jose*h and H!ru' S'ith#
"ROTHERS HYRU. AND JOSE)H(--I shou&d ha$e ca&&ed do2n to Liert! to
ha$e seen !ou had it not een for the 'u&ti*&icit! of usiness that 2as on
'! hands? and a,ain< I thou,ht that *erha*s the *eo*&e 'i,ht thin0 that
the -.or'ons- 2ou&d rise u* to &ierate !ou? conse>uent&! too 'an! ,oin,
to see !ou 'i,ht 'a0e it 2orse for !ou? ut 2e a&& &on, to see !ou and
ha$e !ou co'e out of that &oneso'e *&ace#
I ho*e !ou 2i&& e *er'itted to co'e to !our fa'i&ies efore &on,# Do
not 2orr! aout the'< for the! 2i&& e ta0en care of# A&& 2e can do 2i&&
e done? further than this< 2e can on&! 2ish< ho*e< desire< and *ra! for
!our de&i$erance# 3ILLIA. S.ITH#
To Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and H!ru' S'ith#
Frida!< .arch 8#--
.inutes of a .eetin, of the Co''ittee on Re'o$a&#
The co''ittee 'et at Theodore Tur&e!+s< 3i&&ia' Huntin,on in the
chair#
A&anson Ri*&e! 'ade a re*ort of his =ourne! to Liert!< and said that
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< counse&ed to se&& a&& the &and in Jac0son
count!< and a&& other &ands in the state 2hatsoe$er#
Reso&$ed< That the na'es of those of the rethren 2ho ha$e suscried
to our co$enant and ha$e done nothin,< e sou,ht for< and a record 'ade of
the'< that the! 'a! e had in re'e'rance#
Reso&$ed< That an e/tra e/ertion e 'ade to *rocure 'one! for
re'o$in, the *oor< ! $isitin, those 2ho ha$e 'one!< and &a!in, the
necessities of the co''ittee< in their usiness of re'o$in, the *oor out
of the state< efore the'< and so&icit their assistance#
%oted that the c&er0 2rite a &etter to "isho* )artrid,e< &a!in,
efore hi' the ad$ice of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< concernin, se&&in,
the Jac0son count! &ands< and re>uestin, a *o2er of attorne! to se&& the'#
Saturda!< N#--
.inutes of the Ad=ourned .eetin, of the De'ocratic Association of Auinc!#
At a 'eetin, he&d at the co''ittee roo' in the cit! of Auinc!<
I&&inois< at t2o o+c&oc0< *# '#< on the Nth .arch< 789N< *ursuant to
*re$ious a**oint'ent< it 2as 'o$ed ! )resident Ri,don< and seconded< that
Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee e ca&&ed to the chair< and he 2as unani'ous&!
a**ointed# Ja'es S&oan 2as then a**ointed c&er0 ! $ote#
)resident Ri,don s*o0e as to the 'e'ers of the co''ittee ein,
asent 2ho had ca&&ed the 'eetin,< and *ro*osed that other usiness e
*roceeded 2ith in the 'eanti'e< and &eft it to the chair to decide on the
*ro*riet! thereof# The chair assented to the su,,estion of )resident
Ri,don#
)resident Ri,don then a**&ied for a *a*er 2hich had een *re*ared<
and si,ned ! se$era& of the citi4ens of Auinc!< descriin, our situation
as a *eo*&e and ca&&in, u*on the hu'ane in St# Louis and e&se2here to
assist the' in affordin, us re&ief# The *a*er< ein, *resented ! "rother
E*hrai' O2en< 2as then read< and )resident Ri,don s*o0e at &en,th u*on the
su=ect< and *ro*osed that a co''ittee of t2o of the rethren e a**ointed
! the $oice of the 'eetin, to ,o to St# Louis on such usiness# The
'otion 2as then *ut and carried< and "rother .ace 2as a**ointed as one of
said co''ittee< and "rother E*hrai' O2en the other# It 2as *ro*osed that
"rother Orson )ratt E2ho is no2 in St# LouisF e a**ointed an assistant#
After the 'otion 2as 'ade< and efore it 2as seconded< )resident
Ri,don s*o0e of its inconsistenc!< and stated< as a etter 'ode< that a&&
the Saints in St# Louis< or such of the' as the co''ittee 'a! thin0
*ro*er< e ca&&ed u*on to assist the'# The 'otion 2as 2ithdra2n< and this
usiness c&osed#
So'e of the co''ittee 2ho ca&&ed this 'eetin,< ein, no2 *resent<
)resident Ri,don s*o0e of t2o &etters 2hich had een recei$ed here ! the
rethren< fro' Io2a Territor!< res*ectin, &ands in said *&ace< and
containin, senti'ents of s!'*ath! on account of our ,rie$ances and
distressed situation# One of these &etters has een 'is&aid< and the
other< fro' Isaac 5a&&and to "rother Ro,ers< 2as read# It 2as then
*ro*osed that a co''ittee e a**ointed to $isit the &ands< and confer 2ith
the ,ent&e'en 2ho had so 2ritten< and dec&ared the'se&$es interested for
our 2e&fare#
E&der John )# 5reene 'o$ed that a co''ittee e a**ointed for that
*ur*ose< 2hich 2as seconded< and ado*ted unani'ous&!# )resident Ri,don
'o$ed that the co''ittee sha&& se&ect the &and< if it can e safe&!
occu*ied# Seconded ! E&der 5reene< and carried that the co''ittee e
co'*osed of fi$e< $i4#? )resident Ri,don< E&der 5reene< Jud,e Hi,ee<
"rother "enson and "rother Israe& "ar&o2#
It 2as 'o$ed< seconded and ado*ted< that if an! one or 'ore of the
co''ittee e una&e to ,o< the re'ainder of the co''ittee are to a**oint
others in their stead#
The chair'an no2 *roduced a *o2er of attorne!< sent here fro' the
co''ittee at Far 3est< to e e/ecuted ! such of the rethren here 2ho had
&ands in Ca&d2e&& count!< and 2ere 2i&&in, to ha$e the' so&d< to ena&e
the fa'i&ies 2ho are in distress at that *&ace to ,et here< sa! aout one
hundred fa'i&ies#
)o2er of attorne! 2as read# .o$ed< seconded and ado*ted< that the
c&er0 of this 'eetin, do 'a0e out a co*! of the 'inutes of this 'eetin,<
to e sent to the co''ittee at Far 3est# JA.ES SLOAN< C&er0#
3hi&e the *ersecutions 2ere *ro,ressin, a,ainst us in .issouri< the
ene'! of a&& ri,hteousness 2as no &ess us! 2ith the Saints in En,&and<
accordin, to the &en,th of ti'e the 5os*e& had een *reached in that
0in,do'# Te'*tation fo&&o2ed te'*tation< and ein, !oun, in the cause< the
Saints suffered the'se&$es to e uffeted ! their ad$ersar!# Fro' the
ti'e that E&der 3i&&ard Richards 2as ca&&ed to the a*ost&eshi*< in Ju&!<
7898< the de$i& see'ed to ta0e a ,reat dis&i0e to hi'< and stro$e to stir
u* the 'inds oF 'an! a,ainst hi'# E&der Richards 2as aff&icted 2ith
sic0ness< and se$era& ti'es 2as rou,ht to the orders of the ,ra$e< and
'an! 2ere te'*ted to e&ie$e that he 2as under trans,ression< or he 2ou&d
not e thus aff&icted# So'e 2ere tried and te'*ted ecause E&der Richards
too0 to hi'se&f a 2ife? the! thou,ht he shou&d ha$e ,i$en hi'se&f 2ho&&!
to the 'inistr!< and fo&&o2ed )au&+s ad$ice to the &etter# So'e 2ere tried
ecause his 2ife 2ore a $ei&< and others ecause she carried a 'uff to
0ee* herse&f 2ar' 2hen she 2a&0ed out in co&d 2eather? and e$en the
)resident of the Church IJose*h Fie&din,J there< thou,ht -she had etter
done 2ithout it?- she had nothin, e$er *urchased ! the Church? and to
,ratif! their fee&in,s< 2ore the *oorest c&othes she had< and the! 2ere
too ,ood< so hard 2as it to uffet the stor' of fee&in, that arose fro'
such foo&ish causes# Sister Richards 2as $er! sic0 for so'e ti'e< and so'e
2ere dissatisfied ecause her husand did not ne,&ect her entire&! and ,o
out *reachin,? and others< that she did not ,o to 'eetin, 2hen she 2as not
a&e to ,o so far#
Fro' such &itt&e thin,s arose a s*irit of =ea&ous!< tatt&in,< e$i&
s*ea0in,< sur'isin,< co$etousness< and ree&&ion< unti& the Church ut too
,enera&&! harored 'ore or &ess of those un*&easant fee&in,s( and this
e$enin, I.arch NthJ E&der Ha&sa& ca'e out o*en&! in counci& a,ainst E&der
Richards< and *referred so'e hea$! char,es< none of 2hich he 2as a&e to
sustantiate# .ost of the E&ders in )reston 2ere a,ainst E&der Richards
for a season< e/ce*t Ja'es 3hitehead< 2ho *ro$ed hi'se&f true in the hour
of tria&#
Sunda!< 7D#--3hen E&der Richards 'ade *roc&a'ation fro' the *u&*it<
that if an!one had au,ht a,ainst hi'< or his 2ife Jennetta< he 2ished the!
2ou&d co'e to hi' and state their ,rie$ances< and if he had erred in
an!thin,< he 2ou&d ac0no2&ed,e his fau&t< one on&! of the rethren ca'e to
hi'< and that to ac0no2&ed,e his o2n fau&t to E&der Richards in harorin,
un*&easant fee&in,s 2ithout a cause#
Sister Richards ore a&& these tria&s and *ersecutions 2ith *atience#
E&der Richards 0ne2 the cause of these un*&easantries< his ca&& Ito the
a*osto&ateJ ha$in, een 'ade 0no2n to hi' ! re$e&ation? ut he to&d no
one of it# The 2or0 continued to s*read in .anchester and $icinit!< a'on,
the Staffordshire *otteries< and other *&aces in En,&and#
Frida!< 7G#--I 'ade the fo&&o2in, *etition( The )etition of the
)ro*het et a&# to Jud,e To'*0ins et a&# To the honora&e Jud,e To'*0ins<
or either of the Jud,es of the Su*re'e court of the State of .issouri(
Your *etitioners< A&anson Ri*&e!< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Jose*h "# No&e<
3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< and Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< e, &ea$e res*ectfu&&! to
re*resent to !our honor< that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< is no2 un&a2fu&&!
confined and restrained of his &iert! in Liert! =ai&< C&a! count!<
.issouri? that he has een restrained of his &iert! near&! fi$e 'onths#
Your *etitioners c&ai' that the 2ho&e transaction 2hich has een the cause
of his confine'ent< is un&a2fu& fro' the first to the &ast# He 2as ta0en
fro' his house ! a fraud ein, *racticed u*on hi' ! a 'an of the na'e of
5eor,e .# Hin0&e< and one or t2o others? there! !our *etitioners
res*ectfu&&! sho2< that he 2as forced< contrar! to his 2ishes< and 2ithout
0no2in, the cause< into the ca'*< 2hich 2as co''anded ! 5enera& Lucas of
Jac0son count!< and thence sent to Ra! count!< s&ee*in, on the ,round< and
sufferin, 'an! insu&ts and in=uries and de*ri$ations< 2hich 2ere
ca&cu&ated in their nature to rea0 do2n the s*irit and constitution of
the 'ost roust and hard! of 'an0ind#
He 2as *ut in chains i''ediate&! on his ein, &anded at Rich'ond< and
there under2ent a &on, and tedious e/ *arte e/a'ination#
Your *etitioners sho2 that the said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as de*ri$ed
of the *ri$i&e,es of ein, e/a'ined efore the court as the &a2 directs?
that the 2itnesses on the *art of the state 2ere ta0en ! force of ar's<
threatened 2ith e/ter'ination or i''ediate death< and 2ere rou,ht 2ithout
su*oena or 2arrant< under the a2fu& and ,&arin, antici*ation of ein,
e/ter'inated if the! did not s2ear so'ethin, a,ainst hi' to *&ease the 'o
or his *ersecutors? and those 2itnesses 2ere co'*e&&ed to s2ear at the
'u44&e of the ,un< and so'e of the' ha$e ac0no2&ed,ed since< 2hich !our
*etitioners do testif!< and are a&e to *ro$e< that the! did s2ear
fa&se&!< and that the! did it in order to sa$e their &i$es#
And !our *etitioners testif! that a&& the testi'on! that had an!
tendenc! or earin, of cri'ina&it! a,ainst said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< is
fa&se# 3e are *ersona&&! ac>uainted 2ith the circu'stances< and ein, 2ith
hi' 'ost of the ti'e< and ein, *resent at the ti'e s*o0en of ! the'<
therefore 2e 0no2 that their testi'on! 2as fa&se? and if he cou&d ha$e had
a fair tria&< and i'*artia&< and &a2fu& e/a'ination efore the court< and
cou&d ha$e een a&&o2ed the *ri$i&e,e of introducin, his 2itnesses< he
cou&d ha$e dis*ro$ed e$er!thin, that 2as a,ainst hi'? ut the court
suffered the' to e inti'idated< so'e of the' in the *resence of the
court< and the! 2ere dri$en a&so and hunted< and so'e of the' dri$en
entire&! out of the state#
And thus he 2as not a&e to ha$e a fair tria&? that the s*irit of the
court 2as t!rannica& and o$erearin,< and the 2ho&e transaction of his
treat'ent durin, the e/a'ination 2as ca&cu&ated to con$ince !our
*etitioners that it 2as a re&i,ious *ersecution< *roscriin, hi' in the
&iert! of conscience 2hich is ,uaranteed to hi' ! the Constitution of
the United States< and the state of .issouri? that a &on, cata&o,ue of
,ar&ed testi'on! 2as *er'itted ! the court< *ur*ortin, to e the
re&i,ious senti'ent of the said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2hich testi'on! 2as
fa&se< and !our *etitioners 0no2 that it 2as fa&se< and can *ro$e that it
2as fa&se? ecause the 2itnesses testified that those senti'ents 2ere
*ro'u&,ated on certain da!s< and in the *resence of &ar,e con,re,ations?
and !our *etitioners can *ro$e< ! those con,re,ations< that the said
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< did not *ro'u&,ate such ridicu&ous and asurd
senti'ents for his re&i,ion as 2ere testified of and ad'itted efore the
Honora&e Austin A# 1in,? and at the sa'e ti'e those thin,s had no earin,
on the offenses that the said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as char,ed 2ith? and
after the e/a'ination the said *risoner 2as co''itted to the =ai& for
treason a,ainst the state of .issouri? 2hereas the said Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< did not &e$! 2ar a,ainst the state of .issouri? neither did he
co''it an! o$ert acts? neither did he aid or aet an ene'! a,ainst the
state of .issouri durin, the ti'e he is char,ed 2ith ha$in, done so#
And further< !our *etitioners ha$e !et to &earn that the state has an
ene'!? neither is the *roof e$ident< nor the *resu'*tion ,reat< in its
'ost 'a&i,nant for'< u*on the testi'on! on the *art of the state< e/*arte
as it is in its nature< that the said *risoner has co''itted the s&i,htest
de,ree of treason< or an! other act of trans,ression a,ainst the &a2s of
the state of .issouri? and !et said *risoner has een co''itted to Liert!
=ai&< C&a! count!< .issouri< for treason# He has continua&&! offered ai&
to an! a'ount that cou&d e re>uired< not2ithstandin, !our *etitioners
a&&e,e that he ou,ht to ha$e een ac>uitted#
Your *etitioners a&so a&&e,e< that the co''it'ent 2as an i&&e,a&
co''it'ent< for the &a2 re>uires that a co*! of the testi'on! shou&d e
*ut in the hands of the =ai&er< 2hich 2as not done#
Your *etitioners a&&e,e< that the *risoner has een denied the
*ri$i&e,e of the &a2 in a 2rit of haeas cor*us< ! the =ud,e of this
count!# 3hether the! ha$e *re=ud,ed the case of the *risoner< or 2hether
the! are not 2i&&in, to ad'inister &a2 and =ustice to the *risoner< or
that the! are inti'idated ! the hi,h office of Jud,e 1in,< 2ho on&! acted
in the case of the *risoner as a co''ittin, 'a,istrate< a conser$ator of
the *eace< or ! the threats of a &a2&ess 'o< !our *etitioners are not
a&e to sa!? ut it is a fact that the! do not co'e for2ard o&d&! and
ad'inister the &a2 to the re&ief of the *risoner#
And further< !our *etitioners a&&e,e that i''ediate&! after the
*risoner 2as ta0en< his fa'i&! 2ere fri,htened and dri$en out of their
house< and that too< ! the 2itnesses on the *art of the state< and
*&undered of their ,oods? that the *risoner 2as roed of a $er! fine
horse< sadd&e and rid&e< and other *ro*ert! of considera&e a'ount? that
the! Ethe 2itnessesF in connection 2ith the 'o< ha$e fina&&! succeeded<
! $i&e threatenin, and fou& ause< in dri$in, the fa'i&! of the *risoner
out of the state< 2ith &itt&e or no 'eans? and 2ithout a *rotector< and
their $er! susistence de*ends u*on the &iert! of the *risoner# And !our
*etitioners a&&e,e< that he is not ,ui&t! of an! cri'e< 2here! he shou&d
e restrained of his &iert!< fro' a *ersona& 0no2&ed,e< ha$in, een 2ith
hi'< and ein, *ersona&&! ac>uainted 2ith the 2ho&e of the difficu&ties
et2een the -.or'ons- and their *ersecutors? and that he has ne$er acted
at an! ti'e< on&! in his o2n defense< and that too on his o2n ,round<
*ro*ert! and *ossessions# That the *risoner has ne$er co''anded an!
'i&itar! co'*an!< nor he&d an! 'i&itar! authorit!< neither an! other
office< rea& or *retended in the state of .issouri< e/ce*t that of a
re&i,ious instructor? that he ne$er has orne ar's in the 'i&itar! ran0?
and in a&& such cases has acted as a *ri$ate character and as an
indi$idua&#
Ho2< then< !our *etitioners 2ou&d as0< can it e *ossi&e that the
*risoner has co''itted treasonB The *risoner has had nothin, to do in
Da$iess count!< on&! on his o2n usiness as an indi$idua&#
The testi'on! of Dr# A$ard concernin, a counci& he&d at Ja'es S&oan+s
2as fa&se# Your *etitioners do so&e'n&! dec&are< that there 2as no such
counci&? that !our *etitioners 2ere 2ith the *risoner< and there 2as no
such $ote or con$ersation as Dr# A$ard s2ore to# That Dr# A$ard a&so s2ore
fa&se&! concernin, a constitution< as he said 2as introduced a'on, the
Danites? that the *risoner had nothin, to do 2ith urnin, in Da$iess
count!? that the *risoner 'ade *u&ic *roc&a'ation a,ainst such thin,s?
that the *risoner did o**ose Dr# A$ard and 5eor,e .# Hin0&e a,ainst $i&e
'easures 2ith the 'o< ut 2as threatened ! the' if he did not &et the'
a&one# That the *risoner did not ha$e an!thin, to do 2ith 2hat is ca&&ed
"o,art+s att&e< for he 0ne2 nothin, of it unti& it 2as o$er? that he 2as
at ho'e< in the oso' of his o2n fa'i&!< durin, the ti'e of that 2ho&e
transaction#
And< in fine< !our *etitioners a&&e,e< that he is he&d in confine'ent
2ithout cause< and under an un&a2fu& and t!rannica& o**ression< and that
his hea&th< and constitution< and &ife de*end on ein, &ierated fro' his
confine'ent#
Your *etitioners a$er that the! can dis*ro$e e$er! ite' of testi'on!
that has an! tendenc! of cri'ina&it! a,ainst the *risoner? for the! 0no2
the facts the'se&$es< and can rin, 'an! others a&so to *ro$e the sa'e#
Therefore !our *etitioners *ra! !our honor to ,rant to hi' the
state+s 2rit of haeas cor*us< directed to the =ai&er of C&a! count!<
.issouri< co''andin, hi' forth2ith to rin, efore !ou the od! of the
*risoner< so that his case 'a! e heard efore !our honor< and the
situation of the *risoner e considered and adJusted accordin, to &a2 and
=ustice< as it sha&& e *resented efore !our honor< and< as in dut!
ound< !our *etitioners 2i&& e$er *ra!#
And further< !our *etitioners testif! that the said Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< did 'a0e a *u&ic *roc&a'ation in Far 3est< in fa$or of the 'i&itia
of the state of .issouri< and of its &a2s and a&so of the Constitution of
the United States? and that he has e$er een a 2ar' friend to his countr!<
and did use a&& his inf&uence for *eace? that he is a *eacea&e and >uiet
citi4en< and is not 2orth! of death< of stri*es< ond< or i'*rison'ent#
The ao$e 'entioned s*eech 2as de&i$ered on the da! efore the
surrender of Far 3est< ALANSON RI)LEY< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< 3ILLIA.
HUNTIN5TON< JOSE)H "# NO"LE< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
STATE OF .ISSOURI< F
COUNTY OF CLAY# F ss#
This da! *ersona&&! a**eared efore 'e< Araha' Shafer< a =ustice of
the *eace 2ithin and for the aforesaid count!< A&anson Ri*&e!< Heer C#
1i'a&&< 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< Jose*h "# No&e and Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ho
ein, du&! s2orn< do de*ose and sa! that the 'atters and thin,s set forth
in the fore,oin, *etition< u*on their o2n 0no2&ed,e< are true in sustance
and in fact? and so far as set forth u*on the infor'ation of others< the!
e&ie$e to e true# ALANSON RI)LEY< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< 3ILLIA. HUNTIN5TON<
JOSE)H "# NO"LE< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
S2orn and suscried to efore 'e< this 7Gth da! of .arch< 789N#
A"RHA. SHAFER< J# )#
3e< the undersi,ned< ein, 'an! of us *ersona&&! ac>uainted 2ith the
said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and the circu'stances connected 2ith his
i'*rison'ent< do concur in the *etition and testi'on! of the ao$e-na'ed
indi$idua&s< as 'ost of the transactions therein 'entioned 2e 0no2 fro'
*ersona& 0no2&ed,e to e correct&! set forth? and fro' infor'ation of
others< e&ie$e the re'ainder to e true# A.ASA LY.AN< H# 5# SHER3OOD<
JA.ES NE3"ERRY< CYRUS DANIELS< ERASTUS SNO3< ELIAS S.ITH#
The sa'e da! Ca&e "a&d2in< L!'an 3i,ht< A&e/ander .cRae< and H!ru'
S'ith< '! fe&&o2 *risoners< 'ade each a si'i&ar *etition#
CHA)TER 66#
SUNDRY .O%E.ENTS IN THE INTEREST OF THE E6ILED SAINTS--)RO)HET+S
LETTERS FRO. LI"ERTY )RISON#
Sunda!< 7M#--I here ,i$e an e/tract fro' the 'inutes of a conference
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< he&d this da! in
Auinc!? "ri,ha' Youn, ! a unani'ous $ote 2as ca&&ed to the chair< and
Roert "# Tho'*son chosen c&er0#
.inutes of the Conference at Auinc!< I&&inois#
E&der Youn, arose and ,a$e a state'ent of the circu'stances of the
Church at Far 3est< and his fee&in,s in re,ard to the scatterin, of the
rethren< e&ie$in, it to e 2isdo' to unite to,ether as 'uch as *ossi&e
in e/tendin, the hand of charit! for the re&ief of the *oor< 2ho 2ere
sufferin, for the 5os*e&+s sa0e< under the hand of *ersecution in
.issouri< and to *ursue that course 2hich 2ou&d *ro$e for the ,enera& ,ood
of the 2ho&e Church# He 2ou&d ad$ise the Saints to sett&e Eif *ossi&eF in
co'*anies< or in a situation so as to e or,ani4ed into ranches of the
Church< that the! 'i,ht e nourished and fed ! the she*herds? for
2ithout< the shee* 2ou&d e scattered? and he a&so i'*ressed it u*on the
'inds of the Saints to ,i$e heed to the re$e&ations of 5od? the E&ders
es*ecia&&! shou&d e carefu& to de*art fro' a&& ini>uit!< and to re'e'er
the counse& ,i$en ! those 2ho' 5od hath *&aced as counse&ors in His
Church? that the! 'a! eco'e as 2ise ste2ards in the $ine!ard of the Lord<
that e$er! 'an 'a! 0no2 and act in his o2n *&ace? for there is order in
the 0in,do' of 5od< and 2e 'ust re,ard that order if 2e e/*ect to e
&essed#
E&der Youn, a&so stated that E&der Jonathan Dunha' had recei$ed
*re$ious instructions not to ca&& an! conferences in this state< or
e&se2here? ut to ,o forth and *reach re*entance< this 2as his ca&&in,?
ut contrar! to those instructions< he ca&&ed a conference in S*rin,fie&d<
I&&inois< and *resided there< and rou,ht forth the usiness 2hich he had
to transact? and his *roceedin, in 'an! res*ects durin, the conference 2as
contrar! to the fee&in,s of E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff and other officia&
'e'ers 2ho 2ere *resent# The! considered his *roceedin,s contrar! to the
2i&& and order of 5od#
The conference then $oted that E&der Dunha' e re*ro$ed for his
i'*ro*er course< and that he e ad$ised to adhere to the counse& ,i$en
hi'#
After the conference had transacted $arious other usiness< E&der
5eor,e 3# Harris 'ade so'e re'ar0s re&ati$e to those 2ho had &eft us in
the ti'e of our *eri&s< *ersecutions and dan,ers< and 2ere actin, a,ainst
the interests of the Church? he said that the Church cou&d no &on,er ho&d
the' in fe&&o2shi* un&ess the! re*ented of their sins< and turned unto
5od#
After the conference had fu&&! e/*ressed their fee&in,s u*on the
su=ect it 2as unani'ous&! $oted that the fo&&o2in, *ersons e
e/co''unicated fro' the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< $i4#(
5eor,e .# Hin0&e< Sa'*son A$ard< John Corri&&< Reed )ec0< 3i&&ia' 3#
)he&*s< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Tho'as "# .arsh< "urr Ri,,s< and se$era&
others# After 2hich the conference c&osed ! *ra!er# "RI5HA. YOUN5<
)resident# RO"ERT "# THO.)SON< C&er0#
This da!< 7Mth of .arch< )ar&e! )# )ratt+s 2ife &eft the *rison
house< 2here she had $o&untari&! een 2ith her husand 'ost of the 2inter<
and returned to Far 3est< to ,et *assa,e 2ith so'e of the rethren for
I&&inois#
Action of the Co''ittee of Re'o$a&#
The co''ittee 'et at the house of Danie& Shearer< Far 3est< 3i&&ia'
Huntin,ton in the chair#
)resent--"rother Danie& 3# Ro,ers< fro' Auinc!< I&&inois# "rother
Ro,ers 'ade 0no2n the *roceedin,s of the rethren in Auinc!< in re&ation
to &ocatin, in the Io2a territor!< and read a *ri$ate &etter fro' Dr#
Isaac 5a&&and to hi' on the sa'e su=ect< and *resented a *o2er of
attorne! fro' "isho* )artrid,e to dis*ose of the &ands of the Church in
Jac0son count!< and a&so so'e &ots in Far 3est# He then *resented a co*!
of the *roceedin,s of a counci& he&d in Auinc! on the Nth instant< 2hich
2as read? after 2hich "rother Ro,ers e/*&ained so'e thin,s re&ati$e to
said 'eetin,< and the *roceedin,s thereof#
A i&& of artic&es 2anted ! the *risoners in Liert! =ai&< 2as
*resented ! E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&< and acce*ted# Char&es "ird 2as
a**ointed to acco'*an! "rother Ro,ers to Jac0son count! to assist hi' in
the sa&e of the Jac0son count! &ands#
On 'otion< reso&$ed( That 2e 2i&& not *atroni4e "rother La' in his
'ar0et sha$in, Ie/tortionJ sho*< or an! other of the 0ind in this *&ace#
A *etition of A&anson Ri*&e! and others to the Honora&e Jud,e
Tho'*0ins< of the Su*re'e Court of the State of .issouri< *ra!in, for a
2rit of haeas cor*us for Jose*h< S'ith< Jun#< 2as read ! E&der Ri*&e!#
.onda!< 78#--The co''ittee 'et in the course of the da!< and
a**ointed Theodore Tur&e! to ,o to Jefferson Cit! 2ith E&der Heer C#
1i'a&& to carr! the *etitions of the *risoners in Liert! and Rich'ond
=ai&s#
Letter of the )ro*het to .rs# Nor'an "u&&#
LI"ERTY JAIL< .arch 7G< 789N#
Dear Sister( .! heart re=oices at the friendshi* !ou 'anifest in
re>uestin, to ha$e a con$ersation 2ith us< ut the =ai&er is a $er!
=ea&ous 'an< fearin, so'e one 2i&& &ea$e too&s for us to ,et out 2ith# He
is under the e!e of the 'o continua&&!< and his &ife is at sta0e if he
,rants us an! *ri$i&e,es# He 2i&& not &et us con$erse 2ith an! one a&one#
Oh< 2hat =o! it 2ou&d e to us to see our friendsK It 2ou&d ha$e ,&addened
'! heart to ha$e had the *ri$i&e,e of con$ersin, 2ith !ou< ut the hand of
t!rann! in u*on us? than0s e to 5od< it cannot &ast a&2a!s? and He that
sitteth in the hea$en 2i&& &au,h at their ca&a'it!< and 'oc0 2hen their
fear co'eth# 3e fee&< dear sister< that our onda,e is not of &on,
duration# I trust that I sha&& ha$e the chance to ,i$e such instructions
as are co''unicated to us efore &on,# I su**ose !ou 2ant so'e instruction
for !ourse&f< and a&so to ,i$e us so'e infor'ation and ad'inister
conso&ation to us< and to find out 2hat is est for !ou to do# I thin0
that 'an! of the rethren< if the! 2i&& e *rett! sti&&< can sta! in this
countr! unti& the indi,nation is o$er and *ast? ut I thin0 it 2ou&d e
etter for "rother "u&& to &ea$e and ,o 2ith the rest of the rethren< if
he 0ee* the faith< and at an! rate< thus s*ea0eth the S*irit concernin,
hi'# I 2ant hi' and !ou to 0no2 that I a' !our true friend# I 2as ,&ad to
see !ou# No ton,ue can te&& 2hat ine/*ressi&e =o! it ,i$es a 'an< after
ha$in, een enc&osed in the 2a&&s of a *rison for fi$e 'onths< to see the
face of one 2ho has een a friend# It see's to 'e that '! heart 2i&&
a&2a!s e 'ore tender after this than e$er it 2as efore# .! heart &eeds
continua&&! 2hen I conte'*&ate the distress of the Church# O< that I cou&d
e 2ith the'K I 2ou&d not shrin0 at toi& and hardshi* to render the'
co'fort and conso&ation# I 2ant the &essin, once 'ore of &iftin, '! $oice
in the 'idst of the Saints# I 2ou&d *our out '! sou& to 5od for their
instruction# It has een the *&an of the de$i& to ha'*er 'e and distress
'e fro' the e,innin,< to 0ee* 'e fro' e/*&ainin, '!se&f to the'? and I
ne$er ha$e had o**ortunit! to ,i$e the' the *&an that 5od has re$ea&ed to
'e? for 'an! ha$e run 2ithout ein, sent< cr!in, -Tidin,s< '! Lord<- and
ha$e done 'uch in=ur! to the Church< ,i$in, the de$i& 'ore *o2er o$er
those that 2a&0 ! si,ht and not ! faith# "ut tria&s 2i&& on&! ,i$e us
the 0no2&ed,e necessar! to understand the 'inds of the ancients# For '!
*art< I thin0 I ne$er cou&d ha$e fe&t as I no2 do if I had not suffered
the 2ron,s that I ha$e suffered# A&& thin,s sha&& 2or0 to,ether for ,ood
to the' that &o$e 5od# "e&o$ed sister< 2e see that *eri&ous ti'es ha$e
tru&! co'e< and the thin,s 2hich 2e ha$e so &on, e/*ected ha$e at &ast
e,an to usher in? ut 2hen !ou see the fi, tree e,in to *ut forth its
&ea$es< !ou 'a! 0no2 that the su''er is ni,h at hand# There 2i&& e a
short 2or0 on the earth# It has no2 co''enced# I su**ose there 2i&& soon
e *er*&e/it! a&& o$er the earth# Do not &et our hearts faint 2hen these
thin,s co'e u*on us< for the! 'ust co'e< or the 2ord cannot e fu&fi&&ed#
I 0no2 that so'ethin, 2i&& soon ta0e *&ace to stir u* this ,eneration to
see 2hat the! ha$e een doin,?< and that their fathers ha$e inherited &ies
and the! ha$e een &ed ca*ti$e ! the de$i&< to no *rofit? ut the! 0no2
not 2hat the! do# Do not ha$e an! fee&in,s of en'it! to2ards an! son or
dau,hter of Ada'# I e&ie$e I sha&& e &et out of their hands so'e 2a! or
another< and sha&& see ,ood da!s# 3e cannot do an!thin, on&! stand sti&&
and see the sa&$ation of 5od# He 'ust do His o2n 2or0< or it 'ust fa&& to
the ,round# 3e 'ust not ta0e it in our hands to a$en,e our 2ron,s#
%en,eance is 'ine< saith the Lord< and I 2i&& re*a!# I ha$e no fears# I
sha&& stand unto death< 5od ein, '! he&*er# I 2anted to co''unicate
so'ethin,< and I 2rote this# 3rite to us if !ou can# ESi,nedF JOSE)H
S.ITH< JUN# To .rs# Nor'an "u&&< C&a! Co#< .o#
3hi&e I 2as in =ai&< the fo&&o2in, state'ents 2ere 'ade ! the
2itnesses< and sent to Co&one& )rice< na'e&!(
3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in is ,ui&t! of enterin, the house of Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< in the cit! of Far 3est< and *&underin, it of the fo&&o2in,
artic&es< $i4#--one ro&& of &inen c&oth< a >uantit! of $a&ua&e uttons<
one *iece of cash'ere< a nu'er of $er! $a&ua&e oo0s of ,reat $ariet!< a
nu'er of $estin,s< 2ith $arious other artic&es of $a&ue#
Said .cLe&&in 2as aided and assisted in the ao$e transactions !
Har$e! 5reen< "urr Ri,,s and Har&o2 Redfie&d#
The ao$e 'entioned 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in a&so ca'e to and too0 a2a!
fro' the sta&e of the said ao$e 'entioned Jose*h S'ith Jun#< one ,i, and
harness< 2ith so'e other artic&es 2hich cannot no2 e ca&&ed to 'ind<
aided and assisted ! "urr Ri,,s--2hich can e *ro$en ! the fo&&o2in,
2itnesses-- CAROLINE CLAR1< JA.ES .ULHOLLAND< .RS# SALLY HIN1LE< JOANNA
CARTER#
J# Sto&&ins is ,ui&t! of enterin, the house of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in
the cit! of Far 3est< in co'*an! 2ith Sashie& 3oods and another 'an not
0no2n< and ta0in, fro' a trun0< the *ro*ert! of Ja'es .u&ho&&and an in'ate
of said house< one ,o&d rin,< 2hich the! carried a2a!? a&so of rea0in,
o*en a sea&ed &etter< 2hich 2as in said trun0 inside a *oc0et oo0< in
2hich 2as the rin, ao$e 'entioned? esides tossin, and ausin, the rest
of the contents of said trun0? 2hich can e *ro$en ! the fo&&o2in,
*ersons-- .RS# E..A S.ITH< .RS# SALLY HIN1LE< CAROLINE CLAR1< JA.ES
.ULHOLLAND#
.onda!< .arch HG#--Aout this ti'e< E&ders 1i'a&& and Tur&e! started
on their 'ission to see the ,o$ernor# The! ca&&ed on the sheriff of Ra!
count! and the =ai&er for a co*! of the 'itti'us ! 2hich the *risoners
2ere he&d in custod! ut the! confessed the! had none# The! 2ent to Jud,e
1in,< and he 'ade out a 0ind of 'itti'us# At this ti'e 2e had een in
*rison se$era& 'onths 2ithout e$en a 'itti'us? and that too for cri'es
said to ha$e een co''itted in another count!#
E&ders 1i'a&& and Tur&e! too0 a&& the *a*ers ! 2hich 2e 2ere he&d<
or 2hich 2ere then 'ade out for the'< 2ith our *etition to the su*re'e
=ud,es< and 2ent to Jefferson Cit!#
The ,o$ernor 2as asent# The secretar! of state treated the' $er!
0ind&!? and 2hen he sa2 the *a*ers< cou&d hard&! e&ie$e those 2ere a&&
the docu'ents ! 2hich the *risoners 2ere he&d in custod!< for the! 2ere
i&&e,a&#
La2!er Doni*han had a&so decei$ed the' in his *a*ers and sent the'
off 2ith such docu'ents< that a chan,e of $enue cou&d not e effected in
ti'e# The secretar! 2as astonished at Jud,e 1in, actin, as he did ut said
he cou&d do nothin, in the *re'ises< and if the ,o$ernor 2ere *resent< he
cou&d do nothin,# "ut the secretar! 2rote a &etter to Jud,e 1in,#
The rethren then started to find the su*re'e =ud,es< and ,et 2rits
of haeas cor*us? and after ridin, hundreds of 'i&es to effect this
o=ect< returned to Liert! on the 9Dth of .arch< ha$in, seen .atthias
.c5ir0< 5eor,e Tho'*0ins and John C# Ed2ards< the su*re'e =ud,es< ut did
not otain the 2rit of haeas cor*us in conse>uence of a &ac0 in the order
of co''it'ent< a&thou,h the =ud,es see'ed to e friend&!#
3e 2ere infor'ed that Jud,e 1in, said< that there 2as nothin, a,ainst
'! rother H!ru'< on&! that he 2as a friend to the )ro*het# He a&so said
there 2as nothin, a,ainst Ca&e "a&d2in< and A&e/ander .cRae#
"rother Horace Co2an 2as *ut into Liert! =ai& toda! for det< in
conse>uence of the *ersecution of the 'o#
The )ro*het+s E*ist&e to the Church< 3ritten in Liert! )rison#
LI"ERTY JAIL< CLAY COUNTY< .ISSOURI< .arch HG< 789N#
To the Church of Latter-da! Saints at Auinc!< I&&inois< and Scattered
Aroad< and to "isho* )artrid,e in )articu&ar(
Your hu'&e ser$ant< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *risoner for the Lord Jesus
Christ+s sa0e< and for the Saints< ta0en and he&d ! the *o2er of
'oocrac!< under the e/ter'inatin, rei,n of his e/ce&&enc!< the ,o$ernor<
Li&urn 3# "o,,s< in co'*an! 2ith his fe&&o2 *risoners and e&o$ed
rethren< Ca&e "a&d2in< L!'an 3i,ht< H!ru' S'ith< and A&e/ander .cRae<
send unto !ou a&& ,reetin,# .a! the ,race of 5od the Father< and of our
Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ< rest u*on !ou a&&< and aide 2ith !ou
fore$er# .a! 0no2&ed,e e 'u&ti*&ied unto !ou ! the 'erc! of 5od# And 'a!
faith and $irtue< and 0no2&ed,e and te'*erance< and *atience and
,od&iness< and rother&! 0indness and charit! e in !ou and aound< that
!ou 'a! not e arren in an!thin,< nor unfruitfu&#
For inas'uch as 2e 0no2 that the 'ost of !ou are 2e&& ac>uainted 2ith
the 2ron,s and the hi,h-handed in=ustice and crue&t! that are *racticed
u*on us? 2hereas 2e ha$e een ta0en *risoners char,ed fa&se&! 2ith e$er!
0ind of e$i&< and thro2n into *rison< enc&osed 2ith stron, 2a&&s<
surrounded 2ith a stron, ,uard< 2ho continua&&! 2atch da! and ni,ht as
indefati,a&e as the de$i& does in te'*tin, and &a!in, snares for the
*eo*&e of 5od(
Therefore< dear&! e&o$ed rethren< 2e are the 'ore read! and 2i&&in,
to &a! c&ai' to !our fe&&o2shi* and &o$e# For our circu'stances are
ca&cu&ated to a2a0en our s*irits to a sacred re'e'rance of e$er!thin,<
and 2e thin0 that !ours are a&so< and that nothin, therefore can se*arate
us fro' the &o$e of 5od and fe&&o2shi* one 2ith another? and that e$er!
s*ecies of 2ic0edness and crue&t! *racticed u*on us 2i&& on&! tend to ind
our hearts to,ether and sea& the' to,ether in &o$e# 3e ha$e no need to sa!
to !ou that 2e are he&d in onds 2ithout cause< neither is it needfu& that
!ou sa! unto us< 3e are dri$en fro' our ho'es and s'itten 2ithout cause#
3e 'utua&&! understand that if the inhaitants of the state of .issouri
had &et the Saints a&one< and had een as desira&e of *eace as the! 2ere<
there 2ou&d ha$e een nothin, ut *eace and >uietude in the state unto
this da!? 2e shou&d not ha$e een in this he&&< surrounded 2ith de'ons Eif
not those 2ho are da'ned< the! are those 2ho sha&& e da'nedF and 2here 2e
are co'*e&&ed to hear nothin, ut &as*he'ous oaths< and 2itness a scene
of &as*he'!< and drun0enness and h!*ocris!< and deaucheries of e$er!
descri*tion#
And a,ain< the cries of or*hans and 2ido2s 2ou&d not ha$e ascended u*
to 5od a,ainst the'# Nor 2ou&d innocent &ood ha$e stained the soi& of
.issouri# "ut ohK the unre&entin, handK The inhu'anit! and 'urderous
dis*osition of this *eo*&eK It shoc0s a&& nature? it e,,ars and defies
a&& descri*tion? it is a ta&e of 2oe? a &a'enta&e ta&e? !ea a sorro2fu&
ta&e? too 'uch to te&&? too 'uch for conte'*&ation? too 'uch for hu'an
ein,s? it cannot e found a'on, the heathens? it cannot e found a'on,
the nations 2here 0in,s and t!rants are enthroned? it cannot e found
a'on, the sa$a,es of the 2i&derness? !ea< and I thin0 it cannot e found
a'on, the 2i&d and ferocious easts of the forest--
that a 'an shou&d e 'an,&ed for s*ortK 3o'en e roed of a&& that
the! ha$e--their &ast 'orse& for susistence< and then e $io&ated to
,ratif! the he&&ish desires of the 'o< and fina&&! &eft to *erish 2ith
their he&*&ess offs*rin, c&in,in, around their nec0s#
"ut this is not a&&# After a 'an is dead# he 'ust e du, u* fro' his
,ra$e and 'an,&ed to *ieces< for no other *ur*ose than to ,ratif! their
s*&een a,ainst the re&i,ion of 5od#
The! *ractice these thin,s u*on the Saints< 2ho ha$e done the' no
2ron,< 2ho are innocent and $irtuous? 2ho &o$ed the Lord their 5od< and
2ere 2i&&in, to forsa0e a&& thin,s for Christ+s sa0e# These thin,s are
a2fu& to re&ate< ut the! are $eri&! true# It 'ust needs e that offenses
co'e< ut 2oe unto the' ! 2ho' the! co'e#
IOh 5odK 2here art ThouB And 2here is the *a$i&ion that co$ereth Th!
hidin, *&aceB Ho2 &on, sha&& Th! hand e sta!ed< and Thine e!e< !ea Th!
*ure e!e< eho&d fro' the eterna& hea$ens< the 2ron,s of Th! *eo*&e< and
of Th! ser$ants< and Th! ear e *enetrated 2ith their criesB Yea< O Lord<
ho2 &on, sha&& the! suffer these 2ron,s and un&a2fu& o**ressions< efore
Thine heart sha&& e softened to2ards the'< and Th! o2e&s e 'o$ed 2ith
co'*assion to2ards the'B
O Lord 5od A&'i,ht!< .a0er of Hea$en< Earth and Seas< and of a&&
thin,s that in the' are< and 2ho contro&&est and su=ectest the de$i&< and
the dar0 and eni,hted do'inion of Sheo&K Stretch forth Th! hand< &et
Thine e!e *ierce? &et Th! *a$i&ion e ta0en u*? &et Th! hidin, *&ace no
&on,er e co$ered? &et Thine ear e inc&ined? &et Thine heart e softened<
and Th! o2e&s 'o$ed 2ith co'*assion to2ards us< Let Thine an,er e
0ind&ed a,ainst our ene'ies? and in the fur! of Thine heart< 2ith Th!
s2ord a$en,e us of our 2ron,s? re'e'er Th! sufferin, Saints< O our 5odK
and Th! ser$ants 2i&& re=oice in Th! na'e fore$er#J
Dear&! and e&o$ed rethren< 2e see that *eri&ous ti'es ha$e co'e< as
2as testified of# 3e 'a! &oo0< then< 2ith 'ost *erfect assurance< for the
fu&fi&&'ent of a&& those thin,s that ha$e een 2ritten< and 2ith 'ore
confidence than e$er efore< &ift u* our e!es to the &u'inar! of da!< and
sa! in our hearts< Soon thou 2i&t $ei& th! &ushin, face# He that said
-Let there e &i,ht<- and there 2as &i,ht< hath s*o0en this 2ord# And
a,ain< Thou 'oon< thou di''er &i,ht< thou &u'inar! of ni,ht< sha&t turn to
&ood#
3e see that e$er!thin, is ein, fu&fi&&ed? and that the ti'e sha&&
soon co'e 2hen the Son of .an sha&& descend in the c&ouds of hea$en# Our
hearts do not shrin0< neither are our s*irits a&to,ether ro0en ! the
,rie$ous !o0e 2hich is *ut u*on us# 3e 0no2 that 5od 2i&& ha$e our
o**ressors in derision? that He 2i&& &au,h at their ca&a'it!< and 'oc0
2hen their fear co'eth#
O that 2e cou&d e 2ith !ou< rethren< and unoso' our fee&in,s to
!ouK 3e 2ou&d te&&< that 2e shou&d ha$e een &ierated at the ti'e E&der
Ri,don 2as< on the 2rit of haeas cor*us< had not our o2n &a2!ers
inter*reted the &a2< contrar! to 2hat it reads< a,ainst us? 2hich
*re$ented us fro' introducin, our e$idence efore the 'oc0 court#
The! ha$e done us 'uch har' fro' the e,innin,# The! ha$e of &ate
ac0no2&ed,ed that the &a2 2as 'isconstrued< and tanta&i4ed our fee&in,s
2ith it< and ha$e entire&! forsa0en us< and ha$e forfeited their oaths and
their onds? and 2e ha$e a co'e-ac0 on the'< for the! are co-2or0ers 2ith
the 'o#
As ni,h as 2e can &earn< the *u&ic 'ind has een for a &on, ti'e
turnin, in our fa$or< and the 'a=orit! is no2 friend&!? and the &a2!ers
can no &on,er ro2eat us ! sa!in, that this or that is a 'atter of
*u&ic o*inion< for *u&ic o*inion is not 2i&&in, to roo0 it? for it is
e,innin, to &oo0 2ith fee&in,s of indi,nation a,ainst our o**ressors< and
to sa! that the -.or'ons- 2ere not in the fau&t in the &east# 3e thin0
that truth< honor< $irtue and innocence 2i&& e$entua&&! co'e out
triu'*hant# 3e shou&d ha$e ta0en a haeas cor*us efore the hi,h =ud,e and
esca*ed the 'o in a su''ar! 2a!? ut unfortunate&! for us< the ti'er of
the 2a&& ein, $er! hard< our au,er hand&es ,a$e out< and hindered us
&on,er than 2e e/*ected? 2e a**&ied to a friend< and a $er! s&i,ht
incautious act ,a$e rise to so'e sus*icions< and efore 2e cou&d fu&&!
succeed< our *&an 2as disco$ered? 2e had e$er!thin, in readiness< ut the
&ast stone< and 2e cou&d ha$e 'ade our esca*e in one 'inute< and shou&d
ha$e succeeded ad'ira&!< had it not een for a &itt&e i'*rudence or
o$er-an/iet! on the *art of our friend#
The sheriff and =ai&er did not &a'e us for our atte'*t? it 2as a
fine reach< and cost the count! a round su'? ut *u&ic o*inion sa!s that
2e ou,ht to ha$e een *er'itted to ha$e 'ade our esca*e? that then the
dis,race 2ou&d ha$e een on us< ut no2 it 'ust co'e on the state? that
there cannot e an! char,e sustained a,ainst us? and that the conduct of
the 'o< the 'urders co''itted at Haun+s .i&&s< and the e/ter'inatin,
order of the ,o$ernor< and the one-sided< rasca&&! *roceedin,s of the
&e,is&ature< ha$e da'ned the state of .issouri to a&& eternit!# I 2ou&d
=ust na'e a&so that 5enera& Atchison has *ro$ed hi'se&f as conte'*ti&e as
an! of the'#
3e ha$e tried for a &on, ti'e to ,et our &a2!ers to dra2 us so'e
*etitions to the su*re'e =ud,es of this state# "ut the! utter&! refused#
3e ha$e e/a'ined the &a2< and dra2n the *etitions ourse&$es< and ha$e
otained aundance of *roof to counteract a&& the testi'on! that 2as
a,ainst us< so that if the su*re'e =ud,e does not ,rant us our &iert!< he
has to act 2ithout cause< contrar! to honor< e$idence< &a2 or =ustice<
sheer&! to *&ease the de$i&< ut 2e ho*e etter thin,s and trust efore
'an! da!s 5od 2i&& so order our case< that 2e sha&& e set at &iert! and
ta0e u* our haitation 2ith the Saints#
3e recei$ed so'e &etters &ast e$enin,--one fro' E''a< one fro' Don C#
S'ith< and one fro' "isho* )artrid,e--a&& reathin, a 0ind and conso&in,
s*irit# 3e 2ere 'uch ,ratified 2ith their contents# 3e had een a &on,
ti'e 2ithout infor'ation? and 2hen 2e read those &etters the! 2ere to our
sou&s as the ,ent&e air is refreshin,< ut our =o! 2as 'in,&ed 2ith ,rief<
ecause of the sufferin,s of the *oor and 'uch in=ured Saints# And 2e need
not sa! to !ou that the f&ood,ates of our hearts 2ere &ifted and our e!es
2ere a fountain of tears< ut those 2ho ha$e not een enc&osed in the
2a&&s of *rison 2ithout cause or *ro$ocation< can ha$e ut &itt&e idea ho2
s2eet the $oice of a friend is? one to0en of friendshi* fro' an! source
2hate$er a2a0ens and ca&&s into action e$er! s!'*athetic fee&in,? it
rin,s u* in an instant e$er!thin, that is *assed? it sei4es the *resent
2ith the a$idit! of &i,htnin,? it ,ras*s after the future 2ith the
fierceness of a ti,er? it 'o$es the 'ind ac02ard and for2ard< fro' one
thin, to another< unti& fina&&! a&& en'it!< 'a&ice and hatred< and *ast
differences< 'isunderstandin,s and 'is'ana,e'ents are s&ain $ictorious at
the feet of ho*e? and 2hen the heart is sufficient&! contrite< then the
$oice of ins*iration stea&s a&on, and 2his*ers< I.! son< *eace e unto th!
sou&? thine ad$ersit! and thine aff&ictions sha&& e ut a s'a&& 'o'ent?
and then if thou endure it 2e&&< 5od sha&& e/a&t thee on hi,h? thou sha&t
triu'*h o$er a&& th! foes? th! friends do stand ! thee< and the! sha&&
hai& thee a,ain< 2ith 2ar' hearts and friend&! hands? thou art not !et as
Jo? th! friends do not conte-d a,ainst thee< neither char,e thee 2ith
trans,ression< as the! did Jo? and the! 2ho do char,e thee 2ith
trans,ression< their ho*e sha&& e &asted and their *ros*ects sha&& 'e&t
a2a! as the hoar frost 'e&teth efore the urnin, ra!s of the risin, sun?
and a&so that 5od hath set His hand and Sea& to chan,e the ti'es and
seasons< and to &ind their 'inds< that the! 'a! not understand His
'ar$e&ous 2or0in,s< that He 'a! *ro$e the' a&so and ta0e the' in their o2n
craftiness? a&so ecause their hearts are corru*ted< and the thin,s 2hich
the! are 2i&&in, to rin, u*on others< and &o$e to ha$e others suffer< 'a!
co'e u*on the'se&$es to the $er! utter'ost? that the! 'a! e disa**ointed
a&so< and their ho*es 'a! e cut off? and not 'an! !ears hence< that the!
and their *osterit! sha&& e s2e*t fro' under hea$en< saith 5od< that not
one of the' is &eft to stand ! the 2a&&# Cursed are a&& those that sha&&
&ift u* the hee& a,ainst 'ine anointed# saith the Lord< and cr! the! ha$e
sinned 2hen the! ha$e not sinned efore 'e< saith the Lord< ut ha$e done
that 2hich 2as 'eet in 'ine e!es< and 2hich I co''anded the'? ut those
2ho cr! trans,ression do it ecause the! are the ser$ants of sin and are
the chi&dren of disoedience the'se&$es? and those 2ho s2ear fa&se&!
a,ainst '! ser$ants< that the! 'i,ht rin, the' into onda,e and death? 2o
unto the'? ecause the! ha$e offended '! &itt&e ones? the! sha&& e
se$ered fro' the ordinances of 'ine house? their as0et sha&& not e fu&&<
and their houses and their arns sha&& *erish< and the! the'se&$es sha&&
e des*ised ! those that f&attered the'? the! sha&& not ha$e ri,ht to the
)riesthood< nor their *osterit! after the'< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration?
it had een etter for the' that a 'i&&stone had een han,ed aout their
nec0s< and the! dro2ned in the de*th of the sea#
3o unto a&& those that disco'fort '! *eo*&e< and dri$e and 'urder<
and testif! a,ainst the'< saith the Lord of Hosts? a ,eneration of $i*ers
sha&& not esca*e the da'nation of he&&# "eho&d 'ine e!es see and 0no2 a&&
their 2or0s< and I ha$e in reser$e a s2ift =ud,'ent in the season thereof<
for the' a&&? for there is a ti'e a**ointed for e$er! 'an accordin, as his
2or0 sha&& e#J
And no2< e&o$ed rethren< 2e sa! unto !ou< that inas'uch as 5od hath
said that He 2ou&d ha$e a tried *eo*&e< that He 2ou&d *ur,e the' as ,o&d<
no2 2e thin0 that this ti'e He has chosen His o2n cruci&e< 2herein 2e
ha$e een tried? and 2e thin0 if 2e ,et throu,h 2ith an! de,ree of safet!<
and sha&& ha$e 0e*t the faith< that it 2i&& e a si,n to this ,eneration<
a&to,ether sufficient to &ea$e the' 2ithout e/cuse? and 2e thin0 a&so< it
2i&& e a tria& of our faith e>ua& to that of Araha'< and that the
ancients 2i&& not ha$e 2hereof to oast o$er us in the da! of =ud,'ent< as
ein, ca&&ed to *ass throu,h hea$ier aff&ictions? that 2e 'a! ho&d an e$en
2ei,ht in the a&ance 2ith the'? ut no2< after ha$in, suffered so ,reat
sacrifice and ha$in, *assed throu,h so ,reat a season of sorro2< 2e trust
that a ra' 'a! e cau,ht in the thic0et s*eedi&!< to re&ie$e the sons and
dau,hters of Araha' fro' their ,reat an/iet!< and to &i,ht u* the &a'* of
sa&$ation u*on their countenances< that the! 'a! ho&d on no2< after ha$in,
,one so far unto e$er&astin, &ife#
No2< rethren< concernin, the *&aces for the &ocation of the Saints
2e cannot counse& !ou as 2e cou&d if 2e 2ere *resent 2ith !ou? and as to
the thin,s that 2ere 2ritten heretofore< 2e did not consider the' an!thin,
$er! indin,< therefore 2e no2 sa! once for a&&< that 2e thin0 it 'ost
*ro*er that the ,enera& affairs of the Church< 2hich are necessar! to e
considered< 2hi&e !our hu'&e ser$ant re'ains in onda,e< shou&d e
transacted ! a ,enera& conference of the 'ost faithfu& and the 'ost
res*ecta&e of the authorities of the Church< and a 'inute of those
transactions 'a! e 0e*t< and for2arded fro' ti'e to ti'e# To !our hu'&e
ser$ant? and if there shou&d e an! corrections ! the 2ord of the Lord<
the! sha&& e free&! trans'itted< and !our hu'&e ser$ant 2i&& a**ro$e a&&
thin,s 2hatsoe$er is acce*ta&e unto 5od# If an!thin, shou&d ha$e een
su,,ested ! us< or an! na'es 'entioned< e/ce*t ! co''and'ent< or thus
saith the Lord< 2e do not consider it indin,? therefore our hearts sha&&
not e ,rie$ed if different arran,e'ents shou&d e entered into#
Ne$erthe&ess 2e 2ou&d su,,est the *ro*riet! of ein, a2are of an as*irin,
s*irit< 2hich s*irit has often ti'es ur,ed 'en for2ard to 'a0e fou&
s*eeches< and inf&uence the Church to re=ect 'i&der counse&s< and has
e$entua&&! een the 'eans of rin,in, 'uch death and sorro2 u*on the
Church#
3e 2ou&d sa!< e2are of *ride a&so? for 2e&& and tru&! hath the 2ise
'an said< that *ride ,oeth efore destruction< and a hau,ht! s*irit efore
a fa&&# And a,ain< out2ard a**earance is not a&2a!s a criterion ! 2hich
to =ud,e our fe&&o2 'an? ut the &i*s etra! the hau,ht! and o$erearin,
i'a,inations of the heart? ! his 2ords and his deeds &et hi' e =ud,ed#
F&atter! a&so is a dead&! *oison# A fran0 and o*en reu0e *ro$o0eth a ,ood
'an to e'u&ation? and in the hour of trou&e he 2i&& e !our est friend?
ut on the other hand# it 2i&& dra2 out a&& the corru*tions of corru*t
hearts< and &!in, and the *oison of as*s is under their ton,ues? and the!
do cause the *ure in heart to e cast into *rison< ecause the! 2ant the'
out of their 2a!#
A fancifu& and f&o2er! and heated i'a,ination e2are of? ecause the
thin,s of 5od are of dee* i'*ort? and ti'e< and e/*erience< and carefu&
and *onderous and so&e'n thou,hts can on&! find the' out# Th! 'ind< O 'anK
if thou 2i&t &ead a sou& unto sa&$ation< 'ust stretch as hi,h as the
ut'ost hea$ens< and search into and conte'*&ate the dar0est a!ss< and the
road e/*anse of eternit!--thou 'ust co''une 2ith 5od# Ho2 'uch 'ore
di,nified and no&e are the thou,hts of 5od< than the $ain i'a,inations of
the hu'an heartK None ut foo&s 2i&& trif&e 2ith the sou&s of 'en#
Ho2 $ain and trif&in, ha$e een our s*irits< our conferences< our
counci&s< our 'eetin,s< our *ri$ate as 2e&& as *u&ic con$ersations--too
&o2< too 'ean< too $u&,ar< too condescendin, for the di,nified characters
of the ca&&ed and chosen of 5od< accordin, to the *ur*oses of His 2i&&<
fro' efore the foundation of the 2or&dK 3e are ca&&ed to ho&d the 0e!s of
the '!steries of those thin,s that ha$e een 0e*t hid fro' the foundation
of the 2or&d unti& no2# So'e ha$e tasted a &itt&e of these thin,s< 'an! of
2hich are to e *oured do2n fro' hea$en u*on the heads of aes? !ea< u*on
the 2ea0< oscure and des*ised ones of the earth# Therefore 2e eseech of
!ou< rethren< that !ou ear 2ith those 2ho do not fee& the'se&$es 'ore
2orth! than !ourse&$es< 2hi&e 2e e/hort one another to a refor'ation 2ith
one and a&&< oth o&d and !oun,< teachers and tau,ht< oth hi,h and &o2<
rich and *oor< ond and free< 'a&e and fe'a&e? &et honest!< and soriet!<
and candor< and so&e'nit!< and $irtue< and *ureness< and 'ee0ness< and
si'*&icit! cro2n our heads in e$er! *&ace? and in fine< eco'e as &itt&e
chi&dren< 2ithout 'a&ice< ,ui&e or h!*ocris!#
And no2< rethren< after !our triu&ations< if !ou do these thin,s<
and e/ercise fer$ent *ra!er and faith in the si,ht of 5od a&2a!s< IHe
sha&& ,i$e unto !ou 0no2&ed,e ! His Ho&! S*irit< !ea ! the uns*ea0a&e
,ift of the Ho&! 5host< that has not een re$ea&ed since the 2or&d 2as
unti& no2? 2hich our forefathers ha$e 2aited 2ith an/ious e/*ectation to
e re$ea&ed in the &ast ti'es< 2hich their 'inds 2ere *ointed to ! the
an,e&s< as he&d in reser$e for the fu&&ness of their ,&or!? a ti'e to co'e
in the 2hich nothin, sha&& e 2ithhe&d# 2hether there e one 5od or 'an!
5ods< the! sha&& e 'anifest? a&& thrones and do'inions< *rinci*a&ities
and *o2ers< sha&& e re$ea&ed and set forth u*on a&& 2ho ha$e endured
$a&iant&! for the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ? and a&so if there e ounds set
to the hea$ens< or to the seas? or to the dr! &and< or to the sun< 'oon or
stars? aI& the ti'es of their re$o&utions? a&& the a**ointed da!s< 'onths
and !ears< and a&& the da!s of their da!s< 'onths and !ears< and a&& their
,&ories< &a2s< and set ti'es< sha&& e re$ea&ed< in the da!s of the
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< accordin, to that 2hich 2as
ordained in the 'idst of the Counci& of the Eterna& 5od of a&& other 5ods<
efore this 2or&d 2as< that shou&d e reser$ed unto the finishin, and the
end thereof< 2hen e$er! 'an sha&& enter into His eterna& *resence< and
into His i''orta& restJ#
"ut I e, &ea$e to sa! unto !ou< rethren< that i,norance<
su*erstition and i,otr! *&acin, itse&f 2here it ou,ht not< is oftenti'es
in the 2a! of the *ros*erit! of this Church? &i0e the torrent of rain fro'
the 'ountains< that f&oods the 'ost *ure and cr!sta& strea' 2ith 'ire< and
dirt< and fi&thiness< and oscures e$er!thin, that 2as c&ear efore< and
a&& rushes a&on, in one ,enera& de&u,e? ut ti'e 2eathers tide? and
not2ithstandin, 2e are ro&&ed in the 'ire of the f&ood for the ti'e ein,<
the ne/t sur,e *erad$enture< as ti'e ro&&s on< 'a! rin, to us the
fountain as c&ear as cr!sta&< and as *ure as sno2? 2hi&e the fi&thiness<
f&ood2ood and ruish is &eft and *ur,ed out ! the 2a!#
IHo2 &on, can ro&&in, 2ater re'ain i'*ureB 3hat *o2er sha&& sta! the
hea$ensB As 2e&& 'i,ht 'an stretch forth his *un! ar' to sto* the .issouri
ri$er in its decreed course< or to turn it u* strea'< as to hinder the
A&'i,ht! fro' *ourin, do2n 0no2&ed,e fro' hea$en< u*on the heads of the
Latter-da! SaintsJ#
3hat is "o,,s or his 'urderous *art!< ut 2i'&in, 2i&&o2s u*on the
shore to catch the f&ood-2oodB As 2e&& 'i,ht 2e ar,ue that 2ater is not
2ater< ecause the 'ountain torrents send do2n 'ire and roi& the cr!sta&
strea'< a&thou,h after2ards render it 'ore *ure than efore? or that fire
is not fire< ecause it is of a >uencha&e nature< ! *ourin, on the
f&ood? as to sa! that our cause is do2n ecause rene,ades< &iars< *riests<
thie$es and 'urderers< 2ho are a&& a&i0e tenacious of their crafts and
creeds< ha$e *oured do2n< fro' their s*iritua& 2ic0edness in hi,h *&aces<
and fro' their stron,ho&ds of the de$i&< a f&ood of dirt and 'ire and
fi&thiness and $o'it u*on our heads#
NoK 5od forid# He&& 'a! *our forth its ra,e &i0e the urnin, &a$a of
'ount %esu$ius< or of Etna< or of the 'ost terri&e of the urnin,
'ountains? and !et sha&& -.or'onis'- stand# 3ater< fire< truth and 5od are
a&& rea&ities# Truth is -.or'onis'#- 5od is the author of it# He is our
shie&d# It is ! Hi' 2e recei$ed our irth# It 2as ! His $oice that 2e
2ere ca&&ed to a dis*ensation of His 5os*e& in the e,innin, of the
fu&&ness of ti'es# It 2as ! Hi' 2e recei$ed the "oo0 of .or'on? and it is
! Hi' that 2e re'ain unto this da!? and ! Hi' 2e sha&& re'ain< if it
sha&& e for our ,&or!? and in His A&'i,ht! na'e 2e are deter'ined to
endure triu&ation as ,ood so&diers unto the end#
"ut< rethren< 2e sha&& continue to offer further ref&ections in our
ne/t e*ist&e# You 2i&& &earn ! the ti'e !ou ha$e read this< and if !ou do
not &earn it< !ou 'a! &earn it< that 2a&&s and irons< doors and crea0in,
hin,es< and ha&f-scared-to-death ,uards and =ai&ers< ,rinnin, &i0e so'e
da'ned s*irits< &est an innocent 'an shou&d 'a0e his esca*e to rin, to
&i,ht the da'na&e deeds of a 'urderous 'o< are ca&cu&ated in their $er!
nature to 'a0e the sou& of an honest 'an fee& stron,er than the *o2ers of
he&&#
"ut 2e 'ust rin, our e*ist&e to a c&ose# 3e send our res*ects to
fathers< 'others< 2i$es and chi&dren< rothers and sisters? 2e ho&d the'
in the 'ost sacred re'e'rance#
3e fee& to in>uire after E&der Ri,don? if he has not for,otten us< it
has not een si,nified to us ! his 2ritin,# "rother 5eor,e 3# Roinson
a&so? and E&der Cahoon< 2e re'e'er hi'< ut 2ou&d &i0e to =o, his 'e'or!
a &itt&e on the fa&e of the ear and the t2o friends 2ho 'utua&&! a,reed
to stand ! each other# And *erha*s it 2ou&d not e a'iss to 'ention unc&e
John IS'ithJ< and $arious others# A 2ord of conso&ation and a &essin,
2ou&d not co'e a'iss fro' an!od!< 2hi&e 2e are ein, so c&ose&! 2his*ered
! the ear# "ut 2e fee& to e/cuse e$er!od! and e$er!thin,< !ea the 'ore
readi&! 2hen 2e conte'*&ate that 2e are in the hands of *ersons 2orse that
a ear< for the ear 2ou&d not *re! u*on a dead carcass#
Our res*ects and &o$e and fe&&o2shi* to a&& the $irtuous Saints# 3e
are !our rethren and fe&&o2-sufferers# and *risoners of Jesus Christ for
the 5os*e&+s sa0e< and for the ho*e of ,&or! 2hich is in us# A'en#
3e continue to offer further ref&ections to "isho* )artrid,e< and to
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< 2ho' 2e &o$e 2ith a
fer$ent &o$e< and do a&2a!s ear the' in 'ind in a&& our *ra!ers to the
throne of 5od#
It sti&& see's to ear hea$i&! on our 'inds that the Church 2ou&d do
2e&& to secure to the'se&$es the contract of the &and 2hich is *ro*osed to
the' ! .r# Isaac 5a&&and< and to cu&ti$ate the friend&! fee&in,s of that
,ent&e'an< inas'uch as he sha&& *ro$e hi'se&f to e a 'an of honor and a
friend to hu'anit!? a&so Isaac %an A&&en< Es>#< the attorne!-,enera& of
Io2a Territor!< and 5o$ernor Lucas< that *erad$enture such 'en 'a! e
2rou,ht u*on ! the *ro$idence of 5od< to do ,ood unto His *eo*&e# 3e
rea&&! thin0 that .r# 5a&&and+s &etter reathes that 0ind of a s*irit< if
2e 'a! =ud,e correct&!# 5o$ernor Lucas a&so# 3e su,,est the idea of
*ra!in, fer$ent&! for a&& 'en 2ho 'anifest an! de,ree of s!'*ath! for the
sufferin, chi&dren of 5od#
3e thin0 that the United States Sur$e!or of the Io2a Territor! 'a! e
of ,reat enefit to the Church< if it e the 2i&& of 5od to this end? and
ri,hteousness shou&d e 'anifested as the ,ird&e of our &oins#
It see's to e dee*&! i'*ressed u*on our 'inds that the Saints ou,ht
to &a! ho&d of e$er! door that sha&& see' to e o*ened unto the'< to
otain footho&d on the earth< and e 'a0in, a&& the *re*aration that is
2ithin their *o2er for the terri&e stor's that are no2 ,atherin, in the
hea$ens< -a da! of c&ouds< 2ith dar0ness and ,&oo'iness< and of thic0
dar0ness<- as s*o0en of ! the )ro*hets< 2hich cannot e no2 of a &on,
ti'e &in,erin,< for there see's to e a 2his*erin, that the an,e&s of
hea$en 2ho ha$e een entrusted 2ith the counse& of these 'atters for the
&ast da!s< ha$e ta0en counse& to,ether? and a'on, the rest of the ,enera&
affairs that ha$e to e transacted in their honora&e counci&< the! ha$e
ta0en co,ni4ance of the testi'on! of those 2ho 2ere 'urdered at Haun+s
.i&&s< and a&so those 2ho 2ere 'art!red 2ith Da$id 3# )atten# and
e&se2here< and ha$e *assed so'e decisions *erad$enture in fa$or of the
Saints< and those 2ho 2ere ca&&ed to suffer 2ithout cause#
These decisions 2i&& e 'ade 0no2n in their ti'e? and the counci&
2i&& ta0e into consideration a&& those thin,s that offend#
3e ha$e a fer$ent desire that in !our ,enera& conferences e$er!thin,
shou&d e discussed 2ith a ,reat dea& of care and *ro*riet!< &est !ou
,rie$e the Ho&! S*irit< 2hich sha&& e *oured out at a&& ti'es u*on !our
heads< 2hen !ou are e/ercised 2ith those *rinci*&es of ri,hteousness that
are a,reea&e to the 'ind of 5od< and are *ro*er&! affected one to2ard
another< and are carefu& ! a&& 'eans to re'e'er< those 2ho are in
onda,e< and in hea$iness< and in dee* aff&iction far !our sa0es# And if
there are an! a'on, !ou 2ho as*ire after their o2n a,,randi4e'ent< and
see0 their o2n o*u&ence< 2hi&e their rethren are ,roanin, in *o$ert!< and
are under sore tria&s and te'*tations< the! cannot e enefited ! the
intercession of the Ho&! S*irit< 2hich 'a0eth intercession for us da! and
ni,ht 2ith ,roanin,s that cannot e uttered#
3e ou,ht at a&& ti'es to e $er! carefu& that such hi,h-'indedness
sha&& ne$er ha$e *&ace in our hearts? ut condescend to 'en of &o2 estate<
and 2ith a&& &on,-sufferin, ear the infir'ities of the 2ea0#
I"eho&d< there are 'an! ca&&ed< ut fe2 are chosen# And 2h! are the!
not chosenB "ecause their hearts are set so 'uch u*on the thin,s of this
2or&d< and as*ire to the honors of 'en< that the! do not &earn this one
&esson--that the ri,hts of the )riesthood are inse*ara&! connected 2ith
the *o2ers of hea$en< and that the *o2ers of hea$en cannot e contro&&ed
nor handed on&! u*on the *rinci*&es of ri,hteousness# That the! 'a! e
conferred u*on us< it is true? ut 2hen 2e underta0e to co$er our sins< or
to ,ratif! our *ride< our $ain a'ition< or to e/orcise contro&< or
do'inion< or co'*u&sion< u*on the sou&s of the chi&dren of 'en< in an!
de,ree of unri,hteousness< eho&d< the hea$ens 2ithdra2 the'se&$es? the
S*irit of the Lord is ,rie$ed? and 2hen it is 2ithdra2n< A'en to the
)riesthood< or the authorit! of that 'en# "eho&dK ere he is a2are< he is
&eft unto hi'se&f< to 0ic0 a,ainst the *ric0s? to *ersecute the Saints<
and to fi,ht a,ainst 5od#
3e ha$e &earned ! sad e/*erience that it is the nature and
dis*osition of a&'ost a&& 'en< as soon as the! ,et a &itt&e authorit!< as
the! su**ose< the! 2i&& i''ediate&! e,in to e/ercise unri,hteous
do'inion# Hence 'an! are ca&&ed< ut fe2 are chosen#
No *o2er or inf&uence can or ou,ht to e 'aintained ! $irtue of the
)riesthood< on&! ! *ersuasion< ! &on,-sufferin,< ! ,ent&eness< and
'ee0ness< and ! &o$e unfei,ned? ! 0indness< and *ure 0no2&ed,e< 2hich
sha&& ,reat&! en&ar,e the sou& 2ithout h!*ocris!< and 2ithout ,ui&e<
re*ro$in, eti'es 2ith shar*ness< 2hen 'o$ed u*on ! the Ho&! 5host< and
then sho2in, forth after2ards an increase of &o$e to2ard hi' 2ho' thou
hast re*ro$ed< &est he estee' thee to e his ene'!? that he 'a! 0no2 that
th! faithfu&ness is stron,er than the cords of death? &et th! o2e&s a&so
e fu&& of charit! to2ards a&& 'en< and to the househo&d of faith< and
$irtue ,arnish th! thou,hts unceasin,&!< then sha&& th! confidence 2a/
stron, in the *resence of 5od< and the doctrine of the )riesthood sha&&
disti&& u*on th! sou& as the de2s fro' hea$en# The Ho&! 5host sha&& e th!
constant co'*anion< and th! sce*tre an unchan,in, sce*tre of ri,hteousness
and truth< and th! do'inion sha&& e an e$er&astin, do'inion< and 2ithout
co'*u&sor! 'eans it sha&& f&o2 unto thee fore$er and e$erJ#
IThe ends of the earth sha&& in>uire after th! na'e< and foo&s sha&&
ha$e thee in derision< and he&& sha&& ra,e a,ainst thee< 2hi&e the *ure in
heart< and the 2ise< and the no&e< and the $irtuous< sha&& see0 counse&<
and authorit! and &essin,S constant&! fro' under th! hand< and th! *eo*&e
sha&& ne$er e turned a,ainst thee ! the testi'on! of traitors? and
a&thou,h their inf&uence sha&& cast thee into trou&e< and into ars and
2a&&s< thou sha&t e had in honor< and ut for a s'a&& 'o'ent and th!
$oice sha&& e 'ore terri&e in the 'idst of thine ene'ies< than the
fierce &ion< ecause of th! ri,hteousness? and th! 5od sha&& stand ! thee
fore$er and e$er#
If thou art ca&&ed to *ass throu,h triu&ations? if thou art in
*eri&s a'on, fa&se rethren? if thou art in *eri&s a'on, roers? if thou
art in *eri&s ! &and or ! sea? if thou art accused 2ith a&& 'anner of
fa&se accusations if thine ene'ies fa&& u*on thee? if the! tear thee fro'
the societ! of th! father and 'other and rethren and sisters< and if 2ith
a dra2n s2ord thine ene'ies tear thee fro' the oso' of th! 2ife< and of
thine offs*rin,< and thine e&der son< a&thou,h ut si/ !ears of a,e< sha&&
c&in, to th! ,ar'ent< and sha&& sa!< .! father< '! father< 2h! can+t !ou
sta! 2ith usB O< '! father< 2hat are the 'en ,oin, to do 2ith !ouB and if
then he sha&& e thrust fro' thee ! the s2ord< and thou e dra,,ed to
*rison< and thine ene'ies *ro2& around thee &i0e 2o&$es for the &ood of
the &a'? and if thou shou&dst e cast into the *it< or into the hands of
'urderers< and the sentence of death *assed u*on thee? if thou e cast
into the dee*? if the i&&o2in, sur,e cons*ire a,ainst thee? if fierce
2inds eco'e thine ene'!? if the hea$ens ,ather &ac0ness< and a&& the
e&e'ents co'ine to hed,e u* the 2a!? and ao$e a&&< if the $er! =a2s of
he&& sha&& ,a*e o*en the 'outh 2ide after thee< 0no2 thou< '! son< that
a&& these thin,s sha&& ,i$e thee e/*erience< and sha&& e for th! ,ood#
The Son of .an hath descended e&o2 the' a&&? art thou ,reater than heB
Therefore< ho&d on th! 2a!< and the )riesthood sha&& re'ain 2ith
thee< for their ounds are set< the! cannot *ass# Th! da!s are 0no2n< and
th! !ears sha&& not e nu'ered &ess? therefore< fear not 2hat 'an can do<
for 5od sha&& e 2ith !ou fore$er and e$erJ#
No2< rethren< I 2ou&d su,,est for the consideration of the
conference< its ein, carefu&&! and 2ise&! understood ! the counci& or
conferences that our rethren scattered aroad< 2ho understand the s*irit
of the ,atherin,< that the! fa&& into the *&aces and refu,e of safet! that
5od sha&& o*en unto the'< et2een 1irt&and and Far 3est# Those fro' the
east and fro' the 2est< and fro' far countries< &et the' fa&& in so'e2here
et2een those t2o oundaries< in the 'ost safe and >uiet *&aces the! can
find? and &et this e the *resent understandin,< unti& 5od sha&& o*en a
'ore effectua& door for us for further considerations#
And a,ain< 2e further su,,est for the considerations of the Counci&<
that there e no or,ani4ation of &ar,e odies u*on co''on stoc0
*rinci*&es< in *ro*ert!< or of &ar,e co'*anies of fir's< unti& the Lord
sha&& si,nif! it in a *ro*er 'anner< as it o*ens such a dreadfu& fie&d for
the a$aricious< the indo&ent< and the corru*t hearted to *re! u*on the
innocent and $irtuous< and honest#
3e ha$e reason to e&ie$e that 'an! thin,s 2ere introduced a'on, the
Saints efore 5od had si,nified the ti'es? and not2ithstandin, the
*rinci*&es and *&ans 'a! ha$e een ,ood< !et as*irin, 'en< or in other
2ords< 'en 2ho had not the sustance of ,od&iness aout the'< *erha*s
undertoo0 to hand&e ed,ed too&s# Chi&dren< !ou 0no2< are fond of too&s<
2hi&e the! are not !et a&e to use the'#
Ti'e and e/*erience< ho2e$er< are the on&! safe re'edies a,ainst such
e$i&s# There are 'an! teachers< ut< *erha*s< not 'an! fathers# There are
ti'es co'in, 2hen 5od 2i&& si,nif! 'an! thin,s 2hich are e/*edient for the
2e&&-ein, of the Saints? ut the ti'es ha$e not !et co'e< ut 2i&& co'e<
as fast as there can e found *&ace and rece*tion for the'#
IAnd a,ain< 2e 2ou&d su,,est for !our consideration the *ro*riet! of
a&& the Saints ,atherin, u* a 0no2&ed,e of a&& the facts and sufferin,s
and auses *ut u*on the' ! the *eo*&e of this state? and a&so of a&& the
*ro*ert! and a'ount of da'a,es 2hich the! ha$e sustained< oth of
character and *ersona& in=uries< as 2e&& as rea& *ro*ert!? and a&so the
na'es of a&& *ersons that ha$e had a hand in their o**ressions< as far as
the! can ,et ho&d of the' and find the' out? and *erha*s a co''ittee can
e a**ointed to find out these thin,s< and to ta0e state'ents< and
affida$its< and a&so to ,ather u* the &ie&ous *u&ications that are
af&oat< and a&& that are in the 'a,a4ines< and in the enc!c&o*edias< and
a&& the &ie&ous histories that are *u&ished< and are 2ritin,< and !
2ho'< and *resent the 2ho&e concatenation of diao&ica& rasca&it!< and
nefarious and 'urderous i'*ositions that ha$e een *racticed u*on this
*eo*&e< that 2e 'a! not on&! *u&ish to a&& the 2or&d< ut *resent the' to
the heads of ,o$ern'ent in a&& their dar0 and he&&ish hue< as the &ast
effort 2hich is en=oined on us ! our Hea$en&! Father< efore 2e can fu&&!
and co'*&ete&! c&ai' that *ro'ise 2hich sha&& ca&& Hi' forth fro' His
hidin, *&ace< and a&so that the 2ho&e nation 'a! e &eft 2ithout e/cuse
efore He can send forth the *o2er of His 'i,ht! ar'#
It is an i'*erati$e dut! that 2e o2e to 5od< to an,e&s< 2ith 2ho' 2e
sha&& e rou,ht to stand< and a&so to ourse&$es< to our 2i$es and
chi&dren< 2ho ha$e een 'ade to o2 do2n 2ith ,rief< sorro2< and care<
under the 'ost da'nin, hand of 'urder< t!rann!< and o**ression< su**orted
and ur,ed on and u*he&d ! the inf&uence of that s*irit 2hich hath so
stron,&! ri$eted the creeds of the fathers< 2ho ha$e inherited &ies< u*on
the hearts of the chi&dren< and fi&&ed the 2or&d 2ith confusion< and has
een ,ro2in, stron,er and stron,er< and is no2 the $er! 'ain-s*rin, of a&&
corru*tion< and the 2ho&e earth ,roans under the 2ei,ht of its ini>uit!#
It is an iron !o0e< it is a stron, and? the! are the $er!
hand-cuffs< and chains< and shac0&es< and fetters of he&&#
Therefore it is an i'*erati$e dut! that 2e o2e< not on&! to our o2n
2i$es and chi&dren< ut to the 2ido2s and father&ess< 2hose husands and
fathers ha$e een 'urdered under its iron hand? 2hich dar0 and &ac0enin,
deeds are enou,h to 'a0e he&& itse&f shudder< and to stand a,hast and
*a&e< and the hands of the $er! de$i& to tre'&e and *a&s!# And a&so it is
an i'*erati$e dut! that 2e o2e to a&& the risin, ,eneration< and to a&&
the *ure in heart< Efor there are 'an! !et on the earth a'on, a&& sects<
*arties< deno'inations< 2ho are &inded ! the sut&e craftiness of 'en<
2here! the! &ie in 2ait to decei$e< and 2ho are on&! 0e*t fro' the truth
ecause the! 0no2 not 2here to find itF? therefore< that 2e shou&d 2aste
and 2ear out our &i$es in rin,in, to &i,ht a&& the hidden thin,s of
dar0ness< 2herein 2e 0no2 the'? and the! are tru&! 'anifest fro' hea$en#
These shou&d then e attended to 2ith ,reat earnestness# Let no 'an
count the' as s'a&& thin,s? for there is 'uch 2hich &ieth in futurit!<
*ertainin, to the Saints< 2hich de*ends u*on these thin,s# You 0no2<
rethren< that a $er! &ar,e shi* is enefited $er! 'uch ! a $er! s'a&&
he&' in the ti'e of a stor'< ! ein, 0e*t 2or02a!s 2ith the 2ind and the
2a$es#
Therefore< dear&! e&o$ed rethren< &et us cheerfu&&! do a&& thin,s
that &ie in our *o2er< and then 'a! 2e stand sti&& 2ith the ut'ost
assurance< to see the sa&$ation of 5od< and for His ar' to e re$ea&edJ#
And a,ain< I 2ou&d further su,,est the i'*ro*riet! of the
or,ani4ation of ands or co'*anies< ! co$enant or oaths< ! *ena&ties or
secrecies? ut &et the ti'e *ast of our e/*erience and sufferin,s ! the
2ic0edness of Doctor A$ard suffice and &et our co$enant e that of the
E$er&astin, Co$enant< as is contained in the Ho&! 3rit and the thin,s that
5od hath re$ea&ed unto us# )ure friendshi* a&2a!s eco'es 2ea0ened the
$er! 'o'ent !ou underta0e to 'a0e it stron,er ! *ena& oaths and secrec!#
Your hu'&e ser$ant or ser$ants< intend fro' henceforth to
disa**roate e$er!thin, that is not in accordance 2ith the fu&&ness of the
5os*e& of Jesus Christ< and is not of a o&d< and fran0< and u*ri,ht
nature# The! 2i&& not ho&d their *eace--as in ti'es *ast 2hen the! see
ini>uit! e,innin, to rear its head--for fear of traitors< or the
conse>uences that sha&& fo&&o2 ! re*ro$in, those 2ho cree* in una2ares<
that the! 'a! ,et so'ethin, 2ith 2hich to destro! the f&oc0# 3e e&ie$e
that the e/*erience of the Saints in ti'es *ast has een sufficient< that
the! 2i&& fro' henceforth e a&2a!s read! to oe! the truth 2ithout ha$in,
'en+s *ersons in ad'iration ecause of ad$anta,e# It is e/*edient that 2e
shou&d e a2are of such thin,s? and 2e ou,ht a&2a!s to e a2are of those
*re=udices 2hich so'eti'es so stran,e&! *resent the'se&$es< and are so
con,enia& to hu'an nature< a,ainst our friends< nei,hors< and rethren of
the 2or&d< 2ho choose to differ fro' us in o*inion and in 'atters of
faith# Our re&i,ion is et2een us and our 5od# Their re&i,ion is et2een
the' and their 5od#
There is a &o$e fro' 5od that shou&d e e/ercised to2ard those of our
faith< 2ho 2a&0 u*ri,ht&!< 2hich is *ecu&iar to itse&f< ut it is 2ithout
*re=udice? it a&so ,i$es sco*e to the 'ind< 2hich ena&es us to conduct
ourse&$es 2ith ,reater &iera&it! to2ards a&& that are not of our faith<
than 2hat the! e/ercise to2ards one another# These *rinci*&es a**ro/i'ate
nearer to the 'ind of 5od< ecause it is &i0e 5od< or 5od&i0e#
Here is a *rinci*&e a&so< 2hich 2e are ound to e e/ercised 2ith<
that is< in co''on 2ith a&& 'en< such as ,o$ern'ents< and &a2s< and
re,u&ations in the ci$i& concerns of &ife# This *rinci*&e ,uarantees to
a&& *arties< sects< and deno'inations< and c&asses of re&i,ion< e>ua&<
coherent< and indefeasi&e ri,hts? the! are thin,s that *ertain to this
&ife? therefore a&& are a&i0e interested? the! 'a0e our res*onsii&ities
one to2ards another in 'atters of corru*ti&e thin,s< 2hi&e the for'er
*rinci*&es do not destro! the &atter< ut ind us stron,er< and 'a0e our
res*onsii&ities not on&! one to another< ut unto 5od a&so# Hence 2e sa!<
that the Constitution of the United States is a ,&orious standard? it is
founded in the 2isdo' of 5od# It is a hea$en&! anner? it is to a&& those
2ho are *ri$i&e,ed 2ith the s2eets of its &iert!< &i0e the coo&in, shades
and refreshin, 2aters of a ,reat roc0 in a thirst! and 2ear! &and# It is
&i0e a ,reat tree under 2hose ranches 'en fro' e$er! c&i'e can e
shie&ded fro' the urnin, ra!s of the sun#
3e< rethren< are de*ri$ed of the *rotection of its ,&orious
*rinci*&es< ! the crue&t! of the crue&< ! those 2ho on&! &oo0 for the
ti'e ein,< for *astura,e &i0e the easts of the fie&d< on&! to fi&&
the'se&$es? and for,et that the -.or'ons<- as 2e&& as the )res!terians<
and those of e$er! other c&ass and descri*tion< ha$e e>ua& ri,hts to
*arta0e of the fruits of the ,reat tree of our nationa& &iert!# "ut
not2ithstandin, 2e see 2hat 2e see< and fee& 2hat 2e fee&# and 0no2 2hat
2e 0no2< !et that fruit is no &ess *recious and de&icious to our taste? 2e
cannot e 2eaned fro' the 'i&0< neither can 2e e dri$en fro' the reast?
neither 2i&& 2e den! our re&i,ion ecause of the hand of o**ression? ut
2e 2i&& ho&d on unti& death#
3e sa! that 5od is true? that the Constitution of the United States
is true? that the "i&e is true? that the "oo0 of .or'on is true? that the
"oo0 of Co$enants is true? that Christ is true? that the 'inisterin,
an,e&s sent forth fro' 5od are true< and that 2e 0no2 that 2e ha$e an
house not 'ade 2ith hands eterna& in the hea$ens< 2hose ui&der and 'a0er
is 5od? a conso&ation 2hich our o**ressors cannot fee&< 2hen fortune< or
fate< sha&& &a! its iron hand on the' as it has on us# No2< 2e as0< 2hat
is 'anB Re'e'er< rethren# that ti'e and chance ha**en to a&& 'en#
3e sha&& continue our ref&ections in our ne/t#
3e suscrie ourse&$es< !our sincere friends and rethren in the
onds of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< *risoners of Jesus Christ< for the sa0e
of the 5os*e& and the Saints#
3e *ronounce the &essin,s of hea$en u*on the heads of the Saints 2ho
see0 to ser$e 5od 2ith undi$ided hearts< in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
A'en#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
HYRU. S.ITH<
LY.AN 3I5HT<
CALE" "ALD3IN<
ALE6ANDER .cRAE#
CHA)TER 66I#
STIRRIN5 SCENES A"OUT FAR 3EST--THE ESCA)E OF THE )RO)HET AND
HIS FELLO3 )RISONERS#
Thursda!< A*ri& @#--"rothers 1i'a&& and Tur&e! ca&&ed on Jud,e 1in,<
2ho 2as an,r! at their ha$in, re*orted the case to the ,o$ernor< and< said
he< cou&d ha$e done a&& the usiness for !ou *ro*er&!< if !ou had co'e to
'e? and I 2ou&d ha$e si,ned the *etition for a&& e/ce*t Joe< and he is not
fit to &i$e#- I id "rothers 1i'a&& and Tur&e! to e of ,ood cheer< -for
2e sha&& e de&i$ered? ut no ar' ut 5od+s can de&i$er us no2# Te&& the
rethren to e of ,ood cheer and ,et the Saints a2a! as fast as *ossi&e#-
"rothers 1i'a&& and Tur&e! 2ere not *er'itted to enter the *rison<
and a&& the co''unication 2e had 2ith the' 2as throu,h the ,rate of the
dun,eon# The rethren &eft Liert! on their return to Far 3est#
Frida!< A*ri& G#--"rothers 1i'a&& and Tur&e! arri$ed at Far 3est#
This da! a co'*an! of aout fift! 'en in Da$iess count! s2ore that
the! 2ou&d ne$er eat or drin0< unti& the! had 'urdered -Joe S'ith#- Their
ca*tain< 3i&&ia' "o2'an< s2ore< in the *resence of Theodore Tur&e!< that
he 2ou&d -ne$er eat or drin0< after he had seen Joe S'ith< unti& he had
'urdered hi'#-
A&so ei,ht 'en--Ca*tain "o,art< 2ho 2as the count! =ud,e< Dr#
Laffit!< John 3hit'er< and fi$e others--ca'e into the co''ittee+s roo'
Ii#e# the roo' or office of the co''ittee on re'o$a&J and *resented to
Theodore Tur&e! the *a*er containin, the re$e&ation of Ju&! 8< 7898< to
Jose*h S'ith< directin, the T2e&$e to ta0e their &ea$e of the Saints in
Far 3est on the ui&din, site of the Lords House on the H:th of
A*ri&< to ,o to the is&es of the sea< and then as0ed hi' to read it#
Tur&e! said< -5ent&e'en< I a' 2e&& ac>uainted 2ith it#- The! said< -Then
!ou< as a rationa& 'an< 2i&& ,i$e u* Jose*h S'ith+s ein, a *ro*het and an
ins*ired 'anB He and the T2e&$e are no2 scattered a&& o$er creation? &et
the' co'e here if the! dare? if the! do< the! 2i&& e 'urdered# As that
re$e&ation cannot e fu&fi&&ed< !ou 2i&& no2 ,i$e u* !our faith#-
Tur&e! =u'*ed u* and said< -In the na'e of 5od that re$e&ation 2i&&
e fu&fi&&ed#- The! &au,hed hi' to scorn# John 3hit'er hun, do2n his
head# The! said< -If the! Ethe T2e&$eF co'e< the! 2i&& ,et 'urdered? the!
dare not co'e to ta0e their &ea$e here? that is &i0e a&& the rest of Joe
S'ith+s d---n *ro*hecies#- The! co''enced on Tur&e! and said< he had
etter do as John Corri&& had done? -he is ,oin, to *u&ish a oo0 ca&&ed
-.or'onis' Fair&! De&ineated?- he is a sensi&e 'an< and !ou had etter
assist hi'#-
Tur&e! said< -5ent&e'en< I *resu'e there are 'en here 2ho ha$e heard
Corri&& sa!< that -.or'onis'- 2as true< that Jose*h S'ith 2as a *ro*het<
and ins*ired of 5od# I no2 ca&& u*on !ou< John 3hit'er( !ou sa! Corri&& is
a 'ora& and a ,ood 'an? do !ou e&ie$e hi' 2hen he sa!s the "oo0 of .or'on
is true< or 2hen he sa!s it is not trueB There are 'an! thin,s *u&ished
that the! sa! are true< and a,ain turn around and sa! the! are fa&seB-
3hit'er as0ed< -Do !ou hint at 'eB- Tur&e! re*&ied< -If the ca* fits !ou<
2ear it? a&& I 0no2 is that !ou ha$e *u&ished to the 2or&d that an an,e&
did *resent those *&ates to Jose*h S'ith#- 3hit'er re*&ied( -I no2 sa!< I
hand&ed those *&ates? there 2ere fine en,ra$in,s on oth sides# I hand&ed
the'?- and he descried ho2 the! 2ere hun,< and -the! 2ere sho2n to 'e !
a su*ernatura& *o2er?- he ac0no2&ed,ed a&&#
Tur&e! as0ed hi'< -3h! is not the trans&ation no2 trueB- He said< -I
cou&d not read it Iin the ori,ina&J and I do not 0no2 2hether it Ii# e#<
the trans&ationJ is true or not#- 3hit'er testified a&& this in the
*resence of ei,ht 'en#
The co''ittee Ion re'o$a& of the Saints fro' .issouriJ 'et< and
"rother 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton 'ade re*ort of his =ourne! to Liert! on
usiness of the co''ittee#
The su=ect of *ro$idin, so'e c&othin, for the *risoners at Rich'ond 2as
discussed< and the *ro*riet! of sendin, t2o rethren to Liert!< to 'a0e
sa&es of so'e &ands< 2as ta0en u*< and E&ders H# 5# Sher2ood and Theodore
Tur&e! 2ere a**ointed#
A i&& of c&othin, for the Rich'ond *risoners ha$in, een 'ade u*<
2as *resented and ,i$en to those a**ointed to ,o to Liert!< that the!
'i,ht *rocure the ,oods on the sa&es of &and#
Saturda!< A*ri& :#--Jud,e 1in, e$ident&! fearin, a chan,e of $enue<
or so'e 'o$e'ent on our *art to esca*e his unha&&o2ed *ersecution Eand
'ost *roa&! e/*ectin, that 2e 2ou&d e 'urdered hurried '!se&f and
fe&&o2 *risoners off to Da$iess count!< under a ,uard of aout ten 'en<
co''anded ! Sa'ue& Ti&&er!< de*ut! =ai&er of C&a! count!# 3e 2ere
*ro'ised that 2e shou&d ,o throu,h Far 3est< 2hich 2as direct&! on our
route< 2hich our friends at that *&ace 0ne2< and e/*ected us? ut instead
of fu&fi&&in, their *ro'ise< the! too0 us around the cit!< and out of the
direct course so'e ei,hteen 'i&es? far fro' haitations< 2here e$er!
o**ortunit! *resented for a ,enera& 'assacre#
This e$enin, the co''ittee Ei#e# on re'o$a&F 'et in counci&# )ra!er
! E&der 1i'a&&# The usiness of the counci& 2as the consideration of the
order of the &eaders of the Da$iess 'o< de&i$ered this da! to the Saints
in Ca&d2e&& count!< to &ea$e efore Frida! ne/t#
Reso&$ed( To hire a&& tra's that can e hired< to 'o$e the fa'i&ies
of the Saints out of the count!< to Tenn!+s 5ro$e#
Reso&$ed( To send Henr! 5# Sher2ood i''ediate&! to I&&inois for
assistance< in tea's fro' the Saints there#
The 'ission of E&ders Sher2ood and Tur&e! to Liert! 2as deferred for
the *resent#
Sunda!< A*ri& M#--The co''ittee 'et in counci& at "rother Tur&e!+s#
"rother Erastus Sno2 'ade a re*ort of his $isit to the =ud,es at Jefferson
cit!# A &etter fro' the *risoners at Liert! 2as read and Danie& Shearer
and Heer C# 1i'a&& 2ere a**ointed to see .r# Hu,hes and ,et hi' to ,o to
Da$iess count! and attend the sittin, of the court there#
3e continued our tra$e&s across the *rairie< 2hi&e the rethren at
Far 3est< an/ious for our 2e&fare< ,a$e a 'an thirt! do&&ars to con$e! a
&etter to us in Da$iess count!< and return an ans2er#
.onda!< A*ri& 8#--After a tedious =ourne!--for our &on, confine'ent
had enfee&ed our odi&! *o2ers--2e arri$ed in Da$iess count!< aout a
'i&e fro' 5a&&atin< 2here 2e 2ere de&i$ered into the hands of 3i&&ia'
.or,an< sheriff of Da$iess count!< 2ith his ,uard< 3i&&ia' "o2'an< John
"rassfie&d and John )o,ue# The Liert! ,uard returned i''ediate&!< ut
eca'e di$ided< or ,ot &ost on their 2a!? a *art of the' arri$ed in Far
3est after dar0< and ,ot cau,ht in the fence? and ca&&in, for he&*< E&der
.ar0ha' 2ent to their assistance and too0 the' to the ta$ern# Fro' the' he
,ot a &etter I had 2ritten to the co''ittee< infor'in, the' of our arri$a&
in Da$iess count!#
Tuesda!< A*ri& N#--Our tria& co''enced efore a drun0en ,rand =ur!<
Austin A# 1in,< *residin, =ud,e< as drun0 as the =ur!? for the! 2ere a&&
drun0 to,ether# E&der Ste*hen .ar0ha' had een dis*atched ! the co''ittee
to $isit us< and rin, a hundred do&&ars that 2as sent ! E&der 1i'a&&<
as 2e 2ere destitute of 'eans at that ti'e# He &eft Far
*7 3est this 'ornin,< and s2i''in, se$era& strea's he arri$ed a'on, us in
the afternoon< and s*ent the e$enin, in our co'*an!# "rother .ar0ha'
rou,ht us a 2ritten co*! of a statute 2hich had *assed the &e,is&ature<
,i$in, us the *ri$i&e,e of a chan,e of $enue on our o2n affida$it#
Jud,e .orin arri$ed fro' .i&& )ort< and 2as fa$ora&e to our esca*e
fro' the *ersecution 2e 2ere endurin,< and s*ent the e$enin, 2ith us in
*rison< and 2e had as *&easant a ti'e as such circu'stances 2ou&d *er'it<
for 2e 2ere as ha**! as the ha**iest? the S*irit uo!ed us ao$e our
tria&s< and 2e re=oiced in each other+s societ!#
3ednesda!< A*ri& 7D#--The da! 2as s*ent in the e/a'ination of
2itnesses efore the ,rand =ur!# Dr# Sa'*son A$ard 2as one of the
2itnesses# "rother .ar0ha' 2as not *er'itted to ,i$e his testi'on!#
Our ,uard 2ent ho'e< and Co&one& 3i&&ia' )# )eniston< "&a0e&!< and
others too0 their *&ace#
Letter of Sidne! Ri,don to the )ro*het# Ri,don+s )&ans for the I'*each'ent
of .issouri#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< A*ri& 7D< 789N#
To the Saints in )rison< 5reetin,(
In the 'idst of a cro2d of usiness< I haste to send a fe2 &ines !
the hand of "rother .ace< our 'essen,er# 3e 2ish !ou to 0no2 that our
friendshi* is unaatin,< and our e/ertions for !our de&i$er!< and that of
the Church unceasin,# For this *ur*ose 2e ha$e &aored to secure the
friendshi* of the ,o$ernor of this state< 2ith a&& the *rinci*a& 'en in
this *&ace# In this 2e ha$e succeeded e!ond our hi,hest antici*ations#
5o$ernor Car&in assured us &ast e$enin,< that he 2ou&d &a! our case efore
the &e,is&ature of this state< and ha$e the action of that od! u*on it?
and he 2ou&d use a&& his inf&uence to ha$e an action 2hich shou&d e
fa$ora&e to our *eo*&e# He is a&so ,ettin, *a*ers *re*ared si,ned ! a&&
the noted 'en in this *art of the countr!< to ,i$e us a fa$ora&e
rece*tion at 3ashin,ton< 2hither 2e sha&& re*air forth2ith< after ha$in,
$isited the 5o$ernor of Io2a< of 2hose friendshi* 2e ha$e the stron,est
testi'onies# 3e &ea$e Auinc! this da! to $isit hi'# Our *&an of o*eration
is to i'*each the state of .issouri on an ite' of the Constitution of the
United States? that the 5enera& ,o$ern'ent sha&& ,i$e to each state a
Re*u&ican for' of ,o$ern'ent# Such a for' of ,o$ern'ent does not e/ist in
.issouri< and 2e can *ro$e it#
5o$ernor Car&in and his &ad! enter 2ith a&& the enthusias' of their
natures into this 2or0< ha$in, no dout ut that 2e can acco'*&ish this
o=ect#
Our *&an of o*eration in this 2or0 is< to ,et a&& the ,o$ernors< in
their ne/t 'essa,es< to ha$e the su=ect rou,ht efore the &e,is&atures?
and 2e 2i&& ha$e a 'an at the ca*ita& of each state to furnish the' 2ith
the testi'on! on the su=ect? and 2e desi,n to e at 3ashin,ton to 2ait
u*on Con,ress< and ha$e the action of that od! on it a&so? a&& this ,oin,
on at the sa'e ti'e< and ha$e the action of the 2ho&e durin, one session#
"rother 5eor,e 3# Roinson 2i&& e en,a,ed a&& the ti'e et2een this
and the ne/t sittin, of the &e,is&atures< in ta0in, affida$its< and
*re*arin, for the tu, of 2ar? 2hi&e 2e 2i&& e ,oin, fro' state to state<
$isitin, the res*ecti$e ,o$ernors< to ,et the case 'entioned in their
res*ecti$e 'essa,es to &e,is&atures< so as to ha$e the 2ho&e ,oin, on at
once# You 2i&& see ! this that our ti'e is en,rossed to o$erf&o2in,#
The "isho*s of the Church are re>uired to ride and $isit a&&
scattered aroad< and to co&&ect 'one! to carr! on this ,reat 2or0#
"e assured< rethren< that o*erations of an a&&-i'*ortant character
are under 'otion< and 2i&& co'e to an issue as soon as *ossi&e# "e
assured that our friendshi* is unaated for !ou< and our desires for !our
de&i$erance intense# .a! 5od hasten it s*eedi&!< is our *ra!er da! and
ni,ht#
Yours in the onds of aff&iction<
SIDNEY RI5DON#
To Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith< Ca&e "a&d2in< L!'an 3i,ht<
A&e/ander .cRae#
Letter of A&anson Ri*&e! to the )ro*het#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< A*ri& 7D< 789N#
Dear "rethren in Christ Jesus(
It is 2ith fee&in,s of no s'a&& 'o'ent that I ta0e *en in hand to
address !ou< the *risoners of Jesus Christ< and in the sa'e faith of the
5os*e& 2ith '!se&f--2ho are ho&den ! the cords of 'a&ice and of he&&ish
*&ottin,s a,ainst the =ust< and throu,h the &iftin, u* the hee& a,ainst
the Lord+s anointed? ut the! sha&& soon fa&& and not rise a,ain< for
their destruction is sure? and no *o2er eneath the hea$ens can sa$e the'#
)resident Ri,don is 2ie&din, a 'i,ht! shaft a,ainst the 2ho&e host of
fou& ca&u'niators and 'oocrats of .issouri# Yesterda! he s*ent *art of
the da! 2ith 5o$ernor Car&in of this state# )resident Ri,don to&d hi' that
he 2as infor'ed that 5o$ernor "o,,s 2as ca&cu&atin, to ta0e out a ench
2arrant for hi'se&f and others< and then 'a0e a de'and of his e/ce&&enc!
for the' to e ,i$en u*< to e ta0en ac0 to .issouri for tria&? and he
2as assured ! that no&e-'inded hero< that if .r# "o,,s undertoo0 the
thin,< he 2ou&d ,et hi'se&f insu&ted# He a&so assured hi' that the *eo*&e
ca&&ed -.or'ons- shou&d find a *er'anent *rotection in this state# He a&so
so&icited our *eo*&e< one and a&&< to sett&e in this state< and if there
cou&d e a tract of countr! that 2ou&d suit our con$enience< he 2ou&d use
his inf&uence for Con,ress to 'a0e a ,rant of it to us< to redress our
2ron,s< and 'a0e u* our &osses#
3e 'et &ast ni,ht in counci& of the 2ho&e< and *assed so'e
reso&utions 2ith res*ect to sendin, to the cit! of 3ashin,ton# 3e are
'a0in, e$er! e/ertion *ossi&e that &ies in our *o2er< to acco'*&ish that
,rand o=ect u*on 2hich han,s our te'*ora& sa&$ation? and inter2o$en 2ith
this< our eterna& sa&$ation? and so c&ose&! a&&ied to each other are the!<
that I 2ant to see the head connected 2ith the od! a,ain? and 2hi&e 2e
are en=o!in, one< &et us e ri*enin, for the other# "ut '! heart sa!s<
3here is he 2hose &i*s used to 2his*er the 2ords of &ife to usB A&asK he
is in the hands of ;ion+s ene'ies# O LordK crieth '! heart< 2i&& not
hea$en hear our *ra!ers< and 2itness our tearsK Yes< saith the S*irit< th!
tears are a&& re'e'ered< and sha&& s*eedi&! e re2arded 2ith the
de&i$erance of th! dear&! e&o$ed rethren#
"ut 2hen I see the fearfu& a**rehensions of so'e of our rethren< it
causes 'e to 'ourn# One instance I 2i&& 'ention# 3hen I arri$ed at Far
3est I 'ade '! 'ind 0no2n to so'e of the co''unit!< and to&d the' that I
2anted the! shou&d send a 'essen,er to the =ai& to co''unicate 2ith !ou?
ut '! re>uest 2as denied# The! said that the )residenc! 2as so an/ious to
e free once 'ore< that the! 2ou&d not consider the dan,er the Church 2as
in#
The! 'et in counci& and *assed reso&utions that '!se&f< A'asa L!'an<
and 3atson "ar&o2< shou&d &ea$e Far 3est for Auinc! forth2ith# .! s*irit
has een ,rie$ed e$er since< so that I can hard&! ho&d '! *eace? ut there
is a 5od in Israe& that can &ast the he&&ish desires sod desi,ns of that
inferna& anditti< 2hose hands ha$e een i'rued in the &ood of the
'art!rs and Saints# The! 2ish to destro! the Church of 5od? ut their
chain is short? there is =ust enou,h &eft to ind their o2n hands 2ith#
Dear rethren< I a' at !our ser$ice< and I a2ait !our counse& at
Auinc!< and sha&& e ha**! to ,rant !ou the desire of !our hearts# I a'
read! to act# )&ease to ,i$e 'e a&& the inte&&i,ence that is in !our
*o2er# If !ou ta0e a chan,e of $enue< &et 'e 0no2 2hat count! !ou 2i&&
co'e to< and 2hen< as near as *ossi&e< and 2hat road !ou 2i&& co'e? for I
sha&& e an adder in the *ath#
Yes< '! dear rethren< 5od A&'i,ht! 2i&& de&i$er !ou# Fear not< for
!our rede'*tion dra2eth near? the da! of *our de&i$erance is at hand#
Dear rethren< I ha$e it in '! heart to &a! '! od! in the sand< or
de&i$er !ou fro' !our onds? and '! 'ind is intense&! fi/ed on the &atter#
Dear rethren< !ou 2i&& e a&e to =ud,e of the s*irit that actuates
'! reast? for 2hen I rea&i4e !our sufferin,s< '! heart is &i0e 2a/ efore
the fire? ut 2hen I ref&ect u*on the cause of !our aff&ictions< it is
&i0e fire in '! ones< and urns a,ainst !our ene'ies< and I ne$er can e
satisfied< 2hi&e there is one of the' to stand a,ainst a 2a&&< or dra2 a
s2ord< or *u&& a tri,,er# .! s2ord has ne$er een sheathed in *eace< for
the &ood of Da$id 3# )atten and those 2ho 2ere utchered at Haun+s .i&&<
crieth for $en,eance fro' the ,round#
Therefore< hear O !e hea$ensK and 2rite it< O !e recordin, an,e&sK
ear the tidin,s !e f&a'in, sera*hsK that I fro' this da! dec&are '!se&f
the a$en,er of the &ood of those innocent 'en< and of the innocent cause
of ;ion< and of her *risoners? and I 2i&& not rest unti& the! are as free<
2ho are in *rison< as I a'#
Your fa'i&ies are a&& 2e&& and in ,ood s*irits# .a! the Lord &ess
!ou a&&# A'en#
"rother A'asa L!'an and 3atson "ar&o2 =oin in sa!in,< Our hearts are
as th! heart# "rother Jose*h< if '! s*irit is 2ron,< for 5od+s sa0e
correct it# "rethren< e of ,ood cheer< for 2e are deter'ined< as 5od
&i$eth< to rescue !ou fro' that he&&ish cro2d< or die in the furro2# 3e
sha&& co'e face fore'ost#
ALANSON RI)LEY#
N# "#--S "# Croc0ett sa!s he has een once dri$en ut not 2hi**ed? "rother
"ri,ha' Youn, sends his est res*ects to !ou a&&#
A# R#
Thursda! A*ri& 77#--
Letter of Don Car&os S'ith to His "rother< H!ru' S'ith#
"rother H!ru'(
After readin, a &ine fro' !ou to '!se&f< and one to father< 2hich
a2a0ens a&& the fee&in,s of tenderness and rother&! affection that one
heart is ca*a&e of containin,< I sit do2n in haste to ans2er it# .!
hea&th and that of '! fa'i&! is ,ood? 'other and Luc! ha$e een $er! sic0<
ut are ,ettin, etter# Your fa'i&ies are in etter hea&th no2 than at an!
other *eriod since !our confine'ent#
"rother H!ru'< I a' in ho*es that '! &etter did not increase !our
trou&e< for I 0no2 that !our aff&iction is too ,reat for hu'an nature to
ear? and if I did not 0no2 that there 2as a 5od in hea$en< and that His
*ro'ises are sure and faithfu&< and that He is !our friend in the 'idst of
a&& !our trou&e< I 2ou&d f&! to !our re&ief< and either e 2ith !ou in
*rison< or see !ou reathe free air--air too that had not een inha&ed and
corru*ted ! a *ac0 of ruffians< 2ho tra'*&e u*on $irtue and innocence
2ith i'*unit!? and are not e$en satisfied 2ith the *ro*ert! and &ood of
the Saints< ut 'ust e/u&t o$er the dead# You oth ha$e '! *ra!ers< '!
inf&uence and 2ar'est fee&in,s< 2ith affi/ed deter'ination< if it shou&d
so e that !ou shou&d e destro!ed< to a$era,e !our &ood four fo&d#
Jose*h 'ust e/cuse 'e for not 2ritin, to hi' st this ti'e# 5i$e '!
&o$e to a&& the *risoners# 3rite to 'e as often as !ou can< and do not e
2orried aout !our fa'i&ies# Yours in aff&iction as 2e&& as in *eace# DON
C# S.iTH#
Letter of A,nes S'ith to H!ru' and Jose*h S'ith#
"e&o$ed "rothers< H!ru' and Jose*h(
"! the *er'it of '! co'*anion< I 2rite a &ine to sho2 that I ha$e not
for,otten !ou? neither do I for,et !ou? for '! *ra!er is to '! Hea$en&!
Father for !our de&i$erance# It see's as thou,h the Lord is s&o2 to hear
the *ra!ers of the Saints# "ut the Lord+s 2a!s are not &i0e our 2a!s?
therefore He can do etter than 2e ourse&$es# You 'ust e co'forted<
"rothers H!ru' and Jose*h< and &oo0 for2ard for etter da!s# Your &itt&e
ones are as *&a!fu& as &itt&e &a's? e co'forted concernin, the'< for
the! are not cast do2n and sorro2fu& as 2e are? their sorro2s are on&!
'o'entar! ut ours continua&# .a! the Lord &ess< *rotect< and de&i$er !ou
fro' a&& !our ene'ies and restore !ou to the oso' of !our fa'i&ies< is
the *ra!er of
A5NES .# S.ITH#
To H!ru' and Jose*h S'ith< Liert!< .issouri#
The e/a'ination of 2itnesses 2as continued< and E&der .ar0ha' 2as
*er'itted to ,i$e his testi'on!# After e had c&osed< "&a0e&!< one of the
,uard< ca'e in and said to .ar0ha'< that he 2anted to s*ea0 to hi'#
"rother
.ar0ha' 2a&0ed out 2ith hi'< and around the end of the house 2hen
"&a0e&! ca&&ed out< ------- !ou ------- o&d .or'on? I+&& 0i&& !ou?- and
struc0 at .ar0ha' 2ith his fist and then 2ith a c&u# .ar0ha' too0 the
c&u fro' hi' and thre2 it o$er the fence#
There 2ere ten of the 'o 2ho i''ediate&! rushed u*on .ar0ha' to 0i&&
hi'< Co&one& 3i&&ia' )# )eniston< ca*tain of the ,uard< ein, one of the
nu'er# "ut .ar0ha' to&d the' he cou&d 0i&& the 2ho&e of the' at one &o2
a*iece< and dro$e the' off# The court and ,rand =ur! stood and sa2 the
affra!< and heard the 'o threaten .ar0ha'+s &ife< ! a&& the oaths the!
cou&d in$ent< ut the! too0 no co,ni4ance of it#
The ten 'oers 2ent ho'e after their ,uns to shoot .ar0ha'< and the
,rand =ur! rou,ht in a i&& for -'urder< treason< ur,&ar!< arson<
&arcen!< theft< and stea&in,<- a,ainst L!'an 3i,ht< A&e/ander .cRae< Ca&e
"a&d2in< H!ru' S'ith and '!se&f#
This e$enin, the co''ittee Ion re'o$a&J asse'&ed at Danie&
Shearer+s# After *ra!er ! "rother Ja'es Ne2err!< he 2as ordained an
E&der on the reco''endation of E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&< under the hands of
Hira' C&ar0 and 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton#
E&der 1i'a&& re*orted that Jessie )# .au*in< the thirt!-do&&ar
'essen,er the! had sent to us< had returned? that the *risoners 2ere 2e&&
and in ,ood s*irits#
"rother Ro,ers 2ho had returned fro' Jac0son count!< re*orted that he
had so&d a&& the &ands in Jac0son# E&der 1i'a&& 2as re>uested to attend a
'eetin, of the Da$iess count! officia&s to'orro2< and as an indi$idua&<
'ention the case of the co''ittee Ion re'o$a&J and the rethren ,enera&&!<
and &earn their fee&in,s< 2hether the! 2ou&d *rotect the rethren fro' the
ause of the 'o< in case the! ca'e i''ediate&! to dri$e the' out< as the!
had recent&! threatened#
Durin, this ni,ht the $isions of the future 2ere o*ened to '!
understandin,? 2hen I sa2 the 2a!s and 'eans and near a**roach of '!
esca*e fro' i'*rison'ent< and the dan,er that '! e&o$ed "rother .ar0ha'
2as in# I a2o0e "rother .ar0ha'< and to&d hi' if he 2ou&d rise $er! ear&!
and not 2ait for the =ud,e and &a2!ers< as he had conte'*&ated doin,< ut
rise ris0&!< he 2ou&d ,et safe ho'e< a&'ost efore he 2as a2are of it?
and if he did not the 'o 2ou&d shoot hi' on the 2a!? and I to&d hi' to
te&& the rethren to e of ,ood cheer< ut &ose no ti'e in re'o$in, fro'
the countr!#
Frida!< A*ri& 7H#--This 'ornin, "rother .ar0ha' arose at da2n of da!<
and rode ra*id&! to2ards Far 3est 2here he arri$ed efore nine a# '# The
'oers *ursued to shoot hi'< ut did not o$erta0e hi'#
This da! I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, &etter(
Jaco Sto&&in,s+ Co''unication to the )ro*het#
DEAR SIR(--Enc&osed I send !ou the recei*t 2hich I *ro'ised? and if
!ou 2i&& *a! the necessar! attention to it< it 2i&& e a enefit to the
Church and to 'e? and I thin0 2ith a &itt&e attention on !our *art< the!
can e *roduced? and an! *erson 2ho 2i&& de&i$er the' at an! *oint in the
state< so I can ,et the'< I 2i&& co'*ensate the' 2e&&< as I 0no2 !ou fee&
dee*&! interested in the 2e&fare of the Church? and 2hen !ou consider it
2i&& add to their character< and &oo0 u*on it in a *ro*er &i,ht< !ou 2i&&
s*are no *ains in assistin, 'e in the reco$er! of those oo0s# Yours<
etc#< in haste< JACO" STOLLIN5S#
To Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Diah'an#
5ALLATIN< DA%IESS COUNTY< .ISSOURI<
A*ri& 7H< 789N#
1no2 a&& 'en ! these *resents--That I< Jaco Sto&&in,s< ha$e this
da! a,reed 2ith Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<to re&ease a&& 'e'ers of the .or'on
Church< fro' an! and a&& dets due to 'e fro' the' for ,oods so&d to the'
! 'e at 5a&&atin durin, the !ear 7898< on the fo&&o2in, condition< $i4#(
That said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< return or cause to e returned to 'e the
fo&&o2in, oo0s--one &ed,er< three da! oo0s< and one da! oo0 of
,roceries< 2hich 2as ta0en fro' '! store in 5a&&atin 2hen said store 2as
urned# And if said oo0s are returned to 'e 2ithin four 'onths< this
sha&& e a recei*t in fu&&< to a&& intents and *ur*oses< a,ainst an! det
or dets due fro' said .or'ons to 'e on said oo0s? ut if not returned<
this is to e nu&& and $oid#
5i$en under '! hand this da! and date efore 2ritten# JACO"
STOLLIN5S# Attest< J# L!nch#
A curious idea< that I 2ho had een a *risoner 'an! 'onths shou&d e
ca&&ed u*on to hunt u* &ost *ro*ert!< or *ro*ert! 'ost &i0e&! destro!ed !
the 'o? ut it is no 'ore curious than a thousand other thin,s that ha$e
ha**ened? and I fee& to do a&& I can to o&i,e an! of '! fe&&o2 creatures#
Isaac 5a&&and+s Co''unication to the Auinc! Ar,us#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< A*ri& 7H< 789N#
.ESSRS# EDITORS(--Enc&osed I send !ou a co''unication fro' 5o$ernor
Lucas of Io2a territor!# If !ou thin0 the *u&ication thereof 2i&& in an!
2a! *ro'ote the cause of =ustice< ! $indicatin, the s&andered re*utation
of the *eo*&e ca&&ed -.or'ons<- fro' the ridicu&ous fa&sehoods 2hich the
'a&ice< cu*idit! and en$! of their 'urderers in .issouri ha$e endea$ored
to hea* u*on the'< !ou are res*ectfu&&! so&icited to *u&ish it in the
Ar,us# The testi'on! of 5o$ernor Lucas as to the ,ood 'ora& character of
these *eo*&e< I thin0 2i&& ha$e its deser$ed inf&uence u*on the *eo*&e of
I&&inois< in encoura,in, our citi4ens in their hu'ane and ene$o&ent
e/ertions to re&ie$e this distressed *eo*&e< 2ho are no2 2anderin, in our
nei,horhoods 2ithout co'forta&e food< rai'ent< or a she&ter fro' the
*e&tin, stor'# I a'< ,ent&e'en< $er! res*ectfu&&!< Your oedient ser$ant<
ISAAC 5ALLAND#
Letter of Roert Lucas< 5o$ernor of the Territor! of Io2a< Res*ectin, the
.anner in 3hich the Saints .i,ht Ho*e to e Recei$ed and Treated in Io2a#
E6ECUTI%E OFFICE< IO3A< "URLIN5TON<
.arch< 789N#
DEAR SIR(--On '! return to this cit!< after a fe2 2ee0s+ asence in
the interior of the territor!< I recei$ed !our &etter of the HGth u&ti'o<
in 2hich !ou ,i$e a short account of the sufferin,s of the *eo*&e ca&&ed
.or'ons and as0 -2hether the! cou&d e *er'itted to *urchase &ands and
sett&e u*on the'< in the territor! of Io2a< and there 2orshi* A&'i,ht! 5od
accordin, to the dictates of their o2n consciences< secure fro'
o**ression<- etc#
In ans2er to !our in>uir!< I 2ou&d sa! that I 0no2 of no authorit!
that can constitutiona&&! de*ri$e the' of this ri,ht# The! are citi4ens of
the United States< and are entit&ed to a&& the ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es of
other citi4ens# The Hnd section of the @th Artic&e of the Constitution of
the United States E2hich a&& are so&e'n&! ound to su**ortF dec&ares that
-the citi4ens of each state sha&& e entit&ed to a&& the *ri$i&e,es and
i''unities of citi4ens of the se$era& states#- This *ri$i&e,e e/tends in
fu&& force to the territories of the United States# The first a'end'ent to
the Constitution of the United States< dec&ares that -Con,ress sha&& 'a0e
no &a2 res*ectin, an esta&ish'ent of re&i,ion< or *rohiitin, the free
e/ercise thereof#-
The ordinance of Con,ress of the 79th Ju&!< 7M8M< for the ,o$ern'ent
of the territor! north2est of the ri$er Ohio< secures to the citi4ens of
said territor!< and the citi4ens of the states thereafter to e for'ed
therein< certain *ri$i&e,es 2hich 2ere ! the &ate Act of Con,ress
or,ani4in, the territor! of Io2a< e/tended to the citi4ens of this
territor!#
The first funda'enta& Artic&e in the Ordinance< 2hich is dec&ared to
e fore$er una&tera&e< e/ce*t ! co''on consent< reads as fo&&o2s< to
2it( -No *erson de'eanin, hi'se&f in a *eacea&e and order&! 'anner< sha&&
e$er e 'o&ested on account of his 'ode of 2orshi* or re&i,ious senti'ent
in said territor!#-
These *rinci*&es I trust 2i&& e$er e adhered to in the territor! of
Io2a# The! 'a0e no distinction et2een re&i,ious sects# The! e/tend e>ua&
*ri$i&e,es and *rotection to a&&? each 'ust rest u*on its o2n 'erits< and
2i&& *ros*er in *ro*ortion to the *urit! of its *rinci*&es< and the fruit
of ho&iness and *iet! *roduced there!#
3ith re,ard to the *ecu&iar *eo*&e 'entioned in !our &etter< I 0no2
ut &itt&e# The! had a co''unit! in the northern *art of Ohio for se$era&
!ears? and I ha$e no reco&&ection of e$er ha$in, heard in that state of
an! co'*&aints a,ainst the' for $io&atin, the &a2s of the countr!# Their
re&i,ious o*inions I consider ha$e nothin, to do 2ith our *o&itica&
transactions# The! are citi4ens of the United States< and are entit&ed to
the sa'e *o&itica& ri,hts and &e,a& *rotection that other citi4ens are
entit&ed to#
The fore,oin, are rief&! '! $ie2s on the su=ect of !our in>uiries#
3ith sincere res*ect<
I a' !our oedient ser$ant<
RO"ERT LUCAS#

To Isaac 5a&&and< Es>#< Co''erce< I&&inois#
Saturda!< A*ri& 79#--E&der .ar0ha' 2ent to Inde*endence to c&ose the
usiness of the Church in that re,ion#
Sunda!< A*ri& 7@#--The co''ittee Ion re'o$a&J in counci& reso&$ed to
send Sisters Fosdic0 and .ee0s< and "rother 3i&&ia' .on=ar and another
fa'i&!< 2ith "rothers Jones "urton and "ar&o2+s tea's< 2hich had recent&!
arri$ed at Auinc!#
The co''ittee 'o$ed thirt!-si/ fa'i&ies into Tenne!+s 5ro$e< aout
t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es fro' Far 3est? and a fe2 'en 2ere a**ointed to cho* 2ood
for the'< 2hi&e "rother Tur&e! 2as to furnish the' 2ith 'ea& and 'eat<
unti& the! cou&d e re'o$ed to Auinc!# The corn 2as ,round at the
co''ittee+s horse 'i&&< in Far 3est# E&der 1i'a&& 2as o&i,ed to secrete
hi'se&f in the cornfie&ds durin, the da!< and 2as in at ni,ht counse&in,
the co''ittee and rethren#
.onda!< A*ri& 7G#--Ha$in, *rocured a chan,e of $enue 2e started for
"oone count!< and 2ere conducted to that *&ace ! a stron, ,uard
This e$enin, the co''ittee Ion re'o$a&J 'et to 'a0e arran,e'ents
concernin, tea's and the 'o$in, of the fe2 fa'i&ies 2ho !et re'ained at
Far 3est#
Letter of E&ias Hi,ee to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Fe&&o2 )risoners#
TUESDAY< AUINCY< A*ri& 7:< 789N#
To Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and others< )risoners in Liert! or E&se2here<
5reetin,(
DEAR "RETHREN IN AFFLICTION(--Throu,h the 'erc! and *ro$idence of
5od< I a' here a&i$e< and in to&era&e hea&th< as a&so are a&& of !our
fa'i&ies< as far as I 0no2< ha$in, heard fro' the' &ate&!< and ha$in, seen
Sister E''a !esterda!#
"rethren< I ha$e sorro2 of heart 2hen I thin0 of !our ,reat
sufferin,s ! that un,od&! 'o 2hich has s*read such deso&ation and caused
so 'uch sufferin, a'on, us# I often ref&ect on the scenes 2hich 2e *assed
throu,h to,ether? the course 2e *ursued? the counse&in,s 2e had? the
resu&ts 2hich fo&&o2ed< 2hen harassed< *ressed on e$er! side insu&ted and
aused ! that &a2&ess anditti? and I a' decided&! of o*inion that the
hand of the 5reat 5od hath contro&&ed the 2ho&e usiness for *ur*oses of
His o2n< 2hich 2i&& e$entua&&! 2or0 out ,ood for the Saints EI 'ean those
2ho are 2orth! of the na'eF# I 0no2 that !our intentions< and the
intentions of a&& the 2orth! Saints< ha$e een *ure< and tendin, to do
,ood to a&& 'en< and to in=ure no 'an in *erson or *ro*ert!< e/ce*t 2e
2ere forced to it in defense of our &i$es#
"rethren< I a' a2are that I cannot 2ho&&! rea&i4e !our sufferin,s?
neither can an! other *erson 2ho has not e/*erienced the &i0e aff&ictions?
ut I dout not for a 'o'ent< neither ha$e I e$er douted for a 'o'ent<
that the sa'e 5od 2hich de&i$ered 'e fro' their ,ras* Ethou,h narro2&!F
2i&& de&i$er !ou# I staid near Far 3est for aout three 2ee0s< ein,
hunted ! the' a&'ost e$er! da!? and as I &earned< the! did not intend to
,i$e 'e the chance of a tria&< ut *ut an end to 'e forth2ith< I 2ent for
'! horse and &eft the 2ic0ed c&an and ca'e off# Francis is 2ith his unc&e
in Ohio# I recei$ed a &etter &ate&! fro' hi'? he is stron, in the faith# I
no2 &i$e in the "i,-Nec0-)rairie< on the sa'e far' 2ith )resident Ri,don<
2ho is here 2ith 'e and 2aitin, for 'e 2ith his ridin, dress on< to ,o
ho'e# So I 'ust necessari&! c&ose< *ra!in, 5od to s*eedi&! de&i$er !ou<
and &ess !ou#
Fro' !ours in the onds of the e$er&astin, &o$e< ELIAS HI5"EE#
This e$enin, our ,uard ,ot into/icated# 3e thou,ht it a fa$ora&e
o**ortunit! to 'a0e our esca*e? 0no2in, that the on&! o=ect of our
ene'ies 2as our destruction? and &i0e2ise 0no2in, that a nu'er of our
rethren had een 'assacred ! the' on Shoa& Cree0< a'on,st 2ho' 2ere t2o
chi&dren? and that the! sou,ht e$er! o**ortunit! to ause others 2ho 2ere
&eft in that state? and that the! 2ere ne$er rou,ht to an account for
their ararous *roceedin,s< 2hich 2ere 2in0ed at and encoura,ed ! those
in authorit!# 3e thou,ht that it 2as necessar! for us< inas'uch as 2e
&o$ed our &i$es< and did not 2ish to die ! the hand of 'urderers and
assassins? and inas'uch as 2e &o$ed our fa'i&ies and friends< to de&i$er
ourse&$es fro' our ene'ies< and fro' that &and of t!rann! and o**ression<
and a,ain ta0e our stand a'on, a *eo*&e in 2hose oso's d2e&& those
fee&in,s of re*u&icanis' and &iert! 2hich ,a$e rise to our nation(
fee&in,s 2hich the inhaitants of the State of .issouri 2ere stran,ers to#
Accordin,&!< 2e too0 ad$anta,e of the situation of our ,uard and de*arted<
and that ni,ht 2e tra$e&ed a considera&e distance#
3ednesda!< A*ri& 7M#--3e *rosecuted our =ourne! to2ards I&&inois<
0ee*in, off fro' the 'ain road as 'uch as *ossi&e< 2hich i'*eded our
*ro,ress#
Thursda!< A*ri& 78#--This 'ornin, E&der 1i'a&& 2ent into the
co''ittee roo' and to&d the co''ittee Ion re'o$a&J to 2ind u* their
affairs and e off< or their &i$es 2ou&d e ta0en# Ste*hen .ar0ha' had
,one o$er the .issouri ri$er on usiness# E&ders Tur&e! and Shearer 2ere
at Far 3est#
T2e&$e 'en 2ent to E&der Tur&e!+s 2ith &oaded rif&es to shoot hi'#
The! ro0e se$enteen c&oc0s into 'atch 2ood# The! ro0e ta&es< s'ashed in
the 2indo2s? 2hi&e "o,art Ethe count! =ud,eF &oo0ed on and &au,hed# One
3hita0er thre2 iron *ots at Tur&e!< one of 2hich hit hi' on the shou&der<
at 2hich 3hita0er =u'*ed and &au,hed &i0e a 'ad'an# The 'o shot do2n co2s
2hi&e the ,ir&s 2ere 'i&0in, the'# The 'o threatened to send the
co''ittee he&& =u'*in,<- and -*ut da!&i,ht throu,h the'#-
The sa'e da!< *re$ious to the rea0in, of the c&oc0s< so'e of the
sa'e co'*an! 'et E&der 1i'a&& on the *u&ic s>uare in Far 3est< and as0ed
hi' if he 2as a -------- .or'on?- he re*&ied< -I a' a .or'on#- -3e&&<
------- ------- !ou< 2e+&& &o2 !our rains out< !ou ------ ------
.or'on<- and tried to ride o$er hi' 2ith their horses# This 2as in the
*resence of E&ias S'ith< Theodore Tur&e!< and others of the co''ittee#
The rethren ,athered u* 2hat the! cou&d and &eft Far 3est in one
hour? and the 'o staid unti& the! &eft< then *&undered thousands of
do&&ars+ 2orth of *ro*ert! 2hich had een &eft ! the e/i&ed rethren and
sisters to he&* the *oor to re'o$e#
One 'oer rode u*< and findin, no con$enient *&ace to fasten his
horse< shot a co2 that 2as standin, near< and 2hi&e the *oor ani'a& 2as
!et stru,,&in, in death< he cut a stri* of her hide fro' her nose to the
ti* of her tai&< this he tied round a stu'*< to 2hich he fastened his
ha&ter#
Durin, the co''otion this da!< a ,reat *ortion of the records of the
co''ittee< accounts< histor! etc#< 2ere destro!ed or &ost< so that ut fe2
definite ite's can e re,istered in their *&ace#
3hen the Saints co''enced re'o$in, fro' Far 3est the! shi**ed as 'an!
fa'i&ies and ,oods as *ossi&e at Rich'ond to ,o do2n the .issouri ri$er
to Auinc!< I&&inois# This 'ission 2as in char,e of E&der Le$i Richards and
Reuen Hed&oc0< 2ho 2ere a**ointed ! the co''ittee#
I continued on '! =ourne! 2ith '! rethren to2ards Auinc!#
E&der Da$id 3# Ro,ers 'ade a donation of 'one! to re'o$e the *oor
fro' .issouri
The rethren and sisters 2ho had arri$ed in I&&inois 2ere e,innin,
to 2rite of their sufferin,s and &osses in .issouri# The state'ent of
Sister A'anda S'ith< 2ritten ! her o2n hand< I 2i&& here insert(
Narrati$e of A'anda S'ith Res*ectin, the .assacre at Haun+s .i&&s#
To 2ho' this 'a! co'e(
I do here! certif! that '! husand< 3arren S'ith< in co'*an! 2ith
se$era& other fa'i&ies< 2as 'o$in, Iin 7898J fro' Ohio to .issouri# 3e
ca'e to Ca&d2e&& count!# 3hi&st 2e 2ere tra$e&in,< 'indin, our o2n
usiness< 2e 2ere sto**ed ! a 'o? the! to&d us that if 2e 2ent another
ste*< the! 2ou&d 0i&& us a&&# The! too0 our ,uns fro' us Eas 2e 2ere ,oin,
into a ne2 countr!< 2e too0 ,uns a&on, 2ith usF? the! too0 us ac0 fi$e
'i&es< *&aced a ,uard around us< 0e*t us three da!s< and then &et us ,o#
I thou,ht--is this our oasted &and of &iert!B for so'e said 2e 'ust
den! our faith< or the! 2ou&d 0i&& us? others said< 2e shou&d die at an!
rate#
The na'es of this 'o< or the heads< 2ere Tho'as O+"rien< count!
c&er0? Jefferson "rien< 3i&&ia' E2e&&< Es>#< and Ja'es Austin< a&& of
Li$in,ston count!# After the! &et us ,o 2e tra$e&ed ten 'i&es< ca'e to a
s'a&& to2n co'*osed of one ,rist 'i&&< one sa2 'i&&< and ei,ht or ten
houses e&on,in, to our rethren? there 2e sto**ed for the ni,ht#
A &itt&e efore sunset a 'o of three hundred ca'e u*on us# The 'en
ha&&ooed for the 2o'en and chi&dren to run for the 2oods? and the! ran
into an o&d &ac0s'ith+s sho*< for the! feared< if 2e a&& ran to,ether<
the! 2ou&d rush u*on us and 0i&& the 2o'en and chi&dren# The 'o fired
efore 2e had ti'e to start fro' our ca'*# Our 'en too0 off their hats and
s2un, the'< and cried ->uarters- unti& the! 2ere shot# The 'o *aid no
attention to their cries nor entreaties< ut fired a&ternate&!#
I too0 '! &itt&e ,ir&s< '! o! I cou&d not find< and started for the
2oods# The 'o encirc&ed us on a&& sides ut the roo0# I ran do2n the
an0< across the 'i&&-*ond on a *&an0< u* the hi&& into the ushes# The
u&&ets 2hist&ed around 'e a&& the 2a! &i0e hai&< and cut do2n the ushes
on a&& sides of us# One ,ir& 2as 2ounded ! '! side< and fe&& o$er a &o,<
and her c&othes hun, across the &o,? and the! shot at the'< e/*ectin, the!
2ere hittin, her? and our *eo*&e after2ards cut out of that &o, t2ent!
u&&ets#
I sat do2n and 2itnessed the dreadfu& scene# 3hen the! had done
firin,< the! e,an to ho2&< and one 2ou&d ha$e thou,ht that a&& the
inferna&s had co'e fro' the &o2er re,ions# The! *&undered the *rinci*a&
*art of our ,oods< too0 our horses and 2a,ons< and ran off ho2&in, &i0e
de'ons#
I ca'e do2n to $ie2 the a2fu& si,ht# Oh horri&eK .! husand< and one
son ten !ears o&d< &a! &ife&ess u*on the ,round< and one son se$en !ears
o&d< 2ounded $er! ad&!# The ,round 2as co$ered 2ith the dead# These
&itt&e o!s cre*t under the e&&o2s in the sho*? one &itt&e o! of ten
!ears had three 2ounds in hi'? he &i$ed fi$e 2ee0s and died? he 2as not
'ine#
Rea&i4e for a 'o'ent the sceneK It 2as sunset? nothin, ut horror and
distress? the do,s fi&&ed 2ith ra,e< ho2&in, o$er their dead 'asters? the
catt&e cau,ht the scent of the innocent &ood< and e&&o2ed? a do4en
he&*&ess 2ido2s< thirt! or fort! father&ess chi&dren< cr!in, and 'oanin,
for the &oss of their fathers and husands? the ,roans of the 2ounded and
d!in, 2ere enou,h to ha$e 'e&ted the heart of an!thin, ut a .issouri 'o#
There 2ere fifteen dead< and ten 2ounded( t2o died the ne/t da!#
There 2ere no 'en< or not enou,h to ur! the dead? so the! 2ere thro2n
into a dr! 2e&& and co$ered 2ith dirt# The ne/t da! the 'o ca'e ac0#
The! to&d us 2e 'ust &ea$e the state forth2ith< or e 0i&&ed# It 2as co&d
2eather< and the! had our tea's and c&othes< our husands 2ere dead or
2ounded# I to&d the' the! 'i,ht 0i&& 'e and '! chi&dren< and 2e&co'e# The!
sent 2ord to us fro' ti'e to ti'e that if 2e did not &ea$e the state< the!
2ou&d co'e and 0i&& us# 3e had &itt&e *ra!er 'eetin,s# The! said it 2e did
not sto* the' the! 2ou&d 0i&& e$er! 'an< 2o'an and chi&d# 3e had s*e&&in,
schoo&s for our &itt&e chi&dren? the! said if 2e did not sto* the' the!
2ou&d 0i&& e$er! 'an< 2o'an and chi&d# 3e did our o2n 'i&0in,< ,ot our o2n
2ood? no 'an to he&* us#
I started the first of Feruar! for I&&inois< 2ithout 'one!< E'o a&&
the 2a!F< dro$e '! o2n tea'< s&e*t out of doors# I had fi$e s'a&&
chi&dren? 2e suffered hun,er< fati,ue and co&d? for 2hatB For our
re&i,ion< 2here< in a oasted &and of &iert!< -Den! !our faith or die<-
2as the cr!#
I 2i&& 'ention so'e of the na'es of the heads of the 'o( t2o
rothers ! the na'e of Co'stoc0< 3i&&ia' .ann< "en=a'in Ash&e!< Roert
3hite< one ! the na'e of Ro,ers< 2ho too0 an o&d sc!the and cut an o&d
2hite-headed 'an a&& to *ieces# ITho'as .c"ride#J
I 2ish further a&so to state< that 2hen the 'o ca'e u*on us Eas I
2as to&d ! one of the' after2ardsF< their intention 2as to 0i&&
e$er!thin, e&on,in, to us< that had &ife? and that after our 'en 2ere
shot do2n ! the'< the! 2ent around and shot a&& the dead 'en o$er a,ain<
to 'a0e sure of their death#
I no2 &ea$e it 2ith this Honora&e 5o$ern'ent Ithe United StatesJ to
sa! 2hat '! da'a,es 'a! e< or 2hat the! 2ou&d e 2i&&in, to see their
2i$es and chi&dren s&au,htered for< as I ha$e seen '! husand< son and
others#
I &ost in *ro*ert! ! the 'o--to ,oods sto&en< fift! do&&ars? one
*oc0etoo0< and fift! do&&ars cash notes? da'a,e of horses and ti'e< one
hundred do&&ars? one ,un< ten do&&ars? in short< '! a&&# 3ho&e da'a,es are
'ore than the State of .issouri is 2orth#
3ritten ! '! o2n hand< this 78th da! of A*ri&< 789N#
A.ANDA S.ITH#
Auinc!< Ada's Count!< I&&inois#
Thus are the cries of the 2ido2s and the father&ess ascendin, to
hea$en# Ho2 &on,< O Lord< 2i&t thou not a$en,e the &ood of the SaintsB
Frida!< A*ri& 7N#--E&ders Tur&e! and C&ar0 had tra$e&ed ut a fe2
'i&es fro' Far 3est 2hen an a/&e-tree ro0e< and "rother C&ar0 had to ,o
to Rich'ond after so'e o/es< 2hich de&a!ed the' so'e da!s#
Saturda!< A*ri& HD#--The &ast of the Saints &eft Far 3est#
Sunda!< A*ri& H7#--I had sti&& continued '! =ourne!#
CHA)TER 66II#
THE )RO)HET+S ACCOUNT OF HIS E6)ERIENCES IN
.ISSOURI--FULFILL.ENT OF A )RO)HETIC RE%ELATION--CO.)LETE E6ODUS OF
THE SAINTS FRO. .ISSOURI#
.onda!< A*ri& HH#--3e continued on our =ourne!< oth ! ni,ht and !
da!? and after sufferin, 'uch fati,ue and hun,er< I arri$ed in Auinc!<
I&&inois< a'idst the con,ratu&ations of '! friends and the e'races of '!
fa'i&!< 2ho' I found as 2e&& as cou&d e e/*ected< considerin, 2hat the!
had een ca&&ed to endure# "efore &ea$in, .issouri I had *aid the &a2!ers
at Rich'ond thirt!-four thousand do&&ars in cash< &ands< etc#? one &ot
2hich I &et the' ha$e< in Jac0son count!< for se$en thousand do&&ars< the!
2ere soon offered ten thousand do&&ars for it< ut 2ou&d not acce*t it#
For other $e/atious suits 2hich I had to contend a,ainst the fe2 'onths I
2as in this state< I *aid &a2!ers+ fees to the a'ount of aout si/teen
thousand do&&ars< 'a0in, in a&& aout fift! thousand do&&ars< for 2hich I
recei$ed $er! &itt&e in return? for so'eti'es the! 2ere afraid to act on
account of the 'o< and so'eti'es the! 2ere so drun0 as to inca*acitate
the' for usiness# "ut there 2ere a fe2 honora&e e/ce*tions#
A'on, those 2ho ha$e een the chief instru'ents and &eadin,
characters in the crue& *ersecutions a,ainst the Church of Latter-da!
Saints the fo&&o2in, stand cons*icuous< $i4#( 5enera&s C&ar0< 3i&son and
Lucas< Co&one& )rice< and Corne&ius 5i&&iu'? Ca*tain "o,art a&so< 2hose
4ea& in the cause of o**ression and in=ustice 2as une>ua&&ed< and 2hose
de&i,ht has een to ro< 'urder< and s*read de$astation a'on, the Saints#
He sto&e a $a&ua&e horse< sadd&e< and rid&e fro' 'e< 2hich cost t2o
hundred do&&ars< and then so&d the sa'e to 5enera& 3i&son# On
understandin, this< I a**&ied to 5enera& 3i&son for the horse< 2ho assured
'e< u*on the honor of a ,ent&e'an and an officer< that I shou&d ha$e the
horse returned to 'e? ut this *ro'ise has not een fu&fi&&ed#
A&& the threats< 'urders< and roeries< 2hich these officers ha$e
een ,ui&t! of< are entire&! o$er&oo0ed ! the e/ecuti$e of the state?
2ho< to hide his o2n ini>uit!< 'ust of course shie&d and *rotect those
2ho' he e'*&o!ed to carr! into effect his 'urderous *ur*oses#
I 2as in their hands< as a *risoner< aout si/ 'onths? ut
not2ithstandin, their deter'ination to destro! 'e< 2ith the rest of '!
rethren 2ho 2ere 2ith 'e< and a&thou,h at three different ti'es Eas 2as
infor'edF 2e 2ere sentenced to e shot< 2ithout the &east shado2 of &a2
Eas 2e 2ere not 'i&itar! 'enF< and had the ti'e and *&ace a**ointed for
that *ur*ose< !et throu,h the 'erc! of 5od< in ans2er to the *ra!ers of
the Saints< I ha$e een *reser$ed and de&i$ered out of their hands< and
can a,ain en=o! the societ! of '! friends and rethren< 2ho' I &o$e< and
to 2ho' I fee& united in onds that are stron,er than death? and in a
state 2here I e&ie$e the &a2s are res*ected< and 2hose citi4ens are
hu'ane and charita&e#
Durin, the ti'e I 2as in the hands of '! ene'ies< I 'ust sa!< that
a&thou,h I fe&t ,reat an/iet! res*ectin, '! fa'i&! and friends< 2ho 2ere
so inhu'an&! treated and aused< and 2ho had to 'ourn the &oss of their
husands and chi&dren 2ho had een s&ain< and< after ha$in, een roed of
near&! a&& that the! *ossessed< 2ere dri$en fro' their ho'es< and forced
to 2ander as stran,ers in a stran,e countr!< in order that the! 'i,ht sa$e
the'se&$es and their &itt&e ones fro' the destruction the! 2ere threatened
2ith in .issouri< !et as far as I 2as concerned< I fe&t *erfect&! ca&'<
and resi,ned to the 2i&& of '! Hea$en&! Father# I 0ne2 '! innocence as
2e&& as that of the Saints< and that 2e had done nothin, to deser$e such
treat'ent fro' the hands of our o**ressors# Conse>uent&!< I cou&d &oo0 to
that 5od 2ho has the &i$es of a&& 'en in His hands< and 2ho had sa$ed 'e
fre>uent&! fro' the ,ates of death< for de&i$erance? and not2ithstandin,
that e$er! a$enue of esca*e see'ed to e entire&! c&osed< and death stared
'e in the face< and that '! destruction 2as deter'ined u*on< as far as 'an
2as concerned< !et< fro' '! first entrance into the ca'*< I fe&t an
assurance that I< 2ith '! rethren and our fa'i&ies< shou&d e de&i$ered#
Yes< that sti&& s'a&& $oice< 2hich has so often 2his*ered conso&ation to
'! sou&< in the de*ths of sorro2 and distress< ade 'e e of ,ood cheer<
and *ro'ised de&i$erance< 2hich ,a$e 'e ,reat co'fort# And a&thou,h the
heathen ra,ed< and the *eo*&e i'a,ined $ain thin,s< !et the Lord of Hosts<
the 5od of Jaco 2as '! refu,e? and 2hen I cried unto Hi' in the da! of
trou&e< He de&i$ered 'e? for 2hich I ca&& u*on '! sou&< and a&& that is
2ithin 'e< to &ess and *raise His ho&! na'e# For a&thou,h I 2as -trou&ed
on e$er! side< !et not distressed? *er*&e/ed< ut not in des*air?
*ersecuted< ut not forsa0en? cast do2n< ut not destro!ed#-
The conduct of the Saints< under their accu'u&ated 2ron,s and
sufferin,s< has een *raise2orth!? their coura,e in defendin, their
rethren fro' the ra$a,es of the 'os? their attach'ent to the cause of
truth< under circu'stances the 'ost tr!in, and distressin, 2hich hu'anit!
can *ossi&! endure? their &o$e to each other? their readiness to afford
assistance to 'e and '! rethren 2ho 2ere confined in a dun,eon? their
sacrifices in &ea$in, .issouri< and assistin, the *oor 2ido2s and or*hans<
and securin, the' houses in a 'ore hos*ita&e &and? a&& cons*ire to raise
the' in the esti'ation of a&& ,ood and $irtuous 'en< and has secured the'
the fa$or and a**roation of Jeho$ah< and a na'e as i'*erisha&e as
eternit!# And their $irtuous deeds and heroic actions< 2hi&e in defense of
truth and their rethren< 2i&& e fresh and &oo'in, 2hen the na'es of
their o**ressors sha&& e either entire&! for,otten< or on&! re'e'ered
for their ararit! and crue&t!#
Their attention and affection to 'e< 2hi&e in *rison< 2i&& e$er e
re'e'ered ! 'e? and 2hen I ha$e seen the' thrust a2a! and aused ! the
=ai&er and ,uard< 2hen the! ca'e to do an! 0ind offices< and to cheer our
'inds 2hi&e 2e 2ere in the ,&oo'! *rison-house< ,a$e 'e fee&in,s 2hich I
cannot descrie? 2hi&e those 2ho 2ished to insu&t and ause us ! their
threats and &as*he'ous &an,ua,e< 2ere a**&auded< and had e$er!
encoura,e'ent ,i$en the'#
Ho2e$er< than0 5od< 2e ha$e een de&i$ered# And a&thou,h so'e of our
e&o$ed rethren ha$e had to sea& their testi'on! 2ith their &ood< and
ha$e died 'art!rs to the cause of truth--
Short thou,h itter 2as their *ain#
E$er&astin, is their =o!#
Let us not sorro2 as -those 2ithout ho*e?- the ti'e is fast
a**roachin, 2hen 2e sha&& see the' a,ain and re=oice to,ether< 2ithout
ein, afraid of 2ic0ed 'en# Yes< those( 2ho ha$e s&e*t in Christ< sha&& e
rin, 2ith Hi'< 2hen He sha&& co'e to e ,&orified in His Saints< and
ad'ired ! a&& those 2ho e&ie$e< ut to ta0e $en,eance u*on His ene'ies
and a&& those 2ho oe! not the 5os*e&#
At that ti'e the hearts of the 2ido2s and father&ess sha&& e
co'forted< and e$er! tear sha&& e 2i*ed fro' their faces# The tria&s the!
ha$e had to *ass throu,h sha&& 2or0 to,ether for their ,ood< and *re*are
the' for the societ! of those 2ho ha$e co'e u* out of ,reat triu&ation<
and ha$e 2ashed their roes and 'ade the' 2hite in the &ood of the La'#
.ar$e& not< then< if !ou are *ersecuted? ut re'e'er the 2ords of
the Sa$ior( -The ser$ant is not ao$e his Lord? if the! ha$e *ersecuted
'e< the! 2i&& *ersecute !ou a&so?- and that a&& the aff&ictions throu,h
2hich the Saints ha$e to *ass< are the fu&fi&&'ent of the 2ords of the
)ro*hets 2hich ha$e s*o0en since the 2or&d e,an#
3e sha&& therefore do 2e&& to discern the si,ns of the ti'es as 2e
*ass a&on,< that the da! of the Lord 'a! not -o$erta0e us as a thief in
the ni,ht#- Aff&ictions< *ersecutions< i'*rison'ents< and death< 2e 'ust
e/*ect< accordin, to the scri*tures< 2hich te&& us that the &ood of those
2hose sou&s 2ere under the a&tar cou&d not e a$en,ed on the' that d2e&&
on the earth< unti& their rethren shou&d e s&ain as the! 2ere#
If these transactions had ta0en *&ace a'on, ararians< under the
authorit! of a des*ot< or in a nation 2here a certain re&i,ion is
esta&ished accordin, to &a2< and a&& others *roscried< then there 'i,ht
ha$e een so'e shado2 of defense offered# "ut can 2e rea&i4e that in a
&and 2hich is the crad&e of &iert! and e>ua& ri,hts< and 2here the $oice
of the con>uerors 2ho had $an>uished our foes had scarce&! died a2a! u*on
our ears< 2here 2e fre>uent&! 'in,&ed 2ith those 2ho had stood a'idst -the
att&e and the ree4e<- and 2hose ar's ha$e een ner$ed in the defense of
their countr! and &iert!< 2hose institutions are the the'e of
*hi&oso*hers and *oets< and he&d u* to the ad'iration of the 2ho&e
ci$i&i4ed 2or&d--in the 'idst of a&& these scenes< 2ith 2hich 2e 2ere
surrounded< a *ersecution the 'ost un2arranta&e 2as co''enced< and a
tra,ed! the 'ost dreadfu& 2as enacted< ! a &ar,e *ortion of the
inhaitants of one of those free and so$erei,n states 2hich co'*rise this
$ast Re*u&ic? and a dead&! &o2 2as struc0 at the institutions for 2hich
our fathers had fou,ht 'an! a hard att&e< and for 2hich 'an! a *atriot
had shed his &ood# Sudden&! 2as heard< a'idst the $oice of =o! and
,ratitude for our nationa& &iert!< the $oice of 'ournin,< &a'entation and
2oe# YesK in this &and< a 'o< re,ard&ess of those &a2s for 2hich so 'uch
&ood had een s*i&&ed< dead to e$er! fee&in, of $irtue and *atriotis'
2hich ani'ated the oso' of free'en< fe&& u*on a *eo*&e 2hose re&i,ious
faith 2as different fro' their o2n< and not on&! destro!ed their ho'es<
dro$e the' a2a!< and carried off their *ro*ert! ut 'urdered 'an! a
free-orn son of A'erica--a tra,ed! 2hich has no *ara&&e& in 'odern< and
hard&! in ancient< ti'es? e$en the face of the red 'an 2ou&d e read! to
turn *a&e at the recita& of it# It 2ou&d ha$e een so'e conso&ation< if
the authorities of the state had een innocent in this affair? ut the!
are in$o&$ed in the ,ui&t thereof< and the &ood of innocence< e$en of
chi&dren< cr! for $en,eance u*on the'#
I as0 the citi4ens of this Re*u&ic 2hether such a state of thin,s is
to e suffered to *ass unnoticed< and the hearts of 2ido2s< or*hans< and
*atriots to e ro0en< and their 2ron,s &eft 2ithout redressB No#K I
in$o0e the ,enius of our Constitution# I a**ea& to the *atriotis' of
A'ericans to sto* this un&a2fu& and unho&! *rocedure? and *ra! that 5od
'a! defend this nation fro' the dreadfu& effects of such outra,es#
Is there no $irtue in the od! *o&iticB 3i&& not the *eo*&e rise u*
in their 'a=est!< and 2ith that *ro'*titude and 4ea& 2hich are so
characteristic of the'< discountenance such *roceedin,s< ! rin,in, the
offenders to that *unish'ent 2hich the! so rich&! deser$e< and sa$e the
nation fro' that dis,race and u&ti'ate ruin< 2hich other2ise 'ust
ine$ita&! fa&& u*on itB
E&der .ar0ha' had c&osed his usiness in Jac0son count! and returned
to Far 3est< ha$in, een chased as far as the ri$er ! the 'o on horses
at fu&& s*eed< for the *ur*ose of shootin, hi'# "rother .ar0ha' tarried in
and near Far 3est unti& the H@th of A*ri&#
On '! arri$a& at Auinc! I found the rethren had een di&i,ent in
*re*arin, for an in$esti,ation of their 2ron,s in .issouri< as the
fo&&o2in, &etters 2i&& sho2#
Letter of 5o$ernor Lucas of Io2a to E&der Ri,don#
"URLIN5TON< IO3A TERRITORY< A*ri& HH< 789N#
DEAR SIR(--I here2ith enc&ose t2o &etters< one addressed to the
)resident of the United States< and one to 5o$ernor Shannon< of Ohio# As
the o=ect sou,ht ! !ou is an in$esti,ation into the facts connected 2ith
!our 'isfortunes< I ha$e thou,ht it the 'ost *rudent course to refrain
fro' an e/*ression of an indi$idua& o*inion in the 'atter< re&ati$e to the
'erits or de'erits of the contro$ers!# I sincere&! ho*e that !ou 'a!
succeed in otainin, a ,enera& in$esti,ation into the cause and e/tent of
!our sufferin,s< and that !ou 'a! otain fro' the ,o$ern'ent that
attention 2hich is !our due as citi4ens of the United States# %er!
res*ectfu&&! !our oedient ser$ant< RO"ERT LUCAS# Doctor Sidne! Ri,don#
Letter of 5o$ernor Lucas to )resident .artin %an "uren< Res*ectin, the
Latter-da! Saints#
"URLIN5TON< IO3A TERRITORY< A*ri& HH< 789N#
To His E/ce&&enc!< .artin %an "uren< )resident of the United States(
SIR(--I ha$e the honor to introduce to !our ac>uaintance< the earer<
Doctor Sidne! Ri,don< 2ho 2as for 'an! !ears a citi4en of the State of
Ohio< and a fir' su**orter of the ad'inistration of the 5enera&
5o$ern'ent#
Doctor Ri,don $isits 3ashin,ton Eas I a' infor'edF as the
re*resentati$e of a co''unit! of *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons< to so&icit fro'
the 5o$ern'ent of the United States< an in$esti,ation into the cause that
&ed to their e/*u&sion fro' the State of .issouri( to,ether 2ith the
$arious circu'stances connected 2ith that e/traordinar! affair#
I thin0 it due to that *eo*&e to state< that the! had for a nu'er of
!ears a co''unit! esta&ished in Ohio< and that 2hi&e in that state the!
2ere Eas far as I e$er heardF e&ie$ed to e an industrious< inoffensi$e
*eo*&e? and I ha$e no reco&&ection of ha$in, e$er heard of an! of the'
ein, char,ed in that state as $io&ators of the &a2s#
3ith sincere res*ect< I a' !our oedient ser$ant< RO"ERT LUCAS#
Letter of 5o$ernor Lucas to the 5o$ernor of Ohio Introducin, )resident
Ri,don#
"URLIN5TON< IO3A TERRITORY< A*ri& HH< 789N#
To His E/ce&&enc! 3i&son Shannon< 5o$ernor of the State of Ohio(
SIR(--I ha$e the honor to introduce to !our ac>uaintance< Doctor
Sidne! Ri,don< 2ho 2as for 'an! !ears a citi4en of Ohio# Doctor Ri,don
2ishes to otain fro' the 5enera& 5o$ern'ent of the United States< an
in$esti,ation into the causes that &ed to the e/*u&sion of the *eo*&e
ca&&ed .or'ons fro' the State of .issouri? to,ether 2ith a&& the facts
connected 2ith that e/traordinar! affair# This in$esti,ation< it a**ears
to 'e< is due the' as citi4ens of the United States< as 2e&& as to the
nation at &ar,e#
An! assistance that !ou can render the Doctor< to2ards acco'*&ishin,
that desira&e o=ect< 2i&& e ,ratefu&&! recei$ed and du&! a**reciated !
!our sincere friend and hu'&e ser$ant< RO"ERT LUCAS#
Letter of 3# 3# )he&*s to John )# 5reene#
FAR 3EST< .ISSOURI< A*ri& H9< 789N#
SIR(--The su''it end of .r# "enson+s 'i&&-da' 2as carried a2a! ! the
&ate freshet< and< un&ess re*aired< it 2i&& a&& ,o the ne/t#
The co''ittee ha$e ,one< and if Father S'ith 2ou&d send 'e a *o2er of
attorne!< in connection 2ith .r# "enson+s and Corri&&+s< I ha$e a chance
to se&& it efore it is a&& &ost# .a!e I 'i,ht sa$e the o&d ,ent&e'an
so'ethin,< 2hich I *ro'ised H!ru' I 2ou&d do if *ossi&e< ecause the!
ha$e no2 need# 3i&& !ou ha$e the' do soB 3# 3# )HEL)S# To John )# 5reene<
Auinc!< I&&inois#
A&& this da! I s*ent in ,reetin, and recei$in, $isits fro' '!
rethren and friends< and tru&! it 2as a =o!fu& ti'e#
3ednesda!< A*ri& H@#--E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt and his fe&&o2 *risoners
2ere rou,ht efore the ,rand =ur! of Ra! count! at Rich'ond< and Dar2in
Chase and Nor'an
Shearer 2ere dis'issed< after ein, i'*risoned aout si/ 'onths# .rs#
.orris )he&*s< 2ho had een 2ith her husand in *rison so'e da!s< ho*in,
he 2ou&d e re&eased< no2 *arted fro' hi'< and< 2ith her &itt&e infant<
star$ed for I&&inois# The nu'er of *risoners at Rich'ond 2as no2 reduced
to four# 1in, Fo&&ett ha$in, een added aout the 'idd&e of A*ri&( he 2as
dra,,ed fro' his distressed fa'i&! =ust as the! 2ere &ea$in, the state#
Thus of a&& the *risoners 2hich 2ere ta0en at an e/*ense of t2o hundred
thousand do&&ars< on&! t2o of the ori,ina& ones 2ho e&on,ed to the
Church< no2 re'ained ELu'an 5is ha$in, denied the faith to tr! to sa$e
his &ifeF ? these 2ere .orris )he&*s and )ar&e! )# )ratt# A&& 2ho 2ere &et
to ai& 2ere anished fro' the state< to,ether 2ith those 2ho ai&ed the'#
Thus none are &i0e to ha$e a tria& ! &a2 ut "rothers )ratt and
)he&*s< and the! are 2ithout friends or 2itnesses in the state#
E&ders C&ar0 and Tur&e! 'et A&*heus Cut&er< "ri,ha' Youn,< Orson
)ratt< 5eor,e A# S'ith< John Ta!&or< 3i&ford 3oodruff< John E# )a,e<
Danie& Shearer< and others< ,oin, u* fro' Auinc! to Far 3est< to fu&fi&&
the re$e&ation on the H:th of A*ri&< and C&ar0 and Tur&e! turned and 2ent
ac0 2ith the'#
E&der .ar0ha' $isited at Tenne!+s 5ro$e#
This e$enin, I 'et the Church in counci&#
.inutes of a Counci& .eetin, he&d at Auinc!< I&&inois#
.inutes of a counci& he&d in Auinc! on the H@th da! of A*ri&< A# D#
789N< 2hen )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as ca&&ed to the chair< and
"rother A&anson Ri*&e! chosen C&er0#
After *ra!er ! the chair'an< E&der John )# 5reene arose and
e/*&ained the o=ect of the 'eetin,# A docu'ent intended for *u&ication
2as handed in< touchin, certain thin,s re&ati$e to disorder&! *ersons< 2ho
ha$e re*resented or 'a! re*resent the'se&$es as e&on,in, to our Church?
2hich docu'ent 2as a**ro$ed ! the counci&# After 2hich it 2as
Reso&$ed first( That )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< "isho* 1ni,ht< and
"rother A&anson Ri*&e!< $isit Io2a Territor! i''ediate&!< for the *ur*ose
of 'a0in, a &ocation for the Church#
Reso&$ed second( That the ad$ice of the conference to the rethren in
,enera& is< that as 'an! of the' as are a&e< 'o$e north to Co''erce< as
soon as the! *ossi&! can#
Reso&$ed third( That a&& the *risoners e recei$ed into fe&&o2shi*#
Reso&$ed fourth( That "rother .u&ho&&and e a**ointed c&er0 *rote'#
Reso&$ed fifth( That Father S'ith+s case re&ati$e to his
circu'stances< e referred to the "isho*s#
Reso&$ed si/th( That "rother Ro,ers recei$e so'e 'one! to re'unerate
hi' for his ser$ices in transactin, usiness for the Church in .issouri#
ALANSON RI)LEY< C&er0#
Thursda!< A*ri& HG#--I acco'*anied the co''ittee to Io2a to se&ect a
&ocation for the Saints# E&der .ar0ha' returned fro' Tenne!+s 5ro$e to Far
3est< 2aitin, the arri$a& of the rethren fro' Auinc!#
Frida!< A*ri& H:#--Ear&! this 'ornin,< soon after 'idni,ht< the
rethren arri$ed at Far 3est< and *roceeded to transact the usiness of
their 'ission accordin, to the fo&&o2in, 'inutes(
.inutes of the .eetin, of the T2e&$e A*ost&es at Far 3est< A*ri& H:<
789N#
At a conference he&d at Far 3est ! the T2e&$e< Hi,h )riests< E&ders<
and )riests< on the H:th da! of A*ri&< 789N< the fo&&o2in, reso&ution 2as
ado*ted#
Reso&$ed( That the fo&&o2in, *ersons e no 'ore fe&&o2shi*ed in the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< ut e/co''unicated fro' the
sa'e< $i4#? Isaac Russe&&< .ar! Russe&&< John 5oodson and 2ife< Jaco
Scott< Sen#< and 2ife< Isaac Scott< Jaco Scott< Jun#< Ann Scott< Sister
3a&ton< Roert 3a&ton< Sister Ca$anau,h< Ann 3an&ass< 3i&&ia' Da2son<
Jun#< and 2ife< 3i&&ia' Da2son< Sen#< and 2ife< 5eor,e Ne&son< Jose*h
Ne&son and 2ife and 'other< 3i&&ia' 3arnoc0 and 2ife< Jonathan .a!nard<
Ne&son .a!nard< 5eor,e .i&&er< John 5ri,, and 2ife< Lu'an 5is< Si'eon
5ardner< and Freeorn 5ardner#
The counci& then *roceeded to the ui&din, s*ot of the Lord+s House?
2hen the fo&&o2in, usiness 2as transacted( )art of a h!'n 2as sun,< on
the 'ission of the T2e&$e#
E&der A&*heus Cut&er< the 'aster 2or0'an of the house< then
reco''enced &a!in, the foundation of the Lord+s House< a,reea&! to
re$e&ation< ! ro&&in, u* a &ar,e stone near the southeast corner#
The fo&&o2in, of the T2e&$e 2ere *resent? "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< John E# )a,e< and John Ta!&or< 2ho *roceeded to
ordain 3i&ford 3oodruff< and 5eor,e A# S'ith< E2ho had een *re$ious&!
no'inated ! the First )residenc!< acce*ted ! the T2e&$e< and
ac0no2&ed,ed ! the ChurchF< to the office of A*ost&es and 'e'ers of the
>uoru' of the T2e&$e< to fi&& the *&aces of those 2ho are fa&&en# Dar2in
Chase and Nor'an Shearer E2ho had =ust een &ierated fro' the Rich'ond
*rison< 2here the! had een confined for the cause of Jesus ChristF 2ere
then ordained to the office of the Se$enties#
The T2e&$e then offered u* $oca& *ra!er in the fo&&o2in, order?
"ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< John E# )a,e< John Ta!&or<
3i&ford 3oodruff< and 5eor,e A# S'ith# After 2hich 2e sun,
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and then the T2e&$e too0 their &ea$e of the fo&&o2in,
Saints< a,reea&e to the re$e&ation< $i4#( A&*heus Cut&er< E&ias S'ith<
Nor'an Shearer< 3i&&ia' "urton< Ste*hen .ar0ha'< Shadrach Round!< 3i&&ia'
O# C&ar0< John 3# C&ar0< He4e0iah )ec0< Dar2in Chase< Richard Ho2ard< .ar!
Ann )ec0< Arti'esa 5rain,er< .artha )ec0< Sarah 5rain,er< Theodore Tur&e!<
H!ru' C&ar0< and Danie& Shearer#
E&der A&*heus Cut&er then *&aced the stone efore a&&uded to in its
re,u&ar *osition< after 2hich< in conse>uence of the *ecu&iar situation of
the Saints< he thou,ht it 2isdo' to ad=ourn unti& so'e future ti'e< 2hen
the Lord sha&& o*en the 2a!? e/*ressin, his deter'ination then to *roceed
2ith the ui&din,? 2hereu*on the conference ad=ourned# "RI5HA. YOUN5<
)resident# JOHN TAYLOR< C&er0#
Thus 2as fu&fi&&ed a re$e&ation of Ju&! 8< 7898< 2hich our ene'ies
had said cou&d not e fu&fi&&ed< as no -.or'on- 2ou&d e *er'itted to e
in the state#
As the Saints 2ere *assin, a2a! fro' the 'eetin,< "rother Tur&e! said
to E&ders )a,e and 3oodruff< -Sto* a it< 2hi&e I id Isaac Russe&& ,ood
!e?- and 0noc0in, at the door< ca&&ed "rother Russe&&# His 2ife ans2ered<
-Co'e in< it is "rother Tur&e!#- Russe&& re*&ied< -It is not? he &eft here
t2o 2ee0s a,o?- and a**eared >uite a&ar'ed? ut on findin, it 2as "rother
Tur&e!< as0ed hi' to sit do2n? ut the &atter re*&ied< -I cannot< I sha&&
&ose '! co'*an!#- - 3ho is !our co'*an!B- en>uired Russe&&# -The T2e&$e#-
- The T2e&$e#K-
-Yes< don+t !ou 0no2 that this is the t2ent!-si/th< and the da! the
T2e&$e 2ere to ta0e &ea$e of their friends on the foundation of the Lord+s
House< to ,o to the is&ands of the seaB The re$e&ation is no2 fu&fi&&ed<
and I a' ,oin, 2ith the'#- Russe&& 2as s*eech&ess< and Tur&e! id hi'
fare2e&&#
The rethren i''ediate&! returned to Auinc!< ta0in, 2ith the' the
fa'i&ies fro' Tenne!+s 5ro$e#
CHA)TER 66III#
SETTLE.ENT AT CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS#
THE co''ittee continued to &oo0 at the different &ocations 2hich 2ere
*resented in Lee count!< Io2a< and aout Co''erce< in Hancoc0 count!<
I&&inois#
3ednesda!< .a! 7#--The fo&&o2in, &etter 2as co''unicated to the
Auinc! Ar,us< a 2ee0&! ne2s*a*er< *u&ished at Auinc!(
E&der Ta!&or+s 3arnin, to the )eo*&e of Auinc! A,ainst I'*ostors#
To the Editor of the Ar,us(
SIR(--In conse>uence of so ,reat an inf&u/ of stran,ers arri$in, in
this *&ace dai&!< o2in, to their &ate e/*u&sion fro' the State of
.issouri< there 'ust of necessit! e< and 2e 2ish to state to the citi4ens
of Auinc! and the $icinit!< throu,h the 'ediu' of !our co&u'ns< that there
are 'an! indi$idua&s a'on,st the nu'er 2ho ha$e a&read! arri$ed< as 2e&&
as a'on, those 2ho are no2 on their 2a! here< 2ho ne$er did e&on, to our
Church< and others 2ho once did< ut 2ho< for $arious reasons< ha$e een
e/*e&&ed fro' our fe&&o2shi*# A'on,st these there are so'e 2ho ha$e
contracted haits 2hich are at $ariance 2ith the *rinci*&es of 'ora&
rectitude< Esuch as s2earin,< dra'-drin0in, etc# F 2hich i''ora&ities the
Church of Latter-da! Saints is &ia&e to e char,ed 2ith< o2in, to our
a'a&,a'ation -2ith the'- under our &ate e/istin, circu'stances# And as 2e
as a *eo*&e do not 2ish to &ie under an! such i'*utation< 2e 2ou&d a&so
state< that such indi$idua&s do not ho&d a na'e nor a *&ace a'on,st us?
that 2e a&to,ether discountenance e$er!thin, of the 0ind? that e$er!
*erson e&on,in, to our co''unit!< contractin, or *ersistin, in such
i''ora& haits< has hitherto een e/*e&&ed fro' our societ!? and that 2e
2i&& ho&d no co''union 2ith a&& such as 2e 'a! hereafter e infor'ed of<
ut 2i&& 2ithdra2 our fe&&o2shi* fro' the'#
3e 2ish further to state< that 2e fee& ourse&$es &aid under *ecu&iar
o&i,ations to the citi4ens of this *&ace< for the *atriotic fee&in, 2hich
has een 'anifested< and for the hand of &iera&it! and friendshi* 2hich
has een e/tended to us in our &ate difficu&ties? and shou&d fee& sorr! to
see that *hi&anthro*! and ene$o&ence aused ! 2ic0ed and desi,nin,
*eo*&e< 2ho under *retense of *o$ert! and distress< 2ou&d tr! to 2or0 u*on
the fee&in,s of the charita&e and hu'ane< ,et into their det 2ithout an!
*ros*ect or intention of *a!in,< and fina&&!< *erha*s< 2e as a *eo*&e e
char,ed 2ith dishonest!#
3e sa! that 2e a&to,ether disa**ro$e of such *ractices< and 2e 2arn
the citi4ens of Auinc! a,ainst such indi$idua&s< 2ho 'a! *retend to e&on,
to our co''unit!#
"! insertin, this in !our co&u'ns< !ou< Sir< 2i&& confer u*on us a
$er! *ecu&iar fa$or#
3ritten and si,ned in eha&f of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< !
!our $er! hu'&e ser$ant< JOHN TAYLOR#
I this da! *urchased< in connection 2ith others of the co''ittee< a
far' of Hu,h 3hite< consistin, of one hundred and thirt!-fi$e acres< for
the su' of fi$e thousand do&&ars? a&so a far' of Dr# Isaac 5a&&and< &!in,
2est of the 3hite *urchase< for the su' of nine thousand do&&ars? oth of
2hich 2ere to e deeded to A&anson Ri*&e!< accordin, to the counse& of the
co''ittee? ut Sidne! Ri,don dec&ared that -no co''ittee shou&d contro&
an! *ro*ert! 2hich he had an!thin, to do 2ith?- conse>uent&! the 5a&&and
*urchase 2as deeded to 5eor,e 3# Roinson< Ri,don+s son-in-&a2< 2ith the
e/*ress understandin, that he shou&d deed it to the Church< 2hen the
Church had *aid for it accordin, to their o&i,ation in the contract#
A &etter 2as recei$ed ! the )residenc! of the Church in En,&and<
then at )reston< fro' )resident Heer C# 1i'a&&< statin, that Isaac
Russe&& had a*ostati4ed< an! st!&ed hi'se&f the )ro*het? and that Jose*h
had fa&&en# E&der 1i'a&& said the S*irit si,nified to hi' that Russe&&
2as secret&! tr!in, to &ead a2a! the Church at A&ston< En,&and< and 2ished
the E&ders to see to it# The S*irit had 'anifested the sa'e thin, to E&der
Richards< and he 2as de*uted ! a counci& of the )residenc! to $isit the
A&ston ranch#
Frida!< 9#--I returned to Auinc!#
E&der Richards &eft )reston for A&ston#
Saturda!< @#--E&der Richards arri$ed at A&ston and disco$ered !
strata,e' that a &etter had een recei$ed fro' Isaac Russe&&< as fo&&o2s(
Isaac Russe&&+s Letter to the Saints in En,&and#
FAR 3EST< Januar! 9D< 789N#
To the Faithfu& "rethren and Sisters of the Church of Latter-da!
Saints in A&ston(
DEAR "RETHREN(--Inas'uch as 2isdo' is on&! to e s*o0en a'on,st those
2ho are 2ise< I char,e !ou to read this &etter to none ut those 2ho enter
into a co$enant 2ith !ou to 0ee* those thin,s that are re$ea&ed in this
&etter fro' a&& the 2or&d< and fro' a&& the churches< e/ce*t the churches
to 2ho' I '!se&f ha$e 'inistered< $i4#--the church in A&ston and the
ranches round aout< to 2ho' I 'inistered# and to none e&se? and to none
ut the faithfu& a'on,st !ou? and 2o e to the 'an or 2o'an that rea0eth
this co$enant#
No2 the Indians< 2ho are the chi&dren of the Ne*hites and the
La'anites< 2ho are s*o0en of in the "oo0 of .or'on< ha$e a&& een dri$en
to the 2estern oundaries of the States of A'erica< ! the 5enti&es< as I
to&d !ou? the! ha$e no2 to e $isited ! the ,os*e&< for the da! of their
rede'*tion is co'e< and the 5enti&es ha$e no2 2e&& ni,h fi&&ed u* the
'easure of their 2ic0edness< and 2i&& soon e cut off< for the! ha$e s&ain
'an! of the *eo*&e of the Lord< and scattered the rest? and for the sins
of 5od+s *eo*&e< the 5enti&es 2i&& no2 e suffered to scour,e the' fro'
cit! to cit!< and fro' *&ace to *&ace< and fe2 of a&& the thousands of the
Church of Latter-da! Saints 2i&& stand to recei$e an inheritance in the
&and of *ro'ise< 2hich is no2 in the hands of out ene'ies# "ut a fe2 2i&&
re'ain and e *urified as ,o&d se$en ti'es refined? and the! 2i&& return
to ;ion 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o!< to ui&d u* the o&d 2aste *&aces
that are no2 &eft deso&ate#
No2 the thin, that I ha$e to re$ea& to !ou is sacred< and 'ust e
0e*t 2ith care? for I a' not suffered to re$ea& it at a&& to the churches
in this &and< ecause of their 2ic0edness and une&ief--for the! ha$e
a&'ost cast 'e out fro' a'on,st the'< ecause I ha$e testified of their
sins to the'< and 2arned the' of the =ud,'ents that ha$e !et to co'e u*on
the'? and this thin, that I no2 te&& !ou< 2i&& not co'e to the 0no2&ed,e
of the churches unti& the! are *urified#
No2 the thin, is as fo&&o2s--The Lord has directed 'e< 2ith a fe2
others< 2hose hearts the Lord has touched< to ,o into the 2i&derness<
2here 2e sha&& e fed and directed ! the hand of the Lord unti& 2e are
*urified and *re*ared to 'inister to the La'anites< and 2ith us the Lord
2i&& send those three 2ho are s*o0en of in the "oo0 of .or'on< 2ho 2ere
2ith Jesus after His resurrection< and ha$e tarried on the earth to
'inister to their rethren in the &ast da!s#
Thus 5od is sendin, us efore to *re*are a *&ace for !ou and for the
re'nant 2ho 2i&& sur$i$e the =ud,'ents 2hich are no2 co'in, on the Church
of Latter-da! Saints< to *urif! the'< for 2e are sent to *re*are a ;ion<
Eas Jose*h 2as efore sent into E,!*tF< a cit! of )eace< a *&ace of
Refu,e< that !ou 'a! hide !ourse&$es 2ith us and a&& the Saints in the due
ti'e of the Lord< efore His indi,nation sha&& s2ee* a2a! the nations#
These thin,s are 'ar$e&ous in our e!es< for ,reat is the 2or0 of the
Lord that He is ,oin, to acco'*&ish# A&& this &and 2i&& e redee'ed ! the
hands of the La'anites< and roo' 'ade for !ou< 2hen !ou hear a,ain fro'
'e# Aide 2here !ou are< and e su=ect to the *o2ers that e a'on,st !ou
in the church# 1ee* di&i,ent&! the thin,s I tau,ht !ou< and 2hen !ou read
this< e co'forted concernin, 'e< for thou,h !ou 'a! not see 'e for so'e
fe2 !ears< !et as 'an! of !ou as continue faithfu&< 2i&& see 'e a,ain< and
it 2i&& e in the da! of !our de&i$erance# )ra! for 'e a&2a!s< and e
assured that I 2i&& not for,et !ou# To the ,race of 5od I co''end !ou in
Christ# A'en# ISAAC RUSSELL#
)# S#--3e ha$e not !et ,one in the 2i&derness< ut 2e sha&& ,o 2hen
the Lord a**oints the ti'e# If !ou shou&d hear that I ha$e a*ostati4ed<
e&ie$e it not< for I a' doin, the 2or0 of the Lord# I# R#
E&der Richards ein, &ed ! the S*irit of 5od< soon unfo&ded the
so*histr! and fa&sehood of this &etter to the con$incin, of the Saints at
A&ston and "ra'*ton< so as to entire&! destro! their confidence in the
a*ostate Russe&&< a&thou,h the! had &o$ed hi' as a father#
.inutes of a 5enera& Conference of the Church He&d near Auinc!<
I&&inois< .a! @th< Gth and :th< 789N# .inutes of a ,enera& conference he&d
! the Church of Latter-da! Saints at the )res!terian ca'* ,round< near
Auinc!< Ada's count!< I&&inois< on Saturda!< the @th of .a!< 789N#
At a >uarter *ast e&e$en o+c&oc0 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order and
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< a**ointed chair'an#
A h!'n 2as then sun,< 2hen )resident S'ith 'ade a fe2 oser$ations on
the state of his *ecu&iar fee&in,s< after ha$in, een se*arated fro' the
rethren so &on,< etc## and then *roceeded to o*en the 'eetin, ! *ra!er#
After so'e *re&i'inar! oser$ations ! E&der J# )# 5reene and
)resident Ri,don< concernin, a certain *urchase of &and in the Io2a
Territor!< 'ade for the Church ! the )residenc!< the fo&&o2in,
reso&utions 2ere unani'ous&! ado*ted(
Reso&$ed 7st( That A&'on 3# "aitt< Erastus Sno2 and Roert "#
Tho'*son e a**ointed a tra$e&in, co''ittee to ,ather u* and otain a&&
the &ie&ous re*orts and *u&ications 2hich ha$e een circu&ated a,ainst
our Church< as 2e&& as other historica& 'atter connected 2ith said Church<
that the! *ossi&! can otain#
Reso&$ed Hnd( That "isho* %inson 1ni,ht e a**ointed< or recei$ed
into the Church in fu&& isho*ric#
Reso&$ed 9rd( That this conference do entire&! sanction the *urchase
&ate&! 'ade for the Church in the Io2a Territor!< and a&so the a,enc!
thereof#
Reso&$ed @th( That E&der 5rain,er e a**ointed to ,o to 1irt&and and
ta0e the char,e and o$ersi,ht of the House of the Lord< and *reside o$er
the ,enera& affairs of the Church in that *&ace#
Reso&$ed Gth( That the ad$ice of this conference to the rethren
&i$in, in the Eastern States is< for the' to 'o$e to 1irt&and and the
$icinit! thereof< and a,ain sett&e that *&ace as a Sta0e of ;ion? *ro$ided
the! fee& so inc&ined< in *reference to their 'o$in, farther 2est#
Reso&$ed :th( That 5eor,e A# S'ith e ac0no2&ed,ed one of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es#
Reso&$ed Mth( That this conference are entire&! satisfied 2ith< and
,i$e their sanction to the *roceedin,s of the conference of the T2e&$e and
their friends< he&d on the Te'*&e site at Far 3est< .issouri< on Frida!<
the H:th of A*ri& &ast#
Reso&$ed 8th( That the! a&so sanction the act of the counci& he&d the
sa'e date and sa'e *&ace< in cuttin, off fro' the co''union of said
Church< certain *ersons 'entioned in the 'inutes thereof#
Reso&$ed Nth( That E&ders Orson H!de and 3i&&ia' S'ith e a&&o2ed the
*ri$i&e,e of a**earin, *ersona&&! efore the ne/t ,enera& conference of
the Church< to ,i$e an account of their conduct? and that in the 'eanti'e
the! e oth sus*ended fro' e/ercisin, the functions of their office#
Reso&$ed 7Dth( That the conference do sanction the 'ission intended
for the T2e&$e to Euro*e< and that the! 2i&& do a&& in their *o2er to
ena&e the' to ,o#
Reso&$ed 77th( That the su=ect of E&der Ri,don+s ,oin, to 3ashin,ton
e ad=ourned unti& to'orro2#
Reso&$ed 7Hth( That the ne/t ,enera& conference e he&d on the first
Saturda! in Octoer ne/t< at Co''erce< at the house of E&der Ri,don#
Reso&$ed 79th( That 2e no2 ad=ourn unti& to'orro2 at ten o+c&oc0 a#'#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< )resident# J# .ULHOLLAND< C&er0#
Certificate of A**oint'ent#
This is to certif! that at a ,enera& conference he&d at Auinc!< Ada's
count!< I&&inois< ! the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< on
Saturda!< the @th da! of .a!< 789N< )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
*residin,< it 2as reso&$ed( That A&'on 3# "aitt< Erastus Sno2< and
Roert "# Tho'*son e a**ointed a tra$e&in, co''ittee to ,ather u* and
otain a&& the &ie&ous re*orts and *u&ications 2hich ha$e een
circu&ated a,ainst the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< as#
2e&& as other historica& 'atter connected 2ith said Church< 2hich the! can
*ossi&! otain# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< )resident# JA.ES .ULHOLLAND< C&er0#
.inutes of the Gth#
Sunda!< Gth< 7D a# '#--Conference o*ened *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent as
usua&< ! *ra!er and sin,in,? 2hen it 2as unani'ous&! reso&$ed( That this
conference send a de&e,ate to the Cit! of 3ashin,ton< to &a! our case
efore the 5enera& 5o$ern'ent? and that )resident Ri,don e the de&e,ate#
Reso&$ed Hnd( That A&'on 3# "aitt e sent to S*rin,fie&d< I&&inois<
c&othed 2ith authorit!< and re>uired to set to ri,hts the Church in that
*&ace in e$er! 2a! 2hich 'a! eco'e necessar! accordin, to the order of
the Church of Jesus Christ#
Reso&$ed 9rd( That Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht e a**ointed to recei$e the
affida$its 2hich are to e sent to the Cit! of 3ashin,ton? after 2hich the
afternoon 2as s*ent in recei$in, instructions fro' the )residenc! and
those of the T2e&$e 2ho 2ere *resent#
At G o+c&oc0 *# '# conference ad=ourned# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
)resident# JA.ES .ULHOLLAND< C&er0#
.inutes of the :th#
.onda!< :th#--At a conference he&d at Auinc!< I&&inois< on the :th of
.a!< 789N< )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *residin,< the fo&&o2in,
reso&utions 2ere unani'ous&! a,reed to(
Reso&$ed 7st( That the fa'i&ies of E&der .ar0s< E&der 5rain,er< and
"isho* N# 1# 3hitne!< e 0e*t here a'on,st us for the ti'e ein,#
Reso&$ed Hnd( That E&der .ar0s e here! a**ointed to *reside o$er
the Church at Co''erce< I&&inois#
Reso&$ed 9rd( That "isho* 3hitne! a&so ,o to Co''erce< and there act
in unison 2ith the other "isho*s of the Church#
Reso&$ed @th( That "rother Tur&e!+s ,uns'ith too&s sha&& re'ain for
the ,enera& use of the Church< unti& his return fro' Euro*e#
Reso&$ed Gth( That the fo&&o2in, of the Se$enties ha$e the sanction
of this counci& that the! acco'*an! the T2e&$e to Euro*e< na'e&!# Theodore
Tur&e!< 5eor,e )it0in< Jose*h "ates No&e< Char&es Huard< John Scott<
Loren4o D# Youn,< Sa'ue& .u&&iner< 3i&&ard Sno2< John Snider< 3i&&ia'
"urton< Loren4o D# "arnes< .i&ton Ho&'es< Ara' O# S'oot< E&ias S'ith?
a&so the fo&&o2in, Hi,h )riests( Henr! 5# Sher2ood< John .urdoc0< 3ins&o2
Farr< 3i&&ia' Sno2< Hira' C&ar0#
Reso&$ed :th( That it e oser$ed as a ,enera& ru&e< that those of
the Se$enties 2ho ha$e not !et *reached< sha&& not for the future e sent
on forei,n 'issions#
Reso&$ed Mth( That E&der John )# 5reene e a**ointed to ,o to the
Cit! of Ne2 Yor0 and *reside o$er the churches there and in the re,ions
round aout#
I a&so ,a$e the fo&&o2in, &etter to John )# 5reene(
John )# 5reene+s Letter of A**oint'ent# At a conference 'eetin, he&d
! the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< in the to2n of Auinc!<
Ada's count!< I&&inois< on .onda!< the :th da! of .a!< 789N< Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< *residin,< it 2as unani'ous&! reso&$ed( That E&der John )# 5reene e
a**ointed to ,o to the Cit! of Ne2 Yor0< and *reside o$er the Saints in
that *&ace and in the re,ions round aout< and re,u&ate the affairs of the
Church accordin, to the &a2s and doctrines of said Church? and he is fu&&!
authori4ed to recei$e donations ! the &iera&it! of the Saints for the
assistance of the *oor a'on, us< 2ho ha$e een *ersecuted and dri$en fro'
their ho'es in the State of .issouri? and fro' our &on, ac>uaintance 2ith
E&der 5reene< and 2ith his e/*erience and 0no2&ed,e of the &a2s of the
1in,do' of 5od< 2e do not hesitate to reco''end hi' to the Saints as one
in 2ho' the! 'a! *&ace the fu&&est confidence< oth as to their s*iritua&
2e&fare< as 2e&& as to the strictest inte,rit! in a&& te'*ora& concerns
2ith 2hich he 'a! e entrusted#
And 2e eseech the rethren< in the na'e of the Lord Jesus< to
recei$e this rother in eha&f of the *oor 2ith readiness< and to aound
unto hi' in a &iera& 'anner? for -inas'uch as !e ha$e done it unto the
&east of these< !e ha$e done it unto 'e#-
Yours in the onds of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< thou,h no &on,er a
*risoner in the hands of the .issourians< and sti&& faithfu& 2ith the
Saints# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< Chair'an#
Tuesda!< M#--I 2as in counci& 2ith the T2e&$e and others at Auinc!#
3ednesda!< 8#--I 2as *re*arin, to re'o$e to Co''erce< and en,a,ed in
counse&in, the rethren< etc#
Letter of Reco''endation to E&der John )# 5reene fro' Certain
Citi4ens of Auinc!# AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .a! 8< 789N#
To A&& 3ho' it .a! Concern(
The undersi,ned citi4ens of Auinc!< I&&inois< ta0e ,reat *&easure in
reco''endin, to the fa$ora&e notice of the *u&ic< the earer of this<
John )# 5reene# .r# 5reene is connected 2ith the Church of -.or'ons- or
-Latter-da! Saints<- and 'a0es a tour to the east for the *ur*ose of
raisin, 'eans to re&ie$e the sufferin,s of this unfortunate *eo*&e<
stri**ed as the! ha$e een of their a&&< and no2 scattered throu,hout this
*art of the state#
3e sa! to the charita&e and ene$o&ent< !ou need ha$e no fear ut
!our contriutions in aid of hu'anit! 2i&& e *ro*er&! a**&ied if
entrusted to the hands of .r# 5reene# He is authori4ed ! his Church to
act in the *re'ises? and 2e 'ost cordia&&! ear testi'on! to his *iet! and
2orth as a citi4en#
%er! res*ectfu&&! !ours< SA.UEL HOL.ES< .erchant# I# N# .ORRIS<
Attorne! at La2< and Editor of Ar,us# THO.AS CARLIN< 5o$ernor State of
I&&inois# RICHARD .# YOUN5< U# S# Senator# L# %# RALSTON< .# D# SA.UEL
LEACH< Recei$er of )u&ic .one!s HIRA. RO5ERS< .#D# J# T# HOL.ES#
.erchant# NICHOLAS 3REN< Count! C&er0# C# .# 3OODS< C&er0 of Circuit
Court< Ada's Co#< I&&#
Sidne! Ri,don+s Letter of Introduction to the )resident of the United
States< et a&#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .a! 8< 789N# To his E/ce&&enc! the )resident of the
United States< the Heads of De*art'ents< and a&& to 2ho' this 'a! e
sho2n(
The undersi,ned citi4ens of Auinc!< I&&inois< e, &ea$e to introduce
to !ou the earer< Re$# Sidne! Ri,don# .r# Ri,don is a di$ine< connected
2ith the Church of Latter-da! Saints< and ha$in, en=o!ed his ac>uaintance
for so'e ti'e *ast< 2e ta0e ,reat *&easure in reco''endin, hi' to !our
fa$ora&e notice as a 'an of *iet! and a $a&ua&e citi4en#
An! re*resentation he 'a! 'a0e< touchin, the o=ect of his 'ission to
!our cit!< 'a! e i'*&icit&! re&ied on# %er! res*ectfu&&! !ours< SA.UEL
HOL.ES< THO.AS CARLIN< RICHARD .# YOUN5< I# N# .ORRIS< HIRA. RO5ERS< J# T#
HOL.ES< NICHOLAS 3REN< C# .# 3OODS#
Thursda!< N#--I started 2ith '! fa'i&! for Co''erce< Hancoc0 count!<
and sta!ed this ni,ht at Unc&e John S'ith+s< at 5reen )&ains 2here 2e 2ere
'ost cordia&&! recei$ed#
Frida!< 7D#--I arri$ed 2ith '! fa'i&! at the 3hite *urchase and too0
u* '! residence in a s'a&& &o, house on the an0 of the ri$er< aout one
'i&e south of Co''erce Cit!< ho*in, that I and '! friends 'a! here find a
restin, *&ace for a &itt&e season at &east#
Sidne! Ri,don+s 5enera& Letter of Introduction# AUINCY< ILLINOIS<
7Dth .a!< 789N# The earer< Re$# Sidne! Ri,don< is a 'e'er of a societ!
of *eo*&e ca&&ed -.or'ons<- or -Latter-da! Saints<- 2ho ha$e een dri$en
fro' the State of .issouri< ! order of the e/ecuti$e of that state< and
2ho ha$e ta0en u* their residence in and aout this *&ace in &ar,e
nu'ers# I ha$e no hesitation in sa!in, that this *eo*&e ha$e een 'ost
sha'efu&&! *ersecuted and crue&&! treated ! the *eo*&e of .issouri#
.r# Ri,don has resided in and near this *&ace for three or four
'onths< durin, 2hich ti'e his conduct has een that of a ,ent&e'an and a
'ora& and 2orth! citi4en# SA.UEL LEECH#
.onda!< .a! 79#--I 2as en,a,ed in ,enera& usiness at ho'e and in
transactin, a $ariet! of usiness 2ith rother O&i$er 5ran,er< and ,a$e
hi' the fo&&o2in, &etter(
A Letter of Reco''endation to O&i$er 5ran,er fro' the First
)residenc!#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< 79th .a!< 789N#
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< and H!ru' S'ith< *residin, E&ders
of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< do here! certif! and
so&e'n&! dec&are unto a&& the Saints scattered aroad< and send unto the'
,reetin,# That 2e ha$e a&2a!s found )resident O&i$er 5ran,er to e a 'an
of the 'ost strict inte,rit! and 'ora& $irtue? and in fine< to e a 'an of
5od#
3e ha$e had &on, e/*erience and ac>uaintance 2ith "rother 5ran,er# 3e
ha$e entrusted $ast usiness concerns to hi'< 2hich ha$e een 'ana,ed
s0i&&fu&&! to the su**ort of our characters and interest as 2e&& as that
of the Church? and he is no2 authori4ed ! a ,enera& conference to ,o
forth and en,a,e in $ast and i'*ortant concerns as an a,ent for the
Church< that he 'a! fi&& a station of usefu&ness in oedience to the
co''and'ent of 5od< 2hich 2as ,i$en unto hi' Ju&! 8< 7898< 2hich sa!s<
-Let hi' E'eanin, "rother 5ran,erF contend earnest&! for the rede'*tion of
the First )residenc! of '! Church< saith the Lord#-
3e earnest&! so&icit the Saints scattered aroad to stren,then his
hands 2ith a&& their 'i,ht< and to *ut such 'eans into his hands as sha&&
ena&e hi' to acco'*&ish his &a2fu& desi,ns and *ur*oses< accordin, to the
co''and'ents< and accordin, to the instructions 2hich he sha&& ,i$e unto
the'# And that the! entrust hi' 2ith 'one!s< &ands< chatte&s< and ,oods<
to assist hi' in this 2or0? and it sha&& redound ,reat&! to the interest
and 2e&fare< *eace and satisfaction of '! Saints< saith the Lord 5od< for
this is an honora&e a,enc! 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto hi'< saith the
Lord# And a,ain< $eri&!< thus saith the Lord< I 2i&& &ift u* '! ser$ant
O&i$er< and e,et for hi' a ,reat na'e on the earth< and a'on, '! *eo*&e<
ecause of the inte,rit! of his sou&( therefore< &et a&& '! Saints aound
unto hi'< 2ith a&& &iera&it! and &on, sufferin,< and it sha&& e a
&essin, on their heads#
3e 2ou&d sa! unto the saints aroad< &et our hearts aound 2ith
,ratefu& ac0no2&ed,e'ents unto 5od our Hea$en&! Father< 2ho hath ca&&ed us
unto His ho&! ca&&in, ! the re$e&ation of Jesus Christ< in these &ast
da!s< and has so 'ercifu&&! stood ! us< and de&i$ered us out of the
se$enth trou&e< 2hich ha**ened unto us in the State of .issouri# .a! 5od
re2ard our ene'ies accordin, to their 2or0s# 3e re>uest the *ra!ers of a&&
the Saints< suscriin, ourse&$es their hu'&e rethren in triu&ations#
in the onds of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&# JOSE)H
S.ITH< JUN#< SIDNEY R&5DON< HYRU. S.ITH
Letter of R# "# Tho'*son to the First )residenc! Co'*&ainin, of the
Conduct of L!'an 3i,ht#
To the )residenc! of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<
5reetin, (
I e, &ea$e to ca&& !our attention to a su=ect of considera&e
i'*ortance to our Church< and 2hich if not attended to is ca&cu&ated Ein
'! hu'&e o*inionF to raise a *re=udice in a considera&e *ortion of the
co''unit!< and destro! those ene$o&ent and *hi&anthro*ic fee&in,s 2hich
ha$e een 'anifested to2ards us as a *eo*&e ! a &ar,e *ortion of this
co''unit!( I ha$e reference to the &etters of "rother L!'an 3i,ht< 2hich
ha$e een inserted in the Auinc! 3hi,# I a' a2are that u*on a cursor! $ie2
of these< nothin, $er! o=ectiona&e 'a! a**ear? !et< if the! are
attenti$e&! considered< there 2i&& e found $er! ,reat o=ections to the'
indeed? for instance< in conde'nin, the De'ocrac! of .issouri< 2h! conde'n
that of the 2ho&e UnionB and 2h! use such e*ithets as -De'a,o,ue- to
Tho'as H# "enton< for not ans2erin, his &etter< 2hen it is $er! *roa&e
that he had not recei$ed itB
Yesterda! I 2as 2aited on ! .r# .orris< 2ho as0ed 'e 2hat 2as
intended ! such *u&ications< and 2h! 2e shou&d co'e out a,ainst the
De'ocrac! of the nation< 2hen the! 2ere doin, a&& in their *o2er to assist
us? it 2as so'ethin, 2hich he cou&d not understand< and 2ished to 0no2 if
2e as a *eo*&e countenanced such *roceedin,s# I to&d hi' for '! *art I 2as
sorr! that these &etters had e$er 'ade their a**earance< and e&ie$ed that
such a course 2as at $ariance 2ith the senti'ents of the ,reater *art of
our *eo*&e#
Yesterda! I rou,ht the su=ect efore the authorities of the Church
2ho are here< 2here it 2as 'anifest that his conduct 2as not fe&&o2shi*ed<
and the rethren 2ished to disa$o2 a&& connection 2ith such *roceedin,s<
and a**ointed a co''ittee to 2ait on "rother 3i,ht< to e, of hi' not to
*ersist in the course< 2hich< if not ni**ed in the ud< 2i&& *roa&!
rin, *ersecution 2ith a&& its horrors u*on an innocent *eo*&e< ! the
fo&&! and i'*rudence of one indi$idua&#
Fro' infor'ation I understand that the fee&in,s of the ,o$ernor are
$er! 'uch hurt ! the course 2hich is *ursued# I thin0 he ou,ht to correct
the *u&ic 'ind on this su=ect< and< as a Church? disa$o2 a&& connection
2ith *o&itics# "! such a *rocedure 2e 'a! in so'e 'easure counteract the
anefu& inf&uence 2hich his &etters ha$e occasioned# "ut if such a course
2hich he E"rother 3i,htF has ado*ted< e continued< Eas I understand that
he intends to doF< it 2i&& &oc0 u* our 2a!< and 2e can ha$e no reasona&e
*ros*ect of otainin, =ustice fro' the authorities of the Union< 2ho' 2e
2anton&! conde'n efore 2e ha$e 'ade a**&ication# The sa'e fee&in,s are
e,innin, to e 'anifested in S*rin,fie&d ! those 2ho ha$e een our
friends there#
The 3hi,s are ,&ad of such 2ea*ons< and 'a0e the 'ost of the'# You
2i&& *roa&! thin0 I a' a &itt&e too officious< ut I fee& i'*ressed 2ith
the su=ect? I fee& for '! rethren# The tears of 2ido2s< the cries of
or*hans< and the 'oans of the distressed< are continua&&! *resent in '!
'ind? and I 2ant to ado*t and continue a course 2hich sha&& e eneficia&
to us? ut if throu,h the i'*rudence and conduct of iso&ated indi$idua&s<
three< four< or fi$e !ears hence< our a&tars shou&d e thro2n do2n< oar
houses destro!ed< our rethren s&ain< our 2i$es 2ido2ed< and our chi&dren
'ade or*hans< !our un2orth! rother 2ishes to &ift u* his hands efore 5od
and a**ea& to Hi' and sa!< Thou 2ho 0no2est a&& thin,s< 0no2est that I a'
innocent in this 'atter#
I a' 2ith ,reat res*ect< ,ent&e'en< !ours in the onds of Christ< R#
"# THO.)SON#
)# S#--If !ou do not intend to e in Auinc! this 2ee0< 2ou&d !ou
fa$or us 2ith !our o*inion on this su=ectB R# "# THO.)SON
Auinc!< .onda! 'ornin,< 79th .a!< 789N#
Letter of E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt to Jud,e Austin A# 1in,#
STATE OF .ISSOURI< RICH.OND< RAY COUNTY< .a! 79< 789N#
To the Honora&e Austin A# 1in,< Jud,e of the Court of this and the
ad=oinin, counties (
HONORA"LE SIR(--Ha$in, een confined in *rison near se$en 'onths< and
the ti'e ha$in, no2 arri$ed 2hen a chan,e of $enue can e ta0en in order
for the further *rosecution of our tria&s< and the ti'e ha$in, co'e 2hen I
can s*ea0 '! 'ind free&!< 2ithout endan,erin, the &i$es of an! ut '!se&f<
I no2 ta0e the &iert! of serious&! o=ectin, to trai& an!2here 2ithin the
ounds of the state< and of earnest&! *a!in, to !our honor and to a&& the
authorities< ci$i& and 'i&itar!< that '! ease 'a! co'e 2ithin the &a2 of
anish'ent< 2hich has een so ri,orous&! enforced u*on near ten thousand
of our societ!< inc&udin, '! 2ife and &itt&e ones< 2ith a&& '! 2itnesses
and friends#
.a! reasons are o$ious< and founded u*on notorious facts< 2hich are
1no2n to !ou< sir< and to the *eo*&e in 5enera& of this Re*u&ic< and
therefore need no *roof# The! are as fo&&o2s( First< I ha$e ne$er recei$ed
an! *rotection ! &a2< either of '! *erson< *ro*ert!< or fa'i&!< 2hi&e
residin, in this state< to 2hich I first e'i,rated in 7897# Second&!< I
2as dri$en ! force of ar's fro' Jac0son count!< 2ounded and &eedin,< in
7899< 2hi&e '! house 2as urned< '! cro*s and *ro$ision< roed fro' 'e or
destro!ed< and '! &and 0e*t fro' 'e unti& no2< 2hi&e '! fa'i&! 2as dri$en
out 2ithout she&ter< at the a**roach of 2inter# Third&!< these cri'es
sti&& ,o un*unished< not2ithstandin, I 'ade oath efore the Honora&e
Jud,e R!&and< then Circuit Jud,e of that district< to the fore,oin,
outra,es? and I a&so a**&ied in *erson to His E/ce&&enc! Danie& Dun0&in<
then 5o$ernor of the state< for redress and *rotection< and a restoration
of '!se&f and aout 7<HDN of '! fe&&o2-sufferers< to our ri,hts--ut a&&
in $ain#
Fourth&!< '! 2ife and chi&dren ha$e no2 een dri$en fro' our ho'e and
i'*ro$e'ents in Ca&d2e&& count!< and anished fro' the state on *ain of
death< to,ether 2ith aout ten thousand of our societ!< inc&udin, a&& '!
friends and 2itnesses? and this ! the e/*ress orders of His E/ce&&enc!
Li&urn 3# "o,,s< 5o$ernor of the state of .issouri< and ! the $i,orous
e/ecution of his order< ! 5enera&s Lucas and C&ar0< and fo&&o2ed u* !
'urders< ra*es< *&underin,< thefts and roeries of the 'ost inhu'an
character ! a &a2&ess 'o< 2ho ha$e fro' ti'e to ti'e for 'ore than fi$e
!ears *ast< tra'*&ed u*on a&& &a2 and authorit!< and u*on a&& the ri,hts
of 'an#
Fifth&!< a&& these inhu'an outra,es and cri'es ,o un*unished< and are
unnoticed ! !ou< sir< and ! a&& the authorities of the state# Si/th&!<
the &e,is&ature of the state has a**ro$ed of and sanctioned this act of
anish'ent< 2ith a&& the cri'es connected 2ith it< ! $otin, sa'e t2o
hundred thousand do&&ars for the *a!'ent of troo*s en,a,ed in this
un&a2fu&< unconstitutiona&< and treasona&e enter*rise# In 'onarchia&
,o$ern'ents the anish'ent of cri'ina&s after their tria& and &e,a&
conde'nation< has een fre>uent&! resorted to--ut the anish'ent of
innocent 2o'en and chi&dren fro' house and ho'e and countr!< to 2ander in
a &and of stran,ers< un*rotected and un*ro$ided for< 2hi&e their husands
and fathers are retained in dun,eons< to e tried ! so'e other &a2< is an
act un0no2n in the anna&s of histor!< e/ce*t in this sin,&e instance in
the nineteenth centur!< 2hen it has actua&&! trans*ired in a re*u&ican
state< 2here the Constitution ,uarantees to e$er! 'an the *rotection of
&ife and *ro*ert!< and the ri,hts of tria& ! =ur!# These are outra,es
2hich 2ou&d *ut 'onarch! to the &ush# and fro' 2hich the 'ost des*otic
t!rants of the dar0 a,es 2ou&d turn a2a! 2ith sha'e and dis,ust# In these
*roceedin,s< .issouri has enro&&ed her na'e on the &ist of i''orta&
fa'e--her transactions 2i&& e handed do2n the strea' of ti'e to the
&atest *osterit!< 2ho 2i&& read 2ith 2onder and astonish'ent the histor!
of *roceedin,s 2hich are 2ithout a *ara&&e& in the anna&s of ti'e# 3h!
shou&d the authorities of the state strain at a ,nat and s2a&&o2 a ca'e&B
3h! e so strict&! &e,a& as to co'*e& 'e to ,o throu,h a&& the for's of a
s&o2 and &e,a& *rosecution *re$ious to '! en&ar,e'ent< Iein, set freeJ
out of a *retense of res*ect to &a2s of the state< 2hich ha$e een o*en&!
tra'*&ed u*on and disre,arded to2ards us fro' the first to the &astB 3h!
not inc&ude 'e in the ,enera& 2ho&esa&e anish'ent of our societ!< that I
'a! su**ort '! fa'i&! 2hich are no2 reduced to e,,ar!< in a &and of
stran,ersB "ut 2hen the authorities of the state sha&& redress a&& these
2ron,s? sha&& *unish the ,ui&t! accordin, to &a2? and sha&& restore '!
fa'i&! and friends to a&& the ri,hts of 2hich 2e ha$e een un&a2fu&&!
de*ri$ed< oth in Jac0son and a&& other counties? and sha&& *a! a&& the
da'a,es 2hich 2e as a *eo*&e ha$e sustained? then I sha&& e&ie$e the'
sincere in their *rofessed 4ea& for &a2 and =ustice? then sha&& I e
con$inced that I can ha$e a fair tria& in the state# "ut unti& then< I
here! so&e'n&! *rotest a,ainst ein, tried in this state< 2ith the fu&&
and conscientious con$iction that I ha$e no =ust ,rounds to e/*ect a fair
and i'*artia& tria&#
I therefore 'ost sincere&! *ra! !our honor< and a&& the authorities
of the state< to either anish 'e 2ithout further *rosecution? or I free&!
consent to a tria& efore a =udiciar! of the United States#
3ith senti'ents of hi,h consideration and due res*ect< I ha$e the
honor to suscrie '!se&f< !our honor+s 'ost hu'&e and oedient? etc#
)ARLEY )# )RATT# To Austin A# 1in,#
Tuesda!< .a! 7@#--I returned to Auinc!#
3ednesda! and Thursda!< 7Gth and 7:th# 3as en,a,ed in a $ariet! of
usiness re&atin, to the ,enera& 2e&fare of the Church#
Letter of the First )residenc! to the Auinc! 3hi,< Disc&ai'in, the
Attitude of L!'an 3i,ht#
CO..ERCE< .a! 7M< 789N#
To the Editors of the Auinc! 3hi,(
5ENTLE.EN(--So'e &etters in !our *a*er ha$e a**eared o$er the
si,nature of L!'an 3i,ht in re&ation to our affairs 2ith .issouri# 3e
consider it is .r# 3i,ht+s *ri$i&e,e to e/*ress his o*inion in re&ation to
*o&itica& or re&i,ious 'atters< and 2e *rofess no authorit! in the case
2hate$er< ut 2e ha$e thou,ht< and do sti&& thin,< that it is not doin,
our cause =ustice to 'a0e a *o&itica& >uestion of it in an! 'anner
2hate$er#
3e ha$e not at an! ti'e thou,ht there 2as an! *o&itica& *art!< as
such< char,ea&e 2ith the .issouri ararities< neither an! re&i,ious
societ!< as such# The! 2ere co''itted ! a 'o co'*osed of a&& *arties<
re,ard&ess of a&& differences of o*inion either *o&itica& or re&i,ious#
The deter'ined stand in this state< and ! the *eo*&e of Auinc! in
*articu&ar< 'ade a,ainst the &a2&ess outra,es of the .issouri 'oers !
a&& *arties in *o&itics and re&i,ion< ha$e entit&ed the' e>ua&&! to our
than0s and our *rofoundest re,ards< and such< ,ent&e'en< 2e ho*e the! 2i&&
a&2a!s recei$e fro' us# Fa$ors of this 0ind ou,ht to e en,ra$en on the
roc0< to &ast fore$er#
3e 2ish to sa! to the *u&ic< throu,h !our *a*er< that 2e disc&ai'
an! intention of 'a0in, a *o&itica& >uestion of our difficu&ties 2ith
.issouri< e&ie$in, that 2e are not =ustified in so doin,#
3e as0 the aid of a&& *arties< oth in *o&itics and re&i,ion< to ha$e
=ustice done us and otain redress# 3e thin0< ,ent&e'en# in so sa!in,< 2e
ha$e the fee&in,s of Ii# e# re*resentJ our *eo*&e ,enera&&!< ho2e$er<
indi$idua&s 'a! differ? and 2e 2ish !ou to consider the &etters of L!'an
3i,ht as the fee&in,s and $ie2s of an indi$idua&< ut not of the societ!
as such# 3e are satisfied that our *eo*&e as a od! disc&ai' a&& such
senti'ents and fee& the'se&$es e>ua&&! ound to oth *arties in this
state< as far as 0indness is concerned< and ,ood 2i&&? and a&so e&ie$e
that a&& *o&itica& *arties in .issouri are e>ua&&! ,ui&t!#
Shou&d this note 'eet the *u&ic e!e throu,h the 'ediu' of !our
*a*er< it 2i&& 'uch o&i,e !our hu'&e ser$ants# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
SIDNEY RI5DON< HYRU. S.ITH#
CHA)TER 66I%#
AD%ENTURES OF THE )RISONERS RE.AININ5 IN .ISSOURI--THE )RO)HET+S
NARRATI%E OF )ERSONAL E6)ERIENCES IN .ISSOURI#
Saturda!< .a! 78#--Finished '! usiness at Auinc! for the *resent#
Sunda!< 7N#--I arri$ed at ho'e ICo''erceJ this e$enin,#
.onda! 7D#--At ho'e attendin, to a $ariet! of usiness#
Tuesda!< H7#--To sho2 the fee&in,s of that &on, scattered ranch of
the house of Israe&< the Je2s< I here >uote a &etter 2ritten ! one of
their nu'er< on hearin,? that his son had e'raced Christianit!(
Rai Landau+s Letter to his Son# "RESLAU< .a! H7st< 789N#
.! Dear Son--I recei$ed the &etter of the "er&in Rai< and 2hen I
read it there ran tears out of '! e!es in torrents? '! in2ard *arts shoo0<
'! heart eca'e as a stoneK No2 do !ou not 0no2 that the Lord sent 'e
a&read! 'an! hard triu&ationsB That 'an! sorro2s do $e/ 'eB "ut this ne2
har' 2hich !ou are aout to inf&ict< 'a0es 'e for,et a&& the for'er< does
horri&! sur*ass the' ? as 2e&& res*ectin, its shar*ness< as its stin,sK I
2rite !ou this &!in, on '! ed< ecause '! od! is aff&icted not &ess than
'! sou&< at the re*ort that !ou 2ere aout to do so'ethin, 2hich I had not
e/*ected fro' !ou# I fainted? '! ner$es and fee&in, san0< and on&! ! the
he&* of a *h!sician< for 2ho' I sent i''ediate&!< I a' a&e to 2rite these
&ines to !ou 2ith a tre'&in, hand#
A&asK !ou< '! son< 2ho' I Ha$e red< nourished and fostered? 2ho' I
ha$e stren,thened s*iritua&&! as 2e&& as odi&!< !ou 2i&& co''it a cri'e
on 'eK Do not shed the innocent &ood of !our *arents for no har' ha$e 2e
inf&icted u*on !ou? 2e are not conscious of an! ,ui&t a,ainst !ou< ut at
a&& ti'es 2e thou,ht it our dut! to sho2 to !ou< our first orn< a&& &o$e
and ,oodness# I thou,ht I shou&d ha$e so'e cheerin, account of !ou< ut<
a&asK ho2 terri&! I ha$e een disa**ointedK
"ut to e short? !our out2ard circu'stances are such that !ou 'a!
finish !our stud! or IsufferJ *ain# Do !ou thin0 that the Christians< to
2ho' !ou 2i&& ,o o$er ! chan,in, !our re&i,ion< 2i&& su**ort !ou and fi&&
u* the *&ace of our fe&&o2 e&ie$ersB Do not i'a,ine that !our out2ard
reasons< therefore< if !ou ha$e an!< are nothin,# "ut out of true
*ersuasion< !ou 2i&&< as I thin,< not chan,e our true and ho&! doctrine<
for that deceitfu&< untrue and *er$erse doctrine of Christianit!#
3hatK 2i&& !ou ,i$e u* a *ear& for that 2hich is nothin,< 2hich is of
no $a&ue in itse&fB "ut !ou are &i,ht-'inded? thin0 of the &ast =ud,'ent?
of that da! 2hen the oo0s 2i&& e o*ened and hidden thin,s 2i&& e 'ade
'anifest? of that da! 2hen death 2i&& a**roach !ou in a narro2 *ass? 2hen
!ou cannot ,o out of the 2a!K Thin0 of !our death ed< fro' 2hich !ou 2i&&
not rise an! 'ore< ut fro' 2hich !ou 2i&& e ca&&ed efore the =ud,'ent
seat of the LordK
Do !ou not 0no2< ha$e !ou not heard< that there is o$er !ou an
a&&-hearin, ear and an a&&-seein, e!eB That a&& !our deeds 2i&& e 2ritten
in a oo0 and =ud,ed hereafterB 3ho sha&& then assist !ou 2hen the Lord
2i&& as0 !ou 2ith a thunderin, $oice< 3h! hast thou forsa0en that ho&! &a2
2hich sha&& ha$e an eterna& $a&ue? 2hich 2as ,i$en ! '! ser$ant .oses<
and no 'an sha&& chan,e itB 3h! hast thou forsa0en that &a2< and acce*ted
instead of it &!in, and $anit!B
Co'e< therefore< a,ain to !ourse&f< '! sonK re'o$e !our ad and
2ic0ed counse&ors( fo&&o2 '! ad$ice< and the Lord 2i&& e 2ith !ouK Your
tender father 'ust conc&ude ecause of 2ee*in,# A# L# LANDAU< Rai#
The )ro*het+s Letter to 3# 3# )he&*s#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< .a! HH< 789N#
Sir(--In ans2er to !ours of the H9rd of A*ri&< to John )# 5reene< 2e
ha$e to sa! that 2e sha&& fee& o&i,ed ! !our not 'a0in, !ourse&f
officious concernin, an! *art of our usiness in future# 3e sha&& e ,&ad
if !ou can 'a0e a &i$in, ! 'indin, !our o2n affairs? and 2e desire Eso
far as !ou are concernedF to e &eft to 'ana,e ours as 2e&& as 2e can# 3e
2ou&d 'uch rather &ose our *ro*erties than to e 'o&ested ! such
interference( and< as 2e consider that 2e ha$e a&read! e/*erienced 'uch
o$er-officiousness at !our hands< concernin, 'en and thin,s *ertainin, to
our concerns< 2e no2 re>uest< once for a&&< that !ou 2i&& a$oid a&&
interference in our usiness or affairs fro' this ti'e henceforth and
fore$er# A'en# JOSE)H S.ITH# JUN<
A i&& of indict'ent ha$in, een found ! a ,rand =ur! of the 'o in
Ra! count!< a,ainst )ar&e! )# )ratt< .orris )he&*s and Lu'an 5is< for
'urder< and a,ainst 1in, Fo&&et for roer!< and ha$in, otained a chan,e
of $enue to "oone count!< the! 2ere handcuffed to,ether t2o ! t2o on the
'ornin, of the t2ent!-second< Iof .a!J 2ith irons around the 2rists of
each< and in this condition the! 2ere ta0en fro' *rison and *&aced in a
carria,e# The *eo*&e of Rich'ond ,athered around the' to see the' de*art<
ut none see'ed to fee& for the' e/ce*t t2o *ersons# One of these E5enera&
)ar0s+ &ad!F o2ed to the' throu,h the 2indo2< and &oo0ed as if touched
2ith *it!# The other 2as a .r# Hu,ins< 'erchant of Rich'ond< 2ho o2ed
2ith so'e fee&in, as the! *assed#
The! then too0 &ea$e of Rich'ond< acco'*anied ! Sheriff "ro2n< and
four ,uards 2ith dra2n *isto&s< and 'o$ed to2ards Co&u'ia# It had een
thunderin, and rainin, for so'e da!s< and the thunder stor' &asted 2ith
ut short cessations fro' the ti'e the! started ti&& the! arri$ed at the
*&ace of destination< 2hich too0 fi$e da!s# The s'a&& strea's 2ere
s2o&&en< 'a0in, it $er! difficu&t to cross the'#
Thursda!< .a! H9#--The *risoners ca'e to a cree0 2hich 2as se$era&
rods across< 2ith a stron, current and $er! dee*# It 2as to2ards e$enin,<
and far fro' an! house and the! had recei$ed no refresh'ents throu,h the
da!# Here the co'*an! ha&ted< and 0ne2 not 2hat to do? the! 2aited a2hi&e
for the 2ater to fa&&< ut it fe&& s&o2&!# A&& hands 2ere hun,r! and
i'*atient< and a &o2er! ni,ht see'ed to threaten that the cree0 2ou&d rise
efore 'ornin, ! the fa&&in, of additiona& rains#
In this di&e''a so'e counse&ed one thin, and so'e another# At &ast
.r# )ratt *ro*osed to the sheriff< that if he 2ou&d ta0e off his irons< he
2ou&d ,o into the 2ater to athe< and ! that 'eans ascertain the de*ths
and otto'# This the sheriff consented to after so'e hesitation# "rother
)ratt then *&un,ed into the strea' and s2a' across< and atte'*ted to 2ade
ac0? he found it to e a hard otto'< and the 2ater aout u* to his chin<
ut a $er! stiff current#
After this< .r# "ro2n< the sheriff< undertoo0 to cross on his horse<
ut 2as thro2n off and uried in the strea'# This accident decided the
fate of the da!# "ein, no2 co'*&ete&! 2et< the sheriff reso&$ed to effect
the crossin, of the 2ho&e co'*an! a, and a,,a,e# Accordin,&! se$era&
stri**ed off their c&othes and 'ounted on the are ac0s of the horses<
and ta0in, their c&othin,< sadd&es and ar's< to,ether 2ith one trun0< and
eddin,< u*on their shou&ders< the! ore the' across in safet!< 2ithout
2ettin,# This 2as done ! ridin, ac02ards and for2ards across the strea'
se$era& ti'es# In this s*ort and &aor *risoners< ,uards and aI& 'in,&ed
in 'utua& e/ertion# A&& 2as no2 safe ut the carria,e# "rother )he&*s then
*ro*osed to s2i' that across< ! hitchin, t2o horses efore it? and he
'ounted on one of their ac0s< 2hi&e "rother )ratt and one of the ,uards
s2a' ! the side of the carria,e to 0ee* it fro' u*settin, ! the force of
the current? and thus the! a&& ,ot safe to &and# E$er!thin, 2as soon
re*&aced? *risoners in the carria,e and the suite on horseac0< 'o$in,
s2ift&! on< and at dar0 arri$ed at a house of entertain'ent< a'id a
terri&e thunder stor'#
I 2as us! in counse&in,< 2ritin, &etters and attendin, to ,enera&
usiness of the Church this 2ee0#
The )ro*het+s Letter to E# 3# Harris#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< .a! H@< 789N#
Dear Sir(--I 2rite !ou to sa! that I ha$e se&ected a to2n &ot for !ou
=ust across the street fro' '! o2n< and i''ediate&! eside !ours< one for
.r# C&e$e&and# As to ,ettin, the te'*orar! house erected 2hich !ou
desired< I ha$e not een a&e to find an! *erson 2i&&in, to ta0e ho&d of
the =o< and ha$e thou,ht that *erha*s !ou 'a! 'eet 2ith so'e *erson at
Auinc! 2ho cou&d ta0e it in hand#
"usiness ,oes on 2ith us in >uite a &i$e&! 'anner< and 2e ho*e soon
to ha$e "rother Harris and fa'i&!< 2ith other friends< to assist us in our
arduous< ut ,&orious underta0in,#
Our fa'i&ies are a&& 2e&&< as far as 2e ha$e 0no2&ed,e< a&& thin,s
are ,oin, on >uiet&! and s'ooth&!# Yours< etc# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
Letter of The )ro*het and E''a S'ith to Jud,e C&e$e&and#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< .a! H@th< 789N#
Dear .r# and .rs# C&e$e&and(--3e 2rite !ou in order to redee' our
*&ed,e< 2hich 2e 2ou&d ha$e done efore no2< ut that 2e ha$e een in the
'idst of the ust&e of usiness of $arious 0inds e$er since our arri$a&
here# 3e< ho2e$er< e, to assure !ou and !our fa'i&! that 2e ha$e not
for,otten !ou< ut re'e'er !ou a&&< as 2e&& as the ,reat 0indness and
friendshi* 2hich 2e ha$e e/*erienced at !our hands#
3e ha$e se&ected a &ot for !ou< =ust across the street fro' our o2n<
eside .r# Harris? and in the orchard< accordin, to the desire of Sister
C&e$e&and< and a&so on the ri$er< ada*ted to .r# C&e$e&and+s trade#
The $arious I&ines ofJ usiness attendant on sett&in, a ne2 *&ace< ,o
on here at *resent ris0&!? 2hi&e a&& around and concernin, us< ,oes on
>uiet&! and s'ooth&!< as far as 2e ha$e 0no2&ed,e# It 2ou&d ,i$e us ,reat
*&easure to ha$e !ou a&& here a&on, 2ith us< and this 2e ho*e to en=o! in
a short ti'e# I ha$e a&so re'e'ered Rufus C&e$e&and to the sur$e!or< and
a' ha**! to e a&e to sa! that the &and in Io2a far e/ceeds '!
e/*ectations oth as to richness of soi&< and eaut! of &ocation< 'ore so
than an! *art of .issouri 2hich I ha$e seen#
3e desire to ha$e .r# C&e$e&and and his rother co'e u* here as soon
as con$enient< and see our situation< 2hen the! can =ud,e for the'se&$es<
and 2e sha&& e ha**! to see the' and ,i$e the' a&& infor'ation for'ation
in our *o2er# Father S'ith and fa'i&! arri$ed here !esterda!? his hea&th
rather i'*ro$es# 3e a&& =oin in sendin, our sincere res*ects to each and
e$er! one of !ou< and re'ain !our $er! sincere friends< JOSE)H S.ITH<
JUN#< E..A S.ITH# Addressed to Jud,e C&e$e&and and Lad!< Auinc!< I&&inois#
The )ro*het+s &etter to "isho* 3hitne!< As0in, hi' to Sett&e at
Co''erce#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< H@th .a!< 789N#
DEAR SIR(--This is to infor' !ou that E&der 5ran,er has succeeded in
otainin, the house 2hich he had in conte'*&ation 2hen he &eft here? and
as 2e fee& $er! an/ious to ha$e the societ! of "isho* 3hitne! and his
fa'i&! here< 2e ho*e that he 2i&& use e$er! e/ertion consistent 2ith his
o2n usiness and con$enience to co'e u* to us at Co''erce as soon as it is
in his *o2er# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN# "isho* N# 1# 3hitne!#
Frida!< .a! H@#--The T2e&$e 'ade a re*ort of the *roceedin,s of the
Se$enties< 2hich I sanctioned I a&so a**ro$ed of the T2e&$e ,oin, to
En,&and#
This da! the .issouri *risoners crossed the .issouri ri$er at -Arro2
Roc0<- so ca&&ed fro' the La'anites co'in, fro' a&& >uarters to ,et a hard
roc0 fro' the &uff out of 2hich to 'a0e arro2 *oints# Durin, this =ourne!
the *risoners had s&e*t each ni,ht their ac0s on the f&oor? ein, a&&
four of the' ironed to,ether 2ith hand and an0&e irons 'ade for the
*ur*ose# This ein, done the 2indo2s and doors 2ere a&& fastened< and then
fi$e ,uards 2ith their &oaded *isto&s staid in the roo'< and one at a ti'e
sat u* and 2atched durin, the ni,ht# This crue&t! 2as inf&icted on the'
'ore to ,ratif! a 2ic0ed dis*osition than an!thin, e&se( for it 2as $ain
for the' to ha$e tried to esca*e< 2ithout an! irons ein, *ut on the'? and
had the! 2ished to esca*e< the! had a to&era&! ,ood o**ortunit! at the
cree0#
Ans2er of the First )residenc! to R# "# Tho'*son on the L!'an 3i,ht
Affair# CO..ERCE< HANCOC1 CO#< ILLINOIS< HGth .a!< 789N#
DEAR SIR(--In ans2er to !ours of the 79th instant< to us< concernin,
the 2ritin,s of Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht< on the su=ect of our &ate sufferin,s
in the state of .issouri< 2e 2ish to sa!< that as to a state'ent of our
*ersecutions ein, rou,ht efore the 2or&d as a *o&itica& >uestion< 2e
entire&! disa**ro$e of it# Ha$in,< ho2e$er< ,reat confidence in Co&one&
3i,ht+s ,ood intentions< and considerin, it to e the indefeasi&e ri,ht
of e$er! free 'an to ho&d his o2n o*inion in *o&itics as 2e&& as re&i,ion<
2e 2i&& on&! sa! that 2e consider it to e un2ise< as it is unfair< to
char,e an! one *art! in *o&itics or an! sect of re&i,ionists 2ith ha$in,
een our o**ressors< since 2e so 2e&& 0no2 that our *ersecutors in the
state of .issouri 2ere of e$er! sect< and of a&& *arties< oth re&i,ious
and *o&itica&? and as "rother 3i,ht disc&ai's ha$in, s*o0en e$i& of an!
ad'inistration< sa$e that of .issouri< 2e *resu'e that it need not e
feared that 'en of sense 2i&& no2 su**ose hi' 2ishfu& to i'*&icate an!
other#
3e consider that in 'a0in, these re'ar0s 2e e/*ress the senti'ents of
the Church in ,enera&< as 2e&& as our o2n indi$idua&&!< and a&so 2hen 2e
sa! in conc&usion< that 2e fee& the fu&&est confidence< that 2hen the
su=ect of our 2ron,s has een fu&&! in$esti,ated ! the authorities of
the United States< 2e sha&& recei$e the 'ost *erfect =ustice at their
hands? 2hi&st our unfee&in, o**ressors sha&& e rou,ht to condi,n
*unish'ent< 2ith the a**roation of a free and en&i,htened *eo*&e< 2ithout
res*ect to sect or *art!#
3e desire that !ou 'a! 'a0e 2hate$er use !ou 'a! thin0 *ro*er of this
&etter< and re'ain !our sincere friends and rethren# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
HYRU. S.ITH< SYDNEY RI5DON# E&der Roert "# Tho'*son#
Saturda!< .a! HG#--This da! I 'et the T2e&$e in counci&# The case of
"rother 3i&&ia' S'ith ca'e u* for in$esti,ation and 2as dis*osed of#
Sunda!< H:#--I s*ent the da! at ho'e# E&ders Orson )ratt and John
Ta!&or *reached#
As the *risoners in .issouri arri$ed at their ne2 house in "oone
count!< I 2i&& ,i$e a s0etch of their e/*erience fro' E&der )ratt+s
testi'on!( 3hen 2e arri$ed 2ithin four 'i&es of Co&u'ia the rid,e had
een destro!ed fro' o$er a &ar,e and ra*id ri$er? and here 2e 2ere so'e
hours in crossin, o$er in a tott&ish canoe ha$in, to &ea$e our carria,e<
to,ether 2ith our eddin,< c&othin,< our trun0 of c&othin,< oo0s< *a*ers<
etc#? ut a&& ca'e to us in safe&! after t2o da!s# After 2e had crossed
the ri$er< our ,uards ha$in, s2a' their horses <'ounted the'< and 2e
*roceeded to2ards Co&u'ia< the *risoners 2a&0in, on foot< ein, fastened
to,ether t2o ! t2o ! the 2rists# After 2a&0in, t2o or three 'i&es< .r#
"ro2n hired a carria,e and 2e rode into Co&u'ia# It 2as aout sunset on
Sunda! e$enin,< and as the carria,e and our ar'ed attendants dro$e throu,h
the streets 2e 2ere ,a4ed u*on 2ith astonish'ent ! hundreds of
s*ectators< 2ho thron,ed the streets and &oo0ed out at the 2indo2s< doors<
etc#< an/ious to ,et a ,&i'*se of the stran,e ein,s ca&&ed -.or'ons#-
On our arri$a& 2e 2ere i''ediate&! hurried to the *rison< 2ithout
,oin, to a ta$ern for refresh'ent< a&thou,h 2e had tra$e&ed a &on, su''er
da! 2ithout an!thin, to eat# 3hen un&oosed fro' our fetters 2e 2ere
ushered i''ediate&! into the =ai&< and ne/t 'o'ent a hu,e tra* door 2as
o*ened and do2n 2e 2ent into a 'ost dis'a& dun,eon< 2hich 2as fu&& of
co2es and fi&th ao$e< e&o2< and a&& around the 2a&&s< ha$in, stood
e'*t! for near&! t2o !ears# Here 2as neither eds< nor chairs< nor 2ater<
nor food< nor friends< nor an! one on 2ho' 2e 'i,ht ca&&< e$en for a drin0
of co&d 2ater? for "ro2n and a&& the others had 2ithdra2n to ,o 2here the!
cou&d refresh the'se&$es# 3hen thrust into this dun,eon< 2e 2ere near&!
read! to faint of hun,er and thirst and 2eariness#
3e 2a&0ed the roo' for a fe2 'o'ents< and then san0 do2n u*on the
f&oor in des*ondenc! and 2ished to die? for &i0e E&i=ah of o&d< if the
Lord had en>uired -3hat dost thou hereB- 2e cou&d ha$e re*&ied<
-Lord< the! ha$e 0i&&ed th! *ro*hets< and thro2n do2n thine a&tars
and ha$e dri$en out a&& Th! Saints fro' the &and< and 2e on&! are &eft to
te&& Thee? and the! see0-our &i$es< to ta0e the' a2a!? and no2< therefore<
&et us die#-
3hen 2e had een in the dun,eon so'e ti'e< our ne2 =ai&er handed do2n
so'e *ro$isions< ut ! this ti'e I 2as too faint to eat? I tasted a fe2
'outhfu&&s< and then sudden&! the tra* door o*ened< and so'e chairs 2ere
handed to us< and the ne2 sheriff< .r# .artin< and his de*ut!< .r#
Ha'i&ton< entered our dun,eon and ta&0ed so 0ind&! to us< that our s*irits
a,ain re$i$ed in so'e 'easure# This ni,ht 2e s&e*t co&d and unco'forta&e<
ha$in, ut &itt&e eddin,# Ne/t 'ornin, 2e 2ere suffered to co'e out of
the dun,eon< and the &iert! of the u**er roo' 2as ,i$en us throu,h the
da! e$er after2ards#
3e no2 e,an to recei$e 0ind treat'ent fro' our =ai&er and fro' our
ne2 sheriff? for it 2as .r# "ro2n that had caused a&& our ne,&ect and
sufferin,s the *re$ious e$enin,# Our =ai& in Co&u'ia 2as a &ar,e 2ooden
&oc0 ui&din, 2ith t2o a*art'ents? one 2as occu*ied ! the =ai&er and his
fa'i&! and the other ! the *risoners#
.onda!< HM#--I 2as at ho'e#
The )ro*het and %inson 1ni,ht+s &etter to .ar0 "i,&er#
CO..ERCE< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< .a! HM< 789N#
Father "i,&er(
DEAR SIR(--3e ha$e thou,ht 2e&& to 2rite !ou ! "rother .ar0ha' on
the su=ect of our *urchase of &ands here< in order to stir u* !our *ure
'ind to a re'e'rance of the situation in 2hich 2e ha$e een *&aced ! the
act of the counci&s of the Church ha$in, a**ointed us a co''ittee to
transact usiness here for the Church# 3e ha$e< as is 0no2n to the Church
in ,enera&< 'ade *urchases and entered into contracts and *ro'ised
*a!'ents of 'one!s< for a&& of 2hich 2e so2 stand res*onsi&e#
No2 as 'one! see's to co'e in too s&o2&!< in order that 2e 'a! e
a&e to 'eet our en,a,e'ents< 2e ha$e deter'ined to ca&& u*on the
&iera&it! of Father "i,&er< throu,h the a,enc! of "rother .ar0ha'< and
re>uest that he 2i&& *&ace in his hands for us< the su' of fi$e or si/
hundred do&&ars< for 2hich he sha&& ha$e the securit! of said co''ittee<
a&so throu,h the a,enc! of "rother .ar0ha'< and the than0s of the Church
esides# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< %INSON 1NI5HT# To .ar0 "i,&er< Auinc!<
I&&inois#
The )ro*het+s Letter to L!'an 3i,ht< on the .atter of R# "#
Tho'*son+s Co'*&aint#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< .AY HM< 789N#
DEAR SIR(--Ha$in, &ast 2ee0 recei$ed a &etter fro' "rother Roert "#
Tho'*son< concernin, !our &ate 2ritin,s in the Auinc! 3hi,< and
understandin, there! that the Church in ,enera& in Auinc! 2ere rather
uneas! concernin, these 'atters< 2e ha$e thou,ht est to consider the
'atter< of course< and accordin,&! ein, in counci& on Saturda! &ast< the
su=ect 2as introduced< and discussed at so'e &en,th< 2hen an ans2er to
"rother Tho'*son+s &etter 2as a,reed to and sanctioned ! the Counci&<
2hich ans2er I e/*ect 2i&& e *u&ished< and of course !ou 2i&& ha$e an
o**ortunit! to see it#
It 2i&& e seen ! that &etter that 2e do not at a&& a**ro$e of the
course 2hich !ou ha$e thou,ht *ro*er to ta0e< in 'a0in, the su=ect of our
sufferin,s a *o&itica& >uestion# At the sa'e ti'e !ou 2i&& *ercei$e that
2e there e/*ress 2hat 2e rea&&! fee&( that is< a confidence in !our ,ood
intentions# And Eas I too0 occasion to state to the Counci&F 0no2in, !our
inte,rit! of *rinci*&e< and steadfastness in the cause of Christ< I fee&
not to e/ercise e$en the *ri$i&e,e of counse& on the su=ect< sa$e on&! to
re>uest that !ou 2i&& endea$or to ear in 'ind the i'*ortance of the
su=ect< and ho2 eas! it 'i,ht e to ,et into a 'isunderstandin, 2ith the
rethren concernin, it? and thou,h &ast< not &east< that 2hi&st !ou
continue to ,o u*on !our o2n credit !ou 2i&& a&so steer c&ear of 'a0in,
the Church a**ear as either su**ortin, or o**osin, !ou in !our *o&itics
&est such a course 'a! ha$e a tendenc! to rine aout *ersecution on the
Church< 2here a &itt&e 2isdo' and caution 'a! a$oid it#
I do not 0no2 that there is an! occasion for '! thus cautionin, !ou
in this thin,< ut ha$in, done so< I ho*e it 2i&& e 2e&& ta0en< and that
a&& thin,s sha&& e$entua&&! e found to 2or0 to,ether for the ,ood of the
Saints#
I shou&d e ha**! to ha$e !ou here to d2e&& a'on,st us and a' in
ho*es soon to ha$e that *&easure# I 2as ha**! to recei$e !our fa$or of the
HDth instant< and to oser$e the contents? and e, to sa! in re*&! that I
sha&& attend to 2hat !ou therein su,,est< and sha&& fee& *&easure at a&&
ti'es to ans2er an! re>uests of !ours< and attend to the' a&so in the est
'anner *ossi&e#
3ith e$er! *ossi&e fee&in, of &o$e and friendshi*< for an o&d fe&&o2
*risoner and rother in the Lord< I re'ain< sir< !our sincere friend<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN# To L!'an 3i,ht< Auinc!< I&&inois#
Letter of A**oint'ent to Ste*hen .ar0ha'#
To the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< 5reetin,(
Fro' our 0no2&ed,e of the ,ood sacrifices 'ade ! the earer< "rother
Ste*hen .ar0ha'< in eha&f of the 2e&fare of us< and the Church ,enera&&!<
and fro' the ,reat trust 2hich 2e ha$e oftenti'es re*osed in hi'< and as
often found hi' trust2orth!< not see0in, his o2n a,,randi4e'ent< ut
rather that of the co''unit!< 2e fee& 2arranted in co''issionin, hi' to ,o
forth a'on, the faithfu&< as our a,ent to ,ather u* and recei$e such 'eans
in 'one! or other2ise< as sha&& ena&e us to 'eet our en,a,e'ents 2hich
are no2 aout to de$o&$e u*on us in conse>uence of our *urchases here for
the Church? and 2e hu'&! trust that our rethren ,enera&&! 2i&& ena&e
hi' to co'e to our assistance efore our credit sha&& suffer on this
account# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< )residin, E&der#
Thursda!< .a! H8#--I 2as at ho'e#
3hen the .issouri *risoners arri$ed at Co&u'ia the! a**&ied to Jud,e
Re!no&ds for a s*ecia& ter' of court to e ho&den for their tria&s# The
*etition 2as ,ranted and Ju&! 7st 2as a**ointed for the sittin, of the
court#
.onda! .a! HN#--I 2as aout ho'e unti& the &atter *art of the 2ee0<
2hen I 2ent to Auinc! in co'*an! 2ith '! Counse&ors# I continued to assist
in 'a0in, *re*arations to &a! our ,rie$ances efore the ,enera&
,o$ern'ent< and 'an! of the rethren 2ere 'a0in, their re*orts of da'a,es
sustained in .issouri# I 2rote as fo&&o2s(
June @< 789N# The )ro*het+s Narration of his )ersona& E/*eriences in
.issouri 7898-N< 3hich he Ca&&s -A "i&& of Da'a,es A,ainst the State of
.issouri on Account of the Sufferin, and Losses Sustained Therein#-
.arch 7H< 7898# 3ith '! fa'i&! I arri$ed at Far 3est< Ca&d2e&&
count!< after a =ourne! of one thousand 'i&es< ein, ei,ht 2ee0s on '!
=ourne!< endurin, ,reat aff&iction in conse>uence of *ersecution and
e/*endin, t2o or three hundred do&&ars#
Soon after '! arri$a& at that *&ace< I 2as infor'ed that a nu'er of
'en &i$in, in Da$iess count! Eon the 5rinstone For0sF had offered the su'
of one thousand do&&ars for '! sca&*+ *ersons to 2ho' I 2as an entire
stran,er< and of 2ho' I had no 0no2&ed,e# In order to attain their end<
the roads 2ere fre>uent&! 2a!&aid for 'e# At one ti'e in *articu&ar< 2hen
2aterin, '! horse on Shoa& Cree0< I distinct&! heard three or four ,uns
sna**ed at 'e# I 2as credi&! infor'ed a&so< that Jud,e 1in,< of the Fifth
Judicia& Circuit< ,a$e encoura,e'ent to indi$idua&s to carr! into effect
their diao&ica& desi,n(< and has fre>uent&! stated that I ou,ht to e
eheaded on account of '! re&i,ion#
In conse>uence of such e/*ressions fro' Jud,e 1in, and others in
authorit!< '! ene'ies endea$ored to ta0e e$er! ad$anta,e of 'e< and
hea*in, u* ause< ,ettin, u* $e/atious &a2suits< and stirrin, u* the 'inds
of the *eo*&e a,ainst 'e and the *eo*&e 2ith 2ho' I 2as connected<
a&thou,h 2e had done nothin, Ion our *artJ to deser$e such treat'ent< ut
2ere usi&! en,a,ed in our se$era& $ocations< and desirous to &i$e on
*eacea&e and friend&! ter's 2ith a&& 'en# In conse>uence of such threats
and ause 2hich I 2as continua&&! su=ect to< '! fa'i&! 2ere 0e*t in a
continua& state of a&ar'< not 0no2in, an! 'ornin, 2hat 2ou&d efa&& 'e
fro' da! to da!< *articu&ar&! 2hen I 2ent fro' ho'e#
In the &atter *art of Se*te'er< 7898< I 2ent to the &o2er *art of
the count! of Ca&d2e&& for the *ur*ose of se&ectin, a &ocation for a to2n#
3hen on '! =ourne! I 2as 'et ! one of our friends 2ith a 'essa,e fro' De
3itt< in Carro& count!< statin, that our rethren 2ho had sett&ed in that
*&ace< 2ere< and had for so'e ti'e een< surrounded ! a 'o< 2ho had
threatened their &i$es< and had shot se$era& ti'es at the'# I''ediate&! on
hearin, this stran,e inte&&i,ence< I 'ade *re*arations to start< in order
if *ossi&e to a&&a! the fee&in, of o**osition< if not to 'a0e
arran,e'ents 2ith those indi$idua&s of 2ho' 2e had 'ade *urchases< and to
2ho' I 2as res*onsi&e and ho&den for *art of the *urchase 'one!#
I arri$ed there on the--da! of Se*te'er< and found the account 2hich
I heard 2as correct# Our *eo*&e 2ere surrounded ! a 'o< and their
*ro$isions near&! e/hausted# .essen,ers 2ere i''ediate&! sent to the
5o$ernor< re>uestin, *rotection? ut instead of &endin, an! assistance to
the o**ressed< he stated that the >uarre& 2as et2een the -.or'ons- and
the 'o< and the! 'ust fi,ht it out#
"ein, no2 a&'ost destitute of *ro$isions< and ha$in, suffered ,reat
distress< and so'e of the rethren ha$in, died in conse>uence of their
*ri$ations and sufferin,s--I had then the *ain of eho&din, so'e of '!
fe&&o2-creatures *erish in a stran,e &and< fro' the crue&t! of a 'o--and
seein, no *ros*ect of re&ief< the rethren a,reed to &ea$e that *&ace and
see0 a she&ter e&se2here< after ha$in, their houses urnt do2n< their
catt&e dri$en a2a!< and 'uch of their *ro*ert! destro!ed#
Jud,e 1in, 2as a&so *etitioned to afford us so'e assistance# He sent
a co'*an! of aout one hundred 'en? ut instead of affordin, us an!
re&ief< 2e 2ere to&d ! 5enera& )ar0s I2ho co''anded the'J that he cou&d
afford none< in conse>uence of the ,reater *art of his co'*an!< under
their officer< Ca*tain Sa'ue& "o,art< ha$in, 'utinied# Aout se$ent!
2a,ons &eft De 3itt for Ca&d2e&&< and durin, their =ourne! 2ere
continua&&! insu&ted ! the 'o< 2ho threatened to destro! us< and shot at
us# In our =ourne! se$era& of our friends died and had to e interred
2ithout a coffin< and under such circu'stances< this 2as e/tre'e&!
distressin,# I''ediate&! on '! arri$a& at Ca&d2e&&< I 2as infor'ed !
5enera& Doni*han< of C&a! count!< that a co'*an! of aout ei,ht hundred
2ere 'archin, to2ards a sett&e'ent of our rethren in Da$iess count!< and
he ad$ised one of the officers that 2e shou&d i''ediate&! ,o to *rotect
our rethren in Da$iess count!< Ein 2hat he ca&&ed 3hit+s To2n<F unti& he
shou&d ,et the 'i&itia to *ut the' do2n# A co'*an! of 'i&itia< to the
nu'er of si/t!< 2ho 2ere on their route to that *&ace< he ordered ac0<
e&ie$in,< as he said< that the! 2ere not to e de*ended u*on? and to use
his o2n &an,ua,e 2ere -da'ned rotten hearted#-
Lieut#-Co&one& Hin0&e< a,reea&! to the ad$ice of 5enera& Doni*han<
and a nu'er of our rethren< $o&unteered to ,o to Da$iess count! to
render 2hat assistance the! cou&d# .! &aors ha$in, een *rinci*a&&!
e/*ended in Da$iess count!< 2here I intended to ta0e u* '! residence? and
ha$in, a house in ui&din,< and ha$in, other *ro*ert! there< I hastened u*
to that *&ace? and 2hi&e I 2as there< a nu'er of houses e&on,in, to the
rethren 2ere urnt< and de*redations 2ere continua&&! co''itted< such as
dri$in, off horses< catt&e< shee*< etc#< etc#
"ein, de*ri$ed of she&ter< and others ha$in, no safet! in their
houses ---ecause of their ein, scattered--and ein, a&ar'ed at the
a**roach of the 'o< the! had to f&oc0 to,ether? their sufferin,s 2ere
$er! ,reat in conse>uence of their defense&ess situation--ein, e/*osed to
the 2eather< 2hich 2as e/tre'e&! co&d< a &ar,e sno2 stor' ha$in, =ust
fa&&en#
In this state of affairs< 5enera& )ar0s arri$ed in Da$iess count!<
and 2as at the house of Co&one& 3i,ht 2hen the inte&&i,ence 2as rou,ht
that the 'o 2ere urnin, houses< etc#? and a&so that 'en< 2o'en< and
chi&dren 2ere f&oc0in, into the $i&&a,e for safet!# Co&one& 3i,ht< 2ho
he&d a co''ission in the fift!-ninth re,i'ent under his
I)ar0sJ co''and< as0ed hi' 2hat ste*s shou&d e ta0en# 5enera& )ar0s
to&d hi' that he 'ust i''ediate&! ca&& out his 'en< and ,o and *ut the 'o
do2n#
)re*arations 2ere 'ade at once to raise a force to >ue&& the 'o<
2ho< on ascertainin, that 2e 2ere deter'ined to ear such treat'ent no
&on,er< ut to 'a0e a $i,orous effort to sudue the'< and &i0e2ise ein,
infor'ed of the orders of 5enera& )ar0s< ro0e u* their enca'*'ent and
f&ed#
So'e of the inhaitants in the i''ediate nei,horhood< 2ho seein, no
*ros*ects of dri$in, us ! force< resorted to strata,e'< and actua&&! set
fire to their o2n houses E'isera&e &o, houses< after ha$in, re'o$ed their
*ro*ert! and effectsF and then sent infor'ation to the 5o$ernor< statin,
that our rethren 2ere co''ittin, de*redations and destro!in, their
*ro*ert!< urnin, houses< etc#
On the retreat of the 'o fro' Da$iess count!< I returned ho'e to
Ca&d2e&&# On '! arri$a& there< I understood that a 'o had co''enced
hosti&ities in the orders of Ca&d2e&&? had ta0en so'e of our *eo*&e
*risoners? urnt so'e houses< and had done considera&e da'a,e#
I''ediate&! Ca*tain )atten 2as ordered out ! Lieut#--Co&# Hin0&e to ,o
a,ainst the'< and aout da!&i,ht ne/t 'ornin, ca'e u* 2ith the'# U*on the
a**roach of our *eo*&e the 'o fired u*on the'< and after dischar,in,
their *ieces< f&ed 2ith ,reat *reci*itation#
In this affra!< Ca*tain )atten< a&on, 2ith t2o others< fe&& a $icti'
to that s*irit of 'oocrac! 2hich has *re$ai&ed to such an e/tent? others
2ere se$ere&! 2ounded# On the da! after this affra!< Ca*tain )atten sent
for 'e to *ra! for hi'< 2hich re>uest I co'*&ied 2ith< and then returned
to '! ho'e#
There continued to e ,reat co''otion in the count!< caused ! the
conduct of the 'o< 2ho 2ere continua&&! urnin, houses< dri$in, off
horses< catt&e< etc#< and ta0in, *risoners< and threatenin, death to a&&
the -.or'ons#- A'on,st the catt&e dri$en off 2ere t2o co2s of 'ine#
On the H8th of Octoer< a &ar,e co'*an! of ar'ed so&diers 2ere seen
a**roachin, Far 3est< and enca'*ed aout one 'i&e fro' the to2n# The ne/t
da! I 2as 2aited u*on ! Lieutenant-Co&one& Hin0&e< 2ho stated that the
officers of the 'i&itia re>uested an inter$ie2 2ith us in order to co'e to
so'e a'ica&e sett&e'ent of the difficu&ties 2hich then e/isted? the!< the
officers< not 2ishin,< under the *resent circu'stances< to carr! into
effect the e/ter'inatin, orders the! had recei$ed# I i''ediate&! co'*&ied
2ith the re>uest< and in co'*an! 2ith .essieurs Ri,don< Roinson< 3i,ht<
and )ratt< *roceeded to 'eet the officers of the 'i&itia< ut instead of
treatin, us 2ith res*ect< and as *ersons desirous to acco''odate 'atters<
to our astonish'ent 2e 2ere de&i$ered u* as *risoners of 2ar< and ta0en
into their ca'* as such# It 2ou&d e in $ain for 'e to ,i$e an! idea of
the scene 2hich no2 *resented itse&f in the ca'*# The hideous !e&&s of
'ore than a thousand infuriated ein,s< 2hose desire 2as to 2rea0 their
$en,eance u*on 'e and the rest of '! friends< 2as tru&! a2fu&< and enou,h
to a**a&& the stoutest heart#
In the e$enin, 2e had to &ie do2n on the co&d ,round< surrounded ! a
stron, ,uard# 3e *etitioned the officers to 0no2 2h! 2e 2ere thus treated?
ut the! utter&! refused to ho&d an! con$ersation 2ith us# The ne/t da!
the! he&d a court 'artia& u*on us and sentenced 'e< 2ith the rest of the
*risoners< to e shot? 2hich sentence 2as to e carried into effect on
Frida! 'ornin, in the *u&ic s>uare< as the! said as an ensa'*&e to the
rest of the 'e'ers? ut throu,h the 0ind *ro$idence of 5od< their
'urderous sentence 2as not carried into e/ecution# The 'i&itia then 2ent
to '! house and dro$e '! fa'i&! out of doors under sanction of 5enera&
Lucas< and carried a2a! a&& '! *ro*ert!#
I had an o**ortunit! of s*ea0in, to 5enera& 3i&son< and on as0in, hi'
the cause of such stran,e *roceedin,s< I to&d hi' that I 2as a de'ocrat<
and had a&2a!s een a su**orter of the Constitution# He ans2ered< -I 0no2
that< and that is the reason 2h! I 2ant to 0i&& !ou< or ha$e !ou 0i&&ed#-
3e 2ere &ed into the *u&ic s>uare< and after considera&e entreat!<
2e 2ere *er'itted to see our fa'i&ies< ein, attended ! a stron, ,uard# I
found '! fa'i&! in tears< the! ha$in, e&ie$ed that the 'o had carried
into effect their sentence? the! c&un, to '! ,ar'ents 2ee*in,# I re>uested
to ha$e a *ri$ate inter$ie2 2ith '! 2ife in an ad=oinin, roo'< ut 2as
refused? 2hen ta0in, '! de*arture fro' '! fa'i&!< it 2as a&'ost too
*ainfu& for 'e# .! chi&dren c&un, to 'e< and 2ere thrust a2a! at the *oint
of the s2ords of the so&dier!# 3e 2ere then re'o$ed to Jac0son count!<
under the care of 5enera& 3i&son? and durin, our sta! there< 2e had to
s&ee* on the f&oor< 2ith nothin, ut a 'ant&e for our co$erin,< and a
stic0 of 2ood for our *i&&o2< and had to *a! for our o2n oard#
3hi&e 2e 2ere in Jac0son count!< 5enera& C&ar0 2ith his troo*s
arri$ed in Ca&d2e&&< and sent an order for our return< ho&din, out the
induce'ent that 2e 2ere to e reinstated to our for'er *ri$i&e,es? ut
instead of ein, ta0en to Ca&d2e&& count!< 2e 2ere ta0en to Rich'ond< Ra!
count!< 2here 2e 2ere i''ured in *rison and ound in chains# After 2e 2ere
thus situated# 2e 2ere under the char,e of Co&one& )rice< of Chariton
count!< 2ho suffered us to e aused in e$er! 'anner 2hich the *eo*&e
thou,ht *ro*er#
Our situation at this ti'e 2as tru&! *ainfu&# 3e 2ere ta0en efore a
court of in>uir!? ut in conse>uence of the *roceedin,s of the 'o< and
their threats< 2e 2ere not a&e to ,et such 2itnesses as 2ou&d ha$e een
ser$icea&e? e$en those 2e had 2ere aused ! the State- Attorne!< and the
court< and 2ere not *er'itted to e e/a'ined ! the court as the &a2
directs# 3e 2ere co''itted to Liert! =ai&< and *etitioned Jud,e Turnha'
for a 2rit of haeas cor*us? ut o2in, to the *re=udice of the =ai&er< a&&
co''unication 2as entire&! cut off# Ho2e$er< at &en,th 2e succeeded in
,ettin, a *etition con$e!ed to the =ud,e< ut he ne,&ected to *a! an!
attention to it for fourteen da!s< and 0e*t us in sus*ense# He then
ordered us to a**ear efore hi'? ut he utter&! refused to hear an! of our
2itnesses< 2hich 2e had een at a ,reat trou&e in *ro$idin,# Our &a2!er
a&so refused to act< ein, afraid of the *eo*&e#
3e &i0e2ise *etitioned Jud,e 1in, and the =ud,es of the Su*re'e
Court< ut the! utter&! refused# Our $ictua&s 2ere of the coarsest 0ind<
and ser$ed u* in a 'anner 2hich 2as dis,ustin,# After earin, u* under
re*eated in=uries< 2e 2ere 'o$ed to Da$iess count! under a stron, ,uard#
3e 2ere then arrai,ned efore the 5rand Jur!< 2ho 2ere 'ost&! into/icated<
2ho indicted 'e and the rest of '! co'*anions for treason# 3e then ,ot a
chan,e of $enue to "oone count!< and 2hen on our 2a! to that *&ace< on the
second e$enin, after our de*arture< our ,uards ,ettin, into/icated< I
thou,ht it a fa$ora&e ti'e to effect our esca*e fro' such 'en< 2hose ai'
2as on&! to destro! our &ife and to ause us in e$er! 'anner that 2ic0ed
'en cou&d in$ent# Accordin,&! 2e too0 ad$anta,e of their situation< and
'ade our esca*e? and after endurin, considera&e fati,ue< and sufferin,
hun,er and 2eariness< e/*ectin, that our ene'ies 2ou&d e in *ursuit< 2e
arri$ed in the to2n of Auinc!< I&&inois< a'idst the con,ratu&ations of our
friends< and the =o! of our fa'i&ies# I ha$e een here for se$era& 2ee0s<
as it is 0no2n to the *eo*&e of the state of .issouri? ut the!< 0no2in,
the! had no =ustice in their crusade a,ainst 'e< ha$e not to '! 0no2&ed,e
ta0en the first ste* to ha$e 'e arrested#
The &oss of *ro*ert! 2hich I ha$e sustained is as fo&&o2s(--Losses
sustained in Jac0son count!< Da$iess count!< Ca&d2e&& count!< inc&udin,
&ands< houses< harness< ho,s< catt&e< etc#? oo0s and store ,oods<
e/*enses 2hi&e in onds< of 'one!s *aid out< e/*enses of 'o$in, out of the
State< and da'a,es sustained ! fa&se i'*rison'ents< threatenin,s<
inti'idations< e/*osure< etc#< etc#< one hundred thousand do&&ars#
.! rother H!ru' S'ith 2rote the fo&&o2in,--
H!ru' S'ith+s State'ent of sufferin,s and da'a,es sustained in
.issouri< and of ein, dri$en therefro'#
I &eft 1irt&and< Ohio< in the s*rin, of 7898< ha$in, the char,e of a
fa'i&! of ten indi$idua&s? the 2eather 2as $er! unfa$ora&e< and the roads
2orse than I had e$er seen< 2hich 'ateria&&! increased '! e/*enses< on
account of such &on, de&a!s u*on the road# Ho2e$er< after sufferin, 'an!
*ri$ations< I reached '! destination in safet!< and intended to 'a0e '!
*er'anent residence in the state of .issouri# I sent on ! 2ater a&& '!
househo&d furniture and a nu'er of far'in, i'*&e'ents< a'ountin, to
se$era& hundred do&&ars< ha$in, 'ade *urchases of &ands of se$era&
hundreds of acres< u*on 2hich I intended to sett&e#
In the 'eanti'e< I too0 a house in Far 3est< unti& I cou&d 'a0e
further arran,e'ents# I had not een there ut a fe2 2ee0s< efore the
re*ort of 'os< 2hose intention 2as to dri$e us fro' our ho'es< 2as heard
fro' e$er! >uarter# I thou,ht that the re*orts 2ere fa&se< inas'uch as I
0no2 that as a *eo*&e 2e had done nothin, to 'erit an! such treat'ent as
2as threatened# Ho2e$er< at &en,th< fro' fa&se and 2ic0ed re*orts<
circu&ated for the 2orst of *ur*oses< the inhaitants of the u**er
counties of .issouri co''enced hosti&ities< threatened to urn our
d2e&&in,s< and e$en 'enaced the &i$es of our *eo*&e< if 2e did not 'o$e
a2a!? and after2ards< horrid to re&ate< the! *ut their threats into
e/ecution#
Our *eo*&e endea$ored to ca&' the fur! of our ene'ies< ut in $ain?
for the! carried on their de*redations to a ,reater e/tent than e$er<
unti& 'ost of our *eo*&e 2ho &i$ed in *&aces at a distance fro' the to2ns
had co&&ected to,ether< so that the! 'i,ht e the etter a&e to esca*e
fro' the fur! of our ene'ies< and e in etter condition to defend their
&i$es and the &itt&e *ro*ert! the! had een a&e to sa$e# It is *roa&e
that our *ersecutors 'i,ht ha$e een deterred fro' their *ur*oses< had not
2ic0ed and sha'efu& re*orts een sent to the 5o$ernor of the state< 2ho
ordered out a $er! &ar,e force to e/ter'inate us# 3hen the! arri$ed at Far
3est< 2e 2ere to&d 2hat 2ere their orders# Ho2e$er< the! did not fa&& u*on
us< ut too0 se$era& of '! friends and 'ade the' *risoners? and the da!
after< a co'*an! of the 'i&itia ca'e to '! house and ordered 'e to ,o 2ith
the' into the ca'*# .! fa'i&! at that ti'e *articu&ar&! needed '!
assistance< ein, 'uch aff&icted# I to&d the' '! situation< ut
re'onstrance 2as in $ain< and I 2as hurried into the ca'*< and 2as su=ect
to the 'ost crue& treat'ent#
A&on, 2ith the rest of the *risoners< I 2as ordered to e shot? ut
it 2as *ro$identia&&! o$erru&ed# 3e 2ere then ordered to Jac0son count!<
2here our itterest *ersecutors resided# "efore 2e started< after 'uch
entreat!< I 2as *ri$i&e,ed to $isit '! fa'i&!< acco'*anied 2ith a stron,
,uard# I had on&! ti'e to ,et a chan,e of &inen< Pc#< and 2as hurried to
2here the tea's 2ere 2aitin, to con$e! us to the cit! of Inde*endence< in
Jac0son count!# 3hi&e there I 2as su=ected to continued insu&t fro' the
*eo*&e 2ho $isited us# I had &i0e2ise to &ie on the f&oor< and had to
co$er '!se&f 2ith '! 'ant&e? after re'ainin, there for so'e ti'e 2e 2ere
ordered to Rich'ond< in Ra! count!< 2here our ene'ies e/*ected to shoot
us? ut findin, no &a2 to su**ort the' in carr!in, into effect so stran,e
an act< 2e 2ere de&i$ered u* to the ci$i& &a2# As soon as 2e 2ere so< 2e
2ere thrust into a dun,eon< and our &e,s 2ere chained to,ether# In this
situation 2e re'ained unti& ca&&ed efore the court< 2ho ordered us to e
sent to Liert! in C&a! count!< 2here I 2as confined for 'ore than four
'onths< and endured a&'ost e$er!thin, ut death< fro' the nauseous ce&&<
and the 2retched food 2e 2ere o&i,ed to eat#
In the 'eanti'e< '! fa'i&! 2ere sufferin, e$er! *ri$ation# Our
ene'ies carried off near&! e$er!thin, of $a&ue< unti& '! fa'i&! 2ere &eft
a&'ost destitute# .! 2ife had een ut recent&! confined and had to suffer
'ore than ton,ue can descrie? and then in co''on 2ith the rest of the
*eo*&e< had to 'o$e< in the 'onth of Feruar!< a distance of t2o hundred
'i&es< in order to esca*e further *ersecutions and in=ur!#
Since I ha$e otained '! &iert!< I fee& '! od! ro0en do2n and '!
hea&th $er! 'uch i'*aired< fro' the fati,ue and aff&ictions 2hich I ha$e
under,one< so that I ha$e not een a&e to *erfor' an! &aor since I ha$e
esca*ed fro' '! o**ressors# The &oss of *ro*ert! 2hich I sustained in the
state of .issouri 2ou&d a'ount to se$era& thousand do&&ars? and one
hundred thousand do&&ars 2ou&d e no consideration for 2hat I ha$e
suffered fro' *ri$ations--fro' '! &ife ein, continua&&! sou,ht--and a&&
the accu'u&ated sufferin,s I ha$e een su=ected to# HYRU. S.ITH#
CHA)TER 66%#
CO..ERCE--THE )RO)HET+S HISTORY--DOCTRINAL DE%ELO).ENT#
3ednesda!< June G#--I returned to Co''erce and s*ent the re'ainder of
the 2ee0 at ho'e#
Sunda!< N#--I attended 'eetin, 2ith '! 2ife and fa'i&! at "rother
"osiers# E&der John E# )a,e *reached#
.onda!< 7D#--E&der )a,e a*ti4ed one 2o'an# I 2as en,a,ed in stud!
*re*arator! to 2ritin, '! histor!#
Tuesda!< 77#--I co''enced dictatin, '! histor! for '! c&er0< Ja'es
.u&ho&&and< to 2rite# Aout this ti'e E&der Theodore Tur&e! raised the
first house ui&t ! the Saints in this *&ace ICo''erceJ? it 2as ui&t of
&o,s< aout t2ent!-fi$e or thirt! rods north north-east of '! d2e&&in,< on
the northeast corner of &ot @< &oc0 7@M< of the 3hite *urchase#
3hen I 'ade the *urchase of 3hite and 5a&&and< there 2ere one stone
house< three fra'e houses< and t2o &oc0 houses< 2hich constituted the
2ho&e cit! of Co''erce# "et2een Co''erce and .r# Da$idson Hiard+s< there
2as one stone house and three &o, houses< inc&udin, the one that I &i$e
in< and these 2ere a&& the houses in this $icinit!< and the *&ace 2as
&itera&&! a 2i&derness# The &and 2as 'ost&! co$ered 2ith trees and ushes<
and 'uch of it so 2et that it 2as 2ith the ut'ost difficu&t! a foot'an
cou&d ,et throu,h< and tota&&! i'*ossi&e for tea's# Co''erce 2as so
unhea&thfu&< $er! fe2 cou&d &i$e there? ut e&ie$in, that it 'i,ht eco'e
a hea&thfu& *&ace ! the &essin, of hea$en to the Saints< and no 'ore
e&i,i&e *&ace *resentin, itse&f< I considered it 2isdo' to 'a0e an
atte'*t to ui&d u* a cit!#
3ednesda! and Thursda!< 7H and 79#--I continued to dictate '!
histor!#
Letter of Ed2ard )artrid,e to the )ro*het#
AUINCY< June 79< 789N#
)resident S'ith (
SIR(--Your &etter in ans2er to '! note to "isho* 1ni,ht< I recei$ed
! the hand of "rother Harris# Res*ectin, the catt&e# I had *ro'ised three
or four !o0e to Father .!ers# I did e/*ect "rother Shearer 2ou&d ha$e sent
the catt&e do2n i''ediate&!< or I shou&d not ha$e een >uite so 2i&&in, to
acco''odate hi' 2ith so'e to 'o$e 2ith#
So'e of our *oor rethren 2ished 'e to furnish the' tea's to 'o$e u*
to to2n 2ith< and I *ro'ised the' that 2hen the tea's returned< I 2ou&d#
The! 2ere $er! an/ious to ,et u* in ti'e to ,et in a &itt&e ,arden? and
2ere not '! *&ans frustrated< I cou&d ha$e acco''odated the' ,reat&! to
their satisfaction#
The rethren that I a&&ude to are the &ind rethren< 2ho sa! that
the! had as &ief &i$e in tents there as here# It is no2 too &ate to thin0
of 'a0in, ,ardens< and 2hat is est for the' to do< I 0no2 not# I had
*ro'ised so'e 'one! as soon as I cou&d se&& a !o0e of catt&e# I 0no2 of
nothin, e&se I ha$e that I can raise 'one! 2ith at this ti'e? and the! are
,ettin, to e du&& sa&e to 2hat the! 2ere#
Sister .ee0s has een >uite sic0< ut she is ,ettin, etter# She has
nothin, to eat on&! 2hat she is he&*ed to# A nu'er of other *oor here< I
thin0< need assistance? 2ido2 Sher'an for one? ut if !ou thin0 that a&&
the 'eans shou&d e 0e*t u* there Iat Co''erceJ< I ha$e nothin, to sa!<
on&! that I do not e&ie$e it to e '! dut! to sta! here &i$in, on
e/*ense< 2here I can earn nothin, for '!se&f< nor do an!thin, to enefit
others#
As I efore stated< I ha$e *ro'ised so'e 'one! as soon as I can raise
it# I ha$e not at this ti'e t2o do&&ars in the 2or&d< one do&&ar and
fort!-four cents is a&&# I o2e for '! rent< and for 'a0in, c&othes for
so'e of the *oor< and so'e other thin,s# I a' ,oin, into the roo' "rother
Harris &ea$es< to sa$e rent# 3hat is est for 'e to do< I hard&! 0no2#
Hard &aor I cannot *erfor'? &i,ht &aor I can? ut I 0no2 of no chance to
earn an!thin,< at an!thin, that I can stand to do# It is >uite sic0&!
here# Fi$e 2ere uried in four da!s--"rother .oses+ chi&d< Sister Louisa
)# and "rother )etti,re2+s son Hira'< ei,hteen or nineteen !ears of a,e?
the other t2o 2ere chi&dren of the 2or&d#
I s*o0e to "rother Isaac Hi,ee aout his seine? he said that he
2ou&d s*ea0 to his rother aout it# He said he thou,ht the! 2ou&d se&&
it< or the! 2ou&d co'e u* in the fa&& and fish a 2hi&e< ut to &end it< he
Thou,ht it 2ou&d not e est< as those unaccusto'ed to fish in the
ri$ers 2ou&d e a*t to tear it to *ieces# You *ercei$e that I ha$e not
'eans to ,et !ou t2ine at *resent? therefore I *resu'e that !ou 2i&& not
&a'e 'e for not doin, it#
3ere I 2e&&< I 2ou&d ,o u* to Co''erce 2ith "rother 3hitne! and
sett&e 2ith the co''ittee and "rother Ro,ers< and see 2hat is est to do?
*roa&! 'a! co'e ne/t 2ee0# If "rother .ar0ha' cou&d se&& one !o0e of
catt&e and &et 'e ha$e the a$ai&s of the'< I shou&d e ,&ad( and I thin0
it est to &et t2o !o0e< that are u* there< ,o to Father .!ers# As to
tea's to 'o$e u* so'e of the *oor< do as !ou thin0 est# ED3ARD )ARTRID5E#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Co''erce#
Frida!< 7@#--Continued 2ritin, histor!# This e$enin, there 2as a
,reat e/cite'ent aout the =ai& of Co&u'ia< .issouri# Se$era& indi$idua&s
2ent and ca&&ed for the =ai&er< ut he 2as asent# The! ne/t ca&&ed for
the =ai&er+s 2ife< and offered her 'one! to &et the *risoners ,o< 2hich
she dec&ined< and eco'in, a&ar'ed< raised a cr! 2hich rou,ht the 2ho&e
$i&&a,e to,ether< ar'ed 2ith o2ie 0ni$es< ,uns< *isto&s< etc# ? ut
findin, no one there< the! soon returned ho'e< e/ce*t a fe2 to ,uard the
*rison# This no2 rou,ht different indi$idua&s to see the *risoners< and
! ac>uaintance those fee&in,s 2ere softened to2ards the Saints#
Saturda!< 7G#--I started 2ith '! fa'i&! to $isit "rother Don Car&os
S'ith# 3e 'et "rother 3i&&ia' on the *rairie< aout four 'i&es 2est of
Cartha,e? found hi' in ,ood s*irits< and 2ent 2ith hi' to his house in
)&!'outh? found his fa'i&! 2e&&# Staid o$er ni,ht< and had a $er!
satisfactor! $isit#
Sunda!< 7:#--3e 2ent to "rother Don Car&os S'ith+s< in .cDonou,h
count!< near the $i&&a,e of .aco'e< 2here 2e s*ent the re'ainder of the
da!#
.onda!< 7M#--"isho*s 3hitne! and 1ni,ht arri$ed at Co''erce# I staid
at "rother Don Car&os+ this da!< and '! rother Sa'ue& H# S'ith ca'e in? I
had not seen hi' efore< since '! de&i$erance fro' *rison# "isho* 1ni,ht
returned to Auinc!#
Tuesda!< 78#--I 2ent to the house of a 'an ! the na'e of .atthe2s#
Durin, the e$enin, the nei,hors ca'e in and I ,a$e the' a short
discourse#
Thursda!< HD#--%isited at E&der ;eedee Co&trin+s# Fro' hence 2e 2ere
in$ited to $isit at "rother %ance+s< 2hich 2e did< and there ,a$e to the
rethren and friends of the nei,horhood a rief histor! of the co'in,
forth of the "oo0 of .or'on#
Saturda!< HH#--3e returned to "rother Don Car&os+ *&ace#
Sunda!< H9#--3ent to "rother 3i&co/+s and *reached to a $er! cro2ded
con,re,ation? and so ea,er 2ere the! to hear< that a *art of the' stood
out in the rain durin, the ser'on# In ,enera& the! e/*ressed ,ood
satisfaction as to 2hat the! heard#
.onda!< H@#--3e started for ho'e< and 2ent to "rother )er0ins< near
Fountain 5reen< in Hancoc0 count!< 2here the! insisted 2e shou&d tarr!<
and 2e co'*&ied# This da! the Church *urchased the to2n of Nash$i&&e< in
Lee count!< Io2a Territor!< to,ether 2ith t2ent! thousand acres of &and
ad=oinin, it#
Tuesda!< HG#--3e he&d a 'eetin,< at 2hich I s*o0e 2ith considera&e
&iert! to a &ar,e con,re,ation#
3ednesda!< H:#--I 2ith '! fa'i&! returned to our ho'e at Co''erce#
Thursda! HM -- The )ro*het+s Ans2er to Jaco Sto&&in,s# CO..ERCE<
ILLINOIS< June HM 789N#
SIR(--In ans2er to !ours concernin, those oo0s< I ha$e to sa! that I
ha$e 'ade in>uir! concernin, the'< as far as I consider there is an!
*ros*ect of otainin, the' for !ou? and not ha$in, een a&e to trace the'
in the &east de,ree< I ha$e deter'ined to ,i$e u* the *ursuit#
2ou&d reco''end !ou to in>uire after the' of Dr# A$ard< as the on&!
chance I 0no2 of at *resent# Yours< etc#< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
)# S#--Since 2ritin, the ao$e< I ha$e ascertained of one 'an E2ho
to&d 'eF that he sa2 Dr# A$ard ha$e the oo0s? ut 2hat he did 2ith the'<
he 0no2s not# J# S# To .r# Jaco Sto&&in,s#
I attended a conference of the T2e&$e< at 2hich ti'e "rother Orson
H!de 'ade his confession< and 2as restored to the )riesthood a,ain#
At this ti'e I tau,ht the rethren at considera&e &en,th on the
fo&&o2in, su=ects(
The )ro*het+s Instruction on %arious Doctrines#
FAITH co'es ! hearin, the 2ord of 5od< throu,h the testi'on! of the
ser$ants of 5od? that testi'on! is a&2a!s attended ! the S*irit of
*ro*hec! and re$e&ation#
RE)ENTANCE is a thin, that cannot e trif&ed 2ith e$er! da!# Dai&!
trans,ression and dai&! re*entance is not that 2hich is *&easin, in the
si,ht of 5od#
"A)TIS. is a ho&! ordinance *re*arator! to the rece*tion of the Ho&!
5host? it is the channe& and 0e! ! 2hich the Ho&! 5host 2i&& e
ad'inistered#
THE 5IFT OF THE HOLY 5HOST ! the &a!in, on of hands< cannot e
recei$ed throu,h the 'ediu' of an! other *rinci*&e than the *rinci*&e of
ri,hteousness< for if the *ro*osa&s are not co'*&ied 2ith< it is of no
use< ut 2ithdra2s#
TON5UES 2ere ,i$en for the *ur*ose of *reachin, a'on, those 2hose
&an,ua,e is not understood? as on the da! of )entecost< etc#< and it is
not necessar! for ton,ues to e tau,ht to the Church *articu&ar&!< for an!
'an that has the Ho&! 5host< can s*ea0 of the thin,s of 5od in his o2n
ton,ue as 2e&& as to s*ea0 in another? for faith co'es not ! si,ns< ut
! hearin, the 2ord of 5od#
THE DOCTRINE OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD AND THE ETERNAL
JUD5E.ENT are necessar! to *reach a'on, the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&
of Jesus Christ#
THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION# St# )au& e/horts us to 'a0e our ca&&in, and
e&ection sure# This is the sea&in, *o2er s*o0en of ! )au& in other
*&aces#
-79# In 2ho' !e a&so trusted< that after !e heard the 2ord of truth<
the
5os*e& of !our sa&$ation( in 2ho' a&so after that !e e&ie$ed< !e
2ere sea&ed 2ith that Ho&! S*irit of *ro'ise<
-7@# 3hich is the earnest of our inheritance unti& the rede'*tion of
the *urchased *ossession< unto the *raise of His ,&or!< that 2e 'a! e
sea&ed u* unto the da! of rede'*tion#---E*hesians< 7st cha*ter#
This *rinci*&e ou,ht Ein its *ro*er *&aceF to e tau,ht< for 5od hath
not re$ea&ed an!thin, to Jose*h< ut 2hat He 2i&& 'a0e 0no2n unto the
T2e&$e< and e$en the &east Saint 'a! 0no2 a&& thin,s as fast as he is a&e
to ear the'< for the da! 'ust co'e 2hen no 'an need sa! to his nei,hor<
1no2 !e the Lord? for a&& sha&& 0no2 Hi' E2ho re'ainF fro' the &east to
the ,reatest# Ho2 is this to e doneB It is to e done ! this sea&in,
*o2er< and the other Co'forter s*o0en of< 2hich 2i&& e 'anifest !
re$e&ation#
There are t2o Co'forters s*o0en of# One is the Ho&! 5host< the sa'e
as ,i$en on the da! of )entecost< and that a&& Saints recei$e after faith<
re*entance< and a*tis'# This first Co'forter or Ho&! 5host has no other
effect than *ure inte&&i,ence# It is 'ore *o2erfu& in e/*andin, the 'ind<
en&i,htenin, the understandin,< and storin, the inte&&ect 2ith *resent
0no2&ed,e< of a 'an 2ho is of the &itera& seed of Araha'< than one that
is a 5enti&e< thou,h it 'a! not ha$e ha&f as 'uch $isi&e effect u*on the
od!? for as the Ho&! 5host fa&&s u*on one of the &itera& seed of Araha'<
it is ca&' and serene? and his 2ho&e sou& and od! are on&! e/ercised !
the *ure s*irit of inte&&i,ence? 2hi&e the effect of the Ho&! 5host u*on a
5enti&e< is to *ur,e out the o&d &ood< and 'a0e hi' actua&&! of the seed
of Araha'# That 'an that has none of the &ood of Araha' Enatura&&!F
'ust ha$e a ne2 creation ! the Ho&! 5host# In such a case< there 'a! e
'ore of a *o2erfu& effect u*on the od!< and $isi&e to the e!e< than u*on
as Israe&ite< 2hi&e the Israe&ite at first 'i,ht e far efore the 5enti&e
in *ure inte&&i,ence#
The other Co'forter s*o0en of is a su=ect of ,reat interest< and
*erha*s understood ! fe2 of this ,eneration# After a *erson has faith in
Christ< re*ents of his sins< and is a*ti4ed for the re'ission of his sins
and recei$es the Ho&! 5host< E! the &a!in, on of handsF<2hich is the
first Co'forter< then &et hi' continue to hu'&e hi'se&f efore 5od<
hun,erin, and thirstin, after ri,hteousness< and &i$in, ! e$er! 2ord of
5od< and the Lord 2i&& soon sa! unto hi'< Son< thou sha&t e e/a&ted# 3hen
the Lord has thorou,h&! *ro$ed hi'< and finds that the 'an is deter'ined
to ser$e Hi' at a&& ha4ards< then the 'an 2i&& find his ca&&in, and his
e&ection 'ade sure< then it 2i&& e his *ri$i&e,e to recei$e the other
Co'forter< 2hich the Lord hath *ro'ised the Saints< as is recorded in the
testi'on! of St# John< in the 7@th cha*ter< fro' the 7Hth to the HMth
$erses#
Note the 7:< 7M< 78< H7< H9 $erses(
-7:# And I 2i&& *ra! the Father< and He sha&& ,i$e !ou another
Co'forter< that he 'a! aide 2ith !ou fore$er?
-7M# E$en the S*irit of Truth? 2ho' the 2or&d cannot recei$e< ecause
it seeth hi' not< neither 0no2eth hi'? ut !e 0no2 hi'? for he d2e&&eth
2ith !ou< and sha&& e in !ou#
-78# I 2i&& not &ea$e !ou co'fort&ess( I 2i&& co'e to !ou# C C C
-H7# He that hath '! co''and'ents< and 0ee*eth the'< he it is that
&o$eth 'e( and he that &o$eth 'e shou&d e &o$ed of '! Father< and I 2i&&
&o$e hi'< and 2i&& 'anifest '!se&f to hi'#
-H9# If a 'an &o$e 'e< he 2i&& 0ee* '! 2ords( and '! Father 2i&& &o$e
hi'< and 2e 2i&& co'e unto hi'< and 'a0e our aode 2ith hi'#-
No2 2hat is this other Co'forterB It is no 'ore nor &ess that the
Lord Jesus Christ Hi'se&f? and this is the su' and sustance of the 2ho&e
'atter? that 2hen an! 'an otains this &ast Co'forter< he 2i&& ha$e the
*ersona,e of Jesus Christ to attend hi'< or a**ear unto hi' fro' ti'e to
ti'e< and e$en He 2i&& 'anifest the Father unto hi'< and the! 2i&& ta0e u*
their aode 2ith hi'< and the $isions of the hea$ens 2i&& e o*ened unto
hi'< and the Lord 2i&& teach hi' face to face< and he 'a! ha$e a *erfect
0no2&ed,e of the '!steries of the 1in,do' of 5od? and this is the state
and *&ace the ancient Saints arri$ed at 2hen the! had such ,&orious
$isions--Isaiah< E4e0ie&< John u*on the Is&e of )at'os< St# )au& in the
three hea$ens< and a&& the Saints 2ho he&d co''union 2ith the ,enera&
asse'&! and Church of the First "orn#
THE S)IRIT OF RE%ELATION is in connection 2ith these &essin,s# A
*erson 'a! *rofit ! noticin, the first inti'ation of the s*irit of
re$e&ation? for instance< 2hen !ou fee& *ure inte&&i,ence f&o2in, into
!ou< it 'a! ,i$e !ou sudden stro0es of ideas< so that ! noticin, it< !ou
'a! find it fu&fi&&ed the sa'e da! or soon? Ei# e#F those thin,s that 2ere
*resented unto !our 'inds ! the S*irit of 5od< 2i&& co'e to *ass? and
thus ! &earnin, the S*irit of 5od and understandin, it< !ou 'a! ,ro2 into
the *rinci*&e of re$e&ation< unti& !ou eco'e *erfect in Christ Jesus#
AN E%EN5ELIST is a )atriarch< e$en the o&dest 'an of the &ood of
Jose*h or of the seed of Araha'# 3here$er the Church of Christ is
esta&ished in the earth< there shou&d e a )atriarch for the enefit of
the *osterit! of the Saints< as it 2as 2ith Jaco in ,i$in, his
*atriarcha& &essin, unto his sons< etc#
CHA)TER 66%I#
THE )RO)HET+S .INISTRY IN THE %ICINITY OF CO..ERCE--ADDRESS TO
THE T3EL%E#
Frida!< H8#--I 2as transactin, usiness of $arious 0inds? counse&in,<
consu&tin, the rethren< etc#< etc#
Saturda! HN#--I 2as 'ost&! at ho'e#
Sunda! 9D#--I attended 'eetin, at "rother "osier+s# There 2as a
cro2ded audience< and I ore testi'on! concernin, the truth of the 2or0
and a&so of the truth of the "oo0 of .or'on#
This da! Sister .orris )he&*s< 2ho had tra$e&ed one hundred and fift!
'i&es< in co'*an! 2ith her rother< John 3# C&ar0< to see her husand<
arri$ed at Co&u'ia =ai&#
.onda!< Ju&! 7< 789N#--I s*ent the da! *rinci*a&&! in counse&in, the
rethren#
This da! a&so the court 2as ca&&ed for the tria& of )ar&e! )# )ratt<
and rethren in *rison in "oone count!? ut as the! 2ere not read! for
tria&< Ea&& their 2itnesses had een anished the stateF< the court 2as
ad=ourned to the H9rd of Se*te'er#
Tuesda! H#--S*ent the forenoon of this da! on the Io2a side of the
ri$er# 3ent< in co'*an! 2ith E&ders Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith< and
"isho*s 3hitne! and 1ni,ht< and others< to $isit a *urchase &ate&! 'ade !
"isho* 1ni,ht as a &ocation for a to2n< and ad$ised that a to2n e ui&t
there< and ca&&ed ;arahe'&a#
In the afternoon 'et 2ith the T2e&$e and so'e of the Se$enties 2ho
are aout to *roceed on their 'ission to Euro*e< and the nations of the
earth< and is&ands of the sea#
The 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! sin,in, and *ra!er< after 2hich the
)residenc! *roceeded to &ess t2o of the T2e&$e 2ho had &ate&! een
ordained into the >uoru'< na'e&!< 3i&ford 3oodruff and 5eor,e A# S'ith?
and one of the Se$enties< na'e&!< Theodore Tur&e!? after 2hich< &essin,s
2ere a&so *ronounced ! the' Ithe )residenc!J on the heads of the 2i$es of
so'e of those aout to ,o aroad#
The 'eetin, 2as then addressed ! )resident H!ru' S'ith< ! 2a! of
ad$ice to the T2e&$e< chief&! concernin, the nature of their 'ission?
their *racticin, *rudence and hu'i&it! in their *&ans or su=ects for
*reachin,? necessit! of their not trif&in, 2ith their office< and of
ho&din, on strict&! to the i'*ortance of their 'ission< and the authorit!
of the )riesthood#
I then addressed the' and ,a$e 'uch instruction ca&cu&ated to ,uard
the' a,ainst se&f-sufficienc!< se&f-ri,hteousness< and se&f-i'*ortance?
touchin, u*on 'an! su=ects of i'*ortance and $a&ue to a&& 2ho 2ish to
2a&0 hu'&! efore the Lord< and es*ecia&&! teachin, the' to oser$e
charit!< 2isdo' and fe&&o2-fee&in,< 2ith &o$e one to2ards another in a&&
thin,s< and under a&& circu'stances< in sustance as fo&&o2s(
The )ro*het+s Address to the T2e&$e# E$er 0ee* in e/ercise the
*rinci*&e of 'erc!< and e read! to for,i$e our rother on the first
inti'ations of re*entance< and as0in, for,i$eness? and shou&d 2e e$en
for,i$e our rother< or e$en our ene'!< efore he re*ent or as0
for,i$eness< our Hea$en&! Father 2ou&d e e>ua&&! as 'ercifu& unto us#
A,ain< &et the T2e&$e and a&& Saints e 2i&&in, to confess a&& their
sins< and not 0ee* ac0 a *art? and &et the T2e&$e e hu'&e< and not e
e/a&ted< and e2are of *ride< and not see0 to e/ce& one ao$e another< ut
act for each other+s ,ood< and *ra! for one another< and honor our rother
or 'a0e honora&e 'ention of his na'e< and not ac0ite and de$our our
rother# 3h! 2i&& not 'an &earn 2isdo' ! *rece*t at this &ate a,e of the
2or&d< 2hen 2e ha$e such a c&oud of 2itnesses and e/a'*&es efore us< and
not e o&i,ed to &earn ! sad e/*erience e$er!thin, 2e 0no2B .ust the ne2
ones that are chosen to fi&& the *&aces of those that are fa&&en< of the
>uoru' of the T2e&$e< e,in to e/a&t the'se&$es< unti& the! e/a&t
the'se&$es so hi,h that the! 2i&& soon tu'&e o$er and ha$e a ,reat fa&&<
and ,o 2a&&o2in, throu,h the 'ud and 'ire and dar0ness< Judas &i0e< to the
uffetin,s of Satan< as se$era& of the >uoru' ha$e done< or 2i&& the!
&earn 2isdo' and e 2iseB O 5odK ,i$e the' 2isdo'< and 0ee* the' hu'&e< I
*ra!#
3hen the T2e&$e or an! other 2itnesses stand efore the con,re,ations
of the earth< and the! *reach in the *o2er and de'onstration of the S*irit
of 5od< and the *eo*&e are astonished and confounded at the doctrine< and
sa!< -That 'an has *reached a *o2erfu& discourse< a ,reat ser'on<- then
&et that 'an or those 'en ta0e care that the! do not ascrie the ,&or!
unto the'se&$es< ut e carefu& that the! are hu'&e< and ascrie the
*raise and ,&or! to 5od and the La'? for it is ! the *o2er of the Ho&!
)riesthood and the Ho&! 5host that the! ha$e *o2er thus to s*ea0# 3hat art
thou< O 'an< ut dustB And fro' 2ho' recei$est thou th! *o2er and
&essin,s< ut fro' 5odB
Then< O !e T2e&$eK notice this 1e!< and e 2ise for Christ+s sa0e<
and !our o2n sou&+s sa0e# Ye are not sent out to e tau,ht< ut to teach#
Let e$er! 2ord e seasoned 2ith ,race# "e $i,i&ant? e soer# It is a da!
of 2arnin,< and not of 'an! 2ords# Act honest&! efore 5od and 'an# "e2are
of 5enti&e so*histr!? such as o2in, and scra*in, unto 'en in 2ho' !ou
ha$e no confidence# "e honest< o*en< and fran0 in a&& !our intercourse
2ith 'an0ind#
O !e T2e&$eK and a&& SaintsK *rofit ! this i'*ortant 1e!---that in
a&& !our tria&s< trou&es< te'*tations< aff&ictions< onds< i'*rison'ents
and death< see to it< that !ou do not etra! hea$en? that !ou do not
etra! Jesus Christ? that !ou do not etra! the rethren? that !ou do not
etra! the re$e&ations of 5od< 2hether in the "i&e< "oo0 of .or'on< or
Doctrine and Co$enants< or an! other that e$er 2as or e$er 2i&& e ,i$en
and re$ea&ed unto 'an in this 2or&d or that 2hich is to co'e# Yea< in a&&
!our 0ic0in, and f&ounderin,s< see to it that !ou do not this thin,< &est
innocent &ood e found u*on !our s0irts< and !ou ,o do2n to he&&# A&&
other sins are not to e co'*ared to sinnin, a,ainst the Ho&! 5host< and
*ro$in, a traitor to the rethren#
I 2i&& ,i$e !ou one of the 1e!s of the '!steries of the 1in,do'# It
is an eterna& *rinci*&e< that has e/isted 2ith 5od fro' a&& eternit!( That
'an 2ho rises u* to conde'n others< findin, fau&t 2ith the Church< sa!in,
that the! are out of the 2a!< 2hi&e he hi'se&f is ri,hteous< then 0no2
assured&!< that that 'an is in the hi,h road to a*ostas!? and if he does
not re*ent< 2i&& a*ostati4e< as 5od &i$es# The *rinci*&e is as correct as
the one that Jesus *ut forth in sa!in, that he 2ho see0eth a si,n is an
adu&terous *erson? and that *rinci*&e is eterna&< unde$iatin,< and fir' as
the *i&&ars of hea$en? for 2hene$er !ou see a 'an see0in, after a si,n<
!ou 'a! set it do2n that he is an adu&terous 'an#
Aout this ti'e< in re*&! to 'an! in>uiries< I a&so ,a$e an
e/*&anation of the )riesthood< and 'an! *rinci*&es connected there2ith< of
2hich the fo&&o2in, is a rief s!no*sis(
The )ro*het on )riesthood# The )riesthood 2as first ,i$en to Ada'? he
otained the First )residenc!< and he&d the 0e!s of it fro' ,eneration to
,eneration# He otained it in the Creation< efore the 2or&d 2as for'ed<
as in 5en# i( H:< HM< H8# He had do'inion ,i$en hi' o$er e$er! &i$in,
creature# He is .ichae& the Archan,e&< s*o0en of in the Scri*tures# Then
to Noah< 2ho is 5arie&? he stands ne/t in authorit! to Ada' in the
)riesthood? he 2as ca&&ed of 5od to this office< and 2as the father of a&&
&i$in, in his da!< and to hi' 2as ,i$en the do'inion# These 'en he&d 0e!s
first on earth< and then in hea$en#
The )riesthood is an e$er&astin, *rinci*&e< and e/isted 2ith 5od fro'
eternit!< and 2i&& to eternit!< 2ithout e,innin, of da!s or end of !ears#
The 0e!s ha$e to e rou,ht fro' hea$en 2hene$er the 5os*e& is sent# 3hen
the! are re$ea&ed fro' hea$en< it is ! Ada'+s authorit!#
Danie& in his se$enth cha*ter s*ea0s of the Ancient of Da!s? he 'eans
the o&dest 'an< our Father Ada' .ichae& he 2i&& ca&& his chi&dren
to,ether and ho&d a counci& 2ith the' to *re*are the' for the co'in, of
the Son of .an# He EAda'F is the father of the hu'an fa'i&!< and *resides
o$er the s*irits of a&& 'en< and a&& that ha$e had the 0e!s 'ust stand
efore hi' in this ,rand counci&# This 'a! ta0e *&ace efore so'e of us
&ea$e this sta,e of action# The Son of .an stands efore hi'< and there
is ,i$en hi' ,&or! and do'inion# Ada' de&i$ers u* his ste2ardshi* to
Christ< that 2hich 2as de&i$ered to hi' as ho&din, the 0e!s of the
uni$erse< ut retains his standin, as head of the hu'an fa'i&!#
The s*irit of 'an is not a created ein,? it e/isted fro' eternit!<
and 2i&& e/ist to eternit!# An!thin, created cannot e eterna&? and earth<
2ater< etc#< had their e/istence in an e&e'entar! state< fro' eternit!#
Our Sa$ior s*ea0s of chi&dren and sa!s< Their an,e&s a&2a!s stand efore
'! Father# The Father ca&&ed a&& s*irits efore Hi' at the creation of
'an< and or,ani4ed the'# He EAda'F is the head< and 2as to&d to 'u&ti*&!#
The 0e!s 2ere first ,i$en to hi'< and ! hi' to others# He 2i&& ha$e to
,i$e an account of his ste2ardshi*< and the! to hi'#
The )riesthood is e$er&astin,# The Sa$ior< .oses< and E&ias< ,a$e the
0e!s to )eter< Ja'es< and John< on the 'ount 2hen the! 2ere transfi,ured
efore hi'# The )riesthood is e$er&astin,--2ithout e,innin, of da!s or
end of !ears? 2ithout father< 'other< etc# If there is no chan,e of
ordinances< there is no chan,e of )riesthood# 3here$er the ordinances of
the 5os*e& are ad'inistered< there is the )riesthood#
Ho2 ha$e 2e co'e at the )riesthood in the &ast da!sB It ca'e do2n<
do2n< in re,u&ar succession# )eter< Ja'es< and John had it ,i$en to the'
and the! ,a$e it to others# Christ is the
5reat Hi,h )riest? Ada' ne/t# )au& s*ea0s of the Church co'in, to an
innu'era&e co'*an! of an,e&s-- to 5od the Jud,e of a&&--the s*irits of
=ust 'en 'ade *erfect? to Jesus the .ediator of the ne2 co$enant#-- He#
/ii( H9#
I sa2 Ada' in the $a&&e! of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# He ca&&ed to,ether his
chi&dren and &essed the' 2ith a *atriarcha& &essin,# The Lord a**eared
in their 'idst< and he EAda'F &essed the' a&&< and foreto&d 2hat shou&d
efa&& the' to the &atest ,eneration#
This is 2h! Ada' &essed his *osterit!? he 2anted to rin, the' into
the *resence of 5od# The! &oo0ed for a cit!< etc#< I-2hose ui&der and
'a0er is 5od#- --He# /i( 7DJ# .oses sou,ht to rin, the chi&dren of
Israe& into the *resence of 5od< throu,h the *o2er of tho )riesthood< ut
he cou&d not# In the first a,es of the 2or&d the! tried to esta&ish the
sa'e thin,? and there 2ere E&iases raised u* 2ho tried to restore these
$er! ,&ories< ut did not otain the'? ut the! *ro*hesied of a da! 2hen
this ,&or! 2ou&d e re$ea&ed# )au& s*o0e of the dis*ensation of the
fu&&ness of ti'es< 2hen 5od 2ou&d ,ather to,ether a&& thin,s in one< etc#?
and those 'en to 2ho' these 0e!s ha$e een ,i$en< 2i&& ha$e to e there?
and the! 2ithout us cannot e 'ade *erfect#
These 'en are in hea$en< ut their chi&dren are on the earth# Their
o2e&s !earn o$er us# 5od sends do2n 'en for this reason# -And the Son of
.an sha&& send forth His an,e&s< and the! sha&& ,ather out of His 0in,do'
a&& thin,s that ,i$e offense and the' that do ini>uit!#---E.att# /iii(
@7F# A&& these authoritati$e characters 2i&& co'e do2n and =oin hand in
hand in rin,in, aout this 2or0#
The 1in,do' of Hea$en is &i0e a ,rain of 'ustard seed# The 'ustard
seed is s'a&&< ut rin, forth a &ar,e tree< and the fo2&s &od,e in the
ranches# The fo2&s are the an,e&s# Thus an,e&s co'e do2n< co'ine
to,ether to ,ather their chi&dren< and ,ather the'# 3e cannot e 'ade
*erfect 2ithout the'< nor the! 2ithout us? 2hen these thin,s are done< the
Son of .an 2i&& descend< the Ancient of Da!s sit? 2e 'a! co'e to an
innu'era&e co'*an! of an,e&s< ha$e co''union 2ith and recei$e
instructions fro' the'# )au& to&d aout .oses+ *roceedin,s? s*o0e of the
chi&dren of Israe& ein, a*ti4ed#--EI Cor# /( 7-@F# He 0ne2 this< and
that a&& the ordinances and &essin,s 2ere in the Church# )au& had these
thin,s< and 2e 'a! ha$e the fo2&s of hea$en &od,e in the ranches< etc#
The -Horn- 'ade 2ar 2ith the Saints and o$erca'e the'< unti& the
Ancient of Da!s ca'e? =ud,'ent 2as ,i$en to the Saints of the .ost Hi,h
fro' the Ancient of Da!s? the ti'e ca'e that the Saints *ossessed the
1in,do'# This not on&! 'a0es us 'inisters here< ut in eternit!#
Sa&$ation cannot co'e 2ithout re$e&ation? it is in $ain for an!one to
'inister 2ithout it# No 'an is a 'inister of Jesus Christ 2ithout ein, a
)ro*het# No 'an can e a 'inister of Jesus Christ e/ce*t he has the
testi'on! of Jesus? and this is the s*irit of *ro*hec!# 3hene$er sa&$ation
has een ad'inistered< it has een ! testi'on!# .en of the *resent ti'e
testif! of hea$en and he&&< and ha$e ne$er seen either? and I 2i&& sa!
that no 'an 0no2s these thin,s 2ithout this#
.en *rofess to *ro*hes!# I 2i&& *ro*hes! that the si,ns of the co'in,
of the Son of .an are a&read! co''enced# One *esti&ence 2i&& deso&ate
after another# 3e sha&& soon ha$e 2ar and &oodshed# The 'oon 2i&& e
turned into &ood# I testif! of these thin,s< and that the co'in, of the
Son of .an is ni,h< e$en at !our doors# If our sou&s and our odies are
not &oo0in, forth for the co'in, of the Son of .an? and after 2e are dead<
if 2e are not &oo0in, forth< 2e sha&& e a'on, those 2ho are ca&&in, for
the roc0s to fa&& u*on the'#
The hearts of the chi&dren of 'en 2i&& ha$e to e turned to the
fathers< and the fathers to the chi&dren &i$in, or dead to *re*are the'
for the co'in, of the Son of .an# If E&i=ah did not co'e< the 2ho&e earth
2ou&d e s'itten#
There 2i&& e here and there a Sta0e Iof ;ionJ for the ,atherin, of
the Saints# So'e 'a! ha$e cried *eace< ut the Saints and the 2or&d 2i&&
ha$e &itt&e *eace fro' henceforth# Let this not hinder us fro' ,oin, to
the Sta0es? for 5od has to&d us to f&ee< not da&&!in,< or 2e sha&& e
scattered< one here< and another there# There !our chi&dren sha&& e
&essed< and !ou in the 'idst of friends 2here !ou 'a! e &essed# The
5os*e& net ,athers of e$er! 0ind#
I *ro*hes!< that that 'an 2ho tarries after he has an o**ortunit! of
,oin,< 2i&& e aff&icted ! the de$i&# 3ars are at hand? 2e 'ust not
de&a!? ut are not re>uired to sacrifice# 3e ou,ht to ha$e the ui&din, u*
of ;ion as our ,reatest o=ect# 3hen 2ars co'e< 2e sha&& ha$e to f&ee to
;ion# The cr! is to 'a0e haste# The &ast re$e&ation sa!s< Ye sha&& not
ha$e ti'e to ha$e ,one o$er the earth< unti& these thin,s co'e# It 2i&&
co'e as did the cho&era< 2ar< fires< and earth>ua0es?
one *esti&ence after another< unti& the Ancient of Da!s co'es< then
=ud,'ent 2i&& e ,i$en to the Saints#
3hate$er !ou 'a! hear aout 'e or 1irt&and< ta0e no notice of it< for
if it e a *&ace of refu,e< the de$i& 2i&& use his ,reatest efforts to
tra* the Saints# You 'ust 'a0e !ourse&$es ac>uainted 2ith those 'en 2ho
&i0e Danie& *ra! three ti'es a da! to2ard the House of the Lord# Loo0 to
the )residenc! and recei$e instruction# E$er! 'an 2ho is afraid< co$etous<
2i&& e ta0en in a snare# The ti'e is soon co'in,< 2hen no 'an 2i&& ha$e
an! *eace ut in ;ion and her sta0es#
I sa2 'en huntin, the &i$es of their o2n sons< and rother 'urderin,
rother< 2o'en 0i&&in, their o2n dau,hters< and dau,hters see0in, the
&i$es of their 'others# I sa2 ar'ies arra!ed a,ainst ar'ies# I sa2 &ood<
deso&ation< fires# The Son of .an has said that the 'other sha&& e
a,ainst the dau,hter< and the dau,hter a,ainst the 'other# These thin,s
are at our doors# The! 2i&& fo&&o2 the Saints of 5od fro' cit! to cit!#
Satan 2i&& ra,e< and the s*irit of the de$i& is no2 enra,ed# I 0no2 not
ho2 soon these thin,s 2i&& ta0e *&ace? ut 2ith a $ie2 of the'< sha&& I
cr! *eaceB NoK I 2i&& &ift u* '! $oice and testif! of the'# Ho2 &on, !ou
2i&& ha$e ,ood cro*s< and the fa'ine e 0e*t off< I do not 0no2? 2hen the
fi, tree &ea$es< 0no2 then that the su''er is ni,h at hand#
3e 'a! &oo0 for an,e&s and recei$e their 'inistrations< ut 2e are to
tr! the s*irits and *ro$e the'< for it is often the case that 'en 'a0e a
'ista0e in re,ard to these thin,s# 5od has so ordained that 2hen He has
co''unicated< no $ision is to e ta0en ut 2hat !ou see ! the seein, of
the e!e< or 2hat !ou hear ! the hearin, of the ear# 3hen !ou see a
$ision< *ra! for the inter*retation? if !ou ,et not this< shut it u*?
there 'ust e certaint! in this 'atter# An o*en $ision 2i&& 'anifest that
2hich is 'ore i'*ortant# L!in, s*irits are ,oin, forth in the earth# There
2i&& e ,reat 'anifestations of s*irits< oth fa&se and true#
"ein, orn a,ain< co'es ! the s*irit of 5od throu,h ordinances# An
an,e& of 5od ne$er has 2in,s# So'e 2i&& sa! that the! ha$e seen a s*irit?
that he offered the' his hand< ut the! did not touch it# This is a &ie#
First< it is contrar! to the *&an of 5od( a s*irit cannot co'e ut in
,&or!? an an,e& has f&esh and ones? 2e see not their ,&or!# The de$i& 'a!
a**ear as an an,e& of &i,ht# As0 5od to re$ea& it? if it e of the de$i&<
he 2i&& f&ee fro' !ou( if of 5od< He 2i&& 'anifest Hi'se&f< or 'a0e it
'anifest# 3e 'a! co'e to Jesus and as0 Hi'? He 2i&& 0no2 a&& aout it?if
He co'es to a &itt&e chi&d< He 2i&& ada*t hi'se&f to the &an,ua,e and
ca*acit! of a &itt&e chi&d#
E$er! s*irit< or $ision< or sin,in,< is not of 5od# The de$i& is an
orator? he is *o2erfu&? he too0 our Sa$ior on to a *innac&e of the Te'*&e<
and 0e*t Hi' in the 2i&derness for fort! da!s# The ,ift of discernin,
s*irits 2i&& e ,i$en to the )residin, E&der# )ra! for hi' that he 'a!
ha$e this ,ift# S*ea0 not in the ,ift of ton,ues 2ithout understandin, it<
or 2ithout inter*retation# The de$i& can s*ea0 in ton,ues? the ad$ersar!
2i&& co'e 2ith his 2or0? he can te'*t a&& c&asses? can s*ea0 in En,&ish or
Dutch# Let no one s*ea0 in ton,ues un&ess he inter*ret< e/ce*t ! the
consent of the one 2ho is *&aced to *reside? then he 'a! discern or
inter*ret< or another 'a!# Let us see0 for the ,&or! of Araha'< Noah<
Ada'< the A*ost&es< 2ho ha$e co''union 2ith I0no2&ed,e ofJ these thin,s<
and then 2e sha&& e a'on, that nu'er 2hen Christ co'es#
CHA)TER 66%II#
"A)TIS. OF ISAAC 5ALLAND--E)ISTLE OF THE T3EL%E TO
THE CHURCH#
3ednesda!< Ju&! 9< 789N#--I a*ti4ed Dr# Isaac 5a&&and< and confir'ed
hi' at the 2ater+s ed,e? and aout t2o hours after2ards I ordained hi' to
the office of an E&der#
Afternoon# I 2as en,a,ed in dictatin, '! histor!#
Aout this ti'e the T2e&$e 2rote the fo&&o2in, e*ist&e(
E*ist&e of the T2e&$e# To the E&ders of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints< to the Churches Scattered Aroad and to A&& the Saints(
3e< the undersi,ned< fee&in, dee*&! interested in the 2e&fare of
;ion< the u*ui&din, of the Church of Christ< and the 2e&fare of the
Saints in ,enera&< send unto !ou ,reetin,< and *ra! that -,race< 'erc! and
*eace 'a! rest u*on !ou fro' 5od our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ#-
"ut< rethren< the situation of thin,s as the! ha$e of &ate e/isted has
een to us of a *ecu&iar&! tr!in, nature#
.an! of !ou ha$e een dri$en fro' !our ho'es< roed of !our
*ossessions< and de*ri$ed of the &iert! of conscience# You ha$e een
stri**ed of !our c&othin,< *&undered of !our furniture< roed of !our
horses< !our catt&e< !our shee*< !our ho,s< and refused the *rotection of
&a2? !ou ha$e een su=ect to insu&t and ause< fro' a set of &a2&ess
'iscreants? !ou ha$e had to endure co&d< na0edness< *eri& and s2ord? !our
2i$es and !our chi&dren ha$e een de*ri$ed of the co'forts of &ife? !ou
ha$e een su=ect to onds< to i'*rison'ent< to anish'ent< and 'an! to
death< -for the testi'on! of Jesus< and for the 2ord of 5od#- .an! of !our
rethren< 2ith those 2hose sou&s are no2 under the a&tar< are cr!in, for
the $en,eance of hea$en to rest u*on the heads of their de$oted 'urderers<
and sa!in,< -Ho2 &on,< O Lord< ho&! and true< dost Thou not =ud,e and
a$en,e our &ood on the' that d2e&& on the earthB- "ut it 2as said to
the'< that the! shou&d rest !et for a &itt&e season< unti& their fe&&o2
ser$ants a&so and their rethren that shou&d e 0i&&ed< as the! 2ere<
shou&d e fu&fi&&ed#
Dear rethren< 2e 2ou&d re'ind !ou of this thin,? and a&thou,h !ou
ha$e had indi,nities< insu&ts and in=uries hea*ed u*on !ou ti&& further
sufferin, 2ou&d see' to e no &on,er a $irtue? 2e 2ou&d sa!< e *atient<
dear rethren< for as saith the a*ost&e< -Ye ha$e need of *atience< that
after ein, tried< !e 'a! inherit the *ro'ise#- You ha$e een tried in the
furnace of aff&iction? the ti'e to e/ercise *atience is no2 co'e? and 2e
sha&& rea*< rethren< in due ti'e< if 2e faint not# Do not reathe
$en,eance u*on !our o**ressors< ut &ea$e the case in the hands of 5od?
-for $en,eance is 'ine< saith the Lord< and I 2i&& re*a!#-
3e 2ou&d sa! to the 2ido2 and the or*han< to the destitute and to the
diseased< 2ho ha$e een 'ade so throu,h *ersecution< e *atient? !ou are
not for,otten? the 5od of Jaco has His e!e u*on !ou? the hea$ens ha$e
een 2itness to !our sufferin,s< and these are re,istered on hi,h? an,e&s
ha$e ,a4ed u*on the scene< and !our tears< !our ,roans# !our sorro2s< and
an,uish of heart< are had in re'e'rance efore 5od? the! ha$e entered
into the s!'*athies of one 2hose oso' is -touched 2ith the fee&in,s of
our infir'ities<- and 2ho 2as -te'*ted in a&& *oints &i0e unto !ou?- the!
ha$e entered into the ears of the Lord of Saaoth? e *atient< then< unti&
the 2ords of 5od e fu&fi&&ed and His desi,n acco'*&ished? and then sha&&
He *our out His $en,eance u*on the de$oted heads of !our 'urderers? and
then sha&& the! 0no2 that He is 5odC and that !ou are His *eo*&e#
And 2e 2ou&d sa! to a&& the Saints 2ho ha$e 'ade a co$enant 2ith the
Lord ! sacrifice< that< inas'uch as !ou are faithfu&< !ou sha&& not &ose
!our re2ard< a&thou,h not nu'ered a'on, those 2ho 2ere in the &ate
difficu&ties in the 2est#
3e 2ish to sti'u&ate a&& the rethren to faithfu&ness? !ou ha$e een
tried< !ou are no2 ein, tried? and those tria&s< if !ou are not 2atchfu&<
2i&& corrode the 'ind< and *roduce un*&easant fee&in,s? ut reco&&ect that
no2 is the ti'e of tria&? soon the $ictor! 2i&& e ours? no2 'a! e a da!
of &a'entation--then 2i&& e a da! of re=oicin,? no2 'a! e a da! of
sorro2--ut ! and ! 2e sha&& see the Lord? our sorro2 3i&& e turned
into =o!< and our =o! no 'an ta0eth fro' us# "e honest? e 'en of truth
and inte,rit!? &et !our 2ord e !our ond? e di&i,ent< e *ra!erfu&? *ra!
for and 2ith !our fa'i&ies? train u* !our chi&dren in the fear of the
Lord? cu&ti$ate a 'ee0< a >uiet s*irit? c&othe the na0ed< feed the hun,r!<
he&* the destitute< e 'ercifu& to the 2ido2 and or*han< e 'ercifu& to
!our rethren< and to a&& 'en? ear 2ith one another+s infir'ities<
considerin, !our o2n 2ea0ness? rin, no rai&in, accusations a,ainst !our
rethren< es*ecia&&! ta0e care that !ou do hot a,ainst the authorities or
E&ders of the Church< for that *rinci*&e is of the de$i&? he is ca&&ed the
accuser of the rethren? and .ichae&< the archan,e&< dared not rin, a
rai&in, accusation a,ainst the de$i&< ut said< -The Lord reu0e thee<
Satan?- and an! 'an 2ho *ursues this course of accusation and 'ur'urin,<
2i&& fa&& into the snare of the de$i&< and a*ostati4e< e/ce*t he re*ent#
Jude< in the ei,hth $erse< sa!s< -These fi&th! drea'ers defi&e the
f&esh< des*ise do'inion< and s*ea0 e$i& of di,nities?- and< sa!s he<
-"eho&d< the Lord co'eth 2ith ten thousands of His Saints< to e/ecute
=ud,'ent u*on a&&< and to con$ince a&& that are un,od&! a'on, the' of a&&
their un,od&! deeds 2hich the! ha$e un,od&! co''itted< and of a&& their
hard s*eeches 2hich un,od&! sinners ha$e s*o0en a,ainst hi'#-
)eter< s*ea0in, on the sa'e *rinci*&e< sa!s+ -The Lord 0no2eth ho2 to
de&i$er the ,od&! out of te'*tations< and to reser$e the un=ust unto the
da! of =ud,'ent to e *unished( ut chief&! the' that 2a&0 after the f&esh
in the &ust of unc&eanness< and des*ise ,o$ern'ent# )resu'*tuous are the!<
se&f-2i&&ed< the! are not afraid to s*ea0 e$i& of di,nities# 3hereas
an,e&s< 2hich are ,reater in *o2er and 'i,ht< rin, not rai&in, accusation
a,ainst the' efore the Lord#-
If a 'an sin< &et hi' e dea&t 2ith accordin, to the &a2 of 5od in
the "i&e< the "oo0 of .or'on and Doctrine and Co$enants? and then &ea$e
hi' in the hands of 5od to reu0e< as .ichae& &eft the de$i&# 5ird
!ourse&$es 2ith ri,hteousness< and &et truth< eterna& truth< e 2ritten
inde&i&! on !our hearts# )ra! for the *ros*erit! of ;ion< for the )ro*het
and his counse&ors< for the T2e&$e< the Hi,h Counci&< the Hi,h )riests<
the Se$enties< the E&ders< the "isho*s< and a&& Saints-- that 5od 'a!
&ess the'< and *reser$e His *eo*&e in ri,hteousness< and ,rant unto the'
2isdo' and inte&&i,ence? that His 0in,do' 'a! ro&& forth#
3e 2ou&d sa! to the E&ders< that 5od has ca&&ed !ou to an i'*ortant
office? He has &aid u*on !ou an onerous dut!? He has ca&&ed !ou to an ho&!
ca&&in,< e$en to e the *riests of the .ost Hi,h 5od< 'essen,ers to the
nations of the earth? and u*on !our di&i,ence< !our *erse$erance and
faithfu&ness< the soundness of the doctrines 2hich !ou *reach< the 'ora&
*rece*ts that !ou ad$ance and *ractice< and u*on the sound *rinci*&es that
!ou incu&cate< 2hi&e !ou ho&d that *riesthood< han, the destinies of the
hu'an fa'i&!# You are the 'en that 5od has ca&&ed to s*read forth His
0in,do'? He has co''itted the care of sou&s to !our char,e< and 2hen !ou
recei$ed this *riesthood< !ou eca'e the &e,ates of hea$en? and the 5reat
5od de'ands it of !ou< that !ou shou&d e faithfu&? and inas'uch as !ou
are not< !ou 2i&& not e chosen? ut it 2i&& e said unto !ou< -Stand !
and &et a 'ore honora&e 'an than thou art ta0e th! *&ace< and recei$e th!
cro2n#-
"e carefu& that !ou teach not for the 2ord of 5od the co''and'ents of
'en< nor the doctrines of 'en< nor the ordinances of 'en< inas'uch as !ou
are 5od+s 'essen,ers# Stud! the 2ord of 5od< and *reach it and not !our
o*inions< for no 'an+s o*inion is 2orth a stra2# Ad$ance no *rinci*&e ut
2hat !ou can *ro$e< for one scri*tura& *roof is 2orth ten thousand
o*inions# 3e 2ou&d 'oreo$er sa!< aide ! that re$e&ation 2hich sa!s
-)reach nothin, ut re*entance to this ,eneration<- and &ea$e the further
'!steries of the 0in,do' ti&& 5od sha&& te&& !ou to *reach the'< 2hich is
not no2#
The horns of the east< the toes of the i'a,e< the fro,s< and the
east 'entioned ! John< are not ,oin, to sa$e this ,eneration? for if a
'an does not eco'e ac>uainted 2ith the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&<
ho2 sha&& he understand those ,reater '!steries< 2hich the 'ost 2ise
cannot understand 2ithout re$e&ationB These thin,s< therefore< ha$e
nothin, to do 2ith !our 'ission#
3e ha$e heard of so'e foo&ish $a,aries< and 2i&d s*ecu&ations<
ori,inatin, on&! in a disordered i'a,ination< 2hich are set forth ! so'e<
te&&in, 2hat occu*ation the! had efore the! ca'e into this 2or&d< and
2hat the! 2ou&d e e'*&o!ed 2ith after the! &ea$e this state of e/istence?
those and other $ain i'a,inations 2e 2ou&d 2arn the E&ders a,ainst<
ecause if the! &isten to such thin,s< the! 2i&& fa&& into the snare of
the de$i&? and 2hen the tr!in, ti'e co'es< the! 2i&& e o$erthro2n#
3e 2ou&d a&so 2arn the E&ders< accordin, to *re$ious counse&< not to
,o on to another+s ,round 2ithout in$itation< to interfere 2ith an other+s
*ri$i&e,e< for !our 'ission is to the 2or&d< and not to the churches#
3e 2ou&d a&so re'ar0< that no 'an has a ri,ht to usur* authorit! or
*o2er o$er an! church< nor has an! 'an *o2er to *reside o$er an! church<
un&ess he is so&icited and recei$ed ! the $oice of that church to
*reside#
)reach the first *rinci*&es of the doctrine of Christ--faith in the
Lord Jesus Christ< re*entance to2ards 5od< a*tis' in the na'e of Jesus
for the re'ission of sins< &a!in, on of hands for the ,ift of the Ho&!
5host< the resurrection of the dead< and eterna& =ud,'ent#
3hen !ou ,o forth to *reach< and the S*irit of 5od rests u*on !ou<
,i$in, !ou 2isdo' and utterance< and en&i,htenin, !our understandin,< e
carefu& that !ou ascrie the ,&or! to 5od< and not to !ourse&$es# "oast
not of inte&&i,ence< of 2isdo'< or of *o2er? for it is on&! that 2hich 5od
has i'*arted unto !ou? ut e hu'&e< e 'ee0< e *atient and ,i$e ,&or!
to 5od#
3e 2ou&d counse& a&& 2ho ha$e not recei$ed a reco''end since the
difficu&ties in .issouri# to otain one fro' the authorities of the Church
if the! 2ish to e accounted as 2ise ste2ards#
3e are ,&ad< dear rethren< to see that s*irit of enter*rise and
*erse$erance 2hich is 'anifested ! !ou in re,ard to *reachin, the 5os*e&?
and re=oice to 0no2 that neither onds nor i'*rison'ent< anish'ent
nor e/i&e< *o$ert! or conte'*t< nor a&& the co'ined *o2ers of earth and
he&&< hinder !ou fro' de&i$erin, !our testi'on! to the 2or&d< and
*u&ishin, those ,&ad tidin,s 2hich ha$e een re$ea&ed fro' hea$en ! the
'inisterin, of an,e&s< ! the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< and ! the *o2er of
5od< for the sa&$ation of the 2or&d in these &ast da!s# And 2e 2ou&d sa!
to !ou that the hearts of the T2e&$e are 2ith !ou< and the!< 2ith !ou< are
deter'ined to fu&fi&& their 'ission< to c&ear their ,ar'ents of the &ood
of this ,eneration< to introduce the 5os*e& to forei,n nations< and to
'a0e 0no2n to the 2or&d these ,reat thin,s 2hich 5od has de$e&o*ed# The!
are no2 on the e$e of their de*arture for En,&and< and 2i&& start in a fe2
da!s# The! fee& to *ra! for !ou and to so&icit an interest in !our *ra!ers
and in the *ra!ers of the Church< that 5od 'a! sustain the' in their
arduous underta0in,< ,rant the' success in their 'ission< de&i$er the'
fro' the *o2ers of dar0ness< and strata,e' of 2ic0ed 'en< and a&& the
co'ined *o2ers of earth and he&&# And if !ou united&! see0 after unit! of
*ur*ose and desi,n+ if !ou are 'en of hu'i&it! and of faithfu&ness< of
inte,rit! and *erse$erance? if !ou su'it !ourse&$es to the teachin,s of
hea$en< and are ,uided ! the S*irit of 5od? if !ou at a&& ti'es see0 the
,&or! of 5od and the sa&$ation of 'en< and &a! !our honor *rostrate in the
duet< if need e< and are 2i&&in, to fu&fi&& the *ur*oses of 5od in a&&
thin,s< the *o2er of the )riesthood 2i&& rest u*on !ou< and !ou 2i&&
eco'e 'i,ht! in testi'on!? the 2ido2 and the or*han 2i&& e 'ade ,&ad and
the *oor a'on, 'en re=oice in the Ho&! One of Israe&# )rinces 2i&& &isten
to the thin,s that !ou *roc&ai'< and the no&es of the earth 2i&& attend
2ith deference to !our 2ords? >ueens 2i&& re=oice in the ,&ad tidin,s of
sa&$ation< and 0in,s o2 to the sce*ter of I''anue&? &i,ht 2i&& urst
forth as the 'ornin,< and inte&&i,ence s*read itse&f as he ra!s of the
sun? the crin,in, s!co*hant 2i&& e asha'ed< and the traitor f&ee fro'
!our *resence? su*erstition 2i&& hide its hoar! head< and infide&it! e
asha'ed# And a'id the c&a'or of 'en< the din of 2ar< he ra,e of
*esti&ence< the co''otion of nations< the o$erthro2 of 0in,do's< and the
disso&ution of e'*ires< Truth sha&& 2a&0 forth 2ith 'i,ht! *o2er< ,uided
! the ar' of O'ni*otence< had &a! ho&d of the honest in heart a'on, a&&
nations? ;ion sha&& &osso' as a rose< and the nations f&oc0 to her
standard< and the 0in,do's of this 2or&d sha&& soon co'e the 0in,do's of
our 5od and of His Christ< and He sha&& rei,n for e$er and e$er# A'en#
"RI5HA. YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< JOHN E# )A5E< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN
TAYLOR< 5EO# A# S.ITH#
N# "#--3e ha$e heard that a 'an ! the na'e of John A# Hin0&e is
*reachin, in the Io2a territor!# 3e 2ou&d re'ar0 to the *u&ic< that 2e
ha$e 2ithdra2n our fe&&o2shi* fro' hi'< and 2i&& not stand accounta&e for
an! doctrines he&d forth ! hi'? nor 2i&& 2e e a'ena&e for his conduct#
The 'inutes of a conference 2i&& e *u&ished< 'entionin, the na'es of
others fro' 2ho' 2e ha$e 2ithdra2n our fe&&o2shi*#
CHA)TER 66%III#
THE ESCA)E OF )ARLEY )# )RATT AND HIS FELLO3 )RISONERS
FRO. .ISSOURI--THE CLOSE OF AN E)OCH#
Thursda!< Ju&! @< 789N#--I dictated histor!# To sho2 the situation of
the *risoners at Co&u'ia< .issouri< I >uote fro' E&der )ratt+s
-)ersecution of the Saints---
)ar&e! )# )ratt+s Account of His Esca*e fro' .issouri#
Sister )he&*s< Orson )ratt< and Sister )he&*s+ rother ca'e fro'
I&&inois on horseac0 and $isited 2ith us for se$era& da!s# On the fourth
of Ju&! 2e fe&t desirous as usua& to ce&erate the anni$ersar! of A'erican
&iert!? 2e accordin,&! 'anufactured a 2hite f&a,< consistin, of the ha&f
of a shirt< on 2hich 2as inscried the 2ord -Liert!<- is &ar,e &etters<
and a&so a &ar,e A'erican ea,&e 2as *ut on in red? 2e then otained a *o&e
fro' our =ai&er< and on the 'ornin, of the fourth< this f&a, 2as sus*ended
fro' the front 2indo2 of our *rison< o$erhan,in, the *u&ic s>uare< and
f&oatin, triu'*hant&! in the air to the fu&& $ie2 of the citi4ens 2ho
asse'&ed ! hundreds to ce&erate the Nationa& Jui&ee#
3ith this the citi4ens see'ed hi,h&! *&eased< and sent a *ortion of
the *u&ic dinner to us and our friends< 2ho *artoo0 2ith us in *rison
2ith 'err! hearts< as 2e intended to ,ain our &ierties or e in *aradise
efore the c&ose of that e$entfu& da!#
3hi&e 2e 2ere thus e'*&o!ed in *rison< the to2n 2as a&i$e 2ith troo*s
*aradin,< ,uns firin,< 'usic Soundin,< and shouts of =o! resoundin, on
e$er! side# In the 'eanti'e 2e 2rote the fo&&o2in, toast< 2hich 2as read
at their *u&ic dinner< 2ith 'an! and &on, cheers--
-The *atriotic and hos*ita&e citi4ens of "oone count!( o**osed to
t!rann! and o**ression< and fir' to the ori,ina& *rinci*&es of re*u&ican
&iert!? 'a! the!< in co''on 2ith e$er! *art of our 2ide s*readin,
countr!< &on, en=o! the &essin,s 2hich f&o2 fro' the fountain of A'erican
Inde*endence#-
Our dinner ein, ended< our t2o rethren too0 &ea$e of us and started
for I&&inois< E&ea$in, .rs# )he&*s to sti&& $isit 2ith her husand?F the!
had *roceeded a 'i&e or t2o on the road and then too0 into the 2oods< and
fina&&! *&aced their three horses in a thic0et 2ithin one-third of a 'i&e
of the *rison< and there the! 2aited in an/ious sus*ense unti& sundo2n# In
the 'eanti'e 2e *ut on our coats and hats and 2aited for the settin, sun#
3ith *ra!er and su**&ication for de&i$erance fro' this &on, and
tedious onda,e< and for a restoration to the societ! of our friends and
fa'i&ies< 2e then sun, the fo&&o2in, &ines--
Lord cause their foo&ish *&ans to fai&< And &et the' faint or die?
Our sou&s 2ou&d >uit this &oathso'e =ai&< And f&! to I&&inois#
To =oin 2ith the e'odied Saints< 3ho are 2ith freedo' &essed--That
on&! &iss for 2hich 2e *ant-- 3ith the' a 2hi&e to rest#
5i$e =o! for ,rief--,i$e ease for *ain? Ta0e a&& our foes a2a!? "ut
&et us find our friends a,ain< In this e$entfu& da!#
Thus ended the ce&eration of our Nationa& Liert!? ut the ,ainin,
of our o2n 2as the ,rand achie$e'ent no2 efore us# In the 'eanti'e< the
sun 2as settin,? the 'o'ent arri$ed--the footste*s of the =ai&er 2ere
heard on the stairs? e$er! 'an f&e2 to his feet< and stood near the door#
The ,reat door 2as o*ened< and our su**er handed in throu,h a s'a&& ho&e
in the inner door< 2hich sti&& re'ained &oc0ed? ut at &en,th the 0e! 2as
turned in order to hand in the *ot of coffee# No sooner 2as the 0e! turned
than the door 2as =er0ed o*en< and in a 'o'ent a&& three of us 2ere
out--and rushin, do2n the stairs< throu,h the entr!< and out into the door
!ard< 2hen )he&*s c&eared hi'se&f 2ithout in=urin, the =ai&or< and a&& of
us &ea*ed se$era& fences< ran throu,h the fie&ds to2ards the thic0et<
2here 2e e/*ected to find our friends and horses#
In the 'eanti'e the to2n 2as a&ar'ed? and 'an! 2ere seen rushin,
after us< so'e on horseac0< and so'e on foot< *re*ared 2ith do,s< ,uns<
and 2hate$er ca'e to hand# "at the fish of Liert!< 2ith its ea,&e< sti&&
f&oated on hi,h in the distance< and under that anner< our ner$es see'ed
to stren,then at e$er! ste*#
3e ,ained the horses< 'ounted< and dashed into the 2i&derness< each
his o2n 2a!# After a fe2 =u'*s of '! horse< I 2as hai&ed ! an ar'ed 'an
at *isto& shot distance< cr!in,< -d---- !ou< sto*< or I+&& shoot !ouK- I
rushed on2ard dee*er into the forest< 2hi&e the cr! 2as re*eated in c&ose
*ursuit< -d---- !ou< sto*< or I+&& shoot !ou<- at e$er! ste*< ti&& at
&en,th it died a2a! in the distance# I *&un,ed a 'i&e into the
forest--ca'e to a ha&t--tied '! horse in a thic0et--2ent a distance and
c&i'ed a tree< to a2ait the a**roachin, dar0ness#
"ein, so &itt&e used to e/ercise< I fainted throu,h o$er-e/ertion<
and re'ained so faint for near&! an hour that I cou&d not ,et do2n fro'
the tree? ut ca&&in, on the Lord< He stren,thened 'e< and I ca'e do2n
fro' the tree# "ut '! horse had ,ot &oose and ,one# I then 'ade '! 2a! on
foot for se$era& da!s and ni,hts< *rinci*a&&! 2ithout food< and scarce&!
sufferin, '!se&f to e seen#
After fi$e da!s of dreadfu& sufferin, 2ith fati,ue and hun,er< I
crossed the .ississi**i and found '!se&f once 'ore in a &and of freedo'#
.r# )he&*s 'ade his esca*e a&so? ut 1in, Fo&&et 2as reta0en and carried
ac0# Lu'an 5is continued in the *rison? he had a*ostati4ed and turned
traitor to the others#-
A))ENDI6 TO %OLU.E III#
AFFIDA%ITS OF HYRU. S.ITH et a&# ON AFFAIRS IN
.ISSOURI< 7897-9N? OFFICIALLY SU"SCRI"ED TO "EFORE THE .UNICI)AL
COURT OF NAU%OO THE FIRST DAY OF JULY< 78@9#
E/*&anator! Note#
IIn the 'onth of June< 78@9< a des*erate effort 2as 'ade to dra, the
)ro*het Jose*h S'ith ac0 to the state of .issouri< on a char,e of treason
a,ainst that state? and a&so a&&e,in, that ecause of his esca*e fro'
Liert! *rison in C&a! count!< .issouri< he had eco'e a fu,iti$e fro'
=ustice# A *rocess 2as issued ! Tho'as Re!no&ds< ,o$ernor of the state
of .issouri< and *&aced in the hands of Jose*h H# Re!no&ds a**ointed the
a,ent of that state to recei$e the )ro*het fro' the hands of the I&&inois
authorities 2ho 2ere to 'a0e the arrest# Tho'as Ford< ,o$ernor of
I&&inois< issued the necessar! *a*ers for the arrest< and *&aced the' in
the hands of Har'on T# 3i&son< 2ho< in co'*an! 2ith Re!no&ds< the .issouri
a,ent< arrested the )ro*het near Di/on in Lee count!< I&&inois< so'ethin,
'ore than t2o hundred 'i&es north and east of Nau$oo# The )ro*het 'ana,ed
2ith the assistance of his friends in I&&inois< to e returned to Nau$oo<
2here he succeeded in ,ettin, out a 2rit of haeas cor*us efore the
'unici*a& court of that *&ace< ! 2hich he 2as de&i$ered fro' the hands of
the .issouri a,ent# In the course of the e/ *arte hearin, the fo&&o2in,
2itnesses 2ere e/a'ined< $i4#< H!ru' S'ith< )ar&e! )# )ratt< "ri,ha'
Youn,< 5eor,e 3# )it0in< L!'an 3i,ht< and Sidne! Ri,don# In the course of
the e/a'ination of these 2itnesses ! affida$it the stor! of the
*ersecutions of the Latter-da! Saints is re&ated at &en,th# It cannot e
said that an!thin, ne2 is added to the .issouri *eriod of the Church
histor! ! these affida$its< ut the! are state'ents 'ade officia&&!
efore a court of in>uir! and therefore ha$e a $a&ue of their o2n on that
account< and as this is a docu'entar! histor! of the Church< these $o&u'es
2ou&d e inco'*&ete 2ithout the'# A desire to ,rou* a&& e$ents c&ose&!
re&ated has induced the Editors to ta0e these affida$its out of the *&ace
2here the! 2ere ,i$en< in 78@9< and *&ace the' in this $o&u'e< 2hich is so
&ar,e&! de$oted to the .issouri *eriod of the Church histor!#
The 'unici*a& court of Nau$oo sat on the first da! of Ju&!< 78@9< at
ei,ht o+c&oc0 a# '#< 3i&&ia' .ar0s actin, as chief =ustice< Danie& A#
3e&&s< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< 5eor,e 3# Harris< 5usta$us Hi&&s and Hira'
1i'a&& associate =ustices and the 2itnesses 2ere e/a'ined in the order in
2hich their affida$its are here *u&ished#
I# THE TESTI.ONY OF HYRU. S.ITH#
H!ru' S'ith s2orn< said that the defendant no2 in court is his
rother< and that his na'e is not Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ut Jose*h S'ith<
Sen#< and has een for 'ore than t2o !ears *ast#C I ha$e een ac>uainted
2ith hi' e$er since he 2as orn< 2hich 2as thirt!-se$en !ears in Dece'er
&ast? and I ha$e not een asent fro' hi' at an! one ti'e not e$en for the
s*ace of si/ 'onths< since his irth< to '! reco&&ection< and ha$e een
inti'ate&! ac>uainted 2ith a&& his sa!in,s< doin,s< usiness transactions
and 'o$e'ents< as 'uch as an! one 'an cou&d e ac>uainted 2ith another
'an+s usiness< u* to the *resent ti'e< and do 0no2 that he has not
co''itted treason a,ainst an! state in the Union< ! an! o$ert act< or !
&e$!in, 2ar< or ! aidin,< aettin, or assistin, an ene'! in an! state in
the Union? and that the said Jose*h S'ith< Sen#<has not co''itted treason
in the state of .issouri< or $io&ated an! &a2 or ru&e of said state? I
ein, *ersona&&! ac>uainted 2ith the transactions and doin,s of said S'ith
2hi&st he resided in said state< 2hich 2as for aout si/ 'onths in the
!ear 7898? I ein, a&so a resident in said state durin, the sa'e *eriod of
ti'e? and I do 0no2 that said Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< ne$er 2as su=ect to
'i&itar! dut! in an! state< neither 2as he in the state of .issouri< he
ein, e/e'*t ! the a'*utation or e/traction of a one fro' his &e,< and
! ha$in, a &icense to *reach the 5os*e&< or ein,< in other 2ords< a
'inister of the 5os*e&? and I do 0no2 that said S'ith ne$er ore ar's< as
a 'i&itar! 'an< in an! ca*acit! 2hate$er< 2hi&st in the state of .issouri<
or *re$ious to that ti'e? neither has he ,i$en an! orders or assu'ed an!
co''and in an! ca*acit! 2hate$er# "ut I do 0no2 that 2hi&st he 2as in the
state of .issouri< the *eo*&e co''on&! ca&&ed -.or'ons- 2ere threatened
2ith $io&ence and e/ter'ination? and on or aout the first
.onda! in Au,ust< 7898< at the e&ection in 5a&&atin< the count! seat
in Da$iess count!< the citi4ens 2ho 2ere co''on&! ca&&ed -.or'ons- 2ere
foridden to e/ercise the ri,hts of franchise? and fro' that circu'stance
an affra! co''enced and a fi,ht ensued a'on, the citi4ens of that *&ace?
and fro' that ti'e a 'o co''enced ,atherin, in that count!< threatenin,
the e/ter'ination of the -.or'ons#- The said S'ith and '!se&f< u*on
hearin, the 'os 2ere co&&ectin, to,ether< and that the! a&so 'urdered t2o
of the citi4ens of the sa'e *&ace< I5a&&atinJ and 2ou&d not suffer the' to
e uried< the said S'ith and '!se&f 2ent o$er to Da$iess count! to &earn
the *articu&ars of the affra!? ut u*on our arri$a& at Diah'an 2e &earned
that none 2as 0i&&ed< ut se$era& 2ere 2ounded# 3e tarried a&& ni,ht at
Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht+s# The ne/t 'ornin,< the 2eather ein, $er! 2ar'< and
ha$in, een $er! dr!< for so'e ti'e *re$ious&!< the s*rin,s and 2e&&s in
the re,ion 2ere dried u*# On 'ountin, our horses to return< 2e rode u* to
.r# "&ac0+s 2ho 2as then an actin, =ustice of the *eace< to otain so'e
2ater for ourse&$es and horses# So'e fe2 of the citi4ens acco'*anied us
there? and< after otainin, 2ater< .r# "&ac0 2as as0ed ! said Jose*h
S'ith< Sen#< if he 2ou&d use his inf&uence to see that the &a2s 2ere
faithfu&&! e/ecuted< and to *ut do2n 'o $io&ence? and he ,a$e us a *a*er
2ritten ! his o2n hand< statin, that he 2ou&d do so# He IJose*h S'ith<
Sen#J a&so re>uested hi' to ca&& to,ether the 'ost inf&uentia& 'en of the
count! on the ne/t da!< that 2e 'i,ht ha$e an inter$ie2 2ith the'# To this
he ac>uiesced< and< accordin,&!< the ne/t da! the! asse'&ed at the house
of Co&one& 3i,ht< and entered into a 'utua& co$enant of *eace to *ut do2n
'o $io&ence and *rotect each other in the en=o!'ent of their ri,hts#
After this< 2e a&& *arted 2ith the est of fee&in,s< and each 'an returned
to his o2n ho'e#
This 'utua& a,ree'ent of *eace< ho2e$er< did not &ast &on,? for< ut
a fe2 da!s after2ards< the 'o e,an to co&&ect a,ain< unti& se$era&
hundreds rende4$oused at .i&&*ort< a fe2 'i&es distant fro' Diah'an# The!
i''ediate&! co''enced 'a0in, a,,ressions u*on the citi4ens ca&&ed
-.or'ons<- ta0in, a2a! their ho,s and catt&e and threatenin, the' 2ith
e/ter'ination or utter e/tinction< sa!in, that the! had a cannon< and
there shou&d e no co'*ro'ise on&! at its 'outh# The! fre>uent&! too0 'en<
2o'en and chi&dren *risoners< 2hi**in, the' and &aceratin, their odies
2ith hic0or! 2ithes< and t!in, the' to trees and de*ri$in, the' of food
unti& the! 2ere co'*e&&ed to ,na2 the ar0 fro' the trees to 2hich the!
2ere ound< in order to sustain &ife? treatin, the' in the 'ost crue&
'anner the! cou&d in$ent or thin0 of< and doin, e$er!thin, the! cou&d to
e/cite the indi,nation of the -.or'on- *eo*&e to rescue the'< in order
that the! 'i,ht 'a0e that a *rete/t for an accusation for the reach of
the &a2< and that the! 'i,ht the etter e/cite the *re=udice of the
*o*u&ace< and there! ,et aid and assistance to carr! out their he&&ish
*ur*oses of e/ter'ination#
I''ediate&! on the authentication of these facts< 'essen,ers 2ere
des*atched fro' Far 3est to Austin A# 1in,< =ud,e of the fifth =udicia&
district of the state of .issouri< and a&so to .a=or-5enera& Atchison<
co''ander-in-chief of that di$ision< and "ri,adier-5enera& Doni*han<
,i$in, the' infor'ation of the e/istin, facts< and de'andin, i''ediate
assistance#
5enera& Atchison returned 2ith the 'essen,ers< and 2ent i''ediate&!
to Diah'an< and fro' thence to .i&&*ort< and he found that the facts 2ere
true as re*orted to hi'--that the citi4ens of that count! 2ere asse'&ed
to,ether in a hosti&e attitude< to the nu'er of t2o or three hundred 'en<
threatenin, the utter e/ter'ination of the -.or'ons#- He at once returned
to C&a! count!< and ordered out a sufficient 'i&itar! force to >ue&& the
'o#
I''ediate&! after< the! 2ere dis*ersed< and the ar'! returned# The
'o co''enced co&&ectin, a,ain soon after# 3e a,ain a**&ied for 'i&itar!
aid< 2hen 5enera& Doni*han ca'e out 2ith a force of si/t! ar'ed 'en to Far
3est? ut the! 2ere in such a state of insuordination that he said he
cou&d not contro& the'< and it 2as thou,ht ad$isa&e ! Co&# Hin0&e< .r#
Ri,don and others< that the! shou&d return ho'e# 5enera& Doni*han ordered
Co&one& Hin0&e to ca&& out the 'i&itia of Ca&d2e&& and defend the to2n
a,ainst the 'o? for< said he< !ou ha$e ,reat reason to e a&ar'ed# He
said Nei& 5i&&iu'< fro' the )&atte count!< had co'e do2n 2ith t2o hundred
ar'ed 'en< and had ta0en u* their station at Hunter+s .i&&< a *&ace
distant aout se$enteen or ei,hteen 'i&es north2est of the to2n of Far
3est< and a&so that an ar'ed force had co&&ected a,ain at .i&&*ort< in
Da$iess count!< consistin, of se$era& hundred 'en? and that another ar'ed
force had co&&ected at De 3itt< in Carro&& count!< aout fift! 'i&es
southeast of Far 3est< 2here aout se$ent! fa'i&ies of the -.or'on- *eo*&e
had sett&ed u*on the an0s of the .issouri ri$er< at a &itt&e to2n ca&&ed
De 3itt#
I''ediate&!< 2hi&st he 2as !et ta&0in,< a 'essen,er ca'e in fro' De
3itt< statin, that three or four hundred 'en had asse'&ed to,ether at
that *&ace< ar'ed ca*-a-*ie< and that the! had threatened the utter
e/tinction of the citi4ens of De 3itt< if the! did not &ea$e the *&ace
i''ediate&!? and that the! had a&so surrounded the to2n and cut off a&&
su**&ies of food< so that 'an! of the inhaitants 2ere sufferin, fro'
hun,er#
5enera& Doni*han see'ed to e $er! 'uch a&ar'ed< and a**eared to e
2i&&in, to do a&& he cou&d to assist and to re&ie$e the sufferin,s of the
-.or'on- *eo*&e# He ad$ised that a *etition e ,otten u* at once and sent
to the 5o$ernor# A *etition 2as accordin,&! *re*ared< and a 'essen,er
des*atched to the ,o$ernor< and another *etition 2as sent to Jud,e 1in,#
The -.or'on- *eo*&e throu,hout the countr! 2ere in a ,reat state of
a&ar' and a&so in ,reat distress# The! sa2 the'se&$es co'*&ete&!
surrounded ! ar'ed forces on the north< and on the north2est and on the
south# "o,art< 2ho 2as a .ethodist *reacher and a ca*tain o$er a 'i&itia
co'*an! of fift! so&diers< ut 2ho had added to this nu'er out of the
surroundin, counties aout one hundred 'ore< 2hich 'ade his force aout
one hundred and fift! stron,< 2as stationed at Croo0ed cree0< sendin, out
his scoutin, *arties< ta0in, 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren *risoners< dri$in,
off catt&e< ho,s and horses< enterin, into e$er! house on Lo, and Lon,
cree0s< rif&in, their houses of their 'ost *recious artic&es< such as
'one!< eddin, and c&othin,< ta0in, a&& their o&d 'us0ets and their
rif&es< or 'i&itar! i'*&e'ents< threatenin, the *eo*&e 2ith instant death<
if the! did not de&i$er u* a&& their *recious thin,s and enter into a
co$enant to &ea$e the state or ,o into the cit! of Far 3est ! the ne/t
'ornin,< sa!in, that the! -ca&cu&ated to dri$e the *eo*&e into Far 3est<
and then dri$e the' to he&&#- 5i&&iu' a&so 2as doin, the sa'e on the
north2est side of Far 3est? and Sashie& 3oods< a )res!terian 'inister<
2as the &eader of the 'o in Da$iess count!? and a $er! noted 'an of the
sa'e societ! 2as the &eader of the 'o in Carro&& count!# And the! 2ere
a&so sendin, out their scoutin, *arties< roin, and *i&&a,in, houses<
dri$in, a2a! ho,s< horses and catt&e< ta0in, 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren and
carr!in, the' off< threatenin, their &i$es< and su=ectin, the' to a&&
'anner of auses that the! cou&d in$ent or thin0 of#
Under this state of a&ar'< e/cite'ent and distress< the 'essen,ers
returned fro' the ,o$ernor and fro' the other authorities< rin,in, the
start&in, ne2s that the -.or'ons- cou&d ha$e no assistance# The! stated
that the ,o$ernor said the -.or'ons- had ,ot into a difficu&t! 2ith the
citi4ens< and the! 'i,ht fi,ht it out< for a&& he cared# He cou&d not
render the' an! assistance#
The *eo*&e of De 3it 2ere o&i,ed to &ea$e their ho'es and ,o into
Far 3est< ut did not do so unti& after 'an! of the' had star$ed to death
for 2ant of *ro*er sustenance< and se$era& died on the road there< and
2ere uried ! the 2a!side< 2ithout a coffin or a funera& cere'on!? and
the distress< sufferin,s< and *ri$ations of the *eo*&e cannot e
e/*ressed#
A&& the scattered fa'i&ies of the -.or'on- *eo*&e< 2ith ut fe2
e/ce*tions< in a&& the counties< e/ce*t Da$iess< 2ere dri$en into Far
3est#
This on&! increased their distress< for 'an! thousands 2ho 2ere
dri$en there had no haitations or houses to she&ter the'< and 2ere
hudd&ed to,ether< so'e in tents and others under &an0ets< 2hi&e others
had no she&ter fro' the inc&e'enc! of the 2eather# Near&! t2o 'onths the
*eo*&e had een in this a2fu& state of consternation? 'an! of the' had
een 0i&&ed< 2hi&st others had een 2hi**ed unti& the! had to s2athe u*
their o2e&s to *re$ent the' fro' fa&&in, out#
Aout this ti'e 5enera& )ar0s ca'e out fro' Rich'ond< Ra! count!# He
2as one of the co''issioned officers sent out at the ti'e the 'o 2as
first >ue&&ed< and 2ent out to Diah'an# .! rother< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#<
and I 2ent out at the sa'e ti'e#
On the e$enin, that 5enera& )ar0s arri$ed at Diah'an< the 2ife of '!
rother< the &ate Don Car&os S'ith< ca'e into Co&one& 3i,ht+s aout 77
o+c&oc0 at ni,ht< rin,in, her t2o chi&dren a&on, 2ith her< one aout t2o
and a ha&f !ears o&d< the other a ae in her ar's# She ca'e on foot< a
distance of three 'i&es< and 2aded 5rand ri$er# The 2ater 2as then 2aist
dee*# and the sno2 three inches dee*# She stated that a *art! of the
'o--a ,an, of ruffians--had turned her out of doors and ta0en her
househo&d ,oods< and had urnt u* her house# and she had esca*ed ! the
s0in of her teeth# Her husand at that ti'e 2as in Tennessee< Ion a
'issionJ and she 2as &i$in, a&one#
This crue& transaction e/cited the fee&in,s of the *eo*&e of Diah'an<
es*ecia&&! of Co&one& 3i,ht and he as0ed 5enera& )ar0s in '! hearin, ho2
&on, 2e had ,ot to suffer such ase treat'ent# 5enera& )ar0s said he did
not 0no2 ho2 &on,# Co&one& 3i,ht then as0ed hi' 2hat shou&d e doneB
5enera& )ar0s to&d hi' -he shou&d ta0e a co'*an! of 'en< 2e&& ar'ed< and
,o and dis*erse the 'o 2here$er he shou&d find an! co&&ected to,ether<
and ta0e a2a! their ar's#- Co&one& 3i,ht did so *recise&! accordin, to
the orders of 5enera& )ar0s# And '! rother< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< 'ade no
order aout it#
And after Co&# 3i,ht had dis*ersed the 'o< and *ut a sto* to their
urnin, houses e&on,in, to the -.or'on- *eo*&e< and turnin, 2o'en and
chi&dren out of doors< 2hich the! had done u* to that ti'e to the nu'er
of ei,ht or ten houses< 2hich houses 2ere consu'ed to ashes# After ein,
cut short in their intended desi,ns< the 'o started u* a ne2 *&an# The!
2ent to 2or0 and 'o$ed their fa'i&ies out of the count! and set fire to
their houses? and not ein, a&e to incense the -.or'ons- to co''it
cri'es< the! had recourse to this strata,e' to set their houses on fire<
and send runners into a&& the counties ad=acent to dec&are to the *eo*&e
that the -.or'ons- had urnt u* their houses and destro!ed their fie&ds?
and if the *eo*&e 2ou&d not e&ie$e the'< the! 2ou&d te&& the' to ,o and
see if 2hat the! had said 2as not true#
.an! *eo*&e ca'e to see# The! sa2 the houses urnin,? and< ein,
fi&&ed 2ith *re=udice< the! cou&d not e 'ade to e&ie$e ut that the
-.or'ons- set the' on fire? 2hich deed 2as 'ost diao&ica& and of the
&ac0est 0ind? for indeed the -.or'ons- did not set the' on fire< nor
'edd&e 2ith their houses or their fie&ds#
And the house? that 2ere urnt< had a&& een *re$ious&! *urchased !
the -.or'on?- of the *eo*&e< to,ether 2ith the *re-e'*tion ri,hts and the
corn in the fie&ds< and *aid for in 'one!< and 2ith 2a,ons and horses< and
2ith other *ro*ert!< aout t2o 2ee0s efore? ut the! had not ta0en
*ossession of the *re'ises# This 2ic0ed transaction 2as for the *ur*ose
of c&andestine&! e/citin, the 'inds of a *re=udiced *o*u&ace and the
e/ecuti$e< that the! 'i,ht ,et an order that the! cou&d the 'ore easi&!
carr! out their he&&ish *ur*oses< in e/*u&sion< or e/ter'ination< or utter
e/tinction of the -.or'on- *eo*&e#
After 2itnessin, the distressed situation of the *eo*&e in Diah'an<
'! rother< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< and '!se&f returned to the cit! of Far
3est< and i''ediate&! dis*atched a 'essen,er< 2ith 2ritten docu'ents< to
5enera& Atchison< statin, the facts as the! did then e/ist< *ra!in, for
assistance< if *ossi&e< and re>uestin, the editor of the Far 3est to
insert the sa'e in his ne2s*a*er# "ut he utter&! refused ,o do so#
3e sti&& e&ie$ed that 2e shou&d ,et assistance fro' the 5o$ernor<
and a,ain *etitioned hi'< *ra!in, for assistance< settin, forth our
distressed situation# And in the 'eanti'e the *residin, =ud,e of the
count! court issued orders< u*on affida$its 'ade to hi' ! the citi4ens<
sheriff of the count!< too order- out the 'i&itia of the count! to
constant readiness< ni,ht and da!< to *re$ent the citi4ens fro' ein,
'assacred< 2hich fearfu& situation the! 2ere in e$er! 'o'ent#
E$er!thin, 2as $er! *ortentous and a&ar'in,# Not2ithstandin, a&&
this< there 2as a ra! of ho*e !et e/istin, in the 'inds of the *eo*&e that
the ,o$ernor 2ou&d render us assistance? and 2hi&st the *eo*&e 2ere
2aitin, an/ious&! for de&i$erance--'en< 2o'en< and chi&dren fri,htened<
*ra!in,< and 2ee*in,< 2e ehe&d at a distance< crossin, the *rairies and
a**roachin, the to2n< a &ar,e ar'! in 'i&itar! arra!< randishin, their
,&itterin, s2ords in the sunshine? and 2e cou&d not ut fee& =o!fu& for a
'o'ent< thin0in, that *roa&! the ,o$ernor had sent an ar'ed force to our
re&ief< not2ithstandin, the a2fu& foreodin,s that *er$aded our reasts#
"ut to our ,reat sur*rise< 2hen the ar'! arri$ed< the! ca'e u* and
for'ed a &ine in dou&e fi&e 2ithin one-ha&f 'i&e on the south of the cit!
of Far 3est and des*atched three 'essen,ers 2ith a 2hite f&a, to the cit!#
The! 2ere 'et ! Ca*tain .ore!< 2ith a fe2 other indi$idua&s< 2hose na'es
I do not no2 reco&&ect# I 2as '!se&f standin, c&ose !< and cou&d $er!
distinct&! hear e$er! 2ord the! said#
"ein, fi&&ed 2ith an/iet!< I rushed for2ard to the s*ot< e/*ectin, to
hear ,ood ne2s# "ut< a&asK and heart-thri&&in, to e$er! sou& that heard
the'< the! de'anded three *ersons to e rou,ht out of the cit! efore
the! shou&d 'assacre the rest#
The na'es of the *ersons the! de'anded 2ere Ada' Li,htner< John
C&e'inson< and his 2ife# I''ediate&! the three *ersons 2ere rou,ht forth
to ho&d an inter$ie2 2ith the officers 2ho had 'ade the de'and< and the
officers to&d the' the! had no2 a chance to sa$e their &i$es< for the!
intended to destro! the *eo*&e and &a! the cit! in ashes# The! re*&ied to
the officers< if the *eo*&e 'ust e destro!ed and the cit! urned to
ashes< the! 2ou&d re'ain in the cit! and die 2ith the'#
The officers i''ediate&! returned< and the ar'! retreated and
enca'*ed aout a 'i&e and a ha&f fro' the cit!#
A 'essen,er 2as at once dis*atched 2ith a 2hite f&a, fro' the Co&one&
of the 'i&itia of Far 3est< re>uestin, an inter$ie2 2ith 5enera& Atchison
and 5enera& Doni*han? ut as the 'essen,er a**roached the ca'*< he 2as
shot at ! "o,art< the .ethodist *reacher#
The na'e of the 'essen,er 2as Char&es C# Rich< 2ho is no2 I78@9J
"ri,adier-5enera& in the Nau$oo Le,ion# Ho2e$er< he ,ained *er'ission to
see 5enera& Doni*han? he a&so re>uested an inter$ie2 2ith 5enera&
Atchison#
5enera& Doni*han said that 5enera& Atchison had een dis'ounted a fe2
'i&es ac0< ! a s*ecia& order of the 5o$ernor# and had een sent ac0 to
Liert!< C&a! count!# He a&so stated that the reason 2as< that he
EAtchisonF 2as too 'ercifu& unto the -.or'ons<- and "o,,s 2ou&d not &et
hi' ha$e the co''and< ut had ,i$en it to 5enera& Lucas< 2ho 2as fro'
Jac0son count!< and 2hose heart had eco'e hardened ! his for'er acts of
ra*ine and &oodshed< he ein, one of the &eaders in 'urderin,< dri$in,<
and *&underin, the -.or'on- *eo*&e in that count!< and urnin, so'e t2o or
three hundred of their houses< in the !ears 7899 and 789@#
.r# Rich re>uested 5enera& Doni*han to s*are the *eo*&e< and not
suffer the' to e 'assacred unti& the ne/t 'ornin,< it then ein, e$enin,#
He coo&&! a,reed that he 2ou&d not< and a&so said that he had not as !et
recei$ed the 5o$ernor+s order< ut e/*ected it e$er! hour< and shou&d not
'a0e an! further 'o$e unti& he had recei$ed it? ut he 2ou&d not 'a0e an!
*ro'ises so far as re,arded Nei& 5i&&iu'+s ar'!< it ha$in, arri$ed a fe2
'inutes *re$ious&! and =oined the 'ain od! of the ar'!< he I5i&&iu'J
0no2in, 2e&& at 2hat hour to for' a =unction 2ith the 'ain od!#
.r# Rich then returned to the cit!< ,i$in, this infor'ation# The
Co&one& I5# .# Hin0&eJ i''ediate&! dis*atched a second 'essen,er 2ith a
2hite f&a,< to re>uest another inter$ie2 2ith 5enera& Doni*han< in order
to touch his s!'*ath! and co'*assion< and< if it 2ere *ossi&e for hi' to
use his est endea$ors to *reser$e the &i$es of the *eo*&e#
On the return of this 'essen,er< 2e &earned that se$era& *ersons had
een 0i&&ed ! so'e of the so&diers 2ho 2ere under the co''and of 5enera&
Lucas#
One .r# Care! had his rains 0noc0ed out ! the reech of a ,un< and
he &a! &eedin, se$era& hours? ut his fa'i&! 2ere not *er'itted to
a**roach hi'< nor an! one e&se a&&o2ed to ad'inister re&ief to hi' 2hi&st
he &a! u*on the ,round in the a,onies of death#
.r# Care! had =ust arri$ed in the countr!< fro' the State of Ohio<
on&! a fe2 hours *re$ious to the arri$a& of the ar'!# He had a fa'i&!<
consistin, of a 2ife and se$era& s'a&& chi&dren# He 2as uried ! Lucius
N# Sco$i&< 2ho is no2 I78@9J the senior 3arden of the Nau$oo I.asonicJ
&od,e#
Another 'an< of the na'e of John Tanner< 2as 0noc0ed on the head at
the sa'e ti'e< and his s0u&& &aid are to the 2idth of a 'an+s hand? and
he &a!< to a&& a**earances< in the a,onies of death for se$era& hours? ut
! the *er'ission of 5enera& Doni*han< his friends rou,ht hi' out of the
ca'*? and 2ith ,ood nursin,< he s&o2&! reco$ered< and is no2 &i$in,#
There 2as another 'an< 2hose na'e is )o2e&&< 2ho 2as eat on the head
2ith the reech of a ,un unti& his s0u&& 2as fractured< and his rains ran
out in t2o or three *&aces# He is no2 a&i$e and resides in this IHancoc0J
count!< ut has &ost the use of his senses# Se$era& *ersons of his fa'i&!
2ere a&so &eft for dead< ut ha$e since reco$ered#
These acts of ararit! 2ere a&so co''itted ! the so&diers under the
co''and of 5enera& Lucas< *re$ious to ha$in, recei$ed the 5o$ernor+s order
of e/ter'ination#
It 2as on the e$enin, of the 9Dth Octoer< accordin, to the est of
'! reco&&ections< that the ar'! arri$ed at Far 3est< the sun aout
ha&f-an-hour hi,h# In a fe2 'o'ents after2ards< Corne&ius 5i&&iu' arri$ed
2ith his ar'! and for'ed a =unction#
This 5i&&iu' had een stationed at Hunter+s .i&&s for aout t2o
'onths *re$ious to that ti'e< co''ittin, de*redations u*on the
inhaitants< ca*turin, 'en< 2o'en< and chi&dren carr!in, the' off as
*risoners and &aceratin, their odies 2ith hic0or! 2ithes#
The ar'! of 5i&&iu' 2ere *ainted &i0e Indians( so'e< 'ore cons*icuous
than others< 2ere desi,nated ! red s*ots? and he a&so 2as *ainted in a
si'i&ar 'anner 2ith red s*ots 'ar0ed on his face< and st!&ed hi'se&f the
-DELA3ARE CHIEF#- The! 2ou&d 2hoo* and ha&&oo< and !e&& as near&! &i0e
Indians as the! cou&d< and continued to do so a&& that ni,ht#
In the 'ornin,< ear&!< the Co&one& of 'i&itia I5# .# Hin0&eJ sent a
'essen,er into the ca'* 2ith a 2hite f&a,< to ha$e another inter$ie2 2ith
5enera& Doni*han# On his return< he infor'ed us that the ,o$ernor+s order
had arri$ed#
5enera& Doni*han said that the order of the ,o$ernor 2as< to
e/ter'inate the .or'ons< ! 5od? ut he 2ou&d e da'ned if he oe!ed that
order< ut 5enera& Lucas 'i,ht do 2hat he *&eased#
3e i''ediate&! &earned fro' 5enera& Doni*han< that -the 5o$ernor+s
order that had arri$ed 2as on&! a co*! of the ori,ina&< and that the
ori,ina& order 2as in the hands of .a=or-5enera& C&ar0< 2ho 2as on his 2a!
to Far 3est 2ith an additiona& ar'! of :<DDD 'en#-
I''ediate&! after this< there ca'e into the cit! a 'essen,er fro'
Haun+s .i&&s< rin,in, the inte&&i,ence of an a2fu& 'assacre of the *eo*&e
2ho 2ere residin, in that *&ace< and that a force of t2o or three hundred
detached fro' the 'ain od! of the ar'!< under the su*erior co''and of
Co&one& Ash&e!< ut under the i''ediate co''and of Ca*tain Nehe'iah
Co'stoc0< 2ho< the da! *re$ious< had *ro'ised the' *eace and *rotection?
ut on recei$in, a co*! of the 5o$ernor+s order -to e/ter'inate or to
e/*e&- fro' the hands of Co&one& Ash&e!< he returned u*on the' the
fo&&o2in, da! and sur*rised and 'assacred near&! the 2ho&e *o*u&ation of
the *&ace< and then ca'e on to the to2n of Far 3est< and entered into
con=unction 2ith the 'ain od! of the ar'!#
The 'essen,er infor'ed us that he hi'se&f< 2ith a fe2 others< f&ed
into the thic0ets< 2hich *reser$ed the' fro' the 'assacre? and on the
fo&&o2in, 'ornin, the! returned and co&&ected the dead odies of the
*eo*&e< and cast the' into a 2e&&? and there 2ere u*2ards of HD 2ho 2ere
dead or 'orta&&! 2ounded and there are se$era& of the 2ounded no2 I78@9J
&i$in, in this cit! INau$ooJ#
One< of the na'e of Yocu'< has &ate&! had his &e, a'*utated< in
conse>uence of 2ounds he then recei$ed# He had a a&& shot throu,h his
head< 2hich entered near his e!e and ca'e out at the ac0 *art of his
head< and another a&& *assed throu,h one of his ar's#
The ar'!< durin, a&& the 2hi&e the! had een enca'*ed at Far 3est<
continued to &a! 2aste fie&ds of corn< 'a0in, ho,s< shee*< and catt&e
co''on *&under< and shootin, the' do2n for s*ort#
One 'an shot a co2 and too0 a stri* of her s0in< the 2idth of his
hand< fro' her head to her tai&< and tied it around a tree to s&i* his
ha&ter into to tie his horse 2ith#
The cit! 2as surrounded 2ith a stron, ,uard? and no 'an< 2o'an or
chi&d 2as *er'itted to ,o out or to co'e in< under *ena&t! of death# .an!
of the citi4ens 2ere shot at in atte'*tin, to ,o out to otain sustenance
for the'se&$es and fa'i&ies#
There 2as one fie&d fenced in< consistin, of 7<HDD acres< 'ost&!
co$ered 2ith corn# It 2as entire&! &aid 2aste ! the hands of the ar'!#
The ne/t da! after the arri$a& of the ar'!< to2ards e$enin,
Co&one& Hin0&e ca'e u* fro' the ca'*< re>uestin, to see '! rother
Jose*h< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Sidne! Ri,don< L!'an 3i,ht< and 5eor,e 3#
Roinson< statin, that the officers of the ar'! 2anted a 'utua&
consu&tation 2ith those 'en? Hin0&e a&so assured the' that these
,enera&s--Doni*han< Lucas< 3i&son< and 5raha'--Eho2e$er< 5enera& 5raha' is
an honora&e e/ce*tion? he did a&& he cou&d to *reser$e the &i$es of the
*eo*&e< contrar! to the order of the ,o$ernorF?--had *&ed,ed their sacred
honor that the! shou&d not e aused or insu&ted< ut shou&d e ,uarded
ac0 in safet! in the 'ornin,< or as soon as the consu&tation 2as o$er#
.! rother Jose*h re*&ied that he did not 0no2 2hat ,ood he cou&d do
in an! consu&tation< as he 2as on&! a *ri$ate indi$idua&# Ho2e$er< he
said he 2as a&2a!s 2i&&in, to do a&& the ,ood he cou&d< and 2ou&d oe!
e$er! &a2 of the &and< and then &ea$e the e$ent 2ith 5od#
The! i''ediate&! started 2ith Co&one& Hin0&e to ,o do2n into the
ca'*# As the! 2ere ,oin, do2n< aout ha&f 2a! to the ca'*< the! 'et
5enera& Lucas 2ith a *ha&an/ of 'en< 2ith a 2in, to the ri,ht and to the
&eft< and a four-*ounder IcannonJ in the center# The! su**osed he 2as
co'in, 2ith this stron, force to ,uard the' into the ca'* in safet!? ut
their sur*rise< 2hen the! ca'e u* to 5enera& Lucas< he ordered his 'en to
surround the'< and Hin0&e ste**ed u* to the ,enera& and said< -These are
the *risoners I a,reed to de&i$er u*#- 5enera& Lucas dre2 his s2ord and
said< -5ent&e'en< !ou are '! *risoners<- and aout that ti'e the 'ain ar'!
2ere on their 'arch to 'eet the'#
The! ca'e u* in t2o di$isions< and o*ened to the ri,ht and &eft< and
'! rother and his friends 2ere 'arched do2n throu,h their &ines< 2ith a
stron, ,uard in front< and the cannon in the rear< to the ca'*< a'idst the
2hoo*in,s< ho2&in,s< !e&&in,s< and shoutin,s of the ar'!< 2hich 2ere so
horrid and terrific that it fri,htened the inhaitants of the cit!
It is i'*ossi&e to descrie the fee&in,s of horror and distress of
the *eo*&e#
After ein, thus etra!ed< the! Ithe *risonersJ 2ere *&aced under a
stron, ,uard of thirt! 'en< ar'ed ca*-a-*ie< 2ho 2ere re&ie$ed e$er! t2o
hours# The! 2ere co'*e&&ed to &ie on the co&d ,round that ni,ht< and 2ere
to&d in *&ain &an,ua,e that the! need ne$er to e/*ect their &ierties
a,ain# So far for their honor *&ed,edK Ho2e$er< this 2as as 'uch as
cou&d e e/*ected fro' a 'o under the ,ar of 'i&itar! and e/ecuti$e
authorit! in the state of .issouri#
On the ne/t da!< the so&diers 2ere *er'itted to *atro& the streets<
of Far 3est to ause and insu&t the *eo*&e at their &eisure< and enter
into houses and *i&&a,e the'< and ra$ish the 2o'en< ta0in, a2a! e$er! ,un
and e$er! other 0ind of ar's or 'i&itar! i'*&e'ents# Aout t2e&$e o+c&oc0
on that da!< Co&one& Hin0&e ca'e to '! house 2ith an ar'ed force< o*ened
the door< and ca&&ed 'e out of doors and de&i$ered 'e u* as a *risoner
unto that force# The! surrounded 'e and co''anded 'e to 'arch into the
ca'*# I to&d the' that I cou&d not ,o? '! fa'i&! 2ere sic0< and I 2as sic0
'!se&f< and cou&d not &ea$e ho'e# The! said the! did not care for that--I
'ust and shou&d ,o# I as0ed 2hen the! 2ou&d *er'it 'e to return# The!
'ade 'e no ans2er< ut forced 'e a&on, 2ith the *oint of the a!onet into
the ca'*< and *ut 'e under the sa'e ,uard 2ith '! rother Jose*h? and
2ithin aout ha&f an hour after2ards< A'asa L!'an 2as a&so rou,ht and
*&aced under the sa'e ,uard# There 2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to sta! a&& that
ni,ht and &ie on the ,round# "ut so'e ti'e in the sa'e ni,ht< Co&one&
Hin0&e ca'e to 'e and to&d 'e that he had een *&eadin, '! case efore the
court-'artia&< ut he 2as afraid he 2ou&d not succeed#
He said there 2as a court-'artia& then in session< consistin, of
thirteen or fourteen officers? Circuit Jud,e Austin A# 1in,< and .r#
"irch< district attorne!? a&so Sashie& 3oods< )res!terian *riest< and
aout t2ent! other *riests of the different re&i,ious deno'inations in
that countr!# He said the! 2ere deter'ined to shoot us on the ne/t
'ornin, in the *u&ic s>uare in Far 3est# I 'ade hi' no re*&!#
On the ne/t 'ornin,< aout sunrise< 5enera& Doni*han ordered his
ri,ade to ta0e u* the &ine of 'arch and &ea$e the ca'*# He ca'e to us
2here 2e 2ere under ,uard< to sha0e hands 2ith us< and id us fare2e&&#
His first sa&utation 2as< -"! 5od< !ou ha$e een sentenced ! the
court-'artia& to e shot this 'ornin,? ut I 2i&& e da'ned if I 2i&& ha$e
an! of the honor of it< or an! of the dis,race of it< therefore I ha$e
ordered '! ri,ade to ta0e u* the &ine of 'arch and to &ea$e the ca'*< for
I consider it to e co&d-&ooded 'urder< and I id !ou fare2e&&?- and he
2ent a2a!#
This 'o$e'ent of Co&one& Doni*han 'ade considera&e e/cite'ent in the
ar'!< and there 2as considera&e 2his*erin,s a'on,st the officers# 3e
&istened $er! attenti$e&!< and fre>uent&! heard it 'entioned ! the ,uard
that -the da'ned .or'ons 2ou&d not e shot this ti'e#-
In a fe2 'o'ents the ,uard 2as re&ie$ed ! a ne2 set# One of those
ne2 ,uards said that-the da'ned .or'ons 2ou&d not e shot this ti'e<- for
the 'o$e'ent of 5enera& Doni*han had frustrated the 2ho&e *&an< and that
the officers had ca&&ed another court-'artia&< and had ordered us to e
ta0en to Jac0son count!< and there to e e/ecuted? and in a fe2 'o'ents
t2o &ar,e 2a,ons dro$e u*< and 2e 2ere ordered to ,et into the'? and 2hi&e
2e 2ere ,ettin, into the'< there ca'e u* four or fi$e 'en ar'ed 2ith ,uns<
2ho dre2 u* and sna**ed their ,uns at us< in order to 0i&& us? so'e
f&ashed in the *an< and others on&! sna**ed< ut none of their ,uns 2ent
off# The! 2ere i''ediate&! arrested ! se$era& officers< and their ,uns
ta0en fro' the'< and the dri$ers dro$e off#
3e re>uested 5enera& Lucas to &et us ,o to our houses and ,et so'e
c&othin,# In order to do this< 2e had to e dri$en u* into the cit!# It
2as 2ith 'uch difficu&t! that 2e cou&d ,et his *er'ission to ,o and see
our fa'i&ies and ,et so'e c&othin,? ut< after considera&e consu&tation<
2e 2ere *er'itted to ,o under a stron, ,uard of fi$e or si/ 'en to each of
us< and 2e 2ere not *er'itted to s*ea0 to an! one of our fa'i&ies< under
the *ain of death# The ,uard that 2ent 2ith 'e ordered '! 2ife to ,et 'e
so'e c&othes i''ediate&!< 2ithin t2o 'inutes? and if she did not do it< I
shou&d ,o off 2ithout the'#
I 2as o&i,ed to su'it to their t!rannica& orders< ho2e$er *ainfu&
it 2as< 2ith '! 2ife and chi&dren c&in,in, to '! ar's and to the s0irts of
'! ,ar'ents< and 2as not *er'itted to utter to the' a 2ord of conso&ation<
and in a 'o'ent 2as hurried a2a! fro' the' at the *oint of the a!onet#
3e 2ere hurried ac0 into the 2a,ons and ordered into the'< a&& in
aout the sa'e s*ace of ti'e# In the 'ean2hi&e our father and 'other and
sisters had forced their 2a! to the 2a,ons to ,et *er'ission to see us<
ut 2ere foridden to s*ea0 to us? and the! Ithe ,uardJ i''ediate&! dro$e
off for Jac0son count!# 3e tra$e&ed aout t2e&$e 'i&es that e$enin,< and
enca'*ed for the ni,ht#
The sa'e stron, ,uard 2as 0e*t around us< and 2ere re&ie$ed e$er! t2o
hours< and 2e 2ere *er'itted to s&ee* on the ,round# The ni,hts 2ere then
co&d< 2ith considera&e sno2 on the ,round? and for 2ant of co$erin, and
c&othin,< 2e suffered e/tre'e&! 2ith the co&d# That ni,ht 2as the
co''ence'ent of a fit of sic0ness< fro' 2hich I ha$e not 2ho&&! reco$ered
unto this da!< in conse>uence of '! e/*osure to the inc&e'enc! of the
2eather#
Our *ro$ision 2as fresh eef roasted in the fire on a stic0< the ar'!
ha$in, no read< in conse>uence of the 2ant of 'i&&s to ,rind the ,rain#
In the 'ornin,< at the da2n of da!< 2e 2ere forced on our =ourne!<
and 2ere e/hiited to the inhaitants a&on, the road< the sa'e as the!
e/hiit a cara$an of e&e*hants and ca'e&s# 3e 2ere e/a'ined fro' head to
foot ! 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< on&! I e&ie$e the! did not 'a0e us o*en
our 'ouths to &oo0 at our teeth# This treat'ent 2as continued incessant&!
unti& 2e arri$ed at Inde*endence# in Jac0son count!#
After our arri$a& at Inde*endence< 2e 2ere dri$en a&& throu,h the
to2n for ins*ection< and then 2e 2ere ordered into an o&d &o, house< and
there 0e*t under ,uard as usua&< unti& su**er< 2hich 2as ser$ed u* to us
as 2e sat u*on the f&oor< or on i&&ets of 2ood< and 2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to
sta! in that house a&& that ni,ht and the ne/t da!#
The! continued to e/hiit us to the *u&ic< ! &ettin, the *eo*&e
co'e in and e/a'ine us< and then ,o a2a! and ,i$e *&ace for others<
a&ternate&!< a&& that da! and the ne/t ni,ht# "ut on the 'ornin, oF the
fo&&o2in, da!< 2e 2ere a&& *er'itted to ,o to the ta$ern to eat and to
s&ee*? ut after2ard the! 'ade us *a! our o2n e/*enses for oard< &od,in,<
and attendance< and for 2hich the! 'ade a 'ost e/oritant char,e#
3e re'ained in the ta$ern aout t2o da!s and t2o ni,hts< 2hen an
officer arri$ed 2ith authorit! fro' 5enera& C&ar0 to ta0e us ac0 to
Rich'ond< Ra! count!< 2here the ,enera& had arri$ed 2ith his ar'! to a2ait
our arri$a&# "ut on the 'ornin, of our start for Rich'ond< 2e 2ere
infor'ed< ! 5enera& 3i&son< that it 2as e/*ected ! the so&diers that 2e
2ou&d e hun, u* ! the nec0s on the road< 2hi&e on the 'arch to that
*&ace< and that it 2as *re$ented ! a de'and 'ade for us ! 5enera& C&ar0<
2ho had the co''and in conse>uence of seniorit!? and that it 2as his
*rero,ati$e to e/ecute us hi'se&f? and he shou&d ,i$e us u* into the hands
of the officer< 2ho 2ou&d ta0e us to 5enera& C&ar0< and he 'i,ht do 2ith
us as he *&eased#
Durin, our sta! at Inde*endence< the officers infor'ed us that there
2ere ei,ht or ten horses in that *&ace e&on,in, to the .or'on *eo*&e<
2hich had een sto&en ! the so&diers< and that 2e 'i,ht ha$e t2o of the'
to ride u*on< if 2e 2ou&d cause the' to e sent ac0 to the o2ners after
our arri$a& at Rich'ond#
3e acce*ted the'< and the! 2ere ridden to Rich'ond< and the o2ners
ca'e there and ,ot the'#
3e started in the 'ornin, under our ne2 officer< Co&one& )rice< of
1e!ts$i&&e< Chariton count!< 2ith se$era& other 'en to ,uard us#
3e arri$ed there on Frida! e$enin,< the Nth da! of No$e'er< and 2ere
thrust into an o&d &o, house< 2ith a stron, ,uard *&aced o$er us# After 2e
had een there for the s*ace of ha&f an hour< there ca'e in a 'an 2ho 2as
said to ha$e so'e notoriet! in the *enitentiar!< rin,in, in his hands a
>uantit! of chains and *ad&oc0s# He said he 2as co''anded ! 5enera&
C&ar0 to *ut us in chains#
I''ediate&! the so&diers rose u*< and *ointin, their ,uns at us<
*&aced their thu' on the coc0< and their fin,er on the tri,,er? and the
state+s *rison-0ee*er 2ent to 2or0< *uttin, a chain around the &e, of each
'an< and fastenin, it on 2ith a *ad&oc0< unti& 2e 2ere a&& chained
to,ether--se$en of us#
In a fe2 'o'ents 5enera& C&ar0 ca'e in# 3e re>uested to 0no2 of hi'
2hat 2as the cause of a&& this harsh and crue& treat'ent# He refused to
,i$e us an! infor'ation at that ti'e< ut said he 2ou&d in a fe2 da!s? so
2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to continue in that situation ca'*in, on the f&oor< a&&
chained to,ether< 2ithout an! chance or 'eans to e 'ade co'forta&e<
ha$in, to eat our $ictua&s as it 2as ser$ed u* to us< usin, our fin,ers
and teeth instead of 0ni$es and for0s#
3hi&st 2e 2ere in this situation< a !oun, 'an of the na'e of Jedediah
.# 5rant< rother-in-&a2 to '! rother 3i&&ia' S'ith< ca'e to see us< and
*ut u* at the ta$ern 2here 5enera& C&ar0 'ade his >uarters# He ha**ened
to co'e in ti'e to see 5enera& C&ar0 'a0e choice of his 'en to shoot us on
.onda! 'ornin,< the 7Hth da! of No$e'er# He sa2 the' 'a0e choice of
their rif&es< and &oad the' 2ith t2o a&&s in each? and after the! had
*re*ared their ,uns< 5enera& C&ar0 sa&uted the' ! sa!in,< - 5ent&e'en<
!ou sha&& ha$e the honor of shootin, the .or'on &eaders on .onda! 'ornin,
at ei,ht o+c&oc0K-
"ut in conse>uence of the inf&uence of our friend< the inhu'an
,enera& 2as inti'idated< so that he dared not carr! his 'urderous desi,ns
into e/ecution< and sent a 'essen,er i''ediate&! to Fort Lea$en2orth to
otain the 'i&itar! code of &a2s#
After the 'essen,er+s return the ,enera& 2as e'*&o!ed near&! a 2ho&e
2ee0 e/a'inin, the &a2s? so .onda! *assed a2a! 2ithout our ein, shot#
Ho2e$er< it see'ed &i0e foo&ishness to 'e that so ,reat a 'an as 5enera&
C&ar0 *retended to e shou&d ha$e to search the 'i&itar! &a2 to find out
2hether *reachers of the 5os*e&< 2ho ne$er did 'i&itar! dut!< cou&d e
su=ect to court-'artia&#
Ho2e$er< the ,enera& see'ed to &earn that fact after searchin, the
'i&itar! code< and ca'e into the o&d &o, cain 2here 2e 2ere under ,uard
and in chains< and to&d us he had conc&uded to de&i$er us o$er to the
ci$i& authorities as *ersons ,ui&t! of -treason< 'urder< arson< &arcen!<
theft< and stea&in,#- The *oor de&uded ,enera& did not 0no2 the
differences et2een theft< &arcen!< and stea&in,#
Accordin,&!< 2e 2ere handed o$er to the *retended ci$i& authorities<
and the ne/t 'ornin, our chains 2ere ta0en off< and 2e 2ere ,uarded to the
court-house< 2here there 2as a *retended court in session< Austin A# 1in,
ein, the =ud,e< and .r# "irch the district attorne!--the t2o e/tre'e&!
and $er! honora&e ,ent&e'en 2ho sat on the court-'artia& 2hen 2e 2ere
sentenced to e shotK
3itnesses 2ere ca&&ed u* and s2orn at the *oint of the a!onet? and
if the! 2ou&d not s2ear to the thin,s the! 2ere to&d to do< the! 2ere
threatened 2ith instant death? and I do 0no2 *ositi$e&! that the e$idence
,i$en in ! those 'en 2hi&st under duress 2as fa&se#
This state of thin,s continued t2e&$e or fourteen da!s? and after
that ti'e< 2e 2ere ordered ! the =ud,e to introduce so'e reuttin,
e$idence--sa!in, that< if 2e did not do it< 2e shou&d e thrust into
*rison#
I cou&d hard&! understand 2hat the =ud,e 'eant< for I considered 2e
2ere in *rison a&read!< and cou&d not thin0 of an!thin, ut the
*ersecutions of the da!s of Nero< 0no2in, that it 2as a re&i,ious
*ersecution< and the court an in>uisition# Ho2e$er< 2e ,a$e hi' the na'es
of fort! *ersons 2ho 2ere ac>uainted 2ith a&& the *ersecutions and
sufferin,s of the *eo*&e#
The =ud,e 'ade out a su*oena and inserted the na'es of those 'en<
and caused it to e *&aced in the hands of "o,art< the notorious .ethodist
'inister? and he too0 fift! ar'ed so&diers and started for Far 3est# I
sa2 the su*oenas ,i$en to hi' and his co'*an!< 2hen the! started#
In the course of a fe2 da!s the! returned 2ith a&'ost a&& those fort!
'en 2hose na'es 2ere inserted in the su*oenas< and thrust the' into =ai&<
and 2e 2ere not *er'itted to rin, one of the' efore the court# "ut the
=ud,e turned u*on us 2ith an air of indi,nation and said< -5ent&e'en< !ou
'ust ,et !our 2itnesses< or !ou sha&& e co''itted to =ai& i''ediate&!?
for 2e are not ,oin, to ho&d the court o*en on e/*ense 'uch &on,er for !ou
an!ho2#-
3e fe&t $er! 'uch distressed and o**ressed at that ti'e# Co&one&
3i,ht said< -3hat sha&& 2e doB Our 2itnesses are a&& thrust into *rison<
and *roa&! 2i&& e? and 2e ha$e no *o2er to do an!thin,# Of course< 2e
'ust su'it to this t!rann! and o**ression( 2e cannot he&* ourse&$es#-
Se$era& others 'ade si'i&ar e/*ressions in the a,on! of their sou&s?
ut '! rother Jose*h did not sa! an!thin,< he ein, sic0 at that ti'e
2ith the toothache and *ain in his face< in conse>uence of a se$ere co&d
rou,ht on ! ein, e/*osed to the se$erit! of the 2eather#
Ho2e$er< it 2as considered est ! 5enera& Doni*han and &a2!er Rees
that 2e shou&d tr! to ,et so'e 2itnesses efore the *retended court#
Accordin,&!< I ,a$e the na'es of aout t2ent! other *ersons# The
Jud,e inserted the' in a su*oena< and caused it to e *&aced into the
hands of "o,art< the .ethodist *riest? and he a,ain started off 2ith his
fift! so&diers to ta0e those 'en *risoners< as he had done the fort!
others#
The Jud,e sat and &au,hed at the ,ood o**ortunit! of ,ettin, the
na'es< that the! 'i,ht the 'ore easi&! ca*ture the'< and so rin, the'
do2n to e thrust into *rison< in order to *re$ent us fro' ,ettin, the
truth efore the *retended court< of 2hich he 2as the chief in>uisitor or
cons*irator# "o,art returned fro' his second e/*edition 2ith one 2itness
on&!< 2ho' he a&so thrust into *rison#
The *eo*&e at Far 3est had &earned the intri,ue< and had &eft the
state< ha$in, een 'ade ac>uainted 2ith the treat'ent of the for'er
2itnesses#
"ut 2e< on &earnin, that 2e cou&d not otain 2itnesses< 2hi&st
*ri$ate&! consu&tin, 2ith each other 2hat 2e shou&d do< disco$ered a .r#
A&&en standin, ! the 2indo2 on the outside of the house# 3e ec0oned to
hi' as thou,h 2e 2ou&d ha$e hi' co'e in# He i''ediate&! ca'e in#
At that ti'e Jud,e 1in, retorted u*on us a,ain< sa!in,< -5ent&e'en<
are !ou not ,oin, to introduce so'e 2itnessesB---a&so sa!in, it 2as the
&ast da! he shou&d ho&d court o*en for us? and that if 2e did not reutt
the testi'on! that had een ,i$en a,ainst us< he shou&d ha$e to co''it us
to =ai&#
I had then ,ot .r# A&&en into the house and efore the court Eso
ca&&edF# I to&d the Jud,e 2e had one 2itness< if he 2ou&d e so ,ood as
to *ut hi' under oath# He see'ed un2i&&in, to do so? ut after a fe2
'o'ents consu&tation< the State+s Attorne! arose and said he shou&d o=ect
to that 2itness ein, s2orn< and that he shou&d o=ect to that 2itness
,i$in, in his e$idence at a&&< statin, that this 2as not a court to tr!
the case< ut on&! a court of in$esti,ation on the *art of the state#
U*on this< 5enera& Doni*han arose and said< -He 2ou&d e ---- if the
2itness shou&d not e s2orn< and that it 2as a da'ned sha'e that these
defendants shou&d e treated in this 'anner<--that the! cou&d not e
*er'itted to ,et one 2itness efore the court< 2hi&st a&& their 2itnesses<
e$en fort! at a ti'e< ha$e een ta0en ! force of ar's and thrust into
that da'ned +u&& *en<+ in order to *re$ent the' fro' ,i$in, their
testi'on!#-
After Doni*han sat do2n< the Jud,e *er'itted the 2itness to e s2orn
and enter u*on his testi'on!< ut as soon as he e,an to s*ea0< a 'an !
the na'e of Coo0< 2ho 2as a rother-in-&a2 to *riest "o,art< the
.ethodist# and 2ho 2as a &ieutenant< Iin the state 'i&itiaJ and 2hose dut!
at that ti'e 2as to su*erintend the ,uard< ste**ed in efore the *retended
court< and too0 hi' ! the na*e of his nec0 and =a''ed his head do2n under
the *o&e< or &o, of 2ood< that 2as around the *&ace 2here the in>uisition
2as sittin, to 0ee* the !standers fro' intrudin, u*on the 'a=est! of the
in>uisitors< and =a''ed hi' a&on, to the door< and 0ic0ed hi' out of
doors# He instant&! turned to so'e so&diers 2ho 2ere standin, ! hi'< and
said to the'< -5o and shoot hi'< da'n hi'? shoot hi'< da'n hi'#-
The so&diers ran after the 'an to shoot hi'# He f&ed for his &ife<
and 2ith ,reat difficu&t! 'ade his esca*e# The *retended court i''ediate&!
arose< and 2e 2ere ordered to e carried to Liert!< C&a! count!< and
there to e thrust into =ai&# 3e endea$ored to find out for 2hat
cause? ut a&& 2e cou&d &earn 2as< that it 2as ecause 2e 2ere -.or'ons#-
The ne/t 'ornin, a &ar,e 2a,on dro$e u* to the door< and a &ac0s'ith
ca'e into the house 2ith so'e chains and handcuffs# He said his orders
2ere fro' the Jud,e to handcuff us and chain us to,ether# He infor'ed us
that the Jud,e had 'ade out a 'itti'us and sentenced us to =ai& for
treason# He a&so said the =ud,e had done this that 2e 'i,ht not ,et ai&#
He a&so said the Jud,e dec&ared his intention to 0ee* us in =ai& unti& a&&
the -.or'ons- 2ere dri$en out of the state# He a&so said that the Jud,e
had further dec&ared that if he &et us out efore the -.or'ons- had &eft
the state< 2e 2ou&d not &et the' &ea$e< and there 2ou&d e another da'ned
fuss 0ic0ed u*# I a&so heard the Jud,e sa!< 2hi&st he 2as sittin, in his
*retended court< that there 2as no &a2 for us< nor for the -.or'ons- in
the state of .issouri? that he had s2orn to see the' e/ter'inated and to
see the 5o$ernor+s order e/ecuted to the $er! &etter? and that he 2ou&d do
so# Ho2e$er< the &ac0s'ith *roceeded and *ut the irons u*on us< and 2e
2ere ordered into the 2a,on< and the! dro$e off for C&a! count!# As 2e
=ourne!ed a&on, on the road< 2e 2ere e/hiited to the inhaitants< and
this course 2as ado*ted a&& the 2a!< thus 'a0in, a *u&ic e/hiition of
us< unti& 2e arri$ed at Liert!< C&a! count!#
There 2e 2ere thrust into *rison a,ain< and &oc0ed u*< and 2ere he&d
there in c&ose confine'ent for the s*ace of si/ 'onths? and our *&ace of
&od,in, -ed- 2as the s>uare side of a he2ed 2hite oa0 &o,< and our food
2as an!thin, ut ,ood and decent# )oison 2as ad'inistered to us three or
four ti'es# The effect it had u*on our s!ste' 2as< that it $o'ited us
a&'ost to death? and then 2e 2ou&d &ie so'e t2o or three da!s in a tor*id<
stu*id state< not e$en carin, or 2ishin, for &ife<--the *oison ein,
ad'inistered in too &ar,e doses< or it 2ou&d ine$ita&! ha$e *ro$ed fata&<
had not the *o2er of Jeho$ah inter*osed in our eha&f< to sa$e us fro'
their 2ic0ed *ur*ose#
3e 2ere a&so su=ected to the necessit! of eatin, hu'an f&esh for the
s*ace of fi$e da!s or ,o 2ithout food< e/ce*t a &itt&e coffee or a &itt&e
corn-read# The &atter I chose in *reference to the for'er# 3e none of
us *artoo0 of the f&esh< e/ce*t L!'an 3i,ht# 3e a&so heard the ,uard
2hich 2as *&aced o$er us 'a0in, s*ort of us< sa!in, the! had fed us on
-.or'on- eef# I ha$e descried the a**earance of this f&esh to se$era&
e/*erienced *h!sicians and the! ha$e decided that it 2as hu'an f&esh# 3e
&earned after2ards< ! one of the ,uard< that it 2as su**osed that that
act of sa$a,e cannia&is' in feedin, us 2ith hu'an f&esh 2ou&d e
considered a *o*u&ar deed of notoriet!+ ut the *eo*&e< on &earnin, that
it 2ou&d not ta0e< tried to 0ee* it secret? ut the fact 2as noised aroad
efore the! too0 that *recaution#
3hi&st 2e 2ere incarcerated in *rison 2e *etitioned the Su*re'e Court
of the State of .issouri for Ia 2rit ofJ haeas cor*us t2ice ut 2ere
refused oth ti'es ! Jud,e Re!no&ds< 2ho is no2 I78@9J the 5o$ernor of
that state# 3e a&so *etitioned one of the count! =ud,es for a 2rit of
haeas cor*us< 2hich 2as ,ranted in aout three 2ee0s after2ards< ut 2ere
not *er'itted to ha$e an! tria&# 3e 2ere on&! ta0en out of =ai& and 0e*t
out for a fe2 hours< and then re'anded ac0 a,ain#
In the course of three or four da!s after that ti'e< Jud,e Turnha'
ca'e into the =ai& in the e$enin,< and said he had *er'itted .r# Ri,don to
,et ai&< ut said he had to do it in the ni,ht< and had a&so to ,et a2a!
in the ni,ht and un0no2n to an! of the citi4ens< or the! 2ou&d 0i&& hi'?
for the! had s2orn to 0i&& hi'< if the! cou&d find hi'# And as to the
rest of us< he dared not &et us ,o< for fear of his o2n &ife as 2e&& as
ours# He said it 2as da'ned hard to e confined under such circu'stances<
for he 0ne2 2e 2ere innocent 'en? and he said the *eo*&e a&so 0ne2 it? and
that it 2as on&! a *ersecution< and treacher!< and the scenes of Jac0son
count! acted o$er a,ain< for fear that 2e shou&d eco'e too nu'erous in
that u**er countr!# He said that the *&an 2as concocted fro' the ,o$ernor
do2n to the &o2est =ud,e and that da'ned "a*tist *riest< Ri&e!< 2ho 2as
ridin, into to2n e$er! da! to 2atch the *eo*&e< stirrin, u* the 'inds of
the *eo*&e a,ainst us a&& he cou&d< e/citin, the' and stirrin, u* their
re&i,ious *re=udices a,ainst us< for fear the! 2ou&d &et us ,o# .r#
Ri,don< ho2e$er< ,ot ai& and 'ade his esca*e into I&&inois#
The =ai&er< Sa'ue& Ti&&er!< Es>#< to&d us a&so that the 2ho&e *&an
2as concocted ! the ,o$ernor do2n to the &o2est =ud,e in that u**er
countr! ear&! in the *re$ious s*rin,< and that the *&an 2as 'ore fu&&!
carried out at the ti'e that 5enera& Atchison 2ent do2n to Jefferson cit!
2ith 5enera&s 3i&son< Lucas< and 5i&&iu'< the se&f-st!&ed De&a2are Chief#
This 2as so'eti'e in the 'onth of Se*te'er< 2hen the 'o 2ere co&&ected
at De 3itt< in Carro&& count!# He a&so to&d us that the ,o$ernor 2as no2
asha'ed enou,h of the 2ho&e transaction< and 2ou&d e ,&ad to set us at
&iert!< if he dared do it# -"ut<- said he< -!ou need not e concerned<
for the ,o$ernor has &aid a *&an for !our re&ease#- He a&so said that
S>uire "irch< the state+s attorne!< 2as a**ointed to e circuit =ud,e on
the circuit *assin, throu,h Da$iess count!< and that he E"irchF 2as
instructed to fi/ the *a*ers< so that 2e shou&d e sure to e c&ear fro'
an! incu'rance in a $er! short ti'e#
So'e ti'e in A*ri& 2e 2ere ta0en to Da$iess count!< as the! said< to
ha$e a tria&# "ut 2hen 2e arri$ed at that *&ace< instead of findin, a
court or =ur!< 2e found another in>uisition? and "irch< 2ho 2ad the
district attorne!< the sa'e 'an 2ho had een one of the court-'artia&
2hen 2e 2ere sentenced to death< 2as no2 the circuit =ud,e of that
*retended court? and the ,rand =ur! that 2ere e'*anne&&ed 2ere a&& at the
'assacre at Haun+s .i&&s and &i$e&! actors in that a2fu&< so&e'n<
dis,racefu&< coo&-&ooded 'urder? and a&& the *retense the! 'ade of e/cuse
2as< the! had done it ecause the ,o$ernor ordered the' to do it#
The sa'e 'en sat as a =ur! in the da! ti'e< and 2ere *&aced o$er us
as a ,uard in the ni,ht ti'e# The! tanta&i4ed us and oasted of their
,reat achie$e'ents at Haun+s .i&&s and at other *&aces< te&&in, us ho2
'an! houses the! had urned< and ho2 'an! shee*< catt&e< and ho,s the! had
dri$en off e&on,in, to the -.or'ons<- and ho2 'an! ra*es the! had
co''itted< and 2hat s>uea&in, and 0ic0in, there 2as a'on, the d----
----s< sa!in, that the! &ashed one 2o'an u*on one of the da'ned -.or'on-
'eetin, enches< t!in, her hands and her feet fast< and si/teen of the'
aused her as 'uch as the! had a 'ind to< and then &eft her ound and
e/*osed in that distressed condition# These fiends of the &o2er re,ions
oasted of these acts of ararit!< and tanta&i4ed our fee&in,s 2ith the'
for ten da!s# 3e had heard of these acts of crue&t! *re$ious to this
ti'e< ut 2e 2ere s&o2 to e&ie$e that such acts had een *er*etrated#
The &ad! 2ho 2as the su=ect of this ruta&it! did not reco$er her hea&th
to e a&e to he&* herse&f for 'ore than three 'onths after2ards#
This ,rand =ur! constant&! ce&erated their achie$e'ents 2ith ,ro,
and ,&ass in hand< &i0e the Indian 2arriors at their 2ar dances< sin,in,
and te&&in, each other of their e/*&oits in 'urderin, the -.or'ons<- in
*&underin, their houses and carr!in, off their *ro*ert!# At the end of
e$er! son, the! 2ou&d rin, in the chorus< -5-- d---< 5-- d--< 5-- d--<
Jesus Christ< 5-- d-- the )res!terians< 5-- d-- the "a*tists< 5-- d-- the
.ethodists<- reiterin, one sect after another in the sa'e 'anner< unti&
the! ca'e to the -.or'ons#- To the' it 2as< 5-- d-- the 5-- d-- .or'ons<
2e ha$e sent the' to he&&#- Then the! 2ou&d s&a* their hands and shout<
HosannaK HosannaK 5&or! to 5odK and fa&& do2n on their ac0s and 0ic0
2ith their feet a fe2 'o'ents# Then the! 2ou&d *retend to ha$e s2ooned
a2a! into a ,&orious trance< in order to i'itate so'e of the transactions
at ca'* 'eetin,s# Then the! 2ou&d *retend to co'e out of the trance< and
2ou&d shout and a,ain s&a* their hands and =u'* u*< 2hi&e one 2ou&d ta0e a
ott&e of 2his0! and a tu'&er< and turn it out fu&& of 2his0!< and *our
do2n each other+s nec0s< cr!in,< -Da'n it< ta0e it? !ou 'ust ta0e itK-
And if an!one refused to drin0 the 2his0!< others 2ou&d c&inch hi' and
ho&d hi'< 2hi&st another *oured it do2n his nec0? and 2hat did not ,o do2n
the inside 2ent do2n the outside# This is a
*art of the farce acted out ! the ,rand =ur! of Da$iess count!<
2hi&st the! stood o$er us as ,uards for ten ni,hts successi$e&!# And a&&
this in the *resence of the ,reat Jud,e "irch< 2ho had *re$ious&! said< in
our hearin,< that there 2as no &a2 for the -.or'ons- in the state of
.issouri# His rother 2as there actin, as district attorne! in that
circuit< and< if an!thin,< 2as a ,reater ruffian than the =ud,e#
After a&& their ten da!s of drun0enness< 2e 2ere infor'ed that 2e
2ere indicted for -treason< 'urder< arson< &arcen!< theft< and stea&in,#-
3e as0ed for a chan,e of $enue fro' that count! to .arion count!? the!
2ou&d not ,rant it? ut the! ,a$e us a chan,e of $enue fro' Da$iess to
"oone count!< and a 'itti'us 2as 'ade out ! Jud,e "irch< 2ithout date<
na'e< or *&ace#
The! fitted us out 2ith a t2o-horse 2a,on< and horses< and four 'en<
esides the sheriff< to e our ,uard# There 2ere fi$e of us# 3e started
fro' 5a&&atin in the afternoon< the sun aout t2o hours hi,h< and 2ent as
far as Diah'an that e$enin, and sta!ed ti&& 'ornin,# There 2e ou,ht t2o
horses of the ,uard< and *aid for one of the' in c&othin,< 2hich 2e had
2ith us? and for the other 2e ,a$e our note#
3e 2ent do2n that da! as far as Jud,e .orin+s--a distance of so'e
four or fi$e 'i&es# There 2e sta!ed unti& the ne/t 'ornin,< 2hen 2e
started on our =ourne! to "oone count!< and tra$e&ed on the road aout
t2ent! 'i&es distance# There 2e ou,ht a =u, of 2his0!< 2ith 2hich 2e
treated the co'*an!? and 2hi&e there the sheriff sho2ed us the 'itti'us
efore referred to< 2ithout date or si,nature< and said that Jud,e "irch
to&d hi' ne$er to carr! us to "oone count!< and ne$er to sho2 the
'itti'us? and< said he< I sha&& ta0e a ,ood drin0 of ,ro, and ,o to ed<
and !ou 'a! do as !ou ha$e a 'ind to#
Three others of the ,uard dran0 *rett! free&! of 2his0!< s2eetened
2ith hone!# The! a&so 2ent to ed< and 2ere soon as&ee*< and the other
,uard 2ent a&on, 2ith us< and he&*ed to sadd&e the horses#
T2o of us 'ounted the horses< and the other three started on foot<
and 2e too0 our chan,e of $enue for the state of I&&inois< and in the
course of nine or ten da!s arri$ed safe at Auinc!< Ada's count!< 2here 2e
found our fa'i&ies in a state of *o$ert!< a&thou,h in ,ood hea&th< the!
ha$in, een dri$en out of the state *re$ious&! ! the 'urderous 'i&itia<
under the e/ter'inatin, order of the e/ecuti$e of .issouri? and no2 I78@9J
the *eo*&e of that state< a *ortion of the'< 2ou&d e ,&ad to 'a0e the
*eo*&e of this state II&&inoisJ e&ie$e that '! rother Jose*h had
co''itted treason< for the *ur*ose of 0ee*in, u* their 'urderous and
he&&ish *ersecution? and the! see' to e unre&entin, and thirstin, for the
&ood of innocence? for I do 0no2 'ost *ositi$e&! that '! rother Jose*h
has not co''itted treason< nor $io&ated one so&itar! ite' of &a2 or ru&e
in the state of .issouri#
"ut I do 0no2 that the -.or'on- *eo*&e< en 'asse< 2ere dri$en out of
that state< after ein, roed of a&& the! had? and the! are&! esca*ed
2ith their &i$es< as a&so '! rother Jose*h< 2ho are&! esca*ed 2ith his
&ife# His fa'i&! a&so 2ere roed of a&& the! had< and are&! esca*ed
2ith the s0in of their teeth< and a&& this in conse>uence of the
e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s< the sa'e ein, sanctioned ! the
&e,is&ature of the state#
And I do 0no2< so does this court< and e$er! rationa& 'an 2ho is
ac>uainted 2ith the circu'stances< and e$er! 'an 2ho sha&& hereafter
eco'e ac>uainted 2ith the *articu&ars thereof< 2i&& 0no2 that 5o$ernor
"o,,s and 5enera&s C&ar0< Lucas< 3i&son< and 5i&&iu'< a&so Austin A# 1in,<
ha$e co''itted treason u*on the citi4ens of .issouri< and did $io&ate the
Constitution of the United States< and a&so the constitution and &a2s of
the state of .issouri< and did e/i&e and e/*e&< at the *oint of the
a!onet< so'e t2e&$e or fourteen thousand inhaitants fro' the state< and
did 'urder a &ar,e nu'er of 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren in co&d &ood< and in
the 'ost horrid and crue& 'anner *ossi&e? and the 2ho&e of it 2as caused
! re&i,ious i,otr! and *ersecution< ecause the -.or'ons- dared to
2orshi* A&'i,ht! 5od accordin, to the dictates of their o2n consciences<
and a,reea&e to His di$ine 2i&& as re$ea&ed in the scri*tures of eterna&
truth< and had turned a2a! fro' fo&&o2in, the $ain traditions of their
fathers< and 2ou&d not 2orshi* accordin, to the do,'as and co''and'ents of
those 'en 2ho *reach for hire and di$ine for 'one!< and teach for doctrine
the *rece*ts of 'en? the Saints e/*ectin, that the Constitution of the
United States 2ou&d ha$e *rotected the' therein#
"ut not2ithstandin, the -.or'on- *eo*&e had *urchased u*2ards of t2o
hundred thousand do&&ars+ 2orth of &and< 'ost of 2hich 2as entered and
*aid for at the &and office of the United States< in the state of
.issouri? and a&thou,h the )resident of the United States has een 'ade
ac>uainted 2ith these facts and the *articu&ars of our *ersecutions and
o**ressions< ! *etition to hi' and to Con,ress< !et the! ha$e not e$en
atte'*ted to restore the -.or'ons- to their ri,hts< or ,i$en an! assurance
that 2e 'a! hereafter e/*ect redress fro' the'# And I do a&so 0no2 'ost
*ositi$e&! and assured&! that '! rother Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< has not een
in the state of .issouri since the s*rin, of the !ear 789N# And further
this de*onent saith not# ISi,nedJ HYRU. S.ITH#
II# TESTI.ONY OF )ARLEY )# )RATT#
)ar&e! )# )ratt< s2orn< sa!s that he fu&&! concurs in the testi'on!
of the *recedin, 2itness< so far as he is ac>uainted 2ith the sa'e? and
that Jose*h S'ith has not een 0no2n as Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< for the
ti'e stated ! H!ru' S'ith# He 2as an e!e-2itness of 'ost of the scenes
testified to ! said H!ru' S'ith< durin, the *ersecutions of our *eo*&e in
.issouri# That durin, the &atter *art of su''er and fa&& of the !ear
7898< there 2ere &ar,e odies of the 'o asse'&ed in $arious *&aces for
the a$o2ed o=ect of dri$in,< roin,< *&underin,< 0i&&in,< and
e/ter'inatin, the -.or'ons<- and the! actua&&! co''itted 'an! 'urders and
other de*redations< as re&ated ! the *recedin, 2itness#
The 5o$ernor 2as fre>uent&! *etitioned< as a&so the other
authorities< for redress and *rotection# At &en,th< Austin A# 1in,< the
=ud,e of the Circuit court of the Fifth Judicia& District< ordered out
so'e2here near a thousand 'en< for the a$o2ed *ur*ose of >ue&&in, the 'o
and *rotectin, the -.or'ons#- These ein, under ar's for se$era& 2ee0s<
did in so'e 'easure *re$ent the 'o+s *roceedin,s for so'e ti'e# After
2hich< Jud,e 1in,C 2ithdre2 the force< refusin, to *ut the State to
further e/*ense for our *rotection 2ithout orders fro' the 5o$ernor#
The 'os then a,ain co&&ected in ,reat nu'ers< in Carro&&< Da$iess<
and Ca&d2e&& counties< and e/*ressed their deter'ination to dri$e the
-.or'ons- fro' the State or 0i&& the'# The! did actua&&! dri$e the' fro'
De 3itt< firin, u*on so'e< and ta0in, other *risoners#
The! turned a 'an ! the na'e of S'ith Hu'*hre! and fa'i&! out of
doors< 2hen sic0< and *&undered his house and urned it efore his e!es#
The! a&so *&undered the citi4ens ,enera&&!< ta0in, their &ands< houses<
and *ro*ert!#
Those 2hose &i$es 2ere s*ared< *reci*itate&! f&ed to Far 3est in the
ut'ost distress and consternation# So'e of the' actua&&! died on the 2a!<
throu,h e/*osure< sufferin, and destitution# Other *arties of the 'o
2ere *&underin, and urnin, houses in Da$iess count!< and another *art! of
the 'o 2ere ra$a,in, the south *art of Ca&d2e&& count! in a si'i&ar
'anner#
The 5o$ernor 2as a,ain and a,ain *etitioned for redress and
*rotection< ut utter&! refused to render us an! assistance 2hate$er#
Under these *ainfu& and distressin, circu'stances< 2e had the ad$ice of
5enera&s Atchison< Doni*han and )ar0s to ca&& out the 'i&itia of Ca&d2e&&
and Da$iess counties< 2hich 2as 'ost&! co'*osed of -.or'ons- and to 'a0e a
,enera& defense#
The *residin, Jud,e of Ca&d2e&& count!< E&ias Hi,ee< ,a$e orders to
the sheriff of said count! to ca&& out the 'i&itia# The! 2ere ca&&ed out
under the co''and of Co&one& Hin0&e< 2ho he&d a co''ission fro' the
5o$ernor< and 2as the hi,hest 'i&itar! officer in the count!# This force
effectua&&! dis*ersed the 'o in se$era& *&aces< and a *ortion of
the' 2ere so or,ani4ed in the cit! of Far 3est< that the! cou&d
asse'&e the'se&$es u*on the shortest notice< and 2ere fre>uent&! ordered
to asse'&e in the *u&ic s>uare of said cit!< in cases of e'er,enc!#
These *roceedin,s a,ainst the 'o ein, 'isre*resented ! desi,nin,
'en< oth to the 5o$ernor and other authorities and *eo*&e of the State<
caused ,reat e/cite'ent a,ainst the -.or'ons#- .an! tried to ha$e it
understood that the -.or'ons- 2ere in o*en ree&&ion< and 'a0in, 2ar u*on
the State#
3ith these *retenses< 5o$ernor "o,,s issued the fo&&o2in,(--
E/ter'inatin, Order#
HEADAUARTERS OF THE .ILITIA# CITY OF JEFFERSON< Octoer HM< 7898#
5en# John "# C&ar0#
SIR(--Since the order of the 'ornin, to !ou< directin, !ou to co'e
2ith @DD 'ounted 'en to e raised 2ithin !our di$ision< I ha$e recei$ed<
! A'os "ees< Es><< of Ra! count!< and 3i&e! C# 3i&&ia's< Es>#< one of '!
aides< infor'ation of the 'ost a**a&&in, character< 2hich entire&! chan,es
the face of thin,s< and *&aces the -.or'ons- in the attitude of an o*en
and a$o2ed defiance of the &a2s< and of ha$in, 'ade 2ar u*on the *eo*&e of
this State#
Your orders are< therefore< to hasten !our o*erations 2ith a&&
*ossi&e s*eed# The -.or'ons- 'ust e treated as ene'ies< and 'ust e
e/ter'inated or dri$en fro' the State< if necessar!< for the *u&ic *eace#
Their outra,es are e!ond a&& descri*tions# If !ou can increase !our
force< !ou are authori4ed to do so to an! e/tent !ou 'a! consider
necessar!# I ha$e =ust issued orders to .a=or-5enera& 3i&&oc0< of .arion
count!< to raise GDD 'en< and to 'arch the' to the northern *art of
Da$iess -count!-< and there unite 2ith 5enera& Doni*han< of C&a!< 2ho has
een ordered 2ith GDD 'en to *roceed to the sa'e *oint for the *ur*ose of
interce*tin, the retreat of the -.or'ons- to the north# The! ha$e een
directed to co''unicate 2ith !ou ! e/*ress# You can a&so co''unicate
2ith the'< if !ou find it necessar!#
Instead< therefore< of *roceedin, as at first directed< to reinstate
the citi4ens of Da$iess# in their ho'es< !ou 2i&& *roceed i''ediate&! to
Rich'ond< and there o*erate a,ainst the -.or'ons#-
"ri,adier 5enera& )ar0s< of Ra!< has een ordered to ha$e @DD of his
ri,ade in readiness to =oin !ou at Rich'ond# The 2ho&e force 2i&& e
*&aced under !our co''and# I a' $er! res*ectfu&&! !our o+t Ser$+t< L# 3#
"O55S< Co''ander-in-chief#
In the 'eanti'e .a=or-5enera& Lucas and "ri,adier-5enera& 3i&son<
oth of Jac0son count!< E2ho had< fi$e !ears *re$ious&!< assisted in
dri$in, aout 7<HDD -.or'on- citi4ens fro' that count!< esides urnin,
HD9 houses< and assisted in 'urderin, se$era&< and *&underin, the restF<
raised forces to the a'ount of se$era& thousand 'en< and a**eared efore
the cit! of Far 3est in att&e arra!#
A fe2 of the 'i&itia then *araded in front of the cit!< 2hich caused
the co2ard&! assai&ants to co'e to a ha&t at aout a 'i&e distant< in fu&&
$ie2 of the to2n#
A 'essen,er arri$ed fro' the' and de'anded three *ersons efore the!
'assacred the rest and &aid the to2n in ashes# The na'es of the *ersons
de'anded 2ere Ada' Li,htner< John C&e'enson< and his 2ife# The! ,a$e no
infor'ation 2ho this ar'! 2ere< nor ! 2hat authorit! the! ca'e? neither
had 2e at that ti'e an! 0no2&ed,e of the ,o$ernor+s order< nor an! of
these 'o$e'ents< the 'ai& ha$in, een desi,ned&! sto**ed ! our ene'ies
for three 2ee0s *re$ious&!# 3e had su**osed< on their first a**earance<
that the! 2ere friend&! troo*s sent for our *rotection? ut on recei$in,
this a&ar'in, infor'ation of their 2ic0ed intentions< 2e 2ere 'uch
sur*rised< and sent a 'essen,er 2ith a 2hite f&a, to in>uire of the' 2ho
the! 2ere< and 2hat the! 2anted of us< and ! 2hose authorit! the! ca'e#
This f&a, 2as fired u*on ! Ca*tain "o,art< the .ethodist *riest< 2ho
after2ards to&d 'e the sa'e 2ith his o2n 'outh# After se$era& atte'*ts<
ho2e$er< 2e ,ot an inter$ie2< ! 2hich 2e &earned 2ho the! 2ere< and that
the! *retended to ha$e een sent ! the ,o$ernor to e/ter'inate our
*eo*&e#
U*on &earnin, this fact no resistance 2as offered to their 2i&& or
2ishes# The! de'anded the ar's of the 'i&itia< and forci&! too0 the'
a2a!# The! re>uested that .r# Jose*h S'ith and other &eaders of the
Church shou&d co'e into their ca'* for consu&tation< ,i$in, the' a sacred
*ro'ise of *rotection and safe return# Accordin,&!< .essrs# Jose*h S'ith<
Sidne! Ri,don< L!'an 3i,ht< 5eor,e 3# Roinson< and '!se&f started in
co'*an! 2ith Co&one& Hin0&e to their ca'* 2hen 2e 2ere soon aru*t&! 'et
! 5enera& Lucas 2ith se$era& hundred of his so&diers< in a hosti&e
'anner< 2ho i''ediate&! surrounded us< and set u* the 'ost hideous !e&&s
that 'i,ht ha$e een su**osed to ha$e *roceeded fro' the 'ouths of de'ons<
and 'arched us as *risoners 2ithin their &ines#
There 2e 2ere detained for t2o da!s and ni,hts< and had to s&ee* on
the ,round< in the co&d 'onth of No$e'er< in the 'idst of rain and 'ud<
and 2ere continua&&! surrounded 2ith a stron, ,uard< 2hose 'ouths 2ere
fi&&ed 2ith cursin, and itterness< &ac0,uardis' and &as*he'!--2ho
offered us e$er! ause and insu&t in their *o2er< oth
ni,ht and da!? and 'an! indi$idua&s of the ar'! coc0ed their rif&es
and< ta0in, dead&! ai' at our heads< s2ore the! 2ou&d shoot us#
3hi&e under these circu'stances< our ears 2ere continua&&! shoc0ed
2ith the re&ation of the horrid deeds the! had co''itted and 2hich the!
oasted of# The! re&ated the circu'stance in detai& of ha$in,< the
*re$ious da!< disar'ed a certain 'an in his o2n house< and too0 hi'
*risoner< and after2ards eat out his rains 2ith his o2n ,un< in *resence
of their officers# The! to&d of other indi$idua&s &!in, here and there in
the rush< 2ho' the! had shot do2n 2ithout resistance< and 2ho 2ere &!in,
unuried for the ho,s to feed u*on#
The! a&so na'ed one or t2o indi$idua& fe'a&es of our societ!< 2ho'
the! had forci&! ound< and t2ent! or thirt! of the'< one after another<
co''itted ra*e u*on the'# One of these fe'a&es 2as a dau,hter of a
res*ecta&e fa'i&! 2ith 2ho' I ha$e een &on, ac>uainted< and 2ith 2ho' I
ha$e since con$ersed and &earned that it 2as tru&! the case# De&icac! at
*resent forids '! 'entionin, the na'es# I a&so heard se$era& of the
so&diers ac0no2&ed,e and oast of ha$in, sto&en 'one! in one *&ace<
c&othin, and eddin, in another< and horses in another< 2hi&st corn< *or0<
and eef 2ere ta0en ! the 2ho&e ar'! to su**ort the 'en and horses? and
in 'an! cases catt&e< ho,s< and shee* 2ere shot do2n< and on&! a s'a&&
*ortion of the' used--the rest &eft to 2aste# Of these cri'es< of 2hich
the so&diers oasted< the ,enera& officers free&! con$ersed and
corroorated the sa'e# And e$en 5enera& Doni*han< 2ho *rofessed to e
o**osed to such *roceedin,s< ac0no2&ed,ed the truth of the'< and ,a$e us
se$era& *articu&ars in detai&#
I e&ie$e the na'e of the 'an 2hose rains the! 0noc0ed out 2as
Care!< Another indi$idua& had his 'one! chest ro0en o*en and se$era&
hundred do&&ars in s*ecie ta0en out# He 2as the sa'e S'ith Hu'*hre! 2hose
house the 'o urned at De 3itt#
After the -.or'ons- 2ere a&& disar'ed< 5enera& Lucas ,a$e a
co'*u&sor! order for 'en< 2o'en< and chi&dren to &ea$e the state
forth2ith< 2ithout an! e/ce*tions< countin, it a 'erc! to s*are their
&i$es on these conditions# 3hi&st these thin,s 2ere *roceedin,< instead
of re&easin, us fro' confine'ent< H!ru' S'ith and A'asa L!'an 2ere
forci&! added to our nu'er as *risoners? and under a &ar,e 'i&itar!
escort< co''anded ! 5enera& 3i&son efore 'entioned< 2e 2ere a&& 'arched
to Jac0son count!< a distance of et2een fift! and si/t! 'i&es< &ea$in,
our fa'i&ies and our friends at the 'o+s 'erc!< in a destitute condition<
to *re*are for a =ourne! of 'ore than t2o hundred 'i&es< at the a**roach
of 2inter< 2ithout our *rotection< and e$er! 'o'ent e/*osed to roer!<
ra$ish'ent< and other insu&ts< their *ersona& *ro*ert! roed and their
houses and &ands a&read! 2rested fro' the'#
3e 2ere e/hiited &i0e a cara$an of 2i&d ani'a&s on the 2a! and in
the streets of Inde*endence< and 2ere a&so 0e*t *risoners for a sho2 for
se$era& da!s#
In the 'eanti'e< 5enera& C&ar1 had een sent ! 5o$ernor "o,,s 2ith
an additiona& force of :<DDD 'en fro' the &o2er countr!< to =oin 5enera&
Lucas in his o*erations a,ainst the -.or'ons#- He soon arri$ed efore Far
3est 2ith his ar'!< and confir'ed a&& Lucas had done< and hi,h&! co''ended
the' for their $irtue< forearance< and other deeds in rin,in, aout so
*eacea&e and a'ica&e an ad=ust'ent of affairs# He 0e*t u* the sa'e scene
of ra$a,e< *&under< ra$ish'ent< and de*redation< for the su**ort and
enrich'ent of his ar'!< e$en urnin, the houses and fences for fue&#
He a&so insisted that e$er! 'an< 2o'an< and chi&d of the -.or'on-
societ! shou&d &ea$e the state< e/ce*t such as he detained as *risoners<
statin, that the ,o$ernor had sent hi' to e/ter'inate the'< ut that he
2ou&d< as a 'erc!< s*are their &i$es< and ,a$e the' unti& the first of
A*ri& fo&&o2in, to ,et out of the state#
He a&so co'*e&&ed the'< at the *oint of the a!onet< to si,n a deed
of trust of a&& their rea& estate< to defra! the e/*enses of 2hat he
ca&&ed -The .or'on 3ar#-
After arran,in, a&& these 'atters to his satisfaction< he returned to
Rich'ond< thirt! 'i&es distant< ta0in, aout si/t! 'en< heads of fa'i&ies<
2ith hi'< and 'archin, the' throu,h a se$ere sno2stor' on foot< as
*risoners< &ea$in, their fa'i&ies in a *erishin, condition#
Ha$in, esta&ished his head>uarters at Rich'ond< Ra! count!< he sent
to 5enera& Lucas and de'anded us to e ,i$en u* to hi'# 3e 2ere
accordin,&! trans*orted so'e thirt! or fort! 'i&es< de&i$ered o$er to hi'<
and *ut in c&ose confine'ent in chains< under a stron, ,uard#
At &en,th 2e otained an inter$ie2 2ith hi'< and in>uired 2h! 2e 2ere
detained as *risoners# I said to hi'< -Sir< 2e ha$e no2 een *risoners<
under the 'ost a,,ra$atin, circu'stances< for t2o or three 2ee0s< durin,
2hich ti'e 2e ha$e recei$ed no infor'ation as to 2h! 2e are *risoners< or
for 2hat o=ect< and no 2rit has een ser$ed u*on us# 3e are not detained
! the ci$i& &a2? and as 'inisters of the 5os*e& in ti'e of *eace< 2ho
ne$er ear ar's< 2e cannot e considered *risoners of 2ar< es*ecia&&! as
there has een no 2ar? and fro' *resent a**earances< 2e can hard&! e
considered *risoners of ho*e# 3h!< then< these ondsB-
Said he< -You 2ere ta0en to e tried#- -Tried ! 2hat authorit!B-
said I# -"! court-'artia&<- re*&ied he# -"! court-'artia&B- said I#
-Yes<- said he# -Ho2<- said I< -can 'en 2ho are not 'i&itar! 'en< ut
'inisters of the 5os*e&< e tried ! court-'artia& in this countr!< 2here
e$er! 'an has a ri,ht to e tried ! a =ur!B- He re*&ied< it
2as accordin, to the treat! 2ith 5enera& Lucas< on the *art of the
state of .issouri< and Co&one& Hin0&e< the co''andin, officer of the
fortress of Far 3est< on the *art of the -.or'ons<- and in accordance 3ith
the ,o$ernor+s order# -And<- said he< -I a**ro$e of a&& that Lucas has
done< and a' deter'ined to see it fu&fi&&ed#- Said I< -Co&one& Hin0&e 2as
ut a co&one& of the Ca&d2e&& count! 'i&itia< and co''issioned ! the
,o$ernor< and the +.or'ons+ had no fortress< ut 2ere< in co''on 2ith
others< citi4ens of .issouri? and therefore 2e reco,ni4e no authorit! in
Co&one& Hin0&e to se&& our &ierties or 'a0e treaties for us#-
Se$era& da!s after2ards< 5enera& C&ar0 a,ain entered our *rison< and
said he had conc&uded to de&i$er us o$er to the ci$i& authorities#
Accordin,&!< 2e 2ere soon rou,ht efore Austin A# 1in,< =ud,e of the
Fifth Judicia& Circuit< 2here an e/a'ination 2as co''enced< and 2itnesses
s2orn< at the *oint of the a!onet< and threatened on *ain of death< if
the! did not s2ear to that 2hich 2ou&d suit the court#
Durin, this e/a'ination< I heard Jud,e 1in, as0 one of the 2itnesses<
2ho 2as a -.or'on<- if he and his friends intended to &i$e on their &ands
an! &on,er than A*ri&< and to *&ant cro*sB 3itness re*&ied< -3h! notB-
The =ud,e re*&ied< -If !ou once thin0 to *&ant cro*s or to occu*! !our
&ands an! &on,er than the first of A*ri&< the citi4ens 2i&& e u*on !ou?
the! 2i&& 0i&& !ou e$er! one--'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< and &ea$e !ou to
'anure the ,round 2ithout a uria&# The! ha$e een 'ercifu&&! 2ithhe&d
fro' doin, this on the *resent occasion< ut 2i&& not e restrained for
the future#-
On e/a'inin, a -.or'on- 2itness< for the *ur*ose of sustantiatin,
the char,e of treason a,ainst .r# Jose*h S'ith< he >uestioned hi'
concernin, our re&i,ious faith(--7st# Do the .or'ons send 'issionaries to
forei,n nationsB The 2itness ans2ered in the affir'ati$e# Hnd# Do the
.or'ons e&ie$e in a certain *assa,e in the "oo0 of Danie& Ena'in, the
*assa,eF 2hich reads as fo&&o2s+---And the 0in,do' and do'inion< and the
,reatness of the 0in,do' under the 2ho&e hea$en< sha&& e ,i$en to the
*eo*&e of the Saints of the .ost Hi,h< 2hose 0in,do' is an e$er&astin,
0in,do'< and a&& do'inions sha&& ser$e and oe! hi'B- EDan# M( HM#F On
ein, ans2ered in the affir'ati$e< the =ud,e ordered the scrie to *ut it
do2n as a stron, *oint for treason? ut this 2as too 'uch for e$en a
.issouri &a2!er to ear# He re'onstrated a,ainst such a course of
*rocedure< ut in $ain# Said he< -Jud,e< !ou had etter 'a0e the "i&e
treason#-
After an e/a'ination of this 0ind for 'an! da!s< so'e 2ere set at
&iert!< others I2ereJ ad'itted to ai&< and the'se&$es and Ithose 2ho
2ent theirJ ai& I2ereJ e/*e&&ed fro' the state forth2ith< 2ith the rest
of the -.or'on- citi4ens< and Jose*h S'ith< H!ru' S'ith< Sidne!
Ri,don< L!'an 3i,ht< and others< 2ere co''itted to the C&a! count!
=ai& for further tria&# T2o or three others and '!se&f 2ere *ut into the
=ai& at Ra! count! for the sa'e *ur*ose#
The -.or'on- *eo*&e no2 e,an to &ea$e the state< a,reea&! to the
e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s# Ten or t2e&$e thousand &eft the
state durin, the 2inter< and f&ed to the state of I&&inois#
A s'a&& nu'er of the 2ido2s and the *oor< to,ether 2ith '! fa'i&!
and so'e of the friends of the other *risoners< sti&& &in,ered in Far
3est< 2hen a s'a&& and of ar'ed 'en entered the to2n and co''itted 'an!
de*redations and threatened &ife? and s2ore that if '! 2ife and chi&dren<
and others 2ho' the! na'ed< 2ere not out of the state in so 'an! da!s<
the! 2ou&d 0i&& the'< as the ti'e no2 dre2 near for the co'*&etion of the
e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s#
Accordin,&!< '! 2ife and chi&dren and others &eft the state as est
the! cou&d< 2andered to the state of I&&inois< there to ,et a &i$in, a'on,
stran,ers< 2ithout a husand< father or *rotector# .!se&f and *art! sti&&
re'ained in *rison< after a&& the other -.or'ons- had &eft the state? and
e$en .r# S'ith and his *art! had esca*ed#
In June< ! chan,e of $enue< 2e 2ere re'o$ed fro' Ra! count! to
Co&u'ia< "oone count!< u*2ards of one hundred 'i&es to2ards the state of
I&&inois? and ! our re>uest a s*ecia& court 2as ca&&ed for fina& tria&#
"ut not2ithstandin, 2e 2ere re'o$ed 'ore than one hundred 'i&es fro' the
scenes of the de*redations of the 'o< !et such 2as the fact< that neither
our friends nor 2itnesses dare co'e into that state to attend our tria&<
as the! had een anished fro' the state ! the ,o$ernor+s order of
e/ter'ination< e/ecuted to the $er! &etter ! the *rinci*a& officers of
the state< ci$i& and 'i&itar!#
On these ,rounds< and ha$in, had a&& these o**ortunities to 0no2< I
testif! that neither .r# S'ith nor an! other -.or'on- has the &east
*ros*ect for =ustice< or to recei$e a fair and i'*artia& tria& in the
state of .issouri#
If tried at a&&< the! 'ust e tried ! authorities 2ho ha$e tra'*&ed
a&& =a2 under their feet< and 2ho ha$e assisted in co''ittin, 'urder<
roer!< treason< arson< ra*e< ur,&ar! and fe&on!< and 2ho ha$e 'ade a
&a2 of anish'ent< contrar! to the &a2s of a&& nations< and e/ecuted this
ararous &a2 2ith the ut'ost ri,or and se$erit!#
Therefore< .r# S'ith< and the -.or'ons- ,enera&&!< ha$in, suffered
2ithout re,ard to &a2< ha$in, een e/*e&&ed fro' the state< .issouri has
no further c&ai's 2hate$er u*on an! of the'#
I further'ore testif! that the authorities of other states 2ho 2ou&d
assist .issouri to 2rea0 further $en,eance u*on an! indi$idua& of the
*ersecuted -.or'ons<- are either i,norant&! or 2i&&fu&&! aidin, and
aettin, in a&& these cri'es#
Cross-e/a'ined he stated that he 2as $er! inti'ate 2ith .r# S'ith a&&
the ti'e he resided in the state of .issouri< and 2as 2ith hi' a&'ost
dai&!? and that he 0no2s *ositi$e&! that .r# S'ith he&d no office< either
ci$i& or 'i&itar!< either rea& or *retended< in that state? and that he
ne$er ore ar's or did 'i&itar! dut!< not e$en in se&f-defense? ut that
he 2as a *eacea&e< &a2-aidin, and faithfu& citi4en< and a *reacher of
the 5os*e&< and e/horted a&& the citi4ens to e *eacea&e< &on,-sufferin,
and s&o2 to act e$en in se&f-defense#
He further stated that there 2as no fortress in Far 3est< ut a
te'*orar! fence 'ade of rai&s< house &o,s< f&oor *&an0s< 2a,ons< carts<
etc#< hasti&! thro2n to,ether< after ein, to&d ! 5enera& Lucas that the!
2ere to e 'assacred the fo&&o2in, 'ornin,< and the to2n urnt to ashes<
2ithout ,i$in, an! infor'ation ! 2hat authorit!# And he further states
that he on&! esca*ed hi'se&f fro' that state ! 2a&0in, out of the =ai&
2hen the door 2as o*en to *ut in food< and ca'e out in oedience to the
,o$ernor+s order of anish'ent< and to fu&fi&& the sa'e# )ARLEY )# )RATT#
III# TESTI.ONY OF 5EOR5E 3# )IT1IN#
5eor,e 3# )it0in s2orn# Sa!s that he concurs 2ith the *recedin,
2itnesses< H!ru' S'ith and )ar&e! )# )ratt< in a&& the facts 2ith 2hich he
is ac>uainted? that in the su''er of 7898 he 2as e&ected Sheriff of the
count! of Ca&d2e&& and State of .issouri# That in the fa&& of the sa'e
!ear< 2hi&e the count! 2as threatened and infested 2ith 'os< he recei$ed
an order fro' Jud,e Hi,ee< the *residin, Jud,e of said count!< to ca&&
out the .i&itia< and he e/ecuted the sa'e#
The said order 2as *resented ! Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< 2ho sho2ed the
2itness a &etter fro' 5enera& Atchison< ,i$in, such ad$ice as 2as
necessar! for the *rotection of the citi4ens of said count!# Re*orts of
the 'os destro!in, *ro*ert! 2ere dai&! recei$ed# Has no 0no2&ed,e that
Jose*h S'ith 2as concerned in or,ani4in, or co''andin, said .i&itia in an!
ca*acit! 2hate$er#
Aout this ti'e he recei$ed infor'ation that aout fort! or fift!
-Yau,er rif&es- and a >uantit! of a''unition 2ere ein, con$e!ed throu,h
Ca&d2e&& to Da$iess count!< for the use of the 'o< u*on 2hich he
de*uti4ed 3i&&ia' A&&red to ,o 2ith a co'*an! of 'en and interce*t the'<
if *ossi&e# He did so< and rou,ht the said ar's and a''unition into Far
3est< 2hich 2ere after2ards de&i$ered u* to the order of Austin A# 1in,<
Jud,e of the Fifth< Circuit in .issouri#
It 2as ,enera&&! understood at that ti'e that said ar's had een
sto&en ! Nei& 5i&&u' and his co'*an! of $o&unteers< 2ho had een u*on a
si/ 'onths+ tour of ser$ice in the 2ar et2een the United States and the
F&orida Indians# The! 2ere su**osed to ha$e een ta0en fro' the Fort at
Ta'*a "a!< and rou,ht to Rich'ond< C&a! count!< and that Ca*tain )o&&ard
or so'e other *erson &oaned the' to the 'o#
He further sa!s that 2hi&st in office as Sheriff< he 2as forci&! and
i&&e,a&&! co'*e&&ed ! Lieutenant Coo0< the son-in-&a2 or rother-in-&a2
of "o,art< the .ethodist *riest< to start for Rich'ond? and 2hen he
de'anded of hi' ! 2hat authorit! he acted< he 2as sho2n a o2ie-0nife and
a race of *isto&s? and 2hen he as0ed 2hat the! 2anted of hi'< he said
the! 2ou&d &et hi' 0no2 2hen he ,ot to Rich'ond# .an! of the citi4ens of
Ca&d2e&& count! 2ere ta0en in the sa'e 'anner< 2ithout an! &e,a& *rocess
2hate$er< and thrust into *rison# 5EOR5E 3# )IT1IN#
I%# TESTI.ONY OF "RI5HA. YOUN5#
"ri,ha' Youn, s2orn# Sa!s that so far as he 2as ac>uainted 2ith the
facts stated ! the *re$ious 2itnesses< he concurs 2ith the'< and that he
acco'*anied .r# Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< into the State of .issouri< and
arri$ed at Far 3est on the 7@th da! of .arch< 7898< and 2as nei,hor to
.r# S'ith unti& he 2as ta0en ! 5o$ernor "o,,s+ .i&itia a *risoner of
2ar< as the! said< and that he 2as 0no2in, to his character 2hi&st in the
State of .issouri? and that he< .r# S'ith< 2as in no 2a! connected 2ith
the .i&itia of that state< neither did he ear ar's st a&&< nor ,i$e
ad$ice< ut 2as a *eacea&e< &a2-aidin,< ,ood citi4en< and a true
Re*u&ican in e$er! sense of the 2ord#
He 2as 2ith .r# S'ith a ,reat share of the ti'e< unti& dri$en out of
.issouri ! an ar'ed force< under the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor
"o,,s#
He heard the 'ost of .r# S'ith+s *u&ic addresses< and ne$er did he
hear hi' ,i$e ad$ice or encoura,e an!thin, contrar! to the &a2s of the
State of .issouri? ut< to the contrar!< a&2a!s instructin, the *eo*&e to
e *eacea&e< >uiet< and &a2-aidin,? and if necessit! shou&d co'*e& the'
to 2ithstand their ene'ies< ! 2ho' the! 2ere dai&! threatened in 'os at
$arious *oints< that the!< the -.or'ons<- shou&d attend to their usiness
strict&!< and not re,ard re*orts? and if the 'o did co'e u*on the'< to
contend 2ith the' ! the stron, ar' of the &a2? and if that shou&d fai&<
our on&! re&ief 2ou&d e se&f-defense? and e sure and act on&! u*on the
defensi$e# And there 2ere no o*erations a,ainst the 'o ! the .i&itia of
Ca&d2e&& count!< on&! ! the ad$ice of 5enera&s Atchison< Doni*han< and
)ar0s#
At the ti'e that the ar'! ca'e in si,ht of Far 3est< he oser$ed
their a**roach< and thou,ht so'e of the .i&itia of the state had co'e to
the re&ief of the citi4ens? ut< to his ,reat sur*rise< he found that the!
2ere co'e to stren,then the hands of the 'os that 2ere around and 2hich
i''ediate&! =oined the ar'!#
A *art of these 'os 2ere *ainted &i0e Indians? and 5i&&u'< their
&eader< 2as a&so *ainted in a si'i&ar 'anner< and st!&ed hi'se&f the
-De&a2are Chief?- and after2ards he and the rest of the 'o c&ai'ed and
otained *a! as .i&itia fro' the state for a&& the ti'e the! 2ere en,a,ed
as a 'o< as 2i&& e seen ! reference to the acts of the Le,is&ature#
That there 2ere -.or'on- citi4ens 2ounded and 'urdered ! the ar'!
under the co''and of 5enera& Lucas? and he $eri&! e&ie$es that se$era&
2o'en 2ere ra$ished to death ! the so&dier! of Lucas and C&ar0#
He a&so stated that he sa2 Jose*h S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< )ar&e! )#
)ratt< L!'an 3i,ht< and 5eor,e 3# Roinson de&i$ered u* ! Co&one& Hin0&e
to 5enera& Lucas< ut e/*ected that the! 2ou&d ha$e returned to the cit!
that e$enin, or the ne/t 'ornin,< accordin, to a,ree'ent< and the *&ed,e
of the sacred honor of the officers that the! shou&d e a&&o2ed to do so?
ut the! did not return at a&&#
The ne/t 'ornin,< 5enera& Lucas de'anded and too0 a2a! the ar's of
the .i&itia of Ca&d2e&& count!< E2hich ar's ha$e ne$er een returnedF<
assurin, the' that the! shou&d e *rotected# "ut as soon as the! otained
*ossession of the ar's< the! co''enced their ra$a,es ! *&underin, the
citi4ens of their eddin,< c&othin,< 'one!< 2earin, a**are&< and
e$er!thin, of $a&ue the! cou&d &a! their hands u*on? and a&so atte'*tin,
to $io&ate the chastit! of the 2o'en in si,ht of their husands and
friends< under the *retence of huntin, for *risoners and ar's#
The so&diers shot do2n our o/en< co2s< ho,s< and fo2&s at our o2n
doors< ta0in, *art a2a! and &ea$in, the rest to rot in the streets# The
so&diers a&so turned their horses into our fie&ds of corn#
Here the 2itness 2as sho2n 5enera& C&ar0+s s*eech< 2hich is as
fo&&o2s< $i4#(--
-5ent&e'en<--You< 2hose na'es are not attached to this &ist of na'es<
2i&& no2 ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of ,oin, to !our fie&ds< and of *ro$idin,
corn< 2ood< etc#< for !our fa'i&ies#
-Those that are no2 ta0en 2i&& ,o fro' this to *rison< e tried< and
recei$e the due de'erit of their cri'es? ut !ou Ee/ce*t such as char,es
'a! hereafter e *referred a,ainst<F are at &iert! as soon as the troo*s
are re'o$ed that no2 ,uard the *&ace< 2hich I sha&& cause to e done
i''ediate&!#
-It no2 de$o&$es u*on !ou to fu&fi&& the treat! that !ou ha$e entered
into< the &eadin, ite's of 2hich I sha&& no2 &a! efore !ou# -The first
re>uires that !our &eadin, 'en e ,i$en u* to e tried accordin, to &a2#
This !ou ha$e co'*&ied 2ith# The second is< that !ou de&i$er u* !our ar's#
This has a&so een attended to# The third sti*u&ation is< that !ou si,n
o$er !our *ro*erties to defra! the e/*enses that ha$e een incurred on
!our account# This !ou ha$e a&so done#
-Another artic&e !et re'ains for !ou to co'*&! 2ith< and that is<
that !ou &ea$e the State forth2ith# And 2hate$er 'a! e !our fee&in,s
concernin, this< or 2hate$er !our innocence is< it is nothin, to 'e#
-5enera& Lucas E2hose 'i&itar! ran0 is e>ua& 2ith 'ine<F has 'ade
this treat! 2ith !ou# I a**ro$e of it# I shou&d ha$e done the sa'e< had
I een here< and a' therefore deter'ined to see it e/ecuted#
-The character of this state has suffered a&'ost e!ond rede'*tion<
fro' the character< conduct< and inf&uence that !ou ha$e e/erted? and 2e
dee' it an act of =ustice to restore her character ! e$er! *ro*er 'eans#
-The order of the 5o$ernor to 'e 2as< that !ou shou&d e
e/ter'inated< and not a&&o2ed to re'ain in the state# And had not !our
&eaders een ,i$en u* and the ter's of the treat! co'*&ied 2ith efore
this ti'e< !our fa'i&ies 2ou&d ha$e een destro!ed and !our houses in
ashes#
-There is a discretionar! *o2er $ested in '! hands< 2hich<
considerin, !our circu'stances< I sha&& e/ercise for a season# You are
indeted to 'e for this c&e'enc!#
-I do not sa! that !ou sha&& ,o no2< ut !ou 'ust not thin0 of
sta!in, here another season< or of *uttin, in cro*s? for the 'o'ent !ou do
this< the citi4ens 2i&& e u*on !ou# And if I a' ca&&ed here a,ain< in
case of non-co'*&iance 2ith the treat! 'ade< do not thin0 that I sha&& act
as I ha$e done no2#
-You need not e/*ect an! 'erc!< ut e/ter'ination ? for I a'
deter'ined the 5o$ernor+s order sha&& e e/ecuted#
-As for !our &eaders< do not thin0--do not i'a,ine for a 'o'ent--do
not &et it enter into !our 'inds that the! 2i&& e de&i$ered and restored
to !ou a,ain? for their fate is fi/ed--the DIE is cast--their doo' is
sea&ed#
-I a' sorr!< ,ent&e'en< to see so 'an! a**arent&! inte&&i,ent 'en
found in the situation that !ou are? and ohK if I cou&d in$o0e that ,reat
S*irit of the un0no2n 5od to rest u*on and de&i$er !ou fro' that a2fu&
chain of su*erstition and &ierate !ou fro' those fetters of fanaticis'
2ith 2hich !ou are ound--that !ou no &on,er do ho'a,e to a 'anK I 2ou&d
ad$ise !ou to scatter aroad< and ne$er a,ain or,ani4e !ourse&$es 2ith
"isho*s< )riests< etc#< &est !ou e/cite the =ea&ousies of the *eo*&e and
su=ect !ourse&$es to the sa'e ca&a'ities that ha$e no2 co'e u*on !ou#
- You ha$e a&2a!s een the a,,ressors# You ha$e rou,ht u*on
!ourse&$es these difficu&ties ! ein, disaffected< and not ein, su=ect
to ru&e# And '! ad$ice is< that !ou eco'e as other citi4ens< &est ! a
recurrence of these e$ents !ou rin, u*on !ourse&$es irretrie$a&e ruin#-
3hen as0ed ! the Court if it 2as correct< and after readin, it< he
I"ri,ha' Youn,J re*&ied(--
Yes< as far as it ,oes? for< continued he< I 2as *resent 2hen that
s*eech 2as de&i$ered< and 2hen fift!-se$en of our rethren 2ere etra!ed
into the hands of our ene'ies< as *risoners< 2hich 2as done at the
insti,ation of our o*en and a$o2ed ene'ies< such as 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in
and others< and the treacher! of Co&one& Hin0&e# In addition to the
s*eech referred to< 5enera& C&ar0 said that 2e 'ust not e seen as 'an! as
fi$e to,ether# If !ou are< said he< the citi4ens 2i&& e u*on !ou and
destro! !ou< ut f&ee i''ediate&! out of the state# There 2as no
a&ternati$e for the' ut to f&ee? that the! need not e/*ect an! redress<
for there 2as none for the'#
3ith res*ect to the treat!< the 2itness further sa!s that there ne$er
2as an! treat! *ro*osed or entered into on the *art of the -.or'ons<- or
e$en thou,ht of# As to the &eaders ein, ,i$en u*< there 2as no such
contract entered into or thou,ht of ! the -.or'ons<- or an! one ca&&ed a
-.or'on<- e/ce*t ! Co&one& Hin0&e# And 2ith res*ect to the tria& of the
*risoners at Rich'ond< I do not consider that triuna& a &e,a& court< ut
an in>uisition< for the fo&&o2in, reasons( That .r# S'ith 2as not a&&o2ed
an! e$idence 2hate$er on his *art? for the conduct of the Court< as 2e&&
as the Jud,e+s o2n 2ords< affir'ed that there 2as no &a2 for -.or'ons- in
the state of .issouri# He a&so 0ne2 that 2hen .r# S'ith &eft the state of
.issouri< he did not f&ee fro' =ustice< for the *&ain reason that the
officers and the *eo*&e 'anifested ! their 2or0s and their 2ords that
there 2as no &a2 nor =ustice for the *eo*&e ca&&ed -.or'ons#- And
further< he 0no2s that .r# S'ith has e$er een a stron, ad$ocate for the
&a2s and constitutions of his countr!< and that there 2as no act of his
&ife 2hi&e in the state of .issouri< accordin, to his 0no2&ed,e< that
cou&d e i'*&ied or construed in an! 2a! 2hate$er to *ro$e hi' a fu,iti$e
fro' =ustice< or that he has een ,ui&t! of -'urder< treason< arson<
&arcen!< theft< and stea&in,<---the cri'es he 2as char,ed 2ith ! 5enera&
C&ar0< 2hen he de&i$ered hi' o$er to the ci$i& authorities? and he
su**oses that the &earned 5enera& did not 0no2 ut that there 2as a
difference et2een -&arcen!< theft< and stea&in,#-
The 2itness a&so sa!s that the! co'*e&&ed the rethren to si,n a2a!
their *ro*ert! ! e/ecutin, a Deed of Trust at the *oint of the a!onet?
and that Jud,e Ca'eron stood and sa2 the -.or'ons- si,n a2a! their
*ro*ert!? and then he and others 2ou&d run and 0ic0 u* their hee&s< and
said the! 2ere ,&ad of it< and -2e ha$e nothin, to trou&e us no2#- This
=ud,e a&so said< -5---- d---- the'< see ho2 2e&& the! fee& no2#- 5enera&
C&ar0 a&so said he had authorit! to 'a0e 2hat treaties he *&eased< and the
5o$ernor 2ou&d sanction it#
The 2itness a&so stated that he ne$er trans,ressed an! of the &a2s of
.issouri< and he ne$er 0ne2 a Latter-da! Saint rea0 a &a2 2hi&e there# He
a&so said that if the! 2ou&d search the records of C&a!< Ca&d2e&&< or
Da$iess counties< the! cou&d not find one record of cri'e a,ainst a
Latter-da! Saint< or e$en in Jac0son count!< so far as 2itness 0ne2#
"RI5HA. YOUN5#
%# TESTI.ONY OF LY.AN 3I5HT#
L!'an 3i,ht s2orn< saith that he has een ac>uainted 2ith Jose*h
S'ith Sen#< for the &ast t2e&$e !ears< and that he re'o$ed to the state of
.issouri in the !ear 7897< 2hen the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints 2as or,ani4ed a,reea&e to the &a2 of the &and# No *articu&ar
difficu&t! too0 *&ace unti& after so'e hundreds had asse'&ed in that &and
2ho e&ie$ed in the "oo0 of .or'on and re$e&ations 2hich 2ere ,i$en
throu,h said Jose*h S'ith< Sen# After near&! t2o !ears of *eace had
e&a*sed< a stron, *re=udice a'on, the $arious sects arose< dec&arin, that
Jose*h S'ith 2as a fa&se *ro*het< and ou,ht to die? and I heard hundreds
sa! the! had ne$er 0no2n the 'an? ut< if the! cou&d co'e across hi'< the!
2ou&d 0i&& hi' as soon as the! 2ou&d a ratt&esna0e# Fre>uent&! heard the'
sa! of those 2ho e&ie$ed in the doctrine he *ro'u&,ated< that< if the!
did not renounce it< the! 2ou&d e/ter'inate or dri$e the' fro' the count!
in 2hich the! &i$ed# On in>uirin, of the' if the! had an! *re=udice
a,ainst us< the! said -No+ ut Joe S'ith ou,ht to die? and if e$er he
co'es to this count! 2e 2i&& 0i&& hi'< 5-- d-- hi'#-
.atters 2ent on thus unti& so'e ti'e in the su''er of 7899< 2hen 'os
asse'&ed in considera&e odies< fre>uent&! $isitin, *ri$ate houses<
threatenin, the in'ates 2ith death and destruction instant&!< if the! did
not renounce Joe S'ith as a *ro*het< and the "oo0 of .or'on# So'eti'e
to2ards the &ast of the su''er of 7899< the! co''enced their o*erations of
'oocrac!# On account of their *riests< ! unitin, in their *re=udices
a,ainst Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< as I e&ie$e< ,an,s of the' thirt! to si/t!<
$isited the house of 5eor,e "eee ca&&ed hi' out of his house at the hour
of 'idni,ht< 2ith 'an! ,uns and *isto&s *ointed at his reast< eat hi'
'ost inhu'an&! 2ith c&us and 2hi*s? and the sa'e ni,ht or ni,ht
after2ards< this ,an, unroofed thirteen houses in 2hat 2as ca&&ed the
3hit'er "ranch of the Church in Jac0son count!# These scenes of 'oocrac!
continued to e/ist 2ith unaated fur!#
.os 2ent fro' house to house< thrustin, *o&es and rai&s in at the
2indo2s and doors of the houses of the Saints< tearin, do2n a nu'er of
houses< turnin, ho,s and horses into corn fie&ds< and urnin, fences# So'e
ti'e in the 'onth of Octoer the! ro0e into the store of A# S# 5i&ert P
Co#< and I 'arched u* 2ith thirt! or fort! 'en to 2itness the scene< and
found a 'an ! the na'e of .cCart!< ric0attin, the store door 2ith a&&
fur!< the si&0s< ca&icos< and other fine ,oods ent2ined aout his feet<
reachin, 2ithin the door of the store-house# .cCart! 2as arrested and
ta0en efore S>uire 3eston? and a&thou,h se$en *ersons testified a,ainst
hi'< he 2as ac>uitted 2ithout de&a!# The ne/t da! the 2itnesses 2ere ta0en
efore the sa'e 'an for fa&se i'*rison'ent< and ! the testi'on! of this
one ur,&ar 2ere found ,ui&t! and co''itted to =ai&#
This so e/as*erated '! fee&in,s that I 2ent 2ith HDD 'en to in>uire
into the affair< 2hen I 2as *ro'*t&! 'et ! the co&one& of the 'i&itia<
2ho stated to 'e that the 2ho&e had een a re&i,ious farce< and had ,ro2n
out of a *re=udice the! had i'ied a,ainst said Jose*h S'ith --a 'an 2ith
2ho' the! 2ere not ac>uainted# I here a,reed that the Church 2ou&d ,i$e
u* their ar's< *ro$ided the said Co&one& )itcher 2ou&d ta0e the ar's fro'
the 'o# To this the co&one& cheerfu&&! a,reed< and *&ed,ed his honor
2ith that of Lieutenant-5o$ernor "o,,s< Sa'ue& C# O2en< and others# This
treat! entered into< 2e returned ho'e< restin, assured on their honor that
2e shou&d not e further 'o&ested# "ut this so&e'n contract 2as $io&ated
in e$er! sense of the 2ord#
The ar's of the 'o 2ere ne$er ta0en a2a!< and the 'a=orit! of the
'i&itia< to '! certain 0no2&ed,e< 2ere en,a,ed the ne/t da! 2ith the 'o<
ECo&one& )itcher and "o,,s not e/ce*tedF< ,oin, fro' house to house in
,an,s fro' si/t! to se$ent! in nu'er< threatenin, the &i$es of 2o'en and
chi&dren< if the! did not &ea$e forth2ith# In this diao&ica& scene 'en
2ere chased fro' their houses and ho'es 2ithout an! *re*aration for
the'se&$es or fa'i&ies# I 2as chased ! one of these ,an,s across an o*en
*rairie fi$e 'i&es< 2ithout ein, o$erta0en< and &a! three 2ee0s in the
2oods< and 2as three da!s and three ni,hts 2ithout food#
In the 'eanti'e '! 2ife and three s'a&& chi&dren< in a s0iff< *assed
do2n "i, "&ue ri$er< a distance of fourteen 'i&es< and crossed o$er the
.issouri ri$er< and there orro2ed a ra, car*et of one of her friends and
'ade a tent of the sa'e< 2hich 2as the on&! shie&d fro' the inc&e'enc! of
the 2eather durin, the three 2ee0s of '! e/*u&sion fro' ho'e# Ha$in,
found '! fa'i&! in this situation< and 'a0in, so'e in>uir!< I 2as infor'ed
I had een hunted throu,hout Jac0son <
Lafa!ette< and C&a! counties< and a&so the Indian Territor!# Ha$in,
'ade the in>uir! of '! fa'i&! 2h! it 2as the! had so 'uch a,ainst 'e< the
ans2er 2as< -He e&ie$es in Joe S'ith and the "oo0 of .or'on< 5-- d-- hi'?
and 2e e&ie$e Joe S'ith to e a ---- rasca&K-
Here< on the an0s of the .issouri ri$er< 2ere ei,ht fa'i&ies< e/i&ed
fro' *&enteous ho'es< 2ithout one *artic&e of *ro$isions or an! other
'eans under the hea$ens to ,et an!< on&! ! huntin, in the forest#
I here ui&t a ca'*< t2e&$e feet s>uare< a,ainst a s!ca'ore &o,< in
2hich '! 2ife ore 'e a fine son on the HMth of Dece'er# The ca'* ha$in,
neither chi'ne! nor f&oor< nor co$erin, sufficient to shie&d the' fro' the
inc&e'enc! of the 2eather< rendered it into&era&e#
In this do&efu& condition I &eft '! fa'i&! for the e/*ress *ur*ose of
'a0in, an a**ea& to the A'erican *eo*&e to 0no2 so'ethin, of the
to&eration of such $i&e and inhu'an conduct< and tra$e&ed one thousand and
three hundred 'i&es throu,h the interior of the United States< and 2as
fre>uent&! ans2ered< -that such conduct 2as not =ustifia&e in a
Re*u&ican ,o$ern'ent? !et 2e fee& to sa! that 2e fear that Joe S'ith is a
$er! ad 'an< and circu'stances a&ter cases# 3e 2ou&d not 2ish to
*re=udice a 'an< ut in so'e circu'stances the $oice of the *eo*&e ou,ht
to ru&e#-
The 'ost of these e/*ressions 2ere fro' *rofessors of re&i,ion? and
in the aforesaid *ersecution< I sa2 one hundred and ninet! 2o'en and
chi&dren dri$en thirt! 'i&es across the *rairie< 2ith three decre*it 'en
on&! in their co'*an!< in the 'onth of No$e'er< the ,round thin&! crusted
2ith s&eet? and I cou&d easi&! fo&&o2 on their trai& ! the &ood that
f&o2ed fro' their &acerated feet on the stu&e of the urnt *rairieK
This co'*an!< not 0no2in, the situation of the countr! or the e/tent
of Jac0son count!< ui&t >uite a nu'er of cains< that *ro$ed to e in
the orders of Jac0son count!# The 'o< infuriated at this< rushed on
the' in the 'onth of Januar!< 789@< urned these scant! cains< and
scattered the inhaitants to the four 2inds? fro' 2hich cause 'an! 2ere
ta0en sudden&! i&&< and of this i&&ness died# In the 'eanti'e< the!
urned t2o hundred and three houses and one ,rist 'i&&< these ein, the
on&! residences of the Saints in Jac0son count!#
The 'ost *art of one thousand and t2o hundred Saints 2ho resided in
Jac0son count!< 'ade their esca*e to C&a! count!# I 2ou&d here re'ar0
that a'on, one of the co'*anies that 2ent to C&a! count! 2as a 2o'an na'ed
Sarah Ann Hi,ee< 2ho had een sic0 of chi&&s and fe$er for 'an! 'onths<
and another of the na'e of 1e4iah Hi,ee< 2ho< under the 'ost de&icate
circu'stances< &a! on the an0s of the ri$er< 2ithout she&ter< durin, one
of the 'ost stor'! ni,hts I e$er 2itnessed< 2hi&e torrents of rain *oured
do2n durin, the 2ho&e ni,ht< and strea's of the s'a&&est si4e 2ere
'a,nified into ri$ers# The for'er 2as carried across the ri$er< a**arent&!
a &ife&ess cor*se# The &atter 2as de&i$ered of a fine son on the an0s<
2ithin t2ent! 'inutes after ein, carried across the ri$er< under the o*en
cano*! of hea$en? and fro' 2hich cause I ha$e e$er! reason to e&ie$e she
died a *re'ature death#
The on&! conso&ation the! recei$ed fro' the 'o< under these
circu'stances< 2as< -5-- d-- !ou< do !ou e&ie$e in Joe S'ith no2B- Durin,
this 2ho&e ti'e< the said Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< &i$ed in Ohio< in the to2n
of 1irt&and< accordin, to the est of '! 0no2&ed,e and e&ief< a distance
of e&e$en hundred 'i&es fro' Jac0son count!< and I thin0 that the Church
in .issouri had ut &itt&e corres*ondence 2ith hi' durin, that ti'e#
3e no2 found ourse&$es 'ost&! in C&a! count!--so'e in ne,ro cains<
so'e in ,ent&e'en+s 0itchens< so'e in o&d cains that had een out of use
for !ears< and others in the o*en air< 2ithout an!thin, to she&ter the'
fro' the drear! stor's of a co&d and se$ere 2inter#
Thus< &i0e 'en of ser$itude< 2e 2ent to 2or0 to otain a scant!
&i$in, a'on, the inhaitants of C&a! count!# E$er! ad$anta,e 2hich cou&d
e ta0en of a *eo*&e under these circu'stances 2as not ne,&ected ! the
*eo*&e of C&a! count!# A ,reat de,ree of friendshi* *re$ai&ed et2een the
Saints and the *eo*&e< under these circu'stances< for the s*ace of t2o
!ears< 2hen the Saints co''enced *urchasin, so'e s'a&& *ossessions for
the'se&$es# This< to,ether 2ith the i''i,ration< created a =ea&ous! on
the *art of the o&d citi4ens that 2e 2ere to e their ser$ants no &on,er#
This raised an a**arent indi,nation< and the first thin, e/*ressed in
this e/cite'ent 2as< -You e&ie$e too 'uch in Joe S'ith#- Conse>uent&!<
the! co''enced catchin, the Saints in the streets< 2hi**in, so'e of the'
unti& their o2e&s ,ushed out< and &ea$in, others for dead in the streets#
this so e/as*erated the Saints that the! 'utua&&! a,reed 2ith the
citi4ens of C&a! count! that the! 2ou&d *urchase an entire ne2 count!
north of Ra! and cornerin, on C&a!# There ein, not 'ore than fort! or
fift! inhaitants in this ne2 count!< the! fran0&! so&d out their
*ossessions to the Saints< 2ho i''ediate&! set in to enter the entire
count! fro' the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent#
The count! ha$in, een sett&ed< the ,o$ernor issued an order for the
or,ani4ation of the count! and of a re,i'ent of 'i&itia? and an e&ection
ein, ca&&ed for a co&one& of said re,i'ent< I 2as e&ected unani'ous&!<
recei$in, H9: $otes in Au,ust< 789M? 2e then or,ani4ed 2ith sua&tern
officers< accordin, to the statutes of the state< and recei$ed &e,a& and
&a2fu& co''issions fro' 5o$ernor "o,,s for the sa'e#
I thin0< so'e ti'e in the &atter *art of the 2inter< said Jose*h
S'ith 'o$ed to the district of countr! the Saints had *urchased< and he
sett&ed do2n &i0e other citi4ens of a ne2 count!< and 2as a**ointed the
first E&der in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< ho&din, no
office in the count!< either ci$i& or 'i&itar!# I dec&are that I ne$er
0ne2 said Jose*h S'ith to dictate< ! his inf&uence or other2ise< an! of
the officers< either ci$i& or 'i&itar!? he hi'se&f ein, e/e'*t fro'
'i&itar! dut! fro' the a'*utation< fro' his &e,< of a *art of a one< on
account of a fe$er sore#
I re'o$ed fro' Ca&d2e&& to Da$iess count!< *urchased a *re-e'*tion
ri,ht< for 2hich I ,a$e se$en hundred and fift! do&&ars< ,ained another !
the side thereof< *ut in a &ar,e cro*< and eca'e ac>uainted 2ith the
citi4ens of Da$iess< 2ho a**eared $er! friend&!#
In the 'onth of June or Ju&! there 2as a to2n &aid off< *art&! on '!
*re-e'*tion and *art&! on &ands e&on,in, to ,o$ern'ent# The i''i,ration
co''enced f&o2in, to this ne2&! &aid off to2n $er! ra*id&!# This e/cited a
*re=udice in the 'inds of so'e of the o&d citi4ens< 2ho 2ere an i,norant
set< and not $er! far ad$anced efore the aori,ines of the countr! in
ci$i&i4ation or cu&ti$ated 'inds# The! feared that this ra*id tide of
i''i,ration shou&d de*ri$e the' of office< of 2hich the! 2ere dear &o$ers#
This 2as 'ore *&ain&! e/hiited at the Au,ust e&ection in the !ear 7898#
The o&d sett&ers then s2ore that not one -.or'on- shou&d $ote at that
e&ection? accordin,&! the! co''enced o*erations ! fist and s0u&&# This
ter'inated in the &oss of so'e teeth< so'e f&esh< and so'e &ood# The
co'at ein, $er! stron,&! contested on oth Sides< 'an! .or'ons 2ere
de*ri$ed of their $otes< and I 2as fo&&o2ed to the *o&&s ! three ruffians
2ith stones in their hands< s2earin, the! 2ou&d 0i&& 'e if I $oted#
A fa&se ru'or 2as i''ediate&! sent to Far 3est< such as that t2o or
three -.or'ons- 2ere 0i&&ed and 2ere not suffered to e uried# The ne/t
da! a considera&e nu'er of the Saints ca'e out to '! house# Said Jose*h
S'ith ca'e 2ith the'# He in>uired of 'e concernin, the difficu&t!# The
ans2er 2as< *o&itica& difficu&ties# He then as0ed if there 2as an!thin,
serious# The ans2er 2as< No< I thin0 not# 3e then a&& 'ounted our horses
and rode on to the *rairie< h short distance fro' '! house< to a coo&
s*rin, near the house of Es>uire "&ac0< 2here the ,reater nu'er sto**ed
for refresh'ents< 2hi&st a fe2 2aited on Es>uire "&ac0# He 2as
interro,ated to 0no2 2hether he =ustified the course of conduct at the
&ate e&ection< or not# He said he did not< and 2as 2i&&in, to ,i$e his
*rotest in 2ritin,? 2hich he did< and a&so desired that there shou&d e a
*u&ic 'eetin, ca&&ed? 2hich< I thin0< 2as done on the ne/t da!#
Said Jose*h S'ith 2as not addressed on the su=ect< ut I 2as< 2ho<
in eha&f of the Saints< entered into an a,ree'ent 2ith the other citi4ens
of the count! that 2e 2ou&d &i$e in *eace< en=o!in, those &essin,s fou,ht
for ! our forefathers# "ut 2hi&e so'e of their &eadin, 'en 2ere enterin,
into this contract< others 2ere raisin, 'os? and in a short ti'e the 'o
increased to t2o hundred and fi$e< ran0 and fi&e< and the! enca'*ed 2ithin
si/ 'i&es of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
In the 'eanti'e< Jose*h S'ith and those 2ho ca'e 2ith hi' fro' Far
3est returned to their ho'es in *eace< sus*ectin, nothin,# "ut I< seein,
the ra,e of the 'o and their fu&& deter'ination to dri$e the Church fro'
Da$iess count!< sent to 5enera& Atchison E'a=or-,enera& of the di$ision in
2hich 2e &i$edF# He i''ediate&! sent "ri,adier-5enera& Doni*han 2ith
et2een t2o and three hundred 'en# 5enera& Doni*han 'o$ed his troo*s near
the 'o force< and ca'e u* and con$ersed 2ith 'e on the su=ect# After
con$ersin, so'e ti'e on the su=ect< .a=or Hu,hes ca'e and infor'ed
5enera& Doni*han that his 'en 2ere 'utin!in,< and the 'o 2ere deter'ined
to fa&& on the Saints in Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# Ha$in, a co&one&+s co''ission
under Doni*han I 2as co''anded to ca&& out '! troo*s forth2ith< and< to
use Doni*han+s o2n &an,ua,e< -0i&& e$er! 5-- d---- 'oocrat !ou can find
in the count!< or 'a0e the' *risoners? and if the! co'e u*on !ou ,i$e the'
he&&#- He then returned to his troo*s and ,a$e the' an address< statin,
the inter$ie2 he had 2ith 'e? and he a&so said to the 'o< that if the!
2ere so dis*osed< the! cou&d ,o on 2ith their 'easures? that he considered
that Co&one& 3i,ht< 2ith the 'i&itia under his co''and a&& sufficient to
>ue&& e$er! 5-- d---- 'oocrat in the count!? and if the! did not fee&
dis*osed so to do< to ,o ho'e or 5-- d---- the'< he 2ou&d 0i&& e$er! one
of the'# The 'o then dis*ersed#
Durin, these 'o$e'ents< neither Jose*h S'ith nor an! of those of Far
3est 2ere at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< on&! those 2ho 2ere sett&ers and &e,a&
citi4ens of the *&ace#
The 'o a,ain asse'&ed and 2ent to De 3itt< Carro&& count!< there
ein, a s'a&& ranch of the Church at that *&ace# "ut of the transactions
at this *&ace I ha$e no *ersona& 0no2&ed,e# The! succeeded in dri$in, the
Church t2ice fro' that *&ace< so'e to the east and so'e to the 2est# This
increased their ardor< and< 2ith redou&ed forces fro' se$era& counties of
the state< the! returned to Da$iess count! to rene2 the attac0# .an!
2anton attac0s and $io&ations of the ri,hts of citi4ens too0 *&ace at this
ti'e fro' the hands of this he&&ish and#
"e&ie$in, forearance no &on,er to e a $irtue I a,ain sent to the
.a=or 5enera& for 'i&itar! aid< 2ho ordered out "ri,adier-5enera& )ar0s#
)ar0s ca'e *art of the 2a!< ut fearin, his 'en 2ou&d 'utin! and =oin the
'o< he ca'e on ahead and con$ersed 2ith 'e a considera&e ti'e#
The ni,ht *re$ious to his arri$a&< the 2ife of Don Car&os S'ith 2as
dri$en fro' her house ! this ruth&ess 'o< and ca'e into
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an-- a distance of three 'i&es< carr!in, her t2o chi&dren on
her hi*s< one of 2hich 2as then risin, of t2o !ears o&d< the other si/ or
ei,ht 'onths o&d< the sno2 ein, o$er shoe'outh dee*< and she ha$in, to
2ade 5rand ri$er< 2hich 2as at this ti'e 2aist dee*# The 'o urnt the
house and e$er!thin, the! had in it# 5enera& )ar0s *assin, the ruins
thereof see'ed fired 2ith indi,nation at their he&&ish conduct and said he
had hitherto thou,ht it i'*rudent to ca&& u*on the 'i&itia under '!
co''and< in conse>uence of *o*u&ar o*inion? ut he no2 considered it no
'ore than =ustice that I shou&d ha$e co''and of '! o2n troo*s< and said to
'e< -I therefore co''and !ou forth2ith to raise !our co'*anies
i''ediate&!< and ta0e such course as !ou 'a! dee' est in order to
dis*erse the 'o fro' this count!#-
I then ca&&ed out si/t! 'en< and *&aced the' under the co''and of
Ca*tain Da$id 3# )atten< and I a&so too0 aout the sa'e nu'er# Ca*tain
)atten 2as ordered to 5a&&atin< 2here a *art! of the 'o 2as &ocated< and
I 2ent to .i&&*ort 2here another *art! 2as &ocated# Ca*tain )atten and I
for'ed the troo*s under our co''and and 5enera& )ar0s addressed the' as
fo&&o2s(
-5ent&e'en< I de*&ore !our situation# I re,ret that transactions of
this nature shou&d ha$e trans*ired in our once ha**! state# Your
condition is certain&! not an en$ia&e one< surrounded ! 'os on one side
and *o*u&ar o*inion and *re=udice on the other# 5&ad&! 2ou&d I f&! to
!our re&ief 2ith '! troo*s< ut I fear it 2ou&d e 2orse for !ou# .ost of
the' ha$e re&ations &i$in, in this count!< and 2i&& not fi,ht a,ainst
the'#
-One of '! *rinci*a& ca*tains Ena'e&! Sa'ue& "o,artF and his 'en ha$e
a&read! 'utinied and ha$e refused to oe! '! co''and#
-I can on&! sa! to !ou< ,ent&e'en< fo&&o2 the co''and of Co&one&
3i,ht< 2ho' I ha$e co''anded to dis*erse a&& 'os found in Da$iess count!<
or to 'a0e the' *risoners and rin, the' efore the ci$i& authorities
forth2ith#
-I 2ish to e distinct&! understood that Co&one& 3i,ht is $ested 2ith
*o2er and authorit! fro' 'e to dis*erse fro' !our 'idst a&& 2ho 'a! e
found on the side of 'oocrac! in the count! of Da$iess#
-I dee*&! re,ret< ,ent&e'en< E0no2in, as I do< the $i,i&ance and
*erse$erance of Co&one& 3i,ht in the cause of freedo' and ri,hts of 'anF
that I cou&d not e$en e a so&dier under his co''and in >ue&&in, the
he&&ish outra,es I ha$e 2itnessed#
-In conc&usion< ,ent&e'en< e $i,i&ant< and *erse$ere< and a&&a!
e$er! e/cite'ent of 'oocrac!# I ha$e $isited !our *&ace fre>uent&!< find
!ou to e an industrious and thri$in, *eo*&e< 2i&&in, to aide the &a2s of
the &and? and I dee*&! re,ret that !ou cou&d not &i$e in *eace and en=o!
the *ri$i&e,es of freedo'# I sha&& no2< ,ent&e'en< return and dis'iss '!
troo*s< and *ut Ca*tain "o,art under arrest< &ea$e the so&e char,e 2ith
Co&one& 3i,ht< 2ho' I dee' sufficient&! >ua&ified to *erfor' accordin, to
&a2< in a&& 'i&itar! o*erations necessar!#-
Ca*tain )atten then 2ent to 5a&&atin# 3hen co'in, in si,ht of
5a&&atin< he disco$ered aout one hundred of the 'o ho&din, so'e of the
Saints in onda,e< and tanta&i4in, others in the 'ost scanda&ous 'anner#
At the si,ht of Ca*tain )atten and co'*an! the 'o too0 fri,ht and such
2as their hurrY to ,et a2a!< so'e cut their rid&e reins< and so'e *u&&ed
the rid&es fro' their horses+ heads and 2ent off 2ith a&& s*eed#
I 2ent to .i&&*ort< and on '! 2a! disco$ered the inhaitants had
eco'e enra,ed at the orders of 5enera&s Doni*han and )ar0s< and that the!
had s2orn $en,eance< not on&! a,ainst the Church< ut a&so a,ainst the t2o
,enera&s< to,ether 2ith 5enera& Atchison? and to carr! out their *&ans<
the! entered into one of the 'ost diao&ica& sche'es e$er entered into !
'an< and these he&&ish sche'es 2ere in,enious&! carried out#
Na'e&!< ! &oadin, their fa'i&ies and ,oods in co$ered 2a,ons<
settin, fire to their houses< 'o$in, into the 'idst of the 'o< and cr!in,
out< -The .or'ons ha$e dri$en us and urnt our houses#- In this situation
I found the countr! et2een '! house and .i&&*ort< and a&so found .i&&*ort
e$acuated and urnt#
Runners 2ere i''ediate&! sent to the ,o$ernor 2ith the ne2s that the
-.or'ons- 2ere 0i&&in, and urnin, e$er!thin, efore the'< and that ,reat
fears 2ere entertained that the! 2ou&d reach Jefferson Cit! efore the
runners cou&d rin, the ne2s#
This 2as not 0no2n ! the Church of Latter-da! Saints unti& t2o
thousand t2o hundred of the 'i&itia had arri$ed 2ithin ha&f a 'i&e of Far
3est? and the! then su**osed the 'i&itia to e a 'o#
I 2as sent for fro' Ada'-ondi-Ah'an to Far 3est? reached there< the
sun aout one hour hi,h< in the 'ornin, of the HNth of Octoer 789G?
ca&&ed u*on Jose*h S'ith< and in>uired the cause of the ,reat u*roar# He
dec&ared he did not 0no2< ut feared the 'o had increased their nu'ers<
and 2ere endea$orin, to destro! us#
I in>uired of hi' if he had had an! con$ersation 2ith an! one
concernin, the 'atter# He said he had not< as he 2as on&! a *ri$ate
citi4en of the count!--that he did not interfere 2ith an! such 'atters#
He to&d 'e there had een an order< either fro' 5enera& Atchison or
Doni*han< to the sheriff to ca&& out the 'i&itia in order to >ue&& the
riots< and to ,o to hi'? he cou&d ,i$e 'e an! infor'ation on this su=ect#
On in>uirin, for the sheriff< I found hi' not# That et2een three and
four *# '# 5eor,e .# Hin0&e< co&one& of the 'i&itia in that *&ace< ca&&ed
on 'e< in co'*an! 2ith Jose*h S'ith< and said Hin0&e said he had een in
the ca'* in order to &earn the intention of the sa'e# He said the! ,reat&!
desired to see Jose*h S'ith< L!'an 3i,ht< Sidne! Ri,don< )ar&e! )# )ratt<
and 5eor,e< 3# Roinson#
Jose*h S'ith first in>uired 2h! the! shou&d desire to see hi'< as he
he&d no office< either ci$i& or 'i&itar!# I ne/t in>uired 2h! it 2as the!
Shou&d desire to see a 'an out of his o2n count!#
Co&one& Hin0&e here oser$ed< There is no ti'e for contro$ers!# If
!ou ,o not into the ca'* i''ediate&!< the! are deter'ined to co'e u*on Far
3est efore the settin, of the sun? and said the! did not consider us as
'i&itar! &eaders< ut re&i,ious &eaders# He said that if the aforesaid
*ersons 2ent into the ca'*< the! 2ou&d e &ierated that ni,ht or $er!
ear&! ne/t 'ornin,? that there shou&d e no har' done#
3e consu&ted to,ether and a,reed to ,o do2n# On ,oin, aout ha&f the
distance fro' the ca'*< I oser$ed it 2ou&d e 2e&& for 5enera&s Lucas<
Doni*han and others< to 'eet us< and not ha$e us ,o in so &ar,e a cro2d of
so&diers# Accordin,&!< the ,enera&s 'o$ed on2ards< fo&&o2ed ! fift!
arti&&er!'en< 2ith a four-*ounder# The 2ho&e t2ent!-t2o hundred 'o$ed in
stead! *ace on the ri,ht and &eft< 0ee*in, aout e$en 2ith the for'er#
5enera& Lucas a**roached the aforesaid desi,nated *ersons 2ith a
$i&e< ase and treacherous &oo0 in his countenance# I shoo0 hands 2ith
hi' and sa&uted hi' thus+ -3e understand< ,enera&< !ou 2ish to confer 2ith
us a fe2 'o'ents# 3i&& not to'orro2 'ornin, do as 2e&&#-
At this 'o'ent 5eor,e .# Hin0&e s*a0e and said< -Here< ,enera& are
the *risoners I a,reed to de&i$er to !ou#- 5enera& Lucas then randished
his s2ord 2ith a 'ost hideous &oo0 and said< -You are '! *risoners< and
there is no ti'e for ta&0in, at the *resent# You 2i&& 'arch into the
ca'*#-
At this 'o'ent I e&ie$e that there 2ere fi$e hundred ,uns coc0ed<
and not &ess than t2ent! ca*s ursted? and 'ore hideous !e&&s 2ere ne$er
heard< e$en if the descri*tion of the !e&&s of the da'ned in he&& is true<
as ,i$en ! the 'odern sects of the da!#
The aforesaid desi,nated *ersons 2ere then introduced into the 'idst
of t2ent!-t2o hundred 'o 'i&itia# The! then ca&&ed out a ,uard of ninet!
'en< *&acin, thirt! around the *risoners< 2ho 2ere on dut! t2o hours and
off four# The *risoners 2ere *&aced on the ,round< 2ith nothin, to co$er
the' ut the hea$ens< and the! 2ere o$er-shado2ed ! c&ouds that 'oistened
the' efore 'ornin,#
Sidne! Ri,don< 2ho 2as of a de&icate constitution< recei$ed a s&i,ht
shoc0 of a*o*&ectic fits< 2hich e/cited ,reat &au,hter and 'uch ridicu&e
in the ,uard and 'o 'i&itia# Thus the *risoners s*ent a do&efu& ni,ht in
the 'idst of a *re=udiced and diao&ica& co''unit!#
Ne/t da! H!ru' S'ith and A'asa L!'an 2ere dra,,ed fro' their fa'i&ies
and rou,ht *risoners into the ca'*< the! a&&e,in, no other reason for
ta0in, H!ru' S'ith than that he 2as a rother to Joe S'ith the )ro*het<
and one of his counse&ors as )resident of the Church#
The *risoners s*ent this da! as co'forta&! as cou&d e e/*ected
under the e/istin, circu'stances# Ni,ht ca'e on< and under the dar0
shado2s of the ni,ht< 5enera& 3i&son< sua&tern of 5enera& Lucas< too0 'e
on one side and said? -3e do not 2ish to hurt !ou nor "i&& !ou< neither
sha&& !ou e< ! 5----? ut 2e ha$e one thin, a,ainst !ou< and that is<
!ou are too friend&! to Joe S'ith< and 2e e&ie$e hi' to e a 5---- d----
rasca&< and< 3i,ht< !ou 0no2 a&& aout his character#- I said< -I do<
sir#- -3i&& !ou s2ear a&& !ou 0no2 concernin, hi'B- said 3i&son# -I
2i&&< sir- 2as the ans2er I ,a$e# -5i$e us the out&ines<- said 3i&son# I
then to&d 3i&son I e&ie$ed said Jose*h S'ith to e the 'ost *hi&anthro*ic
'an he e$er sa2< and *ossessed of the 'ost *ure and re*u&ican
*rinci*&es--a friend to 'an0ind< a 'a0er of *eace? -and sir< had it not
een that I had ,i$en heed to his counse&< I 2ou&d ha$e ,i$en !ou he&&
efore this ti'e< 2ith a&& !our 'o forces#-
He then oser$ed< -3i,ht< I fear !our &ife is in dan,er< for there is
no end to the *re=udice a,ainst Joe S'ith#- -1i&& and e da'ned sir<- 2as
'! ans2er# He ans2ered and said -There is to e a court-'artia& he&d this
ni,ht? and 2i&& !ou attend< sir#- -I 2i&& not< un&ess co'*e&&ed !
force<- 2as '! re*&!#
He returned aout e&e$en o+c&oc0 that ni,ht< and too0 'e aside and
said+ -I re,ret to te&& !ou !our die is cast? !our doo' is fi/ed? !ou are
sentenced to e shot to'orro2 'ornin, on the *u&ic s>uare in Far 3est< at
ei,ht o+c&oc0#- I ans2ered< -Shoot< and e da'ned#-
-3e 2ere in ho*es<- said he< -!ou 2ou&d co'e out a,ainst Joe S'ith?
ut as !ou ha$e not< !ou 2i&& ha$e to share the sa'e fate 2ith hi'#- I
ans2ered -You 'a! than0 Joe S'ith that !ou are not in he&& this ni,ht?
for< had it not een for hi'< I 2ou&d ha$e *ut !ou there#- So'e2here aout
this ti'e 5enera& Doni*han ca'e u*< and said to 'e< -Co&one& the decision
is a d---- hard one< and I ha$e 2ashed '! hands a,ainst such coo& and
de&ierate 'urder#- He further to&d 'e that 5enera& 5raha' and se$era&
others Ena'es not reco&&ectedF 2ere 2ith hi' in the decision and o**osed
it 2ith a&& their *o2er? and he shou&d 'o$e his so&diers a2a! ! da!&i,ht
in the 'ornin,< that the! shou&d not 2itness a heart&ess 'urder#
-Co&one&< I 2ish !ou 2e&&#-
I then returned to '! fe&&o2-*risoners< to s*end another ni,ht on the
co&d< da'* earth< and the cano*! of hea$en to co$er us# The ni,ht a,ain
*ro$ed a da'* one#
At the re'o$a& of 5enera& Doni*han+s *art of the ar'!< the ca'* 2as
thro2n into the ut'ost confusion and consternation# 5enera& Lucas<
fearin, the conse>uence of such hast! and inconsiderate 'easures< re$o0ed
the decree of shootin, the *risoners< and deter'ined to ta0e the' to
Jac0son count!# Conse>uent&!< he de&i$ered the *risoners o$er to 5enera&
3i&son< orderin, hi' to see the' safe to Inde*endence< Jac0son count!#
Aout the hour the *risoners 2ere to ha$e een shot on the *u&ic
s>uare in Far 3est< the! 2ere e/hiited in a 2a,on in the to2n< a&& of
the' ha$in, fa'i&ies there ut '!se&f? and it 2ou&d ha$e ro0en the heart
of an! *erson *ossessin,? an ordinar! share of hu'anit! to ha$e seen the
se*aration# The a,ed father and 'other of Jose*h S'ith 2ere not *er'itted
to see his face< ut to reach their hands throu,h the co$er of the 2a,on<
and thus ta0e &ea$e of hi'# 3hen *assin, his o2n house< he 2as ta0en out
of the 2a,on and *er'itted to ,o into the house< ut not 2ithout a stron,
,uard< and not *er'itted to s*ea0 2ith his fa'i&! ut in the *resence of
his ,uard? and his e&dest son< Jose*h< aout si/ or ei,ht !ears o&d<
han,in, to the tai& of his coat< cr!in,< -Father< is the 'o ,oin, to 0i&&
!ouB- The ,uard said to hi'< -You d--- &itt&e rat< ,o ac0? !ou 2i&& see
!our father no 'ore#-
The *risoners then set out for Jac0son count!< acco'*anied !
5enera&s Lucas and 3i&son< and aout three hundred troo*s for a ,uard# 3e
re'ained in Jac0son count! three or four da!s and ni,hts< durin, 'ost of
2hich ti'e the *risoners 2ere treated in a ,ent&e'an&! 'anner and oarded
at a hote&< for 2hich the! had after2ards< 2hen confined in Liert! =ai&<
to *a! the 'ost e/tra$a,ant *rice< or ha$e their *ro*ert!< if an! the!
had< attached for the sa'e#
At this ti'e 5enera& C&ar0 had arri$ed at Rich'ond< and< ! orders
fro' the 5o$ernor< too0 on hi'se&f the co''and of the 2ho&e of the
'i&itia< not2ithstandin, 5enera& Atchison+s co''ission 2as the o&dest? ut
he 2as su**osed to e too friend&! to the -.or'ons<- and therefore
dis'ounted? and 5enera& C&ar0 sanctioned the 'easures of 5enera& Lucas<
ho2e$er crue&< and said he shou&d ha$e done the sa'e< had he een there
hi'se&f#
Accordin,&!< he re'anded the *risoners fro' Jac0son count!< and the!
2ere ta0en and escorted ! a stron, ,uard to Rich'ond? threatened se$era&
ti'es on the 2a! 2ith $io&ence and death# The! 2ere 'et fi$e 'i&es efore
the! reached Rich'ond ! aout one hundred ar'ed 'en? and 2hen the!
arri$ed in to2n< the! 2ere thrust into an o&d cain under a stron, ,uard#
I 2as infor'ed ! one of the ,uards that< t2o ni,hts *re$ious to their
arri$a&< 5enera& C&ar0 he&d a court-'artia&< and the *risoners 2ere a,ain
sentenced to e shot? ut he ein, a &itt&e doutfu& of his authorit!<
sent i''ediate&! to Fort Lea$en2orth for the 'i&itar! &a2 and a decision
fro' the United States+
officers< 2here he 2as du&! infor'ed that an! such *roceedin,s 2ou&d
e a coo&-&ooded and heart&ess 'urder# On the arri$a& of the *risoners
at Rich'ond< Jose*h S'ith and '!se&f sent for 5enera& C&ar0< to e
infor'ed ! hi' 2hat cri'es 2ere a&&e,ed a,ainst us# He ca'e in and said
he 2ou&d see us a,ain in a fe2 'inutes# Short&! he returned and said he
2ou&d infor' us of the cri'es a&&e,ed a,ainst us ! the state of .issouri#
-5ent&e'en< !ou are char,ed 2ith treason< 'urder< arson< ur,&ar!<
&arcen!< theft< and stea&in,< and $arious other char,es too tedious to
'ention at this ti'e?- and he i''ediate&! &eft the roo'# In aout t2ent!
'inutes< there ca'e in a stron, ,uard< to,ether 2ith the 0ee*er of the
*enitentiar! of the state< 2ho rou,ht 2ith hi' three co''on trace chains<
noo4ed to,ether ! *uttin, the s'a&& end throu,h the rin,< and co''enced
chainin, us u*< one ! one< and fastenin, us 2ith *ad&oc0s aout t2o feet
a*art#
In this unco'forta&e situation the *risoners re'ained fifteen da!s<
and in this situation 5enera& C&ar0 de&i$ered us to the *rofessed ci$i&
authorities of the state< 2ithout an! &e,a& *rocess ein, ser$ed on us at
a&& durin, the 2ho&e ti'e 2e 2ere 0e*t in chains< 2ith nothin, ut e/
*arte e$idence< and that ,i$en either ! the $i&est a*ostates or ! the
'o 2ho had co''itted 'urder in the state of .issouri# Not2ithstandin,
a&& this e/ *arte e$idence< Jud,e 1in, did infor' our &a2!er< ten da!s
*re$ious to the ter'ination of the tria&< 2ho' he shou&d co''it and 2ho'
he shou&d not? and I heard Jud,e 1in, sa! on his ench< in the *resence of
hundreds of 2itnesses< that there 2as no &a2 for the -.or'ons<- and the!
need not e/*ect an!# Said he< -If the 5o$ernor+s e/ter'inatin, order had
een directed to 'e< I 2ou&d ha$e seen it fu&fi&&ed to the $er! &etter ere
this ti'e#-
After a tedious tria& of fifteen da!s< 2ith no other 2itnesses ut e/
*arte ones< the 2itnesses for the *risoners 2ere either 0ic0ed out of
doors or *ut on tria& the'se&$es# The *risoners 2ere no2 co''itted to
Liert! =ai&< under the care and direction of Sa'ue& Ti&&er!< =ai&er# Here
2e 2ere recei$ed 2ith a shout of indi,nation and scorn ! the *re=udiced
*o*u&ace#
)risoners 2ere here thrust into =ai& 2ithout a re,u&ar 'itti'us< the
=ai&er ha$in, to send for one so'e da!s after# The 'ercies of the =ai&er
2ere into&era&e< feedin, us 2ith a scant! a&&o2ance on the dre,s of
coffee and tea fro' his o2n ta&e< and fetchin, the *ro$isions in a
as0et< 2ithout ein, c&eaned< on 2hich the chic0ens had roosted the ni,ht
efore# Fi$e da!s he fed the *risoners on hu'an f&esh< and fro' e/tre'e
hun,er I 2as co'*e&&ed to eat it# In this situation 2e 2ere 0e*t unti&
aout the 'onth of A*ri&< 2hen 2e 2ere re'anded to Da$iess count! for
tria& efore the ,rand =ur!# 3e 2ere 0e*t under the 'ost &oathso'e and
des*otic ,uard the! cou&d *roduce in that count! of &a2&ess 'os# After
si/ or ei,ht da!s< the ,rand =ur! E'ost of 2ho'< !-the-!e< 2ere so drun0
that the! had to e carried out and into their roo's as thou,h the! 2ere
&ife&ess<F for'ed a fictitious indict'ent< 2hich 2as sanctioned ! Jud,e
"irch< 2ho 2as the State+s Attorne! under Jud,e 1in, at our e/ *arte
tria&< and 2ho at that ti'e stated that the -.or'ons- ou,ht to e hun,
2ithout =ud,e or =ur!# He< the said =ud,e< 'ade out a 'itti'us< 2ithout
da! or date< orderin, the Sheriff to ta0e us to Co&u'ia# The Sheriff
se&ected four 'en to ,uard fi$e of us#
3e then too0 a circuitous route< crossin, *rairies si/teen 'i&es
2ithout houses? and after tra$e&in, three da!s< the Sheriff and I 2ere
to,ether ! ourse&$es fi$e 'i&es fro' an! of the rest of the co'*an! for
si/teen 'i&es at a stretch# The Sheriff here oser$ed to 'e that he
2ished to 5od he 2as at ho'e< and !our friends and !ou a&so# The Sheriff
then sho2ed 'e the 'itti'us< and he found it had neither da! nor date to
it< and said the inhaitants of Da$iess count! 2ou&d e sur*rised that the
*risoners had not &eft the' sooner? and< said he< -"! 5----< I sha&& not
,o 'uch further#-
3e 2ere then near Ye&&o2 Cree0< and there 2ere no houses nearer than
si/teen 'i&es one 2a!< and e&e$en another 2a!< e/ce*t ri,ht on the cree0#
Here a *art of the ,uard too0 a s*ree< 2hi&e the a&ance he&*ed us to
'ount our horses< 2hich 2e *urchased of the'< and for 2hich the! 2ere
*aid# Here 2e too0 a chan,e of $enue< and 2ent to Auinc! 2ithout
difficu&t!< 2here 2e found our fa'i&ies< 2ho had een dri$en out of the
State under the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s# I ne$er 0ne2 of
Jose*h S'ith+s ho&din, an! office< ci$i& or 'i&itar!< or usin, an! undue
inf&uence in re&i,ious 'atters durin, the 2ho&e ti'e of 2hich I ha$e een
s*ea0in,# LY.AN 3I5HT#
%I# TESTI.ONY OF SIDNEY RI5DON#
Sidne! Ri,don s2orn< sa!s I arri$ed in Far 3est< Ca&d2e&& count!#
.issouri< on the @th of A*ri&< 7898< and en=o!ed *eace and >uietness< in
co''on 2ith the rest of the citi4ens< unti& the Au,ust fo&&o2in,< 2hen
,reat e/cite'ent 2as created ! the office-see0ers# Atte'*ts 2ere 'ade to
*re$ent the citi4ens of Da$iess fro' $otin,# Soon after the e&ection<
2hich too0 *&ace in the ear&! *art of Au,ust< the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&&
2ere threatened 2ith $io&ence fro' those of Da$iess count! and other
counties ad=acent to Ca&d2e&&#
This< the Au,ust of 7898< I 'a! date as the ti'e of the e,innin, of
a&& the trou&es of our *eo*&e in Ca&d2e&& count! and in a&& the counties
in the state 2here our *eo*&e 2ere &i$in,# 3e had &i$ed in *eace fro' the
A*ri& *re$ious unti& this ti'e? ut fro' this ti'e ti&& 2e 2ere a&& out of
the state< it 2as one scene of $io&ence fo&&o2in, another in >uic0
succession#
There 2ere at this ti'e sett&e'ents in C&a!< Ra!< Carro&&< Ca&d2e&&<
and Da$iess counties< as 2e&& as so'e fa'i&ies &i$in, in other counties# A
si'u&taneous 'o$e'ent 2as 'ade in a&& the counties and in e$er! *art of
the state< 2here sett&e'ents 2ere 'ade< this soon eca'e $io&ent? and
threatenin,s 2ere heard fro' e$er! >uarter# )u&ic 'eetin,? 2ere he&d<
and the 'ost inf&a''ator! s*eeches 'ade< and reso&utions *assed< 2hich
denounced a&& the -.or'ons- in the 'ost itter and rancorous 'anner#
These reso&utions 2ere *u&ished in the *a*ers< and the 'ost e/tensi$e
circu&ation ,i$en to the' that the *ress of the countr! 2as ca*a&e of
,i$in,#
The first re,u&ar 'o that asse'&ed 2as in Da$iess count!< and their
efforts 2ere directed a,ainst the sett&e'ents 'ade in that count!<
dec&arin, their deter'ination to dri$e out of the count! a&& the citi4ens
2ho 2ere of our re&i,ion< and that indiscri'inate&!< 2ithout re,ard to
an!thin, e&se ut their re&i,ion#
The on&! e$idence necessar! to dis*ossess an! indi$idua& or fa'i&!#
or a&& the e$idence re>uired< 2ou&d e that the! 2ere -.or'ons<- as 2e
2ere ca&&ed< or rather that the! 2ere of the -.or'on- re&i,ion# This 2as
considered of itse&f cri'e enou,h to cause an! indi$idua& or fa'i&! to e
dri$en fro' their ho'es< and their *ro*ert! 'ade co''on *&under#
Reso&utions to this effect 2ere 'ade at *u&ic 'eetin,s he&d for the
*ur*ose< and 'ade *u&ic throu,h the *a*ers of the state< in the face of
a&& &a2 and a&& authorit!#
I 2i&& no2 ,i$e a histor! of the sett&e'ent in Carro&& count!# In
the *recedin, A*ri&< as '!se&f and fa'i&! 2ere on our 2a! to Far 3est< 2e
*ut u* at a house in Carro&& count!< on a strea' ca&&ed Tur0e! Cree0< to
tarr! for the ni,ht# Soon after 2e sto**ed< a !oun, 'an ca'e ridin, u*<
2ho a&so sto**ed and sta!ed throu,h the ni,ht# Hearin, '! na'e 'entioned<
he introduced hi'se&f to 'e as Henr! Root? said he &i$ed in that count! at
a &itt&e to2n ca&&ed De 3itt< on the .issouri ri$er< and had een at Far
3est to ,et so'e of those 2ho 2ere co'in, into that *&ace to for' a
sett&e'ent at De 3itt# S*ea0in, hi,h&! of the ad$anta,es of the
situation< and so&icitin, '! interference in his eha&f to otain a nu'er
of fa'i&ies to co''ence at that *&ace< as he 2as a &ar,e *ro*rietor in the
to2n *&at< he offered a &iera& share in a&& the *rofits 2hich 'i,ht arise
fro' the sa&e of *ro*ert! there to those 2ho 2ou&d aid hi' in ,ettin, the
*&ace sett&ed# In the 'ornin, 2e *roceeded on our =ourne!#
So'e fe2 2ee0s after '! arri$a&< the said Henr! Root< in co'*an! 2ith
a 'an ! the na'e of Da$id Tho'as< ca'e to Far 3est on the sa'e usiness?
and after 'uch so&icitation on their *art< it 2as a,reed that a sett&e'ent
shou&d e 'ade in that *&ace? and in the Ju&! fo&&o2in, the first fa'i&ies
re'o$ed there< and the sett&e'ent soon increased< unti& in the Octoer
fo&&o2in, it consisted of so'e se$ent! fa'i&ies# "! this ti'e a re,u&ar
'o had co&&ected< stron,&! ar'ed< and had otained *ossession of a
cannon< and stationed the'se&$es a 'i&e or t2o fro' the to2n# The
citi4ens< ein, near&! a&& ne2 co'ers< had to &i$e in their tents and
2a,ons< and 2ere e/ertin, the'se&$es to the utter'ost to ,et houses for
the a**roachin, 2inter# The 'o co''enced co''ittin, their de*redations
on the citi4ens< ! not sufferin, the' to *rocure the 'ateria&s for
ui&din,< 0ee*in, the' shut u* in the to2n< not a&&o2in, the' to ,o out to
,et *ro$isions< dri$in, off their catt&e< and *re$entin, the o2ners fro'
,oin, in search of the'# In this 2a! the citi4ens 2ere dri$en to the
,reatest e/tre'ities< actua&&! sufferin, for food and e$er! co'fort of
&ife? in conse>uence of 2hich< there 2as 'uch sic0ness< and 'an! died#
Fe'a&es ,a$e irth to chi&dren< 2ithout a house to she&ter the'? and in
conse>uence of the e/*osure< 'an! suffered ,reat aff&ictions< and 'an!
died#
Hearin, of their ,reat sufferin,s< a nu'er of the 'en of Far 3est
deter'ined on ,oin, to see 2hat 2as doin, there# Accordin,&! 2e started<
e&uded the $i,i&ance of the 'o< and< not2ithstandin, the! had sentine&s
*&aced on a&& the *rinci*a& roads< to *re$ent re&ief fro' ein, sent to
the citi4ens< 2e safe&! arri$ed in De 3itt< and found the *eo*&e as ao$e
stated#
Durin, the ti'e 2e 2ere there< e$er! effort that cou&d e 2as 'ade to
,et the authorities of the count! to interfere and scatter the 'o# The
=ud,e of the circuit court 2as *etitioned< ut 2ithout success? and after
that< the ,o$ernor of the state< 2ho returned for ans2er that the citi4ens
of De 3itt had ,ot into a difficu&t! 2ith the surroundin, countr!< and
the! 'i,ht ,et out of it< for he 2ou&d ha$e nothin, to do 2ith it( or this
2as the ans2er the 'essen,er rou,ht< 2hen he returned#
The 'essen,er 2as a .r# Ca&d2e&&< 2ho o2ned a ferr! on 5rand ri$er<
aout three 'i&es fro' De 3itt< and 2as an o&d sett&er in the *&ace#
The citi4ens 2ere co'*&ete&! esie,ed ! the 'o( no 'an 2as at
&iert! to ,o out< nor an! to co'e in# The e/tre'ities to 2hich the
*eo*&e 2ere dri$en 2ere $er! ,reat< sufferin, 2ith 'uch sic0ness< 2ithout
she&ter< and de*ri$ed of a&& aid< either 'edica& or an! other 0ind< and
ein, 2ithout food or the *ri$i&e,e of ,ettin, it< and etra!ed ! e$er!
'an 2ho 'ade the &east *retension to friendshi*? a nota&e instance of
2hich I 2i&& here ,i$e as a sa'*&e of 'an! others of a si'i&ar 0ind#
There 2as neither read nor f&our to e had in the *&ace# A
stea'oat &anded there< and a**&ication 2as 'ade to ,et f&our? ut the
ca*tain said there 2as none on oard#
A 'an then offered his ser$ices to ,et f&our for the *&ace< 0no2in,<
he said< 2here there 2as a >uantit!# .one! 2as ,i$en to hi' for that
*ur*ose# He ,ot on the oat and 2ent off< and that 2as the &ast 2e heard
of the 'an or the 'one!# This 2as a 'an 2ho had een fre>uent&! in De
3itt durin, the sie,e< and *rofessed ,reat friendshi*#
In this ti'e of e/tre'it!< a 'an 2ho had a short ti'e efore 'o$ed
into De 3itt< rin,in, 2ith hi' a fine !o0e of catt&e< started out to hunt
his catt&e< in order to utcher the'< to 0ee* the citi4ens fro' actua&
star$ation? ut efore he ,ot far fro' the to2n< he 2as fired u*on ! the
'o< and narro2&! esca*ed 2ith his &ife< and had to return? or< at &east<
such 2as his re*ort 2hen he returned#
"ein, no2 co'*&ete&! enc&osed on e$er! side< 2e cou&d *&ain&! see
the! 2ere there to *re$ent the citi4ens fro' crossin,? and< indeed< a
s'a&& craft crossed fro' the'< and three 'en in it< 2ho said that that 2as
the o=ect for 2hich the! had asse'&ed#
At this critica& 'o'ent< 2ith death starin, us in the face< in its
2orst for'< cut off fro' a&& co''unication 2ith the surroundin, countr!<
and a&& our *ro$isions e/hausted< 2e 2ere sustained as the chi&dren of
Israe& in the desert< on&! ! different ani'a&s<--the! ! >uai&s< and 2e
! catt&e and ho,s 2hich ca'e into ca'*? for such it tru&! 2as< as the
*eo*&e 2ere &i$in, in tents and 2a,ons< not ein, *ri$i&e,ed 2ith ui&din,
houses#
3hat 2as to e done in this e/tre'it!B 3h!< recourse 2as had to the
on&! 'eans of susistence &eft< and that 2as to utcher the catt&e and
ho,s 2hich ca'e into the *&ace< 2ithout as0in, 2ho 2as the o2ner< or
2ithout 0no2in,? and 2hat to 'e is re'ar0a&e is< that a sufficient nu'er
of ani'a&s ca'e into the ca'* to sustain &ife durin, the ti'e coarse
&i$in,( ut such as it 2as< it sustained &ife#
Fro' this circu'stance the cr! 2ent out that the citi4ens of De 3itt
2ere thie$es and *&underers< and 2ere stea&in, catt&e and ho,s# Durin,
this ti'e< the 'o of Carro&& count! said that a&& the! 2anted 2as that
the citi4ens of De 3itt shou&d &ea$e Carro&& count! and ,o to Ca&d2e&& and
Da$iess counties#
The citi4ens< findin, that the! 'ust &ea$e De 3itt or e$entua&&!
star$e< fina&&! a,reed to &ea$e? and accordin,&! *re*arations 2ere 'ade<
and De 3itt 2as $acated#
The first e$enin, after 2e &eft< 2e *ut u* for the ni,ht in a ,ro$e
of ti'er# Soon after our arri$a& in the ,ro$e< a fe'a&e 2ho a short ti'e
efore had ,i$en irth to a chi&d< in conse>uence of e/*osure< died#
A ,ra$e 2as du, in the ,ro$e< and the ne/t 'ornin, the od! 2as
de*osited in it 2ithout a coffin< and the co'*an! *roceeded on their
=ourne!< *art of the' ,oin, to Da$iess count!< and *art into Ca&d2e&&#
This 2as in the 'onth of Octoer< 7898#
In a short ti'e after their arri$a& in Da$iess and Ca&d2e&& counties<
'essen,ers arri$ed< infor'in, the ne2 citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess
that the 'o< 2ith their cannon< 2as 'archin, to Da$iess count!<
threatenin, death to the citi4ens< or e&se that the! shou&d a&& &ea$e
Da$iess count!# This caused other efforts to e 'ade to ,et the
authorities to interfere# I 2rote t2o 'e'oria&s< one to the ,o$ernor and
one to Austin A# 1in,< circuit =ud,e< i'*&orin, their assistance and
inter$ention to *rotect the citi4ens of Da$iess a,ainst the threatened
$io&ence of the 'o#
These 'e'oria&s 2ere acco'*anied 2ith affida$its< 2hich cou&d &ea$e
no dout on the 'ind of the ,o$ernor or =ud,e that the citi4ens efore
'entioned 2ere in i''inent dan,er#
At this ti'e thin,s e,an to assu'e an a&ar'in, as*ect oth to the
citi4ens of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&& counties# .os 2ere for'in, a&& around
the countr!< dec&arin, that the! 2ou&d dri$e the *eo*&e out of the state#
This 'ade our a**ea&s to the authorities 'ore dee*&! so&icitous as
the dan,er increased< and $er! soon after this the 'os co''enced their
de*redations< 2hich 2as a ,enera& s!ste' of *&under< tearin, do2n fences<
e/*osin, a&& 2ithin the fie&d to destruction< and dri$in, off e$er! ani'a&
the! cou&d find#
So'e ti'e *re$ious to this< in conse>uence of the threatenin,s 2hich
2ere 'ade ! 'os< or those 2ho 2ere ein, for'ed into 'os< and the
auses co''itted ! the' o* the *ersons and *ro*ert! of the citi4ens< an
association 2as for'ed< ca&&ed the Danite "and#
This< as far as I 2as ac>uainted 2ith it< Enot ein, '!se&f one of
the nu'er< neither 2as Jose*h S'ith< sen#<F 2as for 'utua& *rotection
a,ainst the ands that 2ere for'in, and threatened to e for'ed for the
*rofessed o=ect of co''ittin, $io&ence on the *ro*ert! and *er# toss of
the citi4ens of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&& counties# The! had certain si,ns and
2ords ! 2hich the! cou&d 0no2 one another< either ! da! or ni,ht# The!
2ere ound to 0ee* these si,ns and 2ords secret< so that no other *erson
or *ersons than the'se&$es cou&d 0no2 the'# 3hen an! of these *ersons 2ere
assai&ed ! an! &a2&ess and< he 2ou&d 'a0e it 0no2n to others< 2ho 2ou&d
f&ee to his re&ief at the ris0 of &ife#
In this 2a! the! sou,ht to defend each other+s &i$es and *ro*ert!?
ut the! 2ere strict&! en=oined not to touch an! *erson< on&! those 2ho
2ere en,a,ed in acts of $io&ence a,ainst the *ersons or *ro*ert! of one of
their o2n nu'er< or one of those 2hose &ife and *ro*ert! the! had ound
the'se&$es to defend#
This or,ani4ation 2as in e/istence 2hen the 'os co''enced their 'ost
$io&ent atte'*ts u*on the citi4ens of the efore-'entioned counties? and
fro' this association arose a&& the horror after2ards e/*ressed ! the 'o
at so'e secret c&an 0no2n as Danites#
The efforts 'ade to ,et the authorities to interfere at this ti'e 2as
attended 2ith so'e success# The 'i&itia 2as ordered out under the co''and
of .a=or-5enera& Atchison of C&a! count!< "ri,adier-5enera&s Doni*han of
C&a!< and )ar0s of Ra! count!< 2ho 'arched their troo*s to Da$iess count!<
2here the! found a &ar,e 'o? and 5enera& Atchison said< in '! *resence<
that he too0 the fo&&o2in, sin,u&ar 'ethod to dis*erse the'#
He or,ani4ed the' 2ith his troo*s as *art of the 'i&itia ca&&ed out
to su**ress and arrest the 'o# After ha$in, thus or,ani4ed the'< he
dischar,ed the' and a&& the rest of the troo*s< as ha$in, no further need
for their ser$ices< and a&& returned ho'e#
This< ho2e$er< on&! see'ed to ,i$e the 'o 'ore coura,e to increase
their e/ertion 2ith redou&ed $i,or# The! oasted< after that< that the
authorities 2ou&d not *unish the'< and the! 2ou&d do as the! *&eased#
In a $er! short ti'e their efforts 2ere rene2ed 2ith a deter'ination
not to cease unti& the! had dri$en the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&&< and such of
the citi4ens of Da$iess as the! had 'ar0ed out as $icti's< fro' the state#
A 'an ! the na'e of Corne&ius 5i&&u'< 2ho resided in C&a! count!<
and for'er&! sheriff of said count!< or,ani4ed a and< 2ho *ainted
the'se&$es &i0e Indians< and had a *&ace of rende4$ous at Hunter+s .i&&s<
on a strea' ca&&ed 5rindstone# I thin0 it 2as in C&inton count!< the
count! 2est of Ca&d2e&&< and et2een it and the 2est &ine of the state#
Fro' this *&ace the! 2ou&d ra&&! out and co''it their de*redations#
Efforts 2ere a,ain 'ade to ,et the authorities to *ut a sto* to these
rene2ed outra,es< and a,ain 5enera& Doni*han and 5enera& )ar0s 2ere ca&&ed
out 2ith such *ortions of their res*ecti$e ri,ades as the! 'i,ht dee'
necessar! to su**ress the 'o< or rather 'os< for ! this ti'e there 2ere
a nu'er of the'#
5enera& Doni*han ca'e to Far 3est? and< 2hi&e there< reco''ended to
the authorities of Ca&d2e&& to ha$e the 'i&itia of said count! ca&&ed out
as a necessar! 'easure of defense< assurin, us that 5i&&u' had a &ar,e 'o
on 5rindstone Cree0< and his o=ect 2as to 'a0e a descent u*on Far 3est<
urn the to2n and hi&& or dis*erse the inhaitants? ad that it 2as $er!
necessar! that an effecti$e force shou&d e read! to o**ose hi'< or he
2ou&d acco'*&ish his o=ect#
The 'i&itia 2ere accordin,&! ca&&ed out# He a&so said that there had
etter e a stron, force sent to Da$iess count! to ,uard the citi4ens
there# He reco''ended that< to a$oid an! difficu&ties 2hich 'i,ht arise<
the! had etter ,o in $er! s'a&& *arties 2ithout ar's< so that no &e,a&
ad$anta,e cou&d e ta0en of the'# I 2i&& here ,i$e a short account of the
courts and interna& affairs of .issouri< for the infor'ation of those 2ho
are not ac>uainted 2ith the sa'e#
.issouri has three courts of &a2 *ecu&iar to that state--the su*re'e
court< the circuit court< and the count! court? the t2o for'er aout the
sa'e as in 'an! other states of the Union# The count! court is co'*osed
of three =ud,es< e&ected ! the *eo*&e of the res*ecti$e counties# This
court is in so'e res*ects &i0e the court of *roate in I&&inois< or the
surro,ate+s court of Ne2 Yor0? ut the *o2ers of this court are 'ore
e/tensi$e than the courts of I&&inois or Ne2 Yor0#
The =ud,es Eor an! one of the' of the count! court of .issouriF ha$e
the *o2er of issuin, haeas cor*us in a&& cases 2here arrests are 'ade
2ithin the count! 2here the! *reside# The! ha$e a&so a&& *o2er of
=ustices of the *eace in ci$i& as 2e&& as cri'ina& cases# For instance< a
2arrant 'a! e otained fro' one of these =ud,es ! affida$it< and a
*erson arrested under such 2arrant#
Fro' another of these =ud,es< a haeas cor*us 'a! issue< and the
*erson arrested e ordered efore hi'< and the character of the arrest e
in>uired into? and if< in the o*inion of the =ud,e< the *erson ou,ht not
to e ho&den ! $irtue of said *rocess< he has *o2er to dischar,e hi'#
The! are considered conser$ators of the *eace< and act as such#
In the interna& re,u&ations of the affairs of .issouri< the counties
in so'e res*ects are near&! as inde*endent of each other as the se$era&
states of the Union# No considera&e nu'er of 'en ar'ed can *ass out of
one count! into or throu,h another count!< 2ithout first otainin, the
*er'ission of the =ud,es of the count! court< or so'e one of the'?
other2ise the! are &ia&e to e arrested ! the order of said =ud,es? and
if in their =ud,'ent the! ou,ht not thus to *ass< the! are ordered ac0
fro' 2hence the! ca'e? and< in case of refusa&< are su=ect to e arrested
or e$en shot do2n in case of resistance#
The =ud,es of the count! court Eor an! one of the'F ha$e the *o2er to
ca&& out the 'i&itia of said count!< u*on affida$it ein, 'ade to the' for
that *ur*ose ! an! of the citi4ens of said count!< sho2in, it =ust in the
=ud,'ent of such =ud,e or =ud,es< 2h! said 'i&itia shou&d e ca&&ed out to
defend an! *ortion of the citi4ens of said count!#
The fo&&o2in, is the course of *rocedure( Affida$it is 'ade efore
one or an! nu'er of the =ud,es< settin, forth that the count! Eor an!
*articu&ar *ortion of itF is either in$aded or threatened 2ith in$asion !
so'e un&a2fu& asse'&!< 2here! the &ierties< &i$es< or *ro*ert! of the
citi4ens 'a! e un&a2fu&&! ta0en#
3hen such affida$it is 'ade to an! one of the =ud,es< or a&& of the'<
it is the dut! of hi' or the' efore 2ho' such affida$it is 'ade to issue
an order to the sheriff of the count!< to 'a0e re>uisition u*on the
co''andin, officer of the 'i&itia of said count! to ha$e i''ediate&! *ut
under 'i&itar! order such *ortion of the 'i&itia under his co''and as 'a!
e necessar! for the defense of the citi4ens of said count!#
In this 2a! the 'i&itia of an! count! 'a! e ca&&ed out at an! ti'e
dee'ed necessar! ! the count! =ud,es< inde*endent&! of an! other ci$i&
authorit! of the state#
In case that the 'i&itia of the count! is insufficient to >ue&& the
rioters and secure the citi4ens a,ainst the in$aders< then recourse can e
ad to the =ud,e of the circuit court< 2ho has the sa'e *o2er o$er the
'i&itia of his =udicia& district as the count! =ud,es ha$e o$er the
'i&itia of the count!# And in case of insufficienc! in the 'i&itia of the
=udicia& district of the circuit =ud,e< recourse can e had to the
5o$ernor of the state< and a&& the 'i&itia of the state ca&&ed out? and if
this shou&d fai&< then the 5o$ernor can ca&& on the )resident of the
United States#
I ha$e ,i$en this e/*&anation of the interna& re,u&ation of the
affairs of .issouri< in order that the court 'a! c&ear&! understand 2hat I
ha$e efore said on this su=ect< and 2hat I 'a! hereafter sa! on it#
It 2as in $ie2 of this order of thin,s that 5enera& Doni*han< 2ho is
a &a2!er of so'e ce&erit! in .issouri< ,a$e the reco''endation he did at
Far 3est< 2hen *assin, into Da$iess count! 2ith his troo*s< for the
defense of the citi4ens of said count!#
It 2as in conse>uence of this that he said that those of Ca&d2e&&
count! 2ho 2ent into Da$iess count! shou&d ,o in s'a&& *arties and
unar'ed? in 2hich condition the! 2ere not su=ect to an! arrest fro' an!
authorit! 2hate$er#
In oedience to these reco''endations the 'i&itia of Ca&d2e&& count!
2as ca&&ed out< affida$its ha$in, een 'ade to one of the =ud,es of the
count!< settin, forth the dan,er 2hich it 2as e&ie$ed the citi4ens 2ere
in fro' a &ar,e 'araudin, *art! asse'&ed under the co''and of one
Corne&ius 5i&&u'< on a strea' ca&&ed 5rindstone#
3hen affida$it 2as 'ade to this effect< the =ud,e issued his order to
the sheriff of the count!< and the sheriff to the co''andin, officer< 2ho
2as Co&one& 5eor,e .# Hin0&e? and thus 2ere the 'i&itia of the count! of
Ca&d2e&& *ut under orders#
5enera& Doni*han< ho2e$er< instead of ,oin, into Da$iess count!< soon
after he &eft Far 3est returned to C&a! count! 2ith a&& his troo*s< ,i$in,
as his reason the 'utinous character of his troo*s< 2ho he e&ie$ed 2ou&d
=oin the 'o< instead of actin, a,ainst the'< and that he had not *o2er to
restrain the'#
In a da! or t2o after2ards< 5enera& )ar0s< of Ra! count!< a&so ca'e
to Far 3est< and said that he had sent on a nu'er of troo*s to Da$iess
count!< to act in concert 2ith 5enera& Doni*han# He a&so 'ade the sa'e
co'*&aint concernin, the troo*s that Doni*han had< doutin, ,reat&!
2hether the! 2ou&d render an! ser$ice to those in
Da$iess< 2ho 2ere threatened 2ith $io&ence ! the 'os asse'&in,?
ut on hearin, that Doni*han< instead of ,oin, to Da$iess count!< had
returned to C&a!< fo&&o2ed his e/a'*&e and ordered his troo*s ac0 to Ra!
count!? and thus 2ere the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& count! and those of Da$iess
count!< 2ho 2ere 'ar0ed out as $icti's ! the 'o< &eft to defend
the'se&$es the est 2a! the! cou&d#
3hat I ha$e here stated in re&ation to 5enera&s Doni*han and )ar0s<
2as &earned in con$ersations had et2een '!se&f and the'< aout 2hich I
cannot e 'ista0en< un&ess '! 'e'or! has etra!ed 'e#
The 'i&itia of the count! of Ca&d2e&& 2ere no2 a&& under re>uisition<
ar'ed and e>ui**ed accordin, to &a2# The 'o< after a&& the authorit! of
the state had een reca&&ed e/ce*t fro' the force of Ca&d2e&& count!<
co''enced the 2or0 of destruction in earnest< sho2in, a deter'ination to
acco'*&ish their o=ect#
Far 3est< 2here I resided< 2hich 2as the shire to2n of Ca&d2e&&
count!< 2as *&aced under the char,e of a ca*tain ! the na'e of John
1i&&ian< 2ho 'ade '! house his head>uarters# Other *ortions of the troo*s
2ere distriuted in different *ortions of the count!< 2here$er dan,er 2as
a**rehended# In conse>uence of Ca*tain 1i&&ian 'a0in, an! house his
head>uarters< I 2as *ut in *ossession of a&& that 2as ,oin, on< as a&&
inte&&i,ence in re&ation to the o*erations of the 'o 2as co''unicated to
hi'# Inte&&i,ence 2as recei$ed dai&! of de*redations ein, co''itted not
on&! a,ainst the *ro*ert! of the citi4ens# ut their *ersons? 'an! of
2ho'< 2hen attendin, to their usiness< 2ou&d e sur*rised and ta0en !
'araudin, *arties< tied u*< and 2hi**ed in a 'ost des*erate 'anner#
Such outra,es 2ere co''on durin, the *ro,ress of these e/traordinar!
scenes< and a&& 0inds of de*redations 2ere co''itted# .en dri$in, their
tea's to and fro' the 'i&&s 2here the! ,ot their ,rindin, done< 2ou&d e
sur*rised and ta0en< their *ersons aused< and their tea's< 2a,ons and
&oadin, a&& ta0en as oot! ! the *&underers# Fie&ds 2ere thro2n o*en< and
a&& 2ithin e/*osed to the destruction of such ani'a&s as chose to enter#
Catt&e< horses< ho,s and shee* 2ere dri$en off< and a ,enera& s!ste' of
*&under and destruction of a&& 0inds of *ro*ert! carried on< to the ,reat
anno!ance of the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& and that *ortion of the citi4ens of
Da$iess 'ar0ed as $icti's ! the 'o#
One afternoon a 'essen,er arri$ed at Far 3est ca&&in, for he&*<
sa!in, that a anditti had crossed the south &ine of Ca&d2e&& and 2ere
en,a,ed in threatenin, the citi4ens 2ith death< if the! did not &ea$e
their ho'es and ,o out of the state 2ithin a $er! short ti'e--the ti'e not
*recise&! reco&&ected? ut I thin0 it 2as the ne/t da! ! ten o+c&oc0< ut
of this I a' not certain# He said the! 2ere settin, fire to the *rairies<
in $ie2 of urnin, houses and deso&atin, far's? that the! had set fire to
a 2a,on &oaded 2ith ,oods< and the! 2ere a&& consu'ed? that the! had a&so
set fire to a house< and 2hen he &eft it 2as urnin, do2n#
Such 2as the situation of affairs at Far 3est at that ti'e< that
Ca*tain 1i&&ian cou&d not s*are an! of his forces< as an attac0 2as hour&!
e/*ected at Far 3est#
The 'essen,er 2ent off< and I heard no 'ore aout it ti&& so'e ti'e
the ni,ht fo&&o2in,< 2hen I 2as a2a0ened fro' s&ee* ! the $oice of so'e
'an a**arent&! ,i$in, co''and to a 'i&itar! od!# "ein, so'e2hat un2e&&< I
did not ,et u*# So'e ti'e after I ,ot u* in the 'ornin, the sheriff of
the count! sto**ed at the door and said that Da$id 3# )atten had had a
att&e 2ith the 'o &ast ni,ht at Croo0ed Ri$er< and that se$era& 2ere
0i&&ed and a nu'er 2ounded? that )atten 2as a'on, the nu'er of the
2ounded< and his 2ound su**osed to e 'orta&# After I had ta0en
rea0fast< another ,ent&e'an ca&&ed< ,i$in, 'e the sa'e account< and
as0in, 'e if I 2ou&d not ta0e '! horse and ride out 2ith hi' and see 2hat
2as done# I a,reed to do so< and 2e started< and after ,oin, three or
four 'i&es< 'et a co'*an! co'in, into Far 3est# 3e turned and 2ent ac0
2ith the'#
The 'o *ro$ed to e that headed ! the Re$erend Sa'ue& "o,art< a
.ethodist *reacher? and the att&e 2as ca&&ed the "o,art "att&e# After
this att&e there 2as a short season of >uiet? the 'os disa**eared< and
the 'i&itia returned to Far 3est< thou,h the! 2ere not dischar,ed< ut
re'ained under orders unti& it shou&d e 0no2n ho2 the 'atter 2ou&d turn#
In the s*ace of a fe2 da!s< it 2as said that a &ar,e od! of ar'ed
'en 2ere enterin, the south *art of Ca&d2e&& count!# The count! court
ordered the 'i&itia to ,o and in>uire 2hat 2as their o=ect in thus co'in,
into the count! 2ithout *er'ission#
The 'i&itia started as co''anded< and &itt&e or no infor'ation 2as
recei$ed at Far 3est aout their 'o$e'ents unti& &ate the ne/t afternoon<
2hen a &ar,e ar'! 2as descried 'a0in, their 2a! to2ards Far 3est# Far
3est ein, an e&e$ated situation< the ar'! 2as disco$ered 2hi&e a nu'er
of 'i&es fro' the *&ace#
Their o=ect 2as entire&! un0no2n to the citi4ens as far as I had an!
0no2&ed,e on the su=ect? and e$er! 'an I heard s*ea0 of their o=ect
e/*ressed as ,reat i,norance as '!se&f# The! reached a s'a&& strea' on
the south side of the to2n< 2hich 2as studded 2ith ti'er on its an0s<
and for *erha*s fro' ha&f a 'i&e to a 'i&e on the south side of the
strea'< an hour efore sundo2n#
There the 'ain od! ha&ted? and soon after a detach'ent under the
co''and of "ri,adier-5enera& Doni*han< 'arched to2ards the to2n in &ine of
att&e# This od! 2as *receded *roa&! three-fourths of a 'i&e in
ad$ance of the' ! a 'an carr!in, a 2hite f&a,< 2ho a**roached 2ithin a
fe2 rods of the eastern oundar! of the to2n and de'anded three *ersons
2ho 2ere in the to2n< to e sent to their ca'*? after 2hich< the 2ho&e
to2n< he said< 2ou&d e 'assacred# 3hen the *ersons 2ho 2ere in>uired for
2ere infor'ed< the! refused to ,o< deter'ined to share the co''on fate of
the citi4ens# One of those *ersons did nor e&on, to the Church of
Latter-da! Saints# His na'e is Ada' Li,htner< a 'erchant in that cit!#
The 2hite f&a, returned to the ca'*# To the force of 5enera&
Doni*han 2as o**osed the s'a&& force of Ca&d2e&& 'i&itia< under Co&one&
Hin0&e< 2ho a&so 'arched in &ine of att&e to the southern &ine of the
to2n# The 2ho&e force of Co&one& Hin0&e did not e/ceed three hundred 'en?
that of Doni*han *erha*s three ti'es that nu'er# I 2as in no 2a!
connected 2ith the 'i&itia< ein, o$er a,e< neither 2as Jose*h S'ith< Sen#
I 2ent into the &ine for'ed ! Co&one& Hin0&e< thou,h unar'ed< and
stood a'on, the rest to a2ait the resu&t< and had a fu&& $ie2 of oth
forces# The ar'ies 2ere 2ithin rif&e shot of each other#
Aout the settin, of the sun< Doni*han ordered his ar'! to return to
the ca'* at the cree0# The! 2hee&ed and 'arched off# After the! had
retired a consu&tation 2as he&d as to 2hat 2as est to do# "! 2hat
authorit! the ar'! 2as there< no one cou&d te&&< as far as I 0ne2# It 2as
a,reed to ui&d< throu,h the ni,ht< a sort of fortification< and< if 2e
'ust fi,ht< se&& our &i$es as dear&! as 2e cou&d# Accordin,&!( a&& hands
2ent to 2or0? rai&s< house &o,s and 2a,ons 2ere a&& *ut in re>uisition(
and the south &ine of the to2n as 2e&& secured as cou&d e done ! the 'en
and 'eans< and the short ti'e a&&o2ed? 2e e/*ected an attac0 in the
'ornin,#
The 'ornin, at &en,th ca'e< and that da! *assed a2a!< and sti&&
nothin, 2as done ut *&underin, the cornfie&ds< shootin, catt&e and ho,s<
stea&in, horses and roin, houses< and carr!in, off *otatoes< turni*s<
and a&& such thin,s as the ar'! of 5enera& Lucas cou&d ,et< for such the!
*ro$ed to e? for the 'ain od! 2as co''anded ! Sa'ue& D# Lucas< a deacon
in the )res!terian church# The ne/t da! ca'e< and then it 2as
ascertained that the! 2ere there ! order of the ,o$ernor#
A de'and 2as 'ade for Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< L!'an 3i,ht< 5eor,e 3#
Roinson< )ar&e! )# )ratt and '!se&f to ,o into their ca'*# 3ith this
co''and 2e instant&! co'*&ied< and accordin,&! started#
3hen 2e ca'e in si,ht of their ca'*< the 2ho&e ar'! 2as on *arade
'archin, to2ards the to2n# 3e a**roached and 'et the'< and 2ere infor'ed
! Lucas that 2e 2ere *risoners of 2ar# A scene fo&&o2ed that 2ou&d def!
an! 'orta& to descrie? a ho2&in, 2as set u* that 2ou&d *ut an!thin, I
e$er heard efore or since at defiance# I thou,ht at the ti'e it had no
*ara&&e& e/ce*t it 'i,ht e the *erdition of un,od&! 'en# The! had a
cannon#
I cou&d distinct&! hear the ,uns as the &oc0s 2ere s*run,< 2hich
a**eared< fro' the sound< to e in e$er! *art of the ar'!# 5enera&
Doni*han ca'e ridin, u* 2here 2e 2ere< and s2ore ! his .a0er that he
2ou&d he2 the first 'an do2n that coc0ed a ,un# One or t2o other officers
on horseac0 a&so rode u*< orderin, those 2ho had coc0ed their ,uns to
uncoc0 the'< or the! 2ou&d e he2ed do2n 2ith their s2ords# 3e 2are
conducted into their ca'* and 'ade to &ie on the ,round throu,h the ni,ht#
This 2as &ate in Octoer# 3e 2ere 0e*t here for t2o da!s and t2o
ni,hts# It co''enced rainin, and sno2in, unti& 2e 2ere co'*&ete&!
drenched? and ein, co'*e&&ed to &ie on the ,round< 2hich had eco'e $er!
2et< the 2ater 2as runnin, around us and under us# 3hat consu&tation the
officers and others had in re&ation to the dis*osition that 2as to e 'ade
of us< I a' entire&! indeted to the re*ort 'ade to 'e ! 5enera&
Doni*han< as none of us 2as *ut on an! tria&#
5enera& Doni*han ,a$e an account< of 2hich the fo&&o2in, is the
sustance< as far as '! 'e'or! ser$es 'e( That the! he&d a court-'artia&
and sentenced us to e shot at ei,ht o+c&oc0 the ne/t 'ornin,< after the
court-'artia& 2as ho&den< in the *u&ic s>uare in the *resence of our
fa'i&ies? that this court-'artia& 2as co'*osed of se$enteen *reachers and
so'e of the *rinci*a& officers of the ar'!# Sa'ue& D# Lucas *resided#
Doni*han arose and said that neither hi'se&f nor his ri,ade shou&d ha$e
an! hand in the shootin,< that it 2as nothin, short of co&d-&ooded
'urder? and &eft the court-'artia& and ordered his ri,ade to *re*are and
'arch off the ,round#
This 2as *roa&! the reason 2h! the! did not carr! the decision of
the court-'artia& into effect# It 2as fina&&! a,reed that 2e shou&d e
carried into Jac0son count!# Accordin,&!< on the third da! after our
arrest< the ar'! 2as a&& *araded? 2e 2ere *ut into 2a,ons and ta0en into
the to2n< our fa'i&ies ha$in, heard that 2e 2ere to e rou,ht to to2n
that 'ornin, to e shot# 3hen 2e arri$ed a scene ensued such as 'i,ht e
e/*ected under the circu'stances#
I 2as *er'itted to ,o a&one 2ith '! fa'i&! into the house# There I
found '! fa'i&! so co'*&ete&! *&undered of a&& 0inds of food< that the!
had nothin, to eat ut *arched corn< 2hich the! ,round 2ith a hand'i&& and
thus 2ere the! sustainin, &ife#
I soon *acified '! fa'i&! and a&&a!ed their fee&in,s ! assurin, the'
that the ruffians dared not 0i&& 'e# I ,a$e the' stron, assurances that
the! dared not do it< and that I 2ou&d return to the' a,ain# After this
inter$ie2 I too0 '! &ea$e of the' and returned to the 2a,ons< ,ot in and
2e 2ere a&& started off to Jac0son count!#
"efore 2e reached the .issouri ri$er< a 'an ca'e ridin, a&on, the
&ine a**arent&! in ,reat haste# I did not 0no2 his usiness# 3hen 2e ,ot
to the ri$er< Lucas ca'e to 'e and to&d 'e that he 2anted us to hurr!< as
Jaco Sto&&in, had arri$ed fro' Far 3est 2ith a 'essa,e fro' 5enera& John
C# C&ar0< orderin, hi' to return 2ith us to Far 3est< as he 2as there 2ith
a &ar,e ar'!# He said he 2ou&d not co'*&! 2ith the de'and< ut did not
0no2 ut C&ar0 'i,ht send an ar'! to ta0e us ! force< 3e 2ere hurried
o$er the ri$er as fast as *ossi&e< 2ith as 'an! of Lucas+ ar'! as cou&d
e sent o$er at one ti'e< and sent hasti&! on< and thus 2e 2ere ta0en to
Inde*endence< the shire to2n of Jac0son count!< and *ut into an o&d house<
and a stron, ,uard *&aced o$er us#
In a da! or t2o the! re&a/ed their se$erit!# 3e 2ere ta0en to the
est ta$ern in to2n< and there oarded and treated 2ith 0indness# 3e 2ere
*er'itted to ,o and co'e at our *&easure 2ithout an! ,uard# After so'e
da!s Co&one& Ster&in, 5# )rice arri$ed fro' C&ar0+s ar'! 2ith a de'and to
ha$e us ta0en to Rich'ond< Ra! count!# It 2as difficu&t to ,et a ,uard to
,o 2ith us# Indeed< 2e so&icited the' to send one 2ith us< and fina&&!
,ot a fe2 'en to ,o< and 2e started# After 2e had crossed the .issouri<
on our 2a! to Rich'ond< 2e 'et a nu'er of $er! rou,h-&oo0in, fe&&o2s< and
as rou,h-actin, as the! 2ere &oo0in,# The! threatened our &i$es# 3e
so&icited our ,uard to send to Rich'ond for a stron,er force to ,uard us
there< as 2e considered our &i$es in dan,er# Ster&in, 5# )rice 'et us
2ith a stron, force< and conducted us to Rich'ond< 2here 2e 2ere *ut in
c&ose confine'ent#
One thin, I 2i&& here 'ention< 2hich I for,ot# 3hi&e 2e 2ere at
Inde*endence< I 2as introduced to "urre&& Hic0s< a &a2!er of so'e note in
the countr!# In s*ea0in, on the su=ect of our arrest and ein, torn fro'
our fa'i&ies< he said he *resu'ed it 2as another Jac0son count! scra*e#
He said the .or'ons had een dri$en fro' that count! and that 2ithout an!
offense on their *art# He said he 0ne2 a&& aout it? the! 2ere dri$en off
ecause the *eo*&e feared their *o&itica& inf&uence# And 2hat 2as said
aout the .or'ons 2as on&! to =ustif! the 'o in the e!es of the 2or&d for
the course the! had ta0en# He said this 2as another scra*e of the sa'e
0ind#
This "urre&& Hic0s< ! his o2n confession< 2as one of the *rinci*a&
&eaders in the Jac0son count! 'o#
After this di,ression< I 2i&& resu'e# The sa'e da! that 2e arri$ed
at Rich'ond< )rice ca'e into the *&ace 2here 2e 2ere< 2ith a nu'er of
ar'ed 'en< 2ho i''ediate&! on enterin, the roo' coc0ed their ,uns? another
fo&&o2ed 2ith chains in his hands< and 2e 2ere ordered to e chained
to,ether# A stron, ,uard 2as *&aced in and around the house< and thus 2e
2ere secured# The ne/t da! 5enera& C&ar0 ca'e in< and 2e 2ere introduced
to hi'# The a202ard 'anner in 2hich he entered and his a**arent
e'arrass'ent 2ere such as to force a s'i&e fro' 'e#
He 2as then as0ed for 2hat he had thus cast us into *risonB To this
>uestion he cou&d not or did not ,i$e a direct ans2er# He said he 2ou&d
&et us 0no2 in a fe2 da!s? and after a fe2 'ore a202ard and uncouth
'o$e'ents he 2ithdre2# After he 2ent out< I as0ed so'e of the ,uard 2hat
2as the 'atter 2ith 5enera& C&ar0< that 'ade hi' a**ear so ridicu&ousB
The! said he 2as near-si,hted# I re*&ied that I 2as 'ista0en if he 2ere
not as near-2itted as he 2as near-si,hted#
3e 2ere no2 &eft 2ith our ,uards< 2ithout 0no2in, for 2hat 2e had
een arrested< as no ci$i& *rocess had issued a,ainst us# For 2hat
fo&&o2ed unti& 5enera& C&ar0 ca'e in a,ain to te&& us that 2e 2ere to e
de&i$ered into the hands of the ci$i& authorities< I a' entire&! indeted
to 2hat I heard the ,uards sa!# I heard the' sa! that 5enera& C&ar0 had
*ro'ised the' efore &ea$in, Co&es count!< that the! shou&d ha$e the
*ri$i&e,e of shootin, Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and '!se&f? and that 5enera&
C&ar0 2as en,a,ed in searchin, the 'i&itar! &a2 to find authorit! for so
doin,< ut found it difficu&t< as 2e 2ere not 'i&itar! 'en and did not
e&on, to the 'i&itia? ut he had sent to Fort Lea$en2orth for the
'i&itar! code of &a2< to find &a2 to =ustif! hi' in shootin, us#
I 'ust here a,ain di,ress to re&ate a circu'stance 2hich I for,ot in
its *&ace# I had heard that C&ar0 had ,i$en a 'i&itar! order to so'e
*ersons 2ho had a**&ied to hi' for it< to ,o to '! house and ta0e such
,oods as the! c&ai'ed# The ,oods c&ai'ed 2ere ,oods so&d ! the sheriff
of Ca&d2e&& count! on an e/ecution< 2hich I had *urchased at the sa&e#
The 'an a,ainst 2ho' the e/ecution 2as issued a$ai&ed hi'se&f of that
ti'e of trou&e to ,o and ta0e the ,oods 2here$er he cou&d find the'#
I as0ed 5enera& C&ar0 if he had ,i$en an! such authorit!# He said
that an a**&ication had een 'ade to hi' for such an order< ut he said<
-Your &ad! 2rote 'e a &etter re>uestin, 'e not to do it< te&&in, 'e that
the ,oods had een *urchased at the sheriff+s sa&e? and I 2ou&d not ,rant
the order#-
I did not< at the ti'e< su**ose that C&ar0 in this had arefaced&!
&ied? ut the se>ue& *ro$ed he had? for< so'e ti'e after2ards< eho&d
there co'es a 'an to Rich'ond 2ith the order< and sho2ed it to 'e< si,ned
! C&ar0# The 'an said he had een at our house and ta0en a&& the ,oods
he cou&d find# So 'uch for a &a2!er< a .ethodist< and a $er! *ious 'an at
that ti'e in re&i,ion< and a 'a=or-,enera& of .issouri#
Durin, the ti'e that C&ar0 2as e/a'inin, the 'i&itar! &a2< there 2as
so'ethin, too0 *&ace 2hich 'a! e *ro*er to re&ate in this *&ace#
I heard a *&an &a!in, a'on, a nu'er of those 2ho e&on,ed to C&ar0+s
ar'!< and so'e of the' officers of hi,h ran0< to ,o to Far 3est and co''it
$io&ence on the *ersons of Jose*h S'ith< Sen+s 2ife and '! 2ife and
dau,hter#
This ,a$e 'e so'e uneasiness# I ,ot an o**ortunit! to send '! fa'i&!
2ord of their desi,n and to 'a0e such arran,e'ents as the! cou&d to ,uard
a,ainst their $i&e *ur*ose# The ti'e at &ast arri$ed< and the *art!
started for Far 3est# I 2aited 2ith *ainfu& an/iet! for their return#
After a nu'er of da!s< the! returned# I &istened to a&& the! said< to
find out< if *ossi&e< 2hat the! had done# One ni,ht-- I thin0 the $er!
ni,ht after their return--I heard the' re&atin, to so'e of those 2ho had
not een 2ith the' the e$ents of their ad$enture# In>uir! 2as 'ade aout
their success in the *articu&ar o=ect of their $isit to Far 3est# The
sustance of 2hat the! said in ans2er 2as that the! had *assed and
re*assed oth houses< and sa2 the fe'a&es? ut there 2ere so 'an! 'en
aout the to2n< that the! dare not $enture< for fear of ein, detected?
and their nu'ers 2ere not sufficient to acco'*&ish an!thin,< if the! 'ade
the atte'*t? and the! ca'e off 2ithout tr!in,#
No ci$i& *rocess of an! 0ind had een issued a,ainst us# 3e 2ere
then he&d in duress< 2ithout 0no2in, 2hat for or 2hat char,es 2ere to e
*referred a,ainst us# At &ast< after &on, sus*ense< 5enera& C&ar0 ca'e
into the *rison< *resentin, hi'se&f aout as a202ard&! as at the first<
and infor'ed us that 2e 2ou&d e *ut into the hands of the ci$i&
authorities# He said he did not 0no2 *recise&! 2hat cri'es 2ou&d e
char,ed a,ainst us< ut the! 2ou&d e 2ithin the ran,e of treason< 'urder<
ur,&ar!< arson< &arcen!< theft< and stea&in,# Here< a,ain< another s'i&e
2as forced< and I cou&d not refrain fro' s'i&in, at the e/*ense of this
2ou&d-e ,reat 'an< in 2ho'< he said< -the faith of .issouri 2as *&ed,ed#-
After &on, and a2fu& sus*ense< the nota&e Austin A# 1in,< =ud,e of the
circuit court< too0 the seat< and 2e 2ere ordered efore hi' for tria&?
Tho'as "irch< Es>#< *rosecutin, attorne!# A&& thin,s ein, arran,ed< the
tria& o*ened# No *a*ers 2ere read to us< no char,es of an! 0ind
*referred< nor did 2e 0no2 a,ainst 2hat 2e had to *&ead# Our cri'es had
!et to e found out#
At the co''ence'ent 2e re>uested that 2e 'i,ht e tried se*arate&!?
ut this 2as refused< and 2e 2ere a&& *at on our tria& to,ether# 3itnesses
a**eared< and the s2earin, co''enced# It 2as so *&ain&! 'anifested ! the
=ud,e that he 2anted the 2itnesses to *ro$e us ,ui&t! of treason< that no
*erson cou&d a$oid seein, it# The sa'e fee&in,s 2ere a&so $isi&e in the
state+s attorne!# Jud,e 1in, 'ade an oser$ation so'ethin, to this
effect< as he 2as ,i$in, directions to the scrie 2ho 2as e'*&o!ed to
2rite do2n the testi'on!< that he 2anted a&& the testi'on! directed to
certain *oints# "ein, ta0en sic0 at an ear&! sta,e of the tria&< I had
not the o**ortunit! of hearin, ut a s'a&& *art of the testi'on! 2hen it
2as de&i$ered efore the court#
Durin, the *ro,ress of the tria&< after the ad=ourn'ent of the court
in the e$enin,< our &a2!ers 2ou&d co'e into the *rison< and there the
'atters 2ou&d e ta&0ed o$er#
The *ro*riet! of our sendin, for 2itnesses 2as a&so discussed# Our
attorne!s said that the! 2ou&d reco''end us not to introduce an! e$idence
at that tria&# Doni*han said it 2ou&d a$ai& us nothin,< for the =ud,e
2ou&d *ut us in *rison< if a cohort of an,e&s 2ere to co'e and s2ear 2e
2ere innocent# And esides that< he said that if 2e 2ere to ,i$e the
court the na'es of our 2itnesses< there 2as a and there read! to ,o# and
the! 2ou&d ,o and dri$e the' out of the countr!< or arrest the' and ha$e
the' cast into *rison< or e&se 0i&& the'< to *re$ent the' fro' s2earin,#
It 2as fina&&! conc&uded to &et the 'atter e so for the *resent#
Durin, the *ro,ress of the tria&< and 2hi&e I 2as &!in, sic0 in
*rison< I had an o**ortunit! of hearin, a ,reat dea& said ! those 2ho
2ou&d co'e in# The su=ect 2as the a&&-asorin, one# I heard the' sa!
that 2e 'ust e *ut to death---that the character of the state re>uired
it? the state 'ust =ustif! herse&f in the course she had ta0en< and
nothin, ut *unishin, us 2ith death cou&d sa$e the credit of the state?
and it 'ust therefore e done#
I heard a *art! of the'< one ni,ht< te&&in, aout so'e fe'a&e 2hose
*erson the! had $io&ated? and this &an,ua,e 2as used ! one of the'( -The
d-- --< ho2 she !e&&edK - 3ho this *erson 2as< I did not 0no2? ut efore
I ,ot out of *rison I heard that a 2ido2< 2hose husand had died so'e fe2
'onths efore< 2ith consu'*tion< had een ruta&&! $io&ated ! a ,an, of
the'< and died in their hands< &ea$in, three &itt&e chi&dren< in 2hose
*resence the scene of ruta&it! too0 *&ace#
After I ,ot out of *rison and had arri$ed in Auinc!< I&&inois< I 'et
a stran,e 'an in the street 2ho in>uired of 'e res*ectin, a circu'stance
of this 0ind< sa!in, that he had heard of it< and 2as on his 2a! ,oin, to
.issouri to ,et the chi&dren if he cou&d find the'# He said the 2o'an
thus 'urdered 2as his sister< or his 2ife+s sister< I a' not *ositi$e
2hich# The 'an 2as in ,reat a,itation# 3hat success he had< I 0no2 not#
The tria& at &ast ended< and L!'an 3i,ht< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< H!ru'
S'ith< Ca&e "a&d2in< A&e/ander .cRae< and '!se&f 2ere sent to =ai& in the
$i&&a,e of Liert!< C&a! count!< .issouri#
3e 2ere 0e*t there fro' three to four 'onths? after 2hich ti'e 2e
2ere rou,ht out on haeas cor*us efore one of the count! =ud,es# Darin,
the hearin, under the haeas cor*us< I had< for the first ti'e< an
o**ortunit! of hearin, the e$idence< as it 2as a&& 2ritten and read efore
the court#
It a**eared fro' the e$idence that the! atte'*ted to *ro$e us ,ui&t!
of treason in conse>uence of the 'i&itia of Ca&d2e&& count! ein, under
ar's at the ti'e that 5enera& Lucas+ ar'! ca'e to Far 3est# This ca&&in,
out of the 'i&itia 2as 2hat the! founded the char,e of treason u*on< an
account of 2hich I ha$e ,i$en ao$e# The char,e of 'urder 2as founded on
the fact that a 'an of their nu'er< the! said< had een 0i&&ed in the
"o,art att&e#
The other char,es 2ere founded on thin,s 2hich too0 *&ace in Da$iess
count!# As I 2as not in Da$iess count! at that ti'e< I cannot testif!
an!thin, aout the'#
A fe2 2ords aout this 2ritten testi'on!(
I do not no2 reco&&ect one sin,&e *oint aout 2hich testi'on! 2as
,i$en< 2ith 2hich I 2as ac>uainted< ut 2as 'isre*resented< nor one
so&itar! 2itness 2hose testi'on! 2as there 2ritten< that did not s2ear
fa&se&!? and in 'an! instances I cannot see ho2 it cou&d a$oid ein,
intentiona& on the *art of those 2ho testified< for a&& of the' did s2ear
to thin,s that I a' satisfied the! 0ne2 to e fa&se at the ti'e< and it
2ou&d e hard to *ersuade 'e to the contrar!#
There 2ere thin,s there said so utter&! 2ithout foundation in truth--
so 'uch so< that the *ersons s2earin, 'ust at the ti'e of s2earin, ha$e
0no2n it# The est construction I can e$er *ut u*on it is that the! s2ore
thin,s to e true 2hich the! did not 0no2 to e so? and this< to 'e< is
2i&fu& *er=ur!#
This tria& &asted for a &on, ti'e< the resu&t of 2hich 2as that I 2as
ordered to e dischar,ed fro' *rison< and the rest re'anded ac0# "ut I
2as to&d ! those 2ho *rofessed to e '! friends that it 2ou&d not do for
'e to ,o out of =ai& at that ti'e< as the 'o 2ere 2atchin, and 2ou&d 'ost
certain&! ta0e '! &ife? and 2hen I ,ot out< that I 'ust &ea$e the state<
for the 'o< a$ai&in, the'se&$es of the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor
"o,,s< 2ou&d< if I 2ere found in the state< sure&! ta0e '! &ife? that I
had no 2a! to esca*e the' ut to f&ee 2ith a&& s*eed fro' the state# It
2as so'e ten da!s after this efore I dared &ea$e the =ai&# At &ast< the
e$enin, ca'e in 2hich I 2as to &ea$e the =ai&# E$er! *re*aration 2as 'ade
that cou&d e 'ade for '! esca*e# There 2as a carria,e read! to ta0e 'e
in and carr! 'e off 2ith a&& s*eed# A *i&ot 2as read!--one 2ho 2as 2e&&
ac>uainted 2ith the countr!--to *i&ot 'e throu,h the countr!< so that I
'i,ht not ,o on an! of the *u&ic roads# .! 2ife ca'e to the =ai& to
acco'*an! 'e< of 2hose societ! I had een de*ri$ed for four 'onths# Just
at dar0< the sheriff and =ai&er ca'e to the =ai& 2ith our su**er# I sat
do2n and ate# There 2ere a nu'er 2atchin,# After I had su**ed< I
2his*ered to the =ai&er to &o2 out a&& the cand&es ut one< and ste* a2a!
fro' the door 2ith that one# A&& this 2as done# The sheriff then too0 'e
! the ar'< and an a**arent scuff&e ensued<--so 'uch so< that those 2ho
2ere 2atchin, did not 0no2 2ho it 2as the sheriff 2as scuff&in, 2ith# The
sheriff 0e*t *ushin, 'e to2ards the door< and I a**arent&! resistin, unti&
2e reached the door< 2hich 2as >uic0&! o*ened< and 2e oth reached the
street# He too0 'e ! the hand and ade 'e fare2e&&< te&&in, 'e to 'a0e
'! esca*e< 2hich I did 2ith a&I *ossi&e s*eed# The ni,ht 2as dar0# After
I had ,one *roa&! one hundred rods< I heard so'e *erson co'in, after 'e#
I dre2 a *isto& and coc0ed it< deter'ined not to e ta0en a&i$e# 3hen the
*erson a**roachin, 'e s*o0e< I 0ne2 his $oice< and he s*eedi&! ca'e to 'e#
In a fe2 'o'ents I heard a horse co'in,# I a,ain s*run, '! *isto& coc0#
A,ain a $oice sa&uted '! ears that I 2as ac>uainted 2ith# The 'an ca'e
s*eedi&! u* and said he had co'e to *i&ot 'e throu,h the countr!# I no2
reco&&ected I had &eft '! 2ife in =ai&# I 'entioned it to the'< and one
of the' returned< and the other and '!se&f *ursued our =ourne! as s2ift&!
as 2e cou&d# After I had ,one aout three 'i&es< '! 2ife o$ertoo0 'e in a
carria,e< into 2hich I ,ot and rode a&& ni,ht# It 2as an o*en carria,e<
and in the 'onth of Feruar!< 789N# 3e ,ot to the house of an
ac>uaintance =ust as da! a**eared# There I *ut u* unti& the ne/t 'ornin,<
2hen I started a,ain and reached a *&ace ca&&ed Tenne!+s 5ro$e? and< to '!
,reat sur*rise< I here found '! fa'i&!< sad 2as a,ain united 2ith the'<
after an asence of four 'onths< under the 'ost *ainfu& circu'stances#
Fro' thence I 'ade '! 2a! to I&&inois< 2here I no2 a'# .! 2ife# after I
&eft her< 2ent direct&! to Far 3est and ,ot the fa'i&! under 2a!< and a&&
une/*ected&! 'et at Tenne!+s 5ro$e# SIDNEY RI5DON#
IEND OF %OLU.E III#J
See -A'erican Co''on2ea&ths<- .issouri# EHou,hton< .iff&in P Co'*an!<
7888F< *# 787#
-Histor! of the United States#- E.orrisF *# 7GH#
Iid< **# 79G-M#
Histor! of the Church< %o&# II< *# @GD#
.r# Ta&&'ad,e< a re*resentati$e fro' the state of Ne2 Yor0< offered
the restrictin, *ro$ision#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH< $o&# 7< *# 9M@< et se>#
In 'a0in, the state'ent that it 2as the intention of the Star artic&e
not on&! to sto* -free *eo*&e of co&or- i''i,ratin, to .issouri< ut a&so
to -*re$ent the' fro' ein, ad'itted as 'e'ers of the Church<- the editor
of the Star< of course 2ent too far? if not in his second artic&e<
e/*&ainin, the sco*e and 'eanin, of the first< then in the first artic&e?
for he had no authorit! to see0 to *re$ent -free *eo*&e of co&or- fro'
ein, ad'itted 'e'ers of the Church# "ut as a 'atter of fact there 2ere
$er! fe2 if an! -free *eo*&e of co&or- in the Church at that ti'e# The
-fears- of the .issourians on that head 2ere sheer farications of e$i&
dis*osed 'inds#
3estern .onitor for the Hnd of Au,ust< 7899#
Jose*h S'ith+s--%ie2s of the )o2ers and )o&ic! of the 5o$ern'ent of
the United States<- .i&&# Star< %o& 66II< *# M@9#
The s*eech a**ears in the .issouri Re*u&ican of June 78th< 78GM#
)ear& of 5reat )rice< **# @@< @G# 7NDH edition#
Doc# P Co$#< Sec# 98#
Doc# and Co$#< Sec# @G#
Doc# P Co$#< Sec# G8#
Doc# and Co$#< Sec# G8# $erses GH-9#
Doc# and Co$#< Sec# :9# $erses HG-97#
Doc# and Co$#< Sec# :@< $erses 9@-9:#
Doc# and Co$#< sec# :8# $erses HN-9@#
See -Histor! of the Church<- %o&# I# ch# 7N#
Inc&udin, of course< and I 'a! sa! es*ecia&&! inc&udin,< the
co''and'ent to *urchase the &ands of Jac0son count!#
Doc# and Co$#< sec# 8@< $erses G@-GN#
Histor! of the Church< %o&# 7 *# 97:#
Iid< ** 97M-H7#
Doc# and Co$#< sec# 7D7< $erses 7-N#
Iid< $erse MG#
Iid< sec# 7D9#
First .anifesto of the .o< Histor! of the Church< %o&# I< *# 9M@#
Histor! of the Church< %o&# I< *# 9N:#
Doc# and Co$#< sec# 89#
Doc# and Co$#< sec# :9#
Doc# and Co$#< sec# :9( HN-97#
E$enin, and .ornin, Star< *# HGD#
-Histor! of the Church<- %o&# I< *# 9N:#
These esti'ates are ! the &ate )resident 5eor,e A# S'ith< Church
Historian< and hence are entire&! re&ia&e# The! are >uoted ! Lucien Carr
in his Histor! of .issouri< -A'erican Co''on2ea&ths<- *# 787< and are a&so
to e found in an Historica& Address ! 5eor,e A# S'ith< Journa& of
Discourses< %o&# 6III# **# 7D9# et se>#
-Histor! of Ca&d2e&& count!- ENationa& Historica& Co'*an!# 788:F *#
7H7#
-In the fa&& of 789:< a &ar,e and co'forta&e schoo&house 2as ui&t
and here courts 2ere he&d after the &ocation of the count! seat unti& its
re'o$a& to 1in,ston# The .or'ons $er! ear&! ,a$e attention to educationa&
'atters# There 2ere 'an! teachers a'on, the' and schoo&houses 2ere a'on,
their first ui&din,s# The schoo&house in Far 3est 2as used as a Church<
as a to2n ha&& and as a court house< as 2e&& as for a schoo&house# It
first stood in the south2est >uarter of to2n< ut u*on the esta&ish'ent
of the count! seat it 2as re'o$ed to the center of the s>uare#- E-Histor!
of Ca&d2e&& Count!<- *# 7H7#--Nationa& Historica& Co'*an!< 788:F#
-Histor! of the Church<- %o&# I< **# 9MG-:#
-Histor! of the Church<- %o&# I< *# 9NM#
-Histor! of the Church<- %o&# II< *# 8G#
-Histor! of the Church<- %o&# II< *# @GD#
-Histor! of Ca&d2e&& and Li$in,ston Counties<- co'*i&ed ! the St#
Louis Nationa& and Historica& Co'*an!< 788:< *# 7@D#
Danie& H( @@#
Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *# H9D< a&so Histor! of the Church<
%o&# III *# H7H#
-Dec&ine and Fa&& of the Ro'an E'*ire<- %o&# I< Cha*ter II#
-This is Cha*ter 6%I of the -Dec&ine and Fa&&#-
Tacitus Anna&#< &i# 6%# ch# @@#
-Dec&ine and Fa&&<- %o&# I< ch# 7G#
-Histor! of the Dec&ine and Fa&& of the Ro'an E'*ire<- ch# 7:#
Isaiah 7@( 7H-7G# Doc# and Co$#< sec# M:( HG-N#
See Lu0e 7D( 7M< 78? John 8( @@? He# 7H# In the &i,ht of these
references consider a&so Isaiah 7@( 7H-G< and Doc# and Co$# section M:(
HG-N#
)ear& of 5reat )rice< cha*ter @( 7-@#
Lu0e 7D( 78#
Jude 7( :
Re$# 7H( M-7H#
First A'end'ent< Constitution of the United States#
-The Fi,ht for .issouri<- ESneadF *# 7@#
-A'erican Co''on2ea&ths< .issouri<- *# HG8#
-A'erican Co''on2ea&ths< .issouri<- *# HGN#
-A'erican Co''on2ea&ths< .issouri<- ECarrF *# H88#
-A'erican Co''on2ea&ths< .issouri<- *# 9@H#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# 9:D# 5enera& )rice 2as the Co&one&
Ster&in, )rice< 2ho he&d the )ro*het Jose*h in custod! at Rich'ond in
7898< 2ho shac0&ed the rethren and 2hose scurri&ous ,uards 2ere so
se$ere&! reu0ed ! the )ro*het#-- Histor! of the Church< %o&# III< *#
HD8# Note#
-Histor! of Ca&d2e&& and Li$in,ston Counties<- *# G7#
-A'erican Co''on2ea&ths< .issouri<- *# 9G7#
Iid< *# 9G7#
.inutes of Citi4en .eetin,< Liert!< C&a! count!< Church Histor! %o&
III< *# @GD#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# 9@9< Note#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< H@G#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# 7G8#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# HGN#
5enera& Ha&&ec0 2hen he &earned that the -=a!ha20in,- &eader< Lane<
had een *ro'oted to the co''and of a ri,ade< dec&ared that such an
a**oint'ent 2as -offerin, a *re'iu' for rasca&it! and roin, ,enera&&!?-
and that it 2ou&d -ta0e t2ent! thousand 'en to counteract its effect in
the staff#- Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# 9@8#
S*rin,+s 1ansas< *# H8M#
These 2ere ands of 1ansas roers< 2hose custo' it 2as at inter$a&s
to dash into .issouri< sei4e horses and catt&e--not o'ittin, other and
2orse cri'es on occasion--then to re*air 2ith their oot! to La2rence<
2here it 2as defiant&! so&d at auction#- Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *#
9@8#
Histor! of the United States< Lossin,# *# GNH--note#
Histor! of the Church< %o&# II< *# @GD-7#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# 9G8#
It is ut *ro*er< ho2e$er< to sa! that the state 2as after2ards
rei'ursed for this a'ount ! the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent#
Histor! of .issouri< Carr< *# 9GN#
This incident occurred at Du&in< Indiana< 2here< and after< the
)ro*het had sou,ht for a =o at cuttin, and sa2in, 2ood to re&ie$e his
necessities#---Life of "ri,ha' Youn,< ETu&&id,eF< *# 8G#
See %o&# II< *# G77#
The >uestion raised here se$era& ti'es ! the rethren< and hereafter
a&&uded to ! the defendants in the case< concernin, the i&&e,a&it! of the
Counci& atte'*tin, then to tr! Da$id 3hit'er< John 3hit'er< and 3i&&ia' 3#
)he&*s< constitutin, the &oca& )residenc! of the Church in .issouri< ,re2
out of a 'isa**rehension of a counci& *ro$ided for in the re$e&ations of
5od for the tria& of a )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood< 2ho is a&so of
the )residenc! of the 2ho&e Church# The said re$e&ation *ro$ides that if
a )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood< sha&& trans,ress< he sha&& e rou,ht
efore the )residin, "isho*< or isho*ric< of the Church< 2ho are to e
assisted ! t2e&$e counse&ors chosen fro' the Hi,h )riesthood# Here the
)resident+s conduct 'a! e in$esti,ated< and the decision of that counci&
u*on his head is to e the end of contro$ers! concernin, hi'# ESee Doc#
and Co$#< sec# 7DM( M:< 87< 8H< 89#F "ut the )residenc! of the Church in
.issouri 2as a &oca& *residenc!< hence the! cou&d not *&ead the i&&e,a&it!
of a &oca& counci& of the Church to tr! the'#
The &a2 of .issouri e/cused fro' 'i&itar! dut! a&& &icensed 'inisters
of the 5os*e&< and as near&! a&& the adu&t 'e'ers of the Church 2ho 2ere
2orth! had recei$ed ordination to the )riesthood< it &eft the co''unit! in
Far 3est< then a frontier countr! and &ia&e to e raided ! 2ar&i0e
tries of Indians< 2ithout 'i&itia co'*anies and state ar's for its
*rotection? hence the reco''endation of the Counci& that the rethren
2ithin the a,es s*ecified< and not acti$e&! e'*&o!ed in the 'inistr!<
*&ace the'se&$es in a *osition to acce*t 'i&itia ser$ice#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/iii#
The char,es 2ere dra2n u* and dated the Mth of A*ri&< and handed to
"isho* )artrid,e#
The fo&&o2in, &etter fro' O&i$er Co2der! res*ectin, his difficu&ties
at this ti'e in the Church< is co*ied fro' the Far 3est Record of the Hi,h
Counci&< and is an interestin, docu'ent for se$era& reasons( First< it
sho2s the s*irit of O&i$er Co2der! at that ti'e< a&so his 'isa**rehensions
of the *o&ic! of the authorities in the ,o$ern'ent of the Church< for it
is to e noted that the t2o *rinci*a& *oints co$ered in this &etter<
nu'ers four and fi$e of E&der "runson+s char,es< 2ere re=ected ! the
Counci& as not ein, *ro*er to e considered< and the si/th char,e a&so is
2ithdra2n< so that O&i$er Co2der! 2as not disfe&&o2shi*ed fro' the Church
on the *oints raised in his &etter at a&&< ut on the first< second<
third< se$enth< ei,hth and ninth char,es in E&der "runson+s for'a&
accusation< and since these char,es 2ere sustained u*on testi'on! of
2itnesses< as the 'inutes of the Hi,h Counci& *roceedin,s in the Far 3est
Record c&ear&! sho2< it is to e e&ie$ed that the Church had sufficient
cause for re=ectin, hi'#
E&der Co2der!+s Letter#
FAR 3EST< .ISSOURI< A*ri& 7H< 7898#
Dear Sir(--I recei$ed !our note of the Nth inst#< on the da! of its
date< containin, a co*! of nine char,es *referred efore !ourse&f and
Counci& a,ainst 'e< ! E&der Se!'our "runson#
I cou&d ha$e 2ished that those char,es 'i,ht ha$e een deferred unti&
after '! inter$ie2 2ith )resident S'ith? ut as the! are not< I 'ust 2ai$e
the antici*ated *&easure 2ith 2hich I had f&attered '!se&f of an
understandin, on those *oints 2hich are ,rounds of different o*inions on
so'e Church re,u&ations< and others 2hich *ersona&&! interest '!se&f#
The fifth char,e reads as fo&&o2s( -For se&&in, his &ands in Jac0son
Count! contrar! to the re$e&ations#- So 'uch of this char,e< -for se&&in,
his &ands in Jac0son Count!<- I ac0no2&ed,e to e true< and e&ie$e that a
&ar,e 'a=orit! of this Church ha$e a&read! s*ent their =ud,'ent on that
act< and *ronounced it sufficient to 2arrant a disfe&&o2shi*? and a&so
that !ou ha$e concurred in its correctness< conse>uent&!< ha$e no ,ood
reason for su**osin, !ou 2ou&d ,i$e an! decision contrar!#
No2< sir< the &ands in our countr! are a&&odia& in the strictest
construction of that ter'< and ha$e not the &east shado2 of feuda& tenures
attached to the'< conse>uent&!< the! 'a! e dis*osed of ! deeds of
con$e!ance 2ithout the consent or e$en a**roation of a su*erior#
The fourth char,e is in the fo&&o2in, 2ords< -For $irtua&&! den!in,
the faith ! dec&arin, that he 2ou&d not e ,o$erned ! an! ecc&esiastica&
authorit! nor re$e&ation 2hate$er in his te'*ora& affairs#-
3ith re,ard to this< I thin0 I a' 2arranted in sa!in,< the =ud,'ent
is a&so *assed as on the 'atter of the fifth char,e< conse>uent&!< I ha$e
no dis*osition to contend 2ith the Counci&? this char,e co$ers si'*&! the
doctrine of the fifth< and if I 2ere to e contro&&ed ! other than '! o2n
=ud,'ent< in a co'*u&sor! 'anner< in '! te'*ora& interests< of course<
cou&d not u! or se&& 2ithout the consent of so'e rea& or su**osed
authorit!# 3hether that c&ause contains the *recise 2ords< I a' not
certain--I thin0 ho2e$er the! 2ere these< -I 2i&& not e inf&uenced<
,o$erned< or contro&&ed< in '! te'*ora& interests ! an! ecc&esiastica&
authorit! or *retended re$e&ation 2hate$er< contrar! to '! =ud,'ent#-
Such ein, sti&& '! o*inion sha&& on&! re'ar0 that the three ,reat
*rinci*&es of En,&ish &iert!< as &aid do2n in the oo0s< are -the ri,ht
of *ersona& securit!< the ri,ht of *ersona& &iert!< and the ri,ht of
*ri$ate *ro*ert!#- .! $enera&e ancestor 2as a'on, the &itt&e and< 2ho
&anded on the roc0s of )&!'outh in 7:HD--2ith hi' he rou,ht those 'a/i's<
and a od! of those &a2s 2hich 2ere the resu&t and e/*erience of 'an!
centuries< on the asis of 2hich no2 stands our ,reat and ha**!
,o$ern'ent? and the! are so inter2o$en in '! nature< ha$e so &on, een
incu&cated into '! 'ind ! a &iera& and inte&&i,ent ancestr! that I a'
2ho&&! un2i&&in, to e/chan,e the' for an!thin, &ess &iera&< &ess
ene$o&ent< or &ess free#
The $er! *rinci*&e of 2hich I concei$e to e couched in an atte'*t to
set u* a 0ind of *ett! ,o$ern'ent< contro&&ed and dictated !
ecc&esiastica& inf&uence< in the 'idst of this nationa& and state
,o$ern'ent# You 2i&&< no dout< sa! this is not correct? ut the are
notice of these char,es< o$er 2hich !ou assu'e a ri,ht to decide< is< in
'! o*inion< a direct atte'*t to 'a0e the secu&ar *o2er suser$ient to
Church direction--to the correctness of 2hich I cannot in conscience
suscrie--I e&ie$e that *rinci*&e ne$er did fai& to *roduce anarch! and
confusion#
This atte'*t to contro& 'e in '! te'*ora& interests< I concei$e to e
a dis*osition to ta0e fro' 'e a *ortion of '! Constitutiona& *ri$i&e,es
and inherent ri,ht--I on&!< res*ectfu&&!< as0 &ea$e< therefore< to
2ithdra2 fro' a societ! assu'in, the! ha$e such ri,ht#
So far as re&ates to the other se$en char,es< I sha&& &a! the'
carefu&&! a2a!< and ta0e such a course 2ith re,ard to the'< as I 'a! fee&
ound ! '! honor< to ans2er to '! risin, *osterit!#
I e, !ou< sir< to ta0e no $ie2 of the fore,oin, re'ar0s< other than
'! e&ief in the out2ard ,o$ern'ent of this Church# I do not char,e !ou<
or an! other *erson 2ho differs 2ith 'e on these *oints< of not ein,
sincere< ut such difference does e/ist< 2hich I sincere&! re,ret#
3ith considerations of the hi,hest res*ect< I a'< !our oedient
ser$ant<
ISi,ned#J OLI%ER CO3DERY#
Re$# Ed2ard )artrid,e< "isho* of the Church of Latter-da! Saints#
The &etter referred to is to e found in the Far 3est Record# It is
as fo&&o2s
-FAR 3EST< .O#< A*ri& 79< 7898#
-JOHN .URDOC1(
-Sir(--I recei$ed a &ine fro' !ou earin, date the Nth inst#<
re>uestin, 'e as a Hi,h )riest to a**ear efore the Hi,h Counci& and
ans2er to fi$e se$era& char,es on this da! at 7H o+c&oc0#
-You< sir< 2ith a 'a=orit! of this Church ha$e decided that certain
counci&s 2ere &e,a& ! 2hich it is said I ha$e een de*ri$ed of '! office
as one of the )residents of this Church# I ha$e thou,ht< and sti&& thin0<
the! 2ere not a,reea&e to the re$e&ations of 5od< 2hich I e&ie$e? and !
no2 attendin, this Counci&< and ans2erin, to char,es< as a Hi,h )riest<
2ou&d e ac0no2&ed,in, the correctness and &e,a&it! of those for'er
assu'ed counci&s< 2hich I sha&& not do#
-"e&ie$in, as I $eri&! do< that !ou and the &eaders of the counci&s
ha$e a deter'ination to *ursue !our un&a2fu& course at a&& ha4ards< and
rin, others to !our standard in $io&ation of the re$e&ations< to s*are
!ou an! further trou&e I here! 2ithdra2 fro' !our fe&&o2shi* and
co''union--choosin, to see0 a *&ace a'on, the 'ee0 and hu'&e< 2here the
re$e&ations of hea$en 2i&& e oser$ed and the ri,hts of 'en re,arded#
-DA%ID 3HIT.ER#-
In the 'inutes of the counci& in 2hich this &etter 2as read a**ear
a&so the fo&&o2in, *ara,ra*hs(
-After the readin, of the ao$e &etter it 2as not considered
necessar! to in$esti,ate the case< as he IDa$id 3hit'erJ had offered
conte'*t to the Counci& ! 2ritin, the ao$e &etter< ut it 2as decided to
&et the counci&ors s*ea0 2hat the! had to sa! u*on the case< and *ass
decision#
-The counci&ors then 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s in 2hich the! s*o0e 2ar'&! of
the conte'*t offered to the Counci& in the ao$e &etter< therefore<
thou,ht he IDa$id 3hit'erJ 2as not 2orth! a 'e'ershi* in the Church#
-3hereu*on )resident .arsh 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s< and decided that Da$id
3hit'er e no &on,er considered a 'e'er of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints#-
The Counci& sustained the decision of )resident .arsh and Da$id
3hit'er 2as e/co''unicated# The &etters of oth O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id
3hit'er to the Hi,h Counci&< settin, forth their *osition res*ectin,
'atters in$o&$ed< are here *resented that I 'i,ht ca&& attention to this
fact( neither of the' den! or e$en s&i,ht the ,reat facts in 2hich
.or'onis' had its ori,in--the co'in, forth of the "oo0 of .or'on< and the
'inistration of the an,e&s of hea$en to oth Jose*h S'ith and the'se&$es#
Had there een an! fraud or co&&usion entered into et2een Jose*h S'ith
and O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er< I ta0e it that it 2ou&d ha$e een a
$er! natura& thin, for 'en s'artin, under 2hat the! re,arded as in=ustice<
to ha$e 'anifested that fact in one 2a! or another in these
co''unications# Their si&ence at this critica& ti'e of their e/*erience<
and in the e/*erience of the Church< constitutes $er! stron, *resu'*ti$e
e$idence of the rea&it! of those facts 2hich rou,ht .or'onis' into
e/istence#
A co*! of 2hich 'a! e found in Far 3est Record< "oo0 A< *# 7H8#
3i&&ia' C&a!ton 2as orn in )en2orthan< Lancashire< En,&and< Ju&! 7M<
787@# He 2as a*ti4ed soon after the arri$a& of the .or'on E&ders in
En,&and in 789M# Soon after his ordination to the Ho&! )riesthood and
)residenc! of the "ritish 'ission he aandoned a&& other usiness and ,a$e
hi'se&f to the 'inistr!< in 2hich he 2as re'ar0a&! successfu&#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/i$#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/$# It 2i&& e oser$ed that in $erses
three and four of this re$e&ation the Lord ,i$es to the Church its
officia& na'e< -The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints#-
)re$ious to this the Church had een ca&&ed -The Church of Christ<- -The
Church of Jesus Christ<- -The Church of 5od<- and ! a conference of
E&ders he&d at 1irt&and in .a!< 789@< Esee Church Histor!< $o&# H< **#
:H-9F< it 2as ,i$en the na'e -The Church of the Latter-da! Saints#- A&&
these na'es< ho2e$er< 2ere ! this re$e&ation rushed aside< and since
then the officia& na'e ,i$en in this re$e&ation has een reco,ni4ed as the
true tit&e of the Church< thou,h often s*o0en of as -The .or'on Church<-
the -Church of Christ<- etc# The a**ro*riateness of this tit&e is se&f
e$ident< and in it there is a eautifu& reco,nition of the re&ationshi*
oth of the Lord Jesus Christ and of the Saints to the or,ani4ation# It
is -The Church of Jesus Christ#- It is the Lord+s? He o2ns it< He
or,ani4ed it# It is the Sacred De*ositor! of His truth# It is His
instru'enta&it! for *ro'u&,atin, a&& those s*iritua& truths 2ith 2hich He
2ou&d ha$e 'an0ind ac>uainted# It is a&so His instru'enta&it! for the
*erfectin, of the Saints< as 2e&& as for the 2or0 of the 'inistr!# It is
His in a&& these res*ects? ut it is an institution 2hich a&so e&on,s to
the Saints# It is their refu,e fro' the confusion and re&i,ious dout of
the 2or&d# It is their instructor n *rinci*&e< doctrine< and
ri,hteousness# It is their ,uide in 'atters of faith and 'ora&s# The!
ha$e a con=oint o2nershi* in it 2ith Jesus Christ< 2hich o2nershi* is
eautifu&&! reco,ni4ed in the &atter *art of the tit&e# -The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter da! Saints<- is e>ui$a&ent to -The Church of Jesus
Christ<- and -The Church of the Latter-da! Saints#-
Of course 2hat is 'eant ! this state'ent is that the indi$idua&s
co'*osin, the Church 2ere >uite ,enera&&! De'ocrats< not that the Church
as an or,ani4ation 2as de'ocratic or had an! *o&itics#
It 2i&& e oser$ed that the te/t is si&ent in re&ation to 2hat
action 2as ta0en res*ectin, 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in< and the Far 3est Record
is si&ent u*on the su=ect a&so# In fact the 'inutes of the tria& efore
the isho* are not 2ritten in that record at a&&# It is 0no2n< ho2e$er<
fro' other sources that 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in 2as fina&&! e/co''unicated
fro' the Church at Far 3est# Thence for2ard he too0 an acti$e *art in the
*ersecution of the Saints in .issouri< and at one ti'e e/*ressed the
desire to do $io&ence to the *erson of Jose*h S'ith< 2hi&e the &atter 2as
confined in Liert! *rison# Suse>uent&! he atte'*ted 2hat he ca&&ed a
reor,ani4ation of the Church< and ca&&ed u*on Da$id 3hit'er to ta0e the
*residenc! thereof< c&ai'in, that he 2as ordained ! Jose*h S'ith on the
8th of Ju&!< 789@< as his Ethe )ro*het Jose*h+sF successor# The )ro*het
hi'se&f< accordin, to the 'inutes of the Hi,h Counci& he&d in Far 3est< on
the 7Gth of .arch< 7898< referred to his ordainin, of Da$id 3hit'er in
Ju&!< 789@< and this is the account of 2hat he said(
-)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ,a$e a histor! of the ordination of
Da$id 3hit'er 2hich too0 *&ace in Ju&!< 789@< to e a &eader or a )ro*het
to this Church< 2hich EordinationF 2as on conditions that he EJose*h
S'ith< Jun#<F did not &i$e to 5od hi'se&f# )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
a**ro$ed of the *roceedin,s of the Hi,h Counci& after hearin, the 'inutes
of the for'er counci&s#---Far 3est Record< *a,e# 7D8#
The 'inutes of the counci&s here referred to< and 2hich the )ro*het
a**ro$ed< ,a$e the account of de*osin, Da$id 3hit'er fro' the &oca&
)residenc! of the Church in .issouri#
See Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# 77:# This is not the first ti'e
that the na'e or *hrase -Ada'-ondi-Ah'an- is used in the re$e&ations of
the Lord# So'e si/ !ears efore this< $i4#< in the !ear 789H< it is used
incidenta&&! in one of the re$e&ations 2here the Lord in addressin, a
nu'er of the rethren 2ho had een ordained to the Hi,h )riesthood< said
that not2ithstandin, the triu&ations throu,h 2hich the! shou&d *ass< He
had so ordered e$ents that the! 'i,ht co'e unto the cro2n *re*ared for
the'< -and e 'ade ru&ers o$er 'an! 0in,do's< saith the Lord 5od< the Ho&!
One of ;ion< 2ho hath esta&ished the foundations of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#-
EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# &//$iii( 7GF# So'e !ears after2ards< $i4#<
in 789G< 3# 3# )he&*s co'*osed his eautifu& h!'n earin, the na'e of
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< 2hich 2as first *u&ished in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate
ENo# N< $o&# IF? see a&so Histor! of the Church< %o&# II< *# 9:G#
This h!'n 2as a ,reat fa$orite a'on, the ear&! Saints< a&thou,h the!<
*erha*s< did not understand at that ti'e the si,nificance of the na'e< nor
e$en no2 do the! understand its fu&& si,nificance# A&& that is 0no2n of
its 'eanin, is 2hat the Lord re$ea&ed to the )ro*het< $i4#< that it is
si,nificant of the fact that it desi,nates the *&ace 2here the Lord 2i&&
co'e and 'eet 2ith His *eo*&e as descried ! Danie& the )ro*het#
Danie&+s descri*tion of the e$ents here referred to is found in the
Mth cha*ter of his *ro*hecies# The descri*tion is $er! i'*osin,< hence I
>uote it( -I ehe&d ti&& the thrones 2ere cast do2n< and the Ancient of
Da!s did sit< 2hose ,ar'ent 2as 2hite as sno2< and the hair of his head
&i0e the *ure 2oo&( his throne 2as &i0e the fier! f&a'e< and his 2hee&s as
urnin, fire# A fier! strea' issued and ca'e forth fro' efore hi'(
thousand thousands 'inistered unto hi'< and ten thousand ti'es ten
thousand stood efore hi'( the =ud,'ent 2as set< and the oo0s 2ere
o*ened# C C C C C C I sa2 in the ni,ht $isions< and< eho&d< one
&i0e the Son of 'an ca'e 2ith the c&ouds of hea$en< and ca'e to the
Ancient of Da!s< and the! rou,ht hi' near efore Hi'# And there 2as
,i$en Hi' do'inion< and ,&or!< and a 0in,do'< that a&& *eo*&e< nations<
and &an,ua,es< shou&d ser$e Hi'( His do'inion is an e$er&astin, do'inion<
2hich sha&& not *ass a2a!< and His 0in,do' that 2hich sha&& not e
destro!ed#-
The )ro*het Danie& a&so sa2 in this connection that earth&! *o2ers
2ou&d 'a0e 2ar u*on the Saints and *re$ai& a,ainst the'--unti& the Ancient
of Da!s shou&d co'e# -And IthenJ the 0in,do' and do'inion< and the
,reatness of the 0in,do' under the 2ho&e hea$en< sha&& e ,i$en to the
*eo*&e of the Saints of the .ost HI,h< 2hose 0in,do' is an e$er&astin,
0in,do'< and a&& do'inions sha&& ser$e and oe! Hi'#-
This 'ost &i0e&! 2as Li$in,stone count!< 2hich orders oth Da$iess
and Ca&d2e&& counties on the east#
The irth of the son too0 *&ace on the Hnd of June# It 2as A&e/ander
Ha&e S'ith#
The )ro*het+s unc&e< 2ho had ut recent&! arri$ed at -Diah'an#+
)erha*s the fo&&o2in, 'ore detai&ed descri*tion of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an<
as a&so the a&&usion to at &east one stirrin, e$ent 2hich occurred there
in the *ast< 'a! not e 2ithout interest( Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< or -Diah'an<-
as it is fa'i&iar&! 0no2n to the Saints< is &ocated on the north an0 of
5rand Ri$er# It is situated< in fact< in a shar* end of that strea'#
The ri$er co'es s2ee*in, do2n fro' the north2est and here 'a0es a sudden
turn and runs in a 'eanderin, course to the northeast for so'e t2o or
three 'i&es< 2hen it as sudden&! 'a0es another end and f&o2s a,ain to the
southeast# 5rand Ri$er is a strea' that has 2orn a dee* channe& for
itse&f< and &eft its an0s *reci*itous? ut at -Diah'an- that is on&! true
of the south an0# The strea' as it rushes fro' the north2est< stri0es
the hi,h *rairie &and 2hich at this *oint contains eds of &i'estone< and
not ein, a&e to cut its 2a! throu,h< it $eered off to the northeast< and
&eft that hei,ht of &and standin, &i0e *a&isades 2hich rise $er! aru*t&!
fro' the strea' to a hei,ht of fro' fift! to se$ent!-fi$e feet# The
su''it of these &uffs is the co''on &e$e& of the hi,h ro&&in, *rairie<
e/tendin, off in the direction of Far 3est# The &uffs on the north an0
recede so'e distance fro' the strea'< so that the ri$er otto' at this
*oint 2idens out to a s'a&& $a&&e!# The &uffs on the north an0 of the
ri$er are ! no 'eans as stee* as those on the south< and are co$ered 2ith
a &i,ht ,ro2th of ti'er# A rid,e runs out fro' the 'ain &ine of the
&uffs into the ri$er otto' so'e t2o or three hundred !ards< a**roachin,
the strea' at the *oint 2here the end of the ri$er is 'ade# The
ter'ination of the &uff is >uite aru*t< and o$er&oo0s a considera&e
*ortion of the ri$er otto'# On the ro2 of the &uff stood the o&d stone
a&tar< and near the foot of it 2as ui&t the house of L!'an 3i,ht# 3hen
the a&tar 2as first disco$ered< accordin, to those 2ho $isited it
fre>uent&!< it 2as aout si/teen feet &on,< ! nine or ten feet 2ide<
ha$in, its ,reatest e/tent north and south# The hei,ht of the a&tar at
each end 2as so'e t2o and a ha&f feet< ,radua&&! risin, hi,her to the
center< 2hich 2as et2een four and fi$e feet hi,h--the 2ho&e surface ein,
cro2nin,# Such 2as the a&tar at -Diah'an- 2hen the )ro*het+s *art!
$isited it# No2< ho2e$er< it is thro2n do2n< and nothin, ut a 'ound of
cru'&in, stones 'i/ed 2ith soi&< and a fe2 reddish ou&ders 'ar0 the s*ot
2hich is dout&ess rich in historic e$ents# It 2as at this a&tar<
accordin, to the testi'on! of Jose*h S'ith< that the *atriarchs associated
2ith Ada' and his co'*an!< asse'&ed to 2orshi* their 5od# Here their
e$enin, and 'ornin, *ra!er ascended to hea$en 2ith the s'o0e of the
urnin, sacrifice< *ro*hetic and s!'o&ic of the ,reater sacrifice then
!et to e< and here an,e&s instructed the' in hea$en&! truth#
North of the rid,e on 2hich the ruins of the a&tar 2ere found< and
runnin, *ara&&e& 2ith it< is another rid,e< se*arated fro' the first ! a
de*ression $ar!in, in 2idth fro' fift! to a hundred !ards# This s'a&&
$a&&e! 2ith the &ar,er one throu,h 2hich f&o2s the 5rand Ri$er< is the
$a&&e! of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# Three !ears *re$ious to the death of Ada'<
dec&ares one of the )ro*het Jose*h+s re$e&ations< the )atriarchs Seth<
Enos< Cainan< .aha&a&ee&< Jared< Enoch< and .ethuse&ah< to,ether 2ith a&&
their ri,hteous *osterit!< 2ere asse'&ed in this $a&&e! 2e ha$e
descried< and their co''on father< Ada'< ,a$e the' his &ast &essin,#
And e$en as he &essed the< the hea$ens 2ere o*ened< and the Lord
a**eared< and in the *resence of 5od< the chi&dren or Ada' arose and
&essed hi'< and ca&&ed hi' .ichae&< the )rince< the Archan,e&# The Lord
a&so &essed Ada'< sa!in,( -I ha$e set thee to e the head--a 'u&titude of
nations sha&& co'e of thee< and thou art a *rince o$er the' for e$er#- So
,reat 2as the inf&uence of this dou&e &essin, u*on Ada'< that< thou,h
o2ed do2n 2ith a,e< under the out*ourin, of the S*irit of 5od< he
*redicted 2hat shou&d efa&& his *osterit! to their &atest ,eneration#
EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# c$iiF# Such is one of the ,reat e$ents
2hich occurred on this o&d historic &and of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
The oration soon after2ards a**eared in The Far 3est< a *eriodica&
*u&ished at Liert!< C&a! Count!< .issouri# It 2as *u&ished in *a'*h&et
for' fro' the office of the -E&der+s Journa&#- ESee state'ent of Eene4er
Roinson in The Return< $o&# 7< *# 7MDF# This oration ! Sidne! Ri,don
has a&2a!s een se$ere&! criticised as containin, *assa,es that 2ere
i&&-ad$ised and $ehe'ent&! itter# Es*ecia&&! those *assa,es 2hich
threatened a 2ar of e/ter'ination u*on 'os shou&d the! a,ain arise to
*&a,ue the Saints# "ut 2hen such criticis' is 'ade< the ran0 in=ustice<
the destruction of *ro*ert! and the outra,es co''itted u*on the *ersons of
'an! of the 'e'ers of the Church< ! the Jac0son count! 'o< shou&d a&so
e re'e'ered# A&so the fai&ure on the *art of the officers of the State
to *rotect the Saints in the en=o!'ent of their ci$i& and re&i,ious
&ierties or e$en to return the' to their ho'es in Jac0son count!--fro'
2hich fai&ure to 'a,nif! the &a2 the Saints 2ere sti&& sufferin,# 3hen<
therefore< the! sa2 'oocrac! a,ain threatenin, the'< it is s'a&& 2onder
if the! ,a$e 2a! for a 'o'ent to an,er< and denounced in stron, ter's
those 2ho 2ere &i0e&! to distur their *eace and re*eat the outra,es under
2hich the! had so &on, suffered#
Fo&&o2in, this account of the @th of Ju&! ce&eration at Far 3est the
)ro*het in his histor!< as heretofore *u&ished< ta0es u* the account of
the or,ani4ation of -1irt&and Ca'*<- and or,ani4ation effected ! the
First Se$en )residents of the Se$enties< assisted ! E&der H!ru' S'ith#
The o=ect of the or,ani4ation 2as to 'o$e the Saints< 2ho desired to ,o<
in a od!< fro' 1irt&and to .issouri# The )ro*het in his histor! ,i$es an
account< as a&read! stated< of the or,ani4ation of this ca'* and its
de*arture fro' 1irt&and# Then fro' da! to da! as 'ore or &ess i'*ortant
e$ents too0 *&ace in the ca'*< he records such e$ents in his o2n *ersona&
histor!< 2ith the resu&t that his narrati$e is fre>uent&! interru*ted !
rief *ara,ra*hs fro' the ca'*+s Journa&# "ut as 2e ha$e the fu&& dai&!
=ourna& of the ca'*+s *ro,ress fro' 1irt&and to Far 3est< 2ritten in a
'ost carefu& and co''enda&e st!&e ! the ca'*+s Historian< E&ias S'ith<
it has een decided to *u&ish the histor! of the ca'* fro' the ti'e it
'et for or,ani4ation in 1irt&and E.arch< 7898F< unti& its arri$a& at Far
3est< Eon the Hnd da! of Octoer< 7898F< 2ithout other interru*tions? and
the' o'it fro' the narrati$e of the )ro*het those occasiona& *ara,ra*hs
ta0en fro' the said =ourna& of the ca'*# This arran,e'ent 2i&& re&ie$e
the )ro*het+s narrati$e of so 'an! interru*tions< and on the other hand it
2i&& ,i$e an unro0en narrati$e fro' an ori,ina& docu'ent of one of the
'ost re'ar0a&e or,ani4ations and =ourne!s in the ear&! histor! of the
Church# This *ro'ised histor! 2i&& e inserted at the *oint of the
)ro*het+s narrati$e 2here the ca'* arri$es at Far 3est#
This refers to Don Car&os S'ith+s 2ife< 2ho efore her 'arria,e to
hi' in 1irt&and< on Ju&! 9D< 789G< 2as A,nes Coo&irth#
The three re$e&ations here referred to do not a**ear in the Doctrine
and Co$enants nor in an! other *u&ication# Di&i,ent search a&so has een
'ade for the' throu,h the se$era& *ac0a,es of Church docu'ents in the
Historian+s Office< ut the! ha$e not een found#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/i/#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c//#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/$ii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/$iii# This date< the 8th of Ju&!<
7898< is re'a0a&e for the 'an! re$e&ations ,i$en# In addition to the
fore,oin, 2hich are *rinted in the Doctrine and Co$enants< in the sections
indicated in the foot notes< the fo&&o2in, 2as a&so recei$ed< 2hich is not
*u&ished in the Doctrine and Co$enants nor e&se2here# It is found on
fi&e in )ac0a,e 6%I at the Historian+s Office( Re$e&ations ,i$en Ju&! 8<
7898< 'a0in, 0no2n the dut! of 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's#
-%eri&!< thus saith the Lord< in conse>uence of their trans,ressions
their for'er standin, has een ta0en a2a! fro' the'< and no2< if the! 2i&&
e sa$ed< &et the' e ordained as E&ders in '! Church to *reach '! 5os*e&
and tra$e& aroad fro' &and to &and and fro' *&ace to *&ace< to ,ather
'ine e&ect unto 'e< saith the Lord< and &et this e their &aors fro'
henceforth# A'en#
Erastus Sno2 2as the son of Le$i and Lucina Sno2# His ancestors 2ere
a'on, the ear&! sett&ers of the .assachusetts co&on!# He 2as orn on the
Nth of No$e'er< 7878< and con$erted to the 5os*e& in the S*rin, of 789H<
throu,h the 'inistr! of E&ders Orson )ratt and Lu0e S# Johnson# Thou,h
con$erted to the 5os*e& ! these E&ders he 2as a*ti4ed ! his e&der
rother< 3i&&ia'< on the 9rd of Feruar!< 7899< and soon after2ards 2as
ordained a teacher and co''enced his 2or0 in the 'inistr!# )re$ious to
his arri$a& at Far 3est he had een acti$e in the 'inistr! for se$era&
!ears< *reachin, e/tensi$e&! in Ohio< Ne2 Yor0 and )enns!&$ania# He 2as a
'e'er of the second >uoru' of Se$enties< and had a&read! ,i$en e$idence
of his ster&in, inte,rit! and untirin, efforts as a 'inister of the Lord
Jesus Christ 2hich so characteri4ed a&& the suse>uent !ears of his &on,
&ife#
John D# Lee 2as orn on the :th of Se*te'er< 787H< in the to2n of
1as0as0ia< Rando&*h Count!< I&&inois? and 2as the son of Ra&*h Lee< of
%ir,inia< and the dau,hter of John Do!&e< of Nash$i&&e< Tennessee#
The ori,ina& ortho,ra*h! and co'*osition of this note are *reser$ed
in the ao$e co*!#
The 2arrant 2as issued on the 'isre*resentations of 2hat the )ro*het
and L!'an 3i,ht did on their $isit to Ada' "&ac0 on the 8th of Au,ust#
De 3itt is &ocated in the southeast corner of Carro&& count!< aout
fift! 'i&es southeast of Far 3est< and near the *oint 2here 5rand ri$er
e'*ties into the .issouri# Durin, the su''er of 7898 a nu'er of the
Saints sett&ed there< so'e of 2ho'< 2hen the ao$e 2arnin, 2as ,i$en< 2ere
sti&& enca'*ed in their 2a,ons and tents#
This has reference to the co''ittee a**ointed ! the res*ecti$e
*arties to ne,otiate ter's for u!in, or se&&in, on the *art either of the
'o or the Saints#
This cha*ter and the one fo&&o2in, contain the uninterru*ted histor!
of 1irt&and ca'* *ro'ised at *# @H< and is ta0en fro' the ca'*+s dai&!
=ourna&< 0e*t ! the &ate Jud,e E&ias S'ith#
See *a,e ND#
"! t!*o,ra*hica& error this na'e< in the &ist of those 2ho si,ned the
ca'*+s constitution E* NHF< is ,i$en as E# "# 5a!&and#
The 2ar ru'ors here 'entioned ha$e reference to 2hat is 0no2n in
Canadian histor! as the -Canadian Ree&&ion#- It 2as the cu&'ination of
a,itation e,un as ear&! as 7897< on the *art of the *eo*&e of Canada<
under *o*u&ar &eaders< such as )a*ineau< "ro2n< Nie&son< .c1en4ie and
others< for en&ar,ed 'easures of ho'e ru&e for the Do'inion# The *o*u&ar
&eaders 'arsha&ed their forces a,ainst the ,o$ern'ent durin, the 2inter of
789M-8< and a nu'er of s0ir'ishes too0 *&ace# Canadian inde*endence 2as
'uch ta&0ed of< and the *eo*&e in the United States a&on, the Canadian
order 2ere 'uch e/cited< and $o&unteers e,an to f&oc0 in considera&e
nu'ers to aid the cause of the -*atriots<- as the insur,ents 2ere ca&&ed#
-"ut<- to >uote a Canadian historian< -the A'erican )resident< .r# %an
"uren< issued t2o successi$e *roc&a'ations 2arnin, the *eo*&e of the
*ena&ties to 2hich the! 2ou&d e/*ose the'se&$es ! en,a,in, in hosti&ities
2ith a friend&! *o2er< and a&so a**ointed 5enera& Scott to ta0e co''and of
the distured frontier and enforce a strict neutra&it!#- After the
arri$a& of 5enera& Scott on the frontiers< effecti$e 'easures 2ere ta0en
to *re$ent further su**&ies and recruits fro' reachin, the -*atriots<- and
the 'i&itia ordered out ! the Canadian ,o$ern'ent< after so'e se$ere
fi,htin,< dis*ersed the insur,ents< 'an! of 2ho' f&ed to the United
States# The "ritish *ar&ia'ent suse>uent&! ,ranted so'e of the
&e,is&ati$e refor's de'anded ! the *eo*&e#
In s*ea0in, of the ser$ices this 7Hth da! of Au,ust< and the
discourse of E&der John E# )a,e< "rother Sa'ue& D# T!&er< 2ho< as 2e&& as
Jud,e E&ias S'ith< 0e*t a 'ost e/ce&&ent =ourna& of the ca'*+s *roceedin,s
da! ! da!< sa!s( -E&der John E# )a,e of the Canada ca'* *reached at three
o+c&oc0 to us< and 'an! s*ectators# Te/t< Jer# 97(:# In his discourse he
*ro$ed that A'erica 2as the &and ,i$en to Jose*h+s *osterit!< and that the
Indians are the descendants of Jose*h and that the! 2ou&d e ,athered to
;ion and the Je2s to Jerusa&e' and that the 2atch'en sha&& &ift u* their
$oices on .ount ;ion< etc# In short< he *reached the truth 2ith *o2er#
At the c&ose he said he had een *reachin, in Fairfie&d and had the
confidence and ,ood fee&in, of the *eo*&e< and he ad$ised that none of
&ess ta&ent than hi'se&f< shou&d $enture to *reach to the'< &est the!
shou&d in=ure the cause# He said he did not sa! this to oast< ut I
thin0 he had etter not Iha$eJ said it< for I thin0 it 2as not accordin,
to scri*ture and the S*irit of 5od? for 5od has chosen the 2ea0 and
foo&ish thin,s of the 2or&d to confound the 2isdo' of the 2ise and
*rudent# No2< if the Lord 2i&& send *oor< 2ea0 E&ders to an! *eo*&e to
*reach to the'< I dout not that He 2i&& ris0 the'< !ea< and ris0 His
cause 2ith the' a&so#
"! an error this initia& in the &ist of na'es is ,i$en as 3#
The a'ount is not stated in the ca'* =ourna&#
This incident is re&ated ! Sa'ue& D# T!&er< under date of Sunda!<
Se*te'er Hnd< as fo&&o2s( -This afternoon a 'isera&e drun0en sta,e
dri$er 'a&icious&! ran aside out of his course and struc0 the fore 2hee&
of one of our 2a,ons and sto$e it in and dro**ed it? then dro$e off
e/u&tin, in his 'ischief# The sta,e he dro$e 2as 'ar0ed -J# )# %oorhees#-
"en=a'in L# C&a**< 2ho after2ards eca'e one of the First Counci& of
Se$ent!< 2as orn in the state of A&aa'a< Au,ust 7N< 787@# He had =oined
the Church in an ear&! da!< and had a&read! *erfor'ed successfu& 'issions
in the South< es*ecia&&! in the state of 1entuc0!#
This 'issionar! 'o$e'ent at a ti'e 2hen it 'a! e said that the 2ho&e
countr! 2as -u* in ar's- a,ainst the Church< and its fortunes 2ere
a**arent&! des*erate< is tru&! an astonishin, thin,# And !et such
'issionar! 'o$e'ents ha$e eco'e >uite characteristic of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints# Its fortunes ha$e ne$er een at so &o2
an e ut 2hen it cou&d a&2a!s underta0e so'e ,reat 'issionar!
enter*rise# For e/a'*&e< 2hen a*ostas! 2as rife in 1irt&and< and the
*o2ers of dar0ness see'ed 'assed for its o$erthro2< the )ro*het< -to sa$e
the Church<- or,ani4ed and sent forth a 'ission to 5reat "ritain? and no2
fro' u**er .issouri< 2hen the 2ho&e or,ani4ation see'ed to e in dan,er of
disinte,ration< a 'ission is ne$erthe&ess or,ani4ed to ,o into the
Southern States to *reach the 5os*e&# In &ater $o&u'es of this 2or0 2e
sha&& a&so see that in 78GD< 2hen the 2ho&e od! of the .or'on *eo*&e had
een e/*atriated fro' their countr! and f&ed into the desert 2i&derness of
the Roc0! 'ountain re,ion< and 2hen it 2as ,enera&&! su**osed that the
2or&d had *ractica&&! seen the &ast of .or'onis'< and 2hen the Saints
sti&& had efore the' the tas0 of suduin, a 2i&derness< and 'an!
thousands of their *eo*&e !et to ,ather fro' the East< 2here the! 2ere in
a scattered condition< and the $er! e/istence of the *eo*&e to hu'an e!es
see'ed *recarious< &oK a 2or&d-2ide 'ission 2as or,ani4ed and 'e'ers of
the >uoru' of a*ost&es 2ere sent fro' the Church in the 2i&derness< into
Scandina$ia< France< 5er'an!< Ita&! and S2it4er&and# This 'issionar!
s*irit so characteristic of the Church< and to 2hich it so staunch&!
adheres in a&& its fortunes< *roc&ai's the ,enius of the 2or0# The
*ri'ar! *ur*ose of the Church+s e/istence is to *roc&ai' the truth of
2hich it is the sacred de*ositor!< and after that to *erfect the &i$es of
those 2ho recei$e its 'essa,e# In *ro*ortion to its de$otion to these t2o
,rand o=ects of its e/istence< has een and a&2a!s 2i&& e the 'easure of
its success#
John Ta!&or 2as orn No$e'er 7< 78D8< in .i&nthor*< a s'a&& to2n
near the head of .oreco'e a!< and not far fro' 3inde'ere< the -Aueen of
En,&ish La0es<- in the count! of 3est'ore&and< En,&and# His father+s na'e
2as Ja'es Ta!&or< 2hose forefathers for 'an! ,enerations had &i$ed on an
estate 0no2n as Crai, 5ate< in Ac0enth2aite# John Ta!&or+s 'other+s na'e
2as A,nes? her 'aiden na'e 2as a&so Ta!&or# Her ,randfather< Christo*her
Ta!&or< &i$ed to e ninet!-se$en !ears of a,e# His son John< father of
A,nes< he&d an office in the e/cise under the ,o$ern'ent fro' his first
settin, out in &ife to the a,e of aout si/t!# The 'aiden na'e of A,nes
Ta!&or+s 'other 2as 3hittin,ton< a descendant of the fa'i&! 'ade fa'ous !
Richard 3hittin,ton< the !oun,er son of Sir 3i&&ia' 3hittin,ton#
At the a,e of se$enteen E&der Ta!&or 2as 'ade a .ethodist e/horter or
&oca& *reacher< and 2as $er! acti$e and earnest in his 'inisteria& &aors#
In 789H he re'o$ed 2ith his fa'i&! to Toronto< u**er Canada< and here
en,a,ed in *reachin, under the aus*ices of the .ethodist church# 3ithin a
!ear after his arri$a& in Canada he 'arried Leonora Cannon< dau,hter of
Ca*tain 5eor,e Cannon E,randfather of the &ate 5eor,e A# CannonF# Leonora
Cannon had co'e to Canada as the co'*anion of the 2ife of .r# .ason< the
*ri$ate secretar! of Lord A!&'er< 5o$ernor-5enera& of Canada# She 2as a
de$out .ethodist< and throu,h attendance u*on church eca'e ac>uainted
2ith .r# Ta!&or# 3hi&e &i$in, in Toronto E&der Ta!&or associated hi'se&f
2ith a nu'er of ,ent&e'en of education and refine'ent 2ho 2ere not >uite
satisfied 2ith the doctrines of their res*ecti$e churches< as those
doctrines did not a,ree 2ith the teachin,s of the "i&e# Throu,h this
or,ani4ation< the! 2ere see0in, for ,reater re&i,ious &i,ht< and it 2as
under these circu'stances that E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt arri$ed in Toronto
2ith a &etter of introduction to E&der Ta!&or< and se$era& ti'es addressed
this association of ,ent&e'en 2ho 2ere see0in, the truth# The end of the
'atter 2as that John Ta!&or acce*ted the 5os*e& under the 'inistration of
E&der )ratt? and 2as soon after2ards ordained an E&der in the Church< and
co''enced his 'issionar! &aors# Of his =ourne! to 1irt&and and defense
of the )ro*het a,ainst the fu&'inations of a*ostates 2e ha$e a&read!
s*o0en# ISee $o&# II< *# @88--NoteJ# E&der Ta!&or had co'e to .issouri
in res*onse to the notification he had recei$ed that he 2as chosen an
A*ost&e of the Lord Jesus Christ ! re$e&ation# ESee re$e&ation of 8th of
Ju&!< 7898< **# @:< @MF#
It 2as a cunnin, *iece of diao&is' 2hich *ro'*ted the 'o of Da$iess
count! to set fire to their o2n &o, cains< destro! so'e of their o2n
*ro*ert! and then char,e the cri'e to the Saints# "ut it 2as not 2ithout
a *recedent in .issouri# T2o !ears efore that< so'ethin, $er! si'i&ar
occurred in .ercer count!< =ust northeast of Da$iess# In June of the !ear
789:< the Io2a Indians< then &i$in, near St# Jose*h< 'ade a friend&!
huntin, e/cursion throu,h the northern *art of the state< and their &ine
of tra$e& &ed the' throu,h 2hat 2as 0no2n as the -Heather&! sett&e'ent<-
in .ercer count!# The Heather&!s< 2ho 2ere ruffians of the &o2est t!*e<
too0 ad$anta,e of the e/cite'ent *roduced ! the incursion of the Indians<
and circu&ated a re*ort that the! 2ere roin, and 0i&&in, the 2hites#
Durin, the e/cite'ent these Heather&!s 'urdered a 'an ! the na'e of
Dunar< and another 'an a,ainst 2ho' the! had a ,rud,e< and then f&ed to
the sett&e'ents a&on, the .issouri ri$er< re*resentin, that the! 2ere
f&eein, fro' the Indians for their &i$es# This *roduced ,reat e/cite'ent
in the sett&e'ents in the surroundin, counties? the *eo*&e not 0no2in, at
2hat hour the Indians 'i,ht e u*on the'# The 'i&itia 2as ca&&ed out for
their *rotection? ut it 2as soon ascertained that the a&ar' 2as a fa&se
one# The Heather&!s 2ere arrested< tried for 'urder< and so'e of the'
sent to the *enitentiar!# This circu'stance occurrin, on&! t2o !ears
efore the action of the 'o aout .i&&*ort< and in a count! ad=acent to
Da$iess count!< dout&ess su,,ested the course *ursued ! the 'o in
urnin, their o2n houses and f&eein, to a&& *arts of the state 2ith the
re*ort that the -.or'ons- had done it< and 2ere 'urderin, and *&underin,
the o&d sett&ers# These fa&se ru'ors s*read ! the 'o< 2ere stren,thened
in the *u&ic ear ! such 'en as Ada' &ac0< Jud,e 1in, of Rich'ond< and
other *ro'inent 'en 2ho 2ere continua&&! 2ritin, inf&a''ator!
co''unications to the ,o$ernor#--For the Heather&! incident< see -Histor!
of Li$in,ston Count!< .issouri<- 2ritten and co'*i&ed ! the Nationa&
Historica& Co'*an! E788:F< cha*ter 9< **# M7D< M79#
The chief *oints in the affida$it of Tho'as "# .arsh< referred to in
the te/t< are as fo&&o2s( -The! ha$e a'on, the' a co'*an!< considered true
.or'ons< ca&&ed the Danites< 2ho ha$e ta0en an oath to su**ort the heads
of the Church in a&& thin,s that the! sa! or do< 2hether ri,ht or 2ron,#
.an!< ho2e$er< of this and are 'uch dissatisfied 2ith this oath< as ein,
a,ainst 'ora& and re&i,ious *rinci*&es# On Saturda! &ast< I a' infor'ed
! the .or'ons< that the! had a 'eetin, at Far 3est< at 2hich the!
a**ointed a co'*an! of t2e&$e< ! the na'e of the +Destruction Co'*an!<+
for the *ur*ose of urnin, and destro!in,< and that if the *eo*&e of
"unco'e ca'e to do 'ischief u*on the *eo*&e of Ca&d2e&&< and co''itted
de*redations u*on the .or'ons< the! 2ere to urn "unco'e? and if the
*eo*&e of C&a! and Ra! 'ade an! 'o$e'ent a,ainst the'< this destro!in,
co'*an! 2ere to urn Liert! and Rich'ond# C C C C The )ro*het incu&cates
the notion< and it is e&ie$ed ! e$er! true .or'on< that S'ith+s
*ro*hecies are su*erior to the &a2s of the &and# I ha$e heard the )ro*het
sa! that he 2ou&d !et tread do2n his ene'ies< and 2a&0 o$er their dead
odies? and if he 2as not &et a&one< he 2ou&d e a second .oha''ed to this
,eneration< and that he 2ou&d 'a0e it one ,ore of &ood fro' the Roc0!
'ountains to the At&antic ocean? that &i0e .oha''ed< 2hose 'otto in
treatin, for *eace 2as< +the A&coran or the S2ord#+ So shou&d it e
e$entua&&! 2ith us< +Jose*h S'ith of the S2ord#+ These &ast state'ents
2ere 'ade durin, the &ast su''er# The nu'er of ar'ed 'en at
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an 2as et2een three and four hundred#
-THO.AS "# .ARSH
-S2orn to and suscried efore 'e< the da! herein 2ritten#
-HENRY JACO"S<
-J# )# Ra! count!< .issouri#
-Rich'ond< .issouri< Octoer H@< 7898#-
-AFFIDA%IT OF ORSON HYDE#
-The 'ost of the state'ents in the fore,oin, disc&osure I 0no2 to e
true? the re'ainder I e&ie$e to e true#
-ORSON HYDE#
-Rich'ond< Octoer H@< 7898#
-S2orn to and suscried efore 'e< on the da! ao$e 2ritten#
-HENRY JACO"S< J# )#-
Of this testi'on! and the action of .arsh and H!de the &ate )resident
Ta!&or in his discourse on Succession in the )residenc!< 'a0es these
*ertinent re'ar0s( -Testi'onies fro' these sources are not a&2a!s
re&ia&e< and it is to e ho*ed< for the sa0e of the t2o rethren< that
so'e thin,s 2ere added ! our ene'ies that the! did not assert< ut enou,h
2as said to 'a0e this defau&t and a*ostas! $er! terri&e# I 2i&& here
state that I 2as in Far 3est at the ti'e these affida$its 2ere 'ade< and
2as 'i/ed u* 2ith a&& *ro'inent Church affairs# I 2as there 2hen Tho'as
"# .arsh and Orson H!de &eft there? and there are others *resent 2ho 2ere
there at the sa'e ti'e# And I 0no2 that these thin,s< referred to in the
affida$its< are not true# I ha$e heard a ,ood dea& aout Danites< ut I
ne$er heard of the' a'on, the Latter-da! Saints# If there 2as such an
or,ani4ation< I ne$er 2as 'ade ac>uainted 2ith it C C C C C C Tho'as "#
.arsh 2as un>uestiona&! insti,ated ! the de$i& 2hen he 'ade this
state'ent< 2hich has een read in !our hearin, Ithe fore,oin, affida$itJ#
The conse>uence 2as< he 2as cut off fro' the Church# C C C C C C It
2ou&d e here *ro*er to state< ho2e$er< that Orson H!de had een sic0 2ith
a $io&ent fe$er for so'e ti'e< and had not !et fu&&! reco$ered therefro'<
2hich< 2ith the circu'stances 2ith 2hich 2e 2ere surrounded< and the
inf&uence of Tho'as "# .arsh< 'a! e offered as a s&i,ht *a&&iation for
his defau&t# C C C C C C It 'a! e *ro*er here a,ain to sa! a fe2 2ords
2ith re,ard to "rother Orson H!de< 2hose endorse'ent of the terri&e
char,es 'ade ! Tho'as "# .arsh in his affida$it< has a&read! een read#
Suffice it to sa!< in addition to 2hat has *re$ious&! een stated< he 2as
cut off fro' the Church< and of course &ost his a*ost&eshi*? and 2hen he
suse>uent&! returned< and 'ade a&& the satisfaction that 2as 2ithin his
*o2er< he as for,i$en ! the authorities and the *eo*&e and 2as a,ain
re-instated in the >uoru'#-
Schu!&er Co&fa/< $ice-*resident of the United States< in his
discussion 2ith the &ate )resident John Ta!&or on the -.or'on Auestion<-
>uoted this .arsh-H!de affida$it< and E&der Ta!&or in re*&! said( -I a'
sorr! to sa! that Tho'as "# .arsh did 'a0e that affida$it< and that Orson
H!de stated that he 0ne2 *art of it and e&ie$ed the other? and it 2ou&d
e disin,enuous to 'e to den! it? ut it is not true that these thin,s
e/isted< for I 2as there and 0ne2 to the contrar!? and so did the *eo*&e
of .issouri< and so did the ,o$ernor of .issouri# Ho2 do !ou account for
their actsB On&! on the score of the 2ea0ness of our co''on hu'anit!# 3e
2ere &i$in, in trou&ous ti'es< and a&& 'en+s ner$es are not *roof a,ainst
such shoc0s as 2e then had to endure#-
It is to e re,retted that 5enera& Da$id R# Atchison =oined 2ith
5enera& Lucas in si,nin, the ao$e co''unication# U* to this ti'e .a=or
5enera& Atchison had a**arent&! e/ercised his inf&uence counse&in,
'oderation in dea&in, 2ith the -.or'ons#- = He as a resident of C&a!
count! 2hen the Saints 2ere dri$en into that count! fro' Jac0son# He<
2ith 5enera& Doni*han and A'os Rees< had acted as counse& for the e/i&es<
and had seen the doors of the te'*&e of =ustice c&osed in their faces !
'o $io&ence< and a&& redress denied the'# He 2as ac>uainted 2ith the
circu'stances 2hich &ed to their re'o$a& fro' C&a! count!< to the
unsett&ed *rairies of 2hat after2ards eca'e Ca&d2e&& count!# He 0ne2 ho2
dee* and unreasona&e the *re=udices 2ere a,ainst the Saints# Can it e
*ossi&e that he did not 0no2 ho2 utter&! un=ustifia&e the *resent
'o$e'ent a,ainst the' 2asB 2hether he 2as &inded ! the fa&se re*orts
aout .i&&*ort and 5a&&atin and Croo0ed ri$er< or 2hether his coura,e
fa&tered< and he eca'e afraid &on,er to defend a *eo*&e a,ainst 2ho'
e$er! 'an+s hand 2as raised< I cannot no2 deter'ine< ut one or the other
'ust ha$e een the case# 5enera& Atchison< ho2e$er< 2as after2ards
-dis'ounted<- to use a 2ord of 5enera& Doni*han+s in re&atin, the
incident< and sent ac0 to Liert! in C&a! count! ! s*ecia& order of
5o$ernor "o,,s< on the ,round that he 2as inc&ined to e too 'ercifu& to
the -.or'ons<- so that he 2as not acti$e in the o*erations aout Far 3est#
"ut ho2 he cou&d consent to =oin 2ith Lucas in sendin, such an untruthfu&
and infa'ous re*ort to the ,o$ernor aout the situation in U**er .issouri<
is difficu&t to deter'ine# The Saints had not set the &a2s at defiance<
nor 2ere the! in o*en ree&&ion# "ut 2hen a&& the officers of the &a2
refused to hear their co'*&aints< and oth ci$i& and 'i&itar! authorit!
de&i$ered the' into the hands of 'erci&ess 'os to e *&undered and
outra,ed at their ruta& *&easure< and a&& *etitions for *rotection at the
hands of the ,o$ernor had een ans2ered 2ith( -It is a >uarre& et2een the
.or'ons and the 'o< and the! 'ust fi,ht it out<- 2hat 2as &eft for the'
to do ut to ar' the'se&$es and stand in defense of their ho'es and
fa'i&iesB The 'o$e'ent on 5a&&atin ! Ca*tain )atten and that on .i&&*ort
! Co&one& 3i,ht 2as ordered ! 5enera& )ar0s< 2ho ca&&ed u*on Co&one&
3i,ht to ta0e co''and of his co'*an! of 'en< 2hen the 'i&itia under )ar0s+
co''and 'utinied< and dis*ersed a&& 'os 2here$er he found the'# 5a&&atin
2as not urned< nor 2ere the records of the count! court< if the! 2ere
destro!ed at a&&< destro!ed ! the Saints# 3hat houses 2ere urned in
.i&&*ort had een set on fire ! the 'o# The e/*edition to Croo0ed ri$er
2as ordered ! Jud,e Hi,ee< the first =ud,e in Ca&d2e&& count! and the
hi,hest ci$i& authorit! in Far 3est< and 2as underta0en for the *ur*ose of
dis*ersin, a 'o 2hich had entered the house of a *eacea&e citi4en--one
)in0ha'--and carried off three *eo*&e *risoners< four horses and other
*ro*ert!< and 2ho had threatened to -,i$e Far 3est he&& efore noon the
ne/t da!#- So that in their o*erations the acts of the Saints had een
strict&! 2ithin the &a2< and on&! in se&f defense#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt in his Autoio,ra*h! referrin, to this etra!a&
of the rethren on the *art of Hin0&e and their rece*tion and treat'ent !
the 'o< sa!s( -Co&one& 5eor,e .# Hin0&e< 2ho 2as at that ti'e the hi,hest
officer of the 'i&itia asse'&ed for the defense of Far 3est< 2aited on
.essrs# Jose*h S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith< L!'an 2i,ht< 5eor,e 3#
Roinson and '!se&f< 2ith a re>uest fro' 5enera& Lucas that 2e 2ou&d
re*air to his ca'*< 2ith the assurance that as soon as *eacea&e
arran,e'ents cou&d e entered into 2e shou&d e re&eased# 3e had no
confidence in the 2ord of a 'urderer and roer< ut there 2as no
a&ternati$e ut to *ut ourse&$es into the hands of such 'onsters< or to
ha$e the cit! attac0ed< and 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren 'assacred# 3e<
therefore< co''ended ourse&$es to the Lord< and $o&untari&! surrendered as
shee* into the hands of 2o&$es# As 2e a**roached the ca'* of the ene'!
5enera& Lucas rode out to 'eet us 2ith a ,uard of se$era& hundred 'en#
The hau,ht! ,enera& rode u*< and< 2ithout s*ea0in, to us< instant&!
ordered his ,uards to surround us# The! did so $er! aru*t&!< and 2e 2ere
'arched into ca'* surrounded ! thousands of sa$a,e &oo0in, ein,s< 'an!
of 2ho' 2ere dressed and *ainted &i0e Indian 2arriors# These a&& set u* a
constant !e&&< &i0e so 'an! &oodhounds &et &oose u*on their *re!< as if
the! had achie$ed one of the 'ost 'iracu&ous $ictories that e$er ,raced
the anna&s of the 2or&d# If the $ision of the inferna& re,ions cou&d
sudden&! o*en to the 'ind< 2ith thousands of 'a&icious fiends< a&&
c&a'orin,< e/u&tin,< deridin,< &as*he'in,< 'oc0in,< rai&in,< ra,in, and
foa'in, &i0e a trou&ed sea< then cou&d so'e idea e for'ed of the he&&
2hich 2e had entered#
In ca'* 2e 2ere *&aced under a stron, ,uard< and 2ere 2ithout she&ter
durin, the ni,ht< &!in, on the ,round in the o*en air< in the 'idst of a
,reat rain# The ,uards durin, the 2ho&e ni,ht 0e*t u* a constant tirade
of 'oc0er!< and the 'ost oscene &ac0,uardis' and ause# The! &as*he'ed
5od? 'oc0ed Jesus Christ? s2ore the 'ost dreadfu& oaths? taunted "rother
Jose*h and others? de'anded 'irac&es? 2anted si,ns< such as +Co'e< .r#
S'ith< sho2 us an an,e&#+ +5i$e us one of !our re$e&ations#+ +Sho2 us a
'irac&e#+ +Co'e< there is one of !our rethren here in ca'* 2ho' 2e too0
*risoner !esterda! in his o2n house< and 0noc0ed his rains out 2ith his
o2n rif&e< 2hich 2e found han,in, o$er his fire*&ace? he &a!s s*eech&ess
and d!in,? s*ea0 the 2ord and hea& hi'< and then 2e 2i&& a&& e&ie$e+ +Or<
if !ou are A*ost&es or 'en of 5od< de&i$er !ourse&$es< and then 2e 2i&& e
.or'ons- Ne/t 2ou&d e a $o&&e! of oaths and &as*he'ies? then a
tu'u&tuous tirade of &e2d oastin,s of ha$in, defi&ed $ir,ins and 2i$es !
force< etc#< 'uch of 2hich I dare not 2rite? and< indeed< &an,ua,e 2ou&d
fai& 'e to atte'*t 'ore than a faint descri*tion# Thus *assed this
dreadfu& ni,ht< and efore 'ornin, se$era& other ca*ti$es 2ere added to
our nu'er< a'on, 2ho' 2as "rother A'asa L!'an#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e!
)# )ratt< **# HD9-HDG#
This incident of sentencin, the )ro*het and his co'*anion *risoners
to e shot on the *u&ic s>uare at Far 3est is a&so referred to in the
Histor! of Ca&d2e&& count!< co'*i&ed ! the St# Louis Nationa& Historica&
Co'*an!< and the for'a& orders of 5enera& Lucas to "ri,adier-5enera&
Doni*han and a&so Doni*han+s re*&! are ,i$en# I >uote the fo&&o2in,(
-Yie&din, to the *ressure u*on hi'< it is a&&e,ed that 5enera& Lucas< at
aout .idni,ht< issued the fo&&o2in, order to 5enera& Doni*han< in 2hose
0ee*in, the hosta,es 2ere(
-+"ri,adier-5enera& Doni*han(
-+SIR(--You 2i&& ta0e Jose*h S'ith and the other *risoners into the
*u&ic s>uare of Far 3est< and shoot the' at N o+c&oc0 to-'orro2 'ornin,#
- +SA.UEL D# LUCAS<
- +.a=or-5enera& Co''andin,#+
"ut 5enera& Doni*han< in ,reat and ri,hteous indi,nation< *ro'*t&!
returned the fo&&o2in, re*&! to his su*erior(
-+It is co&d-&ooded 'urder# I 2i&& not oe! !our order# .! ri,ade
sha&& 'arch for Liert! to'orro2 'ornin,< at 8 o+c&oc0? and if !ou e/ecute
these 'en< I 2i&& ho&d !ou res*onsi&e efore an earth&! triuna&< so he&*
'e 5od#
- +3# 3# DONI)HAN<
- +"ri,adier-5enera&#+
-The *risoners so'eho2 heard of the order< and 0nee&ed in *ra!er< and
*ra!ed fer$ent&! that it 'i,ht not e e/ecuted# And it 2as not#
F&a,rant&! insuordinate as 2as 5enera& Doni*han+s refusa&< he 2as ne$er
ca&&ed to account for it# The +.or'ons+ ha$e a&2a!s re'e'ered 5enera&
Doni*han+s hu'anit! on this occasion< as 2e&& as on others< and 2hen< in
78M9< he 2ent to Sa&t La0e Cit!< he 2as recei$ed 2ith 'uch fee&in,< and
sho2n e$er! re,ard and attention ! "ri,ha' Youn, and the other
authorities of the Church and cit!< and ! e$en the 'asses of the
*eo*&e#---EHistor! of Ca&d2e&& Count!< *# 79MF#
)ar&e! )# )ratt< referrin, to this incident< sa!s( -3e are infor'ed
that the ,enera& officers he&d a secret counci& durin, 'ost of the ni,ht<
2hich 2as di,nified ! the na'e of court 'artia&? in 2hich< 2ithout a
hearin,< or< 2ithout e$en ein, rou,ht efore it< 2e 2ere a&& sentenced
to e shot# The da! and hour 2as a&so a**ointed for the e/ecution of this
sentence< $i4#< ne/t 'ornin, at 8 o+c&oc0< in the *u&ic s>uare at Far
3est# Of this 2e 2ere infor'ed ! "ri,adier-5enera& Doni*han< 2ho 2as one
of the counci&< ut 2ho 2as so $io&ent&! o**osed to this co&d-&ooded
'urder that he assured the counci& that he 2ou&d re$o&t and 2ithdra2 his
2ho&e ri,ade< and 'arch the' ac0 to C&a! count! as soon as it 2as &i,ht<
if the! *ersisted in so dreadfu& an underta0in,# Said he< +It is
co&d-&ooded 'urder< and I 2ash '! hands of it#+ His fir' re'onstrance<
and that of a fe2 others< so a&ar'ed the hau,ht! 'urderer and his
acco'*&ices that the! dare not *ut the decree in e/ecution#-
Of these scenes connected 2ith the se*aration of the *risoners fro'
their fa'i&ies< )ar&e! )# )ratt 2rites as fo&&o2s( -3e 2ere no2 'arched to
Far 3est< under the conduct of the 2ho&e ar'!? and 2hi&e the! ha&ted in
the *u&ic s>uare< 2e 2ere *er'itted to ,o 2ith a ,uard for a chan,e of
&inen< and to ta0e fina& &ea$e of our fa'i&ies< in order to de*art as
*risoners to Jac0son count!< a distance of si/t! 'i&es#
-This 2as the 'ost tr!in, scene of a&&# I 2ent to '! house< ein,
,uarded ! t2o or three so&diers< the co&d rain 2as *ourin, do2n 2ithout<
and on enterin, '! &itt&e cotta,e< there &a! '! 2ife sic0 of a fe$er< 2ith
2hich she had een for so'e ti'e confined# At her reast 2as our son
Nathan< an infant of three 'onths< and ! her side a &itt&e ,ir& of fi$e
!ears# On the foot of the sa'e ed &a! a 2o'an in tra$ai&< 2ho had een
dri$en fro' her house in the ni,ht< and had ta0en 'o'entar! she&ter in '!
hut of ten feet s>uare--'! &ar,er house ha$in, een torn do2n# I ste**ed
to the ed? '! 2ife urst into tears? I s*o0e a fe2 2ords of co'fort<
te&&in, her to tr! to &i$e for '! sa0e and the chi&dren+s? and e/*ressin,
a ho*e that 2e shou&d 'eet a,ain thou,h !ears 'i,ht se*arate us# She
*ro'ised to tr! to &i$e# I then e'raced and 0issed the &itt&e aies and
de*arted# Ti&& no2 I had refrained fro' 2ee*in,? ut< to e forced fro'
so he&*&ess a fa'i&!< 2ho 2ere destitute of *ro$isions and fue&< and
de*ri$ed a&'ost of she&ter in a &ea0 *rairie< 2ith none to assist the'<
e/*osed to a &a2&ess anditti 2ho 2ere utter stran,ers to hu'anit!< and
this at the a**roach of 2inter< 2as 'ore than nature cou&d 2e&& endure# I
2ent to 5enera& .oses 3i&son in tears< and stated the circu'stances of '!
sic0< heart-ro0en and destitute fa'i&! in tears 2hich 2ou&d ha$e 'o$ed
an! heart that had a &atent s*ar0 of hu'anit! !et re'ainin,# "ut I 2as
on&! ans2ered 2ith an e/u&tant &au,h< and a taunt of re*roach ! this
hardened 'urderer# As I returned fro' '! house to2ards the troo*s in the
s>uare< I ha&ted 2ith the ,uard at the door of H!ru' S'ith< and heard the
sos and ,roans of his 2ife< at his *artin, 2ords# She 2as then near
confine'ent? and needed 'ore than e$er the co'fort and conso&ation of a
husand+s *resence# As 2e returned to the 2a,on 2e sa2 Sidne! Ri,don
ta0in, &ea$e of his 2ife and dau,hters< 2ho stood at a &itt&e distance< in
tears of an,uish indescria&e# In the 2a,on sat Jose*h S'ith< 2hi&e his
a,ed father and $enera&e 'other ca'e u* o$er2he&'ed 2ith tears< and too0
each of the *risoners ! the hand 2ith a si&ence of ,rief too ,reat for
utterance# In the 'eanti'e hundreds of the rethren cro2ded around us<
an/ious to ta0e a *artin, &oo0< or a si&ent sha0e of the hand? for
fee&in,s 2ere too intense to a&&o2 of s*eech# In the 'idst of these
scenes orders 2ere ,i$en and 2e 'o$ed s&o2&! a2a!< under the conduct of
5enera& 3i&son and his 2ho&e ri,ade#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt<
**# HDM< HD8#
The )ro*het+s 'other descries these scenes of sorro2 and *artin, in
the fo&&o2in, $i$id 'anner(
-At the ti'e 2hen Jose*h 2ent into the ene'!+s ca'*< .r# S'ith and
'!se&f stood in the door of the house in 2hich 2e 2ere then &i$in,< and
cou&d distinct&! hear their horrid !e&&in,s# Not 0no2in, the cause< 2e
su**osed the! 2ere 'urderin, hi'# Soon after the screa'in, co''enced<
fi$e or si/ ,uns 2ere dischar,ed# At this< .r# S'ith< fo&din, his ar's
ti,ht across his heart< cried out< +Oh< '! 5odK '! 5odK the! ha$e 0i&&ed
'! sonK the! ha$e 'urdered hi'K and I 'ust die< for I cannot &i$e 2ithout
hi'K+
-I had no 2ord of conso&ation to ,i$e hi'< for '! heart 2as ro0en
2ithin 'e--'! a,on! 2as unuttera&e# I assisted hi' to the ed and he
fe&& ac0 u*on it he&*&ess as a chi&d< for he had not stren,th to stand
u*on his feet# The shrie0in, continued? no ton,ue can descrie the sound
2hich 2as con$e!ed to our ears? no heart can i'a,ine the sensation of our
reasts< as 2e &istened to those a2fu& screa's# Had the ar'! een
co'*osed of so 'an! &oodhounds< 2o&$es< and *anthers< the! cou&d not ha$e
'ade a sound 'ore terri&e# C C C C C
-3hen the! Ithe di$ision of the 'o in char,e of the *risonersJ 2ere
aout startin, fro' Far 3est< a 'essen,er ca'e and to&d us that if 2e e$er
sa2 our sons a&i$e< 2e 'ust ,o i''ediate&! to the'< for the! 2ere in a
2a,on that 2ou&d start in a fe2 'inutes for Inde*endence< and in a&&
*roai&it! the! 2ou&d ne$er return a&i$e# Recei$in, this inti'ation<
Luc! and '!se&f set out direct&! for the *&ace# On co'in, 2ithin aout a
hundred !ards of the 2a,on< 2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to sto*< for 2e cou&d *ress
no further throu,h the cro2d# I therefore a**ea&ed to those around 'e<
e/c&ai'in,< +I a' the 'other of the )ro*het--is there not a ,ent&e'an here
2ho 2i&& assist 'e to that 2a,on< that I 'a! ta0e a &ast &oo0 at '!
chi&dren< and s*ea0 to the' once 'ore efore I dieB+ U*on this< one
indi$idua& $o&unteered to 'a0e a *ath2a! throu,h the ar'!< and 2e *assed
on< threatened 2ith death at e$er! ste*< ti&& at &en,th 2e arri$ed at the
2a,on# The 'an 2ho &ed us throu,h the cro2d s*o0e to H!ru'< 2ho 2as
sittin, in front< and< te&&in, hi' that his 'other had co'e to see hi'<
re>uested that he shou&d reach his hand to 'e# He did so< ut I 2as not
a&&o2ed to see hi'? the co$er 2as of stron, c&oth< and nai&ed do2n so
c&ose that he cou&d hard&! ,et his hand throu,h# 3e had 'ere&! sha0en
hands 2ith hi'< 2hen 2e 2ere ordered a2a! ! the 'o< 2ho forade an!
con$ersation et2een us< and< threatenin, to shoot us< the! ordered the
tea'ster to dri$e o$er us# Our friend then conducted us to the ac0 *art
of the 2a,on< 2here Jose*h sat< and said< +.r# S'ith< !our 'other and
sister are here< and 2ish to sha0e hands 2ith !ou#+ Jose*h cro2ded his
hand throu,h et2een the co$er and 2a,on< and 2e cau,ht ho&d of it? ut he
s*o0e not to either of us< unti& I said< +Jose*h< do s*ea0 to !our *oor
'other once 'ore--I cannot ear to ,o ti&& I hear !our $oice#+ +5od &ess
!ou< 'otherK+ he soed out# Then a cr! 2as raised< and the 2a,on dashed
off< tearin, hi' fro' us =ust as Luc! *ressed his hand to her &i*s< to
esto2 u*on it a sister+s &ast 0iss--for he 2as then sentenced to e
shot#---Histor! of the )ro*het Jose*h ! his .other< Luc! S'ith< **# H@N<
HGD#
On this *assa,e the )ro*het 'a0es the fo&&o2in, co''ents(
-5a&&ant ra$er!<- that so'e thousands of 'en shou&d e so an/ious to
2ash their hands in the &ood of fi$e hundred *oor SaintsB I c&ai' not
the honor of co''andin, such a ra$e ar'!#
A,ain the )ro*het co''ents(
-The 2ic0ed f&ee 2hen no 'an *ursueth#- This sa!in, 2as tru&!
$erified in the first retreat of this ar'!--the! f&ed *reci*itate&!
throu,h fear and a ,reat *ro*ortion of the 'en 2ere an/ious to ,et ac0 to
the cree0< 2here the! cou&d dis*ense 2ith so'e of their c&othin, and 2ash
the'se&$es in the 2ater#
-)rofound si&ence#- It 'i,ht ha$e een si&ence to the ,enera& for
au,ht I 0no2? for the shoutin,s< e&&o2in,s and !e&&s of his ar'! of
'oocrats 2as sufficient to deafen an!one< not ,uarded ! so'e hi,her
s*irit< and cou&d on&! e e>ua&&ed in the sa$a,e 2ar 2hoo*< and the !e&&s
of the da'ned#
It 2as durin, this 'arch et2een Croo0ed ri$er and the .issouri that
the )ro*het *redicted that none of the *risoners 2ou&d &ose their &i$es
durin, their ca*ti$it!# The incident is thus re&ated ! )ar&e! )# )ratt(
-As 2e arose and co''enced our 'arch on the 'ornin, of the 9rd of
No$e'er< Jose*h S'ith s*o0e to 'e and the other *risoners< in a &o2< ut
cheerfu& and confidentia& tone? said he( +"e of ,ood cheer< rethren? the
2ord of the Lord ca'e to 'e &ast ni,ht that our &i$es shou&d e ,i$en us<
and that 2hate$er 2e 'a! suffer durin, this ca*ti$it!< not one of our
&i$es sha&& e ta0en#+ Of this *ro*hec! I testif! in the na'e of the
Lord< and< thou,h s*o0en in secret< its *u&ic fu&fi&&'ent and the
'iracu&ous esca*e of each one of us is too notorious to need '!
testi'on!#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *# H7D#
On this 'atter of co'*etition for *ossession of the *risoners )ar&e!
)# )ratt< one of the *risoners< re*eats a state'ent 'ade ! 5enera& 3i&son
as fo&&o2s( -It 2as re*eated&! insinuated< ! the other officers and
troo*s that 2e shou&d han, !ou *risoners on the first tree 2e ca'e to on
the 2a! to Inde*endence# "ut I+&& e d---d if an!od! sha&& hurt !ou# 3e
=ust intend to e/hiit !ou in Inde*endence< &et the *eo*&e &oo0 at !ou<
and see 2hat a d---d set of fine fe&&o2s !ou are# And< 'ore *articu&ar&!<
to 0ee* !ou fro' that o&d i,ot of a 5enera& C&ar0 and his troo*s< fro'
do2n countr! 2ho are so stuffed 2ith &ies and *re=udice that the! 2ou&d
shoot !ou do2n in a 'o'ent#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *# HDN#
This s*eech of 5enera& C&ar0+s is to e found in the -Histor! of
Ca&d2e&& and Li$in,ston counties< .issouri< 2ritten and co'*i&ed ! the
St# Louis Nationa& Historica& Co'*an!<- 788:< and is introduced as
fo&&o2s( -A fe2 da!s after his arri$a& 5enera& C&ar0 re'o$ed a *ortion of
the restraint he had i'*osed u*on the .or'ons+ a&&o2in, the' to ,o out for
2ood< *ro$isions< etc# He asse'&ed the 'u&titude on the te'*&e s>uare
and de&i$ered to the' a 2ritten s*eech< a co*! of 2hich is here ,i$en# It
,oes far to *ro$e that 5enera& C&ar0 2as ordered to +e/ter'inate+ the
.or'ons< not e/ce*tin, the 2o'en and chi&dren< and urn their houses and
other2ise destro! their *ro*ert!#---Histor! of Ca&d2e&& and Li$in,ston
Counties< *# 7@D#
It 2as durin, this ti'e that the $er! re'ar0a&e circu'stance of the
)ro*het reu0in, the *rison ,uards occurred# The 'atter is re&ated !
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt in his Autoio,ra*h!# It a**ears that durin, the
i'*rison'ent at Rich'ond E&der Ri,don 2as ta0en $er! i&& fro' the
hardshi*s and e/*osure he had to endure# He 2as chained ne/t to his
son-in-&a2< 5eor,e 3# Roinson< and co'*e&&ed to s&ee* on the hard f&oor
not2ithstandin, his de&iriu'< the resu&t of fe$er# .rs# Roinson< the
dau,hter of E&der Ri,don< had acco'*anied her husand and father into the
*rison for the *ur*ose of carin, for the &atter durin, his i&&ness# She
is re*resented as ein, a $er! de&icate 2o'an 2ith an infant at the
reast# She continued ! the side of her father unti& he reco$ered fro'
his i&&ness not2ithstandin, the &oathso'eness of the *rison and the
$i&eness of the ,uards# And no2 the stor! of the reu0e as re&ated !
E&der )ratt( -In one of those tedious ni,hts 2e had &ain as if in s&ee*
ti&& the hour of 'idni,ht had *assed< and our ears and hearts had een
*ained< 2hi&e 2e had &istened for hours to the oscene =ests< and horrid
oaths< and dreadfu& &as*he'ies and fi&th! &an,ua,e of our ,uards< Co&one&
)rice at their head< as the! recounted to each other their deeds of
ra*ine< 'urder< roer!< etc#< 2hich the! had co''itted a'on, the
-.or'ons- 2hi&e at Far 3est and $icinit!# The! e$en oasted of defi&in,
! force 2i$es< dau,hters and $ir,ins< and of shootin, or dashin, out the
rains of 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren# I had &istened ti&& I eca'e so
dis,usted< shoc0ed< horrified< and so fi&&ed 2ith the s*irit of indi,nant
=ustice that I cou&d scarce&! refrain fro' risin, u*on '! feet and
reu0in, the ,uards? ut had said nothin, to Jose*h< or an!one e&se<
a&thou,h I &a! ne/t to hi' and 0ne2 he 2as a2a0e# On a sudden he arose to
his feet< and s*o0e in a $oice of thunder< or as the roarin, &ion<
utterin,< as near&! as I can reco&&ect< the fo&&o2in, 2ords(
-Si&ence< !e fiends of the inferna& *itK In the na'e of Jesus Christ
I reu0e !ou< and co''and !ou to e sti&&? I 2i&& not &i$e another 'inute
and hear such &an,ua,e# Cease such ta&0< or !ou die or I die this
instantK+
He ceased to s*ea0# He stood erect in terri&e 'a=est!# Chained<
and 2ithout a 2ea*on? ca&'< unruff&ed and di,nified as an an,e&< he &oo0ed
u*on the >uai&in, ,uards< 2hose 2ea*ons 2ere &o2ered or dro**ed to the
,round? 2hose 0nees s'ote to,ether< and 2ho< shrin,0in, into a corner< or
crouchin, at his feet< e,,ed his *ardon< and re'ained >uiet ti&& a chan,e
of ,uards#
-I ha$e seen the 'inisters of =ustice< c&othed in 'a,isteria& roes<
and cri'ina&s arrai,ned efore the< 2hi&e &ife 2as sus*ended on a reath<
in the courts of En,&and? I ha$e 2itnessed a Con,ress in so&e'n session to
,i$e &a2s to nations? I ha$e tried to concei$e of 0in,s< of ro!a& courts<
of thrones and cro2ns? and of e'*erors asse'&ed to decide the fate of
0in,do's? ut di,nit! and 'a=est! ha$e I seen ut once< as it stodd in
chains< at 'idni,ht in a dun,eon< in an oscure $i&&a,e in
.issouri#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# HH8-H9D#
Res*ectin, this in>uir! concernin, the *assa,e in Danie&+s *ro*hec!<
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt 2rites( -This court of in>uisition in>uired
di&i,ent&! into our e&ief of the se$enth cha*ter of Danie& concernin, the
0in,do' of 5od< 2hich shou&d sudue a&& other 0in,do's and stand fore$er#
And 2hen to&d that 2e e&ie$ed in that *ro*hec!< the court turned to the
c&er0 and said( +3rite that do2n? it is a stron, *oint for treason#+ Our
&a2!er oser$ed as fo&&o2s( +Jud,e< !ou had etter 'a0e the "i&e
treason#+ The court 'ade no re*&!#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *#
H9D#
Further concernin, the a*ostas! and conduct of 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in<
soon after the )ro*het and his associates 2ere ta0en *risoners at Far
3est< )ar&e! )# )ratt sa!s( -3hi&e thus confined< 3i&&ia' E# .cLe&&in<
once '! fe&&o2 &aorer in the 5os*e&< ut no2 a Judas< 2ith hosti&e 2ea*on
in hand to destro! the Saints< ca'e to 'e and oser$ed( +3e&&< )ar&e!< !ou
ha$e no2 ,ot 2here !ou are certain ne$er to esca*e? ho2 do !ou fee& as to
the course !ou ha$e ta0en in re&i,ionB+ I ans2ered< that I had ta0en the
course 2hich I shou&d ta0e if I had '! &ife to &i$e o$er a,ain# He see'ed
thou,htfu& for a 'oe'ent< and then re*&ied( +3e&&< I thin0< if I 2ere !ou<
I shou&d die as I had &i$ed? at an! rate< I see no *ossii&it! of esca*e
for !ou and !our friends#---Autoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *# HD:#
3hi&e the rethren 2ere i'*risoned at Rich'ond it is said that
-.cLe&&in< 2ho 2as a &ar,e and acti$e 'an< 2ent to the sheriff and as0ed
for the *ri$i&e,e of f&o,,in, the )ro*het# )er'ission 2as ,ranted on
condition that Jose*h 2ou&d fi,ht# The sheriff 'ade 0no2n to Jose*h
.cLe&&in+s ernest re>uest< to 2hich Jose*h consented< if his irons 2ere
ta0en off# .cLe&&in then refused to fi,ht un&ess he cou&d ha$e a c&u< to
2hich Jose*h 2as *erfect&! 2i&&in,? ut the sheriff 2ou&d not a&&o2 the'
to fi,ht on such une>ua& ter's# .cLe&&in 2as a 'an of su*erficia&
education< thou,h he had a ,ood f&o2 of &an,ua,e# HE ado*ted the
*rofession of 'edicine#---.i&&# Star< $o&# ///$i( **# 8D8< 8DN#
This ararous deed is $i$id&! descried ! )resident John Ta!&or in
his contro$ers! 2ith .r# Schu!&er Co&fa/< %ice-)resident of the United
States< 78MD( -.! 'ind 2anders ac0 u*2ards of thirt! !ears a,o< 2hen< in
the state of .issouri< .r# .c"ride< an o&d< ,re!-haired< $enera&e $eteran
of the Re$o&ution< 2ith fee&e fra'e and totterin, s*ace< cried to a
.issouri *atriot( +S*are '! &ife< I a' a Re$o&utionar! so&dier< I fou,ht
for &iert!# 3ou&d !ou 'urder 'eB 3hat is '! offense< I e&ie$e in 5od
and re$e&ationB+ This fren4ied disci*&e of 'is*&aced faith said( +Ta0e
that< !ou --- --- .or'on<+ and 2ith the utt of his ,un he dashed his
rains out< and he &a! >ui$erin, there<--his 2hite &oc0s c&otted 2ith his
o2n rains and ,ore< on that soi& that he had heretofore shed his &ood to
redee'--a sacrifice at the shrine of &iert!K Shades of Fran0&in<
Jefferson and 3ashin,ton< 2ere !ou thereB Did !ou ,a4e on this deed of
&oodB Did !ou see !our co'*anion in ar's thus 'assacredB-
In order to a**reciate the a&&usions here 'ade to Da$id 3hit'er it
2i&& e necessar! to re'e'er that 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in c&ai'ed that
)resident Jose*h S'ith 2as a fa&&en *ro*het and hi'se&f sou,ht to rin,
into e/istence a re-or,ani4ed church 2ith Da$id 3hit'er as the *resident
thereof# See foot note in this $o&u'e at *a,es 97< 9H#
In the *re$ious *u&ication of this histor! on&! *art of this re*ort
is ,i$en< ut here the 2ho&e docu'ent is inserted#
The ao$e re*ort is ta0en fro' a oo0 containin, the docu'ents< the
corres*ondence< oders< etc#< in re&ation to the disturances 2ith the
-.or'ons?- and the e$idence ,i$en efore the Hon# Austin A# 1in,< =ud,e of
the Fifth Judicia& Circuit of the state of .issouri< at the courthouse in
Rich'ond< in a cri'ina& court of in>uir!< e,un No$e'er 7H< 7898< on the
tria& of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and others< for hi,h treason and other cri'es
a,ainst the state< **# 7-@# The oo0 is *u&ished ! order of the ,enera&
asse'&!#
This 2as the *etition of the 7Dth of Dece'er< si,ned ! Ed2ard
)artrid,e< Heer C# 1i'a&&< John Ta!&or et a&# in eha&f of the citi4ens
of Ca&d2e&& count!< 2hich *etition a**ears in cha*ter /$# of this $o&u'e#
Suse>uent&!< $i4#< in 78@7< 2hen the .issouri &e,is&ature *u&ished< !
order of the ,enera& asse'&!< 2hat is a&&e,ed to e the docu'ents in
re&ation to the disturances 2ith the -.or'ons<- etc#< neither this
docu'ent nor an! account of the deate 2hich fo&&o2ed its introduction< as
here referred to a**ears#
Of John Ta!&or a io,ra*hica& note has a&read! een ,i$en# See *a,e
7G@# The fo&&o2in, facts concernin, John E# )a,e are ,i$en ! hi'se&f(
The suscrier 2as orn of Eene4er and Rache& )a,e< their first
chi&d< Feruar! HGth< A#D# 7MNN# .! father 2as of *ure En,&ish
e/traction? '! 'other of En,&ish< Irish< and 3e&sh e/traction# .! *&ace
of irth 2as Trenton To2nshi*< Oneida count!< State of Ne2 Yor0# I
a'raced the faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< and
2as a*ti4ed Au,ust the 78th< 7899< ! the hands of E&der E'er Harris Eo2n
rother to .artin Harris< one of the Three 3itnesses to the di$init! of
the oo0 of .or'onF# I 2as ordained an E&der under the hands of E&ders
Ne&son Hi,,ins< Eene4er )a,e< Jun#< and others# .! a*tis' too0 *&ace in
"ro2nhe&'< Lorain count!< Ohio? '! ordination in F&orence< Huron count!<
of the sa'e state< on the 7Hth of Se*te'er< 7899#
I 'o$ed to 1irt&and< 5eau,a count! Ohio< in the fa&& of 789G#
On the 97st da! of .a!< 789:< I started on a 'ission to Canada 3est<
Leeds count!# I 2as ,one fro' '! fa'i&! se$en 'onths and t2ent! da!s#
On the 7:th da! of Feruar!< 789M< I a,ain &eft 1irt&and 2ith '!
fa'i&!< a 2ife and t2o s'a&& chi&dren< ta0in, 2ith 'e a&& the earth&!
,oods I *ossessed< 2hich consisted of one ed and our 2earin, a**are& of
the *&ainest 0ind< to continue '! 'ission in the sa'e re,ion of countr! as
efore#
In Ju&! fo&&o2in, the co''and'ent ca'e forth for 'e to occu*! a *&ace
in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e#
On the 7@th da! of .a!< 7898< I started 2ith a co'*an! of Saints<
'ade u* of 'en< 2o'en and their chi&dren< for the state of .issouri< 2here
2e &anded 2ith a co'*an! occu*!in, thirt! 2a,ons< in the first 2ee0 of
Octoer< at a *&ace ca&&ed De 3itt< so'e si/ 'i&es ao$e the out&et of
5rand ri$er< on the north side of the .issouri ri$er< 2here 2e 2ere
attac0ed ! an ar'ed 'o< and ! the' ararous&! treated for near&! t2o
2ee0s# 3e then 2ent to Far 3est< Ca&d2e&& count!< 2here 2e united 2ith
the ,enera& od! of the Church< and 2ith the' *artici*ated in a&& the
,rie$ous *ersecutions *racticed on the Church ! 'eans of a furious 'o<
! 2hich 'eans I uried one 2ife and t2o chi&dren as 'art!rs to our ho&!
re&i,ion< since the! died throu,h e/tre'e sufferin, for the 2ant of the
co''on co'forts of &ife--2hich I 2as not a&&o2ed to *ro$ide e$en 2ith '!
'one!#
On the 7Nth da! of Dece'er< 7898< at Far 3est< E&der John Ta!&or and
'!se&f 2ere ordained as A*ost&es under the hands of E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,
and Heer C# 1i'a&&< in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e< to fi&& so'e $acancies
in the >uoru'< 2hich had occurred ! a*ostasies# In t2o !ear+s ti'e I had
a*ti4ed u*2ards of si/ hundred *ersons< and tra$e&ed 'ore than fi$e
thousand 'i&es< *rinci*a&&! on foot and under the 'ost e/tre'e *o$ert!<
re&ati$e to earth! 'eans< ein, sustained a&one ! the *o2er of 5od and
not of 'an< or the 2isdo' of the 2or&d#--JOHN E# )A5E#
Da$id H# Redfie&d< it 2i&& e re'e'ered< 2as the 'essen,er fro' the
citi4ens of Ca&d2e&& count! to the .issouri state &e,is&ature< earin,
2ith hi' the *etition of the 7Dth of Dece'er< and it is< of course< fro'
his re*ort of the 'anner in 2hich the *etition 2as recei$ed and the re*ort
of the deate thereon that the )ro*het 'a0es u* his account of that
affair#
The i&& *ro$idin, for an in$esti,ation of the -.or'on- difficu&ties
2as fina&&! &aid u*on the ta&e unti& the @th of Ju&! in the house ! a
$ote of @8 in fa$or of such action and 9M a,ainst such *rocedure# Se$en
'e'ers 2ere asent# The 'atter 2as not a,ain ta0en u* unti& the
&e,is&ature of 78@D< of 2hich 'ore &ater#
Of this 'atter of distriutin, the &e,is&ature+s a**ro*riation the
&ate )resident John Ta!&or in his discussion 2ith Schu!&er Co&fa/<
%ice-)resident of the United States< 78MD< sa!s( -The &e,is&ature of
.issouri< to co$er their infa'!< a**ro*riated the 'unificent EBF su' of
RH<DDD to he&* the sufferin, +.or'ons#+ Their a,ent too0 a fe2 'isera&e
tra*s< the s2ee*in,s of an o&d store? for the a&ance of the *atri'on! he
sent into Da$iess count! and 0i&&ed our ho,s< 2hich 2e 2ere then *re$ented
fro' doin,< and rou,ht the' to feed the *oor +.or'ons+ as *art of the
&e,is&ati$e a**ro*riation# This I sa2#-
The ao$e reso&ution 2as offered ! .r# 3i&&ia' .# Ca'*e&& in the
Senate< and the three reso&utions of the 78th of Dece'er 2ere in .r#
Turner+s re*ort to the Senate of that date< and are as fo&&o2s(
Reso&$ed# That it is ine/*edient at this ti'e< to *rosecute further
the in>uir! into the causes of the &ate disturances and the conduct of
the 'i&itar! o*erations in su**ressin, the'#
Reso&$ed< That it is ine/*edient to *u&ish at this ti'e< an! of the
docu'ents acco'*an!in, the ,o$ernor+s 'essa,e in re&ation to the &ate
disturances#
Reso&$ed< That it is e/*edient to a**oint a =oint co''ittee co'*osed
of ---- Senators< and ---- Re*resentati$es to in$esti,ate the cause of
said disturances< and the conduct of the 'i&itar! o*erations in
su**ressin, the'< to 'eet at such ti'e< and to e in$ested 2ith such
*o2ers as 'a! e *rescried ! &a2#- See the 2ho&e re*ort of .r#
Turner+s< at **# H9G-8#
The *re$ious docu'ent here referred to< does not a**ear in this
histor! as heretofore *u&ished< nor is it to e found in an! of the
'anuscri*ts in the historian+s office#
3ho' these initia&s re*resent cannot e ascertained< or 2hether the!
re*resent one *erson or three# The! e$ident&! re*resent secret friends or
a friend of the )ro*het at Liert!< C&a! count!< 2i&&in, to ur,e this
'atter u*on the attention of .r# Hu,hes and a&so u*on the House#
At an! rate .r# Turner+s i&& *ro$idin, for an e&aorate
in$esti,ation 2as ne$er ta0en fro' the ta&e# In the &e,is&ature<
ho2e$er< 2hich con$ened in 78@D-@7< the su=ect of the -.or'on-
difficu&ties 2as a,ain ta0en u* on reco''endation of 5o$ernor "o,,s< 2ho
conc&udes 2hat he had to sa! in his 'essa,e in this &an,ua,e# -To e/*&ain
the attitude 2hich 2e ha$e een 'ade to assu'e I 2ou&d reco''end the
*u&ication of a&& the e$ents re&atin, to the occurrence< and distriutin,
the sa'e to the chief authorities of each state#- In *ursuance of this
reco''endation of the =oint co''ittee a**ointed fro' the senate and house
'ade a co&&ection of docu'ents on the su=ect co$erin, 7:H *a,es# In the
co&&ection< ho2e$er< there are none of the state'ents< *etitions< or
re*resentations 'ade to the *u&ic or the &e,is&ature ! the Saints# The
docu'ents consist in *art of the action of the res*ecti$e houses in the
a**oint'ent of co''ittees and re*orts of those co''ittees reco''endin,
in$esti,ations< etc#? of the re*orts and 'i&itar! orders of the 'i&itia
,enera&s( 2hi&e the re'ainder of the *a'*h&et is 'ade u* of the e/ *arte
testi'on! ta0en efore Jud,e 1in, at Rich'ond< concernin, 2hich testi'on!
the Turner senate co''ittee in re*ortin, to the senate< under date of
Dece'er 78< 7898< said( It -is 'anifest&! not such e$idence as ou,ht to
e recei$ed ! the co''ittee(
-First< ecause it is not authenticated? and<
-Second< it is confined chief&! to the o=ect of the in>uir!< na'e&!<
the in$esti,ation of cri'ina& char,es a,ainst indi$idua&s under arrest#-
The action of the &e,is&ature in the 'atter 2as a -2hite-2ashin,
affair<- to use a *hrase co''on in such cases# It 2as an atte'*t to
$indicate the state of .issouri in her treat'ent of the Latter-da! Saints#
The effort< ho2e$er< 2as in $ain# The truths in re&ation to those
transactions< in s*ite of a&& the efforts of the &e,is&ature< 2ere 0no2n<
and the state+s atte'*t to den! the' ! a *u&ication of docu'ents ,i$in,
a hearin, to ut one side of the case< on&! e'*hasi4ed the cri'e#
Feruar! Mth# An e$ent occurred on this date 2hich ou,ht not to e
o'itted fro' this histor!< as it thro2s ,reat &i,ht u*on the *rison &ife
of the )ro*het and his associates< u*on the character of the )ro*het
hi'se&f< and the ,reat faith his associates had in his *ro*hetic *o2ers#
This e$ent< and so'e others of e>ua& interest 2ere re&ated ! A&e/ander
.cRae< one of the fe&&o2 *risoners of the )ro*het< in t2o co''unications
to the Deseret Ne2s< under the dates of Octoer Nth< and No$e'er 7st<
res*ecti$e&!< of the !ear 78G@# At that ti'e -The Histor! of Jose*h
S'ith- 2as ein, *u&ished in current nu'ers of the Ne2s< and "rother
.cRae< then "isho* of the E&e$enth 3ard of Sa&t La0e Cit!< ein, sur*rised
at the o'ission in the narrati$e of the )ro*het of 'an! ite's of interest
concernin, their *rison &ife< 2rote the fo&&o2in, &etters to the Ne2s(
Letter of A&e/ander .cRae to the Deseret Ne2s
SALT LA1E CITY< UTAH< Oct# N< 78G@
.r# Editor(--In readin, the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith as *u&ished in
the Ne2s &ast 2inter< and es*ecia&&! that *art of it 2hich re&ates to his
i'*rison'ent in Liert! =ai&< .issouri< I see there are 'an! interestin,
facts 2hich are o'itted? and as I had the honor of ein, a fe&&o2 *risoner
2ith hi'< I thou,ht I 2ou&d 2rite so'e of those incidents for the
satisfaction of an! of !our readers 2ho 'a! fee& interested in the'#
Durin, our i'*rison'ent< 2e had 'an! $isitors< oth friends and
ene'ies# A'on, the &atter< 'an! 2ere an,r! 2ith "rother Jose*h< and
accused hi' of 0i&&in, a son< a rother< or so'e re&ati$e of theirs< at
2hat 2as ca&&ed the Croo0ed Ri$er "att&e# This &oo0ed rather stran,e to
'e< that so 'an! shou&d c&ai' a son< or a rother 0i&&ed there< 2hen the!
re*orted on&! one 'an 0i&&ed#
A'on, our friends 2ho $isited us< 2ere )residents "ri,ha' Youn, and
Heer C# 1i'a&& Ino2--i#e# at the ti'e this &etter 2as 2ritten< 78G@J< of
the First )residenc!--the &atter se$era& ti'es? 5eor,e A# S'ith< of the
>uoru' of the T2e&$e? Don C# S'ith< rother of Jose*h< ca'e se$era& ti'es<
and rou,ht so'e of our fa'i&ies to see us# "en=a'in Co$e!< "isho* of the
T2e&fth 3ard of this cit!< rou,ht each of us a ne2 *air of oots< and
'ade us a *resent of the'# Ja'es S&oan< his 2ife and dau,hter< ca'e
se$era& ti'es# A&anson Ri*&e! a&so $isited us< and 'an! others< 2ho' to
na'e 2ou&d e too tedious# Orin )# Roc02e&& rou,ht us refresh'ents 'an!
ti'es? and Jane "&e$en and her dau,hter rou,ht ca0es< *ies< etc#< and
handed the' in at the 2indo2# These thin,s he&*ed us 'uch< as our food
2as $er! coarse< and so fi&th! that 2e cou&d not eat it unti& 2e 2ere
dri$en to it ! hun,er#
After 2e had een there so'e ti'e< and had tried e$er! 'eans 2e cou&d
to otain our &iert! ! the &a2< 2ithout effect Ee/ce*t Sidne! Ri,don 2ho
2as ai&ed outF< and a&so ha$in, heard< fro' a re&ia&e source< that it
had een stated in the *u&ic street< ! the 'ost inf&uentia& 'en in that
*art of the countr!< that -the .or'on *risoners 2ou&d ha$e to e conde'ned
or the character of the state 2ou&d ha$e to ,o do2n<- 2e ca'e to the
conc&usion that 2e 2ou&d tr! other 'eans to effect it#
Accordin,&!< on the Mth da! of Feruar!< 789N< after counse&in,
to,ether on the su=ect< 2e conc&uded to tr! to ,o that e$enin, 2hen the
=ai&or ca'e 2ith our su**er? ut "rother H!ru'< efore decidin, fu&&!< and
to 'a0e it 'ore sure< as0ed "rother Jose*h to in>uire of the Lord as to
the *ro*riet! of the 'o$e# He did so< and recei$ed ans2er to this
effect--that if 2e 2ere a&& a,reed< 2e cou&d ,o c&ear that e$enin,? and if
2e 2ou&d as0< 2e shou&d ha$e a testi'on! for ourse&$es# I i''ediate&!
as0ed< and had not no 'ore than as0ed< unti& I recei$ed as c&ear a
testi'on! as e$er I did of an!thin, in '! &ife< that it 2as true# "rother
H!ru' S'ith and Ca&e "a&d2in ore testi'on! to the sa'e( ut L!'an 3i,ht
said 2e 'i,ht ,o if 2e chose< ut he 2ou&d not# After ta&0in, 2ith hi'
for so'e ti'e< he said< -if 2e 2ou&d 2ait unti& the ne/t da!< he 2ou&d ,o
2ith us#- 3ithout thin0in, 2e had no *ro'ise of success on an! other da!
than the one ao$e stated< 2e a,reed to 2ait#
3hen ni,ht ca'e< the =ai&or ca'e a&one 2ith our su**er< thre2 the
door 2ide o*en< *ut our su**er on the ta&e< and 2ent to the ac0 *art of
the roo'< 2here a *i&e of oo0s &a!< too0 u* a oo0< and 2ent to readin,<
&ea$in, us et2een hi' and the door< there! ,i$in, us e$er! chance to ,o
if 2e had een read!# As the ne/t da! 2as a,reed u*on< 2e 'ade no atte'*t
to ,o that e$enin,#
3hen the ne/t e$enin, ca'e< the case 2as $er! different? the =ai&er
rou,ht a dou&e ,uard 2ith hi'< and 2ith the' si/ of our rethren<
to-2it#( Erastus Sno2< 3i&&ia' D# Huntin,ton< C!rus Danie&s< Da$id
Ho&e'an< A&anson Ri*&e! and 3atson "ar&o2# I 2as after2ards infor'ed that
the! 2ere sent ! the Church# The =ai&er see'ed to e ad&! scared? he
had the door &oc0ed and e$er!thin, 'ade secure# It &oo0ed &i0e a ad
chance to ,et a2a!< ut 2e 2ere deter'ined to tr! it? so 2hen the =ai&er
started out< 2e started too# "rother H!ru' too0 ho&d of the door< and the
rest fo&&o2ed? ut efore 2e 2ere a&e to render hi' the assistance he
needed< the =ai&er and ,uard succeeded in c&osin, the door< shuttin, the
rethren in 2ith us< e/ce*t C!rus Danie&s< 2ho 2as on the outside#
As soon as the atte'*t 2as 'ade inside< he too0 t2o of the ,uards<
one under each ar'< and ran do2n the stairs that &ed to the door< it ein,
in the second stor!# 3hen he reached the ,round the! ,ot a2a! fro' hi'?
and seein, 2e had fai&ed to ,et out< he started to run< ut *ut his foot
in a ho&e and fe&&< a u&&et fro' one of the ,uards *assed $er! c&ose to
his head< and he thin0s the fa&& sa$ed his &ife#
The scene that fo&&o2ed this defies descri*tion# I shou&d =ud,e<
fro' the nu'er< that a&& the to2n< and 'an! fro' the countr!< ,athered
around the =ai&< and e$er! 'ode of torture and death that their
i'a,ination cou&d fanc!< 2as *ro*osed for us< such as &o2in, u* the =ai&<
ta0in, us out and 2hi**in, us to death< shootin, us< urnin, us to death<
tearin, us to *ieces 2ith horses< etc# "ut the! 2ere so di$ided a'on,
the'se&$es that the! cou&d not carr! out an! of their *&ans< and 2e
esca*ed unhurt#
Durin, this ti'e< so'e of our rethren s*o0e of our ein, in ,reat
dan,er? and I confess I fe&t that 2e 2ere# "ut "rother Jose*h to&d the'
-not to fear< that not a hair of their heads shou&d e hurt< and that the!
shou&d not &ose an! of their thin,s< e$en to a rid&e< sadd&e< or &an0et?
that e$er!thin, shou&d e restored to the'? the! had offered their &i$es
for us and the 5os*e&? that it 2as necessar! the Church shou&d offer a
sacrifice< and the Lord acce*ted the offerin,#-
The rethren had ne/t to under,o a tria&< ut the e/cite'ent 2as so
,reat that the! Ithe officersJ dare not ta0e the' out unti& it aated a
&itt&e# 3hi&e the! 2ere 2aitin, for their tria&< so'e of the rethren
e'*&o!ed &a2!ers to defend the'# "rother IErastusJ Sno2 as0ed "rother
Jose*h 2hether he had etter e'*&o! a &a2!er or not# "rother Jose*h to&d
hi' to *&ead his o2n case# -"ut<- said "rother Sno2< -I do not understand
the &a2#- "rother Jose*h as0ed hi' if he did not understand =ustice? he
thou,ht he did# -3e&&<- said "rother Jose*h< -,o and *&ead for =ustice as
hard as !ou can< and >uote "&ac0stone and other authors no2 and then< and
the! 2i&& ta0e it a&& for &a2#-
He did as he 2as to&d< and the resu&t 2as as Jose*h had said it 2ou&d
e? for 2hen he ,ot throu,h his *&ea< the &a2!ers f&oc0ed around hi'< and
as0ed hi' 2here he had studied &a2< and said the! had ne$er heard a etter
*&ea# 3hen the tria& 2as o$er "rother Sno2 2as dischar,ed< and a&& the
rest 2ere he&d to ai&< and 2ere a&&o2ed to ai& each other< ! "rother
Sno2 ,oin, ai& 2ith the'? and the! said the! ,ot e$er!thin, that 2as
ta0en fro' the< and nothin, 2as &ost< a&thou,h no t2o artic&es 2ere in one
*&ace# .ore anon#
Yours res*ectfu&&!<
ALE6ANDER .CRAE
Second Letter of A&e/ander .cRae to the Deseret Ne2s
SALT LA1E CITY< UTAH< No$# 7< 78G@#
.r# Editor(--So'eti'e durin, our sta! in Liert! =ai& an atte'*t 2as
'ade to destro! us ! *oison# I su**osed it 2as ad'inistered in either
tea or coffee< ut as I did not use either< I esca*ed unhurt< 2hi&e a&&
2ho did 2ere sore&! aff&icted< so'e ein, &ind t2o or three da!s< and it
2as on&! ! 'uch faith and *ra!er that the effect 2as o$erco'e#
3e ne$er suffered ourse&$es to ,o into an! i'*ortant 'easure 2ithout
as0in, "rother Jose*h to in>uire of the Lord in re&ation to it# Such 2as
our confidence in hi' as a )ro*het< that 2hen he said -Thus saith the
Lord<- 2e 2ere confident it 2ou&d e as he said? and the 'ore 2e tried it<
the 'ore confidence 2e had< for 2e ne$er found his 2ord fai& in a sin,&e
instance#
A short ti'e efore 2e 2ere to ,o to Da$iess count! for tria&< 2ord
ca'e to us that either 5enera& Atchison or Doni*han< 2ou&d raise a
'i&itar! force< and ,o 2ith us to *rotect us fro' the 2rath of that
*eo*&e# The 'atter 2as discussed ! the rethren Ee/ce*t "rother Jose*hF<
and the! natura&&! enou,h conc&uded it 2ou&d e est? and a&thou,h I had
nothin, to sa!< I concurred 2ith the' in '! fee&in,s# "rother H!ru' as0ed
"rother Jose*h 2hat he thou,ht of it# "rother Jose*h hun, his head a fe2
'o'ents< and see'ed in a dee* stud!< and then raised u* and said< -"rother
H!ru'< it 2i&& not do? 2e 'ust trust in the Lord? if 2e ta0e a ,uard 2ith
us 2e sha&& e destro!ed#-
This 2as $er! une/*ected to us< ut "rother H!ru' re'ar0ed< -If !ou
sa! it in the na'e of the Lord< 2e 2i&& re&! on it#- Said "rother Jose*h<
-In the na'e of the Lord< if 2e ta0e a ,uard 2ith us< 2e 2i&& e
destro!ed? ut if 2e *ut our trust in the Lord< 2e sha&& e safe< and no
har' sha&& efa&& us< and 2e sha&& e etter treated than 2e ha$e e$er
een since 2e ha$e een *risoners#-
This sett&ed the >uestion< and a&& see'ed satisfied< and it 2as
decided that 2e shou&d ha$e no e/tra ,uard< and the! had on&! such a ,uard
as the! chose for our safe 0ee*in,# 3hen 2e arri$ed at the *&ace 2here
the court 2as he&d< I e,an to thin0 he 2as 'ista0en for once< for the
*eo*&e rushed u*on us en 'asse< cr!in,< -1i&& the<( --- --- the'< 0i&&
the'#- I cou&d see no chance for esca*e< un&ess 2e cou&d fi,ht our 2a!
throu,h< and 2e had nothin, to do it 2ith# At this< "rother Jose*h< at
2ho' a&& see'ed to rush< rose u* and said< -3e are in !our hands? if 2e
are ,ui&t!< 2e refuse not to e *unished ! the &a2#- Hearin, these
2ords< t2o of the 'ost itter 'oocrats in the countr!--one ! the na'e of
3i&&ia' )eniston and the other 1inne!< or .c1inne!< I do not re'e'er
2hich--,ot u* on enches and e,an to s*ea0 to the *eo*&e< sa!in,< -Yes<
,ent&e'en< these 'en are in our hands? &et us not use $io&ence< ut &et
the &a2 ha$e its course? the &a2 2i&& conde'n the'< and the! 2i&& e
*unished ! it# 3e do not 2ant the dis,race of ta0in, the &a2 into our
o2n hands#-
In a $er! fe2 'inutes the! 2ere >uieted< and the! see'ed no2 as
friend&! as the! had a fe2 'inutes efore een enra,ed# Li>uor 2as
*rocured< and 2e a&& had to drin0 in to0en of friendshi*# This too0 *&ace
in the court-roo' Ea s'a&& &o, cain aout t2e&$e feet s>uareF< durin, the
ad=ourn'ent of the court? and fro' that ti'e unti& 2e ,ot a2a!< the! cou&d
not *ut a ,uard o$er us 2ho 2ou&d not eco'e so friend&! that the! dare
not trust the'< and the ,uard 2as $er! fre>uent&! chan,ed# 3e 2ere seated
at the first ta&e 2ith the =ud,e< &a2!ers< etc#< and had the est the
countr! afforded< 2ith feather eds to s&ee* on--a *ri$i&e,e 2e had not
efore en=o!ed in a&& our i'*rison'ent#
On one occasion< 2hi&e 2e 2ere there< the ao$e-na'ed 3i&&ia'
)eniston< *art&! in =o0e and *art&! in earnest< thre2 out a rather hard
insinuation a,ainst so'e of the rethren# This touched Jose*h+s fee&in,s<
and he retorted a ,ood dea& in the sa'e 2a!< on&! 2ith such *o2er that the
earth see'ed to tre'&e under this feet< and said< -Your heart is as &ac0
as !our 2his0ers<- 2hich 2ere as &ac0 as an! cro2# He see'ed to >ua0e
under it and &eft the roo'#
The ,uards< 2ho had eco'e friend&!< 2ere a&ar'ed for our safet!< and
e/c&ai'ed< -O< .r# S'ith< do not ta&0 so? !ou 2i&& rin, trou&e u*on
!ourse&f and co'*anions#- "rother Jose*h re*&ied< -Do not e a&ar'ed? I
0no2 2hat I a' aout#- He a&2a!s too0 u* for the rethren< 2hen their
characters 2ere assai&ed< sooner than for hi'se&f< no 'atter ho2 un*o*u&ar
it 2as to s*ea0 in their fa$or#
Yours as e$er<
ALE6ANDER .cRAE
It 2i&& e re'e'ered that 2hen the first >uoru' of the T2e&$e 2as
or,ani4ed the )ro*het arran,ed the 'e'ers in the order of their standin,
accordin, to their a,e# Thereafter and no2 the! ho&d their *&aces in the
>uoru' accordin, to seniorit! of ordination# A fu&& e/*&anation of this
'atter is ,i$en in the HISTORY OF THE CHURCH< $o&u'e II< **# H7N-HD# See
foot notes#
A'on, others 2ho ca&&ed to see the )ro*het in *rison aout this ti'e
2as .rs# Nor'an "u&&? ut a**arent&! she 2as not a&&o2ed to ha$e the
co$eted inter$ie2< and hence the *ro*het 2rote to her# The &etter here
inserted a**ears in the 'anuscri*t histor! of the Church< ut not unti&
no2 has it een *u&ished# It is i'*ortant as sho2in, the fra'e of 'ind
the )ro*het 2as in< and his an/iet! to ad'inister co'fort< and ,i$e
he&*fu& counse& to the Saints#
3hen the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith 2as ein, *u&ished in the Deseret
Ne2s< and the ao$e *art of the Histor! 2as reached< Har&o2 Redfie&d sent
the fo&&o2in, co''unications to the Editors $indicatin, hi'se&f fro' the
char,e of aidin, .cLe&&in in his roeries# It a**ears in the Ne2s of
.arch 7:< 78G@#
To the Editor of The Deseret Ne2s(
SIR--In the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith< *u&ished Feruar! H< Ne2s No#
G< I find '! na'e associated 2ith others< as aidin, .cLe&&in and others in
*&underin, the house of Jose*h S'ith 2hi&e in *rison# This is incorrect#
The e/cite'ent of those ti'es 2as sufficient reason for the ru'or ,oin,
aroad incorrect&!(
I 2as at H!ru' S'ith+s house< rather ! accident than ! desi,n< in
co'*an! 2ith .cLe&&in and "urr Ri,,s< at a ti'e 2hen the! too0 so'e oo0s<
etc#< ut 2as not 2ith the' 2hen the! 2ent to Jose*h+s# Soon after the
ru'or ,ot af&oat? I e/*&ained the 'atter efore the Counci& in .issouri
satisfactori&!< as I su**osed< ut so'e ti'e after< an ene'!< in '!
asence< a,ain a,itated the su=ect efore the Conference in Nau$oo< 2hich
&ed to an in>uir! efore the Hi,h Counci& in *resence of Jose*h and H!ru'<
and the su=ect a**earin, in its true &i,ht< Jose*h instructed the Counci&
to ,i$e 'e a certificate of ac>uitta&< that 2ou&d c&ose e$er! 'an+s 'outh#
The fo&&o2in, is the certificate< $i4(--
-The Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints
'et at Nau$oo< HDth Octoer< 78@D< to consider the case of Har&o2
Redfie&d< a,ainst 2ho' certain accusations 2ere rou,ht at our &ast
conference< in conse>uence of 2hich< he 2as sus*ended< and his case
referred to the Hi,h Counci& for decision# 3e ein, or,ani4ed to
in$esti,ate his case< 2hen no char,e 2as rou,ht a,ainst hi'< nor did an
i'*&ication a**ear< nor do 2e e&ie$e that a char,e cou&d e sustained
a,ainst E&der Redfie&d# He $o&unteered confession of certain inad$ertent<
i'*rudent< IutJ no e$i& 'eanin, acts< that he ,reat&! sorro2ed for< and
as0ed for,i$eness for his fo&&! in such acts# This Counci& $oted that
E&der Redfie&d e for,i$en< and restored to his for'er officia& state and
standin,< and to e in fu&& fe&&o2shi*< the sa'e as if no e$i& insinuation
had e$er een rou,ht a,ainst hi'? and that he ta0e a transcri*t of these
*roceedin,s< to e si,ned ! the C&er0 of this 'eetin,#
-I here! certif! that the ao$e is a true transcri*t of the
*roceedin,s and decision of the aforesaid case#
-H# 5# SHER3OOD#-
I 2i&& on&! add that I had efore heard ho2 that -*oor Tra!- ,ot
2hi**ed for ein, in ad co'*an!< and it ou,ht to ha$e een a sufficient
2arnin, for 'e< and I truest it 2i&& e for the future#
I re'ain !our hu'&e ser$ant<
HARLO3 REDFIELD#
)ro$o< Fe# M< 78G@#
The fo&&o2in, i'*ortant co''unication of the )ro*het and his fe&&o2
*risoners to the Church at &ar,e< and to "isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e in
*articu&ar< 2as 2ritten et2een the HDth and HGth of .arch# In the
)ro*het+s histor! as *u&ished 'an! !ears a,o in current issues of the
Deseret Ne2s and .i&&enia& Star the co''unication is di$ided near the
'idd&e of it ! recitin, the fe2 incidents ha**enin, et2een the HDth and
HGth of .arch--the for'er ein, the date on 2hich the &etter 2as e,un<
the &atter the date on 2hich it 2as co'*&eted? ut in this *u&ication it
is thou,ht desira&e that the &etter e ,i$en 2ithout this di$ision< and
hence it a**ears under the date on 2hich it 2as co'*&eted< $i4< the HGth
of .arch< 789N# The *arts of the co''unication enc&osed in rac0ets and
dou&e &eaded 2ere re,arded of such s*ecia& $a&ue that the! 2ere ta0en
fro' this co''unication and *&aced in the Doctrine and Co$enants and
co'*rise sections c//i< c//ii< c//iii of that 2or0#
This a&&udes to another effort to esca*e fro' *rison esides the one
re&ated ! A&e/ander .cRae at **# HGM-8#
See Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c/$iii#
It 'ust e re'e'ered that this &etter 2as 2ritten under $er! ,reat
stress of fee&in,< and that accounts for its ,enera& harshness# It shou&d
a&so e re'e'ered that as Ed'und "ur0e said a &on, 2hi&e a,o--and it is
no2 acce*ted as a trueis'---It is not fair to =ud,e of the te'*er or
dis*osition of an! 'an< or an! set of 'en 2hen the! are co'*osed and at
rest< fro' their conduct or their e/*ressions in a state of disturance
and irritation#-
This refers to Francis .# Hi,ee< son of E&ias Hi,ee#
Undouted&! the ,uards< and for 'atter of that Jud,e "irch hi'se&f<
and a&so the e/-sheriff of Da$iess count!< 3i&&ia' "o2'an< conni$ed at the
esca*e of the *risoners# The stor! of the esca*e 2as after2ards to&d in
detai& ! H!ru' S'ith< as fo&&o2s( -The! ,ot us a chan,e of $enue fro'
Da$iess to "oone count!< and a 'itti'us 2as 'ade out ! the *retended
Jud,e "irch< 2ithout date< na'e< or *&ace# The! Ithe court officia&s at
5a&&atinJ fitted us out 2ith a t2o horse 2a,on< a horse and four 'en<
esides the sheriff< to e our ,uard# There 2ere fi$e of us that started
fro' 5a&&atin< the sun aout t2o hours hi,h< and 2ent as far as Diah'an
that e$enin,< and sta!ed ti&& 'ornin,# There 2e ou,ht t2o horses of the
,uard< and *aid for one of the' in our c&othin, 2hich 2e had 2ith us< and
for the other 2e ,a$e our note# 3e 2ent do2n that da! as far as Jud,e
.orin+s< a distance of so'e four or fi$e 'i&es# There 2e sta!ed unti& the
ne/t 'ornin,< 2hen 2e started on our =ourne! to "oone count!< and tra$e&ed
on the road aout t2ent! 'i&es distance# There 2e ou,ht a =u, of 2his0!<
2ith 2hich 2e treated the co'*an!< and 2hi&e there the sheriff sho2ed us
the 'itti'us efore referred to< 2ithout date or si,nature< and said that
Jud,e "irch to&d hi' ne$er to carr! us to "oone count!< and ne$er to sho2
the 'itti'us? and< said he< I sha&& ta0e a ,ood drin0 of ,ro,< and ,o to
ed< and !ou 'a! do as !ou ha$e a 'ind to# Three others of the ,uards
dran0 *rett! free&! of the 2his0!< s2eetened 2ith hone!# The! a&so 2ent
to ed< and 2ere soon as&ee* and the other ,uard 2ent a&on, 2ith us< and
he&*ed to sadd&e the horses# T2o of us 'ounted the horses< and the other
three started on foot< and 2e too0 our chan,e of $enue for the State of
I&&inois? and in the course of nine or ten da!s arri$ed safe&! at Auinc!<
Ada's count!< 2here 2e found our fa'i&ies in a state of *o$ert!< a&thou,h
in ,ood hea&th#- EFro' the affida$it of H!ru' S'ith efore the 'unici*a&
court of Nau$oo< ,i$en Ju&! 7< 78@9#F
The na'e of the sheriff in char,e of the *risoners 2as 3i&&ia'
.or,an< and u*on his return to 5a&&atin oth he and the e/-sheriff<
3i&&ia' "o2'an< 2ho 2as sus*ected of co'*&icit! in the esca*e of the
*risoners< recei$ed harsh treat'ent at the hands of the citi4ens of that
*&ace# The stor! is to&d in the -Histor! of Da$iess Count!<- *u&ished !
"irdsa&& P Dean< 788H< as fo&&o2s( -The *risoners too0 chan,e of $enue to
"oone count!< and the Da$iess count! officers started 2ith the *risoners
to their destination in "oone count!# So'e of the *risoners ha$in, no
horses< 3i&&ia' o2'an< the first sheriff of Da$iess count!< Iand no2
e/-sheriffJ< furnished the *risoners three horses< and the! &eft in char,e
of 3i&&ia' .or,an< the sheriff of the count!# The sheriff a&one returned
on horseac0< the ,uard 2ho acco'*anied hi' returnin, on foot< or ridin,
and t!in, ! turns# The sheriff re*orted that the *risoners had a&&
esca*ed in the ni,ht< ta0in, the horses 2ith the< and that a search 'ade
for the' *ro$ed una$ai&in,# The *eo*&e of 5a&&atin 2ere ,reat&!
e/ercised< and the! dis,raced the'se&$es ! $er! ruffian&! conduct# The!
rode the sheriff on a rai&< and "o2'an 2as dra,,ed o$er the s>uare ! the
hair of his head# The 'en ,ui&t! of these dastard&! acts< accused sheriff
.or,an and e/-Sheriff "o2'an of co'*&icit! in the esca*e of the .or'on
&eaders? that "o2'an furnished the horses< and that .or,an a&&o2ed the' to
esca*e< and oth ,ot 2e&& *aid for their treacher!# The truth of histor!
co'*e&s us to state that the char,es 2ere ne$er sustained ! an! e$idence
adduced ! the *ersons 2ho co''itted this f&a,rant act of 'o &a2#---See
ao$e na'ed histor!< *a,e# HD:#
The nu'er of 0i&&ed and 2ounded in the tra,ed! at Haun+s .i&&s<
Iaccordin, to infor'ation su**&ied ! the &ate Church Historian< Fran0&in
D# Richards< to the -Nationa& Historica& Co'*an!<- St# Louis< .issouri<
2hich issued a histor! of Ca&d2e&& and Li$in,ston counties< in 788:J< are
se$enteen of the for'er and thirteen of the &atter? and their na'es are
,i$en as fo&&o2s(
1ILLED#
Tho'as .c"eride< Si'on Co/<
Le$i N# .erric0< Hira' Aott<
E&ias "enner< John Yor0<
Josiah Fu&&er< John Lee<
"en=a'in Le2is< John .!ers<
A&e/ander Ca'*e&&< 3arren S'ith<
5eor,e S# Richards< Sardiu' S'ith< a,ed 7D#
3i&&ia' Na*ier< Char&es .erric0< a,ed N#
Au,ustine Harner<
3OUNDED#
Isaac Lane!< Jaco Haun< Efounder of the .i&&sF<
Nathan 1# 1ni,ht< Jaco Fout4<
Jaco .!ers< Jaco )otts<
5eor,e .!ers< Char&es Ji'ison<
3i&&ia' Yo0u'< John 3a&0er<
Tar&ton Le2is< A&'a S'ith< a,ed M !ears#
A !oun, .or'on 2o'an< .iss .ar! Sted2e&& 2as shot throu,h the hand<
as she 2as runnin, to the 2oods#
Fo&&o2in, the state'ent concernin, the 0i&&ed and 2ounded a'on, the
Saints< the histor! ao$e referred to< a&so sa!s( -The 'i&itia< or
Jennin,s+ 'en< had ut three 'en 2ounded< and none 0i&&ed# John Renfro2<
no2 I788:J &i$in, in Ra! count!< had a thu' shot off# A&&en En,&and< a
Da$iess count! 'an< 2as se$ere&! 2ounded in the thi,h< and the other
2ounded 'an 2as na'ed Hart#
-Dies iraeK 3hat a 2oefu& da! this had een to Haun+s .i&&sK 3hat a
*itifu& scene 2as there 2hen the 'i&itia rode a2a! u*on the conc&usion of
their &ood! 2or0B The 2ounded 'en had een ,i$en no attention< and the
odies of the s&ain 2ere &eft to fester and *utrif! in the Indian su''er
te'*erature< 2ar' and 'e&&o2in,# The 2ido2s and or*hans of the dead ca'e
ti'id&! and 2ari&! forth fro' their hidin, *&aces as soon as the troo*s
&eft< and as the! reco,ni4ed one a husand< another a father< another a
son< another a rother a'on, the &ood! cor*ses< the 2ai&in,s of ,rief and
terror that 2ent u* 2ere *itifu& and a,oni4in,# A&& that ni,ht the! 2ere
a&one 2ith their dead# A return $isit of Jennin,s+ 'en to co'*&ete the
2or0 of +e/ter'ination+ had een threatened and 2as $eri&!< the e/*erience
of the *oor sur$i$ors of the Haun+s .i&&s affair 2as terri&e? no 2onder
that the! &on, re'e'er it#---Histor! of Ca&d2e&& and Li$in,ston Counties<
.issouri# Nationa& Historica& Co'*an!< 788:#
See the *rediction of the )ro*het on the safet! of hi'se&f and fe&&o2
*risoners< this $o&u'e< *# HDD< note#
3i&ford 3oodruff 2as orn .arch 7< 78DM< at Far'in,ton Eno2 ca&&ed
A$onF< Hartford Count!< Connecticut# He 2as the son of A*he0 and "eu&ah
Tho'*son 3oodruff# His father< his ,randfather< E&dad 3oodruff< and his
,reat-,randfather< Josiah 3oodruff< 2ere 'en of stron, constitutions< and
2ere noted for their arduous 'anua& &aors# His ,reat-,randfather 2as
near&! one hundred !ears o&d 2hen he died< and 2as a&e to 2or0 unti&
short&! efore his decease# At an ear&! a,e 3i&ford assisted his father
on the Far'in,ton 'i&&s< and 2hen HD !ears of a,e< too0 char,e of a
f&ourin, 'i&& e&on,in, to his aunt< He&en 3hee&er< ho&din, the *osition
of 'ana,er for three !ears< 2hen he 2as *&aced in char,e of the Co&&ins
f&ourin, 'i&&s at South Canton< Connecticut< and suse>uent&! of the
f&ourin, 'i&& o2ned ! Richard "# Co2&es< of Ne2 Hartford< Connecticut#
In the s*rin, of 789H in co'*an! 2ith his rother A4'on 3oodruff< he 2ent
to Rich&and< Os2e,o count!< Ne2 Yor0< *urchased a far' and sa2'i&&< and
sett&ed do2n to usiness on his o2n account# On Dece'er HN< 7899< he and
his rother A4'on heard the 5os*e& *reached ! E&ders ;era )u&si*her and
E&i=ah Chene!< and the! oth e&ie$ed at once< entertained the E&ders<
offered the'se&$es for a*tis'< read the "oo0 of .or'on< and recei$ed the
di$ine testi'on! of its truth# He 2as a*ti4ed and confir'ed ! E&der
;era )u&si*her< Dece'er 97< 7899# At a $er! ear&! a,e 3i&ford 3oodruff
2as i'ued 2ith re&i,ious senti'ents< ut ne$er a&&ied hi'se&f 2ith an! of
the $arious sects# He recei$ed 'uch infor'ation fro' Roert .ason< 2ho
resided at Si'sur!< Connecticut< and 2as ca&&ed -the o&d )ro*het .ason#-
He tau,ht that no 'an had authorit! to ad'inister in the thin,s of 5od
2ithout re$e&ation fro' 5od? that the 'odern re&i,ious societies 2ere
2ithout that authorit!? that the ti'e 2ou&d co'e 2hen the true Church
2ou&d e esta&ished 2ith a&& its ,ifts and ,races and 'anifestations< and
that the sa'e &essin,s en=o!ed in the ear&! Christian Church cou&d e
otained in this a,e throu,h faith# This &ed the !outhfu& 3i&ford to ho&d
a&oof fro' the churches of the da!< and to desire and *ra! for the co'in,
of an A*ost&e or other ins*ired 'an to sho2 the 2a! of &ife# For three
!ears *re$ious to recei$in, the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< he 2as i'*ressed 2ith
the con$iction that 5od 2as aout to set u* His Church and 0in,do' on the
earth in the &ast da!s< and for the &ast ti'e< hence< he 2as *re*ared to
recei$e the truth 2hen it 2as *resented to hi' ! the E&ders# On Januar!
H< 789@< he 2as ordained a Teacher< and on Feruar! 7st< ein, $isited !
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< he 2as instructed to *re*are hi'se&f to =oin the
od! of the Church at 1irt&and# He i''ediate&! co''enced to sett&e u* his
usiness< and started 2ith 2a,on and horses< and arri$ed in 1irt&and A*ri&
HG< 789@# There he 'et 2ith the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< and 'an! &eadin,
E&ders< and recei$ed 'uch &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e# A 2ee0 &ater he 2ent to
Ne2 )orta,e< 2here he =oined the co'*an! of $o&unteers 2hich 2as or,ani4ed
! the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< and 0no2n as -;ion+s Ca'*<- to ,o into
.issouri for the re&ief of the sufferin, Saints in that state# He
re'ained 2ith the ca'* throu,h a&& its tra$e&s and tria&s< unti& it 2as
dis*ersed in C&a! count!< .issouri# C C C C At a 'eetin, of the Hi,h
Counci& in L!'an 3i,ht+s house< No$e'er G< 789@< "rother 3oodruff 2as
ordained a )riest ! E&der Si'eon Carter< and 2as short&! after2ards sent
on a 'ission to the Southern States# C C C C On A*ri& 79< 789M< he
'arried )hee 3# Carter# C C C C In Ju&! of the sa'e !ear< 2hen enroute
for a 'ission to the Fo/ Is&ands< he *reached at Far'in,ton< Connecticut<
and con$erted se$era& 'e'ers of his father+s house# In Au,ust he arri$ed
in Fo/ Is&ands# EFor an account of his success in that 'ission see $o&u'e
H< *a,e GDM< and noteF# In Ju&!< 7898< he a,ain $isited Far'in,ton<
Connecticut< and resu'ed his &aors in the 'inistr!< succeedin, in
con$ertin, his father and ste*-'other? his sister Eunice< and se$era&
other re&ati$es# .eanti'e< he had een ca&&ed ! re$e&ation Esee Doctrine
and Co$enants< section c/$iiiF to fi&& a $acanc! in the >uoru' of the
T2e&$e A*ost&es< and 2as ordained under the circu'stances ,i$en in the
'inutes of the 'eetin, of the T2e&$e A*ost&es at Far 3est< A*ri& H:< 789N#
EThe fore,oin, account of 3i&ford 3oodruff+s &ife is ta0en 'ain&! fro' a
s0etch 2ritten ! Fran0&in D# Richards< historian of the Church< at the
re>uest of 3i&ford 3oodruff#F
Fo&&o2in, is the *ro*het+s account of 5eor,e A# S'ith(--
-5eor,e A# S'ith< son of John and C&arissa S'ith< 2as orn June H:<
787M< in )otsda'< St# La2rence count!< Ne2 Yor0# 3hen nine !ears o&d he
recei$ed a &o2 on the head 2hich de*ri$ed hi' of his senses aout three
2ee0s# Fi$e noted *h!sicians decided that he 'ust e tre*anned< or he
2ou&d not reco$er# His father dis'issed the' on this decision< e&ie$in,
that 5od 2ou&d hea& his son? and he fir'&! e&ie$es that He did hea& hi'
in ans2er to the *ra!er of faith# He 2as ear&! trained ! his *arents<
2ho 2ere )res!terians< to re&i,ious haits< and to a re,u&ar attendance
in the Saath schoo&# Hence he had ear&! and an/ious desires to 0no2 the
2a! of &ife? ut 2as not satisfied 2ith the sects#
-In the su''er of 789D< 2hen '! father and '! rother Don Car&os
$isited re&ati$es in St# La2rence count!< 5eor,e A# eca'e con$inced of
the truth of the "oo0 of .or'on< and fro' that ti'e defended the cause
a,ainst those 2ho o**osed it#
-His 'other 2as a*ti4ed in Au,ust< 7897# His father 2as a*ti4ed on
the ninth of Januar!< 789H< and ordained an E&der# He had een ,i$en u*
! the doctors to die of consu'*tion# The 2eather 2as e/tre'e&! co&d< and
the ice had to e cut# Fro' that ti'e he ,ained hea&th and stren,th#
5eor,e A# 2as a*ti4ed on the 7Dth of Se*te'er< 789H< and on the 7st of
.a!< 7899< his father and fa'i&! too0 &ea$e of their o&d ho'e and re'o$ed
to 1irt&and< Ohio# 5eor,e A# s*ent the season in &aorin, on the Te'*&e<
a&thou,h 'uch aff&icted 2ith inf&a''ation of the e!es#
-On the Gth of .a!< 789@< he started for ;ion< in the ca'*< and acted
his *art 2e&& as '! ar'or-earer a&thou,h sti&& 'uch aff&icted 2ith sore
e!es# On the t2ent!-ei,hth he 2as attac0ed ! the cho&era< ut 2as
de&i$ered ! faith# He 2as ordained into the first Se$ent! under '! hands
on the 7st of .arch< 789G< ein, se$enteen !ears o&d# He &eft on the Gth
of June< in co'*an! 2ith L!'an S'ith< for the State of Ne2 Yor0< to *reach
the 5os*e& 2ithout *urse or scri*# Tra$e&ed t2o thousand 'i&es< a*ti4ed
ei,ht< he&d ei,ht! 'eetin,s< and returned on the Hnd of No$e'er# S*ent
the 2inter in schoo&< 'uch aff&icted 2ith the rheu'atis'# In the s*rin,<
su''er< and fa&& of 789:< he *reached in different *arts of Ohio 2ith ,ood
success# Returned and 2ent to schoo& in the 2inter# On the :th of June<
789M< he too0 &ea$e of 'e and started 2ith '! &essin, for the South#
After a successfu& 'ission of ten 'onths< 'ost&! in %ir,inia< he returned
and assisted his father in 'o$in, to Far 3est< .issouri# He 2as ordained
a Hi,h Counci&or at Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and sent on a 'ission to the south in
co'*an! 2ith Don Car&os S'ith? returned aout the HGth of Dece'er#
-He $isited 'e 2hi&e in Liert! =ai&< 2hen I 'ade 0no2n to hi' that
he 2as a**ointed to fi&& the *&ace of Tho'as "# .arsh in the >uoru' of the
T2e&$e A*ost&es# He assisted in 'o$in, the Saints out of Far 3est< and
returned 2ith the t2e&$e to fu&fi&& the re$e&ation concernin, the T2e&$e
ta0in, their &ea$e of the Saints on the ui&din, site of the Te'*&e at Far
3est#-
This &etter 2as 2ritten< it 2i&& e oser$ed in 789N# It cannot fai&
to e of interest to a&& to see the 'ar0ed chan,e 2hich in 'ore recent
!ears has co'e o$er Je2ish thou,ht concernin, Jesus of Na4areth# Ne*hi
*ro*hesied o$er fi$e hundred !ears "#C# that in the &atter da!s the Je2s
2ou&d e,in to e&ie$e in Christ< and shou&d e,in to ,ather in u*on the
face of the &and ,i$en to their fathers# In the !ear 7ND7 Dr# Isaac 1#
Fun0< for Fun0 and 3a,na&&s< *u&ished an edition of Dr# 5eor,e Cro&!+s
2or0 entit&ed< -Se&athie& the I''orta&<- or -The 3anderin, Je2#- This
2or0 2as first *u&ished in 78HM# Dr# Fun0 ,a$e the oo0 the tit&e<
-Tarr! Thou Ti&& I Co'e<- and in the a**endi/ of the 2or0 he *u&ished
so'e t2ent!-se$en &etters recei$ed fro' distin,uished Je2s in res*onse to
his >uestion< -3hat is the Je2ish thou,ht toda! of Jesus of Na4arethB-
Fro' this ,reat nu'er of ans2ers to this >uestion< the fo&&o2in,
re*resent the ,enera& trend of the 2ho&e co&&ection#
-I re,ard Jesus of Na4areth as a Je2 of the Je2s< one 2ho' a&& Je2ish
*eo*&e are &earnin, to &o$e# His teachin, has een an i''ense ser$ice to
the 2or&d in rin,in, Israe&+s 5od to the 0no2&ed,e of hundreds of
'i&&ions of 'an0ind# The ,reat chan,e in Je2ish thou,ht concernin, Jesus
of Na4areth< I cannot etter i&&ustrate than ! this fact(
-3hen I 2as a o!< had '! father< 2ho 2as a $er! *ious 'an< heard the
na'e of Jesus uttered fro' the *u&*it of our s!na,o,ue< he and e$er! other
'an in the con,re,ation 2ou&d ha$e &eft the ui&din,< and the rai 2ou&d
ha$e een dis'issed at once#
-No2< it is not stran,e in 'an! s!na,o,ues< to hear ser'ons *reached
eu&o,istic of this Jesus< and nood! thin0s of *rotestin,--in fact< 2e are
a&& ,&ad to c&ai' Jesus as one of our *eo*&e#-
-ISADORE SIN5ER-
Ne2 Yor0< .arch HG< 7ND7#
-The Je2 of toda! eho&ds in Jesus and ins*irin, idea& of 'atch&ess
eaut!# 3hi&e He &ac0s the e&e'ent of stern =ustice e/*ressed so forci&!
in the &a2 and in the O&d Testa'ent characters< the fir'ness of
se&f-assertion so necessar! to the fu&& de$e&o*'ent of 'anhood< a&& those
socia& >ua&ities 2hich ui&d u* the ho'e and societ!< industr! and 2or&d&!
*ro,ress< He is the uni>ue e/*onent of the *rinci*&e of redee'in, &o$e#
His na'e as he&*er of the *oor< as s!'*athi4in, friend of the fa&&en< as
rother of e$er! fe&&o2 sufferer< as &o$er of 'an and redee'er of 2o'an<
has eco'e the ins*iration< the s!'o& and the 2atch2ord for the 2or&d+s
,reatest achie$e'ents in the fie&d of ene$o&ence# 3hi&e continuin, the
2or0 of the s!na,o,ue< the Christian Church 2ith the &ar,er 'eans at her
dis*osa& created those institutions of charit! and redee'in, &o$e that
acco'*&ished 2ondrous thin,s# The $er! si,n of the cross has &ent a ne2
'eanin,< a ho&ier *athos to sufferin,< sic0ness and sin< so as to offer
ne2 *ractica& so&utions for the ,reat *ro&e's of e$i& 2hich fi&& the
hu'an heart 2ith ne2 =o!s of se&f-sacrificin, &o$e#-
1AUF.AN 1OHLER< )h# D#<
Rai of Te'*&e "eth-E&#
Ne2 Yor0< Au,ust H9< 7ND@#
-If the Je2s u* to the *resent ti'e ha$e not *u&ic&! rendered ho'a,e
to the su&i'e eaut! of the fi,ure of Jesus< it is ecause their
tor'entors ha$e a&2a!s *ersecuted< tortured< assassinated the' in His
na'e# The Je2s ha$e dra2n their conc&usions fro' the disci*&es as to the
.aster< 2hich 2as 2ron,< a 2ron, *ardona&e in the eterna& $icti's of the
i'*&aca&e< crue& hatred of those 2ho ca&&ed the'se&$es Christians# E$er!
ti'e that a Je2 'ounted to the sources and conte'*&ated Christ a&one<
2ithout His *retended faithfu&< he cried< 2ith tenderness and ad'iration(
-)uttin, aside the .essianic 'ission< this 'an is ours# He honors our
race and 2e c&ai' Hi' as 2e c&ai' the ,os*e&s--f&o2ers of Je2ish
&iterature and on&! Je2ish#-
.A6 NORDAU< .# D#<
Critic and )hi&oso*her#
)aris< France#
-The Je2s of e$er! shade of re&i,ious e&ief do not re,ard Jesus in
the &i,ht of )au&+s theo&o,!# "ut the ,os*e& of Jesus< the Jesus 2ho
teaches so su*er&! the *rinci*&es of Je2ish ethics< is re$ered ! a&& the
e/*ounders of Judais'# His 2ords are studied? the Ne2 Testa'ent for's a
*art of Je2ish &iterature# A'on, the ,reat *rece*tors that ha$e 2orded
the truths of 2hich Judais' is the historica& ,uardian< none in our
esti'ation and estee'< ta0es *recedence of the rai of Na4areth# To
i'*ute to us sus*icious senti'ents concernin, Hi' does us ,ross in=ustice#
3e 0no2 Hi' to e a'on, our ,reatest and *urest#
E.IL 5# HIRSCH< )h# D#< LL# D#< L# H# D#<
Rai of Sinai Con,re,ation< )rofessor of Rainica& Literature in Chica,o
Uni$ersit!< Chica,o< I&&#< Januar! H:< 7ND7#
A,ain< in 7NDG< the Ne2 Yor0 Sun *u&ished a s!'*osiu' co'*i&ed !
Dr# Isadore Sin,er< editor of the -Je2ish Enc!c&o*edia<- on the sa'e
su=ect< in 2hich he >uotes so'e of the 'ost e'inent conte'*orar! Je2ish
theo&o,ians< historians and orienta&ists# The fo&&o2in, is t!*ica& of the
2hi&e co&&ection#
-If He has added to their Ithe Je2ish *ro*het+sJ s*iritua& e>uests
ne2 =e2e&s of re&i,ious truth< and s*o0en 2ords 2hich are 2ords of &ife
ecause the! touch the dee*est s*rin,s of the hu'an heart< 2h! shou&d 2e
Je2s not ,&or! in Hi'B The cro2n of thorns on His head 'a0es Hi' on&! the
'ore our rother< for to this da! it is orne ! His *eo*&e# 3ere He
a&i$e toda! 2ho< thin0 !ou< 2ou&d e nearer His heart<--the *ersecuted or
the *ersecutorsB-
DR# 5USTA% 5OTTHELL#
It 2i&& e re'e'ered that 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< 2ith O&i$er Co2der! and
the 3hit'ers< &eft the Church in 7898< and 2as a'on, the 'ost itter
ene'ies of the )ro*het? he 2as a&so a'on, those 2ho testified a,ainst the
)ro*het and his fe&&o2 *risoners efore Jud,e Austin A# 1in, at Rich'ond#
ESee re*ort of .issouri Le,is&ature on .or'on Difficu&ties< **# 7HD-GF#
He a&so =oined 2ith others in 2hite2ashin, the *roceedin,s of 5enera&
C&ar0 and his troo*s in their treat'ent of the citi4ens of Far 3est#
Fo&&o2in, is the docu'ent as it a**ears in the re*ort of the .issouri
Le,is&ature *# 8M(
-Certificate of .or'ons as to the conduct of 5en# C&ar0 and his
troo*s#
-Rich'ond< No$e'er H9< 7898#
-Understandin, that .a=# 5en# C&ar0 is aout to return 2ith the 2ho&e
of his co''and fro' the scene of difficu&t!< 2e a$ai& ourse&$es of this
occasion to state that 2e 2ere *resent 2hen the -.or'ons- surrendered to
.a=# 5en# Lucas at Far 3est< and re'ained there unti& .a=# 5en# C&ar0
arri$ed? and 2e are ha**! to ha$e an o**ortunit! as 2e&& as the
satisfaction of statin, that the course of hi' IC&ar0J and his troo*s
2hi&e at Far 3est 2as of the 'ost res*ectfu& 0ind and o&i,in, character
to2ards the said .or'ons? and that the destitute a'on, that *eo*&e are
'uch indeted to hi' for sustenance durin, his sta!# The 'odification of
the ter's u*on 2hich the -.or'ons- surrendered< ! *er'ittin, the' to
re'ain unti& the! cou&d safe&! ,o in the s*rin,< 2as a&so an act that ,a$e
,enera& satisfaction to the .or'ons# 3e ha$e no hesitation in sa!in, that
the course ta0en ! 5en# C&ar0 2ith the .or'ons 2as necessar! for the
*u&ic *eace< and that the -.or'ons- are ,enera&&! satisfied 2ith his
course< and fee& in dut! ound to sa! that the conduct of the 5enera&< his
staff officers and troo*s< 2as hi,h&! honora&e as so&diers and citi4ens<
so far as our 0no2&ed,e e/tends? and 2e ha$e heard nothin, dero,ator! to
the di,nit! of the state in the treat'ent of the *risoners#-
Res*ectfu&&!< Pc#
3# 3# )HEL)S<
5EO 3ALTER<
ISi,nedJ JOHN CLE.INSON<
5# .# HIN1LE<
JOHN CORRILL#
In $ie2 of these *roceedin,s on the *art of 3# 3# )he&*s it is not
'atter of astonish'ent< 2hen he e,an to sho2 acti$it! res*ectin, the
affairs of the Saints< that the )ro*het 2rote hi' the curt &etter of the
te/t#
That is< E&der S'ith 2ho had een ,ui&t! of so'e 2i&fu& and irre,u&ar
conduct 2hi&e in the state of .issouri< 2as *er'itted to retain his
standin, in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e#
-And 5od said< Let us 'a0e 'an in our i'a,e< after our &i0eness( and
&et the' ha$e do'inion o$er the fish of the sea< and o$er the fo2& of the
air< and o$er the catt&e< and o$er a&& the earth< and o$er e$er! cree*in,
thin, that cree*eth u*on the earth# So 5od created 'an in his o2n i'a,e<
in the i'a,e of 5od created he hi'? 'a&e and fe'a&e created he the'# And
5od &essed the'< and 5od said unto the'< "e fruitfu&< and 'u&ti*&!< and
re*&enish the earth< and sudue it( and ha$e do'inion o$er the fish of the
sea< and o$er the fo2& of the air< and o$er e$er! &i$in, thin, that 'o$eth
u*on the earth#--5en# I( H:-H8#
The reader 2i&& etter understand the )ro*het+s e/*osition of the Mth
cha*ter of Danie& if those *arts of it 2ith 2hich he dea&s are efore hi'<
hence the fo&&o2in, >uotation(
-I ehe&d ti&& the thrones 2ere cast do2n< and the Ancient of Da!s
did sit< 2hose ,ar'ent 2as 2hite as sno2< and the hair of his head &i0e
the *ure 2oo&( his throne 2as &i0e the fier! f&a'e< and his 2hee&s as
urnin, fire# A fier! strea' issued and ca'e forth fro' efore hi'(
thousand thousands 'inistered unto hi' and ten thousand ti'es ten thousand
stood efore hi'( the =ud,'ent 2as set< and the oo0s 2ere o*ened# C C C
C I sa2 in the ni,ht $isions< and< eho&d< one &i0e the Son of .an ca'e
2ith the c&ouds of hea$en< and ca'e to the Ancient of Da!s< and the!
rou,ht hi' near efore hi'# And there 2as ,i$en hi' do'inion< and ,&or!<
and a 0in,do'< that a&& *eo*&e< nations< and &an,ua,es< shou&d ser$e hi'(
his do'inion is an e$er&astin, do'inion< 2hich sha&& not *ass a2a!< and
his 0in,do' that 2hich sha&& not e destro!ed#-
The )ro*het Danie& sa2 an earth-*o2er arise and 'a0e 2ar u*on the
Saints and *re$ai& a,ainst the' unti&--
-The Ancient of Da!s ca'e< and =ud,'ent 2as ,i$en to the Saints of
the .ost Hi,h? and the ti'e ca'e that the Saints *ossessed the 0in,do'# C
C C C And the 0in,do' and do'inion< and the ,reatness of the 0in,do'
under the 2ho&e hea$ens< sha&& e ,i$en to the *eo*&e of the Saints of the
.ost Hi,h< 2hose 0in,do' is an e$er&astin, 0in,do'< and a&& do'inions
sha&& ser$e and oe! hi'#-
This is in 0ee*in, 2ith the 2ord of the Lord in a re$e&ation ,i$en
.arch< 789H< 2here the Lord< in s*ea0in, to the Saints< said that it 2as
His desire--
-That !ou 'a! co'e u* unto the cro2n *re*ared for !ou< and e 'ade
ru&ers o$er 'an! 0in,do's< saith the Lord 5od< the Ho&! One of ;ion< 2ho
hath esta&ished the foundations of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an? 2ho hath a**ointed
.ichae& IAda'J !our *rince< and esta&ished his feet< and set hi' u*on
hi,h< and ,i$en unto hi' the 0e!s of sa&$ation under the counse& and
direction of the Ho&! One< 2ho is 2ithout e,innin, of da!s or end of
&ife#-
It is ,enera&&! su**osed that "ri,ha' Youn, 2as the author of the
doctrine 2hich *&aces Ada' as the *atriarcha& head of the hu'an race< and
ascries to hi' the di,nit! of future *residenc! o$er this earth and its
inhaitants< 2hen the 2or0 of rede'*tion sha&& ha$e een co'*&eted# Those
2ho read the )ro*het+s treatise on the )riesthood in the te/t ao$e 2i&&
ha$e their o*inions corrected u*on this su=ect? for c&ear&! it is the
2ord of the Lord throu,h the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith 2hich esta&ished that
doctrine# The utterances of )resident "ri,ha' Youn, ut re*eat and
e/*ound the doctrine 2hich the )ro*het here sets forth#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c$ii( G9-GM#
This 2as rea&&! a rescuin, *art! as the suse>uent e$ents c&ear&!
disc&ose# The *&an of esca*e 2as as fo&&o2s( Orson )ratt 2aited on the
district =ud,e and district attorne! and otained $arious *a*ers and
arran,ed for su''onin, 2itnesses fro' I&&inois to attend a tria& 2hich had
=ust een ad=ourned for so'e 'onths# He 2as to *rocure an order fro' the
court to ta0e affida$its in I&&inois in case the 2itnesses shou&d o=ect
to co'e to the state fro' 2hich the! had een anished to attend the
tria&# This acti$it! on the *art of the *risoners for a tria&< and their
en,a,in, a &a2!er or t2o and *a!in, *art of their fees in ad$ance to
defend their case< ser$ed as a sufficient co$erin, for the rea& intentions
of the rescuin, *art!# The *a*ers 2ere a&& *re*ared and *&aced in the
hands of Orson )ratt< ut the co'*an! of $isitors 2ere to re'ain unti&
after the @th of Ju&! ce&eration# Arran,e'ents 2ere a&so 'ade ! 2hich
.rs# )he&*s 2as to sta! 2ith her husand a fe2 2ee0s in *rison< en,a,in,
her oard in the 'eanti'e in the fa'i&! of the =ai&er 2ho occu*ied *art of
the *rison as a residence# 3hen Orson )ratt and .r# C&ar0< rother of
.rs# )he&*s< de*arted< a**arent&! on their 'ission to secure 2itnesses<
the! too0 Sister )he&*s+ horse 2ith the' as if to ta0e it ac0 to
I&&inois< a&& of 2hich< of course< ser$ed sti&&'ore to concea& the rea&
*&ot that 2as &aid for the esca*e of the *risoners# ESee Autoio,ra*h! of
)ar&e! )# )ratt *# H:8F#
The account of )he&*+s esca*e is thus ,i$en ! )ar&e! )# )ratt( -.r#
)he&*s 'ade his esca*e 'uch in the sa'e 'anner as '!se&f# He 2as at first
c&ose&! *ursued< ut at &en,th he out-distanced the' a&&< and< once out of
their si,ht< he struc0 direct&! into the road< and rode on to2ard
I&&inois# He had *roceeded ut a fe2 'i&es on his 2a!< 2hen he 2as
sudden&! surrounded in the dar0ness of the ni,ht ! a co'*an! of horse'en
2ho 2ere out in *ursuit of the *risoners# The! i''ediate&! hai&ed hi'<
and cried out< +Sa!< stran,er< 5--d d--- !ou< 2hat is !our na'eB+ He
re*&ied in the sa'e rou,h and care&ess 'anner< +You d--d rasca&s< 2hat is
!oursB+ On findin, that he cou&d +da'n+ as 2e&& as the'se&$es< the!
conc&uded he cou&d not e a .or'on< 2hi&e his o&d and fear&ess 'anner
con$inced the' that he 2as not a 'an 2ho 2as f&eein, for his &ife# The!
then e,,ed his *ardon for the rou,h 'anner in 2hich the! had accosted
hi'< +Oh< !ou are one of the rea& reed# "! 5--d< no d--d .or'on cou&d
counterfeit that &an,ua,e< !ou s2ar rea& nattera&? hurrah for o&d 1entuc0#
"ut 2har 'out !ou &i$e< stran,erB- He re*&ied< -Just u* here? !ou 'out a
0no+d 'e< and then a,in !ou 'oun+t# I thin0 I+$e seed !ou a&& a hea*
o+ti'es< ut I+$e een so d--d drun0 at the fourth of Inde*endence< I
hard&! 0no2 '!se&f or an!od! e&se< ut hurrah for o&d 1entuc0? and 2hat
aout the d--d .or'onsB+ +3hat aout +e'B e,ad< !ou+d a 0no2+d that
2ithout a/in+< if !ou+d a seed +e' run#+ +3hatB the! are not out of
*rison< are the!B- +Out of *risonK !es< the d--d rasca&s raised the f&a,
of &iert! in o*en da!< and urst out< and do2n stairs ri,ht into the
'idst of the *u&ic ce&eration< out-2rest&in, the d--d =ai&er< and
outrunnin, the 2ho&e to2n in a fair foot race# The! reached the ti'er
=ist as the! 2ar o$erta0en< ut afore 2e cou&d cotch +e' the! 'ounted
their na,s< and the 2a! the! c&eared 2as a caution to Croc0ett# 3e tu0
one on +e'< and seed the other t2o a fe2 feet distant< rushin+ their na,s
at fu&& s*eed< ut 2e cou&dn+t cotch +e' nor shoot +e' either? I raised '!
ne2 1entuc0! rif&e< fresh &oaded and *ri'ed< 2ith a ,ood *ercussion< and
ta0in, fair ai' at one of their heads on&! a fe2 !ards distant< I fired<
ut the d--d ca* urst< and the *o2der 2ou&dn+t urn#+ +3e&&< no2<
stran,er< that+s a 'i,ht! i, stor!< and see's ene'ost i'*ossi&e# Did
!ou sa! !ou cotched one on +e'B 3h! I+d a tho+t !ou+d a 0i&t hi' on the
s*ot? 2hat ha$e !ou done 2ith hi'B+ +The! tu0 hi' ac0 to *rison< I
su**ose< ut it 2as on&! the o&d one# If it had een one o+ the' tother
cha*s 2e 2ou&d a s0inn+d +e' as >uic0 as Croc0ett 2ou&d a coon< and then
eat +e' a&i$e 2ithout &ea$in, a ,rease s*ot#+
-This inter$ie2 o$er< the horse'en 2ithdre2 and &eft )he&*s to *ursue
his 2a! in *eace? C C C C and he fina&&! arri$ed in I&&inois in safet!<
ha$in, reached the ferr! efore his *ursuers< and efore the ne2s of the
esca*e had s*read so far#- EAutoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt **# H8H-@F#
3hat efe&& "rother 1in, Fo&&et after he 2as ca*tured< and his fina&
esca*e fro' .issouri is thus re&ated ! )ar&e! )# )ratt(
-He had een surrounded< o$er*o2ered and ta0en at the ti'e 2e 2ere
each se*arated fro' the others# He 2as fina&&! rescued fro' the 'o< and
thrust a&i$e into the &o2er dun,eon and chained do2n to the f&oor# He
re'ained in this do&efu& situation for a fe2 da!s< ti&& the 2rath of the
'u&titude had ti'e to coo& a &itt&e< and then he 2as unchained ! the
Sheriff and a,ain rou,ht into the u**er a*art'ent and treated 2ith so'e
de,ree of 0indness# The! no2 &au,hed 2ith hi' aout his ad$enture<
*raised hi' for his ra$er!< and ca&&ed hi' a ,ood fe&&o2# The truth of
the 'atter 2as< the! had no ,reat desire to ta0e the &i$es of an! ut
those 2ho' the! had considered &eaders? and since the! had disco$ered that
.r# Fo&&ett and .r# )he&*s 2ere not considered re&i,ious &eaders a'on, our
societ!< the! 2ere in no ,reat dan,er< e/ce*t the! shou&d ha**en to e
0i&&ed in the heat of e/cite'ent or *assion C C C C C .r# Fo&&ett
re'ained in confine'ent for se$era& 'onths< and fina&&! 2as dis'issed and
sent ho'e to I&&inois< 2here he 'et his fa'i&!< 2ho had een e/*e&&ed fro'
the State of .issouri< in co''on 2ith others< durin, his confine'ent#-
EAutoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# H88-NF#
The esca*e of these *risoners fro' .issouri co'*&eted the e/*u&sion
of the Latter-da! Saints fro' that state< and c&osed a ,reat e*och in the
histor! of the Church#
Jose*h S'ith< the father of the *ro*het< died on Se*te'er 7@th<
78@D< and hence at the ti'e these 2arrants 2ere issued a,ainst the *ro*het
in June< 78@9< he 2as no &on,er Jose*h S'ith< Junior< ut Jose*h S'ith<
Senior#
For e/*&anation of ho2 it 2as that the 'i&itia 2as under direction of
the Jud,e< a ci$i& officer< see testi'on! of Sidne! Ri,don#
The ao$e no2 ce&erated -E/ter'inatin, order- is co*ied fro' the
co&&ection of Docu'ents *u&ished ! order of the -5enera& Asse'&! of
.issouri Ethe state &e,is&atureF< 78@7#
%o&u'e II( Ta&e of Contents
Introduction
Cha*ter I( The Year Ei,hteen Hundred and
Thirt!-Four--Affairs in ;ion and 1irt&and#
Cha*ter II( Or,ani4ation of the Hi,h Counci&--First Cases
"efore the Counci&#
Cha*ter III( The Cause and O=ect of the Jac0son Count!
)ersecution--The )ro*het+s .ission Throu,h
3estern Ne2 Yor0
Cha*ter I%( Tria& and Con$iction of Hur&urt--Efforts in
"eha&f of the Rede'*tion of ;ion--Disso&ution of
the United Order of ;ion and 1irt&and#
Cha*ter %( ;ion+s Ca'*--It+s Journe! fro' 1irt&and to
.issouri#
Cha*ter %I( ;ion+s Ca'* in .issouri--Letters of 5o$ernor
Dun0&in and Others#
Cha*ter %II( ;ion+s Ca'* in .issouri--Efforts at
Aritration--The 3ord of the Lord#
Cha*ter %III( ;ion+s Ca'* Disanded--An A**ea&#
Cha*ter I6( Return of the )ro*het to 1irt&and--Sundr! E$ents
in .issouri#
Cha*ter 6( Char,es A,ainst the )ro*het on His Return fro'
;ion+s Ca'* E/*edition--Tria& of E&der S!&$ester
S'ith#
Cha*ter 6I( A .o'ent+s )eace--Counci& .eetin,s in Ohio and
.issouri#
Cha*ter 6II( Chan,e in Church )eriodica&s--The Co$enant of
Tithin,--C&ose of the Year 789@#
Cha*ter 6III( The Lectures on Faith--T2e&$e A*ost&es Chosen and
Ordained#
Cha*ter 6III( The Or,ani4ation of the Se$enties--"&essin, of
the Faithfu& E&ders and Saints#
Cha*ter 6I%( The 5reat Re$e&ation on )riesthood#
Cha*ter 6%( The First .ission of the T2e&$e#
Cha*ter 6%I( )ro,ress of Affairs at 1irt&and--Disco$er! of the
"oo0 of Araha'#
Cha*ter 6%II( Sundr! Counci& .eetin,s in %er'ont< Ohio and Ne2
Yor0#
Cha*ter 6%III( The "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants )resented to
the 5enera& Asse'&! of the )riesthood and the
Church#
Cha*ter 6I6( The )ro*het+s Return fro' .ichi,an to
1irt&and--His Address to the E&ders of the
Church#
Cha*ter 66( Sundr! Affairs at 1irt&and--The )&ed,e to Redee'
;ion#
Cha*ter 66I( Incidents fro' the )ro*het+s E/*erience in
1irt&and and %icinit!#
Cha*ter 66II( The .inistr! of the )ro*het in 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66III( The .inistr! of the )ro*het in 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66I%( .isce&&aneous Laors of the )ro*het in 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66%( The Trou&es of Orson H!de and 3i&&ia' S'ith--The
"oo0 of Araha'--C&ose of the Year#
Cha*ter 66%I( O*enin, of the Year 789:--The A'erican
Indians--S*ecia& Counci& .eetin,s in 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66%II( Reconci&iation of the First )residenc! and T2e&$e
A*ost&es--)entecosta& Ti'es in 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66%III( The )ro*het+s .inistr! and Studies in 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 66I6( Dedication of the 1irt&and Te'*&e--S*iritua&
.anifestations#
Cha*ter 666( The Ordinance of 3ashin, of Feet--%isions in the
1irt&and Te'*&e--The )ro*het on Ao&ition#
Cha*ter 666I( )rediction of the )ro*het+s
5rand*arents--A,itation for the Re'o$a& of the
Saints fro' C&a! Count!< .issouri#
Cha*ter 666II( The )ro*het+s .ission--Laors in
.assachusetts--The Or,ani4ation of the 1irt&and
Safet! Societ!#
Cha*ter 666III( .eetin,s of the Auoru's of )riesthood in the
1irt&and Te'*&e--The )ro*het+s Instructions on
)riesthood#
Cha*ter 666I%( Affairs in ;ion--A*ostas! at
1irt&and--A**oint'ent of the "ritish .ission--Its
De*arture for En,&and#
Cha*ter 666%( Financia& Conditions in %arious Nations--)ro,ress
of the "ritish .ission--Conferences at Far 3est
and 1irt&and#
Cha*ter 666%I( The 5atherin, Saints--Increase in the Nu'er of
Sta0es Conte'*&ated--Counci&s in ;ion and
1irt&and--C&ose of the %o&u'e#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
)eriod I
Histor! of Jose*h S'ith< the )ro*het ! Hi'se&f
%o&u'e II
An Introduction and Notes ! "# H# Roerts

INTRODUCTION TO %OLU.E II# SU..ARY RE%IE3 OF %OLU.E ONE#
The e$ents 2hich 'a0e u* the first $o&u'e of the Histor! of the
Church 'o$ed for2ard fro' the ac0 ,round of successi$e dis*ensations of
the 5os*e& 2hich *receded the Dis*ensation of the Fu&&ness of Ti'es# That
$o&u'e co$ered the *eriod fro' the irth of the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith<
78DG< to the c&ose of the !ear 7899< and inc&uded as its chief e$ents( the
irth of the )ro*het his first $ision of the father and the Son? the
co'in, forth of the "oo0 of .or'on? the or,ani4ation of the Church< A*ri&
:th< 789D? the 'ission to the La'anites? the ,atherin, of the *eo*&e fro'
the state of Ne2 Yor0< first to 1irt&and< Ohio< and suse>uent&! the
,atherin, of 'an! of the' to Jac0son count!< .issouri? the &ocation of the
site of the future cit! of ;ion and its te'*&e? the introduction of the
doctrine of consecration and ste2ardshi*? the e/*erience of the E&ders of
Israe& in their 'o$e'ents ac0 and forth et2een 1irt&and and ;ion? the
s*read of the 2or0 throu,hout the states of the A'erican Union and Canada?
the )ro*het+s o2n 'ission to the &atter *&ace? the foundin, of the first
Church *eriodica&< The E$enin, and .ornin, Star? the se&ection of a nu'er
of the re$e&ations of 5od for *u&ication under the tit&e< -The "oo0 of
Co''and'ents?- the esta&ish'ent of the .ercanti&e and Literar! fir's of
;ion and 1irt&and? the &a!in, of the corner stones of the 1irt&and Te'*&e?
the *&antin, of a nu'er of sett&e'ents in Jac0son count!< .issouri? the
a2a0enin, =ea&ous! of the o&d sett&ers a,ainst the 'ore *ro,ressi$e
Saints? the fannin, of these f&a'es of =ea&ous! ! sectarian *riests? the
rise of that re&i,io-*o&itica& *ersecution 2hich cu&'inated in the
terri&e sufferin, of the Saints--the destruction of their *rintin,
esta&ish'ent< the urnin, of their ho'es< their fina& e/*u&sion fro'
Jac0son count!? a&so the ne,otiations et2een the Saints and the ci$i&
authorities of the state of .issouri for reinstate'ent of the e/i&es u*on
their &ands# The first $o&u'e c&osed 2ith the narration in their efforts
to esta&ish ;ion in .issouri#
SU..ARY OF %OLU.E T3O# In this second $o&u'e is recorded the arri$a&
of a de&e,ation fro' the e/i&ed Saints in .issouri< see0in, ad$ice and the
2ord of the Lord fro' the )ro*het? the or,ani4ations of ;ion+s Ca'* for
the de&i$erance of ;ion? its 'arch fro' 1irt&and to .issouri? its rich
educationa& e/*eriences? its disand'ent and the return of 'an! of the
rethren to Ohio? the esta&ish'ent of a schoo& for the E&ders at
1irt&and< the first educationa& 'o$e'ent in the Church? the disco$er! of
the "oo0 of Araha'? the or,ani4ation of the first< or 1irt&and Hi,h
Counci&? the or,ani4ation of the >uoru's of the forei,n 'inistr!? the
T2e&$e and the Se$ent!? the *u&ication of the Doctrine and Co$enants? the
co'*&etion and dedication of the 1irt&and Te'*&e? the *urification and
s*iritua& endo2'ent of the E&ders of the Church? the a**earance of .essiah
in the Te'*&e dec&arin, His acce*tance of it? the a**earance of .oses<
E&ias and E&i=ah< on the sa'e occasion< de&i$erin, the 0e!s of their
res*ecti$e dis*ensations to the )ro*het of the Dis*ensation of the
Fu&&ness of Ti'es? the co''ence'ent of the 'inistr! of the T2e&$e a'on,
the ranches of the Church in the eastern States of the A'erican Union?
the 'isunderstandin,s that arose et2een the' and the )residenc! of the
Church? the re$e&ations of 5od 2hich ca'e in conse>uence of their
'isunderstandin,s< 'ore c&ear&! definin, the ri,hts< *o2ers< and re&ations
of the res*ecti$e >uoru's of the )riesthood? the *eacefu& e/odus of the
Saints fro' C&a! count!< .issouri< and the foundin, of Far 3est? the
o*enin, of the first forei,n 'ission ! sendin, t2o of the T2e&$e and
se$era& E&ders to En,&and? the atte'*t to 'ass the se$era& industria&
*ursuits and te'*ora& interests of the Saints under one ,enera& concern<
the -1irt&and Safet! Societ! Co'*an!?- the fai&ure of that concern in the
,enera& financia& 'ae&stro' that s2e*t o$er the countr! in 789M< hastened
a&so--sad to re&ate--! the un2ise 'ana,e'ent and dishonest! of so'e of
the incor*orators and directors? the 'anifestation of e/cessi$e *ride and
2or&d&iness on the *art of so'e of the Saints at 1irt&and? the
disaffection of 'an! hitherto &eadin, E&ders of the Church a,ainst the
)ro*het Jose*h? the e/tensi$e a*ostas! of 'an! E&ders and Saints in
1irt&and? 2ith the account of 2hich ca&a'itous e$ents this $o&u'e c&oses#
THE E6)EDITION OF ;ION+S CA.)# The ti'e co$ered ! this $o&u'e 'a!
*ro*er&! e ca&&ed the 1irt&and *eriod of the Church Histor!< since that
cit! is the chief center of acti$it!# The four !ears 2hich co'*rise the
*eriod are 'ar0ed< on the one hand< ! ra*id doctrina& de$e&o*'ent<
institutiona& ,ro2th< out2ard en&ar,e'ent and interna& s*iritua& *ro,ress?
and< on the other hand< are 'ar0ed ! interna& dissensions< aundant
'anifestations of hu'an 2ea0ness and 2ic0edness< resu&tin, in itterness
and a*ostas!# The *eriod is one in 2hich the Church is 'anifest&!
'i&itant< and not a&2a!s fro' surface a**earances< triu'*hant# Yet re'o$ed
fro' that *eriod ! 2e&& ni,h three->uarters of a centur!< one 'a! see no2
that it 2as a ,&orious *eriod< not2ithstandin, so're shado2s are no2 and
then cast ath2art the *ath2a! of the Church+s *ro,ress# 3ho can ri,ht&!
esti'ate the $a&ue of the e/*eriences of that 'o$e'ent for the rede'*tion
of ;ion< ca&&ed ;ion+s Ca'*B Nothin, so co'*&ete&! re$ea&s the 2orth or
2orth&essness of hu'an character as e/*editions of this descri*tion# .en
are thro2n into such re&ations 2ith each other that a&& that is in the'<
,ood or ad< co'es to the surface# As o**ortunities in ti'e of 2ar re$ea&
no&e or deased natures< so in e/*editions such as ;ion+s Ca'* the ase
or e/a&ted *hases of hu'an nature are forced to the surface< and are 0no2n
and read of 'en# 5od< it a**ears 2as aout to choose His forei,n 'inistr!#
His Es*ecia& 3itnesses to the 2or&d< the T2e&$e and the Se$ent!# After the
e/*edition of ;ion+s Ca'* He cou&d choose the' fro' a'on, 'en 2ho had
offered their a&& in sacrifice--e$en to &ife itse&f--for the 2or0+s sa0e#
Are not such 'anifest&! fitter 2itnesses than those 2ho are untriedB 3i&&
it e ar,ued that to the A&&-0no2in, the untried are as 2e&& 0no2 as the
tried< and that 5od needed no such de'onstration of fide&it! as 2as
afforded ! the e/*edition of ;ion+s Ca'* in order to ,uide Hi' in the
choice of His 3itnesses to the nations of the earthB If so< '! ans2er
2ou&d e an ac>uiescence--5od needs no such e/*edition in order to re$ea&
to Hi' the 2orthiness of those 2ho sha&& e His s*ecia& 3itnesses# "ut
2hat of the 2or&d--2hat of 'enB Do not the! need so'e such e$idence ac0
of those 2ho sha&& testif! of a ne2 dis*ensation of the 5os*e&B 3i&& not
'en ha$e 'ore re,ard for the testi'on! of 3itnesses 2ho ha$e offered their
a&& in sacrifice for an! ,i$en 2or0< than for the testi'on! of 2itnesses
2ho ha$e 'ade no such sacrificeB Undouted&!# Not for 5od+s ,uidance<
then< ut for the >ua&ification of the 3itnesses in the e!es of 'en 2as
the e/*edition of ;ion+s Ca'* in *art concei$ed and e/ecuted# A&so that
those 'en 2ho< under 5od--the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith and the Three 3itnesses
to the "oo0 of .or'on--2ere to 'a0e choice of es*ecia& 3itnesses 'i,ht
0no2 2ho' to se&ect ecause of actua&&! de'onstrated fitness and
2orthiness#
.oreo$er there 2ere 'en in that e/*edition 2ho &ater 2i&& e ca&&ed
u*on to conduct &ar,er e/*editions 'uch of the sa'e character--an e/odus
of thousands fro' .issouri? an e/odus of tens of thousands fro' the
confines of the United States< a thousand 'i&es into the 2i&derness of the
Roc0! .ountains# .a! not the Lord ha$e desi,ned in *art this e/*edition of
;ion+s Ca'* for their instruction< for their trainin,B The &eaders of
these &ater 'o$e'ents are a&& there--"ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
Orson )ratt< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Char&es C# Rich< 5eor,e A# S'ith< 3i&ford
3oodruff and 'an! 'ore# It is si,nificant< too< that "ri,ha' Youn, at
&east sensed the true i'*ortance of the ;ion+s Ca'* e/*edition# That
e/*edition for the rede'*tion of ;ion 2as re,arded ! 'an! 2ea0-faithed
Saints as a sad fai&ure< a hu'i&iation of a *resu'*tuous *ro*het# One of
these atte'*ted to ridicu&e it in the *resence of "ri,ha' Youn,< as a case
of 'archin, 'en u* a hi&& to 'arch the' do2n a,ain# -3e&&<- said the
scoffer< -2hat did !ou ,ain on this use&ess =ourne! to .issouri 2ith
Jose*h S'ithB- -A&& 2e 2ent for<- *ro'*t&! re*&ied "ri,ha' Youn,# -I 2ou&d
not e/chan,e the e/*erience ,ained in that e/*edition for a&& the 2ea&th
of 5eau,a count!#- A re'ar0 2hich *ro$es that "ri,ha' Youn, had a 0een
insi,ht into the *ur*ose of the ;ion+s Ca'* 'o$e'ent#
FIRST EDUCATIONAL .O%E.ENT OF THE CHURCH# The $a&ue of the
educationa& 'o$e'ent in the Church ! the esta&ish'ent of a schoo& for
the E&ders in 1irt&and< cannot e fu&&! a**reciated e$en !et# It stands as
a direct contradiction to the oft-re*eated char,es that .or'onis' see0s to
thri$e throu,h the i,norance of its de$otees# -See0 !e di&i,ent&!< and
teach one another 2ords of 2isdo'<- 2as an ad'onition the Church in the
1irt&and *eriod of its histor! sou,ht earnest&! to carr! into effect#
-Yea< see0 !e out of the est oo0s 2ords of 2isdo'( see0 &earnin, e$en !
stud!< and a&so ! faith#- To the s*here of their &earnin, there 2ere no
&i'itations set# -Teach !e di&i,ent&!<- said the Lord< -and '! ,race sha&&
attend !ou< that !ou 'a! e instructed 'ore *erfect&! in theor!< in
*rinci*&e< in doctrine< in the &a2 of the 5os*e&< in a&& thin,s that
*ertain unto the 0in,do' of 5od< that are e/*edient for !ou to understand?
of thin,s oth in hea$en and in the earth< and under the earth? thin,s
2hich ha$e een< thin,s 2hich are< thin,s 2hich 'ust short&! co'e to *ass?
thin,s 2hich are at ho'e< thin,s 2hich are aroad? the 2ars and the
*er*&e/ities of the nations< and the =ud,'ents 2hich are on the &and< and
a 0no2&ed,e a&so of countries and of 0in,do's#- I 0no2 of nothin, that
&ies outside this ound&ess fie&d of research into 2hich the E&ders of the
church es*ecia&&! 2ere in$ited--na!< co''anded< to enter# It co'*rehends
the 2ho&e *ossi&e s*here of hu'an in$esti,ation? and furnishes a&&
necessar! contradiction to the theor! that the Church at an! ti'e
conte'*&ated an i,norant 'inistr!# "! inte&&i,ence< not stu*idit!? !
0no2&ed,e< not i,norance< has the Church fro' the $er! e,innin, ho*ed to
succeed in her 'ission#
THE OR5ANI;ATION OF THE FOREI5N .INISTRY# It is durin, the 1irt&and
*eriod of her histor! a&so that the Church raised her e!es and for the
first ti'e ,a4ed out u*on the 2or&d-2ide s*here of her future acti$ities#
Unti& no2 she had confined her 'issions and &aors to the United States
and Canada# "ut &oK a forei,n 'inistr! had een or,ani4ed< a >uoru' of
T2e&$e A*ost&es and t2o >uoru's of Se$ent! had een ca&&ed into e/istence
and ordained# 3as that 2ithout si,nificanceB Undouted&! there is *o2er in
ordinances< in di$ine a**oint'ents( -Joshua the son of Nun 2as fu&& of the
s*irit of 2isdo'? for .oses had &aid his hands u*on hi' and the chi&dren
of Israe& hear0ened unto hi' and did as the Lord co''anded .oses#- 3hi&e
Ti'oth!< the !oun, Christian e$an,e&ist< 2as ad'onished ! )au& to stir u*
the ,ift of 5od 2hich 2as in hi' ! the *uttin, on of the A*ost&e+s hands#
Since< then< there is $irtue in ordinations of di$ine a**ointin,< it is
ut to e e/*ected that the Church of Christ in this &ast dis*ensation
2ou&d e inf&uenced ! the a**oint'ent and ordination of her forei,n
'inistr!# It 2as ut a *ro*er se>uence of the a**oint'ent of this 'inistr!
that A*ost&es and their associates shou&d e sent to En,&and# The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints 2as ne$er intended to e 'ere&! an
A'erican sect of re&i,ion# It is a ne2 and the &ast dis*ensation of the
Christian re&i,ion--the Dis*ensation of the Fu&&ness of Ti'es< the
dis*ensation into 2hich 2i&& e ,athered a&& for'er dis*ensations of the
5os*e& of Christ? a&& 0e!s of authorit!< a&& *o2ers< a&& ,ifts< a&& ,races
essentia& to the 2e&fare and sa&$ation of 'an--a&& that is essentia& to
the co'*&etion of the 'ission of the Christian re&i,ion# The 'ission of
the Church in such a dis*ensation is ,enera& not &oca&< 2or&d-e'racin,#
Had it een &ess than one of the 2or&d+s ,reat 'o$e'ents< .or'onis' had
een inade>uate to the 2or&d+s needs--&ess than sufficient for a 2or&d+s
rede'*tion# There 2as 'ar0ed< therefore< a 'i,ht! ound for2ard in the
*ro,ress of the 2or0 2hen the forei,n 'inistr! of the Church 2as
or,ani4ed< and a 'ission a**ointed to En,&and# The 2or0 2ou&d ha$e
*erished had it not ta0en this ste* for2ard# The Church had reached that
sta,e of de$e&o*'ent 2hen there 'ust e a for2ard 'o$e'ent# Thin,s do not
stand inert in this 2or&d# Inertia is death# In *ro,ress on&! is there
&ife# The thin, that does not ,ro2 dies# The! $er! roc0s increase or
deca!# For the ti'e ein, the e&e'ents on 2hich the Church &i$ed 2ere
e/hausted in the &and 2here it ca'e forth# The 'ateria& 2hich had een
,athered into it 2as *assin, throu,h the cruci&e# There 2as need of an
en&ar,e'ent of action< a necessit! for ne2 e&e'ents ein, rou,ht into the
od! re&i,ious< that en&ar,e'ent of action 2as found in o*enin, the
"ritish 'ission# The ne2 e&e'ents essentia& to the *reser$ation of the
2or0 2ere found in the En,&ish *eo*&e? for a'on, the' 2ere ,i$en the
e$idences of the e/istence of the s*iritua& &i,ht and &ife 2hich had
characteri4ed the 2or0 at its co'in, forth( and as that 'ission had een
direct&! a**ointed ! the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< it su**&ied the *roofs
that 5od 2as sti&& 2ith hi'< honored the authorit! 2hich had een ,i$en
hi'< and sti&& directed his 'o$e'ents in the ad'inistration of the affairs
of the Church? for it 2as the *ro'*tin, of the S*irit of 5od in the
)ro*het< that &ed to the a**oint'ent of this first forei,n 'ission# These
considerations 'ade the o*enin, of the "ritish 'ission an e*och in the
histor! of the Church#
THE RESTORATION OF THE 1EYS FOR THE 5ATHERIN5 OF ISRAEL# The 2or0 of
5od 2as a&so ,reat&! en&ar,ed durin, this 1irt&and *eriod< ! the
a**earance of .oses and E&ias and E&i=ah< and esto2in, u*on the )ro*het
the 0e!s of their res*ecti$e dis*ensations# Let us conte'*&ate the e$ent#
-.oses a**eared efore us<- sa!s the )ro*het< -and co''itted unto us the
0e!s of the ,atherin, of Israe&< fro' the four *arts of the earth< and the
&eadin, of the ten tries fro' the &and of the north#- 3ho< at the ti'e
co'*rehended the fu&& i'*ort of this incidentB 3ho co'*rehends it no2B
Fro' the e,innin, of the ,reat Latter-da! 2or0 'en had their attention
directed to the ,atherin, of Israe& and the esta&ish'ent of ;ion and
Jerusa&e' as a *art of the *ur*oses of 5od to e acco'*&ished in the 2or0<
the an,e& .oroni on the occasion of his first $isit to the )ro*het Jose*h<
>uoted a nu'er of O&d Testa'ent scri*tures referrin, to the Lord+s
*ro'ises concernin, the rede'*tion of Judah and Jerusa&e'? a&so
concernin, the ,atherin, of Israe& fro' a&& the &ands 2ither the! had een
dri$en# Nu'erous are the *ro*hecies re&atin, to the return of Israe& fro'
the &and of the north< and other *arts of the earth< into 2hich the! 2ere
dri$en in the da! of their ree&&ion and a*ostas!?O ut it occurred to no
one that efore these *ro*hecies cou&d e fu&fi&&ed Israe&+s ,reat
*ro*het< .oses< 2ho he&d the 0e!s of the dis*ensation *ertainin, to the
,atherin, of Israe&< 'ust co'e and ,i$e to 'en the authorit! to *roceed
2ith that 2or0# The 'o'ent he a**ears< ho2e$er< and ,i$es such authorit!<
the *ro*riet! of it< the fitness of it is a**arent# The a**earance of
.oses 2as a&so in *ro*er se>uence of e$ents in the de$e&o*'ent of the
,reat Latter-da! 2or0# A&thou,h< as a&read! stated< the ,atherin, of
Israe& in the &ast da!s had een 'ade a *ro'inent feature in the
co''unication of .oroni to the )ro*het Jose*h< and the su=ect a&so of
so'e other ear&! re$e&ations to the ChurchOO not unti& the forei,n
'inistr! had een or,ani4ed--the T2e&$e and the Se$ent!--the >uoru's of
)riesthood on 2hich rests the res*onsii&it! to tra$e& in a&& the 2or&d
and *reach the 5os*e& and ,ather Israe&--not unti& this 'inistr! 2as
or,ani4ed did .oses a**ear and co''it the 0e!s of the ,atherin, of Israe&
fro' the four *arts of the earth# 3hat order is hereB The or,ani4ation of
the forei,n 'inistr! to ,o into a&& the nations of earth< and then the
co'in, of .oses to co''it the 0e!s of the ,atherin, of Israe& fro' the
four *arts of the earth< and the &eadin, of the ten tries fro' the &and
of the north# In this incident as in a thousand others in the ,reat 2or0
of 5od in the &ast da!s< the e$idence of a di$ine 2isdo' ha$in, re,ard for
the eterna& fitness of thin,s< for the *ro*er se>uence in the order of
e$ents in the de$e&o*'ent of the Lord+s *ur*oses< is a**arent# Note< too<
the s*iritua& effect u*on the Saints of the restoration of these 0e!s of
the ,atherin, of Israe&# "efore the 'ission for En,&and under E&ders
1i'a&& and H!de de*arted< the *ro*het en=oined the' to adhere strict&! to
the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< and sa! nothin, for the *resent in
re&ation to the ,atherin,? this< dout&ess on account of the unsett&ed
condition of the Church at the ti'e# Si'i&ar instructions< and for the
sa'e reason< 2ere ,i$en to the T2e&$e A*ost&es in 789N 2hen the! 2ent on
their 'ission to En,&and# "ut the Saints cou&d not e 0e*t in i,norance of
these 'atters# No sooner 2ere the *eo*&e a*ti4ed than the! 2ere sei4ed
2ith a desire to ,ather 2ith the 'ain od! of the Church# -I find it is
difficu&t to 0ee* an!thin, fro' the Saints<- 2rites E&der Ta!&or in his
=ourna& of this *eriod< -for the S*irit of 5od re$ea&s it to the'# C C C C
So'e ti'e a,o Sister .itche&& drea'ed the she< her husand and a nu'er of
others 2ere on oard a $esse&< and that there 2ere other $esse&s< &oaded
2ith Saints< ,oin, so'e2here# She fe&t $er! ha**! and 2as re=oicin, in the
Lord#- Another sister< E&der Ta!&or infor's us< had a si'i&ar drea'< and
2as infor'ed that a&& the Saints at that ti'e< 0ne2 an!thin, aout the
*rinci*&e of ,atherin,< !et a&& 2ere an/ious to &ea$e their ho'es< their
0indred and the associations of a &ifeti'e< to =oin the 'ain od! of the
Church in a distant &and< the 'e'ers of 2hich 2ere tota& stran,ers to
the'# The sa'e s*irit has rested u*on the *eo*&e in e$er! nation 2here
the 5os*e& has een recei$ed# There has een &itt&e need of *reachin, the
,atherin,< the *eo*&e as a ru&e ha$e had to e restrained rather than
encoura,ed in the 'atter of ,atherin, to ;ion and her sta0es#
THE S)IRIT OF 5ATHERIN5 ON THE JE3S# Durin, the &ast ten !ears the
2or&d has 2itnessed a re'ar0a&e chan,e of s*irit co'e o$er the Je2ish
race# 3e hear of Je2ish as*irations for nationa& e/istence? for the
*er*etuation of the Je2ish custo's and Je2ish idea&s# After sa!in, so
&on,< -.a! 2e ce&erate the ne/t )asso$er in Jerusa&e'<- the thou,ht at
&ast see's to ha$e occurred to so'e Je2ish 'inds that if that e/*ressed
2ish is e$er rea&i4ed< so'e *ractica& ste*s 'ust e ta0en &oo0in, to the
actua& achie$e'ent of that *ossii&it!--2hich has ,i$en rise a'on, the
Je2s to 2hat is ca&&ed the -;ionite .o$e'ent#- The 0e!notes of that
'o$e'ent are heard in the fo&&o2in, utterances of so'e of the &eaders in
e/*&anation of it( -3e 2ant to resu'e the ro0en thread of our nationa&
e/istence? 2e 2ant to sho2 to the 2or&d the 'ora& stren,th< the
inte&&ectua& *o2er of the Je2ish *eo*&e# 3e 2ant a *&ace 2here the race
can e centra&i4ed#- -It is for these Je2s Iof Russia< Rou'ania and
5a&iciaJ that the na'e of their countr! I)a&estineJ s*e&&s LHo*e#+ I
shou&d not e a 'an if I did not rea&i4e that for these *ersecuted Je2s<
Jerusa&e' s*e&&s reason< =ustice< 'anhood and inte,rit!#- -Je2ish
nationa&is' on a 'odern asis in )a&estine< the o&d ho'e of the *eo*&e#-O
-)a&estine needs a *eo*&e< Israe& needs a countr!# 5i$e the countr!
2ithout a *eo*&e< to the *eo*&e 2ithout a countr!#-OO In a 2ord< it is
the *ur*ose of -;ionis'- to redee' )a&estine and ,i$e it ac0 to Je2ish
contro&--create< in fact< a Je2ish state in the &and *ro'ised to their
fathers#
Of course< for hundreds of !ears there has een ta&0 of the Je2s
returnin, to Jerusa&e'< and fro' ti'e to ti'e societies ha$e een for'ed
to 0ee* a&i$e that ho*e< and 0ee* the Je2+s face turned to2ard the chief
cit! and &and of his forefathers? ut &itt&e 2as achie$ed ! those
societies< ho2e$er< e/ce*t to foster the ho*e of Israe&+s return in the
heart of a 2ide&! dis*ersed< *ersecuted and discoura,ed race< 2ho ha$e
2aited &on, for the rea&i4ation of the *ro'ises 'ade to their fathers# I
sa! ut -&itt&e- 2as acco'*&ished ! the $arious Je2ish societies e/istin,
efore the ;ionite 'o$e'ent e,an e!ond fosterin, the ho*e of Israe&
ased on the *redictions of their *ro*hets? ut that -&itt&e- 2as 'uch# It
2as nourishin, in secret and throu,h a,es of dar0ness that s*ar0 of fire
2hich 2hen touched 2ith the reath of 5od shou&d urst forth into a f&a'e
that not a&& the 2or&d cou&d sta!# The! 'ade *ossi&e this &ar,e 'o$e'ent<
no2 attractin, the attention of the 2or&d< and 0no2 as the -;ionite
.o$e'ent?- 2hich< in rea&it!< is ut the federation of a&& Je2ish
societies 2hich ha$e had for their *ur*ose the rea&i4ation of the ho*es of
scattered Israe&#
-;ionis'- is considered to ha$e ,ro2n out of the *ersecution of the
Je2s durin, the &ast ei,hteen !ears in such Euro*ean countries as Russia<
France< 5er'an!< and Rou'ania# It he&d its first ,enera& conference in
Au,ust< 78NM< in "as&e< S2it4er&and? and since then has continued to ho&d
annua& conferences that ha$e steadi&! increased oth in interest and the
nu'er of de&e,ates re*resentin, $arious Je2ish societies< unti& no2 it
ta0es on the a**earance of one of the 2or&d+s ,reat 'o$e'ents# It is not
so 'uch a re&i,ious 'o$e'ent as a racia& one( for *ro'inent Je2s of a&&
shades of oth *o&itica& and re&i,ious o*inions ha$e *artici*ated in it
under the states'an&i0e &eadershi* of Doctor Her4e& of Austria# Not to
*ersecution a&one< ho2e$er< is due this stran,e a2a0enin, desire on the
*art of the Je2s to return to the cit! and the &and of their fathers? ut
to the fact of the restoration of the 0e!s of the ,atherin, of Israe& !
.oses to the )ro*het of the Dis*ensation of the Fu&&ness of Ti'es# Under
the di$ine authorit! restored ! .oses< Jose*h S'ith sent an A*ost&e of
the Lord Jesus Christ to the &and of )a&estine to &ess it and dedicate it
once 'ore to the Lord for the return of His *eo*&e# This A*ost&e 2as Orson
H!de< and he *erfor'ed his 'ission in 78@D-H# In 78MH an A*osto&ic
de&e,ation consistin, of the &ate )residents 5eor,e A# S'ith and Loren4o
Sno2 2ere sent to )a&estine# The *ur*ose of their 'ission< in *art< is
thus stated in )resident Youn,+s &etter of a**oint'ent to 5eor,e A# S'ith(
-3hen !ou ,et to the &and of )a&estine< 2e 2ish !ou to dedicate and
consecrate that &and to the Lord< that it 'a! e &essed 2ith
fruitfu&ness< *re*arator! to the return of the Je2s< in fu&fi&&'ent of
*ro*hec! and the acco'*&ish'ent of the *ur*oses of our hea$en&! Father#-
Actin,< then< under the di$ine authorit! restored to earth ! the
)ro*het .oses< this A*osto&ic de&e,ation--as 2e&& as the A*ost&e first
sent--fro' the su''it of .ount O&i$et &essed the &and< and a,ain
dedicated it for the return of the Je2s# It is not stran,e< therefore< to
those 2ho &oo0 u*on such a 'o$e'ent as ;ionis' in connection 2ith faith in
5od+s ,reat &atter-da! 2or0< to see this s*irit no2 'o$in, u*on the 'inds
of the Je2ish *eo*&e *ro'*tin, their return to the &and of their fathers#
It is ut the reath of 5od u*on their sou&s turnin, their hearts to the
*ro'ises 'ade to the fathers# It is ut the fu&fi&&'ent in *art of one of
the 'an! *ro*hecies of the "oo0 of .or'on re&atin, to the ,atherin, of
Israe&< $i4( -It sha&& co'e to *ass that the Lord 5od sha&& co''ence His
2or0 a'on, a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e< to rin, aout the
restoration of the 0e!s of authorit! to ,ather Israe& fro' the four
>uarters of the earth< and the e/ercise of that di$ine authorit!< thou,h
unreco,ni4ed as !et ! the 2or&d< is the rea& cause of this 'o$e'ent
)a&estine-2ard ! the Je2s#
ELIJAH+S .ISSION# The 2or0 acco'*&ished ! E&i=ah in ,i$in, to the
)ro*het Jose*h the *articu&ar dis*ensation of the )riesthood 2hich shou&d
*&ant in the hearts of the chi&dren the *ro'ises 'ade to the fathers--&est
the 2ho&e earth shou&d e utter&! 2asted at His co'in,--is attended !
e$idences of $irtue and *o2er of 5od no &ess *a&*a&e than those 2hich
ear 2itness to the $irtue and *o2er of 5od in the 2or0 acco'*&ished !
.oses in ,i$in, to the )ro*het the 0e!s of authorit! for the ,atherin, of
Israe&# The 2or0 done ! E&i=ah 2as to o*en the door of sa&$ation for the
dead# Fro' that e$ent co'es the 0no2&ed,e of the *rinci*&es ! 2hich the
sa$in, *o2er of the 5os*e& 'a! e a**&ied to 'en 2ho ha$e died 2ithout
recei$in, its enefits in this &ife# Fro' of o&d 'en had read in the
scri*tures that .essiah 2ou&d rin, out the *risoners fro' the *rison< and
the' that sit in dar0ness out of the *rison house? that in addition to
ein, ,i$en as a restorer of the tries of Jaco and a &i,ht to the
,enti&es< the .essiah shou&d ha$e *o2er to sa! to the *risoners< -5o
forth? to the' that sit in dar0ness< sho2 !ourse&$es?- -to *roc&ai'
&iert! to the ca*ti$es< and the o*enin, of the *rison to the' that are
ound#- Fro' the e,innin, of Christianit! 'en had read in the Ne2
Testa'ent ho2 Jesus had once suffered for sins< the =ust for the un=ust?
and ho2 that ein, *ut to death in the f&esh He 2as >uic0ened ! the
S*irit ! 2hich He 2ent and *reached to the s*irits in *rison 2hich 2ere
disoedient 2hen the &on, sufferin, of 5od 2aited in the da!s of Noah#
A&so the! read ho2 for this cause 2as the 5os*e& *reached to the' that are
dead that the! 'i,ht e =ud,ed as 'en are in the f&esh< ut &i$e accordin,
to 5od in the s*irit? a&so the reasonin, of )au& to the effect that if
there 2as no resurrection of the dead< 2h!< then< 2ere the Saints a*ti4ed
for the dead? a&so ho2 the fathers 2ith out those of &ater ,enerations
cannot e 'ade *erfect# A&& of 2hich *assa,es< ho2e$er< ha$e een
re,arded as a'on, the '!steries of the 2ord of 5od< inco'*rehensi&e<
dar0# "ut touched ! the )ro*het E&i=ah+s hand< i'*artin, to the' their
true i'*ort< ho2 ri,ht the! ,&o2 2ith s*iritua& &i,ht and &ifeK and 2hat
a sense of &ar,eness and *o2er is ,i$en to the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ 2hen
fro' this 'ission of E&i=ah+s there co'es the *o2er to a**&! the
*rinci*&es and ordinances of sa&$ation to a&& the chi&dren of 'en Esa$e
the sons of *erdition? and these< than0 5odK are ut fe2F in a&& a,es of
the 2or&d< and 2hether &i$in, or deadK Ho2 the hori4on of thin,s
res*ectin, the 5os*e& of Christ is *ushed ac0 fro' the 2a&&ed-in &i'its
of that *seudo-Christianit! current a'on, 'en< ! this s*irit and *o2er of
E&i=ah that has co'e into the 2or&dK The fact that such a s*irit has co'e
into the 2or&d is sustained ! *a&*a&e e$idences# The truth of '!
state'ent 2i&& e reco,ni4ed 2hen I sa! that 2ithin the &ast fift! !ears
there has arisen throu,hout the 2or&d an increased s*irit of interest
a'on, 'en concernin, their ancestors that scarce&! sto*s this side of the
'ar$e&ous# In a&& &ands 'en are earnest&! see0in, for their ,enea&o,ies<
and 'an! $o&u'es are issued fro' the *ress annua&&! in 2hich the *edi,rees
of 'en of a&& sorts and conditions are ,i$en# So'e 'a! e said to e
*ossessed a&'ost of a 'ania< on this su=ect so ardent are the! in see0in,
for a 0no2&ed,e of their fore-fathers< and this a&& >uite a*art fro' an!
direct 2or0 that is ein, done a&on, the sa'e &ines ! the Latter-da!
Saints? thou,h the 2or0 of the Saints in the te'*&es for their dead is
,reat&! he&*ed ! this outside circu'stance to 2hich I ca&& attention# 3h!
and 2hence this s*irit in the hearts of the chi&dren 2hich turns the
attention of 'en to the fathers of for'er ,enerations< if it is not a
conse>uence of the fu&fi&&'ent of E&i=ah+s *redicted 'ission that efore
the ,reat and dreadfu& da! of the Lord shou&d co'e he IE&i=ahJ 2ou&d e
sent to turn the heart of the chi&dren to the fathers< and the heart of
the fathers to the chi&drenB
Of the 2or0 done ! the Latter-da! Saints in conse>uence of the
restoration of these s*ecia& 0e!s of the )riesthood ! the hand of E&i=ah
I need scarce&! s*ea0# That the s*irit 2hich ca'e into the 2or&d ! reason
of E&i=ah+s s*ecia& dis*ensation of authorit! to Jose*h S'ith is 2or0in,
u*on the hearts of the Latter-da! Saints is e$idenced ! the ui&din, of
the eautifu& te'*&e at Nau$oo< and ! the erection of the 2or&d-fa'ed
te'*&e in Sa&t La0e Cit!? a&so ! the erection of 'a,nificent te'*&es in
Lo,an< .anti< and St# 5eor,e--a&& in Utah# These te'*&es ha$e a&& een
erected in res*onse to the diffusion of that s*irit that attended u*on
E&i=ah+s 'ission? and are e$idences in stone that the Saints ha$e *arta0en
of that s*irit 2hich turns the hearts of the chi&dren to the fathers#
Another *a&*a&e e$idence to the sa'e ,reat truth is seen in the thron,s
2hich dai&! $isit these te'*&es to *erfor' the ordinances of sa&$ation for
the dead? not on&! a*tis' for the dead< ut a&so the confir'ations<
ordinations and sea&in,s ! 2hich the fathers sha&& e *re*ared for the
0in,do' of 5od< and a&& the fa'i&ies of 'en e set in order< united
to,ether ! onds< co$enants and esta&ished re&ations that sha&& e in
har'on! 2ith that hea$en&! 0in,do' 2hich the redee'ed of 5od sha&&
inherit# The fu&& i'*ortance of this 2or0--its hei,ht and de*th--is not
!et a**reciated ! the chi&dren of 'en? ut so ,reat it is that the *eriod
of our Church Histor! 2hich 2itnesses its e,innin,--e$en if it 2ere the
on&! achie$e'ent--'ust e$er e re,arded as an i'*ortant *eriod#
CALA.ITOUS E%ENTS# As for the ca&a'itous e$ents of the Church durin,
the 1irt&and *eriod< 2hat sha&& 2e sa! of the'B Are the! to e accounted
2ho&&! de*&ora&e< or as *art of that e/*erience of the Church 2hich 'a0es
for ad$ance'entB Un>uestiona&! e$er! e/*erience is of $a&ue to an
indi$idua& or an or,ani4ation# So'e e/*eriences 'a! e sad< and accounted
at the ti'e as disastrous? ut are the! rea&&! soB The rou,h 2ind 2hich
sha0es it he&*s the !oun, and s&o2-,ro2in, oa0? for ! reason of this $er!
sha0in, the tree ta0es fir'er ho&d of the earth? 2ider s*read the roots?
dee*er do2n into the soi& are the! thrust< unti& the sa*&in,< once so
easi&! sha0en< eco'es a 'onarch in the forest< 'oc0s the ho2&in, te'*est<
unti& its hei,ht and fra'e eco'e 2orth! of the &and and at'os*here in
2hich it ,ro2s a ,iant tree# So 'a! ,ro2 a ,o$ern'ent--ci$i& or
ecc&esiastica&--so 'a! ,ro2 the Church< he&*ed ! the ad$erse
circu'stances 2hich sha0e it to the $er! foundations on 2hich it rests#
)rofita&e if not s2eet are the uses of ad$ersit!# As the 2inter+s 2ind
2hen it ites and &o2s u*on 'an+s od! is no f&atterer< ut fee&in,&!
*ersuades hi' 2hat he is< so the ad$erse circu'stances 2hich o$erta0e an
or,ani4ation< such as the Church of Christ< 'a! e $er! *rofita&e to it#
Such ree&&ions and a*ostasies as occurred in this 1irt&and *eriod of the
Church+s histor! ut test and e/hiit the stren,th of the faric# Such
circu'stances force a re$ie2 of the 2or0 as far as acco'*&ished# The 2ho&e
is re-e/a'ined to see if in it there is an! f&a2 or defect? if an!
2orth&ess 'ateria& is ein, 2or0ed into its structure# Hence *eriods
usua&&! considered ca&a'itous are acco'*anied ! corrections of 2hat 'a!
e 2ron,? and the od! re&i,ious is *urified ! the e/*u&sion of those
2hose ree&&ion and a*ostas! ut *ro$e the' un2orth! of the Lord+s 2or0#
Let 'e e ri,ht&! understood here# I a' not contendin, that ad$erse
circu'stances< ree&&ions and a*ostasies are in the'se&$es ,ood# 3hate$er
'a! e the o$er-ru&ed resu&ts to the od! re&i,ious< ree&&ion and
a*ostas! s*e&& conde'nation and the destruction of s*iritua& &ife for the
indi$idua&s o$erta0en ! such ca&a'ities# "ut so &on, as hu'an nature is
2hat it no2 is--2ea0 and sinfu&--=ust so &on, as out of that intracta&e
'ateria& the Church of Christ has the 'ission to *re*are 'en for the
Father+s 0in,do'< =ust so &on, 2i&& there e occasiona& ca&a'ities *eriods
in the histor! of the Church such as 2as the !ear 789M at 1irt&and# "ut
2hat after a&& are such *eriods ut ti'es of *urification< of c&eansin,B
Durin, the *re$ious !ears of success in the 'inistr!< there had een
,athered into the Church a&& c&asses of 'en# As in for'er dis*ensations of
the 5os*e&< so in this &ast dis*ensation? the 0in,do' of hea$en is &i0e
unto a net cast into the sea< that ,athers of e$er! 0ind of fish? and 2hen
it is fu&&< the! dra2 it to shore< and sit do2n< and ,ather the ,ood into
$esse&s< and cast the ad a2a!# The first ste* in the *rocess of
correctin, hu'an nature is to disco$er its defects# It 'a! not a&2a!s
fo&&o2 that 2hen the defects are 'ade 0no2n the! 2i&& e corrected# "ut it
is true that no correction 2i&& e 'ade unti& the necessit! of correction
is 'anifest< unti& the defects are *ointed out# Hence 5od has said( -If
'en 2i&& co'e unto 'e< I 2i&& sho2 unto the' their 2ea0nesses#- "ut<
unha**i&!< it so'eti'es is the case that 'en resist 5od< the! &o$e their
sins< the! eco'e hardened in their ini>uit!< the! resist the S*irit< and
*ro$e the'se&$es un2orth! of the Father+s 0in,do'# 3hat thenB Sha&& the!
*o&&ute that 0in,do'< or sha&& the! e cast out as 'ateria& unfitted for
the .aster+s use< and of their o2n $o&ition choose to re'ain soB There can
e ut one reasona&e ans2er to the >uestion# The! refuse to ,o *eacea&!<
ho2e$er# The! are oisterous< the! accuse the innocent< the! =ustif! their
o2n course< the! see0 to 2rec0 the Church< to rin, to *ass chaos? and in
the 'idst of this disorder the! are cast out? and a&thou,h this 'a! not
a&2a!s end their *o2er to 2or0 'ischief< or create anno!ance for the
od!-re&i,ious--for the *o2er to 2or0 e$i& is sti&& 2ith the'--!et the
Church is rid of the'< and in no 2a! can e re,arded as res*onsi&e for
their 2ic0edness# It is our custo' to enu'erate such scenes as a'on, the
ca&a'itous e$ents of the Church? and the! are so< in so'e as*ects of the
case# As a&read! re'ar0ed it is a ca&a'itous ti'e for those 2ho are cast
out< for the! are o$erco'e of the e$i& one? and as the hea$ens 2e*t 2hen
the Son of the .ornin, and his fo&&o2in, 2ere cast out of hea$en< so it is
to e e/*ected that the Saints 2i&& e sad< and sorro2 o$er those 2ho are
o$erco'e of the ad$ersar!# "ut for the Church herse&f it is 2e&& that this
intracta&e 'ateria& is ,otten rid of? that the od! re&i,ious is *ur,ed
of those 2ho can on&! e a source of 2ea0ness and of sha'e to her# She is
he&*ed ! the e$ent? *urified ! it? stren,thened? 'ade 'ore acce*ta&e
2ith 5od and *&easin, to reasona&e 'en# It is on&! in a 'odified sense<
then< that this &atter *art of the 1irt&and *eriod of the Church+s histor!
can e re,arded as a ca&a'itous ti'e# There is 'ore ad$ersit! !et to
fo&&o2 in the e/*erience of the Saints? 'uch distress and 'an! sore
tria&s? and so sha&& there continue to e such ti'es of tria& as &on, as
the Church re'ains the Church 'i&itant# Not unti& she eco'es the Church
triu'*hant< and is ,&orified ! the *resence of her 5reat Head< the Lord
Jesus Christ< can the Saints ho*e for an aso&ute discontinuance of the
occasiona& recurrence of 2hat are ,enera&&! considered tr!in, or
ca&a'itous e$ents#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS#
)ERIOD I#
HISTORY OF JOSE)H S.ITH< THE )RO)HET#
CHA)TER I# THE YEAR EI5HTEEN HUNDRED AND THIRTY-FOUR--AFFAIRS IN
;ION AND 1IRTLAND#
Januar! 7< 789@#--The scattered Saints in .issouri co''enced the !ear
ei,hteen hundred and thirt!-four< 2ith a conference< 2hich the! he&d in
C&a! count!< on the first da! of Januar!< at 2hich "isho* )artrid,e
*resided# After transactin, 'uch usiness re&ati$e to co'fortin, and
stren,thenin, the scattered 'e'ers of the Church< it 2as
Reso&$ed< That L!'an 3i,ht and )ar&e! )# )ratt e sent as s*ecia&
'essen,ers< to re*resent the situation of the scattered rethren in
.issouri< to the )residenc! and Church in 1irt&and< and as0 their ad$ice#
On the e$enin, of the Hnd of Januar!< a "isho*+s court asse'&ed in
1irt&and to in$esti,ate the case of 3es&e! Hur&urt< a,ainst 2ho' char,es
had een *referred ! Harriet Ho2e and others to the effect -that Hur&urt
had denied the faith< s*o0en re*roachfu&&! of the Church< did not e&ie$e
Jose*h 2as a true )ro*het<- etc< Hur&urt 2as in the *&ace< ut did not
a**ear efore the court< conse>uent&! 2as cut off#
The threats of the 'o aout 1irt&and throu,h the fa&& and 2inter had
een such as to cause the rethren to e constant&! on the &oo0out< and
those 2ho &aored on the te'*&e 2ere en,a,ed at ni,ht 2atchin, to *rotect
the 2a&&s the! had &aid durin, the da!< fro' threatened $io&ence# On the
'ornin, of the 8th of Januar!< aout 7 o+c&oc0< the inhaitants of
1irt&and 2ere a&ar'ed ! the firin, of aout thirteen rounds of cannon< !
the 'o< on the hi&& aout ha&f a 'i&e north2est of the $i&&a,e#
On the e$enin, of the 77th of Januar!< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Frederic0
5# 3i&&ia's< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< John Johnson< O&i$er Co2der!< and Orson
H!de united in *ra!er< and as0ed the Lord to ,rant the fo&&o2in,
*etitions(
7#--That the Lord 2ou&d ,rant that our &i$es 'i,ht e *recious in His
si,ht? that He 2ou&d 2atch o$er our *ersons< and ,i$e His an,e&s char,e
concernin, us and our fa'i&ies< that no e$i& nor unseen hand 'i,ht e
*er'itted to har' us#
H#--That the Lord 2ou&d a&so ho&d the &i$es of a&& the United Order
as sacred< and not suffer that an! of the' shou&d e ta0en#
9#--That the Lord 2ou&d ,rant that "rother Jose*h 'i,ht *re$ai& o$er
his ene'!< e$en Dr# Hur&urt< 2ho has threatened his &ife< 2ho' Jose*h has
caused to e ta0en 2ith a *rece*t? that the Lord 2ou&d fi&& the heart of
the court 2ith a s*irit to do =ustice< and cause that the &a2 of the &and
'a! e 'a,nified in rin,in, Hur&urt to =ustice#
@#--That the Lord in the order of His *ro$idence< 2ou&d *ro$ide the
"isho* of this Church Iat 1irt&andJ 2ith 'eans sufficient to dischar,e
e$er! det< in due season< that the Order o2es< that the Church 'a! not e
rou,ht into disre*ute< and the Saints e aff&icted ! the hands of their
ene'ies#
G#--That the Lord 2ou&d *rotect our *rintin, *ress fro' the hands of
e$i& 'en< and ,i$e us 'eans to send forth His record< e$en His 5os*e&<
That the ears of a&& 'a! hear it? and a&so that 2e 'a! *rint His
Scri*tures? and a&so that He 2ou&d ,i$e those 2ho 2ere a**ointed to
conduct the *ress< 2isdo' sufficient that the cause 'a! not e hindered<
ut that 'en+s e!es 'a! there! e o*ened to see the truth<
:#--That the Lord 2ou&d de&i$er ;ion< and ,ather in His scattered
*eo*&e to *ossess it in *eace? and a&so< 2hi&e in their dis*ersion< that
He 2ou&d *ro$ide for the' that the! *erish not fro' hun,er or co&d? and
fina&&!< that 5od< in the na'e of Jesus< 2ou&d ,ather His e&ect s*eedi&!<
and un$ei& His face< that His Saints 'i,ht eho&d His ,&or!< and d2e&&
2ith Hi'# A'en#
As soon as the 5o$ernor of .issouri inti'ated< or the ne2s e,an to
circu&ate that the -.or'ons- Eas the *eo*&e ca&&ed the 'e'ers of the
ChurchF< 2ou&d e restored to their *ossessions in Jac0son count! Eif the!
desired to eF< the *riests of a&& deno'inations< as the 'en ehind the
scene< 2ith the 'o< e,an to set their s*rin,s in 'otion< and ! their
secret counci&s< and fa&se *u&ications and insinuations< soured the
*u&ic 'ind< and *re$ented the ad'inistration of the &a2s< so that
an!thin, &i0e a return to their houses and &ands< or reco$er! of da'a,es
for &osses sustained< see'ed as distant as the da! of =ud,'ent# The *o2ers
of 2ic0edness and dar0ness 2a&0ed hand in hand to,ether< and the Saints
'ourned<
Januar! 7:#--I $isited "rother Jen0ins Sa&isur!< and s*ent the
ni,ht# O LordK 0ee* us and '! fa'i&! safe< unti& I return unto the'? O '!
5od< ha$e 'erc! on '! rethren in ;ion< for Christ+s sa0e# A'en#
Januar! HH#--The )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood 2rote fro'
1irt&and to the rethren in Christ Jesus< scattered fro' ;ion--scattered
aroad fro' the &and of their inheritance(
THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH IN 1IRTLAND< TO THEIR "RETHREN A"ROAD# Dear
rethren in Christ< and Co'*anions in Triu&ation(
3hen 2e ca&& to re'e'rance the ties 2ith 2hich 2e are ound to those
2ho e'race the e$er&astin, co$enant< and the fe&&o2shi* and &o$e 2ith
2hich the hearts of the chi&dren of our Lord+s 0in,do' shou&d e united<
2e cherish a e&ief that !ou 2i&& ear 2ith us< 2hen 2e ta0e this course
to co''unicate to !ou so'e of the 'an! thou,hts 2hich occu*! our 'inds<
and *ress 2ith continued 2ei,ht u*on our hearts< as 2e ref&ect u*on the
$ast i'*ortance and res*onsii&it! of !our ca&&in,s< in the si,ht of the
.aster of the $ine!ard# And thou,h our co''unications to !ou 'a! e
fre>uent< !et 2e e&ie$e the! 2i&& e recei$ed on !our *art 2ith rother&!
fee&in,s? and that fro' us !our un2orth! rethren< !ou 2i&& suffer a 2ord
of e/hortation to ha$e *&ace in !our hearts< as !ou see the ,reat e/tent
of the *o2er and do'inion of the *rince of dar0ness< and rea&i4e ho2 $ast
the nu'ers are 2ho are cro2din, the road to death 2ithout e$er ,i$in,
heed to the cheerin, sound of the 5os*e& of our Lord Jesus Christ#
Consider for a 'o'ent< rethren< the fu&fi&&'ent of the 2ords of the
*ro*het? for 2e eho&d that dar0ness co$ers the earth< and ,ross dar0ness
the 'inds of the inhaitants thereof--that cri'es of e$er! descri*tion are
increasin, a'on, 'en--$ices of ,reat enor'it! are *racticed--the risin,
,eneration ,ro2in, u* in the fu&&ness of *ride and arro,ance--the a,ed
&osin, e$er! sense of con$iction< and see'in,&! anishin, e$er! thou,ht of
a da! of retriution< inte'*erance< i''ora&it!< e/tra$a,ance< *ride<
&indness of heart< ido&atr!< the &oss of natura& affection? the &o$e of
this 2or&d< and indifference to2ard the thin,s of eternit! increasin,
a'on, those 2ho *rofess a e&ief in the re&i,ion of hea$en< and infide&it!
s*readin, itse&f in conse>uence of the sa'e--'en ,i$in, the'se&$es u* to
co''it acts of the fou&est 0ind< and deeds of the &ac0est d!e<
&as*he'in,< defraudin,< &astin, the re*utation of nei,hors< stea&in,<
roin,< 'urderin,? ad$ocatin, error and o**osin, the truth< forsa0in, the
co$enant of hea$en< and den!in, the faith of Jesus--and in the 'idst of
a&& this< the da! of the Lord fast a**roachin, 2hen none e/ce*t those 2ho
ha$e 2on the 2eddin, ,ar'ent 2i&& e *er'itted to eat and drin0 in the
*resence of the "ride,roo'< the )rince of )eaceK
I'*ressed 2ith the truth of these facts 2hat can e the fee&in,s of
those 2ho ha$e een *arta0ers of the hea$en&! ,ift and ha$e tasted the
,ood 2ord of 5od< and the *o2ers of the 2or&d to co'e# 3ho ut those 2ho
can see the a2fu& *reci*ice u*on 2hich the 2or&d of 'an0ind stands in this
,eneration< can &aor in the $ine!ard of the Lord 2ithout fee&in, a sense
of the 2or&d+s de*&ora&e situationB 3ho ut those 2ho ha$e du&!
considered the condescension of the Father of our s*irits< in *ro$idin, a
sacrifice for His creatures< a *&an of rede'*tion< a *o2er of atone'ent< a
sche'e of sa&$ation< ha$in, as its ,reat o=ects< the rin,in, of 'en ac0
into the *resence of the 1in, of hea$en< cro2nin, the' in the ce&estia&
,&or! and 'a0in, the' heirs 2ith the Son to that inheritance 2hich is
incorru*ti&e< undefi&ed< and 2hich fadeth not a2a!--2ho ut such can
rea&i4e the i'*ortance of a *erfect 2a&0 efore a&& 'en< and a di&i,ence
in ca&&in, u*on a&& 'en to *arta0e of these &essin,sB Ho2 indescria&!
,&orious are these thin,s to 'an0indK Of a truth the! 'a! e considered
tidin,s of ,reat =o! a a&& *eo*&e? and tidin,s< too< that ou,ht to fi&&
the earth and cheer the hearts of e$er! one 2hen sounded in his ears# The
ref&ection that e$er!one is to recei$e accordin, to his o2n di&i,ence and
*erse$erance 2hi&e in the $ine!ard< ou,ht to ins*ire e$er!one 2ho is
ca&&ed to e a 'inister of the ,&ad tidin,s< to so i'*ro$e his ta&ent that
he 'a! ,ain there ta&ents< that 2hen the .aster sits do2n to ta0e an
account of the conduct of His ser$ants< it 'a! e said< 3e&& done< ,ood
and faithfu& ser$ant+ thou hast een faithfu& o$er a fe2 thin,s? I 2i&&
no2 'a0e thee ru&er o$er 'an! thin,s? enter thou into the =o! of th! Lord#
So'e 'a! *retend to sa! that the 2or&d in this a,e is fast increasin,
in ri,hteousness? that the dar0 a,es of su*erstition and &indness ha$e
*assed< 2hen the faith of Christ 2as 0no2n and he&d on&! ! a fe2< 2hen
ecc&esiastic *o2er had an a&'ost uni$ersa& contro& o$er Christendo'< and
the consciences of 'en 2ere ound ! the stron, chains of *riest&! *o2er+
ut no2< the ,&oo'! c&oud is urst< and the 5os*e& is shinin, 2ith a&& the
res*&endent ,&or! of an a*osto&ic da!? and that the 0in,do' of the .essiah
is ,reat&! s*readin,< that the 5os*e& of our Lord is carried to di$ers
nations of the earth< the Scri*tures trans&atin, into different ton,ues?
the 'inisters of truth crossin, the $ast dee* to *roc&ai' to 'en in
dar0ness a risen Sa$ior< and to erect the standard of E''anue& 2here &i,ht
has ne$er shone? and that the ido& is destro!ed< the te'*&e of i'a,es
forsa0en? and those 2ho ut a short ti'e *re$ious fo&&o2ed the traditions
of their fathers and sacrificed their o2n f&esh to a**ease the 2rath of
so'e i'a,inar! ,od< are no2 raisin, their $oices in the 2orshi* of the
.ost Hi,h< and are &iftin, their thou,hts u* to Hi' 2ith the fu&&
e/*ectation that one da! the! 2i&& 'eet 2ith a =o!fu& rece*tion in His
e$er&astin, 0in,do'K
"ut a 'o'ent+s candid ref&ection u*on the *rinci*&es of these
s!ste's< the 'anner in 2hich the! are conducted< the indi$idua&s e'*&o!ed<
the a**arent o=ect he&d out as an induce'ent to cause the' to act< 2e
thin0< is sufficient for e$er! candid 'an a dra2 a conc&usion in his o2n
'ind 2hether this is the order of hea$en or not# 3e dee' it a =ust
*rinci*&e< and it is one the force of 2hich 2e e&ie$e ou,ht to e du&!
considered ! e$er! indi$idua&< that a&& 'en are created e>ua&< and that
a&& ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of thin0in, for the'se&$es u*on a&& 'atters
re&ati$e to conscience# Conse>uent&!< then< 2e are not dis*osed< had 2e
the *o2er< to de*ri$e an! one of e/ercisin, that free inde*endence of 'ind
2hich hea$en has so ,racious&! esto2ed u*on the hu'an fa'i&! as one of
its choicest ,ifts? ut 2e ta0e the &iert! Eand this 2e ha$e a ri,ht to
doF of &oo0in, at this order of thin,s a fe2 'o'ents< and contrastin, it
2ith the order of 5od as 2e find it in the sacred scri*tures# In this
re$ie2< ho2e$er< 2e sha&& *resent the *oints as 2e consider the! 2ere
rea&&! desi,ned ! the ,reat 5i$er to e understood< and the ha**! resu&t
arisin, fro' a *erfor'ance of the re>uire'ents of hea$en as re$ea&ed to
e$er! one 2ho oe!s the'? and the conse>uence attendin, a fa&se
construction< a 'isre*resentation< or a forced 'eanin, that 2as ne$er
desi,ned in the 'ind of the Lord 2hen He condescended to s*ea0 fro' the
hea$ens to 'en for their sa&$ation#
)re$ious to enterin, u*on a su=ect of so ,reat 'o'ent to the hu'an
fa'i&! there is a *ro'inent ite' 2hich su,,ests itse&f to our 'inds 2hich<
here< in fe2 2ords< 2e 2ish to discuss+ A&& re,u&ar&! or,ani4ed and 2e&&
esta&ished ,o$ern'ents ha$e certain &a2s ! 2hich< 'ore or &ess< the
innocent are *rotected and the ,ui&t! *unished< The fact ad'itted< that
certain &a2s are ,ood< e>uita&e and =ust< ou,ht to e indin, u*on the
indi$idua& 2ho ad'its this< and &ead hi' to oser$e in the strictest
'anner an oedience to those &a2s# These &a2s 2hen $io&ated< or ro0en !
the indi$idua&< 'ust< in =ustice< con$ict his 'ind 2ith a dou&e force< if
*ossi&e< of the e/tent and 'a,nitude of his cri'e? ecause he cou&d ha$e
no *&ea of i,norance to *roduce? and his act of trans,ression 2as o*en&!
co''itted a,ainst &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e# "ut the indi$idua& 2ho 'a! e
i,norant and i'*erce*ti&! trans,resses or $io&ates &a2s< thou,h the $oice
of the countr! re>uires that he shou&d suffer< !et he 2i&& ne$er fee& that
re'orse of conscience that the other 2i&&< and that 0een< cuttin,
ref&ection 2i&& ne$er rise in his reast that other2ise 2ou&d< had he done
the deed< or co''itted the offense in fu&& con$iction that he 2as rea0in,
the &a2 of his countr!< and ha$in, *re$ious&! ac0no2&ed,ed the sa'e to e
=ust# It is not our intention ! these re'ar0s< to atte'*t to *&ace the
&a2 of 'an on a *ara&&e& 2ith the &a2 of hea$en? ecause 2e do not
consider that it is for'ed in the sa'e 2isdo' and *ro*riet!? neither do 2e
consider that it is sufficient in itse&f to esto2 an!thin, on 'an in
co'*arison 2ith the &a2 of hea$en< e$en shou&d it *ro'ise it# The &a2s of
'en 'a! ,uarantee to a *eo*&e *rotection in the honora&e *ursuits of this
&ife< and the te'*ora& ha**iness arisin, fro' a *rotection a,ainst un=ust
insu&ts and in=uries and 2hen this is said< a&& is said< that can e in
truth< of the *o2er< e/tent< and inf&uence of the &a2s of 'en< e/c&usi$e
of the &a2 of 5od# The &a2 of hea$en is *resented to 'an< and as such
,uarantees to a&& 2ho oe! it a re2ard far e!ond an! earth&!
consideration? thou,h it does not *ro'ise that the e&ie$er in e$er! a,e
shou&d e e/e'*t fro' the aff&ictions and trou&es arisin, fro' different
sources in conse>uence of the acts of 2ic0ed 'en on earth# Sti&& in the
'idst of a&& this there is a *ro'ise *redicated u*on the fact that it is
the &a2 of hea$en< 2hich transcends the &a2 of 'an< as far as eterna& &ife
the te'*ora&? and as the &essin, 2hich 5od is a&e to ,i$e< are ,reater
than those 2hich can e ,i$en ! 'an# Then< certain&!< if the &a2 of 'an
is indin, u*on 'an 2hen ac0no2&ed,ed< ho2 'uch 'ore 'ust the &a2 of
hea$en eK And as 'uch as the &a2 of hea$en is 'ore *erfect than the &a2
of 'an< so 'uch ,reater 'ust e the re2ard if oe!ed# The &a2 of 'an
*re'ises safet! in te'*ora& &ife? ut the &a2 of 5od *ro'ises that &ife
2hich is eterna&< e$en an inheritance at 5od+s o2n ri,ht hand< secure fro'
a&& the *o2ers of the 2ic0ed one#
3e consider that 5od has created 'an 2ith a 'ind ca*a&e of
instruction< and a facu&t! 2hich 'a! e en&ar,ed in *ro*ortion to the heed
and di&i,ence ,i$en to the &i,ht co''unicated fro' hea$en to the
inte&&ect? and that the nearer 'an a**roaches *erfection< the c&earer are
his $ie2s< and the ,reater his en=o!'ents< ti&& he has o$erco'e the e$i&s
of his &ife and &ost e$er! desire for sin? and &i0e the ancients arri$es
at that *oint of faith 2here he is 2ra**ed in the *o2er and ,&or! of his
.a0er< and is cau,ht u* to d2e&& 2ith Hi'# "ut 2e consider that this is a
station to 2hich no 'an e$er arri$ed in a 'o'ent+ he 'ust ha$e een
instructed in the ,o$ern'ent and &a2s of that 0in,do' ! *ro*er de,rees<
unti& his 'ind is ca*a&e in so'e 'easure of co'*rehendin, the *ro*riet!<
=ustice< e>ua&it!< and consistenc! of the sa'e# For further instruction 2e
refer !ou to Deut# ///ii< 2here the Lord sa!s< that Jaco is the &ot of
his inheritance# He found hi' in a desert &and< and in the 2aste< ho2&in,
2i&derness? He &ed hi' aout< e instructed hi'< He 0e*t hi' as the a**&e
of His e!e< etc#? 2hich 2i&& sho2 the force of the &ast ite' ad$anced<
that it is necessar! for 'en to recei$e an understandin, concernin, the
&a2s of the hea$en&! 0in,do'< efore the! are *er'itted to enter it< 2e
'ean the ce&estia& ,&or!# So dissi'i&ar are the ,o$ern'ents of 'en< and so
di$ers are their &a2s< fro' the ,o$ern'ent and &a2s of hea$en< that a 'an<
for instance< hearin, that there 2as a countr! on this ,&oe ca&&ed the
United States of North A'erica< cou&d ta0e his =ourne! to this *&ace
2ithout first &earnin, the &a2s of ,o$ern'ent? ut the conditions of 5od+s
0in,do' are such< that a&& 2ho are 'ade *arta0ers of that ,&or!< are under
the necessit! of &earnin, so'ethin, res*ectin, it *re$ious to their
enterin, into it# "ut the forei,ner can co'e to this countr! 2ithout
0no2in, a s!&&a&e of its &a2s< or e$en suscriin, to oe! the' after he
arri$es# 3h!B "ecause the ,o$ern'ent of the United States does not re>uire
it( it on&! re>uires an oedience to its &a2s after the indi$idua& has
arri$ed 2ithin its =urisdiction#
As 2e *re$ious&! re'ar0ed< 2e do not atte'*t to *&ace the &a2 of 'an
on a *ara&&e& 2ith the &a2 of hea$en? ut 2e 2i&& rin, for2ard another
ite'< to further ur,e the *ro*riet! of !ie&din, oedience to the &a2 of
hea$en< after the fact is ad'itted< that the &a2s of 'an are indin, u*on
'an# 3ere a 0in, to e/tend his do'inion o$er the haita&e earth< and send
forth his &a2s 2hich 2ere of the 'ost *erfect 0ind< and co''and his
su=ects one and a&& to !ie&d oedience to the sa'e< and add as a re2ard
to those 2ho oe!ed the'< that at a certain *eriod the! shou&d e ca&&ed
to attend the 'arria,e of his son< 2ho in due ti'e 2as to recei$e the
0in,do'< and the! shou&d e 'ade e>ua& 2ith hi' in the sa'e? and fi/ as a
*ena&t! for disoedience that e$er! indi$idua& ,ui&t! of it shou&d e cast
out at the 'arria,e feast< and ha$e no *art nor *ortion 2ith his
,o$ern'ent< 2hat rationa& 'ind cou&d for a 'o'ent accuse the 0in, 2ith
in=ustice for *unishin, such ree&&ious su=ectsB In the first *&ace his
&a2s 2ere =ust< eas! to e co'*&ied 2ith< and *erfect+ nothin, of a
t!rannica& nature 2as re>uired of the'? ut the $er! construction of the
&a2s 2as e>uit! and eaut!< and 2hen oe!ed 2ou&d *roduce the ha**iest
condition *ossi&e to a&& 2ho adhered to the'< eside the &ast ,reat
enefit of sittin, do2n 2ith a ro!a& roe in the *resence of the 0in, at
the ,reat< ,rand 'arria,e su**er of his son< and e 'ade e>ua& 2ith hi' in
a&& the affairs of the 0in,do'#
3hen these ro!a& &a2s 2ere issued< and *ro'u&,ated throu,hout the
$ast do'inion< e$er! su=ect< 2hen interro,ated 2hether he e&ie$ed the'
to e fro' his so$erei,n or not< ans2ered< Yes? I 0no2 the! are< I a'
ac>uainted 2ith the si,nature< for it is as usua&# Thus saith the 1in,K
This ad'itted< the su=ect is ound ! e$er! consideration of honor to his
countr!< his 0in,< and his o2n *ersona& character< to oser$e in the
strictest sense e$er! re>uisition in the ro!a& edict# Shou&d an! esca*e
the search of the a'assadors of the 0in, and ne$er hear these &ast &a2s<
,i$in, his su=ects such e/a&ted *ri$i&e,es< an e/cuse 'i,ht e ur,ed in
their eha&f< and the! esca*e the censure of the 0in,# "ut for those 2ho
had heard< 2ho had ad'itted< and 2ho had *ro'ised oedience to these =ust
&a2s no e/cuse cou&d e ur,ed? and 2hen rou,ht into the *resence of the
0in,< certain&! =ustice 2ou&d re>uire that the! shou&d suffer a *ena&t!#
Cou&d that 0in, e =ust in ad'ittin, these ree&&ious indi$idua&s into the
fu&& en=o!'ent and *ri$i&e,es 2ith his son< and those 2ho had een
oedient to his co''and'entsB Certain&! not# "ecause the! disre,arded the
$oice of their &a2fu& 0in,? the! had no re,ard for his $irtuous &a2s< for
his di,nit!< nor for the honor of his na'e? neither for the honor of their
countr!< nor their *ri$ate $irtue# The! re,arded not his authorit! enou,h
to oe! hi'< neither did the! re,ard the i''ediate ad$anta,es and
&essin,s arisin, fro' these &a2s if 0e*t< so destitute 2ere the! of
$irtue and ,oodness? and ao$e a&&< the! re,arded so &itt&e the =o! and
satisfaction of a &e,a& seat in the *resence of the 0in,+s on&! son< and
to e 'ade e>ua& 2ith hi' in a&& the &essin,s< honors< co'forts< and
fe&icities of his 0in,do'< that the! turned a2a! fro' a *artici*ation in
the'< and considered that the! 2ere eneath their *resent notice thou,h
the! had no dout as to the rea& authenticit! of the ro!a& edict#
3e as0< a,ain< 2ou&d the 0in, e =ust in ad'ittin, these ree&s to
a&& the *ri$i&e,es of the 0in,do'< 2ith those 2ho had ser$ed hi' 2ith the
*erfect inte,rit!B 3e a,ain ans2er< No# Such indi$idua&s 2ou&d e
dan,erous characters in an! ,o$ern'ent< ,ood and 2ho&eso'e &a2s the!
des*ise? =ust and *erfect *rinci*&es the! tra'*&e under their feet as
so'ethin, eneath their notice? and the co''ands of their so$erei,n 2hich
the! had once ac0no2&ed,ed to e e>uita&e the! entire&! disre,ard# Ho2
cou&d a ,o$ern'ent e conducted 2ith har'on! if its ad'inistrators 2ere
*ossessed 2ith such different dis*ositions and different *rinci*&esB Cou&d
it *ros*erB Cou&d it f&ourishB 3ou&d har'on! *re$ai&B 3ou&d order e
esta&ished< and cou&d =ustice e e/ecuted in ri,hteousness in a&&
ranches of its de*art'entsB NoK In it 2ere t2o c&asses of 'en as
dissi'i&ar as &i,ht and dar0ness< $irtue and $ice< =ustice and in=ustice<
truth and fa&sehood< ho&iness and sin One c&ass 2ere *erfect&! har'&ess
and $irtuous< the! 0ne2 2hat $irtue 2as for the! had &i$ed in the fu&&est
en=o!'ent of it< and their fide&it! to truth had een fair&! tested ! a
series of !ears of faithfu& oedience to a&& its hea$en&! *rece*ts# The!
0ne2 2hat ,ood order 2as< for the! had een order&! and oedient to the
&a2s i'*osed on the' ! their 2ise so$erei,n< and had e/*erienced the
enefits arisin, fro' a &ife s*ent in his ,o$ern'ent ti&& he has no2 seen
*ro*er to 'a0e the' e>ua& 2ith his son# Such indi$idua&s 2ou&d indeed
adorn an! court 2here *erfection 2as one of its 'ain s*rin,s of action<
and shine far 'ore faire than the richest ,e' in the diade' of the *rince#
The other c&ass 2ere a set of indi$idua&s 2ho disre,arded e$er!
*rinci*&e of =ustice and e>uit!? and this is de'onstrated fro' the fact<
that 2hen =ust &a2s 2ere issued ! the 0in,< 2hich 2ere *erfect&!
e>uita&e< the! 2ere so &ost to a sense of ri,hteousness that the!
disre,arded those &a2s< not2ithstandin, an oedience to the' 2ou&d ha$e
*roduced at the ti'e< as re,ards their o2n *ersona& co'fort and ad$anta,e<
the ha**iest resu&t *ossi&e# The! 2ere entire&! destitute of har'on! and
$irtue< so 'uch so that $irtuous &a2s the! des*ised# The! had *ro$en
the'se&$es un2orth! a *&ace in the =o!s of the *rince< ecause the! had
for a series of !ears &i$ed in o*en $io&ation of his ,o$ern'ent#
Certain&!< then< those t2o c&asses of 'en cou&d not ho&d the reins of the
sa'e ,o$ern'ent at the sa'e ti'e in *eace? for interna& =ars< roi&s< and
discords 2ou&d rac0 it to the center< 2ere such a for' of ,o$ern'ent to
e/ist under such a s!ste'# The $irtuous cou&d not en=o! *eace in the
constant and unceasin, sche'es and e$i& *&ans of the 2ic0ed? neither cou&d
the 2ic0ed ha$e en=o!'ent in the constant *erser$erence of the ri,hteous
to do =ust&!# That there 'ust e an a,ree'ent in this ,o$ern'ent< or it
cou&d not stand< 'ust e ad'itted ! a&&# Shou&d the 0in, con$e! the reins
into the hands or the ree&&ious the ,o$ern'ent 'ust soon fa&&? for e$er!
,o$ern'ent< fro' the creation to the *resent< 2hen it ceased to e
$irtuous< and fai&ed to e/ecute =ustice sooner or &ater has een
o$erthro2n# And 2ithout $irtuous *rinci*&es to actuate a ,o$ern'ent a&&
care for =ustice is soon &ost< and the on&! 'oti$e 2hich *ro'*ts it to act
is a'ition and se&fishness# Shou&d the 0in, ad'it these ree&s into his
house to 'a0e the' e>ua& 2ith the others< he 2ou&d condescend eneath his
di,nit!< ecause he once issued $irtuous &a2s 2hich 2ere recei$ed ! a
*art of his su=ects< and the re2ard affi/ed 2as a seat at the 'arria,e
feast< and an ado*tion into his o2n fa'i&! as &a2fu& heirs# So that shou&d
he no2 offer an!thin, different he 2ou&d destro! fore$er that ,o$ern'ent
2hich he once so di&i,ent&! &aored to esta&ish and *reser$e and 2hich he
once had 2isdo' to or,ani4e# Such indi$idua&s as the &ast na'ed< 2ou&d e
a ane to a $irtuous ,o$ern'ent< and 2ou&d *ro$e its o$erthro2 if suffered
to ho&d a *art in conducin, it#
3e ta0e the sacred 2ritin,s into our hands< and ad'it that the! 2ere
,i$en ! direct ins*iration for the ,ood of 'an# 3e e&ie$e that 5od
condescended to s*ea0 fro' the hea$ens and dec&are His 2i&& concernin, the
hu'an fa'i&!< to ,i$e the' =ust and ho&! &a2s< to re,u&ate their conduct<
and ,uide the' in a direct 2a!< that in due ti'e He 'i,ht ta0e the' to
Hi'se&f< and 'a0e the' =oint heirs 2ith His Son# "ut 2hen this fact is
ad'itted< that the i''ediate 2i&& of hea$en is contained in the
scri*tures< are 2e not ound as rationa& creatures to &i$e in accordance
to a&& its *rece*tsB 3i&& the 'ere ad'ission that this is the 2i&& of
hea$en e$er enefit us if 2e do not co'*&! 2ith a&& his teachin,sB Do 2e
offer $io&ence to the Su*re'e Inte&&i,ence of hea$en< 2hen 2e ad'it the
truth of its teachin,s< and do not oe! the'B Do 2e not descend e&o2 our
o2n 0no2&ed,e< and the etter 2isdo' 2hich hea$en has endo2ed us 2ith< !
such a course of conductB For these reasons< if 2e ha$e direct re$e&ations
,i$en us fro' hea$en< sure&! those re$e&ations 2ere ne$er ,i$en to e
trif&ed 2ith< 2ithout the trif&er+s incurrin, dis*&easure and $en,ence
u*on his o2n head< if there is an! =ustice in hea$en? and that there is
'ust e ad'itted ! e$er! indi$idua& 2ho ad'its the truth and force of
5od+s teachin,s< His &essin,s and cursin,s< as contained in the sacred
$o&u'e#
Here< then< 2e ha$e this *art of our su=ect i''ediate&! efore us
for consideration( 5od has in reser$e a ti'e< or *eriod a**ointed in His
o2n oso'< 2hen He 2i&& rin, a&& His su=ects< 2ho ha$e oe!ed His $oice
and 0e*t His co''and'ents< into His ce&estia& rest# This rest is of such
*erfection and ,&or!< that 'an has need of a *re*aration efore he can<
accordin, to the &a2s of that 0in,do'< enter it and en=o! its &essin,s#
This ein, the fact< 5od has ,i$en certain &a2s to the hu'an fa'i&!<
2hich< if oser$ed< are sufficient to *re*are the' to inherit this rest#
This< then< 2e conc&ude< 2as the *ur*ose of 5od in ,i$in, His &a2s to us<
if not< 2ho< or for 2hat 2ere the! ,i$enB If the 2ho&e fa'i&! of 'an 2ere
as 2e&& off 2ithout the' as the! 'i,ht e 2ith the'< for 2hat *ur*ose or
intent 2ere the! e$er ,i$enB 3as it that 5od 2anted to 'ere&! sho2 that He
cou&d ta&0B It 2ou&d e nonsense to su**ose that He 2ou&d condescend to
ta&0 in $ain+ for it 2ou&d e in $ain< and to no *ur*ose 2hate$er Iif the
&a2 of 5od 2ere of no enefit to 'anJ( ecause< a&& the co''and'ents
contained in the &a2 of the Lord< ha$e the sure *ro'ise anne/ed of a
re2ard to a&& 2ho oe!< *redicated u*on the fact that the! are rea&&! the
*ro'ises of a "ein, 2ho cannot &ie< One 2ho is aundant&! a&e to fu&fi&&
e$er! titt&e of His 2ord+ and if 'an 2ere as 2e&& *re*ared< or cou&d e as
2e&& *re*ared< to 'eet 5od 2ithout their e$er ha$in, een ,i$en in the
first instance< 2h! 2ere the! e$er ,i$enB for certain&!< in that case the!
can no2 do hi' no ,ood#
As 2e *re$ious&! re'ar0ed< a&& 2e&& esta&ished and *ro*er&!
or,ani4ed ,o$ern'ents ha$e certain fi/ed and *ro'inent &a2s for the
re,u&ation and 'ana,e'ent of the sa'e# If 'an has ,ro2n to 2isdo' and is
ca*a&e of discernin, the *ro*riet! of &a2s to ,o$ern nations< 2hat &ess
can e e/*ected fro' the Ru&er and U*ho&der of the uni$erseB Can 2e
su**ose that He has a 0in,do' 2ithout &a2sB Or do 2e e&ie$e that it is
co'*osed of an innu'era&e co'*an! of ein,s 2ho are entire&! e!ond a&&
&a2B Conse>uent&! ha$e need of nothin, to ,o$ern or re,u&ate the'B 3ou&d
not such ideas e a re*roach to our 5reat )arent< and at $ariance 2ith His
,&orious inte&&i,enceB 3ou&d it not e assertin, that 'an had found out a
secret e!ond Deit!B That he had &earned that it 2as ,ood to ha$e &a2s<
2hi&e 5od after e/istin, fro' eternit! and ha$in, *o2er to create 'an< had
not found out that it 2as *ro*er to ha$e &a2s for his ,o$ern'entB 3e ad'it
that 5od is the ,reat source and fountain fro' 2hence *roceeds a&& ,ood?
that He is *erfect inte&&i,ence< and that His 2isdo' is a&one sufficient
to ,o$ern and re,u&ate the 'i,ht! creations and 2or&ds 2hich shine and
&a4e 2ith such 'a,nificence and s*&endor o$er our heads< as thou,h
touched 2ith His an,er and 'o$ed ! His A&'i,ht! 2ord< And if so< it is
done and re,u&ated ! &a2? for 2ithout &a2 a&& 'ust certain&! fa&& into
chaos# If< then< 2e ad'it that 5od is the source of a&& 2isdo' and
understandin,< 2e 'ust ad'it that ! His direct ins*iration He has tau,ht
'an that &a2 is necessar! in order to ,o$ern and re,u&ate His o2n
i''ediate interest and 2e&fare+ for this reason< that &a2 is eneficia& to
*ro'ote *eace and ha**iness a'on, 'en# And as efore re'ar0ed< 5od is the
source fro' 2hence *roceeds a&& ,ood? and if 'an is enefitted ! &a2<
then certain&!< &a2 is ,ood? and if &a2 is ,ood then &a2< or the *rinci*&e
of it e'anated fro' 5od? for 5od is the source of a&& ,ood? conse>uent&!<
then< he 2as the first Author of &a2< or the *rinci*&e of it< to 'an0ind#
3e 2ou&d re'ind !ou< rethren< of the fati,ues< tria&s< *ri$ations<
and *ersecutions< 2hich the ancient saints endured for the so&e *ur*ose of
*ersuadin, 'en of the e/ce&&ence and *ro*riet! of the faith of Christ<
2ere it in our o*inion necessar!< or if it 2ou&d ser$e in an! res*ect to
sti'u&ate !ou to &aor in the $ine!ard of the Lord 2ith an! 'ore
di&i,ence< ut 2e ha$e reason to e&ie$e Eif !ou 'a0e the ho&! Scri*tures
a sufficient *art of !our studiesF< that their *erse$erance is 0no2n to
!ou a&&? as a&so that the! 2ere 2i&&in, to sacrifice the *resent honors
and *&easures of this 2or&d< that the! 'i,ht otain an assurance of a
cro2n of &ife fro' the hand of our Lord? and their e/ce&&ent e/a'*&e in
&aor< 2hich 'anifests their 4ea& to us in the cause 2hich the! e'raced<
!ou are dai&! stri$in, to *attern# And not on&! these e/a'*&es of the
Saints< ut the co''and'ents of our Lord< 2e ho*e are constant&! re$o&$in,
in !our hearts< teachin, !ou< not on&! His 2i&& in *roc&ai'in, His 5os*e&<
ut His 'ee0ness and *erfect 2a&0 efore a&&< e$en in those ti'es of
se$ere *ersecutions and ause 2hich 2ere hea*ed u*on hi' ! a 2ic0ed and
adu&terous ,eneration# Re'e'er< rethren< that He has ca&&ed !ou unto
ho&iness< and need 2e sa!< to e &i0e Hi' in *urit!B Ho2 2ise< ho2 ho&!?
ho2 chaste< and ho2 *erfect< then< !ou ou,ht to conduct !ourse&$es in his
si,ht< and re'e'er< too< that His e!es are continua&&! u*on !ou# %ie2in,
these facts in a *ro*er &i,ht< !ou cannot e insensi&e< that 2ithout a
strict oser$ance of a&& His di$ine re>uire'ents< !ou 'a!< at &east< e
found 2antin,< and if so< !ou 2i&& ad'it< that !our &ot 2i&& e cast a'on,
the un*rofita&e ser$ants# 3e eseech !ou< therefore< rethren< to i'*ro$e
u*on a&& thin,s co''itted to !our char,e< that !ou &ose not !our re2ard#
No dout< the course 2hich 2e *ursued in our &ast co''unication to
!ou< is !et fa'i&iar to !our 'inds? that 2e there endea$ored to sho2< as
far as *ossi&e< the *ro*riet!< in *art< of adherin, to the &a2 of hea$en?
and a&so< the consistenc! in &oo0in, to hea$en for a &a2 or ru&e to ser$e
as a ,uide in this *resent state of e/istence< that 2e 'a! e *re*ared to
'eet that 2hich ine$ita&! a2aits us< as 2e&& as a&& 'an0ind# There is an
i'*ortance< *erha*s< attached to this su=ect< 2hich the 2or&d has not so
fu&&! e/a'ined as it re>uires# Thin0 for a 'o'ent< of the ,reatness of the
"ein, 2ho created the Uni$erse? and as0< cou&d He e so unconsistent 2ith
his o2n character< as to &ea$e 'an 2ithout a &a2 or ru&e ! 2hich to
re,u&ate his conduct< after *&acin, hi' here< 2here< accordin, to the
for'ation of his nature he 'ust in a short *eriod sin0 into the dustB Is
there nothin, further? is there no e/istence e!ond this 2a&& of death
2hich is so sudden&! to e cast o$er a&& of usB If there is< 2h! not that
ein, 2ho had *o2er to *&ace us here< infor' us so'ethin, of the
hereafterB If 2e had *o2er to *&ace ourse&$es in this *resent e/istence<
2h! not ha$e *o2er to 0no2 2hat sha&& fo&&o2 2hen that dar0 $ei& is cast
o$er our odiesB If in this &ife 2e recei$e our a&&? if 2hen 2e cru'&e
ac0 to dust 2e are no 'ore< fro' 2hat source did 2e e'anate< and 2hat 2as
the *ur*ose of our e/istenceB If this &ife 2ere a&&< 2e shou&d e &ed to
>uer!< 2hether or not there 2as rea&&! an! sustance in e/istence< and 2e
'i,ht 2ith *ro*riet! sa!< -Let us eat< drin0< and e 'err!< for to'orro2
2e dieK - "ut if this &ife is a&&< then 2h! this constant toi&in,< 2h!
this continua& 2arfare< and 2h! this unceasin, trou&eB "ut this &ife is
not a&&< the $oice of reason< the &an,ua,e of ins*iration< and the S*irit
of the &i$in, 5od< our Creator< teaches us< as 2e ho&d the record of truth
in our hands< that this is not the ca,e< that this is not so? for< the
hea$ens dec&are the ,&or! of a 5od< and the fir'a'ent sho2eth His
handi2or0? and a 'o'ent+s ref&ection is sufficient to teach e$er! 'an of
co''on inte&&i,ence< that a&& these are not the 'ere *roductions of
chance< nor cou&d the! e su**orted ! an! *o2er &ess than an A&'i,ht!
hand? and He that can 'ar0 the *o2er of o'ni*otence< inscried u*on the
hea$ens< can a&so see 5od+s o2n hand2ritin, in the sacred $o&u'e< and he
2ho reads it oftenest 2i&& &i0e it est< and he 2ho is ac>uainted 2ith it<
2i&& 0no2 the hand 2here$er he can see it? and 2hen once disco$ered< it
2i&& not on&! recei$e an ac0no2&ed,'ent< ut an oedience to a&& his
hea$en&! *rece*ts# For a 'o'ent ref&ect( 2hat cou&d ha$e een the *ur*ose
of our Father in ,i$in, to us a &a2B 3as it that it 'i,ht e oe!ed< or
disoe!edB And thin0 further< too< not on&! of the *ro*riet!< ut of the
i'*ortance of attendin, to His &a2s in e$er! *articu&ar# If< then< there
is an i'*ortance in this res*ect< is there not a res*onsii&it! of ,reat
2ei,ht restin, u*on those 2ho are ca&&ed to dec&are these truths to 'enB
3ere 2e ca*a&e of &a!in, an! thin, efore !ou as a =ust co'*arison< 2e
2ou&d cheerfu&&! do it? ut in this our ai&it! fai&s< and 2e are inc&ined
to thin0 that 'an is una&e< 2ithout assistance e!ond 2hat has een ,i$en
to those efore< of e/*ressin, in 2ords the ,reatness of this i'*ortant
su=ect# 3e can on&! sa!< that if an antici*ation of the =o!s of the
ce&estia& ,&or!< as 2itnessed to the hearts of the hu'&e is not
sufficient< 2e 2i&& &ea$e to !ourse&$es the resu&t of !our o2n di&i,ence?
for 5od ere &on,< 2i&& ca&& a&& His ser$ants efore Hi'< and there fro'
His o2n hand the! 2i&& recei$e a =ust reco'*ense and a ri,hteous re2ard
for a&& their &aors# C C C C C C C C C C C C C
It is reasona&e to su**ose< that 'an de*arted fro' the first
teachin,s< or instructions 2hich he recei$ed fro' hea$en in the first a,e<
and refused ! his disoedience to e ,o$erned ! the'# Conse>uent&!< he
for'ed such &a2s as est suited his o2n 'ind< or as he su**osed< 2ere est
ada*ted to his situation# "ut that 5od had inf&uenced 'an 'ore or &ess
since that ti'e in the for'ation of &a2 for His enefit 2e ha$e no
hesitanc! in e&ie$in,? for< as efore re'ar0ed< ein, the source of a&&
,ood< e$er! =ust and e>uita&e &a2 2as in a ,reater or &ess de,ree
inf&uenced ! Hi'# And thou,h 'an in his o2n su**osed 2isdo' 2ou&d not
ad'it the inf&uence of a *o2er su*erior to his o2n< !et for 2ise and ,reat
*ur*oses< for the ,ood and ha**iness of His creatures< 5od has instructed
'an to for' 2ise and 2ho&eso'e &a2s< since he ad de*arted fro' Hi' and
refused to ,o$erned ! those &a2s 2hich 5od had ,i$en ! His o2n $oice
fro' on hi,h in the e,innin,# "ut not2ithstandin, the trans,ression< !
2hich 'an had cut hi'se&f off fro' an i''ediate intercourse 2ith his
.as0er 2ithout a .ediator< it a**ears that the ,reat and ,&orious *&an of
His rede'*tion 2as *re$ious&! *ro$ided? the sacrifice *re*ared? the
atone'ent 2rou,ht ut in the 'ind and *ur*ose of 5od< e$en in the *erson
of the Son< throu,h 2ho' 'an 2as no2 to &oo0 for acce*tance< and throu,h
2hose 'erits he 2as no2 tau,ht that he a&one cou&d find rede'*tion< since
the 2orth had een *ronounced< Unto dust thou sha&t return#
"ut that 'an 2as not a&e hi'se&f to erect a s!ste'< or *&an 2ith
*o2er sufficient to free hi' fro' a destruction 2hich a2aited hi'< is
e$ident fro' the fact that 5od< as efore re'ar0ed< *re*ared a sacrifice
in the ,ift of His o2n Son 2ho shou&d e sent in due ti'e< to *re*are a
2a!< or o*en a door throu,h 2hich 'an 'i,ht enter into the Lord+s
*resence< 2hence he had een cast out for disoedience# Fro' ti'e to ti'e
these ,&ad tidin,s 2ere Founded in the ears of 'en in different a,es of
the 2or&d do2n to the ti'e of .essiah+s co'in,# "! faith in this atone'ent
or *&an of rede'*tion< Ae& offered to 5od a sacrifice that 2as acce*ted<
2hich 2as the first&in,s of the f&oc0< Cain offered of the fruit of the
,round< and 2as not acce*ted< ecause he cou&d not do it in faith< he
cou&d ha$e no faith< or cou&d not e/ercise faith contrar! to the *&an of
hea$en# It 'ust e sheddin, the &ood of the on&! "e,otten to atone for
'an? for this 2as the *&an of rede'*tion< and 2ithout the sheddin, of
&ood 2as no re'ission? and as the sacrifice 2as instituted for a t!*e< !
2hich 'an 2as to discern the ,reat Sacrifice 2hich 5od had *re*ared? to
offer a sacrifice contrar! to that< no faith cou&d e e/ercised< ecause
rede'*tion 2as not *urchased in that 2a!< nor the *o2er of atone'ent
instituted after that order? conse>uent&! Cain cou&d ha$e no faith? and
2hatsoe$er is not of faith< is sin# "ut Ae& offered an acce*ta&e
sacrifice< ! 2hich he otained 2itness that he 2as ri,hteous< 5od Hi'se&f
testif!in, of his ,ifts# Certain&!< the sheddin, of the &ood of a east
cou&d e eneficia& to no 'an< e/ce*t it 2as done in i'itation< or as a
t!*e< or e/*&anation of 2hat 2as to e offered throu,h the ,ift of 5od
Hi'se&f? and this *erfor'ance done 2ith an e!e &oo0in, for2ard in faith on
the *o2er of that ,reat Sacrifice for a re'ission of sins# "ut ho2e$er
$arious 'a! ha$e een< and 'a! e at the *resent ti'e< the o*inions of 'en
res*ectin, the conduct of Ae&< and the 0no2&ed,e 2hich he had on the
su=ect of atone'ent< it is e$ident in our 'inds< that he 2as instructed
'ore fu&&! in the *&an than 2hat the "i&e s*ea0s of< for ho2 cou&d he
offer a sacrifice in faith< &oo0in, to 5od for a re'ission of his sins in
the *o2er of the ,reat atone'ent< 2ithout ha$in, een *re$ious&!
instructed in that *&anB And further< if he 2as acce*ted of 5od< 2hat 2ere
the ordinances *erfor'ed further than the offerin, of the first&in,s of
the f&oc0B
It is said ! )au& in his &etter to the Here2 rethren< that Ae&
otained 2itness that he 2as ri,hteous< 5od testif!in, of his ,ifts# To
2ho' did 5od testif! of the ,ifts of Ae&< 2as it to )au&B 3e ha$e $er!
&itt&e on this i'*ortant su=ect in the fore*art of the "i&e# "ut it is
said that Ae& hi'se&f otained 2itness that he 2as ri,hteous# Then
certain&! 5od s*o0e to hi'( indeed< it is said that 5od ta&0ed 2ith hi'?
and if He did< 2ou&d He not< seein, that Ae& 2as ri,hteous< de&i$er to
hi' the 2ho&e *&an of the 5os*e&# And is not the 5os*e& the ne2s of the
rede'*tionB Ho2 cou&d Ae& offer a sacrifice and &oo0 for2ard 2ith faith
on the Son of 5od for a re'ission of his sins and not understand the
5os*e&B The 'ere sheddin, of the &ood of easts or offerin, an!thin, e&se
in sacrifice< cou&d not *rocure a re'ission of sins< e/ce*t it 2ere
*erfor'ed in faith of so'ethin, to co'e? if it cou&d< Cain+s offerin, 'ust
ha$e een as ,ood as Ae&+s# And if Ae& 2as tau,ht of the co'in, of the
Son of 5od< 2as he not tau,ht a&so of His ordinances# 3e a&& ad'it that
the 5os*e& has ordinances< and if so< had it not a&2a!s ordinances< and
2ere not its ordinances a&so the sa'eB )erha*s our friends 2i&& sa! that
the 5os*e& and its ordinances 2ere not 0no2n ti&& the da!s of John< the
son of ;acharias< in the da!s of Herod< the 0in, of Judea# "ut 2e 2i&&
here &oo0 at this *oint# For our o2n *art 2e cannot e&ie$e that the
ancients in a&& a,es 2ere so i,norant of the s!ste' of hea$en as 'an!
su**ose< since a&& that 2ere e$er sa$ed< 2ere sa$ed throu,h the *o2er of
this ,reat *&an of rede'*tion< as 'uch efore the co'in, of Christ as
since? if not< 5od has had different *&ans in o*eration Eif 2e 'a! so
e/*ress itF< to rin, 'en ac0 to d2e&& 2ith Hi'se&f? and this 2e cannot
e&ie$e< since there has een no chan,e in the constitution of 'an since
he fe&&? and the ordinance or institution of offerin, &ood in sacrifice<
2as on&! desi,ned to e *erfor'ed ti&& Christ 2as offered u* and shed His
&ood--as said efore--that 'an 'i,ht &oo0 for2ard in faith to that ti'e#
It 2i&& e noticed that< accordin, to )au&< Esee 5a&# iii# 8F the 5os*e&
2as *reached to Araha'# 3e 2ou&d &i0e to e infor'ed in 2hat na'e the
5os*e& 2as then *reached< 2hether it 2as in the na'e of Christ or so'e
other na'e# If in an! other na'e< 2as it the 5os*e&B And if it 2as the
5os*e&< and that *reached in the na'e of Christ< had it an! ordinancesB If
not< 2as it the 5os*e&B And if it had ordinances 2hat 2ere the!B Our
friends 'a! sa!< *erha*s< that there 2ere ne$er an! ordinances e/ce*t
those of offerin, sacrifices efore the co'in, of Christ< and that it
cou&d not e *ossi&e for the 5os*e& to ha$e een ad'inistered 2hi&e the
&a2 of sacrifices of &ood 2as in force# "ut 2e 2i&& reco&&ect that
Araha' offered sacrifice< and not2ithstandin, this< had the 5os*e&
*reached to hi'# That the offerin, of sacrifice 2as on&! to *oint the 'ind
for2ard to Christ< 2e infer fro' these re'ar0a&e 2ords of Jesus to the
Je2s? -Your Father Araha' re=oiced to see '! da!< and he sa2 it< and 2as
,&ad- EJohn $iii( G:#F So< then< ecause the ancients offered sacrifice it
did not hinder their hearin, the 5os*e&? ut ser$ed< as 2e said efore< to
o*en their e!es< and ena&e the' to &oo0 for2ard to the ti'e of the co'in,
of the Sa$ior< and re=oice in His rede'*tion# 3e find a&so< that 2hen the
Israe&ites ca'e out of E,!*t the! had the 5os*e& *reached to the'<
accordin, to )au& in his &etter to the Here2s< 2hich sa!s( -For unto us
2as the 5os*e& *reached< as 2e&& as unto the'+ ut the 2ord *reached did
not *rofit the'< not ein, 'i/ed 2ith faith in the' that heard it- Esee
He# i$( HF# It+s said a,ain< in 5a&# iii(7N< that the &a2 Eof .oses< or
the Le$itica& &a2F 2as -added- ecause of trans,ression# 3hat< 2e as0< 2as
this &a2 added to< if it 2as not added to the 5os*e&B It 'ust e *&ain
that it 2as added to the 5os*e&< since 2e &earn that the! had the 5os*e&
*reached to the'# Fro' these fe2 facts< 2e conc&ude that 2hene$er the Lord
re$ea&ed Hi'se&f to 'en in ancient da!s< and co''anded the' to offer
sacrifice to Hi'< that it 2as done that the! 'i,ht &oo0 for2ard in faith
to the ti'e of His co'in,< and re&! u*on the *o2er of that atone'ent for a
re'ission of their sins# And this the! ha$e done< thousands 2ho ha$e ,one
efore us< 2hose ,ar'ents are s*ot&ess< and 2ho are< &i0e Jo< 2aitin,
2ith an assurance &i0e his< that the! 2i&& see Hi' in the &atter da! u*on
the earth< e$en in their f&esh<
3e 'a! conc&ude< that thou,h there 2ere different dis*ensations< !et
a&& thin,s 2hich 5od co''unicated to His *eo*&e 2ere ca&cu&ated to dra2
their 'inds to the ,reat o=ect< and to teach the' to re&! u*on 5od a&one
as the author of their sa&$ation< as contained in His &a2#
Fro' 2hat 2e can dra2 fro' the Scri*tures re&ati$e to the teachin,s
of hea$en< 2e are induced to thin0 that 'uch instruction has een ,i$en to
'an since the e,innin, 2hich 2e do not *ossess no2< This 'a! not a,ree
2ith the o*inions of so'e of our friends 2ho are ho&d to sa! that 2e ha$e
e$er!thin, 2ritten in the "i&e 2hich 5od e$er s*o0e to 'an since the
2or&d e,an< and that if he had e$er said an!thin, 'ore 2e shou&d
certain&! ha$e recei$ed it# "ut 2e as0< does it re'ain for a *eo*&e 2ho
ne$er had faith enou,h to ca&& do2n one scra* of re$e&ation fro' hea$en<
and for a&& the! ha$e no2 are indeted to the faith of another *eo*&e 2ho
&i$ed hundreds and thousands of !ears efore the'< does it re'ain for the'
to sa! ho2 'uch 5od has s*o0en and ho2 'uch he has not s*o0enB 3e ha$e
2hat 2e ha$e< and the "i&e contains 2hat it does contain( ut to sa! that
5od ne$er said an!thin, 'ore to 'an than is there recorded< 2ou&d e
sa!in, at once that 2e ha$e at &ast recei$ed a re$e&ation? for it 'ust
re>uire one to ad$ance thus far< ecause it is no2here said in that $o&u'e
! the 'outh of 5od< that He 2ou&d not< after ,i$in,< 2hat is there
contained< s*ea0 a,ain( and if an! 'an has found out for a fact that the
"i&e contains a&& that 5od e$er re$ea&ed to 'an he has ascertained it !
an i''ediate re$e&ation< other than has een *re$ious&! 2ritten ! the
*ro*hets and a*ost&es# "ut throu,h the 0ind *ro$idence of our Father a
*ortion of His 2ord 2hich He de&i$ered to His ancient saints< has fa&&en
into our hands< is *resented to us 2ith a *ro'ise of a re2ard if oe!ed<
and 2ith a *ena&t! if disoe!ed# That a&& are dee*&! interested in these
&a2s or teachin,s< 'ust e ad'itted ! a&& 2ho ac0no2&ed,e their di$ine
authenticit!#
It 'a! e *ro*er for us to notice in this *&ace a fe2 of the 'an!
&essin,s he&d out in this &a2 of hea$en as a re2ard to those 2ho oe! its
teachin,s# 5od has a**ointed a da! in 2hich He 2i&& =ud,e the 2or&d< and
this He has ,i$en an assurance of in that He raised u* His Son Jesus
Christ fro' the dead--the *oint on 2hich the ho*e of a&& 2ho e&ie$e the
ins*ired record is founded for their future ha**iness and en=o!'ent?
ecause< -If Christ e not risen<- said )au& to the Corinthians< -!our
faith is $ain< !e are !et in !our sins# Then the! a&so 2hich are fa&&en
as&ee* in Christ ha$e *erished- Esee 7 Cor# /$F# If the resurrection fro'
the dead e not an i'*ortant *oint< or 'en in our faith< 2e 'ust confess
that 2e 0no2 nothin, aout it? for if there e no resurrection fro' the
dead< then Christ has not risen? and if Christ has not risen He 2as not
the Son of 5od?and if He 2as not the Son of 5od there is not nor cannot e
a Son of 5od< if the *resent oo0 ca&&ed the Scri*tures is true? ecause
the ti'e has ,one ! 2hen< accordin, to that oo0< He 2as to 'a0e His
a**earance# On this su=ect< ho2e$er< 2e are re'inded of the 2ords of
)eter to the Je2ish Sanhedri'< 2hen s*ea0in, of Christ< he sa!s that 5od
raised Hi' fro' the dead< and 2e Ethe a*ost&esF are His 2itnesses of these
thin,s< and so is the Ho&! 5host< 2ho' 5od had ,i$en to the' that oe! Hi'
Esee Acts $F# So that after the testi'on! of the Scri*tures on this *oint<
the assurance is ,i$en ! the Ho&! 5host< earin, 2itness to those 2ho
oe! Hi'< that Christ Hi'se&f has assured&! risen fro' the dead? and if He
has risen fro' the dead# He 2i&&< ! His *o2er< rin, a&& 'en to stand
efore Hi'( for if he is risen for' the dead the ands of the te'*ora&
death are ro0en that the ,ra$e has no $ictor!< It then< the ,ra$e has no
$ictor!< those 2ho 0ee* the sa!in,s of Jesus and oe! His teachin,s ha$e
not on&! a *ro'ise of a resurrection fro' the dead< ut an assurance of
ein, ad'itted into His ,&orious 0in,do'? for He hi'se&f sa!s< -3here I
a'< there a&so sha&& '! ser$ant e- Esee< John /iF#
In the HHnd cha*ter of Lu0e+s account of the .essiah< 2e find the
0in,do' of hea$en &i0ened unto a 0in, 2ho 'ade a 'arria,e for his son#
That this son 2as the .essiah 2i&& not e dis*uted< since it 2as the
0in,do' of hea$en that 2as re*resented in the *ara&e?and that the Saints<
or those 2ho are found faithfu& to the Lord< are the indi$idua&s 2ho 2i&&
e found 2orth! to 'erit a seat at the 'arria,e su**er< is e$ident fro'
the sa!in,s of John in the Re$e&ation 2here he re*resents the sound 2hich
he heard in hea$en to e &i0e a ,reat 'u&titude< or &i0e the $oice of
'i,ht! thunderin,s< sa!in,< the Lord 5od O'ni*otent rei,neth# Let us e
,&ad and re=oice< and ,i$e honor to Hi'? for the 'arria,e of the La' is
co'e< and His 2ife hath 'ade herse&f read!# And to her 2as ,ranted that
she shou&d e arra!ed in fine &inen< c&ean and 2hite( For the fine &inen
is the ri,hteousness of Saints ERe$# /i/F#
That those 2ho 0ee* the co''and'ents of the Lord and 2a&0 in His
statutes to the end< are the on&! indi$idua&s *er'itted to sit at this
,&orious feast< is e$ident fro' the fo&&o2in, ite's in )au&+s &ast &etter
to Ti'oth!< 2hich 2as 2ritten =ust *re$ious to his death< he sa!s( -I ha$e
fou,ht a ,ood fi,ht< I ha$e finished '! course< I ha$e 0e*t the faith(
henceforth there is &aid u* for 'e a cro2n of ri,hteousness 2hich the
Lord< the ri,hteous Jud,e sha&& ,i$e 'e at that da!( and not to 'e on&!<
ut unto a&& the' a&so that &o$e His a**earin,#- No one 2ho e&ie$es the
account< 2i&& dout for a 'o'ent this assertion of )au& 2hich 2as 'ade< as
he 0ne2< =ust efore he 2as to ta0e his &ea$e of this 2or&d# Thou,h he
once< accordin, to his o2n 2ord< *ersecuted the Church of 5od and 2asted
it< !et after e'racin, the faith< his &aors 2ere unceasin, to s*read the
,&orious ne2s+ and &i0e a faithfu& so&dier< 2hen ca&&ed to ,i$e his &ife
in the cause 2hich he had es*oused< he &aid it do2n< as he sa!s< 2ith an
assurance of an eterna& cro2n# Fo&&o2 the &aors of this A*ost&e fro' the
ti'e of his con$ersion to the ti'e of his death< and !ou 2i&& ha$e a fair
sa'*&e of industr! and *atience in *ro'u&,atin, the 5os*e& of Christ#
Derided< 2hi**ed< and stoned< the 'o'ent he esca*ed the hands of his
*ersecutors he as 4ea&ous&! as e$er *roc&ai'ed the doctrine of the Sa$ior#
And a&& 'a! 0no2 that he did not e'race the faith for honor in this &ife<
nor for the ,ain of earth&! ,oods# 3hat< then< cou&d ha$e induced hi' to
under,o a&& this to&&B It 2as< as he said< that he 'i,ht otain the cro2n
of ri,hteousness fro' the hand of 5od# No one< 2e *resu'e< 2i&& dout the
faithfu&ness of )au& to the end# None 2i&& sa! that he did not 0ee* the
faith< that he did not fi,ht the ,ood fi,ht< that he did not *reach and
*ersuade to the &ast# And 2hat 2as he to recei$eB A cro2n of
ri,hteousness# And 2hat sha&& others recei$e 2ho do not &aor faithfu&&!<
and continue to the endB 3e &ea$e such to search out their o2n *ro'ises if
an! the! ha$e? and if the! ha$e an! the! are 2e&co'e to the'< on our *art<
for the Lord sa!s that e$er! 'an is to recei$e accordin, to his 2or0s#
Ref&ect for a 'o'ent< rethren< and en>uire< 2hether !ou 2ou&d consider
!ourse&$es 2orth! a seat at the 'arria,e feast 2ith )au& and others &i0e
hi'< if !ou had een unfaithfu&B Had !ou not fou,ht the ,ood fi,ht< and
0e*t the faith< cou&d !ou e/*ect to recei$eB Ha$e !ou a *ro'ise of
recei$in, a cro2n of ri,hteousness fro' the hand of the Lord< 2ith the
Church of the First ornB Here then< 2e understand< that )au& rested his
ho*e in Christ< ecause he had 0e*t the faith< and &o$ed his a**earin, and
fro' His hand he had a *ro'ise of recei$in, a cro2n of ri,hteousness# If
the Saints are not to rei,n< for 2hat *ur*ose are the! cro2nedB In an
e/hortation of the Lord to a certain church in Asia< 2hich 2as ui&t u* in
the da!s of the A*ost&es< unto 2ho' He co''unicated His 2ord on that
occasion ! His ser$ant John< He sa!s< -"eho&d< I co'e >uic0&!( ho&d that
fast 2hich thou hast< that no 'an ta0e th! cro2n#- And a,ain< -To hi' that
o$erco'eth 2i&& I ,rant to sit 2ith 'e in '! throne< e$en as I a&so
o$erca'e< and a' set do2n 2ith '! Father in His throne- Esee Re$# iiiF#
And a,ain< it is 2ritten< -"eho&d< no2 are 2e the sons of 5od< and it doth
not !et a**ear 2hat 2e sha&& e( ut 2e 0no2 that< 2hen He sha&& a**ear<
2e sha&& e &i0e Hi'? for 2e sha&& see Hi' as He is# And e$er! 'an that
hath this ho*e in hi'< *urifieth hi'se&f< e$en as He is *ure- EI John iii(
H<9F# Ho2 is it that these o&d A*ost&es shou&d sa! so 'uch on the su=ect
of the co'in, of ChristB He certain&! had once co'e? ut )au& sa!s< To a&&
2ho &o$e His a**earin,< sha&& e ,i$en the cro2n( and John sa!s< 3hen He
sha&& a**ear< 2e sha&& e &i0e Hi'? for 2e sha&& see Hi' as He is# Can 2e
'ista0e such &an,ua,e as thisB Do 2e not offer $io&ence to our o2n ,ood
=ud,'ent 2hen 2e den! the second co'in, of the .essiahB 3hen has He
*arta0en of the fruit of the $ine ne2 2ith His ancient A*ost&es in His
Father+s 0in,do'< as He *ro'ised He 2ou&d =ust efore He 2as crucifiedB In
)au&+s e*ist&e to the )hi&i**ians< Eiii( HD< H7F< he sa!s( -For our
con$ersation is in hea$en? fro' 2hence a&so 2e &oo0 for the Sa$ior< the
Lord Jesus Christ? 2ho sha&& chan,e our $i&e od!< that it 'a! e
fashioned &i0e unto His ,&orious od!< accordin, to the 2or0in, 2here! He
is a&e e$en to sudue a&& thin,s unto Hi'se&f#- 3e find another *ro'ise
to indi$idua&s &i$in, in the church at Sardis 2ho had not defi&ed their
,ar'ents(--And the! sha&& 2a&0 2ith 'e in 2hite( for the! are 2orth!# He
that o$erco'eth< the sa'e sha&& e c&othed in 2hite rai'ent? and I 2i&&
not &ot out his na'e out of the oo0 of &ife< ut I 2i&& confess his na'e
efore '! Father< and efore His an,e&s#- John re*resents the sound 2hich
he heard fro' hea$en< as ,i$in, than0s and ,&or! to 5od< sa!in, that the
La' 2as 2orth! to ta0e the oo0 and to o*en its sea&s? ecause He 2as
s&ain< and had 'ade the' 0in,s and *riests unto 5od( and the! shou&d rei,n
on the earth Esee Re$# $F# In the HDth cha*ter 2e find a &en,th of ti'e
s*ecified< durin, 2hich Satan is to e confined in his o2n *&ace< and the
Saints rei,n in *eace< a&& these *ro'ises and &essin,s 2e find contained
in the &a2 of the Lord< 2hich the ri,hteous are to en=o!? and 2e 'i,ht
enu'erate 'an! 'ore *&aces 2here the sa'e or si'i&ar *ro'ises are 'ade to
the faithfu&< ut 2e do not dee' it of i'*ortance to rehearse the' here<
as this e*ist&e is no2 &en,th!? and our rethren< no dout< are fa'i&iar
2ith the' a&&#
.ost assured&! it is< ho2e$er< that the ancients< thou,h *ersecuted
and aff&icted ! 'en< otained fro' 5od *ro'ises of such 2ei,ht and ,&or!<
that our hearts are often fi&&ed 2ith ,ratitude that 2e are e$en *er'itted
to &oo0 u*on the' 2hi&e 2e conte'*&ate that there is no res*ect of *ersons
in His si,ht< and that in e$er! nation< he that feareth 5od and 2or0eth
ri,hteousness< is acce*ta&e 2ith Hi'# "ut fro' the fe2 ite's *re$ious&!
>uoted 2e can dra2 the conc&usion that there is to e a da! 2hen a&& 2i&&
e =ud,ed of their 2or0s< and re2arded accordin, to the sa'e? that those
2ho ha$e 0e*t the faith 2i&& e cro2ned 2ith a cro2n of ri,hteousness? e
c&othed in 2hite rai'ent? e ad'itted to the 'arria,e feast? e free fro'
e$er! aff&iction< and rei,n 2ith Christ on the earth< 2here< accordin, to
the ancient *ro'ise< the! 2i&& *arta0e of the fruit of the $ine ne2 in the
,&orious 0in,do' 2ith Hi'? at &east 2e and that such *ro'ises 2ere 'ade to
the ancient Saints# And thou,h 2e cannot c&ai' these *ro'ises 2hich 2ere
'ade to the ancients for the! are not our *ro*ert!< 'ere&! ecause the!
2ere 'ade to the ancient Saints< !et if 2e are the chi&dren of the .ost
Hi,h< and are ca&&ed 2ith the sa'e ca&&in, 2ith 2hich the! 2ere ca&&ed<
and e'race the sa'e co$enant that the! e'raced< and are faithfu& to the
testi'on! of our Lord as the! 2ere< 2e can a**roach the Father in the na'e
of Christ as the! a**roached Hi' and for ourse&$es otain the sa'e
*ro'ises# These *ro'ises< 2hen otained< if e$er ! us< 2i&& not e
ecause )eter< John< and the other A*ost&es< 2ith the churches at Sardis<
)er,a'os< )hi&ade&*hia< and e&se2here< 2a&0ed in the fear of 5od and had
*o2er and faith to *re$ai& and otain the'? ut it 2i&& e ecause 2e<
ourse&$es< ha$e faith and a**roach 5od in the na'e of His Son Jesus
Christ< e$en as the! did? and 2hen these *ro'ises are otained< the! 2i&&
e *ro'ises direct&! to us< or the! 2i&& do us no ,ood# The! 2i&& e
co''unicated for our enefit< ein, our o2n *ro*ert! Ethrou,h the ,ift of
5odF< earned ! our o2n di&i,ence in 0ee*in, His co''and'ents< and 2a&0in,
u*ri,ht&! efore Hi'# If not< to 2hat end ser$es the 5os*e& of our Lord
Jesus Christ< and 2h! 2as it e$er co''unicated to usB
)re$ious to co''encin, this &etter 2e desi,ned ,i$in, !ou so'e
instruction u*on the re,u&ation of the Church? ut that 2i&& e ,i$en
hereafter#
In our o2n countr!< surrounded 2ith &essin,s innu'era&e< to 2hich
thousands of our fe&&o2 'en are stran,ers< en=o!in, uns*ea0a&e enefits
and ine/*ressi&e co'forts< 2hen once our situation is co'*ared 2ith the
ancient Saints< as fo&&o2ers of the La' of 5od 2ho has ta0en a2a! our
sins ! His o2n &ood< 2e are ound to re=oice and ,i$e than0s to Hi'
a&2a!s# Since the or,ani4ation of the Church of Christ< or the Church of
the Latter-da! Saints< on the :th of A*ri&< 789D< 2e ha$e had the
satisfaction of 2itnessin, the s*read of the truth into $arious *arts of
our &and< not2ithstandin, its ene'ies ha$e e/erted their unceasin,
di&i,ence to sto* its course and *re$ent its *ro,ress? thou,h e$i& and
desi,nin, 'en ha$e co'ined to destro! the innocent< ecause their o2n
craft 2as in dan,er? and these ha$e een assisted in raisin, 'os and
circu&atin, fa&sehoods ! a 'isera&e set of a*ostates 2ho ha$e for 2ic0ed
and uneco'in, conduct een e/*e&&ed fro' the od! of 2hich the! 2ere once
'e'ers< !et the ,&orious 5os*e& in its fu&&ness is s*readin, and dai&!
,ainin, con$erts? and our *ra!er to 5od is< that it 'a! continue< and
nu'ers e added of such as sha&& e eterna&&! sa$ed#
The .essiah+s 0in,do' on earth is of that 0ind of ,o$ern'ent< that
there has a&2a!s een nu'erous a*ostates< for the reason that it ad'its of
no sins unre*ented of 2ithout e/c&udin, the indi$idua& fro' its
fe&&o2shi*# Our Lord said< -Stri$e to enter in at the strai,ht ,ate? for
'an!< I sa! unto !ou< 2i&& see0 to enter in< and sha&& not e a&e#- And
a,ain< 'an! are ca&&ed< ut fe2 are chosen# )au& said to the e&ders of the
Church at E*hesus< after he had &aored three !ears 2ith the'< that he
0ne2 that so'e of their o2n nu'er 2ou&d turn a2a! fro' the faith< and
see0 to &ead a2a! disci*&es after the'# None< 2e *resu'e< in this
,eneration 2i&& *retend that he has the e/*erience of )au& in ui&din, u*
the Church of Christ? and !et< after his de*arture fro' the Church at
E*hesus< 'an!< e$en of the e&ders< turned a2a! fro' the truth? and 2hat is
a&'ost a&2a!s the case< sou,ht to &ead a2a! disci*&es after the'# Stran,e
as it 'a! a**ear at first thou,ht< !et it is no &ess stran,e than true<
that not2ithstandin, a&& the *rofessed deter'ination to &i$e ,od&!<
a*ostates after turnin, fro' the faith of Christ< un&ess the! ha$e
s*eedi&! re*ented< ha$e sooner or &ater fa&&en into the snares of the
2ic0ed one< and ha$e een &eft destitute of the S*irit of 5od< to 'anifest
their 2ic0edness in the e!es of 'u&titudes# Fro' a*ostates the faithfu&
ha$e recei$ed the se$erest *ersecutions# Judas 2as reu0ed and i''ediate&!
etra!ed his Lord into the hands of His ene'ies< ecause Satan entered
into hi'# There is a su*erior inte&&i,ence esto2ed u*on such as oe!ed
the 5os*e& 2ith fu&& *ur*ose of heart< 2hich< if sinned a,ainst< the
a*ostate is &eft na0ed and destitute of the S*irit of 5od< and he is< in
truth< ni,h unto cursin,< and his end is to e urned# 3hen once that
&i,ht 2hich 2as in the' is ta0en fro' the' the! eco'e as 'uch dar0ened as
the! 2ere *re$ious&! en&i,htened< and then< no 'ar$e&< if a&& their *o2er
shou&d e en&isted a,ainst the truth< and the!< Judas &i0e< see0 the
destruction of those 2ho 2ere their ,reatest enefactors# 3hat nearer
friend on earth< or in hea$en< had Judas than the Sa$iorB And his first
o=ect 2as to destro! Hi'# 3ho< a'on, a&& the Saints in these &ast da!s<
can consider hi'se&f as ,ood as our LordB 3ho is as *erfectB 3ho is as
*ureB 3ho is as ho&! as He 2asB Are the! to e foundB He ne$er
trans,ressed or ro0e a co''and'ent or &a2 of hea$en--no deceit 2as in His
'outh< neither 2as ,ui&e found in His heart# And !et one that ate 2ith
Hi'< 2ho had often drun0 of the sa'e cu*< 2as the first to &ift u* his
hee& a,ainst Hi'# 3here is one &i0e ChristB He cannot e found on earth#
Then 2h! shou&d His fo&&o2ers co'*&ain< if fro' those 2ho' the! once
ca&&ed rethren< and considered as standin, in the nearest re&ation in the
e$er&astin, co$enant the! shou&d recei$e *ersecutionB Fro' 2hat source
e'anated the *rinci*&e 2hich has e$er een 'anifested ! a*ostates fro'
the true Church to *ersecute 2ith dou&e di&i,ence< and see0 2ith dou&e
*erse$erance< to destro! those 2ho' the! once *rofessed to &o$e< 2ith 2ho'
the! once co''uned< and 2ith 2ho' the! once co$enanted to stri$e 2ith
e$er! *o2er in ri,hteousness to otain the rest of 5odB )erha*s our
rethren 2i&& sa! the sa'e that caused Satan to see0 to o$erthro2 the
0in,do' of 5od< ecause he hi'se&f 2as e$i&< and 5od+s 0in,do' is ho&!# C
C C C C C C C C C
The ,reat *&an of sa&$ation is a the'e 2hich ou,ht to occu*! our
strict attention< and e re,arded as one of hea$en+s est ,ifts to
'an0ind# No consideration 2hate$er ou,ht to deter us fro' sho2in,
ourse&$es a**ro$ed in the si,ht of 5od< accordin, to His di$ine
re>uire'ent# .en not unfre>uent&! for,et that the! are de*endent u*on
hea$en for e$er! &essin, 2hich the! are *er'itted to en=o!< and that for
e$er! o**ortunit! ,ranted the' the! are to ,i$e an account# You 0no2<
rethren< that 2hen the .aster in the Sa$ior+s *ara&e of the ste2ards
ca&&ed his ser$ants efore hi' he ,a$e the' se$era& ta&ents to i'*ro$e on
2hi&e he shou&d tarr! aroad for a &itt&e season< and 2hen he returned he
ca&&ed for an accountin,# So it is no2# Our .aster is asent on&! for a
&itt&e season< and at the end of it He 2i&& ca&& each to render an
account? and 2here the fi$e ta&ents 2ere esto2ed< ten 2i&& e re>uired?
and he that has 'ade no i'*ro$e'ent 2i&& e cast out as an un*rofita&e
ser$ant< 2hi&e the faithfu& 2i&& en=o! e$er&astin, honors# Therefore 2e
earnest&! i'*&ore the ,race of our Father to rest u*on !ou< throu,h Jesus
Christ His Son< that !ou 'a! not faint in the hour of te'*tation< nor e
o$erco'e in the ti'e of *ersecution#
On the e$enin, of the H8th of Januar!< "rothers O&i$er Co2der!<
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< and '!se&f< ein, a,reed< o2ed efore the Lord<
and united in *ra!er< that 5od 2ou&d continue to de&i$er 'e and '!
rethren fro' -Doctor- Hur&urt< that he 'a! not *re$ai& a,ainst us in
the &a2-suit that is *endin,? and a&so that 5od 2ou&d soften the hearts of
Eden S'ith< --- Jones< ----- Lo2d< --- L!'an< and a&so .r# "ards&e!< that
the! 'i,ht oe! the 5os*e&? or if the! 2ou&d not re*ent< that the Lord
2ou&d send faithfu& Saints to *urchase their far's< that this Sta0e 'a! e
stren,thened< and its orders en&ar,ed# O Lord< ,rant it for Christ+s
sa0e# A'en#
Januar! 97#--It is '! *ra!er to the Lord that three thousand
suscriers 'a! e added to the STAR in the ti'e of three !ears#
Feruar! 7#--E$er! e/*edient *re*aration 2as 'a0in, ! the Church in
1irt&and< and C&a! count!< to ha$e those 2ho ha$e een dri$en fro' their
*ossessions in Jac0son count!< returned#
Feruar! N#--A conference of Hi,h )riests< E&ders and officers of the
Church of Christ in Ne2 )orta,e< .edina count!< Ohio< 2as ca&&ed at the
house of "rother 1ir&ins< 2hich I attended# It had een su,,ested that
E&der Ri,don 'i,ht re'o$e fro' 1irt&and to Ne2 )orta,e? ut after
&istenin, to the *roceedin,s of a *re$ious conference in )orta,e< fro'
"rothers )a&'er and "os2orth< it 2as decided that E&der Ri,don shou&d not
re'o$e? and that the rethren in Ne2 )orta,e shou&d assist a&& in their
*o2er to ui&d the Lord+s House in 1irt&and? and that the rethren erect
on&! a te'*orar! or chea* *&ace for 'eetin, in )orta,e as that 2as not to
e esta&ished as a Sta0e of ;ion at *resent? and that course 2ou&d ena&e
the' to do 'ore for the House in 1irt&and#
At a counci& of the Hi,h )riests and E&ders< EOrson H!de< c&er0<F at
'! house in 1irt&and< on the e$enin, of the 7Hth of Feruar!< I re'ar0ed
that I shou&d endea$or to set efore the counci& the di,nit! of the office
2hich had een conferred on 'e ! the 'inisterin, of the an,e& of 5od< !
His o2n $oice< and ! the $oice of this Church? that I had ne$er set
efore an! counci& in a&& the order in 2hich it ou,ht to e conducted<
2hich< *erha*s< has de*ri$ed the counci&s of so'e or 'an! &essin,s#
And I continued and said< no 'an is ca*a&e of =ud,in, a 'atter< in
counci&< un&ess his o2n heart is *ure? and that 2e are fre>uent&! so
fi&&ed 2ith *re=udice< or ha$e a ea' in our o2n e!e< that 2e are not
ca*a&e of *assin, ri,ht decisions#
"ut to return to the su=ect of order? in ancient da!s counci&s 2ere
conducted 2ith such strict *ro*riet!< that no one 2as a&&o2ed to 2his*er<
e 2ear!< &ea$e the roo'< or ,et uneas! in the &east< unti& the $oice of
the Lord< ! re$e&ation< or the $oice of the counci& ! the S*irit< 2as
otained< 2hich has not een oser$ed in this Church to the *resent ti'e#
It 2as understood in ancient da!s< that if one 'an cou&d sta! in counci&<
another cou&d? and if the *resident cou&d s*end his ti'e< the 'e'ers
cou&d a&so? ut in our counci&s< ,enera&&!< one 2i&& e uneas!< another
as&ee*? one *ra!in, another not? one+s 'ind on the usiness of the
counci&< and another thin0in, on so'ethin, e&se#
Our acts are recorded< and at a future da! the! 2i&& e &aid efore
us< and if 2e shou&d fai& to =ud,e ri,ht and in=ure our fe&&o2-ein,s<
the! 'a! there< *erha*s< conde'n us? there the! are of ,reat conse>uence<
and to 'e the conse>uence a**ears to e of force< e!ond an!thin, 2hich I
a' a&e to e/*ress# As0 !ourse&$es< rethren< ho2 'uch !ou ha$e e/ercised
!ourse&$es in *ra!er since !ou heard of this counci&? and if !ou are no2
*re*ared to sit in counci& u*on the sou& of !our rother#
I then ,a$e a re&ation of '! situation at the ti'e I otained the
record E"oo0 of .or'onF< the *ersecutions I 'et 2ith< and *ro*hesied that
I 2ou&d stand and shine &i0e the sun in the fir'a'ent< 2hen '! ene'ies and
the ,ainsa!ers of '! testi'on! sha&& e *ut do2n and cut off< and their
na'es &otted out fro' a'on, 'en#
The counci& *roceeded to in$esti,ate certain char,es *resented !
E&der Ri,don a,ainst .artin Harris? one 2as< that he to&d A# C# Russe&&<
Es>#< that Jose*h dran0 too 'uch &i>uor 2hen he 2as trans&atin, the "oo0
of .or'on? and that he 2rest&ed 2ith 'an! 'en and thre2 the'? and that he
EHarrisF e/a&ted hi'se&f ao$e Jose*h< in that he said< -"rother Jose*h
0ne2 not the contents of the "oo0 of .or'on< unti& it 2as trans&ated< ut
that he hi'se&f 0ne2 a&& aout it efore it 2as trans&ated#-
"rother Harris did not te&& Es># Russe&& that "rother Jose*h dran0 to
'uch &i>uor 2hi&e trans&atin, the "oo0 of .or'on< ut this thin, occurred
*re$ious to the trans&atin, of the "oo0? he confessed that his 'ind 2as
dar0ened< and that he had said 'an! thin,s inad$ertent&!< ca&cu&ated to
2ound the fee&in,s of his rethren< and *ro'ised to do etter# The counci&
for,a$e hi'< 2ith 'uch ,ood ad$ice#
"rother Leonard Rich 2as ca&&ed in >uestion for trans,ressin, the
3ord of 3isdo'< and for se&&in, the re$e&ations at an e/tortionate *rice
2hi&e he 2as =ourne!in, east 2ith Father L!ons< "rother Rich confessed<
and the counci& for,a$e hi' u*on his *ro'isin, to do etter and refor' his
&ife#
CHA)TER II#
OR5ANI;ATION OF THE HI5H COUNCIL--FIRST CASES "EFORE THE COUNCIL#
.inutes of the Or,ani4ation of the Hi,h Counci& of the Church of
Christ of Latter-da! Saints< 1irt&and< Feruar! 7M< 789@#
7# This da! a ,enera& counci& of t2ent!-four Hi,h )riests asse'&ed
at the house of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ! re$e&ation< and *roceeded to
or,ani4e the Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Christ< 2hich 2as to consist of
t2e&$e Hi,h )riests< and one or three )residents< as the case 'i,ht
re>uire#
H# The Hi,h Counci& 2as a**ointed ! re$e&ation for the *ur*ose of
sett&in, i'*ortant difficu&ties 2hich 'i,ht arise in the Church< 2hich
cou&d not e sett&ed ! the Church or the "isho*+s counci& to the
satisfaction of the *arties#
9# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 2ere
ac0no2&ed,ed )residents ! the $oice of the Counci&? and Jose*h S'ith<
Sen#< John S'ith< Jose*h Coe< John Johnson< .artin Harris< John S# Carter<
Jared Carter< O&i$er Co2der!< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Orson H!de< S!&$ester
S'ith< and Lu0e Johnson< Hi,h )riests< 2ere chosen to e a standin,
Counci& for the Church< ! the unani'ous $oice of the Counci&#
@# The ao$e-na'ed Counci&ors 2ere then as0ed 2hether the! acce*ted
their a**oint'ents< and 2hether the! 2ou&d act in that office accordin, to
the &a2 of hea$en( to 2hich the! a&& ans2ered that the! acce*ted their
a**oint'ents< and 2ou&d fi&& their offices accordin, to the ,race of 5od
esto2ed u*on the'#
G# The nu'er co'*osin, the Counci&< 2ho $oted in the na'e and for
the Church< in a**ointin, the ao$e na'ed Counci&ors 2ere fort!-three< as
fo&&o2s(--Nine Hi,h )riests< se$enteen E&ders< four )riests< and thirteen
'e'ers#
:# %oted( that the Hi,h Counci& cannot ha$e *o2er to act 2ithout
se$en of the ao$e-na'ed Counci&ors< or their re,u&ar&! a**ointed
successors< are *resent#
M# These se$en sha&& ha$e *o2er to a**oint other Hi,h )riests< 2ho'
the! 'a! consider 2orth! and ca*a&e to act in the *&ace of asent
Counci&ors#
8# Noted( that 2hene$er an! $acanc! sha&& occur ! the death< re'o$a&
fro' office for trans,ression< or re'o$a& fro' the ounds of this Church
,o$ern'ent< of an! one of the ao$e-na'ed Counci&ors< it sha&& e fi&&ed
! the no'ination of the )resident or )residents< and sanctioned ! the
$oice of a ,enera& counci& of Hi,h )riests< con$ened for that *ur*ose< to
act in the na'e of the Church#
N# The )resident of the Church< 2ho is a&so the )resident of the
Counci&< is a**ointed ! re$e&ation< and ac0no2&ed,ed in his
ad'inistration< ! the $oice of the Church#
7D# And it is accordin, to the di,nit! of his office that he shou&d
*reside o$er the Counci& of the Church? and it is his *ri$i&e,e to e
assisted ! t2o other )residents< a**ointed after the sa'e 'anner he
hi'se&f 2as a**ointed?
77# And in case of the asence of one or oth of those 2ho are
a**ointed to assist hi'< he has *o2er to *reside o$er the Counci& 2ithout
an assistant( and in case he hi'se&f is asent< the other )residents ha$e
*o2er to *reside in his stead< oth< or either of the'#
7H# 3hene$er a Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Christ is re,u&ar&!
or,ani4ed< accordin, to the fore,oin, *attern< it sha&& e the dut! of the
t2e&$e Counci&ors to cast &ots ! nu'ers< and there! ascertain< 2ho of
the t2e&$e sha&& s*ea0 first< co''encin, 2ith nu'er one< and so in
succession to nu'er t2e&$e#
79# 3hene$er this Counci& con$enes to act u*on an! case< the t2e&$e
Counci&ors sha&& consider 2hether it is a difficu&t one or not? if it is
not< t2o on&! of the Counci&ors sha&& s*ea0 u*on it< accordin, to the for'
ao$e 2ritten#
7@# "ut if it is thou,ht to e difficu&t< four sha&& e a**ointed?
and if 'ore difficu&t< si/? ut in no case sha&& 'ore than si/ e
a**ointed to s*ea0#
7G# The accused< in a&& cases< has a ri,ht to one ha&f of the
Counci&< to *re$ent insu&t or in=ustice?
7:# And the Counci&ors a**ointed to s*ea0 efore the Counci&< are to
*resent the case after the e$idence is e/a'ined< in its true &i,ht efore
the Counci&< and e$er! 'an is to s*ea0 accordin, to e>uit! and =ustice#
7M# Those Counci&ors 2ho dra2 e$en nu'ers< that is H< @< :< 8< 7D<
and 7H< are the indi$idua&s 2ho are to stand u* in eha&f of the accused<
and *re$ent insu&t and in=ustice#
78# In a&& cases the accuser and accused sha&& ha$e a *ri$i&e,e of
s*ea0in, for the'se&$es efore the Counci& after the e$idences are heard<
and the Counci&ors 2ho are a**ointed to s*ea0 on the case< ha$e finished
their re'ar0s#
7N# After the e$idences are heard< the Counci&or< accuser and accused
ha$e s*o0en< the )resident sha&& ,i$e a decision accordin, to the
understandin, 2hich he sha&& ha$e of the case< and ca&& u*on the t2e&$e
Counci&ors to sanction the sa'e ! their $ote#
HD# "ut shou&d the re'ainin, Counci&ors< 2ho ha$e not s*o0en< or an!
one of the'< after hearin, the e$idences and *&eadin,s i'*artia&&!<
disco$er an error in the decision of the )resident< the! can 'anifest it<
and the case sha&& ha$e a re-hearin,?
H7# And if< after a carefu& re-hearin,< an! additiona& &i,ht is sho2n
u*on the case< the decision sha&& e a&tered accordin,&!?
HH# "ut in case no additiona& &i,ht is ,i$en< the first decision
sha&& stand< the 'a=orit! of the Counci& ha$in, *o2er to deter'ine the
sa'e#
H9# In case of difficu&t!< res*ectin, doctrine or *rinci*&e< Eif
there is not a sufficienc! 2ritten to 'a0e the case c&ear to the 'inds of
the Counci&< the )resident 'a! in>uire and otain the 'ind of the Lord !
re$e&ation#
H@# The Hi,h )riests< 2hen aroad< ha$e *o2er to ca&& and or,ani4e a
Counci& after the 'anner of the fore,oin, to sett&e difficu&ties 2hen the
*arties< or either of the'< sha&& re>uest it?
HG# And the said Counci& of Hi,h )riests sha&& ha$e *o2er to a**oint
one of their o2n nu'er< to *reside o$er such Counci& for the ti'e ein,#
H:# It sha&& e the dut! of said Counci& to trans'it i''ediate&!< a
co*! of their *roceedin,s< 2ith a fu&& state'ent of the testi'on!
acco'*an!in, their decision< to the Hi,h Counci& of the seat of the First
)residenc! of the Church#
HM# Shou&d the *arties< or either of the' e dissatisfied 2ith the
decision of said Counci&< the! 'a! a**ea& to the Hi,h Counci& of the seat
of the First )residenc! of the Church< and ha$e a re-hearin,< 2hich case
sha&& there e conducted< accordin, to the for'er *attern 2ritten< as
thou,h no such decision had een 'ade#
H8# The Counci& of Hi,h )riests aroad< is on&! to e ca&&ed on the
'ost difficu&t cases of Church 'atters? and no co''on or ordinar! case is
to e sufficient to ca&& such Counci&#
HN# The tra$e&in, or &ocated Hi,h )riests aroad< ha$e *o2er to sa!
2hether it is necessar! to ca&& such a Counci& or not#
9D# There is a distinction et2een the Hi,h Counci& of tra$e&in, Hi,h
)riests aroad< and the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& co'*osed of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es< in their decisions#
97# Fro' the decision of the for'er there can e an a**ea&< ut fro'
the decision of the &atter there cannot#
9H# The &atter can on&! e ca&&ed in >uestion ! the ,enera&
authorities of the Church in ease of trans,ression#
99# Reso&$ed< that the )resident or )residents of the seat of the
First )residenc! of the Church< sha&& ha$e *o2er to deter'ine 2hether an!
such case< as 'a! e a**ea&ed< is =ust&! entit&ed to a re-hearin,< after
e/a'inin, the a**ea& and the e$idences and state'ents acco'*an!in, it#
9@# The t2e&$e Counci&ors then *roceeded to cast &ots or a&&ot< to
ascertain 2ho shou&d s*ea0 first< and the fo&&o2in, 2as the resu&t<
na'e&!(--
7 OLI%ER CO3DERY
H JOSE)H S.ITH
9 SA.UEL H# S.ITH
@ LU1E JOHNSON
G JOHN S# CARTER
: SYL%ESTER S.ITH
M JOHN JOHNSON
8 ORSON HYDE
N JARED CARTER
7D JOSE)H S.ITH< SEN#
77 JOHN S.ITH
7H .ARTIN HARRIS
After *ra!er the conference ad=ourned# OLI%ER CO3DERY< ORSON HYDE<
CLER1S#
On the 78th of Januar! I re$ie2ed and corrected the 'inutes of the
or,ani4ation of the Hi,h Counci&< and on the 7Nth of Feruar!< the Counci&
asse'&ed accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< fro' the 7Mth< EO&i$er Co2der! and
Orson H!de< c&er0s<F 2hen the re$ised 'inutes 2ere *resented and read to
the Counci&# I ur,ed the necessit! of *ra!er< that the S*irit 'i,ht e
,i$en< that the thin,s of the S*irit 'i,ht e =ud,ed there!< ecause the
carna& 'ind cannot discern the thin,s of 5od# The 'inutes 2ere read three
ti'es< and Unani'ous&! ado*ted and recei$ed for a for' and constitution of
the Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Christ hereafter? 2ith this )ro$ision<
that if the )resident shou&d hereafter disco$er an!thin, &ac0in, in the
sa'e< he shou&d e *ri$i&e,ed to su**&! it#
The nu'er *resent 2ho recei$ed the ao$e-na'ed docu'ent< 2as
t2ent!-si/ Hi,h )riests< ei,hteen E&ders< three )riests< one Teacher< and
fourteen *ri$ate 'e'ers< 'a0in, in a&& si/t!-t2o#
After ,i$in, such instruction as the S*irit dictated< I &aid '! hands
u*on the heads of the t2o assistant )residents se$era&&! and &essed the'<
that the! 'i,ht ha$e 2isdo' to 'a,nif! their office and *o2er to *re$ai&
o$er the ad$ersar!#
I a&so &aid '! hands u*on the t2e&$e Counci&ors< and co''anded a
&essin, to rest u*on the'< that the! 'i,ht ha$e 2isdo' and *o2er to
counse& in ri,hteousness< u*on a&& su=ects that 'i,ht e &aid efore
the'< I a&so *ra!ed that the! 'i,ht e de&i$ered fro' those e$i&s to 2hich
the! 2ere 'ost e/*osed< and that their &i$es 'i,ht e *ro&on,ed on the
earth#
.! father< Jose*h< then &aid his hands u*on '! head< and said<
Jose*h I &a! '! hands u*on th! head< and *ronounce the &essin,s of
th! *ro,enitors u*on thee< that thou 'a!est ho&d the 0e!s of the
'!steries of the 0in,do' of hea$en unti& the co'in, of the Lord#
A'en#
He a&so &aid his hands u*on the head of his son Sa'ue&< and said<
Sa'ue&< I &a! '! hands u*on th! head< and *ronounce the &essin,s of
th! *ro,enitors u*on thee< that thou 'a!est re'ain a )riest of the
.ost Hi,h 5od< and &i0e Sa'ue& of o&d< hear His $oice< sa!in,<
Sa'ue&< Sa'ue&# A'en#
Father John Johnson< a&so< &aid his hands u*on the head of his son
Lu0e< and said<
.! Father in hea$en< I as0 Thee to &ess this '! son< accordin, to
the &essin,s of his forefathers( that he 'a! e stren,thened in his
'inistr!< accordin, to his ho&! ca&&in,# A'en#
I then ,a$e the assistant )residents a so&e'n char,e to do their dut!
in ri,hteousness< and in the fear of 5od? I a&so char,ed the t2e&$e
Counci&ors in a si'i&ar 'anner< a&& in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
3e a&& raised our hands to hea$en in to0en of the e$er&astin,
co$enant< and the Lord &essed us 2ith His S*irit# I then dec&ared the
counci& or,ani4ed accordin, to the ancient order< and a&so accordin, to
the 'ind of the Lord#
The fo&&o2in, co'*&aint 2as then *resented efore the Counci& ! E4ra
Tha!er a Hi,h )riest(
1IRTLAND< Feruar! 7N<789@# To the )resident of the Hi,h Counci& of
the Church of Christ#
The fo&&o2in, char,es I *refer a,ainst E&der Curtis Hod,es< Sen#< of
this Church( First< for an error in s*irit? second< for an error in
the 'anner of his address< 2hich consisted in &oud s*ea0in,< and a
2ant of c&earness in articu&ation< 2hich 2as ca&cu&ated to do in=ur!
to the cause of 5od? and a&so< for contendin, that that 2as a ,ood
and *ro*er s*irit that actuated hi' thus to s*ea0--a&& of 2hich I
consider uneco'in, in an E&der in this Church< and re>uest a hearin,
efore the Hi,h Counci&#
ESi,nedF E;RA THAYER#
E&der Hod,es *&eaded -not ,ui&t!- of the ao$e char,es#
Father Lions 2as ca&&ed on to sustantiate the ao$e char,es< and his
testi'on! 2as *ointed a,ainst "rother Hod,es# "rother Stor! testified that
E&der Hod,es ta&0ed so &oud at a *ra!er 'eetin, that the nei,hors ca'e
out to see if so'e one 2as hurt# At another 'eetin,< he said that E&der
Tha!er reu0ed hi' for his error< ut he did not recei$e the reu0e? that
he raised his $oice so hi,h< that he cou&d not articu&ate so as to e
understood? and that his teachin, rou,ht a da'*er u*on the 'eetin,< and
2as not edif!in,# "rother Erastus "aitt 2as then ca&&ed u*on< 2ho
testified that E&der Hod,es 2as ,ui&t! of ho&&o2in, so &oud that in a
'easure he &ost his $oice< and uttered ut &itt&e e&se distinct&! than
-5&or! to Hea$en+s 1in,#- His testi'on! a,ainst "rother Hod,es 2as
*ointed# "rother Tru'an 3ait testified 'uch to the sa'e effect#
Counci&or O&i$er Co2der! stood u* on the *art of the accuser< and
o*ened the case c&ear&!#
Counci&or Jose*h Coe stood u* on the *art of the accused< ut cou&d
sa! ut a fe2 2ords#
The accuser and the accused then s*o0e for the'se&$es< after 2hich
the )resident arose and &aid o*en the case sti&& 'ore *&ain&!< and ,a$e
his decision< 2hich 2as< that the char,es in the dec&aration had een
sustained ! ,ood 2itnesses? a&so< that E&der Hod,es ou,ht to ha$e
confessed 2hen reu0ed ! E&der Tha!er? a&so< if he had the S*irit of the
Lord at the 'eetin,s< 2here he ho&&o2ed< he 'ust ha$e aused it< and
,rie$ed it a2a!# A&& the Counci& a,reed 2ith the decision#
E&der Hod,es then rose and said he no2 sa2 his error< ut ne$er sa2
it efore? and a**eared to fee& than0fu& that he sa2 it# He said he had
&earned 'ore durin, this tria& than he had since he ca'e into the Church?
confessed free&! his error< and said he 2ou&d attend to the o$erco'in, of
that e$i&< the Lord ein, his he&*er#
The Counci& for,a$e hi'< and ad=ourned to the e$enin, of the HDth#
Feruar! HD#--The Hi,h Counci& 'et this e$enin, to deter'ine
concernin, the E&ders ,oin, out to *reach#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci&
The *resident o*ened the Counci& ! *ra!er#
At a church 'eetin,< he&d in )enns!&$ania< Erie count!< and
S*rin,fie&d to2nshi*< ! Orson )ratt and L!'an E# Johnson< Hi,h )riests<
so'e of the 'e'ers of that church refused to *arta0e of the Sacra'ent
ecause the E&der ad'inisterin, it did not oser$e the 3ord of 3isdo' to
oe! it# E&der Johnson ar,ued that the! 2ere =ustified in so doin,<
ecause the E&der 2as in trans,ression# E&der )ratt ar,ued that the church
2as ound to recei$e the Su**er under the ad'inistration of an E&der< so
&on, as he retained his office or &icense# %oted that si/ Counci&ors
shou&d s*ea0 u*on the su=ect#
The Counci& then *roceeded to tr! the >uestion< 2hether disoedience
to the 3ord of 3isdo' 2as a trans,ression sufficient to de*ri$e an
officia& 'e'er fro' ho&din, office in the Church< after ha$in, it
sufficient&! tau,ht hi'#
Counci&ors Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Lu0e S# Johnson< John S# Carter<
S!&$ester S'ith< John Johnson and Orson H!de< 2ere ca&&ed to s*ea0 u*on
the case then efore the Counci&# After the Counci&ors had s*o0en< the
)resident *roceeded to ,i$e the decision(
No officia& 'e'er in this Church is 2orth! to ho&d an office< after
ha$in, the 3ord of 3isdo' *ro*er&! tau,ht hi'< and he< the officia&
'e'er< ne,&ectin, to co'*&! 2ith or oe! it? 2hich decision the Counci&
confir'ed ! $ote#
The )resident then as0ed if there 2ere an! E&ders *resent 2ho 2ou&d
,o to Canada< and *reach the 5os*e& to that *eo*&e? for the! ha$e 2ritten
a nu'er of &etters for he&*# And the 2ho&e Counci& fe&t as thou,h the
S*irit re>uired the E&ders to ,o there# It 2as< therefore< decided ! the
Counci&< that L!'an E# Johnson and .i&ton Ho&'es shou&d tra$e& to,ether to
Canada? that ;eedee Co&trin and Henr! Herri'an tra$e& to,ether into
Canada? and that Jared Carter and )hineas Youn, tra$e& to,ether< if the!
can so arran,e their affairs at ho'e as to e &ierated#
It 2as a&so decided that E&der O&i$er 5ran,er shou&d tra$e& east2ard
as soon as his circu'stances 2ou&d *er'it< and that he cou&d tra$e& a&one
on account of his a,e? it 2as a&so decided that E&der .artin Harris shou&d
tra$e& a&one 2hene$er he tra$e&s? that E&ders John S# Carter and Jesse
S'ith tra$e& east to,ether as soon as the! can? and that E&der "ri,ha'
Youn, shou&d tra$e& a&one< it ein, his o2n choice? a&so that Ja'es Durfee
and Ed2ard .ar$in shou&d tra$e& to,ether east2ard? that Sidne! Ri,don and
John )# 5reene ,o to Stron,$i&&e< that Orson )ratt and Harrison Sa,ers
tra$e& to,ether for the ti'e ein,? and that there shou&d e a ,enera&
conference he&d at Saco< in the state of .aine< on the 79th da! of June<
789@#
It 2as further'ore $oted that E&der Orson H!de< acco'*anied ! E&der
Orson )ratt< ,o east to otain donations for ;ion< and 'eans to redee' the
far' on 2hich the house of the Lord stands#
The Church and Counci& then *ra!ed 2ith u*&ifted hands< that the!
'i,ht e *ros*ered in their 'ission#
ORSON HYDE<
OLI%ER CO3DERY# C&er0s#
CHA)TER III#
THE CAUSE AND O"JECT OF THE JAC1SON COUNTY )ERSECUTION--THE
)RO)HET+S .ISSION THROU5H 3ESTERN NE3 YOR1#
Feruar! H@#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
RE%ELATION# 7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< eho&d< I 2i&&
,i$e unto !ou a re$e&ation and co''and'ent< that !ou 'a! 0no2 ho2 to act
in the dischar,e of !our duties concernin, the sa&$ation and rede'*tion of
!our rethren< 2ho ha$e een scattered on the &and of ;ion?
H# "ein, dri$en and s'itten ! the hands of 'ine ene'ies< on 2ho' I
2i&& *our out '! 2rath 2ithout 'easure in 'ine o2n ti'e#
9# For I ha$e suffered the' thus far< that the! 'i,ht fi&& u* the
'easure of their ini>uities< that their cu* 'i,ht e fu&&?
@# And that those 2ho ca&& the'se&$es after '! na'e 'i,ht e
chastened for a &itt&e season 2ith a sore and ,rie$ous chastise'ent<
ecause the! did not hear0en a&to,ether unto the *rece*ts and co''and'ents
2hich I ,a$e unto the'#
G# "ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that I ha$e decreed a decree 2hich '!
*eo*&e sha&& rea&i4e< inas'uch as the! hear0en fro' this $er! hour unto
the counse& 2hich I< the Lord their 5od< sha&& ,i$e unto the'#
:# "eho&d the! sha&&< for I ha$e decreed it< e,in to *re$ai& a,ainst
'ine ene'ies fro' this $er! hour#
M# And ! hear0enin, to oser$e a&& the 2ords 2hich I< the Lord their
5od< sha&& s*ea0 unto the'< the! sha&& ne$er cease to *re$ai& unti& the
0in,do's of the 2or&d are sudued under '! feet< and the earth is ,i$en
unto the saints< to *ossess it fore$er and e$er#
8# "ut inas'uch as the! 0ee* not '! co''and'ents< and hear0en not to
oser$e a&& '! 2ords< the 0in,do's of the 2or&d sha&& *re$ai& a,ainst
the'#
N# For the! 2ere set to e a &i,ht unto the 2or&d< and to e the
sa$iors of 'en?
7D# And inas'uch as the! are not the sa$iors of 'en< the! are as sa&t
that has &ost its sa$or< and is thenceforth ,ood for nothin, ut to e
cast out and trodden under foot of 'en#
77# "ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I ha$e decreed that !our rethren
2hich ha$e een scattered sha&& return to the &ands of their inheritances<
and sha&& ui&d u* the 2aste *&aces of ;ion#
7H# For after 'uch triu&ation< as I ha$e said unto !ou in a for'er
co''and'ent< co'eth the &essin,#
79# "eho&d< this is the &essin, 2hich I ha$e *ro'ised after !our
triu&ations< and the triu&ations of !our rethren--!our rede'*tion< and
the rede'*tion of !our rethren< e$en their restoration to the &and of
;ion< to e esta&ished< no 'ore to e thro2n do2n#
7@# Ne$erthe&ess< if the! *o&&ute their inheritances the! sha&& e
thro2n do2n? for I 2i&& not s*are the' if the! *o&&ute their inheritances#
7G# "eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< the rede'*tion of ;ion 'ust needs co'e !
*o2er?
7:# Therefore< I 2i&& raise u* unto '! *eo*&e a 'an< 2ho sha&& &ead
the' &i0e as .oses &ed the chi&dren of Israe&#
7M# For !e are the chi&dren of Israe&< and of the seed of Araha'<
and !e 'ust needs e &ed out of onda,e ! *o2er< and 2ith a stretched-out
ar'#
78# And as !our fathers 2ere &ed at the first< e$en so sha&& the
rede'*tion of ;ion e#
7N# Therefore< &et not !our hearts faint< for I sa! not unto !ou as I
said unto !our fathers( .ine an,e& sha&& ,o u* efore !ou< ut not '!
*resence#
HD# "ut I sa! unto !ou( .ine an,e&s sha&& ,o u* efore !ou< and a&so
'! *resence< and in ti'e !e sha&& *ossess the ,ood&! &and#
H7# %eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
is the 'an to 2ho' I &i0ened the ser$ant to 2ho' the Lord of the $ine!ard
s*a0e in the *ara&e 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou#
HH# Therefore &et '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun# sa! unto the stren,th
of '! house< '! !oun, 'en and the 'idd&e a,ed--5ather !ourse&$es to,ether
unto the &and of ;ion< u*on the &and 2hich I ha$e ou,ht 2ith 'one! that
has een consecrated unto 'e#
H9# And &et a&& the churches send u* 2ise 'en 2ith their 'one!s< and
*urchase &ands e$en as I ha$e co''anded the'#
H@# And inas'uch as 'ine ene'ies co'e a,ainst !ou to dri$e !ou fro'
'! ,ood&! &and< 2hich I ha$e consecrated to e the &and of ;ion< e$en fro'
!our o2n &ands after these testi'onies< 2hich !e ha$e rou,ht efore 'e
a,ainst the'< !e sha&& curse the'?
HG# And 2ho'soe$er !e curse< I 2i&& curse< and !e sha&& a$en,e 'e of
'ine ene'ies#
H:# And '! *resence sha&& e 2ith !ou e$en in a$en,in, 'e of 'ine
ene'ies< unto the third and fourth ,eneration of the' that hate 'e#
HM# Let no 'an e afraid to &a! do2n his &ife for '! sa0e? for 2hoso
&a!eth do2n his &ife for '! sa0e sha&& find it a,ain#
H8# And 2hoso is not 2i&&in, to &a! do2n his &ife for '! sa0e is not
'! disci*&e#
HN# It is '! 2i&& that '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don sha&& &ift u* his
$oice in the con,re,ations in the eastern countries< in *re*arin, the
churches to 0ee* the co''and'ents 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto the' concernin,
the restoration and rede'*tion of ;ion#
9D# It is '! 2i&& that '! ser$ant )ar&e! )# )ratt and '! ser$ant
L!'an 3i,ht shou&d not return to the &and of their rethren< unti& the!
ha$e otained co'*anies to ,o u* unto the &and of ;ion< ! tens< or !
t2enties< or ! fifties< or ! an hundred< unti& the! ha$e otained to the
nu'er of fi$e hundred of the stren,th of '! house#
97# "eho&d this is '! 2i&&? as0 and !e sha&& recei$e? ut 'en do not
a&2a!s do '! 2i&&#
9H# Therefore< if !ou cannot otain fi$e hundred< see0 di&i,ent&!
that *erad$enture !ou 'a! otain three hundred#
99# And if !e cannot otain three hundred< see0 di&i,ent&! that
*erad$enture !e 'a! otain one hundred#
9@# "ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou< that !e
sha&& not ,o u* unto the &and of ;ion unti& !ou ha$e otained a hundred of
the stren,th of '! house< to ,o u* 2ith !ou unto the &and of ;ion#
9G# Therefore< as I said unto !ou< as0 and !e sha&& recei$e? *ra!
earnest&! that *erad$enture '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun# 'a! ,o 2ith !ou<
and *reside in the 'idst of '! *eo*&e< and or,ani4e '! 0in,do' u*on the
consecrated &and< and esta&ish the chi&dren of ;ion u*on the &a2s and
co''and'ents 2hich ha$e een and 2hich sha&& e ,i$en unto !ou#
9:# A&& $ictor! and ,&or! is rou,ht to *ass unto !ou throu,h !our
di&i,ence< faithfu&ness< and *ra!ers of faith#
9M# Let '! ser$ant )ar&e! )# )ratt =ourne! 2ith '! ser$ant Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#
98# Let '! ser$ant L!'an 3i,ht =ourne! 2ith '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don#
9N# Let '! ser$ant H!ru' S'ith =ourne! 2ith '! ser$ant Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's#
@D# Let '! ser$ant Orson H!de =ourne! 2ith '! ser$ant Orson )ratt<
2hithersoe$er '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< sha&& counse& the'< in
otainin, the fu&fi&'ent of these co''and'ents 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto
!ou< and &ea$e the residue in '! hands# E$en so# A'en#
The Hi,h Counci& of the Church a&so 'et this da! at '! house for the
*ur*ose of ,i$in, an audience or hearin, to L!'an 3i,ht and )ar&e! )#
)ratt< de&e,ates fro' the Church in .issouri< to re*resent to us the state
of the Church in that *&ace#
.INUTES OF COUNCIL .EETIN5#
)resident Jose*h o*ened the Counci& ! *ra!er# T2o of the standin,
Counci&ors 2ere asent< na'e&!< Jose*h Coe and John S'ith# H!ru' S'ith 2as
chosen to act in the *&ace of John S'ith< and John )# 5reene to act in the
*&ace of Jose*h Coe# Thus the Hi,h Counci& 2as or,ani4ed< and si/
Counci&ors 2ere a**ointed to s*ea0# "rothers )ar&e! )# )ratt and L!'an
3i,ht< 'essen,ers fro' ;ion< arose< and &aid their usiness efore the
Counci&< and de&i$ered their 'essa,e< the sustance of 2hich 2as( 2hen<
ho2 and ! 2hat 'eans ;ion 2as to e redee'ed fro' her ene'ies# The! said
that our rethren 2ho had een dri$en a2a! fro' their &ands and scattered
aroad< had found so 'uch fa$or in the e!es of the *eo*&e Iof C&a! count!<
.o#<J that the! cou&d otain food and rai'ent of the' for their &aor<
inso'uch that the! 2ere co'forta&e# "ut the idea of their ein, dri$en
a2a! fro' the &and of ;ion *ained their $er! sou&s< and the! desired of
5od< ! earnest *ra!er< to return 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o!< as said
Isaiah< the *ro*het#
The! a&so said that none of their &ands 2ere so&d into the hands of
our ene'ies< e/ce*t a *iece of thirt! acres o2ned ! "rother 3i&&ia' E#
.cLe&&in< 2hich he so&d into the hands of the ene'!< and se$en acres 'ore
2hich he 2ou&d ha$e so&d to the ene'! if a rother had not co'e for2ard
and *urchased it and *aid hi' his 'one!#
"rother Jose*h then arose< and said that he 2as ,oin, to ;ion< to
assist in redee'in, it# He ca&&ed for the $oice of the Counci& to sanction
his ,oin,< 2hich 2as ,i$en 2ithout a dissentin, $oice# He then ca&&ed for
$o&unteers to ,o 2ith hi'< 2hen so'e thirt! or fort! $o&unteered to ,o<
2ho 2ere *resent at the Counci&# It 2as a >uestion 2hether the co'*an!
shou&d ,o ! 2ater or ! &and< and after a short in$esti,ation it 2as
decided unani'ous&! that the! ,o ! &and# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as
no'inated to e the co''ander-in-chief of the ar'ies of Israe&< and the
&eader of those 2ho $o&unteered to ,o and assist in rede'*tion of ;ion(
the no'ination 2as seconded and carried ! the $ote of a&& *resent#
Counci& then ad=ourned ! *ra!er and than0s,i$in,#
ORSON HYDE<
OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0s#
Feruar! H:#--I started fro' ho'e to otain $o&unteers for ;ion< in
co'*&iance 2ith the fore,oin, re$e&ation and action of the Hi,h Counci&?
and on the HMth< sta!ed at "rother Round!+s#
To sho2 the fee&in,s of a certain *ortion of the *u&ic< at this
*eriod< I co*! the fo&&o2in, fro' the Feruar! nu'er of the E$enin, and
.ornin, Star< *a,e HM7(
3e co*! the fo&&o2in, artic&e fro' the North Star< headed -The
.or'ons<- *rinted in Dan$i&&e< %er'ont< ! E# Eaton(
-3e ha$e recei$ed the first nu'er of the L.or'on+ .ornin, and
E$enin, Star Ithe E$enin, and .ornin, StarJ< resusciated in 1irt&and<
Ohio# It is the sa'e assu'in,< '!sterious *u&ication as its
ori,ina&#-
3hi&e the *ress and 'an! of the *u&ic 2ere reathin, the s*irit of
itterness a,ainst the 2or0 of 5od< I recei$ed &etters fro' 'an! of our
friends< 2hich ,a$e us occasion for re=oicin,( a'on,st the'< I e/tract
fro' "rother .oses Cha*'an Nic0erson+s &etter of Dece'er HD< 7899#
Your &aors in Canada ha$e een the e,innin, of a ,ood 2or0? there
are thirt!-four 'e'ers attached to the Church at .ount )&easant< a&&
of 2ho' a**ear to &i$e u* to their *rofession< fi$e of 2ho' ha$e
s*o0en in ton,ues< and three ha$e sun, in ton,ues? and 2e &i$e at the
to* of the 'ountain#
A&so fro' Saco< .aine(
Januar! HD< 789@#
"rethren in the Lord<--I ha$e a*ti4ed aout fourt! in this section<
and there are 'ore con$inced of the truth< ut are sti&& &in,erin, on
the thresho&d of the Church< and I thin0 the Lord 2i&& ,ather so'e of
the' into His 0in,do'# "rother E$an .# 5reene &aored 2ith 'e fro'
the 7:th of Januar!< 7899< ti&& the Octoer fo&&o2in,? 2hi&e 2e 2ere
to,ether< 2e a*ti4ed aout one hundred and thirt!# "rethren< *ra!
for 'e< that I 'a! ha$e 2ords of 2isdo'< and a door of utterance to
dec&are the 2ho&e counse& of 5od< and ri,ht&! di$ide the 2ord of
truth< ,i$in, to e$er! 'an his *ortion in due season? for '!
deter'ination is< 2ith the stic0 of Jose*h Ithe "oo0 of .or'onJ in
one hand< and the stic0 of Judah Ithe "i&eJ in the other< to &aor
di&i,ent&! in this 2or&d< that '! s0irts 'a! e c&ear fro' the &ood
of a&& 'en< and I stand ac>uitted efore the ar of 5od#
I a' !ours in Christ
ESi,nedF John F# "o!nton#
3e continued our =ourne!< and< on the H8th of Feruar! sta!ed at a
stran,er+s< 2ho entertained us $er! 0ind&!? and on the first of .arch
arri$ed at "rother Le2is+< in 3estfie&d#
On the Hnd< 2hich 2as the Saath< "rother )ar&e! )# )ratt *reached<
and I s*o0e in the e$enin,? 2e had a ,ood 'eetin,# There is a s'a&& church
in this *&ace< 2hich see's stron, in the faith# O 'a! 5od 0ee* the' in the
faith< and sa$e the'< and &ead the' to ;ion#
.arch 9#--3e intended to start on our =ourne! east< ut conc&uded to
tarr! another da!# O 'a! 5od &ess us 2ith the ,ift of utterance to
acco'*&ish the =ourne! and errand on 2hich 2e are sent< and return safe to
the &and of 1irt&and< and find '! fa'i&! a&& 2e&&# O Lord< &ess '! &itt&e
chi&dren 2ith hea&th and &on, &ife< to do ,ood in their ,eneration< for
Christ+s sa0e# A'en#
Since &ea$in, 1irt&and< 2e *assed throu,h Tho'*son< S*rin,fie&d< E&0
Cree0< Erie< Li$onia< Si&$er Cree0< )err!sur,h< Co&&ins< China< 3arsa2<
5eneseo< Centre$i&&e< Cat&in and S*afford< efore 2e arri$ed at 3estfie&d#
On the @th instant< 2e continued our =ourne! fro' 3estfie&d<
acco'*anied ! E&der 5ou&d? and after a ride of thirt!-three 'i&es arri$ed
at %i&&ano$a< and tarried a&& ni,ht 2ith a "rother .c"ride#
The ne/t 'ornin,< .arch Gth< 2e 2ent to "rother Nic0erson+s< and
found hi' and his househo&d fu&& of faith and of the Ho&! S*irit#
3e ca&&ed the church to,ether< and re&ated unto the' 2hat had
ha**ened to our rethren in ;ion< and o*ened to the' the *ro*hecies and
re$e&ations concernin, the order of the ,atherin, to ;ion< and the 'eans
of her rede'*tion? and I *ro*hesied to the'< and the S*irit of the Lord
ca'e 'i,hti&! u*on 'e< and 2ith a&& readiness the !oun, and 'idd&e-a,ed
$o&unteered for ;ion# The sa'e e$enin, 2e he&d t2o 'eetin,s< three or four
'i&es distant fro' each other#
.arch :#--3e he&d another 'eetin, at "rother Nic0erson+s# The fe2
une&ie$ers that attended 2ere outra,eous< and the 'eetin, ended in
co'*&ete confusion#
.arch M#--3e *roceeded on our =ourne!< acco'*anied ! "rother
Nic0erson< &ea$in, "rothers 5ou&d and .atthe2s to *re*are and ,ather u*
the co'*anies in the churches in that re,ion< and 'eet us in Ohio< read!
to start for ;ion on the first of .a!# 3e arri$ed after dar0 at
E&&icot$i&&e< the count! seat of Catarau,us< and tried for &od,in,s at
e$er! ta$ern in the *&ace# It ein, court ti'e 2e found no roo'? ut 2ere
o&i,ed to ride on in the dar0< throu,h 'ud and rain? and< after tra$e&in,
aout one 'i&e< 2e found she&ter< for 2hich 2e *aid 'ore than ta$ern fare#
On the 8th< 2e arri$ed at )a&'ers$i&&e< at the house of E&der .c5o2n<
2here 2e 2ere in$ited to ,o to Es>uire 3a&0er+s to s*end the e$enin,# 3e
found the' $er! friend&! and so'e2hat e&ie$in,< and tarried a&& ni,ht#
Sunda!< .arch N#--3e *reached in a schoo& house< and had ,reat
attention# 3e found a fe2 disci*&es 2ho 2ere fir' in the faith? and< after
'eetin, found 'an! e&ie$in, and cou&d hard&! ,et a2a! fro' the'< and
a**ointed a 'eetin, in Freedo' for .onda! the 7Dth< and sta!ed at .r#
3arren A# Co2der!+s< 2here 2e 2ere &essed 2ith a fu&& en=o!'ent of
te'*ora& and s*iritua& &essin,s< e$en a&& 2e needed< or 2ere 2orth! to
recei$e#
.onda! 7D#--.et our a**oint'ent< and *reached to a ,reat
con,re,ation? and at e$enin, a,ain *reached to an o$erf&o2in, house# After
'eetin,< I *ro*osed if an! 2ished to oe!< and 2ou&d 'a0e it 'anifest< 2e
2ou&d sta! to ad'inister to another 'eetin,# A !oun, 'an of the .ethodist
order arose and testified his faith in the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& and
desired to e a*ti4ed# 3e a**ointed another 'eetin, for the ne/t da!#
Tuesda! 77#--Fu&fi&&ed our a**oint'ent and a*ti4ed He'an T# H!de<
after 2hich 2e rode nine 'i&es< and *ut u* at Ste2ard+s ta$ern#
3ednesda! 7H#--3e arri$ed at Father "os&e!+s after a ride of
thirt!-si/ 'i&es#
Thursda! 79#--I *reached#
Frida! 7@#--At Father "ea'an+s#
.arch 7G#--3hi&e at Father "ea'an+s< E&ders Ri,don and 3i,ht arri$ed<
'uch to the =o! of their sou&s and the Saints in Li$onia#
Sunda! 7:#--E&der Ri,don *reached to a &ar,e con,re,ation in 5eneseo<
E&der )ratt *reached in the afternoon of .onda!< the 7Mth#
There 2as a&so the sa'e da!< .arch 7M< a conference of E&ders at
A$on< Li$in,ston count!< Ne2 Yor0< at the house of A&$ah "ea'an< 2hich I
attended# There 2ere *resent a&so Sidne! Ri,don< )ar&e! )# )ratt< L!'an
3i,ht< John .urdoc0< Orson )ratt and Orson H!de< Hi,h )riests? and si/
E&ders# I stated that the o=ect of the Conference 2as to otain !oun, and
'idd&e-a,ed 'en to ,o and assist in the rede'*tion of ;ion< accordin, to
the co''and'ent? and for the Church to ,ather u* their riches< and send
the' to *urchase &ands accordin, to the co''and'ent of the Lord? a&so to
de$ise 'eans< or otain 'one! for the re&ief of ?the rethren in 1irt&and<
sa! t2o thousand do&&ars< 2hich su' 2ou&d de&i$er the Church in 1irt&and
fro' det? and a&so deter'ine the course 2hich the se$era& co'*anies sha&&
*ursue< or the 'anner the! sha&& =ourne! 2hen the! sha&& &ea$e this *&ace#
It 2as $oted ! the Counci&< that Fathers "os&e! and Nic0erson< E&der
.c3ithe!< and "rother Ro,er Orton< shou&d e/ert the'se&$es to otain t2o
thousand do&&ars< for the *resent re&ief of 1irt&and# The! a&& a,reed to
do 2hat the! cou&d to otain it< fir'&! e&ie$in, that it cou&d e
acco'*&ished ! the first of A*ri&# It 2as a&so decided that E&der Orson
H!de shou&d tarr! and *reach in the re,ions round aout< ti&& the 'one!
shou&d e otained< and then carr! it 2ith hi' to 1irt&and# It 2as a&so
$oted that I shou&d return to 1irt&and< acco'*anied ! E&ders Sidne!
Ri,don and L!'an 3i,ht# E&ders John .urdoc0 and Orson )ratt 2ere a**ointed
to =ourne! to 1irt&and< *reachin, ! the 2a!? and E&ders )ar&e! )# )ratt
and Henr! "ro2n to $isit the churches in "&ac0 Ri$er countr!< and otain
a&& the 'eans the! cou&d to he&* ;ion#
Tuesda!< .arch 78#--Tarried at Father "os&e!+s throu,h the da!# On
the 7Nth co''enced '! =ourne! for 1irt&and< and sta!ed that ni,ht at
"rother .c3ithe!+s ta$ern#
.arch HD#--Continued our =ourne!# Dined at "rother Jose*h Ho&roo0+s<
and at ni,ht tried three ti'es to *rocure &od,in,s in the na'es of
disci*&es< ut cou&d not succeed# After ni,ht had co''enced 2e found a
'an< in China< na'ed Reuen 3i&son< 2ho 2ou&d 0ee* us for 'one!? thus 2e
&earn there are 'ore *&aces for 'one! than for the disci*&es of Jesus< the
La' of 5od#
.arch H7#--3e ca'e to the house of a 'an na'ed Star0s< si/ 'i&es east
of S*rin,$i&&e? and on the HHnd arri$ed at "rother %inson 1ni,ht+s in
)err!sur,h< Catarau,us count!# On the H9rd 2e arri$ed at Father
Nic0erson+s< in )err!sur,h< 2here 2e he&d 'eetin,# On the H@th< I 2as not
a&e to start< ut fe&t deter'ined to ,o the ne/t 'ornin,#
.arch HG#--Journe!ed fro' Father Nic0erson+s to Father Le2is+< in
3estfie&d< acco'*anied ! Father Nic0erson# On the H:th< continued our
=ourne! to E&0 Cree0< and sta!ed 2ith E&der Hunt# The HMth< I ca'e to
S*rin,fie&d< 2here I found E&der Sidne! Ri,don< 2ho had co'e on ! a
different route? and 2e arri$ed that ni,ht 2ithin si/teen 'i&es of
)aines$i&&e# Arri$ed ho'e at 1irt&and on the H8th of .arch< findin, '!
fa'i&! a&& 2e&&# The Lord e *raised for this &essin,K
.arch HM#--Re'ained at ho'e and had ,reat =o! 2ith '! fa'i&!# Sunda!<
the 9Dth< 2as at ho'e< e/ce*t ,oin, to hear E&der Ri,don *reach#
CHA)TER I%#
TRIAL AND CON%ICTION OF HURL"URT--EFFORTS IN "EHALF OF THE
REDE.)TION OF ;ION--DISSOLUTION OF THE UNITED ORDER OF ;ION
AND 1IRTLAND#
.onda!< .arch 97#--This da!< Ira J# 3i&&is a !oun, 'an 2ho had een
in the Church for so'e ti'e< and 2ho 2as dri$en fro' Jac0son count! into
C&a! count!< returned thither to &oo0 for a stra! co2< and 2hi&e at the
house of Es>uire .anshi*< a =ustice of the *eace E2here he had ca&&ed 2ith
"rother John Fo&&ett< to *ro$e his tit&e to the co2F< 2as cau,ht ! that
unhun, &and *irate and inhu'an 'onster< .oses 3i&son< and 2hi**ed in a
'ost crue& and sa$a,e 'anner< 2hi&e surrounded ! so'e ha&f do4en of the
o&d 'oers# This 2as an un*ardona&e act? a&& that 0no2 .r# 3i&&is can
ear testi'on! that he is a !oun, 'an< honest< *eacea&e and unoffendin,<
2or0in, ri,hteousness< and 'o&estin, no one< .a! 5od re2ard .oses 3i&son
accordin, to his 2or0s#
I 2ent to Chardon toda! to attend the court in the case of -Doctor-
)hi&astus Hur&urt#
A*ri& 7#--This da! at "rother Rider+s in Chardon# The court has not
rou,ht for2ard Hur&urt+s tria& !et< and 2e 2ere en,a,ed in issuin,
su*oenas for 2itnesses# .! sou& de&i,hteth in the &a2 of the Lord< for He
for,i$eth '! sins< and 2i&& confound 'ine ene'ies< The Lord sha&& destro!
hi' 2ho has &ifted his hee& a,ainst 'e< e$en that 2ic0ed 'an Dr# )hi&astus
Hur&urt? He 2i&& de&i$er hi' to the fo2&s of hea$en< and his ones sha&&
e cast to the &asts of the 2ind< for he &ifted his ar' a,ainst the
A&'i,ht!< therefore the Lord sha&& destro! hi'
3ednesda!< A*ri& the Hnd< and Thursda!< the 9rd< attended the court#
Hur&urt 2as on tria& for threatenin, '! &ife# Frida! 'ornin, I returned
ho'e< and in the e$enin, attended Counci&< of 2hich the fo&&o2in, are the
'inutes(
.inutes of Counci&#
1IRTLAND< A*ri& @< 789@#
This e$enin, a counci& of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed at the house of
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< to reconsider the case of rother
5eor,e F# Ja'es# )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *residin,#
"rother 5eor,e said that he had often *ro'ised to ta0e u* his cross
and 'a,nif! his ca&&in,< ut had fai&ed< and ou,ht to ha$e 2ritten to
the )resident ere this ti'e and ,i$en hi' the infor'ation that this
*ecuniar! affairs ca&&ed his attention at ho'e< 2hich *re$ented his
fu&fi&&in, the *ro'ise he 'ade to )resident Jose*h S'ith< in ,oin,
out to *roc&ai' the 5os*e&? and he sincere&! as0ed *ardon of the
Lord< and of his rethren< and *articu&ar&! of "rother Jose*h# He
a&so said he 2as 2i&&in, to as0 the for,i$eness of this church# He
said re&ati$e to-certain char,es< 2hich 2ere< that he had not
attended 'eetin,s< and had treated &i,ht&! so'e of the 2ea0<- etc#?
that he had attended 'eetin,s ,enera&&!? and as far as s*ea0in, or
treatin, &i,ht&! an! rother ecause of his 2ea0ness< that 2as
forei,n fro' his 'ind< and 2as that 2hich he had ne$er done< nor
cou&d he e$er and such *rinci*&es in his oso'#
)resident Jose*h S'ith said he had no hardness? he on&! 2ished
"rother 5eor,e to consider this as a chastise'ent< and that the
Counci& 2ere ound to ta0e notice of his conduct heretofore? ut no2<
if rother 5eor,e 2as 2i&&in, to 2a&0 accordin, to the ne2 co$enant<
he shou&d ha$e his hand of fe&&o2shi*# The Counci& then e/*ressed
their satisfaction at "rother 5eor,e+s confession# ESi,nedF OLI%ER
CO3DERY< C&er0#
A*ri& G--I 2ent to Chardon as a 2itness for Father Johnson< and
returned in the e$enin,# .r# Russe&&< the state+s attorne! for )orta,e
count!< ca&&ed on 'e# He a**roached 'e in a ,ent&e'an&! 'anner< and
treated .e 2ith ,reat res*ect#
A*ri& M#--"isho* 3hitne!< E&der Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< and '!se&f<
'et in the counci& roo'< and o2ed do2n efore the Lord< and *ra!ed that
He 2ou&d furnish the 'eans to de&i$er the Fir' fro' det< that the! 'i,ht
e set at &iert!? a&so< that I 'i,ht *re$ai& a,ainst that 2ic0ed 'an
Hur&urt< and that he 'i,ht e *ut to sha'e#
The )residenc! 2rote E&der Orson H!de< 2ho !et re'ained in the state
of Ne2 Yor0< as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< A*ri& M< 789@#
DEAR "ROTHER ORSON(--3e recei$ed !ours of the 97st u&ti'o in due
course of 'ai&< and 2ere 'uch ,rie$ed on &earnin, that !ou 2ere not
&i0e&! to succeed accordin, a our e/*ectations# .!se&f< "rothers
Ne2e&< Frederic0 and O&i$er< retired to the trans&atin, roo'< 2here
*ra!er 2as 2ont to e 'ade< and unoso'ed our fee&in,s efore 5od?
and cannot ut e/ercise faith !et that !ou< in the 'iracu&ous
*ro$idences of 5od< 2i&& succeed in otainin, he&*# The fact is<
un&ess 2e can otain he&*< .!se&f cannot ,o to ;ion< and if I do not
,o< it 2i&& e i'*ossi&e to ,et '! rethren in 1irt&and< an! of
the'< to ,o? and if 2e do not ,o< it is in $ain for our eastern
rethren to thin0 of ,oin, u* to etter the'se&$es ! otainin, so
,ood&! a &and< E2hich no2 can e otained for one do&&ar and one
>uarter *er acre<F and stand a,ainst that 2ic0ed 'o? for un&ess the!
do the 2i&& of 5od< 5od 2i&& not he&* the'? and if 5od does not he&*
the'< a&& is $ain#
No2 the fact is< this is the head of the Church and the &ife of the
od!? and those a&e 'en< as 'e'ers of the od!< 5od has a**ointed
to e hands to ad'inister to the necessities of the od!# No2 if a
'ans hand refuses to ad'inister to the necessities of his od!< it
'ust *erish of hun,er? and if the od! *erish< a&& the 'e'ers *erish
2ith it? and if the head fai&< the 2ho&e od! is sic0ened< the heart
faints< and the od! dies< the s*irit ta0es its e/it< and the carcase
re'ains to e de$oured ! 2or's#
No2< "rother Orson< if this Church< 2hich is essa!in, to e the
Church of Christ 2i&& not he&* us< 2hen the! can do it 2ithout
sacrifice< 2ith those &essin,s 2hich 5od has esto2ed u*on the'< I
*ro*hes!--I s*ea0 the truth< I &ie not--5od sha&& ta0e a2a! their
ta&ent< and ,i$e it to those 2ho ha$e no ta&ent< and sha&& *re$ent
the' fro' e$er otainin, a *&ace of refu,e< or an inheritance u*on
the &and of ;ion? therefore the! 'a! tarr!< for the! 'i,ht as 2e&& e
o$erta0en 2here the! are< as to incur the dis*&easure of 5od< and
fa&& under His 2rath ! the 2a! side< as to fa&& into the hands of a
'erci&ess 'o< 2here there is no 5od to de&i$er< as sa&t that has
&ost its sa$or< and is thenceforth ,ood for nothin,< ut to e
trodden under foot of 'en#
3e therefore ad=ure !ou to eseech the'< in the na'e of the Lord< !
the Son of 5od< to &end us a he&*in, hand? and if a&& this 2i&& not
soften their hearts to ad'inister to our necessit! for ;ion+s sa0e<
turn !our ac0 u*on the'< and return s*eedi&! to 1irt&and? and the
&ood of ;ion e u*on their heads< e$en as u*on the heads of her
ene'ies? and &et their reco'*ense e as the reco'*ense of her
ene'ies? for thus sha&& it co'e to *ass< saith the Lord of Hosts< 2ho
has the catt&e u*on a thousand hi&&s< 2ho has *ut forth His A&'i,ht!
hand to rin, to *ass His stran,e act? and 2hat 'an sha&& *ut forth
his hand to stead! the ar0 of 5od< or e found turnin, a deaf ear to
the $oice of His ser$antB 5od sha&& s*ea0 in due ti'e< and a&& 2i&&
e dec&ared# A'en#
Your rethren in the Ne2 Co$enant<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
FREDERIC1 5# 3ILLIA.S<
OLI%ER CO3DERY#
A*ri& N#--After an i'*artia& tria&< the court decided that Dr#
)hi&astus Hur&urt e ound o$er< under t2o hundred do&&ar onds< to 0ee*
the *eace for si/ 'onths< and *a! the cost< 2hich a'ounted to near&! three
hundred do&&ars< a&& of 2hich 2as in ans2er to our *ra!ers< for 2hich I
than0 '! Hea$en&! Father#
On the 7Dth< had a counci& of the United Order< in 2hich it 2as
a,reed that the Order shou&d e disso&$ed< and each one ha$e his
ste2ardshi* set off to hi'#
The sa'e da! the rethren in C&a! count!< .issouri< e/ecuted the
fo&&o2in, &etters and *etitions< accordin, to the re$e&ation#
Frida!< A*ri& 77#--I attended 'eetin,< and Father T!&er 2as restored
to the fe&&o2shi* of the Church#
On the 7Hth< I 2ent to a *&ace near La0e Erie< and s*ent the da! in
fishin,< and $isitin, the rethren#
Sunda!< 79#--3as sic0< and una&e to attend 'eetin,#
.onda!< 7@#--I *urchased so'e ha! and oats< and ,ot the' ho'e#
Tuesda!< 7G<--Hau&ed a &oad of ha!? and on 3ednesda! *&o2ed and so2ed
oats for "rother Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's<
Thursda!< A*ri& 7 #--I attended a 'eetin, a,reea&e to a**oint'ent<
at 2hich ti'e the i'*ortant su=ects of the de&i$erance of ;ion and to
ui&din, of the Lord+s House in 1irt&and &and 2ere discussed ! E&der
Ri,don# After the &ecture< I re>uested the rethren and sisters to
contriute a&& the 'one! the! cou&d for the de&i$erance of ;ion? and
recei$ed t2ent!-nine do&&ars and si/t!-ei,ht cents#
A*ri& 78<--In co'*an! 2ith E&ders Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der! and
;eedee Co&trin< I &eft 1irt&and for Ne2 )orta,e< to attend a conference?
dined at 3# 3# 3i&&ia's+< in Ne2ur,< and continuin, our =ourne!< after
dar0< 2e 2ere hai&ed ! a 'an 2ho desired to ride# 3e 2ere chec0ed ! the
S*irit< and refused# He *rofessed to e sic0< ut in a fe2 'inutes 2as
=oined ! t2o others< 2ho fo&&o2ed us hard< cursin, and s2earin,? ut 2e
2ere successfu& in esca*in, their hands< throu,h the *ro$idence of the
Lord< and sta!ed that ni,ht at a ta$ern< 2here 2e 2ere treated 2ith
ci$i&it!#
A*ri& 7N#--Continuin, our =ourne!< dined at "rother Jose*h
"os2orth+s< in Co*&e!< .edina Count!# "rother "os2orth 2as stron, in the
faith< and if faithfu& 'a! do 'uch ,ood# 3e arri$ed the sa'e da! at
"rother Jonathan Ta!&or+s< in Norton< 2here 2e 2ere recei$ed 2ith
0indness# 3e soon retired to the 2i&derness< 2here 2e united in *ra!er and
su**&ication for the &essin,s of the Lord to e ,i$en unto His Church# 3e
ca&&ed u*on the Father in the na'e of Jesus< to ,o 2ith the rethren 2ho
2ere ,oin, to the &and of ;ion? and that I 'i,ht ha$e stren,th< and
2isdo'< and understandin, sufficient to &ead the *eo*&e of the Lord< and
to ,ather and esta&ish the Saints u*on the &and of their inheritances<
and or,ani4e the' accordin, to the 2i&& of Hea$en< that the! 'a! e no
'ore cast do2n fore$er< 3e then united in the &a!in, on of hands#
E&ders Ri,don< Co2der! and Co&trin &aid their hands on '! head< and
conferred u*on 'e a&& the &essin,s necessar! to >ua&if! for 'e stand
efore the Lord< in '! ca&&in, and return a,ain in *eace and triu'*h< to
en=o! the societ! of '! rethren#
Those *resent then &aid their hands u*on the head of E&der Ri,don<
and confir'ed u*on hi' the &essin,s of 2isdo' and 0no2&ed,e to *reside
o$er the Church in '! asence< a&so to ha$e the S*irit to assist E&der
Co2der! in conductin, the Star< in arran,in, the "oo0 of Co$enants? and
*ronounced the &essin,s of o&d a,e and *eace u*on hi'< ti&& ;ion is ui&t
u*< and 1irt&and esta&ished< ti&& a&& his ene'ies are under his feet< and
he recei$e a cro2n of eterna& &ife in the 0in,do' of 5od 2ith us#
)re$ious to &essin, E&der Ri,don< 2e &aid hands on E&der O&i$er
Co2der!< and confir'ed u*on hi' the &essin,s of 2isdo' and understandin,
sufficient for his station that he e >ua&ified to assist E&der Ri,don in
arran,in, the Church "oo0 of Co$enants< 2hich is soon to e *u&ished< and
ha$e inte&&i,ence in a&& thin,s to do the 2or0 of *rintin,#
After &essin, E&der Ri,don< 2e &aid our hands u*on "rother ;eedee
Co&trin< and confir'ed the &essin,s of 2isdo' to *reach the 5os*e&< e$en
ti&& it s*reads to the is&ands of the seas< and to e s*ared to see three
score !ears and ten< and see ;ion ui&t u*< and 1irt&and esta&ished
fore$er< and e$en at &ast to recei$e a cro2n of &ife# Our hearts re=oiced<
and 2e 2ere co'forted 2ith the Ho&! S*irit#
Sunda!< A*ri& 7D#--E&der Ri,don entertained a &ar,e con,re,ation of
Saints 2ith an interestin, discourse u*on the Fu&&ness of Ti'es#
A*ri&< H7#--I attended conference< and had a ,&orious ti'e# So'e fe2
$o&unteered to ,o to ;ion< and others donated si/t!-si/ do&&ars and
thirt!-se$en cents for the enefit of the scattered rethren in ;ion# The
fo&&o2in, is an e/tract fro' the 'inutes of the conference(
.inutes of Conference#
NORTON< .EDINA COUNTY< OHIO< A*ri& H7< 789@#
This da! a conference of E&ders asse'&ed at the d2e&&in, house of
"rother Car*enter# )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< read the second
cha*ter of Joe&+s *ro*hec!< *ra!ed< and addressed the conference as
fo&&o2s(
-It is $er! difficu&t for us to co''unicate to the churches a&& that
5od has re$ea&ed to us< in conse>uence of tradition? for 2e are
different&! situated fro' an! other *eo*&e that e$er e/isted u*on
this earth? conse>uent&! those for'er re$e&ations cannot e suited to
our conditions? the! 2ere ,i$en to other *eo*&e< 2ho 2ere efore us?
ut in the &ast da!s< 5od 2as to ca&& a re'nant< in 2hich 2as to e
de&i$erance< as 2e&& as in Jerusa&e' and ;ion# No2 if 5od shou&d ,i$e
no 'ore re$e&ations< 2here 2i&& 2e find ;ion and this re'nantB The
ti'e is near 2hen deso&ation is to co$er the earth< and then 5od 2i&&
ha$e a *&ace of de&i$erance in His re'nant< and in ;ion#-
The )resident then ,a$e a re&ation of otainin, and trans&atin, the
"oo0 of .or'on< the re$e&ation of the )riesthood of Aaron< the
or,ani4ation of the Church in 789D< the re$e&ation of the Hi,h
)riesthood< and the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host *oured out u*on the
Church? and said(
-Ta0e a2a! the "oo0 of .or'on and the re$e&ations< and 2here is our
re&i,ion 3e ha$e none? for 2ithout ;ion< and a *&ace of de&i$erance<
2e 'ust fa&&? ecause the ti'e is near 2hen the sun 2i&& e dar0ened<
and the 'oon turn to &ood< and the stars fa&& fro' hea$en< and the
earth ree& to and fro# Then< if this is the case< and if 2e are not
sanctified and ,athered to the *&aces 5od has a**ointed< 2ith a&& our
for'er *rofessions and our ,reat &o$e for the "i&e< 2e 'ust fa&&? 2e
cannot stand? 2e cannot e sa$ed? for 5od 2i&& ,ather out His Saints
fro' the 5enti&es< and then co'es deso&ation and destruction< and
none can esca*e e/ce*t the *ure in head 2ho are ,athered#-
E&der Ri,don addressed the conference< and said(
-On t2o *oints han, a&& the re$e&ations that ha$e e$er een ,i$en<
and these are the t2o ad$ents of the .essiah# The first is *ast< and
the second is no2 =ust efore us? and conse>uent&! those 2ho desire a
*art in this era 2hich the an,e&s desired to &oo0 into< ha$e to e
asse'&ed 2ith the Saints? for if the! are not ,athered< the! 'ust
2ai& ecause of His co'in,# There is no *art of His creation 2hich
2i&& not fee& a shoc0 at this ,rand dis*&a! of His *o2er< for the
ancient Saints 2i&& rei,n 2ith Christ a thousand !ears# The ,athered
Saints 2i&& d2e&& under that rei,n< and these 2ho are not ,athered
'a! e/*ect to endure His 2rath that &en,th of ti'e? for the rest of
the dead are not to &i$e ti&& the thousand !ears are ended#
-It is $ain for 'en of this ,eneration to thin0 of &a!in, u* and
*ro$idin, inheritances for their chi&dren< e/ce*t the! &a! it u* in
the *&ace 2here de&i$erance is a**ointed ! the $oice of 5od? for
these are the da!s of $en,eance< as 2ere the da!s of Jere'iah?
ecause< efore his e!es 2ere c&osed in death< the Je2s 2ere &ed
ca*ti$e< and the &and *ossessed ! another *eo*&e# And so in this
da!? 2hi&e the father is &a!in, u* ,o&d for his son< the destro!er
'a! &a! hi' &ife&ess at his feet< and 2here then is a&& his treasureB
Therefore if 2e< the is&ands of the sea< and a&& the ends of the
earth< desire an inheritance for ourse&$es and our chi&dren< and
the'se&$es and their chi&dren< it 'ust e otained 2here 5od has
a**ointed the *&aces of de&i$erance#-
E&der Ri,don ad$erted to the for'er co$enants to Araha'< Isaac< and
Jaco< and others of the ancients< 2hich 2ere to e rea&i4ed in the
&ast da!s? and s*o0e at so'e &en,th u*on the de&i$erance of ;ion< the
endo2'ent of the E&ders 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h accordin, to for'er
*ro'ises< and the s*readin, of the 2ord of the Lord to the four
2inds# He first referred to the situation of the rethren in
.issouri< and ur,ed the i'*ortance of those 2ho cou&d< ,i$in, heed to
the re$e&ations ! ,oin, u* to their assistance? and those 2ho cou&d
not ,o< to he&* those 2ho are ,oin, 2ith 'eans for their e/*enses#
E&der Co2der! ,a$e a rief re&ation of the 'oin, in .issouri< and
ca&&ed for a contriution#
E&ders A'rose )a&'er and Sa&'on 3arner fo&&o2ed on the sa'e su=ect#
"rother Jose*h "os2orth s*o0e on the de&i$erance of ;ion< and said he
had no *ro*ert!< ut if necessar! for her de&i$erance he 2ou&d se&&
his c&othes at auction< if he 'i,ht ha$e &eft hi' as ,ood a ,ar'ent
as the Sa$ior had in the 'an,er#
Others a&so s*o0e on the de&i$erance of ;ion#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *ro*hesied#
-If ;ion is not de&i$ered< the ti'e is near 2hen a&& of this Church<
2here$er the! 'a! e found< 2i&& e *ersecuted and destro!ed in &i0e
'anner#-
E&der Ri,don ,a$e an account of the endo2'ent of the ancient
a*ost&es< and &aid efore the conference the di'ensions of the House
to e ui&t in 1irt&and< and rehearsed the *ro'ise to the E&ders in
the &ast da!s< 2hich the! 2ere to rea&i4e after the House of the Lord
2as ui&t#
"rother "os2orth then re&ated a fe2 ite's of a $ision< as a testi'on!
of those thin,s contained in the re$e&ation read ! E&der Ri,don< and
his re'ar0s thereon#
)resident S'ith e/*&ained the re$e&ation concernin, the ui&din, of
the Lord+s House#
E&der Ri,don then s*o0e on the s*readin, of the 2ord of the Lord?
fo&&o2ed ! se$era& of the rethren#
The conference $oted that Tho'as Tri** e e/c&uded fro' the Church in
conse>uence of his i'*rudent conduct< 2ith the *ri$i&e,e of an a**ea&
to the "isho*+s Counci& in 1irt&and#
)resident S'ith then &aid hands on certain chi&dren< and &essed the'
in the na'e of the Lord#
E&der Ri,don ad'inistered the Sacra'ent#
There 2ere *resent se$en Hi,h )riests< and thirteen E&ders#
Ad=ourned to the .onda! *recedin, the second Sunda! in Se*te'er
C&osed ! sin,in, -No2 '! re'nant of da!s<- etc#
ESi,nedF OLI%ER CO3DERY<
C&er0 of the Conference#
A*ri& HH#--I returned to 1irt&and#
A*ri& H9#--Asse'&ed in Counci& 2ith E&ders Sidne! Ri,don Frederic0
5# 3i&&ia's< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< John Johnson< and O&i$er Co2der!? and
united in as0in, the Lord to ,i$e E&der ;eedee Co&trin inf&uence o$er
"rother Jaco .!res< to otain the 'one! 2hich he has ,one to orro2 for
us< or cause hi' to co'e to this *&ace and rin, it hi'se&f# I a&so
recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en A*ri& H9< 789@< to Enoch IJose*h S'ith< Jun#<J
concernin, the Order of the Church for the enefit of the *oor#
7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< I ,i$e unto !ou counse&< and a
co''and'ent< concernin, a&& the *ro*erties 2hich e&on, to the order 2hich
I co''anded to e or,ani4ed and esta&ished< to e an united order< and an
e$er&astin, order for the enefit of '! Church< and for the sa&$ation of
'en unti& I co'e<
H# 3ith *ro'ise i''uta&e and unchan,ea&e< that inas'uch as those
2ho' I co''anded 2ere faithfu&< the! shou&d e &essed 2ith a 'u&ti*&icit!
of &essin,s?
9# "ut inas'uch as the! 2ere not faithfu&< the! 2ere ni,h unto
cursin,#
@# Therefore< inas'uch as so'e of '! ser$ants ha$e not 0e*t the
co''and'ent ut ha$e ro0en the co$enant throu,h co$etousness< and 2ith
fei,ned 2ords< I ha$e cursed the' 2ith a $er! sore and ,rie$ous curse?
G# For I< the Lord< ha$e decreed in '! heart< that inas'uch as an!
'an e&on,in, to the order sha&& e found a trans,ressor< or< in other
2ords< sha&& rea0 the co$enant 2ith 2hich !e are ound< he sha&& e
cursed in his &ife< and sha&& he trodden do2n ! 2ho' I 2i&&<
:# For I< the Lord< a' not to e 'oc0ed in these thin,s?
M# And a&& this< that the innocent a'on, !ou 'a! not e conde'ned
2ith the un=ust< and that the ,ui&t! a'on, !ou 'a! not esca*e< ecause I<
the Lord< ha$e *ro'ised unto !ou a cro2n of ,&or! at '! ri,ht hand#
8# Therefore< inas'uch as !ou are found trans,ressors< !e cannot
esca*e '! 2rath in !our &i$es?
N# Inas'uch as !e are cut off for trans,ression< !e cannot esca*e the
uffetin,s of Satan unti& the da! of rede'*tion#
7D# And no2 I ,i$e unto !ou *o2er fro' this $er! hour< that if an!
'an a'on, !ou< of the order< is found a trans,ressor< and re*enteth not of
the e$i&< that !e sha&& de&i$er hi' o$er unto the uffetin,s of Satan< and
he sha&& not ha$e *o2er to rin, e$i& u*on !ou#
77# It is 2isdo' in 'e? therefore< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou<
that !e sha&& or,ani4e !ourse&$es and a**oint e$er! 'an his ste2ardshi*
7H# That e$er! 'an 'a! ,i$e an account unto 'e of the ste2ardshi*
2hich is a**ointed unto hi'?
79# For it is e/*edient that I< the Lord< shou&d 'a0e e$er! 'an
accounta&e as a ste2ard o$er earth&! &essin,s< 2hich I ha$e 'ade and
*re*ared for '! creatures#
7@# I< the Lord< stretched out the hea$ens< and ui&t the earth< '!
$er! hand!-2or0< and a&& thin,s therein are 'ine?
7G# And it is '! *ur*ose to *ro$ide for '! Saints< for a&& thin,s are
'ine?
7:# "ut it 'ust needs e done in 'ine o2n 2a!? and eho&d this is the
2a! that I< the Lord< ha$e decreed to *ro$ide for '! Saints< that the *oor
sha&& e e/a&ted< in that the rich are 'ade &o2?
7M# For the earth is fu&&< and there is enou,h and to s*are? !ea< I
*re*ared a&& thin,s< and ha$e ,i$en unto the chi&dren of 'en to e a,ents
unto the'se&$es<
78# Therefore< if an! 'an sha&& ta0e of the aundance 2hich I ha$e
'ade< and i'*art not his *ortion< accordin, to the &a2 of '! ,os*e&< unto
the *oor and the need!< he sha&&< 2ith the 2ic0ed< &ift u* his e!es in
he&&< ein, in tor'ent#
7N# And no2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< concernin, the *ro*erties of the
order#
HD# Let '! ser$ant )e&a,ora' ESidne! Ri,donF ha$e a**ointed unto hi'
the *&ace 2here he no2 resides< and the &ot of Tahhanes Ethe tanner! for
his ste2ardshi*< for his su**ort 2hi&e he is &aorin, in '! $ine!ard< e$en
as I 2i&&< 2hen I sha&& co''and hi'?
H7# And &et a&& thin,s e done accordin, to the counse& of the order<
and united consent or $oice of the order< 2hich d2e&& in the &and of
Shinehah E1irt&andF#
HH# And this ste2ardshi* and &essin, I< the Lord< confer u*on '!
ser$ant )e&a,ora' ESidne! Ri,donF< for a &essin, u*on hi'< and his seed
after hi'?
H9# And I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on hi'< inas'uch as he 2i&& e
hu'&e efore 'e#
H@# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant .ahe'son E.artin HarrisF ha$e a**ointed
unto hi'< for his ste2ardshi*< the &ot of &and 2hich '! Ser$ant ;o're
EJohn JohnsonF otained in e/chan,e for his for'er inheritance for hi' and
his seed after hi'#
HG# And inas'uch as he is faithfu&< I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on
hi' and his seed after hi'#
H:# And &et '! ser$ant .ahe'son E.artin HarrisF de$ote his 'one!s for
the *roc&ai'in, of '! 2ords< accordin, as '! ser$ant 5a4e&a' EJose*h
S'ith< Jun#<F sha&& direct#
HM# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant Sheder&ao'ach EFrederic0 5# 3i&&ia'sF
ha$e the *&ace u*on 2hich he no2 d2e&&s#
H8# And &et '! ser$ant O&ihah EO&i$er Co2der!F ha$e the &ot 2hich is
set off =oinin, the house< 2hich is to e for the Laneshine-house
E*rintin, officeF< 2hich is &ot nu'er one< and a&so the &ot u*on 2hich
his father resides#
HN# And &et '! ser$ants Sheder&ao'ach EFrederic0 5# 3i&&ia'sF and
O&ihah EO&i$er Co2der!F ha$e the Laneshine-house E*rintin, officeF< and
a&& thin,s that *ertain unto it?
9D# And this sha&& e their ste2ardshi* 2hich sha&& e a**ointed unto
the'(
97# And inas'uch as the! are faithfu&< eho&d I 2i&& &ess< and
'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on the'#
9H# And this is the e,innin, of the ste2ardshi* 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed the'< for the' and their seed after the'?
99# And inas'uch as the! are faithfu&< I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on
the'< and their seed after the'< e$en a 'u&ti*&icit! of &essin,s#
9@# And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant ;o're EJohn JohnsonF ha$e the house in
2hich he &i$es< and the inheritance--a&&< sa$e the ,round 2hich has een
reser$ed for the ui&din, of '! houses< 2hich *ertains to that
inheritance< and those &ots 2hich ha$e een na'ed for '! ser$ant O&ihah
EO&i$er Co2der!F#
9G# And< inas'uch as he is faithfu&< I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on
hi'#
9:# And it is '! 2i&& that he shou&d se&& the &ots that are &aid off
for the ui&din, u* of the cit! of '! Saints< inas'uch as it sha&& e 'ade
0no2n to hi' ! the $oice of the S*irit< and accordin, to the counse& of
the order< and ! the $oice of the order#
9M# And this is the e,innin, of the ste2ardshi* 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed unto hi'< for a &essin, unto hi'< and his seed after hi'?
98# And inas'uch as he is faithfu&< I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! a 'u&ti*&icit! of
&essin,s u*on hi'#
9N# And &et '! ser$ant Ahashdah ENe2e& 1# 3hitne!F ha$e a**ointed
unto hi' the houses and &ot 2here he no2 resides< and the &ot and ui&din,
on 2hich the O4ondah E'ercanti&e esta&ish'entF stands< and a&so the &ot
2hich is no2 on the corner south of the O4ondah E'ercanti&e
esta&ish'entF< and a&so the &ot u*on 2hich the Shu&e Easher!F is
situated#
@D# And a&& this I ha$e a**ointed unto '! ser$ant Ahashdah ENe2e& 1#
3hitne!F for his ste2ardshi*< for a &essin, u*on hi' and his seed after
hi'< for the enefit of the O4ondah E'ercanti&e esta&ish'entF of '! order
2hich I ha$e esta&ished for '! Sta0e in the &and of Shinehah E1irt&andF#
@7# Yea< $eri&!< this is the ste2ardshi* 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto
'! ser$ant Ahashdah EN# 1# 3hitne!F< e$en this 2ho&e O4ondah E'ercanti&e
esta&ish'entF< hi' and his a,ent< and his seed after hi'?
@H# And inas'uch as he is faithfu& in 0ee*in, '! co''and'ents 2hich I
ha$e ,i$en unto hi'< I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on hi'< and his seed
after hi'< e$en a 'u&ti*&icit! of &essin,s#
@9 And a,ain< &et '! ser$ant 5a4e&a' EJose*h S'ith< Jun#<F ha$e
a**ointed unto hi' the &ot 2hich is &aid off for the ui&din, of '! house<
2hich is fort! rods &on,< and t2e&$e 2ide< and a&so the inheritance u*on
2hich his father no2 resides#
@@# And this is the e,innin, of the ste2ardshi* 2hich I ha$e
a**ointed unto hi'< for a &essin, u*on hi'< and u*on his father#
@G# For< eho&d< I ha$e reser$ed an inheritance for his father< for
his su**ort? therefore he sha&& e rec0oned in the house of '! ser$ant
5a4e&a' EJose*h S'ith< Jun#F
@:# And I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! &essin,s u*on the house of '! ser$ant
5a4e&a' EJose*h S'ith< Jun#<F inas'uch as he is faithfu&< e$en a
'u&ti*&icit! of &essin,s# @M# And no2< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou
concernin, ;ion< that !ou sha&& no &on,er e ound as an United Order to
!our rethren of ;ion< on&! on this 2ise(
@8# After !ou are or,ani4ed< !ou sha&& e ca&&ed the United Order of
the Sta0e of ;ion< the cit! of Shinehah E1irt&andF# And !our rethren<
after the! are or,ani4ed< sha&& e ca&&ed the United Order of the Cit! of
;ion#
@N# And the! sha&& e or,ani4ed in their o2n na'es< and in their o2n
na'e? and the! sha&& do their usiness in their o2n na'e< and in their o2n
na'es?
GD# And !ou sha&& do usiness in !our o2n na'e< and in !our o2n
na'es#
G7# And this I ha$e co''anded to e done for !our sa&$ation< and a&so
for their sa&$ation< in conse>uence of their ein, dri$en out and that
2hich is to co'e#
GH# The co$enants ein, ro0en throu,h trans,ression< ! co$etousness
and fei,ned 2ords?
G9# Therefore !ou are disso&$ed as a United Order 2ith !our rethren
that !ou are not ound on&! u* to this hour unto the'< on&! on this 2ise<
as I said< ! &oan as sha&& e a,reed ! this order in counci&< as !our
circu'stances 2i&& ad'it and the $oice of the counci& direct#
G@# And a,ain a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou concernin, !our
ste2ardshi*s 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto !ou#
GG# "eho&d< a&& these *ro*erties are 'ine< or e&se !our faith is
$ain< and !e are found h!*ocrites< and the co$enants 2hich !e ha$e 'ade
unto 'e are ro0en? G:# And if the *ro*erties are 'ine< then !e are
ste2ards< other2ise !e are no ste2ards#
GM# "ut< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I ha$e a**ointed unto !ou to e
ste2ards o$er 'ine house< e$en ste2ards indeed?
G8# And for this *ur*ose I ha$e co''anded !ou to or,ani4e !ourse&$es
e$en to shine&ah E*rintF '! 2ords< the fu&&ness of '! scri*tures< the
re$e&ations 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou< and 2hich I sha&& hereafter< fro'
ti'e to ti'e< ,i$e unto !ou<
GN# For the *ur*ose of ui&din, u* '! Church and 1in,do' on the
earth< and to *re*are '! *eo*&e for the ti'e 2hen I sha&& d2e&& 2ith the'<
2hich is ni,h at hand#
:D# And !e sha&& *re*are for !ourse&$es a *&ace for a treasur!< and
consecrate it unto '! na'e?
:7# And !e sha&& a**oint one a'on, !ou to 0ee* the treasur!< and he
sha&& e ordained unto this &essin,?
:H# And there sha&& e a sea& u*on the treasur!< and a&& the sacred
thin,s sha&& e de&i$ered into the treasur!< and no 'an a'on, !ou sha&&
ca&& it his o2n< or an! *art of it< for it sha&& e&on, to !ou a&& 2ith
one accord ?
:9# And I ,i$e it unto !ou fro' this $er! hour? and no2 see to it<
that !e ,o to and 'a0e use of the ste2ardshi* 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto
!ou< e/c&usi$e of the sacred thin,s< for the *ur*ose of shine&ane
E*rintin,F these sacred thin,s as I ha$e said?
:@# And the a$ai&s of the sacred thin,s sha&& e had in the treasur!<
and a sea& sha&& e u*on it< and it sha&& not e used or ta0en out of the
treasur! ! an! one< neither sha&& the sea& e &oosed 2hich sha&& e
*&aced u*on it< on&! ! the $oice of the order< or ! co''and'ent
:G# And thus sha&& !e *reser$e the a$ai&s of the sacred thin,s in the
treasur! for sacred and ho&! *ur*oses(
::# And this sha&& e ca&&ed the sacred treasur! of the Lord? and a
sea& sha&& e 0e*t u*on it that it 'a! e ho&! and consecrated unto the
Lord#
:M# And a,ain< there sha&& e another treasur! *re*ared< and a
treasurer a**ointed to 0ee* the treasur!< and a sea& sha&& e *&aced u*on
it?
:8# And a&& 'one!s that !ou recei$e in !our ste2ardshi*s< !
i'*ro$in, u*on the *ro*erties 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto !ou< in houses<
or in &ands< or in catt&e< or in a&& thin,s sa$e it e the ho&! and sacred
2ritin,s< 2hich I ha$e reser$ed unto '!se&f< for ho&! and sacred *ur*oses<
sha&& e cast into the treasur! as fast as !ou recei$e 'one!s< !
hundreds< or ! fifties< or ! t2enties< or ! tens< or ! fi$es?
:N# Or in other 2ords< if an! 'an a'on, !ou otain fi$e
ta&entsEdo&&arsF< &et hi' cast the' into the treasur!? or if he otain
ten< or t2ent!< or fift!< or an hundred< &et hi' do &i0e2ise?
MD# And &et not an! a'on, !ou sa! that it is his o2n< for it sha&&
not e ca&&ed his< nor an! *art of it?
M7# And there sha&& not an! *art of it e used< or ta0en out of the
treasur!< on&! ! the $oice and co''on consent of the order#
MH# And this sha&& e the $oice and co''on consent of the order? that
an! 'an a'on, !ou sa! to the treasurer< I ha$e need of this to he&* 'e in
'! ste2ardshi*?
M9# If it e fi$e ta&ents Edo&&arsF< or if it e ten ta&ents
Edo&&ars<F or t2ent!< or fift!< or a hundred< the treasurer sha&& ,i$e
unto hi' the su' 2hich he re>uires< to he&* hi' in his ste2ardshi*#
M@# Unti& he e found a trans,ressor< and it is 'anifest efore the
counci& of the order *&ain&!< that he is an unfaithfu& and an un2ise
ste2ard?
MG# "ut so &on, as he is in fu&& fe&&o2shi*< and is faithfu&< and
2ise in his ste2ardshi*< this sha&& e his to0en unto the treasurer< that
the treasurer sha&& not 2ithho&d#
M:# "ut in case of trans,ression< the treasurer sha&& e su=ect unto
the counci& and $oice of the order#
MM# And in case the treasurer is found an unfaithfu& and an un2ise
ste2ard< he sha&& e su=ect to the counci& and $oice of the order< and
sha&& e re'o$ed out of his *&ace< and another sha&& e a**ointed in his
stead#
M8# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< concernin, !our dets< eho&d
it is '! 2i&& that !ou sha&& *a! a&& !our dets?
MN# And it is '! 2i&& that !ou sha&& hu'&e !ourse&$es efore 'e< and
otain this &essin, ! !our di&i,ence and hu'i&it!< and the *ra!er of
faith?
8D# And inas'uch as !ou are di&i,ent and hu'&e< and e/ercise the
*ra!er of faith< eho&d< I 2i&& soften the hearts of those to 2ho' !ou are
in det< unti& I sha&& send 'eans unto !ou for !our de&i$erance#
87# Therefore 2rite s*eedi&! to Cainhannoch ENe2 Yor0F< and 2rite
accordin, to that 2hich sha&& e dictated ! '! S*irit< and I 2i&& soften
the hearts of those to 2ho' !ou are in det< that it sha&& e ta0en a2a!
out of their 'inds to rin, aff&iction u*on !ou#
8H# And inas'uch as !e are hu'&e and faithfu&< and ca&& u*on '!
na'e< eho&d I 2i&& ,i$e !ou the $ictor!#
89# I ,i$e unto !ou a *ro'ise< that !ou sha&& e de&i$ered this once
out of !our onda,e?
8@# Inas'uch as !ou otain a chance to &oan 'one! ! hundreds< or
thousands< e$en unti& !ou sha&& &oan enou,h to de&i$er !ourse&$es fro'
onda,e< it is !our *ri$i&e,e (
8G# And *&ed,e the *ro*erties 2hich I ha$e *ut into !our hands< this
once< ! ,i$in, !our na'es ! co''on consent or other2ise< as it sha&&
see' ,ood unto !ou
8:# I ,i$e unto !ou this *ri$i&e,e< this once< and eho&d< if !ou
*roceed to do the thin,s 2hich I ha$e &aid efore !ou< accordin, to '!
co''and'ents< a&& these thin,s are 'ine< and !e are '! ste2ards< and the
'aster 2i&& not suffer his house to e ro0en u*# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER %#
;ION+S CA.)--ITS JOURNEY FRO. 1IRTLAND TO .ISSOURI#
Aout the &ast of A*ri& I recei$ed< ! &etters fro' friends in the
East< and of rethren in 1irt&and the su' of t2o hundred and fift!-one
do&&ars and si/t! cents< to2ards the de&i$erance of ;ion#
.a! 7#--.ore than t2ent! of the rethren &eft 1irt&and for .issouri<
accordin, to *re$ious a**oint'ent< acco'*anied ! four a,,a,e 2a,ons#
The! tra$e&ed to Ne2 )orta,e< and there tarried 2ith the church unti& the
re'ainder of the 1irt&and co'*an!< 2ho 2ere not in readiness to start 2ith
the'< arri$ed#
The fo&&o2in, &etter fro' E&der )he&*s to us< c&ear&! sho2s the
necessit! there 2as of the Saints in .issouri recei$in, assistance(
LI"ERTY< .a! 7
789@#
DEAR "RETHREN--There are ,reat 'o$es in the 2est# Last 2ee0 an a&ar'
2as s*read in Jac0son count!< the seat of ini>uit! and &oodshed<
that the -.or'ons- 2ere crossin, the .issouri< to ta0e *ossession of
their &ands< and near&! a&& the count! turned out< -*re*ared for
2ar?- on Saturda! and on Sunda! too0 the fie&d< near o&d .c5ee+s<
ao$e "&ue? ut no -.or'ons- ca'e? neither did Arthur ,o o$er to see
aout his -s*i&t 2his0!<- so that the scene c&osed ! urnin, our
houses< or 'an! of the'# Our *eo*&e had aout one hundred and se$ent!
ui&din,s in Jac0son< and a onfire of near&! a&& of the' at once
'ade a &i,ht &ar,e enou,h to ,&are on their dar0 deed and cu* of
ini>uit! runnin, o$er at 'idni,ht#
The crisis has co'e? a&& 2ho 2i&& not ta0e u* ar's 2ith the 'o and
*re*are to fi,ht the -.or'ons<- ha$e to &ea$e Jac0son count!# I
understand so'e ha$e &eft the count!< ecause the! refused to fi,ht
an innocent *eo*&e# It is said the 'o 2i&& ho&d a -,enera& 'uster-
this 2ee0< for the *ur*ose of &earnin, 2ho is 2ho# 3e ha$e reason to
e&ie$e that the! e,in to s&i* o$er the .issouri< and co''it s'a&&
de*redations u*on our rethren sett&ed near the ri$er#
It is said to e enou,h to shoc0 the stoutest heart to 2itness the
drin0in,< s2earin, and ra$in,s of 'ost of the 'o? nothin, ut the
*o2er of 5od can sto* the' in their &atter-da! crusade a,ainst the
Church of Christ#
Our rethren are $er! industrious in *uttin, in s*rin, cro*s? and
the! are ,enera&&! in ,ood hea&th< and the faithfu& are in stron,
ho*e of a ,&orious hereafter#
I re'ain !ours< etc#<
3# 3# )HEL)S#
.a! 9#--1IRTLAND#
.inutes of a Conference of the E&ders of the Church of Christ< 2hich
Church 2as or,ani4ed in the to2nshi* of Fa!ette< Seneca count!< Ne2
Yor0< on the :th of A*ri&< A#D# 789D#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as chosen 'oderator< and Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's and O&i$er Co2der! 2ere a**ointed c&er0s#
After *ra!er< the conference *roceeded to discuss the su=ect of
na'es and a**e&&ations< 2hen a 'otion 2as 'ade ! Sidne! Ri,don< and
seconded ! Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< that this Church e 0no2n hereafter !
the na'e of -The Church of the Latter-da! Saints#- Re'ar0s 2ere 'ade
! the 'e'ers< after 2hich the 'otion *assed ! unani'ous $ote#
-Reso&$ed< that this conference reco''end to the conferences and
churches aroad< that in 'a0in, out and trans'ittin, 'inutes of their
*roceedin,s< such 'inutes and *roceedin,s e 'ade out under the ao$e
tit&e#
-Reso&$ed< that these 'inutes e si,ned ! the 'oderator and c&er0s<
and *u&ished in the E$enin, and .ornin, Star# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
.oderator# FREDERIC1 5# 3ILLIA.S< OLI%ER CO3DERY# C&er0s#
.a! G#--Ha$in, ,athered and *re*ared c&othin, and other necessaries
to carr! to our rethren and sisters< 2ho had een roed and *&undered of
near&! a&& their effects? and ha$in, *ro$ided for ourse&$es horses< and
2a,ons< and firear's< and a&& sorts of 'unitions of 2ar of the 'ost
*orta&e 0ind for se&f-defense--as our ene'ies are thic0 on e$er! hand--I
started 2ith the re'ainder of the co'*an! fro' 1irt&and for .issouri# This
da! 2e 2ent as far as the to2n of Streetsorou,h< t2ent!-se$en 'i&es fro'
1irt&and# 3e sta!ed in .r# Ford+s arn< 2here Unc&e John S'ith and "ri,ha'
Youn, had een *reachin, three 'onths efore# This da! "rothers "ri,ha'
and Jose*h Youn, 2ent to Israe& "ar&o2+s< aout three->uarters of a 'i&e<
and tarried o$er ni,ht# "rother "ar&o2 returned 2ith the' in the 'ornin,
and =oined the ca'*# "rother "ri,ha' Youn, had ta0en the fa'i&ies of
So&o'on An,e& and Loren4o "ooth into his house< that the! 'i,ht acco'*an!
us to .issouri#
On the :th 2e arri$ed at Ne2 )orta,e< aout fift! 'i&es distance fro'
1irt&and< and =oined our rethren 2ho had ,one efore#
.! co'*an! fro' 1irt&and consisted of aout one hundred 'en< 'ost&!
!oun, 'en< and near&! a&& E&ders< )riests< Teachers or Deacons# As our
2a,ons 2ere near&! fi&&ed 2ith a,,a,e< 2e had 'ost&! to tra$e& on foot<
On the Mth 2e 'ade *re*arations for tra$e&in,< ,athered a&& the
'one!s of e$er! indi$idua& of the co'*an!< and a**ointed Frederic0 5<
3i&&ia's *a!'aster to disurse the funds thus co&&ected? and ;eruae&
Sno2 2as chosen co''issar! ,enera&# The 2ho&e co'*an! no2 consisted of
'ore than one hundred and thirt! 'en< acco'*anied ! t2ent! a,,a,e
2a,ons# 3e &eft ut fe2 'en in 1irt&and< $i4#( E&ders Sidne! Ri,don<
O&i$er Co2der!< a fe2 2or0in, on the Te'*&e< and the a,ed#
Throu,h the re'ainder of this da! I continued to or,ani4e the
co'*an!< a**oint such other officers as 2ere re>uired< and ,a$e such
instructions as 2ere necessar! for the disci*&ine< order< co'fort and
safet! of a&& concerned# I a&so di$ided the 2ho&e and into co'*anies of
t2e&$e< &ea$in, each co'*an! to e&ect its o2n ca*tain< 2ho assi,ned each
'an in his res*ecti$e co'*an! his *ost and dut!< ,enera&&! in the
fo&&o2in, order( T2o coo0s< t2o fire'en? t2o tent 'en< t2o 2ater'en< one
runner< t2o 2a,oners and horse'en< and one co''issar!# 3e *urchased f&our
and 'ea&< a0ed our o2n read< and coo0ed our o2n food< ,enera&&!< 2hich
2as ,ood< thou,h so'eti'es scant!? and so'eti'es 2e had =ohnn!-ca0e< or
corndod,er< instead of f&our read# E$er! ni,ht efore retirin, to rest<
at the sound of the tru'*et< 2e o2ed efore the Lord in the se$era&
tents< and *resented our than0-offerin,s 2ith *ra!er and su**&ication? and
at the sound of the 'ornin, tru'*et< aout four o+c&oc0< e$er! 'an 2as
a,ain on his 0nees efore the Lord< i'*&orin, His &essin, for the da!#
On the 8th 2e reco''enced our 'arch to2ards ;ion< and *itched our
tents for the ni,ht in a eautifu& ,ro$e at Chi**e2a!< t2e&$e 'i&es fro'
Ne2 )orta,e#
On the 'ornin, of the Nth 2e co'*&eted our or,ani4ation ! co'*anies
and *roceeded on2ard< and enca'*ed near 3ooster? and on Saturda! the 7Dth<
*assin, throu,h .ansfie&d< enca'*ed for the Saath in Richfie&d to2nshi*#
Aout one hour after 2e had enca'*ed< E&ders L!'an E# Johnson< 3i&&ard
Sno2 and a nu'er of others =oined the ca'* fro' the north *art of
%er'ont#
Sunda! 77#--E&der S!&$ester S'ith *reached< and the co'*an! recei$ed
the Sacra'ent of read and 2ine#
Here 2e 2ere increased in nu'er ! ei,ht rethren< in co'*an! of
E&der E&ias "enner< fro' Rich&and and Star0 counties< 'ost of 2ho' 2ere
5er'ans#
.onda!< .a! 77#--3e &eft Richfie&d< tra$e&ed aout thirt!-fi$e 'i&es<
*assed the "uc!rus< and enca'*ed on the Sandus0! *&ains< at a short
distance fro' the *&ace 2here the Indians roasted 5enera& Cra2ford< and
near the Indian sett&e'ents#
On the 79th 2e *assed throu,h a &on, ran,e of eech 2oods< 2here the
roads 2ere $er! ad# In 'an! instances 2e had to fasten ro*es to the
2a,ons to hau& the' out of the s&ou,hs and 'ud ho&es# "rother )ar&e! )#
)ratt ro0e his harness? the rethren fastened their ro*es to his 2a,on<
and dre2 it aout three 'i&es to the *&ace of enca'*'ent on the Scioto
ri$er< 2hi&e he rode sin,in, and 2hist&in,#
3ednesda!< .a! 7@#--3e *assed on to "e&&e Fontaine< 2here 2e
disco$ered refractor! fee&in,s in S!&$ester S'ith< 2ho e/*ressed ,reat
dissatisfaction ecause 2e 2ere short of read< a&thou,h 2e had used a&&
di&i,ence to *rocure a su**&!< and Ca*tain "ri,ha' Youn, had *re$ious&!
sent t2o 'en ahead to *ro$ide su**&ies for his co'*an!#
Thursda!< .a! 7G#--3e forded .ad ri$er< and *assin, throu,h a
eautifu& countr!< enca'*ed a &itt&e 2est of S*rin,fie&d# This ni,ht .oses
.artin fe&& as&ee* on sentr! dut!< and I 2ent and too0 his s2ord< and &eft
hi' as&ee*#
Frida!< .a! 7:#--Aout nine o+c&oc0< 2hi&e I 2as ridin, in a 2a,on
2ith "rother H!ru'< E4ra Tha!er and 5eor,e A# S'ith< 2e ca'e into a *iece
of thic0 2oods of recent ,ro2th< 2here I to&d the' that I fe&t 'uch
de*ressed in s*irit and &oneso'e< and that there had een a ,reat dea& of
&oodshed in that *&ace< re'ar0in, that 2hene$er a 'an of 5od is in a
*&ace 2here 'an! ha$e een 0i&&ed< he 2i&& fee& &oneso'e and un*&easant<
and his s*irits 2i&& sin0# In aout fort! rods fro' 2here I 'ade this
oser$ation 2e ca'e throu,h the 2oods< and sa2 a &ar,e far'< and there
near the road on our &eft< 2as a 'ound si/t! feet hi,h< containin, hu'an
ones# This 'ound 2as co$ered 2ith a**&e trees< and surrounded 2ith oat
fie&ds< the ,round ein, &e$e& for so'e distance around#
At dinner ti'e so'e of the rethren e/*ressed considera&e fear on
account of 'i&0 sic0ness< 2ith 2hich the *eo*&e 2ere trou&ed a&on, our
route# .an! 2ere afraid to use 'i&0 or utter< and a**ea&ed to 'e to 0no2
if it 2as not dan,erous# I to&d the' to use a&& the! cou&d ,et< un&ess
the! 2ere to&d it 2as -sic0#- So'e e/*ressed fears that it 'i,ht e so&d
to us ! our ene'ies for the *ur*ose of doin, us in=ur!# I to&d the' not
to fear? that if the! 2ou&d fo&&o2 '! counse&< and use a&& the! cou&d ,et
fro' friend or ene'!< it shou&d do the' ,ood< and none e sic0 in
conse>uence of it? and a&thou,h 2e *assed throu,h nei,horhoods 2here 'an!
of the *eo*&e and catt&e 2ere infected 2ith the sic0ness< !et '! 2ords
2ere fu&fi&&ed#
3hi&e *assin, throu,h Da!ton< Ohio< ,reat curiosit! 2as 'anifested<
$arious re*orts of our nu'ers and desi,ns ha$in, ,one efore us# So'e of
the inhaitants in>uired of the co'*an! 2here the! 2ere fro'< 2hen Ca*tain
Youn, re*&ied( -Fro' e$er! *&ace ut this< and 2e 2i&& soon e fro' this#-
-3here are !ou ,oin,B- -To the 3est#-
So'e ten or a do4en ,ent&e'en ca'e o$er fro' Da!ton to ascertain our
nu'ers< 2hich the! re*orted to e at &east si/ hundred# These ,ent&e'en
a&so in>uired of a&'ost e$er! 'an in the ca'* 2here he 2as fro' and 2here
he 2as ,oin,< and 2hat 2as his usiness# The! returned to Da!ton and
re*orted that e$er! 'an in the co'*an! 2as a ,ent&e'an and ,a$e a
res*ectfu& ans2er to e$er! >uestion as0ed< ut the! cou&d not ascertain
2here 2e 2ere ,oin,< or 2hat 2as our usiness#
This e$enin, a court'artia& 2as he&d in the ca'* for the tria& of
.oses .artin for fa&&in, as&ee* 2hi&e on *ic0et dut!# "rother .artin
*&eaded his o2n case< sa!in, that he 2as o$erco'e 2ith fati,ue< and so
o$er*o2ered that he cou&d not 0ee* a2a0e< etc# I decided that he shou&d e
ac>uitted 2ith a 2arnin, ne$er to ,o to s&ee* a,ain on 2atch< 2hich 2as
sanctioned ! the court< and I too0 occasion fro' this circu'stance to
,i$e the rethren 'uch usefu& instruction#
3e forded the .ia'i ri$er 2ith our a,,a,e 2a,ons< 'ost of the 'en
2adin, throu,h the 2ater# On the 7Mth of .a! 2e crossed the state &ine of
Ohio< and enca'*ed for the Saath =ust 2ithin the &i'its of Indiana<
ha$in, tra$e&ed aout fort! 'i&es that da!# Our feet 2ere $er! sore and
&istered< our stoc0in,s 2et 2ith &ood< the 2eather ein, $er! 2ar'# At
ni,ht a s*! atte'*ted to ,et into our ca'*< ut 2as *re$ented ! our
,uard# 3e had our sentine&s *osted e$er! ni,ht< on account of s*ies 2ho
2ere continua&&! stri$in, to harass us< stea& our horses< etc#
This e$enin, there 2as a difficu&t! et2een so'e of the rethren and
S!&$ester S'ith< on occasion of 2hich I 2as ca&&ed to decide in the
'atter#
Findin, a ree&&ious s*irit in S!&$ester S'ith< and to so'e e/tent in
others< I to&d the' the! 2ou&d 'eet 2ith 'isfortunes< difficu&ties and
hindrances< and said< -and !ou 2i&& 0no2 it efore !ou &ea$e this *&ace<-
e/hortin, the' to hu'&e the'se&$es efore the Lord and eco'e united<
that the! 'i,ht not e scour,ed# A $er! sin,u&ar occurrence too0 *&ace
that ni,ht and the ne/t da!< concernin, our tea's# On Sunda! 'ornin,< 2hen
2e arose< 2e found a&'ost e$er! horse in the ca'* so ad&! foundered that
2e cou&d scarce&! &ead the' a fe2 rods to the 2ater# The rethren then
dee*&! rea&i4ed the effects of discord# 3hen I &earned the fact< I
e/c&ai'ed to the rethren< that for a 2itness that 5od o$erru&ed and had
His e!e u*on the'< a&& those 2ho 2ou&d hu'&e the'se&$es efore the Lord
shou&d 0no2 that the hand of 5od 2as in this 'isfortune< and their horses
shou&d e restored to hea&th i''ediate&!? and ! t2e&$e o+c&oc0 the sa'e
da! the horses 2ere as ni'&e as e$er< 2ith the e/ce*tion of one of
S!&$ester S'ith+s< 2hich soon after2ards died#
Sunda!< .a! 78#--3e had *reachin, as usua&< and the ad'inistration of
the Sacra'ent#
Aout this ti'e the Saints in C&a! count!< .issouri< esta&ished an
ar'or!< 2here the! co''enced 'anufacturin, s2ords< dir0s< *isto&s<
stoc0in, rif&es< and re*airin, ar's in ,enera& for their o2n defense
a,ainst 'o $io&ence? 'an! ar's 2ere *urchased? for the &eadin, 'en in
C&a! count! rendered e$er! faci&it! in their *o2er< in order< as the!
said< -to he&* the L.or'ons+ sett&e their o2n difficu&ties< and *a! the
Jac0son 'o in their o2n 2a!#-
.onda!< .a!< 7N#--3e tra$e&ed thirt!-one 'i&es and enca'*ed in
Fran0&in to2nshi*< Henr! count!< in the eech 2oods#
Tuesda!< .a! HD#--3e enca'*ed near 5reenfie&d< ha$in, tra$e&ed aout
t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es< so'e *art of the 2a! ein, so ad I 2a&0ed o$er the
to*s of '! oots in 'ud< he&*in, to *u&& throu,h the 2a,ons 2ith ro*es#
3hi&e 2e 2ere eatin, dinner three ,ent&e'en ca'e ridin, u* on $er!
fine &oo0in, horses and co''enced their in>uiries of $arious ones
concernin, our tra$e&in, in so &ar,e a od!< as0in, 2here 2e 2ere fro'<
and 2here 2e 2ere ,oin,# The re*&! 2as as usua&--so'e fro' the state of
.aine? another 2ou&d sa!< -I a' fro' Yor0 state?- so'e fro' .assachusetts?
so'e fro' Ohio? and so'e re*&ied< -2e are fro' the East< and as soon as 2e
ha$e done eatin, dinner 2e sha&& e ,oin, to the 3est a,ain#- The! then
addressed the'se&$es to Dr# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's to see if the! cou&d
find out 2ho the &eader of the ca'* 2as# The doctor re*&ied< -3e ha$e no
one in *articu&ar#- The! as0ed if 2e had not a ,enera& to ta0e the &ead of
the co'*an!# The re*&! 2as< -No one in *articu&ar#- -"ut<- said the!< -is
there not so'e one a'on, !ou 2ho' !ou ca&& !our ca*tain< or &eader< or 2ho
is su*erior to the restB- He ans2ered< -So'eti'es one and so'eti'es
another ta0es char,e of the co'*an!< so as not to thro2 the urden u*on
an! one in *articu&ar#- These s*ies< 2ho had co'e fro' the 2est< *assed us
se$era& ti'es that sa'e da! and the ne/t#
A&thou,h threatened ! our ene'ies that 2e shou&d not *ass throu,h
Indiana*o&is< 2e *assed throu,h that cit! on the H7st un'o&ested# A&& the
inhaitants 2ere >uiet# At ni,ht 2e enca'*ed a fe2 'i&es 2est of
Indiana*o&is# There had *re$ious&! een so 'an! re*orts that 2e shou&d
ne$er e *er'itted to *ass throu,h this *&ace< and that the ,o$ernor 2ou&d
ha$e us dis*ersed< that so'e of the rethren 2ere afraid that 2e 'i,ht
ha$e difficu&t! there# "ut I had to&d the'< in the na'e of the Lord< 2e
shou&d not e distured and that 2e 2ou&d *ass throu,h Indiana*o&is
2ithout the *eo*&e 0no2in, it# 3hen near the *&ace 'an! ,ot into the
2a,ons< and< se*aratin, so'e &itt&e distance< *assed throu,h the cit!<
2hi&e others 2a&0ed do2n different streets< &ea$in, the inhaitants
2onderin, -2hen that i, co'*an! 2ou&d co'e a&on,#-
Since the 78th 2e had fo&&o2ed the nationa& road 2here it 2as
*assa&e< ut fre>uent&! 2e had to ta0e !-roads 2hich 2ere 'ir! and &ed
throu,h thic0 2oods#
Thursda!< .a! HH#--3e enca'*ed on a s'a&& strea' of 2ater in a ,ro$e
near "e&&e$i&&e#
Frida!< .a! H9#--3e enca'*ed aout four 'i&es fro' 5reencast&e< after
a hard dri$e#
Saturda!< .a!< H@#--3e crossed the 3aash ri$er at C&inton in ferr!
oats< in >uic0 ti'e< and *ushed on to the state &ine< 2here 2e arri$ed
&ate in the e$enin,< and enca'*ed in an oa0 o*enin, in Ed,ar count!<
I&&inois#
Sunda!< .a! HG#--3e had no 'eetin,< ut attended to 2ashin,< a0in,<
and *re*arin, to resu'e our s*! =ourne!# A 'an in dis,uise< ha$in, on an
o&d sea&s0in ca*< ca'e into our ca'*# He s2ore 2e 2ere ,oin, u* to Jac0son
count!< and that 2e 2ou&d ne$er ,et o$er the .ississi**i ri$er a&i$e# It
2as e$ident he 2as a s*!< and I reco&&ected ha$in, seen hi' in Jac0son
count!< .issouri#
.onda!< .a! H:#--A $er! hot da!# 3e tra$e&ed throu,h )aris and across
a si/teen 'i&e *rairie? at noon 2e sto**ed to ait at a s&ou,h< aout si/
'i&es fro' the ti'er< ha$in, no 2ater to drin0 ut such as 2as fi&&ed
2ith &i$in, ani'a&s co''on&! ca&&ed 2i,,&ers< and as 2e did not &i0e to
s2a&&o2 the' 2e strained the 2ater efore usin, it# This 2as the first
*rairie of an! e/tent that 2e had co'e to on our =ourne!< and 2as a ,reat
curiosit! to 'an! of the rethren# It 2as so $er! &e$e& that the deer
'i&es off a**eared ut a short distance a2a!? so'e of the rethren started
out in *ursuit efore the! 2ere a**rised of their 'ista0e as to the
distance# 3e continued our 'arch< *u&&in, our 2a,ons throu,h a s'a&& cree0
2ith ro*es< and ca'e to the house of .r# 3a!ne< the on&! sett&er in the
$icinit!< 2here 2e found a 2e&& of 2ater< 2hich 2as one of the ,reatest
co'forts 2e cou&d ha$e recei$ed< as 2e 2ere a&'ost fa'ished< and it 2as a
&on, ti'e efore 2e cou&d< or dared to satisf! our thirst# 3e crossed the
E'arras ri$er and enca'*ed on a s'a&& ranch of the sa'e aout one 'i&e
2est# In *itchin, '! tent 2e found three 'assasau,as or *rairie
ratt&esna0es< 2hich the rethren 2ere aout to 0i&&< ut I said< -Let the'
a&one--don+t hurt the'K Ho2 2i&& the ser*ent e$er &ose his $eno'< 2hi&e
the ser$ants of 5od *ossess the sa'e dis*osition< and continue to 'a0e 2ar
u*on itB .en 'ust eco'e har'&ess< efore the rute creation? and 2hen 'en
&ose their $icious dis*ositions and cease to destro! the ani'a& race< the
&ion and the &a' can d2e&& to,ether< and the suc0in, chi&d can *&a! 2ith
the ser*ent in safet!#- The rethren too0 the ser*ents carefu&&! on stic0s
and carried the' across the cree0# I e/horted the rethren not to 0i&& a
ser*ent< ird< or an ani'a& of an! 0ind durin, our =ourne! un&ess it
eca'e necessar! in order to *reser$e ourse&$es fro' hun,er#
I had fre>uent&! s*o0en on this su=ect< 2hen on a certain occasion I
ca'e u* to the rethren 2ho 2ere 2atchin, a s>uirre& on a tree< and to
*ro$e the' and to 0no2 if the! 2ou&d heed '! counse&< I too0 one of their
,uns< shot the s>uirre& and *assed on< &ea$in, the s>uirre& on the ,round#
"rother Orson H!de< 2ho 2as =ust ehind< *ic0ed u* the s>uirre&< and said<
-3e 2i&& coo0 this< that nothin, 'a! e &ost#- I *ercei$ed that the
rethren understood 2hat I did it for< and in their *ractice ,a$e 'ore
heed to '! *rece*t than to '! e/a'*&e< 2hich 2as ri,ht#
This e$enin, "rother )ar&e! )# )ratt and A'asa L!'an returned fro'
the Eu,ene ranch< Indiana E2here I had sent the'F< 2ith a co'*an! of
aout a do4en 'en<
The re*orts of 'os 2hich 2ere continua&&! sa&utin, our ears caused
the rethren to e constant&! a&i$e to the su=ect< and aout e&e$en
o+c&oc0 this e$enin, our *ic0et ,uards re*orted that the! sa2 the fires of
the 'o on the southeast of us# I instant&! arose and disco$ered the
'ista0e? ut 2ishin, the rethren to en=o! the scene as 2e&& as '!se&f<
i''ediate&! dischar,ed '! ,un< 2hich 2as a si,na& to ca&& a&& 'en to ar's#
3hen the co'*anies 2ere a&& *araded and read! for att&e< I *ointed the'
to the ref&ection of the risin, 'oon restin, on *oints of ti'er in the
east< 2hich ,a$e the a**earance of the ref&ection of the &i,ht of a nu'er
of ca'* fires# The scener! 2as 'ost de&i,htfu&< and 2as 2e&& 2orth the
trou&e of an! 'an risin, fro' his couch to 2itness< 2ho had ne$er seen
the &i0e on the road *rairie efore# This circu'stance *ro$ed that near&!
e$er! 'an in the ca'* 2as read! for att&e< e/ce*t Dean 5ou&d< 2ho 2as not
a*ti4ed< and Ca*tain Ja4eniah "# S'ith< 2ho 2as sudden&! ta0en 2ith the
co&ic< and did not &ea$e his tent# The 2ho&e incident 2as $er! a'usin,#
Tuesda!< .a! HM#--Not2ithstandin, our ene'ies 2ere continua&&!
reathin, threats of $io&ence< 2e did not fear< neither did 2e hesitate to
*rosecute our =ourne!< for 5od 2as 2ith us< and His an,e&s 2ent efore us<
and the faith of our &itt&e and 2as un2a$erin,# 3e 0no2 that an,e&s 2ere
our co'*anions< for 2e sa2 the'#
3e arri$ed at the O0a2 ranch of the 1as0as0ia< 2here 2e found &o,
canoes< 2hich 2e &ashed to,ether< and ferried our a,,a,e across the
strea'# 3e then s2a' our horses and 2a,ons< and 2hen arri$ed at the
o**osite shore< the rethren fastened ro*es to the 2a,on ton,ues and
he&*ed the tea's out of the 2ater and u* the stee*< 'ir! an0s# So'e of
the rethren fe&&ed a ta&& tree across the ri$er< on 2hich the! *assed
o$er< and carried so'e of their a,,a,e on their ac0s# 3hi&e 2e 2ere
*assin, o$er< 5eor,e A# S'ith disco$ered a s*rin, that 2ith a &itt&e
di,,in, furnished us 2ith an aundant su**&! of e/ce&&ent 2ater< 2hich
after2ards recei$ed the na'e of -the .or'on S*rin,#- This afternoon< E&der
So&o'on Hu'*hre!s< an a,ed rother of the ca'*< ha$in, eco'e e/ceedin,&!
2ear!< &a! do2n on the *rairie to rest hi'se&f and fe&& as&ee*# 3hen he
a2o0e he sa2< coi&ed u* 2ithin one foot of his head< a ratt&esna0e &!in,
et2een hi' and his hat< 2hich he had in his hand 2hen he fe&& as&ee*# The
rethren ,athered around hi'< sa!in, -It is a ratt&esna0e< &et us 0i&&
it?- ut "rother Hu'*hre!s said< -No< I+&& *rotect hi'? !ou shan+t hurt
hi'< for he and I had a ,ood na* to,ether#-
3ednesda!< .a! H8#--3e *assed on as usua&< e/ce*t sufferin, 'uch fro'
2ant of 2ater and *ro$isions? and arri$ed at Decatur to2nshi*# 3e enca'*ed
on a s'a&& strea' of 2ater< and here one of "rother Tanner+s horses died#
Thursda!< .a! HN#--Ha$in, to u! a horse 2e 2ere detained unti&
near-noon# There 2as so'e 'ur'urin, a'on, the rethren< 'an! 2ishin, to ,o
on and not tarr! 2ith the rest of the co'*an! for the da!< and so'e 2ere
a&read! started# I sent for the' to return and co&&ected the 2ho&e co'*an!
to,ether< and instructed the' not to scatter# I to&d the' if the! 2ent
ahead of the ca'* in a scattered condition the! 2ou&d eco'e 2ear!< &ie
do2n on the ,round 2hen their &ood 2as heated< and the! 2ou&d e &ia&e
to ta0e diseases< such as fe$er and a,ue< 2hich are *re$a&ent in this
c&i'ate# The! 2ou&d a&so e in dan,er of ein, 0i&&ed ! an ene'!< and
none of us e the 2iser for it#
I then *ro*osed for a di$ersion that 2e di$ide the ca'* into three
*arts and ha$e a sha' att&e< 2hich 2as a,reed to# "rother Ro,er Orton &ed
one di$ision< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's another di$ision< 2hi&e I re'ained in
the ca'* 2ith the third di$ision# The! retired to the 2oods 2ith their
di$isions< and soon attac0ed the ca'*< 2hich 2e defended ! $arious
'aneu$ers for so'e ti'e# .an! of our ca*tains sho2ed considera&e tact and
'ore ac>uaintance 2ith 'i&itar! 'atters than I had e/*ected# E$er!thin,
*assed off 2ith ,ood fee&in,s< a&thou,h Ca*tain Heer C# 1i'a&&< in
recei$in, a char,e< ,ras*ed Ca*tain Le2is ;oris0i+s s2ord< and in
endea$orin, to ta0e it fro' hi'< had the s0in cut fro' the *a&' of his
hand# After the sha' att&e 2as o$er< I ca&&ed the ca'* to,ether and
cautioned the 'en to e carefu& in the future and contro& their s*irits in
such circu'stances so as ne$er to in=ure each other#
3e tra$e&ed across the *rairie and enca'*ed in a stri* of ti'er#
3hen 2e sto**ed to dine< I 2rote a &etter to the rethren in .issouri<
dated -Ca'* of Israe&<- re>uestin, so'e of the' to 'eet us as soon as
*ossi&e and ,i$e 'e infor'ation of the state of thin,s in U**er .issouri<
and sent the &etter to S*rin,fie&d *ost office ! Dr# Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's#
At this *&ace I disco$ered that a *art of '! co'*an! had een ser$ed
2ith sour read< 2hi&e I had recei$ed ,ood< s2eet read fro' the sa'e
coo0# I re*ro$ed "rother ;eedee Co&trin for this *artia&it!< for I 2anted
'! rethren to fare as 2e&& as I did#
The sa'e da! E.a! HNthF the rethren in C&a! count! 2rote the
fo&&o2in, &etter to his E/ce&&enc! Danie& Dun0&in(
LI"ERTY< .ISSOURI< .a! HN< 789@#
SIR--Your co''unication to us of .a! Hnd< containin, or enc&osin, an
order on Co&one& S# D# Lucas for the ar's 2hich 2ere forci&! ta0en
fro' us &ast No$e'er< 2as recei$ed on the 7Gth instant< and the
order for2arded to Co&one& Lucas at Inde*endence< on the 7Mth< ,i$in,
hi' the *ri$i&e,e of returnin, our ar's at one of the se$era& ferries
in this count!# His re*&! to the order 2as< that he 2ou&d 2rite 2hat
he 2ou&d do ! the ne/t 'ai&< .a! HHnd# "ut as he has re'o$ed to
Le/in,ton 2ithout 2ritin,< 2e are at a &oss to 0ne2 2hether he 'eans
to de&a! returnin, the' for a season< or entire&! to refuse to
restore the'#
At an! rate< the e/cite'ent< or rather s*ite< of the 'o< runs so
hi,h a,ainst our *eo*&e< that 2e thin0 est to re>uest !our
E/ce&&enc! to ha$e said ar's returned throu,h the a,enc! of Co&one&
A&&en or Ca*tain Atchison# Re*ort sa!s the ar's 2i&& not e returned<
and 'uch e/ertion is 'a0in, ! the 'o to *re$ent our return to our
*ossessions in Jac0son count!# 3e a&so understand that the 'o is
e'*&o!in, certain inf&uentia& ,ent&e'en to 2rite to !our E/ce&&enc!<
to *ersuade us to co'*ro'ise our 'atters in difference 2ith the
Jac0son 'o< and *roa&! di$ide Jac0son count!# 3e as0 for our
ri,hts and no 'ore# Res*ectfu&&!< !our E/ce&&enc!+s ser$ants<
ESi,nedF 3# 3# )HEL)S<
AL5ERNON S# 5IL"ERT<
JOHN CORRILL<
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E#
Frida!< .a! 9D#--Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and A&'on 3# "aitt 2ent
ahead of the ca'* into S*rin,fie&d in dis,uise< to &earn the fee&in, of
the *eo*&e and *rocure so'e *o2der# 3e *assed throu,h S*rin,fie&d ? our
a**earance e/cited considera&e curiosit!< and a ,reat 'an! >uestions 2ere
as0ed# The s*ies 2ho had fo&&o2ed us so &on, *ursued us $er! c&ose&!<
chan,in, their dress and horses se$era& ti'es a da!#
"rother E&ea4er .i&&er 2ith others =oined the co'*an! 2ith three
horses aout noon< a &itt&e east of Rochester# This reinforce'ent 2as $er!
seasona&e< as 'an! of our horses 2ere aff&icted as the! $er! fre>uent&!
are in chan,in, countr!< c&i'ate and food# .an! of the horses after eatin,
the dr! corn and *rairie ,rass 2ou&d e sei4ed 2ith co&ic and &oat $er!
ad&!# "rother E4ra Tha!re ad'inistered 'edicine 'i/ed in a >uart stone
ott&e< *re*ared as fo&&o2s( A three*enn! *a*er of toacco< ha&f an ounce
of co**eras and t2o ta&es*oons fu&& of ca!enne *e**er< and the ott&e
fi&&ed 2ith 2ater 2hen he cou&d not *rocure 2his0!# One-ha&f of a ott&e
constituted a dose< and 2ou&d a&'ost in$aria&e cure a sic0 horse in a fe2
'inutes< and is 2orth! of re'e'rance# "rother Tha!re ca&&ed his 'edicine
-78 ! H@#-
3e enca'*ed aout three 'i&es fro' S*rin,fie&d on S*rin, Cree0#
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and A&'on 3# "aitt returned to the ca'* 2ith t2o
0e,s of *o2der< and re*orted that the *eo*&e 2ere so'e2hat e/cited< 'ore
ho2e$er fro' a curiosit! to 0no2 2here 2e 2ere ,oin, than fro' a desire to
hinder us# A rother ca'e to see us 2ith the ne2s that '! rother H!ru'
had *assed on 2est the da! efore 2ith a co'*an!< aout fift! 'i&es north
of us< sa!in,< -he has a fine co'*an!< and the! a&& &oo0 'i,ht! *ert#- I
as0ed hi' to acco'*an! us to .issouri< ut he re*&ied< -I cannot#- He 2ent
and sta!ed at a ta$ern o$er ni,ht 2ith the s*ies< 2ho said the! fo&&o2ed
us three hundred 'i&es on *ur*ose to ta0e so'e ad$anta,e of us#
Saturda!< .a! 97#--In the 'ornin, this rother ca'e to 'e and said(
-I 2ou&d e 'i,ht! ,&ad to ,o 2ith !ou< ut '! usiness is such I cannot#
3i&& a hundred do&&ars do !ou an! ,oodB- I re*&ied< -Yes< it 2i&&< for 2e
are short of 'one!#- He i''ediate&! re'ounted his horse and rode to
S*rin,fie&d< and 2ithin an hour after the ca'* had started he returned and
said to 'e( -I a' 'i,ht! sorr! I cannot ,o 2ith !ou# Here is a hundred
do&&ars< and if I had had a fe2 da!s+ notice I cou&d ha$e ,ot 'ore#-
At noon 2e ha&ted for dinner# A 'an< a**arent&! drun0< ca'e to the
ca'* and said he had a &ar,e far' and fort! co2s a &itt&e 2a! ahead< and
if 2e 2ou&d ,o there< he 2ou&d ,i$e us a&& 2e 2anted to eat and drin0<
feed our horses< etc# "ut I soon disco$ered that he 2as 'ore soer than
drun0< and that he 2as *roa&! a s*!#
Near ni,ht 2e arri$ed at a s'a&& strea' of 2ater aout one 'i&e fro'
Jac0son$i&&e< 2here 2e found a *a2*a2 ush in the road< 2hich had een
dro**ed ! Dr# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's as a si,na& for us to ca'*# I had
sent Dr# 3i&&ia's for2ard in the 'ornin, on horseac0 to se&ect a ca'*
,round and 2atch the 'o$e'ents of our ene'ies# 3e *itched our tents in the
*&ace he had se&ected#
A,reea&e to '! instructions< aout sunset "rother Ro,er Orton
*roc&ai'ed a&oud that there 2ou&d e *reachin, under the trees 2ithin the
ca'* at ha&f-*ast ten o+c&oc0 on the 'orro2# There 2as on&! one stran,er
in the ca'* to hear the a**oint'ent# Dr# 3i&&ia's had ,one on to
Jac0son$i&&e 2ith his *i&& a,s to s*end the ni,ht#
Sunda!< June 7#--3e had *reachin,< and 'an! of the inhaitants of the
to2n ca'e to hear# E&der John Carter< 2ho had for'er&! een a "a*tist
*reacher< s*o0e in the 'ornin,< and 2as fo&&o2ed ! four other E&ders in
the course of the da!< a&& of 2ho' had for'er&! een *reachers for
different deno'inations#
3hen the inhaitants heard these E&ders the! a**eared 'uch
interested< and 2ere $er! desirous to 0no2 2ho 2e 2ere< and 2e to&d the'
one had een a "a*tist *reacher< and one a Ca'*e&&ite? one a Refor'ed
.ethodist< and another a Restorationer# Durin, the da! 'an! >uestions 2ere
as0ed< ut none cou&d &earn our na'es< *rofessions< usiness< or
destination? and< a&thou,h the! sus*ected 2e 2ere -.or'ons<- the! 2ere
$er! ci$i&#
Our ene'ies had threatened that 2e shou&d not cross the I&&inois
ri$er< ut on .onda! the Hnd 2e 2ere ferried o$er 2ithout an! difficu&t!#
The ferr!'an counted< and dec&ared there 2ere fi$e hundred of us< !et our
true nu'er 2as on&! aout one hundred and fift!# Our co'*an! had een
increased since our de*arture fro' 1irt&and ! $o&unteers fro' different
ranches of the Church throu,h 2hich 2e had *assed# 3e enca'*ed on the
an0 of the ri$er unti& Tuesda! the 9rd#
Durin, our tra$e&s 2e $isited se$era& of the 'ounds 2hich had een
thro2n u* ! the ancient inhaitants of this countr!--Ne*hites< La'anites<
etc#< and this 'ornin, I 2ent u* on a hi,h 'ound< near the ri$er<
acco'*anied ! the rethren# Fro' this 'ound 2e cou&d o$er&oo0 the to*s of
the trees and $ie2 the *rairie on each side of the ri$er as far as our
$ision cou&d e/tend< and the scener! 2as tru&! de&i,htfu&#
On the to* of the 'ound 2ere stones 2hich *resented the a**earance of
three a&tars ha$in, een erected one ao$e the other< accordin, to the
ancient order? and the re'ains of ones 2ere stre2n o$er the surface of
the ,round# The rethren *rocured a sho$e& and a hoe< and re'o$in, the
earth to the de*th of aout one foot< disco$ered the s0e&eton of a 'an<
a&'ost entire< and et2een his ris the stone *oint of a La'anitish arro2<
2hich e$ident&! *roduced his death# E&der "urr Ri,,s retained the arro2#
The conte'*&ation of the scener! around us *roduced *ecu&iar sensations in
our oso's( and suse>uent&! the $isions of the *ast ein, o*ened to '!
understandin, ! the S*irit of the A&'i,ht!< I disco$ered that the *erson
2hose s0e&eton 2as efore us 2as a 2hite La'anite< a &ar,e< thic0-set 'an<
and a 'an of 5od# His na'e 2as ;e&*h# He 2as a 2arrior and chieftain under
the ,reat *ro*het Onanda,us< 2ho 2as 0no2n fro' the Hi&& Cu'orah< or
eastern sea to the Roc0! 'ountains# The curse 2as ta0en fro' ;e&*h< or< at
&east< in *art--one of his thi,h ones 2as ro0en ! a stone f&un, fro' a
s&in,< 2hi&e in att&e< !ears efore his death# He 2as 0i&&ed in att&e !
the arro2 found a'on, his ris< durin, the &ast ,reat stru,,&e of the
La'anites and Ne*hites#
3hi&e 2e 2ere refreshin, ourse&$es and tea's aout the 'idd&e of the
da! IJune 9rdJ< I ,ot u* on a 2a,on 2hee&< ca&&ed the *eo*&e to,ether< and
said that I 2ou&d de&i$er a *ro*hec!# After ,i$in, the rethren 'uch ,ood
ad$ice< e/hortin, the' to faithfu&ness and hu'i&it!< I said the Lord had
re$ea&ed to 'e that a scour,e 2ou&d co'e u*on the ca'* in conse>uence of
the fractious and unru&! s*irits that a**eared a'on, the'< and the! shou&d
die &i0e shee* 2ith the rot? sti&&< if the! 2ou&d re*ent and hu'&e
the'se&$es efore the Lord< the scour,e< in a ,reat 'easure< 'i,ht e
turned a2a!? ut< as the Lord &i$es< the 'e'ers of this ca'* 2i&& suffer
for ,i$in, 2a! to their unru&! te'*er#
3hen 2e arri$ed at At&as< I had a con$ersation 2ith Co&one& Ross< a
2ea&th! ,ent&e'an of the nei,horhood 2ho ,a$e us a f&atterin, account of
the countr!< and 2ished to e'*&o! one hundred 'en< for 2hich he *ro*osed
to 'a0e read! *a!'ent# He 2anted ric0'a0ers< ui&ders< etc#
Here our co''issar! *urchased t2ent!-fi$e ,a&&ons of hone! at
t2ent!-fi$e cents *er ,a&&on< and a do4en .issouri cured ha's< 2hich
*ro$ed to ha$e een a &itt&e in=ured on the outside# There not ein,
enou,h to su**&! one for e$er! co'*an!< '! co'*an! a,reed to do 2ithout#
Our su**er consisted of 'ush and hone!< as 2e had een una&e to *rocure
f&our on account of the scarcit! of 'i&&s# After the fati,ues of the da!
it hard&! satisfied hun,er? ut 2hen 2e had finished< so'e si/ of the ha's
2ere rou,ht to our tent door and thro2n do2n in an,er< the re'ar0 ein,<
-3e don+t eat stin0in, 'eat#- I ca&&ed on "rother ;eedee Co&trin< our
coo0< and to&d hi' to e >uic0 and fr! so'e ha'< as I had not had '!
hun,er fair&! a&&a!ed for fort!-ei,ht hours# He i''ediate&! co''enced
coo0in, the ha'< and for once '! co'*an! feasted to their fu&&
satisfaction#
3e had =ust retired to rest 2hen the *ic0et ,uard announced Lu0e S#
Johnson# He ca'e into our ca'* and 'ade his re*ort# He had $isited a
nu'er of inf&uentia& 'en< a'on, the rest a "a*tist 'inister< 2ho
e/*ressed ,reat an/iet! that our co'*an! shou&d e sto**ed< and 2ent to a
'a,istrate to in>uire if there 2as not so'e &a2 or *rete/t for sto**in,
us# He< the *riest< said to the 'a,istrate< -That co'*an! 'arch and ha$e
,uns &i0e an ar'!# The! *itch their tents ! the side of the road? the!
set out ,uards< and &et nood! *ass into their ca'* in the ni,ht? and the!
are .or'ons< and I e&ie$e the! are ,oin, to 0i&& the *eo*&e u* in Jac0son
count!< .issouri< and reta0e their &ands#- The 'a,istrate re*&ied< -If !ou
2ere tra$e&in,< and did not 2ish to *ut u* at *u&ic houses< or there 2ere
none in the countr!< 2ou&d !ou not ca'* ! the road side in a tentB And if
!ou 2ere afraid that !our horses and *ro*ert! 2ou&d e sto&en in a stran,e
countr!< 2ou&d !ou not 2atch and 0ee* ,uardsB- -3h!< !es<- said the
*riest? -ut the! are .or'onsK- -3e&&< I can+t hear ut the! 'ind their
o2n usiness< and if !ou and this stran,er I'eanin, Lu0e S# JohnsonJ 2i&&
'ind !our o2n usiness< e$er!thin, 2i&& e ri,ht#- This "a*tist *riest
treated "rother Lu0e S# Johnson 2ith ,reat *o&iteness# He ,a$e hi' his
dinner< his 2ife 2ashed his stoc0in,s? he ,a$e hi' &etters of introduction
to 'en in Jac0son count!< and de&i$ered to his char,e so'e &etters 2hich
he had recei$ed fro' Jac0son count!< 2hich "rother Lu0e rou,ht into the
ca'*# He a&so stated that he had seen a 'an that 'ornin, 2ho infor'ed hi'
that four hundred 'en 2ere in readiness on the .issouri side< 2ith ten
hours+ notice< to use u* a&& the ca'*< and he 2as on his 2a! to ,i$e the'
the notice#
A &itt&e efore 'idni,ht 2e heard se$era& ,uns fired to the 2est of
us< 2hich a**eared to e ans2ered ! one direct&! east# There 2as no
sett&e'ent 2est of us nearer than the state of .issouri# This a**earin, so
'uch &i0e a si,na&< in addition to the 'an! threats of our ein, attac0ed
on crossin, the .ississi**i< I considered sufficient cause of a&ar' to *ut
out a dou&e *ic0et ,uard and *ut the ca'* in a state of defense< so that
e$er! 'an 'i,ht e read! at a 'o'ent+s notice# It ho2e$er *ro$ed to e a
fa&se a&ar'#
Continuin, our =ourne! on the @th< 2e enca'*ed on the an0s of the
.ississi**i ri$er# At this *&ace 2e 2ere so'e2hat aff&icted< and our
ene'ies stron,&! threatened that 2e shou&d not cross o$er into .issouri#
The ri$er ein, a 'i&e and a ha&f 2ide< and ha$in, ut one ferr! oat< it
too0 t2o da!s for us to *ass o$er# 3hi&e so'e 2ere ferr!in,< others 2ere
en,a,ed in huntin,< fishin, etc# As 2e arri$ed< 2e enca'*ed on the an0<
2ithin the &i'its of .issouri#
3hi&e at this *&ace< S!&$ester S'ith ree&&ed a,ainst the order of
the co'*an!< and ,a$e $ent to his fee&in,s a,ainst '!se&f in *articu&ar#
This 2as the first outrea0 of i'*ortance 2hich had occurred to 'ar our
*eace since 2e co''enced our =ourne!#
CHA)TER %I#
;ION+s CA.) IN .ISSOURI--LETTERS OF 5O%ERNOR DUN1LIN AND OTHERS#
THE E&ders in C&a! count! 2rote 5o$ernor Dun0&in as fo&&o2s(
LI"ERTY< June G< 789@#
DEAR SIR--3e thin0 the ti'e is =ust at hand 2hen our societ! 2i&& e
,&ad to a$ai& the'se&$es of the *rotection of a 'i&itar! ,uard< that
the! 'a! return a Jac0son count!# 3e do not no2 0no2 the *recise da!<
ut .r# Reese ,i$es his o*inion< that there 2ou&d e no i'*ro*riet!
in *etitionin, !our E/ce&&enc! for an order on the co''andin,
officer< to e sent ! return 'ai&< that 2e 'i,ht ha$e it in our
hands to *resent 2hen our *eo*&e ,et read! to start# If this shou&d
'eet !our a**roation< and the order sent ! return 'ai&< 2e thin0 it
2ou&d e of ,reat con$enience to our societ!# 3e 2ou&d a&so e
o&i,ed to !our E/ce&&enc! for infor'ation concernin, the necessar!
e/*enses of ferria,e< etc# Are our *eo*&e ound to *a! the ferria,e
on their returnB As the! ha$e a&read! sustained hea$! &osses< and
'an! of the' ha$e &ost their a&&< a 'iti,ation of e/*enses on their
return at this ti'e< 2here the! cou&d &e,a&&! e reduced< 2ou&d
afford ,reat re&ief? not on&! ferria,e across the .issouri ri$er< ut
other ite's of e/*ense that cou&d &a2fu&&! e reduced#
3e re'ain< !our E/ce&&enc!+s 'ost oedient ser$ants<
A# S# 5IL"ERT<
3# 3# )HEL)S<
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E#
Co*! of a &etter fro' Danie& Dun0&in< 5o$ernor of the State of
.issouri#< to Co&one& J# Thornton< dated--
CITY OF JEFFERSON< June :< 789@#
DEAR SIR--I 2as *&eased at the recei*t of !our &etter< concurred in
! .essrs# Reese< Atchison and Doni*han< on the su=ect of the .or'on
difficu&ties# I shou&d e ,ratified indeed if the *arties cou&d
co'*ro'ise u*on the ter's !ou su,,est< or< indeed< u*on an! other
ter's satisfactor! to the'se&$es# "ut I shou&d tra$e& out of the &ine
of strict dut!< as chief e/ecuti$e officer of the ,o$ern'ent< 2ere I
to ta0e u*on '!se&f the tas0 of effectin, a co'*ro'ise et2een the
*arties# Had I not su**osed it *ossi&e< !es< *roa&e< that I
shou&d< as e/ecuti$e of the state< ha$e to act< I shou&d< efore no2<
ha$e interfered indi$idua&&! in the 2a! !ou su,,est< or in so'e other
2a!< in order if *ossi&e to effect a co'*ro'ise# Unco''itted as I a'
to either *art!< I sha&& fee& no e'arrass'ent in doin, '!
dut!--thou,h it 'a! e done 2ith the 'ost e/tre'e re,ret# .! dut! in
the re&ation 2hich I no2 stand to the *arties< is *&ain and
strai,htfor2ard# "! an officia& inter*osition I 'i,ht e'arrass '!
course< and ur,e a 'easure for the *ur*ose of effectin, a co'*ro'ise<
and IifJ it shou&d fai&< and in the end< shou&d I fee& it '! dut! to
act contrar! to the ad$ice I had ,i$en< it 'i,ht e said< that I
either ad$ised 2ron,< or that I 2as *artia& to one side or the other<
in ,i$in, ad$ice that I 2ou&d not as an officer fo&&o2#
A 'ore c&ear and indis*uta&e ri,ht does not e/ist< than that of the
.or'on *eo*&e< 2ho 2ere e/*e&&ed fro' their ho'es in Jac0son count!<
to return and &i$e on their &ands? and if the! cannot e *ersuaded<
as a 'atter of *o&ic!< to ,i$e u* that ri,ht< or to >ua&if! it< '!
course< as the chief e/ecuti$e of the state< is a *&ain one# The
constitution of the United States dec&ares -that the citi4ens of each
state sha&& e entit&ed to a&& *ri$i&e,es and i''unities of citi4ens
in the se$era& states#- Then 2e cannot interdict an! *eo*&e< 2ho ha$e
a *o&itica& franchise in the United States< fro' i''i,ratin, to this
state< nor fro' choosin, 2hat *art of the state the! 2i&& sett&e in<
*ro$ided the! do not tres*ass on the *ro*ert! or ri,hts of others#
Our state constitution dec&ares that the *eo*&e+s -ri,ht to ear
ar's< in defense in the'se&$es and of the state< cannot e
>uestioned#- Then it is their constitutiona& ri,ht to ar' the'se&$es#
Indeed< our 'i&itar! &a2 'a0es it the dut! of e$er! 'an< not e/e'*ted
! &a2< et2een the a,es of ei,hteen and fort!-fi$e< to ar' hi'se&f
2ith a 'us0et< rif&e< or so'e fire&oc0< 2ith a certain >uantit! of
a''unition< etc#? and a,ain< our constitution sa!s< -that a&& 'en
ha$e a natura& and indefeasi&e ri,ht to 2orshi* A&'i,ht! 5od
accordin, to the dictates of their o2n consciences#-
I a' fu&&! *ersuaded that the eccentricit! of the re&i,ious o*inions
and *ractices of the .or'ons is at the otto' of the outra,es
co''itted a,ainst the'# The! ha$e the ri,ht constitutiona&&!
,uaranteed to the'< and it is indefeasi&e< to 2orshi* Joe S'ith as a
'an< an an,e&< or e$en as the on&! true and &i$in, 5od< and to ca&&
their haitation ;ion< the Ho&! Land< or e$en hea$en itse&f# Indeed<
there is nothin, so asurd or ridicu&ous that the! ha$e not a ri,ht
to ado*t as their re&i,ion< so that in its e/ercise the! do not
interfere 2ith the ri,hts of others#
It is not &on, since an i'*ostor assu'ed the character of Jesus
Christ and atte'*ted to 'inister as such? ut I ne$er heard of an!
co'ination to de*ri$e hi' of his ri,hts#
I consider it the dut! of e$er! ,ood citi4en of Jac0son count! and
the ad=oinin, counties to e/ert hi'se&f to effect a co'*ro'ise of
these difficu&ties? and 2ere I assured that I 2ou&d not ha$e to act
in '! officia& ca*acit! in the affair< I 2ou&d $isit the *arties in
*erson and e/ert '!se&f to the ut'ost to sett&e it# .! first ad$ice
2ou&d e to the .or'ons< to se&& out their &ands in Jac0son count!<
and to sett&e so'e2here e&se< 2here the! cou&d &i$e in *eace< if the!
cou&d ,et a fair *rice for the'< and reasona&e da'a,es for in=uries
recei$ed# If this fai&ed< I 2ou&d tr! the citi4ens< and ad$ise the'
to 'eet and rescind their i&&e,a& reso&$es of &ast su''er< and a,ree
to confir' to the &a2s in e$er! *articu&ar< in res*ect to the
.or'ons# If oth these fai&ed< I 2ou&d then ad$ice the *&an !ou ha$e
su,,ested< for each *art! to ta0e se*arate territor!< and confine
their 'e'ers 2ithin their res*ecti$e &i'its 2ith the e/ce*tion of
the *u&ic ri,ht of in,ress and e,ress u*on the hi,h2a!# If a&& these
fai&ed< then the si'*&e >uestion of &e,a& ri,ht 2ou&d ha$e to sett&e
it# It is this &ast that I a' afraid I sha&& ha$e to confor' '!
action to in the end< and hence the necessit! of 0ee*in, '!se&f in
the est situation to do '! dut! i'*artia&&!#
Ru'or sa!s that oth *arties are *re*arin, the'se&$es 2ith cannon#
That 2ou&d e i&&e,a&( it is not necessar! to se&f-defense< as
,uaranteed ! the constitution< and as there are no arti&&er!
co'*anies or,ani4ed in this state< nor fie&d *ieces *ro$ided ! the
*u&ic< an! *re*aration of that 0ind 2i&& e considered as 2ithout
ri,ht< and< in the *resent state of thin,s< 2ou&d e understood to e
2ith cri'ina& intent< I a' to&d that the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!
e/*ect assistance fro' the ad=oinin, counties< to o**ose the .or'ons
in ta0in, or 0ee*in, *ossession of their &ands# I shou&d re,ret it
e/tre'e&! if an! shou&d e so i'*rudent as to do so? it 2ou&d ,i$e a
different as*ect to the affair#
The citi4ens of Jac0son count! ha$e a ri,ht to ar' the'se&$es and
*arade for 'i&itar! dut! in their o2n count! inde*endent of the
co''ander-in-chief? ut if citi4ens 'arch there in ar's fro' other
counties 2ithout order fro' the co''ander-in-chief or so'e one
authori4ed ! hi'< it 2ou&d *roduce a $er! different state of thin,s#
Indeed< the .or'ons ha$e no ri,ht to 'arch to Jac0son count! in ar's<
un&ess ! order or *er'ission of the co''ander-in-chief? 'en 'ust not
-&e$! 2ar- in ta0in, *ossession of their ri,hts< an! 'ore than others
shou&d in o**osin, the' in ta0in, *ossession#
As !ou ha$e 'anifested a dee* interest in a *eacea&e co'*ro'ise of
this i'*ortant affair< I *resu'e !ou 2i&& not e un2i&&in, to e
*&aced in a situation in 2hich< *erha*s< !ou can e 'ore ser$icea&e
to these *arties# I ha$e therefore ta0en the &iert! of a**ointin,
!ou an aid to the co''ander-in-chief< and I ho*e it 2i&& e a,reea&e
to !ou to acce*t# In this situation !ou can ,i$e !our *ro*ositions
a&& the inf&uence the! 2ou&d ha$e 2ere the! to e'anate fro' the
e/ecuti$e< 2ithout co''ittin, !ourse&f or the co''ander-in-chief< in
the e$ent of fai&ure# I shou&d e ,&ad if !ou< or so'e of the other
,ent&e'en 2ho =oined !ou in !our co''unication< 2ou&d 0ee* in c&ose
corres*ondence 2ith these *arties< and ! each 'ai& 2rite to 'e#
The character of the state has een in=ured in conse>uence of this
unfortunate affair? and I sincere&! ho*e it 'a! not e dis,raced !
it in the end?
3ith hi,h res*ect< !our oedient ser$ant<
ESi,nedF DANIEL DUN1LIN#
June :#--3e resu'ed our =ourne!< and on the e$enin, of the Mth
enca'*ed in a *iece of 2oods< near a s*rin, of 2ater< at Sa&t Ri$er# Here
2as a ranch of the Church#
Sunda!< June 8#--3e had een *reachin,< and in the course of the da!
2ere =oined ! "rothers H!ru' S'ith and L!'an 3i,ht< 2ith a co'*an! of
$o&unteers 2hich the! had ,athered in .ichi,an#O The 2ho&e co'*an! no2
consisted of t2o hundred and fi$e 'en< and t2ent!-fi$e a,,a,e 2a,ons 2ith
t2o or three horses each# 3e re'ained at Sa&t Ri$er unti& the 7Hth<
refreshin, and reor,ani4in, the ca'*< 2hich reor,ani4in, 2as done !
e&ectin, L!'an 3i,ht ,enera& of the ca'*# I chose t2ent! 'en for '! &ife
,uards< of 2ho' '! "rother H!ru' 2as chosen ca*tain< and 5eor,e A# S'ith
2as '! ar'or earer# The re'ainder of the co'*an! 2as or,ani4ed accordin,
to the *attern at Ne2 )orta,e# 3hi&e at Sa&t Ri$er< 5enera& 3i,ht 'arched
the ca'* on the *rairie< ins*ected our fire&oc0s< ordered a dischar,e of
the sa'e at tar,ets ! *&atoons< dri&&ed us ha&f a da!< and returned to
ca'*#
Aout this ti'e I dis*atched E&ders Orson H!de and )ar&e! )# )ratt to
Jefferson Cit! 2ith a 'essa,e to 5o$ernor Dun0&in< to ascertain if he 2as
read! to fu&fi&& the *ro*osition 2hich he had *re$ious&! 'ade to the
rethren to reinstate the' on their &ands in Jac0son count!< and &ea$e
the' there to defend the'se&$es#
On June Nth 5o$ernor Dun0&in 2rote to 3# 3# )he&*s and others( 'ai&ed
at--
CITY OF JEFFERSON< June N< 789@#
Here2ith !ou ha$e a second order for the de&i$er! of !our ar's no2 in
the *ossession of the 'i&itia of Jac0son count!# Co&one& Lucas has
resi,ned his co''and< he infor's 'e# If Lieut#-Co&one& )itcher shou&d
e arrested efore !ou recei$e this< !ou 2i&& *&ease ho&d u* the
order unti& I a' infor'ed 2ho 'a! e a**ointed to the co''and of the
re,i'ent#
Res*ectfu&&!<
ESi,nedF DANIEL DUN1LIN#
The fore,oin, &etter enc&osed the fo&&o2in, order(
CITY OF JEFFERSON< June @< 789@#
Tho'as )itcher< Lieut#-Co&one& co''andant of the Thirt!-third
Re,i'ent# SIR--On the Hnd da! of &ast .a! I issued an order to
Co&one& Lucas to de&i$er the fift!-t2o ,uns and one *isto&< 2hich !ou
recei$ed fro' the .or'ons on the @th da! of No$e'er &ast< and
re*orted to hi' on the 9rd da! of the succeedin, Dece'er--to 3# 3#
)he&*s< Ed2ard )artrid,e< John Corri&&< John 3hit'er< and A# S#
5i&ert< or their order# On the H@th u&ti'o< Co&one& Lucas 2rote and
infor'ed 'e that he had resi,ned his co''ission and &eft the count!
of Jac0son# You< as co''andant of said re,i'ent< are therefore
co''anded to co&&ect the said ar's< if the! are not a&read! in !our
*ossession< and de&i$er the' to the aforesaid ,ent&e'en or their
order# Res*ectfu&&!< DANIEL DUN1LIN< Co''ander-in-Chief#
The da! fo&&o2in, Jud,e R!&and 2rote the fo&&o2in,(
RICH.OND< June 7D< 789@#
.r# A# S# 5i&ert(
SIR--Dee*&! i'*ressed 2ith a desire to do a&& in '! *o2er to sett&e
or a&&a! the disturances et2een the .or'ons and the citi4ens of
Jac0son count!< I ha$e conc&uded that it 'i,ht ha$e so'e tendenc! to
effectuate this o=ect ! ha$in, the .or'ons ca&&ed to,ether at
Liert! ne/t .onda!< and there e/*&ain to the' '! notions and $ie2s
of their *resent situation< and of the circu'stances attendant# I
therefore re>uest !ou< sir< to use a&& !our inf&uence 2ith !our
rethren< to ,et the' to 'eet 'e ne/t .onda! in Liert!# I 'uch fear
and dread the conse>uences that are !et to ensue< un&ess I shou&d
succeed in '! 2ishes to restore *eace# It is the dut! of a&& ,ood 'en
to use a&& *ro*er and &auda&e 'eans to esta&ish *eace# I e/*ect a
de*utation of so'e of the 'ost res*ecta&e citi4ens of Jac0son count!
2i&& 'eet 'e on .onda! ne/t at Liert!# I ca&& u*on !ou< in the na'e
of hu'anit!< therefore< to &ea$e no efforts untried to co&&ect !our
rethren at Liert! as re>uested# Shou&d '! efforts to 'a0e *eace
fai& of success< there can e no 2ron,< sir< in the atte'*t< and I
sha&& en=o! the conso&ation of ha$in, done '! dut! as a 'an< as 2e&&
as a Christian#
I ho*e< sir< !ou 2i&& du&! a**reciate the 'oti$e 2hich *ro'*ts 'e to
address this &etter to !ou< and 2i&& aid 'e 2ith a&& !our inf&uence
2ith !our rethren in the *rosecution of an o=ect so 'uch to e
desired ! a&& ,ood 'en and citi4ens#
Yours $er! res*ectfu&&!<
JOHN F# RYLAND#
June 7H#--3e &eft Sa&t Ri$er and tra$e&ed aout fourteen 'i&es# The
inhaitants of Sa&t Ri$er 'anifested a ,reat res*ect for us< and 'an! of
the' acco'*anied us so'e distance on our =ourne!# I instructed the ca'* in
the 'ornin, that if a ,un 2as fired it 2ou&d e considered an a&ar'? ut
in the course of the da!< 2hi&e I 2as a &itt&e ahead< I shot a s>uirre&
for "rother Foster< 2hen se$era& of the rethren ca'e runnin, u* to see
2hat 2as the 'atter# I to&d the' "rother Foster 2as sic0? -I 2ant !ou to
*ra! for hi'#-
Frida! 79#--E&der 1i'a&&+s horses< throu,h the ne,&i,ence of the
,uards< ,ot &oose and 2ent ac0 ten 'i&es 2ith others# He *ursued the' and
returned 2ith the' to ca'*# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and Ro,er Orton recei$ed
a $er! se$ere chastise'ent for ne,&ect of orders in not ta0in, care of the
tea's 2hen in char,e of the ,uard# The re*roof ,i$en to Ro,er Orton 2as
'ore *articu&ar&! for sufferin, E&der 1i'a&& to ,o ac0 after the horses<
and he 2as one of '! &ife ,uards< and it e&on,ed to Orton to see that the
tea' 2as attended to# "ut as the tea' 2as 1i'a&&+s< and he had ta0en the
care of it a&& throu,h< Orton sti&& thre2 the care on hi'# The Si&$er 5re!
co'*an!< nu'erin, fourteen< 2ere attached to '! 'ess< 'a0in, it
t2ent!-ei,ht in nu'er#
Saturda! 7@#--"rother Jose*h Hancoc0 and another of the rethren 2ere
chased a considera&e *ortion of the da! ! four sus*icious fe&&o2s on
horseac0< ar'ed 2ith ,uns< 2ho' the! e&uded ! tra$e&in, in the rush and
thic0ets 2here horse'en cou&d not ride# It 2as &ate 2hen the! returned to
the ca'*#
At ni,ht 2e enca'*ed in an unsafe and un*&easant situation in a
ra$ine< the on&! *&ace 2e cou&d ,et 2ater for so'e 'i&es# The countr! 2as
a 2i&d and uncu&ti$ated re,ion#
In ans2er to Jud,e R!&and< the E&ders 2rote as fo&&o2s(
NEAR LI"ERTY< June 7@< 789@#
Hon# J# F# R!&and(
DEAR SIR--Your co''unication of the Nth instant fro' Rich'ond 2as
du&! recei$ed< and at a *u&ic 'eetin, of our societ! this da! its
contents 2ere 'ade 0no2n# Our rethren unani'ous&! tender their
than0s for the &auda&e dis*osition 'anifested on !our *art to effect
*eace et2een our societ! and the inhaitants of Jac0son count! and
as 'an! as con$enient&! can 2i&& e *resent on .onda! ne/t#
Entertainin, so'e fears that !our honor< in !our 4ea& for *eace<
'i,ht un2ari&! reco''end a sa&e of our &ands in Jac0son count!< 2e
ha$e thou,ht it e/*edient to ,i$e !ou reasona&e notice< that no such
*ro*osition cou&d *ossi&! e acceded to ! our societ!#
3e ha$e not heard that it 2as the intention of !our honor to ur,e an!
such 'easure< ut our ene'ies in Jac0son count! ha$e &on, een tr!in,
to effect this o=ect# In a &etter fro' the ,o$ernor to us< he sa!s(
-I ha$e een re>uested to ad$ise the .or'ons to se&& out and 'o$e
a2a!? ut e&ie$in, that it 2ou&d ha$e no ,ood effect< I ha$e
2ithhe&d '! ad$ice#- 3e ,i$e this >uotation fro' the ,o$ernor+s
&etter to dis*ro$e the state'ent 'ade in the U**er .issouri En>uirer
of &ast 3ednesda!< and conc&ude ! addin, that -ho'e is ho'e<- and
that 2e 2ant *ossession of our ho'es--fro' 2hich 2e ha$e een
2ic0ed&! e/*e&&ed--and those ri,hts 2hich e&on, to us as nati$e
free-orn citi4ens of the United States#
%er! res*ectfu&&!< !our friends and ser$ants<
JOHN CORRILL< Chair'an#
A# S# 5IL"ERT< Secretar!#
The fore,oin, 2as enc&osed in the fo&&o2in, &etter to their &a2!ers(
5ENTLE.EN--3i&& !ou e so ,ood as to read the enc&osed< then sea& and
hand it to the =ud,eB 3e ha$e ,i$en hi' an ear&! hint< fearin, that
he 'i,ht e induced ! the so&icitations of our ene'ies to *ro*ose a
sa&e of our &ands< 2hich !ou 2e&& 0no2 2ou&d e &i0e se&&in, our
chi&dren into s&a$er!? and the ur,in, of such a 'easure 2ou&d a$ai&
nothin, un&ess to *roduce an e/cite'ent a,ainst us in this count!# As
re>uested &ast Thursda!< 2e ho*e !ou 2i&& e *resent on .onda!# Your
friends and ser$ants< JOHN CORRILL< A# S# 5IL"ERT# To .essrs#
Doni*han and Atchison#
CHA)TER %II#
;ION+S CA.) IN .ISSOURI--EFFORTS AT AR"ITRATION--THE 3ORD OF THE LORD#
Sunda!< June 7G#--Tra$e&ed t2e&$e 'i&es# 3hi&e on the 2a! Orson H!de
and )ar&e! )# )ratt returned to us fro' Jefferson Cit!< and re*orted that
5o$ernor Dun0&in refused to fu&fi&& his *ro'ise to reinstate the rethren
on their &ands in Jac0son count! on the ,round of i'*racticai&it!#
3e crossed the Chariton ri$er at its 'outh and enca'*ed on the 2est
an0# "isho* )artrid,e ca'e into the ca'* fro' C&a! count!# 3e recei$ed
'uch infor'ation fro' hi' concernin, the hosti&e fee&in,s and *re=udices
that e/isted a,ainst us in .issouri in a&& >uarters< ut it ,a$e us ,reat
satisfaction to recei$e inte&&i,ence fro' hi' of the union and ,ood
fee&in, that *re$ai&ed a'on, the rethren# 3e 2ere in *eri&s and
threatened a&& the 2hi&e< 2e 2ere 'uch trou&ed to ,et *ro$isions< and had
to &i$e *rinci*a&&! on corn 'ea&< and 2ere ,&ad to ,et that# Here Dean
5ou&d 2as a*ti4ed ! L!'an 3i,ht#
.onda!< June 7:#--Tra$e&ed to 5rand ri$er< ferried o$er it< and
enca'*ed on its an0# The ferr!'an intended char,in, se$enteen do&&ars?
the rethren said the! 2ou&d not *a! it< ut 2ou&d sooner 'a0e a raft and
ferr! the'se&$es o$er# He then a,reed to ta0e the' o$er for t2e&$e do&&ars
2hich offer 2e acce*ted# This 'ornin, 2as e/cessi$e&! hot< no air
stirrin,< and tra$e&in, in the thic0 2oods< a thunder sho2er co'in, on<
the rethren cau,ht a&& the 2ater the! cou&d on the ri's of their hats<
and not catchin, enou,h to satisf! their thirst< the! dran0 out of the
horse trac0s#
.artin Harris ha$in, oasted to the rethren that he cou&d hand&e
sna0es 2ith *erfect safet!< 2hi&e foo&in, 2ith a &ac0 sna0e 2ith his are
feet< he recei$ed a ite on his &eft foot# The fact 2as co''unicated to
'e< and I too0 occasion to re*ro$e hi'< and e/hort the rethren ne$er to
trif&e 2ith the *ro'ises of 5od# I to&d the' it 2as *resu'*tion for an!
one to *ro$o0e a ser*ent to ite hi'< ut if a 'an of 5od 2as accidenta&&!
itten ! a *oisonous ser*ent< he 'i,ht ha$e faith< or his rethren 'i,ht
ha$e faith for hi'< so that the Lord 2ou&d hear his *ra!er and he 'i,ht e
hea&ed? ut 2hen a 'an desi,ned&! *ro$o0es a ser*ent to ite hi'< the
*rinci*&e is the sa'e as 2hen a 'an drin0s dead&! *oison 0no2in, it to e
such# In that case no 'an has an! c&ai' on the *ro'ises of 5od to e
hea&ed#
On this da!< June 7:th< the citi4ens of C&a! count!< to the nu'er of
ei,ht hundred or a thousand< a'on, 2ho' 2ere the rethren< asse'&ed at
the court house in Liert!< in accordance 2ith the re>uest of Jud,e R!&and
e/*ressed in his &etter of the 7Dth instant< a de*utation fro' Jac0son
count! a&so attended the 'eetin, and *resented the fo&&o2in,(--
)ro*ositions of the *eo*&e of Jac0son count! to the .or'ons#
The undersi,ned co''ittee< ein, fu&&! authori4ed ! the *eo*&e of
Jac0son count!< here! *ro*ose to the .or'ons< that the! 2i&& u! a&&
the &and that the said .or'ons o2n in the count! of Jac0son< and a&so
a&& the i'*ro$e'ents 2hich the said .or'ons had on an! of the *u&ic
&ands in said count! of Jac0son< as the! e/isted efore the first
disturance et2een the *eo*&e of Jac0son and the .or'ons< and for
such as the! ha$e 'ade since# The! further *ro*ose that the $a&ue of
said &and and i'*ro$e'ents sha&& e ascertained ! three
disinterested aritrators< to e chosen and a,reed to ! oth
*arties# The! further *ro*ose< that shou&d the *arties disa,ree in
the choice of aritrators< then--------is to choose the'# The!
further *ro*ose< that t2e&$e of the .or'ons sha&& e *er'itted to ,o
a&on, 2ith the aritrators to sho2 the' their &and and i'*ro$e'ents
2hi&e $a&uin, the sa'e< and such others of the .or'ons as the
aritrators sha&& 2ish to do so< to ,i$e the' infor'ation? and the
*eo*&e of Jac0son here! ,uarantee their entire safet! 2hi&e doin,
so# The! further *ro*ose< that 2hen the aritrators re*ort the $a&ue
of the &and and i'*ro$e'ents< as aforesaid< the *eo*&e of Jac0son
2i&& *a! the $a&uation< 2ith one hundred *er cent< added thereon< to
the .or'ons< 2ithin thirt! da!s thereafter# The! further *ro*ose<
that the .or'ons are not to 'a0e an! effort< e$er after< to sett&e<
either co&&ecti$e&! or indi$idua&&!< 2ithin the &i'its of Jac0son
count!# The .or'ons are to enter into onds to insure the con$e!ance
of their &and in Jac0son count!< accordin, to the ao$e ter's< 2hen
the *a!'ent sha&& e 'ade? and the co''ittee 2i&& enter into a &i0e
end< 2ith such securit! as 'a! e dee'ed sufficient for the *a!'ent
of the 'one!< accordin, to the ao$e *ro*osition# 3hi&e the
aritrators are in$esti,atin, and decidin, u*on the 'atters referred
to the'< the .or'ons are not to atte'*t to enter Jac0son count!< or
to sett&e there< e/ce*t such as are ! the fore,oin, *ro*ositions
*er'itted to ,o there#
The! further *ro*ose that the *eo*&e of Jac0son 2i&& se&& a&& their
&ands and i'*ro$e'ents on *u&ic &ands< in Jac0son count!< to the
.or'ons< the $a&uation to e otained in the sa'e 'anner< the sa'e
*er cent in addition to e *aid< and the ti'e the 'one! is to e *aid
is the sa'e as the ao$e set forth in our *ro*ositions to u!? the
.or'ons to ,i$e ,ood securit! for the *a!'ent of the 'one!< and the
undersi,ned 2i&& ,i$e securit! that the &and 2i&& e con$e!ed to the
.or'ons# The! further *ro*ose< that a&& *arties are to re'ain as the!
are ti&& the *a!'ent is 'ade< at 2hich ti'e the *eo*&e of Jac0son
2i&& ,i$e *ossession#
ESi,nedF SA.UEL C# O3ENS<
RICHARD
FRISTOE< THOS#
HAYTON< SEN#< THOS#
CA.)"ELL< JOHN
DA%IS<
THOS# JEFFREYS<
S.ALL3OOD NOLAND<
RO"ERT RIC1.AN<
A"RAHA. .cCLELLAN<
S# %# NOLAND#
On *resentation of the fore,oin,< Sa'ue& C# O2ens 'ade a f&a'in,
2ar-s*eech< and 5enera& Doni*han re*&ied on the side of *eace#
The Re$# .r# Ri&e!< a "a*tist *riest< 'ade a hot s*eech a,ainst the
-.or'ons<- and said< -The .or'ons ha$e &i$ed &on, enou,h in C&a! count!?
and the! 'ust either c&ear out< or e c&eared out#-
.r# Turnha'< the 'oderator of the 'eetin,< ans2ered in a 'aster&!
'anner? sa!in,< -Let us e re*u&icans ? &et us honor our countr!< and not
dis,race it &i0e Jac0son count!# For 5od+s sa0e don+t disfranchise or
dri$e a2a! the .or'ons# The! are etter citi4ens than 'an! of the o&d
inhaitants#-
5enera& Doni*han e/c&ai'ed< -That+s a fact< and as the .or'ons ha$e
ar'ed the'se&$es< if the! don+t fi,ht the! are co2ards# I &o$e to hear
that the! ha$e rethren co'in, to their assistance# 5reater &o$e can no
'an sho2< than he 2ho &a!s do2n his &ife for his rethren#-
At this critica& instant< the coc0in, of *isto&s< and the unsheathin,
of other i'*&e'ents of death< denoted des*eration# One 'o$ed
-ad=ourn'ent<- another cried to ,o on<- and in the 'idst of this a2fu&
crisis a *erson a2&ed in at the door< -a 'an staed K- The 'ass
instant&! rushed out to the s*ot< in ho*es< as so'e said< that -a .or'on
had ,ot 0i&&ed<- ut as ,ood &uc0 2ou&d ha$e it< on&! one .issourian had
dir0ed another< Eone Ca&ert< a &ac0s'ith< had staed one .a&es< 2ho had
*re$ious&! 2hi**ed one .or'on near&! to death< and oasted of ha$in,
2hi**ed 'an! 'oreF# The 2ound 2as dan,erous< ut the incident a**eared
*ro$identia& as it see'ed as thou,h the occurrence 2as necessar! to rea0
u* the 'eetin, 2ithout further &oodshed< and ,i$e the Saints a chance to
consu&t 2hat 2ou&d e the 'ost ad$isa&e thin, to do in such a critica&
instant# The! i''ediate&! *enned the fo&&o2in, ans2er to the *ro*ositions
fro' Jac0son count!< *resented ! .r# O2ens et a&#
Ans2er of the .or'ons to the )ro*osition of the )eo*&e of Jac0son Count!#
5ENTLE.AN--Your *ro*ositions for an ad=ust'ent of the difficu&ties
et2een the citi4ens of Jac0son count! and the .or'ons< is efore us?
and as e/*&ained to !ou in the court house this da!< 2e are not
authori4ed to sa! to !ou that our rethren 2i&& su'it to !our
*ro*osa&s? ut 2e a,ree to s*read ,enera& notice< and ca&& a 'eetin,
of our *eo*&e< the *resent 2ee0< and &a! efore !ou an ans2er as soon
as Saturda! or .onda! ne/t# 3e can sa! for ourse&$es< and in eha&f
of our rethren< that *eace is 2hat 2e desire and 2hat 2e are
dis*osed to cu&ti$ate 2ith a&& 'en? and to effect *eace< 2e fee&
dis*osed to use a&& our inf&uence< as far as it 2i&& e re>uired at
our hands as free-orn citi4ens of these United States? and as fears
ha$e een e/*ressed< that 2e desi,n hosti&ities a,ainst the
inhaitants of Jac0son count!< 2e here! *&ed,e ourse&$es to the'<
and to the hos*ita&e citi4ens of C&a! count!< that 2e 2i&& not< and
neither ha$e 2e desi,ned< as a *eo*&e< to co''ence hosti&ities
a,ainst the afore said citi4ens of Jac0son count!< or an! other
*eo*&e#
Our ans2er sha&& e handed to Jud,e Turnha'< the chair'an of the
'eetin,< e$en ear&ier than the ti'e efore stated< if *ossi&e#
ESi,nedF 3# 3# )HEL)S#
3.# E# .+LELLIN<
A# S# 5IL"ERT<
JOHN CORRILL<
ISAAC .ORLEY#
N#"#--As 2e are infor'ed that &ar,e nu'ers of our *eo*&e are on
their 2a! re'o$in, to Jac0son count!< 2e a,ree to use our inf&uence
i''ediate&! to *re$ent said co'*an! fro' enterin, into Jac0son
count!< unti& !ou sha&& recei$e an ans2er to the *ro*ositions
aforena'ed#
It 'a! e thou,ht< at first $ie2< that the 'o co''ittee 'ade a fair
*ro*osition to the Saints< in offerin, to u! their &ands at a *rice fi/ed
! disinterested aritrators and one hundred *er centu' added thereto<
*a!'ent to e 'ade in thirt! da!s< and offerin, theirs on the sa'e ter's?
ut 2hen it is understood that the 'o he&d *ossession of a 'uch &ar,er
>uantit! of &and than the Saints< and that the! on&! offered thirt! da!s
for the *a!'ent< ha$in, *re$ious&! roed the Saints of near&! e$er!thin,<
it 2i&& e readi&! seen that the! 2ere on&! 'a0in, a sha' to co$er their
*re$ious un&a2fu& conduct#
The te'*est of an i''ediate conf&ict see'ed to e chec0ed< and the
Jac0son 'o to the nu'er of aout fifteen< 2ith Sa'ue& C# O2ens and Ja'es
Ca'*e&& at their head started for Inde*endence< Jac0son count!< to raise
an ar'! sufficient to 'eet 'e< efore I cou&d ,et into C&a! count!#
Ca'*e&& s2ore< as he ad=usted his *isto&s in his ho&sters< -The ea,&es
and tur0e! u44ards sha&& eat '! f&esh if I do not fi/ Joe S'ith and his
ar'! so that their s0ins 2i&& not ho&d shuc0s< efore t2o da!s are
*assed#- The! 2ent to the ferr! and undertoo0 to cross the .issouri ri$er
after dus0< and the an,e& of 5od sa2 fit to sin0 the oat aout the 'idd&e
of the ri$er< and se$en out of t2e&$e that atte'*ted to cross< 2ere
dro2ned# Thus< sudden&! and =ust&!< 2ent the! to their o2n *&ace# Ca'*e&&
2as a'on, the 'issin,# He f&oated do2n the ri$er so'e four or fi$e 'i&es<
and &od,ed u*on a *i&e of drift 2ood< 2here the ea,&es< u44ards< ra$ens<
cro2s< and 2i&d ani'a&s ate his f&esh fro' his ones< to fu&fi&& his o2n
2ords< and &eft hi' a horri&e e/a'*&e of 5od+s $en,eance# He 2as
disco$ered aout three 2ee0s after ! one .r# )urt&e# O2ens sa$ed his &ife
on&!< after f&oatin, four 'i&es do2n the strea'< 2here he &od,ed u*on an
is&and< it s2a' off na0ed aout da! &i,ht< orro2ed a 'ant&e to hide his
sha'e< and s&i**ed ho'e rather sh! of the $en,eance of 5od#-
Tuesda!< June 7M#--At noon 2e crossed the 3a0enda? it ein, hi,h< 2e
had to e ferried o$er# 3e 2ere infor'ed here that a *art! of 'en 2ere
,athered to,ether on the .issouri ri$er 2ith the intention of attac0in, us
that ni,ht# The *rairie ahead of us 2as t2ent!-three 'i&es &on, 2ithout
an! ti'er or *a&ata&e< hea&th! 2ater# So'e of the rethren 2ished to
sto* near the ti'er< and 2ere aout 'a0in, arran,e'ents to *itch their
tents# 3e had ut &itt&e *ro$isions# I *ro*osed to ,et so'e 2ood and 2ater
to carr! 2ith us< and ,o on into the *rairie ei,ht or ten 'i&es# .!
rother H!ru' said he 0ne2< in the na'e of the Lord< that it 2as est to
,o on to the *rairie? and as he 2as '! e&der rother< I thou,ht est to
heed his counse&< thou,h so'e 2ere 'ur'urin, in the ca'*# 3e accordin,&!
started# 3hen L!'an 3i,ht crossed the ri$er he disa**ro$ed of our 'o$in,
on to the *rairie< u*on 2hich S!&$ester S'ith *&aced hi'se&f in the road<
turned ac0 a&& that he cou&d ! sa!in,< -Are !ou fo&&o2in, !our ,enera&<
or so'e other 'anB- and t2ent! sta,ed ehind 2ith L!'an 3i,ht# 3e dro$e
aout ei,ht 'i&es on the *rairie and enca'*ed out of si,ht of ti'er#
The sun a**arent&! 2ent do2n< and rose a,ain ne/t 'ornin, in the
,rass# Our co'*an! had fi&&ed a cou*&e of e'*t! *o2der 0e,s 2ith 2ater? it
tasted so ad 2e cou&d not drin0 it< and a&& the 2ater that 2e had 2as out
of a s&ou,h fi&&ed 2ith red &i$in, ani'a&s< and 2as *utrid# Aout e&e$en
o+c&oc0 L!'an 3i,ht arri$ed 2ith the co'*an! that had re'ained 2ith hi'# I
ca&&ed the' to,ether and re*ro$ed the' for tarr!in, ehind< and not
oe!in, '! counse&< and to&d L!'an 3i,ht ne$er to do so a,ain# He *ro'ised
that he 2ou&d stand ! 'e fore$er< and ne$er forsa0e 'e a,ain< &et the
conse>uence e 2hat it 2ou&d? ut S!&$ester S'ith 'anifested $er!
refractor! fee&in,s#
3ednesda!< June 78#--As H!ru' Stratton and his co'*anion 2ere ta0in,
u* their &an0ets this 'ornin,< the! disco$ered t2o *rairie ratt&e sna0es
>uiet&! s&ee*in, under the'< 2hich the! carefu&&! carried out of the ca'*#
This da! '! hea&th 2as so *oor I &eft the affairs of the ca'* to the
'ana,e'ent of 5enera& 3i,ht# Ha$in, no *ro$isions< 2e tra$e&ed se$enteen
'i&es efore rea0fast< and I rode in E&der 1i'a&&+s 2a,on# 3e crossed a
s&ou,h ha&f a 'i&e 2ide throu,h 2hich 'ost of the rethren 2ere o&i,ed to
2ade 2aist dee* in 'ud and 2ater# 5enera& L!'an 3i,ht< 2ho had tra$e&ed
fro' 1irt&and 2ithout a stoc0in, on his foot< carried "rother Jose*h Youn,
throu,h on his ac0# Our rea0fast consisted entire&! of corn 'ea& 'ush<
or hast! *uddin,# 3e had not 'ea& enou,h in our co'*an! to 'a0e the 'ush
of the consistence of ,ood starch#
After our ten o+c&oc0 rea0fast 2e *assed on to 2ithin one 'i&e of
Rich'ond# 3e enca'*ed in a $er! s'a&& *rairie surrounded ! a thic0et of
ha4e& rush# 3hen I arri$ed 2here the ca'* had *itched their tents< and
$ie2ed our unsafe &ocation< considerin, the dan,er of an attac0 fro' our
ene'ies< I a&'ost for,ot '! sic0ness< 2ent so'e distance in the rush<
o2ed do2n and *ra!ed '! Hea$en&! Father to suffer no e$i& to co'e u*on
us< ut 0ee* us safe throu,h the ni,ht# I otained an assurance that 2e
shou&d e safe unti& 'ornin,< not2ithstandin, aout fift! of the Jac0son
count! 'o crossed the Le/in,ton Ferr! that e$enin, for the *ur*ose of
=oinin, the Ra! count! 'o and of 'a0in, an attac0 u*on us# A&& 2as >uiet
in the ca'* throu,h the ni,ht# 3hi&e the rethren 2ere 'a0in, their ed in
Ca*tain "ri,ha' Youn,+s tent< one of the' disco$ered a $er! 'usica&
ratt&esna0e 2hich the! 2ere aout to 0i&&# Ca*tain Youn, to&d the' not to
hurt hi' ut carr! hi' out of the tent< 2hereu*on "rother Car*enter too0
hi' in his hands< carried hi' e!ond a&& dan,er< and &eft hi' to en=o! his
&iert!< te&&in, hi' not to return#
Thursda!< June 7N#--At da!rea0< fee&in, that 2e 2ere in a $er!
unsafe situation< I counse&ed the ca'* to 'o$e for2ard 2ithout de&a!< and
continued a &i$e&! 'arch for aout nine 'i&es< 2hen 2e sto**ed for
rea0fast# 3hi&e *assin, throu,h Rich'ond< "rother Lu0e Johnson oser$ed a
&ac0 2o'an in a ,ent&e'an+s ,arden near the road# She ec0oned to hi' and
said< -Co'e here< .assa#- She 2as e$ident&! 'uch a,itated in her fee&in,s#
He 2ent u* to the fence< and she said to hi'< -There is a co'*an! of 'en
&!in, in 2ait here< 2ho are ca&cu&atin, to 0i&& !ou this 'ornin, as !ou
*ass throu,h#- 3e ha&ted for rea0fast on an e'inence near a far' house#
The o2ner furnished us 2ith a &ar,e >uantit! of 'i&0< 2hich ,a$e a ,reat
re&ish to our acon and corn dod,er< 2hich our co''issar! had *rocured
that 'ornin,# 3hen 2e as0ed the *rice of his 'i&0 he re*&ied( -He is a
'ean 'an that 2i&& se&& 'i&0? I cou&d ha$e &et !ou ha$e 'ore< if I had
0no2n !ou had een co'in,#-
He further said( -You ha$e 'an! ene'ies aout here< and !ou 'a! 'eet
2ith so'e trou&e? and it is a da'ned sha'e that e$er! 'an can+t co'e u*
and en=o! his re&i,ion< and e$er!thin, e&se 2ithout ein, 'o&ested#- It
2as near noon 2hen 2e finished our rea0fast< and 2e *assed on in fine
s*irits< deter'ined to ,o throu,h and 'eet the rethren in C&a! count!# 3e
tra$e&ed ut a short distance 2hen one 2a,on ro0e do2n< and the 2hee&s
ran off fro' others? and there see'ed to e 'an! thin,s to hinder our
*ro,ress< a&thou,h 2e stro$e 2ith a&& di&i,ence to s*eed our 2a! for2ard#
This ni,ht 2e ca'*ed on an e&e$ated *iece of &and et2een Litt&e Fishin,
and "i, Fishin, ri$ers< 2hich strea's 2ere for'ed ! se$en s'a&& strea's
or ranches#
As 2e ha&ted and 2ere 'a0in, *re*arations for the ni,ht< fi$e 'en
ar'ed 2ith ,uns rode into our ca'*< and to&d us 2e shou&d -see he&& efore
'ornin,?- and their acco'*an!in, oaths *artoo0 of a&& the 'a&ice of
de'ons# The! to&d us that si/t! 'en 2ere co'in, fro' Rich'ond< Ra! count!<
and se$ent! 'ore fro' C&a! count!< to =oin the Jac0son count! 'o< 2ho had
s2orn our utter destruction#
Durin, this da!< the Jac0son count! 'o< to the nu'er of aout t2o
hundred< 'ade arran,e'ents to cross the .issouri ri$er< ao$e the 'outh of
Fishin, ri$er< at 3i&&ia's+ ferr!< into C&a! count!< and e read! to 'eet
the Rich'ond 'o near Fishin, ri$er ford for our utter destruction? ut
after the first sco2 &oad of aout fort! had een set o$er the ri$er< the
sco2 in returnin, 2as 'et ! a s>ua&&< and had ,reat difficu&t! in
reachin, the Jac0son side ! dar0#
3hen these fi$e 'en 2ere in our ca'*< s2earin, $en,eance< the 2ind<
thunder< and risin, c&oud indicated an a**roachin, stor'< and in a short
ti'e after the! &eft the rain and hai& e,an to fa&&# The stor' 2as
tre'endous? 2ind and rain< hai& and thunder 'et the' in ,reat 2rath< and
soon softened their direfu& coura,e< and frustrated a&& their desi,ns to
-0i&& Joe S'ith and his ar'!#- Instead of continuin, a cannonadin, 2hich
the! co''enced 2hen the sun 2as aout one hour hi,h< the! cra2&ed under
2a,ons< into ho&&o2 trees< and fi&&ed one o&d shant!< ti&& the stor' 2as
o$er< 2hen their a''unition 2as soa0ed< and the fort! in C&a! count! 2ere
e/tre'e&! an/ious in the 'ornin, to return to Jac0son< ha$in, e/*erienced
the *iti&ess *e&tin, of the stor' a&& ni,ht? and as soon as arran,e'ents
cou&d e 'ade< this -for&orn ho*e- too0 the -ac0 trac0- for Inde*endence<
to =oin the 'ain od! of the 'o< fu&&! satisfied< as 2ere those sur$i$ors
of the co'*an! 2ho 2ere dro2ned< that 2hen Jeho$ah fi,hts the! 2ou&d
rather e asent# The ,ratification is too terri&e#
%er! &itt&e hai& fe&& in our ca'*< ut fro' ha&f a 'i&e to a 'i&e
around< the stones or &u'*s of ice cut do2n the cro*s of corn and
$e,etation ,enera&&!< e$en cuttin, &i's fro' trees< 2hi&e the trees<
the'se&$es 2ere t2isted into 2ithes ! the 2ind# The &i,htnin, f&ashed
incessant&!< 2hich caused it to e so &i,ht in our ca'* throu,h the ni,ht<
that 2e cou&d discern the 'ost 'inute o=ects? and the roarin, of the
thunder 2as tre'endous# The earth tre'&ed and >ua0ed< the rain fe&& in
torrents< and< united< it see'ed as if the 'andate of $en,eance had ,one
forth fro' the 5od of att&es< to *rotect His ser$ants fro' the
destruction of their ene'ies< for the hai& fe&& on the' and not on us< and
2e suffered no har'< e/ce*t the &o2in, do2n of so'e of our tents< and
,ettin, 2et? 2hi&e our ene'ies had ho&es 'ade in their hats< and other2ise
recei$ed da'a,e< e$en the rea0in, of their rif&e stoc0s< and the f&eein,
of their horses throu,h fear and *ain#
.an! of '! &itt&e and she&tered in an o&d 'eetin,house throu,h this
ni,ht< and in the 'ornin, the 2ater in "i, Fishin, ri$er 2as aout fort!
feet dee*< 2here< the *re$ious e$enin,< it 2as no 'ore than to our an0&es<
and our ene'ies s2ore that the 2ater rose thirt! feet in thirt! 'inutes in
the Litt&e Fishin, ri$er# The! re*orted that one of their 'en 2as 0i&&ed
! &i,htnin,< and that another had his hand torn off ! his horse dra2in,
his hand et2een the &o,s of a corn cri 2hi&e he 2as ho&din, hi' on the
inside# The! dec&ared that if that 2as the 2a! 5od fou,ht for the .or'ons<
the! 'i,ht as 2e&& ,o aout their usiness#
Frida! HD#--This 'ornin, I counse&ed the rethren to dischar,e a&&
their firear's< 2hen it 2as found 2e had near&! si/ hundred shots< $er!
fe2 of 2hich 'issed fire< 2hich sho2s ho2 $er! carefu& the rethren had
een in ta0in, care of their ar's durin, the stor'#
3e dro$e fi$e 'i&es on to the *rairie 2here 2e cou&d *rocure food for
ourse&$es and horses< and defend ourse&$es fro' the ra,e of our ene'ies#
3hi&e ca'*ed here on saturda! the H7st< Co&one& Sconce< 2ith t2o other
&eadin, 'en fro' Ra, count!< ca'e to see us< desirin, to 0no2 2hat our
intentions 2ere? -for<- said he< -I see that there is an A&'i,ht! *o2er
that *rotects this *eo*&e< for I started fro' Rich'ond< Ra! count!< 2ith a
co'*an! of ar'ed 'en< ha$in, a fi/ed deter'ination to destro! !ou< ut 2as
0e*t ac0 ! the stor'< and 2as not a&e to reach !ou#- 3hen he entered
our ca'* he 2as sei4ed 2ith such a tre'&in, that he 2as o&i,ed to sit
do2n to co'*ose hi'se&f? and 2hen he had 'ade 0no2n the o=ect of their
$isit< I arose< and< addressin, the'< ,a$e a re&ation of the sufferin,s of
the Saints in Jac0son count!< and a&so our *ersecutions ,enera&&!< and
2hat 2e had suffered ! our ene'ies for our re&i,ion? and that 2e had co'e
one thousand 'i&es to assist our rethren< to rin, the' c&othin,< etc#<
and to reinstate the' u*on their o2n &ands? and that 2e had no intention
to 'o&est or in=ure an! *eo*&e< ut on&! to ad'inister to the 2ants of our
aff&icted friends? and that the e$i& re*orts circu&ated aout us 2ere
fa&se< and ,ot u* ! our ene'ies to *rocure our destruction# 3hen I had
c&osed a &en,th! s*eech< the s*irit of 2hich 'e&ted the' into co'*assion<
the! arose and offered 'e their hands< and said the! 2ou&d use their
inf&uence to a&&a! the e/cite'ent 2hich e$er!2here *re$ai&ed a,ainst us?
and the! 2e*t 2hen the! heard of our aff&ictions and *ersecutions< and
&earned that our intentions 2ere ,ood# Accordin,&! the! 2ent forth a'on,
the *eo*&e< and 'ade un2earied e/ertions to a&&a! the e/cite'ent#
"rother E4ra Tha!re and Jose*h Hancoc0 are sic0 2ith the cho&era#
Tho'as He!es 2as ta0en toda!# )re$ious to crossin, the .ississi**i ri$er I
had ca&&ed the ca'* to,ether and to&d the' that in conse>uence of the
disoedience of so'e 2ho had een un2i&&in, to &isten to '! 2ords< ut had
ree&&ed< 5od had decreed that sic0ness shou&d co'e u*on the ca'*< and if
the! did not re*ent and hu'&e the'se&$es efore 5od the! shou&d die &i0e
shee* 2ith the rot? that I 2as sorr!< ut cou&d not he&* it# The scour,e
'ust co'e? re*entance and hu'i&it! 'a! 'iti,ate the chastise'ent< ut
cannot a&to,ether a$ert it# "ut there 2ere so'e 2ho 2ou&d not ,i$e heed to
'! 2ords#
The rethren in C&a! count! 2rote the co''ittee of the Jac0son 'o
the sa'e da! as fo&&o2s(
CLAY COUNTY< June H7< 789@#
5ENTLE.EN--Your *ro*ositions of .onda! &ast ha$e een ,enera&&! 'ade
0no2n to our *eo*&e< and 2e are instructed to infor' !ou that the!
cannot e acceded to#
Honora&e *ro*ositions to !ou are no2 'a0in, on our *art< and 2e
thin0 2e sha&& e ena&ed to de&i$er the sa'e to !ou the ear&! *art
of ne/t 2ee0# 3e are ha**! to ha$e it in our *o2er to ,i$e !ou
assurances that our rethren here< to,ether 2ith those 2ho ha$e
arri$ed fro' the east< are unani'ous&! dis*osed to 'a0e e$er!
sacrifice for an honora&e ad=ust'ent of our differences< that cou&d
e re>uired of free citi4ens of the United States#
Ne,otiations at the ca'* are no2 ,oin, on et2een so'e ,ent&e'en of
this count!< and our rethren< 2hich are ca&cu&ated to a&&a! the
,reat e/cite'ent in !our count!# 3e are infor'ed that the citi4ens of
Jac0son entertain fears that our *eo*&e intend to in$ade their
territor! in a hosti&e 'anner# 3e assure !ou that their fears are
,round&ess< such is not and ne$er 2as our intention#
ESi,nedF
3# 3# )HEL)S<
A# S# 5IL"ERT<
3# E#
.+LELLIN<
JOHN
CORRILL<
ISAAC
.ORLEY#
TO S#C# O2ens< and others of the Jac0son co''ittee#
June HH#--"rother L!'an S'ith recei$ed a 2ound fro' the accidenta&
dischar,e of a horse-*isto&< fro' 2hich he reco$ered in aout three da!s#
Corne&ius 5i&&iu'< the sheriff of C&a! count!< ca'e to our ca'* to
ho&d consu&tation 2ith us# I 'arched '! co'*an! in to a ,ro$e near !< and
for'ed in a circ&e< 2ith 5i&&iu' in the center# 5i&&iu' co''enced !
sa!in, that he had heard that Jose*h S'ith 2as in the ca'*< and if so he
2ou&d &i0e to see hi'# I arose and re*&ied< -I a' the 'an#- This 2as the
first ti'e that I had een disco$ered or 'ade 0no2n to '! ene'ies since I
&eft 1irt&and# 5i&&iu' then ,a$e us instruction concernin, the 'anners<
custo's< and dis*ositions of the *eo*&e< and 2hat course 2e ou,ht to
*ursue to secure their fa$or and *rotection< 'a0in, certain in>uiries< to
2hich 2e re*&ied< 2hich 2ere after2ards *u&ished< and 2i&& a**ear under
date of *u&ication#
I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en on Fishin, Ri$er< .issouri< June HH< 789@#
7# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou 2ho ha$e asse'&ed !ourse&$es to,ether that !ou
'a! &earn '! 2i&& concernin, the rede'*tion of 'ine aff&icted *eo*&e(
H# "ehe&d< I sa! unto !ou< 2ere it not for the trans,ressions of '!
*eo*&e< s*ea0in, concernin, the Church and not indi$idua&s< the! 'i,ht
ha$e een redee'ed e$en no2?
9# "ut eho&d< the! ha$e not &earned to e oedient to the thin,s
2hich I re>uired at their hands< ut are fu&& of a&& 'anner of e$i&< and
do not i'*art of their sustance as eco'eth saints< to the *oor and
aff&icted a'on, the'<
@# And are not united accordin, to the union re>uired ! the &a2 of
the ce&estia& 0in,do'?
G# And ;ion cannot e ui&t u* un&ess it is ! the *rinci*&es of the
&a2 of the ce&estia& 0in,do'< other2ise I cannot recei$e her unto '!se&f?
:# And '! *eo*&e 'ust needs e chastened unti& the! &earn oedience<
if it 'ust needs e< ! the thin,s 2hich the! suffer#
M# I s*ea0 not concernin, those 2ho are a**ointed to &ead '! *eo*&e<
2ho are the first E&ders of '! Church< for the! are not a&& under this
conde'nation?
8# "ut I s*ea0 concernin, '! churches aroad--there are 'an! 2ho 2i&&
sa!< 2here is their 5odB "eho&d< He 2i&& de&i$er the' in ti'e of trou&e<
other2ise 2e 2i&& not ,o on unto ;ion< and 2i&& 0ee* our 'one!s#
N# Therefore< in conse>uence of the trans,ressions of '! *eo*&e< it
is e/*edient in 'e that 'ine E&ders shou&d 2ait for a &itt&e season for
the rede'*tion of ;ion<
7D# That the! the'se&$es 'a! e *re*ared< and that '! *eo*&e 'a! e
tau,ht 'ore *erfect&!< and ha$e e/*erience< and 0no2 'ore *erfect&!
concernin, their dut!< and the thin,s 2hich I re>uire at their hands#
77# And this cannot e rou,ht to *ass unti& 'ine E&ders are endo2ed
2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h?
7H# For eho&d< I ha$e *re*ared a ,reat endo2'ent and &essin, to e
*oured out u*on the'< inas'uch as the! are faithfu& and continue in
hu'i&it! efore 'e?
79# Therefore it is e/*edient in 'e that 'ine E&ders shou&d 2ait for
a &itt&e season< for the rede'*tion of ;ion?
7@# For eho&d< I do not re>uire at their hands to fi,ht the att&es
of ;ion? for< as I said in a for'er co''and'ent< e$en so 2i&& I fu&fi&&--I
2i&& fi,ht !our att&es#
7G# "eho&d the destro!er I ha$e sent forth to destro! and &a! 2aste
'ine ene'ies( and not 'an! !ears hence the! sha&& not e &eft to *o&&ute
'ine herita,e< and to &as*he'e '! na'e u*on the &ands 2hich I ha$e
consecrated for the ,atherin, to,ether of '! saints#
7:# "eho&d< I ha$e co''anded '! ser$ant "aura0 A&e EJose*h S'ith<
Jun#<F to sa! unto the stren,th of '! house< '! 2arriors< '! !oun, 'en<
and 'idd&e-a,ed< to ,ather to,ether for the rede'*tion of '! *eo*&e< and
thro2 do2n the to2ers of 'ine ene'ies and scatter their 2atch'en?
7M# "ut the stren,th of 'ine house ha$e not hear0ened unto '! 2ords#
78# "ut inas'uch as there are those 2ho ha$e hear0ened unto '! 2ords<
I ha$e *re*ared a &essin, and an endo2'ent for the'< if the! continue
faithfu&#
7N# I ha$e heard their *ra!ers< and 2i&& acce*t their offerin,? and
it is e/*edient in 'e< that the! shou&d e rou,ht thus far for a tria& of
their faith#
HD# And no2 $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou<
that as 'an! as ha$e co'e hither< that can sta! in the re,ion round aout<
&et the' sta!?
H7# And those that cannot sta!< 2ho ha$e fa'i&ies in the east< &et
the' tarr! for a &itt&e season< inas'uch as '! ser$ant Jose*h sha&&
a**oint unto the'?
HH# For I 2i&& counse& hi' concernin, this 'atter< and a&& thin,s
2hatsoe$er he sha&& a**oint unto the' sha&& e fu&fi&&ed#
H9# And &et a&& '! *eo*&e 2ho d2e&& in the re,ions round aout e
$er! faithfu&< and *ra!erfu&< and hu'&e efore 'e< and re$ea& not the
thin,s 2hich I ha$e re$ea&ed unto the'< unti& it is 2isdo' in 'e that the!
shou&d e re$ea&ed#
H@# Ta&0 not of =ud,'ents< neither oast of faith< nor of 'i,ht!
2or0s< ut carefu&&! ,ather to,ether< as 'uch in one re,ion as can e
consistent&! 2ith the fee&in,s of the *eo*&e?
HG# And eho&d< I 2i&& ,i$e unto !ou fa$or and ,race in their e!es<
that !ou 'a! rest in *eace and safet!< 2hi&e !ou are sa!in, unto the
*eo*&e< E/ecute =ud,'ent and =ustice for us accordin, to &a2< and redress
us of our 2ron,s#
H:# No2< eho&d< I sa! unto !ou< '! friends< in this 2a! !ou 'a! find
fa$or in the e!es of the *eo*&e< unti& the ar'! of Israe& eco'es $er!
,reat?
HM# And I 2i&& soften the hearts of the *eo*&e< as I did the heart of
)haraoh< fro' ti'e to ti'e< unti& '! ser$ant "aura0 A&e EJose*h S'ith<
Jun#<F and "anee'! E'ine E&dersF< 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed< sha&& ha$e ti'e
to ,ather u* the stren,th of '! house<
H8# And to ha$e sent 2ise 'en< to fu&fi&& that 2hich I ha$e co''anded
concernin, the *urchasin, of a&& the &ands in Jac0son count! that can e
*urchased< and in the ad=oinin, counties round aout?
HN# For it is '! 2i&& that these &ands shou&d e *urchased< and after
the! are *urchased that '! Saints shou&d *ossess the' accordin, to the
&a2s of consecration 2hich I ha$e ,i$en?
9D# And after these &ands are *urchased< I 2i&& ho&d the ar'ies of
Israe& ,ui&t&ess in ta0in, *ossession of their o2n &ands< 2hich the! ha$e
*re$ious&! *urchased 2ith their 'one!s< and of thro2in, do2n the to2ers of
'ine ene'ies that 'a! e u*on the'< and scatterin, their 2atch'en< and
a$en,in, 'e of 'ine ene'ies unto the third and fourth ,eneration of the'
that hate 'e#
97# "ut first&!< &et '! ar'! eco'e $er! ,reat< and &et it e
sanctified efore 'e< that it 'a! eco'e fair as the sun< and c&ear as the
'oon< and that her anners 'a! e terri&e unto a&& nations?
9H# That the 0in,do's of this 2or&d 'a! e constrained to
ac0no2&ed,e< that the 0in,do' of ;ion is in $er! deed the 0in,do' of our
5od and His Christ? therefore &et us eco'e su=ect unto her &a2s#
99# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< it is e/*edient in 'e that the first
E&ders of '! Church shou&d recei$e their endo2'ent fro' on hi,h in '!
house< 2hich I ha$e co''anded to e ui&t unto '! na'e in the &and of
1irt&and?
9@# And &et those co''and'ents 2hich I ha$e ,i$en concernin, ;ion and
her &a2 e e/ecuted and fu&fi&&ed< after her rede'*tion?
9G# There has een a da! of ca&&in,< ut the ti'e has co'e for a da!
of choosin,< and &et those e chosen that are 2orth!?
9:# And it sha&& e 'anifest unto '! ser$ant< ! the $oice of the
S*irit< those that are chosen< and the! sha&& e sanctified?
9M# And inas'uch as the! fo&&o2 the counse& 2hich the! recei$e< the!
sha&& ha$e *o2er after 'an! da!s to acco'*&ish a&& thin,s *ertainin, to
;ion#
98# And a,ain I sa! unto !ou< sue for *eace not on&! to the *eo*&e
that ha$e s'itten !ou< ut a&so to a&& *eo*&e?
9N# And &ift u* an ensi,n of *eace< and 'a0e a *roc&a'ation of *eace
unto the ends of the earth?
@D# And 'a0e *ro*osa&s for *eace unto those 2ho ha$e s'itten !ou<
accordin, to the $oice of the S*irit 2hich is in !ou< and a&& thin,s sha&&
2or0 to,ether for !our ,ood?
@7# Therefore e faithfu&< and eho&d< and &o< I a' 2ith !ou e$en
unto the end# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER %III#
;ION+S CA.) DIS"ANDED--AN A))EAL#
June H9#--3e resu'ed our 'arch for Liert!< C&a! count!< ta0in, a
circuitous course around the heads of Fishin, ri$er< to a$oid the dee*
2ater# 3hen 2ithin fi$e or si/ 'i&es of Liert!< 2e 2ere 'et ! 5enera&
Atchison and other ,ent&e'en< 2ho desired us not to ,o to Liert! ecause
the fee&in,s of the *eo*&e 2ere so 'uch enra,ed a,ainst us# At their
so&icitation 2e turned our course< 2hee&in, to the &eft< and crossin, the
*rairie and 2ood&and< ca'e to "rother A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert+s residence<
and enca'*ed on the an0 of Rush cree0< in "rother "ur0et+s fie&d#
A counci& of Hi,h )riests asse'&ed in fu&fi&&'ent of the re$e&ation
,i$en the da! *re$ious< and the fo&&o2in, indi$idua&s 2ere ca&&ed and
chosen< as the! 2ere 'ade 'anifest unto 'e ! the $oice of the S*irit and
re$e&ation< to recei$e their endo2'ents(
Ed2ard )artrid,e 2as ca&&ed and chosen< to ,o to 1irt&and and recei$e
his endo2'ent 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h< and a&so< to stand in his office as
"isho* to *urchase &ands in the state of .issouri#
3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s 2as ca&&ed and chosen< and it 2as a**ointed unto
hi' to recei$e his endo2'ent 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h< and he&* to carr! on
the *rintin, esta&ish'ent in 1irt&and< unti& ;ion is redee'ed#
Isaac .or&e! and John Corri&& 2ere ca&&ed and chosen< and it 2as
a**ointed unto the' to recei$e their endo2'ent 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h in
1irt&and< and assist in ,atherin, u* the stren,th of the Lord+s house< and
*reach the 5os*e&#
John 3hit'er and Da$id 3hit'er 2ere ca&&ed and chosen< and a**ointed
to recei$e their endo2'ent in 1irt&and< and continue in their offices#
A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert 2as ca&&ed and chosen< and a**ointed to
recei$e his endo2'ent in 1irt&and< and to assist in ,atherin, u* the
stren,th of the Lord+s house< and to *roc&ai' the e$er&astin, 5os*e& unti&
;ion is redee'ed# "ut he said he -cou&d not do it#-
)eter 3hit'er< Jun#< Si'eon Carter< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< )ar&e! )# )ratt<
Christian 3hit'er and So&o'on Hancoc0 2ere ca&&ed and chosen? and it 2as
a**ointed unto the' to recei$e their endo2'ent in 1irt&and< 2ith *o2er
fro' on hi,h? to assist in ,atherin, u* the stren,th of the Lord+s house?
and to *reach the e$er&astin, 5os*e&#
Tho'as "# .arsh 2as ca&&ed and chosen? and it 2as a**ointed unto hi'
to recei$e his endo2'ent in 1irt&and< his office to e 'ade 0no2n
hereafter#
L!'an 3i,ht 2as ca&&ed and chosen? and it 2as a**ointed unto hi' to
recei$e his endo2'ent in 1irt&and< 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h? and return to
;ion and ha$e his office a**ointed unto hi' hereafter#
The sa'e da! the E&ders 'ade the fo&&o2in, re*&!< efore referred to<
to -Sa'ue& C# O2ens and others< co''ittee- of the Jac0son count! 'o(
3e< the undersi,ned co''ittee< ha$in, fu&& *o2er and authorit! to
sett&e and ad=ust a&& 'atters and differences e/istin, et2een our
*eo*&e or societ! and the inhaitants of Jac0son count!< u*on
honora&e and constitutiona& *rinci*&es? therefore< if the said
inhaitants of Jac0son count! 2i&& not &et us return to our &ands in
*eace< 2e are 2i&&in, to *ro*ose first( that t2e&$e disinterested
'en< si/ to e chosen ! our *eo*&e< and si/ ! the inhaitants of
Jac0son count!? and these t2e&$e 'en sha&& sa! 2hat the &ands of
those 'en are 2orth in that count!< 2ho cannot consent to &i$e 2ith
us< and the! sha&& recei$e their 'one! for the sa'e in one !ear fro'
the ti'e the treat! if 'ade< and none of our *eo*&e sha&& enter the
count! a reside ti&& the 'one! is *aid# The said t2e&$e 'en sha&&
ha$e *o2er a&so to sa! 2hat the da'a,es sha&& e for the in=uries 2e
ha$e sustained in the destruction of *ro*ert! and in ein, dri$en
fro' our *ossessions< 2hich a'ount of da'a,es sha&& e deducted fro'
the a'ount for their &ands# Our o=ect is *eace< and an ear&! ans2er
2i&& he e/*ected#
ESi,nedF
3# 3# )HEL)S<
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E<
ISAAC .ORLEY<
JOHN CORRILL<
JOHN 3HIT.ER<
A# S# 5IL"ERT#
June H@#--This ni,ht the cho&era urst forth a'on, us< and aout
'idni,ht it 2as 'anifested in its 'ost $iru&ent for'# Our ears 2ere
sa&uted 2ith cries and 'oanin,s and &a'entations on e$er! hand? e$en those
on ,uard fe&& to the earth 2ith their ,uns in their hands< so sudden and
*o2erfu& 2as the attac0 of this terri&e disease# At the co''ence'ent< I
atte'*ted to &a! on hands for their reco$er!< ut I >uic0&! &earned !
*ainfu& e/*erience< that 2hen the ,reat Jeho$ah decrees destruction u*on
an! *eo*&e< and 'a0es 0no2n His deter'ination< 'an 'ust not atte'*t to
sta! His hand# The 'o'ent I atte'*ted to reu0e the disease I 2as
attac0ed< and had I not desisted in '! atte'*t to sa$e the &ife of a
rother< I 2ou&d ha$e sacrificed '! o2n# The disease sei4ed u*on 'e &i0e
the ta&ons of a ha20< and I said to the rethren( -If '! 2or0 2ere done<
!ou 2ou&d ha$e to *ut 'e in the ,round 2ithout a coffin#-
Ear&! on the 'ornin, of the HGth< the ca'* 2as se*arated into s'a&&
ands< and dis*ersed a'on, the rethren &i$in, in the $icinit!? and I
2rote and sent ! e/*ress< to -.essrs# Thornton< Doni*han< and Atchison<-
as fo&&o2s(
RUSH CREE1< CLAY COUNTY< June HG< 789@#
5ENTLE.EN--Our co'*an! of 'en ad$anced !esterda! fro' their
enca'*'ent e!ond Fishin, ri$er to Rush Cree0< 2here their tents are
a,ain *itched# "ut fee&in, dis*osed to ado*t e$er! *acific 'easure<
2ithout =eo*ardi4in, our &i$es< to >uiet the *re=udices and fears of
so'e *art of the citi4ens of this count!< 2e ha$e conc&uded that our
co'*an! sha&& e i''ediate&! dis*ersed< and continue so ti&& e$er!
effort for an ad=ust'ent of differences et2een us and the *eo*&e of
Jac0son has een 'ade on our *art< that 2ou&d in an! 2ise e re>uired
of us ! disinterested 'en of re*u&ican *rinci*&es#
I a' res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
N#"--You are no2 corres*ondin, 2ith the ,o$ernor< Eas I a' infor'edF?
2i&& !ou do us the fa$or to ac>uaint hi' of our efforts for a
co'*ro'ise# This infor'ation 2e 2ant con$e!ed to the ,o$ernor<
inas'uch as his ears are stuffed 2ith re*orts fro' Jac0son< of our
hosti&e intentions# J# S#
I &eft Rush Cree0 the sa'e da! in co'*an! 2ith Da$id 3hit'er and t2o
other rethren< for the 2estern *art of C&a! count!# 3hi&e tra$e&in,< 2e
ca&&ed at the house of a .r# .oss for a drin0 of 2ater# The 2o'an of the
house shouted fro' the door< that the! had -no 2ater for .or'ons<- that
the! 2ere -afraid of the cho&era<- etc#< at the sa'e ti'e thro2in, out her
ar's as if defendin, herse&f fro' the cho&era in the for' of a *ersona,e#
3e turned and de*arted< accordin, to the co''and'ent< and efore a 2ee0
had *assed< the cho&era entered that house< and that 2o'an and three
others of the fa'i&! 2ere dead#
3hen the cho&era 'ade its a**earance< E&der John S# Carter 2as the
first 'an 2ho ste**ed for2ard to reu0e it< and u*on this< 2as instant&!
sei4ed< and eca'e the first $icti' in the ca'*# He died aout si/ o+c&oc0
in the afternoon? and Seth Hitchcoc0 died in aout thirt! 'inutes
after2ards# Erastus Rudd died aout the sa'e 'o'ent< a&thou,h a ha&f a
'i&e distant# He 2as uried ! Jesse S'ith< 5eor,e A# S'ith and t2o or
three others< and 2hi&e ur!in, hi'< Jesse S'ith 2as attac0ed 2ith the
cho&era# As it 2as i'*ossi&e to otain coffins< the rethren ro&&ed the
cor*ses in &an0ets< carried the' on a horse-s&ed aout ha&f a 'i&e<
uried the' on the an0 of a s'a&& strea'< 2hich e'*ties into Rush cree0<
a&& of 2hich 2as acco'*&ished ! dar0# 3hen the! had returned fro' the
uria&< the rethren united&! co$enanted and *ra!ed< ho*in, the disease
2ou&d e sta!ed? ut in $ain< for 2hi&e thus co$enantin,< Eer 3i&co/
died? and 2hi&e so'e 2ere di,,in, the ,ra$e< others stood sentr! 2ith
their fire ar's< 2atchin, their ene'ies#
June H:#--The E&ders 2rote 5o$ernor Dun0&in as fo&&o2s(
SIR--A co'*an! of our *eo*&e< e/ceedin, t2o hundred 'en< arri$ed in
this count! the 7Nth instant< and enca'*ed aout t2e&$e 'i&es fro'
Liert!< 2here the! 2ere 'et ! se$era& ,ent&e'en fro' this IC&a!J
and Ra! count!< 2ho 2ent ! re>uest of the *eo*&e< to ascertain the
'oti$es and desi,ns of our *eo*&e in a**roachin, this count!? and as
the de*utation 2as co'*osed of ,ent&e'en 2ho a**eared to *ossess
hu'ane fee&in,s and re*u&ican *rinci*&es< our *eo*&e 2ere re=oiced
at the o**ortunit! of an interchan,e of fee&in,s< and an o*en and
fran0 a$o2a& of a&& their $ie2s and intentions in e'i,ratin, to this
countr! 2ith their ar's# A fu&& e/*&anation ha$in, een ,i$en in a
*u&ic address ! our rother< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2hich *roduced
,reat satisfaction< the sa'e in sustance 2as after2ards reduced to
2ritin,< and handed to the afore said ,ent&e'en< that it 'i,ht e
'ade *u&ic# The sheddin, of &ood is< and e$er has een< forei,n and
re$o&tin, to our fee&in,s? for this reason< 2e ha$e *atient&! endured
the ,rossest indi,nities that free'en of this re*u&ic ha$e e$er een
ca&&ed to suffer? and 2e sti&& continue to ear 2ith heart-rendin,
fee&in,s< a de*ri$ation of our ri,hts# 3e co''enced ne,otiations 2ith
the inhaitants of Jac0son count! for a co'*ro'ise< 2herein *ro*osa&s
on our *art ha$e een 'ade 2hich ha$e een ac0no2&ed,ed ! e$er!
disinterested 'an to e hi,h&! honora&e and &iera&# An ans2er to
our *ro*osition has not !et een recei$ed fro' the *eo*&e of Jac0son
count!#
If 2e fai& in this atte'*t< 2e intend to 'a0e another effort and ,o
a&& &en,ths that cou&d e re>uired ! hu'an or di$ine &a2# As our
*ro*osa&s and corres*ondence 2ith the inhaitants of Jac0son count!
2i&& dout&ess hereafter e *u&ished< 2e thin0 it unnecessar! to
detai& the sa'e in this co''unication# Our ri,ht to our soi& in
Jac0son count! 2e sha&& for e$er c&ai'< ut to otain *eacefu&
*ossession 2e are 2i&&in, to 'a0e ,reat sacrifices# To a&&a!
e/cite'ent in this count!< the aforesaid co'*an! of e'i,rants ha$e
dis*ersed to a2ait the fina& end of a&& ne,otiations that can e 'ade
2ith the said count! of Jac0son#
3ithin the &ast 2ee0< one of our 'en ein, near the ferr!< 2as sei4ed
! so'e Jac0son citi4ens< 2hi&e in this count!< threatened 2ith death
if e 'ade resistance< and carried o$er the ri$er< a *risoner< to
Inde*endence< 2here he 2as *ut under ,uard one da! and after hearin,
'an! threats< 2as &ierated# The houses of se$era& of our rethren in
this count! ha$e een forci&! entered ! so'e of the inhaitants of
Jac0son< and a nu'er of ,uns and s'a&& ar's ta0en therefro'# 3e ha$e
een infor'ed and ha$e no dout of the fact that 2here the 'en 2ere
asent fro' their houses< &oaded ,uns 2ere *resented to the fe'a&es<
and their &i$es threatened if the! 'ade resistance#
Your second order of the restoration of our ar's< 2as recei$ed &ast
'ai&? 2e ha$e not !et done an!thin, 2ith it# Ho*in, that the
inf&uence of the inhaitants of Jac0son count! 2i&& 'ateria&&! &essen
in the surroundin, counties< and the *eo*&e eco'e 'ore tran>ui&< 2e
thin0 it 2isdo' to defer *etitionin, for a ,uard< 2hi&e there e/ists
a ho*e of a co'*ro'ise#
3e e&ie$e that the )resident 2ou&d render us assistance in otainin,
*ossession of our &ands< if aided ! the e/ecuti$e of this state in a
*etition< and there! *ut an end to serious e$i&s that are ,ro2in,
out of the Jac0son count! outra,e#
In a &etter fro' !our E/ce&&enc!< of A*ri& HDth< 2e had a 2ord on the
su=ect of *etitionin,# 3e shou&d e *&eased to hear further< and
2ou&d here oser$e that no co''unication fro' the e/ecuti$e< ,i$in,
his o*inion or ad$ice< 2i&& e 'ade *u&ic< if re>uested not to do
so#
3e are res*ectfu&&!< and 2ith ,reat re,ard<
Your oedient ser$ants<
A# S# 5IL"ERT<
3# 3# )HEL)S<
JOHN CORRILL#
The draftin, and si,nin, of the ao$e< 2as the &ast *u&ic act of the
0ee*er of the Lord+s storehouse A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert< for he 2as
attac0ed 2ith the cho&era the sa'e da!< and died aout the HNth# He had
een ca&&ed to *reach the 5os*e&< ut had een 0no2n to sa! that he -2ou&d
rather die than ,o forth to *reach the 5os*e& to the 5enti&es#-
The fo&&o2in, is fro' the chair'an of the co''ittee of the Jac0son
count! 'o< to our &a2!er(
INDE)ENDENCE< .ISSOURI< JUNE H:< 789@#
.r# A'os Reese(
DEAR SIR--Since '! return fro' Liert!< I ha$e een usi&! en,a,ed in
con$ersin, 2ith the 'ost inf&uentia& 'en of our count!< endea$orin,
to find out< if *ossi&e< 2hat 0ind of a co'*ro'ise 2i&& suit 2ith
the .or'ons on their *art# The *eo*&e here< en 'asse< I and out< 2i&&
do nothin, &i0e accedin, to their &ast *ro*osition# 3e 2i&& ha$e a
'eetin, if *ossi&e< on .onda! ne/t< at 2hich ti'e the *ro*osa&s of
the .or'ons 2i&& e ans2ered# In the 'eanti'e< I 2ou&d e ,&ad that
the!< the .or'ons< 2ou&d cast an e!e ac0 of C&inton< and see if that
is not a countr! ca&cu&ated for the'# Yours res*ectfu&&!< S# C#
O3ENS#
The cho&era continued its ra$a,es for aout four da!s< 2hen a re'ed!
for the *ur,in,< $o'itin,< and cra'*in,< 2as disco$ered? $i4? di**in, the
*ersons aff&icted in co&d 2ater< or *ourin, it u*on $icti's of the'< and
,i$in, the' 2his0! thic0ened 2ith f&our to the consistenc! of starch#
3his0! 2as the on&! 0ind of s*irits that cou&d e *rocured at this *&ace#
Aout si/t!-ei,ht of the Saints suffered fro' this disease< of 2hich
nu'er fourteen died< $i4#( John S# Carter< Eer 3i&co/< Seth Hitchcoc0<
Erastus Rudd< A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert< A&fred Fis0< Ed2ard I$es< Noah
Johnson< Jesse "# La2son< Roert .cCord< E&ia& Stron,< Jesse J# S'ith<
3arren In,a&&s and "ets! )arrish#
A'on, the 'ost acti$e of those 2ho 2ere en,a,ed in ta0in, care of the
sic0 at the ca'*< ur!in, the dead< etc#< 2ere John D# )ar0er< John
Tanner< Nathan Tanner< Jose*h "# No&e< "ri,ha' Youn,< Jose*h Youn,< Heer
C# 1i'a&&< Lu0e S# Johnson and E&ea4ar .i&&er#
I sent Hira' )a,e 2ith instructions to rin, Jesse J# S'ith and
5eor,e A# S'ith to 'e at a&& ha4ards to the 2est *art of the count!<
ha$in, had inti'ations that the! 2ere sic0# He found that Jesse had een
se$ere&! rac0ed 2ith the cho&era a&& da!< 5eor,e A# S'ith had ta0en care
of hi' for u*2ards of thirt! hours# Dr# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's decided that
the cho&era had &eft hi'< and he 2ou&d reco$er if not 'o$ed# On the
'ornin, of the H8th< 5eor,e A# S'ith 2as attac0ed and 2as i''ediate&!
'ounted on a hard-ridin, horse< rode fifteen 'i&es< and ca'e to 'e#
The &ast da!s of June I s*ent 2ith '! o&d Jac0son count! friends< in
the 2estern *art of C&a! count!#
On the 7st of Ju&! Jesse J# S'ith died# I crossed the .issouri ri$er<
in co'*an! 2ith a fe2 friends< into Jac0son count!< to set '! feet once
'ore on the -,ood&! &and?- and on the Hnd I 2ent do2n near Liert!< and
$isited the rethren# A considera&e nu'er of the Ca'* 'et 'e at L!'an
3i,ht+s# I to&d the' if the! 2ou&d hu'&e the'se&$es efore the Lord and
co$enant to 0ee* His co''and'ents and oe! '! counse&< the *&a,ue shou&d
e sta!ed fro' that hour< and there shou&d not e another case of the
cho&era a'on, the'# The rethren co$enanted to that effect 2ith u*&ifted
hands< and the *&a,ue 2as sta!ed#
This da! the En>uirer *u&ished the corres*ondence et2een the
sheriff< Corne&ius 5i&&iu'< and ;ion+s Ca'*< of the HHnd of June< as
fo&&o2s(
5i&&iu'+s Co''unication#
"ein, a citi4en of C&a! count!< and 0no2in, that there is
considera&e e/cite'ent a'on,st the *eo*&e thereof< and a&so 0no2in,
that different re*orts are arri$in, a&'ost hour&!? and ein,
re>uested ! the Hon# J# F# R!&and to 'eet the .or'ons under ar's<
and otain fro' the &eaders thereof the correctness of the $arious
re*orts in circu&ation< the true intent and 'eanin, of their *resent
'o$e'ents< and their $ie2s ,enera&&! re,ardin, the difficu&ties
e/istin, et2een the' and Jac0son count!< I did< in co'*an! 2ith
other ,ent&e'en< ca&& u*on the said &eaders of the .or'ons< at their
ca'* in C&a! count!? and no2 ,i$e to the *eo*&e of C&a! count! their
2ritten state'ent< containin, the sustance of 2hat *assed et2een
us#
ESi,nedF CORNELIUS 5ILLIU.#
-)ro*ositions of the .or'ons#
-"ein, ca&&ed u*on ! the ao$e-na'ed ,ent&e'en< at our ca'* in C&a!
count!< to ascertain fro' the &eaders of our 'en our intentions<
$ie2s< and desi,ns< in a**roachin, this count! in the 'anner 2e ha$e<
2e therefore the 'ore cheerfu&&! co'*&! 2ith their re>uest< ecause
2e are ca&&ed u*on ! ,ent&e'en of ,ood fee&in,s< and 2ho are
dis*osed for *eace and an a'ica&e ad=ust'ent of the difficu&ties
e/istin, et2een us and the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!# The re*orts of
our intentions are $arious< and ha$e ,one aroad in a&i,ht ca&cu&ated
to arouse the fee&in,s of a&'ost e$er! 'an# For instance< one re*ort
is< that 2e intend to de'o&ish the *rintin, office in Liert!?
another re*ort is< that 2e intend crossin, the .issouri ri$er on
Sunda! ne/t< and fa&&in, u*on 2o'en and chi&dren< and s&a!in, the'?
another is< that our 'en 2ere e'*&o!ed to *erfor' this e/*edition<
ein, ta0en fro' 'anufacturin, esta&ish'ents in the east< that had
c&osed usiness? a&so that 2e carried a f&a,< earin, +)eace+ on one
side< and +3ar or "&ood+ on the other? and $arious other re*orts too
nu'erous to 'ention< a&& of 2hich a *&ain dec&aration of our
intentions< fro' under our o2n hands 2i&& sho2 are not correct#
-In the first *&ace< it is not our intention to co''it hosti&ities
a,ainst an! 'an< or set of 'en< it is not our intention to in=ure an!
'an+s *erson or *ro*ert!< e/ce*t in defendin, ourse&$es# Our f&a, has
een e/hiited to the ao$e ,ent&e'en< 2ho 2i&& e a&e to descrie
it# Our 'en 2ere not ta0en fro' an! 'anufacturin, esta&ish'ent# It
is our intention to ,o ac0 u*on our &ands in Jac0son count!< !
order of the e/ecuti$e of the state< if *ossi&e# 3e ha$e rou,ht our
ar's 2ith us for the *ur*ose of se&f defense< as it is 2e&& 0no2n to
a&'ost e$er! 'an of the State< that 2e ha$e e$er! reason to *ut
ourse&$es in an attitude of defense< considerin, the ause 2e ha$e
suffered in Jac0son count!# 3e are an/ious for a sett&e'ent of the
difficu&ties e/istin, et2een us< u*on honora&e and constitutiona&
*rinci*&es#
-3e are 2i&&in, for t2e&$e disinterested 'en< si/ to e chosen !
each *art!< and these 'en sha&& sa! 2hat the *ossessions of those 'en
are 2orth 2ho cannot &i$e 2ith us in the count!? and the! sha&& ha$e
their 'one! in one !ear? and none of the .or'ons sha&& enter that
count! to reside unti& the 'one! is *aid# The da'a,es that 2e ha$e
sustained in conse>uence of ein, dri$en a2a!< sha&& a&so e &eft to
the ao$e t2e&$e 'en? or the! 'a! a&& &i$e in the count!< if the!
choose< and 2e 2i&& ne$er 'o&est the' if the! &et us a&one< and
*er'it us to en=o! our ri,hts# 3e 2ant to &i$e in *eace 2ith a&& 'en?
and e>ua& ri,hts is a&& 2e as0# 3e 2ish to eco'e *er'anent citi4ens
of this State? and 2ish to ear our *ro*ortion in su**ort of the
,o$ern'ent< and to e *rotected ! its &a2s# If the ao$e
*ro*ositions are co'*&ied 2ith< 2e are 2i&&in, to ,i$e securit! on
our *art? and 2e sha&& 2ant the sa'e of the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!
for the *erfor'ance of this a,ree'ent# 3e do not 2ish to sett&e do2n
in a od!< e/ce*t 2here 2e can *urchase the &and 2ith 'one!? for to
ta0e *ossession ! con>uest or the sheddin, of &ood is entire&!
forei,n to our fee&in,s# The sheddin, of &ood 2e sha&& not e ,ui&t!
of< unti& a&& =ust and honora&e 'eans a'on, 'en *ro$e insufficient
to restore *eace#-
ESi,nedF JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
FREDERIC1 5# 3ILLIA.S<
LY.AN 3I5HT<
RO5ER ORTON<
ORSON HYDE<
JOHN S# CARTER#
June H7st#
To John Linco&n< John Sconce< 5eor,e R# .orehead< Jas# H# Lon,< Ja'es
Co&&ins#
On the third of Ju&!< the Hi,h )riests of ;ion asse'&ed in the !ard
of Co&# Arthurs< 2here L!'an 3i,ht &i$ed< in C&a! count!< and I *roceeded
to or,ani4e a Hi,h Counci&< a,reea&e to the re$e&ation and *attern ,i$en
at 1irt&and for the *ur*ose of sett&in, i'*ortant usiness that 'i,ht co'e
efore the'< 2hich cou&d not e sett&ed ! the "isho* and his counci&#
Da$id 3hit'er 2as e&ected *resident< and 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er assistant *residents# The fo&&o2in, Hi,h )riests< $i4#( Christian
3hit'er< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< L!'an 3i,ht< Ca&$in "eee< 3'# E# .+Le&&in< So&o'on
Hancoc0< Tho'as "# .arsh< Si'eon Carter< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt<
John .urdoc0< and Le$i Jac0'an< 2ere a**ointed counci&ors? and the Counci&
ad=ourned to .onda!# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's 2as c&er0 of the 'eetin,#
I authori4ed 5enera& L!'an 3i,ht to ,i$e a dischar,e to e$er! 'an of
the Ca'* 2ho had *ro$ed hi'se&f faithfu&< certif!in, that fact and ,i$in,
the ca'* hi' &ea$e to return ho'e#
Fro' this ti'e I continued to ,i$e instruction to the 'e'ers of the
Hi,h Counci&< E&ders< those 2ho had tra$e&ed in the Ca'* 2ith 'e< and such
others as desired infor'ation< unti& the Mth< 2hen the Counci& asse'&ed
accordin, to ad=ourn'ent at the house of E&der L!'an 3i,ht? *resent<
fifteen Hi,h )riests< ei,ht E&ders< four )riests< ei,ht Teachers< three
Deacons< and se$era& 'e'ers# After sin,in, and *ra!er< I ,a$e the Counci&
such instructions in re&ation to their hi,h ca&&in,< as 2ou&d ena&e the'
to *roceed to 'inister in their office a,reea&e to the *attern heretofore
,i$en? read the re$e&ation on the su=ect? and to&d the' that if I shou&d
no2 e ta0en a2a!< I had acco'*&ished the ,reat 2or0 the Lord had &aid
efore 'e< and that 2hich I had desired of the Lord? and that I had done
'! dut! in or,ani4in, the Hi,h Counci&< throu,h 2hich counci& the 2i&& of
the Lord 'i,ht e 0no2n on a&& i'*ortant occasions< in the ui&din, u* of
;ion< and esta&ishin, truth in the earth#
It 2as $oted that those 2ho 2ere a**ointed on the 9rd< shou&d e
confir'ed in their a**oint'ents#
I then ordained Da$id 3hit'er< *resident< and 3# 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er< assistants? and the t2e&$e counci&ors# The t2e&$e counci&ors then
*roceeded to cast &ots< to 0no2 2ho shou&d s*ea0 first< and the order of
s*ea0in,< 2hich resu&ted as fo&&o2s< $i4#(
Si'eon Carter< 7 )ar&e! )# )ratt< H
3'# E# .+Le&&in< 9 Ca&$in "eee< @
Le$i Jac0'an< G So&o'on Hancoc0< :
Christian 3hit'er< M Ne2e& 1ni,ht< 8
Orson )ratt< N L!'an 3i,ht< 7D
Tho'as "# .arsh< 77 John .urdoc0# 7H
Father )eter 3hit'er ca'e for2ard and &essed his three sons< Da$id<
John and Christian 3hit'er< in the na'e of the Lord# A&so Father 1ni,ht
&essed his son Ne2e&#
"isho* )artrid,e stated to the Counci& that a ,reater res*onsii&it!
rested u*on hi' than efore their or,ani4ation< as it 2as not his
*ri$i&e,e to counse& 2ith an! of the'< e/ce*t the *resident< and his o2n
counse&ors? and desired their *ra!ers that he 'i,ht e ena&ed to act in
ri,hteousness#
I ne/t *resented the case of 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s to the Counci&< to
ha$e their decision 2hether or not he shou&d ta0e his fa'i&! to 1irt&and<
and if so< 2hen he shou&d start? as it had een dee'ed necessar! for hi'
to assist in the *rintin, esta&ish'ent# It 2as 'o$ed and carried that
four of the counci&ors s*ea0 on the su=ect< t2o on each side< $i4#<
Si'eon Carter and 3'# E# .+Le&&in< for 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s? and )ar&e! )#
)ratt and Ca&$in "eee< for the church# After hearin, the *&eas< the
*resident decided that it 2as the dut! of 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s to ,o to
1irt&and to assist in *rintin,< and that his fa'i&! re'ain in the re,ion
2here the! are< and that he ha$e an honor a&e dischar,e fro' his station
in ;ion for a season< Eas soon as he can acco'*&ish his usinessF# Si,ned
! the *resident and c&er0#
It 2as then *ro*osed ! 3# 3# )he&*s< that Da$id 3hit'er< the
*resident of the church in ;ion< shou&d ,o to 1irt&and< and assist in
*ro'otin, the cause of Christ< as ein, one of the three 2itnesses# This
case 2as ar,ued ! Le$i Jac0'an and Christian 3hit'er in eha&f of Da$id
3hit'er? and ! So&o'on Hancoc0 and Ne2e& 1ni,ht for the church? after
2hich it 2as decided< as efore< that "rother Da$id 3hit'er ,o to the East
and assist in the ,reat 2or0 of the ,atherin,< and e his o2n =ud,e as to
&ea$in, his fa'i&! or ta0in, the' 2ith hi'#
It 2as a&so decided that John 3hit'er and 3'# E# .+Le&&in ,o east< as
soon as con$enient#
The Hi,h )riests< E&ders< )riests< Teachers< Deacons and 'e'ers
*resent< then co$enanted 2ith hands u*&ifted to hea$en< that the! 2ou&d
u*ho&d "rother Da$id
3hit'er< as *resident in ;ion< in '! asence? and John 3hit'er and
3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s< as assistant *residents or counse&ors? and '!se&f as
First )resident of the Church? and to u*ho&d one another ! faith and
*ra!er#
)re$ious to enterin, into this co$enant< and in *ursuance of the
re$e&ation to the Saints to sue for and *roc&ai' *eace to the ends of the
earth< the fo&&o2in, a**ea& 2as 2ritten< and sanctioned ! the Hi,h
Counci& and First )residenc! of the Church< at the fore,oin, sittin,#
)resident 3hit'er c&osed the Counci& ! *ra!er#
FREDERIC1 5# 3ILLIA.S< C&er0#
An A**ea&#
3hereas the Church of Christ< recent&! st!&ed the Church of the
Latter-da! Saints< contu'e&ious&! ca&&ed -.or'ons<- or -.or'onites<-
has suffered 'an! *ri$ations< aff&ictions< *ersecutions and &osses on
account of the re&i,ious e&ief and faith of its 'e'ers< 2hich
e&ief and faith are founded in the re$ea&ed 3ord of 5od< as recorded
in the Ho&! "i&e< or the "oo0 of .or'on< the Re$e&ations and
Co''and'ents of our Sa$ior Jesus Christ? and 2hereas the said Church<
throu,h re$e&ation< co''enced re'o$in, to the 2estern oundaries of
the State of .issouri< 2here &ands 2ere *urchased of the ,o$ern'ent<
and 2here it 2as ca&cu&ated to *urchase of those 2ho 2ere un2i&&in,
to reside 2ith the Church< as a societ!< a&& &ands that cou&d e
ou,ht< for the *ur*ose of ui&din, u* a ho&! cit! unto 5od< a Ne2
Jerusa&e'< a *&ace 2hich 2e 2ere desirous to ca&& ;ion< a *&ace of
refu,e fro' the scour,es and *&a,ues that are so often 'entioned in
the "i&e ! the *ro*hets and a*ost&es< 2hich shou&d e *oured out
u*on the earth in the &ast da!s? and 2hereas the inhaitants of
Jac0son count!< .issouri< ha$e &ea,ued and co'ined the'se&$es
a,ainst said Church< and ha$e dri$en the Saints fro' their &ands< and
ha$e ta0en their ar's fro' the'< and urned do2n 'an! of their houses
2ithout an! *ro$ocation? and 2hereas< 2e ha$e *etitioned the ,o$ernor
of this state and the )resident of the United States for the redress
of 2ron,s--the &a2 ein, *ut to defiance in Jac0son count!--and for
the rede'*tion of ri,hts< that 2e 'i,ht e &e,a&&! re*ossessed of our
&ands and *ro*ert!? and 2hereas the said inhaitants of Jac0son
count! ha$e not on&! ound the'se&$es to 0ee* us out of that count!<
ut ha$e ar'ed the'se&$es ca* a *ie< and e$en 2ith cannon for 2ar?
and 2hereas< our *eo*&e residin, in U**er .issouri< ha$e recent&!
ar'ed the'se&$es for 'i&itar! dut! and se&f-defense seein, their ar's
ta0en fro' the' ! the inhaitants of Jac0son count!< 2ere *ur*ose&!
0e*t fro' the'? and 2hereas< a nu'er of the 'e'ers of the Church in
the East ha$e e'i,rated to this re,ion of countr!< to sett&e and =oin
2ith their rethren< 2ith ar's to ans2er the 'i&itar! &a2< 2hich has
created so'e e/cite'ent a'on, the inhaitants of the u**er counties
of this state? 2hereu*on< to sho2 that our o=ect 2as on&! the
*eacea&e *ossession of our ri,hts and *ro*ert!< and to *urchase 'ore
&ands in the re,ions round aout< 2e 'et a co''ittee fro' Jac0son
count! for co'*ro'ise< and our e'i,ratin, rethren 'et so'e ,ent&e'en
fro' C&a! and other counties< a satisf! the' that their 'oti$es 2ere
,ood< and their o=ect *eace< 2hich the! did? and 2hereas< the
*ro*ositions of the Jac0son count! co''ittee cou&d not e acce*ted on
our *art< ecause the! *ro*osed to -u! or se&&<- and to se&& our
&and 2ou&d a'ount to a denia& of our faith< as that &and is the *&ace
2here the ;ion of 5od sha&& stand< accordin, to our faith and e&ief
in the re$e&ations of 5od< and u*on 2hich Israe& 2i&& e ,athered<
accordin, to the *ro*hets? and< second&!< the *ro*ositions 2ere
unfair< not2ithstandin, the! offered dou&e *rice for our &ands< in
thirt! da!s< or to se&& theirs at the sa'e rate< for this *&ain
reason< that the 2ho&e &ar,e count! of Jac0son 2ou&d e as thirt! to
one< or near&! so< in co'*arison 2ith the 'atter in >uestion< and in
su**osition< for one thousand do&&ars< t2o thousand do&&ars to our
*eo*&e 2as as0in, for three hundred thousand do&&ars< the e/oritant
su' of si/ hundred thousand do&&ars< ta0in, the &and< rich and *oor<
2ithin thirt! da!s< 2ith the re*roacha&e< $icious< un-A'erican< and
unconstitutiona& *ro$iso< that the co''ittee on our *art ind
the'se&$es -that no .or'ons shou&d e$er sett&e in Jac0son count!?-
and 2hereas< our co''ittee *ro*osed to the said Jac0son co''ittee Eif
the! 2ou&d not ,rant us our ri,hts other2iseF< that our *eo*&e 2ou&d
u! the &and of those 2ho 2ere un2i&&in, to &i$e a'on, our *eo*&e< in
that count!< and *a! the' in one !ear< the! a&&o2in, the da'a,e 2e
ha$e sustained in the &oss of a *rintin, office< a**aratus and
oo0-2or0< houses< *ro*ert!< etc#< to co'e out of the *urchase 'one!<
ut no ans2er returned? and 2hereas< to sho2 our honest intentions<
and a2a0en the friends of $irtue< hu'anit!< and e>ua& ri,hts< it
eco'es our dut! to &a! our case efore the 2or&d< to e 2ei,hed in
the a&ances of *u&ic o*inion#
No2< therefore< as citi4ens of the United States and &eadin, E&ders
in the Church of the Latter-da! Saints< residin, in the State of
.issouri< in eha&f of the Church< 2e< the undersi,ned< do 'a0e this
so&e'n a**ea& to the *eo*&e and constitutiona& authorities of this
nation< and to the ends of the earth< for *eace? that 2e 'a! ha$e the
*ri$i&e,e of en=o!in, our re&i,ious ri,hts and i''unities< and
2orshi* 5od accordin, to the dictates of our o2n consciences< as
,uaranteed to e$er! citi4en ! the constitution of the nationa& and
state ,o$ern'ents? that a&thou,h the &a2s ha$e een ro0en< and are
defied in Jac0son count! 2e 'a! e ena&ed to re,ain and en=o! out
ri,hts and *ro*ert!< a,reea&e to &a2< in this oasted &and of
&iert!#
Since the dis,racefu& co'ination of the inhaitants of Jac0son
count! has set the &a2 at defiance< and *ut a&& ho*e of cri'ina&
*rosecution a,ainst the'< in that $icina,e< e!ond the reach of =ud,e
or =ur!< and &eft us ut a distant e/*ectation of ci$i& re'uneration
for the ,reat a'ount of da'a,es 2e ha$e sustained< necessit! co'*e&s
us to co'*&ain to the 2or&d? and if our case and ca&a'it! are not
sufficient to e/cite the co''iseration of the hu'ane< and o*en the
hearts of the ,enerous< and fire the s*irits of the *atriotic< then
has s!'*ath! &ost herse&f in the 2i&derness< and =ustice f&ed fro'
*o2er? then has the di,nit! of the er'ine shrun0 at the ,i,antic
front of a 'o< and the sacred 'ant&e of freedo' een cau,ht u* to
hea$en< 2here the 2ear! are at rest and the 2ic0ed cannot co'e#
To e oedient to the co''and'ents of our Lord and Sa$ior< so'e of
the &eaders of the Church co''enced *urchasin, &ands in the 2estern
oundaries of the State of .issouri< accordin, to the re$e&ation of
5od< for the cit! of ;ion? in doin, 2hich< no &a2 2as e$aded no
ri,hts infrin,ed< and no *rinci*&e of re&i,ion ne,&ected? ut the
&auda&e foundation of a ,&orious 2or0 2as e,un< for the sa&$ation
of 'an0ind in the &ast da!s< a,reea&e to our faith< and accordin, to
the *ro'ises in the sacred Scri*tures of 5od# 3e $eri&!
e&ie$ed--0no2in, that the nationa& and state constitutions< and the
statute &a2s of the &and< and the co''and'ents of the Lord a&&o2ed
a&& 'en to 2orshi* as the! *&ease--that 2e shou&d e *rotected< not
on&! ! the &a2s of a free re*u&ic< ut ! e$er! re*u&ican
throu,hout the rea&'s of freedo'#
The ho&! *ro*hets ha$e dec&ared< that -it sha&& co'e to *ass in the
&ast da!s that the 'ountain of the Lord+s house sha&& e esta&ished
in the to* of the 'ountains< and sha&& e e/a&ted ao$e the hi&&s?
and a&& nations sha&& f&o2 unto it# And 'an! *eo*&e sha&& ,o and sa!<
Co'e !e< and &et us ,o u* to the 'ountain of the Lord< to the house
of the 5od of Jaco? and He 2i&& teach us of His 2a!s< and 2e 2i&&
2a&0 in His *aths( for out of ;ion sha&& ,o forth the &a2< and the
2ord of the Lord fro' Jerusa&e'#- And a,ain< it 2as said ! Joe&<
see'in,&! to stren,then the faith of the Latter-da! Saints in the
ao$e< -that 2hosoe$er sha&& ca&& on the na'e of the Lord sha&& e
de&i$ered( for in .ount ;ion and in Jerusa&e' sha&& e de&i$erance<
as the Lord hath said< and in the re'nant 2ho' the Lord sha&& ca&&#-
The "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich 2e ho&d e>ua&&! sacred 2ith the "i&e<
sa!s< -that a Ne2 Jerusa&e' shou&d e ui&t u* u*on this &and< unto
the re'nant of the seed of Jose*h< for the 2hich thin,s there has
een a t!*e#-
-In fact< a&& the *ro*hets< fro' .oses to John the Re$e&ator< ha$e
s*o0en concernin, these thin,s# And in a&& ,ood faith< ! direct
re$e&ation fro' the Lord< as in da!s of o&d< 2e co''enced the
,&orious 2or0< that a ho&! cit!< a ne2 Jerusa&e'< e$en ;ion< 'i,ht e
ui&t u*< and a te'*&e reared in this ,eneration< 2hereunto< as saith
the Lord< a&& nations sha&& e in$ited# First< the rich and the
&earned< the 2ine and the no&e< 2ere to e in$ited? and after that
co'eth the da! of His *o2er# "ut the inhaitants of Jac0son count!
arra!ed the'se&$es a,ainst us ecause of our faith and e&ief< and
destro!ed our *rintin, esta&ish'ent to *re$ent the s*read of the
2or0< and dro$e 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren fro' their &ands< houses< and
ho'es< to *erish in the a**roachin, 2inter# E$er! &ast carried the
2ai&in, of 2o'en and the shrie0s of chi&dren across the 2ides*read
*rairie< sufficient&! horri&e to dra2 tears fro' the sa$a,e or 'e&t
a heart of stone#
No2< that the 2or&d 'a! 0no2 that our faith in the 2or0 and 2ord of
the Lord is fir' and unsha0en? and to sho2 a&& nations< 0indreds<
ton,ues and *eo*&e< that our o=ect is ,ood< for the ,ood of a&&< 2e
co'e efore the ,reat fa'i&! of 'an0ind for *eace< and as0 their
hos*ita&it! and assistance for our co'fort< and the *reser$ation of
or *ersons and *ro*ert!< and so&icit their charit! for the ,reat
cause of 5od# 3e are 2e&& a2are that 'an! s&anderous re*orts and
ridicu&ous stories are in circu&ation a,ainst our re&i,ion and
societ!? ut as 2ise 'en 2i&& hear oth sides and then =ud,e< 2e
sincere&! ho*e and trust that the sti&&< s'a&& $oice of truth 2i&& e
heard< and our ,reat re$e&ations read and candid&! co'*ared 2ith the
*ro*hecies of the "i&e< that the ,reat cause of our Redee'er 'a! e
su**orted ! a &iera& share of *u&ic o*inion< as 2e&& as ! the
unseen *o2er of 5od#
It 2i&& e seen ! reference to the "oo0 of Co''and'ents< *a,e 79G<
that the Lord has said to the Church and 2e 'ean to &i$e ! His
2ords( -Let no 'an rea0 the &a2s of the &and< for he that 0ee*eth
the &a2s of 5od hath no need to rea0 the &a2s of the &and#-
Therefore< as the *eo*&e of 5od< 2e co'e efore the 2or&d< and c&ai'
*rotection ! &a2 of the co''on officers of =ustice in e$er!
nei,horhood 2here our *eo*&e 'a! e# 3e c&ai' the sa'e at the hands
of the ,o$ernors of the se$era& states< and of the )resident of the
United States< and of the friends of hu'anit! and =ustice in e$er!
c&i'e and countr! of the ,&oe#
"! the des*erate acts of the inhaitants of Jac0son count!< 'an!
hundreds of A'erican citi4ens are de*ri$ed of their &ands and ri,hts#
It is re*orted< 2e 'ean to re,ain our *ossessions< and e$en Jac0son
count!<-! the sheddin, of &ood?- ut if an! 'an 2i&& ta0e the *ains
to read the 7G9rd *a,e of the "oo0 of Co''and'ents he 2i&& find it
there said(
-3herefore the &and of ;ion sha&& not e otained ut ! *urchase or
! &ood? other2ise there is none inheritance for !ou# And if !
*urchase< eho&d !ou are &essed? and if ! &ood< as !ou are
foridden to shed &ood< &o< !our ene'ies are u*on !ou< and !ou sha&&
e scour,ed fro' cit! to cit!< and fro' s!na,o,ue to s!na,o,ue< and
ut fe2 sha&& stand to recei$e an inheritance#-
So 2e dec&are that 2e ha$e e$er 'eant and no2 'ean to *urchase the
&and of our inheritance of the ,o$ern'ent< &i0e a&& honest 'en< and
of those 2ho 2ou&d rather se&& their far's than &i$e in our societ!?
and< as thousand ha$e done efore us< 2e so&icit the aid of the
chi&dren of 'en< and of ,o$ern'ent< to he&* us to otain our ri,hts
in Jac0son count!< and the &and 2hereon the ;ion of 5od< accordin, to
our faith< sha&& stand in the &ast da!s< for the sa&$ation and
,atherin, of Israe&#
Let no 'an e a&ar'ed ecause our societ! has co''enced ,atherin, to
ui&d a cit! and a house for the Lord< as a refu,e fro' *resent e$i&s
and co'in, ca&a'ities# Our forefathers ca'e to this ,ood&! &and of
A'erica to shun *ersecution and en=o! their re&i,ious o*inions and
ri,hts< as the! thou,ht *ro*er? and the Lord< after 'uch triu&ation<
&essed the'( and has said that 2e shou&d continue to i'*ortune for
redress and rede'*tion ! the hands of those 2ho are *&aced as ru&ers
and are in authorit! o$er us< accordin, to the &a2s and constitution
of the *eo*&e< 2hich he has suffered to e esta&ished< and shou&d e
'aintained for the ri,hts and *rotection of a&& f&esh< accordin, to
=ust and ho&! *rinci*&es? that e$er! 'an 'a! act in doctrine and in
*rinci*&e *ertainin, to futurit! accordin, to the 'ora& a,enc! 2hich
He has ,i$en unto hi'? that e$er! 'an 'a! e accounta&e for his o2n
sins in that da! of =ud,'ent? and for this *ur*ose He has esta&ished
the constitution of this &and ! the hands of 2ise 'en< 2ho' He
raised u* unto this $er! *ur*ose< and redee'ed the &and ! the
sheddin, of &ood#
No2 2e see0 *eace< and as0 our ri,hts< e$en redress and rede'*tion<
at the hands of the ru&ers of this nation? not on&! our &ands and
*ro*ert! in Jac0son count!< ut for free trade 2ith a&& 'en< and
un'o&ested e'i,ration to an! *art of the Union< and for our inherent
ri,ht to 2orshi* 5od as 2e *&ease# 3e as0 the restoration of these
ri,hts< ecause the! ha$e een ta0en fro' us or arid,ed ! the
$io&ence and usur*ation of the inhaitants of Jac0son count!# As a
*eo*&e 2e ho&d ourse&$es a'ena&e to the &a2s of the &and? and 2hi&e
the ,o$ern'ent re'ains as it is< the ri,ht to e'i,rate fro' state to
state<- fro' territor! to territor!< fro' count! to count!< and fro'
$icinit! to $icinit!< is o*en to a&& 'en of 2hate$er trade or creed<
2ithout hindrance or 'o&estation? and as &on, as 2e are =ustifia&e
and honest in the e!es of the &a2< 2e c&ai' it--2hether 2e re'o$e !
sin,&e fa'i&ies or in odies of hundreds--2ith that of carr!in, the
necessar! ar's and accoutre'ents for 'i&itar! dut!? and 2e e&ie$e
that a&& honest 'en< 2ho &o$e their countr! and their countr!+s
,&or!< and ha$e a 2ish to see the &a2 'a,nified and 'ade honora&e<
2i&& not on&! he&* to *er*etuate the ,reat &e,ac! of freedo' that
ca'e uni'*aired fro' the hands of our $enera&e fathers to us< ut
the! 2i&& a&so *rotect us fro' insu&t and in=ur!< and aid the 2or0 of
5od< that the! 'a! rea* a re2ard in the re,ions of &iss< 2hen a&&
'en recei$e accordin, to their 2or0s#
In re&ation to our distress fro' the 2ant of our &ands in Jac0son
count!< and for the 2ant of *ro*ert! destro!ed ! fire and 2aste<
rather than do an! act contrar! to &a2< 2e so&e'n&! a**ea& to the
*eo*&e 2ith 2ho' 2e tarr!< for *rotection fro' insu&t and har'< and
for the co'forts of &ife< ! &aor or other2ise< 2hi&e 2e see0 *eace
and satisfaction of our ene'ies throu,h e$er! *ossi&e and honora&e
'eans 2hich hu'anit! can dictate< or *hi&anthro*! ur,e< or re&i,ion
re>uire# 3e are citi4ens of this re*u&ic< and 2e as0 our ri,hts as
re*u&icans< not 'ere&! in our restoration to our &ands and *ro*ert!
in Jac0son count!< .issouri< ut in ein, considered honest in our
faith? honest in our dea&< and honest efore 5od< ti&&< ! due course
of &a2< 2e 'a! e *ro$ed other2ise? reser$in, the ri,ht of e$er!
'an+s ein, he&d a'ena&e to the *ro*er authorit! for his o2n cri'es
and sins#
-Cro2ns 2on ! &ood< ! &ood 'ust e 'aintained?- and to a$oid
&ood and strife< and 'ore fu&&! satisf! the 2or&d that our o=ect is
*eace and ,ood 2i&& to a&& 'an0ind< 2e here! A))EAL for *eace to the
ends of the earth and as0 the *rotection of a&& *eo*&e# 3e sha&& use
e$er! fair 'eans in our *o2er to otain our ri,hts and i''unities
2ithout force? settin, an e/a'*&e for a&& true e&ie$ers that 2e 2i&&
not !ie&d our faith and *rinci*&es for an! earth&! consideration<
2here! a *recedent 'i,ht e esta&ished that a 'a=orit! 'a! crush
an! re&i,ious sect 2ith i'*unit!# If 2e ,i$e u* our ri,hts in Jac0son
count!< fare2e&& to societ!K fare2e&& to re&i,ionK fare2e&& to our
ri,htsK fare2e&& to *ro*ert!K fare2e&& to &ifeK The fate of our
Church no2 'i,ht eco'e the fate of the .ethodists ne/t 2ee0< the
Catho&ics ne/t 'onth< and the o$erthro2 of a&& societies ne/t !ear<
&ea$in, nation after nation a 2ide 2aste< 2here reason and friendshi*
once 2ere#
Another< and the ,reat o=ect 2hich 2e 'ean to he&* to acco'*&ish< is
the sa&$ation of the sou&s of 'en# To rin, to *ass this ,&orious
2or0< &i0e 'an! other re&i,ious deno'inations in a&& a,es# 3e sha&&
&icense E&ders to *reach the e$er&astin, 5os*e& to a&& nations<
accordin, to the ,reat co''and'ent of our Lord and Sa$ior Jesus
Christ< as recorded in .atthe2( -5o !e therefore< and teach a&&
nations<- a*ti4in, the' in the na'e of the Father< and of the Son<
and of the Ho&! 5host( teachin, the' to oser$e a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er
I ha$e co''anded !ou( and< &o< I a' 2ith !ou a&2a!< e$en unto the end
of the 2or&d#-
Thus 2e sha&& send &aorers into the Lord+s $ine!ard< to ,ather the
2heat< and *re*are the earth a,ainst the da! 2hen deso&ations sha&&
e *oured out 2ithout 'easure? and as it no2 is and e$er has een
considered one of the 'ost honora&e and ,&orious e'*&o!'ents of 'en
to carr! ,ood tidin,s to the nations< so 2e sha&& e/*ect the c&e'enc!
of a&& 'en< 2hi&e 2e ,o forth< for the &ast ti'e< to ,ather Israe&
for the ,&or! of 5od< that He 'a! sudden&! co'e to His te'*&e( that
a&& nations 'a! co'e and 2orshi* in His *resence< 2hen there sha&& e
none to 'o&est or 'a0e afraid< ut the earth sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith His
0no2&ed,e and ,&or!#
3e &i$e in an a,e of fearfu& i'a,ination? 2ith a&& the sincerit! that
co''on 'en are endo2ed 2ith< the Saints ha$e &aored 2ithout *a!< to
instruct the United States that the ,atherin, had co''enced in the
2estern oundaries of .issouri< to ui&d a ho&! cit!< 2here< as 'a!
e seen in the ei,hteenth cha*ter of Isaiah< the *resent shou&d -e
rou,ht unto the Lord of Hosts of a *eo*&e scattered and *ee&ed< and
fro' a *eo*&e terri&e fro' their e,innin, hitherto? a nation 'eted
out and trodden under foot< 2hose &and the ri$ers ha$e s*oi&ed< to
the *&ace of the na'e of the Lord of Hosts< the .ount ;ion(- and ho2
fe2 ha$e co'e forth re=oicin, that the hour of rede'*tion 2as ni,hK
And so'e that ca'e ha$e turned a2a!< 2hich 'a! cause thousands to
e/c&ai'< a'id the ,enera& confusion and fri,ht of the ti'es<
-Re'e'er Lot+s 2ife#-
It 2ou&d e a 2or0 of su*erero,ation to &aor to sho2 the truth of
the ,atherin, of the chi&dren of Israe& in these &ast da!s? for the
*ro*het to&d us &on, a,o< that it shou&d -no 'ore e said< The Lord
&i$eth< that rou,ht the chi&dren of Israe& out of the &and of E,!*t<
ut< The Lord &i$eth< that rou,ht u* the chi&dren of Israe& fro' the
&and of the north< and fro' a&& the &ands 2hither He had dri$en
the'<- and so it 'ust e for the honor and ,&or! of 5od#
The faith and re&i,ion of the Latter-da! Saints are founded u*on the
o&d Scri*tures< the "oo0 of .or'on< and direct re$e&ation fro' 5od?
and 2hi&e e$er! e$ent that ha**ens around us is e$idence of the truth
of the'< and an indicator that the ,reat and terri&e da! of the Lord
is near< 2e entreat the *hi&anthro*ist< the 'ora&ist< and the
honora&e 'en of a&& creeds and sects< to read our *u&ications< to
e/a'ine the "i&e< the "oo0 of .or'on< and the Co''and'ents< and
&isten to the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&< and =ud,e 2hether 2e are
entit&ed to the credit of the 2or&d for honest 'oti$es and *ure
*rinci*&es#
A c&oud of ad o'en see's to han, o$er this ,eneration? 'en start u*
at the i'*u&se of the 'o'ent< and def! and outstri* a&& &a2< 2hi&e
the destro!er is a&so aroad in the earth< 2astin, f&esh 2ithout
'easure< and none can sta! his course# In the 'idst of such
*ortentous ti'es< 2e fee& an an/ious desire to *re*are< and he&*
others to *re*are< for co'in, e$ents? and 2e candid&! e&ie$e that no
honest 'an 2i&& *ut forth his hand to sto* the 2or0 of the Lord or
*ersecute the Saints# In the na'e of Jesus Christ< 2e intreat the
*eo*&e of this nation to *ause efore the! re=ect the 2or0s of the
Lord or His ser$ants? these< &i0e a&& f&esh< 'a! e i'*erfect< ut
5od is *ure? hear !e Hi'#
3hi&e 2e as0 *eace and *rotection for the Saints< 2here$er the! 'a!
e< 2e a&so so&icit the charit! and ene$o&ence of a&& the 2orth! of
the earth< to *urchase the ri,hteous a ho&! ho'e< a *&ace of rest<
and a &and of *eace? e&ie$in, that no 'an 2ho 0no2s he has a sou&
2i&& 0ee* ac0 his 'ite< ut cast it in for the enefit of ;ion?
thus< 2hen ti'e is no &on,er< he< 2ith a&& the ranso'ed of the Lord<
'a! stand in the fu&&ness of =o!< and $ie2 the ,rand *i&&ar of
hea$en< 2hich 2as ui&t ! the faith and charit! of the Saints<
e,innin, at Ada'< 2ith his 'otto in the ase< -Re*ent and &i$e<-
surrounded 2ith a eautifu& circ&e si,n< su**orted ! a cross aout
'id2a! u* its &oft! co&u'n< starin, the 2or&d in &etters of &ood<
-The 1in,do' of Hea$en is at hand?- and finished 2ith a *&ain to*
to2erin, u* in the 'idst of the ce&estia& 2or&d around 2hich is
2ritten ! the fin,er of Jeho$ah< -Eterna& Life is the ,reatest ,ift
of 5od#-
A&thou,h 2e 'a! fai& to sho2 a&& 'en the truth of the fu&&ness of the
5os*e&< !et 2e ho*e to e a&e to con$ince so'e that 2e are neither
de&uded nor fanatics? ut< &i0e other 'en< ha$e a c&ai' on the 2or&d
for &and and for a &i$in,< as ,ood and as ,reat as our $enera&e
fathers had for inde*endence and &iert!? that thou,h the 2or&d has
een 'ade to e&ie$e< ! fa&se re*orts and $a,ue stories< that the
Saints--ca&&ed -.or'ons---2ere 'eaner than the sa$a,es< sti&& 5od has
een our he&* in ti'e of trou&e< and has *ro$ided for us in due
season< and< to use the &an,ua,e of )o*e< He has &et the 2or0 -s*read
undi$ided- and -o*erate uns*ent#-
For the honor of our e&o$ed countr!< and the continuation of its
free ,o$ern'ent< 2e a**ea& for *eace< for an e/a'*&e of forearance
and the diffusion of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&? 2e a**ea& to the
hu'anit! of a&& nations< and for the ,&or! of 5od< efore 2ho' 2e
'ust a&& ans2er for the deeds done in &ife< and for the ho*e of
ho&iness hereafter< 2e can to re'ain faithfu& to the end< continuin,
to *ra! to the Lord to s*are us and the *eo*&e fro' 2hate$er is e$i&
and not ca&cu&ated to hu'&e us< and *re*are us for His *resence and
,&or!? at the sa'e ti'e eseechin, Hi'< in the na'e of Jesus< to
e/tend His &essin,s to 2ho' He 2i&&< and His 'erc! to a&&? ti&& !
ri,hteousness< the 0in,do's of this 2or&d eco'e fair as the sun and
c&ear as the 'oon#
ESi,nedF
3# 3# )HEL)S<
DA%ID 3HIT.ER<
JOHN 3HIT.ER<
ED3ARD )ARTRID5E<
JOHN CORRILL<
ISAAC .ORLEY<
)ARLEY )# )RATT<
LY.AN 3I5HT<
NE3EL 1NI5HT<
THO.AS "# .ARSH<
SI.EON CARTER<
CAL%IN "EE"E#
.issouri< United States< Ju&!< 789@#
CHA)TER I6#
RETURN OF THE )RO)HET TO 1IRTLAND--SUNDRY E%ENTS IN .ISSOURI#
ON the 8th of Ju&! I 2ent to the eastern *art of C&a! count!< and
he&d a 'eetin, in the e$enin, at the house of Tho'as "# .arsh# Those
*resent 2ere chief&! Hi,h )riests and E&ders# On the Nth I started for
1irt&and< in co'*an! 2ith '! rother H!ru'< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 3i&&ia'
E# .+Le&&in and others< in a 2a,on#
Ju&! 7D#--E&der Corri&& 2rote as fo&&o2s(
Sa'ue& C# O2ens< Es>#(
SIR--The &ast ti'e I sa2 !ou in Liert! !ou said that an ans2er to
our *ro*osa&s< !ou thou,ht< 2ou&d e for2arded soon? ut it has not
een done# 3e are an/ious&! 2aitin, to ha$e a co'*ro'ise effected< if
*ossi&e# Res*ectin, our 2heat in Jac0son count!< can it e secured
so that 2e can recei$e the a$ai&s of it or not< seein, that 2e are at
*resent *rohiited the *ri$i&e,e Iof har$estin, itJB
JOHN
CORRILL#
)# S#--)&ease hand the fo&&o2in, to Co&one& )itcher# J# C#
LI"ERTY< Ju&! 7D< 789@#
Co&one& Tho'as )itcher(
SIR--The fo&&o2in, is a true co*! of an order fro' the ,o$ernor for
our ar's# Ha$e the ,oodness to return an ans2er as soon as *ossi&e<
that 2e 'a! 0no2 2hether 2e can ha$e the ar's u*on said order or not?
a&so< 2hen# Send 2ord 2hen 2e can recei$e the'< and 2e 2i&& a**oint
an a,ent to recei$e and recei*t the sa'e# "e assured 2e do not 2ish
to otain the' fro' an! hosti&e intentions< ut 'ere&! ecause the
ri,ht of *ro*ert! is ours# If I re'e'er ri,ht< there is one ,un and
a s2ord 'ore than the order ca&&s for# JOHN CORRILL#
IHere fo&&o2ed a co*! of the 5o$ernor+s order of .a! H< to Co&one&
Lucas#J
On the 7Hth the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion asse'&ed in C&a! count!< and
a**ointed Ed2ard )artrid,e< Orson )ratt< Isaac .or&e! and ;eedee Co&trin
to $isit the scattered and aff&icted rethren in that re,ion< and teach
the' the 2a!s of truth and ho&iness< and set the' in order accordin, as
the Lord sha&& direct? ut it 2as decided that it 2as not 2isdo' for the
E&ders ,enera&&! to ho&d *u&ic 'eetin,s in that re,ion#
It 2as a&so decided that A'asa L!'an assist L!'an 3i,ht in his
'ission of ,atherin, the stren,th of the Lord+s house< to 2hich &aor I
had a**ointed hi'#
Ju&! 97#--The Hi,h Counci& of ;ion asse'&ed< and heard the re*ort of
Ed2ard )artrid,e< Orson )ratt< ;eedee Co&trin< and Isaac .or&e!<
concernin, the 'ission a**ointed the' at the *re$ious counci&#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er ,a$e the counci& so'e ,ood instructions< to
the effect that it 2as their dut! to transact a&& usiness in order< and
2hen an! case is rou,ht for2ard for in$esti,ation< e$er! 'e'er shou&d e
attenti$e and *atient to 2hat is *assin, in a&& cases< and a$oid confusion
and contention< 2hich are offensi$e in the si,ht of the Lord# He a&so
addressed the E&ders< and said it 2as not *&easin, in the si,ht of the
Lord for an! 'an to ,o forth and *reach the 5os*e& of *eace< un&ess he is
>ua&ified to set forth its *rinci*&es in *&ainness to those 2ho' he
endea$ors to instruct? and a&so he shou&d e infor'ed as to the ru&es and
re,u&ations of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints? for =ust as a 'an is<
and as he teaches and acts< so 2i&& his fo&&o2ers e< &et the' e e$er so
fu&& of notions and 2hi's# He a&so addressed the con,re,ation< and to&d
the' it 2as not 2isdo' for the rethren to $ote at the a**roachin,
e&ection? and the counci& ac>uiesced in the instructions of the *resident#
3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s *ro*osed to the counci& to a**oint a certain nu'er
of E&ders to ho&d *u&ic 'eetin,s in that section of countr! IC&a!
count!J< as often as shou&d e dee'ed necessar!< to teach the disci*&es
ho2 to esca*e the indi,nation of their ene'ies< and 0ee* in fa$or 2ith
those 2ho 2ere friend&! dis*osed# Si'eon Carter< John Corri&&< )ar&e! )#
)ratt and Orson )ratt 2ere a**ointed ! the unani'ous $oice of the counci&
and con,re,ation to fi&& the 'ission#
E&der Nathan 3est *referred char,es a,ainst Sa'ue& "ro2n< Hi,h
)riest< for teachin, contrar! to counse&< na'e&!< encoura,in, the rethren
in *racticin, ,ifts Es*ea0in, in ton,ues<F in ordainin, S!&$ester Hu&et a
Hi,h )riest E2ithout counse&F in a c&andestine 'anner? assertin, that he
had otained a 2itness of the Lord< 2hich 2as a co''and to *erfor' the
sa'e on recei$in, the ,ift of ton,ues< 2hich ,ift he had ne$er efore
recei$ed< ut after2ards said that he had een in *ossession of that ,ift
for the s*ace of a !ear? and in under$a&uin, the authorit! and
ri,hteousness of the Hi,h Counci& ! char,in, E&der 3est not to sa!
an!thin, that 2ou&d tend to *re=udice their 'inds< &est the! 'i,ht not
=ud,e ri,hteous&!#
The char,es 2ere sustained ! the testi'on! of Leonard Rich< Char&es
En,&ish< "rother "ruce< Ed2ard )artrid,e< Hira' )a,e< Ro/a S&ade< Ca&e
"a&d2in< and S!&$ester Hu&et# )resident Da$id 3hit'er ,a$e the fo&&o2in,
decision< 2hich 2as sanctioned ! the counci&(
-Accordin, to testi'on! and the $oice of the Ho&! S*irit< 2hich is in
us< 2e sa! unto !ou< that 5od< in His infinite 'erc!< doth !et ,rant !ou a
s*ace for re*entance? therefore< if !ou confess a&& the char,es 2hich ha$e
een a&&e,ed a,ainst !ou to e =ust< and in a s*irit that 2e can recei$e
it< then !ou ISa'ue& "ro2nJ can stand as a *ri$ate 'e'er in this Church<
other2ise 2e ha$e no fe&&o2shi* for !ou? and a&so< that the ordination or
S!&$ester Hu&et< ! Sa'ue& "ro2n< is i&&e,a& and not ac0no2&ed,ed ! us to
e of 5od< and therefore it is $oid#
"rother "ro2n confessed the char,es< and ,a$e u* his &icense< ut
retained his 'e'ershi*#
Counci& ad=ourned on the e$enin, of the first of Au,ust? ut *re$ious
to ad=ournin,< the Counci& ,a$e the fo&&o2in, &etter to the E&ders
a**ointed to $isit the churches in C&a! count!(
To the Latter-da! Saints 2ho ha$e een dri$en fro' the &and of their
inheritance< and a&so those 2ho are ,atherin, in the re,ions round
aout< in the -2estern oundaries of .issouri# The Hi,h Counci&
esta&ished accordin, to the *attern ,i$en ! our &essed Sa$ior
Jesus Christ< send ,reetin,(
DEAR "RETHREN--3e ha$e a**ointed our e&o$ed rother and co'*anion in
triu&ation< John Corri&&< to 'eet !ou in the na'e of the Lord Jesus#
He< in connection 2ith others a&so du&! a**ointed< 2i&& $isit !ou
a&ternate&! for the *ur*ose of instructin, !ou in the necessar!
>ua&ifications of the Latter-da! Saints? that the! 'a! e *erfected<
that the officers and 'e'ers of the od! of Christ 'a! eco'e $er!
*ra!erfu& and $er! faithfu&< strict&! 0ee*in, a&& the co''and'ent(<
and 2a&0in, in ho&iness efore the Lord continua&&!? that a&& that
'ean to ha$e the destro!er *ass o$er the'< as the chi&dren of Israe&<
and not s&a! the'< 'a! &i$e accordin, to the -2ord of 2isdo'?- that
the Saints< ! industr!< di&i,ence< faithfu&ness< and the *ra!er of
faith< 'a! eco'e *urified< and enter u*on their inheritance< to
ui&d u* ;ion< accordin, to the 2ord of the Lord#
3e are sure if the Saints are $er! hu'&e< $er! 2atchfu&< and $er!
*ra!erfu&< that fe2 2i&& e decei$ed ! those 2ho ha$e not authorit!
to teach< or 2ho ha$e not the s*irit to teach accordin, to the *o2er
of the Ho&! 5host< and the scri*tures# Lest an! 'an+s &ood e
re>uired at !our hands< 2e eseech !ou< as !ou $a&ue the sa&$ation of
sou&s< 2ho are 2ithin< to set an e/a'*&e 2orth! to e fo&&o2ed !
those 2ho are 2ithout the 0in,do' of our 5od and His Christ< that
*eace ! ,race< and &essin,s ! ri,hteousness< 'a! attend !ou< unti&
!ou are sanctified and redee'ed# Dated< C&a! count!< Au,ust 7< 789@#
Aout this ti'e I arri$ed in 1irt&and< after a tedious =ourne! fro'
the 'idst of ene'ies? 'os< cho&era< and e/cessi$e&! hot 2eather< ha$in,
*arted fro' those 2ho' I started 2ith on the Nth u&ti'o< at different
*oints of the =ourne!#
Au,ust @#--1irt&and# A counci& of E&ders ordained Tho'as Co&urn<
E&der? and reso&$ed to send E&der ;eruae& Sno2 to Canada< to &aor in
the 'inistr!#
Au,ust :#--The Hi,h Counci& of ;ion asse'&ed in C&a! count!< and
reso&$ed that Leonard Rich act in the *&ace of )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2ho 2as
asent< and A'asa L!'an in *&ace of 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< asent#
The fo&&o2in, char,e 2as then *referred(
This 'a! certif!< that 2hereas< the rethren and sisters co'*risin,
that *art of the Church 0no2n ! the na'e of the Hu&et "ranch< ha$e
i'ied certain *rinci*&es concernin, the ,ifts that are not thou,ht
to e correct ! the re'ainder of the Church? 2hich *rinci*&es see'
to ha$e a tendenc! to cause disunion in the Church#
I< therefore< as a 2e&& 2isher in the cause of Christ< and for the
*eace< and &o$e< and u*ho&din, of the ,reat cause of 5od< do here!
*ra! that the Hi,h Counci& 2i&& ta0e into consideration the ao$e
re*ort< that 2e a&& 'a! co'e to understandin, and ,ro2 unti& 2e a&&
co'e unto the *erfect stature of 'en and 2o'en in Christ Jesus#
ESi,nedF NATHAN 3EST#
Char&es En,&ish testified that the Hu&et "ranch e&ie$ed that the!
recei$ed the 2ord of the Lord ! the ,ift of ton,ues< and 2ou&d not
*roceed to their te'*ora& usiness 2ithout recei$in, the 2ord of the Lord#
S!&$ester Hu&et 2ou&d s*ea0< and
Sa&&! Cranda&& inter*ret# Said the! 2ou&d not recei$e the teachin,s
of ordained 'e'ers< e$en "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< hi'se&f< un&ess it
a,reed 2ith their ,ifts#
Said the! recei$ed the 2ord of the Lord 2hi&e the! 2ere in Jac0son
count!< that the! 2ere to e *ersecuted ! their rethren in C&a! count!<
and no2 it had co'e# A&so said that the heads of the Church 2ou&d ha$e to
co'e do2n and recei$e the ,ifts as the! did# Said that the!< the Hu&et
"ranch< had co'e u* to their *ri$i&e,es 'ore than the rest of the Church#
The! thou,ht the! 2ere ri,ht? ut if the! cou&d e con$inced that the!
2ere 2ron,< the! 2ou&d retract# Sister Cranda&& *rofessed to 0no2 and see
'en+s hearts#
)hi&o Di&e concurred in the fore,oin, testi'on!< and a&so testified
that Sister Cranda&& sa2 the hearts of 1in, Fo&&ett and Hira' )a,e< and
the! 2ere not ri,ht#
Hira' )a,e testified that L!'an Leonard said< if it 2as necessar! to
&a! aside the ,ifts for a season< the! 2ou&d recei$e a 0no2&ed,e of it
throu,h the ,ifts#
Nathan 3est concurred in the fore,oin, testi'on!< a&so testified that
Sa&&! Cranda&& sa2 his heart< that it 2as fu&& of e!es? a&so e!es in
others+ hearts< so'e fe2< so'e 'an! e!es#
Danie& Stanton testified that Sa&&! Cranda&& said she Sa2 his heart
and sa2 t2o oo0s in it< and that there 2as a Ne*hite standin, ehind hi'
to *ush hi' into his dut!? a&so that S!&$ester Hu&et s*o0e in ton,ues in
'eetin,< and Sa&&! Cranda&& inter*reted thus( %eri&!< $eri&!< thus saith
the Lord unto !ou< &itt&e and< !e 'ust e2are< for there are 'an! 2ho are
see0in, to *r! into !our *ri$i&e,es#
Asa&o' Crichfie&d testified that 2hen he 2as in Jac0son count! &ast
s*rin,< the Hu&et "ranch said< in ton,ues< that the! 2ou&d e safe< durin,
the ni,ht< fro' an! interru*tion ! the 'o? ut< efore 'ornin,< L!'an
Leonard and Josiah Su'ner 2ere 2hi**ed? the! a&so said that the! sa2 '!
heart< and three !oun, 2o'en in it#
"rother "atson and A&*heus 5ifford concurred in 'uch of the fore,oin,
testi'on!< and a&so other si'i&ar circu'stances in addition#
After an ad=ourn'ent of three->uarters of an hour< the *resident
instructed the s*ea0ers not to see0 to e/ce&< ut s*ea0 accordin, to truth
and e>uit!? and that the! ou,ht to chase dar0ness fro' their 'inds< and e
e/ercised on the su=ect u*on 2hich the! 2ere to s*ea0< in order that the!
'i,ht touch u*on *oints of doctrine< rin, hidden thin,s to &i,ht< and
'a0e dar0 thin,s< c&ear< etc#
After counci&ors had s*o0en< the *resident said( -As for the ,ift of
ton,ues in the 'anner it 2as used in the Hu&et "ranch< the de$i& decei$ed
the'< and the! otained not the 2ord of the Lord< as the! su**osed< ut
2ere decei$ed? and as for the ,ift of -seein,<- as he&d ! the Hu&et
"ranch< it is of the de$i&< saith the Lord 5od#-
The counci& 2ere unani'ous in sanctionin, the decision< and a**ointed
A'asa L!'an and Si'eon Carter to ,o and &aor 2ith "rother Hu&et and
Sister Cranda&&< and others of &i0e faith< and set the truth in order
efore the'#
I ha$e een thus *articu&ar in ,i$in, the histor! of this counci&< as
the ,ift of ton,ues is so often 'ade use of ! Satan to decei$e the
Saints#
The counci& ad=ourned to the Mth< 2hen aout t2ent! E&ders 2ere sent
forth to *reach the 5os*e& to the 2or&d< ut not in Jac0son or C&a!
counties or their $icinit!#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er testified to the counci& that 3i&&ia' "atson
2as not ca*a&e of fi&&in, his office of E&der< ecause he had not
discretion and understandin, sufficient to act 2ise&! in that ca*acit!<
2hereu*on the counci& $oted unani'ous&!< that his office and &icense e
ta0en fro' hi'? to 2hich he consented< and ,a$e u* his &icense#
E&ias and Isaac Hi,ee< and Jesse Hitchcoc0< 2ere ordained to the
Hi,h )riesthood< and counci& ad=ourned to the H7st of Au,ust#
CHA)TER 6#
CHAR5ES A5AINST THE )RO)HET ON HIS RETURN FRO. ;ION+S CA.)
E6)EDITION--TRIAL OF ELDER SYL%ESTER S.ITH#
.inutes of a Counci& he&d at 1irt&and< Au,ust 77< 789@#
This da! a nu'er of Hi,h )riests and E&ders of the Church of the
Latter-da! Saints< asse'&ed in the ne2 schoo& house< for the *ur*ose
of in$esti,atin, a 'atter of difficu&t! ,ro2in, out of certain
re*orts< or state'ents< 'ade ! E&der S!&$ester S'ith< one of the
Hi,h Counci&ors of this Church< accusin, )resident Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< 2ith cri'ina& conduct durin, his =ourne! to and fro' .issouri
this s*rin, and su''er#
After ca&&in, the 'eetin, to order< )resident Jose*h S'ith s*o0e at
considera&e &en,th u*on the circu'stances of their =ourne! to and
fro' .issouri< and $er! 'inute&! &aid o*en the causes out of 2hich
the =ea&ousies of "rother S!&$ester S'ith and others had ,ro2n# He
'ade a satisfactor! state'ent concernin, his reu0es and
chastise'ents u*on S!&$ester S'ith and others< and a&so concernin,
the distriution of 'onies and other *ro*erties< ca&&in, on rethren
*resent 2ho acco'*anied hi'< to attest the sa'e< a&& of 2hich 2as
satisfactor! to the rethren *resent< as a**eared ! their o2n
re'ar0s after2ards#
After )resident Jose*h S'ith had c&osed his &en,th! re'ar0s< "rother
S!&$ester S'ith 'ade so'e oser$ations re&ati$e to the su=ect of
their difficu&ties< and e,an to 'a0e a *artia& confession for his
*re$ious conduct< as0in, for,i$eness for accusin, "rother Jose*h
*u&ic&!< on the Saturda! *re$ious< of *ro*hes!in, &ies in the na'e
of the Lord? and for ausin, Eas he had saidF his ES!&$ester+sF
character efore the rethren< 2hi&e =ourne!in, to the 2est#
E&der Ri,don 'ade so'e re'ar0s< ! 2a! of re*roof< u*on the conduct
of S!&$ester S'ith#
E&der John )# 5reene s*o0e( others a&so< fo&&o2ed ! the c&er0
IO&i$er Co2der!J( after 2hich< on 'otion of E&der Ri,don< the
asse'&! arran,ed itse&f into a counci&< "isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!
*residin,< and *roceeded to discuss ho2 this difficu&t! shou&d e
dis*osed of#
E&der John S'ith thou,ht that for "rother S!&$ester to 'a0e a *u&ic
confession in the Star< 2ou&d e the 2a! to hea& the 2ound#
E&der Cahoon fo&&o2ed 2ith near&! the sa'e re'ar0s#
E&der Isaac Hi&& thou,ht it ou,ht to e >uashed and ,o no further(
fo&&o2ed 2ith the sa'e fro' E&der I# "isho*#
Sa'ue& H# S'ith said that it 2as his o*inion that "rother S!&$ester
ou,ht to 'a0e a 'ore *u&ic confession< and send ! &etter< to those
2ho are in the sa'e trans,ression 2ith hi'se&f< and infor' the' of
this decision? and then< if necessar!< 'a0e it *u&ic in the Star
E&der Orson H!de thou,ht the confession ou,ht to e as &iera& as the
accusation< or that it ou,ht to e 2ritten and *u&ished#
E&der John )# 5reene said< that if "rother S!&$ester 2ou&d $ie2 this
thin, in its *ro*er &i,ht< he 2ou&d e 2i&&in, to 'a0e a *u&ic
confession< and send it forth? and he ad$ised hi' to do this for the
sa&$ation of the churches aroad#
E&der Isaac Stor! said< that it 2as his o*inion< that the *&aster
ou,ht to e as &ar,e as the 2ound? that a *ro*er state'ent ou,ht to
e *u&ished aroad#
The c&er0 IO&i$er Co2der!J then *ro*osed that the counci& send a
certificate of reso&ution< infor'in, the churches aroad< that the
conduct of )resident Jose*h S'ith has een in$esti,ated< and that he
has acted in a *ro*er 'anner< and in e$er! res*ect has conducted
hi'se&f to the satisfaction of the Church in 1irt&and? and a&so &et
"rother S!&$ester 'a0e a *ro*er confession< fo&&o2in, the sa'e
'inutes#
E&ders A'asa L!'an< )eter Shirts< Tru'an 3ait< Ros2e&& E$ans# A&*heus
Cut&er< and Tho'as "urdic0< 'ade re'ar0s to the sa'e effect#
E&der Sidne! Ri,don 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s u*on the attitude in 2hich
S!&$ester stood efore the 2or&d< in endea$orin, to *reach the
5os*e&#
E&der Orson H!de 'o$ed for a decision re&ati$e to the first >uestion<
$i4#< 3hat is to e done to arrest the e$i&#
The 'oderator I"isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!J then *roceeded< after a fe2
re'ar0s< to ,i$e a decision accordin, to a 'otion *re$ious&! 'ade<
$i4#< that an artic&e e *u&ished in the E$enin, and .ornin, Star<
! the direction of the Counci&< that the Church in 1irt&and has
in$esti,ated the conduct of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2hi&e
=ourne!in, to the 2est< and returnin,? and that 2e find that he has
acted in e$er! res*ect in an honora&e and *ro*er 'anner 2ith a&&
'onies and other *ro*erties entrusted to his char,e? after 2hich a
$ote 2as ta0en and carried to the ao$e effect#
A 'otion 2as then 'ade ! Orson H!de< and seconded ! Sidne! Ri,don<
that a co''ittee of three e a**ointed to 2rite the artic&e for the
Star< a,reea&e to the decision#
O&i$er Co2der!< Tho'as "urdic0 and Orson H!de< 2ere no'inated and
a**ointed a co''ittee ! unani'ous $ote#
"rother S!&$ester then said that he 2as 2i&&in, to *u&ish a
confession in the Star#
OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
I 2rote to L!'an 3i,ht< Ed2ard )artrid,e< John Corri&&< Isaac .or&e!<
and others of the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< fro' 1irt&and< Au,ust 7:< 789@< as
fo&&o2s(
DEAR "RETHREN--After so &on, a ti'e< I dictate a fe2 &ines to !ou< to
&et !ou 0no2 that I a' in 1irt&and< and that I found a&& 2e&& 2hen I
arri$ed< as *ertainin, to hea&th? ut our co''on ad$ersar! had ta0en
the ad$anta,e of our "rother S!&$ester S'ith< and others< 2ho ,a$e a
fa&se co&orin, to a&'ost e$er! transaction< fro' the ti'e 2e &eft
1irt&and< unti& 2e returned< and there! stirred u* a ,reat
difficu&t! in the Church a,ainst 'e# Accordin,&! I 2as 'et in the
face and e!es< as soon as I had ,ot ho'e< 2ith a cata&o,ue of char,es
as &ac0 as the author of &ies hi'se&f< and the cr! 2as
T!rant--)o*e--1in,--Usur*er--Auser of 'en--An,e&--Fa&se
)ro*het--)ro*hes!in, &ies in the na'e of the Lord--Ta0in, consecrated
'onies--and e$er! other &ie to fi&& u* and co'*&ete the cata&o,ue#
Such e/*eriences 'a! e necessar! to *erfect the Church< and render
our traducers 'ete for the de$ourer< and the shaft of the destro!in,
an,e&#
In conse>uence of ha$in, to co'at a&& these< I ha$e not een a&e to
re,u&ate '! 'ind< so as to ,i$e !ou counse&< and the infor'ation that
!ou needed? ut that 5od 2ho ru&es on hi,h< and thunders =ud,'ents
u*on Israe& 2hen the! trans,ress< has ,i$en 'e *o2er fro' the ti'e I
2as orn into the 0in,do' to stand? and I ha$e succeeded in *uttin,
a&& ,ainsa!ers and ene'ies to f&i,ht< unto the *resent ti'e? and
not2ithstandin, the ad$ersar! &aid a *&an< 2hich 2as 'ore sut&e than
a&& others< as !ou 2i&& see ! the ne/t Star< I no2 s2i' in ,ood<
c&ean 2ater< 2ith '! head out#
I sha&& no2 *roceed to ,i$e !ou such counse& as the S*irit of the
Lord 'a! dictate# You 2i&& reco&&ect that !our usiness 'ust e done
! !our Hi,h Counci&# You 2i&& reco&&ect that the first E&ders are to
recei$e their endo2'ent in 1irt&and< efore the rede'*tion of ;ion#
You 2i&& reco&&ect that Counci& 2i&& ha$e *o2er to sa! 2ho of the
first E&ders a'on, the chi&dren of ;ion are accounted 2orth!? and !ou
2i&& a&so reco&&ect that !ou ha$e '! testi'on! in eha&f of certain
ones< *re$ious to '! de*arture# You 2i&& reco&&ect that the sooner
these a'assadors of the .ost Hi,h are dis*atched to ear testi'on!<
to &ift u* a 2arnin, $oice< and *roc&ai' the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< and
to use e$er! con$incin, *roof and facu&t! 2ith this ,eneration< 2hi&e
on their =ourne! to 1irt&and--the etter it 2i&& e for the' and for
;ion# Inas'uch as the indi,nation of the *eo*&e s&ee*eth for a 2hi&e
our ti'e shou&d e e'*&o!ed to the est ad$anta,e? a&thou,h it is not
the 2i&& of 5od< that these a'assadors shou&d ho&d their *eace after
the! ha$e started u*on their =ourne!# The! shou&d arouse the s!'*ath!
of the *eo*&e#
I 2ou&d reco''end to "rother )he&*s< Eif he e !et there<F to 2rite a
*etition< such as 2i&& e a**ro$ed ! the Hi,h Counci&? and &et e$er!
si,ner e otained that can e< in the State of .issouri ! the'
2hi&e the! are on their =ourne! to this *&ace I1irt&andJ that
*erad$enture 2e 'a! &earn 2hether 2e ha$e friends or not in these
United States#
This *etition is to e sent to the ,o$ernor of .issouri< to so&icit
hi' to ca&& on the )resident of the United States for a ,uard to
*rotect our rethren in Jac0son count!< u*on their o2n &ands< fro'
the insu&ts and ause of the 'o#
And I 2ou&d reco''end to "rother 3i,ht to enter co'*&aint to the
,o$ernor as often as he recei$es an! insu&ts or in=ur!? and in case
that the! *roceed to endea$or to ta0e &ife< or tear do2n houses< and
if the citi4ens of C&a! count! do not efriend us< to ,ather u* the
&itt&e ar'!< and e set o$er i''ediate&! into Jac0son count!< and
trust in 5od< and do the est he can in 'aintainin, the ,round# "ut<
in case the e/cite'ent continues to e a&&a!ed< and *eace *re$ai&s<
use e$er! effort to *re$ai& on the churches to ,ather to those
re,ions and &ocate the'se&$es< to e in readiness to 'o$e into
Jac0son count! In t2o !ears fro' the e&e$enth of Se*te'er ne/t<
2hich is the a**ointed ti'e for the rede'*tion of ;ion# If--$eri&! I
sa! unto !ou--if the Church 2ith one united effort *erfor' their
duties? if the! do this< the 2or0 sha&& e co'*&ete--if the! do not
this in a&& hu'i&it!< 'a0in, *re*aration fro' this ti'e forth< &i0e
Jose*h in E,!*t< &a!in, u* store a,ainst the ti'e of fa'ine< e$er!
'an ha$in, his tent< his horses< his chariots< his ar'or!< his
catt&e< his fa'i&!< and his 2ho&e sustance in readiness a,ainst the
ti'e 2hen it sha&& e said +To !our tents< O Israe&( Let not this e
noised aroad? &et e$er! heart eat in si&ence< and e$er! 'outh e
shut#
No2< '! e&o$ed rethren< !ou 2i&& &earn ! this 2e ha$e a ,reat 2or0
to do< and ut &itt&e ti'e to do it in? and if 2e do not e/ert
ourse&$es to the ut'ost in ,atherin, u* the stren,th of the Lord+s
house that this thin, 'a! e acco'*&ished< eho&d there re'aineth a
scour,e for the Church< e$en that the! sha&& e dri$en fro' cit! to
cit!< and ut fe2 sha&& re'ain to recei$e an inheritance? if those
thin,s are not 0e*t< there re'aineth a scour,e a&so? therefore< e
2ise this once< O !e chi&dren of ;ionK and ,i$e heed to '! counse&<
saith the Lord#
I 2ou&d infor' "isho* )artrid,e that the i&& I recei$ed fro' hi' 2as
,ood< and 2hen I can ,et our 'one! chan,ed for another< I 2i&& 'ai&
it to hi'#
The rethren< u* to no2< ha$e ,enera&&! arri$ed fro' C&a! count! in
hea&th< not2ithstandin, the 2ar' season# I 2ou&d a&so infor' "isho*
)artrid,e that I a' not satisfied 2ith "rother Hu&et concernin, the
co&t< and so &on, as unri,hteous acts are suffered in the Church< it
cannot e sanctified< neither can ;ion e redee'ed? and a&so that I
2as o&i,ed to &ea$e the consecrated horn in I&&inois< a&so "rother
3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< 2ho 2as sic0# 3e e/*ect 2hen he reco$ers that he
2i&& co'e to 1irt&and# He 2as $er! hu'&e< and I entertain no dout
as to his standin, 2hi&e he continues so# 3e ha$e a desire to hear
concernin, the cho&era< and 2hether Sister "unne& is !et a&i$e#
Infor' us as to a&& deaths< and ,i$e the na'es and standin, of a&&
those 2ho are ca&&ed a2a!#
The cho&era is ra,in, in Detroit< C&e$e&and< Fair*ort< "uffa&o< and
other *&aces# 3e found it in Chariton as 2e ca'e throu,h and a&'ost
e$er! other *&ace# It is an a2fu& and so&e'n da!< ut this is on&!
the foreshado2in, of 2hat is to co'e#
The churches see' to e in a co&d< &an,uid and disconso&ate state?
and as the re$o&ution of the earth is once in t2ent!-four hours< so
2e 'a! &oo0 for fre>uent re$o&utions a'on, this 2ic0ed and *er$erse
,eneration< and a&so in the Church of Christ# 3hen the head is sic0<
the 2ho&e od! is faint? and 2hen the Church &ifts u* the head< the
an,e& 2i&& rin, us ,ood tidin,s# E$en so# A'en#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
Au,ust H7#--Doctor Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's returned fro' C&e$e&and and
to&d us concernin, the *&a,ue< and after 'uch consu&tation< 2e a,reed that
Dr# 3i&&ia's shou&d ,o to C&e$e&and and co''ence ad'inisterin, to the
sic0< for the *ur*ose of otainin, &essin,s for the'< and for the ,&or!
of the Lord# Accordin,&!< 2e EJose*h< Frederic0< and O&i$er<F united in
*ra!er efore the Lord for this thin,# No2< O Lord< ,rant us these
&essin,s in the na'e of Jesus Christ# A'en#
The sa'e da! the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion asse'&ed at the house of L!'an
3i,ht< and E&ders Si'eon Carter and A'asa L!'an 'ade a re*ort concernin,
their 'ission to the Hu&et ranch# The! found the church 2i&&in, to
recei$e the decision of the &ast counci& res*ectin, the fa&se s*irits 2ith
2hich the! had een trou&ed#
John Corri&& entered a co'*&aint a,ainst L!'an 3i,ht for teachin,
that -a&& disease in this Church is of the de$i&< and that 'edicine
ad'inistered to the sic0 is of the de$i&? for the sic0 in the Church ou,ht
to &i$e ! faith#
E&der 3i,ht ac0no2&ed,ed that he had tau,ht the doctrine< and rather
e&ie$ed it to e correct#
The *resident decided that it 2as not &a2fu& to teach the Church that
a&& disease is of the de$i&< ut if there is an!one 2ho has this faith<
&et hi' ha$e it to hi'se&f? and if there are an! 2ho e&ie$e that roots
and hers ad'inistered to the sic0< and a&& 2ho&eso'e $e,eta&es 2hich 5od
has ordained for the use of 'an--and if an! sa! that such thin,s a**&ied
to the sic0< in order that the! 'a! recei$e hea&th< and this 'edicine is
a**&ied ! an! 'e'er of the Church--if there are an! a'on, !ou that teach
that these thin,s are of Satan< such teachin, is not of 5od#
On the H9rd of Au,ust< a counci& con$ened for the *ur*ose of hearin,
the reso&utions desi,ned for the Star< 2hich 2ere to e dra2n u* ! E&ders
O&i$er Co2der!< Tho'as "urdic0< and Orson H!de< on the su=ect of the
difficu&t! e/istin, et2een )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and S!&$ester
S'ith#
E&der Re!no&ds Cahoon *resided in conse>uence of the i&& hea&th of
"isho* 3hitne!#
The fo&&o2in, *rea'&e and reso&utions 2ere read and ado*ted< to
2it(--
3hereas a re*ort ha$in, co'e to this *&ace I1irt&andJ censurin, the
conduct of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< re&ati$e to his *roceedin,s
durin, his &ate =ourne! to and fro' .issouri? and 2hereas said re*ort
2as ca&cu&ated to create an unfa$ora&e inf&uence as re,ards the
'ora& character and honest! of our rother< it eco'es necessar! for
us to in$esti,ate the 'atter< and re*ort the sa'e to our rethren
aroad? Therefore<--
Reso&$ed( That after hearin, fro' the 'ouths of so'e that a sus*icion
tested u*on their 'inds re&ati$e to the conduct of our )resident as
re,ards his honest! and ,od&! 2a&0< 2e ha$e in$esti,ated his 2ho&e
*roceedin,s ! ca&&in, u*on those 2ho acco'*anied hi' to and fro'
.issouri< and 2e are ha**! to ha$e it in our *o2er to sa! to our
rethren aroad< one and a&&< that 2e are satisfied 2ith his conduct<
ha$in, &earned fro' the c&earest e$idence< that he has acted in e$er!
res*ect 2orth! his hi,h and res*onsi&e station in this Church< and
has *rudent&! and cautious&! *reser$ed the ,ood of this societ! at
&ar,e< and is sti&& 2orth! of our estee' and fe&&o2shi*< and that
those re*orts cou&d ha$e ori,inated in the 'inds of none e/ce*t such
as either fro' a natura& 'isunderstandin,< or a natura& =ea&ous!< are
easi&! &ed to concei$e of e$i&s 2here none e/ists#
Reso&$ed( That 2e sa! to our rethren that 2hi&e 2e are surrounded !
thousands ea,er to ,ras* at a shado2< if the! ha$e a ho*e of turnin, it
into a fa&sehood for the in=ur! of the 5os*e&< 2e e/hort the' to e
steadfast and i''o$a&e in the truth< restin, assured that 2hi&e the!
continue to 2a&0 in the Ho&! Co$enant the! ha$e confessed to e'race< that
nothin, can in the end o*erate a,ainst their ,ood? and that 2hi&e
2ic0edness aounds< as in da!s of o&d< the characters of those see0in, the
,reatest ,ood for their fe&&o2 'en 2i&t e sha'efu&&! traduced and e$er!
act of their &i$es 'isre*resented< and a fa&se shade thro2n o$er their
2orth! deeds< a&& this is ca&cu&ated to create an e$i& *re=udice in the
'inds of the co''unit!< to *re$ent< if *ossi&e< the increase of &i,ht<
the etter to effect e$i& *ur*oses and 0ee* 'an in error# 3e sa!< dear
rethren< 'a! *eace and the &essin,s of our Lord Jesus Christ e
'u&ti*&ied unto !ou throu,h the 0no2&ed,e of truth< fore$er#
Reso&$ed( That the 'inutes e si,ned ! the 'oderator and c&er0< and
*u&ished to the churches in the E$enin, and .ornin, Star# REYNOLDS
CAHOON< .oderator# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
3e< the undersi,ned< 'e'ers of the ao$e na'ed Conference< for the
satisfaction of our rethren aroad< fee& it to e our dut! to sa! to
those 2ith 2ho' 2e ha$e a *ersona& ac>uaintance< that 2e 2ere *resent
durin, the fore,oin, in$esti,ation< and cheerfu&&! concur in the s*irit of
the ao$e 'inutes< and =oin in sa!in, that 2e are *erfect&! satisfied that
2hate$er i'*ressions 'a! ha$e ,one aroad or 2hate$er 'a! re'ain 2ith an!
in this $icinit!< re&ati$e to the conduct of our )resident< Jose*h S'ith<
Jun< 2e are certain Efro' e$idenceF that he conducted hi'se&f in a&&
res*ects as set forth in the reso&utions of this Conference# 3e are
induced to 'a0e these state'ents that the innocent 'a! not suffer
2ron,fu&&!< and that the 'inds of our rethren and friends 'a! e
satisfied< that e$er! a**earance of e$i& is< in this *&ace< searched out<
and that nothin, uneco'in, a societ! of *eo*&e *rofessin, ,od&iness is
suffered to e/ist a'on, the'#
IRA A.ES< "enson< %er'ont# ASA LY.AN< )arish$i&&e< Ne2 Yor0# JOHN
RUDD< S*rin,fie&d< Erie count!< )enns!&$ania ISAAC STOREY< 3arsa2< Ne2
Yor0# 3ILLIA. "UR5ESS< "o&ton< Ne2 Yor0# JONAS )UTNA.< "o&ton< Ne2 Yor0#
J# "# "OS3ORTH< fro' the church in Norton# ROS3ELL E%ANS< 3aterford<
%er'ont# JOHN S.ITH< )otsda'< Ne2 Yor0# ORSON JOHNSON< "ath< Ne2
Ha'*shire# OLI%ER HI5LEY< Ja'esto2n# AL.AN SHER.AN< )o'fret< Ne2 Yor0#
JACO" "U.)< Si&$er Cree0< Ne2 Yor0# ISAAC HILL< East Li$er*oo&# Ohio#
LOREN;O YOUN5< the sa'e#
The undersi,ned 'e'ers of this Conference< ha$in, acco'*anied
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< to and fro' .issouri< certif! that the ao$e
is a correct state'ent concernin, his character and conduct# LY.AN E#
JOHNSON# HE"ER C# 1I."ALL#
"rother S!&$ester S'ith o=ected to aidin, ! the decision of the
for'er counci&< and *roceeded to =ustif! hi'se&f in his for'er conduct?
and after 'uch discussion< the fo&&o2in, reso&ution 2as offered ! the
c&er0< and *assed ! unani'ous $ote(--
Reso&$ed( That in conse>uence of the stand our rother< S!&$ester
S'ith< has ta0en a,ainst the for'er decision of this counci&< that 2e
=ud,e hi' ,ui&t! of a 'isde'eanor< uneco'in, a 'an in his hi,h station<
and e/ce*t a hu'&e confession e 'ade to this counci&< he stands reu0ed<
and dis>ua&ified to act further in his office in the Church< unti& he 'a0e
*ro*er satisfaction< or ti&& a tria& efore the "isho*< assisted ! t2e&$e
Hi,h )riests can e had# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0 of Counci&#
Au,ust H8< 789@#--This da! the Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed accordin, to
the direction of "isho* 3hitne!< to tr! "rother S!&$ester S'ith< char,ed
2ith a 'isde'eanor# The fo&&o2in, is a co*! of the co'*&aint(--
To Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< "isho* of the Church of Latter-da! Saints in
1irt&and#
Sir< I *refer the fo&&o2in, char,es a,ainst S!&$ester S'ith< a Hi,h
)riest of said Church(--
7st# He has refused to su'it to the decision of a counci& of the
Hi,h )riests and E&ders of this Church< he&d in this *&ace on the 77th of
this 'onth< ,i$en in a case of difficu&t! et2een said S!&$ester S'ith and
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
Hnd# He continues to char,e said Jose*h S'ith< contrar! to the
decision of the efore 'entioned counci&< 2ith i'*ro*er conduct in his
*roceedin,s as )resident of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints< durin,
his =ourne! the *ast season to the State of .issouri#
As these thin,s are e/ceedin,&! ,rie$ous to 'an! of the Saints in
1irt&and< and $er! *re=udicia& to the cause of truth in ,enera&< I
therefore re>uire that !ou su''on the Hi,h Counci& of this Church to
in$esti,ate this case< that a fina& decision 'a! e had u*on the sa'e# I
sa! the Hi,h Counci& ecause it is a case affectin, the )residenc! of said
Church# SIDNEY RI5DON# 1irt&and< Ohio< Au,ust H9< 789@#
"isho* 3hitne! notifies S!&$ester S'ith of the Char,e#
1IRTLAND< OHIO< Au,ust HM< 789@# "ROTHER SYL%ESTER S.ITH--3hereas
co'*&aint has een 'ade to 'e ! Counse&or Sidne! Ri,don< settin, forth
that !ou ha$e een $io&atin, the &a2s of the Church of the Latter-da!
Saints< !ou are therefore< notified to a**ear efore the Hi,h Counci& of
Hi,h )riests< to e he&d in the Counci& House< in 1irt&and< on the H8th
da! of Au,ust< at ten o+c&oc0< a#'#< to ans2er to said char,es< a,reea&!
to the &a2s of the Church< N# 1# 3HITNEY< "isho*#
The *residents *roceeded to no'inate a Hi,h )riest to fi&& the
$acanc! in the counci&< occasioned ! the death of E&der John C# Carter<
$i4#( Orson Johnson--2hich no'ination 2as carried unani'ous&!< and he 2as
ordained Hi,h Counci&or under the hands of Counse&or Sidne! Ri,don#
Counci&or Lu0e S# Johnson said he 2ished to e e/cused fro' sittin,
in this counci&< ecause he had een *re$ious&! te'*ted on so'e 'atters<
and that he had sinned< and 2ished to 'a0e a 'ore *u&ic confession than
he cou&d 'a0e here#
After so'e re'ar0s fro' the counci&ors< it 2as decided that E&der
Johnson continue his seat in the counci&#
E&der John )# 5reene 2as a**ointed to act in the *&ace of S!&$ester
S'ith? a&so E&der A'os Durfee in the *&ace of John Johnson< Sen#< 2ho 2as
asent? a&so L!'an Johnson in the *&ace of .artin Harris#
The counci& 2as or,ani4ed and co'*&aint read# It 2as a,reed that si/
counci&ors s*ea0 on the case# The isho* then char,ed the counci& in the
na'e of the Lord< to act accordin, to truth and ri,hteousness#
E&der Re!no&ds Cahoon testified that the testi'on! ,i$en efore a
counci&< on the 77th instant< 2as< that )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< had
conducted hi'se&f in a *ro*er 'anner< 2hi&e =ourne!in, to and fro'
.issouri? and that the counci& considered that S!&$ester S'ith had accused
)resident Jose*h S'ith 2ron,fu&&!< and 2as entire&! in the fau&t# He
further considered that e$er!thin, earin, on or re&atin, to this affair
had een rou,ht efore the counci&< and fro' this the! ,a$e their
decision#
E&der John )# 5reene concurred in the fore,oin, state'ents< and he
su**osed that "rother S!&$ester< on the 77th instant< sa2 the affair in
the sa'e &i,ht in conse>uence of his IS!&$ester+sJ sa!in, at the ti'e<
that he 2as not *re$ious&! a2are of the s*irit that *ossessed hi' at the
ti'e he 'ade his char,es a,ainst )resident Jose*h S'ith#
E&der A&*heus Cut&er said that he considered that the e$idence ,i$en
efore the counci& on the HMth 2as sufficient to *ro$e that )resident
Jose*h S'ith had conducted hi'se&f in an honora&e 'anner durin, his
&ate =ourne! to and fro' .issouri< and that he considered that the
e$idence there ,i$en 2as such that it cou&d not e in$a&idated#
E&der Jaco "u'* said that *re$ious to the counci& on the 77th his
'ind had een a,itated< and it 2as in conse>uence< in *art< of re*orts
2hich had een *ut in circu&ation res*ectin, )resident S'ith+s conduct
durin, his &ate =ourne! to and fro' .issouri? ut 2hen he heard the case
in$esti,ated efore that counci& his 'ind 2as satisfied that he had een
'isinfor'ed< and 2as fu&&! satisfied that )resident Jose*h S'ith had not
acted in an! res*ect contrar! to ri,hteousness efore the Lord#
E&der Asa L!'an said< that *re$ious to the counci& his 'ind had een
a,itated a&so< ut 2as satisfied at the counci&? and he $eri&! e&ie$ed
fro' the e$idence there ,i$en that )resident Jose*h S'ith had not acted
contrar! to =ustice#
E&der Jaco "u'* said that his 'ind 2as e/cited sti&& further after
con$ersin, 2ith rother S!&$ester< *re$ious to the 77th< 2hich ser$ed in a
de,ree to e/cite his 'ind further#
E&der Ed'und "os&e! said that he understood the case on the 77th in
the sa'e &i,ht as stated ! "rothers Cahoon and 3hitne!#
E&ders John Rudd< E4e0ie& Rider and Sa'ue& H# S'ith $ie2ed the case
in the sa'e &i,ht#
E&der Orson H!de said that he considered that "rother S!&$ester 2as
to *u&ish a confession in the E$enin, and .ornin, Star< and that he
hi'se&f had een in the fau&t< and this )resident S'ith had not co''itted
fau&t< as he IS!&$esterJ had *re$ious&! stated#
E&ders A&*heus Cut&er< J# )# 5reene# E4e0ie& Rider< Jaco "u'*<
Sa'ue& H# S'ith< John Rudd and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's concurred#
E&der O&i$er Co2der! said< that after &istenin, to a&& the re*orts
and e$idences< fro' the e,innin, u* to the decision on the 77th instant<
he considered that "rother S!&$ester 2as to ac0no2&ed,e that a&& the
char,es *re$ious&! *referred in *u&ic a,ainst )resident Jose*h S'ith 2ere
un,rounded< and that he IS!&$esterJ 2as the one< and the on&! one in
fau&t< touchin, a&& circu'stances occurrin, et2een hi'se&f and )resident
Jose*h S'ith< and that the other char,es indirect&! *referred as
,rie$ances of others< 2ere a&so 2ithout foundation#
E&der John S'ith concurred in the ao$e#
E&der C# Durfee said that he considered that )resident S'ith 2as
ac>uitted< as not ein, ,ui&t! of an! 'isde'eanor efore the counci& on
the 77th#
E&der Orson H!de said that he had acco'*anied )resident S'ith to
.issouri fro' .ansfie&d in Ohio< e/ce*t &ea$in, hi' for a short ti'e to
$isit the ,o$ernor of .issouri# He 2as *resent 2hen "rother S!&$ester
re*ro$ed )resident S'ith concernin, a certain difficu&t! arisin, aout a
do,? that he considered )resident S'ith+s re*roofs 2ere =ust at the ti'e<
as he 2e&& reco&&ects statin, the sa'e in sustance to )resident S'ith# He
said he did not consider this re*roof had an! tendenc! to &essen the
estee' of the rethren for )resident S'ith? ut if it had< in conse>uence
of a confession in ,enera& ter's fro' )resident S'ith aout that ti'e< he
thou,ht that sufficient to hea& an! hard fee&in, then e/istin, a,ainst
hi'< or that 'i,ht e/ist? and that durin, his =ourne! to the 2est< he
cou&d not sa! that he had seen an!thin, in )resident S'ith+s conduct
contrar! to the true *rinci*&es of his *rofession as a 'an of 5od#
E&der Lu0e S# Johnson said that he fe&& in co'*an! 2ith )resident
Jose*h S'ith at .ansfie&d< Ohio< and acco'*anied hi' 'ost of the 2a! to
.issouri? and that durin, the 2ho&e course of the =ourne! he did not see
an!thin, in his conduct to &essen his estee' for hi' as a 'an ofT- 5od<
ut he said he heard )resident Jose*h S'ith re*ro$e "rother S!&$ester
concernin, a certain 'atter res*ectin, so'e read? he did not hear the
2ho&e< and thou,ht at the ti'e the re*roofs 2ere rather se$ere< ut had
&earned since the! 2ere not an! 'ore se$ere than =ust#
)resident Jose*h S'ith 2as then ca&&ed u*on to 'a0e a state'ent
concernin, the transactions as the! ha**ened at the ti'e these re*roofs
2ere ,i$en# He said that "rother John S# Carter ca'e to hi' to 0no2
2hether "rother S!&$ester had conducted hi'se&f ri,ht in the affairs
et2een hi' IS!&$esterJ and "rother )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2hen "rother )ratt
ca&&ed u*on "rother S!&$ester for so'e read for su**er# He &earned fro'
"rother )ratt+s 'outh that "rother S!&$ester had 'ore read than he needed
at the ti'e< !et directed hi' to so'e one e&se< 2ho< he I"rother
S!&$esterJ said< had sufficient# )resident S'ith then 2ent 2ith "rothers
)ratt and John S# Carter to "rother S!&$ester+s tent< 2here "rother
S!&$ester =ustified hi'se&f in not i'*artin, a *ortion of his read to
"rother )ratt# He then reu0ed "rother S!&$ester for contendin, that he
had done ri,ht in this case< ecause< if this 2as so< rethren 'i,ht
fre>uent&! retire to rest 2ithout food< and as &on, as he I"rother
S!&$esterJ had read he 2as ound to i'*art to those 2ho had none? and
that< under these circu'stances< "rother S!&$ester had conducted hi'se&f
contrar! to the *rinci*&es of Christ? and that his IS!&$ester+sJ 'ind 2as
dar0ened in conse>uence of this co$etous s*irit#
The 'oderator then ad=ourned the counse& unti& nine o+c&oc0< a#'#<
to'orro2< at this *&ace#
E&der H!ru' S'ith c&osed ! *ra!er#
Au,ust HNth< nine o+c&oc0< a#'#< counci& ein, or,ani4ed in due for'<
the testi'on! 2as continued as fo&&o2s(
E&der Lu0e S# Johnson said< in re&ation to a circu'stance that
occurred on the t2ent!-fi$e 'i&e *rairie in .issouri< that ! a direction
fro' the &eader of the ca'* he had een ac0 to ins*ect the crossin, at a
certain cree0? that 2hen he ca'e u* 2ith the ca'* he found it 'o$in,< and
as he 2as ehind< he 2ent on ti&& he ca'e u* 2ith "rother 3i,ht+s and
S!&$ester+s co'*an!< and found the' out of the road ui&din, a fire to
coo0 su**er# As the tea's *assed on "rother S!&$ester ca&&ed to the
&eaders of co'*anies Ethose 2ho 2ere !et ehindF< and as0ed the' 2ho' the!
2ere fo&&o2in,< 2hether 5enera& 3i,ht or so'e other 'an# So'e hesitated a
&itt&e and 2ent on# After ta0in, su**er he ILu0eJ 2ent on 2ith their
co'*an!#
3hen he ca'e u* 2ith the ca'* fro' the cree0 he found that the ensi,n
or f&a, co''on&! carried ahead for the ca'* to fo&&o2< 2as then 'o$in,
for2ard# He further said that he understood that Jose*h 2as a**ointed to
&ead the ca'*? that he a&2a!s< or ,enera&&!< ,a$e orders 2hen the ca'*
shou&d 'o$e for2ard< and 2hen it shou&d sto*? that 2hen on his 2a! to the
cree0 the second ti'e he 'et )resident S'ith< 2ho to&d hi' that he Jose*h
shou&d order the ca'* to 'o$e into the *rairie# 3hen the ca'* ca'e to
order on the *rairie in the e$enin,< "rothers 3i,ht and S!&$ester 2ere
ca&&ed u*on to state 2h! the! had sou,ht to di$ide the ca'*# The! oth
ac0no2&ed,ed that the! had een out of the 2a! ! so doin,< and 2ere
re*ro$ed for their conduct# Re&ati$e to an assertion heretofore 'ade< that
)resident S'ith did at the ti'e thro2 a tru'*et or horn at "rother
S!&$ester< he did not consider at the ti'e that the )resident had an!
intention of thro2in, it at "rother S!&$ester< ecause he 'i,ht ha$e hit
hi' 2ith it< ein, so near to hi' as he 2as? it on&! fe&& to the ,round
near to the' Ehi'se&f and "rother S!&$esterF< ut su**osed that he had had
it in his hand< and on&! thre2 it do2n as usua&# He further said that the
re*roofs ,i$en ! )resident S'ith at the ti'e 2ere no 'ore se$ere than he
had often heard hi' ,i$e *re$ious&!? that he did not consider hi' an,r!<
as he has een re*resented#
E&der H!ru' S'ith said< that 2hen the ca'* first ca'e to the cree0 he
and his rother Jose*h 2ere for2ard? that 2hi&e the tea's 2ere crossin,
"rother Jose*h as0ed 2hether it 2as ad$isa&e to 'o$e into the *rairie to
ca'*# After consu&tation it 2as first ad$ised to ca'* in the ushes in the
ed,e of the *rairie# 3hi&e 'a0in, *re*arations to enca'* the! 2ere
infor'ed that a 'o intended to 'a0e an attac0 u*on the' that ni,ht# The!
further consu&ted u*on their situation< and hi'se&f and "rother Tha!er
2ere re>uested ! "rother Jose*h to ,o on to the ed,e of the *rairie<
2here the! 'i,ht enca'*# The! &oo0ed out a *&ace< ut it 2as near the
ushes< and "rother Jose*h ,a$e an order to ,o for2ard on to the *rairie#
So'e co'*&ained of the order ecause the! cou&d not find fue& 2ith 2hich
to coo0 their su**er# The! 2ere to&d that it 2ou&d e ad$isa&e to carr!
2ood for that *ur*ose# So'e further re'ar0s 2ere offered on the su=ect of
a $isit fro' a 'o< and *re*arations 2ere 'ade 2ith the ,uns< etc# So'e
fears 2ere entertained for the tea's and fa'i&ies !et crossin, the cree0<
and it 2as thou,ht ad$isa&e to send ac0 a co'*an!< a'on, 2ho' 2as Lu0e
S# Johnson< to ,uard and assist the' o$er# He then too0 the f&a, or
standard--as he had *re$ious&! carried it--and ,a$e the 2ord to 'o$e
for2ard< and the tea's i''ediate&! e,an to fo&&o2# After the co'*an! had
co'e u*on the *rairie< hi'se&f and E&der Ro,er Orton recei$ed an order to
ca&& on L!'an 3i,ht to *&ace a stron, ,uard around the ca'* that ni,ht?
ut he I3i,htJ refused doin, an!thin, further< ecause he su**osed that he
IH!ru'J had ordered the ca'* on to the *rairie 2ithout an order fro' the
co''ander of the co'*an!# He 2as then infor'ed ! "rother Jose*h that it
2as ! his IJose*h+sJ order that the ca'* 'o$ed on to the *rairie< He 2as
*resent 2hen "rother Jose*h re*ro$ed L!'an 3i,ht and S!&$ester S'ith< and
sa2 the transactions concernin, the tru'*et or horn? and as to "rother
Jose*h+s intention or desi,n to thro2 it at S!&$ester< he had no such
thou,ht at the ti'e< nor cou&d he ha$e had such thou,ht since? that at the
ti'e 2hen Jose*h had finished his re'ar0s to L!'an 3i,ht and S!&$ester
S'ith he thre2 the horn on the ,round< and "rother 3i,ht to&d hi' the ne/t
da! that he had had a =ea&ous! e/istin, in his 'ind a,ainst hi' IH!ru'J
for so'e da!s< ut no2 his 'ind 2as satisfied< and he no2 had no hardness
or =ea&ous!# He further said< that 2hen he recei$ed the order for 'o$in,
the ca'* on the *rairie< "rothers L!'an and S!&$ester 2ere near !#
Ad=ourned to one o+c&oc0 *#'#
Counci& 'et accordin, to ad=ourn'ent# The c&er0 ca&&ed the na'es -of
the counci&ors and *arties< 2hen usiness 2as resu'ed#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, said< that he 2as in co'*an! 2ith )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< fro' aout t2ent!-se$en 'i&es of this *&ace I1irt&andJ
ti&& the! arri$ed in C&a! count!< .issouri? that at the ti'e the
difficu&t! occurred on the T2ent!-fi$e .i&e )rairie< 2hen the ca'* 2as
di$ided< he concurred in 2hat "rother H!ru' had said< and that he cou&d
not re&ate it an! 'ore circu'stantia&&! than he had done< He further said
that he had not seen an!thin, in )resident S'ith+s conduct to =ustif! the
char,e *re$ious&! 'ade ! "rother S!&$ester -that his heart 2as corru*t#-
So far fro' this< he had not seen the &east shado2 of an!thin, of the
0ind# He had not seen an!thin, in his IJose*h+sJ conduct< durin, his
=ourne! to the 2est< uneco'in, his *rofession as a 'an of 5od#
Auestion ! S!&$ester S'ith#--Did !ou not thin0 that '! character 2as
in=ured in the 'inds of the 2ea0er *art of he ca'* in conse>uence of those
re*roofs and chastise'ents 2hich 2ere ,i$en 'e ! "rother Jose*hB
Ans2er#--I did not#
E&der Youn, further said in re,ard to a certain difficu&t! o$er a
do,< that on a certain e$enin, after crossin, the .ississi**i ri$er<
"rother S!&$ester ca'e u* 2ith the re'ainin, *art of the ca'*< 2hen the
do, ca'e out and ar0ed at hi' he 0ne2 not 2hether the do, it hi' or not#
The ne/t 'ornin,< after hearin, considera&e co'*&aint and 'ur'urin,
concernin, the do,< )resident S'ith s*o0e to se$era& rethren *resent and
said< -I 2i&& descend to that s*irit that is in the ca'*< to sho2 !ou the
s*irit !ou are of< for I 2ant to dri$e it fro' the ca'*# The 'an that
0i&&s that do,< Eor '! do,F< I 2i&& 2hi* hi'#- He thou,ht that aout this
ti'e "rother S!&$ester ca'e u*< and said< -If that do, ites 'e I 2i&&
0i&& hi'#- Jose*h re*&ied< -If !ou do< I 2i&& 2hi* !ou#- S!&$ester said<
-If !ou do< I sha&& defend '!se&f the est 2a! that I canK- "rother Jose*h
then said that he -2ou&d do it in the na'e of the Lord#-
)resident S'ith then as0ed the rethren if the! 2ere not asha'ed of
such a s*irit# Said he< -I a'#-
He then *roceeded to re*ro$e the' for condescendin, to that s*irit?
that the! ou,ht to e ao$e it? that it 2as the s*irit of a do,? and 'en
ou,ht ne$er to *&ace the'se&$es on a &e$e& 2ith the easts? ut e
*ossessed of a 'ore no&e dis*osition# He IJose*hJ then said< he had
condescended to that s*irit< in order to sho2 the s*irit 2hich 2as a'on,
the'#
E&der Youn, further said< that this e/*&anation ,a$e ,enera&
satisfaction< and the 'ost of the rethren sa2 that he had on&! 'ade these
re'ar0s for the *ur*ose of instructin, the'< and 2arnin, the' a,ainst such
a s*irit or dis*osition#
E&ders L!'an E# Johnson and Heer C# 1i'a&& concurred#
E&der Da$id E&&iot said he 2as not *resent 2hen those re*roofs 2ere
,i$en in the 'ornin,? that the circu'stances 2ere re&ated to hi'
after2ards< 2hich unfa$ora&! affected his 'ind< and ,a$e hi' so'e
disa,reea&e fee&in,s< that at noon he heard )resident Jose*h ,i$e a
further e/*&anation< 2hich *erfect&! satisfied hi'#
He further said< that durin, the forenoon he &earned there 2ere 'an!
of the rethren dissatisfied 2ith )resident S'ith+s re'ar0s in the 'ornin,
concernin, the do,< ut that after the e/*&anation at noon so ,enera&&!
,i$en< he thou,ht that e$er! one in the ca'* 'i,ht ha$e understood
)resident S'ith+s *ur*ose#
E&der Loren4o "ooth concurred in the state'ent of E&der Youn,? thou,h
he 2as not *resent in the 'ornin, 2hen the re*roofs 2ere ,i$en concernin,
the do,? that he 2as 2ith )resident S'ith fro' t2ent!-se$en 'i&es fro'
this *&ace I1irt&andJ to .issouri< and a *art of the 2a! ho'e? that he did
not see an!thin, in )resident S'ith+s character dero,ator! to a 'an
*rofessin, re&i,ion? that he 2as *resent durin, a certain transaction
2hich occurred durin, their =ourne! ho'e< res*ectin, certain artic&es of
eddin,( that he had heard since his return that )resident S'ith and E4ra
Tha!er had fou,ht? that he 2as *resent durin, the 2ho&e transaction< and
there 2as no fi,htin,#
He further said< in re&ation to a certain re*ort 2hich had co'e to
his 0no2&ed,e since his return fro' .issouri< that )resident S'ith had
ta0en a ed >ui&t 2hich 2as not his *ro*ert!? that 2hi&e at Ne2 )orta,e<
Ohio< on their 2a! to .issouri< one of the rethren ,a$e hi' IJose*hJ t2o
ed >ui&ts< 2hich he I"oothJ had char,e of< as he 2as the indi$idua& 2ho
dro$e the tea' for )resident S'ith< and had char,e of the a,,a,e? that
efore &ea$in, C&a! count!< .issouri< he I"oothJ too0 the' to e 2ashed<
and after startin, for ho'e he *ut the' on oard of the 2a,on< the a,,a,e
of 2hich he had the char,e durin, their =ourne! ho'e? that he rou,ht the
sa'e ac0 2ith hi'< has seen the' since< and 0no2s that the one 2hich 2as
said to e the *ro*ert! of another indi$idua&< is the one 2hich 2as ,i$en
)resident S'ith at Norton#
Counse&or Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's said< 2hi&e at Norton certain
artic&es 2ere handed hi' to 'ar0< a'on, 2hich 2ere t2o ed >ui&ts< 2hich
he 'ar0ed 2ith co''on in0? has seen certain ed >ui&ts since his return<
and has no dout ut this one in >uestion is the one he 'ar0ed#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, further said re&ati$e to a difficu&t! aout so'e
read< that E&der John S# Carter< on their =ourne! to .issouri< on the
&ine et2een Ohio and Indiana< said to )resident S'ith< -Is this thin,
ri,htB- -3hat thin,B- -Concernin, )ar&e! )# )ratt+s as0in, "rother
S!&$ester for so'e read for su**er#-
He then &earned that "rother )ratt had as0ed "rother S!&$ester for
so'e read? that S!&$ester had read at the ti'e< ut directed "rother
)ratt to so'e one e&se< 2ho he IS!&$esterJ said had sufficient? that E&der
)ratt ca&&ed u*on that indi$idua&< and cou&d not otain an!? that he 2as
*resent 2hen )resident S'ith to&d "rother S!&$ester that he had not acted
ri,ht in the 'atter< that he ou,ht to i'*art 2hen he had it instead of
directin, one 2here he 2as not certain he cou&d otain< that ! so doin,
so'e 'i,ht e de*ri$ed of food at ti'es#
He further said< that "rother S!&$ester contended he had een ri,ht<
and =ustified his o2n conduct in the 'atter? that Jose*h reasoned 2ith
S!&$ester to con$ince hi' that he IS!&$esterJ 2as in fau&t? ut he
continued to =ustif! his course ti&& )resident S'ith re*ro$ed hi' shar*&!
He fre>uent&! heard the rethren s*ea0 of this circu'stance< and a&&
2ho' he had heard sa! an!thin, on the su=ect< 'anifested a satisfaction
2ith )resident S'ith< and thou,ht his oser$ations correct< and the
*rinci*&es 2hich he ad$anced< =ust#
E&der L!'an Sher'an said that he concurred in E&der Youn,+s state'ent
concernin, the read? that he thou,ht it 2as ,enera&&! 0no2n that E&der
)ratt< in conse>uence of "rother S!&$ester+s not furnishin, hi' 2ith
read< 2as de*ri$ed of read that ni,ht? that at the ti'e he IJose*hJ to&d
hi' IS!&$esterJ that "rother )ar&e! did not otain an! read in
conse>uence of "rother S!&$ester not su**&!in, hi' 2ith it#
E&der Jaco "u'* said< that since the rethren+s return fro' the 2est
he had ,one 2ith S!&$ester to E&der Ri,don to ad$ise concernin, the
ad=ustin, of certain co'*&aints 2hich 2ere in circu&ation res*ectin,
)resident Jose*h S'ith+s conduct on the =ourne! to and fro' .issouri? that
"rother S!&$ester to&d "rother Ri,don that E&der )ratt did otain read of
the indi$idua& to 2hen he sent hi'#
E&der Orson H!de said< that he concurred in the state'ents of E&der
"ri,ha' Youn, concernin, the circu'stances 2hich occurred at the ti'e the
difficu&t! arose aout the read#
E&ders L!'an Johnson and Heer C# 1i'a&& concurred in the sa'e
state'ent#
E&der Orson H!de then e/hiited an account current< ta0en fro' the
recei*ts of 'onies and other *ro*ert! e/*ended durin, their &ate =ourne!
to and fro' .issouri#
This account 2as ta0en fro' docu'ents durin, the =ourne! ! Counse&or
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 2ho said that the account e/hiited 2as correct&!
ta0en fro' his accounts< as he had the char,e of the 'onies< and attended
to *a!in, the' out< etc<
The case 2as then su'itted to the counci&< and the counci&ors
se$era&&! s*o0e in their turns< fo&&o2ed ! the co'*&ainant and accused<
as fo&&o2s(--First< the counci&ors( Jared Carter co''enced fifteen 'inutes
efore si/ o+c&oc0< *#'#< and s*o0e t2ent!-fi$e 'inutes# Jose*h S'ith<
Sen#< co''enced ten 'inutes *ast si/ o+c&oc0 and s*o0e fi$e 'inutes# John
S'ith co''enced fifteen 'inutes *ast si/ o+c&oc0 and s*o0e ten 'inutes#
L!'an E# Johnson co''enced t2ent!-fi$e 'inutes *ast si/ o+c&oc0 and s*o0e
one 'inute# O&i$er Co2der! co''enced t2ent!-ei,ht 'inutes *ast si/ and
s*o0e t2o hours and t2e&$e 'inutes# Jose*h Coe co''enced t2ent! 'inutes
efore nine o+c&oc0 and s*o0e fi$e 'inutes#
The accuser< Sidne! Ri,don< co''enced fifteen 'inutes efore nine
o+c&oc0 and s*o0e fi$e 'inutes# O&i$er Co2der! s*o0e se$en 'inutes 'ore#
The accused< S!&$ester S'ith< co''enced ei,hteen 'inutes efore ten
o+c&oc0 and s*o0e one hour and ei,hteen 'inutes#
The .oderator then ,a$e the fo&&o2in, decision(
-That if "rother S!&$ester S'ith 2i&& ac0no2&ed,e the fo&&o2in, ite's
of co'*&aint efore this counci&< and *u&ish the sa'e in *rint? that he
can re'ain !et a 'e'er of this Church< other2ise he is e/*e&&ed fro' the
sa'e< $i4#( First< he is to ac0no2&ed,e that he has 2ic0ed&! and
'a&icious&! accused our )resident< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ith *ro*hes!in,
&ies in the na'e of the Lord< once on the &ine et2een Ohio and Indiana<
and at another ti'e after crossin, the .ississi**i ri$er< and at another
ti'e< after &ea$in, the Church in .issouri< at F&orida? that he is to
ac0no2&ed,e< that in 'a0in, these char,es a,ainst )resident Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< he has hi'se&f 2i&fu&&! and 'a&icious&! &ied? that he has
'a&icious&! to&d fa&sehoods in sa!in, that )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
has aused hi' 2ith insu&tin, and ausi$e &an,ua,e< and a&so in in=urin,
his character and standin, efore the rethren 2hi&e =ourne!in, to
.issouri? that he further cast out insinuations concernin, )resident
Jose*h S'ith+s character< 2hich 2as a&so an e$i& and 'a&icious desi,n to
in=ure )resident S'ith+s standin, in the Church? that he further
ac0no2&ed,e that he has aused the for'er counci&s 2hich ha$e sat u*on
this case< and 2ic0ed&! and 'a&icious&! insu&ted their =ust and ri,hteous
decisions? that he has further tanta&i4ed this *resent counci&< in see0in,
to e/cuse hi'se&f contrar! to the ad$ice of the counse&ors< after
ac0no2&ed,in, that it 2as or,ani4ed ! the direction of re$e&ation? and
further< that he has 2i&fu&&! and 'a&icious&! &ied< ! sa!in, that "rother
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< had *rohiited the &iert! of s*eech on their =ourne!
to .issouri? that he a&so ac0no2&ed,e that he has 2ic0ed&! and 'a&icious&!
&ied ! char,in, )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< of ein, *ossessed of a
heart as corru*t as he&&#-
The counci&ors 2ere then ca&&ed u*on to ,i$e their assent to the
fore,oin, decision< and the! concurred unani'ous&!#
-I here! certif! that the fore,oin, char,es or co'*&aint are =ust
and true< and here! ac0no2&ed,e the sa'e< as set forth in the decisions
of this counci&< ! si,nin, '! o2n *ro*er na'e to their 'inutes< 2ith '!
o2n hand# ESi,nedF -SYL%ESTER S.ITH#-
The ao$e 2as si,ned for fear of *unish'ent#
The counci& then *roceeded to other usiness< )resident Jose*h S'ith
*residin,#
Counci& a,reed that the Church in 1irt&and e instructed in their
*articu&ar duties< etc#< on Sunda! ne/t< ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
It 2as further decided that E&der "ri,ha' Youn, e a**ointed to ta0e the
&ead in sin,in, in our 'eetin,s#
The counci& then c&osed< at fifteen 'inutes efore three o+c&oc0<
a#'#< on the 9Dth of Au,ust< 789@# "rother Re!no&ds Cahoon *ra!ed# OLI%ER
CO3DERY< ORSON HYDE< C&er0s#
CHA)TER 6I#
A .O.ENT+S )EACE--COUNCIL .EETIN5S IN OHIO AND .ISSOURI#
THE e/cite'ent of the *eo*&e e,an to suside and the Saints< oth in
.issouri and Ohio< e,an to en=o! a &itt&e *eace# The e&ders e,an to ,o
forth< t2o and t2o< *reachin, the 2ord to a&& that 2ou&d hear< and 'an!
2ere added to the Church dai&!#
Se*te'er 7#--I continued to *reside o$er the Church< and in
for2ardin, the ui&din, of the house of the Lord in 1irt&and# I acted as
fore'an in the Te'*&e stone >uarr!< and 2hen other duties 2ou&d *er'it<
&aored 2ith '! o2n hands#
Se*te'er H#--Conference 2rote "rother 3i&&ia' Cherr!< ! Orson H!de<
c&er0< to correct a re*ort to the effect that -he had een cut off fro'
the Church?- and ad$isin, the rethren not to find fau&t 2ith one another<
after ha$in, returned fro' such an arduous =ourne! as that to .issouri had
een< and es*ecia&&! since their offerin,s had een acce*ted of the Lord?
a&so encoura,in, "rother Cherr! and others to 'o$e 2est#
On the @th< E&der Ed'und "os&e! said that< if he cou&d otain the
'ana,e'ent of his *ro*ert!< in one !ear< he 2ou&d consecrate it for the
*rintin, of the 2ord of the Lord#
.inutes of a Conference of E&ders< of Ne2 )orta,e< Ohio< he&d
Se*te'er 8< 789@#
After *ra!er< )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and O&i$er Co2der! united
in anointin, 2ith oi& and &a!in, hands u*on a sic0 sister# She said she
2as hea&ed< ut re>uested us to *ra! that her faith fai& not< sa!in, if
she did not dout she 2ou&d not e aff&icted an! 'ore#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then 'ade re'ar0s u*on the su=ect of fa&se
s*irits#
E&der A'rose )a&'er *resented a case that had *re$ious&! occasioned
so'e difficu&t! in the Church< 2hich 2as that "rother Car*enter had een
tried for a fau&t efore the Church< and the Church ,a$e hi' a certain
ti'e to ref&ect 2hether he 2ou&d ac0no2&ed,e his error or not# "rother
5ordon< at the ti'e< s*o0e in ton,ues< and dec&ared that "rother Car*enter
shou&d not e sho2n an! &enit!# E&der )a&'er 2ished instruction on this
*oint< 2hether the! had *roceeded ri,ht or not< as "rother Car*enter 2as
dissatisfied#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then ,a$e an e/*&anation of the ,ift of
ton,ues< that it 2as *articu&ar&! instituted for the *reachin, of the
5os*e& to other nations and &an,ua,es< ut it 2as not ,i$en for the
,o$ern'ent of the Church#
He further said< if "rother 5ordon introduced the ,ift of ton,ues as
a testi'on! a,ainst "rother Car*enter< it 2as contrar! to the ru&es and
re,u&ations of the Church< ecause in a&& our decisions 2e 'ust =ud,e fro'
actua& testi'on!#
E&der 5ordon said the testi'on! 2as recei$ed and the decision ,i$en
efore the ,ift of ton,ues 2as 'anifested#
)resident S'ith ad$ised that 2e s*ea0 in our o2n &an,ua,e in a&& such
'atters< and then the ad$ersar! cannot &ead our 'inds astra!#
E&der )a&'er stated that 2hen he 2as *residin, in a conference<
se$era& of the rethren s*o0e out of order< and E&der J# "# "os2orth
refused to su'it to order accordin, to his re>uest? and he 2ished
instructions on this *oint< 2hether he or so'e one e&se shou&d *reside
o$er this ranch of the Church? and a&so 2hether such conduct cou&d e
a**ro$ed in conferences#
"rother 5ordon 'ade so'e re'ar0s on the sa'e su=ect#
)resident S'ith said< re&ati$e to the first >uestion< that "rother
5ordon+s ton,ue in the end did o*erate as testi'on!< as< ! his re'ar0s in
ton,ues< the for'er decision 2as set aside and his I,i$en in ton,uesJ
ta0en? that it 2as his I)resident S'ith+sJ decision that "rother 5ordon+s
'anifestation 2as incorrect< and fro' a sus*icious 'ind# He a**ro$ed the
first decision< ut discarded the second#
"rother Jose*h 1ee&er ac0no2&ed,ed that in the for'er decision he had
acted hasti&! hi'se&f in ur,in, "rother Car*enter to 'a0e ac0no2&ed,'ent
2ithout ha$in, ti'e to ref&ect? and as0ed for,i$eness 2herein he had
erred#
"rother 5ordon said he disco$ered that he 2as in error< and 2as
satisfied 2ith the counse&< and 2as 2i&&in, to as0 for,i$eness of the
rethren and of the Lord#
Decision 2as then ,i$en on the second >uestion< that E&der "os2orth
2as out of his *&ace in o**osin, E&der )a&'er 2hen the &atter *resided in
the conference#
The t2o decisions 2ere confir'ed ! unani'ous $ote of the conference#
A 'otion 2as then 'ade and *assed ! unani'ous $ote that a &etter e
2ritten to "rother J# D# "os2orth< infor'in, hi' of the &ast
decision--that he acted out of *&ace in o**osin, E&der )a&'er in a for'er
conference 2hen re>uested to ta0e his seat that the usiness 'i,ht *roceed
accordin, to order--and that such &etter e si,ned ! the c&er0 of this
conference#
The case of E&der .i&ton Sto2 2as then *resented< 2hen it 2as *ro$en
that he had de&i$ered *ro*hecies at t2o different ti'es that 2ere not
true? at one ti'e in sa!in, that ;ion 2as a&read! redee'ed< and at another
in sa!in, that "rother Car*enter 2as cut off fore$er and a&so in sa!in,
that Sister Car*enter 2as dead#
It 2as decided ! $ote< that "rother .i&ton Sto2 e and ! the
decision of this conference is< sus*ended fro' the *ri$i&e,es of this
Church of Latter-da! Saints< and fro' actin, in the authorit! of an E&der
in said Church of the Latter-da! Saints< ti&& he a**ear efore the
"isho*+s counci& in 1irt&and and 'a0e *ro*er satisfaction#
Conferences c&osed ! *ra!er# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0 of Conference#
The fo&&o2in, &etter 2as 2ritten accordin, to the instruction of the
conference< as recorded in the fore,oin, 'inutes(--
NE3 )ORTA5E< OHIO< Se*te'er 8< 789@# To Jose*h "# "os2orth< a Hi,h
)riest in the Church of Latter-da! Saints# DEAR "ROTHER(--"! a decision of
this conference I a' directed to infor' !ou that a difficu&t! has een
*resented to this od! 2hich arose in a for'er conference et2een !ourse&f
and E&der A'rose )a&'er< to the effect that in a for'er conference 2here
E&der )a&'er *resided< accordin, to the office of his a**oint'ent as
*resident of this INe2 )orta,eJ ranch of the Church of the Latter-da!
Saints< !ou< 2hen re>uested ! hi' to e seated< refused to su'it to his
decision< and s*o0e disres*ectfu&&! to our rother 2hi&e actin, in his
ca&&in,< 2hich has occasioned offense to the conference# It is the
decision< therefore< of this conference< that !ou co'e efore the Church<
Eas !ou are not *resent to do it at this conferenceF and 'a0e the *ro*er
confession re>uired in the &a2 of the Lord# 3h! I sa! disres*ectfu&&! is
ecause 2hen !ou 2ere re>uested to e seated and to desist fro' s*ea0in,<
!ou said !ou had as 'uch ri,ht to s*ea0 as E&der )a&'er# OLI%ER CO3DERY<
C&er0 of Conference#
E/tracts fro' the 'inutes of the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< asse'&ed in
C&a! Count!< Se*te'er 7D< 789@#
The fo&&o2in, rethren 2ere chosen to fi&& the *&aces of asent
'e'ers(--;eedee Co&trin for )ar&e! )# )ratt? Ha4en A&drich for So&o'on
Hancoc0? E&ias Hi,ee for Ne2e&& 1ni,ht? Isaac Hi,ee for 3i&&ia' E#
.+Le&&in? )eter Dustin for Orson )ratt#
E&isha H# 5ro$es 2as ordained a Hi,h )riest#
A &etter 2as read fro' )resident Jose*h S'ith to 3# 3# )he&*s< dated
7:th of Au,ust? a&so a *etition 2ritten ! 3# 3# )he&*s to the ,o$ernor of
the state of .issouri 2as read and acce*ted#
Ca&$in "eee and Le$i Jac0'an 2ere no'inated as first E&ders to ,o
forth to 1irt&and< *reachin, ! the 2a!< and if a**ro$ed ! )resident
Jose*h S'ith< shou&d e accounted 2orth!< and nu'ered as such#
It 2as decided ! the )resident< and sanctioned ! the Counci&< that
the first E&ders ,o forth as soon as the! can ,et read!< and *reach ! the
2a! to 1irt&and#
%oted< that those E&ders that ca'e u* in the ca'* a**&! for a re&ease
fro' L!'an 3i,ht< and recei$e a reco''endation to "isho* )artrid,e< to ,o
forth to *reach the 5os*e&# THO.AS "# .ARSH< Secretar! *ro te'#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and< Se*te'er H@< 789@# Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< *residin,< assisted ! Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's< counse&ors#
Jared Carter and .artin Harris 2ere asent#
After *ra!er< the *resident 'ade so'e re'ar0s? 2hen the case of
S!&$ester S'ith 2as ca&&ed u* to in>uire 2hether or not< under e/istin,
circu'stances< he can a&& the office of Hi,h Counci&or#
It 2as decided that four Counci&ors s*ea0 on the case< $i4#( Sa'ue&
H# S'ith and Orson Johnson< Lu0e Johnson and Orson H!de#
The Counci&ors se$era&&! s*o0e in their course< fo&&o2ed ! "rother
S!&$ester? after 2hich the assistant *residents s*o0e? 2hen the *resident
,a$e a decision< that "rother S!&$ester stand no &on,er a Hi,h Counci&or<
ut that he retain the office of Hi,h )riest< and continue to &ift u* his
$oice in the na'e of Jesus in *reachin, the 5os*e&--to 2hich the counci&
assented< and "rother S!&$ester ,a$e his assent 2ith than0fu&ness#
The )resident no'inated H!ru' S'ith to fi&& the office $acated !
S!&$ester S'ith# The no'ination 2as seconded ! the c&er0# The Counci&ors
and a&& *resent $oted for the no'ination#
The )resident &ed in *ra!er< and then he ordained H!ru' S'ith to the
office of Hi,h Counci&or< *ronouncin, &essin,s u*on hi' in the na'e of
the Lord? after 2hich Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< &essed his son H!ru' in the
na'e of the Lord< confir'in, the sa'e &essin,s#
E&ders John )# 5reene and "ri,ha' Youn, 2ere then a**ointed to fi&&
the $acancies occasioned ! the asence of Counci&ors Jared Carter and
.artin Harris#
The counci& then *roceeded to a**oint a co''ittee to arran,e the
ite's of the doctrine of Jesus Christ< for the ,o$ern'ent of the Church of
Latter-da! Saints< 2hich Church 2as or,ani4ed and co''enced its rise on
the :th of A*ri&< 789D# These ite's are to e ta0en fro' the "i&e< "oo0
of .or'on< and the re$e&ations 2hich ha$e een ,i$en to the Church u* to
this date< or that sha&& e ,i$en unti& such arran,e'ents are 'ade#
Counci&or Sa'ue& A# S'ith no'inated )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
O&i$er Co2der!< Sidne! Ri,don< and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's to co'*ose said
co''ittee< 2hich 2as seconded ! Counci&or H!ru' S'ith# The Counci&ors
then ,a$e their $ote in the affir'ati$e< 2hich 2as a&so a,reed to ! the
2ho&e conference#
The counci& then decided that said co''ittee< after arran,in, and
*u&ishin, said "oo0 of Co$enants< ha$e the a$ai&s of the sa'e#
The counci& then decided that a notice e *u&ished to the churches
and conferences aroad that Hi,h )riests e ordained hereafter< in the
Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and< and recei$e &icence si,ned ! the c&er0 of the
counci&#
The counci& decided that "isho* 3hitne! e *ri$i&e,ed< considerin,
his *resent e'arrassed circu'stances< to 'a0e such arran,e'ents 2ith his
store as he sha&& dee' 'ost ad$isa&e# C&osed ! *ra!er# OLI%ER CO3DERY<
ORSON HYDE< C&er0s#
CHA)TER 6II#
CHAN5E IN CHURCH )ERIODICALS--THE CO%ENANT OF TITHIN5--CLOSE
OF THE YEAR 789@#
Octoer 7-7G#--5reat e/ertions 2ere 'ade to e/*edite the 2or0 of the
Lord+s house< and not2ithstandin, it 2as co''enced a&'ost 2ith nothin,< as
to 'eans !et the 2a! o*ened as 2e *roceeded< and the Saints re=oiced# The
for'er *art of Octoer 2as s*ent in arran,in, 'atters res*ectin, the
Lord+s house and the *rintin, office< for it had *re$ious&! een *u&ished
that the E$enin, and .ornin, Star 2ou&d e discontinued< and a ne2 *a*er
issued in its *&ace< entit&ed The Latter-da! Saints .essen,er and
Ad$ocate#
Ha$in, acco'*&ished a&& that cou&d e done at *resent< on the 7:th of
the 'onth< in co'*an! 2ith '! rother H!ru' S'ith< and E&ders Da$id
3hit'er< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< O&i$er Co2der!< and Ro,er Orton< &eft
1irt&and for the *ur*ose of $isitin, so'e Saints in the state of .ichi,an<
2here< after a to&era&! *&easant =ourne!< 2e arri$ed at )ontiac on the
HDth#
3hi&e on our 2a! u* the &a0e on oard the stea'er .onroe< E&der
Co2der! had a short discussion 2ith a 'an ca&&in, his na'e E&&'er# He said
that he 2as -*ersona&&! ac>uainted 2ith Joe S'ith< had heard hi' *reach
his &ies< and no2< since he 2as dead< he 2as ,&adK He had heard Joe S'ith
*reach in "ainrid,e< Chenan,o count!< Ne2 Yor0< fi$e !ears since? he 0ne2
it to e hi'< that he IJose*h S'ithJ 2as a dar0 co'*&e/ioned 'an<- etc#
E&&'er a**eared to e/u&t 'ost in that -Joe- 2as dead< and 'ade his
oser$ations in '! *resence# I conc&uded that he &earned it fro' the
*o*u&ar *riests of the da!< 2ho< throu,h fear that their craft 2i&& e
in=ured< if their s!ste's are co'*ared 2ith the truth< see0 to ridicu&e
those 2ho teach the truth< and thus I a' sufferin, under the ton,ue of
s&ander for Christ+s sa0e< unceasin,&!# 5od ha$e 'erc! on such< if the!
2i&& >uit their &!in,# I need not state '! co'*&e/ion to those that ha$e
seen 'e< and those 2ho ha$e read '! histor! thus far< 2i&& reco&&ect that
fi$e !ears a,o I 2as not a *reacher< as E&&'er re*resented? neither did I
e$er *reach in "ainrid,e#
After *reachin,< and teachin, the Saints in .ichi,an as &on, as our
ti'e 2ou&d a&&o2< 2e returned to 1irt&and< ,reat&! refreshed fro' our
=ourne!< and 'uch *&eased 2ith our friends in that section of the Lord+s
$ine!ard#
It no2 ein, the &ast of the 'onth< and the E&ders e,innin, to co'e
in< it 2as necessar! to 'a0e *re*arations for the schoo& for the E&ders<
2herein the! 'i,ht e 'ore *erfect&! instructed in the ,reat thin,s of
5od< durin, the co'in, 2inter# A ui&din, for a *rintin, office 2as near&!
finished< and the &o2er stor! of this ui&din, 2as set a*art for that
*ur*ose<
Ethe schoo&F 2hen it 2as co'*&eted# So the Lord o*ened the 2a!
accordin, to our faith and 2or0s< and &essed e His na'e#
No 'onth e$er found 'e 'ore usi&! en,a,ed than No$e'er? ut as '!
&ife consisted of acti$it! and un!ie&din, e/ertions< I 'ade this '! ru&e(
3hen the Lord co''ands< do it# A'on, other 'atters< the fo&&o2in, &etter
2as sent to 5eor,e Ja'es< "ro2nhe&'< Ohio< ! order of the Hi,h Counci&(
1IRTLAND< No$e'er 7D< 789@#
DEAR "ROTHER(--There ha$in, een serious co'*&aints *resented to us
a,ainst !ou< 2e sincere&! re>uest !ou to co'e to 1irt&and i''ediate&!< as
it 2i&& e necessar! that a *ro*er notice e ta0en of the sa'e# 3e do not
2rite the ao$e 2ith a $ie2 to accuse !ou ourse&$es< ut !ou 0no2 the
,reat res*onsii&it! restin, u*on us and the *ro*riet! of noticin,
char,es< es*ecia&&! 2hen the! are *referred a,ainst 'en in i'*ortant and
interestin, stations in the Church of the Saints< 3e ha$e tru&! 2ritten
the ao$e 2ith fee&in,s of dee* interest for !our o2n 2e&fare and standin,
in the Church? and 2e do ho*e !ou 2i&& not fai& to co'e do2n i''ediate&!<
as the re*resentations 'ade to us 2i&& re>uire i''ediate notice# It is
necessar! for us to infor' !ou that unti& !ou a**ear and 'a0e the
satisfaction re>uisite< !ou are sus*ended fro' actin, in the authorit! of
the office to 2hich !ou ha$e een *re$ious&! ordained#
3ith fee&in,s of res*ect 2e suscrie ourse&$es< !our rethren in the
Ne2 Co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN# SIDNEY RI5DON OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0 of
the Hi,h Counci&#
I continued '! &aors dai&!< *re*arin, for the schoo&< and recei$ed
the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en No$e'er HG< 789@#
7# It is '! 2i&& that '! ser$ant 3arren A# Co2der! shou&d e
a**ointed and ordained a *residin, Hi,h )riest o$er '! Church in the &and
of Freedo' and the re,ions round aout?
H# And shou&d *reach '! e$er&astin, 5os*e&< and &ift u* his $oice and
2arn the *eo*&e< not on&! in his o2n *&ace< ut in the ad=oinin, counties#
9# And de$ote his 2ho&e ti'e to this hi,h and ho&! ca&&in, 2hich I
no2 ,i$e unto hi'< see0in, di&i,ent&! the 0in,do' of hea$en and its
ri,hteousness< and a&& thin,s necessar! sha&& e added thereunto< for the
&aorer is 2orth! of his hire#
@# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the co'in, of the Lord dra2eth
ni,h< and it o$erta0eth the 2or&d as a thief in the ni,ht(
G# Therefore< ,ird u* !our &oins that !ou 'a! e the chi&dren of
&i,ht< and that da! sha&& not o$erta0e !ou as a thief#
:# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< there 2as =o! in hea$en 2hen '!
ser$ant 3arren o2ed to '! sce*tre< and se*arated hi'se&f fro' the crafts
of 'en#
M# Therefore< &essed is '! ser$ant 3arren< for I 2i&& ha$e 'erc! on
hi'< and not2ithstandin, the $anit! of his heart< I 2i&& &ift hi' u*<
inas'uch as he 2i&& hu'&e hi'se&f efore 'e?
8# And I 2i&& ,i$e hi' ,race and assurance 2here2ith he 'a! stand<
and if he continue to e a faithfu& 2itness and a &i,ht unto the Church< I
ha$e *re*ared a cro2n for hi' in the 'ansions of '! Father# E$en so# A'en#
The sa'e da!< Hon# J# T# %# Tho'*son< .issouri state senator< 2rote
E&der )he&*s< at Liert!< as fo&&o2s(
JEFFERSON CITY< No$# HG< 789@#
DEAR SIR(--I 2i&& sa! to !ou that !our case 2ith the Jac0son *eo*&e
has een 'entioned to the hi,hest officer in the sate< the ,o$ernor# He
s*ea0s of it in his 'essa,e< and so 'uch of his 'essa,e 2i&& e referred
to a co''ittee# I a' not a&e to sa! 2hat 2i&& e their re*ort< ut I 2i&&
2rite !ou a,ain# I ha$e the honor< etc#< J# T# %# THO.)SON#
The fo&&o2in, is that *ortion of the ,o$ernor+s 'essa,e referred to
in the fore,oin, &etter(
In Ju&!< 7899< a &ar,e *ortion of the citi4ens of Jac0son count!
or,ani4ed the'se&$es and entered into reso&utions to e/*e& fro' that
count! a re&i,ious sect ca&&ed .or'ons< 2ho had eco'e ono/ious to the'#
In No$e'er fo&&o2in,< the! effected their o=ect? not< ho2e$er< 2ithout
the &oss of se$era& &i$es#
In the =udicia& in>uir! into these outra,es< the ci$i& authorities
2ho had co,ni4ance of the'< dee'ed it *ro*er to ha$e a 'i&itar! ,uard for
the *ur*ose of ,i$in, *rotection durin, the *ro,ress of the tria&s# This
2as ordered< and the Attorne!-5enera& 2as re>uested to ,i$e his attention
durin, the in$esti,ation< oth of 2hich 2ere *erfor'ed< ut a&& to no
*ur*ose# As !et none has een *unished for these outra,es< and it is
e&ie$ed that< under our *resent &a2s< con$iction for an! $io&ence
co''itted a,ainst a .or'on cannot e had in Jac0son count!# These
unfortunate *eo*&e are no2 foridden to ta0e *ossession of their ho'es<
and the *rinci*a& *art of the'# I a' infor'ed< are at this ti'e &i$in, in
an ad=oinin, count!< in a ,reat 'easure u*on the charit! of its citi4ens#
It is for !ou to deter'ine 2hat a'end'ents the &a2s 'a! re>uire so as to
,uard a,ainst such acts of $io&ence for the future#
.inutes of a Counci& he&d at 1irt&and< No$e'er H8th#
A counci& con$ened this e$enin, to transact usiness accordin, to the
re,u&ations of the Church? Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0
5# 3i&&ia's *residin,# Ei,ht counci&ors *resent# John Johnson and H!ru'
S'ith 2ere a**ointed to s*ea0# A &etter fro' the church in Le2is< Esse/
count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2as *resented ! "rothers John H# Ti**its< and Jose*h H#
Ti**its< and read ! the c&er0# Said &etter contained an account of 'one!
and other *ro*ert! sent ! the church in Le2is< in the care of said
rethren< to carr! to .issouri to *urchase &and# These E&ders 2ished the
ad$ice of the counci&< 2hether the! had etter *ursue their =ourne! or
not#
The t2o Counci&ors s*o0e on the case< fo&&o2ed ! )resident 3i&&ia's<
Counci&or Orson H!de and the c&er0? after 2hich )resident Ri,don ,a$e a
decision that our rethren e ad$ised to tarr! in this *&ace durin, the
2inter? in 2hich the counci& concurred#
The t2o rethren then arose res*ecti$e&! and said the! 2ere *erfect&!
satisfied 2ith the decision of the counci&#
The a'ount donated ! the church in Le2is is< accordin, to their
&etter< in cash< R@M9#HN# The a'ount in Star *ro*ert! is R9MG#77# Tota&<
R8@8#@D#
The counci& then decided that )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ta0e such
a'ount of said 'one! as those rethren can *art 2ith for the *resent< !
,i$in, sufficient securit!< to e *aid 2ith interest ! the 7Gth of A*ri&<
789G#
It 2as ascertained ! the counci& that Sister Caro&ine Ti**its he&d
R7@N#MG of the 'one! 'entioned in said &etter< she 2as accordin,&! ca&&ed
into the counci&< and e/*ressed a 2i&&in,ness to &oan the sa'e#
One note of RH8D 2as dra2n in fa$or of John H# Ti**its< and another
of R7GD< in fa$or of Caro&ine Ti**its< each due A*ri& 7G< 789G# Si,ned !
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er Co2der!< and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's# OLI%ER
CO3DERY< C&er0#
The fo&&o2in, &etter 2as *resented ! John H# Ti**its< and for'ed the
su=ect for consideration ! the *recedin, counci&< 2ritten to )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and the Hi,h Counci& in 1irt&and< ! A&$ah L# Ti**its<
to e sent ,reetin,?
)resident S'ith 2i&& reco&&ect the ti'e I &eft 1irt&and &ast 2inter
in order to co'e to dis*ose of the *ro*ert! I had in *ossession< 2hich I
ha$e een stri$in, to do fro' that ti'e ti&& aout the first of Se*te'er
&ast< ut I ha$e fe&t $er! uneas! 2hi&e the co''and'ent has ,one forth for
the eastern churches to f&ee unto the 3est#
The 7st< or aout the 7st of Se*te'er< 2ith t2o of '! rethren< I
too0 the re$e&ation concernin, the rede'*tion of ;ion and read it< and
then 2e a,reed to as0 5od to ena&e us to oe! the sa'e# As 2e &i$e in the
eastern states< our 'inds 2ere i'*ressed 2ith these i'*ortant &ines(
-Therefore< a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto a&& the churches< that the!
sha&& continue to ,ather to,ether unto the *&aces 2hich I ha$e a**ointed?
ne$erthe&ess as I ha$e said unto !ou in a for'er co''and'ent< &et not !our
,atherin, e in haste< nor ! f&i,ht? ut &et a&& thin,s e *re*ared
efore !ou( and in order that a&& thin,s e *re*ared efore !ou< oser$e
the co''and'ent 2hich I ha$e ,i$en concernin, these thin,s< 2hich saith<
or teacheth< to *urchase a&& the &ands 2ith 'one!< 2hich can e *urchased
or 'one!< in the re,ion round aout the &and 2hich I ha$e a**ointed to e
the &and of ;ion< for the e,innin, of the ,atherin, of '! Saints? a&& the
&and 2hich can e *urchased in Jac0son count! and the counties round
aout< and &ea$e the residue in 'ine hand# No2< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et
a&& the churches ,ather to,ether a&& their 'onies? &et these thin,s he
done in- their ti'e< ut not in haste< and oser$e to ha$e a&& thin,s
*re*ared efore !ou# And &et honora&e 'en e a**ointed< e$en 2ise 'en<
and send the' to *urchase these &ands? and the churches in the eastern
countries< 2hen the! are ui&t u*< if the! 2i&& hear0en unto this counse&<
the! 'a! u! &ands and ,ather to,ether u*on the'? and in this 2a! the! 'a!
esta&ish ;ion#-
After further consideration and 'uch *ra!er< 2e carried the case
efore the church in this *&ace< 2hich 'et the a**roation of the sa'e
Accordin,&! 2e stro$e to eco'e of one heart and one 'ind< and
a**ointed a da! for fastin, and *ra!er< and as0ed the Lord to ena&e us to
co&&ect a&& our 'onies? and a**ointed a da! for the church to co'e
to,ether for counse&#
Accordin,&! 2e ca'e to,ether< and after con$ersation< chose a
'oderator and c&er0 to 0ee* the records of the church? counse&ed
concernin, *ro*ert! o2ned ! the church< and co''enced to 'a0e sa&e and
co&&ect *a! accordin, to the $oice of the church in order to co&&ect a&&
'onies o2ned ! the church< and send ! the hands of 2ise 'en< 2ho 2ere
a**ointed ! the $oice of the church? one E&der and one )riest< accordin,
to the 2i&& of 5od# AL%AH L# TI))ITS# Le2is< Count! of Esse/< Ne2 Yor0<
Octoer HD< 789@#
The 'e'ers of a ranch of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints<
a,reea&e to the re>uire'ent of hea$en< ha$e stri$en to unite their hearts
and $ie2s< in order to e found s*ot&ess efore the &a4in, throne of the
5reat Jeho$ah 2hen He co'es to 'a0e us His =e2e&s< and for this end to
send *ro*ert! ! the hands of 2ise 'en< a**ointed ! the $oice of the
church< a,reea&e to the re$e&ation concernin, the rede'*tion of ;ion< for
the *ur*ose of *urchasin, &and in Jac0son count!< or counties round aout<
for the inheritance of the Church# A,reea&e to this< 2e ,i$e our na'es
2ith the affi/ed su's anne/ed(
Cash )ro*ert!
Jose*h H# Ti**its############################## RN8#:M R7HD#9M
A&$ah Ti**its################# ################# 9@#:9 8D#DD
John H# Ti**its################################ 7M7#DG G7#N9
Henr! Ada's################################# ##### 77#79 8#MG
;eu&on Ada's###################################### 7#MG
Caro&ine Ti**its################################# 7G7#D: 7DM#DD
Da$id "ra,,#################################### G#DD 7#D:
5usta$us A# )err!############################## :#DD
Tota&< R8@8#@D? R7DD#DD< for oots and shoes< to e &eft in 1irt&and#
The 2ise 'en a**ointed are John H# Ti**its and Jose*h H# Ti**its#
On the e$enin, of the HNth of No$e'er< I united in *ra!er 2ith
"rother O&i$er for the continuance of &essin,s# After ,i$in, than0s for
the re&ief 2hich the Lord had &ate&! sent us ! o*enin, the hearts of the
rethren fro' the east< to &oan us R@9D? after co''encin, and re=oicin,
efore the Lord on this occasion< 2e a,reed to enter into the fo&&o2in,
co$enant 2ith the Lord< $i4#(
That if the Lord 2i&& *ros*er us in our usiness and o*en the 2a!
efore us that 2e 'a! otain 'eans to *a! our dets? that 2e e not
trou&ed nor rou,ht into disre*ute efore the 2or&d< nor His *eo*&e?
after that< of a&& that He sha&& ,i$e unto us< 2e 2i&& ,i$e a tenth to e
esto2ed u*on the *oor in His Church< or as He sha&& co''and? and that 2e
2i&& e faithfu& o$er that 2hich He has entrusted to our care< that 2e 'a!
otain 'uch? and that our chi&dren after us sha&& re'e'er to oser$e this
sacred and ho&! co$enant? and that our chi&dren< and our chi&dren+s
chi&dren< 'a! 0no2 of the sa'e< 2e ha$e suscried our na'es 2ith our o2n
hands# ESi,nedF JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN# OLI%ER CO3DERY#
A )ra!er#
And no2< O Father< as Thou didst *ros*er our father Jaco< and &ess
hi' 2ith *rotection and *ros*erit! 2here$er he 2ent< fro' the ti'e he 'ade
a &i0e co$enant efore and 2ith Thee? as Thou didst e$en the sa'e ni,ht<
o*en the hea$ens unto hi' and 'anifest ,reat 'erc! and *o2er< and ,i$e hi'
*ro'ises< 2i&t Thou do so 2ith us his sons? and as his &essin,s *re$ai&ed
ao$e his *ro,enitors unto the ut'ost ounds of the e$er&astin, hi&&s<
e$en so 'a! our &essin,s *re$ai& &i0e his? and 'a! Th! ser$ants e
*reser$ed fro' the *o2er and inf&uence of 2ic0ed and unri,hteous 'en? 'a!
e$er! 2ea*on for'ed a,ainst us fa&& u*on the head of hi' 2ho sha&& for'
it? 'a! 2e e &essed 2ith a na'e and a *&ace a'on, Th! Saints here< and
Th! sanctified 2hen the! sha&& rest# A'en#
No$e'er 9D#--3hi&e ref&ectin, on the ,oodness and 'erc! of 5od this
e$enin,< a *ro*hec!+ 2as *ut into our hearts< that in a short ti'e the
Lord 2ou&d arran,e His *ro$idences in a 'ercifu& 'anner and send us
assistance to de&i$er us fro' det and onda,e#
Dece'er 7#--Our schoo& for the E&ders 2as no2 2e&& attended< and
2ith the &ectures on theo&o,!< 2hich 2ere re,u&ar&! de&i$ered< asored
for the ti'e ein, e$er!thin, e&se of a te'*ora& nature# The c&asses<
ein, 'ost&! E&ders ,a$e the 'ost studious attention to the a&&-i'*ortant
o=ect of >ua&if!in, the'se&$es as 'essen,ers of Jesus Christ< to e read!
to do His 2i&& in carr!in, ,&ad tidin,s to a&& that 2ou&d o*en their e!es<
ears and hearts#
Accordin, to the direction of the Ho&! S*irit< on the e$enin, of the
Gth of Dece'er< 2hi&e asse'&ed 2ith Sidne! Ri,don< Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's< and O&i$er Co2der!< con$ersin, u*on the 2e&fare of the church< I
&aid '! hands on "rother O&i$er Co2der!< and ordained hi' an assistant
*resident< sa!in, these 2ords( -In the na'e of Jesus Christ< 2ho 2as
crucified for the sins of the 2or&d< I &a! '! hands u*on thee and ordain
thee an assistant *resident to the Hi,h and Ho&! )riesthood< in the Church
of the Latter-da! Saints#-
On the 77th< E&der )he&*s 2rote fro' Liert!< C&a! count!< to J# T#
Sr# Tho'*son< Jefferson Cit!< in re*&! to his &etter of the HGth No$e'er<
e/*ressi$e of than0fu&ness to his E/ce&&enc!< 5o$ernor Dun0&in< for
introducin, the sufferin,s of the Saints in his 'essa,e ? a&so as0in,
counse& -2hether it 2ou&d a$ai& an!thin, for the societ! to *etition the
&e,is&ature for an act to reinstate the' in their ri,hts<- etc#? and
re>uestin, hi' to confer 2ith his friends and his E/ce&&enc! on the
su=ect< and ,i$e an ear&! ans2er#
Aout the 'idd&e of the 'onth< the 'essa,e of 5o$ernor Dun0&in< of
.issouri< to the &e,is&ature< arri$ed at 1irt&and# It 2as read 2ith ,reat
interest< and re$i$ed the ho*es of the Church for the scattered rethren
of Jac0son count!#
E&der )he&*s 2rote a,ain to Es>uire Tho'*son< on the 78th as fo&&o2s(
DEAR SIR--"! this 'ai& I ha$e for2arded to Ca*tain Atchison< of the
&o2er house< a *etition and docu'ents< on the su=ect of our ri,hts in
Jac0son count!# He 2i&& hand the' to !ou for the senate< 2hen the! are
throu,h 2ith the' in the house# I sha&& e ,reat&! o&i,ed< if !ou 2i&&
&a! the' efore !our honora&e od!? and an! infor'ation !ou 'a! re>uire<
or e$en *ersona& attendance< 2rite< and !ou sha&& ha$e it if it is in '!
*o2er< As a *eo*&e< a&& 2e as0 is our ri,hts# 3ith estee'< etc#< 3# 3#
)HEL)S#
On the HDth .essrs# Tho'*son and Atchison 2rote E&der )he&*s fro' the
-Senate Cha'er<- ac0no2&ed,in, the recei*t of his &etter< statin, that
the co''ittee on the 5o$ernor+s 'essa,e had not re*orted< and reco''endin,
the Saints to ,et u* a *etition to the &e,is&ature< 2ith as 'an!
si,natures as *ossi&e< *ro'isin, their assistance and inf&uence to otain
redress of ,rie$ances# A *etition 2as accordin,&! for2arded? ut the !ear
c&osed 2ithout rin,in, an!thin, to *ass for the re&ief of the Saints in
.issouri#
CHA)TER 6III
THE LECTURES ON FAITH--T3EL%E A)OSTLES CHOSEN AND ORDAINED#
Januar!< 789G--Durin, the 'onth of Januar!< I 2as en,a,ed in the
schoo& of the E&ders< and in *re*arin, the &ectures on theo&o,! for
*u&ication in the oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< 2hich the co''ittee
a**ointed &ast Se*te'er 2ere no2 co'*i&in,#
Certain rethren fro' "o&ton< Ne2 Yor0< ca'e for counse&< re&ati$e to
their *roceedin, to the 3est? and the Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed on the 78th#
After a &on, in$esti,ation I decided that E&der Tanner assist 2ith his
'i,ht to ui&d u* the cause ! tarr!in, in 1irt&and? 2hich decision
recei$ed the unani'ous $ote of the counci&#
The schoo& of the E&ders 2i&& continue< and arran,e'ents 2ere a&so
'ade< accordin, to the re$e&ation of June< 78HN< FN#7 for choosin, -the
T2e&$e A*ost&es- to e es*ecia& 'essen,ers to ear the 5os*e& a'on, the
nations#
On the Saath *re$ious to the 7@th of Feruar!< EFeruar! 8thF
"rothers Jose*h and "ri,ha' Youn, ca'e to '! house after 'eetin,< and sun,
for 'e? the S*irit of the Lord 2as *oured out u*on us< and I to&d the' I
2anted to see those rethren to,ether< 2ho 2ent u* to ;ion in the ca'* the
*re$ious su''er< for I had a &essin, for the'? and a 'eetin, 2as
a**ointed for 2hich the fo&&o2in, are the 'inutes( FN#H
.inutes of the .eetin,s at 2hich the T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ere Chosen< Ordained
and Instructed#
1irt&and< Feruar! 7@< 789G--This da!< a 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed of those
2ho =ourne!ed &ast season to ;ion for the *ur*ose of &a!in, the foundation
of its rede'*tion< to,ether 2ith as 'an! other of the rethren and sisters
as 2ere dis*osed to attend#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *residin,< read the 7Gth cha*ter of
John< and said( Let us endea$or to so&e'ni4e our 'inds that 2e 'a! recei$e
a &essin,< ! ca&&in, on the Lord# After an a**ro*riate and affectin,
*ra!er< the rethren 2ho 2ent to ;ion Iin ;ion+s ca'*J 2ere re>uested to
ta0e their seats to,ether in a *art of the house ! the'se&$es#
)resident S'ith then stated that the 'eetin, had een ca&&ed< ecause
5od had co''anded it? and it 2as 'ade 0no2n to hi' ! $ision FN#9 and !
the Ho&! S*irit# He then ,a$e a re&ation of so'e of the circu'stances
attendin, us 2hi&e =ourne!in, to ;ion--our tria&s< sufferin,s? and said
5od had not desi,ned a&& this for nothin,< ut He had it in re'e'rance
!et? FN#@ and it 2as the 2i&& of 5od that those 2ho 2ent to 4ion< 2ith a
deter'ination to &a! do2n their &i$es< if necessar!< shou&d e ordained to
the 'inistr!< and ,o forth to *rune the $ine!ard for the &ast ti'e< or the
co'in, of the Lord< 2hich 2as ni,h--e$en fift!-si/ !ears shou&d 2ind u*
the scene#
The )resident a&so said 'an! thin,s? such as the 2ea0 thin,s< e$en
the s'a&&est and 2ea0est a'on, us< sha&& e *o2erfu& and 'i,ht!< and ,reat
thin,s sha&& e acco'*&ished ! !ou fro' this hour? and !ou sha&& e,in to
fee& the 2his*erin,s of the S*irit of 5od? and the 2or0 of 5od sha&& e,in
to rea0 forth fro' this ti'e? and !ou sha&& e endo2ed 2ith *o2er fro' on
hi,h#
)resident then ca&&ed u* a&& those 2ho 2ent to ;ion< if the! 2ere
a,reed 2ith hi' in the state'ent 2hich he had 'ade< to arise? and the! a&&
arose and stood u*on their feet#
He then ca&&ed u*on the re'ainder of the con,re,ation< to 0no2 if
the! a&so sanctioned the 'o$e< and the! a&& raised their ri,ht hand#
The na'es of those 2ho 2ent to ;ion in the ca'* are as fo&&o2s( FN#G
Ha4en A&drich< A&on4o Cha'*&in
Jose*h S# A&&en< Jaco Cha*'an<
Isaac A&&red< 3i&&ia' Cherr!<
Ja'es A&&red< John .# Chidester<
.artin A&&red< A&den Chi&ds<
.i&o Andrus< Nathanie& Chi&ds<
So&o'on An,e&< Ste*hen Chi&ds<
A&&en A# A$er!< A&ert C&e'ents<
A&'on 3# "aitt< Tho'as Co&orn<
A&e/ander "ad&a'< A&anson Co&!<
Sa'ue& "a0er< ;era S# Co&e<
Nathan "ennett "a&d2in< ;eedee Co&trin<
E&a' "arer< Lieus T# Coon<
Israe& "ar&o2< Horace Co2an<
Loren4o D# "arnes< L!'an Curtis<
Edson "arne!< .echa' Curtis<
Ro!a& "arne!< So&o'on 3# Denton<
Henr! "enner< )eter Doff<
Sa'ue& "ent< Da$id D# Dort<
Hira' "ac0'an< John Duncan<
Loren4o "ooth< Ja'es Dunn<
5eor,e 3# "roo0s< )hi&e'on Du4ette<
A&ert "ro2n< )hi&i* Ett&e'an<
Harr! "ro2n< "radford 3# E&&iot<
Sa'ue& "ro2n< Da$id E&&iot<
John "ro2ne&&< Da$id E$ans<
)eter "uchanan< Asa Fie&d<
A&den "urdic0< Ed'und Fisher<
Harrison "ur,ess< A&fred Fis0<
Da$id "!ur< He4e0iah Fis0<
3i&&ia' F# Cahoon< E&i=ah Fordha'<
John Car*enter< 5eor,e Fordha'<
John S# Carter< Frederic0 Forne!<
Danie& Cathcart< John Fossett<
So&on Foster< Ja'es Foster<
Jaco 5ates< 3i&&ia' S# I$ie<
"en=a'in 5ifford< 3i&&ia' Jesso*<
Le$i 5ifford< Lu0e S# Johnson<
Sher'an 5i&ert< L!'an E# Johnson<
Tru 5&idden< Noah Johnson<
Dean C# 5ou&d< Seth Johnson<
Jedediah .# 5rant< Isaac Jones<
Addison 5reen< Le$i Jones<
.ichae& 5riffith< Char&es 1e&&e!<
E$erett 5ris2o&d< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
E&isha 5ro$es< Sa'ue& 1in,s&e!<
Jose*h Hancoc0< Dennis La0e<
Le$i 3# Hancoc0< Jesse "# La2son<
Jose*h Har'on< L# S# Le2is<
Henr! Herri'an< Josiah Litt&efie&d<
.artin Harris< L!'an O# Litt&efie&d<
Jose*h Hartshorn< 3a&do Litt&efie&d<
Tho'as Ha!es< A'asa .# L!'an<
Ne&son Hi,,ins< .oses .artin<
Seth Hitchcoc0< Ed2ard 3# .ar$in<
A'os Ho,ers< Reuen .c"ride<
Chand&er Ho&roo0< Roert .cCord<
Jose*h Ho&roo0< E&ea4er .i&&er<
.i&ton Ho&'es< John .i&&er<
Os'on Hou,hton< Justin .orse<
.arsha& Huard< John .urdoc0<
So&o'on Hu'*hre!< Free'an Nic0erson<
Jose*h Hunts'an< Le$i S# Nic0erson<
John Hustin< Uriah C# Nic0erson<
E&ias Hutchins< Jose*h Nicho&as<
He'an T# H!de< Jose*h "# No&e<
Orson H!de< Ur# North<
3arren S# In,a&&s< Ro,er Orton<
Ed2ard I$ie< John D# )ar0er<
Ja'es R# I$ie< 3arren )arrish<
John A# I$ie< Orson )ratt<
Da$id 3# )atten< )ar&e! )# )ratt<
3i&&ia' D# )ratt< Char&es C# Rich<
Leonard Rich< Sa'ue& Tho'*son<
Dar2in Richardson< 3'# )# Ti**etts<
"urr Ri,,s< Tinne! Tho'as<
Har*in Ri,,s< Ne&son Tris<
Nathanie& Ri,,s< Joe& %au,hn<
.i&cher Ri&e!< Sa&'on 3arner<
A&anson Ri*&e!< 3i&&ia' 3eden<
Le2is Roins< E&ias Stron,<
Erastus Rudd< John Joshua Tanner<
3i&&ia' Henr! Sa,ers< E4ra Tha!er<
3i&0ins Jen0ins Sa&isur!< Nathan Tanner<
Henr! Sher'an< Ja'es L# Tho'*son<
L!'an Sher'an< E&ias 3e&&s<
Henr! Shi&e!< A&e/ander 3hitesides<
C!rus S'a&&in,< Andre2 3# 3hit&oc0<
A$er! S'ith< L!'an 3i,ht<
5eor,e A# S'ith< Eer 3i&co/<
H!ru' S'ith< S!&$ester "# 3i&0inson<
Jac0son S'ith< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's<
;echariah "# S'ith< A&on4o 3inchester<
Jose*h S'ith< "en=a'in 3inchester<
L!'an S'ith< Lu*ton 3inchester<
S!&$ester S'ith< A&$in 3ine,ar<
3i&&ia' S'ith< Sa'ue& 3ine,ar<
3i&&ard Sno2< Hira' 3inter<
Har$e! Stan&e!< Henr! 3iss'i&&er<
H!ru' Stratton< 3i&ford 3oodruff<
;eruae& Sno2< "ri,ha' Youn,<
Danie& Ste*hens< Jose*h Youn,#
3O.EN IN ;ION+S CA.)#
Char&otte A&$ord< .ar! Chidester<
So*hronia Curtis< Diana Dra0e<
.ar! Sno2 5ates< Eunice Ho&roo0<
Nanc! La'son Ho&roo0< .rs# Hou,hton<
Ada C&e'ents< ------ Ri*&e!#
CHILDREN IN ;ION+S CA.)#
Diana Ho&roo0< dau,hter of Chand&er Ho&roo0<
Sarah Lucretia Ho&roo0< dau,hter of Jose*h Ho&roo0<
Char&otte Ho&roo0< dau,hter of Jose*h Ho&roo0<
-------------< dau,hter of A&$in 3ine,ar<
Sarah )u&si*her< dau,hter of ;era )u&si*her<
John )# Chidester< son of John .# Chidester<
Eunice Chidester< dau,hter of John .# Chidester#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< after 'a0in, 'an! re'ar0s on the
su=ect of choosin, the T2e&$e< 2anted an e/*ression fro' the rethren< if
the! 2ou&d e satisfied to ha$e the S*irit of the Lord dictate in the
choice of the E&ders to e A*ost&es? 2hereu*on a&& the E&ders *resent
e/*ressed their an/ious desire to ha$e it so#
A h!'n 2as then sun,< -Har0< &isten to the tru'*eters#- FN#:
)resident H!ru' S'ith *ra!ed< and 'eetin, 2as dis'issed for one hour#
Asse'&ed *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent< and co''enced 2ith *ra!er#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< said that the first usiness of the
'eetin, 2as< for the Three 3itnesses FN#M of the "oo0 of .or'on< to *ra!<
each one< and then *roceed to choose t2e&$e 'en fro' the Church< as
A*ost&es< to ,o to a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e#
The Three 3itnesses 2ere then &essed ! the &a!in, on of the hands
of the )residenc!#
The 3itnesses then< accordin, to a for'er co''and'ent< *roceeded to
'a0e choice of the T2e&$e# Their na'es are as fo&&o2s(
7# L!'an E# Johnson< M# 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in<
H# "ri,ha' Youn,< 8# John f# "o!nton<
9# Heer C# 1i'a&&< N# Orson )ratt<
@# Orson H!de< 7D# 3i&&ia' S'ith<
G# Da$id 3# )atten< 77# Tho'as )# .arsh<
:# Lu0e S# Johnson< 7H# )ar&e! )# )ratt<
L!'an E# Johnson< "ri,ha' Youn, and Heer C# 1i'a&& ca'e for2ard?
and the Three 3itnesses &aid their hands u*on each one+s head and *ra!ed<
se*arate&!# FN#8
The &essin, of L!'an E# Johnson 2as< in the na'e of Jesus Christ<
that he shou&d ear the tidin,s of sa&$ation to nations< ton,ues< and
*eo*&e< unti& the ut'ost corners of the earth sha&& hear the tidin,s? and
that he sha&& e a 2itness of the thin,s of 5od to nations and ton,ues<
and that ho&! an,e&s sha&& ad'inister to hi' occasiona&&!? and that no
*o2er of the ene'! sha&& *re$ent hi' fro' ,oin, forth and doin, the 2or0
of the Lord? and that he sha&& &i$e unti& the ,atherin, is acco'*&ished<
accordin, to the ho&! *ro*hets? and he sha&& e &i0e unto Enoch? and his
faith sha&& e &i0e unto his? and he sha&& e ca&&ed ,reat a'on, a&& the
&i$in,? and Satan sha&& tre'&e efore hi'? and he sha&& see the Sa$ior
co'e and stand u*on the earth 2ith *o2er and ,reat ,&or!#
The &essin, of "ri,ha' Youn, 2as that he shou&d e stron, in od!<
that he 'i,ht ,o forth and ,ather the e&ect< *re*arator! to the ,reat da!
of the co'in, of the Lord? and that he 'i,ht e stron, and 'i,ht!<
dec&arin, the tidin,s to nations that 0no2 not 5od? that he 'a! add ten
ta&ents? that he 'a! co'e to ;ion 2ith 'an! shea$es# He sha&& ,o forth
fro' &and to &and and fro' sea to sea? and sha&& eho&d hea$en&!
'essen,ers ,oin, forth? and his &ife sha&& e *ro&on,ed? and the Ho&!
)riesthood is conferred on hi'< that he 'a! do 2onders in the na'e of
Jesus? that he 'a! cast out de$i&s< hea& the sic0< raise the dead< o*en
the e!es of the &ind< ,o forth fro' &and to &and and fro' sea to sea? and
that heathen nations sha&& e$en ca&& hi' 5od hi'se&f< if he do not reu0e
the'#
Heer C# 1i'a&&+s &essin, 2as< in sustance< that he sha&& e 'ade
&i0e unto those 2ho ha$e een &essed efore hi'? and e fa$ored 2ith the
sa'e &essin,# That he 'i,ht recei$e $isions? the 'inistration of an,e&s<
and hear their $oice? and e$en co'e into the *resence of 5od? that 'an!
'i&&ions 'a! e con$erted ! his instru'enta&it!? that an,e&s 'a! 2aft hi'
fro' *&ace to *&ace< and that he 'a! stand unto the co'in, of our Lord<
and recei$e a cro2n in the 1in,do' of our 5od? that he e 'ade ac>uainted
2ith the da! 2hen Christ sha&& co'e? that he sha&& e 'ade *erfect in
faith? and that the deaf sha&& hear< the &a'e sha&& 2a&0< the &ind sha&&
see< and ,reater thin,s than these sha&& he do? that he sha&& ha$e
o&dness of s*eech efore the nations< and ,reat *o2er#
A h!'n 2as sun,< -5&orious thin,s of thee are s*o0en<- etc#? and the
con,re,ation 2as dis'issed ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
Sunda!< Feruar! 7G -- The con,re,ation a,ain asse'&ed#
)resident Co2der! 'ade so'e oser$ations u*on the nature of the
'eetin,< ca&&in, u*on the Lord for his assistance? after 2hich a nu'er of
certificates fro' rethren that had recent&! returned fro' ;ion 2ere read
and acce*ted#
)resident Co2der! then ca&&ed for2ard Orson H!de< Da$id 3# )atten and
Lu0e Johnson< and *roceeded to their ordinations and &essin,s#
Orson H!de+s "&essin,(--O&i$er Co2der! ca&&ed u*on the Lord to s'i&e
u*on hi'? that his faith e 'ade *erfect< and that the &essin,s
*ronounced 'a! e rea&i4ed? that he e 'ade 'i,ht!< and e endued 2ith
*o2ers fro' on hi,h< and ,o forth to the nations of the earth to *roc&ai'
the 5os*e&< that he 'a! esca*e a&& the *o&&utions of the 2or&d? that the
an,e&s sha&& u*ho&d hi'? and that he sha&& ,o forth accordin, to the
co''and'ent< oth to Je2 and 5enti&e< and to a&& nations< 0in,do's and
ton,ues? that a&& 2ho hear his $oice sha&& ac0no2&ed,e hi' to e a ser$ant
of 5od? that he sha&& e e>ua& 2ith his rethren in ho&din, the 0e!s of
the 0in,do'? that he 'a! stand on the earth and rin, sou&s ti&& Christ
co'es# 3e 0no2 that he &o$es Thee< O< Lord< and 'a! this Th! ser$ant e
a&e to 2a&0 throu,h *esti&ence and not e har'ed? and the *o2ers of
dar0ness ha$e no ascendenc! o$er hi'? 'a! he ha$e *o2er to s'ite the earth
2ith *esti&ence? to di$ide 2aters< and &ead throu,h the Saints? 'a! he ,o
fro' &and to &and and fro' sea to sea< and 'a! he e &i0e one of the three
Ne*hites#
Da$id 3# )atten+s &essin,(--O 5od< ,i$e this Th! ser$ant< a
0no2&ed,e of Th! 2i&&? 'a! he e &i0e one of o&d< 2ho ore testi'on! of
Jesus? 'a! he e a ne2 'an fro' this da! forth# He sha&& e e>ua& 2ith his
rethren< the T2e&$e< and ha$e the >ua&ifications of the *ro*hets efore
hi'# .a! his od! e stron, and ne$er e 2ear!? 'a! he 2a&0 and not faint#
.a! he ha$e *o2er o$er a&& diseases< and faith accordin, to his desires?
'a! the hea$ens e o*ened u*on hi' s*eedi&!? that he 'a! ear testi'on!
fro' 0no2&ed,e? that he 'a! ,o to nations and is&es afar off# .a! he ha$e
a 0no2&ed,e of the thin,s of the 1in,do'< fro' the e,innin,< and e a&e
to tear do2n *riestcraft &i0e a &ion# .a! he ha$e *o2er to s'ite his
ene'ies efore hi'< 2ith utter destruction# .a! he continue ti&& the Lord
co'es# O Father< 2e sea& these &essin,s u*on hi'# E$en so# A'en#
Lu0e S# Johnson+s "&essin,(--Our Father in hea$en< &oo0 do2n in 'erc!
u*on us< and u*on this Th! ser$ant< 2ho' 2e ordain to the 'inistr! of the
T2e&$e# He sha&& e *re*ared and *reser$ed< and e &i0e those 2e ha$e
&essed efore hi'# The nations sha&& tre'&e efore hi'# He sha&& hear
the $oice of 5od? he sha&& co'fort the hearts of the Saints a&2a!s# The
an,e&s sha&& ear hi' u* ti&& he sha&& finish his 'inistr!# He sha&& e
de&i$ered< and co'e forth 2ith Israe&# He sha&& ear testi'on! to the
0in,s of the earth< and ho&d co''union 2ith the Father< 2ith the Son< and
2ith the ,enera& asse'&! and Church of the first-orn# If cast into
*rison< he sha&& e a&e to co'fort the hearts of his co'rades# His ton,ue
sha&& e &oosed< and he sha&& ha$e *o2er to &ead 'an! to ;ion< and sit
do2n 2ith the'? the Ancient of Da!s sha&& *ronounce this &essin,< that he
has een faithfu&? he sha&& ha$e stren,th< 2isdo'< and *o2er? he sha&& ,o
a'on, the co$enant *eo*&e and s*ea0 a&& their ton,ues 2here he sha&& ,o#
A&& these &essin,s 2e confir' u*on hi' in the na'e of Jesus# A'en#
3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in+s "&essin,(--In the na'e of the Lord< 2isdo' and
inte&&i,ence sha&& e *oured out u*on hi'< to ena&e hi' to *erfor' the
,reat 2or0 that is incu'ent u*on hi'? that he 'a! e s*ared unti& the
Saints are ,athered? that he 'a! stand efore 0in,s and ru&ers to ear
testi'on!< and e u*he&d ! ho&! an,e&s? and the nations of the earth
sha&& ac0no2&ed,e that 5od has sent hi'? he sha&& ha$e *o2er to o$erco'e
his ene'ies? and his &ife sha&& e s*ared in the 'idst of *esti&ence and
destruction< and in the 'idst of his ene'ies# He sha&& e a *rince and
sa$ior to 5od+s *eo*&e# The te'*ter sha&& not o$erco'e hi'< nor his
ene'ies *re$ai& a,ainst hi'? the hea$ens sha&& e o*ened unto hi'< as unto
'en in da!s of o&d# He sha&& e 'i,ht! in the hands of 5od< and sha&&
con$ince thousands that 5od has sent hi'? and his da!s 'a! e *ro&on,ed
unti& the co'in, of the Son of .an# He sha&& e 2afted as on ea,&es+
2in,s< fro' countr! to countr!< and fro' *eo*&e to *eo*&e? and e a&e to
do 2onders in the 'idst of this ,eneration# E$en so# A'en#
John F# "o!nton+s "&essin,(--Thou hast *re$ai&ed and thou sha&t
*re$ai&< and thou sha&t dec&are the 5os*e& unto 'an! nations# Thou sha&t
e 'ade 'i,ht! efore 5od? and a&thou,h thou sha&t e cast out fro' the
face of 'en< !et thou sha&t ha$e *o2er to *re$ai&# Thou sha&t &ead the
e&ect triu'*hant&! to the *&aces of refu,e? thou sha&t e &i0e the
rethren 2ho ha$e een &essed efore thee# Thou sha&t stand in that da!
of ca&a'it! 2hen the 2ic0ed sha&& e consu'ed< and *resent unto the
Father< s*ot&ess< the fruits of th! &aor# Thou sha&t o$erco'e a&& the
e$i&s that are in the 2or&d? thou sha&t ha$e 2isdo' to *ut to si&ence a&&
the 2isdo' of the 2ise? and thou sha&t see the face of th! Redee'er in the
f&esh# These &essin,s are *ronounced and sea&ed u*on thee# E$en so# A'en#
3i&&ia' S'ith+s "&essin,(--3e *ra! that he 'a! e *urified in heart?
that he 'a! ha$e co''union 2ith 5od? that he 'a! e e>ua& 2ith his
rethren in ho&din, the 0e!s of this 'inistr!? that he 'a! e 0e*t and e
instru'enta& in &eadin, Israe& forth< that he 'a! e de&i$ered fro' the
hands of those 2ho see0 to destro! hi'? that he 'a! e ena&ed to ear
testi'on! to the nations that Jesus &i$es? that he 'a! stand in the 'idst
of *esti&ence and destruction# He sha&& e 'i,ht! in the hands of 5od< in
rin,in, aout the restoration of Israe&# The nations sha&& re=oice at the
,reatness of the ,ifts 2hich 5od has esto2ed u*on hi'( that his ton,ue
sha&& e &oosed? he sha&& ha$e *o2er to do ,reat thin,s in the na'e of
Jesus# He sha&& e *reser$ed and re'ain on the earth< unti& Christ sha&&
co'e to ta0e $en,eance on the 2ic0ed# Ad=ourned#
1irt&and< Feruar! H7st< 789G( )ursuant to ad=ourn'ent< a 'eetin, of
the Church 2as he&d< and after *ra!er ! )resident Da$id 3hit'er< and a
short address ! )resident O&i$er Co2der! to the con,re,ation< E&der
)ar&e! )# )ratt 2as ca&&ed to the stand< and ordained one of the T2e&$e<
! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Da$id 3hit'er< and O&i$er Co2der!# O
Lord< s'i&e fro' hea$en u*on this th! ser$ant? for,i$e his sins< sanctif!
his heart< and *re*are hi' to recei$e the &essin,# Increase his &o$e for
Thee and for Th! cause? increase his inte&&i,ence? co''unicate to hi' a&&
that 2isdo'< that *rudence< and that understandin,< 2hich he needs as a
'inister of ri,hteousness and to 'a,nif! the A*ost&eshi* 2hereunto he is
ca&&ed# .a! a dou&e *ortion of that S*irit 2hich 2as co''unicated to the
disci*&es of our Lord and Sa$ior to &ead the' unto a&& truth< rest do2n
u*on hi'< and ,o 2ith hi' 2here he ,oes< that nothin, sha&& *re$ai&
a,ainst hi'< that he 'a! e de&i$ered fro' *risons< fro' the *o2er of his
ene'ies< and fro' the ad$ersar! of a&& ri,hteousness# .a! he e a&e to
'ount u* on 2in,s as an ea,&e< to run and not e 2ear!< to 2a&0 and not
faint? 'a! he ha$e ,reat 2isdo' and inte&&i,ence< and e a&e to &ead
thine e&ect throu,h this thorn! 'a4e# Let sic0ness and death ha$e no *o2er
o$er hi'? &et hi' e e>ua& 2ith his rethren in rin,in, 'an! sons and
dau,hters to ,&or!< and 'an! nations to a 0no2&ed,e of the truth# 5reat
&essin,s sha&& rest u*on thee? th! faith sha&& increase? thou sha&t ha$e
,reat *o2er to *re$ai&# The $ai& of the hea$ens sha&& e ro&&ed u*? thou
sha&t e *er'itted to ,a4e 2ithin it< and recei$e instructions fro' on
hi,h# No ar' that is for'ed and &ifted a,ainst thee sha&& *ros*er? no
*o2er sha&& *re$ai&? for thou sha&t ha$e *o2er 2ith 5od< and sha&t
*roc&ai' His 5os*e&# Thou 2i&t e aff&icted< ut thou sha&t e de&i$ered<
and con>uer a&& th! foes# Thine office sha&& ne$er e ta0en fro' thee?
thou sha&t e ca&&ed ,reat? an,e&s sha&& carr! thee fro' *&ace to *&ace#
Th! sins are for,i$en< and th! na'e 2ritten in the La'+s "oo0 of Life#
E$en so# A'en#
A*osto&ic Char,e ,i$en ! O&i$er Co2der! to )ar&e! )# )ratt(
I a' a2are< dear "rother< that the 'ind natura&&! c&ai's so'ethin,
ne2? ut the sa'e thin, rehearsed fre>uent&! *rofits us# You 2i&& ha$e the
sa'e difficu&ties to encounter in fu&fi&&in, this 'inistr!< that the
ancient A*ost&e had# You ha$e en&isted in a cause that re>uires !our 2ho&e
attention? !ou ou,ht< therefore< to count the cost? and to eco'e a
*o&ished shaft< !ou 'ust e sensi&e< re>uires the &aor of !ears? and
!our station re>uired a *erfect *o&ish# It is re>uired of !ou not 'ere&!
to tra$e& a fe2 'i&es in the countr!< ut in distant countries( !ou 'ust
endure 'uch &aor< 'uch toi&< and 'an! *ri$ations< to eco'e *erfect&!
*o&ished# Your ca&&in, is not &i0e that of the husand'an< to cu&ti$ate a
stinted *ortion of the *&anet on 2hich 2e d2e&&< and 2hen hea$en has ,i$en
the for'er and the &atter rain< and 'e&&o2 autu'n ri*ened his fruit<
,athers it in< and con,ratu&ates hi'se&f for a season in the inter'ission
of his toi&s< 2hi&e he antici*ates his 2inter e$enin,s of re&a/ation and
fire-side en=o!'ents# "ut< dear "rother< it is far other2ise 2ith !ou#
Your &aor 'ust e incessant< and !our toi& ,reat? !ou 'ust ,o forth and
&aor ti&& the ,reat 2or0 is done# It 2i&& re>uire a series of !ears to
acco'*&ish it? ut !ou 2i&& ha$e this *&easin, conso&ation< that !our
hea$en&! Father re>uires it? the fie&d is His? the 2or0 is His? and He
2i&& not on&! cheer !ou< ani'ate !ou< and uo! !ou u* in !our *i&,ri'a,e<
in !our arduous toi&s? ut 2hen !our 2or0 is done< and !our &aor o$er< He
2i&& ta0e !ou unto Hi'se&f# "ut efore this consu''ation of !our fe&icit!<
rin, !our 'ind to ear u*on 2hat 2i&& e i'*erious&! re>uired of !ou to
acco'*&ish< $i4#< the ,reat 2or0 that &ies efore !ou# Count 2e&& the
cost# You ha$e read of the *ersecutions and tria&s of ancient da!s# Has
not itter e/*erience tau,ht !ou that the! are the sa'e no2B You 2i&& e
dra,,ed efore the authorities for the re&i,ion !ou *rofess? and it 2ere
etter not to set out< than to start and &oo0 ac0< or shrin0 2hen dan,ers
thic0en around !ou< or a**a&&in, death stares !ou in the face# I ha$e
s*o0en these thin,s< dear rother< ecause I ha$e seen the' in $isions#
There are stron, dun,eons and ,&oo'! *risons for !ou# These shou&d not
a**ea& !ou# You 'ust e ca&&ed a ,ood or a ad 'an# The ancients *assed
throu,h the sa'e e/*erience# The! had this testi'on!--that the! had seen
the Sa$ior after He rose fro' the dead# You 'ust ear the sa'e testi'on!?
or !our 'ission< !our &aor< !our toi&< 2i&& e in $ain# You 'ust ear the
sa'e testi'on!< that there is ut one 5od< one .ediator? he that hath seen
Hi'< 2i&& 0no2 Hi'< and testif! of Hi'# "e2are of *ride? e2are of e$i&?
shun the $er! a**earance of it? for the ti'e is co'in, 2hen< if !ou do not
,i$e heed to these thin,s< !ou 2i&& ha$e a fa&&# A'on, !our 'an!
aff&ictions< !ou 2i&& ha$e 'an! &essin,s a&so? ut !ou 'ust *ass throu,h
'an! aff&ictions< in order to recei$e the ,&or! that is in reser$e for
!ou# You 2i&& 'eet thousands< 2ho< 2hen the! first see !ou< 2i&& 0no2
nothin, aout sa&$ation ! Jesus Christ? !ou sha&& see a nation orn in a
da!# A ,reat 2or0 &ies efore !ou< and the ti'e is near 2hen !ou 'ust id
fare2e&& to !our nati$e &and< cross the 'i,ht! dee*< and sound the tocsin
of a&ar' to other nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e# Re'e'er that
a&& !our ho*es of de&i$erance fro' dan,er and fro' death< 2i&& rest u*on
!our faithfu&ness to 5od? in His cause< !ou 'ust necessari&! ser$e Hi'
2ith a *erfect heart and a 2i&&in, 'ind# A$oid strife and $ain ,&or!?
thin0 not !ourse&f etter than !our rethren< ut *ra! for the'< as 2e&&
as for !ourse&f? and if !ou are faithfu&< ,reat 2i&& e !our &essin,s?
ut if !ou are not< !our ste2ardshi* 2i&& e ta0en fro' !ou< and another
a**ointed in !our stead#
E&der )ratt ,a$e his hand to )resident O&i$er Co2der!< and said he
had recei$ed ordination< and shou&d fu&fi&& the 'inistr! accordin, to the
,race ,i$en hi'? to 2hich the )resident re*&ied< 5o forth< and an,e&s
sha&& ear thee u*? and thou sha&t co'e forth at the &ast da!< rin,in,
'an! 2ith thee#
Tho'as "# .arsh and Orson )ratt 2ere asent on a 'ission#
E&der .arsh returned to 1irt&and on the HGth of A*ri&< and E&der
Orson )ratt on the H:th< and recei$ed their ordinations and &essin,s<
2hich are recorded in this *&ace< in connection 2ith the ordinations and
&essin,s of their rethren# FN#N
Tho'as "# .arsh+s "&essin, ! )resident O&i$er Co2der!#--Dear
"rother--You are to e a 'inister of ri,hteousness< and to this 'inistr!
and a*ost&eshi* !ou are no2 to e ordained? and 'a! a&& te'*ora& and
s*iritua& &essin,s attend !ou# Your sins are for,i$en !ou< and !ou are to
,o forth and *reach the e$er&astin, 5os*e&# You sha&& tra$e& fro' 0in,do'
to 0in,do' and fro' nation to nation# An,e&s sha&& ear thee u*< and thou
sha&t e instru'enta& in rin,in, thousands of the redee'ed of the Lord to
;ion# Sea&ed ! )resident Da$id 3hit'er# E$en so# A'en#
Orson )ratt+s "&essin,#--Dear "rother--You are chosen and set a*art<
to e ordained to this a*ost&eshi* and this 'inistr!? !ou sha&& ,o forth
and *reach the 5os*e&< and do a 'i,ht! 2or0# You sha&& e sustained? the
Ho&! S*irit sha&& en&i,hten th! 'ind? thou sha&t tra$e& fro' nation to
nation? the Lord 5od sha&& *reser$e thee< and return thee safe< 2ith son,s
of e$er&astin, =o! u*on th! head# Confir'ed ! )resident Da$id 3hit'er#
5enera& Char,e to the T2e&$e#
The fo&&o2in, ,enera& char,e 2as ,i$en to the T2e&$e ! )resident
O&i$er Co2der!(--Dear "rethren--)re$ious to de&i$erin, the char,e< I sha&&
read a *art of a re$e&ation# It is 0no2n to !ou< that *re$ious to the
or,ani4ation of this Church in 789D< the Lord ,a$e re$e&ations< or the
Church cou&d not ha$e een or,ani4ed# The *eo*&e of this Church 2ere 2ea0
in faith co'*ared 2ith the ancients# Those 2ho e'ar0ed in this cause 2ere
desirous to 0no2 ho2 the 2or0 2as to e conducted# The! read 'an! thin,s
in the "oo0 of .or'on concernin, their dut!< and the 2a! the ,reat 2or0
ou,ht to e done? ut the 'inds of 'en are so constructed that the! 2i&&
not e&ie$e< 2ithout a testi'on! of seein, or hearin,# The Lord ,a$e us a
re$e&ation that< in *rocess of ti'e< there shou&d e t2e&$e 'en chosen to
*reach His 5os*e& to Je2 and 5enti&e# Our 'inds ha$e een on a constant
stretch< to find 2ho these t2e&$e 2ere? 2hen the ti'e shou&d co'e 2e cou&d
not te&&? ut 2e sou,ht the Lord ! fastin, and *ra!er to ha$e our &i$es
*ro&on,ed to see this da!< to see !ou< and to ta0e a retros*ect of the
difficu&ties throu,h 2hich 2e ha$e *assed? ut ha$in, seen the da!< it
eco'es '! dut! to de&i$er to !ou a char,e? and first< a fe2 re'ar0s
res*ectin, !our 'inistr!# You ha$e 'an! re$e&ations *ut into !our
hands--re$e&ations to 'a0e !ou ac>uainted 2ith the nature of !our 'ission?
!ou 2i&& ha$e difficu&ties ! reason of !our $isitin, a&& the nations of
the 2or&d# You 2i&& need 2isdo' in a tenfo&d *ro*ortion to 2hat !ou ha$e
e$er had? !ou 2i&& ha$e to co'at a&& the *re=udices of a&& nations#
He then read the re$e&ation< FN#7D and said( Ha$e !ou desired this
'inistr! 2ith a&& !our heartsB If !ou ha$e desired it !ou are ca&&ed of
5od< not of 'an< to ,o into the 2or&d#
He then read a,ain< fro' the re$e&ation< 2hat the Lord said unto the
T2e&$e# "rethren< !ou ha$e had !our dut! *resented in this re$e&ation# You
ha$e een ordained to this ho&! )riesthood< !ou ha$e recei$ed it fro'
those 2ho ha$e the *o2er and authorit! fro' an an,e&? !ou are to *reach
the 5os*e& to e$er! nation# Shou&d !ou in the &east de,ree co'e short of
!our dut!< ,reat 2i&& e !our conde'nation? for the ,reater the ca&&in,
the ,reater the trans,ression# I therefore 2arn !ou to cu&ti$ate ,reat
hu'i&it!? for I 0no2 the *ride of the hu'an heart# "e2are< &est the
f&atterers of the 2or&d &ift !ou u*? e2are< &est !our affections e
ca*ti$ated ! 2or&d&! o=ects# Let !our 'inistr! e first# Re'e'er< the
sou&s of 'en are co''itted to !our char,e? and if !ou 'ind !our ca&&in,<
!ou sha&& a&2a!s *ros*er#
You ha$e een indeted to other 'en< in the first instance< for
e$idence? on that !ou ha$e acted? ut it is necessar! that !ou recei$e a
testi'on! fro' hea$en for !ourse&$es? so that !ou can ear testi'on! to
the truth of the "oo0 of .or'on< and that !ou ha$e seen the face of 5od#
That is 'ore than the testi'on! of an an,e&# 3hen the *ro*er ti'e arri$es<
!ou sha&& e a&e to ear this testi'on! to the 2or&d# 3hen !ou ear
testi'on! that !ou ha$e seen 5od< this testi'on! 5od 2i&& ne$er suffer to
fa&&< ut 2i&& ear !ou out? a&thou,h 'an! 2i&& not ,i$e heed< !et others
2i&&# You 2i&& therefore see the necessit! of ,ettin, this testi'on! fro'
hea$en#
Ne$er cease stri$in, unti& !ou ha$e seen 5od face to face# Stren,then
!our faith? cast off !our douts< !our sins< and a&& !our une&ief? and
nothin, can *re$ent !ou fro' co'in, to 5od# Your ordination is not fu&&
and co'*&ete ti&& 5od has &aid His hand u*on !ou# 3e re>uire as 'uch to
>ua&if! us as did those 2ho ha$e ,one efore us? 5od is the sa'e# If the
Sa$ior in for'er da!s &aid His hands u*on His disci*&es< 2h! not in &atter
da!sB
3ith re,ard to su*eriorit!< I 'ust 'a0e a fe2 re'ar0s# The ancient
a*ost&es sou,ht to e ,reat? ut &est the seeds of discord e so2n in this
'atter? understand *articu&ar&! the $oice of the S*irit on this occasion#
5od does not &o$e !ou etter or 'ore than others# You are to contend for
the faith once de&i$ered to the saints# Jaco< !ou 0no2< 2rest&ed ti&& he
had otained# It 2as ! fer$ent *ra!er and di&i,ent search that !ou ha$e
otained the testi'on! !ou are no2 a&e to ear# You are as one? !ou are
e>ua& in earin, the 0e!s of the 1in,do' to a&& nations# You are ca&&ed to
*reach the 5os*e& of the Son of 5od to the nations of the earth? it is the
2i&& of !our hea$en&! Father< that !ou *roc&ai' His 5os*e& to the ends of
the earth and the is&ands of the sea#
"e 4ea&ous to sa$e sou&s# The sou& of one 'an is as *recious as the
sou& of another# You are to ear this 'essa,e to those 2ho consider
the'se&$es 2ise? and such 'a! *ersecute !ou--the! 'a! see0 !our &ife# The
ad$ersar! has a&2a!s sou,ht the &ife of the ser$ants of 5od? !ou are
therefore to e *re*ared at a&& ti'es to 'a0e a sacrifice of !our &i$es<
shou&d 5od re>uire the' in the ad$ance'ent and ui&din, u* of His cause#
.ur'ur not at 5od# "e a&2a!s *ra!erfu&? e a&2a!s 2atchfu&# You 2i&& ear
2ith 'e 2hi&e I re&ie$e the fee&in,s of '! heart# 3e sha&& not see another
da! &i0e this? the ti'e has fu&&! co'e--the $oice of the S*irit has
co'e--to set these 'en a*art#
You 2i&& see the ti'e 2hen !ou 2i&& desire to see such a da! as this<
and !ou 2i&& not see it# E$er! heart 2ishes !ou *eace and *ros*erit!< ut
the scene 2ith !ou 2i&& ine$ita&! chan,e# Let no 'an ta0e !our isho*ric<
and e2are that !ou &ose not !our cro2ns# It 2i&& re>uire !our 2ho&e sou&<
it 2i&& re>uire coura,e &i0e Enoch+s#
The ti'e is near 2hen !ou 2i&& e in the 'idst of con,re,ations 2ho
2i&& ,nash their teeth u*on !ou# The 5os*e& 'ust ro&& forth< and it 2i&&
unti& it fi&&s the 2ho&e earth# Did I sa! con,re,ations 2ou&d ,nash their
teeth at !ouB Yea< I sa!< nations 2i&& o**ose !ou--!ou 2i&& e considered
the 2orst of 'en# "e not discoura,ed at this# 3hen 5od *ours out His
S*irit< the ene'! 2i&& ra,e? ut 5od< re'e'er< is on !our ri,ht had< and
on !our &eft# A 'an< thou,h he e considered the 2orst< has =o!< 2ho is
conscious that he *&eases 5od#
The &i$es of those 2ho *roc&ai' the true 5os*e& 2i&& e in dan,er?
this has een the case e$er since the da!s of ri,hteous Ae&# The sa'e
o**osition has een 'anifest 2hene$er 'an ca'e for2ard to *u&ish the
5os*e&# The ti'e is co'in, 2hen !ou 2i&& e considered the 2orst of 'en !
'an< and ! so'e the est# The ti'e is co'in, 2hen !ou 2i&& e *erfect&!
fa'i&iar 2ith the thin,s of 5od# This testi'on! 2i&& 'a0e those 2ho do not
e&ie$e !our testi'on!< see0 !our &i$es? ut there are 2ho&e nations 2ho
2i&& recei$e !our testi'on!# The! 2i&& ca&& !ou ,ood 'en# "e not &ifted u*
2hen !e are ca&&ed ,ood 'en# Re'e'er !ou are !oun, 'en< and !e sha&& e
s*ared# I inc&ude the other three# "ear the' in 'ind in !our
*ra!ers--carr! their cases to the throne of ,race? a&thou,h the! are not
*resent< !et !ou and the! are e>ua&# This a**oint'ent is ca&cu&ated to
create for !ou an affection for each other< stron,er than death# You 2i&&
tra$e& to other nations? ear each other in 'ind# If one or 'ore e cast
into *risons< &et the others *ra! for the'< and de&i$er the' ! their
*ra!ers# Your &i$es sha&& e in ,reat =eo*ard!? ut the *ro'ise of 5od is<
that !ou sha&& e de&i$ered#
Re'e'er< !ou are not to ,o to other nations ti&& !ou recei$e !our
endo2'ents# Tarr! at 1irt&and unti& !ou are endo2ed 2ith *o2er fro' on
hi,h# You need a fountain of 2isdo'< 0no2&ed,e and inte&&i,ence such as
!ou ne$er had# Re&ati$e to the endo2'ent< I 'a0e a re'ar0 or t2o< that
there 'a! e no 'ista0e# The 2or&d cannot recei$e the thin,s of 5od# He
can endo2 !ou 2ithout 2or&d&! *o'* or ,reat *arade# He can ,i$e !ou that
2isdo'< that inte&&i,ence< and that *o2er< 2hich characteri4ed the ancient
saints< and no2 characteri4es the inhaitants of the u**er 2or&d#
The ,reatness of !our co''ission consists in this( !ou are to ho&d
the 0e!s of this 'inistr!? !ou are to ,o to the nations afar off--nations
that sit in dar0ness# The da! is co'in, 2hen the 2or0 of 5od 'ust e done#
Israe& sha&& e ,athered( the seed of Jaco sha&& e ,athered fro' their
&on, dis*ersion# There 2i&& e a feast to Israe&< the e&ect of 5od# It is
a sorro2fu& ta&e< ut the 5os*e& 'ust e *reached< and 5od+s 'inisters
re=ected( ut 2here can Israe& e found and recei$e !our testi'on!< and
not re=oiceB No2hereK The *ro*hecies are fu&& of ,reat thin,s that are to
ta0e *&ace in the &ast da!s# After the e&ect are ,athered out<
destructions sha&& co'e on the inhaitants of the earth? a&& nations sha&&
fee& the 2rath of 5od< after the! ha$e een 2arned ! the Saints of the
.ost Hi,h# If !ou 2i&& not 2arn the'< others 2i&&< and !ou 2i&& &ose !our
cro2ns#
You 'ust *re*are !our 'inds to id a &on, fare2e&& to 1irt&and< e$en
ti&& the ,reat da! co'e# You 2i&& see 2hat !ou ne$er e/*ected to see? !ou
2i&& need the 'ind of Enoch or E&i=ah< and the faith of the rother of
Jared? !ou 'ust e *re*ared to 2a&0 ! faith< ho2e$er a**a&&in, the
*ros*ect to hu'an $ie2? !ou< and each of !ou< shou&d fee& the force of the
i'*erious 'andate< Son< ,o &aor in '! $ine!ard< and cheerfu&&! recei$e
2hat co'es? ut in the end !ou 2i&& stand 2hi&e others 2i&& fa&&# You ha$e
read in the re$e&ation concernin, ordination( "e2are ho2 !ou ordain< for
a&& nations are not &i0e this nation? the! 2i&& 2i&&in,&! recei$e the
ordinances at !our hands to *ut !ou out of the 2a!# There 2i&& e ti'es
2hen nothin, ut the an,e&s of 5od can de&i$er !ou out of their hands#
3e a**ea& to !our inte&&i,ence< 2e a**ea& to !our understandin,< that
2e ha$e so far dischar,ed our dut! to !ou# 3e consider it one of the
,reatest condescensions of our hea$en&! Father< in *ointin, !ou out to us?
!ou 2i&& e ste2ards o$er this 'inistr!? !ou ha$e a 2or0 to do that no
other 'en can do? !ou 'ust *roc&ai' the 5os*e& in its si'*&icit! and
*urit!? and 2e co''end !ou to 5od and the 2ord of His ,race# You ha$e our
est 2ishes< !ou ha$e our 'ost fer$ent *ra!ers< that !ou 'a! e a&e to
ear this testi'on!< that !ou ha$e seen the face of 5od# Therefore ca&&
u*on Hi' in faith in 'i,ht! *ra!er ti&& !ou *re$ai&< for it is !our dut!
and !our *ri$i&e,e to ear such testi'on! for !ourse&$es# 3e no2 e/hort
!ou to e faithfu& to fu&fi&& !our ca&&in,? there 'ust e no &ac0 here?
!ou 'ust fu&fi&& in a&& thin,s? and *er'it us to re*eat< a&& nations ha$e
a c&ai' on !ou? !ou are ound to,ether as the Three 3itnesses 2ere?
not2ithstandin, !ou can *art and 'eet< and 'eet and *art a,ain< ti&& !our
heads are si&$ered o$er 2ith a,e#
He then too0 the' se*arate&! ! the hand< and said< -Do !ou 2ith fu&&
*ur*ose of heart ta0e *art in this 'inistr!< to *roc&ai' the 5os*e& 2ith
a&& di&i,ence< 2ith these !our rethren< accordin, to the tenor and intent
of the char,e !ou ha$e recei$edB- Each of the' ans2ered in the
affir'ati$e# FN#77
I'*ortant Ite's of Instructions to the T2e&$e#
1IRTLAND< Feruar! HM#
This e$enin,< nine of the t2e&$e< $i4#< L!'an Johnson< "ri,ha' Youn,<
Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson H!de< Da$id 3# )atten< Lu0e Johnson< 3i&&ia' E#
.+Le&&in< John F# "o!nton< and 3i&&ia' S'ith< asse'&ed at the house of
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ho 2as *resent< 2ith Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's<
Sidne! Ri,don< "isho* 3hitne!< and three E&ders# )ar&e! )# )ratt had ,one
to Ne2 )arta,e< and Orson )ratt and Tho'as "# .arsh had not !et arri$ed to
recei$e their ordination#
After *ra!er ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< he said< if 2e heard
*atient&!< he cou&d &a! efore the counci& an ite' 2hich 2ou&d e of
i'*ortance# He had for hi'se&f< &earned a fact ! e/*erience< 2hich< on
reco&&ection< a&2a!s ,a$e hi' dee* sorro2# It is a fact< if I no2 had in
'! *ossession< e$er! decision 2hich had een had u*on i'*ortant ite's of
doctrine and duties since the co''ence'ent of this 2or0< I 2ou&d not *art
2ith the' for an! su' of 'one!? ut 2e ha$e ne,&ected to ta0e 'inutes of
such thin,s< thin0in,< *erha*s< that the! 2ou&d ne$er enefit us
after2ards? 2hich< if 2e had the' no2< 2ou&d decide a&'ost e$er! *oint of
doctrine 2hich 'i,ht e a,itated# "ut this has een ne,&ected< and no2 2e
cannot ear record to the Church and to the 2or&d< of the ,reat and
,&orious 'anifestations 2hich ha$e een 'ade to us 2ith that de,ree of
*o2er and authorit! 2e other2ise cou&d< if 2e no2 had these thin,s to
*u&ish aroad#
Since the T2e&$e are no2 chosen< I 2ish to te&& the' a course 2hich
the! 'a! *ursue< and e enefitted thereafter< in a *oint of &i,ht of
2hich the! are not no2 a2are# If the! 2i&&< e$er! ti'e the! asse'&e<
a**oint a *erson to *reside o$er the' durin, the 'eetin,< and one or 'ore
to 0ee* a record of their *roceedin,s< and on the decision of e$er!
>uestion or ite'< e it 2hat it 'a!< &et such decision e 2ritten< and
such decision 2i&& fore$er re'ain u*on record< and a**ear an ite' of
co$enant or doctrine# An ite' thus decided 'a! a**ear< at the ti'e< of
&itt&e or no 2orth< ut shou&d it e *u&ished< and one of !ou &a! hands
on it after< !ou 2i&& find it of infinite 2orth< not on&! to !our
rethren< ut it 2i&& e a feast to !our o2n sou&s#
Here is another i'*ortant ite'# If !ou asse'&e fro' ti'e to ti'e<
and *roceed to discuss i'*ortant >uestions< and *ass decisions u*on the
sa'e< and fai& to note the' do2n< ! and ! !ou 2i&& e dri$en to straits
fro' 2hich !ou 2i&& not e a&e to e/tricate !ourse&$es< ecause !ou 'a!
e in a situation not to rin, !our faith to ear 2ith sufficient
*erfection or *o2er to otain the desired infor'ation? or< *erha*s for
ne,&ectin, to 2rite these thin,s 2hen 5od had re$ea&ed the'< not estee'in,
the' of sufficient 2orth< the S*irit 'a! 2ithdra2 and 5od 'a! e an,r!?
and there is< or 2as< a $ast 0no2&ed,e< of infinite i'*ortance< 2hich is
no2 &ost# 3hat 2as the cause of thisB It ca'e in conse>uence of
s&othfu&ness< or a ne,&ect to a**oint a 'an to occu*! a fe2 'o'ents in
2ritin, a&& these decisions#
Here &et 'e *ro*hes!# The ti'e 2i&& co'e< 2hen< if !ou ne,&ect to do
this thin,< !ou 2i&& fa&& ! the hands of unri,hteous 'en# 3ere !ou to e
rou,ht efore the authorities< and e accused of an! cri'e or
'isde'eanor< and e as innocent as the an,e&s of 5od< un&ess !ou can *ro$e
!ourse&$es to ha$e een so'e2here e&se< !our ene'ies 2i&& *re$ai& a,ainst
!ou? ut if !ou can rin, t2e&$e 'en to testif! that !ou 2ere in a certain
*&ace< at that ti'e< !ou 2i&& esca*e their hand# No2 if !ou 2i&& e
carefu& to 0ee* 'inutes of these thin,s< as I ha$e said< it 2i&& e one of
the 'ost i'*ortant records e$er seen? for a&& such decisions 2i&& e$er
after re'ain as ite's of doctrine and co$enants#
The counci& then e/*ressed their a**roation concernin, the fore,oin,
re'ar0s of )resident S'ith< and a**ointed Orson H!de and 3i&&ia' E#
.+Le&&in c&er0s of the 'eetin,#
)resident S'ith *ro*osed the fo&&o2in, >uestion( 3hat i'*ortance is
there attached to the ca&&in, of these T2e&$e a*ost&es< different fro' the
other ca&&in,s or officers of the ChurchB
After the >uestion 2as discussed ! Counci&ors )atten< Youn,< S'ith<
and .+Le&&in< )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ,a$e the fo&&o2in, decision(
The! are the T2e&$e A*ost&es< 2ho are ca&&ed to the office of the
tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< 2ho are to *reside o$er the churches of the
Saints< a'on, the 5enti&es< 2here there is a *residenc! esta&ished? and
the! are to tra$e& and *reach a'on, the 5enti&es< unti& the Lord sha&&
co''and the' to ,o to the Je2s# The! are to ho&d the 0e!s of this
'inistr!< to un&oc0 the door of the 1in,do' of hea$en unto a&& nations<
and to *reach the 5os*e& to e$er! creature# This is the *o2er< authorit!<
and $irtue of their a*ost&eshi*#
OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0
Re*ort of the 1irt&and Schoo&#
1IRTLAND< OHIO< Feruar! HM< 789G#
Ha$in, een re>uested ! the trustees of the -1irt&and Schoo&- to
,i$e a s0etch of the nu'er of students 2ho ha$e attended the institution<
and of their *ro,ress in the different sciences I cheerfu&&! co'*&! 2ith
the re>uest< ha$in, een an instructor therein fro' its co''ence'ent in
Dece'er &ast#
The schoo& has een conducted under the i''ediate care and ins*ection
of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Sidne! Ri,don< and O&i$er
Co2der!< trustees# 3hen the schoo& first co''enced< 2e recei$ed into it
oth &ar,e and s'a&&< ut in aout three 2ee0s the c&asses eca'e so &ar,e
and the house so cro2ded< that it 2as thou,ht ad$isa&e to dis'iss a&& the
s'a&& students< and continue those on&! 2ho 2ished to stud! *en'anshi*<
arith'etic< En,&ish ,ra''ar< and ,eo,ra*h!# "efore 2e dis'issed the s'a&&
*u*i&s< there 2ere in a&& aout one hundred and thirt! 2ho attended? since
that ti'e there ha$e een u*on an a$era,e aout one hundred? the 'ost of
2ho ha$e recei$ed &ectures u*on En,&ish ,ra''ar? and for the &ast four
2ee0s aout se$ent! ha$e een stud!in, ,eo,ra*h! one-ha&f the da!< and
,ra''ar and 2ritin, the other *art# "urdic0+s Arith'etic< 1ir0ha'+s
5ra''ar< and O&ne!+s 5eo,ra*h! ha$e een used< and Noah 3ester+s
Dictionar! as standard# Since the !ear 78HM< I ha$e tau,ht schoo& in fi$e
different states< and $isited 'an! schoo&s in 2hich I 2as not en,a,ed as
teacher? in none< I can sa!< 2ith certaint!< I ha$e seen students 'a0e
'ore ra*id *ro,ress than in this#
3ILLIA. E# .+LELLIN#
CHA)TER 6III
THE OR5ANI;ATION OF THE SE%ENTIES--"LESSIN5 OF THE FAITHFUL
ELDERS AND SAINTS#
ON the H8th of Feruar!< the Church in counci& asse'&ed< co''enced
se&ectin, certain indi$idua&s to e Se$enties< fro' the nu'er of those
2ho 2ent u* to ;ion 2ith 'e in the ca'*? and the fo&&o2in, are the na'es
of those 2ho 2ere ordained and &essed at that ti'e< to e,in the
or,ani4ation of the first >uoru' of Se$enties< accordin, to the $isions
and re$e&ations 2hich I ha$e recei$ed# The Se$enties are to constitute
tra$e&in, >uoru's< to ,o into a&& the earth< 2hithersoe$er the T2e&$e
A*ost&es sha&& ca&& the'#
Na'es of the )residents and .e'ers of the First Auoru' of Se$enties<
Ordained Under the Hand of the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< 2ith his t2o
Counse&ors< Sidne! Ri,don and O&i$er Co2der!#
)RESIDENTS# Ha4en A&drich< Leonard Rich< Jose*h Youn,< ;eedee
Co&trin< Le$i 3# Hancoc0< L!'an Sher'an< S!&$ester S'ith#
.E."ERS# E&ias Hutchin,s< Har*in Ri,,s< C!rus S'a&&in,< Edson "arne!#
Le$i 5ifford< Jose*h "# No&e< Ste*hen 3inchester< Henr! "enner< Ro,er
Orton< Da$id E$ans< )eter "uchannan< Nathan "# "a&d2in< John D# )ar0er<
"urr Ri,,s< Da$id E&&iot< Le2is Roins< Sa'ue& "ro2n< A&e/ander
3hitesides< Sa&'on 3arner< 5eor,e 3# "roo0s< Jaco Cha*'an< .ichae&
5riffith< Char&es 1e&&!< Ro!a& "arne!# Ed'und Fisher< Lieus T# Coons<
3arren )arrish< 3i&&ard Sno2< Jose*h Hancoc0< Jesse D# Har'on< A&den
"urdic0< He'an T# H!de< Hira' 3inters< Loren4o D# "arnes#
Hira' "&ac0'an< Hira' Stratton< 3i&&ia' D# )ratt< .oses .artin< ;era
S# Co&e< L!'an S'ith< Jesse Hunts'an< Har$e! Stan&e!< So&o'on An,e&< A&'on
3# "aitt< Henr! Herri'an< 3i&&ia' F# Cahoon< Israe& "ar&o2< Dar2in
Richardson< 3i&0ins Jen0ins Sa&isur! .i&o Andrus< Ne&son Hi,,ins< True
5&idden< Harr! "ro2n< Henr! Shi&e!< Je4eniah "# S'ith< Harrison "ur,ess<
Loren4o "ooth< Jedediah .# 5rant< A&e/ander "ad&a'< Danie& Ste*hens<
;eruae& Sno2< A'asa .# L!'an< 5eor,e A# S'ith#
The counci& ad=ourned to the da! fo&&o2in,< .arch 7st< 2hen< after
attendin, the funera& of Seth Johnson< se$era& 2ho had recent&! een
a*ti4ed< 2ere confir'ed< and the sacra'ent 2as ad'inistered to the
Church# )re$ious to the ad'inistration< I s*o0e of the *ro*riet! or this
institution in the Church< and ur,ed the i'*ortance of doin, it 2ith
acce*tance efore the Lord< and as0ed< Ho2 &on, do !ou su**ose a 'an 'a!
*arta0e of this ordinance un2orthi&!< and the Lord not 2ithdra2 His S*irit
fro' hi'B Ho2 &on, 2i&& he thus trif&e 2ith sacred thin,s< and the Lord
not ,i$e hi' o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan unti& the da! of rede'*tionK
The Church shou&d 0no2 if the! are un2orth! fro' ti'e to ti'e to *arta0e<
&est the ser$ants of 5od e foridden to ad'inister it# Therefore our
hearts ou,ht to e hu'&e< and 2e to re*ent of our sins< and *ut a2a! e$i&
fro' a'on, us#
After sacra'ent the counci& continued the ordination and &essin, of
those *re$ious&! ca&&ed? a&so John .urdoc0 and S# 3# Denton 2ere ordained
and &essed? "en=a'in 3inchester< H!ru' S'ith< and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's
2ere &essed? and Jose*h Youn, and S!&$ester S'ith 2ere ordained
*residents of Se$enties#
The "&essin, of those 2ho assisted in "ui&din, the House of the Lord
at 1irt&and#
.arch M#--This da! a 'eetin, of the Church of Latter-da! Saints 2as
ca&&ed for the *ur*ose of &essin,< in the na'e of the Lord< those 2ho
ha$e heretofore assisted in ui&din,< ! their &aor and other 'eans< the
House of the Lord in this *&ace#
The 'ornin, 2as occu*ied ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in teachin,
the Church the *ro*riet! and necessit! of *urif!in, itse&f# In the
afternoon< the na'es of those 2ho had assisted to ui&d the house 2ere
ta0en< and further instructions recei$ed fro' )resident S'ith# He said
that those 2ho had distin,uished the'se&$es thus far ! consecratin, to
the u*ui&din, of the House of the Lord< as 2e&& as &aorin, thereon< 2ere
to e re'e'ered? that those 2ho ui&d it shou&d o2n it< and ha$e the
contro& of it#
After further re'ar0s< those 2ho *erfor'ed the &aor on the ui&din,
$oted unani'ous&! that the! 2ou&d continue to &aor thereon< ti&& the
house shou&d e co'*&eted#
)resident Sidne! Ri,don 2as a**ointed to &a! on hands and esto2
&essin,s in the na'e of the Lord#
The )residents 2ere &essed? and Re!no&ds Cahoon< H!ru' S'ith< and
Jared Carter< the ui&din, co''ittee< thou,h the &ast t2o 2ere not
*resent< !et their ri,hts in the house 2ere *reser$ed#
The fo&&o2in, are the na'es of those 2ho 2ere &essed in conse>uence
of their &aor on the house of the Lord in 1irt&and< and those 2ho
consecrated to its u*ui&din,(
Sidne! Ri,don< .a&eu' C# Da$is< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Ja'an A&drich< F#
5# 3i&&ia's< John Youn,< Sen#< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#<E4ra Stron,< O&i$er
Co2der!< Joe& .c3ith!< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< .atthe2 Fo!< Re!no&ds Cahoon<
Ja'es Randa&&< H!ru' S'ith< John )# 5reene< Jared Carter< Aaron E# L!on<
Jaco "u'*< Tho'as "urdic0< Arte'us .i&&et< Tru'an 3ait< A&*heus Cut&er<
Ed'und "os&e!< Asa L!'an< 3i&&ia' "os&e!< Josiah "utterfie&d< 3i&&ia'
)err!< Noah )ac0ard< Don Car&os S'ith< Ja'es )utna'< Shadrach Round!<
Isaac Hi&&< Joe& Johnson<
Ed'und Durfee< Sen#< O&i$er Hi,&e!< Ed'und Durfee< Jun#< E$an .#
5reene< 5ideon Or's!< Le$i Os,ood< A&ert .iner< A&*heus Har'on< Ira
A'es< Jose*h C# 1in,sur!< Sa&'on 5ee< Ira "ond< )eter Shirts< ;# H#
"re2ster< Isaac Huard< Sa'ue& Tho'son< Horace "ur,ess< John Or's!<
De/ter Sti&&'an< Lu'an Carter< A'os )# Herric0< John S'ith< .a!he2
Hi&&'an< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< 3i&&ia' Carter< Tho'as Fisher< 3i&&ia' "ur,ess<
Starr! Fis0< 5i&es Coo0< A'os R# Orton< A&'on Sher'an< 5ad Ya&e< 3arren
S'ith< John Johnson< .oses "ai&e!< John Tanner< See I$es< Henr! 5#
Sher2ood< Andre2 H# A&drich< Sidne! Tanner< Eene4ar Jennin,s< Jose*h
Ti**its< O&i$er 5ran,er< Roert Aui,&e!< Orson Johnson< Erastus "aitt<
Ja'es La0e< Sa'ue& Canfie&d< 3i&&ia' Redfie&d< )hineas H# Youn,< C!rus
La0e< Sa'ue& Ro&fe< Har$e! S'ith< Ca&$in 3# Stoddard< Issac C&e$e&and<
Josiah Fu&&er< 3i&&ia' "ar0er< Erastus Rudd< Sa'ue& S# "rannan< Isaac 5#
"isho*< John 3hee&er< Ros2e&& .urra!< Henr! "a0er< "en=a'in 3e&&s< 3i&&ia'
Fis0< Nehe'iah Har'an< Henr! 3i&co/< O&i$er 3ether!< 5eor,e 5ee< Tho'as
Hancoc0< Loren4o D# Youn,< Josuah 5rant< Da$id C&ou,h< 3i&&ia' Dra*er<
Ja'es Durfee< Ranso' %an Leu$en< Jose*h Coe< Tunis Ra**e&&ee< Tho'as
5ates< John Reed< Loren "aitt< Sa'ue& 3i&co/< "&a0e "a&d2in< "en=a'in
Johnson< Jose*h "# "os2orth#
The &essin,s and ordinations of *articu&ar indi$idua&s of the
fore,oin, 2ere as fo&&o2s(--Re!no&ds Cahoon< Jaco "u'*< and Arte'us
.i&&et< 2ere &essed 2ith the &essin,s of hea$en and a ri,ht in the house
of the Lord in 1irt&and< a,reea&e to the &aor the! had *erfor'ed
thereon< and the 'eans the! had contriuted#
A&*heus Cut&er< Asa L!'an< Josiah "utterfie&d< Noah )ac0ard< Jonas
)utna'< and Isaac Hi&& recei$ed the sa'e &essin,# The &essin, referred
to 2as accordin, to each 'an+s &aor or donation< and in addition< E&der
)ac0ard 2as *ro'ised 2isdo' and ai&it! to *roc&ai' the 5os*e&# Ed'und
Durfee< Sen#< Ed'und Durfee< Jun#< and 5ideon Or's! recei$ed the sa'e
&essin,< and Ed'und Durfee< Jun#< 2as ordained an E&der# A&ert .iner<
Ira A'es< Sa&'on 5ee< )eter Shirts< Isaac Huard< and Horace "ur,ess 2ere
&essed< and )eter Shirts and Horace "ur,ess 2ere ordained E&ders# De/ter
Sti&&'an< A'os F# Herric0< and .atthe2 Hi&&'an 2ere &essed# 3i&&ia'
"ur,ess< Ja'an A&drich< and John Youn,< Sen#< 2ere &essed# 5i&es Coo0<
Jun#< and .# C# Da$is 2ere &essed and ordained E&ders# 3'# Carter< 2ho
2as &ind< 2as *ro'ised a restoration of si,ht< if faithfu&# E4ra Stron,<
Joe& .c3ith!< .atthe2 Fo!< Ja'es Randa&&< and Aaron C# L!on 2ere &essed#
John )# 5reene 2as ordained a 'issionar! to the La'anites< after others
ha$e un&oc0ed the door< 2ith a *ro'ise of ,atherin, 'an! to ;ion< and of
returnin, 2ith ,reat =o! at the end of his 'ission< to en=o! the &essin,s
of his fa'i&!# Tho'as "urdic0< Tru'an 3ait and Ed'und "os&e! 2ere &essed<
and E&der "os&e! 2as to&d that 5od had a 2or0 for hi'< $i4# ( to ,o and
*reach the 5os*e& to the sectarian *riests of this a,e< to ca&& after the'
and hunt the' u*< 2here$er he cou&d hear of the'< and *reach the 5os*e& to
the' 2hether the! 2i&& hear or forear# 3i&&ia' "os&e! and 3i&&ia' "err!
2ere &essed and ordained E&ders# Don Car&os S'ith 2as &essed 2ith a
*ro'ise of 2isdo' to *roc&ai' the 5os*e&< and a&so to 2rite in 2isdo'#
Shadrach Round!< Joe& Johnson< and O&i$er Hi,ee 2ere &essed<
Ad=ourned ti&& to'orro2#
.arch 8th#--.et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# E$an .# 5reene< Le$i Os,ood<
A&*heus Har'on< Jose*h C# 1in,sur!< Ira "ond< ;# H# "re2ster< Sa'ue&
To'*0ins< John Or's!< Lu'an Carter< John S'ith< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Tho'as
Fisher< Starr! Fis0< A'os R# Orton and A&'on Sher'an 2ere &essed# A'os R#
Orton 2as ordained an E&der and a 'issionar! to the La'anites# Andre2 H#
A&drich< Tho'as "ai&e!< See I$es< Eene4er Jennin,s< O&i$er 5ran,er<
Orson Johnson< 3arren S'ith< Ja'es La0e< and 3i&&ia' Redfie&d 2ere
&essed< and 3i&&ia' Redfie&d 2as ordained an E&der# C!rus La0e<
Har$e! S'ith< Issac C&e$e&and< 3i&&ia' "a0er< Sa'ue& S# "rannan< John
3hee&er< Henr! "a0er< 3i&&ia' Fis0< Henr! 3i&co/< 5eor,e 3# 5ee< Da$id
C&ou,h< and Loren4o D# Youn, 2ere &essed< and E&der Youn, 2as set a*art
as a 'issionar! to the La'anites# Jas# Durfee< Jos# Coe< Thos# 5ates<
Loren "aitt< "&a0e "a&d2in< and Jos# "# "a&d2in 2ere &essed# John
Johnson< John Tanner and 5ad Ya&e 2ere &essed? and 5ad Ya&e< ein, one
2ho 2ent to the re&ief of the rethren in .issouri< 2as &essed
accordin,&!# Henr! 5# Sher2ood< Sidne! Tanner< Jose*h H# Ti**its< Roert
Aui,&e!< and Erastus "aitt 2ere &essed< and Sa'ue& Canfie&d 2as &essed
and ordained an E&der# )hineas H# Youn,< Sa'ue& Ro&fe< and Ca&$in H#
Stoddard 2ere &essed< and E&der Youn, 2as ordained a 'issionar! to the
La'anites# Erastus Rudd< Josiah Fu&&er< Isaac H# "isho*< Ros2e&& .urra!#
"en=a'in 3e&&s< Nehe'iah Har'an< Tho'as Hancoc0#
O&i$er 3ether!< Joshua 5rant< Jun#< 3i&&ia' Dra*er< Jun#< Ranso' %an
Leu$en< Tunis Ra**e&&ee< John Rudd< and Sa'ue& 3i&co/ 2ere &essed# .oses
.artin< 2ho 2ent to .issouri< 2as set a*art to e one of the Se$enties<
and &essed and 2arned as fo&&o2s( -If thou art not *urified< thou 2i&t
not e a&e to e/ecute th! co''ission# Thou 2i&t fa&& into the snares and
into the hands of ene'ies 2ho 2i&& ta0e th! &ife? thou 'ust e,in to 'a0e
a co'*&ete refor'ation in th!se&f#- OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
The fo&&o2in, e&on, to the Se$enties< ut the date of their
ordinations is not definite&! 0no2n( .i&o Andrus< Jose*h 3inchester<
;eruae& Sno2< He'an T# H!de< Henr! "ro2n# Ne&son Hi,,ins< EHe4e0iah
Fis0 2as &essed< ut 2as not one of the Se$enties<F Henr! "ea'an< Jesse
Hunts'an< Ro!a& "arne!< ;eedee Co&trin< Henr! Herri'an< and Loren4o D#
"arnes# Ja'es L# Tho'*son 2as &essed< ut not ordained#
CHA)TER 6I%#
THE 5REAT RE%ELATION ON )RIESTHOOD#
.inutes of .eetin,s of the T2e&$e# 1IRTLAND .arch 7H< 789G#--This
e$enin, the t2e&$e asse'&ed< and the Counci& 2as o*ened ! )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and he *ro*osed 2e ta0e our first 'ission throu,h the
Eastern States< to the At&antic Ocean< and ho&d conferences in the
$icinit! of the se$era& ranches of the Church for the *ur*ose of
re,u&atin, a&& thin,s necessar! for their 2e&fare#
It 2as *ro*osed that the T2e&$e &ea$e 1irt&and on the @th da! of .a!<
2hich 2as unani'ous&! a,reed to#
It 2as then *ro*osed that durin, their *resent 'ission< E&der "ri,ha'
Youn, shou&d o*en the door of the 5os*e& to the re'nants of Jose*h< 2ho
d2e&& a'on, the 5enti&es< 2hich 2as carried#
It 2as $oted that the T2e&$e shou&d ho&d their first conference in
1irt&and< .a! Hnd? in 3estfie&d< Ne2 Yor0< .a! Nth? in Freedo'< N#Y#< .a!
HHnd? in L!onsto2n# N#Y#< June Gth? at )i&&o2 )oint< June 7Dth? in 3est
Looro+< U**er Canada< June HNth? in Johnsur!< %er'ont< Ju&! 7Mth? in
"radford< .assachusetts< Au,ust Mth? in Do$er# Ne2 Ha'*shire< Se*te'er
@th? in Saco< .aine< Se*te'er 78th? Far'in,ton< .aine< Octoer Hnd# ORSON
HYDE< 3.# E# .+LELLIN< C&er0s#
1IRTLAND< .arch H8th# This afternoon the T2e&$e 'et in counci&< and
had a ti'e of ,enera& confession# On re$ie2in, our *ast course 2e are
satisfied< and fee& to confess a&so< that 2e ha$e not rea&i4ed the
i'*ortance of our ca&&in, to that de,ree that 2e ou,ht? 2e ha$e een
&i,ht-'inded and $ain< and in 'an! thin,s ha$e done 2ron,# For a&& these
thin,s 2e ha$e as0ed the for,i$eness of our hea$en&! Father? and 2herein
2e ha$e ,rie$ed or 2ounded the fee&in,s of the )residenc!< 2e as0 their
for,i$eness# The ti'e 2hen 2e are aout to se*arate is near? and 2hen 2e
sha&& 'eet a,ain< 5od on&! 0no2s? 2e therefore fee& to as0 of hi' 2ho' 2e
ha$e ac0no2&ed,ed to e our )ro*het and Seer< that he in>uire of 5od for
us< and otain a re$e&ation< Eif consistentF that 2e 'a! &oo0 u*on it 2hen
2e are se*arated< that our hearts 'a! e co'forted# Our 2orthiness has not
ins*ired us to 'a0e this re>uest< ut our un2orthiness# 3e ha$e united&!
as0ed 5od our hea$en&! Father to ,rant unto us throu,h His Seer< a
re$e&ation of His 'ind and 2i&& concernin, our dut! the co'in, season<
e$en a ,reat re$e&ation< that 2i&& en&ar,e our hearts< co'fort us in
ad$ersit!< and ri,hten our ho*es a'idst the *o2ers of dar0ness# ORSON
HYDE< 3.# E# .+LELLIN< C&er0s#
To )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 1irt&and< Ohio#
In co'*&iance 2ith the ao$e re>uest< I in>uired of the Lord< and
recei$ed for ans2er the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation on )riesthood#
7# There are in the Church t2o )riesthoods< na'e&!< the .e&chisede0
and the Aaronic< inc&udin, the Le$itica& )riesthood#
H# 3h! the first is ca&&ed the .e&chisede0 )riesthood< is ecause
.e&chisede0 2as such a ,reat Hi,h )riest?
9# "efore his da! it 2as ca&&ed the Ho&! )riesthood after the Order
of the Son of 5od#
@# "ut out of res*ect or re$erence to the na'e of the Su*re'e "ein,<
to a$oid the too fre>uent re*etition of His na'e< the!< the Church in
ancient da!s< ca&&ed that )riesthood after .e&chisede0< or the .e&chisede0
)riesthood#
G# A&& other authorities or offices in the Church are a**enda,es to
this )riesthood?
:# "ut there are t2o di$isions< or ,rand heads? one is the
.e&chisede0 )riesthood< and the other is the Aaronic or Le$itica&
)riesthood#
M# The office of an E&der co'es under the )riesthood of .e&chisede0#
8# The .e&chisede0 )riesthood ho&ds the ri,ht of *residenc!< and has
*o2er and authorit! o$er a&& the offices in the Church< in a&& a,es of the
2or&d< to ad'inister in s*iritua& thin,s#
N# The )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood< after the Order of
.e&chisede0< ha$e a ri,ht to officiate in a&& the offices in the Church#
7D# Hi,h )riests after the Order of the .e&chisede0 )riesthood< ha$e
a ri,ht to officiate in their o2n standin,< under the direction of the
)residenc!< in ad'inisterin, s*iritua& thin,s< and a&so in the office of
an E&der< )riest Eof the Le$itica& orderF< Teacher< Deacon and 'e'er#
77# An E&der has a ri,ht to officiate in his stead< 2hen the Hi,h
)riest is not *resent#
7H# The Hi,h )riest and E&der are to ad'inister in s*iritua& thin,s<
a,reea&e to the co$enants and co''and'ents of the Church? and the! ha$e a
ri,ht to officiate in a&& these offices of the Church< 2hen there are no
hi,her authorities *resent#
79# The second )riesthood is ca&&ed the )riesthood of Aaron< ecause
it 2as conferred u*on Aaron and his seed< throu,hout a&& their
,enerations#
7@# 3h! it is ca&&ed the &esser )riesthood< is ecause it is an
a**enda,e to the ,reater< or the .e&chisede0 )riesthood< and his *o2er in
ad'inisterin, out2ard ordinances#
7G# The "isho*ric is the )residenc! of this )riesthood< and ho&ds the
0e!s or authorit! of the sa'e#
7:# No 'an has a &e,a& ri,ht to this office< to ho&d the 0e!s of this
)riesthood< e/ce*t he e a &itera& descendant of Aaron#
7M# "ut as a Hi,h )riest of the .e&chisede0 )riesthood has authorit!
to officiate in a&& the &esser offices< he 'a! officiate in the office of
"isho*< 2hen no &itera& descendant of Aaron can e found< *ro$ided he is
ca&&ed<
-and set a*art< and ordained unto this *o2er< ! the hands of the
)residenc! of the .e&chisede0 )riesthood#
78# The *o2er and authorit! of the hi,her< or .e&chisede0 )riesthood<
is to ho&d the 0e!s of a&& the s*iritua& &essin,s of the Church#
7N# To ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of recei$in, the '!steries of the 0in,do'
of hea$en< to ha$e the hea$ens o*ened unto the'< to co''une 2ith the
,enera& asse'&! and Church of the first-orn< and to en=o! the co''union
and *resence of 5od the Father< and Jesus< the .ediator of Co$enant#
HD# The *o2er and authorit! of the &esser< or Aaronic )riesthood< is
to ho&d the 0e!s of the 'inisterin, of an,e&s< and to ad'inister in in2ard
ordinances< the &etter of the 5os*e&< the a*tis' of re*entance for the
re'ission of sins< a,reea&e to the co$enants and co''and'ents#
H7# Of necessit! there are )residents< or *residin, officers< ,ro2in,
out of< or a**ointed of< or fro' a'on, those 2ho are ordained to the
se$era& offices in these t2o )riesthoods#
HH# Of the .e&chisede0 )riesthood three *residin, Hi,h )riests<
chosen ! the od!< a**ointed and ordained to that office< and u*he&d !
the confidence< faith< and *ra!er of the Church< for' a >uoru' of the
)residenc! of the Church#
H9# The T2e&$e Tra$e&in, counci&ors are ca&&ed to e the T2e&$e
A*ost&es< or es*ecia& 2itnesses of the na'e of Christ< in a&& the 2or&d<
thus differin, fro' other officers in the Church< in the duties of their
ca&&in,#
H@# And the! for' a >uoru' e>ua& in authorit! and *o2er to the three
)residents *re$ious&! 'entioned#
HG# The Se$ent! are a&so ca&&ed to *reach the 5os*e&< and to e
es*ecia& 2itnesses unto the 5enti&es and in a&& the 2or&d? thus differin,
fro' other officers in the Church in the duties of their ca&&in,#
H:# And the! for' a >uoru' e>ua& in authorit! to that of the T2e&$e
es*ecia& 2itnesses or A*ost&es< =ust na'ed#
HM# And e$er! decision 'ade ! either of these >uoru's< 'ust e !
the unani'ous $oice of the sa'e? that is< e$er! 'e'er in each >uoru' 'ust
e a,reed to its decisions< in order to 'a0e their decisions of the sa'e
*o2er or $a&idit! one 2ith the other#
H8# EA 'a=orit! 'a! for' a >uoru' 2hen circu'stances render it
i'*ossi&e to e other2ise#F
HN# Un&ess this is the case< their decisions are not entit&ed to the
sa'e &essin,s 2hich the decisions of a >uoru' of three )residents 2ere
ancient&!< 2ho 2ere ordained after the order of .e&chisede0< and 2ere
ri,hteous and ho&! 'en#
9D# The decisions of these >uoru's or either of the'< are to e 'ade
in a&& ri,hteousness< in ho&iness and &o2&iness of heart< 'ee0ness and
&on,-sufferin,< and in faith< and $irtue< and 0no2&ed,e< te'*erance<
*atience< ,od&iness< rother&! 0indness< and charit!?
97# "ecause the *ro'ise is< if these thin,s aound in the' the! sha&&
not e unfruitfu& in the 0no2&ed,e of the Lord#
9H# And in case that an! decision of these >uoru's is 'ade in
unri,hteousness< it 'a! e rou,ht efore a ,enera& asse'&! of the
se$era& >uoru's< 2hich constitute the s*iritua& authorities of the Church<
other2ise there can e no a**ea& fro' their decision#
99# The T2e&$e are a tra$e&in,< *residin, Hi,h Counci&< to officiate
in the na'e of the Lord< under the direction of the )residenc! of the
Church< a,reea&e to the institution of hea$en< to ui&d u* the Church<
and re,u&ate a&& the affairs of the sa'e< in a&& nations< first unto the
5enti&es< and second&! unto the Je2s#
9@# The Se$ent! are to act in the na'e of the Lord< under the
direction of the T2e&$e< or the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< in ui&din, u* the
Church< and re,u&atin, a&& the affairs of the sa'e in a&& nations? first
unto the 5enti&es< and then to the Je2s?
9G# The T2e&$e ein, sent out< ho&din, the 0e!s to o*en the door !
the *roc&a'ation of the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ< and first unto the
5enti&es and then unto the Je2s#
9:# The standin, Hi,h Counci&s at the Sta0es of ;ion for' a >uoru'
e>ua& in authorit!< in the affairs of the Church< in a&& their decisions<
to the >uoru' of the )residenc!< or to the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&#
9M# The Hi,h Counci& in ;ion for' a >uoru' e>ua& in authorit!< in the
affairs of the Church< in a&& their decisions< to the counci&s of the
T2e&$e at the Sta0es of ;ion#
98# It is the dut! of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< to ca&& u*on the
Se$ent!< 2hen the! need assistance< to fi&& the se$era& ca&&s for
*reachin, and ad'inisterin, the 5os*e&< instead of an! others<
9N# It is the dut! of the T2e&$e< in a&& &ar,e ranches of the
Church< to ordain e$an,e&ica& 'inisters< as the! sha&& e desi,nated unto
the' ! re$e&ation#
@D# The order of this )riesthood 2as confir'ed to e hande& do2n fro'
father to son< and ri,ht&! e&on,s to the &itera& descendants of the
chosen seed< to 2ho' the *ro'ises 2ere 'ade#
@7# This order 2as instituted in the da!s of Ada'< and ca'e do2n !
&inea,e in the fo&&o2in, 'anner(
@H# Fro' Ada' to Seth< 2ho 2as ordained ! Ada' at the a,e of
si/t!-nine !ears< and 2as &essed ! hi' three !ears *re$ious to his
EAda'+sF death< and recei$ed the *ro'ise of 5od< ! his father< that his
*osterit! shou&d e the chosen of the Lord< and that the! shou&d e
*reser$ed unto the end of the earth#
@9# "ecause he ESethF 2as a *erfect 'an< and his &i0eness 2as the
e/*ress &i0eness of his father inso'uch that he see'ed to e &i0e unto his
father in a&& thin,s< and cou&d e distin,uished fro' hi' on&! ! his a,e#
@@# Enos 2as ordained at the a,e of an hundred and thirt!-four !ears
and four 'ouths< ! the hand of Ada'#
@G# 5od ca&&ed u*on Cainan in the 2i&derness< in the fortieth !ear of
his a,e< and he 'et Ada' in =ourne!in, to the *&ace Shedo&a'a0? he 2as
ei,ht!-se$en !ears o&d 2hen he recei$ed his ordination#
@:# .aha&a&ee& 2as four hundred and ninet!-si/ !ears and se$en da!s
o&d< 2hen he 2as ordained ! the hand of Ada'< 2ho a&so &essed hi'#
@M# Jared 2as t2o hundred !ears o&d 2hen he 2as ordained under the
hand of Ada'< 2ho a&so &essed hi'#
@G# Enoch 2as t2ent!-fi$e !ear o&d 2hen he 2as ordained under the
hand of Ada'< and he 2as si/t!-fi$e 2hen Ada' &essed hi'#
@N# And he sa2 the Lord< and he 2a&0ed 2ith Hi'< and 2as efore His
face continua&&!? and he 2a&0ed 2ith 5od three hundred and si/t!-fi$e
!ears< 'a0in, hi' four hundred and thirt! !ear o&d 2hen he 2as trans&ated#
GD# .ethuse&ah 2as one hundred !ears o&d 2hen he 2as ordained under
the hand of Ada'#
G7# La'ech 2as thirt!-t2o !ears o&d 2hen he 2as ordained under the
hand of Seth#
GH# Noah 2as ten !ears o&d 2hen he 2as ordained under the hand of
.ethuse&ah#
G9# Three !ears *re$ious to the death of Ada'< he ca&&ed Seth< Enos<
Cainan< .aha&a&ee&< Jared< Enoch< and .ethuse&ah< 2ho 2ere a&& Hi,h
)riests< 2ith the residue of his *osterit!< 2ho 2ere ri,hteous< into the
$a&&e! of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< and there esto2ed u*on the' his &ast &essin,#
G@# And the Lord a**eared unto the'< and the! rose u* and &essed
Ada'< and ca&&ed hi' .ichae& the )rince< the Archan,e&#
GG# And the Lord ad'inistered co'fort unto Ada'< and said unto hi'< I
ha$e set thee to e at the head? a 'u&titude of nations sha&& co'e of
thee? and thou art a *rince o$er the' for e$er#
G:# And Ada' stood u* in the 'idst of the con,re,ation< and
not2ithstandin, he 2as o2ed do2n 2ith a,e< ein, fu&& of the Ho&! 5host<
*redicted 2hatsoe$er shou&d efa&& his *osterit! unto the &atest
,eneration#
GM# These thin,s 2ere a&& 2ritten in the "oo0 of Enoch< and are to e
testified of in due ti'e#
G8# It is the dut! of the T2e&$e< a&so< to ordain and set in order
a&& the other officers of the Church a,reea&e to the re$e&ation 3hich
sa!s(
GN# To the Church of Christ in the &and of ;ion< in addition to the
Church &a2s< res*ectin, Church usiness#
:D# %eri&!< I sa! unto !ou< saith the Lord of Hosts< there 'ust needs
e *residin, E&ders< to *reside o$er those 2ho are of the office of an
E&der#
:7# And a&so )riests to *reside o$er those 2ho are of the office of a
)riest#
:H# And a&so Teachers to *reside o$er those 2ho are of the office of
a Teacher< in &i0e 'anner? and a&so the Deacons#
:9# 3herefore fro' Deacon to Teacher< and fro' Teacher a )riest< and
fro' )riest to E&der< se$era&&! as the! are a**ointed# accordin, to the
co$enants and co''and'ents of the Church?
:@# Then co'es the Hi,h )riesthood< 2hich is the ,reatest of a&&#
:G# Therefore< it 'ust needs e that one e a**ointed< of the Hi,h
)riesthood< to *reside o$er the )riesthood? and he sha&& e ca&&ed
)resident of the Hi,h )riesthood of the Church#
::# Or in other 2ords< the *residin, Hi,h )riest o$er the Hi,h
)riesthood of the Church#
:M# Fro' the sa'e co'es the ad'inisterin, of ordinances< and
&essin,s u*on the Church< ! the &a!in, on of the hands#
:8# 3herefore< the office of a "isho* is not e>ua& unto it? for the
office of a "isho* is in ad'inisterin, a&& te'*ora& thin,s#
:N# Ne$erthe&ess< a "isho* 'ust e chosen fro' the Hi,h )riesthood
un&ess he is a &itera& descendant of Aaron?
MD# For un&ess he is a &itera& descendant of Aaron he cannot ho&d the
0e!s of that )riesthood?
M7# Ne$erthe&ess< a Hi,h )riest< that is< after the order of
.e&chisede0< 'a! e set a*art unto the 'inisterin, of te'*ora& thin,s<
ha$in, a 0no2&ed,e of the' ! the S*irit of truth?
MH# And a&so to e a =ud,e in Israe&< to do the usiness of the
Church< to sit in =ud,'ent u*on trans,ressors< u*on testi'on!< as it sha&&
e &aid efore hi'< accordin, to the &a2s< ! the assistance of his
counse&ors< 2ho' he has chosen< or 2i&& choose a'on, the E&ders of the
Church?
M9# This is the dut! of a "isho* 2ho is not a &itera& descendent of
Aaron< ut has een ordained to the Hi,h )riesthood after the order of
.e&chisede0#
M@# Thus sha&& he e a =ud,e< e$en a co''on =ud,e a'on, the
inhaitants of ;ion< or in a Sta0e of ;ion< or in an! ranch of the Church
2here he sha&& e set a*art unto this 'inistr!< unti& the orders of ;ion
are en&ar,ed< and it eco'es necessar! to ha$e other "isho*s or =ud,es in
;ion< or e&se2here?
MG# And inas'uch as there are other "isho*s a**ointed< the! sha&& act
in the sa'e office#
M:# "ut a &itera& descendant of Aaron has a &e,a& ri,ht to the
)residenc! of this )riesthood< to the 0e!s of this 'inistr!< to act in the
office of "isho* inde*endent&!< 2ithout counse&ors< e/ce*t in a case 2here
the )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood< after the order of .e&chi4ede0< is
tried? to sit as a =ud,e in Israe&(
MM# And the decision of either of these counci&s< a,reea&e to the
co''and'ent< 2hich sa!s( M8# A,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the 'ost
i'*ortant usiness of the Church< and the 'ost difficu&t cases of the
Church< inas'uch as there is not satisfaction u*on the decision of the
"isho*< or =ud,es< it sha&& e handed o$er and carried u* unto the Counci&
of the Church< efore the )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood?
MN# And the )residenc! of the Counci& of the Hi,h )riesthood< sha&&
ha$e *o2er to ca&& other Hi,h )riests< e$en t2e&$e< to assist as
counse&ors? and thus the )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood< and its
counse&ors< sha&& ha$e *o2er to decide u*on testi'on!< accordin, to the
&a2s of the Church?
8D# And after this decision< it sha&& e had in re'e'rance no 'ore
efore the Lord? for this is the hi,hest Counci& of the Church of 5od and
a fina& decision u*on contro$ersies in s*iritua& 'atters#
87# There is not an! *erson e&on,in, to the Church 2ho is e/e'*t
fro' this Counci& of the Church#
8H# And inas'uch as a )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood sha&&
trans,ress< he sha&& e had in re'e'rance efore the co''on counci& of
the Church< 2ho sha&& e assisted ! t2e&$e counse&ors of the Hi,h
)riesthood?
89# And their decision u*on his head sha&& e an end of contro$ers!
concernin, hi'#
8@# Thus none sha&& e e/e'*ted fro' the =ustice and the &a2s of 5od?
that a&& thin,s 'a! e done in order and in so&e'nit! efore hi'<
accordin, to truth and ri,hteousness#
8G# And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the dut! of a *resident o$er
the office of a Deacon< is to *reside o$er t2e&$e Deacons< to sit in
counci& 2ith the'< and to teach the' their dut!< edif!in, one another< as
it is ,i$en accordin, to the co$enants#
8:# And a&so the dut! of the *resident o$er the office of the
Teachers< is to *reside o$er t2ent!-four of the Teachers< and to sit in
counci& 2ith the'< teachin, the' the duties of their office as ,i$en in
the co$enants#
8M# A&so the dut! of the *resident o$er the )riesthood of Aaron< is
to *reside o$er fort!-ei,ht )riests< and sit in counci& 2ith the'< to
teach the' the duties of their office< as it is ,i$en in the co$enants?
8G# This *resident is to e a "isho*? for this is one of the duties
of this )riesthood#
8N# A,ain< the dut! of the *resident o$er the office of E&ders< is to
*reside o$er ninet!-si/ E&ders< and to sit in counci& 2ith the'< and to
teach the' accordin, to the co$enants#
ND# This *residenc! is a distinct one fro' that of the Se$ent!< and
is desi,ned for those 2ho do not tra$e& into a&& the 2or&d#
N7# And a,ain< the dut! of the )resident of the office of the Hi,h
)riesthood< is to *reside o$er the 2ho&e Church< and to e &i0e unto
.oses#
NH# "eho&d< here is 2isdo'? !ea< to e a Seer< a Re$e&ator< a
Trans&ator< and a )ro*het< ha$in, a&& the ,ifts of 5od 2hich He esto2s
u*on the head of the Church#
N9# And it is accordin, to the $ision sho2in, the order of the
Se$ent!< that the! shou&d ha$e se$en *residents to *reside o$er the'<
chosen out of the nu'er of the Se$ent!?
N@# And the se$enth *resident of these *residents is to *reside o$er
the si/?
NG# And these se$en *residents are to choose other se$ent! eside the
first se$ent!< to 2ho' the! e&on,? and are to *reside o$er the'?
N:# And a&so other se$ent!< ti&& se$en ti'es se$ent!< if the &aor in
the $ine!ard of necessit! re>uires it?
NM# And these se$ent! are to e tra$e&in, 'inisters unto the 5enti&es
first< and a&so unto the Je2s?
N8# 3here as other officers of the Church< 2ho e&on, not unto the
T2e&$e< neither to the Se$ent!< are not under the res*onsii&it! to tra$e&
a'on, a&& nations< ut are to tra$e& as their circu'stances sha&& a&&o2?
not2ithstandin,< the! 'a! ho&d as hi,h and res*onsi&e offices in the
Church#
NN# 3herefore< no2< &et e$er! 'an &earn his dut!< and to act in the
office in 2hich he is a**ointed< in a&& di&i,ence#
7DD# He that is s&othfu& sha&& not e counted 2orth! to stand< and he
that &earns not his dut! and sho2s hi'se&f not a**ro$ed< sha&& not e
counted 2orth! to stand# E$en so# A'en#
CHA)TER 6%#
THE FIRST .ISSION OF THE T3EL%E#
THE schoo& in 1irt&and c&osed the &ast 2ee0 in .arch< to ,i$e the
E&ders an o**ortunit! to ,o forth and *roc&ai' the 5os*e&< *re*arator! to
the endo2'ent#
Sunda!< .arch HN#--I *reached aout three hours< at Huntsur,h--2here
3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in had een ho&din, a *u&ic discussion< on a cha&&en,e
fro' J# .# Trac!< a Ca'*e&&ite *reacher< the t2o da!s *re$ious< on the
di$init! of the "oo0 of .or'on--at the c&ose of 2hich t2o 2ere a*ti4ed?
and< on .onda!< four 'ore ca'e for2ard for a*tis'#
.inutes of Conference he&d at Freedo'< N# Y# A*ri& 9rd and @th< a
conference of the Saints 2as he&d at Freedo'< Ne2 Yor0< Sidne! Ri,don
*residin,#
Fifteen ranches of the Church 2ere re*resented< fi$e of 2hich had
not een *re$ious&! re*resented at an! conference< nu'erin, aout fift!
'e'ers#
E&der Chester L# Heath< of A$on< 2as e/*e&&ed fro' the Church< for
reach of co$enant< and not oser$in, the 3ord of 3isdo'# 3ARREN A#
CO3DERY< C&er0#
.inutes of a Conference of the T2e&$e and the Se$enties# On the H:th
of A*ri& the T2e&$e A*ost&es< and the Se$enties 2ho had een chosen<
asse'&ed in the te'*&e Ea&thou,h unfinishedF< 2ith a nu'erous concourse
of *eo*&e< to recei$e their char,e and instructions fro' )resident Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< re&atin, to their 'ission and duties# The con,re,ation ein,
asse'&ed< E&der Orson )ratt arri$ed fro' the south *art of the state<
'a0in, our nu'er co'*&ete< E&der Tho'as "# .arsh ha$in, arri$ed the da!
*re$ious#
.eetin, of the T2e&$e# A*ri& H8#--The T2e&$e 'et this afternoon at
the schoo&roo'< for the *ur*ose of *ra!er and consu&tation# E&der Da$id 3#
)atten o*ened the 'eetin, ! *ra!er#
.o$ed and carried< that 2hen an! 'e'er of the counci& 2ishes to
s*ea0< he sha&& arise and stand u*on his feet#
E&der .+Le&&in read the co''and'ent ,i$en concernin, the choosin, of
the T2e&$e? 2hen it 2as $oted that 2e each for,i$e one another e$er! 2ron,
that has e/isted a'on, us< and that fro' henceforth each one of the T2e&$e
&o$e his rother as hi'se&f< in te'*ora& as 2e&& as in s*iritua& thin,s<
a&2a!s in>uirin, into each other+s 2e&fare#
Decided that the T2e&$e e read! and start on their 'ission fro'
E&der Johnson+s ta$ern on .onda!< at t2o o+c&oc0 a#'#< .a! @th#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, then c&osed ! *ra!er# ORSON HYDE< 3# E#
.+LELLIN< C&er0s#
.inutes of a 5enera& Counci& of the )riesthood#
.a! H#--A ,rand counci& 2as he&d in 1irt&and< co'*osed of the
fo&&o2in, officers of the Church< $i4( )residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
Da$id 3hit'er< O&i$er Co2der!< Sidne! Ri,don< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's<
Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< and H!ru' S'ith< 2ith the counci& of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es< "isho* )artrid,e and counse&ors< "isho* 3hitne! and counse&ors<
and so'e of the Se$enties< 2ith their *residents< $i4# S!&$ester S'ith<
Leonard Rich< L!'an Sher'an< Ha4en A&drich< Jose*h Youn,< and Le$i
Hancoc0? and 'an! E&ders fro' different *arts of the countr!# )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *residin,#
After the conference 2as o*ened< and the T2e&$e had ta0en their
seats< )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< said that it 2ou&d e the dut! of the
T2e&$e< 2hen in counci&< to ta0e their seats to,ether accordin, to a,e<
the o&dest to e seated at the head< and *reside in the first counci&< the
ne/t o&dest in the second< and so on unti& the !oun,est had *resided? and
then e,in at the o&dest a,ain#
The T2e&$e then too0 their seats accordin, to a,e as fo&&o2s( Tho'as
"# .arsh< Da$id 3# )atten< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson
H!de< 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Lu0e S# Johnson 3i&&ia'
S'ith< Orson )ratt< John F# "o!nton< and L!'an E# Johnson#
Ite's of Instruction to the T2e&$e and the Se$ent!#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then stated that the T2e&$e 2i&& ha$e no ri,ht
to ,o into ;ion< or an! of its sta0es< and there underta0e to re,u&ate the
affairs thereof< 2here there is a standin, hi,h counci&? ut it is their
dut! to ,o aroad and re,u&ate a&& 'atters re&ati$e to the different
ranches of the Church# 3hen the T2e&$e are to,ether< or a >uoru' of the'<
in an! church< the! 2i&& ha$e authorit! to act inde*endent&!< and 'a0e
decisions< and those decisions 2i&& e $a&id# "ut 2here there is not a
>uoru'< the! 2i&& ha$e to do usiness ! the $oice of the Church# No
standin, Hi,h Counci& has authorit! to ,o into the churches aroad< and
re,u&ate the 'atters thereof< for this e&on,s to the T2e&$e# No standin,
Hi,h Counci& 2i&& e$er e esta&ished on&! in ;ion< or one of her sta0es#
3hen the T2e&$e *ass a decision< it is in the na'e of the Church<
therefore it is $a&id# No officia& 'e'er of the Church has authorit! to
,o into an! ranch thereof< and ordain an! 'inister for that Church<
un&ess it is ! the $oice of that ranch# No E&der has authorit! to ,o
into an! ranch of the Church< and a**oint 'eetin,< or atte'*t to re,u&ate
the affairs of the church< 2ithout the ad$ice and consent of the *residin,
E&der of that ranch#
If the first Se$ent! are a&& e'*&o!ed< and there is a ca&& for 'ore
&aorers< it 2i&& e the dut! of the se$en *residents of the first Se$ent!
to ca&& and ordain other Se$ent! and send the' forth to &aor in the
$ine!ard< unti&< if needs e< the! set a*art se$en ti'es se$ent!< and e$en
unti& there are one hundred and fort!-four thousand thus set a*art for the
'inistr!#
The Se$ent! are not to attend the conferences of the T2e&$e< un&ess
the! are ca&&ed u*on or re>uested so to do ! the T2e&$e# The T2e&$e and
the Se$ent! ha$e *articu&ar&! to de*end u*on their 'inistr! for their
su**ort< and that of their fa'i&ies? and the! ha$e a ri,ht< ! $irtue of
their offices< to ca&& u*on the churches to assist the'#
E&der Henr! Herri'an 2as ordained one of the Se$ent!#
The circu'stances of the *residents of the Se$ent! 2ere se$era&&!
considered< re&ati$e to their tra$e&in, in the $ine!ard( and it 2as
unani'ous&! a,reed that the! shou&d ho&d the'se&$es in readiness to ,o< at
the ca&& of the T2e&$e< 2hen the Lord o*ens the 2a!# T2ent!-se$en of the
Se$ent! 2ere a&so considered< and it 2as decided the! shou&d ho&d
the'se&$es in readiness to tra$e& in the 'inistr!< at the ca&& of the
*resident of the Se$ent!< as the Lord o*ens the 2a!#
After an ad=ourn'ent of one hour< the counci& re-asse'&ed#
E4ra Tha!re 2as sus*ended as an E&der and 'e'er< unti& in$esti,ation
cou&d e had efore the isho*+s court< co'*&aint ha$in, een *referred
a,ainst hi' ! O&i$er 5ran,er#
Loren4o D# "arnes 2as ordained one of the Se$ent!? a&so Henr! "enner<
.ichae& 5riffiths< Ro!a& "arne!< and Leeus T# Coon< 2ho< to,ether 2ith
t2ent! others< 2ere ca&&ed u*on to ho&d the'se&$es in readiness to tra$e&
2hen circu'stances 'i,ht *er'it#
The E&ders in 1irt&and and its $icinit! 2ere then ca&&ed u*on< or
their circu'stances considered< and their na'es enro&&ed# )resident Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< arose 2ith the &ists in his hand< and 'ade so'e $er!
a**ro*riate re'ar0< re&ati$e to the de&i$erance of ;ion? and< so 'uch of
the authorit! of the Church ein, *resent< 'o$ed that 2e ne$er ,i$e u* the
stru,,&e for ;ion< e$en unti& death< or unti& ;ion is redee'ed#
The $ote 2as unani'ous< and ,i$en 2ith dee* fee&in,#
%oted< that a&& the E&ders of the Church are ound to tra$e& in the
2or&d to *reach the 5os*e&< 2ith a&& their 'i,ht< 'ind< and stren,th< 2hen
their circu'stances 2i&& ad'it of it? and that the door is no2 o*ened#
%oted< that E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< John )# 5reene< and A'os Orton e
a**ointed to ,o and *reach the 5os*e& to the re'nants of Jose*h< the door
to e o*ened ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< and this 2i&& o*en the door to the
2ho&e house of Jose*h#
%oted< that 2hen another Se$ent! is re>uired< the *residenc! of the
first Se$ent! sha&& choose< ordain< and set the' a*art fro' a'on, the 'ost
e/*erienced of the E&ders of the Church#
%oted< that 2hene$er the &aor of other Se$ent! is re>uired< the! are
to e set a*art and ordained to that office? those 2ho are residin, at
1irt&and and the re,ions round aout< 2ho can co'e to 1irt&and< to e set
a*art and ordained ! the direction of the )residenc! of the Church in
1irt&and# 3.# E# .+LELLIN< C&er0#
The First .ission of the T2e&$e# The T2e&$e &eft 1irt&and this
'ornin, I.a! @thJ< and e'ar0ed on oard the stea'er Sandus0!< at
Fair*ort< and &anded at Dun0ir0< Ne2 Yor0< G o+c&oc0 *#'#< and after
*reachin, in those re,ions a fe2 da!s< 'et in conference at 3estfie&d< .a!
Nth< accordin, to *re$ious a**oint'ent? the church ein, *resent< and
Tho'as "# .arsh< the o&dest of the >uoru'< *residin,#
The fo&&o2in, ite's 2ere su,,ested for the consideration of the
counci&(
Reso&$ed# 7st( That the &i'its of this conference e/tend south and
2est to the &ine of )enns!&$ania< north as far as La0e Erie< and east as
far as Lodi< e'racin, the ranches of 3estfie&d< Si&$er Cree0<
)err!sur,h< and La$ona< to e ca&&ed the -3estfie&d Conference#-
Hnd# In>uire into the standin, of a&& the E&ders 2ithin the ounds of
this conference#
9rd# In>uire into the 'anner of their teachin,< doctrines< etc#
@th# In>uire into the teachin,< conduct< and faithfu&ness of a&&
tra$e&in, E&ders 2ho ha$e recent&! &aored 2ithin the ounds of this
conference#
Gth# Hear a re*resentation of the se$era& ranches of the Church#
On in$esti,ation< the standin, and teachin, of the E&ders *resent 'et
the a**roation of the counci&< e/ce*t the teachin, of E&der Jose*h Rose<
2hich 2as< -that the Je2ish church 2as the sun< and the 5enti&e church 2as
the 'oon< etc#? 2hen the Je2ish church 2as scattered< then sun 2as
dar0ened( and 2hen the 5enti&e church is out off< the 'oon 2i&& e turned
to &ood?- a&so so'e thin,s re&ati$e to the a*oca&!*tic east 2ith se$en
heads and ten horns#
He 2as sho2n his error< and 2i&&in,&! 'ade a hu'&e confession#
The faithfu&ness of a&& the tra$e&in, E&ders 2as found to e ,ood#
The 'e'ers of the 3estfie&d ranch 2ere re*resented as in ,ood
standin,< ut 2ith a difficu&t! in the 'inds of so'e< re&ati$e to the
a*tis' of "rother L&o!d L# Le2is< inas'uch as he 2as a*ti4ed ! a
tra$e&in, E&der 2ithout the church ein, ca&&ed to,ether to 0no2 if the!
2ou&d recei$e hi' to fe&&o2shi*#
The counci& decided that if there 2as a fau&t< it 2as in the
ad'inistrator< and not in the candidate# The ranch nu'ered se$ent!-fi$e#
The La$ona ranch nu'ered t2ent! in ,ood standin,< ut &oo0in, in
the en=o!'ent of the S*irit in conse>uence of a ne,&ect to 0ee* the 3ord
of 3isdo'#
After further instructions on ,enera& *rinci*&es< the conference
ad=ourned unti& 8 o+c&oc0 a#'#< .onda!# .a! 77#
Sunda!< .a! 7D#--E&ders .arsh and )atten *reached to an attenti$e
con,re,ation of aout fi$e hundred? after Sacra'ent< fi$e *ersons desired
a*tis'< 2hich 2as attended to ! E&der .+Le&&in#
.onda!< 77#--Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent#
Reso&$ed unani'ous&!--That this conference ,o to< i''ediate&!< and
a**oint their -2ise 'en<- and ,ather u* their riches< and send the' to
;ion to *urchase &and< accordin, to *re$ious co''and'ent< that a&& thin,s
e *re*ared efore the' in order to their ,atherin,#
.uch 2as said to the conference u*on these i'*ortant thin,s? and the
Saints co$enanted efore the Lord< that the! 2ou&d e strict to attend to
our teachin,#
After *reachin, ! E&der Youn, at 9 o+c&oc0 *#'#< and the fare2e&&
e/hortation of the T2e&$e< se$en indi$idua&s 2ere a*ti4ed ! E&der Orson
H!de< and the! 2ere confir'ed in the e$enin,#
After &a!in, hands on 'an! sic0< 2ho otained re&ief< ad=ourned to
the HHnd instant< to 'eet in Freedo'# Ne2 Yor0< ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
The Conference at Freedo'# .a! HH#--The T2e&$e 'et in conference 2ith
the church in Freedo'< Ne2 Yor0< 2hen< after an a,reea&e sa&utation and
re=oicin, in each other+s *ros*erit!< E&der Da$id 3# )atten ein,
chair'an< conference 2as o*ened ! sin,in,< and *ra!er ! the )resident#
IHere &et it e re'ar0ed< that it 2as the uni$ersa& custo' of the
T2e&$e and the )residenc! of the Church< to o*en and c&ose a&& conferences
and counci&s ! *ra!er< and ,enera&&! sin,in,< so that this need not e
na'ed in this histor! hereafter#J
Reso&$ed--That the &i'its of this conference e/tend fro' Lodi in the
2est< so far east as to inc&ude A$on< south to )enns!&$ania< and north to
La0e Ontario< ca&&ed the -Freedo' Conference<- inc&udin, the ranches of
Freedo'< Rushford< )orta,e< 5ro$e< "urns< 5enesee< A$on< Ja$a# Ho&&and<
Aurora< 5reen2ood< and Nia,ara#
The re*ort concernin, the &aors and teachin,s of the E&ders in the
conference< and those 2ho had recent&! tra$e&ed throu,h the ranches< 2as
,ood#
The ranch in Freedo' nu'ered si/t!-fi$e? Rushford< t2ent!-ei,ht?
"urns< thirt!? Ho&&and< fifteen--re*resented ! )# )# )ratt as ha$in,
suffered 'uch fro' fa&se teachin,s ! h!*ocrites and 0na$es( Aurora< four?
Nia,ara< four? the nu'ers of the re'ainin, ranches not ascertained< -t
,enera&&! re*orted in ,ood standin,#
The counci& ,a$e instruction concernin, the -3ord of 3isdo'<- the
,ift of ton,ues< *ro*hes!in,< etc#< and ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 'ornin,#
.a! H9#--Conference 'et to ta0e into consideration the rede'*tion of
;ion#
After addresses ! fi$e of the counci&< the church e/*ressed their
deter'ination to *ut into *ractice the teachin,s 2e had ,i$en< 2hen the
conference ad=ourned#
.a! HG#--The T2e&$e 'et in counci& to *ra! for one another unti& the!
shou&d 'eet a,ain? and<
Reso&$ed--That 2e reco''and and counse& E&ders John .urdoc0 and L&o!d
Le2is to ,o to the churches at Chenan,o )oint< Ne2 Yor0< and S*rin,$i&&e<
)enns!&$ania Ea'on, 2ho' 2e understand there is so'e difficu&t!F< and set
in order the thin,s that are 2antin, in those ranches#
Reso&$ed--That E&der "ri,ha' Youn, ,o i''ediate&! fro' this *&ace to
an ad=acent trie of the re'nants of Jose*h< and o*en the door of
sa&$ation to that &on, de=ected and aff&icted *eo*&e# The counci&<
accordin, to his re>uest< &aid their hands u*on hi'< that he 'i,ht ha$e
their faith and *ra!ers< to fi&&< 2ith hu'i&it! and *o2er< that $er!
i'*ortant 'ission#
The! a&so &aid hands on E&ders John )# 5reene and A'os Orton< for the
sa'e *ur*ose< as the! e/*ected to acco'*an! hi'# ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
On the Gth of June< nine of the T2e&$e 'et in counci& at Rose< or
L!onsto2n< Ne2 Yor0# There ein, so fe2 of the rethren in that re,ion< it
2as reso&$ed that it 2as not necessar! to esta&ish a conference< after
2hich counci& ad=ourned# After the! had *reached se$era& ser'ons in the
$icinit!< E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Orson H!de and 3i&&ia' S'ith returned to
1irt&and< as 2itnesses in a certain case 2herein )resident Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< 2as concerned efore the count! court< in 2hich he ri,hteous&!
triu'*hed o$er his ene'ies# ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
On the 7Nth of June< nine of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& 'et 2ith the
church in conference at )i&&o2 )oint< Ne2 Yor0< and reso&$ed that the
&i'its of the conference e'race a&& the northern *art of the State< to e
ca&&ed the -"&ac0 Ri$er Conference#- The E&ders of the conference had een
di&i,ent in their ca&&in,s# Their 'anner of teachin, in so'e res*ects
needed correction< 2hich the! ,&ad&! recei$ed#
The church at )i&&o2 )oint nu'ered t2ent!-one< ut did not ,enera&&!
oser$e the 3ord of 3isdo'# The church at Sac0ets Haror nu'ered
nineteen? "ur$i&&e< se$en? Cha'*ion< si/? E&&esur,< thirt!-three?
Henderson< four? A&e/andria< four? L!'e< four? and t2o in Or&eans< three
in )otsda'< and si/ in Stoc0ho&'#
After hearin, the re*ort of the churches< fi$e of the counci&
successi$e&! addressed the conference< u*on the *rinci*&es of church
,o$ern'ent< the nature and e/ercise of s*iritua& ,ifts< the 3ord of
3isdo'< and the *ro*riet! of choosin, 2ise 'en and sendin, the' 2ith
'one!s to *urchase &ands in ;ion< so that the! 'i,ht not ,ather in
confusion? and the conference unani'ous&! ac>uiesced in the teachin,s of
the counci&# Ad=ourned unti& the HDth< then 'et< and John E&'er 2as
char,ed 2ith ho&din, $er! incorrect *rinci*&es? such< for instance< that
the S*irit of 5od so'eti'es too0 hi' and thre2 hi' do2n< and that he cou&d
die the death of the ri,hteous< and of the 2ic0ed? and in order to sho2
his *o2er 2ith 5od< he a&so stated that he had *assed throu,h a 0ind of
death so as to eco'e i''orta&< and 2ou&d e/ist fore$er 2ithout an! other
death or chan,e< on&! ,ro2in, ri,hter and ri,hter eterna&&!# He
*ersisted in these thin,< and 2ou&d not recei$e teachin, fro' the counci&<
therefore 2as cut off# On .onda!< fi$e 2ere a*ti4ed< and our *u&ic
'eetin, c&osed# ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
CHA)TER 6%I#
)RO5RESS OF AFFAIRS AT 1IRTLAND--DISCO%ERY Of THE "OO1 OF A"RAHA.#
A"OUT the 'idd&e of .a!< 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er< )residents of
the Church in .issouri< arri$ed at 1irt&and< and John 3hit'er 2as
a**ointed to ta0e the *&ace of )resident O&i$er Co2der!< in conductin, the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate#
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's 2as a**ointed to edit the Northern Ti'es< a
2ee0&! ne2s*a*er< 2hich 2e had co''enced in Feruar! &ast< in fa$or of
De'ocrac!? and 3# 3# )he&*s E2ith his son 3ater'anF 'ade his ho'e 2ith '!
fa'i&!< and assisted the co''ittee in co'*i&in, the "oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants#
.inutes of Conference he&d at Ne2 )orta,e< June :th# The E&ders and
rethren asse'&ed in conference< June :th< at Ne2 )orta,e< O&i$er
Co2der!< *residin,#
E&der Da$id .atthe2s< 2ho 2as sus*ended at a *re$ious conference< for
unchristian conduct< 2as *resent#
After hearin, the testi'on!< the counci& unani'ous&! a,reed that
there had een due contrition of s*irit 'anifested ! hi'< in his 2a&0 and
con$ersation since his sus*ension? and E&der .atthe2s 2as restored#
E&der "ar0da&& *referred a c&ai' a,ainst E&der 1ee&er< for ser$ices
said to e rendered so'e ei,ht or nine !ears since< and to ha$e een
a2arded ! a for'er counci&#
It a**eared there had een a decision in fa$or of E&der "ar0da&&< ut
no testi'on! 2as *roduced ! either of the *arties to sustantiate a
c&ai'< or *ro$e a *a!'ent# It 2as< therefore< Reso&$ed(--That oth the
accuser and the accused ha$e 'anifested a ad s*irit< and deser$e the
se$ere reu0e of this counci&#
E&der .i&o Ha!s 2as tried for not oe!in, the 3ord of 3isdo'< and for
co$enant rea0in,#
"oth char,es 2ere sustained ! testi'on!< and E&der Ha!s 2as e/c&uded
fro' the Church#
Se$era& other cases of disci*&ine 2ere attended to< and conference
ad=ourned at 7H o+c&oc0 at ni,ht#
Sunda! 'ornin,< )resident O&i$er Co2der! *reached< after 2hich four
2ere a*ti4ed#
The counci& a,ain or,ani4ed in the e$enin,< and ordained Jaco .!ers
an E&der#
The case of E&ders "ar0da&& and 1ee&er 2as a,ain ca&&ed u*? four
counci&ors s*o0e on the su=ect< 2hen it 2as decided that the! ha$e one
2ee0 and no 'ore to sett&e their differences 2ith each other< and 'a0e
confession to the Church< or &ose heir standin,# 3# A# CO3DERY< C&er0#
The )residenc!< "isho*< and Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< ha$in, re'o$ed to
1irt&and< or ,one forth in the $ine!ard< I caused it to e *u&ished in
the June nu'er of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< that accordin, to the order
of the 0in,do' e,un in the &ast da!s< to *re*are 'en for the rest of the
Lord< the E&ders in ;ion or in her i''ediate re,ion< ha$e no authorit! or
ri,ht to 'edd&e 2ith her s*iritua& affairs< to re,u&ate her concerns< or
ho&d counci&s for the e/*u&sion of 'e'ers< in her unor,ani4ed condition#
The Hi,h Counci& has een e/*ress&! or,ani4ed to ad'inister in a&& her
s*iritua& affairs? and the "isho* and his counci& are set o$er her
te'*ora& 'atters ? so that the E&ders+ acts are nu&& and $oid# No2< the
Lord 2ants the 2heat and tares to ,ro2 to,ether? for ;ion 'ust e redee'ed
2ith =ud,'ent< and her con$erts 2ith ri,hteousness# E$er! E&der that can<
after *ro$idin, for his fa'i&! Eif he has an!F and *a!in, his dets< 'ust
,o forth and c&ear his s0irts fro' the &ood of this ,eneration# 3hi&e
the! are in that re,ion< I.issouriJ instead of tr!in, 'e'ers for
trans,ression< or offenses< &et e$er! one &aor to *re*are hi'se&f for the
$ine!ard< s*arin, a &itt&e ti'e to co'fort the 'ourners< to ind u* the
ro0en-hearted< to rec&ai' the ac0s&ider< to rin, ac0 the 2anderer< to
re-in$ite into the 0in,do' such as ha$e een cut off< ! encoura,in, the'
to &a! to 2hi&e the da! &asts< and 2or0 ri,hteousness< and< 2ith one heart
and one 'ind< *re*are to he&* to redee' ;ion< that ,ood&! &and of *ro'ise<
2here the 2i&&in, and oedient sha&& e &essed#
Aout this ti'e< I recei$ed an introduction to .r# He2itt< a *reacher
2ho had co'e ont fro' Euro*e< 2ith his 2ife< to e/a'ine this 2or0? he
stated that he 2as de&e,ated ! his church for this *ur*ose< and *resented
a &etter of co''endation< a co*! of 2hich fo&&o2s (
To the Saints of the .ost Hi,h( Dear "rethren in the Lord#--At a
counci& of the *astors of our church< he&d .arch H8th< 789G< u*on the
*ro*riet! of Re$erend John $isitin, !ou< it 2as reso&$ed and a**ro$ed that
as he had an an/ious desire to ,o to A'erica to see thin,s that are s*o0en
of in one of !our *a*ers rou,ht here ! a 'erchant fro' Ne2 Yor0< he
shou&d ha$e< as he desired< the sanction of the counci&< and if it *&eased
the Lord< His a**ro$a&# The Lord hath seen our =o! and ,&adness to hear
that He 2as raisin, u* a *eo*&e for Hi'se&f in that *art of the Ne2 3or&d<
as 2e&& as here# O< 'a! our faith increase that He 'a! ha$e E$an,e&ists<
A*ost&es< and )ro*hets< fi&&ed 2ith the *o2er of the S*irit< and
*erfor'in, His 2i&& in destro!in, the 2or0s of dar0ness#
The Re$erend .r# He2itt 2as *rofessor of 'athe'atics in Rotherha'
Inde*endent Se'inar!< and four !ears *astor of "arns&e! Inde*endent
church# He co''enced *reachin, the doctrines 2e tau,ht< aout t2o !ears
since< and 2as e/co''unicated# .an! of his f&oc0 fo&&o2ed hi'< so that he
2as e$entua&&! insta&&ed in the sa'e church< and the Lord+s 2or0
*ros*ered# As he is a &i$in, e*ist&e< !ou 2i&& ha$e< if a&& e 2e&&< a
fu&& e/*&anation# .an! 2i&& fo&&o2< shou&d he a**ro$e of the countr!<
etc#< 2ho 2i&& he&* the cause< ecause the Lord hath fa$ored the' 2ith
this 2or&d+s ,oods# 3e had an utterance durin, our 'eetin,< 2hich caused
us to sin, for =o!# The Lord 2as *&eased 2ith our rother+s ho&!
deter'ination to see !ou? and 2e understand that *ersecution had een
,reat a'on, !ou< or 2ou&d e< ut 2e 2ere co''anded not to fear< for He
2ou&d e 2ith us# )raise the Lord#
The ti'e is at hand 2hen distance sha&& e no arrier et2een us? ut
2hen on the 2in,s of &o$e< Jeho$ah+s 'essa,es sha&& e co''unicated ! His
Saints# The Lord &ess our rother< and 'a! he *ro$e a &essin, to !ou# "e
not afraid of our ene'ies? the! sha&&< un&ess the! re*ent< e cast do2n !
the Lord of Hosts# The 2or0ers of ini>uit! ha$e een used ! the *rince of
dar0ness to *&a! the counterfeit? ut discern'ent has een ,i$en to us<
that the! 2ere i''ediate&! *ut to sha'e< ! ein, detected< so that the
f&oc0 ne$er suffered as !et ! the'#
5race< 'erc!< and *eace e unto !ou fro' 5od our Father< and fro' the
S*irit< Jesus Christ our Lord# A'en#
I a'< dear sir< Your rother in the 5os*e&< THO.AS SHA3# "arns&e!<
A*ri& H7< 789G#
The inter$ie2 2ith .r# He2itt 2as rief< and he &eft 2ith the
understandin, that he 2ou&d ca&& a,ain and rene2 his in$esti,ations# As he
did not return accordin, to a,ree'ent< and hearin, he 2as at Fair*ort< the
counci& of the )residenc! sent hi' the fo&&o2in, &etter(--
To the Re$erend .r# He2itt(
Sir--In conse>uence of !our not returnin, as 2e understood !ou 2ou&d
at !our introduction to us< it 2as reso&$ed and a**ro$ed in counci&< on
the e$enin, of the 7@th instant< that the earer of this co''unication<
O&i$er Co2der!< one of the *residin, E&ders of our Church< shou&d *roceed
to Fair*ort< and ascertain if *ossi&e< the cause of !our de&a!? and this
is done as one reason< that 2e fee& an an/ious desire for the sa&$ation of
the sou&s of 'en< and to satisf! !our in>uiries concernin, the re&i,ion 2e
*rofess# If at Fair*ort it is the sincere desire of the counci&< that .r#
He2itt return< that 2e 'a! satisf! hi' concernin, our re&i,ion< and he
satisf! us concernin, his? for 2e fee& as ,reat a desire for the 2e&fare
of his *eo*&e< as he can for ours#
3ith res*ect< etc#< 3# 3# )HEL)S< C&er0#
E&der Co2der! i''ediate&! re*aired to Fair*ort< and on the da!
fo&&o2in, re*orted to the Counci& that .r# He2itt 2as not in the *&ace(
that he &eft their &etter 2ith .rs# He2itt< 2ho infor'ed hi' that her
husand had fre>uent&! s*o0en of his 2ish to eco'e further ac>uainted
2ith the *eo*&e 2ho' he had co'e out fro' Euro*e to see#- "ut the ne/t 2e
heard of the Re$erend John He2itt 2as that he had o*ened a schoo& in
)ains$i&&e< Ohio#
.r# He2itt 2as an e&der of the Ir$in,ite church< in "arns&e!<
En,&and< and 2as sent as a de&e,ate fro' that church< as e/*ressed in
the &etter fro' .r# Sha2< of A*ri& H7st< to $isit the Saints in A'erica<
and ascertain their faith and *rinci*&es? and if .r# He2itt found the' as
the! e/*ected< the Saints in A'erica 'i,ht e/*ect he&* fro' the' Ethe
church in "arns&e!F as the! 2ere rich in te'*ora& thin,s and had recei$ed
the ,ift of ton,ues in the church#
June 78#--Nine hundred and fift! do&&ars 2ere suscried for the
te'*&e< ! the Saints in 1irt&and# 5reat an/iet! 2as 'anifested to ro&& on
the 2or0#
The t2ent!-first< ein, Sunda!< I *reached in 1irt&and on the
E$an,e&ica& Order#
Thursda!< June HG#--There 2as a 'eetin, in 1irt&and to suscrie for
the ui&din, of the Te'*&e? and R:<H9H#GD 2as added to the &ist# Jose*h
S'ith suscried RGDD? O&i$er Co2der!< RMGD? 3# 3# )he&*s< RGDD? John
3hit'er< RGDD? and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< RGDD? of the ao$e< a&& of 2hich
the! *aid 2ithin one hour< and the *eo*&e 2ere astonished#
June HN#--Si/ of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< $i4#(--Da$id 3# )atten<
Heer C# 1i'a&&< Lu0e S# Johnson< Orson )ratt< John F# "o!nton< and L!'an
E# Johnson< asse'&ed in conference 2ith the church in Loorou,h< U**er
Canada# The church in Loorou,h< co'*osed of t2ent!-fi$e 'e'ers< 2ere
uninfor'ed in 'an! *rinci*&es of the ne2 co$enant< not ha$in, had the sa'e
*ri$i&e,e of instruction as the churches in the United States#
"rothers Henr! and Jaco 3ood< 2ho had een sus*ended< had a
rehearin,< ut 2ere cut off# E&der Frederic0 .# %an Leu$en< 2as a**ointed
*residin, E&der< and a nu'er 2ere added to the Church durin, their sta!#
On the 9rd of Ju&!< .ichae& H# Chand&er ca'e to 1irt&and to e/hiit
so'e E,!*tian 'u''ies# There 2ere four hu'an fi,ures< to,ether 2ith so'e
t2o or 'ore ro&&s of *a*!rus co$ered 2ith hiero,&!*hic fi,ures and
de$ices# As .r# Chand&er had een to&d I cou&d trans&ate the'< he rou,ht
'e so'e of the characters< and I ,a$e hi' the inter*retation< and &i0e a
,ent&e'an< he ,a$e 'e the fo&&o2in, certificate(
1IRTLAND< Ju&! :< 789G# This is to 'a0e 0no2n to a&& 2ho 'a! e
desirous< concernin, the 0no2&ed,e of .r# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in
deci*herin, the ancient E,!*tian hiero,&!*hic characters in '! *ossession<
2hich I ha$e< in 'an! e'inent cities< sho2ed to the 'ost &earned? and<
fro' the infor'ation that I cou&d e$er &earn< or 'eet 2ith< I and that of
.r# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< to corres*ond in the 'ost 'inute 'atters# .ICHAEL
H# CHANDLER<
Tra$e&in, 2ith< and *ro*rietor of< E,!*tian 'u''ies#
Sunda! G#--I *reached in the afternoon# .ichae& H# "arton tried to
,et into the Church< ut he 2as not 2i&&in, to confess and forsa0e a&& his
sins--and he 2as re=ected#
Soon after this< so'e of the Saints at 1irt&and *urchased the 'u''ies
and *a*!rus< a descri*tion of 2hich 2i&& a**ear hereafter< and 2ith 3# 3#
)he&*s and O&i$er Co2der! as scries< I co''enced the trans&ation of so'e
of the characters or hiero,&!*hics< and 'uch to our =o! found that one of
the ro&&s contained the 2ritin,s of Araha'< another the 2ritin,s of
Jose*h of E,!*t< etc#<--a 'ore fu&& account of 2hich 2i&& a**ear in its
*&ace< as I *roceed to e/a'ine or unfo&d the'# Tru&! 2e can sa!< the Lord
is e,innin, to re$ea& the aundance of *eace and truth#
On the Nth I rode to C&e$e&and< in co'*an! 2ith E&der Co2der! and
others# On the 7@th a char,e 2as *referred a,ainst E&der Ed'und "os&e!< to
a counci& of the )residenc!< for unchristian-&i0e conduct< in rea0in, a
certain sacred co$enant< 'ade Se*te'er @< 789@#
I instructed the counci& on *oints of dut!< such as oser$in,
co$enants< etc#< and testified to the truth of the ao$e co$enant#
)resident O&i$er Co2der! testified that he hi'se&f fra'ed the
co$enant a&&uded to< and that at the ti'e 2hen "os&e! said that he had a
2itness that it 2as the 2i&& of the Lord that he shou&d consecrate the
sur*&us of his *ro*ert! o$er and ao$e 2hat 2ou&d e needfu& for his and
his fa'i&!+s su**ort#
"isho* 3hitne! stated that E&der "os&e! a,reed to &et the )residenc!
and others ha$e 'one! on &oan< for the *rintin, of the Re$e&ations< if he
cou&d contro& his *ro*ert! in one !ear< or< as soon as he otained it#
Decided that E&der "os&e! ro0e the co$enant 2hich he 'ade Se*te'er
@< 789@--therefore he is not a 'e'er of this Church< un&ess he 'a0e
satisfaction to those 2ho' he in=ured#
A&so Isaac H# "isho* 2as co'*&ained of as ha$in, s*o0en e$i& of the
Hi,h Counci&< ! sa!in, that -the Hi,h Counci& had the 2ron, tree to ar0
u*<- 2hich 2as testified to ! J# .# Corri&&< )resident Ri,don and others#
It 2as decided that Isaac H# "isho* sha&& 'a0e *u&ic confession to
the satisfaction of the in=ured< and 2a&0 as a saint in a&& thin,s#
The hand of the Lord sha&& e u*on the'< unti& the! re*ent in
sac0c&oth and ashes< and sha&& effect their te'*ora& and s*iritua&
interests un&ess the! re*ent#
CHA)TER 6%II#
SUNDRY COUNCIL .EETIN5S IN %ER.ONT OHIO< AND NE3 YOR1#
.inutes of the %er'ont Conference# Ju&! 7Mth#--The T2e&$e 'et in
conference< a,reea&! to *re$ious a**oint'ent< at St# Johnsur!< %er'ont#
Reso&$ed(--That this State e 2ithin the &i'its of this conference<
and inc&ude the ranches in Litt&eton< Da&ton< and Landaff< in Ne2
Ha'*shire< to e ca&&ed the %er'ont Conference#
The St# Johnsur! ranch nu'ered fort!-one 'e'ers? Dan$i&&e<
t2ent!-three? Char&ton< t2ent!-one? Ja!< e&e$en? Da&ton< fifteen? Landaff<
four? Litt&eton< ten? Ando$er< %er'ont< fifteen? "eneeon< se$en? and
Le2is< Ne2 Yor0< se$enteen#
Si/ of the counci& addressed the conference on *rinci*&es of faith
and action#
Ad=ourned to the 78th< 2hen the re'ainin, si/ 'e'ers of the counci&
enforced the necessit! of sendin, u* 2ise 'en< and *urchasin, &ands<
accordin, to the co''and'ents--2hich the Saints readi&! a,reed to do#
Sunda!< 7Nth#--Our *u&ic 'eetin, 2as attended ! 'ore than a
thousand *eo*&e< and durin, our conference nine 2ere a*ti4ed# ORSON HYDE<
3.# E# .+LELLIN< C&er0s#
The re'ainder of this 'onth< I 2as continua&&! en,a,ed in trans&atin,
an a&*haet to the "oo0 of Araha'< and arran,in, a ,ra''ar of the
E,!*tian &an,ua,e as *racticed ! the ancients#
Au,ust Hnd< ein, the Saath< I *reached a *art of the da!#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and# 1irt&and< Au,ust @th< 789G<
a Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Christ of Latter da! Saints asse'&ed in
conference< consistin, of )residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er Co2der!<
Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith< Da$id 3hit'er< John 3hit'er< and 3# 3# )he&*s<
and others< to ta0e into consideration certain ite's contained in &etters
fro' aroad one fro' 3arren A# Co2der!# )residin, E&der of the Freedo'
Conference< and one fro' E&der 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in# The first reads as
fo&&o2s(
FREEDO.< Ju&! HNth< 789G# -DEAR "ROTHER(--E&der Jared Carter ca&&ed
on this church &ast Thursda!< on his 2a! east< so&icitin, donations and
suscri*tions for finishin, the house in !our *&ace# A&thou,h the su=ect
of such a 'ission< in connection 2ith his na'e< had een 'entioned in the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate< sti&&< as no other 'ethod had een ta0en to
i'*ress the su=ect on our 'inds< it had 'easura&! *assed out< or ceased
to 'a0e an! i'*ression--therefore< 2e 2ere in so'e de,ree ta0en on
sur*rise# To the reco&&ection of an! of the church< neither the T2e&$e<
the "isho*< nor an! others c&othed 2ith authorit! ha$e e$er 'entioned this
su=ect to us< e/ce*t incidenta&&!# It sure&! 2as ne$er 'ade a su=ect of
*u&ic instruction--as "rother Carter had =ust reasons to e/*ect it had
een< he fe&t an e'arrass'ent *ecu&iar to such a situation# He undertoo0
to *reach to us !esterda!< ut fro' the aforesaid e'arrass'ent< or the
deadness< or the co$etousness of the church< he cou&d ,et none of the
S*irit of the Lord to assist hi'# I a' free to sa! that I attriuted 'ore
to the &atter cause than the for'er? !et not2ithstandin,< 2e 'ade out in
donations and suscri*tions 2hich I trust 2i&& rea&i4e R9@7#9M 7QH# .a!
the Lord &ess and *ros*er hi'< and a&& His faithfu& ser$ants? and 'a!
the! find fa$or in the si,ht of 5od and 'an< is the *ra!er of !our
un2orth! rother< 3ARREN A# CO3DERY# -To O&i$er Co2der!#-
Fro' this short &etter 2e disco$er that the E&ders fai&ed in the
outset to fi&& their ,reat and i'*ortant 'ission< as the! 0no2 the Lord
has co''anded us to ui&d a house< in 2hich to recei$e an endo2'ent<
*re$ious to the rede'*tion of ;ion? and that ;ion cou&d not e redee'ed
unti& this ta0es *&ace# 1no2in, that the co''ittee 2ere to =ourne! for the
e/*ress *ur*ose of so&icitin, donations< the! ha$e fai&ed to ho&d the' u*
and set forth this first i'*ortant thin,? and in conse>uence 5od has not
&essed the' as He other2ise 2ou&d# 3e re'ind !ou of these thin,s in the
na'e of the Lord< and refer !ou to the "oo0 of
Co$enants< Hnd section< Hnd *art< and 7Hth *ara,ra*h< and as0< did 2e
not instruct !ou to re'e'er first the house< second&! the cause of ;ion<
and then the *u&ishin, of the 2ord to the nationsB
The other ite' referred to is an e/tract fro' E&der 3i&&ia' E<
.+Le&&in+s &etter to his 2ife< as fo&&o2s(--
-You sa! that it 2i&& not e in !our *o2er to ,o to schoo& this
su''er# I a' ,&ad that it is not< since E&der H!de has returned and ,i$en
'e a descri*tion of the 'anner in 2hich it is conducted? thou,h 2e do not
2ish to cast an! ref&ections#-
This the Counci& considered to e a &ie& on the face of it# E&der
.+Le&&in sa!s# -3e do not 2ish to cast an! ref&ections<- 2hen the hi,hest
insu&t and ref&ections are cast ! it u*on the Church< the )residenc!< and
those 2ho are he&d in 'uch hi,her esti'ation in the si,ht of 5od and this
Church than the'se&$es#
The $ote of the Counci& 2as( 3e here! infor' E&ders .+Le&&in and
H!de that 2e 2ithdra2 our fe&&o2shi* fro' the' unti& the! return and 'a0e
satisfaction face to face#
3e further infor' the T2e&$e< that as far as 2e can &earn fro' the
churches throu,h 2hich 2e ha$e tra$e&ed< !ou ha$e set !ourse&$es u* as an
inde*endent counci&< su=ect to no authorit! of the Church< a 0ind of
out&a2sK This i'*ression is 2ron,< and 2i&&< if *ersisted in< rin, do2n
the 2rath and indi,nation of hea$en u*on !our heads# The other ten are
directed to *roceed on and finish the conferences< and the t2o 'a! act
u*on their o2n =ud,'ent 2hether to *roceed or return#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< read to the Counci& a &etter fro' E&der
3i&&ia' S'ith< 2hich 2as a**ro$ed< and fi&&ed our hearts 2ith =o!#
A &etter 2as *resented fro' E&der Tho'as "# .arsh# The Counci&
referred hi' to the co''and'ent< 2hich re>uires none to &ea$e or rin, his
fa'i&! 2ithout re$e&ation or decision of the Hi,h Counci&#
3e disco$er an error in E&der .arsh+s &etter--he sa!s< -to the a&e
*reachin, of 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in and )ar&e! )# )ratt#- 3e conc&ude that if
it had een the *reachin, of the Lord< as it shou&d ha$e een< He 2ou&d
ha$e had the honor< and not these 'en# To c&ose< 2e add that un&ess this
e*ist&e is heeded in a&& its *arts< in its fu&& force< those 2ho ree&
a,ainst it sha&& e dea& 2ith ! the Lord accordin,&!< for 2e as0 this<
ein, a,reed as touchin, this thin,# 3e 2ish !ou to understand that !our
dut! re>uires !ou to see0 first the 0in,do' of hea$en and its
ri,hteousness? that is< attend to the first thin,s first< and then a&&
thin,s 2i&& e added< and that co'*&aint aout !our fa'i&ies 2i&& e &ess
fre>uent# Don+t *reach !ourse&$es crucified for !our 2i$es+ sa0e< ut
re'e'er that Christ 2as crucified< and !ou are sent out to e s*ecia&
2itnesses of this thin,# .en do not 2ish to hear these &itt&e thin,s< for
there is no sa&$ation in the'< ut there is in the other#
Let the hands of the ten e stren,thened< and &et the' ,o forth in
the na'e of the Lord< in the *o2er of their 'ission< ,i$in, di&i,ent heed
to the direction of the Ho&! S*irit# 3e sa!< e stron, in the Lord< and in
the *o2er of His 'i,ht? for ,reat thin,s a2ait !ou< and ,reat &essin,s
are in store for !ou# Let the *o2er of the t2o e u*on the Se$ent! unti&
the t2o 'a0e fu&& satisfaction? for the Se$ent! sha&& e &essed< and are
&essed# The 'an 2ho *resu'es to s*ea0 e$i& or the di,nities 2hich 5od has
set in His Church< to his fa'i&!< or to an!od! e&se< sha&& e cursed in
his ,eneration# Re'e'er the 7DNth )sa&'# His isho*ric sha&& e ta0en
fro' hi' un&ess he s*eedi&! re*ents# "e it 0no2n that 5od is 5od< and 2hen
He s*ea0s< &et a&& the con,re,ation sa!< A'en# 3e ha$e e$i& insinuations
enou,h in 1irt&and to ,ra**&e 2ith that are su,,ested ! the father of
&ies< 2ithout ha$in, the' fro' those 2ho are sent out to *ut do2n
insinuations# .a! 5od &ess !ou to e 'ore 2ise in the future# A'en#
OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
.inutes of the .assachusetts Conference# "radford< .assachusetts<
Au,ust Mth# Nine of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& 'et and decided that the
&i'its of the conference e'race the State of .assachusetts< to e ca&&ed
the .assachusetts Conference#
E&der Chase had his &icense and 'e'ershi* ta0en fro' hi' ecause of
,a'&in, for 'one!< and then rea0in, read to the Saints efore he
confessed his sins#
E&der Ho&'es+ &icense 2as ta0en fro' hi' in conse>uence of a
disa,ree'ent et2een hi' and his 2ife< 2hich 2as of &on, standin,# It 2as
therefore considered that if a 'an cannot *reser$e *eace in his o2n
fa'i&!< he is not >ua&ified to ru&e the Church of 5od#
A &etter of co'*&aint 2as 2ritten to 1irt&and ! E&der 5ison S'ith<
of Norfo&0< Connecticut< a,ainst E&der 5&adden "isho*< u*on 2hich he 2as
sus*ended< and referred to the conference at "radford for tria&# No one
a**eared to sustantiate the co'*&aint a,ainst E&der "isho* 2ho 2as<
therefore< ac>uitted on that *oint? ut u*on further in>uir!< it 2as
*ro$ed that he had erred in s*irit and in doctrine< and 2as considera&!
inc&ined to Ie/cessi$eJ enthusias'< and 'uch &ifted u*# The counci&
therefore too0 his &icense fro' hi'< unti& he eca'e 'ore instructed< and
a&so ,et his s*irit and fee&in,s 'ore a'a&,a'ated 2ith his rethren#
E&der Ja'es )atten of North )ro$idence< Rhode Is&and< 2as
e/co''unicated for i'*ro*er conduct< and refusin, to ,i$e u* his &icense#
This action 2as ordered to e *u&ished in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate#
The *eo*&e in this re,ion 2ere ,enera&&! hard and une&ie$in,< and
ut &itt&e *reachin, ca&&ed for< e/ce*t ! the Church#
The a**oint'ent for our conference at Do$er< Ne2 Ha'*shire< 2as
reca&&ed on account of the s'a&& nu'er of disci*&es in that *&ace< and no
usiness of i'*ortance to e transacted# A&so the conferences at Saco and
Far'in,ton 2ere a&tered so as to c&ose at Far'in,ton one 'onth ear&ier
than the for'er a**oint'ent< and notices accordin,&! 2ere for2arded !
'ai&# ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
Au,ust 8th< a counci& 2as he&d in 1irt&and< for the )ur*ose of &a!in,
hands on Father Duncan and others of the sons of ;ion# .inutes of the Hi,h
Counci&#
The Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and asse'&ed< Au,ust 7Dth< to hear
co'*&aint of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< a,ainst E&der Re!no&ds Cahoon<
in that the &atter had fai&ed to do his dut! in correctin, his chi&dren<
and instructin, the' in the 2a! of truth and ri,hteousness? 2hich 2as
*ro$ed and decision ,i$en accordin,&!# E&der Cahoon confessed the
correctness of the decision and *ro'ised a 'a0e *u&ic ac0no2&ed,'ent
efore the Church# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
CHA)TER 6%III#
THE "OO1 OF DOCTRINE AND CO%ENANTS )RESENTED TO THE 5ENERAL
ASSE."LY OF THE )RIESTHOOD AND THE CHURCH#
A ,enera& asse'&! of the Church of Latter-da! Saints 2as he&d at
1irt&and on the 7Mth of Au,ust< 789G< to ta0e into consideration the
&aors of a co''ittee a**ointed ! a ,enera& asse'&! of the Church on the
H@th of Se*te'er< 789@< for the *ur*ose of arran,in, the ite's of the
doctrine of Jesus Christ for the ,o$ern'ent of the Church# The na'es of
the co''ittee 2ere( Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der! and
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 2ho< ha$in, finished said oo0 accordin, to the
instructions ,i$en the'< dee' it necessar! to ca&& a ,enera& asse'&! of
the Church to see 2hether the oo0 e a**ro$ed or not ! the authorities
of the Church( that it 'a!< if a**ro$ed< eco'e a &a2 and a ru&e of faith
and *ractice to the Church# 3herefore< O&i$er Co2der! and Sidne! Ri,don<
'e'ers of the First )residenc!< E)residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's ein, asent on a $isit to the Saints in .ichi,an<F
a**ointed Tho'as "urdic0# 3arren )arrish< and S!&$ester S'ith c&er0s< and
*roceeded to or,ani4e the 2ho&e asse'&! as fo&&o2s(
The! or,ani4ed the Hi,h Counci& of the church at 1irt&and< and
)residents 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er or,ani4ed the Hi,h Counci& of the
church in .issouri#
"isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! or,ani4ed his counse&ors of the church in
1irt&and< and actin, "isho* John Corri&& or,ani4ed the counse&ors of
the church in .issouri#
)residents Leonard Rich< Le$i 3# Hancoc0< S!&$ester S'ith and L!'an
Sher'an or,ani4ed the counci& of the Se$ent!# E&der John 5ou&d< actin,
*resident< or,ani4ed the E&ders# Ira A'es< actin, *resident< or,ani4ed the
)riests# Erastus "aitt< actin, *resident< or,ani4ed the Teachers#
3i&&ia' "ur,ess< actin, *resident< or,ani4ed the Deacons# And the! a&so<
as the asse'&! 2as &ar,e< a**ointed Tho'as 5ates< John Youn,< 3i&&ia'
Co2der!< Andre2 H# A&drich< Jo L# Le2is and O&i$er Hi,&e! assistant
*residents of the da!< to assist in *reser$in, order in the 2ho&e
asse'&!#
E&der Le$i 3# Hancoc0 ein, a**ointed chorister< a h!'n 2as sun,< and
the ser$ices for the da! o*ened ! the *ra!er of )resident O&i$er Co2der!<
and the so&e'nities of eternit! rested u*on the audience#
Another h!'n 2as then sun,# After transactin, so'e usiness for the
Church< such as ordainin, .orris )he&*s to the Hi,h )riesthood? 3arren
)arrish< to the First Se$ent!? Sher'an 5i&ert< an E&der? and &essin,
Ja'es Foster< Dean 5ou&d< "en=a'in 5ifford< E&isha H# 5ro$es and Jose*h
Hartshorn< the asse'&! ad=ourned for one hour#
Afternoon( A h!'n 2as sun,< 2hen )resident Ri,don arose and reu0ed
so'e of the authorities for not ein, in their seats at the ti'e
a**ointed#
)resident Co2der! arose and introduced the -"oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints<- in eha&f of the
co''ittee# He 2as fo&&o2ed ! )resident Ri,don< 2ho e/*&ained the 'anner
! 2hich the! intended to otain the $oice of the asse'&! for or a,ainst
said oo0#
Accordin, to said arran,e'ent< 3# 3# )he&*s ore record that the oo0
*resented to the asse'&! 2as true# )resident John 3hit'er< a&so< rose and
testified that it 2as true#
E&der John S'ith< ta0in, the &ead of the Hi,h Counci& in 1irt&and<
ore record that the re$e&ations in said oo0 2ere true< and that the
&ectures 2ere =udicious&! arran,ed and co'*i&ed< and 2ere *rofita&e for
doctrine# 3hereu*on< the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and acce*ted and
ac0no2&ed,ed the' as the doctrine and co$enants of their faith ! a
unani'ous $ote#
E&der Le$i Jac0'an< ta0in, the &ead for the Hi,h Counci& of the
church in .issouri< ore testi'on! that the re$e&ations in said oo0 2ere
true< and the said Hi,h Counci& of .issouri acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed the'
as the doctrine and co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
)resident 3# 3# )he&*s then read the 2ritten testi'on! of the T2e&$e<
as fo&&o2s(
TESTI.ONY OF THE T3EL%E A)OSTLES TO THE TRUTH OF THE "OO1 OF DOCTRINE
AND CO%ENANTS#
-The testi'on! of the 3itnesses to the "oo0 of the Lord+s
Co''and'ents< 2hich co''and'ents He ,a$e to His Church throu,h Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< 2ho 2as a**ointed ! the $oice of the Church< for this
*ur*ose#
-3e therefore fee& 2i&&in, to ear testi'on! to a&& the 2or&d of
'an0ind< to e$er! creature u*on the face of a&& the earth< that the Lord
has orne record to our sou&s< throu,h the Ho&! 5host shed earth u*on us<
that these Co''and'ents 2ere ,i$en ! ins*iration of 5od< and are
*rofita&e for a&& 'en< and are $eri&! true# 3e ,i$e this testi'on! unto
the 2or&d< the Lord ein, our he&*er? and it is throu,h the ,race of 5od
the Father< and His Son Jesus Christ< that 2e are *er'itted to ha$e this
*ri$i&e,e of earin, this testi'on! unto the 2or&d< in the 2hich 2e
re=oice e/ceedin,&!< *ra!in, the Lord a&2a!s that the chi&dren of 'en 'a!
e *rofited there!#
ESi,nedF -THO.AS "# .ARSH< -DA%ID 3# )ATTEN< -"RI5HA. YOUN5< -HE"ER
C# 1I."ALL< -ORSON HYDE< -3.# E# .+LELLIN< -)ARLEY )# )RATT< -LU1E S#
JOHNSON< -3ILLIA. S.ITH< -ORSON )RATT< -JOHN F# "OYNTON< -LY.AN E#
JOHNSON#-
E&der Leonard Rich ore record of the truth of the ac0< and the
counci& of the Se$ent! acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as the doctrine and
co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
"isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! ore record of the truth of the oo0< and
2ith his counse&ors acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as the doctrine and
co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
Actin, "isho* John Corri&& ore record of the truth of the oo0< and
2ith his counse&ors acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as the doctrine and
co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
Actin, )resident John 5ou&d ,a$e his testi'on! in fa$or of the oo0<
and 2ith the E&der acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,e it as the doctrine had
co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
Ira A'es< actin, *resident of the )riests< ,a$e his testi'on! in
fa$or of the oo0< and 2ith the )riests acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as
the doctrine and co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
Erastus "aitt< actin, *resident of the Teachers< ,a$e his testi'on!
in fa$or of the oo0< and the! acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as the
doctrine and co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
3i&&ia' "ur,ess< actin, *resident of the Deacons< ore record of the
truth of the oo0< and the! acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as the doctrine
and co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
The $enera&e assistant *resident< Tho'as 5ates< then ore record of
the truth of the oo0< and 2ith his fi$e si&$er-haired assistants< and the
2ho&e con,re,ation< acce*ted and ac0no2&ed,ed it as the doctrine and
co$enants of their faith< ! a unani'ous $ote#
The se$era& authorities and the ,enera& asse'&!< ! a unani'ous
$ote< acce*ted the &aor of the co''ittee#
)resident 3# 3# )he&*s then read the fo&&o2in, artic&e on 'arria,e<
2hich 2as acce*ted and ado*ted and ordered to e *rinted in said oo0< !
a unani'ous $ote< na'e&!(
Artic&e on .arria,e# -Accordin, to the custo' of a&& ci$i&i4ed
nations< 'arria,e is re,u&ated ! &a2s and cere'onies? therefore 2e
e&ie$e that a&& 'arria,es in this Church of Christ of Latter-da! Saints
shou&d e so&e'ni4ed in a *u&ic 'eetin, or feast *re*ared for that
*ur*ose< and that the so&e'ni4ation shou&d e *erfor'ed ! a )residin,
Hi,h )riest< Hi,h )riest< "isho*< E&der or )riest< not e$en *rohiitin,
those *ersons 2ho are desirous to ,et 'arried< of ein, 'arried ! other
authorit!# 3e e&ie$e that it is not ri,ht to *rohiit 'e'ers of this
Church fro' 'arr!in, out of the Church< if it e their deter'ination so to
do? ut such *ersons 2i&& e considered 2ea0 in the faith of our Lord
Jesus Christ#
-.arria,e shou&d e ce&erated 2ith *ra!er and than0s,i$in,< and at
the so&e'ni4ation< the *ersons to e 'arried< standin, to,ether< the 'an
on the ri,ht and the 2o'an on the &eft< sha&& e addressed ! the *erson
officiatin, as he sha&& e directed ! the Ho&! S*irit< and if there e no
&e,a& o=ections< he sha&& sa!< ca&&in, each ! na'e( +You oth 'utua&&!
a,ree to e each other+s co'*anion< husand and 2ife< oser$in, the &e,a&
ri,hts e&on,in, to this condition( that is< 0ee*in, !ourse&$es 2ho&&! for
each other< and fro' a&& others< durin, !our &i$esB+ And 2hen the! ha$e
oth ans2ered +!es<+ he sha&& *ronounce the' +husand and 2ife<+ in the
na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ< and ! $irtue of the &a2s of the countr!
and authorit! $ested in hi'# +.a! 5od add His &essin, and 0ee* !ou to
fu&fi&& !our co$enants fro' henceforth and fore$er# A'en#+
-The c&er0 of e$er! church shou&d 0ee* a record of a&& 'arria,es
so&e'ni4ed in his ranch# A&& &e,a& contracts of 'arria,e 'ade efore a
*erson is a*ti4ed into this Church shou&d e he&d sacred and fu&fi&&ed#
Inas'uch as this Church of Christ has een re*roached 2ith the cri'e of
fornication and *o&!,a'!< 2e dec&are that 2e e&ie$e that one 'an shou&d
ha$e one 2ife< and one 2o'an ut one husand< e/ce*t in case of death<
2hen either is at &iert! to 'arr! a,ain# It is not ri,ht to *ersuade a
2o'an to e a*ti4ed contrar! to the 2i&& of her husand? neither is it
&a2fu& to inf&uence her to &ea$e her husand# A&& chi&dren are ound !
&a2 to oe! their *arents< and to inf&uence the' to e'race an! re&i,ious
faith< or e a*ti4ed< or &ea$e their *arents 2ithout their consent< is
un&a2fu& and un=ust# 3e e&ie$e that husands< *arents< and 'asters< 2ho
e/ercise contro& o$er their 2i$es< chi&dren and ser$ants< and *re$ent the'
fro' e'racin, the truth< 2i&& ha$e to ans2er for that sin#-
)resident O&i$er Co2der! then read the fo&&o2in, artic&e on
-5o$ern'ents and La2s in 5enera&<- 2hich 2as acce*ted and ado*ted and
ordered to e *rinted in said oo0< ! a unani'ous $ote+
Of 5o$ern'ents and La2s in 5enera&# -That our e&ief 2ith re,ard to
earth&! ,o$ern'ents and &a2s in ,enera& 'a! not e 'isinter*reted nor
'isunderstood< 2e ha$e thou,ht *ro*er to *resent< at the c&ose of this
$o&u'e< our o*inion concernin, the sa'e#
-3e e&ie$e that ,o$ern'ents 2ere instituted of 5od for the enefit
of 'an< and that he ho&ds 'en accounta&e for their acts in re&ation to
the'< oth in 'a0in, &a2s and ad'inisterin, the' for the ,ood and safet!
of societ!#
-3e e&ie$e that no 5o$ern'ent can e/ist in *eace< e/ce*t such &a2s
are fra'ed and he&d in $io&ate as 2i&& secure to each indi$idua& the free
e/ercise of conscience< and the ri,ht and contro& of *ro*ert!< and the
*rotection of &ife#
-3e e&ie$e that a&& ,o$ern'ents necessari&! re>uire e$i& officers
and 'a,istrates to enforce the &a2s of the sa'e< and that such as 2i&&
ad'inister the &a2 in e>uit! and =ustice shou&d e sou,ht for< and u*he&d
! the $oice of the *eo*&e Eif a re*u&ic<F or the 2i&& of the so$erei,n#
-3e e&ie$e that re&i,ion is instituted of 5od< and that 'en are
a'ena&e to Hi'< and to ai' on&!< for the e/ercise of it< un&ess their
re&i,ious o*inions *ro'*t the' to infrin,e u*on the ri,hts and &ierties
of others? ut 2e do not e&ie$e that hu'an &a2 has a ri,ht to interfere
in *rescriin, ru&es of 2orshi* to ind the conscience? of 'en< or dictate
for's for *u&ic or *ri$ate de$otion? that the ci$i& 'a,istrate shou&d
restrain cri'e< ut ne$er contro& conscience? shou&d *unish ,ui&t< ut
ne$er su**ress the freedo' of the sou&#
-3e e&ie$e that a&& 'en are ound to sustain and u*ho&d the
res*ecti$e ,o$ern'ents in 2hich the! reside< 2hi&e *rotected in their
inherent and ina&iena&e ri,hts ! the &a2s of such ,o$ern'ents? and that
sedition and ree&&ion are uneco'in, e$er! citi4en thus *rotected< and
shou&d e *unished accordin,&!? and that a&& ,o$ern'ents ha$e a ri,ht to
enact such &a2s as in their o2n =ud,'ents are est ca&cu&ated to secure
the *u&ic interest? at the sa'e ti'e< ho2e$er< ho&din, sacred the freedo'
of conscience#
-3e e&ie$e that e$er! 'an shou&d e honored in his station? ru&er or
'a,istrate as such--ein, *&aced for the *rotection of the innocent and
the *unish'ent of the ,ui&t!? and that to the &a2s a&& 'en o2e res*ect and
deference< as 2ithout the' *eace and har'on! 2ou&d he su**&anted !
anarch! and terror? hu'an &a2s ein, instituted for the e/*ress *ur*ose of
re,u&atin, our interests as indi$idua&s and nations et2een 'an and 'an?
and di$ine &a2s ,i$en of hea$en *rescriin, ru&es on s*iritua& concerns<
for faith and 2orshi*< oth to e ans2ered ! 'an to his .a0er#
-3e e&ie$e that ru&ers< states< and ,o$ern'ents ha$e a ri,ht< and
are ound to enact &a2s for the *rotection of a&& citi4ens in the free
e/ercise of their re&i,ious e&ief? ut 2e do not e&ie$e that the! ha$e a
ri,ht< in =ustice to de*ri$e citi4ens of this *ri$i&e,e< or *roscrie the'
in their o*inions< so &on, as a re,ard and re$erence are sho2n to the
&a2s< and such re&i,ious o*inions do not =ustif! sedition or cons*irac!#
-3e e&ie$e that the co''ission of cri'e shou&d e *unished accordin,
to the nature of the offense< that 'urder< treason< roer!< theft< and
the reach of the ,enera& *eace< in a&& res*ect< shou&d e *unished
accordin, to their cri'ina&it!< and their tendenc! to e$i& a'on, 'en< !
the &a2s of that ,o$ern'ent in 2hich the offense is co''itted? and for the
*u&ic *eace and tran>ui&it! a&& 'en shou&d ste* for2ard and use their
ai&it! in rin,in, offenders a,ainst ,ood &a2s to *unish'ent#
-3e do not e&ie$e it =ust to 'in,&e re&i,ious inf&uence 2ith ci$i&
,o$ern'ent< 2here! one re&i,ious societ! is fostered and another
*roscried in its s*iritua& *ri$i&e,es< and the indi$idua& ri,hts of its
'e'ers< as citi4ens< denied#
-3e e&ie$e that a&& re&i,ious societies ha$e a ri,ht to dea& 2ith
their 'e'ers for disorder&! conduct< accordin, to the ru&es and
re,u&ations of such societies *ro$ided that such dea&in, e for fe&&o2shi*
and ,ood standin,? ut 2e do not e&ie$e that an! re&i,ious societ! has
authorit! to tr! 'en on the ri,ht of *ro*ert! or &ife< to ta0e fro' the'
this 2or&d+s ,oods< or to *ut the' in =eo*ard! of either &ife or &i'? or
to inf&ict an! *h!sica& *unish'ent u*on the'? the! can on&! e/co''unicate
the' fro' their societ!< and 2ithdra2 fro' the' their fe&&o2shi*#
-3e e&ie$e that 'en shou&d a**ea& to the ci$i& &a2 for redress of
a&& 2ron,s and ,rie$ances 2here *ersona& ause is inf&icted< or the ri,ht
of *ro*ert! or character infrin,ed< 2here such &a2s e/ist as 2i&& *rotect
the sa'e? ut 2e e&ie$e that a&& 'en are =ustified in defendin,
the'se&$es< their friends and *ro*ert!< and the ,o$ern'ent fro' the
un&a2fu& assau&ts and encroach'ents of a&& *ersons in ti'es of e/i,enc!
2hen i''ediate a**ea& cannot e 'ade to the &a2s< and re&ief afforded#
-3e e&ie$e it =ust to *reach the 5os*e& to the nations of the earth<
and 2arn the ri,hteous to sa$e the'se&$es fro' the corru*tion of the
2or&d? ut 2e do not e&ie$e it ri,ht to interfere 2ith ond ser$ants?
neither *reach the 5os*e& to< nor a*ti4e the' contrar! to the 2i&& and
2ish of their 'asters? nor to 'edd&e 2ith or inf&uence the' in the &east
to cause the' to e dissatisfied 2ith their situations in this &ife<
there! =eo*ardi4in, the &i$es of 'en? such interference 2e e&ie$e to e
un&a2fu&< and un=ust< and dan,erous to the *eace of e$er! ,o$ern'ent
a&&o2in, hu'an ein,s to e he&d in ser$itude#-
A h!'n 2as then sun,# )resident Sidne! Ri,don returned than0s?
after 2hich the asse'&! 2as &essed ! the )residenc! 2ith u*&ifted
hands< and dis'issed#
OLI%ER CO3DERY< SIDNEY RI5DON< )residents#
THO.AS "URDIC1< 3ARREN )ARRISH< SYL%ESTER S.ITH< C&er0s#
The second *art contains ite's or *rinci*&es for the re,u&ation of
the Church as ta0en fro' the re$e&ations 2hich ha$e een ,i$en since its
or,ani4ation< as 2e&& as fro' for'er ones#
There 'a! e an a$ersion in the 'inds of so'e a,ainst recei$in,
an!thin, *ur*ortin, to e artic&es of re&i,ious faith< in conse>uence of
there ein, so 'an! no2 e/tant? ut if 'en e&ie$e a s!ste'< and *rofess
that it 2as ,i$en ! ins*iration< certain&! the 'ore inte&&i,i&! the! can
*resent it< the etter# It does not 'a0e a *rinci*&e untrue to *rint it<
neither does it 'a0e it true not to *rint it#
The Church< $ie2in, this su=ect to e of i'*ortance< a**ointed<
throu,h their ser$ants and de&e,ates the Hi,h Counci&< !our ser$ants to
se&ect and co'*i&e this 2or0# Se$era& reasons 'i,ht e adduced in fa$or of
this 'o$e of the counci&< ut 2e on&! add a fe2 2ords# The! 0ne2 that the
church 2as e$i& s*o0en of in 'an! *&aces< its faith and e&ief
'isre*resented< and the 2a! of truth thus su$erted# "! so'e it 2as
re*resented as dise&ie$in, the "i&e? ! others as ein, an ene'! to a&&
,ood order and u*ri,htness? and ! others as ein, in=urious to the *eace
of a&& ,o$ern'ents< ci$i& and *o&itica&#
3e ha$e< therefore< endea$ored to *resent< thou,h in fe2 2ords< our
e&ief< and 2hen 2e sa! this< hu'&! trust< the faith and *rinci*&es of
this societ! as a od!#
3e do not *resent this &itt&e $o&u'e 2ith an! other e/*ectation than
that 2e are to e ca&&ed to ans2er to e$er! *rinci*&e ad$anced< in that
da! 2hen the secrets of a&& hearts 2i&& e re$ea&ed< and the re2ard of
e$er! 'ans &aor e ,i$en hi'#
3ith senti'ents of estee' and sincere res*ect< 2e suscrie ourse&$es
!our rethren in the onds of the 5os*e& of our Lord Jesus Christ<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< OLI%ER CO3DERY< SIDNEY RI5DON< FREDERIC1 5#
3ILLIA.S# 1IRTLAND OHIO< Feruar! 7M< 789G#
CHA)TER 6I6#
THE )RO)HET+S RETURN FRO. .ICHI5AN TO 1IRTLAND--HIS ADDRESS
TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and--Tria& of A&'on 3# "aitt#
On the 7Nth< a char,e 2as *referred efore a counci& of the
)residenc!< a,ainst E&der A&'on 3# "aitt< for not 0ee*in, the 3ord of
3isdo'? for statin, the "oo0 of .or'on 2as not essentia& to our sa&$ation<
and that 2e ha$e no artic&es of faith e/ce*t the "i&e#
E&der J# "# S'ith testified that E&der "aitt had assu'ed the
*rero,ati$e of dictatin, to hi' in his *reachin,? and that he 2as not
0ee*in, the 3ord of 3isdo'#
E&der "aitt said that he had ta0en the &iert! to rea0 the 3ord of
3isdo'< fro' the e/a'*&e of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and others< ut
ac0no2&ed,ed that it 2as 2ron,? that he had tau,ht the "oo0 of .or'on and
Co''and'ents as he had thou,ht to e 2isdo'< and for the ,ood of the
cause? that he had not intended to dictate to E&der J# "# S'ith< ut on&!
to ad$ise 2ith hi'#
The counci& re*ro$ed E&der "aitt< and instructed hi' to oser$e the
3ord of 3isdo'< and co''and'ents of the Lord in a&& thin,s? a&so that it
is not ad$isa&e for an! E&der to ta0e his 2ife 2ith hi' on a 'ission to
*reach# 3ARREN )ARRISH< C&er0#
Conference at Saco< .aine# Se$en of the T2e&$e 'et in conference at
Saco< .aine< Au,ust H7st#
The church in that *&ace nu'ered fift!-se$en? the Do$er ranch in
Ne2 Ha'*shire< ei,ht#
The counci& ,a$e instructions on the rede'*tion of ;ion< the ui&din,
of the Te'*&e in 1irt&and< and the *rintin, of the 2ord of 5od to the
nations< etc#< etc#? and so'e 2ere added to the Church durin, their sta!#
The church in Saco contriuted se$ent! or ei,ht! do&&ar< to assist
the
T2e&$e to return ho'e< 2hich the T2e&$e recorded as a 'e'ento in
their eha&f< accordin, to co$enant#
Sunda!< Au,ust H9rd--I arri$ed at 1irt&and fro' '! $isit to .ichi,an#
On the H@th the Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and ordained Jonathan Ste$ens an
E&der< and instructed hi' and his sons< U44ie& and L!'an< and his
son-in-&a2< John E# )a,e< E&ders< to &ocate their fa'i&ies and then ,o
forth and *reach the 5os*e&? a&so that Jose*h H# Ti**its and J# 3# Ti**its
,o to .issouri this fa&& to *urchase &and for the church in Esse/< Ne2
Yor0< accordin, to *re$ious a**oint'ent ! the $oice of said church#
Au,ust H8#--This da! I *reached on the dut! of 2i$es#
The tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed in conference at Far'in,ton<
.aine< and reso&$ed that this e ca&&ed the -.aine Conference#- The church
at Far'in,ton nu'ered thirt!-t2o? in Sitter "#< t2ent!-t2o? in A02r!<
t2ent!-fi$e? in Erro&< Ne2 Ha'*shire< t2ent!? a&& in ,ood standin,#
Se*te'er 7#--I 2rote the fo&&o2in, co''unication to John 3hit'er<
Es>#< editor< 2hich 2as *u&ished in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< *a,e 7MN<
et se>#(
TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS( After so &on, a
ti'e< and after so 'an! thin,s ha$e een said< I fee& it '! dut! to dro* a
fe2 hints< that *erha*s the E&ders tra$e&in, throu,h the 2or&d< to 2arn
the inhaitants of the earth to f&ee the 2rath to co'e< and sa$e
the'se&$es fro' this unto2ard ,eneration 'a! e aided in a 'easure< in
doctrine< and in the 2a! of their dut!# I ha$e een &aorin, in this cause
for ei,ht !ears< durin, 2hich ti'e I ha$e tra$e&ed 'uch< and ha$e had 'uch
e/*erience# I re'o$ed fro' Seneca Count!< Ne2 Yor0< to 5eau,a Count!<
Ohio< in Feruar!< 7897#
I recei$ed< ! a hea$en&! $ision< a co''and'ent in June fo&&o2in,< to
ta0e '! =ourne! to the 2estern oundaries of the State of .issouri< and
there desi,nate the $er! s*ot 2hich 2as to e the centra& *&ace for the
co''ence'ent of the ,atherin, to,ether of those 2ho e'race the fu&&ness
of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&# Accordin,&! I undertoo0 the =ourne!< 2ith
certain ones of '! rethren< and after a &on, and tedious =ourne!<
sufferin, 'an! *ri$ations and hardshi*s< arri$ed in Jac0son Count!<
.issouri< and after $ie2in, the countr!< see0in, di&i,ent&! at the hand of
5od< He 'anifested Hi'se&f unto us< and desi,nated< to 'e and others< the
$er! s*ot u*on 2hich He desi,ned to co''ence the 2or0 of the ,atherin,<
and the u*ui&din, of an -ho&! cit!<- 2hich shou&d e ca&&ed ;ion--;ion<
ecause it is a *&ace of ri,hteousness< and a&& 2ho ui&d thereon are to
2orshi* the true and &i$in, 5od< and a&& e&ie$e in one doctrine< e$en the
doctrine of our Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ# -Th! 2atch'en sha&& &ift u*
the $oice? 2ith the $oice to,ether sha&& the! sin,( for the! sha&& see e!e
to e!e< 2hen the Lord sha&& rin, a,ain ;ion- EIsaiah &ii( 8F#
Here 2e *ause for a 'o'ent to 'a0e a fe2 re'ar0s u*on the idea of
,atherin, to this *&ace# It is 2e&& 0no2n that there 2ere &ands e&on,in,
to the ,o$ern'ent< to e so&d to indi$idua&s< and it 2as understood !
a&&< at &east 2e e&ie$ed so< that 2e &i$ed in a free countr!< a &and of
&iert! and of &a2s< ,uaranteein, to e$er! 'an< or an! co'*an! of 'en< the
ri,ht of *urchasin, &ands< and sett&in, and &i$in, u*on the'( therefore 2e
thou,ht no har' in ad$isin, the Latter-da! Saints< or -.or'ons<- as the!
are re*roachfu&&! ca&&ed< to ,ather to this *&ace< inas'uch as it 2as
their dut! Eand it 2as 2e&& understood so to eF to *urchase 2ith 'one!<
&ands< and &i$e u*on the'< not infrin,in, u*on the ri,hts of an!
indi$idua&< or co''unit! of *eo*&e? a&2a!s 0ee*in, in $ie2 the sa!in,< -Do
unto others as !ou 2ou&d 2ish others to do unto !ou?- fo&&o2in, a&so the
,ood in=unction< -Dea& =ust&!< &o$e 'erc!< and 2a&0 hu'&! 2ith th! 5od#-
These 2ere our 'oti$es in teachin, the *eo*&e< or Latter-da! Saints<
to ,ather to,ether< e,innin, at this *&ace? and inas'uch as there are
those 2ho ha$e had different $ie2s fro' this< 2e fee& that it is a cause
of dee* re,ret# "e it 0no2n unto a&& 'en< that our *rinci*&es concernin,
this thin, ha$e not een such as ha$e een re*resented ! those 2ho< 2e
ha$e e$er! reason to e&ie$e< are desi,nin, and 2ic0ed 'en< that ha$e said
that this 2as our doctrine( -To infrin,e u*on the ri,hts of a *eo*&e 2ho
inhait our ci$i& and free countr!< such as to dri$e the inhaitants of
Jac0son Count! fro' their &ands and ta0e *ossession thereof un&a2fu&&!#-
Far< !ea< far e such a *rinci*&e fro' our hearts# It ne$er entered into
our 'inds? and 2e on&! sa!< that 5od sha&& re2ard such in that da! 2hen He
sha&& co'e to 'a0e u* His =e2e&s#
"ut to return to '! su=ect# After ha$in, ascertained the $er! s*ot<
and ha$in, the ha**iness of seein, >uite a nu'er of the fa'i&ies of '!
rethren co'forta&! situated u*on the &and< I too0 &ea$e of the' and
=ourne!ed ac0 to Ohio< and used e$er! inf&uence and ar,u'ent that &a! in
'! *o2er to ,et those 2ho e&ie$ed in the e$er&astin, co$enant< 2hose
circu'stances 2ou&d ad'it< and 2hose fa'i&ies 2ere 2i&&in, to re'o$e to
the *&ace 2hich I had desi,nated to e the &and of ;ion? and thus the
sound of the ,atherin,< and of the doctrine< 2ent aroad into the 2or&d?
and 'an!< ha$in, a 4ea& not accordin, to 0no2&ed,e< and not understandin,
the *ure *rinci*&es of the doctrine of the Church< ha$e< no dout< in the
heat of enthusias'< tau,ht and said 'an! thin,s 2hich 2ere dero,ator! to
the ,enuine character and *rinci*&es of the Church? and for these thin,s
2e are hearti&! sorr!< and 2ou&d a*o&o,i4e< if a*o&o,! 2ou&d do an! ,ood#
"ut 2e *ause here< and offer a re'ar0 u*on the sa!in, 2hich 2e &earn
has ,one aroad< and has een hand&ed in a 'anner detri'enta& to the cause
of truth< ! sa!in,< -that in *reachin, the doctrine of ,atherin,< 2e
rea0 u* fa'i&ies< and ,i$e &icense for 'en to &ea$e their fa'i&ies< 2o'en
their husands< chi&dren their *arents and s&a$es their 'asters< there!
deran,in, the order and rea0in, u* the har'on! and *eace of societ!#- 3e
sha&& here sho2 our faith< and there!< as 2e hu'&! trust< *ut an end to
these fa&se and 2ic0ed 'isre*resentations< 2hich ha$e caused< 2e ha$e
e$er! reason to e&ie$e< thousands to thin0 the! 2ere doin, 5od+s ser$ice<
2hen the! 2ere *ersecutin, the chi&dren of 5od? 2hereas< if the! cou&d
ha$e en=o!ed the true &i,ht< and had a =ust understandin, of our
*rinci*&es< the! 2ou&d ha$e e'raced the' 2ith a&& their hearts< and een
re=oicin, in the &o$e of the truth# And no2 to sho2 our doctrine on this
su=ect< 2e sha&& co''ence 2ith the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< 2hich
are faith< re*entance< and a*tis' for the re'ission of sins< and the ,ift
of the Ho&! 5host ! the &a!in, on of the hands# This 2e e&ie$e to e our
dut!--to teach to a&& 'an0ind the doctrine of re*entance< 2hich 2e sha&&
endea$or to sho2 fro' the fo&&o2in, >uotations(
-Then o*ened He their understandin,s< that the! 'i,ht understand the
scri*tures< and said unto the'< Thus it is 2ritten< and thus it eho$ed
Christ to suffer< and to rise fro' the dead the third da!( and that
re*entance and re'ission of sins shou&d e *reached in His na'e a'on, a&&
nations< e,innin, at Jerusa&e'- ELu0e //i$( @G<@:< @MF#
"! this 2e &earn that it eho$ed Christ to suffer and to e crucified
and rise a,ain on the third da! for the e/*ress *ur*ose that re*entance
and re'ission of sins shou&d e *reached to a&& nations#
-Then )eter said unto the'# Re*ent< and e a*ti4ed e$er! one of !ou
in the na'e of Jesus Christ for the re'ission of sins< and !e sha&&
recei$e the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host# For the *ro'ise is unto !ou< and to
!our chi&dren< and to a&& that are afar off< e$en as 'an! as the Lord our
5od sha&& ca&&- EActs ii( 98< 9NF#
"! this 2e &earn that the *ro'ise of the Ho&! 5host is 'ade unto as
'an! as those to 2ho' the doctrine of re*entance 2as to e *reached< 2hich
2as unto a&& nations# And 2e disco$er a&so< that the *ro'ise 2as to e/tend
! &inea,e? for )eter sa!s< not on&! unto !ou< ut -to !our chi&dren< and
to a&& that are afar off#- Fro' this 2e infer< that the *ro'ise 2as to
continue unto their chi&dren+s chi&dren< and e$en unto as 'an! as the Lord
their 5od shou&d ca&&# 3e disco$er here that 2e are &endin, t2o
*rinci*&es to,ether in these >uotations# The first is the *rinci*&e of
re*entance< and the second is the *rinci*&e of the re'ission of sins? and
2e &earn fro' )eter that re'ission of sins is to e otained ! a*tis' in
the na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ? and the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host fo&&o2s
ine$ita&!< for< sa!s )eter< -!ou sha&& recei$e the Ho&! 5host#-
Therefore 2e e&ie$e in *reachin, the doctrine of re*entance in a&&
the 2or&d< oth to o&d and !oun,< rich and *oor< ond and free< as 2e
sha&& endea$or to sho2 hereafter ho2< and in 2hat 'anner< and ho2 far< it
is indin, on the consciences of 'an0ind< 'a0in, *ro*er distinctions
et2een o&d and !oun,< 'en< 2o'en< chi&dren and ser$ants# "ut 2e disco$er<
in order to e enefitted ! the doctrine of re*entance< 2e 'ust e&ie$e
in otainin, the re'ission of sins# And in order to otain the re'ission
of sins< 2e 'ust e&ie$e in the doctrine of a*tis' in the na'e of the
Lord Jesus Christ# And if 2e e&ie$e in a*tis' for the re'ission of sins<
2e 'a! e/*ect a fu&fi&&'ent of the *ro'ise of the Ho&! 5host< for the
*ro'ise e/tends to a&& 2ho' the Lord our 5od sha&& ca&&? and hath He not
sure&! said< as !ou 2i&& and in the &ast cha*ter of Re$e&ation---And the
S*irit and the ride sa!< Co'e# And &et hi' that heareth sa!< Co'e# And
&et hi' that is athirst co'e# And 2hosoe$er 2i&&< &et hi' ta0e the 2ater
of &ife free&!- ERe$# //ii( 7MF#
A,ain< the Sa$ior sa!s< -Co'e unto 'e< a&& !e that &aor< and are
hea$! &aden< and I 2i&& ,i$e !ou rest# Ta0e '! !o0e u*on !ou< and &earn of
'e? for I a' 'ee0 and &o2&! in heart( and !e sha&& find rest unto !our
sou&s# For '! !o0e is eas!< and '! urden is &i,ht- E.att# /i( H8<HN< 9DF#
A,ain< Isaiah sa!s< -Loo0 unto 'e< and e !e sa$ed< a&& the ends of
the earth( for I a' 5od< and there is none e&se# I ha$e s2orn ! '!se&f<
the 2ord is ,one out of '! 'onth in ri,hteousness and sha&& not return<
That unto 'e e$er! 0nee sha&& o2< e$er! ton,ue sha&& s2ear# Sure&! sha&&
one sa!< in the Lord ha$e I ri,hteousness and stren,th( e$en to Hi' sha&&
'en co'e? and a&& that are incensed a,ainst Hi' sha&& e asha'ed- EIsaiah
/i$( HH-H@F#
And to sho2 further connections in *roof of the doctrine ao$e na'ed<
2e >uote the fo&&o2in, scri*tures(
-Hi' hath 5od e/a&ted 2ith His ri,ht hand< to e a )rince and a
Sa$ior< for to ,i$e re*entance to Israe&< and for,i$eness of sins# And 2e
are His 2itnesses of these thin,s? and so is a&so the Ho&! 5host< 2ho' 5od
hath ,i$en to the' that oe! Hi'- EActs $( 97< 9HF#
-"ut 2hen the! e&ie$ed )hi&i*< *reachin, the thin,s concernin, the
1in,do' of 5od< and the na'e of Jesus Christ< the! 2ere a*ti4ed< oth 'en
and 2o'en# Then Si'on< hi'se&f< e&ie$ed a&so( and 2hen he 2as a*ti4ed<
he continued 2ith )hi&i*< and 2ondered< eho&din, the 'irac&es and si,ns
2hich 2ere done# No2 2hen the a*ost&es 2hich 2ere at Jerusa&e' heard that
Sa'aria had recei$ed the 2ord of 5od< the! sent unto the' )eter and John(
2ho< 2hen the! 2ere co'e do2n< *ra!ed for the'< that the! 'i,ht recei$e
the Ho&! 5host( Efor as !et he 2as fa&&en u*on none of the'< on&! the!
2ere a*ti4ed in the na'e of the Lord JesusF Then &aid the! their hands on
the'< and the! recei$ed the Ho&! 5host#-
-And as the! 2ent on their 2a!< the! ca'e unto a certain 2ater< and
the eunuch said< See< here is 2ater< 2hat doth hinder 'e to e a*ti4edB
And )hi&i* said< if thou e&ie$est 2ith a&& thine heart< thou 'a!est And
he ans2ered and said< I e&ie$e that Jesus Christ is the Son of 5od# And
he co''anded the chariot to stand sti&&< and the! 2ent do2n oth into the
2ater< oth )hi&i* and the eunuch< and he a*ti4ed hi'# And 2hen the! 2ere
co'e u* out of the 2ater< the S*irit of the Lord cau,ht a2a! )hi&i*< and
the eunuch sa2 hi' no 'ore< and he 2ent on his 2a! re=oicin,# "ut )hi&i*
2as found at A4otus? and *assin, throu,h< he *reached in a&& the cities<
ti&& he ca'e to Cesarea- EActs $iii( 7H-7M? 9:-@DF#
-3hi&e )eter !et s*a0e these 2ords< the Ho&! 5host fe&& on a&& the'
2hich heard the 2ord# And the! of the circu'cision< 2hich e&ie$ed< 2ere
astonished< as 'an! as ca'e 2ith )eter< ecause that on the 5enti&es a&so
2as *oured out the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< for the! heard the' s*ea0 2ith
ton,ues and 'a,nif! 5od# Then ans2ered )eter# Can an! 'an forid 2ater<
that these shou&d not e a*ti4ed< 2hich ha$e recei$ed the Ho&! 5host as
2e&& as 2eB And he co''anded the' to e a*ti4ed in the na'e of the Lord#
Then *ra!ed the! hi' to tarr! certain da!s- EActs /( @@-@8F#
-And on the Saath< 2e 2ent out of the cit!< ! a ri$er side 2here
*ra!er 2as 2ont to e 'ade? and 2e sat do2n and s*a0e unto the 2o'en 2hich
resorted thither# And a certain 2o'an< na'ed L!dia< a se&&er of *ur*&e< of
the cit! of Th!atira< 2hich 2orshi*ed 5od< heard us? 2hose heart the Lord
o*ened< that she attended unto the thin,s s*o0en of ! )au&# And 2hen she
2as a*ti4ed< and her househo&d< she esou,ht us< sa!in,< If !e ha$e
=ud,ed 'e to e faithfu& to the Lord< co'e into '! house< and aide there?
and she constrained us- EActs /$i( 79-7GF#
-And at 'idni,ht )au& and Si&as *ra!ed< and san, *raises to 5od? and
the *risoners heard the'# And sudden&! there 2as a ,reat earth>ua0e< so
that the foundations of the *rison 2ere sha0en? and i''ediate&! a&& the
doors 2ere o*ened< and e$er! one+s ands 2ere &oosed# And the 0ee*er of
the *rison a2a0in, out of his s&ee*< and seein, the *rison doors o*en< he
dre2 out his s2ord and 2ou&d ha$e 0i&&ed hi'se&f< su**osin, the *risoners
had een f&ed# "ut )au& cried 2ith a &oud $oice< sa!in,< Do th!se&f no
har'< for 2e are a&& here# Then he ca&&ed for a &i,ht< and s*ran, in< and
ca'e tre'&in, and fe&& do2n efore )au& and Si&as< and rou,ht the' out<
and said< Sirs< 2hat 'ust I do to e sa$edB And the! said< "e&ie$e on the
Lord Jesus Christ< and thou sha&t e sa$ed< and th! house# And the! s*o0e
unto hi' the 2ord of the Lord< and to a&& that 2ere in the house# And he
too0 the' the sa'e hour of the ni,ht< and 2ashed their stri*es< and 2as
a*ti4ed< he and a&& his strai,ht2a!# And 2hen he had rou,ht the' into
his house< he set 'et efore the'< and re=oiced< e&ie$in, in 5od< 2ith
a&& his house- EActs /$i( HG-9@F#
-And it ca'e to *ass that 2hi&e A*o&&os 2as at Corinth< )au&< ha$in,
*assed throu,h the u**er coasts< ca'e to E*hesus< and findin, certain
disci*&es< he said unto the'< Ha$e !e recei$ed the Ho&! 5host since !e
e&ie$edB And the! said unto hi'< 2e ha$e not so 'uch as heard 2hether
there e an! Ho&! 5host# And he said unto the'< Unto 2hat then 2ere !e
a*ti4edB And the! said< Unto John+s a*tis'# Then said )au&< John $eri&!
a*ti4ed 2ith the a*tis' of re*entance< sa!in, unto the *eo*&e< that the!
shou&d e&ie$e on Hi' 2hich shou&d co'e after hi'< that is on Christ
Jesus# 3hen the! heard this< the! 2ere a*ti4ed in the na'e of the Lord
Jesus# And 2hen )au& had &aid his hands u*on the'< the Ho&! 5host ca'e on
the'< and the! s*a0e 2ith ton,ues and *ro*hesied- EActs /i/( 7-:F#
-And one Ananias< a de$out 'an accordin, to the &a2< ha$in, a ,ood
re*ort of a&& the Je2s 2hich d2e&t there< ca'e unto 'e< and stood and said
unto 'e< "rother Sau&< recei$e th! si,ht# And the sa'e hour I &oo0ed u*on
hi'< and he said< The 5od of our fathers hath chosen thee that thou
shou&dst 0no2 His 2i&&< and see that Just One< and shou&dst hear the 2ord
of His 'outh# For thou sha&t e his 2itness unto a&& 'en< of 2hat thou
hast seen and heard And no2< 2h! tarriest thouB Arise and e a*ti4ed< and
2ash a2a! th! sins< ca&&in, on the na'e of the Lord- EActs //ii( 7H-7:F#
-For 2hen for the ti'e !e ou,ht to e teachers< !e ha$e need that one
teach !ou a,ain 2hich e the first *rinci*&es of the orac&es of 5od< and
are eco'e such as ha$e need of 'i&0 and not of stron, 'eat# For e$er! one
that useth 'i&0 is uns0i&&fu& in the 2ord of ri,hteousness< for he is a
ae# "ut stron, 'eat e&on,eth to the' that are of fu&& a,e< e$en those
2ho ! reason of use< ha$e their senses e/ercised to discern oth ,ood and
e$i&- EHe# $( 7H-7@F#
-Therefore< &ea$in, the *rinci*&es of the doctrine of Christ< &ot us
,o on unto *erfection? not sa!in, a,ain the foundation of re*entance fro'
dead 2or0s< and of faith to2ard 5od< and of the doctrine of a*tis's< and
of &a!in, on of hands< of resurrection of the dead< and of eterna&
=ud,'ent# And this 2i&& 2e do< if 5od *er'it# For it is i'*ossi&e for
those 2ho 2ere once en&i,htened< and ha$e tasted of the hea$en&! ,ift< and
2ere 'ade *arta0ers of the Ho&! 5host< and ha$e tasted the ,ood 2ord of
5od< and the *o2ers of the 2or&d to co'e< if the! sha&& fa&& a2a!< to
rene2 the' a,ain unto re*entance< seein, the! crucif! to the'se&$es the
Son of 5od afresh< and *ut Hi' to an o*en sha'e- EHe# $i( 7-:F#
These >uotations are so *&ain< in *ro$in, the doctrine of re*entance
and a*tis' for the re'ission of sins< I dee' it unnecessar! to en&ar,e
this &etter 2ith co''ents u*on the'? ut I sha&& continue the su=ect in
'! ne/t#
In the onds of the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS#
At the c&ose of '! &etter in the Se*te'er nu'er of the .essen,er
and Ad$ocate I *ro'ised to continue the su=ect there co''enced# I do so
2ith a ho*e that it 'a! e a enefit and a 'eans of assistance in the
&aors of the E&ders< 2hi&e the! are co'atin, the *re=udices of a croo0ed
and *er$erse ,eneration< ! ha$in, in their *ossession the facts of '!
re&i,ious *rinci*&es< 2hich are 'isre*resented ! a&'ost a&& those 2hose
crafts are in dan,er ! the sa'e? and a&so< to aid those 2ho are an/ious&!
in>uirin,< and ha$e een e/cited to do so fro' ru'or< to ascertain
correct&! 2hat '! *rinci*&es are# I ha$e een dra2n into this course of
*roceedin, ! *ersecution< that is rou,ht u*on us fro' fa&se ru'ors and
'isre*resentations concernin, '! senti'ents#
"ut to *roceed# In the &etter a&&uded to< the *rinci*&es of
re*entance and a*tis' for the re'ission of sins 2ere not on&! set forth<
ut 'an! *assa,es of scri*ture 2ere >uoted< c&ear&! e&ucidatin, the
su=ect? &et 'e add< I do *ositi$e&! re&! u*on the truth of those
*rinci*&es incu&cated in the Ne2 Testa'ent< and then *ass on fro' the
ao$e na'ed ite's< to the ite' or su=ect of the ,atherin,< and sho2 '!
$ie2s u*on this *oint# It is a *rinci*&e I estee' to e of the ,reatest
i'*ortance to those 2ho are &oo0in, for sa&$ation in this ,eneration< or
in these< that 'a! e ca&&ed< -the &atter ti'es#- A&& that the *ro*hets
that ha$e 2ritten< fro' the da!s of ri,hteous Ae&< do2n to the &ast 'an
that has &eft an! testi'on! on record for our consideration< in s*ea0in,
of the sa&$ation of Israe& in the &ast da!s< ,oes direct&! to sho2 that it
consists in the 2or0 of the ,atherin,#
First< I sha&& e,in ! >uotin, fro' the *ro*hec! of Enoch< s*ea0in,
of the &ast da!s( -Ri,hteousness 2i&& I sent do2n out of hea$en< and truth
2i&& I send forth out of the earth< to ear testi'on! of 'ine On&!
"e,otten< His resurrection fro' the dead Ethis resurrection I understand
to e the cor*orea& od!F? !ea< and a&so the resurrection of a&& 'en?
ri,hteousness and truth 2i&& I cause to s2ee* the earth as 2ith a f&ood<
to ,ather out 'ine o2n e&ect fro' the four >uarters of the earth< unto a
*&ace 2hich I sha&& *re*are< a ho&! cit!< that '! *eo*&e 'a! ,ird u* their
&oins< and e &oo0in, forth for the ti'e of '! co'in,< for there sha&& e
'! taernac&e< and it sha&& e ca&&ed ;ion< a ne2 Jerusa&e'- E)ear& of
5reat )rice< ch# $ii( :H< 7NDH editionF#
No2 I understand ! this >uotation< that 5od c&ear&! 'anifested to
Enoch the rede'*tion 2hich He *re*ared< ! offerin, the .essiah as a La'
s&ain fro' efore the foundation of the 2or&d? and ! $irtue of the sa'e<
the ,&orious resurrection of the Sa$ior< and the resurrection of a&& the
hu'an fa'i&!< e$en a resurrection of their cor*orea& odies< is rou,ht to
*ast and a&so ri,hteousness and truth are to s2ee* the earth as 2ith a
f&ood# And no2< I as0< ho2 ri,hteousness and truth are ,oin, to s2ee* the
earth as 2ith a f&oodB I 2i&& ans2er# .en and an,e&s are to e co-2or0ers
in rin,in, to *ass this ,reat 2or0< and ;ion is to e *re*ared< e$en a
ne2 Jerusa&e'< for the e&ect that are to e ,athered fro' the four
>uarters of the earth< and to e esta&ished an ho&! cit!< for the
taernac&e of the Lord sha&& e 2ith the'#
No2 Enoch 2as in ,ood co'*an! in his $ie2s u*on this su=ect( -And I
heard a ,reat $oice out of hea$en< sa!in,< "eho&d< the taernac&e of 5od
is 2ith 'en< and He 2i&& d2e&& 2ith the'< and the! sha&& e His *eo*&e and
5od Hi'se&f sha&& e 2ith the'< and e their 5od- ERe$e&ation //i( 9F#
I disco$er ! this >uotation< that John u*on the is&e of )at'os< sa2
the sa'e thin, concernin, the &ast da!s< 2hich Enoch sa2# "ut efore the
taernac&e can e 2ith 'en< the e&ect 'ust e ,athered fro' the four
>uarters of the earth# And to sho2 further u*on this su=ect of the
,atherin,< .oses< after ha$in, *ronounced the &essin, and cursin, u*on
the chi&dren of Israe&< for their oedience or disoedience< sa!s thus(
-And it sha&& co'e to *ass< 2hen a&& these thin,s are co'e u*on thee<
the &essin, and the curse 2hich I ha$e set efore thee< and thou sha&t
ca&& the' to 'ind< a'on, a&& the nations 2hither the Lord th! 5od hath
dri$en thee< and sha&t return unto the Lord th! 5od< and sha&t oe! His
$oice< accordin, to a&& that I co''and thee< this da!< thou and th!
chi&dren< 2ith a&& thine heart< and 2ith a&& th! sou&< then the Lord th!
5od 2i&& turn th! ca*ti$it!< and ha$e co'*assion u*on thee< and 2i&&
return and ,ather thee fro' a&& the nations 2hither the Lord th! 5od hath
scattered thee# If an! of thine e dri$en out unto the out'ost *arts of
hea$en< fro' thence 2i&& the Lord th! 5od ,ather thee< and fro' thence
2i&& He fetch thee- EDeut# ///( 7-@F#
It has een said ! 'an! of the &earned and 2ise 'en< or historians<
that the Indians or aori,ines of this continent< are of the scattered
tries of Israe&# It has een con=ectured ! 'an! others< that the
aori,ines of this continent are not of the tries of Israe&< ut the ten
tries ha$e een &ed a2a! unto so'e un0no2n re,ions of the north# Let this
e as it 'a!< the *ro*hec! I ha$e =ust >uoted 2i&& fetch the'<- in the
&ast da!s< and *&ace the' in the &and 2hich their fathers *ossessed# And
!ou 2i&& find in the Mth $erse of the 9Dth cha*ter< >uoted< -And the Lord
th! 5od 2i&& *ut a&& these curses u*on thine ene'ies< and on the' that
hate thee< 2hich *ersecuted thee#-
.an! 'a! sa! that this scri*ture is fu&&-fi&&ed< ut &et the' 'ar0
carefu&&! 2hat the *ro*het sa!s( -If an! are dri$en out unto the ut'ost
*arts of hea$en<- E2hich 'ust 'ean the readth of the earthF# No2 this
*ro'ise is ,ood to an!< if there shou&d e such< that are dri$en out< e$en
in the &ast da!s< therefore< the chi&dren of the fathers ha$e c&ai' unto
this da!# And if these curses are to e &aid o$er on the heads of their
ene'ies< 2o e unto the 5enti&es# ESee "oo0 of .or'on III Ne*hi< ch# /$i<
current edition#F -3o unto the une&ie$in, of the 5enti&es< saith the
Father#- And a,ain Esee "oo0 of .or'on< III Ne*hi //( HH< current edition<
2hich sa!sF< -"eho&d this *eo*&e 2i&& I esta&ish in this &and< unto the
fu&fi&&in, of the co$enant 2hich I 'ade 2ith !our father Jaco< and it
sha&& e a Ne2 Jerusa&e'#- No2 3e &earn fro' the "oo0 of .or'on the $er!
identica& continent and s*ot of &and u*on 2hich the Ne2 Jerusa&e' is to
stand< and it 'ust e cau,ht u* accordin, to the $ision of John u*on the
is&e of )at'os#
No2 'an! 2i&& fee& dis*osed to sa!< that this Ne2 Jerusa&e' s*o0en
of< is the Jerusa&e' that 2as ui&t ! the Je2s on the eastern continent#
"ut !ou 2i&& see< fro' Re$e&ation //i( H< there 2as a Ne2 Jerusa&e' co'in,
do2n fro' 5od out of hea$en< adorned as a ride for her husand? that
after this< the Re$e&ator 2as cau,ht a2a! in the S*irit< to a ,reat and
hi,h 'ountain< and sa2 the ,reat and ho&! cit! descendin, out of hea$en
fro' 5od< No2 there are t2o cities s*o0en of here# A e$er!thin, cannot e
had in so narro2 a co'*ass as a &etter< I sha&& sa! 2ith re$it!< that
there is a Ne2 Jerusa&e' to e esta&ished on this continent< and a&so
Jerusa&e' sha&& e reui&t on the eastern continent ESee "oo0 of .or'on<
Ether /iii( 7-7HF# -"eho&d< Ether sa2 the da!s of Christ< and he s*a0e
a&so concernin, the house of Israe&< and the Jerusa&e' fro' 2hence Lehi
shou&d co'e? after it shou&d e destro!ed< it shou&d e ui&d u* a,ain< a
ho&! cit! unto the &ord< 2herefore it cou&d not e a Ne2 Jerusa&e'< for it
had een in a ti'e of o&d#- This 'a! suffice< u*on the su=ect of
,atherin,< unti& '! ne/t#
I no2 *roceed< at the c&ose of '! &etter< to 'a0e a fe2 re'ar0s on
the dut! of E&ders 2ith re,ard to their teachin, *arents and chi&dren<
husands and 2i$es< 'asters and s&a$es< or ser$ants< as I said I 2ou&d in
'! for'er &etter#
And first< it eco'es an E&der 2hen he is tra$e&in, throu,h the
2or&d< 2arnin, the inhaitants of the earth to ,ather to,ether< that the!
'a! e ui&t u* an ho&! cit! unto the Lord< instead of co''encin, 2ith
chi&dren< or those 2ho &oo0 u* to *arents or ,uardians to inf&uence their
'inds< there! dra2in, the' fro' their duties< 2hich the! ri,htfu&&! o2e
these &e,a& ,uardians< the! shou&d co''ence their &aors 2ith *arents< or
,uardians? and their teachin,s shou&d e such as are ca&cu&ated to turn
the hearts of the fathers to the chi&dren< and the hearts of chi&dren to
the fathers? and no inf&uence shou&d e used 2ith chi&dren< contrar! to
the consent of their *arents or ,uardians? ut a&& such as can e
*ersuaded in a &a2fu& and ri,hteous 'anner< and 2ith co''on consent< 2e
shou&d fee& it our dut! to inf&uence the' to ,ather 2ith the *eo*&e of
5od# "ut other2ise &et the res*onsii&it! rest u*on the heads of *arents
or ,uardians< and a&& conde'nation or conse>uences e u*on their heads<
accordin, to the dis*ensation 2hich he hath co''itted unto us? for 5od
hath so ordained< that His 2or0 sha&& e cut short in ri,hteousness< in
the &ast da!s? therefore< first teach the *arents< and then< 2ith their
consent< *ersuade the chi&dren to e'race the 5os*e& a&so# And if chi&dren
e'race the 5os*e&< and their *arents or ,uardians are une&ie$ers< teach
the' to sta! at ho'e an e oedient to their *arents or ,uardians< if the!
re>uire it? ut if the! consent to &et the' ,ather 2ith the *eo*&e of 5od<
&et the' do so< and there sha&& e no 2ron,? and &et a&& thin,s e done
carefu&&! and ri,hteous&! and 5od 2i&& e/tend to a&& such His ,uardian
care#
And second&!< it is the dut! of E&ders< 2hen the! enter into an!
house< to &et their &aors and 2arnin, $oice e unto the 'aster of that
house? and if he recei$e the 5os*e&< then he 'a! e/tend his inf&uence to
his 2ife a&so< 2ith consent< that *erad$enture she 'a! recei$e the 5os*e&?
ut if a 'an recei$e not the 5os*e&< ut ,i$es his consent that his 2ife
'a! recei$e it< and she e&ie$es< then &et her recei$e it# "ut if a 'an
forid his 2ife< or his chi&dren< efore the! are of a,e< to recei$e the
5os*e&< then it shou&d e the dut! of the E&der to ,o his 2a!< and use no
inf&uence a,ainst hi'< and &et the res*onsii&it! e u*on his head? sha0e
off the dust of th! feet as a testi'on! a,ainst hi'< and th! s0irts sha&&
then e c&ear of their sou&s# Their sins are not to e ans2ered u*on such
as 5od hath sent to 2arn the' to f&ee the 2rath to co'e< and sa$e
the'se&$es fro' this unto2ard ,eneration# The ser$ants of 5od 2i&& not
ha$e ,one o$er the nations of the 5enti&es< 2ith a 2arnin, $oice< unti&
the destro!in, an,e& 2i&& co''ence to 2aste the inhaitants of the earth<
and as the *ro*het hath said# -It sha&& e a $e/ation to hear the re*ort#-
I s*ea0 thus ecause I fee& for '! fe&&o2 'en? I do it in the na'e of the
Lord< ein, 'o$ed u*on ! the Ho&! S*irit# Oh< that I cou&d snatch the'
fro' the $orte/ of 'iser!< Into 2hich I eho&d the' *&un,in, the'se&$es<
! their sins? that I 'i,ht e ena&ed ! the 2arnin, $oice< to e an
instru'ent of rin,in, the' to unfei,ned re*entance< that the! 'i,ht ha$e
faith to stand in the e$i& da!K
Third&!< it shou&d e the dut! of an E&der< 2hen he enters into a
house< to sa&ute the 'aster of that house< and if he ,ain his consent<
then he 'a! *reach to a&& that are in that house? ut if he ,ain not his
consent< &et hi' not ,o unto his s&a$es< or ser$ants< ut &et the
res*onsii&it! e u*on the head of the 'aster of that house< and the
conse>uences thereof< and the ,ui&t of that house is no &on,er u*on his
s0irts< he is free? therefore< &et hi' sha0e off the dust of his feet< and
,o his 2a!# "ut if the 'aster of that house ,i$e consent< the E&der 'a!
*reach to his fa'i&!< his 2ife< his chi&dren and his ser$ants< his
'an-ser$ants< or his 'aid-ser$ants< or his s&a$es? then it shou&d e the
dut! of the E&der to stand u* o&d&! for the cause of Christ< and 2arn
that *eo*&e 2ith one accord to re*ent and e a*ti4ed for the re'ission of
sins< and for the Ho&! 5host< a&2a!s co''andin, the' in the na'e of the
Lord< in the s*irit of 'ee0ness< to e 0ind&! affectionate one to2ard
another< that the fathers shou&d e 0ind to their chi&dren< husands to
their 2i$es< 'asters to their s&a$es or ser$ants< chi&dren oedient to
their *arents< 2i$es to their husands< and s&a$es or ser$ants to their
'asters#
-3i$es su'it !ourse&$es unto !our o2n husands< as unto the Lord<
for the husand is the head of the 2ife< e$en as Christ is the head of the
Church? and He is the Sa$ior of the od!# Therefore< as the Church is
su=ect unto Christ< so &et the 2i$es e to their o2n husands< in
e$er!thin,# Husands< &o$e !our 2i$es< e$en as Christ a&so &o$ed the
Church and ,a$e Hi'se&f for it< that He 'i,ht sanctif! and c&eanse it 2ith
the 2ashin, of 2ater ! the 3ord< that He 'i,ht *resent it to Hi'se&f a
,&orious Church< not ha$in, s*ot or 2rin0&e< or an! such thin,< ut that
it shou&d e ho&! and 2ithout &e'ish< so ou,ht 'en to &o$e their o2n
2i$es as their o2n odies# He that &o$eth his 2ife< &o$eth hi'se&f< for no
'an e$er !et hated his o2n f&esh< ut nourisheth and cherisheth it< e$en
as the Lord the Church< for 2e are 'e'ers of His od!< of His f&esh< and
of His ones# For this cause sha&& a than &ea$e his father and 'other< and
sha&& e =oined unto his 2ife< and the! t2o sha&& e one f&esh- EE*hesians
$( HH-97F#
3i$es< su'it !ourse&$es unto !our o2n husands< as it is fit in the
Lord# Husands< &o$e !our 2i$es< and e not itter a,ainst the'# Chi&dren<
oe! !our *arents in a&& thin,s< for this is 2e&& *&easin, unto the Lord#
Fathers< *ro$o0e not !our chi&dren to an,er< &est the! e discoura,ed#
Ser$ants< oe! in a&& thin,s !our 'asters< accordin, to the f&esh< not
2ith e!e-ser$ice< as 'en-*&easers< ut in sin,&eness of heart< fearin, 5od
ECo&ossians iii( 78-HHF#
"ut I 'ust c&ose this &etter< and resu'e the su=ect in another
nu'er#
In the onds of the Ne2 and E$er&astin, Co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
III# TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS# I ha$e sho2n
unto !ou< in '! &ast< that there are t2o Jerusa&e's s*o0en of in ho&!
2rit< in a 'anner I thin0 satisfactor! to !our 'inds? at an! rate I ha$e
,i$en '! $ie2s u*on the su=ect# I sha&& no2 *roceed to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s
fro' the sa!in,s of the Sa$ior< recorded in the 79th cha*ter of His 5os*e&
accordin, to St# .atthe2< 2hich< in '! 'ind< afford us as c&ear an
understandin, u*on the i'*ortant su=ect of the ,atherin,< as an!thin,
recorded in the "i&e# At the ti'e the Sa$ior s*o0e these eautifu&
sa!in,s and *ara&es contained in the cha*ter ao$e >uoted< 2e find Hi'
seated in a shi* on account of the 'u&titude that *ressed u*on Hi' to hear
His 2ords? and He co''enced teachin, the'< sa!in,(
-"eho&d< a so2er 2ent forth to so2< and 2hen he so2ed< so'e seeds
fe&& ! the 2a! side< and the fo2&s ca'e and de$oured the' u*( so'e fe&&
u*on ston! *&aces< 2here the! had not 'uch earth? and forth2ith the!
s*ran, u* ecause the! had no dee*ness of earth( and 2hen the sun 2as u*
the! 2ere scorched( and ecause the! had no root the! 2ithered a2a!# And
so'e fe&& a'on, thorns? and the thorns s*run, u* and cho0ed the'( ut
other fe&& in ,ood ,round< and rou,ht forth fruit< so'e an hundred fo&d<
so'e si/t! fo&d< so'e thirt! fo&d# 3ho hath ears to hear< &et hi' hear#
-And the disci*&es ca'e and said unto Hi'< 3h! s*ea0est thou unto
the' in *ara&esB II 2ou&d here re'ar0< that the +the'+ 'ade use of in
this interro,ation< is a *ersona& *ronoun< and refers to the 'u&titude#J
He ans2ered and said unto the'< Ithat is unto the disci*&es<J ecause it
is ,i$en unto !ou to 0no2 the '!steries of the 1in,do' of Hea$en< ut to
the'< Ithat is< une&ie$ers<J it is not ,i$en? for 2hosoe$er hath< to hi'
sha&& e ,i$en< and he sha&& ha$e 'ore aundance? ut 2hosoe$er hath not<
fro' hi' sha&& e ta0en a2a! e$en that he hath#-
3e understand fro' this sa!in,< that those 2ho had een *re$ious&!
&oo0in, for a .essiah to co'e< accordin, to the testi'on! of the )ro*het?<
and 2ere then< at that ti'e &oo0in, for a .essiah< ut ad not sufficient
&i,ht< on account of their une&ief< to discern Hi' to e their Sa$ior?
and He ein, the true .essiah< conse>uent&! the! 'ust e disa**ointed< and
&ose e$en a&& the 0no2&ed,e< or ha$e ta0en a2a! fro' the' a&& the &i,ht<
understandin,< and faith 2hich the! had u*on this su=ect? therefore he
that 2i&& not recei$e the ,reater &i,ht< 'ust ha$e ta0en a2a! fro' hi' a&&
the &i,ht 2hich he hath< and if the &i,ht 2hich is in !ou eco'e dar0ness<
eho&d< ho2 ,reat is that dar0ness? -Therefore<- sa!s the Sa$ior< -s*ea0 I
unto the' in *ara&es< ecause the!< seein, see not< and hearin,< the!
hear not< neither do the! understand( and in the' is fu&fi&&ed the
*ro*hec! of Esaias 2hich saith< -"! hearin, !e sha&& hear< and sha&& not
understand? and seein, !e sha&& see< and not *ercei$e#-
No2 2e disco$er that the $er! reason assi,ned ! this *ro*het< 2h!
the! 2ou&d not recei$e the .essiah< 2as< ecause the! did not or 2ou&d not
understand? and seein,< the! did not *ercei$e? -for this *eo*&e+s heart is
2a/ed ,ross< and their ears are du&& of hearin,< their e!es ha$e c&osed<
&est at an! ti'e the! shou&d see 2ith their e!es< and hear 2ith their
ears< and understand 2ith their heart< and shou&d e con$erted< and I
shou&d hea& the'#- "ut 2hat saith He to His disci*&esB -"&essed are !our
e!es for the! see< and !our ears for the! hear< for $eri&! I sa! unto !ou<
that 'an! *ro*hets and ri,hteous 'en ha$e desired to see those thin,s
2hich !e see< and ha$e not seen the'? and to hear those thin,s 2hich !e
hear< and ha$e not heard the'#-
3e a,ain 'a0e re'ar0 here--for 2e find that the $er! *rinci*&e u*on
2hich the disci*&es 2ere accounted &essed< 2as ecause the! 2ere
*er'itted to see 2ith their e!es and hear 2ith their ears--that the
conde'nation 2hich rested u*on the 'u&titude that recei$ed not His sa!in,<
2as ecause the! 2ere not 2i&&in, to see 2ith their e!es< and hear 2ith
their ears? not ecause the! cou&d not< and 2ere not *ri$i&e,ed to see and
hear< ut ecause their hearts 2ere fu&& of ini>uit! and ao'inations? -as
!our fathers did< so do !e#- The *ro*het< foreseein, that the! 2ou&d thus
harden their hearts< *&ain&! dec&ared it? and herein is the conde'nation
of the 2or&d? that &i,ht hath co'e into the 2or&d< and 'en choose dar0ness
rather than &i,ht< ecause their deeds are e$i&# This is so *&ain&! tau,ht
! the Sa$ior< that a 2a!farin, 'an need not 'ista0e it#
And a,ain--hear !e the *ara&e of the so2er# .en are in the hait<
2hen the truth is e/hiited ! the ser$ants of 5od< of sa!in,< A&& is
'!ster!? the! ha$e s*o0en in *ara&es< and< therefore< are not to e
understood# It is true the! ha$e e!es to see< and see not< ut none are so
&ind as those 2ho 2i&& not see? and< a&thou,h the Sa$ior s*o0e this to
such characters< !et unto His disci*&es he e/*ounded it *&ain&! and 2e
ha$e reason to e tru&! hu'&e efore the 5od of our fathers< that He ath
&eft these thin,s on record for us< so *&ain< that not2ithstandin, the
e/ertions and co'ined inf&uence of the *riests of "aa&< the! ha$e not
*o2er to &ind our e!es< and dar0en our understandin,< if 2e 2i&& ut o*en
our e!es< and read 2ith candor< for a 'o'ent#
"ut &isten to the e/*&anation of the *ara&e of the So2er( -3hen an!
one heareth the 2ord of the 1in,do'< and understandeth it not< then co'eth
the 2ic0ed one< and eateth a2a! that 2hich 2as so2n in his heart- No2 'ar0
the e/*ression--that 2hich 2as so2n in his heart# This is he 2hich
recei$eth seed ! the 2a! side# .en 2ho ha$e no *rinci*&e of ri,hteousness
in the'se&$es< and 2hose hearts are fu&& of ini>uit!< and ha$e no desire
for the *rinci*&es of truth< do not understand the 2ord of truth 2hen the!
hear it# The de$i& ta0eth a2a! the 2ord of truth out of their hearts<
ecause there is no desire for ri,hteousness in the' -"ut e that
recei$eth seed in ston! *&aces< the +sa'e is he that heareth the 2ord< and
anon< 2ith =o! recei$eth it? !et hath he not root in hi'se&f< ut dureth
for a 2hi&e( for 2hen triu&ation or *ersecution ariseth ecause of the
2ord< ! and !< he is offended# He a&so that recei$eth seed a'on, the
thorns< is he that heareth the 2ord? and the care of this 2or&d< and the
deceitfu&ness of riches cho0e the 2ord< and he eco'eth unfruitfu&# "ut he
that recei$ed seed into the ,ood ,round is he that heareth the 2ord< and
understandeth it< 2hich a&so eareth fruit< and rin,eth forth< so'e an
hundred fo&d< so'e si/t!< so'e thirt!#- Thus the Sa$ior Hi'se&f e/*&ains
unto His disci*&es the *ara&e 2hich He *ut forth< and &eft no '!ster! or
dar0ness u*on the 'inds of those 2ho fir'&! e&ie$e on His 2ords#
3e dra2 the conc&usion< then< that the $er! reason 2h! the 'u&titude<
or the 2or&d< as the! 2ere desi,nated ! the Sa$ior< did not recei$e an
e/*&anation u*on His *ara&es< 2as ecause of une&ief# To !ou< He sa!s<
Es*ea0in, to His disci*&es<F it is ,i$en to 0no2 the '!steries of the
1in,do' of 5od# And 2h!B "ecause of the faith and confidence the! had in
Hi'# This *ara&e 2as s*o0en to de'onstrate the effects that are *roduced
! the *reachin, of the 2ord? and 2e e&ie$e that it has an a&&usion
direct&!< to the co''ence'ent< or the settin, u* of the 0in,do' in that
a,e? therefore 2e sha&& continue to trace His sa!in,s concernin, this
1in,do' fro' that ti'e forth< e$en unto the end of the 2or&d#
-Another *ara&e *ut He forth unto the'< sa!in,< I2hich *ara&e has
an a&&usion to the settin, u* of the 1in,do'< in that a,e of the 2or&d
a&so#J The 1in,do' of Hea$en is &i0ened unto a 'an 2hich so2ed ,ood seed
in his fie&d< ut 2hi&e 'en s&e*t< his ene'! ca'e and so2ed tares a'on,
the 2heat< and 2ent his 2a!# "ut 2hen the &ade 2as s*run, u*< and rou,ht
forth fruit< then a**eared the tares a&so? so the ser$ants of the
househo&der ca'e and said unto hi'< Sir< didst not thou so2 ,ood seed in
th! fie&dB Fro' 2hence< then< hath it taresB He said unto the'< An ene'!
hath done this# The ser$ants said unto hi'< 3i&t thou then that 2e ,o and
,ather the' u*B "ut he said< Na!? &est 2hi&e !e ,ather u* the tares< !e
root u* a&so the 2heat 2ith the'# Let oth ,ro2 to,ether unti& the
har$est( and in the ti'e of har$est I 2i&& sa! to the rea*ers< 5ather !e
to,ether first the tares< and ind the' in und&es to urn the'< ut
,ather the 2heat into '! arn#-
No2 2e &earn ! this *ara&e< not on&! the settin, u* of the 1in,do'
in the da!s of the Sa$ior< 2hich is re*resented ! the ,ood seed< 2hich
*roduced fruit< ut a&so the corru*tions of the Church< 2hich are
re*resented ! the tares< 2hich 2ere so2n ! the ene'!< 2hich His
disci*&es 2ou&d fain ha$e *&uc0ed u*< or c&eansed the Church of< if their
$ie2s had een fa$ored ! the Sa$ior# "ut He< 0no2in, a&& thin,s< sa!s<
not so# As 'uch as to sa!< !our $ie2s are not correct< the Church is in
its infanc!< and if !ou ta0e this rash ste*< !ou 2i&& destro! the 2heat<
or the Church< 2ith the tares? therefore it is etter to &et the' ,ro2
to,ether unti& the har$est< or the end of the 2or&d< 2hich 'eans the
destruction of the 2ic0ed< 2hich is not !et fu&fi&&ed< as 2e sha&& sho2
hereafter< in the Sa$ior+s e/*&anation of the *ara&e< 2hich is so *&ain
that there is no roo' &eft for duiet! u*on the 'ind< not2ithstandin, the
cr! of the *riests---*ara&es< *ara&esK fi,ures< fi,uresK '!ster!<
'!ster!K a&& is '!ster!K- "ut 2e find no roo' for dout here< as the
*ara&es 2ere a&& *&ain&! e&ucidated#
And a,ain< another *ara&e *ut He forth unto the'< ha$in, an a&&usion
to the 1in,do' that shou&d e set u*< =ust *re$ious to or at the ti'e of
the har$est< 2hich reads as fo&&o2s---The 1in,do' of Hea$en is &i0e a
,rain of 'ustard seed< 2hich a 'an too0 and so2ed in his fie&d( 2hich
indeed is the &east of a&& seeds+ ut< 2hen it is ,ro2n< it is the
,reatest a'on, hers< and eco'eth a tree< so that the irds of the air
co'e and &od,e in the ranches thereof#- No2 2e can disco$er *&ain&! that
this fi,ure is ,i$en to re*resent the Church as it sha&& co'e forth in the
&ast da!s# "eho&d< the 1in,do' of Hea$en is &i0ened unto it# No2< 2hat is
&i0e unto itB
Let us ta0e the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich a 'an too0 and hid in his
fie&d< securin, it ! his faith< to s*rin, u* in the &ast da!s< or in due
ti'e? &et us eho&d it co'in, forth out of the ,round< 2hich is indeed
accounted the &east of a&& seeds< ut eho&d it ranchin, forth< !ea< e$en
to2erin,< 2ith &oft! ranches< and 5od-&i0e 'a=est!< unti& it< &i0e the
'ustard seed< eco'es the ,reatest of a&& hers< And it is truth< and it
has s*routed and co'e forth out of the earth< and ri,hteousness e,ins to
&oo0 do2n fro' hea$en< and 5od is sendin, do2n His *o2ers< ,ifts and
an,e&s< to &od,e in the ranches thereof#
The 1in,do' of hea$en is &i0e unto a 'ustard seed# "eho&d< then is
not this the 1in,do' of hea$en that is raisin, its head in the &ast da!s
in the 'a=est! of its 5od< e$en the Church of the Latter-da! Saints< &i0e
an i'*enetra&e< i''o$a&e roc0 in the 'idst of the 'i,ht! dee*< e/*osed
to the stor's and te'*ests of Satan< ut has< thus far< re'ained
steadfast< and is sti&& ra$in, the 'ountain 2a$es of o**osition< 2hich
are dri$en ! the te'*estuous 2inds of sin0in, crafts< 2hich ha$e IdashedJ
and are sti&& dashin, 2ith tre'endous foa' across its triu'*hant ro2?
ur,ed on2ard 2ith redou&ed fur! ! the ene'! of ri,hteousness< 2ith his
*itchfor0 of &ies< as !ou 2i&& see fair&! re*resented in a cut contained
in .r# Ho2e+s .or'onis' Un$ei&edB And 2e ho*e that this ad$ersar! of truth
2i&& continue to stir u* the sin0 of ini>uit!< that the *eo*&e 'a! the
'ore readi&! discern et2een the ri,hteous and the 2ic0ed#
3e a&so 2ou&d notice one of the 'odern sons of Sce$a< 2ho 2ou&d fain
ha$e 'ade *eo*&e e&ie$e that he cou&d cast out de$i&s< ! a certain
*a'*h&et< the .i&&ennia& Harin,er< that 2ent the rounds throu,h our
countr!? 2ho fe&t so fu&&! authori4ed to rand -Jo- S'ith 2ith the
a**e&&ation of E&!'as the sorcerer< and to sa! 2ith )au&< -O fu&& of a&&
sut&et!< and a&& 'ischief< thou chi&d of the de$i&< thou ene'! of a&&
ri,hteousness< 2i&t thou not cease to *er$ert the ri,ht 2a!s of the LordB-
3e 2ou&d re*&! to this ,ent&e'an< )au& 2e 0no2< and Christ 2e 0no2< ut
2ho are !ou And 2ith the est of fee&in, 2ou&d sa! to hi'< in the &an,ua,e
of )au& to those 2ho said the! 2ere John+s disci*&es< ut had not so 'uch
as heard there 2as a Ho&! 5host--to re*ent and e a*ti4ed for the
re'ission of sins< ! those 2ho ha$e &e,a& authorit!< and under their
hands !ou sha&& recei$e the Ho&! 5host< accordin, to the Scri*tures(
-Then &aid the! their hands u*on the'< and the! recei$ed the Ho&!
5host EActs $iii( 7M#F -And 2hen )au& had &aid his hands u*on the' the
Ho&! 5host ca'e on the' and the! s*a0e 2ith ton,ues and *ro*hesied- EActs
/i/( :F# -Of the doctrine of a*tis'< and of &a!in, on of hands< and of
resurrection of the dead and of eterna& =ud,'ent- EHere2s $i( HF# -Ho2<
then< sha&& the! ca&& on hi' in 2ho' the! ha$e not e&ie$edB And ho2 sha&&
the! e&ie$e in hi' of 2ho' the! ha$e not heardB And ho2 sha&& the! hear
2ithout a *reacherB And ho2 sha&& the! *reach< e/ce*t the! e sentB As it
is 2ritten< Ho2 eautifu& are the feet of the' that *reach the 5os*e& of
*eace< and rin, ,&ad tidin,s of ,ood thin,s- ERo'ans /( 7@<7GF# "ut if
this 'an 2i&& not ta0e our ad'onition< ut 2i&& *ersist in his 2ic0ed
course< 2e ho*e that he 2i&& continue tr!in, to cast out de$i&s< that 2e
'a! ha$e the c&earer *roof that the 0in,do' of Satan is di$ided a,ainst
itse&f< and conse>uent&! cannot stand? for a 0in,do' di$ided a,ainst
itse&f< s*eedi&! hath an end#
If 2e 2ere dis*osed to ta0e this ,ent&e'an u*on his o2n ,round< and
=ust&! hea* u*on hi' that 2hich he so readi&! and un=ust&! hea*s u*on
others< 2e 'i,ht ,o farther--2e 'i,ht sa! that he has 2ic0ed&! and
'a&icious&! &ied aout< $i&&ified and traduced the characters of innocent
'en# 3e 'i,ht in$ite the ,ent&e'an to a *u&ic in$esti,ation of these
'atters< !ea< and 2e do cha&&en,e hi' to an in$esti,ation u*on an! or a&&
*rinci*&es 2herein he fee&s o**osed to us< in *u&ic or in *ri$ate 3e
'i,ht farther sa! that 2e cou&d introduce hi' to .or'onis' Un$ei&ed< a&so
to the ri,ht honora&e Dr# )hi&astus Hur&urt< 2ho is the &e,iti'ate
author of the sa'e< 2ho is not so 'uch a doctor of *h!sics as of
fa&sehood< or doctor ! na'e#
3e cou&d a&so ,i$e hi' an introduction to the Re$erend .r# Ho2e< the
i&&e,iti'ate author of .or'onis' Un$ei&ed< in order to ,i$e currenc! to
the *u&ication< as .r# Hur&urt aout this ti'e 2as ound o$er to court
for threatenin, &ife# He is a&so an associate of the ce&erated .r# C&a**<
2ho has of &ate i''orta&i4ed his na'e< ! s2earin, that he 2ou&d not
e&ie$e a .or'on under oath? and ! his *o&ite attention to Hur&urt+s
2ife< 2hich cost hi' Eas 2e are infor'edF a round su'# A&so his son
.atthe2 testified< that the "oo0 of .or'on had een *ro$ed fa&se an
hundred ti'es< ! Ho2e+s oo0? and a&so that he 2ou&d not e&ie$e a .or'on
under oath# And a&so 2e cou&d 'ention the Re$# .r# "ent&e!< 2ho< 2e
e&ie$e< has een acti$e&! en,a,ed in in=urin, the character of his
rother-in-&a2< $i4#< E&der Sidne! Ri,don#
No2 the ao$e state'ents are accordin, to our est infor'ation< and
2e e&ie$e the' to e true< and this is as fair a sa'*&e of the doctrine
of Ca'*e&&is' as 2e as0< ta0in, the state'ents of these ,ent&e'en< and
=ud,in, the' ! their fruits? and 2e 'i,ht add 'an! 'ore to the &ac0
cata&o,ue? e$en the rin,&eaders not of the Na4arenes< Efor ho2 can an!
,ood thin, co'e out of Na4arethF ut of the far-fa'ed .entor 'o< a&& sons
and &e,iti'ate heirs of the sa'e s*irit of A&e/ander Ca'*e&&< and
.or'onis' Un$ei&ed< accordin, to the re*resentation of the cut s*o0en of
ao$e#
The ao$e c&ouds of dar0ness ha$e &on, een eatin, &i0e 'ountain
2a$es u*on the i''o$a&e roc0 of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints? and
not2ithstandin, a&& this< the 'ustard seed is sti&& to2erin, its &oft!
ranches< hi,her and hi,her< and e/tendin, itse&f 2ider and 2ider? and the
chariot 2hee&s of the 1in,do' are sti&& ro&&in, on< i'*e&&ed ! the 'i,ht!
ar' of Jeho$ah? and in s*ite of a&& o**osition< 2i&& sti&& ro&& on< unti&
His 2ords are a&& fu&fi&&ed#
Our readers 2i&& e/cuse us for de$iatin, fro' the su=ect< 2hen the!
ta0e into consideration the auses that ha$e een hea*ed u*on us
heretofore< 2hich 2e ha$e ta'e&! su'itted to< unti& forearance is no
&on,er re>uired at our hands# Ha$in, fre>uent&! turned oth the ri,ht and
&eft chee0< 2e e&ie$e it our dut! no2 to stand u* in our o2n defense#
3ith these re'ar0s 2e sha&& *roceed 2ith the su=ect of the ,atherin,#
-And another *ara&e s*a0e He unto the'# The 1in,do' of hea$en is
&i0e unto &ea$en 2hich a 2o'an too0 and hid in three 'easures of 'ea& ti&&
the 2ho&e 2as &ea$ened#- It 'a! e understood that the Church of the
Latter-da! Saints has ta0en its rise fro' a &itt&e &ea$en that 2as *ut
into three 2itnesses# "eho&d< ho2 'uch this is &i0e the *ara&eK It is
fast &ea$enin, the &u'*< and 2i&& soon &ea$en the 2ho&e# "ut &et us *ass
on#
-A&& these thin,s s*o0e Jesus unto the 'u&titude in *ara&es? and
2ithout a *ara&e s*o0e He not unto the'( that it 'i,ht e fu&fi&&ed 2hich
2as s*o0en ! the *ro*het< sa!in,< I 2i&& o*en '! 'outh in *ara&es? I
2i&& utter thin,s 2hich ha$e een 0e*t secret fro' the foundation of the
2or&d# Then Jesus sent the 'u&titude a2a!< and 2ent into the house? and
His disci*&es ca'e unto Hi'< sa!in,< Dec&are unto us the *ara&e of the
tares of the fie&d# He ans2ered and said unto the'< He that so2eth the
,ood seed is the Son of .an? the fie&d is the 2or&d? the ,ood seed are the
chi&dren of the 1in,do'? ut the tares are the chi&dren of the 2ic0ed
one#- No2 &et our readers 'ar0 the e/*ression---the fie&d is the 2or&d<
the tares are the chi&dren of the 2ic0ed one< the ene'! that so2ed the' is
the de$i&< the har$est is the end of the 2or&d< I&et the' carefu&&! 'ar0
this e/*ression--the end of the 2or&d<J and the rea*ers are the an,e&s#-
No2 'en cannot ha$e an! *ossi&e ,rounds to sa! that this is
fi,urati$e< or that it does not 'ean 2hat it sa!s? for he is no2
e/*&ainin, 2hat He has *re$ious&! s*o0en in *ara&es? and accordin, to
this &an,ua,e< the end of the 2or&d is the destruction of the 2ic0ed< the
har$est and the end of the 2or&d ha$e an a&&usion direct&! to the hu'an
fa'i&! in the &ast da!s< instead oP the earth< as 'an! ha$e i'a,ined? and
that 2hich sha&& *recede the co'in, of the Son of .an< and the restitution
of a&& thin,s s*o0en of ! the 'outh of a&& the ho&! *ro*hets since the
2or&d e,an? and the an,e&s are to ha$e so'ethin, to do in this ,reat
2or0< for the! are the rea*ers# As< therefore< the tares are ,athered and
urned in the are< so sha&& it e in the end of the 2or&d? that is< as the
ser$ants of 5od ,o forth 2arnin, the nations< oth *riests and *eo*&e< and
as the! harden their hearts and re=ect the &i,ht of truth< these first
ein, de&i$ered o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan< and the &a2 and the
testi'on! ein, c&osed u*< as it 2as in the case of the Je2s< the! are
&eft in dar0ness< and de&i$ered o$er unto the da! of urnin,? thus ein,
ound u* ! their creeds< and their ands ein, 'ade stron, ! their
*riests< are *re*ared for the fu&fi&&'ent of the sa!in, of the Sa$ior-The
Son of .an sha&& send forth His an,e&s< and ,ather out of His 1in,do' a&&
thin,s that offend< and the' 2hich do ini>uit!< and sha&& cast the' into a
furnace of fire< there sha&& e 2ai&in, and ,nashin, of teeth#- 3e
understand that the 2or0 of ,atherin, to,ether of the 2heat into arns< or
,arners< is to ta0e *&ace 2hi&e the tares are ein, ound o$er< and
*re*arin, for the da! of urnin,? that after the da! of urnin,s< the
ri,hteous sha&& shine forth &i0e the sun< in the 1in,do' of their Father#
3ho hath ears to hear< &et hi' hear#
"ut to i&&ustrate 'ore c&ear&! this ,atherin,( 3e ha$e another
*ara&e---A,ain< the 1in,do' of Hea$en is &i0e a treasure hid in a fie&d<
the 2hich< 2hen a 'an hath found< he hideth< and for =o! thereof< ,oeth
and se&&eth a&& that he hath< and u!eth that fie&dK- The Saints 2or0
after this *attern# See the Church of the Latter-da! Saints< se&&in, a&&
that the! ha$e< and ,atherin, the'se&$es to,ether unto a *&ace that the!
'a! *urchase for an inheritance< that the! 'a! e to,ether and ear each
other+s aff&ictions in the da! of ca&a'it!#
-A,ain< the 1in,do' of hea$en is &i0e unto a 'erchant'an see0in,
,ood&! *ear&s< 2ho< 2hen he had found one *ear& of ,reat *rice< 2ent and
so&d a&& that he had< and ou,ht it#- The Saints a,ain 2or0 after this
e/a'*&e# See 'en tra$e&in, to find *&aces for ;ion and her sta0es or
re'nants< 2ho< 2hen the! find the *&ace for ;ion< or the *ear& of ,reat
*rice< strai,ht2a! se&& that the! ha$e< and u! it#
-A,ain< the 1in,do' of hea$en is &i0e unto a net that 2as cast into
the sea< and ,athered of e$er! 0ind< 2hich 2hen it 2as fu&& the! dre2 to
shore< and sat do2n< and ,athered the ,ood into $esse&s< ut cast the ad
a2a!#- For the 2or0 of this *attern< eho&d the seed of Jose*h< s*readin,
forth the 5os*e& net u*on the face of the earth< ,atherin, of e$er! 0ind<
that the ,ood 'a! e sa$ed in $esse&s *re*ared for that *ur*ose< and the
an,e&s 2i&& ta0e care of the ad# So sha&& it e at the end of the
2or&d--the an,e&s sha&& co'e forth and se$er the 2ic0ed fro' a'on, the
=ust< and cast the' into the furnace of fire< and there sha&& e 2ai&in,
and ,nashin, of teeth#
-Jesus saith unto the'< Ha$e !ou understood a&& these thin,sB The!
sa! unto Hi'< Yea< Lord#- And 2e sa!< !ea< Lord? and 2e&& 'i,ht the! sa!<
!ea< Lord? for these thin,s are so *&ain and so ,&orious that e$er! Saint
in the &ast da!s 'ust res*ond 2ith a heart! A'en to the'#
-Then said He unto the'< therefore e$er! scrie 2hich is instructed
in the 0in,do' of hea$en< is &i0e unto a 'an that is an househo&der< 2hich
rin,eth forth out of his treasure thin,s that are ne2 and o&d#-
For the 2or0s of this e/a'*&e< see the "oo0 of .or'on co'in, forth
out of the treasure of the heart# A&so the co$enants ,i$en to the
Latter-da! Saints< a&so the trans&ation of the "i&e--thus rin,in, forth
out of the heart thin,s ne2 and o&d< thus ans2erin, to three 'easures of
'ea& under,oin, the *urif!in, touch ! a re$e&ation of Jesus Christ< and
the 'inisterin, of an,e&s< 2ho ha$e a&read! co''enced this 2or0 in the
&ast da!s< 2hich 2i&& ans2er to the &ea$en 2hich &ea$ened the 2ho&e &u'*#
A'en#
So I c&ose< ut sha&& continue the su=ect in another nu'er#
In the onds of the Ne2 and E$er&astin, Co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
CHA)TER 66#
SUNDRY AFFAIRS AT 1IRTLAND--THE )LED5E TO REDEE. ;ION#
I 3ENT to Ne2 )orta,e on the Hnd of Se*te'er< in co'*an! 2ith O&i$er
Co2der! and Sidne! Ri,don< to attend a conference? and returned on the
8th# I 2as en,a,ed in $arious s*iritua& and te'*ora& 'atters for se$era&
da!s#
Se*te'er 7@#--In a 'eetin, of a Hi,h Counci& and the )residenc! at
1irt&and< it 2as decided that< as the &aorer is 2orth! of his hire<
2hene$er )resident Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< is ca&&ed u*on to *ronounce
)atriarcha& &essin,s u*on the Church< he e *aid for his ser$ices at the
rate of ten do&&ars *er 2ee0 and his e/*enses# It 2as further decided that
)resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's e a**ointed and hereafter ser$e as
scrie< to attend &essin, 'eetin,s< and that he recei$e for his ser$ices<
at the sa'e ratio< ha$in, his e/*enses orne a&so# It 2as further decided
that )resident O&i$er Co2der! e a**ointed< and that he act hereafter as
Recorder for the Church# It 2as further decided that Sister E''a S'ith
*roceed to 'a0e a se&ection of Sacred H!'ns< accordin, to the re$e&ation?
and that )resident 3# 3# )he&*s e a**ointed to re$ise and arran,e the'
for *rintin,#
Se*te'er 7:#--The )residenc! of the Church asse'&ed and a**ointed
Da$id 3hit'er and Sa'ue& H# S'ith a co''ittee and ,enera& a,ents to act in
the na'e of< and for< the -Literar! Fir'#-
.INUTES OF A HI5H COUNCIL HELD IN 1IRTLAND< SE)TE."ER 7:th< 789G#
The tria& of E&der Henr! 5reen--Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der! and
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's *residin,#
A co'*&aint 2as *referred ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< a,ainst
"rother Henr! 5reen< for accusin, )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< -or
reu0in, "rother A&drid,e 2ron,fu&&!< and under the inf&uence of an e$i&
s*irit#-
"rother 5reen ein, asent< )resident Ri,don arose and said< that it
2as the decision of the )residenc!< that the Counci& *roceed to e/a'ine
the char,e *referred< ecause "rother 5reen had een re,u&ar&! su''oned !
hi'se&f#
The Counci& a**ointed one to s*ea0 on each side? after 2hich the
fo&&o2in, testi'on! 2as heard(
E&der S!&$ester S'ith testified that "rother 5reen< on .onda! 'ornin,
&ast< said that "rother A&drid,e 2as =ustified in 2hat he said< and that
)residents Jose*h and H!ru' S'ith 2ere 2ron, in ausin, the o&d 'an? and
after E&der S'ith e/*&ained the 'atter to hi'< said< that if an! 'an
shou&d do so ! hi'< he shou&d ca&& hi' a scoundre&? and that he shou&d
sa! that an! 'an 2ho 2ou&d ta&0 as Jose*h did< 'ust ha$e the de$i& in hi'#
E&der Lorin "aitt said he 2as *resent 2hen the ao$e con$ersation
too0 *&ace< and heard a considera&e *art of it< and fu&&! concurred in
the state'ent of E&der S'ith? and he heard "rother 5reen sa!< *re$ious to
the ao$e ta&0< that a&thou,h the! accused "rother A&drid,e of ha$in, an
e$i& s*irit< !et< if the truth 2ere 0no2n< the de$i& 2as in the'< Ena'e&!<
)residents Jose*h and H!ru'F? for if an! 'an shou&d as0 '! o*inion< and
then ause 'e in that 2a!< I shou&d ca&& hi' a scoundre& or a 0na$e#
)resident Co2der! stated to the Counci&< that "rother A&drid,e 2as
not ca&&ed u*on to ,i$e his o*inion concernin, the oo0< ut said 2hat he
did 2ithout ein, ca&&ed u*on to s*ea0? for the oo0 2as on&! handed to
hi' and others to &oo0 at< that the! 'i,ht see the >ua&it! and ,oodness#
)resident Jose*h S'ith arose and stated that he 0ne2 that "rother
A&drid,e 2as under the inf&uence of an e$i& s*irit< and had een for a
&on, ti'e#
Counci&or Orson Johnson a&so said that he 0ne2 that this 2as so< !
2hat he had seen and &earned< and that he had heard fro' credi&e
authorit!< that the o&d ,ent&e'an had een in the hait< for a &on, ti'e<
of ne,&ectin, *ra!er and fa'i&! 2orshi*#
Counci&or Sa'ue& H# S'ith said< that )resident Jose*h S'ith 2as in
the &ine of his dut! 2hen he re*ro$ed "rother A&drid,e for his e$i&? and<
conse>uent&!< "rother 5reen 'ust ha$e een 2ron, in o**osin, hi'< and
sa!in, he IJose*hJ acted &i0e a scoundre&< and that the de$i& 2as in hi'#
Counci&or Le$i Jac0'an said that "rother 5reen cou&d not e =ustified
in o**osin, the ser$ant of the Lord< 2hi&e in the actua& dischar,e of his
dut!< and that it 2as e$ident that Satan hath sou,ht to 'a0e di$isions in
the Church< and had ta0en ad$anta,e of the occasion of *resentin, the
oo0< to do this#
The oo0 referred to< 2as *urchased for recordin, -The )atriarcha&
"&essin,#-
)resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's said< that the 2ic0edness of "rother
5reen in conde'nin, )resident S'ith is e$ident fro' the testi'on!? and
that "rother A&drid,e a&so did act foo&ish&!< and ! the inf&uence of a
2ron, s*irit< in >uestionin, the inte,rit! of the head of the Church< in
the *urchase of the oo0< and that )resident S'ith 2as and is =ustifia&e
in doin, as he has done in the 'atter< and shou&d not e censured< as he
has een ! "rother 5reen#
)resident O&i$er Co2der! then arose< and sho2ed< ! a fe2 *&ain
re'ar0s 2ho Satan had sou,ht< fro' the e,innin,< to destro! the "oo0 of
.or'on? and in order to do this< had een actua&&! &e$e&&in, his shafts
a,ainst the ser$ants of 5od< 2ho 2ere ca&&ed to rin, it forth and ear
testi'on! of it to the 2or&d? and no2 had sou,ht occasion a,ainst the
ser$ants of 5od< in te'*tin, rethren to sa! the! had e>ui$ocated in the
*rice of the record oo0< 2hich 2as *resented &ast Saath? and that
"rother A&drid,e< and *erha*s others< fe&& under this e$i& inf&uence< and
"rother 5reen =ustifies the' in this thin,< and conde'ns )resident S'ith<
and is not< and ou,ht not to e =ustified in so doin,#
)resident Co2der! 2ent on to sho2 that the oo0 2as *urchased as
chea* as it cou&d e< and 2as actua&&! 2orth 2hat 2as ,i$en for it<
na'e&!< t2e&$e do&&ars#
E&der Cahoon re>uested &ea$e to interru*t )resident Co2der! a 'o'ent<
to infor' the Counci& that< a 'o'ent efore< "rother 5reen *assed the
house< and 2hen the s*ea0er to&d hi' the Counci& 2as considerin, his case<
and re>uested hi' to co'e in< he said he shou&d ,o aout his o2n usiness<
so 2ent on his 2a! re,ard&ess of the Counci&#
)resident Co2der! resu'ed< sho2in, that the desi,n of "rother
A&drid,e< or at &east of the s*irit that 2as in hi'< 2as to destro! the
character of the heads of the Church< ! char,in, that 2e intended a
s*ecu&ate out of the rethren< and e/tort fro' the' 'ore than the cost of
the oo0? and no2< instead of re,ardin, our fee&in,< he disre,ards us
a&to,ether< and sho2s that he has no faith in the Hi,h Counci&#
Soon after2ards "rother 5reen ca'e in< and said that he had een
detained &on,er than he intended< ha$in, een to Cha,rin on usiness< and
had to de&i$er the horse and harness to the o2ner efore he cou&d attend
the Counci&#
)resident Ri,don then arose and decided that "rother 5reen shou&d not
ha$e een hindered fro' ein, here< ! an! other usiness? and if so< he
shou&d ha$e notified the Counci&< and re>uested an ad=ourn'ent#
)resident Co2der! then oser$ed< that he thou,ht the case
sufficient&! rou,ht efore the Counci&< and 2ou&d sa! no 'ore# And
)resident Ri,don *roceeded to ,i$e his decision--that "rother 5reen shou&d
ha$e ,one< if he 2ere ,rie$ed 2ith )resident S'ith< and to&d hi' of his
difficu&t!< and shou&d not ha$e said an!thin, aout it to his nei,hor#
And a,ain< that .r# A&drid,e< as has een sho2n< has een ,ui&t! of
ne,&ectin, his *ra!ers efore 5od< and therefore has not had the S*irit of
5od to *reser$e hi' fro' the te'*tations of Satan< and has fa&&en into
e$i&< and actua&&! did do 2ron, in raisin, o=ections to the *rice of the
oo0 *resented &ast Saath< and 2as under the inf&uence of an e$i&
s*irit#
"rother 5reen fe&&o2shi*s the e$i& s*irit in "rother A&drid,e< and
sa!s he is =ustified in 2hat he has done< and therefore it is e$ident that
an e$i& s*irit is rei,nin, in the reast of "rother 5reen# And it is a&so
as e$ident< that )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as =ustified in reu0in,
that e$i& s*irit< and it 2as not on&! =ustifia&e in )resident S'ith to
reu0e that e$i& s*irit< ut it 2as a&so his dut! as )resident and First
Hi,h )riest in the Church of Christ< a**ointed of 5od to &ead the sa'e in
a&& ri,hteousness#
The decision< then< of the )residenc! of the Hi,h Counci& is< in
short< that "rother 5reen e and is no2< e/c&uded fro' this Church< and
sha&& e a 'e'er no 'ore< unti& he co'es in ! the ordinance of a*tis'<
as a**ointed ! the 5os*e&< to e done in the Church#
This 2as a,reed to ! a&& the Counci&ors e/ce*t Jose*h Coe< 2ho
>ueried 2hether .r# 5reen shou&d not ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of confessin, his
fau&ts< and sti&& e retained in the Church# He therefore thou,ht that it
2as the *ri$i&e,e of "rother 5reen to ha$e a reor,ani4ation of the
Counci&< and a rehearin,# This 2as aout to e ,ranted and the counci& to
e ad=ourned ti&& to'orro2< ut Counci&or Coe re>uested so'e e/*&anation
fro' the )resident< and 2as instructed as fo&&o2s(--
-3hen a serious offense is co''itted< and indi,nit! offered to the
Hi,h Counci&< then it is the *ri$i&e,e of the )residenc! of the Hi,h
Counci& to sta'* it 2ith indi,nation under foot< and cut off the offender
as in the case =ust decided#-
Counci&or Coe then 2ithdre2 his o=ection to the decision of the
)residenc!< 2hich 2as ac0no2&ed,ed ! the 2ho&e house< and counci&
ad=ourned# SYL%ESTER S.ITH< C&er0#
.inutes of a Hi,h Counci& he&d in 1irt&and< Se*te'er 7N< 789G# The
tria& of E&der Jared Carter# )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er Co2der!<
Da$id 3hit'er< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Sidne! Ri,don and 3# 3# )he&*s<
*resent#
COUNCILORS# John S'ith< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< Orson Johnson< Jose*h
Coe< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< H!ru' S'ith< John 3hit'er< Le$i Jac0'an< Sa'ue& H#
S'ith< Noah )ac0ard< John Johnson< Ro,er Orton<
The o=ect of the Counci& 2as stated ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
as fo&&o2s( -So'e 2ee0s since E&der Jared Carter *reached on the Saath
in the Church< and so'e of the rethren found fau&t 2ith his teachin,s?
and this Counci& is ca&&ed u*on to decide this 'atter< and to see 2ho 2as
in fau&t#-
Si/ 2ere a**ointed to s*ea0#
E&der Jared Carter *roceeded to s*ea0 &ar,e&!< and e/*&ain his
desi,ns in teachin, as he did< sa!in, he e&ie$ed 5od directed hi' ! His
S*irit< and after2ards ein, reu0ed ! )residents Co2der!< Ri,don and
)he&*s< he ca&&ed u*on the Lord< and recei$ed a,ain a 2itness of the
S*irit that he 2as ri,ht< and the )residents 2ere 2ron,# E&der Carter
tau,ht in his conc&udin, re'ar0s< that 5od had sho2n hi' ! &a!in, His
hand u*on hi' in =ud,'ent< and de&i$erin, hi' therefro'< that he 2as thus
reu0ed ! hea$en for his ini>uit!< and that e 2as 'ade an e/a'*&e to the
2ho&e Church< and 5od 2ou&d curse the' if the! did not ho&d u* the
co''ittee< for he 2as 'ade an e/a'*&e in this thin,#
)resident Ri,don arose and said that he attended the 'eetin, in 2hich
E&der Carter s*o0e< and 2as certain< and is certain< that he did not ha$e
the s*irit of 2isdo' to direct? and after he had sat do2n< and E&der
Sa'ue& H# S'ith had occu*ied so'e ha&f an hour< fi&&ed 2ith the S*irit< he
arose a,ain and said< that if an! 'an s*o0e a,ainst the co''ittee< 5od
2ou&d curse hi'< and set the co''ittee a2a! ao$e the co''on rethren< and
said that 5od 2ou&d ta0e care of the co''ittee< and the rethren had
nothin, to do 2ith the'< for their station 2as a**ointed the' of 5od< and
not of 'an? therefore 5od 2i&& curse an! 'an or 2o'an in the Church 2ho
sha&& s*ea0 e$i& of the co''ittee# He to&d E&der Carter at the ti'e< in
*ri$ate< that he did 2ron,? and in co'*an! 2ith other of the )residents<
ad$ised hi' after he shou&d fi&& a certain 'ission to the east< that he
shou&d 'a0e a confession to the Church< in order to satisf! 'an! of the
rethren 2ho 2ere a,,rie$ed 2ith hi'#
)resident )he&*s then arose< and said )resident Ri,don had tru&!
re&ated the 'atter< as far as he had ,one? ut one thin, 'ore--E&der
Carter co''anded the rethren to *ra! for the co''ittee< and de'anded it
in the na'e of the Lord< 2ith an authoritati$e $oice and ,esticu&ation<
2hich are not accordin, to the 'ee0ness of the s*irit of Jesus#
)resident O&i$er Co2der! arose and said( I do not intend to occu*!
'uch ti'e in s*ea0in, for those 2ho ha$e s*o0en ha$e e/*ressed *rett! 'uch
'! 'ind and fee&in,s on the su=ect? that in the ad$ice 2hich he and the
other t2o )residents had ,i$en E&der Carter< in the ta&0 the! had 2ith
hi'< the! did ha$e the s*irit of 'ee0ness< and on&! desired to do hi'
,ood< and had no *ersona& fee&in,s a,ainst hi'< and did not e/*ress an!<
ut to the contrar!#
)resident John 3hit'er concurred in the state'ents of the ao$e
rethren< and said that he did not e&ie$e that 5od had 'ade an e/a'*&e of
E&der Carter< for he 2as not efore the Church as such? and 5od had not so
re$ea&ed it to the Saints? and a,ain< it is $ain that E&der Carter shou&d
co''and the Saints to *ra! for the co''ittee< for in so doin,< if the! did
not fe&&o2shi* hi'< the! 'ust *ra! for his re'o$a&< and so a&& his desi,ns
2ou&d e frustrated#
Se$era& others 2ere ca&&ed u*on< and a&& testified that these thin,s
2hich ha$e een e/*ressed ao$e 2ere true and as the! understood the'? and
one thin, further< E&der Carter did sa! that e$en the fau&ts of the
co''ittee 'i,ht e char,ed ac0 u*on the rethren if the! ne,&ected to
*ra! for the'#
After hearin, the testi'on!< the si/ Counci&ors s*o0e< and the su' of
their con$iction u*on the 'atter 2as as fo&&o2s(
Counci&or John S'ith said he thou,ht that E&der Carter did not
e/*ress the fee&in,s of his heart< so as to e understood< and *erha*s his
heart 2as not so hard as his 2ords#
Father Jose*h S'ith said that E&der Carter 2as e/a&ted< and did not
recei$e the ad'onitions of the )residents< and in conse>uence &ost the
true s*irit< and so has erred since the ti'e of his discourse< and needs
ad'onishin,#
Counci&or Orson Johnson a,reed 2ith the ao$e#
Counci&or Jose*h Coe said that E&der Carter had a s'a&& de,ree of the
S*irit in his discourse< and a ,reater de,ree in his re'ar0s after2ards<
ut 2as a202ard in e/*ressin, his $ie2s< not ha$in, 'uch of the S*irit<
and that the fee&in,s of his heart 2ere not as e/*ressed ! his 2ords#
An in>uir! 2as 'ade of the Court 2hether this Counci&or IJose*h CoeJ
2as correct in a**ea&in, to the fee&in,s of 'en+s hearts< and not to the
2ords and actions< as the! a**eared#
The Court decided that the Counci& 'ust e confined to facts< 2ords<
and actions? and not ,o into fee&in,s and desi,ns 2hich 2ere not
e/*ressed#
The other Counci&ors concurred in the ao$e#
Counci&or H!ru' S'ith said that E&der Carter had een &essed of 5od<
and ! the *ra!er of faith the sic0 had een hea&ed under his
ad'inistration? !et he does not a&2a!s ha$e the ,ift of 5od and 2isdo' to
direct? so in the case efore the Counci&# )ride had en,endered in E&der
Carter+s heart a desire to e/ce&< and the s*irit of 'ee0ness 2as
2ithdra2n< and he 2as &eft to err< as has een sho2n ! the testi'on!<
ecause he is not !et *erfect# "ut he erred in understandin,< and his
2ords 2ere 2ron,? !et the s*irit of his heart< or the inte,rit! of the
sa'e< 'i,ht e ,ood in the 'ain#
E&der Carter then arose and said that he 2as 2i&&in, to ac0no2&ed,e
his fau&ts< and that he &ac0ed 2isdo'# He 2ent on to e/*&ain ho2 he had
erred< and 2h!--ein, sei4ed 2ith the cho&era 2hi&e at the east< he ca&&ed
u*on 5od for de&i$erance< and fina&&! recei$ed the S*irit of 5od 2hich
hea&ed hi'< and he then thou,ht it 2as the sa'e s*irit 2hich he had 2hen
*reachin, in 1irt&and#
3hen he 2as throu,h< )resident O&i$er Co2der! arose< and said that
)residents Ri,don and )he&*s had re>uested hi' to s*ea0< and the! 2ou&d
sa! nothin, as it 2as ,ettin, &ate< and the case 2as a&read! *&ain efore
the Court# He sho2ed that a 'an 'i,ht e hi,h&! e/cited and !et neither
ha$e the S*irit of 5od nor the s*irit of Satan? ut it ca'e ! his o2n
s*irit and =ud,'ent? therefore so'e thin,s 'a! e of 5od< others of 'en<
and others fro' the ad$ersar!? and E&der Carter had in his ser'on so'e of
the S*irit of 5od< ut in his &ast re'ar0s he had it not< ut his o2n
s*irit of =ustification and *ride< co''andin, in the na'e of Jesus< and
not ! the s*irit of Jesus or of 'ee0ness< and 2as $er! 2ron, in this
thin,< a&so in e/a&tin, the co''ittee ao$e the rethren< as if the! 'i,ht
not e touched ! the rethren? and a,ain< 2hen E&der Carter 2as hea&ed<
it ca'e in ans2er to his earnest *ra!er efore 5od? ut his i'*ressions
aout ein, 'ade an e/a'*&e to the Church 2ere not an ans2er to *ra!er<
and 'i,ht e 2ron,#
)resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's ,a$e his decision< that "rother
Carter did err 2ith his &i*s in s*ea0in,< and a&so erred in understandin,
the )residents 2ho &aored 2ith hi' for it< and 'isinter*reted their
ad'onitions< 2hich &ed hi' into 2hat fo&&o2ed< and fina&&! has rou,ht hi'
efore this Counci&#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er said< that accordin, to the testi'on! it is
*&ain that E&der Carter has &ac0ed in hu'i&it!< and a&so in confidence in
his rethren< and erred as e/*ressed ! )resident 3i&&ia's#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< arose< and said< that the decision of
his 'ind 2as< that "rother Jared Carter erred in =ud,'ent in not
understandin, 2hat the rethren desired of hi' 2hen the! &aored 2ith hi'?
and he erred in s*irit 2hen he tau,ht in the Church the thin,s testified
of here? and that the hand of the destro!er 2as &aid u*on hi' ecause he
had a ree&&ious s*irit fro' the e,innin,? and the 2ord of the Lord has
een s*o0en ! '! 'outh< that it shou&d co'e u*on hi'< and this Counci&
shou&d see it< and no2 that he has een sei4ed ! the destro!er co'es in
fu&fi&&'ent of His Ithe Lord+sJ 2ord? and 5od re>uires hi' to ear
testi'on! of it efore the Church< and 2arn the' to e carefu&< and not to
do as he had done# "ut instead of doin, this< he said he 2ou&d *ro$e the
"oo0 of .or'on< and one thin, or another< not ein, sufficient&! hu'&e to
de&i$er =ust the 'essa,e that 2as re>uired< and so he stu'&ed and cou&d
not ,et the S*irit< and the rethren 2ere not edified< and he did not do
the thin, that 5od re>uired< ut erred in choosin, 2ords to co''unicate
his thou,hts? such as co''andin, the *ra!ers of the Church instead of
so&icitin, the'< and a&so of 'a0in, hi'se&f an e/a'*&e for the Church<
2hen it 2as on&! the thin,s that he suffered 2hich 2ere to e as a chec0
u*on trans,ression#
His ree&&in, a,ainst the ad$ice and counse& of the )residents 2as
the cause of his fa&&in, into the hands of the destro!er a,ain< as he had
done efore 2hen he ree&&ed a,ainst the counse& that had een ,i$en hi'
! the authorities of the Church? and that in a&& this< E&der Carter has
not desi,ned to do 2ic0ed&!< ut he erred in =ud,'ent< and deser$es
re*roof< and the decision is that he sha&& ac0no2&ed,e his errors on the
'orro2< efore the con,re,ation< and sa!< "rethren< I a' fu&&! con$inced
that I ha$e erred in s*irit< in '! re'ar0s efore !ou< 2hen I s*o0e here a
fe2 Saaths since? and no2 I as0 !our for,i$eness# And if he do this in
fu&& faith< and is tru&! hu'&e efore 5od< 5od 2i&& &ess hi' aundant&!
as He hath een 2ont to do#
E&der Carter arose< and =ustified the decision of the Court< and
*ro'ised to co'*&!# SYL%ESTER S.ITH< C&er0#
I &aored in otainin, &essin,s< 2hich 2ere 2ritten ! O&i$er
Co2der!# 3e 2ere thron,ed 2ith co'*an!< so that our &aor in this thin,
2as hindered? ut 2e otained 'an! *recious thin,s< and our sou&s 2ere
&essed# O Lord< 'a! Th! Ho&! S*irit e 2ith Th! ser$ants fore$er# A'en#
Se*te'er 79#--I 2as at ho'e 2ritin, &essin,s for '! 'ost e&o$ed
rethren< ut 2as hindered ! a 'u&titude of $isitors# The Lord has
&essed our sou&s this da!< and 'a! 5od ,rant to continue His 'ercies unto
'! house this ni,ht< for Christ+s sa0e# This da! '! sou& has desired the
sa&$ation of "rother E4ra Tha!er# A&so "rother Noah )ac0ard ca'e to '!
house and &oaned the co''ittee one thousand do&&ars to assist ui&din, the
house of the Lord# OhK 'a! 5od &ess hi' a hundred fo&d< e$en of the
thin,s of the earth< for this ri,hteous act# .! heart is fu&& of desire
toda!< to e &essed of the 5od of Araha' 2ith *ros*erit!< unti& I sha&&
e a&e to *a! a&& '! dets< for it is the de&i,ht of '! sou& to e
honest# O Lord< that thou 0no2est ri,ht 2e&&# He&* 'e< and I 2i&& ,i$e to
the *oor#
"rothers 3i&&ia'< John and Jose*h Ti**its started for .issouri< the
*&ace desi,nated for ;ion< or the Saints+ ,atherin, *&ace# The! ca'e to
id us fare2e&&# The rethren ca'e in to *ra! 2ith the'< and "rother Da$id
3hit'er acted as s*o0es'an# He *ra!ed in the s*irit< and a ,&orious ti'e
succeeded his *ra!er? =o! fi&&ed our hearts and 2e &essed the' and id
the' 5od s*eed< and *ro'ised the' a safe =ourne!< and too0 the' ! the
hand and id the' fare2e&& for a season# .a! 5od ,rant the' &on, &ife and
,ood da!s# These &essin,s I as0 u*on the' for Christ+s sa0e# A'en#
The Hi,h Counci& 'et at '! house on the H@th to ta0e into
consideration the rede'*tion of ;ion# And it 2as the $oice of the S*irit
of the Lord that 2e *etition the
5o$ernor< that is< those 2ho ha$e een dri$en out< sha&& *etition to
e set ac0 on their o2n &ands ne/t s*rin,< and that 2e ,o ne/t season< to
&i$e or die on our o2n &ands< 2hich 2e ha$e *urchased in Jac0son Count!<
.issouri# 3e tru&! had a ,ood ti'e< and co$enanted to stru,,&e for this
thin,< unti& death sha&& disso&$e the union? and if one fa&&s< that the
re'ainder e not discoura,ed< ut *ursue this o=ect unti& it e
acco'*&ished? 2hich 'a! 5od ,rant unto us in the na'e of Jesus Christ our
Lord# A&so< this da! dre2 u* a suscri*tion for enro&&in, the na'es of
those 2ho are 2i&&in, to ,o u* to .issouri ne/t s*rin, and sett&e? and I
as0 5od in the na'e of Jesus that 2e 'a! otain ei,ht hundred or one
thousand e'i,rants#
I s*ent the HGth of Se*te'er at ho'e#
CHA)TER 66I#
INCIDENTS FRO. THE )RO)HETS E6)ERIENCE IN 1IRTLAND AND %ICINITY#
Se*te'er H:#--This 'ornin, the T2e&$e returned fro' their 'ission to
the East< and on the sa'e da! the Counci& of the )residenc! of the Church<
consistin, of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< Da$id 3hit'er< 3# 3#
)he&*s< John 3hit'er< H!ru' S'ith and O&i$er Co2der!< 'et to consider the
case of the T2e&$e 2ho had *re$ious&! een re*ro$ed in conse>uence of
certain &etters and re*orts co'in, to the ears of the Counci&# First< the
ite's contained in 3arren A# Co2der!+s &etter< in connection 2ith certain
other re*orts< dero,ator! to the character and teachin, of the T2e&$e<
2ere considered? and fro' the testi'on! of se$era& 2itnesses Ethe T2e&$eF
it 2as *ro$ed efore the Counci& that said co'*&aints ori,inated in the
'inds of *ersons 2ho 2ere dar0ened in conse>uence of co$etousness< or so'e
other cause< rather than the s*irit of truth# Second< one ite' contained
in E&der 3'# E# .+Le&&in+s &etter to his 2ife< e/*ressin, dissatisfaction
2ith )resident Ri,don+s schoo&# E&der Orson H!de 2as a&so desi,nated 2ith
hi' I.+Le&&inJ or &a'ed in the 'atter< in 2hich the! 2ere found to e in
the fau&t< 2hich the! fran0&! confessed< and 2ere for,i$en and a&& thin,s
2ere satisfactori&! sett&ed#
Sunda! HM#--I attended 'eetin,# E&ders Tho'as "# .arsh< Da$id 3#
)atten< "ri,ha' Youn, and Heer C# 1i'a&& *reached and ro0e read# The
Lord *oured out His S*irit and '! sou& 2as edified#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and# Tria& of 5&adden "isho*#
The Hi,h Counci& 'et for the tria& of 5&adden "isho*< on a char,e
*referred ! the T2e&$e< -for ad$ancin, heretica& doctrines< 2hich 2ere
dero,ator! to the character of the Church#-
E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith testified that 2hen E&der "isho* 2as con$ersin,
2ith a rother concernin, the t2o 2itnesses 'entioned ! the )ro*hets
IRe$# /iJ he said that he I"isho*J 'i,ht e one of the'< and that he Ithe
rotherJ 'i,ht e one hi'se&f? that he I"isho*J intended to *ro*hes! the
ni,ht that an ad$ertise'ent 2as *ut u* ! an ene'!< sa!in, that the .or'on
)ro*het and others 2ere to e so&d ! auction in *u&ic< that he 2ou&d not
e sur*rised if the 'an 2ho *ut u* the ad$ertise'ent shou&d die at the
ti'e of sa&e#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, corroorated the fore,oin,< and said that "isho*
2as $er! erroneous in his tenets of faith#
E&der John "o!nton concurred#
E&der Tho'as "# .arsh said that "isho* fre>uent&! to&d of 2o'en
fa&&in, in &o$e 2ith hi'< and oser$ed fre>uent&! 2hen *assin, *eo*&e that
the! fe&t his s*irit? a&so that he 2as so indo&ent his *resence 2as
o**ressi$e#
E&der L# Johnson testified that on a for'er tria& efore the T2e&$e
for error in doctrine< such as< that he 'i,ht e one of the t2o 2itnesses<
and that he ou,ht not to tra$e& and *reach on account of the 2o'en so
often fa&&in, in &o$e 2ith hi'< he 2as not hu'&e 2hen re*ro$ed< ut
=ustified hi'se&f< and *referred a char,e a,ainst the Counci& for harsh
treat'ent#
E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith said< that "isho*< after ta0in, a stand a,ainst
the Counci&< fina&&! said it 2as a&& ri,ht< the! had dea&t 2ith hi' in
ri,hteousness#
E&ders .arsh and Youn, corroorated the ao$e< that he !ie&ded after
ein, o$erco'e< a&so that he 2as ca*a&e of 'a,nif!in, his office if he
2ou&d#
E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& concurred in the ao$e< a&so that "isho* said<
after he sa2 his case 2as ho*e&ess< that the Counci& had turned hi' 2ron,
side out#
E&der John )# 5reene concurred in fu&&< and< in addition to the ao$e
said that "isho* 2as so indo&ent that he 2ou&d not he&* hi'se&f to a drin0
of 2ater#
After the *&eas of the Counci&ors and the case 2as su'itted for
decision< "rother "isho* arose and 'ade a hu'&e confession for his
trans,ression< and as0ed for,i$eness of the Hi,h Counci& and a&& the
Church< sa!in, that he intended to &earn 2isdo' fro' the re$e&ations that
5od had ,i$en< and su'itted hi'se&f to the decision of the Court< ein,
*erfect&! satisfied 2ith the 2ho&e course of the tria&#
After 'uch instruction< the )resident decided that the counse& of the
T2e&$e in this case 2as ,i$en in ri,hteousness< a&so that "rother "isho*+s
confession e *u&ished in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< and he e recei$ed
in fu&& fe&&o2shi*< and recei$e his ordination and &icense as efore?
2hich the Counci& concurred in< and "rother "isho* 2as ordained ! the
Court an E&der# 3ARREN )ARRISH< C&er0#
An atte'*t 2as 'ade in the fore,oin, Counci& to cri'inate the T2e&$e
efore the Hi,h Counci& for cuttin, off 5&adden "isho* at their "radford
conference< ut their atte'*t tota&&! fai&ed# I decided that the Hi,h
Counci& had nothin, to do 2ith the T2e&$e< or the decisions of the T2e&$e#
"ut if the T2e&$e erred the! 2ere accounta&e on&! to the 5enera& Counci&
of the authorities of the 2ho&e Church< accordin, to the re$e&ations#
In the afternoon a char,e of adu&ter! 2as *referred a,ainst Loren4o
L# Le2is< on ,enera& re*ort circu&atin, a'on, the rethren< to 2hich he
*&eaded not ,ui&t!< and the char,e 2as chan,ed to -an i&&icit intercourse
2ith a fe'a&e#- Le2is confessed that he had dis,raced the ,ir&< hi'se&f<
and the Church< ut I2asJ not ,ui&t! of the char,e# After hearin, the
testi'on! of 2itnesses< E&ders .arsh< .+Le&&in< )atten and 3i&&ia' S'ith<
and the *&eadin,s< E&der Le2is confessed that he had done 2ic0ed&! and had
'ade a&& the re*aration he cou&d< in his confession in the ear&! *art of
this tria& and re>uired his na'e to e ta0en off the Church records< or
dis*ose of hi' accordin, to the 'ind of the S*irit< and su'itted to the
decision of the Counci&# The Counci& decided that "rother Loren4o L# Le2is
e cut off fro' the Church< ein, satisfied that the char,e *referred is
sustantiated ! e$idence< and the S*irit of the Lord? ut if he re*ent<
and hu'&e hi'se&f to the satisfaction of the Church< he shou&d e
recei$ed into it a,ain and recei$e his &icense# The Counci& ad=ourned ti&&
'ornin,#
The Hi,h Counci& 'et on the HNth< and heard a char,e a,ainst E&der
A&&en A$er!< on an a**ea& case fro' an E&ders+ Court in ;ion< 2hich too0
a2a! his &icense for ree&&in, a,ainst their decision# "rother A$er!
fran0&! and readi&! co'*&ied 2ith the re>uisition of the Counci&< and the
)resident decided that he e restored to fe&&o2shi*< and recei$e his
&icense#
In these cases I acted on the *art of the defense for the accused< to
*&ead for 'erc!# The Lord &essed '! sou&< and the Counci& 2as ,reat&!
&essed a&so< and 'uch ,ood 2i&& resu&t fro' our &aors#
I 2as at ho'e on the 9Dth< and 2as $isited ! 'an! 2ho ca'e to
in>uire after the 2or0 of the Lord#
This afternoon I &aored on the E,!*tian a&*haet< in co'*an! 2ith
"rothers O&i$er Co2der! and 3# 3# )he&*s< and durin, the research< the
*rinci*&es of astrono'! as understood ! Father Araha' and the ancients
unfo&ded to our understandin,< the *articu&ars of 2hich 2i&& a**ear
hereafter#
On the Hnd of Octoer I 2rote the fo&&o2in, &etter for *u&ication in
the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< Econtinued fro' the 7st of Se*te'er#F
Octoer 9#--I attended the Hi,h Counci& to in$esti,ate char,es
*referred ! Re!no&ds Cahoon a,ainst E&der John 5ou&d -for 'a0in,
e/*ressions ca&cu&ated to in=ure the cause 2e ha$e es*oused< and
'anifestin, a stron, dissatisfaction 2ith the teachin,s of the
)residenc!#- A&so a,ainst Dean 5ou&d for s*ea0in, unad$ised&! a,ainst
E&der Ri,don and other E&ders#
In the case of John 5ou&d< the accuser and defendant a,reed the
'atter shou&d e ta&0ed o$er< ! 2hich a&& difference of fee&in, 2as
a&&a!ed# 5ou&d confessed and 2as for,i$en#
Dean 5ou&d ac0no2&ed,ed that he s*o0e unad$ised&! a,ainst )resident
Ri,don< and 2as for,i$en#
In the afternoon I 2aited on 'ost of the T2e&$e< at '! house< and
e/hiited to the' the ancient records< and ,a$e e/*&anations# This da!
*assed off 2ith the &essin, of the Lord#
Sunda!< @#--I started ear&! in the 'ornin,< 2ith "rother John
Corri&&< to ho&d a 'eetin, in )err!# 3hen aout a 'i&e fro' ho'e 2e
disco$ered t2o deer *&a!in, in the fie&d< 2hich di$erted our 'inds !
,i$in, an i'*etus to our thou,hts u*on the su=ect of the creation of 5od#
3e con$ersed on 'an! to*ics# The da! *assed off $er! a,reea&!< and the
Lord &essed our sou&s# 3hen 2e arri$ed at )err!< 2e 2ere disa**ointed of
a 'eetin,< throu,h 'is-arran,e'ent< ut con$ersed free&! 2ith "rother
Corri&&+s re&ati$es< 2hich a&&a!ed 'uch *re=udice# .a! the Lord ha$e 'erc!
on their sou&s#
.onda!< G#--I returned ho'e< ein, 'uch fati,ued fro' ridin, in the
rain# S*ent the re'ainder of the da! in readin, and 'editation< and in the
e$enin, attended a Counci& of the T2e&$e A*ost&es? had a ,&orious ti'e<
and ,a$e the' 'uch instruction concernin, their duties for ti'e to co'e?
to&d the' that it 2as the 2i&& of 5od the! shou&d ta0e their fa'i&ies to
.issouri ne/t season? a&so this fa&& to attend the so&e'n asse'&! of the
first E&ders< for the or,ani4ation of the Schoo& of the )ro*hets? and
attend to the ordinance of the 2ashin, of feet? and to *re*are their
hearts in a&& hu'i&it! for an endo2'ent 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h? to 2hich
the! a&& a,reed 2ith one accord< and see'ed to e ,reat&! re=oiced# .a!
5od s*are the &i$es of the T2e&$e to a ,ood o&d a,e< for Christ the
Redee'er+s sa0e# A'en#
Tuesda!< :#--At ho'e# E&der Ste$ens ca'e to '! house and &oaned
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and Co# si/ hundred do&&ars< 2hich ,reat&! re&ie$ed
us of our *resent difficu&ties# .a! 5od &ess and *reser$e his sou&
fore$er#
In the afternoon ca&&ed to $isit '! father< 2ho 2as $er! sic0 2ith a
fe$er( so'e2hat etter to2ards e$enin,# S*ent the rest of the da! in
readin, and 'editation#
3ednesda!< M#--3ent to $isit '! father< found hi' $er! &o2<
ad'inistered so'e 'i&d hers< a,reea&! to the co''and'ent# .a! 5od ,rant
to restore hi' i''ediate&! to hea&th for Christ the Redee'er+s sa0e# A'en#
"isho* 3hitne! and "rother H!ru' S'ith started ! sta,e for "uffa&o<
Ne2 Yor0< to *urchase ,oods to re*&enish the co''ittee+s store# .a! 5od
,rant< in the na'e of Jesus< that their &i$es 'a! e s*ared< and the! ha$e
a safe =ourne!< and no accident or sic0ness of the &east 0ind efa&& the'<
that the! 'a! return in hea&th and in safet! to the oso' of their
fa'i&ies#
"&essed of the Lord is "rother 3hitne!< e$en the "isho* of the Church
of Latter-da! Saints< for the "isho*ric sha&& ne$er e ta0en a2a! fro' hi'
2hi&e he &i$eth# And the ti'e co'eth that he sha&& o$erco'e a&& the
narro2-'indedness of his heart< and a&& his co$etous desires that so
easi&! eset hi'? and he sha&& dea& 2ith a &iera& hand to the *oor and
the need!< the sic0 and aff&icted< the 2ido2 and the father&ess# And
'ar$e&ous&! and 'iracu&ous&! sha&& the Lord his 5od *ro$ide for hi'< e$en
that he sha&& e &essed 2ith a fu&&ness of the ,ood thin,s of this earth<
and his seed after hi' fro' ,eneration to ,eneration#
And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that accordin, to the 'easure that he
'eteth out 2ith a &iera& hand to the *oor< so sha&& it e 'easured to hi'
a,ain ! the hand of his 5od< e$en an hundred fo&d# An,e&s sha&& ,uard his
house< and sha&& ,uard the &i$es of his *osterit!< and the! sha&& eco'e
$er! ,reat and $er! nu'erous on the earth# 3ho'soe$er he &esseth< the!
sha&& e &essed? and 2ho'soe$er he curseth< the! sha&& e cursed? and
2hen his ene'ies see0 hi' unto his hurt and destruction< &et hi' rise u*
and curse< and the hand of 5od sha&& e u*on his ene'ies in =ud,'ent< the!
sha&& e utter&! confounded and rou,ht to deso&ation# Therefore he sha&&
e *reser$ed unto the ut'ost< and his &ife sha&& e *recious in the si,ht
of the Lord< he sha&& rise u* and sha0e hi'se&f< as a &ion riseth out of
his &air and roareth unti& he sha0eth the hi&&s? and as a &ion ,oeth forth
a'on, the &esser easts< so sha&& the ,oin, forth of hi' e 2ho' the Lord
hath anointed to e/a&t the *oor< and to hu'&e the rich< therefore his
na'e sha&& e on hi,h< and his rest a'on, the sanctified# This afternoon I
re-co''enced trans&atin, the ancient records#
Thursda!< 8#--At ho'e# I attended on '! father 2ith ,reat an/iet!#
Frida!< N#--At ho'e# 3aited on '! father#
Saturda!< 7D#--At ho'e< and $isited the house of '! father< found hi'
fai&in, $er! fast#
Sunda!< 77#--3aited on '! father a,ain< 2ho 2as $er! sic0# In secret
*ra!er in the 'ornin,< the Lord said< -.! ser$ant th! father sha&& &i$e#-
I 2aited on hi' a&& this da! 2ith '! heart raised to 5od in the na'e of
Jesus Christ< that He 2ou&d restore hi' to hea&th< that I 'i,ht e &essed
2ith his co'*an! and ad$ice< estee'in, it one of the ,reatest earth&!
&essin,s to e &essed 2ith the societ! of *arents< 2hose 'ature !ears
and e/*erience render the' ca*a&e of ad'inisterin, the 'ost 2ho&eso'e
ad$ice# At e$enin, "rother Da$id 3hit'er ca'e in# 3e ca&&ed on the Lord in
'i,ht! *ra!er in the na'e of Jesus Christ< and &aid our hands on hi'< and
reu0ed the disease# And 5od heard and ans2ered our *ra!ers--to the ,reat
=o! and satisfaction of our sou&s# Our a,ed father arose and dressed
hi'se&f< shouted< and *raised the Lord# Ca&&ed "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith< 2ho
had retired to rest< that he 'i,ht *raise the Lord 2ith us< ! =oinin, in
son,s of *raise to the .ost Hi,h#
.onda!< 7H#--Rode to 3i&&ou,h!< in co'*an! 2ith '! 2ife< to *urchase
so'e ,oods at 3i&&ia' L!on+s store# On our return 2e found a .r# "rad&e!
&!in, across the road# He had een thro2n fro' his 2a,on< and 2as 'uch
in=ured ! the fa&&#
Tuesda!< 79 --%isited '! father< 2ho 2as $er! 'uch reco$ered fro' his
sic0ness< indeed< 2hich caused us to 'ar$e& at the 'i,ht< *o2er< and
condescension of our Hea$en&! Father< in ans2erin, our *ra!ers in his
eha&f#
3ednesda!< 7@#--At ho'e#
Thursda!< 7G#--Laored in father+s orchard< ,atherin, a**&es#
Frida!< 7:#--3as ca&&ed into the *rintin, office< to sett&e so'e
difficu&ties in that de*art'ent# In the e$enin, I a*ti4ed Eene4er
Roinson# The Lord *oured out His S*irit u*on us and 2e had a ,ood ti'e#
Saturda!< 7M#--Ca&&ed '! fa'i&! to,ether and arran,ed '! do'estic
concerns< and dis'issed '! oarders#
Sunda!< 78#--Attended 'eetin, in the cha*e&< confir'ed se$era& that
had een a*ti4ed< and &essed se$era& chi&dren 2ith the &essin,s of the
Ne2 and E$er&astin, Co$enant# E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt *reached in the
forenoon< and E&der John F# "o!nton in the afternoon# 3e had an
interestin, ti'e#
.onda!< 7N#--At ho'e# E/hiited the records of anti>uit! to a nu'er
2ho ca&&ed to see the'#
Tuesda!< HD#--At ho'e# )reached in the e$enin, in the schoo& house#
3ednesda!< H7#--At ho'e#
Thursda!< HH#--At ho'e< attendin, to '! do'estic concerns#
Frida! H9#--At ho'e# At four o+ c&oc0< afternoon< O&i$er Co2der!<
Da$id 3hit'er< H!ru' S'ith< John 3hit'er< Sidne! Ri,don< Sa'ue& H# S'ith<
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and 3# 3# )he&*s asse'&ed< and 2e united in *ra!er<
2ith one $oice< efore the Lord< for the fo&&o2in, &essin,s( That the
Lord 2ou&d ,i$e us 'eans sufficient to de&i$er us fro' a&& our aff&ictions
and difficu&ties 2herein 2e are *&aced ! reason of our dets? that He
2ou&d o*en the 2a! and de&i$er ;ion in the a**ointed ti'e< and that
2ithout the sheddin, of &ood? that He 2ou&d ho&d our &i$es *recious< and
,rant that 2e 'a! &i$e to the co''on a,e of 'an< and ne$er fa&& into the
hands nor *o2er of the 'o in .issouri< nor in an! other *&ace? that He
2ou&d a&so *reser$e our *osterit!< that none of the' fa&&< e$en unto the
end of ti'e? that He 2ou&d ,i$e us &essin,s of the earth sufficient to
carr! us to ;ion< and that 2e 'a! *urchase inheritances in that &and< e$en
enou,h to carr! on and acco'*&ish the 2or0 unto 2hich He has a**ointed us?
and a&so that He 2ou&d assist a&& others 2ho desire< accordin, to His
co''and'ents< to ,o u* and *urchase inheritances< and a&& this easi&! and
2ithout *er*&e/it! and trou&e? and fina&&!< that in the end He 2ou&d sa$e
us in His ce&estia& 0in,do'# A'en#
Saturda!< H@#--.r# 5oodrich and 2ife ca&&ed to see the ancient
IE,!*tianJ records< and a&so Dr# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's to see the 'u''ies#
"rothers Ha20es and Car*enter< fro' .ichi,an< $isited us and tarried o$er
ni,ht#
Sunda!< HG#--Attended 'eetin, 2ith "rothers Ha20es and Car*enter#
)resident Ri,don *reached in the fore noon< E&der L!'an E# Johnson in the
afternoon< after in 2hich E&der Se!'our "runson =oined "rother 3i&&ia'
)err! and Sister E&i4a "ro2n in 'atri'on!< and I &essed the' 2ith &on,
&ife and *ros*erit! in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
In the e$enin, I attended *ra!er 'eetin,< o*ened it< and e/horted the
rethren and sisters aout one hour# The Lord *oured out His S*irit< and
so'e ,&orious thin,s 2ere s*o0en in the ,ift of ton,ues and inter*reted
concernin, the rede'*tion of ;ion#
.onda!< H:#--3ent to Chardon to attend the Count! Court in co'*an!
2ith '! rothers H!ru'< Sa'ue& H#< and Don Car&os S'ith# "rother Sa'ue&
2as ca&&ed in >uestion efore this Court for not doin, 'i&itar! dut!< and
2as fined ecause 2e had not our conference 'inutes 2ith us for testi'on!
to *ro$e that Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's 2as c&er0 of the conference#
This testi'on! 2e shou&d ha$e carried 2ith us had it not een for the
ne,&ect of our counse& or &a2!er< 2ho did not *ut us in *ossession of this
infor'ation Ii#e# that 2e 2ou&d need such testi'on!J# This 2e fe&t 2as a
2ant of fide&it! to his c&ient< and 2e consider it a ase insu&t<
*racticed u*on us on account of our faith< that the un,od&! 'i,ht ha$e
un&a2fu& *o2er o$er us< and tra'*&e us under their unha&&o2ed feet# And in
conse>uence of this ne,&ect< a fine 2as i'*osed u*on "rother Sa'ue& of
t2ent! do&&ars< inc&udin, costs< for 2hich he 2as o&i,ed to se&& his co2
to defra! the e/*enses of the sa'e# And I sa!< in the na'e of Jesus
Christ< that the 'one! 2hich the! ha$e thus un=ust&! ta0en sha&& e a
testi'on! a,ainst the'< and can0er< and eat their f&esh as fire#
Tuesda!< HM#--In the 'ornin, I 2as ca&&ed to $isit at "rother Sa'ue&
S'ith+s# His 2ife 2as confined and in a dan,erous condition# "rother
Car&os 2ent to Chardon after Dr# 3i&&ia's# I 2ent out into the fie&d and
o2ed efore the Lord and ca&&ed u*on Hi' in 'i,ht! *ra!er in her eha&f#
And the 2ord of the
Lord ca'e unto 'e< sa!in, -.! ser$ant Frederic0 sha&& co'e< and sha&&
ha$e 2isdo' ,i$en hi' to dea& *rudent&!< and '! hand'aid sha&& e
de&i$ered of a &i$in, chi&d< and e s*ared#- The doctor ca'e in aout one
hour after2ards< and in the course of t2o hours she 2as de&i$ered< and
thus 2hat 5od had 'anifested to 'e 2as fu&fi&&ed e$er! 2hit# This e$enin,
I *reached in the schoo& house to a cro2ded con,re,ation#
3ednesda!< H8#--At ho'e< attendin, to '! fa'i&! affairs#
Thursda!< HN#--"rother 3arren )arrish co''enced 2ritin, for 'e< at
fifteen do&&ars *er 'onth# I *aid hi' si/teen do&&ars in ad$ance out of
the co''ittee+s store# Father and .other S'ith $isited us# 3hi&e 2e sat
2ritin, "isho* )artrid,e *assed our 2indo2< =ust returned fro' the East#
I 2as ca&&ed to a**ear efore the Hi,h Counci&< 2hich 2as then
sittin,< to ,i$e '! testi'on! in an action rou,ht ! "rother 3i&&ia'
S'ith a,ainst "rother Da$id E&&iot for 2hi**in, his dau,hter unreasona&!#
.! testi'on! 2as in "rother E&&iot+s fa$or< fro' con$ersation 2ith the
*arents and the ,ir& at their house in Cha,rin< I 2as satisfied that the
,ir& 2as in the fau&t< and that the nei,hors 2ere tr!in, to create a
difficu&t!#
Returned to our 2ritin, roo'< 2ent to Dr# 3i&&ia's+ after '! &ar,e
=ourna&? 'ade so'e oser$ations to '! scrie concernin, the *&an of the
cit!< 2hich is to e ui&t u* hereafter on this ,round consecrated for a
Sta0e of ;ion#
3hi&e at the doctor+s< "isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e ca'e in co'*an! 2ith
)resident )he&*s# I 2as 'uch re=oiced to see hi'# 3e e/a'ined the 'u''ies<
returned ho'e< and '! Scrie co''enced 2ritin, in '! =ourna& a histor! of
'! &ife? conc&uded )resident Co2der!+s second &etter to 3# 3# )he&*s<
2hich )resident 3i&&ia's had e,un#
"isho* 3hitne! and his 2ife< 2ith his father and 'other< ca&&ed to
$isit us# His *arents ha$in, &ate&! arri$ed here fro' the East< ca&&ed to
'a0e in>uir! concernin, the co'in, forth of the "oo0 of .or'on# "isho*
)artrid,e and so'e others ca'e in# I then sat do2n and re&ated to the' the
histor! of the co'in, forth of the oo0< the ad'inistration of the an,e&
to 'e< and tau,ht the' the rudi'ents of the 5os*e& of Christ# The!
a**eared 2e&& satisfied< and I e/*ect to a*ti4e the' in a fe2 da!s<
thou,h the! ha$e 'ade no re>uest of the 0ind#
3ent to the Counci&# The )residenc! arose and ad=ourned# On '! return
E&der "o!nton oser$ed that &on, in deates 2ere ad# I re*&ied that it
2as ,enera&&! the case that too 'uch a&tercation 2as indu&,ed in on oth
sides< and their deates *rotracted to an un*rofita&e &en,th#
3e 2ere ca&&ed to su**er# 3hi&e seated at ta&e 2e indu&,ed in a free
interchan,e of thou,ht< and "isho* 3hitne! oser$ed to "isho* )artrid,e
that the thou,ht had =ust occurred to his 'ind that *erha*s in aout one
!ear fro' this ti'e the! 'i,ht e seated to,ether around a ta&e on the
&and of ;ion# .! 2ife oser$ed she ho*ed it 'i,ht e the case< that not
on&! the!< ut the rest of the co'*an! *resent< 'i,ht e seated around her
ta&e on that &and of *ro'ise# The sa'e senti'ent 2as reci*rocated fro'
the co'*an! around the ta&e< and '! heart res*onded< A'en# 5od ,rant it<
I as0 in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
After su**er I 2ent to the Hi,h Counci& in co'*an! 2ith '! 2ife and
so'e others that e&on,ed to '! househo&d# I 2as so&icited to ta0e a seat
2ith the )residenc! and *reside on a tria& of Sister E&&iot# I did so# .!
'other 2as ca&&ed u*on for testi'on!< and e,an to re&ate circu'stances
that had een rou,ht efore the Church and sett&ed# I o=ected to such
testi'on!# The co'*&ainant< "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith< arose and accused 'e of
in$a&idatin, or doutin, '! 'other+s testi'on!< 2hich I had not done< nor
did I desire to do so# I to&d hi' he 2as out of order< and as0ed hi' to
sit do2n# He refused# I re*eated '! re>uest# He eca'e enra,ed# I fina&&!
ordered hi' to sit do2n# "e said he 2ou&d not< un&ess I 0noc0ed hi' do2n#
3as a,itated in '! fee&in,s on account of his stuornness< and 2as aout
to &ea$e the house< ut '! father re>uested 'e not to do so# I co'*&ied<
and the house 2as rou,ht to order after 'uch deate on the su=ect< and
2e *roceeded to usiness#
The decision of the Counci& in the case of "rother E&&iot 2as< -that
the co'*&aint 2as not 2ithout foundation< !et the char,e has not een
fu&&! sustained< ut he has acted in=udicious&! and rou,ht a dis,race
u*on hi'se&f< his dau,hter< and u*on this Church< ecause he ou,ht to ha$e
trained his chi&d in a 2a! that she 2ou&d not ha$e re>uired the rod at the
a,e of fifteen !ears#- "rother E&&iot 'ade his confession and 2as
for,i$en# Sister E&&iot confessed her 2ron, and *ro'ised to do etter<
conse>uent&! the Counci& for,a$e her# And the! 2ere oth restored to
fe&&o2shi*#
Frida!< 9D#--At ho'e# .r# Francis )orter< fro' Jefferson Count!< Ne2
Yor0< a 'e'er of the .ethodist church< ca&&ed to 'a0e so'e in>uir! aout
&ands in this *&ace E1irt&andF< 2hether there 2ere an! $a&ua&e far's for
sa&e and 2hether a 'e'er of our Church cou&d 'o$e into this $icinit! and
*urchase &ands and en=o! his o2n *ossessions and *ro*ert! 2ithout 'a0in,
the' co''on stoc0# He had een re>uested to 'a0e this in>uir! ! so'e
rethren 2ho &i$e in the to2n of Lero!< Ne2 Yor0# I re*&ied that I had a
$a&ua&e far' =oinin, the Te'*&e &ot I 2ou&d se&&< and that there 2ere
other &ands for sa&e in this *&ace and that 2e had no co''on stoc0
usiness a'on, us? that e$er! 'an en=o!s his o2n *ro*ert!< or can< if he
is dis*osed< consecrate &iera&&! or i&&iera&&! to the su**ort of the
*oor and need!< or the ui&din, u* of ;ion# He a&so in>uired ho2 'an!
'e'ers there 2ere in this Church# I to&d hi' there 2ere aout fi$e or si/
hundred 2ho co''uned at our cha*e&< and *erha*s a thousand in this
$icinit!#
In the e$enin, I 2as *resented 2ith a &etter fro' "rother 3i&&ia'
S'ith< the *ur*ort of 2hich is< that he is censured ! the rethren on
account of 2hat too0 *&ace at the Counci& &ast ni,ht< and 2ishes to ha$e
the 'atter sett&ed to the understandin, of a&& that he 'a! not e censured
un=ust&!< considerin, that his cause 2as a =ust one and that he had een
'ateria&&! in=ured# I re*&ied that I thou,ht 2e *arted 2ith the est of
fee&in,s< that I 2as not to &a'e on account of the dissatisfaction of
others# I in$ited hi' to ca&& and ta&0 2ith 'e< and that I 2ou&d ta&0 2ith
hi' in the s*irit of 'ee0ness and ,i$e hi' a&& the satisfaction I cou&d#
This re*&! 2as ! &etter#
Saturda!< 97#--In the 'ornin, "rother H!ru' S'ith ca'e in and said he
had een 'uch trou&ed a&& ni,ht and had not s&e*t an!< that so'ethin, 2as
2ron,# 3hi&e ta&0in,< "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith ca'e in< accordin, to '!
re>uest &ast ni,ht# "rother H!ru' said that he 'ust ,o to the store# I
in$ited hi' to sta!# He said he 2ou&d ,o and do his usiness and return#
He did so# 3hi&e he 2as ,one "rother 3i&&ia' introduced the su=ect of our
difficu&t! at the Counci&# I to&d hi' I did not 2ant to con$erse u*on the
su=ect unti& H!ru' returned# He soon ca'e in# I then *ro*osed to re&ate
the occurrences of the Counci& efore na'ed< and 2herein I had een out of
the 2a! I 2ou&d confess it< and as0 his for,i$eness< and then he shou&d
re&ate his stor!< and 'a0e confession< 2herein he had done 2ron,< and then
&ea$e it to "rother H!ru' S'ith and "rother )arrish to decide the 'atter
et2een us< and I 2ou&d a,ree to the decision and e satisfied there2ith#
3i&&ia' oser$ed that he had not done 2ron,< and that I 2as a&2a!s
deter'ined to carr! '! *oints 2hether ri,ht or 2ron,< and therefore he
2ou&d not stand an e>ua& chance 2ith 'e# This 2as an insu&t< ut I did not
re*&! to hi' in a harsh 'anner< 0no2in, his e/cita&e dis*osition< ut
tried to reason 2ith hi' and sho2 hi' the *ro*riet! of a co'*&iance 2ith
'! re>uest# I fina&&! succeeded 2ith the assistance of "rother H!ru'< in
otainin, his assent to the *ro*osition that I had 'ade# I then re&ated '!
stor!< and 2herein I had een 2ron, I confessed it< and as0ed his
for,i$eness# After I ,ot throu,h he 'ade his state'ents< =ustif!in,
hi'se&f throu,hout in trans,ressin, the order of the Counci&< and treatin,
the authorit! or the )residenc! 2ith conte'*t# After he had ,ot throu,h
"rother H!ru' e,an to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s in the s*irit of 'ee0ness# He
E3i&&ia'F eca'e enra,ed# I =oined "rother H!ru' in tr!in, to ca&' his
stor'! fee&in,s< ut to no *ur*ose< he insisted that 2e intended to add
ause to in=ur!< his *assion increased< he arose aru*t&!< dec&ared that
he 2anted no 'ore to do 2ith us# He rushed out at the door# 3e tried to
*re$ai& on hi' to sto*< ut a&& to no *ur*ose# He 2ent a2a! in a *assion<
and soon after sent his &icense to 'e# He 2ent ho'e and s*read the &ea$en
of ini>uit! a'on, '! rothers< and es*ecia&&! *re=udiced the 'ind of
"rother Sa'ue&# I soon &earned that he 2as in the street e/c&ai'in,
a,ainst 'e< and no dout our ene'ies re=oiced at it# And 2here the 'atter
2i&& end I 0no2 not< ut I *ra! 5od to for,i$e hi' and the'< and ,i$e the'
hu'i&it! and re*entance#
The fee&in,s of '! heart I cannot e/*ress on this occasion< I can
on&! *ra! '! Hea$en&! Father to o*en their e!es< that the! 'a! disco$er
2here the! stand< that the! 'a! e/tricate the'se&$es fro' the snare the!
ha$e fa&&en into#
After dinner I rode out in co'*an! 2ith '! 2ife and chi&dren< "rother
Don Car&os and so'e others# 3e $isited "rother Round! and fa'i&!< 2ho
&i$e near 3i&&ou,h!# 3e had an interestin, $isit# As soon as I returned I
2as ca&&ed u*on to a*ti4e Sa'ue& 3hitne! and his 2ife and dau,hter# After
a*tis' 2e returned to their house and offered our than0s in *ra!er# I
otained a testi'on! that '! rother 3i&&ia' 2ou&d return to the Church<
and re*air the 2ron, he had done#
CHA)TER 66II#
THE .INISTRY OF THE )RO)HET IN 1IRTLAND#
Sunda!< No$e'er 7#--%eri&! thus said the Lord unto 'e< His ser$ant<
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#--
Re$e&ation# .ine an,er is 0ind&ed a,ainst '! ser$ant Re!no&ds Cahoon<
ecause of his ini>uities< his co$etous and dishonest *rinci*&es< in
hi'se&f and fa'i&!< and he doth not *ur,e the' a2a! and set his house in
order# Therefore< if he re*ent not< chastise'ent a2aiteth hi'< e$en as it
see'eth ,ood in '! si,ht< therefore ,o and dec&are unto hi' these 2ords#
I 2ent i''ediate&! and de&i$ered this 'essa,e accordin, as the Lord
co''anded 'e# I ca&&ed hi' in< and read 2hat the Lord had said concernin,
hi'# He ac0no2&ed,ed that it 2as $eri&! so< and e/*ressed 'uch hu'i&it!# I
then 2ent to 'eetin,# E&der John Corri&& *reached a fine discourse#
In the afternoon )resident )he&*s continued the ser$ices of the da!
! readin, the fifth cha*ter of .atthe2< a&so the &a2s re,u&atin, the Hi,h
Counci&< and 'ade so'e re'ar0s u*on the'< after 2hich< Sacra'ent 2as
ad'inistered# I then confir'ed a nu'er 2ho had een a*ti4ed< and &essed
a nu'er of chi&dren< in the na'e of Jesus Christ< 2ith the &essin,s of
the Ne2 and E$er&astin, Co$enant# Notice 2as then ,i$en that the E&ders+
schoo& 2ou&d co''ence on the 'orro2#
.onda!< No$e'er H#--I 2as en,a,ed in re,u&atin, the affairs of the
schoo&< after 2hich I had '! tea' *re*ared< and Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er
Co2der!< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's '! scrie< and a nu'er of others< 2ent to
3i&&ou,h! to hear Dr# )ie/otto de&i$er a &ecture on the theor! and
*ractice of *h!sics# Ca&&ed at .r# Cush'an+s< dined< attended the &ecture#
3as treated 2ith ,reat res*ect throu,hout< and returned ho'e#
L!'an 3i,ht arri$ed fro' ;ion< a&so 5eor,e A# and L!'an S'ith
returned fro' a 'ission to the east< after an asence of fi$e 'onths# The
>uestion 2as a,itated 2hether Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's or O&i$er Co2der!
shou&d ,o to Ne2 Yor0< to 'a0e arran,e'ents res*ectin, a oo0inder!# The!
referred the 'atter to 'e for a decision# And thus ca'e the 2ord of the
Lord to 'e< sa!in,--
Re$e&ation# It is not '! 2i&& that '! ser$ant Frederic0 shou&d ,o to
Ne2 Yor0< inas'uch as he 2ishes to ,o and $isit his re&ations< that he 'a!
2arn the' to f&ee the 2rath to co'e< &et hi' ,o and see the' for that
*ur*ose< and &et that e his on&! usiness< and eho&d< in this thin,< he
sha&& e &essed 2ith *o2er to o$erco'e their *re=udices< $eri&! thus
saith the Lord# A'en#
Tuesda!< No$e'er 9#--Thus ca'e the 2ord of the Lord unto 'e
concernin, the T2e&$e< sa!in,--
Re$e&ation to the T2e&$e# "eho&d the! are under conde'nation< ecause
the! ha$e not een sufficient&! hu'&e in '! si,ht< and in conse>uence of
their co$etous desires< in that the! ha$e not dea&t e>ua&&! 2ith each
other in the di$ision of the 'onies 2hich ca'e into their hands<
ne$erthe&ess< so'e of the' dea&t e>ua&&!< therefore the! sha&& e
re2arded? ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the! 'ust a&& hu'&e the'se&$es
efore 'e< efore the! 2i&& e accounted 2orth! to recei$e an endo2'ent<
to ,o forth in '! na'e unto a&& nations#
As for '! ser$ant 3i&&ia'< &et the E&e$en hu'&e the'se&$es in *ra!er
and in faith< and 2ait on 'e in *atience< and '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' sha&&
return< and I 2i&& !et 'a0e hi' a *o&ished shaft in '! >ui$er< in rin,in,
do2n the 2ic0edness and ao'inations of 'en? and there sha&& e none
'i,htier than he< in his da! and ,eneration< ne$erthe&ess if he re*ent not
s*eedi&!< he sha&& e rou,ht &o2< and sha&& e chastened sore&! for a&&
his ini>uities he has co''itted a,ainst 'e? ne$erthe&ess the sin 2hich he
has sinned a,ainst 'e is not e$en no2 'ore ,rie$ous than the sin 2ith
2hich '! ser$ant Da$id 3# )atten< and '! ser$ant Orson H!de< and '!
ser$ant 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in ha$e sinned a,ainst 'e< and the residue are
not sufficient&! hu'&e efore 'e#
"eho&d the *ara&e 2hich I s*a0e concernin, a 'an ha$in, t2e&$e sons+
for 2hat 'an a'on, !ou< ha$in, t2e&$e sons< and is no res*ecter of the'<
and the! ser$e hi' oedient&!< and he saith unto one< "e thou c&othed in
roes< and sit thou here? and to the other< "e thou c&othed in ra,s< and
sit thou there< and &oo0eth u*on his sons< and saith< I a' =ustB Ye 2i&&
ans2er< and sa!< no 'an? and !e ans2er tru&!? therefore< $eri&! thus saith
the Lord !our 5od< I a**oint these T2e&$e that the! shou&d e e>ua& in
their 'inistr!< and in their *ortion< and in their e$an,e&ica& ri,hts?
2herefore the! ha$e sinned a $er! ,rie$ous sin< inas'uch as the! ha$e 'ade
the'se&$es une>ua&< and ha$e not hear0ened unto '! $oice? therefore< &et
the' re*ent s*eedi&!< and *re*are their hearts for the so&e'n asse'&!<
and for the ,reat da! 2hich is to co'e< $eri&! thus saith the Lord# A'en#
I then 2ent to assist in or,ani4in, the E&ders+ schoo&# I ca&&ed it
to order and 'ade so'e re'ar0s u*on the o=ects of this schoo&< and the
,reat necessit! of our ri,ht&! i'*ro$in, our ti'e and reinin, u* our 'inds
to the sense of the ,reat o=ect that &ies efore us< $i4--the ,&orious
endo2'ent that 5od has in store for the faithfu&#
I then dedicated the schoo& in the na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ#
After the schoo& 2as dis'issed< I attended a *atriarcha& 'eetin, at
rother Sa'ue& S'ith+s? his 2ife+s *arents 2ere &essed< a&so his chi&d<
na'ed Susannah#
In the e$enin, I *reached in the schoo& house< to a cro2ded
con,re,ation#
3ednesda!< No$e'er @#--At ho'e in the 'ornin,# Attended schoo&
durin, schoo& hours< 'ade ra*id *ro,ress in our studies# In the e$enin,
&ectured on ,ra''ar at ho'e# 1in, Fo&&et arri$ed fro' ;ion this da!#
Thursda!< No$e'er G#--Attended schoo&# Isaac .or&e! ca'e in fro' the
east#
This 'ornin, I 2as ca&&ed to $isit Tho'as "urdic0< 2ho 2as sic0# I
too0 '! scrie 2ith 'e and 2e *ra!ed for and &aid our hands on hi' in the
na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ< and reu0ed his aff&iction#
3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in and Orson H!de ca'e in and desired to hear the
Re$e&ation concernin, the T2e&$e# .! scrie read it to the'# The!
e/*ressed so'e &itt&e dissatisfaction< ut after their o2n hearts< the!
ac0no2&ed,ed it to e the 2ord of the Lord< and said the! 2ere satisfied#
After schoo&< "ri,ha' Youn, ca'e in< and desired a&so to hear it read?
after hearin, it< he a**eared *erfect&! satisfied#
In the e$enin, I &ectured on ,ra''ar#
Frida!< No$e'er :#--At ho'e# Attended schoo& durin, schoo& hours<
returned and s*ent the e$enin, at ho'e#
I 2as this 'ornin, introduced to a 'an fro' the east# After hearin,
'! na'e< he re'ar0ed that I 2as nothin, ut a 'an< indicatin, ! this
e/*ression< that he had su**osed that a *erson to 2ho' the Lord shou&d see
fit to re$ea& His 2i&&< 'ust e so'ethin, 'ore than a 'an# He see'ed to
ha$e for,otten the sa!in, that fe&& fro' the &i*s of St# Ja'es< that E&ias
2as a 'an su=ect to &i0e *assions as 2e are< !et he had such *o2er 2ith
5od< that He< in ans2er to his *ra!ers< shut the hea$ens that the! ,a$e no
rain for the s*ace of three !ears and si/ 'onths? and a,ain< in ans2er to
his *ra!er< the hea$ens ,a$e forth rain< and the earth ,a$e forth fruit#
Indeed< such is the dar0ness and i,norance of this ,eneration< that the!
&oo0 u*on it as incredi&e that a 'an shou&d ha$e an! intercourse 2ith his
.a0er#
Saturda!< No$e'er M#--S*ent the da! at ho'e attendin, to '! do'estic
concerns# The 2ord of the Lord ca'e unto 'e sa!in,--
Re$e&ation# "eho&d I a' 2e&& *&eased 2ith '! ser$ant Isaac .or&e!<
and '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< ecause of the inte,rit! of their hearts
in &aorin, in '! $ine!ard< for the sa&$ation of the sou&s of 'en# %eri&!
I sa! unto !ou< their sins are for,i$en the'? therefore sa! unto the'< in
'! na'e< that it is '! 2i&& that the! shou&d tarr! for a &itt&e season<
and attend the schoo&< and a&so the so&e'n asse'&!< for a 2ise *ur*ose in
'e# E$en so# A'en#
Sunda!< No$e'er 8#--3ent to 'eetin, in the 'ornin, at the usua&
hour# ;eruae& Sno2 *reached a $er! interestin, discourse? in the
afternoon Jose*h Youn, *reached# After *reachin,< Isaac Hi&& ca'e for2ard
to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s ! 2a! of confession# He had *re$ious&! een
e/co''unicated fro' the Church for &!in,< and for an atte'*t to seduce a
fe'a&e# His confession 2as not satisfactor! to '! 'ind< and John S'ith
arose and 'ade so'e re'ar0s res*ectin, the doin,s of the Hi,h Counci&< in
the case of said Hi&&? that is< that he shou&d 'a0e a *u&ic confession of
his cri'e< and ha$e it *u&ished in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate# He
*ro*osed that .r# Hi&& shou&d no2 'a0e his confession efore the
con,re,ation< and then i''ediate&! oser$ed that he had for,i$en .r# Hi&&<
2hich 2as in contradiction to the senti'ent he first ad$anced# This I
attriuted to an error in =ud,'ent< not in desi,n#
)resident Ri,don then arose< and $er! aru*t&! 'i&itated a,ainst the
senti'ent of Unc&e John< 2hich had a direct tendenc! to destro! his
inf&uence< and rin, hi' into disre*ute in the e!es of the Church< 2hich
2as not ri,ht# He a&so 'isre*resented .r# Hi&&+s case< and s*read dar0ness
rather than &i,ht u*on the su=ect#
A $ote of the Church 2as then ca&&ed on "rother Hi&&+s case< and he
2as restored 2ithout an! further confession< $i4#< that he shou&d e
recei$ed into the Church ! a*tis'< 2hich 2as ad'inistered accordin,&!#
After I returned ho'e< I &aored 2ith Unc&e John< and con$inced hi'
that he 2as 2ron,? and he 'ade his confession< to '! satisfaction# I then
2ent and &aored 2ith )resident Ri,don< and succeeded in con$incin, hi'
a&so of his error< 2hich he confessed to '! satisfaction#
The 2ord of the Lord ca'e unto 'e< sa!in,< that )resident )he&*s and
)resident John 3hit'er 2ere under conde'nation efore the Lord for their
errors# For 2hich the! 'ade satisfaction the sa'e da!#
I a&so too0 u* a &aor 2ith John Corri&&< for not *arta0in, of the
Sacra'ent? he 'ade his confession# A&so '! 2ife< for &ea$in, the 'eetin,
efore Sacra'ent? she 'ade no re*&!< ut 'anifested contrition ! 2ee*in,#
.onda!< No$e'er N#--After rea0fast< .ar! 3hitcher ca'e in and
2ished to see 'e# I ,ranted her re>uest# She ,a$e a re&ation of her
,rie$ances< 2hich are unfatho'a&e at *resent< and if true< sore indeed?
and I *ra! '! Hea$en&! Father< to rin, the truth of the case to &i,ht<
that the re2ard due to e$i& doers 'a! e ,i$en the'< and that the
aff&icted and o**ressed 'a! e de&i$ered#
3hi&e sittin, in '! house< et2een ten and e&e$en this 'ornin,< a 'an
ca'e in and introduced hi'se&f to 'e ! the na'e of -Joshua< the Je2ish
.inister#-
His a**earance 2as so'ethin, sin,u&ar< ha$in, a eard aout three
inches in &en,th< >uite ,re!? a&so his hair 2as &on, and considera&!
si&$ered 2ith a,e? I thou,ht hi' aout fift! or fift!-fi$e !ears o&d?
ta&&< strai,ht< s&ender ui&t< of thin $isa,e< &ue e!es< and fair
co'*&e/ion? 2ore a sea-,reen froc0 coat and *anta&oons< &ac0 fur hat 2ith
narro2 ri'? and< 2hi&e s*ea0in,< fre>uent&! shut his e!es< 2ith a sco2&
on his countenance# I 'ade so'e in>uir! after his na'e< ut recei$ed no
definite ans2er# 3e soon co''enced ta&0in, on the su=ect of re&i,ion<
and< after I had 'ade so'e re'ar0s concernin, the "i&e< I co''enced
,i$in, hi' a re&ation of the circu'stances connected 2ith the co'in, forth
of the "oo0 of .or'on< as recorded in the for'er *art of this histor!#
3hi&e I 2as re&atin, a rief histor! of the esta&ish'ent of the
Church of Christ in the &ast da!s< Joshua see'ed to e hi,h&! entertained#
3hen I had c&osed '! narration<
I oser$ed that the hour of 2orshi* and dinner had arri$ed< and
in$ited hi' to tarr!< to 2hich he consented# After dinner< the
con$ersation 2as resu'ed< and Joshua *roceeded to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s on the
*ro*hecies< as fo&&o2s--he oser$ed that he 2as a2are that I cou&d ear
stron,er 'eat than 'an! others< therefore he shou&d o*en his 'ind the 'ore
free&!(
The Doctrines of -Joshua the Je2ish .inister#-
Danie& has to&d us that he is to stand in his *ro*er &ot< in the
&atter da!s? accordin, to his $ision he had a ri,ht to shut it u*< and
a&so to o*en it a,ain after 'an! da!s< or in &atter ti'es# Danie&+s i'a,e<
2hose head 2as ,o&d< and od!< ar's< &e,s and feet< 2ere co'*osed of the
different 'ateria&s descried in his $ision< re*resents different
,o$ern'ents# The ,o&den head 2as to re*resent Neuchane44er< 1in, of
"a!&on? the other *arts< other 0in,s and for's of ,o$ern'ents 2hich I
sha&& not no2 'ention in detai&< ut confine '! re'ar0s 'ore *articu&ar&!
to the feet of the i'a,e# The *o&ic! of the 2ic0ed s*irit is to se*arate
2hat 5od has =oined to,ether< and unite 2hat He has se*arated< 2hich the
de$i& has succeeded in doin, to ad'iration in the *resent state of
societ!< 2hich is &i0e unto iron and c&a!#
There is confusion in a&& thin,s< oth *o&itica& and re&i,ious? and
not2ithstandin, a&& the efforts that are 'ade to rin, aout a union<
societ! re'ains disunited< and a&& atte'*ts to unite it are as fruit&ess
as to atte'*t to unite iron and c&a!# The feet of the i'a,e are the
,o$ern'ent of these United States# Other nations and 0in,do's are &oo0in,
u* to her for an e/a'*&e of union< freedo'< and e>ua& ri,hts< and
therefore 2orshi* her as Danie& sa2 in the $ision? a&thou,h the! are
e,innin, to &ose confidence in her< seein, the roi&s and discord that
rise on her *o&itica& and re&i,ious hori4on# This i'a,e is characteristic
of a&& ,o$ern'ents#
3e shou&d &ea$e "a!&on# T2ent!-four hours of i'*ro$e'ent no2< are
2orth as 'uch as a !ear a hundred !ears a,o# The s*irits of the fathers
that 2ere cut do2n< or those that 2ere under the a&tar< are no2 risin,?
this is the first resurrection# The E&der that fa&&s first 2i&& rise &ast#
3e shou&d not for' an! o*inion on&! for the *resent< and &ea$e the resu&t
of futurit! 2ith 5od# I ha$e risen u* out of oscurit!< ut 2as &oo0ed u*
to in te'*ora& thin,s 2hen ut a !outh# It is not necessar! that 5od
shou&d ,i$e us a&& thin,s in His first co''ission to us< ut in His
second# John sa2 the an,e& de&i$er the 5os*e& in the &ast da!s# The s'a&&
&i,hts that 5od has e$en are sufficient to &ead us out of "a!&on? 2hen 2e
,et out< 2e sha&& ha$e the ,reater &i,ht#
I to&d Joshua I did not understand his re'ar0s on the resurrection<
and 2ished hi' to e/*&ain# He re*&ied that he did not fee& i'*ressed !
the S*irit to unfo&d it further at *resent< ut *erha*s he 'i,ht at so'e
future ti'e#
I then 2ithdre2 to transact so'e usiness 2ith a ,ent&e'an 2ho had
ca&&ed to see 'e< 2hen Joshua infor'ed '! scrie that he 2as orn in
Ca'rid,e< 3ashin,ton Count!< Ne2 Yor0# He sa!s that a&& the rai&roads<
cana&s< and other i'*ro$e'ents are *ro=ected ! the s*irits of the
resurrection# The si&ence s*o0en of ! John the Re$e&ator< 2hich is to e
in hea$en for the s*ace of ha&f an hour< is et2een 789D and 78G7< durin,
2hich ti'e the =ud,'ents of 5od 2i&& e *oured out< after that ti'e there
2i&& e *eace#
Curiosit! to see a 'an that 2as re*uted to e a Je2< caused 'an! to
ca&& durin, the da!< and 'ore *articu&ar&! in the e$enin,#
Sus*icions 2ere entertained that the said Joshua 2as the noted
.atthias of Ne2 Yor0< s*o0en so 'uch of in the *u&ic *rints< on account
of the tria&s he endured in that *&ace< efore a court of =ustice< for
'urder< 'an-s&au,hter< conte'*t of court< 2hi**in, his dau,hter< etc#? for
the &ast t2o cri'es he 2as i'*risoned< and ca'e out aout four 'onths
since# After so'e e>ui$ocatin,< he confessed that he rea&&! 2as .atthias#
After su**er I *ro*osed that he shou&d de&i$er a &ecture to us# He
did so< sittin, in his chair#
He co''enced ! sa!in,< 5od said< &et there e &i,ht< and there 2as
&i,ht< 2hich he d2e&t u*on throu,hout his discourse# He 'ade so'e $er!
e/ce&&ent re'ar0s< ut his 'ind 2as e$ident&! fi&&ed 2ith dar0ness#
After the con,re,ation dis*ersed< he con$ersed free&! u*on the
circu'stances that occurred in Ne2 Yor0# His na'e is Roert .atthias# He
sa!s that Joshua is his *riest&! na'e# Durin, a&& this ti'e I did not
contradict his senti'ents< 2ishin, to dra2 out a&& that I cou&d concernin,
his faith#
.r# "ea'an< of Ne2 Yor0< ca'e to as0 ad$ice of 'e 2hether or not he
had etter *urchase &ands in this $icinit!< as he cou&d not arran,e his
usiness to ,o to .issouri ne/t s*rin,# I ad$ised hi' to co'e here and
sett&e unti& he cou&d 'o$e to ;ion#
Tuesda!< No$e'er 7D#--I resu'ed con$ersation 2ith .atthias< and
desired hi' to en&i,hten '! 'ind 'ore on his $ie2s res*ectin, the
resurrection#
He said that he *ossessed the s*irit of his fathers< that he 2as a
&itera& descendant of .atthias< the A*ost&e< 2ho 2as chosen in the *&ace
of Judas that fe&&? that his s*irit 2as resurrected in hi'? and that this
2as the 2a! or sche'e of eterna& &ife--this trans'i,ration of sou& or
s*irit fro' father to son#
I to&d hi' that his doctrine 2as of the de$i&< that he 2as in rea&it!
in *ossession of a 2ic0ed and de*ra$ed s*irit< a&thou,h he *rofessed to e
the S*irit of truth itse&f? and he said a&so that he *ossessed the sou& of
Christ#
He tarried unti& 3ednesda!< 77th< 2hen< after rea0fast< I to&d hi'<
that '! 5od to&d 'e< that his ,od 2as the de$i&< and I cou&d not 0ee* hi'
an! &on,er< and he 'ust de*art# And so I< for once< cast out the de$i& in
odi&! sha*e< and I e&ie$e a 'urderer#
Attended schoo& durin, schoo& hours# S*ent the e$enin, around '!
fireside< teachin, '! fa'i&! ,ra''ar# It co''enced sno2in, this afternoon?
2ind $er! hea$!#
Thursda!< No$e'er 7H#--Attended schoo& a,ain durin, schoo& hours?
rain and sno2 sti&& fa&&in,< aout one inch in de*th and 2ind $er! hea$!<
the 2eather e/tre'e&! un*&easant# The &aorers 2ho 2ere finishin, the
outside of the cha*e&< 2ere o&i,ed to rea0 off fro' their usiness at
the co''ence'ent of this stor'< on the 77th instant#
This e$enin,< at : o+c&oc0< 'et 2ith the Counci& of the T2e&$e< !
their re>uest# Nine of the' 2ere *resent# Counci& o*ened ! sin,in, and
*ra!er# And I 'ade so'e re'ar0s as fo&&o2s--
The )ro*het+s Re'ar0s to the T2e&$e#
I a' ha**! in the en=o!'ent of this o**ortunit! of 'eetin, 2ith this
Counci& on this occasion# I a' satisfied that the S*irit of the Lord is
here< and I a' satisfied 2ith a&& the rethren *resent? and I need not sa!
that !ou ha$e '! ut'ost confidence< and that I intend to u*ho&d !ou to the
utter'ost< for I a' 2e&& a2are that !ou ha$e to sustain '! character
a,ainst the $i&e ca&u'nies and re*roaches of this un,od&! ,eneration< and
that !ou de&i,ht in so doin,#
Dar0ness *re$ai&s at this ti'e as it did at the ti'e Jesus Christ 2as
aout to e crucified# The *o2ers of dar0ness stro$e to oscure the
,&orious Sun of ri,hteousness< that e,an to da2n u*on the 2or&d< and 2as
soon to urst in ,reat &essin,s u*on the heads of the faithfu&? and &et
'e te&& !ou< rethren< that ,reat &essin,s a2ait us at this ti'e< and
2i&& soon e *oured out u*on us< if 2e are faithfu& in a&& thin,s< for 2e
are e$en entit&ed to ,reater s*iritua& &essin,s than the! 2ere< ecause
the! had Christ in *erson 2ith the'< to instruct the' in the ,reat *&an of
sa&$ation# His *ersona& *resence 2e ha$e not< therefore 2e ha$e need of
,reater faith< on account of our *ecu&iar circu'stances? and I a'
deter'ined to do a&& that I can to u*ho&d !ou< a&thou,h I 'a! do 'an!
thin,s inad$ertent&! that are not ri,ht in the si,ht of 5od#
You 2ant to 0no2 'an! thin,s that are efore !ou< that !ou 'a! 0no2
ho2 to *re*are !ourse&$es for the ,reat thin,s that 5od is aout to rin,
to *ass# "ut there is one ,reat deficienc! or ostruction in the 2a!< that
de*ri$es us of the ,reater &essin,s? and in order to 'a0e the foundation
of this Church co'*&ete and *er'anent< 2e 'ust re'o$e this ostruction<
2hich is< to attend to certain duties that 2e ha$e not as !et attended to#
I su**osed I had esta&ished this Church on a *er'anent foundation 2hen I
2ent to .issouri< and indeed I did so< for if I had een ta0en a2a!< it
2ou&d ha$e een enou,h< ut I !et &i$e< and therefore 5od re>uires 'ore at
'! hands# The ite' to 2hich I 2ish the 'ore *articu&ar&! to ca&& !our
attention to-ni,ht< is the ordinance of 2ashin, of feet# This 2e ha$e not
done as !et< ut it is necessar! no2< as 'uch as it 2as in the da!s of the
Sa$ior? and 2e 'ust ha$e *&ace *re*ared< that 2e 'a! attend to this
ordinance aside fro' the 2or&d#
3e ha$e not desired as 'uch fro' the hand of the Lord throu,h faith
and oedience< as 2e ou,ht to ha$e done< !et 2e ha$e en=o!ed ,reat
&essin,s< and 2e are not so sensi&e of this as 2e shou&d e# 3hen or
2here has 5od suffered one of the 2itnesses or first E&ders of this Church
to fa&&B Ne$er< and no 2here# A'idst a&& the ca&a'ities and =ud,'ents that
ha$e efa&&en the inhaitants of the earth< His a&'i,ht! ar' has sustained
us< 'en and de$i&s ha$e ra,ed and s*ent their 'a&ice in $ain# 3e 'ust ha$e
a&& thin,s *re*ared< and ca&& out so&e'n asse'&! as the Lord has
co''anded us< that 2e 'a! e a&e to acco'*&ish His ,reat 2or0< and it
'ust e done in 5od+s o2n 2a!# The house of the Lord 'ust e *re*ared< and
the so&e'n asse'&! ca&&ed and or,ani4ed in it< accordin, to the order of
the house of 5od? and in it 2e 'ust attend to the ordinance of 2ashin, of
feet# It 2as ne$er intended for an! ut officia& 'e'ers# It is ca&cu&ated
to unite our hearts< that 2e 'a! e one in fee&in, and senti'ent< and that
our faith 'a! e stron,< so that Satan cannot o$erthro2 us< nor ha$e an!
*o2er o$er us here#
The endo2'ent !ou are so an/ious aout< !ou cannot co'*rehend no2<
nor cou&d 5arie& e/*&ain it to the understandin, of !our dar0 'inds? ut
stri$e to e *re*ared in !our hearts< e faithfu& in a&& thin,s< that 2hen
2e 'eet in the so&e'n asse'&!< that is< 2hen such as 5od sha&& na'e out
of a&& the officia& 'e'ers sha&& 'eet< 2e 'ust e c&ean e$er! 2hit# Let
us e faithfu& and si&ent< rethren< and if 5od ,i$es !ou a 'anifestation<
0ee* it to !ourse&$es? e 2atchfu& and *ra!erfu&< and !ou sha&& ha$e a
*re&ude of those =o!s that 5od 2i&& *our out on that da!# Do not 2atch for
ini>uit! in each other< if !ou do !ou 2i&& not ,et an endo2'ent< for 5od
2i&& not esto2 it on such# "ut if 2e are faithfu&< and &i$e ! e$er! 2ord
that *roceeds forth fro' the 'outh of 5od< I 2i&& $enture to *ro*hes! that
2e sha&& ,et a &essin, that 2i&& e 2orth re'e'erin,< if 2e shou&d &i$e
as &on, as John the Re$e&ator? our &essin,s 2i&& e such as 2e ha$e not
rea&i4ed efore< nor recei$ed in this ,eneration# The order of the house
of 5od has een< and e$er 2i&& e< the sa'e< e$en after Christ co'es? and
after the ter'ination of the thousand !ears it 2i&& e the sa'e? and 2e
sha&& fina&&! enter into the ce&estia& 1in,do' of 5od< and en=o! it
fore$er#
You need an endo2'ent< rethren< in order that !ou 'a! e *re*ared
and a&e to o$erco'e a&& thin,s? and those that re=ect !our testi'on! 2i&&
e da'ned# The sic0 2i&& e hea&ed< the &a'e 'ade to 2a&0< the deaf to
hear< and the &ind to see< throu,h !our instru'enta&it!# "ut &et 'e te&&
!ou< that !ou 2i&& not ha$e *o2er< after the endo2'ent to hea& those that
ha$e not faith< nor to enefit the'< for !ou 'i,ht as 2e&& e/*ect to
enefit a de$i& in he&& as such as are *ossessed of his s*irit< and are
2i&&in, to 0ee* it? for the! are haitations for de$i&s< and on&! fit for
his societ!# "ut 2hen !ou are endo2ed and *re*ared to *reach the 5os*e& to
a&& nations< 0indred< and ton,ues< in their o2n &an,ua,es< !ou 'ust
faithfu&&! 2arn a&&< and ind u* the testi'on!< and sea& u* the &a2< and
the destro!in, an,e& 2i&& fo&&o2 c&ose at !our hee&s< and e/ercise his
tre'endous 'ission u*on the chi&dren of disoedience? and destro! the
2or0ers of ini>uit!< 2hi&e the Saints 2i&& e ,athered out fro' a'on,
the'< and stand in ho&! *&aces read! to 'eet the "ride,roo' 2hen he co'es#
I fee& dis*osed to s*ea0 a fe2 2ords 'ore to !ou< '! rethren<
concernin, the endo2'ent# A&& 2ho are *re*ared< and are sufficient&! *ure
to aide the *resence of the Sa$ior< 2i&& see Hi' in the so&e'n asse'&!#
The rethren e/*ressed their ,ratification for the instruction I had
,i$en the'# 3e then c&osed ! *ra!er< 2hen I returned ho'e and retired to
rest#
CHA)TER 66III#
THE .INISTRY OF THE )RO)HET IN 1IRTLAND#
Frida!< No$e'er 79#--Attended schoo& durin, schoo& hours( after
schoo&< returned ho'e# .r# .essen,er< a Uni$ersa&ist 'inister< of
"ainrid,e< Chenan,o count!< Ne2 Yor0< ca'e in to 'a0e so'e in>uiries
aout He4e0iah )ec0+s fa'i&!# 3e entered into con$ersation u*on re&i,ious
su=ects< and 2ent to )resident Ri,don+s and s*ent the e$enin, in
con$ersation# 3e *reached the 5os*e& to hi'< and ore testi'on! of 2hat 2e
had seen and heard#
He atte'*ted to raise so'e o=ections< ut the force of truth ore
hi' do2n< and &ie 2as si&ent< a&thou,h une&ie$in,#
I returned ho'e and retired to rest#
Saturda!< 7@#--Thus ca'e the 2ord of the Lord unto 'e< sa!in,(
Re$e&ation to 3arren )arrish# %eri&! thus saith the Lord unto '!
ser$ant Jose*h< concernin, '! ser$ant 3arren )arrish# "eho&d his sins are
for,i$en hi'< ecause of his desires to do the 2or0s of ri,hteousness#
Therefore< inas'uch as he 2i&& continue to hear0en unto '! $oice< he sha&&
e &essed 2ith 2isdo'< and 2ith a sound 'ind< e$en ao$e his fe&&o2s#
"eho&d< it sha&& co'e to *ass in his da!< that he sha&& see ,reat thin,s
sho2 forth the'se&$es unto '! *eo*&e? he sha&& see 'uch of '! ancient
records< and sha&& 0no2 of hidden thin,s< and sha&& e endo2ed 2ith a
0no2&ed,e of hidden &an,ua,es? and if he desire and sha&& see0 it at '!
hands< he sha&& e *ri$i&e,ed 2ith 2ritin, 'uch of '! 2ord< as a scrie
unto 'e for the enefit of '! *eo*&e? therefore this sha&& e his ca&&in,
unti& I sha&& order it other2ise in '! 2isdo'< and it sha&& e said of hi'
in ti'e to co'e< "eho&d 3arren< the Lord+s scrie for the Lord+s seer<
2ho' He hath a**ointed in Israe&# Therefore< if he 2i&& 0ee* '!
co''and'ents< he sha&& e &ifted u* at the &ast da!# E$en so# A'en#
This afternoon< Erastus Ho&'es< of Ne2ur!< Ohio< ca&&ed on 'e to
in>uire aout the esta&ish'ent of the Church< and to e instructed in
doctrine 'ore *erfect&!#
I ,a$e hi' a rief re&ation of '! e/*erience 2hi&e in '! =u$eni&e
!ears< sa! fro' si/ !ears o&d u* to the ti'e I recei$ed '! first $ision<
2hich 2as 2hen I 2as aout fourteen !ears o&d? a&so the re$e&ations that I
recei$ed after2ards concernin, the "oo0 of .or'on< and a short account of
the rise and *ro,ress of the Church u* to this date#
He &istened $er! attenti$e&!< and see'ed hi,h&! ,ratified< and
intends to unite 2ith the Church#
On Saath 'ornin,< 7Gth< he 2ent 2ith 'e to 'eetin,< 2hich 2as he&d
in the schoo&house< as the *&asterin, of the cha*e& 2as not !et finished#
)resident Ri,don *reached on the su=ect of 'en ein, ca&&ed to
*reach the 5os*e&< their >ua&ifications< etc# 3e had a fine discourse< it
2as $er! interestin, indeed# .r# Ho&'es 2as 2e&& satisfied< and returned
and dined 2ith 'e# Said Ho&'es has een a 'e'er of the .ethodist church<
and 2as e/co''unicated for recei$in, the E&ders of the Latter-da! Saints
into his house#
3ent to 'eetin, in the afternoon# "efore *arta0in, of the Sacra'ent<
Isaac Hi&&+s case 2as a,itated a,ain< and sett&ed after 'uch contro$ers!#
He 2as retained in the Church< ! 'a0in, a hu'&e ac0no2&ed,e'ent efore
the Church< and consentin, to ha$e his confession *u&ished in the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate? after 2hich the ordinance of the Lord+s Su**er 2as
ad'inistered< and the 'eetin, c&osed &ate# Returned ho'e and s*ent the
e$enin,#
.onda! 7:#--At ho'e# Dictated the fo&&o2in, &etter for *u&ication in
the .essen,er and Ad$ocate#
The sa'e da!< I recei$ed a &etter fro' Har$e! 3hit&oc0< of 2hich the
fo&&o2in, is a co*!--
Har$e! 3hit&oc0+s Letter# DEAR SIR#--Ha$in, a fe2 &eisure 'o'ents< I
ha$e at &ast conc&uded to do 2hat '! o2n =ud,'ent has &on, dictated 2ou&d
e ri,ht< ut the a&&ure'ents of 'an! $ices ha$e &on, retarded the hand
that 2ou&d 2ie&d the *en to 'a0e inte&&i,ent the co''unication that I 2ish
to send to !ou? and e$en no2< that a'ition< 2hich is a *re$ai&in, and
*redo'inant *rinci*&e a'on, the ,reat 'ass of natura& 'en< forids that
*&ainness of senti'ent 2ith 2hich I 2ish to 2rite? for 0no2 assured&!<
sir< to !ou I 2ish to unoso' '! fee&in,s< and un$ei& the secrets of '!
heart< as efore the o'niscient Jud,e of a&& the earth# "e not sur*rised<
2hen I dec&are unto !ou< as the S*irit 2i&& ear record< that '! faith is
fir' and unsha0en in the thin,s of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< as it is
*roc&ai'ed ! the ser$ants of the Latter-da! Saints#
Dear "rother Jose*h< Eif I 'a! e a&&o2ed the e/*ression<F 2hen I
consider the ha**! ti'es< and *eacefu& 'o'ents< and *&easant seasons I
ha$e en=o!ed 2ith !ou and this *eo*&e< contrasted 2ith '! no2 de,raded
state? to,ether 2ith the hi,h and i'*ortant station I ha$e he&d efore
5od< and the a!ss into 2hich I ha$e fa&&en--it is a su=ect that s2e&&s
'! heart too i, for utterance< and I a' o$er2he&'ed 2ith fee&in,s that
&an,ua,e cannot e/*ress# As I desire to 0no2 the 2i&& of 5od concernin,
'e< and e&ie$in, it is '! dut! to 'a0e 0no2n unto !ou '! rea& situation<
I sha&& dis*assionate&! *roceed to ,i$e a true and untarnished re&ation#
I need not te&& !ou that in for'er ti'es I ha$e *reached the 2ord<
and endea$ored to e instant in season< and out of season--to re*ro$e<
reu0e< e/hort< and faithfu&&! to dischar,e that trust re*osed in 'e# "ut
ohK 2ith 2hat ,rief< and &a'enta&e sorro2< and an,uish< do I ha$e to
re&ate that I ha$e fa&&en fro' that *rince&! station 2hereunto our 5od has
ca&&ed 'e# Reasons 2h! are unnecessar!< 'a! the fact suffice< and e&ie$e
'e 2hen I te&& !ou< that I ha$e sun0 '!se&f Esince '! &ast se*aration fro'
this od!F in cri'es of the dee*est d!e# And that I 'a! the etter ena&e
!ou to understand 2hat '! rea& sins are< I 2i&& 'ention Ea&thou,h *ride
forids itF so'e that I a' not ,ui&t! of# .! hands ha$e not een stained
2ith innocent &ood< neither ha$e I &ain couched around the cotta,es of '!
fe&&o2 'en< to sei4e and carr! off the oot!? nor ha$e I s&andered '!
nei,hor< nor orne fa&se testi'on!< nor ta0en un&a2fu& hire< nor
o**ressed the 2ido2 or father&ess< neither ha$e I *ersecuted the Saints#
"ut '! hands are s2ift to do ini>uit!< and '! feet are fast runnin, in the
*aths of $ice and fo&&!< and '! heart is >uic0 to de$ise 2ic0ed
i'a,inations? ne$erthe&ess< I a' i'*ressed 2ith the sure thou,ht that I a'
fast hastenin, into a 2or&d of dise'odied ein,s< 2ithout 5od< and 2ith
ut one ho*e in the 2or&d< 2hich is to 0no2 that to err is hu'an< ut to
for,i$e is di$ine#
.uch I 'i,ht sa! in re&ation to '!se&f< and the ori,ina& difficu&ties
2ith the Church< ut I 2i&& forear? and inas'uch as I ha$e een char,ed
2ith thin,s that I a' not ,ui&t! of< I a' no2 'ore than dou&! ,ui&t!< and
a' no2 2i&&in, to for,i$e and for,et< on&! &et 'e 0no2 that I a' 2ithin
the reach of 'erc!# If I a' not< I ha$e no ref&ections to cast< ut sa!
that I ha$e sea&ed '! o2n doo'< and *ronounced '! o2n sentence# If the da!
is *assed ! 2ith 'e< 'a! I here e, &ea$e to entreat of those 2ho are
sti&& toi&in, u* the ru,,ed ascent< to 'a0e their 2a! to the rea&'s of
end&ess fe&icit! and de&i,ht< to sto* not for anchors here e&o2< fo&&o2
not '! e/a'*&e< ut steer their course on2ard in s*ite of a&& the co'ined
*o2ers of earth and he&&< for 0no2 that one 'isste* here is on&!
retrie$a&e ! a thousand ,roans and tears efore 5od#
Dear "rother Jose*h< &et 'e entreat !ou< on the rece*tion of this
&etter< as !ou re,ard the sa&$ation of '! sou&< to in>uire at the hand of
the Lord< in '! eha&f? for I this da!< in the *resence of 5od< do
co$enant to aide the 2ord that 'a! e ,i$en< for I a' 2i&&in, to recei$e
an! chastise'ent that the Lord sees I deser$e# No2 hear '! *ra!er< and
suffer 'e to rea0 forth in the a,on! of '! sou&# O !e an,e&sK that
surround the throne of 5od< *rinces of hea$en that e/ce& in stren,th< !e
2ho are c&othed 2ith transcendent ri,htness< *&ead< O *&ead for one of
the 'ost 2retched of the sons of 'en# O !e hea$ensK 2hose a4ure arches
rise i''ense&! hi,h< and stretch i''easura&! 2ide< ,rand a'*itheatre of
nature< throne of the Eterna& 5od< o2 to hear the *ra!er of a *oor<
2retched< e2i&dered< 2a!-2anderer to eternit!# OK Thou ,reat o'ni*otent
and o'ni*resent Jeho$ah( Thou 2ho sittest u*on the throne< efore 2ho' a&&
thin,s are *resent? Thou 'a0er< 'ou&der< and fashioner of a&& thin,s
$isi&e and in$isi&e< reathe< O reathe into the ears of Th! ser$ant the
)ro*het< 2ords suita&! ada*ted to '! case and situation# S*ea0 once 'ore<
'a0e 0no2n Th! 2i&& concernin, 'e? 2hich fa$ors I as0 in the na'e of the
Son of 5od# A'en#
Yours res*ectfu&&!< HAR%EY 3HITLOC1# To Jose*h S'ith#
N#"#--I ho*e !ou 2i&& not &et an! usiness *re$ent !ou fro' ans2erin,
this &etter in haste#
I ans2ered as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< No$e'er 7:< 789G# "ROTHER HAR%EY 3HITLOC1--I ha$e recei$ed
!our &etter of the H8th of Se*te'er< 789G< and I ha$e read it t2ice< and
it ,a$e 'e sensations that are etter i'a,ined than descried< &et it
suffice that I sa! that the $er! f&ood ,ates of '! heart 2ere ro0en u*--I
cou&d not refrain fro' 2ee*in,# I than0 5od that it has entered into !our
heart to tr! to return to the Lord< and to this *eo*&e< if it so e that
He 2i&& ha$e 'erc! u*on !ou# I ha$e in>uired of the Lord concernin, !our
case? these 2ords ca'e to 'e#
Re$e&ation to Har$e! 3hit&oc0# -%eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto
!ou--Let hi' 2ho 2as '! ser$ant Har$e!< return unto 'e< and unto the oso'
of '! Church< and forsa0e a&& the sins 2here2ith he has offended a,ainst
'e< and *ursue fro' henceforth a $irtuous and u*ri,ht &ife< and re'ain
under the direction of those 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed to e *i&&ars and heads
of '! Church# And eho&d< saith the Lord !our 5od< his sins sha&& e
&otted out fro' under hea$en< and sha&& e for,otten fro' a'on, 'en< and
sha&& not co'e u* in 'ine ears< nor e recorded as a 'e'oria& a,ainst hi'<
ut I 2i&& &ift hi' u*< as out of dee* 'ire< and he sha&& e e/a&ted u*on
the hi,h *&aces< and sha&& e counted 2orth! to stand a'on, *rinces< and
sha&& !et e 'ade a *o&ished shaft in '! >ui$er for rin,in, do2n the
stron,ho&ds of 2ic0edness a'on, those 2ho set the'se&$es u* on hi,h< that
the! 'a! ta0e counse& a,ainst 'e< and a,ainst '! anointed ones in the &ast
da!s# Therefore< &et hi' *re*are hi'se&f s*eedi&! and co'e unto !ou< e$en
to 1irt&and# And inas'uch as he sha&& hear0en unto a&& !our counse& fro'
henceforth< he sha&& e restored unto his for'er state< and sha&& e sa$ed
unto the utter'ost< e$en as the Lord !our 5od &i$eth# A'en#-
Thus !ou see< '! dear rother< the 2i&&in,ness of our hea$en&! Father
to for,i$e sins< and restore to fa$or a&& those 2ho are 2i&&in, to hu'&e
the'se&$es efore Hi'< and confess their sins< and forsa0e the'< and
return to Hi' 2ith fu&& *ur*ose of heart< actin, no h!*ocris!< to ser$e
Hi' to the end#
.ar$e& not that the Lord has condescended to s*ea0 fro' the hea$ens<
and ,i$e !ou instructions 2here! !ou 'a! &earn !our dut!# He has heard
!our *ra!ers and 2itnessed !our hu'i&it!< and ho&ds forth the hand of
*aterna& affection for !our return? the an,e&s re=oice o$er !ou< 2hi&e the
Saints are 2i&&in, to recei$e !ou a,ain into fe&&o2shi*#
I ho*e< on the recei*t of this< !ou 2i&& &ose no ti'e in co'in, to
1irt&and< for if !ou ,et here in season< !ou 2i&& ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of
attendin, the schoo& of the )ro*hets< 2hich has a&read! co''enced< and
a&so recei$e instructions in doctrine and *rinci*&e< fro' those 2ho' 5od
has a**ointed< 2here! !ou 'a! e >ua&ified to ,o forth< and dec&are the
true doctrines of the 1in,do'< accordin, to the 'ind and 2i&& of 5od? and
2hen !ou co'e to 1irt&and< it 2i&& e e/*&ained to !ou 2h! 5od has
condescended to ,i$e !ou a re$e&ation accordin, to !our re>uest#
)&ease ,i$e '! res*ects to !our fa'i&!< and e assured I a' !ours in
the onds of the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
In the course of the da!< Father "ea'an< E&der Stron,< and others<
ca&&ed to counse& 2ith 'e# In the e$enin, a counci& 2as ca&&ed at '! house
to counse& 2ith A&$a "ea'an on the su=ect of his 'o$in, to .issouri# I
had *re$ious&! to&d hi' that the Lord had said that he had etter ,o to
.issouri ne/t s*rin,? ho2e$er< he 2ished a counci& ca&&ed# The counci&
'et< and )resident Da$id 3hit'er arose and said< the S*irit 'anifested to
hi' that it 2as "rother "ea'an+s dut! to ,o# Others ore the sa'e
testi'on!#
The sa'e ni,ht< I recei$ed the 2ord of the Lord on .r# Ho&'es+ case#
He had desired that I 2ou&d in>uire at the hand of the Lord< 2hether it
2as his dut! to e a*ti4ed her< or 2ait unti& he returned ho'e# The 2ord
of the Lord ca'e unto 'e< sa!in,< .r# Ho&'es had etter not e a*ti4ed
here? that he had etter not return ! 2ater? a&so that there 2ere three
'en see0in, his destruction? he 'ust e2are of his ene'ies#
Tuesda! 7M#--E/hiited the a&*haet of the ancient records< to .r#
Ho&'es< and so'e others# 3ent 2ith hi' to Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's+< to see
the 'u''ies# 3e then too0 the *artin, hand< and he started for ho'e< ein,
stron, in the faith of the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ< and deter'ined to oe!
its re>uire'ents# I returned ho'e and s*ent the da! in dictatin, and
co'*arin, &etters# A fine< *&easant da!< a&thou,h coo&#
This e$enin,< at ear&! cand&e &i,ht< I *reached at the schoo&house#
3ednesda!< 78#--At ho'e in the forenoon< unti& aout e&e$en o+c&oc0#
I then 2ent to )reser$ed Harris+< to *reach his father+s funera& ser'on<
! the re>uest of his fa'i&!< I *reached on the su=ect of the
resurrection# The con,re,ation 2ere $er! attenti$e# .! 2ife< '! 'other<
and '! scrie< acco'*anied 'e to the funera&# )&easant outin,< ut coo&
and c&oud! on our return#
.inutes of a Counci& .eetin, at Ne2 )orta,e# This da! a Counci& of
Hi,h )riests and E&ders of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< 2as he&d at
Ne2 )orta,e< to hear the co'*&aint of Sister C&arissa .atthe2s< a,ainst
E&der Reuen 1ee&er< for *rosecutin, in a court of &a2< and ta0in, her
*ro*ert! on e/ecution< Enot2ithstandin, he had recei$ed his *a!< or the
'ost *art of itF and refusin, to a&&o2 her for 2hat she had *aid to hi'?
a&so forfeitin, his 2ord< as he had fre>uent&! stated to her that he 2ou&d
not ta0e her *ro*ert! in such a 'anner? and a&so for o**ressin, her fa'i&!
in an unchristian-&i0e 'anner#
E&der 1ee&er *&eaded not ,ui&t!< ut the Counci& decided that he 2as
,ui&t! of the first and &ast char,es? and ,a$e =ud,'ent accordin,&!? 2ith
2hich E&der 1ee&er refused to co'*&!< and said he 2ou&d a**ea& to the Hi,h
Counci& at 1irt&and# A."ROSE )AL.ER< )residin, E&der# JOSE)H "# "OS3ORTH<
C&er0#
In the e$enin,< "isho* 3hitne!< his 2ife< father< 'other< and
sister-in-&a2< ca'e and in$ited 'e and '! 2ife to ,o 2ith the' and $isit
Father S'ith and fa'i&!# .! 2ife 2as un2e&&< and cou&d not ,o< ut '!
scrie and I 2ent#
3hen 2e arri$ed< so'e of the !oun, E&ders 2ere aout en,a,in, in a
deate on the su=ect of 'irac&es# The >uestion---3as it< or 2as it not<
the desi,n of Christ to esta&ish His 5os*e& ! 'irac&esB- After an
interestin, deate of three hours or 'ore< durin, 2hich ti'e 'uch ta&ent
2as dis*&a!ed< it 2as decided< ! the )resident of the deate< in the
ne,ati$e< 2hich 2as a ri,hteous decision#
I disco$ered in this deate< 'uch 2ar'th dis*&a!ed< too 'uch 4ea& for
'aster!< too 'uch of that enthusias' that characteri4es a &a2!er at the
ar< 2ho is deter'ined to defend his cause< ri,ht or 2ron,# I therefore
a$ai&ed '!se&f of this fa$ora&e o**ortunit! to dro* a fe2 2ords u*on this
su=ect< ! 2a! of ad$ice< that the! 'i,ht i'*ro$e their 'inds and
cu&ti$ate their *o2ers of inte&&ect in a *ro*er 'anner< that the! 'i,ht
not incur the dis*&easure of hea$en? that the! shou&d hand&e sacred thin,s
$er! sacred&!< and 2ith due deference to the o*inions of others< and 2ith
an e!e sin,&e to the ,&or! of 5od#
Thursda!< 7N#--3ent< in co'*an! 2ith Dr# 3i&&ia's and '! scrie< to
see ho2 the 2or0'en *ros*eredC in finishin, the House of the Lord# The
'asons in the inside had co''enced *uttin, on the finishin, coat of
*&aster# On '! return< I 'et L&o!d and Loren4o Le2is< and con$ersed 2ith
the' u*on the su=ect of their ein, disaffected# I found that the! 2ere
not so< as touchin, the faith of the Church< ut 2ere dis*&eased 2ith so'e
of the 'e'ers# I returned ho'e and s*ent the da! in trans&atin, the
E,!*tian records# A 2ar' and *&easant da!#
Frida!< HD#--At ho'e in the 'ornin,# 3eather 2ar' and rain!# 3e s*ent
the da! in trans&atin,< and 'ade ra*id *ro,ress#
In the e$enin,< )resident Co2der! returned fro' Ne2 Yor0< rin,in,
2ith hi' a >uantit! of Here2 oo0s< for the enefit of the schoo&# He
*resented 'e 2ith a Here2 "i&e< Le/icon< and 5ra''ar< a&so a 5ree0
Le/icon< and 3ester+s En,&ish Dictionar!# )resident Co2der! had a
*ros*erous =ourne!< accordin, to the *ra!ers of the Saints in 1irt&and#
Saturda!< H7#--S*ent the da! at ho'e< in e/a'inin, '! oo0s< and
stud!in, the Here2 a&*haet#
At e$enin,< 'et 2ith our Here2 c&ass< to 'a0e so'e arran,e'ents
aout a teacher# It 2as decided< ! the $oice of the schoo&< to send to
Ne2 Yor0< for a Je2 to teach us the &an,ua,e< if 2e cou&d ,et re&eased
fro' the en,a,e'ents 2e had 'ade 2ith Dr# )ie/otto to teach us< ha$in,
ascertained that he 2as not >ua&ified to ,i$e us the 0no2&ed,e 2e 2ished
to ac>uire of the Here2#
Sunda!< HH#--3ent to 'eetin, at the usua& hour# Si'eon Carter
*reached fro' the Mth of .atthe2# )resident Ri,don+s rother-in-&a2 and
other re&ati$es 2ere at 'eetin,#
In the afternoon the 'eetin, 2as he&d in the schoo&house#
In the e$enin,< a Counci& of Hi,h )riests and E&ders 2as he&d in the
*resence of the 'e'ers of the Church< 2hen .r# Andre2 Jac0son S>uires<
2ho had een an ordained E&der in the Church< and for a ti'e had *reached
the ,os*e& successfu&&!< ut after a 2hi&e sent his &icense to )resident
S'ith< in a &etter< ca'e efore the Counci&< and confessed that he had
een in te'*tation< and fa&&en into error< so 'uch as to =oin the
.ethodists? !et said he had no faith in their doctrine#
He desired to return to the fe&&o2shi* of the Church< as0ed
for,i$eness of the rethren< and restoration of his &icense#
I s*o0e of the i'*ro*riet! of turnin, a2a! fro' the truth< and ,oin,
after a *eo*&e so destitute of the s*irit of ri,hteousness as the
.ethodists#
)resident Ri,don sho2ed the fo&&! of fe&&o2shi*in, an! doctrine or
s*irit aside fro' that of Christ#
.r# S>uires arose and said he fe&t fir' in the deter'ination of doin,
the 2i&& of 5od in a&& thin,s< or as far as hi' &ies the *o2er? 2as sorr!
for his fau&ts< and< ! the ,race of 5od< 2ou&d forsa0e the' in future#
Counci& and Church $oted to restore hi' to fe&&o2shi*< and the office
of E&der a&so< and that the c&er0 ,i$e hi' a &icense#
.onda!< H9#--Se$era& rethren ca&&ed to con$erse 2ith 'e< and see the
records# Recei$ed a &etter fro' Jared
Carter# S*ent the da! in con$ersation< and in stud!in, the Here2# A
stor'! da!#
Tuesda!< H@#--At ho'e# S*ent the forenoon instructin, those that
ca&&ed to in>uire concernin, the thin,s of 5od in the &ast da!s#
In the afternoon 2e trans&ated so'e of the E,!*tian records#
I had an in$itation to attend a 2eddin, at "rother H!ru' S'ith+s in
the e$enin,? a&so to so&e'ni4e the 'atri'onia& cere'on! et2een Ne2e&
1ni,ht and L!dia 5o&dth2aite# .! 2ife acco'*anied 'e# On our arri$a& a
considera&e co'*an! had co&&ected# The ride,roo' and ride ca'e in< and
too0 their seats< 2hich ,a$e 'e to understand that the! 2ere read!# After
*ra!ers< I re>uested the' to rise< and =oin hands# I then re'ar0ed that
'arria,e 2as an institution of hea$en< instituted in the ,arden of Eden?
that it 2as necessar! it shou&d e so&e'ni4ed ! the authorit! of the
e$er&astin, )riesthood# The cere'on! 2as ori,ina& 2ith 'e< and in
sustance as fo&&o2s--You co$enant to e each other+s co'*anions throu,h
&ife< and dischar,e the duties of husand and 2ife in e$er! res*ect? to
2hich the! assented# I then *ronounced the' husand and 2ife in the na'e
of 5od< and a&so *ronounced u*on the' the &essin,s that the Lord
conferred u*on Ada' and E$e in the ,arden of Eden< that is< to 'u&ti*&!
and re*&enish the earth< 2ith the addition of &on, &ife and *ros*erit!#
Dis'issed the' and returned ho'e# Free4in, co&d< so'e sno2 on the ,round#
3ednesda!< HG#--S*ent the da! in trans&atin,# Har$e! Redfie&d and
Jesse Hitchcoc0 arri$ed fro' .issouri# The &atter sa!s that he has no
dout ut a dose of *oison 2as ad'inistered to hi'< in a o2& of 'i&0< ut
5od de&i$ered hi'#
Thursda!< H:#--S*ent the da! in trans&atin, E,!*tian characters fro'
the *a*!rus< thou,h se$ere&! aff&icted 2ith a co&d# Roert Rathone and
5eor,e .ore! arri$ed fro' ;ion#
Frida!< HM#--.uch aff&icted 2ith '! co&d< !et I a' deter'ined to
o$erco'e in the na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ# S*ent the da! at ho'e<
readin, Here2# "rother )arrish< '! scrie< ein, aff&icted 2ith a co&d<
as0ed 'e to &a! '! hands on hi' in the na'e of the Lord# I did so< and in
return I as0ed hi' to &a! his hands on 'e# 3e 2ere oth re&ie$ed#
Saturda!< H8--S*ent the 'ornin, in co'*arin, our Journa&# E&der
Josiah C&ar0< fro' the state of 1entuc0!< ca&&ed on 'e# Considera&!
reco$ered fro' '! co&d# Co&d and stor'!< sno2 fa&&in,< and 2inter see's
fast to e c&osin, in< a&& nature shrin0s efore the chi&&in, &asts of
ri,id 2inter# E&der C&ar0< ao$e 'entioned< 2hose residence is aout three
'i&es fro' Cincinnati< 2as itten ! a 'ad do, so'e three or four !ears
since? has doctored 'uch< and recei$ed so'e enefit< ut is 'uch aff&icted
not2ithstandin, He ca'e here that he 'i,ht e enefitted ! the *ra!ers of
the Church# Accordin,&! 2e *ra!ed for hi' and &aid hands on hi' in the
na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ< and anointed hi' 2ith oi&< and reu0ed his
aff&ictions< *ra!in, our hea$en&! Father to hear and ans2er our *ra!ers<
accordin, to our faith# Co&d and sno2!#
Sunda!< HN#--3ent to 'eetin, at the usua& hour# E&der .or&e!
*reached? and in the afternoon< "isho* )artrid,e# These discourses 2ere
2e&& ada*ted to the ti'es in 2hich 2e &i$e< and the circu'stances under
2hich 2e are *&aced# Their 2ords 2ere 2ords of 2isdo'< &i0e a**&es of ,o&d
in *ictures of si&$er< s*o0en in the si'*&e accents of a chi&d< !et
su&i'e as the $oice of an an,e&# The Saints a**eared to e 'uch *&eased
2ith the eautifu& discourses of these t2o fathers in Israe&# After these
ser$ices c&osed< three of the ;ion rethren ca'e for2ard and recei$ed
their &essin,s< and So&on Foster 2as ordained an E&der# The Lord+s Su**er
2as ad'inistered# S*ent the e$enin, at ho'e# Sno2 fe&& aout one foot
dee*# %er! co&d#
.onda!< 9D#--The sno2 continues to fa&&--an unco''on stor' for this
countr!< and this season of the !ear# S*ent the da! in re$ie2in, and
co*!in, the &etter I dictated on the 7:th< concernin, the ,atherin,< for
the .essen,er and Ad$ocate# Henr! Ca*ron< an o&d ac>uaintance fro'
.anchester< Ne2 Yor0< ca&&ed on 'e# I sho2ed hi' the E,!*tian records#
CHA)TER 66I%#
.ISCELLANEOUS LA"ORS OF THE )RO)HET IN 1IRTLAND#
Dece'er 7#--At ho'e# S*ent the da! in 2ritin, for the .essen,er and
Ad$ocate# Fine s&ei,hin,< and the sno2 !et fa&&in,#
3ednesda!< H#--A fine 'ornin,# I started to ride to )aines$i&&e 2ith
'! fa'i&! and scrie# 3hen 2e 2ere *assin, throu,h .entor Street 2e
o$ertoo0 a tea'< 2ith t2o 'en in the s&ei,h? I *o&ite&! as0ed the' to &et
'e *ass# The! ,ranted '! re>uest< and as 2e *assed the' the! a2&ed out<
-Do !ou ,et an! re$e&ations &ate&!B- 2ith an addition of &ac0,uard
&an,ua,e that I did not understand# This is a fair sa'*&e of the character
of .entor Street inhaitants< 2ho are read! to ause and scanda&i4e 'en
2ho ne$er &aid a stra2 in their 2a!? and< in fact< those 2hose faces the!
ne$er sa2< and I2ho' the!J cannot rin, an accusation a,ainst< either of a
te'*ora& or s*iritua& nature< e/ce*t their fir' e&ief in the fu&&ness of
the 5os*e&# I 2as &ed to 'ar$e& at the &on,sufferin, and condescension of
our hea$en&! Father in *er'ittin, these un,od&! 2retches to *ossess this
,ood&! &and< 2hich is indeed as eautifu&&! situated< and its soi& is as
ferti&e< as an! in this re,ion of countr!< and its inhaitants are 2ea&th!
e$en &essed ao$e 'easure in te'*ora& thin,s? and fain 2ou&d 5od &ess
the' 2ith s*iritua& &essin,s< e$en eterna& &ife< 2ere it not for their
e$i& hearts of une&ief# And 2e are &ed to 'in,&e our *ra!ers 2ith those
of the Saints that ha$e suffered the &i0e treat'ent efore us< 2hose sou&s
are under the a&tar< cr!in, to the Lord for $en,eance u*on those that
d2e&& u*on the earth# And 2e re=oice that the ti'e is at hand< 2hen the
2ic0ed 2ho 2i&& not re*ent 2i&& e s2e*t fro' the earth as 2ith a eso' of
destruction< and the earth eco'e an inheritance of the *oor and the 'ee0#
3hen 2e arri$ed in )aines$i&&e< 2e ca&&ed at Sister Harriet Ho2e+s<
and &eft '! 2ife and fa'i&! to $isit her< 2hi&e 2e rode into to2n to do
so'e usiness# Ca&&ed and $isited at 1in,sur!# Dined 2ith Sister Ho2e and
returned ho'e# Had a fine ride--s&ei,hin, ,ood< 2eather *&easant#
Thursda!< 9#--At ho'e# 3rote a &etter to Da$id Dort< Rochester<
.ichi,an? another to A&'ira Scho!< Liert!< C&a! Count!< .issouri#
At e$enin,< $isited 2ith '! 2ife at Tho'as Carrico+s# A res*ecta&e
co'*an! a2aited our arri$a&# After sin,in, and *ra!er I de&i$ered an
address on 'atri'on!< and =oined in 'arria,e 3arren )arrish and .artha H#
Ra!'ond# C&osed ! sin,in, and *ra!er# After refresh'ents< returned ho'e<
ha$in, s*ent the e$enin, $er! a,reea&!#
Frida!< @#--In co'*an! 2ith %inson 1ni,ht< dre2 three hundred and
fift! do&&ars out of )aines$i&&e "an0< on three 'onths+ credit< for 2hich
2e ,a$e the na'es of Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's P Co#< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< John
Johnson and %inson 1ni,ht# Sett&ed 2ith "rother H!ru' S'ith and %inson
1ni,ht< and *aid 1ni,ht t2o hundred and fort!-fi$e do&&ars? a&so ha$e it
in '! *o2er to *a! J# Le2is< for 2hich &essin, I fee& hearti&! than0fu&
to '! hea$en&! Father< and as0 Hi'< in the na'e of Jesus Christ< to ena&e
us to e/tricate ourse&$es fro' a&& e'arrass'ents 2hate$er< that 2e 'a!
not e rou,ht into disre*ute< that our ene'ies 'a! not ha$e an! *o2er
o$er us# S*ent the da! at ho'e< a *art of the da! stud!in, Here2# 3ar'<
2ith so'e rain< sno2 fast 'e&tin,#
This e$enin, a .r# John Ho&&ister< of )orta,e Count!< Ohio< ca&&ed to
see 'e on the su=ect of re&i,ion< and I s*ent the e$enin, con$ersin, 2ith
hi'# He tarried o$er ni,ht 2ith 'e and ac0no2&ed,ed in the 'ornin, that<
a&thou,h he had thou,ht he 0ne2 so'ethin, aout re&i,ion< he 2as no2
sensi&e that he 0ne2 ut &itt&e? 2hich 2as the ,reatest trait of 2isdo' I
cou&d disco$er in hi'#
Saturda!< G#--3eather co&d and free4in,< 2ith a 'oderate fa&& of
sno2# In the forenoon stud!in, Here2 2ith Dr# Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and
)resident Co2der!# I a' &aorin, under so'e indis*osition of hea&th# S&e*t
a2hi&e< and arose fee&in, to&era&! 2e&&< throu,h the 'erc! of 5od# I
recei$ed a &etter fro' Reuen .c"ride< %i&ano$ia< Ne2 Yor0? a&so another
fro' )ar&e! )# )ratt+s 'other-in-&a2< Her0i'er Count!< Ne2 Yor0< of no
conse>uence as to 2hat it contained< ut it cost 'e t2ent!-fi$e cents for
*osta,e< 'ention this< as it is a co''on occurrence< and I a' su=ected to
a ,reat dea& of e/*ense ! those 2ho' I 0no2 nothin, aout< on&! that the!
are destitute of ,ood 'anners? for if *eo*&e 2ish to e enefitted 2ith
infor'ation fro' 'e< co''on res*ect and ,ood reedin, 2ou&d dictate the'
to *a! the *osta,e on their &etters#
I addressed the fo&&o2in, &etter to the editor of the .essen,er and
Ad$ocate(
DEAR "ROTHER--I 2ish to infor' '! friends and a&& others aroad< that
2hene$er the! 2ish to address 'e throu,h the *ostoffice< the! 2i&& e 0ind
enou,h to *a! the *osta,e on the sa'e# .! friends 2i&& e/cuse 'e in this
'atter< as I a' 2i&&in, to *a! *osta,e on &etters to hear fro' the'? ut I
a' un2i&&in, to *a! for insu&ts and 'enaces? conse>uent&! 'ust refuse a&&
un*aid# Yours in the 5os*e&< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
Sunda!< :#--3ent to 'eetin, at the usua& hour# 5ideon Carter *reached
a s*&endid discourse#
In the afternoon 2e had an e/hortation and co''union ser$ice# So'e
t2o or three 2ee0s since< "rother Dra*er insisted on &ea$in, the 'eetin,
efore co''union< and cou&d not e *re$ai&ed on to tarr! a fe2 'o'ents<
a&thou,h 2e in$ited hi' to do so< as 2e did not 2ish to ha$e the house
thro2n into confusion# He oser$ed that he -2ou&d not<- if 2e e/c&uded hi'
fro' the Church# Toda! he atte'*ted to 'a0e a confession< ut it 2as not
satisfactor! to 'e< and I 2as constrained ! the S*irit to de&i$er hi'
o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan< unti& he shou&d hu'&e hi'se&f and re*ent
of his sins< and 'a0e satisfactor! confession efore the Church#
.onda!< M#--Recei$ed a &etter fro' .i&ton Ho&'es< and 2as 'uch
re=oiced to hear fro' hi'< and of his success in *roc&ai'in, the 5os*e&#
3rote hi' a &etter re>uestin, hi' to return to 1irt&and# S*ent the da! in
readin, Here2# .r# John Ho&&ister ca&&ed to ta0e the *artin, hand 2ith
'e< and re'ar0ed that he had een in dar0ness a&& his da!s< ut had no2
found the truth and intended to oe! it#
This e$enin, a nu'er of rethren ca&&ed to see the records< 2hich I
e/hiited and e/*&ained# Fine s&ei,hin,#
Tuesda!< 8#--At ho'e# Read Here2 in co'*an! 2ith Dr# 3i&&ia's<
)resident Co2der!< "rother H!ru' S'ith and Orson )ratt# In the e$enin,<
*reached at the schoo& house as usua&< had ,reat &iert! in s*ea0in,<
con,re,ation attenti$e# After the ser$ices c&osed< the rethren *ro*osed
to hau& 2ood for 'e#
3ednesda!< N#--At ho'e# 3ind south< stron,< and chi&&!# E&der )ac0ard
ca'e in this 'ornin,< and 'ade 'e a *resent of t2e&$e do&&ars< 2hich he
he&d in a note a,ainst 'e# .a! 5od &ess hi' for his &iera&it!# A&so<
Ja'es A&drich sent 'e '! note ! the hand of Jesse Hitchcoc0< on 2hich
there 2as t2e&$e do&&ars due# And 'a! 5od &ess hi' for his 0indness to
'e# A&so the rethren 2hose na'es are 2ritten e&o2 o*ened their hearts in
,reat &iera&it!< and *aid 'e< at the co''ittee+s store< the su's set
o**osite their res*ecti$e na'es< to 2it(
John Corri&& # # RG DD Sa&'on 5ee # # # RD MG
Le$i Jac0'an # # 9 HG Har$e! Stan&e! # # 7 DD
E&i=ah Fordha' # G HG ;e'ira Dra*er # # 7 DD
Ja'es E''et # # G DD E'er Harris # # # 7 DD
Ne2e& 1ni,ht # # H DD Tru'an Jac0son # # 7 DD
Tru'an O# An,e&& # 9 DD Sa'ue& Ro&f # # # 7 HG
3i&&ia' Fe&sha2 # 9 DD E&ias Hi,ee # # # 7 DD
A&ert "ro2n # # 9 DD 5eor,e .ore! # # # 7 DD
3i&&ia' F# Cahoon 7 DD John Rudd # # # # D GD
Har&o2 Crosier # D GD A&e/# "ad&a' # # # 7 DD
R@D GD
3ith the addition of the t2o notes ao$e #H@ DD
Tota& # # R:@ GD
.! heart s2e&&s 2ith ,ratitude ine/*ressi&e 2hen I rea&i4e the ,reat
condescension of '! hea$en&! Father< in o*enin, the hearts of these '!
e&o$ed rethren to ad'inister so &iera&&! to '! 2ants# And I as0 5od< in
the na'e of Jesus Christ< to 'u&ti*&! &essin,s 2ithout nu'er u*on their
heads< and &ess 'e 2ith 'uch 2isdo' and understandin,< and dis*ose of 'e
to the est ad$anta,e for '! rethren< and the ad$ance'ent of His cause
and 0in,do'# And 2hether '! da!s are 'an! or fe2< 2hether in &ife or in
death< I sa! in '! heart< O Lord< &et 'e en=o! the societ! of such
rethren#
E&der Tanner rou,ht 'e ha&f of a fatted ho, for the enefit of '!
fa'i&!# A fe2 da!s since< E&der Shadrach Round! rou,ht 'e a >uarter of
eef# And 'a! a&& the &essin,s na'ed ao$e e *oured u*on their heads<
for their 0indness to2ards 'e#
Thursda!< 7D#--This 'ornin, a nu'er of rethren ca&&ed to see the
records< IE,!*tianJ 2hich I e/hiited to their satisfaction# This da! '!
rethren 'et accordin, to *re$ious arran,e'ent to cho* and hau& 2ood for
'e# "eautifu& 'ornin,< indeed< and fine s&ei,hin,#
This afternoon I 2as ca&&ed< in co'*an! 2ith )resident Da$id 3hit'er<
to $isit An,e&ine 3or0s# 3e found her $er! sic0< and so 'uch deran,ed that
she did not reco,ni4e her friends and inti'ate ac>uaintances# 3e *ra!ed
for her and &aid hands on her in the na'e of Jesus Christ< and co''anded
her in His na'e to recei$e her senses< 2hich 2ere i''ediate&! restored# 3e
a&so *ra!ed that she 'i,ht e restored to hea&th? and she said she 2as
etter#
The oard 0i&n had ta0en fire< and on our return 2e found the
rethren en,a,ed in e/tin,uishin, the f&a'es# After &aorin, aout one
hour a,ainst this destructi$e e&e'ent< 2e succeeded in con>uerin, it< and
*roa&! sa$ed aout one-fourth *art of the &u'er# I do not 0no2 the
a'ount of &oss the co''ittee ha$e sustained< ut it 'ust ha$e een
considera&e< as there 2as 'uch &u'er in the 0i&n# There 2ere aout t2o
hundred rethren en,a,ed on this occasion? the! dis*&a!ed 'uch acti$it!
and interest< and deser$e 'uch credit# The rethren ha$e a&so een $er!
industrious< and su**&ied 'e 2ith '! 2inter+s 2ood< for 2hich I a'
sincere&! ,ratefu& to each and e$er! one of the'< and sha&& re'e'er< 2ith
2ar' e'otions< this e/*ression of their ,oodness to 'e# And in the na'e of
Jesus Christ I in$o0e the rich enediction of hea$en to rest u*on the' and
their fa'i&ies? and I as0 '! hea$en&! Father to *reser$e their hea&th< and
that of their 2i$es and chi&dren< that the! 'a! ha$e stren,th of od! to
*erfor' their &aors in their se$era& occu*ations in &ife< and the use and
acti$it! of their &i's< a&so *o2ers of inte&&ect and understandin,
hearts< that the! 'a! treasure u* 2isdo'< understandin, and inte&&i,ence
ao$e 'easure< and e *reser$ed fro' *&a,ues< *esti&ence< and fa'ine< and
fro' the *o2er of the ad$ersar!< and the hands of e$i&-desi,nin, 'en< and
ha$e *o2er o$er a&& their ene'ies< and the 2a! e *re*ared for the' that
the! 'a! =ourne! to the &and of ;ion< and e esta&ished on their
inheritances< to en=o! undistured *eace and ha**iness fore$er< and
u&ti'ate&! e cro2ned 2ith e$er&astin, &ife in the ce&estia& 1in,do' of
5od< 2hich &essin, I as0 in the na'e of Jesus of Na4areth# A'en#
I 2ou&d re'e'er E&der Leonard Rich< 2ho 2as the first one that
*ro*osed to the rethren to assist 'e in otainin, 2ood for the use of '!
fa'i&!< for 2hich I *ra! '! hea$en&! Father to &ess hi' 2ith a&& the
&essin,s na'ed ao$e# And I sha&& e$er re'e'er hi' 2ith 'uch ,ratitude<
for this testi'on! of ene$o&ence and res*ect< and than0 the ,reat I A.
for *uttin, into his heart to do 'e this 0indness# And I sa! in '! heart<
I 2i&& trust in Th! ,oodness and 'erc! fore$er< O Lord< for Th! 2isdo' and
ene$o&ence< are unounded< and e!ond the co'*rehension of 'en< and a&&
of Th! 2a!s cannot e found out#
The *etitions of the *eo*&e fro' a&& *arts of the United States to
the 5o$ernor of .issouri to restore the Saints to their *ossessions< 2ere
arran,ed and 'ai&ed at 1irt&and< this da!< for .issouri# The *etitions
2ere nu'erous< and the *ac0a,e &ar,e< the *osta,e thereon ein, fi$e
do&&ars# It 2as directed to the ,o$ernor#
Frida!< 77#--A fire ro0e out in a shoe'a0er+s sho*< o2ned ! Orson
Johnson< ut the f&a'es 2ere soon e/tin,uished ! the acti$e e/ertions of
the rethren# A *&easant 'ornin,# S*ent the da! in readin, and instructin,
those 2ho ca&&ed for ad$ice#
Saturda!< 77#--S*ent the forenoon in readin,# Aout t2e&$e o+c&oc0 a
nu'er of !oun, *ersons ca&&ed to see the E,!*tian records# .! scrie
e/hiited the'# One of the !oun, &adies 2ho had een e/a'inin, the'< 2as
as0ed if the! had the a**earance of anti>uit!# She oser$ed< 2ith an air
of conte'*t< that the! had not# On hearin, this< I 2as sur*rised at the
i,norance she dis*&a!ed< and I oser$ed to her< that she 2as an ano'a&! in
creation< for a&& the 2ise and &earned that had e/a'ined the'< 2ithout
hesitation *ronounced the' ancient# I further re'ar0ed< that it 2as
do2nri,ht 2ic0edness< i,norance< i,otr! and su*erstition had caused her
to 'a0e the re'ar0? and that I 2ou&d *ut it on record# And I ha$e done so<
ecause it is a fair sa'*&e of the *re$ai&in, s*irit of the ti'es< sho2in,
that the $icti's of *riestcraft and su*erstition 2ou&d not e&ie$e thou,h
one shou&d rise fro' the dead#
In the e$enin, attended a deate at "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith+s< on the
fo&&o2in, >uestion--3as it necessar! for 5od to re$ea& Hi'se&f to 'an0ind
in order for their ha**inessB I 2as on the affir'ati$e< and the &ast to
s*ea0 on that side of the >uestion? ut< 2hi&e &istenin, 2ith interest to
the in,enuit! dis*&a!ed on oth sides< I 2as ca&&ed a2a! to $isit Sister
An,e&ine 3or0s< 2ho 2as su**osed to e dan,erous&! sic0# E&der John
Corri&& and '!se&f 2ent and *ra!ed for her and &aid hands on her in the
na'e of Jesus Christ? and &ea$in, her a**arent&! etter< returned ho'e#
Sunda!< 79#--At the usua& hour< ten a#'#< attended 'eetin, at the
schoo& house on the f&ats# E&der Jesse Hichcoc0 *reached a $er! fee&in,
discourse#
In the afternoon< E&der )eter 3hit'er re&ated his e/*erience? after
2hich< )resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's re&ated his a&so# The! oth s*o0e
of 'an! thin,s connected 2ith the rise and *ro,ress of this Church< 2hich
2ere interestin,# After this< the Sacra'ent of the Lord+s Su**er 2as
ad'inistered under the su*erintendence of )resident Da$id 3hit'er< after
2hich< I 'ade so'e re'ar0s res*ectin, *ra!er 'eetin,s< and our 'eetin, 2as
c&osed ! in$o0in, the &essin, of hea$en# I returned ho'e and ordered '!
horse< and '!se&f and scrie rode to .r# E# Jennin,+s< 2here I =oined
Eene4er Roinson and An,e&ine 3or0s in 'atri'on!< accordin, to *re$ious
en,a,e'ents# .iss 3or0s had so far reco$ered fro' her i&&ness as to e
a&e to sit in her eas! chair 2hi&e I *ronounced the 'arria,e cere'on!#
3e then rode to .r# .c3hith!+s a distance of aout three 'i&es fro'
to2n< 2here I had een so&icited to attend another 'arria,e# 3e found a
&ar,e and res*ecta&e nu'er of friends *resent I had een re>uested to
'a0e so'e *re&i'inar! re'ar0s on the su=ect of 'atri'on!< touchin, the
desi,n of the A&'i,ht! in its institution< a&so the duties of husands and
2i$es to2ards each other# And after o*enin, our inter$ie2 2ith sin,in, and
*ra!er< I de&i$ered a &ecture of aout fort! 'inutes< in 2hich a&& see'ed
interested< e/ce*t one or t2o indi$idua&s< 2ho 'anifested a s*irit of
,ro$e&in, conte'*t< 2hich I 2as constrained to re*ro$e and reu0e shar*&!#
After I had c&osed '! re'ar0s< I sea&ed the 'atri'onia& en,a,e'ent et2een
.r# E# 3e and .iss E# A# .c3hith!< in the na'e of 5od< and *ronouncin,
the &essin,s of hea$en u*on their heads< c&osed ! returnin, than0s# A
su'*tuous feast 2as then s*read< and the co'*an! in$ited to seat
the'se&$es at the ta&e ! *airs< 'a&e and fe'a&e< co''encin, 2ith the
e&dest# The festi$a& 2as conducted 2ith *ro*riet! and decoru'< and
cheerfu&ness *re$ai&ed# After s*endin, the e$enin, a,reea&e unti& nine
o+c&oc0< 2e *ronounced a &essin, u*on the co'*an! and returned ho'e# This
da! the oard 0i&n too0 fire a,ain#
.onda!< 7@#--A nu'er of rethren fro' Ne2 Yor0 ca&&ed to $isit 'e
and see the E,!*tian records# A&so E&der Harris returned fro' )a&'!ra< Ne2
Yor0< and "rother Francis Eaton of the sa'e *&ace< and Sister Harriet Ho2e
ca&&ed to $isit us#
After dinner< attended the funera& of S!&$ester S'ith+s !oun,est
chi&d# And in the e$enin, 'et< accordin, to *re$ious notice< to 'a0e
arran,e'ents to ,uard a,ainst fire< and or,ani4e a co'*an! for this
*ur*ose? a&so counse&ed on other affairs of a te'*ora& nature# Sa'ue&
"arnu' ca'e to '! house< 'uch aff&icted 2ith a s2o&&en ar'# As he had not
sufficient faith to e hea&ed< '! 2ife a**&ied a *ou&tice of hers< and he
tarried o$er ni,ht# I s*ent the da! at ho'e readin, Here2< and $isitin,
2ith friends 2ho ca&&ed to see 'e#
CHA)TER 66%#
THE TROU"LES OF ORSON HYDE AND 3ILLIA. S.ITH--THE "OO1 OF
A"RAHA.--CLOSE OF THE YEAR#
Tuesda!< Dece'er 7G#--At ho'e< and< as usua&< 2as &essed 2ith 'uch
co'*an!# Sa'ue& "arnu' is $er! sic0< his ar' 'uch inf&a'ed#
This afternoon< E&der Orson H!de handed 'e a &etter< the *ur*ort of
2hich 2as< that he 2as dissatisfied 2ith the co''ittee in their dea&in,s
2ith hi' in te'*ora& affairs that is that the! did not dea& as &iera&
2ith hi' as the! did 2ith E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith? a&so re>uested 'e to
reconci&e the re$e&ation ,i$en to the T2e&$e since their return fro' the
east# That un&ess these thin,s and others na'ed in the &etter< cou&d e
reconci&ed to his 'ind< his honor 2ou&d not stand united 2ith the'# This I
e&ie$e is the a'ount of the contents of the &etter< a&thou,h 'uch 2as
2ritten#
.! fee&in,s on this occasion 2ere 'uch &acerated< 0no2in, that I had
dea&t in ri,hteousness 2ith hi' in a&& thin,s< and endea$ored to *ro'ote
his ha**iness and 2e&& ein, as 'uch as &a! in '! *o2er# And I fee& that
these ref&ections are un,ratefu&< and founded in =ea&ous!< and that the
ad$ersar! is stri$in, 2ith a&& his sut&e de$ices and inf&uence to destro!
hi'< ! causin, a di$ision a'on, the T2e&$e 2ho' 5od has chosen to o*en
the 5os*e& 0in,do' to a&& nations# "ut I *ra! Thee< '! hea$en&! Father< in
the na'e of Jesus of Na4areth< that he 'a! e de&i$ered fro' the *o2er of
the destro!er< that his faith fai& not in this hour of te'*tation< and
*re*are hi'< and a&& the E&ders< to recei$e an endo2'ent in Th! house<
e$en accordin, to Thine o2n order fro' ti'e to ti'e< as Thou seest the'
2orth! to e ca&&ed into Th! so&e'n asse'&!#
3ednesda!< 7:#--3eather e/tre'e&! co&d# I 2ent to the Counci& roo'
toda! efore the )residenc!< the &etter that I recei$ed !esterda! fro'
E&der Orson H!de? ut 2hen I arri$ed< I found that I had &ost said &etter<
ut I &aid the sustance of it< as far as I cou&d reco&&ect it< efore the
Counci&? ut the! had not ti'e to attend to it on account of other
usiness? accordin,&! ad=ourned unti& .onda! e$enin,< the HDth inst#
Returned ho'e#
E&ders 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< "ri,ha' Youn,< and Jared Carter< ca&&ed
and *aid 'e a $isit 2ith 2hich I 2as 'uch ,ratified# I e/hiited and
e/*&ained the E,!*tian records to the'< and e/*&ained 'an! thin,s
concernin, the dea&in, of 5od 2ith the ancients< and the for'ation of the
*&anetar! s!ste'#
This e$enin,< accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< I 2ent to "rother 3i&&ia'
S'ith+s to ta0e *art in the deate that 2as co''enced Saturda! e$enin,
&ast# After the deate 2as conc&uded< and a decision ,i$en in fa$or of the
affir'ati$e of the >uestion< so'e a&tercation too0 *&ace u*on the
*ro*riet! of continuin, the schoo& IdeateJ fearin, that it 2ou&d not
resu&t in ,ood# "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith o**osed these 'easures< and insisted
on ha$in, another >uestion *ro*osed< and at &en,th eca'e 'uch enra,ed
*articu&ar&! at 'e< and used $io&ence u*on '! *erson< and a&so u*on E&der
Jared Carter< and so'e others< for 2hich I a' ,rie$ed e!ond 'easure< and
can on&! *ra! 5od to for,i$e hi'< inas'uch as he re*ents of his
2ic0edness< and hu'&es hi'se&f efore the Lord#
Thursda!< 7M#--At ho'e< >uite un2e&&# E&der Orson H!de ca&&ed to see
'e< and *resented 'e 2ith a co*! of the &etter he handed 'e on Tuesda!
&ast< 2hich I had &ost# The fo&&o2in, is the co*!--
Orson H!de+s Letter of Co'*&aint# DECE."ER 7Gth< 789G# )resident
S'ith( Sir--You 'a! estee' it a no$e& circu'stance to recei$e a 2ritten
co''unication fro' 'e at this ti'e# .! reasons for 2ritin, are the
fo&&o2in,--I ha$e so'e thin,s 2hich I 2ish to co''unicate to !ou< and
fee&in, a ,reater &iert! to do it ! 2ritin, a&one ! '!se&f< I ta0e this
'ethod< and it is ,enera&&! the case !ou are thron,ed 2ith usiness< and
not con$enient to s*end 'uch ti'e in con$ersin, u*on su=ects of the
fo&&o2in, nature# Therefore &et these e/cuses *a&&iate the no$e&t! of the
circu'stance< and *atient&! hear '! recita&#
After the co''ittee recei$ed their stoc0 of fa&& and 2inter ,oods< I
2ent to E&der Cahoon and to&d hi' I 2as destitute of a c&oa0< and 2anted
hi' to trust 'e< unti& s*rin,< for 'ateria&s to 'a0e one# He to&d 'e that
he 2ou&d trust 'e unti& Januar!< ut 'ust then ha$e his *a!< as the
*a!'ent for the ,oods eca'e due at that ti'e# I to&d hi' I 0ne2 not fro'
2hence the 'one! 2ou&d co'e< and I cou&d not *ro'ise it so soon# "ut< in a
fe2 2ee0s after< I une/*ected&! otained the 'one! to u! a c&oa0< and
a**&ied i''ediate&! to E&der Cahoon for one< and to&d hi' that I had the
cash to *a! for it? ut he said the 'ateria&s for c&oa0s 2ere a&& so&d<
and that he cou&d not acco''odate 'e? and I 2i&& here $enture a ,uess<
that he has not rea&i4ed the cash for one c&oa0 *attern#
A fe2 2ee0s after this< I ca&&ed on E&der Cahoon a,ain< and to&d hi'
that I 2anted c&oth for so'e shirts< to the a'ount of four or fi$e
do&&ars# I to&d hi' that I 2ou&d *a! hi' in the s*rin,< and sooner if I
cou&d# He &et 'e ha$e it# Not &on, after< '! schoo& 2as esta&ished< and
so'e of the hands 2ho &aored on the house< attended< and 2ished to *a! 'e
at the co''ittee+s store for their tuition# I ca&&ed at the store to see
if an! ne,otiation cou&d e 'ade< and the! ta0e 'e off 2here I o2ed the'?
ut no such ne,otiation cou&d e 'ade# These< 2ith so'e other
circu'stances of a &i0e character< ca&&ed forth the fo&&o2in, ref&ection(
In the first *&ace< I ,a$e the co''ittee RHMG#DD in cash< esides
so'e 'ore< and durin, the &ast season< ha$e tra$e&ed throu,h the .idd&e
and Eastern states to su**ort and u*ho&d the store? and in so doin,< ha$e
reduced '!se&f to nothin,< in a *ecuniar! *oint# Under these
circu'stances< this esta&ish'ent refused to render 'e that acco''odation
2hich a 2or&d&in,+s esta&ish'ent ,&ad&! 2ou&d ha$e done? and one< too<
2hich ne$er recei$ed a donation fro' 'e< or in 2hose fa$or I ne$er raised
'! $oice< or e/erted '! inf&uence# "ut after a&& this< thou,ht I it 'a! e
ri,ht< and I 2i&& e sti&&--unti&< not &on, since< I ascertained that
E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith cou&d ,o to the store and ,et 2hate$er he *&eased< and
no one to sa!< 2h! do !e soB unti& his account has a'ounted to se$en
hundred do&&ars< or thereaouts< and that e 2as a si&ent *artner in the
concern< ut not ac0no2&ed,ed as such< fearin, that his creditors 2ou&d
'a0e a hau& u*on the store#
3hi&e 2e Ithe T2e&$eJ 2ere aroad this &ast season< 2e strained e$er!
ner$e to otain a &itt&e so'ethin, for our fa'i&ies< and re,u&ar&! di$ided
the 'onies e>ua&&! for au,ht I 0no2< not 0no2in, that 3i&&ia' had such a
fountain at ho'e< fro' 2hence he dre2 his su**ort# I then ca&&ed to 'ind
the Re$e&ation in 2hich '!se&f< .+Le&&in< and )atten 2ere chastened< and
a&so the >uotation in that re$e&ation of the *ara&e of the t2e&$e sons<
as if the ori,ina& 'eanin, referred direct&! to the T2e&$e A*ost&es of the
Church of Latter-da! Saints# I 2ou&d no2 as if each one of the T2e&$e has
not an e>ua& ri,ht to the sa'e acco''odations fro' that store< *ro$ided
the! are a&i0e faithfu&B If not< 2ith such a co'ination< 'ine honor e
not thou united# If each one has the sa'e ri,ht< ta0e the as0ets fro' off
our noses< and *ut one to 3i&&ia'+s nose? or if this cannot e done<
reconci&e the *ara&e of the t2e&$e sons< 2ith the su*erior *ri$i&e,es
that 3i&&ia' has# )ardon if I s*ea0 in *ara&es or *arod!#
A certain she*herd had t2e&$e sons< and he sent the' out one da! to
,o and ,ather his f&oc0 2hich 2as scattered u*on the 'ountain and in the
$a&&e!s afar off# The! 2ere a&& oedient to their fathers 'andate< and at
e$enin, the! returned 2ith the f&oc0< and one son recei$ed 2oo& enou,h to
'a0e hi' 2ar' and co'forta&e< and a&so recei$ed of the f&esh and 'i&0 of
the f&oc0< the other e&e$en recei$ed not so 'uch as one 0id to 'a0e 'err!
2ith their friends#
These facts< 2ith so'e others< ha$e dis>ua&ified '! 'ind for stud!in,
the Here2 &an,ua,e< at *resent? and e&ie$in, as I do< that I 'ust sin0
or s2i'< or in other 2ords< ta0e care of '!se&f< I ha$e thou,ht that I
shou&d ta0e the 'ost efficient 'eans in '! *o2er to ,et out of det? and
to this end I *ro*osed ta0in, the schoo&? ut if I a' not thou,ht
co'*etent to ta0e the char,e of it< or 2orth! to e *&aced in that
station< I 'ust de$ise so'e other 'eans to he&* '!se&f< a&thou,h ha$in,
een ordained to that office under !our o2n hand< 2ith a *ro'ise that it
shou&d not e ta0en fro' 'e#
The conc&usion of the 2ho&e 'atter is( I a' 2i&&in, to continue and
do a&& I can< *ro$ided 2e can share e>ua& enefits< one 2ith the other<
and u*on no other *rinci*&e 2hate$er# If one has his su**ort fro' the
-*u&ic cri<- &et the' a&& ha$e it? ut if one is *inched< I a' 2i&&in,
to e< *ro$ided 2e are a&& a&i0e# If the *rinci*&e of i'*artia&it! and
e>uit! can e oser$ed ! a&&< I thin0 that I 2i&& not *ee* a,ain# If I a'
da'ned< it 2i&& e for doin, 2hat I thin0 is ri,ht# There ha$e een t2o
a**&ications 'ade to 'e to ,o into usiness since I ta&0ed of ta0in, the
schoo&< ut it is in the 2or&d< and I had rather re'ain in 1irt&and< if I
can consistent&!# A&& I as0 is ri,ht#
I a'< sir< 2ith res*ect< Your oedient ser$ant< ORSON HYDE# To
)resident J# S'ith< Jun#< 1irt&and< Pc#
E&der Orson H!de read the fore,oin, co*! hi'se&f< and I e/*&ained the
o=ections he had set forth in it< and satisfied his 'ind u*on e$er!
*oint< *erfect&!# And he oser$ed< after I ,ot throu,h< that he 2as 'ore
than satisfied and 2ou&d attend the Here2 schoo&< and too0 the *artin,
hand 2ith 'e 2ith e$er! e/*ression of friendshi* that a ,ent&e'an and a
Christian cou&d 'anifest? 2hich I fe&t to reci*rocate 2ith cheerfu&ness<
and entertain the est of fee&in, for hi'< and 'ost cheerfu&&! for,i$e hi'
the in,ratitude 2hich 2as 'anifested in his &etter< 0no2in, that it 2as
for 2ant of correct infor'ation< that his 'ind 2as distured< as far as
his ref&ections re&ated to 'e? ut on the *art of the co''ittee he 2as not
treated ri,ht in a&& thin,s? ho2e$er< a&& thin,s are sett&ed a'ica&!< and
no hardness e/ists et2een us and the'#
I to&d E&der Cahoon< of the Te'*&e co''ittee< that 2e 'ust sustain
the T2e&$e< and not &et the' ,o do2n? if 2e do not< the! 'ust ,o do2n< for
the urden is on the' and is co'in, on the' hea$ier and hea$ier# If the
T2e&$e ,o do2n< 2e 'ust ,o do2n< ut 2e 'ust sustain the'#
.! father and 'other ca&&ed this e$enin, to see 'e u*on the su=ect
of the difficu&t! that occurred at their house< on 3ednesda! e$enin,<
et2een 'e and '! rother 3i&&ia'# The! 2ere sore&! aff&icted in 'ind on
account of that occurrence# I con$ersed 2ith the' and con$ince the' that I
2as not to &a'e in ta0in, the course I did< ut had acted in
ri,hteousness in a&& thin,s on that occasion# I in$ited the' to co'e and
&i$e 2ith 'e# The! consented to do so as soon as it 2as *ractica&e#
Frida!< 78#--"rother H!ru' S'ith ca&&ed to see 'e< and read a &etter
that he recei$ed fro' 3i&&ia'< in 2hich he as0ed for,i$eness for the ause
he offered to hi' EH!ru'F at the deate# He tarried 'ost of the forenoon<
and con$ersed free&! 2ith 'e u*on the su=ect of the difficu&t! e/istin,
et2een 'e and "rother 3i&&ia'# He said that he 2as *erfect&! satisfied
2ith the course I had ta0en in reu0in, 3i&&ia' in his 2ic0edness< ut he
is 2ounded to the $er! sou&< ecause of the conduct of 3i&&ia'? and
a&thou,h he e/*eriences the tender fee&in,s of a rother to2ards hi'< !et
he can ut &oo0 u*on his conduct as an ao'ination in the si,ht of 5od#
And I cou&d *ra! in '! heart that a&& '! rethren 2ere &i0e unto '!
e&o$ed rother H!ru'< 2ho *ossesses the 'i&dness of a &a'< and the
inte,rit! of a Jo< and in short< the 'ee0ness and hu'i&it! of Christ? and
I &o$e hi' 2ith that &o$e that is stron,er than death< for I ne$er had
occasion to reu0e hi'< nor he 'e< 2hich he dec&ared 2hen he &eft 'e
to-da!#
This da! recei$ed the fo&&o2in, &etter fro' "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith(
3i&&ia' S'ith+s Letter to the )ro*het# "ROTHER JOSE)H--Thou,h I do
not 0no2 ut I ha$e forfeited a&& ri,ht and tit&e to the 2ord rother< in
conse>uence of 2hat I ha$e done< Efor I consider< '!se&f< that I a'
un2orth! to e ca&&ed one<F after co'in, to '!se&f< and considerin, 2hat I
ha$e done< I fee& as thou,h it 2as a dut! to 'a0e a hu'&e confession to
!ou< for 2hat I ha$e done< or 2hat too0 *&ace the other e$enin,? ut &ea$e
this *art of the su=ect at *resent# I 2as ca&&ed to an account< ! the
T2e&$e< !esterda!< for '! conduct? or the! desired to 0no2 '! 'ind or
deter'ination< and 2hat I 2as ,oin, to do# I to&d the' that on ref&ection
u*on the 'an! difficu&ties that I had had 2ith the Church< and the 'uch
dis,race I had rou,ht u*on '!se&f in conse>uence of these thin,s< and
a&so that '! hea&th 2ou&d not *er'it 'e to ,o to schoo& to 'a0e an!
*re*arations for the endo2'ent< and that '! hea&th 2as such that I 2as not
a&e to tra$e&< that it 2ou&d e etter for the' to a**oint one< in the
office< that 2ou&d e etter a&e to fi&& it< and ! doin, this the! 2ou&d
thro2 'e into the hands of the Church< and &ea$e 'e 2here I 2as efore I
2as chosen< then I 2ou&d not e in a situation to rin, so 'uch dis,race
u*on the cause< 2hen I fa&& into te'*tation? and *erha*s< ! this I 'i,ht
otain sa&$ation# You 0no2 '! *assions and the dan,er of fai&in, fro' so
hi,h a station? and thus ! 2ithdra2in, fro' the office of the
A*ost&eshi*< 2hi&e there is sa&$ation for 'e< and re'ainin, a 'e'er of
the Church--I fee& afraid< if I don+t do this< it 2i&& e 2orse for 'e
so'e other da!#
And a,ain< '! hea&th is *oor< and I a' not a&e to tra$e& and it is
necessar! the office shou&d not e id&e# And a,ain< I sa!< !ou 0no2 an!
*assions< and I a' afraid it 2i&& e the 2orse for 'e ! and !# Do so< if
the Lord 2i&& ha$e 'erc! on 'e< and &et 'e re'ain as a 'e'er in the
Church< and then I can tra$e& and *reach 2hen I a' a&e# Do not thin0 I a'
!our ene'! for 2hat I ha$e done# )erha*s !ou 'a! sa! or as0 2h! I ha$e not
re'e'ered the ,ood that !ou ha$e done to 'e# 3hen I ref&ect u*on the
in=ur! I ha$e done !ou< I 'ust confess that I do not 0no2 2hat I ha$e een
aout# I fee& sorr! for 2hat I ha$e done< and hu'&! as0 !our for,i$eness#
I ha$e not confidence as !et to co'e and see !ou< for I fee& asha'ed of
2hat I ha$e done? and as I fee& no2< I fee& as thou,h a&& the confessions
that I cou&d 'a0e< $era&&! or ! 2ritin,< 2ou&d not e sufficient to
atone for the trans,ression# "e this as it 'a!< I a' 2i&&in, to 'a0e a&&
the restitution !ou sha&& re>uire# If I can sta! in the Church as a
'e'er< I 2i&& tr! to 'a0e a&& the satisfaction *ossi&e#
Yours 2ith res*ect< 3ILLIA. S.ITH#
)#S#--Do not cast 'e off for 2hat I ha$e done< ut stri$e to sa$e 'e
in the Church as a 'e'er# I do re*ent of 2hat I ha$e done to !ou and as0
!our for,i$eness# I consider the trans,ression< the other e$enin,< of no
s'a&& 'a,nitude? ut it is done< and I cannot he&* it no2# I 0no2< "rother
Jose*h< !ou are a&2a!s 2i&&in, to for,i$e? ut I so'eti'es thin0< 2hen I
ref&ect u*on the 'an! in=uries I ha$e done !ou< I fee& as thou,h
confession 2as hard&! sufficient# "ut ha$e 'erc! on 'e this once< and I
2i&& tr! to do so no 'ore#
The T2e&$e ca&&ed a Counci& !esterda!< and sent o$er after 'e< and I
2ent o$er# This Counci&< re'e'er< 2as ca&&ed to,ether ! the'se&$es and
not ! 'e# 3# S#
To the fore,oin, I ,a$e the fo&&o2in, ans2er the sa'e da!#
Letter of the )ro*het to his "rother 3i&&ia'# "ROTHER 3ILLIA.--Ha$in,
recei$ed !our &etter< I no2 *roceed to ans2er it< and sha&& first *roceed
to ,i$e a rief narration of '! fee&in,s and 'oti$es since the ni,ht I
first ca'e to the 0no2&ed,e of !our ha$in, a deatin, schoo&< 2hich 2as at
the ti'e I ha**ened in 2ith "isho* 3hitne!< his father and 'other< Pc#?
and fro' that ti'e I too0 an interest in it< and 2as de&i,hted 2ith it<
and for'ed a deter'ination to attend the schoo&< for the *ur*ose of
otainin, infor'ation< and 2ith the idea of i'*artin, the sa'e< throu,h
the assistance of the S*irit of the Lord< if ! an! 'eans I shou&d ha$e
faith to do so# And 2ith this intent< I 2ent to the schoo& on &ast
3ednesda! ni,ht< not 2ith the idea of rea0in, u* the schoo&< neither did
it enter into '! heart that there 2as an! 2ran,&in, or =ea&ousies in !our
heat a,ainst 'e# Not2ithstandin,< *re$ious to '! &ea$in, ho'e< there 2ere
fee&in,s of so&e'nit! ro&&in, across '! reast< 2hich 2ere unaccounta&e
to 'e? and a&so these fee&in,s continued ! s*e&&s to de*ress '! s*irits<
and see'ed to 'anifest that a&& 2as not ri,ht< e$en after the schoo&
co''enced< and durin, the deate< !et I stro$e to e&ie$e that a&& 2ou&d
2or0 to,ether for ,ood# I 2as *&eased 2ith the *o2er of the ar,u'ents that
2ere used< and did not fee& to cast an! ref&ection+ u*on an! one that had
s*o0en? ut I fe&t it 2as the dut! of o&d 'en that sat as )residents< to
e as ,ra$e< at &east< as !oun, 'en< and that it 2as our dut! to s'i&e
EnotF at so&id ar,u'ents and sound reasonin,s and e i'*ressed 2ith
so&e'nit!< 2hich shou&d e 'anifested in our countenances< 2hen fo&&!
2hich 'i&itates a,ainst truth and ri,hteousness rears its head#
Therefore< in the s*irit of '! ca&&in,< and in $ie2 of the authorit!
of the )riesthood that has een conferred u*on 'e< it 2ou&d e '! dut! to
re*ro$e 2hate$er I estee'ed to e 2ron,< fond&! ho*in, in '! heart< that
a&& *arties 2ou&d consider it ri,ht< and therefore hu'&e the'se&$es< that
Satan 'i,ht not ta0e the ad$anta,e of us< and hu'&e the *ro,ress of our
schoo&#
No2< "rother 3i&&ia'< I 2ant !ou shou&d ear 2ith 'e< not2ithstandin,
'! *&ainness# I 2ou&d sa! to !ou that '! fee&in,s 2ere ,rie$ed at the
interru*tion !ou 'ade u*on E&der .+Le&&in# I thou,ht !ou shou&d consider
!our re&ationshi* 2ith hi' in !our A*ost&eshi*< and not 'anifest an!
di$ision of senti'ent et2een !ou and hi'< for a surroundin, 'u&titude to
ta0e ad$anta,e of !ou? therefore< ! 2a! of entreat!< on account of the
an/iet! I had for !our inf&uence and 2e&fare< I said unto !ou( Do not ha$e
an! fee&in,s? or so'ethin, to that a'ount# 3h! I a' thus *articu&ar< is<
that if !ou ha$e 'isconstrued '! fee&in,s to2ards !ou< !ou 'a! e
corrected# "ut to *roceed# After the schoo& 2as c&osed< "rother H!ru'
re>uested the *ri$i&e,e of s*ea0in,? !ou o=ected? ho2e$er< !ou said if he
2ou&d not ause the schoo&< he 'i,ht s*ea0< and that !ou 2ou&d not a&&o2
an! 'an to ause the schoo& in !our house# No2< !ou had no reason to
sus*ect that H!ru' 2ou&d ause the schoo&? therefore< '! fee&in,s 2ere
'ortified at these unnecessar! oser$ations# I undertoo0 to reason 2ith
!ou< ut !ou 'anifested an inconsiderate and stuorn s*irit# I then
des*aired of enefittin, !ou< on account of the s*irit !ou 'anifested<
2hich dre2 fro' 'e the e/*ression that !ou 2ere as u,&! as the de$i&#
Father then co''anded si&ence< and I for'ed a deter'ination to oe! his
'andate< and 2as aout to &ea$e the house< 2ith the i'*ression that !ou
2as under the inf&uence of a 2ic0ed s*irit( !ou re*&ied that !ou 2ou&d sa!
2hat !ou *&eased in !our o2n house# Father said( sa! 2hat !ou *&ease< ut
&et the rest ho&d their ton,ues# Then a ref&ection rushed throu,h '! 'ind<
of the an/iet! and care I ha$e had for !ou and !our fa'i&!< in doin, 2hat
I did in finishin, !our house< and *ro$idin, f&our for !our fa'i&!< P#?
and a&so< father had *ossession in the house as 2e&& as !ourse&f? and
2hen at an! ti'e ha$e I trans,ressed the co''and'ents of '! father< or
so&d '! irthri,ht< that I shou&d not ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of s*ea0in, in '!
father+s house< or in other 2ords< in '! father+s fa'i&!< or in !our
house< Efor so 2e 2i&& ca&& it< and so it sha&& e<F that I shou&d not
ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of re*ro$in, a !oun,er rotherB Therefore I said< I
2i&& s*ea0< for I ui&t the house< and it is as 'uch 'ine as !ours? or
so'ethin, to that effect# I shou&d ha$e said< that I he&*ed to finish the
house# I said it 'ere&! to sho2 that it cou&d not e the ri,ht s*irit that
2ou&d rise u* for trif&in, 'atters< and underta0e to *ut 'e to si&ence# I
sa2 that !our indi,nation 2as 0ind&ed a,ainst 'e< and !ou 'ade to2ards 'e#
I 2as not then to e 'o$ed< and I thou,ht to *u&& off '! &oose coat< &est
it shou&d tan,&e 'e< and !ou e &eft to hurt 'e< ut not 2ith the
intention of hurtin, !ou# "ut !ou 2ere too >uic0 for 'e< and ha$in, once
fa&&en into the hands of a 'o< and een 2ounded in '! side< and no2 into
the hands of a rother< '! side ,a$e 2a!# And after ha$in, een rescued
fro' !our ,ras*< I &eft !our house 2ith fee&in,s indescria&e--the
scener! had chan,ed< and a&& those e/*ectations that I had cherished< 2hen
,oin, to !our house< and rother&! 0indness< charit!< forearance< and
natura& affection< that in dut! ind us not to 'a0e each other offenders
for a 2ord# "ut a&asK ause< an,er< 'a&ice< hatred< and ra,e< 2ith a &a'e
side< 2ith 'ar0s of $io&ence hea*ed u*on 'e ! a rother< 2ere the
ref&ections of '! disa**oint'ent? and 2ith these I returned ho'e< not a&e
to sit do2n or rise u* 2ithout he&*< ut< throu,h the &essin, of 5od< I
a' no2 etter#
I recei$ed !our &etter and *erused it 2ith care# I ha$e not
entertained a fee&in, of 'a&ice a,ainst !ou# I a' o&der than !ou and ha$e
endured 'ore sufferin,< ha$in, een 'arred ! 'os# The &aors of '!
ca&&in,< a series of *ersecutions and in=uries continua&&! hea*ed u*on
'e--a&& ser$e to dei&itate '! od!? and it 'a! e that I cannot oast of
ein, stron,er than !ou# If I cou&d or cou&d not< 2ou&d this e an honor
or dishonor to 'eB If I cou&d oast< &i0e Da$id< of s&a!in, a 5o&iath< 2ho
defied the ar'ies of the &i$in, 5od? or< &i0e )au& of contendin, 2ith
)eter< face to face< 2ith sound ar,u'ents< it 'i,ht e an honor? ut to
'an,&e the f&esh< or see0 re$en,e u*on one 2ho ne$er did !ou an! 2ron,<
cannot e a source of s2eet ref&ection to !ou nor to 'e< neither to an
honora&e father and 'other< rothers and sisters# And 2hen 2e ref&ect
2ith 2hat care< and 2ith 2hat unre'ittin, di&i,ence our *arents ha$e
stri$en to 2atch o$er us< and ho2 'an! hours of sorro2 and an/iet! the!
ha$e s*ent< o$er our crad&es and ed-sides in ti'es of sic0ness< ho2
carefu& 2e ou,ht to e of their fee&in,s in their o&d a,eK It cannot e a
source of s2eet ref&ection to us< to sa! or do an!thin, that 2i&& rin,
their ,ra! hairs do2n 2ith sorro2 to the ,ra$e#
In !our &etter !ou as0 '! for,i$eness< 2hich I readi&! ,rant# "ut it
see's to 'e< that !ou sti&& retain an idea that I ha$e ,i$en !ou reasons
to e an,r! or disaffected 2ith 'e# 5rant 'e the *ri$i&e,e of sa!in, then<
that ho2e$er hast! and harsh I 'a! ha$e s*o0en at an! ti'e to !ou< it has
een done for the e/*ress *ur*ose of endea$orin, to 2arn e/hort< ad'onish<
and rescue !ou fro' fa&&in, into difficu&ties and sorro2s< 2hich I foresa2
!ou *&un,in, into< ! ,i$in, 2a! to that 2ic0ed s*irit< 2hich !ou ca&&
!our *assions< 2hich !ou shou&d cur and rea0 do2n< and *ut under !our
feet? 2hich if !ou do not< !ou ne$er can e sa$ed< in '! $ie2< in the
1in,do' of 5od# 5od re>uires the 2i&& of His creatures to e s2a&&o2ed u*
in His 2i&&#
You desire to re'ain in the Church< ut forsa0e !our A*ost&eshi*#
This is the strata,e' of the e$i& one? 2hen he has ,ained one ad$anta,e<
he &a!s a *&an for another# "ut ! 'aintainin, !our A*ost&eshi*< in risin,
u* and 'a0in, one tre'endous effort< !ou 'a! o$erco'e co'e !our *assions
and *&ease 5od# And ! forsa0in, !our A*ost&eshi*< is not to e 2i&&in, to
'a0e that sacrifice that 5od re>uires at !our hands< and is to incur His
dis*&easure? and 2ithout *&easin, 5od< 2e do not thin0 it 2i&& he an!
etter for !ou# 3hen a 'an fa&&s one ste*< he 'ust re,ain that ste* a,ain<
or fa&& another? he has sti&& 'ore to ,ain< or e$entua&&! a&& is &ost#
I desire< "rother 3i&&ia'< that !ou 2i&& hu'&e !ourse&f# I free&!
for,i$e !ou< and !ou 0no2 '! unsha0en and unchan,ea&e dis*osition? I 0no2
in 2ho' I trust? I stand u*on the roc0? the f&oods cannot< no< the! sha&&
not< o$erthro2 'e# You 0no2 the doctrine I teach is true< !ou 0no2 that
5od has &essed 'e# I rou,ht sa&$ation to '! father+s house< as an
instru'ent in the hands of 5od 2hen the! 2ere in a 'isera&e situation#
You 0no2 that it is '! dut! to ad'onish !ou< 2hen !ou do 2ron,# This
&iert! I sha&& a&2a!s ta0e< and !ou sha&& ha$e the sa'e *ri$i&e,e# I ta0e
the &iert! to ad'onish !ou< ecause of '! irthri,ht? and I ,rant !ou the
*ri$i&e,e< ecause it is '! dut! to e hu'&e< and recei$e reu0e and
instruction fro' a rother< or a friend#
As it re,ards 2hat course !ou sha&& *ursue hereafter< I do not
*retend to sa!? I &ea$e !ou in the hands of 5od and His Church# .a0e !our
o2n decision? I 2i&& do !ou ,ood< a&thou,h !ou 'ar 'e< or s&a! 'e# "! so
doin,< '! ,ar'ents sha&& e c&ear of !our sins# And if at an! ti'e !ou
shou&d consider 'e to e an i'*oster< for hea$en+s sa0e &ea$e 'e in the
hands of 5od< and not thin0 to ta0e $en,eance on 'e !ourse&f# T!rann!<
usur*ation< and to ta0e 'en+s ri,hts< e$er has een and e$er sha&& e
anished fro' '! heart# Da$id sou,ht not to 0i&& Sau&< a&thou,h he 2as
,ui&t! of cri'es that ne$er entered '! heart#
And no2 'a! 5od ha$e 'erc! u*on '! father+s house? 'a! 5od ta0e a2a!
en'it! fro' et2een 'e and thee? and 'a! a&& &essin,s e restored< and
the *ast e for,otten fore$er# .a! hu'&e re*entance rin, us oth to
Thee< O 5od< and to Th! *o2er and *rotection< and a cro2n< to en=o! the
societ! of father< 'other< A&$in< H!ru'< So*hronia< Sa'ue&< Catherine<
Car&os< Luc!< the Saints< and a&& the sanctified in *eace< fore$er< is the
*ra!er of !our rother< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN# To 3i&&ia' S'ith#
Saturda!< 7N#--At ho'e# Sent the ao$e &etter to "rother 3i&&ia'
S'ith# I ha$e had 'an! so&e'n fee&in,s this da! concernin, '! rother
3i&&ia'+ and ha$e *ra!ed in '! heart fer$ent&!< that the Lord 2i&& not
cast hi' off< ut that he 'a! return to the 5od of Jaco< and 'a,nif! his
A*ost&eshi* and ca&&in,# .a! this e his ha**! &ot< for the Lord of
,&or!+s sa0e# A'en#
Saturda!< HD#--At ho'e a&& da!# Too0 so&id co'fort 2ith '! fa'i&!#
Had 'an! serious ref&ections# "rothers )a&'er and Ta!&or ca&&ed to see 'e#
I sho2ed the' the sacred records to their =o! and satisfaction# OK 'a! 5od
ha$e 'erc! u*on these 'en< and 0ee* the' in the 2a! of e$er&astin, &ife<
in the na'e of Jesus# A'en#
.onda!< H7#--S*ent this da! at ho'e< endea$orin, to treasure u*
0no2&ed,e for the enefit of '! ca&&in,# The da! *assed off $er!
*&easant&!# I than0 the Lord for His &essin,s to '! sou&< His ,reat 'erc!
o$er '! fa'i&! in s*arin, our &i$es# O continue Th! care o$er 'e and 'ine<
for Christ+s sa0e#
Tuesda!< HH#--At ho'e# Continued '! studies# O 'a! 5od ,i$e 'e
&earnin,< e$en &an,ua,e? and endue 'e 2ith >ua&ifications to 'a,nif! His
na'e 2hi&e I &i$e#
I a&so de&i$ered an address to the Church< this e$enin,# The Lord
&essed '! sou&# .! scrie is un2e&&# O 'a! 5od hea& hi'# And for his
0indness to 'e< O '! sou&< e thou ,ratefu& to hi'< and &ess hi'# And he
sha&& e &essed of 5od for e$er< for I e&ie$e hi' to e a faithfu&
friend to 'e< therefore '! sou& de&i,hteth in hi'# A'en#
3ednesda!< H9#--In the forenoon< at ho'e< stud!in, the 5ree0
&an,ua,e# And a&so 2aited u*on the rethren 2ho ca'e in< and e/hiited to
the' the *a*!rus# Afternoon< $isited "rother Leonard Rich< 2ith the
re&ati$es of "rother O&i$er Co2der!# Had not a $er! a,reea&e $isit< for I
found the' fi&&ed 2ith *re=udice a,ainst the 2or0 of the Lord< and their
'inds &inded 2ith su*erstition and i,norance#
Thursda!< H@#--The forenoon< at ho'e# In the afternoon< I assisted
the co''issioner a**ointed ! the Icount!J court< in sur$e!in, a road
across '! far'#
Frida!< HG#--En=o!ed '!se&f at ho'e 2ith '! fa'i&!< a&& da!< it ein,
Christ'as< the on&! ti'e I ha$e had this *ri$i&e,e so satisfactori&! for a
&on, *eriod# "rother Jonathan Cros! ca&&ed this e$enin,#
Saturda!< H:#--Co''enced a,ain stud!in, the Here2 &an,ua,e< in
co'*an! 2ith "rothers )arrish and 3i&&ia's# In the 'eanti'e< "rother L!'an
Sher'an ca'e in and re>uested to ha$e the 3ord of the Lord throu,h 'e?
-for<- said he< -I ha$e een 2rou,ht u*on to 'a0e 0no2n to !ou '! fee&in,s
and desires< and 2as *ro'ised that I shou&d ha$e a re$e&ation 2hich shou&d
'a0e 0no2n '! dut!#-
Re$e&ation ,i$en to L!'an Sher'an< Dece'er H:< 789G# %eri&! thus
saith the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant L!'an< !our sins are for,i$en !ou<
ecause !ou ha$e oe!ed '! $oice in co'in, u* hither this 'ornin, to
recei$e counse& of hi' 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed# Therefore< &et !our sou& e
at rest concernin, !our s*iritua& standin,< and resist no 'ore '! $oice?
and arise u* and e 'ore carefu& henceforth< in oser$in, !our $o2s 2hich
!ou ha$e 'ade< and do 'a0e< and !ou sha&& e &essed 2ith e/ceedin, ,reat
&essin,s# 3ait *atient&! unti& the so&e'n asse'&! sha&& e ca&&ed of '!
ser$ants< then !ou sha&& e re'e'ered 2ith the first of 'ine E&ders< and
recei$e ri,ht ! ordination 2ith the rest of 'ine E&ders< 2ho' I ha$e
chosen# "eho&d< this is the *ro'ise of the Father unto !ou if !ou continue
faithfu&? and it sha&& e fu&fi&&ed u*on !ou in that da! that !ou sha&&
ha$e ri,ht to *reach '! 5os*e& 2heresoe$er I sha&& send !ou< fro'
henceforth fro' that ti'e# Therefore< stren,then !our rethren in a&& !our
con$ersation< in a&& !our *ra!ers< in a&& !our e/hortations< and in a&&
!our doin,s? and eho&d< and &oK I a' 2ith !ou to &ess !ou< and de&i$er
!ou fore$er# A'en#
Sunda!< HM#--At the usua& hour< attendin, 'eetin, at the schoo&
house# )resident Co2der! de&i$ered a $er! a&e and interestin, discourse#
In the afternoon< "rother H!ru' S'ith and "isho* )artrid,e de&i$ered
each a short and interestin, &ecture< after 2hich Sacra'ent 2as
ad'inistered#
3hi&e cho**in, 2ood at '! door< on the HGth instant< t2o ,ent&e'en
ca&&ed< and re>uested an inter$ie2 2ith the heads of the Church< 2hich I
a,reed to ,rant the' this 'ornin,< ut the! did not co'e< and I consider
the! 2ere trif&in, characters#
.onda!< H8#--Ha$in, *re$ious&! *referred a char,e a,ainst A&'on 3#
"aitt< for traducin, '! character< he 2as this 'ornin, ca&&ed efore the
Hi,h Counci&< and I attended 2ith '! 2itnesses< and sustantiated the
char,e a,ainst hi'? and he in *art ac0no2&ed,ed his fau&t< ut not
satisfactori&! to the Counci&? and after *ar&e!in, 2ith hi' a &on, ti'e<
and ,rantin, hi' e$er! indu&,ence that ri,hteousness re>uired< the Counci&
ad=ourned 2ithout otainin, a fu&& confession fro' hi'#
This da! the Counci& of the Se$ent! 'et to render an account of their
tra$e&s and 'inistr!< since the! 2ere ordained to that A*ost&eshi*# The
'eetin, 2as interestin, indeed< and '! heart 2as 'ade ,&ad 2hi&e &istenin,
to the re&ation of those that had een &aorin, in the $ine!ard of the
Lord< 2ith such 'ar$e&ous success# And I *ra! 5od to &ess the' 2ith an
increase of faith and *o2er< and 0ee* the' a&&< 2ith the endurance of
faith in the na'e of Jesus Christ to the end#
Tuesda!< HN#--The fo&&o2in, char,es 2ere *referred( To the Honora&e
)residenc! of the Church of Christ of Latter-da! Saints< a,ainst E&der
3i&&ia' S'ith#
7st# Unchristian&i0e conduct in s*ea0in, disres*ectfu&&! of )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and the re$e&ations and co''and'ents ,i$en throu,h
hi'#
Hnd# For atte'*tin, to inf&ict *ersona& $io&ence on )resident Jose*h
S'ith< Jun# ORSON JOHNSON#
I re'ained at ho'e unti& aout ten o+c&oc0# I then attended a
&essin, 'eetin, at O&i$er O&ne!+s< in co'*an! 2ith '! 2ife and father and
'other< 2ho had co'e to &i$e 2ith 'e# A&so '! scrie 2ent 2ith us# A &ar,e
co'*an! asse'&ed< 2hen Father S'ith 'ade so'e a**ro*riate re'ar0s# A h!'n
2as sun, and father o*ened the 'eetin, ! *ra!er# Aout fifteen *ersons
then recei$ed *atriarcha& &essin,s under his hands# The ser$ices 2ere
conc&uded as the! co''enced# A ta&e 2as cro2ned 2ith the ounties of
nature? and after in$o0in, the enediction of hea$en u*on the rich re*ast<
2e fared su'*tuous&!? and suffice it to sa! that 2e had a ,&orious 'eetin,
throu,hout< and I 2as 'uch *&eased 2ith the har'on! that e/isted a'on, the
rethren and sisters# 3e returned ho'e< and at ear&! cand&e-&i,ht I
*reached at the schoo& house to a cro2ded con,re,ation< 2ho &istened 2ith
attention aout three hours# I had &iert! in s*ea0in,# So'e )res!terians
2ere *resent< as I after2ards &earned? and I e/*ect that so'e of '!
sa!in,s sat &i0e a ,ar'ent that 2as 2e&& fitted< as I e/*osed their
ao'inations in the &an,ua,e of the scri*tures? and I *ra! 5od that it 'a!
e &i0e a nai& in a sure *&ace< dri$en ! the 'aster of asse'&ies#
3ednesda!< 9D#--S*ent the da! readin, Here2 at the counci& roo'< in
co'*an! 2ith '! scrie< 2ho is reco$erin, his hea&th 2hich ,i$es 'e 'uch
satisfaction< for I de&i,ht in his co'*an!#
Thursda!< 97<--At ho'e# After attendin, to the duties of '! fa'i&!<
retired to the counci& roo' to *ursue '! studies# The Counci& of the
T2e&$e con$ened in the u**er roo'< in the *rintin, office< direct&! o$er
the roo' 2here 2e asse'&ed in our studies# The! sent for 'e< and the
)residenc!< or a *art of the'< to recei$e counse& fro' us on the su=ect
of the counci& 2hich is to e he&d on Saturda! ne/t#
In the afternoon I attended at the cha*e& to ,i$e directions
concernin, the u**er roo's< and 'ore es*ecia&&! the 2est roo'< 2hich I
intend occu*!in, for a trans&atin, roo'< 2hich 2i&& e *re*ared this 2ee0#
The *u&ic 'ind has een e/cited of &ate< ! re*orts 2hich ha$e een
circu&ated concernin, certain E,!*tian 'u''ies and ancient records< 2hich
2ere *urchased ! certain ,ent&e'en of 1irt&and< &ast Ju&!# It has een
said that the *urchasers of these anti>uities *retend the! ha$e the odies
of Araha'< Ai'e&ech< Ethe 0in, of the )hi&istines<F Jose*h< 2ho 2as so&d
into E,!*t< Pc#< Pc#< for the *ur*ose of attractin, the attention of the
'u&titude< and ,u&&in, the un2ar!? 2hich is utter&! fa&se# 3ho these
ancient inhaitants of E,!*t 2ere< I do not at *resent sa!# Araha' 2as
uried on his o2n *ossession -in the ca$e of .ach*e&ah< in the fie&d of
E*hron< the son of ;ohah< the Hittite< 2hich is efore .a're<- 2hich e
*urchased of the sons of Heth# Ai'e&ech &i$ed in the sa'e countr!< and
for au,ht 2e 0no2< died there? and the chi&dren of Israe& carried Jose*h+s
ones fro' E,!*t< 2hen the! 2ent out under .oses? conse>uent&!< these
cou&d not ha$e een found in E,!*t< in the nineteenth centur!# The record
of Araha' and Jose*h< found 2ith the 'u''ies< is eautifu&&! 2ritten on
*a*!rus< 2ith &ac0< and a s'a&& *art red< in0 or *aint< in *erfect
*reser$ation# The characters are such as !ou find u*on the coffins of
'u''ies--hiero,&!*hics< etc#? 2ith 'an! characters of &etters &i0e the
*resent Ethou,h *roa&! not >uite so s>uareF for' of the Here2 2ithout
*oints# The records 2ere otained fro' one of the cataco's in E,!*t< near
the *&ace 2here once stood the reno2ned cit! of Thees< ! the ce&erated
French tra$e&er< Antonio Leo&o< in the !ear 7897# He *rocured &icense
fro' .ehe'et A&i< then %icero! of E,!*t< under the *rotection of Che$a&ier
Dro$etti< the French Consu&< in the !ear 78H8< and e'*&o!ed four hundred
and thirt!-three 'en< four 'onths and t2o da!s Eif I understand
correct&!F-- E,!*tian or Tur0ish so&diers< at fro' four to si/ cents *er
die'< each 'an# He entered the cataco' June M< 7897< and otained e&e$en
'u''ies# There 2ere se$era& hundred 'u''ies in the sa'e cataco'? aout
one hundred e'a&'ed after the first order< and *&aced in niches< and t2o
or three hundred after the second and third orders< and &aid u*on the
f&oor or otto' of the ,rand ca$it!# The t2o &ast orders of e'a&'ed 2ere
so deca!ed< that the! cou&d not e re'o$ed< and on&! e&e$en of the first<
found in the niches# On his 2a! fro' A&e/andria to )aris< he *ut in at
Trieste< and< after ten da!s+ i&&ness< e/*ired# This 2as in the !ear 789H#
)re$ious to his decease< he 'ade a 2i&& of the 2ho&e< to .r# .ichae& H#
Chand&er< Ethen in )hi&ade&*hia< )a#<F his ne*he2< 2ho' he su**osed to e
in Ire&and# Accordin,&!< the 2ho&e 2ere sent to Du&in< and .r# Chand&er+s
friends ordered the' to Ne2 Yor0< 2here the! 2ere recei$ed at the Custo'
House< in the 2inter or s*rin, of 7899# In A*ri&< of the sa'e !ear< .r#
Chand&er *aid the duties and too0 *ossession of his 'u''ies# U* to this
ti'e< the! had not een ta0en out of the coffins< nor the coffins o*ened#
On o*enin, the coffins< he disco$ered that in connection 2ith t2o of the
odies< 2as so'ethin, ro&&ed u* 2ith the sa'e 0ind of &inen< saturated
2ith the sa'e itu'en< 2hich< 2hen e/a'ined< *ro$ed to e t2o ro&&s of
*a*!rus< *re$ious&! 'entioned# T2o or three other s'a&& *ieces of *a*!rus<
2ith astrono'ica& ca&cu&ations< e*ita*hs< Pc< 2ere found 2ith others of
the 'u''ies# 3hen .r# Chand&er disco$ered that there 2as so'ethin, 2ith
the 'u''ies< he su**osed or ho*ed it 'i,ht e so'e dia'onds or $a&ua&e
'eta&< and 2as no &itt&e cha,rined 2hen he sa2 his disa**oint'ent# -He 2as
i''ediate&! to&d< 2hi&e !et in the custo' house< that there 2as no 'an in
that cit! 2ho cou&d trans&ate his ro&&( ut 2as referred< ! the sa'e
,ent&e'an< Ea stran,er<F to .r# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ho< continued he<
*ossesses so'e 0ind of *o2er or ,ifts< ! 2hich he had *re$ious&!
trans&ated si'i&ar characters#- I 2as then un0no2n to .r# Chand&er<
neither did he 0no2 that such a oo0 or 2or0 as the record of the
Ne*hites< had een rou,ht efore the *u&ic# Fro' Ne2 Yor0< he too0 his
co&&ection on to )hi&ade&*hia< 2here he otained the certificate of the
&earned< and fro' thence ca'e on to 1irt&and< as efore re&ated< in Ju&!#
Thus I ha$e ,i$en a rief histor! of the 'anner in 2hich the 2ritin,s of
the fathers< Araha' and Jose*h< ha$e een *reser$ed< and ho2 I ca'e in
*ossession of the sa'e--a correct trans&ation of 2hich I sha&& ,i$e in its
*ro*er *&ace#
To sho2 the s*irit of the *u&ic =ourna&s< such as the )hi&ade&*hia
Saturda! Courier< Ne2 Yor0 Dai&! Ad$ertiser< Sunda! .ornin, Ne2s< and the
*ress ,enera&&!< the *ast !ear< to2ards 'e and the cause of 5od< 2hich I
ha$e fear&ess&! es*oused< I >uote the fo&&o2in,< as a s*eci'en of the
2ho&e< fro' .# .# Noah+s Ne2 Yor0 E$enin, Star(
HEATHEN TE.)LE ON LA1E ERIE# That o&d-faced i'*oster< Joe S'ith< of
5o&d "i&e and .or'on 'e'or!< has caused his *oor fanatic fo&&o2ers to
erect on the shores of La0e Erie< near )aines$i&&e< Ohio< a stone
ui&din,< G8 ! M8 feet< 2ith dor'er 2indo2s< deno'inatin, the sa'e -The
Te'*&e of the Lord#- 3e shou&d thin0 this 2or0 of ini>uit! e/torted out of
the *oc0ets of his du*es< as it ref&ects its shado2s o$er the &ue La0e<
2ou&d 'a0e the 2aters cri'son 2ith sha'e at the *rostitution of its
eautifu& an0s to such unha&&o2ed *ur*oses#
Thus 'uch fro' .# .# Noah< a Je2< 2ho had used a&& the inf&uence in
his *o2er< to du*e his fe&&o2 Je2s< and 'a0e the' e&ie$e that the Ne2
Jerusa&e' for the'< 2as to e ui&t on 5rand Is&and< 2hose an0s are
surrounded ! the 2aters of the sa'e La0e Erie# The Lord re2ard hi'
accordin, to his deeds#
CHA)TER 66%I#
O)ENIN5 OF THE YEAR 789:--THE A.ERICAN INDIANS--S)ECIAL
COUNCIL .EETIN5S IN 1IRTLAND#
Frida! .ornin,< Januar! 7< 789:#--This ein, the e,inin, of a ne2
!ear< '! heart is fi&&ed 2ith ,ratitude to 5od that He has *reser$ed '!
&ife< and the &i$es of '! fa'i&!< 2hi&e another !ear has *assed a2a!# 3e
ha$e een sustained and u*he&d in the 'idst of a 2ic0ed and *er$erse
,eneration< a&thou,h e/*osed to a&& the aff&ictions< te'*tations< and
'iser! that are incident to hu'an &ife? for this I fee& to hu'&e '!se&f
in dust and ashes< as it 2ere< efore the Lord# "ut not2ithstandin, the
,ratitude that fi&&s '! heart on retros*ectin, the *ast !ear< and the
'u&ti*&ied &essin,s that ha$e cro2ned our heads< '! heart is *ained
2ithin 'e< ecause of the difficu&t! that e/ists in '! father+s fa'i&!#
The de$i& has 'ade a $io&ent attac0 on '! rother 3i&&ia' and Ca&$in
Stoddard< and the *o2ers of dar0ness see' to &o2er o$er their 'inds< and
not on&! o$er theirs< ut the! a&so cast a ,&oo'! shade o$er the 'inds of
'! rethren and sisters< 2hich *re$ents the' fro' seein, thin,s as the!
rea&&! are? and the *o2ers of earth and he&& see' co'ined to o$erthro2 us
and the Church< ! causin, a di$ision in the fa'i&!? and indeed the
ad$ersar! is rin,in, into re>uisition a&& his sut&et! to *re$ent the
Saints fro' ein, endo2ed< ! causin, a di$ision a'on, the T2e&$e< a&so
a'on, the Se$ent!< and ic0erin, and =ea&ousies a'on, the E&ders and the
officia& 'e'ers of the Church? and so the &ea$en of ini>uit! fer'ents and
s*reads a'on, the 'e'ers of the Church# "ut I a' deter'ined that nothin,
on '! *art sha&& e &ac0in, to ad=ust and a'ica&! dis*ose of and sett&e
a&& fa'i&! difficu&ties on this da!< that the ensuin, !ear and !ears< e
the! fe2 or 'an!< 'a! e s*ent in ri,hteousness efore 5od# And I 0no2
that the c&oud 2i&& urst< and Satan+s 0in,do' e &aid in ruins< 2ith a&&
his &ac0 desi,ns? and that the Saints 2i&& co'e forth &i0e ,o&d se$en
ti'es tried in the fire< ein, 'ade *erfect throu,h sufferin,s and
te'*tations< and that the &essin,s of hea$en and earth 2i&& e 'u&ti*&ied
u*on their heads? 2hich 'a! 5od ,rant for Christ+s sa0e# A'en#
"rothers 3i&&ia' and H!ru'< and Unc&e John S'ith< ca'e to '! house<
and 2e 2ent into a roo' ! ourse&$es< in co'*an! 2ith father and E&der
.artin Harris< Father S'ith then o*ened our inter$ie2 ! *ra!er< after
2hich he e/*ressed hi'se&f o the occasion in a $er! fee&in, and *athetic
'anner< e$en 2ith a&& the s!'*ath! of a father< 2hose fee&in,s 2ere dee*&!
2ounded on account of the difficu&t! that 2as e/istin, In the fa'i&!? and
2hi&e he addressed us< the S*irit of 5od rested do2n u*on us in 'i,ht!
*o2er< and our hearts 2ere 'e&ted# "rother 3i&&ia' 'ade a hu'&e
confession and as0ed '! for,i$eness for the ause he had offered 'e# And
2herein I had een out of the 2a!< I as0ed his for,i$eness# And the s*irit
of confession and for,i$eness 2as 'utua& a'on, us a&&< and 2e co$enanted
2ith each other< in the si,ht of 5od< and the ho&! an,e&s< and the
rethren< to stri$e thencefor2ard to ui&d each other u* in ri,hteousness
in a&& thin,s< and not &isten to e$i& re*orts concernin, each other? ut<
&i0e rothers indeed< ,o to each other< 2ith ,rie$ances< in the s*irit of
'ee0ness< and e reconci&ed< and there! *ro'ote our ha**iness< and the
ha**iness of the fa'i&!< and< in short< the ha**iness and 2e&&-ein, of
a&&# .! 2ife and 'other and '! scrie 2ere then ca&&ed in< and 2e re*eated
the co$enant to the' that 2e had entered into? and 2hi&e ,ratitude s2e&&ed
our oso's< tears f&o2ed fro' our e!es# I 2as then re>uested to c&ose our
inter$ie2< 2hich I did< 2ith *ra!er? and it 2as tru&! a =ui&ee and ti'e
of re=oicin,? after 2hich 2e a&& united&! ad'inistered< ! &a!in, on of
hands< to '! cousin 5eor,e A# S'ith< 2ho 2as i''ediate&! hea&ed of a
se$ere rheu'atic affection a&& o$er the od!< 2hich caused e/cruciatin,
*ain#
Saturda!< Januar! H#--Accordin, to *re$ious arran,e'ent< I 2ent to
the Counci& at nine o+c&oc0# This Counci& 2as ca&&ed to sit in =ud,'ent on
a co'*&aint *referred a,ainst "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith< ! Orson Johnson< on
the HNth of Dece'er#
The Counci& or,ani4ed and *roceeded to usiness< ut efore enterin,
on tria&< "rother 3i&&ia' arose and hu'&! confessed the char,es *referred
a,ainst hi'< and as0ed the for,i$eness of the Counci& and the 2ho&e
con,re,ation#
A $ote 2as then ca&&ed to 0no2 2hether his confession 2as
satisfactor!< and 2hether the rethren 2ou&d e/tend a,ain to hi' the hand
of fe&&o2shi*# 3ith cheerfu&ness the 2ho&e con,re,ation raised their hands
to recei$e hi'#
E&der A&'on 3# "aitt a&so confessed the char,es 2hich I *referred
a,ainst hi' in a *re$ious Counci&? and 2as recei$ed into fe&&o2shi*#
Counci& $oted that %inson 1ni,ht and Tho'as 5ro$er shou&d e ordained
E&ders# And so'e other usiness 2as transacted in union and fe&&o2shi*<
and the est of fee&in, see'ed to *re$ai& a'on, the rethren< and our
hearts 2ere 'ade ,&ad on the occasion< and there 2as =o! in hea$en< and '!
sou& doth 'a,nif! the Lord< for His ,oodness and 'erc! endure fore$er#
E&i=ah Fordha'< H!ru' Da!ton< Sa'ue& Ja'es and John Herrot 2ere a&so
a**ointed ! Counci& to e ordained E&ders under '! hands#
Sunda!< 9#--3ent to 'eetin, at the usua& hour# )resident Ri,don
de&i$ered a fine &ecture u*on the su=ect of Re$e&ation#
In the afternoon I confir'ed ten or t2e&$e *ersons 2ho had een
a*ti4ed< a'on, 2ho' 2as .a&cha' C# Da$is< 2ho 2as a*ti4ed durin, the
inter'ission toda!# "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith 'ade his confession to the
Church to their satisfaction< and 2as cordia&&! recei$ed into fe&&o2shi*
a,ain# The Lord+s Su**er 2as ad'inistered< and "rother 3i&&ia' ,a$e out an
a**oint'ent to *reach in the e$enin, at ear&! cand&e-&i,ht< and *reached a
fine discourse? and this da! has een a da! of re=oicin, to 'e# The c&oud
that has een han,in, o$er us has urst 2ith &essin,s on our heads< and
Satan has een foi&ed in his atte'*ts to destro! 'e and the Church< !
causin, =ea&ousies to arise in the hearts of so'e of the rethren? and I
than0 '! hea$en&! Father for the union and har'on! 2hich no2 *re$ai& in
the Church#
.onda!< @#--.et and or,ani4ed our Here2 schoo& accordin, to the
arran,e'ents that 2ere 'ade on Saturda! &ast# 3e had en,a,ed Doctor
)ie/otto to teach us in the Here2 &an,ua,e< 2hen 2e had our roo'
*re*ared# 3e infor'ed hi' that 2e 2ere read! and our roo' 2as *re*ared#
And he a,reed to 2ait on us this da!< and de&i$er his introductor!
&ecture# Yesterda! he sent us 2ord that he cou&d not co'e unti& 3ednesda!
ne/t# A $ote 2as then ca&&ed to 0no2 2hether 2e 2ou&d su'it to such
treat'ent or not? and carried in the ne,ati$e? and E&der S!&$ester S'ith
2as a**ointed c&er0 to 2rite hi' on the su=ect< and infor' hi' that his
ser$ices 2ere not 2anted? and E&ders 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in and Orson H!de
des*atched to Hudson Se'inar! to hire a teacher# The! 2ere a**ointed !
the $oice of the schoo& to act in their eha&f# Ho2e$er< 2e conc&uded to
,o on 2ith our schoo& and do the est 2e cou&d unti& 2e otained a
teacher? and ! the $oice of the schoo& I consented to render the' a&& the
assistance I 2as a&e to for the ti'e ein,# 3e are occu*!in, the
trans&atin, roo' for the use of the schoo&< unti& another roo' can e
*re*ared# It is the 2est roo' in the u**er *art of the Te'*&e< and 2as
consecrated this 'ornin, ! *ra!er< offered u* ! Father S'ith# This is
the first da! 2e ha$e occu*ied it# This is a rain! ti'e< and the roads are
e/tre'e&! 'udd!#
.et this e$enin, at the Te'*&e< to 'a0e arran,e'ents for a sin,in,
schoo&# After so'e discussion< a =udicious arran,e'ent 2as 'ade< a
co''ittee of si/ 2as chosen to ta0e char,e of the sin,in, de*art'ent#
Tuesda!< G#--Attended the Here2 schoo&< di$ided it into c&asses# Had
so'e deate 2ith E&der Orson )ratt concernin, the *ronunciation of a
Here2 &etter# "e 'anifested a stuorn s*irit< at 2hich I 2as 'uch
,rie$ed #
3ednesda!< :#--Attended schoo& and s*ent 'ost of the forenoon in
sett&in, the un*&easant fee&in,s that e/isted in the reast of E&der Orson
)ratt# After 'uch contro$ers!< he confessed his fau&t for enterin, into
an! contro$ers! concernin, so s'a&& a 'atter as the sound of a Here2
&etter< and as0ed the for,i$eness of the 2ho&e schoo&< and 2as cheerfu&&!
for,i$en ! a&&#
E&der .+Le&&in returned fro' Hudson< and re*orted to the schoo& that
he had hired a teacher to teach us the ter' of se$en 2ee0s< for three
hundred and t2ent! do&&ars? that is< fort! scho&ars for that a'ount? to
co''ence in aout fifteen da!s# He is hi,h&! ce&erated as a Here2
scho&ar< and *ro*oses to ,i$e us sufficient 0no2&ed,e durin, the ao$e
ter' to start us in readin, and trans&atin, the &an,ua,e#
A Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed at 1irt&and for Hi,h Counci& of ;ion#
)residents Da$id 3hit'er< John 3hit'er and 3# 3# )he&*s< and fifteen Hi,h
)riests and E&ders *resent# )resident )he&*s announced the death of
Christian 3hit'er on the HMth of No$e'er< 789G# Four counci&ors< na'e&!
)ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in and Tho'as "# .arsh< had
een chosen A*ost&es< or es*ecia& 2itnesses? and E&isha "# 5ro$es 2as
a**ointed to ta0e the *&ace of )ar&e! )# )ratt in the Hi,h Counci& of
;ion< John Hitchcoc0 in the *&ace of 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< 5eor,e .# Hin0&e
of Orson )ratt< E&ias Hi,ee of Tho'as "# .arsh< and )eter 3hit'er< Jun#<
of Christian 3hit'er< deceased? 2ho 2ere ordained at the ti'e to their
office as counci&ors#
.uch has een said and done of &ate ! the ,enera& ,o$ern'ent in
re&ation to the Indians E La'anitesF 2ithin the territoria& &i'its of the
United States# One of 'ost i'*ortant *oints in the faith of the Church of
the Latter Da! Saints< throu,h the fu&&ness of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< is
the ,atherin, of Israe& Eof 2ho' the La'anites constitute a *artF--that
ha**! ti'e 2hen Jaco sha&& ,o u* to the house of the Lord< to 2orshi* Hi'
in s*irit and in truth< to &i$e in ho&iness? 2hen the Lord 2i&& restore
his =ud,es as at the first< and His counse&ors as at the e,innin,? 2hen
e$er! 'an 'a! sit under his o2n $ine and fi, tree< and there 2i&& e none
to 'o&est or 'a0e afraid? 2hen He 2i&& turn to the' a *ure &an,ua,e< and
the earth 2i&& e fi&&ed 2ith sacred 0no2&ed,e< as the 2aters co$er the
,reat dee*? 2hen it sha&& no &on,er e said< the Lord &i$es that rou,ht
u* the chi&dren of Israe& out of the &and of E,!*t< ut the Lord &i$es
that rou,ht u* the chi&dren of Israe& fro' the &and of the north< and
fro' a&& the &ands 2hither He has dri$en the'# That da! is one< a&&
i'*ortant to a&& 'en#
In $ie2 of its i'*ortance< to,ether 2ith a&& that the *ro*hets ha$e
said aout it efore us< 2e fee& &i0e dro**in, a fe2 ideas in connection
2ith the officia& state'ents fro' the ,o$ern'ent concernin, the Indians#
In s*ea0in, of the ,atherin,< 2e 'ean to e understood as s*ea0in, of it
accordin, to scri*ture< the ,atherin, of the e&ect of the Lord out of
e$er! nation on earth< and rin,in, the' to the *&ace of the Lord of
Hosts< 2hen the cit! of ri,hteousness sha&& e ui&t< and 2here the *eo*&e
sha&& e of one heart and one 'ind< 2hen the Sa$ior co'es? !ea< 2here the
*eo*&e sha&& 2a&0 2ith 5od &i0e Enoch< and e free fro' sin# The 2ord of
the Lord is *recious? and 2hen 2e read that the $ai& s*read o$er a&&
nations 2i&& e destro!ed< and the *ure in heart see 5od< and rei,n 2ith
Hi' a thousand !ears on earth< 2e 2ant a&& honest 'en to ha$e a chance
to,ether and ui&d u* a cit! of ri,hteousness< 2here e$en u*on the e&&s
of the horses sha&& e 2ritten Ho&iness to the Lord# The "oo0 of .or'on
has 'ade 0no2n 2ho Israe& is< u*on this continent# And 2hi&e 2e eho&d the
,o$ern'ent of the United States ,atherin, the indians< and &ocatin, the'
u*on &ands to e their o2n< ho2 s2eet it is to thin0 that the! 'a! one da!
e ,athered ! the 5os*e&K Our $enera&e )resident of these United States
EAndre2 Jac0sonF s*ea0s of the Indians as fo&&o2s( )resident Andre2
Jac0son+s %ie2s on the )o&ic! of the 5enera& 5o$ern'ent 2ith Reference to
the Indians# The *&an of re'o$in, the aori,ina& *eo*&e 2ho !et re'ain
2ithin the sett&ed *ortions of the United States< to the countr! 2est of
the .ississi**i Ri$er< a**roaches its consu''ation# It 2as ado*ted on the
'ost 'ature consideration of the condition of this race< and ou,ht to e
*ersisted in ti&& the o=ect is acco'*&ished< and *rosecuted 2ith as 'uch
$i,or as a =ust re,ard to their circu'stances 2i&& *er'it< and as far as
their consent can e otained# A&& *recedin, e/*eri'ents for the
i'*ro$e'ent of the Indians ha$e fai&ed# It see's no2 to e an esta&ished
fact< that the! cannot &i$e in contact 2ith a ci$i&i4ed co''unit! and
*ros*er# A,es of fruit&ess endea$ors ha$e at &en,th rou,ht us to a
0no2&ed,e of this *rinci*&e of interco''unication 2ith the'# The *ast 2e
cannot reca&&< ut the future 2e can *ro$ide for< Inde*endent&! of the
treat! sti*u&ations into 2hich 2e ha$e entered 2ith the $arious tries for
the usufructuar! ri,hts ceded to us< no one can dout the 'ora& dut! of
the ,o$ern'ent of the United States to *rotect< and< if *ossi&e< to
*reser$e and *er*etuate the scattered re'nants of this race 2hich are &eft
2ithin our orders# In the dischar,e of this dut!< an e/tensi$e re,ion in
the 2est has een assi,ned for their *er'anent residence# It has een
di$ided into districts< and a&&otted a'on, the'# .an! ha$e a&read!
re'o$ed< and others are *re*arin, to ,o? and< 2ith the e/ce*tion of t2o
s'a&& ands< &i$in, in Ohio and Indiana< not e/ceedin, fifteen hundred
*ersons< and of the Chero0ees+ a&& the tries on the east side of the
.ississi**i< and e/tendin, fro' La0e .ichi,an to F&orida< ha$e entered
into en,a,e'ents 2hich 2i&& &ead to their trans*&antation#
The *&an for their re'o$a& and re-esta&ish'ent is founded u*on the
0no2&ed,e 2e ha$e ,ained of their character and haits< and has een
dictated ! a s*irit of en&ar,ed &iera&it!# A territor! e/ceedin, in
e/tent to that re&in>uished has een ,ranted to each trie# Of its
c&i'ate< ferti&it!< and ca*ai&it! to su**ort an Indian *o*u&ation< the
re*resentations are hi,h&! fa$ora&e# To these districts the Indians are
re'o$ed at the e/*ense of the United States< and 2ith certain su**&ies of
c&othin,< ar's< a''unition< and other indis*ensa&e artic&es? the! are
a&so furnished ,ratuitous&! 2ith *ro$isions for the *eriod of a !ear after
their arri$a& at their ne2 ho'es# In that ti'e< fro' the nature of the
countr!< and of the *roducts raised ! the'< the! can susist the'se&$es
! a,ricu&tura& &aor< if the! choose to resort to that 'ode of &ife# If
the! do not< the! are on the s0irts of the ,reat *rairies< 2here count&ess
herds of uffa&o roa'< and a short ti'e suffices to ada*t their o2n haits
to the chan,es 2hich a chan,e of the ani'a&s destined for their food 'a!
re>uire#
A'*&e arran,e'ents ha$e a&so een 'ade for the su**ort of schoo&s? in
so'e instances< counci& houses and churches are to e erected< d2e&&in,s
to e constructed for the chiefs< and 'i&&s for cotton use# Funds ha$e
een set a*art for the 'aintenance of the *oor< the 'ost necessar!
'echanica& arts ha$e een introduced< and &ac0s'iths< ,uns'iths<
2hee&2ri,hts< 'i&&2ri,hts< etc#< are su**orted a'on, the'# Stee& and iron<
and so'eti'e sa&t are *urchased for the'? and *&o2s and other far'in,
utensi&s#
Do'estic ani'a&s< &oo's< s*innin, 2hee&s< cards< etc#< are *resented
to the'? and esides these eneficia& arran,e'ents< annuities are in a&&
cases *aid< a'ountin, in so'e instances to 'ore than thirt! do&&ars for
each indi$idua& of the trie< and in a&& cases sufficient&! ,reat< if
=ust&! di$ided and *rudent&! e/*ended< to ena&e the'< in addition to
their o2n e/ertions< to &i$e co'forta&!# And as a sti'u&us for e/ertion<
it is no2 *ro$ided ! &a2< that in a&& cases of the a**oint'ent of
inter*reters< or other *ersons e'*&o!ed for the enefit of the Indians< a
*reference sha&& e ,i$en to *ersons of Indian descent< if such can e
found< 2ho are *ro*er&! >ua&ified for the dischar,e of the duties#
Such are the arran,e'ents for the *h!sica& co'fort and for the 'ora&
i'*ro$e'ent of the Indians# The necessar! 'easures for their *o&itica&
ad$ance'ent and for their se*aration fro' our citi4ens ha$e not een
ne,&ected# The *&ed,e of the United States has een ,i$en ! Con,ress<
that the countr! desi,nated for the residence of this *eo*&e sha&& e
-fore$er secured and ,uaranteed to the'#- A countr! 2est of .issouri and
Ar0ansas has een assi,ned to the'< into 2hich the 2hite sett&e'ents are
not to e *ushed# No *o&itica& co''unities can e for'ed in that e/tensi$e
re,ion< e/ce*t those that are esta&ished ! the Indians the'se&$es< or !
the United States for the' and 2ith their concurrence# A arrier has thus
een raised for their *rotection a,ainst the encroach'ents of the
citi4ens< and ,uardin, the Indians as far as *ossi&e< fro' those e$i&s
2hich ha$e rou,ht the' to their *resent condition#
Su''ar! authorit! has een ,i$en ! &a2< to destro! a&& ardent
s*irits found in their countr! 2ithout 2aitin, the doutfu& resu&t and
s&o2 *rocess of a &e,a& sei4ure#
I consider the aso&ute and unconditiona& interdiction of this
artic&e< a'on, these *eo*&e< as the first ,reat ste* in their
a'e&ioration# Ha&f-2a! 'easures 2i&& ans2er no *ur*ose# These cannot
successfu&&! contend a,ainst the cu*idit! of the se&&er and the
o$er*o2erin, a**etite of the u!er? and the destructi$e effects of the
traffic are 'ar0ed in e$er! *a,e of the histor! of our Indian intercourse#
So'e ,enera& &e,is&ation see's necessar! for the re,u&ation of the
re&ations 2hich 2i&& e/ist in this ne2 state of thin,s et2een the
,o$ern'ent and *eo*&e of the United States and those trans*&anted Indian
tries< and for the esta&ish'ent a'on, the &atter< 2ith their o2n
consent< so'e of the *rinci*&es of interco''unication 2hich their
=u/ta*osition 2i&& ca&& for? that 'ora& 'a! e sustituted for *h!sica&
force? the authorit! of a fe2 si'*&e &a2s< for the to'aha20? and that an
end 'a! e *ut to those &ood! 2ars< 2hose *rosecution see's to ha$e 'ade
a *art of their socia& s!ste'#
After the further detai& of the arran,e'ents are co'*&eted< 2ith a
$er! ,enera& su*er$ision o$er the'< the! ou,ht to e &eft to the *ro,ress
of e$ents# These< I indu&,e the ho*e< 2i&& secure their *ros*erit! and
i'*ro$e'ent? and a &ar,e *ortion of the 'ora& det 2e o2e the' 2i&& e
*aid#
In addition to the ao$e< 2e e/tract the fo&&o2in, fro' the re*ort on
Indian affairs< 'ade to Con,ress at the *resent session# 3e add and
arran,e accordin, to circu'stances(
The United Nation--Chi**e2as< Otto2as and )otta2ata'ies --aout 7<DDD
in nu'er< re'o$ed since Se*te'er< 789@--*ossess G<DDD<DDD of acres of
&and on the east side of the .issouri and &!in, north-2est of the
north-2est corner of .issouri? IA&& these tries 'a! e rated at aout
M<DDDJ##############################7<DDD
The Chocta2s< aout 7N<DDD< in nu'er< ha$e 7G<DDD<DDD of acres<
&!in, et2een the Red Ri$er and the Canadian########## 7N<DDD
A s'a&& and of Aua*a2s< HDD or 9DD< *erha*s near NG<DDD acres<
et2een the 2estern oundar! of the State of .issouri and the eastern
oundar! of the Osa,es###############################9DD
The Cree0s< aout 9<DDD or @<DDD< ha$e 79<7@D<DDD acres on Ar0ansas
and Canadian ri$ers############################################# @<DDD
The Se'ino&es< and other F&orida Indians< to the nu'er of sa!
HG<DDD< inc&uded as the o2ners of the ao$e 79<7@D<DDD
acres##############################################################################HG<DDD
The Chero0ees< a'ountin, to sa! 7:<DDD< ha$e 79<DDD<DDD of acres<
near the 9:th de,ree of north &atitude###################### 7:<DDD
The 1ic0a*oos< so'ethin, &ess than 7<DDD< ha$e 7:D<DDD acres north of
Fort Lea$en2orth ################################################7<DDD
The De&a2ares< near&! 7<DDD< ha$e HDD<DDD acres 2est and south of the
1ic0a*oos######################################################7<DDD
The Sha2nees< 7<HDD or 7<@DD< ha$e 7<:DD<DDD acres south side of
1ansas Ri$er#########################################################7<@DD
The Otta2as< aout HDD< ha$e 9D<DDD acres south of the Sha2nees
######################################################################HDD
The 3eas< )in0esha2s< )eoria< and 1ashas0ias< sa! GDD in a&&< ha$e
H:D<DDD acres south of the Sha2nees########################GDD
The Senecas and Sha2nees< sa! GDD< ha$e 7DD<DDD acres on the 2estern
oundaries of the State of .issouri######################GDD
Of the nati$e tries 2est of the .ississi**i< the re*ort is as
fo&&o2s(
Siou/## ############################################ HM<DDD
Io2as############################################### 7H<DDD
Sacs of the .issouri################################ GDD
O'ahas############################################## 7<@DD
Ottoes and .issourias############################### 7<:DD
)a2nees############################################# 7D<DDD
Ca'anches########################################### M<DDD
.andans ############################################ 7G<DDD
.inatares########################################### 7G<DDD
Assinaoins######################################### 8<DDD
Crees############################################### 9<DDD
5ros %entres######################################## 9<DDD
Cro2s############################################### 9<GDD
Aua*a2s############################################# @GD
Caddoes############################################# H<DDD
)oncas############################################## 8DD
Aric0arees########################################## 9<DDD
Che!enes############################################ H<DDD
"&ac0feet########################################### 9D<DDD
Fo/es############################################### 7<:DD
Ane*ahas< 1io2a!s< etc############################## 7@<DDD
Osa,es################# ############################# G<7HD
1ansas############################################## 7<@M7
Sacs################################################ @<8DD
The =o! that 2e sha&& fee&< in co''on 2ith e$er! honest A'erican< and
the =o! that 2i&& e$entua&&! fi&& their oso's on account of nationa&i4in,
the Indians< 2i&& e re2ard enou,h 2hen it is sho2n that ,atherin, the' to
the'se&$es< and for the'se&$es< to e associated 2ith the'se&$es< is a
2ise 'easure< and it ref&ects the hi,hest honor u*on our ,o$ern'ent#
.a! the! a&& e ,athered in *eace< and for' a ha**! union a'on,
the'se&$es< to 2hich thousands 'a! shout< Esto *er*etua#
Thursda!< M#--Attended a su'*tuous feast at "isho* Ne2e& 1#
3hitne!+s# This feast 2as after the order of the Son of 5od--the &a'e< the
ha&t< and the &ind 2ere in$ited< accordin, to the instructions of the
Sa$ior Our 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! sin,in,< and *ra!er ! Father S'ith?
after 2hich "isho* 3hitne!+s father and 'other< and a nu'er of others<
2ere &essed 2ith a *atriarcha& &essin,# 3e then recei$ed a ountifu&
refresh'ent< furnished ! the &iera&it! of the "isho*# The co'*an! 2as
&ar,e< and efore 2e *artoo0 2e had so'e of the son,s of ;ion sun,? and
our hearts 2ere 'ade ,&ad ! a foretaste of those =o!s that 2i&& e *oured
u*on the heads of the Saints 2hen the! are ,athered to,ether on .ount
;ion< to en=o! one another+s societ! for e$er'ore< e$en a&& the &essin,s
of hea$en< 2hen there 2i&& e none to 'o&est or 'a0e us afraid# Returned
ho'e< and s*ent the e$enin,#
Frida!< 8#--S*ent the da! in the Here2 schoo&< and 'ade ra*id
*ro,ress in our studies# The *&asterin, and hard-finishin, on the outside
of the Lord+s house 2as co''enced on the Hnd of No$e'er< 789G< and
finished this da!# The =o 2as &et to Arte'as .i&&et and Loren4o Youn,< at
one thousand do&&ars# Jaco "u'* too0 the =o of *&asterin, the inside of
the house throu,hout< at fifteen hundred do&&ars< and co''enced the sa'e
on the Nth of No$e'er &ast# He is sti&& continuin, the 2or0<
not2ithstandin, the inc&e'enc! of the 2eather#
Saturda!< N#--Attended schoo& in the forenoon# Aout e&e$en o+c&oc0
recei$ed the fo&&o2in, note(
Thus saith the $oice of the S*irit to 'e--If th! rother Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< 2i&& attend the feast at th! house< this da! Eat t2e&$e
o+c&oc0F< the *oor and the &a'e 2i&& re=oice in his *resence< and a&so
thin0 the'se&$es honored#
Yours in friendshi* and &o$e< NE3EL 1# 3HITNEY# Januar! N< 789:#
I dis'issed the schoo& to acce*t this *o&ite in$itation< 2ith '!
2ife< father and 'other# A &ar,e con,re,ation asse'&ed< a nu'er 2ere
&essed under the hands of Father S'ith< and 2e had a ,ood ti'e# S*ent the
e$enin, at ho'e#
Sunda!< 7D#--Attended 'eetin, at the usua& hour# E&der 3i&ur Denton
and 3i&0ins J# Sa&isur! *reached in the forenoon< and "rothers Sa'ue& and
Don Car&os S'ith in the afternoon# The! a&& did 2e&&< considerin, their
!outh# Ad'inistered the Sacra'ent durin, inter'ission# E&der .artin Harris
a*ti4ed three# S*ent the e$enin, at ho'e#
.onda!< 77#--There ein, no schoo&< I s*ent the da! at ho'e# .an!
rethren ca&&ed to see 'e< a'on, 2ho' 2as A&$a "ea'an< fro' 5enesee
Count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2ho had co'e to attend the so&e'n asse'&!# I de&i,ht in
the societ! of '! rethren and friends< and *ra! that the &essin,s of
hea$en and earth 'a! e 'u&ti*&ied u*on their heads#
Tuesda!< 7H#--I ca&&ed on the )residenc! of the Church< and 'ade
arran,e'ents to 'eet to'orro2 at ten o+c&oc0< a#'# to ta0e into
consideration the su=ect of the so&e'n asse'&!# This afternoon< a !oun,
'an ca&&ed to see the E,!*tian 'anuscri*ts< 2hich I e/hiited# A&so
"rother Jose*h Rose introduced to 'e< Russe& 3ea$er< a Christian or
Unitarian *reacher< so-ca&&ed< fro' Ca'ra!< Ne2 Yor0# 3e had so'e &itt&e
contro$ers! on *re=udice< ut soon ca'e to an understandin,# "e s*o0e of
the 5os*e&< and said he e&ie$ed it< addin, that it 2as ,ood tidin,s of
,reat =o!# I re*&ied that it 2as one thin, to *roc&ai' ,ood tidin,s< and
another to te&& 2hat these tidin,s 2ere# He 2ai$ed the con$ersation and
2ithdre2#
3ednesda!< H9#--At ten o+c&oc0 I 'et in counci& 2ith the )residenc!
of 1irt&and and ;ion< na'e&!< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru'
S'ith< Da$id 3hit'er< John 3hit'er< and 3# 3# )he&*s? a&so the T2e&$e
A*ost&es< the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< and the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and< the
"isho*s of ;ion and 1irt&and< the )residenc! of the Se$enties< and 'an!
'ore of the E&ders# So'e of the Counci&ors< oth of ;ion and 1irt&and<
2ere asent#
The counci& ca'e to order< san, Ada'-ondi-Ah'an< ///
and o*ened ! *ra!er offered u* ! Jose*h S'ith< Sen#? 2hen I 'ade
so'e re'ar0s< in '! introductor! &ecture efore the authorities of the
Church< in ,enera& ter's< &a!in, efore the' the usiness of the da!<
2hich 2as to su**&! so'e deficiencies in the "isho*+s Counci& in this
*&ace< a&so in the Hi,h Counci&#
After so'e consideration u*on the 'ost *ro*er 'anner of *roceedin,<
E&der %inson 1ni,ht 2as no'inated as a counse&or in the "isho*ric at
1irt&and# The no'ination 2as 'ade ! the "isho* and seconded ! the
)residenc!# The $ote 2as then ca&&ed fro' the )residenc!< and carried?
ne/t fro' the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< and carried? fro' the T2e&$e< and
carried? fro' the Counci& of the Se$ent!< and carried? fro' the "isho* of
;ion and his Counci&< and carried# And E&der 1ni,ht 2as recei$ed ! the
uni$ersa& $oice and consent of a&& the authorities of the Church#
E&der 1ni,ht 2as then ordained under the hands of "isho* Ne2e& 1#
3hitne!< to the office of Hi,h )riest and "isho*+s counse&or< to fi&& the
*&ace of E&der H!ru' S'ith< 2ho had een ordained to the )residenc! of the
Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and#
Counci& ad=ourned for one hour< ! sin,in,< -Co'e &et us re=oice<-
etc#
Counci& asse'&ed a,ain at one o+c&oc0 *#'#
John )# 5reene 2as no'inated and seconded ! the )residenc!< a 'e'er
of the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and< and carried ! the unani'ous $oice of a&&
the authorit! of the Church< to su**&! the *&ace of )resident O&i$er
Co2der!< 2ho had een e&ected to the )residenc! of the Hi,h Counci& of
1irt&and#
E&der Tho'as 5ro$er 2as e&ected in &i0e 'anner< a Counci&or in the
Hi,h Counci&< to fi&& the $acanc! occasioned ! Lu0e S# Johnson+s ha$in,
een ordained one of the T2e&$e A*ost&es#
E&der Noah )ac0ard 2as e&ected a 'e'er of the Hi,h Counci& of
1irt&and< to fi&& the *&ace of S!&$ester S'ith< 2ho had een ordained to
the )residenc! of the Se$ent!#
E&der John E# )a,e 2as no'inated< ut ein, asent< his na'e 2as
dro**ed#
E&der Jose*h 1in,sur! 2as unani'ous&! chosen a Hi,h Counci&or in
1irt&and< to fi&& the $acanc! occasioned ! Orson H!de+s ein, ordained
one of the T2e&$e A*ost&es#
E&der Sa'ue& Ja'es 2as unani'ous&! chosen a 'e'er of the Hi,h
Counci& of 1irt&and< in *&ace of Jose*h S'ith Sen#
The ne2&! e&ected Counci&ors 2ere then ca&&ed for2ard in order as
the! 2ere e&ected< and ordained under the hands of )residents Ri,don<
Jose*h S'ith< =un#< and H!ru' S'ith< to e Hi,h )riests< and Counci&ors in
this Sta0e of ;ion# .an! ,reat and ,&orious &essin,s 2ere *ronounced u*on
the heads of these Counci&ors< ! )resident Ri,don< 2ho 2as s*o0es'an on
the occasion#
The Counci& ne/t *roceeded to fi&& the $acancies in the
Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< occasioned ! the asence of Counci&ors John
.urdoc0 and So&o'on Hancoc0# And E&ders A&$a "ea'an and Isaac .c3ith! 2ere
a**ointed to ser$e as Counci&ors in the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< for the ti'e
ein,#
E&ders Nathanie& .i&&i0en and Tho'as Carrico 2ere a**ointed !
unani'ous $ote to officiate as door0ee*ers in the House of the Lord#
)residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< 3# 3# )he&*s< Da$id
3hit'er and H!ru' S'ith 2ere a**ointed to draft ru&es and re,u&ations to
,o$ern the House of the Lord#
"! unani'ous $oice of the asse'&!< 'o$ed< seconded< and carried<
that no 2his*erin, sha&& e a&&o2ed in our counci&s or asse'&ies< nor an!
one a&&o2ed Ee/ce*t he e ca&&ed u*on or as0s *er'issionF to s*ea0 a&oud
u*on an! consideration 2hate$er? and no 'an sha&& e interru*ted 2hi&e
s*ea0in,< un&ess he is s*ea0in, out of *&ace? and e$er! 'an sha&& e
a&&o2ed to s*ea0 in his turn#
E&der .i&&i0en o=ected to officiate in the House of the Lord as
door0ee*er< on account of his hea&th? and 2as re&eased ! the $oice of the
asse'&!#
The 'inutes of the Counci& 2ere then read< and Counci& ad=ourned
unti& Frida!< the 7Gth instant< at nine a#'#< to the 2est schoo& roo'< in
the u**er *art of the te'*&e#
)resident Sidne! Ri,don re>uested so'e of the )residenc! to &a! their
hands u*on hi'< and reu0e a se$ere aff&iction in the face< 2hich trou&es
hi' 'ost at ni,ht# E&ders H!ru' S'ith and Da$id 3hit'er< ! re>uest< &aid
hands u*on hi' and *ra!ed for hi'< and reu0ed his disease in the na'e of
th! Lord Jesus Christ# The 2ho&e asse'&! res*onded< A'en#
E&der Da$id 3# )atten re>uested our *ra!ers in eha&f of his 2ife<
that she 'i,ht e hea&ed# I offered u* a *ra!er for her reco$er!< and the
asse'&! res*onded< A'en#
)resident Ri,don arose and 'ade so'e $er! a**ro*riate re'ar0s
touchin, the endo2'ent< and dis'issed the asse'&! ! *ra!er#
This has een one of the est da!s that I e$er s*ent? there has een
an entire union of fee&in, e/*ressed in a&& our *roceedin,s this da!? and
the s*irit of the 5od of Israe& has rested u*on us in 'i,ht! *o2er< and it
has een ,ood for us to e here in this hea$en&! *&ace in Christ Jesus?
and a&thou,h 'uch fati,ued 2ith the &aors of the da!< !et '! s*iritua&
re2ard has een $er! ,reat indeed# S*ent the e$enin, at ho'e#
Thursda!< 7@#--Nine o+c&oc0# .et the Here2 c&ass at the schoo& roo'
in the Te'*&e< and 'ade so'e arran,e'ents aout our antici*ated teacher<
.r# Joshua Sei/as< of Hudson< Ohio#
I then returned to the counci& roo' in the *rintin, office< to 'eet
'! co&&ea,ues 2ho 2ere a**ointed 2ith '!se&f to draft ru&es and
re,u&ations to e oser$ed in the -House of the Lord<- in 1irt&and< ui&t
! the Church of the Latter-da! Saints< in the !ear of our Lord 789@<
2hich ru&es are as fo&&o2s(
Ru&es and Re,u&ations to e Oser$ed in the House of the Lord in
1irt&and#
I# It is accordin, to the ru&es and re,u&ations of a&& re,u&ar&! and
&e,a&&! or,ani4ed odies to ha$e a *resident to 0ee* order#
II# The odies thus or,ani4ed are under o&i,ation to e in
su=ection to that authorit!#
III# 3hen a con,re,ation asse'&es in this house< it sha&& su'it to
the fo&&o2in, ru&es< that due res*ect 'a! e *aid to the order of 2orshi*<
$i4# (
7st# No 'an sha&& e interru*ted 2ho is a**ointed to s*ea0 ! the
)residenc! of the Church< ! an! disorder&! *erson or *ersons in the
con,re,ation< ! 2his*erin,< ! &au,hin,< ! ta&0in,< ! 'enacin,
,estures< ! ,ettin, u* and runnin, out in a disorder&! 'anner< or !
offerin, indi,nit! to the 'anner of 2orshi*< or the re&i,ion< or to an!
officer of said Church 2hi&e officiatin, in his office< in an!2ise
2hatsoe$er< ! an! dis*&a! of i&& 'anners or i&& reedin,< fro' o&d or
!oun,< rich or *oor< 'a&e or fe'a&e< ond or free< &ac0 or 2hite<
e&ie$er or une&ie$er# And if an! of the ao$e insu&ts are offered< such
'easures 2i&& e ta0en as are &a2fu&< to *unish the a,,ressor or
a,,ressors< and e=ect the' fro' the house#
Hnd# An insu&t offered to the *residin, E&der of said Church sha&& e
considered an insu&t to the 2ho&e od!# A&so< an insu&t offered to an! of
the officers of said Church< 2hi&e officiatin,< sha&& e considered an
insu&t to the 2ho&e od!#
9rd# A&& *ersons are *rohiited fro' ,oin, u* the stairs in ti'es of
2orshi*#
@th# A&& *ersons are *rohiited fro' e/*&orin, the house< e/ce*t
2aited u*on ! a *erson a**ointed for that *ur*ose#
Gth# A&& *ersons are *rohiited fro' ,oin, into the se$era& *u&*its<
e/ce*t the officers 2ho are a**ointed to officiate in the sa'e#
:th# Ai& *ersons are *rohiited fro' cuttin,< 'ar0in, or 'arrin, the
inside or outside of the house 2ith a 0nife< *enci&< or an! other
instru'ent 2hate$er< under *ain of such *ena&t! as the &a2 sha&& inf&ict#
Mth# A&& chi&dren are *rohiited fro' asse'&in, in the house< ao$e
or e&o2< or an! *art of it< to *&a!< or for recreation< at an! ti'e+ and
a&& *arents< ,uardians< or 'asters< sha&& e a'ena&e for a&& da'a,e that
sha&& accrue in conse>uence of their chi&dren+s 'isconduct#
8th# A&& *ersons< 2hether e&ie$ers or une&ie$ers< sha&& e treated
2ith due res*ect ! the authorities of the Church#
Nth# No i'*osition sha&& e *racticed u*on an! 'e'ers of the Church<
! de*ri$in, the' of their ri,hts in the house#
Counci& ad=ourned sine die#
Returned ho'e and s*ent the afternoon# To2ards e$enin, )resident
Co2der! returned fro' Co&u'us< the ca*ita& of the State# I cou&d s*end
ut &itt&e ti'e 2ith hi'< ein, under o&i,ation to attend at .rs#
3i&co/+s to =oin .r# John 3e and .rs# Catherine 3i&co/ in 'atri'on!(
a&so .r# Tho'as Carrico and .iss E&i4aeth "a0er< at the sa'e *&ace? a&&
of 2hich I *erfor'ed in the custo'ar! 'anner in the 'idst of a &ar,e
asse'&!# 3e then *artoo0 of so'e refresh'ents< and our hearts 2ere 'ade
,&ad 2ith the fruit of the $ine# This is accordin, to the *attern set !
our Sa$ior Hi'se&f< and 2e fee& dis*osed to *atroni4e a&& the institutions
of hea$en#
Frida!< 7G#--At nine a#'#< 'et in counci& a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent<
at the Counci& roo' in the Te'*&e< and seated the authorities of the
Church a,reea&e to their res*ecti$e offices# I then 'ade so'e
oser$ations res*ectin, the order of the da!< and the ,reat res*onsii&it!
2e 2ere under to transact a&& our usiness in ri,hteousness efore 5od<
inas'uch as our decisions 2i&& ha$e a hearin, u*on a&& 'an0ind< and u*on
a&& ,enerations to co'e#
.inutes of a )riesthood .eetin, He&d in 1irt&and Te'*&e< Januar! 7G<
789:#
Counci& o*ened in usua& for'< and *roceeded to usiness ! readin,
the ru&es and re,u&ations to ,o$ern the house of the Lord< three ti'es#
The $ote of the )residenc! 2as then ca&&ed u*on these ru&es< fo&&o2ed
! the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and< the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< the T2e&$e< the
Se$ent!< the "isho*s of ;ion and 1irt&and< 2ith their Counse&ors< each in
turn? and after a fe2 >ueries< ans2ers< and deates< the ao$e ru&es
*assed the se$era& >uoru's in their order< ! the unani'ous $oice of the
2ho&e< and are therefore recei$ed and esta&ished as a &a2 to ,o$ern the
House of the Lord in 1irt&and#
In the in$esti,ation of the su=ect< it 2as found that 'an! 2ho had
de&ierated u*on it< 2ere dar0ened in their 'inds< 2hich dre2 forth so'e
re'ar0s fro' )resident S'ith res*ectin, the *ri$i&e,es of the authorities
of the Church< that each shou&d s*ea0 in his turn and in his *&ace< and in
his ti'e and season< that there 'a! e *erfect order in a&& thin,s? and
that e$er! 'an< efore he 'a0es an o=ection to an! ite' that is rou,ht
efore a counci& for consideration< shou&d e sure that he can thro2 &i,ht
u*on the su=ect rather than s*read dar0ness< and that his o=ection e
founded in ri,hteousness< 2hich 'a! e done ! 'en a**&!in, the'se&$es
c&ose&! to stud! the 'ind and 2i&& of the Lord< 2hose S*irit a&2a!s 'a0es
'anifest and de'onstrates the truth to the understandin, of a&& 2ho are in
*ossession of the S*irit#
After one hour+s ad=ourn'ent of the Counci&< E&der Don Car&os S'ith
2as no'inated to e ordained to the Hi,h )riesthood< a&so to officiate as
)resident< to *reside o$er that od! in 1irt&and# The $ote of the >uoru's
2as ca&&ed for in their order< and their no'ination *assed throu,h the
2ho&e house ! unani'ous $oice#
E&der A&$a "ea'an 2as chosen in the sa'e 'anner to *reside o$er the
E&ders in 1irt&and#
3i&&ia' Co2der! 2as no'inated to officiate as )resident o$er the
)riests of the Aaronic )riesthood in 1irt&and#
The $ote of the asse'&! 2as ca&&ed< e,innin, at the "isho*+s
Counci&< and *assin, throu,h the se$era& authorities< unti& it ca'e to the
*residenc! of the Hi,h Counci& in 1irt&and< and recei$ed their sanction<
ha$in, een carried unani'ous&! in a&& the de*art'ents e&o2#
O&i$er O&ne! 2as unani'ous&! e&ected to *reside o$er the Teachers in
1irt&and#
Ira "ond 2as unani'ous&! chosen to *reside o$er the deacons in
1irt&and#
E&ders Don Car&os S'ith and A&$a "ea'an 2ere ordained to the offices
to 2hich the! had een e&ected< under the hands of )residents Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< and H!ru' S'ith< 2ith 'an! &essin,s#
"isho* 3hitne!< of 1irt&and< then *roceeded to ordain 3i&&ia'
Co2der!< O&i$er O&ne! and Ira "ond< and *ronounced 'an! &essin,s u*on
there accordin, to their offices and standin,#
.o$ed< seconded< and carried< that a&& the se$era& >uoru's ta0e their
turn in *erfor'in, the office of door0ee*er in the House of the Lord?
a&so< that Nathanie& .i&&i0en< Tho'as Carrico< A'os R# Orton< and Sa'ue&
Ro&fe e a**ointed assistant door0ee*ers#
.o$ed< and carried< that the *residenc! of the Hi,h Counci& ho&d the
0e!s of the House of the Lord< e/ce*t the 0e!s of one $estr!< 2hich is to
e he&d ! the "isho*ric of the Aaronic )riesthood#
.o$ed< and carried unani'ous&!< that John Corri&& e a**ointed to
ta0e char,e of the House of the Lord in 1irt&and i''ediate&!< and that the
&a2s re,u&atin, the House of the Lord ,o into effect fro' this ti'e< and
that E&der Corri&& see that the! are enforced< 2ith the *ri$i&e,e of
ca&&in, as 'an! as he chooses to assist hi'#
Counci& ad=ourned sine die# ORSON HYDE< C&er0
CHA)TER 66%II#
RECONCILIATION OF THE FIRST )RESIDENCY AND T3EL%E
A)OSTLES--)ENTECOSTAL TI.ES IN 1IRTLAND#
Saturda!< 7:#--"! re>uest I 'et 2ith the Counci& of the T2e&$e in
co'*an! 2ith '! Counse&ors< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and Sidne! Ri,don#
S*ecia& Counci& .eetin, 2ith the T2e&$e#
Counci& o*ened 2ith sin,in,< and *ra!er ! Tho'as "# .arsh< )resident
of the T2e&$e# He arose and re>uested the *ri$i&e,e< in eha&f of his
co&&ea,ues< of each s*ea0in, in his turn 2ithout ein, interru*ted? 2hich
2as ,ranted the'#
E&der .arsh *roceeded to unoso' his fee&in,s touchin, the 'ission of
the T2e&$e< and 'ore *articu&ar&! res*ectin, a certain &etter 2hich the!
recei$ed fro' the )residenc! of the Hi,h Counci& in 1irt&and< 2hi&e
attendin, a conference in the state of .aine? a&so s*o0e of ein, *&aced<
in the counci& on Frida! &ast< e&o2 the Counci&s of 1irt&and and ;ion<
ha$in, een *re$ious&! *&aced ne/t the )residenc! in our asse'&ies? a&so
oser$ed that the! 2ere hurt on account of so'e re'ar0s 'ade ! )resident
H!ru' S'ith< on the tria& of 5&adden "isho*< E2ho had een *re$ious&!
tried efore the Counci& of the T2e&$e< 2hi&e on their 'ission in the
east<F 2ho had ! their re>uest< thro2n his case efore the Hi,h Counci&
in 1irt&and< for in$esti,ation? and the T2e&$e considered that their
*roceedin,s 2ith hi'< 2ere in so'e de,ree discountenanced#
E&der .arsh then ,a$e 2a! to his rethren< and the! arose and s*o0e
in turn unti& the! had a&& s*o0en< ac>uiescin, in the oser$ations of
E&der .arsh< and 'ade so'e additions to his re'ar0s< 2hich< in sustance<
2ere as fo&&o2s( That the &etter in >uestion< 2hich the! recei$ed fro' the
)residenc!+< in 2hich t2o of their 'e'ers 2ere sus*ended< and the rest
se$ere&! chastened< and that< too< u*on testi'on! 2hich 2as un2arranted?
and *articu&ar stress 2as &aid u*on a certain &etter 2hich the )residenc!
had recei$ed fro' Dr# 3arren E# Co2der!< of Freedo'< Ne2 Yor0< in 2hich he
*referred char,es a,ainst the'< 2hich 2ere fa&se< and u*on 2hich the
)residenc! had acted in chastenin, the'? and therefore the T2e&$e had
conc&uded that the )residenc! had &ost confidence in the'? and that
2hereas< the Church in this *&ace had caressed the' at the ti'e of their
a**oint'ent to the A*ost&eshi*< the! no2 treated the' coo&&!< and a&so
a**eared to ha$e &ost confidence in the'#
The! s*o0e of their ha$in, een in the 2or0 fro' the e,innin,
a&'ost< and had orne the urden in the heat of the da!< and *assed
throu,h 'an! tria&s< and that the )residenc! ou,ht not to sus*ect their
fide&it!< nor &ose confidence in the'< neither ou,ht the! to ha$e
chastened the' u*on such testi'on! as 2as &!in, efore the'? a&so ur,ed
the necessit! of an e/*&anation u*on the &etter 2hich the! recei$ed fro'
the *residenc!< and the *ro*riet! of their ha$in, infor'ation res*ectin,
their duties< authorit!< etc#< that the! 'i,ht co'e to a- understandin, in
a&& thin,s< that the! 'i,ht act in *erfect unison and har'on! efore the
Lord< and e *re*ared for the endo2'ent? a&so that the! had *referred a
char,e a,ainst Doctor Co2der!< for is unchristian co the )residenc! had
disre,arded? a&so that )resident O&i$er Co2der!< on a certain occasion<
had 'ade use of &an,ua,e to one of the T2e&$e that 2as unchristian and
uneco'in, an! 'an? and that the! 2ou&d not su'it to such treat'ent# The
re'ar0s of the T2e&$e 2ere 'ade in a $er! forci&e and e/*&icit 'anner<
!et coo& and de&ierate#
)resident S'ith oser$ed that the )residenc! had heard the'
*atient&!< and< in turn< shou&d e/*ect to e heard *atient&! a&so# And
first< e re'ar0ed that it 2as necessar! that the T2e&$e shou&d state
2hether the! 2ere deter'ined to *erse$ere in the 2or0 of the Lord< 2hether
the )residenc! 2ere a&e to satisf! the' or not#
%ote ca&&ed< and carried in the affir'ati$e< unani'ous&!#
)resident S'ith then said to the T2e&$e that he had not &ost
confidence in the'? the! had no reason to sus*ect his confidence? and that
he 2ou&d e 2i&&in, to e 2ei,hed in the sca&e of truth< toda!< in this
'atter< and ris0 it in the da! of =ud,'ent# Res*ectin, the chastenin,
contained in the &etter in >uestion< 2hich he ac0no2&ed,ed 'i,ht ha$e een
e/*ressed in too harsh &an,ua,e< 2hich 2as not intentiona&< he as0ed their
for,i$eness< inas'uch as he had hurt their fee&in,s? ut ne$erthe&ess< the
&etter that E&der .+Le&&in 2rote ac0 to 1irt&and< 2hi&e the T2e&$e 2ere
in the east< 2as harsh a&so< and he 2as 2i&&in, to set the one a,ainst the
other#
)resident S'ith ne/t *roceeded to e/*&ain the dut! of the T2e&$e< and
their authorit!< 2hich is ne/t to the *resent )residenc!< and that the
arran,e'ent of the asse'&! in this *&ace< on the 7Gth instant< in *&acin,
the Hi,h Counci&s of 1irt&and ne/t the )residenc!< 2as ecause the
usiness to e transacted< 2as usiness re&atin, to that od! in
*articu&ar< 2hich 2as to fi&& the se$era& >uoru's in 1irt&and< not ecause
the! 2ere first in office< and that the arran,e'ents 2ere the 'ost
=udicious that cou&d e 'ade on the occasion? a&so the T2e&$e are not
su=ect to an! other than the first )residenc!< $i4#< -'!se&f<- said the
)ro*het< -Sidne! Ri,don< and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 2ho are no2 '!
Counse&ors? and 2here I a' not< there is no First )residenc! o$er the
T2e&$e#-
The )ro*het a&so stated to the T2e&$e that he did not countenance the
harsh &an,ua,e of )resident Co2der! to the'< neither 2ou&d he countenance
it in hi'se&f nor in an! other 'an< -a&thou,h<- said he< -I ha$e so'eti'es
s*o0en too harsh&! fro' the i'*u&se of the 'o'ent< and inas'uch as I ha$e
2ounded !our fee&in,s< rethren< I as0 !our for,i$eness< for I &o$e !ou
and 2i&& ho&d !ou u* 2ith a&& '! heart in a&& ri,hteousness< efore the
Lord< and efore a&& 'en? for e assured< rethren< I a' 2i&&in, to ste'
the torrent of a&& o**osition< in stor's and in te'*ests< in thunders and
in &i,htnin,s< ! sea and ! &and< in the 2i&derness or a'on, fa&se
rethren< or 'os< or 2here$er 5od in His *ro$idence 'a! ca&& us# And I a'
deter'ined that neither hei,hts nor de*ths< *rinci*a&ities nor *o2ers<
thin,s *resent or thin,s to co'e< or an! other creature< sha&& se*arate 'e
fro' !ou# And I 2i&& no2 co$enant 2ith !ou efore 5od< that I 2i&& not
&isten to or credit an! dero,ator! re*ort a,ainst an! of !ou< nor conde'n
!ou u*on an! testi'on! eneath the hea$ens< short of that testi'on! 2hich
is infa&&i&e< unti& I can see !ou face to face< and 0no2 of a suret!? and
I do *&ace unre'itted confidence in !our 2ord< for I e&ie$e !ou to e 'en
of truth# And I as0 the sa'e of !ou< 2hen I te&& !ou an!thin,< that !ou
*&ace e>ua& confidence in '! 2ord< for I 2i&& not te&& !ou I 0no2 an!thin,
that I do not 0no2# "ut I ha$e a&read! consu'ed 'ore ti'e than I intended
2hen I co''enced< and I 2i&& no2 ,i$e 2a! to '! co&&ea,ues#-
)resident Ri,don arose ne/t and ac>uiesced in 2hat )resident S'ith
had said< and ac0no2&ed,ed to the T2e&$e that he had not done as he ou,ht<
in not citin, Dr# 3arren A# Co2der! to tria& on the char,es that 2ere *ut
into his hands ! the T2e&$e? that he ne,&ected his dut! in this thin,<
for 2hich he as0ed their for,i$eness< and 2ou&d no2 attend to it< if the!
desired hi' to do so? and )resident Ri,don a&so oser$ed
-NOTICE# -I here! ,i$e to a&& 2ho' it 'a! concern< that .essrs# T#
"# .arsh and others< deno'inated the +T2e&$e<+ 2hi&e on their 'ission to
the East< &ast season< recei$ed a &etter fro' the )residenc! of the church
in 2hich the! 2ere censured for ne,&ectin, to teach the church in Freedo'<
Cattarau,us count!< N# Y#< the necessit! to the T2e&$e< if he had s*o0en
or re*ro$ed too harsh&! at an! ti'e< and had in=ured their fee&in,s ! so
doin,< he as0ed their for,i$eness#
)resident 3i&&ia's arose and ac>uiesced in the ao$e senti'ents<
e/*ressed ! the )ro*het and )resident Ri,don< in fu&&< and said 'an! ,ood
thin,s#
The )resident of the T2e&$e then ca&&ed a $ote of that od!< to 0no2
2hether the! 2ere *erfect&! satisfied 2ith the e/*&anations ,i$en the'<
and 2hether the! 2ou&d enter into the co$enant the )residenc! had *ro*osed
to the'< 2hich 2as 'ost readi&! 'anifested in the affir'ati$e< ! raisin,
their hands to hea$en in testi'on! of their 2i&&in,ness and desire to
enter into this co$enant< and their entire satisfaction 2ith the
e/*&anation u*on a&& the difficu&ties that 2ere on their 'inds# The
rethren then too0 each other ! the hand in confir'ation of the co$enant<
and there 2as a *erfect union of fee&in, on this occasion< and the hearts
of a&& o$erf&o2ed 2ith &essin,s< 2hich the rethren *ronounced u*on one
another+s heads as the s*irit ,a$e the' utterance#
In conc&usion< the )ro*het said+ -.! scrie is inc&uded in that
co$enant< and these &essin,s 2ith us< for I &o$e hi' for the truth and
inte,rit! that d2e&& in hi'# And 'a! 5od ena&e us to *erfor' our $o2s and
co$enants 2ith each other< in a&& fide&it! and ri,hteousness efore Hi'<
that our inf&uence 'a! e fe&t a'on, the nations of the earth< in 'i,ht!
*o2er< e$en to rend the 0in,do's of dar0ness asunder< and triu'*h o$er
*riestcraft and s*iritua& 2ic0edness in hi,h *&aces< and rea0 in *ieces
ai& 0in,do's that are o**osed to the 0in,do' of Christ< and s*read the
&i,ht and truth of the e$er&astin, 5os*e& fro' the ri$ers to the ends of
the earth#-
E&der "ea'an ca'e in for counse&< to 0no2 2hether it 2as est for hi'
to return efore the so&e'n asse'&! or not# After consideration< the
Counci& ad$ised hi' to tarr!#
Counci& dis'issed ! sin,in, and *ra!er# 3ARREN )ARISH< C&er0#
Sunda!< 7M#--Attended 'eetin, at the schoo& house at the usua& hour?
a &ar,e con,re,ation asse'&ed# I
*roceeded to arran,e the se$era& >uoru's *resent< first the
)residenc!< then the T2e&$e< and the Se$ent! 2ho 2ere *resent< a&so the
Counci&ors of 1irt&and and ;ion#
)resident Ri,don then arose and oser$ed that instead of *reachin,
the ti'e 2ou&d e occu*ied ! the )residenc! and T2e&$e< in s*ea0in, each
in his turn unti& the! had a&& s*o0en# The Lord *oured out His S*irit u*on
us< and the rethren e,an to confess their fau&ts one to the other< and
the con,re,ation 2as soon o$er2he&'ed in tears< and so'e of our hearts
2ere too i, for utterance# The ,ift of ton,ues ca'e on us a&so< &i0e the
rushin, of a 'i,ht! 2ind< and '! sou& 2as fi&&ed 2ith the ,&or! of 5od#
In the afternoon I =oined three cou*&e in 'atri'on!< in the *u&ic
con,re,ation< $i4( 3i&&ia' F# Cahoon and .aranda 5is< Har$e! Stan&e! and
Larona Cahoon< Tunis Ra*&e! and Louisa Cut&er# 3e then ad'inistered the
Sacra'ent< and dis'issed the con,re,ation< 2hich 2as so &ar,e that it 2as
$er! un*&easant for a&&# 3e 2ere then in$ited to a feast at E&der Cahoon+s
2hich 2as *re*ared for the occasion< and had a ,ood ti'e 2hi&e *arta0in,
of the rich re*ast? and I $eri&! rea&i4ed that it 2as ,ood for rethren to
d2e&& to,ether in unit!< &i0e the de2 u*on the 'ountains of Israe&< 2here
the Lord co''anded &essin,s< e$en &ife fore$er'ore# S*ent the e$enin, at
ho'e#
.onda!< 78#--Attended the Here2 schoo&# This da! the E&ders+ schoo&
2as re'o$ed into the Te'*&e< in the roo' ad=oinin, the Here2 schoo&#
Tuesda!< 7N#--S*ent the da! at schoo&# The Lord &essed us in our
studies# This da! 2e co''enced readin, in our Here2 "i&es 2ith 'uch
success# It see's as if the Lord o*ens our 'inds in a 'ar$e&ous 'anner< to
understand His 2ord in the ori,ina& &an,ua,e? and '! *ra!er is that 5od
2i&& s*eedi&! endo2 us 2ith a 0no2&ed,e of a&& &an,ua,es and ton,ues< that
His ser$ants 'a! ,o forth for the &ast ti'e the etter *re*ared to ind u*
the &a2< and sea& u* the testi'on!#
FOR. OF .ARRIA5E CERTIFICATE# I here! certif!< that< a,reea&e to
the ru&es and re,u&ations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< on 'atri'on!< .r# 3i&&ia' F# Cahoon and .iss Nanc! .# 5is< oth
of this *&ace< 2ere =oined in 'arria,e< on Saath< the 7Mth< instant#
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< )residin, E&der of said Church#
1irt&and< Ohio< Januar! 7Nth< 789:#
3ednesda!< HD#--Attended schoo& at the usua& hour< and s*ent the da!
in readin, and &ecturin,< and 'ade so'e ad$ance'ent in our studies#
In the e$enin, I attended a 'atri'onia& occasion 2ith '! fa'i&!< at
.r# John Johnson+s< ha$in, een in$ited to =oin E&der John F# "o!nton and
.iss Susan Lo2e&& in 'arria,e? a &ar,e and res*ecta&e co'*an! asse'&ed<
and 2ere seated ! E&ders Orson H!de and 3arren )arrish< in the fo&&o2in,
order--The )residenc! and their co'*anions in the first seats< the T2e&$e
A*ost&es in the second< the Se$ent! in the third< and the re'ainder of the
con,re,ation seated 2ith their co'*anions# E&der "o!nton and &ad!< 2ith
their attendants< ca'e in and 2ere seated in front of the )residenc!#
A h!'n 2as sun,< after 2hich I addressed the throne of ,race# I then
arose and read a&oud a &icense< Eaccordin, to the &a2 of the &andF
,rantin, an! 'inister of the 5os*e& the *ri$i&e,e of so&e'ni4in, the
ri,hts of 'atri'on!< and after ca&&in, for o=ection< if an! there 2ere<
a,ainst the antici*ated a&&iance et2een E&der "o!nton and .iss Lo2e&&?
after 2aitin, a sufficient ti'e and hearin, no o=ection< I oser$ed that
a&& fore$er after this 'ust ho&d their *eace# I then in$ited the' to =oin
hands# I *ronounced the cere'on!< accordin, to the ru&es and re,u&ations
of the Church of the Latter-da! Saints< in the na'e of 5od< and in the
na'e of Jesus Christ# I *ronounced u*on the' the &essin,s of Araha'<
Isaac< and Jaco< and such other &essin,s as the Lord *ut into '! heart?
and ein, 'uch under the inf&uence of a co&d< I then ,a$e 2a!< and
)resident Ri,don arose and de&i$ered a $er! forci&e address< suited to
the occasion< and c&osed the ser$ices of the e$enin, ! *ra!er#
E&ders Orson H!de< Lu0e S# Johnson< and 3arren )arrish< then
*resented the )residenc! 2ith three ser$ers of ,&asses fi&&ed 2ith 2ine<
to &ess# And it fe&& to '! &ot to attend to this dut! 2hich I cheerfu&&!
dischar,ed# It 2as then *assed round in order< then the ca0e in the sa'e
order? and suffice it to sa!< our hearts 2ere 'ade ,&ad 2hi&e *arta0in, of
the ount! of earth 2hich 2as *resented< unti& 2e had ta0en our fi&&? and
=o! fi&&ed e$er! oso'< and the countenances of o&d and !oun, see'ed to
&oo' a&i0e 2ith cheerfu&ness and s'i&es of !outh? and an entire unison of
fee&in, see'ed to *er$ade the con,re,ation< and indeed I dout 2hether the
*a,es of histor! can oast of a 'ore s*&endid and innocent 2eddin, and
feast than this< for it 2as conducted after the order of hea$en< 2hich has
a ti'e for a&& thin,s? and this ein, a ti'e of re=oicin,< 2e hearti&!
e'raced it and conducted ourse&$es accordin,&!# Too0 &ea$e of the co'*an!
and returned ho'e#
Thursda!< H7#--This 'ornin,< a 'inister fro' Connecticut< ! the na'e
of John 3# O&i$ed< ca&&ed at '! house and in>uired of '! father( -Does the
)ro*het &i$e hereB .! father re*&ied he did not understand hi'# .r# O&i$ed
as0ed the sa'e >uestion a,ain and a,ain< and recei$ed the sa'e ans2er# He
fina&&! as0ed( -Does .r# S'ith &i$e hereB- Father re*&ied( -O !es< sir< I
understand !ou no2#- Father then ste**ed into '! roo' and infor'ed 'e that
a ,ent&e'an had ca&&ed to see 'e# I 2ent into the roo' 2here he 2as< and
the first >uestion he as0ed 'e< after *assin, a co'*&i'ent 2as( -Ho2 'an!
'e'ers ha$e !ou in !our ChurchB- I re*&ied that 2e had et2een fifteen
hundred and t2o thousand in this ranch# He then as0ed( -3herein do !ou
differ fro' other Christian deno'inationsB - I re*&ied< that 2e e&ie$e
the "i&e< and the! do not# Ho2e$er< he affir'ed that he e&ie$ed the
"i&e# I to&d hi' then to e a*ti4ed# He re*&ied that he did not rea&i4e
it to e his dut!# "ut 2hen I &aid efore hi' the *rinci*&es of the
5os*e&< $i4( faith and re*entance? a*tis'< for the re'ission of sins? and
the &a!in, on of hands< for the rece*tion of the Ho&! 5host< he 'anifested
'uch sur*rise# I oser$ed that the hour for schoo& had arri$ed< and I 'ust
attend# The 'an a**eared astonished at our doctrine< ut ! no 'eans
hosti&e#
Aout three o+c&oc0< *#'#< I dis'issed the schoo&< and the )residenc!
retired to the attic stor! of the *rintin, office< 2here 2e attended the
ordinance of 2ashin, our odies in *ure 2ater# 3e a&so *erfu'ed our odies
and our heads in the na'e of the Lord#
At ear&! cand&e-&i,ht I 'et 2ith the )residenc! at the 2est schoo&
roo'< in the Te'*&e< to attend to the ordinance of anointin, our heads
2ith ho&! oi&? a&so the Counci&s of 1irt&and and ;ion 'et in the t2o
ad=oinin, roo's< and 2aited in *ra!er 2hi&e 2e attended to the ordinance#
I too0 the oi& in '! &eft hand< Father S'ith ein, seated efore 'e<
and the re'ainder of the )residenc! encirc&ed hi' round aout# 3e then
stretched our ri,ht hands to2ards hea$en< and &essed the oi&< and
consecrated it in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
3e then &aid our hands u*on our a,ed Father S'ith< and in$o0ed the
&essin,s of hea$en# I then anointed his head 2ith the consecrated oi&<
and sea&ed 'an! &essin,s u*on hi'# The )residenc! then in turn &aid their
hands u*on his head< e,innin, at the o&dest< unti& the! had a&& &aid
their hands u*on hi'< and *ronounced such &essin,s u*on his head< as the
Lord *ut into their hearts< a&& &essin, hi' to e our )atriarch< to
anoint our heads< and attend to a&& duties that *ertain to that office#
The )residenc! then too0 the seat in their turn< accordin, to their a,e<
e,innin, at the o&dest< and recei$ed their anointin, and &essin, under
the hands of Father S'ith# And in '! turn< '! father anointed '! head< and
sea&ed u*on 'e the &essin,s of .oses< to &ead Israe& in the &atter da!s<
e$en as .oses &ed hi' in da!s of o&d? a&so the &essin,s of Araha'< Isaac
and Jaco# A&& of the )residenc! &aid their hands u*on 'e< and *ronounced
u*on '! head 'an! *ro*hecies and &essin,s< 'an! of 2hich I sha&& not
notice at this ti'e# "ut as )au& said< so sa! I< &et us co'e to $isions
and re$e&ations#
The hea$ens 2ere o*ened u*on us< and I ehe&d the ce&estia& 0in,do'
of 5od< and the ,&or! thereof< 2hether in the od! or out I cannot te&&# I
sa2 the transcendent eaut! of the ,ate throu,h 2hich the heirs of that
0in,do' 2i&& enter< 2hich 2as &i0e unto circ&in, f&a'es of fire? a&so the
&a4in, throne of 5od< 2hereon 2as seated the Father and the Son# I sa2
the eautifu& streets of that 0in,do'< 2hich had the a**earance of ein,
*a$ed 2ith ,o&d# I sa2 Fathers Ada' and Araha'< and '! father and 'other<
'! rother< A&$in< that has &on, since s&e*t< and 'ar$e&&ed as that he had
otained an inheritance in that 0in,do'< seein, that he had de*arted this
&ife efore the Lord had set His hand to ,ather Israe& the second ti'e<
and had not een a*ti4ed for the re'ission of sins#
Thus ca'e the $oice of the Lord unto 'e< sa!in,--
Re$e&ation# A&& 2ho ha$e died 2ithout a 0no2&ed,e of this 5os*e&< 2ho
2ou&d ha$e recei$ed it if the! had een *er'itted to tarr!< sha&& e heirs
of the ce&estia& 0in,do' of 5od? a&so a&& that sha&& die henceforth
2ithout a 0no2&ed,e of it< 2ho 2ou&d ha$e recei$ed it 2ith a&& their
hearts< sha&& e heirs of that 0in,do'< for I< the Lord< 2i&& =ud,e a&&
'en accordin, to their 2or0s< accordin, to the desire of their hearts#
And I a&so ehe&d that a&& chi&dren 2ho die efore the! arri$e at the
!ears of accountai&it!< are sa$ed in the ce&estia& 0in,do' of hea$en# I
sa2 the T2e&$e A*ost&es of the La'< 2ho are no2 u*on the earth< 2ho ho&d
the 0e!s of this &ast 'inistr!< in forei,n &ands< standin, to,ether in a
circ&e< 'uch fati,ued< 2ith their c&othes tattered and feet s2o&&en< 2ith
their e!es cast do2n2ard< and Jesus standin, in their 'idst< and the! did
not eho&d Hi'# The Sa$ior &oo0ed u*on the' and 2e*t#
I a&so ehe&d E&der .+Le&&in in the south< standin, u*on a hi&&<
surrounded ! a $ast 'u&titude< *reachin, to the'< and a &a'e 'an standin,
efore hi' su**orted ! his crutches? he thre2 the' do2n at his 2ord and
&ea*ed as a hart< ! the 'i,ht! *o2er of 5od# A&so< I sa2 E&der "ri,ha'
Youn, standin, in a stran,e &and< in the far south and 2est< in a desert
*&ace< u*on a roc0 in the 'idst of aout a do4en 'en of co&or< 2ho
a**eared hosti&e# He 2as *reachin, to the' in their o2n ton,ue< and the
an,e& of 5od standin, ao$e his head< 2ith a dra2n S2ord in his hand<
*rotectin, hi'< ut he did not see it# And I fina&&! sa2 the T2e&$e in the
ce&estia& 0in,do' of 5od# I a&so ehe&d the rede'*tion of ;ion< and 'an!
thin,s 2hich the ton,ue of 'an cannot descrie in fu&&#
.an! of '! rethren 2ho recei$ed the ordinance 2ith 'e sa2 ,&orious
$isions a&so# An,e&s 'inistered unto the' as 2e&& as to '!se&f< and the
*o2er of the Hi,hest rested u*on us< the house 2as fi&&ed 2ith the ,&or!
of 5od< and 2e shouted Hosanna to 5od and the La'# .! scrie a&so
recei$ed his anointin, 2ith us< and sa2< in a $ision< the ar'ies of hea$en
*rotectin, the Saints in their return to ;ion< and 'an! thin,s 2hich I
sa2#
The "isho* of 1irt&and 2ith his Counse&ors< and the "isho* of ;ion
2ith his Counse&ors< 2ere *resent 2ith us< and recei$ed their anointin,s
under the hands of Father
S'ith< and this 2as confir'ed ! the )residenc!< and the ,&ories of
hea$en 2ere unfo&ded to the' a&so#
3e then in$ited the Hi,h Counci&ors of 1irt&and and ;ion into our
roo'< and )resident H!ru' S'ith anointed the head of the )resident of the
Counci&ors in 1irt&and< and )resident Da$id 3hit'er the head of the
)resident of the Counci&ors of ;ion# The )resident of each >uoru' then
anointed the heads of his co&&ea,ues< each in his turn< e,innin, at the
o&dest#
The $isions of hea$en 2ere o*ened to the' a&so# So'e of the' sa2 the
face of the Sa$ior< and others 2ere 'inistered unto ! ho&! an,e&s< and
the s*irit of *ro*hec! and re$e&ation 2as *oured out in 'i,ht! *o2er? and
&oud hosannas< and ,&or! to 5od in the hi,hest< sa&uted the hea$ens< for
2e a&& co''uned 2ith the hea$en&! host# And I sa2 in '! $ision a&& of the
)residenc! in the ce&estia& 0in,do' of 5od< and 'an! others that 2ere
*resent# Our 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! sin,in,< and *ra!er 2as offered u* !
the head of each >uoru'? and c&osed ! sin,in,< and in$o0in, the
enediction of hea$en< 2ith u*&ifted hands# Retired et2een one and t2o
o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,#
Frida! HH#--Attended at the schoo& roo' at the usua& hour< ut
instead of *ursuin, our studies< 2e s*ent the ti'e in rehearsin, to each
other the ,&orious scenes that occurred on the *recedin, e$enin,< 2hi&e
attendin, to the ordinance of ho&! anointin,#
In the e$enin, 2e 'et at the sa'e *&ace< 2ith the Counci& of the
T2e&$e< and the )residenc! of the Se$ent!< 2ho 2ere to recei$e this
ordinance Iof anointin, and &essin,J# The Hi,h Counci&s of 1irt&and and
;ion 2ere *resent a&so#
After ca&&in, to order and or,ani4in,< the )residenc! *roceeded to
consecrate the oi&#
3e then &aid our hands u*on E&der Tho'as "# .arsh< 2ho is )resident
of the T2e&$e< and ordained hi' to the authorit! of anointin, his
rethren# I then *oured the consecrated oi& u*on his head< in the na'e of
Jesus Christ< and sea&ed such &essin,s u*on hi' as the Lord *ut into '!
heart# The rest of the )residenc! then &aid their hands u*on hi' and
&essed hi'< each in his turn< e,innin, at the o&dest# He then anointed
and &essed his rethren fro' the o&dest to the !oun,est# I a&so &aid '!
hands u*on the'< and *ronounced 'an! ,reat and ,&orious thin,s u*on their
heads# The hea$ens 2ere o*ened< and an,e&s 'inistered unto us#
The T2e&$e then *roceeded to anoint and &ess the )residenc! of the
Se$ent!< and sea& u*on their heads *o2er and authorit! to anoint their
rethren#
The hea$ens 2ere o*ened unto E&der S!&$ester S'ith< and he< &ea*in,
u*< e/c&ai'ed( -The horse'en of Israe& and the chariots thereof#-
"rother Don C# S'ith 2as a&so anointed and &essed to *reside o$er
the Hi,h )riests+ >uoru'#
)resident Ri,don arose to conc&ude the ser$ices of the e$enin, !
in$o0in, the &essin, of hea$en u*on the Lord+s anointed< 2hich he did in
an e&o>uent 'anner? the con,re,ation shouted a &on, hosanna( the ,ift of
ton,ues fe&& u*on us in 'i,ht! *o2er< an,e&s 'in,&ed their $oices 2ith
ours< 2hi&e their *resence 2as in our 'idst< and unceasin, *raises s2e&&ed
our oso's for the s*ace of ha&f-an-hour#
I then oser$ed to the rethren< that it 2as ti'e to retire# 3e
accordin,&! c&osed our inter$ie2 and returned ho'e at aout t2o o+c&oc0 in
the 'ornin,< and the S*irit and $isions of 5od attended 'e throu,h the
ni,ht#
To the *etitions 2hich 2e sent u* to .issouri< 5o$ernor Dun0&in
re*&ied as fo&&o2s(
CITY OF JEFFERSON< Jan# HHnd< 789:# To .essrs# 3# 3# )he&*s and
Others< 5ENTLE.EN(--Your nu'erous *etitions< *ost-'ar0ed -1irt&and<-
ca'e safe to hand# It is unnecessar! for 'e to re*eat to !ou '!
fee&in,s on the su=ect of !our ,rie$ances# 3hat the! 2ere !ou ha$e een
a&read! a**rised< and< the! ha$e under,one no chan,e# Your case 2as
*resented ! 'e to the &ast 5enera& Asse'&! of the state# The! did not
&e,is&ate u*on the su=ect# I a'< ho2e$er< *ersuaded< that it 2as for 2ant
of a constitutiona& *o2er to *ass an! &a2 that cou&d afford !ou a *ro*er
re'ed!< *re$ented their actin, u*on the su=ect# Your fee&in,s are $er!
natura&< 2hen such causes e/ist to *roduce the'? ut !ou 'isconcei$e !our
case< and< conse>uent&!< do not ad$ert to the *ro*er re'ed!# You cannot
'a0e a case of in$asion or insurrection of the outra,es co''itted u*on
!our *ersons or *ro*ert! in Jac0son Count!# And< un&ess one of those cou&d
e 'ade out< it 2ou&d e id&e to address the )resident of the United
States# If such a case had een 'ade out< as E/ecuti$e of this state< I
shou&d ha$e i''ediate&! ordered out a 'i&itar! force to re*e& or su**ress
it# The 'o in Ne2 Yor0< to 2hich !ou cite 'e< is not in *oint# The
'i&itar! force 2as there resorted to< for the *ur*ose of >uietin, the 'o#
You 2ish this 0ind of a force used to restore =ustice# Ho2e$er *a&*a&e
and ,rie$ous the outra,es ha$e een u*on !ou< !our on&! re'ed! for
in=uries done 'ust e in and throu,h the courts of =ustice# On a for'er
occasion I infor'ed !ou I 2as then in corres*ondence 2ith the 5enera&
5o$ern'ent< for a de*ot of ar's< on the .issouri ri$er< near our 2estern
oundar! &ine For reasons un0no2n to 'e< the Secretar! of 3ar has ta0en no
ste*s durin, the &ast !ear to2ards the fu&fi&&'ent of the su=ect# I ha$e
rene2ed the su=ect throu,h our de&e,ation in Con,ress< this 2inter# 3hen
this o=ect sha&& e attained< it 'a! furnish !ou a *&ace of resort< for
*rotection< in case of e'er,enc!< shou&d !ou thin0 *ro*er to ris0
!ourse&$es on !our &ands< in Jac0son Count!< a,ain# Res*ectfu&&!< ISi,nedJ
DANL# DUN1LIN#
Saturda!< H9#--Attended at the schoo& roo'< as usua&< and 2e ca'e
to,ether fi&&ed 2ith the S*irit< as on the *ast e$enin,< and did not fee&
&i0e stud!in,< ut co''enced con$ersin, u*on hea$en&! thin,s< and 2e s*ent
the da! a,reea&! and *rofita&!# E&der A&$a "ea'an had een te'*ted to
dout the thin,s 2hich 2e recei$ed the e$enin,s efore< and he 'ade an
hu'&e confession< and as0ed for,i$eness of the schoo&< 2hich 2as =o!fu&&!
accorded hi'< and he said he 2ou&d tr! to resist Satan in the future#
Sunda!< H@#--.et the se$era& >uoru's in the roo' under the *rintin,
office< and< after or,ani4in, and o*enin, ! *ra!er< ca&&ed u*on the Hi,h
Counci& of 1irt&and to *roceed and confess their sins< as the! 'i,ht e
directed ! the S*irit< and the! occu*ied the first *art of the da!< and
confessed and e/horted as the S*irit &ed#
In the afternoon< attended 'eetin, a,ain< and sa2 the read and 2ine
ad'inistered to the >uoru's and rethren 2ho 2ere *resent#
In the e$enin, 'et the )residenc! in the cha'er o$er the *rintin,
roo'< and counse&ed on the su=ect of endo2'ent< and the *re*aration for
the so&e'n asse'&!< 2hich is to e ca&&ed 2hen the house of the Lord is
finished#
.onda!< HG#--Recei$ed a &ine fro' '! scrie< infor'in, 'e of his i&&
hea&th< as fo&&o2s--
"ROTHER JOSE)H--.! ,reat desire is to e in !our co'*an! and in the
asse'&! of the Saints< 2here 5od o*ens the hea$ens< and e/hiits the
treasures of eternit!# It is the on&! thin, that has sti'u&ated 'e< for a
nu'er of da!s *ast< to &ea$e '! house? for e assured< dear rother< '!
odi&! aff&iction is se$ere# I ha$e a $io&ent cou,h< 'ore es*ecia&&! at
ni,ht< 2hich de*ri$es 'e of '! a**etite< and '! stren,th fai&s< and
2ritin, has a *articu&ar tendenc! to in=ure '! &un,s< 2hi&e I a' under the
inf&uence of such a cou,h# I therefore< 2ith re&uctance< send !our =ourna&
to !ou< unti& '! hea&th i'*ro$es# Yours in haste< 3ARREN )ARRISH#
)# S#--"rother Jose*h< *ra! for 'e< and as0 the *ra!ers of the c&ass
on '! account a&so# 3# )#
A**ointed E&der S!&$ester S'ith< actin, scrie< for the ti'e ein,<
or< ti&& E&der )arrish sha&& reco$er his hea&th# S*ent the da! at ho'e<
recei$in, $isitors#
Tuesda!< H:#--.r# Sei/as arri$ed fro' Hudson< to teach the Here2
&an,ua,e< and I attended u*on the or,ani4in, of the c&ass< for the *ur*ose
of recei$in, &ectures u*on Here2 ,ra''ar# His hours of instruction are
fro' ten to e&e$en< a#'# ? and fro' t2o to three< *# '# His instruction
*&eased 'e 'uch# I thin0 he 2i&& e a he&* to the c&ass in &earnin,
Here2#
3ednesda!< HM#--Attended schoo& as usua&< and a&so attended to other
'atters 2hich ca'e efore 'e#
Thursda!< H8#--Attended schoo& at the usua& hour#
In the e$enin, 'et the >uoru' of Hi,h )riests< in the 2est roo' of
the u**er &oft of the Lord+s house< and< in co'*an! 2ith '! counse&ors<
consecrated and anointed the counse&ors of the *residents of the Hi,h
)riests+ >uoru'< and< ha$in, instructed the' and set the >uoru' in order<
I &eft the' to *erfor' the ho&! anointin,< and 2ent to the >uoru' of
E&ders at the other end of the roo'# I assisted in anointin, the
counse&ors of the *resident of the E&ders< and ,a$e the instruction
necessar! for the occasion< and &eft the *resident and his counse&ors to
anoint the E&ders 2hi&e I shou&d ,o to the ad=oinin, roo'< and attend to
or,ani4in, and instructin, the >uoru' of the Se$ent!#
I found the T2e&$e A*ost&es asse'&ed 2ith this >uoru'< and I
*roceeded< 2ith the >uoru' of the )residenc!< to instruct the'< and a&so
the se$en *residents of the Se$ent! E&ders< to ca&& u*on 5od 2ith
u*-&ifted hands< to sea& the &essin,s 2hich had een *ro'ised to the' !
the ho&! anointin,# As I or,ani4ed this >uoru'< 2ith the *residenc! in
this roo'< )resident S!&$ester S'ith sa2 a *i&&ar of fire rest do2n and
aide u*on the heads of the >uoru'< as 2e stood in the 'idst of the
T2e&$e#
3hen the T2e&$e and the se$en *residents 2ere throu,h 2ith their
sea&in, *ra!er< I ca&&ed u*on )resident Sidne! Ri,don to sea& the' 2ith
u*&ifted hands? and 2hen he had done this< and cried hosanna< that a&& the
con,re,ation shou&d =oin hi'< and shout hosanna to 5od and the La'< and
,&or! to 5od in the hi,hest# It 2as done so< and E&der Ro,er Orton sa2 a
'i,ht! an,e& ridin, u*on a horse of fire< 2ith a f&a'in, s2ord in his
hand< fo&&o2ed ! fi$e others< encirc&e the house< and *rotect the Saints<
e$en the Lord+s anointed< fro' the *o2er of Satan and a host of e$i&
s*irits< 2hich 2ere stri$in, to distur the Saints#
)resident 3i&&ia' S'ith< one of the T2e&$e< sa2 the hea$ens o*ened<
and the Lord+s host *rotectin, the Lord+s anointed#
)resident ;eedee Co&trin< one of the se$en *residents of the
Se$ent!< sa2 the Sa$ior e/tended efore hi'< as u*on the cross< and a
&itt&e after< cro2ned 2ith ,&or! u*on his head ao$e the ri,htness of the
sun#
After these thin,s 2ere o$er< and a ,&orious $ision< 2hich I sa2< had
*assed< I instructed the se$en *residents to *roceed and anoint the
Se$ent!< and returned to the roo' of the Hi,h )riests and E&ders# and
attended to the sea&in, of 2hat the! had done< 2ith u*-&ifted hands#
The Lord assisted '! rother< Don Car&os< the *resident of the Hi,h
)riests< to ,o for2ard 2ith the anointin, of the Hi,h )riests< so that he
had *erfor'ed it to the acce*tance of the Lord< not2ithstandin, he 2as
$er! !oun, and ine/*erienced in such duties? and I fe&t to *raise 5od 2ith
a &oud hosanna< for His ,oodness to 'e and '! father+s fa'i&!< and to a&&
the chi&dren of 'en# )raise the Lord< a&& !e< His Saints< *raise His ho&!
na'e#
After these >uoru's 2ere dis'issed< I retired to '! ho'e< fi&&ed 2ith
the S*irit< and '! sou& cried hosanna to 5od and the La'< throu,h the
si&ent 2atches of the ni,ht? and 2hi&e '! e!es 2ere c&osed in s&ee*< the
$isions of the Lord 2ere s2eet unto 'e< and His ,&or! 2as round aout 'e#
)raise the Lord#
Frida!< HN#--Attended schoo& and read Here2# I recei$ed a &ine fro'
the *residenc! of the E&ders+ >uoru'< the! 2ishin, to 0no2 2ho' the!
shou&d recei$e into their >uoru'< I ans2ered $era&&!#
Afternoon< I ca&&ed in a&& '! father+s fa'i&! and 'ade a feast< and
re&ated '! fee&in,s to2ards the'# .! father *ronounced *atriarcha&
&essin,s on the heads of Henr! 5annet< Char&es H# S'ith< .arietta Carter<
An,e&ine Carter< Johanna Carter< and
Nanc! Carter# This 2as a ,ood ti'e to 'e< and a&& the fa'i&! re=oiced
to,ether# 3e continued the 'eetin, ti&& aout ei,ht o+c&oc0 in the
e$enin,< and re&ated the ,oodness of 5od to us< in o*enin, our e!es to see
the $isions of hea$en< and in sendin, His ho&! an,e&s to 'inister unto us
the 2ord of &ife# 3e san, the *raise of 5od in ani'ated strains< and the
*o2er of union and &o$e 2as fe&t and en=o!ed#
Saturda!< 9D#--Attended schoo&< as usua&< and 2aited u*on se$era&
$isitors< and sho2ed the' the record of Araha'# .r# Sei/as< our Here2
teacher< e/a'ined it 2ith dee* interest< and *ronounced it to e ori,ina&
e!ond a&& dout# He is a 'an of e/ce&&ent understandin,< and has a
0no2&ed,e of 'an! &an,ua,es 2hich 2ere s*o0en ! the ancients< and he is
an honora&e 'an< so far as I can =ud,e !et#
Reso&utions# At a conference of the )residenc! of the Church< it 2as
reso&$ed that no one e ordained to an office in the Church in 1irt&and<
2ithout the $oice of the se$era& >uoru's< 2hen asse'&ed for Church
usiness#
Reso&$ed--That A&$a "ea'an< *resident of the E&ders< e directed to
,i$e to the )residents of the Church a &ist of the na'es of the se$era&
E&ders< co'*risin, his >uoru'< and a&& other E&ders in 1irt&and< not
e&on,in, to an! >uoru' no2 esta&ished#
Reso&$ed--That Har$e! 3hit&oc0 e restored to the Church< in fu&&
fe&&o2shi*< on his ein, rea*ti4ed< and after< e ordained to the Hi,h
)riesthood# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
In the e$enin,< 2ent to the u**er roo's of the Lord+s house< and set
the different >uoru's in order# Instructed the *residents of the Se$ent!
concernin, the order of their anointin,< and re>uested the' to *roceed and
anoint the Se$ent!# Ha$in, set a&& the >uoru's in order< I returned to '!
house< ein, 2ear! 2ith continua& an/iet! and &aor< in *uttin, a&& the
authorities in order< and in stri$in, to *urif! the' for the so&e'n
asse'&!< accordin, to the co''and'ent of the Lord#
Sunda!< 97#--Attended di$ine ser$ice in the schoo& house< arran,ed
the se$era& >uoru's of the authorities of the Church< a**ointed
door0ee*ers to 0ee* order aout the door< ecause of the cro2d< and to
*re$ent the house fro' ein, e/cessi$e&! cro2ded# The Hi,h Counci& of ;ion
occu*ied the first *art of the da!< in s*ea0in, as the! 2ere &ed< and
re&atin, e/*eriences< tria&s< etc#
Afternoon# House ca'e to order< as usua&< and )resident Sidne! Ri,don
de&i$ered a short discourse< and 2e attended to the rea0in, of read#
In the e$enin,< '! father attended to the &essin, of three rethren<
at )resident O&i$er Co2der!+s# S*ent the e$enin, at ho'e#
CHA)TER 66%III#
THE )RO)HET+S .INISTRY AND STUDIES IN 1IRTLAND#
.onda!< Feruar! 7< 789:--Attended schoo& as usua&< and in co'*an!
2ith the other 'e'ers of the co''ittee or,ani4ed another c&ass of thirt!<
to recei$e .r# Sei/as+ &ectures on the Here2#
In the e$enin,< attended to the or,ani4in, of the >uoru's of Hi,h
)riests< E&ders< Se$ent!< and "isho*s< in the u**er roo's of the house of
the Lord< and after &essin, each >uoru' in the na'e of the Lord< I
returned ho'e# I had another inter$ie2 2ith .r# Sei/as< our Here2
teacher< and re&ated to hi' so'e of the dea&in,s of 5od 2ith 'e< and ,a$e
hi' so'e of the e$idence of the truth of the 2or0 of the &atter da!s# He
&istened cordia&&! and did not o**ose#
Tuesda! H#--Attended schoo& as usua&< and to $arious other duties#
3ent to the schoo& house in the e$enin,< and heard an ani'ated
discourse de&i$ered ! )resident Ri,don# He touched on the out&ines of our
faith< sho2ed the scatterin, and ,atherin, of Israe&< fro' the Scri*tures<
and the stic0 of Jose*h in the hands of E*hrai'< as a&so fro' the
scri*tures of .oses# It 2as an interestin, 'eetin,< the S*irit ore record
that the Lord 2as 2e&& *&eased#
3ednesda!< 9#--.ornin,< attended our Here2 &ecture#
Afternoon< studied 2ith O&i$er Co2der! and S!&$ester S'ith# Recei$ed
'an! $isitors< and sho2ed the' the
records of Araha'# .! father &essed three 2ith a *atriarcha&
&essin,# )resident A&$a "ea'an handed in se$ent! of his >uoru' desi,ned
for another Se$ent! if 5od 2i&&#
Thursda! @#--Attended schoo&< and assisted in for'in, a c&ass of
t2ent!-t2o 'e'ers to read at three o+c&oc0< *#'# The other t2ent!-three
read at e&e$en o+c&oc0# The first c&ass recites at a >uarter efore ten<
a#'#< and the second a >uarter efore t2o< *#'# 3e ha$e a ,reat 2ant of
oo0s< ut are deter'ined to do the est 2e can# .a! the Lord he&* us to
otain this &an,ua,e< that 2e 'a! read the Scri*tures in the &an,ua,e in
2hich the! 2ere ,i$en#
Frida!< G#--Attended schoo&< and assisted the co''ittee to 'a0e
arran,e'ents to su**&! the third and fourth c&asses 2ith oo0s? conc&uded
to di$ide a "i&e into se$era& *arts< for the enefit of said c&asses?
continued '! studies in the Here2? recei$ed se$era& $isitors< and
attended $arious duties#
Saturda!< :#--Ca&&ed the anointed to,ether to recei$e the sea& of a&&
their &essin,s# The Hi,h )riests and E&ders in the counci& roo' as usua&<
the Se$ent! 2ith the T2e&$e in the second roo'< and the "isho*s in the
third# I &aored 2ith each of these >uoru's for so'e ti'e to rin, the' to
the order 2hich 5od had sho2n to 'e< 2hich is as fo&&o2s( The first *art
to e s*ent in so&e'n *ra!er efore 5od< 2ithout an! ta&0in, or confusion?
and the conc&usion 2ith a sea&in, *ra!er ! )resident Ri,don< 2hen a&& the
>uoru's 2ere to shout 2ith one accord a so&e'n hosanna to 5od and the
La'< 2ith an A'en< A'en and A'en? and then a&& ta0e seats and &ift u*
their hearts in si&ent *ra!er to 5od< and if an! otain a *ro*hec! or
$ision< to rise and s*ea0 that a&& 'a! e edified and re=oice to,ether#
I had considera&e trou&e to ,et a&& the >uoru's united in this
order# I 2ent fro' roo' to roo' re*eated&!< and char,ed each se*arate&!<
assurin, the' that it 2as accordin, to the 'ind of 5od< !et<
not2ithstandin, a&& '! &aor< 2hi&e I 2as in the east roo' 2ith the
"isho*s+ >uoru'< I fe&t< ! the S*irit< that so'ethin, 2as 2ron, in the
>uoru' of E&ders in the 2est roo'< and I i''ediate&! re>uested )residents
O&i$er Co2der! and H!ru' S'ith to ,o in and see 2hat 2as the 'atter# The
>uoru' of E&ders had not oser$ed the order 2hich I had ,i$en the'< and
2ere re'inded of it ! )resident Don Car&os S'ith< and 'i&d&! re>uested to
*reser$e order< and continue in *ra!er# So'e of the' re*&ied that the! had
a teacher of their o2n< and did not 2ish to e trou&ed ! others# This
caused the S*irit of the Lord to 2ithdra2? this interru*ted the 'eetin,<
and this >uoru' &ost their &essin, in a ,reat 'easure#
The other >uoru's 2ere 'ore carefu&< and the >uoru' of the Se$ent!
en=o!ed a ,reat f&o2 of the Ho&! S*irit# .an! arose and s*o0e< testif!in,
that the! 2ere fi&&ed 2ith the Ho&! 5host< 2hich 2as &i0e fire in their
ones< so that the! cou&d not ho&d their *eace< ut 2ere constrained to
cr! hosanna to 5od and the La'< and ,&or! in the hi,hest#
)resident 3i&&ia' S'ith< one of the T2e&$e< sa2 a $ision of the
T2e&$e< and Se$en in counci& to,ether in o&d En,&and< and *ro*hesied that
a ,reat 2or0 2ou&d e done ! the' in the o&d countries< and 5od 2as
a&read! e,innin, to 2or0 in the hearts of the *eo*&e#
)resident ;eedee Co&trin< one of the Se$en< sa2 a $ision of the
Lord+s host# And others 2ere fi&&ed 2ith the S*irit< and s*a0e 2ith
ton,ues and *ro*hesied# This 2as a ti'e of re=oicin, &on, to e
re'e'ered# )raise the Lord#
Sunda!< M#--Attended 'eetin, at the usua& hour# The >uoru's 2ere
seated accordin, to their officia& standin, in the Church# The "isho* of
;ion and his counse&ors occu*ied the forenoon in confession and
e/hortation# The
"isho* of 1irt&and and his counse&ors occu*ied the stand in the
afternoon# The discourses of these t2o >uoru's 2ere interestin,# A nu'er
of &etters of co''endation 3ere *resented and read< a $ote 2as ca&&ed< and
a&& 2ere recei$ed into the Church in 1irt&and# "read 2as ro0en and
&essed< and 2hi&e it 2as *assin,< )resident Ri,don co''enced s*ea0in,
fro' Acts ii< and continued aout fifteen 'inutes# His reasonin, 2as ,ood#
The 2ine 2as then &essed and *assed< after 2hich 'eetin, dis'issed#
In the e$enin,< 'et 2ith the )residenc! in the &oft of the *rintin,
office< in co'*an! 2ith the *residenc! of the Se$ent!< to choose other
Se$ent! a&so# "&essed one of the ;ion rethren# Dis'issed and retired#
.onda!< 8#--Attended schoo& at the usua& hour< in the afternoon<
&ectured in the u**er roo' of the *rintin, office 2ith so'e of the
rethren# At e$enin,< $isited .r# Sei/as< in co'*an! 2ith )residents
Ri,don and Co2der!# He con$ersed free&!? is an interestin, 'an# E&der
)arrish< '! scrie< recei$ed '! =ourna& a,ain# His hea&th is so 'uch
i'*ro$ed< that he thin0s he 2i&& e a&e< 2ith the &essin, of 5od< to
*erfor' his dut!#
Tuesda!< N#--S*ent the da! in stud!in, the Here2 &an,ua,e# Fine
2eather and s&ei,hin,# E$enin, at ho'e#
3ednesda!< 7D#--At ten o+c&oc0< 'et at the schoo& roo' to read
Here2#
Afternoon< read in the u**er roo' of the *rintin, office#
At four o+c&oc0< ca&&ed at the schoo& roo' in the Te'*&e to 'a0e so'e
arran,e'ents concernin, the c&asses# On '! return< I 2as infor'ed that
"rother H!ru' S'ith had cut hi'se&f# I i''ediate&! re*aired to his house<
and found hi' ad&! 2ounded in his &eft ar'< he had fa&&en on his a/<
2hich caused a 2ound aout four or fi$e inches in &en,th# Doctor 3i&&ia's
se2ed it u* and dressed it< and I fee& to than0 5od that it is no 2orse<
and I as0 '! Hea$en&! Father in the na'e of Jesus Christ to hea& '!
rother
H!ru'< and &ess '! father+s fa'i&!< one and a&&< 2ith *eace and
*&ent!< and eterna& &ife#
Thursda!< 77#--Attended schoo&< and read Here2 2ith the 'ornin,
c&ass#
S*ent the afternoon in readin,< and in e/hiitin, the E,!*tian
records to those 2ho ca&&ed to see 'e< and hea$en+s &essin,s ha$e
attended 'e#
Frida!< 7H#--S*ent the da! in readin, Here2< and attendin, to the
duties of '! fa'i&!< and the duties of the Church#
I 'et in co'*an! 2ith the se$era& >uoru's in the schoo& roo' in the
te'*&e< at e$enin,< to ta0e into consideration the su=ect of ordination#
I 'ade so'e re'ar0s u*on the su=ect are desirin, to e ordained to the
'inistr!< 2ho are not ca&&ed< conse>uent&! the Lord is dis*&eased#
Second&!< 'an! a&read! ha$e een ordained< 2ho ou,ht not to ho&d officia&
stations in the Church< ecause the! dishonor the'se&$es and the Church<
and rin, *ersecution s2ift&! u*on us< in conse>uence of their 4ea&
2ithout 0no2&ed,e# I re>uested the >uoru's to ta0e so'e 'easures to
re,u&ate the sa'e# I *ro*osed so'e reso&utions< and re'ar0ed to the
rethren that the su=ect 2as no2 efore the'< and o*en for discussion#
The su=ect 2as discussed ! )residents Sidne! Ri,don and O&i$er
Co2der!< and E&der .artin Harris< and others< and reso&utions 2ere drafted
! '! scrie E2ho ser$ed as c&er0 on the occasionF< read< and re=ected# It
2as then *ro*osed that I shou&d indite reso&utions< 2hich I did as
fo&&o2s(
The )ro*het+s Draft of Reso&utions# First# Reso&$ed--That no one e
ordained to an! office in the Church in this sta0e of ;ion< at 1irt&and<
2ithout the unani'ous $oice of the se$era& odies that constitute this
>uoru'< 2ho are a**ointed to do Church usiness in the na'e of said
Church< $i4#< the )residenc! of the Church? the T2e&$e A*ost&es of the
La'? the t2e&$e Hi,h
Counci&ors of 1irt&and? the t2e&$e Hi,h Counci&ors of ;ion? the
"isho* of 1irt&and and his counse&ors? the "isho* of ;ion and his
counse&ors? and the se$en *residents of Se$enties? unti& other2ise ordered
! said >uoru's#
Second# And further Reso&$ed--That no one e ordained in the ranches
of said Church aroad< un&ess the! are reco''ended ! the $oice of the
res*ecti$e ranches of the Church to 2hich the! e&on,< to a ,enera&
conference a**ointed ! the heads of the Church< and fro' that conference
recei$e their ordination# The fore,oin, reso&utions 2ere concurred in !
the *residents of the Se$enties#
Saturda!< 79#--S*ent the da! in readin, Here2#
At noon I *re*ared a horse and s&ei,h for )rofessor Sei/as to ,o to
Hudson and see his fa'i&!#
Action of the T2e&$e on the Reso&utions 5o$ernin, Ordinations#
At one o+c&oc0 *#'# the counci& of the T2e&$e A*ost&es 'et in the
house of the Lord< and after *ra!er and consu&tation u*on the nature and
e/*edienc! of the *recedin, reso&utions offered in counci& on the 7Hth
instant< it 2as unani'ous&! a,reed to offer the fo&&o2in, a'end'ent to the
second reso&ution< E*erfect&! ac>uiescin, in the firstF $i4# That none e
ordained to an! office in the ranches to 2hich the! e&on,? ut to e
reco''ended to a ,enera& conference a**ointed ! those< or under the
direction of those< 2ho are desi,nated in the oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants< as ha$in, authorit! to ordain and set in order a&& the officers
of the Church aroad< and fro' that conference recei$e their ordination#
THO.AS "# .ARSH< Chair'an# ORSON HYDE< 3.# E# .+LELLIN< C&er0s#
Sunda!< 7@#--Attended to the ordinance of a*tis' efore 'eetin,#
At the usua& hour attended 'eetin,# The *residents of the Se$ent!
e/*ressed their fee&in,s on the occasion< and their faith in the "oo0 of
.or'on and the re$e&ations< a&so their entire confidence in a&& the
>uoru's that are or,ani4ed in the Church of Latter-da! Saints# A ,ood
ti'e--the S*irit of 5od rested u*on the con,re,ation# Ad'inistered the
Sacra'ent< and confir'ed a nu'er that had een a*ti4ed< and then
dis'issed the 'eetin,#
.onda! 7G#--Attended schoo& at the usua& hours# S*ent the afternoon
in readin, Here2 and in recei$in, and 2aitin, on $isitors# On this da! 2e
co''enced trans&atin, the Here2 &an,ua,e< under the instruction of
)rofessor Sei/as< and he stated that 2e 2ere the 'ost for2ard of an! c&ass
he e$er instructed for the sa'e &en,th of ti'e#
Tuesda!< 7:#--Attended schoo& at the usua& hour# Resu'ed our
trans&atin,< and 'ade ra*id *ro,ress# .an! ca&&ed to see the House of the
Lord< and the E,!*tian 'anuscri*t< and to $isit 'e# E/tre'e&! co&d
2eather< and fine s&ei,hin,#
3ednesda!< 7M#--Attended the schoo& and read and trans&ated 2ith '!
c&ass as usua&# .! sou& de&i,hts in readin, the 2ord of the Lord in the
ori,ina&< and I a' deter'ined to *ursue the stud! of the &an,ua,es< unti&
I sha&& eco'e 'aster of the'< if I a' *er'itted to &i$e &on, enou,h# At
an! rate< so &on, as I do &i$e< I a' deter'ined to 'a0e this '! o=ect?
and 2ith the &essin, of 5od< I sha&& succeed to '! satisfaction#
E&der Coe ca&&ed to 'a0e so'e arran,e'ents aout the E,!*tian 'u''ies
and records# He *ro*oses to hire a roo' at John Johnson+s Inn< and e/hiit
the' there fro' da! to da!< at certain hours< that so'e enefit 'a! e
deri$ed fro' the'# I co'*&ied 2ith his re>uest< and on&! oser$ed that
the! 'ust e 'ana,ed 2ith *rudence and care< es*ecia&&! the 'anuscri*ts#
Action of the 1irt&and Hi,h Counci& on the Reso&utions on
Ordinations#
The Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and 'et in the House of the Lord at si/
o+c&oc0< *#'#< to discuss the su=ect of ordination< as &aid efore the
Counci& on the 7Hth instant? and a&so the *ro*osed a'end'ent of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es of the 79th# After discussin, the reso&utions dra2n ! )resident
S'ith< it 2as $oted unani'ous&! that the! shou&d re'ain entire< and the
*ro*osed a'end'ent of the T2e&$e A*ost&es e re=ected# JOSE)H C#
1IN5S"URY< C&er0#
Thursda!< 78#--S*ent the da! as usua& in attendin, to '! fa'i&!
concerns< recei$in, and 2aitin, u*on those 2ho ca&&ed for instructions<
and attendin, to '! studies#
Action of the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion on the Reso&ution on Ordinations#
The Hi,h Counci& of ;ion 'et in the u**er roo' of the *rintin, office
at se$en o+c&oc0 *#'# to discuss the su=ect of ordination< as &aid efore
the' in the counci& of the 7Hth instant< and a&so the a'end'ent of the
T2e&$e A*ost&es# After discussin, the reso&utions dra2n u* ! the
)resident< it 2as $oted unani'ous&! that the! shou&d re'ain< and that 2e
*erfect&! ac>uiesce in said reso&utions 2ithout an! a&teration or
a'end'ent# ELIAS HI5"EE< C&er0#
Frida!< 7N#--Attended 2ith the 'ornin, c&ass and trans&ated#
)rofessor Sei/as handed 'e the na'es of a fe2 2ho' he had se&ected fro'
the first c&ass and re>uested us to 'eet to,ether this afternoon and
&ecture< 2hich 2e did< in the u**er roo' of the *rintin, office# The na'es
are as fo&&o2s( )residents Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der!< 3i&&ia' 3#
)he&*s< "isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e< E&ders 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< Orson H!de<
Orson )ratt< S!&$ester S'ith< '!se&f< and scrie# These< and )rof# Sei/as<
to 'eet one hour on the fo&&o2in, 'ornin,#
I con$ersed 2ith .r# Sei/as on the su=ect of re&i,ion< at '! house
this afternoon# He &istened 2ith attention< and a**eared interested 2ith
'! re'ar0s# And I e&ie$e the Lord is stri$in, 2ith hi'< ! His Ho&!
S*irit< and that he 2i&& e$entua&&! e'race the ne2 and e$er&astin,
co$enant< for he is a chosen $esse& unto the Lord to do His *eo*&e ,ood?
ut I forear &est I ,et to *ro*hes!in, u*on his head#
This e$enin, )resident Ri,don and '!se&f ca&&ed at .r# Sei/as+
&od,in,s and con$ersed 2ith hi' u*on the su=ect of the schoo&# Had a
*&easant inter$ie2#
Saturda!< HD#--At ho'e attendin, to '! do'estic concerns#
At nine o+c&oc0 attended the schoo&< and trans&ated 2ith the 'ornin,
c&ass#
S*ent the afternoon 2ith '! c&ass in the *rintin, office and the
e$enin, at ho'e#
Sunda!< H7#--S*ent the da! at ho'e in readin,< 'editation and *ra!er#
I re$ie2ed '! &esson in Here2# So'e three or four *ersons 2ere a*ti4ed<
and the *o2ers of dar0ness see' to e ,i$in, 2a! on a&& sides# .an! 2ho
ha$e een ene'ies to the 2or0 of the Lord< are e,innin, to en>uire into
the faith of the Latter-da! Saints< and are friend&!#
.onda!< HH#--Trans&ated Here2 2ith the first c&ass in the 'ornin,#
Returned ho'e and 'ade out '! returns< to the count! c&er0 on e&e$en
'arria,es 2hich I had so&e'ni4ed 2ithin three 'onths--ei,ht ! &icense
fro' the c&er0 of the court of co''on *&eas in 5eau,a Count!< Ohio< and
three ! *u&ish'ent# Sent the' to Chardon ! E&i=ah Fu&&er# I a*ti4ed
John O# 3ater'an#
S*ent the afternoon trans&atin, 2ith '! scrie< E&der 3arren )arrish<
at his house#
At four o+c&oc0 'et )rofessor Sei/as and the schoo& co''ittee at the
*rintin, office< to 'a0e so'e arran,e'ents for the ad$ance'ent of the
se$era& c&asses#
Action of the First )residenc! on the Reso&utions on Ordinations#
The )residenc! of the Church 'et and too0 in consideration the
reso&utions *resented to the T2e&$e A*ost&es< Edated Fe# 7HthF< the
*residents of Se$enties< the Hi,h Counci&s of the Church for ;ion and
1irt&and# After due de&ieration it 2as unani'ous&! a,reed that the
ori,ina& reso&utions e ado*ted 2ithout a'end'ents# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0
of Counci&#
The &o2er roo' of the Te'*&e is no2 *re*ared for *aintin,# E&der
"ri,ha' Youn, 2as o&i,ed to &ea$e the Here2 c&ass and su*erintend the
*aintin, of the &o2er roo' unti& finished#
This afternoon the sisters 'et to 'a0e the $ei& of the Te'*&e# Father
S'ith *resided o$er the'< and ,a$e the' 'uch ,ood instruction# C&osed !
sin,in, and *ra!er< 2hich is custo'ar! at the co''ence'ent and c&ose of
a&& counci&s and 'eetin,s of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< a&thou,h not
a&2a!s 'entioned in this record#
Tuesda!< H9#--Read and trans&ated Here2#
This afternoon the sisters 'et a,ain at the Te'*&e to 2or0 on the
$ei&#
To2ards the c&ose of the da! I 'et 2ith the )residenc! and 'an! of
the rethren in the house of the Lord< and 'ade so'e re'ar0s fro' the
*u&*it u*on the rise and *ro,ress of the Church of Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< and *ronounced a &essin, u*on the sisters< for their &iera&it!
in ,i$in, their ser$ices so cheerfu&&!< to 'a0e the $ei& for the Lord+s
House? a&so u*on the con,re,ation? and dis'issed#
3ednesda!< H@#--Attended to '! studies as usua&#
In the e$enin,< 'et the >uoru's at the schoo& roo' in the Te'*&e to
ta0e into consideration the *ro*riet! or i'*ro*riet! of ordainin, a &ar,e
nu'er of indi$idua&s 2ho 2ish to e ordained to officia& stations in the
Church# Each indi$idua&+s na'e 2as *resented and the $oice of the asse'&!
ca&&ed? and 3i&&ia' 3i,ht'an< Char&es 3i,ht'an< Da$id C&uff< Tru'an
Jac0son< Reuen "arton< Danie& .i&es< and .oses Dai&!< 2ere recei$ed< and
nineteen 2ere re=ected# Their ordinations deferred unti& another ti'e#
)residents Orson H!de< O&i$er Co2der!< and S!&$ester S'ith< 2ere no'inated
to draft ru&es and re,u&ations concernin, &icenses< and ! $ote of the
asse'&! *assed unani'ous&!#
Tho'as "urdic0 2as chosen ! no'ination to officiate as c&er0< to
record &icenses< and is to recei$e *a! for his ser$ices# A&so $oted that
the T2e&$e and Se$ent! see that the ca&&s for *reachin, in the re,ion
round aout 1irt&and e attended to< and fi&&ed ! =udicious E&ders of
this Church#
Tuesda!< HG#--Attended to '! studies as usua&< and 'ade so'e
ad$ance'ent#
In the afternoon I 2as ca&&ed u*on ! E&der Ri,don to ,o and see his
2ife< 2ho 2as $er! sic0# I did so in co'*an! 2ith '! scrie# 3e *ra!ed for
her and anointed her in the na'e of the Lord< and she e,an to reco$er
fro' that $er! hour# Returned ho'e and s*ent the e$enin, there#
Frida!< H:#--Read Here2 2ith the first c&ass in the 'ornin,#
S*ent the afternoon in the *rintin, office# Sett&ed so'e
'isunderstandin, et2een "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith and )rofessor Sei/as#
Saturda! HM#--Co&d< and fine s&ei,hin,# I *re*ared '! horse and
s&ei,h for .r# Sei/as to ride to Hudson and $isit his fa'i&!< to return on
.onda! ne/t# Attended 2ith '! c&ass at the *rintin, office< oth in the
forenoon and afternoon< &ectured and a&so trans&ated Here2#
Sunda!< H8#--This 'ornin, t2o ,ent&e'en< &ate fro'
Scot&and< ca&&ed to see 'e< to 'a0e in>uiries aout the 2or0 of the
Lord in these &ast da!s# The! treated 'e 2ith res*ect< and the inter$ie2
2as *&easin, to 'e< and I *resu'e interestin, to the'# The! attended our
'eetin, 2ith 'e< and e/*ressed satisfaction at 2hat the! heard# The! s*o0e
of Ir$in,< the re&i,ious refor'er< and his *ro*hecies# After 'eetin, I
returned ho'e and s*ent the after *art of the da! and e$enin, in readin,
and trans&atin, the Here2#
.onda!< HN#--S*ent the da! in stud!in, as usua&# A 'an ca&&ed to see
the House of the Lord< in co'*an! 2ith another ,ent&e'an# On enterin, the
door the! 2ere *o&ite&! in$ited< ! the ,ent&e'an 2ho had char,e of the
house< to ta0e off their hats# One of the' re*&ied 2ith the re>uest
unhesitatin,&!< 2hi&e the other oser$ed that he 2ou&d not ta0e off his
hat nor o2 to -Jo S'ith<- ut that he had 'ade -Jo- o2 to hi' at a
certain ti'e# He 2as i''ediate&! infor'ed ! E&der .ore!< the 0ee*er of
the house< that his first usiness 2as to &ea$e< for 2hen a 'an insu&ted
Jose*h S'ith he< "rother .ore!< 2as hi'se&f insu&ted# The 'an 'anifested
'uch an,er< ut &eft the house# For this inde*endence and reso&ution of
E&der .ore!< I res*ect hi'< and for the &o$e he 'anifested to2ards 'e? and
'a! Israe&+s 5od &ess hi'< and ,i$e hi' an ascendenc! o$er a&& his
ene'ies#
This afternoon )rofessor Sei/as returned fro' Hudson and rou,ht a
fe2 'ore Here2 "i&es and one ,ra''ar of his second edition# 3eather 2ar'
and s&ei,hin, fai&in, fast#
Tuesda!< .arch 7< 789:#--Attended schoo& in the forenoon#
In the afternoon< at the *rintin, office< and read and trans&ated
2ith '! c&ass unti& four o+c&oc0# Returned ho'e and attended to '!
do'estic concerns# 3e ha$e as !et fine s&ei,hin,< 2hich is unco''on in
this countr! at this season of the !ear#
3ednesda!< H#--)ursued '! studies as usua&#
At se$en o+c&oc0 in the e$enin, the first c&ass 'et< a,reea&e to the
re>uest of .r# Sei/as< at E&der Orson H!de+s< to s*end one hour in
trans&atin,# Returned at ei,ht o+c&oc0#
Thursda!< 9#--Attended to '! studies in the Here2 schoo&# So'e
'isunderstandin, too0 *&ace et2een )rofessor Sei/as and so'e of his
scho&ars res*ectin, the sa&e of his "i&es# His fee&in,s 2ere 'uch hurt<
a**arent&!# He 'ade so'e re'ar0s concernin, it to each c&ass# At noon he
ca&&ed on the schoo& co''ittee< his fee&in,s 'uch de*ressed# 3e ,a$e hi'
a&& the satisfaction 2e cou&d in ri,hteousness< and his fee&in,s 2ere
'easura&! a&&a!ed#
This e$enin, the se$era& >uoru's 'et a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent< and
2ere or,ani4ed accordin, to their officia& standin, in the Church# I then
arose and 'ade so'e re'ar0s on the o=ect of our 'eetin,< as fo&&o2s(
First--To recei$e or re=ect certain reso&utions that 2ere drafted !
a co''ittee chosen for that *ur*ose< at a *recedin, 'eetin,< res*ectin,
&icenses for E&ders and other officia& 'e'ers#
Second--To sanction< ! the united $oice of the >uoru's< certain
reso&utions res*ectin, ordainin, 'e'ers that ha$e *assed throu,h each
>uoru' se*arate&!< 2ithout an! a&teration or a'end'ent< e/ce*tin, in the
>uoru' of the T2e&$e#
After sin,in, and *ra!er< )resident O&i$er Co2der!< chair'an of the
co''ittee a**ointed on the H@th u&ti'o< to draft reso&utions res*ectin,
&icenses< arose and 'ade re*ort in eha&f of the co''ittee< 2hich 2as read
three ti'es ! the chair'an# The third ti'e he read the reso&utions he
,a$e ti'e and o**ortunit!< after readin, each artic&e< for o=ections to
e 'ade< if an! there 2ere# No o=ections 2ere raised< or a&terations
'ade< ut an addition 2as 'ade to the si/th artic&e e/tendin, the *o2ers
of the chair'an and c&er0 *ro te'# to si,n &icenses< etc#
I then oser$ed that these reso&utions 'ust needs *ass throu,h each
>uoru' se*arate&!< e,innin, at the *residenc! of each >uoru'< and
conse>uent&! it 'ust first e thro2n into the hands of the *resident of
the Deacons and his counci&< as e>ua& ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es is '! 'otto?
and one 'an is as ,ood as another< if he eha$es as 2e&&? and that a&& 'en
shou&d e estee'ed a&i0e< 2ithout re,ard to distinctions of an officia&
nature# The reso&utions 2ere *assed ! the *resident of the Deacons and
his counci& ! unani'ous $oice#
It 2as then *resented efore the *residents of the se$era& >uoru's
and their counse&ors in the fo&&o2in, order< and in the sa'e 'anner as
efore< $i4( the Teachers< )riests< "isho* of 1irt&and< "isho* of ;ion<
E&ders< Hi,h )riests< Se$ent!< Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< Hi,h Counci& of
1irt&and< the T2e&$e< and< &ast&!< *assed into the hands of the )residenc!
of the Church< and a&& the >uoru's< and recei$ed their unani'ous sanction#
The reso&utions are as fo&&o2s(
Reso&utions on Ordinations and Licenses# 3hereas< the records of the
se$era& conferences he&d ! the E&ders of the Church< and the ordination
of 'an! of the officia& 'e'ers of the Sa'e< in 'an! cases< ha$e een
i'*erfect&! 0e*t since its or,ani4ation< to a$oid e$er after an!
incon$enience< difficu&t! or in=ur!< in conse>uence of such ne,&ect< !our
co''ittee reco''end(
First--That a&& &icenses hereafter ,ranted ! these authorities
asse'&ed as a >uoru'< or ! ,enera& conference he&d for the *ur*ose of
transactin, the usiness of the Church< e recorded at fu&& &en,th ! the
c&er0 a**ointed for that *ur*ose< in a oo0 to e 0e*t in this ranch of
the Church< unti& it sha&& e thou,ht ad$isa&e ! the heads of the Church
to order other oo0s and a**oint other c&er0s< to record &icenses as
ao$e? and that said recordin, c&er0 e re>uired to indorse a certificate
under his o2n hand and si,nature< on the ac0 of said &icenses< s*ecif!in,
the ti'e 2hen< and *&ace 2here< such &icense 2as recorded< and a&so a
reference to the &etter and *a,e of the oo0 containin, the sa'e#
Second--That this >uoru' a**oint t2o *ersons to si,n &icenses ,i$en
as aforesaid< one as chair'an< and the other as c&er0 of conference? and
that it sha&& e the dut! of said *ersons a**ointed to si,n &icenses as
c&er0 of conference i''ediate&! hereafter< to de&i$er the sa'e into the
hands of the recordin, c&er0#
Third--That a&& ,enera& conferences aroad ,i$e each indi$idua& 2ho'
the! ordain< a certificate< si,ned ! the chair'an and c&er0 of said
conference< statin, the ti'e and *&ace of such conference< and the office
to 2hich the indi$idua& has een ordained? and that 2hen such certificate
has een for2arded to the *erson hereafter authori4ed to si,n &icenses as
c&er0 of conference< such *erson sha&&< to,ether 2ith chair'an of
conference< i''ediate&! si,n a &icense? and said c&er0 of conference
sha&&< after the sa'e has een recorded< for2ard to the *ro*er *erson#
Fourth--That a&& officia& 'e'ers in ,ood standin, and fe&&o2shi* in
the $arious ranches of this Church< e re>uested to for2ard their *resent
&icenses< acco'*anied ! a certificate of their $irtuous and faithfu& 2a&0
efore the Lord< si,ned ! the chair'an and c&er0 of a ,enera& conference<
or ! the c&er0 of a ranch of the Church in 2hich such officia& 'e'er
resides< ! the ad$ice and direction of such Church< to the c&er0 of
conference< 2hose dut! it sha&& e to fi&& a ne2 &icense as directed in
the third artic&e? and that a&& &icenses< si,ned< recorded< and endorsed<
as s*ecified in the first artic&e< sha&& e considered ,ood< and $a&id to
a&& intents and *ur*oses< in the usiness and s*iritua& affairs of this
Church< as a re&i,ions societ!< or efore an! court of record of this or
an! other countr!< 2herein *reachers of the 5os*e& are entit&ed to s*ecia&
*ri$i&e,es< ans2erin, in a&& res*ects as an ori,ina& record< 2ithout the
necessit! of referrin, to an! other docu'ent#
Fifth--That the recordin, c&er0 e re>uired to *u&ish >uarter&! a
*a*er *u&ished ! so'e 'e'er or 'e'ers of this Church< a &ist of the
na'es of the se$era& *ersons for 2ho' he has recorded &icenses 2ithin the
&ast >uarter of a !ear#
Si/th--That this >uoru' a**oint t2o *ersons to si,n &icenses as
chair'an and c&er0 of conference *ro te'# for the standin, chair'an and
c&er0< 2ho sha&& e a**ointed as na'ed in the second artic&e< and a&so to
act in their asence< in si,nin, other &icenses< as s*ecified in the
fore,oin, artic&e#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as no'inated as chair'an< Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's< as c&er0< and Sidne! Ri,don as chair'an *ro te' and O&i$er
Co2der! as c&er0 *ro te'# %ote fro' the se$era& >uoru's ca&&ed< in their
order< and *assed unani'ous&!#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'ade so'e re'ar0s u*on the reso&ution
offered to the Counci& on the 7Hth of Feruar!# Fo&&o2ed !
)resident Tho'as "# .arsh< 2ho ca&&ed a $ote of his >uoru' to ascertain
2hether the! 2ou&d re*ea& their a'end'ent of the 79th of Feruar!# And
nine of the T2e&$e $oted in the affir'ati$e< and three< $i4#< John F#
"o!nton< L!'an E# Johnson< and Orson )ratt< in the ne,ati$e# And the
ori,ina& reso&ution of the 7Hth of Feruar! 2as *assed#
Dis'issed ! *ra!er< ha&f-*ast nine o+c&oc0# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
Frida!< @#--Attended schoo& as usua&# The s&ei,hin, is fai&in, fast<
the ic! chains of 2inter see' to e ,i$in, 2a! under the inf&uence of the
returnin, sun< and s*rin, 2i&& soon o*en to us 2ith a&& its char's#
Saturda!< G#--Attended schoo&# In the afternoon the oard 0i&n too0
fire and the &u'er 2as *rinci*a&&! consu'ed# To the est of '!
reco&&ection this is the fifth or si/th ti'e it has urned this 2inter#
Sunda!< :--S*ent the da! at ho'e in the en=o!'ent of the societ! of
'! fa'i&!< around the socia& fireside#
.onda!< M#--S*ent the da! in attendin, to '! studies# At the e$enin,<
'et 2ith '! c&ass at )rofessor Sei/as+ roo' and trans&ated the 7Mth
cha*ter of 5enesis#
After the c&ass 2as dis'issed I 2as re>uested to tarr!< 2ith the rest
of the co''ittee< to 'a0e so'e arran,e'ents aout *a!in, .r# Sei/as for
his instruction< and to en,a,e hi' for another >uarter# 3e did not arri$e
at an!thin, definite u*on the *oint# Ho2e$er< .r# Sei/as has a,reed to
teach us three 2ee0s &on,er< and *erha*s a >uarter< after ha$in, a
$acation of t2o 2ee0s< at the e/*iration of the *resent course#
Tuesda!< 8#--Attended schoo& and trans&ated 'ost of the HHnd cha*ter
of 5enesis# After '! c&ass 2as dis'issed< retired to the *rintin, office
and trans&ated ten $erses of the 9rd of E/odus< 2hich< 2ith the first and
second )sa&'s< are our ne/t &esson#
3ednesda!< N#--Attended schoo& as usua&#
Thursda!< 7D#--Attended schoo& in the 'ornin,
Afternoon< read Here2 in the office#
At e$enin, 2ent do2n to the )rofessor+s roo'< to e instructed ! hi'
in the &an,ua,e# On account of the stor' the c&ass did not 'eet#
Frida!< 77#--.et 2ith the 'ornin, c&ass at nine o+c&oc0# At ten< 2ent
into the office and 'ade a di$ision of our c&ass for *ri$ate studies< for
our etter acco''odation and ad$ance'ent in the &an,ua,e 2e are stud!in,#
)residents Ri,don< )he&*s< and Co2der!< 'et at the *rintin, office?
E&ders Orson )ratt< S!&$ester S'ith< and "isho* )artrid,e< at Lu0e S#
Johnson+s? E&ders .+Le&&in< Orson H!de< and 3arren )arrish< on the F&ats#
This e$enin, our c&ass 'et at .r# Sei/as+ roo' and s*ent an hour in
our studies# C&ass dis'issed and retired< e/ce*t the schoo& co''ittee< 2ho
tarried and 'ade so'e arran,e'ents 2ith .r# Sei/as aout continuin, &on,er
2ith us and rin,in, his fa'i&! to this *&ace# This has een a $er! stor'!
da!< and the sno2 is sti&& fa&&in, fast< and the *ros*ect is fair for
another run of s&ei,hin,< 2hich is unco''on for this countr! at this
season of the !ear#
Saturda!< 7H#--En,a,ed a tea' to ,o to Hudson after .r# Sei/as+
fa'i&! and ,oods< a&so a horse and carria,e for hi'se&f and 2ife# Co&d
2eather and fine s&ei,hin,# I 2as infor'ed toda! that a 'an ! the na'e of
C&ar0< 2ho 2as under the inf&uence of ardent s*irits fro4e to death &ast
ni,ht< near this *&ace# Ho2 &on,< O Lord< 2i&& this 'onster inte'*erance
find its $icti's on the earthK I fear unti& the earth is s2e*t 2ith the
2rath and indi,nation of 5od< and Christ+s 0in,do' eco'es uni$ersa&# O<
co'e< Lord Jesus< and cut short Th! 2or0 in ri,hteousness#
E&der So&o'on Hancoc0 recei$ed a &etter fro' .issouri earin, the
*ainfu& inte&&i,ence of the death of his 2ife# .a! the Lord &ess hi' and
co'fort hi' in this hour of aff&iction#
Sunda!< 79#--.et 2ith the )residenc! and so'e of the T2e&$e< and
counse&ed 2ith the' u*on the su=ect of re'o$in, to ;ion this s*rin,# 3e
con$ersed free&! u*on the i'*ortance of her rede'*tion< the necessit! of
the )residenc! re'o$in, to that *&ace< that their inf&uence 'i,ht e 'ore
effectua&&! used in ,atherin, the Saints to that countr!? and 2e fina&&!
reso&$ed to e'i,rate on or efore the 7Gth of .a! ne/t< if 0ind )ro$idence
s'i&es u*on us and o*ens the 2a! efore us#
.onda!< 7@#--Attended schoo& as usua&# )rofessor Sei/as returned fro'
Hudson 2ith his fa'i&!#
Tuesda!< 7G#--At schoo& in the forenoon#
In the afternoon 'et in the *rintin, office# Recei$ed and 2aited u*on
those 2ho ca&&ed to see 'e< and attended to '! do'estic concerns#
In the e$enin, 'et in the *rintin, office and &istened to a &ecture
on ,ra''ar#
3ednesda!< 7:#--)ursued '! studies in the Here2 &an,ua,e#
In the e$enin, 'et the choir of sin,ers in the Te'*&e# The! *erfor'ed
ad'ira&! considerin, the o**ortunities the! ha$e had#
Thursda!< 7M#--At schoo& in the 'ornin,? in the afternoon in the
office#
In the e$enin, 'et 2ith the >uoru' in the 2est schoo& roo' of the
Lord+s House to recei$e or re=ect certain indi$idua&s 2hose na'es 2ere
su'itted for ordination< Erastus "# 3hit'an< Os'on .# Due&< Cha*'an
Duncan< Joshua "os&e!< and He'an H!de< 2ere recei$ed< and four 2ere
re=ected ! the united $oice of the asse'&!#
Frida!< 78#--Attended schoo& 2ith the 'ornin, c&ass#
At ten o+c&oc0 2ent to the schoo& house to attend the funera& of
Susan Johnson< dau,hter of E4e0ie& Johnson# She 2as a 'e'er of the Church
of Latter-da! Saints< and re'ained stron, in the faith unti& her s*irit
too0 its de*arture fro' ti'e into eternit!# .a! 5od &ess and co'fort her
aff&icted *arents< fa'i&! connections and friends# )resident Ri,don
de&i$ered a fine discourse on the occasion< and 'uch so&e'nit! *re$ai&ed#
Saturda!< 7N#--Read Here2 2ith the 'ornin, c&ass# S*ent the da! in
attendin, to '! do'estic concerns and the affairs of the Church#
3ithdra2a& of O=ections to the Reso&utions on Ordinations#
E&ders Orson )ratt< John F# "o!nton< and L!'an E# Johnson< 'et the
)residenc! of the Church and $era&&! 2ithdre2 a&& o=ections to the first
reso&ution *resented to the >uoru's ! the )residenc!< on the 7Hth of
Feruar!< for the re,u&ation of ordinations# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0 of
Conference#
Sunda!< HD#--Attended the house of 2orshi*# The >uoru' of Hi,h
)riests de&i$ered short addresses to the con,re,ation< in a $er! fee&in,
and i'*ressi$e 'anner# One indi$idua& 2as a*ti4ed durin, inter'ission#
In the afternoon ad'inistered the Lord+s Su**er< as 2e are 2ont to do
on e$er! Saath< and the Lord &essed our sou&s 2ith the out*ourin, of
His S*irit< and 2e 2ere 'ade to re=oice in His ,oodness#
.onda!< H7#--At schoo& in the 'ornin,# After schoo& 2ent to the
*rintin, office and *re*ared a nu'er of E&ders+ &icenses< to send !
E&der )a&'er to the court of .edina Count!< in order to otain &icenses to
'arr!< as the court in this count! 2i&& not ,rant us this *ri$i&e,e# Ten
*ersons 2ere a*ti4ed in this *&ace#
Tuesda!< HH#--Read Here2 2ith the 'ornin, c&ass# Fi$e !oun, 'en 2ere
recei$ed into the Church ! a*tis' in this *&ace toda!# This is a stor'!
da!< the sno2 is near&! a foot dee*< an unco''on stor' for this season of
the !ear#
3ednesda!< H9#--Attended schoo&# A *&easant da! and fine s&ei,hin,#
T2o 2ere recei$ed into the Church ! a*tis'#
Thursda!< H@#--Attended schoo& as usua&#
In the e$enin, 'et 2ith '! c&ass at the *rintin, office and &istened
to a &ecture ! )rofessor Sei/as< u*on the Here2 &an,ua,e# After 2e 2ere
dis'issed< 2e ca&&ed at the schoo& roo' to hear the choir of sin,ers
*erfor'< 2hich the! did ad'ira&!# Fi$e 'ore 2ere recei$ed into the Church
! a*tis' this da!#
Frida!< HG#--Attended schoo& 2ith the 'ornin, c&ass< a&so at fi$e
o+c&oc0 *#'#< and heard a &ecture u*on the Here2 ,ra''ar# 3e ha$e
*&easant 2eather and ,ood s&ei,hin,#
Saturda!< H:#--At ho'e in the 'ornin, attendin, to '! do'estic
concerns# After rea0fast 'et 2ith the )residenc! to 'a0e arran,e'ents for
the so&e'n asse'&!? this usiness occu*ied the re'ainder of the da!#
CHA)TER 66I6#
DEDICATION OF THE 1IRTLAND TE.)LE--S)IRITUAL .ANIFESTATIONS#
Sunda!< .arch HM#--The con,re,ation e,an to asse'&e at the Te'*&e<
at aout se$en o+c&oc0< an hour ear&ier than the doors 2ere to e o*ened#
.an! rethren had co'e in fro' the re,ions round aout< to 2itness the
dedication of the Lord+s House and share in His &essin,s? and such 2as
the an/iet! on this occasion that so'e hundreds E*roa&! fi$e or si/F
asse'&ed efore the doors 2ere o*ened# The *residents entered 2ith the
door0ee*ers< and stationed the &atter at the inner and outer doors? a&so
*&aced our ste2ards to recei$e donations fro' those 2ho shou&d fee&
dis*osed to contriute so'ethin, to defra! the e/*ense of ui&din, the
House of the Lord# 3e a&so dedicated the *u&*its< and consecrated the' to
the Lord#
The doors 2ere then o*ened# )residents Ri,don< Co2der! and '!se&f
seated the con,re,ation as the! ca'e in< and< accordin, to the est
ca&cu&ation 2e cou&d 'a0e< 2e recei$ed et2een nine and ten hundred< 2hich
2ere as 'an! as cou&d e co'forta&! seated# 3e then infor'ed the
door0ee*ers that 2e cou&d recei$e no 'ore< and a 'u&titude 2ere de*ri$ed
of the enefits of the 'eetin, on account of the house not ein,
sufficient&! ca*acious to recei$e the'? and I fe&t to re,ret that an! of
'! rethren and sisters shou&d e de*ri$ed of the 'eetin,< and I
reco''ended the' to re*air to the schoo&house and ho&d a 'eetin,<
2hich the! did< and fi&&ed that house a&so< and !et 'an! 2ere &eft out#
The asse'&! 2as then or,ani4ed in the fo&&o2in, 'anner< $i4#( 2est
end of the house< )residents Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#<
and 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s occu*!in, the first *u&*it for the .e&chi4ede0
)riesthood? )residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< H!ru' S'ith< and Sidne! Ri,don<
the second *u&*it? )residents Da$id 3hit'er< O&i$er Co2der!< and John
3hit'er< the third *u&*it? the fourth 2as occu*ied ! the )resident of the
Hi,h )riests+ >uoru' and his counse&ors< and t2o choristers# The T2e&$e
A*ost&es on the ri,ht< in the three hi,hest seats# The )resident of the
E&ders< his counse&ors and c&er0< in the seat i''ediate&! e&o2 the
T2e&$e# The Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and< consistin, of t2e&$e< on the &eft in
the three first seats# The fourth seat< and ne/t e&o2 the Hi,h Counci&<
2as occu*ied ! E&ders 3arren A# Co2der! and 3arren )arrish< 2ho ser$ed as
scries# The *u&*its in the east end of the house< for the Aaronic
)riesthood< 2ere occu*ied as fo&&o2s( The "isho* of 1irt&and and his
counse&orsJ the first *u&*it? the "isho* of ;ion and his counse&ors< in
the second *u&*it? the *resident of the )riests and his counse&ors< in the
third *u&*it( the *resident of the Teachers and his counse&ors< and one
chorister in the t2e&$e counse&ors< on the ri,ht? the *resident of the
Deacons and his counse&ors< in the seat e&o2 the'? the se$en *residents
of Se$enties< on the &eft# The choir of sin,ers 2ere seated in the four
corners of the roo'< in seats *re*ared for that *ur*ose#
Recei$ed ! contriution--nine hundred and si/t!-three do&&ars#
At nine o+c&oc0 a#'# )resident Sidne! Ri,don co''enced the ser$ices
of the da! ! readin, the N:th and H@th )sa&'s#
An e/ce&&ent choir of sin,ers< &ed ! .# C# Da$is sun, the fo&&o2in,
h!'n(
TUNE--Ster&in,# Ere &on, the $ei& 2i&& rend in t2ain< The 1in,
descend 2ith a&& His train? The earth sha&& sha0e 2ith a2fu& fri,ht< And
a&& creation fee& His 'i,ht#
The an,e&+s tru'*et &on, sha&& sound< And 2a0e the nations under
,round? Throu,hout the $ast do'ain of s*ace +T2i&& echo forth fro' *&ace
to *&ace#
Lift u* !our heads< !e Saints< in *eace< The Sa$ior co'es for !our
re&ease? The da! of the redee'ed has co'e? The Saints sha&& a&& e
2e&co'ed ho'e#
"eho&d the churchK it soars on hi,h< To 'eet the Saints a'id the s0!<
To hai& the 1in, in c&ouds of fire< And stri0e and tune the i''orta& &!re#
HosannaK no2 the tru'* sha&& sound< )roc&ai' the =o!s of hea$en
around< 3hen a&& the Saints to,ether =oin In son,s of &o$e< and a&&
di$ine#
3ith Enoch here 2e a&& sha&& 'eet< And 2orshi* at .essiah+s feet<
Unite our hands and hearts in &o$e< And rei,n on thrones 2ith Christ
ao$e#
The cit! that 2as seen of o&d< 3hose 2a&&s 2ere =as*er< streets 2ere
,o&d< 3e+&& no2 inherit< throned in 'i,ht-- The Father and the Son+s
de&i,ht#
Ce&estia& cro2ns 2e sha&& recei$e< And ,&ories ,reat our 5od sha&&
,i$e? 3hi&e &oud hosannas 2e+&& *roc&ai'< And sound a&oud our Sa$ior+s
na'e#
Our hearts and ton,ues sha&& =oin in one< To *raise the Father and
the Son? 3hi&e a&& the hea$ens sha&& shout a,ain< And a&& creation sa!<
A'en#
)resident Ri,don addressed the throne of ,race in a de$out and
a**ro*riate 'anner< and the fo&&o2in, h!'n 2as sun,(
TUNE--3e!'outh# O ha**! sou&s< 2ho *ra! 3here 5od a**oints to hearK O
ha**! Saints< 2ho *a! Their constant ser$ice there 3e+&& *raise Hi' sti&&<
And ha**! 2e 3ho &o$e the 2a! To ;ion+s hi&&#
No urnin, heats ! da!< Nor &asts of e$enin, air< Sha&& ta0e our
hea&th a2a!< If 5od e 2ith us there# He is our sun< And He our shade To
,uard the head "! ni,ht or noon#
5od is the on&! Lord< Our shie&d and our defense? 3ith ,ifts His
hands are stored? 3e dra2 our &essin,s thence# He 2i&& esto2 On Jaco+s
race )ecu&iar ,race< And ,&or! too#
)resident Ri,don then read the 78th< 7Nth and HDth $erses of the 78th
cha*ter of .atthe2J and *reached 'ore *articu&ar&! fro' the HDth $erse(
-%eri&! I sa! unto !ou< 2hatsoe$er !e sha&& ind on earth< sha&& e ound
in hea$en? and#
2hatsoe$er !e sha&& &oose on earth< sha&& e &oosed in hea$en# A,ain
I sa! unto !ou< that if t2o of !ou sha&& a,ree on earth as touchin, an!
thin, that the! sha&& as0< it sha&& e done for the' of '! Father 2hich is
in hea$en# For 2here t2o or three are ,athered to,ether in '! na'e< there
a' I in the 'idst of the'#- He s*o0e t2o hours and a ha&f in his usua&
&o,ica& 'anner# His *ra!er and address 2ere $er! forci&e and su&i'e< and
2e&& ada*ted to the occasion# At one ti'e< in the course of his re'ar0s<
he 2as rather *athetic< and dre2 tears fro' 'an! e!es# He 2as then ta0in,
a retros*ecti$e $ie2 of the toi&s< *ri$ations< and an/ieties of those 2ho
had &aored u*on the 2a&&s of the house to erect the'? and added< there
2ere those 2ho had 2et the' 2ith their tears< in the si&ent shades of
ni,ht< 2hi&e the! 2ere *ra!in, to the 5od of hea$en to *rotect the'< and
sta! the unha&&o2ed hands of ruth&ess s*oi&ers< 2ho had uttered a
*ro*hec!< 2hen the foundation 2as &aid< that the 2a&&s 2ou&d ne$er e
reared#
In reference to his 'ain su=ect< he assu'ed as a *ostu&ate that in
the da!s of the Sa$ior there 2ere s!na,o,ues 2here the Je2s 2orshi*ed 5od<
and in addition to the'< the s*&endid te'*&e at Jerusa&e'< !et< 2hen on a
certain occasion< one *ro*osed to fo&&o2 Christ< 2hithersoe$er He 2ent<
He< thou,h heir of a&& thin,s< cried out &i0e one in the itterness of His
sou& in a=ect *o$ert!---The fo/es ha$e ho&es< and the irds of the air
ha$e nests? ut the Son of .an hath not 2here to &a! His head#- This< said
the s*ea0er< 2as e$idence to his 'ind< that the .ost Hi,h did not *ut His
na'e there< and that He did not acce*t the 2orshi* of those 2ho *aid their
$o2s and adorations there# This 2as e$ident fro' the fact that the! 2ou&d
not recei$e Hi'< ut thrust Hi' fro' the'< sa!in,( -A2a! 2ith Hi'< crucif!
Hi'K crucif! Hi'K- It 2as therefore aundant&! e$ident that His S*irit did
not d2e&& in the'# The! 2ere the de,enerate sons of no&e sires< ut the!
had &on, since s&ain the )ro*hets and Seers< throu,h 2ho' the Lord
re$ea&ed Hi'se&f to the chi&dren of 'en# The! 2ere not &ed ! re$e&ation#
This< said the s*ea0er< 2as the ,rand difficu&t! a'on, the'--their
une&ief in *resent re$e&ation#
He further re'ar0ed< that their une&ief in *resent re$e&ation< 2as
the 'eans of di$idin, that ,eneration into the $arious sects and *arties
that e/isted# The! 2ere 4ea&ous 2orshi*ers accordin, to out2ard for's< ut
such 2orshi* 2as not re>uired of the'< nor 2as it acce*ta&e to 5od# The
Redee'er Hi'se&f< 2ho 0ne2 the hearts of a&& 'en< ca&&ed the' a ,eneration
of $i*ers# It 2as *roof *ositi$e to the s*ea0er+s 'ind< there ein,
)harisees< Sadducees< Herodians< and Essenes< a&& differin, fro' one
another< that the! 2ere &ed ! the *rece*ts and co''and'ents of 'en# Each
had so'ethin, *ecu&iar to hi'se&f< ut a&& a,reed in one thin,< $i4#< to
o**ose the Sa$ior? so that 2e disco$er He cou&d< 2ith the ut'ost
*ro*riet!< e/c&ai'< not2ithstandin, their s!na,o,ue and te'*&e-2orshi*(
-The fo/es ha$e ho&es< and the irds of the air ha$e nests< ut the Son of
.an hath not 2here to &a! His head#-
He too0 occasion here to re'ar0 that such di$ersit! of senti'ent e$er
had< and e$er 2ou&d otain< 2hen *eo*&e 2ere not &ed ! *resent
re$e&ation# This rou,ht hi' to the ine$ita&e conc&usion< that the
$arious sects of the *resent da!< fro' their 'anifestin, the sa'e s*irit<
rested under the sa'e conde'nation< 2ith those 2ho 2ere conte'*orar! 2ith
the Sa$ior# He ad'itted there 2ere 'an! houses< 'an! sufficient&! &ar,e<
ui&t for the 2orshi* of 5od< ut not one e/ce*t this< on the face of the
2ho&e earth< that 2as ui&t ! di$ine re$e&ation? and 2ere it not for this
the dear Redee'er 'i,ht< in this da! of science< this da! of inte&&i,ence<
this da! of re&i,ion< sa! to those 2ho 2ou&d fo&&o2 Hi'( -The fo/es ha$e
ho&es< the irds of the air ha$e nests< ut the Son of .an hath not 2here
to &a! His head#-
After c&osin, his discourse he ca&&ed u*on the se$era& >uoru's<
co''encin, 2ith the )residenc!< to 'anifest< ! risin,< their 2i&&in,ness
to ac0no2&ed,e 'e as a )ro*het and Seer< and u*ho&d 'e as such< ! their
*ra!ers of faith# A&& the >uoru's< in turn< cheerfu&&! co'*&ied 2ith this
re>uest# He then ca&&ed u*on a&& the con,re,ation of Saints< a&so< to ,i$e
their assent ! risin, on their feet< 2hich the! did unani'ous&!#
The fo&&o2in, h!'n 2as then sun,(
TUNE--hosanna# No2 &et us re=oice in the da! of sa&$ation< No &on,er
as stran,ers on earth need 2e roa'? 5ood tidin,s are soundin, to us and
each nation< And short&! the hour of rede'*tion 2i&& co'e? 3hen a&& that
2as *ro'ised the Saints 2i&& e ,i$en< And none 2i&& 'o&est the' fro' 'orn
unti& e$en< And earth 2i&& a**ear as the 5arden of Eden< And Jesus 2i&&
sa! to a&& Israe&< Co'e ho'e#
3e+&& &o$e one another< and ne$er disse'&e< "ut cease to do e$i&<
and e$er e one? And 2hi&e the un,od&! are fearin, and tre'&e< 3e+&&
2atch for the da! 2hen the Sa$ior 2i&& co'e+ 3hen a&& that 2as *ro'ised
the Saints 2i&& e ,i$en< And none 2i&& 'o&est the' fro' 'orn unti& e$en<
And earth 2i&& a**ear as the 5arden of Eden< And Jesus 2i&& sa! to a&&
Israe&< Co'e ho'e#
In faith 2e+&& re&! on the ar' of Jeho$ah To ,uide throu,h these &ast
da!s of trou&e and ,&oo'? And< after the scour,es and har$est are o$er<
3e+&& rise 2ith the =ust 2hen the Sa$ior doth co'e# Then a&& that 2as
*ro'ised the Saints 2i&& e ,i$en< And the! 2i&& e cro2ned as the an,e&s
of hea$en< And earth 2i&& a**ear as the ,arden of Eden< And Christ and His
*eo*&e 2i&& e$er e one#-
After an inter'ission of t2ent! 'inutes< durin, 2hich ti'e the
con,re,ation 0e*t their seats< the ser$ices of the da! 2ere resu'ed !
sin,in, -Ada'-ondi-Ah'an( -
This earth 2as once a ,arden *&ace< 3ith a&& her ,&ories co''on? And
'en did &i$e a ho&! race< And 2orshi* Jesus face to face< In
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
3e read that Enoch 2a&0ed 2ith 5od< Ao$e the *o2er of .a''on? 3hi&e
;ion s*read herse&f aroad And Saints and an,e&s san, a&oud< In
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Her &and 2as ,ood and ,reat&! &est< "e!ond o&d Israe&+s Canaan? Her
fa'e 2as 0no2n fro' east to 2est? Her *eace 2as ,reat and *ure the rest Of
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Hosanna to such da!s to co'e-- The Sa$ior+s second co'in,< 3hen a&&
the earth in ,&orious &oo' Affords the Saints a ho&! ho'e< Li0e
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
I then 'ade a short address< and ca&&ed u*on the se$era& >uoru's< and
a&& the con,re,ation of Saints< to ac0no2&ed,e the )residenc! as )ro*hets
and Seers< and u*ho&d the' ! their *ra!ers# The! a&& co$enanted to do so<
! risin,#
I then ca&&ed u*on the >uoru's and con,re,ation of Saints to
ac0no2&ed,e the T2e&$e A*ost&es< 2ho 2ere *resent< as )ro*hets< Seers<
Re$e&ators< and s*ecia& 2itnesses to a&& the nations of the earth< ho&din,
the 0e!s of the 0in,do'< to un&oc0 it< or cause it to e done< a'on, the'<
and u*ho&d the' ! their *ra!ers< 2hich the! assented to ! risin,#
I ne/t ca&&ed u*on the >uoru's and con,re,ation of Saints to
ac0no2&ed,e the *residents of Se$enties 2ho act as their re*resentati$es<
as A*ost&es and s*ecia& 2itnesses to the nations< to assist the T2e&$e in
o*enin, the 5os*e& 0in,do' a'on, a&& *eo*&e< and to u*ho&d the' ! their
*ra!ers< 2hich the! did ! risin,#
I then ca&&ed u*on the >uoru's and con,re,ation of Saints to
ac0no2&ed,e the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and< in a&& the authorit! of the
.e&chi4ede0 )riesthood< and u*ho&d the' ! their *ra!ers< 2hich the!
assented to ! risin,#
I then ca&&ed u*on the >uoru's and con,re,ation of Saints to
ac0no2&ed,e< and u*ho&d ! their *ra!ers< the "isho*s of 1irt&and and
;ion< and their counse&ors< in a&& the authorit! of the Aaronic
)riesthood< 2hich the! did ! risin,#
I ne/t ca&&ed u*on the >uoru's and con,re,ation of Saints to
ac0no2&ed,e the Hi,h Counci& of ;ion< and u*ho&d the' ! their *ra!ers< in
a&& the authorit! of the Hi,h )riesthood< 2hich the! did ! risin,#
I then ca&&ed u*on the >uoru's and a&& the Saints to ac0no2&ed,e the
*resident of the E&ders< and his counse&ors< and u*ho&d the' ! their
*ra!ers 2hich the! did ! risin,#
The >uoru's and con,re,ation of Saints 2ere then ca&&ed u*on to
ac0no2&ed,e< and u*ho&d ! their *ra!ers< the *residents and counse&ors<
of the )riests< Teachers and Deacons< 2hich the! did ! risin,#
The $ote 2as unani'ous in e$er! instance< and I *ro*hesied to a&&<
that inas'uch as the! 2ou&d u*ho&d these 'en in their se$era& stations<
Ea&&udin, to the different >uoru's in the ChurchF< the Lord 2ou&d &ess
the'? !ea< in the na'e of Christ< the &essin,s of hea$en shou&d e
theirs? and 2hen the Lord+s anointed ,o forth to *roc&ai' the 2ord<
earin, testi'on! to this ,eneration< if the! recei$e it the! sha&& e
&essed? ut if not< the =ud,'ents of 5od 2i&& fo&&o2 c&ose u*on the'<
unti& that cit! or that house 2hich re=ects the'< sha&& e &eft deso&ate#
The fo&&o2in, h!'n 2as then sun,(
TUNE--Da&ston#
Ho2 *&eased and &essed 2as I To hear the *eo*&e cr!+ -Co'e< &et us
see0 our 5od toda!K- Yes< 2ith a cheerfu& 4ea&< 3e+&& haste to ;ion+s
hi&&< And there our $o2s and honors *a!#
;ion< thrice ha**! *&ace< Adorned 2ith 2ondrous ,race< And 2a&&s of
stren,th e'race thee round< In thee our tries a**ear< To *raise and *ra!
and hear The sacred 5os*e&+s =o!fu& sound#
There< Da$id+s ,reater Son Has fi/ed his ro!a& throne? He sits for
,race and =ud,'ent there? He ids the Saints e ,&ad< He 'a0es the sinner
sad< And hu'&e sou&s re=oice 2ith fear#
.a! *eace attend th! ,ate< And =o! 2ithin thee 2ait< To &ess the
sou& of e$er! ,uestK The 'an that see0s th! *eace< And 2ishes thine
increase< A thousand &essin,s on hi' rest#
.! ton,ue re*eats her $o2s< -)eace to this sacred houseK For here '!
friends and 0indred d2e&&?- And since '! ,&orious 5od .a0es thee His &est
aode< .! sou& sha&& e$er &o$e thee 2e&&#
The dedicator! *ra!er 2as then offered(
The fo&&o2in, )ra!er 2as ,i$en ! Re$e&ation to Jose*h< the Seer< and
2as Re*eated in the 1irt&and Te'*&e at the ti'e of its Dedication< .arch
HM< 789:#
)RAYER# 7# Than0s e to Th! na'e< O Lord 5od of Israe&< 2ho 0ee*est
co$enant and she2est 'erc! unto Th! ser$ants 2ho 2a&0 u*ri,ht&! efore
Thee< 2ith a&& their hearts?
H# Thou 2ho hast co''anded Th! ser$ants to ui&d a house to Th! na'e
in this *&ace E1irt&andF#
9# And no2 Thou eho&dest< O Lord< that Th! ser$ants ha$e done
accordin, to Th! co''and'ent?
@# And no2 2e as0 Thee< Ho&! Father< in the na'e of Jesus Christ< the
Son of Th! oso'< in 2hose na'e a&one< sa&$ation can e ad'inistered to
the chi&dren of 'en< 2e as0 Thee< O Lord< to acce*t of this house< the
2or0'anshi* of the hands of us< Th! ser$ants< 2hich Thou didst co''and us
to ui&d?
G# For Thou 0no2est that 2e ha$e done this 2or0 throu,h ,reat
triu&ations? and out of our *o$ert! 2e ha$e ,i$en of our sustance< to
ui&d a house to Th! na'e< that the Son of .an 'i,ht ha$e a *&ace to
'anifest Hi'se&f to His *eo*&e#
:# And as Thou hast said in a re$e&ation< ,i$en to us< ca&&in, us Th!
friends< sa!in,< -Ca&& !our so&e'n asse'&!< as I ha$e co''anded !ou?
M# And as a&& ha$e not faith< see0 !e di&i,ent&!< and teach one
another 2ords of 2isdo'? !ea< see0 !e out of the est oo0s< 2ords of
2isdo'< see0 &earnin, e$en ! stud!< and a&so ! faith#
8# Or,ani4e !ourse&$es? *re*are e$er! needfu& thin,< and esta&ish a
house< e$en a house of *ra!er< a house of fastin,< a house of faith< a
house of &earnin,< a house of ,&or!< a house of order< a house of 5od?
N# That !our inco'in,s 'a! e in the na'e of the Lord< that !our
out,oin,s 'a! e in the na'e of the Lord< that a&& !our sa&utations 'a! e
in the na'e of the Lord< 2ith u*&ifted hands unto the .ost Hi,h#-
7D# And no2< Ho&! Father< 2e as0 Thee to assist us< Th! *eo*&e< 2ith
Th! ,race< in ca&&in, our so&e'n asse'&!< that it 'a! e done to Th!
honor< and to Th! di$ine acce*tance?
77# And in a 'anner that 2e 'a! e found 2orth!< in Th! si,ht< to
secure a fu&fi&&'ent of the *ro'ises 2hich Thou hast 'ade unto us Th!
*eo*&e< in the re$e&ations ,i$en unto us?
7H# That Th! ,&or! 'a! rest do2n u*on Th! *eo*&e< and u*on this Th!
house< 2hich 2e no2 dedicate to Thee< that it 'a! e sanctified and
consecrated to e ho&!< and that Th! ho&! *resence 'a! e continua&&! in
this house?
79# And that a&& *eo*&e 2ho sha&& enter u*on the thresho&d of the
Lord+s House< 'a! fee& Th! *o2er< and fee& constrained to ac0no2&ed,e that
Thou hast sanctified it< and that it is Th! house< a *&ace of Th!
ho&iness#
7@# And do Thou ,rant< Ho&! Father< that a&& those 2ho sha&& 2orshi*
in this house< 'a! e tau,ht 2ords of 2isdo' out of the est oo0s< and
that the! 'a! see0 &earnin, e$en ! stud!< and a&so ! faith< as Thou hast
said?
7G# And that the! 'a! ,ro2 u* in Thee< and recei$e a fu&&ness of the
Ho&! 5host< and e or,ani4ed accordin, to Th! &a2s< and e *re*ared to
otain e$er! needfu& thin,?
7:# And that this house 'a! e a house of *ra!er< a house of fastin,<
a house of faith< a house of ,&or! and of 5od< e$en Th! house?
7M# That a&& the inco'in,s of Th! *eo*&e< into this house< 'a! e in
the na'e of the Lord?
78# That a&& their out,oin,s fro' this house 'a! e in the na'e of
the Lord?
7N# And that a&& their sa&utations 'a! e in the na'e of the Lord<
2ith ho&! hands< u*&ifted to the .ost Hi,h?
HD# And that no unc&ean thin, sha&& e *er'itted to co'e into Th!
house to *o&&ute it?
H7# And 2hen Th! *eo*&e trans,ress< an! of the'< the! 'a! s*eedi&!
re*ent< and return unto Thee< and find fa$or in Th! si,ht< and e restored
to the &essin,s 2hich Thou hast ordained to e *oured out u*on those 2ho
sha&& re$erence Thee in Th! house#
HH# And 2e as0 Thee< Ho&! Father< that Th! ser$ants 'a! ,o forth fro'
this house< ar'ed 2ith Th! *o2er< and that Th! na'e 'a! e u*on the'< and
Th! ,&or! e round aout the'< and Thine an,e&s ha$e char,e o$er the'?
H9# And fro' this *&ace the! 'a! ear e/ceedin,&! ,reat and ,&orious
tidin,s< in truth< unto the ends of the earth< that the! 'a! 0no2 that
this is Th! 2or0< and that Thou hast *ut forth Th! hand< to fu&fi&& that
2hich Thou hast s*o0en ! the 'ouths of the )ro*hets concernin, the &ast
da!s#
H@# 3e as0 Thee< Ho&! Father< to esta&ish the *eo*&e that sha&&
2orshi*< and honora&! ho&d a na'e and standin, in this Th! house to a&&
,enerations< and for eternit!?
HG# That no 2ea*on for'ed a,ainst the' sha&& *ros*er? that he 2ho
di,,eth a *it for the' sha&& fa&& into the sa'e hi'se&f#
H:# That no co'ination of 2ic0edness sha&& ha$e *o2er to rise u* and
*re$ai& o$er Th! *eo*&e u*on 2ho' Th! na'e sha&& e *ut in this house?
HM# And if an! *eo*&e sha&& rise a,ainst this *eo*&e< that Thine
an,er e 0ind&ed a,ainst the'?
H8# And if the! sha&& s'ite this *eo*&e< Thou 2i&t s'ite the'< Thou
2i&t fi,ht for Th! *eo*&e as Thou didst in the da! of att&e< that the!
'a! he de&i$ered fro' the hands of a&& their ene'ies#
HN# 3e as0 Thee< Ho&! Father< to confound< and astonish< and to rin,
to sha'e and confusion< a&& those 2ho ha$e s*read &!in, re*orts< aroad<
o$er the 2or&d< a,ainst Th! ser$ant< or ser$ants< if the! 2i&& not re*ent<
2hen the e$er&astin, 5os*e& sha&& e *roc&ai'ed in their ears?
9D# And that a&& their 2or0s 'a! e rou,ht to nau,ht< and e s2e*t
a2a! ! the hai&< and ! the =ud,'ents 2hich Thou 2i&t send u*on the' in
Thine an,er< that there 'a! e an end to &!in,s and s&anders a,ainst Th!
*eo*&e?
97# For Thou 0no2est< O Lord< that Th! ser$ants ha$e een innocent
efore Thee in earin, record of Th! na'e< for 2hich the! ha$e suffered
these thin,s?
9H# Therefore 2e *&ead efore Thee for a fu&& and co'*&ete
de&i$erance fro' under this !o0e?
99# "rea0 it off< O Lord? rea0 it off fro' the nec0s of Th!
ser$ants< ! Th! *o2er< that 2e 'a! rise u* in the 'idst of this
,eneration and do Th! 2or0#
9@# Jeho$ah< ha$e 'erc! u*on this *eo*&e< and as a&& 'en sin< for,i$e
the trans,ressions of Th! *eo*&e< and &et the' e &otted out fore$er#
9G# Let the anointin, of Th! 'inisters e sea&ed u*on the' 2ith *o2er
fro' on hi,h?
9:# Let it e fu&fi&&ed u*on the'< as u*on those on the da! of
)entecost< &et the ,ift of ton,ues e *oured out u*on Th! *eo*&e< e$en
c&o$en ton,ues as of fire< and the inter*retation thereof<
9M# And &et Th! house e fi&&ed< as 2ith a rushin, 'i,ht! 2ind< 2ith
Th! ,&or!#
98# )ut u*on Th! ser$ants the testi'on! of the co$enant< that 2hen
the! ,o out and *roc&ai' Th! 2ord< the! 'a! sea& u* the &a2< and *re*are
the hearts of Th! Saints for a&& those =ud,'ents Thou art aout to send<
in Th! 2rath< u*on the inhaitants of the earth< ecause of their
trans,ressions< that Th! *eo*&e 'a! not faint in the da! of trou&e#
9N# And 2hatsoe$er cit! Th! ser$ants sha&& enter< and the *eo*&e of
that cit! recei$e their testi'on!< &et Th! *eace and Th! sa&$ation e u*on
that cit!< that the! 'a! ,ather out of that cit! the ri,hteous< that the!
'a! co'e forth to ;ion< or to her sta0es< the *&aces of Thine a**oint'ent<
2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o!<
@D# And unti& this e acco'*&ished< &et not Th! =ud,'ents fa&& u*on
that cit!#
@7# And 2hatsoe$er cit! Th! ser$ants sha&& enter< and the *eo*&e of
that cit! recei$e not the testi'on! of Th! ser$ants< and Th! ser$ants 2arn
the' to sa$e the'se&$es fro' this unto2ard ,eneration< &et it e u*on that
cit! accordin, to that 2hich Thou hast s*o0en ! the 'ouths of Th!
)ro*hets?
@H# "ut de&i$er Thou< O Jeho$ah 2e eseech Thee< Th! ser$ants fro'
their hands< and c&eanse the' fro' their &ood#
@9# O Lord< 2e de&i,ht not in the destruction of our fe&&o2 'en?
their sou&s are *recious efore Thee?
@@# "ut Th! 2ord 'ust e fu&fi&&ed? he&* Th! ser$ants to sa!< 2ith
Th! ,race assistin, the'< Th! 2i&& e done< O Lord< and not ours#
@G# 3e 0no2 that Thou hast s*o0en ! the 'outh of Th! )ro*hets
terri&e thin,s concernin, the 2ic0ed< in the &ast da!s--that Thou 2i&t
*our out Th! =ud,'ents< 2ithout 'easure?
@:# Therefore# O Lord< de&i$er Th! *eo*&e fro' the ca&a'it! of the
2ic0ed? ena&e Th! ser$ants to sea& u* the &a2< and ind u* the testi'on!<
that the! 'a! e *re*ared a,ainst the da! of urnin,#
@M# 3e as0 Thee< Ho&! Father< to re'e'er those 2ho ha$e een dri$en
! the inhaitants of Jac0son count!< .issouri< fro' the &ands of their
inheritance< and rea0 off< O Lord< this !o0e of aff&iction that has een
*ut u*on the'?
@8# Thou 0no2est< O Lord< that the! ha$e een ,reat&! o**ressed and
aff&icted ! 2ic0ed 'en< and our hearts f&o2 out 2ith sorro2< ecause of
their ,rie$ous urdens#
@N# O Lord< ho2 &on, 2i&t Thou suffer this *eo*&e to ear this
aff&iction< and the cries of their innocent ones to ascend u* in Thine
ears< and their &ood co'e u* in testi'on! efore Thee< and not 'a0e a
dis*&a! of Th! testi'on! in their eha&fB
GD# Ha$e 'erc!< O Lord< u*on the 2ic0ed 'o< 2ho ha$e dri$en Th!
*eo*&e< that the! 'a! cease to s*oi&< that the! 'a! re*ent of their sins<
if re*entance is to e found?
G7# "ut if the! 2i&& not< 'a0e are Thine ar'< O Lord< and redee'
that &and 2hich Thou didst a**oint a ;ion unto Th! *eo*&eK
GH# And if it cannot e other2ise< that the cause of Th! *eo*&e 'a!
not fai& efore Thee< 'a! Thine an,er e 0ind&ed< and Thine indi,nation
fa&& u*on the'< that the! 'a! e 2asted a2a!< oth root and ranch< fro'
under hea$en?
G9# That inas'uch as the! 2i&& re*ent< Thou art ,racious and 'ercifu&
and 2i&t turn a2a! Th! 2rath< 2hen Thou &oo0est u*on the face of Thine
anointed#
G@# Ha$e 'erc!< O Lord< u*on a&& the nations of the earth< ha$e 'erc!
u*on the ru&ers of our &and< 'a! those *rinci*&es 2hich 2ere so honora&!
and no&! defended< $i4#< the Constitution of our &and< ! our fathers< e
esta&ished fore$er?
GG# Re'e'er the 0in,s< *rinces< the no&es< and the ,reat ones of
the earth< and a&& *eo*&e< and the churches< a&& the *oor< the need!< and
aff&icted ones of the earth<
G:# That their hearts 'a! e softened< 2hen Th! ser$ants sha&& ,o out
fro' Th! house< O Jeho$ah< to ear testi'on! of Th! na'e< that their
*re=udices 'a! ,i$e 2a! efore the truth< and Th! *eo*&e 'a! otain fa$or
in the si,ht of a&&?
GM# That a&& the ends of the earth 'a! 0no2 that 2e Th! ser$ants ha$e
heard Th! $oice< and that Thou hast sent us?
G8# That fro' a'on, a&& these< Th! ser$ants< the sons of Jaco< 'a!
,ather out the ri,hteous to ui&d s ho&! cit! to Th! na'e< as Thou hast
co''anded the'#
GN# 3e as0 Thee to a**oint unto ;ion other sta0es< esides this one
2hich Thou hast a**ointed< that the ,atherin, of Th! *eo*&e 'a! ro&& on in
,reat *o2er and 'a=est!< that Th! 2or0 'a! e cut short in ri,hteousness#
:D# No2 these 2ords< O Lord< 2e ha$e s*o0en efore Thee< concernin,
the re$e&ations and co''and'ents 2hich Thou hast ,i$en unto us 2ho are
identified 2ith the 5enti&es?
:7# "ut Thou 0no2est that Thou hast a ,reat &o$e for the chi&dren of
Jaco< 2ho ha$e een scattered u*on the 'ountains< for a &on, ti'e< in a
c&oud! and dar0 da!?
:H# 3e therefore as0 Thee to ha$e 'erc! u*on the chi&dren of Jaco<
that Jerusa&e'< fro' this hour< 'a! e,in to e redee'ed?
:9# And the !o0e of onda,e 'a! e,in to e ro0en off fro' the house
of Da$id#
:@# And the chi&dren of Judah 'a! e,in to return to the &ands 2hich
Thou didst ,i$e to Araha'< their father?
:G# And cause that the re'nants of Jaco< 2ho ha$e een cursed and
s'itten< ecause of their trans,ression< e con$erted fro' their 2i&d and
sa$a,e condition to the fu&&ness of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&?
::# That the! 'a! &a! do2n their 2ea*ons of &oodshed< and cease
their ree&&ions?
:M# And 'a! a&& the scattered re'nants of Israe&< 2ho ha$e een
dri$en to the ends of the earth< co'e to a 0no2&ed,e of the truth< e&ie$e
in the .essiah< and e redee'ed fro' o**ression< and re=oice efore Thee#
:8# O Lord< re'e'er Th! ser$ant< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and a&& his
aff&ictions and *ersecutions--ho2 he has co$enanted 2ith Jeho$ah< and
$o2ed to Thee< O 'i,ht! 5od of Jaco--and the co''and'ents 2hich Thou hast
,i$en unto hi'< and that he hath sincere&! stri$en to do Th! 2i&&#
:N# Ha$e 'erc!< O Lord< u*on his 2ife and chi&dren< that the! 'a! e
e/a&ted in Th! *resence< and *reser$ed ! Th! fosterin, hand?
MD# Ha$e 'erc! u*on a&& their i''ediate connections< that their
*re=udices 'a! e ro0en u*< and s2e*t a2a! as 2ith a f&ood< that the! 'a!
e con$erted and redee'ed 2ith Israe&< and 0no2 that Thou art 5od#
M7# Re'e'er< O Lord< the *residents< e$en a&& the *residents of Th!
Church< that Th! ri,ht hand 'a! e/a&t the'< 2ith a&& their fa'i&ies< and
their i''ediate connections< that their na'es 'a! e *er*etuated< and had
in e$er&astin, re'e'rance< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration#
MH# Re'e'er a&& Th! Church< O Lord< 2ith a&& their fa'i&ies< and a&&
their i''ediate connections< 2ith a&& their sic0 and aff&icted ones< 2ith
a&& the *oor and 'ee0 of the earth< that the 0in,do' 2hich Thou hast set
u* 2ithout hands< 'a! eco'e a ,reat 'ountain< and fi&& the 2ho&e earth?
M9# That Th! Church 'a! co'e forth out of the 2i&derness of dar0ness<
and shine forth fair as the 'oon< c&ear as the sun< and terri&e as an
ar'! 2ith anners?
M@# And e adorned as a ride for that da! 2hen Thou sha&t un$ei& the
hea$ens< and cause the 'ountains to f&o2 do2n at Th! *resence< and the
$a&&e!s to e e/a&ted< the rou,h *&aces 'ade s'ooth( that Th! ,&or! 'a!
fi&& the earth?
MG# That 2hen the tru'* sha&& sound for the dead 2e sha&& e cau,ht
u* in the c&oud to 'eet Thee< that 2e 'a! e$er e 2ith the Lord?
M:# That our ,ar'ents 'a! e *ure< that 2e 'a! e c&othed u*on 2ith
roes of ri,hteousness< 2ith *a&'s in our hands< and cro2ns of ,&or! u*on
our heads< and rea* eterna& =o! for a&& our sufferin,s#
MM# O Lord 5od A&'i,ht!< hear us in these our *etitions< and ans2er
us fro' hea$en< Th! ho&! haitation< 2here Thou sittest enthroned< 2ith
,&or!< honor< *o2er< 'a=est!< 'i,ht< do'inion< truth< =ustice< =ud,'ent<
'erc!< and an infinit! of fu&&ness< fro' e$er&astin, to e$er&astin,#
M8# O hear< O hear< O hear us O LordK and ans2er these *etitions< and
e/ce*t the dedication of this house unto Thee< the 2or0 of our hands<
2hich 2e ha$e ui&t unto Th! na'e#
MN# And a&so this Church< to *ut u*on it Th! na'e? and he&* us ! the
*o2er of Th! S*irit< that 2e 'a! 'in,&e our $oices 2ith those ri,ht<
shinin, sera*hs around Th! throne< 2ith acc&a'ations of *raise< sin,in,
hosanna to 5od and the La'?
8D# And &et these Thine anointed ones e c&othed 2ith sa&$ation< and
Th! Saints shout a&oud for =o!# A'en and a'en#
The choir then san,(
TUNE--Hosanna# The S*irit of 5od &i0e a fire is urnin,#K The
&atter-da! ,&or! e,ins to co'e forth? The $isions and &essin,s of o&d
are returnin,< The an,e&s are co'in, to $isit the earth#
CHORUS#
3e+&& sin, and 2e+&& shout 2ith the ar'ies of hea$en-- Hosanna<
hosanna to 5od and the La'( Let ,&or! to the' in the hi,hest e ,i$en<
Henceforth and fore$er+ a'en and a'en#
The Lord is e/tendin, the Saints+ understandin,< Restorin, their
=ud,es and a&& as at first? The 0no2&ed,e and *o2er of 5od are e/*andin,?
The $ei& o$er the earth is e,innin, to urst# 3e+&& sin, and 2e+&& shout<
etc#
3e+&& ca&& in our so&e'n asse'&ies in s*irit< To s*read forth the
0in,do' of hea$en aroad< That 2e throu,h our faith 'a! e,in to inherit
The $isions and &essin,s and ,&ories of 5od# 3e+&& sin, and 2e+&& shout<
etc#
3e+&& 2ash and e 2ashed< and 2ith oi& e anointed< 3itha& not
o'ittin, the 2ashin, of feet? For he that recei$eth his *enn! a**ointed
.ust sure&! e c&ean at the har$est of 2heat# 3e+&& sin, and 2e+&& shout<
etc#
O&d Israe&< that f&ed fro' the 2or&d for his freedo'< .ust co'e 2ith
the c&oud and the *i&&ar a'ain? And .oses and Aaron and Joshua &ead hi'<
And feed hi' on 'anna fro' hea$en a,ain# 3e+&& sin, and 2e+&& shout< etc#
Ho2 &essed the da! 2hen the &a' and the &ion Sha&& &ie do2n
to,ether 2ithout an! ire< And E*hrai' e cro2ned 2ith his &essin, in
;ion< As Jesus descends 2ith His chariots of fireK
3e+&& sin, and 2e+&& shout 2ith the ar'ies of hea$en-- Hosanna<
hosanna to 5od and the La'K Let ,&or! to the' in the hi,hest e ,i$en<
Henceforth and fore$er+ a'en and a'enK
I then as0ed the se$era& >uoru's se*arate&!< and then the
con,re,ation< if the! acce*ted the dedication *ra!er< and ac0no2&ed,ed the
house dedicated# The $ote 2as unani'ous in the affir'ati$e< in e$er!
instance#
The Lord+s Su**er 2as then ad'inistered? )resident Don Car&os S'ith
&essed the read and the 2ine< 2hich 2as distriuted ! se$era& E&ders to
the Church? after 2hich I ore record of '! 'ission< and of the
'inistration of an,e&s#
)resident Don Car&os S'ith a&so ore testi'on! of the truth of the
2or0 of the Lord in 2hich 2e 2ere en,a,ed#
)resident O&i$er Co2der! testified of the truth of the "oo0 of
.or'on< and of the 2or0 of the Lord in these &ast da!s#
)resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's arose and testified that 2hi&e
)resident Ri,don 2as 'a0in, his first *ra!er< an an,e& entered the 2indo2
and too0 his seat et2een Father S'ith and hi'se&f< and re'ained there
durin, the *ra!er#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er a&so sa2 an,e&s in the house#
)resident H!ru' S'ith 'ade so'e a**ro*riate re'ar0s con,ratu&atin,
those 2ho had endured so 'an! toi&s and *ri$ations to ui&d the house#
)resident Ri,don then 'ade a fe2 a**ro*riate c&osin, re'ar0s< and a
short *ra!er< at the c&ose of 2hich 2e sea&ed the *roceedin,s of the da!
! shoutin, hosanna< hosanna< hosanna to 5od and the La'< three ti'es<
sea&in, it each ti'e 2ith a'en< a'en< and a'en#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, ,a$e a short address in ton,ues< and Da$id 3#
)atten inter*reted< and ,a$e a short e/hortation in ton,ues hi'se&f< after
2hich I &essed the con,re,ation in the na'e of the Lord< and the asse'&!
dis*ersed a &itt&e *ast four o+c&oc0< ha$in, 'anifested the 'ost >uiet
de'eanor durin, the 2ho&e e/ercise#
I 'et the >uoru's in the e$enin, and instructed the' res*ectin, the
ordinance of 2ashin, of feet< 2hich the! 2ere to attend to on 3ednesda!
fo&&o2in,? and ,a$e the' instructions in re&ation to the s*irit of
*ro*hec!< and ca&&ed u*on the con,re,ation to s*ea0< and not to fear to
*ro*hes! ,ood concernin, the Saints< for if !ou *ro*hes! the fa&&in, of
these hi&&s and the risin, of the $a&&e!s< the do2nfa&& of the ene'ies of
;ion and the risin, of the 0in,do' of 5od< it sha&& co'e to *ass# Do not
>uench the S*irit< for the first one that o*ens his 'outh sha&& recei$e
the S*irit of *ro*hec!#
"rother 5eor,e A# S'ith arose and e,an to *ro*hes!< 2hen a noise 2as
heard &i0e the sound of a rushin, 'i,ht! 2ind< 2hich fi&&ed the Te'*&e<
and a&& the con,re,ation si'u&taneous&! arose< ein, 'o$ed u*on ! an
in$isi&e *o2er? 'an! e,an to s*ea0 in ton,ues and *ro*hes!? others sa2
,&orious $isions? and I ehe&d the Te'*&e 2as fi&&ed 2ith an,e&s< 2hich
fact I dec&ared to the con,re,ation# The *eo*&e of the nei,horhood ca'e
runnin, to,ether Ehearin, an unusua& sound 2ithin< and seein, a ri,ht
&i,ht &i0e a *i&&ar of fire restin, u*on the Te'*&eF< and 2ere astonished
at 2hat 2as ta0in, *&ace# This continued unti& the 'eetin, c&osed at
e&e$en *# '#
The nu'er of officia& 'e'ers *resent on this occasion 2as four
hundred and si/teen< ein, a ,reater nu'er than e$er asse'&ed on an!
for'er occasion#
CHA)TER 666#
THE ORDINANCE OF 3ASHIN5 OF FEET--%ISIONS IN THE 1IRTLAND
TE.)LE--THE )RO)HET ON A"OLITION#
.onda!< .arch H8#--Attended schoo&# %er! 2ar'< &i0e s*rin,#
Tuesda!< HN#--Attended schoo&< 2hich 2as the &ast da! of our course
of &ectures in Here2< ! )rofessor Sei/as#
At e&e$en o+c&oc0< a# '#< )residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's< Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith< and O&i$er Co2der!< 'et in the 'ost
ho&! *&ace in the Lord+s House< and sou,ht for a re$e&ation fro' Hi'
concernin, the authorities of the Church ,oin, to ;ion< and other
i'*ortant 'atters# After unitin, in *ra!er< the $oice of the S*irit 2as
that 2e shou&d co'e into this *&ace three ti'es< and a&so ca&& the other
*residents< the t2o "isho*s and their counse&ors< each to stand in his
*&ace< and fast throu,h the da! and a&so the ni,ht< and that durin, this<
if 2e 2ou&d hu'&e ourse&$es< 2e shou&d recei$e further co''unications
fro' Hi'# After this 2ord 2as recei$ed 2e i''ediate&! sent for the other
rethren< 2ho ca'e#
The )residenc! *roceeded to ordain 5eor,e "oosin,er to the Hi,h
)riesthood< and anoint hi'# This 2as in conse>uence of his ha$in,
ad'inistered unto us in te'*ora& thin,s in our distress< and a&so ecause
he &eft the *&ace =ust *re$ious to the dedication of the Lord+s House< to
rin, us the te'*ora& 'eans< *re$ious&! na'ed# Soon after this< the 2ord
of the Lord ca'e< throu,h )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< that those 2ho had
entered the ho&! *&ace< 'ust not &ea$e the house unti& 'ornin,< ut send
for such thin,s as 2ere necessar!< and< a&so< durin, our sta!< 2e 'ust
c&eanse our feet and *arta0e of the Sacra'ent that 2e 'i,ht e 'ade ho&!
efore Hi'< and there! e >ua&ified to officiate in our ca&&in,< u*on the
'orro2< in 2ashin, the feet of the E&ders#
Accordin,&! 2e *roceeded to c&eanse our faces and our feet< and then
*roceeded to 2ash one another+s feet# )resident Sidne! Ri,don first 2ashed
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Junior+s feet< and then< in turn< 2as 2ashed !
hi'? after 2hich )resident Ri,don 2ashed )resident Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< and
H!ru' S'ith# )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ashed )resident Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's< and then )resident H!ru' S'ith 2ashed )resident Da$id 3hit'er+s
and )resident O&i$er Co2der!+s feet# Then )resident Da$id 3hit'er 2ashed
)resident 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s+ feet< and in turn )resident )he&*s 2ashed
)resident John 3hit'er+s feet# The "isho*s and their Counse&ors 2ere then
2ashed< after 2hich 2e *artoo0 of the read and 2ine# The Ho&! S*irit
rested do2n u*on us< and 2e continued in the Lord+s House a&& ni,ht<
*ro*hes!in, and ,i$in, ,&or! to 5od#
3ednesda!< 9D#--At ei,ht o+c&oc0< accordin, to a**oint'ent< the
)residenc!< the T2e&$e< the Se$enties< the Hi,h Counci&< the "isho*s and
their entire >uoru's< the E&ders and a&& the officia& 'e'ers in this
sta0e of ;ion< a'ountin, to aout three hundred< 'et in the Te'*&e of the
Lord to attend to the ordinance of 2ashin, of feet# I ascended the *u&*it<
and re'ar0ed to the con,re,ation that 2e had *assed throu,h 'an! tria&s
and aff&ictions since the or,ani4ation of the Church< and that this is a
!ear of =ui&ee to us< and a ti'e of re=oicin,< and that it 2as e/*edient
for us to *re*are read and 2ine sufficient to 'a0e our hearts ,&ad< as 2e
shou&d not< *roa&!< &ea$e this house unti& 'ornin,? to this end 2e
shou&d ca&& on the rethren to 'a0e a contriution# The ste2ards *assed
round and too0 u* a &iera& contriution< and 'essen,ers 2ere des*atched
for read and 2ine#
Tus< 2ater< and to2e&s 2ere *re*ared< and I ca&&ed the house to
order< and the )residenc! *roceeded to 2ash the feet of the T2e&$e<
*ronouncin, 'an! *ro*hecies and &essin,s u*on the' in the na'e of the
Lord Jesus? and then the T2e&$e *roceeded to 2ash the feet of the
)residents of the se$era& >uoru's# The rethren e,an to *ro*hes! u*on
each other+s heads< and u*on the ene'ies of Christ< 2ho inhaited Jac0son
count!< .issouri? and continued *ro*hes!in,< and &essin,< and sea&in,
the' 2ith hosanna and a'en< unti& near&! se$en o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,#
The read and the 2ine 2ere then rou,ht in< and I oser$ed that 2e
had fasted a&& the da!< and &est 2e faint< as the Sa$ior did so sha&& 2e
do on this occasion? 2e sha&& &ess the read< and ,i$e it to the T2e&$e<
and the! to the 'u&titude# 3hi&e 2aitin,< I 'ade the fo&&o2in, re'ar0s(
that the ti'e that 2e 2ere re>uired to tarr! in 1irt&and to e endo2ed<
2ou&d e fu&fi&&ed in a fe2 da!s< and then the E&ders 2ou&d ,o forth< and
each 'ust stand for hi'se&f< as it 2as not necessar! for the' to e sent
out< t2o ! t2o< as in for'er ti'es< ut to ,o in a&& 'ee0ness< in
soriet!< and *reach Jesus Christ and Hi' crucified? not to contend 2ith
others on account of their faith< or s!ste's of re&i,ion< ut *ursue a
stead! course# This I de&i$ered ! 2a! of co''and'ent? and a&& 2ho oser$e
it not< 2i&& *u&& do2n *ersecution u*on their heads< 2hi&e those 2ho do<
sha&& a&2a!s e fi&&ed 2ith the Ho&! 5host? this I *ronounced as a
*ro*hec!< and sea&ed 2ith hosanna and a'en# A&so that the Se$enties are
not ca&&ed to ser$e ta&es< or *reside o$er churches< to sett&e
difficu&ties< ut are to *reach the 5os*e& and ui&d the' u*< and set
others< 2ho do not e&on, to these >uoru's< to *reside o$er the'< 2ho are
Hi,h )riests# The T2e&$e a&so are not to ser$e ta&es< ut to ear the
0e!s of the 1in,do' to a&& nations< and un&oc0 the door of the 5os*e& to
the'< and ca&& u*on the Se$enties to fo&&o2 after the'< and assist the'#
The T2e&$e are at &iert! to ,o 2heresoe$er the! 2i&&< and if an! one 2i&&
sa!< I 2ish to ,o to such a *&ace< &et a&& the rest sa! a'en#
The Se$enties are at &iert! to ,o to ;ion if the! *&ease< or ,o
2heresoe$er the! 2i&&< and *reach the 5os*e&? and &et the rede'*tion of
;ion e our o=ect< and stri$e to effect it ! sendin, u* a&& the stren,th
of the Lord+s House< 2here$er 2e find the'? and I 2ant to enter into the
fo&&o2in, co$enant< that if an! 'ore of our rethren are s&ain or dri$en
fro' their &ands in .issouri< ! the 'o< 2e 2i&& ,i$e ourse&$es no rest<
unti& 2e are a$en,ed of our ene'ies to the utter'ost# This co$enant 2as
sea&ed unani'ous&!< 2ith a hosanna and an a'en#
I then oser$ed to the >uoru's< that I had no2 co'*&eted the
or,ani4ation of the Church< and 2e had *assed throu,h a&& the necessar!
cere'onies< that I had ,i$en the' a&& the instruction the! needed< and
that the! no2 2ere at &iert!< after otainin, their &icenses< to ,o forth
and ui&d u* the 1in,do' of 5od< and that it 2as e/*edient for 'e and the
)residenc! to retire< ha$in, s*ent the ni,ht *re$ious&! in 2aitin, u*on
the Lord in His Te'*&e< and ha$in, to attend another dedication on the
'orro2< or conc&ude the one co''enced on the &ast Saath< for the enefit
of those of '! rethren and sisters 2ho cou&d not ,et into the house on
the for'er occasion< ut that it 2as e/*edient for the rethren to tarr!
a&& ni,ht and 2orshi* efore the Lord in His house#
I &eft the 'eetin, in the char,e of the T2e&$e< and retired aout
nine o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,# The rethren Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Sidne!
Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der!< 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er< 2hich 2as to
ha$e a earin, u*on the rede'*tion of ;ion# After 'ature de&ieration the
counci& decided that O&i$er Co2der! and '!se&f shou&d act as a oard or
co''ittee to raise< in ri,hteousness< a&& the 'one! 2e cou&d for a season<
to send !< or to< certain 2ise 'en a**ointed to *urchase &ands in ;ion in
oedience to a re$e&ation or co''and'ent of the Lord< for the 'utua&
enefit of the counci&#
A&so< it 2as a,reed ! the counci& that Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0
5# 3i&&ia's e/ert the'se&$es in de$isin, 2a!s and 'eans 2ith the stoc0 on
hand< the a$ai&a&e outstandin, c&ai's of the co'*an!< and such other
'eans as the! sha&& dee' 'ost *ro*er< to dischar,e the co'*an!+s dets# It
2as a&so a,reed that 3# 3# )he&*s< John 3hit'er< and Da$id 3hit'er ha$e
fi$e hundred oo0s of Doctrine and Co$enants< 2hen ound< and fi$e hundred
H 2ere seated in their res*ecti$e *&aces< and the ser$ices of the da! 2ere
co''enced< *rosecuted and ter'inated in the sa'e 'anner as at the for'er
dedication< and the S*irit of 5od rested u*on the con,re,ation< and ,reat
so&e'nit! *re$ai&ed#
Frida!< A*ri& 7#--At ho'e 'ost of the da!# .an! rethren ca&&ed to
see 'e< so'e on te'*ora& and so'e on s*iritua& usiness? a'on, the nu'er
2as Lea'an Co*&e!< 2ho testified a,ainst 'e in a suit I rou,ht a,ainst
Dr# )hi&astus Hur&urt for threatenin, '! &ife# He confessed that he ore
a fa&se testi'on! a,ainst 'e in that suit< ut $eri&! thou,ht< at the
ti'e< that he 2as ri,ht< ut on ca&&in, to 'ind a&& the circu'stances
connected 2ith the thin,s that ha**ened at that ti'e< he 2as con$inced
that he 2as 2ron,< and hu'&! confessed it< and as0ed '! for,i$eness<
2hich 2as readi&! ,ranted# He a&so 2ished to e recei$ed into the Church
a,ain< ! a*tis'< and 2as recei$ed accordin, to his desire# He ,a$e 'e
his confession in 2ritin,#
Saturda!< H#--Transacted usiness of a te'*ora& nature in the u**er
roo' in the *rintin, office< in co'*an! 2ith
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< Sidne! Ri,don< O&i$er Co2der!< 3i&&ia' 3#
)he&*s and John 3hit'er< 2hich 2as to ha$e a earin, u*on the rede'*tion
of ;ion# After 'ature de&ieration the counci& decided that O&i$er Co2der!
and '!se&f shou&d act as a oard or co''ittee to raise< in ri,hteousness<
a&& the 'one! 2e cou&d for a season< to send !< or to< certain 2ise 'en
a**ointed to *urchase &ands in ;ion in oedience to a re$e&ation or
co''and'ent of the Lord< for the 'utua& enefit of the counci&#
A&so< it 2as a,reed ! the counci& that Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0
5# 3i&&ia's e/ert the'se&$es in de$isin, 2a!s and 'eans 2ith the stoc0 on
hand< the a$ai&a&e outstandin, c&ai's of the co'*an!< and such other
'eans as the! sha&& dee' 'ost *ro*er< to dischar,e the co'*an!+s dets# It
2as a&so a,reed that 3# 3# )he&*s< John 3hit'er< and Da$id 3hit'er ha$e
fi$e hundred oo0s of Doctrine and Co$enants< 2hen ound< and fi$e hundred
H!'n "oo0s< to,ether 2ith the suscri*tion &ist for the .essen,er and
Ad$ocate and Northern Ti'es< no2 due in C&a! Count!< .issouri? and that
.essrs# )he&*s and John 3hit'er e re&eased fro' the res*onsii&it! of
c&ai's on the'< or either of the'< as =oint *artners in the fir'#
As soon as the ao$e *&ans 2ere sett&ed< I started 2ith )resident
Co2der! on our 'ission< and our success 2as such in one ha&f da! as to
,i$e us *&easin, antici*ations that 2e 2ere doin, the 2i&& of 5od< and
assurance that His 2or0 *ros*ered in our hands#
Sunda!< 9#--Attended 'eetin, in the Lord+s House< and assisted the
other )residents of the Church in seatin, the con,re,ation< and then
eca'e an attenti$e &istener to the *reachin, fro' the stand# Tho'as "#
.arsh and Da$id 3# )atten s*o0e in the forenoon to an attenti$e audience
of aout one thousand *ersons# In the afternoon< I assisted the other
)residents in distriutin, the Lord+s Su**er to the Church< recei$in, it
fro' the T2e&$e< 2hose *ri$i&e,e it 2as to officiate at the sacred des0
this da!# After ha$in, *erfor'ed this ser$ice to '! rethren< I retired to
the *u&*it< the $ei&s ein, dro**ed< and o2ed '!se&f< 2ith O&i$er
Co2der!< in so&e'n and si&ent *ra!er# After risin, fro' *ra!er< the
fo&&o2in, $ision 2as o*ened to oth of us--
%ision .anifested to Jose*h the Seer and O&i$er Co2der!# 7# The $ei&
2as ta0en fro' our 'inds< and the e!es of our understandin, 2ere o*ened#
H# 3e sa2 the Lord standin, u*on the reast2or0 of the *u&*it< efore
us< and under His feet 2as a *a$ed 2or0 of *ure ,o&d in co&or &i0e a'er#
9# His e!es 2ere as a f&a'e of fire< the hair of His head 2as 2hite
&i0e the *ure sno2< His countenance shone ao$e the ri,htness of the sun<
and His $oice 2as as the sound of the rushin, of ,reat 2aters< e$en the
$oice of Jeho$ah< sa!in,--
@# I a' the first and the &ast< I a' He 2ho &i$eth< I a' He 2ho 2as
s&ain< I a' !our ad$ocate 2ith the Father#
G# "eho&d< !our sins are for,i$en !ou< !ou are c&ean efore 'e<
therefore &ift u* !our heads and re=oice#
:# Let the hearts of !our rethren re=oice< and &et the hearts of a&&
'! *eo*&e re=oice< 2ho ha$e< 2ith their 'i,ht< ui&t this house to '!
na'e#
M# For eho&d< I ha$e acce*ted this house< and '! na'e sha&& e here<
and I 2i&& 'anifest '!se&f to '! *eo*&e in 'erc! in this House#
8# Yea< I 2i&& a**ear unto '! ser$ants< and s*ea0 unto the' 2ith 'ine
o2n $oice< if '! *eo*&e 2i&& 0ee* '! co''and'ents< and do not *o&&ute this
ho&! house#
N# Yea the hearts of thousands and tens of thousands sha&& ,reat&!
re=oice in conse>uence of the &essin,s 2hich sha&& e *oured out< and the
endo2'ent 2ith 2hich '! ser$ants ha$e een endo2ed in this house?
7D# And the fa'e of this house sha&& s*read to forei,n &ands< and
this is the e,innin, of the &essin, 2hich sha&& e *oured out u*on the
heads of '! *eo*&e# E$en so# A'en#
77# After this $ision c&osed< the hea$ens 2ere a,ain o*ened unto us<
and .oses a**eared efore us< and co''itted unto us the 0e!s of the
,atherin, of Israe& fro' the four *arts of the earth< and the &eadin, of
the Ten Tries fro' the &and of the north#
7H# After this< E&ias a**eared< and co''itted the dis*ensation of the
5os*e& of Araha'< sa!in,< that in us< and our seed< a&& ,enerations after
us shou&d e &essed#
79# After this $ision had c&osed< another ,reat and ,&orious $ision
urst u*on us< for E&i=ah the )ro*het< 2ho 2as ta0en to hea$en 2ithout
tastin, death< stood efore us< and said--
7@# "eho&d< the ti'e has fu&&! co'e< 2hich 2as s*o0en of ! the 'outh
of .a&achi< testif!in, that he IE&i=ahJ shou&d e sent efore the ,reat
and dreadfu& da! of the Lord co'e#
7G# To turn the hearts of the fathers to the chi&dren< and the
chi&dren to the fathers< &est the 2ho&e earth e s'itten 2ith a curse#
7:# Therefore the 0e!s of this dis*ensation are co''itted into !our
hands< and ! this !e 'a! 0no2 that the ,reat and dreadfu& da! of the Lord
is near< e$en at the doors#
.onda!< @#--The E&ders e,an to s*read aroad in a&& *arts of the
&and< *reachin, the 2ord#
Saturda!< N#--.!se&f and the *rinci*a& heads of the Church<
acco'*anied the 2ise 'en of ;ion< na'e&!< "isho* )artrid,e and his
counse&ors< Isaac .or&e! and John Corri&&< and )resident 3# 3# )he&*s< on
their 2a! ho'e< as far as Chardon? and after sta!in, 2ith the' a&& ni,ht<
&essed the' in the 'ornin,< and returned to 1irt&and#
Soon after I 2rote an artic&e for the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< 2hich
2as *u&ished in the A*ri& nu'er as fo&&o2s(--
The )ro*het+s %ie2s on Ao&ition# "rother O&i$er Co2der!< DEAR
SIR(--This *&ace I1irt&andJ ha$in, recent&! een $isited ! a ,ent&e'an
2ho ad$ocated the *rinci*&es or doctrines of those 2ho are ca&&ed
Ao&itionists< and his *resence ha$in, created an interest in that
su=ect< if !ou dee' the fo&&o2in, ref&ections of an! ser$ice< or thin0
the! 2i&& ha$e a tendenc! to correct the o*inions of the Southern *u&ic<
re&ati$e to the $ie2s and senti'ents I entertain< as an indi$idua&< and
2hich I a' a&e to sa! fro' *ersona& 0no2&ed,e are the senti'ents of
others< !ou are at &iert! to ,i$e the' *u&icit! in the co&u'ns of the
Ad$ocate# In one res*ect I a' *ro'*ted to this course in conse>uence of
'an! E&ders ha$in, ,one into the Southern States< esides there ein, no2
'an! in that countr! 2ho ha$e a&read! e'raced the fu&ness of the 5os*e&<
as re$ea&ed throu,h the "oo0 of .or'on# I ha$e &earned ! e/*erience that
the ene'! of truth does not s&u'er< nor cease his e/ertions to ias the
'inds of co''unities a,ainst the ser$ants of the Lord< ! stirrin, u* the
indi,nation of 'en u*on a&& 'atters of i'*ortance or interest? therefore I
fear that the sound 'i,ht ,o out< that -an Ao&itionist- had he&d forth
se$era& ti'es to this co''unit!< and that the *u&ic fee&in, 2as not
aroused to create 'os or disturances< &ea$in, the i'*ression that a&& he
said 2as concurred in< and recei$ed as 5os*e&< and the 2ord of sa&$ation#
I a' ha**! to sa! that no $io&ence< or reach of the *u&ic *eace< 2as
atte'*ted( so far fro' this< a&&< e/ce*t a $er! fe2< attended to their o2n
$ocations< and &eft the ,ent&e'an to ho&d forth his o2n ar,u'ents to
near&! na0ed 2a&&s# I a' a2are that 'an!< 2ho *rofess to *reach the
5os*e&< co'*&ain a,ainst their rethren of the sa'e faith< 2ho reside in
the South< and are read! to 2ithdra2 the hand of fe&&o2shi*< ecause the!
2i&& not renounce the *rinci*&e of s&a$er!< and raise their $oice a,ainst
e$er! thin, of the 0ind This 'ust e a tender *rint< and one 2hich shou&d
ca&& forth the candid ref&ections of a&& 'en< and 'ore es*ecia&&! efore
the! ad$ance in an o**osition ca&cu&ated to &a! 2aste the fair states of
the South< and &et &oose u*on the 2or&d a co''unit! of *eo*&e< 2ho 'i,ht<
*erad$enture< o$errun our countr!< and $io&ate the 'ost sacred *rinci*&es
of hu'an societ!< chastit! and $irtue#
No one 2i&& *retend to sa! that the *eo*&e of the free states are as
ca*a&e of 0no2in, the e$i&s of s&a$er!< as those 2ho ho&d s&a$es# If
s&a$er! e an e$i&< 2ho cou&d 2e e/*ect 2ou&d first &earn it( 3ou&d the
*eo*&e of the free states< or the *eo*&e of the s&a$e statesB A&& 'ust
readi&! ad'it< that the &atter 2ou&d first &earn this fact# If the fact
2ere &earned first ! those i''ediate&! concerned< 2ho 2ou&d e 'ore
ca*a&e than the! of *rescriin, a re'ed!B And esides< are not those 2ho
ho&d s&a$es< *ersons of ai&it!< discern'ent and candorB Do the! not
e/*ect to ,i$e an account at the ar of 5od for their conduct in this
&ifeB It 'a! no dout 2ith *ro*riet! e said that 'an! 2ho ho&d s&a$es
&i$e 2ithout the fear of 5od efore their e!es? ut the sa'e 'a! e said
of 'an! in the free states# Then 2ho is to e the =ud,e in this 'atterB So
&on,< then< as the *eo*&e of the free states< are not interested in the
freedo' of the s&a$es< in an! other 2a! than u*on the 'ere astract
*rinci*&es of e>ua& ri,hts< and of the 5os*e&? and are read! to ad'it that
there are 'en of *iet!< 2ho reside in the South< 2ho are i''ediate&!
concerned< and unti& the! co'*&ain and ca&& for assistance< 2h! not cease
this c&a'or< and no further ur,e the s&a$e to acts of 'urder< and the
'aster to $i,orous disci*&ine< renderin, oth 'isera&e< and un*re*ared to
*ursue that course 2hich 'i,ht other2ise &ead the' oth to etter their
conditionsB I do not e&ie$e that the *eo*&e of the North ha$e an! 'ore
ri,ht to sa! that the South sha&& not ho&d s&a$es< than the South ha$e to
sa! the North sha&&#
And further< 2hat enefit 2i&& it e$er e to the s&a$es for *ersons
to run o$er the free states< and e/cite indi,nation a,ainst their 'asters
in the 'inds of thousands and tens of thousands< 2ho understand nothin,
re&ati$e to their circu'stances< or conditionsB I 'ean *articu&ar&! those
2ho ha$e ne$er tra$e&ed in the South< and 2ho in a&& their &i$es ha$e
scarce&! e$er seen a ne,ro#
Ho2 an! co''unit! can e$er e e/cited 2ith the chatter of such
*ersons< o!s and others< 2ho are too indo&ent to otain their &i$in, !
honest industr!< and are inca*a&e of *ursuin, an! occu*ation of a
*rofessiona& nature< is unaccounta&e to 'e? and 2hen I see *ersons in the
free states< si,nin, docu'ents a,ainst s&a$er!< it is no &ess< in '! 'ind<
than an ar'! of inf&uence< and a dec&aration of hosti&ities a,ainst the
*eo*&e of the South# 3hat course can sooner di$ide our unionB
After ha$in, e/*ressed '!se&f so free&! u*on this su=ect< I do not
dout< ut those 2ho ha$e een for2ard in raisin, their $oices a,ainst the
South< 2i&& cr! out a,ainst 'e as ein, uncharita&e< unfee&in,< un0ind<
and 2ho&&! unac>uainted 2ith the 5os*e& of Christ# It is '! *ri$i&e,e then
to na'e certain *assa,es fro' the "i&e< and e/a'ine the teachin,s of the
ancients u*on the 'atter as the fact is uncontro$erti&e that the first
'ention 2e ha$e of s&a$er! is found in the Ho&! "i&e< *ronounced ! a 'an
2ho 2as *erfect in his ,eneration< and 2a&0ed 2ith 5od# And so far fro'
that *rediction ein, a$erse to the 'ind of 5od< it re'ains as a &astin,
'onu'ent of the decree of Jeho$ah< to the sha'e and confusion of a&& 2ho
ha$e cried out a,ainst the South< in conse>uence of their ho&din, the sons
of Ha' in ser$itude# -And he said< Cursed e Canaan? a ser$ant of ser$ants
sha&& he e unto his rethren#- -"&essed e the Lord 5od of She'? and
Canaan sha&& e his ser$ant- E5en# i/( HG< H:F#
Trace the histor! of the 2or&d fro' this nota&e e$ent do2n to this
da!< and !ou 2i&& find the fu&fi&&'ent of this sin,u&ar *ro*hec!# 3hat
cou&d ha$e een the desi,n of the A&'i,ht! in this sin,u&ar occurrence is
not for 'e to sa!? ut I can sa!< the curse is not !et ta0en off fro' the
sons of Canaan< neither 2i&& e unti& it is affected ! as ,reat a *o2er
as caused it to co'e? and the *eo*&e 2ho interfere the &east 2ith the
*ur*oses of 5od in this 'atter< 2i&& co'e under the &east conde'nation
efore Hi'? and those 2ho are deter'ined to *ursue a course< 2hich sho2s
an o**osition< and a fe$erish rest&essness a,ainst the decrees of the
Lord< 2i&& &earn< 2hen *erha*s it is too &ate for their o2n ,ood< that 5od
can do His o2n 2or0< 2ithout the aid of those 2ho are not dictated ! His
counse&#
I 'ust not *ass e$er a notice of the histor! of Araha'< of 2ho' so 'uch
is s*o0en in the Scri*ture# If 2e can credit the account< 5od con$ersed
2ith hi' fro' ti'e to ti'e< and directed hi' in the 2a! he shou&d 2a&0<
sa!in,< I a' the A&'i,ht!? 2a&0 efore 'e< and e thou *erfect#- )au&
sa!s the 5os*e& 2as *reached to this 'an# And it is further said< that he
had shee* and o/en< 'en-ser$ants and 'aid-ser$ants< etc# Fro' this I
conc&ude< that if the *rinci*&e had een an e$i& one< in the 'idst of the
co''unications 'ade to this ho&! 'an< he 2ou&d ha$e een instructed to
that effect< and if he 2as instructed a,ainst ho&din, 'an-ser$ants and
'aid-ser$ants< he ne$er ceased to do it? conse>uent&! 'ust ha$e incurred
the dis*&easure of the Lord< and there! &ost His &essin,s? 2hich 2as not
the fact#
So'e 'a! ur,e that the na'es 'an ser$ant and 'aid-ser$ant< on&! 'ean
hired *ersons< 2ho 2ere at &iert! to &ea$e their 'asters or e'*&o!ers at
an! ti'e# "ut 2e can easi&! sett&e this *int< ! turnin, to the histor!
of Araha'+s descendants< 2hen ,o$erned ! a &a2 fro' the 'outh of Jeho$ah
Hi'se&f# I 0no2 that 2hen an Israe&ite had een rou,ht into ser$itude< in
conse>uence of det< or other2ise< at the se$enth !ear he 2ent fro' the
tas0 of his for'er 'aster< or e'*&o!er? ut to no other *eo*&e or nation
2as this ,ranted in the &a2 of Israe&# And if after a 'an had ser$ed si/
!ears< he did not 2ish to e free< then the 'aster 2as to rin, hi' unto
the =ud,es--ore his ear 2ith an a2&< and that 'an 2as -to ser$e hi'
fore$er#- The conc&usion I dra2 fro' this< is< that this *eo*&e 2ere &ed
and ,o$erned ! re$e&ation< and if such a &a2 2as 2ron,< 5od on&! is to e
&a'ed< and ao&itionists are not res*onsi&e#
No2< efore *roceedin, an! farther< I 2ish to as0 one or t2o
>uestions( 3ere the A*ost&es 'en of 5od< and did the! *reach the 5os*e&B I
ha$e no dout that those 2ho e&ie$e the "i&e< 2i&& ad'it that the! 2ere?
and that the! a&so 0ne2 the 'ind and 2i&& of 5od concernin, 2hat the!
2rote to the churches< 2hich the! 2ere instru'enta& in ui&din, u*# This
ein, ad'itted< the 'atter can e *ut to rest 2ithout 'uch ar,u'ent< if 2e
&oo0 at a fe2 ite's in the Ne2 Testa'ent# )au& sa!s( -Ser$ants e oedient
to the' that are !our 'asters accordin, to the f&esh< 2ith fear and
tre'&in,< in sin,&eness of !our heart< as unto Christ? not 2ith
e!eser$ice as 'en-*&easers? ut as the ser$ants of Christ< doin, the 2i&&
of 5od fro' the heart? 2ith ,ood 2i&& doin, ser$ice< as to the Lord< and
not to 'en+ 0no2in, that 2hatsoe$er ,ood thin, an! 'an doeth< the sa'e
sha&& e recei$ed of the Lord< 2hether he e ound or free# And< !e
'asters< do the sa'e thin,s unto the'< forearin, threatenin,( 0no2in,
that !our .aster a&so is in hea$en( neither is there res*ect of *ersons
2ith hi'- EE*h# $i( G< :< M< 8< NF# Here is a &esson 2hich 'i,ht e
*rofita&e for a&& to &earn? and the *rinci*&e u*on 2hich the Church 2as
ancient&! ,o$erned< is so *&ain&! set forth< that an e!e of truth 'i,ht
see and understand# Here certain&!< are re*resented the 'aster< and
ser$ant? and so far fro' instructions to the ser$ant to &ea$e his 'aster<
he is co''anded to e in oedience< as unto the Lord? the 'aster in turn<
is re>uired to treat hi' 2ith 0indness efore 5od? understandin,< at the
sa'e ti'e< that he is to ,i$e an account# The hand of fe&&o2shi* is not
2ithdra2n fro' hi' in conse>uence of his ha$in, ser$ants#
The sa'e 2riter< in his first e*ist&e to Ti'oth!< the si/th cha*ter<
and the first fi$e $erses< sa!s<---Let as 'an! ser$ants as are under the
!o0e count their o2n 'asters 2orth! of a&& honor< that the na'e of 5od and
His doctrine e not &as*he'ed# And the! that ha$e e&ie$in, 'asters< &et
the' not des*ise the'< ecause the! are rethren( ut rather do the'
ser$ice< ecause the! are faithfu& and e&o$ed< *arta0ers of the enefit#
These thin,s teach and e/hort# If an! 'an teach other2ise< and consent not
to 2ho&eso'e 2ords< e$en the 2ords of our Lord Jesus Christ< and to the
doctrine 2hich is accordin, to ,od&iness? he is *roud< 0no2in, nothin,<
ut dotin, aout >uestions and strifes of 2ords< 2hereof co'eth en$!<
strife< rai&in,s< e$i& sur'isin,s< )er$erse dis*utin, of 'en of corru*t
'inds< and destitute of the truth< su**osin, that ,ain is ,od&iness+ fro'
such 2ithdra2 th!se&f#- This is so *erfect&! *&ain< that I see no need of
co''ent# The Scri*ture stands for itse&f? and I e&ie$e that these 'en
2ere etter >ua&ified to teach the 2i&& of 5od< than a&& the ao&itionists
in the 2or&d#
"efore c&osin, this co''unication< I e, &ea$e to dro* a 2ord to the
tra$e&in, E&ders# You 0no2< rethren< that ,reat res*onsii&it! rests u*on
!ou? and that !ou are accounta&e to 5od< for a&& !ou teach the 2or&d# In
'! o*inion< !ou 2i&& do 2e&& to search the "oo0 of Co$enants< in 2hich !ou
2i&& see the e&ief of the Church< concernin, 'asters and ser$ants# A&&
'en are to e tau,ht to re*ent? ut 2e ha$e no ri,ht to interfere 2ith
s&a$es< contrar! to the 'ind and 2i&& of their 'asters# In fact it 2ou&d
e 'uch etter< and 'ore *rudent< not to *reach at a&& to s&a$es< unti&
after their 'asters are con$erted< and then teach the 'asters to use the'
2ith 0indness( re'e'erin, that the! are accounta&e to 5od< and the
ser$ants are ound to ser$e their 'asters 2ith sin,&eness of heart<
2ithout 'ur'urin,#
I do 'ost sincere&! ho*e that no one 2ho is authori4ed fro' this
Church to *reach the 5os*e&< 2i&& so far de*art fro' the Scri*tures< as to
e found stirrin, u* strife and sedition a,ainst our rethren of the
South# Ha$in, s*o0en fran0&! and free&!< I &ea$e a&& in the hands of 5od<
2ho 2i&& direct a&& thin,s for His ,&or!< and the acco'*&ish'ent of His
2or0# )ra!in, that 5od 'a! s*are !ou to do 'uch ,ood in this &ife< I
suscrie '!se&f !our rother in the Lord< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
CHA)TER 666I#
)REDICTION OF THE )RO)HET+S 5RAND)ARENTS--A5ITATION FOR THE
RE.O%AL OF THE SAINTS FRO. CLAY COUNTY .ISSOURI#
THE re'ainder of this 'onth IA*ri&J and .a! a&so< 2as de$oted to the
s*iritua& interests of the rethren? and *articu&ar&! in de$isin, 2a!s and
'eans to ui&d u* 1irt&and#
.a! 7D#--"rother Heer C# 1i'a&& ca'e to 'e for counse&< to 0no2
2hether he shou&d ,o into the $ine!ard to *roc&ai' the 5os*e&< or ,o to
schoo&# I to&d hi' he 'i,ht do either that he shou&d choose for the Lord
2ou&d &ess hi'# He chose to ,o into the $ine!ard? and i''ediate&! 2ent
do2n throu,h the State of Ne2 Yor0< into %er'ont< his nati$e State# He
sto**ed a short ti'e< and then returned to the cit! of O,densur,< on the
St# La2rence ri$er< 2here he ui&t u* a church of t2ent! 'e'ers# 3hen
aout &ea$in, that *&ace< '! father< and unc&e John S'ith< ca'e to hi'<
and &essed the church 2ith *atriarcha& &essin,s# 3hen the! ca'e to
"rother 1i'a&&< the! 2ere $er! 'uch de*ressed in s*irits< for 2hen the!
ca'e throu,h the to2n of )otsda'< their rother< Jesse S'ith< ha$in, a
s*ite a,ainst the' in conse>uence of their re&i,ion< s2ore out an
e/ecution a,ainst '! father< and &e$ied u*on his horse and 2a,on? and to
sett&e the affair< and ,et out of his c&utches< '! unc&e< Si&as S'ith<
E2ho had returned to that *&ace on *ri$ate usinessF ste**ed for2ard and
*aid fift! do&&ars< in order that the! 'i,ht *ursue their =ourne! ho'e#
.a!< 7:#--)resident O&i$er Co2der! ha$in, *referred< to the Hi,h
Counci&< a char,e of unchristian&i0e conduct a,ainst 3i&0ins J# Sa&isur!<
the Counci& asse'&ed in the Lord+s House< 2hen it 2as *ro$ed that he had
so conducted hi'se&f as to rin, unnecessar! *ersecution on 'e? that he
had ne,&ected his fa'i&!< &ea$in, the' 2ithout 2ood< 2ithout *ro$isions<
or te&&in, the' 2here he 2as ,oin,< or 2hen he 2ou&d return? that he used
stron, drin0 and had een inti'ate 2ith other 2o'en#
E&der Sa&isur! confessed his *ro*ensit! for ta&e-earin,< and
drin0in, stron, &i>uor< ut denied the other char,es# The Counci& decided
that he cou&d no &on,er e an E&der or 'e'er in the Church unti& there
2as a thorou,h refor'ation#
Char,es of unchristian&i0e conduct 2ere a&so *referred a,ainst
Sisters Hannah "ro2n< and L# E&&iot# The! confessed the! had een ,ui&t!
of te&&in, fa&sehoods#
The Counci& re*ro$ed the'< ut *er'itted the' to retain their
standin, in the Church#
The Counci& then 2ithdre2 fe&&o2shi* fro' E&der Char&es 1e&&!#
.! cousin< E&ias S'ith< arri$ed fro' St# La2rence count!< Ne2 Yor0<
2ith the infor'ation that his father and fa'i&!< and Unc&e Si&as and
fa'i&!< 2ere on their 2a! to 1irt&and< and that '! ,rand'other I.ar! Dut!
S'ith< 2ife of Asae& S'ithJ 2as at Fair*ort#
.a! 7M#--I 2ent in co'*an! 2ith '! rother H!ru'< in a carria,e to
Fair*ort< and rou,ht ho'e '! ,rand'other< .ar! S'ith< a,ed ninet!-three
!ears# She had not een a*ti4ed< on account of the o**osition of Jesse
S'ith< her e&dest son< 2ho has a&2a!s een an ene'! to the 2or0# She had
co'e fi$e hundred 'i&es to see her chi&dren< and 0ne2 a&& of us she had
e$er seen# She 2as 'uch *&eased at ein, introduced to her ,reat
,rand-chi&dren< and e/*ressed 'uch *&easure and ,ratification on seein,
'e#
.! ,randfather< Asae& S'ith< &on, a,o *redicted that there 2ou&d e a
*ro*het raised u* in his fa'i&!< and '! ,rand'other 2as fu&&! satisfied
that it 2as fu&fi&&ed in 'e# .! ,randfather Asae& died in East Stoc0ho&'<
St# La2rence count!< Ne2 Yor0< after ha$in, recei$ed the "oo0 of .or'on<
and read it near&! throu,h? and he dec&ared that I 2as the $er! )ro*het
that he had &on, 0no2n 2ou&d co'e in his fa'i&!#
On the 78th< '! unc&e Si&as S'ith and fa'i&! arri$ed fro' the east#
.! father< three of his rothers< and their 'other< 'et the first ti'e for
'an! !ears# It 2as a ha**! da!< for 2e had &on, *ra!ed to see our
,rand'other and unc&es in the Church#
On .a! HM< after a fe2 da!s+ $isit 2ith her chi&dren< 2hich she
en=o!ed e/tre'e&! 2e&&< '! ,rand'other fe&& as&ee* 2ithout sic0ness< *ain
or re,ret# She reathed her &ast aout sunset< and 2as uried in the
uria& ,round near the Te'*&e< after a funera& address had een de&i$ered
! Sidne! Ri,don# She had uried one dau,hter< Sarah? t2o Sons< Ste*hen
and Sa'ue&? and her husand< 2ho died Octoer 9D< 789D< and &eft fi$e sons
and three dau,hters sti&& &i$in,# At the death of '! ,randfather< 2ho had
0e*t a record< there 2ere one hundred and ten chi&dren< ,rand chi&dren and
,reat ,rand chi&dren# .! unc&e Ste*hen< and aunt Sarah< 2ere uried side
! side in the uria& ,rounds in Ro!a&ton< 3indsor count!< %er'ont#
Ste*hen died Ju&! HGth< 78DH< a,ed se$enteen !ears< three 'onths< and
e&e$en da!s#
.a! H9#--The case of E&der Char&es 1e&&! 2as a,ain rou,ht efore the
Hi,h Counci&< then in session< and it 2as *ro$ed that he &eft his fa'i&!
in a destitute condition< aout the ti'e of the so&e'n asse'&!< 2hich<
to,ether 2ith other unchristian&i0e conduct< &ed the Counci& to decide
that he e e/*e&&ed fro' the Church#
A&so Asae& )err! 2as cut off fro' the Church for unchristian&i0e
conduct#
Jo L# Le2is 2as e/co''unicated< for treatin, the Church 2ith
conte'*t#
.a! 7M#--Died< in 1irt&and< .iss .ar! S'ith< in the thirt!-fifth !ear
of her a,e# The deceased 2as a 'e'er of the Church of Latter-da! Saints<
and died in the triu'*hs of faith#
June H#--)resident )he&*s 2rote a &etter fro' Liert!< .issouri< to
)resident O&i$er Co2der!< fro' 2hich I 'a0e the fo&&o2in, e/tracts(
Letter fro' 3# 3# )he&*s to the "rethren in 1irt&and# Since I
returned ho'e to .issouri< I ha$e een out on t2o e/*editions< e/a'inin,
the re,ions of the -Far 3est#- Soon after our return< "isho* )artrid,e and
'!se&f *assed fro' Liert! to the north2est corner of C&a! count!< and
e/a'ined the 'i&&s and strea's< and countr! around .r# S'ith+s< ,enera&&!
deno'inated -Yan0ee S'ith#- It is custo'ar!< !ou 0no2< for the sa0e of
*ro$incia&is'< a'on, nations< 0indreds and *eo*&e< to nic0-na'e I*eo*&eJ
! their re&i,ion< or *ro$ince or ancestr!? so that one can e
distin,uished ! ein, an Israe&ite< a Canaanite< a Christian< a -.or'on<-
a .ethodist< or a Corn Crac0er< or a .i,ht! Hunter< Pc< accordin, to fanc!
or fa$or#
Fro' .r# S'ith+s< 2e *roceeded north-easter&! throu,h so'e ti'er and
so'e *rairie to )&attsur,< the count! seat for C&inton count!<--a s'art
&itt&e to2n<- containin, fro' fifteen to t2ent! he2ed &o, cains< and a
t2o-stor! court house< thirt!-t2o feet s>uare# This to2n is &ocated on the
2est side of Horse and S'ith+s for0 of the Litt&e )&atte< conti,uous to
the ti'er on these strea's< t2ent!-fi$e 'i&es north of Liert!# The
ti'er< 'i&&< and 2ater *ri$i&e,es 'a! ans2er a $er! s'a&& *o*u&ation< ut
for a &ar,e *o*u&ation the! 2ou&d e here are no2 three stores< and soon
2i&& e four# C&inton count! is 'ost&! *rairie< 2ith here and there a fe2
frin,es or s*ots of ti'er on the cree0s that run into the Litt&e )&atte
and 5rand Ri$er#
Fro' this to2n 2e 'ade the est course 2e cou&d to the 2aters of
5rand Ri$er# 3e had a -sort of road- to2ards "us! For0< then 2e had to
contend 2ith na0ed *rairie< *atches of scru! ti'er< dee* an0ed cree0s
and ranches< to,ether 2ith a rain! 'ornin,< and no co'*ass? ut 2ith the
&essin, of the Lord< 2e ca'e to -so'e house- in the afternoon< and *assed
into Ra! count!# On Shoa& cree0< 2here there is 2ater< there are so'e
to&era&e 'i&& sites? ut the *rairies--those -o&d c&earin,s<- *eerin, one
o$er another< as far as the e!e can ,&ance< f&atten a&& co''on ca&cu&ation
as to ti'er for oards< rai&s< or future 2ants< for a thic0 *o*u&ation<
accordin, to the natura& reasonin, of 'en#
3hat the desi,n of our hea$en&! Father 2as< or is< as to these $ast
*rairies of the Far 3est< I 0no2 no further than 2e ha$e re$e&ation# The
"oo0 of .or'on ter's the'< the &and of deso&ation? and 2hen I ,et into a
*rairie so &ar,e that I a' out of si,ht of ti'er< =ust as a sea'an is
-out of si,ht of &and on the ocean<- I ha$e to e/c&ai'--3hat are 'an and
his 2or0s< co'*ared 2ith the A&'i,ht! and His creationsB 3ho hath $ie2ed
His e$er&astin, fie&dsB 3ho hath counted His uffa&oesB 3ho hath seen a&&
His deer on a thousand *rairiesB The *in0s $arie,ate these 2ide-s*read
&a2ns< 2ithout the hand of 'an to aid the'< and the ees of a thousand
,ro$es an>uet on the f&o2ers< unoser$ed< and si* the hone!-de2s of
hea$en# Near&! e$er! s0irt of ti'er to the state &ine on the north< I a'
infor'ed< has so'e one in it# The ac0 sett&ers are ,enera&&! $er!
honora&e< and 'ore hos*ita&e than an! *eo*&e I e$er sa2< !ou are in 'ost
instances< 2e&co'e to the est the! ha$e# 3# 3# )HEL)S#
The Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed in the Lord+s house in 1irt&and on the
7:th of June< )residents Sidne! Ri,don< and Frederic0 5 3i&&ia's
*residin,< to in$esti,ate the char,es of -A 2ant of ene$o&ence to the
*oor< and charit! to the Church<- 2hich I had *re$ious&! *referred a,ainst
"rother )reser$ed Harris and E&der Isaac .c3ith!# After a fu&& and &en,th!
in$esti,ation< the Counci& decided that the char,es 2ere fu&&! sustained
a,ainst )reser$ed Harris< and that the hand of fe&&o2shi* e 2ithdra2n
fro' hi'< unti& he sha&& see that the course he is *ursuin, is contrar! to
the 5os*e& of Jesus#
In the *&eas of the Counci&ors< in the case of E&der .c3ith!< the!
decided that the char,es had een fu&&! sustained?
after 2hich< I s*o0e in '! turn as accuser< and stated that I ca&&ed
on the accused< in co'*an! 2ith )resident O&i$er Co2der!< for 'one! to
send u* to ;ion< ut cou&d ,et none? after2ards sa2 hi'< and as0ed hi' if
he 2ou&d se&& his far'# He at first see'ed 2i&&in,< and 2ished to ui&d u*
;ion# He *&eaded e/cuse in conse>uence of his &iera&it! to the *oor# 3e
offered hi' three thousand do&&ars for his far'< 2ou&d ,i$e hi' four or
fi$e hundred do&&ars to ta0e hi' to ;ion< and sett&e hi' there< and an
o&i,ation for the re'ainder< 2ith ,ood securit! and interest# He 2ent and
to&d Father L!on that 2e de'anded a&& his *ro*ert!< and so 2e &ost four or
fi$e hundred do&&ars? ecause the accused to&d hi' IL!onJ such a stor!<
IthatJ he ca&cu&ated to 0ee* it Ithe aforesaid four or fi$e hundred
do&&arsJ hi'se&f#
The accused< E&der .c3ith!< arose and said it 2as the first ti'e he
had een ca&&ed u*on to c&ear hi'se&f efore a Hi,h Counci&# He co'*&ained
of ein, ca&&ed contrar! to the ru&es of the 5os*e&< efore the Counci&#
The *resident decided that as the case 2as no2 efore the Counci&< this *&
a cou&d not no2 e ur,ed< ut shou&d ha$e een 'ade in the e,innin,#
E&der .c3ith! *&eaded that he had re&ie$ed the 2ants of the *oor< and did
so 'an! ,ood thin,s that he 2as astonished that he shou&d hear such thin,s
as he had heard toda!< ecause he did not ,i$e a&& he had ,ot to one 'an#
If he had done 2ron, he as0ed for,i$eness of 5od and the Church#
Durin, the >uarter endin, the 9rd of June< 789:< t2o hundred and
fort!-four E&ders+< e&e$en )riests+< three Teachers+< and fi$e Deacons+
&icenses 2ere recorded in the &icense Records< in 1irt&and< Ohio#
June HH#--.! father and Unc&e John S'ith started on a 'ission to
$isit the ranches of the Church in the Eastern States< to set the' in
order< and confer on the rethren their *atriarcha& &essin,s# I too0 '!
'other and Aunt C&arissa E'! Unc&e John+s 2ife<F in a carria,e< and
acco'*anied the' to )ains$i&&e< 2here 2e *rocured a ott&e of 2ine< ro0e
read< ate and dran0< and *arted after the ancient order< 2ith the
&essin,s of 5od#
June H8#--E&der 3arren )arrish 2rote fro' Hic0'an count!< Tennessee<
statin, that(--
.an! citi4ens of the count! of "enton< and so'e of Carro&& had 'et in
con$ention< headed ! a .ethodist *riest< 2ho 2as ca&&ed to the chair< and
the count! c&er0 a**ointed secretar!# The! dre2 u* reso&utions to dri$e
a&& the -.or'on *reachers fro' their coast<- si,ned ! the sheriff and
'an! 2ho 2ere s2orn to e ci$i&< *eace-officers< a&so co&one&s< 'a=ors<
Pc# 3e en=o!ed our 'eetin, un'o&ested at "rother Ut&e!+s< on Saturda!< the
7Nth instant# Hundreds had entered into the cons*irac!# In the afternoon<
a &itt&e efore sunset< a co'*an! of so'e fort! or fift! 'en 'ade their
a**earance? so'e on foot< others 'ounted< t2o on a horse< 2ith ,uns<
stic0s< c&us< Pc# The! 2ere &ed ! a sheriff< co&one&< first and second
'a=or< other officers< and a .ethodist *riest< 2ith a ,un on his shou&der#
The sheriff infor'ed us that he had states+ 2arrant for Da$id 3#
)atten< 3arren )arrish< and 3i&ford 3oodruff? issued on co'*&aint of the
.ethodist *riest< .atthe2 3i&&ia's< chair'an as ao$e? 2ho s2ore that 2e
had *ut forth the fo&&o2in, fa&se and *retended *ro*hec!? $i4#( that
Christ 2ou&d co'e the second ti'e efore this ,eneration *asses a2a!? a&so
that four indi$idua&s shou&d recei$e the Ho&! 5host 2ithin four and t2ent!
hours# The co'*an! consisted< as 2e 2ere infor'ed< of "a*tists<
.ethodists< )res!terians< &iars< drun0ards< ho, and horse thie$es# So
deter'ined 2ere the!< to force us off at that &ate hour< that it 2as 2ith
'uch difficu&t! 2e cou&d *re$ai& on the' to sho2 us an! &enit!? ho2e$er<
the! *rotracted the ti'e of our a**earance at court unti& Tuesda! !
,i$in, our ond< 2ith suret! of t2o rethren< in the su' of one thousand
do&&ars#
The! intended to ha$e &ed us into the 2oods< under the dar0 curtain
of ni,ht 2ith the *retension of ta0in, us efore the 'a,istrate that the!
'i,ht the etter e/ecute their diao&ica& desi,ns u*on us#
On Tuesda!< in co'*an! 2ith aout t2ent! rethren and 2ar' friends<
2ho 2ere read! and 2i&&in, to &a! do2n their &i$es for us< 2e 2ent efore
our ru&ers< and found aout one hundred *ersons asse'&ed< ar'ed 2ith
,uns< *isto&s< dir0s< c&us< stic0s< Pc# At a &ate hour 2e *re$ai&ed on
the sheriff to ha$e the court ca&&ed< 2hich consisted of three
'a,istrates< one of 2ho' 2as re=ected fro' the =ud,'ent-seat< ecause so'e
of his fa'i&! 2ere 'e'ers of our Church#
The sheriff< 2ith &ea$e of court< di$ested us of our ar's< consistin,
of 2a&0in, stic0s and a *oc0et 0nife# A 'an ! the na'e of )er0ins< E2ho
re*ort sa!s< had run his count! for ho, stea&in,< and a&so had een ,ui&t!
of concea&in, a sto&en horse< for 2hich he had &ost *art of his nose<F 2as
a**ointed ! the court to act as states+ attorne!? or in other 2ords 'o
so&icitor-,enera&< to ause the innocent and screen the ,ui&t!#
After the cons*irators had 2itnessed a,ainst us< the court refused to
hear an! testi'on! on our *art< ein, contro&&ed ! the andits# )er0ins
'ade a *&ea a,ainst us< ut 2e 2ere not *er'itted to re*&!# The $erdict of
the court 2as< that the! conc&uded that the char,es *referred a,ainst us
had een sustained< and that 2e 2ere ound o$er to court for tria&# Our
accusers did not atte'*t to< *ro$e that those 2ho 2ere *ro'ised the Ho&!
5host did not recei$e it? and the candid can =ud,e 2hether he 2ho
*ro*hesies that Christ 2i&& co'e the second ti'e in this ,eneration< is a
fa&se *ro*het# A&so our co'*&ainant testified that these cri'es 2ere
co''itted in 789@< and it is a 2e&& 0no2n fact that E&der 3oodruff< 2hose
na'e is on the 2arrant< Ethou,h not arrested<F 2as not in this state unti&
789G# So 'uch for an oath fro' a .ethodist *riest#
3hi&e the court 2as *re*arin, our onds< another 2arrant 2as ser$ed
on E&der )atten? the 'o 2ithout< and the 'o 2ithin< 2hose into/icatin,
4ea& had arisen to its 4enith< 2ere threatenin, our &i$es< and see'ed on&!
to 2ait the dar0 shades of ni,ht< 2hich 2ere fast ,atherin, round< to
co$er the'< 2hi&e the! shou&d 2rea0 their hands in our &ood? the
inf&uence of our friends< as instru'ents in the hands of our 5od< 0e*t
this ,atherin, stor' fro' urstin, u*on our heads# Aout this ti'e the
sheriff *ro*osed to us that if 2e 2ou&d &ea$e the count! in ten da!s< and
*a! the cost< the! 2ou&d set us at &iert!? at the sa'e ti'e infor'in, us
it 2as the on&! 2a! to esca*e the hands of the 'o< 2ho 2ere hard&!
restrained fro' acts of $io&ence# One of the rethren *resent offered to
*a! the cost< and a&& ad$ised us to acce*t the offer? 2hich< in itse&f<
*ro$ed that 2e 2ere innocent of an! cri'e< a&thou,h in its nature 'ost
insu&tin,# ESi,nedF 3ARREN )ARRISH#
.inutes of a )u&ic .eetin, at Liert!< .issouri# On the HNth of
June< a res*ecta&e nu'er of the citi4ens ein, *re$ious&! notified of
the 'eetin,< 'et at the court-house< in the to2n of Liert!< .issouri# On
'otion< John "ird 2as ca&&ed to the chair< and John F# Dohert! a**ointed
secretar!# The o=ect of the 'eetin,< 2as< ! re>uest of the chair<
e/*&ained in a fe2 a**ro*riate re'ar0s< ! Co&one& 3ood? 2hen on 'otion of
Co&one& 3i&&ia' T# 3ood< a co''ittee of nine 2as a**ointed to draft
reso&utions e/*ressi$e of the sense of this 'eetin,? 2hereu*on the
fo&&o2in, ,ent&e'en 2ere chosen--na'e&!( John Thornton< Es>#< )eter
Ro,ers< Es>#< Andre2 Roertson< Es>#< Ja'es T# %# Tho'*son< Co&one& 3# T#
3ood< Doctor 3oodson< J# .oss< Ja'es H# Hu,hes< Es>#< Da$id R# Atchison<
Es>#< and A# 3# Doni*han< Es>#< 2ho retired and in a short ti'e returned
and 'ade< throu,h their chair'an< Co&one& John Thornton< the fo&&o2in,
unani'ous re*ort< 2hich 2as read(
RE)ORT# It is a**arent to e$er! ref&ectin, 'ind that a crisis has
arisen in this countr!< that re>uires the dee*< coo&< dis*assionate
consideration< and i''ediate action of e$er! &o$er of *eace< har'on! and
,ood order# 3e cannot concea& fro' ourse&$es the fact that at this 'o'ent
the c&ouds of ci$i& 2ar are ro&&in, u* their fearfu& 'asses< and han,in,
o$er our de$oted countr!# So&e'n< dar0 and terri&e# This *ainfu& state of
thin,s has een *roduced 'ain&! ! the ra*id and increasin, e'i,ration of
that *eo*&e co''on&! ca&&ed .or'ons< durin, the &ast fe2 'onths# It is
0no2n to a&&< that in No$e'er< 7899< these *eo*&e 2ere e/*e&&ed fro'
their ho'es in Jac0son count!< 2ithout 'one!< 2ithout *ro*ert!< 2ithout
the 'eans of susistence for the'se&$es< their 2i$es and their chi&dren<
and &i0e Noah+s do$e< 2ithout a restin, *&ace for their feet#
The! ca'e to our count! thus friend&ess and *enni&ess< Esee0in, as
the! saidF ut a te'*orar! as!&u' fro' the stor' of *ersecution ! 2hich
the! 2ere then uffeted# Their destitute and 'isera&e condition< at that
inc&e'ent season of the !ear< e/cited the dee* s!'*athies of the
*hi&anthro*ic and hos*ita&e citi4ens of this count!? and not2ithstandin,
the thousand re*orts that 2ere orne on the 2in,s of the 2ind< char,in,
the' 2ith a&'ost e$er! cri'e 0no2n to the &a2s of our countr!< !et our
fee&in,s of 0indness and s!'*ath! for hu'an sufferin, *re$ai&ed o$er e$er!
ostac&e< and the! 2ere recei$ed 2ith friendshi* and treated 2ith
to&eration< and often 2ith re'ar0s of *ecu&iar 0indness# The! a&2a!s
dec&ared that the! &oo0ed not u*on this count! as their ho'e< ut as a
te'*orar! as!&u'? and that< 2hene$er< a res*ecta&e *ortion of the
citi4ens of this count! shou&d re>uest it< the! 2ou&d *ro'*t&! &ea$e us in
*eace as the! found us#
That *eriod has no2 arri$ed# Dut! to ourse&$es< to our fa'i&ies< and
to the est interests of our countr!< re>uires at our hands< to de'and the
fu&fi&&'ent of that *&ed,e# The! are char,ed ! those 2ho are o**osed to
the' 2ith an unfriend&! deter'ination to $io&ate that *&ed,e# Their ra*id
e'i,ration< their &ar,e *urchases< and offers to *urchase &ands< the
re'ar0s of the i,norant and i'*rudent *ortion of the'< that this countr!
is destined ! hea$en to e theirs are recei$ed and &oo0ed u*on< ! a
&ar,e *ortion of this co''unit!< as stron, and con$incin, *roofs that the!
intend to 'a0e this count! their *er'anent ho'e< the center and ,enera&
rende4$ous of their *eo*&e#
These are so'e of the reasons 2h! these *eo*&e ha$e eco'e o=ects of
the dee*est hatred and detestation to 'an! of our citi4ens# The! are
eastern 'en< 2hose 'anners< haits< custo's< and e$en dia&ect< are
essentia&&! different fro' our o2n# The! are non-s&a$eho&ders< and o**osed
to s&a$er!< 2hich in this *ecu&iar *eriod< 2hen ao&itionis' has reared
its defor'ed and ha,,ard $isa,e in our &and< is 2e&& ca&cu&ated to e/cite
dee* and aidin, *re=udices in an! co''unit! 2here s&a$er! is to&erated
and *rotected#
In addition to a&& this< the! are char,ed< as the! ha$e hitherto
een< 2ith 0ee*in, u* a constant co''unication 2ith our Indian tries as
our frontiers< 2ith dec&arin,< e$en fro' the *u&*it< that the Indians are
a *art of 5od+s chosen *eo*&e< and are destined ! hea$en to inherit this
&and< in co''on 2ith the'se&$es# 3e do not $ouch for the correctness of
these state'ents? ut 2hether the! are true or fa&se< their effect has
een the sa'e in e/citin, our co''unit!# In ti'es of ,reater tran>ui&it!<
such ridicu&ous re'ar0s 'i,ht 2e&& e re,arded as the offs*rin, of
fren4ied fanaticis'? ut at this ti'e< our defense&ess situation on the
frontier< the &ood! disasters of our fe&&o2 citi4ens in F&orida< and
other *arts of the south< a&& tend to 'a0e a *ortion of our citi4ens
re,ard such senti'ents 2ith horror< if not a&ar'# These and 'an! other
causes< ha$e co'ined to raise a *re=udice a,ainst the'? and a fee&in, of
hosti&it!< that the first s*ar0 'a!< and 2e dee*&! fear 2i&&< i,nite into
a&& the horrors and deso&ations of a ci$i& 2ar< the 2orst e$i& that can
efa&& an! countr!#
3e therefore fee& it our dut! to co'e for2ard< as 'ediators and use
e$er! 'eans in our *o2er to *re$ent the occurrence of so ,reat an e$i&# As
the 'ost efficacious 'eans to arrest the e$i&< 2e ur,e on the .or'ons to
use e$er! 'eans to *ut an i''ediate sto* to the e'i,ration of their *eo*&e
to this count!# 3e earnest&! ur,e the' to see0 so'e other aidin, *&ace<
2here the 'anners< the haits< and custo's of the *eo*&e 2i&& e 'ore
consonant 2ith their o2n#
For this *ur*ose 2e 2ou&d ad$ise the' to e/*&ore the territor! of
3isconsin# This countr! is *ecu&iar&! suited to their conditions and their
2ants# It is a&'ost entire&! unsett&ed? the! can there *rocure &ar,e
odies of &and to,ether< 2here there are no sett&e'ents< and none to
interfere 2ith then# It is a territor! in 2hich s&a$er! is *rohiited< and
it is sett&ed entire&! 2ith e'i,rants fro' the North and East#
The re&i,ious tenets of this *eo*&e are so different fro' the *resent
churches of the a,e< that the! a&2a!s ha$e< and a&2a!s 2i&&< e/cite dee*
*re=udices a,ainst the' in an! *o*u&ous countr! 2here the! 'a! &ocate# 3e<
therefore< in a s*irit of fran0 and friend&! 0indness< do ad$ise the' to
see0 a ho'e 2here the! 'a! otain &ar,e and se*arate odies of &and< and
ha$e a co''unit! of their o2n# 3e further sa! to the'< if the! re,ard
their o2n safet! and 2e&fare< if the! re,ard the 2e&fare of their
fa'i&ies< their 2i$es and chi&dren< the! 2i&& *onder 2ith dee* and so&e'n
ref&ection on this friend&! ad'onition#
If the! ha$e one s*ar0 of ,ratitude< the! 2i&& not 2i&&in,&! *&un,e a
*eo*&e into ci$i& 2ar< 2ho he&d out to the' the friend&! hand of
assistance in that hour of dar0 distress< 2hen there 2as fe2 to sa! 5od
sa$e the'# 3e can on&! sa! to the' if the! sti&& *ersist in the &ind
course the! ha$e heretofore fo&&o2ed in f&oodin, the countr! 2ith their
*eo*&e< that 2e fear and fir'&! e&ie$e that an i''ediate ci$i& 2ar is the
ine$ita&e conse>uence# 3e 0no2 that there is not one a'on, us 2ho thirsts
for the &ood of that *eo*&e#
3e do not contend that 2e ha$e the &east ri,ht< under the
Constitution and &a2s of the countr!< to e/*e& the' ! force# "ut 2e 2ou&d
indeed he &ind< if 2e did not foresee that the first &o2 that is struc0<
at this 'o'ent of dee* e/cite'ent< 'ust and 2i&& s*eedi&! in$o&$e e$er!
indi$idua& in a 2ar< earin, ruin< 2oe< and deso&ation in its course# It
'atters ut &itt&e ho2< 2here< or ! 2ho'< the 2ar 'a! e,in< 2hen the
2or0 of destruction co''ences< 2e 'ust a&& e orne on2ard ! the stor'<
or crushed eneath its fur!# In a ci$i& 2ar< 2hen our ho'es are the
theatre on 2hich it is fou,ht< there can e no neutra&s? &et our o*inions
e 2hat the! 'a!< 2e 'ust fi,ht in se&f-defense#
3e 2ant nothin,< 2e as0 nothin,< 2e 2ou&d ha$e nothin, fro' this
*eo*&e< 2e on&! as0 the'< for their o2n safet!< and for ours< to ta0e the
&east of the t2o e$i&s# .ost of the' are destitute of &and< ha$e ut
&itt&e *ro*ert!< are &ate e'i,rants to this countr!< 2ithout re&ations<
friends< or endearin, ties to ind the' to this &and# At the ris0 of such
i''inent *eri& to the' and to us< 2e re>uest the' to &ea$e us< 2hen their
cro*s are ,athered< their usiness sett&ed< and the! ha$e 'ade e$er!
suita&e *re*aration to re'o$e# Those 2ho ha$e fort! acres of &and< 2e are
2i&&in, shou&d re'ain unti& the! can dis*ose of it 2ithout &oss< if it
shou&d re>uire !ears# "ut 2e ur,e< 'ost stron,&! ur,e< that e'i,ration
cease< and cease i''ediate&!< as nothin, e&se can or 2i&& a&&a! for a
'o'ent< the dee* e/cite'ent that is no2 unha**i&! a,itatin, this
co''unit!#
If the .or'ons 2i&& co'*&! 2ith these friend&! re>uisitions< 2e 2i&&
use e$er! e/ertion a'on, our o2n citi4ens< to arrest this e$i& efore it
is fore$er too &ate? ut if the! are disre,arded< 2e can *ro'ise neither
the' nor ourse&$es< a &on, continuation of the &essin,s of *eace and
har'on!#
7st# Therefore e it Reso&$ed ! this 'eetin,< that 2e $ie2 2ith
fee&in,s of the dee*est re,ret the *resent unha**! situation of our
countr!#
Hnd# That it is the fi/ed and sett&ed con$iction of this 'eetin, that
un&ess the *eo*&e co''on&! ca&&ed .or'ons 2i&& a,ree to sto* i''ediate&!
the e'i,ration of their *eo*&e to this count!< and ta0e 'easures to re'o$e
the'se&$es fro' it< a ci$i& 2ar is ine$ita&e#
9rd# That a co''ittee of ten e a**ointed to 'a0e 0no2n to the
&eaders of that *eo*&e< the $ie2s of this 'eetin,< and to ur,e u*on the'
the *ro*riet! of accedin, to these *ro*ositions#
@th# The said co''ittee consistin, of Andre2 Roertson< .ichae&
Arthur< Litt&eur! Su&et< John "a/ter< Ja'es .# Hu,hes< 3# J# .oss< John
"ird< )eter Ro,ers< 3# T# 3ood and J# T# %# Tho'*son< 2ho sha&& 'eet on
the 'orro2 at the house of .r# Co2an< and confer 2ith the .or'ons< and
re*ort at this 'eetin,< as soon thereafter as con$enient< the re*&! of the
.or'ons to these re>uisitions#
Gth# That if the .or'ons a,ree to these *ro*ositions< 2e 2i&& use
e$er! 'eans in our *o2er to a&&a! the e/cite'ent a'on, our o2n citi4ens<
and to ,et the' to a2ait the resu&t of these thin,s# That it is the
o*inion of this 'eetin, that the recent e'i,rants a'on, the .or'ons shou&d
ta0e 'easures to &ea$e this count! i''ediate&!< as the! ha$e no cro*s on
hand< and nothin, to &ose ! continuin, the if =ourne! to so'e 'ore
friend&! &and# On 'otion of 3'# T# 3ood< the *rea'&e and reso&utions 2ere
unani'ous&! ado*ted# "e it reso&$ed that this 'eetin, ad=ourn unti&
Saturda! ne/t# JOHN "IRD Chair'an< JOHN F# DOHERTY< Secretar!#
.inutes of a )u&ic .eetin, of the Saints in C&a! Count!< .issouri<
He&d to Consider the A**osition of the Citi4ens of C&a! Count! that
the Latter-da! Saints .o$e into another )art of the State#
Ju&! 7< 789:# At a $er! &ar,e 'eetin, of the E&ders of the Church of
Latter-da! Saints< asse'&ed in C&a! count!< .issouri< 3# 3# )he&*s 2as
ca&&ed to the chair< and John Corri&& a**ointed secretar!# The *rea'&e
and reso&utions fro' a 'eetin, of citi4ens of the HNth u&ti'o< 2as read<
and a co''ittee of t2e&$e< $i4#< Ed2ard )artrid,e< Isaac .or&e!< L!'an
3i,ht< Tho'as "# .arsh< E&ias Hi,!< Ca&$in "eee< Isaac Hitchcoc0< Isaac
Hi,!< Sa'ue& "ent< Titus "i&&in,s< Ja'es E''et< and R# E$ans< 2ere
a**ointed< 2ho retired< and after a short ti'e re*orted the fo&&o2in,
*rea'&e and reso&utions(
Reso&$ed< that 2e Ethe -.or'ons<- so ca&&edF< are ,ratefu& for the
0indness 2hich has een sho2n to us ! the citi4ens of C&a! count! since
2e ha$e resided 2ith the'? and ein, desirous for *eace< and 2ishin, the
,ood rather than the i&&-2i&& of 'an0ind< 2e 2i&& use a&& honora&e 'eans
to a&&a! the e/cite'ent< and so far as 2e can< re'o$e an! foundation for
=ea&ousies a,ainst us as a *eo*&e# 3e are a2are that 'an! ru'ors
*re=udicia& to us as a societ! are af&oat< and ti'e on&! can *ro$e their
fa&sit! to the 2or&d at &ar,e#
3e den! ha$in, c&ai' to this< or an! other count!< or countr!<
further than 2e sha&& *urchase the &and 2ith 'one!< or 'ore than the
Constitution and &a2s a&&o2 us as free A'erican citi4ens# 3e ha$e ta0en no
*art for or a,ainst s&a$er!? ut are o**osed to the ao&itionists< and
consider that 'en ha$e a ri,ht to ho&d s&a$es or not< accordin, to &a2#
3e e&ie$e it =ust to *reach the 5os*e& to the nations of the earth<
and 2arn the ri,hteous to sa$e the'se&$es fro' the corru*tions of the
2or&d? ut 2e do not e&ie$e it ri,ht to interfere 2ith ondser$ants< nor
*reach the 5os*e& to the'< nor 'edd&e 2ith nor inf&uence the' in the &east
to cause the' to e dissatisfied 2ith their situation in this &ife?
there! =eo*ardi4in, the &i$es of 'en# Such interference 2e e&ie$e to e
un&a2fu& and un=ust< and dan,erous to the *eace of e$er! ,o$ern'ent
a&&o2in, hu'an ein,s to e he&d in ser$itude#
3e den! ho&din, an! co''unications 2ith the Indians? and 'ean to ho&d
ourse&$es as read! to defend our countr! a,ainst their ararous ra$a,es<
as an! other *eo*&e# 3e e&ie$e that a&& 'en are ound to sustain and
u*ho&d the res*ecti$e ,o$ern'ents in 2hich the! reside< 2hi&e *rotected in
their inherent and ina&iena&e ri,hts ! the &a2s of such ,o$ern'ents? and
that sedition and ree&&ion are uneco'in, e$er! citi4en thus *rotected<
and shou&d e *unished accordin,&!# It is need&ess to enter into an!
further detai& of our faith< or 'ention our sufferin,s? therefore--
First# Reso&$ed< For the sa0e of friendshi*< and to e in a co$enant
of *eace 2ith the citi4ens of C&a! count!< and the! to e in a co$enant of
*eace 2ith us< not2ithstandin, the necessar! &oss of *ro*ert!< and e/*ense
2e incur in 'o$in,< 2e co'*&! 2ith the re>uisitions of their reso&utions
in &ea$in, C&a! count!< as e/*&ained ! the *rea'&e acco'*an!in, the
sa'e? and that 2e 2i&& use our e/ertions to ha$e the Church do the sa'e?
and that 2e 2i&& a&so e/ert ourse&$es to sto* the tide of e'i,ration of
our *eo*&e to this count!#
Second# Reso&$ed< That 2e acce*t the friend&! offer $era&&! tendered
to us ! the co''ittee !esterda!< to assist us in se&ectin, a &ocation<
and re'o$in, to it#
Third# Reso&$ed unani'ous&!< That this 'eetin, acce*t and ado*t the
ao$e *rea'&e and reso&utions< 2hich are here *resented ! the co''ittee#
Fourth# Reso&$ed< That Tho'as "# .arsh< L!'an 3i,ht< and Sa'ue& "ent<
e a co''ittee to carr! the 'inutes of these *roceedin,s to the 'eetin, of
the citi4ens of C&a! count!< to e he&d to'orro2 at Liert!# The fore,oin,
reso&utions 2ere unani'ous&! ado*ted ! the 'eetin,# 3# 3# )HEL)S<
Chair'an< JOHN CORRILL< Secretar!#
.inutes of the Second .eetin, of the Citi4ens of C&a! Count!#
The citi4ens of C&a! count! 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# The chair'an
and secretar! resu'ed their stations< 2hen the co''ittee a**ointed ! the
*u&ic 'eetin, of the citi4ens at the court house< in Liert!< on the HNth
u&ti'o< re*orted throu,h their chair'an< 3# J# .oss< the fore,oin,
*rea'&e and reso&utions of the E&ders of the Church of Latter-da! Saints<
on the 7st instant< 2hereu*on it 2as reso&$ed< That this 'eetin, do acce*t
and recei$e the re*&! of the .or'ons to the reso&ution *assed on
3ednesda!< the HNth of June< as *erfect&! satisfactor!#
"e it further Reso&$ed ! this 'eetin,< that 2e 2i&& use our ut'ost
endea$ors to carr! into effect the o=ect contained in the *rea'&e and
reso&utions *assed on 3ednesda!< the HNth< as a,reed to ! the .or'ons#
"e it further Reso&$ed< That 2e ur,e it on our fe&&o2 citi4ens to
0ee* the *eace to2ards the .or'ons< as ,ood faith< =ustice< 'ora&it! and
re&i,ion re>uire#
"e it further Reso&$ed< That a co''ittee of ten *ersons< t2o in each
to2nshi*< e a**ointed to raise 'one! ! suscri*tion to aid those of the
.or'ons 2ho 'a! fro' necessit! re>uire it< to &ea$e this count!#
Reso&$ed< That Sa'ue& Ti&&er! Jere'iah .in,er and Araha' Shafer e
a**ointed a co''ittee to recei$e the *ecuniar! aid ! suscri*tion for the
*ur*ose of aidin, the *oor *ersons that 'a! e&on, to the .or'ons in
re'o$in, fro' this count! to their *&ace of aode< and that the E&ders of
the Church e re>uested to re*ort the ao$e-na'ed *ersons to the aforesaid
co''ittee< 2ho 2i&& =ud,e of the *roofs and facts entit&in, the .or'ons to
*ecuniar! aid< and a**ro*riate the funds accordin,&!#
Reso&$ed< That the said co''ittee e authori4ed to e'*&o! so'e
suita&e *erson to acco'*an! those that 'a! 2ish to e/a'ine a ne2 countr!#
It is a&so understood that if the 'one! 2hich 'a! e recei$ed ! the
co''ittee is not a**ro*riated for the *ur*ose ao$e na'ed< it sha&& e
refunded ac0 in *ro*ortion to the a'ount suscried#
Reso&$ed< That the chair a**oint fi$e *ersons in each to2nshi* to
carr! the o=ect of the ao$e reso&utions into effect#
The fo&&o2in, ,ent&e'en 2ere then a**ointed in the different
to2nshi*s# For Liert! to2nshi*< John Thornton< Joe& Turnha'< )eter
"e it further Reso&$ed< That this 'eetin, reco''end the .or'ons to
the ,ood treat'ent of the citi4ens of the ad=oinin, counties# 3e a&so
reco''end the inhaitants of the nei,horin, counties to assist the
.or'ons in se&ectin, so'e aidin, *&ace for their *eo*&e 2here the! 2i&&
e< in a 'easure< the on&! occu*ants? and 2here none 2i&& e an/ious to
'o&est the'#
Reso&$ed< That the *roceedin,s of this 'eetin, e handed o$er to the
*u&ishers of the Far 3est 2ith a re>uest that it e *rinted< 2hich 2as
se$era&&! read and unani'ous&! ado*ted< and 'eetin, ad=ourned# JOHN "IRD<
Chair'an< JOHN F# DOHERTY< Secretar!# LI"ERTY< Ju&! Hnd< 789:#
Letter fro' the "rethren at 1irt&and to the "rethren in .issouri#
1IRTLAND< Ju&! HGth< 789:# To 3# 3# )he&*s and Others( DEAR
"RETHREN(--Yours of the first inst#< acco'*an!in, the *roceedin,s of a
*u&ic 'eetin, he&d ! the *eo*&e of C&a! count!< 2as du&! recei$ed# 3e
are sorr! that this disturance has ro0en out< that 2e do not consider it
our fau&t# You are etter ac>uainted 2ith circu'stances than 2e are< and<
of course< ha$e een directed ! 2isdo' in !our 'o$es re&ati$e to &ea$in,
the count!#
3e for2ard !ou our &etter to .r# Thornton and others that !ou 'a!
0no2 a&& that 2e ha$e said# 3e ad$ise that !ou e not the first
a,,ressors# 5i$e no occasion< and if the *eo*&e 2i&& &et !ou< dis*ose of
Your *ro*ert!< sett&e !our affairs< and ,o in *eace# You ha$e thus far had
an as!&u'< and no2 see0 another< as 5od 'a! direct#
Re&ati$e to !our ,oin, to 3isconsin< 2e cannot sa!< 2e shou&d thin0
if !ou cou&d sto* short< in *eace< !ou had etter do so# You 0no2 our
fee&in,s re&ati$e to not ,i$in, the first offense< and a&so of *rotectin,
!our 2i$es and &itt&e ones in case a 'o shou&d see0 their &i$es# 3e she&&
*u&ish the *roceedin,s of the *u&ic 'eetin,< 2ith !our ans2er< as 3e&&
as our &etter# 3e 'ean that the 2or&d sha&& 0no2 a&& thin,s as the!
trans*ire# If 2e are *ersecuted and dri$en 'en sha&& 0no2 it#
"e 2ise? &et *rudence dictate a&& !our counse&s? *reser$e *eace 2ith
a&& 'en< if *ossi&e? stand ! the Constitution of !our countr!? oser$e
its *rinci*&es? and ao$e a&&< sho2 !ourse&$es 'en of 5od< 2orth!
citi4ens< and 2e dout not< the co''unit!< ere &on,< 2i&& do !ou =ustice<
and rise in indi,nation a,ainst those 2ho are the insti,ators of !our
sufferin,s and aff&ictions#
In the onds of rother&! &o$e 2e suscrie ourse&$es< as e$er<
JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< SIDNEY RI5DON< OLI%ER CO3DERY< F# 5# 3ILLIA.S< HYRU.
S.ITH#
The &etter to .r# Thornton referred to ao$e 2as as fo&&o2s (
1IRTLAND< 5EAU5A COUNTY< OHIO< Ju&! HG< 789:# To John Thornton< Es>#<
)eter Ro,ers< Es>#< Andre2 Roertson< Es>#< Ja'es T# %# Tho'*son< Es>#<
Co&one& 3i&&ia' T# 3ood< Doctor 3oodson< I# .oss< Ja'es H# Hu,hes< Es>#<
Da$id R# Atchison< Es>< and A# 3# Doni*han< Es>#( 5ENTLE.EN(--3e ha$e =ust
*erused< 2ith fee&in,s of dee* interest< an artic&e in the Far 3est<
*rinted at Liert!< C&a! count!< .issouri< containin, the *roceedin, of a
*u&ic 'eetin, of the citi4ens of said count! on the su=ect of an
e/cite'ent no2 *re$ai&in, a'on, !ou< occasioned either fro' fa&se re*orts
a,ainst the Church of Latter-da! Saints< or fro' the fact that said Church
is considered dan,erous to the 2e&fare of !our countr!? and 2i&&< if
suffered a'on, !ou under e/istin, circu'stances< cause the ties of *eace
and friendshi*< so desira&e a'on, a&& 'en< to e urst asunder< and rin,
2ar and deso&ation u*on !our o2n *&easant ho'es#
3hi&e ru'or is af&oat 2ith her accusto'ed cunnin,< and 2hi&e *u&ic
o*inion is fast risin,< &i0e a f&ood tide a,ainst the 'e'ers of the
Church< 2e cannot ut ad'ire the candor 2ith 2hich !our *rea'&es and
reso&utions 2ere c&othed< as *resented to the citi4ens of C&a! count! on
the HNth of June &ast? thou,h< as !ou e/*ressed in !our re*ort to said
'eetin,< -3e do not contend that 2e ha$e the &east ri,ht< under the
Constitution and &a2s of the countr!< to e/*e& the' ! force#- !et
co''unities 'a! e at ti'es une/*ected&! thro2n into a situation 2hen
2isdo'< *rudence< and that first ite' in nature+s &a2< se&f defense 2ou&d
dictate that the res*onsi&e and inf&uentia& *art Eof a co''unit! shou&d
ste* for2ard and ,uide the *u&ic 'ind in a course to sa$e difficu&t!<
*reser$e ri,hts and s*are the innocent &ood fro' stainin, the soi& so
dear&! *urchased 2ith the &i$es and fortunes of our fathers# As !ou ha$e
co'e for2ard as -'ediators- to *re$ent the effusion of &ood and sa$e
disasters conse>uent u*on ci$i& 2ar< 2e ta0e this o**ortunit! to *resent
to !ou< thou,h stran,ers< and throu,h !ou< if !ou 2ish< to the *eo*&e of
C&a! count!< our heart-fe&t ,ratitude for e$er! 0indness rendered our
friends in aff&iction< 2hen dri$en fro' their *eacefu& ho'es? and to
!ourse&$es< a&so< for the *rudent course in the *resent e/cited state of
!our co''unit!? ut in doin, this< =ustice to ourse&$es< as co''unicants
of that Church to 2hich our friends e&on,< and dut! to2ards the' as
ac>uaintances and for'er fe&&o2 citi4ens< re>uire us to sa! so'ethin, to
e/onerate the' fro' the fou& char,es rou,ht a,ainst the'< to de*ri$e the'
of their constitutiona& *ri$i&e,es and dri$e the' fro' the face of
societ!#
The! ha$e een char,ed< in conse>uence of the 2hi's and $ain notions
of so'e fe2 uninfor'ed I*ersonsJ< 2ith c&ai'in, that u**er countr!<
Inorth-2estern .issouriJ< and that ere &on, the! 2ere to *ossess it at a&&
ha4ards and in defiance of a&& conse>uences# This is un=ust and far fro'
ha$in, a foundation in truth? a thin, not e/*ected or &oo0ed for--not
desired ! this societ! as a *eo*&e< and 2here the idea cou&d ha$e
ori,inated is un0no2n to us# 3e do not< neither did 2e e$er< insinuate a
thin, of this 0ind< or hear it fro' the &eadin, 'en of the societ! no2 in
!our countr!# There is nothin, in a&& our re&i,ious faith to 2arrant it<
ut on the contrar!< the 'ost strict in=unctions to &i$e in oedience to
the &a2s and fo&&o2 *eace 2ith a&& 'en? and 2e dout not ut a recurrence
to the Jac0son count! difficu&ties 2ith our friends 2i&& fu&&! satisf!
!ou< that at &east heretofore such has een the course fo&&o2ed ! the'<
that instead of fi,htin, for their o2n ri,hts the! ha$e sacrificed the'
for a season to 2ait the redress ,uaranteed in the &a2 and so an/ious&!
&oo0ed for at a ti'e distant fro' this#
3e ha$e een< and are sti&&< c&ear&! under the con$iction that had
our friends een dis*osed the! 'i,ht ha$e 'aintained their *ossessions in
Jac0son count!# The! 'i,ht ha$e resorted to the sa'e ararous 'eans 2ith
their nei,hors< thro2in, do2n d2e&&in,s< threatenin, &i$es< dri$in,
innocent 2o'en and chi&dren fro' their ho'es< and there! ha$e anno!ed
their ene'ies e>ua&&! at &east? ut to their credit--and it 'ust e$er
re'ain u*on the *a,e of ti'e to their honor this the! did not do# The! had
*ossessions< the! had ho'es< the! had sacred ri,hts< and 'ore sti&&< the!
had he&*&ess< har'&ess innocence< 2ith an a**ro$in, conscience that e!e of
sus*icion u*on the' fro' e$er! 'an 2ho is ac>uainted 2ith the ararous
crue&t! of rude sa$a,es# Since a ru'or 2as af&oat that the 2estern Indians
2ere sho2in, si,ns of 2ar 2e ha$e recei$ed fre>uent *ri$ate &etters fro'
our friends 2ho ha$e not on&! e/*ressed fears for their o2n safet!< in
case the Indians shou&d rea0 out< ut a decided deter'ination to e a'on,
the first to re*e& an! in$asion and defend the frontier fro' a&&
hosti&ities# 3e 'ention the &ast fact ecause it 2as 2ho&&! unca&&ed for
on our *art and ca'e *re$ious to an! e/cite'ent on the *art of the *eo*&e
of C&a! count! a,ainst our friends and 'ust definite&! sho2 that this
char,e is a&so untrue#
Another char,e a,ainst our friends and one that is ur,ed as a reason
2h! the! 'ust i''ediate&! &ea$e C&a! count!< is< that the! are 'a0in,< or
are &i0e&! to 'a0e the sa'e -their *er'anent ho'e< the center and ,enera&
rende4$ous of their *eo*&e#- 3e ha$e ne$er understood such to e the
*ur*ose< 2ish< or desi,n of this societ!? ut on the contrar!< ha$e e$er
su**osed that those 2ho resided in C&a! count! on&! desi,ned it as a
te'*orar! residence unti& the &a2 and authorit! of our countr! shou&d *ut
the' in the >uiet *ossession of their ho'es in Jac0son count!? and such as
had not *ossessions there cou&d *urchase to the entire satisfaction and
interest of the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!#
in societies -2here s&a$er! is to&erated and *racticed#- 3ithout
occu*!in, ti'e here 2e refer !ou to the A*ri& E789:F nu'er of the
Latter-da! Saints+ .essen,er and Ad$ocate< *rinted at this *&ace< a co*!
of 2hich 2e for2ard to each of !ou# Fro' the &en,th of ti'e 2hich has
e&a*sed since its *u&ication< !ou can easi&! see it 2as *ut forth for no
other reason than to correct the *u&ic 'ind ,enera&&!< 2ithout a
reference or e/*ectation of an! e/cite'ent of the nature of the one no2 in
!our count!# 3h! 2e refer !ou *articu&ar&! to this *u&ication is ecause
'an! of our friends 2ho are no2 in the 3est 2ere in this *&ace 2hen this
*a*er 'ade its a**earance< and fro' *ersona& oser$ation ,a$e it their
decided a**roation< and dec&ared those senti'ents to e their o2n in the
fu&&est *articu&ar#
Another char,e of ,reat 'a,nitude is rou,ht a,ainst our friends in
the 3est< that of -0ee*in, u* a constant co''unication 2ith the Indian
tries on the frontier? 2ith dec&arin, e$en fro' the *u&*it that the
Indians are a *art of 5od+s chosen *eo*&e< and are destined ! hea$en to
inherit this &and< in co''on 2ith the'se&$es#- 3e 0no2 of nothin, under
the *resent as*ect of our Indian re&ations ca&cu&ated to arouse the fears
of the *eo*&e of the U**er .issouri 'ore than a co'ination or inf&uence
of this nature? and 2e cannot &oo0 u*on it as ein, other than one of the
'ost sut&e *ur*oses of those 2hose fee&in,s are e'ittered a,ainst our
friends to turn the e!e of sus*icion u*on the' fro' e$er! 'an 2ho is
ac>uainted 2ith the ararous crue&t! of rude sa$a,es# Since a ru'or 2as
af&oat that the 2estern Indians 2ere sho2in, si,ns of 2ar 2e ha$e recei$ed
fre>uent *ri$ate &etters fro' our friends 2ho ha$e not on&! e/*ressed
fears for their o2n safet!< in case the Indians shou&d rea0 out< ut a
decided deter'ination to e a'on, the first to re*e& an! in$asion and
defend the frontier fro' a&& hosti&ities# 3e 'ention the &ast fact
ecause it 2as 2ho&&! unca&&ed for on our *art and ca'e *re$ious to an!
e/cite'ent on the *art of the *eo*&e of C&a! count! a,ainst our friends
and 'ust definite&! sho2 that this char,e is a&so untrue#
Another char,e a,ainst our friends and one that is ur,ed as a reason
2h! the! 'ust i''ediate&! &ea$e C&a! count!< is< that the! are 'a0in,< or
are &i0e&! to 'a0e the sa'e -their *er'anent ho'e< the center and ,enera&
rende4$ous of their *eo*&e#- 3e ha$e ne$er understood such to e the
*ur*ose< 2ish< or desi,n of this societ!? ut on the contrar!< ha$e e$er
su**osed that those 2ho resided in C&a! count! on&! desi,ned it as a
te'*orar! residence unti& the &a2 and authorit! of our countr! shou&d *ut
the' in the >uiet *ossession of their ho'es in Jac0son count!? and such as
had not *ossessions there cou&d *urchase to the entire satisfaction and
interest of the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!#
Ha$in, *artia&&! 'entioned the &eadin, o=ections ur,ed a,ainst our
friends< 2e 2ou&d here add< that it has not een done 2ith a $ie2< on our
*art< frontier? 2ith dec&arin, e$en fro' the *u&*it that the Indians are a
*art of 5od+s chosen *eo*&e< and are destined ! hea$en to inherit this
&and< in co''on 2ith the'se&$es#- 3e 0no2 of nothin, under the *resent
as*ect of our Indian re&ations ca&cu&ated to arouse the fears of the
*eo*&e of the U**er .issouri 'ore than a co'ination or inf&uence of this
nature? and 2e cannot &oo0 u*on it as ein, other than one of the 'ost
sut&e *ur*oses of those 2hose fee&in,s are e'ittered a,ainst our friends
to turn the e!e of sus*icion u*on the' fro' e$er! 'an 2ho is ac>uainted
2ith the ararous crue&t! of rude sa$a,es# Since a ru'or 2as af&oat that
the 2estern Indians 2ere sho2in, si,ns of 2ar 2e ha$e recei$ed fre>uent
*ri$ate &etters fro' our friends 2ho ha$e not on&! e/*ressed fears for
their o2n safet!< in case the Indians shou&d rea0 out< ut a decided
deter'ination to e a'on, the first to re*e& an! in$asion and defend the
frontier fro' a&& hosti&ities# 3e 'ention the &ast fact ecause it 2as
2ho&&! unca&&ed for on our *art and ca'e *re$ious to an! e/cite'ent on the
*art of the *eo*&e of C&a! count! a,ainst our friends and 'ust definite&!
sho2 that this char,e is a&so untrue#
Another char,e a,ainst our friends and one that is ur,ed as a reason
2h! the! 'ust i''ediate&! &ea$e C&a! count!< is< that the! are 'a0in,< or
are &i0e&! to 'a0e the sa'e -their *er'anent ho'e< the center and ,enera&
rende4$ous of their *eo*&e#- 3e ha$e ne$er understood such to e the
*ur*ose< 2ish< or desi,n of this societ!? ut on the contrar!< ha$e e$er
su**osed that those 2ho resided in C&a! count! on&! desi,ned it as a
te'*orar! residence unti& the &a2 and authorit! of our countr! shou&d *ut
the' in the >uiet *ossession of their ho'es in Jac0son count!? and such as
had not *ossessions there cou&d *urchase to the entire satisfaction and
interest of the *eo*&e of Jac0son count!#
Ha$in, *artia&&! 'entioned the &eadin, o=ections ur,ed a,ainst our
friends< 2e 2ou&d here add< that it has not een done 2ith a $ie2< on our
*art< to dissuade !ou fro' actin, in strict confor'it! 2ith !our *rea'&e
and reso&utions offered to the *eo*&e of C&a! count! on the HNth u&t#< ut
fro' a sense of dut! to a *eo*&e e'arrassed< *ersecuted and aff&icted?
for !ou are a2are< ,ent&e'en< that in ti'es of e/cite'ent $irtues 2e
transfor'ed into $ices? acts 2hich in other cases and other circu'stances
2ou&d e considered u*ri,ht and honora&e< are inter*reted contrar! to
their rea& intent and 'ade o=ectiona&e and cri'ina&? and fro' 2ho' cou&d
2e &oo0 forearance and co'*assion< 2ith confidence and assurance< 'ore
than fro' those 2hose oso's are 2ar'ed 2ith those *ure *rinci*&es of
*atriotis' 2ith 2hich !ou ha$e een ,uided in the *resent instance< to
secure the *eace of !our count! and sa$e a *ersecuted *eo*&e fro' further
$io&ence and destructionB It is said that our friends are *oor? that the!
ha$e ut &itt&e or nothin, to ind their fee&in,s or 2ishes to C&a!
count!< and that in conse>uence the! ha$e a &ess c&ai' u*on that count!#
3e do not den! the fact that our friends are *oor? ut their *ersecutions
ha$e he&*ed to render the' so# 3hi&e other 'en 2ere *eacefu&&! fo&&o2in,
their $ocations and e/tendin, their interests the! ha$e een de*ri$ed of
the ri,ht of citi4enshi*< *re$ented fro' en=o!in, their o2n< char,ed 2ith
$io&atin, the sacred *rinci*&es of our Constitution and &a2s< 'ade to fee&
the 0eenest as*ersions of the ton,ue of s&ander< 2aded throu,h a&& ut
death< and are no2 sufferin, under ca&u'nies ca&cu&ated to e/cite the
indi,nation and hatred of e$er! *eo*&e a'on, 2ho' the! d2e&&< there!
e/*osin, the' to destruction and ine$ita&e ruin#
If a *eo*&e< a co''unit!< or a societ! can accu'u&ate 2ea&th<
increase in 2or&d&! fortune< i'*ro$e in science and arts< rise to e'inence
in the e!es of the *u&ic< sur'ount these difficu&ties< so 'uch as to id
defiance to *o$ert! and 2retchedness< it 'ust e a ne2 creation< a race of
ein,s su*erhu'an# "ut in a&& their *o$ert! and 2ants 2e ha$e !et to &earn
for the first ti'e that our friends are not industrious and te'*erate? and
2herein the! ha$e not a&2a!s een the &ast to reta&iate or resent an
in=ur!< and the first to o$er&oo0 and for,i$e# 3e do not ur,e that there
are no e/ce*tions to e found? a&& co''unities< a&& societies and
associations are cu'ered 2ith disorder&! and &ess $irtuous
'e'ers--'e'ers 2ho $io&ate in a ,reater or &ess de,ree< the *rinci*&es
of the sa'e( ut this can e no =ust criterion ! 2hich to =ud,e a 2ho&e
societ!? and further sti&& 2here a *eo*&e are &aorin, under constant fear
of ein, dis*ossessed? $er! &itt&e induce'ent is he&d out to e/cite the'
to e industrious#
3e thin0< ,ent&e'en< that 2e ha$e *ursued the su=ect far enou,h< and
2e here e/*ress to !ou< as 2e ha$e in a &etter acco'*an!in, this to our
friends< our decided disa**roation to the idea of sheddin, &ood< if an!
other course can e fo&&o2ed to a$oid it? in 2hich case< and 2hich a&one<
2e ha$e ur,ed u*on our friends to desist< on&! in e/tre'e cases of se&f
defense? and in this case not to ,i$e the offense or *ro$o0e their fe&&o2
'en to acts of $io&ence< 2hich 2e ha$e no dout the! 2i&& oser$e as the!
e$er ha$e done? for !ou 'a! rest assured< ,ent&e'en< that 2e 2ou&d e the
&ast to ad$ise our friends to shed the &ood of 'en or co''it one act to
endan,er the *u&ic *eace# 3e ha$e no dout ut our friends 2i&& &ea$e
!our count!< sooner or &ater? the! ha$e not on&! si,nified the sa'e to us<
ut 2e ha$e ad$ised the' so to do as fast as the! can 2ithout incurrin,
too 'uch &oss# It 'a! e said that the! ha$e ut &itt&e to &ose if the!
&ose the 2ho&e# "ut if the! ha$e ut &itt&e that &itt&e is their a&&< and
the necessities of the he&*&ess ur,e the' to 'a0e a *rudent dis*osa& of
the sa'e# 3e are hi,h&! *&eased 2ith a *ro*osition in !our *rea'&e<
sufferin, the' to re'ain *eacea&! unti& a dis*osition can e 'ade of
their &and< etc#< 2hich< if suffered< our fears are at once hushed< and 2e
ha$e e$er! reason to e&ie$e that durin, the re'ainin, *art of the
residence of our friends in !our count! the sa'e fee&in,s of friendshi*
and 0indness 2i&& continue to e/ist that ha$e heretofore< and that 2hen
the! &ea$e !ou< !ou 2i&& ha$e no ref&ection of sorro2 that the! ha$e een
so=ourners a'on, !ou# To 2hat distance or *&ace the! 2i&& re'o$e 2e are
una&e to sa!? in that the! 'ust e dictated ! =ud,'ent and *rudence#
The! 'a! e/*&ore the territor! of 3isconsin< the! 'a! re'o$e there< or
the! 'a! sto* on the other side< of this 2e are una&e to sa!? ut e the!
2here the! 2i&& 2e ha$e this ,ratif!in, ref&ection< that the! ha$e ne$er
een the first< in an un=ust 'anner< to $io&ate the &a2s< in=ure their
fe&&o2 'en< or distur the tran>ui&it! and *eace under 2hich an! *art of
our countr! has heretofore re*osed? and 2e cannot ut e&ie$e that ere
&on,< the *u&ic 'ind 'ust under,o a chan,e< 2hen it 2i&& a**ear to the
satisfaction of a&& that this *eo*&e ha$e een i&&! treated and aused
2ithout cause< and 2hen as =ustice 2ou&d de'and< those 2ho ha$e een the
insti,ators of their sufferin,s 2i&& e re,arded as their true characters
de'and#
Our re&i,ious *rinci*&es are efore the 2or&d read! for the
in$esti,ation of a&& 'en< !et 2e are a2are that a&& the *ersecution
a,ainst our friends has arisen in conse>uence of ca&u'nies and
'isconstructions 2ithout foundation in truth and ri,hteousness# This 2e
ha$e endured in co''on 2ith a&& other re&i,ious societies at their first
co''ence'ent# Shou&d )ro$idence order that 2e rise not as others efore us
to res*ectai&it! and estee'< ut e trodden do2n ! the ruth&ess force of
e/ter'ination< *osterit! 2i&& do us =ustice 2hen our *ersecutors are
e>ua&&! &o2 in the dust 2ith ourse&$es< to hand do2n to succeedin,
,enerations the $irtuous acts and forearance of a *eo*&e 2ho sacrificed
their re*utation for their re&i,ion? and their earth&! fortunes and
ha**iness to *reser$e *eace and sa$e this &and fro' ein, further drenched
in &ood#
3e ha$e no dout ut !our $er! seasona&e 'ediation in the ti'e of so
,reat an e/cite'ent 2i&& acco'*&ish !our 'ost san,uine desires in
*re$entin, further disorder? and 2e ho*e< ,ent&e'en< that 2hi&e !ou
ref&ect u*on the fact that the citi4ens of C&a! count! are ur,ent for our
friends to &ea$e !ou< that !ou 2i&& a&so ear in 'ind that ! their
co'*&!in, 2ith !our re>uest to &ea$e the! are surrenderin, so'e of the
dearest ri,hts ,uaranteed in the Constitution of our countr!? and that
hu'an nature can e dri$en to a certain e/tent 2hen it 2i&& !ie&d no
further# Therefore< 2hi&e our friends suffer so 'uch and fore,o so 'an!
sacred ri,hts< 2e sincere&! ho*e< and 2e ha$e e$er! reason to e/*ect it<
that a suita&e forearance 'a! e sho2n ! the *eo*&e of C&a! count!?
2hich< if done< the c&oud 2hich has een oscurin, !our hori4on 2i&&
dis*erse and !ou e &eft to en=o! *eace< har'on! and *ros*erit!#
3ith senti'ents of estee' and *rofound res*ect< 2e are< ,ent&e'en<
!our oedient ser$ants< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#< SIDNEY RI5DON< OLI%ER CO3DERY<
FREDERIC1 5# 3ILLIA.S< HYRU. S.ITH#
The fo&&o2in, &etter 2as recei$ed at Liert!< C&a! count!< .issouri<
on the H8th of Ju&!(
Letter fro' Danie& Dun0&in to the Saints in .issouri# CITY OF
JEFFERSON< Ju&! 78th< 789:# .essrs# 3# 3# )he&*s and Others(
5ENTLE.EN(--The treat'ent !our *eo*&e ha$e recei$ed< and are no2
recei$in,< is of an e/traordinar! character< such as is se&do' e/*erienced
in an! countr! ! an! *eo*&e# As an indi$idua& I s!'*athi4e 2ith !ou< and
as the e/ecuti$e of the state< dee*&! de*&ore such a state of thin,s# Your
a**ea& to the e/ecuti$e is a natura& one? ut a *ro*er understandin, of
our institutions 2i&& sho2 !ou that !ours is a case not for the s*ecia&
co,ni4ance of the e/ecuti$e# It is a case< or< I 'a! sa!< the! are cases
of indi$idua& 2ron,s# These< as I ha$e efore to&d !ou< are su=ects for
=udicia& interference? and there are cases so'eti'es of indi$idua& outra,e
2hich 'a! e so *o*u&ar as to render the action of courts of =ustice
nu,ator!< in endea$orin, to afford a re'ed!# I 2ou&d refer !ou to the
char,e of Jud,e La2&ess< 'ade to the ,rand =ur! of St# Louis# )u&ic
senti'ent 'a! eco'e *ara'ount &a2? and 2hen one 'an or societ! of 'en
eco'e so ono/ious to that senti'ent as to deter'ine the *eo*&e to e rid
of hi' or the'< it is use&ess to run counter to it#
The ti'e 2as 2hen the *eo*&e Ee/ce*t those in Jac0son count!F 2ere
di$ided< and the 'a=or *art in !our fa$or? that does not no2 see' to e
the case# 3h! is this soB Does !our conduct 'erit such censures as e/ist
a,ainst !ouB It is not necessar! for 'e to ,i$e '! o*inion# Your nei,hors
accuse !our *eo*&e of ho&din, i&&icit co''unication 2ith the Indians< and
of ein, o**osed to s&a$er!# You den!# 3hether the char,e or the denia& is
true I cannot te&&# The fact e/ists and !our nei,hors see' to e&ie$e it
true? and 2hether true or fa&se< the conse>uences 2i&& e the sa'e Eif
!our o**onents are not 'ere&! ,asconadin,F< un&ess !ou can< ! !our
conduct and ar,u'ents< con$ince the' of !our innocence# If !ou cannot do
this< a&& I can sa! to !ou is that in this Re*u&ic the $o/ *o*u&i is the
$o/ Dei# Yours res*ectfu&&!< DANIEL DUN1LIN#
CHA)TER 666II#
OR5ANI;ATION OF THE 1IRTLAND SAFETY SOCIETY#
ON .onda! afternoon< Ju&! HGth< in co'*an! 2ith Sidne! Ri,don<
"rother H!ru' S'ith< and O&i$er Co2der!< I &eft 1irt&and< and at se$en
o+c&oc0 the sa'e e$enin,< 2e too0 *assa,e on oar the stea'er Char&es
To2nsend< S# Fo/< 'aster< at Fair*ort< and the ne/t e$enin,< aout ten
o+c&oc0 2e arri$ed at "uffa&o< Ne2 Yor0< and too0 &od,in,s at the
-Far'er+s Hote&#- Here 2e 'et 2ith E&ders Orson H!de and .oses C#
Nic0erson< the for'er on his 2a! to Canada< and the &atter fro' that
*ro$ince#
To a$oid the cro2din,< fistin,< fi,htin,< racin, and riotin, of the
*ac0ets< 2e too0 *assa,es on a &ine oat for Utica< 2here 2e arri$ed aout
ei,ht o+c&oc0 a#'# of the HNth< =ust in ti'e to ta0e the rai&road car for
Schenectad!< the first *assen,er car on the ne2 road# 3e 2ere 'ore than
si/ hours tra$e&in, ei,ht! 'i&es# The &oco'oti$e had hard&! sto**ed efore
the cr! 2as< -A&an! a,,a,e( the cars start in fi$e 'inutes#- A'id a
scene of confusion< ust&e< and cro2din,< 2e succeeded< after a ,ood share
of scuff&in, and *u&&in,< in ,ettin, our trun0s on oard the &u,,a,e car
for A&an! 2here 2e arri$ed the sa'e e$enin,#
On the 9Dth< at se$en o+c&oc0 a# '#< 2e 2ent on oard the Stea'er
John .ason< 2hich too0 us to the Erie< &!in, o$er the ar# 3hi&e the
*assen,ers 2ere ste**in, off the John .ason< the stea'er Rochester *assed
us( -No2 for a race<- 2as the cr! fro' different *arts< and a race tria&
of s*eed it 2as? ho2e$er< as fate or stea' *o2er of en,ine 2ou&d ha$e it<
the Erie< after touchin, at Cats0i&& and 3est )oint< 2here the Rochester
did not< 2ent into Ne2 Yor0 a fe2 'inutes -ahead#- "! such undue *ressure
of stea' the &i$es of thousands ha$e een sacrificed< and I than0ed 5od
that '!se&f and friends 2ere safe&! &anded#
3hi&e in Ne2 Yor0 I $isited the urnt district--the *art of the cit!
2here it 2as esti'ated fifteen 'i&&ions of *ro*ert! 2as consu'ed ! fire
on the 7:th of Dece'er< 789G< accordin, to the *rediction of the ancient
)ro*hets< that there shou&d e -fire and $a*or of s'o0e- in the &ast da!s#
Fro' Ne2 Yor0 2e continued our =ourne! to )ro$idence< on oard a
stea'er? fro' thence to "oston< ! stea' cars< and arri$ed in Sa&e'<
.assachusetts< ear&! in Au,ust< 2here 2e hired a house< and occu*ied the
sa'e durin, the 'onth< teachin, the *eo*&e fro' house to house< and
*reachin, *u&ic&!< as o**ortunit! *resented? $isitin, occasiona&&!<
sections of the surroundin, countr!< 2hich are rich in the histor! of the
)i&,ri' Fathers of Ne2 En,&and< in Indian 2arfare< re&i,ious su*erstition<
i,otr!< *ersecution< and &earned i,norance#
The ear&! sett&ers of "oston Ethe E'*oriu' of Ne2 En,&andF< 2ho had
f&ed fro' their 'other countr! to a$oid *ersecution and death< soon eca'e
so &ost to *rinci*&es of =ustice and re&i,ious &iert! as to 2hi* and han,
the "a*tist and the Aua0er< 2ho &i0e the'se&$es< had f&ed fro' t!rann! to
a &and of freedo'? and the fathers of Sa&e' fro' 7:NH to 7:N9< 2hi**ed<
i'*risoned< tortured< and hun, 'an! of their citi4ens for su**osed
2itchcraft? and >uite recent&!<--2hi&e oastin, of her &i,ht and
0no2&ed,e< of her &a2s and re&i,ion< as sur*assed ! none on earth<--has
Ne2 En,&and een ,ui&t! of urnin, a Catho&ic con$ent in the $icinit! of
Char&eston< and of scatterin, the in'ates to the four 2inds? !es< in si,ht
of the $er! s*ot 2here the fire of A'erican Inde*endence 2as first
0ind&ed< 2here a 'onu'ent is no2 erectin, in 'e'or! of the att&e of
"un0er Hi&&< and the fate of the i''orta& 3arren< 2ho &ed< 2ho died< on
those sacred hei,hts< to *urchase re&i,ious &iert! for his countr!--in
si,ht of this $er! s*ot< ha$e the re&i,ionists of the nineteenth centur!<
de'o&ished a no&e ric0 edifice< hur&in, its inhaitants forth u*on a
co&d< unfee&in, 2or&d for *rotection and susistence#
3e&& did the Sa$ior sa! concernin, such< -! their fruits !ou sha&&
0no2 the'#- And if the 2ic0ed 'o 2ho destro!ed the Char&eston con$ent<
and the coo&< ca&cu&atin, re&i,ious &oo0ers on< 2ho ins*ired their hearts
2ith deeds of infa'!< do not arise< and redress the 2ron,< and restore the
in=ured four-fo&d< the! in turn< 2i&& recei$e of the 'easure the! ha$e
'eted out ti&& the =ust indi,nation of a ri,hteous 5od is satisfied# 3hen
2i&& 'an cease to 2ar 2ith 'an< and 2rest fro' hi' his sacred ri,hts of
2orshi*in, his 5od accordin, as his conscience dictatesB Ho&! Father<
hasten the da!#
I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en in Sa&e'< .assachusetts< Au,ust :th< 789:# 7# I<
the Lord !our 5od< a' not dis*&eased 2ith !our co'in, this =ourne!<
not2ithstandin, !our fo&&ies?
H# I ha$e 'uch treasure in this cit! for !ou< for the enefit of
;ion? and 'an! *eo*&e in this cit! 2ho' I 2i&& ,ather out in due ti'e for
the enefit of ;ion< throu,h !our instru'enta&it!#
9# Therefore it is e/*edient that !ou shou&d for' ac>uaintance 2ith
'en in this cit!< as !ou sha&& e &ed< and as it sha&& e ,i$en !ou?
@# And it sha&& co'e to *ass in due ti'e< that I 2i&& ,i$e this cit!
into !our hands? that !ou sha&& ha$e *o2er o$er it< inso'uch that the!
sha&& not disco$er !our secret *arts? and its 2ea&th *ertainin, to ,o&d
and si&$er sha&& e !ours#
G# Concern not !ourse&$es aout !our dets< for I 2i&& ,i$e !ou *o2er
to *a! the'#
:# Concern not !ourse&$es aout ;ion< for I 2i&& dea& 'ercifu&&! 2ith
her#
M# Tarr! in this *&ace< and in the re,ions round aout?
8# And the *&ace 2here it is '! 2i&& that !ou shou&d tarr!< for the
'ain< sha&& e si,na&i4ed unto !ou ! the *eace and *o2er of '! S*irit<
that sha&& f&o2 unto !ou#
N# This *&ace !ou 'a! otain ! hire< etc# And in>uire di&i,ent&!
concernin, the 'ore ancient inhaitants and founders of this cit!?
7D# For there are 'ore treasures than one for !ou in this cit!?
77# Therefore e !e as 2ise as ser*ents and !et 2ithout sin< and I
2i&& order a&i thin,s for !our ,ood< as fast as !e are a&e to recei$e
the'# A'en#
3hi&e here Iat Sa&e'J "rothers "ri,ha' Youn, and L!'an E# Johnson
arri$ed# "rother Youn, had een throu,h Ne2 Yor0< %er'ont< and
.assachusetts< in co'*an! 2ith his rother Jose*h Youn,# The! $isited
their re&ations in this countr!< and a*ti4ed a ,ood nu'er into the
Church? the! re'ained in "oston t2o or three 2ee0s< and a*ti4ed se$enteen
*ersons# 3e had a ,ood $isit 2ith the rethren< for 2hich I fee& $er!
than0fu&#
Thus I continued in Sa&e' and $icinit! unti& I returned to 1irt&and<
so'e ti'e in the 'onth of Se*te'er# Durin, this 'onth the Church in C&a!
count!< .issouri< co''enced re'o$in, to their ne2&! se&ected &ocation on
Shoa& Cree0< in the territor! attached to Ra! Count!#
Durin, the >uarter endin, Se*te'er 9rd< fift!-t2o E&ders+< si/
)riests+< three teachers+< and t2o Deacons+ &icenses 2ere recorded in the
&icense records< in 1irt&and< Ohio< ! Tho'as "urdic0# The inte&&i,ence
fro' the E&ders aroad 2as interestin,#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt sti&& continued his &aors in U**er Canada<
Toronto< and $icinit!< 2ith ,ood success# E&der L!'an E# Johnson had een
&aorin, in Ne2 "runs2ic0< and other *&aces on the sea-oard? and on the
7Hth< 79th< and 7@th of Au,ust a conference 2as he&d ! E&ders "ri,ha'
Youn, and L!'an E# Johnson< at Ne2r!< .aine< 2here se$enteen ranches 2ere
re*resented< nu'erin, in a&& three hundred and se$enteen 'e'ers#
Octoer Hnd< 789:#--.! father and Unc&e John S'ith returned to
1irt&and fro' their 'ission to the Eastern States< ha$in, tra$e&ed aout
t2o thousand four hundred 'i&es< and $isited near&! a&& the ranches of
the Church in Ne2 Yor0< %er'ont< Ne2 Ha'*shire< and )enns!&$ania# Durin,
this 'ission the! a*ti4ed 'an!< conferred &essin,s u*on 'an! hundreds<
and *reached the 5os*e& to 'an! thousands# The! a&so $isited their friends
and re&ati$es in the &and of their nati$it!# .! cousin< 5eor,e A# S'ith<
returned the sa'e da! fro' his 'ission to Rich&and Count!< Ohio# "rother
Heer C# 1i'a&& returned to 1irt&and< ha$in, een asent near&! fi$e
'onths< durin, 2hich ti'e he a*ti4ed thirt! *ersons into the Church of
the Latter-da! Saints< this ein, in fu&fi&&'ent of a &essin, that I had
conferred u*on his head efore he started on his 'ission#
Throu,h the 'onth of Octoer the Saints continued to ,ather at Shoa&
Cree0< .issouri< and '! attention 2as *articu&ar&! directed to the
ui&din, u* of 1irt&and< and the s*iritua& interests of the Church#
On the Hnd of No$e'er the rethren at 1irt&and dre2 u* certain
artic&es of a,ree'ent< *re*arator! to the or,ani4ation of a an0in,
institution< to e ca&&ed the -1irt&and Safet! Societ!#- )resident
O&i$er Co2der! 2as de&e,ated to )hi&ade&*hia to *rocure *&ates for the
institution? and E&der Orson H!de to re*air to Co&u'us 2ith a *etition to
the &e,is&ature of Ohio< for an act of incor*oration< 2hich 2as *resented
at an ear&! *eriod of their session< ut ecause 2e 2ere -.or'ons- the
&e,is&ature raised so'e fri$o&ous e/cuse on 2hich the! refused to ,rant us
those an0in, *ri$i&e,es the! so free&! ,ranted to others# Thus E&der H!de
2as co'*e&&ed to return 2ithout acco'*&ishin, the o=ect of his 'ission<
2hi&e E&der Co2der! succeeded at a ,reat e/*ense in *rocurin, the *&ates<
and rin,in, the' to 1irt&and#
Fort!-four E&ders+ &icenses 2ere recorded in the &icense records at
1irt&and durin, the >uarter endin, Dece'er 7st? a&so fi$e )riests+ and
one Teachers+ &icense< ! Tho'as "urdic0#
The Saints ha$in, ,athered in considera&e nu'ers on Shoa& Cree0<
.issouri< *etitioned for an act of incor*oration for a ne2 count!< 2hich
2as ,ranted aout the 'idd&e of Dece'er< under the na'e of Ca&d2e&&
Count!< fro' 2hich ti'e a fresh i'*etus 2as ,i$en to the ,atherin,< and
the count! ,re2 &i0e Jonah+s ,ourd#
.inutes of a Conference he&d in the House of the Lord at 1irt&and on
the HHnd of Dece'er< 789:#
The authorities of the Church ein, *resent< $i4#( The First
)residenc!< the Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and< the >uoru' of the T2e&$e< the
*residents of the Se$enties< the *resident of the E&ders and his
counse&ors< and 'an! other officia& 'e'ers< such as )riests< Teachers<
Deacons etc#< the house 2as ca&&ed to order< and the fo&&o2in, 'otions
2ere 'ade and carried ! the unani'ous $oice of the asse'&!(
First--That it has een the case that a $er! i'*ro*er and
unchristian&i0e course of conduct has een *ursued ! the E&ders of this
Church< and the churches aroad< in sendin, their *oor fro' a'on, the' to
this *&ace< 2ithout the necessar! 'eans of susistence# 3hereas the Church
in this *&ace ein, *oor fro' the e,innin,< ha$in, had to *a! an
e/traordinate *rice for their &ands< *ro$isions< etc# and ha$in, a serious
urden i'*osed u*on the' ! co'ers and ,oers< fro' 'ost *arts of the
2or&d< and an assistin, tra$e&in, E&der and theirs the fa'i&ies< 2hi&e
the! the'se&$es ha$e een &aorin, in the $ine!ard of the Lord< to *reach
the 5os*e&? and a&so ha$in, suffered ,reat &oss in endea$orin, to enefit
;ion< it Ethe thin, co'*&ained ofF has eco'e a serious 'atter 2hich ou,ht
to e considered ! us#
Therefore< after de&ierate discussion u*on the su=ect< it 2as 'o$ed
seconded< and unani'ous&! carried< that 2e ha$e orne our *art of this
urden< and that it eco'es the dut!< henceforth< of a&& the churches
aroad to *ro$ide for those 2ho are o=ects of charit!< that are not a&e
to *ro$ide for the'se&$es? and not send the' fro' their 'idst< to urden
the Church in this *&ace< un&ess the! co'e and *re*are a *&ace for the'<
and *ro$ide 'eans for their su**ort#
Second--That there e a sto* *ut to churches or fa'i&ies ,atherin, or
'o$in, to this *&ace< 2ithout their first co'in, or sendin, their 2ise 'en
to *re*are a *&ace for the'< as our houses are a&& fu&&< and our &ands
'ost&! occu*ied< e/ce*t those houses that do not e&on, to the Church<
2hich cannot e otained 2ithout ,reat sacrifice< es*ecia&&! 2hen rethren
2ith their fa'i&ies are cro2din, in u*on us< and are co'*e&&ed to *urchase
at an! rate< and conse>uent&! are thro2n into the hands of s*ecu&ators<
and e/tortioners< 2ith 2hich course the Lord is not 2e&& *&eased# A&so
that the churches aroad e re>uired to do accordin, to the re$e&ation
contained in the oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< co''encin, at section
7D7(MH-M9< 2hich is as fo&&o2s(
-No2 $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et a&& the churches ,ather to,ether a&&
their 'onies? &et these thin,s e done in their ti'e< e not in haste? and
oser$e to ha$e a&& thin,s *re*ared efore !ou< and &et honora&e 'en e
a**ointed< e$en 2ise 'en< and send the' to *urchase these &ands? and a&&
ranches of the Church in the eastern countries 2hen the! are ui&t u*< if
the! 2i&& har0en unto this counse&< the! 'a! u! &ands and ,ather to,ether
u*on the'< and in this 2a! the! 'a! esta&ish ;ion#- JOSE)H S.ITH<
Chair'an< 3ARREN )ARRISH< C&er0#
On the 97st of Dece'er< at the settin, of the sun< Dr# 3i&&ard
Richards 2as a*ti4ed at 1irt&and< under the hands of )resident "ri,ha'
Youn,< in the *resence of Heer C# 1i'a&& and others< 2ho had s*ent the
afternoon in cuttin, the ice to *re*are for the a*tis'#
.inutes of a .eetin, of the .e'ers of the -1irt&and Safet! Societ!<-
he&d on the Hnd da! of Januar!< 789M#
At a s*ecia& 'eetin, of the -1irt&and Safet! Societ!<- t2o-thirds of
the 'e'ers ein, *resent< Sidne! Ri,don 2as ca&&ed to the chair< and
3arren )arrish chosen secretar!#
The house 2as ca&&ed to order< and the o=ect of the 'eetin,
e/*&ained ! the chair'an? 2hich 2as--7st< to annu& the o&d constitution
/// 2hich 2as ado*ted ! the societ!< on the second da! of No$e'er<
789:? 2hich 2as< on 'otion ! the unani'ous $oice of the 'eetin,#
annu&&ed# Hnd< to ado*t artic&es of a,ree'ent< ! 2hich the -1irt&and
Safet! Societ!- is to e ,o$erned#
After 'uch discussion and in$esti,ation< the fo&&o2in, *rea'&e and
artic&es of a,ree'ent 2ere ado*ted ! the unani'ous $oice of the 'eetin,+
3e< the undersi,ned suscriers< for the *ro'otion of our te'*ora&
interests< and for the etter 'ana,e'ent of our different occu*ations< a,e
of ten !ears he re'o$ed 2ith his father+s fa'i&! to Rich'ond< in the sa'e
state< 2here he 2itnessed se$era& sectarian -re$i$a&s<- and offered
hi'se&f to the con,re,ationa& church in that *&ace< at the a,e of
se$enteen< ha$in, *re$ious&! *assed the *ainfu& ordea& of con$iction and
con$ersion< accordin, to that order< e$en to the e&ief that he had
co''itted the un*ardona&e sin? ut the tota& disre,ard of that church to
his re>uest for ad'ission< &ed hi' to a 'ore thorou,h in$esti,ation of the
*rinci*&es of re&i,ion< 2hen he eca'e con$inced that the sects 2ere a&&
2ron,< and that 5od had no church on earth< ut that He 2ou&d soon ha$e a
church 2hose creed 2ou&d e the truth< the 2ho&e truth< and nothin, ut
the truth< and fro' that ti'e 0e*t hi'se&f a&oof fro' sectarian inf&uence<
o&d&! dec&arin, his e&ief to a&& 2ho 2ished to &earn his $ie2s( unti&
the su''er of 789G< 2hi&e in the *ractice of 'edicine near "oston< the
"oo0 of .or'on< 2hich )resident "ri,ha' Youn, had &eft 2ith his cousin
Lucius )ar0er< at Southorou,h< accidenta&&! or *ro$identia&&! fe&& in his
2a!< 2hich 2as the first he had seen or heard of the Latter-da! Saints<
e/ce*t the scurri&ous re*orts of the *u&ic *rints< 2hich a'ounted to
nothin, 'ore than that -a o! na'ed Jo S'ith< so'e2here out 2est< had
found a ,o&d "i&e#- He o*ened the oo0 2ithout re,ard to *&ace< and
tota&&! i,norant of its desi,n or contents< and efore readin, ha&f a
*a,e< dec&ared -5od or the De$i& has had a hand in that oo0< for 'an
ne$er 2rote it#- He read it t2ice throu,h in aout ten da!s< and so fir'
2as his con$iction of the truth< that he i''ediate&! co''enced sett&in,
his accounts< se&&in, his 'edicine< and freein, hi'se&f fro' e$er!
incu'rance< that he 'i,ht ,o to 1irt&and< se$en hundred 'i&es 2est< the
nearest *oint he cou&d hear of a Saint< and ,i$e the 2or0 a thorou,h
in$esti,ation? fir'&! e&ie$in, that if the doctrine 2as true< 5od had
so'e ,reater 2or0 for hi' to do than to *edd&e *i&&s# "ut no sooner did he
co''ence a sett&e'ent than he 2as s'itten 2ith *a&s!< fro' 2hich he
suffered e/ceedin,&!< and 2as *re$ented e/ecutin, his desi,n unti&
octoer< 789:< 2hen he arri$ed at 1irt&and< in co'*an! 2ith his rother
EDoctor Le$i Richards< 2ho attended hi' as *h!sicianF< 2here he 2as 'ost
cordia&&! and hos*ita&! recei$ed and entertained ! his cousin< )resident
"ri,ha' Youn,< 2ith 2ho' he tarried< and ,a$e the 2or0 an unceasin, and
untirin, in$esti,ation unti& the da! of his a*tis'#
2hich consist in a,ricu&ture< 'echanica& arts< and 'erchandisin,< do
here! for' ourse&$es into a fir' or co'*an! for the efore-'entioned
o=ects< ! the na'e of the -1irt&and Safet! Societ! Anti-"an0in,
Co'*an!<- for the *ro*er 'ana,e'ent of said fir'< 2e indi$idua&&! and
=oint&! enter into and ado*t the fo&&o2in, artic&es of a,ree'ent+
Artic&e 7st# The ca*ita& stoc0 of said societ! or fir' sha&& not e
&ess than four 'i&&ions of do&&ars? to e di$ided into shares of fift!
do&&ars each? and 'a! e increased to an! a'ount< at the discretion of the
'ana,ers#
Art# Hnd# The 'ana,e'ent of said co'*an! sha&& e under the
su*erintendence of thirt!-t2o 'ana,ers< to e chosen annua&&!< !< and
fro' a'on,< the 'e'ers of the sa'e? each 'e'er ein, entit&ed to one
$ote for each share< 2hich he< she< or the!< 'a! ho&d in said co'*an!? and
said $otes 'a! e ,i$en ! *ro/! or in *ro*ria *ersona#
Art# 9rd# It sha&& e the dut! of said 'ana,ers< 2hen chosen< to
e&ect fro' their nu'er< a treasurer and secretar!# It sha&& e the
further dut! of said 'ana,ers to 'eet in the u**er roo' of the office of
said co'*an!< on the first .onda!s of No$e'er and .a!< of each !ear< at N
o+c&oc0 a# '#< to ins*ect the oo0s of said co'*an!< and transact such
other usiness as 'a! e dee'ed necessar!<
Art# @th# It sha&& e the dut! of said 'ana,ers to choose fro' a'on,
their nu'er< se$en 'en< 2ho sha&& 'eet in the u**er roo' of said office
on Tuesda! of each 2ee0< at 9 o+c&oc0 *# '#< to in>uire into and assist in
a&& 'atters *ertainin, to said co'*an!#
Art# Gth# Each 'ana,er sha&& recei$e fro' the co'*an! one do&&ar *er
da! for his ser$ices 2hen ca&&ed to,ether at the annua& and se'iannua&
'eetin,s# The treasurer and secretar! and the se$en the co''ittee of the
'ana,ers< sha&& recei$e a co'*ensation for their ser$ices as sha&& e
a,reed ! the 'ana,ers at their se'i-annua& 'eetin,s#
Art# :th# The first e&ection of 'ana,ers< as set forth in the second
artic&e< sha&& ta0e *&ace at the 'eetin, of the 'e'ers to ado*t this
a,ree'ent< 2ho sha&& ho&d their offices unti& the first .onda! of
No$e'er< 789M< un&ess re'o$ed ! death or 'isde'eanor< and unti& others
are du&! e&ected# E$er! annua& e&ection of 'ana,ers sha&& ta0e *&ace on
the first .onda! of No$e'er in each !ear# It sha&& e the dut! of the
treasurer and secretar! of said co'*an! to recei$e the $otes of the
'e'ers ! a&&ot< and dec&are the e&ection#
Art# Mth# The oo0s of the co'*an! sha&& e a&2a!s o*en for the
ins*ection of the 'e'ers#
Art# 8th# It sha&& e the dut! of the 'ana,ers of the co'*an! to
dec&are a di$ided once in si/ 'onths? 2hich di$idend sha&& e a**ortioned
a'on, the 'e'ers< accordin, to the insta&&'ents ! the' *aid in#
Art# Nth# A&& *ersons suscriin, stoc0 in said fir' sha&& *a! their
first insta&&'ent at the ti'e of suscriin,< and other insta&&'ents fro'
ti'e to ti'e< as sha&& e re>uired ! the 'ana,ers#
Art# 7Dth# The 'ana,ers sha&& ,i$e thirt! da!s notice in so'e *u&ic
*a*er< *rinted in this count!< *re$ious to an insta&&'ent ein, *aid in#
A&& suscriers residin, out of the state< sha&& e re>uired to *a! in
ha&f the a'ount of their suscri*tions at the ti'e of suscriin,? and the
re'ainder< or such *art thereof as sha&& e re>uired at an! ti'e ! the
'ana,ers< after thirt! da!s notice#
Art# 77th# The treasurer sha&& e e'*o2ered to ca&& s*ecia& 'eetin,s
of the 'ana,ers 2hene$er he sha&& dee' it necessar!< se*arate and aside
fro' the annua& and se'i-annua& 'eetin,s#
Art# 7Hth# T2o-thirds of the 'ana,ers sha&& for' a >uoru' to act at
the se'i-annua& 'eetin,s< and an! nu'er of the se$en< the co''ittee of
the 'ana,ers< 2ith the treasurer and secretar!< or either of the'< 'a!
for' a >uoru' to transact usiness at the 2ee0&! 'eetin,s< and in case
none of the se$en is *resent at the 2ee0&! 'eetin,s< the treasurer and
secretar! 'ust transact the usiness#
Art# 79th# The 'ana,ers sha&& ha$e *o2er to enact such !-&a2s as
the! 'a! dee' necessar! fro' ti'e to ti'e< *ro$ided the! do not infrin,e
u*on these artic&es of a,ree'ent#
Art# 7@th# A&& notes ,i$en ! said societ! sha&& e si,ned ! the
treasurer and secretar! thereof< and 2e< the indi$idua& 'e'ers of said
fir'< here! ho&d ourse&$es ound for the rede'*tion of a&& such notes#
Art# 7Gth# The notes ,i$en for the enefit of said societ! sha&& e
,i$en to the treasurer in the fo&&o2in, for'? -Ninet! da!s after date< 2e
=oint&!< and se$era&&!< *ro'ise to *a! A# "# or order<-------- ----do&&ars
and--------cents< $a&ue recei$ed#- A record of 2hich sha&& e 'ade in the
oo0s at the ti'e< of the a'ount< and ! 2ho' ,i$en< and 2hen due< and
de*osited 2ith the fi&es and *a*ers of said societ!#
Art# 7:th# An! artic&e in this a,ree'ent 'a! e a&tered at an! ti'e<
annu&&ed< added unto< or e/*un,ed ! the $ote of t2o-thirds of the 'e'ers
of said societ!< e/ce*t the 7@th artic&e< that sha&& re'ain una&tered
durin, the e/istence of said co'*an!# For the true and faithfu&
fu&fi&&'ent of the ao$e co$enant and a,ree'ent< 2e indi$idua&&! ind
ourse&$es to each other< under the *ena& su' of one hundred thousand
do&&ars# In 2itness 2hereof 2e ha$e hereunto set our hands and sea&s< the
da! and date first ao$e 2ritten#
In connection 2ith the ao$e artic&es of a,ree'ent of the -1irt&and
Safet! Societ!<- I *u&ished the fo&&o2in, re'ar0s to a&& 2ho 2ere
*re*arin, the'se&$es< and a**ointin, their 2ise 'en< for the *ur*ose of
ui&din, u* ;ion and her sta0es in the Januar! nu'er of the .essen,er and
Ad$ocate(
It is 2isdo' and accordin, to the 'ind of the Ho&! S*irit< that !ou
shou&d ca&& at 1irt&and< and recei$e counse& and instruction u*on those
*rinci*&es that are necessar! to further the ,reat 2or0 of the Lord< and
to esta&ish the chi&dren of the 0in,do'< accordin, to the orac&es of 5od?
as the! are had a'on, us+ and further< 2e in$ite the rethren fro' aroad<
to ca&& on us< and ta0e stoc0 in our Safet! Societ!? and 2e 2ou&d re'ind
the' a&so of the sa!in,s of Isaiah< contained in the :Dth cha*ter and 'ore
*articu&ar&! the Nth and 7Mth $erses< 2hich are as fo&&o2s( -Sure&! the
is&es sha&& 2ait for 'e< and the shi*s of Tarshish first< to rin, th!
sons fro' far< their si&$er and their ,o&d Inot their an0 notesJ 2ith
the'< unto the na'e of the Lord th! 5od< and to the Ho&! One of Israe&<
ecause He hath ,&orified thee# C C C For rass I 2i&& rin, ,o&d< and for
iron I 2i&& rin, si&$er< and for 2ood< rass< and for stone< iron( I 2i&&
a&so 'a0e th! officers *eace< and thine e/actors ri,hteousness#- A&so :Hnd
cha*ter< 7st $erse( -For ;ion+s sa0e 2i&& I not ho&d '! *eace< and for
Jerusa&e'+s sa0e I 2i&& not rest< unti& the ri,hteousness thereof ,o forth
as ri,htness< and the sa&$ation thereof as a &a'* that urneth# JOSE)H
S.ITH< JUN#
CHA)TER 666III#
.EETIN5S OF THE AUORU.S OF )RIESTHOOD IN THE 1IRTLAND
TE.)LE--THE )RO)HET+S INSTRUCTIONS ON )RIESTHOOD#
DURIN5 the 2inter< the House of the Lord at 1irt&and 2as fi&&ed to
o$erf&o2in, 2ith attenti$e hearers< 'ost&! co''unicants? and in the
e$enin,s the sin,ers 'et under the direction of E&ders Lu'an Carter and
Jonathan Cros!< Jun#< 2ho ,a$e instruction in the *rinci*&es of $oca&
'usic#
On .onda! e$enin,s the >uoru' of Hi,h )riests 'eet in the 2est roo'
of the attic stor!< 2here the! transact the usiness of their *articu&ar
>uoru'# On Tuesda! e$enin,s the Se$enties occu*! the sa'e roo'# On
3ednesda! e$enin,s the roo's are occu*ied ! the >uoru' of E&ders# And on
Thursda! e$enin, a *ra!er 'eetin, is he&d in the &o2er *art of the house<
free to a&&< thou,h ,enera&&! conducted ! )atriarch Jose*h S'ith< Sen#
The T2e&$e< the Hi,h Counci& and other >uoru's< ,enera&&! 'eet each 2ee0
to transact usiness< and durin, the 2ee0 the -1irt&and Hi,h Schoo& is
tau,ht in the attic stor!< ! H# .# Ha2es< Es>#< *rofessor of the 5ree0
and Latin &an,ua,es# The schoo& nu'ers fro' one hundred and thirt!-fi$e
to one hundred and fort! students< di$ided into three de*art'ents--the
c&assic< 2here the &an,ua,es on&! are tau,ht? the En,&ish de*art'ent<
2here 'athe'atics< co''on arith'etic< ,eo,ra*h!< En,&ish ,ra''ar< 2ritin,<
and readin, are tau,ht? and the Ju$eni&e de*art'ent< the &ast t2o ha$in,
each an assistant instructor# The schoo& co''enced in No$e'er< and on the
first 3ednesda! in Januar! the se$era& c&asses *assed a *u&ic e/a'ination
in *resence of the trustees of the schoo&< *arents and ,uardians< and
their *ro,ress in stud! 2as found of the hi,hest order#
O2in, to the 'u&ti*&icit! of &etters 2ith 2hich I 2as cro2ded fro'
a&'ost e$er! >uarter< I 2as co'*e&&ed to dec&ine a&& not *ost*aid< and
,a$e notice of the sa'e in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate#
The rethren in .issouri 2ere $er! us! in ,atherin, into Ca&d2e&&
count!< enterin, United States &and< ui&din, houses< and *re*arin, to *ut
in cro*s in the s*rin,#
On the first of Feruar!< 789M< the fir' of O&i$er Co2der! P Co# 2as
disso&$ed ! 'utua& consent< and the entire esta&ish'ent 2as transferred
to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don? and 3arren A# Co2der! acted as
their a,ent in the *rintin, office and oo0inder!< and editor of the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate#
Durin, the >uarter endin, .arch the 9rd< thirt!-t2o E&ders+< se$en
)riests+< three Teachers+< and t2o Deacons+ &icenses 2ere recorded in the
&icense records in 1irt&and< ! Tho'as "urdic0#
A rief notice on&! 2as ,i$en< that a so&e'n asse'&! 2ou&d e
ca&&ed< of the officia& 'e'ers of the Church< on the :th of A*ri&< for
the *ur*ose of 2ashin,< anointin,< 2ashin, of feet< recei$in,
instructions< and the further or,ani4ation of the 'inistr!# .eetin,s 2ere
he&d ! the different >uoru's on .onda! 9rd< Tuesda!< @th< and 3ednesda!<
Gth< to anoint such of their res*ecti$e 'e'ers as had not een 2ashed and
anointed< that a&& 'i,ht e *re*ared for the 'eetin, on the :th#
At an ear&! hour on Thursda!< the :th of A*ri&< the officia& 'e'ers
asse'&ed in the House of the Lord< 2hen the ti'e for the first t2o or
three hours 2as s*ent ! the different >uoru's in 2ashin, of feet< sin,in,
*ra!in, and *re*arin, to recei$e instructions fro' the )residenc!# The
)residents< to,ether 2ith the Se$enties and their *residents< re*aired to
the 2est roo' in the attic stor!< 2here< for 2ant of ti'e the *recedin,
e$enin,< it eca'e necessar! to sea& the anointin, of those 2ho had
recent&! een anointed and not sea&ed#
Another su=ect of $ita& i'*ortance to the Church< 2as the
esta&ishin, of the ,rades of the different >uoru's# It 2as ascertained
that a&& ut one or t2o of the *residents of the Se$enties 2ere Hi,h
)riests< and 2hen the! had ordained and set a*art an! fro' the >uoru's of
E&ders< into the >uoru' of Se$enties< the! had conferred u*on the' the
Hi,h )riesthood< a&so# This 2as dec&ared to e 2ron,< and not accordin,
to the order of hea$en# Ne2 )residents of the Se$enties 2ere accordin,&!
ordained to fi&& the *&aces of such of the' as 2ere Hi,h )riests< and the
e/-officio *residents< and such of the Se$enties as had een &e,a&&!
ordained to e Hi,h )riests< 2ere directed to unite 2ith the Hi,h )riests+
>uoru'# A&& the >uoru's then asse'&ed in the &o2er roo' of the Lord+s
House< 2here the! 2ere addressed ! the *residents fro' the stand# The
fo&&o2in,< in sustance< is 2hat 2as said( UUUUUUUUUU
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< addressed the asse'&! and said< the
.e&chi4ede0 Hi,h )riesthood 2as no other than the )riesthood of the Son of
5od? that there are certain ordinances 2hich e&on, to the )riesthood fro'
2hich f&o2 certain resu&ts? and the )residents or )residenc! are o$er the
Church? and re$e&ations of the 'ind and 2i&& of 5od to the Church< are to
co'e throu,h the )residenc!# This is the order of hea$en< and the *o2er
and *ri$i&e,e of this )riesthood# It is a&so the *ri$i&e,e of an! officer
in this Church to otain re$e&ations< so far as re&ates to his *articu&ar
ca&&in, and dut! in the Church# A&& are ound ! the *rinci*&es of $irtue
and ha**iness< ut one ,reat *ri$i&e,e of the )riesthood is to otain
re$e&ations of the 'ind and 2i&& of 5od# It is a&so the *ri$i&e,e of the
.e&chi4ede0 )riesthood< to re*ro$e< reu0e< and ad'onish< as 2e&& as to
recei$e re$e&ation# If the Church 0ne2 a&& the co''and'ents< one ha&f the!
2ou&d conde'n throu,h *re=udice and i,norance#
A Hi,h )riest< is a 'e'er of the sa'e .e&chi4ede0 )riesthood 2ith
the )residenc!< ut not of the sa'e *o2er or authorit! in the Church The
Se$enties are a&so 'e'ers of the sa'e )riesthood< Ii# e# the Hi,h
)riesthoodJ< are a sort of tra$e&in, counci& or )riesthood< and 'a!
*reside o$er a church or churches< unti& a Hi,h )riest can e had# The
Se$enties are to e ta0en fro' the >uoru' of E&ders< and are not to e
Hi,h )riests# The! are su=ect to the direction and dictation of the
T2e&$e< 2ho ha$e the 0e!s of the 'inistr!# A&& are to *reach the 5os*e&<
! the *o2er and inf&uence of the Ho&! 5host? and no 'an can *reach the
5os*e& 2ithout the Ho&! 5host#
The "isho* is a Hi,h )riest< and necessari&! so< ecause he is to
*reside o$er that *articu&ar ranch of Church affairs< that is deno'inate
the Lesser )riesthood< and ecause 2e ha$e no direct &inea& descendant of
Aaron< to 2ho' it 2ou&d of ri,ht e&on,# This is the sa'e< or a ranch of
the sa'e< )riesthood< 2hich 'a! e i&&ustrated ! the fi,ure of the hu'an
od!< 2hich has different 'e'ers< 2hich ha$e different offices to
*erfor'? a&& are necessar! in their *&ace< and the od! is not co'*&ete
2ithout a&& the 'e'ers#
Fro' a retros*ect of the re>uire'ents of the ser$ants of 5od to
*reach the 5os*e&< 2e find fe2 >ua&ified e$en to e )riests< and if a
)riest understands his dut!< his ca&&in,< and 'inistr!< and *reaches !
the Ho&! 5host< his en=o!'ent is as ,reat as if he 2ere one of the
)residenc!? and his ser$ices are necessar! in the od!< as are a&so those
of Teachers and Deacons# Therefore< in $ie2in, the Church as a 2ho&e< 2e
'a! strict&! deno'inate it one )riesthood# )resident S'ith a&so said(
-I fre>uent&! reu0e and ad'onish '! rethren< and that ecause I
&o$e the'< not ecause I 2ish to incur their dis*&easure< or 'ar their
ha**iness# Such a course of conduct is not ca&cu&ated to ,ain the ,ood
2i&& of a&&< ut rather the i&& 2i&& of 'an!? therefore< the situation in
2hich I stand is an i'*ortant one? so< !ou see< rethren< the hi,her the
authorit!< the ,reater the difficu&t! of the station?
ut these reu0es and ad'onitions eco'e necessar!< fro' the
*er$erseness of the rethren< for their te'*ora& as 2e&& as s*iritua&
2e&fare# The! actua&&! constitute a *art of the duties of '! station and
ca&&in,# Others ha$e other duties to *erfor'< that are i'*ortant< and far
'ore en$ia&e< and 'a! e =ust as ,ood< &i0e the feet and hands< in their
re&ation to the hu'an od!--neither can c&ai' *riorit!< or sa! to the
other< I ha$e no need of !ou# After a&& that has een said< the ,reatest
and 'ost i'*ortant dut! is to *reach the 5os*e&#
-There are 'an! causes of e'arrass'ent< of a *ecuniar! nature no2
*ressin, u*on the heads of the Church# The! e,an *oor? 2ere need!<
destitute< and 2ere tru&! aff&icted ! their ene'ies? !et the Lord
co''anded the' to ,o forth and *reach the 5os*e&< to sacrifice their ti'e<
their ta&ents< their ,ood na'e< and =eo*ardi4e their &i$es? and in
addition to this< the! 2ere to ui&d a house for the Lord< and *re*are for
the ,atherin, of the Saints# Thus it is eas! to see this 'ust Iha$eJ
in$o&$ed the' Iin financia& difficu&tiesJ# The! had no te'*ora& 'eans in
the e,innin, co''ensurate 2ith such an underta0in,? ut this 2or0 'ust e
done? this *&ace I1irt&andJ had to e ui&t u*# Lar,e contracts ha$e een
entered into for &ands on a&& sides< 2here our ene'ies ha$e si,ned a2a!
their ri,hts# 3e are indeted to the'< ut our rethren fro' aroad ha$e
on&! to co'e 2ith their 'one!< ta0e these contracts< re&ie$e their
rethren fro' the *ecuniar! e'arrass'ents under 2hich the! no2 &aor< and
*rocure for the'se&$es a *eacea&e *&ace of rest a'on, us# This *&ace 'ust
and 2i&& e ui&t u*< and e$er! rother that 2i&& ta0e ho&d and he&*
secure and dischar,e those contracts that ha$e een 'ade< sha&& e rich#-
At @ *# '# )resident H!ru' S'ith addressed the asse'&!< *rinci*a&&!
in re&ation to the te'*ora& affairs of the Church< and censured those 2ho
counse&ed such rethren as 'o$ed to this *&ace< 2hen the! 2ere not
authori4ed to ,i$e ad$ice# He a&so a&&uded< in ter's of disa**roation< to
the *ractice of so'e indi$idua&s< in ,ettin, 'one! fro' rethren that co'e
in< 2hen it ou,ht to e a**ro*riated to the dischar,e of hea$! dets that
are no2 han,in, o$er the heads of the Church< or for the *a!'ents of the
&and contracts 2hich had een 'ade for the enefit of the Saints in this
*&ace#
T2ent!-fi$e 'inutes efore fi$e< )resident O&i$er Co2der! s*o0e<
o**osin, the idea of E&ders atte'*tin, to *reach or teach that 2hich the!
did not 0no2< etc#
)resident Sidne! Ri,don rose a &itt&e efore G *#'#< and after
referrin, to the ,atherin,< and the *reachin, of the 5os*e&< as the first
thin,s< a&&uded to the det 2hich had een contracted for ui&din, the
Lord+s House< and other *ur*oses< and stated three *rinci*a& ite's that
constituted near&! the a,,re,ate of det that no2 re'ained un&i>uidated#
First a char,e of si/ thousand do&&ars 2hich 2as a**ro*riated and
e/*ended in conse>uence of the rethren ein, dri$en ! a &a2&ess 'o fro'
their *ossessions in Jac0son count!# The second 2as the ui&din, of the
Lord+s House< the un&i>uidated det of 2hich 2as risin, of thirteen
thousand do&&ars# The third ite' of det 2as for the *urchase of &and<
that there 'i,ht e a *&ace of rest< a *&ace of safet!< a *&ace that the
Saints 'i,ht &a2fu&&! ca&& their o2n# A&& this is to &a! a foundation for
the ,atherin, of Israe&< and 2hen the E&ders ,o aroad the! can s*ea0
understandin,&!< and ur,e the necessit! and *ro*riet! of the ,atherin,<
fro' the fact that 2e ha$e a *&ace for the'< and it is the 2i&& of 5od
the! shou&d co'e# )re! not one u*on another< rethren< and for the ti'e
ein, sa! not< )a! 'e 2hat thou o2est? ut contriute a&& in !our *o2er to
dischar,e the ,reat dets that no2 han, o$er the Church#
At ha&f-*ast fi$e< read and 2ater 2ere distriuted &iera&&! a'on,
the >uoru's< and it 2as tru&! a refreshin, season to s*irit and od!# .an!
rethren and sisters asse'&ed in the e$enin, for *ra!er and e/hortation<
and so'e tarried near&! a&& ni,ht#
CHA)TER 666I%#
AFFAIRS IN ;ION--A)OSTASY AT 1IRTLAND--A))OINT.ENT OF THE
"RITISH .ISSION--ITS DE)ARTURE FOR EN5LAND#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est# FAR 3EST< .O#< A*ri& Mth# At
a 'eetin, of the )residenc! of the Church in .issouri< the Hi,h Counci&<
"isho* and counse&ors< it 2as reso&$ed that the cit! *&at of 2est retain
its *resent for'? and that the a&&e!s e o*ened ! a 'a=orit! of the
o2ners of each s>uare< or &oc0< 2hen the! sha&& desire that the *rice and
sa&e of the to2n &ots e &eft to 3# 3# )he&*s< John 3hit'er# Ed2ard
)artrid,e< Isaac .or&e!< and John Corri&&? that Jaco 3hit'er< E&isha H#
5ro$es< and 5eor,e .# Hin0&e e a ui&din, co''ittee of the House of the
Lord in this cit! EFar 3estF? that
Jaco 3hit'er e recei$ed as Hi,h Counci&or unti& the arri$a& of
)resident Da$id 3hit'er? a&so that )resident Da$id 3hit'er< John 3hit'er<
and 3# 3# )he&*s< su*erintend the ui&din, of the Lord+s House< in this
cit!< and recei$e re$e&ations< $isions< etc# concernin, said house# JOHN
CORRILL< C&er0#
Char,e A,ainst L!'an 3i,ht# Da$id 3# )atten *referred a char,e
a,ainst L!'an 3i,ht< for teachin, erroneous doctrines< 2hich 2as
in$esti,ated ! the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est< A*ri& H@< 789M#
Se!'our "runson< 5eor,e )# D!0es< and others< testified that L!'an
3i,ht said that 2e Ethe ChurchF 2ere under a te&estia& &a2< ecause 5od
does not 2hi* under a ce&estia& &a2< therefore He too0 us Ethe ChurchF out
of doors to 2hi* us< as a *arent too0 his chi&dren out of doors to
chastise the'? and that the oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants 2as a te&estia&
&a2? and the "oo0 of Co''and'ents Ea *art of re$e&ations *rinted in
Jac0son count!F 2as a ce&estia& &a2# The )residenc! decided< 2ith the
a**roation of the Counci&< that L!'an 3i,ht had tau,ht erroneous
doctrine< and that he e re>uired to 'a0e an ac0no2&ed,'ent to the
Counci&? a&so that he ,o and ac0no2&ed,e to the churches 2here he had
*reached such ao'ina&e doctrine# NATHAN 3EST< C&er0#
Co'*&aint a,ainst J# .# )atten# Joshua Fairchi&d< Da$id )etti,re2<
"en=a'in Johnson< and Sheffie&d Danie&s entered a co'*&aint a,ainst John
)atten< for not fu&fi&&in, his contracts< or co$enants< in conse>uence of
2hich the! 2ere 'ateria&&! in=ured? 2hich 2as *ro$ed ! L!'an 3i,ht and
Ai,ai& Danie&s< efore the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est< .a! HHnd< 789M#
After a &on, in$esti,ation ! the Counci&ors and *arties< the
)residenc!< 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er< Iit 2as decidedJ that oth
accuser and accused shou&d e disfe&&o2shi*ed< if the! did not sett&e
their difficu&ties# Jesse Hitchcoc0 2as then cut off fro' the Hi,h
Counci&#
Ja'es E''et< 2ho had *re$ious&! een disfe&&o2shi*ed< 'ade
satisfaction< and 2as restored to fe&&o2shi*? and John Corri&& 2as
a**ointed a,ent to the Church< and 0ee*er of the Lord+s Store House#
HAR%EY 5REEN< C&er0#
On the H8th of .a! a char,e 2as *referred ! John Corri&& and others
a,ainst John )atten< for not co'*&!in, 2ith his a,ree'ent< 2hich char,e
ein, sustained ! testi'on!< the Hi,h Counci& decided that John )atten e
disfe&&o2shi*ed unti& he 'a0e satisfaction#
Aout this ti'e the )residenc! of the Church at Far 3est ca&&ed a
,enera& 'eetin, of the Church< at 2hich 2ere *resent the Hi,h Counci&< t2o
of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< ten of the Se$enties< the "isho*< and one
counse&or< 2hen it 2as reso&$ed that 2e 2ithdra2 fe&&o2shi* fro' Ja'es
E''et< for un2ise conduct< unti& he returns and 'a0es satisfaction#
Reso&$ed unani'ous&!< that 2e 2i&& not fe&&o2shi* an! ordained 'e'er
2ho 2i&& not< or does not< oser$e the 3ord of 3isdo' accordin, to its
&itera& readin,#
Reso&$ed unani'ous&!< that 2e sanction the Literar! Fir'< and ,i$e
the' our $oice and *ra!ers< to 'ana,e a&& the affairs of the sa'e< as far
as it concerns this *&ace< accordin, to the re$e&ation in oo0 of Doctrine
and Co$enants< first edition< *u&ished at 1irt&and< Ohio< *a,e 7GH<
section H:th< ,i$en No$e'er< 7897< Ecurrent edition< section MDF#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est# At a 'eetin, of the Hi,h
counci& in Far 3est< A*ri& 9< 789M< se$en of the standin, counci&ors 2ere
*resent# John .urdoc0 2as a**ointed 'oderator< and E&ias Hi,ee c&er0#
Reso&$ed< That the Counci& re>uest the )residents 3# 3# )he&*s and
John 3hit'er to ,i$e e/*&anation of the fo&&o2in, ite's(
First--"! 2hat authorit! 2as this *&ace IFar 3estJ *ointed out as a
cit! and a *&ace for a house of the Lord< and ! 2ho'B
Second--"! 2hat authorit! 2as a co''ittee a**ointed and ordained to
su*erintend the ui&din, of the House of the LordB
Third--"! 2hat authorit! 2as Jaco 2hit'er ordained to the Hi,h
)riesthoodB
Fourth--Ha$e t2o *residents authorit! to &a! out a cit!< and ui&d a
House of 5od? inde*endent of the counse& of the Hi,h Counci&B
Fifth--"! 2hat authorit! 2as one of the Hi,h counci&ors
disfe&&o2shi*ed in the na'e of the Hi,h Counci& 2ithout their 0no2&ed,eB
Si/th--Has an! indi$idua& or indi$idua&s a ri,ht to *refer a char,e
to the )residenc! in 1irt&and a,ainst an! Hi,h counci&or< Iof this
Counci&J 2ithout the 0no2&ed,e of the Counci& or ItheJ indi$idua&B
Se$enth--Shou&d not the Hi,h counci& and "isho* of ;ion< 2ho are
a**ointed to do usiness for ;ion< recei$e their inheritance in the care
of that cit! in *reference to one 2ho is not *articu&ar&! ca&&ed to &aor
for ;ion< or an une&ie$erB
Ei,ht--Sha&& an! inte&&i,ence re&ati$e to the ui&din, u* of ;ion e
2ithhe&d fro' the Counci& of ;ionB
Ninth--Are the t2o *residents entit&ed to the *rofits arisin, fro'
the sa&e of &and< on 2hich the cit! is to e ui&t in this *&ace<
inde*endent of the authorities 2ho ha$e een a**ointed to &aor 2ith the'
for ;ion and ha$e suffered &i0e triu&ations 2ith the'B
The Counci& then a,reed to in$ite )residents 3# 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er< a&so the "isho*< Ed2ard )artrid,e< and his counse&ors? a&so the
t2o A*ost&es< Tho'as "# .arsh and Da$id 3# )atten< to 'eet 2ith the' on
the Gth< inst#< that the ao$e na'ed *residents 'i,ht e/*&ain Ians2erJ the
fore,oin, >uestions and that the su=ect 'i,ht e in$esti,ated# The
Counci& then ad=ourned to the Gth at ten o+c&oc0# FAR 3EST< A*ri& Gth<
789M#
The counci& con$ened a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent 2ith the afore'entioned
)residents< the "isho*s and counse&ors? a&so the t2o A*ost&es# The Counci&
o*ened ! *ra!er? ut *re$ious to *roceedin, to usiness the said
*residents *ro*osed that the "isho* and his counse&ors< 2ith the ao$e
na'ed A*ost&es &ea$e the Counci&? 2hich 2as o=ected to ! the counci&<
the "isho* and A*ost&es# The *residents sti&& insisted on ha$in, a *ri$ate
counci& in the asence of the "isho* and his
'inutes of a Hi,h Counci& he&d in the Lord+s House< in 1irt&and<
.onda!< .a! HN< 789M< ten o+c&oc0 a#'#
Isaac Ro,ers< Arte'as .i&&et< Ae& La'< and Har&o2 Redfie&d<
a**eared as co'*&ainants a,ainst )residents Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and
Da$id 3hit'er< and E&ders )ar&e! )# )ratt< L!'an Johnson< and 3arren
)arrish#
Sidne! Ri,don *residin,#
COUNCILORS# John S'ith< John Johnson< Jared Carter< John )# 5reene<
Noah )ac0ard< O&i$er 5ran,er< Jose*h 1in,sur!< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Jose*h
Coe< .artin Harris< 5ideon Carter< 3i&&ard 3oodstoc0#
)resident Ri,don then read the fo&&o2in, co'*&aint(
-To the )residenc! of the Church of Latter-da! Saints(
-3e< the undersi,ned< fee&in, ourse&$es a,,rie$ed 2ith the conduct of
)residents Da$id 3hit'er and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< and a&so 2ith E&ders
L!'an E# Johnson< )ar&e! )# )ratt< and 3arren )arrish< e&ie$in, that
their course for so'e ti'e *ast has een in=urious to the Church of 5od<
in 2hich the! are hi,h officers< 2e therefore desire that the Hi,h Counci&
shou&d e asse'&ed< and 2e shou&d ha$e an in$esti,ation of their
eha$ior< e&ie$in, it to e un2orth! of their hi,h ca&&in,--a&& of 2hich
2e res*ectfu&&! su'it#
-A"EL LA."< -NATHAN HAS1INS< -HARLO3 REDFIELD< -ARTE.AS .ILLET<
-ISAAC RO5ERS# -1IRTLAND< .AY< 789M#-
E&der 3arren )arrish then stated that the dec&aration =ust read 2as
not in accordance 2ith the co*! 2hich the! Ithe accusedJ recei$ed of the
char,es *referred a,ainst the'#
The reso&ution 2as then offered and carried< that three s*ea0 on a
side#
The Counci& 2as then o*ened ! *ra!er< ! )resident Ri,don#
After a short address to the Counci&ors< ! )resident Ri,don<
)resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's arose< and 2ished to 0no2 ! 2hat
authorit! he 2as ca&&ed efore the *resent Counci&? that accordin, to the
"oo0 of Co$enants< he ou,ht to e tried efore the "isho*+s court#
After so'e discussion et2een )residents Ri,don and 3i&&ia's<
)resident Ri,don ,a$e his decision that )resident 3i&&ia's shou&d e tried
efore the *resent Counci&#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er a&so o=ected to ein, tried efore the
*resent Counci&#
)resident 3i&&ia's then e/*ressed a 2i&&in,ness to e tried for his
conduct< and if this 2as the *ro*er triuna&< he 2ou&d e tried efore it<
ut sti&& thou,ht it 2as not#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er o=ected to ein, tried efore the *resent
Counci&< statin, that he thou,ht the instructions in the "oo0 of Co$enants
sho2ed that this 2as not the *ro*er authorit! to tr! hi'#
Counci&or 5reene ,a$e it as his o*inion that the *resent Counci& 2as
the *ro*er authorit! to tr! )residents 3i&&ia's and 3hit'er#
)resident Ri,don then su'itted the case to the Counci&ors#
Counci&or John S'ith then *ut the >uestion to the Counci& for
decision< in sustance as fo&&o2s# Ha$e the *resent Counci& authorit!<
fro' the "oo0 of Co$enants< to tr! )residents 3i&&ia's and 3hit'erB A
'a=orit! of the Counci& decided that the! cou&d not conscientious&!
*roceed to tr! )residents 3i&&ia's and 3hit'er< and the! 2ere accordin,&!
dischar,ed#
After one hour+s ad=ourn'ent< the Counci& sat a,ain at one o+c&oc0 *#
'# Sidne! Ri,don and O&i$er Co2der! *residin,#
Counci&or John S'ith stated that he had se&ected three Hi,h )riests
to sit in the Counci& to fi&& $acancies< and as0ed the Counci& if the!
acce*ted the se&ection he had 'ade# Counci& decided in the affir'ati$e#
On 'otion of 3arren )arrish< the Counci&ors 2ere directed to sit as
the! 2ere ori,ina&&! chosen< or accordin, to the for' in the oo0 of
Doctrine and Co$enants as far as *ossi&e#
Reso&$ed< that three s*ea0 on each side#
Counci&or .artin Harris 'o$ed that )resident Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's
ta0e a seat 2ith the *residents#
After 'uch discussion as to the *ro*riet! of his sittin,< 'otion
carried< and )resident 3i&&ia's too0 his seat#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt then arose and o=ected to ein, tried !
)resident Ri,don or Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in conse>uence of their ha$in,
*re$ious&! e/*ressed their o*inion a,ainst hi'< statin, a&so that he cou&d
rin, e$idence to *ro$e 2hat he then said#
)resident Ri,don then stated that he had *re$ious&! e/*ressed his
'ind res*ectin, the conduct of E&der )ratt< and that he had fe&t and said
that E&der )ratt had done 2ron,< and he sti&& thou,ht so< and &eft it 2ith
the Counci& to decide 2hether< under such circu'stances< he shou&d *roceed
to tr! the case#
After 'uch discussion et2een the counci&ors and *arties< )resident
Ri,don said that< under the *resent circu'stances< he cou&d not
conscientious&! *roceed to tr! the case< and after a fe2 re'ar0s &eft the
stand#
)resident O&i$er Co2der! then said that a&thou,h he 'i,ht not e
ca&&ed u*on to *reside< !et if he shou&d e< he shou&d a&so e unfit to
=ud,e in the case< as he had *re$ious&! e/*ressed his o*inion res*ectin,
the conduct of E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt and others< and &eft the stand#
)resident 3i&&ia's then arose and said< that as he had een
i'*&icated 2ith the accused< he shou&d e un2i&&in, to *reside in the
case< and &eft the stand#
The Counci& and asse'&! then dis*ersed in confusion# F# 3# CO3DERY<
C&er0#
So'e ti'e this 'onth< the .essen,er and Ad$ocate office and contents
2ere transferred to 3i&&ia' .ar0s< of )orta,e< A&&e,hen! Count!< Ne2
Yor0< and Jose*h S'ith and Sidne! Ri,don continued the office< ! *o2er of
attorne! fro' said .ar0s#
At this ti'e the s*irit of s*ecu&ation in &ands and *ro*ert! of a&&
0inds< 2hich 2as so *re$a&ent throu,hout the 2ho&e nation< 2as ta0in,
dee* root in the Church# As the fruits of this s*irit< e$i& sur'isin,s<
fau&t-findin,< disunion< dissension< and a*ostas! fo&&o2ed in >uic0
succession< and it see'ed as thou,h a&& the *o2ers of earth and he&& 2ere
co'inin, their inf&uence in an es*ecia& 'anner to o$erthro2 the Church at
once< and 'a0e a fina& end# Other an0in, institutions refused the
-1irt&and Safet! Societ!+s- notes# The ene'! aroad< and a*ostates in our
'idst< united in their sche'es< f&our and *ro$isions 2ere turned to2ards
other 'ar0ets< and 'an! eca'e disaffected to2ard 'e as thou,h I 2ere the
so&e cause of those $er! e$i&s I 2as 'ost strenuous&! stri$in, a,ainst<
and 2hich 2ere actua&&! rou,ht u*on us ! the rethren not ,i$in, heed to
'! counse&#
No >uoru' in the Church 2as entire&! e/e'*t fro' the inf&uence of
those fa&se s*irits 2ho are stri$in, a,ainst 'e for the 'aster!? e$en so'e
of the T2e&$e 2ere so far &ost to their hi,h and res*onsi&e ca&&in,< as
to e,in to ta0e sides< secret&!< 2ith the ene'!#
In this state of thin,s< and ut a fe2 2ee0s efore the T2e&$e 2ere
e/*ectin, to 'eet in fu&& >uoru' Eso'e of the' ha$in, een asent for so'e
ti'eF< 5od re$ea&ed to 'e that so'ethin, ne2 'ust e done for the
sa&$ation of His Church# And on or aout the first of June< 789M< Heer C#
1i'a&&< one of the T2e&$e< 2as set a*art ! the s*irit of *ro*hec! and
re$e&ation< *ra!er and &a!in, on of hands< of the First )residenc!< to
*reside o$er a 'ission to En,&and< to e the first forei,n 'ission of the
Church of Christ in the &ast da!s# 3hi&e 2e 2ere aout ordainin, hi'<
Orson
H!de< another of the T2e&$e< ca'e in< and u*on &istenin, to 2hat 2as
*assin,< his heart 'e&ted 2ithin hi'< Efor he had e,un to drin0 of the
cu* fi&&ed 2ith the o$erf&o2in,s of s*ecu&ationF< he ac0no2&ed,ed a&& his
fau&ts< as0ed for,i$eness< and offered to acco'*an! )resident 1i'a&& on
his 'ission to En,&and# His offer 2as acce*ted< and he 2as set a*art for
that *ur*ose#
Thirt!-fi$e E&ders+< three )riests+< t2o Teachers+< and t2o Deacons+
&icenses 2ere recorded in the &icense records in 1irt&and< durin, the
>uarter endin, June 9rd< ! Tho'as "urdic0# On the 7Dth of June< 789M< a
conference of the Church 2as he&d at )ort&and< district of Johnsto2n<
u**er Canada< at 2hich E&der John E# )a,e *resided# There 2ere *resent
thirteen E&ders< fi$e )riests ei,ht Teachers< and si/ Deacons? and there
2ere se$en E&ders< nine )riests< e&e$en Teachers and fi$e Deacons
ordained# 3est "astard< "edford< "athurst< North "athurst< East "astard<
3i&&ia'sur,< Leeds< and South Cros! ranches 2ere re*resented at the
conference< co'*risin, three hundred 'e'ers in ,ood standin,< and fi$e
a*ti4ed at conference< tota& three hundred and fi$e< ein, the fruits of
the &aors of E&der John E# )a,e in the &ast thirteen 'onths#
.inutes of a Hi,h Counci& .eetin, in .issouri# At a 'eetin, of the
Hi,h Counci&< at the Co''ittee Store< Far 3est< June 77< 789M< John
3hit'er and 3# 3# )he&*s *residin,< Reso&$ed ! the Counci& and a&&
*resent that the ui&din, co''ittee e u*he&d in the 'ercanti&e usiness<
! our *ra!ers? that L!'an 3i,ht< Si'eon Carter and E&ias Hi,ee e u*he&d
in conductin, a &eather store? that John Corri&&< Isaac .or&e!< and Ca&$in
"eee en,a,e in the 'ercanti&e usiness if the! choose? that the ri,ht of
no 'an sha&& e infrin,ed u*on< to do as he choose accordin, to the &a2 of
5od and 'an? and that the ao$e na'ed 'en sha&& e u*he&d in *urchasin,
,oods as other 'en#
It 2as re*orted that certain indi$idua&s< not of the Church< 2ere
desirous< or 2ere aout to esta&ish the'se&$es as ,rocers< retai&ers of
s*irituous &i>uors< and so forth< in Far 3est< 2hereu*on it 2as reso&$ed
that 2e 2i&& not u*ho&d an! 'an or 'en to ta0e a *artner out of the Church
to trade or traffic in this &ine of usiness< or se&& for an! 'an or 'en
out of the Church< in his na'e< or on co''ission#
Da$id 3# )atten re>uested that the Church *a! his dets< and ta0e hi'
for securit!< that he 'i,ht ,o forth and *reach the 5os*e&#
Reso&$ed that E&der )atten+s re>uest e ,ranted< and that Da$id 3#
)atten and Tho'as "# .arsh< recei$e each a &ot in the to2n of Far 3est<
free of char,e< and that the "isho*< if he a**ro$e< ,i$e a tit&e# JOHN
CORRILL< C&er0#
The sa'e e$enin,< I77 of JuneJ 2hi&e I 2as en,a,ed in ,i$in, so'e
s*ecia& instructions to E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de< and )riest Jose*h
Fie&din,< concernin, their 'ission to En,&and< )resident "ri,ha' Youn,
ca'e into '! house 2here 2e 2ere sittin,< acco'*anied ! Dr# 3i&&ard
Richards< 2ho had =ust returned fro' a s*ecia& usiness 'ission to Ne2
Yor0< "oston< and other eastern cities< on 2hich he started 2ith )resident
Youn, on the 7@th of .arch---Dr# Richards ha$in, een *re$ious&! ordained
an E&der< $i4#< on the :th of .arch< and )resident Youn, ha$in, returned
fro' the 'ission a fe2 da!s *re$ious# .! instructions to the rethren
2ere< 2hen the! arri$ed in En,&and< to adhere c&ose&! to the first
*rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< and re'ain si&ent concernin, the ,atherin,< the
$ision< and the "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< unti& such ti'e as the
2or0 2as fu&&! esta&ished< and it shou&d e c&ear&! 'ade 'anifest ! the
S*irit to do other2ise# .onda!< June 7H#--I 2as ta0en sic0< and 0e*t '!
roo'< una&e to attend to usiness#
E&der 3i&&ard Richards< ha$in, re*orted his 'ission< re>uested the
*ri$i&e,e of fu&fi&&in, a co$enant 2hich he 'ade 2ith )resident 1i'a&& in
Januar!< 2hich 2as that he shou&d< a,reea&e to his desire< acco'*an! the
T2e&$e on their first forei,n 'ission# )resident H!ru' S'ith and Sidne!
Ri,don ,ranted his *etition< &aid their hands u*on his head< and set hi'
a*art for the En,&ish 'ission#
Tuesda!< 79#--.! aff&ictions continued to increase< and 2ere $er!
se$ere< inso'uch that I 2as una&e to raise '! head fro' '! *i&&o2 2hen
the rethren ca&&ed to id 'e fare2e&&? and at nine o+c&oc0 a# '# E&ders
Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson H!de< 3i&&ard in ,i$in, so'e s*ecia& instructions
to E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de< and )riest Jose*h Fie&din,< concernin, their
'ission to En,&and< )resident "ri,ha' Youn, ca'e into '! house 2here 2e
2ere sittin,< acco'*anied ! Dr# 3i&&ard Richards< 2ho had =ust returned
fro' a s*ecia& usiness 'ission to Ne2 Yor0< "oston< and other eastern
cities< on 2hich he started 2ith )resident Youn, on the 7@th of
.arch---Dr# Richards ha$in, een *re$ious&! ordained an E&der< $i4#< on
the :th of .arch< and )resident Youn, ha$in, returned fro' the 'ission a
fe2 da!s *re$ious# .! instructions to the rethren 2ere< 2hen the! arri$ed
in En,&and< to adhere c&ose&! to the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< and
re'ain si&ent concernin, the ,atherin,< the $ision< and the "oo0 of
Doctrine and Co$enants< unti& such ti'e as the 2or0 2as fu&&! esta&ished<
and it shou&d e c&ear&! 'ade 'anifest ! the S*irit to do other2ise#
.onda!< June 7H#--I 2as ta0en sic0< and 0e*t '! roo'< una&e to attend to
usiness#
E&der 3i&&ard Richards< ha$in, re*orted his 'ission< re>uested the
*ri$i&e,e of fu&fi&&in, a co$enant 2hich he 'ade 2ith )resident 1i'a&& in
Januar!< 2hich 2as that he shou&d< a,reea&e to his desire< acco'*an! the
T2e&$e on their first forei,n 'ission# )resident H!ru' S'ith and Sidne!
Ri,don ,ranted his *etition< &aid their hands u*on his head< and set hi'
a*art for the En,&ish 'ission#
Tuesda!< 79#--.! aff&ictions continued to increase< and 2ere $er!
se$ere< inso'uch that I 2as una&e to raise '! head fro' '! *i&&o2 2hen
the rethren ca&&ed to id 'e fare2e&&? and at nine o+c&oc0 a# '# E&ders
Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson H!de< 3i&&ard Richards< and Jose*h Fie&din,< a
)riest< a nati$e of Hone!don< En,&and< &eft 1irt&and in co'*an! 2ith
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, and se$era& of the 1irt&and rethren and sisters<
2ho continued 2ith the' as far as Fair*ort< on La0e Erie< 2here the
'issionaries too0 a stea'er for "uffa&o< directin, their course for Ne2
Yor0 Cit!#
3ednesda!< 7@#--I continued to ,ro2 2orse and 2orse unti& '!
sufferin,s 2ere e/cruciatin,< and a&thou,h in the 'idst of it a&& I fe&t
to re=oice in the sa&$ation of Israe&+s 5od< !et I found it e/*edient to
ca&& to '! assistance those 'eans 2hich a 0ind )ro$idence had *ro$ided for
the restoration of the sic0< in connection 2ith the ordinances? and Dr#
Le$i Richards< at '! re>uest< ad'inistered to 'e hers and 'i&d food< and
nursed 'e 2ith a&& tenderness and attention? and '! hea$en&! Father
&essed his ad'inistrations to the easin, and co'fortin, of '! s!ste'< for
I e,an to a'end in a short ti'e< and in a fe2 da!s I 2as a&e to resu'e
'! usua& &aors#
This is one of the 'an! instances in 2hich I ha$e sudden&! een
rou,ht fro' a state of hea&th< to the orders of the ,ra$e< and as
sudden&! restored< for 2hich '! heart s2e&&s 2ith ,ratitude to '! hea$en&!
Father< and I fee& rene2ed&! to dedicate '!se&f and a&& '! *o2ers to His
ser$ice#
3hi&e I 2as thus aff&icted< the ene'! of a&& ri,hteousness 2as
su,,estin,< a*ostates re*ortin,< and the doutfu& e&ie$in, that '!
aff&ictions 2ere sent u*on 'e< ecause I 2as in trans,ression< and had
tau,ht the Church thin,s contrar! to ,od&iness? ut of this the Lord =ud,e
et2een 'e and the'< 2hi&e I *ra! '! Father to for,i$e the' the 2ron, the!
do#
The rethren a**ointed to the 'ission to En,&and< &anded at "uffa&o<
and 2ent do2n the cana&# 3hi&e 2a&0in, on its an0< )resident 1i'a&&
found an iron rin,< aout one and one-fourth inch dia'eter< 2hich he
*resented to E&der Richards< sa!in,< -I 2i&& 'a0e !ou a *resent of this<
0ee* it in re'e'rance of 'e< for our friendshi* sha&& e as end&ess as
this rin,#-
The rethren ha$in, een disa**ointed in not recei$in, funds fro'
Canada< 2hi&e at "uffa&o< E&der Richards &eft the co'*an! at A&an!< and
in co'*an! 2ith )resident 1i'a&& $isited his friends in Rich'ond<
.assachusetts< 2here the! otained 'eans sufficient to continue their
=ourne!? and arri$ed in Ne2 Yor0 on the e$e of the HHnd of June< 2here
the! found E&der H!de and "rother Fie&din,< a&so three rethren fro'
Canada< $i4#< John 5oodson< one of the Se$enties< E&der Isaac Russe&&<
and John Sn!der<O a )riest< 2ho had ,one for2ard to =oin the 'ission? and
on the H9rd the! en,a,ed *assa,e to Li$er*oo& in the second cain of the
'erchant shi* 5arric0#
The rethren found ut one 'e'er of the Church in the Cit! of Ne2
Yor0< $i4#< E&der E&i=ah Fordha'< 2ho 2as $er! attenti$e< and rendered
the' assistance accordin, to his 'eans< ut the!< ein, short of funds to
*a! their *assa,e< etc#< re'o$ed fro' their &od,in,s at .rs# Fordha'+s
EE&der Fordha'+s sister-in-&a2F< on the H@th< and< hirin, a roo' in an
unfurnished store house of E&der Fordha'+s father< too0 &od,in,s on the
f&oor< and ate their read and dran0 their 2ater< unti& the! 2ent on
shi*oard#
Sunda!< HG#--The rethren re'ained in their &od,in,s fastin,< *ra!in,
and counci&in, for the success of the 'ission< and had a =o!fu& ti'e# In
the afternoon t2o sectarian *riests ca'e in to ta&0 and find fau&t< ut
the! 2ere soon confounded< and &eft# On the H8th the rethren de*osited
one of Orson H!de+s -Ti'e&! 3arnin,s<- in the Ne2 Yor0 *ostoffice< for
each of the sectarian *riests in the cit!< a'ountin, to so'e hundreds#
The! 2ent on oard the 5arric0 on the HNth< and &eft the doc0? on the
9Dth< &a! at anchor in East Ri$er? and at M(9D a# '#< on the first of
Ju&!< 2ere to2ed out of haror ! a stea'er< hoisted sai&< and 2ere out of
si,ht of &and at @(9D *# '#
CHA)TER 666%#
FINANCIAL CONDITION IN %ARIOUS NATIONS--)RO5RESS OF THE "RITISH
.ISSION---CONFERENCES AT FAR 3EST AND 1IRTLAND#
The fo&&o2in, is an e/tract fro' a &etter to the rethren in
1irt&and< 2ritten at--
FAR 3EST< .ISSOURI< Ju&! M< 789M# .onda!< the 9rd of Ju&!< 2as a
,reat and ,&orious da! in Far 3est< 'ore than fifteen hundred Saints
asse'&ed at this *&ace< and at ha&f-*ast ei,ht in the 'ornin,< after
*ra!er< sin,in,< and an address< the! *roceeded to rea0 the ,round for
the Lord+s House# The da! 2as eautifu&? the S*irit of the Lord 2as 2ith
us# An e/ca$ation for this ,reat edifice< one hundred and ten feet &on, !
ei,ht! feet road 2as near&! finished# Tuesda!< the @th< 2e had a &ar,e
'eetin,< and se$era& of the .issourians 2ere a*ti4ed? our 'eetin,s< he&d
in the o*en *rairie< 2ere &ar,er than the! 2ere in 1irt&and< 2hen I 2as
there# 3e ha$e 'ore or &ess to &ess< confir'< and a*ti4e< e$er! Saath#
This sa'e da!< our schoo& section 2as so&d at auction< and a&thou,h
entire&! a *rairie< it rou,ht< on a !ear+s credit< fro' R9#GD to R7D#HD
*er acre< 'a0in, our first schoo& fund fi$e thousand and se$ent! do&&ars#
Land cannot he had around to2n no2 'uch &ess than ten do&&ars *er acre#
Our nu'ers increase dai&!< and not2ithstandin, the season has een
co&d and ac02ard no one has &ac0ed a 'ea& or 2ent hun,r!# )ro$isions ha$e
risen in *rice< ut not as hi,h as accounts sa! the! 2ere aroad# )u&ic
notice has een ,i$en ! the 'o in Da$iess count!< north of us< for the
.or'ons to &ea$e that count! ! the first of Au,ust and ,o into Ca&d2e&&(
our ene'ies 2i&& not s&u'er ti&& Satan 0no2s ho2 $ain is his *&ottin,#
Our to2n ,ains so'e< 2e ha$e aout one hundred ui&din,s< ei,ht of 2hich
are stores# If the rethren aroad are 2ise and 2i&& co'e on 2ith 'eans
and he&* enter the &and and *o*u&ate the count! and ui&d the Lord+s
House< 2e sha&& soon ha$e one of the 'ost *recious s*ots on the ,&oe? 5od
,rant that it 'a! e so# Of &ate 2e recei$e &itt&e ne2s fro' !ou< and 2e
thin0 'uch of that is e/a,,erated# As e$er< 3# 3# )HEL)S# N# "#--)&ease
sa! in !our .essen,er and Ad$ocate -A *ostoffice has een esta&ished at
Far 3est< Ca&d2e&& count!< .issouri#-
The sa'e da! EJu&! MthF< the 5arric0 *assed the an0s of
Ne2found&and#
So'e ti'e *re$ious to this I resi,ned '! office in the -1irt&and
Safet! Societ!<- dis*osed of '! interest therein< and 2ithdre2 fro' the
institution? ein, fu&&! a2are< after so &on, an e/*eri'ent< that no
institution of the 0ind< esta&ished u*on =ust and ri,hteous *rinci*&es
for a &essin, not on&! to the Church ut the 2ho&e nation< 2ou&d e
suffered to continue its o*erations in such an a,e of dar0ness<
s*ecu&ation and 2ic0edness# A&'ost a&& an0s throu,hout the countr!< one
after the other< ha$e sus*ended s*ecie *a!'ent< and ,o&d and si&$er ha$e
risen in $a&ue in direct ratio 2ith the de*reciation of *a*er currenc!#
The ,reat *ressure of the 'one! 'ar0et is fe&t in En,&and as 2e&& as
A'erica< and read stuffs are e$er!2here hi,h# The season has een coo&<
2et and ac02ard#
.e/ico< un2i&&in, to ac0no2&ed,e the inde*endence of Te/as< considers
her inhaitants as ree&&ious su=ects# S*ain is di$ided a,ainst herse&f<
2astin, her &ood and treasure in her o2n destruction# )ortu,a& is ra*id&!
e/haustin, her resources in *rince&! &u/uries# )o&and has &ost her ran0
a'on, the nations to ,ratif! the a'ition of Nicho&as< the Russian
autocrat# The ,o$ern'ent of "uenos A!res has dec&ared 2ar a,ainst )eru<
and near&! a&& the re*u&ics of South A'erica are 'in,&ed in the strife<
2hi&e the Indians continue their de*redations on the inhaitants of
F&orida# Trou&e and distress are the ,rand to*ics of con$ersation a'on,st
*o&iticians< 'erchants< 'echanics and de'a,o,ues? and cri'es<
'isde'eanors< and casua&ties< occu*! a &ar,e s*ace in the *u&ic =ourna&s#
Sunda!< Ju&! 7:#--E&der H!de *reached on the >uarterdec0 of the
5arric0 concernin, the *ro*hecies? the cain *assen,ers &istened 2ith
attention< and 2ere *articu&ar&! affected durin, *ra!er< a&so a &itt&e
chi&d e&on,in, to so'e of the steera,e *assen,ers< that 2as sic0 unti& it
2as considered ho*e&ess< 2as hea&ed ! the *o2er of 5od< )resident 1i'a&&
&a!in, his hands u*on it secret&!#
On the 78th the 5arric0 entered St# 5eor,e+s Channe&< in si,ht of
Ca*e C&ear#
On Thursda! 'ornin,< Ju&! HDth< the 5arric0 anchored in the Ri$er
.erse!< o**osite Li$er*oo&< and 2hi&e the ca&e chains 2ere !et ratt&in,
the 'erchant shi* South A'erica< 2hich &eft Ne2 Yor0 at the sa'e ti'e 2ith
the 5arric0< under a et< it is said< of R7D<DDD< as to 2hich 2ou&d e in
Li$er*oo& first< ca'e a&on,side< ha$in, 0e*t in si,ht dai&! durin, the
$o!a,e ut ne$er ,ettin, ahead of the 5arric0? and in a&& the different
sta,es fro' 1irt&and to Li$er*oo&< no $esse& 2as *er'itted to ,o *ast the
'ission# 3hi&e the *assen,ers 2ere ,oin, on oard a stea'er E&ders
1i'a&&< H!de< Richards< and 5oodson =u'*ed into a s'a&& oat and 2ere
ro2ed to2ard shore# 3hen 2ithin &ea*in, distance E&der 1i'a&& s*ran, fro'
the oat as if i'*e&&ed ! so'e su*erior *o2er and a&i,hted on the ste*s
of the doc0< fo&&o2ed instant&! ! E&ders H!de and Richards< a&& three of
2ho' had not one farthin, on earth at their co''and< 2hi&e E&der 3oodson<
ha$in, a hea$! *urse of si&$er in his hand< 2aited unti& the $esse&
touched shore#
On the rethren 2ent to )reston< aout thirt! 'i&es fro' Li$er*oo&<
and as the! a&i,hted fro' the coach a &ar,e f&a, 2as unfur&ed near&! o$er
their heads< 2ith this inscri*tion< in &etters of ,o&d< -Truth 2i&&
)re$ai&<- it ein, e&ection da! for 'e'ers of )ar&ia'ent# 1in, 3i&&ia'
the Fourth had recent&! died and Aueen %ictoria 2as aout to or,ani4e her
cainet# Ta0in, &od,in,s in 3i&ford street< so'e of the E&ders had an
inter$ie2 that e$enin, 2ith the Re$# Ja'es Fie&din,< rother of Jose*h
Fie&din,< 2ho had a cha*e& in that *&ace< 2here a&& the se$en rethren
2ent to hear hi' *reach on Sunda!< H9rd# After his ser'on in the 'ornin,
.r# Fie&din, ,a$e notice to his con,re,ation that there 2ere *resent so'e
'inisters fro' A'erica< and the! 2ou&d occu*! his *u&*it in the afternoon#
This une/*ected offer 2as unso&icited ut =o!fu&&! recei$ed< and in the
afternoon )resident 1i'a&& ,a$e a rief re&ation of the histor! of the
Church fro' the co''ence'ent< fo&&o2ed ! E&der H!de< 2ho ore testi'on!
to the sa'e? thus 2as the 0e! turned and the door of sa&$ation o*ened to
the inhaitants of En,&and# At the c&ose of the 'eetin, .r# Fie&din,
offered his *u&*it for the e$enin,< 2hen E&der 5oodson *reached and
"rother Fie&din, ore testi'on!#
The sa'e da! that the 5os*e& 2as first *reached in En,&and I recei$ed
the fo&&o2in, Re$e&ation ,i$en at 1irt&and< Ohio< Ju&!< H9rd< 789M# The
2ord of the Lord unto Tho'as "# .arsh< concernin, the T2e&$e A*ost&es of
the La'#
7# %eri&! thus saith the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant Tho'as< I ha$e
heard th! *ra!ers< and thine a&'s ha$e co'e u* as a 'e'oria& efore 'e< in
eha&f of those th! rethren 2ho 2ere chosen to ear testi'on! of '! na'e<
and to send it aroad a'on, a&& nations< 0indreds< ton,ues< and *eo*&e<
and ordained throu,h the instru'enta&it! of '! ser$ants#
H# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< there ha$e een so'e fe2 thin,s in thine
heart and 2ith thee 2ith 2hich I< the Lord< 2as not 2e&& *&eased?
9# Ne$erthe&ess< inas'uch as thou hast aased th!se&f thou sha&t e
e/a&ted< therefore a&& th! sins are for,i$en thee#
@# Let th! heart e of ,ood cheer efore '! face< and thou sha&t ear
record of '! na'e< not on&! unto the 5enti&es ut a&so unto the Je2s? and
thou sha&t send forth '! 2ord unto the ends of the earth#
G# Contend thou therefore 'ornin, ! 'ornin,< and da! after da! &et
th! 2arnin, $oice ,o forth< and 2hen the ni,ht co'eth< &et not the
inhaitants of the earth s&u'er ecause of th! s*eech#
:# Let th! haitation e 0no2n in ;ion< and re'o$e not th! house#
for I< the Lord< ha$e a ,reat 2or0 for thee to do< in *u&ishin, '!
na'e a'on, the chi&dren of 'en?
M# Therefore ,ird u* th! &oins for the 2or0# Let th! feet e shod<
a&so< for thou art chosen< and th! *ath &ieth a'on, the 'ountains< and
a'on, 'an! nations?
8# And ! th! 2ord 'an! hi,h ones sha&& e rou,ht &o2< and ! th!
2ord 'an! &o2 ones sha&& e e/a&ted#
N# Th! $oice sha&& e a reu0e unto the trans,ressor< and at th!
reu0e &et the ton,ue of the s&anderer cease its *er$erseness# 7D# "e thou
hu'&e< and the Lord th! 5od sha&& &ead thee ! the hand< and ,i$e thee
ans2er to th! *ra!ers#
77# I 0no2 th! heart< and ha$e heard th! *ra!ers concernin, th!
rethren# "e not *artia& to2ard the' in &o$e ao$e 'an! others? ut &et
th! &o$e e for the' as for th!se&f< and &et th! &o$e aound unto a&& 'en<
and unto a&& 2ho &o$e '! na'e#
7H# And *ra! for th! rethren of the T2e&$e# Ad'onish the' shar*&!
for '! na'e+s sa0e< and &et the' e ad'onished for a&& their sins< and e
!e faithfu& efore 'e unto '! na'e#
79# And after their te'*tations and 'uch triu&ation< eho&d< I< the
Lord< 2i&& fee& after the'< and if the! harden not their hearts< and
stiffen not their nec0s a,ainst 'e< the! sha&& e con$erted and I 2i&&
hea& the'#
7@# No2< I sa! unto !ou< and 2hat I sa! unto !ou I sa! unto a&& the
T2e&$e< Arise and ,ird u* !our &oins< ta0e u* !our cross< fo&&o2 'e< and
feed '! shee*#
7G# E/a&t not !ourse&$es? ree& not a,ainst '! ser$ant Jose*h< for
$eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I a' 2ith hi'< and '! hand sha&& e o$er hi'? and
the 0e!s 2hich I ha$e ,i$en unto hi'< and a&so to !ou2ard< sha&& not e
ta0en fro' hi' ti&& I co'e#
7:# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou '! ser$ant Tho'as< thou art the 'an 2ho' I
ha$e chosen to ho&d the 0e!s of '! 0in,do' Eas *ertainin, to the T2e&$eF
aroad a'on, a&& nations?
7M# That thou 'a!est e '! ser$ant to un&oc0 the door of the 0in,do'
in a&& *&aces 2here '! ser$ant Jose*h< and '! ser$ant Sidne!< and '!
ser$ant H!ru' cannot co'e?
78# For on the' ha$e I &aid the urden of a&& the churches for a
&itt&e season?
7N# 3herefore 2hithersoe$er the! sha&& send !ou< ,o !e< and I 2i&& e
2ith !ou? and in 2hatsoe$er *&ace !e sha&& *roc&ai' '! na'e< as effectua&
door sha&& e o*ened unto !ou that the! 'a! recei$e '! 2ord?
HD# 3hosoe$er recei$eth '! 2ord recei$eth 'e< and 2hosoe$er recei$eth
'e recei$eth those Ethe First )residenc!F 2ho' I ha$e sent< 2ho' I ha$e
'ade counse&ors for '! na'e+s sa0e unto !ou#
H7# And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that 2ho'soe$er !e sha&& send in '!
na'e< ! the $oice of !our rethren the T2e&$e< du&! reco''ended and
authori4ed ! !ou< sha&& ha$e *o2er to o*en the door of '! 0in,do' unto
an! nation< 2hithersoe$er !e sha&& send the'?
HH# Inas'uch as the! sha&& hu'&e the'se&$es efore 'e< and aide in
'! 2ord< and har0en to the $oice of '! S*irit#
H9# %eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< dar0ness co$ereth the earth< and
,ross dar0ness the 'inds of the *eo*&e< and a&& f&esh has eco'e corru*t
efore '! face#
H@# "eho&d $en,eance co'eth s*eedi&! u*on the inhaitants of the
earth< a da! of 2rath< a da! of urnin,< a da! of deso&ation< of 2ee*in,<
of 'ournin,< and of &a'entation< and as a 2hir&2ind it sha&& co'e u*on a&&
the face of the earth< saith the Lord#
HG# And u*on '! house sha&& it e,in< and fro' '! house sha&& it ,o
forth< saith the Lord#
H:# First a'on, those a'on, !ou< saith the Lord< 2ho ha$e *rofessed
to 0no2 '! na'e< and ha$e not 0no2n 'e< and ha$e &as*he'ed a,ainst 'e in
the 'idst of '! house< saith the Lord#
HM# Therefore see to it that !ou trou&e not !ourse&$es concernin,
the affairs of '! Church in this *&ace< saith the Lord? H8# "ut *urif!
!our hearts efore 'e< and then ,o !e into a&& the 2or&d< and *reach '!
5os*e& unto e$er! creature 2ho has not recei$ed it?
HN# And he that e&ie$eth and is a*ti4ed sha&& e sa$ed< and he that
e&ie$eth not and is not a*ti4ed< sha&& e da'ned#
9D# For unto !ou Ethe T2e&$eF and those Ethe First )residenc!F 2ho
are a**ointed 2ith !ou< to e !our counse&ors and !our &eaders< is the
*o2er of this )riesthood ,i$en< for the &ast da!s and for the &ast ti'e<
in the 2hich is the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es#
97# 3hich *o2er !ou ho&d in connection 2ith a&& those 2ho ha$e
recei$ed a dis*ensation at an! ti'e fro' the e,innin, of the creation?
99# For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< the 0e!s of the dis*ensation 2hich !e
ha$e recei$ed ha$e co'e do2n fro' the fathers< and &ast of a&& ein, sent
do2n fro' hea$en unto !ou#
99# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< eho&d< ho2 ,reat is !our ca&&in,# C&eanse
!our hearts and !our ,ar'ents< &est the &ood of this ,eneration e
re>uired at !our hands#
9@# "e faithfu& unti& I co'e< for I co'e >uic0&!< and '! re2ard is
2ith 'e to reco'*ense e$er! 'an accordin, as his 2or0 sha&& e# I a' A&*ha
and O'e,a# A'en#
A&ert )# Roc02ood< of Ho&&iston< .assachusetts< ha$in, heard of the
Saints< throu,h E&ders Youn, and Richards< ca'e to 1irt&and to
in$esti,ate< and 2as a*ti4ed on the HGth of Ju&!< ! )resident "ri,ha'
Youn,#
3ednesda!< H:#--E&der H!de *reached in the e$enin, in .r# Fie&din,+s
cha*e&< and E&der Richards ore testi'on!# .uch fee&in, 2as 'anifested !
the Con,re,ation< and 'an! 2ere con$inced of the truth? ut .r# Fie&din,<
fearin, for the &oss of his societ!< 'ore than the dis*&easure of hea$en<
c&osed his doors a,ainst the rethren fro' that ti'e< and o**osed the 2or0
2ith a&& his *o2er# In$itations 2ere ,i$en to the E&ders to *reach in
*ri$ate houses in different *arts of )reston< 2hich o**ortunities 2ere
i'*ro$ed dai&!< after the c&ose of the factories#
Thursda!< HM#--I started fro' 1irt&and in co'*an! 2ith E&ders Ri,don
and .arsh for the *ur*ose of $isitin, the Saints in Canada# "rother
Roc02ood on his return ho'e< E&der "ri,ha' Youn, on a 'ission to the
eastern cities< started 2ith us# 3hen 2e arri$ed at )ains$i&&e 2e 2ere
detained a&& da! ! 'a&icious and $e/atious &a2 suits# Aout sun-set I ,ot
into '! carria,e to return ho'e to 1irt&and? at this 'o'ent the sheriff
s*ran, into the carria,e< sei4ed '! &ines< and ser$ed another 2rit on 'e<
2hich 2as s2orn out ! a 'an 2ho had a fe2 2ee0s *re$ious&! rou,ht a ne2
fashioned coo0in, sto$e to 1irt&and< and *re$ai&ed on 'e to *ut it u* in
'! 0itchen< sa!in, it 2ou&d ,i$e credit to his sto$e< 2ishin, to ha$e it
tested ! our *eo*&e? and no2 he thou,ht 2ou&d e a ,ood ti'e to ,et *a!
for it# I ,a$e '! 2atch to the officer for securit! and 2e a&& returned
ho'e#
The fo&&o2in, da! I re'ained at ho'e unti& e$enin,< 2hen 2e set out
a,ain in "rother S# "# Stoddard+s 2a,on to Ashtau&a< a distance of thirt!
'i&es and arri$ed there a &itt&e after da!rea0 and sta!ed ti&& afternoon
and en=o!ed ourse&$es $er! 'uch in 2a&0in, on the each and athin, in the
eautifu&< c&ear 2ater of the &a0e# At four *# '# 2e too0 a dec0 *assa,e
on oard the stea'er for "uffa&o# At ni,ht 2e a&& &a! do2n to rest on the
u**er dec0 of the oat< and for *i&&o2s so'e too0 their oots< others
their $a&ises< and had a co'forta&e ni,ht+s re*ose# 3e arri$ed at "uffa&o
the ne/t 'ornin, in safet!# Here 2e se*arated fro' "rothers "ri,ha' Youn,
and A&ert )# Roc02ood< the! ,oin, to the Eastern States? and '!se&f<
"rothers Sidne! Ri,don and Tho'as "# .arsh started for Toronto< U**er
Canada#
Aout da!rea0 Sunda!< Ju&! 9Dth< E&der Isaac Russe&&< 2ho had een
a**ointed to *reach on the Oe&is0 in )reston 'ar0et-*&ace that da!< and
2ho s&e*t in the second stor! of their &od,in,s in 3i&ford street< 2ent u*
to the third &oft 2here E&ders H!de and 1i'a&& 2ere s&ee*in,< and ca&&ed
u*on the' to *ra! for hi'< that he 'i,ht e de&i$ered fro' the e$i&
s*irits that 2ere tor'entin, hi' to such a de,ree that he fe&t he cou&d
not &i$e &on, un&ess he otained re&ief# The! i''ediate&! arose and &aid
hands on hi' and *ra!ed that the Lord 2ou&d ha$e 'erc! on His ser$ant and
reu0e the de$i&# 3hi&e thus en,a,ed E&der 1i'a&& 2as struc0 2ith ,reat
force ! so'e in$isi&e *o2er and fe&& sense&ess on the f&oor? and the
first thin, E&der 1i'a&& reco&&ected 2as ein, su**orted ! E&ders H!de
and Russe&& eseechin, the throne of ,race in his eha&f# The! then &aid
hi' on the ed ut his a,on! 2as so ,reat he cou&d not endure it< and
arose< fe&& on his 0nees and *ra!ed? then he arose and sat u*on the ed
2hi&e the rethren distinct&! sa2 the e$i& s*irits< 2ho foa'ed and ,nashed
u*on the' 2ith their teeth< ! &e,ions for the s*ace of so'e 'inutes?
E&der Richards 2as *resent the &atter *art of the ti'e# Aout ten o+c&oc0
in the 'ornin, the rethren re*aired to the ri$er Ri&e< accordin, to
*re$ious a**oint'ent< and< in the 'idst of a &ar,e co&&ection of *eo*&e<
a*ti4ed nine indi$idua&s< one of 2ho' 2as 5eor,e D# 3att< the first 'an
a*ti4ed in En,&and in this dis*ensation#
On .onda!< the 97st of Ju&!< the E&ders he&d a counci& and a**ointed
E&ders 5oodson and Richards a 'ission to "edford< and E&ders Russe&& and
Sn!der to A&ton< Cu'er&and count!< continuin, in *ra!er unti& 'ornin,<
Au,ust 7st< 2hen the! too0 their de*arture for their se$era& stations#
The sa'e da! EAu,ust 7stF a ,enera& 'eetin, of the )residenc!< Hi,h
Counci&< "isho*< and counse&ors and the Saints asse'&ed at Far 3est# The
Hi,h Counci& e&ected Tho'as 5ro$er a Hi,h Counci&or in *&ace of Jesse
Hitchcoc0? and 5eor,e .ore! in *&ace of )eter 3hit'er< Jun#< deceased? and
Titus "i&&in,s 2as e&ected "isho*+s counse&or in *&ace of John Corri&&#
%oted unani'ous&! ! the 2ho&e asse'&! that in the asence of the
)residenc!< Counci&ors< "isho* and counse&ors at 1irt&and< the E&ders in
.issouri had no authorit! Ito act as a Counci& for the ChurchJ<
conse>uent&! their acts in that ca*acit! durin, that s*ace of ti'e are
considered nu&& and $oid? and that e$er! *resident of Hi,h )riests and
E&ders e ordained ! so'e hi,her authorit!? and the *resident of an!
>uoru' ha$in, counse&ors 'a! ordain the' hi'se&f#
E&ders 5oodson and Richards arri$ed in "edford on the Hnd and 2ere
=o!fu&&! recei$ed ! the Re$# Ti'oth! R# .atthe2s< to 2ho' the! had
&etters of introduction fro' his rother-in-&a2< Jose*h Fie&din,< and 2ere
in$ited to *reach in his cha*e& in the e$enin, to his con,re,ation#
Frida!< @#--E&der 1i'a&& a*ti4ed Jennetta Richards at )reston<
dau,hter of the Re$# John Richards< of 3a&0erfo&d< Chaid,&e!< fifteen
'i&es fro' )reston< and confir'ed her at the 2ater side# This 2as the
first confir'ation in En,&and# Sister Richards returned ho'e the da!
fo&&o2in,< Saturda!< Gth< and *ersuaded her father to 2rite to E&der
1i'a&& to co'e and *reach in his cha*e&#
The sa'e da!< Au,ust Gth< the )residenc!< Hi,h Counci& and a&& the
authorities of the Church in .issouri< asse'&ed in counci& at Far 3est<
and unani'ous&! reso&$ed to ,o on 'oderate&! and ui&d a house unto the
na'e of the Lord in Far 3est< as the! had 'eans< and a**ointed Ed2ard
)artrid,e treasurer< to recei$e a&& the donations and suscri*tions for
the erection of the House of the Lord? Isaac .or&e! to e his secretar!#
A&so $oted that the co''ittee< $i4#< Jaco 3hit'er< E&isha H# 5ro$es< and
5eor,e .# Hin0&e stand Ias the ui&din, co''ittee of the Lord+s House at
Far 3estJ unti& )resident Da$id 3hit'er ,oes to and returns fro'
1irt&and? a&so< that the ui&din, co''ittee of the House of the Lord ha$e
no store connected 2ith ui&din, the house< ut that e$er! fir' or
indi$idua& that e'ar0s in that usiness ha$e< o2n< and c&ai' such
*ro*ert! as their o2n *ri$ate indi$idua& *ro*ert! and ste2ardshi*#
The E&ders at "edford continued to &ecture in the ase'ent of .r#
.atthe2s+ cha*e& fro' e$enin, to e$enin,< 2ith the 'ost f&atterin,
*ros*ects unti& this e$enin,< 2hen E&der 5oodson< contrar! to the 'ost
*ositi$e instructions of )resident 1i'a&&< and 2ithout ad$isin, 2ith an!
one< read *u&ic&! the $ision fro' the Doctrine and Co$enants< 2hich
turned the current of fee&in, ,enera&&!< and near&! c&osed the door in a&&
that re,ion# .r# .atthe2s 2ished the 'eetin,s to e re'o$ed fro' his
house< ut continued to attend the 'eetin,s occasiona&&! and in$esti,ated
the su=ect to considera&e e/tent#
In the Au,ust nu'er of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate 2as *u&ished a
*ros*ectus for a ne2 *a*er< to e *u&ished at 1irt&and< Ohio< ca&&ed the
E&ders+ Journa& of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< to co''ence in
Octoer< edited ! Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de and "rother Fie&din, ha$in, continued their
&aors in )reston< E&der H!de *reached to a ,reat 'u&titude in the 'ar0et
*&ace Sunda!< the :th of Au,ust< o**osed ! one Re$erend ,ent&e'an 2ho 2as
>uic0&! confounded ! the s*irit of truth? and in the e$enin, the! 'et at
the house of Sister Ann Da2son and confir'ed et2een fort! and fift! 2ho
had een a*ti4ed< 'ost of 2ho' had een 'e'ers of .r# Ja'es Fie&din,+s
church< so 'i,hti&! ,re2 the 2ord< this ein, on&! the third Saath of
the rethren in )reston# .r# Fie&din, *ersecuted and ca&&ed the E&ders
-thie$es< shee* stea&ers<- etc#< ac0no2&ed,in, the' ,ood =ud,es< ha$in,
-sto&en a&& the est of his f&oc0#- Sister Da2son Ea 2ido2F 0ind&!
recei$ed the E&ders into her house and &od,ed the'< 2hich 2as a ,reat
&essin, to the rethren< as the! 2ere >uite destitute< 'ost of the *eo*&e
e/tre'e&! *oor< and &od,in,s scarce? 2hi&e the! 2ent fro' house to house
as in$ited< to *rocure their dai&! 'ea&s#
E&der 1i'a&&< ha$in, recei$ed a &etter fro' .r# John Richards<
in$itin, hi' to *reach in his cha*e&< re*aired to 3a&0erfo&d< 2here he 2as
'ost hos*ita&! recei$ed< and the da! fo&&o2in, *reached three ti'es in
.r# Richards+ *u&*it#
E&ders 5oodson and Richards a*ti4ed fi$e at "edford< a'on, 2ho'< and
the first< 2as .rs# Ann "raddoc0< a 2ido2< 2ho 2as o&i,ed to su**ort her
fa'i&! ! her industr!< !et she recei$ed the E&ders and &od,ed the'#
Ti'oth! R# .atthe2s< ha$in, in$esti,ated the 2or0< ac0no2&ed,ed the
truth< and ha$in, *re$ious&! orne testi'on! of the sa'e to his church in
*u&ic< and ur,ed the' to ,o for2ard< a,reed 2ith E&ders 5oodson and
Richards to 'eet the' on the an0 of the ri$er Ouse one hour efore sunset
and e a*ti4ed# The hour and the E&ders arri$ed< ut .r# .atthe2s 2as not
there< he had ,one out into the countr! to *reach#
E&der 1i'a&& *reached on .onda! and 3ednesda! e$enin,s in .r#
Richards+ cha*e& at 3a&0erfo&d< and on Thursda! a*ti4ed si/ indi$idua&s#
.r# .atthe2s a*ti4ed hi'se&f in the ri$er< and then 2ent to a*ti4in, his
*eo*&e< denouncin, the E&ders as fa&se teachers and the doctrines of the
Latter-da! Saints as ha$in, co'e fro' he&&< 2hi&e he 2ent to *reachin, the
sa'e doctrine< a*ti4in, a&&< e$en infants< and &aid on hands for
confir'ation#
Tuesda!< 7G#--The >uoru' of Hi,h )riests or,ani4ed at Far 3est<
.issouri< this da!# Char&es C# Rich 2as ordained )resident of the Hi,h
)riests+ >uoru' in .issouri? and Henr! 5reen *resident of the E&ders in
Ca&d2e&& count!< Au,ust HDth#
The sa'e da! E&ders 3i&ford 3# 3oodruff and Jonathan H# Ha&e &anded
at %ina&ha$en< on North Fo/ Is&and< and co''enced *reachin,#
In the Au,ust nu'er of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate I *u&ished the
fo&&o2in, CAUTION# To the rethren and friends of the Church of the
Latter-da! Saints( I a' dis*osed to sa! a 2ord re&ati$e to the i&&s of
the -1irt&and Safet! Societ! "an0#- I here! 2arn the' to e2are of
s*ecu&ators< rene,ades< and ,a'&ers< 2ho are du*in, the un2ar! and
unsus*ectin,< ! *a&'in, u*on the' those i&&s< 2hich are of no 2orth
here# I discountenance and disa**ro$e of an! and a&& such *ractices# I
0no2 the' to e detri'enta& to the est interests of societ!< as 2e&& as
to the *rinci*&es of re&i,ion# ISi,nedJ JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
In this 'onth E&der Isaac Russe&& succeeded in esta&ishin, a s'a&&
ranch in A&ston< En,&and#
At this ti'e I 2as en,a,ed in $isitin, the churches in Canada<
*reachin,< a*ti4in,< &essin, the Saints and stren,thenin, the ranches#
I returned to 1irt&and aout the &ast of Au,ust and 2rote the fo&&o2in,
&etter< 2hich I sent ! the hand of Tho'as "# .arsh(
1IRTLAND< 5EAU5A< COUNTY< OHIO< Se*te'er @< 789M# Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< )resident of the Church of Christ of the Latter-da! Saints in a&&
the 2or&d< to John Corri&& and the 2ho&e Church in ;ion< sendeth ,reetin,#
"&essed e the 5od and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ 2ho has
&essed !ou 2ith 'an! &essin,s in Christ< and 2ho has de&i$ered !ou 'an!
ti'es fro' the hands of !our ene'ies< and *&anted !ou 'an! ti'es in a
hea$en&! or ho&! *&ace# .! res*ects and &o$e to !ou a&&< and '! &essin,s
u*on a&& the faithfu& and true hearted in the Ne2 and E$er&astin,
Co$enant# Foras'uch as I ha$e desired for a &on, ti'e to see !our faces
and con$erse 2ith !ou and instruct !ou in those thin,s 2hich ha$e een
re$ea&ed to 'e *ertainin, to the 0in,do' of 5od in the &ast da!s< I no2
2rite unto !ou offerin, as an a*o&o,! '! ein, ound 2ith cords of
aff&iction ! the 2or0ers of ini>uit!< and a&so ! the &aors of the
Church< endea$orin, in a&& thin,s to do the 2i&& of 5od for the sa&$ation
of the Church< oth in te'*ora& as 2e&& as s*iritua& thin,s#
"rethren< 2e ha$e 2aded throu,h aff&iction and sorro2 thus far for
the 2i&& of 5od< that &an,ua,e is inade>uate to descrie# )ra! !e
therefore 2ith 'ore earnestness for our rede'*tion# You ha$e undouted&!
een infor'ed ! &etter and other2ise of our difficu&ties in 1irt&and<
2hich are no2 aout ein, sett&ed? and that !ou 'a! ha$e a 0no2&ed,e of
the sa'e< I inc&ose !ou the fo&&o2in, 'inutes of the co''ittee of the
2ho&e Church in 1irt&and< the authorities< etc#< referrin, !ou to '!
rother H!ru' and "rother Tho'as "# .arsh for further *articu&ars? a&so
that !ou 'a! 0no2 ho2 to *roceed to set in order and re,u&ate the affairs
of the Church in ;ion 2hene$er the! eco'e disor,ani4ed#
.inutes of a Conference Asse'&ed in Co''ittee of the 2ho&e Church at
1irt&and on Sunda!< the 9rd of Se*te'er< 789M# At nine o+c&oc0 in the
'ornin, 5eor,e 3# Roinson 2as ca&&ed u*on to ta0e 'inutes of the
conference# Sidne! Ri,don then *resented Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< to the Church
to 0no2 if the! sti&& &oo0ed u*on and 2ou&d sti&& recei$e and u*ho&d hi'
as the )resident of the 2ho&e Church< and the $ote 2as unani'ous in the
affir'ati$e#
)resident S'ith then *resented Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's as his counse&ors< and to constitute 2ith hi'se&f the three first
)residents of the Church# %oted unani'ous&! in the affir'ati$e< e/ce*t for
Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 2hich 2as not carried unani'ous&!#
)resident S'ith then introduced O&i$er Co2der!< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#<
H!ru' S'ith< and John S'ith for assistant counse&ors# These &ast four<
to,ether 2ith the first three< are to e considered the heads of the
Church# Carried unani'ous&!#
%oted< that Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! ho&d his office as "isho* and continue
to act as such in 1irt&and< and that Re!no&ds Cahoon and %inson 1ni,ht
continue to act as counse&ors to the "isho*#
The T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ere then *resented one ! one< 2hen Tho'as "#
.arsh< Da$id 3# )atten< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson H!de<
)ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 3i&&ia' S'ith< and 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in 2ere
recei$ed unani'ous&! in their A*ost&eshi*< Lu0e S# Johnson< L!'an E#
Johnson< and John F# "o!nton 2ere re=ected and disfe&&o2shi*ed< thou,h
*ri$i&e,ed 2ith confessin, and 'a0in, satisfaction#
E&der "o!nton E2ho 2as the on&! one of the three *resent at the ti'eF
arose and endea$ored to confess< =ustif!in, hi'se&f in his for'er conduct
! reason of the fai&ure of the an0#
His conduct 2as stron,&! *rotested a,ainst ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn, in
a *&ain and ener,etic 'anner< statin, $arious reasons 2h! he cou&d not
recei$e hi' into fe&&o2shi* unti& a heart! re*entance and confession 2ere
'anifested#
E&der Youn, 2as fo&&o2ed ! E&der .arsh< 2ho ac>uiesced in testi'on!
and reso&utions#
)resident Ri,don then addressed the asse'&!< sho2in, the cause of
the difficu&t! 2ith E&ders "o!nton and Johnson in &ea$in, their ca&&in, to
attend to other occu*ations#
E&der "o!nton a,ain rose and sti&& attriuted his difficu&ties to the
fai&ure of the an0< statin, that he understood the an0 2as instituted !
the 2i&& of 5od< and he had een to&d that it shou&d ne$er fai&< &et 'en
do 2hat the! 2ou&d#
)resident S'ith then arose and stated that if this had een dec&ared
no one had authorit! fro' hi' for so doin,< for he had a&2a!s said that
un&ess the institution 2as conducted on ri,hteous *rinci*&es it 2ou&d not
stand#
A $ote 2as then ta0en to 0no2 if the con,re,ation 2as satisfied 2ith
E&der "o!nton+s confession? carried in the ne,ati$e#
Conference ad=ourned for one hour#
Conference reasse'&ed st t2o o+c&oc0 in the afternoon? o*ened !
readin,< sin,in,< and *ra!er# The )resident then arose and said he 2ou&d
ca&& u*on the Church to 0no2 if the! 2ere satisfied 2ith their Hi,h
Counci&< and shou&d *roceed to na'e the' indi$idua&&!#
John Johnson< Jose*h Coe< Jose*h C# 1in,sur!< and .artin Harris 2ere
o=ected to< a&so John )# 5reene< ut his case 2ent o$er unti& he shou&d
e *resent#
Noah )ac0ard< Jared Carter< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< 2ere sustained#
O&i$er 5ran,er< Henr! 5# Sher2ood< 3i&&ia' .ar0s< .a!he2 Hi&&'an
Har&o2 Redfie&d< Asahe& S'ith< )hinehas Richards< and Da$id Dort< 2ere
chosen to fi&& the *&aces of those o=ected to< Eand Tho'as 5ro$er ha$in,
'o$ed 2estF John S'ith< chosen one of the *residents of the Church< a&&
ha$in, e&on,ed to the Hi,h Counci&#
The )resident then ca&&ed u*on the con,re,ation to 0no2 if the
recent&! a**ointed *residents of the Se$enties shou&d stand in their
ca&&in,#
%oted that John 5a!&ord< Ja'es Forster< Sa&'on 5ee< Danie& S# .i&es<
Jose*h Youn,< Josiah "utterfie&d< and Le$i 3# Hancoc0< shou&d retain their
offices as *residents of Se$enties? John 5ou&d 2as o=ected to#
The )resident then arose and 'ade so'e re'ar0s concernin, the for'er
*residents of the Se$enties< the ca&&in, and authorit! of their
)riesthood< etc#
%oted that the o&d *residents of the Se$enties I2ho 2ere Hi,h
)riestsJ e referred to the >uoru' of Hi,h )riests? and a&so< that if an!
'e'ers of the >uoru' of the Se$enties shou&d e dissatisfied and 2ou&d
not su'it to the *resent order and recei$e these &ast *residents< the
&atter shou&d ha$e *o2er to de'and their &icenses< and the for'er shou&d
no &on,er e considered 'e'ers of the Church#
Conference c&osed ! *ra!er ! the )resident# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN##
)resident< 5EOR5E 3# RO"INSON< C&er0#
Announce'ent concernin, O&i$er Co2der!# DEAR "RETHREN--O&i$er Co2der!
has een in trans,ression< ut as he is no2 chosen as one of the
*residents or counse&ors< I trust that he 2i&& !et hu'&e hi'se&f and
'a,nif! his ca&&in,< ut if he shou&d not< the Church 2i&& soon e under
the necessit! of raisin, their hands a,ainst hi'? therefore *ra! for hi'#
Da$id 3hit'er< Leonard Rich< and others ha$e een in trans,ression<
ut 2e ho*e that the! 'a! e hu'&e and ere &on, 'a0e satisfaction to the
Church< other2ise the! cannot retain their standin,? therefore 2e sa! unto
!ou< e2are of a&& disaffected characters< for the! co'e not to ui&d u*<
ut to destro! and scatter aroad# Thou,h 2e or an an,e& fro' hea$en
*reach an! other 5os*e&< or introduce an order of thin,s other than those
thin,s 2hich !e ha$e recei$ed< and are authori4ed to recei$e fro' the
First )residenc!< &et hi' e accursed#
.a! 5od A&'i,ht! &ess !ou a&& and 0ee* !ou unto the co'in, and
0in,do' of our Lord and Sa$ior Jesus Christ# Yours in the ond of the Ne2
Co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
I recei$ed the fo&&o2in,(
Re$e&ation ,i$en at 1irt&and< Ohio< Se*te'er @< 789M< 'a0in, 0no2n
the trans,ression of John 3hit'er and 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s# %eri&! thus saith
the Lord unto !ou '! ser$ant Jose*h--'! ser$ants John 3hit'er and 3i&&ia'
3# )he&*s ha$e done those thin,s 2hich are not *&easin, in '! si,ht<
therefore if the! re*ent not the! sha&& e re'o$ed out of their *&aces#
A'en#
Se*te'er N#--The Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and 'et in the Lord+s House
and or,ani4ed ! e&ectin, Jared Carter< *resident< and )hinehas Richards<
c&er0# The 'e'ers e&ected on the 9rd 2ere ordained and dre2 for their
nu'ers< and the 2ho&e 2ere arran,ed as fo&&o2s( John )# 5reene< No# 7?
Asahe& S'ith< No# H? Sa'ue& H# S'ith< 9? .a!he2 Hi&&'an< @? 3i&&ia' .ar0s<
G? Noah )ac0ard< :? O&i$er 5ran,er< M? Da$id Dort< 8? Jared Carter< N?
)hinehas Richards< 7D? Henr! 5# Sher2ood< 77? and Har&o2 Redfie&d< 7H#
The Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and 2ithdre2 the hand of fe&&o2shi* fro'
Uriah and L!dia Ann Ha20ins for un&a2fu& 'atri'on!< decei$in,< and
unchristian&i0e conduct#
.inutes of a .eetin, in the 1irt&and Te'*&e# Sunda!< Se*te'er 7Dth<
H o+c&oc0< afternoon< in an asse'&! of the Church in the Lord+s House<
1irt&and< )resident Ri,don read the ru&es and re,u&ations of the House of
the Lord< as *assed ! the different >uoru's on the 78th of Januar!< 789:<
2hen the Church $oted to recei$e the sa'e< and e ,o$erned ! the'#
The 'inutes of the Hi,h Counci& of the Nth instant 2ere read< after
2hich those of the T2e&$e 2ho 2ere disfe&&o2shi*ed the *re$ious Saath
had o**ortunit! to s*ea0? and Lu0e S# Johnson< L!'an E# Johnson< and John
F# "o!nton 'ade their confessions and 2ere recei$ed into fe&&o2shi* !
$ote of the Church< a&so to retain their a*ost&eshi*#
)resident S'ith read a &etter fro' E&der Tho'as "# .arsh to the
Church< statin, that efore he started fro' .issouri he had recei$ed
satisfaction fro' these E&ders# E&der Youn, a&so stated the sa'e#
Hi,h Counci&or John )# 5reene 'ade so'e confessions to the Church<
statin, 2herein he had een 2ron, for a short ti'e *ast? and the Church
$oted that he e recei$ed into fe&&o2shi* and retain his office#
)resident Ri,don 'ade so'e oser$ations on the usiness transacted
&ast Saath< re*ro$in, so'e for the con=ectures the! had res*ectin,
)resident S'ith and hi'se&f conni$in, to,ether to re'o$e certain
indi$idua&s fro' office< etc#< or at &east to use their inf&uence to do
so# This he infor'ed the' 2as a 'ista0e< for not one 2ord had *assed
et2een the' on the su=ect< neither had he a *re'editated thou,ht u*on
the su=ect#
)resident S'ith then corrected so'e 'ista0es of certain indi$idua&s
2hich had een circu&ated ! the' concernin, 2hat he had said on the &ast
Saath#
The Lord+s Su**er 2as ad'inistered ! E&ders Lu0e S# and L!'an E#
Johnson< and John F# "o!nton# 5EOR5E 3# RO"INSON< C&er0#
3hen a &!in, s*irit is aroad it is difficu&t for truth to e
understood#
CHA)TER 666%I#
THE 5ATHERIN5 SAINTS--INCREASE IN THE NU."ER OF STA1ES
CONTE.)LATED--COUNCILS IN ;ION AND 1IRTLAND--CLOSE OF THE %OLU.E#
AT a conference of the authorities of the Church and the Saints in
the House of the Lord at 1irt&and< Se*te'er 7Mth< "isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!
said the ti'e had arri$ed 2hen it eca'e necessar! for hi' to tra$e&< and
necessari&! he 'ust &ea$e an a,ent to act in his asence a,reea&e to the
*ro$isions 'ade in the re$e&ations# He no'inated 3i&&ia' .ar0s< 2ho 2as
e&ected a,ent to the "isho* ! unani'ous $ote#
5eor,e 3# Roinson 2as unani'ous&! e&ected ,enera& Church recorder in
*&ace of O&i$er Co2der!< 2ho had re'o$ed to .issouri#
After ta0in, into consideration the situation of ;ion and the Church
in ,enera&< the conference decided that it 2as of ,reat i'*ortance to the
cause of truth that the "isho* and his counse&ors send aroad their
'e'oria& to a&& the Saints throu,hout the &and< as 2e&& as to a&&
2e&&-2ishers to the cause of ;ion< and that their a**ea& ,o forth in the
na'e and ! the authorit! of the Church to a&& the Saints scattered
aroad#
The sa'e e$enin, the E&ders asse'&ed in conference in the House of
the Lord 2hen I addressed the' on the su=ect of the ,atherin, of the
Saints in the &ast da!s< and the duties of the different >uoru's in
re&ation thereto#
It a**eared 'anifest to the conference that the *&aces a**ointed for
the ,atherin, of the Saints 2ere at this ti'e cro2ded to o$erf&o2in,< and
that it 2as necessar! that there e 'ore sta0es of ;ion a**ointed in order
that the *oor 'i,ht ha$e a *&ace to ,ather to< -2herefore it 2as 'o$ed<
seconded and $oted unani'ous&! that )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
Sidne! Ri,don e re>uested ! this conference to ,o and a**oint other
sta0es< or *&aces of ,atherin,< and that the! recei$e a certificate of
their a**oint'ent< si,ned ! the c&er0 of the Church#-
E&der 3i&&ia' .ar0s< 2ho had *re$ious&! een a**ointed a,ent to the
"isho*< ein, ca&&ed u*on arose and said that he 2ou&d co'*&! 2ith the
re>uest of the Church< and the Lord ein, his he&*er he 2ou&d dischar,e
the duties of his office to the est of his ai&it!# After 2hich the
E&ders *resent 2ho 2ere in a situation to tra$e& 2ere ca&&ed u*on to
nu'er the'se&$es< and there 2ere nu'ered one hundred and nine< and the!
2ere di$ided into ei,ht co'*anies in the fo&&o2in, order--nu'er one to
thirteen< ca&&ed the first co'*an!< 2ere a**ointed to tra$e& east? No# 7@
to H:< 2ere to tra$e& southeast? No# HM to 9N< south? No# @D to GH<
south2est? No# G9 to :G< 2est? No# :: to M8< north2est? No# MN to N7<
north? No# NH to 7D@< northeast# Fi$e ein, &eft after this di$ision< No#
7DG 2as a**ointed to tra$e& 2ith the co'*an! ,oin, southeast? No# 7D:<
2ith the co'*an! north2est? 7DM< south? 7D8< east? 7DN< 2ith the north
co'*an!# It 2as further a**ointed that those 2ho 'i,ht desire to tra$e& a
different course fro' the one 2hich 2as a**ointed to the di$ision to 2hich
the! e&on,ed< 'i,ht ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of chan,in, 2ith those of another
di$ision# And &ast&! it 2as a**ointed that the different di$isions ho&d
their o2n 'eetin,s< to 'a0e such arran,e'ents as the! shou&d thin0 *ro*er
in re&ation to their =ourne!in,#
A,reea&e to the $ote of the conference on the 7Mth< "isho* 3hitne!
and counse&ors issued the 'e'oria& as fo&&o2s(
1IRTLAND< OHIO< Se*te'er 78th< 789M# To the Saints Scattered Aroad<
the "isho* of 1irt&and and his Counse&ors send 5reetin, (
3hereas the Church in 1irt&and has ta0en into consideration the
affairs of the Latter-da! Saints in ,enera&< ha$in, o**ortunities of
'a0in, the'se&$es ac>uainted 2ith the situation of the Saints throu,hout
the continent< and the $er! f&atterin, *ros*ects of the *ros*erit! of the
cause of 5od in our &and< and a&so of the *ecu&iar condition of the cit!
of 1irt&and< 2hich is a 0ind of first fruits of the cities 2hich the Lord
has e,un to ui&d unto Hi'se&f in these &ast da!s< it has een dee'ed of
,reat i'*ortance to the *ros*erit! of the cause of truth in ,enera&< that
the "isho* and his counse&ors send aroad this their 'e'oria& to a&& the
Saints throu,hout the &and< as 2e&& as to a&& 2e&& 2ishers to the cause of
;ion in this our 'ost ha**! countr!#
It is a fact 2e&& 0no2n that the Saints in the cit! of 1irt&and ha$e
een ca&&ed to endure ,reat aff&iction for the truth+s sa0e< and to ear a
hea$! urden in order that the foundation of the 0in,do' of 5od 'i,ht e
&aid on a sure and certain asis< so that the *ro*hetic $ision of Danie&
'i,ht 'ost certain&! e fu&fi&&ed< that this 0in,do' 'i,ht rea0 in *ieces
a&& other 0in,do's and stand for e$er# The e/ertions of the ene'! to
*re$ent this ha$e een $er! ,reat? and throu,h their ,reat e/ertions the!
ha$e ,i$en to the Saints ,reat trou&e< and caused the' 'uch e/*ense# In
addition to this< the! ha$e had to *u&ish the 2ord of the Lord< 2hich has
een attended 2ith ,reat e/*ense# These thin,s< to,ether 2ith ui&din, the
House of the Lord< ha$e e'arrassed the' $er! 'uch? for 2hen suscri*tions
fai&ed the! 2ent on and acco'*&ished the 2or0 of ui&din, the house
the'se&$es< *&i,htin, a&& that the! had< *ro*ert!< credit< and re*utation<
and ! these 'eans acco'*&ished this ,reat 2or0 2hich is the 2onder and
ad'iration of the 2or&d# This the! ha$e done in faith< e&ie$in, that< as
the 'u&titude of Saints increased< their &iera&it! 2ou&d aound to2ards
those 2ho< re,ardin, nothin, ut the sa&$ation of the 2or&d< ha$e thus
e/*osed the'se&$es to financia& ruin in order that the 2or0 of the
,atherin, 'i,ht not fai&# And esides a&& this there ha$e een a &ar,e
nu'er of *oor 2ho ha$e had to recei$e assistance fro' the donations of
the Church< 2hich ha$e tended to increase its e'arrass'ents? and no2 so
nu'erous are the Saints ,ro2n that it is i'*ractica&e for the' a&& to
,ather to the *&aces 2hich are no2 a**ointed for this *ur*ose#
The Church at 1irt&and has< therefore< re>uired at the hand of our
e&o$ed rethren< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don< 'en 2ho ha$e not
thou,ht their &i$es dear unto the' in order that the cause of 5od 'i,ht e
esta&ished< *residents 2ho' 5od has a**ointed to *reside o$er the 2ho&e
Church< and the *ersons to 2ho' this 2or0 e&on,s< that the! shou&d ,o
forth and &a! off other sta0es of ;ion< or *&aces of ,atherin,< so that
the *oor 'a! ha$e a *&ace of refu,e< or *&aces of refu,e< in the da! of
triu&ation 2hich is co'in, s2ift&! on the earth# A&& these thin,s 2i&& e
attended 2ith e/*ense# Fee&in, ourse&$es under ,reat res*onsii&it! !
$irtue of our office and ca&&in, in the Church of 5od< 2e *resent this our
'e'oria& to a&& the Saints< 'a0in, a 'ost so&e'n a**ea& to the fee&in,s<
ene$o&ence and *hi&anthro*! of a&& the Saints into 2hose hands this our
'e'oria& co'es< in faith and confidence that this a**ea& 2i&& not e 'ade
in $ain#
It is the fi/ed *ur*ose of our 5od< and has een so fro' the
e,innin, as a**ears ! the testi'on! of the ancient )ro*hets< that the
,reat 2or0 of the &ast da!s 2as to e acco'*&ished ! the tithin, of His
Saints# The Saints 2ere re>uired to rin, their tithes into the store
house< and after that< not efore< the! 2ere to &oo0 for a &essin, that
there shou&d not e roo' enou,h to recei$e it# ESee .a&achi 9rd cha*ter<
7Dth $erseF# Our a**ea&< then< to the Saints is founded on the est of
testi'on!< that 2hich no Saint 2i&& fee& to ,ainsa!< ut re=oice to oe!#
The Saints of 5od 2i&& re=oice in a&& that the Lord does< and in doin, a&&
that the Lord re>uires# The sacrifice of ri,hteousness 2hich the Lord
re>uires 2i&& e offered 2ith a 2i&&in, heart and read! 'ind< and 2ith
,reat =o!< ecause the! are accounted 2orth! to offer u* sacrifice for His
na'e#
In 'a0in, this a**ea& to the ene$o&ence of the Saints of 5od 2e do
not on&! ta0e into consideration the situation of the *oor< the
e'arrass'ents of the sta0e of 1irt&and< ut a&so their o2n interests< for
e$er! Saint has an e>ua& interest in ui&din, u* the ;ion of our 5od< for
it is after the Lord has ui&t u* ;ion that He 2i&& a**ear in His ,&or!
E)sa&' iii( 7:F# 3e a&& &oo0 for the a**earin, of the ,reat 5od and our
Sa$ior Jesus Christ< ut 2e sha&& &oo0 in $ain unti& ;ion is ui&t< for
;ion is to e the d2e&&in, *&ace of our 5od 2hen He co'es EJoe& iii( H7F#
An!one 2ho 2i&& read this cha*ter 2ith attention 2i&& see that it treats
of the &ast da!s< and of the ;ion of the &ast da!s# Ho2< then< is the Lord
to d2e&& in ;ion if ;ion e not ui&t u*B This >uestion 2e &ea$e the
Saints to ans2er# The sa&$ation of the Saints one and a&& de*ends on the
ui&din, u* of ;ion< for 2ithout this there is no sa&$ation< for
de&i$erance in the &ast da!s is found in ;ion and in Jerusa&e'< and in the
re'nant 2ho' the Lord our 5od sha&& ca&&< or in other 2ords< in the sta0es
2hich He sha&& a**oint EJoe& ii( 9HF#
It is in ;ion 2here the Lord is to create u*on e$er! d2e&&in, *&ace
and u*on her asse'&ies a c&oud of s'o0e ! da! and the shinin, of a
f&a'in, fire ! ni,ht# It is u*on the ,&or! of ;ion that there 2i&& e a
defense# It is in ;ion that there sha&& e a taernac&e for a shado2 in
the da! ti'e fro' the heat< and for a *&ace of refu,e and for a co$ert
fro' stor' and fro' rain EIsaiah i$( G< :F# It is u*on the 2a&&s of ;ion
2here the 2atch'en sha&& see e!e to e!e EIsaiah iii( 8F#
3hate$er is ,&orious< 2hate$er is desira&e< 2hate$er *ertains to
sa&$ation< either te'*ora& or s*iritua&< our ho*es< our e/*ectations< our
,&or!< and our re2ard< a&& de*end on our ui&din, u* ;ion accordin, to the
testi'on! of the )ro*hets< for un&ess ;ion is ui&t our ho*es *erish< our
e/*ectations fai&< our *ros*ects are &asted< our sa&$ation 2ithers< and
5od 2i&& co'e and s'ite the 2ho&e earth 2ith a curse# Hear< then< O !e
Saints of the &ast da!sK And &et this our a**ea& ha$e a fa$ora&e
rece*tion a'on, !ou# Let e$er! Saint consider 2e&& the nature of his
ca&&in, in the &ast da!s< and the ,reat res*onsii&it! 2hich rests u*on
hi' or her< as one to 2ho' 5od has re$ea&ed His 2i&&? and 'a0e haste not
on&! to the re&ief of 1irt&and< ut a&so to the ui&din, u* of ;ion# Let
e$er! 'an and e$er! 2o'an ,i$e heed the $er! instant that the! e'race the
5os*e&< and e/ert the'se&$es 2ith ener,! to send on 'eans to ui&d u*
;ion< for our 5od ids us to hasten the ui&din, of the cit!< sa!in, the
ti'e has co'e 2hen the cit! 'ust e *ushed for2ard 2ith unceasin,
e/ertions< for eho&d< the da! of ca&a'it! dra2eth ni,h< and un&ess the
Saints hasten the ui&din, of the cit! the! 2i&& not esca*e#
"e ad'onished< then< O !e SaintsK And &et not co$etousness< 2hich is
ido&atr!< nor 2or&d&! a'ition hinder !ou? ut ,ather u* !our ,o&d and
!our si&$er and a&& the 'eans !ou ha$e and send on to the Saints 2ho are
en,a,ed in this ,reat 2or0 of ui&din, the ;ion of 5od< that there 'a! e
a *&ace of refu,e for !ou and for !our chi&dren in the da! of 5od+s
$en,eance< 2hen He sha&& co'e do2n on Idu'ea< or the 2or&d< in His fur!
and sta'* the' do2n in His 2rath< and none sha&& esca*e ut the
inhaitants of ;ion# 3hat 2e sa! unto one 2e sa! unto a&&< haste< haste<
and de&a! notK for the hour of deso&ation does not &in,er< and 2ith a&&
the *o2er that the Saints ha$e< and 2ith a&& the di&i,ence the! can use
the! 2i&& scarce&! esca*e#
The ti'e is not far distant 2hen so'e of those 2ho no2 deride and
'oc0 the Saints for de$otin, their a&& to ui&d u* the ;ion of 5od< 2i&&
&ess their na'e for ha$in, *ro$ided a cit! of refu,e for the' and their
chi&dren< re,ard&ess of the ra$in,s of un,od&! *riests< and the 'oc0in,s
of a stu*id and i,norant *eo*&e# In the confidence 2hich 2e ha$e in the
,ood sense and ri,hteous *rinci*&es of the 'u&titude of the Saints< 2e
send this our 'e'oria& in the na'e of our .aster< Jesus< e&ie$in, that
this a**ea& 2i&& e recei$ed 2ith ,reat 0indness< and 2i&& e attended to
2ith untirin, *erse$erance unti& the o=ect for 2hich it has een sent
sha&& e acco'*&ished# And 'a! the 5od of a&& ,race *our out His richest
&essin,s on !our heads< and cro2n !ou 2ith aundance< that the ;ion of
our 5od 'a! f&ourish and cease not unti& the ri,hteousness thereof sha&&
,o forth as the &i,ht and the sa&$ation thereof as a &a'* 2hich urneth<
is the *ra!er of !our rethren in Christ Jesus# NE3EL 1# 3HITNEY< REYNOLDS
CAHOON< %INSON 1NI5HT#
Aout this ti'e E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2ho 2as &aorin, in Ne2 Yor0<
*u&ished his %oice of 3arnin, consistin, of H7: *a,es#
I started fro' 1irt&and on the HMth of Se*te'er< in co'*an! 2ith
"rother Sidne! Ri,don< to fu&fi&& the 'ission a**ointed us on the 78th of
Se*te'er ! a conference of E&ders< in esta&ishin, *&aces of ,atherin,
for the Saints? "rothers 3i&&ia' S'ith and %inson 1ni,ht acco'*an!in, us#
Octoer 7#--E&der L!'an Sher'an 2as e&ected Hi,h Counci&or at
1irt&and in *&ace of Jared Carter< re'o$ed to Far 3est#
Octoer H#--Sa'ue& H# S'ith 2as e&ected *resident of the Hi,h
Counci&< and counci& $oted that if a counci&or asented hi'se&f fro' their
'eetin,s 2ithout a reasona&e e/cuse< he shou&d e re*orted to the Church
as a de&in>uent# The Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and $oted that the c&er0 ,rant
&icenses to the 'e'ers of the counci& E2ho 2ished to tra$e&F< si,ned !
the *resident and c&er0#
3e arri$ed at Terre Haute< Indiana< on the 7Hth< aout 'id2a! fro'
1irt&and to Far 3est#
.! rother H!ru'+s 2ife< Jerusha "arden S'ith< died on the 79th of
Octoer 2hi&e I 2as at Terre Haute< and her husand at Far 3est# She &eft
fi$e s'a&& chi&dren and nu'erous re&ati$es to 'ourn her &oss? her de'ise
2as se$ere&! fe&t ! a&&# She said to one of her tender offs*rin, 2hen on
her d!in, ed< -Te&& !our father 2hen he co'es that the Lord has ta0en
!our 'other ho'e and &eft !ou for hi' to ta0e care of#- She died in fu&&
assurance of a *art in the first resurrection#
Octoer 7G#--The Hi,h )riests+ >uoru' at 1irt&and decided to ta0e
Doctor Sa'*son A$ard+s &icense unti& he returns and 'a0e satisfaction? and
the Hi,h Counci& concurred#
.inutes of Hi,h Counci&# Octoer 78#--The Hi,h Counci& and *residents
of the different >uoru's 'et in the Lord+s House< Sa'ue& H# S'ith
*residin,< and after a &en,th! discussion concernin, e/istin, e$i&s<
a,reed that it 2as ti'e to co''ence the 2or0 of refor'< and $oted
unani'ous&! to 'eet a,ain in the Lord+s House on .onda! e$enin, ne/t< and
in$ite the different >uoru's to 'eet at the sa'e ti'e< and co''ence
*runin, the $ine of 5od in 1irt&and< and thus continue the 2or0 e$enin,
after e$enin, unti& it sha&& e 2isdo' to sta! their hands# )HINEHAS
RICHARDS< C&er0 of the Hi,h Counci&#
Sunda! HH#--The Church in 1irt&and disfe&&o2shi*ed t2ent!-t2o
rethren and sisters unti& the! 'a0e satisfaction for unitin, 2ith the
2or&d in a dance the Thursda! *re$ious#
.inutes of Hi,h Counci&# Octoer H9#--The Hi,h Counci& of 1irt&and
a**ointed Lu0e S# Johnson< Re!no&ds Cahoon< and John 5ou&d a co''ittee to
$isit John Johnson< Jun#< and see if he 2ou&d desist fro' se&&in,
s*irituous &i>uors to those 2ho 2ere in the hait of ,ettin, into/icated<
and re*ort to the authorities of the Church those 'e'ers 2ho 'i,ht drin0
s*irits at his house# A&so $oted that the Church see that a&& difficu&ties
and differences e sett&ed as s*eedi&! as *ossi&e? and that unru&!
chi&dren e re*orted to their *arents< and if the! ne,&ect to ta0e
suita&e notice of it< then the *arents sha&& e re*orted to the
authorities of the Church and dea&t 2ith accordin,&!#
%oted that 2e discountenance the use of ardent s*irits in an! 2a! to
se&& or to e rou,ht into this *&ace for sa&e or use# )HINEHAS RICHARDS<
C&er0#
Sunda!< Octoer HN#--Nine 'ore of the rethren and sisters 2ere
re*orted to the Church as ha$in, een en,a,ed in the recreations of the
7Nth instant and e&e$en of the thirt!-one that had een re*orted 'ade
confession#
On the 9Dth of Octoer< "rothers Norris< "re2ster< and others<
*resented to the Hi,h Counci& a *&an for the etter or,ani4ation of the
Church in te'*ora& affairs< statin, that .oroni had a**eared to Co&&ins
"re2ster# The counci& decided that it 2as a tric0 of the de$i&#
.ost of those 2ho 2ere co'*&ained of for *artici*atin, in the
recreation on the 7Nth and had not confessed< ac0no2&ed,ed their fau&t to
the Hi,h Counci& on the first of No$e'er< and the re'ainder 2ere re>uired
so to do or e cut off fro' the Church#
No$e'er H#--The Hi,h Counci& $oted that &oun,ers aout the streets
shou&d e &aored 2ith< and a**ointed a co''ittee of three for that
*ur*ose#
The Church in 1irt&and $oted to sanction the a**oint'ent of "rother
)hinehas Richards and Reuen Hed&oc0 ! the )residenc!< to transact
usiness for the Church in *rocurin, 'eans to trans&ate and *rint the
records ta0en fro' the Cataco's of E,!*t< then in the Te'*&e#
I arri$ed at Far 3est so'e ti'e in the &atter *art of Octoer or
first of No$e'er# A 'eetin, of so'e of the Church 2as ca&&ed on the si/th
to counse& on certain affairs of the Church< 2hich I attended 2ith
"rothers Ri,don and H!ru' S'ith# There 2ere *resent a&so E&ders Tho'as "#
.arsh< 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in< L!'an E# Johnson< 3i&&ia' S'ith< and %inson
1ni,ht< fro' Ohio< the Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Far 3est< and so'e
other E&ders# )ra!er ! 3# 3# )he&*s# Se$era& to*ics 2ere discussed< 2hen
it 2as unani'ous&! $oted that it e reco''ended to the *ro*rietors of the
cor*oration of Far 3est to *etition the trustees of said cor*oration to
a&ter the streets or &essen the' so as to 'a0e each &oc0 contain four
acres of ,round< and each &oc0 to e di$ided into four &ots# A&so $oted
unani'ous&! that it is the o*inion of this counci& that there is
sufficient roo' in this countr! for the churches to continue ,atherin,
fro' aroad? a&so that the ui&din, of the House of the Lord e *ost*oned
unti& the Lord sha&& re$ea& it to e His 2i&& to ha$e it co''enced#
Ad=ourned unti& ear&! cand&e &i,ht< and 'et accordin,&!< 2hen re'ar0s
2ere 'ade ! 'an! of the authorities *resent u*on the *re$ious dis*osition
of the to2n *&at< the *urchase of &and< etc#? and a&& difficu&ties 2ere
satisfactori&! sett&ed e/ce*t a 'atter et2een O&i$er Co2der!< Tho'as "#
.arsh< and '!se&f< 2hich 2as referred to us 2ith the a,ree'ent that our
sett&e'ent of the affair 2ou&d e sufficient for the counci&#
3# 3# )he&*s *resided at this 'eetin,< and O&i$er Co2der! acted as
c&er0#
.inutes of a Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and# The Hi,h Counci& and "isho* of
1irt&and 'et in the Lord+s House on Tuesda! e$enin,< No$e'er Mth to
discuss the >uestion< -3ho *resides 2hen the *residents are asentB- ut
u*on discussion 2ere not a&e to co'e to an! conc&usion#
Tho'as "urdic0 2as a**ointed Hi,h Counci&or in the *&ace and asence
of )hinehas Richards? and Har&o2 Redfie&d c&er0 for the ti'e ein,#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< *ro*osed that "rother )hinehas Richards
e ordained under the hands of )resident John S'ith and "isho* 3hitne!<
and he 2as accordin,&! &essed for his 'ission# )H&NEHAS RICHARDS< C&er0#
.inutes or a Conference at Far 3est< .issouri< No$e'er Mth< 789M# At
a ,enera& asse'&! of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< asse'&ed at Far
3est to ta0e into consideration and transact the usiness of said Church<
E&der Tho'as "# .arsh 2as chosen as 'oderator and O&i$er Co2der! c&er0#
After sin,in, the 'oderator addressed the throne of ,race in *ra!er<
after 2hich )resident Sidne! Ri,don e/*&ained the o=ect of the 'eetin,
,i$in, a re&ation of the recent reor,ani4ation of the Church in 1irt&and#
The 'inutes of said 'eetin, at 1irt&and 2ere read ! the 'oderator 2ho
a&so no'inated Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< the first )resident of the 2ho&e
Church< to *reside o$er the sa'e#
A&& 2ere re>uested E'a&e and fe'a&eF to $ote? and he 2as unani'ous&!
chosen#
)resident S'ith then 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s acce*tin, the a**oint'ent<
re>uestin, the *ra!ers of the Church in his eha&f# He a&so no'inated
)resident Sidne! Ri,don to e one of his counse&ors< and he 2as
unani'ous&! chosen#
He then no'inated Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's to e his second counse&or<
ut he 2as o=ected to ! E&der L!'an 3i,ht in a fe2 re'ar0s referrin, to
a certain &etter 2ritten to this *&ace ! the said Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's#
A&so E&der .arsh o=ected to )resident 3i&&ia's#
E&der Ja'es E''et a&so o=ected to )resident 3i&&ia's#
"isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e said he seconded )resident 3i&&ia's+
no'ination and shou&d $ote for hi' and as to said &etter< he had heard it
and sa2 nothin, so cri'ina& in it#
)resident Da$id 3hit'er a&so 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s in )resident
3i&&ia's+ fa$or#
E&der .arsh 'ade further re'ar0s#
E&der Tho'as 5ro$er a&so o=ected to )resident 3i&&ia's#
)resident Sidne! Ri,don then no'inated )resident H!ru' S'ith to ta0e
)resident 3i&&ia's+ *&ace#
The 'oderator ca&&ed for a $ote in fa$or of )resident 3i&&ia's< ut
he 2as re=ected#
He then ca&&ed for a $ote in fa$or of )resident H!ru' S'ith< 2hich
2as carried unani'ous&!#
So'e fe2 re'ar0s 2ere 'ade ! )residents Da$id 3hit'er and Sidne!
Ri,don#
Da$id 3hit'er 2as no'inated as the )resident of this ranch of the
Church< ut 2as o=ected to ! E&der .arsh#
"isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e said he shou&d $ote for )resident 3hit'er#
E&der 3i&&ia' E# .+Le&&in 'ade a fe2 'ar0s#
E&der 5eor,e .# Hin0&e and E&der 1in, Fo&&et 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s in
fa$or of )resident 3hit'er#
E&ders Ca&e "a&d2in and Se!'our "runson s*o0e a,ainst )resident
3hit'er# E&der E&isha H# 5ro$es s*o0e in fa$or of )resident 3hit'er#
Further re'ar0s fro' E&der .+Le&&in< ! re>uest of )resident 3hit'er
,a$e ,enera& satisfaction#
Re'ar0s 2ere a&so 'ade ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2ho ca&&ed
for an e/*ression< 2hich 2as carried ! a&'ost a unani'ous $ote in fa$or
of )resident 3hit'er#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< then no'inated John 3hit'er for an
assistant *resident< 2ho 2as o=ected to< and E&der .arsh s*o0e in
o**osition to hi'< and read a &ist of char,es fro' a 2ritten docu'ent
a,ainst hi' and )resident )he&*s#
)resident John 3hit'er then s*o0e a fe2 2ords ! 2a! of confession
and 2as fo&&o2ed ! E&der Isaac .or&e!#
The $ote sustainin, hi' 2as ca&&ed< and carried unani'ous&!#
The 'eetin, ad=ourned for one hour#
.eetin, con$ened accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< a h!'n 2as sun, and *ra!er
offered ! the 'oderator#
3# 3# )he&*s 2as no'inated for an assistant *resident for this ranch
of the Church ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
"rother )he&*s rose and 'ade certain re'ar0s on the su=ect of the
char,es referred to ao$e ! 2a! of confession< 2hereu*on the $ote 2as *ut
! )resident Ri,don and *assed unani'ous&!#
E&ders John .urdoc0< So&o'on Hancoc0< E&ias Hi,ee< Ca&$in "eee<
John .# Hin0&e< Tho'as 5ro$er< and Si'eon Carter 2ere unani'ous&! chosen
Hi,h Counci&ors#
L!'an 3i,ht 2as no'inated a 'e'er of the Hi,h Counci& ut 2as
o=ected to ! John Anderson? the! 2ent aside to con$erse#
Ne2e& 1ni,ht 2as unani'ous&! chosen# 5eor,e .# Hin0&e 2as no'inated<
and o=ected to ! E&der Ja'es E''et< ecause he 2as too nois!? ! 1in,
Fo&&et ecause of his 'i&itar! office? and ! Ja'es Durfee ecause he 2as
a 'erchant#
E&der Hin0&e 'ade a fe2 re'ar0s#
The $ote 2as ca&&ed and 2as unani'ous in E&der Hin0&e+s fa$or#
Le$i Jac0'an and E&isha H# 5ro$es 2ere unani'ous&! chosen#
John Anderson then too0 the stand and 'ade his o=ections to L!'an
3i,ht? after 2hich E&der 3i,ht a&so s*o0e#
The $ote 2as ca&&ed and E&der 3i,ht 2as unani'ous&! chosen#
The T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ere then ca&&ed< na'e&!< Tho'as "# .arsh< Da$id
3# )atten< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson H!de< 3i&&ia' E#
.+Le&&in< )ar&e! )# )ratt< 3i&&ia' S'ith< Lu0e Johnson< Orson )ratt< John
F# "o!nton< and L!'an E# Johnson< and 2ere unani'ous&! sustained#
"isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e 2as no'inated to sti&& act as "isho*< and 2as
unani'ous&! chosen? he then no'inated Isaac .or&e! and Titus "i&&in,s for
his counse&ers< 2ho 2ere a&so unani'ous&! chosen#
E&der Isaac .or&e! 2as unani'ous&! a**ointed )atriarch of this ranch
of the Church#
E&der John Corri&& 2as chosen to e 0ee*er of the Lord+s Store House#
E&der Isaac .or&e! 2as then ordained to the office of )atriarch under
the hands of )residents Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don and H!ru' S'ith#
The con,re,ation< after a fe2 re'ar0s fro' Sidne! Ri,don< unani'ous&!
$oted not to su**ort stores and sho*s se&&in, s*irituous &i>uors< tea<
coffee< or toacco#
A $ote 2as ca&&ed on the su=ect of the *residents of the Se$enties?
and those 2ho ha$e recent&! een a**ointed to that office< 2ere
unani'ous&! recei$ed#
The con,re,ation then united 2ith )resident Sidne! Ri,don< 2ho< in
the c&osin, *ra!er< ca&&ed u*on their Lord to dedicate this &and for the
,atherin, of the Saints< and their inheritances# THO.AS "# .ARSH<
.oderator< OLI%E OLI%ER C&er0#
FAR 3EST< .issouri< No$e'er 7D< 789M# At a ,enera& 'eetin, of the
ordained 'e'ers of the Church in this *&ace E&der Tho'as "# .arsh o*ened
the 'eetin, ! *ra!er< and )resident Sidne! Ri,don read the 'e'oria& of
the "isho* of 1irt&and and his counse&ors< of Se*te'er 78th< 789M< to the
churches aroad# He then &aid efore the 'eetin, the su=ect of &a!in, off
cities< of consecratin, &ands for *u&ic *ur*oses< and for re'uneratin,
those 2ho &a! the' off# It 2as unani'ous&! $oted that a&& cit! *&ats
hereafter &aid off< after re'uneratin, those for their &aor 2ho 'a! e
en,a,ed in a**ointin, and &a!in, off the sa'e sha&& e consecrated for the
*u&ic enefit of the Church< for ui&din, houses for *u&ic 2orshi*< or
such other *ur*oses as the Church sha&& sa!#
)resident Ri,don then read the *ros*ectus of the E&ders+ Journa&<
2hich 2as unani'ous&! recei$ed#
It 2as then unani'ous&! $oted that the *ersons *resent use their
e/ertions to su**ort said *a*er# It 2as then $oted that the to2n of Far
3est e en&ar,ed so that it contain four sections< that is< t2o 'i&es
s>uare#
%oted that "isho* )artrid,e and his counse&ors e a**ointed a
co''ittee to a**raise the &and ad=acent to the *resent to2n *&at and see
that it is en&ar,ed accordin, to the ao$e $ote< *ro$ided the *resent
ho&ders of those &ands 2i&& ta0e such a *rice for the sa'e as the ao$e
a**raisers thin0 the' to e 2orth? and that the sa'e e then dis*osed of
as $oted ao$e#
A ca&& 2as then 'ade for those 2hose circu'stances 2ere such as to
*er'it the' to ,o out to *reach to *resent the'se&$es# There 2ere
t2ent!-three 2ho arose#
S!&$ester H# Ear&< Henr! Jac0'an< Harrison Sa,ers< and John 3# C&ar0
2ere ordained E&ders< and 3i&&ia' J# Le$ans 2as ordained a )riest#
)resident Ri,don then c&osed the 'eetin, ! *ra!er# THO.AS "# .ARSH
.oderator# OLI%ER CO3DERY< C&er0#
Aout this ti'e I &eft Far 3est on '! return to 1irt&and
.inutes of a Hi,h Counci& at 1irt&and# 1irt&and< No$e'er HDth# The
Hi,h Counci& 'et in the Lord+s House< John S'ith *residin,#
Reuen Hed&oc0 *referred the fo&&o2in, char,e a,ainst ;enos H#
"re2ster< Jane "re2ster< Co&&ins "re2ster< D# H# Dustin and 2ife< .oses R#
Norris and 2ife< E&i4a Norris< Sa'ue& "arnet< Je'i'a "ut&er< Os'an .#
Due&< --"ut&er< and Ro/anna Re*sher< for ,i$in, heed to re$e&ations said
to e trans&ated fro' the "oo0 of .oroni ! Co&&ins "re2ster< and for
enterin, into a 2ritten co$enant different fro' the artic&es and co$enants
of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< and fo&&o2in, a $ain and de&usi$e
s*irit#
T2o 2ere a**ointed to s*ea0 on each side#
The 2ritin,s and re$e&ations 0e*t and recei$ed ! the accused 2ere
*resented< and read ! the c&er0 of the Counci&#
The accused *&eaded not ,ui&t!#
"rother Fe&sha2 2as ca&&ed for2ard ! the *&aintiff< 2ho stated that
he had $isited the accused and &aored 2ith the' accordin, to the &a2 of
the Church? that the accused =ustified the'se&$es< seein, the Church had
not &i$ed accordin, to the for'er re$e&ations< and the! considered the
Hi,h Counci& and others 2ere in trans,ression? and that 'ost of the
accused a**eared to e deter'ined to *ursue their o2n 2a!< 2hether ri,ht
or 2ron,#
"rother A&&en said the accused a**eared to 'anifest a hard s*irit
a,ainst the )residents of the Church and the Hi,h Counci&#
"rother Dunn concurred#
"rother Sa2!er stated that he heard "rother Norris sa! that those in
authorit! 2ere a,ainst hi' and if he cou&d not esta&ish an order of
thin,s here to his 'ind he 2ou&d ,o out a'on, the 5enti&es and do it#
"rother 1ni,ht confir'ed the fore,oin, testi'on!#
The accused ca&&ed "rother Free'an< 2ho stated that he had attended a
nu'er of the 'eetin,s of the accused and sa2 nothin, out of the 2a!#
"rother E# Stron, confir'ed "rother Free'an+s state'ent< ut did not
0no2 2hen he attended the 'eetin,s at 2hich the! recei$ed re$e&ations for
the'se&$es#
"rother J# Foster a,reed 2ith the &ast t2o 2itnesses# "rother )reston
2as ca&&ed ! the accuser< 2ho testified that the accused refused to ad'it
hi' into their 'eetin,s and that others 2ere re=ected#
Se$era& 2itnesses testified that the! attended their 'eetin,s and sa2
nothin, 2ron,#
Others testified the! had heard the' s*ea0 a,ainst the heads of the
Church and that "rother Jose*h had 'an! thin,s to re*ent of< and one of
the' said he thou,ht so'e *ut too 'uch stress on the )riesthood< and that
he 2as infor'ed that "rother Norris &aid his hands on Co&&ins "re2ster and
ordained hi' a *ro*het< and that one of the accused said he 2as deter'ined
to *ursue his o2n course 2hether it suited the Hi,h Counci& or not#
After the *&eas of his counci&ors the accused s*o0e in =ustification
of their course ,enera&&!< 2hen the Counci& decided that the char,e had
een fu&&! sustained and 2ithdre2 fe&&o2shi* fro' those 2ho *ersisted in
their course of conduct as efore 'entioned# HARLO3 REDFIELD< C&er0#
At a conference of E&ders< consistin, of a&& the authorities of the
Church in 1irt&and< No$e'er HMth< E&der Reuen Hed&oc0 2as chosen
)resident of the E&ders+ >uoru'< in *&ace of E&der "ea'an deceased#
No$e'er 9D#--Danie& S# .i&es *resented a co'*&aint a,ainst Ro,er
Orton -for ausin, E&der "ri,ha' Youn, and for a ,enera& course of
unchristian&i0e conduct#- The accused ha$in, een notified to a**ear and
ans2er for his conduct< and ha$in, refused< the Hi,h Counci& decided that
he e cut off< for sho2in, conte'*t to the authorities of the Church#
Far 3est< Dece'er :th#--The Hi,h Counci& and "isho* and counse&ors
a**ointed E&ias Hi,ee< Si'eon Carter< and E&isha H# 5ro$es< a co''ittee
to consider the *ro*riet! of *ro*osin, to the Church to *a! the Hi,h
Counci& for their ti'e 2hi&e en,a,ed in counci&# "isho* )artrid,e< John
Corri&&< and Isaac .or&e! 2ere a**ointed a co''ittee to re*ort u*on the
su=ect of raisin, a re$enue to defra! the e/*enses of the Church#
Da$id 3hit'er 2as a**ointed to si,n E&ders+ &icenses< as chair'an of
the Counci&< and 3# 3# )he&*s< as c&er0? and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< to
si,n &icenses as chair'an *ro te'*ore< in the asence of )resident
3hit'er? and John 3hit'er< as c&er0 *ro te'*ore? and O&i$er Co2der!<
recordin, c&er0< standin, c&er0 of the Counci&< and recorder of
*atriarcha& &essin,s at Far 3est#
The co''ittee on *a! for the Counci& re*orted( It is our united
o*inion that the )residenc!< Hi,h Counci&< "isho* and counse&ors< c&er0 of
the counci&< )atriarch and a,ents of the Church< Ea&so an! others 2ho 'a!
e e'*&o!ed in Church usinessF< recei$e *er da!< each< one do&&ar and
fift! cents# ISi,nedJ SI.EON CARTER< ELIAS HI5"EE< ELISHA H# 5RO%ES#
"isho* )artrid,e re*orted to the Counci& that he had *aid si/ hundred
do&&ars to the &a2!ers to carr! on suits a,ainst the Jac0son 'o< and
three hundred do&&ars costs in carr!in, on said suits for 2hich he had
in$o&$ed hi'se&f< and 2as *a!in, ten *er cent interest on the sa'e? and
*etitioned the Counci& for &ea$e to &i>uidate the det out of the
*ro*erties consecrated for the enefit of the Church< and char,e the
Church for the sa'e# The Counci& ,ranted the *etition#
%oted that the recorder of &icenses and *atriarcha& &essin,s
recei$e< for each one hundred 2ords< ten cents#
Counci& ad=ourned to Dece'er Mth#
Counci& asse'&ed on the Mth< accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< and heard the
re*ort of their Co''ittee on raisin, a re$enue to *a! the officers of the
Church for their ser$ices< and after 'uch discussion and ad=ourn'ent fro'
ti'e to ti'e< dis'issed the su=ect as ein, anti-scri*tura&#
I returned to 1irt&and on or aout the 7Dth of Dece'er# Durin, '!
asence in .issouri 3arren )arrish< John F# "o!nton< Lu0e S# Johnson<
Jose*h Coe< and so'e others united to,ether for the o$erthro2 of the
Church# Soon after '! return this dissentin, and o*en&! and *u&ic&!
renounced the Church of Christ of Latter-da! Saints and c&ai'ed the'se&$es
to e the o&d standard< ca&&in, the'se&$es the Church of Christ< e/c&udin,
the 2ord -Saints<- and set 'e at nau,ht< and the 2ho&e Church< denouncin,
us as heretics< not considerin, that the Saints sha&& *ossess the 0in,do'
accordin, to the )ro*het Danie&#
The E&ders+ Journa& No# H for No$e'er 2as the &ast *a*er *rinted at
1irt&and# Our *rintin, esta&ish'ent 2as attached to satisf! an un=ust
=ud,'ent of the count! court< and soon after the 2ho&e *rintin, a**aratus
and office 2ere urned to the ,round#
The 2or0 e,an to s*read in En,&and 2ith ,reat ra*idit! On the 7Hth
of Se*te'er E&der 5oodson &eft "edford for )reston< and aout the 7st of
Octoer sai&ed for A'erica< in co'*an! 2ith "rother Sn!der< ta0in, 2ith
hi' t2o hundred "oo0s of .or'on< 2hich the E&ders in $ain tried to
*ersuade hi' to &ea$e# "ranches 2ere esta&ished in Ecc&eston<
3ri,htin,ton< Hes0in< Eu/ton "ath< Dauers Lane< Chor&e!< 3hitt&e< Le!&and
.oss< Richester< Thorn&e!< C&ithero< 3addin,ton< Do2nha'< and other
*&aces round aout )reston< 2here the rethren hired the -Coc0 )it<- a
&ar,e and con$enient ui&din, for *reachin,< ut< ein, distured ! so'e
.ethodist *riests< 2ere o&i,ed to ha$e the house &icensed ! the ci$i&
courts< accordin, to the statutes of the rea&'< 2hich< 2ith the aid of t2o
consta&es 2ho $o&untari&! *roffered their ser$ices< restored *eace and
order# And on Christ'as da!< Dece'er HGth< E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de< and
Jose*h Fie&din, E2ho had *re$ious&! een ordained an E&derF asse'&ed in
the -Coc0 )it- 2ith aout three hundred Saints< se$era& of 2ho' 2ere
ordained to the &esser )riesthood< fourteen 2ere confir'ed< and aout one
hundred chi&dren 2ere &essed ! the E&ders# This 2as the first *u&ic
conference of the Church in En,&and< and at this conference the 3ord of
3isdo' 2as first *u&ic&! tau,ht in that countr!#
3hi&e the 2or0 2as thus ra*id&! *ro,ressin, in Lancashire it
continued ,radua&&! to *ro,ress at "edford< a&so a ranch 2as esta&ished
at "ass!nurn< and another at )eter+s 5reen< ! E&der Richards#
On the 'ornin, of the HHnd of Dece'er< 789M< "rother "ri,ha' Youn,
&eft 1irt&and in conse>uence of the fur! of the 'o s*irit that *re$ai&ed
in the a*ostates 2ho had threatened to destro! hi' ecause he 2ou&d
*roc&ai' *u&ic&! and *ri$ate&! that he 0ne2 ! the *o2er of the Ho&!
5host that I 2as a )ro*het of the .ost Hi,h 5od< that I had not
trans,ressed and fa&&en as the a*ostates dec&ared#
A*ostas!< *ersecution< confusion< and 'oocrac! stro$e hard to ear
ru&e at 1irt&and< and thus c&osed the !ear 789M#
END OF %OL# II#
See .a&# iii( 7-M#
Isaiah /i( 77-7:? a&so Histor! of the Church< $o&# I< **# 7H< 79#
Fo&&o2in, are a fe2 of the 'ost *ro'inent of these *ro*hecies( Deut#
///( 7-:? Isaiah ii( 7-@? Jere'iah iii< 7H-78# A&so /$i( @-78? //iii( 7-8<
and ///i( M-7@#
See Doc# P Co$# sec# /i$( 7G-M7< this re$e&ation 2as ,i$en in 7897?
a&so Doc# P Co$# sec# c///iii# This is the re$e&ation ca&&ed the a**endi/
and 2as ,i$en No$e'er 9< 7897#
Life of John Ta!&or< *# N:#
Leon ;e&te0off#
Rai E'i& 5# Hirsch#
.a/ Nordau#
Israe& ;an,2i&&#
"io,ra*h! of Loren4o Sno2< *# @N:#
Church Histor! %o&# I *# 7H< a&so .a&# i$( G< :#
Isaiah /iii( M#
Iid# /&i/( :-N#
Iid# &/i( 7#
I )eter iii( 78-HD#
Iid# i$( :#
I Cor# /$( HN#
He# /i#
.a&# @( G< :#
Of these da!s in 1irt&and E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& in his Journa& sa!s<
-The church 2as in a state of *o$ert! and distress< a conse>uence of 2hich
it a**eared a&'ost i'*ossi&e that the co''and'ents cou&d e fu&fi&&ed
Ire&ati$e to the 1irt&and Te'*&eJ? at the sa'e ti'e our ene'ies 2ere
ra,in, and threatenin, destruction u*on us< and 2e had to ,uard ourse&$es
ni,ht after ni,ht< and for 2ee0s 2ere not *er'itted to ta0e off our
c&othes< and 2ere o&i,ed to ha$e 2ith our fire &oc0s in our ar's#---Ti'es
and Seasons< $o&# $i< *# MM7#
The use of -aroad- here does not ha$e reference to forei,n &ands<
ut 'eans those 2ho 2ere scattered fro' their ho'es in .issouri#
This co''unication of the E&ders of the church at 1irt&and< to their
rethren scattered aroad< does not a**ear in the Histor! of the )ro*het<
ut is found in the E$enin, and .ornin, Star< $o&# 77< Nos# 7M< 78< 7N#
The docu'ent is e$ident&! dictated ! the )ro*het and is of such doctrina&
i'*ortance that it is thou,ht *ro*er to ,i$e it *&ace in the od! of the
church Histor!# It treats of the ori,in of &a2< hu'an and di$ine< and
'an+s re&ations thereto? the anti>uit! of the 5os*e&< the $irtue of the
atone'ent of Christ? the i'*ortance of 'en in this a,e ein, in
co''unication 2ith 5od throu,h the 'eans of re$e&ation? the itterness and
fate of a*ostates# The docu'ent is a co'*&ete refutation of the char,es of
ad 'oti$es ehind the conduct of the saints# No 'an< I e&ie$e< can read
this docu'ent and then e&ie$e that those 2ho issued it 2ere e$i& dis*osed
'en ent on decei$in, 'an0ind#
The &ate )resident Danie& H# 3e&&s 2as 2ont to sa! that so'e ti'e *re$ious
to his =oinin, the church he 2as satisfied that Jose*h S'ith 2as an
ins*ired 'an ecause of his intuiti$e 0no2&ed,e of the funda'enta&
*rinci*&es of &a2--a $ie2 that 2i&& e confir'ed ! a *erusa& of the *arts
of this co''unication 2hich dea&s 2ith the ori,in< force< and re&ations of
&a2#
The case of Jose*h S'ith $s# -Doctor- Hur&urt did not co'e to tria&
unti& the @th of A*ri&< 789@< 2hen the -Doctor- 2as ound o$er to 0ee* the
*eace#
Doctrine and co$enants< sec# cii#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ciii#
This .ount )&easant ranch of the Church< it 2i&& e re'e'ered< 2as
or,ani4ed ! the )ro*het and Sidne! Ri,don< in the Octoer *re$ious# See
$o&# I< cha*# ///#
Of this incident E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2ho 2as the )ro*het+s
tra$e&in, co'*anion on this 'ission< sa!s( -3e a*ti4ed a !oun, 'an na'ed
He'an H!de? his *arents 2ere )res!terians< and his 'other< on account of
the stren,th of her traditions< thou,ht the 2e 2ere 2ron,< and to&d 'e
after2ards that she 2ou&d 'uch rather ha$e fo&&o2ed hi' to an earth&!
,ra$e than to ha$e seen hi' a*ti4ed# Soon after2ards< ho2e$er< herse&f<
her husand< and the rest of the fa'i&!< 2ith so'e thirt! of fort! others<
2ere a&& a*ti4ed and or,ani4ed into a ranch of the Church--ca&&ed the
Freedo' ranch--fro' 2hich nuc&eus the &i,ht s*read and sou&s 2ere
,athered into the fo&d in a&& the re,ions round# Thus 'i,hti&! ,re2 the
2ord of 5od< or the seed so2n ! that e/traordinar! *ersona,e< the )ro*het
and Seer of the nineteenth centur!#- EAutoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *#
77M#F
S*ea0in, of the *&easure of his co'*anionshi* 2ith the )ro*het< E&der
)ratt a&so sa!s( -As 2e =ourne!ed da! after da!< and ,enera&&! &od,ed
to,ether< 2e had 'uch s2eet co''union concernin, the thin,s of 5od and the
'!steries of His 0in,do'< and I recei$ed 'an! ad'onitions and instructions
2hich I sha&& ne$er for,et#- EIid#< *# 77M#F
S*ea0in, of -Father "ea'an- and his interestin, fa'i&!< E&der )ar&e!
)# )ratt has the fo&&o2in, interestin, *assa,e< 2hich disc&oses the fact
that -Father "ea'an- 2as ac>uainted 2ith the 2or0 durin, the ti'e that the
"oo0 of .or'on 2as trans&atin,( -A'on, those 2hose hos*ita&it! 2e shared
in that $icinit! I5eneseoJ 2as o&d Father "ea'an and his a'ia&e and
interestin, fa'i&!# He 2as a ,ood sin,er< and so 2ere his three dau,hters?
2e 2ere 'uch edified and co'forted in their societ!< and 2ere dee*&!
interested in hearin, the o&d ,ent&e'an and "rother Jose*h con$erse on
their ear&! ac>uaintance and histor!# He I"ea'anJ had een inti'ate 2ith
Jose*h &on, efore the first or,ani4ation of the Church? had assisted hi'
to *reser$e the *&ates of the "oo0 of .or'on fro' the ene'!< and had at
one ti'e had the' concea&ed under his o2n hearth#- EIid#< **# 77M< 778#F
The c&osin, *ara,ra*h of the order of the court in the Hur&urt case
is as fo&&o2s( &o2s( 3herefore it+s ordered and ad=ud,ed ! the court that
the said Doctor )# Hur&urt enter into a ne2 reco,ni4ance< 2ith ,ood and
sufficient securit!< in the su' of t2o hundred do&&ars< hereafter to 0ee*
the *eace and e of ,ood eha$ior to the citi4ens of the state of Ohio
,enera&&!< and to the said Jose*h S'ith< Junior< in *articu&ar< for the
*eriod of si/ 'onths? and it is further ordered< that the said Doctor )#
Hur&urt *a! the costs of this *rosecution< ta/ed at the su' of one
hundred and t2e&$e do&&ars and fift!-nine cents# And thereu*on ca'e the
said Doctor )# Hur&urt< 2ith Char&es A# Ho&'es and E&i=ah S'ith as his
sureties< in o*en court< entered into a reco,ni4ance in the *ena& su' of
t2o hundred do&&ars each< conditioned that the said Doctor )# Hur&urt
sha&&< for the *eriod of si/ 'onths fro' and after this da!< 0ee* the
*eace and e of ,ood eha$ior to a&& the citi4ens of the state of Ohio
,enera&&!< and to the said Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in *articu&ar# ESi,nedF -.#
"irchard< )# J#-
See $o&# I#< **# @89-@88# The *a*ers a&&uded to inc&ude a second
*etition to the )resident of the United States? a &etter fro' A# S#
5i&ert et a&# acco'*an!in, sa'e? one fro' 3# 3# )he&*s et a&# to 5o$ernor
Dun0&in< infor'in, hi' of the *etition to the )resident? and one fro' 3#
3# )he&*s to Senator Tho'as H# "enton< infor'in, hi' of the *etition to
the )resident< etc#
Doctrine and co$enants< sec# ci$#
The circu'stance here a&&uded to is that a .r# Arthur< a res*ecta&e
and 2ea&th! *&anter of C&a! count!< sent one of his &ac0 ser$ants into
Jac0son Count! 2ith a &ar,e 2a,on &oad of 2his0!< f&our and acon# After
the ser$ant had crossed the ri$er< a stran,er ca'e out of the 2oods and
e,an to urst o*en the arre&s and destro! the f&our< threatenin, the
&ife of the ne,ro if he shou&d e$er co'e into that count! a,ain# .r#
Arthur< it is need&ess to sa!< 2as not a 'e'er of the Church of
Latter-da! Saints< nor a 'e'er of an! other re&i,ious societ!# 3hether he
2as ta0en for a -.or'on- or not does not a**ear# Esee E$enin, and .ornin,
Star< $o&# ii< *#97N#F
The 'inutes of this conference are to e found in the E$enin, and
.ornin, Star< $o&# ii< *# 9GH# It 2i&& e oser$ed fro' the headin, that
the E&ders asse'&ed in the conference are ca&&ed the E&ders of the Church
of Christ# This is *ointed out in order that it 'a! e seen that 2hi&e the
conference ado*ted the tit&e -The Church of the Latter-da! Saints< -and
the Church 2as for so'e !ears ca&&ed ! that na'e< it 2as not the
intention to re,ard the Church as an! other than the Church of Christ# In
an editoria& u*on this su=ect in the .a! nu'er of the Star I'inutes of
the conference< ho2e$er< desi,natin, the ao$e na'e of the church 2ere not
*u&ished unti& the Ju&! nu'er of the Star 2as issuedJ the fo&&o2in,
occurs as a co''ent u*on the action of this conference( -It is no2 'ore
than four !ears since this church 2as or,ani4ed in these &ast da!s< and
thou,h the conferences ha$e a&2a!s sho2n ! their 'inutes that the! too0
no other na'e than the na'e of Christ< the Church has< *articu&ar&!
aroad< een ca&&ed L.or'onite#+ As the 'e'ers of this Church *rofess a
e&ief in the truth of the "oo0 of .or'on< the 2or&d< either out of
conte'*t and ridicu&e< or to distin,uish us fro' others< ha$e een $er!
&a$ish in esto2in, the tit&e of L.or'onite#+ Others 'a! ca&& the'se&$es
! their o2n< or ! other na'es< and ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of 2earin, the'
2ithout our chan,in, the' or atte'*tin, so to do? ut 2e do not acce*t the
ao$e tit&e I.or'oniteJ< nor sha&& 2e 2ear it as our na'e< thou,h it 'a!
e &a$ished u*on us dou&e to 2hat it has heretofore een# And 2hen the
itterness of fee&in, no2 cherished in the oso's of those 2ho *rofess to
e the fo&&o2ers of Christ< a,ainst the Church of the Latter-da! Saints<
sha&& cease to e/ist< and 2hen farications and desi*ient re*orts
concernin, this societ! are no &on,er considered a $irtue< it 2i&& ta0e
its ran0< at &east 2ith others< and these sti,'as 2i&& fore$er s&ee* 2ith
their in$entors#- EE$enin, and .ornin, Star< $o&# ii< *# 97M#F
The &ate )resident 3i&ford 3oodruff< 2ho 2as a 'e'er of ;ion+s ca'*<
s*ea0in, at the ce&eration of the thirt!-third anni$ersar! EJu&! H@<
788D<F of the entrance of the )ioneers into Sa&t La0e $a&&e!< s*ea0in, of
;ion+s ca'*< said(
3e 2ere fo&&o2ed ! s*ies hundreds of 'i&es to find out the o=ect of our
'ission# 3e had so'e o!s in the ca'*# 5eor,e A# S'ith 2as a'on, the
!oun,est# 3hen the! cou&d ,et hi' a&one the! 2ou&d >uestion hi'< thin0in,
that he &oo0ed ,reen enou,h for the' to ,et 2hat the! 2anted out of hi'#
The fo&&o2in, >uestions 2ere fre>uent&! *ut and ans2ered( - L.! o!< 2here
are !ou fro'B+ - LFro' the East#+ - L3here are !ou ,oin,B+ - LTo the
3est#+ - L3hat forB+ - LTo see 2here 2e can ,et &and chea*est and est#+ -
L3ho &eads the ca'*B+ - LSo'eti'es one< so'eti'es another#+ - L3hat na'eB+
- LCa*tain 3a&&ace< .a=or "ruce# Orson H!de< Ja'es A&&red<+ etc# -This 2as
aout the infor'ation the s*ies otained fro' an! of the ca'* that 2ere
>uestioned#- E-The Utah )ioneers<- *# 78F
On this *oint E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< in his Autoio,ra*h!< re&ates a
'ost interestin, incident# E&der )ratt 2as chief&! en,a,ed as a recruitin,
officer a&on, the &ine of the ca'*+s 'arch< and 2ou&d fa&& in 2ith the
ca'* fro' ti'e to ti'e< 2ith additiona& 'en< ar's< stores< 'one!< etc#< as
o**ortunit! afforded# And ho2 his stor!(
-On one occasion< I had tra$e&ed a&& ni,ht to o$erta0e the ca'* 2ith so'e
'en and 'eans< and ha$in, rea0fasted 2ith the' and chan,ed horses< I
a,ain started ahead on e/*ress to $isit other ranches and do usiness< to
a,ain o$erta0e the'# At noon I had turned '! horse &oose fro' the carria,e
to feed on the ,rass in the 'idst of a road &e$e& *&ain# No haitation
2as near? sti&&ness and re*ose rei,ned around 'e? I san0 do2n o$er*o2ered
in a dee* s&ee*< and 'i,ht ha$e &ain in a state of o&i$ion ti&& the
shades of ni,ht had ,athered around 'e< so co'*&ete&! 2as I e/hausted for
2ant of s&ee* and rest? ut I had on&! s&e*t a fe2 'o'ents ti&& the horse
had ,ra4ed sufficient&!< 2hen a $oice< 'ore &oud and shri&& than I had
e$er efore heard< fe&& on '! ear and thri&&ed throu,h e$er! *art of '!
s!ste'? it said( -)ar&e!< it is ti'e to e u* and on !our =ourne!#- In the
t2in0&in, of an e!e I 2as *erfect&! aroused? I s*ran, to '! feet so
sudden&! that I cou&d not reco&&ect 2here I 2as or 2hat 2as efore 'e to
*erfor'# I re&ated the circu'stance after2ards to "rother Jose*h S'ith<
and he ore testi'on! that it 2as the an,e& of the Lord 2ho 2ent efore
the ca'* 2ho found 'e o$er*o2ered 2ith s&ee*< and thus a2o0e 'e#-
EAutoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# 7HH< 7H9#F
A&'on 3# "aitt 2as orn Octoer 7< 7879< in "er0shire count!< .ass#
He 2as the son of Ira and Nanc! "aitt#
In addition to confir'in, the ao$e narrati$e of the ser$ices on June
7< E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&< in his =ourna&< adds so'e $er! interestin,
detai&s< as fo&&o2s(
-On Sunda!< June 7< 2e *reached a&& da!< and 'an! of the inhaitants of
the to2n ca'e out to hear# "rother John Carter *reached in the 'ornin,# "!
this ti'e the inhaitants e,an to f&oc0 do2n in co'*anies to hear
*reachin,< as the! understood 2e 2ere *rofessors of re&i,ion and had had a
'eetin, in the 'ornin,# "rother Jose*h then *ro*osed that so'e of the
rethren shou&d set forth different *ortions of the 5os*e& in their
discourses< as he&d ! the re&i,ious 2or&d# He ca&&ed u*on "rother Jose*h
Youn, to *reach u*on the *rinci*&e of free sa&$ation# He then ca&&ed u*on
"ri,ha' Youn, to s*ea0< 2ho set forth a*tis' as essentia& to sa&$ation#
He 2as fo&&o2ed ! "rother Orson H!de< 2ho *ro$ed ! the scri*tures that
a*tis' 2as for the re'ission of sins# He ne/t ca&&ed u*on "rother L!'an
E# Johnson< 2ho s*o0e at so'e &en,th u*on the necessit! of 'en ein,
u*ri,ht in their 2a&0< and 0ee*in, the saath da! ho&!# He then ca&&ed
u*on "rother Orson )ratt< 2ho de&i$ered an e/ce&&ent discourse on the
*rinci*&e of the fina& restoration of a&& thin,s# The ser$ices of the da!
2ere conc&uded ! a *o2erfu& e/hortation fro' E&ea4er .i&&er# C C C
After the da!+s ser$ices 2ere o$er at this *&ace< 'an! stran,ers 2ere in
our ca'* 'a0in, re'ar0s u*on the *reachin, 2hich the! had heard# The! said
"rother Jose*h Youn,< ! his *reachin,< the! shou&d =ud,e 2as a .ethodist#
The! thou,ht "rother "ri,ha' Youn, 2as a c&ose co''union "a*tist# "rother
Orson H!de the! su**osed 2as a Ca'*e&&ite or Refor'ed "a*tist# "rother
L!'an H# Johnson the! su**osed 2as a )res!terian< and "rother Orson )ratt
a Restorationer# The! in>uired if 2e a&& e&on,ed to one deno'ination# The
ans2er 2as< 2e 2ere so'e of us "a*tists< so'e .ethodists< so'e
)res!terians< so'e Ca'*e&&ites< and so'e Restorationers#- I Ti'es and
Seasons#< $o&# $i< **# MMH-9# F
Accordin, to E&der 1i'a&&+s =ourna&< the facts concernin, the *erson
2hose ones had een found in the ,round 2ere not re$ea&ed to the )ro*het
Jose*h unti& the ca'* had de*arted fro' the 'ound# He sa!s(
-3hi&e on our 2a! 2e fe&t an/ious to 0no2 2ho the *erson 2as 2ho had een
0i&&ed ! the arro2# It 2as 'ade 0no2n to Jose*h that he had een an
officer 2ho fe&& in att&e in the &ast destruction a'on, the La'anites<
and his na'e 2as ;e&*h# This caused us to re=oice 'uch< to thin0 that 5od
2as so 'indfu& of us as to sho2 these thin,s to His ser$ant# "rother
Jose*h had in>uired of the Lord< and it 2as 'ade 0no2n in a $ision#-
ETi'es and Seasons# $o&# $i< *#M88#F
E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& corroorates this *rediction of the 9rd of
June< c&osin, his reference to it in his =ourna& in these 2ords( -2hich
I*redicted ca&a'it!J after2ards actua&&! did ta0e *&ace< to the sorro2 of
the rethren#- ETi'es and Seasons< $o&# $i< *# M88#F
Of this incident aout the firin, of the ,uns on the 9rd< E&der
1i'a&&< in his =ourna&< sa!s( -There 2as a ,reat e/cite'ent in the
countr! throu,h 2hich 2e had *assed< and a&so ahead of us? the 'o
threatened to sto* us# 5uns 2ere< fired in a&'ost a&& directions throu,h
the ni,ht# "rother Jose*h did not s&ee* 'uch< if an!< ut 2as throu,h the
ca'* *rett! 'uch durin, the ni,ht -
This account< ,i$en under date of the @th of June< rea&&! co$ers oth
the @th and Gth< and the =ourne! 2as 'ade fro' At&as to the .issouri side
of the .ississi**i durin, the t2o da!s< the @th and Gth# 3hi&e enca'*ed on
Sn!e is&and< the rethren 'anifested a dis*osition to scatter throu,h the
2oods for huntin,< -ut I ad$ised the' to the contrar!<- said the *ro*het#
He then continues( -So'e of the rethren 2ent on to the sand ar and ,ot a
>uantit! of turt&es+ e,,s< as the! su**osed# I to&d the' the! 2ere sna0es+
e,,s< and the! 'ust not eat the'? ut so'e of the' thou,ht the! 0ne2 'ore
aout it than I did< and sti&& *ersisted the! 2ere turt&es+ e,,s# I said
the! 2ere sna0es+ e,,s--eat sna0es+ e,,s< 2i&& !ouB The 'an that eats the'
2i&& e sorr! for it? !ou 2i&& e sic0# Not2ithstandin, a&& I said<
se$era& rethren ate the'< and 2ere sic0 a&& the da! after it#-
Of S!&$ester S'ith+s ree&&ion a,ainst the order of the ca'*< E&der
1i'a&&< in his =ourna&< re&ates the fo&&o2in, interestin, circu'stances (
-3hen 2e had a&& ,ot o$er Ithe .ississi**iJ< 2e ca'*ed aout one 'i&e ac0
fro' the &itt&e to2n of Louisiana< in a eautifu& oa0 ,ro$e< 2hich is
i''ediate&! on the an0 of the ri$er# At this *&ace there 2ere so'e
fee&in,s of hosti&it! 'anifested a,ain ! S!&$ester S'ith< in conse>uence
of a do, ,ro2&in, at hi' 2hi&e he 2as 'archin, his co'*an! u* to the ca'*<
he ein, the &ast that ca'e o$er the ri$er# The ne/t 'ornin, "rother
Jose*h to&d the ca'* that he 2ou&d descend to the s*irit that 2as
'anifested ! so'e of the rethren< to &et the' see the fo&&! of their
2ic0edness# He rose u* and co''enced s*ea0in, ! sa!in,# LIf an! 'an
insu&ts 'e< or auses 'e< I 2i&& stand in '! o2n defense at the e/*ense of
'! &ife? and if a do, ,ro2&s at 'e< I 2i&& &et hi' 0no2 that I a' his
'aster#+ At this 'o'ent S!&$ester S'ith< 2ho had =ust returned fro' 2here
he had turned out his horses to feed< ca'e u*< and hearin, "rother Jose*h
'a0e those re'ar0s< said< LIf that do, ites 'e< I+&& 0i&& hi'#+ "rother
Jose*h turned to S!&$ester and said< LIf !ou 0i&& that do,< I+&& 2hi*
!ou<+ and then 2ent on to sho2 the rethren ho2 2ic0ed and unchristian&i0e
such conduct a**eared efore the e!es of truth and =ustice#-
A note in the -Addenda- of the 'anuscri*t Histor! to the -3e resu'ed
our =ourne!---etc#< adds( -The 'en 2ho had *re$ious&! fo&&o2ed us *assed -
se$era& ti'es durin, the da!< and 2ere in search of us this e$enin,# The
,uard heard the' sa!< LThe! ha$e turned aside< da'n +e'< 2e can+t find
+e'#+ E&ders Seth Johnson and A&'on 3# "aitt< 2ho had een sent to the
"o2&in, 5reen ranch to ,ather recruits< returned to the ca'* on the
'ornin, of the Mth 2ith a s'a&& co'*an!< t2o 2a,ons and se$era& horses#-
A note in the -Addenda- to the 'anuscri*t Histor! adds this
state'ent< under the e$ents of the Mth( -one of the ca'* 2a&0ed on ahead
to *rocure so'e 'i&0# A nu'er of 'en ar'ed 2ith ,uns 'et hi' and said(
LHere+s one da'n .or'on a&one--&et+s 0i&& hi'#+ "ut at the sa'e instant
the! disco$ered a nu'er of others =ust co'in, o$er the hi&&< 2hen the!
i''ediate&! rode off in ,reat haste# In the e$enin, enca'*ed in a ,ro$e
near a s*rin,< in .onroe count!# A ranch of the church< 0no2n as the Sa&t
Ri$er ranch< ut fre>uent&! ca&&ed the A&&red sett&e'ent< 2as &ocated
here# 3e re'ained at this *&ace se$era& da!s 2ashin, our c&othes< and
*re*arin, to )ursue our =ourne!#-
The fo&&o2in, is ,i$en in the -Addenda- of the 'anuscri*t Histor! as
a fu&&er account of the e$ents under the date of the 8th( -Sunda!< 8th< 2e
2ere =oined ! '! rother H!ru' S'ith and L!'an 3i,ht< 2ith another
co'*an!< 2ho started fro'
)ontiac< .ichi,an Territor!< .a! Gth< the sa'e da! 2e started fro'
1irt&and ha$in, *assed throu,h Ann Aror< Jac0sonsur,h< S*rin, Aror<
Constantine< E&0hart< crossed the I&&inois ri$er one 'i&e e&o2 Otta2a<
)&easant 5ro$e< )e0in< Auinc! and )a&'!ra# E&i=ah Fordha' 2as their
historian? L!'an 3i,ht< ste2ard? H!ru' S'ith and Sa'ue& Dent< 'oderators#
3e had a,reed to 'eet at this *oint< and the first co'*an! that arri$ed
2as to 2ait for the other# Soon after the arri$a& of "rother H!ru' and his
co'*an!< I dis*atched "rother Lu0e Johnson and A&'on 3# "aitt 2ith
'essa,es to the rethren in C&a! count!< fearin, that the &etter 2hich I
sent fro' S*rin,fie&d had 'iscarried# Ja'es A&&red< Sen#< and ten others
of this ranch =oined our ca'*< 2hich no2 nu'ered t2o hundred and fi$e
'en< a&& ar'ed and e>ui**ed as the &a2 directs# It 2as de&i,htfu& to see
the co'*an!< for the! 2ere a&& !oun, 'en< e/ce*t one co'*an! 2ho' 2e
ca&&ed the Si&$er 5re!s< and 2ho ate at '! ta&e# 3e 2ere a&& in ,ood
s*irits< and 2ere tau,ht the s2ord *ractice ! "rother 3i&&ia' Cherr! E2ho
2as a nati$e of Ire&andF< as e/*ert dri&& 'aster 2ho had een in the
"ritish dra,oon ser$ice for u*2ards of t2ent! !ears< and deser$es 'uch
credit for his un2earied e/ertions in i'*artin, a&& he 0ne2 to the
rethren# This 2as our first atte'*t at &earnin, the s2ord e/ercise#
"rothers Hira' Stratton and Ne&son Tus *rocured a sho* of .!res .o&e!
and re*aired e$er! fire&oc0 that 2as out of order< and Da$id E&&iott shod
our horses# Here "rother Ja'es Foster 2as ta0en sic0# I *ro*osed to hi' to
re'ain ehind# He said< L"rother Jose*h< &et 'e ,o 2ith !ou if I die on
the road#- I to&d hi' in the na'e of the Lord< that if that 2as his faith<
to ,o on his ed in the 2a,on< and he shou&d ,et etter e$er! da! unti& he
reco$ered< 2hich 2as &itera&&! fu&fi&&ed#-
Jose*h S'ith< ho2e$er< 2as the co''ander-in-chief# The fo&&o2in,
occurs in the -Addenda- to the 'anuscri*t Histor!( -3e or,ani4ed the ca'*#
I 2as ac0no2&ed,ed co''ander-in-chief and L!'an 3i,ht ,enera&#-
This *ara,ra*h is a note In the -Addenda- of 'anuscri*t Histor!#
This *ara,ra*h is fro' notes in the -Addenda- of the 'anuscri*t
Histor!
)ara,ra*h is fro' notes in the -Addenda- of the 'anuscri*t Histor!#
The sa'e da!< June 7@< E&der John Corri&& 2rote to the editor of the
E$enin, and .ornin, Star< ,i$in, an account of affairs in Jac0son count!?
and as his co''unication ,i$es a descri*tion of thin,s in Jac0son count!
not found e&se2here< I >uote so 'uch of the &etter as 2as *u&ished in the
Star< $o&# ii< **# 999< 99@(
-The &eaders of the 'o are !et stri$in, to 0ee* u* the sa'e s*irit of
o**osition< ! insti&&in, fa&sehoods into the 'inds of the *eo*&e# The!
te&& the' that the L.or'ons+ are co'in, u*on the'< 'o &i0e< to 0i&& their
2o'en and chi&dren# The! raised an a&ar' a fe2 da!s a,o 2hich set the
2ho&e count! of Jac0son in an u*roar--'en ridin, in different directions
and *roc&ai'in,< Lthe .or'ons are co'in,--the! are no2 crossin, the
ri$er--the! are co'in, to 0i&&< destro!<+ etc# So'e 2o'en and chi&dren
&eft their houses< and f&ed to the 2oods and e&se2here< 2hi&e the 'en< t2o
hundred or three hundred< ,athered to,ether to o**ose the .or'ons as the!
su**osed< in their return# The! re*aired to the different ferries u* the
ri$er< to ,uard the'< and I ha$e een credi&! infor'ed that the! ha$e
since continued to ,uard the ri$er at the different crossin, *&aces fro'
one end of Jac0son count! to the other# And for fear that 2e 2ou&d return
and en=o! our d2e&&in,s a,ain< the! set fire to and urned the' do2n and
then raised the re*ort that the .or'ons 2ent o$er and urnt their houses<
and I a' infor'ed that the! ha$e urnt the' a&& e/ce*t a $er! fe2 2hich
are occu*ied ! other fa'i&ies? and I ha$e een to&d that the! ha$e
destro!ed our fences and other *ro*ert! that re'ained# 3hat 2as the cause
of this ,reat a&ar' a'on, the'< I 0no2 not? for 2e are at ho'e attendin,
to our o2n usiness< and had not thou,ht of returnin, at that ti'e#
Neither ha$e 2e an! thou,hts of e$er returnin, in the ni,ht ti'e< or in
the 'o &i0e 'anner 2hich the! re*resent to the *eo*&e? for as 2e desi,n
to e ,o$erned in a&& cases ! the &a2s of the &and< 2e sha&& therefore
return under the *rotection of the ,o$ernor< as he has *ro'ised us# 3e
therefore ha$e no need to return and ta0e the' on sur*rise< as the!
fa&se&! re*resent to the *eo*&e? for 2e 'ean on&! to act on the *rinci*&es
of se&f-defense in a&& cases# "ut the! state fa&sehoods to the *eo*&e< for
the *ur*ose< I su**ose< of 0ee*in, their stren,th ,ood to o**ose our
return< 2hich< I understand< the! are deter'ined to do< e$en to the
sheddin, of &ood? and it is said ! the 'o< that the 2ho&e count! is
co'ined to,ether# The! are ar'in, the'se&$es< and the! ha$e distriuted
our ,uns a'on, the'# "ut it is eas! to e seen< that fear and
consternation *re$ai& a'on, the'? so'e of their &eaders ha$e a&read!
c&eared out# Co&one& S#D# Lucas has ta0en his ,oods and ,one do2n the
ri$er? oth the Chi&es IHenr! and Joe& F#J ha$e &ate&! ,one to the south
on a &on, $isit# La2!er Hic0s sa!s< if no co'*ro'ise is 'ade he sha&& see0
a &ocation so'e2here e&se? and I ha$e een to&d that L# Fran0&in is ,oin,
a2a! soon? so'e other fa'i&ies< I ha$e heard< are &ea$in, throu,h fear# As
near&! as I can &earn< the nu'er that is deter'ined to stand and o**ose
our return< e$en unto &oodshed< is aout one hundred and fift!< or t2o
hundred< in that count!< thou,h it is said that 'an! fro' other counties
2i&& co'e to their assistance#
-The! are tr!in, to e/cite the *eo*&e of this count! IC&a!J to dri$e us
fro' here< and for this *ur*ose< it is said< the! are circu&atin, a *a*er<
and ha$e ,ot so'e si,ners? ut the authorities of this count! do not
countenance the' in this thin,< and I thin0 the! cannot succeed? ut it is
said the! are &ur0in, aout and see0in, a chance to do *ri$ate in=ur!< ut
the rethren are on the &oo0out< and are *re*arin, the'se&$es 2ith ar's
for se&f-defense< and I thin0 if 2e fir'&! continue and *erse$ere<
accordin, to the &a2s of the &and< that 2e sha&& e ena&ed short&! to
o$erco'e the 'o and otain our ri,hts# -Yours< etc#< -JOHN CORRILL#-
This *ara,ra*h is a note in the -Addenda- of the .s# Church Histor!<
*a,e 79< "oo0 A#
This refusa& of 5o$ernor Dun0&in to reinstate the Saints on their
&ands in Jac0son count! 'ust ha$e een a se$ere &o2 to the ho*es of
;ion+s ca'* and the Saints scattered in C&a! count!# Fro' the ti'e of
their e/*u&sion fro' Jac0son count! the ,o$ernor re*eated&! said that the
e/i&es had a ri,ht to e reinstated u*on their &ands< and had *ro'ised
that he 2ou&d ca&& out the 'i&itia of the state to reinstate the' 2hene$er
the! 2ere read! and 2i&&in, to return# In his co''unication to .essrs# 3#
3# )he&*s< .or&e!< et a&#< under date of Fe# @< 789@ Esee ch# Hist# $o&
I< *# @M:F he said in ans2er to their *etition to e reinstated( -one of
!our re>uests needs no e$idence to su**ort the ri,ht to ha$e it ,ranted?
it is that !our *eo*&e e *ut in *ossession of their ho'es< fro' 2hich
the! had een e/*e&&ed# "ut 2hat 'a! e the dut! of the E/ecuti$e after
that< 2i&& de*end u*on contin,encies#- E$en a fe2 da!s efore his
inter$ie2 2ith .essrs# H!de and )ratt< in his &etter to Co&one& J#
Thornton< under date of June :th< he had said( -A 'ore c&ear and
indis*uta&e ri,ht does not e/ist< than that of the .or'on *eo*&e< 2ho
2ere e/*e&&ed fro' their ho'es in Jac0son count!< to return and &i$e on
their &ands? and if the! cannot e *ersuaded as a 'atter of *o&ic! to ,i$e
u* that ri,ht< or to >ua&if! it< '! course< as the chief< e/ecuti$e
officer of the state< is a *&ain one# The constitution of the United
States dec&ares< that the citi4ens of each state sha&& e entit&ed to a&&
*ri$i&e,es and i''unities of citi4ens in the se$era& states# Then 2e
cannot interdict an! *eo*&e< 2ho ha$e a *o&itica& franchise in the United
States< fro' i''i,ratin, to this state< nor fro' choosin, 2hat *art of the
state the! 2i&& sett&e in< *ro$ided the! do not tres*ass on the *ro*ert!
or ri,hts of others#- ESee *# 8G#F
In the face of this and other utterances the *osition no2 assu'ed !
5o$ernor Dun0&in 2as a 'anifestation of 2ea0ness tru&! &a'enta&e#
This and the *ara,ra*h fo&&o2in, concernin, .artin Harris< are notes
in -Addenda- of the .s# Histor!# *# 7@< "oo0 A#
Ho2 eautifu&&! in har'on! is this counse& 2ith the 2ords of the
sa$ior to Lucifer 2hen the &atter too0 hi' u* and stood hi' on a *innac&e
of the te'*&e< and said( -If thou e the Son of 5od< cast th!se&f do2n(
for it is 2ritten He sha&& ,i$e his an,&es char,e concernin, thee( and in
their hands the! sha&& ear thee u*< &est at an! ti'e thou dash th! foot
a,ainst a stone# Jesus said unto hi'< it is 2ritten a,ain< Thou sha&t not
te'*t the Lord th! 5od- E.att# i$( :<M#F .oreo$er< in this &ast
dis*ensation 2hen the *ro'ise of the s*iritua& ,ifts 2as rene2ed to the
Saints inc&udin, the *ro'ise that -the *oison of a ser*ent shou&d not ha$e
*o2er to har' the'---!et< saith the Lord< -a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto the'<
that the! sha&& not oast the'se&$es of these thin,s< neither s*ea0 the'
efore the 2or&d< for these thin,s are ,i$en unto !ou for !our *rofit and
for sa&$ation- EDoc# P Co$#< Sec# &///i$( M9F#
This *ara,ra*h is a note in the -Addenda- of the .s# Histor!< "oo0 A<
*# 7@#
This *ara,ra*h and the one *recedin, it< under sa'e date< are notes
in the -Addenda- of the .s# Histor!< "oo0 A< *# 7@#
This *ara,ra*h is a note in the -Addenda- of the .s# Histor!< "oo0 A<
*# 7G#
3i&ford 3oodruff sa!s that 2hen the fi$e 'en entered the ca'* there
2as not a c&oud to e seen in the 2ho&e hea$ens< ut as the 'en &eft the
ca'* there 2as a s'a&& c&oud &i0e a &ac0 s*ot a**eared in the north 2est<
and it e,an to unro&& itse&f &i0e a scro&&< and in a fe2 'inutes the
2ho&e hea$ens 2ere co$ered 2ith a *a&& as &ac0 as in0# This indicated a
sudden stor' 2hich soon ro0e u*on us 2ith 2ind< rain< thunder and
&i,htnin, and hai&# Our eds 2ere soon af&oat and our tents &o2n do2n
o$er our heads# 3e a&& f&ed into a "a*tist 'eetin,house# As the )ro*het
Jose*h ca'e in sha0in, the 2ater fro' his hat and c&othin, he said< -"o!s<
there is so'e 'eanin, to this# 5od is in this stor'#- 3e san, *raises to
5od< and &a! a&& ni,ht on enches under co$er 2hi&e our ene'ies 2ere in
the *e&tin, stor'# It 2as re*orted that the 'o ca$a&r! 2ho f&ed into the
schoo&house had to ho&d their horses ! the rid&es et2een the &o,s< ut
2hen the hea$! hai& stor' struc0 the' the! ro0e a2a!< s0innin, the
fin,ers of those 2ho 2ere ho&din, the'# The horses f&ed efore the stor'
and 2ere not found for se$era& da!s# It 2as re*orted that the ca*tain of
the co'*an! in the schoo&house said it 2as a stran,e thin, that the! cou&d
do nothin, a,ainst the .or'ons ut 2hat there 'ust e so'e hai& stor' or
so'e other thin, to hinder their doin, an!thin,< ut the! did not fee&
dis*osed to ac0no2&ed,e that 5od 2as fi,htin, our att&es# E3i&ford
3oodruff+s note in .s# Histor! of the church< "oo0 A *# 99H#F
It is said of the *ro*het Jose*h that if he cou&d ut once ,et the
attention e$en of his itterest ene'ies his nati$e e&o>uence< ins*ired !
the truth and the *athos of his *eo*&e+s sufferin,s< usua&&! o$er2he&'ed
the'? and in no instance 2as his triu'*h 'ore 'ar0ed than in the one =ust
re&ated#
The *rediction 2i&& e found at *# 8D#
3hen he Ithe )ro*het Jose*hJ s*o0e these thin,s it *ierced 'e &i0e a
dart< ha$in, a testi'on! that so it 2ou&d e# EE/tracts fro' H# C#
1i'a&&+s =ourna&< Ti'es and Seasons< $o&# $i< *# 8D@#F
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# c$#
A&so ,i$en -"ur,hart+s- in so'e of the Church records#
Of these sorro2fu& scenes E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& in his =ourna&<
,i$es the fo&&o2in, descri*tion< 2hich ou,ht not to e &ost to the reader
of Church Histor!(
-3hen the cho&era first ro0e out in the ca'*< "rother John S# Carter 2as
the first 2ho 2ent forth to reu0e it< ut IheJ hi'se&f< 2as i''ediate&!
sei4ed ! it< and as efore stated< 2as the first 2ho 2as s&ain# In aout
thirt! 'inutes after his death< Seth Hitchcoc0 fo&&o2ed hi'? and it
a**eared as thou,h 2e 'ust sin0 under the destro!er 2ith the'# 3e 2ere not
a&e to otain oards to 'a0e coffins< Ifor those 2ho diedJ< ut 2ere
under the necessit! of ro&&in, the' u* in their &an0ets< and ur!in, the'
in that 'anner# So 2e *&aced the' on a s&ed< 2hich 2as dra2n ! a horse
aout ha&f a 'i&e< 2here 2e uried the' in a &itt&e &uff ! the side of a
s'a&& strea' that e'*tied into Rush Cree0# This 2e acco'*&ished ! dar0<
and returned# Our ho*es 2ere that no 'ore 2ou&d die< ut 2hi&e 2e 2ere
unitin, in a co$enant to *ra! once 'ore 2ith u*&ifted hands to 5od< 2e
&oo0ed at our e&o$ed rother< E&der 3i&co/< and he 2as ,as*in, his &ast#
At this scene '! fee&in,s 2ere e!ond e/*ression# Those on&! 2ho 2itnessed
it< can rea&i4e an!thin, of the nature of our sufferin,s< and I fe&t to
2ee*< and *ra! to the Lord that He 2ou&d s*are '! &ife that I 'i,ht eho&d
'! dear fa'i&! a,ain# I fe&t to co$enant 2ith '! rethren< and I fe&t in
'! heart ne$er to co''it another sin 2hi&e I &i$ed# 3e fe&t to sit and
2ee* o$er our rethren< and so ,reat 2as our sorro2 that 2e cou&d ha$e
2ashed the' 2ith our tears< to rea&i4e that the! had tra$e&ed one thousand
'i&es throu,h so 'uch fati,ue to &a! do2n their &i$es for our
rethren--and 2ho hath ,reater &o$e than he 2ho is 2i&&in, to &a! do2n his
&ife for his rethrenB This increased our &o$e to the'# Aout 7H o+c&oc0
at ni,ht 2e *&aced "rother 3i&co/ on a s'a&& s&ed< 2hich 2e dre2 to the
*&ace of inter'ent< 2ith one hand ho&d of the ro*e< and in the other 2e
ore our fire&oc0s for our defense# 3hi&e one or t2o 2ere di,,in, the
,ra$e< the rest stood 2ith their ar's to defend the' this 2as our
situation< the ene'ies around us< and the destro!er in our 'idst# Soon
after 2e returned another rother 2as ta0en a2a! fro' our &itt&e and?
thus it continued unti& fi$e out of ten attac0ed 2ere ta0en a2a!# It 2as
tru&! affectin, to see the &o$e 'anifested a'on, the rethren for one
another< durin, the aff&iction? "rother Jose*h< seein, the sufferin,s of
his rethren< ste**ed for2ard to reu0e the destro!er< ut 2as i''ediate&!
sei4ed 2ith the disease hi'se&f? and I assisted hi' a short distance fro'
the *&ace< 2hen it 2as 2ith difficu&t! he cou&d 2a&0# A&& that 0e*t our
ene'ies fro' us 2as the fear of the destro!er 2hich the Lord so sent a'on,
us# After ur!in, these fi$e rethren< or aout this ti'e< I 2as sei4ed !
the hand of the destro!er< as I had ,one in the 2oods to *ra!# I 2as
instant&! struc0 &ind< and sa2 no 2a! 2here! I cou&d free '!se&f fro'
the disease< on&! to e/ert '!se&f ! =u'*in, and thrashin, '!se&f aout<
unti& '! si,ht returned to 'e< and '! &ood e,an to circu&ate in '!
$eins# I started and ran so'e distance< and ! this 'eans< throu,h the
he&* of 5od< I 2as ena&ed to e/tricate '!se&f fro' the ,ras* of death#
This circu'stance too0 *&ace in a *iece of 2oods =ust ehind "rother
Sidne! 5i&ert+s house C C C C C C T2o other rethren died at "rother
5i&ert+s house aout this sa'e ti'e# One of these 2as a cousin to "rother
Jose*h S'ith< the )ro*het#-
Heer C# 1i'a&& re'ar0s( -The Lord too0 hi' at his 2ord#- E/tracts
fro' 1i'a&&+s =ourna&< Ti'es and Seasons< $o&# $i< *# 89N#
The re'ar0s in the od! of the histor!< and this e/*ression fro' E&der
1i'a&&+s =ourna& are &ia&e to create a 'isunderstandin, concernin,
"rother A&,ernon Sidne! 5i&ert< than 2ho' the Lord has had fe2 'ore
de$oted ser$ants in this dis*ensation# The *&ace and date of his irth
cannot no2 e ascertained# His father+s fa'i&! resided in Huntin,ton<
Connecticut# "esides hi'se&f< there 2as a !oun,er rother 2ho =oined the
church< ut he died of cho&era in St# Louis< .issouri< the sa'e !ear as
his e&der rother# E&der 5i&ert for so'e !ears 2as successfu& 'erchant in
)aines$i&&e< Ohio? and suse>uent&!< 2ith Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< he founded the
successfu& 'ercanti&e fir' of 5i&ert and 3hitne! in 1irt&and< Ohio< at
2hich *&ace the 5os*e& found hi' in the !ear 789D# Later< he 2as ca&&ed to
,o to .issouri< and 2as a**ointed 0ee*er of the Lord+s storehouse< and
u*on hi' a&so de$o&$ed the res*onsii&it! of *urchasin, &ands for the
Saints# He 2as de$oted to the interest of the Saints and the Church# In
the *ersecutions 2hich ca'e u*on the *eo*&e in Jac0son count! he
sacrificed a&& his ,oods< and 2as a'on, the si/ 2ho offered their o2n
&i$es for the &i$es of their friends in the Jac0son count! trou&e# As to
his refusin, to acce*t the a**oint'ent to ,o and *reach the 5os*e& to the
5enti&es< that refusa& did not arise fro' an! &ac0 of faith in the truth
of 5od+s ,reat 2or0< ut fro' a nati$e diffidence and a &ac0 of confidence
in his o2n ai&it! to *reach# He 2as a 'an of rare ,ood sense<
conser$ati$e and of sound =ud,'ent# A&& of 2hich a**ears in the 'an!
co''unications dra2n u* in .issouri ! hi' durin, the trou&ous ti'es
throu,h 2hich the church *assed in those da!s# .uch of the corres*ondence
et2een the .issouri rethren and 5o$ernor Dun0&in 2as the 2or0 of E&der
5i&ert< and it hears 2itness to the truth of 2hat is here said of hi'#
Nor did he entire&! refuse to ear 2itness of the truth of the 5os*e& to
others# In a co''unication to the .essen,er and Ad$ocate fro' Huntin,ton<
Connecticut< under date of Se*te'er H@< 789@< his a,ed father< E&i
5i&ert< descriin, the $isit of his son to that *&ace so'e t2o !ears
*re$ious< sa!s( -He continued 2ith us aout t2o 2ee0s< and in that ti'e
2as *ressed ! his friends and ac>uaintances to 'eet the' and others< and
infor' the' concernin, the *eo*&e< and the "oo0 of .or'on# This he
cheerfu&&! did< as often as his &o2 state of hea&th 2ou&d *er'it? and
a&thou,h threatened and aused ! so'e of our *ious *ersecutors< !et he
2as not 'uch hurt nor interru*ted# 3hen a 'eetin, 2as he&d< a ,ood&!
nu'er 2ere rou,ht to serious in>uir! concernin, these thin,s< and
se$era& 2ou&d ,&ad&! ha$e recei$ed a*tis'< as the! after2ards to&d 'e#
And< than0 5od< so'e retain that desire and deter'ination !et#-
This for'a& order to dischar,e e$er! 'an of ;ion+s ca'* and re&ease
hi' to return ho'e 'a! e considered as the ter'ination of ;ion+s ca'*
e/*edition for the rede'*tion of ;ion# Had 5o$ernor Dun0&in *ossessed the
coura,e to enforce the &a2 of the state? had he ca&&ed out the 'i&itia of
.issouri to reinstate the e/i&es in their ho'es as at one ti'e he
e/*ressed a 2i&&in,ness to do< the histor! of ;ion+s ca'* 'i,ht ha$e had a
different endin,? for the e/i&es reinstated in their &ands< and reinforced
! the t2o hundred rethren 2ho constituted ;ion+s ca'*< 'i,ht ha$e een
a&e to ha$e 'aintained their inheritances on that &and? ut 5o$ernor
Dun0&in 2hen the crisis ca'e< &ac0ed the necessar! coura,e to fu&fi&& his
*ro'ise< and 2ithout the 'ora& assistance 2hich the reinstate'ent of the
saints u*on their &ands ! the 'i&itar! forces of the state 2ou&d ,i$e<
the e/i&es and ;ion+s ca'* 2ere *o2er&ess# )erha*s a&so another $ie2 is
ad'issi&e# Had the 'e'ers of ;ion+s ca'* een 'ore faithfu&< &ess
contentious< 'ore united? had the saints in the eastern ranches had 'ore
faith--faith to send u* to ;ion 'ore 'en and 'ore 'one! 2ith 2hich to
stren,then the hands of the saints on the &and of ;ion--the histor! of
;ion+s ca'* 'i,ht ha$e een different( for 2ith a &ar,er force the! 2ou&d
dout&ess ha$e een a&e to ho&d their &auds a,ainst the 'o< inde*endent
of the action of the state authorities# "ut thus it is( 2hat 'en and ,reat
'o$e'ents 'i,ht attain to is often defeated< so'eti'es ! the actions of
ene'ies< so'eti'es ! the &ac0 of de$otion and faith and ener,! on the
*art of those into 2hose hands ,reat enter*rises are co''itted# 3hi&e
5od+s ,enera& *ur*oses 2i&& ne$er u&ti'ate&! he defeated ! 'an< sti&&
u*on each side of the ,enera& *ur*oses of 5od+s 'ar,in so'e2hat 2ide see's
to ha$e een &eft in 2hich those oth for and a,ainst those *ur*oses 'a!
2rite 2hat histor! the! *&ease--one that 2i&& 'eet 2ith the a**ro$a& of
5od< or one that 2i&& 'eet on&! 2ith conde'nation--herein is the a,enc! of
'an# "ut in the e/ercise of that a,enc! 5od+s *ur*oses 2i&& not e
th2arted< for 'an+s a,enc! 2i&& not e/tend so far as that? if it did< it
2ou&d interfere 2ith 5od+s a,enc! and decrees# The order ao$e< I a,ain
re'ar0< c&osed the histor! of this first 'arch of ;ion+s ca'*? and the
rede'*tion of ;ion has een &eft to other hands< and to other ti'es# "ut
that its rede'*tion 2i&& co'e no one douts 2ho e&ie$es in the fir'
decrees of 5od#
The editor of the E$enin, and .ornin, Star EO&i$er Co2der!F thus
conc&uded an editoria& 2hich *receded this -A**ea&<- *u&ished in the
nu'er of the Star ao$e >uoted(
-3ith the 'ost of indi$idua&s and societies 2ho ha$e een traduced< and
their characters and desi,ns 'isre*resented< their &ast a**ea& has een
'ade to the 2or&d or nation at &ar,e? here the! rested their c&ai'< and
here the 'atter< 2ith the'< 2as rou,ht to a fina& c&ose# If the co''unit!
a**ro$ed their course< the! triu'*hed? if not< it san0 fore$er? ut this
is not the &ast resort of a *eo*&e 2hose interest is in hea$en< and 2hose
ho*e is ui&t u*on the e$er&astin, 2ord of O'ni*otence# 3hen earth&!
courts and triuna&s fai&< and 2hen the $oice of the *eo*&e is not ,i$en
in their fa$or< and a *&ace on earth is denied the'< and their he&*&ess<
innocent *osterit!< their &ast ,reat refu,e is Jeho$ah? and if< &i0e the
ancients< the! are dri$en fro' the face of societ!< that e$en a &od,in,
*&ace is foridden the'< the! can 2ander in oscurit!< not +acce*tin,
de&i$erance<+ ti&& their chan,e co'es< and the! +otain a etter
resurrection#+- E$enin, and .ornin, Star< $o&# ii< *# 9:7#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &$iii( H7#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# &/iii( HN-97#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ci( M:-8D#
%o&# i< *# @N7#
The c&osin, 2ords in the decision si,ned ! Da$id 3hit'er and 3# 3#
)he&*s as 'oderators and John 3hit'er< c&er0< are( -Therefore "rother
"ro2n stands as a *ri$ate 'e'er in this church--a&& this ! the $oice of
the counci&ors#- EFar 2est Record of Hi,h counci& E.s#F< *# GMF
The fore,oin, reso&utions to this *oint 2ere a&& *u&ished in the
E$enin, and .ornin, Star< $o&# II< No# H9< Au,ust< 789@#
This has reference to the s*ecia& Hi,h Counci& of the church
authori4ed to tr! the )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood< 2ho is a&so the
)resident of the Church< shou&d he e found in trans,ression# The counci&
consists of the )residin, "isho* of the church< assisted ! t2e&$e Hi,h
)riests< a,reea&e to the re$e&ation 2hich sa!s( -And inas'uch as a
)resident of the Hi,h )riesthood sha&& trans,ress< he sha&& e had in
re'e'rance efore the co''on counci& of the church< 2ho sha&& e assisted
! t2e&$e counse&ors of the Hi,h )riesthood? and their decision u*on his
head sha&& e an end of contro$ers! concernin, hi'# Thus< none sha&& e
e/e'*t fro' the =ustice and the &a2s of 5od< that a&i thin,s 'a! e done
in order and in so&e'nit! efore Hi'< accordin, to truth and
ri,hteousness#- Doctrine and co$enants< sec# c$ii( 8H-8@#
As re'ar0ed ! E&der Ri,don< inas'uch as this case 2as one in$o&$in,
char,es a,ainst the )residenc! of the church< it 2as *ro*er that it shou&d
e heard ! this s*ecia& counci& of the church#
This re'ar0 assi,nin, a -fear of *unish'ent- as the reason 2h!
S!&$ester S'ith si,ned the ao$e ac>uiescence in the decision of the
counci&< 'a! ha$e een true at the ti'e it 2as si,ned? ut in =ustice to
S!&$ester S'ith the fact ou,ht to he 0no2n that after ti'e to ref&ect u*on
his conduct and his accusation a,ainst the )ro*het his 'ind under2ent a
$er! radica& chan,e for in a co''unication to the .essen,er and Ad$ocate<
under date of Octoer H8< 789@< he $o&unteered a 'ost co'*&ete $indication
of the )ro*het+s course 2hi&e on the ;ion+s Ca'* e/*edition< and 'ade a
'ost hu'&e confession of his o2n shortco'in,s# Fo&&o2in, is the
co''unication referred to(
Dear rother( -Ha$in, heard that certain re*orts are circu&atin, aroad<
*re=udicia& to the character of "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and that said
re*orts *ur*ort to ha$e co'e fro' 'e< I ha$e thou,ht *ro*er to ,i$e the
*u&ic a *&ain state'ent of the facts concernin, this 'atter# It+s true<
that so'e difficu&ties arose et2een "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and
'!se&f< in our tra$e&s the *ast su''er to .issouri? and that on our return
to this *&ace I &aid '! ,rie$ances efore a ,enera& counci&< 2here the!
2ere in$esti,ated in fu&&< in an e/a'ination 2hich &asted se$era& da!s<
and the resu&t sho2ed to the satisfaction of a&& *resent< I e&ie$e< ut
es*ecia&&! to '!se&f< that in a&& thin,s "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< had
conducted 2orthi&!< and adorned his *rofession as a 'an of 5od< 2hi&e
=ourne!in, to and fro' .issouri# And it is no 'ore than =ust that I shou&d
confess '! fau&ts ! sa!in, unto a&& *eo*&e< so far as !our $a&ua&e and
instructi$e *a*er has circu&ation< that the thin,s that I accused "rother
S'ith of 2ere 2ithout foundation? as 'ost c&ear&! *ro$en< ! the e$idence
2hich 2as ca&&ed< to '! satisfaction# And in fact< I ha$e not at an! ti'e
2ithdra2n '! confidence and fe&&o2shi* fro' "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
ut thou,ht that he had inad$ertent&! erred< ein, ut f&esh and &ood<
&i0e the rest of Ada'+s fa'i&!# "ut I a' no2 *erfect&! satisfied that the
errors of 2hich I accused hi' efore the counci&< did not e/ist< and 2ere
ne$er co''itted ! hi'? and '! contrition has een and sti&& continues to
he dee*< ecause I ad'itted thou,hts into '! head 2hich 2ere not ri,ht
concernin, hi'? and ecause that I ha$e een the 'eans of ,i$in, rise to
re*orts 2hich ha$e ,one aroad< censurin, the conduct of "rother Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< 2hich re*orts are 2ithout foundation# And I ho*e that this
disc&osure of the truth< 2ritten ! '! o2n hand< and sent aroad into the
2or&d< throu,h the 'ediu' of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< 2i&& *ut a fina&
end to a&& e$i& re*orts and censurin,s 2hich ha$e s*run, out of an!thin,
that I ha$e said or done#
-I 2ish sti&& further to state for the re&ief of '! o2n fee&in,s< 2hich
!ou 'ust e sensi&e are dee*&! 2ounded in conse>uence of 2hat has
ha**ened< that I 0no2 for '!se&f< ecause I ha$e recei$ed testi'on! fro'
the hea$ens that the 2or0 of the Lord< rou,ht forth ! 'eans of the "oo0
of .or'on< in our da! throu,h the instru'enta&it! of "rother Jose*h s'ith
Jun< is eterna& truth< and 'ust stand< thou,h the hea$ens and the earth
*ass a2a!#
-)&ease ,i$e *u&ication to the ao$e< and o&i,e a &o$er of ri,hteousness
and truth# Yours in the testi'on! of Jesus< -SYL%ESTER S.ITH#- -To O#
Co2der!< 1irt&and< Octoer H8< 789@#-
End of 'anuscri*t -Record A#-
That is< the! shou&d e nu'ered a'on, the E&ders to recei$e their
endo2'ents in 1irt&and< if a**ro$ed ! the )ro*het< seer< and Re$e&ator<
Jose*h S'ith< as *ro$ided ! the re$e&ation of June HHnd# Esee *# 7D8#F
3ho< it 2i&& e re'e'ered< 2as a**ointed -5enera& of the ca'*- E*#
887? and in the asence of the -co''ander-in-chief<- 2as first in co''and?
hence the direction to a**&! to hi' for re&ease#
The fo&&o2in, is the e/*&anation ,i$en in the E$enin, and .ornin,
Star for this chan,e in the na'e of the church *eriodica&( -As the E$enin,
and .ornin, Star 2as desi,ned to he *u&ished at .issouri< it 2as
considered that another na'e 2ou&d he 'ore a**ro*riate for a *a*er in this
*&ace I1irt&andJ conse>uent&!< as the na'e of this church has &ate&! een
entit&ed the church of the Latter-da! saints< and since it is destined< at
&east for a season< to hear the re*roach and sti,'a of this 2or&d< it is
no 'ore than =ust that a *a*er disse'inatin, the doctrines e&ie$ed ! the
sa'e< and ad$ocatin, its character and ri,hts shou&d he entit&ed The
Latter-da! Saints .essen,er and Ad$ocate#-
There 2as a&so a chan,e announced in the for' of the church *eriodica&#
The E$enin, and .ornin, Star as first *u&ished 2as a >uarto< ut the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate 2as to e *u&ished in octa$o for' for ,reater
con$enience in indin, and *reser$in,# It 2as a&so announced that the t2o
$o&u'es of the Star 2ou&d e re*rinted in octa$o for'? 2hich< ! the 2a!<
2as done#
This first nu'er of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate contained a su''ar! of the
'ost *ro'inent *oints of doctrine e&ie$ed in ! the Church at that ti'e<
si,ned ! O&i$er Co2der!? and as the doctrine de$e&o*'ent in the Church is
a *ro'inent feature of this 2or0< that su''ar! is here a**ended(
-3e e&ie$e in 5od< and His son Jesus Christ# 3e e&ie$e that 5od< fro'
the e,innin,< re$ea&ed Hi'se&f to 'an< and that 2hene$er He has had a
*eo*&e on earth< He a&2a!s has re$ea&ed Hi'se&f to the' ! the Ho&! 5host<
the 'inisterin, of an,e&s or His o2n $oice# 3e do not e&ie$e that He e$er
had a church on earth 2ithout re$ea&in, Hi'se&f to that church?
conse>uent&! there 2ere a*ost&es< *ro*hets< e$an,e&ists *astors< and
teachers in the sa'e#
-3e e&ie$e that 5od is the sa'e in a&& a,es< and that it re>uires the
sa'e ho&iness< *urit!< and re&i,ion to sa$e a 'an no2 as it did ancient&!?
and that< as He is no res*ecter of *ersons< a&2a!s has< and a&2a!s 2i&&
re$ea& Hi'se&f to 'en 2hen the! ca&& u*on Hi'#
-3e e&ie$e that 5od has re$ea&ed Hi'se&f to 'en in this a,e< and
co''enced to raise u* a church *re*arator! to His second ad$ent< 2hen He
2i&& co'e in the c&ouds of hea$en 2ith *o2er and ,reat ,&or!#
-3e e&ie$e that the *o*u&ar re&i,ious theories of the da! are incorrect?
that the! are 2ithout *ara&&e& in the re$e&ations of 5od< as sanctioned !
Hi'? and that ho2e$er faithfu&&! the! 'a! e adhered to< or ho2e$er
=ea&ous&! or 2ar'&! the! 'a* e defended< the! 2i&& ne$er stand the strict
scrutin! of the 2ord of &ife#
-3e e&ie$e that a&& 'en are orn free and e>ua&? that no 'an< co'ination
of 'en< or ,o$ern'ent of 'en has *o2er or authorit! to co'*e& or force
others to e'race an! s!ste' of re&i,ion< or re&i,ious creed< or to use
force or $io&ence to *re$ent others fro' en=o!in, their o2n o*inions< or
*racticin, the sa'e< so &on, as the! do not 'o&est or distur others in a
'anner to de*ri$e the' of their *ri$i&e,es as free citi4ens< or of
2orshi*in, 5od as the! choose< and that an! atte'*t to do so is an
assu'*tion un2arranta&e in the re$e&ations of hea$en< and stri0es at the
root of ci$i& &iert!< and is a su$ersion of a&& e>uita&e *rinci*&es
et2een 'en and 'an#
-3e e&ie$e that 5od has set His hand the second ti'e to reco$er the
re'nant of His *eo*&e< Israe&? and that the ti'e is near 2hen He 2i&&
rin, the' fro' the four 2inds 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o!< and
reinstate the' u*on their o2n &ands 2hich He ,a$e their fathers !
co$enant#
-And further< 2e e&ie$e in e'racin, ,ood 2here$er it 'a! e found? of
*ro$in, a&& thin,s< and ho&din, fast to that 2hich is ri,hteous# This< in
short< is our e&ief< and 2e stand read! to defend it u*on its o2n
foundation 2hene$er it is assai&ed ! 'en of character and res*ectai&it!#
And 2hi&e 2e set u*on these road *rinci*&es< 2e trust in 5od that 2e
sha&& ne$er e confounded# -OLI%ER CO3DERY#- -1irt&and Ohio# Octoer<
789@-
In a co''unication to the first nu'er of the .essen,er and Ad$ocate<
Octoer< 7897< E&der O&i$er Co2der! ,i$es sustantia&&! the sa'e account
of this incident# After a so'e2hat &en,th! state'ent of ho2 he refuted
E&&'er+s assertion that the Sa$ior had not een seen since His ascension<
he continues(
-Ho2 far this con$ersation 2as< or 2i&& e< *roducti$e of ,ood< I a'
una&e to sa!? ut ! that 'eans nu'ers heard< and no dout fe&t an
increased an/iet! to &earn so'ethin, further re&ati$e to this Jstran,e
2or0#+ one indi$idua& *urchased a "oo0 of .or'on< not2ithstandin, .r#
E&&'er+s itter cr! of +Joe S'ith+ and +fa&se *ro*hets<+ and 2i&& thus
ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of hearin, the truth< thou,h he 'a! e se*arated far
fro' those 2ho ha$e authorit! to ad'inister the ordinances of the
e$er&astin, 5os*e&# .a! hea$en ins*ire his heart to see0 di&i,ent&! unti&
he otains a certain 0no2&ed,e of the 0in,do' of our 5od in these &ast
da!s#-
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# ci$
Doctrine and Co$enants? sec# ci( :M-M@#
These -Lectures on Theo&o,!- here referred to 2ere after2ards
*re*ared ! the )ro*het< Esee *a,e 78DF and *u&ished in the Doctrine and
Co$enants under the tit&e -Lectures on Faith#- The! are se$en in nu'er<
and occu*! the first se$ent!-fi$e *a,es in the current editions of the
Doctrine and Co$enants# The! are not to e re,arded as of e>ua& authorit!
in 'atters of doctrine 2ith the re$e&ations of 5od in the Doctrine and
Co$enants< ut as stated ! E&der John S'ith< 2ho< 2hen the oo0 of
Doctrine and Co$enants 2as su'itted to the se$era& >uoru's of the
)riesthood for acce*tance< EAu,ust 7M< 789G<F s*ea0in, in eha&f of the
1irt&and Hi,h counci&< -ore record that the re$e&ations in said oo0 2ere
true< and that the &ectures =udicia&&! 2ere 2ritten and co'*i&ed< and 2ere
*rofita&e for doctrine#- The distinction 2hich E&der John S'ith here
'a0es shou&d e oser$ed as a 'ar0in, the difference et2een the Lectures
on Faith and the re$e&ations of 5od in the Doctrine and Co$enants#
This 'eetin, of the Gth of Dece'er 2as a 'ost interestin, occasion#
The 'inutes of it are found in the hand 2ritin, of O&i$er Co2der! in the
ac0 of Record A< .s# It 2ou&d a**ear< accordin, to these 'inutes< that
the e/*ress *ur*ose of the 'eetin, of the rethren na'ed in the )ro*het+s
histor! 2as to reco,ni4e O&i$er Co2der! in his station as the second E&der
in the church< a *osition for 2hich he 2as desi,nated in the re$e&ations
of 5od< and to 2hich he 2as ordained under the hand of the )ro*het<
EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# HD( 9<@F# it is e/*&ained in the 'inutes
that the reason 2h! he had not een a&e to officiate in his ca&&in, as
said second E&der in the church 2as ecause of his necessar! asence in
;ion E.issouriF to assist 3# 3# )he&*s in conductin, the *rintin, usiness
of the church< etc#? hence Sidne! Ri,don and Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's had
een ordained as assistant *resident in the church durin, this necessar!
asence of E&der Co2der!# Another ite' of interest recorded in these
'inutes is the 2ord of the Lord ! 2a! of re*roof throu,h the s*irit
concernin, the fai&ure of the rethren and the church in ,enera& to
*ro*er&! reco,ni4e each other ! their officia& tit&es in the Church# This
ite' a**ears in the 'inutes as fo&&o2s( -After asse'&in, 2e recei$ed a
reu0e for our for'er uncu&ti$ated and disres*ectfu& 'anner of
co''unication and sa&utation 2ith and unto each other ! the $oice of the
s*irit< sa!in, unto us( +%eri&!< conde'nation resteth u*on !ou< 2ho are
a**ointed to &ead '! Church< and to e sa$iors of 'en? and a&so u*on the
church? and there 'ust needs e a re*entance and a refor'ation a'on, !ou<
in a&& thin,s< in !our e/a'*&es efore the church and efore the 2or&d< in
a&& !our 'anners< haits and custo's< and sa&utations one to2ard another?
renderin, unto e$er! 'an the res*ect due the office< ca&&in,< and
*riesthood 2hereunto I< the Lord< ha$e a**ointed and ordained !ou# A'en#+-
-It is on&! necessar! to sa!<- continue the 'inutes< -re&ati$e to the
fore,oin, re*roof and instruction< that thou,h it 2as ,i$en in shar*ness<
it occasioned ,&adness and =o!< and 2e 2ere 2i&&in, to re*ent and refor'
in e$er! *articu&ar< accordin, to the instruction ,i$en# It is a&so *ro*er
to re'ar0 that after the re*roof 2as ,i$en< 2e a&& confessed< $o&untari&!<
that such had een the 'anifestation of the S*irit a &on, ti'e since< in
conse>uence of 2hich< the reu0e ca'e 2ith ,reat shar*ness#-
The fo&&o2in, &etter fro' 5o$ernor Dun0&in< in res*onse to the
*etitions referred to in the te/t ao$e< is found as an addenda in the
'anuscri*t histor! for 789G< Note A(
-To the *etitions 2hich 2e sent u* to .issouri< 5o$ernor Dun0&in re*&ied
as fo&&o2s(
-CITY OF JEFFERSON< Januar! HH< 789:# -To .essrs# 3# 3# )he&*s and others<
-5ENTLE.EN(--Your nu'erous *etitions< *ost-'ar0ed +1irt&and<+ ca'e safe to
hand# It is unnecessar! for 'e to re*eat to !ou '! fee&in,s on the su=ect
of !our ,rie$ances? 2hat the! 2ere !ou ha$e een a&read! a**rised? and
the! ha$e under,one no chan,e# Your ease 2as *resented ! 'e to the &ast
5enera& Asse'&! of this state# The! did not &e,is&ate u*on the su=ect# I
a'< ho2e$er< *ersuaded that it 2as for 2ant of a constitutiona& *o2er to
*ass an! &a2 that cou&d afford !ou a *ro*er re'ed! *re$ented their actin,
u*on the su=ect# Your fee&in,s are $er! natura& 2hen such causes e/ist to
*roduce the'< ut !ou 'isconcei$e !our case< and conse>uent&! do not
ad$ert to the *ro*er re'ed!? !ou cannot 'a0e a case of in$asion or
insurrection out of the outra,es co''itted on !our *ersons or *ro*ert! in
Jac0son count!< and un&ess one of those cou&d e 'ade out< it 2ou&d e
id&e to address the )resident of the United States# If such a case had
een 'ade out< as e/ecuti$e of this state< I shou&d ha$e i''ediate&!
ordered out a 'i&itar! force to re*e& or su**ress it# The 'o in Ne2 Yor0
to 2hich !ou cite 'e< is not in *oint# The 'i&itar! force 2as then
resorted to for the *ur*ose of >ue&&in, the 'o# You 2ish this 0ind of
force used to restore =ustice# Ho2e$er *a&*a&e and ,rie$ous the outra,es
ha$e een u*on !ou< !our on&! re'ed! for in=uries done< 'ust e in and
throu,h the courts of =ustice# On a for'er occasion I infor'ed !ou I 2as
then in corres*ondence 2ith the 5enera& 5o$ern'ent for a de*ot of ar's on
the .issouri ri$er< near out 2estern oundar! &ine# For reasons un0no2n to
'e< the secretar! of 2ar has ta0en no ste*s durin, the &ast !ear to2ards
the fu&fi&&'ent of that o=ect# I ha$e rene2ed the su=ect throu,h our
de&e,ation in con,ress this 2inter# 3hen this o=ect sha&& e attained< it
'a! furnish !ou a *&ace of resort for *rotection< in case of e'er,enc!<
shou&d !ou thin0 *ro*er to ris0 !ourse&$es on !our &ands in Jac0son count!
a,ain# Res*ectfu&&!< DANIEL DUN1LIN#
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$iii#
E&der Jose*h Youn, ,i$es the fo&&o2in, interestin, account of the
ao$e 'eetin, 'entioned ! the )ro*het( -On the 8th da! of Feruar!< in
the !ear of our Lord 789G< the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith ca&&ed E&ders "ri,ha'
and Jose*h Youn, to the cha'er of his residence< in 1irt&and< Ohio< it
ein, on the Saath da!# After the! 2ere seated and he had 'ade so'e
*re&i'inaries< he *roceeded to re&ate a $ision to these rethren< of the
state and condition of those 'en 2ho died in ;ion+s Ca'*< in .issouri# He
said< L"rethren< I ha$e seen those 'en 2ho died of the cho&era in our
ca'*? and the Lord 0no2s< if I ,et a 'ansion as ri,ht as theirs< I as0 no
'ore#+ At this re&ation he 2e*t< and for so'e ti'e cou&d not s*ea0# 3hen
he had re&ie$ed hi'se&f of his fee&in,s< in descriin, the $ision< he
resu'ed the con$ersation< and addressed hi'se&f to "rother "ri,ha' Youn,#
He said to hi'< LI 2ish !ou to notif! a&& the rethren &i$in, in the
ranches< 2ithin a reasona&e distance fro' this *&ace< to 'eet at a
,enera& conference on Saturda! ne/t# I sha&& then and there a**oint t2e&$e
S*ecia& 3itnesses< to o*en the door of the 5os*e& to forei,n nations< and
!ou<+ said he Es*ea0in, to "rother "ri,ha'F< L2i&& e one of the'#+ He
then *roceeded to en&ar,e u*on the duties of their ca&&in,# The interest
that 2as ta0en on the occasion of this announce'ent< *roduced in the 'inds
of the t2o E&ders *resent a ,reat sensation and 'an! ref&ections? ha$in,
*re$ious&! notified "rother "ri,ha' Youn, that he 2ou&d e one of the
3itnesses< ut said nothin, to Jose*h< unti& he had e/hausted 'uch of his
fee&in,s in re,ard to the T2e&$e< 2hich too0 u* so'e &itt&e ti'e# He then
turned to E&der Jose*h Youn, 2ith >uite an earnestness< as thou,h the
$ision of his 'ind 2as e/tended sti&& further< and addressin, hi'< said<
L"rother Jose*h< the Lord has 'ade !ou )resident of the Se$enties#+ The!
had heard of .oses and se$ent! E&ders of Israe&< and of Jesus a**ointin,
Lother Se$enties<+ ut had ne$er heard of T2e&$e A*ost&es and of Se$enties
ein, ca&&ed in this Church efore# It 2as a stran,e sa!in,< LThe Lord has
'ade !ou )resident of the Se$enties<+ as thou,h it had a&read! ta0en
*&ace< and it caused these rethren to 'ar$e&# The )ro*het did not sa!
that an! others 2ou&d e ca&&ed to e the earers of this 'essa,e aroad<
ut the inference 'i,ht e c&ear&! dra2n< that this 2as his 'eanin,< fro'
the &an,ua,e he used at the ti'e# A,reea&e to his re>uest to E&der
"ri,ha' Youn,< the ranches 2ere a&& notified< and a 'eetin, of the
rethren in ,enera& conference 2as he&d in 1irt&and< in the ne2 schoo&
house under the *rintin, office< on the fo&&o2in, Saturda!< Feruar! 7@th<
2hen the T2e&$e 2ere a**ointed and ordained< and the conference ad=ourned
for t2o 2ee0s#- -- -Histor! of the or,ani4ation of the Se$enties<- !
Jose*h Youn,< Sen# E78M8F **# 7< H#
This $ision< in 2hich the )ro*het e$ident&! sa2 the order of the
Church or,ani4ation< is se$era& ti'es a&&uded to ! hi'# "! reference to
the note on *a,e 787 it 2i&& e oser$ed that )resident S'ith there refers
to the $ision in such a 'anner as to &ead one to e&ie$e that he sa2 that
"ri,ha' Youn, 2ou&d e one of the T2e&$e< and Jose*h Youn, )resident of
the Se$enties# He a&so refers to this $ision in the re$e&ation 2hich
a**ears in cha*ter /i$? EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# c$ii< N9F#
Descriin, the order of the Se$enties< he sa!s( -And it is accordin, to
the $ision< sho2in, the order of the Se$ent!< that there sha&& e se$en
)residents to *reside o$er the'< chosen out of the 'anner of the Se$ent!#-
It 2as dout&ess in this $ision a&so that the )ro*het sa2 the 'anner in
2hich the T2e&$e shou&d e chosen#
E&der Jose*h Youn, in his -Histor! of the Or,ani4ation of the
Se$enties<- E*a,e 7@F sa!s that the fo&&o2in, senti'ent 2as de&i$ered !
the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith in an address to the E&ders asse'&ed in 1irt&and
soon after the Se$enties 2ere or,ani4ed( -"rethren< so'e of !ou are an,r!
2ith 'e< ecause !ou did not fi,ht in .issouri? ut &et 'e te&& !ou< 5od
did not 2ant !ou to fi,ht# He cou&d not or,ani4e His 0in,do' 2ith t2e&$e
'en to o*en the 5os*e& door to the nations of the earth< and 2ith se$ent!
'en under their direction to fo&&o2 in their trac0s< un&ess He too0 the'
fro' a od! of 'en 2ho had offered their &i$es< and 2ho had 'ade as ,reat
a sacrifice as did Araha'# No2 the Lord has ,ot His T2e&$e and His
Se$ent!< and there 2i&& e other >uoru's of Se$enties ca&&ed< 2ho 2i&&
'a0e the sacrifice< and those 2ho ha$e not 'ade their sacrifices and their
offerin,s no2< 2i&& 'a0e the' hereafter#-
A fu&& &ist of those 2ho 2ent u* to ;ion< inc&udin, 2o'en and
chi&dren< is here *u&ished in *&ace of the *artia& &ist heretofore
*u&ished in the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith in the .i&&ennia& Star< $o&u'e
/$< *a,e HDG#
The h!'n 2as *ecu&iar&! suited to the occasion# So'e of the stan4as
fo&&o2(
-Har0K &isten to the tru'*etersK
The! sound for $o&unteers?
On ;ion+s ri,ht and f&o2er! 'ount
"eho&d the officers#
-Their horses 2hite< their ar'or ri,ht<
3ith coura,e o&d the! stand<
En&istin, so&diers for their 0in,<
To 'arch to ;ion+s &and#
C C C
3e 2ant no co2ards in our ands<
3ho 2i&& our co&ors f&!(
3e ca&& for $a&iant-hearted 'en<
3ho+re not afraid to die#
-To see our ar'ies on *arade<
Ho2 'artia& the! a**earK
A&& ar'ed and dressed in unifor'<
The! &oo0 &i0e 'en of 2ar#
-The! fo&&o2 their ,reat 5enera&#
The ,reat Eterna& La'--
His ,ar'ents stained in his o2n &ood--
1in, Jesus is His na'e#-
It 2as 'ade 0no2n to the )ro*het and O&i$er Co2der! as ear&! as June<
78HN< that there 2ou&d e T2e&$e A*ost&es chosen in this dis*ensation# In
that re$e&ation EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$iii( 9MF the Lord<
addressin, O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er< said( -And no2< eho&d< I
,i$e unto !ou O&i$er Co2der!< and a&so unto Da$id 3hit'er< that !ou sha&&
search out the T2e&$e< 2ho sha&& ha$e the desires of 2hich I ha$e s*o0en#-
That is< desires to ta0e u*on the' the na'e of Jesus Christ 2ith fu&&
*ur*ose of heart# It 2i&& e oser$ed that in this re$e&ation on&! t2o of
the Three 3itnesses are na'ed< !et .artin Harris 2as associated 2ith his
fe&&o2 3itnesses in choosin, and ordainin, the T2e&$e A*ost&es# I thin0 it
2as desi,ned fro' the first that the Three 3itnesses shou&d choose the
T2e&$e S*ecia& 3itnesses of the na'e and 'ission of the Lord Jesus
Christ--the T2e&$e A*ost&es? ut at the ti'e the re$e&ation of June< 78HN<
2as ,i$en< 'a0in, 0no2n that T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ou&d e ca&&ed< and
desi,natin, O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er as the ones to choose the'<
.artin Harris 2as out of fa$or 2ith the Lord< and I su,,est that it 2as
for that reason dout&ess that his na'e 2as o'itted at that ti'e# The
e$idence that .artin Harris 2as 2a$erin, aout that ti'e in his adherence
to the )ro*het and the 2or0 of 5od is found in Doctrine and Co$enants<
sec# /i/< ,i$en in the 'onth of June< 78HN? in 2hich re$e&ation .artin
Harris is shar*&! re*ro$ed for such 2a$erin,? for his co$etousness? for
hesitatin, to dis*ose of his &and to 'eet the o&i,ations entered into
2ith the *rinter# He is co''anded to re*ent of a&& these thin,s< 2hich<
ha**i&!< he did? ut e$ident&! not efore the re$e&ation concernin, the
choosin, of the T2e&$e EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$iiiF 2as ,i$en< for
2hich reason dout&ess his na'e is not there associated 2ith those of this
fe&&o2 3itnesses 2hen the! 2ere desi,nated to choose the T2e&$e A*ost&es#
As a&read! stated< ho2e$er< in the $ision 2hich the )ro*het Jose*h sa2
'ore *erfect&! the or,ani4ation of the Church< and the 'anner in 2hich the
T2e&$e 2ere to e chosen< he undouted&! &earned that it 2as in har'on!
2ith the order of thin,s that the Three 3itnesses shou&d choose the T2e&$e
S*ecia& 3itnesses< and hence a**ointed .artin Harris to assist O&i$er
Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er in choosin, the A*ost&es#
A 2ord< ! the 2a!< in re&ation to the a**ro*riateness of the Three
3itnesses choosin, the T2e&$e# In the re$e&ation definin, the s*ecia&
ca&&in, of the T2e&$e A*ost&es it is 2ritten( -The T2e&$e tra$e&in,
counse&ors are ca&&ed to e the T2e&$e A*ost&es< or s*ecia& 2itnesses of
the na'e of Christ in a&& the 2or&d? thus differin, fro' other officers in
the Church in the duties of their ca&&in,# EDoctrine and Co$enants< sec#
c$ii( H9F# Fro' this it a**ears that the s*ecia& ca&&in, of the T2e&$e is
to e 3itnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ in a&& the 2or&d? hence it 2as
*ree'inent&! *ro*er that these T2e&$e 3itnesses shou&d e chosen ! the
Three $er! s*ecia& 3itnesses--2itnesses of the "oo0 of .or'on in
*articu&ar< and of 5od+s 'ar$e&ous 2or0 in ,enera&#
.uch interest has een 'anifested in the Church concernin, 2ho 2as
'outh in ordainin, res*ecti$e&! the rethren of the first T2e&$e# .ost
&i0e&! the Three 3itnesses 2ho ordained the A*ost&es 2ere 'outh in the
order in 2hich the! ha$e a&2a!s stood as 3itnesses< $i4#< O&i$er Co2der!
first< Da$id 3hit'er second< and .artin Harris third# If the! officiated
in this order then O&i$er Co2der! ordained L!'an E# Johnson? Da$id
3hit'er< "ri,ha' Youn,? and .artin Harris< Heer C# 1i'a&&# It has een
su,,ested ! so'e that the )ro*het Jose*h 'a! ha$e =oined the Three
3itnesses in ordainin, the T2e&$e< and in that e$ent 2ou&d e 'outh first<
and therefore ordained L!'an E# Johnson< &ea$in, O&i$er Co2der! to ordain
"ri,ha' Youn,< Da$id 3hit'er< Heer C# 1i'a&&# This< ho2e$er< is not
&i0e&! since ut three of those 2ho had een chosen 2ere ca&&ed u* at the
ao$e 'eetin, to e ordained< one for each 3itness# "esides< the e/*ress
&an,ua,e of the 'inutes of the *roceedin,s is< -The Three 3itnesses &aid
their hands u*on each one+s head and *ra!ed se*arate&!? that is each
ordained his 'an# The state'ent of Heer C# 1i'a&& in the *u&ished
e/tracts of his =ourna&< a&so confir's this $ie2 of the 'atter# After
,i$in, the na'es of the T2e&$e 'en chosen he sa!s( -After ha$in, e/*ressed
our fee&in, on this occasion< 2e 2ere se$era&&! ca&&ed into the stand< and
there recei$ed our ordinations< under the hands of O&i$er Co2der!< Da$id
3hit'er< and .artin Harris# These rethren ordained us to the A*ost&eshi*<
and *redicted 'an! thin,s 2hich shou&d co'e to *ass< that 2e shou&d ha$e
*o2er to hea& the sic0< cast out de$i&s< raise the dead< ,i$e si,ht to the
&ind< ha$e *o2er to re'o$e 'ountains< and a&& thin,s shou&d e su=ect to
us throu,h the na'e of Jesus Christ< and an,e&s shou&d 'inister unto us<
and 'an! 'ore thin,s< too nu'erous to 'ention#- He a&so adds the fo&&o2in,
interestin, ite' 2ith reference to the ordinations of that da!( -After 2e
Ireferrin, to the first three ca&&ed u* to recei$e ordinationJ had een
thus ordained ! these rethren< the First )residenc! &aid their hands on
us and confir'ed these &essin, and ordinations< and &i0e2ise *redicted
'an! thin,s 2hich shou&d co'e to *ass#- ETi'es and Seasons< $o&# $i< *#
8:8F# 3hi&e these state'ents 'a0e it $er! c&ear that the )ro*het Jose*h
did not =oin 2ith the Three 3itnesses in ordainin, the A*ost&es--e/ce*t in
the 2a! of confir'in, the ordination the! recei$ed fro' the 3itnesses< as
descried ! E&der 1i'a&&--the 'inutes of the 'eetin, he&d Feruar! H7st<
at 2hich )ar&e! )# )ratt 2as ordained< state that he 2as -ordained one of
the T2e&$e ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Da$id 3hit'er< and O&i$er
Co2der!#- .artin Harris 'ust ha$e een asent< and the )ro*het e$ident&!
=oined O&i$er Co2der! and Da$id 3hit'er on that occasion ecause of the
asence of Harris? ut 2hether or not the )ro*het 2as 'outh on that
occasion does not a**ear in the 'inutes or in E&der )ratt+s autoio,ra*h!#
Accordin, to Heer C# 1i'a&&+s Journa&< Orson )ratt+s ordination
too0 *&ace on the Gth of A*ri&< 789G< under the fo&&o2in, circu'stances(
-Sunda! 'ornin,< A*ri& G< 7N9G#--The T2e&$e had not a&& as !et een
to,ether< for the &ast three 'entioned IOrson )ratt< Tho'as "# .arsh and
)ar&e! )# )rattJ 2ere not *resent at the ti'e of choosin,< and as the ti'e
dre2 near that 2e shou&d tra$e& to the east< 2e a**ointed this da! to ear
our testi'on! unto our rethren and friends# 3e 2ere a&& asse'&ed
to,ether< 2ith the e/ce*tion of "rother Orson )ratt< 2ho had not !et een
2ith us# At this ti'e< 2hi&e 2e 2ere *ra!in,< and 2ishin, for his arri$a&<
2hi&e o*enin, the 'eetin,< he entered the house# 3e re=oiced at his
*resence< and than0ed the Lord for it# He 2as then ordained and 2e
*roceeded to s*ea0 accordin, to our a,es< the e&dest s*ea0in, first# This
da! "rother Tho'as "# .arsh< "ri,ha' Youn,< Da$id 3# )atten< and '!se&f
s*a0e#- ETi'es and Seasons< $o&# $i< *# 8:N#F The incident is ,i$en as
E&der 1i'a&& re&ates it ecause of its interest< ut he is in error as to
the date of the occurrence< since E&der )ratt hi'se&f< as 2e&& as the
)ro*het< ,i$e the date of the for'er+s ordination H:th of A*ri&< 789G#
E&der )ratt a&so 'a0es this entr! in his =ourna&( -A*ri& H@--Too0 the
sta,e< and arri$e in 1irt&and on the H:th< aout ten o+c&oc0 in the
forenoon? 2a&0ed into the 'eetin, and &earned that the! had een
*ro*hes!in, that I 2ou&d arri$e there so as to attend that 'eetin,<
a&thou,h not one of the' 0ne2 2here I 2as# I 2as 'uch re=oiced at 'eetin,
2ith the Saints#-
Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# /$iii#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< in his autoio,ra*h! E*a,e 7HMF refers to this
>uestion *ut to each of the T2e&$e A*ost&es ! E&der Co2der! as the -Oath
and Co$enant of the A*ost&eshi*#-
The or,ani4ation of >uoru's of se$ent! in the Church 2as re,arded as
a $er! stran,e thin, in 'odern ti'es< ut that such an or,ani4ation had
e/isted in the church of 5od< oth in the da!s of .oses and a&so in the
da!s of .essiah< is e$ident fro' the scri*tures# The Lord said to .osesV
-co'e u* unto the Lord< thou< and Aaron< Nada< and Aihu< and se$ent! of
the e&ders of Israe&? and 2orshi* !e afar off-- C C C Then 2ent u* .oses<
and Aaron< Nada< and Aihu< and se$ent! of the e&ders of Israe&-- C C C
And u*on the no&es of the chi&dren of Israe& He &aid not His hand( a&so
the! sa2 5od< and did eat and drin0- EE/odus //i$(7< N< 77F# And a,ain<
-And the Lord said unto .oses< 5ather unto 'e se$ent! 'en of the e&ders of
Israe&< 2ho' thou 0no2est to e the e&ders of the *eo*&e< and officers
o$er the'? and rin, the' unto the taernac&e of the con,re,ation< that
the! 'a! stand there 2ith thee# And I 2i&& co'e do2n and ta&0 2ith thee
there( and I 2i&& ta0e of the s*irit 2hich is u*on thee< and 2i&& *ut it
u*on the'? and the! sha&& ear the urden of the *eo*&e 2ith thee< that
thou ear it not th!se&f a&one# C C C And .oses 2ent out< and to&d the
*eo*&e the 2ords of the Lord< and ,athered the se$ent! 'en of the e&ders
of the *eo*&e< and set the' round aout the taernac&e# And the Lord ca'e
do2n in a c&oud< and s*a0e unto hi'< and too0 of the s*irit that 2as u*on
hi'< and ,a$e it unto the se$ent! e&ders( and it ca'e to *ass< that< 2hen
the s*irit rested u*on the'< the! *ro*hesied< and did not cease- ENu'ers
/i( 7:< 7M< H@< HGF
It is not c&ear fro' the O&d Testa'ent =ust 2hat the functions of the
se$ent! 2ere in the Here2 )riesthood< ut the! certain&! 2ere endo2ed
2ith *ro*hetic *o2ers< and it is >uite *roa&e that the Sanhedrin
Econsistin, of se$ent!-one 'e'ers< inc&usi$e of the *resident<F of &ater
Je2ish ti'es had so'e re&ation to this ear&ier counci& of se$ent!#
The or,ani4ation of the se$ent! ! the Sa$ior is a&&uded to in the tenth
cha*ter of Lu0e as fo&&o2s( -After these thin,s the Lord a**ointed other
se$ent! a&so< Ifro' this it a**ears that >uoru's of se$ent! had een
a**ointed *re$ious to thisJ and sent the' t2o and t2o efore His face into
e$er! cit! and *&ace< 2hither He Hi'se&f 2ou&d co'e# Therefore said He
unto the'< The har$est tru&! is ,reat< ut the &aorers are fe2( *ra! !e
therefore the Lord of the har$est< that He 2ou&d sent forth &aorers into
His har$est# 5o !our 2a!( eho&d< I send !ou forth as &a's a'on, 2o&$es#
Carr! neither *urse nor scri*< nor shoes( and sa&ute no 'an ! the 2a!#
And into 2hatsoe$er house !e enter< first sa!< )eace e to this house# And
if the son of *eace e there< !our *eace sha&& rest u*on it( if not< it
sha&& turn to !ou a,ain# And in the sa'e house re'ain< eatin, and drin0in,
such thin,s as the! ,i$e( for the &aorer is 2orth! of his hire# 5o not
fro' house to house#- That is< 2hi&e these 'en 2ere sent forth 2ithout
*urse and scri* it 2as e$ident&! not the intention of the Lord that the!
shou&d e, fro' door to door# Continuin, His instructions< the .aster
said( -And into 2hatsoe$er cit! !e enter< and the! recei$e !ou< eat such
thin,s as are set efore !ou( and hea& the sic0 that are therein< and sa!
unto the'< The 0in,do' of 5od is co'e ni,h unto !ou# "ut into 2hatsoe$er
cit! !e enter< and the! recei$e !ou not< ,o !our 2a!s out into the streets
of the sa'e< and sa!< E$en the $er! dust of !our cit!< 2hich c&ea$eth on
us< 2e do 2i*e off a,ainst !ou# not2ithstandin, e !e sure of this< that
the 0in,do' of 5od is co'e ni,h unto !ou "ut I sa! unto !ou< that it sha&&
e 'ore to&era&e in that da! for Sodo'< than for that cit!# C C He that
heareth !ou heareth 'e? and he that des*iseth !ou des*iseth 'e and he that
des*iseth 'e des*iseth Hi' that sent 'e#-The se$ent!< it a**ears 2ent
forth under these instructions and 2ere successfu&< for Lu0e continues(
-And the se$ent! returned a,ain 2ith =o!< sa!in,< Lord< e$en the de$i&s
are su=ect unto us throu,h Th! na'e#- After this $er! *&ain a&&usion to
this order of the )riesthood ca&&ed the Se$ent! these instructions and the
definitions ,i$en of their duties and ca&&in,s there can e no dout as to
their constitutin, an i'*ortant factor in the Christian Church
Or,ani4ation# The asence of such >uoru's of )riesthood in 'odern church
esta&ish'ents is ut one a'on, 'an! other e$idences that the Church of
Christ had ceased for' a'on, 'en
See *a,e 78H EnoteF#
The >uoru's of Se$ent!< in other 2ords--in connection 2ith the T2e&$e
A*ost&es< under 2hose direction the! &aor--constitute the forei,n
'inistr! or the church? and 2hen the 0ind of &aor the! are e/*ected to
*erfor' is ta0en into account< it 2i&& e found that their or,ani4ation is
ad'ira&! ado*ted for their 2or0--the 'eans are ade>uate to the end
*ro*osed# In a&& other >uoru's of the hi,h )riesthood< e/ce*tin, the
T2e&$e< the *residenc! consists of a *resident and t2o counse&ors< ut the
*residenc! of the >uoru' of Se$ent! consists of se$en *residents< e>ua& in
authorit!# For the sa0e of order< ho2e$er< *recedence is reco,ni4ed in
seniorit! of ordination? that is< the senior *resident ! ordination--not
of a,e--*resides in the counci&< and o$er the >uoru'? and in the e$ent of
his asence< then the ne/t senior *resident ! ordination has the ri,ht of
initiati$e and *resides< and so on do2n the &ine of *residents# The order
esta&ished in the church for the 2or0 of the forei,n 'inistr! is for
E&ders to tra$e& t2o and t2o# This dout&ess for the reason that the Lord
2ou&d esta&ish His 2ord ! the 'ouths of t2o 2itnesses at &east< to sa!
nothin, of the *&easure that 2ou&d e deri$ed fro' the co'*anionshi*
susistin, et2een t2o E&ders 2hi&e tra$e&in, a'on, stran,ers< and e$en
a'on, ene'ies# A >uoru' of Se$ent!< if sent out into the 2or&d as a od!<
is ca*a&e of rea&i4in, a&& the ad$anta,es concei$a&e fro' or,ani4ation#
It can e ro0en u* into =ust se$en ,rou*s of ten 'e'ers? 2ith each ,rou*
2ou&d e a *resident? these ,rou*s can e su-di$ided into fi$e *airs< 2ho
cou&d scatter out into $arious nei,horhoods< occasiona&&! 'eet in
conference 2ith the ,rou* of ten to 2hich the res*ecti$e *airs e&on,ed<
and at ,reater inter$a&s< the se$era& ,rou*s cou&d e ca&&ed to,ether for
>uoru' conference# Thus a >uoru' of se$ent! can e a $erita&e f&!in,
co&u'n< 'a0in, *roc&a'ation of the 5os*e&< the &i0e of 2hich is to e
found no2here outside the Church of Christ#
Instead of ,i$in, the fort! na'es that here fo&&o2 the state'ent of
the )ro*het in his histor!< I ,i$e the entire &ist of na'es that
constituted the first >uoru' of Se$ent!< as 2ritten ! the &ate )resident
Jose*h Youn,< in his -Histor! of the Or,ani4ation of the Se$enties#- A&&
the rethren ,i$en in this &ist 2ere not ordained on this H8th da! of
Feruar!< 789G< ut a&& 2ho 2ere ordained on that date< of course< are
inc&uded in this &ist# Of this or,ani4ation of the >uoru' of Se$ent!< the
state'ent of E&der Jose*h Youn,< 2ho eca'e the senior *resident of the
first counci&< has a&read! een ,i$en at *a,e 787#
At this *oint it 'a! e 2e&& to note a sin,u&ar thin, 2ith reference
to near&! a&& the re$e&ations that ha$e een recei$ed in this
dis*ensation? the! ca'e in res*onse to en>uir!< in res*onse to *ra!er#
-As0 and !e sha&& recei$e?- -see0 and !e sha&& find<- see's to ha$e een
the *rinci*&e on 2hich the Lord has acted 2ith reference to ,i$in,
re$e&ations# For instance< the Lord re$ea&ed Hi'se&f and His son Jesus
Christ to the )ro*het Jose*h in ans2er to the &atter+s earnest *ra!er to
0no2 the truth res*ectin, the $arious re&i,ions? .oroni ca'e three !ears
&ater in res*onse to the !oun, )ro*het+s earnest *ra!er to 0no2 his
standin, efore the Lord? near&! a&& the ear&! re$e&ations to indi$idua&s
in the church< to Jose*h S'ith< sen#< H!ru' S'ith< O&i$er Co2der!< Jose*h
1ni,ht# Da$id< )eter< John and Christian 3hit'er 2ere ,i$en in ans2er to
the en>uir! of these 'en to 0no2 their dut! in res*ect of the 2or0 of the
Lord then co'in, forth? the re$e&ation on church or,ani4ation and
5o$ern'ent EDoc# and Co$# sec# HDF< 2as ,i$en in res*onse to Jose*h and
O&i$er+s *ra!ers and en>uiries concernin, those thin,s? so 2ith reference
to the re$e&ations ,i$en to the 2itnesses to the "oo0 of .or'on? and in
fact throu,hout the 2ho&e course of the 2or0+s de$e&o*'ent# This ,reat
re$e&ation on )riesthood and the re&ations of the >uoru's to each other in
the church is a&so ,i$en in res*onse to a 'ost hu'&e *etition to the
)ro*het on the *art of the T2e&$e? and< the )ro*het sa!s( -I in>uired of
the Lord and recei$ed for ans2er the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation<- then fo&&o2s
the re$e&ation#
Accordin, to the e/*&anator! note in the Doctrine and Co$enants< sec#
c$ii< the fore *art of this re$e&ation< the first fift!-ei,ht $erses< 2as
,i$en .arch H8th< the sa'e da! the T2e&$e as0 the )ro*het to en>uire of
the Lord for the'< the other ite's 2ere re$ea&ed at sundr! ti'es#
It shou&d e oser$ed here< that this arran,e'ent had reference on&!
to the first or,ani4ation of the >uoru' of the T2e&$e# After this first
arran,e'ent< the rethren of that >uoru' he&d and no2 ho&d their *&ace in
it and *reside accordin, to seniorit! of ordination< not of a,e# Thou,h it
'ust e ad'itted< that this order 2as not a&2a!s strict&! oser$ed? for
instance< the &ate )resident 3oodruff< for a nu'er of !ears< ran0ed in
the >uoru' of the T2e&$e efore E&der John Ta!&or? a&thou,h the &atter 2as
ordained first< and actua&&! assisted in the ordination of )resident
3oodruff at Far 3est in the s*rin, of 789N# I thin0 this case i&&ustrates
the inconsistenc! of the idea that seniorit! of a,e shou&d ,o$ern in
fi/in, the standin, of the 'e'ers in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e# Sure&! it
2ou&d e nothin, short of an asurdit! in order< for one =ust ordained to
out-ran0 one that had ta0en *art in his ordination# The s&i,ht
irre,u&arit! here noticed 2as corrected ! )resident "ri,ha' Youn, so'e
t2o !ears efore his death< and )resident Ta!&or 2as accorded his *&ace<
2hich ,a$e hi' *riorit! of standin, in the >uoru' to E&der 3oodruff#
)resident Ta!&or hi'se&f ,i$es the fo&&o2in, e/*&anation of the 'atter(
-Throu,h so'e inad$ertenc!< or *erha*s 'i/ed u* 2ith the idea of seniorit!
of a,e ta0in, the *recedence< 3i&ford 3oodruff+s na'e 2as *&aced on the
records at the ti'e< and for 'an! !ears after< efore that of John Ta!&or#
This 'atter 2as in$esti,ated< so'e ti'e after2ards< ! )resident Youn, and
his counci&< sanctioned a&so ! the T2e&$e< 2hether Ior notJ John Ta!&or
he&d the *residenc! and stood in ,radation *rior to "rother 3i&ford
3oodruff? and it 2as $oted on and decided that his na'e e *&aced efore
3i&ford 3oodruff+s< a&thou,h 3i&ford 3oodruff 2as the o&der 'an# The
reason assi,ned for this chan,e 2as< that a&thou,h oth 2ere ca&&ed at the
sa'e ti'e< John Ta!&or 2as ordained into the T2e&$e *rior to 3i&ford
3oodruff? and another *ro'inent reason 2ou&d e< that as John Ta!&or
assisted in the ordination of E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff< he therefore 'ust
*recede hi' in the counci&#- ESuccession in the )riesthood< a Discourse !
)resident John Ta!&or--Octoer< 789G--*# 7:F#
"ut a te'*orar! Hi,h counci& of Hi,h )riests aroad 'a! e or,ani4ed
2hen necessit! re>uires it< the Hi,h )riests aroad Ei#e#< outside
or,ani4ed sta0es of ;ionF ha$in, the *o2er to deter'ine 2hen the
or,ani4ation of such Hi,h Counci& is necessar!# ESee the re$e&ation at
*a,e 9D this $o&u'e< $erses H@-9HF#
In his notes on Church Histor!< John 3hit'er< 2ho 2as the church
Historian at that ti'e< sa!s concernin, the or,ani4ation of the se$ent!(
-Aout the sa'e ti'e Ii#e#< that the >uoru' of the T2e&$e 2as or,ani4edJ
there 2ere se$ent! Hi,h )riest+ chosen< 2ho 2ere ca&&ed to e under the
direction of the T2e&$e< and assist the' accordin, to their needs? and if
se$ent! 2ere not enou,h< ca&& se$ent! 'ore< unti& se$ent! ti'es se$ent!#-
E.s# *# G7#F John 3hit'er< ho2e$er< is 'ista0en in sa!in, that the! 2ere
Hi,h )riests that 2ere chosen# The! 2ere chief&! chosen fro' a'on, the
E&ders< and the fe2 Hi,h )riests that 2ere ca&&ed into the >uoru' 2ere
after2ards re>uested to ta0e their *&ace 2ith the Hi,h )riests a,ain< and
others 2ere chosen to fi&& the $acancies thus created# Esee -Histor! of
the or,ani4ation of the Se$enties<- Jose*h Youn,< **# @< G#F
)resu'a&! on the @th of .a!< since that 2as the date fi/ed for
startin, on this 'ission ! the T2e&$e at their 'eetin, on the H8th of
A*ri& *recedin, Esee *# H7NF# John 3hit'er< in his notes on Church
Histor!< ho2e$er< fi/es the date on the Gth of .a!# He sa!s( -on the
'ornin, of the Gth of .a!< the T2e&$e too0 &ea$e of their fa'i&ies and
rethren< to fi&& their first 'ission under their co''ission< ein,
co''issioned to carr! the 5os*e& to 5enti&e and a&so unto Je2< ha$in, the
0e!s of the 5os*e& to un&oc0< and then ca&& u*on others to *ro'u&,ate the
sa'e#- E3hit'er+s .s#< *# GD#F
3hat the case in >uestion 2as cannot no2 e ascertained#
The 2ho&e artic&e is so $a&ua&e that< not2ithstandin, to *u&ish it
entire &eads to a re*etition of *art of the ao$e< it is *&aced here in a
foot note#
TO THE SAINTS SCATTERED A"ROAD#
-Dear "rethren(--It is a dut! 2hich e$er! saint ou,ht to render to his
rethren free&!--to a&2a!s &o$e the'< and e$er succor the'# To e
=ustified efore 5od 2e 'ust &o$e one another( 2e 'ust o$erco'e e$i&? 2e
'ust $isit the father&ess and the 2ido2 in their aff&iction< and 2e 'ust
0ee* ourse&$es uns*otted fro' the 2or&d( for such $irtues f&o2 fro' the
,reat fountain of *ure re&i,ion< stren,thenin, our faith ! addin, e$er!
,ood >ua&it! that adorns the chi&dren of the &essed Jesus< 2e can *ra! in
the season of *ra!er? 2e can &o$e our nei,hor as ourse&$es< and he
faithfu& in triu&ation< 0no2in, that the re2ard of such is ,reater in the
0in,do' of hea$en< 2hat a conso&ationK 2hat a =o!K Let 'e &i$e the &ife of
the ri,hteous< and &et '! re2ard e &i0e thisK
Accordin, to the order of the 0in,do' e,un in the &ast da!s< to *re*are
'en for the rest of the Lord< the E&ders in ;ion< or in her i''ediate
re,ion< ha$e no authorit! or ri,ht to 'edd&e 2ith her s*iritua& affairs<
to re,u&ate her concerns< or ho&d counci&s for the e/*u&sion of 'e'ers in
her unor,ani4ed condition# The Hi,h counci& as een e/*ress&! or,ani4ed
to ad'inister in a&& her s*iritua& affairs? and the "isho* and his
counci&< are set o$er her te'*ora& 'atter( so that the E&ders+ acts are
nu&& and $oid# No2 the Lord 2ants the tares and 2heat to ,ro2 to,ether(
for ;ion 'ust e redee'ed 2ith =ud,'ent< and her con$erts 2ith
ri,hteousness# E$er! E&der that can< after *ro$idin, for Eif he has an!?F
and *a!in, his dets< 'ust ,o forth and c&ear his s0irts fro' the &ood of
this ,eneration< 2hi&e the! are in that re,ion instead of tr!in, 'e'ers
for trans,ressions< or offenses< &et e$er! one &aor to *re*are hi'se&f
for the $ine!ard< s*arin, a &itt&e ti'e to co'fort the 'ourners? to ind
u* the ro0en-hearted? to rec&ai' the ac0s&ider? to rin, ac0 the
2anderer? to re in$ite into the 0in,do' such as ha$e een cut off< !
encoura,in, the' to &a! to 2hi&e the da! &asts< and 2or0 ri,hteousness<
and< 2ith one heart and one 'ind< *re*are to he&* redee' ;ion< that ,ood&!
&and of *ro'ise< 2here the 2i&&in, and the oedient sha&& e &essed#
Sou&s are as *recious in the si,ht of 5od as the! e$er 2ere? and the
E&ders 2ere ne$er ca&&ed to dri$e an! do2n to he&&< ut to *ersuade and
in$ite a&& 'en e$er!2here to re*ent< that the! 'a! eco'e the heirs of
sa&$ation# It is the acce*ta&e !ear of the Lord &ierate the ca*ti$es
that the! 'a! sin, hosanna# The )riests< too< shou&d not e Id&e( their
duties are *&ain< and un&ess the! do the' di&i,ent&!< the! cannot e/*ect
to e a**ro$ed# Ri,hteousness 'ust e the ai' of the saints in a&& thin,s<
and 2hen the co$enants are *u&ished< the! 2i&& &earn that ,reat thin,s
'ust e e/*ected fro' the'# Do ,ood and 2or0 ri,hteousness 2ith an e!e
sin,&e to the ,&or! of 5od< and !ou sha&& rea* !our re2ard 2hen the Lord
reco'*enses accordin, to his 2or0# The Teachers and Deacons are the
standin, 'inisters of the church< and in the asence of other officers<
,reat thin,s and ho&! 2a&0 are re>uired of the'# The! 'ust stren,then the
'e'ers+ faith? *ersuade such as are out of the 2a! to re*ent< and torn to
5od and &i$e? 'ee0&! *ersuade and ur,e e$er! one to for,i$e one another
a&& their tres*asses< offenses and sins< that the! 'a! 2or0 out their o2n
sa&$ation 2ith fear and tre'&in,# "rethren< ear and forear one 2ith
another< for so the Lord does 2ith us# )ra! for !our ene'ies in the church
and curse not !our foes 2ithout( for $en,eance is 'ine< saith the Lord<
and I 2i&& re*a!# To e$er! ordained 'e'er< and to a&&< 2e sa!< e
'ercifu& and !ou sha&& find 'erc!# See0 to he&* sa$e sou&s< not to destro!
the'( for $eri&! !ou 0no2< that -there +s 'ore =o! in hea$en< o$er one
sinner that re*ents< than there is o$er ninet! and nine =ust *ersons that
need no re*entance#- Stri$e not aout the '!steries of the 0in,do'? cast
not !our *ear&s efore s2ine< ,i$e not the read of the chi&dren to do,s<
&est !ou and the chi&dren shou&d suffer< and !ou there! offend !our
ri,hteous Jud,e# Your rethren 2ho &ea$e their fa'i&ies< 2ith 2ho' the!
ha$e en=o!ed an earth&! 'easure of *eace and =o!< to carr! ,&ad tidin,s
around the 2or&d< e/*ect ,reat thin,s of !ou< 2hi&e !ou are *ri$i&e,ed to
en=o! the &essin,s of the Saints+ societ!# The! *ra! our hea$en&! Father
that !ou 'a! e $er! *ra!erfu&< $er! hu'&e< and $er! charita&e? 2or0in,
di&i,ent&!< s*iritua&&! and te'*ora&&! for the rede'*tion of ;ion< that
the *ure in heart 'a! return 2ith son,s of e$er&astin, =o! to ui&d u* her
2aste *&aces< and 'eet the Lord 2hen He co'es in His ,&or!# "rethren< in
the na'e of Jesus Christ< 2e entreat !ou to &i$e 2orth! of the &essin,s
that sha&& fo&&o2 after 'uch triu&ation< to satiate the sou&s of the'
that ho&d out faithfu& to the end#- E.essen,er and Ad$ocate< $o&# I< No#
8< **# 79M-8#F
The sustance of the fore,oin, artic&e fro' the .essen,er and Ad$ocate is
a&so contained< accordin, to John 3hit'er+s histor! E'anuscri*t *a,e GHF
in a &etter to He4e0iah )ec0< si,ned ! Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< O&i$er
Co2der!< Sidne! Ri,don< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< 3# 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er? the o*enin, *ara,ra*h of 2hich is as fo&&o2s(
-The )residenc! of 1irt&and and ;ion sa! that the Lord has 'anifested !
re$e&ation of His s*irit< that the Hi,h )riests< Teachers< )riests< and
Deacons< or in other 2ords< a&& the officers in the &and of C&a! count!<
.issouri< e&on,in, to the church< are 'ore or &ess in trans,ression<
ecause the! ha$e not en=o!ed the S*irit of 5od sufficient&! to e a&e to
co'*rehend their duties res*ectin, the'se&$es and the 2e&fare of ;ion?
there! ha$in, een &eft to act in a 'anner that is detri'enta& to the
interest< and a&so a hindrance to the rede'*tion of ;ion# No2 if the! 2i&&
e 2ise< the! 2i&& hu'&e the'se&$es in a *ecu&iar 'anner that 5od 'a!
o*en the e!es of their understandin,# It 2i&& e c&ear&! 'anifested 2hat
the desi,n and *ur*oses of the A&'i,ht! are 2ith re,ard to the'< and the
chi&dren of ;ion that the! shou&d &et the Hi,h counci&< 2hich is a**ointed
of 5od and ordained for that *ur*ose< 'a0e and re,u&ate a&& the affairs of
;ion< and that it is the 2i&& of 5od that her chi&dren shou&d stand sti&&
and see the sa&$ation of rede'*tion#- then fo&&o2s the sustance of the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate artic&e# This &etter has the fo&&o2in, *ost scri*t
2ritten *ersona&&! ! the )ro*het< to "rother )ec0< and is a ,e' 2hich
'anifests the *rofound s!'*ath! of the )ro*het for the faithfu& in Israe&(
-)#S#--"rother He4e0iah )ec0( 3e re'e'er !our fa'i&! 2ith a&& the first
fa'i&ies of the church 2ho first e'raced the truth# 3e re'e'er !our
&osses and sorro2s? our first ties are not ro0en? 2e *artici*ate 2ith !ou
in the e$i& as 2e&& as the ,ood< in the sorro2s as 2e&& as the =o!s? our
union< 2e trust< is stron,er than death< and sha&& ne$er e se$ered#
Re'e'er us unto a&& 2ho e&ie$e in the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& of our Lord
and Sa$ior Jesus Christ# 3e here! authori4e !ou< He4e0iah )ec0< our
e&o$ed rother< to read this e*ist&e and co''unicate it unto a&& the
rotherhood in a&& that re,ion of countr!#
-Dictated ! 'e< !our un2orth! rother< and fe&&o2 &aorer in the
testi'on! of the "oo0 of .or'on# Si,ned ! '! o2n hand in the to0en of the
e$er&astin, co$enant# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#-
This co''unication in the )ro*het+s histor! as *u&ished in the
.i&&ennia& Star a**ears under the date of A*ri& H7st< 789G ut it 2as
thou,ht to e a etter ,rou*in, of e$ents to rin, it do2n to this
date-first ha&f of June--2here the 2ho&e incident 'a! e dis*osed of in a
sin,&e reference to it# Fo&&o2in, is a re'ar0 of the )ro*het+s res*ectin,
the &etter as *u&ished in the Star< ut 2hich under our *resent
arran,e'ent of the 'atter is not necessar! in the te/t of the Histor!(
-One o=ect< and on&! one< has induced us to &a! the fore,oin, &etter fro'
En,&and< efore our 'atters? and that is< the ,ood of the cause of 5od# It
'i,ht ha$e re'ained in our *ossession< *erha*s for !ears< in si&ence< had
it not een for circu'stances< 2hich 2e 2i&& rief&! 'ention hereafter#-
These circu'stances- are those re&atin, to the indifferent actions of .r#
He2itt< as set forth in the te/t#
This is not the na'e acce*ted ! the church 2hich .r# He2itt
re*resented# The re&i,ious od! usua&&! ca&&ed -Ir$in,ites- o=ect to an!
desi,nation -2hich i'*&ies sectarianis'- and therefore< the! the'se&$es
use no other na'e than the -Catho&ic a*osto&ic church<- of 2hich the
con,re,ation at "arns&e!< En,&and< 2as ut a ranch# Such 2as the
*ro'inence< ho2e$er< for &earnin,< socia& and ecc&esiastica& standin, of
Re$erend Ed2ard Ir$in, that 2hen he ,a$e the inf&uence of his na'e and
standin, to 2hat 2as *roa&! a rea&&! s*iritua& a2a0enin, a'on, so'e of
the *eo*&e in 2estern and southern Scot&and< the 'o$e'ent recei$ed his
na'e< hence -Ir$in,ites#- .r# Ir$in, 2as orn in Annan< Du'frieshire<
Au,ust 7G< 7MNH< and in his ear&! 'inistr! 2as associated 2ith such 'en as
Doctors Cha&'ers and Cannin,# He created no &itt&e stir in hi,her circ&es
of re&i,ious societ! in London for a ti'e? ut his announce'ent of the
near a**roach of the co'in, of the Son of .an< attended ! the =ud,'ents
of 5od< to,ether 2ith his strictures a,ainst the &ooseness of fashiona&e
&ife< soon dis*&eased the 2or&d&! 2ho for a ti'e f&oc0ed to hear hi'? and
the *eo*&e of fashion soon se*arated fro' his con,re,ation# He tau,ht the
doctrine that the s*iritua& ,ifts of the 5os*e& 2ere to continue fore$er
in the church< to,ether 2ith the Ne2 Testa'ent or,ani4ation of the church#
The Ir$in,ite $ie2s of this Ne2 Testa'ent or,ani4ation are set forth in
the fo&&o2in,( -There are< as in the a*osto&ic ti'es< four 'inisteries(
7st< that of La*ost&e?+ Hnd< that of L*ro*het?+ 9rd< that of Le$an,e&ist?+
and @th< that of L*astor#+ The a*ost&es are in$ested 2ith s*iritua&
*rero,ati$es? the! a&one can ad'inister the Ho&! 5host ! &a!in, on of
hands? to the' the '!steries of 5od are re$ea&ed and unfo&ded to the
church? and the! decide on 'atter+ of order and disci*&ine# Nothin, that
trans*ires in an! church in the 2a! of +*ro*hetic utterance+ can e
authoritati$e&! e/*&ained sa$e ! the'? and the $arious +an,e&s of the
churches+ are ound to rin, a&& such utterances under their co,ni4ance<
in order that the! 'a! e ri,ht&! inter*reted# The function of the
+*ro*het+ has een a&read! indicated# The 2or0 of an +e$an,e&ist+ 'ain&!
consists in endea$orin, to +rin,+ in< those 2ho are 2ithout# The +an,e&+
of the Catho&ic A*osto&ic Church< corres*onds 2ith the isho* of other
Christian deno'inations# The 'inisters of each fu&& con,re,ation co'*rise
an an,e&< 2ith a four-fo&d 'inistr! Econsistin, of e&ders< *ro*hets<
e$an,e&ists< and *astors?F and a 'inistr! of deacons to ta0e char,e of
te'*ora& 'atters# This 'inistr! is su**orted ! tithes< the *eo*&e ,i$in,
a tenth of their inco'e for the su**ort of the *riesthood# Church affairs
2ere 'ana,ed ! a counci& of 'inisters of a&& c&asses< 2hose se&ection and
arran,e'ent are concei$ed to ha$e een foreshado2ed in the structure of
the .osaic taernac&e#- The s!'*ath! of the 'e'ers of the Catho&ic
A*osto&ic Church at "arns&e! 2ho e&ie$ed in the s*iritua& ,ifts of the
5os*e&< and 2hat the! understood to e the Ne2 Testa'ent or,ani4ation of
the church< readi&! e/*&ains the interest the! 2ou&d natura&&! fee& in the
Latter-Da! Saints in A'erica< 2hen the! 2ou&d co'e to hear of the thin,s
2hich 5od had esta&ished a'on, the'? and it is re,retted that the! did
not send a 'ore faithfu& re*resentati$e than .r# He2itt to en>uire into
the 2or0 of the Lord as de$e&o*ed in di$ine 'anifestations to the )ro*het
Jose*h# -This .r# He2itt<- sa!s John 3hit'er in his 'anuscri*t histor! of
the church< *a,e GH< -did not oe! the 5os*e&? neither 2ou&d he
in$esti,ate the 'atter# Thus ended the 'ission of .r# He2itt#-
Of the e$an,e&ica& or *atriarcha& order of )riesthood in the church
it is said in the re$e&ations of 5od( -The order of this )riesthood 2as
confir'ed to e handed do2n fro' father to son< and ri,ht&! e&on,s to the
&itera& descendants of the chosen seed< to 2ho' the *ro'ises 2ere 'ade#
This order 2as instituted in the da!s of Ada'< and ca'e do2n ! &inea,e in
the fo&&o2in, 'anner#- Then fo&&o2 the na'es of those 2ho successi$e&!
he&d the e$an,e&ica& )riesthood in ancient ti'es EDoctrine and Co$enants<
sec# c$iiF# Accordin, to the 2ord of the Lord< at the ti'e this order of
)riesthood 2as conferred u*on H!ru' S'ith< rother of the )ro*het< it is
said -The )atriarch ho&ds the 0e!s of the *atriarcha& &essin,s u*on the
heads of a&& '! *eo*&e< that 2hoe$er he &esses sha&& e &essed< and
2hoe$er he curses sha&& e cursed? that 2hatsoe$er he sha&& ind on earth
sha&& e ound in hea$en? and 2hatsoe$er he sha&& &oose on earth sha&& e
&oosed in hea$en#- EDoctrine and Co$enants< c//i$< NH< N9#F It 2as
undouted&! u*on this order of *riesthood that the )ro*het s*o0e in the
'eetin, of the t2ent!-first of June#
.r# Chand&er is res*onsi&e for the En,&ish of the ao$e certificate<
and I do not fee& at &iert! to edit it#
It a**ears that the 'inutes of this Hi,h counci& at 1irt&and 2ere
intended to e sent to the T2e&$e as a co''unication#
The use of the ter' -or,ani4ed- here 'eans 'ere&! that the $arious
counci&s and >uoru's 2ere arran,ed ! their res*ecti$e *residencies in the
order *ro*er for that asse'&!< not that the! 2ere then or,ani4ed in the
sense of rin,in, the' into e/istence#
In this testi'on! of the T2e&$e to the "oo0 of Doctrine and
co$enants< as *u&ished in the Histor! of Jose*h S'ith in the .i&&ennia&
Star< the na'es of the A*ost&es 2ere not a**ended< ut It is thou,ht
*ro*er that the! shou&d e Inserted here in the order in 2hich the! stood
in the >uoru'# The docu'ent 2as undouted&! *re*ared efore the de*arture
of the T2e&$e for the east< as it 2as 2e&& 0no2n that the 2or0 of the
co''ittee on se&ection and co'*i&ation 2ou&d *resent the Doctrine and
Co$enants to a ,enera& asse'&! efore the T2e&$e 2ou&d return#
It shou&d e oser$ed that this -Artic&e on .arria,e- *resented ! 3#
3# )he&*s< and a&so the one on -5o$ern'ent and La2s in 5enera&<- *resented
! O&i$er Co2der!< 2ere not *resented as re$e&ations and 2ere not
*u&ished as such at the ti'e< ut 2ere e/*ressions of course< of the
e&ief of the Saints at that *eriod on those su=ects# It shou&d a&so e
noted that these t2o artic&es 2ere *resented and acted u*on in the asence
of the )ro*het 2ho 2as at the ti'e $isitin, saints and *reachin, in
.ichi,an#
Fo&&o2in, is the tit&e *a,e and *reface of the first edition of the
Doctrine and Co$enants#
DOCTRINE AND CO%ENANTS OF THE CHURCH OF THE LATTER-DAY SAINTS( CAREFULLY
SELECTED FRO. THE RE%ELATIONS OF 5OD< AND CO.)ILED "Y Jose*h S'ith<
Junior# O&i$er Co2der!< Sidne! Ri,don< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's< E)residin,
E&ders of the Church<F )RO)RIETORS# 1IRTLAND< OHIO< )RINTED "Y F# 5#
3ILLIA.S and CO.)ANY#< For the )ro*rietors# 789G# )REFACE#
To the .e'ers of the Church of the Latter-da! Saint<
DEAR "RETHREN(--3e dee' it to e unnecessar! to entertain !ou 2ith a
&en,th! *reface to the fo&&o2in, $o&u'e< ut 'ere&! to sa! that it
contains in short the &eadin, ite's of the re&i,ion 2hich 2e ha$e
*rofessed to e&ie$e#
The first *art of the oo0 2i&& e found to contain a series of &ectures
as de&i$ered efore a theo&o,ica& c&ass in this *&ace< and in conse>uence
of their e'racin, the i'*ortant doctrine of sa&$ation< 2e ha$e arran,ed
the' in the fo&&o2in, 2or0#
John E# )a,e 2as orn Feruar! HG< 7MNN< in Trenton To2nshi*< Oneida
Count!< Ne2 Yor0# He 2as a*ti4ed ! the rother of .artin Harris--E'er
Harris--in Au,ust< 7899< in Ohio< and ordained an E&der in Se*te'er<
7899# He 2as no2< on his re'o$a& to 1irt&and< in his thirt!-si/th !ear#
This is a 'ost i'*ortant docu'ent< since in it the )ro*het re$ie2s
the actions and 'oti$es of hi'se&f and associates in sett&in, the church
in .issouri# It is a 'ost =ust and conser$ati$e state'ent of the case< a
state'ent in 2hich the errors and o$er4ea& of so'e of the E&ders and
saints are ad'itted and de*&ored# It a&so ad'ira&! *ortra!s the )ro*het
as the conser$ati$e force in the church< and ,i$es an insi,ht into the
,reatness and ins*iration of his 'ind#
It has een decided to &et the se$era& di$isions of this
co''unication to the E&ders of the church a**ear to,ether in this one
cha*ter# There 2ere three se*arate co''unication of the )ro*het< as the!
a**ear in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate for Se*te'er< No$e'er and Dece'er<
789G< res*ecti$e&!? ut the! constitute one continuous address# it is
e&ie$ed that it 2i&& in e$er! 2a! e etter to ha$e the' a**ear to,ether
in one cha*ter#
In this and se$era& of the fo&&o2in, *ara,ra*hs the )ro*het a&&udes
to A&e/ander Ca'*e&&< founder of the sect of the -Disci*&es?- and a&so to
an artic&e 2hich a**eared in the .i&&ennia& Harin,er< %o&# H E7897F<
*a,es 8:-N:# The reference to E&!'as< to 2hich the )ro*het so stron,&!
re*&ies< stands thus in Ca'*e&&+s artic&e--2hich 2as after2ards
circu&ated as a *a'*h&et( -I ha$e ne$er fe&t so fu&&! authori4ed to
address 'orta& 'an in the st!&e in 2hich )au& addressed E&!'as the
sorcerer as I fee& to2ards this atheist S'ith#- E.i&&ennia& Harin,er<
%o&# H< * N:F# That is< -O fu&& of a&& sut&et! and a&& 'ischief< thou
chi&d of the de$i&< thou ene'! of a&& ri,hteousness< 2i&t thou not cease
to *er$ert the ri,ht 2a!s of the Lord- EActs /iii( 7DF#
The *ara,ra*h dea&in, 2ith the &a!in, on of hands< and the *assa,es of
scri*ture >uoted in su**ort of that doctrine# 2i&& a&so e the etter
understood 2hen it +s 0no2n that 2hi&e .r# Ca'*e&& and his associates
tau,ht faith in 5od< re*entance and a*tis' for the re'ission of sins<
the! re=ected 2ho&&! the doctrine of the &a!in, on of hands for the ,ift
of the Ho&! 5host< and the en=o!'ent of the s*iritua& &essin,s 2hich
acco'*an! the *ossession of that S*irit#
Not2ithstandin, this *ro'ise of the )ro*het< the su=ect 2as not
a,ain rene2ed ! hi'# Aout this ti'e he 2as so o$er2he&'ed 2ith 2or0 and
a 'u&titude of other su=ects that he did not find ti'e to co'*&ete the
2or0 he had out&ined in these *a*ers#
See $o&# I< *# 7D@# Doctrine and Co$enants< sec# //$
This 2as the te'*&e ui&din, co''ittee#
For this co''unication see Artic&e II< cha*ter 6I6# ENote#F
Eene4er Roinson< after2ards so'e2hat *ro'inent in the church in
.issouri and I&&inois as editor< *rinter and *u&isher< 2as orn in the
to2n of F&o!d< Oneida Count!< Ne2 Yor0< .a! HG< 787:? and 2as the son of
Nathan and .ar! Roinson# He 2as a&read! a *rinter of considera&e
e/*erience 2hen he ca'e to 1irt&and in .a!< 789G< and e,an 2or0 in the
church *rintin, esta&ish'ent< then runnin, under the fir' na'e of F# 5#
3i&&ia's P co#< thou,h not a 'e'er of the church# For si/ 'onths he
oarded in the fa'i&ies of O&i$er Co2der!< F# 5# 3i&&ia's and the )ro*het
Jose*h# -2e found the' a&& $er! *ious< ,ood Christian *eo*&e<- he re'ar0s<
-E2hoF as0ed a &essin, at the ta&e and a&& attended to fa'i&! 2orshi*
'ornin, and e$enin,#- EThe -Return<- $o& 7< *# G8?# .r# Roinson did not
eco'e i''ediate&! con$erted to the 5os*e&< ut con$iction ,radua&&!
da2ned u*on his 'ind< and he fina&&! dec&ared his faith and 2as a*ti4ed
! the )ro*het as stated in the te/t#
The e/*ectation 2as rea&i4ed on the &ast da! of octoer< see *# HNM#
This is Shadrach Round! 2ho after2ards eca'e *ro'inent in church
affairs# He 2as orn in Roc0in,ha'< 3indha' Count!< %er'ont< Januar! 7<
7M8N# At t2ent!-fi$e he 'arried "ets! Aui'!# He first heard of the 5os*e&
on 'o$in, fro' %er'ont to Ononda,a Count!< Ne2 Yor0< and in the 2inter of
789D--I sou,ht out the )ro*het< then residin, at Fa!ette< Seneca count!<
Ne2 Yor0# After his first inter$ie2 he 2as a*ti4ed? and suse>uent&! his
2ife and a&& his chi&dren of sufficient a,e recei$ed the 5os*e&# He
re'o$ed 2ith the Ne2 Yor0 saints to Ohio< sett&in, near 3i&&ou,h!< 2here
the )ro*het fre>uent&! $isited hi'#
This refers to the )ro*het+s second co''unication to the .essen,er
and Ad$ocate and 2i&& e found at *a,e HGN et se>#
This co''ittee 2as the one ha$in, in char,e the ui&din, of the
1irt&and Te'*&e# The! 2ere a&so 'ana,ers of a store in 1irt&and< throu,h
2hich 'uch of the usiness connected 2ith the construction of the te'*&e
2as acco'*&ished# The co''ittee consisted of H!ru' S'ith< Re!no&ds Cahoon
and Jared Carter#
That is< E&der H!de desired that the )ro*het 2ou&d reconci&e the
conduct of the ao$e na'ed co''ittee 2ith so'e of the re$e&ations 2hich in
E&der H!de+s o*inion tau,ht that the T2e&$e 2ere to e e>ua& in oth
te'*ora& and s*iritua& thin,s# See E&der H!de+s &etter< *a,e 99G#
That is< Father S'ith had assisted in ui&din, the house< and 2as
a&so at that ti'e 'a0in, his house 2ith 3i&&ia'#
The account here ,i$en of ho2 the )ro*het ca'e into *ossession of the
2ritin,s of Araha'< and of Jose*h< the son of Jaco< 2as ada*ted fro' an
artic&e in the .essen,er and Ad$ocate< E%o&u'e II< Nu'er 9< *a,es H99<
H9:< earin, date of Dece'er< 789GF si,ned ! O&i$er Co2der!# The artic&e
is addressed to 3i&&ia' Fr!e< Es>## of 5i&ead< Ca&houn Count!< I&&# The
certificate of the -&earned- referred to< is in the od! of the artic&e#
it see's that .ichae& H# Chand&er< the o2ner of the E,!*tian 'u''ies and
the *a*!rus< e/hiited his treasures in )hi&ade&*hia< and< 2hi&e there<
otained the fo&&o2in, o*inion of se$era& *ro'inent doctors+
-Ha$in, e/a'ined 2ith considera&e attention and dee* interest< a nu'er
of 'u''ies fro' the cataco's< near Thees< in E,!*t< and no2 e/hiitin,
in the Arcade< 2e e, &ea$e to reco''end the' to the oser$ation of the
curious in>uirer on su=ects of a *eriod so &on, e&a*sed? *roa&! not
&ess than three thousand !ears a,o# The features of so'e of these 'u''ies
are in *erfect e/*ression# The *a*!rus co$ered 2ith &ac0 or red in0< or
*aint< in e/ce&&ent *reser$ation< are $er! interestin,# The undersi,ned<
unso&icited ! an! *erson connected ! interest 2ith this e/hiition< ha$e
$o&untari&! set their na'es hereunto< for the si'*&e *ur*ose of ca&&in,
the attention of the *u&ic to an interestin, co&&ection< not sufficient&!
0no2 in this cit!#- JOHN RED.AN CO6E .#D#< RICHARD HARLAN< .#D#< J#
)ANCOAST< .# D#< 3ILLIA. )# C# "ARTON< .# D#< E# F# RI%INUS< .#D#< SA.UEL
5# .OR5AN< .#D#<
-I concur in the ao$e senti'ents< concernin, the co&&ection of 'u''ies in
the )hi&ade&*hia Arcade< and consider the' hi,h&! deser$in, the attention
of the curious# 3# E# HORNER< .# D#-
Another *ara,ra*h in the artic&e e/*&ains ho2 it ca'e aout that .r#
Chand&er ,a$e the )ro*het a certificate< concernin, his e&ief in the
)ro*het+s ai&it! to deci*her the E,!*tian hiero,&!*hics of the
*a*!rus--2hich certificate 2i&& e found at *a,e H9G< of this $o&u'e<
under the date of the *urchase of the 'u''ies and *a*!rus ! certain
*ersons in 1irt&and# Fro' the *ara,ra*h referred to< it a**ears that on
the 'ornin, that .r# Chand&er first *resented his *a*!rus to the )ro*het
Jose*h S'ith< he 2as sho2n ! the &atter< a nu'er of characters 2hich had
een co*ied fro' the Ne*hite *&ates< and found that there 2ere so'e *oints
of rese'&ance et2een so'e of the Ne*hite characters and so'e of the
characters on the E,!*tian *a*!rus# .r# Chand&er then as0ed the )ro*het+s
o*inion concernin, the anti>uit! of the E,!*tian *a*!rus< and a&so
re>uested hi' to ,i$e a trans&ation of the characters# The )ro*het ,a$e
.r# Chand&er a trans&ation of so'e fe2 of the E,!*tian characters< 2hich
a,reed 2ith the inter*retation ,i$en ! &earned 'en in other cities< 2here
the 'u''ies and *a*!rus had een e/hiited< 2hereu*on .r# Chand&er ,a$e
the )ro*het a certificate# statin, that fact#
The a,ent re*orted these Indians as u*2ards of H<DDD#
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an 2as 0no2n to the saints at this ti'e as the *&ace 2here
the Lord a**eared unto Ada' our Father< three !ears *re$ious to his death<
and 'inistered unto the ri,hteous a'on, his *osterit! asse'&ed st that
*&ace? on 2hich occasion Ada' 2as ca&&ed -.ichae&<- -the )rince<- -the
Archan,e&<- and the Lord ad'inistered unto Ada' and said unto hi'< -I ha$e
set thee at the head( the 'u&titude of nations sha&& co'e of thee< and
thou art a *rince o$er the'#- It 2as this 0no2&ed,e that ins*ired the h!'n
sun, on that occasion< co'*osed ! 3# 3# )he&*s< and here fo&&o2s(
This earth 2as once a ,arden *&ace< 3ith a&& her ,&ories co''on? And 'en
did &i$e a ho&! race< And 2orshi* Jesus face to face< In Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
3e read that Enoch 2a&0ed 2ith 5od< Ao$e the *o2er of .a''on? 3hi&e ;ion
s*read herse&f aroad< And saints and an,e&s san, a&oud< In
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Her &and 2as ,ood and ,reat&! &essed< "e!ond o&d Israe&+s Canaan? Her
fa'e 2as 0no2n fro' east to 2est? Her *eace 2as ,reat and *ure the rest Of
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an#
Hosanna to such da!s to co'e--The Sa$ior+s second co'in,< 3hen a&& the
earth in ,&orious &oo' Affords the Saints a ho&! ho'e< Li0e
Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# EL#D#S# H!'n "oo0< *# HMM#F
E$ident&! this 'atter concernin, 3arren A# Co2der! 2as after2ards
ta0en u* and sett&ed a'ica&!< as the Doctor *u&ished the fo&&o2in, note
of e/*&anation and ac0no2&ed,'ent in the Feruar!< 789:< nu'er of the
.essen,er and Ad$ocate
-NOTICE# -I here! ,i$e to a&& 2ho' it 'a! concern< that .essrs# T# "#
.arsh and others< deno'inated the +T2e&$e<+ 2hi&e on their 'ission to the
East< &ast season< recei$ed a &etter fro' the )residenc! of the church in
2hich the! 2ere censured for ne,&ectin, to teach the church in Freedo'<
Cattarau,us count!< N# Y#< the necessit! of contriutin, of their earth&!
sustance for the ui&din, of the House of the Lord in this *&ace# The
reu0e fro' the )residenc!< Eas the undersi,ned has een infor'edF 2as
*redicated u*on a &etter addressed ! hi'< to the *residents or so'e one
of the'< statin, that the!< the T2e&$e< tau,ht no such thin,# The
undersi,ned a&thou,h actuated ! the *urest 'oti$es at the ti'e he 2rote
e&ie$in, he had stated nothin, ut the truth< has since eco'e satisfied
fro' the est of e$idence< that that *articu&ar ite' in their instructions
2as not o'itted as e had re*resented< he< therefore< 'ost dee*&! re,rets
it< ein, sensi&e as he no2 is< that he 2as the cause Ea&thou,h innocentF
of 2oundin, the est of fee&in,s< and de*ressin, s*irits uo!ant 2ith
ho*e< 2hi&e in the fie&d of usefu& &aor at a distance fro' ho'e#---3# A#
CO3DERY#
The co''unication fro' 5o$ernor Dun0&in< of .issouri< 2hich fo&&o2s<
is found as -Note H<- in the addenda of the 'anuscri*t Histor!< "oo0 -"#-
And is *&aced here in the )ro*het+s narrati$e< under the date on 2hich it
2as 2ritten< $i4# Januar! HH< 789:#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< it shou&d e re'e'ered< in the to2n of
Aure&ius< Ca!u,a Count!< Ne2 Yor0< had for t2e&$e !ears fo&&o2ed the
occu*ation of car*enter< =oiner< *ainter and ,&a4ier# ESee Life of "ri,ha'
Youn,< Tu&&id,e< *# MMF# Hence this a**oint'ent to su*er$ise the 2or0
'entioned#
-The Te'*&e 2as so constructed that 2ith 2hite can$as curtains that
cou&d e dro**ed and raised at *&easure< the &o2er stor! 2as< 2hene$er
occasion re>uired< di$ided into four sections or co'*art'ents# C C C C The
t2o sets of *u&*its< one on the east and the other to the 2est end of the
ui&din, 2ere intersected ! the curtains e/tendin, fro' east to 2est< so
as to &ea$e ha&f their &en,ths in each a*art'ent< and the! 2ere occu*ied
! the *residin, officers 2ho directed the ser$ices# Thus four se*arate
'eetin,s cou&d e in session at the sa'e ti'e 2ithout in the &east
interferin, 2ith each other< ,i$in, o**ortunit! for four to e/ercise
instead of one#---EE&i4a R# Sno2< Autoio,ra*h! and Fa'i&! Record of
Loren4o Sno2< *# 7HF# It 2as u*on these can$as curtains or -$ei&s- that
the sisters 2ere at 2or0 as stated in the te/t#
This is .r# Ed2ard Ir$in,< the Scotch c&er,!'an 2ho founded the sect
of the Ir$in,ites# See **# H99-@ this $o&u'e#
)ar&e! )# )ratt< author#
3# 3# )he&*s< author#
3# 3# )he&*s< author#
3# 3# )he&*s< author#
3atts< author#
Doctrine and co$enants< sec# ci/#
3# 3# )he&*s#
This 2as the 2ee0&! ne2s*a*er 2hich had een started in Feruar!<
789G< in su**ort of De'ocrac!? and 2hich 2as edited ! Frederic0 5#
3i&&ia's#
Doctrine and Co$enants# sec# c/#
Char&es 1e&&! 2as a 'e'er of ;ion+s ca'*< a&so a 'e'er of the first
>uoru' of se$ent!# His offenses are na'ed at *a,e @@@#
-She died fir' in the faith of the 5os*e&< a&thou,h she had ne$er
!ie&ded oedience to an! of its ordinances#---Hist# of the )ro*het Jose*h<
! Luc! S'ith< ch# /ii#
This 2as the A&an! P Schenectad! Rai&2a!< the first rai&road
contracted for in Ne2 Yor0? it e,an to o*erate in Se*te'er< 7897# It 2as
at that ti'e ca&&ed the .oha20 P Hudson rai&road and ran fro' A&an! to
Schenectad!# Its charter 2as -issued in 78H: and is ,enera&&! re,arded as
the ear&iest charter ,i$en in the United states for the construction of a
rai&road#
The fire here a&&uded to ro0e out on the ni,ht of the 7:th of
Dece'er< 789G< and in fourteen hours there 2as consu'ed o$er se$enteen
'i&&ion do&&ars+ 2orth of *ro*ert!# The urnt district co$ered se$era&
acres of ,round in the 'ost *ro'inent usiness *art of the cit!#
See Doctrine and co$enants sec# c/i#
-1irt&and Safet! Societ! "an0- 2as the fu&& tit&e of the *ro*osed
institution< and O&i$er Co2der! had the *&ates on 2hich an0 notes 2ere to
e *rinted so en,ra$ed#
Dr# 3i&&ard Richards 2as orn at Ho*0inton< .idd&ese/ count!<
.asschusetts< June H@< 78D@ and fro' the re&i,ious teachin,s of his
*arents EJose*h and Rhoda RichardsF< he 2as the su=ect of re&i,ious
i'*ressions fro' his ear&iest 'o'ents< a&thou,h care&ess and indifferent
in his e/terna& de*ort'ent# At the a,e of ten !ears he re'o$ed 2ith his
father+s fa'i&! to Rich'ond< in the sa'e state< 2here he 2itnessed se$era&
sectarian -re$i$a&s<- and offered hi'se&f to the con,re,ationa& church in
that *&ace< at the a,e of se$enteen< ha$in, *re$ious&! *assed the *ainfu&
ordea& of con$iction and con$ersion< accordin, to that order< e$en to the
e&ief that he had co''itted the un*ardona&e sin? ut the tota& disre,ard
of that church to his re>uest for ad'ission< &ed hi' to a 'ore thorou,h
in$esti,ation of the *rinci*&es of re&i,ion< 2hen he eca'e con$inced that
the sects 2ere a&& 2ron,< and that 5od had no church on earth< ut that He
2ou&d soon ha$e a church 2hose creed 2ou&d e the truth< the 2ho&e truth<
and nothin, ut the truth< and fro' that ti'e 0e*t hi'se&f a&oof fro'
sectarian inf&uence< o&d&! dec&arin, his e&ief to a&& 2ho 2ished to
&earn his $ie2s( unti& the su''er of 789G< 2hi&e in the *ractice of
'edicine near "oston< the "oo0 of .or'on# 2hich )resident "ri,ha' Youn,
had &eft 2ith his cousin Lucius )ar0er< at Southorou,h< accidenta&&! or
*ro$identia&&! fe&& in his 2a!< 2hich 2as the first he had seen or heard
of the Latter-da! Saints< e/ce*t the scurri&ous re*orts of the *u&ic
*rints< 2hich a'ounted to nothin, 'ore than that -a o! na'ed Jo S'ith<
so'e2here out 2est< had found a ,o&d "i&e#- He o*ened the oo0 2ithout
re,ard to *&ace< and tota&&! i,norant of its desi,n or contents< and
efore readin, ha&f a *a,e< dec&ared -5od or the De$i& has had a hand in
that oo0< for 'an ne$er 2rote it#- He read it t2ice throu,h in aout ten
da!s< and so fir' 2as his con$iction of the truth< that he i''ediate&!
co''enced sett&in, his accounts< se&&in, his 'edicine< and freein, hi'se&f
fro' e$er! incu'rance< that he 'i,ht ,o to 1irt&and< se$en hundred 'i&es
2est< the nearest *oint he cou&d hear of a Saint< and ,i$e the 2or0 a
thorou,h in$esti,ation? fir'&! e&ie$in, that if the doctrine 2as true<
5od had so'e ,reater 2or0 for hi' to do than to *edd&e *i&&s# "ut no
sooner did he co''ence a sett&e'ent than he 2as s'itten 2ith *a&s!# fro'
2hich he suffered e/ceedin,&!< and 2as *re$ented e/ecutin, his desi,n
unti& octoer< 789:< 2hen he arri$ed at 1irt&and< in co'*an! 2ith his
rother EDoctor Le$i Richards< 2ho attended hi' as *h!sicianF< 2here he
2as 'ost cordia&&! and hos*ita&! recei$ed and entertained ! his cousin<
)resident "ri,ha' Youn,< 2ith 2ho' he tarried< and ,a$e the 2or0 an
unceasin, and untirin, in$esti,ation unti& the da! of his a*tis'#
That is the! ordained the' Hi,h )riests# Since the! 2ere E&ders<
ho2e$er< the! a&read! *ossessed the Hi,h )riesthood< and hence it 2as on&!
necessar! to ordain the' to the office of Se$ent! in that )riesthood? ut
the rethren 2ho had i''ediate char,e of ordainin, se$enties Ethe first
*residents of se$entiesF see'ed to ha$e thou,ht it necessar! to ordain
the' Hi,h )riests in order for the' to ho&d the Hi,h )riesthood< hence the
correction 'ade ! the )ro*het#
In the se&ection and ordination of the counci& co'*osed of the first
se$en *residents of Se$ent!< it ad een o$er&oo0ed< e$ident&!< that the
re$e&ation on )riesthood< ,i$en .arch H8< 789G< s*ecifica&&! stated( -And
it is accordin, to the $ision< sho2in, the order of the Se$ent!< that the!
shou&d ha$e se$en *residents to *reside o$er the'# chosen out of the
nu'er of the Se$ent!#---EDoc# and Co$#< sec# 7DM< $erse N97# Fi$e of
those chosen to 'a0e u* the first counci& 2ere Hi,h )riests? therefore to
'a0e the action of the church confor' to the 2ord of 5od< these Hi,h
)riests 2ere in$ited ! the )ro*het to ta0e their *&ace in the Hi,h
)riests+ >uoru'< that the first counci& 'i,ht e 'ade u* of 'en -chosen
out of the nu'er of the se$ent!- as *ro$ided ! the &a2 of 5od#
In the re$e&ation ,i$en in Au,ust 789D Esec# HMF the Lord said--it
'attereth not 2hat !e sha&& eat or 2hat !e sha&& drin0 2hen !e *arta0e of
the sacra'ent< if it so e that !e do it 2ith an e!e sin,&e to '!
,&or!--etc# This is the first occasion on record 2here 2ater 2as used
instead of 2ine< ut it is *ossi&e that 2ater 'a! ha$e een used in the
Sacra'ent efore this ti'e#
A short ti'e *re$ious to the ao$e recorded actions<< $i4#< in the
ear&! *art of A*ri& *recedin,< an i'*ortant 'eetin, of the Hi,h counci& of
;ion 2as con$ened efore it )residents 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er Da$id
3hit'er< the *resident of ;ion ein, asentF 2ere arrai,ned for so'e
irre,u&arit! in their conduct? and as the action of that counci& 2i&& ha$e
an i'*ortant hearin, u*on facts 2hich 2i&& &ater a**ear in the od! of
this histor!< I here ,i$e in e/fenso the 'inutes of that counci& 'eetin,<
2hich continued fro' the third to the se$enth of A*ri&#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& at Far 3est#
At a 'eetin, of the Hi,h counci& in Far 3est< A*ri& 9< 789M< se$en of the
standin, counci&ors 2ere *resent# John .urdoc0 2as a**ointed 'oderator<
and E&ias Hi,ee c&er0#
Reso&$ed< That the Counci& re>uest the )residents 3# 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er to ,i$e e/*&anation of the fo&&o2in, ite's(
First--"! 2hat authorit! 2as this *&ace IFar 3estJ *ointed out as a cit!
and a *&ace for a house of the Lord< and ! 2ho'B
Second--"! 2hat authorit! 2as a co''ittee a**ointed and ordained to
su*erintend the ui&din, of the House of the LordB
Third--"! 2hat authorit! 2as Jaco 2hit'er ordained to the Hi,h
)riesthoodB
Fourth--Ha$e t2o *residents authorit! to &a! out a cit!< and ui&d a House
of 5od? inde*endent of the counse& of the Hi,h Counci&B
Fifth--"! 2hat authorit! 2as one of the Hi,h counci&ors disfe&&o2shi*ed in
the na'e of the Hi,h Counci& 2ithout their 0no2&ed,eB
Si/th--Has an! indi$idua& or indi$idua&s a ri,ht to *refer a char,e to the
)residenc! in 1irt&and a,ainst an! Hi,h counci&or< Iof this Counci&J
2ithout the 0no2&ed,e of the Counci& or ItheJ indi$idua&B
Se$enth--Shou&d not the Hi,h counci& and "isho* of ;ion< 2ho are a**ointed
to do usiness for ;ion< recei$e their inheritance in the care of that
cit! in *reference to one 2ho is not *articu&ar&! ca&&ed to &aor for
;ion< or an une&ie$erB
Ei,ht--Sha&& an! inte&&i,ence re&ati$e to the ui&din, u* of ;ion e
2ithhe&d fro' the Counci& of ;ionB
Ninth--Are the t2o *residents entit&ed to the *rofits arisin, fro' the
sa&e of &and< on 2hich the cit! is to e ui&t in this *&ace< inde*endent
of the authorities 2ho ha$e een a**ointed to &aor 2ith the' for ;ion and
ha$e suffered &i0e triu&ations 2ith the'B
The Counci& then a,reed to in$ite )residents 3# 3# )he&*s and John
3hit'er< a&so the "isho*< Ed2ard )artrid,e< and his counse&ors? a&so the
t2o A*ost&es< Tho'as "# .arsh and Da$id 3# )atten< to 'eet 2ith the' on
the Gth< inst#< that the ao$e na'ed *residents 'i,ht e/*&ain Ians2erJ the
fore,oin, >uestions and that the su=ect 'i,ht e in$esti,ated# The
Counci& then ad=ourned to the Gth at ten o+c&oc0# FAR 3EST< A*ri& Gth<
789M#
The Counci& con$ened a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent 2ith the afore'entioned
)residents< the "isho*s and counse&ors? a&so the t2o A*ost&es# The Counci&
o*ened ! *ra!er? ut *re$ious to *roceedin, to usiness the said
*residents *ro*osed that the "isho* and his counse&ors< 2ith the ao$e
na'ed A*ost&es &ea$e the Counci&? 2hich 2as o=ected to ! the counci&<
the "isho* and A*ost&es# The *residents sti&& insisted on ha$in, a *ri$ate
counci& in the asence of the "isho* and his counse&ors and the A*ost&es#
A&& o**osed the t2o *residents# The "isho*s and the t2o A*ost&es ,a$e the'
to understand that the! had a ri,ht to re'ain< and that the! therefore
shou&d re'ain# )resident )he&*s then said he 2ou&d disso&$e the counci&<
u*on 2hich Tho'as "# .arsh dec&ared that if the counci& shou&d e
disso&$ed he 2ou&d *re*are a char,e a,ainst the t2o *residents< efore the
"isho* and t2e&$e Hi,h )riests# The *residents then said the! 2ere 2i&&in,
to &et a&& *resent re'ain in the house# The counci& then *roceeded to the
in$esti,ation of the ao$e na'ed >uestions# The! 2ere not ,enera&&!
satisfactori&! ans2ered< 2hich &ed the Counci& and others to stron,&!
reu0e the &ate i'*ro*er *roceedin,s of the *residents# Da$id 3# )atten
s*o0e a,ainst the' 2ith a**arent indi,nation? statin, that their
*roceedin,s had een ini>uitous and fraudu&ent in the e/tre'e< in
unri,hteous&! a**ro*riatin, church funds to their o2n enrich'ent< 2hich
had een *&ain&! *ro$en# A*ri& :th 2as occu*ied in &i0e discussions# A*ri&
Mth# counci& con$ened a,reea&e to a**oint'ent# The "isho* and counse&ors
*resent# a&so the t2o A*ost&es# The ao$e na'ed *residents a,reed to ,i$e
u* the to2n *&at of Far 3est 2ith four ei,hties on the co''ons to e
dis*osed of ! the Hi,h Counci&< the "isho* and his counse&ors and the
said A*ost&es# After 2hich< on 'otion< the counci& ad=ourned# The Counci&
'et in Far 3est to ta0e into consideration the affairs re&ati$e to the
to2n *&at? at 2hich the Counci& reso&$ed< Eit ein, a,reed ! a&& *artiesF
to 'a0e o$er or that 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er 'a0e o$er< or transfer
the to2n *&at 2ith four ei,hties< 2hich are on the co''ons< into the hands
of the "isho* of ;ion? and that the a$ai&s arisin, fro' the sa&e of said
&ands shou&d he a**ro*riated to the enefit and u*ui&din, of -)oor<
"&eedin, ;ion#- in the ao$e reso&ution< 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er
ac>uiesced# A&so reso&$ed that 2hereas 3# 3# )he&*s and John 3hit'er had
suscried R7<DDD each to the House of the Lord to e ui&t in this
*&ace--2hich the! 2ere efore intendin, to *a! out of the a$ai&s of the
to2n *&at--e considered e/e'*t fro' *a!in, that suscri*tion#---Far 3est
Record .s# **# MH< M9#
3i&&ia' .ar0s 2as orn No$e'er 7G< 7MNH< in Rut&and< Rut&and Count!<
%er'ont# This is the first 'ention of his na'e in the )ro*het+s narrati$e<
and nothin, can e &earned of his career *re$ious to this ti'e#
As additiona& e$idence that this financia& 'ae&stro' in 2hich the
-1irt&and Safet! Societ!- 'et disaster 2as nationa& and not 'ere&! &oca&<
I >uote here the descri*tion of the 2ide-s*read financia& *anic of 789M<
as ,i$en in the Histor! of the United States ! A&e/ander H# Ste*hens#
-Soon after .r# %an "uren eca'e )resident occurred a ,reat co''ercia&
crisis# This 2as in A*ri&< 789M< and 2as occasioned ! a rec0&ess s*irit
of s*ecu&ation< 2hich had< for t2o or three *recedin, !ears< een fostered
and encoura,ed ! e/cessi$e an0in,< and the conse>uent e/*ansion of *a*er
currenc! e!ond a&& the &e,iti'ate 2ants of the countr!# Durin, the 'onths
of .arch and A*ri& of this !ear the fai&ures in Ne2 Yor0 cit! a&one
a'ounted to o$er R7DD<DDD<DDD# The state of affairs eca'e so distressin,
that *etitions 2ere sent to the )resident fro' se$era& >uarters< and a
de*utation of 'erchants and an0ers of Ne2 Yor0 2aited u*on hi' in *erson<
and so&icited hi' to defer the i''ediate co&&ection of duties< for 2hich
onds had een ,i$en< and to rescind the treasur! orders 2hich had een
issued under Jac0son+s ad'inistration< re>uirin, dues to the ,o$ern'ent to
he *aid in s*ecie# The! a&so as0ed that an e/tra session of Con,ress
shou&d e ca&&ed to ado*t 'easures of re&ief# He ,ranted their re>uest so
far on&! as to sus*end suits on onds< 2hich had een ,i$en for the
co&&ection of duties# In a fe2 da!s after his res*onse to this de*utation
2as 'ade 0no2n in Ne2 Yor0< a&& the an0s in that cit! sto**ed s*ecia&
*a!'ents< and their e/a'*&e 2as soon fo&&o2ed ! near&! a&& the an0s in
a&& the states# In this e'er,enc!< .r# %an "uren 2as co'*e&&ed to con$ene
an e/tra session of Con,ress< to *ro$ide for 'eetin, de'ands on the
treasur! 2ith &e,a& currenc!# He accordin,&! su''oned the T2ent!-fifth
con,ress to 'eet at the ca*ito& on the @th da! of Se*te'er< 789M# The
session &asted fi$e or si/ 2ee0s# in his 'essa,e to Con,ress< .r# $an
"uren assi,ned as the causes of the unha**! condition of the countr!< the
e/cessi$e issues of an0 *a*er? the ,reat fire in Ne2 Yor0< in Dece'er<
789G? the &ar,e in$est'ents that had een 'ade in un*roducti$e &ands< and
other s*ecu&ati$e enter*rises# To 'eet the e/i,encies of the treasur!< as
2e&& as to *ro$ide for the *u&ic re&ief< as far as to the' see'ed *ro*er<
Con,ress *assed an act authori4in, the issue of treasur! notes to the
a'ount of -7D<DDD<DDD+- --EHistor! of the United States< ! A&e/ander H#
Ste*hens< *# @:DF#
Of the condition of affairs in 1irt&and at this ti'e E&i4a R# Sno2<
in her "io,ra*h! of her rother< the &ate )resident Loren4o Sno2< sa!s( -A
s*irit of s*ecu&ation had cre*t into the hearts of so'e of the T2e&$e< and
near&!< if not e$er! >uoru' 2as 'ore or &ess infected# .ost of the Saints
2ere *oor< and no2 *ros*erit! 2as da2nin, u*on the'--the Te'*&e 2as
co'*&eted< and in it the! had een reci*ients of 'ar$e&ous &essin,s< and
'an! 2ho had een hu'&e and faithfu& to the *erfor'ance of e$er!
dut!--read! to ,o and co'e at e$er! ca&& of the )riesthood< 2ere ,ettin,
hau,ht! in their s*irits< and &ifted u* in the *ride of their hearts# As
the saints dran0 in the &o$e and s*irit of the 2or&d< the S*irit of the
Lord 2ithdre2 fro' their hearts< and the! 2ere fi&&ed 2ith *ride and
hatred to2ard those 2ho 'aintained their inte,rit!# The! &in0ed the'se&$es
to,ether in an o**osin, *art!--*retended that the! constituted the church#
and c&ai'ed that the Te'*&e e&on,ed to the'< and e$en atte'*ted to ho&d
it#-
A'on, those 2ho 2ere e'ittered a,ainst the )ro*het at this ti'e 2as
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt# and of this incident in his e/*erience he sa!s+
Aout this ti'e< Esu''er of 789MF after I had returned fro' Canada< there
2ere =arrin,s and discords in the Church at 1irt&and< and 'an! fe&& a2a!
and eca'e ene'ies and a*ostates# There 2ere a&so en$!in,s< &!in,s<
strifes and di$isions< 2hich caused 'uch trou&e and sorro2# "! such
s*irits I 2as a&so accused< 'isre*resented and aused# And at one ti'e< I
a&so 2as o$erco'e ! the sa'e s*irit in a ,reat 'easure< and it see'ed as
if the $er! *o2ers of dar0ness 2hich 2ar a,ainst the Saints 2ere &et &oose
u*on 'e# "ut the Lord 0ne2 '! faith< '! 4ea&< '! inte,rit! of *ur*ose< and
He ,a$e 'e the $ictor!# I 2ent to "rother Jose*h S'ith in tears< and< 2ith
a ro0en heart and contrite s*irit< confessed 2herein I had erred in
s*irit< 'ur'ured< or done or said a'iss# He fran0&! for,a$e 'e< *ra!ed for
'e and &essed 'e# Thus< ! e/*erience< I &earned 'ore fu&&! to discern
and to contrast the t2o s*irits< and to resist the one and c&ea$e to the
other# And< ein, te'*ted in a&& *oints< e$en as others< I &earned ho2 to
ear 2ith< and e/cuse< and succor those 2ho are te'*ted#---EAutoio,ra*h!
of )ar&e! )# )ratt< **# 789-@F#
In the 'idst of these trou&es there 2ere re*utations 'ade as 2e&& as so'e
&ost# A'on, those 2ho 2ere de$e&o*ed rather than destro!ed ! the trou&es
and te'*tations of these ti'es 2as the &ate )resident John Ta!&or#
Referrin, to a $isit 2hich E&der Ta!&or 'ade to 1irt&and in the s*rin, of
789M his "io,ra*h! states( -At that ti'e there 2as a itter s*irit of
a*ostas! rife in 1irt&and# A nu'er in the >uoru' of the T2e&$e 2ere
disaffected to2ard the )ro*het< and the Church see'ed on the *oint of
disinte,ration# A'on, others# )ar&e! )# )ratt 2as f&ounderin, in dar0ness<
and co'in, to E&der Ta!&or to&d hi' of so'e thin,s 2herein he considered
the )ro*het Jose*h in error# To his re'ar0s E&der Ta!&or re*&ied( -I a'
sur*rised to hear !ou s*ea0 so< "rother )ar&e!# "efore !ou &eft Canada !ou
ore a stron, testi'on! to Jose*h S'ith ein, a )ro*het of 5od< and to the
truth of the 2or0 he has inau,urated? and !ou said !ou 0ne2 these thin,s
! re$e&ation< and the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host# You ,a$e to 'e a strict
char,e to the effect that thou,h !ou or an an,e& fro' hea$en 2as to
dec&are an!thin, e&se I 2as not to e&ie$e it# No2 "rother )ar&e!< it is
not 'an that I a' fo&&o2in,< ut the Lord# The *rinci*&es !ou tau,ht 'e
&ed 'e to Hi'< and I no2 ha$e the sa'e testi'on! that !ou then re=oiced
in< if the 2or0 2as true si/ 'onths a,o< it is true toda!? if Jose*h 2as
then a )ro*het< he is no2 a )ro*het#+ To the honor of E&der )ratt< e it
said< he sou,ht no further to &ead E&der Ta!&or astra!? nor did he use
'uch ar,u'ent in the first *&ace# LHe and 'an! others<+ sa!s E&der Ta!&or<
L2ere *assin, under a dar0 c&oud? he soon 'ade a&& ri,ht 2ith the )ro*het
Jose*h< and 2as restored to fu&& fe&&o2shi*#+ It 2as aout this ti'e that
E&der Ta!&or first ca'e *ro'inent&! efore the church# The a*ostates 'et
fre>uent&! in the Te'*&e< and on one of those occasions< on a Sunda!--the
)ro*het Jose*h 2as asent--3arren )arrish 'ade a $io&ent attac0 u*on the
character of the )ro*het< in 2hich he 2as 2ar'&! sustained ! 'an! of
those *resent# To2ards the c&ose of the 'eetin,< E&der Ta!&or as0ed the
*ri$i&e,e of s*ea0in,# It 2as ,ranted hi'# He referred< in o*enin, his
re'ar0s< to the ancient Israe&ites< and to their 'ur'urin,s a,ainst 5od
and .oses< and then as0ed( LFro' 2hence do 2e ,et our inte&&i,ence< and
0no2&ed,e of the &a2s< ordinances and doctrines of the 0in,do' of 5odB 3ho
understood e$en the first *rinci*&es of the doctrines of ChristB 3ho in
the Christian 2or&d tau,ht the'B If 2e< 2ith our &earnin, and
inte&&i,ence< cou&d not find out the first *rinci*&es< 2hich 2as the case
2ith '!se&f and 'i&&ions of others< ho2 can 2e find out the '!steries of
the 0in,do'B It 2as Jose*h S'ith< under the A&'i,ht!< 2ho de$e&o*ed the
first *rinci*&es< and to hi' 2e 'ust &oo0 for further instructions# If the
s*irit 2hich he 'anifests does not rin, &essin,s< I a' $er! 'uch afraid
that the one 'anifested ! those 2ho ha$e s*o0en< 2i&& not e $er! &i0e&!
to secure the'# The chi&dren of Israe&< for'er&!< after seein, the *o2er
of 5od 'anifested in their 'idst< fe&& into ree&&ion and ido&atr!< and
there is certain&! $er! ,reat dan,er of our Ldoin, the sa'e thin,#+ 3hi&e
the a*ostates 2ere neither con$inced nor si&enced ! the re'ar0s of E&der
Ta!&or< the faithfu& saints 2ere stren,thened< and sa2 in that fear&ess
defender of the )ro*het< a cha'*ion of innocence and truth# 3hi&e on his
*art< in co''entin, on this circu'stance< E&der Ta!&or re'ar0s( LI 2as
*ained on the one hand to 2itness the hard fee&in,s and se$ere e/*ressions
of a*ostates? 2hi&e on the other< I re=oiced to see the fir'ess< faith<
inte,rit! and =o! of the faithfu&#+---ELife of John Ta!&or< **# 9N<@D<@7#F
Of this ca&& of Heer C# 1i'a&& to the )residenc! of the "ritish
'ission his io,ra*her E"isho* O# F# 3hitne!< his ,randsonF ,i$es the
fo&&o2in, account(
-On Sunda!< the @th da! of June< 789M<- sa!s Heer C# 1i'a&&< -the
)ro*het Jose*h ca'e to 'e< 2hi&e I 2as seated in front of the stand< ao$e
the sacra'ent ta&e< on the .e&chisede0 side of the Te'*&e< in 1irt&and<
and 2his*erin, to 'e< said< L"rother Heer< the s*irit of the Lord has
2his*ered to 'e( Let '! ser$ant Heer ,o to En,&and and *roc&ai' '!
5os*e&< and o*en the door of sa&$ation to that nation#+- The thou,ht 2as
o$er*o2erin,# He had een sur*rised at his ca&& to the A*ost&eshi*? no2 he
2as o$er2he&'ed# Li0e Jere'iah he sta,,ered under the 2ei,ht of his o2n
2ea0ness< e/c&ai'in, in se&f-hu'i&iation( -O< Lord< I a' a 'an of
sta''erin, ton,ue< and a&to,ether unfit for such a 2or0? ho2 can I ,o to
*reach in that &and< 2hich is so fa'ed throu,hout Christendo' for
&earnin,< 0no2&ed,e and *iet!? the nurser! of re&i,ion? and to a *eo*&e
2hose inte&&i,ence is *ro$eria&K Fee&in, '! 2ea0ness to ,o u*on such an
errand# I as0ed the )ro*het if "rother "ri,ha' 'i,ht ,o 2ith 'e# He
re*&ied that he 2anted "rother "ri,ha' to sta! 2ith hi'< for he had
so'ethin, e&se for hi' to do# The idea of such a 'ission 2as a&'ost 'ore
than I cou&d ear u* under# I 2as a&'ost read! to sin0 under the urden
2hich 2as *&aced u*on 'e# Ho2e$er< a&& these considerations did not deter
'e fro' the *ath of dut!? the 'o'ent I understood the 2i&& of '! hea$en&!
Father< I fe&t a deter'ination to ,o at a&& ha4ards< e&ie$in, that He
2ou&d su**ort 'e ! His a&'i,ht! *o2er< and endo2 'e 2ith e$er!
>ua&ification that I needed? and a&thou,h '! fa'i&! 2as dear to 'e< and I
shou&d ha$e to &ea$e the' a&'ost destitute< I fe&t that the cause of
truth< the 5os*e& of Christ< out2ei,hed e$er! other consideration#---ELife
of Heer C# 1i'a&&< ! O# F# 3hitne!< **# 77:< 77MF#
The "ritish 'ission 2as rea&&! an out,ro2th of the 2or0 in Canada#
-Se$era& of the saints in Canada<- sa!s )ar&e! )# )ratt< in s*ea0in, of
his &aors there in the ear&! s*rin, of 789M< -2ere En,&ish< 2ho had
friends in En,&and# Letters had een sent to the' 2ith infor'ation of the
rise of the Church< and of its *rinci*&es# Se$era& of the Canadian E&ders
fe&t a desire to ,o on a 'ission to their friends in that countr!# At
&en,th< Jose*h Fie&din,< Isaac Russe&&< John 5oodson and John Snider< of
the Canadian E&ders< 2ere se&ected for a 'ission to En,&and# E&ders Heer
C# 1i'a&& and Orson H!de< of the Auoru' of the T2e&$e< 2ere se&ected to
,o at the head of the 'ission< and E&der 3i&&ard Richards 2as a**ointed to
acco'*an! the'#---EAutoio,ra*h! of )ar&e! )# )ratt< *# 789#F
Jose*h Fie&din, 2as orn in Hone!don< "radfordshire< En,&and< and 2as
the son of John and Rache& Fie&din,# He e'i,rated fro' En,&and and &ocated
in U**er Canada< near Toronto< in 789H# To,ether 2ith his t2o sisters<
.ar! and Rache&< he recei$ed the 5os*e& under the 'inistr! of E&der )ar&e!
)# )ratt in .a!< 789H< and soon after 2as ordained a )riest and =oined the
'ission to En,&and as recorded in the te/t of the histor! ao$e#
Jose*h Fie&din, 2as orn in Hone!don< "radfordshire< En,&and< and 2as
the son of John and Rache& Fie&din,# He e'i,rated fro' En,&and and &ocated
in U**er Canada< near Toronto< in 789H# To,ether 2ith his t2o sisters<
.ar! and Rache&< he recei$ed the 5os*e& under the 'inistr! of E&der )ar&e!
)# )ratt in .a!< 789H< and soon after 2as ordained a )riest and =oined the
'ission to En,&and as recorded in the te/t of the histor! ao$e#
Concernin, the *&ace and ti'e of the irth of John 5oodson nothin,
can e &earned# He 2as< ho2e$er< a'on, those 2ho' E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt
con$erted in U**er Canada durin, his 'e'ora&e 'ission in that &and#
Isaac Russe&& 2as orn A*ri& 79< 78DM< in 3ind! Ha&&< Cu'er&and
count!< En,&and# His father+s na'e 2as 3i&&ia' Russe&&< and Isaac 2as the
!oun,est of thirteen chi&dren# The fa'i&! e'i,rated to A'erica aout 787M<
sett&in, in U**er Canada# In June< 78HN< he 'arried .ar! 3a&ton and 'ade
his ho'e in Toronto< 2here he recei$ed the 5os*e& under the 'inistr! of
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt# He 2as ordained an E&der and en,a,ed in 'issionar!
2or0 in U**er Canada unti& he =oined the "ritish 'ission under the
&eadershi* of E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&< as stated in the te/t#
John Sn!der 2as orn in Ne2 "runs2ic0< No$a Scotia< No$e'er 77<
78DD# He re'o$ed 2ith his father+s fa'i&! to U**er canada< near Toronto#
His father died 2hi&e John 2as !et a !outh< ut under the inf&uence of his
'other< a 2o'an of stron, character and u*ri,ht &ife< !oun, Sn!der ,re2 to
'anhood 2ith stron, re&i,ious senti'ents# In 7899< he =oined< 2ith the
&ate )resident John Ta!&or< an association of students of the scri*tures
2ho 2ere see0in, for a *rofounder 0no2&ed,e of the truth# It 2as to this
association that E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt 2as directed in 789: and to 2ho' he
so fre>uent&! *reached the 5os*e& that >uite a nu'er of the' united 2ith
the church< John Sn!der a'on, the'# Soon after John Sn!der 2as ordained to
the )riesthood and =oined the "ritish 'ission as stated in the te/t#
Doctrine and co$enants< sec# c/ii#
A&ert )# Roc02ood 2as orn June G< 78DG< in Ho&&iston< .idd&es e/
count!< .assachusetts#
Jennetta Richards 2as orn Au,ust H7< 787M< in Lancashire< En,&and<
and 2as the dau,hter of John and E&&en Richards#
See *a,e @87#
Char&es C# Rich 2as orn Au,ust H7< 78DN< in Ca'*e&& count!<
1entuc0!? and 2as the son of Jose*h Rich and Nanc! O# Nea&# He 2as
a*ti4ed ! Ira .# Hinc0&e! in Ta4e2e&& count!< I&&inois< on the first of
A*ri&< 789H< and &ater 2as ordained an E&der ! ;eedee Co&trin# He
re'o$ed 2ith his father to Far 2est< .issouri< in 789:# Feruar! 77< 789M<
he 'arried Sarah D# )ea#
Fo/ is&ands are off the south coast of .aine< direct&! east of
Roc0&and# The *rinci*a& to2n is %ina&ha$en# The *o*u&ation of the is&ands
at the ti'e of E&der 3oodruff+s first $isit is ,i$en at ei,hteen hundred<
and the fo&&o2in, is his descri*tion of the *eo*&e and is&ands( -The
inhaitants are ,enera&&! 2ea&th!< inte&&i,ent< industrious< ,enerous and
hos*ita&e to stran,ers# North Is&and is nine 'i&es &on, and t2o 2ide<
*o*u&ation ei,ht hundred? South Is&and is ten 'i&es &on, and fi$e 2ide<
*o*u&ation one thousand#- E&der 3oodruff 'et 2ith ,reat success in his
&aors in this is&and and soon had a f&ourishin, ranch or,ani4ed#
The ao$e na'ed *u&ication< -A %oice of 3arnin, and Instruction to
a&& )eo*&e<- is the first ar,u'entati$e and doctrina& 2or0 *u&ished !
an! of the E&ders? and it is no dis*ara,e'ent of other 2or0s to sa! that
this *ioneer oo0 of its c&ass is not on&! the first in the 'atter of ti'e
2hen issued< ut first a&so in e/ce&&ence# It has een a 'ost successfu&
'issionar!? and thousands ha$e een rou,ht to a con$iction of the truth
throu,h readin, its *a,es# The first edition--three thousand co*ies--so&d
in aout t2o !ears# A second edition--t2o thousand fi$e hundred
co*ies--2as issued? and such 2as the increase in the de'and for it that !
78@:< the author cou&d con,ratu&ate hi'se&f u*on ha$in, seen it *ass
throu,h fi$e editions# Durin, 'ore than ha&f a centur! since then -The
%oice of 3arnin,- has *assed throu,h 'an! editions in En,&ish< and has
een trans&ated into se$en forei,n &an,ua,es< and in a nu'er of these
se$era& editions ha$e een issued# The author< of honored 'e'or!< is to e
con,ratu&ated u*on the attain'ent of his fondest ho*es res*ectin, this
2or0< as so *ro*hetica&&! e/*ressed in the *reface of the first Euro*ean
edition( -And shou&d the author e ca&&ed to sacrifice his &ife for the
Truth< he 2i&& ha$e the conso&ation that it 2i&& e said of hi'< as it 2as
of Ae&--LHe ein, dead< !et s*ea0eth#+-

%o&u'e I%( Ta&e of Contents
Introduction
Cha*ter I( The De*arture of the T2e&$e for
En,&and--.anifestation of 5od+s )o2er in Hea&in,
the Sic0 at Co''erce
Cha*ter II( The )ro*het+s Journe! to 3ashin,ton--The )etition
of the Saints to the Con,ress of the United
States for Redress of the 3ron,s Inf&icted U*on
The' in .issouri#
Cha*ter III( The )ro*het+s Efforts at 3ashin,ton to Otain
Redress of 5rie$ances for the Saints--Affida$its
on .issouri Affairs#
Cha*ter I%( De*arture of the )ro*het fro' 3ashin,ton--Laors
of E&ias Hi,ee "efore the Senate Judiciar!
Co''ittee--Re*ort of the Co''ittee#
Cha*ter %( Affairs of the Saints "efore United States
Senate--5enera& Conference of the Church at
Nau$oo--Action of the Church 3ith Reference to
Senate Co''ittee+s Re*ort--.ission to )a&estine#
Cha*ter %I( De$e&o*'ent of the 3or0 in En,&and--The )a&estine
.ission--)ostoffice Na'e Chan,ed fro' Co''erce to
Nau$oo#
Cha*ter %II( First Forei,n )eriodica& of the Church--The
-.i&&enia& Star---The )ro*het See0s Re&ease fro'
Secu&ar Res*onsii&ities#
Cha*ter %III( I'*ortant Conference of the Church in
En,&and--1idna**in, of "ro2n and "o!ce !
.issourians--Action of the Citi4ens of Nau$oo#
Cha*ter I6( The Return of a )rodi,a&--Conditions in
1irt&and--)ro,ress of the 3or0 in 5reat
"ritain--The Co'in, of John C#
"ennett--Austra&ian .ission#
Cha*ter 6( A .issouri 1idna**in,--Continued De$e&o*'ent of
the 3or0 in 5reat "ritain--The Death of Jose*h
S'ith< Sen#< First )atriarch of the Church#
Cha*ter 6I( Threatenin, )ortents in the Actions of
.issouri--5enera& Conferences in Nau$oo and
En,&and--The Doctrine of )riesthood#
Cha*ter 6II( )ro,ress of the 3or0 in 5reat "ritain--The Saints
at 1irt&and Re*ro$ed for Their Course Durin, the
.issouri )ersecutions--The )ro*het+s Address to
the T2e&$e and Saints in 5reat "ritain#
Cha*ter 6III( Introduction of the 5os*e& in the Is&e of
.an--the Nau$oo Charter#
Cha*ter 6I%( %a&e 78@D--Enter 78@7--List of )u&ications For
and A,ainst the Church--3hereaouts of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es---E&ection and
Re*roation---)roc&a'ation to the Saints#
Cha*ter 6%( Reconstruction of Church Affairs at
Nau$oo--Re$e&ation--.unici*a& Or,ani4ation of
Nau$oo--Insta&&ation of Ci$ic and .i&itar!
Officers#
Cha*ter 6%I( The First Forei,n .ission of the Church<
789M-78@7#
Cha*ter 6%II( Ce&eration of the T2e&fth Anni$ersar! of the
Or,ani4ation of the Church--Order of La!in,
Corner stones of Te'*&es--Counci& .eetin,s of the
T2e&$e in En,&and#
Cha*ter 6%III( 5enera& Conference at Nau$oo--E*ist&e of the
T2e&$e to the Saints in En,&and--Difference
"et2een "a*tists and Latter-Da! Saints#
Cha*ter 6I6( Or,ani4ation of the Nau$oo Le,ion--Nota&e
)ersons at Nau$oo--The )ro*het+s Ser'on on
Indi$idua& Res*onsii&it! for Sin and the
Doctrine of E&ection#
Cha*ter 66( Arrest of the )ro*het on De'and of
.issouri--Tria& at .on'outh--The Ac>uitta&#
Cha*ter 66I( The .ission to Jerusa&e'--)ro,ress of Orson H!de
in His Journe!#
Cha*ter 66II( Sundr! E$ents at Nau$oo and Throu,hout the
3or&d--The .ission of the T2e&$e Noted ! the
)ro*het#
Cha*ter 66III( The Death of Don Car&os S'ith--His Life and
Laors--S*ecia& Conference at Nau$oo#
Cha*ter 66I%( Hotch0iss Land )urchase Trou&e--Death+s Har$est<
O&i$er 5ran,er< Roert "# Tho'*son--I'*ortant
Action Re&atin, to the T2e&$e--The .ission in Fo/
Is&and#
Cha*ter 66%( The 5enera& Conference of the Church at
Nau$oo--Doctrina& Ser'on ! the )ro*het--"a*tis'
for the Dead--An,e&s and .inisterin,
S*irits--E*ist&e of the T2e&$e Re$ie2in, Status
of the Church#
Cha*ter 66%I( Affairs in 1irt&and and Nau$oo--E*ist&e of the
T2e&$e to the Saints in the "ritish
Is&ands--Orson H!de+s )ra!er on the .ount of
O&i$es< Dedicatin, the Ho&! Land )re*arator! to
the Return of the Tries of Israe&#
Cha*ter 66%II( Officia& Denunciation of Thie$es at Nau$oo--The
.ora& La2 of the Church--Aandon'ent of Ra'us as
a Sta0e of ;ion--"a*tis' for the Dead< An
E*ist&e#
Cha*ter 66%III( 1irt&and $s# Nau$oo--)o&itica& Attitude of the
)eo*&e of Nau$oo Dec&ared--)u&ications .or'on
and Anti-.or'on for 78@7--C&ose of the Year#
Cha*ter 66I6( The O*enin, of the Year 78@H--3hereaouts of the
T2e&$e A*ost&es--Corres*ondence of E&der H!de
Fro' Trieste--Re*ort of Hi,h Counci& on Affairs
in Nau$oo--E$ents and Conditions in the "ritish
.ission#
Cha*ter 666( E'i,ration of the Saints fro' En,&and to
Nau$oo--The "oo0 of Araha'#
Cha*ter 666I( The 3ent2orth Letter#
Cha*ter 666II( The "ennett-D!er Corres*ondence--The )ro*het+s
Discourse on the Su=ect of the Resurrection< and
the Sa&$ation of Chi&dren--E*ist&e of the T2e&$e
to the Saints in En,&and Concernin, Their
E'i,ration to A'erica#
Cha*ter 666III( A .ason+s Esti'ate of Nau$oo and the
)ro*het--Or,ani4ation of the Fe'a&e Re&ief
Societ!---Tr! the S*irits---The )ro*het+s
Editoria&#
Cha*ter 666I%( S*ecia& Conference of the Church at Nau$oo--The
)ro*het+s Re*roof of the 3ic0ed--E*ist&e of the
T2e&$e to the Saints in 1irt&and--Status of the
Church#
Cha*ter 666%( The 5enera& "an0ru*t La2--The Doctrine of "a*tis'
for the Dead--The )ro*het+s Address to the Fe'a&e
Re&ief Societ!--The 1e!s of the )riesthood and
the Nau$oo Te'*&e#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
)eriod I#
Histor! of Jose*h S'ith< the )ro*het< ! hi'se&f
An Introduction and Notes ! "# H# Roerts
INTRODUCTION TO %OLU.E I%#
FI%E su=ects 'a! e said to for' the out&ine of the chief e$ents the
Foundin, of Nau$oo? the A**ea& of the Church to the Nationa& 5o$ern'ent
for redress of 2ron,s suffered in .issouri? the .ission of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es to the "ritish Is&es? the .ission of Orson H!de to )a&estine? and
the Doctrina& De$e&o*'ent of the Church#
)re&i'inar! Considerations#
)re&i'inar! to a rief consideration of these se$era& su=ects< I
desire to sa! a 2ord as to the rece*tion of the Latter-da! Saints ! the
*eo*&e of I&&inois< and the conditions *re$ai&in, in that state at the
ti'e of their arri$a&# A 0no2&ed,e of these conditions is necessar! to the
understandin, of this 2ho&e I&&inois *eriod of the Histor! of the Church#
.uch has een 'ade of the hos*ita&it! 2hich the *eo*&e of I&&inois
e/tended to the Latter-da! Saints at the ti'e of their e/*u&sion fro'
.issouri# A 2riter in the A'erican Historica& .a,a4ine for Ju&!< 7ND:<
sa!s( -To the &atter state II&&inoisJ the! Ithe SaintsJ 2ent in 789N< and
2ere recei$ed 2ith such o*en-ar'ed hos*ita&it! as on&! a $er! ,enerous and
&iert!-&o$in, *eo*&e can e/tend to those 2ho' the! honest&! e&ie$e to e
sufferin, fro' a 2ron,fu& o**ression# The conduct of the Saints in fi$e
!ears turned this fee&in, of e/traordinari&! dee*-seated s!'*ath!<
inducin, ,reat *ractica& charities< into a fee&in, of $er! itter hatred<
threatenin, to rea0 into 'o $io&ence#- Far e it fro' 'e 'e to
de*reciate the 0indness of those 2ho e/tended a he&*in, hand to the Saints
in the hour of their distress# Stri**ed and sore&! 2ounded the! f&ed fro'
the $io&ence of .issouri 'i&itia-'os< and found for a ti'e a *eacefu&
as!&u' in I&&inois# .an! 2ere the acts of disinterested 0indness e/tended
to the' ! the *eo*&e in the 2estern *art of that state? and e$er! such
act I a' sure 2as and is re'e'ered< oth ! those 2ho 2ere the direct
reci*ients of such acts of 0indness and ! their ,ratefu& descendants# "ut
is res*ondin, to the ca&&s of hu'anit! so rare a thin, in a Christian
state< that it 'ust needs e re,arded as so e/ce*tiona& in this caseB Such
2as the condition of the Saints as the! f&ed fro' .issouri< such the
in=ustice to 2hich the! had een su=ected in that state< that their
situation 2ou&d ha$e a**ea&ed to the ,enerosit! of sa$a,es< ho2 'uch 'ore<
then< to a ci$i&i4ed and Christian co''unit!K And then< s*ea0in, of this
rece*tion of the Saints en 'asse< ! I&&inois< and &ea$in, out of
consideration for the 'o'ent---since the! ha$e a&read! een
ac0no2&ed,ed--the indi$idua& acts of 0indness esto2ed u*on the e/i&es<
2as this rece*tion of the Saints ! I&&inois 2ho&&! disinterestedB 3ere
there not enefits 2hich the Saints cou&d esto2 u*on the state in return
for the heartiness of the rece*tion ,i$enB 3ou&d it not ha$e een< under
a&& the circu'stances< the ,ra$est of &unders for I&&inois to ha$e
refused as!&u' to these e/i&esB Is it to e *resu'ed that the *u&ic 'en
of 2estern I&&inois 2ere so &ind to their o2n interests as not to see in
these t2e&$e or fifteen thousand *eo*&e a 'i,ht! ad$anta,e to the stateB
It is true the! 2ere *oor in this 2or&d+s ,oods? ut the! 2ere rich in
&aor-*o2er< and their re*utation for haits of soriet! and of industr!
had *receded the'# Here 2ere thousands of husand'en see0in, &ands#
I&&inois had thousands of acres of unoccu*ied &ands a2aitin, husand'en#
Ho2 shortsi,hted and unstates'an-&i0e it 2ou&d ha$e een for the 'en of
I&&inois not to ha$e 2e&co'ed these sett&ers into their stateB 3ith ha&f
an e!e it is eas! to see that the enefits of this rece*tion of the e/i&ed
.or'ons ! I&&inois is not ! an! 'eans a one-sided affair? and it 2ou&d
e doin, an in=ustice to the inte&&i,ence of the *eo*&e of that state to
su**ose the! 2ere &ind to these ad$anta,es# This 2i&& 'ore fu&&! a**ear
2hen other conditions are ta0en into account# I&&inois has an area of
G:<:GD s>uare 'i&es? and at the ti'e of the ad$ent of the Saints in that
state a 2hite *o*u&ation of &ess than four hundred thousand< as a,ainst a
*resent *o*u&ation of fi$e and a ha&f 'i&&ions# It 2i&& e seen< then<
that in 789N< the !ear of the ad$ent of the Saints into that state<
I&&inois 2as $er! s*arse&! sett&ed< and needed ao$e a&& thin,s for her
de$e&o*'ent and *ros*erit!< *eo*&e to sudue her 2i&derness and cu&ti$ate
her rich &ands< es*ecia&&! *eo*&e desirous of 'a0in, ho'es< and eco'in,
*er'anent citi4ens# .oreo$er< I&&inois had recent&! &aunched an e/tensi$e
s!ste' of interna& i'*ro$e'ents ! state aid# This s!ste' inc&uded the
construction of 7<9DD 'i&es of rai&roads in the state< esides *ro$isions
for the i'*ro$e'ent of the na$i,ation of the 1as0as0ia< I&&inois< 5reat
and Litt&e 3aash< and Roc0 ri$ers# A&so the construction of a cana& fro'
La0e .ichi,an to the na$i,a&e 2aters of the I&&inois ri$er< a distance of
'ore than one hundred 'i&es Efro' Chica,o to )eruF# To carr! out this
s!ste' of interna& i'*ro$e'ents the state &e,is&ature of 789:-M had
a**ro*riated the su' of R7H<DDD<DDD? and to raise the 'one! state onds
2ere *&aced on the stoc0 'ar0ets of the eastern states and in En,&and# It
is not '! *ro$ince here e$en to note the 2isdo' or un2isdo' of this *o&ic!
of 2ho&esa&e state aid for these interna& i'*ro$e'ents? &et the 2isdo' or
un2isdo' e 2hat it 'a!< these conditions e'*hasi4ed I&&inois+ de'and for
*o*u&ation< and a,ain 'a0es it e$ident that it 2ou&d ha$e een the hei,ht
of fo&&! for the *eo*&e of that state to do other than ,i$e heart! 2e&co'e
to this od! of *o*u&ation so rich in &aor-*o2er? so *otent in 2ea&th
*roducin, ener,!#
Another thin, to e noted is the fact that aout the ti'e of the
ad$ent of the Saints into I&&inois< *o&itica& *arties 2ere =ust ta0in,
for' in that state< and it is 2ithin the record of facts in the case< as
2e&& as of ,reat &i0e&ihood< that a desire for otainin, *o&itica&
ad$anta,e 2as at &east in the ac0,round of 'oti$es *ro'*tin, the
heartiness of the rece*tion ,i$en to the Saint?#
I&&inois 2as ad'itted into the Union in 7878< ut it is a 'atter of
co''on 0no2&ed,e that in the ear&! !ears of her histor! as a state< her
officers 2ere e&ected not on an! 2e&& defined *o&itica& *art! *rinci*&es<
ut chief&! on the stren,th of the *ersona&it! of the candidates and the
s*ecia& thin,s for 2hich the! indi$idua&&! stood# Indeed< it 2as not unti&
789D that an!thin, &i0e *art! &ines 2ere dra2n in the state< and that it
eca'e a att&e ,round for the t2o ,reat nationa& *arties< 3hi,s and
De'ocrats# It 2as a co''ittee fro' a De'ocratic *art! or,ani4ation in
Auinc!< I&&inois< that too0 the initiati$e in 2e&co'in, the Saints into
the state< and stri$e ho2 one 'a!< it is difficu&t to thin0 there 2as not
so'e *o&itica& ad$anta,e sou,ht throu,h this action# On the other hand<
the 3hi,s 2ere not s&o2 to ur,e u*on the inco'in, e/i&es that it 2as a
De'ocratic state and a De'ocratic ad'inistration in that state 2hich had
not on&! *er'itted< ut had rea&&! ordered their e/*u&sion fro' .issouri<
and that dout&ess the in=ustice the! had suffered 2as o2in, to De'ocratic
ideas of the ad'inistration of ,o$ern'ent# Nor 2ere there 2antin, those
a'on, the Saints 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to e&ie$e that such 2as the case#
Indeed< Jose*h S'ith< the )ro*het< found it necessar! to ,ent&! re*ro$e
so'e of his *eo*&e 2ho 2ere ra*id&! 'a0in, the >uestion of their e/*u&sion
fro' .issouri a *o&itica& *art! >uestion in I&&inois# This effort to 2in
the Saints to one *o&itica& *art! or the other< continued to e a factor
in their affairs so &on, as the! re'ained at Nau$oo# It 2as o2in, to this
ri$a&r! for their su**ort that dout&ess 'ade it *ossi&e for the Saints
to otain &ar,er ,rants of *o2er for their cit! ,o$ern'ent< and ,reater
*o&itica& *ri$i&e,es and inf&uence in the State than other2ise cou&d ha$e
een otained ! the'# It a&so 2as this ri$a&r! for their fa$or< as the
e$ents in this< ut 'ore es*ecia&&! in the succeedin, $o&u'e 2i&& *ro$e<
that 'ade the' a&ternate&! fu&so'e&! f&attered and hearti&! dis&i0ed?
fa2nin,&! courted< and $icious&! etra!ed#
A 0no2&ed,e of these circu'stances< I sa!< is essentia& to the ri,ht
understandin, of the Nau$oo *eriod of the Church+s histor!#
The Foundin, of Nau$oo#
The foundin, of the cit! of Nau$oo 2as an e$ent< the interest of
2hich e/tends e!ond the *eo*&e i''ediate&! concerned in it# It 2as a
uni>ue 'o$e'ent in its 2a!< and 'a! !et su,,est a *o&ic! in reference to
the ,o$ern'ent of &ar,e cities fro' 2hich ,reat enefits 'a! arise# %er!
natura&&! after the e/*eriences of the .or'on *eo*&e in .issouri< the
)ro*het 2as an/ious to en$iron the' 2ith conditions that 2ou&d insure
*rotection to the co''unit!< hence for Nau$oo he secured as &ar,e
concessions of *o&itica& *o2er as it 2as *ossi&e to otain< and an
e/a'ination of the Nau$oo charter *ro*er 2ith its attendant charters
*ro$idin, as the! did for an inde*endent educationa& s!ste'< fro' co''on
schoo&s to a Uni$ersit!? an inde*endent 'i&itar! or,ani4ation 2ith a
&ieutenant-,enera& as its co''ander? a &ar,e ,rant of co''ercia& as 2e&&
as 'unici*a& *o2er< de'onstrates ho2 2e&& he succeeded# Co''entin, u*on
the charter i''ediate&! after its *assa,e ! the state &e,is&ature had
een for'a&&! announced< he said+ -The Cit! Charter of Nau$oo is of '! o2n
*&an and de$ice# I concocted it for the sa&$ation of the Church< and on
*rinci*&es so road< that e$er! honest 'an 'i,ht d2e&& secure under its
*rotecti$e inf&uence 2ithout distinction of sect or *art!#- On another
occasion 2hen defendin, the ri,ht of the cit! to issue 2rits of haeas
cor*us< e$en a,ainst *rocesses of the state< he he&d( -If there is not
*o2er in our charter and courts< then there is not *o2er in the State of
I&&inois nor in the Con,ress or Constitution of the United States? for the
United States ,a$e unto I&&inois her Constitution or Charter< and I&&inois
,a$e unto Nau$oo her charters concedin, unto us our $ested ri,hts 2hich
she has no ri,ht or *o2er to ta0e fro' us# A&& the *o2er there 2as in
I&&inois she ,a$e to Nau$oo# C C C The 'unici*a& court has a&& the *o2er
to issue and deter'ine 2rits of haeas cor*us 2ithin the &i'its of this
state that the
Le,is&ature can confer# This cit! has a&& the *o2er that the State
courts ha$e< and 2as ,i$en ! the sa'e authorit!---the &e,is&ature# C C C
The charter sa!s that the Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er and authorit! to
'a0e< ordain< esta&ish< and e/ecute such ordinances not re*u,nant to the
Constitution of the United States< or of this State< as the! 'a! dee'
necessar! for the *eace< enefit and safet! of the inhaitants of said
cit!# And a&so that the .unici*a& Court sha&& ha$e *o2er to ,rant 2rits
of haeas cor*us in a&& cases arisin, under the ordinances of the Cit!
Counci&# The Cit! Counci& ha$e *assed an ordinance Lthat no citi4en of
this cit! sha&& e ta0en out of this cit! ! an! 2rit 2ithout the
*ri$i&e,e of a 2rit of haeas cor*us#+ There is nothin, ut 2hat 2e ha$e
*o2er o$er< e/ce*t 2here restricted ! the Constitution of the United
States# +"ut<+ sa!s the 'o< L2hat dan,erous *o2ersK+ Yes--dan,erous<
ecause the! 2i&& *rotect the innocent and *ut do2n 'oocrats# There is
nothin, ut 2hat 2e ha$e *o2er o$er< e/ce*t 2here restricted ! the
Constitution of the United States# C C C If these *o2ers are dan,erous<
then the Constitution of the United States< and of this State are
dan,erous? ut the! are not dan,erous to ,ood 'en? the! are on&! so to ad
'en 2ho are rea0ers of the &a2s# C C C The &a2!ers the'se&$es ac0no2&ed,e
that 2e ha$e a&& *o2er ,ranted us in our charters< that 2e cou&d as0
for--that 2e had 'ore *o2er than an! other court in the State? for a&&
other courts 2ere restricted 2hi&e ours 2as not#-
Such $ie2s in re&ation to an ordinar! 'unici*a& ,o$ern'ent 2ou&d
un>uestiona&! e sta'*ed as *re*osterous# No such *o2ers as are here
c&ai'ed are accorded to ordinar! cit! ,o$ern'ents in I&&inois or an! other
of the states of the A'erican Union# 3hat then 'a! e said of the
)ro*het+s c&ai's in res*ect to the 'unici*a& *o2ers of Nau$ooB Nothin, in
2a! of defense< e/ce*t that Nau$oo 2as not an ordinar! 'unici*a&it!? that
Jose*h S'ith had sou,ht for e/traordinar! ,rants of *o2er for the cit! of
Nau$oo and had otained the'? that his *ersona& e/*eriences and the
e/*eriences of his *eo*&e< oth in Ohio and .issouri< had tau,ht hi' the
necessit! of ha$in, officers char,ed 2ith the dut! of ad'inisterin,
,o$ern'ent 2herein his *eo*&e 2ere concerned< 2ho 2ere friend&! dis*osed
and 2hose interests 2ere &ar,e&! identica& 2ith those of the Saints( that
the thin,s 2hich oth the )ro*het and his *eo*&e had suffered =ustified
oth hi' and the' in see0in, for and otainin, such *o2er as had een
conferred ! charters u*on the cit! of Nau$oo? that the )ro*het 2as 2ho&&!
2ithin the &ines of ri,ht conduct 2hen he in$o0ed the 'unici*a& *o2ers in
his o2n *rotection a,ainst the a,,ressions of his o&d ene'ies in .issouri
and his ne2 etra!ers in I&&inois# "ut 2hether the &e,is&ature of I&&inois
2as fu&&! a2are of the e/traordinar! *o2ers the! 2ere conferrin, u*on the
cit! of Nau$oo< or ein, a2are of the i'*ort of their action the *art! in
contro& of the &e,is&ature 2as 2i&&in, to ,rant the e/traordinar! *o2ers
in the ho*e of curr!in, *o&itica& fa$or 2ith the Saints< 'a! not no2 e
deter'ined? ut in an! e$ent these e/traordinar! *o2ers 2ere ,ranted? and
2ittin,&! or un2ittin,&! a -cit!-state- had *ractica&&! een esta&ished
2ithin the state of I&&inois# Nothin, short of this descri*ti$e ter' can
ade>uate&! set forth the 'unici*a& ,o$ern'ent of Nau$oo# It see's to e an
unconscious re$ersion# In an inci*ient 2a!< to the -cit!-states- or
-cit!-re*u&ics- of the o&d 5ree0 confederations? or the -free-to2ns- of
'edie$a& ti'es< 2hen the cities 2ere 'ore *otent than nations in co''erce
and e$en in *o&itics# 3hether or not the state courts of I&&inois and
United States courts 2ou&d ha$e sustained the Nau$oo charters if the
'atter of their $a&idit! had een referred to the' for ad=udication< 'a!
not e deter'ined? ut one can scarce&! su**ress the thou,ht that the
&i0e&ihood is that the! 2ou&d not ha$e een sustained? on the contrar!
the! 2ou&d ha$e een 'ost &i0e&! dec&ared ano'a&ous to our s!ste' of
,o$ern'ent as it then stood< and no2 stands# "ut certain&! if the
e/*eri'ent of such a 'unici*a& ,o$ern'ent had not een interru*ted in its
*ro,ress< it 'i,ht ha$e een an instructi$e o=ect &esson in the
,o$ern'ent of cities? and e$en as it is< the foundin, of Nau$oo< the
-cit!-state<- su,,ests an i'*ortant idea 2hich 'a! 2or0 out ,reat
*ractica& refor's in 'unici*a& ,o$ern'ent in our countr!#
The founders of our 5o$ern'ent dea&t 2ith conditions that 2ere $er!
si'*&e in co'*arison 2ith the co'*&e/it! of the conditions 2hich
,o$ern'ent in its $arious for's< 'unici*a&< state and nationa&< is
confronted 2ith toda!# The .unici*a& *ro&e's 2hich no2 $e/ the *eo*&e had
not then arisen ao$e the hori4on of their e/*erience# The A'erican
co''on2ea&ths of the ear&! decades of the nineteenth centur! 2ere
*ractica&&! rura& co''on2ea&ths# At the ti'e of 3ashin,ton+s inau,uration
E7M8NF the *o*u&ation of Ne2 Yor0 2as ut thirt!-three thousand?
)hi&ade&*hia fort!-t2o thousand? "oston ut ei,hteen thousand? "a&ti'ore
thirteen thousand? "roo0&!n one thousand si/ hundred< and 'ore $i&&a,e
than to2n# No2 co'*are these cities 2ith their *resent *o*u&ation# Ne2
Yor0 has a *o*u&ation of o$er four 'i&&ions? )hi&ade&*hia a *o*u&ation of
one and a ha&f 'i&&ions? "oston 'ore than ha&f a 'i&&ion? "a&ti'ore o$er
fi$e hundred thousand? "roo0&!n is asored in Ne2 Yor0< ut as a orou,h
of the &ar,er cit! it has a *o*u&ation of near&! one and a ha&f
'i&&ions?O Chica,o< 2hich in 78@D had ut four thousand inhaitants< 'uch
s'a&&er than Nau$oo< has no2 a *o*u&ation of 'ore than t2o 'i&&ions?OO
St# Louis 2hich in 78@D had a *o*u&ation of ut 7:<@:N< has no2 a
*o*u&ation of three >uarters of a 'i&&ion#C Nothin, &i0e the ,ro2th of
uran *o*u&ation 2ithin the United States durin, the &ast fift! !ears has
een 0no2n in the histor! of the 2or&d< and it has rou,ht to the
inhaitants of these cities *ro&e's undrea'ed of ! the founders of our
,o$ern'ent# E$er! !ear disc&oses 'ore and 'ore distinct&! the fact that
et2een these condensed co''unities and the to2n< $i&&a,e< and rura&
*o*u&ation of the states in 2hich the! are &ocated< there are $er!
distinct interests and ,o$ern'enta& *ro&e's of 2ide&! differin,
character# The differences 2hich =ustif! distinct &oca& ,o$ern'ents in the
state of Ne2 Yor0 and the *eninsu&a of F&orida are not 'ore insistent than
the differences et2een the ,reat co''ercia& cit! of Ne2 Yor0 and the
state of the sa'e na'e# 3ithout enterin, u*on e&aorate discussion of
these >uestions Ea discussion 2hich is forei,n to the character of this
2ritin,F I $enture the su,,estion that se*arate and co'*&ete state
,o$ern'ents for our &ar,e cities< or the e&e$ation of the' into 2hat I
ha$e ca&&ed -cit!-states<- such as Nau$oo 2as< in an inci*ient 2a!< 2i&&
e the so&ution to 'ost of the *ro&e's of 'unici*a& ,o$ern'ent in our
$er! &ar,e cities# It 2ou&d ,reat&! en&ar,e in the' the ,o$ern'enta&
*o2ers essentia& to their 'ore *erfect *eace< securit!< and *ros*erit!#
A&so it 2ou&d se*arate the' fro' e'roi&'ent in those >uestions of the
state ,o$ern'ents under 2hich the! are no2 &ocated< and in 2hich the! ha$e
so &itt&e interest--often indeed< there is e$en shar* conf&ict of
interests< en,enderin, itterness and strife 2hich hinders *ro,ress for
oth cit! and state# "esides< ,rantin, co'*&ete statehood to our &ar,er
cities 2ou&d e ut a *ro*er reco,nition of the ri,ht of those ,reat
a,,re,ations of citi4ens 2ith their $aried industries< their i''ense
2ea&th and distinct interests< to that 'easure of inf&uence in our
nationa& affairs 2hich their nu'ers and inte&&i,ence and interests =ust&!
de'and#
The A**ea& of the Church to the Nationa& ,o$ern'ent for Redress of
3ron,s Suffered in .issouri#
The )ro*het Jose*h S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< and Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee 2ere
chosen as the co''ittee to *resent to the Nationa& Con,ress the *etition
of the Saints for a redress of their ,rie$ances< suffered in .issouri#
This =ourne! to the nation+s Ca*ita& 2as of i'*ortance >uite a*art fro'
the i''ediate *ur*ose for 2hich it 2as underta0en? na'e&!< it rou,ht the
)ro*het in contact 2ith the &eadin, states'en of the United States# 3hi&e
in 3ashin,ton< he 2as rou,ht in contact 2ith and inter$ie2ed such 'en as
Henr! C&a!< John C# Ca&houn< )resident .artin %an "uren< different 'e'ers
of the Cainet< Senators< and Re*resentati$es# Such contact ena&ed hi' to
ta0e ne2 'easure'ents not on&! of a different c&ass of 'en fro' those 2ith
2ho' he had een accusto'ed to associate< ut ne2 'easure'ents of hi'se&f
! co'*arison and contrast of hi'se&f 2ith those &eadin, s*irits of the
nation# Co'*arisons 2hich cou&d not resu&t other2ise than in ad$anta,e to
hi'? and I thin0 it 'ust e conceded ! a&& students of the )ro*het+s
character< es*ecia&&! to those 2ho ha$e een at a&& c&ose oser$ers of its
de$e&o*'ent< that after this tri* to 3ashin,ton< 2hich afforded the ao$e
noted o**ortunities of co'*arison and contrast< the )ro*het+s ,ro2th 2as
i''easura&! ,reater than at an! ti'e efore that =ourne!#
In so'e res*ects ho2e$er it 2as unfortunate that the )ro*het 2as not
'ore cos'o*o&itan in his trainin, and in his $ie2s of &ife on the occasion
of this $isit to the nation+s ca*ita&? for &ac0 of such trainin, and $ie2s
of &ife &ed hi' to the for'ation of rather hast! =ud,'ents as to the
character of our nation+s *u&ic 'en at that ti'e# He undouted&! had
stic0in, to hi' as !et< so'e of the *re=udices of his Ne2 En,&and and Ne2
Yor0 sectiona& trainin,? and at the ti'e of his $isit the s*irit of the
*u&ic 'en of the nation at 3ashin,ton 2as &ar,e&! inf&uenced ! the
Southern character and s*irit# "ouron De'ocrac! 2as at its hei,ht# The
,ent&e'en of the South 2ith their e/tre'e notions of chi$a&r! and *o&ite
de*ort'ent< *redo'inated# In those da!s 'en 2ere he&d to strict account
for their 'anner of address one to another# An i'*ro*er 2ord< a s&i,ht<
'a,nified into an insu&t< 'eant a cha&&en,e to 'orta& co'at on -the fie&d
of honor<- and this sense of *ersona& res*onsii&it! for utterances e,ot<
no dout< an e/tre'e *o&iteness in *ersona& de*ort'ent 2hich see'ed
*ueri&e to those reared in another at'os*here and inf&uenced ! other
senti'ents than those 2hich resu&ted fro' education in the South# Jose*h
S'ith+s =ud,'ent u*on 'anners and custo's in 3ashin,ton< 2as dout&ess Ne2
En,&and+s =ud,'ent u*on Southern custo's 2ith 2hich it had no *atience<
'uch &ess s!'*ath!# It is on&! fro' these considerations that the rather
harsh =ud,'ent of the )ro*het in re&ation to conditions in 3ashin,ton can
e *ro*er&! understood#
Re&ati$e to the usiness u*on 2hich this co''ittee $isited
3ashin,ton< it shou&d e said that Sidne! Ri,don fai&ed to *artici*ate in
it at a&&< in conse>uence of an i&&ness 2hich efe&& hi' on his =ourne!<
and hindered hi' fro' reachin, 3ashin,ton unti& the usiness 2as
*ractica&&! sett&ed# A short sta! in 3ashin,ton con$inced the )ro*het that
nothin, 2as to e e/*ected in the 2a! of otainin, a redress of ,rie$ances
for his *eo*&e fro' the $er! cautious *o&iticians then in contro& of the
,o$ern'ent< a&& of 2ho' 2ere an/ious< a**arent&!< to *a&&iate the actions
of .issouri 2ith reference to the Saints< for the sa0e of retainin, her
*o&itica& inf&uence on their side? and a&so ecause of a *re$ai&in,
inc&ination to a strict construction of the *o2ers of the ,enera&
,o$ern'ent in its re&ations to the states# The )ro*het therefore &eft
3ashin,ton to *reach the 5os*e& for a short ti'e in Ne2 Jerse! and
)hi&ade&*hia< after 2hich he returned to Nau$oo< &ea$in, Jud,e E&ias
Hi,ee to ur,e consideration of the *etition of the Saints 2hich had een
referred to the Senate co''ittee on Judiciar!< 2ith 2hat resu&t is 'ade
0no2n in detai& in the od! of this $o&u'e of the histor!# It is
sufficient here to sa! that the net resu&t of the Co''ittee+s
de&ierations 2as si'*&! to reco''end that the Saints a**ea& for a redress
of their 2ron,s to the United States District Court ha$in, =urisdiction in
.issouri< or the! cou&d< if the! sa2 *ro*er< -a**&! to the =ustice and
'a,nani'it! of the State of .issouri--an a**ea& 2hich the co''ittee fee&
=ustified in e&ie$in, 2i&& ne$er e 'ade in $ain ! the in=ured or
o**ressed#----ESicKF
This su,,estion to ta0e their case to the United States Courts 2as
ne$er acted u*on ! the Saints< nor does it a**ear in 2hat 'anner it 2ou&d
ha$e een *ractica&e for the' to do so# True it is e/*ress&! *ro$ided in
the Constitution that -The Judicia& *o2er of the United States sha&&
e/tend to a&& cases in &a2 and e>uit!< arisin, under this Constitution<
the &a2s of the United States< and treaties 'ade< or 2hich sha&& e 'ade<
under their authorit!? to contro$ersies et2een t2o or 'ore states?
et2een a state and citi4ens of another state? et2een citi4ens of
different states? et2een citi4ens of the sa'e state<- etc# The case of
the Saints 2ou&d fa&& either under the c&auses in the ao$e >uotation
res*ectin, contro$ersies arisin, et2een a state E.issouriF and citi4ens
of another state Ethe Saints< no2 citi4ens< of I&&inoisF? or -et2een
citi4ens of different states<- the Saints< citi4ens of I&&inois< and their
for'er *ersecutors< citi4ens of .issouri# In considerin, the >uestion
under the first c&ause it 'ust e re'e'ered that the e&e$enth a'end'ent
to the Constitution Edec&ared in force 7MN8F *ro$ides that
-The Judicia& *o2er of the United States sha&& not e construed to
e/tend to an! suit in &a2 or e>uit!< co''enced or *rosecuted a,ainst one
of the United States ! citi4ens of another state< or ! citi4ens or
su=ects of an! forei,n state#- It is he&d that -the *o2er as 2e&& as the
di,nit! of a state 2ou&d e ,one if it cou&d e dra,,ed into court ! a
*ri$ate *&aintiff#-
The Su*re'e Court in the case Chisho&' $s# the State of 5eor,ia< had
decided E7MN9F that an action did &ie a,ainst the State of 5eor,ia at a
suit of a *ri$ate *&aintiff# The state ho2e$er refused to a**ear<
2hereu*on the Su*re'e Court *roceeded< a !ear &ater< to ,i$e =ud,'ent
a,ainst her ! defau&t in case she shou&d not a**ear and *&ead efore a
da!? 2hereu*on there arose such a stor' of *rotest< not on&! in 5eor,ia<
ut in the other states as 2e&&< that the e&e$enth a'end'ent 2as ado*ted
e/e'*tin, a state fro' ein, sued in the courts of the United States !
citi4ens of another state< or ! citi4ens su=ects of an! forei,n state#
.oreo$er< states are not sua&e in an! e$ent e/ce*t 2ith their consent?
and if a state 2ai$e its i''unit!< it 'a! attach an! conditions it *&eases
to its consent#O Under these circu'stances it is not sur*risin, that the
Saints ne$er atte'*ted to rin, .issouri efore the United States courts#
The! cou&d on&! ha$e *&anted suit a,ainst the state ! its consent< and if
she consented< then under such conditions as she 'i,ht e *&eased to
attach to that consent# .oreo$er< the Saints had the est of reasons for
e&ie$in, that .issouri 2ou&d ne$er consent#
As to suin, their *ersecutors as indi$idua&s efore the United States
courts< as citi4ens of one state suin, citi4ens of another< it is on&!
necessar! to re'ind the reader of the insu*era&e difficu&ties attendin,
u*on that *rocedure to con$ince hi' of the futi&it! of such action# The
e/*ensi$eness of the underta0in,< and the e/tre'e *o$ert! of the e/i&es
a&one 2ou&d e sufficient to ar such an underta0in,? for e$er! one 0no2s
ho2 itter&! hard it is for the *oor to set the =udicia& 'achiner! of
or,ani4ed societ! in 'otion in their fa$or# Then there 2as the e$ident
cons*irac! entered into ! the 'os of .issouri to defeat the ends of
=ustice in res*ect of the Saints+ 'os 2hich an unfriend&! ,o$ernor had
con$erted into a state 'i&itia? to 2hich that sa'e ,o$ernor ,a$e an order
to e/*e& fro' the state or e/ter'inate the entire *eo*&e? under 2hich
order said 'o-'i&itia did e/*e& fro' the state so'e t2e&$e thousand
citi4ens< de*ri$in, the' of their *ro*ert! and &iert! 2ithout due *rocess
of &a2? and after2ards the state throu,h its &e,is&ature sanctioned and
a**&auded the actions of this 'o-'i&itia for the *art it had ta0en in
causin, said e/*u&sion--thou,h attended ! acts of uns*ea0a&e
atrocit!--! a**ro*riatin, HDD<DDD do&&ars to 'eet the e/*enses of the
'o-'i&itia in carr!in, out the ,o$ernor+s i&&e,a& orders# After these
cri'es a,ainst the Constitution and &a2s of the state< a,ainst A'erican
institutions and the ci$i&i4ation of the a,e---after a&& this< I sa!< it
is not difficu&t to understand ho2 farcica& 2ou&d e an! *rocedure efore
either the state or the federa& courts in .issouri# "! acts of *er=ur!< in
order to sti&& further defeat the ends of =ustice and *rotect each other
fro' the *ena&ties due to their cri'es< it 2ou&d ha$e een eas! for the
*eo*&e of .issouri to defeat the ends of =ustice# And after ha$in,
co''itted the cri'es of 'urder and roer!? after ha$in, un&a2fu&&!
e/*e&&ed a 2ho&e *eo*&e< nu'erin, thousands< fro' their ho'es---of 2hich
the des*oi&ers 2ere then *ossessed--it is not to e e&ie$ed that such
characters 2ou&d hesitate to suorn 2itnesses< co''it *er=ur!< or
hesitate to do an! other thin,< ho2e$er cri'ina&< in order to esca*e the
=ust *unish'ent for their cri'es#
The offense of the State of .issouri a,ainst the Saints 2as a denia&
of *o&itica& as 2e&& as of ci$i& ri,hts# She had in her treat'ent of the
Saints adicated re*u&ican ,o$ern'ent# Her officers< inc&udin, the chief
e/ecuti$e of the state had $io&ated the Constitution of the state in that
the! had entered into a 2ide-s*read cons*irac! to de*ri$e the Saints of
their &iert! and *ro*ert! 2ithout due *rocess of &a2? and in fact had
de*ri$ed the' of those ri,hts ! e/*e&&in, the' ! force of ar's fro' the
state#
These 2ere the 2ron,s the Saints had endured? this the nature of the
cri'e of the state of .issouri a,ainst the'< and it see's that for these
thin,s 2hich the! suffered there cou&d e found no re'ed!? for< as a&read!
e/*&ained< a state cou&d not e 'ade *art! to a suit efore the courts<
either state or federa&< 2ithout her consent? and it is a 2e&& sett&ed
*rinci*&e of A'erican &a2 that -a suit no'ina&&! a,ainst an officer ut
rea&&! a,ainst a state to enforce *erfor'ance of its o&i,ation in its
*o&itica& ca*acit!< 2i&& not &ie#- A state< therefore< cou&d not e
direct&! arrai,ned efore the courts or an! 0ind of triuna& for fai&ure
to enforce its *o&itica& o&i,ations? nor cou&d it e indirect&! so
arrai,ned throu,h its officers since such an arrai,n'ent 2ou&d undouted&!
ha$e een he&d to e ut -no'ina&&! a,ainst the officers and rea&&!
a,ainst the state?- hence $oid# The on&! arrai,n'ent of the state that
cou&d e 'ade 2as e$ident&! at the ar of *u&ic o*inion and senti'ent<
and this senti'ent< unfortunate&! $iciated ! 'isre*resentations< 2as
a,ainst the Saints# A&& thin,s considered< then< there 2as &itt&e 2isdo'
ehind the reco''endation of the Senate Judiciar! Co''ittee for the Saints
to *rosecute their case efore the Federa& courts ha$in, =urisdiction in
.issouri? and the su,,estion that the! a**&! to the =ustice and
'a,nani'it! of the state of the .issouri< orders u*on 'oc0er!# Ho2e$er<
.issouri did not esca*e the chastise'ent due to her 'an! acts of *redator!
in=ustice u*on the Saints? there 2as 'easured out to her 'ore than four
fo&d of that sorro2 and aff&iction 2hich she had *er*etrated u*on the
Saints# She so2ed to the 2ind in her conduct to2ards the .or'on *eo*&e<
she rea*ed the 2hir&-2ind in the terri&e e/*eriences of 'ore then ten
!ears of order 2arfare< anditti ru&e< and her enor'ous sacrifice of
&ood and treasure in the Ci$i& 3ar? a&& of 2hich is aundant&! set forth
in the Introduction to %o&u'e III of this 2or0#
The .ission of the T2e&$e to En,&and#
The 'ission of the T2e&$e to En,&and 'ar0s an e*och in the 'issionar!
e/*erience of the Church# The! undertoo0 this 'ission in fu&fi&&'ent of a
co''and'ent recei$ed of the Lord on the 8th of Ju&!< 7898< at Far 3est<
.issouri< 2hich re$e&ation 2as ,i$en in ans2er to the >uestion of the
)ro*het+ -Sho2 us th! 2i&&< O Lord< concernin, the T2e&$e#- In ans2er to
that >uestion the Lord directed that the se$era& $acancies then e/istin,
in the >uoru' shou&d e fi&&ed ! the a**oint'ent of John Ta!&or< John E#
)a,e< 3i&ford 3oodruff< and 3i&&ard Richards# -And ne/t s*rin,<- said the
re$e&ation< -&et the' Ithe T2e&$eJ de*art to ,o o$er the ,reat 2aters and
there *ro'u&,ate '! ,os*e&< the fu&&ness thereof< and ear record of '!
na'e# Let the' ta0e &ea$e of '! Saints in the Cit! Far 3est on the H:th
da! of A*ri& ne/t< on the ui&din, s*ot of '! house saith the Lord#-C
Not2ithstandin, the fact that the Church had een e/*e&&ed fro' the
state of .issouri efore the H:th da! of A*ri&< 789N< a nu'er of the
T2e&$e acco'*anied ! se$era& of those 2ho had een a**ointed to fi&&
$acancies in the >uoru'< returned to Far 3est< he&d a 'eetin, on the site
of the Lord+s house in the *u&ic s>uare of that *&ace< on the date
a**ointed< sun, so'e h!'ns< ordained those *resent 2ho had een a**ointed
to fi&& $acancies in the >uoru'< &aid a corner stone of the Lord+s house<
too0 &ea$e of a fe2 of the rethren 2ho 2ere there< and thence started for
forei,n &ands< sto**in, for a ti'e en route at Nau$oo# Late in the su''er
of 789N the T2e&$e e,an their de*arture< usua&&! in *airs< for forei,n
&ands# The 2or0 had a&read! een introduced into En,&and ! the &aors of
E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& and associates< E&der Orson H!de of the >uoru' of
the T2e&$e? a&so E&ders 3i&&ard Richards< Isaac Russe&&< John 5oodson<
John Sn!der? and Jose*h Fie&din,< a *riest# The 'ission of the T2e&$e to
En,&and as a >uoru'< ho2e$er< esta&ished the 2or0 in the "ritish Is&es on
a roader and 'ore *er'anent asis< and thence for2ard the od! re&i,ious
2as stren,thened fro' this 'ission? and as 'uch fro' the character as fro'
the nu'ers of the "ritish Saints#
The .ission of Orson H!de to )a&estine#
The 'ission a**ointed to E&ders Orson H!de and John E# )a,e< of the
>uoru' of the T2e&$e< to Jerusa&e'< 2as second in i'*ortance on&! to that
a**ointed to the rest of the T2e&$e to 5reat "ritain# John E# )a,e utter&!
fai&ed to fu&fi&& his a**oint'ent< not2ithstandin, the fre>uent ur,in, and
re*roofs of the )ro*het# He ne$er &eft the shores of A'erica< and fina&&!
returned to Nau$oo to e se$er&! censured for his &ac0 of faith and
ener,!# Orson H!de< on the contrar!< in the 'idst of 'an! hardshi*s<
*erse$ered in his =ourne! to the Ho&! Land< unti& he succeeded in
acco'*&ishin, that 2hich had een a**ointed unto hi'# E&der H!de it
a**ears< 2as a descendant of the trie of Judah? and so'eti'e after the
)ro*het had eco'e ac>uainted 2ith hi'< 'ost *roa&! in the !ear 789H< in
the course of *ronouncin, a &essin, u*on hi'< said< -In due ti'e thou
sha&t ,o to Jerusa&e'< the &and of th! fathers< and e a 2atch'an unto the
house of Israe&? and ! th! hand sha&& the .ost Hi,h do a ,reat 2or0<
2hich sha&& *re*are the 2a! and ,reat&! faci&itate the ,atherin, to,ether
of that *eo*&e#- It 2as in fu&fi&&'ent of this *rediction u*on his head
that he had een ca&&ed u*on this 'ission to Jerusa&e'< to dedicate the
&and of )a&estine ! a*osto&ic authorit!< *re*arator! to the return of the
Je2s and other of the tries of Israe& to that &and of *ro'ise# This
'ission he fu&&! acco'*&ished# An account of his =ourne! and of his
eautifu& and *o2erfu& *ra!er of dedication 2i&& e found in his &etters
*u&ished in this $o&u'e#O
The >uestion 2i&& e as0ed< Has an!thin, resu&ted fro' this 'ission
to dedicate the &and of )a&estine to the return of the Je2s and other
tries of Israe&B The on&! ans2er is an a**ea& to facts< to e$ents that
ha$e ta0en *&ace since that *ra!er of consecration 2as offered u* ! this
A*ost&e of the ne2 dis*ensation of the 5os*e&< on the H@th of Octoer<
78@7#
At the ti'e of E&der H!de+s $isit and the cere'onies of dedication he
*erfor'ed on the .ount of O&i$es< there 2ere co'*arati$e&! ut fe2 Je2s at
Jerusa&e'# As &ate as 78M: the "ritish Consu& Re*orts sho2 that there 2ere
ut fro' fifteen to t2ent! thousand Je2s in Judea# "ut t2ent! !ears &ater
the sa'e authorit! dec&ared the nu'er of Je2s at si/t! to se$ent!
thousand? and< 2hat 2as of 'ore i'*ortance than the nu'ers announced<
these re*orts re*resented that the ne2 Je2ish *o*u&ation 2as turnin, its
attention to the cu&ti$ation of the soi&< 2hich ut re>uires the &essin,s
of 5od u*on it to restore it to its ancient fruitfu&ness< and 2hich 2i&&
'a0e it *ossi&e for it to sustain once 'ore a nu'erous *o*u&ation# The
St# Louis 5&oe-De'ocrat co''entin, on these Consu&ar Re*orts of 78N:<
said?
-On&! t2o decades a,o there 2ere not 'ore than fifteen or t2ent!
thousand Je2s in Jerusa&e'# At that ti'e no houses 2ere to e found
outside the 2a&&s of the cit!# Since then 'an! chan,es ha$e ta0en *&ace
and the Here2 *o*u&ation---'ain&! on account of the increase of the
Je2ish i''i,ration fro' Russia--no2 stands at et2een si/t! and se$ent!
thousand# 3ho&e streets of houses ha$e een ui&t outside the 2a&&s on the
site of the ancient suuran districts< 2hich for hundreds of !ears ha$e
re'ained deserted# It is not< ho2e$er< on&! in Jerusa&e' itse&f that the
Je2s aound< ut throu,hout )a&estine the! are u!in, far's and
esta&ishin, the'se&$es in a sur*risin,&! ra*id 'anner# In Jerusa&e' the!
for' at *resent a &ar,er co''unit! than either the Christian or the
.oha''edan#-
A&so in 78N: that racia& 'o$e'ent a'on, the Je2s 0no2n as -;ionis'-
too0 definite for'# This 'o$e'ent 2as rea&&! the federation of a&& the
Je2ish societies that ha$e cherished the ho*e of seein, Israe& restored to
his *ro'ised *ossessions in )a&estine# That !ear the first internationa&
conference of ;ionists 2as he&d in "ase&< S2it4er&and< and since then
under the &eadershi* of the &ate Dr# Her4e& of Austria< and since his
death under the &eadershi* of Israe& ;an,2i&&< and ! reason of its annua&
conferences constant&! increasin, in interest and attendance< -;ionis'-
has ta0en on a&& the as*ects of one of the 2or&d+s ,reat 'o$e'ents# It is
not so 'uch a re&i,ious 'o$e'ent as a racia& one? for *ro'inent Je2s of
a&& shades of oth *o&itica& and re&i,ious o*inions ha$e *artici*ated in
it#
After sa!in, throu,h so 'an! centuries at the feast of the )asso$er
-.a! 2e ce&erate the ne/t )asso$er in Jerusa&e'<- the thou,ht see's to
ha$e occurred to so'e Je2ish 'inds that if that ho*e is e$er to e
rea&i4ed so'e *ractica& ste*s 'ust e ta0en &oo0in, to the actua&
achie$e'ent of the *ossii&it!--hence the -;ionite .o$e'ent#- The 0e!notes
of that 'o$e'ent are heard in the fo&&o2in, utterances of so'e of the
Je2ish &eaders in e/*&anation of it# -3e 2ant to resu'e the ro0en thread
of our nationa& e/istence? 2e 2ant to sho2 to the 2or&d the 'ora&
stren,th< the inte&&ectua& *o2er of the Je2ish *eo*&e# 3e 2ant a *&ace
2here the race can e centra&i4ed#----ELeon ;o&to0offF# -It is for these
Je2s Eof Russia< Rou'ania and 5a&iciaF that the na'e of their countr!
E)a&estineF s*e&&s LHo*e#+ I shou&d not e a 'an if I did not rea&i4e that
for these *ersecuted Je2s< Jerusa&e' s*e&&s reason =ustice< 'anhood and
&iert!#----ERai E'i& 5# HirschF# -Je2ish nationa&is' on a 'odern asis
in )a&estine< the o&d ho'e of the *eo*&e#---E.a/ NordauF# )a&estine needs
a *eo*&e< Israe& needs a countr!# 5i$e the countr! 2ithout a *eo*&e to the
*eo*&e 2ithout a countr!#---EIsrae& ;an,2i&&F# In a 2ord it is the *ur*ose
of -;ionis'- to redee' )a&estine< and ,i$e it ac0 to Je2ish contro&<
create< in fact< a Je2ish state in the &and *ro'ised to their fathers#
The a,e has co'e 2hen the *ro'ises of the Lord to Israe& 'ust e
fu&fi&&ed? and hence an a*ost&e of the ne2 dis*ensation of the 5os*e& is
sent ! di$ine authorit! to dedicate the &and of )a&estine *re*arator! to
the return of Israe& to his *ro'ised inheritance# After 2hich fo&&o2s this
stran,e and 2or&d-2ide 'o$e'ent a'on, the Je2s &oo0in, to the
re-esta&ish'ent of -Je2ish nationa&is' on a 'odern asis in )a&estine#-
3hat other re&ationshi* can e/ist et2een the 'ission of the A*ost&e Orson
H!de and this 2or&d-2ide 'o$e'ent a'on, the Je2s for the re-esta&ish'ent
of Israe& in )a&estine< ut the re&ationshi* of cause to effect---under<
of course< the &ar,er fact that the set ti'e for the restoration of Israe&
has co'eB The a*ost&e+s 'ission to Jerusa&e' for the *ur*ose of dedicatin,
that &and< *re*arator! to the return of Israe&< 2as 2ithout dout *art of
the ,enera& *ro,ra' for the restoration of Israe& to their &ands and to
the fa$or and &essin, of 5od# The Doctrina& De$e&o*'ent of the Church#
The doctrina& de$e&o*'ent in this *eriod of the dis*ensation of the
fu&&ness of ti'es< na'e&!< et2een Ju&!< 789N< and the 'onth of .a!< 78@H<
aout three !ears< 2as chief&! in re&ation to sa&$ation for the dead< and
the sacred ritua& of the Te'*&e# The foundation for this doctrina&
de$e&o*'ent in re&ation to sa&$ation for the dead< 2as &aid in the $er!
ince*tion of the 2or0# On the occasion of the first $isit of the an,e&
.oroni to the )ro*het< on the ni,ht of the H7st of Se*te'er< 78H9< a'on,
other ancient *ro*hecies >uoted ! hi'< and 2hich he dec&ared 2as soon to
e fu&fi&&ed< 2as the *ro*hec! in the fourth cha*ter of .a&achi in
re&ation to the future co'in, of E&i=ah the *ro*het< -efore the co'in, of
the ,reat and dreadfu& da! of the Lord#- As >uoted ! the an,e& there 2as
a s&i,ht $ariation in the &an,ua,e fro' 1in, Ja'es+ $ersion< as fo&&o2s+
-"eho&d< I 2i&& re$ea& unto !ou the )riesthood ! the hand of E&i=ah the
*ro*het< efore the co'in, of the ,reat and dreadfu& da! of the Lord# And
he sha&& *&ant in the hearts of the chi&dren the *ro'ises 'ade to the
fathers< and the hearts of the chi&dren sha&& turn to their fathers? if it
2ere not so< the 2ho&e 2or&d 2ou&d e 2asted at his co'in,#-
Here the *ro'ise is 'ade< that in conse>uence of the restoration of a
certain )riesthood< or s*ecia& 0e!s of authorit! he&d ! E&i=ah< the
*ro'ises 'ade to the fathers sha&& e *&anted in the hearts of the
chi&dren< -and the hearts of the chi&dren sha&& turn to their fathers#-
3h!B For a co'*&ete ans2er to that >uestion the Church 2aited so'e !ears#
A,ain< and sti&& ear&! in the histor! of the 2or0< na'e&!< .arch< 789D<
the Lord in a re$e&ation to .artin Harris throu,h the )ro*het Jose*h<
added another &ine or t2o of 0no2&ed,e to this doctrine? 0no2&ed,e 2hich
*ushed out of the hori4on of 'en+s conce*tions the terri&e and un=ust
doctrine res*ectin, the eterna& *unish'ent 2hich 5od is su**osed to
inf&ict u*on those 2ho fai& to oe! the 5os*e& in this &ife< and a&so
those 2ho died in i,norance of it# In e/*&anation of the ter's< -eterna&
*unish'ent<- and -e$er&astin, *unish'ent<- so'eti'es found in Ho&! 3rit<
the Lord said to the )ro*het+ -"eho&d< I a' end&ess< and the *unish'ent
2hich is ,i$en fro' '! hand is end&ess< for end&ess is '! na'e#
3herefore---
-End&ess *unish'ent is 5od+s *unish'ent#-
That is to sa!< the *unish'ent ta0es the na'e of Hi' in 2hose na'e it
is inf&icted? as if it 2ere 2ritten< -Eterna&+s *unish'ent<- -End&ess+s
*unish'ent#- And a&so< it 'ust e understood< that the *unish'ent itse&f
is end&ess# That is< *ena&ties a&2a!s attend u*on &a2< and fo&&o2 its
$io&ation# That is an eterna& *rinci*&e# La2 is inconcei$a&e 2ithout
acco'*an!in, *ena&ties# "ut it does not fo&&o2 that those 2ho fa&& into
the trans,ression of &a2< and therefore under sentence of Eterna&+s
=ustice< 2i&& ha$e to endure aff&iction of the *ena&t! eterna&&!# Justice
can e satisfied# .erc! 'ust e accorded her c&ai's< and the cu&*rit
ha$in, een rou,ht to re*entance and tau,ht oedience to &a2 throu,h the
thin,s 2hich he has suffered< 'ust ,o free# "ut on&! to suffer a,ain the
*ena&ties of the &a2< if he a,ain $io&ates it? for &a2s and their
*ena&ties are eterna&# Hence eterna& *unish'ent< hence end&ess *unish'ent
ad'inistered to the $io&ator of the &a2< unti& he &earns to &i$e in
har'on! 2ith &a2# For< on the one hand< as -that 2hich is ,o$erned ! &a2
is a&so *reser$ed ! &a2< and *erfected and sanctified ! the sa'e? so
-that 2hich rea0eth a &a2 and aideth not ! the &a2< ut see0eth to
eco'e a &a2 unto itse&f< and 2i&&eth to aide in sin and a&to,ether
aideth in sin< cannot e sanctified ! &a2< neither ! 'erc!< =ustice<
nor =ud,'ent# Therefore the! 'ust re'ain fi&th! sti&&#- Thus oedience to
&a2 eco'es a sa$or of &ife unto &ife? 2hi&e disoedience to &a2 e>ua&&!
eco'es a sa$or of death unto death#
In Feruar!< 789H< sti&& further &i,ht 2as shed u*on the su=ect of
the different states or de,rees of ,&or! in 2hich 'en 2i&& &i$e in the
future< ! the re$e&ation 0no2n as -The %ision#- This re$e&ation is one of
the su&i'est e$er ,i$en to 'an# It utter&! discredits and dis*&aces the
do,'as aout the future of 'an he&d ! Christendo'< or at &east !
)rotestant Christendo'# The orthodo/< )rotestant $ie2 of 'an+s future is
that there are t2o states in one or the other of 2hich 'an 2i&& s*end
eternit!--in hea$en or in he&&# If one sha&& ,ain hea$en< e$en ! e$er so
s'a&& a 'ar,in< he 2i&& enter i''ediate&! u*on a co'*&ete *ossession of
a&& its uns*ea0a&e =o!s< e>ua&&! 2ith the an,e&s and the ho&iest of
Saints# Not on&! in the -Shorter Catechis's<- ut in near&! a&& orthodo/
creeds the acce*ted doctrine 2as( -The sou&s of e&ie$ers are at their
death 'ade *erfect in ho&iness#- On the other hand< if one sha&& 'iss
hea$en< e$en ! e$er so s'a&& a 'ar,in< he is doo'ed to e$er&astin,
tor'ent e>ua&&! 2ith the 2ic0edest of 'en and $i&est of de$i&s< and there
is no de&i$erance for hi' throu,h a&& the count&ess a,es of eternit!K It
2i&& e noted that I ha$e e/ce*ted out of *artici*atin, in the ao$e $ie2
of 'an+s future< the Catho&ic church< ! ascriin, these $ie2s on&! to
orthodo/ )rotestant Christendo'# This is ecause the Catho&ic church
doctrine s&i,ht&! differs fro' the doctrine of the )rotestants on this
su=ect# That is Catho&ics do not e&ie$e that a&& Christians at death ,o
i''ediate&! into hea$en< ut on the contrar! -e&ie$e that a Christian 2ho
dies after the ,ui&t and e$er&astin, *unish'ent of 'orta& sins ha$e een
for,i$en hi'< ut 2ho< either fro' 2ant of o**ortunit!< or throu,h his
ne,&i,ence has not dischar,ed the det of te'*ora& *unish'ent due to his
sin< 2i&& ha$e to dischar,e that det to the =ustice of 5od in *ur,ator!#-
-)ur,ator! is a state of sufferin, after this &ife< in 2hich those sou&s
are for a ti'e detained< 2hich de*art this &ife after their dead&! sins
ha$e een re'itted as to the stain and ,ui&t< and as to the e$er&astin,
*ain that 2as due to the'< ut 2hich sou&s ha$e on account of those sins
sti&& so'e te'*ora& *unish'ent to *a!? as a&so those sou&s 2hich &ea$e
this 2or&d ,ui&t! on&! of $enia& Ethat is *ardona&eF sins# In *ur,ator!
these sou&s are *urified and rendered fit to enter into hea$en< 2here
nothin, defi&ed enters#- As a&& 2or0s of the Catho&ic church accessi&e
to 'e ha$e nothin, on the different de,rees of ,&or! in 2hich 'en sha&&
susist in eternit!< I conc&ude that Catho&ic teachin, is that the! 2ho
fina&&! attain unto hea$en are a&& e>ua& in ,&or!# So that in the &ast
ana&!sis of the 'atter< Catho&ic doctrine fa&&s as far e&o2 the ,reat
truth that 5od has re$ea&ed u*on the su=ect of the future estate of 'an<
as the doctrine of Orthodo/ )rotestant Christendo'#
Here is not the *&ace for an e/tended e/*osition of the doctrine in
re&ation to the future state of 'an as re$ea&ed to Jose*h S'ith in the
re$e&ation ca&&ed -The %ision#- It 'ust suffice here to sa! that its
centra& *rinci*&e is resident in the =ustice and the 'erc! of 5od< that
re>uires that e$er! 'an sha&& e =ud,ed accordin, to his 2or0s< considered
in the &i,ht of his inte&&i,ence< his consciousness of ri,ht and 2ron,<
and the 'ora& &a2 under 2hich he &i$ed# If he &i$ed in the earth 2hen the
5os*e& of Jesus Christ 2as not in the 2or&d< or if he &i$ed at *&aces or
in circu'stances 2here he did not &earn of its e/istence< 'uch &ess co'e
to a 0no2&ed,e of its truths< then the *&ain dictates of =ustice de'and
that so'e 'eans 'ust e/ist ! 2hich its sanctif!in, *o2ers 'a! e a**&ied
to hi' in the future? so a&so as to those 2ho ha$e e$en once re=ected the
truth Eas in the case of the antedi&u$ians 2ho re=ected the teachin, of
ri,hteous Noah< and 2ere disoedient< 2hen once the &on, sufferin, of 5od
2aited in $ain in those da!s for their re*entanceF? ha$in, *aid the =ust
*ena&t! of their disoedience< then =ustice 2ou&d de'and that so'e 'eans
'ust e/ist ! 2hich the sa$in, *rinci*&es of the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ
'a! e a**&ied to the'? for on&! ! the acce*tance of the *rinci*&es of
the 5os*e&< and ! the a**&ication of its &a2s and ordinances as the 'eans
! 2hich the ,race of 5od is a**&ied to 'an< can the sons of 'en ho*e for
sa&$ation# Then as 'en differ in de,ree of inte&&i,ence? in the intensit!
of their faith? in the heartiness of their oedience? in the steadiness of
their fide&it!? and in as 'uch as there is the stern fact of hu'an freedo'
and res*onsii&it!< and the *ossii&it! of a short or &on, resistance to
the 2i&& of 5od< e$en u* to eterna& resistance to that 2i&&< there is an
infinitude of states of ,&or!< of so ca&&ed re2ards and *unish'ents< in
2hich 'an 2i&& &i$e in the future# There is one ,&or! of 2hich the sun in
hea$en is s*o0en of as ein, t!*ica&? another of 2hich the inferior &i,ht
of the 'oon is t!*ica&? and another of 2hich the $ar!in, &i,ht of the
stars is t!*ica&# And e$en as one star differs fro' another star in ,&or!<
in &i,ht< so differ those states of e/istence in 2hich 'en 2i&& &i$e in
the future< ut each assi,ned to a *&ace< to an en$iron'ent< that
corres*onds to the status of his de$e&o*'ent? 2hich is on&! the 'odern 2a!
of sa!in, he sha&& e =ud,ed accordin, to his 2or0s# These< in rief< are
the under&!in, *rinci*&es of this re'ar0a&e re$e&ation? a re$e&ation
2hich in e$er! 2a! is 2orth! the enco'iu' that the )ro*het Jose*h hi'se&f
esto2ed u*on it at the ti'e of its ince*tion( -Nothin, cou&d e 'ore
*&easin, to the Saints u*on the order of the 1in,do' of the Lord< than the
&i,ht 2hich urst u*on the 2or&d throu,h the fore,oin, %ision# E$er! &a2<
e$er! co''and'ent< e$er! *ro'ise< e$er! truth< and e$er! *oint touchin,
the destin! of 'an< fro' 5enesis to Re$e&ation< 2here the *urit! of the
Scri*tures re'ains unsu&&ied ! the fo&&! of 'en< ,o to sho2 the
*erfection of the theor! Iof different de,rees of ,&or! in the future
&ifeJ and 2itnesses the fact that that docu'ent is a transcri*t fro' the
records of the eterna& 2or&d#-
In June< 789:< 2hi&e attendin, to 2ashin,s and anointin,s in the
1irt&and Te'*&e< *re$ious to its dedication< the )ro*het recei$ed sti&&
further 0no2&ed,e as to the future state of 'an# This a&so 2as ! 'eans of
a $ision# He sa!s( -The hea$ens 2ere o*ened u*on us< and I ehe&d the
ce&estia& 0in,do' of 5od< and the ,&or! thereof< 2hether in the od! or
out< I cannot te&&# I sa2 the transcendent eaut! of the ,ate throu,h
2hich the heirs of that 0in,do' 2i&& enter< 2hich 2as &i0e unto circ&in,
f&a'es of fire? a&so the &a4in, throne of 5od< 2hereon 2as seated the
Father and the Son# I sa2 the eautifu& streets of that 0in,do'< 2hich had
the a**earance of ein, *a$ed 2ith ,o&d# I sa2 Fathers Ada' and Araha'<
and '! father and 'other< '! rother< A&$in< that has &on, since s&e*t<
and 'ar$e&ed ho2 it 2as that he had otained an inheritance in that
0in,do'< seein, that he had de*arted this &ife efore the Lord had set His
hand to ,ather Israe& the second ti'e< and had not een a*ti4ed for the
re'ission of sins# Thus ca'e the $oice of the Lord unto 'e sa!in,---
-A&& 2ho ha$e died 2ithout a 0no2&ed,e of this 5os*e&< 2ho 2ou&d ha$e
recei$ed it if the! had een *er'itted to tarr!< sha&& e heirs of the
ce&estia& 0in,do' of 5od? a&so a&& that sha&& die henceforth 2ithout a
0no2&ed,e of it< 2ho 2ou&d ha$e recei$ed it 2ith a&& their hearts< sha&&
e heirs of that 0in,do'< for I< the Lord< 2i&& =ud,e a&& 'en accordin, to
their 2or0s< accordin, to the desire of their hearts#
-And I a&so ehe&d that a&& chi&dren 2ho die efore the! arri$e at
the !ears of accountai&it!< are sa$ed in the ce&estia& 0in,do' of hea$en#
The ne/t ste* in the de$e&o*'ent of this doctrine of sa&$ation for
the dead 2as the co'in, of E&i=ah to -turn the heart of the fathers to the
chi&dren< and the heart of the chi&dren to the fathers<- accordin, to
.a&achi? to restore the *riesthood and -*&ant in the hearts of the
chi&dren the *ro'ises 'ade to the fathers<- ! 2hich -the hearts of the
chi&dren sha&& e turned to the fathers<- accordin, to .oroni# And E&i=ah
co''itted the 0e!s of this dis*ensation of turnin, the hearts of the
fathers and chi&dren to2ards each other to Jose*h S'ith and to O&i$er
Co2der!# This too0 *&ace in the 1irt&and Te'*&e on the 9rd of A*ri&<
789:#
It 2as not< ho2e$er< unti& the Nau$oo *eriod that the doctrine of
sa&$ation for the dead 2as fu&&! de$e&o*ed and acti$e ste*s ta0en &oo0in,
to the actua& *erfor'ance of ordinances in their eha&f# In the re$e&ation
that 2as ,i$en on the 7Nth of Januar!< 78@7< the Saints 2ere co''anded to
ui&d a house unto the Lord< a Ho&! Te'*&e unto the .ost Hi,h# -For<- said
this re$e&ation< -there is not a *&ace found on earth that He 'a! co'e to
and restore a,ain that 2hich 2as &ost unto !ou< or 2hich He hath ta0en
a2a!< e$en the fu&&ness of the )riesthood? for a a*tis'a& font there is
not u*on the earth< that the!< '! Saints< 'a! e a*ti4ed for those 2ho
are dead? for this ordinance e&on,eth to '! house< and cannot e
acce*ta&e to 'e< on&! in the da!s of !our *o$ert!< 2herein !e are not
a&e to ui&d a house unto 'e# "ut I co''and !ou< a&& !e '! Saints< to
ui&d a house unto 'e? and I ,rant unto !ou a sufficient ti'e to ui&d a
house unto 'e< and durin, this ti'e !our a*tis's sha&& e acce*ta&e unto
'e#- That is< the a*tis's for the dead shou&d e acce*ta&e unto the Lord
in other *&aces than the te'*&e< unti& the te'*&e shou&d e *re*ared for
that ordinance< if the Saints 2ou&d e di&i,ent and ui&d it accordin, to
the Lord+s a**oint'ent# .oreo$er< the infor'ation is i'*arted in the
re$e&ation that< it is in ;ion< and in her sta0es< and in Jerusa&e'< those
*&aces 2hich I Ithe LordJ ha$e a**ointed for refu,e< sha&& e the *&aces
for !our a*tis's for !our dead#-
After this re$e&ation 2as ,i$en to the Church a*tis' for the dead
2as a su=ect fre>uent&! e/*ounded in Nau$oo< oth ! the )ro*het and
other &eadin, e&ders# It 2as a the'e u*on 2hich the T2e&$e A*ost&es d2e&t
in their E*ist&es to the Church oth in A'erica and in 5reat "ritain#
"a*tis's for the dead 2ere *erfor'ed for so'e ti'e in the .ississi**i
ri$er< and &ater< in the &atter *art of No$e'er< 78@7< in the a*tis'a&
font erected in the ase'ent of the Te'*&e< and dedicated for that sacred
*ur*ose# For a ti'e so'e irre,u&arities otained in re&ation to this
ordinance o2in, to the fact that the *erfect 0no2&ed,e of the order of it
had not then een otained< ut 2as de$e&o*ed &ater in this Nau$oo *eriod
of the Histor! of the Church< as 2i&& a**ear in %o&u'e % of this 2or0#
It 2as a 'i,ht! stride for2ard in the doctrina& de$e&o*'ent of the
Church< this idea of the *ossii&it! of sa&$ation for the dead throu,h the
ad'inistration of the ordinances of the 5os*e& for and in their eha&f !
their 0indred on earth? and ,reat&! en&ar,ed the $ie2s of the Saints in
re&ation to the i'*ortance and 2ide s*read effects of their 2or0# The ends
of the earth indeed con$er,ed in the &aors of the Saints henceforth< for
their acti$ities in the ad'inistrations of the ho&! ordinances of the
5os*e& 2ou&d affect a&& *ast ,enerations as 2e&& as affect a&& ,enerations
to co'e# It 2as a rin,in, into $ie2 the fu&& ha&f of the 2or0 2hich u* to
this ti'e had &ain hidden ehind the hori4on of 'en+s conce*tions of that
-,reat and 'ar$e&ous 2or0- 2hich 5od fro' the e,innin, dec&ared 2as aout
to e rou,ht forth a'on, the chi&dren of 'en#
Other Doctrines of the )ro*het+s Teachin,#
Other doctrines tau,ht ! the )ro*het 2ithin the *eriod co$ered !
this $o&u'e< re&ate to the )riesthood? to the Status of Trans&ated
)ersons? to .an+s )ersona& Res*onsii&it! for his o2n conduct< to E&ection
and Re*roation# A 2ord in re&ation to each of these doctrines 'ust
suffice here since the! do not reach their fu&& de$e&o*'ent in the
teachin,s of the )ro*het unti& the &ast t2o !ears of his e$entfu& &ife<
and 'ust therefore recei$e fu&&er treat'ent in the Introduction of %o&u'e
%#
Re&ati$e to the )riesthood< the 'ost i'*ortant ite's ad$anced ! the
)ro*het in this $o&u'e< are< first< the unit! of a&& )riesthood< and
second< the *&ace and *o2er assi,ned to Ada' in the order of the
dis*ensations of the 5os*e& ,ranted to our earth# Treatin, on the unit! of
the )riesthood< the )ro*het said+ -There are t2o )riesthoods s*o0en of in
the Scri*tures< $i4#< the .e&chisede0 and the Aaronic or Le$itica&#
A&thou,h there are t2o )riesthoods< !et the .e&chisede0 )riesthood
co'*rehends the Aaronic or Le$itica& )riesthood< and is the ,rand head<
and ho&ds the hi,hest authorit! 2hich *ertains to the )riesthood< and the
0e!s of the 0in,do' of 5od in a&& a,es of the 2or&d to the &atest
*osterit! on the earth< and is the channe& throu,h 2hich a&& 0no2&ed,e<
doctrine< the *&an of sa&$ation< and e$er! i'*ortant 'atter is re$ea&ed
fro' hea$en# Its institution 2as *rior to +the foundation of this earth<
or the 'ornin, stars san, to,ether< or the Sons of 5od shouted for =o!<+
and is the hi,hest and ho&iest )riesthood< and is after the order of the
Son of 5od< and a&& other )riesthoods are on&! *arts< ra'ifications<
*o2ers and &essin,s e&on,in, to the sa'e< and are he&d< contro&&ed< and
directed ! it# It is the channe& throu,h 2hich the A&'i,ht! co''enced
re$ea&in, His ,&or! at the e,innin, of the creation of this earth< and
throu,h 2hich He has continued to re$ea& Hi'se&f to the chi&dren of 'en to
the *resent ti'e< and throu,h 2hich He 2i&& 'a0e 0no2n His *ur*oses to the
end of ti'e#-
Res*ectin, the *&ace of Ada' in the )riesthood and his re&ationshi*
to the dis*ensations of that )riesthood to our earth< the )ro*het said(
-Co''encin, 2ith Ada'< 2ho 2as the first 'an< 2ho is s*o0en of in Danie&
as ein, the +Ancient of Da!s<+ or in other 2ords< the first and o&dest of
a&&< the ,reat< ,rand *ro,enitor of 2ho' it is said in another *&ace he is
.ichae&< ecause he 2as the first and father of a&&< not on&! ! *ro,en!<
ut the first to ho&d the s*iritua& &essin,s< to 2ho' 2as 'ade 0no2n the
*&an of ordinances for the sa&$ation of his *osterit! unto the end< and to
2ho' Christ 2as first re$ea&ed< and throu,h 2ho' Christ has een re$ea&ed
fro' hea$en< and 2i&& continue to e re$ea&ed fro' henceforth# Ada' ho&ds
the 0e!s of the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es? i#e#< the
dis*ensation of a&& the ti'es ha$e een and 2i&& e re$ea&ed throu,h hi'
fro' the e,innin, to Christ< and fro' Christ to the end of a&& the
dis*ensations that are to e re$ea&ed# LHa$in, 'ade 0no2n unto us the
'!ster! of His 2i&&< accordin, to His ,ood *&easure 2hich He hath *ur*osed
in Hi'se&f+ that in the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es He 'i,ht
,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth 2hich are in hea$en< and
2hich are on earth? e$en in hi' EE*hesians< 7st cha*#< Nth and 7Dth
$ersesF# No2 the *ur*ose in Hi'se&f in the 2indin, u* scene of the &ast
dis*ensation is that a&& thin,s *ertainin, to that dis*ensation shou&d e
conducted *recise&! in accordance 2ith the *recedin, dis*ensations# And
a,ain# 5od *ur*osed in Hi'se&f that there shou&d not e an eterna&
fu&&ness unti& e$er! dis*ensation shou&d e fu&fi&&ed and ,athered
to,ether in one< and that a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er< that shou&d e ,athered
to,ether in one in those dis*ensations unto the sa'e fu&&ness and eterna&
,&or!< shou&d e in Christ Jesus? therefore He set the ordinances to e
the sa'e fore$er and e$er< and set Ada' to 2atch o$er the'< to re$ea& the'
fro' hea$en to 'an< or to send an,e&s to re$ea& the'# C C C C
These an,e&s are under the direction of .ichae& or Ada'< 2ho acts under
the direction of the Lord# C C C C There are 'an! thin,s 2hich
e&on, to the *o2ers of the )riesthood and the 0e!s thereof< that ha$e
een 0e*t hid fro' efore the foundation of the 2or&d? the! are hid fro'
the 2ise and *rudent to e re$ea&ed in the &ast ti'es#-
That it 2as the desi,n of the Lord in ui&din, the Te'*&e at Nau$oo<
that there shou&d e other ordinances re$ea&ed esides -a*tis' for the
dead<- is c&ear&! 'anifested in the re$e&ation itse&f< for it sa!s+ -And
a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< ho2 sha&& !our 2ashin,s e acce*ta&e unto
'e< e/ce*t !e *erfor' the' in a house 2hich !ou ha$e ui&t to '! na'e# C
C C C Therefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that !our anointin,s< and
!our 2ashin,s< and !our a*tis's for the dead< and !our so&e'n asse'&ies<
and !our 'e'oria&s for !our sacrifices< ! the sons of Le$i and for !our
orac&es in !our 'ost ho&! *&aces 2herein !ou recei$e con$ersations< and
!our statutes and =ud,'ents< for the e,innin, of the re$e&ations and
foundation of ;ion< and for the ,&or!< honor< and endo2'ent of a&& her
'unici*a&s< are ordained ! the ordinance of '! ho&! house 2hich '! *eo*&e
are a&2a!s co''anded to ui&d unto '! ho&! na'e# And $eri&! I sa! unto
!ou< &et this house e ui&t unto '! na'e< that I 'a! re$ea& 'ine
ordinances therein< unto '! *eo*&e? for I dei,n to re$ea& unto '! Church
thin,s 2hich ha$e een 0e*t hid fro' efore the foundation of the 2ord<
thin,s that *ertain to the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es#-
The ordinances here 'entioned in addition to a*tis' for the dead are
chief&! connected 2ith the )riesthood of the Church< and 2ere fu&&!
de$e&o*ed in the teachin,s of the )ro*het efore the c&ose of his e$entfu&
career#
As to the status of trans&ated *ersona,es< he said+ -.an! ha$e
su**osed that the doctrine of trans&ation 2as a doctrine 2here! 'en 2ere
ta0en i''ediate&! into the *resence of 5od< and into an eterna& fu&ness<
ut this is a 'ista0en idea# Their *&ace of haitation is that of the
terrestria& order< and a *&ace *re*ared for such characters He he&d in
reser$e to e 'inisterin, an,e&s unto 'an! *&anets< and 2ho as !et ha$e
not entered into as ,reat a fu&&ness as those 2ho are resurrected fro' the
dead#-
Of 'an ein, *ersona&&! res*onsi&e for his o2n conduct< he is
re*orted ! the Editor of the Ti'es and Seasons as sa!in,+ -He Ithe
)ro*hetJ then oser$ed that Satan 2as ,enera&&! &a'ed for the e$i&s 2hich
2e did< ut if he 2as the cause of a&& our 2ic0edness< 'en cou&d not e
conde'ned# The de$i& cou&d not co'*e& 'an0ind to do e$i&? a&& 2as
$o&untar!# Those 2ho resisted the S*irit of 5od< 2ou&d e &ia&e to e &ed
into te'*tation< and then the association of hea$en 2ou&d e 2ithdra2n
fro' those 2ho refused to e 'ade *arta0ers of such ,reat ,&or!# 5od 2ou&d
not e/ert an! co'*u&sor! 'eans< and the de$i& cou&d not? and such ideas as
2ere entertained Ion these su=ectsJ ! 'an! 2ere asurd#- 3hat eautifu&
har'on! et2een the )ro*het+s doctrine here and that of the A*ost&e Ja'es+
-Let no 'an sa! 2hen he is te'*ted< I a' te'*ted of 5od+ for 5od cannot e
te'*ted 2ith e$i&< neither te'*teth he an! 'an+ "ut e$er! 'an is te'*ted<
2hen he is dra2n a2a! of his o2n &usts< and enticed# Then 2hen &ust hath
concei$ed< it rin,in, forth sin+ and sin 2hen it is finished< rin,eth
forth death#-
Of e&ection< a ter' used ,enera&&! in connection 2ith re*roation<
2hen co''entin, on the Nth Cha*ter of Ro'ans<--2herein )au& is su**osed to
teach the doctrine of e&ection<---the )ro*het is re*resented as sa!in,(
-He then s*o0e on the su=ect of e&ection< and read the Nth cha*ter of
Ro'ans< fro' 2hich it 2as e$ident that the e&ection there s*o0en of 2as
*ertainin, to the f&esh< and had reference to the seed of Araha'<
accordin, to the *ro'ise 5od 'ade to Araha'< sa!in,< -In thee< and in th!
seed< a&& the fa'i&ies of the earth sha&& e &essed# C C C The 2ho&e of
the cha*ter had reference to the )riesthood and the house of Israe&( and
unconditiona& e&ection of indi$idua&s to eterna& &ife 2as not tau,ht !
the A*ost&es# 5od did e&ect or *redestinate< that a&& those 2ho 2ou&d e
sa$ed< shou&d e sa$ed in Christ Jesus< and throu,h oedience to the
5os*e&< ut He *asses o$er no 'an+s sins< ut $isits the' 2ith correction<
and if His chi&dren 2i&& not re*ent of their sins He 2i&& discard the'#-
These se$era& doctrines 'ar0 ra*id de$e&o*'ent in the )ro*het+s 2or0
as an instructor in sacred thin,s< and c&ear&! indicate his increasin,
ca*acit! and *o2er as )ro*het< Seer and Teacher#
HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS#
)ERIOD I# HISTORY OF JOSE)H S.ITH THE )RO)HET#
%OLU.E I%
CHA)TER I# THE DE)ARTURE OF THE T3EL%E FOR
EN5LAND--.ANIFESTATION OF 5OD+S )O3ER IN HEALIN5 THE SIC1 AT CO..ERCE#
Frida!< Ju&! G< 789N#--I 2as dictatin, histor!< I sa! dictatin,< for
I se&do' use the *en '!se&f# I a&2a!s dictate a&& '! co''unications< ut
e'*&o! a scrie to 2rite the'#
Saturda!< :#--I 2as at ho'e re$ie2in, the Church records#
Sunda!< M#--I 2as at the 'eetin, he&d in the o*en air< at 2hich a
&ar,e asse'&a,e 2as e/*ected to &isten to the fare2e&& address of the
T2e&$e< 2ho 2ere then aout to ta0e their de*arture on a 'ost i'*ortant
'ission< na'e&! to the nations of the earth and the is&ands of the sea#
E&der John E# )a,e ein, the first of the T2e&$e *resent< o*ened the
'eetin, ! addressin, a fe2 2ords of an introductor! nature? after sin,in,
and *ra!er< E&der )a,e de&i$ered a $er! interestin, discourse on the
su=ect of the "oo0 of .or'on< reca*itu&atin,< in short ter's< the
*rinci*&es of a for'er discourse on the sa'e su=ect< and after2ards
*roceeded to read *ortions fro' the "i&e and "oo0 of .or'on concernin,
the est criterions 2here! to =ud,e of the authenticit! of the &atter?
and then 2ent on to sho2 in a $er! satisfactor! 'anner< that no i'*ostor
2ou&d e$er atte'*t to 'a0e such *ro'ises as are contained on *a,es fi$e
hundred fort!-one< and fi$e hundred and thirt!-four# He then ore
testi'on!#
After noon the 'eetin, 2as a,ain o*ened ! *ra!er# E&der John Ta!&or
s*o0e on the su=ect of this dis*ensation? the other an,e& 2hich John sa2<
ha$in, the e$er&astin, 5os*e& to *reach< he then ore testi'on! of the
truth of the "oo0 of .or'on#
E&der 3oodruff+s address 2ent chief&! to e/hortation to the Saints?
after 2hich he a&so ore his testi'on!#
E&der Orson H!de ne/t ca'e for2ard< and ha$in, a&&uded to his o2n
&ate fa&&<O e/horted a&& to *erse$erance in the thin,s of 5od< e/*ressed
hi'se&f one 2ith his rethren< and ore testi'on! to his 0no2&ed,e of the
truth< and the 'iser! of fa&&in, fro' it#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 'ade so'e $er! a**ro*riate re'ar0s< and a&so ore
testi'on! to the truth of these thin,s< and ,a$e an in$itation to co'e
for2ard and e a*ti4ed< 2hen three 'anifested their deter'ination to
renounce the 2or&d and ta0e u*on the'se&$es the na'e of Jesus Christ# One
rother 2as then confir'ed? after 2hich )resident Sidne! Ri,don addressed
the 'eetin, in a $er! fee&in, 'anner# He sho2ed that it 'ust e no s'a&&
'atter 2hich cou&d induce 'en to &ea$e their fa'i&ies and their ho'es to
tra$e& o$er a&& the earth a'idst *ersecutions and tria&s< such as a&2a!s
fo&&o2ed the *reachin, of this 5os*e&# He then addressed hi'se&f to the
T2e&$e and ,a$e the' so'e counse& and conso&ation as far as &a! in his
*o2er? after 2hich I re>uested their *ra!ers< and *ro'ised to *ra! for
the'#
The 'eetin, 2as &ar,e and res*ecta&e? a ,reat nu'er 2ere *resent
2ho did not e&on, to the Church# The 'ost *erfect order *re$ai&ed
throu,hout# The 'eetin, 2as dis'issed aout ha&f *ast fi$e< 2hen 2e
re*aired to the 2ater< and the three candidates 2ere a*ti4ed and
confir'ed#
.onda!< Tuesda! and 3ednesda!< 8th< Nth and 7Dth of Ju&!#--I 2as 2ith
the T2e&$e se&ectin, h!'ns< for the *ur*ose of co'*i&in, a h!'n oo0#
Aout this ti'e 'uch sic0ness e,an to 'anifest itse&f a'on, the
rethren< as 2e&& as a'on, the inhaitants of the *&ace< so that this 2ee0
and the fo&&o2in, 2ere ,enera&&! s*ent in $isitin, the sic0 and
ad'inisterin, to the'? so'e had faith enou,h and 2ere hea&ed? others had
not#
Sunda!< H7#--There 2as no 'eetin, on account of 'uch rain and 'uch
sic0ness? ho2e$er of the sic0 2ere this da! raised u* ! the *o2er of 5od<
throu,h the instru'enta&it! of the E&ders of Israe& 'inisterin, unto the'
in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
.onda! and Tuesda!< HHnd and H9rd#--The sic0 2ere ad'inistered unto
2ith ,reat success< ut 'an! re'ain sic0< and ne2 cases are occurrin,
dai&!#
Sunda! H8#--.eetin, 2as he&d as usua&# E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt *reached
on the ,atherin, of Israe&# In the afternoon Orson )ratt addressed the
Church on the necessit! of 0ee*in, the co''and'ents of 5od# I s*o0e< and
ad'onished the 'e'ers of the Church indi$idua&&! to set their houses in
order< to 'a0e c&ean the inside of the *&atter< and to 'eet on the ne/t
Saath to *arta0e of the Sacra'ent< in order that ! our oedience to the
ordinances< 2e 'i,ht e ena&ed to *re$ai& 2ith 5od a,ainst the destro!er<
and that the sic0 'i,ht e hea&ed#
A&& this 2ee0 chief&! s*ent a'on, the sic0< 2ho in ,enera& are
,ainin, stren,th< and reco$erin, hea&th#
Sunda!< Au,ust @#--The Church ca'e to,ether for *ra!er 'eetin, and
Sacra'ent# I e/horted the Church at &en,th< concernin, the necessit! of
ein, ri,hteous< and c&ean at heart efore the Lord# .an! others a&so
s*o0e? es*ecia&&! so'e of the T2e&$e< 2ho 2ere *resent< *rofessed their
2i&&in,ness to *roceed on their 'ission to Euro*e< 2ithout either *urse or
scri*# The Sacra'ent 2as ad'inistered? a s*irit of hu'i&it! and har'on!
*re$ai&ed< and the Church *assed a reso&ution that the T2e&$e *roceed on
their 'ission as soon as *ossi&e< and that the Saints *ro$ide for their
fa'i&ies durin, their asence#
Letter to Isaac Russe&&< re*ro$in, hi' for issuin, *retended
re$e&ations to the Saints#
CO..ERCE< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< Gth Au,ust< 789N#
DEAR SIR(--I ha$e een re>uested to 2rite !ou on eha&f of the
T2e&$e< 2ho are =ust on the e$e of their de*arture for En,&and< and infor'
!ou< that -this thin,- 2hich !ou ha$e thou,ht *ro*er to 2rite as a
re$e&ation -to the Church in A&ston and the ranches round aout<- to
2hich !ou !ourse&f ad'inistered< has -a&read! co'e to the 0no2&ed,e of the
Churches- oth here and e&se2here< and &est !ou shou&d ha$e an! dout
concernin, the fact< 2e send !ou a co*! of !our re$e&ation to that Church#
I a' sir< 2ith a&& res*ect< Yours tru&!< JA.ES .ULHOLLAND#
)# S#--Isaiah cha*# I< 7Dth and 77th $erses# In '! o2n eha&f I 2ish
to state that I sincere&! 2ish that it 'a! soon co'e to *ass that !ou<
sir< and a&& our friends at Far 3est 'a! *ercei$e that !ou are 2a&0in, in
the &i,ht of a fire< and s*ar0s that !ou ha$e !ourse&$es 0ind&ed? and that
!ou 'a! turn around and fear the Lord< oe! the $oice of His ser$ant< and
there! esca*e the sentence< -Ye sha&& &ie do2n in sorro2#- J# .#
To .r# Isaac Russe&&< Far 3est< .issouri#
Frida!< N#--A Conference 2as he&d at "rother Ca&e "ennett+s .on'outh
Count!< Ne2 Jerse!< E&der John )# 5reene *residin,# The Ne2 Yor0 and
"roo0&!n ranches 2ere re*resented ! the )resident as ein, in ,ood
fe&&o2shi*# There 2ere re*resented at this conference the fo&&o2in,
ranches< ! E&der "a&&< Shre2sur!< Ne2 Jerse!< nu'erin, t2ent! 'e'ers?
.onta,e< three? .inissin0< Ne2 Ha'*shire< t2o? A&an!< ei,ht? Ho&&iston<
.assachusetts< si/teen? E&der Dunha' re*resented Ha'i&ton< .adison Count!<
fort!-si/? Sa'ue& Ja'es< Leechur,< )enns!&$ania< fort!#
Sunda!< 77#--I attended 'eetin, in the forenoon and heard a ser'on !
)ar&e! )# )ratt# In the afternoon there 2as one a*ti4ed< and four 2ere
confir'ed< na'e&!<
"rother Hiard< his 2ife< &itt&e son< and dau,hter# The Sacra'ent
2as ad'inistered#
This 2ee0 I s*ent chief&! in $isitin, the sic0? sic0ness 'uch
decreased#
Sunda!< 78#--Rode out in the forenoon# Orson )ratt *reached u*on the
order and *&an of creation# Three 2ere a*ti4ed#
Afternoon( Three confir'ed and one ordained an E&der#
This 2ee0 I s*ent chief&! a'on, the sic0# The Church 'ade a *urchase
of ei,ht! acres fro' 3i&&ia' 3hite for four thousand do&&ars< &!in,
direct&! north of the Hu,h 3hite *urchase#
Sunda!< HG#--I attended 'eetin,# Sic0ness decreasin,#
Thursda!< HN#--E&ders )ar&e! )# )ratt and fa'i&! Orson )ratt and
Hira' C&ar0< started on their 'ission to En,&and< in their o2n t2o-horse
carria,e--their route &!in, throu,h I&&inois< Indiana< and to Detroit< the
ca*ita& of .ichi,an< situated near the head of La0e Erie< aout fi$e
hundred and ei,ht! 'i&es distant#
Saturda!< 97#--The 2or0 is s*readin, in En,&and# EIder Richards 2ent
to the Staffordshire *otteries this da!< and )residents Jose*h Fie&din,
and 3i&&ia' C&a!ton 2ere $isitin, and settin, in order 'an! of the
ranches< and ordainin, 'an! to the 'inistr! 2ho are di&i,ent in *reachin,
as the! ha$e o**ortunit! on the Saath in the surroundin, $i&&a,es#
Sunda!< Se*te'er 7#--I attended 'eetin,< and s*o0e concernin, so'e
errors in )ar&e! )# )ratt+s 2ritin,s# This 2ee0 sic0ness 'uch decreased#
.onda!< N< and the ,reater *art of the 2ee0#--I s*ent in $isitin, the
sic0< and attendin, to the sett&e'ent of our ne2 to2n#
The )ro*het+s Letter to Isaac 5a&&and#--Nau$oo Affairs#
CO..ERCE< ILLINOIS< 77th Se*te'er< 789N#
DEAR "ROTHER 5ALLAND(--3e ha$e had the ,reat *&easure of recei$in,
!our fa$or of the H@th Ju&!? and &earnin, there! that !ou and !our fa'i&!
had arri$ed at Chi&&icothe in safet! and in hea&th# 3e *ercei$e that !ou
ha$e had a rather narro2 esca*e fro' a serious accident? and dout&ess the
hand of the Lord is to e ac0no2&ed,ed in the 'atter< a&thou,h un*ercei$ed
! 'orta& e!e# Ti'e and e/*erience 2i&& teach us 'ore and 'ore ho2 easi&!
fa&sehood ,ains credence 2ith 'an0ind in ,enera&< rather than the truth?
ut es*ecia&&! in ta0in, into consideration the *&an of sa&$ation# The
*&ain si'*&e order of the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ ne$er has een discerned
or ac0no2&ed,ed as the truth< e/ce*t ! a fe2--a'on, 2ho' 2ere -not 'an!
2ise 'en after the f&esh< not 'an! 'i,ht!< not 'an! no&e? - 2hi&st the
'a=orit! ha$e contented the'se&$es 2ith their o2n *ri$ate o*inions< or
ha$e ado*ted those of others< accordin, to their address< their
*hi&oso*h!< their for'u&a< their *o&ic!< or their fineness 'a! ha$e
attracted their attention< or *&eased their taste# "ut< sir< of a&& the
other criterions 2here! 2e 'a! =ud,e of the $anit! of these thin,s< one
2i&& e a&2a!s found true< na'e&!< that 2e 2i&& a&2a!s find such
characters ,&or!in, in their o2n 2isdo' and their o2n 2or0s? 2hi&st the
hu'&e Saint ,i$es a&& the ,&or! to 5od the Father< and to His Son Jesus
Christ< 2hose !o0e is eas! and 2hose urden is &i,ht< and 2ho to&d His
disci*&es that un&ess the! eca'e &i0e &itt&e chi&dren the! cou&d not
enter the 1in,do' of Hea$en#
As to the situation of the Church here< 'atters ,o 2ith us as 2e&& as
can reasona&! e e/*ected? 2e ha$e had considera&e sic0ness a'on,st us<
ut $er! fe2 deaths? and as the ,reater *art are no2 reco$erin, 2e !et
ho*e to ha$e she&ters *ro$ided efore the 2inter sha&& set in#
Since !ou &eft here< 2e ha$e *urchased out a&& .r# Hotch0iss+
interest hereaouts# His far' 2e ha$e &aid out as an addition to our to2n<
Nau$oo< and the to2n of Co''erce 2e a&so ho*e to ui&d u*#
So'e of the T2e&$e and others ha$e a&read! started for Euro*e< and
the re'ainder of that 'ission 2e e/*ect 2i&& ,o no2 in a fe2 da!s#
Accordin, to inte&&i,ence recei$ed since !ou &eft< the 2or0 of the Lord
ro&&s on in a $er! *&easin, 'anner< oth in this and in the o&d countr!#
In En,&and 'an! hundreds ha$e of &ate een added to our nu'ers? ut so<
e$en so< it 'ust e< for -E*hrai' he hath 'i/ed hi'se&f a'on, the *eo*&e#-
And the Sa$ior He hath said< -.! shee* hear '! $oice?- and a&so< -He that
heareth !ou< heareth 'e?- and< -"eho&d I 2i&& rin, the' a,ain fro' the
north countr!< and ,ather the' fro' the coasts of the earth#- And as John
heard the $oice sa!in,< -Co'e out of her< '! *eo*&e< -e$en so 'ust a&& e
fu&fi&&ed? that the *eo*&e of the Lord 'a! &i$e 2hen -"a!&on the ,reat is
fa&&en< is fa&&en#-
There has >uite a nu'er of fa'i&ies ,athered u* here a&read!? and 2e
antici*ate a continuance< es*ecia&&! as u*on in>uir! 2e ha$e found that 2e
ha$e not had 'ore than Ithe usua&J ratio of sic0ness here< not2ithstandin,
the tria&s 2e ha$e had< and the hardshi*s to 2hich 2e ha$e een e/*osed#
Ca&cu&atin, as 2e do< u*on the 'erc! and *o2er of 5od in our eha&f< 2e
ho*e to *erse$ere on in e$er! ,ood and usefu& 2or0< e$en unto the end<
that 2hen 2e co'e to e tried in the a&ance 2e 'a! not e found 2antin,#
3ith a&& ,ood 2ishes and *ra!ers for the te'*ora& and eterna&
sa&$ation of !ourse&f and !our fa'i&!< as 2e&& as of a&& the honest in
heart o$er the face of the earth<
3e re'ain< sir< 2ith sincerit!< Your friend and rother< JOSE)H
S.ITH< Jun#
Addressed to Isaac 5a&&and< Es>#< 1irt&and< 5eau,a< Count!< Ohio#
Frida!< 79#--I &eft ho'e for "rother 3i&&ia' S'ith+s *&ace#
Saturda!< 7@#--)resident "ri,ha' Youn, started fro' his ho'e at
.ontrose< for En,&and# His hea&th 2as $er! *oor? he 2as una&e to ,o
thirt! rods to the ri$er 2ithout assistance# After he had crossed the
ferr! he ,ot "rother Israe& "ar&o2 to carr! hi' on his horse ehind hi' to
Heer C# 1i'a&&+s 2here he re'ained sic0 unti& the 78th# He &eft his 2ife
sic0 2ith a ae on&! ten da!s o&d< and a&& his chi&dren sic0< una&e to
2ait u*on each other# I returned ho'e this e$enin,#
Sunda!< 7G#--I 2as $isitin, the sic0#
.onda! and Tuesda!< 7: and 7M#--3as en,a,ed in arran,in, the to2n
&ots#
3ednesda!< 78#--3ent to "ur&in,ton< Io2a Territor!# E&ders Youn, and
1i'a&& &eft Sister 1i'a&& and a&& her chi&dren sic0< e/ce*t &itt&e
Heer? 2ent thirteen 'i&es on their =ourne! to2ards En,&and and 2ere &eft
at "rother Os'on .# Due&+s 2ho &i$ed in a s'a&& cain near the rai&2a!
et2een Co''erce and 3arsa2# The! 2ere so fee&e as to e una&e to carr!
their trun0s into the house 2ithout the assistance of Sister Due&< 2ho
recei$ed the' 0ind&!< *re*ared a ed for the' to &ie on< and 'ade the' a
cu* of tea#
Thursda!< 7N#--I Returned this e$enin, fro' "ur&in,ton#
"rother Due& carried E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& in his 2a,on to Li'a<
si/teen 'i&es< 2here another rother recei$ed the' and carried the' to
Father .i0ese&&+s near Auinc!< aout t2ent! 'i&es? the fati,ue of this da!
2as too 'uch for their fee&e hea&th? the! 2ere *rostrated< and o&i,ed to
tarr! a fe2 da!s to recruit#
Frida! and Saturda!< HD and H7#--At ho'e attendin, to do'estic and
Church usiness#
E&ders 5eor,e A# S'ith< Reuen Hed&oc0< and Theodore Tur&e! started
for En,&and< and u*set their 2a,on on the an0 of the ri$er< efore the!
,ot out of si,ht of Co''erce# E&ders S'ith and Tur&e! 2ere so 2ea0 the!
cou&d not ,et u*< and "rother Hed&oc0 had to &ift the' in a,ain# Soon
after< so'e ,ent&e'en 'et the' and as0ed 2ho had een roin, the ur!in,
,round--so 'isera&e 2as their a**earance throu,h sic0ness#
Sunda!< HH#--I *resided at the 'eetin,< and s*o0e concernin, the
-other Co'forter<- as I had *re$ious&! tau,ht the T2e&$e#
This 2ee0 I s*ent in transactin, $arious usiness at ho'e< e/ce*t
2hen $isitin, the sic0< 2ho are in ,enera& reco$erin,< thou,h so'e of the'
ut s&o2&!#
3ednesda!< HG#--)resident Youn, 2ent to Char&es C# Rich+s? H:th< to
"rother 3i&er+s? HMth< "rother 3i&er carried E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& to
)ittsfie&d#
Sunda!< HN#--He&d 'eetin, at '! o2n house# After others had s*o0en I
s*o0e and e/*&ained concernin, the use&essness of *reachin, to the 2or&d
aout ,reat =ud,'ents< ut rather to *reach the si'*&e 5os*e&# E/*&ained
concernin, the co'in, of the Son of .an? a&so that it is a fa&se idea that
the Saints 2i&& esca*e a&& the =ud,'ents< 2hi&st the 2ic0ed suffer? for
a&& f&esh is su=ect to suffer< and -the ri,hteous sha&& hard&! esca*e?-
sti&& 'an! of the Saints 2i&& esca*e< for the =ust sha&& &i$e ! faith?
!et 'an! of the ri,hteous sha&& fa&& a *re! to disease< to *esti&ence<
etc#< ! reason of the 2ea0ness of the f&esh< and !et e sa$ed In the
1in,do' of 5od# So that it is an unha&&o2ed *rinci*&e to sa! that such and
such ha$e trans,ressed ecause the! ha$e een *re!ed u*on ! disease or
death< for a&& f&esh is su=ect to death? and the Sa$ior has said< -=ud,e
not< &est !e e =ud,ed#-
.onda!< 9D#--The fore *art of this 2ee0 I 2as at ho'e *re*arin, for
Conference# E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& 2ent to "rother Dec0er+s and .r#
.urra!+s< Sister 1i'a&&+s father#
Tuesda!< Octoer 7#--E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& 2ent to "rother Loren4o
Youn,+s#
Thursda!< 9#--I 2as in counse& 2ith the rethren#
Frida!< @#--Loren4o Youn, carried E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& to
Jac0son$i&&e#
Saturda!< G#--The friends and rethren con$e!ed the E&ders of the
"ritish .ission to S*rin,fie&d< 2here the! 2ere 0ind&! treated and nursed<
for the! 2ere !et $er! fee&e#
I attended a ,enera& conference of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-da! Saints at Co''erce< Hancoc0 Count!< I&&inois< of
2hich the fo&&o2in, are the 'inutes(
.inutes of Conference at Co''erce< I&&inois< Octoer :th< Mth and
8th< 789N#
The 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! *ra!er ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
after 2hich he 2as a**ointed )resident< and Ja'es S&oan C&er0 of the
conference< ! a unani'ous $oice of the 'eetin,# The )resident then s*o0e
at so'e &en,th u*on the situation of the Church? the difficu&ties the!
ha$e had to contend 2ith? and the 'anner in 2hich the! had een &ed to
this *&ace? and 2anted to 0no2 the $ie2s of the rethren< 2hether the!
2ished to a**oint this a sta0e of ;ion or not? statin, that he e&ie$ed it
to e a ,ood *&ace< and suited for the Saints# It 2as then unani'ous&!
a,reed u*on that it shou&d e a**ointed a sta0e and a *&ace of ,atherin,
for the Saints#
The fo&&o2in, officers 2ere then a**ointed--na'e&!< 3i&&ia' .ar0s to
e )resident? "isho* 3hitne! to e "isho* of 'idd&e 2ard? "isho* )artrid,e
to e "isho* of u**er 2ard? "isho* 1ni,ht to e "isho* of &o2er 2ard?
5eor,e 3# Harris< Sa'ue& "ent< Henr! 5# Sher2ood< Da$id Fu&&'er< A&*heus
Cut&er< 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< Tho'as 5ro$er< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< Char&es C# Rich<
Da$id Dort< Se!'our "runson< Le2is D# 3i&son< to e the Hi,h Counci&? 2ho
ein, res*ectfu&&! ca&&ed u*on acce*ted their a**oint'ent#
It 2as then $oted that a sta0e of the Church e esta&ished on the
2est side of the ri$er< in Io2a Territor!? o$er 2hich E&der John S'ith 2as
a**ointed )resident? A&anson Ri*&e!< "isho*? and Asahe& S'ith John .#
"ur0< Araha' O# S'oot< Richard Ho2ard< 3i&&ard Sno2< Erastus Sno2< Da$id
)etti,re2< E&i=ah Fordha'< Ed2ard Fisher< E&ias S'ith< John )atten<
Ste*hen Chase< 2ere e&ected Hi,h Counci&# Don C# S'ith 2as e&ected to e
continued as )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood IHi,h )riest+s >uoru'J#
Orson H!de to stand in his for'er office< Ian A*ost&eJ and 3i&&ia' S'ith
to e continued in his standin,< Iin the >uoru' of the T2e&$e#J
Letters 2ere then read res*ectin, the asence of 'e'ers on account
of i&& hea&th# It 2as $oted that Har&o2 Redfie&d e sus*ended unti& he can
ha$e a tria&? and in the 'eanti'e that he shou&d not act as *resident of a
ranch< or *reach#
%oted that John Da&e!< Ja'es Da&e!< and .i&o Andrus retain their
station in the Church# %oted that E*hrai' O2en+s confession for disoe!in,
the 3ord of 3isdo' e acce*ted#
"rothers Ed2ard Johnston< "en=a'in Johnston< Sa'ue& .usic0< John S#
Fu&&'er< Jae4 La0e< "en=a'in Jones< Henr! Our "ou,h< Reddin A# A&&red<
5eor,e 3# 5ee< Jesse .cInt!re< Ja'es
"ro2n< Henr! .i&&er< Arte'as Johnson< Jose*h 5# Ho$e!< Roert D#
Foster< Fie&ds "# Jaca2a!< ;ado0 "ethers< 3i&&ia' A&&red< 3i&&ia' "#
Si''ons< 3i&&ia' 3# Ed2ards< Sen#< 3i&&ia' H# Ed2ards< Jun#< Hosea Stout<
Tho'as Rich< A&&en J# Stout< Esaias Ed2ards< John Ada's< Danie& .i&&er<
Si'eon J# Co'fort< 5raha' Co&trin< 3i&&ia' H!de< Andre2 Henr!< Reddic0 N#
A&&red< E&i Lee< Hira' 3# .i0ese&& and Tho'as S# Ed2ards 2ere a**ointed
E&ders of the Church< 2ho a&& acce*ted of their a**oint'ent< 2ith the
e/ce*tion of Tho'as S# Ed2ards#
John 5a!&ord 2as ad'itted into the Church u*on his confession# Ae&
Casto 2as confir'ed ! the &a!in, on of hands#
The 'eetin, then ad=ourned unti& Sunda! 'ornin,? after 2hich si/ 2ere
a*ti4ed ! Jose*h S'ith< Jun# The asse'&! 2as $er! &ar,e#
The conference 'et on Sunda! 'ornin,< the :th< *ursuant to
ad=ourn'ent at ei,ht o+c&oc0 a#'#< 2hen Sa'ue& 3i&&ia's< Reuen Foot<
Or&ando D# Ho$e!< Tunis Ra**&e!ee< Sheffie&d Danie&s< A&ert .i&ner< Da$id
"# S'ith< Eene4er Richardson< )&easant E2e&&< and 3i&&ia' He&' 2ere
a**ointed E&ders of the Church< and 2ere ordained under the hands of
Re!no&ds Cahoon< Se!'our "runson< Sa'ue& "ent and A&*heus Cut&er#
After so'e re'ar0s fro' the )resident res*ectin, order< and decoru'
durin, conference< E&der L!'an 3i,ht s*o0e concernin, the duties of
)riests and Teachers# )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< then addressed the
conference< in re&ation to a**ointin, a )atriarch< and other 'atters
connected 2ith the 2e&& ein, of the Church#
Ha$in, no2 ,ot throu,h the usiness 'atters< the )resident *roceeded
to ,i$e instruction to the E&ders res*ectin, *reachin, the 5os*e&< and
*ressed u*on the' the necessit! of ,ettin, the S*irit< so that the! 'i,ht
*reach 2ith the Ho&! 5host sent do2n fro' hea$en? to e carefu& in
s*ea0in, on those su=ects 2hich are not c&ear&! *ointed out in the 2ord
of 5od< 2hich &ead to s*ecu&ation and strife#
Those *ersons 2ho had een a*ti4ed< 2ere then confir'ed< and se$era&
chi&dren recei$ed &essin,s ! E&ders Cut&er< "ent< and "runson# E&der
L!'an 3i,ht then addressed the 'eetin, on the su=ect of raisin, funds !
contriution< to2ards *a!in, for the &ands 2hich had een contracted for
as a sett&e'ent for the Church< after 2hich contriutions 2ere recei$ed
for that *ur*ose#
Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee 2as a**ointed to acco'*an! )residents Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don to the cit! of 3ashin,ton#
The 'eetin, then ad=ourned unti& .onda! 'ornin,#
Conference 'et on .onda! 'ornin,< Octoer Mth< *ursuant to
ad=ourn'ent#
The )resident s*o0e at so'e &en,th to the E&ders< and e/*&ained 'an!
*assa,es of Scri*ture# E&der L!'an 3i,ht s*o0e on the su=ect of the
resurrection< and other i'*ortant su=ects? 2hen he offered the fo&&o2in,
reso&ution< 2hich *assed unani'ous&!?
Reso&$ed( That a ne2 edition of H!'n "oo0s e *rinted i''ediate&!<
and that the one *u&ished ! D# 3# Ro,ers e utter&! discarded ! the
Church#
E&der E4ra Ha!es 2as then *ut u*on tria& for teachin, doctrine
in=urious to the Church< and for fa&sehoods< 2hich 2ere *ro$en a,ainst
hi'? his &icense 2as ta0en fro' hi'< and he re>uired to ,i$e satisfaction
to those 2ho' he had offended#
Char,es ha$in, een *referred a,ainst "rother Ro,ers< it 2as a,reed
that the case e handed o$er to the Hi,h Counci&#
Asahe& )err! 'ade a**&ication to e recei$ed into fe&&o2shi*< and 2as
$oted into his for'er standin,#
After ha$in, referred the usiness not ,one into< to the Hi,h
Counci&< the )resident then returned than0s to the conference for their
,ood attention and &iera&it!< and ha$in, &essed the' in the na'e of the
Lord< the conference 2as dis'issed#
The ne/t conference 2as a**ointed to e he&d on the si/th da! of
A*ri& ne/t#
Tuesda!< 8#--After conference< this 2ee0 I 2as 'ost&! en,a,ed in
attendin, to the ,enera& affairs of the Church< and *rinci*a&&! aout
ho'e#
Frida!< 77#--This e$enin,< E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&&< 5eor,e A# S'ith<
Hed&oc0< and Tur&e! started fro' S*rin,fie&d< tra$e&ed ei,ht 'i&es on
their =ourne!< and sta!ed 2ith Father Dra*er#
Saturda!< 7H#--The E&ders of the "ritish .ission &eft Father Dra*er+s
and *ursued their =ourne! to2ard Terre Haute#
This da! )resident "ri,ha' Youn,+s father< John Youn,< Sen#< died at
Auinc!< Ada's Count!< I&&inois# He 2as in his se$ent!-se$enth !ear< and a
so&dier of the Re$o&ution# He 2as a&so a fir' e&ie$er in the e$er&astin,
5os*e& of Jesus Christ? and fe&& as&ee* under the inf&uence of that faith
that uo!ed u* his sou&< in the *an,s of death< to a ,&orious ho*e of
i''orta&it!? fu&&! testif!in, to a&&< that the re&i,ion he en=o!ed in &ife
2as a&e to su**ort hi' in death# He 2as dri$en fro' .issouri 2ith the
Saints in the &atter *art of &ast !ear# He died a 'art!r to the re&i,ion
of Jesus< for his death 2as caused ! his sufferin,s in the crue&
*ersecution#
Sunda!< 79#--I attended 'eetin, in the ,ro$e# The asse'&! 2as s'a&&
on account of the co&d 2eather#
Tuesda!< 7G#--In the afternoon I 2ent to Auinc! in co'*an! 2ith
"rother H!ru' S'ith< John S# Fu&&'er< and "isho* 1ni,ht# Auite a nu'er of
fa'i&ies 'o$in, into Co''erce#
Thursda!< 7M#--The rethren arri$ed at Terre Haute# "rothers S'ith<
Hed&oc0< and Tur&e! sto**ed at "rother Nahu' .i&ton Sto2+s#
In the e$enin, Doctor .odisett 2ent do2n to see the rethren< and
a**eared to e $er! 'uch affected to see the' so sic0< and ha$in, to &ie
u*on the f&oor on a stra2 ed that had een *ut in to the 2a,on at
S*rin,fie&d< ! the rethren< for E&der Youn, to &ie on< as he 2as not
a&e to sit u* 2hen he &eft there# 3hen the doctor returned ho'e< he to&d
E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&&< he cou&d not refrain fro' sheddin, tears to see
the rethren ,oin, u*on such a &on, 'ission< and in such sufferin,
circu'stances# E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& said the! thou,ht the doctor 'i,ht
ha$e re&ie$ed the' fro' -their sufferin, and indi,ent circu'stances u*on
their &on, 'ission<- for he to&d the' in the course of the e$enin,< that
his ta/es in that *&ace a'ounted to o$er four hundred do&&ars< esides
ha$in, other *ro*ert! to a ,reat a'ount#
E&der 1i'a&& 2as $er! sic0? he sto**ed 2ith "rother Youn, at Doctor
.odisett+s# In the e$enin, Doctor .odisett ,a$e E&der 1i'a&& aout fort!
dro*s of 'or*hine< sa!in, it 2ou&d re&ie$e hi' of his distress< and
*roa&! he 2ou&d ,et a na*# In aout fifteen 'inutes "rother 1i'a&&
co'*&ained of fee&in, $er! stran,e? he rose fro' his seat and 2ou&d ha$e
fa&&en< ut "rother Youn, cau,ht hi' and ,ent&! eased hi' to the f&oor<
2here he &a! for so'e ti'e? and it 2as ! faith and the c&ose attention of
"rother Youn, and the fa'i&! that his &ife 2as *reser$ed throu,h the
ni,ht#
Frida!< 78#--"rothers S'ith< Hed&oc0< and Tur&e! 2ent on their
=ourne!#
Saturda!< 7N#--The Hi,h Counci& a**ointed for the Sta0e of the Church
in Io2a< 'et at Asahe& S'ith+s< Nash$i&&e< and or,ani4ed ? John S'ith<
)resident? E&ias S'ith< C&er0? Re!no&ds Cahoon and L!'an 3i,ht 2ere chosen
Counse&ors to )resident John S'ith< and a**ro$ed ! the Counci&# Counci&
or,ani4ed accordin, to nu'er# .inutes of the Nau$oo Hi,h Counci&< HDth
Octoer< 789N#
The 'e'ers of the Hi,h Counci& e&ected at the Octoer conference<
'et and or,ani4ed at 3# D# Huntin,ton+s< 2here Har&o2 Redfie&d 2as
restored to fe&&o2shi*? and $oted that this Hi,h Counci& disfe&&o2shi* an!
and a&& *ersons that sha&& hereafter carr! o$er or ferr! across the ri$er<
an! *eo*&e or frei,ht to the in=ur! of said ferr! fro' Co''erce to
.ontrose#
%oted that the Horse "oat e re*aired fro' the 'one!s recei$ed on
sa&e of &ots in Nau$oo< and that D# C# Da$is e 'aster of said ferr! oat
for the ensuin, !ear#
%oted that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and his fa'i&! e e/e'*t fro'
recei$in, in future such cro2ds of $isitors as ha$e for'er&! thron,ed his
house? and that the sa'e e *u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons#
%oted that this Counci& disfe&&o2shi* an! and a&& *ersons 2ho sha&&
0no2in,&! suffer and a&&o2 an! ani'a& Esu=ect to their contro&F to
destro! the cro*s< fruit< or *&ants of the earth e&on,in, to an! other
*erson or *ersons< and to their in=ur!< and that this reso&ution e
*u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons#
Ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 e$enin,#
Hi,h Counci& 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent< and $oted that )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ,o as a de&e,ate to 3ashin,ton? and that if he 2ent he
shou&d ha$e a reco''end fro' the Counci&#
%oted that Ja'es .u&ho&&and e C&er0 for the &and contracts< 2hen
needed ! )resident S'ith? that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< e treasurer of said
Church< and Ja'es .u&ho&&and su-treasurer#
%oted that Henr! 5# Sher2ood shou&d set the *rice u*on< e/hiit<
contract and se&& to2n &ots in Nau$oo< 2hen needed< and re*ort his doin,s
to )residents Jose*h S'ith and H!ru' S'ith< for their a**ro$a&< and that
fi$e hundred do&&ars e the a$era,e *rice of &ots< i#e#< none &ess than
t2o hundred do&&ars< nor 'ore than ei,ht hundred do&&ars#
%oted that the Hi,h Counci& 'eet e$er! Sunda! e$enin, at Di'ic0
Huntin,ton+s? that D# C# Da$is ha$e thirt! do&&ars *er 'onth for his
ser$ices as ferr!'an? and that these *roceedin,s e *u&ished in the Ti'es
and Seasons# ISi,nedJ HENRY 5# SHER3OOD< C&er0#
Tuesda!< HH#--"rother Ja'es .odisett too0 E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& in
his father+s carria,e and carried the' t2ent! 'i&es to the house of
"rother Addison )ratt? fro' thence the! 2ere carried ! E&der A&'on 3#
"aitt to )&easant 5arden< and *ut u* 2ith "rother Jonathan Cros!# E&der
A&'on "aitt 2as *reachin, in that re,ion 2ith ,ood success? he had
a*ti4ed fi$e#
Saturda!< H:#--"rother "aitt too0 E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& ten
'i&es on their 2a! to Father Scott+s#
1in, Fo&&ett< the &ast of the rethren in onds in .issouri< had his
tria& and 2as set free so'e ti'e *re$ious to this da!#
Sunda!< HM#--John Scott too0 E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& on their 2a!
fifteen 'i&es< so'e *art of it in the rain? the! 2ere !et $er! fee&e< and
*ut u* at a ta$ern in "e&$i&&e< and 2hen the sta,e coach ca'e a&on,< too0
*assa,e< and rode ni,ht and da! to 3i&&o2!< near 1irt&and#
The Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo $oted that the C&er0+s fees of Ja'es
.u&ho&&and e thirt! do&&ars *er 'onth? that the treasurer *a! %inson
1ni,ht one hundred and fift! do&&ars< for the Io2a side of the ferr! at
.ontrose as *er charter#
%oted< that Sister E''a S'ith se&ect and *u&ish a h!'n oo0 for the
use of the Church< and that "ri,ha' Youn, e infor'ed of this action and
he not *u&ish the h!'ns ta0en ! hi' fro' Co''erce? and that the
Counci& assist in *u&ishin, a h!'n oo0 and the Ti'es and Seasons#
.onda!< H8#--The Hi,h Counci& $oted to ui&d a stone house at U**er
Co''erce< to e used for oardin,? that E&der O&i$er 5ran,er e re>uested
to assist 2ith funds to *rint the h!'n oo0? that Sa'ue& Dent< Da$ison
Hiard< and Da$id Dort e trustees for ui&din, the stone schoo&house in
conte'*&ation? and that A&*heus Cut&er and Jae4 Dur*h! e the architects
and ui&din, co''ittee for said house#
%oted< to finish the office of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
%oted< that the reco''ends dra2n ! E&der Sher2ood< reco''endin,<
constitutin,< and a**ointin, Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< and E&ias
Hi,ee< de&e,ates for the Church< to i'*ortune the )resident and Con,ress
of the United States for redress of ,rie$ances< e si,ned ! this Counci&#
CHA)TER II#
THE )RO)HET+S JOURNEY TO 3ASHIN5TON--THE )ETITION OF THE SAINTS
TO THE CON5RESS OF THE UNITED STATES FOR REDRESS OF THE 3RON5S
INFLICTED U)ON THE. IN .ISSOURI#
Tuesda!< HN#--I &eft Nau$oo acco'*anied ! Sidne! Ri,don< E&ias
Hi,ee< and Orrin )# Roc02e&&< in a t2o-horse carria,e for the cit! of
3ashin,ton< to &a! efore the Con,ress of the United States< the
,rie$ances of the Saints 2hi&e in .issouri# 3e *assed throu,h Cartha,e<
and sta!ed at Jud,e Hi,ee+s o$er ni,ht< and the ne/t da! 2e arri$ed at
Auinc!#
Thursda!< 97#--3e tarried at Auinc! to co'*&ete the necessar! *a*ers
for our 'ission# E&der Ri,don 2as sic0#
Frida!< No$e'er 7#--3e *ursued our =ourne! to2ards S*rin,fie&d<
I&&inois< and *ut u* 2ith "rother 3i&er< 2here 2e found Doctor Roert D#
Foster< 2ho ad'inistered to E&der Ri,don#
Saturda!< H#--Continued our =ourne!< and durin, the da! *ut u* 2ith a
friend on the an0 of the I&&inois ri$er< so that Dr# Foster< 2ho had
acco'*anied us so far for that *ur*ose< 'i,ht ad'inister 'edicine to E&der
Ri,don a,ain#
Sunda!< 9#--Continued our =ourne! and staid 2ith a friend o$er ni,ht#
Dr# Foster continued to acco'*an! us#
E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& arri$ed at C&e$e&and< Ohio< aout 7 o+c&oc0
in the 'ornin,? and 2hi&e 2aitin, for the sta,e unti& aout noon< E&ders
S'ith< Tur&e!< and Hed&oc0< 2ho &eft the' at Terre Haute< dro$e u*< ha$in,
*ic0ed u* E&der Ta!&or ! the 2a!< he ha$in, een &eft sic0 ! his co'*an!
in the east *art of Indiana# The! 2ere in ,ood hea&th< co'*ared 2ith 2hat
the! had een< and in fine s*irits# 5eor,e A# S'ith tarried in C&e$e&and
ti&& the ne/t da!< to $isit his re&ati$es# "rothers Youn,< 1i'a&&<
Ta!&or< and Tur&e! rode in the sta,e< and "rother Hed&oc0 and .r# .urra!
in their 2a,on to 3i&&ou,h!< and fro' thence the! a&& rode into 1irt&and
to,ether#
.onda!< @#--3e arri$ed at S*rin,fie&d< and *ut u* 2ith "rother John
Snider# 3hen 2ithin one 'i&e of the cit!< 2e 'et 3i&&ia' La2 and co'*an!
2ith se$en 2a,ons fro' Canada< 2ho returned 2ith us to S*rin,fie&d< and
tarried 2hi&e 2e did< unti& the 8th# I *reached se$era& ti'es 2hi&e here#
5enera& Ja'es Ada's< =ud,e of *roate< heard of 'e< sou,ht 'e out< and
too0 'e ho'e 2ith hi'< and treated 'e &i0e a father#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, and his rother John $isited their sister<
.rs# 1ent#
There 2as so'e di$ision of senti'ent a'on, the 1irt&and rethren#
Thursda!< M#--The Hi,h Counci& of Io2a co'*&eted their or,ani4ation
at E&i=ah Fordha'+s< at .ontrose#
Frida!< 8#--3e started fro' S*rin,fie&d# Dr# Foster ha$in, conc&uded
to continue on the =ourne! on account of E&der Ri,don+s hea&th< 2hich 2as
sti&& >uite *oor# 3e *ursued our =ourne! throu,h Indiana to2ards Co&u'us<
Ohio# The tra$e&in, 2as ad< and our *ro,ress s&o2#
Sunda!< 7D#--E&der Ta!&or *reached in the forenoon< and E&der 1i'a&&
in the afternoon< in the House of the Lord at 1irt&and#
Thursda!< 7@#--E&der Orson H!de &eft Co''erce< I&&inois< intendin, to
,o east as far as )hi&ade&*hia# He had =ust e,un to reco$er fro' a four
'onths+ i&&ness of fe$er and a,ue#
Sunda!< 7M#--)resident Youn, *reached in the House of the Lord in the
forenoon< and John Ta!&or in the House of the Lord< and E&der Ta!&or
"ri,ha' Youn, anointed E&der John Ta!&or in the House of the Lord< and
E&der Danie& S# .i&es anointed Theodore Tur&e!< a&& of 2hich 2as sea&ed
2ith the shout of Hosanna#
.onda!< 78#--)resident Youn, $isited "rother R# )otter at Ne2ur!<
and returned on Tuesda! to 1irt&and#
Aout this ti'e 2e had arri$ed near Co&u'us< 2here the roads 2ere so
ad< E&der Ri,don+s hea&th so *oor< and the ti'e so fast a**roachin, 2hen
it 2as necessar! for the co''ittee to e in 3ashin,ton< that I started in
the sta,e 2ith Jud,e Hi,ee on the 'ost e/*editious route to 3ashin,ton
Cit!< &ea$in, "rothers Roc02e&&< Ri,don< and Foster< to co'e on at their
&eisure in the carria,e#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, and co'*an! 2ent to Fair*ort< 2here the! 2aited
for a stea'oat unti& Tuesda!#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt and co'*an! so&d their horses and carria,e at
Detroit< and 2ent on to Ne2 Yor0 Cit! ! stea'oats< the cana& and
rai&2a!#
Fro' Ne2 Yor0< E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt 2rote 'e on the HHnd< directed
to Co''erce< fro' 2hich I >uote the fo&&o2in,(
E/cer*t fro' )ar&e! )# )ratt+s Letter to the )ro*het# The churches in
these *arts are *ros*erin, ,reat&!< and are fir' in the faith< and
increasin, in nu'ers continua&&!# The Church in Ne2 Yor0 and "roo0&!n no2
nu'ers fro' one hundred and fift! to t2o hundred 'e'ers< and additions
are ein, 'ade e$er! 2ee0# A ,enera& conference 2as he&d in this cit! on
Tuesda! and 3ednesda! of this 2ee0# E&ders *resent( Orson )ratt< 3i&ford
3oodruff< Sa'ue& Ja'es< "en=a'in 3inchester< E&ders Foster< La!ne< Jen0s<
"ro2n< "enedict< and '!se&f# )riests *resent+ Addison E$erett< "ir,e< and
%an$e&$er# .an! ranches of the Church in the re,ion round aout 2ere
re*resented? se$era& hundred 'e'ers in a&&< and the nu'ers sti&&
increasin,# 5reat o**ortunities are o*en for *reachin,< and cro2ded houses
are the order of the da!#
I ha$e a&so recei$ed &etters fro' .aine and fro' .ichi,an< 2ith
=o!fu& accounts of the s*read of the 2or0 of the Lord# You 2ou&d no2 find
churches of the Saints in )hi&ade&*hia< in A&an!< in "roo0&!n< in Ne2
Yor0< in Jerse!< in )enns!&$ania< on Lon, Is&and< and in $arious other
*&aces a&& around us# Our Ne2 Yor0 'eetin,s are no2 he&d three ti'es e$er!
Saath in Co&u'ia Ha&&< 5rand Street< a fe2 doors east of the "o2er!? it
is $er! centra&< and one of the est *&aces in the cit!? it 2i&& ho&d
near&! a thousand *eo*&e< and is 2e&& fi&&ed 2ith attenti$e hearers#
"rother 3inchester has a ,ood ha&& 2e&& fitted u* in )hi&ade&*hia< 2here
stated 'eetin,s are he&d--se$era& e$er! 2ee0< 2ith cro2ded audiences#
In short the truth is s*readin, 'ore ra*id&! than e$er efore< in
e$er! direction< far and near# There is a ,reat ca&& for our oo0s# I a'
no2 re*rintin, the %oice of 3arnin,< The Histor! of the .issouri
)ersecution< and '! )oe's# There is a ,reat ca&& for h!'n oo0s< ut none
to e had# I 2ish Sister S'ith 2ou&d add to the o&d co&&ection such ne2
ones as is est< and re*u&ish the' i''ediate&!# If 'eans and faci&ities
are &ac0in, in the 2est< send it here< and it sha&& e nice&! done for
her? and at &east one thousand 2ou&d i''ediate&! se&& in these *arts
2ho&esa&e and retai&# The "oo0 of .or'on is not to e had in this *art of
the $ine!ard for &o$e or 'one!? hundreds are 2antin, in $arious *arts
hereaouts< ut there is tru&! a fa'ine in that res*ect#
The conference too0 into consideration the *ressin, ca&&s for this
oo0< and ha$e a**ointed a co''ittee to raise 'eans for the *u&ication of
the sa'e< and a&so to *u&ish it if 2e can otain &ea$e fro' !ou< 2ho ho&d
the co*!ri,ht# An! h!'n oo0 2hich Sister S'ith or the Church 2i&& fa$or
us 2ith< sha&& a&so e *u&ished on si'i&ar conditions# )ARLEY )# )RATT#
So'e ti'e this 'onth the first nu'er of the Ti'es and Seasons< a
'onth&! re&i,ious *a*er< in *a'*h&et for'< 2as *u&ished at Co''erce<
Hancoc0 Count I&&inois< ! '! rother Don Car&os S'ith and Eene4er
Roinson< under the fir' na'e of Roinson P S'ith< )u&ishers#
Tuesda!< H:#--At one in the afternoon< E&der "ri,ha' Youn, and
co'*an! 2ent on oard the stea'er Co&u'us< at Fair*ort< and 2ent on
to2ards "uffa&o#
3ednesda!< HM#--Aout 7 o+c&oc0 this 'ornin, the 2ind arose< 2hen
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 2ent on dec0< *ra!ed to the Father in the na'e of
Jesus< 2hen he fe&t to co''and the 2ind and the 2a$es to cease< and *er'it
the' to *roceed on their =ourne! in safet!# The 2inds aated< and he ,a$e
,&or!< honor< and *raise to the 5od 2ho ru&es a&& thin,s# Arri$in, in
"uffa&o in the 'ornin,< the! too0 the sta,e for "ata$ia#
3hi&e on the 'ountains so'e distance fro' 3ashin,ton< our coach'an
ste**ed into a *u&ic house to ta0e his ,ro,< 2hen the horses too0 fri,ht
and ran do2n the hi&& at fu&& s*eed# I *ersuade '! fe&&o2 tra$e&ers to e
>uiet and retain their seats< ut had to ho&d one 2o'an to *re$ent her
thro2in, her infant out of the coach# The *assen,ers 2ere e/ceedin,&!
a,itated< ut I used e$er! *ersuasion to ca&' their fee&in,s? and o*enin,
the door< I secured '! ho&d on the side of the coach the est 2a! I cou&d<
and succeeded in *&acin, '!se&f in the coach'an+s seat< and reinin, u* the
horses< after the! had run so'e too or three 'i&es< and neither coach<
horses< or *assen,ers recei$ed an! in=ur!# .! course 2as s*o0en of in the
hi,hest ter's of co''endation< as ein, one of the 'ost darin, and heroic
deeds< and no &an,ua,e cou&d e/*ress the ,ratitude of the *assen,ers< 2hen
the! found the'se&$es safe< and the horses >uiet# There 2ere so'e 'e'ers
of Con,ress 2ith us< 2ho *ro*osed na'in, the incident to that od!<
e&ie$in, the! 2ou&d re2ard such conduct ! so'e *u&ic act? ut on
in>uirin, '! na'e< to 'ention as the author of their safet!< and findin,
it to e Jose*h S'ith the -.or'on )ro*het<- as the! ca&&ed 'e< I heard no
'ore of their *raise< ,ratitude< or re2ard#
Thursda!< H8#--I arri$ed in 3ashin,ton Cit! this 'ornin,< and *ut u*
at the corner of .issouri and Third streets#
This e$enin,< E&der "ri,ha' Youn, and co'*an! Ee/ce*t E&der 1i'a&&<
2ho sto**ed at "!ron to $isit his sisterF rode to Rochester in the stea'
cars< and fro' thence rode a&& ni,ht in a horse coach< and arri$ed at ten
in the 'ornin, on Frida!< HNth< at Auurn< Ne2 Yor0# E&ders Ta!&or and
Tur&e! *roceeded on their 2a! to Ne2 Yor0#
The fo&&o2in, is a co*! of our *etition to Con,ress for redress of
our .issouri ,rie$ances(
THE SAINT+S )ETITION TO CON5RESS#
To the Honora&e the Senate and House of Re*resentati$es of the
United States of A'erica< in Con,ress asse'&ed(
Your *etitioners< Jose*h S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< and E&ias Hi,ee<
2ou&d 'ost res*ectfu&&! re*resent< that the! ha$e een de&e,ated< ! their
rethren and fe&&o2-citi4ens< 0no2n as -Latter-da! Saints- Eco''on&!
ca&&ed .or'onsF< to *re*are and *resent to !ou a state'ent of their
2ron,s< and a *ra!er for their re&ief< 2hich the! no2 ha$e the honor to
su'it to the consideration of !our Honora&e "od!#
In the su''er of 7897< a *ortion of the societ! ao$e na'ed co''enced
a sett&e'ent in the count! of Jac0son< in the state of .issouri# The
indi$idua&s 'a0in, that sett&e'ent had e'i,rated fro' a&'ost e$er! state
in the Union to the &o$e&! s*ot in the Far 3est< 2ith the ho*e of
i'*ro$in, their condition< of ui&din, houses for the'se&$es and
*osterit!< and of erectin, te'*&es< 2here the! and theirs 'i,ht 2orshi*
their Creator accordin, to the dictates of their conscience# Thou,h the!
had 2andered far fro' the ho'es of their chi&dhood< sti&& the! had een
tau,ht to e&ie$e< that a citi4en orn in an! one state in this ,reat
Re*u&ic< 'i,ht re'o$e to another and en=o! a&& the ri,hts and i''unities
of citi4ens of the state of his ado*tion--that 2here$er 2a$ed the A'erican
f&a,< eneath its stars and stri*es an A'erican citi4en 'i,ht &oo0 for
*rotection and =ustice< for &iert! in *erson and in conscience#
The! ou,ht far's< ui&t houses< and erected churches# So'e ti&&ed
the earth< others ou,ht and so&d 'erchandise< and others a,ain toi&ed as
'echanics# The! 2ere industrious and 'ora&< and the! *ros*ered< and thou,h
often *ersecuted and $i&ified for their difference in re&i,ious o*inion
fro' their fe&&o2 citi4ens< the! 2ere ha**!? the! sa2 their societ!
increasin, in nu'ers< their far's tee'ed 2ith *&ent!< and the! fond&!
&oo0ed for2ard to a future< i, 2ith ho*e# That there 2as *re=udice
a,ainst the'< the! 0ne2? that s&anders 2ere *ro*a,ated a,ainst the'< the!
de*&ored? !et the! fe&t that these 2ere un=ust? and ho*ed that ti'e< and
u*ri,htness of &ife< 2ou&d ena&e the' to out&i$e the'# 3hi&e the su''er
of *eace< ha**iness< and ho*e shone o$er the infant sett&e'ent of the
Saints< the c&oud 2as ,atherin,< unseen ! the'< that ore in its oso'
the thundero&t of destruction#
On the HDth of Ju&!< 7899< around their *eacefu& $i&&a,e a 'o
,athered< to the sur*rise and terror of the >uiet -.or'ons---2ho< the!
0ne2 not? the! had ro0en no &a2< the! had har'ed no 'an< in deed or
thou,ht# 3h! the! 2ere thus threatened< the! 0ne2 not# Soon a co''ittee
fro' the 'o ca&&ed u*on the &eadin, -.or'ons- of the *&ace? the!
announced that the store< the *rintin, office< and the sho*s 'ust e
c&osed< and that forth2ith e$er! -.or'on- 'ust &ea$e the count!# The
'essa,e 2as so terri&e< so une/*ected< that the -.or'ons- as0ed ti'e for
de&ieration and consu&tation< 2hich ein, refused< the rethren 2ere
se$era&&! as0ed< -Are !ou 2i&&in, to aandon !our ho'eB- The re*&! 2as<
-3e 2i&& not ,o?- 2hich deter'ination ein, re*orted to the co''ittee of
the 'o< one of the' re*&ied that he 2as sorr!< for said he< -The 2or0 of
destruction 'ust no2 e,in#- No sooner said than it 2as done# The *rintin,
office< a t2o stor! ric0 ui&din,< 2as assai&ed ! the 'o and torn do2n<
and< 2ith its $a&ua&e a**urtenances< destro!ed# The! ne/t *roceeded to
the store 2ith a &i0e *ur*ose# Its o2ner in *art< .r# 5i&ert< a,reed to
c&ose it< and the! de&a!ed their *ur*ose#
The! then *roceeded to the d2e&&in, of .r# )artrid,e< the e&o$ed
"isho* of the Church there< dra,,ed hi' and his fa'i&! to the *u&ic
s>uare< 2here< surrounded ! hundreds< the! *art&! stri**ed hi' of his
c&othin,< and tarred and feathered hi' fro' head to foot# A 'an ! the
na'e of A&&en 2as at the sa'e ti'e treated in a si'i&ar 'anner# The 'o
then dis*ersed 2ith an a,ree'ent to 'eet a,ain on the ne/t Tuesda!< the
ao$e outra,es ha$in, een co''itted on Saturda!#
Tuesda! ca'e< and 2ith it ca'e the 'o< earin, a red f&a,< in to0en
of &ood# The! *roceeded to the houses of Isaac .or&e!< and others of the
&eadin, 'en< and sei4ed the'< te&&in, the' to id their fa'i&ies fare2e&&<
that the! 2ou&d ne$er see the' a,ain# The! 2ere then dri$en at the *oint
of the a!onet to the =ai&< and there< a'id the =eers and insu&ts of the
cro2d< the! 2ere thrust into *rison< to e 0e*t as hosta,es? in case an!
of the 'o shou&d e 0i&&ed< the! 2ere to die to *a! for it# Here so'e t2o
or three of the -.or'ons- offered to surrender u* their &i$es< if that
2ou&d satisf! the fur! of the 'o< and *urchase *eace and securit! for
their unoffendin, rethren< their he&*&ess 2i$es and chi&dren# The re*&!
of the 'o 2as< that the -.or'ons- 'ust &ea$e the count! en 'asse< or that
e$er! 'an shou&d e *ut to death#
The -.or'ons<- terrified and defense&ess< then entered into an
a,ree'ent to &ea$e the count!--one ha&f ! the first of Januar!< the other
ha&f ! the first of A*ri& ne/t ensuin,# This treat! ein, 'ade and
ratified< the 'o dis*ersed# A,ain< for a ti'e< the *ersecuted -.or'ons-
en=o!ed a res*ite fro' their *ersecutions? ut not &on, 2as the re*ose
*er'itted the'#
So'e ti'e in the 'onth of Octoer< a 'eetin, 2as he&d at
Inde*endence< at 2hich it 2as deter'ined to re'o$e the -.or'ons- or die#
Inf&a''ator! s*eeches 2ere 'ade< and one of the s*ea0ers s2ore he 2ou&d
re'o$e the -.or'ons- fro' the count! if he had to 2ade u* to his nec0 in
&ood#
"e it re'ar0ed that u* to this ti'e< the -.or'ons- had faithfu&&!
oser$ed the treat!< and 2ere ,ui&t! of no offense a,ainst the &a2s of the
&and< or of societ!< ut 2ere *eacea&! fo&&o2in, the routine of their
dai&! duties#
Short&! after the 'eetin, ao$e referred to< another *ersecution
co''enced? so'e of the -.or'ons- 2ere shot at< others 2ere 2hi**ed< their
houses 2ere assai&ed 2ith ric0ats< ro0en o*en< and thro2n do2n? their
2o'en and chi&dren 2ere insu&ted? and thus for 'an! 2ee0s< 2ithout
offense< 2ithout resistance< ! ni,ht and ! da!< 2ere the! harassed<
insu&ted< and o**ressed#
There is a *oint e!ond 2hich endurance ceases to e a $irtue# The
2or' 2hen tra'*&ed u*on 2i&& turn u*on its o**ressor# A co'*an! of aout
thirt! -.or'ons- fe&& in 2ith t2ice that nu'er of the 'o en,a,ed in the
destruction of -.or'on- *ro*ert!< 2hen a att&e ensued< in 2hich one
-.or'on- 2as 0i&&ed< and t2o or three of the 'o? actin, in concert 2ith
the officer 2ho co''anded the 'o< 2as Li&urn 3# "o,,s<
Lieutenant-5o$ernor of the state of .issouri# 3hen the noise of the att&e
2as s*read aroad< the *u&ic 'ind eca'e 'uch inf&a'ed# The 'i&itia
co&&ected in ar's fro' a&& >uarters< and in ,reat nu'ers< inf&a'ed to
fur!# The! de'anded that the -.or'ons- shou&d surrender u* a&& their ar's<
and i''ediate&! >uit the count!# Co'*e&&ed ! o$er*o2erin, nu'ers< the
-.or'ons- su'itted# The! surrendered u* fift!-one ,uns< 2hich ha$e ne$er
een returned< or *aid for#
The ne/t da!< *arties of the 'o 2ent fro' house to house<
threatenin, 2o'en and chi&dren 2ith death< if the! did not i''ediate&!
&ea$e their ho'es# I'a,ination cannot *aint the terror 2hich no2 *er$aded
the -.or'on- co''unit!# The 2eather 2as intense&! co&d< and 2o'en and
chi&dren aandoned their ho'es and f&ed in e$er! direction 2ithout
sufficient c&othin, to *rotect the' fro' the *iercin, co&d# 3o'en ,a$e
irth to chi&dren in the 2oods and on the *rairies# One hundred and t2ent!
2o'en and chi&dren< for the s*ace of ten da!s< 2ith on&! three or four 'en
in the co'*an!< concea&ed the'se&$es in the 2oods in hour&! e/*ectation
and fear of 'assacre< unti& the! fina&&! esca*ed into C&a! count!# The
societ! of -.or'ons- after the ao$e disturances< re'o$ed to the count!
of C&a!< 2here the! 2ere 0ind&! recei$ed ! the inhaitants< and their
2ants ad'inistered to ! their charit!#
In the 'eanti'e the houses of the-.or'ons- in the count! of Jac0son<
a'ountin, to aout t2o hundred< 2ere urned do2n or other2ise destro!ed !
the 'o< as 2e&& as 'uch of their cro*s< furniture< and stoc0#
The da'a,e done to the *ro*ert! of the -.or'ons- ! the 'o in the
count! of Jac0son as ao$e re&ated< as near as the! can ascertain< 2ou&d
a'ount to the su' of one hundred and se$ent!-fi$e thousand do&&ars# The
nu'er of -.or'ons- thus dri$en fro' the count! of Jac0son a'ounted to
aout t2e&$e hundred sou&s# For the *ro*ert! thus destro!ed the! ha$e
ne$er een *aid#
After the e/*u&sion of the -.or'ons- fro' the count! of Jac0son as
ao$e re&ated< the! re'o$ed to and sett&ed in the count! of C&a!# The!
there *urchased out so'e of the for'er inhaitants< and entered at the
&and office 2i&d &ands offered for sa&e ! the 5enera& 5o$ern'ent# The
'ost of the' eca'e freeho&ders< o2nin, each an ei,ht! or 'ore of &and#
The -.or'ons- &i$ed *eacea&! in the count! of C&a! for aout three
!ears< and a&& that ti'e increased ra*id&! in nu'ers< ! e'i,ration< and
a&so in 2ea&th ! their industr!# After the! had resided in that count!
aout three !ears< the citi4ens not connected 2ith the' e,an to &oo0 u*on
the' 2ith =ea&ous! and a&ar'# Re*orts 2ere a,ain *ut in circu&ation
a,ainst the'( *u&ic 'eetin,s 2ere he&d in the counties of C&a! and
Jac0son< at 2hich $io&ent reso&utions 2ere *assed a,ainst the
.or'ons<- and ru'ors of 'os e,an a,ain to s*read a&ar' a'on, the
-.or'ons#- At this =uncture the -.or'ons- desirous of a$oidin, a&&
conf&ict 2ith their fe&&o2-citi4ens< and an/ious to *reser$e the *eace and
har'on! of the societ! around the'< as 2e&& as their o2n< de*uti4ed a
co''ittee of their &eadin, 'en to 'a0e ter's of *eace 2ith their
fe&&o2-citi4ens of C&a! count!# An inter$ie2 too0 *&ace et2een the' and a
co''ittee of citi4ens< at 2hich it 2as a,reed that the -.or'ons- shou&d
&ea$e the count! of C&a!< and that the citi4ens of C&a! count! shou&d u!
their &ands#
These ter's 2ere co'*&ied 2ith# The -.or'ons- re'o$ed to and sett&ed
in the count! of Ca&d2e&&< and the citi4ens ne$er *aid the' $a&ue for
their &ands# .an! recei$ed nothin, at a&& for their &and# The -.or'ons<-
! this re'o$a&< sacrificed 'uch oth of 'one! and fee&in,< ut the
sacrifice 2as 'ade u*on the a&tar of dut!< for the *eace of the co''unit!#
Your .e'oria&ists 2ou&d e, here to ,i$e 2hat the! e&ie$e a =ust
e/*&anation of the causes of the *re=udice and *ersecution a,ainst the
-.or'ons- re&ated ao$e< and 2hich 2i&& fo&&o2# That there 'i,ht ha$e
een so'e un2orth! 'e'ers a'on, the'< cannot e denied? ut 'an! a$er
that as a co''unit! the! 2ere as 'ora&< as u*ri,ht< and as oser$ant of
the &a2s of the &and as an! od! of *eo*&e in the 2or&d# 3h! then this
*re=udice and *ersecutionB An ans2er the! trust 2i&& e found in the fact
that the! 2ere a od! of *eo*&e distinct fro' their fe&&o2-citi4ens< in
re&i,ious o*inions< in their haits< and in their associations# The! 2ere
nu'erous enou,h to 'a0e the *o2er of their nu'erica& and 'ora& force a
'atter of an/iet! and dread to the *o&itica& and re&i,ious *arties !
2hich the! 2ere surrounded? 2hich arose not fro' 2hat the -.or'ons- had
done< ut fro' the fear of 2hat the! 'i,ht do#
In addition< the -.or'ons- ha$e *urchased of the sett&ers< or of the
5o$ern'ent< or otained ! *ree'*tion< the est &ands in a&& those re,ions
of the state? and at the ti'es of s*ecu&ation< the cu*idit! of 'an! 2as
aroused to *ossess those &ands ! dri$in, off the -.or'ons<- and ta0in,
forci&e *ossession< or constrainin, the' to se&& throu,h fear and
coercion< at a *rice 'ere&! no'ina&#
After the -.or'ons- re'o$ed fro' C&a! count!< the! sett&ed in the
count! of Ca&d2e&& as aforesaid#
Your .e'oria&ists do not dee' it necessar! for their *ur*ose< to
detai& the histor! of the *ro,ress< the cares< and an/ieties of the
-.or'ons<- fro' the ti'e the! sett&ed in Ca&d2e&& in the !ear 789: unti&
the fa&& of the !ear 7898# The! 2ou&d< ho2e$er< state< that durin, a&&
that ti'e the! de*orted the'se&$es as ,ood citi4ens< oe!in, the &a2s of
the &and< and the 'ora& and re&i,ious duties en=oined ! their faith# That
there 'i,ht ha$e een so'e faith&ess a'on, the faithfu& is *ossi&e# The!
2ou&d not den! that there 'i,ht ha$e een so'e 2ho 2ere a scanda& to their
rethren? and 2hat societ!< the! 2ou&d as0< has not so'e un2orth! 'e'ersB
3here is the sect< 2here the co''unit!< in 2hich there cannot e found
so'e 2ho tra'*&e under foot the &a2s of 5od and 'anB The! e&ie$e the
-.or'on- co''unit! to ha$e as fe2 such as an! other association< re&i,ious
or *o&itica&# 3ithin the ao$e *eriod the -.or'ons- continued to increase
in 2ea&th and nu'ers< unti& in the fa&& of the !ear 7898 the! nu'ered
aout fifteen thousand sou&s#
The! *urchased of the 5o$ern'ent< or of the citi4ens< or he&d !
*ree'*tion< a&'ost a&& the &ands in the count! of Ca&d2e&&< and a *ortion
of the &ands in Da$iess and Carro&&# The count! of Ca&d2e&& 2as sett&ed
a&'ost entire&! ! -.or'ons<- and -.or'ons- 2ere ra*id&! fi&&in, u* the
counties of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&&# 3hen the! first co''enced sett&in, in
those counties< there 2ere ut fe2 sett&e'ents 'ade there? the &ands 2ere
2i&d and uncu&ti$ated# In the fa&& of 7898 &ar,e far's had een 'ade< 2e&&
i'*ro$ed and stoc0ed# Lands had risen in $a&ue< and so&d for fro' ten
do&&ars to t2ent!-fi$e do&&ars I*er acreJ< The i'*ro$e'ent and sett&e'ent
had een such that it 2as a co''on re'ar0 that the count! of Ca&d2e&&
2ou&d soon e the 2ea&thiest in the state#
Thus stood their affairs in the fa&& of 7898< 2hen the stor' of
*ersecution a,ain ra,ed o$er the heads of the -.or'ons<- and the fierce
de'on of the 'o dro$e the' forth house&ess and ho'e&ess< and *enni&ess<
u*on the charities of the 2or&d< 2hich to the'< than0 5odK ha$e een &i0e
an,e&s+ $isits< ut not fe2< or far et2een# This &ast *ersecution e,an
at an e&ection< 2hich 2as he&d in Da$iess count! on the first .onda! of
Au,ust< 7898# A -.or'on- 2ent to the *o&&s to $ote# One of the 'o
standin, !< o**osed his $otin,< contendin, that a -.or'on- had no 'ore
ri,ht to $ote than a ne,ro? one an,r! 2ord rou,ht on another< and &o2s
fo&&o2ed# The! are< ho2e$er< ha**! to state that the -.or'on- 2as not the
a,,ressor< ut 2as on the defensi$e( others interfered< not one a&one< ut
'an! assai&ed the -.or'on#- His rethren< seein, hi' thus assai&ed !
nu'ers< rushed to the rescue? then ca'e others of the 'o< unti& fina&&!
a ,enera& ro2 co''enced# The -.or'ons- 2ere $ictorious# The ne/t da!< a
ru'or reached the -.or'ons- of Ca&d2e&&< that t2o of their rethren had
een 0i&&ed in this fi,ht< and a refusa& had een 'ade to surrender their
odies for uria&# Not 0no2in, at the ti'e that this ru'or 2as fa&se< the!
eca'e 'uch e/cited< and se$era& of the' started for Da$iess count!< 2here
the! arri$ed ne/t 'ornin,< 2ith a $ie2 of ,i$in, the rethren< 2ho' the!
su**osed to ha$e een 0i&&ed< a decent inter'ent# A'on, the citi4ens this
fi,ht *roduced a ,reat e/cite'ent# The! he&d a *u&ic 'eetin, and reso&$ed
to dri$e the -.or'ons- fro' the count!# Indi$idua&s e,an a&so to threaten
the -.or'ons- as a od!< and s2ear that the! shou&d &ea$e the count! in
three da!s# 3hen the -.or'ons- 2ho had ,one fro' Ca&d2e&& to Da$iess<
aforesaid< arri$ed there< the! found this state of e/cite'ent to e/ist#
The! a&so heard that a &ar,e 'o 2as co&&ectin, a,ainst the'< headed !
Ada' "&ac0 one of the =ud,es of the count! court of Da$iess count!# 9D
Under these circu'stances< and 2ith a $ie2 to a&&a! the e/cite'ent<
the! ca&&ed on .r# "&ac0< and in>uired of hi' 2hether the re*orts the! had
heard in re&ation to hi' 2ere true# U*on his den!in, the' to e true< the!
then re>uested hi' to ,i$e that denia& in 2ritin,< 2hich he free&! did#
This 2ritin, the! *u&ished 2ith a $ie2 of ca&'in, the *u&ic 'ind< and
a&&a!in, the e/cite'ent# Ha$in, done this< the! rested in >uiet for so'e
ti'e after< ho*in, that their efforts 2ou&d *roduce the desired effect#
Their sur*rise can< under these circu'stances< e easi&! i'a,ined< 2hen a
short ti'e after< the! &earned that said "&ac0 had ,one efore Jud,e 1in,<
and 'ade oath that he 2as forced to si,n the instru'ent< ! ar'ed
-.or'ons<- and *rocured a 2arrant for the arrest of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
and L!'an 3i,ht< 2hich 2as *&aced in the hands of the sheriff# It 2as a&so
re*orted that the said indi$idua&s had refused to surrender the'se&$es<
and that an ar'ed force 2as co&&ectin, to co'e and ta0e the'#
Your .e'ora&ists a$er that the sheriff had ne$er 'ade an! efforts to
ser$e the 2rit< and that the said S'ith and 3i,ht< so far fro' 'a0in, an!
resistance< did not 0no2 that such a 2rit had een issued< unti& the!
&earned it first ! re*ort as ao$e re&ated# In the 'eanti'e the ru'or had
run o$er the 2ho&e countr!< that the -.or'ons- 2ere co'*e&&in, indi$idua&s
to si,n certain instru'ents in 2ritin,< and that the! 2ere resistin, the
*rocess of the &a2# The *u&ic 'ind eca'e 'uch inf&a'ed< and the 'o
e,an to co&&ect fro' a&& >uarters and in &ar,e nu'ers< 2ith *retensions
of assistin, the sheriff to ser$e the *rocess? and here &et it e oser$ed
in *assin,< that Ada' "&ac0 had so&d the i'*ro$e'ent and *ree'*tion c&ai'
on 2hich he then resided< to the -.or'ons<- recei$ed his *a! for the sa'e<
and that throu,h his instru'enta&it! the -.or'ons- 2ere dri$en off< and he
no2 retains oth their 'one! and the i'*ro$e'ent#
As soon as the ao$e re*orts reached the ears of the said S'ith and
3i,ht< the! deter'ined i''ediate&! u*on the course the! ou,ht to *ursue<
2hich 2as to su'it to the &a2s# The! oth surrendered the'se&$es u* to
Jud,e 1in,< under2ent a tria&< and in the asence of a&& sufficient
testi'on! the! 2ere dischar,ed# The! ho*ed that this $o&untar! su'ission
of theirs to the &a2< and their triu'*hant $indication of the char,e<
2ou&d a&&a! the e/cite'ent of the co''unit!# "ut not so? the &on,-desired
o**ortunit! had arri$ed 2hen the o**ression and e/ter'ination of the
-.or'ons- 'i,ht e 'ade to assu'e the for' of &e,a& *roceedin,# The 'o
that had asse'&ed for the *retended *ur*ose of assistin, the officers in
the e/ecution of *rocess< did not dis*erse u*on the ac>uitta& of S'ith and
3i,ht< ut continued e'odied 2ith the enca'*'ents and for's of a 'i&itar!
force< and co''ittin, de*redations u*on -.or'on- *ro*ert!# The -.or'ons-
in this e/tre'it! ca&&ed u*on the &a2s of the &and< and the officers of
the &a2< for *rotection# After 'uch de&a!< the 'i&itia under 5enera&s
Atchison< Doni*han< and )ar0s< 2ere sent to their re&ief# The! arri$ed on
the 79th of Se*te'er< and enca'*ed et2een the -.or'ons and the 'o#
The ao$e officers 'ade no atte'*t to dis*erse the 'o< e/cusin,
the'se&$es ! sa!in,< -that their o2n 'en had s!'*athies 2ith the 'o#-
After re'ainin, there for se$era& da!s< those officers ado*ted the
fo&&o2in, e/*edient of sett&in, the difficu&ties--the! 'ustered the 'o<
and enro&&ed the' 2ith their o2n troo*s< and then disanded the 2ho&e<
2ith orders to see0 their se$era& ho'es# The officers 2ent ho'e< e/ce*tin,
)ar0s< 2ho re'ained for their *rotection< 2ith his 'en#
The -.or'ons- 'ade an a,ree'ent 2ith the citi4ens of Da$iess< to u!
out their &ands and *ree'*tion ri,hts< and a**ointed a co''ittee to 'a0e
the *urchase< and to ,o on u!in, ti&& the! had *urchased to the a'ount of
t2ent!-fi$e thousand do&&ars# 3hi&e these *urchases 2ere ,oin, on< the
citi4ens 2ere heard to sa!< that as soon as the! had so&d out to the
-.or'ons- and recei$ed their *a!< the! 2ou&d dri$e the -.or'ons- off< and
0ee* oth their &ands and the 'one!#
The 'o< 2hen disanded in Da$iess ! the ,enera&s as aforesaid<
instead of re*airin, to their ho'es as co''anded< *roceeded in a od! to
the ad=oinin, count! of Carro&&< and enca'*ed around De2itt< a $i&&a,e
ui&t and inhaited ! -.or'ons?- 2hi&e thus enca'*ed around De2itt< the!
sent to the count! of Jac0son< and *rocured a cannon# The! in$ested the
*&ace so c&ose&!< that no *erson cou&d &ea$e the to2n in safet!? 2hen the!
did so< the! 2ere fired u*on ! the 'o# The horses of the -.or'ons- 2ere
sto&en< and their catt&e 0i&&ed# The citi4ens of De2itt< a'ountin, to
aout se$ent! fa'i&ies< 2ere in ,reat e/tre'it!< and 2orn out ! 2ant and
sic0ness# In their e/tre'it! the! 'ade a**&ication to 5o$ernor "o,,s for
*rotection and re&ief? ut no *rotection< no re&ief 2as ,ranted the'# 3hen
reduced to the &ast e/tre'it!< no a&ternati$e 2as &eft the'< ut to see0
*rotection ! f&i,ht< and the aandon'ent of their ho'es# Accordin,&!< on
the e$enin, of the 77th of Octoer< 7898< the! retreated fro' De2itt< and
'ade their 2a! to the counties of Da$iess and Ca&d2e&&< &ea$in, 'an! of
their effects in the *ossession of the 'o#
Your .e'oria&ists 2i&& not detai& the horrors and sufferin,s of such
a f&i,ht< 2hen shared 2ith 2o'en and chi&dren# The! 'i,ht detai& 'an!# One
&ad!< 2ho had ,i$en irth to a chi&d =ust efore the f&i,ht co''enced<
died on the road and 2as uried 2ithout a coffin# .an! others< sic0< 2orn
out< star$ed< de*ri$ed of 'edica& aid< died u*on the road# The re'nant of
-.or'ons- fro' De2itt arri$ed in Da$iess and Ca&d2e&&< and found a short
re&ief and su**&! of their 2ants fro' their friends and rethren there#
After the aandon'ent of De2itt< and the f&i,ht of the -.or'ons- fro'
Carro&&< one Sashie& 3oods addressed the 'o< ad$isin, the' to ta0e their
cannon and 'arch to the count! of Da$iess< and dri$e the -.or'ons- fro'
that count!< and sei4e u*on their &ands and other *ro*ert!< sa!in, that
the -.or'ons- cou&d ,et no enefit of the &a2< as the! had recent&! seen#
The! then co''enced their 'arch fro' Carro&& to Da$iess< carr!in, 2ith
the' the cannon 2hich the! had recei$ed fro' Jac0son# On their 2a! the!
ca*tured t2o -.or'ons<- 'ade the' ride on the cannon< and taunted the' as
the! 2ent a&on,< te&&in, the' that the! 2ere ,oin, to dri$e the -.or'ons-
fro' Da$iess to Ca&d2e&&< and fro' Ca&d2e&& to he&&? and that the! shou&d
find no >uarters ut at the cannon+s 'outh# The 'o at this ti'e 2as
re*orted to nu'er aout four hundred stron,#
The -.or'ons- in these distresses< in *ursuance of the &a2s of
.issouri< 'ade a**&ication to Jud,e 1in,< the circuit =ud,e of that
circuit< for *rotection< and for the aid of the officers of the &a2 to
*rotect the'# Jud,e 1in,< as the! ha$e een infor'ed< and e&ie$e< ,a$e an
order to .a=or 5enera& Da$id R# Atchison to ca&& out the 'i&itia to
*rotect the
-.or'ons- a,ainst the fur! of the 'o# 5enera& Atchison thereu*on
,a$e orders to "ri,adiers )ar0s and Doni*han# In *ursuance of these orders
issued as aforesaid< on the 78th of Octoer< 7898< 5enera& Doni*han
arri$ed at Far 3est< a -.or'on- $i&&a,e in the count! of Ca&d2e&&< 2ith a
s'a&& co'*an! of 'i&itia# After he had een at Far 3est t2o da!s< 5enera&
Doni*han disanded his co'*an!< a&&e,in, to the -.or'ons<- as his reason
for so doin,< that his co'*an! had the sa'e fee&in,s as the 'o< and that
he cou&d not re&! u*on the'# In a short ti'e 5enera& )ar0s arri$ed at Far
3est< and a&so disanded his co'*an!# At this ti'e the 'o 2as 'archin,
fro' Carro&& to Da$iess# 5enera& Doni*han< 2hi&e at Far 3est< directed the
-.or'ons- to raise a co'*an! to *rotect the'se&$es< te&&in, the' that one
Corne&ius 5i&&ia' 2as raisin, a 'o to destro! their to2n< and a&so
ad$isin, the' to *&ace out ,uards to 2atch the 'otions of the 'o# He a&so
directed the' to raise a co'*an! and send the' to Da$iess< to aid their
rethren there a,ainst the 'o 2hich 2as 'archin, do2n u*on the' fro'
Carro&&# This the -.or'ons- did? the! 'ustered a co'*an! of aout si/t!
'en< 2ho *roceeded to Diah'an# 3hen 5enera& )ar0s arri$ed at Far 3est as
aforesaid< and &earned that 5enera& Doni*han had disanded his 'en he
e/*ressed ,reat dissatisfaction# The sa'e e$enin, on 2hich 5enera& )ar0s
disanded his co'*an! as aforesaid< he *roceeded to Diah'an< in order to
&earn 2hat the 'o 2ere doin, there< and if *ossi&e to *rotect the
-.or'ons#-
3hen 5enera& )ar0s had arri$ed in Da$iess< he found that the 'o had
co''enced its o*erations there< 2hich 2as on the HDth of Octoer< 7898#
The! co''enced ! urnin, the house of a 'an IDon Car&os S'ithJ 2ho
had ,one to Tennessee on usiness< and &eft his 2ife at ho'e 2ith t2o
s'a&& chi&dren# 3hen the house 2as urned do2n< the 2ife and t2o s'a&&
chi&dren 2ere &eft in the sno2< and she had to 2a&0 three 'i&es efore she
cou&d find a she&ter< carr!in, her t2o chi&dren a&& that distance< and had
to 2ade 5rand Ri$er< 2hich 2as three feet dee*# The 'o on the sa'e
e$enin, urned se$en other houses< urnin, and destro!in, a&& the *ro*ert!
that the! thou,ht *ro*er# The ne/t 'ornin,< Co&one& L!'an 3i,ht< an
officer in the 'i&itia< in>uired of 5enera& )ar0s< 2hat 2as to e done< as
he no2 sa2 the course the 'o 2as deter'ined to *ursue# 5enera& )ar0s
re*&ied that he E3i,htF shou&d ta0e a co'*an! of 'en and ,i$e the 'o
att&e< and that he 2ou&d e res*onsi&e for the act< sa!in, that the!
cou&d ha$e no *eace 2ith the 'o< unti& the! had ,i$en the' a scour,in,#
On the ne/t 'ornin,< in oedience to this order< Da$id 3# )atten 2as
des*atched 2ith one hundred 'en under his co''and to 'eet the 'o as the!
2ere ad$ancin, fro' Carro&&< 2ith directions to *rotect the citi4ens< and
co&&ect and rin, into Far 3est such of the -.or'ons- as 2ere scattered
throu,h the count!< and un*rotected< and if the 'o interfered< he 'ust
fi,ht the'# The co'*an! under the co''and of )atten 2as the sa'e< in *art<
that had ,one fro' Far 3est ! the order of 5enera& Doni*han to *rotect
the citi4ens of Da$iess# As )atten 2ent in the direction of the 'o< the!
f&ed efore hi'< &ea$in, their cannon< 2hich )atten too0 *ossession of#
The 'o dis*ersed# )atten 2ith his 'en then returned to Da$iess count!#
)atten in a fe2 da!s after returned to Far 3est# It 2as no2 su**osed that
the difficu&ties 2ere at an end# "ut contrar! to e/*ectation< on the
e$enin, of the H9rd of Octoer< 'essen,ers arri$ed at Far 3est and
infor'ed the citi4ens that a od! of ar'ed 'en had 'ade their a**earance
in the south *art of the count!< and that the! 2ere urnin, houses<
destro!in, *ro*ert!< and threatenin, the -.or'on- citi4ens 2ith death<
un&ess the! &eft the count! the ne/t 'ornin, ! 7D o+c&oc0< or renounced
their re&i,ion#
Aout 'idni,ht another 'essen,er arri$ed 2ith ne2s of the &i0e tenor#
)atten co&&ected aout si/t! 'en and *roceeded to the scene of the
disturance< to *rotect if *ossi&e the &i$es and *ro*ert! of the -.or'on-
citi4ens# On his arri$a& at the nei,horhood 2here the first disturance
had co''enced< he found that the 'o had ,one to another nei,horhood to
*rosecute their acts of *&under and outra,e# He 'arched a short distance
and une/*ected&! ca'e u*on the enca'*'ent of the 'o# The ,uards of the
'o fired u*on hi' and 0i&&ed one of his 'en# )atten then char,ed the 'o<
and after a fe2 fires< the 'o dis*ersed and f&ed< ut )atten 2as 0i&&ed
and another of his 'en# After the fi,ht and dis*ersion of the 'o<
)atten+s co'*an! returned to Far 3est# The re*ort of the *roceedin,s
created 'uch e/cite'ent# The co''unit! 2as 'ade to e&ie$e that the
-.or'ons 2ere in ree&&ion a,ainst the &a2? 2hereas the ao$e facts sho2
the! 2ere an in=ured *eo*&e< standin, u* in the defense of their *ersons
and their *ro*ert!#
At this ti'e the ,o$ernor of the state issued an order to 5enera&
C&ar0 to raise se$era& thousand 'en and 'arch a,ainst the -.or'ons<- and
dri$e the' fro' the state< or -e/ter'inate the'#- .a=or-5enera& Lucas and
"ri,adier-5enera& 3i&son co&&ected three or four thousand 'en? and 2ith
this for'ida&e force< co''enced their 'arch and arri$ed at Far 3est# In
their rear 'arched 5enera& C&ar0 2ith another for'ida&e force#
In the 'eanti'e the -.or'ons- had not heard of these i''ense
*re*arations< and so far fro' e/*ectin, an ar'ed force under the orders of
the state to 2ar a,ainst the'< 2ere dai&! e/*ectin, a force fro' the
,o$ernor to *rotect their &i$es and their *ro*ert! fro' the 'o#
3hen this for'ida&e arra! first 'ade its a**earance< intent u*on
*eace< the -.or'ons sent a 2hite f&a, se$era& 'i&es to 'eet the'< to
ascertain the reason 2h! an ar'ed force 2as 'archin, a,ainst the'< and
2hat 2e 'i,ht e/*ect at their hands# The! ,a$e us no satisfaction< ut
continued 'archin, to2ards Far 3est# I''ediate&! on their arri$a&< a 'an
ca'e earin, a 2hite f&a, fro' their ca'*# He 2as interro,ated aout his
usiness? he ans2ered the interro,ations< sa!in, the! 2anted three *ersons
out of Far 3est< efore the! 'assacred the rest# Those *ersons refused to
,o< and he returned ac0 to the ca'*# He 2as c&ose&! fo&&o2ed ! 5enera&
Doni*han and his 2ho&e ri,ade 'archin, to the cit! of Far 3est in &ine of
att&e# The citi4ens a&so of Far 3est for'ed a &ine of att&e in fu&&
front of Doni*han+s ar'!( u*on this Doni*han ordered a ha&t< and then a
retreat# Ni,ht c&osed u*on oth *arties 2ithout an! co&&ision#
On the ne/t da!< to2ards e$enin,< the -.or'ons- 2ere officia&&!
infor'ed that the ,o$ernor of the state had sent this i''ense force
a,ainst the' to 'assacre the'< or dri$e the' fro' the state# As soon as
the -.or'ons- &earned that this order had the sanction of the ,o$ernor of
the state< the! deter'ined to 'a0e no resistance? to su'it the'se&$es to
the authorities of the state< ho2 t!rannica& and un=ust soe$er the
e/ercise of that authorit! 'i,ht e#
The co''anders of the .issouri 'i&itia efore Far 3est sent a
'essen,er into the to2n< re>uestin, an inter$ie2 in their ca'* 2ith fi$e
of the *rinci*a& citi4ens a'on, the -.or'ons<- *&ed,in, their faith for
their safe return on the fo&&o2in, 'ornin, at ei,ht o+c&oc0# In$ited< as
the! su**osed< to *ro*ose and recei$e ter's of *eace< and under the *&ed,e
of a safe conduct< L!'an 3i,ht< 5eor,e 3# Roinson< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#<
)ar&e! )# )ratt< and Sidne! Ri,don< 2ent to2ards the ca'* of the 'i&itia#
"efore the! arri$ed at the ca'*< the! 2ere surrounded ! the 2ho&e ar'!?
and ! order of 5enera& Lucas *ut under ,uard< and 'arched to the ca'*<
and 2ere to&d that the! 2ere *risoners of 2ar#
A court 'artia& 2as he&d that ni,ht< and the!< 2ithout ein, heard<
and in the asence of a&& *roof< 2ere conde'ned to e shot ne/t 'ornin,#
The e/ecution of this &ood! order< 2as *re$ented ! the 'an&!
*rotest of 5enera& Doni*han# He denounced the act as co&d &ooded 'urder<
and 2ithdre2 his ri,ade# This no&e stand ta0en ! 5enera& Doni*han<
*re$ented the 'urder of the *risoners# It is here 2orth! of note< that
se$enteen *reachers of the ,os*e& 2ere on this court 'artia&< and 2ere in
fa$or of the sentence#
The ne/t 'ornin, the *risoners 2ere 'arched under a stron, ,uard to
Inde*endence< in Jac0son count!< and after ein, detained there for a
2ee0< the! 2ere 'arched to Rich'ond< 2here 5enera& C&ar0 then 2as 2ith his
troo*s# Here a court of in>uir! 2as he&d efore Jud,e 1in,? this continued
fro' the 77th unti& the H8th of No$e'er? 2hi&e the fi$e *risoners 2ere
0e*t in chains< and aout fift! other -.or'ons<- ta0en at Far 3est< 2ere
*enned u* in an o*en< unfinished court house# In this 'oc0 court of
in>uir! the defendants 2ere *re$ented fro' ,i$in, an! testi'on! on their
*art< ! an ar'ed force at the court house? the! 2ere ad$ised ! their
&a2!ers not to rin, an! I2itnessesJ< as the! 2ou&d e in dan,er of their
&i$es< or e dri$en out of the count!? so there 2as no testi'on! e/a'ined
on&! a,ainst the'#
In this in>uir! a ,reat 'an! >uestions 2ere as0ed re&ati$e to
re&i,ious o*inions# The conc&usion of the court of in>uir! 2as to send
the *risoners to =ai& u*on a char,e of treason#
The! do not dee' it necessar! to detai& their sufferin,s 2hi&e in
*rison< the horrors of a *rison for four &on, 'onths< in dar0ness< in
2ant< a&one< and durin, the co&d of 2inter< can etter e concei$ed than
e/*ressed# In the fo&&o2in, A*ri& the *risoners 2ere sent to the count! of
Da$iess for tria&( the! 2ere then indicted for treason< and a chan,e of
$enue 2as ta0en to "oone count!# The *risoners 2ere sent to the count! of
"oone< and 2hi&e on their 2a! 'ade their esca*e< and f&ed to the state of
I&&inois#
That the! 2ere suffered to esca*e ad'its of no dout# The truth is<
the state of .issouri had eco'e asha'ed of their *roceedin,s a,ainst the
-.or'ons<- and as the est 'eans of ,ettin, out of the scra*e< ,a$e the
*risoners an o**ortunit! to esca*e# In *roof of this< the *risoners ha$e
e$er since een &i$in, *u&ic&! in the state of I&&inois< and the
e/ecuti$e of .issouri has 'ade no de'and u*on the e/ecuti$e of I&&inois#
Can it e su**osed that the *eo*&e of .issouri 2ou&d thus ta'e&! su'it to
the co''ission of treason ! a *ortion of their citi4ens< and 'a0e no
effort to *unish the ,ui&t!< 2hen the! 2ere thus *u&ic&! &i$in, in an
ad=oinin, stateB Is not this *assi$eness e$idenced The! 0ne2 the -.or'ons-
2ere innocent< and the citi4ens of .issouri 2ron,B
"ut to return to the o*erations of 5enera& Lucas efore Far 3est( 3e
need on&! sa! that the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s 2as carried
into fu&& effect# After the ao$e-na'ed indi$idua&s 2ere ta0en *risoners<
a&& the -.or'ons- in Far 3est< aout fi$e hundred in nu'er< surrendered
u* their ar's to the 'i&itia 2ithout an! resistance# The -.or'ons- no2
f&ed in e$er! direction--2o'en and chi&dren< throu,h the dead of 2inter<
'ar0ed their footste*s 2ith &ood< as the! f&ed fro' the state of
.issouri#
The orders of the ,o$ernor 2ere< that the! shou&d e dri$en fro' the
state or destro!ed# Aout fifteen thousand sou&s< et2een the sac0in, of
Far 3est and s*rin,< aandoned their ho'es< their *ro*ert!< their a&&<
hurried ! the terrors of their ar'ed *ursuers< in 2ant of e$er! necessar!
of &ife< 2ith &eedin, hearts sou,ht refu,e in the state of I&&inois<
2here the! no2 reside#
3e cannot tres*ass u*on !our ti'e ! the re&ation of cases of
indi$idua& sufferin,? the! 2ou&d fi&& a $o&u'e# 3e forear for our re,ard
to hu'anit!< to detai& the *articu&ars of the conduct of the .issouri
'i&itia# 3e cou&d re&ate instances of house-urnin,s< destruction of
*ro*ert!< roin,s< ra*es< and 'urder< that 2ou&d sha'e hu'anit!# One
instance as a sa'*&e of 'an! scenes 2hich the! enacted( T2o hundred of the
'i&itia ca'e sudden&! u*on so'e -.or'on- fa'i&ies e'i,ratin, to the state<
and then enca'*ed at Haun+s 'i&& in Ca&d2e&& count!# The -.or'on- 'en and
chi&dren too0 refu,e in an o&d &o, house 2hich had een used as a
&ac0s'ith+s sho*# On seein, the 'i&itia a**roach< the -.or'ons- cried for
>uarters< ut in $ain? the! 2ere instant&! fired u*on? ei,hteen fe&& dead?
and their 'urderers< *uttin, the 'u44&e of their ,uns et2een the &o,s<
fired indiscri'inate&! u*on chi&dren< u*on the dead and d!in,# One &itt&e
o!< 2hose father E3arren S'ithF had =ust een shot dead< cried *iteous&!
to the 'i&itia to s*are his &ife# The re*&! 2as< -1i&& hi'< 0i&& hi' E2ith
an oathF< he is a son of a da'ned .or'on#- At this the! shot his head a&&
o*en< and &eft hi' dead ! the side of his father# Aout the sa'e ti'e an
o&d 'an ! the na'e of .c"ride< a so&dier of the Re$o&ution< ca'e u* to
the' and e,,ed his &ife? ut the! he2ed hi' to *ieces 2ith an o&d corn
cutter# The! then &oaded the'se&$es 2ith *&under and de*arted#
Your *etitioners ha$e thus ,i$en a rief out&ine of the histor! of
the
-.or'on- *ersecutions in .issouri--a&& 2hich the! can *ro$e to e
true< if an o**ortunit! e ,i$en the'# It 2i&& e seen fro' this their
rief state'ent< that neither the -.or'ons- as a od!< nor indi$idua&s of
that od!< ha$e een ,ui&t! of an! offense a,ainst the &a2s of .issouri<
or of the United States? ut their on&! offense has een their re&i,ious
o*inion#
The ao$e state'ent 2i&& a&so sho2< that the -.or'ons- on a&&
occasions su'itted to the &a2 of the &and< and !ie&ded to its authorit!
in e$er! e/tre'it!< and at e$er! ha4ard< at the ris0 of &ife and *ro*ert!#
The ao$e state'ent 2i&& i&&ustrate another truth? that 2here$er the
-.or'ons- 'ade an! resistance to the 'o< it 2as in se&f defense? and for
these acts of se&f defense the! a&2a!s had the authorit! and sanction of
the officers of the &a2 for so doin,# Yet the!< to the nu'er of aout
fifteen thousand sou&s< ha$e een dri$en fro' their ho'es in .issouri#
Their *ro*ert!< to the a'ount of t2o 'i&&ions of do&&ars< has een ta0en
fro' the'< or destro!ed# So'e of the' ha$e een 'urdered< eaten< ruised<
or &a'ed and ha$e a&& een dri$en forth< 2anderin, o$er the 2or&d 2ithout
ho'es< 2ithout *ro*ert!#
"ut the &oss of *ro*ert! does not co'*rise ha&f their sufferin,s#
The! 2ere hu'an ein,s< *ossessed of hu'an fee&in,s and hu'an s!'*athies#
Their a,on! of sou& 2as the itterest dro* in the cu* of their sorro2s#
For these 2ron,s< the -.or'ons- ou,ht to ha$e so'e redress? !et ho2
and 2here sha&& the! see0 and otain itB Your constitution ,uarantees to
e$er! citi4en< e$en the hu'&est< the en=o!'ent of &ife< &iert!< and
*ro*ert!# It *ro'ises to a&&< re&i,ious freedo'< the ri,ht to a&& to
2orshi* 5od eneath their o2n $ine and fi, tree< accordin, to the dictates
of their conscience# It ,uarantees to a&& the citi4ens of the se$era&
states the ri,ht to eco'e citi4ens of an! one of the states< and to en=o!
a&& the ri,hts and i''unities of the citi4ens of the state of his
ado*tion# Yet of a&& these ri,hts ha$e the -.or'ons- een de*ri$ed# The!
ha$e< 2ithout a cause< 2ithout a tria&< een de*ri$ed of &ife< &iert! and
*ro*ert!# The! ha$e een *ersecuted for their re&i,ious o*inions# The!
ha$e een dri$en fro' the state of .issouri< at the *oint of the a!onet<
and *re$ented fro' en=o!in, and e/ercisin, the ri,hts of citi4ens of the
state of .issouri# It is the theor! of our &a2s< that for the *rotection
of e$er! &e,a& ri,ht< there is *ro$ided a &e,a& re'ed!# 3hat< then< 2e
2ou&d res*ectfu&&! as0< is the re'ed! of the -.or'onsB- Sha&& the! a**&!
to the &e,is&ature of the state of .issouri for redressB The! ha$e done
so# The! ha$e *etitioned< and these *etitions ha$e een treated 2ith
si&ence and conte'*t# Sha&& the! a**&! to the federa& courtsB The! 2ere<
at the ti'e of the in=ur!< citi4ens of the state of .issouri# Sha&& the!
a**&! to the court of the state of .issouriB 3ho' sha&& the! sueB The
order for their destruction< then e/ter'ination< 2as ,ranted ! the
e/ecuti$e of the state of .issouri# Is not this a *&ea of =ustification
for the &oss of indi$idua&s< done in *ursuance of that orderB If not<
efore 2ho' sha&& the -.or'ons- institute a tria&B Sha&& the! su''on a
=ur! of the indi$idua&s 2ho co'*osed the 'oB An a**ea& to the' 2ere in
$ain# The! dare not ,o to .issouri to institute a suit? their &i$es 2ou&d
e in dan,er#
For ourse&$es 2e see no redress< un&ess it is a2arded ! the Con,ress
of the United States# And here 2e 'a0e our a**ea& as A'erican Citi4ens< as
Christians< and as .en--e&ie$in, that the hi,h sense of =ustice 2hich
e/ists in !our honora&e od!< 2i&& not a&&o2 such o**ression to e
*racticed u*on an! *ortion of the citi4ens of this $ast re*u&ic 2ith
i'*unit!? ut that so'e 'easures 2hich !our 2isdo' 'a! dictate< 'a! e
ta0en< so that the ,reat od! of *eo*&e 2ho ha$e een thus aused< 'a!
ha$e redress for the 2ron,s 2hich the! ha$e suffered# And to !our decision
the! &oo0 2ith confidence? ho*in, it 'a! e such as sha&& tend to dr! u*
the tear of the 2ido2 and or*han< and a,ain *&ace in situations of *eace<
those 2ho ha$e een dri$en fro' their ho'es< and ha$e had to 2ade throu,h
scenes of sorro2 and distress#
And !our .e'ora&ists< as in dut! ound< 2i&& e$er *ra!#
Cha*ter III#
THE )RO)HET+S EFFORTS AT 3ASHIN5TON TO O"TAIN REDRESS OF
5RIE%ANCES FOR THE SAINTS--AFFIDA%ITS ON .ISSOURI AFFAIRS#
Saturda!< No$e'er 9D< 789N#--E&ders Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith 2ent
to "rother Isaac Hai,ht+s at .ora$ia#
Sunda!< Dece'er 7< 789N#--The Hi,h Counci& at Nau$oo 'et at O&i$er
5ran,er+s and $oted that H!ru' S'ith< 5eor,e 3# Harris< and O&i$er
5ran,er< e a co''ittee to send a *etition to the &e,is&ature to define
ne2 oundar! &ines of the cit! of Nau$oo< and a&so of Co''erce< and do a&&
other needfu& acts re&ati$e to those cities? that H!ru' S'ith furnish the
'a*s and *&ats for the a&teration< and that Se!'our "runson circu&ate the
*etition for si,natures#
%oted that "isho* Ed2ard )artrid,e *u&ish a *iece in the Ti'es and
Seasons< infor'in, the rethren in the 2est< that it is i'*ro*er to re'o$e
fro' the 2est for the *ur*ose of &ocatin, in 1irt&and< Ohio< and that
those 2ho do thus re'o$e< 2i&& e disfe&&o2shi*ed ! the counci&#
The )ro*het+s Letter to H!ru' S'ith--Re*ortin, State of Affairs at
3ashin,ton# 3ASHIN5TON CITY< CORNER .ISSOURI AND 9RD STREETS# Dece'er
Gth< 78HN# Dear "rother H!ru'< )resident< and to the Honora&e Hi,h
Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints--to 2ho' e
fe&&o2shi*< &o$e< and the *eace of A&'i,ht! 5od e/tended< and the *ra!er
of faith fore$er and e$er# A'en#
Your fe&&o2 &aorers< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< E&ias Hi,ee< and a,ents as
2e&& as the ser$ants that are sent ! !ou< to *erfor' one of the 'ost
arduous and res*onsi&e duties< and a&so to &aor in the 'ost honora&e
cause that e$er ,raced the *a,es of hu'an e/istence< res*ectfu&&! sho2 !
these &ines< that 2e ha$e ta0en u* our cross thus far< and that 2e arri$ed
in this cit! on the 'ornin, of the H8th No$e'er< and s*ent the 'ost of
that da! in &oo0in, u* a oardin, house< 2hich 2e succeeded in findin,# 3e
found as chea* oardin, as can e had in this cit!#
On Frida! 'ornin,< HNth< 2e *roceeded to the house of the )resident#
3e found a $er! &ar,e and s*&endid *a&ace< surrounded 2ith a s*&endid
enc&osure< decorated 2ith a&& the fineries and e&e,ancies of this 2or&d#
3e 2ent to the door and re>uested to see the )resident< 2hen 2e 2ere
i''ediate&! introduced into an u**er a*art'ent< 2here 2e 'et the
)resident< and 2ere introduced into his *ar&or< 2here 2e *resented hi'
2ith our &etters of introduction# As soon as he had read one of the'< he
&oo0ed u*on us 2ith a ha&f fro2n< and said< -3hat can I doB I can do
nothin, for !ouK If I do an!thin,< I sha&& co'e in contact 2ith the 2ho&e
state of .issouri#-
"ut 2e 2ere not to e inti'idated? and de'anded a hearin,< and
constitutiona& ri,hts# "efore 2e &eft hi' he *ro'ised to reconsider 2hat
he had said< and oser$ed that he fe&t to s!'*athi4e 2ith us< on account
of our sufferin,s#
3e ha$e s*ent the re'ainder of our ti'e in huntin, u* the
Re*resentati$es in order to ,et our case rou,ht efore the House? in
,i$in, the' &etters of introduction< etc#< and in ,ettin, ac>uainted# A
'eetin, of the de&e,ation of the state of I&&inois 2as a**ointed toda!< to
consu&t for rin,in, our case efore Con,ress# The ,ent&e'en fro' I&&inois
are 2orth! 'en< and ha$e treated us 2ith the ,reatest 0indness< and are
read! to do a&& that is in their *o2er? ut !ou are a2are< rethren< that
the! 2ith us ha$e a&& the *re=udices< su*erstition< and i,otr! of an
i,norant ,eneration to contend 2ith? ne$erthe&ess 2e e&ie$e our case 2i&&
e rou,ht efore the House< and 2e 2i&& &ea$e the e$ent 2ith 5od? He is
our Jud,e< and the A$en,er of our 2ron,s#
For a ,enera& thin, there is ut &itt&e so&idit! and honora&e
de*ort'ent a'on, those 2ho are sent here to re*resent the *eo*&e? ut a
,reat dea& of *o'*osit! and sho2#
3e &eft )resident Ri,don and others on the road< and recei$ed a
&etter fro' the' this da!# The! 2ere< at the date of the &etter< on the
HDth of No$e'er< near 3ashin,ton< in )enns!&$ania< e/*ectin, to sto* a
da! or t2o at his rother+s on account of his i&& hea&th# He has
occasiona&&! a chi&& !et< ut his i&&ness is not dan,erous# 3e e/*ect hi'
here soon#
3e ha$e a&read! co''enced for'in, so'e $er! honora&e ac>uaintances<
and ha$e thus far een *ros*ered as 'uch as 2e had antici*ated< if not
'ore# 3e ha$e had a *&easin, inter$ie2 2ith Jud,e Youn,< 2ho *ro*osed to
furnish us 2ith e/*ense 'one!# 3e can dra2 on hi' for funds to *u&ish our
oo0< and 2e 2ant !ou to raise so'e 'ore 'one! for us< and de*osit it in
the "ranch "an0 in Auinc!< to e dra2n to the order of Jud,e Youn,# Send
us the a'ount of !our de*osit< ta0in, a recei*t of the sa'e# You need not
e afraid to do this# 3e thin0 fro' the *roceeds of the sa&e of oo0s< 2e
can 'a0e it a&& strai,ht# Do therefore e *unctua&< as 'uch de*ends u*on
it# 3e cannot acco'*&ish the thin,s for 2hich 2e 2ere sent 2ithout so'e
funds# You $er! 2e&& 0no2< rethren< 2e 2ere contented to start< trustin,
in 5od< 2ith &itt&e or nothin,# 3e ha$e 'et 2ith ut one accident since 2e
started# The &oc0 of our trun0 2as ro0en off< and "rother L!'an 3i,ht+s
*etition is 'issin,? ut 2e trust there is a co*! of it *reser$ed? if
there is< !ou 2i&& *&ease for2ard it i''ediate&!< 2ith the na'e and
affida$it to it#
For 5od+s sa0e< rethren< e 2ide a2a0e< and ar' us 2ith a&& the
*o2er *ossi&e< for no2 is the ti'e or ne$er# 3e 2ant !ou shou&d ,et a&&
the inf&uentia& 'en !ou can of that section of countr!< of Io2a< and of
e$er! other >uarter< to 2rite &etters to the 'e'ers of Con,ress< usin,
their inf&uence in our eha&f< and to 0ee* their 'inds constant&! u*on the
su=ect#
)&ease to for2ard this to our 2i$es# Yours in the onds of the
E$er&astin, co$enant< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< E&ias Hi,ee#
)# S#--Con,ress has een in session for four da!s< and the House of
Re*resentati$es is not !et or,ani4ed< in conse>uence of so'e seats ein,
contested in the Ne2 Jerse! de&e,ation# The! ha$e this da! succeeded in
e&ectin, John A# Ada's to the chair *rote'#? ut 2hether the! 2i&& ,et
their S*ea0er and C&er0 chosen is !et un0no2n< as there is a ,reat dea& of
2ind &o2n off on the occasion on each da!# There is such an itchin,
dis*osition to dis*&a! their orator! on the 'ost tri$ia& occasions< and so
'uch eti>uette< o2in, and scra*in,< t2istin, and turnin,< to 'a0e a
dis*&a! of their 2itticis'< that it see's to us rather a dis*&a! of fo&&!
and sho2< 'ore than sustance and ,ra$it!< such as eco'es a ,reat nation
&i0e ours# EHo2e$er there are so'e e/ce*tionsF#
A 2ar' fee&in, has een 'anifested in the discussion of the House
toda!< and it see's as 'uch confusion as thou,h the nation had a&read!
e,an to e $e/ed# 3e ca'e 2ith one of the .issouri 'e'ers fro' 3hee&in,
to this *&ace< 2ho 2as drun0 ut once< and that ho2e$er 2as 'ost of the
ti'e? there 2as ut one da! ut 2hat he cou&d na$i,ate< and that da! he
2as 0ee&ed o$er< so he cou&d eat no dinner# The horses ran a2a! 2ith the
sta,e? the! ran aout three 'i&es?
"rother Jose*h c&i'ed out of the sta,e< ,ot the &ines< and sto**ed
the horses< and a&so sa$ed the &ife of a &ad! and chi&d# He 2as hi,h&!
co''ended ! the 2ho&e co'*an! for his ,reat e/ertions and *resence of
'ind throu,h the 2ho&e affair# E&ias Hi,ee =u'*ed out of the sta,e at a
fa$ora&e 'o'ent< =ust efore the! sto**ed< 2ith a $ie2 to assist in
sto**in, the'< and 2as ut s&i,ht&! in=ured# 3e 2ere not 0no2n to the
state co'*an! unti& after our arri$a&#
In our inter$ie2 2ith the )resident< he interro,ated us 2herein 2e
differed in our re&i,ion fro' the other re&i,ions of the da!# "rother
Jose*h said 2e differed in 'ode of a*tis'< and the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host
! the &a!in, on of hands# 3e considered that a&& other considerations
2ere contained in the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< and 2e dee'ed it unnecessar!
to 'a0e 'an! 2ords in *reachin, the 5os*e& to hi'# Suffice it to sa! he
has ,ot our testi'on!# 3e 2atch the *ost office< ut ha$e recei$ed no
&etters fro' our sections of the countr!# 3rite instant&!# Yours 2ith
res*ect< J# S# Jun#< E# H#
Tuesda!< 9#--Hi,h Counci& of Io2a 'et at E&i=ah Fordha'+s and $oted
to co'e u* to the &a2 of tithin,< so far as circu'stances 2ou&d *er'it<
for the enefit of the *oor< and that A&anson Ri*&e! re'o$e to Io2a? and
he 2as ordained "isho* ! the )residenc! of the Counci&#
E&der Danie& A$er! 2as instructed to ca&& the E&ders to,ether and
or,ani4e the E&der+s Auoru'#
Saturda!< M#--The )resident of the Hi,h Counci& of Io2a *ro*osed the
fo&&o2in, >uestions--Ha$e the rethren a ri,ht to e/act the *a!'ent of
dets 2hich 2ere due the' fro' others< and 2ere consecrated to the "isho*
in the state of .issouriB Si/ counse&ors s*o0e# The )resident decided that
a&& such dets ou,ht not to e ca&&ed for< and that *ersons 'a0in, such
de'ands sha&& e disfe&&o2shi*ed ! the Church? 2hich 2as a**ro$ed ! the
Counci&# A&so that a&& those 2ho so&d ,oods in .issouri< and 2ere ca&&in,
for their *a!< shou&d e considered as actin, in unri,hteousness< and
ou,ht to e disfe&&o2shi*ed?
as the *ro*ert! of the Saints had een confiscated ! .issouri#
Letter of the )ro*het and E&ias Hi,ee to the Hi,h Counci& at
Nau$oo--)re&i'inar! Hearin, of 5rie$ances# 3ASHIN5TON CITY< CORNER OF
.ISSOURI AND 9RD STREETS# Dece'er Mth< 789N# To Se!'our "runson and the
Honora&e Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints(
Your hu'&e ser$ants< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and E&ias Hi,ee< a,ain address
!ou for the *ur*ose of infor'in, !ou of our *roceedin,s here in re&ation
to our usiness and *ros*ects of success# 3e dee' it uni'*ortant to sa!
an!thin, in re&ation to our =ourne!< arri$a&< and inter$ie2 2ith his
E/ce&&enc!< the )resident of these United States? as the! 2ere 'entioned
in a &etter &ate&! addressed to )resident H!ru' S'ith and the Hi,h
Counci&# 3e 'entioned in that &etter the a**oint'ent of a 'eetin, to e
he&d ! the I&&inois de&e,ation< to consu&t u*on the est 'easures of
,ettin, our usiness rou,ht efore Con,ress# The! 'et !esterda! in one of
the co''ittee roo's of the Ca*ito&# A&& the de&e,ation 2ere *resent e/ce*t
e/-5o$ernor Re!no&ds--2ho is no2 one of the Re*resentati$es in
Con,ress--and on account of 2hose asence< the 'eetin, 2as ad=ourned unti&
toda! at e&e$en o+c&oc0? ho2e$er the su=ect 2as *artia&&! introduced< and
.r# Roinson too0 a stand a,ainst us< so far as concerned our *resentin,
c&ai's to e &i>uidated ! the United States#
3e too0 a stand a,ainst hi'< assertin, our constitutiona& ri,hts#
"rother Jose*h 'aintained the ,round in ar,u'ent a,ainst hi' fir'&! and
res*ectfu&&!< settin, forth the in=uries that 2e ha$e recei$ed< and the
a**ea&s that 2e ha$e 'ade to the =udiciar! of .issouri< and a&so the
,o$ernor? their refusa&s fro' ti'e to ti'e to do us =ustice? a&so the
i'*racticai&it! of doin, an!thin, in the =udiciar! courts of
.issouri--2hich triuna& .r# Roinson thou,ht 2as the on&! *ro*er *&ace
for our c&ai's? ut he fina&&! said it 2as his first i'*ression on the
su=ect< not ha$in, considered the 'atter< ut 2ou&d ta0e it into further
consideration#
Jud,e Youn, of the Senate 'ade so'e re'ar0s in our fa$or< sa!in, he
2ou&d ,et the o*inion of so'e of the *ro'inent 'e'ers of the Senate< 2ho
2ere a&so &a2!ers< and 2ou&d re*ort to us the ne/t 'eetin,# 3e 'et this
da! accordin, to a**oint'ent< and $er! friend&! fee&in,s 2ere 'anifested
on the occasion# Our usiness 2as ta0en u*< and
Jud,e Youn, stated that he had as0ed the o*inion of Jud,e 3hite of
Tennessee< of .r# 3ri,ht< and se$era& other 'e'ers 2hose na'es 2e do not
reco&&ect< ut 2ere *ro'inent 'e'ers of the Senate# The! a&& dec&ined
,i$in, an o*inion at *resent< as it 2as a 'atter that the! had not
considered sufficient&! to decide in our fa$or< 2hich decision 2as that a
.e'oria& and )etition e dra2n u* in a concise 'anner< Eour
Re*resentati$es *ro'isin, so to doF< and Jud,e Youn, *resent the' to the
Senate< that the! 'i,ht there! refer it to the *ro*er co''ittee< 2ith a&&
the acco'*an!in, docu'ents< and order the sa'e to e *rinted#
3e 2ant !ou to assist us no2? and a&so to for2ard us !our
certificates< that !ou ho&d for !our &ands in .issouri( !our c&ai's to
*ree'*tion ri,hts< and affida$its to *ro$e that so&diers 2ere >uartered on
us and in our houses 2ithout our consent< or an! s*ecia& act of &a2 for
that *ur*ose? contrar! to the Constitution of the United States# 3e thin0
"rother Ri*&e! and others 2i&& reco&&ect the circu'stances and facts
re&ati$e to this 'atter# You 2i&& a&so reco&&ect the circu'stances of
"rother Jose*h and others ein, refused the *ri$i&e,e of haeas cor*us !
the authorities of .issouri#
These facts 'ust e authenticated ! affida$its# Let an! *articu&ar
transaction of the outra,es in .issouri that can e s2orn to ! the
sufferers< or those 2ho 2ere e!e-2itnesses to the facts< e sent<
s*ecif!in, the *articu&ars# Ha$e the e$idence ona fide to the *oint#
The House of Re*resentati$es is not or,ani4ed# .uch fee&in, and
confusion ha$e *re$ai&ed in the House for a fe2 da!s *ast# The House
succeeded in e&ectin, John A# Ada's chair'an *rote'# on the Gth instant#
The! ha$e not !et e&ected their S*ea0er or C&er0# The Senate can do
nothin, of conse>uence unti& the House is or,ani4ed? neither can the
)resident+s 'essa,e unti& then e recei$ed# 3e desi,n ta0in, a *a*er and
for2ardin, it to !ou# Your rethren in the onds of the e$er&astin,
co$enant< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< E&ias Hi,ee#
"rother Isaac Hai,ht too0 E&ders Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith to "rother
Jose*h .urdoc0+s< Ha'i&ton< .adison count!< Ne2 Yor0< 2here E&der Youn,
*reached on Sunda!< 8th< and s*ent the 2ee0 in *reachin,< and $isitin, the
rethren# E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith 2as confined to his roo'< sic0#
This da!< the Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo issued an E*ist&e to the Saints
2est of 1irt&and not to return thither# ESee Ti'es and Seasons< *a,e HNF#
E&ders Hira' C&ar0< A&e/ander 3ri,ht< and Sa'ue& .u&&iner arri$ed in
)reston fro' A'erica# Their &icenses 2ere 'is&aid on their =ourne!< and
the! had so'e difficu&t! in 'a0in, the'se&$es 0no2n#
So'e ti'e this 'onth< "rother H!ru' S'ith 2rote a &on, E*ist&e -To
the Saints scattered aroad< 5reetin,<- settin, forth his sufferin,s<
etc#< in the State of .issouri< and *u&ished the sa'e in the Ti'es and
Seasons< on *a,e HD and on2ard#
Sunda!< 7G#--)resident Youn, *reached at "rother 5ifford+s< in
3ater$i&&e#
The Hi,h Counci& at Nau$oo $oted that "isho* 1ni,ht *ro$ide for the
fa'i&ies of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< and Orrin )orter Roc02e&&<
durin, their asence at 3ashin,ton#
E&der Ja'es .u&&ho&&and< '! scrie< ha$in, died< it 2as $oted that
dets contracted for ui&din, his house e sett&ed# A&so a**ro$ed of
"rothers Annis< "o4ier< and Ed'unds ui&din, a 2ater 'i&& ad=oinin, the
cit!#
.onda! 7:#--)resident Youn, returned to Ha'i&ton#
3ednesda!< 78#--E&ders 3oodruff< John Ta!&or< and Theodore Tur&e!
sai&ed fro' Ne2 Yor0 for En,&and#
Frida!< HD#--)resident Youn, 2ent to Eaton< to see his cousins Fitch<
Sa&'on< and )hinehas "ri,ha'#
For *articu&ars of our *roceedin,s 2hi&e at 3ashin,ton< see '!
&etters and Jud,e Hi,ee+s to friends at Co''erce< or Nau$oo< at the *&ace
is no2 fre>uent&! ca&&ed#
Saturda!< H7#--I arri$ed in )hi&ade&*hia< direct fro' 3ashin,ton
Cit!< ! the rai&road< 2here I s*ent se$era& da!s *reachin, and $isitin,
fro' house to house< a'on, the rethren and others#
Letter of H!ru' S'ith to )ar&e! )# )ratt--On )rintin, the "oo0 of
.or'on in Ne2 Yor0#
NAU%OO< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< Dece'er HHnd< 789N#
DEAR "ROTHER )ARLEY(--In conse>uence of the asence of '! rother
Jose*h< !our &etter has co'e into '! hands< to 2hich I intend to re*&!<
and ,i$e such instructions< and ad$ise !ou res*ectin, the 'atters and
thin,s of 2hich !ou 2rite< as I fee& &ed ! the S*irit of the Lord Ito
,i$eJ#
I 2as tru&! ,&ad to hear of the *ros*erit! of the churches in and
aout the $icinit! of Ne2 Yor0# Tru&! these thin,s are *&easin, to the
Saints< and I *resu'e to none 'ore so than !ourse&f< 2ho 2as the
instru'ent in the hands of 5od in *&antin, the standard of truth in those
re,ions< around 2hich so 'an! are no2 ra&&!in,#
You e/*ress a desire to ha$e the "oo0 of .or'on< etc#< *rinted in Ne2
Yor0< etc#< etc#< and ha$e ta0en so'e ste*s to2ards acco'*&ishin, that
o=ect# As res*ects this 'atter I 2ou&d sa!< that it is one of ,reat
i'*ortance< and shou&d e *ro*er&! considered# Not on&! is the cit! of Ne2
Yor0 destitute of this oo0< ut there is tru&! a fa'ine throu,hout the
Union< and another &ar,e edition is certain&! re>uired# "ut at the sa'e
ti'e I cannot ,i$e an! encoura,e'ent for the *u&ication of the sa'e<
other than at this *&ace< or 2here it can co'e out under the i''ediate
ins*ection of Jose*h and his Counse&ors< so that no one 'a! e char,ea&e
2ith an! 'ista0es that 'a! occur# I 2ant the oo0s 2e *rint here shou&d e
a standard to a&& nations in 2hich the! 'a! e *rinted< and to a&& ton,ues
into 2hich the sa'e 'a! e trans&ated#
A,ain< as this *&ace is a**ointed a Sta0e and a *&ace of ,atherin,
for the Saints< I thin0 that e$er! faci&it! shou&d e rendered it< in
order that the Saints 'a! e a&e to acco'*&ish the ,reat 2or0s 2hich ha$e
to e *erfor'ed in this ,eneration# I shou&d therefore stron,&! ad$ise<
!ea< ur,e !ou and a&& the E&ders of Israe&< 2hen the! 'eet 2ith those 2ho
ha$e 'eans< and a dis*osition to for2ard this 2or0< to send the' to this
*&ace< 2here the! 'a! recei$e counse& fro' ti'e to ti'e# If 2hen "rothers
Jose*h and Ri,don return< 2e shou&d dee' it *rudent to a$ai& ourse&$es of
the faci&ities offered in Ne2 Yor0 for re-*rintin, the "oo0 of .or'on< it
is *roa&e that a de&e,ation 2i&& e sent to acco'*&ish that o=ect# In
the 'eanti'e !ou 2i&& e at &iert! to ,o to Euro*e< for thereunto are !ou
sent#
The ao$e oser$ations 2i&& a**&! to the oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants< H!'n "oo0< etc#< 2hich *u&ications I &on, to see f&o2in,
throu,h the &and &i0e a strea'< i'*artin, 0no2&ed,e< inte&&i,ence< and =o!
to a&& 2ho sha&& drin0 at the strea'# As to *u&ishin, the "oo0 of .or'on
in Euro*e and other nations< I shou&d entire&! ac>uiesce to !our
*ro*osition# I do not 0no2 of an! 'ore suita&e *ersons for attendin, to
that usiness than the T2e&$e# If it shou&d e dee'ed 2isdo' to ha$e the
sa'e *u&ished in En,&and or e&se2here soon< !ou 2i&& e further ad$ised
on the su=ect< and fu&& *o2ers ,i$en !ou i''ediate&! on the return of
Jose*h< 2ho is at *resent in the cit! of 3ashin,ton< in co'*an! 2ith E&der
Ri,don and Jud,e Hi,ee< endea$orin, to ,et the su=ect of our &ate
*ersecutions rou,ht efore the counci&s of the nation#
The fa'i&ies of the T2e&$e are ,enera&&! 2e&&< ut not a&to,ether so
co'forta&! situated as I cou&d 2ish< o2in, to the *o$ert! of the Church#
I thin0 it 2ou&d e 2e&& for those 2ho ha$e 'eans to s*are< to for2ard the
sa'e to their fa'i&ies#
.! &o$e to a&& the rethren# I a' !our affectionate rother in the
onds of the co$enant< HYRU. S.ITH#
Addressed to E&der )# )# )ratt< Ne2 Yor0 Cit!#
.onda!< H9#--)resident Youn, 2ent to 3ater$i&&e 2ith "rother 5ifford#
Aout this ti'e "rothers Roc02e&& and Hi,ee arri$ed at )hi&ade&*hia 2ith
'! carria,e fro' 3ashin,ton< 2here the! had een so'e ti'e< &ea$in, E&der
Ri,don there sic0< and Dr# Roert E# Foster to ta0e care of hi'#
3ednesda!< HG#--E&ders 3ri,ht and .u&&iner &eft )reston for Scot&and<
and soon co''enced *reachin, and a*ti4in, in )ais&e! and $icinit!#
)resident Youn, 2ent si/ 'i&es north of Ro'e INe2 Yor0J to see
"rother "&a0es&!? returned on the HMth to 3ater$i&&e< and on the H8th 2ent
to Ha'i&ton#
Saturda!< H8#--Heer John< son of 3i&&ard and Jennetta Richards< died
at )reston< En,&and< a,ed fi$e 'onths and nine da!s# He had een sic0 nine
da!s 2ith the s'a&&*o/< and 2as uried in E&s2ic0 Cha*e& !ard#
Sunda!< HN#--The Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo $oted to *rint ten thousand
co*ies of the h!'n oo0s< and an edition of the "oo0 of .or'on< under the
ins*ection of the First )residenc! at Nau$oo< so soon as 'eans can e
otained#
.onda!< 9D#--Aout this ti'e I &eft )hi&ade&*hia 2ith "rother Orson
)ratt< and $isited a ranch of the Church in .on'outh count!< Ne2 Jerse!<
2here I s*ent se$era& da!s< and returned to )hi&ade&*hia#
The Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo $oted that a co''ittee e a**ointed to
transact the usiness re&atin, to the re>uest of the rethren at
3ashin,ton as fo&&o2s--A&anson Ri*&e!< in Io2a? Se!'our "runson and
Char&es C# Rich< at Auinc!? ;enas H# 5ur&e!< at .aco'? and that )resident
H!ru' S'ith< and "isho*s Ed2ard )artrid,e and %inson 1ni,ht ,i$e the
co''ittee their instructions#
3ednesda!< Januar! 7< 78@D#--5eor,e A# S'ith E2ho had *artia&&!
reco$ered fro' his i&&nessF and E&der "ri,ha' Youn, &eft Ha'i&ton# The
rethren he&*ed the' on their 2a!< and ,a$e the' considera&e c&othin,#
Thursda!< H#--"rother Ja'es 5ifford rou,ht the' to Utica#
As 'ore *ositi$e and officia& testi'on! 2as 2anted ! the authorities
at 3ashin,ton< 'an! of the rethren 'ade affida$its concernin, their
sufferin,s in< and e/*u&sion fro'< .issouri< a fe2 of 2hich I 2i&& insert
in '! histor!(
Affida$it of Si'eon Carter on his Sufferin,s in .issouri#
I< Si'eon Carter< certif! that I ha$e een a resident of the state of
.issouri for si/ !ears and u*2ards< and that I ha$e suffered 'an! thin,s
! a &a2&ess 'o? oth '!se&f and '! fa'i&! ha$e een dri$en fro' *&ace to
*&ace< and suffered the &oss of 'uch *ro*ert!< and fina&&! 2ere e/*e&&ed
fro' the state# I further certif!< that I e&on, to the Church of the
Latter-da! Saints< co''on&! ca&&ed -.or'ons#- And I certif! that in the
!ear ei,hteen hundred and thirt!-ei,ht< oth I and '! *eo*&e suffered
'uch< ! the *eo*&e of the state of .issouri# And I further certif!< that
in this sa'e !ear< in the 'onth of No$e'er< et2een the first and si/th<
2e 2ere surrounded ! a so&dier! of the state of
.issouri< in the cit! of Far 3est< in Ca&d2e&& count!< oth '!se&f
and 'an! of '! -.or'on- rethren< and 2ere co'*e&&ed ! the so&dier!--
2hich 2ere ar'ed 2ith a&& the i'*&e'ents of 2ar to shed &ood--under a
*u&ic dec&aration for our entire e/ter'ination< to si,n a2a! our a&&< our
*ro*ert!< *ersona& and rea& estate< and to &ea$e the state of .issouri
i''ediate&!#
I certif! that 7 had at that ti'e one hundred and si/t!-t2o acres of
&and< the sa'e 2hich I he&d the certificate for# I further certif! that I
2as o&i,ed to ,i$e u* '! du*&icates to he&* 'e to a s'a&& su' to carr! 'e
out of the state# I further certif! not# SI.EON CARTER#
Territor! of Io2a< Lee Count!#
S2orn to and suscried efore 'e< a =ustice of the *eace for said
count!< this and da! of Januar!< 78@D# D# 3# 1IL"OURN< J# )#
Letter of H!ru' S'ith to the )ro*het and Jud,e Hi,ee# NAU%OO#
HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< Januar! 9rd< 78@D#
To )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Jud,e Hi,ee ( DEAR
"RETHREN(--It is 2ith fee&in,s of no ordinar! 0ind< that I 2rite !ou at
this ti'e< in ans2er to the &etters 2ith 2hich 2e 2ere fa$ored# Your
&etters 2ere tru&! interestin,< and 2ere read 2ith ,reat interest ! the
rethren here< as 2e&& as '!se&f#
3e 2ere tru&! ,&ad to hear of !our safe arri$a& in the cit! of
3ashin,ton< !our inter$ie2 2ith His E/ce&&enc! the )resident< and the
ste*s !ou ha$e since ta0en for the furtherance of the o=ect !ou ha$e
underta0en to acco'*&ish< and for 2hich !ou ha$e &eft the endear'ents of
ho'e< and the societ! of !our friends# The 'ission on 2hich !ou are
en,a,ed is certain&! an i'*ortant one< and one 2hich e$er! Saint of 5od<
as 2e&& as e$er!one 2hose reast eats hi,h 2ith those *atriotic fee&in,s
2hich *urchased our nationa& freedo'< 'ust ta0e a dee* interest in# And
a&thou,h there 'a! e 'an! 2ho do not $a&ue !our &aors--their sectarian
*re=udices ein, ,reater than their &o$e for truth and the Constitution of
our countr!? !et there are 'an! 2ho 2i&& undouted&! a**reciate !our
ser$ices< and 2i&& fee& it a *&easure to assist !ou a&& that the! *ossi&!
can# Conscious of the ri,hteousness of !our cause--ha$in, the *ra!er of
the Saints# Ea'on,st 2ho' are 'an! 2ho ha$e shared 2ith !ou the tria&s<
*ersecutions< and i'*rison'ents 2hich ha$e een hea*ed u*on the Saints in
.issouriF< and ha$in, the a**ro$a& of hea$en< I 2ou&d sa!< ,o on< dear
rethren< in the na'e of the Lord? and 2hi&e !ou are *&eadin, the cause of
the 2ido2 and the father&ess< 'a!
He 2ho has *ro'ised to e a father to the father&ess and a husand to
the 2ido2< &ess !ou in !our underta0in,s< and ar' !ou 2ith sufficient
stren,th for the hercu&ean tas0 in 2hich !ou are en,a,ed# Your e/ertions
2i&& e seconded ! the rethren in this re,ion< 2ho are dis*osed to do
a&& the! *ossi&! can#
I had =ust ,ot read! to start for S*rin,fie&d 2hen I recei$ed !our
&etter# I no sooner read it than I aandoned the idea of ,oin, there# I
then 'ade e/ertion to otain funds for !ou in this *&ace? ut not ein,
a&e to ,et an!< and hearin, that there 2ere rethren in Auinc! &ate&!
fro' Ne2 Yor0< I started off the fo&&o2in, da! and succeeded in otainin,
fro' "rother Herrin,sha2 three hundred do&&ars< 2hich I de*osited 2ith
.essrs# Ho&'es P Co#< 'erchants in Auinc!< su=ect to the order of Jud,e
Youn,# The reason 2h! I de*osited it 2ith the' 2as in conse>uence of the
an0s not doin, an! usiness and refusin, to ta0e de*osits< etc# I ho*e
that 2e sha&& e a&e to raise !ou so'e 'ore soon# "rother 3i&&ia' La2 has
*ro'ised to &et us ha$e one hundred do&&ars as soon as he ,ets a
re'ittance fro' the east< 2hich he e/*ects dai&!#
3e ha$e not een a&e to ,et 'uch on the cit! &ots since !ou &eft?
not 'ore than enou,h to *a! so'e 2a,es for sur$e!in,< and a fe2 dets#
"rother L!'an 3i,ht returned the suscri*tion *a*er a fe2 da!s a,o<
statin, that he had not co&&ected an!thin, since !ou &eft# In conse>uence
of '! hea&th< 2hich has een *oor< and the co&dness of the 2eather< I ha$e
not een a&e to attend to it '!se&f# I hard&! thin0 2e sha&& e a&e to
raise the one thousand do&&ars for .r# 3i&&ia' 3hite ! the ti'e he 2i&&
e/*ect it# E&der 5ran,er is !et in Co''erce< not ein, a&e to 'o$e in
conse>uence of the &o2 sta,e of 2ater in the Ohio ri$er#
I recei$ed a &etter &ate&! fro' )ar&e! )# )ratt< statin, that he 2as
in the Cit! of Ne2 Yor0< and had *u&ished another edition of his oo0<
and 2anted *er'ission to *rint an edition of the "oo0 of .or'on and
Doctrine and Co$enants< 2ith a *eriodica& si'i&ar to the Ti'es and
Seasons< statin, that there 2ere 'en 2ho had 'eans< that 2ou&d assist in
these thin,s# He &i0e2ise 2anted to ,et the *ri$i&e,e for the T2e&$e to
*rint the "oo0 of .or'on in Euro*e# I 2rote in re*&!< that if there 2ere
an! of the rethren dis*osed to aid< and had 'eans to s*are for such
*ur*oses< to send the' to this *&ace< so that not on&! this *&ace 'i,ht e
enefitted< ut that the oo0s 'i,ht co'e out under !our i''ediate
ins*ection# I a' afraid so'e ha$e een induced to tarr! and assist )ar&e!
in these underta0in,s? and had 'ade arran,e'ents 2ith E&der 5ran,er to
assist in &i>uidatin, the Ne2 Yor0 dets#
I 2ant a &etter fro' !ou< "rother Jose*h< as soon as *ossi&e< ,i$in,
'e a&& the instructions !ou thin0 necessar!# I fee& the urden in !our
asence is ,reat# Father e/*resses a ,reat desire to ,o to 1irt&and< a&on,
2ith "rother 5ran,er< 2ho has *ro'ised to *a! his and 'other+s e/*enses?
2ou&d !ou thin0 it ad$isa&e for the' to ,o or notB
The Hi,h Counci& 'et a fe2 da!s a,o< and too0 !our second &etter into
consideration< and *assed so'e reso&utions on the su=ect? a**ointed
co''ittees to ,et certificates for &and< and to ,et a&& other infor'ation
the! cou&d# So'e ha$e ,one to Auinc!< and others to different *&aces# 3e
sha&& for2ard fro' ti'e to ti'e the infor'ation !ou desire#
You 2i&& recei$e enc&osed in this a nu'er of du*&icates for &and
fro' "isho* )artrid,e and others# The .ississi**i is fro4en u*# The
2eather is $er! co&d< and a ,reat >uantit! of sno2 is on the ,round< and
has een for so'e ti'e# Your fa'i&! is in to&era&e ,ood hea&th< e/ce*tin,
one or t2o ha$in, the chi&&s occasiona&&!#
"isho* 1ni,ht desires 'e to infor' !ou< that "rothers 5ran,er and
Ha2s ha$e dri$en into Co''erce a &ar,e nu'er of ho,s# The! are no2
en,a,ed in s&au,hterin, the'# I thin0 there 2i&& e a ,ood dea& of trade
carried on in this &ine another !ear#
You 'a! e/*ect to hear fro' us soon a,ain# I sent !ou a co*! of the
de*osit I 'ade in Ho&'es P Co#< 2hich I ho*e !ou 2i&& recei$e safe# I a'
$er! affectionate&!< HYRU. S.ITH#
)# S#--3e ha$e conc&uded not to send an! du*&icates in this &etter#
The *ac0a,es of du*&icates 2i&& e directed to Jud,e Hi,ee< thin0in, the!
2i&& co'e 'ore safe to his address#
Frida!< 9#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith 2ent fro' Utica
to A&an!< on the rai&2a!< and *ut u* at the Rai&road House#
Affida$it of 3i&&ia' F# Cahoon--.issouri 3ron,s#
I here! certif! that in the !ear 7898 I 2as residin, in Da$iess
count!< .issouri< and 2hi&e fro' ho'e I 2as ta0en *risoner in Far 3est !
the 'i&itia< and 0e*t under ,uard for si/ or ei,ht da!s< in 2hich ti'e I
2as forced to si,n a deed of trust< after 2hich I 2as *er'itted to return
ho'e to '! fa'i&! in Da$iess count!< and found the' surrounded ! an ar'ed
force< 2ith the rest of '! nei,hors< 2ho 2ere 'uch fri,htened# The order
fro' the 'i&itia 2as to &ea$e the count! 2ithin ten da!s< in 2hich ti'e '!
house 2as ro0en o*en< and 'an! ,oods ta0en out ! the 'i&itia# 3e 2ere
not *er'itted to ,o fro' *&ace to *&ace 2ithout a *ass fro' the ,enera&<
and on &ea$in, the count!< I recei$ed a *ass as fo&&o2s(
-I *er'it 3i&&ia' F# Cahoon to *ass fro' Da$iess to Ca&d2e&& count!<
and there re'ain durin, the 2inter< and thence to *ass out of the state of
.issouri#
-Si,ned No$e'er 7Dth< 7898# -REE%ES< a "ri,adier-5enera&#-
Durin, this ti'e oth '!se&f and '! fa'i&! suffered 'uch on account
of co&d and hun,er ecause 2e 2ere not *er'itted to ,o outside of the
,uard to otain 2ood and *ro$ision? and accordin, to orders of the
'i&itia< in the s*rin, fo&&o2in,< I too0 '! fa'i&! and &eft the state 2ith
the &oss of 'uch *ro*ert!# 3ILLIA. F# CAHOON#
Territor! of Io2a< Lee count!< suscried and s2orn efore D# 3#
1IL"OURN< J# )#
Letter of C# Ada's to the )ro*het--Cause of the Saints efore the
I&&inois Le,is&ature#
S)RIN5FIELD< @th Januar!< 78@D#
RES)ECTED SIR#--I had the ,ratification of the recei*t of !ours of
the 7:th of dece'er< 2hich ,a$e 'e *&easure to &earn that !our *ros*ects
2ere< at that ear&! *eriod< in a 'easure f&atterin,# I a&so sa2 !ours of
the 7Nth Dece'er to .r# 3eer# 3e are no2 consu&tin, and fee&in, the
*u&sations re&ati$e to !our case ein, rou,ht efore the &e,is&ature< no2
in session< ! a series of reso&utions< instructin, our senators< and
re>uestin, our re*resentati$es to ur,e re&ief in !our case#
That 2i&& e done< re'ains !et uncertain? sti&& it is '! stron,est
i'*ression< it 2i&& e found *rudent to ,et the 'atter efore our
&e,is&ature< for their action thereon# I a' ha**! to &earn that a&& our
de&e,ation are friend&! to !our intended a**&ication for re&ief in so'e
sha*e? and it stri0es 'e that the $ie2s of the )resident at this *eriod
'a! e the est< and *erha*s the on&! 2a! that re&ief cou&d at this ti'e
e otained? and in that e$ent< e no in=ur! to a future a**&ication to e
restored to a&& !our ri,hts< 2hen *re=udice sha&& in a 'easure ha$e
susided and the true state of the 'atter e 'ore readi&! recei$ed< e$en
! those 2hose *re=udices 'a! ha$e c&osed the a$enues to reason and
=ustice in a 'atter identified 2ith the odiu' so co''on&! attached to the
sound of -.or'ons#- This odiu' 2i&& natura&&! 2ear off 2hen the! ha$e ti'e
to &earn that -.or'ons- are neither anthro*o*ha,i or cannia&s#
Your friends are ,enera&&! 2e&&# I a'< etc#< C# ADA.S# To Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#
Saturda!< @#--The Hi,h Counci& at .ontrose $oted to utter&! discard
the *ractice of suin, rethren at the &a2< and that such as do it< sha&&
e disfe&&o2shi*ed ! this ranch of the Church? that Araha' O# S'oot
ordain Danie& A$er! )resident of the E&ders+ Auoru'? and that the si/th
instant e de$oted to ta0in, affida$its concernin, .issouri#
E&der Youn, found the rethren in A&an!? 2ent to Tro!< and
Lansin,ur,< 2here he heard E&der )hinehas Richards *reach#
Sunda!< G#--E&der Youn, *reached at Lansin,ur,< and returned to Tro!
and he&d a 'eetin, 2ith the rethren#
.onda!< :#--E&der Youn, returned to A&an!#
E/tract fro' E&der Orson )ratt+s Letter to his 2ife--Re*ortin,
.o$e'ents of the "rethren in the Eastern States# Januar! :th< 78@D#
I a' 2e&& and heart!# After 'ai&in, the &ast &etter to !ou in
)enns!&$ania< I 2ent to )hi&ade&*hia on Saturda!< the H7st of Dece'er#
There I found )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#? he had =ust arri$ed fro'
3ashin,ton Cit!< 2here he had een aout three 2ee0s# Four or fi$e da!s
after< Jud,e Hi,ee< 2ith )orter Roc02e&&< ca'e to )hi&ade&*hia? the! are
2e&&# I 2rote to )ar&e! )# )ratt to co'e and see )resident S'ith? he did
so< and *roa&! 2i&& ,o to 3ashin,ton 2ith hi' in a fe2 da!s# I sta!ed
2ith "rother S'ith< in )hi&ade&*hia< aout ei,ht da!s? 2e then too0 the
rai&road and 2ent so'e 9G or @D 'i&es< to a &ar,e ranch of the Church in
.on'outh count!< Ne2 Jerse!< 2hich nu'ers ninet! 'e'ers? there I &eft
hi' I)resident S'ithJ on Ne2 Year+s da!< and ca'e to Ne2 Yor0< 2here I a'
at *resent#
E&der "en=a'in 3inchester had< 2hen I &eft )hi&ade&*hia< a*ti4ed
fort!-fi$e in that cit!< and se$era& 'ore had ,i$en in their na'es for
a*tis'< and scores e&ie$in,# I *reached in Chester count!< )enns!&$ania<
aout t2o 2ee0s< and I thin0 I 'a! safe&! sa! there are hundreds
e&ie$in,# The 2or0 is *ros*erin, throu,hout a&& this re,ion#
E&ders Ta!&or< 3oodruff< and Tur&e! sai&ed for Li$er*oo&< Dece'er
78th< 2hi&e I 2as in )enns!&$ania# None of the rest of the T2e&$e ha$e !et
arri$ed# )ar&e! )# )ratt has another oo0 *rinted< &ar,er than the %oice
of 3arnin,< entit&ed -The .i&&enniu' and other )oe's<- and a *iece on the
-Eterna& Duration of .atter#-
Letter fro' John "# 3eer to the )ro*het--On Su**&e'entin, the
Latter+s Effort to Otain Redresses fro' Con,ress#
S)RIN5FIELD< Januar! :< 78@D#
5ENTLE.EN(--Your &etter of the 7Nth ca'e to hand ten da!s after date<
i''ediate&! after 2hich I ca&&ed u*on 'an! of the *ro'inent 'e'ers of the
De'ocratic *art!< 2ith a $ie2 to unite the' in their inf&uence in !our
eha&f? a&& of 2ho' e/*ressed a 2i&&in,ness to aid in rin,in, aout
=ustice# "ut I re,ret to infor' !ou that ut fe2 ha$e e/hiited that
ener,! in the 'atter 2hich 'i,ht reasona&! e e/*ected fro' a&& &o$ers of
&iert! and ad$ocates of e>ua& ri,hts#
Your ener,etic friends 2ere first of the o*inion that an effort ou,ht
to e 'ade ! our &e,is&ature to 'e'ora&i4e our re*resentati$es in
Con,ress to use a&& honora&e 'eans to acco'*&ish !our desires? ut after
ho&din, a consu&tation it 2as e&ie$ed that such a course 2ou&d create a
*art! strife here< and conse>uent&! o*erate a,ainst !ou in Con,ress#
Therefore it 2as a,reed that as 'an! as had friends in Con,ress shou&d
2rite to the' i''ediate&!< desirin, their aid in !our eha&f#
If con$enient !ou 2i&& *&ease 2rite a,ain# An! infor'ation res*ectin,
!our 'ission 2i&& e than0fu&&! recei$ed< and 'ade 0no2n to !our *eo*&e
here# %er! res*ectfu&&! !ours< JOHN "# 3E"ER#
To the Re$# Jose*h S'ith and his Associates# Affida$it of John .#
"ur0--.issouri Outra,es#
I here! certif! that 5enera& John C&ar0 and his Aid< on their
arri$a& at Far 3est in Ca&d2e&& count!< .issouri< ca'e to '! ta$ern stand<
and 2ithout '! &ea$e< *itched their 'ar>uees in '! !ard and did ta0e '!
2ood and ha! to furnish the sa'e< and did rin, their horses in a&so< and
2ithout '! &ea$e< too0 ha! for the'< and did ta0e *ossession of '! house<
and used it for a counci& house< and did *&ace a stron, ,uard around it<
so as to hinder an! *erson fro' ,oin, in or out< and I '!se&f 2as not
*er'itted to ,o in and out? for a&& this I ha$e recei$ed no re'uneration<
and 2as not e$en *er'itted to *ass out of to2n to 2ater tra$e&ers+ horses
2ithout a *er'it# The ao$e too0 *&ace in the first *art of No$e'er<
7898#
I a&so certif! that Ca&e "a&d2in< L!'an 3i,ht< H!ru' S'ith< Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< and .r# A&e/ander .cRae< in C&a! count!< .issouri< did a**&!
for a 2rit of haeas cor*us and did not ,et it# JOHN .# "UR1#
S2orn efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Affida$it of John Lo2r!--Ditto#
I certif! that I sa2 5enera& John C&ar0 and his Aid< on their arri$a&
at Far 3est< Ca&d2e&& count!< .issouri< in the !ard of John .# "ur0< and
,a$e orders to their 2aiters to *itch their 'ar>uees in his !ard< and to
ta0e of his 2ood for fire#
I a&so sa2 Ca*tain Sa'ue& "o,art< 2ith his 'en< co'e near '!
d2e&&in,< and did *itch their ca'*< and too0 '! house &o,s 2ithout '!
&ea$e< and did urn the'# I a&so sa2 hi' 2ith the horse of Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< in his *ossession# JOHN LO3RY#
S2orn efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Affida$it of Jedediah O2en--Ditto#
To 2ho' it 'a! concern--This is to certif!< that on the da! fo&&o2in,
on 2hich the troo*s arri$ed at Far 3est< that t2o 'en of said troo*s ca'e
to '! house< ro0e o*en '! trun0< and too0 therefro' oth 'one! and
c&othin,< and a&so a nu'er of *a*ers< a'on, 2hich 2ere deeds and notes<
and a&so a nu'er of coo0in, utensi&s< and in conse>uence of the crue& and
inhu'an treat'ent 2hich I and others ha$e recei$ed fro' those troo*s< 2e
are reduced to a state of a&'ost aso&ute star$ation? and Danie& A$er! and
'!se&f 2ere a**ointed as a co''ittee to ,o out and e, corn and 'ea&< or
an!thin, 2e 'i,ht otain< that 2ou&d render assistance or re&ie$e us in
our sufferin, condition# JEDEDIAH O3EN# S2orn efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Affida$it of T# A&$ord--Ditto#
I re'o$ed '! fa'i&! fro' the state of .ichi,an to C&a! count!<
.issouri< in the !ear 789G< 2here I &i$ed in *eace 2ith the *eo*&e< on '!
o2n &and< ei,hteen 'onths or 'ore< 2hen the *eo*&e e,an to e e/cited in
conse>uence of the e'i,ration of our *eo*&e to that count!# The e/cite'ent
eca'e so ,reat that I 2as o&i,ed to se&& '! *&ace at ha&f *rice< and
re'o$ed to the count! of Ca&d2e&&< 2here I *urchased 'e a far'< and
sett&ed '! fa'i&!< and 'ade a ,ood i'*ro$e'ent< and 2as in a ,ood
situation to su**ort '! fa'i&!< and there &i$ed in *eace 2ith the *eo*&e
unti& the su''er and fa&& of 7898< 2hen the 'o e,an to rise< and 2e 2ere
o&i,ed to f&! to ar's in se&f defense? ut not2ithstandin, our e/ertion<
the! 'urdered and 'assacred 'an! of our *eo*&e# 3e a**&ied to the ,o$ernor
for assistance< and his re*&! to us 2as< -If !ou ha$e ,ot into a scra*e
2ith the 'o< !ou 'ust fi,ht it out !ourse&$es< for I cannot he&* !ou#-
The 'o sti&& increased< unti& I 2as o&i,ed to re'o$e '! fa'i&! to Far
3est< and there re'ained< surrounded 2ith 'os of 'urderers< unti& 5enera&
C&ar0 arri$ed 2ith his ar'!< 2ith the ,o$ernor+s e/ter'inatin, order# Then
2e 2ere a&& ta0en *risoners? our ar's ta0en a2a!? the! then treated 2ith
a&& the crue&t! the! 2ere 'asters of< and too0 *ossession of 2hate$er the!
*&eased< urnt ti'er< and &aid 2aste to2n and countr!#
I heard 5enera& C&ar0 sa! that he 2ou&d e/ecute the 5o$ernor+s order?
-ut Isaid heJ not2ithstandin,< I 2i&& $ar! so 'uch as to ,i$e so'e &enit!
for the re'o$a& of this *eo*&e< and !ou 'ust &ea$e the state i''ediate&!<
for !ou need not e/*ect to raise another cro* here#- Those 2ho 2ere not
ta0en to *rison< 2ere *er'itted to return to their ho'es to 'a0e
*re*arations to &ea$e the state# Findin, I had no safet! for '!se&f and
fa'i&! in .issouri< I f&ed to I&&inois for safet!# T# AL%ORD#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Tuesda!< Januar! M#--E&der Youn, too0 sta,e for Rich'ond<
.assachusetts# Affida$it of 3i&&ia' Ha20--.issouri Affairs# .ONTROSE< LEE
COUNTY< IO3A< Januar! M< 78@D#
I here! certif!< that so'e ti'e in the 'onth of Octoer< 7898< an
ar'ed force co&&ected in the count! of Carro&&< near De 3itt< and in o*en
da!&i,ht< dro$e a 'an ! the na'e of Hu'*hre! out of his house< and set
fire to it< and urnt it to ashes< and then sent an e/*ress orderin, a&&
the -.or'ons- to &ea$e the *&ace as soon as the ne/t da!# The ne/t da!
the! sent another e/*ress orderin, the' to &ea$e in si/ hours< or the!
2ou&d e 'assacred u*on the ,round# The! a&so fired their ,uns at
different *ersons tra$e&in, the road near the to2n# The -.or'ons- 2ere at
&en,th co'*e&&ed to &ea$e their *ossessions< and a&& re'o$ed to Ca&d2e&&<
consistin, of se$ent! and *erha*s one hundred fa'i&ies< 'an! of 2ho' 2ere
in 2ant of the sustenance of &ife< sic0< and so'e died u*on the 2a!#
Aout t2o 2ee0s after this< another ar'ed force in$aded Far 3est<
too0 '! ,un< and co'*e&&ed 'e to si,n a2a! '! *ro*ert!< oth rea& and
*ersona&< and &ea$e the state forth2ith# 3ILLIA. HA31#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn# J# )#
Affida$it of Ti'oth! "# C&ar0--Ditto#
.ONTROSE< LEE COUNTY< IO3A TERRITORY< Januar! M< 78@D#
This is to certif! that I 2as at 2or0 on '! far' on the &ast of
Octoer# 7898< 2hen an ar'ed co'*an! under 5enera& Lucas< ca'e and too0
'!se&f and '! three sons *risoners< and thre2 do2n '! fences< and o*ened
'! ,ates< and &eft the' o*en< and &eft '! cro*s to e destro!ed< and 2hi&e
I 2as a *risoner< the! dec&ared that the! had 'ade c&ean 2or0 in
destro!in, the cro*s as the! *assed throu,h the countr!< and the! too0
fro' 'e t2o !o0e of o/en< and three horses and t2o 2a,ons< and co'*e&&ed
'e and '! sons to dri$e the' &oaded 2ith *roduce of '! o2n far'< to su**&!
their ar'!#
I had in *ossession at the ti'e< four hundred and ei,ht! acres of
&and< and risin, of a hundred acres i'*ro$ed< 2ith a s'a&& orchard and
nurser!< the necessar! ui&din,s of a far'< etc#? and in conse>uence of '!
i'*rison'ent '! fences re'ained do2n< and 'ost of '! cro*s 2ere destro!ed?
and further this de*onent saith not# TI.OTHY "# CLAR1#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Affida$it of Uran %# Ste2art--Ditto#
.ONTROSE< LEE COUNTY< IO3A TERRITORY< Januar! M< 78@D#
This is to certif! that aout the 'idd&e of Octoer< I 2as dri$en< !
the threats of the Da$iess count! ar'ed force< to &ea$e '! *ossessions<
consistin, of *ree'*tion ri,ht to a >uarter section of &and 2ith thirt!
acres under i'*ro$e'ent< and a ,ood house# I 2ent to Di-Ah'an and re'ained
unti& aout the 7st of No$e'er< 2hen I 2as dri$en fro' there ! an ar'ed
force under 5enera& 3i&son# I then 2ent to Far 3est# 3hi&e at Ondi-Ah'an
the ar'ed force too0 fro' 'e one co2 and ca&f< and a !o0e of o/en< one
horse and fi$e shee*? the! a&so too0 fro' 'e fifteen ho,s# 3hi&e at Far
3est< the! too0 t2o co2s e&on,in, to 'e< and I sa2 the so&dier! 0i&&in,
the &i$e stoc0 of the inhaitants 2ithout &ea$e or re'uneration< and
urnin, ui&din, ti'ers< fences< etc# Uran %# Ste2art#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )# Affida$it of John S'ith--Ditto#
LEE COUNTY< IO3A TERRITORY#
This da! *ersona&&! a**eared efore 'e< D# 3# 1i&ourn< an actin,
Justice of the )eace in and for said count!< John S'ith< and after ha$in,
een du&! s2orn< des*oseth and saith< -That in the 'onths of Octoer and
No$e'er< 7898< I resided in the to2n of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an# Da$iess count!<
.issouri< and 2hi&st ein, *eacea&! en,a,ed in the ordinar! $ocations of
&ife< that in the ear&! *art of No$e'er '! house 2as entered ! a od! of
ar'ed 'en *ainted after the 'anner or custo's of the Indians of North
A'erica< and *roceeded to search '! house for fire ar's< statin, that the!
understood the .or'ons 0ne2 ho2 to hide their ,uns< and in their search of
a ed in 2hich &a! an a,ed< sic0 fe'a&e< the! thre2 IherJ to and fro in a
$er! rou,h 'anner< 2ithout re,ard to hu'anit! or decenc!# Findin, no ar's<
the! 2ent off 2ithout further $io&ence#
-Short&! after this ao$e descried outra,e< there 2as a nu'er of
ar'ed 'en< sa! aout t2ent!< rode into '! !ard and in>uired for horses
2hich the! said the! had &ost< and stated< under confir'ation of an oath<
that the! 2ou&d ha$e the heads of t2ent! -.or'ons<- if the! did not find
their horses# These &ast 2ere *ainted in &i0e 'anner as the first# These
transactions too0 *&ace 2hen the citi4ens of the $i&&a,e and its $icinit!
2ere en,a,ed in a *eacea&e 'anner in the ordinar! *ursuits of &ife#-
This de*onent further saith< -That the 'o too0 *ossession of a store
of dr! ,oods e&on,in, to the Church of Latter-da! Saints< o$er 2hich the!
*&aced a ,uard# I 2ent into the store to ,et so'e artic&es to distriute
to the sufferin, *oor< and the officer 2ho had the char,e of the store
ordered 'e out *ere'*tori&!< statin, it 2as too co&d to 2ait on 'e< that I
'ust co'e the ne/t 'ornin,? and returnin, the ne/t 'ornin,< I found the
store a&'ost entire&! stri**ed of its contents#
Thereu*on 2e as a Church 2ere ordered to de*art the count! and state<
under the *ains and *ena&t! of death or a tota& e/ter'ination of our
societ!# Ha$in, no a&ternati$e< Eha$in, '! 2a,on sto&enF< I 2as co'*e&&ed
to aandon '! *ro*ert!< e/ce*t a fe2 'o$a&es 2hich I ,ot off 2ith in the
est 2a! that I cou&d< and on recei$in, a *er'it or *ass 2hich is hereto
a**ended# I then *roceeded to de*art the state#
-I *er'it John S'ith to re'o$e fro' Da$iess to Ca&d2e&& count!< there
re'ain durin, the 2inter< or re'o$e out of the state un'o&ested#
-Da$iess count!< No$e'er Nth< 7898# -R# 3i&son< "ri,adier-5enera&#
"! F# 5# Cochnu#+
I accordin,&! &eft the state in the 'onth of Feruar! fo&&o2in, in a
destitute condition#- JOHN S.ITH#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Affida$it of Sa'ue& S'ith--Ditto#
.ONTROSE< LEE COUNTY< IO3A< Januar! M< 78@D#
I do here! certif!< that I< Sa'ue& S'ith< 'ade an i'*ro$e'ent and
otained a *ree'*tion ri,ht u*on one hundred and si/t! acres of &and in
Da$iess count!< .issouri< in 789M# On the first of No$e'er< 7898< I 2as
co'*e&&ed to &ea$e the count!< ! order of 5enera& 3i&son< in ten da!s#
The! too0 2ithout '! consent< t2o horses< 2hich ha$e ne$er een returned<
nor re'unerated for? a&so destro!ed '! cro* of corn< dro$e off four head
of catt&e# SA.UEL S.ITH#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Affida$it of Danie& A$er!--Ditto#
LEE COUNTY< IO3A TERRITORY< .arch Gth< 78@D#
I< Danie& A$er!< do here! certif! that the fo&&o2in, scenes
trans*ired in the state of .issouri to '! *ersona& 0no2&ed,e--First< in
the !ear 7898< so'e ti'e in the fa&&< I 2as ca&&ed on ! the 'artia& &a2
of the state of .issouri< to aid and assist to rescue 2o'en and chi&dren
fro' the hands of a 'o< fro' the 2aters of 5rand ri$er< 2hose husands
and fathers had een dri$en off# 3e found the house in$ested ! the 'o<
so'e of 2ho' 2ere in the house threatenin, the &i$es of the 2o'en and
chi&dren< if the! did not &ea$e their *ro*ert! and effects i''ediate&! and
fo&&o2 their husands and fathers# One fa'i&! &ost a chi&d 2hi&e in this
situation< for the 2ant of care? the 2o'en ein, co'*e&&ed< ! these
'onsters< to *ro$ide and coo0 the' food# This co'*an! of the 'o 2as
co''anded ! Ja'es 3e&din#
I a&so sa2 aout se$ent! fa'i&ies dri$en fro' De 3itt ! a 'o
co''anded ! Sashie& 3ood# I he&*ed to ur! one 2o'an the first ni,ht< 2ho
had een confined in chi&ded a ni,ht or t2o efore< and cou&d not endure
the sufferin,s#
The ne/t scene I sa2 I 2as *eacea&! tra$e&in, the road? a 'an ! the
na'e of )atric0 O+"anion 2as shot dead at '! feet# 3e ad$anced a &itt&e
further< 2hen t2o 'en 2ere 0i&&ed and se$era& 2ounded# I after2ards
&earned that this ,an, of 'oers 2as co''anded ! Sa'ue& "o,art#
In conse>uence of ein, *ursued out of the state< ! this &a2&ess
'o< I 2as not an e!e 2itness to the 'an! thousand 2ic0ed acts co''itted
! the 5o$ernor+s e/ter'inatin, 'i&itia# DANIEL A%ERY#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
3ednesda!< .arch 77 #
Affida$it of Ja'es )o2e&&--Ditto#
ILLINOIS< ADA.S COUNTY< .arch 77< 78@D#
I< Ja'es )o2e&&< do certif!< that I 2as a citi4en of the state of
.issouri in 7898# I so&e'n&! dec&are that 2hi&e I 2as *eacea&! tra$e&in,
to one of '! nearest nei,hors< I 2as assau&ted ! a co'*an! of 'en< to
the nu'er of fi$e--Autherston 3rathe!< John 5ardner< )hi&o'en E&&is<
Jesse C&ar0< and Arie& Sanders# First the! thre2 a stone and hit 'e
et2een the shou&ders< 2hich $er! 'uch disa&ed 'e? the! then shot at 'e<
ut did not hit 'e# One of the' then struc0 'e 2ith his ,un< and ro0e '!
s0u&& aout si/ inches--a *art of '! rain ran out# I ha$e had fourteen
*ieces of one ta0en out of '! s0u&&# .! s!ste' is so reduced that I ha$e
not done a da!+s 2or0 since#
I 0no2 no reason 2h! the! shou&d ha$e done Ithis actJ< as I did not
e&on, to the .or'on Church< neither had I e$er heard one *reach# In this
situation I 2as forced to &ea$e the state forth2ith# I 2as carried three
da!s 2ithout ha$in, '! head dressed# 3hen I arri$ed at Hunts$i&&e< Doctor
Head offered 'e assistance# I refer to hi' for further testi'on!# JA.ES
)O3ELL#
Attest< John S'ith#
3e certif! that the fore,oin, affida$it of Ja'es )o2e&&+s is true and
correct< as 2e stood ! and sa2 it 2ith our e!es# 3e a&so heard the' sa!
the! 2ou&d 0i&& the .or'ons< if the! did not c&ear out# 3e carried the
2ounded 'an in our 2a,on< ti&& he 2as out of reach of the 'o# )ETER
3I..ER< SUSAN 3I..ER< ELLEN 3I..ER#
S2orn to efore 3i&&ia' O,&es!< J# )#
Affida$it of John S'ith--Ditto#
ILLINOIS< COLU."US< ADA.S COUNTY< .arch 77< 78@D#
I< John S'ith< certif! that I 2as a resident in the state of .issouri
in 7898< 2hen I 2as dri$en fro' '! house< and a *ree'*tion ri,ht< and
forid to sta! in the state< Ithe 'oJ threatenin, 'e if I did not ,o
forth2ith# I too0 '! fa'i&! and *ursued '! =ourne! one hundred 'i&es# In
conse>uence of co&d< sno2< 2ater and ice at the inc&e'ent season in 2hich
I 2as dri$en< I fe&& sic0< and for four 2ee0s I 2as una&e to tra$e&?
durin, 2hich ti'e I 2as threatened dai&!? !et I 2as so sic0 it 2as
considered ! 'an! that I cou&d not &i$e< and 2as co'*e&&ed to start 2hen
I 2as not a&e to sit u* throu,h the da!# I &anded in I&&inois? the &on,
and fati,uin, =ourne!< &!in, out in the co&d< o*en air< *ro$ed too 'uch
for '! co'*anion? it thre2 her into a $io&ent fe$er< 2ith 2hich she died#
.an! others in the co'*an! too0 sic0 and died 2ith the sa'e hard fare#
JOHN S.ITH#
S2orn to efore 3i&&ia' O,&es!< J# )#
Affida$it of S'ith Hu'*hre!--Ditto#
ILLINOIS< ADA.S COUNTY< .arch 7:< 78@D#
I< S'ith Hu'*hre!< certif! that I 2as a citi4en of .issouri in
ei,hteen hundred and thirt!-ei,ht? and so'e ti'e in the 'onth of Octoer<
of the sa'e !ear< I 2as fa&&en u*on ! a 'o co''anded ! H!ru' Stand&e!#
He too0 '! ,oods out of '! house? and said Stand&e! set fire to '! house<
and urnt it efore '! e!es< and ordered 'e to &ea$e the *&ace forth2ith#
I re'o$ed fro' De 3itt to Ca&d2e&& count!< 2here I 2as a,ain assai&ed !
5o$ernor "o,,+s e/ter'inatin, 'i&itia# The! too0 'e *risoner< and roed
'! 2a,on of four hundred do&&ars in cash< and one thousand do&&ars+ 2orth
of ,oods< and dro$e 'e out of the state# S.ITH HU.)HREY#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 of Circuit Court#
Affida$it of Henr! Root--Ditto# AUINCY< ILLINOIS< 7:th .arch< 78@D#
This is to certif! that I< Henr! Root< a'< and 2as a citi4en of De
3itt< Carro&& count!< .issouri< at the ti'e of the *ersecutions
E0no2n ! the na'e of the -.or'on 3ar-F co''enced and ter'inated et2een
the citi4ens of said state of .issouri and the .or'ons? that in the fa&&
of 7898< in the 'onth of Se*te'er< a 'o Eunder no re,u&ar authorit!F
headed ! 3i&&ia' 3# Austin< Sen#< consistin, of fro' one hundred to one
hundred and fift! 'en< ca'e into De 3itt and ordered the .or'ons to &ea$e
that *&ace 2ithin ten da!s fro' that ti'e? that if the! did not &ea$e<
the! 2ou&d e dri$en fro' there ! force#
The .or'ons did not &ea$e? the a**ointed ti'e ca'e< and the 'o ca'e<
ar'ed and e>ui**ed for 2ar# The .or'on citi4ens *etitioned to the ,o$ernor
of the state< ut no re&ief ca'e# The! sent to the ,enera& of the ri,ade
Iin that &oca&it!J< 2ho ordered the 'i&itia to re*air to De 3itt to
dis*erse the 'o# On the arri$a& of the 'i&itia< "ri,adier-5enera& )ar0s
to&d 'e the .or'ons had etter &ea$e their *ro*ert! and ,o off< as his 'en
2ere *re=udiced a,ainst the'< and he cou&d do the' no ,ood< nor re&ie$e
the'# 3ith that the .or'ons &eft# HENRY ROOT#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 of Circuit Court< Ada's count!<
I&&inois#
Affida$it of Jose*h C&ar0--Ditto# AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7:< 78@D#
I< Jose*h C&ar0< certif! that I 2as a citi4en of the state of
.issouri in 7898? and 2hen *eacea&! tra$e&in, the hi,h2a!< I 2as shot at
t2ice ! 5o$ernor "o,,s+ e/ter'inatin, 'i&itia< co''anded ! .a=or-5enera&
John "# C&ar0# JOSE)H CLAR1#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 of Circuit Court< Ada's Count!
I&&inois#
Affida$it of Tho'as D# Cas*er--Ditto#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7:th< 78@D#
This is to certif! that I< Tho'as D# Cas*er< 2as a resident of the
state of .issouri in the !ear 7898# I 2as not a 'e'er of the Church of
.or'ons or Latter-da! Saints? ut 2itnessed the fo&&o2in, acts of
distress# As I 2as on usiness< I in>uired for )err! .o**in< and &earned
that he< 2ith Sa'ue& Sno2den< Es>#< had ,one after .r# 3i&son< a .or'on<
and had threatened and s2orn to ta0e his &ife if he did not te&& his na'e?
and the! s2ore the! had the too& to ta0e his &ife if he had not to&d the'
his na'e#
Further the! a,reed that the .or'ons shou&d &ea$e the countr! of
.issouri e/ce*t the! 2ou&d den! the faith< or their re&i,ion# And I
heard Anthon! .cCustian sa! that he 2ou&d head a 'o in an! case< to
*re$ent the &a2!ers fro' attendin, to an! case of their Ethe .or'ons+F
,rie$ances? and he 2as a *ost'aster# And I sa2 t2o 'en that said the! had
een at Haun+s 'i&& at the 'urder? and one ! the na'e of 3hite< and the
other .o**in stated that he had s&ain three .or'ons# And I< Tho'as D#
Cas*er< 2itnessed other thin,s too tedious to 'ention? and so&e'n&! s2ear<
efore 5od and 'en< that 2hat is here 2ritten is a true state'ent of facts
re&ati$e to the sufferin, of the .or'ons in the state of .issouri# THO.AS
D# CAS)ER#
Affida$it of Jesse 3# Johnston--Ditto#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7:< 78@D#
I< Jesse 3# Johnston< certif! that the fo&&o2in, circu'stances too0
*&ace in the State of .issouri< 2hi&e I 2as a resident of that state< $i4(
I 2as ta0en *risoner ! 5o$ernor "o,,s+ e/ter'inatin, 'i&itia# I sa2 one
'an 0i&&ed e&on,in, to the .or'on Church< and 2as forced ! the' to ta0e
corn out of the fie&ds of the .or'on Church 2ithout &ea$e# This 2as in the
fa&& of 7898# JESSE 3# JOHNSTON#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 of the Circuit Court< Ada's
Count!< I&&inois#
Affida$it of O2en Co&e--Ditto#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7M< 78@D#
This is to certif! that I< O2en Co&e< 2as a resident of Ca&d2e&&
count!< state of .issouri< and 2hi&e residin, at '! d2e&&in, house< the
'i&itia under 5o$ernor "o,,s< and ! his orders< *&undered '! house< and
shot 'e throu,h '! thi,h# .! da'a,e sustained ! the 'i&itia< ! ein,
dri$en fro' the state< esides '! 2ound< 2as fi$e hundred do&&ars# The
'i&itia 'en 2ere >uartered on the &ands of the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons<
contrar! to the &a2s and Constitution of the state# I here! certif! this
to e a true state'ent# O3EN COLE#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 Circuit Court#
Affida$it of E4e0ie& .a,inn--Ditto#
AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7M< 78@D#
I< E4e0ie& .a,inn< certif! that I 2as a citi4en of the state of
.issouri in the !ear 7898< and 2as an e!e 2itness to the fo&&o2in,
facts--First< I sa2 the 'i&itia< ca&&ed for ! 5o$ernor "o,,s+
e/ter'inatin, order< enter the house of L!'an 3i,ht< and ta0e fro' it a
ed and eddin,< *i&&o2s< and dishes< *ersona&&! 0no2n to 'e to e his
*ro*ert!# E;E1IEL .A5INN#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 Circuit Court< Ada's Count!#
Affida$it of Addison 5reen--Ditto#
AUINCY< .arch 7M< 78@D#
I< Addison 5reen< do certif! that in the 'onth of Octoer< one
thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt!-ei,ht< 2hen I 2as *eacea&! 2a&0in, the
hi,hroad in Ra! count!< state of .issouri< I 2as 'o&ested and ta0en
*risoner ! ten ar'ed 'en< 2ho too0 fro' 'e one dou&e-arre& fo2&in,
*iece and e>ui*a,e< threatenin, to &o2 out '! rains and s2ore that if I
2as a .or'on the! 2ou&d han, 'e 2ithout further cere'on!# The! had
*re$ious&! een to '! &od,in, and ta0en '! horse< sadd&e< and rid&e# A&&
2as then ta0en into the 2oods aout one 'i&e to "o,art+s ca'*#
I 2as 0e*t a *risoner unti& the ne/t 'ornin,< 2hen I 2as &et ,o? ut
ha$e not otained an! *art of '! *ro*ert!< 2hich 2as 2orth aout one
hundred and fift! do&&ars# A# 5REEN#
S2orn to efore John H# Ho&ton< notar! *u&ic#
Affida$it of John )# 5reene--Ditto#
I< John )# 5reene< 2as in co'*an! 2ith se$era& of '! nei,hors
2a&0in, the road in *eace< 2hen one of our co'*an!< a !oun, 'an< ! na'e
of O+"anion< 2as shot do2n at '! side< ein, shot ! a co'*an! of 'oers?
and soon after this 2e 2ere fired u*on a,ain< and t2o 'ore 2ere 0i&&ed and
se$era& others 2ounded# This 2as aout the HGth da! of Octoer< one
thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt!-ei,ht< in the state of .issouri# And I
do here! certif! the ao$e to e true accordin, to the est of '!
0no2&ed,e# JOHN )# 5REENE
S2orn to efore John H# Ho&ton< notar! *u&ic#
Affida$it of Asahe& A# Lathro*--Ditto# This is to certif! that I<
Asahe& A# Lathro*< 2as a citi4en of the state of .issouri< at the ti'e the
difficu&t! ori,inated et2een the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons and the IotherJ
inhaitants of the aforesaid state< and herein ,i$e a state'ent of the
transactions that ca'e under '! oser$ation< accordin, to the est of '!
reco&&ection#
I sett&ed in .issouri in the su''er of 7898< in Ca&d2e&& count!<
2here I *urchased &and and erected ui&din,s# The said &and I no2 ha$e a
deed of? and in the fa&& I *urchased a c&ai' on 2hat is ca&&ed the East
For0 of 5rand Ri$er< to,ether 2ith a &ar,e stoc0 of catt&e and horses<
shee* and ho,s? it ein, so'e si/t! 'i&es fro' the aforesaid count! 2here
I first &ocated? and 'o$ed on to the &atter *&ace< su**osin, that I 2as at
*eace 2ith a&& 'en? ut I found ! sad e/*erience that I 2as surrounded !
ene'ies? for in the fa&& of 7898< 2hi&st at ho'e 2ith '! fa'i&!< I 2as
notified ! a 'an ! the na'e of Ja'es 3e&den< that the *eo*&e of
Li$in,ston count!< had 'et at the house of one Doctor 3i&&ia' )# Tho'*son<
then &i$in, in the attached *art of said count!< for the *ur*ose of
enterin, into 'easures res*ectin, the *eo*&e ca&&ed .or'ons? and the sa'e
3e&den 2as a 'e'er of the sa'e< and a&so the aforesaid 3i&&ia' )#
Tho'*son 2as a =ustice of the *eace? and the! a&& =oint&! a,reed to dri$e
e$er! .or'on fro' the state? and notified 'e that I 'ust &ea$e
i''ediate&!< or I 2ou&d e in dan,er of &osin, '! &ife#
A&& this ti'e so'e of '! fa'i&! 2ere sic0? ut after &istenin, to the
entreaties of '! 2ife to f&ee for safet!< I co''itted the' into the hands
of 5od and &eft the'< it ein, on .onda! 'ornin,? and in a short ti'e
after I &eft< there ca'e so'e ten or fifteen 'en to '! house< and too0
*ossession of the sa'e< and co'*e&&ed '! 2ife to coo0 for the'< and a&so
'ade free to ta0e such thin,s as the! sa2 fit? and 2hi&st in this
situation< '! chi&d died< 2hich I ha$e no reason to dout 2as for the 2ant
of care? 2hich< o2in, to the ause she recei$ed< and ein, de*ri$ed of
renderin, that care she 2ou&d< had she een other2ise situated# .! o! 2as
uried ! the 'o< '! 2ife not ein, a&e to *a! the &ast res*ects to her
chi&d#
I 2ent fro' '! ho'e into Da$iess count! and a**&ied to Austin A# 1in,
and 5enera& Atchison for ad$ice< as the! 2ere actin, officers in the state
of .issouri# There 2ere 'en ca&&ed out to ,o and &ierate '! fa'i&!< 2hich
I had een asent fro' so'e ten or fifteen da!s? and on '! return I found
the re'ainder of '! fa'i&! confined to their eds< not ein, a&e the one
to assist the other< and '! house ,uarded ! an ar'ed force#
I 2as co'*e&&ed to re'o$e '! fa'i&! in this situation< on a ed to a
*&ace of safet!# This< to,ether 2ith a&& the trou&e< and for the 2ant of
care< 2as the cause of the death of the residue of '! fa'i&!< as I ha$e no
dout? 2hich consisted of a 2ife and t2o 'ore chi&dren? as the! died a fe2
da!s after their arri$a& at '! friend+s# Such 2as '! situation< that I 2as
o&i,ed to assist in 'a0in, their coffins#
I 2i&& ,i$e the na'es of so'e of the 'en that ha$e dri$en 'e fro' '!
house and aused '! fa'i&!? those that I found at '! house on '! return
2ere Sa'ue& La2< Ca&$in Hatfie&d< Stan&e! Hatfie&d< And! Hatfie&d? and
those that 2ere &eadin, 'en 2ere Ja'es 3e&den< Doctor 3i&&ia' )# Tho'*son<
a =ustice of the *eace< and 3i&&ia' Cochran< and 'an! others< the na'es I
do not reco&&ect#
I ha$e a&so seen 'en aused in $arious 2a!s? and that 2hi&st the!
2ere considered *risoners? such as the 'o coc0in, their ,uns and s2earin,
that the! 2ou&d shoot< 2ith their ,uns to their face and the officers of
the 'i&itia< so ca&&ed< standin, ! 2ithout utterin, and in these counci&s
the! ha$e said if a .issourian shou&d 0i&& a .or'on he shou&d dra2 a
*ension< sa'e as a so&dier of the Re$o&ution#
I 2as a&so co'*e&&ed to ,i$e u* '! ,un< and the ter's 2ere< I 2as to
&ea$e the aforesaid state of .issouri< or e e/ter'inated# .! *ro*ert! is
!et re'ainin, in said state< 2hi&st I a' de*ri$ed of the contro& of the
sa'e#
3ritten this 7Mth da! of .arch< 78@D# ASAHEL A# LATHRO)#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&urn< J# )#< Lee count!< Io2a Territor!#
Affida$it of "urr Ri,,s# I< "urr Ri,,s< of the to2n of Auinc!< and
state of I&&inois< do here! certif! that in the !ear 789:< 2hen 'o$in, to
the state of .issouri< 2ith '! fa'i&! and others< 2e 2ere 'et in Ra!
count!< in said state< ! a 'o of one hundred and fourteen ar'ed 'en< 2ho
co''anded us not to *roceed an! further< ut to return< or the! 2ou&d ta0e
our &i$es? and the &eader ste**ed for2ard at the sa'e ti'e< and coc0ed his
*iece# 3e turned round 2ith our tea'? and the 'o fo&&o2ed us aout si/
'i&es and &eft us#
So'e ti'e after this I 'o$ed to Ca&d2e&& count!< in said state< and
*urchased aout t2o hundred acres of &and< and a $i&&a,e &ot< on 2hich I
erected a d2e&&in, house< sta0ed< and co''enced i'*ro$in, '! &and< and
had< at the ti'e I 2as dri$en a2a!< aout fort! acres of corn< $e,eta&es<
etc#? and in the !ear 7898< in the 'onth of No$e'er< 2as co'*e&&ed to
&ea$e '! house and *ossessions in conse>uence of 5o$ernor "o,,s+
e/ter'inatin, order< 2ithout 'eans sufficient to ear '! e/*ense out of
the state#
5i$en under '! hand at Auinc!< I&&inois< 7Mth .arch< 78@D# "URR
RI55S#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 of the Circuit Court< Ada's
count!< I&&inois#
Affida$it of Si'ons )# Curtis# I< Si'ons )# Curtis< a resident of
Auinc!< Ada's count!< I&&inois< certif! that in the !ear 7898< I 2as a
citi4en of Ca&d2e&& count!< .issouri< residin, in the cit! of Far 3est#
A&so that I 2ent in search of a &ost steer? and *assin, ! Ca*tain
"o,art+s ca'*< 2hi&e he 2as ,uardin, the cit!< I sa2 the hide and feet of
said steer< 2hich I 0ne2 to e 'ine? the f&esh of 2hich I su**ose the!
a**&ied to their o2n use#
I a&so certif! that 3i&e! E# 3i&&ia's< one of the 5o$ernor+s aids<
2ho 2as ,un0ee*er< caused 'e to *a! thirt!-se$en and a ha&f cents to hi'#
I a&so *aid t2ent!-fi$e cents to a =ustice of the *eace to >ua&if! 'e to
testif! that the ,un 2as 'ine# The said 3i&e! E# 3i&&ia's is said to e
the one that carried the stor! to 5o$ernor "o,,s< 2hich stor! 2as the
cause of the e/ter'inatin, order ein, issued< as stated ! the 5o$ernor
in said order# SI.ONS )# CURTIS#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 Circuit Court< Ada's Count!<
I&&inois#
Affida$it of E&isha H# 5ro$es# I< E&isha H# 5ro$es< of the to2n of
Auinc!< and state of I&&inois< u*on oath sa!< that I 2as a resident of
Da$iess count!< in the state of .issouri< and that on the 7:th da! of
No$e'er< in the !ear of our Lord< 7898< Jud,e %inson S'ith and others
ca'e to '! house and ordered '!se&f and fa'i&!< Le$i Ta!&or< Da$id Osorn
and others< to &ea$e our *ossessions 2hich 2e had ou,ht of 5o$ern'ent and
*aid our 'one! for the sa'e< sa!in, 2e 'ust 2ithin three da!s &ea$e the
count! or the! 2ou&d ta0e our &i$es< for there 2as no &a2 to sa$e us after
that ti'e# In conse>uence of those *roceedin,s< to,ether 2ith 5o$ernor
"o,,s+ e/ter'inatin, order< 2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to &ea$e the state of
.issouri# Further'ore this de*onent saith not#
5i$en under '! hand at Auinc!< the 7Mth da! of .arch< A# D# 78@D#
ELISHA H# 5RO%ES#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 Circuit Court#
Affida$it of Jaco Fout4# AUINCY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7M< A# D# 78@D#
This is to certif! that I 2as a citi4en< resident of Ca&d2e&& count!<
.issouri< at the ti'e 5o$ernor "o,,s+ e/ter'inatin, order 2as issued? and
that I 2as >uartered on ! the 'o 'i&itia< 2ithout '! &ea$e or consent at
different ti'es< and at one ti'e ! 3i&&ia' .ann< Hira' Cu'stoc0< and
rother< 2ho *rofessed to e the ca*tain? a&so Roert 3hite? and that I
2as at the 'urder at Haun+s 'i&&< and 2as 2ounded? and that I 2as dri$en
fro' the state< to '! incon$enience< and de*ri$ed of '! freedo'< as 2e&&
as to '! &oss of at &east four hundred do&&ars# JACO" FOUT;#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 Circuit Court#
Affida$it of Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's# I do certif! that I 2as a
resident of Ca&d2e&& count!< in the State of .issouri< in the !ear of our
Lord 7898< and o2ned &and to a considera&e a'ount< ui&din, &ots< etc#<
in the $i&&a,e of Far 3est? and in conse>uence of 'oocrac!< to,ether 2ith
5o$ernor "o,,s+ e/ter'inatin, order< 2as co'*e&&ed to &ea$e the state
under ,reat sacrifice of rea& and *ersona& *ro*ert!< 2hich has reduced and
&eft '!se&f and fa'i&! in a state of *o$ert!< 2ith a de&icate state of
hea&th< in an ad$anced sta,e of &ife# Further'ore this de*onent saith not#
5i$en under '! hand at Auinc!< I&&inois< .arch 7M< 78@D# FREDERIC1 5#
3ILLIA.S#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods< C&er0 Ada's count!< I&&inois#
State'ent of Ja'es S&oan# Ja'es S&oan 'ade affida$it at Auinc!< that
the officers of the 'i&itia under the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor
"o,,s in .issouri in 7898< too0 *ossession< carried off and destro!ed a
store of ,oods< of se$era& hundred do&&ars+ $a&ue< e&on,in, to the *eo*&e
ca&&ed -.or'ons<- in Da$iess count!? that his &ife 2as threatened< his
*ro*ert! ta0en< and e 2as o&i,ed to f&ee the state 2ith his fa'i&!<
,reat&! to his disad$anta,e#
Affida$it of Da$id Shu'a0er# AUINCY< ILLINOIS< ADA.S COUNTY< .arch
78< 78@D#
I< Jaco Shu'a0er< do certif! that I 2ent ac0 to the state of
.issouri aout the first of Octoer &ast< 2ith the ca&cu&ation to &i$e
2ith '! fa'i&!< ut findin, it i'*ossi&e< as the 'o< sa! to the a'ount
of t2ent! or thirt! of the'< surrounded '! house< and 2hi&st the! 2ere
>uarre&in, aout 'e< 2hat the! shou&d do< and in 2hat 2a! the! shou&d
dis*ose of 'e< I cre*t out of the ac0 2indo2 and 'ade '! esca*e? and
&ea$in, '! fa'i&! to their 'ost scanda&ous auses? '! 2ife and o&dest
dau,hter are&! esca*in, fro' their unho&! desi,ns#
I 2as thus a second ti'e o&i,ed to &ea$e the state< or re'ain at the
ris0 of '! &ife# The for'er a&ternati$e I chose# .! &oss sustained ! the
ao$e-'entioned auses 2as not &ess than three hundred do&&ars# A &ot of
&and containin, fort! acres< for 2hich I *aid four do&&ars *er acre<
situated in Ca&d2e&& count!< 2as un=ust&! and un&a2fu&&! ta0en fro' 'e<
and is sti&& retained ! so'e *erson or *ersons to 'e un0no2n# I here!
certif! that the ao$e is a true state'ent# JACO" SHU.A1ER#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods#
Affida$it of Le$i Richards# I< Le$i Richards< a resident of Auinc!<
Ada's count! I&&inois< *ractitioner of 'edicine< certif! that in the !ear
one thousand ei,ht hundred and thirt!-ei,ht< I 2as a citi4en of Far 3est<
Ca&d2e&& count!< .issouri< and that in the fa&& of said !ear< I sa2 the
cit! in$aded ! a nu'erous ar'ed so&dier!< 2ho co'*e&&ed its inhaitants
to surrender< ,i$e u* their firear's< and su'it to their dictation# The!
then set a stron, ,uard around the cit!< there! *re$entin, e,ress or
in,ress< 2ithout s*ecia& *er'ission# Then the! co&&ected the citi4ens
to,ether u*on the *u&ic s>uare< for'ed around the' a stron, ,uard of
so&diers< and then at the 'ouths of their rif&es< co'*e&&ed the' to si,n
2hat 2as ter'ed a deed of trust< there! de*ri$in, the' of a&& their
*ro*ert! and ci$i& ri,hts#
This occu*ied se$era& da!s of 'ost inc&e'ent 2eather< 2hen the! 2ere
rou,ht to the sa'e order ! 5enera& C&ar0< and I =ud,e so'e fort! or
fift! 2ere 'ade s*ecia& *risoners ! hi'# At this ti'e he de&i$ered his
s*eech to the -.or'ons<- 2hich has een *u&ished< and 2hich is
sustantia&&! correct# I 2as co'*e&&ed ! a co'*an! of 'en ar'ed 2ith
rif&es< to &ea$e '! house< and ,o to ca*tain "o,art+s ca'*# Ehe co''anded<
as I understood< a *art of the ,uard 2hich surrounded the cit!<F u*on an
indirect char,e or insinuation? 2as detained a *risoner t2o da!s<
e/a'ined< and &ierated# I then as0ed the c&er0 of the co'*an!< 2ho had
een '! 0ee*er< the fo&&o2in, >uestions< 2hich he readi&! ans2ered(
3ere those 'en 2ho 'assacred the -.or'ons- at Haun+s 'i&&< out under
the 5o$ernor+s order< or 2ere the! 'oersB
A# .oers#
Are Ca*tain Corne&ius 5i&&ia' and his co'*an! out ! &e,a& authorit!<
or are the! 'oersB
A# .oers#
3here are those 'oers no2B
A# The! ha$e =oined the ar'!#
This co'*an! I5i&&ia'+sJ at the surrender of Far 3est 2ere *ainted
&i0e Indians# The ar'! 2ore a ad,e of red E&oodF# I sa2 a &ar,e a'ount
of &u'er and ti'er destro!ed< and used for fue& ! the so&diers# The
destruction of catt&e< ho,s< etc#< see'ed to e their s*ort< as their ca'*
and the fie&ds testified 2hen the! 2ithdre2# An e/ce&&ent ,un 2as ta0en
fro' 'e< 2hich I ha$e ne$er seen or heard of since# A
,un that 2as &eft in '! care 2as ta0en at the sa'e ti'e< 2hich I
after2ards found 2ith 3i&e! E# 3i&&ia's of Rich'ond< Ere*uted one of the
5o$ernor+s aids<F to otain 2hich I had to *ro$e *ro*ert!< affir' efore a
'a,istrate and *a! said 3i&&ia's fift! cents#
I 2as ca&&ed to e/tract &ead< dress the 2ounds< etc#< for se$era&
*ersons ESaintsF 2ho 2ere shot in the ao$e sie,e< t2o of 2ho' died#
I''ediate&! *re$ious to the ao$e transactions< and for a &on, ti'e
efore< the citi4ens of Ca&d2e&&< and *articu&ar&! Far 3est< 2ere ca&&ed
u*on to 2atch for 'os ! da! and ,uard a,ainst the' ! ni,ht< ti&& it
eca'e a urden a&'ost into&era&e# LE%I RICHARDS#
S2orn to efore C# .# 3oods# C&er0 Circuit Court< Ada's count!<
I&&inois
Affida$it of 5ison 5ates# I< 5ison 5ates< do here! certif! that I
2as residin, in Jac0son count!< .issouri< in the fa&& of the !ear< 7899<
and had een for the s*ace of aout one !ear# I 2as at a 'eetin, one da!
for 2orshi*< 2hen a 'an ! the na'e of .asters ca'e to us< statin, that he
2as sent ! the 'o to infor' us that if 2e 2ou&d forsa0e our re&i,ion<
the! 2ere 2i&&in, to e our rethren and fi,ht for us? -ut if not<- said
he< -our !oun, 'en are read!< and 2e can scarce constrain the' fro'
fa&&in, u*on !ou and cuttin, !ou to *ieces#-
Soon after this there ca'e a &ar,e co'*an! of 'en< ar'ed< to '!
*&ace< and 2ith 'uch threatenin, and *rofane 2ords< ordered 'e to e ,one
! the ne/t da!< or the! 2ou&d 0i&& 'e and '! fa'i&!? in conse>uence of
2hich threatenin,< 2e >uit our house in the 'onth of No$e'er< &ea$in,
'ost of our effects? sufferin, $er! 'uch 2ith co&d< fati,ue and hun,er< 2e
&oo0 Iset outJ on the *rairie< and 2ent south2ard t2ent! 'i&es or 'ore<
2here 2e sta!ed a fe2 2ee0s# "ut sti&& ein, threatened ! the 'o< 2e
re'o$ed to C&a! count!< 2here 2e &i$ed in *eace unti& the fa&& of 7898<
2hen a 'o arose a,ainst the *eo*&e of the Church of Latter-da! Saints<
2hen 2e 2ere a,ain o&i,ed to &ea$e our ho'e< and see0 safet! in another
*&ace for a fe2 2ee0s# 3hen 2e returned our house had een ro0en o*en<
and the &oc0 of a trun0 ro0en o*en< and the 'ost $a&ua&e contents
thereof ta0en a2a!? the 'ost of our eddin, and furniture 2as either
sto&e- or destro!ed? and 2e 2ere then ordered to &ea$e the state# 5I"SON
5ATES#
S2orn to efore Da$id 3# 1i&ourn< J )#
Affida$it of Da$id )etti,re2# This is to certif!< that I< Da$id
)etti,re2< 2as a citi4en of Jac0son count!< .issouri< and o2ned a ,ood
far'< &!in, on the "&ue ri$er< si/ 'i&es 2est of inde*endence< and &i$ed
in *eace 2ith the inhaitants unti& the su''er and fa&& of 7899< 2hen the
inhaitants e,an to threaten us 2ith destruction# I 2as at 2or0 in '!
fie&d< and a 'an ! the na'e of A&&en< and others 2ith hi'< ca'e a&on, and
cried out< -.r# )etti,re2< !ou are at 2or0 as thou,h !ou 2ere deter'ined
to sta! here< ut 2e are deter'ined that !ou sha&& &ea$e the count!
i''ediate&!#- I re*&ied that I 2as a free orn citi4en of the United
States< and had done har' to no 'an# -I therefore c&ai' *rotection ! the
&a2 of the &and<- and that the &a2 and the Constitution of the &and 2ou&d
not suffer the' to co''it so horrid a cri'e# The! then re*&ied that -the
o&d &a2 and Constitution is 2orn out< and 2e are aout to 'a0e a ne2 one#-
I 2as at a 'eetin, 2here 2e had 'et for *ra!er< and a 'an ! the na'e
of .asters ca'e and desired an inter$ie2 2ith us? he then stated that he
2as sent ! the 'o to infor' us< that if 2e 2ou&d forsa0e our -.or'on-
and )ro*het re&i,ion< and eco'e of their re&i,ion< the!< the 'o< 2ou&d
e our rothers< and 2ou&d fi,ht for us? -ut if !ou 2i&& not< 2e are
read! and 2i&& dri$e !ou fro' the count!#-
A fe2 da!s after this< a &ar,e 'o ca'e to '! house< co''anded !
5enera& .oses 3i&son< Hu,h "ra4ie& and Le2is Fran0&in< and ro0e do2n '!
door< and urst into '! house< ar'ed 2ith ,uns< c&us and 0ni$es? so'e of
the' 2ere *ainted red and &ac0# This 2as in the ni,ht< and '! fa'i&! 2as
'uch fri,htened# The! threatened 'e 2ith i''ediate death if I did not
&ea$e the *&ace# After 'uch ause the! &eft us for the ni,ht< ut in a fe2
da!s the! returned and dro$e 'e and '! fa'i&! into the street< not
sufferin, us to ta0e an!thin, 2ith us# I sa2 that 2e 'ust ,o or die? 2e
2ent south to %an "uren count!< in co'*an! 2ith ei,ht! or ninet! others#
In a short ti'e after< I returned to '! far' and found '! house *&undered<
'! ,rain and cro*< stoc0< and a&& '! far' and far'in, too&s &aid 2aste and
destro!ed? and short&! after '! house 2as urned to ashes#
I ca&&ed on Es>uire 3estern< of Inde*endence< and in>uired of hi' if
he cou&d infor' 'e 2hat a&& this 'oin, and riot 'eant< infor'in, hi' of
the destruction and *&underin, of '! house? to 2hich he ,a$e 'e no
satisfaction< ut insu&ted 'e and treated 'e rou,h&!# 5o$ernor "o,,s &i$ed
in the count!< and I ha$e seen hi' *assin, throu,h a'on, us in our ,reat
distress< and ,a$e no attention to our distresses# He 2as then
Lieutenant-5o$ernor of the state# On '! return to '! fa'i&! in %an "uren
count!< I 2as 'uch aused ! a 'an ! the na'e of "rad!? he said he 2ou&d
0i&& 'e if I e$er atte'*ted to ,o to '! far'< or if he sa2 'e *assin, that
2a! a,ain# I returned to '! fa'i&!< and in a fe2 da!s after< a co'*an! of
'en ca'e 2here 2e &i$ed and said the! 2ou&d s*i&& '! &ood if I did not
&ea$e the *&ace i''ediate&!# The &eaders of this co'*an! 2ere John Cornet<
Tho'as Lan,&e!< and He4e0iah 3arden? the! &i$ed in Jac0son count!#
This 2as in the co&d 2inter< and our sufferin,s 2ere ,reat# I f&ed
across the .issouri ri$er to C&a! count!< 2here I &i$ed three !ears? in
2hich ti'e I often heard Jud,e Ca'eron and others sa!< that -!ou .or'ons
cannot ,et !our ri,hts in an! of the courts of the u**er countr!?- and I
had not the *ri$i&e,e of $otin, as a free citi4en#
I 'o$ed to Ca&d2e&& count!< ou,ht &and and o*ened a ,ood far'< and
&i$ed in *eace unti& the su''er and fa&& of 7898< 2hen 'os arose in the
counties round aout< and I 2ith the rest 2as o&i,ed to ta0e u* ar's in
se&f defense? for the cr! 2as< that 'o &a2 shou&d *re$ai&< if 2e stood
a,ainst the'< unti& the ar'! ca'e and too0 us a&& *risoners of 2ar# I 2ith
the rest 2Vs o&i,ed to si,n a deed of trust at the *oint of the s2ord< I
2ith si/t! others 2as se&ected out and 'arched to Rich'ond< in Ra! count!<
! the co''and of 5enera& C&ar0< 2here the! 0e*t us a nu'er of 2ee0s<
*retendin, to tr! us as treasoners and 'urderers# At &en,th I otained '!
&iert!< and returned to '! fa'i&! in Ca&d2e&& count!( and I found that
there 2as no safet! there< for there 2as no &a2< ut a&& a scene of
roin,< and *&underin,< and stea&in,# The! 2ere aout to ta0e 'e a,ain<
and I 2as o&i,ed to &ea$e '! fa'i&! and f&ee to I&&inois# In aout t2o
'onths '! fa'i&! arri$ed< ha$in, suffered 'uch ause and &oss of hea&th
and *ro*ert!# Soon after the arri$a& of '! fa'i&! '! son< a !oun, 'an<
died? and I attriute his death to the crue& ararit! of the 'o of
.issouri< he ein, a *risoner a'on, the'< and ha$in, suffered 'uch ecause
of the'#
.! father 2as a so&dier< and ser$ed in the Re$o&utionar! 3ar< under
the ,reat 3ashin,ton< ut I ha$e not had *rotection on '! o2n &ands? and I
ha$e not een *er'itted to see '! far' in Jac0son count!< .issouri< in
se$en !ears# So&diers 2ere stationed or >uartered in different *arts of
Far 3est? and the! treated us rou,h&!< threatenin, to shoot us< and 'a0in,
use of an!thin, the! *&eased< such as urnin, house< ti'er< and rai&s<
and ,arden fences< and stea&in, and *&underin, 2hat the! *&eased#
3hen I 2as at Rich'ond< a *risoner efore Jud,e 1in,< 2e sent for
'an! 2itnesses? and 2hen the! ca'e< the! 2ere ta0en and cast into )rison
2ith us< and 2e 2ere not *er'itted to ha$e an! 2itnesses# The da! I ca'e
out of *rison< the! co'*e&&ed 'e to si,n a 2ritin, 2hich 2as not true or
re'ain in *rison# DA%ID )ETTI5RE3#
S2orn to efore D# 3# 1i&ourn< J# )#
Thus I ha$e ,i$en a fe2 of the 'u&titude of affida$its 2hich 'i,ht e
,i$en to sustantiate the facts of our *ersecutions and deaths in
.issouri# 3hen the rethren &eft .issouri< the! 2ere *oor< ha$in, een
*&undered of e$er!thin, $a&ued ! 'os# .uch of the *&underin, 2as done
under the e!e of the ,o$ern'ent officers< accordin, to the fore,oin,
affida$its? and a&& ! the sanction of the state of .issouri< as the acts
of her &e,is&ature testif!# The Saints< ein, so nu'erous< 2ere o&i,ed
to scatter o$er the state of I&&inois and different states to ,et read
and c&othin,--so that ut fe2 accounts a,ainst .issouri cou&d e co&&ected
2ithout unreasona&e e/ertions# Aout @N7 indi$idua&s ,a$e in their c&ai's
a,ainst .issouri< 2hich I *resented to Con,ress--a'ountin, to aout
R7<987<D@@#DD? &ea$in, a 'u&titude 'ore of si'i&ar i&&s hereafter to e
*resented< 2hich< if not sett&ed i''ediate&!< 2i&& ere &on, a'ount to a
handso'e su'< increasin, ! co'*ound interest#
CHA)TER I%#
DE)ARTURE OF THE )RO)HET FRO. 3ASHIN5TON--LA"ORS OF ELIAS HI5"EE
"EFORE THE SENATE JUDICIARY CO..ITTEE--RE)ORT OF THE CO..ITTEE#
3ednesda!< 8#--The Hi,h Counci& at Nau$oo $oted to &oan a&& the
'one!s *ossi&e for the re&ief of the *oor Saints#
This e$enin, )resident Youn, *reached at a schoo& house in the south
2est *art of Rich'ond< 2hen the *eo*&e *resent co''enced 'a0in, a noise
and disturin, the 'eetin,< and 2hen )resident Youn, 2as re*ro$in, the'
for their dis,racefu& conduct< so'e of those *resent fired &ucifer
'atches# )resident Youn, reu0ed the' se$ere&!< and tau,ht the' etter
'anners< and *ro*osed to send the' so'e Indians fro' the 3est to ci$i&i4e
the'#
Thursda!< N#--Aout this ti'e I returned to )hi&ade&*hia< 2here I
continued to *reach and $isit for a &itt&e season#
5eor,e A# S'ith *reached at Rich'ond this e$enin,# His hea&th is
sti&& $er! *oor< and he is a&'ost &ind# )resident Youn, a&so 2as $er!
fee&e# 3hi&e the! 2ere o*enin, the 'eetin,< so'e one thre2 a >uantit! of
ri'stone in the fire< 2hich near&! suffocated the'# As soon as the fu'es
of ri'stone 2ou&d *er'it< "rother S'ith o&d the' he thou,ht he shou&d e
in no dan,er of catchin, the itch in .assachusetts< for the s'e&& of
ri'stone indicated that it 2as thorou,h&! cured#
Sunda!< 7H#--E&ders Youn, and S'ith he&d a 'eetin, at 3i&&ia'
)ierson+s< Rich'ond# After *reachin,< E&der S'ith had a se$ere sha0e of
the a,ue< 2hich &asted so'e hours# The 2eather 2as e/tre'e&! co&d< ut !
the 0ind attention of .r# )ierson+s fa'i&!< and 3i&&ia' Richards< he 2as
in so'e 'easure re&ie$ed of his a,ue efore he &eft Rich'ond# )resident
Youn, 2ore a crad&e ed >ui&t fro' Far 3est to Rich'ond< 2here Rhoda
Richards &ined Doctor Richard+s o&d 2orn out *&aid c&oa0 2ith )resident
Youn,+s >ui&t< 2ith f&anne& et2een< 2hich 'ade hi' $er! co'forta&e#
.onda!< 79#--E&ders 3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or< and Theodore
Tur&e! arri$ed at )reston< En,&and#
Tuesda!< 7@#--Aout this ti'e E&der Ri,don and Doctor Foster arri$ed
at )hi&ade&*hia#
Frida!< 7M#--A s*ecia& counci& 2as he&d at the house of E&der 3i&&ard
Richards< in )reston< Jose*h Fie&din,< *resident< Theodore Tur&e!< scrie#
)resent< 3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or< Hira' C&ar0< and 3i&&ard Richards#
Counci& decided that E&ders 3oodruff and Tur&e! shou&d ,o to the
Staffordshire *otteries? E&ders Ta!&or and Fie&din,< to Li$er*oo&? E&der
C&ar0< to .anchester< 2ith E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton? and E&der 3i&&ard
Richards to ,o 2here the S*irit directs? that the E&ders of the counci&
co''unicate 2ith the *residenc! at )reston once a 'onth? and E&der
Richards 2rite to "rothers A&e/ander 3ri,ht and Sa'ue& .u&&iner in
Scot&and< and ho&d no ,enera& conference unti& 'ore of the T2e&$e arri$e#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith 2ent to Canaan< Connecticut<
2ith Ed2in D# )ierson< E&der S'ith sha0in, $er! se$ere&! 2ith the a,ue in
the e$enin,#
Saturda!< 78#--E&ders 3oodruff and Tur&e! started for the )otteries#
Sunda! 7N#--The Hi,h Counci& at Nau$oo $oted to donate a cit! &ot to
"rother Ja'es Hendri/< 2ho 2as shot in .issouri? a&so $oted to ui&d hi' a
house? a&so donated a house and &ot to Father Jose*h 1ni,ht#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, *reached at Sheffie&d 'i&&s< 2here he sta!ed ti&&
the t2ent!-si/th#
3ednesda!< HH#--E&ders Fie&din, and Ta!&or 2ent to Li$er*oo& and
co''enced their 'ission#
Saturda!< HG#--Aout this ti'e I $isited the Saints at "rand!2ine<
2here I s*ent so'e da!s< and returned to )hi&ade&*hia#
.onda!< HM#--"rothers 5ison S'ith and )eter French con$e!ed E&ders
"ri,ha' Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith to Ne2 Ha$en< 2here the! tarried unti&
the 97st#
Aout the &ast of this 'onth< I &eft )hi&ade&*hia for 3ashin,ton< in
co'*an! 2ith "rothers Roc02e&&< Hi,ee< and Doctor Foster< tra$e&in, !
rai&road< ha$in, so&d '! carria,e< and ha$in, &eft E&der Ri,don sic0 in
)hi&ade&*hia#
Frida!< 97#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith too0 stea'oat
fro' Ne2 Ha$en for Ne2 Yor0 Cit!# 3hen 2ithin ei,hteen 'i&es of the cit!<
the! too0 the sta,e< and arri$ed at their destination aout ten o+c&oc0 at
ni,ht# 3hen the! a&i,hted fro' the carria,e the! had no funds to *a! their
fare< and E&der Youn, as0ed Ca*tain Stone to *a! their i&&< fift! cents<
2hich he $er! readi&! did? and the! found E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt+s house in
aout fi$e 'inutes< 2here the! sta!ed Saturda!< Feruar! 7st#
Sunda!< Feruar! H#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith
*reached in the Co&u'ia Ha&&# E&der Youn, *reached e$er! e$enin, durin,
the 2ee0< ti&& Saturda!< three ti'es in the Co&u'ia Ha&&? ! 2hich he
in=ured hi'se&f so 'uch< that he 2as not a&e to dress hi'se&f for four or
fi$e da!s#
On .onda! 5eor,e A# S'ith 2ent to )hi&ade&*hia#
Thursda!< :#--I had *re$ious&! *reached in 3ashin,ton< and one of '!
ser'ons I find re*orted in s!no*sis< ! a 'e'er of Con,ress? 2hich I 2i&&
insert entire#
.athe2 S# Da$is+ Descri*tion of the )ro*het< and a Re*ort of his
3ashin,ton Discourse#
3ASHIN5TON< :th Feruar!< 78@D#
.Y DEAR .ARY(--I 2ent &ast e$enin, to hear -Joe S'ith<- the
ce&erated .or'on< e/*ound his doctrine# I< 2ith se$era& others< had a
desire to understand his tenets as e/*&ained ! hi'se&f# He is not an
educated 'an( ut he is a *&ain< sensi&e< stron, 'inded 'an# E$er!thin,
he sa!s< is said in a 'anner to &ea$e an i'*ression that he is sincere#
There is no &e$it!< no fanaticis'< no 2ant of di,nit! in his de*ort'ent#
He is a**arent&! fro' fort! to fort!-fi$e !ears of a,e< rather ao$e the
'idd&e stature< and 2hat !ou &adies 2ou&d ca&& a $er! ,ood &oo0in, 'an# In
his ,ar there are no *ecu&iarities? his dress ein, that of a *&ain<
un*retendin, citi4en# He is ! *rofession a far'er< ut is e$ident&! 2e&&
read#
He co''enced ! sa!in,< that he 0ne2 the *re=udices 2hich 2ere aroad
in the 2or&d a,ainst hi'< ut re>uested us to *a! no res*ect to the ru'ors
2hich 2ere in circu&ation res*ectin, hi' or his doctrines# He 2as
acco'*anied ! three or four of his fo&&o2ers# He said< -I state to !ou
our e&ief< so far as ti'e 2i&& *er'it#- -I e&ie$e<- said he< -that there
is a 5od< *ossessin, a&& the attriutes ascried to Hi' ! a&& Christians
of a&& deno'inations? that He rei,ns o$er a&& thin,s in hea$en and on
earth< and that a&& are su=ect to His *o2er#- He then s*o0e rationa&&! of
the attriutes of Di$init!< such as fore0no2&ed,e< 'erc! Pc#< Pc# He then
too0 u* the "i&e# -I e&ie$e said he< -in this sacred $o&u'e# In it the
+.or'on+ faith is to e found# 3e teach nothin, ut 2hat the "i&e
teaches# 3e e&ie$e nothin,< ut 2hat is to e found in this oo0# I
e&ie$e in the fa&& of 'an< as recorded in the "i&e? I e&ie$e that 5od
fore0ne2 e$er!thin,< ut did not foreordain e$er!thin,? I den! that
foreordain and fore0no2 is the sa'e thin,# He foreordained the fa&& of
'an? ut a&& 'ercifu& as He is< He foreordained at the sa'e ti'e< a *&an
of rede'*tion for a&& 'an0ind# I e&ie$e in the Di$init! of Jesus Christ<
and that He died for the sins of a&& 'en< 2ho in Ada' had fa&&en#- He then
entered into so'e detai&s< the resu&t of 2hich tended to sho2 his tota&
une&ief of 2hat is ter'ed ori,ina& sin# He e&ie$es that it is 2ashed
a2a! ! the &ood of Christ< and that it no &on,er e/ists# As a necessar!
conse>uence< he e&ie$es that 2e are a&& orn *ure and undefi&ed# That a&&
chi&dren d!in, at an ear&! a,e Esa! ei,ht !earsF not 0no2in, ,ood fro'
e$i&< 2ere inca*a&e of sinnin,? and that a&& such assured&! ,o to hea$en#
-I e&ie$e<- said he< -that a 'an is a 'ora&< res*onsi&e< free a,ent?
that a&thou,h it 2as foreordained he shou&d fa&&< and e redee'ed< !et
after the rede'*tion it 2as not foreordained that he shou&d a,ain sin# In
the "i&e a ru&e of conduct is &aid do2n for hi'? in the O&d and Ne2
Testa'ents the &a2 ! 2hich he is to e ,o$erned< 'a! e found# If he
$io&ates that &a2< he is to e *unished for the deeds done in the od!#
I e&ie$e that 5od is eterna&# That He had no e,innin,< and can ha$e
no end# Eternit! 'eans that 2hich is 2ithout e,innin, or end# I e&ie$e
that the sou& is eterna&? and had no e,innin,? it can ha$e no end# Here
he entered into so'e e/*&anations< 2hich 2ere so rief that I cou&d not
*erfect&! co'*rehend hi'# "ut the idea see'ed to e that the sou& of 'an<
the s*irit< had e/isted fro' eternit! in the oso' of Di$init!? and so far
as he 2as inte&&i,i&e to 'e< 'ust u&ti'ate&! return fro' 2hence it ca'e#
He said $er! &itt&e of re2ards and *unish'ents? ut one conc&usion< fro'
2hat he did sa!< 2as irresisti&e--he contended throu,hout< that
e$er!thin, 2hich had a e,innin, 'ust ha$e an endin,? and conse>uent&! if
the *unish'ent of 'an co''enced in the ne/t 2or&d< it 'ust< accordin, to
his &o,ic and e&ief ha$e an end#
Durin, the 2ho&e of his address< and it occu*ied 'ore than t2o hours<
there 2as no o*inion or e&ief that he e/*ressed< that 2as ca&cu&ated< in
the s&i,htest de,ree< to i'*air the 'ora&s of societ!< or in an! 'anner to
de,rade and ruta&i4e the hu'an s*ecies# There 2as 'uch in his *rece*ts<
if the! 2ere fo&&o2ed< that 2ou&d soften the as*erities of 'an to2ards
'an< and that 2ou&d tend to 'a0e hi' a 'ore rationa& ein, than he is
,enera&&! found to e# There 2as no $io&ence< no fur!< no denunciation#
His re&i,ion a**ears to e the re&i,ion of 'ee0ness< &o2&iness< and 'i&d
*ersuasion#
To2ards the c&ose of his address< he re'ar0ed that he had een
re*resented as *retendin, to e a Sa$ior< a 2or0er of 'irac&es< etc# A&&
this 2as fa&se# He 'ade no such *retensions# He 2as ut a 'an< he said? a
*&ain< untutored 'an? see0in, 2hat he shou&d do to e sa$ed# He *erfor'ed
no 'irac&es# He did not *retend to *ossess an! such *o2er# He c&osed !
referrin, to the .or'on "i&e< 2hich he said< contained nothin,
inconsistent or conf&ictin, 2ith the Christian "i&e< and he a,ain
re*eated that a&& 2ho 2ou&d fo&&o2 the *rece*ts of the "i&e< 2hether
.or'on or not< 2ou&d assured&! e sa$ed#
Throu,hout his 2ho&e address< he dis*&a!ed stron,&! a s*irit of
charit! and forearance# The .or'on "i&e< he said< 2as co''unicated to
hi'< direct fro' hea$en# If there 2as such a thin, on earth< as the author
of it< then he ES'ithF 2as the author? ut the idea that he 2ished to
i'*ress 2as< that he had *enned it as dictated ! 5od#
I ha$e ta0en so'e *ains to e/*&ain this 'ans e&ief< as he hi'se&f
e/*&ained it# I ha$e done so ecause it 'i,ht satisf! !our curiosit!< and
'i,ht e interestin, to !ou< and so'e of !our friends# I ha$e chan,ed '!
o*inion of the .or'ons# The! are an in=ured and 'uch-aused *eo*&e# Of
'atters of faith< !ou 0no2 I e/*ress no o*inion# I ha$e on&! roo' to
add--&et 3i&&ia'< if !ou cannot do it< ac0no2&ed,e the recei*t of this<
2ith the enc&osure#
Re'e'er 'e to Sarah and the o!s# 1iss the dear a! for 'e#
Affectionate&! !our husand< .# L# DA%IS#
)# S#--I o'itted to sa!< he does not e&ie$e in infant a*tis'<
s*rin0&in,< ut in i''ersion< after ei,ht !ears of a,e#
To .rs# .athe2 L# Da$is< 7DM Henr! Street< Ne2 Yor0#
Durin, '! sta! I had an inter$ie2 2ith .artin %an "uren< the
)resident< 2ho treated 'e $er! inso&ent&!< and it 2as 2ith ,reat
re&uctance he &istened to our 'essa,e< 2hich< 2hen he had heard< he said(
-5ent&e'en< !our cause is =ust< ut I can do nothin, for !ou?- and -If I
ta0e u* for !ou I sha&& &ose the $ote of .issouri#- His 2ho&e course 2ent
to sho2 that he 2as an office-see0er< that se&f-a,,randi4e'ent 2as his
ru&in, *assion< and that =ustice and ri,hteousness 2ere no *art of his
co'*osition# I found hi' such a 'an as I cou&d not conscientious&! su**ort
at the head of our no&e Re*u&ic# I a&so had an inter$ie2 2ith .r# John
C# Ca&houn< 2hose conduct to2ards 'e $er! i&& eca'e his station# I eca'e
satisfied there 2as &itt&e use for 'e to tarr!< to *ress the =ust c&ai's
of the Saints on the consideration of the )resident or Con,ress< and
sta!ed ut a fe2 da!s< ta0in, *assa,e in co'*an! 2ith )orter Roc02e&& and
Dr# Foster on the rai&road and sta,es ac0 to Da!ton< Ohio#
Frida!< M#--Hi,h Counci& at .ontrose $oted to disfe&&o2shi* a&&
rethren 2ho shou&d *ersist in 0ee*in, ti**&in, sho*s in that ranch of
the Church#
Sunda!< 7:#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, tarried at E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt+s<
G8 .ott Street< N# Y#< and E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& arri$ed there this
'ornin,#
Thursda!< HD#--Jud,e Hi,ee I &eft at 3ashin,ton< and he 2rote 'e as
fo&&o2s(
E&ias Hi,ee+s Letter to the )ro*het< Re*ortin, )ro,ress of the Cause
of the Saints "efore the Senate Co''ittee# 3ASHIN5TON CITY< Fe# HDth<
78@D#
DEAR "ROTHER(--I ha$e =ust returned fro' the Co''ittee Roo'< 2herein
I s*o0e aout one hour and a ha&f# There 2ere ut three of the co''ittee
*resent< for 2hich I a' $er! sorr!# I thin0 the! 2i&& e o&i,ed to
ac0no2&ed,e the =ustice of our cause# The! *aid ,ood attention? and I
thin0 '! re'ar0s 2ere 2e&& recei$ed# It 2as a s*ecia& 'eetin, a**ointed to
hear 'e ! '! re>uest# The .issouri Senators and Re*resentati$es 2ere
in$ited to attend# Dr# Linn< and .r# Ja'ieson attended< and 5od ,a$e 'e
coura,e< so that I 2as not inti'idated ! the'# Dr# Linn< I thou,ht< fe&t
a &itt&e uneas! at ti'es? ut 'anifested a 'uch etter s*irit after2ards
than .r# Ja'ieson#
I to&d the' first< that I re*resented a sufferin, *eo*&e< 2ho had
een de*ri$ed< to,ether 2ith '!se&f< of their ri,hts in .issouri? 2ho
nu'ered so'ethin, &i0e fifteen thousand sou&s? and not on&! the!< ut
'an! others 2ere de*ri$ed of the ri,hts ,uaranteed to the' ! the
Constitution of the United States# At &east the a'ount of one hundred and
fift! thousand free-orn citi4ens are de*ri$ed the en=o!'ent of
citi4enshi* in each and e$er! state? that 2e had no in,ress in the state
of .issouri? nor cou&d an! of us ha$e< on&! at the e/*ense of our &i$es?
and this ! the order of the e/ecuti$e#
I then too0 their o2n dec&aration of the cause of our e/*u&sion?
referred the' to )ar&e! )# )ratt+s *a'*h&et< 2hich I he&d in '! hand? then
sho2ed that the first accusation therein contained< 2as on account of our
re&i,ious tenets? further'ore< that the others 2ere utter&! ,round&ess# I
2ent on to *ro$e that the 2ho&e *ersecution< fro' e,innin, to end< 2as
,rounded on our re&i,ious faith# For e$idence of this< I referred the' to
)orter Roc02e&&+s testi'on!< and )# )o2e&&+s# I stated that there 2as
aundant testi'on! to *ro$e this to e a fact< a'on, the docu'ents#
I then ,a$e a rief histor! of the *ersecutions< fro' the first
sett&e'ent in the state to our fina& e/*u&sion# I a&so stated that the
societ! 2ere industrious< inoffensi$e< and innocent of cri'e? had the
Ti'es and Seasons< fro' 2hich I read 5o$ernor Lucas+s &etter to A&anson
Ri*&e!# I a&so referred to Jud,e Youn,+s &etter fro' )i0e count!< the
c&er0+s and others< res*ectin, our character in their section of the
countr!# I ,a$e the' so'e hints of the Haun+s 'i&& 'assacre< and the
'urder of the t2o &itt&e o!s< ut referred the' 'ore *articu&ar&! to the
docu'ents for infor'ation concernin, those thin,s? and further'ore that I
had not co'e here to instruct the' in 2hat the! 2ere to do in the case<
ut to )resent the' 2ith the facts--ha$in, a&& confidence in this
honora&e od! Ethe Con,ressF< e&ie$in, the' to e honora&e 'en#
I de'anded fro' the' a restitution of a&& our ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es
as citi4ens of the United States< and da'a,es for a&& the &osses 2e had
sustained in conse>uence of our *ersecutions and e/*u&sion fro' the state?
and to&d the' 2e cou&d ha$e recourse no 2here e&se on earth that I 0ne2
of? that 2e cou&d not sue an ar'! of so&diers< neither cou&d 2e ,o into
the state to sue an!one e&se# I to&d the' that I 0ne2 not ho2 far Con,ress
had =urisdiction in this case< or ho2 far the! had not? ut as far as the!
had< 2e c&ai'ed the e/ercise of it for our re&ief? for 2e 2ere an in=ured
*eo*&e#
These and so'e others 2ere the *rinci*a& su=ects of '! s*eech? after
2hich .r# Ja'ieson said he 2as once in the -.or'ons+- fa$or? ut
after2ards &earned that it 2as i'*ossi&e to &i$e a'on, the'< for the!
sto&e their nei,hors+ ho,s? and there ein, so 'uch testi'on!< he
e&ie$ed it< etc#< etc# I re*&ied so'ethin, &i0e this+ 'a0in, state'ents
2as one thin,< and *ro$in, the' 2as another# .r Linn then said he 2ished
'e to ans2er one thin,< $i4#( If the &e,is&ature of .issouri did not
refuse to in$esti,ate the su=ect of our difficu&ties so&e&! on account of
the tria&s then *endin,# In re*&! I assured hi' that I 0ne2 the! had
refused us an in$esti,ation? ut as to that ein, the cause< I did not
0no2< ut to&d hi' the! 'i,ht ha$e done it 2hen those tria&s 2ere
dischar,ed# He see'ed to thin0 it an in=ustice for Con,ress to ta0e it u*
efore the &e,is&ature had acted on it#
I occu*ied a&& ut a fe2 'inutes of the ti'e 2hen the Senate 2as to
,o into session< so the! ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 at ten o+c&oc0< 2hen the
.issourians are to re*&!# .r# Linn oser$ed< that there 2as a ,ent&e'an
2ho' he 2ou&d ha$e efore the co''ittee on the 'orro2< 2ho &i$ed in the
u**er *art of .issouri< that 0ne2 e$er!thin, re&ati$e to the affair# I
*resu'e he is to *ut in his ,a# I su**ose I 'ust attend the co''ittee< as
I a' so&icited ! the chair'an? ut I 2ou&d rather ta0e a f&o,,in,?
ecause I 'ust sit sti&&< and hear a $o&ui&it! of &ies concernin, '!se&f
and rethren# Lies I sa!< for the! ha$e nothin, ut &ies to te&&< that
2i&& in the &east de,ree =ustif! their conduct in .issouri# .r# Linn said
he had 2ritten to .issouri< to ,et a&& the e$idence ta0en efore Jud,e
1in,? so that if the thin, 'ust co'e u*< he 2ou&d e *re*ared to ha$e a
fu&& in$esti,ation of the 'atter< and that the co''ittee shou&d ha$e *o2er
to send for *ersons< *a*ers< Pc<# Pc#
In '! re'ar0s I stated that an artic&e of the Constitution 2as
$io&ated in not ,rantin, co'*u&sor! *rocess for 2itnesses in eha&f of the
*risoners? and that the 'ain e$idence adduced< u*on 2hich the! 2ere
co''itted< Eas I understoodF< 2as fro' Dr# A$ard< 2ho once e&on,ed to our
societ!< and 2as co'*e&&ed to s2ear as suited the' est< in order to sa$e
his &ife? that I 0ne2 hi' to e a 'an 2hose character 2as the 2orst I e$er
0ne2 in a&& '! associations or intercourse 2ith 'an0ind? and that I had
e$idence ! affida$its efore the'< of fi$e or si/ res*ecta&e 'en< to
*ro$e that a&& he s2ore to 2as fa&se#
"rethren and sisters< I 2ant !our es*ecia& *ra!ers< that 5od 'a! ,i$e
'e 2isdo' to 'ana,e this case accordin, to His 2i&&< and that He 2i&&
*rotect 'e fro' our foes< oth *u&ic&! and *ri$ate&!# Yours in the onds
of &o$e< ELIAS HI5"EE#
Second &etter of E&ias Hi,ee to the )ro*het--Cause of the Saints
efore the Senate Co''ittee#
3ASHIN5TON CITY< Feruar! H7st< 78@D#
DEAR "RETHREN#--I ha$e =ust returned a,ain fro' the Co''ittee Roo'#
.r# Linn and .r# Ja'ieson 'ade so'e re'ar0s< to 2hich I re*&ied# .r# Linn
is 'uch 'ore 'i&d and reasona&e E'ost&! *erha*s fro' *o&ic!F than .r#
Ja'ieson< 2ho re&ated a &on, &in,o of stuff< 2hich he said 2as *ro$en
efore the &e,is&ature in .issouri< 2hich a'ounted to aout this+ that
Jose*h S'ith ,a$e the -.or'ons- &iert! to tres*ass on their nei,hors+
*ro*ert!? a&so to&d the'< that it a&& e&on,ed to the'? as the! 2ere
Israe&ites# U*on the stren,th of this the! eca'e the a,,ressors# I
re*&ied that the Jac0son count! *eo*&e in their dec&aration of causes that
induced the' to unite in order to dri$e the -.or'ons<- the cri'e of
stea&in,< or tres*assin,< 2as not 'entioned? and there 2as no doc0et<
either c&er0+s or =ustice+s< that cou&d sho2 it< in Jac0son< C&a!<
Ca&d2e&&< or in Da$iess counties? and that no 'an e$er heard such teachin,
or doctrine fro' Jose*h S'ith< or an! other -.or'on? - that 2e he&d to no
such doctrine< neither e&ie$ed in an! such thin,#
I 'entioned so'e thin,s contained in our "oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants? 5o$ern'ent and La2s in ,enera&# I to&d the' 2e had *u&ished
&on, a,o our e&ief on that su=ect# So'e thin,s I reco&&ected< 2hich 2ere
that a&& *ersons shou&d oe! the &a2s of the ,o$ern'ent under 2hich the!
&i$ed< and that ecc&esiastica& *o2er shou&d not e e/ercised to contro&
our ci$i& ri,hts in an! 2a!? *articu&ar&! that ecc&esiastica& *o2er shou&d
on&! e used in the Church? and then no further than fe&&o2shi* 2as
concerned# I thin0 the! in=ured their cause toda!# There is another
a**oint'ent for the' on the 'orro2< at 7D o+c&oc0# Their friend the! said
2as sic0< conse>uent&! cou&d not attend toda!# .r# Linn said he thou,ht it
2ou&d e ti'e enou,h to ta0e it u* in Con,ress 2hen the! Ithe SaintsJ
cou&d not ,et =ustice fro' the State? and that he 2as confident there 2as
a dis*osition in the state of .issouri to do us =ustice< shou&d 2e a**&!?
that the reason of their refusin, to in$esti,ate efore 2as< the tria&s of
the *risoners 2ere *endin,? and further said< E2hen s*ea0in, of the tria&s
efore Jud,e 1in,<F that he understood fro' ,ent&e'en that the *risoners
co''ended the Jud,e for his c&e'enc! and fair dea&in, to2ards the'? and
ac0no2&ed,ed the! 2ere ,ui&t! in *art of the char,e *referred a,ainst
the'# .r# Linn said he *resu'ed I 2as not *resent< 2hen said 'en 2ere
tried# I re*&ied in the ne,ati$e< that I 2as not there< neither an! od!
e&se that cou&d e a 2itness in their fa$or# The &a2!ers ad$ised the' to
0ee* a2a! if the! desired the sa&$ation of their &i$es# I oser$ed that I
had read the *roceedin,s of the &e,is&ature< ut did not no2 reco&&ect
the'? ut since !esterda! I ha$e een ref&ectin, on the su=ect< and
reco&&ect a con$ersation I had 2ith .r# Har$e! Redfie&d< 2ho 2as the
earer of the *etition to Jefferson Cit!< and he infor'ed 'e that the
reasons 2h! the! refused an in$esti,ation< 2as on account of the U**er
.issouri 'e'ers ein, so $io&ent&! o**osed to it< that the! used their
ut'ost e/ertions< and fina&&! succeeded in ,ettin, a 'a=orit! a,ainst it?
and the reason of their ta0in, this course 2as< in conse>uence of one of
their 'e'ers ein, in the 'assacre at Haun+s 'i&&< $i4#< .r# Ash&e!? and
Corne&ius 5i&&ia' 2as a &eader of the first 'o in Da$iess count!< 2hich
the 'i&itia 2ere ca&&ed out to su**ress#
.r# Linn said if it 'ust co'e out in Con,ress< it shou&d e fu&&!
in$esti,ated< and the!< the Co''ittee< shou&d ha$e *o2er to send for
*ersons and *a*ers? for if 2e ha$e a ri,ht to c&ai' da'a,es of the United
States< so had the!< if a&& 2ere true concernin, the acts a&&e,ed a,ainst
the -.or'ons?- that the! had a ri,ht to as0 the 5o$ern'ent to *a! the 2ar
a,ainst the -.or'ons?- ut fina&&! see'ed to disa**ro$e of the
e/ter'inatin, order< 2hich 2as ad'itted to ha$e e/isted ! .r# Ja'ieson<
or 2as issued ! their &e,is&ature< ut that no one e$er thou,ht of
carr!in, it into effect# He said that 5enera& C&ar0 'ere&! ad$ised the
-.or'ons- to &ea$e the State# To 2hich I re*&ied< 5enera& C&ar0+s s*eech
2as efore the'? that I had stated so'e of its contents !esterda!? and if
it 2ere necessar!< I cou&d *ro$e it ! four or fi$e hundred affida$its#
Then .r# Ja'ieson stated so'ethin, aout the *risoners 'a0in, their
esca*e< and that he had no dout ut that the! cou&d ha$e a fair tria& in
.issouri< for the &e,is&ature< to his certain 0no2&ed,e< *assed a &a2
2here! the! had a ri,ht to choose an! count! in the State to e tried in#
To 2hich I re*&ied< that I understood such a &a2 2as *assed? ut
not2ithstandin,< the! cou&d not ,et their tria&s in the count! 2herein
the! desired? for the! 2ere forced to ,o to "oone< 2hereas the! desired to
ha$e their tria&s in )a&'!ra< 2here the! cou&d ,et their 2itnesses< as
that 2as on&! si/teen 'i&es fro' the ri$er< and the other 2as a ,reat
distance# He said that Jud,e 1in, certain&! 2ou&d not ,o contrar! to &a2#
I to&d hi' there 2ere so'e affida$its in those docu'ents that 2ou&d te&&
hi' so'e thin,s $er! stran,e concernin, Jud,e
1in,# .r# Linn then 2ished to 0no2 if the affida$its 2ere fro'
an!od! e&se sa$e -.or'ons#- I re*&ied that there 2ere so'e others? ut
ho2 'an! I 0ne2 not# He then 2anted to 0no2 ho2 the! 2ere certified?
2hether an! c&er0+s na'e 2as attached in the usiness# I to&d hi' the!
2ere 2e&& authenticated ! the Courts of Record< 2ith the C&er0+s na'e
attached thereto#
After these thin,s and so'e others 2ere said< the co''ittee refused
to consu&t on the su=ect# On&! the sa'e three attended that 2ere in
!esterda!# The Chair'an oser$ed that the! had not e/*ressed an! o*inion
re&ati$e to the su=ect+ ut oser$ed his 'ind 2as 'ade u* in re&ation to
the 'atter# I thin0< fro' a&& I ha$e disco$ered< .r# S'ith of Indiana 2i&&
e on the side of =ustice? ut ho2 the thin, 2i&& ter'inate I cannot te&&#
.r# Crittenden and .r# Stran,e are the t2o asent 'e'ers of the
Co''ittee# Yours in the ond of &o$e< ELIAS HI5"EE#
Third Letter of E&ias Hi,ee to the )ro*het--Cause of the Saints
efore the Senate Co''ittee# 3ASHIN5TON< Feruar! HHnd< 78@D#
DEAR "ROTHER#--I ha$e =ust returned fro' the Co''ittee Roo'# The
Co''ittee ein, *resent toda!< a .r# Cor2in of St# Louis< for'er&! a
de'ocratic editor< e'*tied his ud,et? 2hich 2as as ,reat a und&e of
nonsense and stuff as cou&d e thou,ht of? I su**ose not 2hat he 0ne2< ut
2hat ,ent&e'en had to&d hi'? for instance< the re&i,ious 5enera& C&ar0 and
others# I confess I had hard 2or0 to restrain '! fee&in, so'e of the ti'e<
ut I did succeed in 0ee*in, si&ence to&era&! 2e&&# Hi'se&f< .r#
Ja'ieson< and .r# Linn su''oned a&& the ener,ies of their 'inds to i'*ress
u*on the asse'&! that -Joe S'ith<- as he ca&&ed hi'< &ed the *eo*&e
a&to,ether ! Re$e&ation< in their te'*ora&< ci$i&< and *o&itica& 'atters<
and ! this 'eans caused a&& the -.or'ons- to $ote the -2ho&e-ho,- tic0et
on one side< e/ce*t t2o *ersons# "ut 2hen I ,ot an o**ortunit! of
s*ea0in,< I oser$ed that Jose*h S'ith ne$er &ed an! of the Church in
these 'atters? as 2e considered hi' to ha$e no authorit!< neither did he
*resu'e to e/ercise an! of that nature? that Re$e&ations 2ere on&!
concernin, s*iritua& thin,s in the Church? and the "i&e ein, our
standard< 2e recei$ed no Re$e&ations contrar! to it# I a&so oser$ed that
2e 2ere not such i,nora'uses< *erha*s< as he fain 2ou&d ha$e *eo*&e
e&ie$e us to e? and so'e other thin,s on this su=ect# I then to&d hi'
that e$er! 'an e/ercised the ri,ht of suffra,e accordin, to his etter
=ud,'ent< and 2ithout an! ecc&esiastica& restraint ein, *ut u*on hi'?
that it 2as a&& fa&se aout a Re$e&ation on $otin,? and the reason of our
$otin, that tic0et 2as in conse>uence of the De'ocratic *rinci*&es ha$in,
een tau,ht us fro' our infanc!< and that the! e$er e/tended e>ua& ri,hts
to a&&? and further 2e had een 'uch *ersecuted *re$ious to that
ti'e--'an! threatenin,s ein, 'ade fro' the counties round aout< as 2e&&
as a'on, us< ! those 2ho too0 the &ead in *o&itica& affairs# It 2as true
2e ad$ised our rethren to $ote this tic0et< te&&in, the' 2e thou,ht that
*art! 2ou&d *rotect our ri,hts< and not suffer us to e dri$en fro' our
&ands< as 2e had hitherto een? e&ie$in, it to e ! far the 'ost &iera&
*art!? ut in that 2e 2ere 'ista0en< ecause 2hen it ca'e to the test<
there 2ere as 'an! De'ocrats turned a,ainst us as 3hi,s? and indeed &ess
&iera&it! and *o&itica& freedo' 2ere 'anifested ! the'? for one 3hi,
*a*er ca'e out decided&! in our fa$or#
I 'ade these re'ar0s *art&! fro' 'oti$es 2hich I 'a! at another ti'e
e/*&ain to !ou# He &aid ,reat stress on the tria&s at Rich'ond< and a
constitution< that he said A$ard and others E2ho 2ere in ,ood standin, in
the -.or'on- Church at this ti'eF s2ore to? then 2ent on to re&ate 2hat it
contained< and that it 2as 2ritten ! Sidne! Ri,don# I f&at&! denied it<
and I cou&d rin, a&& the -.or'ons<- oth 'en< 2o'en< and chi&dren<
esides '!se&f< that 2ou&d s2ear efore a&& the 2or&d< that no such thin,
e$er e/isted< nor 2as thou,ht of a'on, the -.or'ons#-
He then re&ated so'e thin,s 2hich he said John Corri& had to&d hi' at
the &e,is&ature< in .issouri? 2hich 2ere to the effect that the -.or'ons-
had urnt a nu'er of houses in Da$iess count!< and that for hi'se&f< if
he cou&d not ,et to hea$en ! ein, an honest 'an< he 2ou&d ne$er ,o
there# Then< I< s*ea0in, of so'e of the dissenters< to&d hi' Corri& 2as
an/ious to ,et into the Church a,ain< and that it 2as the fact in re,ard
to da'a,es ha$in, een done< after 2e had een dri$en fro' Jac0son and
C&a!--re&atin, the De 3itt scra*e< and ca&&in, of the 'i&itia< and the
'o+s 'archin, to Da$iess and sa!in, the! 2ou&d dri$e the -.or'ons- fro'
there to Ca&d2e&&< and then to he&&? their urnin, our houses( that s'a&&
*arties on oth sides 2ere on the a&ert< and *roa&! did so'e da'a,es?
thou,h I 2as not *ersona&&! 0no2in, to IitJ< as I 2as not there# I to&d
hi' Jose*h S'ith he&d no office in the countr!< neither 2as he a 'i&itar!
'an< and did not ta0e ,un in hand in the affair to '! 0no2&ed,e# I then
stated that John Corri&+s affida$it< 2hich contained so'e i'*ortant facts<
2as efore the'<--2hich facts I for,ot to 'ention !esterda!<--i'*ortin,
that he EJohn Corri&F 2as con$inced 2e 2ou&d ,et no redress in .issouri
Ehe ein, a 'e'er of the &e,is&ature< ou,ht to 0no2F# I sa2 the Chair'an
of the Co''ittee not &on, since< 2ho infor'ed 'e that the Co''ittee had
not co'e to a fina& conc&usion on this 'atter as !et#
I sa2 .r# Ja'ieson on the 2a&0< 2ho said the first thin, the
Co''ittee 2ou&d do 2as to decide 2hether the! 2ou&d ta0e it u* and
consider it or not? and if the! do ta0e it u* accordin, to re>uest< the
Senate 2i&& ,rant the Co''ittee *o2er to send for *ersons and *a*ers# The
Co''ittee 'ade so'e in>uiries res*ectin, our re&i,ion< and I ans2ered
there< as a 'atter of course< as 2e&& as I 2as a&e#
The! in>uired $er! *articu&ar&! concernin, ho2 'uch &and 2e had
entered there< and ho2 'uch of it !et re'ained unso&d? 2hen .r# Cor2in
oser$ed that 2e had ne$er entered 'uch &and there< ut 2ere s>uatters# I
then descried the si4e of Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess counties< ,i$in, an
e/*&anation on these 'atters#
I su**ose *erha*s on .onda! or Tuesda!< 2e sha&& 0no2 so'ethin,
re&ati$e to this 'atter# 3hether *o2er e ,i$en the' to send for *ersons
and *a*ers< Ior notJ !ou 'a! see 2here the! de*end to ra&&! their forces<
$i4#< ! endea$orin, to 'a0e us treasona&e characters< ! the
constitution< said to ,o$ern us< and that e$er!thin, oth ci$i& and
*o&itica& a'on, us is done ! re$e&ation# These *oints I desire to &o2 to
the four 2inds< and that !ou 2i&& se&ect a nu'er of fir' rethren<
*ossessin, ,ood understandin,< 2ho 2i&& te&& the truth< and 2i&&in,&! send
'e their na'es 2hen the! 0no2 the! are 2anted# Send *&ent! of the'# The!
2i&& ,et t2o do&&ars *er da!< and ten cents a 'i&e to and fro'< IasJ
e/*ense 'one!# Do not send the' unti& their su*oenas ,et there< for the!
2i&& not dra2 e/*ense 'one! on&! for ,oin, ho'e#
I 2i&& su,,est a fe2 na'es--A&anson Ri*&e!< 1in, Fo&&ett< A'asa
L!'an< Francis .# Hi,ee< as the! 0no2 concernin, the De 3itt scra*e? a&so
send Char&es C# Rich< Se!'our "runson< and others# You 2i&& 0no2 2ho' to
send etter than '!se&f#
If the .issourians shou&d send for !ou< I 2ou&d sa! consu&t 5od aout
,oin,# ELIAS HI5"EE#
)# S#--.r# Ja'ieson stated to 'e this e$enin,< if the -.or'ons- cou&d
'a0e it a**ear that the! had een 2ron,ed< the! 2ou&d use their inf&uence
in ha$in, the' redressed< so the sha'e shou&d not fa&& on the 2ho&e state<
ut on those 2hich had een ,ui&t!# I then oser$ed that there 2as a
'inorit! in the &e,is&ature< 'uch in our fa$or< 2hich see'ed to *&ease
hi'< as the! a&&uded se$era& ti'es to it# The cause of '! ein, so
*articu&ar< is to sho2 !ou the 2ho&e ,round I ha$e ta0en in this 'atter<
that there 'a! e no inconsistenc!# If I ha$e erred in this 'atter< it is
'! head and not '! heart# ELIAS HI5"EE#
Sunda!< H9#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, had so far reco$ered as to e a&e
to attend *reachin, ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< at Co&u'ia Ha&&< Ne2 Yor0#
The Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo $oted< that the notes ,i$en into the hands
of "isho* )artrid,e< ! certain indi$idua&s< as consecrations for ui&din,
the Lord+s House in Far 3est< e returned to the sa'e ! hi'#
Tuesda!< HG#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and Reuen Hed&oc0 2ent to
Ha'*stead< on Lon, Is&and< and *reached at Roc0a2a! and the nei,horhood
ti&& the fourth of .arch< and a*ti4ed nine#
The Fourth Letter of E&ias Hi,ee to the )ro*het--Announces that the
Senate Co''ittee+s Re*ort 2i&& e Ad$erse to the Saints#
3ASHIN5TON< Feruar! H:th< 78@D#
DEAR "ROTHER#--I a' =ust infor'ed< ! 5enera& 3a&& Ethe Chair'an of
the Co''itteeF< efore 2ho'< or to 2ho'< our usiness is referred< that
the decision is a,ainst us< or in other 2ords unfa$ora&e< that the!
e&ie$e redress can on&! e had in .issouri< the courts and &e,is&ature#
He sa!s< the! 2i&& re*ort this 2ee0# I desire to ,et a co*! of it< and
a&so the *a*ers# I fee& a conscience $oid of offense to2ards 5od and 'an
in this 'atter? that I ha$e dischar,ed '! dut! here? and as I 2ish not to
e on e/*ense< as soon as I can 2rite to )resident Ri,don< ,et '! *a*ers<
and dra2 so'e 'one! to ear '! e/*enses< I sha&& id adieu to this cit!<
to return to '! fa'i&! and friends#
I fee& no2 that 2e ha$e 'ade our &ast a**ea& to a&& earth&!
triuna&s? that 2e shou&d no2 *ut our 2ho&e trust in the 5od of Araha'<
Isaac< and Jaco# 3e ha$e a ri,ht no2 2hich 2e cou&d not heretofore so
fu&&! c&ai'--that is< of as0in, 5od for redress and rede'*tion< as the!
ha$e een refused us ! 'an# ELIAS HI5"EE#
To Jose*h S'ith< Junior#
3hen I had returned as far as Da!ton< Ohio< I found the horses 2hich
2e &eft on our =ourne! out< and fro' thence I *ursued '! =ourne! throu,h
Indiana on horseac0< in co'*an! 2ith Dr# Foster< &ea$in, "rother )orter
Roc02e&& at Da!ton? the tra$e&in, ein, e/ceedin,&! ad< '! *ro,ress 2as
s&o2 and 2eariso'e#
.! c&er0< Ja'es .u&ho&&and< 2hi&e I 2as asent< died on No$e'er 9rd<
789N< a,ed thirt!-fi$e !ears# He 2as a 'an of fine education< and a
faithfu& scrie and E&der in the Church#
3ednesda!< .arch @< 78@D# I arri$ed safe&! at Nau$oo< after a
2eariso'e =ourne!< throu,h a&ternate sno2 and 'ud< ha$in, 2itnessed 'an!
$e/atious 'o$e'ents in ,o$ern'ent officers< 2hose so&e o=ect shou&d e
the *eace and *ros*erit! and ha**iness of the 2ho&e *eo*&e? ut instead of
this< I disco$ered that *o*u&ar c&a'or and *ersona& a,,randi4e'ent 2ere
the ru&in, *rinci*&es of those in authorit!? and '! heart faints 2ithin 'e
2hen I see< ! the $isions of the A&'i,ht!< the end of this nation< if she
continues to disre,ard the cries and *etitions of her $irtuous citi4ens<
as she has done< and is no2 doin,#
I ha$e a&so en=o!ed 'an! *recious 'o'ents 2ith the Saints durin, '!
=ourne!#
On '! 2a! ho'e I did not fai& to *roc&ai' the ini>uit! and inso&ence
of .artin %an "uren< to2ard '!se&f and an in=ured *eo*&e< 2hich 2i&& ha$e
its effect u*on the *u&ic 'ind? and 'a! he ne$er e e&ected a,ain to an!
office of trust or *o2er< ! 2hich he 'a! ause the innocent and &et the
,ui&t! ,o free#
I de*ended on Dr# Foster to 0ee* '! dai&! =ourna& durin, this
=ourne!< ut he has fai&ed 'e#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and Reuen Hed&oc0 returned to Ne2 Yor0< and
he&d a conference< 2hen 'an! E&ders 2ere ordained#
Re*ort of the Senate Judiciar! Co''ittee on the Case of the Saints
$s# .issouri#
T2ent!-si/th Con,ress--First Session#--In the Senate of the United
States< .arch @th< 78@D# Su'itted< &aid on the ta&e< and ordered to e
*rinted< the fo&&o2in, Re*ort< 'ade ! .r# 3a&&--
The Co''ittee on the Judiciar! to 2ho' 2as referred the .e'oria& of a
De&e,ation of the Latter-da! Saints< re*ort--
The )etition of the .e'ora&ists sets forth< in sustance< that a
*ortion of their sect co''enced a sett&e'ent in the count! of Jac0son< in
the state of .issouri< in the su''er of 7897? that the! ou,ht &ands<
ui&t houses< erected churches< and esta&ished their ho'es< and en,a,ed
in a&& the $arious occu*ations of &ife? that the! 2ere e/*e&&ed fro' that
count! in 7899 ! a 'o< under circu'stances of ,reat outra,e< crue&t!<
and o**ression< and a,ainst a&& &a2< and 2ithout an! offense co''itted on
their *art< and to the destruction of *ro*ert! to the a'ount of 7HD<DDD
do&&ars? that the societ! thus e/*e&&ed a'ounted to aout 7<HDD sou&s?
that no co'*ensation 2as e$er 'ade for the destruction of their *ro*ert!
in Jac0son? that after their e/*u&sion fro' Jac0son count!< the! sett&ed
in C&a! count!< on the o**osite side of the .issouri ri$er< 2here the!
*urchased &ands< and entered others at the &and office? 2here the! resided
*eacea&! for three !ears< en,a,ed in cu&ti$ation< and other usefu& and
acti$e e'*&o!'ents< 2hen the 'o a,ain threatened their *eace< &i$es< and
*ro*ert!? and the! eca'e a&ar'ed< and fina&&! 'ade a treat! 2ith the
citi4ens of C&a! count!< that the! shou&d *urchase their &ands< and the
Saints shou&d re'o$e? 2hich 2as co'*&ied 2ith on their *art< and the
saints re'o$ed to the count! of Ca&d2e&&< 2here the! too0 u* their aode
and re-esta&ished their sett&e'ent< not 2ithout hea$! *ecuniar! &osses
and other incon$eniences? that the citi4ens of C&a! count! ne$er *aid the'
for their &ands< e/ce*t for a s'a&& *art? the! re'ained in Ca&d2e&& fro'
789: unti& the fa&& of 7898< and durin, that ti'e had ac>uired< !
*urchase fro' the 5o$ern'ent< the sett&ers< and *ree'*tioners< a&'ost a&&
the &ands in the count! of Ca&d2e&&< and a *ortion of the &ands in Da$iess
and Carro& counties--the for'er count! ein, a&'ost entire&! sett&ed !
the Saints< and the! 2ere ra*id&! fi&&in, u* the t2o &atter counties#
Those counties< 2hen the Saints first co''enced their sett&e'ent<
2ere for the 'ost *art 2i&d and uncu&ti$ated< and the! had con$erted the'
into &ar,e and 2e&& i'*ro$ed far's< 2e&& stoc0ed# Land had risen in $a&ue
to ten or e$en t2ent!-fi$e do&&ars *er acre< and these counties 2ere
ra*id&! ad$ancin, in cu&ti$ation and 2ea&th#
That in Au,ust< 7898< a riot co''enced< ,ro2in, out of an atte'*t of
a Saint to $ote< 2hich resu&ted in creatin, ,reat e/cite'ent< and the
*er*etration of 'an! scenes of &a2&ess outra,e< 2hich are set forth in the
)etition# That the! 2ere fina&&! co'*e&&ed to f&! fro' those counties< and
on the 77th Octoer< 7898< the! sou,ht safet! ! that 'eans< 2ith their
fa'i&ies< &ea$in, 'an! of their effects ehind# That the! had *re$ious&!
a**&ied to the constituted authorities of .issouri for *rotection< ut in
$ain# The! a&&e,e< that the! 2ere *ursued ! the 'o? that conf&icts
ensued( deaths occurred on each side( and fina&&! a force 2as or,ani4ed
under the authorit! of the 5o$ernor of the state of .issouri< 2ith orders
to dri$e the Saints fro' the state< or e/ter'inate the'# The Saints
thereu*on deter'ined to 'a0e no further resistance< ut to su'it
the'se&$es to the authorities of the state#
Se$era& of the Saints 2ere arrested and i'*risoned on a char,e of
treason a,ainst the state< and the rest< a'ountin, to aout 7G<DDD sou&s<
f&ed into other states< *rinci*a&&! into I&&inois< 2here the! no2 reside#
The *etition is dra2n u* at ,reat &en,th< and sets forth< 2ith
fee&in, and e&o>uence< the 2ron,s of 2hich the! co'*&ain? =ustifies their
o2n conduct< and a,,ra$ates that of those 2ho' the! ca&& their
*ersecutors< and conc&udes ! sa!in, the! see no redress< un&ess it e
otained of the Con,ress of the United States< to 2ho' the! 'a0e their
so&e'n< &ast a**ea&< as A'erican citi4ens< as Christians< and as 'en? to
2hich decision the! sa! the! 2i&& su'it#
The co''ittee ha$e e/a'ined the case *resented ! the *etition< and
heard the $ie2s ur,ed ! their a,ent< 2ith care and attention? and after
fu&& e/a'ination and consideration< unani'ous&! concur in the o*inion--
That the case *resented for their in$esti,ation is not such a one as
2i&& =ustif! or authori4e an! inter*osition ! this ,o$ern'ent#
The 2ron,s co'*&ained of are not a&&e,ed to e co''itted ! an! of
the officers of the United States< or under the authorit! of its
,o$ern'ent in an! 'anner 2hate$er# The a&&e,ations in the *etition re&ate
to the acts of its citi4ens< and inhaitants and authorities of the state
of .issouri< of 2hich state the *etitioners 2ere at the ti'e citi4ens< or
inhaitants#
The ,rie$ances co'*&ained of in the *etition are a&&e,ed to ha$e een
done 2ithin the territor! of the state of .issouri# The co''ittee< under
these circu'stances< ha$e not considered the'se&$es =ustified in in>uirin,
into the truth or fa&sehood of the facts char,ed in the *etition# If the!
are true< the *etitioners 'ust see0 re&ief in the courts of =udicature of
the state of .issouri< or of the United States< 2hich has the a**ro*riate
=urisdiction to ad'inister fu&& and ade>uate redress for the 2ron,s
co'*&ained of< and dou&ess 2i&& do so fair&! and i'*artia&&!?
or the *etitioners 'a!< if the! see *ro*er< a**&! to the =ustice and
'a,nani'it! of the state of .issouri--an a**ea& 2hich the co''ittee fee&
=ustified in e&ie$in, 2i&& ne$er e 'ade in $ain ! the in=ured or
o**ressed#
It can ne$er e *resu'ed that a state either 2ants the *o2er or &ac0s
the dis*osition to redress the 2ron,s of its o2n citi4ens< co''itted
2ithin her o2n territor!< 2hether the! *roceed fro' the &a2&ess acts of
her officers or an! other *ersons# The co''ittee therefore re*ort that
the! reco''end the *assa,e of the fo&&o2in, reso&ution(
Reso&$ed< That the co''ittee on the =udiciar! he dischar,ed fro' the
further consideration of the 'e'oria& in this case? and that the
'e'oria&ists ha$e &ea$e to 2ithdra2 the *a*ers 2hich acco'*an! their
'e'oria&#
CHA)TER %#
AFFAIRS OF THE SAINTS "EFORE UNITED STATES SENATE--5ENERAL CONFERENCE
OF THE CHURCH AT NAU%OO--ACTION OF THE CHURCH 3ITH REFERENCE TO SENATE
CO..ITTEE+S RE)ORT--.ISSION TO )ALESTINE#
Frida!< :#---Attended the 'eetin, of the Hi,h Counci& of Io2a< at
"rother E&i=ah Fordha'+s< .ontrose#
E/tract fro' the .inutes of the Io2a Hi,h Counci&#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< addressed the Counci& on $arious
su=ects< and in *articu&ar the consecration &a2? statin, that the affairs
no2 efore Con,ress 2as the on&! thin, that ou,ht to interest the Saints
at *resent? and ti&& it 2as ascertained ho2 it 2ou&d ter'inate< no *erson
ou,ht to e rou,ht to account efore the constituted authorities of the
Church for an! offense 2hate$er? and IheJ 2as deter'ined that no 'an
shou&d e rou,ht efore the Counci& in Nau$oo ti&& that ti'e< etc#< etc#
The &a2 of consecration cou&d not e 0e*t here< and that it 2as the 2i&&
of the Lord that 2e shou&d desist fro' tr!in, to 0ee* it? and if *ersisted
in< it 2ou&d *roduce a *erfect defeat of its o=ect< and that he assu'ed
the 2ho&e res*onsii&it! of not 0ee*in, it unti& *ro*osed ! hi'se&f#
He re>uested e$er! e/ertion to e 'ade to for2ard affida$its to
3ashin,ton< and a&so &etters to 'e'ers of Con,ress# The fo&&o2in, $otes
2ere then *assed(
First---That this Counci& 2i&& coincide 2ith )resident Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#+s decision concernin, the consecration &a2< on the *rinci*&e of its
ein, the 2i&& of the Lord< and of )resident S'ith+s ta0in, the
res*onsii&it! on hi'se&f#
Second--That a co''ittee of three e a**ointed< consistin, of 3hee&er
"a&d2in< L!'an 3i,ht< and Araha' O# S'oot< to otain affida$its and other
docu'ents to e for2arded to the cit! of 3ashin,ton#
Third--That the c&er0 of this Counci& e directed to infor' Jud,e
Hi,ee< that it is the 2ish of this Counci& that he shou&d not< u*on an!
consideration< consent to acce*t of an!thin, of Con,ress short of our =ust
ri,hts and de'ands for our &osses and da'a,es in .issouri#
Sunda!< 8#---I attended the Counci& of Nau$oo< at "rother 5ran,er+s#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, *reached in Co&u'ia Ha&&< Ne2 Yor0#
.onda!< N#---E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< )ar&e! )# )ratt<
Orson )ratt< 5eor,e A# S'ith< and Reuen Hed&oc0< sai&ed fro' Ne2 Yor0 on
the )atric0 Henr! for Li$er*oo&#
Fifth Letter of E&ias Hi,ee to the )ro*het--the Affairs of the
Saints at 3ashin,ton#
3ASHIN5TON< .arch Nth< 78@D# DEAR "ROTHER(--I e/*ected< ! this ti'e<
that 2e 2ou&d e throu,h 2ith our usiness< ut the chair'an of the
co''ittee ,a$e notice &ast 2ee0< he shou&d ca&& it Ithe co''ittee+s
Re*ortJ u* toda! in the Senate? throu,h .r# Youn,+s ha$in, ,one to
)hi&ade&*hia< it 2i&& not e ca&&ed u* unti& his return< 2hich 2i&& e on
ne/t Thursda! accordin, to the infor'ation that I ha$e otained re&ati$e
to this 'atter# If the reso&ution is *assed< as anne/ed to the Re*ort< I
sha&& ,et '! *a*ers and &ea$e the cit!#
I ha$e 2ritten so'e &etters to "rother Ri,don< 2hich it see's he did
not ,et# "rother Sa'ue& "ennett 2rites that "rother Ri,don &eft
)hi&ade&*hia for the Jerse!s on the Gth instant# He IRi,donJ stated that
he e/*ects 'e to co'e there to ,o 2ith hi' ho'e< and that he 2ou&d 2rite
'e soon on the su=ect# I sha&& 2rite for hi' to 'a0e the necessar!
arran,e'ents# He sa!s Dr# E&&+s fa'i&! &eft aout a 2ee0 a,o for Co''erce#
A&so that the Church there nu'ers aout one hundred? and )ar&e! )# )ratt<
Orson )ratt< "rother 1i'a&&< "rother "ri,ha'
Youn,< 5eor,e A# S'ith< and "rother Hed&oc0 2ere to sai& fro' Ne2
Yor0 to En,&and on the Mth instant#
As I ha$e &ate&! 2ritten se$era& &etters to !ou< I sha&& id adieu<
not to 2rite a,ain unti& after the Senate acts u*on our usiness# .r#
Roinson sa!s he has sent !ou a re*ort? not2ithstandin,< I sha&& enc&ose
another for !ou#
I ha$e chan,ed '! *&ace of oardin, in conse>uence of .rs# Riche!+s
rea0in, u* house-0ee*in,< and ,oin, to "a&ti'ore# I a' us! here at
chi'ne! corner *reachin,# Yours as e$er in the onds of e$er&astin, &o$e<
ELIAS HI5"EE#
To )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Co''erce< I&&inois#
)# S#--Lest '! *re$ious &etters shou&d not co'e to hand< I 'ere&! sa!
that I ha$e een efore the co''ittee three da!s< and done a&& in '! *o2er
to effect the o=ect of our 'ission? ha$e s*o0en '! 'ind free&! on the
su=ect? and fee& to ha$e a conscience $oid of offense to2ards 5od in this
'atter# The suscri*tion of 2hich the re*ort 'a0es 'ention< 2as on
condition that the! cou&d not &a2fu&&! do an!thin, for us? after
e/a'ination 2e 2ere to su'it and 2ait unti& the 5reat Dis*oser of hu'an
e$ents sha&& ad=ust these thin,s< in that *&ace 2here the 2ic0ed cease
fro' trou&in, and the 2ear! are at rest Ethis I thin0 is near&! the
senti'ent thou,h *erha*s not the $er! 2ordsF? and I for one ho*e and *ra!
the ti'e 2i&& soon co'e 2hen the! 2i&& not trou&e us in the 2est as the!
ha$e hitherto done#
There is a 'an here on 2ho' I occasiona&&! ca&&< 2ho o2ns t2o
*rintin, *resses and 'uch t!*e< readin, our oo0s< I 2i&& 2ith the
assistance of 5od< ,et hi' to co'e to the 2est as soon as *ossi&e 2ith
his *ress< that !ou 'a! set hi' to *rintin, the truth# He to&d 'e< if 2e
had an! *rintin, to do< he 2ou&d do it chea*< and e$en ,o to the 2est if
necessar!#
5i$e '! res*ects to )orter Roc02e&&< Dr# Foster< and a&so a&& the
househo&d of faith# E# H#
Frida!< 79#---Jaco 1# )otts and Le$i Sti&&e! 'ade affida$it efore
3i&&ia' O,&es!< J# )#< that the! 2itnessed the 'assacre at Haun+s 'i&& on
the 9Dth of Octoer< 7898< confir'in, the state'ents a&read! 2ritten in
this Histor!# )otts had t2o a&&s shot into his ri,ht &e,#
Sunda!< 7G#---The Hi,h Counci& of the Church at Nau$oo $oted that the
First )residenc! su*erintend the affairs of the ferr! et2een Nau$oo and
.ontrose#
.onda!< 7:#---E&der John Ta!&or 2rote fro' Li$er*oo&(
E/tract fro' E&der John Ta!&or+s Letter---Affairs in "ritish .ission#
I to&d !ou aout our co'in, to Li$er*oo&# The first ti'e I *reached ca'e
for2ard Ifor a*tis'J# 3e ha$e een a*ti4in, since( &ast 2ee0 2e a*ti4ed
nine< 2e are to a*ti4e to'orro2< ut ho2 'an! I 0no2 not# The &itt&e
stone is ro&&in, forth# One of the rethren drea'ed he sa2 t2o 'en co'e to
Li$er*oo&? the! cast a net into the sea and *u&&ed it out fu&& of fishes(
he 2as sur*rised to see the' *ic0 the s'a&& fish out first and then the
&ar,e# 3e&&< if 2e ,et a&& the fish I sha&& e satisfied#
"rother 3oodruff has &ate&! &eft the )otteries and has ,one to
another nei,horhood< and is 'a0in, .ethodist *reachers scarce# He
a*ti4ed 9H *ersons in one 2ee0--79 of the' 2ere .ethodist *reachers#
E&der C&ar0 is *reachin, and a*ti4in, in and aout .anchester# The &atest
account fro' E&der Tur&e!< he 2as 2e&&< *reachin, and a*ti4in, in the
)otteries# E&der 3i&&ard Richards is $er! us! at this *eriod< in $isitin,
and settin, in order the ranches of the Church in )reston< C&ithero< and
a&& the re,ions round aout< and ho&din, corres*ondence 2ith the E&ders
aroad#
The Hi,h Counci& 'et at '! house in Nau$oo< and reso&$ed that Roert
"# Tho'*son 2rite a &etter to Jud,e Hi,ee at 3ashin,ton< a**ro$in, his
course and ,i$in, hi' certain na'es Efor 2hich see Tho'*son+s &etterF<
that he 'a! order su*oenas for the' as 2itnesses in the suit no2 efore
Con,ress< na'e&!< the Latter-da! Saints $ersus the State of .issouri< for
redress of ,rie$ances#
Letter of R# "# Tho'*son to E&ias Hi,ee< Announcin, the A**ro$a& of
the Church Authorities of the Latter+s Course at 3ashin,ton# NAU%OO<
HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< .arch 7Mth< 78@D# E&ias Hi,ee< EsA#
DEAR AND HONORED SIR(---It is 2ith the ,reatest *&easure I sit do2n
to 2rite to !ou at this ti'e< to infor' !ou of the situation and state of
the Church as re,ards the o=ect of !our 'ission#
Since )resident Jose*h S'ith returned 2e ha$e een fa$ored 2ith
se$era& co''unications fro' !ou< ,i$in, a state'ent of the *roceedin,s
efore the co''ittee< etc# On .onda! e$enin, &ast< !our &etters 2ere read
to a &ar,e concourse of our rethren< and other *ersons 2ho 2ere asse'&ed
to hear the sa'e? and I 'ust sa! that the ,reatest satisfaction 2as
'anifested ! the asse'&ed 'u&titude< 2ith the no&e stand and
strai,htfor2ard and honora&e course 2hich !ou had *ursued? and efore the
asse'&! se*arated< a $ote of than0s to !ou 2as unani'ous&! a,reed u*on# I
can assure !ou that< fro' the fee&in,s there< as 2e&& as u*on other
occasions< Ie/*ressedJ there is not on&! a dis*osition< ut a fi/ed
deter'ination< to u*ho&d !ou in !our ri,hteous cause and sustain !ou in
!our efforts to otain redress for the in=uries 2hich the Saints ha$e
orne fro' their unfee&in, o**ressors< and in rin,in, their case efore
the authorities of the nation#
In the e$enin, the Hi,h Counci& asse'&ed at the house of )resident
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and too0 !our &etters into consideration< 2hen it 2as
unani'ous&! reso&$ed that a &etter shou&d e 2ritten to !ou a**ro$in, the
'easures 2hich !ou 2ere ta0in,# The Hi,h Counci& &i0e2ise send !ou a &ist
of the na'es of such *ersons as the! thin0 2i&& testif! to such facts as
!ou 2ant to sustantiate# The na'es are as fo&&o2s(
A&anson Ri*&e!< 3i&&ia' Cha**&in< Francis Hi,ee< Ira .i&&s< L!'an
3i,ht< O&i$er O&ne!< Tar&ton Le2is< H!ru' S'ith< Ed2ard )artrid,e< Se!'our
"runson< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Sa'ue& "ent< Thorit )arsons< )orter Roc02e&&<
1in, Fo&&ett< 5eor,e A# S'ith< Isaac Lane!< Ste*hen .ar0ha'< Har$e!
Redfie&d< Tho'as 5ro$er< E&&is Ea'es< A'anda S'ith< Cha*'an Duncan< L!'an
Leonard< S'ith Hu'*hre!< A&'a S'ith< Erastus Sno2< ;eediah Roinson< John
.# "ur0< Orson H!de< Reecca Judd< Char&es C# Rich< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
Henr! 5# Sher2ood< 3i&&ia' Se!&e!< E&ias S'ith< Dr# Isaac 5a&&and< Sidne!
Ri,don#
There *roa&! 'a! e others< 2ho 'a! occur to !our 'ind< 2ho' !ou
can send for if !ou thin0 necessar!# 3e shou&d fee& ,&ad if !ou had the
assistance of )residents S'ith and Ri,don at this critica& ti'e< 2hi&e !ou
ha$e to contend 2ith Ja'ieson< Linn Iand othersJ# Ho2e$er I ho*e !ou 2i&&
,o forth in the stren,th of the Lord< and that truth 2i&& *re$ai&# And I
2ou&d sa!< -T2ice is he ar'ed 2ho hath his >uarre& =ust#- The *rinci*&es<
sir< for 2hich !ou contend are true? the! are *rinci*&es of =ustice< of
hu'anit!< of the Constitution< and the eterna& *rinci*&es of
ri,hteousness#
A&thou,h 'an0ind 'a! de*art fro' those *rinci*&es and e s2a!ed !
*o*u&ar *re=udices< and undue inf&uences? !et at the sa'e ti'e< that 'an
2ho contends for the sa'e< a&thou,h he cannot a&2a!s carr! his *oint< or
con$ince at a&& ti'es *artia& and interested =ud,es--the ,e' or &i,ht of
truth 'a! e dar0ened< and its ri&&ianc! for a 2hi&e hide--!et 2hen the
Son of Ri,hteousness sha&& arise< and dis*erse the dar0ness and 'ist of
su*erstition and i,otr!? 2hen the true &i,ht shines< then sha&& it shine
2ith a&& its ,&orious s*&endor and shed forth its &uster 2ith a ri&&ianc!
u*on its ad$ocates as sha&& a&to,ether sur*ass the e>ui*a,e and ,&ories of
those 2ho are no2 in *o2er# RO"ERT "# THO.)SON#
Letter of Horace R# Hotch0iss to Sidne! Ri,don and Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#--In>uirin, Concernin, the )ro,ress .ade "efore Con,ress# FAIR HA%EN<
.arch 7Mth< 78@D<
Re$erends Sidne! Ri,don and Jose*h S'ith< Jun#( 5ENTLE.EN(--I so'e
ti'e since addressed a &etter to .r# IJose*hJ S'ith at )hi&ade&*hia< to
2hich I ha$e recei$ed no re*&!? and 2as in that cit! t2o or three 2ee0s
a,o< ut not ein, a&e to hear an!thin, of .r# S'ith< I su**ose he 'ust
of course ha$e &eft? and 2ith the ho*e of sti&& reachin, !ou< I no2 send
to 3ashin,ton# I shou&d ha$e 2ritten !ou &on, efore< and indeed $er!
often this 2inter< ut '! hea&th has een 'isera&e? and since '! return
fro' )hi&ade&*hia< I ha$e een confined to '! house#
I e, !ou to infor' 'e ho2 !ou are *ro,ressin, 2ith !our *etition
efore Con,ress< and its *roa&e resu&t? 2hether !ou ha$e an! friends in
the House or in the Senate< 2ho 2i&& rin, for2ard !our case< and ad$ocate
it in sincerit!< and *erse$ere in !our eha&f 2ith s0i&& and ai&it! unti&
so'ethin, is acco'*&ished# .i&0 and 2ater friends in Con,ress are ,ood for
nothin,# The! 'ust e true< ha$e ta&ents< e 4ea&ous< or e&se the! 2i&& e
detri'enta& rather than ad$anta,eous to !ou#
Shou&d !ou< ,ent&e'en< and Jud,e Hi,ee< co'e as far east as this< it
2i&& afford I'eJ 'uch ,ratification to ha$e !ou ta0e u* !our >uarters at
'! house# I did intend to see !ou at 3ashin,ton< ut '! hea&th 2i&& not
no2 *er'it# 3ith 'uch res*ect< !ours< HORACE R# HOTCH1ISS#
Si/th Letter of E&ias Hi,ee to the )ro*het---Affairs of the Saints
at 3ashin,ton--)a*ers 3ithdra2n# 3ASHIN5TON CITY< .arch H@th< 78@D#
DEAR "ROTHER(---Our usiness is at &ast ended here# Yesterda! a
reso&ution *assed the Senate< that the co''ittee shou&d e dischar,ed? and
that 2e 'i,ht 2ithdra2 the acco'*an!in, *a*ers< 2hich I ha$e done# I ha$e
a&so ta0en a co*! of the 'e'oria&< and 2ant to e off for the 2est
i''ediate&!# I ha$e not ,otten a &etter fro' )resident Ri,don< a&thou,h I
ha$e fre>uent&! 2ritten to hi'# I ha$e recei$ed a &etter fro' "rother
"ennett< statin, that he 2as in the Jerse!s< and that he 2as ca&cu&atin,
to ha$e 'e co'e that 2a! and ,o ho'e 2ith hi'? and a&so that he had
usiness 2hich he 2anted 'e to attend to at the office here# 3hen he &ast
2rote< he stated that as !et he had no 'one! to ,et ho'e 2ith< and I
hard&! 0no2 2hat course to ta0e in re,ard to the 'atter# If I do not
recei$e a &etter in t2o or three da!s< I desi,n &ea$in, for )hi&ade&*hia
or the 2est#
There is one honest Aua0er-&oo0in, sort of a 'an here< ! the na'e of
3i&&ia' 5reen< Einstead of John 5reen< as I stated in a &etter to "rother
RoinsonF< 2ho has t2o iron *rintin, *resses< 2ith other thin,s necessar!<
that 2ou&d co'e to Co''erce< *ro$ided !ou cou&d find 2or0 for hi'< and
infor' hi' of the sa'e# Ho2 'uch 2or0 there is to do I 0no2 not? therefore
'ere&! 2rite that if such a 'an and esta&ish'ent are 2anted< !ou cou&d
easi&! otain the'< or 2ou&d 0no2 2here the! cou&d e otained# He
e&ie$es as 'uch in our re&i,ion as an! other< ut not 'uch in an!# Yours
in the Lord< ELIAS HI5"EE#
)#S#--I 2ou&d =ust oser$e< that infor'ation has reached this *&ace<
throu,h so'e of the ne2s*a*ers< that !ou ha$e co'e out for Harrison# It is
said that the infor'ation ca'e ! so'e ,ent&e'en 2ho otained it fro' !ou<
2hi&st in !our co'*an! in *assin, throu,h the state of Indiana# Another
*a*er states that 7<DDD houses are to e ui&t in Co''erce this season<
2hich I ho*e is the truth#
I 2ou&d =ust oser$e Eon the su=ect of our usinessF I a' sorr!
Jud,e Youn, had not insisted on the 'otion to *rint our *a*ers< as it
2ou&d ha$e een o**osed? then a s*eech fro' C&a! and .r# )reston 2ou&d
ha$e een rou,ht forth< as I ha$e since &earned( ut I thin0 it 2as a
tric0 of the .issouri Senators to s&ide it a&on, 2ithout 'a0in, a noise<
! its ,oin, to the co''ittee as it did# Jud,e Youn, sa!s he 2as an/ious
to ha$e it rou,ht efore the co''ittee< ut see'ed dis*osed to &et it
s&ide a&on, easi&!< rather than run the ris0 of its ein, refused#
If he had &et those s*eeches een 'ade< a&'ost e$er! one 2ou&d ha$e
read the'? 2hich 2ou&d ha$e sha'ed .issouri< Eif there is an! sha'e in
herF< and 2a0ed u* the 2ho&e countr!< so that ! another !ear Con,ress
2ou&d do so'ethin, for us# "ut there is no need of cr!in, for s*i&t 'i&0#
I ha$e done a&& I cou&d in this 'atter< de*endin, on the ,ood =ud,'ent of
Jud,e Youn, to &e,is&ate for us to the est ad$anta,e# I a' inc&ined<
ho2e$er< to thin0 if it 2as an error< it 2as one of the head< and not of
the heart#
.r# Hotch0iss< of Fair Ha$en< Connecticut< has addressed a &etter to
!ourse&f< "rother Ri,don and '!se&f< 2hich see's to e 2ritten 2ith 'uch
,ood fee&in,# He desires to 0no2 concernin, our usiness here< in$itin, us
to 'a0e his house our ho'e< shou&d 2e tra$e& in that re,ion# He 2rites
that his hea&th is $er! ad# I ha$e een ta&0in, 2ith .r# Ste2ard
concernin, a 'e'oria&< re>uestin, hi' to rin, it efore the House? he has
*ro'ised to do so if he can# He sa!s he 2i&& ta&0 2ith so'e of the 'e'ers
res*ectin, it# I ha$e ans2ered .r# Hotch0iss+ &etter this da!< and sent
hi' the re*ort of the co''ittee# E# H#
At this ti'e the 2or0 of the Lord is s*readin, ra*id&! in the United
States and En,&and---E&ders are tra$e&in, in a&'ost e$er! direction< and
'u&titudes are ein, a*ti4ed#
Letter of Horace R# Hotch0iss to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#--Offerin, Tract
of Land for Sa&e# FAIR HA%EN< 7st A*ri&< 78@D# Re$erend Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#(
.Y DEAR SIR(--After 2ritin, !ou at< and then ,oin, to< )hi&ade&*hia<
and not findin, !ou< I addressed a &etter to 3ashin,ton Cit!< and recei$ed
a re*&! fro' Jud,e Hi,ee< ! 2hich I first &earned of !our return to
I&&inois? and at the sa'e ti'e I ,ot the co''ittee+s re*ort u*on !our
a**&ication to Con,ress for redress of the outra,es *er*etrated u*on !our
*eo*&e ! the .issourians# I a' not< I 'ust confess< 'uch disa**ointed in
the resu&t? as I 0no2 the $aci&&atin,< fa2nin, character of 'an! in oth
houses of Con,ress? and these are not their 2orst traits either< for the!
not on&! &ac0 the 'ora& coura,e to do ri,ht< ut 2i&& do 2hat the! 0no2 to
e *ositi$e&! 2ron,< if the! can 'a0e *o&itica& ca*ita& ! it? and 2i&&
aandon !ou< 'e< or an! one e&se< 2ith *erfect indifference< and heart&ess
treacher!< if ! doin, it the! can otain ,o$ern'enta& fa$or< or *o&itica&
*refer'ent# If 2e shou&d not *ut our faith in *rinces< it a**ears 'ost
e'*hatica&&! true that 2e shou&d re*ose no confidence in *o&iticians# The
idea con$e!ed in the re*ort< that e/act =ustice 2i&& e 'eted to !ou !
the =udicia& triuna&s of .issouri< is too *re*osterous to re>uire
co''ent# It is indeed a ne2 doctrine< that 2e shou&d a**&! to roers< or
their su**orters< to conde'n the'se&$es< to restore the $a&ua&es the!
ha$e sto&en< and to etra! each other for the 'urders the! ha$e co''itted#
I do not e&ie$e Ethou,h I a' sorr! to sa! itF that !ou 2i&& e$er
recei$e a =ust or honora&e re'uneration for !our &osses of *ro*ert!< or
an! re*aration for the *ersona& indi,nities< *ri$ations and sufferin,s
2hich !our *eo*&e ha$e sustained in .issouri# The ,reatest re&iance !ou
ha$e for re,ainin, !our 2ea&th is in the honora&e conduct of !our
*eo*&e--their *ure 'ora&s--their correct haits--their indefati,a&e
industr!--their untirin, *erse$erance--and their 2e&&-directed enter*rise#
These constitute a ca*ita& 2hich can ne$er e sha0en ! 'an< and for' the
asis of a&& that is ,reat in co''ercia& inf&uence< or in the attain'ent
of *ecuniar! *o2er#
Jud,e Hi,ee infor's 'e that .r# Ri,don is *roa&! in Ne2 Jerse!# It
2ou&d ha$e afforded 'e 'uch *&easure to ha$e seen !ou a&& at '! house< and
it 2as '! intention to s*end so'e ti'e at 3ashin,ton 2hi&e !ou 2ere there?
ut '! hea&th has een so $er! infir'< that it has *re$ented 'e fro'
e/ecutin, near&! a&& the arran,e'ents I had *ro*osed for '!se&f for the
&ast ei,ht 'onths#
1no2in, the additions constant&! =oinin, !our societ!< it has
occurred to 'e that so'e of the' 'a! e un*ro$ided 2ith far'in, &ands< and
I 'ention at this ti'e< that I a' interested in a tract of aout 7H<DDD
acres of $er! choice &ands< consistin, of ti'er and *rairie< fifteen or
t2ent! 'i&es fro' S*rin,fie&d< u*on 2hich .r# 5i&&ett and se$era& other
fa'i&ies are sett&ed and cu&ti$atin, 'ost e/ce&&ent far's# It is one of
the est nei,horhoods in the state#
I do not 0no2 2hat '! co-*artners in this tract 2ou&d sa! aout
dis*osin, of 2hat re'ains unso&d of the tract< Esa! ei,ht to nine thousand
acres<F ut I shou&d e dis*osed to se&& u*on reasona&e ter's< *ro$ided
fro' t2ent! to fort! fa'i&ies< $a&ua&e for their *rudence< industr!< and
,ood haits< fro' !our societ!< can e found to for' a s'a&& co&on! of
*ractica& far'ers# I a' a&so interested 2ith the sa'e ,ent&e'en in &ands
near Roc0 Ri$er< in Henr! and .ercer counties< and e&ie$e this 2ou&d< on
'an! accounts< e another e/tre'e&! desira&e *&ace or &ocation for a
co&on! of !our *eo*&e# I ha$e said nothin, to those o2nin, 2ith 'e
re&ati$e to this su=ect< ut su**ose the! 2ou&d e ,o$erned 'ateria&&! !
t2o considerations? na'e&!< the characters of the *urchasers< and the fact
of their ein, actua& sett&ers or not#
If !ou thin0 t2o s'a&& co&onies of the ri,ht sort can e for'ed fro'
!our societ!< !ou 2i&& o&i,e ! infor'in, 'e at !our ear&iest
o**ortunit!# The *rice of the a&ance in the tract near S*rin,fie&d<
inc&udin, an a$era,e *ro*ortion of ti'er< and an a$era,e *ro*ortion of
*rairie<
I shou&d thin0 R@#GD *er acre# None of the *rairie a&one has een
so&d for &ess than three do&&ars< and so'e at three and a ha&f? and I a'
confident that four and a ha&f do&&ars for ti'er and *rairie is $er! &o2<
and es*ecia&&! as a credit< e/ce*t for a s'a&& a'ount< 2ou&d e e/tended
to *urchasers# The other tract is near&! a&& *rairie< ut the finest
se&ection of that re,ion# It is *roa&! 2orth three and a ha&f do&&ars
*er acre#
As '! *a*er is out< I ha$e on&! roo' to re>uest '! res*ects *resented
to a&& friends at Co''erce# I e, !ou to te&& the editor of the Ti'es and
Seasons< that as soon as '! hea&th a&&o2s 'e to ,o to the an0< I sha&&
send hi' R7D# Your oedient ser$ant< HORACE R# HOTCH1ISS#
Letter of Sidne! Ri,don to the )ro*het# AT JA.ES I%ANS+< NE3 JERSEY<
A*ri& 9rd< 78@D# "rother Jose*h S'ith< Jun#
DEAR SIR(--I thou,ht I 2ou&d occu*! a *ortion of this 'ornin, in
2ritin, to !ou# "! a &etter recei$ed fro' "rother Hi,ee !esterda!< I ha$e
&earned that the Senate has decided that the! ha$e no constitutiona& ri,ht
to interfere in the case et2een us and the *eo*&e of .issouri? and refer
us to the courts for redress? either those of .issouri or the United
States# No2 I a' confident< that there is ut one *erson in .issouri that
2e can sue 2ith safet!< and that is "o,,s< and he is 0no2n to e a
an0ru*t< and una&e to *a! his dets? that if 2e shou&d sue hi'< 2e 2i&&
ha$e the cost to *a!< as he has nothin, to *a! it 2ith# 3e are therefore
&eft to ear the &oss 2ithout redress< at *resent#
Jud,e Hi,ee is on the 2a! ho'e< and has een for ten da!s# He
otained 'one! fro' Jud,e Youn,< to 2hat a'ount I cannot sa!< ut he 2i&&
e a&e to te&& !ou 2hen he ,ets ho'e# The Jud,e continues his friendshi*<
and is read! to acco''odate 2ith 'one!< 2hene$er ca&&ed for# Sure&! he is
a friend indeed< and ou,ht ne$er to e for,otten#
I a' u* to this ti'e 2ithout 'eans to ,et ho'e< ut I ha$e no
uneasiness aout it# I sha&& dout&ess ,et 'eans as soon as '! hea&th 2i&&
ad'it of '! ,oin,# .! hea&th is s&o2&! i'*ro$in,< and I thin0 if I ha$e no
re&a*se< I 2i&& e a&e to &ea$e for ho'e so'e ti'e in the 'onth of .a!<
Pc# SIDNEY RI5DON#
.onda!< A*ri& :#---E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&&< )ratt< S'ith< and Hed&oc0
&anded in Li$er*oo&< on the first da! of the e&e$enth !ear of the Church<
after a tedious *assa,e of t2ent!-ei,ht da!s< durin, si/teen of 2hich the!
encountered head 2inds< and one se$ere stor' of three or four da!s? and a
,reat *ortion of the ti'e the dec0s 2ere co$ered 2ith 2ater---a&& of 2hich
tended to increase sea-sic0ness and sufferin,#
At the ti'e of sai&in, )resident Youn,+s and E&der 1i'a&&+s hea&th
2as $er! *oor# 5eor,e A# S'ith had the a,ue for si/ da!s in succession#
3hen the shi* &eft her 'oorin,s the shore resounded 2ith the son,s of the
Saints< 2ho had co'e do2n to id the' fare2e&&? the! united&! san, -The
,a&&ant shi* is under 2ei,h<- unti& out of hearin,# The rethren occu*ied
three erths in the forecast&e< ta0in, 2hat 2as ca&&ed a steera,e *assa,e#
3ith the e/ce*tion of E&der 1i'a&&< not one of the' had e$er een to sea<
and the sai&ors ca&&ed the' -&and &uers#- The shi* ein, &oaded 2ith
f&our and cotton< the! 2ere *ac0ed in a s'a&& co'*art'ent 2ith aout 7DD
or 7HD *assen,ers< ein, a 'ot&e! 'i/ture of En,&ish< 3e&sh< Irish< and
Scotch< 2ho 2ere returnin, ho'e fro' A'erica to $isit their friends< or
had ,ot sic0 of -Yan0eedo'- and 2ere &ea$in, for -s2eet ho'e#-
The! had scarce&! een at sea t2e&$e hours efore the 2ho&e of the'
2ere *rostrated ! sea-sic0ness# 5eor,e A# S'ith $o'ited u* his a,ue#
"rother "ri,ha' Youn,< a&thou,h confined to his erth ! sea--sic0ness
durin, the entire =ourne!< 2as una&e to $o'it#
On co'in, into the .erse! the shi* cast anchor in order to 2ait for
the tide< 2hen a s'a&& oat *ut off fro' the shore# "rothers Youn,<
1i'a&&< and )ar&e! )# )ratt 2ent in it to the &andin,# On reachin, the
>ua!< "rother Youn, shouted hosannah three ti'es< 2hich he had *ro'ised to
do 2hene$er he shou&d &and on the shores of O&d En,&and# The rethren then
2ent to No# 8 Union Street< Li$er*oo&< 2here the! *rocured read and 2ine
in order to *arta0e of the Sacra'ent#
E&ders Orson )ratt and 5eor,e A# S'ith< and Reuen Hed&oc0 sta!ed on
oard to &oo0 after the a,,a,e# Aout three *#'#< "rother Youn, sent a
s'a&& oat for the'< and the oat'en *i&oted the' to the sa'e *&ace< 2here
the! a&& 'et to,ether< *artoo0 of the Sacra'ent< and returned than0s for
their safe de&i$erance#
3hen the! &anded the! 2ere a&'ost *enni&ess# T2o or three of the' had
sufficient to u! hats for those 2ho needed the' the 2orst#
.inutes of the 5enera& Conference of the Church# At a 5enera&
Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< he&d in
Nau$oo< Hancoc0 Count!< I&&inois< on the si/th da! of A*ri&< A#D# 78@D<
a,reea&e to *re$ious a**oint'ent< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as ca&&ed u*on to
*reside o$er the 'eetin,< and Roert "# Tho'*son 2as chosen c&er0#
The Conference 2as then o*ened ! *ra!er ! E&der John E# )a,e#
The )resident rose< 'ade so'e oser$ations on the usiness of the
Conference< e/horted the rethren 2ho had char,es to 'a0e a,ainst
indi$idua&s< and 'ade so'e $er! a**ro*riate re'ar0s res*ectin, the *u&&in,
the ea' out of their o2n e!e< that the! 'a! see 'ore c&ear&! the 'ote
2hich 2as in their rother+s e!e#
A &etter 2as read fro' *residents of the Se$enties< 2ishin, for an
e/*&anation of the ste*s< 2hich the Hi,h Counci& had ta0en< in re'o$in,
E&der F# 5# "isho* fro' the >uoru' of the Se$enties to that of the Hi,h
)riests< 2ithout an! other ordination than he had 2hen in the Se$enties<
and 2ished to 0no2 2hether those ordained into the Se$enties at the sa'e
ti'e F# 5# "isho* 2as< had a ri,ht to the Hi,h )riesthood< or not# After
oser$ations on the case ! different indi$idua&s< the *resident ,a$e a
state'ent of the authorit! of the Se$enties< and stated that the! 2ere
E&ders and not Hi,h )riests< and conse>uent&! "rother F# 5# "isho* had no
c&ai' to that office# It 2as then unani'ous&! reso&$ed that E&der F# 5#
"isho* e *&aced ac0 a,ain into the >uoru' of the Se$enties#
On 'otion< reso&$ed that the Conference ad=ourn unti& t2o o+c&oc0#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# )ra!er ! E&der Jose*h Youn,#
E&der Tho'as 5ro$er *resented char,es a,ainst "rother D# 3# Ro,ers
for co'*i&in, a h!'n oo0< and se&&in, it as the one co'*i&ed and
*u&ished ! Sister E''a S'ith? second&!< for 2ritin, a *ri$ate &etter to
Ne2 Yor0 Cit!< castin, ref&ections on the character of E&der John )#
5reene? and third&!< for ad'inisterin, 'edicine uns0i&fu&&!< 2hich had a
ad effect#
On 'otion< reso&$ed< that< as "rother Ro,ers is not *resent< his case
e &aid o$er unti& to'orro2#
E&der John La2son then ca'e for2ard and stated< that in conse>uence
of so'e difficu&t! e/istin, in the ranch of the Church 2here he resided<
res*ectin, the 3ord of 3isdo'< fe&&o2shi* had een 2ithdra2n fro' hi'< and
a&so fro' "rother Tho'as S# Ed2ards# After hearin, the *articu&ars< on
'otion< reso&$ed< that John La2son and Tho'as S# Ed2ards e restored to
fe&&o2shi*#
E&der Orson H!de addressed the Conference at so'e &en,th< and stated
that it had een *ro*hesied< so'e !ears a,o< that he had a ,reat 2or0 to
*erfor' a'on, the Je2s? and that he had recent&! een 'o$ed u*on ! the
S*irit of the Lord to $isit that *eo*&e< and ,ather u* a&& the infor'ation
he cou&d res*ectin, their 'o$e'ents< e/*ectations< Pc#< and co''unicate
the sa'e to this Church< and to the nation at &ar,e? statin, that he
intended to $isit the Je2s in Ne2 Yor0< London< and A'sterda'< and then
$isit Constantino*&e and the Ho&! &and#
On 'otion< reso&$ed< that E&der Orson H!de *roceed on his 'ission to
the Je2s< and that &etters of reco''endation e ,i$en hi'< si,ned ! the
)resident and C&er0 of the Conference#
E&der John E# )a,e then arose< and s*o0e 2ith 'uch force on the
su=ect of E&der H!de+s 'ission< the ,atherin, of the Je2s< and the
restoration of the house of Israe&? *ro$in,< in a rief ut con$incin,
'anner< fro' the "i&e< "oo0 of .or'on< and the "oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants< that these thin,s 'ust ta0e *&ace< and that the ti'e had near&!
arri$ed for their acco'*&ish'ent#
Ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 'ornin,< nine o+c&oc0#
Tuesda! 'ornin,< A*ri& M#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# A h!'n 2as sun, ! the choir<
and the throne of ,race 2as addressed ! E&der Ca&e "a&d2in#
"rother D# 3# Ro,ers+ case 2as then ca&&ed u*< and after 'an!
oser$ations and e/*&anations< it 2as on 'otion reso&$ed< that D# 3#
Ro,ers e for,i$en< and the hand of fe&&o2shi* e continued to2ards hi'#
Conference ad=ourned for one hour< and 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# A
h!'n 2as sun, ! the choir< fo&&o2ed ! *ra!er ! E&der Re!no&ds Cahoon#
The )resident ca&&ed u*on the C&er0 to read the re*ort of the First
)residenc! and Hi,h Counci&< 2ith re,ard to their *roceedin,s in
*urchasin, &ands< and securin, a *&ace of ,atherin, for the Saints# The
re*ort ha$in, een read< the )resident 'ade so'e oser$ations res*ectin,
the *ecuniar! affairs of the Church< and re>uested the rethren to ste*
for2ard< and assist in &i>uidatin, the dets on the to2n *&ot< so that the
*oor 'i,ht ha$e an inheritance#
The )resident then ,a$e an account of their 'ission to 3ashin,ton
Cit!< the treat'ent the! recei$ed< and the action of the Senate on the
.e'oria& 2hich 2as *resented efore the'# The 'eetin, then ca&&ed for the
readin, of the .e'oria&< and the re*ort of the Co''ittee on Judiciar!< to
2ho' the sa'e 2as referred< 2hich 2ere read#
On 'otion< reso&$ed that a co''ittee of fi$e e a**ointed to draft
reso&utions e/*ressi$e of the senti'ents of this Conference in reference
to the re*ort# On 'otion it 2as reso&$ed< that Roert D# Foster< Orson
H!de< John E# )a,e< Jose*h 3ood< and Roert "# Tho'*son co'*ose said
co''ittee< and re*ort to this Conference#
Reso&$ed< that this 'eetin, ad=ourn unti& to'orro2 'ornin,#
3ednesda! 'ornin,< A*ri& 8#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# A nu'er 2ere confir'ed 2ho
had een a*ti4ed the *re$ious e$enin,# )ra!er ! E&der .ar0s#
The Co''ittee a**ointed to draft reso&utions on the re*ort of the
Senate Co''ittee of the Judiciar! 2ere then ca&&ed u*on to 'a0e their
re*ort# Roert "# Tho'*son of the Co''ittee then read the Reso&utions (
3hereas< 2e &earn< 2ith dee* sorro2< re,ret< and disa**oint'ent< that
the Co''ittee on the Judiciar! to 2ho' 2as referred the .e'oria& of the
'e'ers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints Eco''on&!
ca&&ed -.or'ons-F< co'*&ainin, of the ,rie$ances suffered ! the' in the
state of .issouri< ha$e re*orted unfa$ora&! to our cause< to =ustice< and
hu'anit!?
Therefore Reso&$ed 7st( That 2e consider the re*ort of the Co''ittee
on Judiciar!< unconstitutiona&< and su$ersi$e to the ri,hts of a free
*eo*&e< and =ust&! ca&&s for the disa**roation of a&& the su**orters and
&o$ers of ,ood ,o$ern'ent and re*u&ican *rinci*&es#
Reso&$ed< Hnd&!( That the Co''ittee state< in their re*ort< that our
.e'oria& a,,ra$ates the case of our o**ressors< and at the sa'e ti'e sa!<
that the! ha$e not e/a'ined into the truth or fa&sehood of the facts
'entioned in said .e'oria&#
Reso&$ed< 9rd&!( That the .e'oria& does not a,,ra$ate the conduct of
our o**ressors< as e$er! state'ent set forth in said .e'oria& 2as
sustantiated ! induita&e testi'on!? therefore 2e consider the
state'ents of the Co''ittee< in re,ard to that *art< as fa&se and
un,enerous#
Reso&$ed< @th&!( That that *art of the re*ort referrin, us to the
=ustice and 'a,nani'it! of the state of .issouri for redress< 2e dee' it a
,reat insu&t to our ,ood sense< etter =ud,'ent< and inte&&i,ence< 2hen
nu'erous affida$its< 2hich 2ere &aid efore the Co''ittee< *ro$e that 2e
cou&d on&! ,o into the state of .issouri contrar! to the e/ter'inatin,
order of the 5o$ernor< and conse>uent&! at the ris0 of our &i$es#
Reso&$ed< Gth&!( That after re*eated a**ea&s to the constituted
authorities of the state of .issouri for redress< 2hich 2ere in $ain< 2e
fond&! ho*ed that in the Con,ress of the United States< a'*&e =ustice
2ou&d ha$e een rendered us? and u*on that consideration a&one< 2e *&ed,ed
ourse&$es to aide their decision#
Reso&$ed< :th&!( That the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor "o,,s is a
direct infraction of the Constitution of the United States< and of the
state of .issouri? and the co''ittee in refusin, to in$esti,ate the
*roceedin,s of the E/ecuti$e and others of the state of .issouri< and
turnin, a deaf ear to the cries of 2ido2s< or*hans< and innocent &ood< 2e
dee' no &ess than secondin, the *roceedin, of that 'urderous c&an< 2hose
deeds are recorded in hea$en< and =ust&! ca&& do2n u*on their heads the
ri,hteous =ud,'ents of an offended 5od#
Reso&$ed< Mth&!( That the than0s of this 'eetin, e tendered to the
citi4ens of the state of I&&inois< for their 0ind< &iera&< and ,enerous
conduct to2ards us? and that 2e ca&& u*on the'< as 2e&& as e$er! *atriot
in this $ast Re*u&ic< to aid us in a&& &a2fu& endea$ors to otain redress
for the in=uries 2e ha$e sustained#
Reso&$ed< 8th&!( That the than0s of this 'eetin, e tendered to the
de&e,ation of I&&inois< for the o&d< 'an&!< no&e< and inde*endent course
the! ha$e ta0en in *resentin, our case efore the nation< a'id
'isre*resentation< contu'e&!< and ause< 2hich 2ere hea*ed u*on us in our
sufferin, condition#
Reso&$ed< Nth&!( That the than0s of this 'eetin, e tendered to
5o$ernor Car&in of I&&inois< 5o$ernor Lucas of Io2a Territor!< for their
s!'*ath!< aid< and *rotection? and to a&& other honora&e ,ent&e'en 2ho
ha$e assisted us in our endea$ors to otain redress#
Reso&$ed< 7Dth&!( That Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< and E&ias
Hi,ee< the De&e,ates a**ointed ! this Church to $isit the Cit! of
3ashin,ton< to *resent our sufferin,s efore the authorities of the
nation< e tendered the than0s of this 'eetin, for the *ro'*t and
efficient 'anner in 2hich the! ha$e dischar,ed their dut!? and that the!
e re>uested< in eha&f of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints
throu,hout the 2or&d< to continue to use their endea$ors to otain redress
for a sufferin, *eo*&e# And if a&& ho*es of otainin, satisfaction for the
in=uries done us e entire&! &asted< that the! then a**ea& our case to
the Court of Hea$en< e&ie$in, that the 5reat Jeho$ah< 2ho ru&es o$er the
destin! of nations< and 2ho notices the fa&&in, s*arro2s< 2i&& undouted&!
redress our 2ron,s< and ere &on, a$en,e us of our ad$ersaries#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed< That the re*ort of the co''ittee on the
Judiciar!< as 2e&& as the fore,oin, )rea'&e and Reso&utions< e *u&ished
in the Auinc! *a*ers#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed< That a co''ittee of three e a**ointed to
in$esti,ate the reco''endations of those *ersons 2ho 2ish to otain an
ordination to the 'inistr!< and ordain such as are thou,ht 2orth!? and
that E&ders "ent< 3ood< and H!de co'*ose said co''ittee#
Reso&$ed< That this 'eetin, fee& satisfied 2ith the *roceedin, of the
)residenc! 2ith re,ard to the sa&es of to2n *ro*ert!< Pc#< and that the!
are re>uested to continue in their a,enc!#
Reso&$ed< That this 'eetin, ad=ourn for one hour# Conference 'et
*ursuant to ad=ourn'ent#
After sin,in, the )resident arose and read the 9rd cha*ter of John+s
5os*e&< after 2hich< *ra!er 2as offered ! E&der Erastus Sno2#
The )resident co''enced 'a0in, oser$ations on the different su=ects
e'raced in the cha*ter I*re$ious&! readJ *articu&ar&! the 9rd< @th< and
Gth $erses< i&&ustratin, the' 2ith a $er! eautifu& and stri0in, fi,ure<
and thro2in, a f&ood of &i,ht on the su=ects rou,ht u* to re$ie2# He
then s*o0e to the E&ders res*ectin, their 'ission< and ad$ised those 2ho
2ent into the 2or&d to *reach the 5os*e&< to &ea$e their fa'i&ies *ro$ided
2ith the necessaries of &ife? and to teach the ,atherin, as set forth in
the Ho&! Scri*ture# That it had een 2isdo' for the 'ost of the Church to
0ee* on this side of the ri$er< that a foundation 'i,ht e esta&ished in
this *&ace? ut that no2 it 2as the *ri$i&e,e of the Saints to occu*! the
&ands in Io2a< or 2here$er the S*irit 'i,ht &ead the'# That he did not
2ish to ha$e an! *o&itica& inf&uence< ut 2ished the Saints to use their
*o&itica& franchise to the est of their 0no2&ed,e#
He then stated that since E&der H!de had een a**ointed to $isit the
Je2s< he had fe&t an i'*ression that it 2ou&d e 2e&& for E&der John E#
)a,e to acco'*an! hi' on his 'ission# It 2as reso&$ed that E&der John E#
)a,e e a**ointed to acco'*an! E&der Orson H!de on his 'ission< and that
he ha$e *ro*er credentia&s ,i$en hi'#
It 2as then reso&$ed< that as a ,reat *art of the ti'e of the
Conference had een ta0en u* 2ith char,es a,ainst indi$idua&s< 2hich 'i,ht
ha$e een sett&ed ! the different authorities of the Church< that in
future no such cases e rou,ht efore the Conferences#
The Co''ittee on ordinations re*orted that the! had ordained
thirt!-one *ersons to e E&ders in the Church< 2ho 2ere ordained under the
hands of A&*heus 5ifford and Ste*hen )err!< 2hich re*ort 2as acce*ted#
Fredric0 5# 3i&&ia's *resented hi'se&f on the stand< and hu'&! as0ed
for,i$eness for his conduct< I2hi&e in .issouriJ< and e/*ressed his
deter'ination to do the 2i&& of 5od in the future# His case 2as *resented
to the Conference ! )resident H!ru' S'ith< 2hen it 2as unani'ous&!
Reso&$ed< That Fredric0 5# 3i&&ia's e for,i$en< and e recei$ed into
the fe&&o2shi* of the Church#
It 2as re*orted that se$ent!-fi$e *ersons had een a*ti4ed durin,
the Conference< and that u*2ards of fift! had een recei$ed into the
>uoru' of Se$enties#
)resident H!ru' S'ith dis'issed the asse'&!# After he had 'ade a fe2
oser$ations< the Conference 2as c&osed< under the &essin,s of the
)residenc!< unti& the first Frida! in Octoer ne/t# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#<
)resident#
CHA)TER %I#
DE%ELO).ENT OF THE 3OR1 IN EN5LAND--THE )ALESTINE
.ISSION--)OST-OFFICE NA.E CHAN5ED FRO. CO..ERCE TO NAU%OO#
A*ri& M#--The rethren I)resident "ri,ha' Youn,< et a&#J found E&der
John Ta!&or< 2ho< in co'*an! 2ith Jose*h Fie&din,< had recent&! ui&t u* a
ranch of t2ent!-ei,ht 'e'ers in Li$er*oo&#
A*ri& 8#--)resident "ri,ha' Youn, and co'*an! 2ent to E&der
Richards+< at )reston< ! rai&2a!? 2hen the! arri$ed there< the! had not a
sin,&e si/*ence &eft# So e'aciated 2as )resident Youn, at this ti'e fro'
his &on, sic0ness< and =ourne!< that 2hen E&der Richards returned ho'e
this da! fro' a 'ission to C&itheroe< and found hi' in his roo'< he did
not 0no2 hi'#
Letter of Hon# Richard .# Youn, to E&ias Hi,ee# 3ASHIN5TON CITY<
A*ri& N< 78@D# Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee(
DEAR SIR(--Ha$in, a *ri$ate o**ortunit!< ! Jud,e Sno2< of Auinc!< I
ha$e sent !ou t2o recei*ts< one for RGD< and the other for RND< 'a0in,
to,ether R7@D< to .r# E# I# )hi&i*s< cashier of the ranch of the State
"an0 of I&&inois< at Auinc!# 3hen it is con$enient for !ou to 'a0e
*a!'ent< 2i&& !ou ha$e the ,oodness to send the 'one! to .r# )hi&i*s< 2ho
is instructed to recei$e it< and a**&! it to2ards the *a!'ent of a note of
'ine in that an0#
I recei$ed a &etter fro' .r# Ri,don a fe2 da!s a,o# It 2as 'ai&ed in
)hi&ade&*hia< ut 2as dated on the inside in Ne2 Jerse!# His hea&th is
,radua&&! ut s&o2&! i'*ro$in,< and he thin0s he 2i&& set out for ho'e
so'e ti'e in .a!# He 2ished a s'a&& su' of 'one!< R@D< de*osited in one of
the an0s here< for a ,ent&e'an in "uffa&o< Ne2 Yor0< 2hich I ha$e
attended to accordin, to his direction and re>uest# I a&so infor'ed hi'<
if he stood in need of 'ore< to ca&& on 'e and it 2ou&d ,i$e 'e *&easure
to acco''odate hi'? so !ou need not e uneas! on that score#
Nothin, ne2 has trans*ired since !ou &eft us< 2ith the e/ce*tion of
the death of one of the Connecticut Senators< .r# Thadeus "etts< 2ho died
!esterda!# His funera& too0 *&ace toda!< hence no usiness 2as transacted
in the Senate# 3e ha$e a&so &ost the Cu'er&and Road "i&& ! a fina& $ote
in the Senate< HD $otin, for and HH a,ainst it? one sin,&e $ote fro' the
'a=orit! 2ou&d ha$e sa$ed it< ! 'a0in, a tie# The %ice-)resident 2as
e/ceedin,&! an/ious for the o**ortunit! of ,ettin, the castin, $ote in its
fa$or< .r# C&a!< of 1entuc0!< 'ade a s*eech a,ainst and $oted throu,hout
a,ainst it# 5rund!< of Tennessee< 3ri,ht of Ne2 Yor0< and "uchanan of
)enns!&$ania< three of the &eadin, De'ocrats in the Senate $oted for it#
There 2ere ut se$en 3hi,s 2ho $oted for it< and thirteen De'ocrats# I
thin0 2e 2i&& ad=ourn aout the first or second .onda! in June#
I recei$ed fro' .r# Ri,don the )etition and *a*ers in re&ation to a
chan,e of *ost'aster at Co''erce< 2ith an affida$it fro' Doctor 5a&&and<
a&& of 2hich ha$e een &aid efore the *ro*er de*art'ent# As soon as I ,et
an ans2er< it sha&& e co''unicated to !ou# Don+t for,et to ha$e the Ti'es
and Seasons sent to 'e# 5i$e '! res*ects to Re$# Jose*h S'ith< and acce*t
for !ourse&f '! est 2ishes for !our ha**iness# Yours< etc#< RICHARD .#
YOUN5#
In the Ti'es and Seasons of this 'onth is a *ros*ectus for *u&ishin,
at Nau$oo< a 2ee0&! *a*er< to e ca&&ed The Ne2s#
Orson H!de+s Credentia&s as a .issionar! to )a&estine# To a&& *eo*&e
unto 2ho' these *resents sha&& co'e< 5reetin,--
"e it 0no2n that 2e< the constituted authorities of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< asse'&ed in Conference at Nau$oo<
Hancoc0 count!< and state of I&&inois< on the si/th da! of A*ri&< in the
!ear of our Lord< one thousand ei,ht hundred and fort!< considerin, an
i'*ortant e$ent at hand< an e$ent in$o&$in, the interest and fate of the
5enti&e nations throu,hout the 2or&d--fro' the si,ns of the ti'es and fro'
dec&arations contained in the orac&es of 5od< 2e are forced to co'e to
this conc&usion# The Je2ish nations ha$e een scattered aroad a'on, the
5enti&es for a &on, *eriod? and in our esti'ation< the ti'e of the
co''ence'ent of their return to the Ho&! Land has a&read! arri$ed# As this
scattered and *ersecuted *eo*&e are set a'on, the 5enti&es as a si,n unto
the' of the second co'in, of the .essiah< and a&so of the o$erthro2 of the
*resent 0in,do's and ,o$ern'ents of the earth< ! the *otenc! of His
A&'i,ht! ar' in scatterin, fa'ine and *esti&ence &i0e the frosts and sno2s
of 2inter< and sendin, the s2ord 2ith nation a,ainst nation to athe it in
each other+s &ood? it is hi,h&! i'*ortant< in our o*inion< that the
*resent $ie2s and 'o$e'ents of the Je2ish *eo*&e e sou,ht after and &aid
efore the A'erican *eo*&e< for their consideration< their *rofit and
their &earnin,#
And fee&in, it to e our dut! to e'*&o! the 'ost efficient 'eans in
our *o2er to sa$e the chi&dren of 'en fro' -the ao'ination that 'a0eth
deso&ate<- 2e ha$e< ! the counse& of the Ho&! S*irit< a**ointed Eider
Orson H!de< the earer of these *resents< a faithfu& and 2orth! 'inister
of Jesus Christ< to e our A,ent and Re*resentati$e in forei,n &ands< to
$isit the cities of London< A'sterda'< Constantino*&e< and Jerusa&e'? and
a&so other *&aces that he 'a! dee' e/*edient? and con$erse 2ith the
*riests< ru&ers< and e&ders of the Je2s< and otain fro' the' a&& the
infor'ation *ossi&e< and co''unicate the sa'e to so'e *rinci*a& *a*er for
*u&ication< that it 'a! ha$e a ,enera& circu&ation throu,hout the United
States#
As .r# H!de has 2i&&in,&! and cheerfu&&! acce*ted the a**oint'ent to
eco'e our ser$ant and the ser$ant of the *u&ic in distant and forei,n
countries< for Christ+s sa0e< 2e do confident&! reco''end hi' to a&&
re&i,ious and Christian *eo*&e< and to ,ent&e'en and &adies 'a0in, no
*rofession< as a 2orth! 'e'er of societ!< *ossessin, 'uch 4ea& to *ro'ote
the ha**iness of 'an0ind< fu&&! e&ie$in, that the! 2i&& e for2ard to
render hi' a&& the *ecuniar! aid he needs to acco'*&ish this &aorious and
ha4ardous 'ission for the ,enera& ,ood of the hu'an fa'i&!#
.inisters of e$er! deno'ination u*on 2ho' .r# H!de sha&& ca&&< are
re>uested to ho&d u* his hands< and aid hi' ! their inf&uence< 2ith an
assurance that such as do this sha&& ha$e the *ra!ers and &essin,s of a
*oor and aff&icted *eo*&e< 2hose &ood has f&o2ed to test the de*ths of
their sincerit! and to cri'son the face of freedo'+s soi& 2ith 'art!r+s
&ood#
.r# H!de is instructed ! this Conference to trans'it to this countr!
nothin, ut si'*&e facts for *u&ication< entire&! disconnected 2ith an!
*ecu&iar $ie2s of theo&o,!< &ea$in, each c&ass to 'a0e their o2n co''ents
and dra2 their o2n inferences#
5i$en under our hands at the ti'e and *&ace efore 'entioned# JOSE)H
S.ITH< Jun#< Chair'an# RO"ERT "# THO.)SON< C&er0#
Sunda!< 7H#--Se$era& of the T2e&$e ore their *u&ic testi'on! to the
5os*e& in the Coc0 )it< )reston#
The Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo 'et at '! house< 2hen I *ro*osed that
"rother H!ru' S'ith ,o east 2ith O&i$er 5ran,er to sett&e so'e usiness
transactions of the Church 2hich the Counci& sanctioned ? and $oted< -that
)resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 'a0e the necessar! credentia&s for O&i$er
5ran,er and H!ru' S'ith#-
.onda!< 79#--Fro' the second of Octoer< 789N< to this date< there
ha$e een one hundred and fort!-fi$e shoc0s of earth>ua0e in Scot&and<
re*orted ! .r# .i&ne to the Ro!a& Societ! of Edinur,h# So'e of these
shoc0s 2ere sufficient to a&ter the natura& &e$e&s of the ,round 'ore than
t2o de,rees< and so'e 2itnesses thou,ht four de,rees< and caused houses to
roc0 &i0e oats on the sea#
Tuesda!< 7@#--A counci& of the T2e&$e< na'e&!< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer
C# 1i'a&&< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 5eor,e A#
S'ith and John Ta!&or< 2as he&d at the house of E&der 3i&&ard Richards< in
)reston< En,&and< 2hen the &atter 2as ordained to the
A*ost&eshi*<--a,reea&! to the re$e&ation<--! )resident Youn,< under the
hands of the >uoru' *resent# Other usiness 2as transacted< as a&so on the
fo&&o2in, da!s< a&& of 2hich 'a! e seen ! reference to )resident Youn,+s
&etter of the 7Mth instant#
3ednesda!< 7G#--E&der Orson H!de &eft Co''erce for Jerusa&e'#
Thursda!< 7:#--E&der Orson H!de 'et 2ith John E# )a,e at Li'a#
Letter of Heer C# 1i'a&& to the Saints of the United
States--Affairs of the "ritish .ission# )RESTON< EN5LAND< A*ri& 7M< 78@D#
To the Saints in the United States of A'erica( For the co'fort of the
Church in ,enera&< in that countr!< I atte'*t to address a fe2 &ines to
!ou< to &et !ou 0no2 2here 2e are< and 2hat 2e are doin, in this countr!#
The 2or0 of the Lord is *ro,ressin, here< and has een e$er since
E&ders Orson H!de and H# C# 1i'a&& &eft this countr!# Accordin, to the
account that the E&ders ,i$e of their &aors< there ha$e een aout ei,ht
or nine hundred *ersons a*ti4ed since the! &eft# The 5os*e& is s*readin,<
the de$i&s are roarin,# As ni,h as I can &earn< the *riests are ho2&in,<
the tares are indin, u*< the 2heat is ,atherin,< nations are tre'&in,<
and 0in,do's totterin,? -'en+s hearts fai&in, the' for fear< and for
&oo0in, for those thin,s that are co'in, on the earth#- The *oor a'on, 'en
are re=oicin, in the Lord< and the 'ee0 do increase their =o!# The hearts
of the 2ic0ed do 2a/ 2orse and 2orse< decei$in, and ein, decei$ed#
"ut I re=oice that I a' counted 2orth! to e one of the nu'er to
carr! sa&$ation to the *oor and 'ee0 of the earth# "rethren< I 2ant to sa!
'an! thin,s< ut I sha&& not ha$e roo' on this *a*er< as I desi,n ,i$in,
the 'inutes of our conference e&o2#
After a &on, and tedious $o!a,e of H8 da!s on the 2ater< 2e &anded in
Li$er*oo&< E&ders Heer C# 1i'a&&< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 5eor,e
A# S'ith< Reuen Hed&oc0< 2ere in the co'*an!# 3e re=oiced in the Lord<
and 2hen 2e cast our 'inds u*on the Saints in that countr!< Ithe United
StatesJ 2e cou&d< ! faith *artici*ate in their =o!s< rea&i4in, the! 2ere
'et in conference< it ein, the :th da! of A*ri&# 3e soon found a roo'
that 2e cou&d ha$e to ourse&$es< 2hich 'ade our so&e'n asse'&! ,&orious#
3e &est each other and *re*ared for our &aor# The ne/t da! 2e found
E&der Ta!&or in the cit!# There had een aout thirt! a*ti4ed# On
3ednesda! 2ent to )reston? 'et 2ith the church on Sunda!< and ore
testi'on! to the thin,s the Lord is doin, in these &ast da!+s# )resident
Jose*h Fie&din, ,a$e out an a**oint'ent for a conference for the church on
3ednesda!< the 7Gth#
At a counci& of the T2e&$e< he&d in )reston< En,&and< on the 7@th of
A*ri&< 78@D< it ein, the Nth da! of the 7st 'onth of the 77th !ear of the
rise of the Church of Jesus Christ< E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or and
5eor,e A# S'ith< ein, *resent< E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 2as ca&&ed to *reside<
and E&der John Ta!&or chosen secretar!#
The counci& 2as o*ened ! *ra!er ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,# E&der
3i&&ard Richards 2as ordained to the office of an A*ost&e< and recei$ed
into the >uoru' of the T2e&$e ! unani'ous $ote< accordin, to *re$ious
re$e&ation# E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 2as unani'ous&! chosen as the )resident of
the T2e&$e#
Reso&$ed< that he 2ho acts as the secretar! of the >uoru'< sha&&
*re*are the 'inutes of the conference of the >uoru'< and de*osit the' in
the hands of the *resident for 0ee*in,#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< and seconded ! E&der Richards< that t2ent!
of the Se$enties e sent for< and that it e &eft discretionar! 2ith the
)resident of the T2e&$e to send for 'ore if he thin0 *ro*er# Conference
ad=ourned# "enediction ! E&der 1i'a&&#
At a ,enera& conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< he&d in the Te'*erance Ha&&< )reston< Lancashire< En,&and< on the
7Gth of A*ri&< 78@D< )resident Jose*h Fie&din, ca&&ed u*on E&der 1i'a&&
to *reside< and E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton 2as chosen c&er0< it ein, the 7Dth
da! of the 7st 'onth of the 77th !ear of the rise of the Church
The 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! sin,in,< and *ra!er ! E&der 1i'a&&# E&der
1i'a&& then ca&&ed u*on the E&ders to re*resent the different ranches of
the Church# E&der Jose*h Fie&din, re*resented the church in )reston<
consistin, of aout three hundred 'e'ers< se$en E&ders< ei,ht )riests<
si/ Teachers< and t2o Deacons# E&der )eter .e&&in, re*resented the church
in )en2orthan< consistin, of se$ent!-three 'e'ers< three E&ders< one
)riest< t2o Teachers# John Jac0son re*resented the church at South*ort<
consistin, of t2ent! 'e'ers< one )riest< and one Teacher# Eider John .oon
re*resented the church at Daners Lane< and nei,horhood--'e'ers
,enera&&! in ,ood standin, consistin, of fift!-four 'e'ers< one E&der<
t2o )riests< three Teachers# Richard "enson< re*resented the church at
Hunter+s Hi&& and nei,horhood< consistin, of se$enteen 'e'ers< one
E&der< one )riest< one Teacher#
E&der A'os Fie&din,< re*resented the church at "o&ton< consistin, of
si/t! 'e'ers< one E&der< t2o )riests< t2o Teachers# E&der A'os Fie&din,
re*resented the church at Hes0in< consistin, of three 'e'ers< one E&der#
E&der A'os Fie&din, re*resented the Church at Radc&iff< consistin, of ten
'e'ers# E&der 3ithna& re*resented the church at 3hitt&e< consistin, of
ei,hteen 'e'ers< one E&der< four )riests# E&der Francis C&ar0 re*resented
the church at Richester< consistin, of t2ent!-fi$e 'e'ers< t2o E&ders<
one )riest# E&der Tho'as Richardson re*resented the church at "urn&e!<
consistin, of t2ent! four 'e'ers< ,enera&&! in ,ood standin,< one )riest<
one Teacher# E&der Francis .oon re*resented the church at "&ac0urn<
consistin, of fifteen 'e'ers< one *riest# E&der Ja'es S'ithies
re*resented the church at Chard,&e! and Thorn&e!< consistin, of
t2ent!-nine 'e'ers< t2o E&ders< one )riest< one Teacher< one Deacon#
)riest John E&&ison re*resented the church at 3addin,ton< consistin,
of fift! 'e'ers< t2o )riests< t2o Teachers< one Deacon# E&der Tho'as
S'ith re*resented the church at C&itheroe< consistin, of t2ent!-se$en
'e'ers< one E&der< three )riests# E&der Tho'as S'ith re*resented the
church at Caturn< consistin, of ei,ht!-four 'e'ers< one E&der< t2o
)riests< t2o Teachers< one Deacon# E&der Tho'as S'ith re*resented the
church at Do2nha'< consistin, of t2ent! 'e'ers< one Teacher< one Deacon#
E&der Tho'as S'ith re*resented the church at 5rid&eton< consistin, of
fi$e 'e'ers# E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton re*resented the church at .anchester<
consistin, of t2o hundred and fort! 'e'ers< three E&ders< fi$e )riests<
four Teachers< one Deacon# E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton re*resented the church at
Stoc0*ort< consistin, of fort! 'e'ers< one )riest< t2o Teachers< one
Deacon# E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton re*resented the church at )eo$er and
.acc&esfie&d< consistin, of thirt! 'e'ers< three )riests# E&der 3i&&ia'
C&a!ton re*resented the church at Duc0infie&d< consistin, of thirt!
'e'ers< one )riest# E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton re*resented the church at
A&trincha'< consistin, of ei,ht 'e'ers< one )riest< one Teacher# E&der
3i&&ia' C&a!ton re*resented the church at .idd&e2ich< consistin, of si/
'e'ers#
E&der Da$id 3i&din, re*resented the church at "ur! and E&ton<
consistin, of t2e&$e 'e'ers# E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff re*resented the
church in the )otteries< consistin, of one hundred and one 'e'ers< one
E&der< t2o )riests< four Teachers< one Deacon# E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff
re*resented the church at Herefordshire< consistin, of one hundred and
si/t! 'e'ers< one E&der< t2o )riests? aout fort! of the' 2ere .ethodist
*reachers of the United "rethren#
E&der John Ta!&or re*resented the church at Li$er*oo&< consistin, of
t2ent!-ei,ht 'e'ers# E&der Jose*h Fie&din, re*resented the church at
A&ston< Cu'er&and< consistin, of fort! 'e'ers< t2o E&ders< t2o )riests<
t2o Teachers# E&der 3i&&ard Richards re*resented the church at "ra'*ton<
consistin, of thirt! 'e'ers< one E&der< one )riest# E&der 3i&&ard
Richards re*resented the church at Redford< consistin, of fort! 'e'ers<
one E&der< one )riest# E&der 3i&&ard Richards re*resented the church at
Scot&and< consistin, of t2ent!-one 'e'ers< three E&ders#
The 'eetin, 2as then ad=ourned for one hour# The conference a,ain
asse'&ed at ha&f-*ast one o+c&oc0# .eetin, o*ened ! *ra!er< and usiness
co''enced#
E&der John .oon re*resented the church at La!&and .oss< consistin, of
si/ 'e'ers< one )riest#
E&der 3i&&ard Richards ha$in, een *re$ious&! ordained into the
>uoru' of the T2e&$e< accordin, to *re$ious re$e&ation< it 2as 'o$ed !
E&der Youn,< and seconded ! E&der Ta!&or< that E&der H!ru' C&ar0 e
a**ointed as a counse&or to E&der Fie&din,< in the *&ace of E&der
Richards? carried unani'ous&!#
.o$ed ! E&der Fie&din,< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that a h!'noo0
shou&d e *u&ished? carried# .o$ed and seconded< that the *u&ishin, of
the h!'n oo0 sha&& e done ! the direction of the T2e&$e? carried#
.o$ed and seconded that a 'onth&! *eriodica& sha&& e *u&ished under
the direction and su*erintendence of the T2e&$e< for the enefit and
infor'ation of the Church< as soon as a sufficient nu'er of suscriers
sha&& e otained? carried#
.o$ed and seconded that "rother John "&a4ard< of Sa'sur!< e
ordained to the office of a )riest? carried#
.o$ed and seconded that "rother Ja'es Corid,e< of Thorn&e!< he
ordained to the office of )riest? carried#
E&der 1i'a&& then &aid efore the conference the i'*ortance and
*ro*riet! of ordainin, a )atriarch to esto2 *atriarcha& &essin,s on the
father&ess< Pc#? referred to the T2e&$e< 2hose usiness it is to se&ect
one< and ordain hi' accordin, to the directions of the S*irit#
After $arious re'ar0s and addresses ,i$en ! the E&ders< )resident
Fie&din, and his counse&ors *roceeded to ordain "rothers "&a4ard and
Corid,e to their offices< as stated ao$e#
E&der 1i'a&& then ca&&ed u*on the c&er0 to read o$er the 'inutes of
the conference< 2hich ein, done< the! 2ere recei$ed ! the unani'ous
$oice of the conference#
.o$ed ! E&der Youn,< and seconded ! E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< that
this conference e ad=ourned unti& the :th of Ju&! ne/t< to e he&d in
)reston< at 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#? carried# .eetin, then ad=ourned# H# C#
1I."ALL< )resident# 3.# CLAYTON< C&er0#
Counci& .eetin, of the T2e&$e in En,&and--H!'n oo0 and the
-.i&&ennia& Star- )ro=ected# The Counci& 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent<
A*ri& 7:th< 78@D# The nu'er of the >uoru' the sa'e as on the 7@th#
.o$ed ! E&der Youn,< seconded ! E&der Ta!&or< that E&der )ar&e! )#
)ratt e chosen as the editor of the 'onth&! *eriodica& for the Church#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< that a co''ittee
of three e a**ointed to 'a0e a se&ection of h!'ns#
.o$ed ! E&der Orson )ratt< and seconded ! E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff<
that E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< )ar&e! )# )ratt< and John Ta!&or for' the
co''ittee for that *ur*ose#
.o$ed ! E&der 3i&&ard Richards< seconded ! E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith<
that the na'e of the *a*er or *eriodica& e the Latter-da! Saints
.i&&ennia& Star#
.o$ed ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< seconded ! E&der Orson )ratt< that the
si4e of the *a*er< its *&an< and *rice e &eft at the dis*osa& of the
editor#
.o$ed ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< seconded ! E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&<
that the Saints recei$e a reco''end to the Church in A'erica to 'o$e in
s'a&& or &ar,e odies< inas'uch as the! desire to e'i,rate to that ne2
countr!#
.o$ed ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< seconded ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< that 2e
reco''end no one to ,o to A'erica that has 'one!< 2ithout assistin, the
*oor accordin, to our counse& fro' ti'e to ti'e#
.o$ed ! E&der John Ta!&or< seconded ! E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< that
the co*!ri,ht of the "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants and the "oo0 of .or'on
e secured as >uic0 as *ossi&e#
.o$ed ! Eider 3oodruff< seconded ! E&der 3i&&ard Richards< that
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< and )ar&e! )# )ratt e the
co''ittee to secure the co*!ri,ht#
.o$ed ! E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&< and seconded ! E&der 3i&&ard
Richards< that E&der )eter .e&&in, e ordained an e$an,e&ica& 'inister
I)atriarchJ in )reston#
.o$ed ! E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&< that the T2e&$e 'eet here on the :th
of Ju&! ne/t< seconded ! E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff? and carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 3i&&ard Richards< and seconded ! E&der 3i&ford
3oodruff< that the editor of the *eriodica& 0ee* an account of a&& the
recei*ts and e/*enditures connected 2ith the *rintin,< ,enera& e/*ense#
Pc#< and the oo0s at a&& ti'es e o*en for the ins*ection of the Counci&#
The ao$e reso&utions 2ere unani'ous&! ado*ted# The conference c&osed
! *ra!er# JOHN TAYLOR< C&er0# Letter of "ri,ha' Youn, to the )ro*het# To
)resident Jose*h S'ith and Counse&ors(
DEAR "RETHREN(--You no dout 2i&& ha$e the *erusa& of this &etter<
and 'inutes of our conference? this 2i&& ,i$e !ou an idea of 2hat 2e are
doin, in this countr!# If !ou see an!thin, in or aout the 2ho&e affair<
that is not ri,ht< I as0< in the na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ< that !ou
2ou&d 'a0e 0no2n unto us the 'ind of the Lord< and His 2i&& concernin, us#
I e&ie$e that I a' as 2i&&in, to do the 2i&& of the Lord< and ta0e
counse& of '! rethren< and e a ser$ant of the Church< as e$er I 2as in
'! &ife? ut I can te&& !ou< I 2ou&d &i0e to e 2ith '! o&d friends? I
&i0e ne2 friends< ut I cannot *art 2ith '! o&d ones for the'#
Concernin, the h!'n oo0--2hen 2e arri$ed here< 2e found the rethren
had &aid ! their o&d h!'n oo0s< and the! 2anted ne2 ones? for the "i&e<
re&i,ion< and a&& is ne2 to the'# 3hen I ca'e to &earn 'ore aout carr!in,
oo0s into the states< or rin,in, the' here< I found the duties 2ere so
hi,h that 2e ne$er shou&d 2ant to rin, oo0s fro' the states#
I re>uest one fa$or of !ou< that is< a &etter fro' !ou< that I 'a!
hear fro' '! friends# I trust that I 2i&& re'ain !our friend throu,h &ife
and inn eternit!# As e$er# "RI5HA. YOUN5
A*ri& 7M#--This da! the T2e&$e &essed and dran0 a ott&e of 2ine at
)en2orthan< 'ade ! .other .oon fort! !ears efore# He&d a Counci& at her
house in the e$enin,< and ordained )eter .e&&in,< )atriarch#
The fo&&o2in, is the a,,re,ate nu'er of churches< officia& and
*ri$ate 'e'ers re*resented at the ao$e Conferences< he&d in )reston<
En,&and( E&ders< 9:? )riests< G@? Teachers< 9:? Deacons< 77? 'e'ers<
7<:8:? a&& contained in 9@ ranches#
Saturda!< 78#--E&ders Youn,< 3oodruff< and 5eor,e A# S'ith 2ent to
"urs&e'< and E&ders 1i'a&& and Richards to Chaid,&e!#
Sunda!< 7N#--The Hi,h Counci& $oted to 'eet at '! office e$er!
Saturda! at t2o in the afternoon#
.onda!< HD#--E&ders Youn, and 3oodruff 2ent to 3o&$erha'*ton# Aout
this ti'e E&der Orson )ratt 2ent to Edinur,h< Scot&and# E&der Ta!&or
returned to Li$er*oo&#
Letter of Roert Johnstone to Senator Youn,--)ostoffice Na'e Chan,ed
fro' Co''erce to Nau$oo#
)OSTOFFICE DE)ART.ENT< A))OINT.ENT OFFICE< H7st A*ri&< 78@D# SIR(--I
ha$e the honor to infor' !ou< that the )ost'aster 5enera& has this da!
chan,ed the na'e of the *ostoffice at Co''erce< Hancoc0 count!< I&&inois<
to -Nau$oo<- and a**ointed 5eor,e 3# Roinson *ost'aster thereof# %er!
res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant< RO"ERT JOHNSTONE< Second Assistant
)ost'aster 5enera&#
To the Hon# Richard .# Youn,< U#S# Senate# E&ders Youn, and 3oodruff
$isited the o&d cathedra& at 3orcester on their 2a! to Ledur!< 2here the!
arri$ed this ni,ht#
Letter of Senator Youn, to Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee--)ostoffice Na'e< etc#
3ASHIN5TON CITY< A*ri& HH< 78@D# DEAR SIR(--After !our de*arture fro' this
cit!< I recei$ed< under co$er fro' the Re$erend Sidne! Ri,don< the
*etition 'entioned ! !ou< for the a**oint'ent of 5eor,e 3# Roinson as
*ost'aster at Co''erce# This *etition I &aid efore the Honora&e Roert
Johnstone< second assistant *ost'aster ,enera&< 2ho has a**ointed .r#
Roinson as re>uested#
3e found< on e/a'ination of the *a*ers< and a &etter fro' Dr# 5a&&ad<
that there 2as a re>uest that the na'e of the *ostoffice shou&d e chan,ed
to that of Nau$oo< a Here2 ter'< si,nif!in, a eautifu& *&ace# .r#
Johnstone< at '! instance< has chan,ed the na'e accordin,&!< in the
su**osition that it 2ou&d e a,reea&e to the citi4ens concerned# 3i&& !ou
*&ease ad$ise 2ith the Re$# Jose*h S'ith and others 'ost i''ediate&!
interested< and if the chan,e of the na'e to Nau$oo shou&d not e
acce*ta&e< it can on a**&ication e restored to that of Co''erce#
I recei$ed a &etter fro' .a&co&' .c5re,or< Es>#< *ost'aster at
Cartha,e< a fe2 da!s a,o< in 2hich he ur,es the necessit! of ha$in, the
.ai& carried t2ice a 2ee0< et2een Cartha,e and Nau$oo< and e/*resses the
o*inion that the additiona& e/*enses 2ou&d not e/ceed one hundred and
fift! do&&ars< as the 'ai& is carried on horseac0# I ha$e rou,ht the
su=ect efore the *ro*er de*art'ent as re>uested ! .r# .c5re,or< and
ho*e to e a&e to succeed? a&thou,h the )ostoffice De*art'ent< o2in, to
*ecuniar! e'arrass'ent< is not in a situation to e/tend faci&ities at the
*resent ti'e#
)&ease *resent '! res*ects to .r# S'ith< and acce*t for !ourse&f '!
0indest re,ards# %er! res*ectfu&&!< Pc#< RICHARD .# YOUN5# To Jud,e E&ias
Hi,ee#
3ednesda!< HH#--E&ders Youn, and 3oodruff or,ani4ed a ranch of the
Church at Froo's Hi&&< Herefordshire#
Thursda!< H9#--E&ders 1i'a&& and Richards returned to )reston# E&der
Youn, $isited at .oor Ends Cross< and H@th *reached at .a&$ern Hi&&# E&der
1i'a&& 2ent to Ecc&eston and continued so'e da!? $isitin, the churches
around )reston#
Saturda!< HG#---E&der Richards 2ent to .anchester< found the
)ros*ectus for the .i&&ennia& Star read!# E&der Youn, returned to Froo's
Hi&&< and sta!ed at "rother John "eno2+s ti&& the 9Dth< *reachin,< and
2ritin, &etters to his friends in A'erica#
3ednesda!< HN#--E&ders H!de and )a,e 2ere at Auinc!< I&&inois#
E&der 3oodruff 2rote as fo&&o2s(
Letter of 3i&ford 3oodruff to Don Car&os S'ith--Success of 3oodruff+s
.inistr!# LED"URY< HEREFORDSHIRE< EN5LAND< A*ri& HN< 78@D#
E&ders Eene4er Roinson and Don Car&os S'ith( "RETHREN(--As E&der
Youn, is 2ritin,< I a' *ri$i&e,ed 2ith a s*ace of a fe2 &ines( 0no2in,
that our friends are desirous to hear of the 2or0 of the Lord in this
&and< I 'a0e the fo&&o2in, re'ar0s concernin, the 'erc! of 5od and '!
&aors#
Since I &ast 2rote !ou< EI 2rote !ou a &en,th! &etter< dated Feruar!
HMth< in 2hich I ,a$e !ou an account of '! tra$e&s< $o!a,e< and &aors
fro' the ti'e I &eft .ontrose unto the date of '! &etter< 2hich I trust
!ou ha$e recei$ed<F I continued &aorin, in Staffordshire unti& the first
of .arch< 2hen I fe&t it to e the 2i&& of the Lord that I shou&d ,o 'ore
to the south *art of En,&and# I &eft the care of the Staffordshire church
in the hands of E&der Tur&e!< and tra$e&ed ei,ht! 'i&es south< in a re,ion
2here the 2ord had not een *reached# I co''enced *reachin, near Ledur!<
Herefordshire? this is aout fort! 'i&es fro' "risto&< fort! fro'
"ir'in,ha'< fourteen fro' 3orcester< one hundred and t2ent! fro' London#
As soon as I e,an to teach< 'an! recei$ed '! testi'on!# I there *reached
one 'onth and fi$e da!s< and a*ti4ed the su*erintendent of the church of
the United "rethren< a ranch of the .ethodist church< and 2ith hi' @G
*reachers< 'ost&! of the sa'e order? and aout 77@ 'e'ers< 'a0in, 7:D in
a&&# This *ut into '! hands< or under '! care< 'ore than fort! esta&ished
*&aces of *reachin,< &icensed accordin, to &a2< inc&udin, one or t2o
cha*e&s# This o*ened a &ar,e fie&d for the s*read of the 2or0 in this
countr!#
A'on, the nu'er a*ti4ed are so'e of 'ost a&& churches and c&asses
as 2e&& as *reachers# There is one consta&e< and one c&er0 of the Church
of En,&and< 2ith nu'ers of their 'e'ers# "ut in the 'idst of '! &aors I
recei$ed a &etter statin, that the T2e&$e had =ust arri$ed and 2ished 'e
to co'e to )reston< and 'eet 2ith the' in conference# Conse>uent&! I
tra$e&ed 7:D 'i&es to )reston and 2as once 'ore *er'itted to stri0e hands
2ith '! rethren fro' A'erica< and sit in conference 2ith the'< the
'inutes of 2hich !ou ha$e#
After conference I returned to Herefordshire in co'*an! 2ith E&der
"ri,ha' Youn,# 3e ha$e a,ain co''enced our &aors here< and there 2i&& e
'an! a*ti4ed in this re,ion# I ha$e no2 'ore than HDD on '! &ist< and
scores are no2 2aitin, for an o**ortunit! to recei$e the ordinance of
a*tis'? and the 2or0 is *ro,ressin, in a&& *arts of this countr! 2here it
is faithfu&&! *roc&ai'ed# I understand that E&ders 3ri,ht and .u&&iner are
o*enin, so'e *er'anent doors in Scot&and? and 2e ha$e 'an! ca&&s throu,h
'an! *arts of this countr!< e$en 'ore than 2e are a&e to fi&&#
I desire the *ra!ers of the Saints? that I 'a! ha$e 2isdo' and ,race
accordin, to '! da!< and do the 2or0 of 5od in 'ee0ness and hu'i&it!#
3ILFORD 3OODRUFF#
Thursda!< 9D#--E&ders Youn,< 3oodruff< and Richards 'et at E&der
1in,ton+s< at D!'oc0# Letter of E&ders H!de and )a,e to the )ro*het--)&ans
for the )a&estine .ission# COLU."US< .a! 7< 78@D# )resident S'ith(
SIR(--The 'ission u*on 2hich 2e are sent s2e&&s ,reater and ,reater#
As there is a ,reat 2or0 to e done in 5er'an!< as 'anifested to us ! the
S*irit< the fo&&o2in, *&an has een su,,ested to us? $i4#< to 2rite a set
of &ectures u*on the faith and doctrine of our Church< ,i$in, a rief
histor! of the co'in, forth of the "oo0 of .or'on< and an account of its
contents in as c&ear and *&ain a st!&e as *ossi&e? to,ether 2ith the
out&ines and or,ani4ation and ,o$ern'ent of the Church of Latter-da!
Saints< dra2n fro' the Doctrine and Co$enants 2ith a&i the 2isdo' and care
*ossi&e? and ,et the sa'e trans&ated into 5er'an< and *u&ish it 2hen 2e
arri$e in 5er'an!< and scatter it throu,h the 5er'an e'*ire# Is this
correctB Shou&d 2e consider it necessar! to trans&ate the entire "oo0 of
.or'on into 5er'an< and Doctrine and Co$enants too< are 2e or are 2e not
at &iert! to do soB Shou&d 2e dee' it necessar! to *u&ish an edition of
h!'n oo0s in an! countr!< are 2e at &iert! to do itB The fact is< 2e
need such 2or0s< and 2e cannot ,et the' fro' the church here? and if 2e
cou&d< 2e cou&d not 2e&& carr! the' 2ith us< at &east in an! >uantit!#
3e fee& that 2e are actin, under the direction of the )residenc! of
the Church? and the reason that 2e 'a0e these in>uiries< is< that 2e do
not 2ish to ste* e!ond our &i'its< or rin, ourse&$es into a snare and
dishonor ! ta0in, &ierties that are not ours# 3e fee& that a&& our
e/ertions and interests sha&& eco'e suser$ient to ui&din, u* the
1in,do' of 5od# 3e 2ish to e co-2or0ers 2ith !ou and 2ith the S*irit of
the Lord# 3e did not con$erse so 'uch u*on these &iterar! 2or0s as 2e
shou&d ha$e done efore 2e &eft# The fact is< 2e did not e,in to see the
,reatness of our 'ission efore 2e &eft ho'e? our 'inds 2ere in a
nutshe&&#
It see's to us that 2e shou&d s*read this 2or0 a'on, a&& *eo*&e<
&an,ua,es and ton,ues< so far as *ossi&e? and ,ather u* a&& =e2e&s a'on,
the Je2s esides# 3ho is sufficient for these thin,sB
As a,ents for the Church aroad< and as co-2or0ers 2ith !ourse&f< in
s*readin, this 0in,do' to the re'otest corners of the earth< are 2e at
&iert! to trans&ate and *u&ish an! 2or0s that 2e 'a! thin0 necessar!< or
that the circu'stances in 2hich 2e are *&aced see' to re>uire 2hether
ori,ina&< or 2or0s *u&ished ! the ChurchB If 2e are not at &iert! to
ta0e this 2ide ran,e< *&ease te&& us ho2 far 2e 'a! ,o#
3e are settin, this ,reat 2or0 efore the *eo*&e as an induce'ent to
the' to he&* us# If 2e are settin, our standard too hi,h< a 2ord fro' !ou
2i&& rin, it do2n# 3e ha$e he&d a t2o da!s+ 'eetin, in this *&ace? ut in
conse>uence of continua& rains< 2hich s2e&&ed the cree0s so hi,h< the
*eo*&e cou&d not ,et to us# The 'eetin, 2as four 'i&es fro' Co&u'us? one
on&! a*ti4ed#
3e ha$e no2 an o**ortunit! to ride as far east as Indiana< e!ond the
'etro*o&is< and ha$e the *ri$i&e,e to sto* and *reach ! the 2a!# 3i&& !ou
2rite to us at Cincinnati< and 'uch o&i,e Your rethren in the 1in,do' of
5od< ORSON HYDE< JOHN E# )A5E#
)# S#--3i&& !ou *&ease send 2ord to .arinda< that I 2ant her to 2rite
to 'e at Cincinnati< Ohio# )&ease ear it in 'ind and o&i,e th! friend#
O# H#
Frida!< .a! 7#--The to2n of "a=i< in the count! of "aes< on the ri$er
Danue< 2as a&'ost tota&&! destro!ed ! fire? aout t2o thousand houses
2ere urnt< 2ith the *a&ace< se$era& churches< and a&& the ,reat corn
'a,a4ines? &ea$in, aout si/teen thousand inhaitants destitute# The
*&a,ue is ra,in, in the East--at Si&istria< "roussa< A&e/andria< A&e**o<
Pc# ? and 2ars and ru'ors of 2ars in S*ain< .e/ico and South A'erican
,o$ern'ents? French and Aras in Africa< Russia and Circassia< E,!*t<
En,&and and the East Indies< and the Canada Re$o&ution? a&& eto0en the
fu&fi&&'ent of *ro*hec!#
Thursda!< M#--The cit! of Natche4 2as this da! to a ,reat e/tent
destro!ed< a&'ost in a 'o'ent< ! a 2hir&2ind< stor' and te'*est# It is
re*orted that si/t! oats sun0< houses and churches &o2n to ato's< 'ore
than three hundred *ersons 0i&&ed< and RG<DDD<DDD of *ro*ert! destro!ed?
near&! the 2ho&e countr! on the .ississi**i for 7<7DD 'i&es fro' its 'outh
is under 2ater#
Letter of "ri,ha' Youn, to the )ro*het--Affairs of the "ritish
.ission# LU53ARDINE< HEREFORDSHIRE< EN5LAND< .a! M< 78@D#
"ROTHER JOSE)H S.ITH--Throu,h the 'erc! of our hea$en&! Father< I a'
a&i$e and in *rett! ,ood hea&th? etter than I shou&d ha$e een< had I
re'ained in A'erica# I trust that !ou and fa'i&! are 2e&&< and I as0 '!
hea$en&! Father that 2e 'a! &i$e fore$er? ut not to e chased aout !
'os< ut &i$e to en=o! each other+s societ! in *eace# I &on, to see the
faces of '! friends a,ain in that countr! once 'ore< It is etter for 'e
to e here< ecause the Lord has ca&&ed 'e to this ,reat 2or0< ut it is
hard for 'e to e *arted fro' '! o&d friends 2ho' I ha$e *ro$ed to e
2i&&in, to &a! do2n their &i$es for each other# I fee& as thou,h the Lord
2ou&d ,rant 'e the *ri$i&e,e of so'eti'e seein, '! o&d friends in A'erica#
5i$e '! est 2ishes to !our 2ife# I re'e'er her in '! *ra!ers< and a&so
Father and .other S'ith# I re'e'er the ti'e 2hen I first sa2 .other
S'ith< and the tria&s she had 2hen the 2or0 of the Lord first co''enced in
her fa'i&!# I e, to e re'e'ered to "rother Ri,don and fa'i&!< a&so to
"rother H!ru' and fa'i&!< and to a&& the faithfu& in Christ#
The rethren that ha$e co'e fro' A'erica are a&& 2e&& and doin, 2e&&#
I 2ant to as0 so'e >uestions# Sha&& 2e *rint the "oo0 of of .or'on in this
countr! i''ediate&!B The! are ca&&in, for it fro' e$er! >uarter# The
duties are so hi,h on oo0s< 2e need not thin0 of rin,in, the' fro'
A'erica# Another >uestion< is the "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants to e
*rinted =ust as it is no2< to ,o to the nations of the earth? and sha&& 2e
,i$e it to the' as >uic0&! as 2e canB Or 2hat sha&& e doB 3i&& the T2e&$e
ha$e to e to,ether to do usiness as a >uoru'B Or sha&& the! do usiness
in the na'e of the ChurchB 3h! I as0 this is for '! o2n satisfaction? if
the Lord has a 2ord for us< for one I a' 2i&&in, to recei$e it#
I 2ish !ou to 2rite as soon as !ou recei$e this< and &et 'e 0no2
aout the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hether 2e sha&& *roceed to *u&ish it
i''ediate&! or not< or 2hether 2e sha&& do accordin, to our fee&in,s# If I
shou&d act accordin, to '! fee&in,s< I shou&d hand the "oo0 of .or'on to
this *eo*&e as >uic0&! as I cou&d# The *eo*&e are $er! different in this
countr! fro' 2hat the A'ericans are# The! sa! it cannot e *ossi&e that
'en shou&d &ea$e their ho'es and co'e so far< un&ess the! 2ere tru&! the
ser$ants of the Lord? the! do not see' to understand ar,u'ent? si'*&e
testi'on! is enou,h for the'? the! e, and *&ead for the "oo0 of .or'on<
and 2ere it not for the *riests< the *eo*&e 2ou&d fo&&o2 after the
ser$ants of the Lord and in>uire 2hat the! shou&d do to e sa$ed# The
*riests fee& =ust as the! did in the da!s of the Sa$ior# If the! &et -this
sect a&one< a&& 'en 2i&& e&ie$e on the'< and the Ro'ans 2i&& co'e and
ta0e a2a! our *&ace and nation#-
I 2ish !ou 2ou&d te&& 'e ho2 Cousin Le'ue& ,ets a&on, 2ith his
usiness< and a&& the o!s on the ha&f-reed trac0< and the 2ho&e reed# I
thin0 a ,reat dea& aout our friends< fa'i&ies< and *ossessions# I &oo0
for the ti'e 2hen the Lord 2i&& s*ea0 so that the hearts of the ree&&ious
2i&& e *ierced# You 2i&& re'e'er the 2ords of the Sa$ior to His
disci*&es? He sa!s< to !ou is ,i$en to 0no2 the '!steries of the 0in,do'
of hea$en< ut to the' that are 2ithout< a&& thin,s are in *ara&es#
The rethren here are $er! an/ious to e'i,rate to that countr!? so'e
2ant to co'e this fa&&( 2here sha&& the! ,oB Their custo's are different
fro' ours< and it 2ou&d e 'ore *&easant for the' to sett&e ! the'se&$es#
A&'ost 2ithout e/ce*tion it is the *oor that recei$e the 5os*e&# I thin0
there 2i&& e so'e I2ho 2i&& ,oJ o$er this fa&&# .! counse& to such as
intend to ,o is< that the! ,o to the 2estern states< 2here the! can &i$e
a'on, the far'ers and 2ait for orders fro' the authorities of the Church<
and a&& 2i&& e 2e&&#
You 'ust e/cuse '! ad 2ritin,# I ha$e on&! cau,ht at ideas# I 2ant
to 0no2 aout the rethren+s co'in, o$er this fa&&# I thin0 so'e of us
2i&& co'e# 3e sha&& send our *a*ers to !ou< and to a nu'er of the rest of
the rethren# I 2ish !ou 2ou&d ha$e the ,oodness to ,i$e 'e a *rett!
,enera& 0no2&ed,e of the Church< for I fee& for the'< and *ra! for the'
continua&&!# 3e need he&* $er! 'uch in this countr!# One A'erican can do
'ore here than a nu'er of E&ders 2ho are raised u* here ! the *reachin,
of the 5os*e&# 3e ha$e sent for so'e to co'e# I 2ish !ou 2ou&d encoura,e
the' to co'e as >uic0&! as the! can#
If 2e cou&d ,o four 2a!s at a ti'e< 2e cou&d not fi&& a&& the ca&&s
2e ha$e for *reachin,# I sha&& e/*ect such counse& fro' !ou aout the
E&ders co'in, as !ou sha&& thin0 necessar! for us and the' to ha$e# I 2ish
to 0no2 2hat the *ros*ect is aout the ,o$ern'ent+s doin, an!thin, for us#
3hen 2e &eft Ne2 Yor0 I thou,ht there 2as ut a *oor chance for us#
Concernin, ca&&in, Se$enties and sendin, the' to other countries< I
shou&d &i0e to 0no2 2hether it 2ou&d e *ro*er to ordain the' to that
office or not 2hi&e here# Had an! of us etter co'e ac0 this fa&&B I
su**ose that so'e that co'e o$er 2ith us 2i&& return? "rothers C&ar0 and
Hed&oc0< and "rother Tur&e! if the &atter ,ets at &iert!# I su**ose !ou
ha$e heard that he is in *rison# He has een there e$er since '! arri$a&
in En,&and< and ho2 &on, he 2i&& re'ain the Lord on&! 0no2s# He 2as *ut
there throu,h the inf&uence of a *riest< as ni,h as I can &earn< for so'e
o&d *retended c&ai'< ut no one can find out 2hat that c&ai' is#
I ha$e =ust 'et 2ith "rother 3oodruff? he te&&s 'e that the Church in
this re,ion of countr! nu'ers et2een three and four hundred? it is on&!
aout three 'onths since "rother 3oodruff co''enced to &aor here# I ha$e
=ust recei$ed a &etter fro' "rother Tur&e!< 2hich states he e/*ects to
&ea$e his *&ace the ne/t da!# "rother 3oodruff sends his res*ects# I a' as
e$er< "RI5HA. YOUN5#
Saturda!< N#--E&der Theodore Tur&e! 2as re&eased fro' Stafford =ai&<
2here he had een confined since his arrest on the 7:th of .arch &ast< at
the insti,ation of John Jones< a .ethodist *reacher< on the *retense of a
c&ai' arisin, under a *artnershi* 2ith another 'an fifteen !ears a,o<
efore he &eft En,&and?
ut the rea& o=ect 2as to sto* his *reachin,# He 2as 2ithout
*ro$isions for se$era& da!s< ut the *oor Saints in the )otteries< on
&earnin, his condition< su**&ied his 2ants< so'e of the sisters actua&&!
2a&0in, u*2ards of t2ent! 'i&es to re&ie$e hi'# He *reached se$era& ti'es
to the detors< 2as $isited ! E&ders 3oodruff< Richards< 5eor,e A# S'ith<
A# Cordon< and others< and 2as dis'issed fro' *rison on his *ersecutors
ascertainin, their conduct 2as aout to e e/*osed# This rather
encoura,ed than disheartened the E&ders< as I had to&d the' on their
&ea$in, Nau$oo< to e of ,ood coura,e< for so'e of the' 2ou&d ha$e to &oo0
throu,h ,rates efore their return#
Thursda!< 7@#--The *a*ers of this date re*ort that the is&and of
TernateC 2as near&! ruined ! earth>ua0es on the 7@th and 7Gth Feruar!<
78@D#
Letter of the )ro*het to E&ders H!de and )a,e--)a&estine .ission
Considered# NAU%OO< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< .a! 7@th< 78@D# To Orson
H!de and John E# )a,e( DEAR "RETHREN(--I a' ha**! in ein, infor'ed !
!our &etter that !our 'ission s2e&&s -&ar,er and &ar,er#- It is a ,reat
and i'*ortant 'ission< and one that is 2orth! those inte&&i,ences 2ho
surround the throne of Jeho$ah to e en,a,ed in# A&thou,h it a**ears ,reat
at *resent< !et !ou ha$e ut =ust e,un to rea&i4e the ,reatness< the
e/tent and ,&or! of the sa'e# If there is an!thin, ca&cu&ated to interest
the 'ind of the Saints< to a2a0en in the' the finest sensii&ities< and
arouse the' to enter*rise and e/ertion< sure&! it is the ,reat and
*recious *ro'ises 'ade ! our hea$en&! Father to the chi&dren of Araha'?
and those en,a,ed in see0in, the outcasts of Israe&< and the dis*ersed of
Judah< cannot fai& to en=o! the S*irit of the Lord and ha$e the choicest
&essin,s of Hea$en rest u*on the' in co*ious effusions# "rethren< !ou are
in the *ath2a! to eterna& fa'e< and i''orta& ,&or!( and inas'uch as !ou
fee& interested for the co$enant *eo*&e of the Lord< the 5od of their
fathers sha&& &ess !ou# Do not e discoura,ed on account -------
CTernate is a s'a&& is&and in the .o&uccas< 2est of Ji&o&o< in the
Dutch East Indies#
of the ,reatness of the 2or0? on&! e hu'&e and faithfu&< and then
!ou can sa!< -3hat art thou< O ,reat 'ountainK efore ;eruae& sha&t
thou e rou,ht do2n#- He 2ho scattered Israe& has *ro'ised to ,ather
the'? therefore inas'uch as !ou are to e instru'enta& in this ,reat 2or0<
He 2i&& endo2 !ou 2ith *o2er< 2isdo'< 'i,ht< and inte&&i,ence< and e$er!
>ua&ification necessar!? 2hi&e !our 'inds 2i&& e/*and 2ider and 2ider<
unti& !ou can circu'scrie the earth and the hea$ens< reach forth into
eternit!< and conte'*&ate the 'i,ht! acts of Jeho$ah in a&& their $ariet!
and ,&or!#
In ans2er to !our in>uiries res*ectin, the trans&ation and
*u&ication of the "oo0 of .or'on< h!'n oo0< histor! of the Church< Pc#<
Pc#< I 2ou&d sa! that I entire&! a**ro$e of the sa'e< and ,i$e '! consent<
2ith the e/ce*tion of the h!'n oo0< as a ne2 edition< containin, a
,reater $ariet! of h!'ns< 2i&& e short&! *u&ished or *rinted in this
*&ace< 2hich I thin0 2i&& e a standard 2or0# As soon as it is *rinted<
!ou sha&& ha$e so'e sent to !ou< 2hich !ou 'a! ,et trans&ated< and *rinted
into an! &an,ua,e !ou *&ease#
Shou&d 2e not e a&e to send so'e to !ou< and there shou&d e a
,reat ca&& for h!'n oo0s 2here !ou 'a! e< then I shou&d ha$e no
o=ection to !our *u&ishin, the *resent one# 3ere !ou to *u&ish the "oo0
of .or'on< Doctrine and Co$enants< or h!'n oo0< I desire the co*!ri,hts
of the sa'e to e secured in '! na'e#
3ith res*ect to *u&ishin, an! other 2or0< either ori,ina&< or those
2hich ha$e een *u&ished efore< !ou 2i&& e ,o$erned ! circu'stances?
if !ou thin0 necessar! to do so< I sha&& ha$e no o=ection 2hate$er# It
2i&& e 2e&& to stud! *&ainness and si'*&icit! in 2hate$er !ou *u&ish<
-for '! sou& de&i,hteth in *&ainness#-
I fee& 'uch *&eased 2ith the s*irit of !our &etter--and e assured<
dear rethren< of '! heart! coo*eration< and '! *ra!ers for !our 2e&fare
and success# In ans2er to Your in>uir! in a for'er &etter< re&ati$e to the
dut! of the Se$enties in re,u&atin, churches< Pc#< I sa! that the duties
of the Se$enties are 'ore *articu&ar&! to *reach the 5os*e&< and ui&d u*
churches< rather than re,u&ate the'< that a Hi,h )riest 'a! ta0e char,e of
the'# If a Hi,h )riest shou&d e re'iss in his dut!< and shou&d &ead< or
suffer the church to e &ed astra!< de*art fro' the ordinances of the
Lord< then it is the dut! of one of the Se$enties< actin, under the
s*ecia& direction of the T2e&$e< ein, du&! co''issioned ! the' 2ith
their de&e,ated authorit!< to ,o to the church< and if a,reea&e to a
'a=orit! of the 'e'ers of said church< to *roceed to re,u&ate and *ut in
order the sa'e? other2ise< he can ha$e no authorit! to act# JOSE)H S.ITH<
JUN#
Frida!< 7G# Letter or 3i&&ard Richards to the Editor of the
.i&&ennia& Star--Re*ortin, Laors# LED"URY< HEREFORDSHIRE< .a! 7Gth< 78@D#
To the Editor of the .i&&ennia& Star(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--T2o 2ee0s a,o this da!< I *arted 2ith "rothers
Youn, and 3oodruff in this *&ace< ta0in, different &ocations in this *art
of the $ine!ard< ori,ina&&! o*ened ! "rother 3oodruff< and after $isitin,
$arious *&aces in Herefordshire< 3orcestershire< and 5&oucestershire<
*reachin, dai&!< ta&0in, ni,ht and da!< and ad'inisterin, the ordinances
of the 5os*e& as directed ! the S*irit< 2e ha$e a,ain this da! found
ourse&$es to,ether< and E&der 1in,ton in our 'idst Ehe is de$oted 2ho&&!
to the 'inistr!F# "! co'*arin, 'inutes 2e find there ha$e een in these
t2o 2ee0s aout 77H a*ti4ed? HDD confir'ed? H E&ders< aout HD )riests<
and 7 Teacher ordained? and the Church in these re,ions no2 nu'ers aout
9HD# The ranches are s'a&&< the rethren 'uch scattered? conse>uent&! the
fie&d is so &ar,e that the rea*ers cannot ca&& to each other fro' side to
side< neither can the! often see each other 2ithout a te&esco*e#
There are 'an! doors o*en 2hich 2e cannot fi&&? ca&&s for *reachin,
on a&'ost e$er! hand< 2hich 2e cannot ans2er# OhK that the Saints 2ou&d
*ra! to the Lord of the har$est to send forth &aorersK I ha$e this da!
recei$ed a &etter fro' '! sister in .assachusetts< ,i$in, 'e the
inte&&i,ence of the death of '! a,ed father# The 2or0 of the Lord is
ro&&in, forth in that *art of the &and< such inte&&i,ence as this fro' our
nati$e &and 'a0es our hearts re=oice< e$en in aff&iction# Your rother in
the e$er&astin, co$enant< 3ILLARD RICHARDS#
CHA)TER %II#
FIRST FOREI5N )ERIODICAL OF THE CHURCH< -THE .ILLENNIAL
STAR---THE )RO)HET SEE1S RELEASE FRO. SECULAR RES)ONSI"ILITIES#
Sunda!< .a! 7M#--E&ders Youn,< 3oodruff< and Richards he&d conference
2ith the Saints at 5adfie&d E&' Cha*e&#
.onda!< 78#--The ao$e E&ders 'et the rethren at E&der 1in,ton+s<
2here the! had a tea *art!< *ra!in, sin,in,< confir'in,< ordainin,< and
aout t2ent! 2ere a*ti4ed? thus the! continued their &aors fro' *&ace to
*&ace< unti& 3ednesda! HDth< 2hen the! found the'se&$es 2ith one accord on
the to* of -the Herefordshire "eacon<-C and 2ithin the o&d fortification<
2hen after *ra!er the! e/*ressed their fee&in,s concernin, the usiness of
the Church< 2hich 2ere Eas the! had otained 'one! fro' "rother John
"eno2< and other rethren for *rintin, the h!'noo0< and in *art
sufficient for the "oo0 of .or'onF that E&der Youn, re*air i''ediate&! to
.anchester< and =oin his rethren *re$ious&! a**ointed 2ith hi' on a
co''ittee< for the *rintin, of the h!'n oo0< and cause 9<DDD co*ies to e
issued 2ithout de&a!# A&so that the sa'e co''ittee cause 9<DDD co*ies of
the "oo0 of .or'on to e *rinted and co'*&eted 2ith as &itt&e de&a! as
*ossi&e< 2ith an inde/ affi/ed to the sa'e< the for' of the oo0 to e
deter'ined ! the co''ittee# Their $ie2s 2ere 2ritten and si,ned ! E&der
3i&&ard Richards and 3i&ford 3oodruff< 2hen )resident Youn, &eft direct
for .anchester# He sa2 5eor,e A# S'ith< at the )otteries< 2ho a**ro$ed the
-"eacon Conference#- -------
C one of the noted hei,hts of the "&ac0 .ountains< runnin, throu,h
the 2est *art of Herefordshire#
Sunda!< H@#--)resident Youn, 'et 2ith the Church< and on .onda!<
HGth< $isited the *rinters to in>uire their *rices< etc#
A Letter of Heer C# 1i'a&&< et a&#< Reco''endin, En,&ish Saints to
the "isho* of the Church# )RESTON< .a! HG< 78@D#
To the )residenc!< Hi,h Counci& and "isho* of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-da! Saints at Co''erce# 3e co''end to !our notice the
rethren and sisters that ha$e co''endator! &etters fro' us of this date<
that !ou 2i&& do a&& that !ou consistent&! can for the'< for I $eri&!
e&ie$e the! ha$e ut'ost confidence in !ou< and 2i&& recei$e 2ith
,ratitude !our ad$ice and instruction< and cheerfu&&! su'it to the ru&es
and re,u&ations of the Church# The! ha$e our &essin,s< and 2e trust their
suse>uent conduct 2i&& entit&e the' to !our &essin,s a&so< and the
Church ,enera&&!# 3e re=oice that 2e can sa! the 2or0 of 5od here is in a
*ros*erous 2a!# Yea< 2e re=oice ,reat&! at the as*ect of the ti'es<
e/*ectin, the ti'e to e not far distant 2hen the standard of truth 2i&&
e cons*icuous&! raised throu,hout this &and# 3e ha$e 2itnessed the
f&o2in, of the Saints to2ards ;ion? the strea' has e,un< and 2e e/*ect to
see it continue runnin, unti& it sha&& ha$e drained the sa&t< or the
&i,ht< fro' "a!&on< 2hen 2e ho*e to shout hosanna ho'e#
Dear rethren< acce*t our &o$e< and *resent it to the Church#
Your rethren in the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL<
JOSE)H FIELDIN5< 3ILLIA. CLAYTON#
Tuesda!< H:#----E&der John Ta!&or arri$ed at .anchester< and on the
HMth< E&der 1i'a&& arri$ed# The co''ittee on the h!'n oo0 co''enced and
continued se&ectin, h!'ns unti& the 9Dth< 2hen E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&& and
Ta!&or 2ent to Li$er*oo&< and *reached on Sunda! the 97st#
3ednesda!< HM#--"isho* Ed2ard )artrid,eC died at Nau$oo< a,ed
fort!-si/ !ears# He &ost his &ife In conse>uence of the .issouri
*ersecutions< and he is one of that nu'er 2hose &ood 2i&& e re>uired at
their hands# His dau,hter< Harriet )a'e&a< died on the 7:th of .a!< a,ed
nineteen !ears# -------
C see "io,ra*hica& Note< $o&# 7< **# 7H8-N#
The first nu'er of The Latter-da! Saints+ .i&&ennia& StarC 2as
issued at .anchester< in *a'*h&et for' of t2ent!-four *a,es# Edited !
)ar&e! )# )ratt# )rice si/*ence# Office 7@N O&dha' Road#
.onda!< June 7< 78@D#--The Saints ha$e a&read! erected aout t2o
hundred and fift!-houses at Nau$oo< 'ost&! &oc0 houses< a fe2 fra'ed< and
'an! 'ore are in course of construction#
The 5os*e& is s*readin, throu,h the States< Canada< En,&and<
Scot&and< and other *&aces< 2ith ,reat ra*idit!# -------
C The .i&&ennia& Star 2as the first forei,n *u&ication of the
church# It 2as issued as a 'onth&!< ut after2ards 'ore fre>uent&!<
se'i-'onth&!< and fina&&!< and no2 for 'an! !ears< a 2ee0&!# Its
*u&ication has een continuous fro' the ti'e it 2as started unti& the
*resent-7NDM# A&so the Star has retained the ,enera& character i'*arted to
it ! its first *u&ishers# -The .i&&ennia& Star<- said its )ros*ectus<
-2i&& stand a&oof fro' the co''on *o&itica& and co''ercia& ne2s of the
da!# Its co&u'ns 2i&& e de$oted to the s*read of the fu&ness of the
5os*e&--the restoration of the ancient *rinci*&es of Christianit!--the
,atherin, of Israe&--the ro&&in, forth of the 0in,do' of 5od a'on, the
nations--the si,ns of the ti'es--the fu&fi&&'ent of *ro*hec!--recordin,
the =ud,'ents of 5od as the! efa&& the nations 2hether si,ns in the
hea$ens or in the earth< &ood fire or $a*or of s'o0e--in short< 2hate$er
is sho2n forth indicati$e of the co'in, of the LSon of .an+ and usherin,
in of his uni$ersa& rei,n u*on the earth# It 2i&& a&so contain &etters
fro' our nu'erous E&ders 2ho are aroad< *reachin, the 2ord oth in
A'erica and Euro*e containin, ne2s of their success in 'inisterin, the
&essin,s of the ,&orious 5os*e&#-
As an e/*&anation of its tit&e and 'ission< the editor in its first
nu'er a&so said(
-The 2ord .i&&enniu' si,nifies a thousand !ears< and in this sense of
the 2ord< 'a! e a**&ied to an! I*eriod of aJ thousand !ears< 2hether
under the rei,n of 2ic0edness or ri,hteousness# "ut the ter' the
.i&&ennia&< is ,enera&&! understood to a**&! to the *articu&ar thousand
!ears 2hich is 'entioned in the Scri*tures as the rei,n of *eace--the
,reat saath of creation< of 2hich a&& the other saaths or =ui&ees
see' to e ut t!*es# It is 2ritten that a Lthousand !ears is one da!< and
one da! as a thousand !ears 2ith the Lord#+ This ein, the case< then
se$en thousand !ears are se$en da!s 2ith the Lord< and the se$enth< or
&ast thousand !ears 2ou&d< of course< e a saath or =ui&ee? a rest< a
,rand re&ease fro' ser$itude and 2oe# C C C The curse 2i&& e ta0en
fro' off the earth< and it 2i&& cease to rin, forth thorns and thist&es<
and eco'e ferti&e as it 2ere a *aradise< 2hi&e sic0ness< *re'ature death<
and a&& their attendant train of *ains and sorro2s 2i&& scarce e 0no2n
u*on its face? thus *eace< and =o!< and truth< and &o$e< and 0no2&ed,e<
and *&ent!< and ,&or!< 2i&& co$er the face of the earth as the 2aters do
the sea# The taernac&e of 5od and his sanctuar! 2i&& e 2ith 'an< in the
'idst of the ho&! cities? and =o! and ,&adness 2i&& a&& the 'easure of
their cu*# Such then< is the 5reat .i&&enniu' of 2hich our &itt&e LStar+
2ou&d fain announce the da2n#-
E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& 2ere en,a,ed in &essin, the rethren 2ho
2ere aout to sai& for A'erica#
3ednesda!< 9#--E&ders Youn, and Ta!&or $isited the *rinters in
Li$er*oo& and E&der Youn, *reached on the Sunda! fo&&o2in,#
Saturda!< :#--E&der John .oon and a co'*an! of fort! Saints< to 2it#<
Hu,h .oon< his 'other and se$en others of her fa'i&!< Henr! .oon Eunc&e of
John .oonF< Henr! .oon< Francis .oon< 3i&&ia' Sutton< 3i&&ia' Sit,ra$es<
Richard Ea$es< Tho'as .oss< Henr! .oore< Nanc! Ash2orth< Richard
Ainscou,h< and fa'i&ies< sai&ed in the shi* "ritannia fro' Li$er*oo& for
Ne2 Yor0< ein, the first Saints that ha$e sai&ed fro' En,&and for ;ion#
.onda!< 8#--E&ders Youn, and Ta!&or $isited Cheshire< and on Tuesda!<
.anchester< and continued to se&ect h!'ns#
E&der Youn, drea'ed of his fa'i&! in hea&th and 2ant< a&so of the
Church and *eo*&e< and of a contention et2een t2o s'a&& co'*anies in the
2est< one north< the other south--the north *re$ai&in, fro' ti'e to ti'e#
.inutes of the Conference He&d at 5adfie&d E&' Cha*e&< in
3orcestershire< En,&and< June 7@th< 78@D#
The *reachers and 'e'ers of the "ran 5reen and 5adfie&d E&' "ranch
of the Froo'es Hi&& Circuit< of the United "rethren 'et at the 5adfie&d
E&' Cha*e&< 3orcestershire< June 7@th< 78@D< *ursuant to *re$ious notice
2hen the 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order ! E&der Tho'as 1in,ton# E&der
3i&&ard Richards 2as chosen *resident< and E&der Danie& "ro2ett c&er0 for
the 'eetin,# The 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! *ra!er ! E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff#
Re'ar0s 2ere then 'ade ! the *resident res*ectin, the usiness of the
da!< and the necessar! chan,es 2hich 'ust ta0e *&ace#
It 2as then 'o$ed ! E&der Tho'as 1in,ton< seconded ! E&der Danie&
"ro2ett that this 'eetin, e hereafter 0no2n ! the na'e of the -"ran
5reen and 5adfie&d E&' Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints<- or,ani4ed and esta&ished ! the 2i&& and co''and'ent
of 5od in the United States of A'erica< on the :th da! of A*ri&<
A# D# 789D< this ein, the ei,hth da! of the third 'onth of the
e&e$enth !ear of the rise of the Church# Carried unani'ous&!#
IThis 'otion 2as *er'itted to acco''odate the fee&in,s of the
conference< 2ho had a&i recent&! een a*ti4ed< ut there is no such
*rinci*&e in e/istence< as to transfor' a church or conference of the
2or&d into a church or conference of Christ+s fo&d ! $ote#JC
.o$ed ! E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff< seconded ! E&der T# 1in,ton that
3i&&ia' Jen0ins e ordained an E&der? and Jose*h Fir0ins< 3i&&ia' )itt and
Roert Harris e ordained to the office of )riest? and that 5eor,e "urton<
Ja'es )a&'er< and 3i&&ia' Lo$erid,e< e ordained Teachers? carried
unani'ous&!# Ordained under the hands of E&ders Richards and 3oodruff#
.o$ed ! E&der 1in,ton< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that Roert
C&ift< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at D!'oc0? Ja'es )a&'er<
)riest< ha$e the care of the church at 1i&cott? John Hi&&< )riest< ha$e
the care of the church at T2i,2orth? 3i&&ia' Co&e'an< )riest< ha$e the
care of the church at "ran 5reen? Tho'as "roo0s< )riest< ha$e the care of
the church at R!ton? John S'ith< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at
Li'e Street? Char&es Ha!es< )riest ha$e the care of the church at
Deerhurst? Tho'as S'ith< )riest< Assistant< ha$e the care of the church at
Deerhurst? John %ernon< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at A**er&e!?
3i&&ia' "a!&iss< )riest< Assistant< ha$e the care of the church at
A**er&e!? John Ar&ic0< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at Norton? John
S*ires< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at Lei,h? John Da$is< )riest<
assistant< ha$e the care of the church at Lei,h? Tho'as Oa0&e!< )riest<
ha$e the care of the church at 5adfie&d E&'#
And that E&der Danie& "ro2ett ta0e char,e of the churches on the
south< and E&der 3i&&ia' Jen0ins on the north side< of the ri$er Se$ern#
Carried unani'ous&!#
.o$ed ! E&der 3oodruff< and seconded ! E&der Richards< that E&der
Tho'as 1in,ton e the )residin, E&der o$er the Conference? carried#
.eetin, ad=ourned unti& t2o o+c&oc0#
Conference 'et at t2o o+c&oc0 accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< and
ad'inistered the sacra'ent to a &ar,e con,re,ation of Saints< acco'*anied
! 'an! oser$ations on 'an! su=ects ! the )resident# Ten 'e'ers 2ere
confir'ed under the hands of E&ders 3oodruff and 1in,ton# Re'ar0s 2ere
'ade ! the )resident res*ectin, the -&essin, of chi&dren#- Se$en
chi&dren 2ere then &essed under the hands of E&ders 3oodruff and 1in,ton#
-------
C The 'atter in rac0ets occurs in the .s# Histor! as a&so in the
Histor! as *u&ished in the .i&&ennia& Star< ut it is e$ident&! the
co''ent of the Church Historians#
.o$ed ! E&der 1in,ton< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that E&der Danie&
"ro2ett re*resent this Conference to the ,enera& conference< at
.anchester< on the :th da! of Ju&! ne/t? carried# .o$ed and carried that
the C&er0 *resent to the )residin, E&der< T# 1in,ton< a&so to the ,enera&
conference< for safe 0ee*in,< a co*! of the 'inutes of this conference#
The ao$e 'inutes 2ere then read and ado*ted< artic&e ! artic&e<
2hen it 2as 'o$ed ! the )resident< and seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that
this conference e ad=ourned to the 79th da! of Se*te'er ne/t at this
*&ace? carried unani'ous&!#
Conference c&osed ! *ra!er? after 2hich the E&ders and officers
*resent 'et in counci&< and $oted unani'ous&! to esta&ish a 2ee0&!
counci& of the officers of said conference to e he&d a&ternate&! on the
south and north sides of the ri$er Se$ern< to co''ence at Lei,h on the
HGth inst#? and or,ani4ed the sa'e ! a**ointin, E&der Danie& "ro2ett<
*resident and John Hi&&< )riest< c&er0< on the south side of the ri$er?
and a&so on the north side< ! a**ointin, E&der 3i&&ia' Jen0ins< *resident
and John S'ith< )riest< c&er0? to asse'&e on the 9rd of Ju&! ne/t< at
Tur0e! Ha&&#
After *assin, 'an! other $otes of 'inor i'*ortance< acco'*anied !
'uch instruction fro' E&ders Richards and 3oodruff< touchin, the duties of
the se$era& officers in their re&ations to each other< and the Church< the
counci& ad=ourned# And it is 2orth! of re'ar0< that no dissentin, $ote or
$oice 2as seen or heard durin, the da!< either in conference or counci&#
3ILLARD RICHARDS< )resident# DANIEL "RO3ETT< C&er0#
.e'oria& of Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< to the hi,h Counci& of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< June 78th< 78@D# The .e'oria& of Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< res*ectfu&&! re*resents--That after the 'e'ers of the Church
of Jesus Christ had een inhu'an&! as 2e&& as unconstitutiona&&! e/*e&&ed
fro' their ho'es 2hich the! had secured to the'se&$es in the state of
.issouri< and a&thou,h $er! 'uch scattered and at considera&e distance
fro' each other< the! found a restin, *&ace in the state of
I&&inois(--That after the esca*e of !our .e'oria&ist fro' his ene'ies< he
Eunder the direction of the authorities of the ChurchF too0 such ste*s as
has secured to the Church the *resent &ocations< $i4#< the to2n *&ot of
Nau$oo and &ands in the Io2a territor!(--That in order to secure said
&ocations< !our .e'oria&ist had to eco'e res*onsi&e for the *a!'ent of
the sa'e< and had to use considera&e e/ertion in order to co''ence a
sett&e'ent< and a *&ace of ,atherin, for the Saints? and 0no2in, fro' the
,enius of the constitution of the Church< and for the 2e&&-ein, of the
Saints< that it 2as necessar! that the constituted authorities of the
Church 'i,ht asse'&e to,ether to act or to &e,is&ate for the ,ood of the
2ho&e societ! and that the Saints 'i,ht en=o! those *ri$i&e,es 2hich the!
cou&d not en=o! ! ein, scattered so 2ide&! a*art--!our .e'oria&ist 2as
induced to e/ert hi'se&f to the ut'ost in order to rin, aout o=ects so
necessar! and so desira&e to the Saints at &ar,e(--Under the then
e/istin, circu'stances< !our .e'oria&ist had necessari&! to en,a,e in the
te'*ora&ities of the Church< 2hich he has had to attend to unti& the
*resent ti'e(--That !our .e'oria&ist fee&s it a dut! 2hich he o2es to 5od<
as 2e&& as to the Church< to ,i$e his attention 'ore *articu&ar&! to those
thin,s connected 2ith the s*iritua& 2e&fare of the Saints< E2hich ha$e no2
eco'e a ,reat *eo*&e<F so that the! 'a! e ui&t u* in their 'ost ho&!
faith< and ,o on to *erfection(--That the Church ha$e erected an office
2here he can attend to the affairs of the Church 2ithout distraction< he
thin0s< and $eri&! e&ie$es< that the ti'e has no2 co'e< 2hen he shou&d
de$ote hi'se&f e/c&usi$e&! to those thin,s 2hich re&ate to the
s*iritua&ities of the Church< and co''ence the 2or0 of trans&atin, the
E,!*tian records< the "i&e< and 2ait u*on the Lord for such re$e&ations
as 'a! e suited to the conditions and circu'stances of the Church# And in
order that he 'a! e ena&ed to attend to those thin,s< he *ra!s !our
honora&e od! 2i&& re&ie$e hi' fro' the an/iet! and trou&e necessari&!
attendant on usiness transactions< ! a**ointin, so'e one to ta0e char,e
of the cit! *&ot< and attend to the usiness transactions 2hich ha$e
heretofore rested u*on !our .e'oria&ist( That shou&d !our Honors dee' it
*ro*er to do so< !our .e'oria&ist 2ou&d res*ectfu&&! su,,est that he 2ou&d
ha$e no 'eans of su**ort 2hate$er< and therefore 2ou&d re>uest that so'e
one 'i,ht e a**ointed to see that a&i his necessar! 2ants 'a! e *ro$ided
for< as 2e&& as sufficient 'eans or a**ro*riations for a c&er0 or c&er0s<
2hich he 'a! re>uire to aid hi' in his i'*ortant 2or0#
Your .e'oria&ist 2ou&d further re*resent< that as E&der H# 5#
Sher2ood is con$ersant 2ith the affairs of the cit! *&ot< he 2ou&d e a
suita&e *erson to act as c&er0 in that usiness< and attend to the
dis*osin, of the re'ainin, &ots< Pc#
Your .e'oria&ist 2ou&d ta0e this o**ortunit! of con,ratu&atin, !our
honora&e od! on the *eace and har'on! 2hich e/ist in the Church< and for
the ,ood fee&in,s 2hich see' to e 'anifested ! a&& the Saints< and ho*es
that inas'uch as 2e de$ote ourse&$es for the ,ood of the Church< and the
s*read of the 0in,do'< that the choicest &essin,s of hea$en 2i&& e
*oured u*on us< and that the ,&or! of the Lord 2i&& o$ershado2 the
inheritances of the Saints# JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
)roceedin,s of the Hi,h Counci& on the Fore,oin, .e'oria&< June HDth<
78@D# The Counci& re&ie$ed )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< accordin, to his
re>uest in the 'e'oria&< and a**ointed H# 5# Sher2ood to ta0e char,e of
the cit! *&ot and to act as c&er0 in that usiness< and a&so to attend to
the dis*osin, of the re'ainin, &ots< and the usiness transactions 2hich
ha$e rested u*on hi' IJose*h S'ithJ# A&anson Ri*&e! 2as a**ointed ste2ard
to see that a&& the necessar! 2ants of the First )residenc! e su**&ied<
as 2e&& as to *ro$ide sufficient 'eans or a**ro*riations for a c&er0 or
c&er0s to aid )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in his i'*ortant 2or0# HOSEA
STOUT< C&er0#
.inutes of the Conference he&d at Stan&e! hi&&< Cast&e Froo'e<
Herefordshire< En,&and< June H7st< 78@D#
The *reachers and 'e'ers of the Froo'e+s Hi&& Circuit of the United
"rethren 'et at the house of E&der John Cheese< on Stan&e! Hi&&<
Herefordshire< En,&and< June H7< A# D# 78@D< at ten a#'#< accordin, to
*re$ious notice? the 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order ! E&der Tho'as 1in,ton?
E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff 2as chosen *resident< and E&der John "eno2< c&er0
of the 'eetin,#
After *ra!er ! E&der Richards< and re'ar0s ! the *resident
concernin, the usiness of the da!< it 2as 'o$ed ! Eider Tho'as 1in,ton<
and seconded ! E&der John "eno2< that Ithe se$era& districts re*resented
atJ this 'eetin, e hereafter 0no2n ! the na'e of the -Froo'e+s Hi&&
Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<- or,ani4ed
and esta&ished ! the 2i&& and co''and'ent of 5od< in the United States
of A'erica< on the :th da! of A*ri&< 789D< this ein, the 7Gth da! of the
third 'onth of the e&e$enth !ear of the rise of the Church# Carried
unani'ous&!#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der 1in,ton< that Tho'as
C&ar0< Char&es )rice< Ja'es Hi&&< and Sa'ue& Jones e ordained E&ders?
a&so that John Ja'es< Jose*h S0inn< Henr! Jones< Ja'es "a&d2in< John
.or,an< Sa'ue& "adha'< and John D!er< e ordained )riests? a&so that
Roert Hi&&< 5eor,e "roo0s< Ja'es S0inn< and Ja'es 3at0ins e ordained
Teachers? carried unani'ous&!? and the! 2ere ordained under the hands of
E&ders 3oodruff and Richards#
.o$ed ! E&der 1in,ton< and seconded ! E&ders 3oodruff and Richards<
that John Ja'es< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at Froo'e+s Hi&&?
John )arr!< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at Stan&e! Hi&&? Ja'es
"urns< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at Rid,2a! Cross? 3i&&ia'
)ossons< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at .oor-end Cross? Jonathan
Luc!< )riest< ha$e the care of the church at Ca&d2e&&? Tho'as Jones<
)riest< ha$e the care of the church at )a&e House? John )reece<
)riest< ha$e the care of the church at Ledur!? Sa'ue& 3arren<
)riest< ha$e the care of the church at 1e!send Street? Ja'es "a&d2in<
)riest< ha$e the care of the church at 3ind )oint? 5eor,e A&&en< )riest<
ha$e the care of the church at 3ofer2ood Co''on#
Rou,h Leaso2< "irch2ood< Tunrid,e< and Dunsc&ose 2i&& a&& e united
in one ranch< ca&&ed Dunsc&ose#
Sa'ue& "adha'< )riest< to ha$e the care of the church at Dunsc&ose?
Ed2ard )hi&&i*s< )riest< to ha$e care of the church at Ashfie&d and
Cro2cut? John .ee0s< )riest< to ha$e care of the church at O&d Starrid,e?
John 5a&&e!< )riest< to ha$e care of the church at Ho*e Rou,h? "en=#
3i&&ia's< )riest< to ha$e care of the church at Shuc0ne&& Hi&&? John
)o2e&&< )riest< to ha$e care of the church at Lu,2ardine? John D!er<
)riest< to ha$e care of the church at .arden? 3i&&ia' E$ans< )riest< to
ha$e care of the church at Sto0es Lane? John Fidoe< )riest< to ha$e care
of the church at "isho* Froo'e# Carried unani'ous&!#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< and seconded ! E&der 1in,ton< that E&der
Tho'as C&ar0 ha$e char,e of the churches at Dunsc&ose< O&d Starrid,e<
Ashfie&d< and Cro2cut? that E&der Sa'ue& Jones ha$e char,e of the churches
at 1e!s-end Street< 3ind )oint< Co&2e&&< )a&e House< and .a&$ern Hi&&?
that E&der )hi&i* 5reen ha$e char,e of the churches at Shuc0na&& Hi&&<
Lu,2ardine< and .arden? that E&der John Cheese ha$e char,e of the churches
at Sto0es Lane< 3ofer2ood Co''on< and "isho* Froo'e? that E&der Char&es
)rice ha$e char,e of the churches at Ledur!< .oor-end Cross< and Rid,2a!
Cross? that E&der Ja'es Hi&& ha$e char,e of the churches at Ho*e Rou,h and
Stan&e! Hi&&? that E&der John "eno2 ha$e char,e of the church at Froo'e+s
Hi&&# Carried unani'ous&!#
.o$ed ! the *resident< seconded ! E&der Richards< that E&der Tho'as
1in,ton e the )residin, E&der o$er this conference#
After re'ar0s ! the *resident< the 'eetin, ad=ourned ti&& H o+c&oc0
*#'# Durin, the recess ten *ersons 2ere a*ti4ed#
Asse'&ed at H o+c&oc0 accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< and ad'inistered the
sacra'ent to se$era& hundred Saints? after 2hich t2ent! 2ere confir'ed<
and t2ent! chi&dren &essed under the hands of E&ders 3oodruff and
Richards< acco'*anied 2ith instructions ! the *resident< e/*&anator! of
the ordinance#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! the *resident< that E&der Tho'as
1in,ton re*resent this Conference to the ,enera& conference at .anchester
on the :th of Ju&!? carried# .o$ed and carried that the c&er0 of the
conference *resent to the )residin, E&der< T# Lin,ton< a co*! of the
'inutes of this conference for safe 0ee*in,? a&so a co*! to *resent to the
,enera& conference at .anchester# The 'inutes 2ere then read and acce*ted#
The *resident< fo&&o2ed ! E&der Richards< then *roceeded to ,i$e such
instruction to the Saints concernin, the order of the Church< and the
se$era& duties of the 'e'ers< as the S*irit directed? and ore testi'on!
to the 'u&titude of the truth of the 2or0? fo&&o2ed ! E&der 1in,ton? 2hen
it 2as 'o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! the *resident< that this
conference ad=ourn to the H7st Se*te'er ne/t< 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#< at this
*&ace? carried#
After *ra!er and sin,in,< the asse'&! dis*ersed< the E&ders and
officers 2ent into counci&< 2hen it 2as 'o$ed ! E&der Richards< and
seconded ! E&der 1in,ton< that 2e *roceed to esta&ish and or,ani4e
'onth&! counci&s of the officers of the Froo'e+s Hi&& Conference< to
co''ence on Frida!< the 9rd of Ju&! ne/t< at ha&f-*ast se$en o+c&oc0 *#'#<
in the se$era& di$isions< res*ecti$e&! assi,ned to the different E&ders<
$i4#--
E&der Tho'as C&ar0< *resident< and Ja'es .ee0s< c&er0< Dunsc&ose?
E&der Char&es )rice< *resident< Tho'as Jen0ins< c&er0< .oor-end Cross?
Sa'ue& Jones< *resident< 3i&&ia' 3i&&ia's< c&er0< 3ind )oint? Ja'es Hi&&<
*resident< Jose*h )u&&en< c&er0< Stan&e! Ri&&? )hi&i* 5reen< *resident<
Francis "urnett< c&er0< Lu,2ardine? John "eno2< *resident< John .or,an<
c&er0< Froo'e+s Hi&i? John Cheese< *resident< 5eor,e A&&en< c&er0< Sto0e+s
Lane# Carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< and seconded ! E&der 1in,ton< that a
'onth&! ,enera& counci& of the officers of this conference e he&d at
Stan&e! Hi&&< to co''ence on Frida!< the 7Mth of Ju&! ne/t< at ha&f-*ast
se$en o+c&oc0< *#'# E&der Tho'as 1in,ton< *resident< and E&der John
"eno2< c&er0# Carried unani'ous&!#
The *resident then *roceeded to e/*&ain the nature of the )riesthood<
and the duties and *ri$i&e,es of the se$era& officers< and ,a$e such
instruction as their situation re>uired< fo&&o2ed ! E&der Richards< 2ho
e/*&ained 'an! i'*ortant *rinci*&es connected 2ith the ui&din, u* of the
1in,do'#
The 'inutes of the counci& 2ere then read and acce*ted 2hen the
counci& ad=ourned? and after sin,in, -The S*irit of 5od<- Pc#< the
rethren se*arated< 2ith fee&in,s of ,ratitude and than0s,i$in,< that 5od
had een 2ith His *eo*&e< and that the s*irit of union and &o$e had
*re$ai&ed in a&& the de&ierations of the da!# 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF<
)resident# JOHN "EN"O3< C&er0#
RE.AR1S--The different ranches in this re,ion are so scattered< that
it has not een *ossi&e to ascertain the nu'er of 'e'ers connected 2ith
each indi$idua& church? ut connected 2ith the "ran 5reen and 5adfie&d
E&'< and the Froo'e+s Hi&& conferences< to,ether 2ith a s'a&& ranch of
Litt&e 5ar2a! of t2e&$e 'e'ers< one )riest< and one Teacher< are
thirt!-three churches< fi$e hundred and thirt!-four 'e'ers< se$ent!-fi$e
officers< $i4#< ten E&ders< fift!-t2o *riests< and thirteen teachers# And
for the co'fortin, of the Saints< and 2ith heart-fe&t ,ratitude to our
hea$en&! Father< 2e 2ou&d sa! that it is &ess than four 'onths since the
fu&ness of the 5os*e& 2as first *reached in this re,ion? 2hich is a *roof
that 5od is e,innin, to 'a0e a short 2or0 in these &ast da!s# 3ILFORD
3OODRUFF#
June H7#--The Saints hired the Car*enters+ Ha&& in .anchester< 2hich
is &ar,e enou,h to acco''odate ten or fifteen hundred hearers< for fi$e
hundred do&&ars a !ear< *a!a&e ! contriution and E&ders Youn, and )ratt
*reached therein this da! for the first ti'e#
.onda!< HH#--E&der Youn, 2ent to Li$er*oo& to see aout *rintin, the
"oo0 of .or'on< and returned to .anchester on the H:th? and on Sunda!<
H8th< *reached in Car*enters+ Ha&&#
June HM#--Hi,h Counci& 'et at '! office# .inutes of the hi,h Counci&#
A&anson Ri*&e! states to the counci& that he 2as authori4ed to infor' the'
that )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< had $etoed the *roceedin,s of the
Counci& of the HDth June< in re&ation to his .e'oria&# Laid o$er for
hearin, unti& Frida! ne/t# HOSEA STOUT< C&er0#
Letter of 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s--Confessin, Errors co''itted in .issouri#
DAYTON< OHIO< June HN< 78@D#
"ROTHER JOSE)H--I a' a&i$e< and 2ith the he&* of 5od I 'ean to &i$e
sti&&# I a' as the *rodi,a& son< thou,h I ne$er dout or dise&ie$e the
fu&ness of the 5os*e&# I ha$e een ,reat&! aused and hu'&ed< and I
&essed the 5od of Israe& 2hen I &ate&! read !our *ro*hetic &essin, on '!
head< as fo&&o2s(
-The Lord 2i&& chasten hi' ecause he ta0eth honor to hi'se&f< and
2hen his sou& is ,reat&! hu'&ed he 2i&& forsa0e the e$i&# Then sha&& the
&i,ht of the Lord rea0 u*on hi' as at noonda! and in hi' sha&& e no
dar0ness<- Pc#
I ha$e seen the fo&&! of '! 2a!< and I tre'&e at the ,u&f I ha$e
*assed# So it is< and 2h! I 0no2 not# I *ra!ed and 5od ans2ered< ut 2hat
cou&d I doB Sa!s I< -I 2i&& re*ent and &i$e< and as0 '! o&d rethren to
for,i$e 'e< and thou,h the! chasten 'e to death< !et I 2i&& die 2ith the'<
for their 5od is '! 5od# The &east *&ace 2ith the' is enou,h for 'e< !ea<
it is i,,er and etter than a&& "a!&on#- Then I drea'ed that I 2as in a
&ar,e house 2ith 'an! 'ansions< 2ith !ou and H!ru' and Sidne!< and 2hen it
2as said< -Su**er 'ust e 'ade read!<- ! one of the coo0s< I sa2 no 'eat<
ut !ou said there 2as *&ent!< and !ou sho2ed 'e 'uch< and as ,ood as I
e$er sa2? and 2hi&e cuttin, to coo0< !our heart and 'ine eat 2ithin us<
and 2e too0 each other+s hand and cried for =o!< and I a2o0e and too0
coura,e#
I 0no2 '! situation< !ou 0no2 it< and 5od 0no2s it< and I 2ant to e
sa$ed if '! friends 2i&& he&* 'e# Li0e the ca*tain that 2as cast a2a! on a
desert is&and? 2hen he ,ot off he 2ent to sea a,ain< and 'ade his fortune
the ne/t ti'e< so &et '! &ot e# I ha$e done 2ron, and I a' sorr!# The
ea' is in '! o2n e!e# I ha$e not 2a&0ed a&on, 2ith '! friends accordin,
to '! ho&! anointin,# I as0 for,i$eness in the na'e of Jesus Christ of a&&
the Saints< for I 2i&& do ri,ht< 5od he&*in, 'e# I 2ant !our fe&&o2shi*?
if !ou cannot ,rant that< ,rant 'e !our *eace and friendshi*< for 2e are
rethren< and our co''union used to e s2eet< and 2hene$er the Lord rin,s
us to,ether a,ain< I 2i&& 'a0e a&& the satisfaction on e$er! *oint that
Saints or 5od can re>uire# A'en# 3# 3# )HEL)S#
Letter of E&ders Orson H!de and John E# )a,e to )residents Jose*h
S'ith< H!ru' S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< )&eadin, for 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s#
DEAR "ROTHER(--3e ha$e een in this *&ace a fe2 da!s< and ha$e
*reached faithfu&&!< a $er! ,reat *ros*ect of so'e a&e and inf&uentia&
'en e'racin, the faith in this *&ace# 3e ha$e 'o$ed a&on, s&o2&!< ut
ha$e &eft a sea&in, testi'on!# "a*ti4ed a considera&e nu'er# 3e sha&&
2rite a,ain 'ore *articu&ar&! as soon as 2e &earn the resu&t of our &aors
here# 3e are 2e&& and in ,ood s*irits throu,h the fa$or of the Lord#
"rother )he&*s re>uests us to 2rite a fe2 &ines in his &etter< and 2e
cheerfu&&! e'race the o**ortunit!# "rother )he&*s sa!s he 2ants to &i$e<
ut 2e do not fee& ourse&$es authori4ed to act u*on his case< ut ha$e
reco''ended hi' to !ou? ut he sa!s his *o$ert! 2i&& not a&&o2 hi' to
$isit !ou in *erson< at this ti'e< and 2e thin0 he te&&s the truth# 3e
therefore ad$ise hi' to 2rite< 2hich he has done#
He te&&s us $era&&! that he is 2i&&in, to 'a0e an! sacrifice to
*rocure !our fe&&o2shi*< &ife not e/ce*ted< !et re*osin, that confidence
in !our 'a,nani'it! that !ou 2i&& ta0e no ad$anta,e of this o*en and fran0
confession If he can otain !our fe&&o2shi* he 2ants to co'e to Co''erce
as soon as he can# "ut if he cannot e recei$ed into the fe&&o2shi* of the
Church< he 'ust do the est he can in anish'ent and e/i&e#
"rethren< 2ith !ou are the 0e!s of the 1in,do'? to !ou is *o2er ,i$en
to -e/ert !our c&e'enc!< or dis*&a! !our $en,eance#- "! the for'er !ou
2i&& sa$e a sou& fro' death< and hide a 'u&titude of sins? ! the &atter<
!ou 2i&& fore$er discoura,e a returnin, *rodi,a& cause sorro2 2ithout
enefit< *ain 2ithout *&easure< Iand theJ endin, Iof "rother )he&*sJ in
2retchedness and des*air# "ut for'er e/*erience teaches IusJ that !ou are
2or0'en in the art of sa$in, sou&s? therefore 2ith ,reater confidence do
2e reco''end to !our c&e'enc! and fa$ora&e consideration< the author Iof
the fore,oin,J and su=ect of this co''unication# -3hosoe$er 2i&&< &et hi'
ta0e of the 2aters of &ife free&!#- "rother )he&*s sa!s he 2i&&< and so
far as 2e are concerned 2e sa! he 'a!# In the onds of the co$enant< ORSON
HYDE< JOHN E# )A5E#
The Co''ittee of the T2e&$e in En,&and finished the co&&ection of
h!'ns and *re*ared the inde/ for the *ress? and on the 9Dth E&ders 1i'a&&
and Richards arri$ed at .anchester#
3ednesda!< Ju&! 7< 78@D#--E&ders 3i&ford 3oodruff and 5eor,e A# S'ith
arri$ed at .anchester fro' the )otteries#
Ju&! H# .inutes of a 'eetin, of the Croo0ed Cree0 "ranch of the
Church#
At a 'eetin, of the Saints of Croo0ed Cree0 "ranch< on the Hnd of
Ju&!< 78@D< to ta0e into consideration the *ro*riet! of ha$in, a Sta0e of
;ion a**ointed or &ocated so'e2here in the ounds of this ranch< "rother
John Hic0s 2as ca&&ed to the chair# .eetin, 2as o*ened ! *ra!er< after
2hich se$era& re'ar0s 2ere 'ade< and the fo&&o2in, reso&utions 2ere
*assed(
Reso&$ed( That it e our 2ishes that a Sta0e of ;ion e a**ointed or
&ocated 2ithin the ounds of this "ranch< *ro$ided it shou&d 'eet the
'inds of the First )residenc! of this Church#
Reso&$ed( That a co''ittee of three e a**ointed to ascertain the
'ind of the First )residenc! and re*ort to the "ranch#
Reso&$ed( That Jose*h Ho&eroo0< Nathanie& Fra'*ton< and John Hic0s
co'*ose said co''ittee#
It 2as ascertained that there 2ere aout H<GHG acres of &and o2ned !
the rethren< and 2here$er the Sta0e shou&d e a**ointed the &ands shou&d
e donated or *urchased for a $er! s'a&& co'*ensation< and that there are
one hundred and t2e&$e 'e'ers e&on,in, to this "ranch#
Reso&$ed( That 2e 'eet on Thursda! ne/t< at one o+c&oc0< *#'#< to
recei$e the re*ort of the co''ittee<
Reso&$ed( That the *roceedin,s of this 'eetin, e si,ned ! the
*resident and c&er0 JOHN A# HIC1S< )resident# 3ILLIA. 3HITE.AN< C&er0#
Frida!< 9#--Hi,h Counci& 'et at '! office# .inutes of Hi,h Counci& at
Nau$oo# The su=ect of the .e'oria& of )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< 2as
rou,ht u* for a rehearin,< accordin, to the decision of the &ast Counci&
EJune HMF 2hen the fo&&o2in, reso&utions 2ere entered into(
7st# Reso&$ed( That 2e fee& *erfect&! satisfied 2ith the course ta0en
! Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and fee& a dis*osition< as far as it is in our
*o2er< to assist hi'< so as to re&ie$e hi' fro' the te'*ora&ities of the
Church< in order that he 'a! de$ote his ti'e 'ore *articu&ar&! to the
s*iritua&ities of the sa'e< e&ie$in, ! so doin, 2e sha&& *ro'ote the
,ood of the 2ho&e Church# "ut as he EJose*h S'ith< Jun#F is he&d
res*onsi&e for the *a!'ent of the cit! *&ot< and 0no2in, no 2a! to
re&ie$e hi' fro' the res*onsii&it! at *resent< 2e 2ou&d re>uest of hi' to
act as treasurer for the cit! *&ot and to 2ho' Ii#e#< )resident S'ithJ
those *ersons 2ho' 2e 'a! a**oint to 'a0e sa&es of &ots and attend to the
usiness affairs of the Church 'a! at a&& ti'es e res*onsi&e< and 'a0e
true and correct returns of a&& their *roceedin,s< as 2e&& as to account
for a&& 'onies< *ro*erties< etc#< 2hich 'a! co'e into their hands#
Therefore
Reso&$ed( That E&der Henr! 5# Sher2ood act as C&er0 for the sa'e#
That "isho* A&anson Ri*&e! e a**ointed to *ro$ide for the 2ants of the
)residenc!< and 'a0e such a**ro*riations to the'< and to their c&er0 or
c&er0s< 2hich the! 'a! re>uire#
Reso&$ed( That the funds of the cit! *&ot sha&& not e ta0en to
*ro$ide for the )residenc! or c&er0s< ut that the "isho*s e instructed
to raise funds fro' other sources to 'eet ca&&s 'ade on the'? and 'onies
recei$ed for &ots sha&& e de*osited in the hands of the Treasurer to
&i>uidate the dets of the cit! *&ot#
The reso&utions of the Croo0ed Cree0 "ranch of the Hnd inst#< 2ere
ta0en into consideration ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and it 2as
thou,ht *ro*er to esta&ish a Sta0e on Croo0ed Cree0< a,reea&! to the
re>uest of said "ranch< and a &etter 2as 2ritten to the rethren to that
effect# RO"ERT "# THO.)SON< Scrie#
Since Con,ress has decided a,ainst us< the Lord has e,un to $e/ this
nation< and He 2i&& continue to do so e/ce*t the! re*ent? for the! no2
stand ,ui&t! of 'urder< roer! and *&under< as a nation< ecause the!
ha$e refused to *rotect their citi4ens< and to e/ecute =ustice accordin,
to their o2n Constitution# A hai&stor' has $isited South Caro&ina? so'e of
the stones are said to ha$e 'easured nine inches in circu'ference< 2hich
s2e*t the cro*s< 0i&&in, so'e catt&e# Insects are de$ourin, cro*s on the
hi,h &ands< 2here the f&oods of the countr! ha$e not reached< and ,reat
co''ercia& distress *re$ai&s e$er!2here#
CHA)TER %III#
I.)ORTANT CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH IN EN5LAND--1IDNA))IN5 OF "RO3N
AND "OYCE "Y .ISSOURIANS--ACTION OF THE CITI;ENS OF NAU%OO#
.onda!< Ju&! :< 78@D# Conference of the Church in En,&and#
A 5enera& Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints 2as he&d in the Car*enter+s Ha&&< .anchester< on the :th da! of
Ju&!< 78@D< it ein, the 7st da! of the @th 'onth of the e&e$enth !ear of
the Church< 2hen the fo&&o2in, officers of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& 2ere
*resent< $i4#( E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< )ar&e! )# )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff<
John Ta!&or< 3i&&ard Richards< Heer C# 1i'a&&< and 5eor,e A# S'ith?
other officers< $i4#( Hi,h )riests G< E&ders 7N< )riests 7G< Teachers 77<
and Deacons 9#
The 'eetin, ein, ca&&ed to order< a &itt&e after ten o+c&oc0< !
E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton< it 2as 'o$ed ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< seconded !
E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff< that E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt e chosen )resident of
the conference<C 2hich 2as carried unani'ous&!# E&der 3i&&ia'
C&a!ton 2as chosen c&er0# The 'eetin, 2as o*ened ! sin,in,< and
*ra!er ! the )resident#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, then *roceeded to *refer char,es a,ainst E&der T#
5reen< $i4#< first< for ,i$in, 2a! to a fa&se s*irit? second< for ausin,
a !oun, fe'a&e< ! accusin, her< in a *u&ic 'eetin,< of thin,s 2hich he
cou&d not *ro$e? and third< for ause to the house and con,re,ation at
Duc0infie&d< June H8th< 78@D# The *resident then *roceeded to as0 E&der
5reen 2hether he 2as ,ui&t! of these char,es< or not# He i''ediate&!
*&eaded ,ui&t!# After E&der Youn, had 'ade e/tended re'ar0s to the
'eetin,< touchin, the conduct of E&der 5reen< he *ro*osed that E&der 5reen
,o to those characters 2here he had aused and insu&ted< and 'a0e
confession to the' as far as the offense e/tended< and then to e
sus*ended fro' office for a season# The )resident then 'ade re'ar0s to the
sa'e effect< and *ut it to the $ote of the 'eetin,< $i4#< that E&der 5reen
sha&& 'a0e confession< as stated ao$e< and e sus*ended fro' office for a
season# Carried#
The )resident then as0ed E&der 5reen if he 2as 2i&&in, to 'a0e
confession< he i''ediate&! a,reed to do it the first o**ortunit!# The
'eetin, ad=ourned a &itt&e after t2e&$e o+c&oc0#
At t2o o+c&oc0 usiness co''enced ! sin,in, and *ra!er< 2hen the
)resident ca&&ed u*on the officers to re*resent the different ranches of
the Church< 2hich 2as done in the fo&&o2in, order< $i4#--
After the officers had ,ot throu,h the re*resentations< the )resident
introduced the ne2 h!'n oo0? and after suita&e re'ar0s had een 'ade !
hi' and E&ders Youn, and Tho'as 1in,ton< the )resident as0ed the
conference if the! 2ere satisfied 2ith the &aors of those 2ho had 'ade
the se&ection< and if the! recei$ed the oo0# The unani'ous a**roation of
the 'eetin, 2as i''ediate&! 'anifested#
"! unani'ous $ote< Tho'as 1in,ton< A&fred Cordon< and Tho'as S'ith
2ere ordained Hi,h )riests? John A&ison< John "&e44ard< 3i&&ia' "err!<
John Sanders< John )ar0inson< Ja'es 3ors&e!< and John A&&en 2ere ordained
E&ders? and Jose*h S&in,er< 5eor,e 3a&0er< John S'ith< Roert 3i&&ia's<
3i&&ia' "&ac0< John .e&&in,< and John S2ind&ehurst 2ere ordained )riests#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, then ca&&ed u*on those officers< 2hose
circu'stances 2ou&d *er'it the' to de$ote the'se&$es entire&! to the 2or0
of the 'inistr!< and 2ou&d $o&unteer so to do< to stand u*--2hen the
fo&&o2in, na'es 2ere ta0en< $i4#< of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< "ri,ha'
Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< John Ta!&or< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 3i&&ard Richards<
and 5eor,e A# S'ith? other officers< na'e&!< 3i&&ia' C&a!ton< Reuen
Hed&oc0< Hira' C&ar0< Theodore Tur&e!< Jose*h Fie&din,< Tho'as Richardson<
A'os Fie&din,< John )ar0inson< John 3!ch< John Needha'< Henr! Ro!&e< John
"&e44ard< D# 3i&din,< Char&es )rice< Jose*h 1no2&es< 3'# 1a!< Sa'ue&
Heath< 3'# )arr< R# .c"ride< and Ja'es .or,an#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der 1i'a&&< that E&der )eter
.e&&in, e a**ointed to *reside o$er the fo&&o2in, ranches of the Church<
na'e&!--)reston< Lon,ton< )en2ortha'< North .eo&s< and South*ort? carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that E&der Richard
3ithna&& e a**ointed to *reside o$er the ranches of the Church at
3hitt&e< Dauers Lane< Chor&e!< Hunter+s Hi&&< and Eu/tonur,h? carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that E&der Tho'as
S'ith e a**ointed to *reside o$er the ranches of the Church at
C&itheroe< Chaturn< Do2nha'< Chai,h&e!< 5rind&eton< 3hit'ore< "urn&e!<
"&ac0urn< Richester< and Thorn&e!( carried#
.o$ed and seconded< that )resident Fie&din, and his counse&ors e set
at &iert! fro' the char,e 2hich the! ha$e sustained as a *residenc!< that
the! 'a! ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of 'ore fu&&! enterin, into the fie&d of
&aor? and that their &aors e acce*ted? carried#
E&ders Youn, and Richards then *roceeded to ordain those 2ho had een
no'inated to their res*ecti$e offices< after 2hich the 'inutes 2ere read
and acce*ted#
The conference ad=ourned to the si/th of Octoer ne/t< to e he&d in
the Car*enter+s Ha&&< .anchester< at 7D o+c&oc0< a#'#
Tuesda!< M# A counci& of Church Officers< he&d at .anchester<
En,&and#
)ursuant to *re$ious notice< a ,enera& counci& of the Church officers
2as he&d in the counci& roo' at the Star office< .anchester< on the Mth
da! of Ju&!< 78@D# The 'eetin, ein, o*ened ! *ra!er ! E&der 1i'a&&<
E&der Youn, e,an to s*ea0 concernin, those officers 2ho had $o&unteered
to de$ote the'se&$es 2ho&&! to the 'inistr!? 2hen it 2as 'o$ed and
seconded that "rothers 3i&&ia' 1a! and Tho'as Richardson ,o to
Herefordshire< to &aor in that re,ion 2ith E&der 1in,ton? carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that "rothers Hira'
C&ar0 and Jose*h 1no2&es ,o 2ith E&der Hed&oc0 to Scot&and( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that "rother Jose*h
Fie&din, ,o to "edford( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der 1i'a&&< that "rothers
A'os Fie&din, and John 3!ch ,o to Ne2cast&e-u*on-T!ne( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that "rother
Da$id 3i&din, ,o to 5ar2a!< Herefordshire( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Youn,< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that "rothers
3i&&ia' C&a!ton and John Needha' ,o to "ir'in,ha'( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that "rother Henr!
Ro!&e ,o to Sheffie&d( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der C&a!ton< seconded ! E&der Youn,< that "rother John
A&iston ta0e char,e of the fo&&o2in, "ranches of the Church<
na'e&!--Duc0infie&d< H!de< 3oo&&e! Hi&&< Ashton< and Sta&e! "rid,e(
carried#
.o$ed ! E&der )ratt< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that "rother
3i&&ia' )arr ,o to Sandach and Con,&eton( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der )ratt< that "rother Heath
continue his &aors in .acc&esfie&d( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that "rother
John "&e44ard ,o to Cornsha2( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der Richards< that "rother
Roert .c"ride ,o to Lancaster( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that "rother
Ja'es .or,an aide in his o2n nei,horhood to &aor 2ith E&der Da$id
3i&din,( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der )ratt< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that "rother )rice
,i$e u* his usiness< and &aor under the ad$ice of E&der 1in,ton as the
2a! o*ens( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der 1i'a&&< that "rother
3i&&ia' "&ac0 ,o to Lisurn< Ire&and< as the 2a! o*ens( carried#
.o$ed ! E&der Richards< seconded ! E&der S'ith< that "rother John
)ar0inson ha$e a ro$in, co''ission< so &on, as he 0ee*s us!< and doin,
,ood( carried#
After E&der Youn, had addressed the 'eetin, u*on se$era& i'*ortant
ite's< the 'eetin, dis'issed ! &essin, fro' E&der Youn,# )ARLEY )#
)RATT< )resident# 3ILLIA. CLAYTON< C&er0#
At this ti'e E&ders Orson H!de and John E# )a,e 2ere &aorin, in
Ohio#
Thursda!< N# E/tract fro' E&der 3oodruff+s Letter to the Editor of
the .i&&ennia& Star--Detai&in, Incidents of his .inistr!#
I arri$ed at Froo'e+s Hi&&< Cast&e Froo'e< Herefordshire< on the @th
of .arch< and 2as 0ind&! entertained for the ni,ht ! .r# John "eno2< 2ho
recei$ed '! testi'on!< and o*ened his door for 'eetin,? and on the e$enin,
fo&&o2in,< the Gth of .arch< for the first ti'e I *reached the fu&&ness of
the 5os*e& in that *&ace to a s'a&& con,re,ation< 2ho 'anifested 'uch
interest in 2hat the! heard< and desired to in>uire further into those
thin,s? and on the e$enin, fo&&o2in, I 'et a &ar,e nu'er at .r# "eno2+s<
and *reached unto the' the *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< na'e&!< faith in
Christ< re*entance< and a*tis' for the re'ission of sins and the ,ift of
the Ho&! 5host ! the &a!in, on of hands? after 2hich I ad'inistered the
ordinance of a*tis' unto si/ *ersons< .r# and .rs# "eno2 a'on, the
nu'er# I a&so *reached on Sunda! the 8th and a*ti4ed se$en< confir'ed
thirteen< and ro0e read unto the'# Se$era& of those 2ho 2ere a*ti4ed
2ere *reachers of the order ca&&ed the United "rethren#
The United "rethren for'er&! e&on,ed to the )ri'iti$e .ethodists<
ut had se*arated the'se&$es fro' the od!< and chose the na'e of the
United "rethren# The! had fro' fort! to fift! *reachers and aout the sa'e
nu'er of esta&ished *&aces of 'eetin,< inc&udin, t2o cha*e&s#
.r# Tho'as 1in,ton 2as the su*erintendent of the church of the United
"rethren< 2hose 'e'ers nu'ered aout four hundred in a&&< di$ided into
s'a&& ranches and scattered o$er an e/tent of countr! fro' fifteen to
t2ent! 'i&es# This *eo*&e a&'ost uni$ersa&&! a**eared 2i&&in, to ,i$e heed
to the e/hortation of So&o'on< to hear a 'atter efore the! =ud,ed or
conde'ned# The! o*ened their doors for 'e to *reach< and searched the
Scri*tures dai&! to see if the thin,s 2hich I tau,ht 2ere true? and on
findin, that the 2ord and s*irit a,reed and ore record of the truth of
the fu&&ness of the E$er&astin, 5os*e&< the! e'raced it 2ith a&& their
hearts< 2hich has rou,ht ,reat =o! and satisfaction to 'an! sou&s in that
re,ion#
I continued *reachin, and a*ti4in, dai&!? the con,re,ations 2ere
&ar,e and ,enera&&! attenti$e# I 2as soon *ri$i&e,ed 2ith an inter$ie2
2ith .r# Tho'as 1in,ton< the su*erintendent of the United "rethren< efore
2ho' I ,a$e an account of the rise and *ro,ress of the Church of the
Latter-da! Saints< and ore testi'on! of the truth of the ,reat 2or0 2hich
5od had set His hand to acco'*&ish in these &ast da!s#
.r# 1in,ton recei$ed '! testi'on! and sa!in,s 2ith candor? and
carried the case efore the Lord< 'ade it a su=ect of *ra!er< and as0ed
the Father in the na'e of Jesus Christ< if these thin,s 2ere true? and the
Lord 'anifested the truth of it unto hi'< and he 2ent forth and 2as
a*ti4ed< he and a&& his househo&d# I ordained hi' an E&der< and he 2ent
forth and e,an to *reach the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&#
I a&so a*ti4ed aout fort! *reachers of the sa'e order< and se$era&
others e&on,in, unto other churches< and aout one hundred and t2ent!
'e'ers of the United "rethren< 2hich o*ened aout fort! doors or
*reachin, *&aces< 2here the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& 2ou&d 'eet a 2e&co'e
rece*tion< and a&& this durin, the ter' of one 'onth and fi$e da!s#
On the 7Dth of A*ri& I too0 '! de*arture fro' the Saints in
Herefordshire and ad=oinin, countr!< nu'erin, aout one hundred and
si/t!?
2ho' I &eft re=oicin, in the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&< and hundreds of
others 2ho 2ere read! to e a*ti4ed as soon as a *ro*er ti'e and
o**ortunit! arri$ed# I arri$ed in )reston on the 79th< ! 2a! of
3orcester< 3o&$erha'*ton< "urs&e'< and .anchester< a distance of aout one
hundred and se$ent! 'i&es< $isitin, the churches ! the 2a!#
On '! arri$a& in )reston< I 2as &essed 2ith the ha**! *ri$i&e,e of
once 'ore ,reetin, '! rethren of the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& and other
E&ders< and of sittin, 2ith the' on the 7@th< 7Gth< and 7:th of A*ri& in
the first counci& and ,enera& conference 2hich the! had e$er he&d< as a
>uoru'< in a forei,n nation# After s*endin, se$era& da!s to,ether< Edurin,
2hich ti'e 'uch usiness of i'*ortance 2as transacted for the Church<F it
eca'e necessar! for us a,ain to se*arateC in order to &aor in different
*arts of the $ine!ard 2hich 2ere no2 o*en efore us# I &eft )reston on the
7Mth< acco'*anied ! E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< and $isited the churches ! the
2a!< unti& 2e arri$ed a'on, the Saints in Herefordshire< 2ho 2ere
an/ious&! &oo0in, for '! return# In a fe2 da!s 2e 2ere =oined in our
&aors ! E&der 3i&&ard Richards# 3e too0 &ocations in different *arts of
this ne2 fie&d of &aor< 2hich e/tended throu,h $arious *&aces in
Herefordshire< 3orcestershire< and 5&oucestershire#
3e continued *reachin,< and a*ti4in,< and ad'inisterin, in the
ordinances of the 5os*e& dai&!< unto such as 2ou&d recei$e our testi'on!<
and oe! the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ# Truth 2as 'i,ht! and *re$ai&ed? the
2or0 *ros*ered< and 'u&ti*&ied on e$er! hand< unti& se$era& hundreds<
inc&udin, 'ore than fift! *reachers of $arious sects< 2ere re=oicin, in
the fu&&ness of the e$er&astin, 5os*e&< and fe&t to *raise 5od that the!
had &i$ed to eho&d the da! 2hen the Lord had set His hand to *rune His
$ine!ard once 'ore 2ith a 'i,ht! *runin,< and to esta&ish the 5os*e& in
its ancient *urit! a,ain u*on the face of the earth? and in 'an! instances
si,ns fo&&o2ed the e&ie$er< accordin, to the *ro'ise of the Sa$ior# The
S*irit of 5od acco'*anied the *reachin, of the 2ord to the hearts of 'en#
3ho&e househo&ds< on hearin, the 2ord< ha$e recei$ed it into ,ood and
honest hearts< and ,one forth and recei$ed the ordinances of the 5os*e&?
and fre>uent&! 2e ha$e a*ti4ed fro' ei,ht to t2e&$e the first ti'e of
'eetin, 2ith the *eo*&e in ne2 *&aces< and *reachin, the 2ord of 5od to
the'#
E&der Youn, &aored 2ith us aout one 'onth< durin, 2hich ti'e 'an!
2ere a*ti4ed< confir'ed< and nu'ers ordained to *reach the 5os*e&--and
2hi&e the Saints 2ere 'uch edified< and their hearts 'ade ,&ad 2ith the
teachin, and instruction ! E&der Youn,< I a&so otained 'uch enefit
'!se&f ! en=o!in, his societ!< sittin, under his instruction< and sharin,
in his counse&#
As it eca'e necessar! for E&der Youn, to return to .anchester< to
assist in *re*arin, a co&&ection of h!'ns< and other 'atters< he too0 the
*artin, hand 2ith us on the HDth of .a!? and E&ders Richards and '!se&f
continued our &aors in the $ine!ard< in connection 2ith E&der 1in,ton<
2ho had ,i$en hi'se&f 2ho&&! to the 2or0 of the 'inistr!#
The Lord sti&& continued to &ess our &aors< and added dai&! unto
the Church# Ne2 doors 2ere o*enin, on e$er! hand? and 'u&ti*&icit! of
ca&&s constant&! reached our ears< 'an! of 2hich 2e cou&d not ans2er for
the 2ant of &aorers# Not2ithstandin, there 2ere aout fift! ordained
E&ders and )riests in this *art of the $ine!ard< !et there 2ere e>ua&&! as
'an! *&aces for *reachin, to e attended to u*on the Saath da!# Thus 2e
continued our &aors in this re,ion unti& the ti'e dre2 near for the
,enera& conference in .anchester on the :th of Ju&!#
"ut efore &ea$in, the Saints< 2e considered it 2isdo' to set in
order the church< and or,ani4e the' into ranches and conferences< that
the! 'i,ht e *ro*er&! re*resented efore the ,enera& conference#
Therefore 2e he&d t2o conferences 2ith the Saints efore 2e too0 our
de*arture fro' the'# The first 2as he&d at the 5adfie&d E&' Cha*e&<
3orcestershire< on the 7@th of June< at 2hich ti'e 2e or,ani4ed t2e&$e
ranches< and transacted such usiness as the occasion re>uired# The
Second conference 2as he&d at Stan&e! Hi&&< Herefordshire< on the H7st of
June< t2ent! ranches of the Church 2ere or,ani4ed# The 'inutes of the
ao$e-na'ed conferences I *resent !ou for *u&ication< if !ou thin0
*ro*er#
On the da! fo&&o2in,< E&der Richards and '!se&f too0 our &ea$e of the
Saints at Froo'e+s Hi&&< Herefordshire? ut efore &ea$in, 2e re*aired to
a *oo& three ti'es to a*ti4e and confir' nu'ers that ca'e to us and
re>uested these ordinances at our hands#
E&der Richards &aored in this *art of the $ine!ard aout t2o 'onths<
durin, 2hich ti'e he tra$e&ed e/tensi$e&!< *reached ni,ht and da!< ,a$e
'uch instruction to the Saints ,enera&&!< and had 'an! sou&s as sea&s to
his 'inistr!# I recei$ed 'uch enefit fro' the counse& 2hich he ,a$e in
the or,ani4ation of the churches< and it 2as 'anifest that he had *assed
throu,h a *rofita&e schoo& of e/*erience durin, the three !ears of his
tra$e&s in En,&and? and the interestin, seasons 2e ha$e en=o!ed to,ether
durin, these t2o 'onths< 2i&& not e easi&! erased fro' '! 'e'or!#
It 2as 2ith no ordinar! fe&&in,s that 2e too0 our de*arture fro' the
Saints in Herefordshire on this occasion? for< &ess than four 'onths
since< I *roc&ai'ed the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& in this re,ion for the
first ti'e? ut no2< 2e 2ere &ea$in, et2een fi$e and si/ hundred Saints<
2ho 2ere re=oicin, in the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant< and hundreds of
others 2ho 2ere 2ishin, to hear and oe!# I *arted fro' E&der Richards at
"ir'in,ha'< 2ho 2ent direct to .anchester< 2hi&e I $isited
3est "ro'2ich< and *reached se$era& ti'es to a s'a&& ranch of the
Church 2hich had een raised u* in that *&ace ! E&der Tur&e!< 2ho
a*ti4ed se$era& 2hi&e I 2as there# I a&so attended a conference on the
HNth June< at Han&e!< in the Staffordshire )otteries< in co'*an! 2ith
E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith and others< after 2hich I arri$ed in .anchester#
3ILFORD 3OODRUFF#
.anchester< Ju&! N< 78@D# Saturda!< 77#--The Hi,h Counci& 'et at '!
office< 2hen I tau,ht the' *rinci*&es re&atin, to their dut! as a Counci&<
and that the! 'i,ht e ,uided ! the sa'e in future< I ordered it to e
recorded as fo&&o2s( -That the Counci& shou&d tr! no case 2ithout oth
*arties ein, *resent< or ha$in, had an o**ortunit! to e *resent? neither
shou&d the! hear one *erson+s co'*&aint efore his case is rou,ht u* for
tria&? neither shou&d the! suffer the character of an! one to e e/*osed
efore the Hi,h Counci& 2ithout the *erson ein, *resent and read! to
defend hi' or herse&f? that the 'inds of the counci&ors e not *re=udiced
for or a,ainst an! one 2hose case the! 'a! *ossi&! ha$e to act u*on#-
3i&&ia' "arrett< a,ed 7M< 2as ordained an E&der in Han&e!<
Staffordshire< En,&and< ! E&ders 5eor,e A# S'ith and A&fred Cordon< and
too0 &ea$e for South Austra&ia< ein, the first E&der 2ho 2ent on a
'ission to that countr!#
Sunda!< 7H--E&ias S'ith 2as a**ointed "isho* ! the Hi,h Counci& of
Io2a< in *&ace of A&anson Ri*&e!< re'o$ed to Nau$oo#
.onda!< 79# 1idna**in, of A&anson "ro2n and "en=a'in "o!ce--Affida$it
of Danie& H# 3e&&s# STATE OF ILLINOIS< HANCOC1 COUNTY#
This da! *ersona&&! a**eared efore the undersi,ned< an actin,
=ustice of the *eace< in the aforesaid count!< A&anson "ro2n< 2ho< first
ein, du&! s2orn accordin, to &a2< de*oses and sa!s< that on the Mth da!
of Ju&!< A# D# 78@D< and in the count! of Hancoc0< in said state< 3i&&ia'
A&&ens2orth< H# .# 3ood!ard< 3i&&ia' .artin< John H# O2s&e!< John "ain<
Li,ht T# Tait< and Ha&sa! 3hite< in co'*an! 2ith se$era& other *ersons< to
this affiant un0no2n< forci&! arrested this affiant< and one "en=a'in
"o!ce< 2hi&st affiant and said "o!ce< 2ere >uiet&! *ursuin, their o2n
&a2fu& usiness? and that i''ediate&! after said arrest< the said
A&&ens2orth< 3ood!ard< .artin< O2s&e!< "ain< Tait< and 3hite< did
i&&e,a&&! and forci&! ta0e< 0idna*< and carr! this affiant and said
"o!ce< ound 2ith cords< fro' the said count! of Hancoc0< in said state<
on the da! and !ear ao$e set forth< in the count! of Le2is< in the state
of .issouri< 2ithout ha$in, esta&ished a c&ai' for such a *rocedure<
accordin, to the &a2s of the United States#
Affiant states that in a short ti'e after he 2as ta0en into the state
of .issouri< he 2as *ut into a roo' 2ith said "o!ce< and there 0e*t unti&
aout e&e$en o+c&oc0 the fo&&o2in, ni,ht? 2hen the! 2ere ta0en out of the
roo' 2here the! had een confined< into the 2oods< near at hand< ! said
Tait< a 'an ! the na'e of Huner< and another ! the na'e of .onda!< and
so'e others< 2hose na'e affiant did not &earn? the! *re$ious&! *&aced a
ro*e aout the nec0 of the affiant? Huner and .onda! then *roceeded to
han, the affiant< and did han, hi' for so'e ti'e u*on a tree< unti&
affiant 2as near&! stran,&ed< after 2hich the! &et hi' do2n and &oosened
the ro*e# Short&! after this< affiant heard re*eated &o2s< 2hich
others--e&on,in, to the sa'e ,an, of Huner--2ere inf&ictin, u*on "o!ce<
and he cou&d hear a&so the cries of "o!ce< under the *ain arisin, fro' the
&o2s? after 2hich affiant and "o!ce 2ere ta0en ac0 to the roo' 2here
the! had een confined< in 2hich the! found a 'an ! the na'e of Ro,ers<
and another ! the na'e of A&&red#
Affiant further states that he 2as 0e*t in i'*rison'ent ! the
*ersons heretofore na'ed< and others to hi' un0no2n< unti& Frida! e$enin,
ne/t ensuin, the Tuesda! on 2hich "o!ce and hi'se&f 2ere 0idna**ed< 2hen
he esca*ed out of their hands and returned into the state of I&&inois#
Affiant had &earned that the na'e of the *&ace in said count! of Le2is<
state of .issouri< to 2hich he 2as ta0en fro' the state of I&&inois< is
ca&&ed Tu&&!< to 2hich the said A&&ens2orth< 3ood!ard< .artin< O2s&e!<
"ain< Tait and 3hite< ha$e f&ed as fu,iti$es fro' =ustice< and at 2hich
the! are no2 to e found#
I here! certif! that the fore,oin, affida$it 2as this da! suscried
and du&! s2orn to efore 'e< ! said A&anson "ro2n# DANIEL H# 3ELLS#
Justice of the )eace< Ju&! 79< 78@D#
State'ent of Ja'es A&&red# STATE OF ILLINOIS< HANCOC1 COUNTY# This
da! *ersona&&! a**eared efore the undersi,ned< an actin, Justice of the
)eace< in and for said count!< Ja'es A&&red< a credi&e 2itness< 2ho first
ein, du&! s2orn accordin, to &a2< de*oses and sa!s that 3i&&ia'
A&&ens2orth< John H# O2s&e!< and 3i&&ia' .artin< on the Mth da! of Ju&!<
78@D< 2ithin the &i'its of said count! of Hancoc0< aided ! se$era& other
*ersons< to this affiant un0no2n< forci&! arrested this affiant and one
Noah Ro,ers< 2hi&st the affiant and said Ro,ers 2ere *eacea&! *ursuin,
their o2n &a2fu& usiness? and that the said A&&ens2orth< O2s&e! and
.artin< after said arrest< aided ! sundr! *ersons< to affiant un0no2n<
did forci&! ta0e< 0idna* and carr! this affiant and said Ro,ers fro' the
said count! of Hancoc0 in the state of I&&inois< on the da! and !ear ao$e
'entioned into the state of .issouri< 2ithout ha$in, esta&ished a c&ai'
for such *rocedure accordin, to the &a2s of the United States#
Affiant further states< that in a short ti'e after he had een so
ta0en into the state of .issouri< he 2as *ut into a roo' 2ith said Ro,ers<
and there 0e*t unti& so'e ti'e durin, the fo&&o2in, ni,ht< 2hen the! 2ere
ta0en out of the roo' 2here the! 2ere confined< into the 2oods near !<
and this affiant 2as ound ! the *ersons conductin, hi'< to a tree< he
ha$in, een first forci&! stri**ed ! the' of e$er! *artic&e of c&othin,#
Those ha$in, hi' in char,e then to&d affiant that the! 2ou&d 2hi* hi'? one
of the'< ! the na'e of .onda!< sa!in, to this affiant< -5--d--n !ou< I+&&
cut !ou to the ho&&o2#- The!< ho2e$er< at &ast unound the affiant 2ithout
2hi**in, hi'#
Affiant states that said Ro,ers 2as ta0en =ust e!ond the *&ace 2here
affiant 2as ound 2ith a ro*e around his nec0< and he heard a ,reat nu'er
of &o2s< 2hich he then su**osed< and has since &earned 2ere inf&icted
u*on said Ro,ers< and heard hi' cr! out se$era& ti'es as if in ,reat
a,on!? after 2hich affiant< to,ether 2ith Ro,ers< 2as ta0en ac0 and
*&aced in the roo' fro' 2hich the! 2ere ta0en< to,ether 2ith one "o!ce and
"ro2n< and detained unti& .onda! ne/t succeedin, the da! on 2hich he 2as
0idna**ed? at 2hich ti'e he recei$ed fro' one of the co'*an!< 2ho had
i'*risoned hi'< a *ass*ort< of 2hich the fo&&o2in, is a co*!(
-Tu&&!< .issouri< Ju&! 7H< 78@D# The *eo*&e of Tu&&!< ha$in, ta0en u*
.r# A&&red< 2ith so'e others< and ha$in, e/a'ined into the offenses
co''itted< find nothin, to =ustif! his detention an! &on,er< and ha$e
re&eased hi'# "! order of the co''ittee# -H# .# 3OOD3ARD#-
And then this affiant 2as *er'itted to return ho'e into the state of
I&&inois# This *&ace in .issouri< to 2hich affiant and said Ro,ers 2ere
ta0en< he has &earned is ca&&ed Tu&&!< and is situated in of Le2is< and at
2hich *&ace the said A&&ens2orth< O2s&e! and .artin are no2 &i$in,#
I here! certif! that the for,oin, affida$it 2as this da! suscried<
and du&! s2orn to efore 'e< ! the said Ja'es A&&red# DANIEL H# 3ELLS<
Justice of the )eace#
Action of the Citi4ens of Nau$oo in the .atter of the 1idna**in, of
"ro2n and "o!ce ! the .issourians#
At a 'eetin, of the citi4ens of Nau$oo< Hancoc0 count!< I&&inois<
79th Ju&!< 78@D< Jud,e E&ias Hi,ee 2as ca&&ed to the chair< and Roert "#
Tho'*son 2as a**ointed Secretar!#
On 'otion a co''ittee 2as a**ointed to re*ort reso&utions< e/*ressi$e
of the sense of this 'eetin,< consistin, of the fo&&o2in, *ersons< to
2it#--Isaac 5a&&and< Roert "# Tho'*son< Sidne! Ri,don< and Danie& H#
3e&&s< 2ho retired< and after a short asence< re*orted the fo&&o2in,
*rea'&e and reso&utions< 2hich 2ere unani'ous&! ado*ted--
Re*ort of the Co''ittee on Reso&utions# )REA."LE--The co''ittee
a**ointed to e/*ress the sense of this 'eetin,< in re&ation to the recent
acts of aduction< and other deeds of crue&t! and inhu'anit! co''itted
u*on our citi4ens ! Iso'e ofJ the citi4ens of the state of .issouri< e,
&ea$e res*ectfu&&! to re*ort#
That ha$in, under consideration the *rinci*a& 'atters in$o&$e in the
dischar,e of their dut!< the! ha$e een forced to arri$e at the fo&&o2in,
conc&usions (
First--That the *eo*&e of .issouri< not ha$in, sufficient&! s&ac0ed
their thirst for &ood and *&under< are no2 dis*osed to *ursue us 2ith a
re*etition of the scenes of ruta&it! 2hich 'ar0ed their 2ho&e course of
conduct to2ards us durin, our unha**! residence a'on, the'#
Second--That not2ithstandin, the! ha$e a&read! roed us of our
ho'es< 'urdered our fa'i&ies< sto&en and carried a2a! our *ro*ert!? and to
co'*&ete the 'easure of their infa'! as a state< their e/ecuti$e caused
unoffendin, thousands to e anished fro' the state< 2ithout e$en the for'
of a tria&< or the s&i,htest e$idence of cri'e? the! are no2 sendin, their
,an,s of 'urderin, anditti< and thie$in, ri,ands< to 2rea0 further
$en,eance< and satisf! their insatia&e cu*idit! in the state of I&&inois<
and that too efore 2e ha$e e$en had ti'e to erect she&ters for our
fa'i&ies#
Third--That for the *ur*ose of ,i$in, a se'&ance of =ustification to
their 'ost unha&&o2ed conduct< the *eo*&e of .issouri ha$e a,ain co''enced
concea&in, ,oods 2ithin the &i'its of our sett&e'ents< as the! had done
efore in the state of .issouri< in order to raise a char,e of stea&in,
a,ainst our citi4ens< and under this ,uise the! ha$e 2ithin a fe2 da!s
0idna**ed< and carried a2a!< se$era& honest and 2orth! citi4ens of this
count!#
Fourth--Under these circu'stances the first dut! and the on&! redress
2hich see's to offer itse&f to our consideration is an a**ea& to the
e/ecuti$e of the state of I&&inois< for redress< and *rotection fro'
further in=uries< 2ith a confident assurance that he< un&i0e the ,o$ernor
of .issouri< 2i&& e/tend the e/ecuti$e ar' to *rotect fro' &a2&ess
outra,e< unoffendin, citi4ens# Therefore<
Reso&$ed 7st< That 2e $ie2< 2ith no ordinar! fee&in,s< the
a**roachin, dan,er as a necessar! conse>uence fo&&o2in, the &a2&ess and
outra,eous conduct of the citi4ens of .issouri< in settin, at defiance the
&a2s of this< as 2e&& as of a&& other states in this Union< ! forcin,
fro' their ho'es< and fro' the state< ci$i& citi4ens of I&&inois< and
ta0in, the' into the state of .issouri< 2ithout an! &e,a& *rocess
2hate$er< and there inf&ictin, u*on the' ase crue&ties in order to e/tort
fa&se confessions fro' the'< to ,i$e a co&orin, to their Ethe
.issourians+F ini>uities< and screen the'se&$es fro' the =ust indi,nation
of an incensed *u&ic#
Reso&$ed Hnd&!( That 2hi&e 2e dee*&! de*&ore the cause 2hich has
rou,ht us to,ether on this occasion< 2e cannot refrain fro' e/*ressin,
our 'ost un>ua&ified disa**roation at the infrin,e'ent of the &a2s of
this state< as set forth in the ao$e )rea'&e< and stron,est indi,nation
at the 'anner in 2hich the *eo*&e of .issouri treated those 2ho' the! had
thus inhu'an&! ta0en fro' a'on, us#
Reso&$ed 9rd&!( That inas'uch as 2e are conscious of our honest and
u*ri,ht intentions< and are at a&& ti'es read! and 2i&&in, to su'it to
the =ust re>uire'ents of the &a2s< 2e c&ai' of the citi4ens and
authorities of this state< *rotection fro' such un=ust and< efore<
unheard of o**ressions#
Reso&$ed @th&!( That the forci&e aduction of our citi4ens ! the
citi4ens of .issouri< is a $io&ation of the &a2s re,u&atin, the federa&
co'*act< su$ersi$e to the ri,hts of free'en< and contrar! to our free
institutions< and re*u&ican *rinci*&es#
Reso&$ed< Gth&!( That the crue&ties *racticed u*on our citi4ens<
since their aduction< is dis,racefu& to hu'anit!? the hei,ht of in=ustice
and o**ression< and 2ou&d dis,race the anna&s of the 'ost ararous
nations< in either ancient or 'odern ti'es? and can on&! find its *ara&&e&
in the -Auto da Fe---the in>uisitions in S*ain#
Reso&$ed< :th&!( That such unconstitutiona& and unha&&o2ed
*roceedin,s on the *art of the citi4ens of .issouri< ou,ht to arouse e$er!
*atriot to e/ertion and di&i,ence to *ut a sto* to such *rocedure< and use
a&& constitutiona& 'eans to rin, the offenders to =ustice#
Reso&$ed< Mth&!( That 2e 'e'oria&i4e the E/ecuti$e of this state< of
the ,ross outra,e 2hich has een co''itted on our citi4ens? and *&ed,e
ourse&$es to aid hi' in such 'easures as 'a! e dee'ed necessar! to
restore our citi4ens to freedo'< and ha$e satisfaction for the 2ron,s 2e
ha$e suffered# ELIAS HI5"EE< Chair'an< R# "# THO.)SON< Secretar!#
.e'oria& to 5o$ernor Car&in# To his E/ce&&enc! 5o$ernor Car&in(--The
undersi,ned ein, a co''ittee to draft a .e'oria& to !our E/ce&&enc!
re&ati$e to the recent outra,es< 2ou&d res*ectfu&&! re*resent? that after
ein, dri$en fro' our ho'es< and *&easant *&aces of aode< in the state of
.issouri< ! the authorities of said state< I&&inois see'ed to e the
first she&ter or as!&u' 2hich *resented itse&f to our $ie2? that ha$in,
&eft the state of .issouri< !our 'e'oria&ists found an as!&u' in the state
of I&&inois? and not2ithstandin, the fa&se re*orts 2hich 2ere circu&ated
to our *re=udice< 2e 2ere recei$ed 2ith 0indness ! the no&e hearted
citi4ens of I&&inois? 2ho re&ie$ed our necessities< and ade us 2e&co'e?
for 2hich 0indness 2e fee& than0fu&#
That under !our E/ce&&enc!+s ad'inistration< 2e ha$e had e$er!
encoura,e'ent ,i$en us< and ha$e e$er! reason< fro' the 0indness and
s!'*ath! 2hich !ou ha$e e$er 'anifested to2ards us in our sufferin,s< to
fee& confident that !our aid 2i&& e$er e offered to us in co''on 2ith the
rest of the citi4ens of the state# That fee&in, ourse&$es so ha**! and
secure< and e,innin, a,ain to en=o! the co'forts of &ife< 2e are sorr! to
sa! that our >uiet has een distured< our fears a&ar'ed< and our fa'i&ies
anno!ed ! the citi4ens of .issouri? 2ho< 2ith 'a&ice and hatred< 2hich is
characteristic of the'< ha$e unconstitutiona&&! sent an ar'ed force and
aducted so'e of our friends< na'e&!< Ja'es A&&red<
Noah Ro,ers< A&anson "ro2n< and one "o!ce< and carried the' into the
state of .issouri< and treated the' 2ith the ,reatest ararit! and
crue&t!? e$en no2 their 2i$es and chi&dren< as 2e&& as their friends< are
a&ar'ed for the safet! of their &i$es#
Therefore 2e ha$e fe&t it our dut! to *&ace the circu'stances of this
unheard-of outra,e efore !ou< and a**ea& to !our E/ce&&enc! for
*rotection fro' such 'arauders< and ta0e such 'easures as !ou 'a! dee'
*ro*er< that our friends 'a! e a,ain restored to the oso' of their
fa'i&ies< and the offenders *unished for their cri'es#
3e ha$e the ,reatest confidence in !our E/ce&&enc!< that e$er!
constitutiona& 'eans 2i&& e resorted to< to restore our friends to the
societ! of their fa'i&ies< Pc#< that 2e< in co''on 2ith other citi4ens of
the state of I&&inois< 'a! en=o! a&& the ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es of free'en#
Your 'e'oria&ists ha$e under a&& circu'stances *aid the ,reatest
res*ect to the &a2s of the countr!< and if an! shou&d rea0 the sa'e< the!
ha$e ne$er fe&t a dis*osition to screen such fro' =ustice< ut 2hen under
fa&se *retenses< to ,ratif! and satiate a re$en,efu& dis*osition--for the
citi4ens of another state< re,ard&ess of oth the &a2s of 5od and 'an< to
co'e and 0idna* our friends< to carr! off our citi4ens to crue&&! treat
our rethren? such offenders< 2e thin0< shou&d e rou,ht to an account<
to e dea&t 2ith accordin, to their 'erit or de'erit? that 2e 'a! en=o!
the *ri$i&e,es ,uaranteed to us ! the Constitution of the United States#
3e therefore hu'&! *ra! that !our E/ce&&enc! 2i&& satisf! !ourse&f
of the ,ross outra,e 2hich has een co''itted on the citi4ens of the
state< and 2ith that ener,! 2hich is so characteristic of !our
E/ce&&enc!+s ad'inistration< ta0e such ste*s as !ou 'a! dee' est
ca&cu&ated to re*air the in=uries 2hich !our 'e'oria&ists ha$e sustained?
that !ou 2i&& $indicate the in=ured &a2s of the state#
In conc&usion< 2e e, &ea$e to assure !our E/ce&&enc!< that in the
dischar,e of this< as 2e&& as e$er! other constitutiona& 'o$e'ent< !ou 'a!
re&! u*on the heart! coo*eration of !our 'e'oria&ists< 2ho res*ectfu&&!
su'it to !our E/ce&&enc! the acco'*an!in, Reso&utions< 2hich 2ere *assed
at a &ar,e 'eetin, he&d in this *&ace on this da!< and a&so the affida$it
of one of those *ersons 2ho 2as 0idna**ed< ut fortunate&! has 'ade his
esca*e#
CHA)TER I6#
THE RETURN OF A )RODI5AL--CONDITIONS IN 1IRTLAND---)RO5RESS OF THE
3OR1 IN 5REAT "RITAIN--THE CO.IN5 OF JOHN C# "ENNETT#
AUSTRALIAN .ISSION# E/tract of a Letter fro' E&der 3i&&ia' "arratt#
DE)TFORD< Ju&! 7G< 78@D# DEAR "ROTHER IN CHRIST(--I 2rite to infor' !ou
of '! arri$a& in the 'etro*o&is this 'ornin,< after a tedious =ourne! in
the 'idst of 'uch *rofaneness and s2earin,< such as I ne$er heard in '!
&ife efore# I fee&< as the A*ost&e e/*resses it< &i0e a &a' a'on,
2o&$es< ,oin, into a &and of stran,ers to *reach the 5os*e&? therefore I
desire !our *ra!ers in '! eha&f# I ha$e 2itnessed 'uch of the s*irit of
re$e&ation since Sunda!? in fact< I on&! thou,ht it a 'ere thou,ht< 2hen
the E&ders testified that the! 2ere ca&&ed ! re$e&ation? ut no2 I 0no2
the truth of the assertion< 2hich *ro$es to 'e 2ho ou,ht to *reach< and
that none ou,ht< 2ithout the! are ca&&ed ! re$e&ation# 5i$e '! &o$e to
a&& the Saints< and te&& the' that as 'an! as re'ain faithfu& I 2i&& 'eet
in ;ion< rin,in, '! shea$es 2ith 'e# Te&& the' '! faith is fi/ed< and '!
reso&ution is stron, to 'eet !ou a&& there 2ho' I &o$e in the Lord# )ra!
that a door 'a! e o*ened< and that a ,ift of utterance 'a! e ,i$en unto
'e in a forei,n &and to *reach the 5os*e&# "rethren< sorro2 not for 'e< as
those that ha$e no ho*e< for 2e ha$e a ho*e of &i$in, and eatin, to,ether
in the 0in,do' of our 5od#
Frida!< 7M#--"! '! su,,estion< Hi,h Counci& $oted that Sa'ue& "ent
and 5eor,e 3# Harris ,o on a 'ission to *rocure 'one! for *rintin, certain
oo0s#
Saturda!< 78#--E&ias S'ith 2as ordained a "isho*#
Sunda!< 7N#--An ans2er to "ri,ha' Youn,+s &etter of the 7Mth of .a!
2as sent ! Loren4o Sno2< 2hich ,a$e the T2e&$e *er'ission to *u&ish the
"oo0 of .or'on< Doctrine and Co$enants< and h!'n oo0< ut not to ordain
an! into the >uoru' of the Se$enties? and &i0e2ise so'e ,enera&
instructions#
.onda!< HD#--E&der John .oon and co'*an! arri$ed in Ne2 Yor0 ein,
the first arri$a& of Saints in A'erica#
3ednesda!< HH# The )ro*het+s Letter to 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s--3e&co'in,
hi' ac0 into the Church#
NAU%OO< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< Ju&! HH< 78@D#
DEAR "ROTHER )HEL)S(--I 'ust sa! that it is 2ith no ordinar! fee&in,s
I endea$or to 2rite a fe2 &ines to !ou in ans2er to !ours of the HNth
u&ti'o? at the sa'e ti'e I a' re=oiced at the *ri$i&e,e ,ranted 'e#
You 'a! in so'e 'easure rea&i4e 2hat '! fee&in,s< as 2e&& as E&der
Ri,don+s and "rother H!ru'+s 2ere< 2hen 2e read !our &etter--tru&! our
hearts 2ere 'e&ted into tenderness and co'*assion 2hen 2e ascertained !our
reso&$es< Pc# I can assure !ou I fee& a dis*osition to act on !our case in
a 'anner that 2i&& 'eet the a**roation of Jeho$ah+ E2hose ser$ant I a'F<
and a,reea&e to the *rinci*&es of truth and ri,hteousness 2hich ha$e een
re$ea&ed? and inas'uch as &on,-sufferin,< *atience< and 'erc! ha$e e$er
characteri4ed the dea&in,s of our hea$en&! Father to2ards the hu'&e and
*enitent< I fee& dis*osed to co*! the e/a'*&e< cherish the sa'e
*rinci*&es< and ! so doin, e a Sa$ior of '! fe&&o2 'en#
It is true< that 2e ha$e suffered 'uch in conse>uence of !our
eha$ior--the cu* of ,a&&< a&read! fu&& enou,h for 'orta&s to drin0< 2as
indeed fi&&ed to o$erf&o2in, 2hen !ou turned a,ainst us# One 2ith 2ho' 2e
had oft ta0en s2eet counse& to,ether< and en=o!ed 'an! refreshin, seasons
fro' the Lord---had it een an ene'!< 2e cou&d ha$e orne it#- -In the da!
that thou stoodest on the other side< in the da! 2hen stran,ers carried
a2a! ca*ti$e his forces< and forei,ners entered into his ,ates< and cast
&ots u*on IFar 3estJ< e$en thou 2ast as one of the'? that thou shou&dest
not ha$e &oo0ed on the da! of th! rother< in the da! that he eca'e a
stran,er< neither shou&dst thou ha$e s*o0en *roud&! in the da! of
distress#-
Ho2e$er< the cu* has een drun0< the 2i&& of our Father has een
done< and 2e are !et a&i$e< for 2hich 2e than0 the Lord# And ha$in, een
de&i$ered fro' the hands of 2ic0ed 'en ! the 'erc! of our 5od< 2e sa! it
is !our *ri$i&e,e to e de&i$ered fro' the *o2ers of the ad$ersar!< e
rou,ht into the &iert! of 5od+s dear chi&dren< and a,ain ta0e !our stand
a'on, the Saints of the .ost Hi,h< and ! di&i,ence< hu'i&it!< and &o$e
unfei,ned< co''end !ourse&f to our 5od< and !our 5od< and to the Church of
Jesus Christ#
"e&ie$in, !our confession to e rea&< and !our re*entance ,enuine< I
sha&& e ha**! once a,ain to ,i$e !ou the ri,ht hand of fe&&o2shi*< and
re=oice o$er the returnin, *rodi,a&#
Your &etter 2as read to the Saints &ast Sunda!< and an e/*ression of
their fee&in, 2as ta0en< 2hen it 2as unani'ous&!
Reso&$ed< That 3# 3# )he&*s shou&d e recei$ed into fe&&o2shi*#
-Co'e on< dear rother< since the 2ar is *ast< For friends at first<
are friends a,ain at &ast#-
Yours as e$er< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
Credentia&s of E&ders Sa'ue& "ent and 5eor,e 3# Harris# To a&& 2ho'
it 'a! concern(--This is to certif! that E&ders Sa'ue& "ent and 5eor,e 3#
Harris are authori4ed a,ents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< ein, a**ointed ! the First )residenc! and Hi,h Counci& of said
Church to $isit the ranches of the Church in the east< or 2here$er the!
'a! e &ed in the *ro$idence of 5od< to otain donations and suscri*tions
for the *ur*ose of *rintin, the "oo0 of .or'on< Doctrine and Co$enants<
h!'n oo0s< the ne2 trans&ation of the Scri*tures# The! are &i0e2ise
instructed and authori4ed to *rocure &oans in eha&f of the Church< for
carr!in, into o*eration the ao$e and other i'*ortant 2or0s necessar! to
the 2e&& ein, of said Church#
Fro' our &on, ac>uaintance 2ith these our e&o$ed rethren< their
&on,< tried friendshi* under circu'stances the 'ost tr!in, and *ainfu& <
their 4ea& for the cause of truth< and their strict 'ora&it! and honest!
2e 'ost cheerfu&&! reco''end the' to the Saints of the .ost Hi,h# An!
state'ents the! 'a! 'a0e re&ati$e to their 'ission 'a! e i'*&icit&!
re&ied u*on< and an! &oans 2hich the! 'a! otain< 2i&& e considered
indin, on the Church# And 2e do ho*e the Saints 2i&& do a&& In their
*o2er to effect the o=ect *ro*osed< and &ift u* the hands of our e&o$ed
rethren 2ho ha$e cheerfu&&! co'e for2ard to en,a,e in a 2or0 so ,reat and
i'*ortant# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< )resident# H!ru' S'ith< 3i&&ia' .ar0s<
Ne2e& 1ni,ht< E&ias Hi,ee< A&*heus Cut&er# Da$id Dort< Henr! 5# Sher2ood<
Char&es C# Rich< Da$id Fu&&'er< Se!'our "runson< Tho'as 5ro$er< 3i&&ia'
Huntin,ton< Le2is D# 3i&son#
The )ro*het+s Letter to O&i$er 5ran,er--Dea&in, Chief&! 2ith Affairs
at 1irt&and#
"rother 5ran,er( DEAR SIR(--It 2as 2ith ,reat *&easure I recei$ed
!our and "rother Richards+ &etter< dated Ne2 Yor0< June H9< 78@D< and 2as
$er! ha**! to e infor'ed of !our safe arri$a& in that *&ace< and !our
*roai&it! of success? and I do ho*e that !our antici*ations 2i&& e
rea&i4ed< and that !ou 2i&& e ena&ed to free the Lord+s House fro' a&&
incu'rances< and e *ros*ered in a&& !our underta0in,s for the enefit of
the Church? and *ra! that 2hi&e !ou are e/ertin, !our inf&uence to rin,
aout an o=ect so desira&e< that the choicest &essin,s of hea$en 'a!
rest do2n u*on !ou< 2hi&e !ou are endea$orin, to do so< and attendin, to
the duties &aid u*on !ou ! the authorities of the Church in this *&ace#
I a' sorr! to e infor'ed not on&! in !our &etter< ut fro' other
res*ecta&e sources< of the stran,e conduct *ursued in 1irt&and ! E&der
A&'on 3# "aitt# I a' indeed sur*rised that a 'an ha$in, the e/*erience
2hich "rother "aitt has had< shou&d ta0e an! ste*s 2hate$er< ca&cu&ated
to destro! the confidence of the rethren in the )residenc! or an! of the
authorities of the Church#
In order to conduct the affairs of the 1in,do' in ri,hteousness< it
is a&& i'*ortant that the 'ost *erfect har'on!< 0ind fee&in,< ,ood
understandin,< and confidence shou&d e/ist in the hearts of a&& the
rethren? and that true charit!< &o$e one to2ards another< shou&d
characteri4e a&& their *roceedin,s# If there are an! uncharita&e
fee&in,s< an! &ac0 of confidence< then *ride< arro,ance and en$! 2i&& soon
e 'anifested? confusion 'ust ine$ita&! *re$ai&< and the authorities of
the Church set at nau,ht? and under such circu'stances< 1irt&and cannot
rise and free herse&f fro' the ca*ti$it! in 2hich she is he&d< and eco'e
a *&ace of safet! for the Saints< nor can the &essin,s of Jeho$ah rest
u*on her#
If the Saints in 1irt&and dee' 'e un2orth! of their *ra!ers 2hen the!
asse'&e to,ether< and ne,&ect to ear 'e u* at the throne of hea$en&!
,race< it is a stron, and con$incin, *roof to 'e that the! ha$e not the
S*irit of 5od# If the re$e&ations 2e ha$e recei$ed are true< 2ho is to
&ead the *eo*&eB If the 0e!s of the 1in,do' ha$e een co''itted to '!
hands< 2ho sha&& o*en out the '!steries thereofB
As &on, as '! rethren stand ! 'e and encoura,e 'e< I can co'at he
*re=udices of the 2or&d< and can ear the contu'e&! and ause 2ith =o!?
ut 2hen '! rethren stand a&oof< 2hen the! e,in to faint< and endea$or
to retard '! *ro,ress and enter*rise< then I fee& to 'ourn< ut a' no &ess
deter'ined to *rosecute '! tas0< ein, confident that a&thou,h '! earth&!
friends 'a! fai&< and e$en turn a,ainst 'e< !et '! Hea$en&! Father 2i&&
ear 'e off triu'*hant#
Ho2e$er< I ho*e that e$en in 1irt&and there are so'e 2ho do not 'a0e
a 'an an offender for a 2ord< ut are dis*osed to stand forth in defense
of ri,hteousness and truth< and attend to e$er! dut! en=oined u*on the'?
and 2ho 2i&& ha$e 2isdo' to direct the' a,ainst an! 'o$e'ent or inf&uence
ca&cu&ated to rin, confusion and discord into the ca'* of Israe&< and to
discern et2een the s*irit of truth and the s*irit of error#
It 2ou&d e ,ratif!in, to '! 'ind to see the Saints in 1irt&and
f&ourish< ut thin0 the ti'e is not !et co'e? and I assure !ou it ne$er
2i&& unti& a different order of thin,s e esta&ished and a different
s*irit 'anifested# 3hen confidence is restored< 2hen *ride sha&& fa&&< and
e$er! as*irin, 'ind e c&othed 2ith hu'i&it! as 2ith a ,ar'ent< and
se&fishness ,i$e *&ace to ene$o&ence and charit!< and a united
deter'ination to &i$e ! e$er! 2ord 2hich *roceedeth out of the 'outh of
the Lord is oser$a&e< then< and not ti&& then< can *eace< order and &o$e
*re$ai&#
It is in conse>uence of as*irin, 'en that 1irt&and has een forsa0en#
Ho2 fre>uent&! has !our hu'&e ser$ant een en$ied in his office ! such
characters< 2ho endea$ored to raise the'se&$es to *o2er at his e/*ense<
and seein, it i'*ossi&e to do so< resorted to fou& s&ander and ause< and
other 'eans to effect his o$erthro2# Such characters ha$e e$er een the
first to cr! out a,ainst the )residenc!< and *u&ish their fau&ts and
foi&es to the four 2inds of hea$en#
I cannot for,et the treat'ent I recei$ed in the house of '! friends#
These thin,s continua&&! ro&& across '! 'ind< and cause 'e 'uch sorro2 of
heart? and 2hen I thin0 that others 2ho ha$e &ate&! co'e into the Church
shou&d e &ed to 1irt&and instead of to this *&ace< ! E&der "aitt? and
ha$in, their confidence in the authorities &essened ! such oser$ations
as he EE&der "aittF has thou,ht *ro*er to 'a0e< as 2e&& as hearin, a&&
the fa&se re*orts and e/a,,erated accounts of our ene'ies--I 'ust sa! that
I fee& ,rie$ed in s*irit< and cannot to&erate such *roceedin,s--neither
2i&& I? ut 2i&& endea$or to disause the 'inds of the Saints< and rea0
do2n a&& such una&&o2ed *roceedin,s#
It 2as so'ethin, ne2 to 'e 2hen I heard there had een secret
'eetin,s he&d in the Lord+s House< and that so'e of '! friends--faithfu&
rethren--'en en=o!in, the confidence of the Church< shou&d e &oc0ed out#
Such *roceedin,s are not ca&cu&ated to *ro'ote union< or *eace< ut to
en,ender strife? and 2i&& e a curse instead of a &essin,# To those 2ho
are !oun, in the 2or0< I 0no2 the! are ca&cu&ated to e< and 'ust e<
in=urious# Those 2ho ha$e had e/*erience< and 2ho shou&d 0no2 etter than
to ref&ect on their rethren--there is no e/cuse for the'#
If "rother "aitt and the other rethren 2ish to refor' the Church<
and co'e out and 'a0e a stand a,ainst sin and s*ecu&ation< Pc#< the! 'ust
use other 2ea*ons than &ies< or their o=ect can ne$er e effected?
and their &aors 2i&& e ,i$en to the house of the stran,er< rather
than to the House of the Lord#
The *roceedin,s of "rother "aitt 2ere ta0en into consideration at a
'eetin, of the Church at this *&ace< 2hen it 2as unani'ous&! reso&$ed<
that fe&&o2shi* shou&d e 2ithdra2n fro' hi' unti& he 'a0e satisfaction
for the course he has *ursued< of 2hich circu'stance I 2ish !ou to a**rise
hi' 2ithout de&a!< and de'and his &icense#
Dear sir< I 2ish !ou to stand in !our &ot< and 0ee* the station 2hich
2as ,i$en !ou ! re$e&ation and the authorities of the Church# Attend to
the affairs of the Church 2ith di&i,ence< and then rest assured of the
&essin,s of hea$en# It is indin, on !ou to act as *resident of the
Church in 1irt&and< unti& !ou are re'o$ed ! the sa'e authorit! 2hich *ut
!ou in? and I do ho*e there 2i&& e no cause for o**osition< ut that ,ood
fee&in, 2i&& e 'anifested in future ! a&& the rethren#
"rother "urdic0+s &etter to "rother H!ru' 2as du&! recei$ed< for
2hich he has our est than0s? it 2as indeed an ad'ira&e &etter< and
2orth! of its author# The senti'ents e/*ressed 2ere in accordance 2ith the
s*irit of the 5os*e&< and the *rinci*&es are correct#
I a' ,&ad that "rother Richards has continued 2ith !ou< and ho*e he
has een of so'e ser$ice to !ou# 5i$e '! &o$e to hi'#
Our *ros*ects in this *&ace continue ,ood# Considera&e nu'ers ha$e
co'e in this s*rin,# There 2ere so'e ic0erin,s res*ectin, !our conduct
soon after !our de*arture< ut the! ha$e a&& &o2n o$er< and I ho*e there
2i&& ne$er e an! occasion for an! 'ore? ut that !ou 2i&& co''end
!ourse&f to 5od and to the Saints ! a $irtuous 2a&0 and ho&!
con$ersation#
I had a &etter fro' 3i&&ia' 3# )he&*s a fe2 da!s a,o< infor'in, 'e of
his desire to co'e ac0 to the Church< if 2e 2ou&d acce*t of hi'# He
a**ears $er! hu'&e< and is 2i&&in, to 'a0e e$er! satisfaction that Saints
or 5od 'a! re>uire#
3e e/*ect to ha$e an edition of the "oo0 of .or'on *rinted ! the
first of Se*te'er? it is no2 ein, stereot!*ed in Cincinnati# I a'< Pc#<
Pc#< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
An interestin, 'e'oria& concernin, the Je2s< -To the )rotestant
)o2ers of Euro*e and A'erica<- si,ned and sea&ed in London the 8th of
Januar!< 789N< 'a! e found in the .i&&ennia& Star< %o&# I< No# :#
Sunda!< H@#--E&der 3i&&ia' Dona&dson< 'e'er of the "ritish ar'!
ound for the East Indies< 2rites fro' Chatha'< H@th of Ju&!< -3e ,o on
oard to'orro2# I ha$e had a ,&orious $ision aout ,oin, into the &and of
E,!*t#-
Saturda!< HG#
Letter of John C# "ennett to Jose*h S'ith and Sidne!
Ri,don--Announcin, His Intention to Join the Saints#
FAIRFIELD< ILLINOIS< Ju&! HG< 78@D#
RE%EREND AND DEAR FRIENDS(--The &ast ti'e I 2rote !ou 2as durin, the
*endenc! of !our difficu&ties 2ith the .issourians# You are a2are that at
that ti'e I he&d the office of -"ri,adier-5enera& of the In$inci&e
Dra,oons- of this state< and *roffered !ou '! entire ener,ies for !our
de&i$erance fro' a ruth&ess and sa$a,e< thou,h co2ard&! foe? ut the Lord
ca'e to !our rescue< and sa$ed !ou 2ith a *o2erfu& ar'# I a' ha**! to find
that !ou are no2 in a ci$i&i4ed &and< and in the en=o!'ent of *eace and
ha**iness#
So'e 'onths a,o I resi,ned '! office 2ith an intention of re'o$in, to
!our to2n< and =oinin, !our *eo*&e? ut hitherto I ha$e een *re$ented# I
ho*e< ho2e$er< to re'o$e to Co''erce< and unite 2ith !our Church ne/t
s*rin,# I e&ie$e I shou&d e 'uch ha**ier 2ith !ou# I ha$e 'an! thin,s to
co''unicate 2hich I 2ou&d *refer doin, ora&&!? and I *ro*ose to 'eet !ou
in S*rin,fie&d on the first .onda! in Dece'er ne/t< as I sha&& e there
at the ti'e on state and United States usiness#
If I re'o$e to Co''erce< I e/*ect to fo&&o2 '! *rofession< and to
that end I enc&ose !ou a s&i* fro' the Louis$i&&e Journa&< to ,i$e !ou an
idea of '! *rofessiona& standin,#
On the first of this 'onth I 2as a**ointed to the office of
-Auarter'aster-5enera& of the State of I&&inois<- 2hich office I e/*ect to
ho&d so'e !ears#
I ho*e !ou are a&& >uite 2e&&# In haste# 3rite 'e i''ediate&!# Yours
res*ectfu&&!< JOHN C# "ENNETT#
To .essrs# S'ith and Ri,don#
.onda!< HM#
Letter of John C# "ennett to .essrs# S'ith and Ri,don--.a0in, Further
Tender of his Ser$ices to the Church#
AUARTER.ASTER-5ENERAL+S OFFICE< FAIRFIELD< ILLINOIS< Ju&! HM< 78@D#
To the Re$erends Sidne! Ri,don and Jose*h S'ith< Jun#(
RES)ECTED FRIENDS(--I 2rote !ou a fe2 da!s a,o fro' this *&ace< ut
'! ,reat desire to e 2ith !ou and !our *eo*&e *ro'*ts 'e to 2rite a,ain
at this ti'e? and I ho*e it 2i&& not e considered otrusi$e ! friends
2ho' I ha$e a&2a!s so hi,h&! estee'ed as !ourse&$es#
At the &ast District and Circuit Court of the United States< ho&den
at S*rin,fie&d< in June &ast< I had the honor of ein, on the ,rand
in>uest of the United States for the District of I&&inois< and ho*ed to
ha$e seen !ou there? ut 2as >uite disa**ointed# I attended the 'eetin, of
!our *eo*&e o**osite .r# Lo2r!+s hote&< ut did not 'a0e '!se&f 0no2n< as
I had no *ersona& ac>uaintance in the con,re,ation#
It 2ou&d e '! de&ierate ad$ice to !ou to concentrate a&& of !our
Church at one *oint# If Hancoc0 count!< 2ith Co''erce for its co''ercia&
e'*oriu'< is to e that *oint< 2e&&? fi/ u*on it< and &et us coo*erate
2ith a ,enera& concerted action# You can re&! u*on 'e in an! e$ent# I a'
2ith !ou in s*irit< and 2i&& e in *erson as soon as circu'stances *er'it<
and i''ediate&! if it is !our desire# 3ea&th is no 'ateria& o=ect 2ith
'e# I desire to e ha**!< and a' fu&&! satisfied that can en=o! '!se&f
etter 2ith !our *eo*&e< 2ith '! *resent $ie2s and fee&in,s< than 2ith an!
other# I ho*e that ti'e 2i&& soon co'e 2hen !our *eo*&e 2i&& eco'e '!
*eo*&e< and !our 5od '! 5od#
At the ti'e of !our *eri& and itter *ersecution in .issouri< !ou are
a2are I *roffered !ou '! ut'ost ener,ies< and had not the conf&ict
ter'inated so s*eedi&!< I shou&d ha$e een 2ith !ou then# 5od e than0ed
for !our rescue fro' the hand of a sa$a,e< ut co2ard&! foeK I do not
e/*ect to resi,n '! office of -Auarter'aster-5enera& of the State of
I&&inois- in the e$ent of '! re'o$a& to Co''erce< un&ess !ou ad$ise
other2ise# I sha&& &i0e2ise e/*ect to *ractice '! *rofession? ut at the
sa'e ti'e !our *eo*&e sha&& ha$e a&& the enefit of '! s*ea0in, *o2ers<
and '! untirin, ener,ies in eha&f of the ,ood and ho&! faith# Un
necessariis unitas< in non necessariis &iertas< in o'nius charitas<
sha&& e '! 'otto 2ith--Sua$iter in 'odo< fortiter in re#
"e so ,ood as to infor' 'e sustantia&&! of the *o*u&ation of
Co''erce and Hancoc0 count!< the face of the countr!< c&i'ate< soi&<
hea&th< Pc#< Pc# Ho2 'an! of !our *eo*&e are concentrated thereB )&ease to
2rite 'e in fu&& i''ediate&!# Louis$i&&e *a*er 2i&& acco'*an! this? *&ease
in>uire for it#
3ith senti'ents of *rofound res*ect and estee'< suffer 'e to
suscrie '!se&f< Yours res*ectfu&&!< JOHN C# "ENNETT#
E&der John Ta!&or sai&ed for Ire&and fro' Li$er*oo&#O Tuesda!< H8#
Letter of the )ro*het to Horace R# Hotch0iss--Roc0 Ri$er Lands and
the 3hite )urchase#
NAU%OO< Ju&! H8< 78@D#
Horace R# Hotch0iss< Es>#(
DEAR SIR(--I ac0no2&ed,e the recei*t of !ours of &ast 'onth< ,i$in,
'e the nu'ers of the &and on Roc0 Ri$er< 2hich !ou fe&t dis*osed to se&&#
In re*&! to 2hich I ha$e to sa!< that 2e ha$e not !et e/a'ined the &and<
and conse>uent&! ha$e not arri$ed at an! conc&usion res*ectin, it? ut it
is *roa&e that so'e of '! friends 2i&& $isit it this fa&&< and if 2e
shou&d thin0 it 2isdo' to &ocate there< or on the other tract< !ou 2i&& e
infor'ed of the sa'e< and arran,e'ents entered into#
I a' sorr! that !our hea&th has een so *oor< ut ho*e< ere this< !ou
are *erfect&! reco$ered# It 2ou&d afford 'e ,reat *&easure indeed< cou&d I
ho&d out an! *ros*ect of the t2o notes due ne/t 'onth ein, 'et at
'aturit!< or e$en this fa&&# Ha$in, had considera&e difficu&t!
Enecessari&! conse>uent on a ne2 sett&e'entF to contend 2ith< as 2e&& as
*o$ert! and considera&e sic0ness< our first *a!'ent 2i&& e *roa&!
so'e2hat de&a!ed< unti& 2e a,ain ,et a ,ood start in the 2or&d? and I a'
ha**! to sa!< the *ros*ect is indeed fa$ora&e# Under these circu'stances
2e sha&& ha$e to c&ai' !our indu&,ence< 2hich I ha$e no dout 2i&& e
e/tended# Ho2e$er< e$er! e/ertion on our *art sha&& e 'ade to 'eet the
de'ands a,ainst us< so that if 2e cannot acco'*&ish a&& 2e 2ish to< it
2i&& e our 'isfortune< and not our fau&t# Not2ithstandin, the
i'*o$erished condition of our *eo*&e< and the ad$erse circu'stances under
2hich 2e ha$e had to &aor< I ho*e 2e sha&& e$entua&&! rise ao$e the'<
and a,ain en=o! the &essin,s of hea&th< *eace< and *&ent!#
You 2ere infor'ed in a for'er &etter that 2e had *aid .r# 3i&&ia'
3hite the one thousand do&&ars s*ecified in !our ond? a fe2 da!s a,o e
ca&&ed at this *&ace and a,reed to ,i$e us a deed for the ninet! acres<
E&ess one-ha&f acreF< *ro$idin, I 2ou&d ,i$e hi' an identif!in, ond< and
*a! the interest due fro' !ou to hi' on the one thousand do&&ars< 2hich I
a,reed to do I ha$e therefore ,ot the deed for the &and< and *aid hi' the
interest# .! reasons for so doin, 2ere these( there are so'e 2ho 2ish to
*urchase &ots< *ro$idin, the! can ,et a ,ood tit&e deed for the sa'e< and
2ho 2ou&d e induced to 'a0e *urchases and 'a0e an effort to raise 'one!<
for the sa0e of ,ettin, a deed? 2hich effort the! 2ou&d not e so &i0e&!
to 'a0e if 2e cou&d on&! ,i$e the' a ond# This I thin0 2i&& 2or0 oth to
!our ad$anta,e and ours< and ho*e that 2e sha&& e a&e ! and ! to 'a0e
so'e cash sa&es#
I ho*e this arran,e'ent 2ith .r# 3hite 2i&& 'eet !our a**roation<
a&thou,h it is a de*arture fro' the co''on ru&es of usiness? ut 2as
induced to do so fro' the ad$anta,es 2hich 2i&& resu&t fro' it< 2hich I
ho*e 2i&& e 'utua&# The a'ount of interest *aid to .r# 3hite< after
deductin, R:7#GD< 2hich 2as co'in, fro' hi' to !ou for rents< 2as
ei,ht!-four do&&ars and fort! cents# .r# 3hite to&d us that !ou a,reed to
*a! hi' as 'uch interest for the 'one! as he cou&d ,et e&se2here# 3e
accordin,&! Ein ,ood faithF a&&o2ed hi' at the rate of ten *er cent#
Ho*in, the course *ursued 2i&& 'eet !our a**roation#
I a'< res*ectfu&&!< !our oedient ser$ant< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
)# S#--You 2i&& reco&&ect the $era& a,ree'ent entered into ! us<
that the notes for the interest 2ou&d not e e/acted for at &east fi$e
!ears# Not2ithstandin, 2hich< 2e use our endea$ors to 'eet the' as fast as
*ossi&e< and thin0 that 2hen I ha$e the *&easure of seein, !ou a,ain< !ou
2i&& e fu&&! satisfied 2ith the course 2e ha$e ta0en< and our endea$ors
to 'eet a&& our en,a,e'ents# J# S#< JUN#
Thursda!< 9D# Letter of John C# Rennett to .essrs# S'ith and
Ri,don--E/*ressin, An/iet! to e 2ith the Saints# FAIRFIELD< 3AYNE COUNTY<
I&&inois< Ju&! 9Dth< 78@D# To Re$erends Sidne! Ri,don< and Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#
RES)ECTED FRIENDS(--It is 2ith difficu&t! that I can fore,o the
fe&icit! of an i''ediate i''ersion into the true faith of !our e&o$ed
*eo*&e# I ha$e 2ritten !ou se$era& &etters< and for2arded !ou se$era&
ne2s*a*ers to Co''erce< 2hich I ho*e 2i&& e du&! recei$ed< as the!
contain so'e 'atters of i'*ortance#
Is Nau$oo< or Co''erce< to e the ,enera& *oint of concentration for
the .or'on *eo*&eB For at that *oint I desire to &ocate< and e$er re'ain#
.! an/iet! to e 2ith !ou is dai&! increasin,< and I sha&& 2ind u* '!
*rofessiona& usiness i''ediate&!< and *roceed to !our &issfu& aode< if
!ou thin0 it est#
Loo0 at a&& '! &etters and *a*ers and 2rite 'e forth2ith# You are
a2are that at the ti'e of !our 'ost itter *ersecutions< I 2as 2ith !ou in
fee&in,< and *roffered !ou '! 'i&itar! 0no2&ed,e and *ro2ess# .! faith is
sti&& stron,# I e&ie$e the 5od of the 2ho&e earth 2i&& a$en,e !our 2ron,
in ti'e as 2e&& as in eternit!#
O '! friends< ,o on and *ros*er? and 'a! the 5od of a&& ,race sa$e
!ou 2ith an e$er&astin, sa&$ation# Yours res*ectfu&&!< J# C# "ENNETT#
Saturda!< Au,ust 7#--In the Ti'es and Seasons of this 'onth I find
the fo&&o2in,(
A $oice fro' the ho&! cit!--reui&din, of the te'*&e of
So&o'on--Reca&& of the *eo*&e of 5od to the &and of Judah#
3e ha$e recei$ed ! the &ast *ac0et fro' En,&and< a co*! of a $er!
e/traordinar! -Circu&ar- issued ! the Je2s< no2 residin, at Jerusa&e'<
and addressed to a&& the descendants of Araha' to the utter'ost ends of
the earth# It is 2ritten in the *ure Here2 character< and acco'*anied
2ith an En,&ish trans&ation< 2hich 2e anne/ as 'atter of the dee*est
curiosit! to the *eo*&e of this countr!# Ne/t 2ee0< if 2e *ossi&! can< 2e
sha&& *u&ish the ori,ina& Here2 in a dou&e sheet< ut at *resent 2e
'ust content ourse&$es 2ith the trans&ation#--.ornin, Hera&d#
CIRCULAR# -To our "rethren the Israe&ites of Euro*e and A'erica(
-The &iera& and ene$o&ent contriutors to2ards e$er! ho&! and *ious
*ur*ose--read! to stand in the reach and e$ince their &o$e for the Land
of )ro'ise+ to the 2e&&-2ishers of Jerusa&e'< and friends of ;ion Edearer
to us than &ifeF 2ho e/tend their ounteous aid to this Ho&! Cit!< and
de$ote their est 'eans< in &o$e and affection< +to ta0e *it! on her
stones< and sho2 'erc! to her dust#+ To the i&&ustrious and e/ce&&ent
Raies--to their 2orth! and distin,uished Assessors--to the no&e Chiefs
and faithfu& Leaders of Israe&? to a&& con,re,ations de$oted o the Lord<
and to e$er! 'e'er thereof--hea&th< &ife< and *ros*erit!# .a! the Lord
$ouchsafe His *rotection unto the'? 'a! the! re=oice and e e/ceedin,&!
,&ad? and 2ith their o2n e!es 'a! the! eho&d 2hen the Lord restoreth
;ion# Such e His ,racious 2i&&# A'en#
-It is a fact 2e&& 0no2n throu,hout Judah and Israe&< that Lthe ,&or!
a&to,ether de*arted fro' the dau,hter of ;ion<+ since u*2ards of one
hundred !ears a,o< the con,re,ation of 5er'an Je2s in this Ho&! Cit! 2ere
forci&! de*ri$ed of their ho'es and inheritance# Dreadfu& and ,rie$ous
2as the !o0e under 2hich the des*ots of this &and o**ressed the'# T!rann!
and crue& usa,e ,round the' to the dust< and forced the' to forsa0e their
haitations< to aandon their houses and a&& their *ro*ert!< and to see0
safet! in f&i,ht# Thus the &ar,e court the! inherited fro' their ancestors
re'ained deserted and uninhaited< unti& it 2as sei4ed u*on and *ossessed
! a&iens# The sacred edifices it contained< na'e&!< the S!na,o,ue and
.edrash< 2ere ! the' de'o&ished< the 2ho&e of the *ro*ert! utter&!
ruined< and *ossessions< &a2fu&&! ours< de$astated efore our e!es# Then
did our sou&s refuse a&& conso&ationK For ho2 cou&d 2e ear to 2itness the
e$i& 2hich efe&& our *eo*&eK
-As the &i,ht ,&ea's forth fro' a s*ar0< so did our con,re,ation ta0e
heart and return a,ain to for' their esta&ish'ents< and to ta0e root on
the Ho&! .ount# "ut 2e cou&d find no rest for our 2earied feet--no *&ace
consecrated and a**ointed for our *ra!er and instruction# Our achin, e!es
ehe&d ho2 e$er! nation and ton,ue< e$en fro' the 'ost distant is&es of
the ocean< is here *ossessed of structures defended ! 2a&&s< ,ates< and
*ortcu&&is< 2hi&st the *eo*&e of the Lord< forci&! e/*e&&ed fro' their
inheritances ! ra*acious ararians< 2ere co$ered 2ith o&o>u!< scorn<
and dis,race#
-The cries of the *eo*&e ascended unto the Lord 2ho d2e&&eth in ;ion#
He &oo0ed do2n< and in *it! ehe&d their sufferin,s and o**ression# And
e$er since the ru&er of E,!*t first assu'ed the ,o$ern'ent of the Ho&!
Land--a ru&er 2ho 'aintains =ustice throu,hout his do'inions--an edict 2as
issued *er'ittin, Je2s to do 2hatsoe$er the! dee'ed ri,ht and e/*edient<
2ith res*ect to the reui&din, of their de'o&ished s!na,o,ues and
co&&e,es# Us< &i0e2ise< the Lord in His 'erc! $ouchsafed to re'e'er< and
caused us to e reinstated into the herita,e of our fathers< e$en to the
afore'entioned court< 2hich is ca&&ed the Ruin of R# Jehudah the )ious Eof
&essed 'e'or!F#
-"&essed e the Lord our 5od< the 5od of our fathers< 2ho ins*ired
the heart of the ru&er of E,!*t to restore unto us the *ossessions of our
ancestors# Nor did 2e de&a! or &ose ti'e in the 'atter< ut e/erted
ourse&$es to reui&d Jerusa&e'#
-L3e fenced it< and ,athered u* the stones thereof<+ and the sacred
underta0in, *ros*ered in our hands< so that 2e ha$e co'*&eted the .edrash<
and L,reat is the ,&or! of the house?+ and a&so houses for the teachers of
the &a2< and for the hos*ita&e rece*tion and entertain'ent of stran,ers<
2hich 2ere indis*ensa&! necessar! to acco''odate the 'an! *ious
Israe&ites 2ho $isit the Ho&! Cit! durin, the festi$a&s# And on Rosh
Hodesh Sheath &ast 2e =o!fu&&! *&aced a Se*her Torah in the .edrash<
2hich 2e consecrated ! the na'e of L.enahe' ;ion<+ for the Lord has
$ouchsafed to co'fort His *eo*&e#
-"ut a&thou,h 2e ha$e thus< under the &essin,s of )ro$idence<
retrie$ed fro' de$astation a *art of the *ossessions e>ueathed unto us !
our *ious ancestors< !et our hearts are aff&icted and our e!es are di''ed
2hen 2e eho&d the sanctuar! of our Lord< the S!na,o,ue< 2hich sti&& &ies
in ruins? nor is it in the *o2er of a&& of us Ethe 5er'an Con,re,ationF to
reui&d it? for a&asK ,reat is the nu'er of our *oor 2ho stand in need of
read< and the dets 2e contracted in ui&din, the .edrash are &ar,e< and
2ei,h hea$i&! u*on us#
-The cause of our ,rief is thus e$er *resent to our e!es--the rains
of the S!na,o,ue are hea*ed in the 'idd&e of the court< and ran0 2eeds
s*read o$er the consecrated *i&e# 3e therefore dee' it our ounden dut! to
dis*atch a 'essen,er unto our rethren< the chi&dren of Israe&< 2ho are
dis*ersed and in e/i&e< in order to ac>uaint the' 2ith Lthe sa&$ation of
the Lord in the &and<+ so that the! 'a! arise and ta0e *it! on ;ion< for
it is ti'e to sho2 'erc! unto her#
-To underta0e this &aorious dut! 2as the $o&untar! offer of our
dear&! e&o$ed friend< that *rofound and reno2ned Rai< the 4ea&ous and
honora&e Aaron Se&i, Ash0ena4i# He is a 'an confir'ed in the fear of the
Lord< of a faithfu& stoc0? and hi' 2e de*ute as our 'essen,er< 2orth! of
a&& trust< to 'a0e *roc&a'ation unto the co''unities of Israe& +accordin,
to the si,ht 2hich he has seen in the Ho&! .ount<+ and to hi' 2e ha$e
,i$en &etters of authori4ation< containin, fu&& *articu&ars as to his
*ious 'ission< and e$er! necessar! infor'ation re&atin, thereto#
-No2< therefore< &et the ri,hteous eho&d and re=oice# Let the *ious
e/u&t and triu'*h in ,&adness# The da! !e ha$e so &on, ho*ed for is co'e<
and !e sec it# The cro2n of ho&iness 2i&& a,ain adorn its for'er aode#
Therefore< arise< and ta0e u*on !ourse&$es< accordin, to the 2ords of this
&etter< to de$ote a *ortion of !our 2ea&th as a sacred triute to2ards
erectin, +the Te'*&e of the .ost Ho&! 1in, on the 'ountain of the
Lord+--that !e 'a! ha$e a *ortion and a ri,hteous record in Jerusa&e'#
-Let no one a'on, !ou refuse his aid< ut &et the *oor 'an contriute
his 'ite for hi'se&f and his househo&d free&!< as the rich dis*enses the
ount! 2here2ith the Lord hath &essed hi'# Let fathers and their
offs*rin,< the a,ed and the !outhfu&< a&i0e arise in 'erc! to ;ion at this
*ro*itious season#
-Let each 'an encoura,e his nei,hor and sa!< L3e 2i&& e 4ea&ous and
*erse$erin, for our *eo*&e and the Cit! of our 5od# And for the &o$e of
;ion< and the sa0e of Jerusa&e'< 2e 2i&& not rest nor e eas! unti&
Jerusa&e' is *raised throu,hout the earth< and fore'ost in our =o!s< e$en
as 2e ha$e $o2ed+--If I for,et thee< Jerusa&e'< &et '! ri,ht hand for,et
her cunnin,? if I *refer not Jerusa&e' ao$e '! chief =o!#+
-Such are the 2ords of !our rethren 2ho address !ou for the ,&or! of
5od< and for the honor of His &and< His *eo*&e and His
inheritance--continua&&! *ra!in, for our e/i&ed rethren< and offerin, u*
our orisons on ho&! ,round and *articu&ar&! near the 3estern 3a&&< that it
'a! e 2e&& 2ith !ou e$er&astin,&! as !ou !ourse&f desire< and 2e 'ost
sincere&! 2ish#
-Si,ned at Jerusa&e'< the 78th da! of !ear GGNM a#'#< ! the 3ardens
of the .edrash< and 'e'ers of the "ui&din, Co''ittee< on eha&f of the
Con,re,ation of 5er'an Je2s in this Ho&! Cit!# I-Si,nedJ HIRSH JOSE)H<
-DA%ID REU"EN< -NATHAN SADDIS< -A"RAHA. S# SAL.ONS< -.ORDECAI A%I5DOR<
-URIAH S# HYA.#
The undersi,ned Assessors of the "ethdin< ! the direction of the
Re$# Chief Rai< here! certif! that Re$# Aaron Se&i, Ash0ena4i is
actua&&! de*uted for the *ur*ose 'entioned in the ao$e circu&ar#
-London< the Mth Teath< -H@ Dec# GGNN# -ISRAEL LE%Y< -AARON LE%Y<
-A# L# "ARNETT#-
.onda!< Au,ust 9#--E&ders 3i&ford 3oodruff and 5eor,e A# S'ith are at
Ledur!< Herefordshire#
Tuesda!< @#--E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& &eft .anchester for
Herefordshire< and Jose*h Fie&din, is at "edford#
3ednesda!< G# E/tract of a Letter fro' 3i&ford 3oodruff to the Editor
of the .i&&ennia& Star-Re*ortin, Laors#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--Since E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith and '!se&f &eft
.anchester for the *ur*ose of ,oin, to the south of En,&and< 2e ha$e
$isited the churches 2hich &a! in our route< and found the' uni$ersa&&!
*ros*erin, and recei$in, additions#
3e *reached in Lee0 on Sunda!< Ju&! 7Dth< and E&der S'ith a*ti4ed
si/ *ersons after 'eetin,+ and nu'ers 2ere a&so a*ti4ed in the churches
at the Staffordshire )otteries 2hi&e 2e 2ere there# 3e *assed throu,h 3est
"ro'2ich and "ir'in,ha'< and found nu'ers 2ho 2ere an/ious&! 2ishin, for
so'e of the E&ders to $isit that re,ion and &aor a'on, the'# 3e arri$ed
in Ludur!< Herefordshire< Ju&! HHnd< and here s*ent aout t2o 2ee0s in
$isitin, the churches throu,h this re,ion< and I a' ha**! to infor' !ou<
that 2e ha$e found the Saints uni$ersa&&! re=oicin, in the truth< and the
2or0 *ro,ressin, u*on e$er! hand#
E&der Tho'as Richardson has a*ti4ed aout fort! since he ca'e< and
E&der 3i&&ia' 1a! aout t2ent!? the! are oth 'uch &essed in their
&aors# E&der 1in,ton is &aorin, constant&! in this 2ide fie&d< 2hich is
under his care? and he 2ith the E&ders and )riests ,enera&&! throu,hout
this re,ion are &essed 2ith 'an! sou&s as sea&s of their 'inistr!# 3e
a*ti4ed fort! on Sunda! &ast in this re,ion< 'a0in, HGN since the
conference# The churches here no2 nu'er aout 8DD 'e'ers and a**ear Ito
eJ in a $er! *ros*erous state# 3e are e/*ectin, E&der 1i'a&& e$er! hour<
and soon after his arri$a& 2e sha&& &ea$e the Saints in this re,ion< for
the *ur*ose of $isitin, the cit! of London and 2arnin, the inhaitants
thereof# 3ILFORD 3OODRUFf
Saturda!< 8#--Soon after the Ju&! conference at .anchester< E&der
)ar&e! )# )ratt started for A'erica for the *ur*ose of ,ettin, his fa'i&!
and ta0in, the' to En,&and< 'eanti'e &ea$in, the Star in char,e of
)resident "ri,ha' Youn,< assisted ! E&der 3i&&ard Richards#
The )ro*het+s Letter to John C# "ennett--"iddin, Hi' 3e&co'e to
Nau$oo< to *arta0e of--its )o$ert!# NAU%OO< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS<
Au,ust 8th< 78@D#
DEAR SIR(--Yours of the HGth u&ti'o< addressed to E&der Ri,don and
'!se&f< is recei$ed< for 2hich !ou ha$e our than0s< and to 2hich I sha&&
fee& ,reat *&easure in re*&!in,#
A&thou,h I ha$e not the *&easure of !our ac>uaintance< !et fro' the
0indness 'anifested to2ards our *eo*&e 2hen in onda,e and o**ression< and
fro' the fran0 and no&e 'indedness reathed in !our &etter# I a' rou,ht
to the conc&usion that !ou are a friend to sufferin, hu'anit! and truth#
To those 2ho ha$e suffered so 'uch ause< and orne the crue&ties and
insu&ts of 2ic0ed 'en so &on,< on account of those *rinci*&es 2hich 2e
ha$e een instructed to teach to the 2or&d< a fee&in, of s!'*ath! and
0indness is so'ethin, &i0e the refreshin, ree4e and coo&in, strea' at the
*resent season of the !ear< and are< I assure !ou< du&! a**reciated ! us#
It 2ou&d afford 'e 'uch *&easure to see !ou at this *&ace< and fro'
the desire !ou e/*ress in !our &etter to 'o$e to this *&ace< I ho*e I
sha&& soon ha$e that satisfaction#
I ha$e no dout !ou 2ou&d e of ,reat ser$ice to this co''unit! in
*racticin, !our *rofession< as 2e&& as those other ai&ities of 2hich !ou
ate in *ossession# Since to de$ote !our ti'e and ai&ities in the cause of
truth and a sufferin, *eo*&e 'a! not e the 'eans of e/a&tin, !ou in the
e!es of this ,eneration< or securin, !ou the riches of the 2or&d< !et !
so doin, !ou 'a! re&! on the a**ro$a& of Jeho$ah< -that &essin, 2hich
'a0eth rich and addeth no sorro2#- Throu,h the tender 'ercies of our 5od
2e ha$e esca*ed the hands of those 2ho sou,ht our o$erthro2< and ha$e
secure &ocations in this state< and in the territor! of Io2a# Our
*rinci*a& &ocation is at this *&ace< Nau$oo< Efor'er&! Co''erceF< 2hich is
eautifu&&! situated on the an0s of the .ississi**i< i''ediate&! ao$e
the &o2er ra*ids< and is *roa&! the est and 'ost eautifu& site for a
cit! on the ri$er# It has a ,radua& ascent fro' the ri$er near&! a 'i&e<
then a fine< &e$e&< and ferti&e *rairie--a situation in e$er! res*ect
ada*ted to co''ercia& and a,ricu&tura& *ursuits< ut &i0e a&& other *&aces
on the ri$er< is sic0&! in su''er#
The nu'er of inhaitants is near&! three thousand< and is fast
increasin,# If 2e are suffered to re'ain<C there is e$er! *ros*ect of its
eco'in, one of the &ar,est cities on the ri$er< if not in the 2estern
2or&d# Nu'ers ha$e 'o$ed in fro' the seaoard< and a fe2 fro' the is&ands
of the sea E5reat "ritainF#
It is our intention to co''ence the erection of so'e *u&ic ui&din,s
ne/t s*rin,# 3e ha$e *urchased t2ent! thousand acres in the Io2a Territor!
o**osite this *&ace< 2hich is fast fi&&in, u* 2ith our *eo*&e# I desire
a&& the Saints< as 2e&& as a&& &o$ers of truth and correct *rinci*&es< to
co'e to this *&ace as fast as *ossi&e< or Ias ra*id&! asJ their
circu'stances 2i&& *er'it< and endea$or< ! ener,! of action and
concentration of ta&ent< Pc#< Pc#< to effect those o=ects< that are so
dear to us# Therefore '! ,enera& in$itation is< Let a&& that 2i&&< co'e<
and *arta0e of the *o$ert! of Nau$oo free&!#
I shou&d e dis*osed to ,i$e !ou a s*ecia& in$itation to co'e as
ear&! as *ossi&e< e&ie$in, !ou 2i&& e of ,reat ser$ice to us? ho2e$er<
!ou 'ust 'a0e arran,e'ents accordin, to !our circu'stances# 3ere it
*ossi&e for !ou to co'e here this season to suffer aff&iction 2ith the
*eo*&e of 5od< no one 2i&& e 'ore *&eased to ,i$e !ou a 'ore cordia&
2e&co'e than '!se&f#
A charter has een otained fro' the &e,is&ature for a rai&road fro'
3arsa2< ein, i''ediate&! e&o2 the ra*ids of the .ississi**i< to this
*&ace--a distance of aout t2ent! 'i&es< 2hich if carried into o*eration
2i&& e of inca&cu&a&e ad$anta,e to this *&ace< as stea'oats can on&!
ascend the ra*ids at a hi,h sta,e of 2ater# The soi& is ,ood< and I thin0
not inferior to an! in the state# Cro*s are aundant in this section of
countr!--and I thin0 *ro$isions 2i&& e reasona&e#
I shou&d e $er! ha**! cou&d I 'a0e arran,e'ents to 'eet !ou in
S*rin,fie&d at the ti'e !ou 'ention--ut cannot *ro'ise '!se&f that
*&easure# If I shou&d not< *roa&! !ou can 'a0e it con$enient to co'e and
*a! us a $isit here< *rior to !our re'o$a&#
E&der Ri,don is $er! sic0< and has een for near&! t2e&$e 'onths 2ith
the fe$er and a,ue< 2hich disease is $er! *re$a&ent here at this ti'e# At
*resent he is not a&e to &ea$e his roo'# Yours< Pc#< JOSE)H S.ITH< JUN#
To J# C# "ennett< .# D# )# S#--Yours of the 9Dth is =ust recei$ed< in
2hich I a' ,&ad to &earn that !our increasin, desire to unite !ourse&f
2ith a *eo*&e -that are -------
C-If 2e are suffered to re'ain- sounds so'e2hat *ro*hetic and
o'inous#
e$er!2here s*o0en a,ainst<- and the an/iet! !ou fee& for our
2e&fare--for 2hich !ou ha$e '! est fee&in,s? and I *ra! that '! hea$en&!
Father 2i&& *our out His choicest &essin,s in this 2or&d< and ena&e !ou
! His ,race to o$erco'e the e$i&s 2hich are in the 2or&d< that !ou 'a!
secure a &issfu& i''orta&it! in the 2or&d that is to co'e# J# S#< JUN#
Au,ust 7D#--Co&one& Se!'our "runson< a,ed fort! !ears< ten 'onths and
t2ent!-three da!s< died at Nau$oo# Co&one& "runson 2as a'on, the first
sett&ers of this *&ace# He has a&2a!s een a &i$e&! stone in the ui&din,
of 5od and 2as 'uch res*ected ! his friends and ac>uaintances# He died in
the triu'*h of faith< and in his d!in, 'o'ents ore testi'on! to the
5os*e& that he had e'raced#
Saturda!< 7G# Letter of John C# "ennett to .essrs# S'ith and
Ri,don--Announcin, that he 2i&& soon e in Nau$oo# 3AYNE COUNTY ILLINOIS<
Au,ust 7G< 78@D# Re$erends Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< and Sidne! Ri,don#
RES)ECTED FRIENDS(--I ha$e 2ritten !ou se$era& co''unications to
Co''erce and Nau$oo< su**osin, the! 2ere different *&aces< ut a rother
to a &ad! in !our co''unit!< no2 in this *&ace< infor's 'e that the! are
one and the sa'e#
I ha$e recei$ed no re*&! to '! &etters< and attriute the de&a! to a
*ress of usiness or *rofessiona& asence# I ha$e co'e to the conc&usion
to =oin !our *eo*&e i''ediate&!< and ta0e u* '! aode 2ith !ou# Let us
ado*t as our 'otto--Licut *artrius sit Deus noius--Eas 5od 2as 2ith our
fathers< so 'a! He e 2ith usF< and ada*t the 'eans to the end< and the
$ictor! is ours# The 2in,ed 2arrior of the air 2i&& not cease to e our
*roud e'&e' of &iert!< and the do,s of 2ar 2i&& e fore$er chained#
I sha&& e 2ith !ou in aout t2o 2ee0s< and sha&& de$ote '! ti'e and
ener,ies to the ad$ance'ent of the cause of truth and $irtue< and the
ad$ocac! of the ho&! re&i,ion 2hich !ou ha$e so no&! defended< and so
honora&! sustained#
.! &o$e to a&& the rethren# 3ith senti'ents of fraterna& re,ard#
Yours res*ectfu&&!< J# C# "ENNETT#
CHA)TER 6#
A .ISSOURI 1IDNA))IN5--CONTINUED DE%ELO).ENT OF THE 3OR1 IN
5REAT "RITAIN--THE DEATH OF JOSE)H S.ITH< SEN#< FIRST
)ATRIARCH OF THE CHURCH#
.onda!< 7M#--.et 2ith the Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo at '! office< a&so
the Hi,h Counci& of Io2a# John "atten *referred 'an! char,es a,ainst
E&i=ah Fordha'# After the testi'on!< and the counci&&ors had s*o0en< I
addressed the Counci& at so'e &en,th< sho2in, the situation of the
contendin, *arties< that there 2as in rea&it! no cause of difference? that
the! had etter e reconci&ed 2ithout an action< or $ote of the Counci&<
and henceforth &i$e as rethren< and ne$er 'ore 'ention their for'er
difficu&ties# The! sett&ed accordin,&!#
Tuesda!< 78#--E&ders 1i'a&&< 3oodruff< and 5eor,e A# S'ith &eft
Che&tenha' for London< one hundred and ten 'i&es< 2here the! arri$ed in
se$en and a ha&f hours< at 3i&&ia' A&&,ood+s< No# 7N 1in, Street< "orou,h<
and 2ere 0ind&! recei$ed ! .rs# A&&,ood< 2ho too0 the' to the 1in,+s Ar's
Inn#
5reat distress is *re$ai&in, in Ire&and? no 2or0< and *ro$isions $er!
scarce#
The truth is s*readin, ra*id&! in En,&and and Scot&and#
Frida!< H7--Testi'on! of "en=a'in "o!ce(
The 1idna**in, of "en=a'in "o!ce< .r# "ro2n< et a&# Left '! ho'e in
Nau$oo to ,o to Ada's count!< 2here I had &i$ed the su''er efore< for the
*ur*ose of 'eetin, so'e dets# I fe&& in co'*an! 2ith a .r# "ro2n< 2ho
stated to 'e that he 2as in search of so'e horses that had stra!ed fro'
hi'# 3e had not *roceeded far to,ether< efore 2e 2ere hai&ed ! t2e&$e
ar'ed 'en< 2ho de'anded of us 2here 2e 2ere ,oin,# I stated to the' 2here
I 2as ,oin,< and &i0e2ise .r# "ro2n stated his usiness# The! then as0ed
if 2e 2ere -.or'ons? -2e said 2e 2ere? the! then said that 2e cou&d ,o no
further? the! said the! 2ere s2orn to 0i&& a&& the da'ned -.or'ons- that
the! cou&d find< and too0 us *risoners< tied us 2ith ro*es< and too0 us to
a oat< and four of the co'*an! Eone ! the na'e of .artin< the others not
0no2nF too0 us to .issouri< to a &itt&e to2n ca&&ed Tu&&!< 2here 2e 2ere
*ut under ,uard< and 0e*t ti&& 77 o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,< 2hen three 'en
ca'e to us 2ith a &on, ro*e< and tied it round each of our nec0s# I as0ed
the' 2hat the! 2ere ,oin, to do 2ith us? one said the! 2ere ,oin, to ta0e
us to the ri$er< 0i&& us< and 'a0e catfish ait of us< his na'e 2as Uno#
The! then &ed us to the 2oods< I shou&d thin0 aout three->uarters of a
'i&e distant? the! then *arted us< too0 and stri**ed 'e na0ed< and tied 'e
fast to a tree? one of the co'*an! coc0ed a *isto& and *&aced it c&ose to
'! ear< and s2ore< if I atte'*ted to ,et a2a!< that he 2ou&d &o2 out '!
rains# The! then co''enced to 2hi* 'e 2ith &ar,e ,ads 2hich the! had for
the *ur*ose< and &itera&&! 'an,&ed 'e fro' '! shou&ders to '! 0nees#
There 2ere in the co'*an!< as near as I cou&d reco&&ect< t2e&$e or
fourteen( the! 2ere stri**ed of their hats and coats< 2ith their s&ee$es
ro&&ed u*< and co&&ars o*en< 2hich 'ade the' &oo0 &i0e 'urderers and
roers# The na'es< as far as I can reco&&ect< .onda!< Uno< and .artin?
the others I do not reco&&ect# After 0ee*in, 'e tied in this condition I
shou&d thin0 an hour and a ha&f< the! then rou,ht .r# "ro2n to 'e< and
after so'e consu&tation< &oosed 'e fro' the tree 2here I 2as tied< and &ed
us ac0 to the to2n< *ut us in a roo' 2here I sa2 Noah Ro,ers and Ja'es
A&&red# The! then tied the' aout the nec0< and &ed the' out< and in the
course of the ni,ht< the! rou,ht the' ac0 to the roo' 2here 2e 2ere#
"rother Ro,ers said the! stri**ed hi'< and 2hi**ed hi' $er! ad&!#
This 2as on the se$enth of Ju&!# The ne/t da! Ro,ers and '!se&f 2ere ta0en
efore a 'a,istrate? nothin, *ro$en a,ainst us< on&! that 2e 2ere
-.or'ons(- and 2e 2ere ordered to *rison# "ro2n and A&&red< ! so'e 'eans<
2ere &ierated< ut 2e ERo,ers and '!se&fF 2ere *ut in =ai& and *ut in
irons unti& the H7st of Au,ust< 2hen throu,h the 0indness of 5od 2e 'ade
our esca*e and returned to Nau$oo# "ENJA.IN "OYCE#
Sunda!< H9#--Ten *ersons 2ho had een a*ti4ed 2ere confir'ed at
Car*enter+s Ha&&< .anchester# C -------
C The entr! of the te/t is the on&! one 'ade in the )ro*het+s
'anuscri*t histor! for the H9rd of Au,ust< ut -Unc&e- John S'ith< rother
of the )ro*het+s father<
Saturda!< HN----E&der 1i'a&& 2rites( -The rethren are e,innin, to
e/cite attention in so'e of the *u&ic ,rounds in London#- Out-door
*reachin, is co''on in En,&and#
Sunda!< 9D#--T2ent! 2ere confir'ed at the ha&& in .anchester#C
E&ders 1i'a&&< 3oodruff< and 5eor,e A# S'ith< after ha$in, s*ent ten
da!s $isitin, the c&er,!'en and *reachers and others of the se$era&
deno'inations< as0in, the *ri$i&e,e of *reachin, in their cha*e&s< and
ein, continua&&! refused ! the' in a conte'*tuous 'anner< the!
deter'ined to *reach in the o*en air< Jonah-&i0e? and accordin,&! 2ent to
S'ithfie&d .ar0etO Eto the s*ot 2here John Ro,ersOO 2as urnt at the
sta0eF< for the *ur*ose of *reachin, at 7D a#'#< -------
and for'er&! *resident of Ada'-ondi-Ah'an sta0e of ;ion< in .issouri<
'a0es the fo&&o2in, entr! in his =ourna&(
-Attended 'eetin, at Nash$i&&e# Jose*h and H!ru' S'ith *resent and a
&ar,e asse'&! of saints< 2ho $oted to co''ence ui&din, a cit! at
Nash$i&&e and a *&ace of 2orshi*#- Nash$i&&e< ! the 2a!< 2as situated in
Lee count!< Io2a< on the .ississi**i ri$er< at the head of the Des .oines
Ra*ids< aout three 'i&es southeast of .ontrose< ei,ht 'i&es north of
1eo0u0# The Church had *urchased t2ent! thousand acres of &and in this
$icinit! and sur$e!ed out of it a to2nsite on 2hich a nu'er of saints
&ocated#
C A,ain fro' the =ourna& of -Unc&e- John S'ith 2e &earn that on the
9Dth da! of Au,ust< the )ro*het Jose*h 2as in Nash$i&&e and *reached on
-Eterna& Jud,'ent and the Eterna& Duration of .atter# -
CS'ithfie&d is noted for other historica& incidents than ein, the
scene of John Ro,ers- 'art!rdo'# It is an o*en s*ace of near&! si/ acres
in London< En,&and# It 2as for'er&! used as a 'ar0et *&ace< ut is no2
*artia&&! &aid out in ,ardens# It 2as the scene of "artho&o'e2 Fair?
3i&&ia' 3a&&ace 2as e/ecuted there? it 2as the *&ace of the 'eetin, of 3at
T!&er and 1in, Richard II< in 798D< 2hen the for'er 2as staed ! the
.a!or of London< and then dis*atched ! the 1in,+s attendants It 2as the
scene of 'an! 'art!rdo's
OOJohn Ro,ers suffered 'art!rdo' ! ein, urnt at the sta0e in
S'ithfie&d< on the @th of Feruar!< 7GGG# He 2as the first $icti' of 2hat
is 0no2n in histor! as the -.arian )ersecution?- and 2hich conferred on
En,&and+s Catho&ic >ueen the tit&e of -"&ood! .ar!#- Archisho* 5ardiner<
ho2e$er< is usua&&! credited 2ith ein, the *ri'e insti,ator of that
*ersecution< thou,h he died efore it reached its hei,ht< and not efore
he had sho2n s!'*to's of re&entin,# Cardina& )o&e thou,h -natura&&! hu'ane
and ,ent&e<- shares the ,ui&t of sanctionin, it? -ut the chief a,ent 2as
"onner< isho* of London< in 2hose diocese the 'a=orit! of a&& the
e/ecutions too0 *&ace# C C C C The tota& nu'er of 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren
2ho 2ere urnt--for e$en chi&dren 2ere thro2n into the f&a'es and so'e at
the $er! 'o'ent of their irth---is co'*uted as fo&&o2s(
2here the! 2ere notified ! the *o&ice< that the Lord .a!or had
issued orders *rohiitin, street *reachin, in the cit!# A .r# Connor
ste**ed u* and said< -I 2i&& sho2 !ou a *&ace outside of his
=urisdiction<- and ,uided the' to -Taernac&e S>uare<- 2here the! found an
asse'&! of aout @DD *eo*&e &istenin, to a *reacher 2ho 2as standin, on a
chair# 3hen he ,ot throu,h another *reacher arose to s*ea0# E&der 1i'a&&
stated to the first c&er,!'an< -There is a 'an *resent fro' A'erica 2ho
2ou&d &i0e to *reach?- 2hich 2as ,ranted? 2hen E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith
de&i$ered a discourse of aout t2ent! 'inutes< on the first *rinci*&es of
the 5os*e&< ta0in, for his te/t< .ar0 /$i( 7:? after 2hich E&der 1i'a&&
as0ed the *reacher to ,i$e out another a**oint'ent at the sa'e *&ace for
the A'erican E&der to *reach? 2hen he =u'*ed u* and said< -I ha$e =ust
&earned that the ,ent&e'an 2ho has addressed !ou is a Latter-da! Saint? I
0no2 the'--the! are a $er! ad *eo*&e? the! ha$e s*&it u* 'an! churches<
and ha$e done a ,reat dea& of hurt#- He s*o0e a&& 'anner of e$i&< and ,a$e
the Latter-da! Saints a $er! ad character< and co''anded the *eo*&e not
to hear the E&ders< -as 2e ha$e ,ot the 5os*e&< and can sa$e the *eo*&e<
2ithout infide&it!< socia&is'< or Latter-da! Saints# -
E&der 1i'a&& as0ed the *ri$i&e,e of standin, on the chair to ,i$e
out an a**oint'ent hi'se&f# The *reacher said< -You sha&& not do it? !ou
ha$e no ri,ht to *reach here? - =er0ed the chair a2a! fro' hi'< and ran
a2a! 2ith it# Se$era& of the cro2d said< -You ha$e as 'uch ri,ht to
*reach here as he has< and ,i$e out !our a**oint'ent?- 2hereu*on E&der
1i'a&& ,a$e out an a**oint'ent -------
7GGG< fro' Feruar!--MH? 7GG:--N@? 7GGM<--MN? 7GG8< fro' Feruar! to
Se*te'er-- E2hen the *ersecution c&osedF< 9N? 'a0in, a tota& of H8@# It
2as durin, this *ersecution that Rid&e! and Lati'er suffered# On the 2a!
to the e/ecution the &atter< it is said< -2ith a 0een >uaintness 2hich
adorns his ser'ons<- uttered the 2ords 2hich fortunate&! eca'e
*ro*hetic--addressin, hi'se&f to his co'*anion-- -"e of ,ood co'fort<
.aster Rid&e!? *&a! the 'an? 2e sha&& this da! &i,ht such a cand&e< !
5od+s ,race< in En,&and< as I trust sha&& ne$er e *ut out#- EHistor! of
En,&and< ! 3i&&ia' S'ith< *# 7G:F#
for 9 o+c&oc0 *# '#? at 2hich ti'e a &ar,e con,re,ation 2as ,athered#
After o*enin, the 'eetin, ! sin,in, and *ra!er< E&der 3oodruff s*o0e
aout thirt! 'inutes< fro' 5a&# i( 8< N< u*on the first *rinci*&es of the
5os*e&# E&der 1i'a&& fo&&o2ed u*on the sa'e su=ects# The *eo*&e ,a$e
,ood attention< and see'ed 'uch interested in 2hat the! had heard# The
inhaitants 2ho &i$ed around the s>uare o*ened their 2indo2s to four
stories hi,h? the 'ost of the' 2ere cro2ded 2ith an/ious &isteners< 2hich
is an unco''on occurrence# The 'eetin, 2as dis'issed in the 'idst of ,ood
fee&in,#
.r# Henr! Connor in$ited the E&ders to his house# Soon after the!
arri$ed here< E&der 1i'a&& fe&t i'*ressed to return to the *&ace of
*reachin,# 3hen he ,ot there he found a &ar,e co'*an! ta&0in, aout the
thin,s 2hich the! had heard in the afternoon< and the! 2ished hi' to s*ea0
to the' a,ain# He did so< 2hen se$era& *ersons in$ited hi' ho'e 2ith
the'# 3hi&e E&der 1i'a&& 2as *reachin,< se$era& *ersons ca'e to "rothers
3oodruff and S'ith to con$erse on doctrine< 2hen .r# Connor offered
hi'se&f for a*tis'#
.onda!< 97#--E&der 1i'a&& a*ti4ed Henr! Connor< 2atch'a0er< GH
Iron'on,er+s Ro2< London< in )eer&ess )oo&< ein, the first a*ti4ed in
that *&ace< and confir'ed hi' the sa'e e$enin,#
The e&ectric te&e,ra*h is e,innin, to e used on the 5reat 3estern
Rai&road in En,&and< et2een Dra!ton and )addin,ton< ! 2hich inte&&i,ence
is co''unicated at the rate of t2o hundred thousand 'i&es *er second#
An Address ! the First )residenc! to the Church# To the Saints
Scattered Aroad( "ELO%ED "RETHREN(--3e address a fe2 &ines to the 'e'ers
of the Church of Jesus Christ< 2ho ha$e oe!ed fro' the heart that for' of
doctrine 2hich has een de&i$ered to the' ! the ser$ants of the Lord< and
2ho are desirous to ,o for2ard in the 2a!s of truth and ri,hteousness< and
! oedience to the hea$en&! co''and< esca*e the thin,s 2hich are co'in,
on the earth< and secure to the'se&$es an inheritance a'on, the sanctified
in the 2or&d to co'e#
Ha$in, een *&aced in a $er! res*onsi&e station in the Church< 2e at
a&& ti'es fee& interested in the 2e&fare of the Saints< and 'a0e 'ention
of the' continua&&! in our *ra!ers to our hea$en&! Father< that the! 'a!
e 0e*t fro' the e$i&s 2hich are in the 2or&d< and e$er e found 2a&0in,
in the *ath of truth#
The 2or0 of the Lord in these &ast da!s< is one of $ast 'a,nitude and
a&'ost e!ond the co'*rehension of 'orta&s# Its ,&ories are *ast
descri*tion< and its ,randeur unsur*assa&e# It is the the'e 2hich has
ani'ated the oso' of *ro*hets and ri,hteous 'en fro' the creation of the
2or&d do2n throu,h e$er! succeedin, ,eneration to the *resent ti'e? and it
is tru&! the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< 2hen a&& thin,s 2hich
are in Christ Jesus< 2hether in hea$en or on the earth< sha&& e ,athered
to,ether in Hi'< and 2hen a&& thin,s sha&& e restored< as s*o0en of !
a&& the ho&! *ro*hets since the 2or&d e,an? for in it 2i&& ta0e *&ace the
,&orious fu&fi&'ent of the *ro'ises 'ade to the fathers< 2hi&e the
'anifestations of the *o2er of the .ost Hi,h 2i&& e ,reat< ,&orious< and
su&i'e#
The *ur*oses of our 5od are ,reat< His &o$e unfatho'a&e< His 2isdo'
infinite< and His *o2er un&i'ited? therefore< the Saints ha$e cause to
re=oice and e ,&ad< 0no2in, that -this 5od is our 5od fore$er and e$er<
and He 2i&& e our 5uide unti& death#- Ha$in, confidence in the *o2er<
2isdo'< and &o$e of 5od< the Saints ha$e een ena&ed to ,o for2ard
throu,h the 'ost ad$erse circu'stances< and fre>uent&!< 2hen to a&& hu'an
a**earances< nothin, ut death *resented itse&f< and destruction
ine$ita&e< has the *o2er of 5od een 'anifest< His ,&or! re$ea&ed< and
de&i$erance effected? and the Saints< &i0e the chi&dren of Israe&< 2ho
ca'e out of the &and of E,!*t< and throu,h the Red Sea< ha$e sun, an
anthe' of *raise to his ho&! na'e# This has not on&! een the case in
for'er da!s< ut in our da!s< and 2ithin a fe2 'onths< ha$e 2e seen this
fu&&! $erified#
Ha$in, throu,h the 0indness of our 5od een de&i$ered fro'
destruction< and ha$in, secured a &ocation u*on 2hich 2e ha$e a,ain
co''enced o*erations for the ,ood of His *eo*&e< 2e fee& dis*osed to ,o
for2ard and unite our ener,ies for the u*ui&din, of the 1in,do'< and
esta&ishin, the )riesthood in their fu&&ness and ,&or!# The 2or0 2hich
has to e acco'*&ished in the &ast da!s is one of $ast i'*ortance< and
2i&& ca&& into action the ener,!< s0i&&< ta&ent< and ai&it! of the
Saints< so that it 'a! ro&& forth 2ith that ,&or! and 'a=est! descried !
the *ro*het? and 2i&& conse>uent&! re>uire the concentration of the
Saints< to acco'*&ish 2or0s of such 'a,nitude and ,randeur#
The 2or0 of the ,atherin, s*o0en of in the Scri*tures 2i&& e
necessar! to rin, aout the ,&ories of the &ast dis*ensation# It is
*roa&! unnecessar! to *ress this su=ect on the Saints< as 2e e&ie$e
the s*irit of it is 'anifest< and its necessit! o$ious to e$er!
considerate 'ind? and e$er!one 4ea&ous for the *ro'otion of truth and
ri,hteousness< is e>ua&&! so for the ,atherin, of the Saints#
Dear rethren< fee&in, desirous to carr! out the *ur*oses of 5od to
2hich 2or0 2e ha$e een ca&&ed? and to e co-2or0ers 2ith Hi' in this &ast
dis*ensation? 2e fee& the necessit! of ha$in, the heart! coo*eration of
the Saints throu,hout this &and< and u*on the is&ands of the sea# It 2i&&
e necessar! for the Saints to hear0en to counse& and turn their attention
to the Church< the esta&ish'ent of the 1in,do'< and &a! aside e$er!
se&fish *rinci*&e< e$er!thin, &o2 and ,ro$e&in,? and stand for2ard in the
cause of truth< and assist to the ut'ost of their *o2er< those to 2ho' has
een ,i$en the *attern and desi,n# Li0e those 2ho he&d u* the hands of
.oses< so &et us ho&d u* the hands of those 2ho are a**ointed to direct
the affairs of the 1in,do'< so that the! 'a! e stren,thened< and e
ena&ed to *rosecute their ,reat desi,ns< and e instru'enta& in effectin,
the ,reat 2or0 of the &ast da!s#
"e&ie$in, the ti'e has no2 co'e< 2hen it is necessar! to erect a
house of *ra!er< a house of order< a house for the 2orshi* of our 5od<
2here the ordinances can e attended to a,reea&! to His di$ine 2i&&< in
this re,ion of countr!--to acco'*&ish 2hich< considera&e e/ertion 'ust e
'ade< and 'eans 2i&& e re>uired--and as the 2or0 'ust e hastened in
ri,hteousness< it ehoo$es the Saints to 2ei,h the i'*ortance of these
thin,s< in their 'inds< in a&& their earin,s< and then ta0e such ste*s as
are necessar! to carr! the' into o*eration? and ar'in, the'se&$es 2ith
coura,e< reso&$e to do a&& the! can< and fee& the'se&$es as 'uch
interested as thou,h the 2ho&e &aor de*ended on the'se&$es a&one# "! so
doin, the! 2i&& e'u&ate the ,&orious deeds of the fathers< and secure the
&essin,s of hea$en u*on the'se&$es and their *osterit! to the &atest
,eneration#
To those 2ho fee& thus interested< and can assist in this ,reat 2or0<
2e sa!< &et the' co'e to this *&ace? ! so doin, the! 2i&& not on&! assist
in the ro&&in, on of the 1in,do'< ut e in a situation 2here the! can
ha$e the ad$anta,es of instruction fro' the )residenc! and other
authorities of the Church< and rise hi,her and hi,her in the sca&e of
inte&&i,ence unti& the! can -co'*rehend 2ith a&& Saints 2hat is the
readth and &en,th< and de*th and hei,ht? and to 0no2 the &o$e of Christ
2hich *asseth 0no2&ed,e#-
Connected 2ith the ui&din, u* of the 1in,do'< is the *rintin, and
circu&ation of the "oo0 of .or'on< Doctrine and Co$enants< h!'noo0< and
the ne2 trans&ation of the Scri*tures# It is unnecessar! to sa! an!thin,
res*ectin, these 2or0s? those 2ho ha$e read the'< and 2ho ha$e drun0 of
the strea' of 0no2&ed,e 2hich the! con$e!< 0no2 ho2 to a**reciate the'?
and a&thou,h foo&s 'a! ha$e the' in derision< !et the! are ca&cu&ated to
'a0e 'en 2ise unto sa&$ation< and s2ee* a2a! the co2es of su*erstition
of a,es< thro2 a &i,ht on the *roceedin,s of Jeho$ah 2hich ha$e a&read!
een acco'*&ished< and 'ar0 out the future in a&& its dreadfu& and
,&orious rea&ities# Those 2ho ha$e tasted the enefit deri$ed fro' a stud!
of these 2or0s< 2i&& undouted&! $ie 2ith each other in their 4ea& for
sendin, the' aroad throu,hout the 2or&d< that e$er! son of Ada' 'a! en=o!
the sa'e *ri$i&e,es< and re=oice in the sa'e truths#
Here< then< e&o$ed rethren< is a 2or0 to en,a,e in 2orth! of
archan,e&s--a 2or0 2hich 2i&& cast into the shade the thin,s 2hich ha$e
een heretofore acco'*&ished? a 2or0 2hich 0in,s and *ro*hets and
ri,hteous 'en in for'er a,es ha$e sou,ht< e/*ected< and earnest&! desired
to see< ut died 2ithout the si,ht? and 2e&& 2i&& it e for those 2ho
sha&& aid in carr!in, into effect the 'i,ht! o*erations of Jeho$ah# "!
order of the First )residenc!< RO"ERT "# THO.)SON< Scrie#
Saturda!< Se*te'er G#--E&ders Youn, and Richards 2ent fro'
.anchester to Li$er*oo&< and in the e$enin, or,ani4ed a co'*an! of Saints
ound for Ne2 Yor0< ! choosin, E&der Theodore Tur&e! to *reside< 2ith si/
counse&ors#
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci& .eetin,< at the Office of Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< Nau$oo< Se*te'er Gth< 78@D# Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *referred char,es
a,ainst E&der A&'on 3# "aitt< *redicated on the authorit! of t2o
&etters< one fro' Tho'as "urdic0< the other fro' O&i$er 5ran,er and Le$i
Richards< accusin, E&der "aitt as fo&&o2s(
First# For statin, that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< had e/tra$a,ant&!
*urchased three suits of c&othes 2hi&e he 2as at 3ashin,ton Cit!< and that
Sidne! Ri,don had *urchased four suits 2hi&e at the sa'e *&ace# esides
dresses in *rofusion for their fa'i&ies
Second# For ha$in, stated that Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don and
E&ias Hi,ee had said that the! 2ere 2orth one hundred thousand do&&ars
each< 2hi&e the! 2ere at 3ashin,ton< and that Jose*h S'ith<
Jun#< had re*eated the sa'e state'ent 2hi&e in )hi&ade&*hia< and for
sa!in, that O&i$er 5ran,er had stated that he a&so 2as 2orth as 'uch as
the! Ethat is< one hundred thousand do&&arsF#
Third# For ho&din, secret counci&s in the Lord+s House< in 1irt&and<
and for &oc0in, the doors of the house< for the *ur*ose of *rohiitin,
certain rethren in ,ood standin, in the Church< fro' ein, in the
Counci&< there! de*ri$in, the' of the use of the house#
T2o 2ere a**ointed to s*ea0 on the case< na'e&!< Tho'as 5ro$er<
Austin Co2&es#
Counci& ad=ourned ti&& the :th Se*te'er< at H o+c&oc0< 2hen Counci&
'et accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< the e$idences 2ere a&& heard on the case
*endin,< and the counci&ors c&osed on oth sides# The *arties s*o0e at
&en,th< after 2hich< Jose*h S'ith 2ithdre2 the char,e< and oth *arties
2ere reconci&ed to each other< thin,s ein, ad=usted to their
satisfaction#
Sunda! :#--E&der Youn, *reached#
.onda! M#--This e$enin,< E&ders 1i'a&&< 3oodruff and 5eor,e A#
S'ith< *reached in the south Te'*erance Ha&&< London#
On .onda! ni,ht< E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 3i&&ard Richards< sta!ed on
oard the North A'erica 2ith the Saints< and on Tuesda! 'ornin,< aout
nine o+c&oc0< the $esse& 2ent out 2ith a stea'er# The E&ders acco'*anied
the' fifteen or t2ent! 'i&es< and &eft the' in ,ood s*irits# E&der
Richards returned to .anchester the sa'e e$enin, and E&der Youn, on the
7Dth#
E&der John "eno2< 2ho had *re$ious&! furnished t2o hundred and fift!
*ounds to2ards *rintin, the h!'n oo0< "oo0 of .or'on< etc#< re&in>uished
a&& c&ai' to said 'one!< e/ce*t such assistance as his friends< 2ho 'i,ht
2ish to e'i,rate to A'erica the ne/t season< 'i,ht need< &ea$in, the
re'ainder to the dis*osa& of "ri,ha' Youn,< 3i&&ard Richards< and 3i&ford
3oodruff< 2ho orro2ed said 'one!s for the enefit of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-da! Saints< fore$er< a&so the a$ai&s of the 5adfie&d E&'
Cha*e&< 2hen so&d#
3ednesda!< N#--There 2as a terrific stor' on the North of Scot&and#
Frida!< 77#--There 2as a terri&e earth>ua0e at .ount Ararat< 2hich
destro!ed the to2n of .a0itche$an< da'a,ed a&& the ui&din,s at Eri$an<
and de$astated the t2o districts of Sharour and Sour'ate in Ar'enia# A
considera&e 'ass 2as &oosened fro' .ount Ararat and destro!ed e$er!thin,
in its 2a! for near&! fi$e 'i&es# The $i&&a,e of A0hou&i 2as uried< 2ith
one thousand inhaitants#
Sunda!< 79#--E&der 1i'a&& a*ti4ed four in London#
.onda!< 7@#--.! father< Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< )atriarch of the 2ho&e
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< died at Nau$oo# "io,ra*h! of
Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< )residin, )atriarch of the Church< ! the )ro*het
Jose*h< his Son#
Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< 2as orn on the 7Hth da! of Ju&!< 7MM7< in
To*sfie&d< Esse/ count!< .assachusetts? he 2as the second of the se$en
sons of Asahe& and .ar! S'ith# Asahe& 2as orn in To*sfie&d< .arch Mth<
7M@@# He 2as the !oun,est son of Sa'ue& and )risci&&a S'ith# Sa'ue& 2as
orn Januar! H:th< 7M7@< in To*sfie&d? he 2as the e&dest son of Sa'ue& and
Reecca S'ith# Sa'ue& 2as orn in To*sfie&d< Januar! HD 7:::< and 2as the
son of Roert and .ar! S'ith< 2ho e'i,rated fro' O&d En,&and#
.! father re'o$ed 2ith his father to Tunrid,e< Oran,e count!<
%er'ont< in 7MN7< and assisted in c&earin, a &ar,e far' of a hea$! ,ro2th
of ti'er# He 'arried Luc!< dau,hter of So&o'on and L!dia .ac0 on the 7@th
of Januar!< 7MN:< ! 2ho' he had
A&$in S'ith< orn Feruar! 77th< 7MN8< died No$e'er 7Nth< 78H@#
H!ru'< orn Feruar! Nth< 78DD# So*hronia< orn .a! 7:th< 78D9# Jose*h<
orn Dece'er H9rd< 78DG# Sa'ue& Harrison< orn .arch 79th< 78D8# E*hrai'<
orn .arch 79th< 787D< died .arch H@th< 787D# 3i&&ia'< orn .arch 79th<
7877# Catherine< orn Ju&! H8th< 787H# Don Car&os< orn .arch HGth< 787:#
Luc!< orn Ju&! 78th< 78H@#
At his 'arria,e he o2ned a handso'e far' in Tunrid,e# In 78DH< he
rented it and en,a,ed in 'ercanti&e usiness< and soon after e'ar0ed in a
$enture of Iraisin,J ,insen, C to send to China< and 2as s2ind&ed out of
the entire *roceeds ! the shi*'aster and a,ent< he 2as conse>uent&!
o&i,ed to se&& his far' and a&& of his effects to *a! his dets#
Aout the !ear 787: he re'o$ed to )a&'!ra< 3a!ne count!< Ne2 Yor0<
ou,ht a far' and c&eared t2o hundred acres< 2hich he &ost in conse>uence
of not ein, a&e to *a! the &ast insta&&'ent of the *urchase 'one! at the
ti'e it 2as due# This 2as the case 2ith a ,reat nu'er of far'ers in Ne2
Yor0< 2ho had c&eared &and under si'i&ar contracts# He after2ards 'o$ed to
.anchester< Ontario count!< Ne2 Yor0< *rocured a co'forta&e ho'e 2ith
si/teen acres of &and< 2here he &i$ed unti& he re'o$ed to 1irt&and< Ohio#
He 2as the first *erson 2ho recei$ed '! testi'on! after I had seen
the an,e&< and e/horted 'e to e faithfu& and di&i,ent to the 'essa,e I
had recei$ed#O He 2as a*ti4ed A*ri& :th< 789D#
In Au,ust< 789D< in co'*an! 2ith '! rother Don Car&os< he too0 a
'ission to St# La2rence count!< Ne2 Yor0< touchin, on his route at se$era&
of the Canadian *orts< 2here he distriuted a fe2 co*ies of the "oo0 of
.or'on# He a&so $isited his father< rothers and sister residin, in St#
La2rence count!< ore testi'on! to the truth 2hich resu&ted e$entua&&! in
a&& the fa'i&! co'in, into the Church< e/ce*tin, his rother Jesse and
sister Susan#
He re'o$ed 2ith his fa'i&! to 1irt&and in 7897? 2as ordained
)atriarch and )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood Iin 1irt&andJOO under the
hands of O&i$er Co2der!< Sidne! Ri,don< Frederic0 5# 3i&&ia's and '!se&f<
on the 78th of Dece'er< 7899? 2as a 'e'er of the First Hi,h Counci&<
or,ani4ed on the 7Mth of Feruar!< 789@< E2hen he conferred on 'e and '!
rother Sa'ue& H#< a father+s &essin, -------
In 789: he tra$e&ed in co'*an! 2ith his rother John t2o thousand
four hundred 'i&es in Ohio< Ne2 Yor0< )enns!&$ania< %er'ont< and Ne2
Ha'*shire< $isitin, the ranches of the Church in those states and
esto2in, *atriarcha& &essin,s on se$era& hundred *ersons< *reachin, the
5os*e& to a&& 2ho 2ou&d hear< and a*ti4in, 'an!# The! returned to
1irt&and on the Hnd of Octoer< 789:#
Durin, the *ersecutions in 1irt&and in 789M< he 2as 'ade a *risoner<
ut fortunate&! otained his &iert!< and after a $er! tedious =ourne! in
the s*rin, and su''er of 7898< he arri$ed at Far 3est< .issouri# After I
and '! rother H!ru' 2ere thro2n into the .issouri =ai&s ! the 'o< he
f&ed fro' under the e/ter'inatin, order of 5o$ernor Li&urn 3# "o,,s< and
'ade his esca*e in 'id2inter to Auinc!< I&&inois< fro' 2hence he re'o$ed
to Co''erce in the s*rin, of 789N#
The e/*osures he suffered rou,ht on consu'*tion< of 2hich he died on
this 7@th da! of Se*te'er< 78@D< a,ed si/t!-nine !ears< t2o 'onths< and
t2o da!s# He 2as si/ feet< t2o inches hi,h< 2as $er! strai,ht< and
re'ar0a&! 2e&& *ro*ortioned# His ordinar! 2ei,ht 2as aout t2o hundred
*ounds< and he 2as $er! stron, and acti$e# In his !oun,er da!s he 2as
fa'ed as a 2rest&er< and< Jaco &i0e< he ne$er 2rest&ed 2ith ut one 'an
2ho' he cou&d not thro2# He 2as one of the 'ost ene$o&ent of 'en? o*enin,
his house to a&& 2ho 2ere destitute# 3hi&e at Auinc!< I&&inois< he fed
hundreds of the *oor Saints 2ho 2ere f&!in, fro' the .issouri
*ersecutions< a&thou,h he had arri$ed there *enni&ess hi'se&f#
Tuesda!< 7G#--The funera& of Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< too0 *&ace this da!<
2hen the fo&&o2in, address 2as de&i$ered ! E&der Roert "# Tho'*son( The
Discourse of E&der Tho'*son at the Funera& of Jose*h S'ith< Sen# The
occasion 2hich has rou,ht us to,ether this da!< is one of no -------
So he 2as affectionate&! ca&&ed ! the Saints--2as ordained )atriarch
and the )resident of the Hi,h )riests in 1irt&and# That he 2as not 'ade
)resident of the Hi,h )riesthood is e$ident fro' the fact that the )ro*het
Jose*h hi'se&f at that ti'e 2as )resident of the Hi,h )riesthood of the
Church< a *osition to 2hich he 2as ordained at a conference of Hi,h
)riests in A'herst< Loraine count!< Ohio< in 789H Esee church Histor!<
$o&# I< *# H@9 and note#F The )residenc! of the Hi,h )riesthood carries
2ith it the office of )resident of the church( -And a,ain< the dut! of the
)resident of the office of the Hi,h )riesthood is to *reside o$er the
2ho&e church< and to e &i0e unto .oses# "eho&d< here is 2isdo'< !ea< to
e a seer< a re$e&ator< a trans&ator< and a )ro*het< ha$in, a&& the ,ifts
of 5od 2hich He esto2s u*on the head of the Church#- EDoc# and Co$# sec#
7DM< $erses N7-N
ordinar! i'*ortance( for not on&! has a sin,&e fa'i&! to 'ourn and
sorro2 on account of the death of the indi$idua&< 2hose funera& ose>uies
2e this da! ce&erate? ut a 2ho&e societ!? !es< thousands 2i&& this da!
ha$e to sa!< a Father in Israe& is ,one#
The 'an 2ho' 2e ha$e een accusto'ed to &oo0 u* to as a )atriarch< a
Father< and a Counse&or is no 'ore an inhaitant of 'orta&it!( he has
dro**ed his c&a! tene'ent< id adieu to terrestria& scenes< and his s*irit
no2 free and unencu'ered< roa's and e/*atiates in that 2or&d 2here the
s*irits of =ust 'en 'ade *erfect d2e&&< and 2here *ain and sic0ness<
triu&ation and death cannot co'e#
The friends 2e ha$e &ost *rior to our &ate $enera&e and &a'ented
Father< 2ere such as rendered &ife s2eet< and in 2hose societ! 2e too0
,reat *&easure< and 2ho shed a &ustre in the se$era& 2a&0s of &ife in
2hich the! 'o$ed< and to 2ho' 2e fee& endeared ! friendshi*+s sacred
ties# Their $irtues and 0indnesses 2i&& &on, e re'e'ered ! the
sorro2in, 2ido2< the disconso&ate husand< the 2ee*in, chi&dren< the
a&'ost distracted and heart-ro0en *arent< and ! a &ar,e circ&e of
ac>uaintances and friends# These< &i0e the stars in !onder fir'a'ent<
shone in their se$era& s*heres< and fi&&ed that station to 2hich the! had
een ca&&ed ! the *ro$idence of 5od< 2ith honor to the'se&$es and to the
Church? and 2e fee& to 'in,&e our tears 2ith their sur$i$in, re&ati$es#
"ut on this occasion 2e rea&i4e that 2e ha$e suffered 'ore than an
ordinar! erea$e'ent< and conse>uent&! 2e fee& the 'ore interested If e$er
there 2as a 'an 2ho had c&ai's on the affections of the co''unit!< it 2as
our e&o$ed ut no2 deceased )atriarch# If e$er there 2as an e$ent
ca&cu&ated to raise the fee&in,s of sorro2 in the hu'an reast< and cause
us to dro* the s!'*athetic tear< it certain&! is the *resent? for tru&! 2e
can sa! 2ith the 0in, of Israe&< -A *rince and a ,reat 'an has fa&&en in
Israe&#- A 'an endeared to us ! e$er! fee&in, ca&cu&ated to ent2ine
around and adhere to the hu'an heart< ! a&'ost indisso&u&e onds# A 'an
faithfu& to his 5od and to the Church in e$er! situation and under a&&
circu'stances throu,h 2hich he 2as ca&&ed to *ass#
3hether in *ros*erit!< surrounded ! the co'forts of &ife< a s'i&in,
*ro,en!< and a&& the en=o!'ents of a do'estic circ&e? or 2hen ca&&ed u*on<
&i0e the )atriarchs of o&d< to &ea$e the &and of his nati$it!< to =ourne!
in stran,e &ands< and eco'e su=ect to a&& the tria&s and *ersecutions
that ha$e een hea*ed u*on the Saints 2ith a &iera& hand< ! characters
destitute of e$er! *rinci*&e of 'ora&it! or re&i,ion< a&i0e re,ard&ess of
the tender offs*rin, and the a,ed sire< 2hose si&$er! &oc0s and furro2ed
chee0s ou,ht to ha$e een a sufficient shie&d fro' their crue&t!? sti&&<
&i0e the A*ost&e )au& he cou&d e/c&ai'< Eand his &ife and conduct ha$e
fu&&! orne out the senti'entF -None of these thin,s 'o$e 'e? neither
count I '! &ife dear< so that I 'a! finish '! course 2ith =o!#-
The *rinci*&es of the 5os*e& 2ere too 2e&& esta&ished in that
reast< and had ,ot too sure a footin, there< e$er to e torn do2n< or
*rostrated ! the fierce 2inds of *ersecution< the &asts of *o$ert!< or
the s2o&&en 2a$es of distress and triu&ation# No? than0 5od< his house
2as ui&t u*on a roc0--conse>uent&! it stood a'id the contendin, e&e'ents<
fir' and unsha0en#
The &ife of our de*arted father has indeed een an e$entfu& one<
ha$in, to ta0e a cons*icuous *art in the ,reat 2or0 of the &ast da!s?
ein, desi,nated ! the ancient *ro*hets 2ho once d2e&t on this continent<
as the father of hi' 2ho' the Lord had *ro'ised to raise u* in the &ast
da!s< to &ead His *eo*&e Israe&? and ! a unifor' consistent< and a
$irtuous course< for a &on, series of !ears< he has *ro$ed hi'se&f 2orth!
of such a son< and such a fa'i&! ! 2ho' he had the ha**iness of ein,
surrounded in his d!in, 'o'ents? 'ost of 2ho' had the satisfaction of
recei$in, his d!in, enediction#
He 2as a&read! in the 2ane of &ife< 2hen the &i,ht of truth ro0e in
u*on the 2or&d< and 2ith *&easure he hai&ed its eni,n and en&i,htenin,
ra!s< and 2as chosen ! the A&'i,ht! to e one of the 2itnesses to the
"oo0 of .or'on# Fro' that ti'e< his on&! ai' 2as the *ro'otion of
truth--his sou& 2as ta0en u* 2ith the thin,s of the 1in,do'? his o2e&s
!earned o$er the chi&dren of 'en? and it 2as 'ore than his 'eat and his
drin0 to do the 2i&& of his Father< 2ho is in hea$en#
"! unceasin, industr! of hi'se&f and fa'i&!< he had secured a ho'e in
the state of Ne2 Yor0< 2here he no dout e/*ected< 2ith e$er! honest
industrious citi4en< to en=o! the &essin,s of *eace and &iert!# "ut 2hen
the *rinci*&es of truth 2ere introduced and the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ 2as
*ro'u&,ated ! hi'se&f and fa'i&!< friends forsoo0< ene'ies ra,ed< and
*ersecution 2as resorted to ! 2ic0ed and un,od&! 'en< inso'uch that he
2as o&i,ed to f&ee fro' that *&ace< and see0 a ho'e in a 'ore hos*ita&e
&and#
In Ohio he 'et 2ith 'an! 0ind and ,enerous friends< and 2as 0ind&!
2e&co'ed ! the Saints? 'an! of 2ho' continue to this da!< and can ca&& to
'ind the $arious scenes 2hich there trans*ired? 'an! of 2hich 2ere of such
a nature as not to e easi&! o&iterated#
3hi&e the House of the Lord 2as ui&din, he too0 ,reat interest in
its erection< and dai&! 2atched its *ro,ress< and had the *&easure of
ta0in, a *art at the o*enin,< and seein, it cro2ded ! hundreds of $arious
2orshi*ers# As the 1in, of Israe& &on,ed for and desired to see the
co'*&etion of the House of the Lord< so did he? and 2ith hi' he cou&d
e/c&ai'< -O Lord< I &o$e the haitation of thine house< and the *&ace
2here thine honor d2e&&eth#- To d2e&& in the house of the Lord< and to
in>uire in his te'*&e< 2as his dai&! de&i,ht? and in it he en=o!ed 'an!
&essin,s< and s*ent 'an! hours in s2eet co''union 2ith his hea$en&!
Father# He has trod its sacred ais&es< so&itar! and a&one fro' 'an0ind<
&on, efore the 0in, of da! has ,i&ded the eastern hori4on? and he has
uttered his as*irations 2ithin its 2a&&s< 2hen nature has een as&ee*# In
its ho&! enc&osures ha$e the $isions of hea$en een o*ened to his 'ind<
and his sou& has feasted on the riches of eternit!? and there under his
teachin,s ha$e the 'ee0 and hu'&e een instructed< 2hi&e the 2ido2 and
the or*han ha$e recei$ed his *atriarcha& &essin,s#
There he sa2 the 2or0 s*readin, far and 2ide? sa2 the E&ders of
Israe& ,o forth under his &essin,--ore the' u* ! the *ra!er of faith<
and hai&ed the' 2e&co'e 2hen the! a,ain returned rin,in, their shea$es
2ith the'# There 2ith his a,ed *artner< he s*ent 'an! ha**! da!s in the
oso' of his fa'i&!< 2ho' he &o$ed 2ith a&& the tenderness of *arenta&
affection#
Here I 'i,ht en&ar,e< and e/*atiate on the -scenes of =o! and scenes
of ,&adness- 2hich 2ere en=o!ed ! our e&o$ed )atriarch< ut I sha&& *ass
on to an e$ent 2hich 2as tru&! *ainfu& and tr!in,#
The de&i,htfu& scene soon $anished? the ca&' 2as soon succeeded ! a
stor' and the frai& ar0 2as dri$en ! the te'*est and foa'in, ocean< for
'an! 2ho had once een *roud to ac0no2&ed,e hi' a father and a friend< and
2ho sou,ht counse& at his hands< =oined 2ith the ene'ies of truth< and
sou,ht his destruction? and 2ou&d ha$e re=oiced to see his a,ed and
$enera&e for' i''ured in a dun,eon? ut< than0 5od< this the! 2ere not
suffered to do? he *ro$identia&&! 'ade his esca*e< and after e$adin, his
ene'ies for so'e ti'e< he undertoo0 and acco'*&ished a =ourne! of a
thousand 'i&es< and ore u* under the fati,ue and sufferin, necessari&!
attendant on such a =ourne! 2ith *atient resi,nation# After a =ourne! of
se$era& 2ee0s< he arri$ed in safet! at Far 3est< in the oso' of the
Church< and 2as cordia&&! 2e&co'ed ! the Saints< 2ho had found an as!&u'
in the rich and ferti&e count! of Ca&d2e&&#
There he< in co''on 2ith the rest of the Saints< ho*ed to en=o! the
*ri$i&e,es and &essin,s of *eace# There< fro' the ferti&e soi& and
f&o2er! 'eads< 2hich 2e&& re*aid the &aor of the husand'an< and *oured
forth aundance for the su**ort of the nu'erous herds 2hich dec0ed those
&o$e&! and 2ide-s*read *rairies< he ho*ed to en=o! uninterru*ted< the
co'forts of do'estic &ife#
"ut he had not &on, indu&,ed these *&easin, antici*ations efore the
de&i,htfu& *ros*ect a,ain $anished( the cu* of &essin, 2hich he e,an
a,ain to en=o!< 2as dashed fro' his a,ed &i*s? and the cu* of sorro2
fi&&ed to o$erf&o2in,< 2as ,i$en hi' instead? and sure&! he dran0 it to
the $er! dre,s? for not on&! did he see the Saints in onda,e< treated
2ith crue&t!< and so'e of the' 'urdered? ut the 0ind and affectionate
*arent sa2--and ahK ho2 *ainfu& 2as the si,ht--t2o of his sons to 2ho' he
&oo0ed for *rotection< torn a2a! fro' their do'estic circ&es< fro' their
2ee*in, and distracted fa'i&ies< ! 'onsters in the sha*e of 'en< 2ho
s2ore and threatened to 0i&& the'< and 2ho had e$er! dis*osition to i'rue
their hands in their &ood# This circu'stance 2as too 'uch for his
a,itated and no2 sin0in, fra'e to ear u* under? and a&thou,h his
confidence in his 5od 2as ,reat< and his conduct 2as that of a Christian
and a Saint< !et he fe&t &i0e a 'an and a *arent# At that ti'e his
constitution recei$ed a shoc0 fro' 2hich it ne$er reco$ered# AhK !es there
2ere fee&in,s a,itated in the oso' of our deceased friend at that ti'e of
no ordinar! 0ind? fee&in,s of *ainfu& an/iet!< and e'otion too ,reat for
his earth&! taernac&e to contain 2ithout sufferin, a ,reat and a sensi&e
in=ur!? and 2hich fro' that ti'e e,an to 'anifest itse&f#
It 2ou&d e unnecessar! to trace hi' and his a,ed *artner E2ho shared
in a&& his sorro2s and aff&ictionsF fro' such a scene< as 'an! of the
Saints are 0no2in, to the *ri$ations and sufferin,s 2hich the!< in co''on
2ith the Church< endured 2hi&e 'o$in, fro' that &and of o**ression?
suffice it to sa!< he arri$ed in safet! in I&&inois< ro0en do2n in
constitution and in hea&th< and since then he has &aored under se$ere
aff&ictions and *ain< 2hi&e disease has een s&o2&! ut sure&! under'inin,
his s!ste'#
3hene$er he had a short res*ite fro' *ain< he fe&t a *&easure in
attendin, to his *atriarcha& duties< and 2ith cheerfu&ness he *erfor'ed
the'? and fre>uent&! his &aors ha$e een 'ore than his stren,th cou&d
ad'it of? ut ha$in, ,reat 4ea& for the cause of truth< he fe&t 2i&&in, to
e s*ent in the ser$ice of his 5od#
For so'e ti'e *ast he has een confined to his ed< and the ti'e of
is de*arture 2as near at hand# On Saturda! e$enin, &ast< a ru*ture of a
&ood $esse& too0 *&ace< 2hen he $o'ited a &ar,e >uantit! of &ood# His
fa'i&! 2ere su''oned to his edside< it ein, no2 e$ident that he cou&d
not &on, sur$i$e#
On Sunda! he ca&&ed his chi&dren and ,randchi&dren around hi'< and
&i0e the ancient *atriarchs ,a$e the' his fina& enediction# A&thou,h his
stren,th 2as far ,one< and he 2as o&i,ed to rest at inter$a&s< !et his
'ind 2as c&ear< *erfect&! co&&ected< and ca&' as the ,ent&e 4e*h!rs# The
&o$e of 5od 2as in his heart< the *eace of 5od rested u*on hi'< and his
sou& 2as fu&& of co'*assion and &essin,#
A&& the circu'stances connected 2ith his death< 2ere ca&cu&ated to
&ead the 'ind ac0 to the ti'e 2hen an Araha'< an Isaac and a Jaco id
adieu to 'orta&it!< and entered into rest#
His death< &i0e theirs< 2as s2eet< and it certain&! 2as a *ri$i&e,e
indeed to 2itness such a scene? and I 2as forci&! re'inded of the
senti'ent of the *oet(
The cha'er 2here the ,ood 'an 'eets his fate< is *ri$i&e,ed e!ond
the co''on 2a&0 of $irtuous &ife#
There 2ere no ref&ections of a 'iss*ent &ife--no fearfu& foreodin,s
of a ,&oo'! nature in re&ation to the future? the rea&ities of eternit!
2ere da2nin,< the shades of ti'e 2ere &o2erin,? ut there 2as nothin, to
terrif!< to a&ar' or distur his 'ind? no< the *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&<
2hich< -rin, &ife and i''orta&it! to &i,ht<- no&! triu'*hed in nature+s
fina& hour# These *rinci*&es so &on, tau,ht and cherished ! our &a'ented
friend< 2ere honora&! 'aintained to the &ast? 2hich is not on&! a
conso&ation to the i''ediate re&ati$es< ut to the Church at &ar,e#
The instructions i'*arted ! hi' 2i&& &on, e re'e'ered ! his
nu'erous *ro,en!< 2ho 2i&& undouted&! *rofit ! the sa'e< and stri$e to
render the'se&$es 2orth! of such a sire? and the 2ho&e Church 2i&& co*!
his e/a'*&es< 2a&0 in his footste*s< and e'u&ate his faith and $irtuous
actions< and co''end the'se&$es to his 5od and to their 5od#
Not2ithstandin, his ene'ies fre>uent&! -shot at hi'< !et his o2
aode in stren,th< and the ar's of his hands 2ere 'ade stron, ! the hands
of the 'i,ht! 5od of Jaco<- and his coura,e and reso&ution ne$er forsoo0
hi'#
His an/iet! for the s*read of truth 2as ,reat< and he &i$ed to see
,reat and i'*ortant thin,s acco'*&ished# He sa2 the co''ence'ent of the
2or0< s'a&& as a 'ustard seed< and 2ith attention and dee* interest he
2atched its *ro,ress? and he had the satisfaction of eho&din, thousands
on this Continent< re=oicin, in its truth< and heard the ,&orious tidin,s<
that other &ands 2ere eco'in, heirs to the richest &essin,s#
Under these circu'stances< he cou&d e/c&ai'< &i0e *ious Si'eon of
o&d< -Lord< no2 &ettest thou th! ser$ant de*art in *eace< for 'ine e!es
ha$e seen th! sa&$ation#-
A&thou,h his s*irit has ta0en its f&i,ht and his re'ains 2i&& soon
'in,&e 2ith their 'other earth< !et his 'e'or! 2i&& &on, e cherished !
a&& 2ho had the *&easure of his ac>uaintance< and 2i&& e fresh and
&oo'in, 2hen those of his ene'ies sha&& e &otted out fro' under hea$en#
.a! 2e< e&o$ed friends< 2ho sur$i$e our $enera&e )atriarch< stud!
to *rosecute those thin,s 2hich 2ere so dear to his a,ed heartC and *ra!
that a dou&e *ortion of his s*irit 'a! e esto2ed on us that 2e 'a! e
the hu'&e instru'ents in aidin, the consu''ation of the ,reat 2or0 2hich
he sa2 so ha**i&! e,un? that 2hen 2e ha$e to stand efore the ar of
Christ< 2e 'a! 2ith our de*arted friend hear the 2e&co'e *&audit< -Co'e u*
hither< !e &essed of '! Father< inherit the 0in,do' *re*ared for !ou fro'
the foundation of the 2or&d# A'en#
CHA)TER 6I#
THREATENIN5 )ORTENTS IN THE ACTIONS OF .ISSOURI--5ENERAL
CONFERENCES IN NAU%OO AND EN5LAND--THE DOCTRINE OF )RIESTHOOD#
Tuesda!< Se*te'er 7G< 78@D# -The ,o$ernor of .issouri< after a
si&ence of aout t2o !ears< has at &ast 'ade a de'and on 5o$ernor Car&in
of I&&inois< for Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< L!'an 3i,ht< )ar&e! )#
)ratt< Ca&e "a&d2in< and A&anson "ro2n< as fu,iti$es fro' =ustice#
-The de'and it see's has een co'*&ied 2ith ! 5o$ernor Car&in< and
an order issued for their a**rehension? accordin,&! our *&ace has recent&!
recei$ed a $isit fro' the sheriff for these 'en? ut throu,h the tender
'ercies of a 0ind )ro$idence< 2ho ! His *o2er has sustained< and once
de&i$ered the' fro' the hands of the &ood-thirst! and sa$a,e race of
ein,s in the sha*e of 'en that tread .issouri+s de&i,htfu& soi&? the!
2ere not to e found--as the Lord 2ou&d ha$e it< the! 2ere ,one fro' ho'e<
and the sheriff returned< of course 2ithout the'#
-These 'en do not fee& dis*osed to a,ain tr! the so&e'n rea&ities of
'o &a2 in that state? and a free and en&i,htened re*u&ic shou&d res*ond
a,ainst it< for .issouri has no c&ai' on the'< ut the! ha$e c&ai' on
.issouri#
-3hat ri,ht ha$e the! to de'and of 5o$ernor Car&in< as fu,iti$es fro'
=ustice< 'en a,ainst 2ho' no *rocess had e$er een found in that
state--no< not so 'uch as the for' of a *rocessBThe! 2ere ta0en ! a 'o
'i&itia< and dra,,ed fro' e$er!thin, that 2as dear and sacred< and tried
E2ithout their 0no2&ed,eF ! a court 'artia&< conde'ned to e shot< ut
this fai&in,< the! 2ere forced into confine'ent< ,a&&ed 2ith chains<
de*ri$ed of the co'forts of &ife< and e$en that 2hich 2as necessar! to
sa$e &ife< then rou,ht to a *retended tria&< 2ithout e$en ha$in, a &e,a&
*rocess ser$ed< and then de*ri$ed of the *ri$i&e,e of defense# The! 2ere
ta0en ! a 'o< tried< conde'ned and i'*risoned ! the sa'e< and this
.issouri cannot den!#
-3hat a eautifu& *icture 5o$ernor "o,,s has *resented to the 2or&d<
after dri$in, t2e&$e or fifteen thousand inhaitants fro' their ho'es<
forcin, the' to &ea$e the state under the *ain of e/ter'ination< and
confiscatin, their *ro*ert!< and 'urderin, innocent 'en< 2o'en and
chi&dren? then< ecause that a fe2 'ade their esca*e fro' his 'urderin,
hand< and ha$e found *rotection in a &and of e>ua& ri,hts< so that his
*&ans and desi,ns ha$e a&& een unfruitfu&< to that e/tent that he has
caused -.or'onis'- to s*read 2ith dou&e $i,or? he no2 has the *resu'*tion
to de'and the' ac0< in order that his thirst for innocent &ood 'a! !et
e satiated#
-He has no usiness 2ith the'? the! ha$e not esca*ed fro' =ustice<
ut fro' the hands of a cursed< infuriated< inhu'an set< or race of ein,s
2ho are ene'ies to their countr!< to their 5od< to the'se&$es< and to
e$er! *rinci*&e of ri,hteousness and hu'anit!# The! &oathe Christianit!<
and des*ise the *eo*&e of 5od? the! 2ar a,ainst truth< and inherit &ies?
$irtue the! tread under their feet? 2hi&e $ice E2ith her ten thousand
offs*rin,F is their 2e&co'e associate? therefore< 'en on 2ho' .issouri has
no c&ai'< she cannot< no< she ne$er sha&& ha$e#-C
Sunda!< HD#--E&der 3i&&ard Richards 2ent to )reston< he&d a
conference< ordained fi$e E&ders< e&e$en )riests< ei,ht Teachers< one
Deacon< and returned to .anchester sa'e da!#
Letter of Sa'ue& "ent and 5eor,e 3# Harris to the
)residenc!--Re*ortin, Laors#
CINCINNATI< Se*t# H9< 78@D#
To the First )residenc! and Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints(
3e ,&ad&! e'race this o**ortunit! of con$e!in, a fe2 &ines to !ou !
Eene4er Roinson< 2ho 2e e/*ect 2i&& &ea$e this *&ace for Nau$oo in a fe2
da!s#
"rother 5eor,e 3# Harris and '!se&f ha$e $isited the se$era& ranches
of the Church in Ada's count!< )i0e count!< Jac0son$i&&e< and S*rin,fie&d#
On our 2a! 2e sto**ed at Terre Haute< and )&easant 5arden< Indiana# 3e
found the rethren ,enera&&! $er! 2i&&in, and an/ious to do a&& in their
*o2er to assist the Church in the ,reat and ,&orious cause that 2e ha$e
en,a,ed in res*ectin, the *rintin, of the se$era& oo0s in conte'*&ation<
ut I a' sorr! to sa! I found the' destitute of the 'eans to re&ie$e our
*resent necessit!#
Ho2e$er< 2e ha$e succeeded in otainin, se$era& notes of hand
fro' different rethren in the state of I&&inois< to the a'ount of aout
ei,ht!-three do&&ars< 2hich 2i&& co'e due on the first da! of Octoer
ne/t< and 2e ha$e handed the' o$er to Eene4er Roinson< to e de&i$ered
to Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< for co&&ection# 3e e/*ect "rother Roinson 2i&&
arri$e 2ith the' at the ti'e the! eco'e due#
C The fore,oin, is an editoria& in the Ti'es and Seasons for
Se*te'er< 78@D#
3e ha$e otained so'e 'one!< 2hich 2e ha$e *aid o$er to "rother
Eene4er Roinson# 3e ha$e a&so ,i$en our o&i,ations as a,ents for the
Church< to She*herd and Stearns to the a'ount of three hundred do&&ars<
t2o hundred of 2hich eco'es due on the t2ent!-si/th da! of No$e'er ne/t<
and the other one hundred on the t2ent! si/th da! of Dece'er ne/t< ein,
the a'ount due She*herd and Stearns for the stereot!*e *&ates#
3e ha$e ta0en u* the ond that "rother "ro2n ,a$e for the 2a,on or
carria,e 2hich he &et Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< ha$e< and 2e ha$e succeeded in
*rocurin, a horse and harness to *ut a&on,side of the other horse to 'a0e
it easier for hi'# 3e ,ot said horse and harness ! contriutions fro' the
rethren at Da!ton and 3est .i&ton< Ohio#
"rother Eene4er Roinson E2e thin0F has een $er! econo'ica&<
di&i,ent< and *erse$erin,< and successfu& in the usiness 2hereu*on he 2as
sent# He has ,ained the confidence of the ,ent&e'en 2ith 2ho' he has een
transactin, usiness in the cit!< and has done honor to the cause of
Christ and His Church of Latter-da! Saints# 3e can further sa! to !ou
rethren< 2e thin0 the course he has ta0en< and our united e/ertions 2ith
hi'< ha$e esta&ished the credit of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints in this *&ace EI 'ean as to usiness transactionsF< to
that e/tent that 2e can otain an! a'ount of *a*er< t!*e< and other
'ateria&s re>uisite to carr! on the *rintin, usiness to a &ar,e e/tent<
and u*on ter's that 2i&& 2arrant our success#
3e therefore sha&& ,o on 2ith rene2ed coura,e and 4ea&< trustin, in
the Lord to *re*are the 2a! efore us< and 2e fee& to as0 !our *ra!ers
that 5od 'a! *erad$enture e/*and the 'inds of the Saints aroad< that the!
'a! e a&e to co'*rehend the 'a,nitude of the 2or0 2e so 'uch desire to
acco'*&ish< 2hich in a&& *roai&it! 2i&& induce the' to donate 2ith
a&acrit!#
"rother John E# )a,e is *reachin, 2ith the 'anifestations of the
S*irit and *o2er in this *&ace< and 2ith considera&e success# 3e thin0
2hen "rother )a,e &ea$es the cit! of Cincinnati< the inhaitants thereof
2i&& e &eft 2ithout e/cuse for not recei$in, the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ<
and his ,ar'ents c&ear fro' their &ood in the da! of =ud,'ent# Acce*t our
&o$e and est 2ishes# Yours in the onds of the Ne2 and E$er&astin,
Co$enant<
SA.UEL "ENT<
5EOR5E 3# HARRIS#
Letter of John E# )a,e to the )residenc!--Re*ortin, )ro,ress of
)a&estine .ission#
CINCINNATI< Se*te'er H9< 78@D#
To the )resident and Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< and a&so to a&& the Saints Asse'&ed in 5enera& Conference(
Your hu'&e ser$ant e'races 2ith *&easure this o**ortunit! to *en
for !our edification a fe2 &ines# I con,ratu&ate !ou u*on the stead! 'arch
and ad$ance'ent of the cause of Christ< as IitJ has fa&&en under '!
oser$ation# E&der H!de and '!se&f ha$e een treated 2ith res*ect< and had
the ,reatest attention *aid us ! the rethren and sisters? and !
,ent&e'en and &adies of the first c&ass in societ!< 2e ha$e een 'ade
2e&co'e $er! hearti&! to their d2e&&in,s and co'forts of &ife# 3hen 2e
se*arate fro' the' the! ,ri* our hands 2ith tears standin, fu&& in their
e!es< iddin, fare2e&&< and often &ea$e so'ethin, no&e 2ith us to he&* us
on our 'ission? and a fir' *ro'ise that the! 2i&& du&! ref&ect on the
,reat thin,s 2hich 2e ha$e to&d the'# The! ardent&! re>uest us to send
the' so'e co'*etent E&der to *reach to the'#
Yes< dear rethren< the cause of truth is 'archin, on2ard 2ith
un*ara&&e&ed ra*idit!< and $ictor!K%ictor!K 2i&& soon e the shout of a&&
the faithfu& in Christ? and than0 the Lord< than0 the Lord< is the
&an,ua,e of un2orth! 'e< that I ha$e &i$ed to see 78@D< 2ith a&& its
attendant e$idences of the truth of the "oo0 of .or'on< and the "oo0 of
Doctrine and Co$enants#
I 'ust sa$e a *&ace in this co''unication to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s
concernin, "rother Eene4er Roinson# I can sa!< in truth and soerness<
that he 'erits the estee' and confidence of the Saints and a&& ,ood 'en
for his di&i,ence and econo'! 2hi&e ,ettin, the "oo0 of .or'on
stereot!*ed< Pc#< here# The honest and fran0 course he has *ursued to2ards
the ,ent&e'en 2ith 2ho' he has een concerned in usiness E$i4#< .essrs#
She*herd< Stearns< and othersF< has 2on their e$er&astin, res*ect and
estee'< =ud,in, fro' their o2n 'anifestations to 'e#
Dear rethren and sisters< !our hu'&e ser$ants< Orson H!de and
'!se&f< sincere&! so&icit !our s*ecia& *ra!ers< sea&ed 2ith a heart! a'en#
E&der H!de is tru&! a hu'&e ser$ant of the Lord< and a $er!
a,reea&e co'*anion in the 'inistr!# Our hearts are one< our faith is one<
and the stron,ho&ds of Satan >ua0e efore us# 3e desire to ha$e ,race to
*erfor' our 'ission< that 2e 'a! return to our fa'i&ies and rethren 2ith
triu'*h and =o!#
I antici*ate that E&der H!de is in Ne2 Yor0 Cit!# I a' 2aitin, to
otain a fe2 co*ies of the third edition of the "oo0 of .or'on# To raise
'eans is hard< !et 2e trust in the Lord# I sha&& ,o to )hi&ade&*hia as
soon as *ossi&e#
I ha$e a*ti4ed thirteen in this cit!? 'an! are e&ie$in,< and so'e
ha&tin, et2een t2o o*inions? and ha$e a*ti4ed in a&& since I started<
ei,ht!-four#
I ha$e had a $ision fro' the Lord< 2hich 'anifested the *resent state
of the 2or&d res*ectin, the Je2s< Jerusa&e'< the re'nant of Israe&< and
a&so the 5enti&e 2or&d# As hast! su''er fruit< so is this nation? as a
$ine!ard of ,ra*es fu&&! ri*e< read! to e ,athered for the *ress< so are
a&& the nations of the earth#
I 2ant the conference to send so'e faithfu& and co'*etent E&der to
this *&ace< to nurse the seed or 2ord that has een so2n here< and sha&&
&ea$e this 'atter 2ith Eene4er Roinson to &a! efore the conference#
E&ders "ent and Harris are here< and are usin, a&& their ener,ies<
oth of 'ind and od!< to fi&& their ca&&in,# I dee' the' a'*&! >ua&ified
to dischar,e the function of their office< *ro$ided the! 0ee* hu'&e#
Dear rethren< re'e'er 'e to '! fa'i&!< and *ra! for the'? re'e'er
'e to Sister H!de< and a&so a&& of the 2i$es of the E&ders in *articu&ar<
2hose husands are in the fie&d# Te&& the' to *ra! for us# I ho*e the
authorities of the Church 2i&& see that the! are *ro$ided 2ith food and
rai'ent< that the! 'a! en=o! &ife 2ith !ou# Yours in the onds of the
Co$enant< JOHN E# )A5E#
.onda!< H8# E/tracts fro' Orson H!de+s Letter--Si,ns in the Hea$ens#
"URLIN5TON COUNTY< NE3 JERSEY#
I &eft E&der )a,e at Cincinnati the &atter *art of Au,ust< and ca'e
on u* the Ohio ri$er as far as 3e&&sur,h< %ir,inia# I sto**ed 2ith Father
Ja'es# Here I *reached t2ice< and a*ti4ed three *ersons? ca'e on ! sta,e
and stea'oats to )ittsur,? fro' thence too0 the cana& to Leechur,h<
2here I sto**ed and *reached to a s'a&& nu'er of Saints< raised u* ! the
instru'enta&it! of Father Nic0erson--in ,ood s*irits#
As I &eft this *&ace aout nine o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,< the 'ost
re'ar0a&e *heno'enon occurred in the hea$ens that I e$er 2itnessed# There
a**eared t2o ri,ht and &u'inous odies< one on the north and the other on
the south of the sun? in &en,th aout ten !ards< inc&inin, to a circ&e
rese'&in, a raino2< aout fift! !ards distant fro' the sun? a**arent&!
east aout t2ent!-fi$e !ards< 2as a od! of &i,ht as ri&&iant a&'ost as
the sun itse&f? and on the 2est< a ,reat distance fro' the sun< a**eared a
2hite se'i-circ&e *assin, ha&f 2a! round the hori4on< and another crossin,
it at ri,ht an,&es< e/hiitin, a scene of the su&i'est 0ind# It 2as a
,reat 2onder to the *assen,ers on oard the oat# )ut this 2ith the fact
that the Je2s are ,atherin, ho'e< and that a&& Euro*e is in co''otion and
on the e$e of rea0in, out in o*en hosti&ities? and a&so that the tree of
&iert!< 2hich has &on, f&ourished in the re*u&ican soi& of A'erica< has
een ,ird&ed< and her ,reen fo&ia,e< 2hich has shie&ded and *rotected the
sons of o**ression fro' the scorchin, ra!s of des*otic *o2er< a&read!
e,ins to 2ither &i0e the accursed fi, tree--and 2hat &an,ua,e do these
s*ea0 to the SaintsK -Lift u* !our heads< for !our rede'*tion dra2eth
nearK- C C C C C C
I ca'e on< and 'et 2ith the Saints in Chester count!< )enns!&$ania<
&aorin, there aout one 2ee0 2ith "rother "arnes< 2here 2e added si/ to
their nu'er# I *reached aout one 2ee0 in )hi&ade&*hia< and a*ti4ed
t2e&$e? ca'e on to this *&ace 2ith "rothers Sno2 and "arnes< and he&d a
t2o-da!s+ 'eetin,< at 2hich si/teen 2ere a*ti4ed# I sha&& return to
)hi&ade&*hia in a fe2 da!s< 2here I e/*ect to 'eet "rother )a,e< and then<
if the Lord 2i&&< after ho&din, a fe2 'eetin,s in this countr!< 2e sha&&
*roceed on to Ne2 Yor0< there to ta0e shi* and sai& o$er the seas#
ORSON HYDE#
On the ni,ht of the H8th< E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& had the fo&&o2in,
drea'< as re&ated ! hi'se&f( E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&+s Drea'#
Ha$in, ,reat an/iet! for the 2e&fare of the s'a&& ranch 2hich 2e had
raised in London< I retired to rest and had the fo&&o2in, drea'# I thou,ht
that 2e du, a 2e&& on hi,h ,round in order to otain 2ater< and after
di,,in, so'e considera&e ti'e< 2e ca'e to an e/ce&&ent s*rin,? 2e then
co''enced to ac0 it u*< ut efore it 2as finished< 2e had occasion to
&ea$e for a short ti'e and 2hen 2e returned to co'*&ete it< 2e found it
carefu&&! fi&&ed u* 2ith sand< and a&& atte'*ts to re'o$e it *ro$ed
una$ai&in,< 2e thou,ht it etter to choose another s*ot on &o2er ,round<
2here 2e 2ere successfu&# 3hen 2e returned to London< 2e e/*erienced a
*erfect fu&fi&&'ent of '! drea'--ha$in, to o*en a ne2 *reachin, *&ace at
"arrett+s Acade'!< 1in, S>uare< 5os2e&& Road< our for'er *&ace ein,
c&osed a,ainst us#
Tuesda!< HN#--E&ders Heer C# 1i'a&& and 5eor,e A# S'ith &eft London
for the .anchester conference#
Saturda!< Octoer 9#
.inutes of the 5enera& Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints< he&d in Nau$oo< Hancoc0 Count!< I&&inois< "e,innin,
Octoer 9< 78@D# The conference 2as o*ened 2ith *ra!er ! )resident
3i&&ia' .ar0s# )resident Jose*h S'ith 2as then unani'ous&! ca&&ed to the
chair< and Roert "# Tho'*son a**ointed c&er0#
A &etter fro' E&ders "ent and Harris< and one fro' E&der John E# )a,e
2ere then read ! the c&er0< 2hich ,a$e $er! satisfactor! accounts of
their 'ission#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That a co''ittee e a**ointed to ordain such as
ha$e reco''ends to this conference for ordination< and that Jonathan H#
Ha&e< E&isha H# 5ro$es< Char&es C# Rich< John .urdoc0< and Si'eon Carter<
co'*ose said co''ittee< and re*ort their *roceedin,s efore the conference
c&oses#
The )resident arose and stated that there had een se$era&
de*redations co''itted on the citi4ens of Nau$oo< and thou,ht it e/*edient
that a co''ittee e a**ointed to search out the offenders< and rin, the'
to =ustice#
3hereu*on it 2as Reso&$ed( That Jose*h S'ith< E&ias Hi,ee< 3i&&ia'
.ar0s< %inson 1ni,ht< 3i&&ia' La2< Char&es C# Rich< and Di'ic0 "#
Huntin,ton< co'*ose said co''ittee#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That Roert "# Tho'*son e a**ointed the 5enera&
Church C&er0< in the roo' of 5eor,e 3# Roinson< 2ho intends to re'o$e to
Io2a#
It ha$in, een re>uested ! E&der )a,e< that the conference 2ou&d
a**oint an E&der to ta0e char,e of the church 2hich he and E&der H!de had
raised u* in Cincinnati< on 'otion< Reso&$ed( That E&der Sa'ue& "ennett e
a**ointed to *reside there#
The *resident then arose and stated that it 2as necessar! that
so'ethin, shou&d e done 2ith re,ard to 1irt&and< so that it 'i,ht e
ui&t u*? and ,a$e it as his o*inion< that the rethren fro' the east
'i,ht ,ather there< and a&so that it 2as necessar! that so'e one shou&d e
a**ointed fro' this conference to *reside o$er that sta0e# On 'otion<
Reso&$ed( That E&der A&'on 3# "aitt e a**ointed to *reside o$er the
Church in 1irt&and< and that he choose his o2n counse&ors#
Conference ad=ourned for one hour#
One o+c&oc0 *#'# Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# An
o**ortunit! 2as ,i$en to the rethren 2ho had an! re'ar0s to 'a0e on
suita&e &ocations for sta0es of ;ion# E&der H# 3# .i&&er stated that it
2as the desire of a nu'er of the rethren residin, in Ada's count!< to
ha$e a sta0e a**ointed at .ount E*hrain in that count!< and stated the
ad$anta,es of the *&ace for a,ricu&tura& *ur*oses#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That a sta0e e a**ointed at .ount E*hrai'< in
Ada's count!#
There ein, se$era& a**&ications for the a**oint'ent of sta0es< it
2as Reso&$ed( That a co''ittee e a**ointed to or,ani4e sta0es et2een
this *&ace and 1irt&and< and that H!ru' S'ith< L!'an 3i,ht< and A&'on 3#
"aitt< co'*ose said co''ittee#
The )resident then s*o0e of the necessit! of ui&din, a -House of the
Lord- in this *&ace# 3hereu*on it 2as Reso&$ed( That the Saints ui&d a
house for the 2orshi* of 5od< and that Re!no&ds Cahoon< E&ias Hi,ee< and
A&*heus Cut&er e a**ointed a co''ittee to ui&d the sa'e#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That a co''ence'ent e 'ade ten da!s fro' this
date< and that e$er! tenth da! e a**ro*riated for the ui&din, of the
house#
)resident H!ru' S'ith arose and stated that there 2ere se$era&
indi$idua&s 2ho< on 'o$in, to this *&ace< had not sett&ed 2ith their
creditors< and had no reco''end fro' the ranches of the churches 2here
the! had resided# On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That those *ersons 'o$in, to this
*&ace< 2ho do not rin, a reco''end< e disfe&&o2shi*ed#
John C# "ennett< .# D#< then s*o0e at so'e &en,th< on the o**ression
to 2hich the Church had een su=ected< and re'ar0ed that it 2as necessar!
for the rethren to stand ! each other< and resist e$er! un&a2fu& atte'*t
at *ersecution#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht then addressed the 'eetin,# Ad=ourned ti&& to'orro2
'ornin,#
Sunda! 'ornin,< Octoer @# Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent<
and 2as o*ened 2ith *ra!er ! E&der A&'on 3# "aitt#
The c&er0 2as then ca&&ed u*on to read the re*ort of the )residenc!
in re&ation to the cit! *&at< after 2hich the )resident 'ade so'e
oser$ations on the status of the dets on the cit! *&at< 2hich 2i&&
a**ear at the c&ose of these conference 'inutes< and ad$ised that a
co''ittee e a**ointed to raise funds to &i>uidated the sa'e# On 'otion<
Reso&$ed( That 3i&&ia' .ar0s and H!ru' S'ith co'*ose said co''ittee#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed(That a co''ittee e a**ointed to draft a i&& for
the incor*oration of the to2n of Nau$oo< and other *ur*oses#
Reso&$ed( That Jose*h S'ith< John C# "ennett< and Roert "# Tho'*son
e said co''ittee#
Reso&$ed( That John C# "ennett e a**ointed de&e,ate< to ur,e the
*assa,e of said i&& throu,h the &e,is&ature#
)resident H!ru' S'ith then rose and ,a$e so'e ,enera& instructions to
the Church# Conference ad=ourned for one hour#
One o+c&oc0 *#'# Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent< and 2as
o*ened 2ith *ra!er ! E&der John )# 5reene#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then rose and de&i$ered a discourse on the
su=ect of a*tis' for the dead< 2hich 2as &istened to 2ith considera&e
interest< ! the $ast 'u&titude asse'&ed#
Dr# John C# "ennett fro' the co''ittee to draft a charter for the
cit!< and for other *ur*oses< re*orted the out&ines thereof# On 'otion(
Reso&$ed( That the sa'e e ado*ted#
E&der Eene4er Roinson then rose and ,a$e an account of the *rintin,
of another edition of the "oo0 of .or'on< and stated that it 2as no2
near&! co'*&eted< and that arran,e'ents had een 'ade for the *rintin, of
the h!'n oo0< "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< Pc#
Conference ad=ourned to .onda! 'ornin,#
.onda! 'ornin,< Octoer G# Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent<
and 2as o*ened 2ith *ra!er ! E&der L!'an 3i,ht#
E&der Roert "# Tho'*son< after a fe2 *re&i'inar! re'ar0s< read an
artic&e on the )riesthood< co'*osed ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< 2hich 2i&&
a**ear at the c&ose of the conference 'inutes? after 2hich E&der "aitt
de&i$ered an e/ce&&ent discourse on the sa'e su=ect< at considera&e
&en,th#
Conference ad=ourned for one hour# Durin, the inter'ission a &ar,e
nu'er 2as a*ti4ed#
T2o o+c&oc0 *#'# Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# E&der L!'an
3i,ht addressed the con,re,ation on the su=ect of a*tis' for the dead<
and other su=ects of interest to the Church#
The )resident then 'ade so'e oser$ations and *ronounced his
enediction on the asse'&!#
Dr# John C# "ennett said that 'an! *ersons had een accused of cri'e<
and een &oo0ed u*on as ,ui&t!< 2hen on in$esti,ation it has een
ascertained that nothin, cou&d e *ro$ed a,ainst the'# 3hereu*on< on
'otion< it 2as Reso&$ed( That no *erson e considered ,ui&t! of cri'e<
un&ess *ro$ed so ! the testi'on! of t2o or three 2itnesses#
He ne/t rou,ht efore the conference the treat'ent the Saints had
e/*erienced in .issouri< and 2ished to 0no2 2hether the conference 2ou&d
ta0e an! further ste*s in re&ation to otainin, redress# On 'otion<
reso&$ed( That E&ias Hi,ee and Roert "# Tho'*son e a**ointed a
co''ittee to otain redress for the 2ron,s sustained in .issouri#
The co''ittee on ordinations re*orted that the! had ordained
thirt!-nine to the 'inistr!#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed( That this conference e dis'issed< and that the
ne/t conference e he&d on the :th da! of A*ri& ne/t# JOSE)H S.ITH<
)resident# RO"ERT "# THO.)SON< C&er0#
The fo&&o2in, is the artic&e on )riesthood referred to in the
conference 'inutes( )RIESTHOOD# In order to in$esti,ated the su=ect of
the )riesthood< so i'*ortant to this< as 2e&& as e$er! succeedin,
,eneration< I sha&& *roceed to trace the su=ect as far as I *ossi&! can
fro' the O&d and Ne2 Testa'ents#
There are t2o )riesthoods s*o0en of in the Scri*tures< $i4#< the
.e&chisede0 and the Aaronic or Le$itica&# A&thou,h there are t2o
)riesthoods< !et the .e&chisede0 )riesthood co'*rehends the Aaronic or
Le$itica& )riesthood< and is the ,rand head< and ho&ds the hi,hest
authorit! 2hich *ertains to the )riesthood< and the 0e!s of the 1in,do' of
5od in a&& a,es of the 2or&d to the &atest *osterit! on the earth< and is
the channe& throu,h 2hich a&& 0no2&ed,e< doctrine< the *&an of sa&$ation<
and e$er! i'*ortant 'atter is re$ea&ed fro' hea$en#
Its institution 2as *rior to -the foundation of this earth< or the
'ornin, stars san, to,ether< or the Sons of 5od shouted for =o!<- and is
the hi,hest and ho&iest )riesthood< and is after the order of the Son of
5od< and a&& other )riesthoods are on&! *arts< ra'ifications< *o2ers and
&essin,s e&on,in, to the sa'e< and are he&d< contro&&ed< and directed !
it# It is the channe& throu,h 2hich the A&'i,ht! co''enced re$ea&in, His
,&or! at the e,innin, of the creation of this earth< and throu,h 2hich He
has continued to re$ea& Hi'se&f to the chi&dren of 'en to the *resent
ti'e< and throu,h 2hich He 2i&& 'a0e 0no2n His *ur*oses to the end of
ti'e#
Co''encin, 2ith Ada'< 2ho 2as the first 'an< 2ho is s*o0en of in
Danie& as ein, the -Ancient of Da!s<- or in other 2ords< the first and
o&dest of ai&< the ,reat< ,rand *ro,enitor of 2ho' it is said in another
*&ace he is .ichae&< ecause he 2as the first and father of a&&< not on&!
! *ro,en!< ut the first to ho&d the s*iritua& &essin,s< to 2ho' 2as
'ade 0no2n the *&an of ordinances for the sa&$ation of his *osterit! unto
the end< and to 2ho' Christ 2as first re$ea&ed< and throu,h 2ho' Christ
has een re$ea&ed fro' hea$en< and 2i&& continue to e re$ea&ed fro'
henceforth# Ada' ho&ds the 0e!s of the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of
ti'es? i#e#< the dis*ensation of a&& the ti'es ha$e een and 2i&& e
re$ea&ed throu,h hi' fro' the e,innin, to Christ< and fro' Christ to the
end of a&& the dis*ensations that are to e re$ea&ed#-Ha$in, 'ade 0no2n
unto us the '!ster! of His 2i&&< accordin, to His ,ood *&easure 2hich He
hath *ur*osed in Hi'se&f( that in the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of
ti'es He 'i,ht ,ather to,ether in one a&& thin,s in Christ< oth 2hich are
in hea$en< and 2hich are on earth? e$en in hi'#-EE*hesians< 7st cha*#< Nth
and 7D $ersesF#
No2 the *ur*ose in Hi'se&f in the 2indin, u* scene of the &ast
dis*ensation is that a&& thin,s *ertainin, to that dis*ensation shou&d e
conducted *recise&! in accordance 2ith the *recedin, dis*ensations#
And a,ain< 5od *ur*osed in Hi'se&f that there shou&d not e an
eterna& fu&&ness unti& e$er! dis*ensation shou&d e fu&fi&&ed and ,athered
to,ether in one< and that a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er< that shou&d e ,athered
to,ether in one in those dis*ensations unto the sa'e fu&&ness and eterna&
,&or!< shou&d e in Christ Jesus? therefore He set the ordinances to e
the sa'e fore$er and e$er< and set Ada' to 2atch o$er the'< to re$ea& the'
fro' hea$en to 'an< or to send an,e&s to re$ea& the'# -Are the! not a&&
'inisterin, s*irits< sent forth to 'inister for the' 2ho sha&& e heirs of
sa&$ationB-EHere2s< i< 7@F#
These an,e&s are under the direction of .ichae& or Ada'< 2ho acts
under the direction of the Lord# Fro' the ao$e >uotation 2e &earn that
)au& *erfect&! understood the *ur*oses of 5od in re&ation to His
connection 2ith 'an< and that ,&orious and *erfect order 2hich He
esta&ished in Hi'se&f< 2here! he sent forth *o2er< re$e&ations< and
,&or!#
5od 2i&& not ac0no2&ed,e that 2hich He has not ca&&ed< ordained< and
chosen# In the e,innin, 5od ca&&ed Ada' ! His o2n $oice# -And the Lord
ca&&ed unto Ada' and said unto hi'< 3here art thouB And he said< I heard
th! $oice in the ,arden< and I 2as afraid ecause I 2as na0ed< and hid
'!se&f#-ESee 5enesis 9rd cha*#< N< 7D#FAda' recei$ed co''and'ents and
instructions fro' 5od( this 2as the order fro' the e,innin,#
That he recei$ed re$e&ations< co''and'ents and ordinances at the
e,innin, is e!ond the *o2er of contro$ers!? e&se ho2 did the! e,in to
offer sacrifices to 5od in an acce*ta&e 'annerB And if the! offered
sacrifices the! 'ust e authori4ed ! ordination# 3e read in E5enesis<
E@th cha*#< @thF< that Ae& rou,ht of the first&in,s of the f&oc0 and the
fat thereof< and the Lord had res*ect to Ae& and to his offerin,# And<
a,ain< -"! faith Ae& offered unto 5od a 'ore e/ce&&ent sacrifice than
Cain< ! 2hich he otained 2itness that he 2as ri,hteous< 5od testif!in,
of his ,ifts? and ! it he ein, dead< !et s*ea0eth#- EHere2s /i? @F# Ho2
doth he !et s*ea0B 3h! he 'a,nified the )riesthood 2hich 2as conferred
u*on hi'< and died a ri,hteous 'an< and therefore has eco'e an an,e& of
5od ! recei$in, his od! fro' the dead< ho&din, sti&& the 0e!s of his
dis*ensation? and 2as sent do2n fro' hea$en unto
)au& to 'inister conso&in, 2ords< and to co''it unto hi' a 0no2&ed,e
of the '!steries of ,od&iness#
And if this 2as not the case< I 2ou&d as0< ho2 did )au& 0no2 so 'uch
aout Ae&< and 2h! shou&d he ta&0 aout his s*ea0in, after he 2as
deadBHence< that he s*o0e after he 2as dead 'ust e ! ein, sent do2n out
of hea$en to ad'inister#
This< then< is the nature of the )riesthood? e$er! 'an ho&din, the
)residenc! of his dis*ensation< and one 'an ho&din, the )residenc! of the'
a&&< e$en Ada'( and Ada' recei$in, his )residenc! and authorit! fro' the
Lord< ut cannot recei$e a fu&&ness unti& Christ sha&& *resent the 1in,do'
to the Father< 2hich sha&& e at the end of the &ast dis*ensation#
The *o2er< ,&or! and &essin,s of the )riesthood cou&d not continue
2ith those 2ho recei$ed ordination on&! as their ri,hteousness continued?
for Cain a&so ein, authori4ed to offer sacrifice< ut not offerin, it in
ri,hteousness< 2as cursed# It si,nifies< then< that the ordinances 'ust e
0e*t in the $er! 2a! 5od has a**ointed? other2ise their )riesthood 2i&&
*ro$e a cursin, instead of a &essin,#
If Cain had fu&fi&&ed the &a2 of ri,hteousness as did Enoch< he cou&d
ha$e 2a&0ed 2ith 5od a&& the da!s of his &ife< and ne$er fai&ed of a
&essin,#-And Enoch 2a&0ed 2ith 5od after he e,at .ethuse&ah 9DD !ears<
and e,at sons and dau,hters< and a&& the da!s of Enoch 2ere 9:G !ears?
and Enoch 2a&0ed 2ith 5od< and he 2as not< for 5od too0 hi'#- E5en# Gth
cha*#< HHnd $er#F No2 this Enoch 5od reser$ed unto Hi'se&f< that he shou&d
not die at that ti'e< and a**ointed unto hi' a 'inistr! unto terrestria&
odies< of 2ho' there has een ut &itt&e re$ea&ed# He is reser$ed a&so
unto the )residenc! of a dis*ensation< and 'ore sha&& he said of hi' and
terrestria& odies in another treatise# He is a 'inisterin, an,e&< to
'inister to those 2ho sha&& e heirs of sa&$ation and a**eared unto Jude
as Ae& did unto )au&? therefore Jude s*o0e of hi' E7@< 7G $ersesF# And
Enoch< the se$enth fro' Ada'< re$ea&ed these sa!in,s( -"eho&d< the Lord
co'eth 2ith ten thousand of His Saints#-
)au& 2as a&so ac>uainted 2ith this character< and recei$ed
instructions fro' hi'#-"! faith Enoch 2as trans&ated< that he shou&d not
see death< and 2as not found< ecause 5od had trans&ated hi'? for efore
his trans&ation he had this testi'on!< that he *&eased 5od? ut 2ithout
faith< it is i'*ossi&e to *&ease Hi'< for he that co'eth to 5od 'ust
e&ie$e that He is< and that he is a re$ea&er to those 2ho di&i,ent&! see0
hi'#-EHe# 77< GF#
No2 the doctrine of trans&ation is a *o2er 2hich e&on,s to this
)riesthood# There are 'an! thin,s 2hich e&on, to the *o2ers of the
)riesthood and the 0e!s thereof< that ha$e een 0e*t hid fro' efore the
foundation of the 2or&d? the! are hid fro' the 2ise and *rudent to e
re$ea&ed in the &ast ti'es#
.an! ha$e su**osed that the doctrine of trans&ation 2as a doctrine
2here! 'en 2ere ta0en i''ediate&! into the *resence of 5od< and into an
eterna& fu&&ness< ut this is a 'ista0en idea# Their *&ace of haitation
is that of the terrestria& order< and a *&ace *re*ared for such characters
He he&d in reser$e to e 'inisterin, an,e&s unto 'an! *&anets< and 2ho as
!et ha$e not entered into so ,reat a fu&&ness as those 2ho are resurrected
fro' the dead# -Others 2ere tortured< not acce*tin, de&i$erance< that the!
'i,ht otain a etter resurrection#- ESee He# 77th cha*#< *art of the
9Gth $erse#F
No2 it 2as e$ident that there 2as a etter resurrection< or e&se 5od
2ou&d not ha$e re$ea&ed it unto )au&# 3herein then< can it e said a
etter resurrection# This distinction is 'ade et2een the doctrine of the
actua& resurrection and trans&ation( trans&ation otains de&i$erance fro'
the tortures and sufferin,s of the od!< ut their e/istence 2i&& *ro&on,
as to the &aors and toi&s of the 'inistr!< efore the! can enter into so
,reat a rest and ,&or!#
On the other hand< those 2ho 2ere tortured< not acce*tin,
de&i$erance< recei$ed an i''ediate rest fro' their &aors#-And I heard a
$oice fro' hea$en< sa!in,< "&essed are the dead 2ho die in the Lord< for
fro' henceforth the! do rest fro' their &aors and their 2or0s do fo&&o2
the'#-ESee Re$e&ation< 7@th cha*#< 79th $erseF#
The! rest fro' their &aors for a &on, ti'e< and !et their 2or0 is
he&d in reser$e for the'< that the! are *er'itted to do the sa'e 2or0<
after the! recei$e a resurrection for their odies# "ut 2e sha&& &ea$e
this su=ect and the su=ect of the terrestria& odies for another ti'e<
in order to treat u*on the' 'ore fu&&!#
The ne/t ,reat< ,rand )atriarch Iafter EnochJ 2ho he&d the 0e!s of
the )riesthood 2as La'ech#-And La'ech &i$ed one hundred and ei,ht!-t2o
!ears and e,at a son< and he ca&&ed his na'e Noah< sa!in,< this sa'e
sha&& co'fort us concernin, our 2or0 and the toi& of our hands ecause of
the ,round 2hich the Lord has cursed#-ESee 5en# Gth cha*#< H8th and HNth
$erses#FThe )riesthood continued fro' La'ech to Noah# -And 5od said unto
Noah< The end of a&& f&esh is efore 'e< for the earth is fi&&ed 2ith
$io&ence throu,h the'< and eho&d I 2i&& destro! the' 2ith the
earth#-E5en# :( 79#F
Thus 2e eho&d the 0e!s of this )riesthood consisted in otainin, the
$oice of Jeho$ah that He ta&0ed 2ith hi'--Noah--in a fa'i&iar and friend&!
'anner< that He continued to hi' the 0e!s< the co$enants< the *o2er and
the ,&or!< 2ith 2hich he &essed Ada' at the e,innin,? and the offerin,
of sacrifice< 2hich a&so sha&& e continued at the &ast ti'e? for a&& the
ordinances and duties that e$er ha$e een re>uired ! the )riesthood<
under the directions and co''and'ents of the A&'i,ht! in an! of the
dis*ensations< sha&& a&& e had in the &ast dis*ensation< therefore a&&
thin,s had under the authorit! of the )riesthood at an! for'er *eriod<
sha&& e had a,ain< rin,in, to *ass the restoration s*o0en of ! the
'outh of a&& the Ho&! )ro*hets? then sha&& the sons of Le$i offer an
acce*ta&e offerin, to the Lord#-And he sha&& sit as a refiner and
*urifier of si&$er( and he sha&& *urif! the sons of Le$i< and *ur,e the'
as ,o&d and si&$er< that the! 'a! offer unto the Lord# ESee .a&achi 9( 9F#
It 2i&& e necessar! here to 'a0e a fe2 oser$ations on the doctrine
set forth in the ao$e >uotation< and it is ,enera&&! su**osed that
sacrifice 2as entire&! done a2a! 2hen the 5reat Sacrifice Ii#e#< the
sacrifice of the Lord JesusJ 2as offered u*< and that there 2i&& e no
necessit! for the ordinance of sacrifice in future? ut those 2ho assert
this are certain&! not ac>uainted 2ith the duties< *ri$i&e,es and
authorit! of the *riesthood< or 2ith the )ro*hets#
The offerin, of sacrifice has e$er een connected and for's a *art of
the duties of the )riesthood# It e,an 2ith the )riesthood< and 2i&& e
continued unti& after the co'in, of Christ< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration#
3e fre>uent&! ha$e 'ention 'ade of the offerin, of sacrifice ! the
ser$ants of the .ost Hi,h in ancient da!s< *rior to the &a2 of .oses?
2hich ordinances 2i&& e continued 2hen the )riesthood is restored 2ith
a&& its authorit!< *o2er and &essin,s#
E&i=ah 2as the &ast )ro*het that he&d the 0e!s of the )riesthood< and
2ho 2i&&< efore the &ast dis*ensation< restore the authorit! and de&i$er
the 0e!s of the )riesthood< in order that a&& the ordinances 'a! e
attended to in ri,hteousness# It is true that the Sa$ior had authorit! and
*o2er to esto2 this &essin,? ut the sons of Le$i 2ere too *re=udiced#
-And I 2i&& send E&i=ah the )ro*het efore the ,reat and terri&e da! of
the Lord<- etc#< etc# 3h! send E&i=ahB "ecause he ho&ds the 0e!s of the
authorit! to ad'inister in a&& the ordinances of the )riesthood? and
2ithout the authorit! is ,i$en< the ordinances cou&d not e ad'inistered
in ri,hteousness#
It is a $er! *re$a&ent o*inion that the sacrifices 2hich 2ere offered
2ere entire&! consu'ed# This 2as not the case? if !ou read Le$iticus<
second cha*#< second and third $erses< !ou 2i&& oser$e that the *riests
too0 a *art as a 'e'oria& and offered it u* efore the Lord< 2hi&e the
re'ainder 2as 0e*t for the 'aintenance of the *riests? so that the
offerin,s and sacrifices are not a&& consu'ed u*on the a&tar--ut the
&ood is s*rin0&ed< and the fat and certain other *ortions are consu'ed#
These sacrifices< as 2e&& as e$er! ordinance e&on,in, to the
)riesthood< 2i&&< 2hen the Te'*&e of the Lord sha&& e ui&t< and the sons
of Le$i e *urified< e fu&&! restored and attended to in a&& their
*o2ers< ra'ifications< and &essin,s# This e$er did and e$er 2i&& e/ist
2hen the *o2ers of the .e&chisede0 )riesthood are sufficient&! 'anifest?
e&se ho2 can the restitution of a&& thin,s s*o0en of ! the ho&! )ro*hets
e rou,ht to *assBIt is not to e understood that the &a2 of .oses 2i&&
e esta&ished a,ain 2ith a&& its rites and $ariet! of cere'onies? this
has ne$er een s*o0en of ! the )ro*hets? ut those thin,s 2hich e/isted
*rior to .oses+ da!< na'e&!< sacrifice< 2i&& e continued#
It 'a! e as0ed ! so'e< 2hat necessit! for sacrifice< since the
5reat Sacrifice 2as offeredBIn ans2er to 2hich< if re*entance< a*tis'<
and faith e/isted *rior to the da!s of Christ< 2hat necessit! for the'
since that ti'eBThe )riesthood has descended in a re,u&ar &ine fro' father
to son< throu,h their succeedin, ,enerations#ESee "oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enantsF#C RE)ORT OF THE )RESIDENCY#O
The First )residenc! of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints 2ou&d res*ectfu&&! re*ort--
That the! fee& re=oiced to 'eet the Saints at another 5enera&
Conference< and under circu'stances as fa$ora&e as the *resent# Since our
sett&e'ent in I&&inois 2e ha$e for the 'ost *art een treated 2ith
courtes! and res*ect< and a fee&in, of 0indness and of s!'*ath! has
,enera&&! een 'anifested ! a&& c&asses of the co''unit!< 2ho< 2ith us<
de*recate the conduct of those 'en 2hose dar0 and &ac0enin, deeds are
sta'*ed 2ith e$er&astin, infa'! and dis,race# The contrast et2een our
*ast and *resent situation is ,reat# T2o !ears a,o 'os 2ere threatenin,<
*&underin,< dri$in, and 'urderin, the Saints# Our urnin, houses &i,hted
u* the cano*! of hea$en# Our 2o'en and chi&dren< house&ess and destitute<
had to 2ander fro' *&ace to *&ace to see0 a she&ter fro' the ra,e of
*ersecutin, foes# No2 2e en=o! *eace< and can 2orshi* the 5od of hea$en
and earth 2ithout 'o&estation< and e/*ect to e a&e to ,o for2ard and
acco'*&ish the ,reat and ,&orious 2or0 to 2hich 2e ha$e een ca&&ed#
Under these circu'stances 2e fee& to con,ratu&ate the Saints of the
.ost Hi,h< on the ha**! and *&easin, chan,e in their circu'stances<
condition and *ros*ects< and 2hich those 2ho shared in the *eri&s and
distress< undouted&! a**reciate? 2hi&e *ra!ers and than0s,i$in,s dai&!
ascend to that 5od 2ho &oo0ed u*on our distresses and de&i$ered us fro'
dan,er and death< and 2hose hand is o$er us for ,ood#
Fro' the un*ro*itious nature of the 2eather< 2e hard&! e/*ected to
eho&d so 'an! of our friends on this occasion? in this< ho2e$er< 2e are
a,reea&! disa**ointed< 2hich ,i$es us stron, assurance that the Saints
are as 4ea&ous< untirin,< and ener,etic as e$er< in the ,reat 2or0 of the
&ast da!s? and ,i$es us =o! and conso&ation< and ,reat&! encoura,es us<
2hi&e contendin, 2ith the difficu&ties 2hich necessari&! &ie in our 2a!#
Let the rethren e$er 'anifest such a s*irit< and ho&d u* our hands< and
2e 'ust< 2e 2i&& ,o for2ard? the 2or0 of the Lord sha&& ro&& forth< the
Te'*&e of the Lord e reared< the E&ders of Israe& e encoura,ed< ;ion e
ui&t u*< and eco'e the *raise< the =o!< and the ,&or! of the 2ho&e
earth< and the son, of *raise< ,&or!< honor< and 'a=est! to Hi' that
sitteth u*on the throne< and to the La' for e$er and e$er< sha&&
re$ererate fro' hi&& to hi&&< fro' 'ountain to 'ountain< fro' is&and to
is&and< and fro' continent to continent< and the 0in,do's of this 2or&d
eco'e the 0in,do' of our 5od and His Christ#
C A discourse on the sa'e su=ect to the T2e&$e 2i&& e found in $o&#
iii< *# 98G< et se>#
O This is the re*ort referred to in the conference 'inutes#
3e are ,&ad indeed to 0no2 that there is such a s*irit of union
e/istin, throu,hout the churches< at ho'e and aroad< on this continent<
as 2e&& as on the is&ands of the sea? for ! this *rinci*&e< and ! a
concentration of action< sha&& 2e e a&e to carr! into effect the
*ur*oses of our 5od#
Fro' the E&ders aroad 2e recei$e the 'ost cheerin, accounts#
3here$er the faithfu& &aorer has ,one forth 2ee*in,< so2in, the seed of
truth< he has returned 2ith =o!< rin,in, his shea$es 2ith hi'? and the
infor'ation 2e recei$e fro' a&& >uarters is that the &aorers are fe2 and
that the har$est is ,reat# .an! 2ea&th! and inf&uentia& *eo*&e ha$e
e'raced the 5os*e&< so that not on&! 2i&& the *oor re=oice in that the!
are e/a&ted< ut the rich in that the! are 'ade &o2# The ca&&s to the
Southern States are indeed ,reat? 'an! *&aces 2hich a short ti'e a,o 2ou&d
thin0 it a dis,race to ,i$e she&ter to a -.or'on<- on account of the 'an!
'isre*resentations 2hich 2ere aroad< no2 desire to hear an E&der of the
Church of the Latter-da! Saints#
On the is&ands of the sea< na'e&!< 5reat "ritain< there continues to
e a stead! f&o2 of sou&s into the Church# "ranches ha$e een or,ani4ed in
'an! &ar,e and *o*u&ous cities< and the 2ho&e &and a**ears to e thirstin,
for the *ure strea's of 0no2&ed,e and sa&$ation#
The T2e&$e ha$e a&read! *rinted a ne2 edition of the h!'n oo0< and
the! issue a 'onth&! *eriodica& in that &and# Se$era& fa'i&ies ha$e
a&read! arri$ed here fro' En,&and< and a nu'er 'ore are on their 2a! to
this *&ace< and are e/*ected this fa&&#
If the 2or0 ro&&s forth 2ith the sa'e ra*idit! it has heretofore
done< 2e 'a! soon e/*ect to see f&oc0in, to this *&ace< *eo*&e fro' e$er!
&and and fro' e$er! nation? the *o&ished Euro*ean< the de,raded Hottentot<
and the shi$erin, La*&ander? *ersons of a&& &an,ua,es< and of e$er!
ton,ue< and of e$er! co&or? 2ho sha&& 2ith us 2orshi* the Lord of Hosts in
His ho&! te'*&e and offer u* their orisons in His sanctuar!#
It 2as in consideration of these thin,s< and that a ho'e 'i,ht e
*ro$ided for the Saints< that induced us to *urchase the *resent cit! for
a *&ace of ,atherin, for the Saints< and the e/tensi$e tract of &and on
the o**osite side of the .ississi**i# A&thou,h the *urchase at the ti'e<
and under the *ecu&iar circu'stances of the Church< a**eared to 'an! to e
&ar,e and unca&&ed for? !et fro' 2hat 2e no2 see< it is a**arent to a&&
that 2e sha&& soon ha$e to sa!< -This *&ace is too strai,ht< ,i$e us roo'
that 2e 'a! d2e&&#-3e therefore ho*e that the rethren 2ho fee& interested
in the cause of truth< and desire to see the 2or0 of the ,atherin, of
Israe& ro&& forth 2ith *o2er< 2i&& aid us in &i>uidatin, the dets 2hich
are no2 o2in,< so that the inheritances 'a! e secured to the Church< and
2hich e$entua&&! 2i&& e of ,reat $a&ue#
The ,ood s*irit 2hich is 'anifested on this occasion< the desire to
do ,ood< and the 4ea& for the honor of the Church< ins*ires us 2ith
confidence that 2e sha&& not a**ea& in $ain< ut that funds 2i&& e
forthco'in, on this occasion< sufficient to 'eet the necessities of the
case#
It is 2ith ,reat *&easure that 2e ha$e to infor' the Church that
another edition of the "oo0 of .or'on has een *rinted< and 2hich is
e/*ected on fro' Cincinnati in a short ti'e? and that arran,e'ents are
'a0in, for *rintin, the "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< h!'n oo0< Pc#? so
that the de'and 2hich 'a! e/ist for these 2or0s 2i&& soon e su**&ied#
In conc&usion 2e 2ou&d sa!< rethren and sisters< e faithfu&< e
di&i,ent< contend earnest&! for the faith once de&i$ered to the Saints?
&et e$er! 'an< 2o'an and chi&d rea&i4e the i'*ortance of the 2or0< and act
as if success de*ended on his indi$idua& e/ertion a&one? &et a&& fee& an
interest in it< and then consider the! &i$e in a da!< the conte'*&ation of
2hich ani'ated the oso's of 0in,s< )ro*hets< and ri,hteous 'en thousands
of !ears a,o--the *ros*ect of 2hich ins*ired their s2eetest notes< and
'ost e/a&ted &a!s< and caused the' to rea0 out in such ra*turous strains
as are recorded in the Scri*tures? and ! and ! 2e 2i&& ha$e to e/c&ai'<
in the &an,ua,e of ins*iration--
The Lord has rou,ht a,ain ;ion<
The Lord hath redee'ed His *eo*&e Israe&#
Tuesda!< Octoer :#
.inutes of a 5enera& Conference in En,&and#
.inutes of a ,enera& conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints< he&d at Car*enter+s Ha&&< .anchester< Tuesda!< the :th
da! of Octoer< 78@D< it ein, the first da! of the se$enth 'onth of the
e&e$enth !ear of the Church? 2hen the fo&&o2in, officers of the Tra$e&in,
Hi,h Counci& 2ere *resent< $i4#( E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
Orson )ratt< 3i&&ard Richards< 3i&ford 3oodruff< and 5eor,e A# S'ith?
other officers( Hi,h )riests G< E&ders 7N< )riests H8< Teachers @< and
Deacons H#
The 'eetin, ein, ca&&ed to order at 7D o+c&oc0 ! E&der "ri,ha'
Youn,< it 2as 'o$ed ! E&der Youn,< seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that
E&der Orson )ratt e *resident off the conference< 2hich 2as carried
unani'ous&!# E&der 5eor,e 3a&0er 2as chosen c&er0#
After sin,in,< and *ra!er ! the *resident< the fo&&o2in, statistica&
re*ort 2as read(
IStatistica& Re*ort Not Sho2nJ
The *resident rou,ht efore the conference the su=ect of
ordinations< and after $arious oser$ations thereon< it 2as *ro*osed !
E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith< that for the future< ordinations e not attended
to< e/ce*t ! the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& or under such restrictions as
the! 'a! ado*t in reference thereto# E&der Youn, s*o0e on the su=ect of
conferences< and a&so 2ith res*ect of restrictin, ordination? and after
ta0in, into consideration the ,reat e/*ense attendant u*on ho&din, ,enera&
conferences< and the incon$enience e/*erienced ! 'e'ers attendin, the'<
su,,ested< that for the future< ,enera& conferences shou&d in a ,reat
'easure e done a2a! 2ith< or restricted to the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& to
ho&d conferences at such *&aces and ti'es as the! 'a! thin0 *ro*er#
The 'eetin, ad=ourned at 7H o+c&oc0#
At H o+c&oc0 the 'eetin, o*ened 2ith *ra!er< after 2hich E&der
1i'a&& s*o0e on the su=ect of E&ders ta0in, u*on the'se&$es the
res*onsii&it! of ordainin, officers in this Church? after *ointin, out
the e$i&s that 'i,ht resu&t therefro'< he *roceeded to treat u*on the dut!
of 'e'ers to2ards those 2ho *reside o$er the' in the Lord< and res*ectin,
the 'e'ers ad'inisterin, to the te'*ora& necessities of those 2hose
ca&&in, it is to &aor a'on,st the' in s*iritua& thin,s#
.o$ed ! E&der 3i&&ard Richards< seconded ! E&der Tho'as S'ith< and
carried unani'ous&!< that a&& ordinations e confined to or under the
re,u&ations of the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&#
E&der Youn, ca&&ed the attention of the conference to the case of
E''a "o&ton< a sister fro' the )otteries< 2ho had conducted herse&f
disorder&!# E&der Johnson and others s*o0e of se$era& cases of i'*ro*er
conduct on her *art? after 2hich it 2as 'o$ed ! E&der Youn,< seconded !
E&der 1i'a&&< and carried unani'ous&!< that E''a "o&ton e cut off fro'
the Church#
The *resident Iof the conference< E&der Orson )rattJ< then ca&&ed the
attention of the conference to a &etter fro' Isaac "ro2n and other
officers of the Church at .acc&esfie&d< concernin, E&der Heath< and a&so
to so'e ha&f a do4en char,es *referred ! the said Isaac "ro2n< Ja'es
5a&&e!< Ed2ard Horroc0s< and John Horroc0s< a,ainst the said Sa'ue& Heath<
for se$era& ite's of 'isconduct< and ne,&ectin, the duties of his office?
to a&& of 2hich char,es E&der Heath *&eaded not ,ui&t!# The co'*&ainants
then entered into *roof of the se$era& ite's< to 2hich E&der Heath re*&ied
! statin, that the char,es a,ainst hi' 2ere in conse>uence of a
'isunderstandin,< Pc# The *roceedin,s o*ened a 2ide fie&d for instruction
fro' E&der Youn,< fo&&o2ed ! the *resident< 2ho reco''ended the *arties
to eco'e reconci&ed to each other< statin, that he did not consider the
char,es *referred a,ainst E&der Heath sufficient&! sustantiated to
2ithdra2 fe&&o2shi* fro' hi'? 2hen it 2as 'o$ed and seconded< that no
further *roceedin, e ta0en on this su=ect? carried unani'ous&!#
The conference then ad=ourned ti&& M o+c&oc0 *#'#
At M o+c&oc0 the 'eetin, 2as o*ened 2ith *ra!er#
The *resident ha$in, 'ade such *re&i'inar! re'ar0s as the i'*ortance
of the su=ect ca&&ed forth< *roceeded to ca&& u*on those 2ho 2ere 2i&&in,
to $o&unteer their ser$ices to &aor in the $ine!ard of the Lord< 2hen the
officers ,a$e their na'es as fo&&o2s(
Hi,h )riests--Hira' C&ar0< Tho'as S'ith< A&fred Cordon< Tho'as
1in,ton< Orson )ratt< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< 3i&&ard Richards<
3i&ford 3oodruff< 5eor,e A# S'ith#
E&ders--5eor,e D# 3att< John )ar0inson< Da$id .oss< .artin
Litt&e2ood<
3i&&ia' )arr< Sa'ue& Heath< John Sanders< Theodore Curtis< Henr!
Ro!&e< Tho'as T2edd&e< John Lei,h< A'os Fie&din,< Tho'as Richardson#
)riests--3i&&ia' Snai&a'< 3i&&ia' S*ea0'an< John Needha'< Ja'es
.ahon< Frederic0 Coo0< Roert Croo0s< 3i&&ia' .itche&&< 3i&&ia' "&ac0<
Roert 3i&&ia's< 3i&&ia' Jones< Tho'as )o&&itt< Richard Stee&e< John
"urns< Jose*h 1no2&es< Richard "enson< John 3!che< 3i&&ia' Ro!&ance<
Jose*h Street< Jose*h 3hite#
.o$ed< seconded< and carried< that E&der 5eor,e D# 3att ,o to
Edinur,h? E&der A&fred Cordon to "ir'in,ha'< and a&so ta0e char,e of the
Staffordshire )otteries Conference< and that John "urns< )riest< ,o 2ith
hi'#
E&der Tho'as 1in,ton to ta0e char,e of the Herefordshire Conferences
as heretofore< a&so 5ar2a!? and 3i&&ia' Snai&a' and Jose*h 1no2&es<
)riests< to acco'*an! hi'#
Roert Croo0s< )riest< to ,o to "o&ton? Tho'as Richardson< E&der< and
John Needha'< )riest< to ,o to Herefordshire? E&der Hira' C&ar0 to ,o to
the Is&e of .an? E&der Tho'as T2edd&e to 5&as,o2? E&der John Sanders to
&aor at A&ston< and ,o to Car&is&e as soon as *ractica&e#
E&der A'os Fie&din, to ,o to Ne2cast&e-u*on-T!ne? E&der John
)ar0inson to 5reenoc0? E&der Henr! Ro!&e and Frederic0 Coo0< )riest< to
C&! in F&intshire? 3i&&ia' .itche&&< )riest< to Leeds? E&der Tho'as S'ith
to re'ain at C&itheroe? E&der John Lei,h< and Ja'es .ahon< )riest< to ,o
to Arden< Cheshire< and Jose*h 3hite and Richard Stee&e< )riests< to &aor
under the direction of E&der Cordon#
E&der John S'ith to e ordained Hi,h )riest< to ta0e char,e of the
church in .anchester and the re,ions round aout( E&der )eter .e&&in, to
ta0e char,e of the church as heretofore< in connection 2ith E&der H#
3ithna&&? and John 3!che< )riest< to ,o into Staffordshire< and &aor
under the direction of A&fred Cordon#
.o$ed and seconded< that the re'ainder of the officers 2ho ha$e
$o&unteered< e &eft to the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& to dis*ose of< and
a**oint to such *&aces as the! 'a! =ud,e e/*edient? carried#
.o$ed and seconded< that in conse>uence of there not ein, ti'e to
transact a&& the usiness of this conference< the ordination of officers
e &eft to the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& to ordain fro' ti'e to ti'e such
'e'ers as the! 'a! consider re>uisite? carried#
E&der Youn, then addressed the 'eetin, on the *ro*riet! of
esta&ishin, a fund for the su**ort and c&othin, of such 'e'ers as 'a!
fro' ti'e to ti'e e ca&&ed out to &aor in the $ine!ard< and 2hose
circu'stances 'a! re>uire that their necessities 'a! e ad'inistered unto#
The *resident then addressed the 'eetin, on the sa'e su=ect< and *ointed
out the difference et2een *reachin, for 'one! and the E&ders ha$in, their
necessities 'inistered unto< 2hi&e the! are ca&&ed to &aor -2ithout
ta0in, thou,ht for the 'orro2#- E&der Richards fo&&o2ed u*on the sa'e
su=ect? a&so E&der 1i'a&&? after 2hich E&der Youn, 'o$ed< that 2here$er
a ranch of the Church is esta&ished< t2o 'e'ers e a**ointed to recei$e
the 2ee0&! $o&untar! contriutions of the 'e'ers< for *ro'otin, the
s*read of the 5os*e&< and the sa'e to e dis*osed of ! the $ote of the
church in counci& 2ith the T2e&$e A*ost&es? seconded ! E&der 5eor,e A#
S'ith< and carried#
The 'inutes 2ere then read and acce*ted< and the conference ad=ourned
sine die#
ORSON )RATT< )resident<
5EOR5E 3AL1ER< Secretar!#
Thursda!< 8#
.inutes of Counci& of the T2e&$e in En,&and#
.inutes of a Counci& of the T2e&$e< $i4#< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 5eor,e A# S'ith< and 3i&&ard
Richards? a&so Hira' C&ar0< and Reuen Hed&oc0< Hi,h )riests< at the house
of 3i&&ard Richards< No# 7< Cha*'an Street< .anchester? "ri,ha' Youn,
*residin,#
.o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< that E&der 3i&&ard Richards ta0e char,e of
the .i&&ennia& Star< seconded and carried# %oted that our *u&ishin,
office e re'o$ed to London as soon as circu'stances 2i&& *er'it? and that
E&ders Hed&oc0 and Curtis ,o 2here the! *&ease to &aor#
3ILLARD RICHARDS< C&er0#
CHA)TER 6II#
)RO5RESS OF THE 3OR1 IN 5REAT "RITAIN--THE SAINTS AT 1IRTLAND
RE)RO%ED FOR THEIR COURSE DURIN5 THE .ISSOURI )ERSECUTIONS--THE
)RO)HET+S ADDRESS TO THE T3EL%E AND SAINTS IN 5REAT "RITAIN#
Saturda!< Octoer 7D#--E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith returned to London< and
2as soon fo&&o2ed ! E&der 3oodruff#
Da$id Fu&'er *referred a char,e a,ainst O&i$er 3a&0er -for re*ortin,
certain s&anderous stories of a fa&&acious and ca&u'niatin, nature<
ca&cu&ated to sti,'ati4e< and raise a *ersecution a,ainst the Church and
indi$idua&s in it< in this *&ace< INau$ooJ< and for other acts of
unchristian&i0e conduct<- efore the Hi,h Counci& at Nau$oo# The defendant
*&eaded that -he 2as not *re*ared to 'eet the char,e< it ein, too
indefinite#- Counci& ad=ourned ti&& ne/t da!#
Sunda!< 77#--Hi,h Counci& 'et accordin, to ad=ourn'ent# The char,e
a,ainst O&i$er 3a&0er 2as ta0en u*< and the fo&&o2in, sustituted for the
first char,e(
.inutes of the Hi,h Counci&#
To the Hi,h Counci& of the Church of Jesus Christ at Nau$oo(
For and in eha&f of said Church< I *refer a char,e a,ainst E&der
O&i$er 3a&0er< for se$era& different offenses hereinafter set forth< as
said to e ! hi' done< *erfor'ed< said< and co''itted< as 2e&& as $arious
duties o'itted< a&& of 2hich 2as done at different ti'es< *eriods< *&aces<
and seasons< suse>uent to Se*te'er 7st< A#D# 7898< to-2it#(
For a ,enera& course of *rocedure< of acts< doin,s< and 2ords< and
su,,estions ! hi'< the said E&der O&i$er 3a&0er< done< *erfor'ed< said<
s*o0en< hinted at< and su,,ested< oth direct&! and indirect&!< and as
ca&cu&ated to e dero,ator! to the character of the heads and &eaders of
the Church< and e/tre'e&! in=urious and hurtfu& to the u*ui&din,<
2e&fare< ein,< and ad$ance'ent of the sa'e< na'e&!< for f&eein, fro'<
>uittin,< and desertin, the societ!< ran0s< and needs of his rethren< in
ti'es of difficu&t! 2ith< and dan,er fro' their ene'ies< -the 'o?-
restrainin, fro' the use of his rethren< his inf&uence< efforts< and
needfu& assistance< at such ti'es of need? as a&so for =oinin, 2ith< and
stren,thenin, the hands< 2i&&< e$i& *ursuits< and desi,ns of the 'o< and
5enti&e ene'ies of the Church< ! e/*ressions< hints< and su,,estions of
2a$erin, and duious nature< res*ectin, the faith and order of the Church<
and of the *rofessed ca&&in,< >ua&ifications< *roceedin,s< Pc#< of Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#< as a Seer< )ro*het< and one ca&&ed to rin, to &i,ht the
fu&&ness of the 5os*e&< Pc#< in these &ast da!s#
Li0e2ise for ad$ancin, ideas< notions< or o*inions< that the
different orders or sects< na'e&!< .ethodists and others< cou&d ! a
*ursuit in their faith< order< and *ursuits< as readi&! otain e$er!
ce&estia& attain'ent and 5os*e& ad$anta,e< as the! cou&d ! e'racin, and
*ursuin, the s!ste' rou,ht forth ! Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< in these &ast
da!s#
And 'oreo$er for su,,estin, 2ithin the &ast si/ 'onths< at A&ton<
Nau$oo< inter'ediate and ad=acent *&aces< that in the Church at Nau$oo
there did e/ist a set of *i&ferers< 2ho 2ere actua&&! thie$in,< roin,
*&underin,< ta0in, and un&a2fu&&! carr!in, a2a! fro' .issouri< certain and
chatte&s< 2ares and *ro*ert!? and that the act and acts of such su**osed
thie$in,< Pc#< 2as fostered and conducted ! the 0no2&ed,e and a**roation
of the heads and &eaders of the Church< $i4#< ! the )residenc! and Hi,h
Counci&? a&& of 2hich ite's set forth as aforesaid< to,ether 2ith an! and
a&& corrooratin, acts< doin,s< hints< e/*ressions< and su,,estions in an!
2a! e&on,in, to< or connected 2ith< an! or a&& of the aforesaid
accusations< he< the said O&i$er 3a&0er< is here! notified to *re*are to
defend in said tria&# Dated Octoer 77< 78@D< Nau$oo# DA%ID FUL.ER#
3a&0er *&eaded that he 2as not *re*ared to defend hi'se&f< and the
tria& 2as deferred at his re>uest ti&& A*ri& conference#
Letter of Heer C# 1i'a&& et a&# to .essrs# Eene4er Roinson and
Don Car&os S'ith--Re*ortin, Affairs in the "ritish .ission#
.ANCHESTER< EN5LAND< Octoer 7H< 78@D#
.essrs# Eene4er Roinson< and Don Car&os S'ith(
DEAR "RETHREN(--3e &eft .anchester i''ediate&! after the Ju&!
conference< for the *ur*ose of $isitin, the cit! of London# 3e $isited the
churches 2hich &a! on our route throu,h Staffordshire< Herefordshire<
3orcestershire< and 5&oucestershire? and 2e had 'an! interestin, 'eetin,s<
a*ti4in, and confir'in, dai&!< as 2e *assed a&on,# 3e a*ti4ed fort! in
one da!? 'an! ne2 doors 2ere o*enin,< and a&& thin,s indicated a short
2or0 in En,&and#
The &ast 'eetin, 2e he&d a'on, the Saints 2hi&e on this =ourne!< 2as
in a fie&d in Lei,h< 5&oucestershire< on the 7:th of Au,ust# 3e had an
interestin, ti'e? 2e a*ti4ed fifteen< and ordained one E&der and t2o
)riests# T2o .ethodist *riests ca'e t2e&$e 'i&es to hear? 2e a*ti4ed the'
after the first ser'on< and confir'ed and ordained the' at the sa'e ti'e<
and sent the' to *reach the 5os*e&# 3e *arted 2ith the Saints there on the
7Mth< 2ent to Che&tenha'< Efi$e 'i&esF< and s*ent the ni,ht# There 2ere
se$era& Saints in that *&ace#
On the 78th 2e too0 coach and rode fort! 'i&es< throu,h a &e$e&
far'in, countr!< so'ethin, &i0e I&&inois *rairie? 2e *assed throu,h
O/fordshire< &ea$in, the O/ford Uni$ersit! a &itt&e u*on our &eft# This
uni$ersit! consists of t2ent! co&&e,es endo2ed< and fi$e ha&&s not
endo2ed? and is considered the &ar,est and 'ost noted uni$ersit! in the
2or&d# 3e then too0 the rai&road and tra$e&ed se$ent! 'i&es< had a
s*&endid $ie2 of 3indsor Cast&e as 2e *assed a&on,# 3e &anded at the
London ter'inus of the 5reat 3estern Rai&2a! at @ o+c&oc0 in the e$enin,#
Fro' thence 2e too0 coach and rode a fe2 'i&es into the cit!? 2e 2a&0ed
o$er London "rid,e< and ca&&ed u*on .r# A&&,ood< 7N 1in, Street< "orou,h#
.rs# A&&,ood is sister to E&der Theodore Tur&e!+s 2ife? she treated us
0ind&!< ,a$e us such refresh'ents as 2e needed< and directed us to
&od,in,s in the nei,horhood< 2here 2e s*ent the ni,ht#
After 2hich 2e i''ediate&! co''enced our researches throu,h this
,reat 'etro*o&is< for the honest in heart and the 'ee0 of the earth# 3e
first co''enced ! $isitin, the 'inisters and *reachers of the $arious
orders< and re>uested the *ri$i&e,e of de&i$erin, our 'essa,e unto the
*eo*&e in their churches and cha*e&s? ut of course !ou 2i&& not e
astonished 2hen 2e infor' !ou that the! denied us this *ri$i&e,e< and
re=ected our testi'on!#
3e 2ent to and fro throu,h the cit! of London< fro' da! to da!<
endea$orin, to ,et so'e door o*en 2here! 2e cou&d 2arn the *eo*&e and
search out the honest in heart? 2hen on di&i,ent search 2e found the 2ho&e
cit! ,i$en to co$etousness< E2hich is ido&atr!F< *riestcraft< tradition<
su*erstition< and a&& 'anner of ao'inations< 2ic0edness and unc&eanness?
and a&& doors c&osed a,ainst us#
3e did not hesitate to stand in the 'idst of the streets< and< Jonah
&i0e< cr! re*entance unto the inhaitants of that 'i,ht! cit!--the
'etro*o&is of En,&and--the *ride and ,&or! of "ritain--the oast of the
5enti&es< and the &ar,est co''ercia& cit! in the 2or&d--containin, o$er
one 'i&&ion fi$e hundred thousand sou&s< 2ho are ri*enin, in ini>uit! and
*re*arin, for the 2rath of 5od? and &i0e the o/ ,oin, to the s&au,hter<
0no2 not the da! of their $isitation#
3e sha&& &on, re'e'er standin, to,ether in the 'idst of that *eo*&e<
and earin, a 'essa,e 2hich 2i&& *ro$e a sa$or of &ife unto &ife< or of
death unto death< not on&! unto the'< ut unto a&& those unto 2ho' the
sound of the e$er&astin, 5os*e& sha&& co'e? e$en unto the 2ho&e 2or&d? and
the =ud,'ent of the ,reat da! sha&& 'anifest the truth of it unto a&&
nations# And it 2i&& e$er s2eeten the 'e'or! of that e$entfu& *eriod of
our &i$es< to 0no2 that our &aors< on that occasion< 2ere not in $ain?
ut 2e 2ere ena&ed throu,h toi&< &aor< di&i,ent search< *erse$erance<
and the ,reat 'erc! of 5od< to find so'e of the &ood of E*hrai'--a fe2
honest sou&s 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to recei$e and oe! the 5os*e&? and that 2e
2ere ena&ed to &a! the foundation of a 2or0 in the cit! of London< 2hich
2i&& not e re'o$ed unti& the cit! is 2arned< so that the! 2i&& e &eft
2ithout e/cuse? and the Saints ,athered out to stand in ho&! *&aces< 2hi&e
=ud,'ent 2or0s# Unti& that ti'e< the seed 2hich 2e ha$e so2n there< 2i&&
rin, forth fruit< and the fruit 2i&& redound to the honor and ,&or! of
5od#
3e ha$e a*ti4ed e&e$en on&!< in the cit! of London< ut throu,h the
faith and the 'erc! of 5od< 2e ere &on, e/*ect a har$est of sou&s in that
*&ace? ut 2e are 2i&&in, to ac0no2&ed,e< that in our tra$e&s< either in
A'erica or Euro*e< 2e ha$e ne$er efore found a *eo*&e< fro' 2hose 'inds
2e ha$e had to re'o$e a ,reater 'u&ti*&icit! of o=ections< or co'ination
of ostac&es< in order to e/cite an interest in the su=ect and *re*are
the heart for the rece*tion of the 2ord of 5od< than in the cit! of
London#
3hi&e con$ersin, 2ith the co''on *eo*&e concernin, the 5os*e&< 2e
found their hi,hest attain'ents to e< -3h!< I ,o to church or cha*e& and
,et '! chi&dren christened< 2hat 'ore is necessar!B- 3hen 2e con$ersed
2ith the &earned< 2e found the' too 2ise to e tau,ht< and too 'uch
esta&ished in the traditions of their fathers to e/*ect an! chan,e in the
&ast da!s# 3hi&e con$ersin, 2ith the 'inisters of the $arious orders of
the da!< u*on the *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< the! 2ou&d infor' us that the
ancient order of thin,s 2as done a2a!< and no &on,er needed? and so'e of
the' had *reached fort! !ears the ,ood o&d re&i,ion< and 5od 2as 2ith
the'< and the! needed no 'ore re$e&ation< or hea&in, the sic0< or an!thin,
as 'anifest in the da!s of the A*ost&es< for 2e can ,et a&on, 2ithout the'
in this da! of refine'ent< &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e#
3hen 2e arose to *reach unto the *eo*&e re*entance< and a*tis' for
the re'ission of sins< the cr! of -"a*tist< "a*tist<- 2ou&d e run, in our
ears# If 2e s*o0e of the Church and od! of Christ ein, co'*osed of
)ro*hets< and A*ost&es? as 2e&& as other 'e'ers< -Ir$in,ites<
Ir$in,ites<- 2ou&d i''ediate&! dash into the 'ind# If in the 'idst of our
re'ar0s< 2e e$en for once suffered the sa!in, to dro* fro' our &i*s< -The
testi'on! of Jesus is the s*irit of *ro*hec!<- -O< !ou e&on, to Johanna
Southcote<- 2ou&d e heard fro' se$era& *&aces at once# If 2e s*o0e of the
second co'in, of Christ< the cr! 2ou&d e< -Ait0enites#- If 2e 'ade
'ention of the )riesthood< the! 2ou&d ca&& us -Catho&ics#- If 2e testified
of the 'inisterin, of an,e&s< the *eo*&e 2ou&d re*&!< -The Ir$in,ites ha$e
their an,e&s< and e$en the Du0e of Nor'and! is read! to s2ear that he has
the ad'inisterin, of an,e&s e$er! ni,ht#-
These sa&utations< in connection 2ith a 'u&titude of others< of a
si'i&ar nature< continued to sa&ute our ears fro' da! to da!< unti& 2e
2ere aout read! to conc&ude that London had een such a *erfect de*ot of
the s!ste's of the nineteenth centur!< that it contained si/ hundred three
score and si/ different ,ods< ,os*e&s< redee'ers< *&ans of sa&$ation<
re&i,ions< churches< co''and'ents< Eessentia& and non-essentia&F< orders
of *reachin,< roads to hea$en and to he&&? and that this order of thin,s
had so affected the 'inds of the *eo*&e< that it a&'ost re>uired a horn to
e &o2n fro' the hi,hest hea$ens< in order to a2a0en the attention of the
*eo*&e< and *re*are their 'inds to candid&! hear and recei$e the doctrine
of one 5os*e&< one faith< one a*tis'< one Ho&! 5host< one 5od< and one
*&an of sa&$ation< and that< such as Christ and the A*ost&es *reached#
"ut not2ithstandin, this< 2e do not fee& discoura,ed concernin, a
2or0 ein, *erfected in London< ut fir'&! e&ie$e that 'an! sou&s 2i&&
e'race the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& there< thou,h it 2i&& e throu,h faith<
di&i,ence< *erse$erance< and *ra!er#
Ha$in, s*ent t2ent!-three da!s to,ether in this first 'ission in the
'etro*o&is< and the ti'e dra2in, near for our Octoer conference< E&der
3oodruff &eft the cit! on the 7Dth of Se*te'er for the *ur*ose of
attendin, se$era& conferences# He attended the "ran 5reen and 5adfie&d E&'
conference< he&d in 3orcester on the 7@th of Se*te'er< and a&so the
Froo'es Hi&& conference< he&d in Herefordshire on the H7st of Se*te'er#
At these t2o conferences< he heard re*resented< @D ranches of the Church<
containin, 7<DDM 'e'ers< and 779 officers< $i4#< 7N E&ders< M8 )riests<
7G Teachers< and 7 Deacon? the 2ho&e of 2ho' had recei$ed the fu&&ness of
the E$er&astin, 5os*e&< and een a*ti4ed in &ess than se$en 'onths in
that *art of the $ine!ard 2hich he first o*ened in the 'onth of .arch? and
the 2or0 is sti&& *ro,ressin, 2ere ra*id&! throu,hout that re,ion? and
a'on, the nu'er a*ti4ed there ha$e not een 'uch &ess than one hundred
*reacher sects#
He a&so attended the conference in the Staffordshire )otteries< 2hich
'et at Han&e! on the H8th of Se*te'er? 2here 2ere re*resented H97
'e'ers< N E&ders< 9H )riests< N Teachers< and N Deacons? 'ost of 2ho'
recei$ed the 2or0 since our arri$a& there &ast 2inter and s*rin,# 3hi&e he
2as attendin, these conferences< E&ders 1i'a&& and 5eor,e A# S'ith
continued their &aors in London unti& the first of Octoer< at 2hich ti'e
2e 'et to,ether a,ain in Staffordshire< and other+s co'*an! 2hi&e
=ourne!in, to,ether to .anchester< 2here the >uoru' of the Tra$e&in, Hi,h
Counci&< 2ith 'an! E&ders and Saints had the *ri$i&e,e of once 'ore
sittin, in a ,enera& conference to,ether< on the :th of Octoer in the
Car*enter+s Ha&&< 2here 2e heard re*resented 9<:9: Saints< and 989
officia& 'e'ers#
At the Ju&! conference there 2ere H<G79 Saints< and HG: officia&
'e'ers< 'a0in, an increase in three 'onths of 7<779 Saints and 7HM
officia& 'e'ers< esides o$er HDD Saints< inc&udin, 'an! E&ders< )riests<
Teachers and Deacons< 2ho ha$e e'i,rated to A'erica? 2hich 2ou&d 'a0e o$er
7<9DD additions to the Church in Euro*e durin, the &ast three 'onths< and
o$er t2o thousand since our conference in )reston on the 7Gth of A*ri&?
2hich re*resentation at that ti'e 2as 7<:M7 Saints< and 79H officia&
'e'ers#
Thus !ou see the Lord hath ,i$en us an increase< and &essed the
&aors of the ser$ants of 5od uni$ersa&&! in this &and< for 2hich 2e fee&
than0fu& and our constant *ra!er to 5od is that His 0in,do' 'a! ro&&
forth< that the 'essen,ers earin, the e$er&astin, 5os*e& 'a! e di&i,ent<
'ee0< and hu'&e< not 2ear! in 2e&& doin,< ut 2aitin, 2ith *atience for
their re2ard< 2hich &ies at the end of the race< that their =o! 'a! e
fu&&# HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< 5EOR5E A# S.ITH#
Saturda!< 7M#--A conference 2as he&d in )hi&ade&*hia< E&der Orson
H!de *residin,? 8N: 'e'ers 2ere re*resented< inc&udin, H@ E&ders< 77
)riests< : Teachers< G Deacons< in )enns!&$ania< Ne2 Yor0 Cit!< Ne2
Jerse!< and $icinit!#
)ar&e! )# )ratt and fa'i&! arri$ed in .anchester< and resu'ed the
editoria& &aors of the Star# "rother Orson )ratt has recent&! *u&ished a
*a'*h&et< entit&ed -An interestin, account of se$era& Re'ar0a&e %isions<
and of the &ate Disco$er! of Ancient A'erican Records<- co'*risin, 97
*a,es ,i$in, a rief s0etch of the rise of the Church#
.onda!< 7N#
Letter of Jose*h and H!ru' S'ith to the Saints in 1irt&and--Re*ro$in,
the Saints for Ne,&ect of their "rethren and Sisters Durin, the .issouri
)ersecutions#
NAU%OO< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< Octoer 7Nth< 78@D#
To the Saints in 1irt&and< Ohio(
Dear e&o$ed rethren in the 0in,do' and *atience of Jesus Christ(
3e ta0e this o**ortunit! of infor'in, !ou that 2e !et re'e'er the
Saints scattered aroad in the re,ions of 1irt&and< and fee& interested in
their 2e&fare as 2e&& as in that of the Saints at &ar,e# 3e ha$e ehe&d
2ith fee&in,s *ecu&iar to ourse&$es the situation of thin,s in 1irt&and
and the nu'erous difficu&ties to 2hich the Saints ha$e een su=ected< !
fa&se friends as 2e&& as o*en ene'ies#
A&& these circu'stances ha$e 'ore or &ess en,a,ed our attention fro'
ti'e to ti'e# 3e &i0e2ise 'ust co'*&ain of the rethren 2ho are in office
and authorit! in the sta0e of 1irt&and< for not 2ritin, to us< and 'a0in,
0no2n their difficu&ties and their affairs fro' ti'e to ti'e< so that the!
'i,ht e ad$ised in 'atters of i'*ortance to the 2e&& ein, of said sta0e?
ut ao$e a&&< for not sendin, one 2ord of conso&ation to us 2hi&e 2e 2ere
in the hands of our ene'ies< and thrust into dun,eons# So'e of our friends
fro' $arious sections sent us &etters 2hich reathed a 0ind and
s!'*athetic s*irit< and 2hich 'ade our aff&ictions and sufferin,s
endura&e# A&& 2as si&ent as the ,ra$e Ifro' 1irt&andJ( no fee&in,s of
sorro2< s!'*ath!< or affection I2as e/*ressedJ to cheer the heart under
the ,&oo'! shades of aff&iction and trou&e throu,h 2hich 2e had to *ass#
Dear rethren< cou&d !ou rea&i4e that !our rethren 2ere thus
circu'stanced< and 2ere to ear u* under the 2ei,ht of aff&iction and 2oe
2hich 2as hea*ed u*on the' ! their ene'ies< and !ou stand un'o$ed and
unconcernedK 3here 2ere the o2e&s of co'*assionB 3here 2as the &o$e 2hich
ou,ht to characteri4e the Saints of the .ost Hi,hB Did those hi,h orn and
no&e fee&in,s &ie dor'ant< or 2ere !ou insensi&e to the treat'ent 2e
recei$edB Ho2e$er< 2e are dis*osed to &ea$e these thin,s to 5od< and to
futurit!< and fee& dis*osed to for,et this co&dness on the *art of the
Saints in 1irt&and< and to &oo0 to the future 2ith 'ore *&easure than
2hi&e 2e conte'*&ated the *ast? and sha&& ! the assistance of our
hea$en&! Father< ta0e such ste*s as 2e thin0 est ca&cu&ated to *ro'ote
the interests of the Saints< and for the *ro'otion of truth and
ri,hteousness< and the ui&din, u* of the 0in,do' is these &ast da!s#
The situation of 1irt&and 2as rou,ht efore the ,enera& conference<
he&d at this *&ace on the 9rd instant< 2hen it 2as reso&$ed that E&der
A&'on 3# "aitt shou&d e a**ointed to *reside o$er the sta0e of
1irt&and< and that he e *ri$i&e,ed to choose his o2n counse&ors# 3e
therefore ho*e that the Saints 2i&& ho&d u* the hands of our e&o$ed
rother< and unite 2ith hi' in endea$orin, to *ro'ote the interests of the
0in,do'#
It has een dee'ed *rudent to ad$ise the eastern rethren 2ho desire
to &ocate in 1irt&and< to do so? conse>uent&! !ou 'a! e/*ect an increase
of 'e'ers in !our sta0e< 2ho *roa&! 2i&& e ut !oun, in the faith< and
2ho 2i&& re>uire 0ind treat'ent# 3e therefore ho*e the rethren 2i&& fee&
interested in the 2e&fare of the Saints< and 2i&& use a&& their endea$ors
to *ro'ote the 2e&fare of the rethren 2ho 'a! thin0 *ro*er to ta0e u*
their residence in that *&ace#
If !ou 2i&& *ut a2a! fro' !our 'idst a&& e$i& s*ea0in,< ac0itin,<
and un,enerous thou,hts and fee&in,s+ hu'&e !ourse&$es< and cu&ti$ate
e$er! *rinci*&e of $irtue and &o$e< then 2i&& the &essin,s of Jeho$ah
rest u*on !ou< and !ou 2i&& !et see ,ood and ,&orious da!s? *eace 2i&& e
2ithin !our ,ates< and *ros*erit! in !our orders? 2hich 'a! our hea$en&!
Father ,rant in the na'e of Jesus Christ< is the *ra!er of !ours in the
onds of the co$enant< JOSE)H S.ITH< HYRU. S.ITH#
AN E)ISTLE OF THE )RO)HET TO THE T3EL%E#
To the Tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci& and E&ders of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-da! Saints in 5reat "ritain(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--.a! ,race< 'erc!< and *eace rest u*on !ou fro' 5od
the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ# Ha$in, se$era& co''unications &!in,
efore 'e fro' '! rethren the T2e&$e< so'e of 2hich ere this ha$e 'erited
a re*&!< ut fro' the 'u&ti*&icit! of usiness 2hich necessari&! en,a,es
'! attention< I ha$e de&a!ed co''unicatin, 2ith !ou to the *resent ti'e#
"e assured< e&o$ed rethren< that I a' no disinterested oser$er of
the thin,s 2hich are trans*irin, on the face of the 2ho&e earth? and
a'idst the ,enera& 'o$e'ents 2hich are in *ro,ress< none is of 'ore
i'*ortance than the ,&orious 2or0 in 2hich !ou are no2 en,a,ed?
conse>uent&! I fee& so'e an/iet! on !our account< that !ou 'a! ! !our
$irtue< faith< di&i,ence and charit! co''end !ourse&$es to one another< to
the Church of Christ< and to !our Father 2ho is in hea$en? ! 2hose ,race
!ou ha$e een ca&&ed to so ho&! a ca&&in,? and e ena&ed to *erfor' the
,reat and res*onsi&e duties 2hich rest u*on !ou# And I can assure !ou<
that fro' the infor'ation I ha$e recei$ed< I fee& satisfied that !ou ha$e
not een re'iss in !our dut!? ut that !our di&i,ence and faithfu&ness
ha$e een such as 'ust secure !ou the s'i&es of that 5od 2hose ser$ant !ou
are< and a&so the ,ood 2i&& of the Saints throu,hout the 2or&d#
The s*read of the 5os*e& throu,hout En,&and is certain&! *&easin,?
the conte'*&ation of 2hich cannot ut afford fee&in,s of no ordinar! 0ind<
in the oso' of those 2ho ha$e orne the heat and urden of the da!? and
2ho 2ere its fir' su**orters and strenuous ad$ocates in infanc!< 2hi&e
surrounded 2ith circu'stances the 'ost un*ro*itious< and its destruction
threatened on a&& hands? &i0e the ,a&&ant ar0 that has ra$ed the stor'
unhurt< s*reads her can$as to the ree4e< and no&! cuts her 2a! throu,h
the !ie&din, 2a$e< 'ore conscious than e$er of the stren,th of her
ti'ers< and the e/*erience and ca*ai&it! of her ca*tain< *i&ot< and
cre2#
It is &i0e2ise $er! satisfactor! to '! 'ind< that there has een such
a ,ood understandin, et2een !ou< and that the Saints ha$e so cheerfu&&!
hear0ened to counci&< and $ied 2ith each other in this &aor of &o$e< and
in the *ro'otion of truth and ri,hteousness# This is as it shou&d e in
the Church of Jesus Christ? unit! is stren,th# -Ho2 *&easin, it is for
rethren to d2e&& to,ether in unit!K - Let the Saints of the .ost Hi,h
e$er cu&ti$ate this *rinci*&e< and the 'ost ,&orious &essin,s 'ust
resu&t< not on&! to the' indi$idua&&!< ut to the 2ho&e Church--the order
of the 0in,do' 2i&& e 'aintained< its officers res*ected< and its
re>uire'ents readi&! and cheerfu&&! oe!ed#
Lo$e is one of the chief characteristics of Deit!< and ou,ht to e
'anifested ! those 2ho as*ire to e the sons of 5od# A 'an fi&&ed 2ith
the &o$e of 5od< is not content 2ith &essin, his fa'i&! a&one< ut ran,es
throu,h the 2ho&e 2or&d< an/ious to &ess the 2ho&e hu'an race# This has
een !our fee&in,< and caused !ou to fore,o the *&easures of F ho'e< that
!ou 'i,ht e a &essin, to others< 2ho are candidates for i''orta&it!< ut
stran,ers to truth< and for so doin,< I *ra! that hea$en+s choicest
&essin,s 'a! rest u*on !ou#
"ein, re>uested to ,i$e '! ad$ice res*ectin, the *ro*riet! of !our
returnin, in the s*rin,< I 2i&& do so 2i&&in,&!# I ha$e ref&ected on the
su=ect so'e ti'e< and a' of the o*inion that it 2ou&d e 2isdo' in !ou to
'a0e *re*arations to &ea$e the scene of !our &aors in the s*rin,# Ha$in,
carried the testi'on! to that &and< and nu'ers ha$in, recei$ed it< the
&ea$en can no2 s*read 2ithout !our ein, o&i,ed to sta!#
Another thin,--there ha$e een 2his*erin,s of the S*irit that there
2i&& e so'e a,itations< e/cite'ents< and trou&e in the &and in 2hich !ou
are no2 &aorin,# I 2ou&d therefore sa!< in the 'eanti'e e di&i,ent(
or,ani4e the churches< and &et e$er!one stand in his *ro*er *&ace< so that
those 2ho cannot co'e 2ith !ou in the s*rin,< 'a! not e &eft as shee*
2ithout a she*herd#
I 2ou&d &i0e2ise oser$e< that inas'uch as this *&ace has een
a**ointed for the ,atherin, of the Saints< it is necessar! that it shou&d
e attended to in the order that the Lord intends it shou&d# To this end I
2ou&d sa!< that as there are ,reat nu'ers of the Saints in En,&and 2ho
are e/tre'e&! *oor< and not accusto'ed to the far'in, usiness< 2ho 'ust
ha$e certain *re*arations 'ade for the' efore the! can su**ort the'se&$es
in this countr!< therefore to *re$ent confusion and disa**oint'ent 2hen
the! arri$e here< &et those 'en 2ho are accusto'ed to 'a0e 'achiner!< and
those 2ho can co''and ca*ita&< thou,h it e s'a&&< co'e here as soon as
con$enient< and *ut u* 'achiner!< and 'a0e such other *re*arations as 'a!
e necessar!< so that 2hen the *oor co'e on< the! 'a! ha$e e'*&o!'ent to
co'e to# This *&ace has ad$anta,es for 'anufacturin, and co''ercia&
*ur*oses< 2hich ut $er! fe2 can oast of? and the esta&ishin, of cotton
factories< foundries< *otteries< Pc#< 2ou&d e the 'eans of rin,in, in
2ea&th< and raisin, it to a $er! i'*ortant e&e$ation#
I need not occu*! 'ore s*ace on this su=ect< as its reasona&eness
'ust e o$ious to e$er! 'ind#
In '! for'er e*ist&e I to&d !ou '! 'ind res*ectin, the *rintin, of
the "oo0 of .or'on< h!'n oo0< Pc# I ha$e een fa$ored ! recei$in, a h!'n
oo0 fro' !ou< and as far as I ha$e e/a'ined it< I hi,h&! a**ro$e of it<
and thin0 it to e a $er! $a&ua&e co&&ection# I a' infor'ed that the "oo0
of .or'on is &i0e2ise *rinted< 2hich I a' ,&ad to ear and shou&d e
*&eased to hear that it 2as *rinted in a&& the different &an,ua,es of the
earth# You can use !our o2n *&easure res*ectin, the *rintin, of the
Doctrine and Co$enants# If there is a ,reat de'and for it< I ha$e no
o=ections< ut 2ou&d rather encoura,e it#
I can sa!< that as far as I ha$e een 'ade ac>uainted 2ith !our
'o$e'ents< I a' *erfect&! satisfied that the! ha$e een in 2isdo'? and I
ha$e no dout< ut that the S*irit of the Lord has directed !ou? and this
*ro$es to '! 'ind that !ou ha$e een hu'&e< and !our desires ha$e een
for the sa&$ation of !our fe&&o2 'an< and not for !our o2n a,,randi4e'ent<
and se&fish interests# As &on, as the Saints 'anifest such a dis*osition<
their counse&s 2i&& e a**ro$ed of< and their e/ertions cro2ned 2ith
success#
There are 'an! thin,s of 'uch i'*ortance< on 2hich !ou as0 counse&<
ut 2hich I thin0 !ou 2i&& e *erfect&! a&e to decide u*on< as !ou are
'ore con$ersant 2ith the *ecu&iar circu'stances than I a'? and I
fee& ,reat confidence in !our united 2isdo'? therefore !ou 2i&&
e/cuse 'e for not enterin, into detai&# If I shou&d see an!thin, that is
2ron,< I 2ou&d ta0e the *ri$i&e,e of 'a0in, 0no2n '! 'ind to !ou< and
*ointin, out the e$i&#
If E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt shou&d 2ish to re'ain in En,&and so'e ti'e
&on,er than the rest of the T2e&$e< he 2i&& fee& hi'se&f at &iert! to do
so< as his fa'i&! are 2ith hi'< conse>uent&! his circu'stances are
so'e2hat different fro' the rest? and &i0e2ise it is necessar! that
so'eone shou&d re'ain 2ho is con$ersant 2ith the ru&es and re,u&ations of
the Church< and continue the *a*er 2hich is *u&ished# Conse>uent&!<
ta0in, a&& these thin,s into consideration< I 2ou&d not *ress it u*on
"rother )ratt to return in the s*rin,#
I a' ha**! to infor' !ou that 2e are *ros*erin, in this *&ace< and
that the Saints are 'ore hea&th! than for'er&!? and fro' the decrease of
sic0ness this season< 2hen co'*ared 2ith the &ast< I a' &ed to the
conc&usion that this 'ust e$entua&&! eco'e a hea&th! *&ace# There are at
*resent aout 9<DDD inhaitants in Nau$oo< and nu'ers are f&oc0in, in
dai&!# Se$era& sta0es ha$e een set off in different *arts of the countr!<
2hich are in *ros*erous circu'stances#
)ro$isions are 'uch &o2er than 2hen !ou &eft# F&our is aout R@ *er
arre&# Corn and *otatoes aout HG cents *er ushe&? and other thin,s in
*ro*ortion# There has een a $er! *&entifu& har$est throu,hout the Union#
You 2i&& oser$e< ! the Ti'es and Seasons< that 2e are aout
ui&din, a te'*&e for the 2orshi* of our 5od in this *&ace# )re*arations
are no2 'a0in,? e$er! tenth da! is de$oted ! the rethren for >uarr!in,
roc0< Pc# 3e ha$e secured one of the 'ost &o$e&! situations for it in this
re,ion of countr!# It is e/*ected to e considera&! &ar,er than the one
in 1irt&and< and on a 'ore 'a,nificent sca&e< and 2hich 2i&& undouted&!
attract the attention of the ,reat 'en of the earth#
3e ha$e a i&& efore the &e,is&ature for the incor*oration of the
cit! of Nau$oo< and for the esta&ish'ent of a se'inar! of &earnin,< and
other *ur*oses--2hich I e/*ect 2i&& *ass in a short ti'e#
You 2i&& a&so recei$e inte&&i,ence of the death of '! father? 2hich
e$ent< a&thou,h *ainfu& to the fa'i&! and to the Church ,enera&&!< !et the
sea&in, testi'on! of the truth of the 2or0 of the Lord 2as indeed
satisfactor!# "rother H!ru' succeeds hi' as )atriarch of the Church<
accordin, to his &ast directions and enedictions#
Se$era& *ersons of e'inence and distinction in societ! ha$e =oined
the Church and eco'e oedient to the faith? and I a' ha**! to infor' !ou
that the 2or0 is s*readin, $er! fast u*on this continent# So'e of the
rethren are no2 in Ne2 Or&eans< and 2e e/*ect a &ar,e ,atherin, fro' the
south# I ha$e had the *&easure of 2e&co'in, aout one hundred rethren 2ho
ca'e 2ith "rother Tur&e!? the re'ainder I a' infor'ed sta!ed in 1irt&and<
not ha$in, 'eans to ,et an! further# I thin0 that those 2ho ca'e here this
fa&&< did not ta0e the est *ossi&e route< or the &east e/*ensi$e# .ost
of the rethren ha$e otained e'*&o!'ent of one 0ind or another< and
a**ear to&era&! 2e&& contented< and see' dis*osed to hear0en to counse&#
"rothers Roinson and S'ith &ate&! had a &etter fro' E&ders 1i'a&&<
S'ith and 3oodruff< 2hich ,a$e us infor'ation of the co''ence'ent of the
2or0 of the Lord in the cit! of London< 2hich I 2as ,&ad to hear# I a'
&i0e2ise infor'ed that E&ders ha$e ,one to Austra&ia and to the East
Indies# I fee& desirous that e$er! *ro$identia& o*enin, of the 0ind shou&d
e fi&&ed< and that !ou shou&d< *rior to !our &ea$in, En,&and< send the
5os*e& into as 'an! *arts as !ou *ossi&! can#
"e&o$ed rethren< !ou 'ust e a2are in so'e 'easure of '! fee&in,s<
2hen I conte'*&ate the ,reat 2or0 2hich is no2 ro&&in, on< and the
re&ationshi* 2hich I sustain to it< 2hi&e it is e/tendin, to distant
&ands< and thousands are e'racin, it# I rea&i4e in so'e 'easure '!
res*onsii&it!< and the need I ha$e of su**ort fro' ao$e< and 2isdo' fro'
on hi,h< that I 'a! e a&e to teach this *eo*&e< 2hich ha$e no2 eco'e a
,reat *eo*&e< the *rinci*&es of ri,hteousness< and &ead the' a,reea&! to
the 2i&& of Hea$en? so that the! 'a! e *erfected< and *re*ared to 'eet
the Lord Jesus Christ 2hen He sha&& a**ear in ,reat ,&or!# Can I re&! on
!our *ra!ers to our hea$en&! Father on '! eha&f< and on a&& the *ra!ers
of a&& '! rethren and sisters in En,&and< E2ho' ha$in, not seen< !et I
&o$eF< that I 'a! e ena&ed to esca*e e$er! strata,e' of Satan< sur'ount
e$er! difficu&t!< and rin, this *eo*&e to the en=o!'ent of those
&essin,s 2hich are reser$ed for the ri,hteousB I as0 this at !our hands
in the na'e of the Lord Jesus Christ#
Let the Saints re'e'er that ,reat thin,s de*end on their indi$idua&
e/ertion< and that the! are ca&&ed to e co-2or0ers 2ith us and the Ho&!
S*irit in acco'*&ishin, the ,reat 2or0 of the &ast da!s? and in
consideration of the e/tent< the &essin,s and ,&ories of the sa'e< &et
e$er! se&fish fee&in, e not on&! uried< ut annihi&ated? and &et &o$e to
5od and 'an *redo'inate< and rei,n triu'*hant in e$er! 'ind< that their
hearts 'a! eco'e &i0e unto Enoch+s of o&d< and co'*rehend a&& thin,s<
*resent< *ast and future< and co'e ehind in no ,ift< 2aitin, for the
co'in, of the Lord Jesus Christ#
The 2or0 in 2hich 2e are united&! en,a,ed is one of no ordinar! 0ind#
The ene'ies 2e ha$e to contend a,ainst are sut&e and 2e&& s0i&&ed in
'anoeu$erin,? it ehoo$es us to e on the a&ert to concentrate our
ener,ies< and that the est fee&in,s shou&d e/ist in our 'idst? and then<
! the he&* of the A&'i,ht!< 2e sha&& ,o on fro' $ictor! to $ictor!< and
fro' con>uest to con>uest? our e$i& *assions 2i&& e sudued< our
*re=udices de*art? 2e sha&& find no roo' in our oso's for hatred? $ice
2i&& hide its defor'ed head< and 2e sha&& stand a**ro$ed in the si,ht of
hea$en< and e ac0no2&ed,ed the sons of 5od#
Let us rea&i4e that 2e are not to &i$e to ourse&$es< ut to 5od? !
so doin, the ,reatest &essin,s 2i&& rest u*on us oth in ti'e and in
eternit!#
I *resu'e the doctrine of -a*tis' for the dead- has ere this reached
!our ears< and 'a! ha$e raised so'e in>uiries in !our 'inds res*ectin, the
sa'e# I cannot in this &etter ,i$e !ou a&& the infor'ation !ou 'a! desire
on the su=ect? ut aside fro' 0no2&ed,e inde*endent of the "i&e< I 2ou&d
sa! that it 2as certain&! *racticed ! the ancient churches? and St# )au&
endea$ors to *ro$e the doctrine of the resurrection fro' the sa'e< and
sa!s< -E&se 2hat sha&& the! do 2hich are a*ti4ed for the dead< if the
dead rise not at a&&B 3h! are the! then a*ti4ed for the deadB-
I first 'entioned the doctrine in *u&ic 2hen *reachin, the funera&
ser'on of "rother Se!'our "runson? and ha$e since then ,i$en ,enera&
instructions in the Church on the su=ect# The Saints ha$e the *ri$i&e,e
of ein, a*ti4ed for those of their re&ati$es 2ho are dead< 2ho' the!
e&ie$e 2ou&d ha$e e'raced the 5os*e&< if the! had een *ri$i&e,ed 2ith
hearin, it< and 2ho ha$e recei$ed the 5os*e& in the s*irit< throu,h the
instru'enta&it! of those 2ho ha$e een co''issioned to *reach to the'
2hi&e in *rison#
3ithout en&ar,in, on the su=ect< !ou 2i&& undouted&! see its
consistenc! and reasona&eness? and it *resents the 5os*e& of Christ in
*roa&! a 'ore en&ar,ed sca&e than so'e ha$e i'a,ined it# "ut as the
*erfor'ance of this rite is 'ore *articu&ar&! confined to this *&ace< it
2i&& not e necessar! to enter into *articu&ars? at the sa'e ti'e I a&2a!s
fee& ,&ad to ,i$e a&& the infor'ation in '! *o2er< ut '! s*ace 2i&& not
a&&o2 'e to do it#
3e had a &etter fro' E&der H!de< a fe2 da!s a,o< 2ho is in Ne2
Jerse!< and is e/*ectin, to &ea$e for En,&and as soon as E&der )a,e
reaches hi'# He re>uested to 0no2 if con$erted Je2s are to ,o to Jerusa&e'
or to co'e to ;ion# I therefore 2ish !ou to infor' hi' that con$erted Je2s
'ust co'e here#
5i$e '! 0ind &o$e to a&& the rethren and sisters< and te&& the' I
shou&d ha$e een *&eased to co'e o$er to En,&and to see the'< ut I a'
afraid that I sha&& e under the necessit! of re'ainin, here for so'e
ti'e? therefore I ,i$e the' a *ressin, in$itation to co'e and see 'e#
I re'ain< dear rethren< !ours affectionate&!< JOSE)H S.ITH#
CHA)TER 6III#
INTRODUCTION OF THE 5OS)EL IN THE ISLE OF .AN--THE NAU%OO CHA)TER#
3ednesda!< Octoer H7< 78@D#--E&der Loren4o Sno2 arri$ed in
.anchester< En,&and< fro' Nau$oo#
Thursda!< HH#--The co''ittee a**ointed ! the ,enera& conference of
the Church at Nau$oo on the 9rd inst#< E'! rother H!ru' *residin,F
or,ani4ed a Sta0e at Li'a this e$enin,< ! a**ointin, Isaac .or&e!<
*resident? John .urdoc0 and 3a&ter Co/< his counse&ors? a&so a "isho*+s
Court co'*osed of 5ardner Sno2< C&ar0 Hu&et and Henr! Dean< 2ith Ja'es C#
Sno2< c&er0#
Frida!< H9#--5ardner Sno2 2as ordained "isho* under the hands of
H!ru' S'ith#
Sunda!< HG#--The co''ittee or,ani4ed a Sta0e at Auinc!# The
*residenc! 2ere Danie& Stanton< Ste*hen Jones and E4ra T# "enson? the
&atter 2as ordained a Hi,h )riest? a&so isho* and counse&ors< 5eor,e 3#
Crouse< A4ariah Dustin< and S!&$ester "# Stoddard#
Tuesda!< HM#--The co''ittee or,ani4ed a Sta0e ca&&ed .ount Ho*e< at
the stea' 'i&&s< Co&u'us< Ada's count!# )resident and counse&ors 2ere
Ae& La'< Sher'an 5i&ert and John S'ith# "isho* and counse&ors< 2ere
Danie& A# .i&&er< Isaac C&ar0< and John A&&en? Si'eon J# Co'fort< c&er0#
At Freedo' Sta0e< near )a!son< Ada's count!< Henr! 3# .i&&er< Duncan
.cArthur< and 3i&&ia' Tenne! 2ere a**ointed to *reside# "isho* and
counse&ors< .atthe2 Leach< Horra 1i'a&&< and Jaco Fout4#
3ednesda! H8#--IOn this date a &on, co''unication 2as sent to the
editors of the Ti'es and Seasons si,ned ! Heer C# 1i'a&&< 3i&ford
3oodruff and 5eor,e A# S'ith< detai&in, their $isit to $arious *&aces in
London< ut as the co''unication does not in an! 2a! ear u*on the
incidents of the histor! of the Church< it is thou,ht unnecessar! to
*u&ish the &etter in e/tenso# The fo&&o2in, *ara,ra*h fro' the &etter<
ho2e$er< it is thou,ht shou&d e *reser$ed< ecause it refers to the
&iert! the E&ders of the Church incidenta&&! en=o!ed 2hi&e en,a,ed in the
'inistr!? and a&so ecause it reathes that s*irit of &iert! in the
*ursuit of 0no2&ed,e characteristic of the 2or0 of 5od in the &ast
da!s#--EDITORS#J
3e consider it *erfect&! consistent 2ith our ca&&in,< 2ith reason and
re$e&ation that 2e shou&d for' a 0no2&ed,e of 0in,do's and countries
2hether at ho'e or aroad< 2hether ancient or 'odern< 2hether of thin,s
*ast or *resent or to co'e? 2hether it e in hea$en< earth or he&&< air or
seas? or 2hether 2e otain this 0no2&ed,e ! ein, &oca& or tra$e&in,< !
stud! or ! faith< ! drea's or ! $isions< ! re$e&ation or ! *ro*hec!<
it 'attereth not unto us? if 2e can ut otain a correct I$ie2 ofJ
*rinci*&es< and 0no2&ed,e of thin,s as the! are< in their true &i,ht<
*ast< *resent and to co'e# It is under such a $ie2 of thin,s that 2e are
endea$orin, to a$ai& ourse&$es of e$er! o**ortunit! in our tra$e&s a'on,
the nations of the earth< to record an account of thin,s as the! *ass
under our oser$ation#
Thursda!< HN#--E&der 3oodruff *reached t2ice in London< and a*ti4ed
three#
Frida!< 9D#--E&der Loren4o Sno2 had a discussion 2ith .r# "ar0er< a
.ethodist 'inister< at Hi&& To*< near "ir'in,ha'< and a*ti4ed t2o#
Sunda!< 97#--I co*! the fo&&o2in, fro' the .an/ Liera& of this date(
.OR.ONIS. IN THE ISLE OF .AN#
To the Editor of the .an/ Liera&(
SIR--I fee& rather sur*rised and cha,rined that the 'odern de&usion<
$i4#< -.or'onis'<- shou&d ha$e 'ade such ra*id strides in this to2n<
hitherto considered e/e'*t fro' the 'an! s!ste's of irre&i,ious creeds
2hich aound in En,&and< A'erica< and e&se2here# I had thou,ht that the
*o2erfu& and ar,u'entati$e addresses of the dissentin, 'inisters 2ou&d
ha$e chec0ed such a ,ross *iece of i'*osition in its infanc!< and thus
*re$ented the ,reat 'ass of our to2n+s *eo*&e fro' eco'in, du*es of
desi,nin, 0na$es< and ein, &ed a2a! ! e$er! 2ind of doctrine#- Ao$e
a&&< I i'a,ined the t2o *a'*h&ets issued ! that ho&!< re&i,ious and
de$out 'an of 5od< .r# Ha!s< 3es&e!an 'inister< Eto 2hich connection I
ha$e the ha**iness and honor to e&on,F 2ou&d ha$e een >uite sufficient
to *ro$e the fa&&ac! of such a s!ste'< and *re$ent its further s*read#
"ut< sir< a&asK a&asK the case is >uite the re$erse? nu'ers continua&&!
f&oc0 to the 3e&&in,ton roo'< and &isten 2ith ea,erness to the *rinci*&es
there ad$ocated# The 'e'ers of our societ! E.ethodistsF see' to e 'ost
cons*icuous in sanctionin, and *ro'otin, this $i&e and ao'ina&e
doctrine#
Oh< sir< the resu&t to our connection 2i&& e dreadfu&K the ha$oc
tre'endous? =ust thin0 of the 'a=orit! of our &eadin, and inte&&i,ent 'en
aidin, and aettin, a cause of this descri*tionK Oh< sir< &a'enta&e and
heart-rendin, to 2itness the ea'in, countenances< and s'i&es of
a**roation dis*&a!ed recent&! at Ta!&or+s 'eetin,K I cou&d enu'erate a
host of our 'e'ers 2ho re,u&ar&! attend those anti-Christian 'eetin,s?
ut I 2i&& =ust 'ention< 2ith !our *er'ission< the na'es of a fe2 2ho
attended one of the &ast 'eetin,s# EHere fo&&o2ed a &ist of na'es#F
OK .r# EditorK I >ua0e for the conse>uence? such a 2ho&esa&e
con$ersion to .or'onis' 2as ne$er efore 2itnessed in an! to2n or countr!#
3hat 2i&& eco'e of our societ!B 3hat 2i&& eco'e of our c&ass 'eetin,sB
3hat 2i&& eco'e of our rethren in the faithB And ao$e a&&< 2hat 2i&&
eco'e of *oor .r# Ha!s that nice and hu'&e 'an< 2ho so no&! stood
for2ard to e/*ose the errors of the .or'on s!ste'? 5od &ess hi' and
*reser$e hi' fro' 2antK "ut< .r# Editor< 2hat 'a0es the case 2orse is<
that a ru'or is *re$a&ent that a&& these *ious 'en are to e a*ti4edK
That is du&! i''ersed in the sa&t 2ater of Dou,&as "a!< ! that ao'ina&e
creature< Ta!&orK Sure&!< there 'ust e so'ethin, enchantin, aout the
$i&e 'an# I''ersionK E'! hand sha0es 2hi&e I 2riteF and in 2inter< tooK
Oh< sirK the thou,ht chi&&s '! $er! sou&? sure&! this A'erican di**er
intends to dro2n the'? he can ha$e no other o=ect in $ie2< therefore<
rethren of the .ethodist societ!< e2areK Dro2nin, is not to e en$ied<
and that too in !our sins# "esides< 2hat 2ou&d the $enera&e John 3es&e!<
Eif he 2ere a&i$eF sa! to such conductB 3hat 2i&& the conference sa!B And
2hat 2i&& the 2or&d sa!B I &ea$e these >uestions to !ourse&$es to ans2er#
In conc&usion< rethren< I reco''end !ou to read< 'ar0< &earn and in2ard&!
di,est the thin,s 2hich e&on, to !our eterna& *eace< and &isten no &on,er
to the fo&&ies of 'en# A STAUNCH 3ESLEYAN#
Du0e Street< Dou,&as< HNth Oct#
Sunda!< No$e'er 7< 78@D#--The co''ittee or,ani4ed a Sta0e< 5ene$a<
.or,an count!< I&&inois< and ca&&ed it 5ene$a Sta0e? *residents--3i&&ia'
"os&e!< Ho2ard S# S'ith< and Sa'ue& Fo2&er# "isho*+s Court--5ardner C&ar0<
.oses C&are< and Da$id Orton#
E&der Le$i Richards arri$ed in .anchester#
Tuesda!< 9#--The En,&ish o'arded St# Jean D+Acre< durin, 2hich a
*o2der 'a,a4ine e/*&oded< 0i&&in, o$er t2o thousand 'en#
Thursda!< G#--The co''ittee or,ani4ed a Sta0e of the Church at
S*rin,fie&d? *residents--Ed2in )# .erria'< Isaac H# "isho*< and Arno&d
Ste*hens# "isho*+s Court Araha' )a&'er< Henr! Ste*hens< and Jonathan
)a&'er#
.onda!< N#--E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith recei$ed counse& to &ea$e London
and ,o to Staffordshire for his hea&th< as he had in=ured his &un,s !
*reachin, in the streets< so that he dischar,ed considera&e &ood fro'
the'#
Tuesda!< 7D#--E&der S'ith too0 &ea$e of E&der 3oodruff and tra$e&ed
to "ir'in,ha'< 'et E&der A&fred Cordon< *reached and a*ti4ed fi$e in the
e$enin,#
Thursda!< 7H#--The 3ee0&! Dis*atch< En,&and< ha$in, *u&ished a
sarcastic artic&e a,ainst the Saints in that countr!< and &a'in, the
"isho* of 5&oucester< and his tithe-fattened c&er,! for a&&o2in, the
-.or'ons- to de&ude and a*ti4e fi$e hundred in his Diocese< E&der 3i&ford
3oodruff re*&ied to this< ut the Dis*atch refused to *u&ish his re*&!#
Saturda!< H7#--E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&& and Richards< $isited the Church
at "o&ton#
Thursda!< H:#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< and 5eor,e A#
S'ith *reached to the Saints in Han&e! this da!< and on the HMth at
Sto0e-u*on-Trent#
Saturda!< H8#--E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& &eft for London#
E&ders E&ias Hi,ee and Roert "# Tho'*son< the co''ittee a**ointed
at the Octoer Conference< 2rote a *etition to Con,ress for the redress of
the ,rie$ances of the Latter-da! Saints in .issouri< settin, forth their
2ron,s and sufferin,s< in sustance the sa'e as '! *etition in connection
2ith E&ias Hi,ee and Sidne! Ri,don< of the H8th da! of No$e'er< 789N#
Thursda!< Dece'er 9#--E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&& and 3oodruff $isited the
to2er of London< the Horse Ar'or!< Je2e& Roo' and the Tha'es Tunne&#
Frida!< @#--E&ders Youn, and 3oodruff $isited "uc0in,ha' )a&ace and
3est'inster Ae!#
There 2as a conference in Ne2 Yor0 Cit!< E&der Orson H!de *residin,#
The re$e&ations of E&der Sidne! Roerts 2ere o=ected to< 2hich 2ere that
a certain rother 'ust ,i$e hi' a suit of c&othes< and a ,o&d 2atch< the
est that cou&d e had a&so his sa&utin, the sisters 2ith ho&! 0iss# E&der
Roerts =ustified hi'se&f in these thin,s# .uch ,ood counse& 2as ,i$en
hi'< ut he said he 0ne2 the re$e&ations he had recei$ed 2ere fro' 5od<
and 2ou&d 'a0e no confession? conse>uent&! the conference cut hi' off< and
de'anded his &icense< 2hich he refused to ,i$e u*#
E&der John Ta!&or has een *reachin, and a*ti4in, for so'e ti'e in
the Is&e of .an< 2here the 2or0 is no2 *ro,ressin,#
Saturda!< G#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 2rites as fo&&o2s(
Letter of "ri,ha' Youn, to the )residenc!< Detai&in, .o$e'ents of the
.ission in En,&and#
NO# @D< IRON.ON5ER Ro2< ST# LU1E+S< Dece'er Gth< 78@D#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN--I ha$e =ust returned fro' a 2a&0 2ith "rothers
1i'a&& and 3oodruff# 3e ha$e on&! een as far as St# )au&+s and returned
! S'ithfie&d .ar0et aout three 'i&es# "rother 1i'a&& and '!se&f had
fine 2eather for our =ourne! here? it 2as a eautifu& da! that 2e &eft
.acc&esfie&d for "urs&e'# 3e found the rethren in .acc&esfie&d in ,ood
s*irits< and in a ,ood state as to a**earance# The! a**ear to e 2e&&
suited 2ith "rother Ja'es 5a&&e!? I thin0 he 2i&& e a usefu& 'an in this
0in,do'# 3e found "rother 5eor,e A# S'ith in "urs&e'< not in the est of
hea&th# He is &i0e the rest of us< the c&i'ate does not a,ree 2ith hi'? he
is affected 2ith s &eedin, at the &un,s# 3e sta!ed 2ith hi' at the
)otteries# I *reached t2o e$enin,s# The Church is in a ,ood state? so'e of
the 'e'ers ha$e a *rett! hard ti'e of it# "rother S'ith 2i&& sta! there
for the *resent#
Saturda!< H8th< &eft for the ne/t sto**in, *&ace in 5rets 5reen<
2here 2e s*ent the Saath# On Saturda! e$enin, 2e ca&&ed to see Sister
Roden< Father )atric0+s dau,hter? she 2as $er! ,&ad to see us< and 2anted
2e shou&d sta! a&& ni,ht# Her husand 2as $er! 0ind to us< and id us or
other E&ders 2e&co'e to his house at an! ti'e# 3e cou&d not sta!? too0 tea
2ith the'< and a,reed to send E&der Loren4o Sno2 there if he cou&d co'e?
&essed the'< and &eft the'# I *reached in the 'ornin, to the Saints in
5rets 5reen< sta!ed afternoon 'eetin,< and then 2a&0ed to "ir'in,ha'? 2as
$er! tired? heard E&der Sno2 *reach? he is a nice !oun, 'an< I thin0#
"rother 1i'a&& a&so s*o0e to the *eo*&e after "rother Sno2 had ,ot
throu,h# 3e found "rother Roert 3i&&ia's here? he o*ened the 'eetin,? he
see's to e fu&& of the S*irit#
On .onda! at 7H o+c&oc0< "rother 1i'a&& and '!se&f too0 the rai&2a!#
"rother 3i&&ia's started on foot for London# 3e arri$ed here on .onda!
e$enin, aout si/ o+c&oc0? found "rother 3oodruff 2e&& and in ,ood
s*irits# 3e ha$e een *rett! us! since 2e ha$e een here# "RI5HA. YOUN5#
A ,reat *art of the cit! of .essina< Sici&!< 2as this da! destro!ed
! an earth>ua0e# Such 2as the force of the first shoc0 that the
inhaitants of the to2n 2ere uried in an instant eneath the ruins#
Sunda!< :#--E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& *reached in "arratt+s Acade'!<
London< and ad'inistered the sacra'ent in the e$enin,#
.onda!< M#--E&der John Ta!&or issued his third *a'*h&et in defense of
the truth< a,ainst the attac0s of the Re$# Roert Ha!s< 3es&e!an .inister<
Dou,&as Is&e of .an< the three containin, thirt!-fi$e *a,es of c&ose&!
*rinted 'atter< 2hich are a co'*&ete e/*ose of the corru*tions of the
3es&e!an *riesthood< and a c&ear i&&ustration of the truth of the
Latter-da! 2or0#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< and 3i&ford 3oodruff< $isited
the Anato'ica& De*art'ent of the Co&&e,e of Sur,eons< London#
3ednesda!< N#--E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& $isited St# )au&+s Cathedra&<
the .onu'ent< London and South2ar0 "rid,es and a&so the "ritish .useu'#
Thursda!< 7D#--E&der Le$i Richards &eft .anchester for Herefordshire#
Sunda!< 79#--I attended the Hi,h Counci& at '! office# Roert D#
Foster 2as on tria& for &!in,< s&anderin, the authorities of the Church<
*rofane s2earin,< etc# 3itness 2as e/a'ined in *art and tria& ad=ourned to
the HDth#
.onda!< 7@#--Eene4er Roinson and Don Car&os S'ith disso&$ed
co-*artnershi*# The Ti'es and Seasons is to e continued ! Don Car&os
S'ith#
3ednesda!< 7:#--This da! the act charterin, the -Cit! of Nau$oo<- the
-Nau$oo Le,ion<- and the -Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo<- 2as si,ned !
the 5o$ernor< ha$in, *re$ious&! *assed the House and Senate# Fo&&o2in, is
the act in e/tenso#
AN ACT TO INCOR)ORATE THE CITY OF NAU%OO#
Section 7# "e it enacted ! the *eo*&e of the State of I&&inois<
re*resented in the 5enera& Asse'&!< that a&& that district of countr!
e'raced 2ithin the fo&&o2in, oundaries< to 2it+ e,innin, at the north
east corner of section thirt!-one in To2nshi* se$en< north of ran,e ei,ht<
2est of the fourth *rinci*a& 'eridian< in the count! of Hancoc0< and
runnin, thence 2est to the north2est corner of said section< thence north
to the .ississi**i ri$er< thence 2est to the 'idd&e of the 'ain channe& of
the said ri$er? thence do2n the 'idd&e of said channe& to a )oint due 2est
of the southeast corner of fractiona& section nu'er t2e&$e in to2nshi*
si/< north of ran,e nine< 2est of the fourth *rinci*a& 'eridian< thence
east to the southeast corner of said section t2e&$e< the'e north on the
ran,e &ine et2een to2nshi* si/ north< and ran,e ei,ht and nine 2est< to
the south2est corner of section si/ in to2nshi* si/ north of ran,e ei,ht
2est< thence east to the southeast corner of said section< thence north to
the *&ace of e,innin,< inc&udin, the to2n *&ats of Co''erce and Nau$oo<
sha&& hereafter e ca&&ed and 0no2n ! the na'e of the -Cit! of Nau$oo<-
and the inhaitants thereof are here! constituted a od! cor*orate and
*o&itic ! the na'e aforesaid< and sha&& ha$e *er*etua& succession< and
'a! ha$e and use a co''on sea& 2hich the! 'a! chan,e and a&ter at
*&easure#
Sec# H# 3hene$er an! tract of &and ad=oinin, the -Cit! of Nau$oo-
sha&& ha$e een &aid out into to2n &ots< and du&! recorded accordin, to
&a2< the sa'e sha&& for' a *art of the -Cit! of Nau$oo#-
Sec# 9# The inhaitants of said cit!< ! the na'e and st!&e
aforesaid< sha&& ha$e *o2er to sue and e sued< to *&ead and e i'*&eaded<
defend and e defended< in a&& courts of &a2 and e>uit!< and a&& actions
2hatsoe$er? to *urchase< recei$e and ho&d *ro*ert!< rea& and *ersona&< in
said cit!< to *urchase< recei$e< and ho&d rea& *ro*ert! e!ond the cit!<
for ur!in, ,rounds< or for other *u&ic *ur*oses< for the use of the
inhaitants of said cit!< to se&&< &ease< con$e! or dis*ose of *ro*ert!<
rea& or *ersona&< for the enefit of the cit!< to i'*ro$e and *rotect such
*ro*ert!< and to do a&& other thin,s in re&ation thereto as natura&
*ersons#
Sec# @# There sha&& e a Cit! Counci&< to consist of a .a!or< four
A&der'en< and nine Counci&ors< 2ho sha&& ha$e the >ua&ifications of
e&ectors of said cit!< and sha&& e chosen ! the >ua&ified $oters
thereof< and sha&& ho&d their offices for t2o !ears< and unti& their
successors sha&& e e&ected and >ua&ified# The Cit! Counci& sha&& =ud,e of
the >ua&ifications< e&ections and returns of their o2n 'e'ers< and a
'a=orit! of the' sha&& for' a >uoru' to do usiness< ut a s'a&&er nu'er
'a! ad=ourn fro' da! to da!< and co'*e& the attendance of asent 'e'ers<
under such *ena&ties as 'a! e *rescried ! ordinance#
Sec# G# The .a!or< A&der'en and Counci&ors< efore enterin, u*on the
duties of their office< sha&& ta0e and suscrie an oath or affir'ation
that the! 2i&& su**ort the Constitution of the United States< and of this
State and that the! 2i&& 2e&& and tru&! *erfor' the duties of their
offices to the est of their s0i&& and ai&ities#
Sec# :# On the first .onda! of Feruar! ne/t< and e$er! t2o !ears
thereafter< an e&ection sha&& e he&d for the e&ection of one .a!or< four
A&der'en< and nine Counci&ors? and at the first e&ection under the Act<
three Jud,es sha&& e chosen $i$a $oce ! the e&ectors *resent# The said
Jud,es sha&& choose t2o C&er0s< and the Jud,es and C&er0s< efore enterin,
u*on their duties< sha&& ta0e and suscrie an oath or affir'ation such as
is no2 re>uired ! &a2 to e ta0en ! Jud,es or C&er0s of other e&ections
and at a&& suse>uent e&ections< the necessar! nu'er of Jud,es and C&er0s
sha&& e a**ointed ! the Cit! Counci&# At the first e&ection thus he&d<
the *o&&s sha&& e o*ened at N o+c&oc0 a#'# and c&osed at : o+c&oc0 *#'<?
at the c&ose of the *o&&s the $otes sha&& e counted and a state'ent
thereof *roc&ai'ed at the front door of the house at 2hich said e&ection
sha&& e he&d? and the C&er0s sha&& &ea$e 2ith each *erson e&ected< or at
his *&ace of residence< 2ithin fi$e da!s after the e&ection< a 2ritten
notice of his e&ection? and each *erson so notified sha&& 2ithin ten da!s
after the e&ection ta0e the oath or affir'ation hereinefore 'entioned< a
certificate of 2hich oath sha&& e de*osited 2ith the Recorder< 2hose
a**oint'ent is hereafter *ro$ided for< and e ! hi' *reser$ed? and
suse>uent e&ections sha&& e he&d< conducted and returns thereof 'ade as
'a! e *ro$ided for ! ordinance of the Cit! Counci&#
Sec# M# A&& free 2hite 'a&e inhaitants< 2ho are of the a,e of t2ent!
one !ears< 2ho are entit&ed to $ote for State Officers< and 2ho sha&& ha$e
een actua& residents of the cit! si/t! da!s ne/t *recedin, said e&ection<
sha&& e entit&ed to $ote for Cit! Officers#
Sec# 8# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e authorit! to &e$! and co&&ect
ta/es< far cit! *ur*oses< u*on a&& *ro*ert!< rea& and *ersona&< 2ithin the
&i'its of the cit!< one-ha&f *er cent *er annu'< u*on the assessed $a&ue
thereof< and 'a! enforce *a!'ent of the sa'e in an! 'anner< to e *ro$ided
! ordinance< not re*u,nant to the Constitution of the United States or of
this State#
Sec# N# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er to a**oint a Recorder<
Treasurer< Assessor< .arsha&< Su*er$isor of streets< and a&& such other
officers as 'a! e necessar!< and to *rescrie their duties and re'o$e
the' fro' office at *&easure#
Sec# 7D# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er to re>uire< of a&&
officers a**ointed in *ursuance of this Act< onds< 2ith *ena&t! a for the
faithfu& *erfor'ance of their res*ecti$e duties< such as 'a! e dee'ed
e/*edient? and a&so to re>uire a&& officers a**ointed as aforesaid< to
ta0e an oath for the faithfu& *erfor'ance of the duties of their
res*ecti$e offices#
Sec# 77# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er and authorit! to 'a0e<
ordain< esta&ish and e/ecute a&& such ordinances< not re*u,nant to the
Constitution of the United States or of this State< as the! 'a! dee'
necessar! for the *eace< enefit< ,ood order< re,u&ation< con$enience< and
c&ean&iness of said cit!( for the *rotection of *ro*ert! therein fro'
destruction ! fire< or other2ise< and for the hea&th and ha**iness
thereof( the! sha&& ha$e *o2er to fi&& a&& $acancies that 'a! ha**en !
death< resi,nation< or re'o$a&< in an! of the offices herein 'ade
e&ecti$e? to fi/ and esta&ish a&& the fees of the office of said
cor*oration not herein esta&ished? to i'*ose such fines< not e/ceedin,
one hundred do&&ars< for each offense< as the! 'a! dee' =ust< for refusin,
to acce*t an! office under the cor*oration< or for 'isconduct therein? to
di$ide the cit! into 2ards? to add to the nu'er of A&der'en and
Counci&ors< and a**ortion the' a'on, the se$era& 2ards as 'a! e 'ost =ust
and conduci$e to the interests of the cit!#
Sec# 7H# To &icense< ta/< and re,u&ate auctions< 'erchants<
retai&ers< ,rocers< ha20ers< *edd&ers< utchers< *a2nro0ers< and
'one!-chan,ers#
Sec# 79# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e e/c&usi$e *o2er 2ithin the cit!<
! ordinance< to &icense< re,u&ate< and restrain the 0ee*in, of ferries?
to re,u&ate the *o&ice of the cit!? to i'*ose fines< forfeitures< and
*ena&ties for the reach of an! ordinance< and *ro$ide for the reco$er! of
such fines and forfeitures< and the enforce'ent of such *ena&ties? and to
*ass such ordinances< as 'a! e necessar! and *ro*er for carr!in, into
e/ecution the *o2ers s*ecified in this Act? *ro$ided such ordinances are
not re*u,nant to the Constitution of the United States or of this State<
and in fine to e/ercise such other &e,is&ati$e *o2ers as are conferred on
the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of S*rin,fie&d< ! an Act entit&ed an Act to
Incor*orate the Cit! of S*rin,fie&d< a**ro$ed Feruar! 9rd< 78@D#
Sec# 7@# A&& ordinances *assed ! the Cit! Counci& sha&&< 2ithin one
'onth after the! sha&& ha$e een *assed< e *u&ished in so'e ne2s*a*er
*rinted in the cit!< or certified co*ies thereof e *osted u* in three of
the 'ost *u&ic *&aces in the cit!#
Sec# 7G# A&& ordinances of the cit! 'a! e *ro$en ! the sea& of the
cor*oration< and 2hen *rinted or *u&ished in oo0 or *a'*h&et fo,
*ur*ortin, to e *rinted or *u&ished ! authorit! of the cor*oration the
sa'e sha&& e recei$ed in e$idence in a&& courts or *&aces 2ithout further
*roof#
Sec# 7:# The .a!or and A&der'en sha&& e conser$ators of the *eace
2ithin the &i'its of said cit!< and sha&& ha$e a&& the *o2ers of Justices
of the )eace therein< oth in ci$i& and cri'ina& cases< arisin, under the
&a2s of the State? the! sha&&< as Justices of the )eace< 2ithin the &i'its
of said cit!< *erfor' the sa'e duties< e ,o$erned ! the sa'e &a2s ,i$e
the sa'e onds and securit!< as other Justices of the )eace< and e
co''issioned as Justices of the )eace in and for said cit! ! the
5o$ernor#
Sec# 7M# The .a!or sha&& ha$e e/c&usi$e =urisdiction in a&& cases
arisin, under the ordinances of the cor*oration< and sha&& issue such
*rocess as 'a! e necessar! to carr! such ordinances into e/ecution and
effect? a**ea&s 'a! e had fro' an! decision or =ud,'ent of said .a!or or
A&der'en< arisin, under the cit! ordinances< to the .unici*a& Court under
such re,u&ations as 'a! e *resented ! ordinance? 2hich court sha&& e
co'*osed of the .a!or as Chief Justice< and the A&der'en as Associate
Justices< and fro' the fina& =ud,'ent of the .unici*a& Court to the
Circuit Court of Hancoc0 count!< in the sa'e 'anner of a**ea&s are ta0en
fro' =ud,'ents of the Justices of the )eace? *ro$ided that the *arties
&iti,ant sha&& ha$e a ri,ht to a tria& ! a =ur! of t2e&$e 'en in a&&
cases efore the .unici*a& Court# The .unici*a& Court sha&& ha$e *o2er to
,rant 2rits of haeas cor*us in a&& cases arisin, under the ordinances of
the Cit! Counci&#
Sec# 78# The .unici*a& Court sha&& sit on the first .onda! of e$er!
'onth< and the Cit! Counci& at such ti'es and *&ace as 'a! e *rescried
! cit! ordinance? s*ecia& 'eetin,s of 2hich 'a! at an! ti'e e ca&&ed !
the .a!or or an! t2o A&der'en#
Sec# 7N# A&& *rocess issued ! the .a!or< A&der'en< or .unici*a&
Court< sha&& e directed to the .arsha&< and< in the e/ecution thereof< he
sha&& e ,o$erned ! the sa'e &a2s as are or 'a! e *rescried for the
direction and co'*ensation of consta&es in si'i&ar cases# The .arsha&
sha&& a&so *erfor' such other duties as 'a! e re>uired of hi' under the
ordinances of said cit!< and sha&& e the *rinci*a& 'inisteria& officer#
Sec# HD# It sha&& e the dut! of the Recorder to 'a0e and 0ee*
accurate records of a&& ordinances 'ade ! the Cit! Counci&< and of a&&
their *roceedin,s in their cor*orate ca*acit!< 2hich record sha&& at a&&
ti'es e o*en to the ins*ection of the e&ectors of said cit!< and sha&&
*erfor' such other duties as 'a! e re>uired of hi' ! the ordinances of
the Cit! Counci&< and sha&& ser$e as C&er0 of the .unici*a& Court#
Sec# H7# 3hen it sha&& e necessar! to ta0e *ri$ate *ro*ert! for the
o*enin,< 2idenin,< or a&terin, an! *u&ic street< &ane< a$enue< or a&&e!<
the cor*oration sha&& 'a0e a =ust co'*ensation therefor to the *erson
2hose *ro*ert! is to e ta0en< and if the a'ount of such co'*ensation
cannot e a,reed u*on< the .a!or sha&& cause the sa'e to e ascertained !
a =ur! of si/ disinterested freeho&ders of the cit!#
Sec# HH# A&& =urors co'*e&&ed to in>uire into the a'ount of enefits
or da'a,es that sha&& ha**en to the o2ners of *ro*ert! so *ro*osed to e
ta0en< sha&& first e s2orn to that effect< and sha&& return to the .a!or
their in>uest in 2ritin,< si,ned ! each =uror#
Sec# H9# In case the .a!or sha&& at an! ti'e e ,ui&t! of a *a&*a&e
o'ission of dut!< or sha&& 2i&fu&&!< and corru*t&! e ,ui&t! of
o**ression< 'a& conduct< or *artia&it!< in the dischar,e of the duties of
his office< he sha&& e &ia&e to e indicted in the Circuit Court of
Hancoc0 count!< and on con$iction he sha&& e fined not 'ore than t2o
hundred do&&ars< and the Court sha&& ha$e *o2er on the reco''endation of
the =ur! to add to the =ud,'ent of the Court that he e re'o$ed fro'
office#
Sec# H@# The Cit! Counci& 'a! esta&ish and or,ani4e an institution
of &earnin, 2ithin the &i'its of the cit!< for the teachin, of the Arts<
Sciences< and Learned )rofessions< to e ca&&ed the -Uni$ersit! of the
Cit! of Nau$oo<- 2hich institution sha&& e under the contro& and
'ana,e'ent of a "oard of Trustees< consistin, of a Chance&&or< Re,istrar<
and t2ent!-three Re,ents< 2hich "oard sha&& thereafter e a od! cor*orate
and *o&itic< 2ith *er*etua& succession ! the na'e of the -Chance&&or and
Re,ents of the Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo<- and sha&& ha$e fu&&
*o2er to *ass< ordain< esta&ish< and e/ecute< a&& such &a2s and
ordinances as the! 'a! consider necessar! for the 2e&fare and *ros*erit!
of said Uni$ersit!< its officers and students? *ro$ided that the said &a2s
and ordinances sha&& not e re*u,nant to the Constitution of the United
States< or of this State? and *ro$ided a&so< that the Trustees sha&& at
a&& ti'es e a**ointed ! the Cit! Counci&< and sha&& ha$e a&& the *o2ers
and *ri$i&e,es for the ad$ance'ent of the cause of education 2hich
a**ertain to the Trustees of an! other Co&&e,e or Uni$ersit! of this
State#
Sec# HG# The Cit! Counci& 'a! or,ani4e the inhaitants of said cit!
su=ect to 'i&itar! dut!< into a od! of inde*endent 'i&itar! 'en< to e
ca&&ed the -Nau$oo Le,ion<- the Court .artia& of 2hich sha&& e co'*osed
of the co''issioned officers of said Le,ion< and constitute the &a2-'a0in,
de*art'ent< 2ith fu&& *o2er and authorit! to 'a0e< ordain< esta&ish< and
e/ecute a&& such &a2s and ordinances as 'a! e considered necessar! for
the enefit< ,o$ern'ent< and re,u&ation of said Le,ion? *ro$ided said
Court .artia& sha&& *ass no &a2 or act< re*u,nant to< or inconsistent
2ith< the Constitution of the United States< or of this State? and
*ro$ided a&so that the officers of the Le,ion sha&& e co''issioned ! the
5o$ernor of the State# The said Le,ion sha&& *erfor' the sa'e a'ount of
'i&itar! dut! as is no2 or 'a! e hereafter re>uired of the re,u&ar
'i&itia of the State< and sha&& e at the dis*osa& of the .a!or in
e/ecutin, the &a2s and ordinances of the cit! cor*oration< and the &a2s of
the State< and at the dis*osa& of the 5o$ernor for the *u&ic defense< and
the e/ecution of the &a2s of the State or of the United States< and sha&&
e entit&ed to their *ro*ortion of the *u&ic ar's? and *ro$ided a&so<
that said Le,ion sha&& e e/e'*t fro' a&& other 'i&itar! dut!#
Sec# H:# The inhaitants of the cit! of Nau$oo are here! e/e'*ted
fro' 2or0in, on an! road e!ond the &i'its of the cit!< and for the
*ur*ose of 0ee*in, the streets< &anes< a$enues< and a&&e!s in re*air< to
re>uire of the 'a&e inhaitants of said cit!< o$er the a,e of t2ent!-one<
and under fift! !ears< to &aor on said streets< &anes< a$enues< and
a&&e!s< not e/ceedin, three da!s in each !ear? an! *erson fai&in, to
*erfor' such &aor< 2hen du&! notified ! the Su*er$isor< sha&& forfeit
and *a! the su' of one do&&ar *er da! for each da! so ne,&ected or
refused#
Sec# HM# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er to *ro$ide for the
*unish'ent of offenders ! i'*rison'ent in the count! or cit! =ai&< in a&&
cases 2hen such offenders sha&& fai& or refuse to *a! the fines and
forfeitures< 2hich 'a! e reco$ered a,ainst the'#
Sec# H8# This Act is here! dec&ared to e a *u&ic Act< and sha&&
ta0e effect on the first .onda! of Feruar! ne/t# 3.# L# D# E3IN5< S*ea0er
of the House of Re*resentati$es# S# H# ANDERSON< S*ea0er of the Senate#
A**ro$ed Dec# 7:< 78@D# THOS# CARLIN# State of I&&inois< Office of
Secretar! of State#
I< Ste*hen A# Dou,&as< Secretar! of State< do here! certif! that the
fore,oin, is a true and *erfect co*! of the enro&&ed &a2 no2 on fi&e in '!
office# 3itness '! hand< and Sea& of State< at S*rin,fie&d< this 78th da!
of Dece'er< 78@D# IL# S#J S# A# DOU5LAS# Secretar! of State#
The fo&&o2in, are the Le,is&ati$e *o2ers a&&uded to in the 79th
section of the fore,oin, Act< as *ertainin, to the Cit! Counci& of the
Cit! of S*rin,fie&d< and 2hich conse>uent&! eca'e a *art of the Charter
of the Cit! of Nau$oo< to 2it(
OF THE LE5ISLATI%E )O3ERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL#
Sec# 7# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2ers and authorit! to &e$! and
co&&ect ta/es u*on a&& *ro*ert!< rea& and *ersona&< 2ithin the cit!< not
e/ceedin, one-ha&f *er cent#< *er annu'< u*on the assessed $a&uation
thereof< and 'a! enforce the *a!'ent of the sa'e in an! 'anner *rescried
! ordinance< not re*u,nant to the Constitution of the United States and
of this State#
Sec# H# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er to re>uire of a&& officers
a**ointed in *ursuance of the Charters< onds 2ith *ena&t! and securit!
for the faithfu& *erfor'ance of their res*ecti$e duties as 'a! e dee'ed
e/*edient< and a&so to re>uire a&& officers a**ointed as aforesaid< to
ta0e an oath for the faithfu& *erfor'ance of the duties of their
res*ecti$e offices u*on enterin, u*on the dischar,e of the sa'e#
Sec# 9# To esta&ish< su**ort< and re,u&ate co''on schoo&s< to orro2
'one! on the credit of the cit!? *ro$ided< that no su' or su's of .one!
sha&& e orro2ed at a ,reater interest than si/ *er cent *er annu'< nor
sha&& the interest on the a,,re,ate of a&& the su's orro2ed and
outstandin, e$er e/ceed one ha&f of the cit! re$enue< arisin, for ta/es
assessed on rea& *ro*ert! 2ithin the cor*oration#
Sec# @# To 'a0e re,u&ations to *re$ent the introduction of conta,ious
diseases into the cit!< to 'a0e Auarantine La2s for that *ur*ose< and
enforce the sa'e#
Sec# G# To a**ro*riate and *ro$ide for the *a!'ent of the det and
e/*enses of the cit!#
Sec# :# To esta&ish hos*ita&s< and 'a0e re,u&ations for the
,o$ern'ent of the sa'e#
Sec# M# To 'a0e re,u&ations to secure the ,enera& hea&th of the
inhaitants< to dec&are 2hat sha&& e a nuisance< and to *re$ent and
re'o$e the sa'e in the streets for the e/tin,uish'ent of fires< and
con$enience of the inhaitants#
Sec# N# To o*en< a&ter< 2iden< e/tend< esta&ish< ,rade< *a$e< or
other2ise i'*ro$e and 0ee* in re*air streets< a$enues< &anes< and a&&e!s#
Sec# 7D# To esta&ish< erect< and 0ee* in re*air rid,es#
Sec# 77# To di$ide the cit! into 2ards< and s*ecif! the oundaries
thereof< and create additiona& 2ards< as the occasion 'a! re>uire#
Sec# 7H# To *ro$ide for &i,htin, the streets and erectin, &a'* *osts#
Sec# 79# To esta&ish< su**ort< and re,u&ate ni,ht 2atches#
Sec# 7@# To erect 'ar0et houses< esta&ish 'ar0ets< and 'ar0et
*&aces< and *ro$ide for the ,o$ern'ent and re,u&ation thereof#
Sec# 7G# To *ro$ide for erectin, a&& needfu& ui&din,s for the use of
the cit!#
Sec# 7:# To *ro$ide for enc&osin,< i'*ro$in,< and re,u&atin, a&&
*u&ic ,rounds e&on,in, to the cit!#
Sec# 7M# To &icense< ta/< and re,u&ate auctioneers< 'erchants< and
retai&ers< ,rocers< ta$erns ordinaries< ha20ers< *edd&ers< ro0ers<
*a2nro0ers< and 'one! chan,ers#
Sec# 78# To &icense< ta/< and re,u&ate hac0ne! carria,es< 2a,ons<
carts and dra!s< and fi/ the rates to e char,ed for the carria,e of
*ersons< and for the 2a,ona,e< carta,e and dra!a,e of *ro*ert!#
Sec# 7N# To &icense and re,u&ate *orters and fi/ the rates of
*ortera,e#
Sec# HD# To &icense and re,u&ate theatrica& and other e/hiitions<
sho2s and a'use'ents#
Sec# H7# To ta/< restrain< *rohiit< and su**ress< ti**&in, houses<
dra' sho*s< ,a'in, houses< a2d! and other disorder&! houses#
Sec# HH# To *ro$ide for the *re$ention and e/tin,uish'ent of fires<
and to or,ani4e and esta&ish fire co'*anies#
Sec# H9# To re,u&ate the fi/in, of chi'ne!s< and the f&ues thereof<
and sto$e *i*es#
Sec# H@# To re,u&ate the stora,e of ,un*o2der< tar< *itch< rosin< and
other co'usti&e 'ateria&s#
Sec# HG# To re,u&ate and order *ara*et 2a&&s< and *artition fences#
Sec# H:# To esta&ish standard 2ei,hts and 'easures< and re,u&ate the
2ei,hts and 'easures to e used in the cit! in a&& other cases not
*ro$ided for ! &a2#
Sec# HM# To *ro$ide for the ins*ection and 'easurin, of &u'er and
other ui&din, 'ateria&s< and for the 'easure'ent of a&& 0inds of
'echanica& 2or0#
Sec# H8# To *ro$ide for the ins*ection and 2ei,hin, of ha!< &i'e< and
stone coa&< the 'easurin, of charcoa&< fire2ood< and other fue&< to e
so&d or used 2ithin the cit!#
Sec# HN# To *ro$ide for and re,u&ate the ins*ection of toacco< and
of eef< *or0< f&our< 'ea&< and 2his0e! in arre&s#
Sec# 9D# To re,u&ate the 2ei,ht< >ua&it!< and *rice of read< so&d<
and used in the cit!#
Sec# 97# To *ro$ide for ta0in, the enu'eration of the inhaitants of
the cit!#
Sec# 9H# To re,u&ate the e&ection of cit! officers< and *ro$ide for
re'o$in, fro' office an! *erson ho&din, an office created ! ordinance#
Sec# 99# To fi/ the co'*ensation of a&& cit! officers< and re,u&ate
the fees of =urors< 2itnesses< and others< for ser$ices rendered under
this Act or an! ordinance#
Sec# 9@# To re,u&ate the *o&ice of the cit!< to i'*ose fines< and
forfeitures< and *ena&ties< for the reach of an! ordinance< and *ro$ide
for the reco$er! and a**ro*riation of such fines and forfeitures< and the
enforce'ent of such *ena&ties#
Sec# 9G# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e e/c&usi$e *o2er 2ithin the cit!
! ordinance< to &icense< re,u&ate< and su**ress< and restrain< i&&iard
ta&es< and fro' one to t2ent! *in a&&e!s< and e$er! other descri*tion of
,a'in, or ,a'&in,#
Sec# 9:# The Cit! Counci& sha&& ha$e *o2er to 'a0e a&& ordinances
2hich sha&& e necessar! and *ro*er for carr!in, into e/ecution the *o2ers
s*ecified in this Act< so that such ordinances e not re*u,nant to nor
inconsistent 2ith< the constitution of the United States or of this state
Sec# 9M# The st!&e of the ordinances of the cit! sha&& e---"e it
ordained ! the cit! counci& of the cit! of S*rin,fie&d--Nau$oo#-
Sec# 98# A&& ordinances *assed ! the cit! counci& sha&&< 2ithin one
'onth after the! sha&& ha$e een *assed< e *u&ished in so'e ne2s*a*er
*u&ished in the cit!< and (ha&& not e in force unti& the! sha&& ha$e
een *u&ished as aforesaid#
Sec# 9N# A&& ordinances of the cit! 'a! e *ro$en ! the sea& of the
cor*oration< and 2hen *rinted and *u&ished ! authorit! of the
cor*oration< the sa'e sha&& e recei$ed in e$idence in a&& courts and
*&aces 2ithout further *roof#
John C# "ennett 2ho had een de&e,ated to S*rin,fie&d to carr! our
*etition for a Cit! Charter< announced the *assa,e of the i&&< as
fo&&o2s--
Letter of John C# "ennett to the -Ti'es and Seasons---Announcin, the
*assa,e of the act incor*oratin, Nau$oo#
CITY OF S)RIN5FIELD< Dece'er 7:< 78@D#
Editors of the Ti'es and Seasons (
The act incor*oratin, the cit! of Nau$oo has =ust *assed the counci&
of re$ision< and is no2 a &a2 of the &and< to ta0e effect and e in force
fro' and after the first .onda! in Feruar! ne/t# The aforesaid act
contains t2o additiona& charters--one incor*oratin, the -Nau$oo Le,ion<-
the other the -Uni$ersit! of the cit! of Nau$oo#-
A&& these charters are $er! road and &iera&< conferrin, the 'ost
*&enar! *o2ers on the cor*orators# I&&inois has ac>uitted herse&f 2ith
honor< and her state &e,is&ators sha&& ne$er e for,otten# E$er! *o2er 2e
as0ed has een ,ranted< e$er! re>uest ,ratified< e$er! desire fu&fi&&ed#
In the senate .r# Litt&e cance&&ed e$er! o&i,ation to our *eo*&e< and
faithfu&&!< and honest&!< and 2ith untirin, di&i,ence< dischar,ed e$er!
o&i,ation de$o&$in, u*on hi' as our i''ediate re*resentati$e in the U**er
House# .ar0 2e&& that 'an< and do hi' honor# Sn!der< and Ra&ston< and
.oore< and Ross< and Sta**< and nu'erous others< &i0e2ise in that ranch
of our state ,o$ern'ent< rendered as $er! essentia& ser$ices? and the act
*assed that od! 2ithout a dissentin, $oice#
In the House of Re*resentati$es< Char&es< our i''ediate
Re*resentati$e in the Lo2er House< 2as at his *ost and dischar,ed his dut!
as a faithfu& re*resentati$e? he is an actin,< and not a ta&0in, 'an< and
has fu&fi&&ed a&& his o&i,ations to us# .an! 'e'ers in this house<
&i0e2ise< 2ere 2ar'&! in our fa$or< and 2ith on&! one or t2o dissentin,
$oices< e$er! re*resentati$e a**eared inc&ined to e/tend to us a&& such
*o2ers as the! considered us =ust&! entit&ed to< and $oted for the &a2?
and here I shou&d not for,et to 'ention< that Linco&n< 2hose na'e 2e
erased fro' the e&ectora& tic0et in No$e'er Enot ho2e$er on account of
an! dis&i0e to hi' as a 'an< ut si'*&! ecause his 2as the &ast na'e on
the tic0et< and 2e desired to sho2 our friendshi* to the De'ocratic *art!
! sustitutin, the na'e of Ra&ston for so'e one of the 3hi,sF had the
'a,nani'it! to $ote for our act< and ca'e for2ard< after the fina& $ote to
the ar of the house< and cordia&&! con,ratu&ated 'e on its *assa,e#
Our 2orth! ,o$ernor is certain&! dis*osed to do us a'*&e =ustice in
e$er! res*ect< and to e/tend to us e$er! faci&it! for our future ha**iness
and *ros*erit!#
I&&inois has certain&! done her dut!< and her 2ho&e dut!? and no2 it
eco'es us to sho2 ourse&$es u*ri,ht< honest< =ust< 2orth! of the fa$ors
esto2ed ! no&e< ,enerous< and 'a,nani'ous states'en< I ha$e said that
2e are a &a2-aidin, *eo*&e< and 2e 'ust no2 sho2 it# The state has 2ashed
her hands in ,rantin, a&& our *etitions< and if 2e do not no2 sho2
ourse&$es a**ro$ed< the curse 'ust fa&& u*on our o2n heads# Justice< e>ua&
=ustice< shou&d e our fi/ed o=ect and *ur*ose< and the 5reat 5od 2i&&
*ros*er us? &en,th of da!s 2i&& e in our ri,ht hand< and in our &eft<
,&or! and honor# Yours< Pc#< JOHN C# "ENNETT#
The Cit! Charter of Nau$oo is of '! o2n *&an and de$ice# I concocted
it for the sa&$ation of the Church< and on *rinci*&es so road< that e$er!
honest 'an 'i,ht d2e&& secure under its *rotecti$e inf&uence 2ithout
distinction of sect or *art!#
CHA)TER 6I%#
%ALE 78@D--ENTER 78@7--LIST OF )U"LICATIONS FOR AND A5AINST THE
CHURCH--3HEREA"OUTS OF THE T3EL%E A)OSTLES---ELECTION AND
RE)RO"ATION---)ROCLA.ATION TO THE SAINTS#
Sunda!< Dece'er HD< 78@D#--I 2as ca&&ed u*on ! the Hi,h Counci& to
decide the ad=ourned case of Roert D# Foster# Ha$in, heard the 2itnesses<
I decided that he e ac>uitted of the char,es a,ainst hi'< 2hich decision
the Counci& a**ro$ed#
This is a fair s*eci'en of the 2isdo' of the nineteenth centur! that
o**oses itse&f to the 2or0 of the .ost Hi,h 5od#
-Your *reacher *reaches fa&se doctrine<- e/c&ai'ed a sectarian in
.anchester to one of the Saints# -AhK- in>uired the other< -2herein does
he teach fa&se doctrineB- -3h!< in te&&in, the *eo*&e to ,o to A'erica< to
e sure<- said the sectarian? -and- continued he< -there is nothin, in the
"i&e that co''ands *eo*&e to ,o to A'erica#- -AhK- re*&ied the other<
-and there is nothin, in the "i&e that co''ands *eo*&e to sto* in
.anchester? so I 2onder ho2 !ou dare sta! in so unscri*tura& a *&ace
another ni,ht? for certain&! no one ou,ht to &i$e in En,&and un&ess the!
can find scri*ture for it< an! 'ore than in A'erica#-
.onda!< H7#--The *etition of E&ias Hi,ee< and Roert "# Tho'*son<
under date of H8th No$e'er< 78@D< 2as *resented to the House of
Re*resentati$es of the United
States< referred to the Co''ittee on the Judiciar!< and ordered to e
*rinted#
Frida!< HG#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 5eor,e A# S'ith attended a
conference at Han&e!< Staffordshire )otteries< at 2hich 2as re*resented an
increase of si/ E&ders< t2ent!-si/ )riests< ten Teachers< nine deacons<
and three hundred and fift!-si/ 'e'ers< since &ast Ju&! Conference? and
a&so ordained si/ E&ders< si/ )riests< four Teachers< and three Deacons#
Sunda!< HM#--E&ders 1i'a&& and 3oodruff occu*ied a cha*e& e&on,in,
to the Inde*endents in London# E&der 3oodruff *reached#
.onda!< H8#--There are ninet!-fi$e Saints in Edinur,h< Scot&and<
raised u* ! E&der Orson )ratt# E&der 5eor,e D# 3att is no2 &aorin, in
that *&ace#
3ednesda!< 9D#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 2rites fro' Li$er*oo& (
"ri,ha' Youn,+s Letter to the )ro*het Re*ortin, Laors in En,&and#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN--I 2rite to infor' !ou of a fe2 *articu&ars of '!
=ourne! to London# I &eft .anchester No$e'er HGth< in co'*an! 2ith E&der
1i'a&&? 2e $isited the fo&&o2in, *&aces< $i4#< .acc&esfie&d< "urs&e'<
Han&e!< Lane End< 3est "ro'2ich< and "ir'in,ha'# 3e tra$e&ed ! coach and
rai&2a!< and arri$ed in London on .onda! 9Dth< found E&der 3oodruff in
,ood hea&th# He had a*ti4ed three or four *ersons the da! efore 2e
arri$ed# I sta!ed in London ti&& the 77th Dece'er< 2hen I &eft for
Herefordshire# "rothers 3oodruff and 3i&&ia's ca'e 2ith 'e to the rai&2a!
station# E&der 1i'a&& sta!ed in London#
The *ros*ect for the s*read of the 5os*e& ri,htened u* 2hi&e 2e 2ere
there# Our fee&in,s 2ere $er! c&ear and decisi$e that E&der 1i'a&& had
etter sta! 2ith E&der 3oodruff# I 2as 'uch interested 2hi&e there 2ith '!
rethren# I *ra! the Lord to ro&& on His 2or0 in that ,reat cit!# I fee&
'uch for the *eo*&e in that *&aceK !ea '! fee&in,s are e/>uisite< for 2h!<
5od 0no2s? ut I e&ie$e it is for the ,&or! of 5od< and the ,ood of
sou&s# .a! His na'e e ,&orified#
I arri$ed in Che&tenha' the sa'e da! I &eft London--on&! aout se$en
and a ha&f hours ,oin, one hundred and one 'i&es< thirt!-ei,ht of it !
coach# I sta!ed o$er the Saath there? *reached t2ice to a $er! attenti$e
con,re,ation# In the afternoon the house 2as fu&& to o$erf&o2in,# E&der
Henr! 5&o$er is *reachin, in this *&ace< and in the re,ion around 2ith
'uch success# I thin0 he is a hu'&e< ,ood 'an< and 2i&& do 'uch ,ood# I
attended the 5adfie&d E&' conference# The 'inutes of the 5ar2a! conference
2ere read< 2hich had een he&d on the 8th# After this I $isited the
rethren ti&& the Stan&e! Hi&& conference< 2hich 2as he&d on the H7st# The
church in 5ar2a! nu'ers ninet!-fi$e 'e'ers< one E&der< se$en )riests<
three Teachers and one Deacon# At 5adfie&d E&' conference there 2ere
se$enteen ranches re*resented< three hundred and t2ent!-se$en 'e'ers<
thirteen E&ders< thirt!-one )riests< nine Teachers# The Stan&e! Hi&&
conference contains t2ent!-fi$e ranches< 2hich re*resented ei,ht hundred
and thirt!-nine 'e'ers< se$enteen E&ders< fift!-se$en )riests< si/teen
Teachers and one Deacon# Inc&udin, officers there are in these three
conferences t2e&$e hundred and si/t!-one 'e'ers< thirt!-one E&ders<
ninet!-fi$e )riests< t2ent!-ei,ht Teachers and t2o Deacons? 'a0in, t2o
hundred and fift!-fi$e added since the Octoer conference#
I attended the conference in the Staffordshire )otteries on the HGth?
2e had a ,ood 'eetin,? ut I ha$e not the 'inutes efore 'e< so I cannot
,i$e a *articu&ar state'ent of the church there< !et I can sa! the! are
*ros*erin,#
In '! tra$e&s and at the conferences< there 2ere so'e a*ti4ed and
'an! ordained# 3e can sa! tru&!< that the Lord is doin, a ,reat 2or0 in
the &and# The 5os*e& is *reached to the *oor< and si,ns fo&&o2 the' that
e&ie$e# I arri$ed in Li$er*oo& &ast e$enin, and e/*ect to tarr! here ti&&
the "oo0 of .or'on is co'*&eted#
I a' as e$er< !our rother in the 1in,do' of )atience< "RI5HA. YOUN5#
Aout this ti'e< i''ense >uantities of rain fe&& 2hich *roduced a
f&ood in the east and south of France< doin, i''ense da'a,e< carr!in, 2ith
it ui&din,s< rid,es and e$er!thin, in its 2a!# Earth>ua0es ha$e een
fe&t in di$ers *&aces the *ast !ear? and fearfu& si,hts and &ood! si,ns
ha$e een 2itnessed in the hea$ens< fu&fi&&in, the 2ords of the ancient
)ro*hets concernin, the &ast da!s#
I co*! the fo&&o2in, fro' a *rinted sheet(
SI5NS IN THE S1Y# A 'ost 2onderfu& *heno'enon 2as oser$ed &ast 2ee0
! the inhaitants of Hu&& and the nei,horhood# A *erfect&! &ood red
f&a, 2as seen f&!in, in the hea$ens< 2hich i&&u'inated the hori4on for
'an! 'i&es around# At inter$a&s it chan,ed its for'< assu'in, that of a
cross< s2ord and 'an! other sha*es# At one o+c&oc0 on Frida! 'ornin, the
to2n 2as near&! as &i,ht as noon-da!? the inhaitant 2ere *aradin, the
streets? fear and dis'a! *ictured in their countenances# This 2onder
continued unti& near three o+c&oc0< 2hen it ,radua&&! 2ent to the
2est2ard< i&&u'inatin, the Hu'er as it see'ed to sin0 in her 2aters# Then
for a fe2 seconds a&& eca'e tota& dar0ness< 2hen fro' the north2est !
north< arose the 'ost eautifu& &i,ht< 2hich shot a2a! to2ards the 2estern
he'is*here< &ea$in, in its train the 'ost eautifu& and $ari,ated co&ors<
and 2hich the e!e 'i,ht readi&! for' into ar'ies dra2n u* in the order of
att&e< char,in, and retreatin, a&ternate&!< and then a,ain a&& 2as
2ra**ed in the sa&e curtain of ni,ht# It a**ears that 'an! si,ns 2ere
seen on the sa'e ni,ht in different *arts of the 0in,do'#
The fo&&o2in, is a &ist of oo0s< *a'*h&ets< and &etters *u&ished
for and a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints durin, the *ast !ear< so far as such
ha$e co'e under '! oser$ation(
Fourteen nu'ers of the Ti'es and Seasons ha$e een issued fro' the
office in Nau$oo< containin, t2o hundred and t2ent!-four *a,es< edited !
Eene4er Roinson and Don Car&os S'ith< three nu'ers ha$in, een issued
durin, 789N#
Ei,ht nu'ers of the .i&&ennia& Star ha$e een *u&ished at 7@N
O&dha' Road< .anchester< En,&and< containin, t2o hundred and si/teen
*a,es< edited ! EIder )ar&e! )# )ratt#
A se&ection of h!'ns 2as *u&ished aout the first of Ju&!< in
En,&and< ! "ri,ha' Youn,< John Ta!&or< and )ar&e! )# )ratt< for the use
of the Saints in Euro*e#
The Re$# Roert Ha!s< 3es&e!an .inister< Dou,&as< Is&e of .an<
*u&ished three addresses in *a'*h&et for'< a,ainst the Latter--da!
Saints< 2hich 2ere re*&ied to in the fo&&o2in, order(
-An Ans2er to So'e Fa&se State'ents and .isre*resentations<-
*u&ished ! the Re$# Roert Ha!s< 3es&e!an 'inister< in an address to his
societ! in Dou,&as< and its $icinit! on the su=ect of .or'onis'< ! John
Ta!&or< Octoer Mth< 78@D#
-Ca&u'n! Refuted< and the Truth Defended<- ein, a re*&! to the
second address of the Re$# Roert Ha!s< ! John Ta!&or< Dou,&as< Octoer
HN< 78@D#
-Truth Defended and .ethodis' 3ei,hed in the "a&ances and Found
3antin,<- ein, a re*&! to the third address of the Re$# Roert Ha!s
a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints and a&so an -E/*osure of the )rinci*&es of
.ethodis'<- ! John Ta!&or< Li$er*oo&< Dece'er M< 78@D#
-The Latter-da! Saints and the "oo0 of .or'on?- ein, a fe2 2ords of
2arnin, a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints< fro' a 'inister to his f&oc0# 3# J#
.orrish< Ledur!< Herefordshire< Se*te'er#
A second 2arnin, ! the sa'e 3# J# .orrish< Octoer 7Gth#
-A Fe2 .ore Facts Re&atin, to the Se&f-st!&ed -Latter-da! Saints<+ -
! John Si''ons< Church of En,&and 'inister< D!'oc0< Herefordshire<
Se*te'er 7@th#
Se$era& &etters 2ritten ! .r# Curran< and *u&ished in the .an/
Liera&< Is&e of .an< in Octoer< 2ere re*&ied to ! John Ta!&or#
-.or'onis' 3ei,hed in the "a&ances of the Sanctuar! and Found
3antin,?- the sustance of four &ectures ! Sa'ue& Hainin,< *u&ished in
Dou,&as< Is&e of .an? a tract of si/t!-si/ *a,es#
Interestin, account of se$era& re'ar0a&e $isions< and of the &ate
disco$er! of ancient A'erican Records ,i$in, an account of the
co''ence'ent of the 2or0 of the Lord in this ,eneration< ! E&der Orson
)ratt Edinur,h< Se*te'er#
The 3ord of the Lord to the Citi4ens of London< of e$er! sect and
deno'ination? and to e$er! indi$idua& into 2hose hands it 'a! fa&&?
sho2in, forth the *&an of sa&$ation as &aid do2n in the Ne2 Testa'ent?
na'e&!< faith in our Lord Jesus Christ--Re*entance--"a*tis' for the
re'ission of sins--and the 5ift of the Ho&! 5host< ! the &a!in, on of
hands< *resented ! Heer C# 1i'a&& and 3i&ford 3oodruff< E&ders of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints#
An e/*osure of the errors and fa&&acies of the se&f-na'ed -Latter-da!
Saints#- "! 3i&&ia' He2itt< of Lane End< Staffordshire< )otteries#
An ans2er to .r# 3i&&ia' He2itt+s tract a,ainst the Latter-da!
Saints# "! E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt#
)&ain Facts? sho2in, the fa&sehood and fo&&! of the Re$# C# "ush Ethe
Church of En,&and 'inister< of the *arish of )eo$er< CheshireF? ein, a
re*&! to his tract a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints ! )ar&e! )# )ratt#
A fe2 re'ar0s ! 2a! of re*&! to an annon!'ous scri&er< ca&&in,
hi'se&f -a )hi&anthro*ist<- disausin, the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints< of the s&anders and fa&sehoods 2hich he has atte'*ted
to fasten u*on it# "! Sa'ue& "ennett< )hi&ade&*hia#
.or'onis' un'as0ed< and .r# "ennett+s re*&! ans2ered and refuted# "!
a )hi&anthro*ist of Chester count!# )u&ished in )hi&ade&*hia#
An A**ea& to the A'erican )eo*&e? ein, an account of the
*ersecutions of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< and the
ararities inf&icted on the' ! the inhaitants of the State of .issouri<
si/t! c&ose&! *rinted *a,es second edition re$ised ! authorit! of said
Church< Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith < )residenc!#
A Re*&! to .r# Tho'as Ta!&or+s )a'*h&et< entit&ed -Co'*&ete Fai&ure<-
etc#< and a&so to .r# Richard Li$ese!+s tract< -.or'onis' E/*osed- !
)ar&e! )# )ratt#
The editor of the London Dis*atch< *u&ished an artic&e on No$e'er
8th< a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints< containin, so'e of the fa&se
state'ents of Ca*tain D# L# St# C&air< in his tract a,ainst the'< 2hich
2as re*&ied to ! E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< in the No$e'er nu'er of the
.i&&ennia& Star#
-The .i&&enniu'< and other )oe's(- to 2hich is anne/ed< -A Treatise
on the Re,eneration and Eterna&
Duration of .atter<- ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< Ne2 Yor0#
Januar! 7< 78@7#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< )ar&e! )# )ratt< and John
Ta!&or attended a conference in Li$er*oo&#
E&ders Heer C# 1i'a&&< and 3i&ford 3oodruff are in London#
E&der Orson )ratt in Edinur,h#
E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith in "urs&e'#
E&der 3i&&ard Richards in )reston#
E&ders Orson H!de and J# E# )a,e are en route for Jerusa&e'#
E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith< at )&!'outh< Hancoc0 count!< I&&inois#
The .i&&ennia& Star INo# N< %o&# IJ contains the fo&&o2in,
co''unication< 2hich I ha$e read se$era& ti'es# It is one of the s2eetest
*ieces that has een 2ritten in these &ast da!s# I therefore insert it
entire#
E&ection and Re*roation--! "ri,ha' Youn, and 3i&&ard Richards# Do
!ou e&ie$e in e&ection and re*roationB To *re$ent the necessit! of
re*eatin, a thousand ti'es 2hat 'a! e said at once< 2e *ur*ose to ans2er
this oft-as0ed >uestion in 2ritin,< so that the Saints 'a! &earn doctrine<
and a&& 2ho 2i&& 'a! understand that such e&ection and re*roation as is
tau,ht in the O&d and Ne2 Testa'ents< and other re$e&ations fro' 5od< 2e
fu&&! e&ie$e< in connection 2ith e$er! other *rinci*&e of ri,hteousness?
and 2e as0 this fa$or of a&& into 2hose hands our ans2er 'a! co'e< that
the! 2i&& not conde'n unti& the! ha$e read it throu,h< in the s*irit of
'ee0ness and *ra!er#
The Lord EJeho$ahF hath s*o0en throu,h Isaiah E/iii( 7F< sa!in,<
-"eho&d '! ser$ant 2ho' I u*ho&d--'ine e&ect in 2ho' '! sou& de&i,hteth?-
e$ident&! referrin, to the Lord Jesus Christ< the Son of 5od< chosen< or
e&ected ! the Father# EI )eter i(HDF# -3ho $eri&! 2as foreordained efore
the foundation of the 2or&d< ut 2as 'anifest in these &ast ti'es for !ou<
2ho ! Hi' do e&ie$e in 5od to ser$e Hi' in the rede'*tion of the 2or&d<
to e a co$enant of the *eo*&e EIsaiah /&ii( :F< for a &i,ht to the
5enti&es< and the ,&or! of His *eo*&e Israe&< ha$in, ordained Hi' to e
the =ud,e of the >uic0 unti& dead EActs /( @HF< that throu,h Hi'
for,i$eness of sins 'i,ht e *reached EActs /iii( 98F< unto a&& 2ho 2ou&d
e oedient unto His 5os*e&#- E.ar0 /$i( 7:< 7MF#
E$er! Hi,h )riest 'ust e ordained EHe# $( 7F< and if Christ had not
recei$ed ordination< He 2ou&d not ha$e had *o2er to ordain others< as he
did 2hen He ordained the T2e&$e E.ar0 iii( 7@F< to ta0e *art in the
'inistr! 2hich He had recei$ed of His Father? a&so< EJohn /$( 7:F -Ye ha$e
not chosen 'e< ut I ha$e chosen !ou< and ordained !ou< that !e shou&d ,o
and rin, forth fruit? EHe# $( @F< for no 'an ta0eth this honor unto
hi'se&f< ut he that is ca&&ed of 5od< as 2as Aaron E$( GF< so a&so Christ
,&orified not Hi'se&f to e 'ade an Hi,h )riest? ut He that said unto
Hi'< Thou art '! Son< toda! ha$e I e,otten Thee#- No ein, can ,i$e that
2hich he does not *ossess? conse>uent&!< no 'an can confer the )riesthood
on another< if he has not hi'se&f first recei$ed it? and the )riesthood is
of such a nature that it is i'*ossi&e to in$esti,ate the *rinci*&es of
e&ection< re*roation< Pc#< 2ithout touchin, u*on the )riesthood a&so? and
a&thou,h so'e 'a! sa! that Christ< as 5od< needed no ordination< ha$in,
*ossessed it eterna&&!< !et Christ sa!s< E.att# //$iii( 78F< -A&& *o2er is
,i$en unto 'e in hea$en and in earth?- 2hich cou&d not ha$e een if He 2as
in eterna& *ossession? and in the *re$ious&! >uoted $erse 2e disco$er that
He that said unto Hi' Ii#e# His FatherJ ,&orified Hi' to e 'ade an Hi,h
)riest< or ordained Hi' to the 2or0 of creatin, the 2or&d and a&& thin,s
u*on it< ECo&# i( 7:F< -For ! Hi' 2ere a&& thin,s created that are in
hea$en< and that are in earth<- Pc#< and of redee'in, the sa'e fro' the
fa&&< and to the =ud,in, of the >uic0 and dead< for the ri,ht of =ud,in,
rests in the )riesthood< and it is throu,h this 'ediu' that the Father
hath co''itted a&& =ud,'ent unto the Son EJohn $( HHF< referrin, to His
ad'inistration on earth# It 2as necessar! that Christ shou&d recei$e the
)riesthood to >ua&if! Hi' to 'inister efore His Father< unto the chi&dren
of 'en< so as to redee' and sa$e the'# Does it see' reasona&e that an!
'an shou&d ta0e it u*on hi' to do a *art of the sa'e 2or0< or to assist in
the sa'e )riesthood< 2ho has not een ca&&ed ! the s*irit of *ro*hec! or
re$e&ation as 2as Aaron< and ordained accordin,&!B And can it e e/*ected
that a 'an 2i&& e ca&&ed ! re$e&ation 2ho does not e&ie$e in
re$e&ationB Or 2i&& an! 'an su'it to ordination for the fu&fi&&'ent of a
re$e&ation or ca&&< in 2hich he hath no faithB 3e thin0 not#
That 2e 'a! &earn sti&& further that 5od ca&&s or e&ects *articu&ar
'en to *erfor' *articu&ar 2or0s< or on 2ho' to confer s*ecia& &essin,s<
2e read< EIsaiah /&$( @F<-For Jaco '! ser$ant+s sa0e< and Israe& 'ine
e&ect< I ha$e e$en ca&&ed thee IC!rusJ ! th! na'e<- to e a de&i$erer to
'! *eo*&e Israe&< and he&* to *&ant the' on '! ho&! 'ountain< EIsaiah &/$(
N< see connectionF -for 'ine e&ect sha&& inherit it< and '! ser$ants sha&&
d2e&& there<- e$en on the 'ountains of )a&estine< the &and of Canaan 2hich
5od had efore *ro'ised to Araha' and his seed? E5en# /$ii( 8F< and the
*articu&ar reason 2h! Araha' 2as chosen or e&ected to e the father of
this &essed nation< is c&ear&! to&d ! the Lord< E5en# /$iii( 7NF< -For I
0no2 hi'< that he 2i&& co''and his chi&dren and his househo&d after hi'<
and the! sha&& 0ee* the 2a! of the Lord< to do =ustice and =ud,'ent? that
the Lord 'a! rin, u*on Araha' that 2hich he hath s*o0en of hi'?- and
this inc&udes the ,enera& *rinci*&e of e&ection< i#e that 5od chose<
e&ected< or ordained Jesus Christ< His Son< to e the creator< ,o$ernor<
sa$ior< and =ud,e of the 2or&d? and Araha' to e the father of the
faithfu&< on account of His fore0no2&ed,e of their oedience to His 2i&&
and co''and'ents< 2hich a,rees 2ith the sa!in, in II Ti'# ii( H7< -If a
'an therefore *ur,e hi'se&f fro' these Ii#e# ini>uitiesJ< he sha&& e a
$esse& unto honor< sanctified< and 'eet for the 'aster+s use< and *re*ared
unto e$er! ,ood 2or0#-
Thus it a**ears that 5od has chosen or e&ected certain indi$idua&s to
certain &essin,s< or to the *erfor'ance of certain 2or0s? and that 2e 'a!
'ore fu&&! understand the 'o$e'ents of the Su*re'e 5o$ernor of the
uni$erse< in the order of e&ection< 2e *roceed to >uote the sacred
2riters< ERo'# $iii( HN< 9DF< -For 2ho' He did fore0no2< He a&so did
*redestinate to e confor'ed to the i'a,e of His Son< that He 'i,ht e the
firstorn a'on, 'an! rethren# .oreo$er< 2ho' He did *redestinate< the' He
a&so ca&&ed( and 2ho' He ca&&ed< the' He a&so =ustified( and 2ho' He
=ustified< the' He a&so ,&orified#- And 2ho' did He fore0no2B Those that
&o$ed Hi'< as 2e find in the H8th $erse of the sa'e cha*ter---And 2e 0no2
that a&& thin,s 2or0 to,ether for ,ood to the' that &o$e 5od< to the' 2ho
are the ca&&ed accordin, to His *ur*ose#- And -2ho are the ca&&ed
accordin, to His *ur*oseB- Those 2ho' He fore0ne2< for He fore0ne2 that
those 2ho &o$ed Hi' 2ou&d do His 2i&& and 2or0 ri,hteousness? and it is
$ain for one to sa! the! &o$e 5od< if the! do not 0ee* His co''and'ents#
Cain found it so 2hen he *resented an unri,hteous offerin,< for 5od said
unto hi'< E5en# i$( MF< -If thou dost 2e&&< sha&t thou not e acce*tedB-
And !et he 2as not acce*ted# -"ut 2hoso 0ee*eth his 2ord< in hi' $eri&! is
the &o$e of 5od *erfected? and here! 0no2 2e that 2e are in Hi'<- EI John
ii( GF< or< that 2e -are the ca&&ed accordin, to his *ur*ose#-
The *rinci*&es of 5od+s 0in,do' are *erfect and har'onious< and the
Scri*tures of truth 'ust a&so a,ree in a&& their *arts< so that one
senti'ent thereof sha&& not destro! another< and 2hen 2e read that< -2ho'
He did fore0no2< He a&so did *redestinate?- and that -0no2n unto 5od are
a&& His 2or0s?- so that it 'i,ht a**ear fro' an astract $ie2 thereof<
that 5od fore0ne2 a&&< and conse>uent&! *redestinated a&& -to e confor'ed
to the i'a,e of His Son?- 2e ou,ht a&so to read< E.ar0 /$i( 7:F< -He that
e&ie$eth not sha&& e da'ned?- and EJohn $iii( 7@F< -If !e e&ie$e not
that I a' he< !e sha&& die in !our sins?- a&so E.att# //$( @7F< -De*art
fro' 'e< !e cursed< C C C for I 2as an hun,ered< and !e ,a$e 'e no 'eat<-
Pc#
)au&< referrin, to the Saints< ERo'# 7( MF< ca&&s the' e&o$ed of
5od< ca&&ed to e Saints? and sa!s< ERo'# $iii( 7F< -There is no
conde'nation to the' 2hich are in Christ Jesus< 2ho 2a&0 not after the
f&esh< ut after the S*irit<- and ,oes on to sho2 in his e*ist&e to the
Ro'ans< that the &a2 Ethe &a2 of carna& co''and'ents ,i$en to the chi&dren
of Israe&< the co$enant *eo*&eF< cou&d not 'a0e the co'ers thereunto
*erfect Esee a&so He# /( 7F< ut 2as ,i$en for a schoo&'aster to rin, us
unto Christ E5a&# iii( H@F? so that 2hen He had co'e and offered Hi'se&f
2ithout s*ot unto 5od EHe# i/( 7@F< the sacrifice of the &a2 shou&d e
done a2a! in hi'< that the honest in heart a&& 'i,ht co'e unto the *erfect
&a2 of &iert! EJa'es i( HGF? or the 5os*e& of Christ< 2a&0in, no &on,er
after the f&esh ut after the s*irit< and e of that nu'er 2ho &o$e 5od
and 0ee* His co''and'ents< that the! 'i,ht e ca&&ed accordin, to His
*ur*ose ERo'# $iii( H8F? and these 2ere the indi$idua&s referred to< 2ho'
5od fore0ne2? such as Ae&< Seth< Enoch< Noah< .e&chisede0< Araha'< Lot<
Isaac< Jaco< Jose*h< .oses< Ca&e< Joshua< the har&ot Raha< 2ho 2rou,ht
ri,hteousness ! hidin, the ser$ants of 5od< 2hen their &i$es 2ere sou,ht
! their ene'ies< 5ideon< "ara0< Sa'*son< Je*tha< Da$id< Sa'ue&< and the
)ro*hets? EHe# /iF< -3ho throu,h faith< sudued 0in,do's< 2rou,ht
ri,hteousness< otained *ro'ises< sto**ed the 'ouths of &ions< >uenched
the $io&ence of fire< esca*ed the ed,e of the s2ord< out of 2ea0ness 2ere
'ade stron,< 2a/ed $a&iant in fi,ht< and turned to f&i,ht the ar'ies of
the a&iens#- These a&& died in faith< ha$in, 0e*t the co''and'ents of the
.ost Hi,h< ha$in, otained the *ro'ise of a ,&orious inheritance< and are
2aitin, the fu&fi&&'ent of the *ro'ise 2hich the! otained? EHe# /i(
@DF<- 5od ha$in, *ro$ided so'e etter thin,s for us< that the! 2ithout us
shou&d not e 'ade *erfect#-
The )ro*het A&'a ears a si'i&ar testi'on! to the other )ro*hets
concernin, e&ection< in his Nth cha*ter I"oo0 of .or'onJ sa!in,< -This is
the 'anner after 2hich the! 2ere ordained( ein, ca&&ed and *re*ared fro'
the foundation of the 2or&d< accordin, to the fore0no2&ed,e of 5od< on
account of their e/ceedin, faith and ,ood 2or0s? in the first *&ace ein,
&eft to choose ,ood or e$i&? therefore the! ha$e chosen ,ood< and
e/ercisin, e/ceedin, ,reat faith< are ca&&ed 2ith a ho&! ca&&in,< !ea<
2ith that ho&! ca&&in, 2hich 2as *re*ared 2ith< and accordin, to< a
*re*arator! rede'*tion for such? and thus the! ha$e een ca&&ed to this
ho&! ca&&in, on account of their faith< 2hi&e others 2ou&d re=ect the
S*irit of 5od on account of the hardness of their hearts and &indness of
their 'inds< 2hi&e< if it had not een for this< the! 'i,ht ha$e had as
,reat *ri$i&e,e as their rethren# Or in fine< in the first *&ace< the!
2ere on the sa'e standin, 2ith their rethren? thus< this ho&! ca&&in,
ein, *re*ared fro' the foundation of the 2or&d for such as 2ou&d not
harden their hearts< ein, in and throu,h the atone'ent of the on&!
e,otten Son< 2ho 2as *re*ared? and thus ein, ca&&ed ! this ho&!
ca&&in,< and ordained unto the hi,h *riesthood of the ho&! order of 5od<
to teach His co''and'ents unto the chi&dren of 'en< that the! a&so 'i,ht
enter into His rest( this hi,h *riesthood ein, after the order of His
Son< 2hich order 2as fro' the foundation of the 2or&d( or< in other 2ords<
ein, 2ithout e,innin, of da!s or end of !ears< ein, *re*ared fro'
eternit! to a&& eternit!< accordin, to his fore0no2&ed,e of a&& thin,s#
ERo'# i/( 77< 7HF< -For the chi&dren ein, not !et orn< neither ha$in,
done an! ,ood or e$i&< that the *ur*ose of 5od accordin, to e&ection 'i,ht
stand< not of 2or0s< ut of Hi' that ca&&eth? it 2as said unto her< The
e&der sha&& ser$e the !oun,er#- As 2e ha$e efore sho2n 2h! 5od chose
Araha' to e the father of the faithfu&< $i4#< ecause He 0ne2 Araha'
2ou&d co''and his chi&dren and his househo&d after hi'? so no2 2e see< !
this< 2h! the *ur*oses of 5od< accordin, to e&ection< shou&d stand< and
that for His oath+s sa0e# E5en# //ii( 7:< 7M< 78F< -"! '!se&f ha$e I
s2orn< saith the Lord< for ecause thou hast done this thin,< and hast not
2ithhe&d th! son< thine on&! son< that in &essin, I 2i&& &ess thee< and
in 'u&ti*&!in, I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! th! seed as the stars of hea$en< and as the
sand 2hich is u*on the sea shore? and th! seed sha&& *ossess the ,ate of
his ene'ies< and in th! seed sha&& a&& the nations of the earth e &essed
ecause thou hast oe!ed '! $oice#- Here the Lord Jesus< co'in, throu,h
the seed of Araha'< is a,ain referred to< throu,h 2hose sufferin,s and
death< or in 2ho' a&& the nations of the earth 2ere to e &essed< or 'ade
a&i$e< as the! had died in Ada'# E7 Cor# /$( HHF# In this< e&ection is
'ade 'anifest< for 5od e&ected or chose the chi&dren of Israe& to e His
*ecu&iar *eo*&e< and to the' e&on, the co$enants and *ro'ises< and the
&essin,s recei$ed ! the 5enti&es co'e throu,h the co$enants to Araha'
and his seed? for throu,h the une&ief of the Je2s ERo'# /i( 7MF the! 2ere
ro0en off< and the 5enti&es 2ere ,rafted in? ut the! stand ! faith
ERo'# /i( HDF< and not ! the oath of e&ection? therefore it eco'eth the'
to fear &est the! cease >uic0&! to ear fruit and e ro0en off E$erse H7F
that the Je2s 'a! e ,rafted in a,ain? for the! sha&& e ,rafted in a,ain
E$erse H9F< if the! aide not in une&ief#
The 5enti&es eca'e *arta0ers of the &essin,s of e&ection and
*ro'ises< throu,h faith and oedience< as )eter sa!s< 2ritin, to the
stran,ers scattered aroad E7 )eter< 7st cha*#F< 2ho 2ere the 5enti&es<
the -e&ect accordin, to the fore0no2&ed,e of 5od the Father< throu,h
sanctification of the s*irit unto oedience?- E7 )eter< ii( NF for -!e are
a chosen ,eneration< a ro!a& *riesthood< an ho&! nation< a *ecu&iar
*eo*&e? that !e shou&d sho2 forth the *raises of Hi' 2ho hath ca&&ed !ou
out of dar0ness into His 'ar$e&ous &i,ht< E$erse 7DF 2hich in ti'e *ast
2ere not a *eo*&e< ut no2 are the *eo*&e of 5od( 2hich had not otained
'erc!< ut no2 ha$e otained 'erc!#-
3h! 2ere the! a *ecu&iar *eo*&eB "ecause 5od had chosen that
,eneration of 5enti&es< and conferred on the' the &essin,s 2hich
descended throu,h the )riesthood< and the co$enants unto the house of
Israe&< or ,rafted the' into the ,ood o&i$e tree ERo'# /i( 7MF? and thus
the house of Israe& eca'e the 'inisters of sa&$ation to the 5enti&es? and
this is 2hat the house of Israe& 2as e&ected unto< not on&! their o2n
sa&$ation< ut throu,h the' sa&$ation unto a&& others? EJohn i$( HHF -For
sa&$ation is of the Je2s<- ERo'# /i( 77F and -throu,h their fa&& sa&$ation
is co'e unto the 5enti&es#-
A'on, the *ro'ised seed 2e find Jesus Christ neither &ast nor &east<
ut the 5reat Hi,h )riest and head of a&&< 2ho 2as chosen to &a! do2n His
&ife for the rede'*tion of the 2or&d< for 2ithout the sheddin, of &ood
there cou&d e no re'ission of sins EHe# i/( HHF# EDeut# $ii( :< M< 8<
N<F .oses ears a si'i&ar testi'on! 2ith )eter and )au& to the *rinci*&es
of e&ection---For thou art an ho&! *eo*&e unto the Lord th! 5od( the Lord
th! 5od hath chosen thee to e a s*ecia& *eo*&e unto Hi'se&f< ao$e a&&
*eo*&e that are u*on the face of the earth# The Lord did not set His &o$e
u*on !ou< nor choose !ou< ecause !e 2ere 'ore in nu'er than an! *eo*&e?
for !e 2ere the fe2est of a&& *eo*&e( ut ecause the Lord &o$ed !ou< and
ecause He 2ou&d 0ee* the oath 2hich He had s2orn unto !our fathers< hath
the Lord rou,ht !ou out 2ith a 'i,ht! hand< and redee'ed !ou out of the
house of ond'en< fro' the hand of )haraoh< 1in, of E,!*t# 1no2 therefore
that the Lord th! 5od< He is 5od< the faithfu& 5od< 2hich 0ee*eth co$enant
and 'erc! 2ith the' that &o$e Hi' and 0ee* his co''and'ents to a thousand
,enerations?- 2hich *ro$es the &on, continuance of the &essin,s of this
hi,h&! fa$ored *eo*&e#
And the Lord said unto her< EReecca< 5en# //$( H9F -The e&der sha&&
ser$e the !oun,er#- And 2h!B "ecause that Isaac< the father of Esau and
Jaco< the husand of Reecca< and the son of *ro'ise to Araha'< 2as the
heir? and as Esau 2as the e&der son of his father Isaac< he had a &e,a&
c&ai' to the heirshi*? ut throu,h une&ief< hardness of heart< and
hun,er< he so&d his irthri,ht to his !oun,er rother Jaco E5en# //$(
99F? and 5od 0no2in, eforehand that he 2ou&d do this of his o2n free 2i&&
and choice< or actin, u*on that a,enc! 2hich 5od has de&e,ated to a&& 'en<
said to his 'other< -The e&der sha&& ser$e the !oun,er?- for as the e&der
son Esau< has so&d his irthri,ht< and ! that 'eans &ost a&& c&ai' to the
&essin,s *ro'ised to Araha'? those &essin,s and *ro'ises 'ust ha$e
fai&ed< if the! had not descended 2ith the *urchased irthri,ht unto the
!oun,er son< Jaco< for there 2as no other heir in Araha'+s fa'i&!? and
if those &essin,s had fai&ed< the *ur*oses of 5od accordin, to e&ection
'ust ha$e fai&ed in re&ation to the *osterit! of Israe&< and the oath of
Jeho$ah 2ou&d ha$e een ro0en< 2hich cou&d not e thou,h hea$en and earth
2ere to *ass a2a!# ERo'# i/( 79F -As it is 2ritten< Jaco ha$e I &o$ed<
ut Esau ha$e I hated#- 3here is it 2rittenB E.a&# i( 7< HF# 3hen 2as it
2rittenB Aout 9NM !ears efore Christ< and Esau and Jaco 2ere orn aout
7<MM9 !ears efore Christ< Eaccordin, to the co'*utation of ti'e in
Scri*ture 'ar,inF< so Esau and Jaco &i$ed aout 7<9M: !ears efore the
Lord s*o0e ! .a&achi< sa!in,< -Jaco ha$e I &o$ed< ut Esau ha$e I
hated<- as >uoted ! )au&# This te/t is often rou,ht for2ard to *ro$e
that 5od &o$ed Jaco and hated Esau efore the! 2ere orn< or efore the!
had done ,ood or e$i&? ut if 5od did &o$e one and hate the other efore
the! had done ,ood or e$i&< He has not seen fit to te&& us of it< either
in the O&d or Ne2 Testa'ent< or an! other re$e&ation( ut this on&! 2e
&earn that 7<9M: !ears after Esau and Jaco 2ere orn< 5od said !
.a&achi---Jaco ha$e I &o$ed< and Esau ha$e I hated?- and sure&! that 2as
ti'e sufficient to *ro$e their 2or0s< and ascertain 2hether the! 2ere
2orth! to e &o$ed or hated#
And 2h! did He &o$e the one and hate the otherB For the sa'e reason
that He acce*ted the offerin, of Ae& and re=ected Cain+s offerin,#
"ecause Jaco+s 2or0s had een ri,hteous< and Esau+s 2ic0ed< and 2here is
there a ri,hteous father 2ho 2ou&d not do the sa'e thin,B 3ho 2ou&d not
&o$e an affectionate and oedient son 'ore than one 2ho 2as disoedient<
and sou,ht to in=ure Hi' and o$erthro2 the order of His houseB
EO=ectionF# "ut 5od seeth not as 'an seeth< and He is no res*ecter of
*ersons# EActs /( 9@F# True< ut 2hat saith the ne/t $erse< -He that
feareth 5od and 2or0eth ri,hteousness is acce*ted of Hi'?- ut it does not
sa! that he that 2or0eth 2ic0edness is acce*ted< and this is a *roof that
5od has res*ect to the actions of *ersons? and if He did not< 2h! shou&d
He co''end oedience to His &a2B For if he had no res*ect to the actions
of 'en< He 2ou&d e =ust as 2e&& *&eased 2ith a 2ic0ed 'an for rea0in,
His &a2 as a ri,hteous 'an for 0ee*in, it? and if Cain had done 2e&&< he
2ou&d ha$e een acce*ted as 2e&& as Ae& E5en# i$( MF< and Esau as 2e&& as
Jaco< 2hich *ro$es that 5od does not res*ect *ersons< on&! in re&ation to
their acts< Esee .att# //$( 9@ to the endF -Co'e< !e &essed of '! Father<
inherit the 0in,do' *re*ared for !ou fro' the foundation of the 2or&d( for
I 2as an hun,ered< and !e ,a$e 'e 'eat<- Pc#? and ecause that 5od &essed
Ae& and Jaco< this 2ou&d not ha$e hindered His &essin, Cain and Esau<
if their 2or0s had een ri,hteous &i0e unto their rethren? so 5od+s
choosin, one nation to &essin, does not doo' another to cursin, or 'a0e
the' re*roate< accordin, to the re*roation of 5od< as so'e su**ose? -"ut
! resistin, the truth the! eca'e re*roate concernin, the faith- EII
Ti'# iii( 8F? and are -ao'ina&e< and disoedient< and unto e$er! ,ood
2or0 re*roate- ETitus i( 7:F? conse>uent&!< are not fit su=ects for the
&essin,s of e&ection#
Ro'# i/( 7G< -For He saith to .oses< I 2i&& ha$e 'erc! on 2ho' I 2i&&
ha$e 'erc!< and I 2i&& ha$e co'*assion on 2ho' I 2i&& ha$e co'*assion#-
ESee E/od# ///iii( 79 to the 7NF -.! *resence sha&& ,o 2ith thee< and I
2i&& ,i$e thee rest< C C C for thou hast found ,race in '! si,ht< and I
0no2 thee ! na'e< and I 2i&& 'a0e a&& '! ,oodness to *ass efore thee< C
C C and I 2i&& *roc&ai' the na'e of the Lord efore thee? and I 2i&& e
,racious to 2ho' I 2i&& e ,racious< and 2i&& sho2 'erc! on 2ho' I 2i&&
sho2 'erc!#- ERo'# i/( 7:F -So then it is not of hi' that 2i&&eth< nor of
hi' that runneth< ut of 5od that sho2eth 'erc!?- ha$in, His e!e at the
sa'e ti'e directed to2ards His co$enant *eo*&e in E,!*tian onda,e# For
the Scri*ture saith unto )haroah EE/od# i/( 7:< 7MF< -And in $er! deed for
this cause ha$e I raised thee u*< for to sho2 in thee '! *o2er? and that
'! na'e 'a! e dec&ared throu,hout a&& the earth# As !et e/a&test thou
th!se&f< a,ainst '! *eo*&e< that thou 2i&t not &et the' ,oB-
5od has *ro'ised to rin, the house of Israe& u* out of the &and of
E,!*t at his o2n a**ointed ti'e? and 2ith a 'i,ht! hand and an
outstretched ar'< and ,reat terri&eness EDeut# //$i< 8#F He chose to do
this thin, that His *o2er 'i,ht e 0no2n and his na'e dec&ared throu,hout
a&& the earth< so that a&& nations 'i,ht ha$e the 5od of hea$en in
re'e'rance< and re$erence his ho&! na'e? and to acco'*&ish this it 2as
needfu& that He shou&d 'eet 2ith o**osition to ,i$e Hi' an o**ortunit! to
'anifest His *o2er? therefore He raised u* a 'an< e$en )haraoh< 2ho< He
fore0ne2< 2ou&d harden his heart a,ainst 5od of his o2n free 2i&& and
choice< and 2ou&d 2ithstand the A&'i,ht! in His atte'*t to de&i$er His
chosen *eo*&e< and that to the ut'ost of his ai&it!? and he *ro$ed
hi'se&f 2orth! of the choice< for he &eft no 'eans uni'*ro$ed 2hich his
2ic0ed heart cou&d de$ise to $e/ the sons of Araha'< and defeat the
*ur*oses of the .ost Hi,h< 2hich ,a$e the 5od of Araha' an o**ortunit! to
'a,nif! his na'e in the ears of the nations< and in si,ht of this 2ic0ed
0in,< ! 'an! 'i,ht! si,ns and 2onders< so'eti'es e$en to the con$incin,
of the 2ic0ed 0in, of his 2ic0edness< and of the *o2er of 5od< EE/od#
$iii( H8< etc#F and !et he 2ou&d continue to ree& and ho&d the Israe&ites
in onda,e? and this is 2hat it 'eant ! 5od+s hardenin, )haraoh+s heart#
He 'anifested Hi'se&f in so 'an! ,&orious and 'i,ht! 2a!s< that )haraoh
cou&d not resist the truth 2ithout eco'in, harder? so that at &ast< in
his 'adness< to sta! the *eo*&e of 5od< he rushed his hosts into the Red
Sea and the! 2ere co$ered 2ith the f&oods#
Had not the *o2er of 5od een e/erted in a re'ar0a&e 'anner< it
2ou&d see' as thou,h the house of Israe& 'ust ha$e eco'e e/tinct< for
)haraoh co''anded the 'id2i$es to destro! the sons of the Israe&itish
2o'en as soon as the! 2ere orn EE/od# i( 7G< 7:F< and ca&&ed the' to
account for sa$in, the 'en chi&dren a&i$e E$erse 78F< and char,ed a&& his
*eo*&e sa!in,< -E$er! son that is orn< !e sha&& cast into the ri$er-
E$erse HHF< and !et 5od 2ou&d ha$e 'erc! on 2ho' He 2ou&d ha$e 'erc! ERo'#
i/( 78F? for he 2ou&d ha$e 'erc! on the ,ood&! chi&d< .oses< 2hen he 2as
hid and &aid in the f&a,s EE/od# /i( 9F ! his 'other to sa$e hi' fro'
)haraoh+s crue& order< and caused that he shou&d e *reser$ed as a )ro*het
and de&i$erer to &ead His *eo*&e u* to their o2n countr!? and 2ho' He
2ou&d He hardened< for He hardened )haraoh ! *assin, efore hi' in 'i,ht!
*o2er and 2ithdra2in, His S*irit< and &ea$in, hi' to his o2n inc&ination<
for he had set tas0-'asters o$er the Israe&ites to aff&ict the' 2ith their
urdens< and caused the' to ui&d treasure cities for )haraoh< and 'ade
the' to ser$e 2ith ri,or? and 'ade their &i$es itter 2ith hard onda,e<
in 'ortar and ric0 and a&& 'anner of ser$ice in the fie&d EE/od# 7st
cha*#F? esides destro!in, the 'en chi&dren< thus *ro$in, to the 5od of
hea$en and a&& 'en that he had hardened his o2n hard heart< unti& he
eca'e a $esse& of 2rath fitted for destruction ERo'< i/( HHF? a&& this
&on, efore 5od said unto .oses< -I 2i&& harden his E)haraoh+sF heart-
EE/od# i$( H7F#
Are 'en< then< to e sa$ed ! 2or0sB Na!< $eri&!< -"! ,race are !e
sa$ed throu,h faith< and that not of !ourse&$es< it is the ,ift of 5od-
EE*h# ii( 8F? -Not of 2or0s< &est an! 'an shou&d oast- E$# NF? -Not !
2or0s of ri,hteousness 2hich 2e ha$e done< ut accordin, to His 'erc! He
sa$ed us- ETitus iii( GF( and !et faith 2ithout 2or0s is dead< ein, a&one
EJa'es ii( 7MF# 3as not Araha'< our father< =ustified ! 2or0s E$# H7FB
Sha&& 2e then e sa$ed ! faithB Na!< neither ! faith nor 2or0s< ut !
2or0s is faith 'ade *erfect E$# HHF? ut -! ,race are !e sa$ed- EE*h#
ii(8F? -And if ! ,race< then it is no 'ore of 2or0s< other2ise ,race is
no 'ore ,race? and if it e of 2or0s< then it is no 'ore ,race? other2ise
2or0s is no 2or0s- ERo'# /i( :F? -Ye see then ho2 that a 'an is =ustified
! 2or0s< and not ! faith on&!- EJa'es ii( H@F#
Ro'# /( 9<@< -For the! EIsrae&F ein, i,norant of 5od+s ri,hteousness
and ,oin, aout to esta&ish their o2n ri,hteousness< ha$e not su'itted
the'se&$es unto the ri,hteousness of 5od? for Christ is the end of the &a2
for ri,hteousness to e$er! one that e&ie$eth#- Thus the ri,hteousness of
5od is 'ade 'anifest in the *&an of sa&$ation ! His crucified son? for
there is none other na'e under hea$en ,i$en a'on, 'en 2here! 2e 'ust e
sa$ed<- ut the na'e of Jesus Christ of Na4areth EActs i$( 7D< 7HF? ut of
this the Je2s 2ere i,norant< a&thou,h the! the'se&$es crucified Hi'? and
the! ha$e een ,oin, aout 2anderin, a'on, a&& the nations of the earth
e$er since< for the s*ace of ei,hteen hundred !ears< tr!in, to esta&ish
their o2n ri,hteousness< 2hich is of the &a2 of .oses< 2hich &a2 can ne$er
'a0e the co'ers thereto *erfect EHe# /( i#F? !et not2ithstandin, their
dar0ness and &on, dis*ersion< there is a re'nant< accordin, to the
e&ection of ,race ERo'# /i( GF? 2ho' 5od 2i&& ,ather fro' a'on, a&& *eo*&e
2hither the! are scattered and 2i&& e sanctified in the' in the si,ht of
the heathen? then sha&& the! d2e&& in their &and 2hich 5od ,a$e to His
ser$ant Jaco< and the! sha&& d2e&& safe&! therein< and sha&& ui&d houses
and *&ant $ine!ards? -Yea< the! sha&& d2e&& 2ith confidence 2hen I ha$e
e/ecuted =ud,'ents u*on a&& those that des*ise the' round aout? and the!
sha&& 0no2 that I a' the Lord their 5od- EE4e0# //$iii( HG< H:? Is# /i( 77
to 7:F? and 2hen this ,atherin, sha&& e co'*&eted< -It sha&& no 'ore e
said< The Lord &i$eth< that rou,ht u* the chi&dren of Israe& out of the
&and of E,!*t< ut the Lord &i$eth that rou,ht u* the chi&dren of Israe&
fro' the &and of the north< and fro' a&& the &ands 2hither he had dri$en
the'( and I 2i&& rin, the' a,ain into their &and that I ,a$e unto their
fathers- EJer# /$i( 7@ to the endF#
Ro'# /i( M# -3hat thenB Israe& hath not otained that 2hich he
see0eth for? ut the e&ection hath otained it#- And 2h! ha$e the! not
otained itB "ecause the! sou,ht it not ! faith< ut as it 2ere ! the
2or0s of the &a2< for the! stu'&ed at the stu'&in, stone( as it is
2ritten< -"eho&d< I &a! in ;ion a stu'&in, stone and roc0 of offense-
ERo'# i/( 9H< 99F? -to oth the houses of Israe&< for a ,in and for a
snare to the inhaitants of Jerusa&e'# And 'an! a'on, the' sha&& stu'&e-
EIsaiah $iii( 7@< 7GF? ut -ha$e the! stu'&ed that the! shou&d fa&&B 5od
forid? ut rather throu,h their fa&&< sa&$ation is co'e unto the
5enti&es- ERo'# /i( 77F# -And Jerusa&e' sha&& e trodden do2n ! the
5enti&es< unti& the ti'es of the 5enti&es e fu&fi&&ed ELu0e //i( H@F? and
2hen the house of Israe& sha&& e restored to their *ossessions in Canaan<
it 'a! tru&! e said< the e&ection hath otained it? for the fu&fi&&'ent
of 5od+s oath of e&ection to Araha' as the father of the faithfu&< and
the *ro'ises to His chi&dren 2i&& otain that for Israe&< 2hich he has
sou,ht for in $ain ! the &a2 of .oses#
This is the e&ection that 2e e&ie$e in< $i4#< such as 2e find in the
)ro*hets and A*ost&es< and the 2ord of the Lord Hi'se&f< and as 2e ha$e
not roo' to ,i$e a&& the >uotations in fu&&< in re&ation to e&ection in
this e*ist&e< 2e 2ou&d in$ite the Saints to e/a'ine the Scri*tures< in
connection 2ith these >uoted? and 2hene$er the! find e&ection< or an!
other *rinci*&e or &essin,< ,i$en or a**&ied to the house of Israe&< &et
those *rinci*&es continue 2ith the house of Israe&< and not a**&! that to
Esau 2hich e&on,s to Jaco? or to the churches of 'odern ti'es 2hich
e&on, to the ancient co$enant *eo*&e? and a&2a!s ascertain ho2 the Lord<
the A*ost&es and )ro*hets ha$e a**&ied their 2ords< and e$er continue the
sa'e a**&ication< and 0no2&ed,e and 2isdo' 2i&& e added unto !ou? and in
the 2ords of the e&o$ed )eter and )au&< 2e 2ou&d e/hort !ou to -2or0 out
!our o2n sa&$ation 2ith fear and tre'&in,< for it is 5od 2hich 2or0eth in
!ou oth to 2i&& and to do of His ,ood *&easure- E)hi&# ii( 7H< 79F?
-5i$in, a&& di&i,ence to 'a0e !our ca&&in, and e&ection sure- EH )eter i(
7DF? for this is that sea&in, *o2er s*o0en of in E*hesians Ei( 79<
7@F---in 2ho' !e a&so trusted< after that !e heard the 2ord of truth? the
,os*e& of !our sa&$ation< in 2ho' a&so< after that !e e&ie$ed !e 2ere
sea&ed 2ith that Ho&! S*irit of *ro'ise< 2hich is the earnest of our
inheritance< unti& the rede'*tion of the *urchased *ossession< unti& the
*raise of His ,&or!- EH )eter i( 77F? -For so an entrance sha&& e
'inistered unto !ou aundant&! into the e$er&astin, 0in,do' of our Lord
and Sa$ior Jesus Christ#- A'en#
Frida!< Januar! 8#--E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt 2rote )resident Sidne!
Ri,don< fro' .anchester< En,&and< in *art as fo&&o2s(
C C C C C As to the *ro,ress of the 2or0 of 5od in this
count!< it is increasin, at e$er! ste*# It is no2 *ros*erin, in Ire&and
and in 3a&es< as 2e&& as in Scot&and and En,&and# It is s*readin, into
$arious ne2 *&aces in En,&and# 3e ha$e se$era& hundred faithfu& *reachers<
and the s*irit of in>uir! see's to e 'ore ,enera&&! a2a0ened# The c&er,!
of the Church of En,&and< the .ethodist *riests< the "a*tist 'inisters<
and Unitarians< are a&& in ar's< as it 2ere< a,ainst the Saints#
The countr! is f&ooded 2ith *a'*h&ets< tracts< *a*ers< Pc#< *u&ished
a,ainst us# C C C C C I 'ust no2 infor' !ou of the fact that 2e
ha$e rea*ed the first fruits of Ca'*e&&is' in En,&and< at a *&ace ca&&ed
Nottin,ha'#
A )roc&a'ation of the First )residenc! of the Church to the Saints
Scattered Aroad< 5reetin,(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--The re&ationshi* 2hich 2e sustain to the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< renders it necessar! that 2e shou&d
'a0e 0no2n fro' ti'e to ti'e< the circu'stances< situation< and *ros*ects
of the Church< and ,i$e such instructions as 'a! e necessar! for the 2e&&
ein, of the Saints< and for the *ro'otion of those o=ects ca&cu&ated to
farther their *resent and e$er&astin, ha**iness#
3e ha$e to con,ratu&ate the Saints on the *ro,ress of the ,reat 2or0
of the -&ast da!s<- for not on&! has it s*read throu,h the &en,th and
readth of this $ast continent< ut on the continent of Euro*e< and on the
is&ands of the sea< it is s*readin, in a 'anner entire&! un*recedented in
the anna&s of ti'e# This a**ears the 'ore *&easin, 2hen 2e consider< that
ut a short ti'e has e&a*sed since 2e 2ere un'ercifu&&! dri$en fro' the
state of .issouri< after sufferin, crue&ties and *ersecutions in $arious
and horrid for's# Then our o$erthro2< to 'an!< see'ed ine$ita&e< 2hi&e
the ene'ies of truth triu'*hed o$er us< and ! their crue& re*roaches
endea$ored to a,,ra$ate our sufferin,s# "ut the Lord of Hosts 2as 2ith us<
the 5od of Jaco 2as our refu,e< and 2e 2ere de&i$ered fro' the hands of
&ood! and deceitfu& 'en? and in the state of I&&inois 2e found an as!&u'<
and 2ere 0ind&! 2e&co'ed ! *ersons 2orth! the character of free'en#
It 2ou&d e i'*ossi&e to enu'erate a&& those 2ho< in our ti'e of
dee* distress< no&! ca'e for2ard to our re&ief< and< &i0e the ,ood
Sa'aritan< *oured oi& into our 2ounds< and contriuted &iera&&! to our
necessities< and the citi4ens of Auinc! en 'asse< and the *eo*&e of
I&&inois< ,enera&&!< see'ed to e'u&ate each other in this &aor of &o$e#
3e 2ou&d< ho2e$er< 'a0e honora&e 'ention of 5o$ernor Car&in< Jud,e Youn,<
5enera& Leech< Jud,e Ra&ston< Re$# .r# Youn,< Co&# Henr!< N# "ushne&&<
John 3ood< J# N# .orris< S# .# "art&ett< Sa'ue& Ho&'es< and J# T# Ho&'es<
Es>uires< 2ho 2i&& &on, e re'e'ered< ! a ,ratefu& co''unit!< for their
*hi&anthro*! to a sufferin, *eo*&e< and 2hose 0indness< on that occasion<
is inde&i&! en,ra$ed on the ta&ets of our hearts in ,o&den &etters of
&o$e#
3e 2ou&d &i0e2ise 'a0e 'ention of the &e,is&ators of this state< 2ho<
2ithout res*ect to *arties< 2ithout re&uctance< free&!< o*en&!< o&d&!<
and no&!< ha$e co'e forth to our assistance< o2ned us as citi4ens and
friends< and too0 us ! the hand< and e/tended to us a&& the &essin,s of
ci$i&< *o&itica&< and re&i,ious &iert!< ! ,rantin, us< under date of
Dece'er 7:< 78@D< one of the 'ost &iera& charters< 2ith the 'ost *&enar!
*o2ers e$er conferred ! a &e,is&ati$e asse'&! on free citi4ens< -The
Cit! of Nau$oo<- the -Nau$oo Le,ion<- and the -Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of
Nau$oo#-
The first of these charters Ethat for the -Cit! of Nau$oo-F secures
to us< in a&& ti'e to co'e< irre$oca&!< an those ,reat &essin,s of ci$i&
&iert! 2hich of ri,ht a**ertain to a&& the free citi4ens of a ,reat
ci$i&i4ed re*u&ic? it is a&& 2e e$er c&ai'ed# 3hat a contrast does the
)roceedin,s of the &e,is&ators of this state *resent 2hen co'*ared 2ith
those of .issouri< 2hose i,otr!< =ea&ous!< and su*erstition< *re$ai&ed to
such an e/tent as to den! us our &iert! and our sacred ri,hts# I&&inois
has set a ,&orious e/a'*&e to the 2ho&e United States< and to the 2or&d at
&ar,e< and has no&! carried out the *rinci*&es of her Constitution< and
the Constitution of these United States< and 2hi&e she re>uires of us
i'*&icit oedience to the &a2s< E2hich 2e ho*e e$er to see oser$edF she
affords us the *rotection of &a2< the securit! of &ife< &iert!< and the
*eacea&e *ursuit of ha**iness#
The na'e of our cit! ENau$ooF is of Here2 ori,in< and si,nifies a
eautifu& situation< or *&ace< carr!in, 2ith it< a&so< the idea of rest?
and is tru&! descri*ti$e of the 'ost de&i,htfu& &ocation# It is situated
on the east an0 of the .ississi**i ri$er< at the head of the Des .oines
Ra*ids< in Hancoc0 count!< ounded on the east ! an e/tensi$e *rairie of
sur*assin, eaut!< and on the north< 2est< and south< ! the .ississi**i#
This *&ace has een o=ected to ! so'e on account of the sic0ness 2hich
has *re$ai&ed in the su''er 'onths< ut it is the o*inion of Doctor
"ennett< that Hancoc0 count!< and a&& the eastern and southern *ortions of
the Cit! of Nau$oo< are as hea&thfu& as an! other *ortions of the 2estern
countr!< to acc&i'ati4ed citi4ens? 2hi&st the north2estern *ortion of the
cit! has e/*erienced 'uch aff&iction fro' fe$er and a,ue< 2hich< ho2e$er<
Doctor "ennett thin0s can e easi&! re'edied ! drainin, the s&ou,hs on
the ad=acent is&ands in the .ississi**i
The *o*u&ation of our cit! is increasin, 2ith un*ara&&e&ed ra*idit!<
nu'erin, 'ore than 9<DDD inhaitants# E$er! faci&it! is afforded< in the
cit! and ad=acent countr!< in Hancoc0 count!< for the successfu&
*rosecution of the 'echanica& arts and the *&easin, *ursuits of
a,ricu&ture# The 2aters of the .ississi**i can e successfu&&! used for
'anufacturin, *ur*oses to a&'ost an un&i'ited e/tent#
Ha$in, een instru'enta&< in the hands of our hea$en&! Father< in
&a!in, a foundation for the ,atherin, of ;ion< 2e 2ou&d sa!< &et a&& those
2ho a**reciate the &essin,s of the 5os*e&< and rea&i4e the i'*ortance of
oe!in, the co''and'ents of hea$en< 2ho ha$e een &essed of hea$en 2ith
the *ossession of this 2or&d+s ,oods< first *re*are for the ,enera&
,atherin,? &et the' dis*ose of their effects as fast as circu'stances 2i&&
*ossi&! ad'it< 2ithout 'a0in, too ,reat sacrifices< and re'o$e to our
cit! and count!? esta&ish and ui&d u* 'anufactures in the cit!< *urchase
and cu&ti$ate far's in the count!< This 2i&& secure our *er'anent
inheritance< and *re*are the 2a! for the ,atherin, of the *oor# This is
a,reea&e to the order of hea$en< and the on&! *rinci*&e on 2hich the
,atherin, can e effected# Let the rich< then< and a&& 2ho can assist in
esta&ishin, this *&ace< 'a0e e$er! *re*aration to co'e on 2ithout de&a!<
and stren,then our hands< and assist in *ro'otin, the ha**iness of the
Saints# This cannot e too forci&! i'*ressed on the 'inds of a&&< and the
E&ders are here! instructed to *roc&ai' this 2ord in a&& *&aces 2here the
Saints reside< in their *u&ic ad'inistrations< for this is accordin, to
the instructions 2e ha$e recei$ed fro' the Lord#
The Te'*&e of the Lord is in *rocess of erection here< 2here the
Saints 2i&& co'e to 2orshi* the 5od of their fathers< accordin, to the
order of His house and the *o2ers of the Ho&! )riesthood< and 2i&& e so
constructed as to ena&e a&& the functions of the )riesthood to e du&!
e/ercised< and 2here instructions fro' the .ost Hi,h 2i&& e recei$ed< and
fro' this *&ace ,o forth to distant &ands# Let us then concentrate a&& our
*o2ers< under the *ro$isions of our 'a,na charta ,ranted ! the I&&inois
&e,is&ature< at the -Cit! of Nau$oo- and surroundin, countr!< and stri$e
to e'u&ate the action of the ancient co$enant fathers and *atriarchs< in
those thin,s 2hich are of such $ast i'*ortance to this and e$er!
succeedin, ,eneration#
The -Nau$oo Le,ion- e'races a&& our 'i&itar! *o2er< and 2i&& ena&e
us to *erfor' our 'i&itar! dut! ! ourse&$es< and thus afford us the *o2er
and *ri$i&e,e of a$oidin, one of the 'ost fruitfu& sources of strife<
o**ression< and co&&ision 2ith the 2or&d# It 2i&& ena&e us to sho2 our
attach'ent to the state and nation< as a *eo*&e< 2hene$er the *u&ic
ser$ice re>uires our aid< thus *ro$in, ourse&$es oedient to the *ara'ount
&a2s of the &and< and read! at a&& ti'es to sustain and e/ecute the'#
The -Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo- 2i&& ena&e us to teach our
chi&dren 2isdo'< to Instruct the' in a&& the 0no2&ed,e and &earnin,< in
the arts< sciences< and &earned *rofessions# 3e ho*e to 'a0e this
institution one of the ,reat &i,hts of the 2or&d< and ! and throu,h it to
diffuse that 0ind of 0no2&ed,e 2hich 2i&& e of *ractica&e uti&it!< and
for the *u&ic ,ood< and a&so for *ri$ate and indi$idua& ha**iness# The
Re,ents of the Uni$ersit! 2i&& ta0e the ,enera& su*er$ision of a&& 'atters
a**ertainin, to education< fro' co''on schoo&s u* to the hi,hest ranches
of a 'ost &iera& co&&e,iate course# The! 2i&& esta&ish a re,u&ar s!ste'
of education< and hand o$er the *u*i& fro' teacher to *rofessor< unti& the
re,u&ar ,radation is consu''ated and the education finished#
This cor*oration contains a&& the *o2ers and *rero,ati$es of an!
other co&&e,e or uni$ersit! in this state# The charters for the Uni$ersit!
and Le,ion are addenda to the cit! charter< 'a0in, the 2ho&e *erfect and
co'*&ete#
Not on&! has the Lord ,i$en us fa$or in the e!es of the co''unit!<
2ho are ha**! to see us in the en=o!'ent of a&& the ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es
of free'en< ut 2e are ha**! to state that se$era& of the *rinci*a& 'en in
I&&inois< 2ho ha$e &istened to the doctrines 2e *ro'u&,ate< ha$e eco'e
oedient to the faith< and are re=oicin, in the sa'e? a'on, 2ho' is John
C# "ennett< .# D#< Auarter'aster-5enera& of I&&inois# 3e 'ention this
,ent&e'an first< ecause< that durin, our *ersecutions in .issouri< he
eca'e ac>uainted 2ith the $io&ence 2e 2ere sufferin, 2hi&e in that state<
on account of our re&i,ion? his s!'*ath! for us 2as aroused< and his
indi,nation 0ind&ed a,ainst our *ersecutors< for the crue&ties *racticed
u*on us< and their f&a,rant $io&ation of oth the &a2 and the
Constitution# A'idst their heated 4ea& to *ut do2n the truth< he addressed
us a &etter< tenderin, to us his assistance in de&i$erin, us out of the
hands of our ene'ies< and restorin, us a,ain to our *ri$i&e,es< and on&!
re>uired at our hands to *oint out the 2a! and he 2ou&d e forthco'in,<
2ith a&& the forces he cou&d raise for the *ur*ose# He has een one of the
instru'ents in effectin, or safet! and de&i$erance< fro' the un=ust
*ersecutions and de'ands of the authorities of .issouri< and a&so in
*rocurin, the cit! charter# He is a 'an of enter*rise< e/tensi$e
ac>uire'ents< and of inde*endent 'ind< and is ca&cu&ated to e a ,reat
&essin, to our co''unit!#
Dr# Isaac 5a&&and a&so< 2ho is one of our enefactors< ha$in, under
his contro& a &ar,e >uantit! of &and< in the i''ediate $icinit! of our
cit!< and a considera&e *ortion of the cit! *&at< o*ened oth his heart
and his hands< and -2hen 2e 2ere stran,ers< too0 us in<- and ade us
2e&co'e to share 2ith hi' in his aundance< &ea$in, his d2e&&in, house<
the 'ost s*&endid edifice in the $icinit!< for our acco''odation< and
*artoo0 hi'se&f to a s'a&&< unco'forta&e d2e&&in,# He so&d us his &ar,e
estates on $er! reasona&e ter's< and on &on, credit< so that 2e 'i,ht
ha$e an o**ortunit! of *a!in, for the' 2ithout ein, distressed< and has
since ta0en our &ands in .issouri in *a!'ent for the 2ho&e a'ount< and has
,i$en us a c&ear and indis*uta&e tit&e for the sa'e# And in addition to
the first *urchase< 2e ha$e e/chan,ed &ands 2ith hi' in .issouri to the
a'ount of ei,ht! thousand do&&ars# He is the honored instru'ent the Lord
used to *re*are a ho'e for us< 2hen 2e 2ere dri$en fro' our inheritances<
ha$in, ,i$en hi' contro& of $ast odies of &and< and *re*ared his heart to
'a0e the use of it the Lord intended he shou&d# "ein, a 'an of e/tensi$e
infor'ation< ,reat ta&ents< and hi,h &iterar! fa'e< he de$oted a&& his
*o2ers and inf&uence to ,i$e us a standin,#
After ha$in, thus e/erted hi'se&f for our sa&$ation and co'fort< and
for'ed an inti'ate ac>uaintance 2ith 'an! of our *eo*&e< his 'ind eca'e
2rou,ht u* to the ,reatest fee&in,s< ein, con$inced that our *ersecutions
2ere &i0e those of the ancient Saints< and< after in$esti,atin, the
doctrines 2e *roc&ai'ed< he eca'e con$inced of the truth and of the
necessit! of oedience thereto< and< to the ,reat =o! and satisfaction of
the Church< he !ie&ded hi'se&f to the 2aters of a*tis'< and eca'e a
*arta0er 2ith us in our sufferin,s< -Choosin, rather to suffer aff&ictions
2ith the *eo*&e of 5od than en=o! the *&easures of sin for a season#-
In connection 2ith these< 2e 2ou&d 'ention the na'es of 5enera& Ja'es
Ada's< =ud,e of *roate< of San,a'on count!? Dr# 5reen of She&! count!<
R# D# Foster< and Sidne! 1no2&ton< of Hancoc0 count!? Dr# 1ni,ht< of
)utna' count!< Indiana? 'an! others of res*ectai&it! and hi,h standin, in
societ!< and near&! a&& the o&d sett&ers in our i''ediate nei,horhood# 3e
'a0e 'ention of this that the Saints 'a! e encoura,ed< and a&so that the!
'a! see that the *ersecutions 2e suffered in .issouri 2ere ut the *re&ude
to a far 'ore ,&orious dis*&a! of the *o2er of truth< and of the re&i,ion
2e ha$e es*oused#
Fro' the 0ind< unifor'< and consistent course *ursued ! the citi4ens
of I&&inois< and the ,reat success 2hich has attended us 2hi&e here< the
natura& ad$anta,es of this *&ace for e$er! *ur*ose 2e re>uire< and the
necessit! of the ,atherin, of the Saints of the .ost Hi,h< 2e 2ou&d
sa!--&et the rethren 2ho &o$e the *ros*erit! of ;ion< 2ho are an/ious
that her sta0es shou&d e stren,thened and her cords &en,thened< and 2ho
*refer her *ros*erit! to their chief =o!< co'e and cast in their &ots 2ith
us< and cheerfu&&! en,a,e in a 2or0 so ,&orious and su&i'e< and sa! 2ith
Nehe'iah< -3e< His ser$ants< 2i&& arise and ui&d#- It *roa&! 2ou&d
hard&! e necessar! to enforce this i'*ortant su=ect on the attention of
the Saints< as its necessit! is o$ious< and is a su=ect of *ara'ount
i'*ortance? ut as 2atch'en to the house of Israe&--as she*herds o$er the
f&oc0 2hich is no2 scattered o$er a $ast e/tent of countr!< and the
an/iet! 2e fee& for their *ros*erit! and e$er&astin, 2e&fare< and for the
carr!in, out the ,reat and ,&orious *ur*oses of our 5od< to 2hich 2e ha$e
een ca&&ed< 2e fee& to ur,e its necessit!< and sa!--Let the Saints co'e
here? this is the 2ord of the Lord< and in accordance 2ith the ,reat 2or0
of the &ast da!s# It is true< the idea of a ,enera& ,atherin, has
heretofore een associated 2ith the 'ost crue& and o**ressin, scenes<
o2in, to our unre&entin, *ersecutions at the hands of 2ic0ed and un=ust
'en? ut 2e ho*e that those da!s of dar0ness and ,&oo' ha$e ,one !< and<
fro' the &iera& *o&ic! of our state ,o$ern'ent< 2e 'a! e/*ect a scene of
*eace and *ros*erit! 2e ha$e ne$er efore 2itnessed since the rise of our
Church< and the ha**iness and *ros*erit! 2hich no2 a2ait us< is< in a&&
hu'an *roai&it!< inca&cu&a&! ,reat# "! a concentration of action< and a
unit! of effort< 2e can on&! acco'*&ish the ,reat 2or0 of the &ast da!s
2hich 2e cou&d not do in our re'ote and scattered condition< 2hi&e our
interests< oth te'*ora& and s*iritua&< 2i&& e ,reat&! enhanced< and the
&essin,s of hea$en 'ust f&o2 unto us in an uninterru*ted strea'? of this<
2e thin0 there can e no >uestion#
The ,reatest te'*ora& and s*iritua& &essin,s 2hich a&2a!s f&o2 fro'
faithfu&ness and concerted effort< ne$er attended indi$idua& e/ertion or
enter*rise# The histor! of a&& *ast a,es aundant&! attests this fact# In
addition to a&& te'*ora& &essin,s< there is no other 2a! for the Saints
to e sa$ed in these &ast da!s< Ithan ! the ,atherin,J as the concurrent
testi'on! of a&& the ho&! )ro*hets c&ear&! *ro$es< for it is
2ritten---The! sha&& co'e fro' the east< and e ,athered fro' the 2est?
the north sha&& ,i$e u*< and the south sha&& 0ee* not ac0#- -The sons of
5od sha&& e ,athered fro' far< and His dau,hters fro' the ends of the
earth#-
It is a&so the concurrent testi'on! of a&& the )ro*hets< that this
,atherin, to,ether of a&& the Saints< 'ust ta0e *&ace efore the Lord
co'es to -ta0e $en,eance u*on the un,od&!<- and -to e ,&orified and
ad'ired ! a&& those 2ho oe! the 5os*e&#- The fiftieth )sa&'< fro' the
first to the fifth $erse inc&usi$e< descries the ,&or! and 'a=est! of
that e$ent#
-The 'i,ht! 5od< and e$en the Lord hath s*o0en< and ca&&ed the earth
fro' the risin, of the sun unto the ,oin, do2n thereof# Out of ;ion< the
*erfection of eaut!< 5od hath shined# Our 5od sha&& co'e< and sha&& not
0ee* si&ence? a fire sha&& de$our efore Hi'< and it sha&& e $er!
te'*estuous round aout Hi'# He sha&& ca&& to the hea$ens fro' ao$e< and
to the earth Ethat He 'a! =ud,e the *eo*&eF# 5ather '! Saints to,ether
unto 'e? those that ha$e 'ade co$enant 2ith 'e ! sacrifice#-
3e 'i,ht offer 'an! other >uotations fro' the Scri*tures< ut
e&ie$in, the' to e fa'i&iar to the Saints< 2e forear#
3e 2ou&d 2ish the Saints to understand that< 2hen the! co'e here<
the! 'ust not e/*ect *erfection< or that a&& 2i&& e har'on!< *eace< and
&o$e? if the! indu&,e these ideas< the! 2i&& undouted&! e decei$ed< for
here there are *ersons< not on&! fro' different states< ut fro' different
nations< 2ho< a&thou,h the! fee& a ,reat attach'ent to the cause of truth<
ha$e their *re=udices of education< and< conse>uent&!< it re>uires so'e
ti'e efore these thin,s can e o$erco'e# A,ain< there are 'an! that cree*
in una2ares< and endea$or to so2 discord< strife< and ani'osit! in our
'idst< and ! so doin,< rin, e$i& u*on the Saints# These thin,s 2e ha$e
to ear 2ith< and these thin,s 2i&& *re$ai& either to a ,reater or &ess
e/tent unti& -the f&oor e thorou,h&! *ur,ed<- and -the chaff e urnt
u*#- Therefore< &et those 2ho co'e u* to this *&ace e deter'ined to 0ee*
the co''and'ents of 5od< and not e discoura,ed ! those thin,s 2e ha$e
enu'erated< and then the! 2i&& e *ros*ered--the inte&&i,ence of hea$en
2i&& e co''unicated to the'< and the! 2i&&< e$entua&&!< see e!e to e!e<
and re=oice in the fu&& fruition of that ,&or! 2hich is reser$ed for the
ri,hteous#
In order to erect the Te'*&e of the Lord< ,reat e/ertions 2i&& e
re>uired on the *art of the Saints< so that the! 'a! ui&d a house 2hich
sha&& e acce*ted ! the A&'i,ht!< and in 2hich His *o2er and ,&or! sha&&
e 'anifested# Therefore &et those 2ho can free&! 'a0e a sacrifice of
their ti'e< their ta&ents< and their *ro*ert!< for the *ros*erit! of the
0in,do'< and for the &o$e the! ha$e to the cause of truth< id adieu to
their ho'es and *&easant *&aces of aode< and unite 2ith us in the ,reat
2or0 of the &ast da!s< and share in the triu&ation< that the! 'a!
u&ti'ate&! share in the ,&or! and triu'*h#
3e 2ish it &i0e2ise to e distinct&! understood< that 2e c&ai' no
*ri$i&e,e ut 2hat 2e fee& cheerfu&&! dis*osed to share 2ith our fe&&o2
citi4ens of e$er! deno'ination< and e$er! senti'ent of re&i,ion? and
therefore sa!< that so far fro' ein, restricted to our o2n faith< &et a&&
those 2ho desire to &ocate the'se&$es in this *&ace< or the $icinit!<
co'e< and 2e 2i&& hai& the' as citi4ens and friends< and sha&& fee& it not
on&! a dut!< ut a *ri$i&e,e< to reci*rocate the 0indness 2e ha$e recei$ed
fro' the ene$o&ent and 0ind-hearted citi4ens of the state of I&&inois#
JOSE)H S.ITH< SIDNEY RI5DON< HYRU. S.ITH< )residents of the Church#
Nau$oo< Januar! 7Gth< 78@7#
CHA)TER 6%#
RECONSTRUCTION OF CHURCH AFFAIRS AT NAU%OO--RE%ELATION--
.UNICI)AL OR5ANI;ATION OF NAU%OO--INSTALLATION OF CI%IC AND
.ILITARY OFFICERS#
Frida!< Januar! 7G< 78@7#--I *u&ished the fo&&o2in, in the Ti'es and
Seasons--
Re*roof of John E# )a,e and Orson H!de#
E&ders Orson H!de and John E# )a,e are infor'ed that the Lord is not
2e&& *&eased 2ith the'< in conse>uence of de&a!in, their 'ission< EJohn E#
)a,e in *articu&arF and the! are re>uested< ! the First )residenc!< to
hasten their =ourne! to2ards their destination#
Sunda!< 7M#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, *reached t2ice in the .usic Ha&&<
Li$er*oo&#
.onda!< 78#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 3i&&ard Richards co''enced
readin, the "oo0 of .or'on< and 2ritin, an inde/ to the En,&ish edition#
Tuesda!< 7N#--E&der A'os Fie&din, has a*ti4ed t2ent!-nine at
Ne2cast&e-u*on-T!ne< En,&and#
I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation(
Re$e&ation 5i$en to Jose*h S'ith at Nau$oo< Januar! 7Nth< 78@7#
%eri&!< thus saith the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< I a'
2e&& *&eased 2ith !our offerin, and ac0no2&ed,'ents< 2hich !ou ha$e 'ade<
for unto this end ha$e I raised !ou u*< that I 'i,ht sho2 forth '! 2isdo'
throu,h the 2ea0 thin,s of the earth#
Your *ra!ers are acce*ta&e efore 'e< and in ans2er to the' I sa!
unto !ou< that !ou are no2 ca&&ed i''ediate&! to 'a0e a so&e'n
*roc&a'ation of '! 5os*e&< and of this Sta0e 2hich I ha$e *&anted to e a
corner-stone of ;ion< 2hich sha&& e *o&ished 2ith the refine'ent 2hich is
after the si'i&itude of a *a&ace#
This *roc&a'ation sha&& e 'ade to a&& the 0in,s of the 2or&d< to the
four corners thereof? to the honora&e )resident e&ect< and the
hi,h-'inded 5o$ernors of the nation in 2hich !ou &i$e< and to a&& the
nations of the earth< scattered aroad#
Let it e 2ritten in the s*irit of 'ee0ness and ! the *o2er of the
Ho&! 5host< 2hich sha&& e in !ou at the ti'e of the 2ritin, of the sa'e?
For it sha&& e ,i$en !ou ! the Ho&! 5host to 0no2 '! 2i&&
concernin, those 0in,s and authorities< e$en 2hat sha&& efa&& the' in a
ti'e to co'e#
For< eho&dK I a' aout to ca&& u*on the' to ,i$e heed to the &i,ht
and ,&or! of ;ion< for the set ti'e has co'e to fa$or her#
Ca&& !e< therefore< u*on the' 2ith &oud *roc&a'ation< and 2ith !our
testi'on!< fearin, the' not< for the! are as ,rass< and a&& their ,&or! as
the f&o2er thereof 2hich soon fa&&eth< that the! 'a! e &eft a&so 2ithout
e/cuse<
And that I 'a! $isit the' in the da! of $isitation< 2hen I sha&&
un$ei& the face of '! co$erin,< to a**oint the *ortion of the o**ressor
a'on, h!*ocrites< 2here there is ,nashin, of teeth< if the! re=ect '!
ser$ants and '! testi'on! 2hich I ha$e re$ea&ed unto the'#
And a,ain< I 2i&& $isit and soften their hearts< 'an! of the' for
!our ,ood< that !e 'a! find ,race in their e!es< that the! 'a! co'e to the
&i,ht of truth< and the 5enti&es to the e/a&tation or &iftin, u* of ;ion#
For the da! of '! $isitation co'eth s*eedi&!< in an hour 2hen !e
thin0 not of< and 2here sha&& e the safet! of '! *eo*&e< and refu,e for
those 2ho sha&& e &eft of the'B
A2a0e< O 0in,s of the earthK Co'e !e< O< co'e !e< 2ith !our ,o&d and
!our si&$er< to the he&* of '! *eo*&e< to the house of the dau,hters of
;ion#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant Roert "# Tho'*son
he&* !ou to 2rite this *roc&a'ation< for I a' 2e&& *&eased 2ith hi'< and
that he shou&d e 2ith !ou?
Let hi'< therefore< hear0en to !our counse&< and I 2i&& &ess hi'
2ith a 'u&ti*&icit! of &essin,s? &et hi' e faithfu& and true in a&&
thin,s fro' henceforth< and he sha&& e ,reat in 'ine e!es?
"ut &et hi' re'e'er that his ste2ardshi* 2i&& I re>uire at his
hands#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &essed is '! ser$ant H!ru' S'ith<
for I< the Lord< &o$e hi' ecause of the inte,rit! of his heart< and
ecause he &o$eth that 2hich is ri,ht efore 'e< saith the Lord#
A,ain< &et '! ser$ant John C# "ennett< he&* !ou in !our &aor in
sendin, '! 2ord to the 0in,s and *eo*&e of the earth< and stand ! !ou<
e$en !ou '! ser$ant Jose*h S'ith< in the hour of aff&iction< and his
re2ard sha&& not fai&< if he recei$e counse&?
And for his &o$e he sha&& e ,reat< for he sha&& e 'ine if he do
this< saith the Lord# I ha$e seen the 2or0 2hich he hath done< 2hich I
acce*t< if he continue< and 2i&& cro2n hi' 2ith &essin,s and ,reat ,&or!#
And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< that it is '! 2i&& that '! ser$ant L!'an
3i,ht shou&d continue in *reachin, for ;ion< in the s*irit of 'ee0ness
confessin, 'e efore the 2or&d< and I 2i&& ear hi' u* as on ea,&e+s
2in,s< and he sha&& e,et ,&or! and honor to hi'se&f< and unto '! na'e#
That 2hen he sha&& finish his 2or0< that I 'a! recei$e hi' unto
'!se&f< e$en as I did '! ser$ant Da$id )atten< 2ho is 2ith 'e at this
ti'e< and a&so '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< and a&so '! a,ed ser$ant
Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< 2ho sitteth 2ith Araha' at his ri,ht hand< and
&essed and ho&! is he< for he is 'ine#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< '! ser$ant 5eor,e .i&&er is 2ithout
,ui&e( he 'a! e trusted ecause of the inte,rit! of his heart? and for
the &o$e 2hich he has to '! testi'on! I< the Lord< &o$e hi'?
I therefore sa! unto !ou< I sea& u*on his head the office of a
isho*ric< &i0e unto '! ser$ant Ed2ard )artrid,e< that he 'a! recei$e the
consecrations of 'ine house< that he 'a! ad'inister &essin, u*on the
heads of the *oor of '! *eo*&e< saith the Lord# Let no 'an des*ise '!
ser$ant 5eor,e< for he sha&& honor 'e#
Let '! ser$ant 5eor,e< and '! ser$ant L!'an< and '! ser$ant John
Snider< and others< ui&d a house unto '! na'e< such an one as '! ser$ant
Jose*h sha&& sho2 unto the'? u*on the *&ace 2hich he sha&& sho2 unto the'
a&so#
And it sha&& e for a house for oardin,< a house that stran,ers 'a!
co'e fro' afar to &od,e therein? therefore &et it e a ,ood house< 2orth!
of a&& acce*tation< that the 2ear! tra$e&er 'a! find hea&th and safet!
2hi&e he sha&& conte'*&ate the 2ord of the Lord? and the cornerstone I
ha$e a**ointed for ;ion#
This house sha&& e a hea&th! haitation if it e ui&t unto '! na'e<
and if the ,o$ernor 2hich sha&& e a**ointed unto it sha&& not suffer an!
*o&&ution to co'e u*on it# It sha&& e ho&!< or the Lord !our 5od 2i&& not
d2e&& therein#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et a&& '! Saints co'e fro' afar?
And send !e s2ift 'essen,ers< !ea< chosen 'essen,ers< and sa! unto
the'( Co'e !e< 2ith a&& !our ,o&d< and !our si&$er< and !our *recious
stones< and 2ith a&& !our anti>uities? and 2ith a&& 2ho ha$e 0no2&ed,e of
anti>uities< that 2i&& co'e< 'a! co'e< and rin, the o/-tree< and the
fir-tree< and the *ine-tree< to,ether 2ith a&& the *recious trees of the
earth?
And 2ith iron< 2ith co**er< and 2ith rass< and 2ith 4inc< and 2ith
a&& !our *recious thin,s of the earth< and ui&d a house to '! na'e for
the .ost Hi,h to d2e&& therein?
For there is not a *&ace found on earth that He 'a! co'e and restore
a,ain that 2hich 2as &ost unto !ou< or 2hich He hath ta0en a2a!< e$en the
fu&&ness of the )riesthood?
For a a*tis'a& font there is not u*on the earth< that the!< '!
Saints< 'a! e a*ti4ed for those 2ho are dead?
For this ordinance e&on,eth to '! house< and cannot e acce*ta&e to
'e< on&! in the da!s of !our *o$ert!< 2herein !e are not a&e to ui&d a
house unto 'e#
"ut I co''and !ou< a&& !e '! Saints< to ui&d a house unto 'e? and I
,rant unto !ou a sufficient ti'e to ui&d a house unto 'e< and durin, this
ti'e !our a*tis's sha&& e acce*ta&e unto 'e#
"ut eho&d< at the end of this a**oint'ent< !our a*tis's for !our
dead sha&& not e acce*ta&e unto 'e? and if !ou do not these thin,s at
the end of the a**oint'ent< !e sha&& e re=ected as a church< 2ith !our
dead< saith the Lord !our 5od#
For $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that after !ou ha$e had sufficient ti'e to
ui&d a house to 'e< 2herein the ordinance of a*ti4in, for the dead
e&on,eth< and for 2hich the sa'e 2as instituted fro' efore the
foundation of the 2or&d< !our a*tis's for !our dead cannot e acce*ta&e
unto 'e#
For therein are the 0e!s of the ho&! )riesthood< ordained that !ou
'a! recei$e honor and ,&or!#
And after this ti'e< !our a*tis's for the dead< ! those 2ho are
scattered aroad< are not acce*ta&e unto 'e< saith the Lord?
For it is ordained that in ;ion< and in her sta0es< and in Jerusa&e'<
those *&aces 2hich I ha$e a**ointed for refu,e< sha&& e the *&aces for
!our a*tis's for !our dead#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< ho2 sha&& !our 2ashin,s e
acce*ta&e unto 'e< e/ce*t !e *erfor' the' in a house 2hich !ou ha$e ui&t
to '! na'eB For< for this cause I co''anded .oses that he shou&d ui&d a
taernac&e< that the! shou&d ear it 2ith the' in the 2i&derness< and to
ui&d a house in the &and of *ro'ise< that those ordinances 'i,ht e
re$ea&ed 2hich had een hid fro' efore the 2or&d 2as?
Therefore< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that !our anointin,s< and !our
2ashin,s< and !our a*tis's for the dead< and !our so&e'n asse'&ies< and
!our 'e'oria&s for !our sacrifices< ! the sons of Le$i< and for !our
orac&es in !our 'ost ho&! *&aces< 2herein !ou recei$e con$ersations< and
!our statutes and =ud,'ents< for the e,innin, of the re$e&ations and
foundation of ;ion< and for the ,&or!< honor< and endo2'ent of a&& her
'unici*a&s< are ordained ! the ordinance of '! ho&! house 2hich '! *eo*&e
are a&2a!s co''anded to ui&d unto '! ho&! na'e#
And $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et this house e ui&t unto '! na'e< that
I 'a! re$ea& 'ine ordinances therein< unto '! *eo*&e?
For I dei,n to re$ea& unto '! Church thin,s 2hich ha$e een 0e*t hid
fro' efore the foundation of the 2or&d< thin,s that *ertain to the
dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es?
And I 2i&& sho2 unto '! ser$ant Jose*h a&& thin,s *ertainin, to this
house< and the )riesthood thereof? and the *&ace 2hereon it sha&& e
ui&t?
And !e sha&& ui&d it on the *&ace 2here !ou ha$e conte'*&ated
ui&din, it< for that is the s*ot 2hich I ha$e chosen for !ou to ui&d it?
If !e &aor 2ith a&& !our 'i,ht< I 2i&& consecrate that s*ot that it
sha&& e 'ade ho&!?
And if '! *eo*&e 2i&& hear0en unto '! $oice< and unto the $oice of '!
ser$ants 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed to &ead '! *eo*&e< eho&d< $eri&! I sa!
unto !ou< the! sha&& not e 'o$ed out of their *&ace#
"ut if the! 2i&& not hear0en to '! $oice< nor unto the $oice of these
'en 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed< the! sha&& not e &est< ecause the! *o&&ute
'ine ho&! ,rounds< and 'ine ho&! ordinances< and charters< and '! ho&!
2ords 2hich I ,i$e unto the'#
And it sha&& co'e to *ass< that if !ou ui&d a house unto '! na'e<
and do not do the thin,s that I sa!< I 2i&& not *erfor' the oath 2hich I
'a0e unto !ou< neither fu&fi&& the *ro'ises 2hich !e e/*ect at '! hands<
saith the Lord?
For instead of &essin,s< !e< ! !our o2n 2or0s< rin, cursin,s<
2rath< indi,nation< and =ud,'ents u*on !our o2n heads< ! !our fo&&ies<
and ! a&& !our ao'inations< 2hich !ou *ractice efore 'e< saith the
Lord#
%eri&!< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< that 2hen I ,i$e a co''and'ent to an!
of the sons of +'en< to do a 2or0 unto '! na'e< and those sons of 'en ,o
2ith a&& their 'i,ht< and 2ith a&& the! ha$e< to *erfor' that 2or0< and
cease not their di&i,ence< and their ene'ies co'e u*on the'< and hinder
the' fro' *erfor'in, that 2or0? eho&d< it ehoo$eth 'e to re>uire that
2or0 no 'ore at the hands of those sons of 'en< ut to acce*t of their
offerin,s?
And the ini>uit! and trans,ression of '! ho&! &a2s and co''and'ents<
I 2i&& $isit u*on the heads of those 2ho hindered '! 2or0< unto the third
and fourth ,eneration< so &on, as the! re*ent not< and hate 'e< saith the
Lord 5od#
Therefore for this cause ha$e I acce*ted the offerin,s of those 2ho'
I co''anded to ui&d u* a cit! and a house unto '! na'e< in Jac0son
count!< .issouri< and 2ere hindered ! their ene'ies< saith the Lord !our
5od#
And I 2i&& ans2er =ud,'ent< 2rath< and indi,nation< 2ai&in,< and
ui&t unto '! na'e< and &et '! na'e e na'ed u*on it< and &et '! an,uish<
and ,nashin, of teeth u*on their heads< unto the third and fourth
,eneration< so &on, as the! re*ent not and hate 'e< saith the Lord !our
5od#
And this I 'a0e an e/a'*&e unto !ou< for !our conso&ation concernin,
a&& those 2ho ha$e een co''anded to do a 2or0< and ha$e een hindered !
the hands of their ene'ies< and ! o**ression< saith the Lord !our 5od?
For I a' the Lord !our 5od< and 2i&& sa$e a&& those of !our rethren
2ho ha$e een *ure in heart< and ha$e een s&ain in the &and of .issouri<
saith the Lord#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I co''and !ou a,ain to ui&d a
house to '! na'e< e$en in this *&ace that !ou 'a! *ro$e !ourse&$es unto 'e
that !e are faithfu& in a&i thin,s 2hatsoe$er I co''and !ou< that I 'a!
&ess !ou< and cro2n !ou 2ith honor< i''orta&it!< and eterna& &ife#
And no2 I sa! unto !ou< as *ertainin, to '! oardin, house 2hich I
ha$e co''anded !ou to ui&d for the oardin, of stran,ers< &et it e ui&t
unto '! na'e< and &et '! na'e e na'ed u*on it< and &et '! ser$ant Jose*h<
and his house ha$e *&ace therein< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration?
For this anointin, ha$e I *ut u*on his head< that his &essin, sha&&
a&so e *ut u*on the head of his *osterit! after hi'<
And as I said unto Araha' concernin, the 0indreds of the earth< e$en
so I sa! unto '! ser$ant Jose*h< in thee and in th! seed< sha&& the
0indred of the earth e &essed#
Therefore< &et '! ser$ant Jose*h and his seed after hi' ha$e *&ace in
that house< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration< for e$er and e$er< saith the
Lord#
And &et the na'e of that house e ca&&ed Nau$oo House< and &et it e
a de&i,htfu& haitation for 'an< and a restin, *&ace for the 2ear!
tra$e&er< that he 'a! conte'*&ate the ,&or! of ;ion< and the ,&or! of
this< the corner-stone thereof?
That he 'a! recei$e a&so the counse& fro' those 2ho' I ha$e set to e
as *&ants of reno2n< and as 2atch'en u*on her 2a&&s#
"eho&d< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant 5eor,e .i&&er< and '!
ser$ant L!'an 3i,ht< and '! ser$ant John Snider< and '! ser$ant )eter
Ha2s< or,ani4e the'se&$es< and a**oint one of the' to e a *resident o$er
their >uoru' for the *ur*ose of ui&din, that house#
And the! sha&& for' a constitution 2here! the! 'a! recei$e stoc0 for
the ui&din, of that house#
And the! sha&& not recei$e &ess than fift! do&&ars for a share of
stoc0 in that house< and the! sha&& e *er'itted to recei$e fifteen
thousand do&&ars fro' an! one 'an for stoc0 in that house?
"ut the! sha&& not e *er'itted to recei$e o$er fifteen thousand
do&&ars stoc0 fro' an! one 'an?
And the! sha&& not e *er'itted to recei$e under fift! do&&ars for a
share of stoc0 fro' an! one 'an in that house?
And the! sha&& not e *er'itted to recei$e an! 'an as a stoc0ho&der
in this house< e/ce*t the sa'e sha&& *a! his stoc0 into their hands at the
ti'e he recei$es stoc0?
And in *ro*ortion to the a'ount of stoc0 he *a!s into their hands< he
sha&& recei$e stoc0 in that house? ut if he *a!s nothin, into their
hands< he sha&& not recei$e an! stoc0 in that house#
And if an! *a! stoc0 into their hands< it sha&& e for stoc0 in that
house< for hi'se&f< and for his ,eneration after hi'< fro' ,eneration to
,eneration< so &on, as he and his heirs sha&& ho&d that stoc0< and do not
se&& or con$e! the stoc0 a2a! out of their hands ! their o2n free 2i&&
and act< if !ou 2i&& do '! 2i&&< saith the Lord !our 5od#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< if '! ser$ant 5eor,e .i&&er< and '!
ser$ant L!'an 3i,ht< and '! ser$ant John Snider< and '! ser$ant )eter
Ha2s< recei$e an! stoc0 into their hands< in 'one!s or in *ro*erties<
2herein the! recei$e the rea& $a&ue of 'one!s< the! sha&& not a**ro*riate
an! *ortion of that stoc0 to an! other *ur*ose< on&! in that house?
And if the! do a**ro*riate an! *ortion of that stoc0 an!2here e&se<
on&! in that house< 2ithout the consent of the stoc0ho&der< and do not
re*a! fourfo&d for the stoc0 2hich the! a**ro*riate an!2here e&se< on&! in
that house< the! sha&& e accursed< and sha&& e 'o$ed out of their *&ace<
saith the Lord 5od< for I< the Lord< a' 5od< and cannot e 'oc0ed in an!
of these thin,s#
%eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant Jose*h *a! stoc0 into their
hands for the ui&din, of that house< as see'eth hi' ,ood? ut '! ser$ant
Jose*h cannot *a! o$er fifteen thousand do&&ars stoc0 in that house< nor
under fift! do&&ars? neither can an! other 'an< saith the Lord#
And there are others a&so 2ho 2ish to 0no2 '! 2i&& concernin, the'<
for the! ha$e as0ed it at '! hands#
Therefore I sa! unto !ou concernin, '! ser$ant %inson 1ni,ht< if he
2i&& do '! 2i&&< &et hi' *ut stoc0 into that house for hi'se&f< and for
his ,eneration after hi'< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration<
And &et hi' &ift u* his $oice &on, and &oud< in the 'idst of the
*eo*&e< to *&ead the cause of the *oor and the need!< and &et hi' not
fai&< neither &et his heart faint< and I 2i&& acce*t of his offerin,s< for
the! sha&& not e unto 'e as the offerin,s of Cain< for he sha&& e 'ine<
saith the Lord#
Let his fa'i&! re=oice< and turn a2a! their hearts fro' aff&iction<
for I ha$e chosen hi' and anointed hi'< and he sha&& e honored in the
'idst of his house< for I 2i&& for,i$e a&& his sins< saith the Lord# A'en#
%eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant H!ru' *ut stoc0 into that house
as see'eth hi' ,ood< for hi'se&f and his ,eneration after hi'< fro'
,eneration to ,eneration#
Let '! ser$ant Isaac 5a&&and *ut stoc0 into that house< for I< the
Lord< &o$e hi' for the 2or0 he hath done< and 2i&& for,i$e a&& his sins?
therefore< &et hi' e re'e'ered for an interest in that house fro'
,eneration to ,eneration#
Let '! ser$ant Isaac 5a&&and e a**ointed a'on, !ou< and e ordained
! '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' .ar0s< and e &essed of hi'< to ,o 2ith '! ser$ant
H!ru'< to acco'*&ish the 2or0 that '! ser$ant Jose*h sha&& *oint out to
the'< and the! sha&& e ,reat&! &essed#
Let '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' .ar0s *a! stoc0 into that house< as see'eth
hi' ,ood< for hi'se&f and his ,eneration< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration#
Let '! ser$ant Henr! 5# Sher2ood *a! stoc0 into that house< as
see'eth hi' ,ood< for hi'se&f and his seed after hi' fro' ,eneration to
,eneration#
Let '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' La2 *a! stoc0 into that house< for hi'se&f and
his seed after hi'< fro' ,eneration to ,eneration#
If he 2i&& do '! 2i&&< &et hi' not ta0e his fa'i&! unto the eastern
&ands< e$en unto 1irt&and? ne$erthe&ess< I< the Lord< 2i&& ui&d u*
1irt&and< ut I< the Lord< ha$e a scour,e *re*ared for the inhaitants
thereof#
And 2ith '! ser$ant A&'on "aitt< there are 'an! thin,s 2ith 2hich I
a' not *&eased? eho&d< he as*ireth to esta&ish his counci& instead of
the counci& 2hich I ha$e ordained< e$en the )residenc! of '! Church< and
he setteth u* a ,o&den ca&f for the 2orshi* of '! *eo*&e#
Let no 'an ,o fro' this *&ace 2ho has co'e here essa!in, to 0ee* '!
co''and'ents#
If the! &i$e here &et the' &i$e unto 'e? and if the! die< &et the'
die unto 'e? for the! sha&& rest fro' a&& their &aors here< and sha&&
continue their 2or0s#
Therefore &et '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' *ut his trust in 'e< and cease to
fear concernin, his fa'i&!< ecause of the sic0ness of the &and# If !e
&o$e 'e< 0ee* '! co''and'ents< and the sic0ness of the &and sha&& redound
to !our ,&or!#
Let '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' ,o and *roc&ai' '! e$er&astin, 5os*e& 2ith a
&oud $oice< and 2ith ,reat =o!< as he sha&& e 'o$ed u*on ! '! S*irit<
unto the inhaitants of 3arsa2< and a&so unto the inhaitants of Cartha,e<
and a&so unto the inhaitants of "ur&in,ton< and a&so unto the inhaitants
of .adison< and a2ait *atient&! and di&i,ent&! for further instructions at
'! ,enera& conference< saith the Lord#
If he 2i&& do '! 2i&&< &et hi' fro' henceforth hear0en to the counse&
of '! ser$ant Jose*h< and 2ith his interest su**ort the cause of the *oor<
and *u&ish the ne2 trans&ation of '! ho&! 2ord unto the inhaitants of
the earth?
And if he 2i&& do this< I 2i&& &ess hi' 2ith a 'u&ti*&icit! of
&essin,s< that he sha&& not e forsa0en< nor his seed e found e,,in,
read#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' e
a**ointed< ordained< and anointed as a counse&or unto '! ser$ant Jose*h<
in the roo' of '! ser$ant H!ru'? that '! ser$ant H!ru' 'a! ta0e the office
of )riesthood and )atriarch 2hich 2as a**ointed unto hi' ! his father< !
&essin, and a&so ! ri,ht< That fro' henceforth he sha&& ho&d the 0e!s of
the )atriarcha& &essin,s u*on the heads of a&& '! *eo*&e<
That 2ho'soe$er he &esses sha&& e &essed< and 2ho'soe$er he curses
sha&& e cursed? that 2hatsoe$er he sha&& ind on earth sha&& e ound in
hea$en? and 2hatsoe$er he sha&& &oose on earth sha&& e &oosed in hea$en?
And fro' this ti'e forth I a**oint unto hi' that he 'a! e a *ro*het<
and a seer and a re$e&ator unto '! Church< as 2e&& as '! ser$ant Jose*h#
That he 'a! act in concert a&so 2ith '! ser$ant Jose*h< and that he
sha&& recei$e counse& fro' '! ser$ant Jose*h< 2ho sha&& sho2 unto hi' the
0e!s 2here! he 'a! as0 and recei$e< and e cro2ned 2ith the sa'e
&essin,< and ,&or!< and honor< and )riesthood< and ,ifts of the
)riesthood< that once 2ere *ut u*on hi' that 2as '! ser$ant O&i$er
Co2der!?
That '! ser$ant H!ru' 'a! ear record of the thin,s 2hich I sha&&
sho2 unto hi'< that his na'e 'a! e had in honora&e re'e'rance fro'
,eneration to ,eneration fore$er and e$er#
Let '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' La2 a&so recei$e the 0e!s ! 2hich he 'a! as0
and recei$e &essin,s? &et hi' e hu'&e efore 'e< and e 2ithout ,ui&e<
and he sha&& recei$e of '! S*irit< e$en the Co'forter< 2hich sha&&
'anifest unto hi' the truth of a&& thin,s< and sha&& ,i$e hi' in the $er!
hour 2hat he sha&& sa!#
And these si,ns sha&& fo&&o2 hi'? he sha&& hea& the sic0< he sha&&
cast out de$i&s< and sha&& e de&i$ered fro' those 2ho 2ou&d ad'inister
unto hi' dead&! *oison?
And he sha&& e &ed in *aths 2here the *oisonous ser*ent cannot &a!
ho&d u*on his hee&< and he sha&& 'ount u* in the i'a,ination of his
thou,hts as u*on ea,&e+s 2in,s?
And 2hat if I 2i&& that he shou&d raise the dead< &et hi' not
2ithho&d his $oice#
Therefore< &et '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' cr! a&oud and s*are not< 2ith =o!
and re=oicin,< and 2ith hosannas to Hi' that sitteth u*on the throne
fore$er and e$er< saith the Lord !our 5od#
"eho&d I sa! unto !ou< I ha$e a 'ission in store for '! ser$ant
3i&&ia' and '! ser$ant H!ru'< and for the' a&one? and &et '! ser$ant
Jose*h tarr! at ho'e< for he is needed? the re'ainder I 2i&& sho2 unto !ou
hereafter# E$en so# A'en#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< if '! ser$ant Sidne! 2i&& ser$e 'e
and he counse&or unto '! ser$ant Jose*h< &et hi' arise and co'e u* and
stand in the office of his ca&&in,< and hu'&e hi'se&f efore 'e?
And if he 2i&& offer unto 'e an acce*ta&e offerin,< and
ac0no2&ed,'ents< and re'ain 2ith '! *eo*&e< eho&d< I< the Lord !our 5od<
2i&& hea& hi' that he sha&& e hea&ed? and he sha&& &ift u* his $oice
a,ain on the 'ountains< and e a s*o0es'an efore '! face#
Let hi' co'e and &ocate his fa'i&! in the nei,horhood in 2hich '!
ser$ant Jose*h resides<
And in a&& his =ourne!in,s &et hi' &ift u* his $oice as 2ith the
sound of a tru'*< and 2arn the inhaitants of the earth to f&ee the 2rath
to co'e?
Let hi' assist '! ser$ant Jose*h? and a&so &et '! ser$ant 3i&&ia' La2
assist '! ser$ant Jose*h< in 'a0in, a so&e'n *roc&a'ation unto the 0in,s
of the earth< e$en as I ha$e efore said unto !ou?
If '! ser$ant Sidne! 2i&& do '! 2i&&< &et hi' not re'o$e his fa'i&!
unto the eastern &ands< ut &et hi' chan,e their haitation e$en as I ha$e
said#
"eho&d< it is not '! 2i&& that he sha&& see0 to find safet! and
refu,e out of the cit! 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto !ou< e$en the cit! of
Nau$oo#
%eri&! I sa! unto !ou< e$en no2< if he 2i&& hear0en unto '! $oice< it
sha&& e 2e&& 2ith hi'# E$en so# A'en#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant A'os Da$is *a! stoc0
into the hands of those 2ho' I ha$e a**ointed to ui&d a house for
oardin,< e$en the Nau$oo House?
This &et hi' do if he 2i&& ha$e an interest< and &et hi' hear0en unto
the counse& of '! ser$ant Jose*h< and &aor 2ith his o2n hands that he 'a!
otain the confidence of 'en?
And 2hen he sha&& *ro$e hi'se&f faithfu& in a&& thin,s that sha&& e
entrusted unto his care< !ea< e$en a fe2 thin,s< he sha&& e 'ade ru&er
o$er 'an!?
Let hi' therefore aase hi'se&f that he 'a! e e/a&ted# E$en so#
A'en#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< if '! ser$ant Roert D# Foster 2i&&
oe! '! $oice< &et hi' ui&d a house for '! ser$ant Jose*h< accordin, to
the contract 2hich he has 'ade 2ith hi'< as the door sha&& e o*en to hi'
fro' ti'e to ti'e#
And &et hi' re*ent of a&& his fo&&!< and c&othe hi'se&f 2ith charit!<
and cease to do e$i&< and &a! aside a&& his hard s*eeches<
And *a! stoc0 a&so into the hands of the >uoru' of the Nau$oo House
for hi'se&f and for his ,eneration after hi'< fro' ,eneration to
,eneration<
And hear0en unto the counse& of '! ser$ants Jose*h and H!ru' and
3i&&ia' La2< and unto the authorities 2hich I ha$e ca&&ed to &a! the
foundation of ;ion< and it sha&& e 2e&& 2ith hi' for e$er and e$er< E$en
so# A'en#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et no 'an *a! stoc0 to the >uoru'
of the Nau$oo House< un&ess he sha&& e a e&ie$er in the "oo0 of .or'on<
and the re$e&ations I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou< saith the Lord !our 5od?
For that 2hich is 'ore or &ess than this co'eth of e$i&< and sha&& e
attended 2ith cursin,s and not &essin,s< saith the Lord !our 5od# E$en
so# A'en#
And a,ain< $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et the >uoru' of the Nau$oo House
ha$e a =ust reco'*ense of 2a,es for a&& their &aors 2hich the! do in
ui&din, the Nau$oo House< and &et their 2a,es e as sha&& e a,reed a'on,
the'se&$es< as *ertainin, to the *rice thereof? an 2ho *a!s stoc0 ear his
*ro*ortion of their 2a,es< if it 'ust needs e< for their su**ort< saith
the Lord? other2ise< their &aors sha&& e accounted unto the' for stoc0
in that house# E$en so# A'en#
%eri&! I sa! unto !ou< I no2 ,i$e unto !ou the officers e&on,in, to
'! )riesthood< that !e 'a! ho&d the 0e!s thereof< e$en the )riesthood
2hich is after the order of .e&chisede0< 2hich is after the order of '!
On&! "e,otten Son#
First< I ,i$e unto !ou H!ru' S'ith< to e a )atriarch unto !ou< to
ho&d the sea&in, &essin,s of '! church< e$en the Ho&! S*irit of *ro'ise<
2here! !e are sea&ed u* unto the da! of rede'*tion< that !e 'a! not fa&&<
not2ithstandin, the hour of te'*tation that 'a! co'e u*on !ou#
I ,i$e unto !ou '! ser$ant Jose*h< to e a *residin, e&der o$er a&&
'! church< to e a trans&ator< a re$e&ator< a seer< and *ro*het#
I ,i$e unto hi' for counse&ors '! ser$ant Sidne! Ri,don< and '!
ser$ant 3i&&ia' La2< that these 'a! constitute a >uoru' and First
)residenc!< to recei$e the orac&es for the 2ho&e church#
I ,i$e unto !ou '! ser$ant "ri,ha' Youn,< to e a )resident o$er
T2e&$e tra$e&in, Counci&?
3hich T2e&$e ho&d the 0e!s to o*en u* the authorit! of '! 0in,do'
u*on the four corners of the earth< and after that to send '! 2ord to
e$er! creature#
The! are Heer C# 1i'a&&< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< Orson H!de<
3i&&ia' S'ith< John Ta!&or< John E# )a,e< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 3i&&ard
Richards< 5eor,e A# S'ith?
Da$id )atten I ha$e ta0en unto '!se&f? eho&d< his )riesthood no 'an
ta0eth fro' hi'? ut $eri&! I sa! unto !ou< another 'a! e a**ointed unto
the sa'e ca&&in,#
And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou a Hi,h Counci&< for the
corner stone of ;ion?
%i4#< Sa'ue& "ent< Henr! 5# Sher2ood< 5eor,e 3# Harris< Char&es C#
Rich< Tho'as 5ro$er< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< Da$id Dort< Dunar 3i&son? ESe!'our
"runson I ha$e ta0en unto '!se&f< no 'an ta0eth his )riesthood< ut
another 'a! e a**ointed unto the sa'e )riesthood in his steadF? and
$eri&! I sa! unto !ou< &et '! ser$ant Aaron Johnson e ordained unto this
ca&&in, in his steadF? Da$id Fu&&'er< A&*heus Cut&er< 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton#
And a,ain< I ,i$e unto !ou Don C# S'ith< to e a *resident o$er a
>uoru' of Hi,h )riests?
3hich ordinance is instituted for the *ur*ose of >ua&if!in, those 2ho
sha&& e a**ointed standin, *residents or ser$ants o$er different Sta0es
scattered aroad#
And the! 'a! tra$e& a&so if the! choose< ut rather e ordained for
standin, *residents< this is the office of their ca&&in,< saith the Lord
!our 5od#
I ,i$e unto hi' A'asa L!'an< and Noah )ac0ard< for Counse&ors< that
the! 'a! *reside o$er the >uoru' of Hi,h )riests of '! Church< saith the
Lord#
And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou John A# Hic0s< Sa'ue&
3i&&ia's< and Jesse "a0er< 2hich )riesthood is to *reside o$er the >uoru'
of e&ders< 2hich >uoru' is instituted for standin, 'inisters< ne$erthe&ess
the! 'a! tra$e&< !et the! are ordained to e standin, 'inisters to '!
Church< saith the Lord#
And a,ain< I ,i$e unto !ou< Jose*h Youn,< Josiah "utterfie&d< Danie&
.i&es< Henr! Harri'an< ;era )u&si*her< Le$i Hancoc0< Ja'es Foster< to
*reside o$er the >uoru' of se$enties<
3hich >uoru' is instituted for tra$e&in, e&ders to ear record of '!
na'e in a&& the 2or&d< 2here$er the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< '! a*ost&es<
sha&& send the' to *re*are a 2a! efore '! face#
The difference et2een this >uoru' and the >uoru' of e&ders is#
that one is to tra$e& continua&&!< and the other is to *reside o$er
the churches fro' ti'e to ti'e? the one has the res*onsii&it! of
*residin, fro' ti'e to ti'e< and the other has no res*onsii&it! of
*residin,< saith the Lord !our 5od#
And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< I ,i$e unto !ou %inson 1ni,ht< Sa'ue& R#
S'ith and Shadrach Round!< if he 2i&& recei$e it< to *reside o$er the
isho*ric? a 0no2&ed,e of said isho*ric is ,i$en unto !ou in the oo0 of
Doctrine and Co$enants#
And a,ain< I sa! unto !ou< Sa'ue& Ro&fe and his counse&ors for
*riests< and the *resident of the teachers and his counse&ors< and a&so
the *resident of the deacons and his counse&ors< and a&so the *resident of
the sta0e and his counse&ors?
The ao$e offices I ha$e ,i$en unto !ou< and the 0e!s thereof< for
he&*s and for ,o$ern'ents< for the 2or0 of the 'inistr!< and the
*erfectin, of '! Saints?
And a co''and'ent I ,i$e unto !ou that !ou shou&d fi&& a&& these
offices and a**ro$e of those na'es 2hich I ha$e 'entioned< or e&se
disa**ro$e of the' at '! ,enera& conference?
And that !e shou&d *re*are roo's for a&& these offices in '! house
2hen !ou ui&d it unto '! na'e< saith the Lord !our 5od# E$en so# A'en#
Thursda!< H7#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 3i&&ard Richards co'*&eted
the inde/ to the "oo0 of .or'on< and it 2as i''ediate&! *ut in t!*e< 2hich
c&osed the *rintin, of the first En,&ish edition#
Sunda!< H@#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, *reached t2ice at Li$er*oo& on
e&ection and re*roation#
H!ru' S'ith< 2ho recei$ed the office of )atriarch in the Church< in
*&ace of Jose*h S'ith< Sen#< deceased< has ! re$e&ation een a**ointed a
)ro*het and Re$e&ator# 3i&&ia' La2 has ! re$e&ation een a**ointed one of
the First )residenc!< in *&ace of H!ru' S'ith< a**ointed )atriarch# 5eor,e
.i&&er has een a**ointed< ! re$e&ation< "isho* in *&ace of Ed2ard
)artrid,e< deceased#
Saturda!< 9D#--At a s*ecia& conference of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-da! Saints< he&d at Nau$oo *ursuant to *u&ic notice< I 2as
unani'ous&! e&ected so&e Trustee-in-Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-da! Saints#
A&so Saturda! the 9Dth and Sunda! 97st< a Conference 2as he&d at
3a&nut 5ro$e< 1no/ count!< I&&inois? E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith *residin,? 779
'e'ers< 7@ E&ders 2ere *resent? se$era& ranches 2ere re*resented< and
se$era& *ersons a*ti4ed#
.onda!< 7#--The first e&ection in Nau$oo< for 'e'ers of the Cit!
Counci& too0 *&ace< and the fo&&o2in, *ersons 2ere e&ected ! 'a=orities
$ar!in, fro' 99D to 99M $otes? to 2it< for .a!or< John C# "ennett?
A&der'en 3i&&ia' .ar0s< Sa'ue& H# S'ith Danie& "# 3e&&s< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!?
Counci&ors< Jose*h S'ith H!ru' S'ith Sidne! Ri,don< Char&es C# Rich< John
T# "arnett< 3i&son La2< Don Car&os S'ith< John )# 5reene< %inson 1ni,ht#
CITY OF NAU%OO< HANCOC1 COUNTY< ILLINOIS< Fe# 7< A# D# 78@7# To the
Count! Recorder of the Count! of Hancoc0(
DEAR SIR(--At a 'eetin, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< at this *&ace on Saturda!< the 9Dth da! of Januar!< A# D# 78@7< I
2as e&ected so&e Trustee for said Church< to ho&d '! office durin, &ife
E'! successors to e the First )residenc! of said ChurchF and $ested 2ith
*&enar! *o2ers< as so&e Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints< to recei$e< ac>uire< 'ana,e or con$e! *ro*ert!< rea&<
*ersona&< or 'i/ed< for the so&e use and enefit of said Church< a,reea&!
to the *ro$isions of an act entit&ed< -An Act Concernin, Re&i,ious
Societies<- a**ro$ed Feruar! :< 789G# JOSE)H S.ITH< EL# S#F
STATE OF ILLINOIS HANCOC1 CO#< ss# This da! *ersona&&! a**eared
efore 'e< Danie& H# 3e&&s< a =ustice of the *eace< 2ithin and for the
count! of Hancoc0< Count! aforesaid< Isaac 5a&&and< Roert "# Tho'*son<
and John C# "ennett< 2ho ein, du&! s2orn< de*ose and sa! that the
fore,oin, certificate of Jose*h S'ith is true# ISAAC 5ALLAND< RO"ERT "#
THO.)SON JOHN C# "ENNETT#
S2orn to and suscried this third da! of Feruar! in the !ear of our
Lord one thousand ei,ht hundred and fort!-one efore 'e< DANIEL H# 3ELLS<
Justice of the )eace#
The ao$e is recorded in the count! records at Cartha,e< in oo0 No#
7< of "onds and .ort,a,es< *a,e NG< No# 8M#
3ednesda! 9#--E&der Ta!&or re*orts 7:D a*ti4ed in Li$er*oo&<
En,&and? in Ire&and aout HG? in the Is&e of .an< MD? Ha2arden< 9D# E&der
Loren4o Sno2 is &aorin, in London#
The Cit! Counci& of Nau$oo 2as or,ani4ed? the o*enin, *ra!er 2as
offered ! '!se&f< after 2hich the .a!or-e&ect de&i$ered his inau,ura&
address as *u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons< *a,e 97:< as fo&&o2s(
INAU5URAL ADDRESS# CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< Fe# 9rd< 78@7#
5ent&e'en of the Cit! Counci&< A&der'en and Counci&&ors(
Ha$in, een e&ected to the .a!ora&t! of this cit! ! the unani'ous
suffra,e of a&& *arties and interests< I no2 enter u*on the duties
de$o&$in, u*on 'e as !our Chief .a,istrate under a dee* sense of the
res*onsii&ities of the station# I trust that the confidence re*osed in
the< ! '! fe&&o2 citi4ens< has not een 'is*&aced< and for the honor
conferred the! 2i&& acce*t '! 2ar'est senti'ents of ,ratitude# "! the
'unificence and 2ise &e,is&ation of no&e< hi,h-'inded< and *atriotic
states'en< and the ,race of 5od< 2e ha$e een &essed 2ith one of the 'ost
&iera& cor*orate acts e$er ,ranted ! a &e,is&ati$e asse'&!# As the
*residin, officer of the &a2-'a0in, de*art'ent of the 'unici*a&
,o$ern'ent< it 2i&& e e/*ected that I co''unicate to !ou< fro' ti'e to
ti'e< ! ora& or 2ritten 'essa,es< for !our de&ierati$e consideration and
action< such 'atters as 'a! su,,est the'se&$es to 'e in re&ation to the
*u&ic 2ea&? and u*on this occasion I e, &ea$e to *resent the fo&&o2in,
as 'atters of *ara'ount i'*ortance(
The H7st section of the addenda to the 79th section of the Cit!
Charter< concedes to !ou *&enar! *o2er -to ta/< restrain< *rohiit and
su**ress< ti**&in, houses< dra' sho*s<- etc#< etc#< and I no2 reco''end<
in the stron,est *ossi&e ter's< that !ou ta0e *ro'*t< stron,< and
decisi$e 'easures to -*rohiit and su**ress- a&& such esta&ish'ents# It
is true !ou ha$e the *o2er -to ta/<- or &icense and to&erate< the'< and
thus add to the cit! finances? ut I consider it 'uch etter to raise
re$enue ! an ad$a&ore' ta/ on the *ro*ert! of soer 'en< than !
&icensin, dra' sho*s< or ta/in, the si,ns of the ineriated 2orshi*ers at
the shrine of "acchus# The re$e&s of acchana&ians in the houses of
&as*he'! and noise 2i&& a&2a!s *ro$e a dis,race to a 'ora& *eo*&e# )u&ic
senti'ent 2i&& do 'uch to su**ress the $ice of inte'*erance< and its
conco'itant e$i& resu&ts? ut a'*&e e/*erience has incontro$erti&! *ro$en
that it cannot do a&&--the &a2 'ust e rou,ht to the rescue< and an
effecti$e *rohiitor! ordinance enacted# This cannot e done at a etter
ti'e than at the *resent# Let us co''ence correct&!< and the ,reat 2or0 of
refor'< at &east so far as our *eacefu& cit! is concerned< can e
su''ari&! consu''ated# It 2ou&d e difficu&t to ca&cu&ate the $ast a'ount
of e$i& and cri'e that 2ou&d e *re$ented< and the ,reat ,ood that 2ou&d
accrue to the *u&ic at &ar,e ! fosterin, the cause of te'*erance? ut
suffice it to sa! that the one 2ou&d e co''ensurate to the other# No
sa&es of s*irituous &i>uors 2hate$er< in a &ess >uantit! than a >uart<
e/ce*t in cases of sic0ness on the reco''endation of a *h!sician or
sur,eon du&! accredited ! the Chance&&or and Re,ents of the Uni$ersit!<
shou&d e to&erated# The &iert! of se&&in, the into/icatin, cu* is a
fa&se &iert!--it ens&a$es< de,rades< destro!s? and 2retchedness and 2ant
are attendant on e$er! ste*<--its touch< &i0e that of the *oison u*as< is
death# Liert! to do ,ood shou&d e cheerfu&&! and free&! accorded to
e$er! 'an? ut &iert! to do e$i&< 2hich is &icentiousness< shou&d e
*ere'*tori&! *rohiited# The *u&ic ,ood i'*erious&! de'ands it--and the
cause of hu'anit! *&eads for he&*# The *rotectin, ae,is of the cor*oration
shou&d e thro2n around e$er! 'ora& and re&i,ious institution of the da!<
2hich is in an! 2a! ca&cu&ated to enno&e< or a'e&iorate the condition of
the hu'an fa'i&!#
The i''ediate or,ani4ation of the Uni$ersit!< as conte'*&ated in the
H@th section of the act incor*oratin, our cit!< cannot e too forci&!
i'*ressed u*on !ou at this ti'e# As a&& 'atters in re&ation to 'enta&
cu&ture< and *u&ic instruction< fro' co''on schoo&s u* to the hi,hest
ranches of a fu&& co&&e,iate course in the arts< sciences< and &earned
*rofessions< 2i&& de$o&$e u*on the Chance&&or and Re,ents of the
Uni$ersit!< the! shou&d e s*eedi&! e&ected< and instructed to *erfect
their *&an< and enter u*on its e/ecution 2ith as &itt&e de&a! as *ossi&e#
The 2hee&s of education shou&d ne$er e c&o,,ed< or retro,rade< ut ro&&
*ro,ressi$e&! fro' the A&*ha to the O'e,a of a 'ost *erfect< &iera&< and
thorou,h course of uni$ersit! attain'ents# The fo&&o2in, oser$ations in
re&ation to fa&se education< fro' A&e/ander+s .essen,er< so *erfect&!
accords 2ith '! fee&in,s and $ie2s on this hi,h&! i'*ortant su=ect< that
I cannot do etter than incor*orate the' in this 'essa,e#
-A'on, the chan,es for the 2orse< 2hich the 2or&d has 2itnessed
2ithin the &ast centur!< 2e inc&ude that s*ecious< su*erficia&< inco'*&ete
2a! of doin, certain thin,s< 2hich 2ere for'er&! thou,ht to e deser$in,
of care< &aor and attention# It 2ou&d see' that a**earance is no2
considered of 'ore 'o'ent than rea&it!# The 'odern 'ode of education is an
e/a'*&e in *oint# Chi&dren are so instructed as to ac>uire a s'atterin, of
e$er!thin,< and as a 'atter of conse>uence< the! 0no2 nothin, *ro*er&!#
Se'inaries and acade'ies dea& out their 'ora& and natura& *hi&oso*h!<
their ,eo'etr!< tri,ono'etr!< and astrono'!< their che'istr!< otan!< and
'inera&o,!< unti& the 'ind of the *u*i& eco'es a chaos? and< &i0e the
sto'ach 2hen it is o$er&oaded 2ith a $ariet! of food< it di,ests nothin,<
ut con$erts the su*eraundant nutri'ent to *oison# This 'ode of education
ans2ers one *ur*ose--it ena&es *eo*&e to see' &earned? and see'in,&!< !
a ,reat 'an!< is thou,ht a&& sufficient# Thus 2e are schoo&ed in >uac0er!<
and are ear&! tau,ht to re,ard sho2! and su*erficia& attain'ents as 'ost
desira&e# E$er! oardin, schoo& .iss is a )&ato in *etticoats< 2ithout an
ounce of that ,enuine 0no2&ed,e< that true *hi&oso*h!< 2hich 2ou&d ena&e
her to e usefu& in the 2or&d< and to esca*e those *eri&s 2ith 2hich she
'ust necessari&! e enco'*assed# Youn, *eo*&e are tau,ht to use a $ariet!
of hard ter's< 2hich the! understand ut i'*erfect&!--to re*eat &essons
2hich the! are una&e to a**&!--to astonish their ,rand'others 2ith a
dis*&a! of their *arrot-&i0e ac>uisitions? ut their 'enta& ener,ies are
c&o,,ed and tor*ified 2ith a $ariet! of &earned &u'er< 'ost of 2hich is
discarded fro' the rain &on, efore its *ossessor 0no2s ho2 to use it#
This is the >uac0er! of education#
-The effects of the errin, s!ste' are not easi&! o&iterated# The
hait of usin, 2ords 2ithout thou,ht< stic0s to the unfortunate student
throu,h &ife< and shou&d he e$er &earn to thin0< he cannot e/*ress his
ideas 2ithout the 'ost tedious and *er*&e/in, $erosit!# This is< 'ore or
&ess< the fau&t of e$er! 2riter in the nineteenth centur!# The sense is
encu'ered 2ith sound# The scri&er a**ears to i'a,ine that if he *uts a
sufficient nu'er of 2ords to,ether he has done his *art? and< a&asK ho2
'an! oo0s are 2ritten on this *rinci*&e# Thus &iterature< and e$en
science itse&f< is o$er&oaded 2ith froth and f&u''er!# %era&i4in, has
eco'e fashiona&e and indis*ensa&e< and one &ine fro' an ancient author
2i&& furnish the 'ateria&s for a 'odern treatise#-
Our Uni$ersit! shou&d e a -uti&itarian- institution--and co'*etent<
industrious teachers and *rofessors shou&d e i''ediate&! e&ected for the
se$era& de*art'ents# -1no2&ed,e is *o2er<---foster education and 2e are
fore$er freeK Nothin, can e done 2hich is 'ore certain&! ca&cu&ated to
*er*etuate the free institutions of our co''on countr!< for 2hich our
*ro,enitors -fou,ht and &ed< and died#- than the ,enera& diffusion of
usefu& 0no2&ed,e a'on,st the *eo*&e# Education shou&d a&2a!s e of a
*ure&! *ractica& character< for such< and such a&one< is ca&cu&ated to
*erfect the ha**iness and *ros*erit! of our fe&&o2-citi4ens--i,norance<
i'*udence< and fa&se 0no2&ed,e< are e>ua&&! detesta&e<--sha'e and
confusion fo&&o2 in their train# As !ou no2 *ossess the *o2er< afford the
'ost a'*&e faci&ities to the Re,ents to 'a0e their *&ans co'*&ete? and
thus ena&e the' to set a ,&orious e/a'*&e to the 2or&d at &ar,e# The 'ost
&iera& *o&ic! shou&d attend the or,ani4ation of the Uni$ersit!< and e>ua&
honors and *ri$i&e,es shou&d e e/tended to a&& c&asses of the co''unit!#
In order to carr! out the *ro$isions of the HGth section of the act
incor*oratin, our cit!< I 2ou&d reco''end the i''ediate or,ani4ation of
the Le,ion# Co'*risin,< as it does< the entire 'i&itar! *o2er of our cit!<
2ith a *ro$ision a&&o2in, an! citi4en of Hancoc0 count! to unite !
$o&untar! enro&&'ent< ear&! faci&ities shou&d e afforded the court
'artia& for *erfectin, their *&ans of dri&&< ru&es< and re,u&ations#
Nothin, is 'ore necessar! to the *reser$ation of order and the su*re'ac!
of the &a2s< than the *erfect or,ani4ation of our 'i&itar! forces< under a
unifor' and ri,id disci*&ine and a**ro$ed =udicious dri&&? and to this end
I desire to see a&& the de*art'ents and cohorts of the Le,ion *ut in
i''ediate re>uisition# The Le,ion shou&d e a&& *o2erfu&< *ano*&ied 2ith
=ustice and e>uit!< to consu''ate the desi,ns of its *ro=ectors--at a&&
ti'es read!< as 'inute 'en< to ser$e the state in such 2a! and 'anner as
'a!< fro' ti'e to ti'e< e *ointed out ! the 5o$ernor# You ha$e &on,
sou,ht an o**ortunit! of sho2in, !our attach'ent to the state ,o$ern'ent
of I&&inois--it is no2 afforded? the Le,ion shou&d 'aintain the
constitution and the &a2s< and e read! at a&& ti'es for the *u&ic
defense# The 2in,ed 2arrior of the air *erches u*on the *o&e of A'erican
&iert!< and the east that has the te'erit! to ruff&e her feathers shou&d
e 'ade to fee& the *o2er of her ta&ons? and unti& she ceases to e our
*roud nationa& e'&e' 2e shou&d not cease to sho2 our attach'ent to
I&&inois# Shou&d the tocsin of a&ar' e$er e sounded< and the Le,ion
ca&&ed to the tented fie&d ! our E/ecuti$e< I ho*e to see it a&e< under
one of the *roudest 'ottoes that e$er &a4ed u*on a 2arrior+s
shie&d--Sicut *atrius sit Deus nois? -as 5od 2as 2ith our fathers< so
'a! He e 2ith us---to fi,ht the att&es of our countr!< as $ictors< and
as free'en? the =uice of the u$a< or the s*irit of insuordination shou&d
ne$er enter our ca'*<--ut 2e shou&d stand< e$er stand< as a united
*eo*&e--one and indi$isi&e#
I 2ou&d earnest&! reco''end the construction of a 2in,-da' in the
.ississi**i< at the 'outh of the ra$ine at or near the head of .ain
street< and the e/ca$ation of a shi* cana& fro' that *oint to a *oint
ter'inatin, in a ,rand reser$oir on the an0 of said ri$er< east of the
foot of said street< a distance of aout t2o 'i&es# This 2ou&d afford< at
the $arious out&ets< the 'ost a'*&e 2ater *o2er for *ro*e&&in, an! a'ount
of 'achiner! for 'i&& and 'anufacturin, *ur*oses< so essentia&&! necessar!
to the ui&din, u* of a ,reat co''ercia& cit! in the heart of one of the
'ost *roducti$e and de&i,htfu& countries on earth# I 2ou&d ad$ise that an
a,ent e i''ediate&! a**ointed on eha&f of the cit! cor*oration< to
ne,otiate 2ith eastern ca*ita&ists for the co'*&etion of this ,reat 2or0<
on the 'ost ad$anta,eous ter's< e$en to the con$e!ance of the *ri$i&e,e
for a ter' of !ears# This 2or0 finished< and the future ,reatness of this
cit! is *&aced u*on an i'*erisha&e asis# In addition to the ,reat
ad$anta,es that 2i&& other2ise accrue to the cit! and countr! ! the
construction of this no&e 2or0< it 2ou&d afford the est haror for
stea'oats< for 2inter >uarters< on this 'a,nificent strea'#
The *u&ic hea&th re>uires that the &o2 &ands< orderin, on the
.ississi**i< shou&d e i''ediate&! drained< and the entire ti'er re'o$ed#
This can and 2i&& e one of the 'ost hea&thfu& cities in the 2est<
*ro$ided !ou ta0e *ro'*t and decisi$e action in the *re'ises# A oard of
hea&th shou&d e a**ointed and $ested 2ith the usua& *o2ers and
*rero,ati$es#
The 5o$ernor< counci& of re$ision< and &e,is&ature of I&&inois<
shou&d e he&d in e$er&astin, re'e'rance ! our *eo*&e--the! urst the
chains of s&a$er! and *roc&ai'ed us fore$er freeK A $ote of than0s<
couched in the stron,est &an,ua,e *ossi&e< shou&d e tendered the' in our
cor*orate ca*acit!? and< 2hen this is done< Auinc!< our first no&e cit!
of refu,e< 2hen 2e ca'e fro' the s&au,hter in .issouri 2ith our ,ar'ents
stained 2ith &ood< shou&d not e for,otten#
As the Chief .a,istrate of !our cit! I a' deter'ined to e/ecute a&&
state &a2s and cit! ordinances *assed in *ursuance to &a2< to the $er!
&etter< shou&d it re>uire the stron, ar' of 'i&itar! *o2er to ena&e 'e to
do so# As an officer I 0no2 no 'an? the *eacefu&< unoffendin, in the fu&&
e/ercise of a&& his ci$i&< *o&itica&< and re&i,ious ri,hts< and the ,ui&t!
$io&ator of &a2 sha&& e *unished< 2ithout res*ect to *ersons#
A&& of 2hich is res*ectfu&&! su'itted# JOHN C# "ENNETT#
The fo&&o2in, *ersons 2ere e&ected ! the counci& to their offices<
to-2it--Henr! 5# Sher2ood< 'arsha&? Ja'es S&oan< recorder? Roert "#
Tho'*son< treasurer? Ja'es Roinson< assessor? Austin Co2&es< su*er$isor
of streets# I *resented to the cit! counci& the fo&&o2in, reso&ution<
2hich 2as unani'ous&! ado*ted(
Reso&$ed * the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo< that the
unfei,ned than0s of this co''unit! e res*ectfu&&! tendered to the
5o$ernor< Counci& of Re$ision< and Le,is&ature of the state of I&&inois<
as a fee&e testi'onia& of their res*ect and estee' for no&e<
hi,h-'inded< and *atriotic states'en? and as an e$idence of ,ratitude for
the si,na& *o2ers recent&! conferred? a&so that the citi4ens of Auinc! e
he&d in e$er&astin, re'e'rance< for their un*ara&&e&ed &iera&it! and
'ar0ed 0indness to our *eo*&e< 2hen in their ,reatest state of sufferin,
and 2ant#
I *resented a i&& for an ordinance concernin, the Uni$ersit! of
Nau$oo< 2hich *assed as fo&&o2s(
Sec# 7 "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo< that
the -Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo<- e< and the sa'e is here!
or,ani4ed ! the a**oint'ent of the fo&&o2in, "oard of Trustees<
to-2it--John C# "ennett< chance&&or? 3i&&ia' La2< re,istrar? and Jose*h
S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don# H!ru' S'ith< 3i&&ia' .ar0s< Sa'ue& H# S'ith< Danie&
H# 3e&&s< Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!< Char&es C# Rich< John T# "arnett< 3i&son La2<
Don Car&os S'ith< John )# 5reene< %inson 1ni,ht< Isaac 5a&&and< E&ias
Hi,ee< Roert D# Foster< Ja'es Ada's< Roert "# Tho'*son< Sa'ue& "ennett<
Eene4er Roinson< John Snider< 5eor,e .i&&er< and Lenos .# 1ni,ht<
Re,ents of the -Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo?- as conte'*&ated in the
H@th section of -An Act to incor*orate the Cit! of Nau$oo<- a**ro$ed
Dece'er 7:< 78@D#
Sec# H# The oard na'ed in the first section of this ordinance< sha&&
ho&d its first 'eetin, at the office of Jose*h S'ith< on Tuesda!< the Nth
da! of Feruar!< 78@7< at H o+c&oc0 *#'#
)assed Feruar! 9< 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN<
Recorder#
I a&so *resented a i&& for an ordinance or,ani4in, the Nau$oo
Le,ion< 2hich *assed the sa'e da!< as fo&&o2s(
Sec# 7# "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
that the inhaitants of the Cit! of Nau$oo< and such citi4ens of Hancoc0
count! as 'a! unite ! $o&untar! enro&&'ent< e< and the! are here!
or,ani4ed into a od! of inde*endent 'i&itar! 'en< to e ca&&ed the
-Nau$oo Le,ion<- as conte'*&ated in the HGth section of -An Act to
incor*orate the Cit! of Nau$oo<- a**ro$ed Dece'er 7:< 78@D#
Sec# H# The Le,ion sha&& e< and is here! di$ided into t2o cohorts?
the horse troo*s to constitute the first cohort< and the foot troo*s to
constitute the second cohort#
Sec# 9# The ,enera& officers of the Le,ion sha&& consist of a
&ieutenant-,enera&< as the chief co''andin, and re$ie2in, officer< and
*resident of the court 'artia& and Le,ion? a 'a=or-,enera&< as the second
in co''and in the Le,ion< the secretar! of the court 'artia& and Le,ion<
and ad=utant and ins*ector-,enera&? a ri,adier-,enera&< as the co''ander
of the first cohort? and ri,adier-,enera&< as co''ander of the second
cohort#
Sec# @# The staff of the &ieutenant-,enera& sha&& consist of t2o
*rinci*a& aids-de-ca'*< 2ith the ran0 of co&one&s of ca$a&r!? and a ,uard
of t2e&$e aids-de-ca'*< 2ith the ran0 of ca*tain of infantr!? and a dri&&
officer< 2ith the ran0 of co&one& of dra,oons< 2ho sha&& &i0e2ise e the
chief officer of the ,uard#
Sec# G# The staff of the 'a=or-,enera& sha&& consist of an ad=utant<
a sur,eon-in-chief< a cornet< a >uarter-'aster< a *a!'aster< a co''issar!<
and a cha*&ain< 2ith the ran0 of co&one&s of infantr!? a sur,eon for each
cohort< a >uarter-'aster-ser,eant< ser,eant-'a=or< and chief 'usician<
2ith the ran0 of ca*tains of &i,ht infantr!< and t2o 'usicians< 2ith the
ran0 of ca*tains of infantr!#
Sec# :# The staff of each ri,adier-,enera& sha&& consist of one
aid-de-ca'*< 2ith the ran0 of &ieutenant-co&one& of infantr!< *ro$ided
that the said ri,adiers sha&& ha$e access to the staff of the
'a=or-,enera&< 2hen not other2ise in ser$ice#
Sec# M# No officer sha&& hereafter e e&ected ! the $arious
co'*anies of the Le,ion< e/ce*t u*on the no'ination of the court-'artia&?
and it is here! 'ade the dut! of the court-'artia& to no'inate at &east
t2o candidates for each $acant office< 2hene$er such $acancies occur#
Sec# 8# The court-'artia& sha&& fi&& and su**&! a&& offices ran0in,
et2een ca*tains and ri,adier-,enera&s ! ,rantin, re$et co''issions to
the 'ost 2orth! co'*an! officers of the &ine< 2ho sha&& thereafter ta0e
ran0< and co''and accordin, to the date of their re$ets< *ro$ided that
their ori,ina& *&ace in the &ine sha&& not there! e $acated#
Sec# N# The court-'artia&< consistin, of a&& the 'i&itar! officers<
co''issioned or entit&ed to co''issions< 2ithin the &i'its of the cit!
cor*oration< sha&& 'eet at the office of Jose*h S'ith< on Thursda!< the
@th da! of Feruar!< 78@7< at 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#? and then and there *roceed
to e&ect the ,enera& officers of the Le,ion< as conte'*&ated in the 9rd
section of this ordinance#
Sec# 7D# The court-'artia& sha&& ado*t for the Le,ion< as near&! as
'a! e< and so far as a**&ica&e< the disci*&ine< dri&&< unifor'< ru&e<
and re,u&ations of the United States ar'!# )assed Feruar! S< 78@7# JOHN
C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN< Recorder#
Jose*h S'ith< H!ru' S'ith< Don C# S'ith< and Char&es C# Rich 2ere
du&! s2orn as 'e'ers of the Cit! Counci&#
The fo&&o2in, addition has een 'ade to the Charter of the Nau$oo
Le,ion ! the &e,is&ature--
An! citi4en of Hancoc0 count! 'a!< ! $o&untar! enro&&'ent< attach
hi'se&f to the Nau$oo Le,ion< 2ith a&& the *ri$i&e,es< 2hich a**ertain to
that inde*endent 'i&itar! od!#
I ,a$e a ,enera& in$itation to '! friends to enro&& the'se&$es< so as
to ha$e a *erfect or,ani4ation ! the fourth of Ju&!# I 2as a**ointed
chair'an of se$era& co''ittees< $i4( -On the Cana&<- -For %acatin, the
To2n of Co''erce<- -%endin, S*irituous Li>uors<- -Code of Cit! Ordinances<
-"oard of Hea&th<- Pc# Counci& ad=ourned
Thursda!< @#
.inutes of the .eetin, 2hich Or,ani4ed the Nau$oo Le,ion#
)ursuant to an ordinance of the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
entit&ed< -An ordinance or,ani4in, the Nau$oo Le,ion<- *assed Feruar! 9<
78@7< a court-'artia&< co'*osed of the co''issioned officers of the
'i&itia of the state of I&&inois< 2ithin the cit! of Nau$oo< asse'&ed at
the office of Jose*h S'ith< on Thursda! at 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#< the @th da! of
Feruar!< 78@7( *resent--John C# "ennett< >uarter-'aster ,enera& of the
state of I&&inois? Lieutenant-Co&one& Don Car&os S'ith? Ca*tains Char&es
C# Rich< 3i&son La2< A&ert )# Roc02ood< 3i&&ia' La2< Titus "i&&in,s<
Ste*hen .ar0ha'? first &ieutenants< Francis .# Hi,ee< John T# "arnett<
John D# )ar0er< "en=a'in S# 3i&er< A'os Da$is? second &ieutenants< Chanc!
L# Hi,ee< Ne&son Hi,,ins< Da$id H# Redfie&d< Hosea Stout< Ste*hen
3inchester< Tho'as Rich? third &ieutenants< John C# Annis< and A&e/ander
"ad&a'# The court 2as ca&&ed to order ! 5enera& "ennett# On 'otion<
Jose*h S'ith and Hu,h .cFa&& 2ere re>uested to sit in the court# The
court-'artia& then *roceeded to the e&ection of the ,enera& officers of
the Le,ion? 2hereu*on Jose*h S'ith 2as du&! e&ected &ieutenant-,enera& of
the Nau$oo Le,ion< and John C# "ennett< 'a=or-,enera&# Co&one& 3i&son La2
2as e&ected ri,adier-,enera& of the first cohort< and Lieutenant- Co&one&
Don Car&os S'ith ri,adier-,enera& of the second cohort< ! unani'ous $ote
of the court-'artia&# Lieutenant-,enera& Jose*h S'ith< after ein, du&!
s2orn into office< a**ointed the fo&&o2in, na'ed *ersons for his staff<
to-2it--Ca*tain A# )# Roc02ood to e dri&& officer? Ca*tains 3i&&ia' La2
and Roert "# Tho'*son< aids-de-ca'*? and Ja'es A&&red< Tho'as 5ro$er< C#
.# 1re!'e!er< John L# "ut&er< John Snider< A&*heus Cut&er< Re!no&ds
Cahoon< E&ias Hi,ee< Henr! 5# Sher2ood< Shadrac0 Round!< Sa'ue& H# S'ith<
and %inson 1ni,ht< ,uards< and assistant aids-de-ca'*# The Le,ion< at its
or,ani4ation< 2as co'*osed of si/ co'*anies#
Frida!< G#--E&der Reuen Hed&oc0 is &aorin, in 5&as,o2< Scot&and#
The Church in that *&ace nu'ers GG< and the s*irit of en>uir! increases#
Saturda!< :# .inutes of a Counci& at "rother Richard Harrison+s< MH
"ur&in,ton Street< Li$er*oo&< for or,ani4in, a co'*an! of Saints ,oin, to
Ne2 Or&eans on the shi* -Sheffie&d<- Ca*tain )orter#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< 3i&&ard Richards< John Ta!&or< and other
officers< *resent# E&der H!ru' C&ar0 2as chosen *resident< and Tho'as
3a&'s&e!< .i&es Ro'ne!< Ed2ard .artin< John Ta!&or< Francis C&ar0< and
John Ri&e!< counse&ors to )resident C&ar0# Ed2ard .artin< c&er0 and
historian# )eter .au,han and John Ta!&or 2ere ordained E&ders# )resident
C&ar0 and his counse&ors 2ere &essed and set a*art for their 'ission#
Sunda!< M#--Shi* Sheffie&d sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& 2ith H9G Saints#
.onda!< 8#--Le$i Richards 2rites fro' Lu,2ardine--To the Editor of
the Star(
Since Stan&e! Hi&& conference< I ha$e attended aout thirt! counci&
'eetin,s of Church officers< in e&e$en different *&aces in Herefordshire<
5&oucestershire< and 3orcestershire< 'a0in, a circuit of near&! one
hundred 'i&es# Union and har'on! *re$ai& a'on, the'< and a dis*osition to
add to their faith# Ne2 *&aces are fre>uent&! o*ened for *reachin,< 2hich
is ,enera&&! su**&ied# .an! are a*ti4ed e$er! 2ee0< a&thou,h the ice has
to !ie&d its natura& c&ai's< and e *ut aside# The ,ift of hea&in, is
'anifested to >uite an e/tent in this re,ion# The ,ift of ton,ues is
recei$ed in 'ost of the ranches 2here I a' ac>uainted# The s*irit of
*ersecution is not !et 2ho&&! cast out of the 2or&d( for recent&!
*reachin, 2as he&d for the first ti'e in )endoc0 *arish< ei,ht 'i&es fro'
Ledur!< 2hen a con,re,ation< res*ecta&e in nu'ers and a**earance< 2ere
co'*e&&ed to retire *re'ature&!< in conse>uence of the >uantit! of ,ra$e&
thro2n u*on the roof and a,ainst the 2indo2s# The 'o 2ere nu'erous< and
*e&ted the Saints on their 2a! ho'e 2ith 'ud# The 'eetin, 2as he&d at the
sho* of a trades'an< 2ho had een c&er0 of the *arish< ut 2as so
fortunate as to oe! the 5os*e&< and e turned out of his ste2ardshi*? and
his 2ife 2as dis'issed fro' her schoo&< for the sa'e reason< ! the *arson
of the *arish# .ore or &ess of the Saints are turned out of e'*&o!< and
out of their houses< for oe!in, the 5os*e&#
Cit! Counci& 'et accordin, to ad=ourn'ent and o*ened ! *ra!er< 2hich
2as 'ade a standin, ru&e of the counci&# I re*orted a i&& for the sur$e!
of a cana& throu,h the cit!< 2hich 2as acce*ted? and I 2as a**ointed to
contract for its sur$e!# I a&so re*orted a i&& for an ordinance on
te'*erance< 2hich 2as read and &aid o$er#
3ednesda!< 7D#--E&der Ja'es "urnha' 2rites fro' O$erton< F&intshire<
North 3a&es--
I ha$e or,ani4ed t2o ranches< 2ith aout 7GD 'e'ers? and 2e are
continua&&! a*ti4in,< 2hether it e co&d or hot# There is ,reat
o**osition#
Thursda!< 77#--E&ders Youn,< Richards< and Ta!&or< in counci& at MH
"ur&in,ton Street< Li$er*oo&< set a*art< ! the &a!in, on of hands< E&der
Danie& "ro2ett< to ta0e char,e of a co'*an! of Saints< aout to sai& for
Ne2 Or&eans on shi* Echo< Ca*tain 3ood ? and John Cheese< Da$id 3i&din,<
Ja'es La$ender< 3i&&ia' Jen0ins< Roert Harris< and John E&&ison< to e
his counse&ors# Roert Harris 2as ordained an E&der< and E&der "ro2ett 2as
a**ointed c&er0 and historian of the co'*an!#
Saturda!< 79#--E&der Orson H!de sai&ed fro' Ne2 Yor0 for Li$er*oo&<
on his 2a! to Jerusa&e'< acco'*anied ! E&der 5eor,e J# Ada's#
Sunda!< 7@# .inutes of the London Conference#
A conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints 2as
he&d at "arrett+s Acade'!< GM 1in, S>uare< 5os2e&& Road< London< on
Sunda!< the 7@th of Feruar!< 78@7< there ein, *resent--E&ders Heer C#
1i'a&&< 3i&ford 3oodruff< Loren4o Sno2< 3i&&ia' )itt< and four )riests#
The 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order ! E&der 1i'a&& at 9 o+c&oc0 *#'## .o$ed
! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded ! E&der )itt< that E&der 3oodruff e *resident
of this conference? carried unani'ous&!# .o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< seconded
! E&der 3oodruff< that Dr# 3# Co*e&and e c&er0? carried unani'ous&!# The
'eetin, o*ened ! E&der 1i'a&& 2ith *ra!er and sin,in,# The *resident
then ca&&ed u*on the officia& 'e'ers to re*resent their res*ecti$e
ranches# The church at I*s2ich 2as re*resented ! E&der )itt< as
consistin, of t2e&$e 'e'ers< one E&der< one )riest< and one Teacher# The
church at "edford 2as re*resented ! Roert 3i&&ia's< )riest< as
consistin, of fort!-t2o 'e'ers< one )riest< se$en 'o$ed< t2o died# The
church at 3oo&2ich 2as re*resented ! John 5riffith< )riest< as consistin,
of si/ 'e'ers< one )riest# The church in London 2as re*resented ! E&der
1i'a&& as consistin, of fort!-si/ 'e'ers< one E&der< t2o )riests(
e/ce&&ent *ros*ects of a continued increase# Ja'es A&&en 2as ordained an
E&der< and Tho'as "arnes a )riest# Roert 3i&&ia's 2as ordained an E&der<
to *reside o$er the ranch at "edford? and 3i&&ia' S'ith and John
Sheffie&d 2ere ordained )riests# Richard "ates 2as ordained a )riest< in
the ranch of 3oo&2ich< and A# )ainter a Teacher--a&& under the hands of
E&ders 1i'a&&< 3oodruff and Sno2# It 2as then 'o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&<
seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that E&der Sno2 e a**ointed *resident of this
Ithe 3oo&2ichJ conference< a&so to ta0e the su*erintendenc! of the ranch
in London# .uch $a&ua&e instruction 2as ,i$en ! E&ders 1i'a&& and
3oodruff in re&ation to the duties of the officia& 'e'ers# It 2as then
'o$ed ! E&der 1i'a&&< and seconded ! E&der Sno2< that this conference
e ad=ourned to Sunda!< 7:th of .a!< 78@7# The conference 2as then c&osed
at ha&f-*ast fi$e< ! sin,in, and *ra!er# DR# 3# CO)ELAND< C&er0#
.onda!< 7G#--As chair'an of the co''ittee Ion the $endin, of
s*irituous &i>uorsJ I re*orted a i&& to the Cit!
Counci&< 2hich< after a &on, discussion< *assed into -An ordinance in
re&ation to te'*erance#-
ORDINANCE#
Sec# 7# "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
that a&& *ersons and esta&ish'ents 2hate$er< in this cit!< are *rohiited
fro' $endin, 2his0! in a &ess >uantit! than a ,a&&on< or other s*irituous
&i>uors in a &ess >uantit! than a >uart< to an! *erson 2hate$er< e/ce*tin,
on the reco''endation of a *h!sician< du&! accredited in 2ritin,< ! the
Chance&&or and Re,ents of the Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo? and an!
*erson ,ui&t! of an! act contrar! to the *rohiition contained in this
ordinance< sha&&< on con$iction thereof efore the .a!or or 'unici*a&
court< e fined in an! su' not e/ceedin, t2ent!-fi$e do&&ars< at the
discretion of said .a!or or 'unici*a& court? and an! *erson or *ersons 2ho
sha&& atte'*t to e$ade this ordinance ! ,i$in, a2a! &i>uor< or ! an!
other 'eans< sha&& e considered a&i0e a'ena&e< and fined as aforesaid#
)assed Feruar! 7G< 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN<
Recorder#
In the discussion of the fore,oin, i&&< I s*o0e at ,reat &en,th on
the use of &i>uors< and sho2ed that the! 2ere unnecessar!< and o*erate as
a *oison in the sto'ach< and that roots and hers can e found to effect
a&& necessar! *ur*oses#
Tuesda!< 7:#
.issouri+s -3hite-2ashin,#-
Reso&$ed ! the Senate Iof the state of .issouriJ< the House of
Re*resentati$es concurrin,< that t2o thousand co*ies of the e$idence ta0en
efore the e/a'inin, court in re&ation to -.or'on- difficu&ties< and such
of the &etters< orders< and corres*ondence on that su=ect< on fi&e in the
office of the secretar! of state< as 'a! e se&ected ! a =oint co''ittee
of the t2o houses< sha&& e *u&ished in *a'*h&et for'< under the
direction of the secretar! of state? that one co*!< in &ieu of the
'anuscri*t co*ies< heretofore ordered< e sent to our de&e,ation in
Con,ress< to e &aid efore the House to 2hich the! res*ecti$e&! e&on,<
one to each 'e'er of Con,ress< and the residue e distriuted a'on, the
.or'ons of the ,enera& asse'&!#
A**ro$ed Feruar! 7:< 78@7#
Is this .issouri+s &ast stru,,&e to retrie$e her &ost character to
*u&ish to the 2or&d a one-sided state'ent of her roeries< 'urders< and
e/ter'ination 2hich she had co''itted 2ithout *ro$ocation< at a ti'e 2hen
not one Saint 2as &eft in .issouri to te&& the truth aout the'B
The shi* Echo sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& for Ne2 Or&eans< 2ith 7DN Saints<
&ed ! Danie& "ro2ett#
Saturda!< HD#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, 2ent to Har2arden and *reached
t2ice on Sunda!#
E&ders 3i&&ia' 1a! and Tho'as Richardson introduced the 5os*e& into
the Cit! of Hereford#
The court-'artia& of the Nau$oo Le,ion< ! a unani'ous $ote< ado*ted
the fo&&o2in, reso&utions< to-2it--
Le,ion Reso&utions#
That no *erson 2hate$er< residin, 2ithin the &i'its of the Cit! of
Nau$oo< et2een the a,es of 78 and @G !ears< e/ce*tin, such as are
e/e'*ted ! the &a2s of the United States< sha&& e e/e'*t fro' 'i&itar!
dut!< un&ess e/e'*ted ! a s*ecia& act of this court? and the fines for
ne,&ectin, or refusin, to a**ear on the da!s of ,enera& *arade 2ere fi/ed
at the fo&&o2in, rates( for ,enera&s< RHG? co&one&s< RHD? ca*tains< R7G?
&ieutenants< R7D? and 'usicians and *ri$ates< RG? and for co'*an! *arade
at the fo&&o2in, rates--for co''issioned officers< RG? non-co''issioned
officers< R9? 'usicians and *ri$ates< RH# The 7st and :th of A*ri&< and
the 9rd of Ju&!< 2ere fi/ed u*on as da!s for ,enera& *arade for this !ear#
Ordered that Ed2ard )# Du4ette en&ist and or,ani4e a and of 'usic<
not e/ceedin, t2ent! 'en# It 2as a&so re*orted that John Scott had een
e&ected ca*tain in the *&ace of 3i&&ia' La2< and Lieutenant Hosea Stout in
the *&ace of A&ert )# Roc02ood< 2ho has een *ro'oted#
.onda!< HH#--I &aid efore the Cit! Counci& the fo&&o2in,--
RESOLUTION#
Reso&$ed ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo< that the freedo'
of the cit! e< and the sa'e here! is< conferred on the *resent 5o$ernor<
&ieutenant-,o$ernor< counci& of re$ision< and 'e'ers of oth houses of
the ,enera& asse'&!< of the state of I&&inois< as an e$idence of our
,ratitude for their ,reat &iera&it! and 0indness to this co''unit!<
durin, the *resent 2inter< 2hich 2as ado*ted unani'ous&!#
I a&so *resented the fo&&o2in, i&& for -An ordinance in re&ation to
the Uni$ersit!#-
ORDINANCE#
Sec# 7# "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
that a&& 'atters and *o2ers 2hate$er in re&ation to co''on schoo&s< and
a&& other institutions of &earnin, 2ithin the Cit! of Nau$oo e< and the
sa'e here! are transferred fro' the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
to the chance&&or and re,ents of the Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo#
)assed Feruar! HH< 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN<
Recorder#
Tuesda!< H9#--E&der 1in,ton 2rites fro' "risto&< En,&and< that ei,ht
ha$e een a*ti4ed in that *&ace#
AN ACT TO INCOR)ORATE THE NAU%OO HOUSE ASSOCIATION#
Sec# 7# "e it enacted ! the *eo*&e of the state of I&&inois<
re*resented in the ,enera& asse'&!< that 5eor,e .i&&er< L!'an 3i,ht< John
Snider< and )eter Ha2s< and their associates< are here! dec&ared a od!
cor*orate< under the na'e and st!&e of the -Nau$oo House Association?- and
the! are here! authori4ed to erect and furnish a *u&ic house of
entertain'ent< to e ca&&ed the -Nau$oo House#-
Sec# H# The ao$e-na'ed 5eor,e .i&&er< L!'an 3i,ht< John Snider< and
)eter Ha2s< and their associates< are here! dec&ared to e the trustees
of the association< 2ith fu&& *o2er and authorit! to ho&d in =oint
tenanc!< ! the'se&$es and their successors in office< a certain &ot in
the Cit! of Nau$oo< in the count! of Hancoc0< and state of I&&inois< 0no2n
and desi,nated on the *&at of said cit!< as the south ha&f of &ot nu'ered
fift!-si/# for the *ur*ose of erectin, thereon the house conte'*&ated in
the first section of this act#
Sec# 9# The said trustees are further authori4ed and e'*o2ered to
otain ! stoc0 suscri*tion< ! the'se&$es or their du&! authori4ed
a,ents< the su' of one hundred and fift! thousand do&&ars< 2hich sha&& e
di$ided into shares of fift! do&&ars each#
Sec# @# No indi$idua& sha&& e *er'itted to ho&d 'ore than three
hundred< nor &ess than one share of stoc0< and certificates of stoc0 sha&&
e de&i$ered to suscriers< so soon as their suscri*tions are *aid in
and not efore#
Sec# G# As soon as the conte'*&ated house sha&& ha$e een co'*&eted
and furnished< the stoc0ho&ders sha&& a**oint such a,ents as the trustees
'a! dee' necessar! in the 'ana,e'ent of the affairs of said association#
Sec# :# The trustees sha&& ha$e *o2er to sue and e sued< *&ead and
e i'*&eaded in an! court in this state< in the na'e and st!&e of the
-Trustees of the Nau$oo House Association#-
Sec# M# The! sha&& a&so ta0e the ,enera& care and su*er$ision in
*rocurin, 'ateria&s for said house< and constructin, and erectin, the
sa'e< and further to su*erintend its ,enera& 'ana,e'ent< and to do and
*erfor' a&& 'atters and thin,s 2hich 'a! e necessar! to e done< in order
to secure the interest and *ro'ote the o=ects of this association#
Sec# 8# This association sha&& continue t2ent! !ears fro' the *assa,e
of this act< and the house herein *ro$ided for sha&& e 0e*t for the
acco''odation of stran,ers< tra$e&ers< and a&& other *ersons 2ho 'a!
resort therein for rest and refresh'ent#
Sec# N# It is 'oreo$er esta&ished as a *er*etua& ru&e of said house<
to e oser$ed ! a&& *ersons 2ho 'a! 0ee* or occu*! the sa'e that
s*irituous &i>uors of e$er! descri*tion are *rohiited< and that such
&i>uor sha&& ne$er e $ended as a e$era,e< or introduced into co''on use<
in said house#
Sec# 7D# And 2hereas Jose*h S'ith has furnished the said association
2ith the ,round 2hereon to erect said house< it is further dec&ared that
the said S'ith and his heirs sha&& ho&d< ! *er*etua& succession< a suite
of roo's in the said house< to e set a*art and con$e!ed in due for' of
&a2 to hi' and his heirs ! the said trustees< as soon as the sa'e are
co'*&eted#
Sec# 77# The "oard of Trustees sha&& a**oint one of their nu'er as
*resident thereof#
A**ro$ed Feruar! H9< 78@7# THO.AS CARLIN< 5o$ernor# 3# L# D# E3IN5<
S*ea0er of the House of Re*resentati$es# S#H# ANDERSON< S*ea0er of the
Senate#
State of I&&inois< Office of Secretar! of State< s#s#
I< Ste*hen A# Dou,&as< Secretar! of State< do here! certif! the
fore,oin, to e a true and *erfect co*! of the enro&&ed &a2 on fi&e in '!
office#
3itness '! hand and the sea& of State# S*rin,fie&d< Feruar! H@< A#
D# 78@7# ISEAL#J S# A# DOU5LAS< Secretar! of State#
AN ACT TO INCOR)ORATE THE NAU%OO A5RICULTURAL AND .ANUFACTURIN5
ASSOCIATION IN THE COUNTY OF HANCOC1#
Sec# 7# "e it enacted ! the *eo*&e of the state of I&&inois<
re*resented in the ,enera& asse'&!< that Sidne! Ri,don< 5eor,e 3#
Roinson< Sa'ue& Ja'es< 3i&son La2< Danie& H# 3e&&s< H!ru' S'ith< 5eor,e
.i&&er< 3i&&ia' .ar0s< )eter Ha2s< %inson 1ni,ht< John Scott< Don Car&os
S'ith< 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< Sen#< Eene4er Roinson< Roert "# Tho'*son<
3i&&ia' La2< Ja'es A&&red< John T# "arnett< Theodore Tur&e!< John C#
"ennett< E&ias Hi,ee< Isaac Hi,ee< Jose*h S'ith< A&*heus Cut&er< Israe&
"ar&o2< R# D# Foster< John F# O&ne!< John Snider< Leonard So!< Orson
)ratt< Ja'es 1e&&e!< Sidne! A# 1no2&ton< John )# 5reene< John F# 3e&d< and
their associates and successors< are here! constituted a od! cor*orate
and *o&itic< ! the na'e of -The Nau$oo A,ricu&tura& and .anufacturin,
Association<- and ! that na'e sha&& e ca*a&e of suin, and ein, sued<
*&eadin, and ein, i'*&eaded< ans2erin, and ein, ans2ered< in a&& courts
and *&aces< and 'a! ha$e a co''on sea&< and 'a! a&ter the sa'e at
*&easure#
Sec# H# The so&e o=ect and *ur*ose of said association sha&& e for
the *ro'otion of a,ricu&ture and husandr! in a&& its ranches< and for
the 'anufacture of f&our< &u'er< and such other usefu& artic&es as are
necessar! for the ordinar! *ur*oses of &ife#
Sec# 9# The ca*ita& stoc0 of said association sha&& e one hundred
thousand do&&ars< 2ith the *ri$i&e,e of increasin, it to the su' of three
hundred thousand do&&ars< to e di$ided into shares of fift! do&&ars<
2hich sha&& e considered *ersona& *ro*ert!< and e assi,na&e in such
'anner as the said cor*oration 'a!< ! its !-&a2s< *ro$ide? 2hich ca*ita&
stoc0 sha&& e e/c&usi$e&! de$oted to the o=ect and *ur*oses set forth in
the second section of this act< and to no other o=ect and *ur*oses< and
to the sa'e end the said cor*oration sha&& ha$e *o2er to *urchase< ho&d<
and con$e! rea& estate< and other *ro*ert!< to the a'ount of its ca*ita&#
Sec# @# Said cor*oration sha&& ha$e *o2er< ! the trustees< or a
'a=orit! of the' *resent at an! re,u&ar&! ca&&ed 'eetin,< to 'a0e !-&a2s
for its o2n ,o$ern'ent< for the *ur*ose of carr!in, out the o=ects of
this association< *ro$ided the sa'e are not re*u,nant to the &a2s and
constitution of this state< or of the United States#
Sec# G# Jose*h S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< and 3i&&ia' La2 sha&& e
co''issioners to recei$e suscri*tions for< and distriute said ca*ita&
stoc0 for said cor*oration? said co''issioners< or a 'a=orit! of the'<
sha&&< 2ithin si/ 'onths after the *assa,e of this act< either !
the'se&$es or their du&! a**ointed a,ents< o*en a suscri*tion oo0 for
said stoc0 at such ti'es and *&aces as the! sha&& a**oint< and at the ti'e
of suscri*tion for such stoc0< at &east ten *er cent u*on each share
suscried for< sha&& e *aid to said co''issioners< or their du&!
a**ointed a,ents? and the re'ainder of said stoc0< so suscried for<
sha&& e *aid in such su's< and at such ti'es< as sha&& e *ro$ided for !
the !-&a2s of said cor*oration#
Sec# :# In case the stoc0 of said cor*oration sha&& not a&& e ta0en
u* 2ithin one !ear fro' the *assa,e of this act< the duties of said
co''issioners sha&& cease< and the trustees of said cor*oration< or a
>uoru' thereof< 'a! thereafter recei$e suscri*tions to said stoc0< fro'
ti'e to ti'e< unti& the 2ho&e sha&& e suscried#
Sec# M# The stoc0< *ro*ert!< and concerns of said cor*oration sha&&
e 'ana,ed ! t2ent! trustees< 2ho sha&& e stoc0ho&ders of said
cor*oration< an! fi$e of 2ho'< to e desi,nated ! a 'a=orit! of the
trustees< sha&& for' a >uoru' for the transaction of a&& ordinar! usiness
of said cor*oration< the e&ection of 2hich trustees sha&& e annua&# The
first 'entioned t2ent! *ersons< 2hose na'es are recited in the first
section of this act< sha&& e the first trustees of said cor*oration< and
sha&& ho&d their offices unti& the first .onda! in Se*te'er< A# D# 78@7<
and unti& others sha&& e e&ected in their *&aces#
Sec# 8# The trustees of said cor*oration for e$er! suse>uent !ear
sha&& e e&ected on the first .onda! in Se*te'er< in each and e$er! !ear<
at such *&ace as the trustees for the ti'e ein, sha&& a**oint< and of
2hich e&ection the! sha&& ,i$e at &east fifteen da!s *re$ious notice !
ad$ertise'ent in so'e ne2s*a*er< in or near the Cit! of Nau$oo# At e$er!
e&ection of trustees< each stoc0ho&der sha&& e entit&ed to one $ote on
each share of stoc0 o2ned ! hi'? *ro$ided that no stoc0ho&der sha&& e
entit&ed to 'ore than t2ent! $otes< and said stoc0ho&ders< 'a! $ote either
in *erson or ! *ro/!# The e&ection for trustees sha&& e conducted in
such 'anner as sha&& e *ointed out ! the !-&a2s of said cor*oration<
and 2hene$er a $acanc! sha&& ha**en ! death< resi,nation< or other2ise<
a'on, the trustees< the re'ainin, trustees sha&& ha$e *o2er to fi&& such
$acanc!< unti& the ne/t ,enera& e&ection for trustees#
Sec# N# The trustees of said cor*oration< as soon as 'a! e< after
their a**oint'ent or e&ection under this act< sha&& *roceed to e&ect< out
of their nu'er< a *resident< treasurer< and secretar!< 2ho sha&&
res*ecti$e&! ho&d their offices durin, one !ear< and unti& others sha&& e
e&ected to fi&& their *&aces< and 2hose duties sha&& e defined and
*rescried ! the !-&a2s of the cor*oration? and said trustees sha&& a&so
a**oint such a,ents and other *ersons as 'a! e necessar! to conduct the
*ro*er usiness< and acco'*&ish the dec&ared o=ects of said cor*oration<
and sha&& &i0e2ise ha$e *o2er to fi&& an! $acanc! occasioned ! the death<
resi,nation< or re'o$a& of an! officer of said cor*oration#
Sec# 7D# This act sha&& e construed as a *u&ic act< and continue in
force for the *eriod of t2ent! !ears# And the trustees a**ointed under the
*ro$isions of this act< sha&& ho&d their first 'eetin, at the Cit! of
Nau$oo< on the first .onda! of A*ri&< A# D# 78@7#
A**ro$ed Feruar! HM< 78@7# THO.AS CARLIN< 5o$ernor# 3# L# D# E3IN5<
S*ea0er of the House of Re*resentati$es# S# H# ANDERSON# S*ea0er of the
Senate#
State of I&&inois< Office of Secretar! of State#
I< L!'an Tru'u&&< Secretar! of State< do here! certif! the
fore,oin, to e a true and *erfect co*! of the enro&&ed &a2 on the fi&e in
'! office#
5i$en under '! hand and sea& of State< S*rin,fie&d< .arch 7D< 78@7#
LY.AN TRU."ULL< Secretar! of State#
3ednesda!< H@#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, returned to Li$er*oo&< and on the
HGth attended a *atriarcha& &essin, 'eetin, at "rother Du'$i&&e+s# Father
.e&&in, officiated? E&der Ja'es 3hitehead< scrie#
Saturda!< HM#--)resident "ri,ha' Youn, 2ent to .anchester< and
*reached in Lo'ard Street roo' on Sunda!< the H8th#
.onda!< .arch 7#--The Cit! Counci& di$ided the cit! into four 2ards<
at '! su,,estion< to-2it( a&& the district of countr! 2ithin the cit!
&i'its< north of the center of 1ni,ht street< and 2est of the center of
3e&&s street< sha&& constitute the first 2ard# North of the center of
1ni,ht street and east of the center of 3e&&s street< the second 2ard#
South of the center of 1ni,ht street< and east of the center of 3e&&s
street< the third 2ard# South of the center of 1ni,ht street< and 2est of
the center of 3e&&s street< the fourth 2ard#
I attended the Cit! Counci&< and *resented a i&& for -An ordinance
in re&ation to Re&i,ious Societies#- Ordinance on Re&i,ious Liert! in
Nau$oo#
Sec# 7# "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
that the Catho&ics< )res!terians< .ethodists< "a*tists< Latter-da!
Saints< Aua0ers< E*isco*a&s< Uni$ersa&ists< Unitarians< .oha''edans< and
a&& other re&i,ious sects and deno'inations 2hate$er< sha&& ha$e free
to&eration< and e>ua& *ri$i&e,es< in this cit!? and shou&d an! *erson e
,ui&t! of ridicu&in,< and ausin, or other2ise de*reciatin, another in
conse>uence of his re&i,ion< or of disturin, or interru*tin, an!
re&i,ious 'eetin, 2ithin the &i'its of this cit!< he sha&&< on con$iction
thereof efore the .a!or or .unici*a& Court< e considered a disturer of
the *u&ic *eace< and fined in an! su' not e/ceedin, fi$e hundred do&&ars<
or i'*risoned not e/ceedin, si/ 'onths< or oth< at the discretion of said
.a!or or Court#
Sec# H# It is here! 'ade the dut! of a&& .unici*a& officers to
notice and re*ort to the .a!or an! reach or $io&ation of this< or an!
other ordinance of this cit!< that 'a! co'e 2ithin their 0no2&ed,e< or of
2hich the! 'a! e ad$ised? and an! officer aforesaid< is here! fu&&!
authori4ed to arrest a&& such $io&ators of ru&e< &a2 and order< either
2ith or 2ithout *rocess#
)assed .arch 7< 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN< Recorder#
I a&so *resented a i&& as fo&&o2s( An Ordinance in Re&ation to
)u&ic .eetin,s#
Sec# 7# "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
that in order to ,uarantee the constitutiona& ri,ht of free discussion
u*on a&& su=ects< the citi4ens of this cit!< 'a! fro' ti'e to ti'e
*eacea&! asse'&e the'se&$es to,ether for a&& *eacea&e or &a2fu&
*ur*oses 2hate$er? and shou&d an! *erson e ,ui&t! of disturin, or
interru*tin, an! such 'eetin, or asse'&a,e< he sha&& on con$iction
thereof efore the .a!or or .unici*a& Court< e considered a disturer of
the *u&ic *eace< and fined in an! su' not e/ceedin, fi$e hundred do&&ars<
or i'*risoned not e/ceedin, si/ 'onths< or oth< at the discretion of said
'a!or or court#
Sec# H# Shou&d an! *erson e ,ui&t! of e/citin, the *eo*&e to riot or
ree&&ion< or of *artici*atin, in a 'o< or an! other un&a2fu& riotous or
tu'u&tuous asse'&a,e of the *eo*&e< or of refusin, to oe! an! ci$i&
officer< e/ecutin, the ordinances of the cit!< or the ,enera& &a2s of the
state or United States< or of ne,&ectin, or refusin, to oe! *ro'*t&!< an!
'i&itar! order for the due e/ecution of said &a2 or ordinances< he sha&&<
on con$iction thereof as aforesaid< e fined or i'*risoned< or oth< as
aforesaid#
)assed .arch 7< 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN< Recorder#
I a&so offered a i&& for -An ordinance< creatin, certain additiona&
Cit! Officers#-
ORDINANCE#
Sec# 7# "e it ordained ! the Cit! Counci& of the Cit! of Nau$oo<
that in addition to the cit! officers heretofore e&ected< there sha&& e
e&ected ! the Cit! Counci&< one hi,h consta&e for each 2ard? one
sur$e!or and en,ineer< one 'ar0et 'aster< one 2ei,her and sea&er< and one
co&&ector for the cit!< 2hose duties sha&& hereafter e defined !
ordinance#
)assed .arch 7< 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a!or# JA.ES SLOAN<
Recorder#
I *resented the fo&&o2in, re*ort( CO..ITTEE+S RE)ORT#
Your co''ittee< to 2ho' 2as referred that *ortion of the address of
his honor< the .a!or< 2hich reco''ended the *ro*riet! of $acatin, the to2n
*&ats< Co''erce< and the Cit! of Co''erce< and incor*oratin, the' 2ith the
cit! *&at of Nau$oo< 2ou&d res*ectfu&&! re*ort--That the! consider the
reco''endation contained in the address as one of ,reat i'*ortance to the
future 2e&fare and *ros*erit! of this cit!< and if carried into effect
2ou&d 'a0e the streets re,u&ar and unifor'< and 'ateria&&! tend to
eautif! this cit!# 3e 2ou&d therefore res*ectfu&&! reco''end that the
sur$e! of the Cit! of Nau$oo e carried throu,h the to2n *&ats of Co''erce
and the Cit! of Co''erce< as soon as it 'a! e *ractica&e#
3e 2ou&d therefore reco''end to the counci& the *assa,e of the
fo&&o2in, reso&ution--That the to2n *&ats of Co''erce< and Co''erce Cit!
e $acated< and that the sa'e stand $acated fro' this ti'e forth< and
fore$er? and that the sa'e e incor*orated 2ith the Cit! of Nau$oo< fro'
this ti'e henceforth and fore$er#
A&& of 2hich is res*ectfu&&! su'itted# JOSE)H S.ITH< Chair'an#
The re*ort 2as recei$ed and ado*ted< and an ordinance *assed
accordin,&!#
A $ote of than0s< and the freedo' of the cit! 2ere conferred on the
Honora&e Richard .# Youn,< United States Senator for I&&inois#
Tuesda!< H#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, $isited O&dha'< and returned on
3ednesda!< 9rd< to .anchester# E&ders Orson H!de and 5eor,e J# Ada's
arri$ed in Li$er*oo&#
Thursda!< @#--E&der 3i&&ard Richards &eft Li$er*oo& for )reston< and
2as fo&&o2ed ! E&ders H!de< Ada's< and Fie&din, on the Gth#
5enera& 3i&&ia' Henr! Harrison 2as inau,urated )resident of the
United States#
Frida!< G#--E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt re'o$ed the Star office to @M
O/ford Road< .anchester#
Sunda!< M#--E&ders Youn, and 1i'a&& *reached at the Car*enter+s
Ha&&< .anchester#
.onda!< 8#--I attended the Cit! Counci&# The fo&&o2in, a**oint'ents
2ere 'ade $i4( A&anson Ri*&e!< cit! sur$e!or? Theodore Tur&e!< 2ei,her and
sea&er? Ja'es Roinson< assessor ? Ste*hen .ar0ha'< 'ar0et 'aster? Ja'es
A&&red 2as s2orn su*er$isor of streets< and Ja'es A&&red< Di'ic0 "#
Huntin,ton< and 5eor,e .ore!< hi,h consta&es#
I ,a$e '! $ie2s on se$era& &oca& 'easures *ro*osed ! the counci&#
3ednesda!< 7D#
Letter of "ri,ha' Youn, to the Editor of the Star--On Fa'i&! )ra!er#
LI%ER)OOL< .arch 7D< 78@7#
To the Editor of the Star(
DEAR "ROTHER(--I fee& an/ious to address a fe2 &ines to !ou< on the
su=ect of fa'i&! *ra!er Eand sha&& fee& o&i,ed ! !our insertin, the
sa'e in !our ne/t StarF< for the *ur*ose of i'*artin, instruction to the
rethren in ,enera&# Ha$in, tra$e&ed throu,h 'an! ranches of the Church
in En,&and< I ha$e found it to e a ,enera& custo' a'on, the rethren I
$isited< that 2hen an! of the Tra$e&in, E&ders are *resent< the! 2ait for
the E&der to ,o for2ard in fa'i&! *ra!er< instead of attendin, to that
dut! the'se&$es# That is not ri,ht? and I 2ou&d sa! to the' that it 2ou&d
e etter for the' to understand their dut! on this su=ect# .! dear
rethren< re'e'er that the Lord ho&ds a&& of us res*onsi&e for our
conduct here# He he&d our father Ada' res*onsi&e for his conduct< ut no
'ore than He does us< in *ro*ortion to the station 2e ho&d# The 0in,s of
the earth 2i&& ha$e to ,i$e an account to 5od< for their conduct in a
0in,&! ca*acit!# 1in,s are heads of nations< ,o$ernors are heads of
*ro$inces? so are fathers or husands ,o$ernors of their o2n houses< and
shou&d act accordin,&!# Heads of fa'i&ies shou&d a&2a!s ta0e the char,e of
fa'i&! 2orshi*< and ca&& their fa'i&! to,ether at a seasona&e hour< and
not 2ait for e$er! *erson to ,et throu,h 2ith a&& the! 'a! ha$e to sa! or
do# If it 2ere '! *rero,ati$e to ado*t a *&an for fa'i&! *ra!er< it 2ou&d
e the fo&&o2in,( Ca&& !our fa'i&! or househo&d to,ether e$er! 'ornin, and
e$enin,< *re$ious to co'in, to the ta&e< and o2 efore the Lord to offer
u* !our than0s,i$in, for His 'ercies and *ro$identia& care of !ou# Let the
head of the fa'i&! dictate? I 'ean the 'an< not the 2o'an# If an E&der
shou&d ha**en to e *resent< the head of the house can ca&& u*on hi'< if
he chooses so to do< and not 2ait for a stran,er to ta0e the &ead at such
ti'es? ! so doin, 2e sha&& otain the fa$or of our Hea$en&! Father< and
it 2i&& ha$e a tendenc! to teach our chi&dren to 2a&0 in the 2a! the!
shou&d ,o< 2hich 'a! 5od ,rant for Christ+s sa0e# A'en# "RI5HA. YOUN5#
5o$ernor Car&in issued the fo&&o2in, Co''ission--
A))OINT.ENT OF JOSE)H S.ITH LIEUTENANT-5ENERAL OF THE NAU%OO LE5ION#
Tho'as Car&in< 5o$ernor of the State of I&&inois< to a&& to 2ho'
these *resents sha&& co'e( 5reetin,--
1no2 !e that Jose*h S'ith< ha$in, een du&! e&ected to the office of
&ieutenant-,enera&< Nau$oo Le,ion< of the 'i&itia of the State of
I&&inois< I< Tho'as Car&in< ,o$ernor of said state< do co''ission hi'
&ieutenant-,enera& of the Nau$oo Le,ion< to ta0e ran0 fro' the fifth da!
of Feruar!< 78@7# He is< therefore< carefu&&! and di&i,ent&! to dischar,e
the duties of said office< ! doin, and *erfor'in, a&& 'anner of thin,s
thereunto e&on,in,? and I do strict&! re>uire a&& officers and so&diers
under his co''and to e oedient to his orders( and he is to oe! such
orders and directions as he sha&& recei$e< fro' ti'e to ti'e< fro' the
co''ander-in-chief or his su*erior officer#
The co''ission 2as endorsed on the ac0 as fo&&o2s--
Head>uarters< Nau$oo Le,ion< Cit! of Nau$oo< I&&inois< .arch 7G<
78@7--Oath of office ad'inistered ! 'e< the da! and !ear ao$e 2ritten#
JOHN C# "ENNETT< .a=or-5enera& of the Nau$oo Le,ion#
Thursda!< 77#--E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&&< Richards< and Ta!&or 'et in
Li$er*oo&#
.onda!< 7G#--I attended the Cit! Counci&< and too0 *art in the
discussion concernin, .r# Annis+ 'i&&< in the south2est *art of the cit!#
E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff attended a conference at 5adfie&d E&'? @D8
'e'ers in ei,hteen ranches re*resented#
Thursda!< 7:#--E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith attended a conference at
.acc&esfie&d< 2hich ranch contains ninet! one 'e'ers< one E&der< si/
)riests< fi$e Teachers< and three Deacons# In conse>uence of incessant
*reachin,< his &un,s are 'uch affected#
3ednesda!< 7M#--Shi* A&esto sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& for Ne2 Or&eans<
2ith G@ Saints< &ed ! E&ders Tho'as S'ith and 3i&&ia' .oss#
E&ders Heer C# 1i'a&&< 3i&&ard Richards< and Father .e&&in, 2ent to
)reston? E&ders Youn, and Hed&oc0 to Ha2arden< and 5eor,e A# S'ith to
Lee0#
Thursda!< 78#--E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith attended a counci& of the
officers and 'e'ers of the Church at Lee0< nu'erin, si/t!-three 'e'ers<
one E&der< si/ )riests< t2o Teachers< and t2o Deacons# Ste*hen Ni/on 2as
ordained an E&der? and John Hudson< Jaco 5ison< and Jose*h 1ni,ht
)riests? and Frederic0 Rushton and Ed2in Rushton< Teachers#
Saturda!< HD#
An In>uir!#
CITY OF NAU%OO< .arch HD< 78@7#
"rother 3i&&ia' A&&red< "isho* of the sta0e at )&easant %a&e< and
a&so "rother Henr! 3# .i&&er< *resident of the sta0e at Freedo'< desire
)resident Jose*h S'ith to in>uire of the Lord His 2i&& concernin, the'#
I in>uired of the Lord concernin, the fore,oin, >uestion< and
recei$ed the fo&&o2in, ans2er--
Re$e&ation#
Let '! ser$ants< 3i&&ia' A&&red and Henr! 3# .i&&er< ha$e an a,enc!
for the se&&in, of stoc0 for the Nau$oo House< and assist '! ser$ants
L!'an 3i,ht< )eter Ha2s< 5eor,e .i&&er< and John Snider< in ui&din, said
house? and &et '! ser$ants 3i&&ia' A&&red and Henr! 3# .i&&er ta0e stoc0
in the house< that the *oor of '! *eo*&e 'a! ha$e e'*&o!'ent< and that
acco''odations 'a! e 'ade for the stran,ers 2ho sha&& co'e to $isit this
*&ace< and for this *ur*ose &et the' de$ote a&& their *ro*erties< saith
the Lord#
Aout this ti'e I recei$ed a re$e&ation< ,i$en in the Cit! of Nau$oo<
in ans2er to the fo&&o2in, interro,ator!---2hat is the 2i&& of the Lord<
concernin, the Saints in the Territor! of Io2aB-
Re$e&ation#
-%eri&!< thus saith the Lord< I sa! unto !ou< if those 2ho ca&&
the'se&$es ! '! na'e< and are essa!in, to e '! Saints< if the! 2i&& do
'! 2i&& and 0ee* '! co''and'ents concernin, the'? &et the' ,ather
the'se&$es to,ether< unto the *&ace 2hich I sha&& a**oint unto the' ! '!
ser$ant Jose*h< and ui&d u* cities unto '! na'e< that the! 'a! e
*re*ared for that 2hich is in store for a ti'e to co'e# Let the' ui&d u*
a cit! unto '! na'e u*on the &and o**osite to the Cit! of
Nau$oo< and &et the na'e of ;arahe'&a e na'ed u*on it# And &et a&&
those 2ho co'e fro' the east< and the 2est< and the north< and the south<
that ha$e desires to d2e&& therein< ta0e u* their inheritances in the
sa'e< as 2ei& as in the Cit! of Nash$i&&e< or in the Cit! of Nau$oo< and
in a&& the sta0es 2hich I ha$e a**ointed< saith the Lord#
Sunda!< H7#--E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith *reached at Lee0< and confir'ed
one#
The Lesser )riesthood 2as or,ani4ed in the Cit! of Nau$oo< .arch H7<
78@7< ! "isho*s 3hitne!< .i&&er< Hi,ee< and 1ni,ht# Sa'ue& Ro&f 2as
chosen *resident of the )riests+ >uoru'< and Ste*hen .ar0ha' and He4e0iah
)ec0< his counse&ors# E&isha E$erett 2as chosen *resident of Teachers< and
Ja'es 3# Hunts'an and Ja'es Hendric0s< counse&ors# )hinehas R# "ird 2as
chosen *resident of Deacons< and Da$id 3ood and 3i&&ia' 3# Lane
counse&ors#
CHA)TER 6%I#
THE FIRST FOREI5N .ISSION OF THE
CHURCH 789M-78@7
Tuesda!< .arch H9< 78@7#--E&der Youn, returned to Li$er*oo&< and
E&der Richards 2rote the fo&&o2in, histor! of the -.ission to En,&and< or
the first forei,n 'ission of the Latter-da! Saints#-
Histor! of the "ritish .ission#
Aout the first of June< 789M< E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& 2as ca&&ed !
the S*irit of Re$e&ation< and set a*art ! the First )residenc! of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< then at 1irt&and< Ohio< North
A'erica< to *reside o$er a 'ission to En,&and< acco'*anied ! E&der Orson
H!de< 2ho 2as set a*art for the sa'e 2or0 at the sa'e ti'e# In a fe2 da!s
"rother Jose*h Fie&din,< )riest< 2as set a*art? and on the e$e of the
7Hth< E&der 3i&&ard Richards< Eha$in, een asent se$era& 'onths on a &on,
=ourne!< and ha$in, returned the da! *re$iousF 2as ca&&ed and set a*art
for the sa'e 'ission#
The fo&&o2in, 'ornin,< Tuesda!< 79th< these rethren ,a$e the *artin,
hand< id fare2e&& to ho'e< and< 2ithout *urse or scri*< started for
En,&and# The! 2ere acco'*anied t2e&$e 'i&es to Fair*ort on La0e Erie !
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< John )# 5reene and "rother Le$i Richards< and
Sisters 1i'a&&< 5reene and Fie&din, E"rother R# "# Tho'*son and 2ife
acco'*anied the 'ission to "uffa&o< and "rother Fitch "ri,ha' to UticaF
and others 2ith 2ho' the! *arted in the afternoon< and 2ent on oard a
stea'er for "uffa&o? 2here the! arri$ed ne/t da!#
At this *&ace the rethren e/*ected to recei$e so'e 'eans fro'
Canada< to assist the' on their =ourne!< ut the! 2ere disa**ointed# In
the e$enin, the! too0 *assa,e on a cana& oat< and arri$ed in A&an! on
the 7Nth EE&der H!de ha$in, ,one for2ard to Ne2 Yor0 fro' Rochester#F
"rother Fie&din, *roceeded to Ne2 Yor0< and on the HDth E&der 1i'a&&
acco'*anied E&der Richards to his father+s house in Rich'ond<
.assachusetts< thirt! 'i&es east< 2here the! s*ent one da!< and ha$in,
recei$ed so'e assistance fro' his friends< ade the' fare2e&& for the &ast
ti'e Ehis father and 'other ha$in, since died< a&so a sister 2ho' he had
&eft in 1irt&andF and on the H7st returned to A&an!< and arri$ed in Ne2
Yor0 on the HHnd< 2here the! found "rothers Orson H!de and Fie&din,< a&so
E&ders John 5oodson and Isaac Russe&&< John Snider< )riest<E2ho had co'e
fro' Canada to =oin the 'issionF an/ious&! a2aitin, their arri$a&< so that
the! 'i,ht ta0e *assa,e on the United States< 2hich 2as to sai& ne/t da!<
ut the! arri$ed too &ate#
In Ne2 Yor0 E&der Richards recei$ed so'e further 'eans< >uite
*ro$identia&&!< and on the H9rd the rethren en,a,ed *assa,e to Li$er*oo&<
on oard the 5arric0< 2hich 2as to sai& on the 7st of Ju&!#
In the 'eanti'e the rethren recei$ed e$er! *ossi&e assistance fro'
E&der E&i=ah Fordha'# At that ti'e he 2as the on&! 'e'er of the Church
residin, in the cit! INe2 Yor0J< and ha$in, no house of his o2n< he
*rocured his father+s storehouse for the use of the rethren< 2here the!
&od,ed on the f&oor< a'id stra2 and &an0ets< one 2ee0< eatin, their co&d
'orse&< and con$ersin, 2ith the *eo*&e as the! had o**ortunit!? for no
*&ace cou&d e *rocured to *reach in< and there 2as no one to recei$e the'
into their houses#
Sunda!< the HGth< the rethren he&d a counci& at their &od,in,s E.r#
Fordha'+s storeF< and or,ani4ed read! for ta0in, their de*arture< the HNth
the rethren sea&ed< su*erscried< and for2arded one hundred and ei,ht! of
E&der Orson H!de+s -Ti'e&! 3arnin,s- to the 'inisters of the different
deno'inations in the cit!< and 2ent on oard The 5arric0< 2hich hau&ed out
into the ri$er and cast anchor#
Ju&! 7st< the shi* 2ei,hed anchor and 2as to2ed to Sand! Hoo0 ! a
stea'er< 2here she s*read sai&< and in four hours and a ha&f 2as out of
si,ht of &and# 3ith the e/ce*tion of a stron, 2ind on the 7Hth< there 2as
,enera&&! a ,ent&e ree4e fro' the north2est durin, the $o!a,e# On the
7:th< E&der Orson H!de *reached on the aft >uarter dec0# On the 78th Ca*e
C&ear 2as $isi&e Eei,hteen da!s out of si,ht of &and?F and on the 'ornin,
of the HDth< the rethren &anded in Li$er*oo& t2ent! da!s fro' Ne2 Yor0#
Here E&ders 1i'a&&< H!de< and Richards found the'se&$es on a forei,n
shore< surrounded ! stran,ers< 2ithout the first farthin, in their
*ossession? ut the rethren united&! too0 &od,in,s in a *ri$ate house in
Union Street< ti&& after the ins*ection of the shi*? and on Saturda!< the
HHnd< too0 coach for )reston# 3hen the! had a&i,hted fro' the coach< and
2ere standin, ! their trun0s in front of the hote& in )reston< a &ar,e
f&a, 2as unfur&ed o$er their heads on 2hich 2as *rinted in ,o&den &etters<
-Truth 2i&& *re$ai&?- at the si,ht of 2hich their hearts re=oiced< and
the! cried a&oud< -A'en< than0s e unto 5od< TRUTH 3ILL )RE%AIL#-
"rother Jose*h Fie&din, &od,ed 2ith his rother< Re$# Ja'es Fie&din,<
then a *reacher in %au/ha&&-road Cha*e&< and the re'ainder of the rethren
too0 &od,in,s in St# 3i&ford Street< Fo/ Street# The sa'e e$enin, the
E&ders $isited the Re$# .r# Fie&din,< ! his re>uest at his &od,in,s# He
had *re$ious&! een a**ri4ed of the co'in, forth of this 2or0 in A'erica<
throu,h the 'ediu' of &etters fro' his re&ati$es and others and had
re>uested his church to *ra! that 5od 2ou&d send the' His ser$ants< and
e/horted his *eo*&e to recei$e their 'essa,e 2hen the! shou&d co'e#
Sunda! the H8th# As the! had no *&ace in 2hich to *reach< the se$en
rethren 2ent to %au/ha&& Cha*e& to hear the Re$# .r# Fie&din,? and at the
c&ose of the 'ornin, ser$ice< .r# Fie&din, ,a$e *u&ic notice that an
E&der of the Latter-da! Saints 2ou&d *reach in the afternoon in his
*u&*it# This 2as $o&untar! 2ith .r# Fie&din, as no one had re>uested the
*ri$i&e,e? and in the afternoon< accordin, to the notice< E&der 1i'a&&
,a$e a rief histor! of the rise of the Church and the first *rinci*&es of
the 5os*e&< and E&der H!de ore testi'on!( after 2hich the Re$# .r#
Fie&din, re>uested the rethren to ,i$e out an a**oint'ent for the
e$enin,< 2hen E&der 5oodson *reached< and E&der Jose*h Fie&din, ore
testi'on!#
At the c&ose .r# Fie&din, a,ain ,a$e &ea$e for *reachin, at the sa'e
*&ace on 3ednesda! e$enin,< 2hen E&der H!de *reached and E&der Richards
ore testi'on!? and fro' that ti'e the Re$# .r# Fie&din, c&osed his doors
a,ainst the E&ders and e,an to o**ose the 2or0< and stated that the
E&ders *ro'ised to sa! nothin, aout a*tis' in their *reachin, efore he
e$er consented to &et the' *reach in his *u&*it? 2hereas the su=ect of
the E&ders *reachin, in his cha*e& had not een na'ed et2een the *arties<
efore .r# Fie&din, ,a$e out the *u&ic a**oint'ent efore referred to(
'uch &ess Eif *ossi&eF that the! 2ou&d -sa! nothin, aout a*tis'#-
Nine of .r# Fie&din,+s 'e'ers offered the'se&$es for a*tis'? and
.r# Fie&din, *resented hi'se&f efore the E&ders< and forade their
a*ti4in, the'< ut he recei$ed for ans2er< that -the! 2ere of a,e and
cou&d act for the'se&$es#- On Sunda!< the 9Dth< the! 2ere a*ti4ed under
the hands of E&der 1i'a&&? "rother 5eor,e D# 3att ein, the first 2ho
offered hi'se&f for a*tis' in En,&and< and is no2 an E&der &aorin, in
Edinur,h< Scot&and#
E&der Russe&& *reached in the 'ar0et *&ace in the afternoon< and fro'
that da! the doors of *ri$ate houses 2ere o*ened on a&'ost e$er! hand for
the E&ders#
Ju&! 97st< a counci& of the E&ders decided that E&ders 5oodson and
Richards shou&d ,o on a 'ission to "edford< and E&der Russe&& and )riest
S*ider on a 'ission to A&ston< Cu'er&and? and after a ni,ht of *ra!er<
*raise and than0s,i$in,< the rethren too0 their de*arture on the 'ornin,
of the first of Au,ust for their se$era& stations#
The Re$# .r# Fie&din, continued to o**ose the doctrine of a*tis' for
a season? ut findin, that he 2as &i0e&! to &ose a&& his -est 'e'ers<-
he offered to a*ti4e the' hi'se&f? ut the! ein, a2are that he had no
authorit!< dec&ined his friend&! offer< 2hereu*on he en,a,ed the Re$# .r#
5i&es< a "a*tist 'inister in )reston< of as &itt&e authorit! as hi'se&f<
to do the a*ti4in, for his f&oc0? ut this ini>uitous sche'e succeeded
&itt&e etter than the other--on&! one co'in, for2ard to his a*tis'< so
far as 2e ha$e heard# .r# Fie&din,+s *eo*&e a&so stated that he acted the
*art of a h!*ocrite and decei$ed the'< 2hen he read the &etters to the' in
*u&ic< 2hich he recei$ed fro' A'erica< ! 0ee*in, ac0 that *art 2hich
treated on a*tis'< 2hich< since the fore,oin, fai&ure he has o**osed#
E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de< and )riest Fie&din, continued to *reach
dai&! in different *arts of )reston< and on 3ednesda! and Thursda! EAu,ust
Hnd and 9rdF< the 'eetin,s 2ere attended ! .iss Jeanetta Richards 2ho 2as
$isitin, her friends in )reston< and on Frida! she re>uested a*tis'<
2hich 2as attended to ! E&der 1i'a&&< after 2hich she 2as confir'ed at
the 2ater side ! E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de< it ein, the first confir'ation
in a forei,n &and in these &ast da!s#
The da! fo&&o2in, Sister Richards returned ho'e to her friends< and
infor'ed her father< the Re$# Jose*h Richards< an Inde*endent 'inister at
3a&0er-fo&d< Chaid,e&!< 2ho' she had found at )reston< 2hat she had done<
and re>uested hi' to send for E&der 1i'a&& to *reach in his cha*e&# .r#
Richards co'*&ied 2ith his dau,hter+s re>uest# E&der 1i'a&& arri$ed at
3a&0er-fo&d Saturda! e$e< Au,ust 7H< and the da! fo&&o2in, *reached three
ti'es in .r# Richards+ *u&*it< to cro2ded asse'&ies? a&so t2ice durin,
the 2ee0< and t2ice the Sunda! fo&&o2in,< ein, 'ost 0ind&! and cordia&&!
entertained ! .r# and .rs# Richard+s for nine da!s< durin, 2hich ti'e
E&der 1i'a&& a*ti4ed se$era& in the nei,horhood#
After a short $isit to )reston< 2here E&der H!de continued to *reach
and a*ti4e< E&der 1i'a&& returned to 3a&0er-fo&d< and continued to
recei$e the hos*ita&it! of .r# Richards+ house for so'e da!s< 2hi&e the
2or0 s*read in the nei,horhood? and fro' thence the 2or0 2ent forth to
C&itheroe< 3addin,ton< Do2nha'< Cathurn< Thorn&e!< and Richester<
throu,h the &aors of "rothers 1i'a&& and Fie&din,#
E&ders 5oodson and Richards arri$ed in "edford on the Hnd of Au,ust<
and ha$in, &etters of introduction to the Re$# Ti'oth! R# .atthe2s fro'
"rother Jose*h Fie&din, E.rs# .atthe2+s rotherF< the! i''ediate&! 2aited
on .r# .atthe2s< 2ho e/*ressed ,reat =o! at their arri$a&< and 'anifested
his sincerit! ! 2a&0in, ar' in ar' 2ith the E&ders throu,h the streets of
"edford< ca&&in, on the 'e'ers of his church< and in$itin, the' to attend
the &ectures of the E&ders at his cha*e& $estr! that e$enin,# .r# .atthe2s
had *re$ious&! een a**ri4ed of the Saints in A'erica throu,h the 'ediu'
of the Re$# Ja'es Fie&din, of )reston and the &etters fro' A'erica< efore
referred to# In the e$enin,< his church asse'&ed in the $estr!< and
E&ders 5oodson and Richards continued to &ecture and testif! of the 2or0
of 5od< on that and the three fo&&o2in, e$enin,s in the sa'e *&ace< 2ith
the entire a**roation of .r# .atthe2s< 2ho< at the c&ose of the &ectures<
*u&ic&! ore testi'on! to the truths ad$anced< and ca&&ed u*on his *eo*&e
to 0no2 2h! the! did not co'e for2ard for a*tis'? 2hi&e the! in return
2ished to 0no2 2h! he did not set the' the e/a'*&e#
After this .r# .atthe2s en,a,ed another house in the nei,horhood for
the E&ders to *reach in< under the *retense that so'e of the *ro*rietors
of the cha*e& 'i,ht not e *&eased 2ith the E&ders occu*!in, the $estr!<
and .r# .atthe2s continued to attend the *reachin, of the E&ders< and a&so
s*ent a ,reat share of his ti'e< fro' da! to da!< in con$ersation 2ith
the'#
.r# .atthe2s to&d the E&ders that he had recei$ed t2o ordinations<
one fro' "isho* 3est< 2ho' he had *ro$ed to e an i'*ostor< and another
fro' the Church of En,&and< 2hich he ac0no2&ed,ed to e descended fro' the
Church of Ro'e< and he further ac0no2&ed,ed that he had no authorit! fro'
5od for ad'inisterin, in the ordinances of 5od+s house#
On the 7Dth .rs# "raddoc0 and four others 2ere a*ti4ed ! E&der
5oodson# Soon after this< .r# Jose*h Sa$i&&e< 'e'er of .r# .atthe2s
church< ein, $er! desirous of recei$in, a*tis' at the sa'e ti'e 2ith .r#
.atthe2s< 2aited on hi' at his house< in co'*an! 2ith E&ders 5oodson and
Richards and .r# .atthe2s< and .r# Sa$i&&e 'utua&&! a,reed to 'eet the
E&ders on the an0 of the ri$er Ouse at a s*ecified hour in the afternoon<
and attend to the ordinance of a*tis'# At the hour a**ointed .r# Sa$i&&e
'et the E&ders at the *&ace *re$ious&! desi,nated ! .r# .atthe2s? ut as
he Ethe &atterF did not 'a0e his a**earance accordin, to *ro'ise< after
2aitin, for hi' an hour< .r# Sa$i&&e 2as a*ti4ed< 2hen the E&ders
re*aired to .r# .atthe2s+ to &earn the cause of his not fu&fi&&in, his
en,a,e'ent< and 2ere infor'ed ! .r# .atthe2s+ fa'i&! that he had ,one out
into the countr! to *reach#
In a da! or t2o it 2as current&! ru'ored that .r# .atthe2s had
a*ti4ed hi'se&f< and this ru'or 2as after2ards confir'ed ! .rs#
.atthe2s< 2ho stated to E&der 1i'a&& at )reston< that .r# .atthe2s had
a*ti4ed hi'se&f< reasonin, u*on this *rinci*&e 2ithin hi'se&f( -If I ha$e
authorit! to ad'inister the sacra'ent to '! *eo*&e< 2h! not ha$e authorit!
to a*ti4e '!se&f<- Pc--and a&& this after .r# .atthe2s had ac0no2&ed,ed
to E&ders 5oodson and Richards that he had no authorit! to ad'inister in
the ordinances of 5od+s house?and a&to,ether re,ard&ess of the 2ords of
the A*ost&es EHe# $( @F< -No 'an ta0eth this honor unto hi'se&f ut he
that is ca&&ed of 5od as 2as Aaron#-
"! the fore,oin, it is *&ain&! to e seen< that .r# .atthe2s has
atte'*ted to ta0e that u*on hi'se&f 2hich 2as ne$er conferred u*on hi' !
the s*irit of re$e&ation< either ! 5od< His an,e&s< or His ser$ants?
$i4#< the ho&! )riesthood? and fro' that *eriod< .r# .atthe2s e,an to
*reach a*tis'< and a*ti4ed those 2ho fe&t it their dut! to e a*ti4ed<
and then in$ited the' to the *enitent for' to ,et re'ission of their sins?
ut findin, that 2ou&d not ans2er a&& the desi,n 2hich he intended< he
after2ards e,an to a*ti4e for the re'ission of sins#
.r# .atthe2s a**ears to ha$e 2e&& understood that counterfeit coin is
'ore current the nearer it a**ro/i'ates to the true< and ,o$erned hi'se&f
accordin,&!? for he continued to *reach faith< re*entance< a*tis' for the
re'ission of sins< the second co'in, of Christ< Pc#< Pc#< addin, one thin,
to another in i'itation of truth< as fast as it ans2ered his *ur*ose< fro'
those doctrines 2hich he had heard fro' the Latter-da! Saints? ut it 2as
so'e ti'e efore he arri$ed at that hea$en-darin, conscience-seared
hardihood< to &a! hands on those 2ho' he had a*ti4ed for the rece*tion of
the Ho&! 5host< and at the sa'e ti'e he ac0no2&ed,ed that he had not ,ot
the Ho&! 5host hi'se&f< ! *ra!in, that he 'i,ht recei$e it--EAuer!< Ho2
can a 'an co''unicate that 2hich he is not in *ossession ofBF and he no2
ca&&s his church -The Church of Latter-da! Saints#-
Thus has .r# .atthe2s een runnin, aout fro' "edford to Li$er*oo&<
fro' Li$er*oo& to Northa'*ton< fro' Northa'*ton to "edford< and other
*&aces< cr!in, a&oud in *u&ic and *ri$ate< that the Latter-da! Saints and
their doctrines ca'e fro' he&&? at the sa'e ti'e he has een *reachin, the
sa'e doctrines< ca&&s his church ! the sa'e na'e< is ad'inisterin, in the
sa'e ordinances< =ust as thou,h he fu&&! e&ie$ed that the doctrines and
sacra'ents of he&& 2ou&d e sanctified and 'ade ho&! and hea$en&!< 2hen
ad'inistered ! the ton,ue and hands of an i'*ostor#
Aout the ti'e that .r# .atthe2s re=ected the truth in "edford< his
son Eas .r# .atthe2s ca&&ed hi'F< the Re$# Roert Ait0in< co''enced his
attac0 on the *rinci*&es of ri,hteousness in )reston? and 2hi&e furious&!
*oundin, his *u&*it 2ith the "oo0 of .or'on< and 2arnin, his *eo*&e to
e2are of the Latter-da! Saints and their doctrines< sa!in,< that the! and
their record ca'e fro' he&&? ca&&ed u*on his *eo*&e to use a&& their
efforts to *ut do2n the 2or0 of 5od< or sto* the *ro,ress of
the Latter-da! Saints? and< if it cou&d not e *ut do2n 2ithout< *ra!ed
that 5od 2ou&d s'ite the &eaders? and fro' that ti'e to the *resent< his
*ra!er has een ans2ered on his o2n head#
After .r# Ait0in had *reached a,ainst the corru*tions of the Church
of En,&and for !ears< and esta&ished 'an! f&ourishin, cha*e&s in
Li$er*oo&< )reston< .anchester< "urs&e'< London< Pc#? after he had een
$isited ! the Eiders of the Church of Latter-da! Saints< and ac0no2&ed,ed
to the' at one ti'e that a*tis' 2as ri,ht< ut he cou&d find no 'an 2ho
had authorit! to a*ti4e? and at another ti'e< that he 2as afraid of the'<
and re=ected their testi'on!? and &ast of a&& 2ou&d not recei$e the E&ders
into his house? after a&& this< and deserted ! a *art of his f&oc0< he
has f&ed fro' the re'ainder ecause he 2as an hire&in,< and cared not for
the shee*? !es< he has deserted his -Christian Societ!---ceased to e an
Ait0enite< and disso&$ed his co-*artnershi* 2ith Father .atthe2s< as 'a!
2e&& e su**osed< returned< and< ta0en -ho&! order- in -.other Church<-
a,ainst the corru*tions of 2hich he testified so di&i,ent&! fro' !ear to
!ear< and is no2 aout to enter on his *arochia& duties in St# John the
E$an,e&ist+s Church< Ho*e street< Li$er*oo&< for no other reason< that the
2riter 0no2s of< on&! that he cou&d find no one 2ho had authorit! to
a*ti4e for the re'ission of sins< and not *ossessin, the faith of his
father< .atthe2s< to e&ie$e that the doctrines of the *it 2ou&d eco'e
ho&! and ,os*e& doctrines 2hen tau,ht ! the ton,ue of 2ic0edness and
i'*osture< he has conc&uded thus *u&ic&! to ac0no2&ed,e hi'se&f a ser$ant
of those $er! errors he has so &on, contended a,ainst< for the sa0e of
fi&th! &ucre#
Aout the 7Hth of Se*te'er< E&der 5oodson and )riest Snider returned
to )reston< and soon after sai&ed for A'erica#
So'e !ears *re$ious&!< the *rinci*&es of the Te'*erance Societ!
Eori,ina&&! esta&ished in A'ericaF< 2ere introduced into En,&and< and
)reston 2as the first to2n to recei$e the'# A'on, the 'an! interestin, and
$a&ua&e ite's he&d forth ! the Te'*erance *eo*&e< it 2as often re'ar0ed
! the' that Te'*erance 2as the fore-runner of the 5os*e&< 2hich *ro*hec!
*ro$ed true? for 2hen the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& ca'e fro' A'erica to
En,&and< it 2as first *reached in )reston< and throu,h the inf&uence of
the Te'*erance Societ!< the Latter-da! Saint< *rocured the use of the
Te'*erance Ha&& in )reston Ea co''odious ui&din,< ori,ina&&! erected for
coc0 fi,htin,F for their cha*e&< and co''enced 'eetin, therein on the 9rd
of Se*te'er< 789M< and continued unti& the! 2ere e=ected throu,h the
inf&uence of others< the Te'*erance Societ! not ha$in, it entire&! at
their contro&# Si'i&ar fa$ors ha$e een recei$ed fro' se$era& other
Te'*erance Societies in En,&and< for 2hich the Lord re2ard the'#
E&der Richards continued to &aor a,ainst 'uch o**osition in "edford<
and the re,ion round aout< unti& the Mth of .arch< 7898< 2hen he returned
to )reston< &ea$in, aout fort! 'e'ers in char,e of E&der Ja'es La$ender#
E&der Russe&& continued to &aor in A&ston< "ra'*ton< Pc< and returned to
)reston near the sa'e ti'e< &ea$in, aout si/t! 'e'er in the care of
E&der Jaco )eart#
At Christ'as< 789M< )riest Jose*h Fie&din, 2as ordained E&der< and
se$era& 2ere ordained Teachers< Pc#< at )reston? and in .arch< 7898< the
Church had e/tended fro' )reston to )en2ortha'< Lon,ton< South*ort<
Ecc&eston 3hitt&e< Hunter+s Hi&&< Chor&e!< and the inter'ediate re,ion<
throu,h the &aors of E&ders H!de< 1i'a&&< and Fie&din,< and the 'e'ers
a'ounted to se$era& hundreds in the re,ions of )reston and C&itheroe#
Durin, this 'onth< E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de 2ere di&i,ent&! en,a,ed in
or,ani4in, the different ranches? and on the first of A*ri& a ,enera&
conference 2as ca&&ed at )reston< 2hen the or,ani4ation of the churches
2as co'*&eted< and 'an! 2ere ordained< a'on, 2ho' 2ere E&ders Jose*h
Fie&din,< 3i&&ard Richards< and 3i&&ia' C&a!ton to the Hi,h )riesthood<
Ii#e# the! 2ere ordained Hi,h )riestsJ< and set a*art ! E&ders 1i'a&&
and H!de to *reside o$er a&i the churches in En,&and#
On the Nth< E&ders 1i'a&&< H!de and Russe&& too0 &ea$e of the Saints
in )reston< and 2ent to Li$er*oo&< 2here the! 2ere $isited ! E&ders
Fie&din,< Richards< C&a!ton< and others< and on the HDth of A*ri&< sai&ed
for Ne2 Yor0< on oard the 5arric0< the sa'e shi* the! ca'e out on to
En,&and#
3hen E&ders Fie&din, and Richards had returned to Lon,ton< the! found
a *a'*h&et< *ur*ortin, to e 2ritten ! the Re$# Richard Li$ese!< a
.ethodist 'inister< 2ho had s*ent so'e ti'e on a 'ission to the United
States< as he sa!s< and ha$in, nothin, 'ore i'*ortant to attend to durin,
his 'ission< it a**ears that he s*ent his ti'e in ,atherin, u* a hea* of
&ies and fi&th fro' the A'erican *a*ers< and i'*orted the' to En,&and on
his return? and findin, that the 2or0 of 5od had co''enced in his nati$e
&and< and 2as &i0e&! to destro! his craft< set hi'se&f at 2or0 to condense
his hetero,eneous 'ass of trans-At&antic &ies< and for' the 2onderfu&
*roduction of the Re$# Richard Li$ese!+s tract a,ainst the Latter-da!
Saints? it ein, the first thin, of the 0ind that the ene'! of a&&
ri,hteousness had found 'eans to e/*ort fro' A'erica< and circu&ate in
En,&and? ut since 2hich he has found ser$ants in aundance< to assist in
this nefarious 'erchandise of his heart+s de&i,ht#
The Church at this ti'e 2as in its infanc!< and needed 'uch
instruction< 2hich necessari&! occu*ied the attention of the *residin,
E&ders to a ,reat e/tent? and as there 2ere fe2 &aorers in the fie&d< the
s*read of the 2or0 2as not $er! ra*id for so'e ti'e#
Sister A&ice Hod,in died at )reston on the Hnd of Se*te'er< 7898?
and it 2as such a 2onderfu& thin, for a Latter-da! Saint to die in
En,&and< that E&der Richards 2as arrai,ned efore the .a!or+s Court at
)reston< on the 9rd of Octoer< char,ed 2ith -0i&&in, and s&a!in,- the
said A&ice 2ith a -&ac0 stic0<- Pc#< ut 2as dischar,ed 2ithout ein,
*er'itted to 'a0e his defense< as soon as it 2as disco$ered that the
ini>uit! of his accusers 2as aout to e 'ade 'anifest#
Octoer 7N< 7898< E&der C&a!ton ,a$e hi'se&f 2ho&&! to the 2or0< and
soon after co''enced *reachin, and a*ti4in, in .anchester< and fro'
thence the 2or0 s*read into Stoc0*ort< and other *&aces in the
nei,horhood< throu,h the &aors of E&ders C&a!ton< Fie&din,< John .oon<
and Da$id 3i&din,# A s'a&& church had *re$ious&! s*run, u* in "o&ton<
throu,h the &aors of E&der Da$id 3i&din,< and 2as continued ! E&der A'os
Fie&din,#
In the su''er of 789N E&ders C&a!ton Richards< and John .oon< &aored
in "urs&e'< 2ith so'e success< and a s'a&& church 2as *&anted in "urn&e!
! E&der Tho'as Richardson< esides 'an! 2ho 2ere added in the o&der
ranches< throu,h the instru'enta&it! of the &oca& E&ders and )riests< 2ho
2ere ,enera&&! $er! faithfu&#
Dece'er 8< 789N< E&ders Hira' C&ar0< A&e/ander 3ri,ht< and Sa'ue&
.u&&iner arri$ed in )reston fro' A'erica? and on the HGth< "rothers 3ri,ht
and .u&&iner started for Scot&and and soon co''enced *reachin, and
a*ti4in, in )ais&e! and $icinit!#
Januar! 79< 78@D< E&ders 3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or< and Theodore
Tur&e! arri$ed in )reston< fro' A'erica? and on the 78th "rothers 3oodruff
and Tur&e! started for the )otteries in Staffordshire< *assin, throu,h
.anchester? and on the HHnd< E&der Ta!&or &eft for Li$er*oo&#
A*ri& :< 78@D< =ust ten !ears fro' the or,ani4ation of the Church<
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt<
5eor,e A# S'ith< and Reuen Hed&oc0< &anded in Li$er*oo& fro' Ne2 Yor0?
and on the Nth E&der 1i'a&& arri$ed in )reston< =ust t2o !ears fro' the
da! he &eft for A'erica#
The arri$a& of the E&ders caused the Saints to re=oice e/ceedin,&!<
for it had een *ro*hesied ! 'an! Enot of the ChurchF< that the! 2ou&d
ne$er co'e< and that E&ders 1i'a&& and H!de 2ou&d ne$er return< ut the!
are oth no2 in En,&and< E&der Orson H!de ha$in, arri$ed in Li$er*oo& on
the 9rd instant fro' Ne2 Yor0# HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< ORSON HYDE< 3ILLARD
RICHARDS# )reston< .arch H@< 78@7#
CHA)TER 6%II#
CELE"RATION OF THE T3ELFTH ANNI%ERSARY OF THE OR5ANI;ATION
OF THE CHURCH--ORDER OF LAYIN5 CORNER-STONES OF TE.)LES--COUNCIL
.EETIN5S OF THE T3EL%E IN EN5LAND#
.arch< HG< H: and HM< 78@7#--E&ders Youn, and Richards 2ere detained
at the Li$er*oo& *ost office< as 2itnesses in the case of -The Aueen $s#
Jose*h Ho&&o2a!<- for detainin, &etters#
Saturda!< HM#--E&ders 3i&ford 3oodruff< and 5eo# A# S'ith attended a
counci& of the officia& 'e'ers of the Staffordshire Conference< at
Han&e!#
Sunda!< H8#--E&ders 3i&ford 3oodruff and 5eor,e A# S'ith attended a
,enera& 'eetin, of the Staffordshire Conference at Han&e!< 2hen 79
ranches 2ere re*resented< containin, 7 Hi,h )riest< 7M E&ders< GG
)riests< HG Teachers< 7@ Deacons< and ::9 'e'ers# Tho'as J# Fi&cher< J#
Ta!&or< Os'ond Sha2< 3# Rid,e< and H# Rid,e 2ere ordained E&ders< a&so 8
)riests< M Teachers< and H Deacons< under the hands of 3i&ford 3oodruff<
5eo# A# S'ith< and A&fred Cordon# There ha$e een 7@7 a*ti4ed durin, the
*ast three 'onths#
.onda! HN#--I attended cit! counci&< and 'o$ed that the cit! sur$e!or
e ordered to sur$e! Co''erce< and *&at the sa'e so as to corres*ond 2ith
the cit! *&at of Nau$oo< and 'a0e out a 'a* to e recorded< 2hich 2as
carried ! the Counci&# .uch 2as said in counci& aout finin, the o2ners
of do,s< and I contended that it 2as ri,ht to fine indi$idua&s 2ho 2ou&d
0ee* unru&! do,s< to 2orr! catt&e< shee*< or the citi4ens< and an
ordinance 2as *assed to that effect#
3i&&ia' .ar0s< *resident of the sta0e at Nau$oo< 'ade choice of
Char&es C# Rich and Austin Co2&es as his counse&ors#
E&ders Youn, and Richards 2ere at Li$er*oo& *ac0in, "oo0s of .or'on<
to *a! off those 2ho had &oaned the' 'one! in order to carr! for2ard the
*rintin, and indin,#
The fo&&o2in, are e/tracts fro' E&der 3oodruff+s &etter#
Letter of 3i&ford 3oodruff to Don C# S'ith--Re&atin, to Affairs in
En,&and#
"URSLE.< .arch HN# 78@7#
"ROTHER DON CARLOS S.ITH(--The fo&&o2in, is a rief s0etch of '!
=ourne! fro' London to this *&ace# E&der 1i'a&& &eft London on the 7Nth
Feruar!# I &eft on the H:th< and arri$ed at "risto& on the sa'e da!<
2here I found E&der 1in,ton< 2ho 2as usi&! en,a,ed in the 2or0 of the
Lord in that cit!< and had esta&ished a s'a&& ranch of fourteen 'e'ers#
I tarried there a short ti'e and *reached three ti'es in a theatre< had
&ar,e con,re,ations< ,ood attention< and a*ti4ed one< and there a**ears a
,ood *ros*ect of a 2or0 ein, done in that cit!# )o*u&ation of "risto&<
HDD<DDD# 3hi&e there I $isited the sus*ension rid,e< no2 erectin, across
the ri$er A$on< at St# %incent+s Roc0s< C&ifton? 2hich rid,e is one
hundred feet in hei,ht ao$e the ri$er< and se$en hundred in &en,th# I
s*ent one e$enin, in .on'outh< on the orders of 3a&es? *reached to a
&ar,e con,re,ation? se$era& a**&ied for a*tis' after 'eetin,# On the 8th
of .arch I attended a conference in 5ar2a!? E&der Le$i Richards 2as chosen
*resident< and Ja'es .or,an< c&er0? heard four ranches re*resented<
containin, one hundred and thirt!-four 'e'ers? three 2ere ordained to the
'inistr!# I a&so *reached at Lu,2ardine< Shuc0na&& Hi&&< Ledur!< D!'oc0<
and Tur0e! .a&& to &ar,e con,re,ations< and find the 2or0 of the Lord
sti&& *ro,ressin, throu,hout that re,ion< The e/cite'ent u*on the su=ect
in the cit! of Hereford has een so ,reat< that it has asse'&ed to,ether
in the 'ar0et *&ace three thousand *ersons at a ti'e to hear so'ethin,
u*on the cause of the Latter-da! Saints# On the 7Gth of .arch I attended
the 5adfie&d E&' conference< 2hich 'et at the 5adfie&d E&' Cha*e&# E&der
3i&ford 3oodruff 2as chosen *resident? John Hi&&< c&er0? 78 ranches
re*resented< containin, @D8 'e'ers< 8 E&ders< 9H )riests< 77 Teacher and
7 Deacon? 2hen such usiness 2as transacted as 2as dee'ed necessar!# I
a&so 'et &ar,e con,re,ations at 1e!send street< Co&d$i&&e< "ro2cut?
Dunc&ose< Froo'+s Hi&&< and Stan&e! Hi&&< and &eft 'an! churches on the
ri,ht and &eft< 2hich ti'e 2ou&d not *er'it 'e to $isit# I a&so 'et 2ith
the Froo'+s Hi&& conference< on the HHnd .arch< at Stan&e! Hi&&<
Herefordshire< there ein, *resent one of the tra$e&in, Hi,h Counci&< H
Hi,h )riests< HD E&ders< 9D )riests< N Teachers< t2o Deacons# E&der Le$i
Richards 2as chosen *resident< and E&der 3oodruff< c&er0# On this occasion
I heard re*resented 9D ranches< containin, NNM 'e'ers< H@ E&ders< ::
)riests< HM Teachers< M Deacons< and : 2ere ordained to the 'inistr!# The
su' tota& re*resented at these conferences 2as 7<G9N 'e'ers< 9: E&ders<
7D9 )riests< @7 Teachers< M Deacons? a&& of 2ho' ha$e e'raced the 2or0 in
that *art of the $ine!ard in one !ear< esides 'an! 'e'ers and officers
2ho ha$e e'i,rated to A'erica? and I a' ha**! to sa! that the officers and
'e'ers< ha$e uni$ersa&&! een read! to hear0en to counse&< and ,i$e heed
to our instructions< and it 2as 2ith no ordinar! fee&in,s that I too0 '!
fare2e&& of those churches 2ho ha$e een so read! to recei$e and e'race
the truth# I ca&&ed u*on the Saints in "ir'in,ha' and 5ret+s 5reen< ut
had not ti'e to ho&d an! 'eetin,s a'on, the'# I arri$ed in Han&e! on the
HGth< 2here I had the *ri$i&e,e of a,ain 'eetin, 2ith E&der 5eo# A# S'ith<
and 2as re=oiced to find the churches uni$ersa&&! *ros*erin, in
Staffordshire# I s*ent one e$enin, 2ith the church at Lon,ton< and
a*ti4ed se$en#
Tuesda!< 9D#--E&ders 3oodruff and 5eo# A# S'ith arri$ed in
.anchester< after a ride of fort! 'i&es#
3ednesda!< 97#--E&ders Youn, and Richards attended conference in
Li$er*oo&#
Thursda!< A*ri& 7< 78@7#--E&ders Youn, and Richards 2ent to
.anchester< 2here the! found E&ders 1i'a&&< H!de< 3oodruff and S'ith< and
had a ha**! 'eetin,#
Frida!< H#--E&ders Orson )ratt and John Ta!&or arri$ed at .anchester
and 2ent into counci&#
.inutes of a Counci& .eetin, of the T2e&$e#
.ANCHESTER< EN5LAND< A*ri& H< 78@7#
This da! E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson H!de< )ar&e!
)# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 3i&&ard Richards< 3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or and
5eo# A# S'ith< of the >uoru' of the T2e&$e< 'et to,ether at the house of
"rother Ja'es "usha2< coach'an No# @< 5ra! Street< near O/ford road< in
this cit!< in counci&< after ha$in, een se*arated and sent into $arious
counties# To 'eet once 'ore in counci& after a &on, se*aration< and ha$in,
*assed throu,h 'an! sore and ,rie$ous tria&s< e/*osin, our &i$es and our
characters to the s&anders and $io&ence of 2ic0ed and 'urderous 'en<
caused our hearts to s2e&& 2ith ,ratitude to 5od for His *ro$identia& care
o$er us# E&der Youn, o*ened the counci& ! *ra!er# E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,<
Heer C# 1i'a&&< and )ar&e! )# )ratt< the co''ittee a**ointed aout a
!ear a,o to secure a co*!ri,ht for the "oo0 of .or'on< in the na'e of
Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< *resented the fo&&o2in, certificate(
-Fe# 8< 78@7# Then entered for his co*!--the *ro*ert! of Jose*h
S'ith< Jun#<--+The "oo0 of .or'on? an account 2ritten ! the hand of
.or'on< u*on *&ates ta0en fro' the *&ates of Ne*hi? trans&ated ! Jose*h
S'ith< Jun# First Euro*ean< fro' the second A'erican edition# Recei$ed
fi$e co*ies# -5EOR5E 5REENHILL#-
-The ao$e is a true co*! of an entr! in the re,ister oo0 of the
Co'*an! of Stationers 0e*t< at the ha&& of the said co'*an!# 3itness '!
hand< this 7Mth da! of Feruar!< 78@7# -5EOR5E 5REENHILL< 3arehouse-0ee*er
of the Co'*an! of Stationers#-
The >uoru' $oted that the! acce*ted the &aors of said Co''ittee#
Reso&$ed( That as the >uoru' of the T2e&$e ha$e had nothin, to do 2ith the
*rintin, of the "oo0 of .or'on< the! 2i&& not no2 interfere 2ith it< ut
that the said Co''ittee sett&e the financia& or usiness 'atters thereof
2ith Jose*h S'ith< Jun#< to 2ho' the *rofits ri,ht&! e&on,#
Reso&$ed( That E&der A'os Fie&din, e a**ointed to su*erintend fitin,
out the Saints fro' Li$er*oo& to A'erica< under the instruction of )ar&e!
)# )ratt#
Reso&$ed( That "rother 5eo# J# Ada's ,o to "edford and Northa'*ton
and &aor in that re,ion#
Ad=ourned ti&& to'orro2 at 7D o+c&oc0< a#'#? E&der 1i'a&& c&osed !
*ra!er# ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
Counci& .eetin, of the T2e&$e--Continued#
.ANCHESTER< A*ri& 9< 78@7#
This da! the >uoru' of the T2e&$e 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# The
*resident ca&&ed u*on E&der H!de to o*en ! *ra!er# The >uoru' then si,ned
a &etter of co''endation to the churches in En,&and for E&der H!de#
The usiness of *u&ishin, the Star and h!'n oo0 2as then ta0en into
consideration# "rother John Ta!&or 'o$ed that those 2ho ha$e had the care
and su*erintendence of *u&ishin, the Star and h!'n oo0< shou&d dis*ose
of the' accordin, to their o2n 2ishes< and dis*ose of the *roceeds in the
sa'e 2a!? seconded ! E&der Orson )ratt< and carried ! unani'ous $ote#
.o$ed ! E&der Youn,< and seconded ! E&der 1i'a&&< that E&der )ar&e! )#
)ratt conduct the *u&ication of the .i&&ennia& Star as editor of the
sa'e< after the c&ose of the *resent $o&u'e# Reso&$ed< that E&der )ar&e!
)# )ratt re*rint the h!'n oo0 if he dee' it e/*edient# The h!'noo0 is
not to e a&tered< e/ce*t the t!*o,ra*hica& errors# The ao$e reso&ution
2as 'o$ed ! E&der 5eo# A# S'ith< and seconded ! E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff?
carried unani'ous&!# Conference ad=ourned# ORSON HYDE< C&er0#
Sunda!< @#--The )resident of the United States< 3i&&ia' Henr!
Harrison died at 3ashin,ton of the *&euris!#
Nine of the T2e&$e at .anchester attended 'eetin, at Car*enter+s
ha&&< and indi$idua&&! ore testi'on! of the fu&ness of the e$er&astin,
5os*e&# Counci& .eetin, of the T2e&$e--Continued# .ANCHESTER< A*ri& G<
78@7#
.et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# E&der Orson )ratt o*ened the counci& !
*ra!er# It 2as reso&$ed that the 7Mth da! of A*ri& e the da! a**ointed
for the T2e&$e 2ho are ,oin, to A'erica< to set sai& fro' Li$er*oo&# .o$ed
! E&der 1i'a&& and seconded ! E&der 3oodruff that the T2e&$e do
usiness at the conference as a >uoru'< and ca&& u*on the Church or
conference to sanction it# Ad=ourned ti&& the :th instant< to 'eet in
,enera& conference at Car*enter+s Ha&&< at 7D o+c&oc0 a#'# O# HYDE< C&er0#
A*ri& :< 78@7#--The first da! of the t2e&fth !ear of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! SaintsK At an ear&! hour the se$era& co'*anies
co'*risin, the Nau$oo Le,ion< 2ith t2o $o&unteer co'*anies fro' Io2a
Territor!< 'a0in, si/teen co'*anies in a&&< asse'&ed at their se$era&
*&aces of rende4$ous< and 2ere conducted in due order to the ,round
assi,ned for ,enera& re$ie2# The a**earance< order and 'o$e'ents of the
Le,ion< 2ere chaste< ,rand and i'*osin,< and ref&ected ,reat credit u*on
the taste< s0i&& and tact of the 'en co'*risin, said Le,ion# 3e dout
2hether the &i0e can e *resented in an! other cit! in the 2estern
countr!# At ha&f-*ast se$en o+c&oc0 a#'#< the fire of arti&&er! announced
the arri$a& of "ri,adier-5enera&s La2 and Don Car&os S'ith< at the front
of their res*ecti$e cohorts? and at 8 o+c&oc0 .a=or-5enera& "ennett 2as
conducted to his *ost< under the dischar,e of cannon< and too0 co''and of
the Le,ion#
At ha&f-*ast nine o+c&oc0 a#'#< Lieutenant-5enera& S'ith< 2ith his
,uard< staff and fie&d officers arri$ed at the ,round< and 2ere *resented
2ith a eautifu& si&0 nationa& f&a, ! the &adies of Nau$oo< 2hich 2as
res*ectfu&&! recei$ed and hai&ed ! the firin, of cannon< and orne off !
Co&one& Roinson< the cornet< to the a**ro*riate *osition in the &ine?
after 2hich the Lieutenant-5enera& 2ith his suite *assed the &ines in
re$ie2#
At t2e&$e '#< the *rocession arri$ed u*on the Te'*&e ,round<
enc&osin, the sa'e in a ho&&o2 s>uare< 2ith Lieutenant-5enera& S'ith<
.a=or-5enera& "ennett< "ri,adier-5enera&s 3i&son La2 and Don Car&os S'ith<
their res*ecti$e staffs< ,uard< fie&d officers< distin,uished $isitors<
choir< and< Pc#< in the centre< and the &adies and ,ent&e'en< citi4ens<
surroundin, in the interior# The su*erior officers< to,ether 2ith the
anner< architects< *rinci*a& s*ea0er< Pc#< 2ere du&! conducted to the
stand at the *rinci*a& corner stone< and the re&i,ious ser$ices 2ere
co''enced ! sin,in, fro' *a,e :G of the ne2 h!'n oo0#
)resident Sidne! Ri,don then addressed the asse'&!< and re'ar0ed the
circu'stances under 2hich he addressed the *eo*&e 2ere of no ordinar!
character< ut of *ecu&iar and indescria&e interest< that it 2as the
third occasion of a si'i&ar nature< 2herein he had een ca&&ed u*on to
address the *eo*&e< and to assist in &a!in, the corner stones of houses to
e erected in honor of the 5od of the Saints# %arious scenes had
trans*ired since the first 2as &aid--he 2ith so'e 2ho 2ere 2ith hi' on
that occasion< had 2aded throu,h scenes that no other *eo*&e had e$er
seen--not cursed< ut &essed 2ith# The! had seen the &ood of the
innocent f&o2< and heard the ,roans of those d!in, for the 2itness of
Jesus? in a&& those scenes of triu&ation< his confidence< his coura,e and
his =o! had een increasin, instead of di'inishin,# No2 the scene had
chan,ed? *ersecution had in a 'easure susided? *eace and safet!<
friendshi* and =o! cro2ned their asse'&in,? and their endea$ors to ser$e
5od 2ere res*ected and $ie2ed 2ith interest# The Saints had asse'&ed< not
to $io&ate &a2 and tra'*&e u*on e>uit! and ,ood socia& order? not to
de$astate and destro!? ut to &ift u* the standard of &iert! and &a2< to
stand in defense of ci$i& and re&i,ious< ri,hts< to *rotect the innocent<
to sa$e 'an0ind< and to oe! the 2i&& and 'andate of the Lord of ,&or!? to
ca&& u* to re'e'rance the once crucified< ut no2 e/a&ted and ,&orified
Sa$ior? to sa! that He is a,ain re$ea&ed< that He s*ea0s fro' the hea$ens<
that He rei,ns? in honor of Hi' to te&& the 2or&d that He &i$es< and
s*ea0s< and rei,ns and dictates--that not e$er! *eo*&e can ui&d a house
to Hi'< ut that *eo*&e 2ho' He Hi'se&f directs--that the *resent 'i&itar!
dis*&a! is not to usur* authorit!< ut to oe! as the! are co''anded and
directed? to honor< not the 2or&d< ut Hi' that is a&i$e and rei,ns< the
a&& in a&&< the in$isi&e< ut eho&din,< and ,uidin, and directin,--that
the Saints oast of their 1in,? of His 2isdo'< His understandin,< His
*o2er and His ,oodness--that the! honor a 5od of unounded *o2er and
,&or!--that He is the chief corner stone in ;ion< a&so the to* stone--that
He cannot e con>uered--that He is 2or0in, in the 2or&d to ,uide< to
con>uer< and to sudue--that as for'er&!< so no2 He 2or0s !
re$e&ation--that this is the reason 2h! 2e are here< and 2h! 2e are
thus--that the Saints ha$e sacrificed a&& thin,s for the testi'on! of
Jesus Christ--that so'e fro' different *arts of Euro*e and fro' Canada< as
2e&& as the different *arts of the United States< are *resent< and a'on,
a&&< a unani'it! of *ur*ose and fee&in, *re$ai&s--and 2h!B "ecause the
sa'e 5od o$er a&& had s*o0en fro' the hea$ens and a,ain re$ea&ed Hi'se&f#
He re'ar0ed that he defied the de$i& to co&&ect such an asse'&!? none ut
Jesus 2ou&d or cou&d acco'*&ish such thin,s as 2e are aout to eho&d? the
de$i& 2i&& not ui&d u*< ut tear do2n and destro!? the 2or0 of Jesus is
&i0e Hi'se&f in a&& a,es--that as &i,ht shines fro' the east< and s*reads
itse&f to the 2est< so is the *ro,ress of s*iritua& &i,ht and truth--that
Jesus is a 5od of order< re,u&arit! and unifor'it!--that he 2or0s no2 !
re$e&ation and ! 'essen,ers as ancient&!--sho2s Hi'se&f--&ifts the $ei&?
that such thin,s are 'ar$e&ous< ut ne$erthe&ess true--that the order of
&a!in, the corner stones 2as e/*ressi$e of the order of the 0in,do'--that
the 'inutia 2ere su=ect 'atter of re$e&ation< and a&& the scener!< acts
of oedience are understood ! the Saints--that the ancient )ro*hets
ehe&d and re=oiced at this scene< and are near to 2itness the fu&fi&&'ent
of their *redictions--that 2e are hi,h&! fa$ored of 5od< and rou,ht near
to the s*irits of =ust 'en 'ade *erfect# He then c&osed ! e/hortation<
first to the 'u&titude< and &ast&! to the Church# The s*ea0er then ,a$e
out a h!'n< *a,e HDG< and c&osed ! *ra!er#
The architects then< ! the direction of the First )residenc!<
&o2ered the first Ethe south-east cornerF stone to its *&ace< and
)resident Jose*h S'ith *ronounced the enediction as fo&&o2s(
This *rinci*a& corner stone in re*resentation of the First
)residenc!< is no2 du&! &aid in honor of the 5reat 5od? and 'a! it there
re'ain unti& the 2ho&e faric is co'*&eted? and 'a! the sa'e e
acco'*&ished s*eedi&!? that the Saints 'a! ha$e a *&ace to 2orshi* 5od<
and the Son of .an ha$e 2here to &a! His head#
)resident Sidne! Ri,don then *ronounced the fo&&o2in,( .a! the
*ersons e'*&o!ed in the erection of this house e *reser$ed fro' a&& har'
2hi&e en,a,ed in its construction< ti&& the 2ho&e is co'*&eted< in the
na'e of the Father< and of the Son< and of the Ho&! 5host# E$en so# A'en#
Ad=ourned for one hour#
Asse'&ed accordin, to ad=ourn'ent< and *roceeded to &a! the
re'ainin, corner stones< accordin, to *re$ious order#
The second Esouth-2est cornerF stone< ! the direction of the
*resident of the Hi,h )riesthood< 2ith his counci& and )resident .ar0s<
2as &o2ered to its *&ace< 2hen the *resident of the Hi,h )riesthood
*ronounced the fo&&o2in,(
The second corner stone of the Te'*&e no2 ui&din, ! the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< in honor of the 5reat 5od< is du&!
&aid< and 'a! the sa'e unani'it!< that has een 'anifested on this
occasion continue ti&& the 2ho&e is co'*&eted? that *eace 'a! rest u*on it
to the &a!in, of the to* stone thereof< and the turnin, of the 0e!
thereof? that the Saints 'a! *artici*ate in the &essin,s of Israe&+s 5od<
2ithin its 2a&&s< and the ,&or! of 5od rest u*on the sa'e# A'en#
The third Ethe north-2est cornerF stone< su*erintended ! the Hi,h
Counci&< 2as then &o2ered to its *&ace< 2ith the enediction of E&ias
Hi,ee< as fo&&o2s(
The third corner stone is no2 du&! &aid? 'a! this stone e a fir'
su**ort to the ui&din, that the 2ho&e 'a! e co'*&eted as efore
*ro*osed#
The fourth Ethe north-east cornerF stone< su*erintended ! the
"isho*s< 2as then &o2ered to its *&ace< and "isho* 3hitne! *ronounced the
fo&&o2in,(
The fourth and &ast corner stone< e/*ressi$e of the Lesser
)riesthood< is no2 du&! &aid< and 'a! the &essin,s efore *ronounced<
2ith a&& others desira&e< rest u*on the sa'e fore$er# A'en#
The ser$ices 2ere then dec&ared c&osed< and the 'i&itar! retired to
the *arade ,round and 2ere dis'issed 2ith the a**roation and than0s of
the co''andin, officer# The 'i&itar! and< under the co''and of Ca*tain
Du4ette< 'ade a cons*icuous and di,nified a**earance< and *erfor'ed their
*art honora&!# Their sou&-stirrin, strains 'et har'onious&! the risin,
e'otions that s2e&&ed each oso'< and sti'u&ated us on2ard to the arduous
ut *&easin, and honora&e duties of the da!# The choir a&so< under the
direction of "# S# 3i&er< deser$e co''endation#
3hat added ,reat&! to the ha**iness 2e e/*erienced on this
interestin, occasion< is the fact that 2e heard no oscene or *rofane
&an,ua,e? neither sa2 2e an! one into/icated# Can the sa'e e said of a
si'i&ar asse'&a,e in an! other cit! in the UnionB Than0 5od that the
into/icatin, e$era,e< the ane of hu'anit! in these &ast da!s< is
eco'in, a stran,er in Nau$oo#
In conc&usion< 2e 2i&& sa! 2e ne$er 2itnessed a 'ore i'*osin,
s*ectac&e than 2as *resented on this occasion< and durin, the sessions of
the conference# Such a 'u&titude of *eo*&e 'o$in, in har'on!< in
friendshi*< in di,nit!< to&d in a $oice not easi&! 'isunderstood< that
the! 2ere a *eo*&e of inte&&i,ence< and $irtue and order? in short< that
the! 2ere Saints? and that the 5od of &o$e< *urit! and &i,ht< 2as their
5od< their E/e'*&ar< and Director? and that the! 2ere &essed and ha**!#
If the strict order of the )riesthood 2ere carried out in the
ui&din, of Te'*&es< the first stone 2ou&d e &aid at the south-east
corner< ! the First )residenc! of the Church# The south-2est corner
shou&d e &aid ne/t# The third< or north-2est corner ne/t? and the fourth<
or north-east corner &ast# The first )residenc! shou&d &a! the south-east
corner stone and dictate 2ho are the *ro*er *ersons to &a! the other
corner stones#
If a Te'*&e is ui&t at a distance< and the First )residenc! are not
*resent< then the Auoru' of the T2e&$e A*ost&es are the *ersons to dictate
the order for that Te'*&e? and in the asence of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< then
the )residenc! of the Sta0e 2i&& &a! the south-east corner stone? the
.e&chisedec )riesthood &a!in, the corner stones on the east side of the
Te'*&e< and the Lesser )riesthood those on the 2est side#
A Conference 2as he&d at )hi&ade&*hia? )resident H!ru' S'ith
*residin,? 'an! ranches 2ere re*resented and the ranch at )hi&ade&*hia
2as or,ani4ed ! e&ectin, "en=a'in 3inchester< )resident< and Edson
3hi**&e and 3i&&ia' 3harnot< his Counse&ors# Jaco S!*hret 2as e&ected
"isho*< and Jesse )rince and Ja'es Nicho&son his Counse&ors#
.eetin, of the Counci& of the T2e&$e in .anchester# The Counci& of
the T2e&$e asse'&ed at .anchester< in Car*enter+s Ha&&< on the Mth da! of
A*ri&< 78@7< for the first ti'e to transact usiness as a >uoru' in the
*resence of the Church< in a forei,n &and? ein, the first da! of the 7Hth
!ear of the rise of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints# Nine
of the >uoru' 2ere *resent? $i4#< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson
H!de< )ar&e! )# )ratt< Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 3i&&ard Richards<
John Ta!&or and 5eo# A# S'ith< )resident Youn, ha$in, ca&&ed the 'eetin,
to order< and or,ani4ed< the conference then o*ened ! *ra!er# E&der
Tho'as 3ard 2as chosen C&er0# The )resident then 'ade so'e introductor!
re'ar0s re&ati$e to the or,ani4ation of the Church in the House of the
Lord in A'erica< in reference to the different >uoru's in their res*ecti$e
orders and authorities in the Church#
The re*resentation of the churches and conferences throu,hout the
0in,do' 2as then ca&&ed for#
Conference ad=ourned ti&& H *#'#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent? o*ened ! *ra!er#
Scatterin, 'e'ers 2ere then re*resented< consistin, of near&! fift!<
not inc&uded in an! of the ao$e ranches#
)resident Youn, then *roceeded to 'a0e so'e re'ar0s on the office of
)atriarch< and conc&uded ! 'o$in, that E&der John A&ertsonC e ordained
to that office# Seconded ! E&der 1i'a&&< and carried unani'ous&!#
Reso&$ed( That 5eor,e D# 3att< 5eor,e J# Ada's< A'os Fie&din,<
3i&&ia' 1a!< John Sanders< Tho'as Richardson< Ja'es 3hitehead< Tho'as
Do'$i&&e< Ja'es 5a&&e! and 5eor,e Si'*son e ordained Hi,h )riests#
Reso&$ed( That the fo&&o2in, *ersons e ordained E&ders--3i&&ia'
.i&&er< 3i&&ia' Leach< John Sands< 3i&&ia' .oon< 3i&&ia' Hard'an< 3i&&ia'
"&ac0< John 5oodfe&&o2< Jose*h "rotherton< Richard "enson< Theo*hi&us
"rotherton< John .cI&2ic0< and 3i&&ia' 5reen#
Reso&$ed( That .anchester< Stoc0*ort< Du0infie&d< O&dha'< "o&ton< and
a&& the nei,horin, ranches e or,ani4ed into one conference< to e
ca&&ed the .anchester Conference#
That the Church in "ra'*ton< A&ston< and Car&is&e e inc&uded in one
conference#
That the churches of Li$er*oo&< Is&es of .an< 3a&es< $i4#< O$erton<
Hardin, and E&&s'ere< e or,ani4ed into one conference< to e ca&&ed the
Li$er*oo& conference#
Reso&$ed( That the .acc&esfie&d Conference inc&ude .acc&esfie&d<
North2ich< .idd&e2ich< and Lostoc0#
That Edinur,h Conference inc&ude 5&as,o2< )ais&e!< "rid,e of 3eir<
Johnstone and Thorne! "an0#
That 5eor,e D# 3att *reside o$er the Edinur,h Conference#
That John 5reenho2 *reside o$er the Li$er*oo& Conference#
That Tho'as 3ard *reside o$er the C&itheroe Conference#
That Loren4o Sno2 *reside o$er the London Conference#
That Ja'es 5a&&e! *reside o$er the .acc&esfie&d Conference#
That A&fred Cordon *reside o$er the Staffordshire Conference#
That Ja'es Ri&e! e ordained a Hi,h )riest< and *reside o$er the
"ir'in,ha' Conference#
That Ja'es .cAn&e! *reside o$er the 5&as,o2 Conference#
That Tho'as Richardson *reside o$er the 5adfie&d E&' Conference#
That 3i&&ia' 1a! *reside o$er the Froo'+s Hi&& Conference#
That Le$i Richards ha$e the su*erintendence of the 5ar2a! Conference#
That )eter .e&&in, *reside o$er the )reston Conference#
That John Sanders *reside o$er the "ra'*ton Conference#
Ad=ourned ti&& se$en o+c&oc0< *#'#
.et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent? co''enced ! sin,in,< -3hen sha&& 2e a&&
'eet a,ain<- and *ra!er#
The )atriarch )eter .e&&in,< 2as then ca&&ed u*on to *ronounce a
*atriarcha& &essin, u*on the head of John A&ertson< *re$ious to his
ein, ordained to the office of )atriarch# La!in, his hands u*on hi' he
&essed hi' in the fo&&o2in, 2ords(
-John< I &a! '! hands u*on th! head< in the na'e of Jesus Christ? and
! the authorit! of the Ho&! )riesthood co''itted unto 'e< I *ronounce
u*on th! head the &essin,s of Araha'< Isaac and Jaco? and I sa! unto
thee< that< inas'uch as it is in th! heart to do the 2i&& of the Lord<
thou sha&t e &essed< and the desires of th! heart sha&& e ,ranted thee?
and the Lord 5od 2i&& en&ar,e th! heart? and< inas'uch as thou 2i&t e
hu'&e and faithfu& efore the Lord in th! ca&&in,< e$en that of a
)atriarch< thou sha&t e &essed< stren,thened< and ha$e ,reat 2isdo' and
understandin,? th! o2e&s sha&& e fi&&ed 2ith co'*assion for the 2ido2
and father&ess? and I *ra! that our Father in Hea$en 2i&& ta0e thee into
His o2n care< and as He fee&s for th! 2e&fare< thou sha&t e 'ade stron,
in faith< and the Lord sha&& &ess thee and o*en the understandin,# Thou
sha&t 0no2 the doctrine of Jesus Christ< and the '!steries of hea$en sha&&
e o*ened to th! 'ind# Thou sha&t a&so ha$e the ,ift of *ro*hec! and
re$e&ation< and thou sha&t *redict those thin,s that sha&& ta0e *&ace to
the &atest ,eneration# I *ra! that our Father in hea$en 'a! confer these
&essin,s u*on th! head? !ea< thou sha&t e a 'i,ht! 'an< if thou 2i&t e
a faithfu& 'an< and a hu'&e 'an< so that thou 'a!st e an orna'ent to th!
ca&&in,< and a &essin, to the *osterit!? !ea< th! *osterit! sha&& e
&essed< and the! sha&& eco'e 'i,ht! u*on the earth< and eco'e &essed
inas'uch as thou 2i&t e faithfu& in a&& thin,s< and 2atch unto *ra!er#
Thou sha&t fina&&! o$erco'e< and e &ifted u* on hi,h< and inherit the
'ansions *re*ared for thee in the 0in,do' of our 5od# Thou art of the
&ood of E*hrai'? and I sea& these &essin,s u*on th! head in the na'e of
Jesus Christ# A'en< and a'en#-
The A*ost&es then &aid hands on John A&ertson< and ordained hi' to
the office of )atriarch#
The ordinations of the Hi,h )riests then too0 *&ace? ut< fro' the
*ressure of usiness< it 2as directed that the Hi,h )riests 2ho 2ere
*resent shou&d retire to the $estr!< 2ith those 2ho 2ere to e ordained
E&ders< and there ordain the' at the sa'e ti'e that the ordinations of the
Hi,h )riests 2ere *roceedin,#
Se$era& a**ro*riate discourses 2ere de&i$ered ! different 'e'ers of
the T2e&$e A*ost&es in re&ation to the duties of the officers in their
res*ecti$e ca&&in,s< and the duties and *ri$i&e,es of the 'e'ers? a&so of
the *ros*erit! of the 2or0 in ,enera&#
A $er! rich&! orna'ented ca0e< a *resent fro' Ne2 Yor0< fro' E&der
5eor,e J# Ada's+ 2ife to the T2e&$e< 2as then e/hiited to the 'eetin,#
This 2as &essed ! the' and distriuted to a&& the officers and 'e'ers<
and the 2ho&e con,re,ation< consistin,< *erha*s< of se$en hundred *eo*&e?
a &ar,e fra,'ent 2as sti&& *reser$ed for so'e 2ho 2ere not *resent# Durin,
the distriution se$era& a**ro*riate h!'ns 2ere sun,< and a *o2erfu& and
,enera& fee&in, of de&i,ht uni$ersa&&! *er$aded the 'eetin,#
3hi&e this 2as *roceedin,< E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt co'*osed< and handed
o$er to the c&er0< the fo&&o2in, &ines< 2hich the c&er0 then read to the
'eetin,(
3hen in far distant re,ions< As stran,ers 2e roa'< Far a2a! fro' our
countr!< our friends and our ho'e(
3hen sin0in, in sorro2< Fresh coura,e 2e+&& ta0e< As 2e thin0 of our
friends< And re'e'er the ca0e#
E&der Orson H!de a**ea&ed *o2erfu&&! to the 'eetin,< and co$enanted
2ith the Saints *resent< in a ond of 'utua& *ra!er< durin, his 'ission to
Jerusa&e' and the East< 2hich 2as sustained on the *art of the hearers
2ith a heart! a'en#
E&der Fie&din, re'ar0ed res*ectin, the rich ca0e of 2hich the! had
een *arta0in,< that he considered it a t!*e of the ,ood thin,s of that
&and fro' 2hence it ca'e< and fro' 2hich the! had recei$ed the fu&&ness of
the 5os*e&#
The nu'er of officia& 'e'ers *resent at this conference 2as then
ta0en< $i4#< >uoru' of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< N? )atriarchs< H? Hi,h
)riests< 7:? >uoru' of the Se$enties< H? E&ders< 97? )riests< H8?
Teachers< 7M? Deacons< H#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 3i&&ia' .i&&er then san, the h!'n -Adieu< '!
dear rethren<- Pc#< and )resident Youn, &essed the con,re,ation and
dis'issed the'# "RI5HA. YOUN5< Chair'an# THO.AS 3ARD< C&er0#
CHA)TER 6%III#
5ENERAL CONFERENCE AT NAU%OO--E)ISTLE OF THE T3EL%E TO THE
SAINTS IN EN5LAND--DIFFERENCE "ET3EEN "A)TISTS AND LATTER-DAY SAINTS#
.inutes of the 5enera& Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints he&d in Nau$oo< I&&inois< on the Mth da! of A*ri&< one
thousand ei,ht hundred and fort!-one#
The na'es of the *residents of the se$era& >uoru's 2ere ca&&ed< and
the! too0 their seats on the stand< 2ith their counse&ors in front# The
'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order# Choir san, a h!'n? *ra!er ! 3i&&ia' La2#
The c&er0 then read the re*ort of the First )residenc!< as fo&&o2s--
RE)ORT OF THE FIRST )RESIDENCY#
The )residenc! of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<
fee& ,reat *&easure in asse'&in, 2ith the Saints at another ,enera&
conference< under circu'stances so aus*icious and cheerin,? and 2ith
,ratefu& hearts to A&'i,ht! 5od for His *ro$identia& re,ard< the!
cordia&&! unite 2ith the Saints< on this occasion< in ascriin, honor<
,&or!< and &essin, to His Ho&! na'e#
It is 2ith unfei,ned *&easure that the! ha$e to 'a0e 0no2n the stead!
and ra*id increase of the Church in this state< the United States< and
Euro*e# The an/iet! to eco'e ac>uainted 2ith the *rinci*&es of the
5os*e&< on e$er! hand is intense< and the cr! of -co'e o$er and he&* us<-
is reachin, the E&ders on the 2in,s of e$er! 2ind? 2hi&e thousands 2ho
ha$e heard the 5os*e& ha$e eco'e oedient thereto< and are re=oicin, in
its ,ifts and &essin,s# )re=udice< 2ith its attendant train of e$i&< is
,i$in, 2a! efore the force of truth< 2hose eni,n ra!s are *enetratin,
the nations afar off#
The re*orts fro' the T2e&$e A*ost&es in Euro*e are $er! satisfactor!<
and state that the 2or0 continues to *ro,ress 2ith un*ara&&e&ed ra*idit!<
and that the har$est is tru&! ,reat# In the Eastern States the faithfu&
&aorers are successfu&< and 'an! are f&oc0in, to the standard of truth#
Nor is the South 0ee*in, ac0# Churches ha$e een raised u* in the
Southern and 3estern States< and a $er! *ressin, in$itation has een
recei$ed fro' Ne2 Or&eans< for so'e of the E&ders to $isit that cit!?
2hich has een co'*&ied 2ith# In our o2n state and i''ediate nei,horhood<
'an! are a$o2in, their attach'ent to the *rinci*&es of our ho&! re&i,ion<
and ha$e eco'e oedient to the faith#
)eace and *ros*erit! attend us? and 2e ha$e fa$or in the si,ht of 5od
and $irtuous 'en# The ti'e 2as< 2hen 2e 2ere &oo0ed u*on as decei$ers< and
that -.or'onis'- 2ou&d soon *ass a2a!< co'e to nou,ht< and e for,otten#
"ut the ti'e has ,one ! 2hen it is &oo0ed u*on as a transient 'atter< or
a u&e on the 2a$e< and it is no2 ta0in, a dee* ho&d in the hearts and
affections of a&& those 2ho are no&e-'inded enou,h to &a! aside the
*re=udice of education< and in$esti,ate the su=ect 2ith candor and
honest!# The truth< &i0e the sturd! oa0< has stood unhurt a'id the
contendin, e&e'ents< 2hich ha$e eat u*on it 2ith tre'endous force# The
f&oods ha$e ro&&ed< 2a$e after 2a$e< in >uic0 succession< and ha$e not
s2a&&o2ed it u*# -The! ha$e &ifted u* their $oice< O Lord? the f&oods ha$e
&ifted u* their $oice? ut the Lord of Hosts is 'i,htier than the 'i,ht!
2a$es of the sea?- nor ha$e the f&a'es of *ersecution< 2ith a&& the
inf&uence of 'os< een a&e to destro! it? ut &i0e .oses+ ush< it has
stood unconsu'ed< and no2 at this 'o'ent *resents an i'*ortant s*ectac&e
oth to 'en and an,e&s# 3here can 2e turn our e!es to eho&d such anotherB
3e conte'*&ate a *eo*&e 2ho ha$e e'raced a s!ste' of re&i,ion< un*o*u&ar<
and the adherence to 2hich has rou,ht u*on the' re*eated *ersecutions# A
*eo*&e 2ho< for their &o$e to 5od< and attach'ent to His cause< ha$e
suffered hun,er< na0edness< *eri&s< and a&'ost e$er! *ri$ation# A *eo*&e
2ho< for the sa0e of their re&i,ion< ha$e had to 'ourn the *re'ature death
of *arents< husands< 2i$es< and chi&dren# A *eo*&e< 2ho ha$e *referred
death to s&a$er! and h!*ocris!< and ha$e honora&! 'aintained their
characters< and stood fir' and i''o$a&e< in ti'es that ha$e tried 'en+s
sou&s# Stand fast< !e Saints of 5od< ho&d on a &itt&e 2hi&e &on,er< and
the stor' of &ife 2i&& e *ast< and !ou 2i&& e re2arded ! that 5od 2hose
ser$ants !ou are< and 2ho 2i&& du&! a**reciate a&& !our toi&s and
aff&ictions for Christ+s sa0e and the 5os*e&+s# Your na'es 2i&& e handed
do2n to *osterit! as Saints of 5od and $irtuous 'en#
"ut 2e ho*e that those scenes of &ood 2i&& ne$er 'ore occur< ut
that 'an!< $er! 'an!< such scenes as the *resent 2i&& e 2itnessed ! the
Saints< and that in the Te'*&e< the foundation of 2hich has een so
ha**i&! &aid< 2i&& the Saints of the .ost Hi,h continue to con,re,ate fro'
!ear to !ear in *eace and safet!#
Fro' the 0ind and ,enerous fee&in,s< 'anifested ! the citi4ens of
this state< since our so=ourn a'on, the'< 2e 'a! continue to e/*ect the
en=o!'ent of a&& the &essin,s of ci$i& and re&i,ious &iert!< ,uaranteed
! the Constitution# The citi4ens of I&&inois ha$e done the'se&$es honor<
in thro2in, the 'ant&e of the Constitution o$er a *ersecuted and aff&icted
*eo*&e( and ha$e ,i$en e$ident *roof that the! are not on&! in the
en=o!'ent of the *ri$i&e,es of free'en the'se&$es< ut a&so that the!
2i&&in,&! and cheerfu&&! e/tend that in$a&ua&e &essin, to others< and
that the! free&! a2ard to faithfu&ness and $irtue their due#
The *roceedin,s of the &e,is&ature< in re,ard to the citi4ens of this
*&ace< ha$e een 'ar0ed 2ith *hi&anthro*! and ene$o&ence? and the! ha$e
&aid us under ,reat and &astin, o&i,ations< in ,rantin, us the se$era&
&iera& charters 2e no2 en=o!< and ! 2hich 2e ho*e to *ros*er unti& our
cit! eco'es the 'ost s*&endid< our Uni$ersit! the 'ost &earned< and our
Le,ion the 'ost effecti$e of an! in the Union# In the &an,ua,e of one of
our o2n *oets< 2e 2ou&d sa!--
In I&&inois 2e+$e found a safe retreat< A ho'e< a she&ter fro'
o**ression dire? 3here 2e can 2orshi* 5od as 2e thin0 ri,ht< And 'oers
co'e not to distur our *eace? 2here 2e can &i$e and ho*e for etter da!s<
En=o! a,ain our &iert!< our ri,hts ( That socia& intercourse 2hich
freedo' ,rants< And charit! re>uires of 'an to 'an# And &on, 'a! charit!
*er$ade each reast< And &on, 'a! I&&inois re'ain the scene Of rich
*ros*erit!< ! *eace secured#
In conse>uence of the i'*o$erished condition of the Saints< the
ui&din,s 2hich are in course of erection do not *ro,ress as fast as cou&d
e desired? ut fro' the interest 2hich is ,enera&&! 'anifested ! the
Saints at &ar,e< 2e ho*e to acco'*&ish 'uch ! a co'ination of effort<
and a concentration of action< and erect the Te'*&e and other *u&ic
ui&din,s< 2hich 2e so 'uch need for our 'utua& instruction and the
education of our chi&dren#
Fro' the re*orts 2hich ha$e een recei$ed< 2e 'a! e/*ect a &ar,e
e'i,ration this season# The *roc&a'ation 2hich 2as sent< so'e ti'e a,o< to
the churches aroad< has een res*onded to< and ,reat nu'ers are 'a0in,
*re*arations to co'e and &ocate the'se&$es in this cit! and $icinit!#
Fro' 2hat 2e no2 2itness< 2e are &ed to &oo0 for2ard 2ith *&easin,
antici*ation to the future< and soon e/*ect to see the thousands of Israe&
f&oc0in, to this re,ion in oedience to the hea$en&! co''and? nu'erous
inhaitants--Saints--thic0&! studdin, the f&o2er! and 2ide-s*read *rairies
of I&&inois? te'*&es for the 2orshi* of our 5od erectin, in $arious *arts<
and ,reat *eace restin, u*on Israe&#
3e 2ou&d ca&& the attention of the Saints 'ore *articu&ar&! to the
ui&din, of the Te'*&e< for on its s*eed! erection ,reat &essin,s de*end#
The 4ea& 2hich is 'anifested ! the Saints in this cit! is< indeed<
*raise2orth!< and< 2e ho*e 2i&& e i'itated ! the Saints in the $arious
sta0es and ranches of the Church< and that those 2ho cannot contriute
&aor 2i&& rin, their ,o&d and their si&$er< their rass and their iron<
2ith the *ine tree< and o/ tree< to eautif! the sa'e#
3e are ,&ad to hear of the or,ani4ation of the different >uoru's in
this cit!< and ho*e that their or,ani4ation 2i&& e attended to in e$er!
sta0e and ranch of the Church< for the A&'i,ht! is a &o$er of order and
,ood ,o$ern'ent#
Fro' the faith and enter*rise of the Saints ,enera&&!< 2e fee&
,reat&! encoura,ed and cheerfu&&! attend to the i'*ortant duties de$o&$in,
u*on us< 0no2in, that 2e not on&! ha$e the a**ro$a& of hea$en< ut a&so
that our efforts for the esta&ish'ent of ;ion and the s*read of truth<
are cheerfu&&! seconded ! the thousands of Israe&#
In conc&usion 2e 2ou&d sa!< rethren< e faithfu&< &et !our &o$e and
'oderation e 0no2n unto a&& 'en? e *atient< e 'indfu& to oser$e a&&
the co''and'ents of !our Hea$en&! Father< and the 5od of a&& ,race sha&&
&ess !ou# E$en so< A'en# JOSE)H S.ITH< )resident< RO"ERT "# THO.)SON<
C&er0#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed that the re*ort e *rinted in the Ti'es and
Seasons#
)resident Ri,don arose and stated that< in conse>uence of 2ea0ness
fro' his &aors of !esterda!< he 2ou&d ca&& u*on 5enera& John C# "ennett
to officiate in his *&ace#
5enera& "ennett then read the re$e&ations fro' -The "oo0 of the La2
of the Lord<- 2hich had een recei$ed since the &ast ,enera& conference<
in re&ation to 2ritin, a *roc&a'ation to the 0in,s of the earth< ui&din,
a te'*&e in Nau$oo< the or,ani4ation of the Church< Pc#
)resident Jose*h S'ith rose< and 'ade so'e oser$ations in
e/*&anation of the sa'e? and &i0e2ise of the necessit! 2hich e/isted of
ui&din, the Te'*&e< that the Saints 'i,ht ha$e a suita&e *&ace for
2orshi*in, the A&'i,ht!? and a&so the ui&din, of the Nau$oo "oardin,
House< that suita&e acco''odations 'a! e afforded for the stran,ers 2ho
$isit this cit!#
The choir sun, a h!'n< and the 'eetin, ad=ourned for one hour#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent< and 2as ca&&ed to order !
3i&&ia' La2#
Choir sun, a h!'n< and )resident 3i&&ia' .ar0s addressed the throne
of ,race#
5enera& "ennett read the charters ,ranted ! the &e,is&ature of this
state< for incor*oratin, -the Cit! of Nau$oo<- -the Nau$oo Le,ion<- -the
Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo<- -the A,ricu&tura& and .anufacturin,
Association<- and -the Nau$oo House Association#-
On 'otion< Reso&$ed that the charters no2 read e recei$ed ! the
Church#
)resident Don Car&os S'ith arose< and ,a$e an e/hortation to the
asse'&!#
5enera& John C# "ennett then s*o0e at so'e &en,th on the *resent
situation< *ros*ects< and condition of the Church< and re'ar0ed that the
hand of 5od 'ust indeed e $isi&e< in acco'*&ishin, the ,reat &essin,s
and *ros*erit! of the Church< and ca&&ed u*on the Saints to e faithfu&
and oedient in a&& thin,s< and &i0e2ise forci&! and e&o>uent&! ur,ed the
necessit! of ein, united in a&& their 'o$e'ents? and efore he sat do2n<
he 2ished to 0no2 ho2 'an! of the Saints 2ho 2ere *resent fe&t dis*osed to
continue to act in concert and fo&&o2 the instructions of the First
)residenc!? and ca&&ed u*on a&& those 2ho did so< to arise on their
feet--2hen i''ediate&! the Saints< a&'ost 2ithout e/ce*tion< arose#
The choir sun, a h!'n< and the 'eetin,< after *ra!er< ad=ourned unti&
to'orro2 'ornin,#
Thursda!< 8th#
Thursda! 'ornin,< A*ri& 8# At an ear&! hour this 'ornin, the
different >uoru's< 2ho had *re$ious&! een or,ani4ed< ca'e to the ,round
and too0 their seats as fo&&o2s( The First )residenc!< 2ith the )residents
of the >uoru's on the stand< the Hi,h Counci& on the front of the stand<
the Hi,h )riests on the front to the ri,ht of the stand< the Se$enties
i''ediate&! ehind the Hi,h )riests< the Eiders in the front to the &eft<
the Lesser )riesthood on the ri,ht#
On 'otion< Reso&$ed< that this conference continue unti& Sunda!
e$enin,#
)resident Jose*h S'ith dec&ared the ru&e of $otin, to e< a 'a=orit!
in each >uoru'? e/horted the' to de&ieration< faith< and *ra!er? and that
the! shou&d e strict and i'*artia& in their e/a'inations# He then to&d
the' that the *residents of the different >uoru's 2ou&d e *resented
efore the' for their acce*tance or re=ection#
"isho* 3hitne! then *resented the First )residenc! to the Lesser
)riesthood#
)resident John A# Hic0s *resented the' to the E&ders+ >uoru'#
)resident Jose*h Youn, *resented the' to the >uoru's of the Se$enties#
)resident Don Car&os S'ith *resented the' to the Hi,h )riests+ >uoru'#
Counse&or E&ias Hi,ee *resented the' to the Hi,h Counci&? and the c&er0
then *resented the' to the *residents of a&& the >uoru's on the stand< and
the! 2ere unani'ous&! acce*ted# John C# "ennett 2as *resented< 2ith the
First )residenc!< as Assistant )resident unti& )resident Ri,don+s hea&th
shou&d e restored#
The *residents and counse&ors e&on,in, to the se$era& >uoru's 2ere
then )resented to each >uoru' se*arate&!< for a**ro$a& or re=ection< 3hen
the fo&&o2in, *ersons 2ere o=ected to< $i4#< John A# Hic0s< *resident of
the E&ders+ >uoru'? A&anson Ri*&e!< "isho*? E&der John E# )a,e< one of the
T2e&$e A*ost&es? and Noah )ac0ard< Hi,h )riest# "isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne!
'o$ed their cases e &aid o$er< to e tried efore the se$era& >uoru's#
)resident Jose*h S'ith *resented the ui&din, co''ittee of the -House
of the Lord<- $i4#< A&*heus Cut&er< Re!no&ds Cahoon< and E&ias Hi,ee< to
the se$era& >uoru's co&&ecti$e&!< and the! 2ere unani'ous&! recei$ed#
)resident S'ith oser$ed that it 2as necessar! that so'eone shou&d e
a**ointed to fi&& the Auoru' of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< in the roo' of the
&ate E&der Da$id 3# )atten? 2hereu*on )resident Ri,don no'inated E&der
L!'an 3i,ht to that office? and he 2as unani'ous&! acce*ted# E&der 3i,ht
stated that it 2as an office of ,reat honor and res*onsii&it!< and he
fe&t inade>uate to the tas0? ut< inas'uch as it 2as the 2ish of the
authorities of the Church that he shou&d ta0e that office< he 2ou&d
endea$or to 'a,nif! it#
Reso&$ed( That Ja'es A&&red e a**ointed to the office of Hi,h
Counci&or< in the *&ace of Char&es C# Rich< 2ho had een chosen a
counse&or to the *resident of this sta0e< and that Leonard So! e
a**ointed one of the Hi,h Counci&< in the roo' of Da$id Dort< deceased#
The choir sun, a h!'n< and after *ra!er ! )resident Ri,don< the
'eetin, ad=ourned for t2o hours#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent# A h!'n 2as sun, ! the choir#
)resident Ri,don de&i$ered an interestin, discourse on the su=ect of
-"a*tis' for the dead#-
)resident Jose*h S'ith fo&&o2ed on the sa'e su=ect? and thre2
considera&e &i,ht on the doctrine 2hich had een *resented#
The choir then sun, a h!'n? and after *ra!er ! E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith<
conference ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 'ornin, at 7D o+c&oc0
Frida! 'ornin,< the Nth< conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent#
The >uoru's re*orted that the! had in$esti,ated the conduct of the
*ersons 2ho had een o=ected to< and that the! had re=ected A&anson
Ri*&e! and Ja'es Foster# Lea$e 2as ,i$en to Ja'es Foster to 'a0e a fe2
re'ar0s res*ectin, the char,es *referred a,ainst hi'( after 2hich it 2as
reso&$ed that E&der Ja'es Foster continue his standin, in the Church#
Reso&$ed( That< as A&anson Ri*&e! has not a**eared to ans2er the char,es
*referred a,ainst hi'< that his "isho*ric e ta0en fro' hi'#
)resident Jose*h S'ith 'ade so'e oser$ations res*ectin, the dut! of
the se$era& >uoru's< in sendin, their 'e'ers into the $ine!ard< and a&so
stated that &aor on the Te'*&e 2ou&d e as acce*ta&e to the Lord< as
*reachin, in the 2or&d< and that it 2as necessar! that so'e a,ents shou&d
e a**ointed to co&&ect funds for ui&din, the Te'*&e#
Reso&$ed( That John .urdoc0< L!'an 3i,ht< 3i&&ia' S'ith< Henr!
3i&&ia' .i&&er< A'asa L!'an< Leonard So!< 5ehie& Sa$a,e< and ;enos H#
5ur&e! e a**ointed to tra$e& and co&&ect funds for the sa'e#
A h!'n 2as then sun, ! the choir# )ra!er ! )resident Don Car&os
S'ith#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then stated that he shou&d resi,n the 'eetin,
to the *residenc! of the sta0e< and the *resident of the Hi,h )riests+
>uoru'#
The ui&din, co''ittee 2ere ca&&ed u*on to address the asse'&!#
E&der Cahoon s*o0e at &en,th on the i'*ortance of ui&din, the Te'*&e< and
ca&&ed u*on the Saints to assist the' in their ,reat underta0in,# E&der
A&*heus Cut&er 'ade so'e $er! a**ro*riate re'ar0s#
Conference ad=ourned one hour#
Conference 'et *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent#
E&ias Hi,ee s*o0e on the sa'e su=ect Ii#e# i'*ortance of ui&din,
the Te'*&eJ# E&der L!'an 3i,ht then ca'e for2ard and addressed the 'eetin,
at considera&e &en,th#
The c&er0 read a &etter fro' E&der John Ta!&or in En,&and< to
)resident Jose*h S'ith< 2hich ,a$e an account of the *ros*erit! of the
2or0 of the Lord in that &and#
On 'otion< ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 'ornin, at 7D o+c&oc0#
Saturda!< 7Dth The 2eather 2as unfa$ora&e< conse>uent&! no usiness
2as transacted#
Sunda!< 77th# The conference a,ain 'et#
E&der ;enos H# 5ur&e! *reached on the &itera& fu&fi&&'ent of
*ro*hec!#
)resident Ri,don 'ade so'e oser$ations on a*tis' for the re'ission
of sins#
Conference ad=ourned for one hour#
Conference 'et< and 2as addressed ! the "isho*s of the sta0e< 2ho
stated the situation of the *oor 2ho had to e su**orted< and ca&&ed u*on
the Saints to assist in re&ie$in, the necessities of the 2ido2s and
father&ess#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht 'ade so'e oser$ations on the su=ect#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then addressed the asse'&!< and stated that
in conse>uence of the se$erit! of the 2eather the Saints had not recei$ed
as 'uch instruction as he desired< and that so'e thin,s 2ou&d ha$e to e
&aid o$er unti& the ne/t conference# As there 2ere 'an! 2ho 2ished to e
a*ti4ed< the! 2ou&d no2 ,o to the 2ater< and ,i$e the' o**ortunit!#
The *rocession 2as then or,ani4ed< and *roceeded to the .ississi**i#
After the a*tis's 2ere o$er< the conference ad=ourned to the first
of Octoer ne/t# JOSE)H S.ITH< )resident# R# "# THO.)SON< C&er0#
On the Mth of A*ri&< 78@7< the T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ere in En,&and and
2ere us! in counci&< $isitin, the Saints in .anchester< and in the
e$enin, su**ed at -.other .i&&er+s#- On the Nth< the! $isited the
;oo&o,ica& 5ardens< .anchester< En,&and# E&der 3# J# "arratt 2rites fro'
Austra&ia< -he had arri$ed safe at Ade&aide after a rou,h *assa,e< ut had
not a*ti4ed an! *ersons# Ostac&es to the introduction of the 2or0 of the
Lord are $er! ,reat#-
Letter of 5eor,e A# S'ith to the Star-Re*ort of Laors#
"OLTON< A*ri& 77< 78@7#
E&der )# )# )ratt(
I thou,ht ,ood to ,i$e !our readers Ethrou,h the 'ediu' of the StarF
a short account of '! &aors in En,&and# I &anded in Li$er*oo& on the :th
of A*ri&< 78@D? and< after attendin, the )reston conference< I 2ent to the
Staffordshire )otteries< 2here there 2ere aout 7DD Saints? I re'ained
there three 'onths# The 2or0 continued to *ros*er< and 8D 2ere added to
the church in that ti'e# I then &eft the church there to the care of E&der
A&fred Cordon< and< in co'*an! 2ith E&ders 1i'a&& and 3oodruff< $isited
the churches in Herefordshire and $icinit!# Hundreds recei$ed our
testi'on!< and 2ere a*ti4ed# Fro' thence 2e *roceeded to London< 2here 2e
'et 2ith 'uch difficu&t! in introducin, the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&? the
hearts of the *eo*&e 2ere arred a,ainst the truth< ut the Lord &essed
our &aors< and 2e succeeded in esta&ishin, a ranch of the Church there#
.! hea&th ein, *oor< I 2as counse&ed ! '! rethren of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es to return to the fie&d of '! for'er &aors in Staffordshire?
2hich I did< &ea$in, in London ut e&e$en 'e'ers# Since that ti'e< '!
&aors ha$e een chief&! confined to the &i'its of the Staffordshire
conference< 2hich has< unti& &ate&!< inc&uded "ir'in,ha' and .acc&esfie&d<
containin, ei,hteen ranches of the Church< G8D 'e'ers ha$in, een added
since the ti'e I co''enced &aorin, there# .an! ha$e een ca&&ed to the
'inistr!< 2ho are faithfu& 'en< and 2i&&in, to recei$e counse&# A&thou,h I
ha$e suffered 'uch odi&! aff&iction durin, the *ast !ear< the Lord has
&essed '! &aors aundant&!< and I can sa! I ne$er en=o!ed '!se&f etter
in the dischar,e of '! dut!< than I ha$e on this 'ission# A'on, the
,reatest &essin,s I ha$e en=o!ed< has een the *ri$i&e,e of attendin,
four ,enera& conferences< and 'eetin, in counci& 2ith the T2e&$e A*ost&es#
I can assure !ou that a 'eetin, 2ith those in 2hose co'*an! I ha$e
suffered so 'uch triu&ation for the 5os*e&+s sa0e< oth at ho'e and
aroad< ! &and and sea< is to 'e a *ri$i&e,e indeed# I a' no2 *re*arin,
to return ho'e 2ith '! rethren< accordin, to the instructions of the
First )residenc! of the Church? and< as I ta0e '! &ea$e of the Saints in
this &and< '! *ra!er to 5od is that He 2i&& *reser$e His *eo*&e fro' the
hand of Satan< and *re*are the' for the co'in, Redee'er< 2ho is near at
hand# I re'ain !our ser$ant for the 5os*e&+s sa0e< 5EOR5E A# S.ITH#
Tuesda!< 79#--E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& &eft .anchester for )reston#
Thursda! 7G#
Conference in Ne2 Yor0 Cit!#
A conference of the Church 2as he&d in Ne2 Yor0 Cit!# E&der 5eor,e 3#
Harris< of Nau$oo< chair'an# Lucien R# Foster 2as e&ected *resident of the
ranch< and Addison E$erett and 5eor,e Ho&'es< his counse&ors# John .#
"ernhise& 2as e&ected "isho*< and Richard "ur,e and 3i&&ia' Ac0er his
counse&ors# These si/< ha$in, een chosen< 2ere ordained and set a*art to
the se$era& offices under the direction of E&der Harris< he ha$in, een
s*ecia&&! a**ointed and authori4ed ! )resident H!ru' S'ith< at the
)hi&ade&*hia conference< to or,ani4e 'ore *erfect&! the ranch in Ne2
Yor0# LUCIEN R# FOSTER< Secretar!#
An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e A*ost&es to the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-da! Saints in En,&and< Scot&and< Ire&and< 3a&es< and the Is&e of
.an< ,reetin,(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--Inas'uch as 2e ha$e een &aorin, for so'e ti'e in
this countr!< and 'ost of us are aout to de*art for the &and of our
nati$it!? and< fee&in, an/ious for !our 2e&fare and ha**iness in ti'e and
in eternit!< 2e cheerfu&&! offer !ou our counse& in the c&osin, nu'er of
the first $o&u'e of the Star< ho*in, !ou 2i&& *eruse it 2hen 2e are far
a2a!< and *rofit ! the sa'e#
First of a&&< 2e 2ou&d e/*ress our =o! and than0s,i$in, to Hi' 2ho
ru&es< and 0no2s the hearts of 'en< for the heed and di&i,ence 2ith 2hich
the Saints in this count! ha$e hear0ened to the counse& of those 2ho' 5od
has seen fit to send a'on, the'< and 2ho ho&d the 0e!s of this 'inistr!#
"! this 'eans a s*irit of union< and< conse>uent&!< of *o2er< has een
,enera&&! cu&ti$ated a'on, !ou# And no2 &et the Saints re'e'er that 2hich
2e ha$e e$er tau,ht the'< oth ! *rece*t and e/a'*&e< $i4#< to e2are of
an as*irin, s*irit< 2hich 2ou&d &ift !ou u* one ao$e another< to see0 to
e the ,reatest in the 0in,do' of 5od# This is that s*irit 2hich hur&ed
do2n the an,e&s# It is that s*irit 2hich actuates a&& the churches of the
sectarian 2or&d< and 'ost of the ci$i& and 'i&itar! 'o$e'ents of the 'en
of the 2or&d# It is that s*irit 2hich introduces ree&&ion< confusion<
'isru&e< and disunion< and 2ou&d< if suffered to e/ist a'on, us< destro!
our union< and< conse>uent&!< our *o2er< 2hich f&o2s fro' the S*irit<
throu,h the )riesthood? 2hich S*irit< and *o2er< and )riesthood< can on&!
e/ist 2ith the hu'&e and 'ee0 of the earth# Therefore< e2are< O !e
)riests of the .ost Hi,hK &est !e are o$erco'e ! that s*irit 2hich 2ou&d
e/a&t !ou ao$e !our fe&&o2-&aorers< and thus hur& !ou do2n to *erdition<
or do 'uch in=ur! to the cause of 5od#
"e carefu& to res*ect< not the e&o>uence< not the s'ooth s*eeches<
not the 'u&titude of 2ords< not the ta&ents of 'en< ut the offices 2hich
5od has *&aced in the Church# Let the 'e'ers hear0en to their officers<
&et the )riests< Teachers< and Deacons hear0en to the E&ders< and &et the
E&ders hear0en to the *residin, officers of each church or conference< and
&et a&& the churches and conferences hear0en to the counse& of those 2ho
are sti&& &eft in this countr! to su*erintend the affairs of the Church?
and< ! so doin,< a s*irit of union 2i&& e *reser$ed< and *eace and
*ros*erit! 2i&& attend the *eo*&e of 5od#
3e ha$e seen fit to a**oint our e&o$ed rethren and fe&&o2-&aorers<
Le$i Richards and Loren4o Sno2 to tra$e& fro' conference to conference<
and to assist "rother )ratt in the ,enera& su*erintendenc! of the Church
in this countr!# These are 'en of e/*erience and soundness of )rinci*&e<
in 2hose counse& the Church 'a! *&ace entire confidence< as &on, as the!
u*ho&d the' ! the *ra!er of faith#
The s*irit of e'i,ration has actuated the chi&dren of 'en< fro' the
ti'e our first *arents 2ere e/*e&&ed fro' the ,arden unti& no2# It 2as
this s*irit that first *eo*&ed the *&ains of Shinar< and a&& other *&aces?
!es< it 2as e'i,ration that first ro0e u*on the death-&i0e si&ence and
&one&iness of an e'*t! earth< and caused the deso&ate &and to tee' 2ith
&ife< and the desert to s'i&e 2ith =o!# It 2as e'i,ration that first
*eo*&ed En,&and< once a deso&ate is&and< on 2hich the foot of 'an had
ne$er trod< ut no2 aoundin, in to2ns and cities# It 2as e'i,ration that
turned the 2i&ds of A'erica into a fruitfu& fie&d< and es*rin0&ed the
2i&derness 2ith f&ourishin, to2ns and cities< 2here a fe2 !ears since the
2ar hoo* of the sa$a,e< or the ho2& of the 2i&d easts 2as heard in the
distance# In short< it is e'i,ration that is the on&! effectua& re'ed! for
the e$i&s 2hich no2 aff&ict the o$er-*eo*&ed countries of Euro*e# 3ith
this $ie2 of the su=ect< the Saints< as 2e&& as thousands of othersC see'
to e actuated 2ith the s*irit of enter*rise and e'i,ration< and as so'e
of the' are ca&cu&atin, to e'i,rate to A'erica< and sett&e in the co&onies
of our rethren< 2e 2ou&d here i'*art a fe2 2ords of counse& on the
su=ect of e'i,ration#
It 2i&& e necessar!< in the first *&ace< for 'en of ca*ita& to ,o on
first and 'a0e &ar,e *urchases of &and< and erect 'i&&s< 'achiner!<
'anufactories< Pc#< so that the *oor 2ho ,o fro' this countr! can find
e'*&o!'ent# Therefore< it is not 2isdo' for the *oor to f&oc0 to that
*&ace e/tensi$e&!< unti& the necessar! *re*arations are 'ade# Neither is
it 2isdo' for those 2ho fee& a s*irit of ene$o&ence to e/*end a&& their
'eans in he&*in, others to e'i,rate< and thus a&& arri$e in a ne2 countr!
e'*t!-handed# In a&& sett&e'ents there 'ust e ca*ita& and &aor united<
in order to f&ourish# The rethren 2i&& reco&&ect that the! are not ,oin,
to enter u*on cities a&read! ui&t u*< ut are ,oin, to -ui&d cities and
inhait the'#- "ui&din, cities cannot e done 2ithout 'eans and &aor# On
this su=ect 2e 2ou&d ca&& the *articu&ar attention of the Saints to the
E*ist&e< and a&so to the *roc&a'ation si,ned ! the First )residenc! of
the Church< *u&ished in the e&e$enth nu'er of this 2or0 Ethe StarF< and
2ou&d earnest&! e/hort the' to oser$e the order and instructions there
,i$en#
3e 2ou&d a&so e/hort the Saints not to ,o in haste< nor ! f&i,ht<
ut to *re*are a&& thin,s in a *ro*er 'anner efore the! e'i,rate? and
es*ecia&&! in re,ard to their dea&in,s 2ith the 2or&d< &et the' e carefu&
to sett&e e$er!thin, honest&!< as eco'eth Saints< as far as &ies in their
*o2er< and not ,o a2a! in det< so far as the! ha$e the 'eans to *a!# And
if an! ,o a2a! in det< ecause the! ha$e not the 'eans to *a!< &et it e
2ith the desi,n of *a!in, as industr! sha&& *ut it in their *o2er< so that
the cause of truth e not e$i& s*o0en of#
3e ha$e found that there are so 'an! -*ic0-*oc0ets<- and so 'an! that
2i&& ta0e e$er! *ossi&e ad$anta,e of stran,ers in Li$er*oo& that 2e ha$e
a**ointed E&der A'os Fie&din, as the a,ent of the Church to su*erintend
the fittin, out of the Saints fro' Li$er*oo& to A'erica#
3hate$er infor'ation the Saints 'a! 2ant aout the *re*aration for a
$o!a,e< the! are ad$ised to ca&& on E&der Fie&din, at Li$er*oo&< as their
first 'o$e'ent 2hen the! arri$e there as e'i,rants# There are so'e
rethren 2ho ha$e fe&t the'se&$es co'*etent to do their o2n usiness in
these 'atters and< rather des*isin, the counse& of their friends< ha$e
een roed and cheated out of near&! a&& the! had# A 2ord of caution to
the 2ise is sufficient# It is a&so a ,reat sa$in, to ,o in co'*anies<
instead of ,oin, indi$idua&&!#
First< a co'*an! can charter a $esse&< so as to 'a0e the *assa,e 'uch
chea*er than other2ise#
Second&!< *ro$isions can e *urchased at 2ho&esa&e< for a co'*an!<
'uch chea*er than other2ise#
Third&!< this 2i&& a$oid ad co'*an! on the *assa,e#
Fourth&!< 2hen a co'*an! arri$es at Ne2 Or&eans the! can charter a
stea'oat< so as to reduce the *assa,e near one-ha&f# This 'easure 2i&&
sa$e so'e hundreds of *ounds on each shi* &oad#
Fifth&!< a 'an of e/*erience can ,o as &eader of each co'*an!< 2ho
2i&& 0no2 ho2 to a$oid ro,ues and 0na$es#
So$erei,ns are 'ore *rofita&e than si&$er or an! other 'one!< in
e'i,ratin, to A'erica( and the rethren are a&so cautioned a,ainst the
A'erican 'one!< 2hen the! arri$e in that countr!# Let the' not $enture to
ta0e *a*er 'one! of that countr!< unti& the! eco'e 2e&& infor'ed in
re,ard to the different an0s< for $er! fe2 of the' 2i&& *ass current $er!
far fro' the *&ace 2here the! are issued< and an0s are rea0in, a&'ost
dai&!#
It is 'uch chea*er ,oin, ! Ne2 Or&eans than ! Ne2 Yor0? ut it 2i&&
ne$er do for e'i,rants to ,o ! Ne2 Or&eans in the su''er< on account of
the heat and sic0ness of the c&i'ate# It is< therefore< ad$isa&e for the
Saints to e'i,rate in autu'n< 2inter< or s*rin,#
Let the Saints e carefu& a&so to otain a &etter of reco''endation<
fro' the E&ders 2here the! are ac>uainted< to the rethren 2here the! are
,oin,< certif!in, their 'e'ershi*? and &et the E&ders e carefu& not to
reco''end an! 2ho do not conduct the'se&$es as Saints? and es*ecia&&!
those 2ho 2ou&d ,o 2ith a desi,n to defraud their creditors#
In re,ard to ordainin, and &icensin, officers< each conference is no2
or,ani4ed under the care of their res*ecti$e *residents< 2ho< 2ith the
$oice of the Church< 'a! ordain< accordin, to the ,ifts and ca&&in,s of
5od< ! the Ho&! S*irit< and under the ,enera& su*erintendence of E&ders
)ratt< Richards< and Sno2# Licenses shou&d e si,ned ! the *residin,
officers#
There are 'an! other ite's of i'*ortance< 2hich 2e 2ou&d ,&ad&!
'ention< had 2e ti'e and s*ace sufficient? ut this 'ust suffice for the
*resent? and 'a! the 5od of our fathers &ess !ou a&& 2ith 2isdo' and
,race to act each !our *art in the ,reat 2or0 2hich &ies efore !ou< that
the 2or&d 'a! e 2arned< and thousands rou,ht to the 0no2&ed,e of the
truth? and 'a! He &ess and *reser$e !ou &a'e&ess unti& the da! of His
co'in,# "rethren and sisters< *ra! for us#
3e re'ain< !our rethren in the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant< "RI5HA.
YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< ORSON HYDE< )ARLEY )# )RATT< ORSON )RATT< 3ILLARD
RICHARDS< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN TAYLOR< 5EO# A# S.ITH#
.anchester< A*ri& 7G< 78@7#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 5eor,e A# S'ith<
and Le$i Richards 2ent fro' .anchester to Li$er*oo& to attend a tea-*art!
at the .usic "a&&#
DIFFERENCE "ET3EEN THE "A)TIST AND LATTER-DAY SAINTS< FRO. THE NORTH
STAFFORDSHIRE .ERCURY#-
SIR(--In a &ate *u&ication< !ou re*orted the case of so'e *ersons
2ho 2ere ta0en efore T# "# Ross< Es>#< for disturin, a con,re,ation of
Latter-da! Saints< or e&ie$ers in the -"oo0 of .or'on#- A teacher of that
sect< on ein, as0ed ! the 'a,istrate 2herein the! differed fro' the
"a*tists< re*&ied< -In the &a!in, on of hands?- ut dec&ined 'a0in, an
honest confession of those *ecu&iarities 2hich se*arate the' as 2ide&!
fro' the "a*tists< as fro' e$er! other deno'ination of the Christian
church# This 2as certain&! *rudent? ut as the "a*tists fee& the'se&$es
dishonored ! such an a&&iance< the! 2ou&d e un=ust to the'se&$es 2ere
the! to &ea$e unans2ered such a &ie& u*on their deno'ination# The
fo&&o2in, $er! *ro'inent 'ar0s of difference 2i&& ena&e !our readers to
=ud,e for the'se&$es#
7# The Saints ad'it a&& *ersons indiscri'inate&! to a*tis'<
encoura,in, the' to *ass throu,h that rite< 2ith the *ro'ise that ,reat
s*iritua& i'*ro$e'ent 2i&& fo&&o2# The! a*ti4e for re'ission of sins<
2ithout 2aitin, for credita&e e$idence of re*entance for sin# "ut the
"a*tists ad'it none to that ordinance 2ho do not e/hiit this
>ua&ification in the 'ost satisfactor! 'anner? and if the! found a
candidate &oo0in, to the 2ater of a*tis' as ha$in, $irtue to c&eanse hi'
fro' sin< he 2ou&d e *ut ac0 unti& etter instructed#
H# After a*tis' the Saints 0nee& do2n< and their )riest< &a!in, on
his hands< *rofesses to ,i$e the' the Ho&! 5host# If effects si'i&ar to
those *roduced ! the &a!in, on of the A*ost&es+ hands 2ere seen to
fo&&o2< s0e*ticis' 'ust !ie&d to the force of such e$idence? ut in their
case no such effects are *roduced? the a*ti4ed sinner is a sinner sti&&<
thou,h f&attered and de&uded 2ith the e*ithet -Latter-da! Saint#- The
"a*tists re,ard such 'u''er! 2ith as 'uch dis,ust as a&& Christians do#
9# Ha$in,< as the! su**ose< the e/traordinar! ,ifts of the S*irit<
the Saints consistent&! *retend to ha$e the *o2er of 2or0in, 2onders< and
*rocess to hea& the sic0 2ith ho&! oi&? a&so to the *o2er of *ro*hec!# As
'ost 'ora& e$i&s rin, 2ith the' their o2n re'ed!< these &oft! *retensions
2i&& ruin the' in due ti'e< ! o*enin, the e!es of the 'ost de&uded< as in
the case of the count&ess sects of i'*ostors 2ho ha$e a**eared u*on the
sta,e efore the'# It need not e added< that the "a*tists stand far
re'o$ed fro' such conceits< and ha$e no *art in the'#
@# Not satisfied 2ith the "i&e as a co'*&ete re$e&ation fro' 5od<
the -Latter-da! Saints- ha$e ado*ted a ro'ance< 2ritten in A'erica< as a
fresh re$e&ation< and ha$e added a trash! $o&u'e of :DD *a,es to that
oo0< 2hich 2e are foridden to add to< or ta0e fro'< under the 'ost a2fu&
*ena&tiesK "ut e$en this is not enou,h for their i'*ious resu'*tion# The!
ha$e *u&ished a 'onth&! 'a,a4ine< in 2hich -ne2 re$e&ations- are ser$ed
u* fresh< as the! arri$e< for the use of a&& 2ho can s2a&&o2 the'# The
dis,ust 2ith 2hich the "a*tists re,ard such a 'e&ancho&! e/hiition of
hu'an fo&&! and 2ic0edness< se*arates the' to an i'*assa&e distance fro'
such *eo*&e#
G# In order to carr! on this order of thin,s< the Latter-da! Saints
ha$e a**ointed t2o )riesthoods# -The Lesser< or Aaronic )riesthood< is to
ho&d the 0e!s of the 'inisterin, of an,e&s< and to ad'inister in out2ard
ordinances# The *o2er and authorit! of the hi,her< or .e&chisede0
)riesthood< is to ho&d the 0e!s of a&& the s*iritua& &essin,s of the
Church--to ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of recei$in, the '!steries of the 1in,do' of
hea$en--to ha$e the hea$ens o*ened to the'--to co''une 2ith the ,enera&
asse'&! and Church of the First-orn? and to en=o! the co''union and
*resence of 5od the Father< and of Jesus the .ediator of the ne2
co$enant<- Esee *a,e 79F# So that< in this 2onderfu& )riesthood< the! ha$e
*ro$ided for an a'*&e su**&! of ne2 thin,s< in end&ess $ariet!< and
2ithout end< fro' the hands of 2retched 'en< 2ho &as*he'ous&! as*ire to a
di,nit! 2hich e&on,s a&one to Hi' 2ho is the on&! -)riest fore$er after
the order of .e&chisede0#-
The fear of tres*assin, u*on !our $a&ua&e co&u'ns< .r# Editor<
*re$ents '! en&ar,in, u*on these and $er! 'an! other *oints of difference?
ut enou,h has een done to sho2 !our readers< that no t2o sects can
differ 'ore 2ide&! fro' each other< than the "a*tists and the Latter da!
Saints? and that to confound the' in an! 2a! to,ether is not on&! un=ust
to the for'er< ut in$o&$es the' in the dis,race of ein, *arta0ers in a
o&d i'*osition< or a *itia&e de&usion< 2hich the! re,ard 2ith e>ua&
ahorrence and dis,ust# A "A)TIST#
Han&e!< Fe# 7:< 78@7#
The fore,oin, artic&e atte'*ts to sho2 the difference et2een the
"a*tists and Latter-da! Saints# 3e 2i&& no2 atte'*t to sho2 the difference
et2een the "a*tists and For'er-da! Saints#
THE DIFFERENCE "ET3EEN THE "A)TISTS AND THE FOR.ER-DAY SAINTS#
7st# The For'er-da! Saints a*ti4ed for re'ission of sins< Acts ii(
98# The "a*tists a*ti4e those on&! 2ho are su**osed to ha$e their sins
for,i$en efore the! are a*ti4ed#
Hnd# The For'er-da! Saints ad'itted a&& *ersons indiscri'inate&! to
a*tis'< as soon as the! *rofessed faith and re*entance< encoura,in, the'
to *ass throu,h that rite< 2ith the *ro'ise that ,reat s*iritua&
i'*ro$e'ent 2ou&d fo&&o2< Acts ii( 98-@7 inc&usi$e# "ut if the "a*tists
found the *enitent e&ie$er &oo0in, for re'ission of sins throu,h that
rite< the! 2ou&d e *ut ac0 to -,et re&i,ion- 2here the! cou&d find it#
9rd# After a*tis'< the For'er-da! Saints *ra!ed for< and &aid hands
on the disci*&es in the na'e of Jesus< and *rofessed to ,i$e the' the Ho&!
5host< Acts $iii( 7M< a&so Acts /i/? :# The "a*tists sa!< -The! re,ard
such 'u''er! 2ith as 'uch dis,ust as a&& Christians do#-
@th# Ha$in,< as the! su**osed< the e/traordinar! ,ifts of the S*irit<
the For'er-da! Saints consistent&! *retended to ha$e the *o2er of 2or0in,
2onders< and *rofessed to hea& the sic0 2ith ho&! oi&? Ja'es $( 7@< 7G#
A&so to the *o2er of *ro*hec!? First Corinthians fro' 7Hth to 7@th
cha*ter# It need not e added that the "a*tists stand far re'o$ed fro'
-such conceits<- and ha$e no *art in the'? nor in an!thin, *ertainin, to
the ,ifts and *o2er of 5od( or< to use the A*ost&e+s o2n 2ords< -the! ha$e
a for' of ,od&iness< den!in, the *o2er#-
Gth# Not satisfied 2ith the "i&e as a co'*&ete re$e&ation fro' 5od<
the For'er-da! Saints ha$e added a $o&u'e of se$era& hundred *a,es Ethe
Ne2 Testa'entF< to that oo0< 2hich Eaccordin, to "a*tist &o,icF
.oses forid the' to add to< or ta0e fro'? ut ne2 re$e&ations 2ere
ser$ed u* a&'ost dai&!< fresh as the! arri$ed< for a&& those 2ho cou&d
s2a&&o2 the'# -The dis,ust 2ith 2hich the "a*tists re,ard such thin,s<
considerin, the' ut a 'e&ancho&! e/hiition of hu'an fo&&! and
2ic0edness<- se*arates the' to an i'*assa&e distance fro' the For'er-da!
Saints? and ho2< 2ith a&& these differences< the "a*tists shou&d e$er ha$e
een thou,ht< ! the'se&$es< or an!od! e&se< to e the Church of Christ<
is difficu&t to i'a,ineK
:th# In order to carr! on their stran,e 2or0< or order of thin,s< the
For'er-da! Saints had t2o )riesthoods# The Aaronic )riesthood ad'inistered
in out2ard ordinances< as in the case of John the "a*tist# The *o2er and
authorit! of the hi,her< or .e&chisede0 )riesthood< 2as to ho&d the 0e!s
of a&& the s*iritua& &essin, of the Church< as Jesus said< -I ,i$e unto
thee the 0e!s of the 0in,do' of hea$en--2hatsoe$er thou sha&t ind on
earth sha&& e ound in hea$en<- Pc# The! 2ere to ha$e he *ri$i&e,e of
0no2in, the '!steries of the 0in,do' of hea$en# -To !ou it is ,i$en to
0no2 the '!steries of the 0in,do'---to ha$e the hea$ens o*ened unto
the'--to co''une 2ith the ,enera& asse'&! and Church of the First orn?
and to en=o! the co''union and *resence of 5od the Father< and of Jesus
the .ediator of the ne2 co$enant( He# /ii( HH< H9< H@# So that in this
2onderfu& )riesthood< the! ha$e *ro$ided for an a'*&e su**&! of ne2
thin,s< in end&ess $ariet!< and 2ithout end< fro' those 2ho are and 2ere
counted the off-scourin, of a&& thin,s? and 2ho< as the "a*tists 2ou&d
insinuate< -did as*ire to a di,nit!<- 2hich the! sa!< -"e&on,s a&one to
Hi' 2ho is the on&! )riest fore$er after the order of .e&chisede0#-
The fear of tres*assin, u*on the ti'e and *atience of our readers<
*re$ents our en&ar,in, u*on these and 'an! other *oints of difference? ut
enou,h has een said to sho2< that no t2o sects can *ossi&! differ 'ore
2ide&! fro' each other than do the "a*tists and For'er-da! Saints< and to
a'a&,a'ate the t2o s!ste's in an! 2a! is not on&! an act of in=ustice--ut
2ou&d in$o&$e the "a*tists< 2ho ! the 2a! are an honora&e od!< in the
dis,race of that sect 2hich 2as -e$er!2here s*o0en a,ainst#- See Acts
H8-H9#
CHA)TER 6I6#
OR5ANI;ATION OF THE NAU%OO LE5ION--NOTA"LE )ERSONS AT
NAU%OO--THE )RO)HET+S SER.ON ON INDI%IDUAL RES)ONSI"ILITY FOR SIN
AND THE DOCTRINE OF ELECTION#
Tuesda!< HD#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson )ratt<
3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or< 5eor,e A# S'ith and 3i&&ard Richards and
fa'i&!< 2ent on oard of the shi* Rochester< at Li$er*oo&< Ca*tain
3oodhouse E2ho de&a!ed his sai&in, t2o da!s< to acco''odate the E&dersF<
ound for Ne2 Yor0 2ith a co'*an! of 79D Saints#
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt tarried in En,&and to *reside o$er the Church<
and continue the *u&ication of the .i&&ennia& Star< and E&der H!de to
*ursue his 'ission to Jerusa&e'#
.r# Ja'es Roinson< Assessor for the Cit! of Nau$oo< died< a,ed 9D#
He had resided in this count! 'an! !ears< and for his usiness haits and
0ind dis*osition< he 2as hi,h&! res*ected#
3ednesda!< H7#--The Rochester sai&ed#
Saturda!< H@#--The Hi,h Counci& of Io2a se&ected Da$id )etti,re2 and
.oses Nic0erson Counse&ors to )resident John S'ith< in *&ace of Re!no&ds
Cahoon and L!'an 3i,ht< re'o$ed ! a**oint'ent? Ja'es E''ett in the *&ace
of Da$id )etti,re2 in the Hi,h Counci&< Jose*h C# 1in,sur! in *&ace of
5eor,e 3# )it0in< re'o$ed to Nau$oo< and 3i&&ia' C&a!ton in *&ace of
Erastus Sno2< asent#
.onda!< H:#--I attended the Cit! Counci&# Se$era& 'e'ers ein,
asent< I 'o$ed that the .arsha&& e ordered to enforce the attendance of
A&der'en and Counci&&ors< at one o+c&oc0 on Saturda! ne/t< and Counci&
ad=ourned#
3ednesda!< H8#--The shi* Rochester encountered a te'*est< shi**ed a
hea$! sea< 3i&ford 3oodruff ,ot thorou,h&! drenched? 3i&&ard Richards
esca*ed under the u&2ar0s#
Saturda!< .a! 7#--E&der Roert "# Tho'*son eca'e associate editor of
the Ti'es and Seasons#
The first Re,i'ent< first cohort of the Nau$oo Le,ion< consistin, of
four co'*anies< 2as or,ani4ed< and Ca*tain 5eor,e .i&&er 2as e&ected
co&one&? Ca*tain Ste*hen .ar0ha'< &ieutenant-co&one&< and Ca*tain 3i&&ia'
3i,ht'an< 'a=or#
The first re,i'ent< second cohort< consistin, of four co'*anies< 2as
a&so or,ani4ed< and Ca*tain Char&es C# Rich 2as e&ected co&one&< Ca*tain
Titus "i&&in,s< &ieutenant-co&one&< and Ca*tain John Scott< 'a=or#
A&so the second re,i'ent< second cohort< consistin, of four
co'*anies< 2as or,ani4ed< and Ca*tain Francis .# Hi,ee 2as e&ected
co&one&? Ca*tain Ne&son Hi,,ins< &ieutenant-co&one&< and Aaron H# 5o&den<
'a=or#
I attended the Cit! Counci&< and 'o$ed that the s!'*athies of the
Counci& e tendered to the re&ati$es of Ja'es Roinson< deceased< the &ate
assessor and co&&ector for the cit!< 2hich 2as carried#
I a&so 'o$ed that a ne2 ur!in, ,round e *rocured< outside the cit!
&i'its< and *urchased at he e/*ense of the cor*oration? 2hich 2as carried?
and A&der'an Danie& H# 3e&&s< an counci&&ors 3i&son La2 and John T#
"arnett 2ere a**ointed a co''ittee< and ten acres 2ere ordered to e
*urchased#
I s*o0e at &en,th on the ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es of the o2ners of the
ferr!< sho2in, that the Cit! Counci& has no ri,ht to ta0e a2a! ferr!
*ri$i&e,es< once ,ranted< 2ithout da'a,es ein, *aid to the *ro*rietor?
and a&so 'o$ed that an ordinance e *assed to *rotect citi4ens 0i&&in,
do,s runnin, at &ar,e< 2hich 2ere set u*on catt&e or ho,s< or 'o&est
indi$idua&s# And a&so s*o0e on other su=ects efore the counci&#
Sunda!< H#--The Teachers+ >uoru' 2as or,ani4ed in Nau$oo< E&isha
A$erett< )resident< Ja'es Hendric0s and Ja'es 3# Hunts'an< Counse&ors#
Tuesda!< @#--
Nau$oo Le,ion Affairs#
HEADAUARTERS< NAU%OO LE5ION< CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< .a! @< 78@7#
5enera& Orders# )ursuant to an act of the Court .artia&< the troo*s
attached or e&on,in, to the Le,ion 2i&& *arade at the *&ace of ,enera&
rende4$ous< in the Cit! of Nau$oo< for dri&&< re$ie2 and ins*ection< on
Saturda!< the 9rd da! of Ju&!< at ha&f-*ast nine o+c&oc0 a#'#< ar'ed and
e>ui**ed accordin, to &a2# At ten o+c&oc0 the &ine 2i&& e for'ed and the
,enera& officers conducted to their *osts< under a fire of arti&&er!# The
co''andants of the 7st and Hnd co'*anies< Hnd atta&ion< 7st re,i'ent< Hnd
cohort< are directed to enro&& e$er! 'an residin, 2ithin the ounds of
their res*ecti$e co''ands< and not attached to an! other co'*an! of the
Le,ion< et2een the a,es of ei,hteen and fort!-fi$e !ears< and notif! the'
of their attach'ent to the ser$ice< and their &e,a& &iai&ities#
As 2i&& e seen ! the fo&&o2in, &e,a& o*inion of Jud,e Dou,&as< of
the Su*re'e Court of the State of I&&inois< than 2ho' no 'an stands 'ore
deser$ed&! hi,h in the *u&ic esti'ation< as an a&e and *rofound =urist<
*o&itician and states'an? the officers and *ri$ates< e&on,in, to the
Le,ion< are e/e'*t fro' a&& 'i&itar! dut!< not re>uired ! the &e,a&&!
constituted authorities thereof# The! are< therefore< e/*ress&! inhiited
fro' *erfor'in, an! 'i&itar! ser$ices< not ordered ! the ,enera&
officers< or directed ! the court 'artia&(
CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< .a! 9< 78@7#
5enera& "ennett(
DEAR SIR#--In re*&! to !our re>uest< I ha$e e/a'ined so 'uch of the
Nau$oo Cit! Charter< and Le,is&ati$e Acts< as re&ate to the -Nau$oo
Le,ion<- and a' c&ear&! of o*inion< that an! citi4en of Hancoc0 count!<
2ho 'a! attach hi'se&f to the Nau$oo Le,ion< has a&& the *ri$i&e,es that
a**ertain to 2hich inde*endent 'i&itar! od!< and is e/e'*t fro' a&& other
'i&itar! dut!< as *ro$ided in the HGth section of the Cit! Charter? and
cannot< therefore< e fined an! 'i&itar! or ci$i& court< for ne,&ectin, or
refusin, to *arade 2ith an! other 'i&itar! od!< or under the co''and of
an! officers 2ho are not attached to said Le,ion# The &an,ua,e of the &a2s
u*on this su=ect< is so *&ain and s*ecific as to ad'it of no dout as to
its true 'eanin, and intent# I do not consider it necessar!< therefore< to
enter into an ar,u'ent to *ro$e a *osition 2hich is e$ident fro' an
ins*ection of the &a2s the'se&$es# I a' $er! res*ectfu&&!< !our friend< S#
A# DOU5LAS#
The Le,ion is not< as has een fa&se&! re*resented ! its ene'ies<
e/c&usi$e&! a -.or'on- 'i&itar! association< ut a od! of citi4en
so&diers< or,ani4ed E2ithout re,ard to *o&itica& *references or re&i,ious
senti'entsF for the *u&ic defense< the ,enera& ,ood< and the *reser$ation
of &a2 and order--to sa$e the innocent< unoffendin, citi4ens fro' the iron
,ras* of the o**ressor and *er*etuate and sustain our free institutions
a,ainst 'isru&e< anarch!< and 'o $io&ence? no other $ie2s are entertained
or to&erated# The ,enera& *arades of the Le,ion 2i&& e in the Cit! of
Nau$oo< ut a&& other 'usters 2i&& e 2ithin the ounds of the res*ecti$e
co'*anies< atta&ions< re,i'ents and cohorts#
The 8th section of -An Act for the Or,ani4ation and 5o$ern'ent of the
.i&itia of this State<- in force Ju&! H< 7899< *ro$ides that -2hen an!
*erson sha&& enro&& hi'se&f in a $o&unteer co'*an!< he sha&& forth2ith
,i$e notice in 2ritin, to the co''andin, officer of the co'*an! in 2hich
he 2as enro&&ed<- Pc#< and that the co''andin, officer of a re,i'ent or
atta&ion< 'a!< in a certain contin,enc!< -disso&$e such co'*an! and so'e
of the *ett!< i,norant< and i'*rudent 'i&itia officers 'aintain that such
is sti&& the &a2? ut those &ind &eaders of the &ind are infor'ed that
the 77th section of -An Act Encoura,in, %o&unteer Co'*anies<- a**ro$ed
.arch H< 789M< reads as fo&&o2s( -So 'uch of the 8th section of an Act
entit&ed< -An Act for the Or,ani4ation and 5o$ern'ent of the .i&itia of
this State<- in force Ju&! H< 7899< as re>uires a $o&unteer to ,i$e notice
in 2ritin, to the co''andin, officer of the co'*an! in 2hich he 2as
enro&&ed< and authori4es co''andants of re,i'ents to disand inde*endent
co'*anies< e and the sa'e is here! re*ea&ed#-
If officers act u*on the oso&ete &a2s of the -&itt&e oo0- 2hich
ha$e een re*ea&ed< !ears since< it 2i&& e s2eet to the taste< ut -'a0e
the e&&! itter?- and shou&d an! ci$i& or 'i&itar! officer atte'*t to
enforce the co&&ection of an! 'i&itar! fines u*on the 'e'ers of the
Le,ion< e/ce*tin, 2hen such fines are assessed ! the court 'artia& of the
Le,ion< such *ersons are directed to a**&! to the 'aster in chancer!< for
Hancoc0 count!< for an in=unction to sta! the i&&e,a& *roceedin,s#
The 'i&itia co'*anies of Hancoc0 count!< and citi4ens ,enera&&!< are
res*ectfu&&! in$ited to unite 2ith the Le,ion< and *arta0e of its
*ri$i&e,es#
A&& officers are re>uired to enforce the 'ost ri,id disci*&ine on a&&
da!s of *u&ic *arade#
)ersons ho&din, enro&&in, orders are directed to act 2ith ener,!?
consu''ate their trust< and 'a0e *ro'*t returns to the office of the
.a=or-5enera&#
The Lieutenant-5enera& desires that a&& his friends shou&d attach
the'se&$es to so'e co'*an!< either in the first or second cohort# This
2i&& ena&e the' to recei$e correct 'i&itar! instruction< under the
teachin,s of e/*erienced officers< accordin, to the dri&& and disci*&ine
of the United States ar'!--and >ua&if! the' for efficient ser$ice in the
cause of their e&o$ed countr! and state< in the hour of *eri&#
The e&e$en co'*anies of 'inute 'en 2i&&< at a&& ti'es< ho&d
the'se&$es in readiness to e/ecute the &a2s< as ori,ina&&! instructed !
the ,enera& officers#
The officers and troo*s of the Le,ion are directed to treat 2ith
*ro*er res*ect and decoru'< a&& other officers and troo*s in the ser$ice
of this state< or of the United States#
Officers are ordered to treat their troo*s 2ith 'ar0ed res*ect( And<
2hi&e the! dischar,e their duties 2ith *ro'*titude and o&dness as
officers< the! 'ust not for,et or ne,&ect to oser$e the re>uisites of
,ent&e'en#
The second co'*an! E&i,ht infantr!F< 7st atta&ion< 7st re,i'ent< Hnd
cohort? and the 7st co'*an! E&ancersF< 7st atta&ion< 9rd re,i'ent< Hnd
cohort of the Le,ion< 2i&& act as an escort for the rece*tion of such
$isitin, co'*anies fro' I&&inois and Io2a< as 'a! e *resent# Shou&d the
5o$ernor e *resent< it 2i&& e announced ! a fire of arti&&er!< ! the
7st and Hnd co'*anies< 7st atta&ion< 7st re,i'ent< 7st cohort< and the
7st co'*an!< 7st atta&ion< 7st re,i'ent< Hnd cohort< 2hen he 2i&& e
recei$ed ! the entire Le,ion< 2ith the honors due so cons*icuous a
*ersona,e as the Co''ander-in-Chief of the forces of the state#
Officers< recei$in, co*ies of these orders< 2i&& *ro'u&,ate the sa'e
2ithout de&a!< throu,hout the ounds of their res*ecti$e co''ands# JOSE)H
S.ITH< Lieutenant-5enera&#
Letter of the )ro*het to the -Ti'es and Seasons---%isit of Nota&e
)ersons to Nau$oo#
CITY OF NAU%OO< .a! :< 78@7#
To the Editors of the -Ti'es and Seasons-(
5ENTLE.EN(--I 2ish< throu,h the 'ediu' of !our *a*er< to 'a0e 0no2n
that< on Sunda! &ast< I had the honor of recei$in, a $isit fro' the Hon#
Ste*hen A# Dou,&as< Justice of the Su*re'e Court< and Jud,e of the Fifth
Judicia& Circuit of the state of I&&inois< and C!rus 3a&0er<
Es>#< of .aco'< 2ho e/*ressed ,reat *&easure in $isitin, our cit!<
and 2ere astonished at the i'*ro$e'ents 2hich 2ere 'ade# The! 2ere
officia&&! introduced to the con,re,ation 2ho had asse'&ed on the 'eetin,
,round< ! the 'a!or? and the! se$era&&! addressed the asse'&!#
Jud,e Dou,&as e/*ressed his satisfaction of 2hat he had seen and
heard res*ectin, our *eo*&e< and too0 that o**ortunit! of returnin, than0s
to the citi4ens of Nau$oo< for conferrin, u*on hi' the freedo' of the
cit!? statin, that he 2as not a2are of renderin, us an! ser$ice
sufficient&! i'*ortant to deser$e such 'ar0ed honor? and &i0e2ise s*o0e in
hi,h ter's of our &ocation and the i'*ro$e'ents 2e had 'ade< and that our
enter*rise and industr! 2ere hi,h&! credita&e to us< indeed#
.r# 3a&0er s*o0e 'uch in fa$or of the *&ace< the industr! of the
citi4ens< Pc#< and ho*ed the! 2ou&d continue to en=o! a&& the &essin,s
and *ri$i&e,es of our free and ,&orious Constitution< and< as a *atriot
and a free 'an< he 2as 2i&&in,< at a&& ti'es< to stand o&d&! in defense
of &iert!< and &a2#
It 'ust indeed e satisfactor! to this co''unit! to 0no2 that 0ind
and ,enerous fee&in,s e/ist in the hearts of 'en of such hi,h re*utation
and 'ora& and inte&&ectua& 2orth#
Jud,e Dou,&as has e$er *ro$ed hi'se&f friend&! to this *eo*&e< and
interested hi'se&f to otain for us our se$era& chartes< ho&din, at that
ti'e the office of Secretar! of state#
.r# 3a&0er a&so ran0s hi,h< and has &on, he&d a standin, at the ar<
2hich fe2 attain< and is considered one of the 'ost a&e and *rofound
=urists in the state#
The senti'ents the! e/*ressed on the occasion 2ere hi,h&! honora&e
to the' as A'erican citi4ens< and as ,ent&e'en# Ho2 different their
conduct fro' that of the officia& characters in the state of .issouri<
2hose 'inds 2ere *re=udiced to such an e/tent that< instead of 'in,&in, in
our 'idst and ascertainin, for the'se&$es our character< 0e*t entire&!
a&oof< ut 2ere read!< at a&& ti'es< to &isten to those 2ho had the
-*oison of adders under their ton,ues<- and 2ho sou,ht our o$erthro2#
Let e$er! *erson 2ho 'a! ha$e i'ied senti'ents *re=udicia& to us<
i'itate the honora&e e/a'*&e of our distin,uished $isitors EDou,&as and
3a&0erF< and I e&ie$e the! 2i&& find 'uch &ess to conde'n than the!
antici*ated< and *roa&! a ,reat dea& to co''end#
3hat 'a0es the &ate $isit 'ore *&easin,< is the fact that .essrs#
Dou,&as and 3a&0er ha$e &on, een he&d in hi,h esti'ation as *o&iticians<
ein, cha'*ions of the t2o ,reat *arties that e/ist in the state? ut
&a!in, aside a&& *art! strife< &i0e rothers< citi4ens< and friends< the!
'in,&e 2ith us< 'utua&&! dis*osed to e/tend to us that courtes!< res*ect<
and friendshi*< 2hich I ho*e 2e sha&& e$er e *roud to reci*rocate# I a'<
$er! res*ectfu&&!< !ours< Pc#< JOSE)H S.ITH#
Saturda!< 8#--"rother 3i&&ia' S'ith is *reachin, in )enns!&$ania#
Accounts of the *ro,ress of the 5os*e& fro' the E&ders aroad are
$er! encoura,in,#
A 'a,a4ine of 9DD arre&s of ,un*o2der< at Fort .ou&trie< South
Caro&ina< e/*&oded< &o2in, the fort< se$en other ui&din,s< and fort!
*ersons to ato's#
3ednesda!< 7H#--The Rochester< 2ith the E&ders< ca'e in si,ht of Ca*e
Sa&e< No$a Scotia#
Saturda!< 7G#--5ood ne2s has recent&! reached us fro' Tennessee< Ne2
Yor0< U**er Canada< and Ne2 Or&eans# The E&ders are a*ti4in, in a&&
directions#
Sunda!< 7:#--I addressed the Saints# The fo&&o2in, is a s0etch of '!
ser'on ! the editor of the Ti'es and Seasons(
THE )RO)HET+S DISCOURSE#
At 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#< a &ar,e concourse of the Saints asse'&ed on the
'eetin, ,round< and 2ere addressed ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< 2ho s*o0e at
considera&e &en,th#
He co''enced his oser$ations ! re'ar0in, that the 0indness of our
Hea$en&! Father ca&&ed for our heartfe&t ,ratitude# He then oser$ed that
Satan 2as ,enera&&! &a'ed for the e$i&s 2hich 2e did< ut if he 2as the
cause of a&& our 2ic0edness< 'en cou&d not e conde'ned# The de$i& cou&d
not co'*e& 'an0ind to do e$i&? a&& 2as $o&untar!# Those 2ho resisted the
S*irit of 5od< 2ou&d e &ia&e to e &ed into te'*tation< and then the
association of hea$en 2ou&d e 2ithdra2n fro' those 2ho refused to e 'ade
*arta0ers of such ,reat ,&or!# 5od 2ou&d not e/ert an! co'*u&sor! 'eans<
and the de$i& cou&d not? and such ideas as 2ere entertained Ion these
su=ectsJ ! 'an! 2ere asurd# The creature 2as 'ade su=ect to $anit!<
not 2i&&in,&!< ut Christ su=ected the sa'e in ho*e--a&& are su=ected to
$anit! 2hi&e the! tra$e& throu,h the croo0ed *aths and difficu&ties 2hich
surround the'# 3here is the 'an that is free fro' $anit!B None e$er 2ere
*erfect ut Jesus? and 2h! 2as He *erfectB "ecause He 2as the Son of 5od<
and had the fu&&ness of the S*irit< and ,reater *o2er than an! 'an# "ut
not2ithstandin, their $anit!< 'en &oo0 for2ard 2ith ho*e Eecause the! are
-su=ected in ho*e-F to the ti'e of their de&i$erance#
The s*ea0er then 'ade so'e oser$ations on the first *rinci*&es of
the 5os*e&< oser$in,< that 'an! of the Saints 2ho had co'e fro' different
states and nations had on&! a $er! su*erficia& 0no2&ed,e of these
*rinci*&es< not ha$in, eard the' fu&&! in$esti,ated#
He then rief&! stated the *rinci*&es of faith< re*entance< and
a*tis' for the re'ission of sins< these 2ere e&ie$ed ! so'e of the
ri,hteous societies of the da!< ut the doctrine of &a!in, on of hands for
the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host 2as discarded ! the'#
The s*ea0er then referred to the :th cha*ter of Here2s< 7st and Hnd
$erses# -Not &a!in, a,ain the foundation of re*entance fro' dead 2or0s<-
Pc< ut of the doctrines of a*tis's< &a!in, on of hands< the
resurrection< and eterna& =ud,'ent< Pc# That the doctrine of eterna&
=ud,e'ent 2as *erfect&! understood ! the A*ost&es< is e$ident fro'
se$era& *assa,es of Scri*ture# )eter *reached re*entance and a*tis' for
the re'ission of sins to the Je2s 2ho had een &ed to acts of $io&ence and
&ood ! their &eaders? ut to the ru&ers he said< -I 2ou&d that throu,h
i,norance !e did it< as did a&so those !e ru&ed#- -Re*ent< therefore< and
e con$erted< that !our sins 'a! e &otted out< 2hen the ti'es of
refreshin, Erede'*tionF sha&& co'e fro' the *resence of the Lord< for He
sha&& send Jesus Christ< 2ho efore 2as *reached unto !ou<- Pc# The ti'e
of rede'*tion here had reference to the ti'e 2hen Christ shou&d co'e?
then< and not ti&& then< 2ou&d their sins e &otted out# 3h!B "ecause
the! 2ere 'urderers< and no 'urderer hath eterna& &ife# E$en Da$id 'ust
2ait for those ti'es of refreshin,< efore he can co'e forth and his sins
e &otted out# For )eter< s*ea0in, of hi' sa!s< -Da$id hath not !et
ascended into hea$en< for his se*u&chre is 2ith us to this da!#- His
re'ains 2ere then in the to'# No2< 2e read that 'an! odies of the Saints
arose at Christ+s resurrection< *roa&! a&& the Saints< ut it see's that
Da$id did not# 3h!B "ecause he had een a 'urderer# If the 'inisters of
re&i,ion had a *ro*er understandin, of the doctrine of eterna& =ud,'ent<
the! 2ou&d not e found attendin, the 'an 2ho forfeited his &ife to the
in=ured &a2s of his countr!< ! sheddin, innocent &ood? for such
characters cannot e for,i$en< unti& the! ha$e *aid the &ast farthin,# The
*ra!ers of a&& the 'inisters in the 2or&d can ne$er c&ose the ,ates of
he&& a,ainst a 'urderer#
He then s*o0e on the su=ect of e&ection< and read the Nth cha*ter of
Ro'ans< fro' 2hich it 2as e$ident that the e&ection there s*o0en of 2as
*ertainin, to the f&esh< and had reference to the seed of Araha'<
accordin, to the *ro'ise 5od 'ade to Araha'< sa!in,< -In thee< and in th!
seed< a&& the fa'i&ies of the earth sha&& e &essed#- To the' e&on,ed
the ado*tion and the co$enants< Pc# )au& said< 2hen he sa2 their une&ief<
-I 2ish '!se&f accursed---accordin, to the f&esh--not accordin, to the
s*irit# 3h! did 5od sa! to )haraoh< -For this cause ha$e I raised thee
u*-B "ecause )haraoh 2as a fit instru'ent--a 2ic0ed 'an< and had co''itted
acts of crue&t! of the 'ost atrocious nature# The e&ection of the *ro'ised
seed sti&& continues< and in the &ast da!< the! sha&& ha$e the )riesthood
restored unto the'< and the! sha&& e the -sa$iors on .ount ;ion<- the
'inisters of our 5od? if it 2ere not for the re'nant 2hich 2as &eft< then
'i,ht 'en no2 e as Sodo' and 5o'orrah# The 2ho&e of the cha*ter had
reference to the )riesthood and the house of Israe&? and unconditiona&
e&ection of indi$idua&s to eterna& &ife 2as not tau,ht ! the A*ost&es#
5od did e&ect or *redestinate< that a&& those 2ho 2ou&d e sa$ed< shou&d
e sa$ed in Christ Jesus< and throu,h oedience to the 5os*e&? ut He
*asses o$er no 'an+s sins< ut $isits the' 2ith correction< and if His
chi&dren 2i&& not re*ent of their sins He 2i&& discard the'#
This is an i'*erfect s0etch of a $er! interestin, discourse< 2hich
occu*ied 'ore than t2o hours in de&i$er!< and 2as &istened to 2ith 'ar0ed
attention< ! the $ast asse'&! *resent#
In the afternoon the asse'&! 2as addressed ! )resident H!ru' S'ith#
.inutes of a Conference in London#
Conference 'et in London *ursuant to ad=ourn'ent#
E&der Orson H!de Eof the T2e&$e A*ost&esF Loren4o Sno2< 5eor,e J#
Ada's EHi,h )riestF< t2o E&ders< se$era& )riests< Teachers< and Deacons<
2ith a res*ecta&e co'*an! of 'e'ers *resent# E&der Sno2 re*resented the
London ranch< consistin, of M@ 'e'ers< and ,ood *ros*ect for increase#
The ranch at "edford< re*resented ! 5eor,e J# Ada's< consisted of :8
'e'er< 8 )riests< 7 Teacher# John 5riffith< )riest< re*resented the
ranch at 3oo&2ich< consisted of : 'e'ers# E&der John "ourne< 2ho 2as
sent to &aor at I*s2ich< 2as o&i,ed to &ea$e< there ein, no *ros*ect of
success< and the rethren refusin, to entertain hi'< so that he had to
s&ee* on the ,round# In conse>uence of this the conference *assed a
reso&ution conde'nator! of their conduct#
3ednesda!< 7N#--The Rochester arri$ed at >uarantine ,round< Ne2 Yor0<
after a toi&so'e *assa,e# At one ti'e the! 2ere eset 2ith head 2inds and
a tedious stor'< 2hen the T2e&$e A*ost&es united in *ra!er< the stor'
aated< the sea eca'e ca&'< and the! 2ent on their 2a! re=oicin,#
The fo&&o2in, is co*ied fro' the Ti'es and Seasons(
THE HEALIN5 OF ONE 3HO 3AS DEAR#
"ATA%IA< N# Y#< .a! 7N< 78@7#
To the Saints scattered aroad< and to a&& 2ho' it 'a! concern<
,reetin,(
"e it 0no2n that on or aout the first of Dece'er &ast< 2e< J# Sha'*
and .ar,aret Sha'*< of the to2n of "ata$ia< 5ennesee count!< N# Y#< had a
dau,hter that had een deaf and du' four and a ha&f !ears< and 2as
restored to her hearin,< the ti'e aforesaid< ! the &a!in, on of the hands
of the E&ders ENathan R# 1ni,ht and Char&es Tho'*sonF of the church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< co''on&! ca&&ed .or'ons< throu,h the
*o2er of A&'i,ht! 5od< and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ< as e&ie$ed and
*racticed ! the' in these &ast da!s# ISi,nedJ J# SHA.) .# SHA.)#
Se$era& other instances of hea&in, are 'entioned ! "rother Sha'*?
and such thin,s are co''on in the Church at this da!< accordin, to the
faith of the Saints#
Thursda!< HD#--The T2e&$e A*ost&es arri$ed at the doc0 in Ne2 Yor0
aout four o+c&oc0 *#'#< ut 2ere *re$ented fro' &andin, ! the carters
and ro2dies< unti& &ate in the e$enin,# Such is the confusion in Ne2 Yor0
on the arri$a& of a shi*< stea'oat< or coach< that stran,ers 'a! 2e&&
su**ose the cit! is 2ithout 'a!or< 'arsha&< *o&ice< or an! other officer<
to 0ee* the *eace#
E&der A# Cordon atte'*ted to s*ea0 se$era& ti'es at S2an %i&&a,e<
near "ir'in,ha'< En,&and< ut 2as interru*ted ! a 'o# Se$era& of the
Saints 2ere struc0 2ith stones< ut none of the' serious&! hurt#
Frida!< H7#--I attended Cit! Counci&< and 'o$ed that )ar&e! Street e
o*ened and i'*ro$ed to the state road#
Saturda!< HH#--A conference 2as he&d at 1irt&and< Ohio< E&der A&'on
3# "aitt *residin,# E&der "aitt 2as e&ected *resident of that ta0e<
and Lester "roo0s and ;eedee Co&trin his counse&ors#
Tho'as "urdic0 2as e&ected "isho* of 1irt&and< and Hira' 3inters and
Reuen .c"ride his counse&ors# Hira' 1e&&o,, 2as e&ected *resident of the
Hi,h )riests+ >uoru'< and A'os "acoc0< *resident of the E&ders+ >uoru'#
"!-&a2s 2ere ado*ted for the *reser$ation of the Lord+s House#
Sunda!< H9#--The T2e&$e addressed the Saints at the Co&u'ian Ha&&<
5rand Street< Ne2 Yor0#
.onda!< H@#
LETTER OF THE )RESIDENCY TO THE SAINTS--CONCENTRATION AT NAU%OO#
To the Saints aroad(
The First )residenc! of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< an/ious to *ro'ote the *ros*erit! of said Church< fee& it their
dut! to ca&& u*on the Saints 2ho reside out of this count! IHancoc0J< to
'a0e *re*arations to co'e in 2ithout de&a!# This is i'*ortant< and shou&d
e attended to ! a&& 2ho fee& an interest in the *ros*erit! of this
corner-stone of ;ion# Here the Te'*&e 'ust e raised< the Uni$ersit!
ui&t< and other edifices erected 2hich are necessar! for the ,reat 2or0
of the &ast da!s< and 2hich can on&! e done ! a concentration of ener,!
and enter*rise# Let it< therefore< e understood< that a&& the sta0es<
e/ce*tin, those in this count!< and in Lee count!< Io2a< are discontinued<
and the Saints instructed to sett&e in this count! as soon as
circu'stances 2i&& *er'it# JOSE)H S.ITH< )resident# Cit! of Nau$oo<
Hancoc0 count!< I&&inois< .a! H@< 78@7#
Tuesda!< HG#
Le,ion Affairs#
HEADAUARTERS NAU%OO LE5ION< CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< .a! HG< 78@7#
5enera& Orders--The 7st co'*an! Erif&e'enF 7st atta&ion< Hnd
re,i'ent< Hnd cohort< 2i&& e attached to the escort< conte'*&ated in the
,enera& orders of the @th inst#< for the 9rd of Ju&! ne/t# See *# 9G@#
In for'in, the Le,ion< the ad=utant 2i&& oser$e the ran0 of
co'*anies in the order the! are na'ed< to-2it--7st cohort? f&!in,
arti&&er! &ancers< $isitin, co'*anies of dra,oons< ca$a&r!< &ancers<
rif&e'en# Second cohort( arti&&er!< &ancers< rif&e'en< &i,ht infantr!<
infantr!# %isitin, co'*anies in their a**ro*riate *&aces on the ri,ht of
the troo*s of their o2n ,rade#
The ran0in, co'*an! of the 7st cohort 2i&& e for'ed on the ri,ht of
said cohort? and the ran0in, co'*an! of the Hnd cohort 2i&& e for'ed on
the &eft of said cohort? the ne/t on the &eft of the ri,ht< the ne/t on
the ri,ht of the &eft< and so on to the center#
The escort 2i&& e for'ed on the ri,ht of the forces# JOSE)H S.ITH<
Lieutenant-5enera&#
3ednesda!< H:#--E&der Loren4o Sno2 2rites fro' London< that the
Church there nu'ers M@ 'e'ers< ha$in, a*ti4ed 78 since his return fro'
.anchester conference< and that E&der Orson H!de 2as at the London
conference on the 7:th instant#
E&der Jose*h Fie&din, 2as at the Is&e of .an#
Thursda!< HM#--E&ders 3i&&ard Richards< 3i&ford 3oodruff< 5eor,e A#
S'ith< and John .# "ernhise& $isited the shi**in, and *rinci*a& ui&din,s
in Ne2 Yor0#
Sir Hu,h 5ou,h ein, aout to stor' Canton 2ith the "ritish forces<
the Chinese a,reed to *a! a ranso' of R:<DDD<DDD#
.onda!< 97#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, $isited the Saints on Lon, Is&and#
CHA)TER 66#
ARREST OF THE )RO)HET ON DE.AND OF .ISSOURI--TRIAL AT .ON.OUTH
THE ACAUITTAL#
Tuesda!< June 7< 78@7#--I acco'*anied '! rother H!ru' and 3i&&ia'
La2< as far as Auinc!< on their 'ission to the East#
E&der Sidne! Ri,don has een ordained a )ro*het< Seer< and Re$e&ator#
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, returned fro' Lon, Is&and to Ne2 Yor0< E&der
3i&&ard Richards started to Rich'ond< .assachusetts 2ith his fa'i&! and
E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff to )ort&and< .aine#
Frida!< @#--E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&& and Ta!&or &eft Ne2 Yor0 for
Nau$oo< ! 2a! of )hi&ade&*hia< )ittsur,h< and St# Louis# 5eo# A# S'ith<
and Reuen Hed&oc0 started at the sa'e ti'e< and 2ent to Ne2 E,!*t< Ne2
Jerse!#
I ca&&ed on 5o$ernor Car&in< at his residence in Auinc!# Durin, '!
$isit 2ith the ,o$ernor< I 2as treated 2ith the ,reatest 0indness and
res*ect? nothin, 2as said aout an! re>uisition ha$in, co'e fro' the
5o$ernor of .issouri for '! arrest# In a $er! fe2 hours after I had &eft
the 5o$ernor+s residence he sent Tho'as 1in,< Sheriff of Ada's count!<
Tho'as Jas*er< a consta&e of Auinc!< and so'e others as a *osse< 2ith an
officer fro' .issouri< to arrest 'e and de&i$er 'e u* to the authorities
of .issouri#
Saturda!< G#--3hi&e I 2as sta!in, at Heer&in+s Hote&<
"ear Cree0< aout t2ent!-ei,ht 'i&es south of Nau$oo< Sheriff 1in,
and *osse arrested 'e# So'e of the *osse on &earnin, the s*irit of the
officer fro' .issouri< &eft the co'*an! in dis,ust and returned to their
o2n ho'es# I accordin,&! returned to Auinc! and otained a 2rit of haeas
cor*us fro' Char&es A# 3arren< Es>#< .aster in Chancer!? and Jud,e Ste*hen
A# Dou,&as ha**enin, to co'e to Auinc! that e$enin,< he a**ointed to ,i$e
a hearin, on the 2rit on the Tuesda! fo&&o2in,< in .on'outh< 3arren
count!< 2here the court 2ou&d then co''ence a re,u&ar ter'#
E&ders 3i&&ia' S'ith< and 5eor,e A# S'ith attended a 'eetin, in the
2oods near Ne2 E,!*t< Ne2 Jerse!< and *reached to a &ar,e asse'&!? a&so
*reached on Sunda! :th< and three 2ere a*ti4ed? and after *reachin, on
the Mth four 'ore 2ere a*ti4ed #
Sunda!< :#--Ne2s of '! arrest ha$in, arri$ed in Nau$oo &ast ni,ht<
and ein, circu&ate throu,h the cit!< Hosea Stout< Tar&eton Le2is< 3i&&ia'
A# Hic0'an< John S# Hi,ee< E&i=ah A&e< Urie& C# Nic0erson< and 5eor,e 3#
C&!de started fro' the Nau$oo &andin,< in a s0iff in order to o$erta0e 'e
and rescue 'e< if necessar!# The! had a hea$! head 2ind< ut arri$ed in
Auinc! at dus0? 2ent u* to "en=a'in Jones+s house< and found that I had
,one to Nau$oo in char,e of t2o officers#
I returned to Nau$oo in char,e of the officers ESheriff 0in, had een
sudden&! sei4ed 2ith sic0ness? I nursed and 2aited u*on hi' in '! o2n
house< so that he 'i,ht e a&e to ,o to .on'outhF< and notified se$era&
of '! friends to ,et read! and acco'*an! 'e the ne/t 'ornin,#
.onda!< M#--I started $er! ear&! for .on'outh< se$ent!-fi$e 'i&es
distant Eta0in, .r# 1in, a&on, 2ith 'e and attendin, hi' durin, his
sic0nessF< acco'*anied ! Char&es C# Rich< A'asa L!'an< Shadrac0 Round!<
Re!no&ds Cahoon< Char&es Ho*0ins< A&fred Randa&&< E&ias Hi,ee<
.orris )he&*s< John )# 5reene< Henr! 5# Sher2ood< Jose*h Youn,er<
Dar2in Chase< Ira .i&es< Joe& S# .i&es< Lucien 3ood2orth< %inson 1ni,ht<
Roert "# Tho'*son< 5eor,e .i&&er and others# 3e tra$e&ed $er! &ate<
ca'*in, aout 'idni,ht in the road#
Tuesda!< 8#--Arri$ed at .on'outh and *rocured rea0fast at the
ta$ern? found ,reat e/cite'ent *re$ai&in, in the *u&ic 'ind< and ,reat
curiosit! 2as 'anifested ! the citi4ens 2ho 2ere e/tre'e&! an/ious to
otain a si,ht of the )ro*het< e/*ectin, to see 'e in chains# .r# 1in,<
E2hose hea&th 2as no2 *art&! restoredF had considera&e difficu&t! in
*rotectin, 'e fro' the 'o that had ,athered there# .r# Sidne! A# Litt&e<
for the defense< 'o$ed -That the case of .r# S'ith shou&d e ta0en u*<-
ut 2as o=ected to ! the States+ Attorne!< *rote'#< on account of his
not ein, *re*ared< not ha$in, had sufficient notice of the tria&# "!
'utua& consent it 2as accordin,&! *ost*oned unti& 3ednesda! 'ornin,#
In the e$enin,< ,reat e/cite'ent *re$ai&ed< and the citi4ens e'*&o!ed
se$era& attorne!s to *&ead a,ainst 'e#
I 2as re>uested to *reach to the citi4ens of .on'outh? ut as I 2as a
*risoner< I 0e*t c&oseted in '! roo'< for I cou&d not e$en co'e do2n
stairs to '! 'ea&s< ut the *eo*&e 2ou&d e cro2din, the 2indo2s to ,et a
*ee* at 'e< and therefore a**ointed E&der A'asa L!'an to *reach in the
Court House on 3ednesda! e$enin,#
3ednesda!< N#--At an ear&! hour the Court House 2as fi&&ed 2ith
s*ectators desirous to hear the *roceedin,s#
.r# .orrison< on eha&f of the *eo*&e< 2ished for ti'e to send to
S*rin,fie&d for the indict'ent< it not ein, found 2ith the rest of the
*a*ers# This course 2ou&d ha$e de&a!ed the *roceedin,s< and< as it 2as not
i'*ortant to the issue< the attorne!s for the defense ad'itted that there
2as an indict'ent< so that the in$esti,ation 'i,ht *roceed#
.r# 3arren< for the defense< then read the *etition< 2hich stated
that I 2as un&a2fu&&! he&d in custod!< and that the indict'ent< in
.issouri< 2as otained ! fraud< rier! and duress< a&& of 2hich I 2as
*re*ared to *ro$e#
.r# Litt&e then ca&&ed u*on the fo&&o2in, 2itnesses< $i4#<--.orris
)he&*s< E&ias Hi,ee< Re!no&ds Cahoon and 5eor,e 3# Roinson< 2ho 2ere
s2orn# The counse& on the o**osite side o=ected to hearin, e$idence on
the 'erits of the case< as the! cou&d not ,o e!ond the indict'ent# U*on
this a 2ar' and &on, discussion occurred< 2hich occu*ied the attention of
the court durin, the entire da!#
A&& the &a2!ers on the o**osite side< e/ce*tin, t2o< $i4# .essrs#
1no2&ton and Jennin,s< confined the'se&$es to the 'erits of the case< and
conducted the'se&$es as ,ent&e'en? ut it 2as *&ain&! e$ident that the
desi,n of .essrs# 1no2&ton and Jennin,s? 2as to e/cite the *u&ic 'ind
sti&& 'ore on the su=ect and inf&a'e the *assions of the *eo*&e a,ainst
'e and '! re&i,ion#
The counse& on eha&f of the defense< .essrs# Char&es A# 3arren<
Sidne! "# Litt&e< O# H# "ro2nin,< Ja'es H# Ra&ston< C!rus 3a&0er< and
Archia&d 3i&&ia's< acted no&! and honora&!< and stood u* in the defense
of the *ersecuted< in a 'anner 2orth! of hi,h-'inded and honora&e
,ent&e'en#
So'e had e$en een to&d that if the! en,a,ed on the side of the
defense< the! need ne$er &oo0 to the citi4ens of that count! for an!
*o&itica& fa$ors# "ut the! 2ere not to e o$era2ed ! the *o*u&ar c&a'or
or deterred fro' an act of *u&ic dut! ! an! insinuations or threats
2hate$er< and stated< that if the! had not efore deter'ined to ta0e a
*art in the defense< the!< after hearin, the threats of the co''unit!<
2ere no2 fu&&! deter'ined to dischar,e their dut!# The counse& for the
defense s*o0e 2e&& 2ithout e/ce*tion? and stron,&! ur,ed the &e,a&it! of
the court e/a'inin, the testi'on! to *ro$e that the 2ho&e *roceedin,s on
the *art of .issouri< 2ere ase and i&&e,a&< and that the indict'ent 2as
otained throu,h fraud< rier! and corru*tion#
The court< after hearin, the counse&< ad=ourned aout ha&f *ast si/
*#'#
3hen I 2as at dinner< a 'an rushed in and said< -3hich is Jo S'ithB I
ha$e ,ot a fi$e do&&ar 1irt&and i&&< and I+&& e da'ned if he don+t ta0e
it ac0 I+&& sue hi'< for his na'e is to it#- I re*&ied< -I a' the 'an?-
too0 the i&& and *aid hi' the s*ecie< 2hich he too0 $er! re&uctant&!<
ein, an/ious to 0ic0 u* a fuss#
The cro2d in the court 2as so intense that Jud,e Dou,&as ordered the
sheriff of 3arren count! to 0ee* the s*ectators ac0< ut he ne,&ected
doin, so 2hen the =ud,e fined hi' ten do&&ars# In a fe2 'inutes he a,ain
ordered the sheriff to 0ee* the 'en ac0 fro' cro2din, the *risoner and
2itnesses# He re*&ied< -I ha$e to&d a consta&e to do it<- 2hen the =ud,e
i''ediate&! said< -C&er0< add ten do&&ars 'ore to that fine#- The sheriff<
findin, ne,&ect rather e/*ensi$e< then attended to his dut!#
A !oun, &a2!er fro' .issouri $o&unteered to *&ead a,ainst 'e? he
tried his ut'ost to con$ict 'e< ut 2as so hi,h 2ith &i>uor< and che2ed so
'uch toacco< that he often ca&&ed for co&d 2ater# "efore he had s*o0en
'an! 'inutes< he turned sic0< re>uested to e e/cused ! the court and
2ent out of the court house< *u0in, a&& the 2a! do2n stairs# As the
I&&inoians ca&& the .issouri *eo*&e -*u0es<- this circu'stance caused
considera&e a'use'ent to the 'e'ers of the ar# Durin, his *&ea< his
&an,ua,e 2as so outra,eous that the =ud,e 2as t2ice under the necessit! of
orderin, hi' to e si&ent#
.r# O# H# "ro2nin, then co''enced his *&ea< and in a short ti'e the
*u0in, &a2!er returned< and re>uested the *ri$i&e,e of finishin, his *&ea<
2hich 2as a&&o2ed#
After2ards .r# "ro2nin, resu'ed his *&eadin,s 2hich 2ere *o2erfu&?
and 2hen he ,a$e a recitation of 2hat he hi'se&f had seen at Auinc!< and
on the an0s of the .ississi**i ri$er+ 2hen the Saints 2ere -e/ter'inated
fro' .issouri<- 2here he trac0ed the *ersecuted 2o'en and chi&dren !
their &ood! foot'ar0s in the sno2< the! 2ere so affectin, that the
s*ectators 2ere often disso&$ed in tears# Jud,e Dou,&as hi'se&f and 'ost
of the officers a&so 2e*t#
E&der A'asa L!'an durin, the e$enin,< *reached a ri&&iant discourse
in the Court House< on the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< 2hich chan,ed
the fee&in,s of the *eo*&e $er! 'ateria&&!#
A Letter fro' the Editor of the Ti'es and Seasons to that Journa&
5i$in, an Account of the Tria& at .on'outh#
A.ERICAN HOTEL< .ON.OUTH< 3ARREN COUNTY< ILLINOIS< June N< 78@7#
3ednesda! E$enin,#
3e ha$e =ust returned fro' the Court House< 2here 2e ha$e &istened to
one of the 'ost e&o>uent s*eeches e$er uttered ! 'orta& 'an< in fa$or of
=ustice and &iert!< ! O# H# "ro2nin,< Es>#< 2ho has done hi'se&f
i''orta& honor in the si,ht of a&& *atriotic citi4ens 2ho &istened to the
sa'e# He occu*ied the attention of the court for 'ore than t2o hours< and
sho2ed the fa&sit! of the ar,u'ents of the o**osite counse&< and &aid do2n
*rinci*&es in a &ucid and a&e 'anner 2hich ou,ht to ,uide the court in
ad'ittin, testi'on! for the defendant< Jose*h S'ith# 3e ha$e heard
"ro2nin, on for'er occasions< 2hen he has fre>uent&! de&i,hted his
audience ! his e&o>uence? ut on this occasion he e/ceeded our 'ost
san,uine e/*ectations# The senti'ents he ad$anced 2ere =ust< ,enerous and
e/a&ted? e soared ao$e the *ett! >ui&es 2hich the o**osite counse&
ur,ed< and triu'*hant&!< in a 'anner and e&o>uence *ecu&iar to hi'se&f<
a$o2ed hi'se&f the friend of hu'anit!< and o&d&!< no&! and inde*endent&!
stood u* for the ri,hts of those 2ho had 2aded throu,h seas of o**ression
and f&oods of in=ustice< and had sou,ht a she&ter in the State of
I&&inois# It 2as an effort 2orth! of a hi,h-'inded and honora&e
,ent&e'an< such as 2e e$er considered hi' to e< since 2e ha$e had the
*&easure of his ac>uaintance# Soon after 2e ca'e out of .issouri< he
s!'*athi4ed 3ith us in our aff&ictions< and 2e are indeed re=oiced to 0no2
that he !et 'aintains the sa'e *rinci*&es of ene$o&ence# His 2as not an
effort of a &a2!er an/ious to earn his fee< ut the *ure and *atriotic
fee&in,s of Christian ene$o&ence< and a sense of =ustice and of ri,ht#
3hi&e he 2as ans2erin, the 'onstrous and ridicu&ous ar,u'ents ur,ed ! the
o**osin, counse&< that Jose*h S'ith 'i,ht ,o to .issouri and ha$e his
tria&? he stated the circu'stances of our ein, dri$en fro' that State<
and fee&in,&! and e'*hatica&&! *ointed out the i'*ossii&it! of our
otainin, =ustice there# There 2e 2ere foridden to enter in conse>uence
of the order of the E/ecuti$e< and that in=ustice and crue&ties of the
'ost ararous and atrocious character had een *racticed u*on us< unti&
the strea's of .issouri had run 2ith &ood< and that he had seen 2o'en and
chi&dren< arefoot and house&ess crossin, the .ississi**i to see0 refu,e
fro' ruth&ess 'os# He conc&uded his re'ar0s ! sa!in, that to te&& us to
,o to .issouri for a tria& 2as addin, insu&t to in=ur!? and then he said(
-5reat 5odK ha$e I not seen itB Yes< '! e!es ha$e ehe&d the &ood-stained
traces of innocent 2o'en and chi&dren< in the drear 2inter< 2ho had
tra$e&ed hundreds of 'i&es arefoot< throu,h frost and sno2< to see0 a
refu,e fro' their sa$a,e *ursuers# +T2as a scene of horror sufficient to
en&ist s!'*ath! fro' an ada'antine heart# And sha&& this unfortunate 'an<
2ho' their fur! has seen *ro*er to se&ect for sacrifice< he dri$en into
such a sa$a,e &and and none dare to en&ist in the cause of JusticeB If
there 2as no other $oice under hea$en e$er to e heard in this cause<
,&ad&! 2ou&d I stand a&one< and *roud&! s*end '! &atest reath in defense
of an o**ressed A'erican citi4en#-
Thursda!< 7D#--The court 2as o*ened aout 8 o+c&oc0 a#'# 2hen Jud,e
Dou,&as de&i$ered his o*inion on the case# He said(
That the 2rit ein, once returned to the E/ecuti$e ! the sheriff of
Hancoc0 count! 2as dead< and stood in the sa'e re&ationshi* as an! other
2rit 2hich 'i,ht issue fro' the Circuit Court< and conse>uent&! the
defendant cou&d not e he&d in custod! on that 2rit# The other *oint<
2hether e$idence in the case 2as ad'issi&e or not< he 2ou&d not at that
ti'e decide< as it in$o&$ed ,reat and i'*ortant considerations re&ati$e to
the future conduct of the different states# There ein, no *recedent< as
far as the! had access to authorities to ,uide the'< ut he 2ou&d endea$or
to e/a'ine the su=ect< and a$ai& hi'se&f of a&& the authorities 2hich
cou&d e otained on the su=ect< efore he 2ou&d decide that *oint# "ut
on the other< the defendant 'ust e &ierated#
This decision 2as recei$ed 2ith satisfaction ! '!se&f and the
rethren< and a&& those 2hose 'inds 2ere free fro' *re=udice# It is no2
decided that efore another 2rit can issue< a ne2 de'and 'ust e 'ade !
the 5o$ernor of .issouri# Thus ha$e I een once 'ore de&i$ered fro' the
fan,s of '! crue& *ersecutors< for 2hich I than0 5od< '! Hea$en&! Father#
I 2as dischar,ed aout 77 a#'#< 2hen I ordered dinner for '! co'*an!
no2 increased to aout si/t! 'en? and 2hen I ca&&ed for the i&&< the
unconsciona&e fe&&o2 re*&ied< -On&! one hundred and si/t! do&&ars#-
Aout H *#'#< the co'*an! co''enced their return< tra$e&ed aout
t2ent! 'i&es< and ca'*ed ! the 2a!side#
Frida!< 77#--Started $er! ear&!< arri$ed at La Har*e for dinner and
returned safe&! to Nau$oo ! @ *#'#< 2here I 2as 'et ! the acc&a'ation of
the Saints#
CHA)TER 66I#
THE .ISSION TO JERUSALE.--)RO5RESS OF ORSON HYDE IN
HIS JOURNEY#
ELDER 5EOR5E A# S.ITH 'et E&der John E# )a,e at )hi&ade&*hia< and
ad$ised hi' to ta0e u* contriutions to ena&e hi' to sai& 2ithin three
da!s in the 5arric0 for En,&and< and o$erta0e E&der Orson H!de and
acco'*an! hi' to Jerusa&e'< *ro'isin, to use a&& the inf&uence and
e/ertion in his *o2er to assist hi'# E&der )a,e re=ected the *ro*osition#
E&der S'ith suse>uent&! &earned that E&der )a,e had sufficient 'one!<
2ithout co&&ections to ha$e ta0en hi' throu,h to En,&and#
Tuesda!< 7G#
Letter fro' E&der Orson H!de to )resident Jose*h S'ith--Recountin,
Incidents of his Journe! en Route for Jerusa&e'#
LONDON< June 7G< 78@7#
)resident S'ith(
SIR--3ith *&easure I ta0e '! *en to 2rite !ou at this ti'e< and
throu,h !ou to the Ti'es and Seasons< and throu,h it to the Saints at
&ar,e< and to a&& 2ho' it 'a! concern# .a! ,race< 'erc!< and *eace fro'
5od our Father< and fro' the Lord Jesus Christ< rest u*on !ou aundant&!<
and ena&e !ou to ser$e Hi' acce*ta&!< secure to !ourse&f that honor
2hich co'eth fro' ao$e< ,uide the counse&s of the Saints in 2isdo'< that
*eace and ,ood 2i&& 'a! rei,n *redo'inant in ;ion< and =o! and ,&adness
s2e&& e$er! ,ratefu& heart# .ost ,&ad&! 2ou&d I e'race an o**ortunit! of
a *ersona& inter$ie2 2ith !ou< did one offer< ut such a fa$or is e!ond
'! reach at this ti'e# I ha$e =ust seen the 7Hth nu'er of the Ti'es and
Seasons< containin, the 'inutes of !our conference< the re*ort of the
)residenc!< the ce&eration of the anni$ersar! of the Church and the
&a!in, of the foundation of the Te'*&e# This< to 'e 2as a *recious ,e'? it
rou,ht tidin,s fro' '! o2n countr!< and fro' the *&ace rendered dou&!
endearin, fro' the fact that there is the ho'e of '! 2ife and chi&dren#
I 2as sorr! that E&der )a,e had een so tard! in his 'o$e'ents that
o=ections 2ere 'ade to hi'# .ost ,&ad&! 2ou&d I ha$e hai&ed hi' as a
co'*anion to the orienta& continent? ut '! ho*es of that are f&ed# I
sha&& ,o a&one or find so'e other *erson< in a&& *roai&it!< to ,o 2ith
'e#
I ha$e 2ritten a oo0 to *u&ish in the 5er'an &an,ua,e< settin,
forth our doctrine and *rinci*&es in as c&ear and concise a 'anner as I
*ossi&! cou&d# After ,i$in, a histor! of the rise of the Church< in
so'ethin, the 'anner that "rother Orson )ratt did< I ha$e 2ritten a snu,
&itt&e artic&e on e$er! *oint of doctrine e&ie$ed ! the Saints? I e,an
2ith the )riesthood and sho2ed that the Saints 2ere not under the
necessit! of tracin, ac0 the dar0 and &ood! strea' of *a*a& su*erstition
to find their authorit!? neither 2ere the! co'*e&&ed to see0 for it a'on,
the f&oatin, and transient notions of )rotestant refor'ers? ut 5od has
sent His ho&! an,e& direct&! fro' hea$en 2ith this sea& and authorit!< and
conferred it u*on 'en 2ith His o2n hands-->uotin, the &etter and testi'on!
of O&i$er Co2der!? ne/t 2as on the use and $a&idit! of the ho&! scri*tures
in the Church? ne/t on faith< set forth fro' the scri*tures and the "oo0
of Co$enants? then on re*entance< a*tis'? &a!in, on of hands? then the
different offices of the Church? ne/t the *o2er and authorit! of each one?
and< in fine< the 2ho&e order< doctrine and ,o$ern'ent of the Church# I
ha$e not 2ritten it as a &a2 indin, on the 5er'an Saints? ut ha$e ta0en
this course to i&&ustrate and set forth the true *rinci*&es of our
doctrine to the'< fu&&! e&ie$in, that it 2ou&d 'eet 2ith the cordia&
a**roation of those 2ho' I ha$e the distin,uished honor to re*resent<
cou&d the! ut see it# I ha$e 2ritten a &en,th! *reface and introduction
to it# I here co*! an e/tract fro' the introduction# -3hen in the course
of di$ine )ro$idence it eco'es our dut! to record one of those re'ar0a&e
e$ents 2hich ,i$es irth to a ne2 era< and &a!s the foundation for the
reno$ation of the 'ora& 2or&d< it fi&&s the 'ind 2ith 2onder< astonish'ent
and ad'iration# Ho2 2e&co'e are the ra!s of the 'ornin, &i,ht< after the
shades of dar0ness ha$e c&othed the earth in ,&oo'K So after a &on, and
tedious ni,ht of 'ora& dar0ness under 2hich the earth has ro&&ed< and her
inhaitants ,roaned for the &ast fourteen hundred !ears< an an,e&
co''issioned fro' the A&'i,ht!< descended and ro&&ed ac0 the curtains of
ni,ht fro' the 'inds of so'e and caused the sunea's of truth to
en&i,hten< cheer< and 2ar' the hearts of 'an!# 3e&co'e< 2e&co'e to our
earth< thou 'essen,er of the .ost Hi,hK and thrice 2e&co'e the tidin,s
2hich thou hast orneK O 5racious FatherK I as0 Thee< in the na'e of Th!
ho&! chi&d< Jesus< to &ess 2ith Th! ro!a& fa$or< the 2ea0 e/ertions of
Th! hu'&e ser$ant< and 'a0e this *roduction a &essin, to a&& *eo*&e 2ho
'a! e fa$ored 2ith a *erusa& of its *a,es# 3here$er it sha&& ,o &et it e
a 'essen,er of con$iction to the 2ic0ed< and a harin,er of *eace to the
ri,hteous# Let its contents e orne u*on e$er! ree4e< and 2afted to the
re'otest c&i'es# Let the an,e& of the co$enant ,o efore it< and *re*are
its 2a!# Let its hea$en&! inf&uence e disti&&ed u*on the rich and ferti&e
soi& of hu'&e and honest hearts# 5o forth< therefore< &itt&e $o&u'e to
other nations and ton,ues< and 'a! the A&'i,ht! s*eed !our 2a!< and &i0e a
shar*< t2o-ed,ed s2ord cut the 2a! throu,h the *re=udices of this
,eneration? enca'* 2ith a&& th! $irtues in the hearts of the *eo*&e< and
there &et th! *rinci*&es e enthroned#-
One thin, I 2as *&eased 2ith< 2hich I noticed in the Ti'es and
Seasons--the re'ar0s 'ade on the use of into/icatin, s*irits# In '! heart
the! found a corres*ondin, echo# I shou&d not e 2i&&in, to indu&,e the
thou,ht for a 'o'ent that the Saints in Nau$oo 2ou&d >uiet&! stand ! and
see a rother ,or,e hi'se&f 2ith that stron, drin0 2hich 'a0es a he&& of
his ho'e< and ro&&s the fier! f&ood of ruin o$er the affections of his
once ha**! fa'i&!# NoK the! 2i&& dash fro' his &i*s the cu* of
2retchedness< and shar*&! reu0e the ho'icide that se&&s to hi' the 2ine
of 2rath< and 'easures to hi' his 2ife+s tears# C C C .a! the &i,htnin,s
of hea$en fore$er &ast EI had a&'ost saidF those re2ers of stron, drin0
2hich send forth their corru*t and *oisonous strea's to s2ee* do2n in
their fi&th! current 'en of ster&in, ta&ents to an unti'e&! ,ra$e# .a! the
Saints of 5od stand as far fro' the' as Lot stood fro' Sodo' in its e$i&
da!# This di44! f&ood has so'eti'es entered the house of 2orshi*< in$aded
the sacred des0< and hushed in death fore$er the $oice that cou&d *&ead
&i0e an an,e&< the cause of 5od and 'an#
I ha$e =ust recei$ed a note fro' Dr# S# Hirsche&&< )resident Rai of
the Here2 co''unit! of this countr!< in re*&! to a $er! *o&ite note 2hich
I sent hi'< re>uestin, the indu&,ence of a *ersona& inter$ie2 2ith hi'#
"ut in conse>uence of a $er! se$ere accident 2hich efe&& hi' he is
confined to his roo'< and una&e at this ti'e to ,rant the as0ed
indu&,ence# EHis &e, is ro0en#F
I ha$e addressed to hi' a co''unication u*on the su=ect of '!
'ission< a co*! of 2hich I trans'it to !ou# It 'a! not e a&to,ether
uninterestin, to the Saints and friends in A'erica#
E&der H!de+s Letter to Rai Hirsche&&#
RE%# SIR(--I cannot ut e/*ress '! sorro2 and re,ret at the
'isfortune under 2hich !ou &aor< in conse>uence of the se$ere accident
2hich efe&& !ou< and ! 2hich !ou are confined to !our roo'# )&ease
acce*t< sir< the sincere 2ishes of a stran,er< that !ou 'a! s*eedi&!
reco$er fro' the in=ur! !ou sustained in conse>uence of the accident< and
resu'e the &aors 2hich !our hi,h and res*onsi&e station ca&&s !ou to
*erfor'#
Fee&in, that I 'a! not en=o! the *ri$i&e,e and ha**iness of a
*ersona& inter$ie2 2ith !ou< I ho*e !ou 2i&& indu&,e the &iert! 2hich I
no2 *resu'e to ta0e< in addressin, a 2ritten co''unication to !ou<
e'racin, so'e of those thin,s 2hich I had fond&! ho*ed 2ou&d ha$e een
the foundation of a 'utua& interchan,e of thou,ht et2een us# "ut as
)ro$idence has &aid an e'ar,o u*on that distin,uished *ri$i&e,e< I 'ust
fore,o< at this ti'e< the *&easure of a $era& re&ation of those thin,s
*ertainin, to !our nation< 2ith 2hich '! 'ind is dee*&! affected#
Since I ha$e arri$ed to !ears of 'ore 'ature ref&ection< and eco'e
re&i,ious&! inc&ined< the 2ritin,s of the Je2ish )ro*hets ha$e 2on '!
affections? and the scattered and o**ressed condition of that *eo*&e has
en&isted the finest s!'*athies of '! heart# "e&ie$in,< therefore< that the
2ords of Hosea< the )ro*het< ii? H9< connected 2ith !our 'a,nani'it!< 2i&&
*rohiit the indu&,ence of an! *re=udices in !our fee&in,s a,ainst the
author of this *roduction< in conse>uence of his not ein, a&e ! an!
e/istin, docu'ent or record< to identif! hi'se&f 2ith !our nation#
-Aout nine !ears a,o< a !oun, 'an 2ith 2ho' I had had a short
ac>uaintance< and one< too< in 2ho' d2e&t 'uch 2isdo' and 0no2&ed,e--in
2hose oso' the A&'i,ht! had de*osited 'an! secrets< &aid his hand u*on '!
head and *ronounced these re'ar0a&e 2ords--Lin due ti'e thou sha&t ,o to
Jerusa&e'< the &and of th! fathers< and e a 2atch'an unto the house of
Israe&? and ! th! hands sha&& the .ost Hi,h do a ,reat 2or0< 2hich sha&&
*re*are the 2a! and ,reat&! faci&itate the ,atherin, to,ether of that
*eo*&e#+ .an! other *articu&ars 2ere to&d 'e ! hi' at that ti'e< 2hich I
do not 2rite in this &etter# "ut sufficient is 2ritten to sho2 that di$ine
a**oint'ent is c&ai'ed as the 'ains*rin, that has sent 'e forth fro' the
e'races of an affectionate fa'i&! and 0ind friends< as 2e&& as fro' the
&and that ,a$e 'e irth#
.! &aors since that *eriod ha$e een esto2ed u*on the 5enti&es in
$arious countries< and on oth sides of the At&antic< unti& in the ear&!
*art of .arch< 78@D< I retired to '! ed one ni,ht as usua&? and 2hi&e
'editatin, and conte'*&atin, the fie&d of '! future &aors< the $ision of
the Lord< &i0e c&ouds of &i,ht< urst into '! $ie2 Esee Joe& ii( H8F#
The cities of London< A'sterda'< Constantino*&e and Jerusa&e'< a&&
a**eared in succession efore 'e< and the S*irit said unto 'e< -Here are
'an! of the chi&dren of Araha' 2ho' I 2i&& ,ather to the &and that I ,a$e
to their fathers? and here a&so is the fie&d of !our &aors# Ta0e<
therefore< *ro*er credentia&s fro' '! *eo*&e< !our rethren< and a&so fro'
the 5o$ernor of !our state< 2ith the sea& of authorit! thereon< and ,o !e
forth to the cities 2hich ha$e een sho2n !ou< and dec&are these 2ords
unto Judah< and sa!< -&o2 !e the tru'*et in the &and? cr!< ,ather
to,ether< and sa!< asse'&e !ourse&$es< and &et us ,o into the defensed
cities# Set u* the standard to2ards ;ion--retire< sta! not< for I 2i&&
rin, e$i& fro' the north and a ,reat destruction# The &ion is co'e u*
fro' his thic0et< and the destro!er of the 5enti&es is on his 2a!--he is
,one forth fro' his *&ace to 'a0e th! &and deso&ate< and th! cities sha&&
e &aid 2aste< 2ithout an inhaitant# S*ea0 !e co'forta&! to Jerusa&e'<
and cr! unto her< that her 2arfare is acco'*&ished--that her ini>uit! is
*ardoned< for she hath recei$ed of the Lord+s hand dou&! for a&& her
sins# Let !our 2arnin, $oice e heard a'on, the 5enti&es as !ou *ass? and
ca&& !et u*on the' in '! na'e for aid and for assistance# 3ith !ou it
'attereth not 2hether it e &itt&e or 'uch? ut to 'e it e&on,eth to sho2
fa$or unto the' 2ho sho2 fa$or unto !ou#- The $ision continued o*en aout
si/ hours< that I did not c&ose '! e!es in s&ee*# In this ti'e 'an! thin,s
2ere sho2n unto 'e 2hich I ha$e ne$er 2ritten? neither sha&& I 2rite the'
unti& the! are fu&fi&&ed in Jerusa&e'#
It a**ears fro' the )ro*hets< that Jerusa&e' has none to ,uide--none
to ta0e her ! the hand a'on, a&& the sons 2ho' she hath rou,ht forth and
reared# "ut these t2o sons are co'e unto theeK the sons of stran,ers sha&&
ui&d u* th! 2a&&s#
)er'it 'e no2< Re$# Sir< to trou&e !ou 2ith the ref&ections of a
'ind that fee&s co'*&ete&! untra''e&&ed fro' e$er! *art! interest< and
fro' e$er! sectarian inf&uence#
3hen I &oo0 at the condition of !our fathers in the da!s of Da$id and
So&o'on< and contrast that 2ith the *resent condition of their
descendants< I a' &ed to e/c&ai'< -Ho2 are the 'i,ht! fa&&en#- Then the!
*ossessed a 0in,do'--a &and f&o2in, 2ith 'i&0 and hone!--then the stron,
ar' of Jeho$ah tau,ht the surroundin, nations to *a! triute and ho'a,e to
the'--then their standard 2as raised hi,h< their anner f&oated on e$er!
ree4e? 'e under its shade the sons and dau,hters of Israe& re*osed in
*erfect safet!? and the ,o&den &etters of &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e 2ere
inscried on its fo&ds# "ut no2< no 0in,do'--no countr!--no triute of
,ain or honor--no standard--no securit!( Their sce*tre has de*artedK and
instead of that &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e 2hich once ,a$e the' a transient
e&e$ation ao$e other nations< the hei,ht of their a'ition is no2 E2ith
so'e honora&e e/ce*tionsF the accu'u&ation of sordid ,ain< ! u!in, and
se&&in, the sta&e refuse 2ith 2hich their fathers 2ou&d ne$er ha$e defi&ed
their hands#
3h! this 2onderfu& chan,eB Is the 5od of Araha'< Isaac and Jaco a
=ust 5odB .ost certain&! He is# If< then< He is a =ust 5od< of course He
2i&& 'ete out and a**ortion the chastise'ent or *ena&t! to the 'a,nitude
of the offense or cri'e co''itted# A&&o2in,< then< the &a2 of .oses to e
the standard ! 2hich actions are 2ei,hed( 2ere not ido&atr! and the
sheddin, of innocent &ood the ,reatest sins 2hich !our fathers co''ittedB
And 2as not the *ena&t! inf&icted u*on the' for that trans,ression<
ca*ti$it! in "a!&on se$ent! !earsB Ha$e the! e$er een ,ui&t! of ido&atr!
at a&& since their return fro' "a!&onB NoK Ha$e the! een ,ui&t! of
sheddin, innocent &ood< to that e/tent since their return< that the! 2ere
efore the! 2ere ta0en ca*ti$e ! Neuchadne44arB The Je2 sa!s< NoK %er!
2e&&? there 2i&& none den!< 2ith an! c&ai' u*on !our credu&it!< ut that
the disaster and o$erthro2 that efe&& the Je2ish nation in the da!s of
%es*asian< $er! far e/ceeded in se$erit!< in a&'ost e$er! *articu&ar< the
disaster and o$erthro2 that efe&& the' in the da!s of Neuchadne44ar#
No2< then< if 5od e =ust and 'ete out and a**ortion the chastise'ent
or *ena&t! to the 'a,nitude of the offense or cri'e co''itted< it fo&&o2s<
of course< that !our fathers co''itted so'e far ,reater cri'e suse>uent
to their return to "a!&on< than e$er the! efore co''itted# "e that cri'e
2hate$er it 'a!? 0no2 !e that for it< or ecause of it< the Ro'an ar'ies
2ere *er'itted to cro2d their con>uests to the heart of !our cit!--urn
!our te'*&e--0i&& !our 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< and dis*erse !our re'nant
to the four >uarters of the earth# The fier! stor' that urst u*on !our
nation at that ti'e< and the traces of &ood 2hich the! ha$e e$er since
&eft ehind the' in their f&i,ht and dis*ersion< to,ether 2ith the recent
cursed crue&ties inf&icted u*on the' in Da'ascus and Rhodes< ut too
*&ain&! dec&are that the stron, i'*recation 2hich the! uttered on a
certain occasion has een fu&fi&&ed u*on the' to the &etter# -Let his
&ood e on us and on our chi&dren#- If conde'nin, and crucif!in, Jesus of
Na4areth 2as not the cause of this ,reat e$i&< 2hat 2as the cause of itB
A2are that I ha$e 2ritten $er! *&ain&! u*on these *oints< that ha$e
co'e 2ithin '! notice< !ou e&ie$e 'e< sir< 2hen I assure !ou< that '! *en
is *ointed 2ith friendshi*< and di**ed in the fountain of &o$e and ,ood
2i&& to2ard !our nation# The thou,hts 2hich it records ha$e *roceeded fro'
a heart ,ratefu& to the A&'i,ht!< that the ti'e has arri$ed 2hen the
da!-star of !our freedo' a&read! e,ins to dis*e& the dar0 and ,&oo'!
c&ouds 2hich ha$e se*arated !ou fro' the fa$or of !our 5od# Ere &on, it
2i&& e said to !ou< -Arise< shine< for th! &i,ht has has co'e< and the
,&or! of the Lord has risen u*on thee#-
The 'ornin, rea0s< the shado2s f&ee< LoK ;ion+s standard is
unfur&ed? The da2nin, of a ri,hter da! .a=estic rises on the 2or&d# The
5enti&e fu&ness no2 co'es in< And Israe&+s &essin,s are at hand( LoK
Judah+s re'nant< c&eansed fro' sin< sha&& in their *ro'ised Canaan stand#
No2< therefore< O !e chi&dren of the co$enant< re*ent of a&& !our
ac0s&idin,s< and e,in< as in da!s of o&d< to turn to the Lord !our 5od#
AriseK ariseK and ,o out fro' a'on, the 5enti&es? for destruction is
co'in, fro' the north to &a! their cities 2aste# Jerusa&e' is th! ho'e#
There the 5od of Araha' 2i&& de&i$er thee EJoe& ii( 9H#F There the
endin, hea$ens sha&& re$ea& th! &on, &oo0ed-for .essiah in f&eec! c&ouds
of &i,ht and ,&or!< to e/ecute $en,eance u*on thine ene'ies? and &ead thee
and th! rethren of the ten tries to sure con>uest and certain $ictor!#
Then sha&& thrones e cast do2n< and the 0in,do's of this 2or&d eco'e the
0in,do's of our 5od# Then 2i&& the! co'e fro' the east< 2est< north<
south'< and sit do2n in the 0in,do' of 5od 2ith Araha'< Isaac and Jaco#
"ut the chi&dren of the 0in,do' E5enti&esF sha&& e cast out< and the
0in,do' restored to Israe&#
3ith senti'ents of distin,uished consideration< I ha$e the honor<
sir< to suscrie '!se&f< Your 'ost oedient ser$ant< ORSON HYDE#
Re$# Dr# So&o'on Hirsche&&< )resident Rai of the Here2 Societ! in
En,&and#
Conc&usion of E&der H!de+s Letter to the )ro*het#
It is $er! hard ti'es in En,&and# Thousands ha$e nothin, to do< and
are &itera&&! star$in,# Trade of a&& sorts is at the &o2est e# %er! co&d
and dr!# No har$est un&ess rain co'e soon# You 2i&& disco$er that the
,reater *art of the En,&ish rethren ha$e a&2a!s 2or0ed under 'asters? and
the! ha$e not so 'uch notion of *&annin, and shiftin, for the'se&$es<
*articu&ar&! in a a stran,e countr!< as the A'ericans# The! 2ant so'e one
to e a 0ind of father to the'< to ,i$e the' *&ent! of 2or0< and *&ent! to
eat? and the! 2i&& e content# The! are a $er! industrious *eo*&e 2hene$er
the! can ,et e'*&o!'ent( and ! a &itt&e father&! care< the! 2i&& soon ,et
2a!-2ised to the countr!< and e ena&ed to shift for the'se&$es# I trust
that e/ertions are 'ade to ,i$e e'*&o!'ent to as 'an! as *ossi&e# You
0no2 the reasons there etter than I do< and !ou ha$e recei$ed a s*eci'en
of the En,&ish Saints# No2 if !ou ha$e an! counse& to ,i$e concernin, the
,atherin,< in addition to that a&read! ,i$en< I sha&& e ha**! to recei$e
and e/ecute it< as far as o**ortunit! offers#
I sha&& not re'ain here &on,< it is true? ut "rother )ratt is here<
and I sha&& return here so'e ti'e if the Lord 2i&&#
I 'ust no2 c&ose ! sa!in, for one and a&&< 5od &ess ;ion for e$er
and e$er# Your rother in Christ< ORSON HYDE#
CHA)TER 66II#
SUNDRY E%ENTS AT NAU%OO AND THROU5HOUT THE 3ORLD--THE .ISSION OF
THE T3EL%E NOTED "Y THE )RO)HET#
THE ne2s*a*ers of the United States are tee'in, 2ith a&& 'anner of
&ies< ausin, the Saints of the .ost Hi,h< and stri$in, to ca&& do2n the
2rath of the *eo*&e u*on His ser$ants#
3ednesda!< 7:#--E&der "ri,ha' Youn, and co'*an! arri$ed at 3hee&in,
at @ *#'#< and Sunda!< HNth< $isited the rethren at Cincinnati#
.onda!< H7#--H!ru' S'ith and 3i&&ia' La2 $isited the Saints in
Chester count!< )enns!&$ania< on their 'ission east? and there 'et E&der
5eor,e A# S'ith on his return ho'e#
Tuesda!< HH#--E&der Theodore Curtis< ha$in, *re$ious&! een arrai,ned
efore a 'a,istrate< and ound o$er in the su' of fort! *ounds< for
-&as*he'!<- i#e#< *reachin, the 5os*e&< a**eared at the court of
Sessions< at 5&oucester< En,&and< and after re'ainin, fi$e da!s in *rison<
2as infor'ed on in>uir!< that no i&& 2as found a,ainst hi'< and he 2as
suffered to ,o at &ar,e a,ain after *a!in, one *ound and one shi&&in,
cost# Thus 2e see that the sa'e o**osition to truth *re$ai&s in other
countries< as 2e&& as in this#
E/tract fro' a Letter in the -Ju&iet Courier---Descriin, the
)ro*het+s Tria& at .on'outh< and Affairs at Nau$oo#
.ON.OUTH< June< 78@7#
.Y DEAR SIR(--"efore this reaches !ou< I ha$e no dout !ou 2i&& ha$e
heard of the tria& of Jose*h S'ith< fa'i&iar&! 0no2n as the .or'on
)ro*het#
As so'e 'isre*resentations ha$e a&read! ,one aroad< in re&ation to
Jud,e Dou,&as+ decision< and the 'erits of the >uestion decided ! the
=ud,e? *er'it 'e to sa!< the on&! >uestion decided< thou,h 'an! 2ere
deated< 2as the $a&idit! of the e/ecuti$e 2rit 2hich had once een sent
out< I thin0 in Se*te'er< 78@D< and a return on it that .r# S'ith cou&d
not e found# The sa'e 2rit 2as issued in June< 78@7# There can rea&&! e
no ,reat difficu&t! aout this 'atter< under this state of facts#
The =ud,e ac>uitted hi'se&f handso'e&!< and si&enced c&a'ors that had
een raised a,ainst the defendant#
Since the tria& I ha$e een at Nau$oo< on the .ississi**i< in Hancoc0
count!< I&&inois? and ha$e seen the 'anner in 2hich thin,s are conducted
a'on, the .or'ons# In the first *&ace< I cannot he&* noticin, the *&ain
hos*ita&it! of the )ro*het< S'ith< to a&& stran,ers $isitin, the to2n<
aided as he is< in 'a0in, the stran,er co'forta&e ! his e/ce&&ent 2ife<
a 2o'an of su*erior ai&it!# The *eo*&e of the to2n a**ear to e honest
and industrious< en,a,ed in their usua& $ocations of ui&din, u* a to2n<
and 'a0in, a&& thin,s around the' co'forta&e# On Sunda! I attended one of
their 'eetin,s< in front of the Te'*&e no2 ui&din,< and one of the
&ar,est ui&din,s in the state# There cou&d not ha$e een &ess than H<GDD
*eo*&e *resent< and as 2e&& a**earin, as an! nu'er that cou&d e found in
this or an! state# .r# S'ith *reached in the 'ornin,< and one cou&d ha$e
readi&! &earned< then< the 'a,ic ! 2hich he has ui&t u* this societ!<
ecause< as 2e sa! in I&&inois< -the! e&ie$e in hi'<- and in his honest!#
It has een a 'atter of astonish'ent to 'e< after seein, the )ro*het< as
he is ca&&ed< E&der Ri,don< and 'an! other ,ent&e'an&! 'en an!one 'a! see
at Nau$oo< 2ho 2i&& $isit there--2h! it is that so 'an! *rofessin,
Christianit!< and so 'an! *rofessin, to re$erence the sacred *rinci*&es of
our Constitution E2hich ,i$es free re&i,ious to&eration to a&&F< ha$e
s&andered< and *ersecuted this sect of Christians#
Saturda!< H:--E&der Youn, and co'*an! arri$ed on the stea'er .er'aid<
at the 'outh of the Ohio ri$er#
Thursda!< Ju&! 7#--E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&&< and Ta!&or arri$ed at
Nau$oo< after an interestin, 'ission to En,&and# The accounts of their
'issions are hi,h&! satisfactor!#
Durin, a hea$! thunderstor' at Der!< En,&and< hundreds of s'a&& fish
and fro,s descended< and 2ere *ic0ed u* a&i$e ! the *eo*&e#
Saturda!< 9#--The fo&&o2in, is an e/tract fro' the Le,ion .inutes(
The second re,i'ent< first cohort< consistin, of four co'*anies< 2as
or,ani4ed< and Ca*tain 5eor,e Cou&son 2as e&ected co&one&< Josiah E&&s
&ieutenant-co&one&< and H!ru' 1i'a&& 'a=or# On the sa'e da!< the third
re,i'ent< second cohort< consistin, of four co'*anies< 2as or,ani4ed?
Sa'ue& "ent 2as e&ected co&one&< 5eor,e .ore!< &ieutenant-co&one&< and
3i&&ia' Nis2an,er< 'a=or? and the Le,ion 2as ca&&ed out to ce&erate our
Nationa& Inde*endence Ethe @th ein, Sunda!F< and 2as re$ie2ed !
Lieutenant-5enera& Jose*h S'ith< 2ho 'ade an e&o>uent and *atriotic s*eech
to the troo*s< and stron,&! testified of his re,ard for our nationa&
2e&fare< and his 2i&&in,ness to &a! do2n his &ife in defense of his
countr!< and c&osed 2ith these re'ar0a&e 2ords< -I 2ou&d as0 no ,reater
oon< than to &a! do2n '! &ife for '! countr!#-
An e&aorate dinner 2as ,ot u* in the ,ro$e< of 2hich I *artoo0< in
co'*an! 2ith the officers of the Le,ion< )resident Ri,don and 'an! others<
2ith their &adies#
E&der 3i&&ard Richards &eft his fa'i&! 2ith his sisters at Rich'ond<
.assachusetts< and started for Nau$oo#
E&der Orson )ratt has *u&ished in Ne2 Yor0 an edition of his Histor!
of the Co'in, Forth of the "oo0 of .or'on< first *rinted in Edinur,h#
Re$e&ation ,i$en to Jose*h S'ith< in the house of "ri,ha' Youn,< in
Nau$oo Cit!< Ju&! 8< 78@7#
Dear and 2e&& e&o$ed "rother "ri,ha' Youn,< $eri&! thus saith the
Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant "ri,ha'< it is no 'ore re>uired at !our hands to
&ea$e !our fa'i&! as in ti'es *ast< for !our offerin, is acce*ta&e to 'e?
I ha$e seen !our &aor and toi& in =ourne!in,s for '! na'e# I therefore
co''and !ou to send '! 2ord aroad< and ta0e s*ecia& care of !our fa'i&!
fro' this ti'e< henceforth and fore$er# A'en#
.onda!< 7H#--E&der 3i&&ia' C&a!ton 2as a**ointed c&er0 of the Hi,h
Counci& of Io2a< and John )atton recorder of a*tis's for the dead in
Io2a#
At the ur,ent so&icitations of the rethren at ;arahe'&a<
I had consented< at a *re$ious date< that the! 'i,ht a*ti4e for the
dead on the Io2a side of the ri$er#
I 2as in the Cit! Counci&< and 'o$ed that an! *erson in the Cit! of
Nau$oo e at &iert! to se&& $inous &i>uors in an! >uantit!< su=ect to
the cit! ordinances#
Tuesda!< 79#--E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith returned fro' his 'ission in
En,&and#
A treat! 2as si,ned et2een Tur0e!< Russia< En,&and< France< Austria<
and )russia< 2here! the Dardane&&es are c&osed to a&& forei,n shi*s of
2ar< as &on, as the Otto'an )orte en=o!s *eace#
3ednesda!< 7@#--The fo&&o2in, is trans&ated fro' the Araic< in the
.a&ta Ti'es---A&e**o< 9rd .a!# A ,reat fa'ine has ha**ened n A&e**o<
.a&itia< and 1arat< inso'uch that 'an! *eo*&e died 2ith hun,er< and
others so&d their sons and dau,hters to ,et read to eat# "ut the A&'i,ht!
5od rained u*on the' seed E'annaF< and fed the' 2itha&#- -Of the $eracit!
of these 2ords<- adds the .a&ta Ti'es< -e/tracted fro' an Araic &etter<
2e are *erfect&! satisfied# The seed a&&uded to is 0no2n in .a&ta< ein,
near&! &i0e Lha+ or Lda44<+ and 2hich ein, 0e*t a &itt&e 2hi&e eco'es
2hite< &i0e Lse'o&a+ E$er! fine 2heaten f&ourF#-
I''ense >uantities of &ocusts ha$e a**eared in S*ain this !ear<
de$ourin, e$er!thin, in their 2a!? and a sho2er of f&esh and &ood is
re*orted in the southern *art of the United States#
Thursda!< 7G#--.an! of the ne2s*a*ers are *u&ishin, &ies aout 'e !
the 2ho&esa&e? shou&d I atte'*t to enu'erate the'< I cou&d 2rite nothin,
e&se? suffice it to sa!< e$er! fa&sehood 2ic0ed 'en can in$ent< assisted
! their father the de$i&< is tru'*eted to the 2or&d as sound doctrine<
2hich *ro$es the 2ords of Jesus< -The! ha$e *ersecuted 'e< the! 2i&&
*ersecute !ou a&so#-
I s*ent considera&e *art of the da! 2ith se$era& of the T2e&$e
A*ost&es#
Letter of E&der Orson H!de to )resident S'ith--Detai&in, E$ents 2hi&e
en Route to Jerusa&e'#
RATIS"ON ON THE DANU"E< Ju&! 7M< 78@7#
Dear "rother Jose*h< and a&& 2ho' it 'a! concern( 3ith *&easure I
ta0e '! *en to 2rite to !ou at this ti'e< ho*in, this co''unication 'a!
find !ou as it &ea$es 'e< in ,ood hea&th and en=o!in, a co'forta&e
'easure of the Ho&! S*irit#
On the t2entieth of June &ast< I &eft London for Rotterda' in
Ho&&and< after 2ritin, a &en,th! e*ist&e to !ou< and a&so the co*! of a
&etter addressed to the Re$# Dr# S# Hirsche&&< )resident Rai of the
Here2s in London? 2hich I ho*e !ou ha$e recei$ed ere this? the 2or0 of
the Lord is steadi&! ad$ancin, in London under the efficient and 4ea&ous
&aors of our 2orth! rother< E&der Loren4o Sno2#
The fine stea'er "ata$ier rou,ht 'e safe&! o$er the i&&o2s of a
tre'endous rou,h sea in aout thirt! hours# Ne$er did I suffer 'ore fro'
sea sic0ness< than durin, this short $o!a,e? ut it 2as soon o$er< and 2e
&anded safe&! in Rotterda'# I too0 '! &od,in,s at the London Hote&< at t2o
f&orins *er die'< aout three shi&&in,s and fi$e *ence ster&in,< or
se$ent!-fi$e cents# Here I ca&&ed on the Here2 Rai< and *ro*osed
certain >uestions to hi'? ut as he did not understand a 2ord of En,&ish<
it 2as hard for 'e to enter into *articu&ars 2ith hi'? I as0ed< hi'<
ho2e$er< 2hether he e/*ected his .essiah to co'e direct&! fro' hea$en< or
2hether he e/*ected Hi' to e orn of a 2o'an on earthB He re*&ied that he
e/*ected Hi' to e orn of a 2o'an of the seed and &inea,e of Da$id# At
2hat *eriod do !ou &oo0 for this e$entB Ans2er# -3e ha$e een &oo0in, a
&on, ti'e< and are no2 &i$in, in constant e/*ectation of His co'in,#- Do
!ou e&ie$e in the restitution of !our nation to the &and of !our fathers<
ca&&ed the &and of *ro'iseB -3e ho*e it 2i&& e so<- 2as the re*&!# He
then added< -3e e&ie$e that 'an! Je2s 2i&& return to Jerusa&e' and
reui&d the cit!--rear a te'*&e to the na'e of the .ost Hi,h< and restore
our ancient 2orshi*? Jerusa&e' sha&& e the ca*ita& of our nation--the
centre of our union and the standard and ensi,n of our nationa& e/istence#
"ut 2e do not e&ie$e that a&& the Je2s 2i&& ,o there< for the *&ace is
not &ar,e enou,h to contain the'# The! are no2 ,atherin, there<- continued
he< -a&'ost continua&&!#- I to&d hi' I had 2ritten an address to the
Here2s< and 2as aout *rocurin, its *u&ication in his o2n &an,ua,e
EDutchF< and 2hen co'*&eted I 2ou&d &ea$e hi' a co*!# He than0ed 'e for
this to0en of res*ect< and I ade hi' adieu# I soon otained the
*u&ication of fi$e hundred co*ies of the address< and &eft one at the
house of the Rai--he ein, asent fro' ho'e< I did not see hi'#
After re'ainin, here aout one 2ee0< I too0 the coach for A'sterda'<
distance se$en hours or aout thirt! En,&ish 'i&es# Rotterda' is a fine
to2n of aout ei,ht! thousand inhaitants# The c&ean&iness of its streets<
the anti>ue order of its architecture< the e/tre'e hei,ht of its
ui&din,s< the nu'erous shade trees 2ith 2hich it is eautified< and the
,reat nu'er of cana&s< throu,h a&'ost e$er! *art of the to2n< fi&&ed 2ith
shi*s of $arious si4es fro' different *arts of the 2or&d? a&& these< 2ith
'an! other thin,s not 'entioned< contriuted to ,i$e this *&ace a
*ecu&iarit! rese'&ed no 2here e&se in the course of '! tra$e&s< e/ce*t in
A'sterda'# .ost of the usiness 'en here s*ea0 a &itt&e En,&ish--so'e
s*ea0 it $er! 2e&&#
In ascendin, the 2aters of the Rhine fro' the sea to Rotterda'< the
nu'erous 2ind'i&&s 2hich I ehe&d in constant o*eration< &ed 'e to thin0<
a&'ost< that a&& Euro*e ca'e here for their ,rindin,# "ut I ascertained
that the! 2ere ,rindin, for disti&&eries< 2here the f&oods of ,in are
'ade< 2hich not on&! de&u,e our e&o$ed countr!< 2ith fata& conse>uences<
ut 'an! others# 5in is one of the *rinci*a& artic&es of e/*ortation fro'
this countr!#
In ,oin, to A'sterda'< I *assed throu,h a $er! eautifu& to2n ca&&ed
-The Ha,ue<- the residence of the 1in, of Ho&&and# I sa2 his *a&ace< 2hich
2as ,uarded ! so&diers oth horse and foot# For ,randeur it ore here a
faint rese'&ance to "uc0in,ha' )a&ace< in London# "ut the eautifu& *ar0s
and *ictures>ue scener! in and aout the Ha,ue< I ha$e ne$er seen e>ua&&ed
in an! countr!#
I re'ained in A'sterda' on&! one ni,ht and a *art of t2o da!s# I
ca&&ed on the )resident Rai here< ut he 2as ,one fro' ho'e# I &eft at
his house a &ar,e nu'er of the addresses for hi'se&f and his *eo*&e< and
too0 coach for Arnhe' on the Rhine# Too0 oat the sa'e e$enin, for .ain4#
Tra$e&in, ! coach and stea' is rather chea*er in this countr! than in the
United States# 3e 2ere three da!s in ,oin, u* the ri$er to .ain4#
Ho&&and and the &o2er *art of )russia are $er! &o2< f&at countries#
The French and 5er'an &an,ua,es are s*o0en a&& a&on, the Rhine? ut &itt&e
or no En,&ish# The Rhine is aout &i0e the Ohio for si4e< near its 'outh
2here it e'*ties into the .ississi**i# Its 2aters rese'&e the .ississi**i
2aters< dar0 and 'udd!# The scener! and &andsca*es a&on, this ri$er ha$e
een endo2ed 2ith art and nature+s choicest ,ifts#
I ha$e een 'ade ac>uainted 2ith Euro*e in A'erica< ! oo0s< to a
certain e/tent? !et no2 '! e!es eho&dK It is i'*ossi&e for a 2ritten
descri*tion of a stran,er+s eaut! to &ea$e the sa'e i'*ression u*on the
'ind< as is 'ade ! an ocu&ar $ie2 of the &o$e&! o=ect# This is the
difference et2een readin, of and seein, the countries of Euro*e# Fro'
.ain4 I ca'e to Fran0fort on the .aine ! rai&road--distance se$en hours#
Fro' Fran0fort I ca'e to this *&ace--distance aout thirt! hours< 2here
Na*o&eon ,ained a ce&erated $ictor! o$er the )russians and Austrians# The
$er! ,round on 2hich I no2 2rite this &etter 2as co$ered ! aout si/t!
thousand s&ain in that att&e# It is ca&&ed the att&e of Ac0e!naea&#
It 2as '! intention to ha$e ,one direct&! do2n the Danue to
Constantino*&e< ut ha$in, ne,&ected to ,et '! *ass*ort $ised ! the
Austrian A'assador at Fran0fort< I had to for2ard it to the Austrian
A'assador at .unich and *rocure his *er'ission< si,nature and sea& efore
I cou&d enter the Austrian do'inions# This detained 'e fi$e da!s< durin,
2hich ti'e I concei$ed the idea of sittin, do2n and &earnin, the 5er'an
&an,ua,e scientifica&&!# I eca'e ac>uainted 2ith a &ad! here 2ho s*ea0s
French and 5er'an to ad'iration< and she 2as $er! an/ious to s*ea0 the
En,&ish--she *ro*osed ,i$in, 'e instruction in the 5er'an< if I 2ou&d
instruct her in En,&ish# I acce*ted her *ro*osa&# I ha$e een en,a,ed
ei,ht da!s in this tas0# I ha$e read one oo0 throu,h and *art of another<
and trans&ated and 2ritten considera&e# I can s*ea0 and 2rite
considera&e 5er'an a&read!< and the &ad! te&&s 'e that I 'a0e astonishin,
*ro,ress# Fro' the *ast e/*erience I 0no2 that the 0een ed,e of an! 2or0
trans&ated ! a stran,er< in 2hose heart the s*irit of the 'atter does not
d2e&&< is &ost--the &ife and ani'ation thereof die a2a! into a co&d
'onoton!< and it eco'es a&'ost entire&! another thin,# This ste* is
accordin, to the est &i,ht I can ,et< and ho*e and trust that it is
accordin, to the 'ind of the Lord# The *eo*&e 2i&& hard&! e&ie$e ut that
I ha$e s*o0en 5er'an efore? ut I te&& the' nein EnoF# The 5er'an is
s*o0en in )russia< "a$aria< and a&& the states of 5er'an!< Austria< the
south of Russia< and in fine< 'ore or &ess a&& o$er Euro*e# It a**ears to
'e< therefore< that so'e *erson of so'e &itt&e e/*erience ou,ht to 0no2
this &an,ua,e so as to trans&ate hi'se&f< 2ithout ein, de*endent on
stran,ers# If I a' 2ron, in '! 'o$e'ent *ra! that the S*irit of the Lord
'a! direct 'e ari,ht# If I a' ri,ht< *ra! that hea$en 'a! s*eedi&! ,i$e 'e
this &an,ua,e#
It is $er! sic0&! in Constantino*&e and S!ria and A&e/andria at
*resent# I 2ou&d rather< therefore< 2ait unti& coo& 2eather efore I ,o
there# I 'i,ht ha$e 2ritten 'ost of this &etter in 5er'an< ut as !ou
2ou&d 'ore readi&! understand it in En,&ish< I ha$e 2ritten it in En,&ish#
3ith *&easure I &ea$e the historica& *art of '! &etter to touch a
softer note< and ,i$e $ent to the fee&in,s of '! heart# I ho*e and trust
that the cause 2hich !ou so fear&ess&! ad$ocate< is ro&&in, forth in
A'erica< 2ith that fir' and stead! 'otion 2hich characteri4es the 2or0 of
Jeho$ah# The ene'ies 2hich 2e are forced to encounter are nu'erous<
stron,< shre2d and cunnin,# Their &eader transfuses into the' his o2n
s*irit< and rin,s the' into c&ose a&&iance 2ith the nu'erous hosts of
*recious i''orta&s 2ho ha$e een ear&ier ta0en ca*ti$es ! the hau,ht!
t!rant< and sacrificed u*on the a&tar of ini>uit!< trans,ression and sin#
.a! it *&ease our Father in hea$en to thro2 around thee his *rotectin,
ar's< to *&ace eneath thee a&'i,ht! stren,th e$er uo! th! head ao$e the
ra,in, 2a$es of triu&ation< throu,h 2hich the chart of destin! has
e$ident&! 'ar0ed th! course# I a' ha**! in the en=o!'ent of the
distin,uished consideration 2ith 2hich hea$en+s fa$or a&one has endo2ed
'e< of earin, 2ith !ou so'e hu'&e *art in &a!in, the foundation of the
,&orious 0in,do' of .essiah< 2hich is destined in its on2ard course to
rea0 in *ieces and destro! a&& others< and stand for e$er# The friendshi*
and ,ood 2i&& 2hich are reathed to2ards 'e throu,h a&& !our &etters< are
recei$ed as the &e,ac! 2hich no&e 'inds and ,enerous hearts are e$er
an/ious to e>ueath# The! soften the hard and ru,,ed *ath in 2hich hea$en
has directed '! course# The! are uo!anc! in de*ression--=o! in sorro2?
and 2hen the dar0 c&ouds of des*ondenc! are ,atherin, thic0 around the
'enta& hori4on< &i0e 0ind an,e&s fro' the fountain of 'erc!< the! dis*e&
the ,&oo'< dr! the tear of sorro2< and *our hu'anit!+s hea&in, a&' into
'! ,rie$ed and sorro2fu& heart# "e assured< therefore< "rother Jose*h<
that effusions fro' the a&tar of a ,ratefu& heart< are s'o0in, to hea$en
dai&! in th! eha&f? and not on&! in thine< ut in eha&f of a&& ;ion+s
sufferin, sons and dau,hters# Thou,h no2 far se*arated fro' !ou< and a&so
fro' her< 2ho< 2ith 'e< has suffered the chi&&in, &asts of ad$ersit!< !et
ho*e &in,ers in this oso'< ri,htened a&'ost into certaint! ! the
i'*&icit confidence re*osed in the $irtue of that ca&& 2hich 2as orn on
the ,ent&e ree4e of the S*irit of 5od< throu,h the dar0 shades of
'idni,ht ,&oo'< ti&& it found a 'ansion in '! an/ious and in>uirin, heart<
that '! feet sha&& once 'ore *ress the A'erican soi&? and under the shade
of her strea'in, anner< e'race a,ain the friends I &o$e#
I ne$er 0ne2 that I 2as in rea&it! an A'erican< unti& I 2a&0ed out
one fine 'ornin, in Rotterda' a&on, the 2harf 2here 'an! shi*s &a! in the
2aters of the Rhine# Sudden&! '! e!e cau,ht a road *endant f&oatin, in a
,ent&e ree4e o$er the stern of a fine shi* at 'i44en ha&f 'ast? and 2hen
I sa2 the 2ide s*read ea,&e *erched on her anner 2ith the Stri*es and
stars under 2hich our fathers 2ere &ed to con>uest and $ictor!< '! heart
&ea*ed into '! 'outh< a f&ood of tears urst fro' '! e!es< and efore
ref&ection cou&d 'ature a sentence< '! 'outh in$o&untari&! ,a$e irth to
these 2ords< -I a' an A'erican#- To see the f&a, of one+s countr! in a
stran,e &and< and f&oatin, u*on stran,e 2aters< *roduces fee&in,s 2hich
none can 0no2 e/ce*t those 2ho e/*erience the'# I can no2 sa! that I a' an
A'erican# 3hi&e at ho'e the 2ar'th and fire of the A'erican s*irit &a! in
si&ent s&u'er in '! oso'? ut the 2inds of forei,n c&i'es ha$e fanned it
into a f&a'e#
I ha$e seen so'e of the finest s*eci'ens of *aintin, and scu&*ture of
oth ancient and 'odern ti'es# The $ast $arieties of curiosities< a&so<
fro' e$er! countr! on the ,&oe< to,ether 2ith e$er! no$e&t! that ,enius
cou&d in$ent or i'a,ination concei$e< 2hich I ha$e een co'*e&&ed to
2itness in the course of '! tra$e&s< 2ou&d e too hea$! a ta/ u*on '! ti'e
to descrie< and u*on !our *atience to read# I ha$e 2itnessed the 2ea&th
and s*&endor of 'an! of the to2ns in Euro*e--ha$e ,a4ed 2ith ad'iration
u*on the 2ide&!-e/tended *&ains< her &oft! 'ountains< her 'ou&derin,
cast&es< and her e/tensi$e $ine!ards( for at this season nature is c&ad in
her rida& roes< and s'i&es under the eni,n =uris*rudence of her Author#
I ha$e a&so &istened to the &andish'ents< ,a4ed u*on the *ride and
fashion of a 2or&d ,ro2n o&d in &u/ur! and refine'ent< $ie2ed the
*a,eantr! of 0in,s< >ueens< &ords< and no&es? and a' no2 2here 'i&itar!
honor< and *rince&! di,nit!< 'ust o2 at the shrine of c&erica&
su*eriorit!# In fine< '! 'ind has eco'e c&o!ed 2ith no$e&t!< *o'*< and
sho2? and turns 2ith dis,ust fro' the ,&are of fashion to co''une 2ith
itse&f in retired 'editation#
3ere it consistent 2ith the 2i&& of Deit!< and consonant 2ith the
con$ictions of '! o2n oso'< 'ost ,&ad&! 2ou&d I retreat fro' the
o**ressin, heat of *u&ic &ife< and see0 re*ose in the coo& and refreshin,
shades of do'estic endear'ents< and as0 in the affections of '! o2n
&itt&e fa'i&! circ&e# "ut the 2i&& of 5od e doneK Can the .essiah+s
0in,do' ut e ad$anced throu,h '! toi&< *ri$ation< and e/cessi$e &aors<
and at &ast sanctif! '! 2or0 throu,h the effusion of '! &oodK I !ie&d< O
LordK I !ie&d to th! ri,hteous 'andateK I'*&orin, he&* fro' thee in the
hour of tria&< and stren,th in the da! of 2ea0ness to faithfu&&! endure
unti& '! i''orta& s*irit sha&& e dri$en fro' its earth&! 'ansion to find
a refu,e in the oso' of its 5od#
If the friends in A'erica sha&& e edified in readin, this &etter
fro' "rother H!de< I ho*e the! 2i&& re'e'er one thin,? and that is this<
that he ho*es he has a 2ife and t2o chi&dren &i$in, there? ut the
distance is so ,reat et2een hi' and the'< that his ar' is not &on, enou,h
to ad'inister to their 2ants# I ha$e said enou,h# Lord< &ess '! 2ife and
chi&dren< and the hand that 'inisters ,ood to the'< in the na'e of Jesus
Christ# A'en# Adieu for the *resent#
5ood rest on a&& the Saints throu,hout the 2or&d# ORSON HYDE#
A $io&ent and destructi$e hurricane s2e*t o$er *ortions of France<
5er'an!< and S2it4er&and#
Sunda!< 78#--This da! 2as oser$ed as a da! of fastin, and *ra!er !
the Saints in Nau$oo< that the! 'i,ht 'ourn 2ith the' that 'ourn< -and
2ee* 2ith the' that 2ee*<- on account of the death of Honora&e Sidne! H#
Litt&e of the Senate< 2ho 2as 0i&&ed ! =u'*in, fro' a 2a,on &ast Sunda!<
2hi&e his horse 2as un'ana,ea&e# .r# Litt&e 2as a *atriot< states'an< and
&a2!er#
.eetin, 2as he&d in the ,ro$e< 2est of the Te'*&e? E&ders Sidne!
Ri,don< John Ta!&or< and 5eo# A# S'ith *reached#
.onda!< 7N#--Counci& of the T2e&$e< $i4#--"ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< John Ta!&or< Orson )ratt< and 5eor,e A# S'ith 'et at E&der
Youn,+s house< con$ersin, 2ith L!'an E# Johnson< 2ho for'er&! e&on,ed to
the >uoru'# )resident Ri,don and '!se&f 2ere 2ith the' *art of the ti'e#
Sunda!< HG#--Attended 'eetin, in the ,ro$e# E&ders Orson )ratt and
5eor,e A# S'ith *reached in the forenoon# In the afternoon E&der Sidne!
Ri,don *reached a ,enera& funera& ser'on< desi,ned to co'fort and instruct
the Saints< es*ecia&&! those 2ho had een ca&&ed to 'ourn the &oss of
re&ati$es and friends# I fo&&o2ed hi'< i&&ustratin, the su=ect of the
resurrection ! so'e fa'i&iar fi,ures#
EIder 5eor,e A# S'ith 'arried "athshea 3# "i,&er# Don Car&os S'ith
*erfor'ed the cere'on!< 2hich 2as the &ast officia& act of his &ife< he
ein, $er! fee&e at the ti'e#
"rother 3i&&ia' Yo0u' had his &e, a'*utated ! Dr# John F# 3e&d< 2ho
o*erated free of char,e? he 2as 2ounded in the 'assacre at Haun+s .i&&<
Octoer 9Dth< 7898< and had &ain on his ac0 e$er since? and no2 it 2as
found the on&! chance to sa$e his &ife 2as to ha$e his &e, cut off# He 2as
a&so shot throu,h the head at the sa'e 'assacre#
3ednesda!< H8#--The Je2ish >uarter of S'!rna 2as urned# Three
thousand houses and ei,ht s!na,o,ues 2ere destro!ed#
Sunda!< Au,ust 7#--A&& the Auoru' of the T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ho 2ere
e/*ected here this season< 2ith the e/ce*tion of E&ders 3i&&ard Richards
and 3i&ford 3oodruff< ha$e arri$ed# 3e ha$e &istened to the accounts 2hich
the! ,i$e of their success< and the *ros*erit! of the 2or0 of the Lord In
5reat "ritain 2ith *&easure# The! certain&! ha$e een the instru'ents in
the hands of 5od of acco'*&ishin, 'uch< and 'ust ha$e the satisfaction of
0no2in, that the! ha$e done their dut!# )erha*s no 'en e$er undertoo0 such
an i'*ortant 'ission under such *ecu&iar&! distressin, and un*ro*itious
circu'stances# .ost of the' 2hen the! &eft this *&ace< near&! t2o !ears
a,o< 2ere 2orn do2n 2ith sic0ness and disease< or 2ere ta0en sic0 on the
road# Se$era& of their fa'i&ies 2ere a&so aff&icted and needed their aid
and su**ort# "ut 0no2in, that the! had een ca&&ed ! the 5od of Hea$en to
*reach the 5os*e& to other nations< the! conferred not 2ith f&esh and
&ood< ut oedient to the hea$en&! 'andate< 2ithout *urse or scri*< the!
co''enced a =ourne! of fi$e thousand 'i&es entire&! de*endent on the
*ro$idence of that 5od 2ho had ca&&ed the' to such a ho&! ca&&in,# 3hi&e
=ourne!in, to the sea oard the! 2ere rou,ht into 'an! tr!in,
circu'stances? after a short reco$er! fro' se$ere sic0ness< the! 2ou&d e
ta0en 2ith a re&a*se< and ha$e to sto* a'on, stran,ers< 2ithout 'one! and
2ithout friends# Their &i$es 2ere se$era& ti'es des*aired of< and the!
ha$e ta0en each other ! the hand< e/*ectin, it 2ou&d e the &ast ti'e
the! shou&d eho&d one another in the f&esh# Ho2e$er< not2ithstandin,
their aff&ictions and tria&s< the Lord a&2a!s inter*osed in their eha&f<
and did not suffer the' to sin0 in the ar's of death# So'e 2a! or other
2as 'ade for their esca*e--friends rose u* 2hen the! 'ost needed the'< and
re&ie$ed their necessities? and thus the! 2ere ena&ed to *ursue their
=ourne! and re=oice in the Ho&! One of Israe&# The!< tru&!< -2ent forth
2ee*in,< earin, *recious seed<- ut ha$e -returned 2ith re=oicin,<
earin, their shea$es 2ith the'#-
The 'inds of thousands are a&read! *re*ared to hear of the sac0in, of
cities--the 'archin, and counter'archin, of ar'ies--the urnin, of to2ns
and $i&&a,es--the f&i,ht of citi4ens--the risin, of the Indians--the
co''otion in I&&inois--the distress in Io2a--the consternation and f&i,ht
of the .issourians< the e/*&oits of 'i,ht! chieftains< Pc#--on account of
the foo&eries and &ies 2hich ha$e een tru'*eted forth fro' the *ress in
the United States#
Thursda!< G#--Letters fro' London< state that there are a
nu'er--'ore or &ess--a*ti4ed e$er! 2ee0#
There 2as a ,enera& e&ection of 'e'ers of )ar&ia'ent &ast 'onth#
Serious riots occurred in different *arts of the 0in,do' et2een the 3hi,s
and Tories#
Letter of 3i&&ia' S'ith to )resident S'ith--Land Transactions#
CHESTER COUNTY< )ENNSYL%ANIA< Au,ust Gth< 78@7#
"ROTHER JOSE)H(--I e/*ect to &ea$e here for the Jerse! countr! ne/t
2ee0# Doctor 5a&&and &eft for Nau$oo &ast 2ee0# In the Hotch0iss usiness<
H!ru' re>uested 'e to do a&& I cou&d# "rother Ja'es I$ins has recei$ed
orders on !ou fro' Doctor 5a&&and to the a'ount of t2ent!-fi$e hundred
do&&ars# The *ro*ert! that he has ,i$en these orders for< is 2e&& 2orth
the 'one!# I e/*ect .r# Hotch0iss in ne2 Jerse! in a fe2 da!s to recei$e
this *ro*ert!< 2hich is Coo0+s .i&&s Ta$ern stand< attached to si/ acres
of ,round 2ith a&& the a**urtenances# So'e of the Jerse! *eo*&e thin0 it
2orth three thousand do&&ars# No2 the >uestion is< sha&& I &et .r#
Hotch0iss ha$e this *ro*ert! for &ess than t2ent!-fi$e hundred< since that
is the *rice !ou 2i&& ha$e to *a! at Nau$oo# 3h! I as0 this >uestion is--I
ha$e understood that Hotch0iss has said that he 2ou&d not a&&o2 o$er
t2ent!-t2o hundred do&&ars# I ,ot ho&d of another s'a&& *iece of &and<
2orth fi$e hundred? and if Hotch0iss 2i&& ta0e a&& at a fair *rice< I
sha&& e ena&ed to sett&e the a'ount of three thousand do&&ars soon#
)&ease 2rite 'e an ans2er to the ao$e >uestion# The cause in these
eastern &ands is f&ourishin,< and 2e 2ant 'ore &aorers? fift! doors
o*ened for *reachin, 2here there is ut one &aorer# I 2ish !ou 2ou&d send
us he&*# Yours in the onds of the co$enant< 3ILLIA. S.ITH#
CHA)TER 66III#
THE DEATH OF DON CARLOS S.ITH--HIS LIFE AND LA"ORS--S)ECIAL
CONFERENCE AT NAU%OO#
Saturda!< Au,ust M#--.! !oun,est rother< Don Car&os S'ith< died at
his residence in Nau$oo this 'ornin,< at t2ent! 'inutes *ast t2o o+c&oc0<
in the H:th !ear of his a,e# He 2as orn HGth .arch< 787:< 2as one of the
first to recei$e '! testi'on!< and 2as ordained to the )riesthood 2hen
on&! 7@ !ears of a,e# The e$enin, after the *&ates of the "oo0 of .or'on
2ere sho2n to the ei,ht 2itnesses< a 'eetin, 2as he&d< 2hen a&& the
2itnesses< as a&so Don Car&os ore testi'on! to the truth of the
&atter-da! dis*ensation# He acco'*anied father to $isit ,randfather< Asae&
S'ith< and re&ati$es in St# La2rence count!< Ne2 Yor0< in Au,ust< 789D#
Durin, that 'ission he con$inced So&o'on Hu'*hre!< a &icentiate of the
"a*tist order< of the truth of the 2or0# He 2as one of the H@ E&ders 2ho
&aid the corner stones of the 1irt&and Te'*&e# In the fa&& of 7899< he
entered the office of O&i$er Co2der! to &earn the art of *rintin,# On the
9Dth Ju&!< 789G< he 'arried A,nes Coo&rith< in 1irt&and< Ohio# On the
7Gth Januar!< 789:< he 2as ordained )resident of the Hi,h )riests+ >uoru'#
He too0 a 'ission 2ith 3i&er Denton in the s*rin, and su''er of 789:< in
)enns!&$ania and Ne2 Yor0# On the co''ence'ent of the *u&ication of the
E&ders+ Journa& in 1irt&and< he too0 the contro& of the esta&ish'ent
unti& the office 2as destro!ed ! fire in Dece'er< 789M< 2hen< in
conse>uence of *ersecution< he 'o$ed his fa'i&! to Ne2 )orta,e#
Ear&! in the s*rin, of 7898 he too0 a 'ission throu,h the states of
%ir,inia< )enns!&$ania and Ohio< and raised 'eans to assist his father?
and i''ediate&! after his return he started to .issouri 2ith his fa'i&!<
in co'*an! 2ith father and fa'i&!< and *urchased a far' in Da$iess count!#
On the H:th Se*te'er he started on a 'ission to the states of Tennessee
and 1entuc0!< to co&&ect 'eans to u! out the c&ai's and *ro*ert! of the
'oers in Da$iess count!< .issouri# Durin, his asence< his 2ife and t2o
&itt&e chi&dren 2ere dri$en ! the 'o fro' his haitation< and she 2as
co'*e&&ed to carr! her chi&dren three 'i&es< throu,h sno2 three inches
dee*< and 2ade throu,h 5rand ri$er< 2hich 2as 2aist dee*< durin, the
inc&e'ent 2eather# He returned aout the HGth of Dece'er< after a $er!
tedious 'ission< ha$in, tra$e&ed 7<GDD 'i&es< :GD of 2hich 2ere on foot#
I e/tract the fo&&o2in, fro' his =ourna&--
On the 9Dth of Se*te'er< 7898< in co'*an! 2ith 5eor,e A# S'ith<
Loren4o D# "arnes< and Harrison Sa,ers< I 2ent on oard the 1ansas E2hich
had one 2hee& ro0enF?the .issouri ri$er 2as $er! &o2< and fu&& of sna,s
and sand ars# 5enera& Sa'ue& Lucas and .oses 3i&son< of Jac0son count!<
Co&one& Tho'*son< fro' )&att )urchase< and 'an! others of the acti$e
'oers 2ere on oard< as a&so 5enera& Da$id R# Atchison# On touchin, at
De 3itt< on 7st Octoer< for 2ood< 2e found aout se$ent! of the rethren<
2ith their fa'i&ies< surrounded ! an ar'ed 'o of u*2ards of t2o hundred#
The 2o'en and chi&dren there 2ere 'uch fri,htened< e/*ectin, it 2as a oat
&oaded 2ith 'oers# 3e 2ou&d ha$e sto**ed and assisted the'< ut ein,
unar'ed< 2e thou,ht it est to fu&fi&& our 'ission# Fro' this on2ard the
-.or'ons- 2ere the on&! su=ect of con$ersation< and nothin, 2as heard ut
the 'ost itter i'*recations a,ainst the'# 5enera& 3i&son re&ated 'an! of
his deeds of no&e darin, in the Jac0son 'o< one of 2hich 2as the
fo&&o2in,( -I 2ent< in co'*an! 2ith fort! others< to the house of Hira'
)a,e< a .or'on< in Jac0son count!# 3e ,ot &o,s and ro0e in e$er! door and
2indo2 at the sa'e instant? and *ointin, our rif&es at the fa'i&!< 2e to&d
the'< 2e 2ou&d e d--d if 2e didn+t shoot e$er! one of the'< if )a,e
didn+t co'e out# At that< a ta&& 2o'an 'ade her a**earance< 2ith a chi&d
in her ar's# I to&d the o!s she 2as too d--d ta&&# In a 'o'ent the o!s
stri**ed her< and found it 2as )a,e# I to&d the' to ,i$e hi' a d--d ,ood
one# 3e ,a$e hi' si/t! or se$ent! &o2s 2ith hic0or! 2ithes 2hich 2e had
*re*ared# Then after *u&&in, the roof off the house< 2e 2ent to the ne/t
d--d .or'on+s house< and 2hi**ed hi' in &i0e 'anner# 3e continued unti& 2e
2hi**ed ten or fifteen of the d--d .or'ons< and de'o&ished their houses
that ni,ht# If the Carro&& o!s 2ou&d do that 2a! the! 'i,ht con>uer? ut
it is no use to thin0 of dri$in, the' 2ithout four or fi$e to one# I 2ish
I cou&d sta!< I 2ou&d he&* dri$e the d--d .or'ons to he&&< O&d Joe< and
a&& the rest#- At this I &oo0ed the 5enera& stern&! in the face< and to&d
hi'< that he 2as neither a re*u&ican nor a ,ent&e'an< ut a sa$a,e<
2ithout a sin,&e *rinci*&e of honor< or hu'anit!# -If<- said I< -the
L.or'ons+ ha$e ro0en the &a2< &et it e strict&! e/ecuted a,ainst the'?
ut such anti-re*u&ican< and unconstitutiona& acts as these< re&ated !
!ou< are eneath the rutes#- 3e 2ere u*on the hurricane dec0< and a &ar,e
co'*an! *resent 2ere &istenin, to the con$ersation# 3hi&e I 2as s*ea0in,<
3i&son *&aced his hand u*on his *isto&< 2hich 2as e&ted under the s0irt
of his coat? ut Cousin 5eor,e stood ! his side< 2atchin, e$er! 'o$e of
his hand< and 2ou&d ha$e 0noc0ed hi' into the ri$er instant&!< had he
atte'*ted to dra2 a dead&! 2ea*on# "ut 5enera& Atchison sa$ed hi' the
trou&e< ! sa!in,< -I+&& e d--d to he&& if S'ith ain+t ri,ht#- At this<
3i&son &eft the co'*an! crest-fa&&en# In the course of the con$ersation<
3i&son said that the est *&an 2as to rush into the .or'on sett&e'ents<
'urder the 'en< 'a0e s&a$es of the chi&dren< ta0e *ossession of the
*ro*ert!< and use the 2o'en as the! *&eased#
A ,ent&e'an< *resent fro' "a&ti'ore< .ar!&and< said he ne$er 2as
a'on, such a *ac0 of d--d sa$a,es efore( he had *assed throu,h Far 3est<
and sa2 nothin, a'on, the -.or'ons- ut ,ood order# Then dra2in, his
*isto&s< he dischar,ed the'< and re-&oadin,< said< -If 5od s*ares '! &ife
ti&& I ,et out of U**er .issouri< I 2i&& ne$er e found associatin, 2ith
such de$i&s a,ain#-
Short&! after this 2e 2ere in$ited to *reach on oard< E&der "arnes
and I *reached# The rest of the 2a! 2e 2ere treated 'ore ci$i&&!? ut
ein, dec0 *assen,ers< and ha$in, $er! &itt&e 'one!< 2e suffered 'uch for
food#
3e continued our =ourne! to,ether throu,h e$er! s*ecies of hardshi*
and fati,ue< unti& the 77th of Octoer< 2hen E&ders "arnes and Harrison
Sa,ers &eft us at )aducah< after our ,i$in, the' a&& the 'one! 2e had<
the! startin, u* the Ohio ri$er< and 2e to $isit the churches in 2est
Tennessee and 1entuc0!# Soon after this< Ju&ian .oses ,a$e us a fi$e-franc
*iece< and ade us fare2e&&#
3e soon found that the 'o s*irit 2as in 1entuc0!< as 2e&& as in
.issouri? 2e *reached in a s'a&& ranch of the Church in Ca&&o2a! count!<
and sta!ed at the house of Sister Se&ah )ar0er< 2hich 2as surrounded in
the ni,ht ! aout t2ent! ar'ed 'en< &ed ! John .cCartne!< a Ca'*e&&ite
*riest< 2ho had s2orn to 0i&& the first -.or'on- E&der 2ho shou&d dare to
*reach in that *&ace# The fa'i&! 2ere $er! 'uch terrified# After tr!in,
the doors< the 'oers fina&&! 2ent a2a!# 3e $isited a nu'er of s'a&&
ranches in Tennessee? the rethren ,enera&&! arran,ed to e on hand 2ith
their 'one!< or &ands for e/chan,e in the s*rin,# "rother Sa'ue& 3est ,a$e
us t2ent!-ei,ht do&&ars to he&* defra! our tra$e&in, e/*enses# 3e a&so
recei$ed acts of 0indness fro' others< 2hich 2i&& ne$er e for,otten#
Aout this ti'e our 'inds 2ere sei4ed 2ith an a2fu& foreodin,--
horror see'ed to ha$e &aid his ,ras* u*on us--2e &a! a2a0e ni,ht after
ni,ht for 2e cou&d not s&ee*# Our foreodin,s increased< and 2e fe&t sure
that a&& 2as not ri,ht? !et 2e continued *reachin, unti& the Lord sho2ed
us that the Saints 2ou&d e dri$en fro' .issouri# 3e then started ho'e<
and< on arri$in, at 3!att+s .i&&s< 2e 2ere to&d that if 2e *reached there
it 2ou&d cost us our &i$es# 3e had ,i$en out an a**oint'ent at the house
of .rs# Foster< a 2ea&th! 2ido2# She a&so ad$ised us to ,i$e it u*? ut<
as she had no fears for herse&f< her *ro*ert! or fa'i&!< 2e conc&uded to
fi&& our a**oint'ent# The hour of 'eetin, ca'e< and 'an! attended# 5eor,e
A# *reached aout an hour( durin, 2hich ti'e Ca*tain Fitch ca'e in at the
head of t2e&$e other 'oers< 2ho had &ar,e hic0or! c&us< and the! sat
do2n 2ith their hats on# 3hen 5eor,e A# too0 his seat< I arose and
addressed the' for an hour and a ha&f< durin, 2hich ti'e< I to&d the' that
I 2as a *atriot--that I 2as free--that I &o$ed '! countr!--that I &o$ed
&iert!--that I des*ised oth 'os and 'oers--that no ,ent&e'an< or
Christian at heart 2ou&d e$er e ,ui&t! of such thin,s< or countenance
the'# 3hereu*on the 'o *u&&ed off their hats< &aid do2n their c&us< and
&istened 2ith a&'ost reath&ess attention#
After 'eetin, .r# Fitch ca'e to us and said that he 2as asha'ed of
his conduct< and 2ou&d ne$er do the &i0e a,ain? that he had een
'isinfor'ed aout us ! so'e re&i,ious i,ots< and e,,ed of us to for,i$e
hi'< 2hich 2e did#
3e continued our =ourne! to Co&u'us< Hic0'an count!< 1entuc0!< and
*ut u* 2ith Ca*tain Roinson< for'er&! an officer in the ar'!< 2ho treated
us $er! 0ind&!< assurin, us that 2e 2ere 2e&co'e to sta! at his house
unti& a oat shou&d co'e< if it 2ere three 'onths# 3e sta!ed nine da!s<
durin, 2hich a co'*an! of thirteen hundred Chero0ee Indians 2ere ferried
o$er the ri$er#
3e 2ent on oard the stea'er Louis$i&&e< and had to *a! a&& our 'one!
for a dec0 *assa,e# Aout ninet! 'i&es fro' St# Louis our oat ,ot
a,round< 2here it &a! three da!s# 3e had nothin, to eat ut a &itt&e
*arched corn# 3e then 2ent on oard of a &itt&e oat< The Return< 2hich
&anded us in St# Louis the ne/t 'ornin,# Here 2e found E&der Orson )ratt<
and &earned that Jose*h 2as a *risoner 2ith 'an! others< and that Da$id
)atten 2as 0i&&ed< and of the sufferin,s of the Saints< 2hich fi&&ed our
hearts 2ith sorro2#
The ne/t 'ornin, 2e started on foot for ho'e? at Hunts$i&&e< aout
HDD 'i&es< 2e sto**ed at the house of 5eor,e L!'an to rest# 5eor,e A#+s
feet had no2 eco'e $er! sore fro' 2a&0in,#
3e had not een &on, in Hunts$i&&e efore the 'o 'ade a ra&&! to use
us u*< as the! said< 2ith the rest of the S'iths( and< at the earnest
re>uest of our friends< 2e thou,ht est to *ush on< and started aout ten
at ni,ht# The 2ind 2as in our faces< the ,round s&i**er!< and the ni,ht
$er! dar0? ne$erthe&ess 2e *roceeded on our =ourne!# Tra$e&in, t2ent!-t2o
'i&es< 2e ca'e to the Chariton ri$er< 2hich 2e found fro4en o$er< ut the
ice too 2ea0 to ear us< and the oat on the 2est side of the ri$er# 3e
2ent to the ne/t ferr!< ut findin, there 2as no oat< and 0no2in, that in
the ne/t nei,horhood a 'an+s rains 2ere eaten out for ein, a -.or'on<-
2e returned to the first ferr!< and tried ! ha&&o2in, to raise the
ferr!'an on the o**osite side of the ri$er< ut 2ere not a&e to a2a0e
hi'# 3e 2ere a&'ost enu'ed 2ith the co&d< and to 2ar' ourse&$es 2e
co''enced scuff&in, and =u'*in,( 2e then eat our feet u*on the &o,s and
stu'*s< in order to start a circu&ation of &ood? ut at &ast 5eor,e A#
eca'e so co&d and s&ee*!< that he cou&d not stand it an! &on,er< and &a!
do2n# I to&d hi' he 2as free4in, to death? I ro&&ed hi' on the ,round<
*ounded and thu'*ed hi'? I then cut a stic0 and said I 2ou&d thrash hi'#
At this he ,ot u*< and undertoo0 to thrash 'e? this stirred his &ood a
&itt&e< ut he soon &a! do2n a,ain# "! this ti'e the ferr!'an ca'e o$er<
and set us across the ri$er< 2here 2e 2ar'ed ourse&$es a &itt&e< and
*ursued our =ourne! unti& aout rea0fast ti'e< 2hen 2e sto**ed at the
house of a 'an< 2ho 2e after2ards &earned 2as a &eader of the 'o at
Haun+s .i&& 'assacre# The ne/t 'ornin, 2e started 2ithout rea0fast# Our
route &a! throu,h a 2i&d *rairie< 2here there 2as ut $er! &itt&e trac0<
and on&! one house in fort! 'i&es The north2est 2ind &e2 fierce&! in our
faces< and the ,round 2as so s&i**er! that 2e cou&d scarce&! 0ee* our
feet< and 2hen the ni,ht ca'e on< to add to our *er*&e/it!< 2e &ost our
2a!? soon after 2hich< I eca'e so co&d that it 2as 2ith ,reat difficu&t!
I cou&d 0ee* fro' free4in,# 3e a&so eca'e e/tre'e&! thirst!? ho2e$er< 2e
found a re'ed! for this ! cuttin, throu,h ice three inches thic0 2ith a
*en0nife# 3hi&e 2e 2ere drin0in,< 2e heard a co2e&&? this caused our
hearts to &ea* for =o!< and 2e arose and steered our coarse to2ards the
sound# 3e soon entered Tenn!+s 5ro$e< 2hich she&tered us fro' the 2ind<
and 2e fe&t 'ore co'forta&e# In a short ti'e 2e ca'e to the house of
3hitford 5# 3i&son< 2here 2e 2ere 'ade 2e&co'e and 0ind&! entertained# 3e
&a! do2n to rest aout t2o o+c&oc0 in the 'ornin,< after ha$in, tra$e&ed
one hundred and ten 'i&es in t2o da!s and t2o ni,hts# After rea0fast I
set out for Far 3est< &ea$in, 5eor,e A# sic0< 2ith our hos*ita&e friends#
3hen I arri$ed on the e$enin, of Dece'er HGth< I 2as fortunate enou,h to
find '! fa'i&! a&i$e< and in to&era&e hea&th< 2hich 2as 'ore than I cou&d
ha$e e/*ected< considerin, the scenes of *ersecution throu,h 2hich the!
had *assed#
Don Car&os $isited us se$era& ti'es 2hi&e 2e 2ere in Liert! =ai&<
and rou,ht our 2i$es to see us< and so'e 'one! and artic&es to re&ie$e
our necessities# He too0 char,e of father+s fa'i&! in his f&i,ht fro'
.issouri< and sa2 the' re'o$ed to Auinc!< I&&inois#
In June< 789N< he co''enced 'a0in, *re*arations for *rintin, the
Ti'es and Seasons# The *ress and t!*e had een resurrected ! E&ias S'ith<
H!ru' C&ar0< and others< fro' its ,ra$e in Da2son+s !ard< Far 3est< 2here
it 2as uried for safet! the ni,ht that 5enera& Lucas surrounded the cit!
2ith the 'o 'i&itia# The for' for a nu'er of the E&ders+ Journa& 2as
uried 2ith the in0 on it# The t!*es 2ere considera&! in=ured ! the
da'*? it 2as therefore necessar! to ,et the' into use as soon as *ossi&e<
and in order to do this< Don Car&os 2as under the necessit! of c&eanin,
out a ce&&ar throu,h 2hich a s*rin, 2as constant&! f&o2in,< as the on&!
*&ace 2here he cou&d *ut u* the *ress# Eene4er Roinson and 2ife ein,
sic0< thre2 the entire urden on hi'#
As a ,reat nu'er of rethren &a! sic0 in the to2n< on Tuesda!< H9rd
Ju&!< 789N< I to&d Don Car&os and 5eor,e A# S'ith to ,o and $isit a&& the
sic0< e/ercise 'i,ht! faith< and ad'inister to the' in the na'e of Jesus
Christ< co''andin, the destro!er to de*art< and the *eo*&e to arise and
2a&0? and not &ea$e a sin,&e *erson on the ed et2een '! house and
Eene4er Roinson+s< t2o 'i&es distant? the! ad'inistered to o$er si/t!
*ersons< 'an! of 2ho' thou,ht the! 2ou&d ne$er sit u* a,ain? ut the! 2ere
hea&ed< arose fro' their eds< and ,a$e ,&or! to 5od? so'e of the'
assisted in $isitin, and ad'inisterin, to others 2ho 2ere sic0#
3or0in, in the da'* ce&&ar< and ad'inisterin, to the sic0 i'*aired
his hea&th so that the first nu'er of the Ti'es and Seasons 2as not
issued unti& No$e'er# He edited thirt!-one nu'ers#
He 2as e&ected 'a=or in the Hancoc0 count! 'i&itia< and on the death
of Se!'our "runson< 2as 'ade &ieutenant-co&one&#
He 2as e&ected on 7st Feruar!< 78@7< a 'e'er of the Cit! Counci& of
Nau$oo< and too0 the necessar! oath on 9rd Feruar!< and on the fourth he
2as e&ected ri,adier-,enera& of the second cohort of the Nau$oo Le,ion#
He 2as si/ feet four inches hi,h< 2as $er! strai,ht and 2e&& 'ade<
had &i,ht hair< and 2as $er! stron, and acti$e# His usua& 2ei,ht 2hen in
hea&th 2as HDD *ounds# He 2as uni$ersa&&! e&o$ed ! the Saints#
He &eft three dau,hters< na'e&!< A,nes C#< So*hronia C#< and
Jose*hine D#
)resident John S'ith 2as unani'ous&! ac0no2&ed,ed as the *resident of
the sta0e in Io2a< Da$id )etti,re2< .# C# Nic0erson< counse&ors# E&ias
S'ith 2as sustained as "isho* and Jose*h "# No&e and Jose*h .echa' as his
counse&ors#
A conference of the Church 2as he&d at ;arahe'&a< and the ranches in
Io2a< so far as re*resented< consisted of MGD 'e'ers#
Shoc0s of an earth>ua0e fe&t at se$era& *&aces in S*ain#
Sunda!< 8#--A 2ater-s*out destro!ed t2ent! houses of )ort*atric0<
Scot&and#
The funera& of "rother Don Car&os 2as attended ! a $ast concourse of
friends and re&ati$es? he 2as uried 2ith 'i&itar! honors#
The ;arahe'&a conference a**ointed 5eor,e 3# 5ee< Church Recorder<
and 2as addressed ! E&ders John Ta!&or and 5eor,e A# S'ith< on ui&din,
the Te'*&e< and on te'*erance#
.onda!< N#--The stea'oat Erie 2as urned on La0e Erie< thirt! 'i&es
fro' "uffa&o< and ei,ht fro' the shore< t2o hundred *ersons on oard< of
2ho' one hundred and se$ent!-fi$e *erished#
Tuesda!< 7D--I s*ent the da! in counci& 2ith "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< John Ta!&or< Orson )ratt< and 5eor,e A# S'ith< and a**ointed a
s*ecia& conference for the 7:th instant# I directed the' to send
'issionaries to Ne2 Or&eans? Char&eston< South Caro&ina? Sa&e'<
.assachusetts? "a&ti'ore< .ar!&and? and 3ashin,ton< District of Co&u'ia#
I a&so re>uested the T2e&$e to ta0e the urthen of the usiness of the
Church in Nau$oo< and es*ecia&&! as *ertainin, to the se&&in, of Church
&ands#
The de*art'ent of En,&ish &iterature and 'athe'atics< of the
Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of Nau$oo< is in o*eration under the tuition of
)rofessor Orson )ratt#
5enera& Orders< Nau$oo Le,ion# HEADAUARTERS< NAU%OO LE5ION< CITY OF
NAU%OO< Au,# 7D< 78@7#
It eco'es our *ainfu& dut! to officia&&! notif! the troo*s of our
co''and of the unti'e&! decease of that no&e chief< "ri,adier-5enera& Don
Car&os S'ith--he fe&&< ut not in att&e--he *erished< ut not ! the
2ea*ons of 2ar--at his uria& !ou *aid hi' honor< ut he is ,athered to
his fathers to recei$e ,reater honor#
In conse>uence of this aff&ictin, dis*ensation of Di$ine )ro$idence<
the co''issioned officers of the staff and &ine 2i&& 2ear cra*e on the
&eft ar' for thirt! da!s# The co''issioned officers of the second cohort
2i&& con$ene at 5enera& S'ith+s office< on Saturda!< the @th da! of
Se*te'er< at 7D o+c&oc0 a#'#< for the *ur*ose of e&ectin, a
ri,adier-,enera&< at 2hich ti'e and *&ace the court of a**ea&s 2i&& sit#
The &e,ion 2i&& asse'&e at the usua& *&ace of rende4$ous< in the
cit! of Nau$oo< on Saturda!< the 77th da! of Se*te'er< at 7D o+c&oc0
a#'#< for the *ur*ose of ,enera& *arade# The 'i&itia officers of the
count! of Hancoc0< I&&inois?
and the count! of Lee< Io2a< are res*ectfu&&! in$ited to attend# The
ad=utants of re,i'ents 2i&& for' their res*ecti$e re,i'ents at N o+c&oc0
and at 7D o+c&oc0? the ad=utant of the Le,ion 2i&& for' the &ine !
re,i'ents< and not ! co'*anies as heretofore# A s*ecia& court-'artia&
2i&& con$ene at the usua& *&ace< on Saturda!< the H8th da! of Au,ust< at
7D o+c&oc0 a#'#< for the transaction of usiness# JOSE)H S.ITH<
Lieutenant- 5enera&#
A sho2er of 'eteoric stones fe&& at I2an in Hun,ar!#
Letters fro' $arious *arts of En,&and and Scot&and sho2 that nu'ers
are dai&! added to the Church? 2hi&e shi*2rec0s< f&oods< houses and
2or0sho*s fa&&in,< ,reat and destructi$e fires< sudden deaths< an0s
rea0in,< 'en+s hearts fai&in, the' for fear< sho*-0ee*ers and
'anufacturers fai&in,< ecause no 'an u!eth their 'erchandise< 'an!
accidents on the rai&2a!s< etc#< eto0en the co'in, of the Son of .an#
Thursda!< 7H#--A considera&e nu'er of the Sac and Fo/ Indians ha$e
een for se$era& da!s enca'*ed in the nei,horhood of .ontrose# The
ferr!'an rou,ht o$er a ,reat nu'er on the ferr!oat and t2o f&at oats
for the *ur*ose of $isitin, 'e# The 'i&itar! and and a detach'ent of
In$inci&es I*art of the Le,ionJ 2ere on shore read! to recei$e and escort
the' to the ,ro$e< ut the! refused to co'e on shore unti& I 2ent do2n# I
accordin,&! 2ent do2n< and 'et 1eo0u0< 1is-0u-0osh< A**enoose< and aout
one hundred chiefs and ra$es of those tries< 2ith their fa'i&ies# At the
&andin,< I 2as introduced ! "rother H!ru' to the'? and after sa&utations<
I conducted the' to the 'eetin, ,rounds in the ,ro$e< and instructed the'
in 'an! thin,s 2hich the Lord had re$ea&ed unto 'e concernin, their
fathers< and the *ro'ises that 2ere 'ade concernin, the' in the "oo0 of
.or'on# I ad$ised the' to cease 0i&&in, each other and 2arrin, 2ith other
tries? a&so to 0ee* *eace 2ith the 2hites? a&& of 2hich 2as inter*reted
to the'#
1eo0u0 re*&ied that he had a "oo0 of .or'on at his 2i,2a' 2hich I had
,i$en hi' so'e !ears efore# -I e&ie$e<- said he< -!ou are a ,reat and
,ood 'an? I &oo0 rou,h< ut I a&so a' a son of the 5reat S*irit# I ha$e
heard !our ad$ice--2e intend to >uit fi,htin,< and fo&&o2 the ,ood ta&0
!ou ha$e ,i$en us#-
After the con$ersation the! 2ere feasted on the ,reen 2ith ,ood food<
dainties< and 'e&ons ! the rethren? and the! entertained the s*ectators
2ith a s*eci'en of their dancin,#
Saturda!< 7@#--Sir J# .# "rune&< the en,ineer< 2ith fift! &adies and
,ent&e'en< 'ade the first *assa,e under the ri$er Tha'es< En,&and#
Sunda!< 7G#--.! infant son< Don Car&os< died< a,ed 7@ 'onths< H da!s#
Conference 'et in ;arahe'&a< and 2as addressed ! E&ders "ri,ha'
Youn, and 5eor,e .i&&er on ui&din, the Te'*&e in Nau$oo#
.onda!< 7:#--E&der 3i&&ard Richards arri$ed at Nau$oo this 'ornin,#
Eene4er Roinson succeeded "rother Don Car&os as editor of the Ti'es
and Seasons< 2ith E&der Roert "# Tho'*son assistant editor#
.inutes of a S*ecia& Conference at Nau$oo--I'*ortant Action in
Re&ation to the T2e&$e#
At a s*ecia& conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< he&d in the cit! of Nau$oo< Au,ust 7:< 78@7< E&der "ri,ha' Youn,
2as unani'ous&! a**ointed to *reside o$er the conference< and E&ias S'ith
and Loren4o D# "arnes 2ere a**ointed c&er0s#
Sin,in, ! the choir? conference o*ened ! *ra!er< ! the *resident#
The o=ect of the conference 2as then *resented ! the *resident< 2ho
stated that )resident Jose*h S'ith E2ho 2as then asent on account of the
death of his chi&dF had ca&&ed a s*ecia& conference to transact act
certain ite's of usiness necessar! to e done *re$ious to the Octoer
conference--such as to se&ect 'en of e/*erience to send forth into the
$ine!ard< ta0e 'easures to assist e'i,rants 2ho 'a! arri$e at the *&aces
of ,atherin,< and *re$ent i'*ositions ein, *racticed u*on the' !
un*rinci*&ed s*ecu&ators# The s*ea0er ho*ed that no one 2ou&d $ie2 hi' and
his rethren as as*irin,< ecause the! had co'e for2ard to ta0e *art in
the *roceedin,s efore the conference? he cou&d assure the rethren that
nothin, cou&d e further fro' his 2ishes< and those of his >uoru'< than to
interfere 2ith Church affairs in ;ion and her sta0es# He had een in the
$ine!ard so &on,< he had eco'e attached to forei,n 'issions< and nothin,
cou&d induce hi' to retire therefro' and attend to the affairs of the
Church at ho'e ut a sense of dut!< the re>uire'ents of hea$en< or the
re$e&ations of 5od? to 2hich he 2ou&d a&2a!s su'it< e the conse>uence
2hat it 'i,ht? and the rethren of his >uoru' res*onded< A'en#
A &ist of na'es of E&ders and cities 2ere read ! the *resident< and
a fe2 2ere se&ected ! no'ination< and desi,nated as fo&&o2s( %oted that
E&ders Henr! 5# Sher2ood ,o to Ne2 Or&eans? Araha' O# S'oot to
Char&eston< South Caro&ina? Erastus Sno2 and "en=a'in 3inchester to Sa&e'<
.assachusetts? John .urdoc0 to "a&ti'ore< .ar!&and? and Sa'ue& Ja'es to
3ashin,ton< D# C#
On 'otion of %inson 1ni,ht< seconded ! Sa'ue& "ent< reso&$ed( that
the >uoru' of the T2e&$e se&ect the indi$idua&s to ,o and *reach in such
*&aces as the! 'a! =ud,e e/*edient< and *resent the sa'e to the
conference< 2ith a $ie2 of e/*editin, the usiness of the da!#
The situation of the *oor of Nau$oo Cit! 2as then *resented !
"isho*s 1ni,ht and .i&&er< and a co&&ection ta0en for their enefit#
After sin,in,< conference ad=ourned unti& H o+c&oc0 *#'#
A&& of the T2e&$e *resent at the conference 2ent and $isited
)resident Jose*h S'ith to co'fort hi' in his aff&iction#
Conference asse'&ed at H *#'#< and 2as addressed ! E&ders Loren4o
D# "arnes and Henr! 5# Sher2ood< concernin, the s*read of the 5os*e& and
the ui&din, u* of the 0in,do' of 5od in these &ast da!s#
)resident Jose*h S'ith no2 arri$in,< *roceeded to state to the
conference at considera&e &en,th< the o=ect of their *resent 'eetin,<
and< in addition to 2hat )resident Youn, had stated in the 'ornin,< said
that the ti'e had co'e 2hen the T2e&$e shou&d e ca&&ed u*on to stand in
their *&ace ne/t to the First )residenc!< and attend to the sett&in, of
e'i,rants and the usiness of the Church at the sta0es< and assist to ear
off the 0in,do' $ictorious&! to the nations< and as the! had een
faithfu&< and had orne the urden in the heat of the da!< that it 2as
ri,ht that the! shou&d ha$e an o**ortunit! of *ro$idin, so'ethin, for
the'se&$es and fa'i&ies< and at the sa'e ti'e re&ie$e hi'< so that he
'i,ht attend to the usiness of trans&atin,#
.o$ed< seconded and carried< that the conference a**ro$e of the
instructions of )resident S'ith in re&ation to the T2e&$e< and that the!
*roceed accordin,&! to attend to the duties of their office#
.o$ed< seconded and carried unani'ous&!< that e$er! indi$idua& 2ho
sha&& hereafter e found tr!in, to inf&uence an! e'i,rants e&on,in, to
the Church< either to u! of the' Ee/ce*t *ro$isionsF or se&& to the'
Ee/ce*t the Church a,entsF< sha&& e i''ediate&! tried for fe&&o2shi*< and
dea&t 2ith as offenders< and un&ess the! re*ent sha&& e cut off fro' the
Church#
)resident Ri,don then 'ade so'e a**ro*riate re'ar0s on s*ecu&ation#
.o$ed< that the conference acce*t the doin,s of the T2e&$e< in
desi,natin, certain indi$idua&s to certain cities< Pc#? 2hen )resident
S'ith re'ar0ed that the conference had a&read! sanctioned the doin,s of
the T2e&$e? and it e&on,ed to their office to transact such usiness<
2ith the a**roation of the First )residenc!? and he 2ou&d then state 2hat
cities shou&d no2 e ui&t u*--$i4#< Nau$oo< ;arahe'&a< 3arren< Nash$i&&e<
and Ra'us#
Reso&$ed( That this conference ad=ourn to the ,enera& conference in
Octoer ne/t#
C&osed 2ith *ra!er ! )resident Youn,# "RI5HA. YOUN5< )resident#
ELIAS S.ITH< LOREN;O "ARNES< C&er0s#
CHA)TER 66I%#
HOTCH1ISS LAND )URCHASE TROU"LES--DEATH+S HAR%EST< OLI%ER 5RAN5ER<
RO"ERT "# THO.)SON--I.)ORTANT ACTION RELATIN5 TO THE T3EL%E--THE
.ISSION IN FO6 ISLAND#
Thursda!< Au,ust 7N< 78@7#--E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&& and Richards 2ent
to 3arsa2< and e/a'ined the to2n *&at of 3arren 2hich is situated aout a
'i&e south of the $i&&a,e of 3arsa2< and 'ade so'e arran,e'ents 2ith the
*ro*rietors for ui&din, u* the *&ace#
The *&at desi,ned for the cit! of 3arren is the schoo& section< No#
7:< and o**osite the first *er'anent and ,ood &andin, *&ace on the
.ississi**i Ri$er e&o2 the fa&&s? 2hich is aout t2o 'i&es e&o2 the
3arsa2 &andin,< 2hich is fi&&in, u* 2ith sand ars#
The rethren returned aout e&e$en *#'#< >uite e/hausted#
Sunda!< HH#--I *reached at the stand< on 2ars and deso&ations that
a2ait the nations#
3ednesda!< HG#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, &etter(
Letter of Horace R# Hotch0iss to Jose*h S'ith--Land Affairs in
Nau$oo#
FAIR RA%EN< H@th Ju&!< 78@7#
Re$# Jose*h S'ith(
DEAR SIR(--I ha$e this 'o'ent recei$ed a &etter fro' Dr# 5a&&and<
dated !esterda!< at Ne2 Yor0< in 2hich he states his intention of &ea$in,
for the 2est#
It certain&! 2as '! e/*ectation that I shou&d a,ain see hi' efore
his de*arture< and e a&e to 'a0e so'e arran,e'ent 2ith hi' res*ectin,
the interest due to '!se&f< .r# Tutt&e and .r# 5i&&et# In this I a'
disa**ointed< and considerin, that a *ro*osition for effectin, this o=ect
e'anated fro' !our rother H!ru' and the doctor< IIsaac 5a&&andJ to 2hich
no a&&usion has since een 'ade ! the' or an!od! e&se< I and .r# Tutt&e
thin0 that 2e ha$e 'uch reason to e dissatisfied at this si&ence and
a**arent ne,&ect#
No2< a&& the transactions re&atin, to Nau$oo ha$e ! 'e and '!
friends een entered into in the 'ost *erfect ,ood faith< and 2i&&
continue to e conducted on the 'ost honora&e *rinci*&es#
)er'it 'e to as0 2hether this is a *ro*er return for the confidence
2e ha$e esto2ed< and for the indu&,ence 2e ha$e e/tendedB
If !ou ha$e not a&read! re>uested !our rother H!ru' to ca&& on 'e
2hen he arri$es east< 2i&& !ou 2rite hi' i''ediate&!< and sa! that it '!
ur,ent 2ishB
Re&ati$e to the I$ins note the Doctor has 2ritten 'e< and referred to
.r# 3i&&ia' S'ith at Ne2 E,!*t< on 2ho' I sha&& ca&& ne/t 2ee0# Your
oedient ser$ant< HORACE R# HOTCH1ISS#
I 2rote the fo&&o2in, ans2er(
Letter of the )ro*het to Horace R# Hotch0iss--Nau$oo Land
Transactions#
NAU%OO< Au,ust HG< 78@7#
To Horace R# Hotch0iss< Es>#< Ne2 Ha$en< Connecticut(
DEAR SIR(--Yours of the H@th u&ti'o ca'e to hand this da!< the
contents of 2hich I du&! a**reciate# I *resu'e !ou are 2e&& a2are of the
difficu&ties that occurred efore< and at the e/ecution of the 2ritin,s in
re,ard to the &and transaction et2een us< touchin, the annua& *a!'ent of
interest( if !ou ha$e for,otten< I 2i&& here re'ind !ou< !ou $era&&!
a,reed on our refusa& and hesitanc! to e/ecute the notes for the *a!'ent
of the &and< that !ou 2ou&d not e/act the *a!'ent of the interest that
2ou&d accrue on the' under fi$e !ears< and that !ou 2ou&d not coerce the
*a!'ent e$en then? to a&& this !ou *&ed,ed !our honor? and u*on an after
arran,e'ent !ou $era&&! a,reed to ta0e &and in so'e one of the At&antic
States< that 2ou&d !ie&d si/ *er cent interest Eto !ouF oth for the
*rinci*a& and interest< and in $ie2 of that 'atter< I de&e,ated '! rother
H!ru' and Dr# Isaac 5a&&and to ,o east and ne,otiate for &ands 2ith our
friends< and *a! !ou off for the 2ho&e *urchase that 2e 'ade of !ou? ut
u*on an inter$ie2 2ith !ou< the! &earned that !ou 2ere un2i&&in, to enter
into an arran,e'ent accordin, to the *o2ers that I had de&e,ated to the'?
that !ou 2ou&d not recei$e an! of the *rinci*a& at a&&< ut the interest
a&one< 2hich 2e ne$er considered ourse&$es in honor or in =ustice ound to
*a! under the e/*iration of fi$e !ears# I *resu'e !ou are no stran,er to
the *art of the cit! *&at 2e ou,ht of !ou ein, a death&! sic0&! ho&e<
and that 2e ha$e not een a&e in conse>uence to rea&i4e an! $a&ua&e
consideration fro' it< a&thou,h 2e ha$e een 0ee*in, u* a**earances< and
ho&din, out induce'ents to encoura,e i''i,ration< that 2e scarce&! thin0
=ustifia&e in conse>uence of the 'orta&it! that a&'ost in$aria&! a2aits
those 2ho co'e fro' far distant *arts Eand that 2ith a $ie2 to ena&e us
to 'eet our en,a,e'entsF< and no2 to e ,oaded ! !ou< for a reach of
,ood faith< and ne,&ect and dishonora&e conduct< see's to 'e to e a&'ost
e!ond endurance#
You are a2are that 2e ca'e fro' .issouri destitute of e$er!thin, ut
*h!sica& force< had nothin, ut our ener,ies and *erse$erance to re&! u*on
to 'eet the *a!'ent of the e/tortionate su' that !ou e/acted for the &and
2e had of !ou# Ha$e !ou no fee&in,s of co''iserationB Or is it !our desi,n
to crush us 2ith a *onderous &oad efore 2e are a&e to 2a&0B Or can !ou
etter dis*ose of the *ro*ert! than 2e are doin, for !our interestB If so<
to the a&ternati$e#
I therefore *ro*ose< in order to a$oid the *er*&e/it! and anno!ance
that has hitherto attended the transaction< that !ou co'e and ta0e the
*re'ises< and 'a0e the est !ou can of it< or stand off and ,i$e us an
o**ortunit! that 2e 'a! 'ana,e the concern< and ena&e ourse&$es ! the
'ana,e'ent thereof to 'eet our en,a,e'ents< as 2as ori,ina&&!
conte'*&ated#
3e ha$e ta0en a cit! *&at at 3arsa2 Eat the head of na$i,ation for
$esse&s of hea$! tonna,eF on the 'ost ad$anta,eous ter's( the *ro*rietors
2aitin, u*on us for the *a!'ent of the *&at< unti& 2e can rea&i4e the
'one! fro' the sa&es< &ea$in, to ourse&$es a &ar,e and &iera& net *rofit#
3e ha$e een 'a0in, e$er! e/ertion< and used a&& the 'eans at our co''and
to &a! a foundation that 2i&& no2 e,in to ena&e us to 'eet our *ecuniar!
en,a,e'ents< and no dout in our 'inds to the entire satisfaction of a&&
those concerned< if the! 2i&& ut e/ercise a s'a&& de,ree of *atience< and
sta! a resort to coerci$e 'easures 2hich 2ou&d 0i&& us in the ,er'< e$en
efore 2e can E! reason of the seasonF e,in to ud and &osso' in order
to rin, forth a *&entifu& !ie&d of fruit#
I a'< 2ith considerations of hi,h res*ect< Your oedient ser$ant<
Jose*h S'ith#
The Hotch0iss *urchase< to 2hich the fore,oin, &etters re&ate
inc&udes a&& the &and &!in, north of the 3hite *urchase to the ri$er and
thence on the ri$er south< inc&udin, the est stea'oat &andin,< ut is
the 'ost sic0&! *art of Nau$oo#
E&der O&i$er 5ran,er died at 1irt&and< La0e count!< Ohio< a,ed
fort!-nine !ears# He 2as the son of )ierce and C&arissa 5ran,er< orn in
the to2n of )he&*s< Ontario count!< Ne2 Yor0< Mth Feruar!< 7MN@? recei$ed
a co''on schoo& education< 2as t2o !ears a 'e'er of the .ethodist Church
and 2as a &icensed e/horter# On the 8th Se*te'er< 7879< he 'arried L!dia
Di&e? in the !ear 78HM< he in a ,reat 'easure &ost his si,ht ! co&d and
e/*osure? he 2as sheriff of Ontario count!< and co&one& of the 'i&itia# He
recei$ed the 5os*e& on readin, the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich he *ro$identia&&!
otained< and 2as a*ti4ed at Sodus< 3a!ne count!< and ordained an E&der
! "ri,ha' and Jose*h Youn,< the! ein, the first E&ders he sa2< and
i''ediate&! de$oted his ti'e to *reachin, and 2arnin, the *eo*&e#
In the !ear 7899 he 'o$ed to 1irt&and< and then too0 a 'ission to the
east 2ith E&der Sa'ue& Ne2co'? returned and 2as ordained a Hi,h )riest?
too0 another 'ission in the s*rin, of 789: to Ne2 Yor0 2ith John )#
5reene? and after his return ui&t u* a ranch at Huntsur,< 5eau,a
count!< Ohio? a&so a ranch at )err!< Richfie&d count!< 2here he a*ti4ed
"rad&e! 3i&son and his se$en sons and their 2i$es# 3hen the Church &eft
1irt&and he 2as a**ointed to sett&e the Church usiness#
In June< 7898< he 2ent to Far 3est< and returned in Au,ust of sa'e
!ear? in Octoer he a,ain started< ta0in, his fa'i&!? he 2ent se$ent!
'i&es into .issouri< and 2as dri$en ac0 ! the 'o? in the s*rin, of 789N
he 2ent to Nau$oo? in 78@D re'o$ed to 1irt&and 2ith his fa'i&!< 2here he
re'ained unti& his death#
He 2as a 'an of ,ood usiness >ua&ifications< ut had een for 'an!
!ears near&! &ind# His funera& 2as attended ! a $ast concourse of *eo*&e
fro' the nei,horin, to2ns< a&thou,h there 2ere ut fe2 Saints in the
countr!#
Thursda!< H:#
An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e A*ost&es to the Saints Scattered Aroad
A'on, the Nations< 5reetin,#
NAU%OO< Au,ust H:< 78@7#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--You 2i&& *ercei$e ! the 'inutes of a conference<
he&d in this cit!< on the 7:th instant< that 2e ha$e returned fro' a
'ission 2hich 2as re>uired of us ! the Lord< and ha$e no2 een ca&&ed
u*on to assist in ui&din, u* the sta0es of ;ion< and of *&antin, the
Saints u*on the &ot of their inheritance? and fee&in, as 2e do a hu'&e
re&iance u*on di$ine aid at a&& ti'es< in our unre'ittin, desire So e
usefu& to our fe&&o2 'en< and es*ecia&&! to the househo&d of faith< that
the! 'a! e *re*ared for the ,reat thin,s 2hich 5od is aout to re$ea&<
and 2hich s*eedi&! a2ait this ,eneration< 2e fee& an/ious to i'*ro$e the
ear&iest o**ortunit! to 'a0e 0no2n unto !ou the 'ind of the S*irit
concernin, those thin,s 2hich re>uire !our 'ore i''ediate attention#
It 2i&& e disco$ered< in the 'inutes efore referred to< that 2e
ha$e a&read! e,un to se&ect such indi$idua&s as ha$e een 2ith the Church
and ha$e had the o**ortunit! of eco'in, ac>uainted 2ith the *rinci*&es
thereof to so'e e/tent? and to desi,nate certain to2ns and cities 2here
the! 2i&& &ocate the'se&$es and ui&d u* churches< inas'uch as the *eo*&e
are 2i&&in, to recei$e the'# These ,enera&&! 2i&& not ta0e their de*arture
fro' this to their se$era& stations< unti& after the Octoer conference<
*re$ious to 2hich the! 2i&& ha$e the o**ortunit! of recei$in, *articu&ar
instructions in re&ation to their 'ission< and of eco'in, 'ore *erfect&!
ac>uainted 2ith those *rinci*&es 2hich are necessar! to e acted u*on in
order that the! 'a! eco'e hi,h&! usefu& in he&*in, to ro&& forth the
0in,do' of 5od in these &ast da!s#
A&& those E&ders and )riests 2ho are no2 in the $ine!ard< 2i&&
co''unicate 2ith us i''ediate&!< and infor' us of their situations<
desi,ns< and a&& thin,s re&atin, to their 'inistr!< and i'*ro$e the
ear&iest o**ortunit! of re*airin, hither< 2here the! 2i&& ha$e the
*ri$i&e,e of instruction fro' the First )residenc!< and there!
understandin, *rinci*&e and doctrine< not to e &earned e&se2here< and
2hich is necessar! for the' to 0no2< that the! 'a! eco'e 2ise ste2ards in
their .aster+s house#
3e are en,a,ed in a ,reat 2or0< and ut &itt&e co'*arati$e&! can e
0no2n of the 'a,nitude thereof< of the re$e&ations of hea$en< and the
order of the 0in,do' ! the Saints< 2hi&e the! are scattered to the four
2inds? and this ein, 2e&& understood ! the ancient *ro*hets and
a*ost&es< 2as the reason 2h! the! so often s*o0e of the ,atherin, in the
&ast da!s< and as this is the *&ace 2here the E&ders are to recei$e
instruction concernin, their 'inistr!< so as to eco'e successfu&
'inisters of the dis*ensation of the fu&ness of ti'es< so a&so this is the
*&ace 2here the rethren 'a! recei$e such instructions as are necessar! to
constitute the' a ri,hteous and ho&! *eo*&e< *re*ared for the rece*tion of
the Lord Jesus? therefore< 2e sa! to a&& Saints 2ho desire to do the 2i&&
of hea$en< Arise< and tarr! not< ut co'e u* hither to the *&aces of
,atherin, as s*eedi&! as *ossi&e< for the ti'e is ra*id&! a**roachin,
2hen the Saints 2i&& ha$e occasion to re,ret that the! ha$e so &on,
ne,&ected to asse'&e the'se&$es to,ether and stand in ho&! *&aces<
a2aitin, those tre'endous e$ents 2hich are so ra*id&! a**roachin, the
nations of the earth#
It 2i&& e reco&&ected that in a recent co''unication fro' the First
)residenc!< a&& *&aces of ,atherin, are discontinued< e/ce*tin, Hancoc0
count!< I&&inois< and ;arahe'&a< in Lee count!< Io2a territor!< o**osite
Nau$oo< and 2e 2ou&d su,,est to those co'in, u* the .ississi**i
*articu&ar&!< and a&& others 2ho are dis*osed< to &oo0 at 3arsa2< a
eautifu&&! &ocated $i&&a,e aout t2ent! 'i&es e&o2 Nau$oo< consistin, of
aout fi$e hundred inhaitants< a stea' f&our and &u'er 'i&&? one 'i&e
e&o2 is a section a&read! sur$e!ed< on 2hich the to2n of 3arren is to e
ui&t< and e$er! faci&it! is no2 offered to the rethren< for the
i''ediate erection of houses< the &ocation ein, $er! desira&e at the
&o2est *oint of the Des .oines ra*ids#
As 2e ha$e een ca&&ed u*on to act as a,ents for the Church< it 'a!
e e/*ected that so'e one or 'ore of our >uoru' 'a! e found at Nau$oo<
;arahe'&a< and 3arren< read! to render e$er! assistance in our *o2er<
to2ards the &ocation of i''i,rants? and that 2e sha&& occasiona&&! $isit
the other *&aces of ,atherin,< as necessit! re>uires#
3e reco''end to the rethren in En,&and to e'i,rate in the fa&& or
2inter? ! so doin, the! 2i&& e &i0e&! to s*are the'se&$es 'uch
aff&iction in eco'in, accusto'ed to this c&i'ate# Further co''unications
'a! e e/*ected fro' the T2e&$e# "RI5HA. YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL# ORSON
)RATT< 3ILLARD RICHARDS< JOHN TAYLOR< 5EO# A# S.ITH#
Frida!< HM#--E&der Roert "&ashe& Tho'*son died at his residence in
Nau$oo< in the 9Dth !ear of his a,e< in the fu&& ho*e of a ,&orious
resurrection# He 2as associate editor of the Ti'es and Seasons< co&one& in
the Nau$oo Le,ion and had done 'uch 2ritin, for '!se&f and the Church#
The fo&&o2in, s!no*sis of his &ife is fro' the *en of his 2ido2 (
"io,ra*h! of Roert "&ashe& Tho'*son#
Roert "&ashe& Tho'*son 2as orn Octoer 7st< 7877< in 5reat
Driffie&d< Yor0shire< En,&and< 2as educated at Dunnin,ton< in the sa'e
count!# He united 2ith the .ethodists at an ear&! a,e and *reached 2hat he
e&ie$ed to e the 5os*e& in connection 2ith that sect for a nu'er of
!ears# E'i,rated to U**er Canada in 789@# E'raced the 5os*e& there? ein,
a*ti4ed and confir'ed ! E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt in .a!< 789:# 3as ordained
an E&der ! E&der John Ta!&or< at a conference he&d in U**er Canada< Ju&!
HHnd< 789:# Re'o$ed to 1irt&and in .a!< 789M< 2here he 'arried .erc!
Rache& Fie&din,< June @th< 789M< and ein, a**ointed to ta0e a 'ission to
U**er Canada< he returned the sa'e 'onth< and co''enced *reachin, in
Church$i&&e and the $i&&a,es ad=acent< a*ti4ed a considera&e nu'er<
continued his &aors there unti& he 2as ca&&ed u*on to re'o$e to .issouri#
He arri$ed at 1irt&and in .arch< and started fro' thence in co'*an!
2ith H!ru' S'ith and fa'i&!< arri$ed in Far 3est June 9rd< 2here his
dau,hter< .ar! Jane< 2as orn on the 7@th of June# He re'ained there unti&
No$e'er< 2hen he< 2ith 'an! of the rethren had to f&ee into the
2i&derness to esca*e the fur! of the 'o< 2ho s2ore the! 2ou&d 0i&& e$er!
'an 2ho had een en,a,ed in the Croo0ed Ri$er att&e#
He stood near to "rother )atten 2hen he I)attenJ fe&&# 3ith the rest
of the rethren he suffered 'uch fro' e/*osure and &ac0 of food< He
arri$ed at Auinc!< I e&ie$e< in Dece'er< 2here he en,a,ed as c&er0 in
the court house< and re'ained there unti& the &ieration of Jose*h and
H!ru' fro' *rison? 2hen the Saints sett&ed in Co''erce< he re'o$ed there<
and 2as en,a,ed as a scrie to "rother Jose*h? he 2as a&so Church c&er0#
3hen the Nau$oo Le,ion 2as for'ed< he recei$ed the office of co&one&
and a&so aid-de-ca'*# In .a!< 78@7< he eca'e associated 2ith Don Car&os
S'ith in the editin, of the Ti'es and Seasons# On the 7:th of Au,ust he
2as sei4ed 2ith the sa'e disease of 2hich Don Car&os had died on the Mth#
The attach'ent et2een the' 2as so stron,< it see'ed as thou,h the! cou&d
not &on, e se*arated# He died on the HMth< &ea$in, one chi&d? 2as
interred in the ur!in, ,round on the HNth# "! his s*ecia& re>uest no
'i&itar! *rocession 2as for'ed at his funera&#
Saturda!< H8#--At a conference he&d at Attica< Ne2 Yor0< si/
ranches< ten E&ders< se$en )riests< fi$e Teachers< t2o Deacons and one
hundred and fort!-si/ 'e'ers 2ere re*resented#
Tuesda!< H7#
.inutes of a Counci& .eetin, of the T2e&$e A*ost&es at the House of
"ri,ha' Youn,< Nau$oo#
At a counci& of the Auoru' of the T2e&$e A*ost&es at the house of
)resident "ri,ha' Youn,< Nau$oo< Au,ust 97< 78@7< for the *ur*ose of
ta0in, into consideration the situation of the Church< it 2as reso&$ed
unani'ous&!< that as 2e Ithe T2e&$eJ ha$e een ca&&ed u*on ! the $oice of
the conference to attend to the usiness of the Church< assist the Trustee
in Trust in his arduous duties< attend to the sett&in, of i''i,rants< Pc<
2e sensi&! fee& the ,reat res*onsii&it! that is restin, u*on us< and
2i&& do a&& in our *o2er to carr! out the 2ishes of the Church< and *ro$e
ourse&$es 2orth! of the trust i'*osed in us ! the rethren#
Reso&$ed unani'ous&!< that< so far as 'a! e *ractica&e< 2e 2i&&
attend to the counse&in, and &ocatin, of i''i,rants in *erson< and at
*resent 2e 2i&& a**oint no a,ents for that *ur*ose out of our o2n od!#
%oted< that E&der 3i&&ard Richards e re>uested to &ocate hi'se&f for
a season at 3arsa2< or $icinit!< for the *ur*ose of se&&in, &ots on the
to2n *&at of 3arren< counse&in, the rethren< and attendin, to such other
usiness as 'a! e necessar! re&atin, to the Church# The fore,oin, $ote
2as ta0en after hearin, a fa$ora&e re*ort fro' E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&&< and
Richards< of the >uoru'< for ui&din, the to2n ca&&ed 3arren< the! ha$in,
$isited the &ocation< acco'*anied ! .r# .ar0 A&drich and other
*ro*rietors of the *&at#
Reso&$ed< unani'ous&!< that 2e dee*&! fee& for our e&o$ed )resident
Jose*h S'ith< and his father+s fa'i&!< on account of the ,reat &osses the!
ha$e sustained in *ro*ert! ! the un*ara&&e&ed *ersecutions in .issouri<
as 2e&& as the other 'an! *ersecutions the! ha$e sustained since the rise
of the Church< 2hich has rou,ht the' to their *resent destitute
situation# Therefore< $oted unani'ous&!< that 2e for ourse&$es< and the
Church 2e re*resent< a**ro$e of the *roceedin,s of )resident S'ith< so far
as he has ,one< in 'a0in, o$er certain *ro*erties to his 2ife< chi&dren<
and friends for their su**ort< and that he continue to deed and 'a0e o$er
certain *ortions of Church *ro*ert! 2hich no2 e/ist< or 2hich 'a! e
otained ! e/chan,e< as in his 2isdo' he sha&& =ud,e e/*edient< ti&& his
o2n< and his father+s househo&d< sha&& ha$e an inheritance secured to the'
in our 'idst< a,reea&! to the $ote of the ,enera& conference of the
Church he&d at Co''erce in Octoer< 789N#
Reso&$ed( that on account of the *ecu&iar situation of the Church
hitherto< it has een e/*edient and necessar!< that the deeds< onds< and
*ro*erties of the Church shou&d e< and ha$e een ta0en and ho&den !
co''ittees of the Church< and *ri$ate indi$idua&s? ut that 2e no2 ha$e a
trustee-in-trust< $i4#< )resident Jose*h S'ith< a**ointed accordin, to the
&a2s of the &and# Therefore< $oted unani'ous&!< that 2e ad$ise the
trustee-in-trust to ,ather u* a&& deeds< onds< and *ro*erties e&on,in,
to the Church< and 2hich are no2 he&d either ! co''ittees or indi$idua&s<
and ta0e the sa'e in his o2n na'e as trustee-in-trust for the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< as soon as such arran,e'ents can e
'ade consistent&! 2ith his $arious and 'u&ti*&ied cares and usiness? and
that 2e indi$idua&&! and co&&ecti$e&! 2i&& use a&& di&i,ence to render hi'
e$er! assistance *ossi&e to acco'*&ish this desira&e o=ect#
%oted< that E&der Loren4o D# "arnes *roceed on his 'ission to En,&and
2ithout de&a!#
%oted< that E&der Harrison Sa,ers *roceed i''ediate&! on his 'ission
to Ja'aica< 3est Indies? and E&der Jose*h "a&& to South A'erica< accordin,
to their a**oint'ent on the 7:th< and that the! acco'*an! each other to
Ne2 Or&eans#
It 2as *ro*osed< that E&der Si'eon Carter ,o on a 'ission to 5er'an!?
ut the $ote ein, ta0en< it 2as decided that his 'ission e sus*ended for
the *resent#
After 'uch de&ieration on the situation of the Church at ho'e and
aroad< te'*orari&! and s*iritua&&!< and in $ie2 of the *o$ert! and
distress of 'an! 2ho had een roed of a&& ! unre&entin, 'oers< and of
others 2ho ha$e sacrificed a&& the! *ossessed to assist those 2ho had thus
een roed< and others 2ho had orne the urden in the heat of the da!?
it 2as $oted unani'ous&!< that )resident S'ith< as trustee-in-trust< e
re>uested and instructed ! this conference in eha&f of the Church< to
e/tend re&ief to such indi,ent sufferin, rethren< either ! &and or
,oods< as the *ro*erties of the Church 2i&& ad'it< and his 2isdo' sha&&
=ud,e e/*edient? so that no one sha&& e denied the *ri$i&e,e of re'ainin,
in our 'idst and en=o!in, the necessaries of &ife< 2ho has een faithfu&
in his duties to 5od and the Church# "RI5HA. YOUN5< )resident# 3ILLARD
RICHARDS< C&er0#
3ednesda!< Se*t# 7#--The Ne2 Yor0 Sun contains an account of so'e
sin,u&ar *heno'ena? $i4#< a sho2er of f&esh and &ood< a *i&&ar of s'o0e<
and a sho2er of 'anna#
Thursda!< H#--The to2n of Carta,o< on the isth'us of Darien<
containin, 7D<DDD inhaitants< destro!ed ! an earth>ua0e#
Saturda!< @#--Co&one& Char&es C# Rich 2as e&ected ri,adier-,enera&
of the second cohort< to fi&& the $acanc! of 5enera& Don Car&os S'ith<
deceased< and Lieutenant-Co&one& Titus "i&&in,s 2as e&ected co&one& in the
*&ace of Co&one& Rich< *ro'oted< and .a=or John Scott 2as e&ected
&ieutenant-co&one& in his *&ace< and Ca*tain Hosea Stout 2as e&ected 'a=or
in his *&ace#
The Cit! Counci& e&ected "ri,ha' Youn, counci&or in *&ace of Don
Car&os S'ith< deceased? and John Ta!&or and Heer C# 1i'a&& 2ere e&ected
re,ents of the Uni$ersit! in *&ace of Don Car&os S'ith and Roert "#
Tho'*son< deceased#
Orson )ratt 2as e&ected *rofessor of 'athe'atics in the Uni$ersit! of
the Cit! of Nau$oo< and the de,ree of 'aster of arts conferred on hi' !
the chance&&or and oard of re,ents#
A co''ittee 2as instructed to *urchase t2o &oc0s for a ur!in,
,round? and the cit! recorder 2as instructed to *rocure a sea& for the
cor*oration#
E&der Orson S*encer arri$ed in the cit!#
Sunda!< G#--I *reached to a &ar,e con,re,ation at the stand< on the
science and *ractice of 'edicine< desirin, to *ersuade the Saints to trust
in 5od 2hen sic0< and not in an ar' of f&esh< and &i$e ! faith and not !
'edicine< or *oison? and 2hen the! 2ere sic0< and had ca&&ed for the
E&ders to *ra! for the' and the! 2ere not hea&ed< to use hers and 'i&d
food#
Tuesda!< M#--Another sho2er of f&esh and &ood is re*orted in the
"oston *a*ers to ha$e fa&&en in 1ensin,ton#
-There had een a dri44&in, rain durin, a ,reat *art of the da!<
unti& aout @ o+c&oc0 in the afternoon< 2hen the rain sto**ed and the dar0
c&ouds e,an ,radua&&! to assu'e a rass! hue< unti& the 2ho&e hea$ens
ao$e see'ed a sea of fire# The s0! continued to ,ro2 'ore ri,ht unti&
aout a >uarter *ast fi$e< 2hen a&'ost instant&! it eca'e of urnished
red< and in a fe2 'o'ents it rained 'oderate&! a thic0 &i>uid of the
a**earance of &ood< c&othin, fie&ds and roads for t2o 'i&es in
circu'ference in a &ood-stained ,ar'ent# The &ood! rain continued for
aout ten 'inutes< 2hen it sudden&! c&eared a2a!< and the at'os*here
eca'e so intense&! co&d that o$ercoats 2ere needed#-
E&der 3i&&ard Richards 2ent to 3arsa2< and &ocated hi'se&f< for the
*ur*ose of counse&in, the Saints< and sett&in, the to2n of 3arren< and the
da! fo&&o2in, 'ade sa&e of three cit! &ots#
The 2ar et2een En,&and and China continues# The En,&ish ha$e fitted
out a ne2 e/*edition to *roceed a,ainst China 2ith the ut'ost ri,or and
his ce&estia& 'a=est! on the other hand has issued orders for the raisin,
of a -,rand ar'!<- and the e/ter'ination of the En,&ish#
3ednesda!< 8#--3ars and ru'ors of 2ars< earth>ua0es< te'*ests<
*esti&ence< and ,reat fires< connected 2ith e$er! 0ind of 2ic0edness<
distress and destruction of *ro*ert! are heard in a&'ost e$er! &and and
nation#
Sunda!< 77#
E/tracts fro' Le,ion .inutes#
The Le,ion 2as out for ,enera& *arade< in confor'it! 2ith a s*ecia&
act of the court 'artia&< and 2as re$ie2ed ! Lieutenant-5enera& Jose*h
S'ith< 2ho de&i$ered a 'i&itar! s*eech to the troo*s in his usua&
ener,etic st!&e# The officia& returns of the Le,ion sho2 the a,,re,ate to
e 7<@ND 'en# HOSEA STOUT< C&er0#
.onda!< 79#--"rother Ed2ard Hunter< Sen< of Chester count!<
)enns!&$ania< $isited Nau$oo< and in$ested R@<GDD in to2n &ots and far'in,
&and? *aid 'e RH<DDD in cash< and 'ade arran,e'ents to *a! the a&ance in
t2o 'onths#
Recei$ed an in$itation fro' "ri,adier-5enera& E4e0ie& 3# S2a4e!< and
Co&one& A'os "# Fu&&er< of the 'i&itia of Lee count!< Io2a< to attend the
'i&itar! *arade to'orro2< at .ontrose< as $isitor# 5enera&s H!ru' S'ith
and John C# "ennett recei$ed a si'i&ar in$itation#
Tuesda!< 7@#--3ent o$er to .ontrose< acco'*anied ! "rothers Ed2ard
Hunter and 3i&&ia' A# 5reen< 2as $er! courteous&! recei$ed ! 5enera&
S2a4e!< the officers and 'i&itia#
.r# D# 3# 1i&ourn atte'*ted to ,et u* an i&& fee&in, ! readin, the
fo&&o2in, *roc&a'ation at noon< durin, the recess of e/ercise< to a
considera&e nu'er of *ersons co&&ected round his store< 2hich I insert
$erati'--
Citi4ens of Io2a(--The &a2s of Io2a do not re>uire !ou to 'uster
under< or e re$ie2ed ! Joe S'ith or 5enera& "ennett< and shou&d the!
ha$e the i'*udence to atte'*t it< it is ho*ed that e$er! *erson ha$in, a
*ro*er res*ect for hi'se&f< 2i&& at once &ea$e the ran0s#
This< ho2e$er< had no effect 2hate$er on the *eo*&e#
.!se&f and rother 2ere not in 'i&itar! unifor'< ut 2ere treated
2ith e$er! res*ect that $isitin, officers of our ran0 cou&d e< throu,h
the entire da!# At the dis'issa& of the 'i&itar!< I 2ent to .r# 1i&ourn+s
store< and desired to ha$e so'e con$ersation 2ith hi'< ut 2as
*ere'*tori&! ordered out of doors# This conduct ,reat&! dis,usted his fe2
friends< 2ho u*raided 1i&ourn 2ith his un,ent&e'an&! conduct< and
acco'*anied 'e to the ferr!< 2here I &eft the'< sho2in, 'e e$er!
'anifestation of friendshi*#
Tuesda!< H7#--The shi* T!rean sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& to Ne2 Or&eans<
2ith HD@ Saints< ound for Nau$oo#
Her "ritish .a=est!+s 2ar stea'er .ada,ascar< tota&&! destro!ed !
fire in the Chinese seas< and fift!-se$en &i$es &ost#
3ednesda!< HH#--The Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo ado*ted the fo&&o2in,
*rea'&e and reso&ution--Hi,h Counci& Reso&ution#
3hereas this Hi,h Counci& in ti'es *ast< had of necessit!< and ! the
ad$ice and instruction of the First )residenc!< to transact usiness of a
te'*ora& nature for the Church< and there! in$o&$e itse&f 2ith dets and
other te'*ora& urdens 2hich< under other circu'stances 2ou&d not ha$e
de$o&$ed u*on it? and as the *ro*er authorities to 2hich such
te'*ora&ities e&on, are no2 or,ani4ed and actin, in their *ro*er *&aces?
therefore< e it reso&$ed< that this Hi,h Counci& is *re*ared to transfer
a&& dets and te'*ora& usiness? and that a&& usiness of a te'*ora&
nature< e< and the sa'e is in readiness to e transferred to the *ro*er
authorities#
A&*heus Cut&er stated Ito the counci&J that he 2as ,oin, to the
*ineries the ensuin, 2inter< and no'inated E&ias Hi,ee< counse&or *rote'#
A co'*an! of the rethren started for the *iner!< so'e fi$e or si/
hundred 'i&es north< on the ri$er< for the *ur*ose of *rocurin, &u'er for
the Te'*&e and Nau$oo House#
The Je2s in S'!rna are sufferin, ,reat *ersecutions on account of
their re&i,ion---one 2as thro2n into *rison ecause a cat 2as
'issin,---sa! the =ourna&s#
Saturda! HG#--H!ru' S'ith< son of H!ru' and Jerusha S'ith< died< a,ed
se$en !ears< four 'onths< and t2ent!-ei,ht da!s#
A conference 2as he&d at %ina& Ha$en< Fo/ Is&and? ei,ht E&ders< one
)riest< t2o Teachers< one Deacon< and one hundred and fort! 'e'ers 2ere
re*resented< and the 2or0 is *ro,ressin,#
I e/tract the fo&&o2in, fro' E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff+s =ourna&--
The 3or0 of Fo/ Is&and#
3e &eft .anitou Is&and< La0e .ichi,an< at @ o+c&oc0 *#'#< on the
stea'er Chesa*ea0e< 2hich contained 9DD *assen,ers< si/ of 2ho' 2ere
'e'ers of the Church? a &ar,e >uantit! of frei,ht and coa&< ei,ht! cords
of 2ood< ei,ht! 'u&es< esides *i,s< chic0ens< ,eese< duc0s< Pc#
3e continued our =ourne! to2ards Chica,o 2ithout an! interru*tion<
unti& ha&f-*ast e&e$en *#'#< 2hen 2e 2ere o$erta0en ! a tre'endous stor'
of 2ind and rain? it &e2 a hurricane< and the &a0e eca'e as rou,h as it
cou&d e ! the force of 2ind< and such a scene as >uic0&! fo&&o2ed I
ne$er efore 2itnessed in '! tra$e&s< either ! &and or sea# The ca*tain<
officers< hands< and 'ost of the *assen,ers e/*ected to ,o to the otto'
of the &a0e# To ha$e =ud,ed fro' out2ard a**earances I shou&d thin0 there
2ere t2ent! chances of ein, &ost to one of ein, sa$ed< !et I did not
once e/*ect to e &ost< for I e&ie$ed the Lord 2ou&d ! so'e 'eans sa$e
'e and '! 2ife and chi&d< 2ho 2ere 2ith 'e< fro' a 2ater! ,ra$e#
3e 2ere so'e fort! 'i&es fro' &and 2hen the ,a&e struc0 us< and I 2as
a2a0ened fro' a sound s&ee* ! the cr!< -3e are a&& &ost#- The first
thou,ht that entered '! 'ind 2as< -No< 2e sha&& not e &ost#-
I i''ediate&! &ea*ed out of '! erth and 2ent on to the u**er dec0# I
sa2 2e 2ere in i''inent dan,er of ein, 2rec0ed? the o2 of the oat 2as
hea$i&! &aden< and fre>uent&! en,u&fed ! the hea$! 2a$es that 2ashed o$er
her? there 2ere =ud,ed to e fift! tons of 2ater at a ti'e on her o2? at
one ti'e her o2 ran under 2ater< and so'e thou,ht she 2ou&d ne$er rise?
the 2ater set the 'u&es and a&& the &i$estoc0 af&oat? 2ashed a2a! the
*artition? and the 'u&es< *i,s< chic0ens< duc0s< and ,eese< 2ere a&&
hur&ed in one 'ass do2n into the steera,e cain< 'i/ed *e&& 'e&& 2ith
si/t! Irish *assen,ers< 'en< 2o'en< and chi&dren? at that 'o'ent the
roarin, of the 2ind< the rush of the 2aters< the *ea&s of thunder< the
f&ashes of &i,htnin,< the ra!in, of asses< the s>uea&in, of *i,s< the
>uac0in, of duc0s< ,eese and chic0ens< the *ra!in,< s2earin, and screa'in,
of 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren< created a confusion of sounds 2hich rent the
air< and sent a ,&oo'! thri&& throu,h the heart#
3e i''ediate&! 2ent to 2or0< and he&*ed a&& the *assen,ers out of the
2ater< and fro' a'on, the easts< u*on the dec0< so their &i$es 2ere
*reser$ed< 2hi&e a&& the fo2&s< *i,s< and *art of the 'u&es 2ere dro2ned
or 0i&&ed? 'an! tons of 2ater rushed throu,h the oat< unti& the 2ater
stood near&! to the oi&ers? it dro$e the fire'en fro' their *&aces#
Aout this ti'e 2hen the oat 2as &aorin, a,ainst 2ind and tide one
of the 2hee& chains ro0e< and the oat ro&&ed o$er on to one side# I
a,ain heard the cr! that -a&& 2as &ost<- ut aout thirt! of us cau,ht
ho&d of the t2o detached *ieces of chain< and he&d the' to,ether unti& the
en,ineer 'ended the' 2ith 2ire#
It too0 three stron, 'en to 'ana,e the 2hee&? 2hi&e the oat &a! u*on
her side< it 2ashed a2a! a *art of the state roo's? orders 2ere ,i$en to
c&ear the oat of e$er!thin, that 2as 'o$a&e? a&& the 2ood 2as fastened
2ith stanchions< on the side that 2as do2n< the stanchions 2ere 0noc0ed
out ! the *assen,ers< and fort! cords of 2ood tu'&ed into the sea at one
sur,e? this caused the oat to ri,ht u*< and 2e e/*ected e$er! 'o'ent our
state roo' 2ou&d e 2ashed a2a!# I &eft it three ti'es 2ith '! 2ife and
chi&d< and ste**ed u*on the 'ain dec0< e/*ectin, to see it 2ashed a2a!?
and to add to the horror of the situation< 2e 2ere 2ra**ed in dar0ness< as
a&& the &anterns 2ere dashed to *ieces#
The 'en at the 2hee& &aored hard for fi$e hours to turn the oat
round< efore the! acco'*&ished it< so that the! cou&d run efore the
stor'# At &en,th da!&i,ht a**eared< and 2ith it a cessation of the stor'
in a 'easure# 3e returned to .anitou Is&and at @ o+c&oc0< ein,
t2ent!-fours hours out< 'ost&! in the stor'#
Thursda!< 9D#--The fo&&o2in, is a co*! of a state'ent of e/*enses
conse>uent u*on the arrest of Jose*h S'ith< u*on de'and fro' 5o$ernor
"o,,s< and sent to the de*ut! sheriff of Ada's count!< he ha$in,
officiated June< 78@7#
NAU%OO< Se*te'er 9D< 78@7#
The De*ut! Sheriff of Ada's Count!(
The fo&&o2in, is a state'ent of '! e/*enses< costs< and &iai&ities<
conse>uent u*on '! arrest and tria& 2hi&e in !our custod!< to-2it--
To a'ount of fees in Es>uires Ra&ston< 3arren< and Co#
#########RHGD#DD To Es>uires Litt&e< 3i&&ia's< 3a&0er< and "ro2nin,
############ 7DD#DD To se$en da!s for se&f< horse< and carria,e< at RG#DD
############9G#DD To 'one! e/*ended durin, that ti'e< conse>uent u*on the
arrest # #########################################################:D#DD To
t2e&$e 2itnesses< to-2it( E&ias Hi,ee< John )# 5reene< A'asa L!'an<
Dar2in Chase< Francis Hi,ee< Chaunc! Hi,ee< Re!no&ds Cahoon< 5eor,e 3#
Roinson< J# Youn,er< L# 3ood2orth< %inson 1ni,ht< and Roert "# Tho'*son<
four da!s each? their ti'e< carria,es< horses and e/*enses< at RG#DD each
da!####################### H@D#DD
UUUUUUUUUU
R:8G#DD
DEAR SIR(--You 2i&& *&ease ta0e such 'easures as to *ut 'e in
*ossession of the ao$e a'ount< 2hich is =ust&! due 'e as ao$e stated? to
sa! nothin, of fa&se i'*rison'ent and other e/*enses# This 2ou&d ha$e een
*resented ear&ier< ut for the sic0ness and death of Roert "# Tho'*son<
'! c&er0# Recei$e '! res*ects< Pc#< JOSE)H S.ITH#
)er JOHN S# FULL.ER# Frida!< Octoer 7#--A'on, the interestin, re&ics
of anti>uit! 2hich ha$e een rou,ht to &i,ht in these da!s< is the
fo&&o2in, sentence fro' the Courier des Etats Unis(
Sentence Rendered ! )ontius )i&ate< Actin, 5o$ernor of Lo2er
5a&i&ee< Statin, that Jesus of Na4areth sha&& suffer Death on the Cross#
In the !ear se$enteen of the E'*eror Tierius Caesar< and the HGth
da! of .arch< the cit! of the Ho&! Jerusa&e'< Anna and Caia*has ein,
*riests< sacrificators of the *eo*&e of 5od< )ontius )i&ate< ,o$ernor of
Lo2er 5a&i&ee< sittin, on the *residentia& chair of the )raetor!< conde'ns
Jesus of Na4areth to die on the cross et2een t2o thie$es--the ,reat and
notorious e$idence of the *eo*&e sa!in,--7# Jesus is a seducer# H# He is
seditious# 9# He is an ene'! of the &a2# @# He ca&&s hi'se&f fa&se&! the
Son of 5od# G# He ca&&s hi'se&f fa&se&! the 1in, of Israe&# :# He entered
into the te'*&e< fo&&o2ed ! a 'u&titude earin, *a&' ranches in their
hands# Order the first centurion< Aui&&s Corne&ius< to &ead hi' to the
*&ace of e/ecution# Forid to an! *erson 2ho'soe$er< either *oor or rich<
to o**ose the death of Jesus#
The 2itnesses 2ho si,ned the conde'nation of Jesus are< $i4#--7#
Danie& Roani# H# Ra*he& Roani# 9# Ca*et< a citi4en# Jesus sha&& ,o out
of the cit! of Jerusa&e' ! the ,ate of Struenus#
The ao$e sentence is en,ra$ed on a co**er *&ate? on one side are
2ritten these 2ords---A si'i&ar *&ate is sent to each trie#- It 2as found
in an anti>ue $ase of 2hite 'ar&e< 2hi&e e/ca$atin, in the ancient cit!
of A>ui&&a< in the 0in,do' of Na*&es< in the !ear 78HD< and 2as disco$ered
! the Co''issaries of Arts attached to the French ar'ies# At the
e/*edition of Na*&es< it 2as found enc&osed in a o/ of eon!< in the
Sacrist! of the Chartre'# The $ase in the Cha*e& of Caserta# The French
trans&ation 2as 'ade ! the 'e'ers of the Co''ission of Arts# The
ori,ina& is in the Here2 &an,ua,e# The Chartre' re>uested earnest&! that
the *&ate shou&d not e ta0en a2a! fro' the'# The re>uest 2as ,ranted as a
re2ard for the sacrifice the! had 'ade for the ar'!# .# Denon< one of the
Sa$ans< caused a *&ate to e 'ade of the sa'e 'ode&< on 2hich he had
en,ra$ed the ao$e sentence# At the sa&e of his co&&ection of anti>uities<
Pc#< it 2as ou,ht ! Lord Ho2ard for H<8ND francs# Its intrinsic $a&ue
and interest are 'uch ,reater#
A fe2 !ears a,o< there 2as found at Cats0i&&< in Ne2 Yor0< a she0e&
of Israe&< of the ti'e of our Sa$ior# On one side 2as the re*resentation
of a *a&' &eaf< on the other a *icture of the te'*&e< 2ith the 2ords
underneath< -Ho&! Jerusa&e'<- in the Here2 ton,ue#
Re&ics &i0e these< *ro*er&! authenticated< ha$e aout the' an
ine/*ressi&e sacredness#
CHA)TER 66%#
THE 5ENERAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH AT NAU%OO--DOCTRINAL SER.ON
"Y THE )RO)HET--"A)TIS. FOR THE DEAD--AN5ELS AND .INISTERIN5
S)IRITS--E)ISTLE OF THE T3EL%E RE%IE3IN5 STATUS OF THE CHURCH#
5EOR5E .# HINC1LE< 2ho roed '! house in Far 3est 2hi&e I 2as in
*rison< *assin, do2n the ri$er 2ith a f&at oat< I co''enced suit a,ainst
hi' efore the District Court< no2 sittin, at "ur&in,ton< Io2a# I sent
E&ias S'ith< and 5eo# 3# 5ee to attend to the suit? ut Hinc0&e ,a$e
securit!< and ,ot it *ut off ti&& s*rin,#
Da! stor'! and co&d< a fe2 asse'&ed< ut conference did not
or,ani4e#
I recei$ed a &etter fro' "en=a'in 3inchester< re>uestin, to e
e/cused fro' acco'*an!in, E&der Erastus Sno2 on his 'ission to Sa&e'<
.assachusetts< on account of i&& hea&th and *ecuniar! e'arrass'ents< and
e/*ressin, his con$iction that E&der John E# )a,e had 'eans enou,h to
acco'*an! E&der Orson H!de to Jerusa&e'#
Saturda!< Octoer H< 78@7#
.inutes of the 5enera& Conference of the Church He&d at Nau$oo#
Conference 'et in the 5ro$e# The )residenc! ein, asent &a!in, the
corner stone of the Nau$oo House< the 'eetin, 2as ca&&ed to order !
)resident "ri,ha' Youn,? the se$era& >uoru's 2ere arran,ed and seated in
order#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, o*ened conference ! *ra!er#
The conference then 'ade choice of )resident Jose*h S'ith to *reside<
and E&ias S'ith and 5usta$us Hi&&s< C&er0s# .eetin, ad=ourned unti& H *#'#
)ra!er ! Orson )ratt#
H *#'#< )resident Jose*h S'ith o*ened the 'eetin,# Choir sun, the
78th h!'n#
The )resident then read a &etter fro' E&der Orson H!de< dated
Ratison< Ju&! 7M< 78@7< ,i$in, an account of his =ourne! and success in
his 'ission< 2hich 2as &istened to 2ith intense interest? and the
conference ! $ote< e/*ressed their a**roation of the st!&e and s*irit of
said &etter# The )resident then 'ade re'ar0s on the inc&e'enc! of the
2eather< and the unco'forta&e situation of the Saints 2ith re,ard to a
*&ace of 2orshi*< and a *&ace of *u&ic entertain'ent#
The conference 2as then ca&&ed u*on ! the )resident< to e&ect a
,enera& Church c&er0< in *&ace of Roert "# Tho'*son< deceased# Ja'es
S&oan 2as no'inated and e&ected#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht no'inated "isho* 5eor,e .i&&er to *reside o$er the
Hi,h )riests+ >uoru' in *&ace of Don Car&os S'ith< deceased# He 2as du&!
e&ected#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, then *resented the usiness co''enced at the
&ate s*ecia& conference of the 7:th of Au,ust 2ith re,ard to the
a**oint'ent of suita&e and faithfu& 'en to the se$era& i'*ortant stations
of &aor in this and other countries#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht addressed the conference on the i'*ortance of
order< unifor'it! of instruction< and unani'it! of effort to s*read the
2or0 of the 0in,do'#
)resident Jose*h S'ith 'ade so'e corrections of doctrine< >uotin, I
Cor# /ii(H8< sho2in, the *rinci*&e of order and unit! in the offices of
the )riesthood#
The )atriarch H!ru' S'ith 'ade re'ar0s disa**ro$in, of the course
*ursued ! so'e E&ders in counteractin, the efforts of the *residenc! to
,ather the Saints< and in enticin, the' to sto* in *&aces not a**ointed
for the ,atherin,< *articu&ar&! referrin, to the conduct of E&der A&'on 3#
"aitt of 1irt&and#
E&ders L!'an 3i,ht< and Henr! 3# .i&&er testified that the! had
tra$e&ed in *&aces 2here E&der "aitt had een< on his return fro' his
$isit to Nau$oo< Ihe hadJ tau,ht doctrine contrar! to the re$e&ations of
5od< and detri'enta& to the interests of the Church# .o$ed and carried
that E&der A&'on 3# "aitt e disfe&&o2shi*ed unti& he sha&& 'a0e
satisfaction#
Choir san, H!'n 7H@# )ra!er ! E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith#
Conference ad=ourned unti& to'orro2 at nine o+c&oc0#
Sunda!< 9#--Conference asse'&ed in Nau$oo accordin, to ad=ourn'ent?
*ra!er ! E&der Heer C# 1i'a&&#
)resident Jose*h S'ith< ! re>uest of the T2e&$e A*ost&es ,a$e
instructions on the doctrine of a*tis' for the dead< 2hich 2ere &istened
to 2ith intense interest ! the &ar,e asse'&!# He *resented a*tis' for
the dead as the on&! 2a! that 'en can a**ear as sa$iors on .ount ;ion# The
*roc&a'ation of the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e& 2as a 'eans of
sa&$ation to 'en indi$idua&&!? and it 2as the truth< not 'en< that sa$ed
the'? ut 'en< ! acti$e&! en,a,in, in rites of sa&$ation sustitutiona&&!
eca'e instru'enta& in rin,in, 'u&titudes of their 0indred into the
0in,do' of 5od#
He e/*&ained the difference et2een an an,e& and a 'inisterin,
s*irit? the one a resurrected or trans&ated od!< 2ith its s*irit
'inisterin, to e'odied s*irits--the other a dise'odied s*irit< $isitin,
and 'inisterin, to dise'odied s*irits# Jesus Christ eca'e a 'inisterin,
s*irit E2hi&e His od! 2as &!in, in the se*u&chreF to the s*irits in
*rison< to fu&fi&& an i'*ortant *art of His 'ission< 2ithout 2hich He
cou&d not ha$e *erfected His 2or0< or entered into His rest# After His
resurrection He a**eared as an an,e& to His disci*&es#
Trans&ated odies cannot enter into rest unti& the! ha$e under,one a
chan,e e>ui$a&ent to death# Trans&ated odies are desi,ned for future
'issions#
The an,e& that a**eared to John on the Is&e of )at'os 2as a
trans&ated or resurrected od! Ii#e# *ersona,eJ< Jesus Christ 2ent in od!
after His resurrection< to 'inister to resurrected odies# There has een
a chain of authorit! and *o2er fro' Ada' do2n to the *resent ti'e# The
est 2a! to otain truth and 2isdo' is not to as0 it fro' oo0s< ut to ,o
to 5od in *ra!er< and otain di$ine teachin,# It is no 'ore incredi&e
that 5od shou&d sa$e the dead< than that he shou&d raise the dead#
There is ne$er a ti'e 2hen the s*irit is too o&d to a**roach 5od# A&&
are 2ithin the reach of *ardonin, 'erc!< 2ho ha$e not co''itted the
un*ardona&e sin< 2hich hath no for,i$eness< neither in this 2or&d< nor in
the 2or&d to co'e# There is a 2a! to re&ease the s*irits of the dead? that
is ! the *o2er and authorit! of the )riesthood--! indin, not &oosin, on
earth# This doctrine a**ears ,&orious< inas'uch as it e/hiits the
,reatness of di$ine co'*assion and ene$o&ence in the e/tent of the *&an
of hu'an sa&$ation#
This ,&orious truth is 2e&& ca&cu&ated to en&ar,e the understandin,<
and to sustain the sou& under trou&es< difficu&ties and distresses# For
i&&ustration< su**ose the case of t2o 'en< rothers< e>ua&&! inte&&i,ent<
&earned< $irtuous and &o$e&!< 2a&0in, in u*ri,htness and in a&& ,ood
conscience< so far as the! ha$e een a&e to discern dut! fro' the 'udd!
strea' of tradition< or fro' the &otted *a,e of the oo0 of nature#
One dies and is uried< ha$in, ne$er heard the 5os*e& of
reconci&iation? to the other the 'essa,e of sa&$ation is sent< he hears
and e'races it< and is 'ade the heir of eterna& &ife# Sha&& the one
eco'e the *arta0er of ,&or! and the other e consi,ned to ho*e&ess
*erditionB Is there no chance for his esca*eB Sectarianis' ans2ers -none#-
Such an idea is 2orse than atheis'# The truth sha&& rea0 do2n and dash in
*ieces a&& such i,oted )harisais'? the sects sha&& e sifted< the honest
in heart rou,ht out< and their *riests &eft in the 'idst of their
corru*tion#
.an! o=ections are ur,ed a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints for not
ad'ittin, the $a&idit! of sectarian a*tis'< and for 2ithho&din,
fe&&o2shi* fro' sectarian churches# Yet to do other2ise 2ou&d e &i0e
*uttin, ne2 2ine into o&d ott&es< and *uttin, o&d 2ine into ne2 ott&es#
3hatK ne2 re$e&ations in the o&d churchesB Ne2 re$e&ations 2ou&d 0noc0 out
the otto' of their otto'&ess *it# Ne2 2ine into o&d ott&esK The ott&es
urst and the 2ine runs outK 3hatK Sadducees in the ne2 churchK O&d 2ine
in ne2 &eathern ott&es 2i&& &ea0 throu,h the *ores and esca*e# So the
Sadducee saints 'oc0 at authorit!< 0ic0 out of the traces< and run to the
'ountains of *erdition< &ea$in, the &on, echo of their ra!in, ehind
the'#
He then referred to the I&ac0 ofJ charit! of the sects< in denouncin,
a&& 2ho disa,ree 2ith the' in o*inion< and in =oinin, in *ersecutin, the
Saints< 2ho e&ie$e that e$en such 'a! e sa$ed< in this 2or&d and in the
2or&d to co'e E'urderers and a*ostates e/ce*tedF#
This doctrine *resents in a c&ear &i,ht the 2isdo' and 'erc! of 5od
in *re*arin, an ordinance for the sa&$ation of the dead< ein, a*ti4ed !
*ro/!< their na'es recorded in hea$en and the! =ud,ed accordin, to the
deeds done in the od!# This doctrine 2as the urden of the scri*tures#
Those Saints 2ho ne,&ect it in eha&f of their deceased re&ati$es< do it
at the *eri& of their o2n sa&$ation# The dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of
ti'es 2i&& rin, to &i,ht the thin,s that ha$e een re$ea&ed in a&& for'er
dis*ensations? a&so other thin,s that ha$e not een efore re$ea&ed# He
sha&& send E&i=ah< the )ro*het< Pc#< and restore a&& thin,s in Christ#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then announced( -There sha&& e no 'ore
a*tis's for the dead< unti& the ordinance can e attended to in the
Lord+s House? and the Church sha&& not ho&d another 5enera& Conference<
unti& the! can 'eet in said house# For thus saith the LordK-
)ra!er ! )resident H!ru' S'ith#
Ad=ourned for one hour#
Afternoon conference o*ened ! the choir sin,in, h!'n 7DG< and *ra!er
! E&der L!'an 3i,ht#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, addressed the E&ders at so'e &en,th< an the
i'*ortance of teachin, aroad the first *rinci*&es of the 5os*e&< &ea$in,
the '!steries of the 0in,do' to e tau,ht a'on, the Saints< a&so on the
*ro*riet! of 'an! of the E&ders re'ainin, at ho'e< and 2or0in, on the
Lord+s House? and that their &aors 2i&& e as acce*ta&e to the Lord as
their ,oin, aroad< and 'ore *rofita&e for the Church# That those 2ho ,o
aroad 'ust ta0e a reco''end fro' the *ro*er authorities< 2ithout 2hich
the! 2i&& not e fe&&o2shi*ed? and that those 2ho ,o< and those 2ho re'ain
'a0e consecrations 'ore aundant&! than heretofore#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht fo&&o2ed 2ith re'ar0s of a si'i&ar *ur*ort?
resi,nin, his 'ission of ,atherin, 'eans for the Te'*&e and Nau$oo House#
The conference a**ointed E&ias Hi,ee< John Ta!&or< and E&ias S'ith<
to *etition Con,ress for redress of 2ron,s sustained in .issouri? and
E&der John Ta!&or to *resent the *etition#
C&osed ! the choir sin,in, h!'n 7HG< and *ra!er ! )resident John
S'ith#
Conference asse'&ed on the 'ornin, of .onda!< the @th#
)ra!er ! E&der 5eor,e A# S'ith#
)resident Jose*h S'ith 'ade a &en,th! e/*osition of the condition of
the te'*ora& affairs of the Church< the a,enc! of 2hich had een co''itted
to hi' at a ,enera& conference in Auinc!--e/*&ainin, the 'anner that he
had dischar,ed the duties in$o&$ed in the a,enc!< and the conditions of
the &ands and other *ro*ert! of the Church#
On 'otion< reso&$ed( that E&der Reuen .c"ride e in$ested 2ith *o2er
of attorne! to sett&e the usiness at 1irt&and< &eft in an uncertain
condition ! E&der O&i$er 5ran,e< deceased#
)ra!er ! E&der L!'an 3i,ht#
Ad=ourned for one hour#
Afternoon conference o*ened# )ra!er ! )resident John S'ith#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht s*o0e at so'e &en,th on the su=ect introduced in
the for'er *art of the da!< and on the o&d dets and o&i,ations that are
fre>uent&! rou,ht u* fro' 1irt&and and .issouri? one of 2hich< in the
for' of a RGD note< he he&d in his hand< and *roc&ai'ed it as his te/t#
On 'otion< $oted unani'ous&!< that the trustee-in-trust e instructed
not to a**ro*riate Church *ro*ert! to &i>uidate o&d c&ai's that 'a! e
rou,ht for2ard fro' 1irt&and and .issouri#
)resident H!ru' S'ith *resented to the notice of the conference so'e
e'arrass'ent ,ro2in, out of his si,nin, as securit!< a certain o&i,ation
in 1irt&and in fa$or of .r# Eaton#
%oted< that Church *ro*ert! here sha&& not e a**ro*riated to
&i>uidate said c&ai'#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, 'ade so'e a**ro*riate and 2ei,ht! re'ar0s on
the i'*ortance of 'ore &iera& consecrations and 'ore ener,etic efforts to
for2ard the 2or0 of ui&din, the Te'*&e and Nau$oo House? and after
*urchasin, E&der 3i,ht+s te/t< ! *a!in, hi' fift! cents# tore it in
*ieces and ,a$e it to the 2inds< sa!in,< -5o !e and do &i0e2ise< 2ith a&&
o&d c&ai's a,ainst the Church#-
Choir san, h!'n 7D@< and )resident H!ru' S'ith c&osed ! *ra!er#
Tuesda!< Gth#--Conference o*ened ! the choir sin,in, h!'n HM@< and
*ra!er ! E&der Orson )ratt#
E&der Orson )ratt< ! re>uest of )resident Jose*h S'ith< read a
&etter fro' S'ith Tutt&e< Es>#< one of the *ro*rietors of the Hotch0iss
*urchase< in reference to so'e 'isunderstandin, in the ad=ust'ent of their
c&ai's< and conci&iator! of an! hard fee&in,s ,ro2in, out of such
'isunderstandin,#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, s*o0e on the contents of the &etter< and
e/*ressed his earnest desire that the usiness 'i,ht e s*eedi&! ad=usted<
and a *ro*er tit&e otained ! the Church#
E&ders L!'an 3i,ht and H!ru' S'ith fo&&o2ed 2ith a**ro*riate re'ar0s#
On 'otion< $oted< That )resident Jose*h S'ith 2rite to .r# Hotch0iss
on the su=ect#
On 'otion ! )resident Jose*h S'ith< $oted< that the T2e&$e 2rite an
e*ist&e to the Saints aroad< to use their inf&uence and e/ertions to
secure ! e/chan,e< *urchase< donation< Pc#< a tit&e to the Hotch0iss
*urchase#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, *resented an a**ea& fro' the decision of the
E&ders+ >uoru' on a char,e 'ade a,ainst E&der John A# Hic0s ! Di'ic0 "#
Huntin,ton for a reach of the ordinances of the cit!< for fa&sehood and
schis'atica& con$ersation# After hearin, the testi'on! in the case it 2as
$oted that E&der John A# Hic0s e cut off fro' the Church#
C&osed ! the choir sin,in, h!'n HMG? *ra!er ! )resident "ri,ha'
Youn,#
Ad=ourned for one hour#
Afternoon conference o*ened ! the choir sin,in, h!'n 7D@< and *ra!er
! E&der Orson )ratt< 2ho then read the 'inutes of a s*ecia& conference
he&d in Nau$oo< Au,ust 7:< 78@7#
)resident Jose*h S'ith 'ade re'ar0s e/*&anator! of the i'*ortance of
the reso&utions and $otes *assed at that ti'e# On 'otion< $oted< that this
conference sanction the doin,s of said s*ecia& conference#
)resident "ri,ha' Youn, *ro*osed to the con,re,ation< that those 2ho
2ou&d ta0e &aorers on the Lord+s House to oard< 2hi&e thus &aorin,<
shou&d 'anifest their 2i&&in,ness ! risin, and ,i$in, their na'es#
Aout si/t! *ersons arose#
Conference c&osed ! the choir sin,in, h!'n HG@< and *ra!er !
)resident "ri,ha' Youn,#
Conference ad=ourned sine die#
A&thou,h the conference co''enced under discoura,in, circu'stances
o2in, to the inc&e'enc! of the 2eather< !et a $ast nu'er of the rethren
and $isitors fro' aroad 2ere *resent< and on Saturda! and Sunda!< the
2eather ha$in, eco'e fa$ora&e< the con,re,ation 2as i''ense# The
,reatest unani'it! *re$ai&ed? usiness 2as conducted 2ith the 'ost *erfect
har'on! and ,ood fee&in,s< and the asse'&! dis*ersed 2ith ne2 confidence
in the ,reat 2or0 of the &ast da!s# JOSE)H S.ITH< )resident# ELIAS S.ITH<
5USTA%US HILLS< C&er0s#
An earth>ua0e at Constantino*&e< occasionin, e/tensi$e destruction of
*ro*ert!#
E&der Jose*h "eeee 2rites fro' Ne2 Yor0 that he has een *reachin,
in that cit!< and has a*ti4ed t2ent!-nine#
3ednesda!< :#--E&der 3oodruff arri$ed in Nau$oo#
E&ders 1i'a&&< Richards< and 3oodruff &aid hands on )resident Youn,<
2ho 2as $er! sic0< and he reco$ered#
Thursda!< M#--.inutes of a .eetin, of the Counci& of the T2e&$e#
E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< L!'an 3i,ht<
John Ta!&or< 3i&ford 3oodruff< and 3i&&ard Richards< of the >uoru' of the
T2e&$e A*ost&es< asse'&ed in counci& at the house of E&der John Ta!&or#
%oted< that
E&der John D# Lee ,o on a 'ission to Jac0son and Rutherford counties<
Tennessee#
E&der Da$id E$ans< to Au,usta< Io2a Territor!#
E&der E&isha H# 5ro$es< to Io2a count!< 3isconsin#
E&der Hira' C&ar0< to )i0e< "ro2n< and Ada's counties< I&&inois#
E&der Jose*h "a&&< to South A'erica#
E&der Harrison Sa,ers< to Ja'aica#
E&der 3i&&ia' "os&e!< to Utica< Ne2 Yor0#
E&der A'asa L!'an< to Ne2 Yor0 Cit!#
E&der Ar4a Ada's to 1in,ston< Canada#
E&der L!'an Stoddard< to ,o 2ith E&isha H# 5ro$es to 3isconsin#
E&der )hinehas H# Youn,< to Cincinnati< Ohio#
E&der Araha' )a&'er< to Chica,o< I&&inois#
E&der 5eor,e 3# 5ee< to )ittsur,< )enns!&$ania#
E&der Ja'es "&a0es&e!< to Nau$oo< I&&inois#
E&der John D# )ar0er< to Ne2 Or&eans< Louisiana#
%oted< that )hinehas H# Youn, e ordained to a Hi,h )riest and
reco''ended accordin,&!#
That Danie& 5arns e no'inated for *resident of the E&ders+ >uoru'#
That a conference e he&d at Father .or&e!+s< at Li'a< on Saturda!
and Sunda!< the H9rd and H@th instant#
That a co''ittee of three< na'e&!< "ri,ha' Youn,< 3i&&ard Richards<
and John Ta!&or e a co''ittee to draft an address to the eastern
churches< as directed ! the ,enera& conference#
Ad=ourned to "isho* .i&&er+s to'orro2 e$enin, at : o+c&oc0# "RI5HA.
YOUN5< )resident# 3ILLARD RICHARDS< C&er0#
Saturda!< N#--Co*! of a Letter to S'ith Tutt&e< Es>#--The Hotch0iss
Land Trou&es#
DEAR SIR(--Your 0ind &etter of Se*te'er 2as recei$ed durin, our
conference< 2hich is =ust o$er< containin, a fu&& and *articu&ar
e/*&anation of e$er!thin, 2hich ,a$e rise to so'e fee&in,s of
disa**oint'ent in re&ation to our usiness transactions? and I 2i&& assure
!ou it has a&&a!ed on our *art e$er! *re=udice# It reathes the s*irit of
0indness and truth# I 2i&& assure !ou that 2e e/ceedin,&! re,ret that
there has een an! ,round for hardness and disa**oint'ent# "ut as far as I
a' concerned< I 'ust *&ead innocent< and !ou 2i&& consider 'e so< 2hen !ou
co'e to 0no2 a&& the facts# I ha$e done a&& that I cou&d on '! *art# I
2i&& sti&& do a&& that I can# I 2i&& not &ea$e one stone unturned#
No2 the facts are these( I sent '! rother H!ru'< and Doctor 5a&&and
2ith 'eans in their hands--sa! not 'one!--ut 2ith *o2er to otain either
*ro*ert! or 'one! 2hich 2as necessar! to ena&e the' to fu&fi&& the
contract I 'ade 2ith .r# Hotch0iss# .! rother H!ru' 2as under the
necessit! of returnin, to this *&ace on account of his i&& hea&th< &ea$in,
the usiness in the hands of Dr# 5a&&and< 2ith the fu&&est e/*ectation
that he 2ou&d 'a0e o$er the *ro*ert! or 'one! to .r# Hotch0iss< and 'a0e
e$er!thin, s>uare so far as the interest is concerned< if not the
*rinci*a&# He 2as instructed to *a! the interest that had accrued< and
shou&d accrue u* to the fa&& of 78@H< so as to e in ad$ance of our
indetedness#
I had a&so 'ade arran,e'ents 2ith the eastern churches< and had it in
'! *o2er to deed o$er &ands for the 2ho&e det< and had e/*ected that an
arran,e'ent of that 0ind 2ou&d ha$e een entered into#
I a' 2e&& assured that Dr# 5a&&and did not &oo0 for an! 'eans
2hate$er< to *a! the interest at an! rate< if not the *rinci*a&? and< 2h!
he has not done accordin, to '! instructions< 5od on&! 0no2s# I do not
fee& to char,e hi' 2ith ha$in, done 2ron,< unti& I can in$esti,ate the
'atter< and ascertain to a certaint! 2here the fau&t &ies# It 'a! e
throu,h sic0ness or disaster< this stran,e ne,&ect has ha**ened# I 2ou&d
to 5od the thin, had not ha**ened#
3hen I read .r# Hotch0iss+ &etter< I &earned that he 2as
dissatisfied# I thou,ht that he 'eant to o**ress 'e< and fe&t accordin,&!
'ortified and sorro2fu& in the 'idst of aff&iction< to thin0 that he
shou&d distrust 'e for a 'o'ent that I 2ou&d not do a&& that 2as 2ithin '!
*o2er# "ut u*on ha$in, an e/*&anation of the 2ho&e 'atter< '! fee&in,s are
chan,ed< and I thin0 that !ou a&& ha$e had cause for co'*&ainin,# "ut !ou
2i&& in the 'a,nani'it! of !our ,ood fee&in,s< certain&! not &a'e 'e 2hen
!ou find that I ha$e dischar,ed an honora&e dut! on '! *art#
I re,ret e/ceedin,&! that I did not 0no2 so'e ti'e since 2hat I no2
0no2< that I 'i,ht ha$e 'ade another effort efore it ,ot so &ate# Co&d
2eather is no2 ro&&in, in u*on us# I ha$e een confined here this season
! sic0ness< and $arious other thin,s that 2ere e!ond '! contro&? such as
ha$in, een de'anded ! the ,o$ernor of .issouri< of the ,o$ernor of this
state< and he did not ha$e 'ora& coura,e enou,h to resist the de'and<
a&thou,h it 2as founded in in=ustice and crue&t!# I accordin,&! 2as ta0en
*risoner< and the! *ut 'e to so'e ten or e&e$en hundred do&&ars+ e/*ense
and trou&e< such as &a2!er+s fees< 2itnesses< Pc#< Pc#< efore I cou&d e
redee'ed fro' under the difficu&t!# "ut I a' no2 c&ear of the' once 'ore#
And no2 in conte'*&atin, the face of the 2ho&e su=ect< I find that I
a' under the necessit! of as0in, a &itt&e further indu&,ence--sa!< ti&&
ne/t s*rin,< so that I 'a! e ena&ed to reco$er '!se&f< and then< if 5od
s*ares '! &ife< and ,i$es 'e *o2er to do so< I 2i&& co'e in *erson to !our
countr!< and 2i&& ne$er cease '! &aors unti& the 2ho&e 'atter is
co'*&ete&! ad=usted to the fu&& satisfaction of a&& of !ou# The su=ect of
!our det 2as fair&! *resented efore our ,enera& conference he&d on the
first of this 'onth< consistin, of ten thousand *eo*&e for their decision
on the 2isest and est course in re&ation to 'eetin, !our de'ands#
The T2e&$e< as the! are deno'inated in the Ti'es and Seasons 2ere
ordered ! the conference to 'a0e arran,e'ents in the Eastern ranches of
the Church< orderin, the' to ,o to !ou and turn o$er their *ro*ert! as !ou
and the! 'i,ht a,ree< and ta0e u* our o&i,ations and rin, the' here< and
recei$e *ro*ert! here for the'? and I ha$e een ordered ! the conference
to 2rite this &etter to !ou< infor'in, !ou of the 'easures 2hich are aout
to e ta0en to 'a0e a&& thin,s ri,ht#
I 2ou&d infor' !ou that Dr# 5a&&and has not returned to the 2estern
countr! as !et# He has a considera&e a'ount of 'one! in his hands< 2hich
2as to ha$e een *aid to !ou< as 2e intended# He is on his 2a!< for au,ht
2e 0no2< and is retarded in his =ourne! ! so'e 'isfortune or other# He
'a! return< ho2e$er< as !et< and ,i$e a =ust and honora&e account of
hi'se&f# 3e ho*e this 'a! e the case# I a' sorro2fu& on account of !our
disa**oint'ents# It is a ,reat disa**oint'ent to 'e< as 2e&& as to
!ourse&$es#
As to the ,ro2th of our *&ace< it is $er! ra*id< and it 2ou&d e 'ore
so< 2ere it not for sic0ness and death# There ha$e een 'an! deaths< 2hich
&ea$es a 'e&ancho&! reaction< ut 2e cannot he&* it# 3hen 5od s*ea0s fro'
the hea$ens to ca&& us hence< 2e 'ust su'it to His 'andates#
And as for !our sincerit! and friendshi*< ,ent&e'en< 2e ha$e not the
'ost distant dout of it# 3e 2i&& not ha$e an!# 3e 0no2 it is for !our
interest to do us ,ood< and for our 2e&fare and ha**iness to e *unctua&
in fu&fi&&'ent of a&& our $o2s< and 2e thin0 for the future !ou 2i&& ha$e
no cause for co'*&aint# 3e intend to stru,,&e 2ith a&& our 'isfortunes in
&ife< and shou&der the' u* handso'e&!< &i0e 'en#
3e as0 nothin,< therefore< ut 2hat ou,ht to e re>uired et2een 'an
and 'an< and ! those *rinci*&es 2hich ind 'an to 'an< ! 0indred &ood<
in earin, our o2n *art in e$er!thin, 2hich dut! ca&&s us to do< as not
inferior to an! of the hu'an race? and 2e 2i&& e treated as such<
a&thou,h 2e differ 2ith so'e in 'atters of o*inion in thin,s E$i4#<
re&i,ious 'attersF< for 2hich 2e on&! fee& ourse&$es a'ena&e to the
Eterna& 5od# And 'a! 5od forid that *ride< a'ition< a 2ant of hu'anit!<
in an! de,ree of i'*ortance< shou&d ha$e an! un=ust do'inion in our
oso's#
3e are the sons of Ada'# 3e are the free orn sons of A'erica and
ha$in, een tra'*&ed u*on< and our ri,hts ta0en fro' us--e$en our
constitutiona& ri,hts< ! a ,ood 'an! 2ho oast the'se&$es of ein,
$a&iant in freedo'+s cause< 2hi&e their hearts *ossess not a s*ar0 of its
eni,n and en&i,htenin, inf&uence--2i&& afford a sufficient e/cuse< 2e
ho*e< for an! harsh re'ar0s that 'a! ha$e een dro**ed ! us< 2hen 2e
thou,ht there 2as an assu'*tion of su*eriorit! desi,ned to ,a&& our
fee&in,s#
3e are $er! sensiti$e as a *eo*&e--2e confess it( ut 2e 2ant to e
*ardoned for our sins< if an! 2e ha$e co''itted# 3ith re,ard to the ti'e
2hen the first *a!'ent of interest shou&d e ca&&ed for< it a**ears 2e
'isunderstood each other< ut suffice it to sa!< that it sha&& not *re$ent
our 'a0in, arran,e'ents concernin, the 2ho&e 'atter# It is sti&&< ho2e$er<
'! fir' con$iction that '! understandin, concernin, the interest 2as
correct#
I re'ain< ,ent&e'en< 2ith senti'ents of res*ect< !ours< Rc#< JOSE)H
S.ITH#
.onda!< 7D#--The T2e&$e 'et for the *ur*ose of counse&< and s*ent
'ost of the da! in $isitin, the sic0# E&der Erastus Sno2 2rites fro'
Northrid,e< .assachusetts# He had een &aorin, in Sa&e' and $icinit!
four 2ee0s< or,ani4ed a ranch of thirt! 'e'ers< and the *ros*ects are
f&atterin,#
Tuesda!< 7H#--An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< to the "rethren
Scattered Aroad on the Continent of A'erica< 5reetin,(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--It see'eth ,ood to us to 2rite unto !ou at this
ti'e concernin, the ,reat thin,s of the 0in,do' of our 5od< and 'ore
es*ecia&&! as 2e ha$e een ca&&ed u*on ! the &ate ,enera& conference so
to do< that the 2or0 'a! not e hindered< ut that a&& 'a! understand
their *ri$i&e,e and dut! in this da! of ,&orious e$ents< so that !
e/ercisin, the'se&$es therein< the! 'a! attain unto those &essin,s 2hich
5od has in store for His *eo*&e in the &ast da!s#
3e ha$e aundant occasion< and 2e re=oice e/ceedin,&! at the
*ri$i&e,e 2e ha$e had of eho&din, so 'an! thousands of our rethren and
sisters as 2ere asse'&ed at the &ate conference? and for the *erfect
har'on! and ,ood fee&in, 2hich *re$ai&ed throu,hout a&& their
de&ierations? for the ,reat a'ount of $a&ua&e instructions ! )resident
Jose*h S'ith and others? and for the dis*osition 2hich 2e ha$e seen
'anifested< ! a&& 2ho 2ere *resent< to carr! into effect a&& those no&e
*&ans and *rinci*&es 2hich 2ere deri$ed fro' hea$en< and ha$e een handed
do2n to earth to carr! for2ard the ,reat and ,&orious 2or0 2hich is
a&read! co''enced< and 2hich 'ust e consu''ated to secure the sa&$ation
of Israe&#
3hi&e the 'inutes of the ,enera& conference are efore !ou< 2hich
2i&& e read 2ith interest ! e$er! &o$er of ;ion< 2e sha&& reca*itu&ate
so'e ite's< and detai& 'ore *articu&ar&! to the understandin, of those 2ho
had not the *ri$i&e,e of ein, *resent on that interestin, occasion< H8
$o&# I%#
the *ast< *resent and future situation and *ros*ects of the Church<
and the sta0es< and those thin,s 2hich i''ediate&! concern their est
interests#
A short ti'e since< and the Saints 2ere f&eein, fro' their ene'ies#
3hi**in,s< i'*rison'ents< tortures< and death stared the' in the face< and
the! 2ere co'*e&&ed to see0 an as!&u' in a &and of stran,ers# The! sou,ht<
the! found it 2ithin the *eacefu& oso' of I&&inois--a state 2hose
citi4ens are ins*ired 2ith a &o$e of &iert!< 2hose sou&s are endo2ed 2ith
those no&e *rinci*&es of charit! and ene$o&ence 2hich e$er id the
stran,er 2e&co'e< and 'inister to his 2ants? in this state< 2hose soi& is
$iein, 2ith its citi4ens in a&& that is ,ood and &o$e&!< the Saints ha$e
found a restin, *&ace 2here< freed fro' t!rann! and 'os< the! are
e,innin, to rea&i4e the fu&fi&&'ent of the ancient *ro*hets---The! sha&&
ui&d houses and inhait the'< *&ant $ine!ards and eat the fruit thereof<
ha$in, none to 'o&est or 'a0e afraid#-
In this cit!< the Church has succeeded in securin, se$era& e/tensi$e
*&ats of &and< 2hich ha$e een &aid out in cit! &ots< a *art of 2hich ha$e
een so&d< a *art has een distriuted to the 2ido2 and or*han< and a *art
re'ains for sa&e# These &ots are for the inheritance of the Saints< a
restin, *&ace for the Church< a haitation for the 5od of Jaco? for here
He has co''anded a house to e ui&t unto His na'e 2here He 'a! 'anifest
Hi'se&f unto His *eo*&e as in for'er ti'es< 2hen He caused the ar0< the
taernac&e< and the te'*&e to e reared< and the c&oud< and the fire to
rest do2n thereon? and not that the te'*&e e ui&t on&!< ut that it e
co'*&eted >uic0&!< and that no 'ore ,enera& conference e he&d< ti&& it
sha&& e he&d therein? and that the Nau$oo House e finished for the
acco''odation of the rethren fro' afar< and the stran,er 2ho sha&& co'e
u* hither to in>uire after the 2or0 of the Lord< and 2orshi* in His
te'*&e#
Scores of rethren in this cit! ha$e offered to oard one and t2o
&aorers each< ti&& the te'*&e is co'*&eted< 'an! ha$e $o&unteered to
&aor continua&&!< and the rethren ,enera&&! are ,i$in, one-tenth *art of
their ti'e< or one-tenth *art or their inco'e< accordin, to circu'stances?
2hi&e those sisters 2ho can do nothin, 'ore< are 0nittin, soc0s and
'ittens< and *re*arin, ,ar'ents for the &aorers< so that the! 'a! e 'ade
as co'forta&e as *ossi&e durin, the co'in, 2inter#
In $ie2 of these thin,s 2e 2ou&d in$ite our rethren for 'an! 'i&es
distant around us< to send in their tea's for dra2in, stone< &u'er< and
'ateria&s for the ui&din,? and at the sa'e ti'e &oad their 2a,ons 2ith
a&& 0inds of ,rain and 'eat< *ro$isions< and c&othin,< and ha!< and
*ro$ender in aundance< that the &aorer faint not< and the tea's e 'ade
stron,? a&so that =ourne!'en stonecutters< Pc#< co'e< rin,in, their too&s
2ith the'< and en&ist in the ,&orious enter*rise#
.ost of the *&ats in this cit! efore referred to< as 2e&& as se$era&
far's and &ar,e &ots of &and in this< and ad=oinin, counties are *aid for<
and secured to the Church ! ,ood and sufficient tit&es? 2hi&e the to2n
*&at for the to2n of 3arren< near 3arsa2< is secured on such conditions
that the rethren can e acco''odated 2ith &ots on $er! reasona&e ter's?
ut the &ar,e *&at in Nau$oo< *urchased of .essrs# Hotch0iss< Tutt&e P
Co#< of Ne2 Ha$en< Connecticut< re'ains un*aid for< and the ti'e has no2
arri$ed< 2hen it is $er! desira&e on the *art of the Church< as 2e&& as
on the *art of the ,ent&e'en of 2ho' it 2as *urchased< that *a!'ent shou&d
e 'ade< and a 2arrantee tit&e secured? to acco'*&ish 2hich 2e ha$e een
ca&&ed u*on ! the united $oice of the ,enera& conference to address the
churches in the eastern states< to ad$ise 2ith the rethren in those
re,ions< and de$ise 2a!s and 'eans 2here! this det 'a! e &i>uidated<
Hotch0iss a Co# satisfied< the *&at secured to the Church< and the
rethren in the East at the sa'e ti'e transfer their rea& estate fro' the
*&ace 2here it no2 is< to this cit! or re,ion of countr!< accordin, to
their desire#
The contract for the -Hotch0iss *urchase- in Nau$oo< consistin, of
u*2ards of fi$e hundred acres< 2as entered into on or aout the Nth of
Au,ust< 789N< for the s*ecified su' of fift!-three thousand fi$e hundred
do&&ars< and securit! 2as ,i$en to .essrs# Horace R# Hotch0iss< S'ith
Tutt&e and John 5i&&et< for the a'ount of the sa'e< in t2o notes of e>ua&
a'ount< one *a!a&e in ten !ears< and the other in t2ent! !ears fro' the
date thereof? si,ned ! .essrs# H!ru' S'ith< Jose*h S'ith and Sidne!
Ri,don# In Au,ust &ast interest to the a'ount of si/ thousand do&&ars or
u*2ards had accu'u&ated on said notes< 2hich it has not een in the *o2er
of the Church to *a! u* to the *resent ti'e# The nature of this *urchase
and the situation of the Church is such< that it is necessar! that the
notes shou&d e ta0en u*< the interest sto**ed< and a 2arrantee tit&e
secured i''ediate&!? a corres*ondence is no2 in *ro,ress 2ith .essrs#
Hotch0iss and Co#< to effect this thin,< and rin, for2ard a fina&
sett&e'ent#
"ut< sa! !ou< 2hat can 2e do to acco'*&ish this ,reat and desira&e
o=ectB Let the rethren in the eastern states 2ho ha$e &ands 2hich the!
2ish to dis*ose of< so that the! 'a! re'o$e hither< and secure to
the'se&$es an inheritance a'on, the Saints either in the cities or far's
in the $icinit!< and are 2i&&in, to ha$e their &ands in the East 'ade o$er
to .essrs# Hotch0iss and Co# to2ards the *a!'ent of the fore,oin, notes<
co''unicate 2ith us i''ediate&!< at this *&ace< statin, to us the e/tent
and $a&ue of their *ro*ert!#
Then< as soon as 2e sha&& ha$e recei$ed co''unications concernin,
*ro*ert!< sufficient to cance& the o&i,ations< and the necessar!
*re&i'inaries are understood 2ith .essrs# Hotch0iss and Co#< 2e 2i&&
dis*atch an a,ent to Ne2 Ha$en to co'*&ete the ne,otiation< transfer !our
*ro*ert!< ta0e u* the notes and secure a deed? and those 2hose *ro*ert! is
thus transferred can ha$e the $a&ue thereof here in cit! &ots or &ands in
the $icinit!? and thus !our *ro*ert! 2i&& *ro$e to !ou as ,ood as 'one!<
inas'uch as !ou desire to e'i,rate? and !ou 2i&& no &on,er e o&i,ed to
tarr! afar off ecause that 'one! is so scarce !ou cannot se&& and ,et
!our *a!# If there are those a'on, !ou to 2ho' 5od has ,i$en in aundance<
and the! desire to a**ro*riate so'e *ortion thereof for the enefit of His
*eo*&e< for the rede'*tion of ;ion< for a &essin, to the 2ido2s of those
2ho ha$e een s&ain for the 2ord of 5od<--and een uried in a 2e&&<--for
a sustenance to their father&ess chi&dren< and *ro$ide for the' a
haitation< the! cannot do it 'ore effectua&&! than ! de$otin, a *ortion
of their sustenance to2ard &i>uidatin, this c&ai'#
To those rethren 2ho &i$e so far distant that the! cannot send in
their &oaded tea's< and !et desire to assist in ui&din, the Lord+s house<
2e 2ou&d sa!< ,ather !ourse&$es to,ether and rin, of !our sustance< !our
si&$er< and ,o&d< and a**are&< and of !our su*eraundance cast into the
treasur! of the Lord< and see if He 2i&& not *our !ou out a &essin, ti&&
there is not roo' enou,h to recei$e it#
"rethren< the &essin,s of the 0in,do' are for !ou< for the od! of
Christ< for a&& the 'e'ers< and 5od 2i&& he&* those 2ho 2i&& he&*
the'se&$es< and &ess those 2ho 2i&& &ess each other< and do as the!
2ou&d e done unto# The ,o&d and the si&$er is the Lord+s? a&& the
treasures of the earth< the f&oc0s and the herds of the fie&ds< and the
catt&e on the thousand hi&&s are His? if He 2ere hun,r!< 2ou&d He cra$e
th! food< or thirst!< 2ou&d He as0 th! drin0B Na!K He 2ou&d on&! as0 that
2hich 2as His o2n< He 2ou&d feast on His o2n f&oc0s and is thirst at His
o2n s*rin,s# This 5od is the 5od of the Saints< He is !our 5od and He has
'ade !ou ste2ards of a&& that has een co''itted to !ou< and 2i&& re>uire
His o2n 2ith usur!< and 2i&& !ou not e faithfu& in a &itt&e< that !ou 'a!
e 'ade ru&ers o$er 'an! citiesB Yes< !ou 2i&&< 2e 0no2 !ou 2i&&#
The =ourne!in,s< and ,atherin,s and ui&din,s of the Saints are
nothin, ne2< and as the! are e/*ectin,< &oo0in, and *ra!in, for the
co'*&etion of the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es< the! 'ust a&so
e/*ect that their *ro,ress 2i&& e on2ard< or the! 2i&& e of no a$ai&<
for 2hat is not of faith is sin< and can !ou e&ie$e that 5od 2i&& hear
!our *ra!ers and rin, !ou on !our =ourne!< ,ather !ou and ui&d !our
houses< and !ou not *ut forth !our hand or 'a0e one e/ertion to he&*
!ourse&$esB No# Therefore< inas'uch as the Saints e&ie$e that Father
Araha' =ourne!ed to a distant &and at the co''and of the Hi,hest< 2here
hi'se&f and househo&d< 2hose househo&d 2e are if 2e 0ee* the co''and'entsF
'i,ht en=o! the fruits of their &aors un'o&ested?
and 2orshi* the 5od of hea$en accordin, to the dictates of their o2n
conscience and His &a2? that his seed after2ards ,athered to Canaan< the
&and of *ro'ise? that the *eo*&e of 5od 2ere co''anded to ui&d a house
2here the Son of .an 'i,ht ha$e a *&ace to &a! his head< and the disci*&es
e endo2ed 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h< and 2ere 2ith one accord in one *&ace?
the! 'ust a&so e&ie$e that this dis*ensation co'*rehends a&& the ,reat
2or0s of a&& for'er dis*ensations? and that the chi&dren 'ust ,ather as
did the fathers< 'ust ui&d a house 2here the! 'a! e endo2ed< and e
found to,ether 2orshi*in, and doin, as their fathers did 2hen Jeho$ah
s*a0e< and the an,e&s of hea$en 'inistered unto the'? and if these thin,s
are not in this ,eneration< then 2e ha$e not arri$ed at the dis*ensation
of the fu&&ness of ti'es as 2e antici*ate< and our faith and *ra!ers are
$ain#
Is it *ossi&e that 2e &aor in $ain and toi& for nou,ht< and that 2e
sha&& e disa**ointed at the &astB NoK 3e 0no2 assured&! that the set ti'e
to fa$or ;ion has co'e< and her sons and dau,hters sha&& re=oice in her
,&or!# The ti'e has co'e 2hen the ,reat Jeho$ah 2ou&d ha$e a restin, *&ace
on earth< a haitation for His chosen 2here His &a2 sha&& e re$ea&ed< and
His ser$ants e endo2ed fro' on hi,h< to rin, to,ether the honest in
heart fro' the four 2inds? 2here the Saints 'a! enter the a*tis'a& font
for their dead re&ati$es< so that the! 'a! e =ud,ed accordin, to 'en in
the f&esh< and &i$e accordin, to 5od in the s*irit< and co'e forth in the
ce&estia& 0in,do'? a *&ace o$er 2hich the hea$en&! 'essen,ers 'a! 2atch
and trou&e the 2aters as in da!s of o&d< so that 2hen the sic0 are *ut
therein< the! sha&& e 'ade 2ho&e< a *&ace 2herein a&& the ordinances
sha&& e 'ade 'anifest< and the Saints sha&& unite in the son,s of ;ion<
e$en *raise< than0s,i$in, and ha&&e&u=ahs to 5od and the La'< that He has
2rou,ht out their de&i$erance< and ound Satan fast in chains#
3hat then sha&& 2e doB Let us a&& arise< and 2ith one united and
'i,ht! e/ertion< ! the stren,th of Israe&+s 5od< o**ose the *o2ers of
dar0ness< and e$er! ein, and *rinci*&e that 'a! rise u* a,ainst us and
co'*&ete the 2or0 a&read! co''enced# Let us not for a 'o'ent &end an ear
to e$i& and desi,nin, 'en 2ho 2ou&d su$ert the truth and &ac0en the
character of the ser$ant of the .ost Hi,h 5od< ! *u&ishin, aroad that
the )ro*het is enrichin, hi'se&f on the s*oi&s of the rethren#
3hen "rother Jose*h stated to the ,enera& conference the a'ount and
situation of the *ro*ert! of the Church< of 2hich he is Trustee-in-Trust
! the united $oice of the Church< he a&so stated the a'ount of his o2n
*ossessions on earth? and 2hat do !ou thin0 it 2asB 3e 2i&& te&& !ou his
o&d Char&e! Ea horseF ,i$en hi' in 1irt&and< t2o *et deer< t2o o&d tur0e!s
and four !oun, ones< the o&d co2 ,i$en hi' ! a rother in .issouri< his
o&d .a=or< Ea do,F his 2ife< chi&dren and a &itt&e househo&d furniture?
and this is the a'ount of the ,reat *ossessions of that 'an 2ho' 5od has
ca&&ed to &ead His *eo*&e in these &ast da!s< this is the su' tota& of the
,reat estates< the s*&endid 'ansions and no&e &i$in, of hi' 2ho has s*ent
a &ife of toi& and sufferin,< of *ri$ation and hardshi*s< of i'*rison'ents
and chains< of dun,eons and $e/atious &a2suits< and e$er! 0ind of
contu'e&! and conte'*t un,od&! 'en cou&d hea* u*on hi'< and &ast of a&&
re*ort hi' as roi&in, in 2ea&th and &u/ur! 2hich he had *&undered fro' the
s*oi&s of those for 2hose ,ood he had thus toi&ed and suffered# 3ho 2ou&d
e 2i&&in, to suffer 2hat he has suffered< and &aor near t2ent! !ears< as
he has done< for the 2ea&th he is in *ossession ofB
"rethren< in $ie2 of a&& these thin,s< &et us e u* and doin,# Let
those in the eastern states use a&& di&i,ence in co''unicatin, to us their
ai&it! to assist in the Hotch0iss *a!'ent< ein, assured that no e/ertion
the! can 'a0e 2i&& e>ua& 2hat has a&read! een 'ade for the' and the
Church ,enera&&!? and &et a&& the Saints co'e u* to the *&aces of
,atherin,< and 2ith their 'ites and their aundance as 5od has ,i$en the'
in trust< he&* to ui&d u* the o&d 2aste *&aces 2hich ha$e een thro2n
do2n for 'an! ,enerations< 0no2in, that 2hen the! are co'*&eted the! 2i&&
e&on, unto the *eo*&e of the .ost Hi,h 5od< e$en the 'ee0< the honest in
heart< the! sha&& *ossess a&& thin,s< in the due ti'e of the Lord# "e not
co$etous< ut dea& in ri,hteousness< for 2hat the Saints sha&& not *ossess
! *urchase and in ri,hteousness the! sha&& not *ossess< for no
unri,hteous thin, can enter into the 0in,do'? therefore e&o$ed rethren<
dea& ,ent&!< &o$e 'erc!< 2a&0 hu'&! efore 5od< and 2hate$er !our hands
find to do< do it 2ith !our 'i,ht< 0ee*in, a&& the co''and'ents< and then<
2hether in &ife or in death< a&& thin,s 2i&& e !ours< 2hether the! e
te'*&es or &ands< houses or $ine!ards< a*tis's or endo2'ents< re$e&ations
or hea&in,s< a&& thin,s 2i&& e !ours< for !ou 2i&& e Christ+s and Christ
is 5od+s# "RI5HA. YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< ORSON )RATT< LY.AN 3I5HT< JOHN
TAYLOR< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< 5EOR5E A# S.ITH< 3ILLARD RICHARDS# Nau$oo<
Octoer 7H< 78@7#
CHA)TER 66%I#
AFFAIRS IN 1IRTLAND AND NAU%OO--E)ISTLE OF THE T3EL%E TO THE SAINTS
IN THE "RITISH ISLANDS--ORSON HYDE+S )RAYER ON THE .OUNT OF OLI%ES<
DEDICATIN5 THE HOLY LAND )RE)ARATORY TO THE RETURN OF
THE TRI"ES OF ISRAEL#
3ednesda!< Octoer HD< 78@7#--The fo&&o2in, e/tract of a &etter fro'
E&der H!de< dated Jaffa< Octoer HD< 78@< on his 2a! to Jerusa&e'#
E/tract fro' Orson H!de+s Letter#
On '! *assa,e fro' "e!rut to this *&ace EJaffaF ni,ht efore &ast< at
one o+c&oc0< as I 2as 'editatin, on the dec0 of the $esse&< as she 2as
eatin, do2n a,ainst a su&tr! 2ind< a $er! ri,ht ,&itterin, s2ord
a**eared in the hea$ens< aout si/ feet in &en,th< 2ith a eautifu& hi&t<
as *&ain and co'*&ete as an! cut !ou e$er sa2? and 2hat is sti&& 'ore
re'ar0a&e< an ar' 2ith a *erfect hand stretched itse&f out< and too0 ho&d
of the hi&t of the s2ord# The a**earance rea&&! 'ade '! hair rise< and the
f&esh< as it 2ere< cra2& on '! ones# The Aras 'ade a 2onderfu& outcr! at
the si,ht# A&&ahK A&&ahK A&&ahK IO Lord< O Lord< O LordJ 2as their
e/c&a'ation a&& o$er the $esse&# I 'ention this ecause !ou 0no2 there is
a co''and'ent of 5od for 'e< 2hich sa!s< -Unto !ou it sha&& e ,i$en to
0no2 the si,ns of the ti'es< and the si,n of the co'in, of the Son of
.an#- Yours in Christ< ORSON HYDE#
Saturda!< H9#--I attended the cit! counci&#
.inutes of Conference he&d at Li'a#
Li'a IAda's count!< I&&inoisJ conference con$ened *ursuant to
*re$ious a**oint'ent# E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< John Ta!&or< and 3i&&ard
Richards< of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< 2ere in attendance# E&der "ri,ha' Youn,
2as unani'ous&! chosen *resident< and Ja'es C# Sno2< c&er0 of the
conference#
)resident Youn, then 'ade so'e *re&i'inar! re'ar0s< settin, forth and
e/*&ainin, the o=ect of the 'eetin,? fo&&o2ed ! )resident Isaac .or&e!#
E&der Ja'es C# Sno2 then re*resented the ranch of the Church at Li'a<
consistin, of @H@ 'e'ers< inc&udin, N Hi,h )riests< 9H E&ders< @ )riests<
G Teachers< and @ Deacons< 'ost&! in ,ood standin,#
)resident Youn,< E&ders Ta!&or and Richards< then 'ade so'e $er!
a**ro*riate re'ar0s< sho2in, and *ro$in, the aso&ute necessit! of
finishin, and co'*&etin, the House of the Lord no2 ui&din, in Nau$oo< in
*reference to an!thin, e&se that can e done< either ! 'enta& or *h!sica&
e/ertion< in s*readin, &i,ht< 0no2&ed,e< and inte&&i,ence a'on, the
nations of the earth#
Conference ad=ourned ti&& to'orro2< ten o+c&oc0#
In the e$enin, )resident .or&e! 'et 2ith his counse&ors to,ether 2ith
)resident Youn,< E&ders Ta!&or< and Richards< and rethren of the Li'a
ranch< for the *ur*ose of enterin, into certain reso&utions necessar!< in
order to eco'e 'ore acti$e in for2ardin, the 2or0 on the House of the
Lord#
After 'uch de&ieration< it 2as 'o$ed and seconded< that a&& those
2ho are 2i&&in, to consecrate one tenth of their ti'e and *ro*ert! to the
ui&din, of the te'*&e at Nau$oo< under the su*erintendence of )resident
.or&e! and counse&ors< to si,nif! it ! the u*&ifted hands? 2hen the
'otion 2as carried unani'ous&!#
Sunda! 'ornin,< at ten o+c&oc0 conference 'et *ursuant to
ad=ourn'ent#
E&der John Ta!&or de&i$ered an address< u*on the o=ect of Christ+s
'ission into this 2or&d< the resurrection and rede'*tion of the Saints<
and *ointed out $er! c&ear&! the course to e *ursued in order to eco'e
the sons of 5od< throu,h the ordinances of the ,os*e&< that the Saints
'a!< at &ist< e e/a&ted at the ri,ht hand of 5od< to d2e&& 2ith Hi'
eterna&&! in the hea$ens#
After an inter'ission of one hour< the sacra'ent 2as ad'inistered !
)resident Youn, and Eider Richards# The 'inutes of the conference 2ere
then read and acce*ted#
)resident Youn, 'ade so'e $er! =ust re'ar0s on the *riesthood<
authorit!< and ca&&in,#
Conference ad=ourned sine die#
"enediction ! )resident .or&e!# "RI5HA. YOUN5< )resident< JA.ES C#
SNO3< C&er0#
E/tract of a Letter fro' )ar&e! )# )ratt--E'i,ration of Saints< and
Status of the 3or0 in En,&and#
.ANCHESTER< EN5LAND#
On the HDth of Se*te'er< the shi* T!rean sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& for
Ne2 Or&eans< under a charter of the Latter-da! Saints? she had u*2ards of
t2o hundred Saints on oard< 2ith E&der Jose*h Fie&din, at their head# "!
charterin, Ithe $esse&J 2e sa$ed the co'*an! Iof SaintsJ at &east GDD or
:DD do&&ars# The s*&endid ne2 shi* Chaos< 7<HDD tons urthen< 2i&& sai& on
the Gth of No$e'er< under our charter# She 2i&& ha$e fro' one to t2o
hundred Saints on oard< 2ith )atriarch )eter .e&&in, at their head#
The Saints in this countr! are ,enera&&! re=oicin,< and fi&&ed 2ith
the testi'on! of Jesus# 5reat 4ea& is 'anifested ! the officers in
,enera&< of 2ho' there are *roa&! 'ore than a thousand# 3e are
increasin, in nu'ers< and in ,ifts and &essin,s# Ne2 ranches of the
Church are risin, in 'an! *&aces< and ,reat additions 'ade to the o&d
ones# .anchester and $icinit! has *oured forth a strea' of e'i,ration for
the &ast ei,hteen 'onths< and sti&& 2e nu'ered at our conference< t2o
2ee0s a,o< -ear&! si/teen hundred 'e'ers< and et2een one and t2o hundred
officers? a&& these 2ithin one hour+s =ourne! of .anchester#
There has een a ,enera& ti'e of *runin,? 2e ha$e cut off u*2ards of
one hundred 'e'ers fro' this conference in a fe2 'onths? this causes the
!oun, and tender ranches to ,ro2 2ith dou&e $i,or#
Thursda!< H8#--Co*! of a Letter of Attorne! fro' Jose*h S'ith< -So&e
Trustee in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<- to
Reuen .c"ride< of 1irt&and< Ohio#
1no2 a&& 'en ! these *resents< that I< Jose*h S'ith< of Nau$oo<
Hancoc0 count!< and State of I&&inois< -so&e trustee in trust for the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<- ha$e 'ade< constituted and
a**ointed< and ! these *resents do 'a0e< constitute< and a**oint< Reuen
.c"ride< of 1irt&and< La0e count!< and state of Ohio< '! true and &a2fu&
attorne! for 'e and in '! na'e< and for '! use as -so&e trustee in trust
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints<- to as0< de'and< sue
for< reco$er< and recei$e a&& such su' or su's of 'one!< dets< ,oods<
2ares< and other de'ands 2hich are or sha&& e due< o2in,< *a!a&e< or
e&on,in, to 'e< as trustee in trust as aforesaid< ! an! 'anner or 'eans
2hatsoe$er? a&so< to dis*ose of in '! na'e< to ,rant< ar,ain< se&&<
re&ease< and confir' a&& or an! *art of '! rea& estate as trustee in trust
as aforesaid< in and aout 1irt&and< La0e count!< and state of Ohio< and
throu,hout an! of the northern and eastern states< and to recei$e a&& such
su' or su's of 'one! accruin, therefro'< for 'e and for '! use as so&e
trustee in trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< and
to ta0e u* the *o2er of attorne! 2hich I ,a$e to O&i$er 5ran,er< and a&&
the *a*ers and o&i,ations of e$er! descri*tion s*ecified therein< or in
his *ossession ! $irtue thereof< and to sett&e the sa'e in '! na'e< for
'e and for '! use as ao$e descried? and I< as trustee in trust as
aforesaid< here! ,i$e and ,rant unto the said Reuen .c"ride< '!
attorne!< fu&& *o2er and authorit! in and aout the *re'ises< to ha$e<
use< and ta0e a&& &a2fu& 2a!s and 'eans in '! na'e for the *ur*oses
aforesaid< and u*on the recei*t of an! such dets< dues< or su's of 'one!
Eas the case 'a! eF< ac>uittances< or other sufficient dischar,es< for 'e
and in '! na'e as aforesaid Trustee< to 'a0e and ,i$e< and ,enera&&! to do
a&& other acts and thin,s in the &a2 2hatsoe$er needfu& and necessar! to
e done< in the efore 'entioned *&aces< for 'e and in '! na'e as
aforesaid Trustee< to do< e/ecute< and *erfor'< as fu&&! and to a&&
intents and *ur*oses< as I 'i,ht or cou&d do< if *ersona&&! *resent#
Here! ratif!in, a&& and 2hatsoe$er '! said attorne! sha&&< in the *&ace
ao$e s*ecified< ! $irtue hereof#
In 2itness 2hereof I ha$e hereunto set '! hand and sea& this H8th da!
of Octoer< 78@7# JOSE)H S.ITH< EL# S#F 3itness( John Ta!&or< John S#
Fu&&'er#
Frida!< HN#--Those of the T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ho 2ere in Nau$oo< 'et in
counci&#
Saturda!< 9D#--I attended the cit! counci&< and s*o0e a,ainst the
counci& re'ittin, a fine assessed a,ainst John Ea,&e ! a =ur! of t2e&$e
'en< considerin, that the =ur! 'i,ht e as sensi&e 'en as an! of the cit!
counci&< and I as0ed the counci& not to re'it the fine#
L!'an 3i,ht< 3i&&ard Richards< and 3i&ford 3oodruff 2ere e&ected
counci&ors< and Hira' 1i'a&& and 5eor,e 3# Harris< A&der'en#
In oedience to an order fro' the 'a!or< I ca&&ed out t2o co'*anies
of the Nau$oo Le,ion< and re'o$ed a ,ro, sho* 0e*t ! )u&as0i S# Cahoon<
2hich had een dec&ared a nuisance ! the cit! counci&#
Sunda!< 97#--I 2as in counci& 2ith the rethren at rother H!ru'+s
office#
Attended a counci& 2ith the T2e&$e A*ost&es# "en=a'in 3inchester
ein, *resent< co'*&ained that he had een ne,&ected and 'isre*resented !
the E&ders< and 'anifested a contentious s*irit# I ,a$e hi' a se$ere
re*roof< te&&in, hi' of his fo&&! and $anit!< and sho2in, hi' that the
*rinci*&es 2hich he suffered to contro& hi' 2ou&d &ead hi' to destruction#
I counse&ed hi' to chan,e his course< ,o$ern his dis*osition< and >uit his
ta&e-earin, and s&anderin, his rethren#
I instructed the counci& on 'an! *rinci*&es *ertainin, to the
,atherin, of the nations< the 2ic0edness and do2nfa&& of this ,eneration<
Pc#
After ha$in, recei$ed the fo&&o2in, 'inutes---A conference 2as he&d
at 1irt&and< Ohio< Oct# H< 78@7# A&'on 3# "aitt< *resident< and 3i&&ia'
3# )he&*s< c&er0# Reso&$ed< that Tho'as "urdic0< "isho* of 1irt&and< and
his counse&ors< e constituted a co'*an! to esta&ish a *ress in 1irt&and<
and *u&ish a re&i,ious *a*er< entit&ed The O&i$e Leaf< and that the
Saints ad=acent e so&icited to carr! the ao$e reso&ution into
effect---'! rother H!ru' 2rote to the rethren in 1irt&and< of 2hich the
fo&&o2in, is an e/tract--
E/cer*t of H!ru' S'ith+s Letter to the Saints in
1irt&and--Disa**ro$in, of Certain )&ans for "ui&din, u* 1irt&and#
A&& the Saints that d2e&& in that &and are co''anded to co'e a2a!<
for this is -Thus saith the Lord?- therefore *a! out no 'one!s< nor
*ro*erties for houses< nor &ands in that countr!< for if !ou do !ou 2i&&
&ose the'< for the ti'e sha&& co'e< that !ou sha&& not *ossess the' in
*eace< ut sha&& e scour,ed 2ith a sore scour,e? !et !our chi&dren 'a!
*ossess the'< ut not unti& 'an! !ears sha&& *ass a2a!? and as to the
or,ani4ation of that ranch of the Church< it is not accordin, to the
S*irit and 2i&& of 5od? and as to the desi,ns of the &eadin, 'e'ers of
that ranch re&ati$e to the *rintin, *ress< and the ordainin, of E&ders<
and sendin, out E&ders to e, for the *oor< are not accordin, to the 2i&&
of 5od? and in these thin,s the! sha&& not *ros*er< for the! ha$e
ne,&ected the House of the Lord< the a*tis'a& font< in this *&ace<
2herein their dead 'a! e redee'ed< and the 0e! of 0no2&ed,e that unfo&ds
the dis*ensation of the fu&&ness of ti'es 'a! e turned< and the '!steries
of 5od e unfo&ded< u*on 2hich their sa&$ation< and the sa&$ation of the
2or&d< and the rede'*tion of their dead de*ends? for -thus saith the
Lord<- there sha&& not e a ,enera& asse'&! for a ,enera& conference
asse'&ed to,ether unti& the House of the Lord and the a*tis'a& font
sha&& e finished? and if 2e are not di&i,ent the Church sha&& e
re=ected< and their dead a&so< saith the Lord#- Therefore< dear rethren<
an! *roceedin,s of the Saints other2ise than to *ut forth their hands 2ith
their 'i,ht to do this 2or0< is not accordin, to the 2i&& of 5od< and
sha&& not *ros*er? therefore< tarr! not in an! *&ace 2hate$er< ut co'e
forth unto this *&ace fro' a&& the 2or&d< unti& it is fi&&ed u*< and
*o&ished< and sanctified accordin, to '! 2ord< saith the Lord# Co'e !e
forth fro' the ends of the earth< that I 'a! hide !ou fro' 'ine
indi,nation that sha&& scour,e the 2ic0ed< and then I 2i&& send forth and
ui&d u* 1irt&and< and it sha&& e *o&ished and refined accordin, to '!
2ord? therefore !our doin,s and !our or,ani4ations and desi,ns in
*rintin,< or an! of !our counci&s< are not of 'e< saith the Lord< e$en so#
A'en# HYRU. S.ITH< )atriarch for the 2ho&e Church#
.onda!< No$e'er 7#--I attended the cit! counci&< s*o0e and acted on
'an! &oca& 'atters< and contended at ,reat &en,th a,ainst *a!in, the o2ner
of a cit! nuisance< da'a,es sustained ! the re'o$a& of that nuisance#
Sidne! Ri,don resi,ned his seat in the cit! counci&< on account of
i&& hea&th#
Tuesda!< H#--I e/ecuted &etters toda! re$o0in, the *o2er of attorne!
,i$en to A&'on 3# "aitt#
Saturda!< :#--3i&ford 3oodruff too0 the oath as a counci&or in the
cit! counci&#
Sunda!< M#--E&der 3i&&ia' O# C&ar0 *reached aout t2o hours<
re*ro$in, the Saints for a &ac0 of sanctit!< and a 2ant of ho&! &i$in,<
en=oinin, sanctit!< so&e'nit!< and te'*erance in the e/tre'e< in the ri,id
sectarian st!&e#
I re*ro$ed hi' as )harisaica& and h!*ocritica& and not edif!in, the
*eo*&e? and sho2ed the Saints 2hat te'*erance< faith< $irtue< charit!< and
truth 2ere# I char,ed the Saints 'otto fo&&o2 the e/a'*&e of the ad$ersar!
in accusin, the rethren< and said< -If !ou do not accuse each other< 5od
2i&& not accuse !ou# If !ou ha$e no accuser !ou 2i&& enter hea$en< and if
!ou 2i&& fo&&o2 the re$e&ations and instructions 2hich 5od ,i$es !ou
throu,h 'e< I 2i&& ta0e !ou into hea$en as '! ac0 &oad# If !ou 2i&& not
accuse 'e< I 2i&& not accuse !ou# If !ou 2i&& thro2 a c&oa0 of charit!
o$er '! sins< I 2i&& o$er !ours--for charit! co$ereth a 'u&titude of sins#
3hat 'an! *eo*&e ca&& sin is not sin? I do 'an! thin,s to rea0 do2n
su*erstition< and I 2i&& rea0 it do2n?- I referred to the curse of Ha'
for &au,hin, at Noah< 2hi&e in his 2ine< ut doin, no har'# Noah 2as a
ri,hteous 'an< and !et he dran0 2ine and eca'e into/icated? the Lord did
not forsa0e hi' in conse>uence thereof< for he retained a&& the *o2er of
his *riesthood< and 2hen he 2as accused ! Canaan< he cursed hi' ! the
*riesthood 2hich he he&d< and the Lord had res*ect to his 2ord< and the
*riesthood 2hich he he&d< not2ithstandin, he 2as drun0< and the curse
re'ains u*on the *osterit! of Canaan unti& the *resent da!#
In the *#'#< I attended a counci& of the E&ders at '! counci& roo'<
re&ati$e to so'e affairs in 2hich '! rother 3i&&ia' 2as interested#
.onda!< 8#--At fi$e o+c&oc0 *#'#< I attended the dedication of the
a*tis'a& font in the Lord+s House# )resident "ri,ha' Youn, 2as s*o0es'an#
The a*tis'a& font is situated in the center of the ase'ent roo'<
under the 'ain ha&& of the Te'*&e? it is constructed of *ine ti'er< and
*ut to,ether of sta$es ton,ued and ,roo$ed< o$a& sha*ed< si/teen feet &on,
east and 2est< and t2e&$e feet 2ide< se$en feet hi,h fro' the foundation<
the asin four feet dee*< the 'ou&din, of the ca* and ase are for'ed of
eautifu& car$ed 2or0 in anti>ue st!&e# The sides are finished 2ith *ane&
2or0# A f&i,ht of stairs in the north and south sides &ead u* and do2n
into the asin< ,uarded ! side rai&in,#
The font stands u*on t2e&$e o/en< four on each side< and t2o at each
end< their heads< shou&ders< and fore &e,s *ro=ectin, out fro' under the
font? the! are car$ed out of *ine *&an0< ,&ued to,ether< and co*ied after
the 'ost eautifu& fi$e-!ear-o&d steer that cou&d e found in the countr!<
and the! are an e/ce&&ent stri0in, &i0eness of the ori,ina&? the horns
2ere for'ed after the 'ost *erfect horn that cou&d e *rocured#
The o/en and orna'enta& 'ou&din,s of the font 2ere car$ed ! E&der
E&i=ah Fordha'< fro' the cit! of Ne2 Yor0< 2hich occu*ied ei,ht 'onths of
ti'e# The font 2as enc&osed ! a te'*orar! fra'e ui&din, sided u* 2ith
s*&it oa0 c&a*oards< 2ith a roof of the sa'e 'ateria&< and 2as so &o2
that the ti'ers of the first stor! 2ere &aid ao$e it# The 2ater 2as
su**&ied fro' a 2e&& thirt! feet dee* in the east end of the ase'ent#
This font 2as ui&t for the a*tis's for the dead unti& the Te'*&e
sha&& e finished< 2hen a 'ore dura&e one 2i&& su**&! its *&ace#
I recei$ed a &etter fro' N# 1# 3hitne!< statin, that he had *urchased
RG<DDD 2orth of ,oods for 'e? and that he shou&d $isit 1irt&and efore his
return ho'e#
U* to this *eriod a series of stor's and earth>ua0es ha$e deso&ated
*arts of the t2o Sici&ies#
A second En,&ish edition of the Saints+ h!'n oo0 has een issued !
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt#
A ,reat *art of %ic0sur,< .ississi**i< has een consu'ed ! fire#
Saturda!< 79#--I attended the cit! counci&< and 'o$ed that the 'a!or
and recorder of the cit! recei$e each one hundred do&&ars *er annu' for
their ser$ices< 2hich eca'e a &a2#
I a&so *resented a i&& for -An ordinance concernin, $a,rants and
disorder&! *ersons<- 2hich *assed into an ordinance as fo&&o2s--
An Ordinance Concernin, %a,rants and Disorder&! )ersons#
"e it ordained ! the cit! counci& of the cit! of Nau$oo< that a&&
$a,rants< id&e< or disorder&! *ersons? *ersons found drun0 in or aout the
streets? a&& sus*icious *ersons? *ersons 2ho ha$e no fi/ed *&ace of
residence< or $isi&e 'eans of su**ort< or cannot ,i$e a ,ood account of
the'se&$es? *ersons ,ui&t! of *rofane and indecent &an,ua,e or eha$ior?
*ersons ,ui&t! of usin, indecent< i'*ertinent< or uneco'in, &an,ua,e
to2ards an! cit! officer 2hen in the dischar,e of his dut!< or of
'enacin,< threatenin, or other2ise ostructin, said officer< sha&& on
con$iction thereof efore the 'a!or or 'unici*a& court< e re>uired to
enter into securit! for ,ood eha$ior for a reasona&e ti'e< and inde'nif!
the cor*oration a,ainst an! char,e< and in case of refusa& or inai&it! to
,i$e securit!< the! sha&& e confined to &aor for a ti'e not e/ceedin,
ninet! da!s< or e fined in an! su' not e/ceedin, fi$e hundred do&&ars< or
e i'*risoned not e/ceedin, si/ 'onths or a&&< Ii#e# or oth i'*rison'ent
and fineJ at the discretion of said 'a!or or court#
I a&so *resented a i&& for -An ordinance in re&ation to a**ea&s<-
2hich *assed unani'ous&!#
I a&so ar,ued efore the counci& the ri,ht of ta/ation< ut that the
e/*ense of the cit! did not re>uire it at *resent#
Sunda!< 7@#--I *reached to a &ar,e con,re,ation at the Te'*&e#
Nine of the T2e&$e A*ost&es 'et in counci&< to *re*are an e*ist&e to
the Saints in Euro*e#
.onda!< 7G#--An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e A*ost&es to the Saints
Scattered Aroad in En,&and< Scot&and< Ire&and< 3a&es< the Is&e of .an<
and the Eastern Continent< ,reetin,(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--3e re=oice and than0 our Hea$en&! Father dai&! in
!our eha&f< that 2e hear of !our faithfu&ness and di&i,ence in the ,reat
2or0 unto 2hich !ou ha$e een ca&&ed< ! the Ho&! S*irit< throu,h the
$oice of the ser$ants of the .ost Hi,h< 2ho ha$e een< and are no2 a'on,st
!ou< for the *ur*ose of instructin, !ou in those *rinci*&es 2hich are
ca&cu&ated to *re*are the chi&dren of 'en for the reno$ation of the earth<
and the restitution of a&& thin,s s*o0en ! the )ro*hets#
Se$era& 'onths ha$e *assed a2a!< since 2e id adieu to our rethren
and sisters on the is&ands of the sea< and *assed o$er the ,reat dee* to
our ho'es< our 0indred< the oso' of the Church< and the sta0es of ;ion(
ut neither ti'e nor distance can efface fro' our 'e'ories the 'an!
e/*ressions of 0indness 2hich 2e ha$e heard fro' !our &i*s and e/*erienced
fro' !our hands< 2hich ha$e so often 'inistered to our necessities< 2hi&e
2e 2ere 2anderin, in !our 'idst< &i0e our .aster< ha$in, no *&ace to &a!
our heads< on&! as furnished ! !our &iera&it! and ene$o&ence? and it is
a su=ect of no s'a&& conso&ation to us that 2e ha$e this testi'on! of so
'an! of !ou< that !ou are the disci*&es of the Lord Jesus? and 2e ,i$e
!ou our 2ar'est than0s< and our &essin,< that !ou ha$e not on&!
'inistered unto us< ut that !ou continue to 'inister to our rethren 2ho
are sti&& &aorin, a'on,st !ou< for 2hich an hundred fo&d sha&& e
returned unto !our oso's#
After *artin, 2ith the Saints in Li$er*oo&< and sai&in, thirt! da!s<
'uch of the ti'e a,ainst head 2inds< 2ith rou,h seas< 2hich *roduced 'uch
sea sic0ness a'on, the rethren and sisters 2ho acco'*anied us< 2e arri$ed
in the cit! of Ne2 Yor0< 2here 2e 2ere recei$ed ! the rethren 2ith o*en
hearts< and ! 2ho' 2e 2ere entertained 'ost cordia&&! so'e da!s< ti&& 2e
2ere rested fro' the fati,ues of the shi*( 2e 2ere then assisted on our
=ourne!< and ta0in, different routes< and $isitin, 'an! of the churches in
different states< 2e ha$e a&& safe&! arri$ed in this cit!#
In our tra$e&s in this &and< 2e ha$e disco$ered a ,ro2in, interest
a'on, the *eo*&e ,enera&&!< in the ,reat 2or0 of the Lord# )re=udice is
,i$in, 2a! to inte&&i,ence? dar0ness to &i,ht? and 'u&titudes are 'a0in,
the i'*ortant disco$er! that error is aroad in the earth< and that the
si,ns of the ti'es *roc&ai' so'e 'i,ht! re$o&ution a'on, the nations# The
cr! is fro' a&& >uarters< send us E&ders to instruct us in the *rinci*&es
of !our re&i,ion< that 2e 'a! 0no2 2h! it is that !ou are had in derision
! the 'u&titude< 'ore than other *rofessors are# Teach us of !our
*rinci*&es and !our doctrines< and if 2e find the' true 2e 2i&& e'race
the'#
The Saints are ,ro2in, in faith< and the inte&&i,ence of hea$en is
f&o2in, into their understandin,< for the S*irit of the Lord is 2ith the'<
and the Ho&! 5host is instructin, the' in thin,s to co'e# The s*irit of
union is increasin,< and the! are e/ertin, the'se&$es to co'e u* to the
,atherin, of the faithfu&< to ui&d u* the 2aste *&aces and esta&ish the
sta0es of ;ion#
Since our arri$a& in this *&ace there has een one s*ecia& and one
,enera& conference of the Church< and the T2e&$e ha$e een ca&&ed to tarr!
at ho'e for a season< and stand in their &ot ne/t to the First )residenc!<
and assist in counse&in, the rethren< and in the sett&in, of i''i,rants<
Pc#? and the first ,reat o=ect efore us< and the Saints ,enera&&!< is to
he&* for2ard the co'*&etion of the Te'*&e and the Nau$oo House--ui&din,s
2hich are no2 in *ro,ress accordin, to the re$e&ations< and 2hich 'ust e
co'*&eted to secure the sa&$ation of the Church in the &ast da!s? for 5od
re>uires of His Saints to ui&d Hi' a house 2herein his ser$ants 'a! e
instructed< and endo2ed 2ith *o2er fro' on hi,h< to *re*are the' to ,o
forth a'on, the nations< and *roc&ai' the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& for the
&ast ti'e< and ind u* the &a2< and sea& u* the testi'on!< &ea$in, this
,eneration 2ithout e/cuse< and the earth *re*ared for the =ud,'ents 2hich
2i&& fo&&o2# In this house a&& the ordinances 2i&& e 'ade 'anifest< and
'an! thin,s 2i&& e sho2n forth< 2hich ha$e een hid fro' ,eneration to
,eneration#
The set ti'e to fa$or the sta0es of ;ion is at hand< and soon the
0in,s and the >ueens< the *rinces and the no&es< the rich and the
honora&e of the earth 2i&& co'e u* hither to $isit the Te'*&e of our 5od<
and to in>uire concernin, His stran,e 2or0? and as 0in,s are to eco'e
nursin, fathers< and >ueens nursin, 'others in the haitations of the
ri,hteous< it is ri,ht to render honor to 2ho' honor is due? and therefore
e/*edient that such< as 2e&& as the Saints< shou&d ha$e a co'forta&e
house for oardin, and &od,in, 2hen the! co'e hither< and it is accordin,
to the re$e&ations that such a house shou&d e ui&t#
The foundations of this house< and a&so of the Te'*&e< are &aid? and
the 2a&&s of the ase'ent stories of each near&! co'*&eted? and the
finishin, of the 2ho&e is de*endin, on the e/ertions of the Saints# E$er!
Saint on earth is e>ua&&! interested in these thin,s< and a&& are under
e>ua& o&i,ations to do a&& in their *o2er to co'*&ete the ui&din,s !
their faith< and ! their *ra!ers< 2ith their thousands and their 'ites<
their ,o&d and their si&$er< their co**er and their 4inc< their ,oods and
their &aors< unti& the to* stone is &aid 2ith shoutin,s< and the *&ace is
*re*ared to e fi&&ed 2ith the ,&or! of the Hi,hest? and if there are
those a'on, !ou 2ho ha$e 'ore than the! need for the ,atherin,< and for
assistin, the destitute 2ho desire to ,ather 2ith the'< the! cannot 'a0e a
'ore acce*ta&e offerin, unto the Lord< than ! a**ro*riatin, to2ards the
ui&din, of His Te'*&e#
He that e&ie$eth sha&& not 'a0e haste< ut &et a&& the Saints 2ho
desire to 0ee* the co''and'ents of hea$en and 2or0 ri,hteousness< co'e to
the *&ace of ,atherin, as soon as circu'stances 2i&& *er'it# It is !
united efforts that ,reat thin,s are acco'*&ished< and 2hi&e the Saints
are scattered to the four 2inds< the! cannot e united in action< if the!
are in s*irit? the! cannot a&& ui&d at one cit!< or &ift at one stone of
the ,reat Te'*&e< thou,h their hearts 'a! a&& desire the sa'e thin,# 3e
2ou&d not *ress the su=ect of the ,atherin, u*on !ou< for 2e 0no2 !our
hearts< and !our 'eans? and so far as 'eans fai&< &et *atience ha$e its
*erfect 2or0 in !our sou&s< for in due ti'e !ou sha&& e de&i$ered< if !ou
faint not#
3e are not a&to,ether i,norant of the increase of difficu&t! a'on,
the &aorin, c&asses in En,&and since our de*arture throu,h the sto**a,e
of factories and si'i&ar occurrences< and 2e 2ou&d counse& those 2ho ha$e<
to i'*art unto those 2ho ha$e not< and cannot otain? re'e'erin, that he
2ho ,i$eth unto the *oor &endeth unto the Lord< and he sha&& recei$e in
return four fo&d#
The id&er sha&& not eat the read of the &aorer? neither 'ust he
star$e 2ho 2ou&d I&aorJ ut cannot find e'*&o!'ent# Inas'uch as !e desire
the fu&&ness of the earth< &et not the cries of the 2ido2< the father&ess
and the e,,ar ascend to hea$en< or sa&ute !our ears in $ain< ut fo&&o2
the e/a'*&e 2e ha$e set efore !ou< and ,i$e &iera&&! of !our aundance<
e$en if it e ut a *enn!< and it sha&& e returned unto !ou# 5ood 'easure
*ressed do2n and runnin, o$er< sha&& the Lord return into !our store
house#
Cu&ti$ate the s*irit of *atience< &on,-sufferin,< forearance and
charit! a'on, !ourse&$es< and e$er e as un2i&&in, to e&ie$e an e$i&
re*ort aout a rother or a sister as if it 2ere aout !ourse&f< and as
!ou dis&i0e to e accused< e s&o2 to accuse the rethren< for the 'easure
!ou 'ete sha&& e 'easured to !ou a,ain< and the Jud,e conde'neth no 'an
2ho is not accused#
1ee* a&& the co''and'ents< nothin, fearin,< nothin, doutin,< for
this is $irtue< this is 2isdo'< and the 2ise< the $irtuous and the 'ee0
sha&& inherit the earth and the fu&&ness thereof# In a&& thin,s fo&&o2 the
counse& 2hich !ou sha&& recei$e fro' the *resident and counci& 2ho are
a'on, !ou? and inas'uch as !ou u*ho&d E&ders )ratt< Richards and Sno2 !
the *ra!er of faith< !ou sha&& recei$e ri,ht counse&#
Re'e'er that those 2ho' John sa2 on .ount ;ion 2ere such as had co'e
u* throu,h ,reat triu&ation? and do not i'a,ine that !ou can e$er
constitute a *art of that nu'er 2ithout sharin, a *art of their tria&s#
You 'ust necessari&! *ass throu,h *eri&s and tria&s< and te'*tations and
aff&ictions ! sea and &and in !our =ourne!in,s hither< and if !ou cannot
sett&e it in !our hearts to endure unto the end as ,ood so&diers< !ou 'a!
as 2e&& re'ain 2here !ou are to e destro!ed< as to suffer a&& the
*ri$ations and hardshi*s !ou 2i&& e o&i,ed to suffer efore the 2a&&s of
;ion sha&& e ui&t< no 'ore to e thro2n do2n< and after a&& to turn a2a!
and e destro!ed#
The ancient *ro*het has said< the! sha&& 2ear out the Saints of the
.ost Hi,h# This has a&read! een fu&fi&&ed to so'e e/tent< for 'an!
throu,h the aundance of their *ersecutions ha$e eco'e e/hausted< and
&aid their odies do2n to rest< to rise no 'ore ti&& the 'orn of the first
resurrection? and a&thou,h the *eo*&e of these states are at *eace 2ith
us< !et there are those 2ho 2ou&d ,&ad&! 2ear out and destro! the 2ea0 in
faith< throu,h the inf&uence of their foo&ish &ies# 3hen !ou arri$e on our
shores< and 2hi&e sai&in, u* our ri$ers< !ou need not e sur*rised if !our
ears are sa&uted ! the fa&se and fi&th! &an,ua,e of 2ic0ed and desi,nin,
'en 2ho are e$er read! to s*ea0 e$i& of the thin,s the! understand not<
and 2ho 2ou&d ,&ad&! &ast the character of the )ro*het of the .ost Hi,h
5od< and a&& connected 2ith hi'< 2ith their fou& anathe'as< e!ond
an!thin, !ou e$er thou,ht of# 3e 2ou&d not dishearten !ou< neither 2ou&d
2e ha$e !ou i,norant of the 2orst that a2aits the ri,hteous#
If the Saints are not *re*ared to re=oice and e ,&ad 2hen the! hear
the na'e of the )ro*het and their o2n na'e cast out as e$i&< as
,&uttonous< 2ine-ier< friend of *u&icans and sinners< "ee&4eu<
thief< roer and 'urderer< the! are not *re*ared for the ,atherin,# The
2heat and tares 'ust ,ro2 to,ether ti&& the har$est? at the har$est the
2heat is ,athered to,ether into the threshin, f&oor< so 2ith the
Saints--the sta0es are the threshin, f&oor# Here the! 2i&& e threshed
2ith a&& sorts of difficu&ties< tria&s< aff&ictions and e$er!thin, to 'ar
their *eace< 2hich the! can i'a,ine< and thousands 2hich the! cannot
i'a,ine< ut he that endures the threshin, ti&& a&& the chaff<
su*erstition< fo&&! and une&ief are *ounded out of hi'< and does not
suffer hi'se&f to e &o2n a2a! as chaff ! the fou& &ast of s&ander< ut
endures faithfu&&! to the end< sha&& e sa$ed# If !ou are *re*ared for a&&
these thin,s? if !ou choose rather to suffer aff&ictions 2ith the *eo*&e
of 5od< than to en=o! the *&easures of sin for a &itt&e 'o'ent< co'e u*
hither? co'e direct to Ne2 Or&eans< and u* the .ississi**i ri$er< for the
e/*ense is so 'uch &ess< and the con$enience of 2ater na$i,ation is so
'uch ,reater than it is ! .ontrea&< Ne2 Yor0 or )hi&ade&*hia< that it is
2isdo' for the Saints to 'a0e Ne2 Or&eans their ,enera& esta&ished *ort<
and e sure to start at such ti'es that the! 'a! arri$e here durin, the
co&d 'onths< for the chan,e fro' the co&d c&i'ate of En,&and to this *&ace
in the hot season< is too ,reat for the hea&th of i''i,rants< ti&& there
is 'ore faith in the Church#
In this re,ion of countr! there are thousands and 'i&&ions of acres
of eautifu& *rairie unoccu*ied< 2hich can e *rocured on reasona&e
ter's< and 2e 2i&& hai& the ti'e 2ith =o! 2hen these unoccu*ied &ands
sha&& e turned into fruitfu& fie&ds< and the hands of those 2ho are no2
id&e for 2ant of e'*&o!'ent sha&& e en,a,ed in the cu&ti$ation of the
soi&#
3hen the rethren arri$e the! 2i&& do 2e&& to ca&& on so'e of the
T2e&$e< inas'uch as the! desire counse&< for ! so doin, the! 'a! esca*e
the inf&uence of desi,nin, 'en 2ho ha$e cre*t in una2ares< and 2ou&d
2i&&in,&! su$ert the truth ! conni$in, to their o2n ad$anta,e< if the!
ha$e the o**ortunit!#
The Church has co''enced a ne2 cit! t2ent! 'i&es e&o2 this< and one
'i&e e&o2 3arsa2< ca&&ed 3arren< 2here 'an! cit! &ots and far's in the
$icinit! can e had on reasona&e ter's? and it 2i&& e 2isdo' for 'an! of
the rethren to sto* at that *&ace< for the o**ortunit! for erectin,
te'*orar! ui&din,s 2i&& e ,reater than at this *&ace< a&so the chance
for *ro$idin, food 2i&& e su*erior to those 2ho 2ish to &aor for it#
3arsa2 is at the foot of the Des .oines Ra*ids< and one of the est
&ocations for 'ercanti&e *ur*oses there is in this 2estern countr!# So far
as the rethren ha$e the 'eans the! 2i&& do 2e&& to co'e *re*ared 2ith a
$ariet! of 'echanica& too&s accordin, to their *rofessions< such as
car*enters< =oiners< cainet-'a0ers< hatters< coo*ers< 'asons< *rinters<
inders< tanners< curriers< Pc#< and a&& sorts of 'anufactor! and foundr!
i'*&e'ents con$enient for trans*ortation< so that 2hen the! arri$e the!
'a! e *re*ared to esta&ish the'se&$es in usiness< and ,i$e e'*&o!'ent
to s*inners< 2ea$ers< 'ou&ders< s'e&ters and =ourne!'en of e$er!
descri*tion? for a&& sorts of 2oo&&ens< cottons< hard2are< Pc#< 2i&& find
a read! 'ar0et in ne2 countries< and a ,reat fie&d is no2 o*en to the
ca*ita&ists in this $icinit!< e$en thou,h the ca*ita& e s'a&&< and 2e
2ou&d ur,e the i'*ortance of the i''ediate esta&ish'ent of a&& 0inds of
'anufactories a'on, us< as 2e&& for the est interests of the indi$idua&s
concerned< as for the Church ,enera&&!#
Cities cannot e ui&t 2ithout houses< houses cannot e ui&t 2ithout
'ateria&s< or occu*ied 2ithout inhaitants< the inhaitants cannot e/ist
2ithout food and c&othin,? food and c&othin, cannot e had 2ithout
*&antin,< so2in,< and 'anufacturin,< so that ;ion and her stores cannot e
ui&t 2ithout 'eans< 2ithout industr!< 2ithout 'anufacturin,
esta&ish'ents un&ess the 2indo2s of hea$en 2ere o*ened< and cities and
their a**enda,es 2ere rained do2n a'on, us# "ut this 2e do not e/*ect
unti& the ne2 Jerusa&e' descends< and that 2i&& e so'e ti'e hence?
therefore it is necessar! and accordin, to ,od&iness and the *&an of
sa&$ation in these &ast da!s< that the rethren shou&d see to a&& these
thin,s< and c&othe and adorn the'se&$es 2ith the &aor of their o2n hands<
ui&d houses and inhait the'< *&ant $ine!ards and eat the fruit thereof#
"rethren< *ra! for us and the First )residenc!< the &eader of the
*eo*&e< e$en Jose*h< that his &ife and hea&th 'a! e *recious in the si,ht
of hea$en< ti&& he has finished the 2or0 2hich he has co''enced( and for
the E&ders of Israe&< that e$er! 'an 'a! e faithfu& in his ca&&in,< the
2ho&e househo&d of faith< and a&& su=ects of *ra!er#
"rethren< fare2e&&? 'a! the &essin,s of hea$en and earth e
'u&ti*&ied unto !ou in s*irit and in od!< in as0et and in store< in the
fie&d and in the sho*< on the &and and on the sea< in the house and ! the
2a!< and in a&& situations and circu'stances< unti& !ou sha&& stand on
.ount ;ion< and enter the ce&estia& cit!? in the na'e of Jesus Christ#
A'en# "RI5HA. YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL# ORSON )RATT<
3ILLIA. S.ITH LY.AN 3I5HT< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN TAYLOR< 5EO# A# S.ITH#
3ILLARD RICHARDS<
Nau$oo< Hancoc0 Count!< I&&inois< No$# 7G< 78@7#
The ,reater *art of the cit! of St# John+s< Ne2 "runs2ic0< and a
&ar,e >uantit! of shi**in,< destro!ed ! fire#
3ednesda!< 7M#---E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and 3i&&ard Richards 2ent to La
Har*e#
Thursda!< 78# .inutes of a .eetin, at Ra'us< I&&inois--A&anson "ro2n<
et a&# Disfe&&o2shi*ed#
)roceedin,s of a 'eetin, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< he&d at Ra'us< No$e'er 78< 78@7< o*ened ! sin,in, and *ra!er !
E&der "ri,ha' Youn,# The o=ect of the 'eetin, 2as then stated ! the
*resident< 2hich 2as for the *ur*ose of ta0in, into consideration the
cases of A&anson "ro2n< Ja'es "# T# )a,e and 3i&&ia' H# Ed2ards< 2ho stand
indicted for &arcen!< Pc#
After the e$idence 2as rou,ht for2ard< it 2as unani'ous&! reso&$ed<
that said *ersons e e/*e&&ed fro' the Church# A**ro*riate re'ar0s for the
occasion 2ere then 'ade ! E&ders Youn,< Richards< Sa$a,e< 5ur&e!< and
others#
A char,e 2as then *referred a,ainst Tho'as S# Ed2ards for assau&t and
atter!< 2ith e$idence that a 2arrant 2as issued for his a**rehension< and
a,ainst 3i&&ia' 3# Ed2ards for ein, accessor! to the sa'e# Unani'ous&!
reso&$ed< that Tho'as S# Ed2ards a&so e e/*e&&ed fro' the Church? and
that the *roceedin,s of this 'eetin, e *u&ished in the Ti'es and
Seasons# JOEL H# JOHNSON< )resident# JOSE)H E# JOHNSON< Church Recorder#
Saturda!< HD#--Se$en of the T2e&$e A*ost&es 'et in counci& at the
house of )resident Youn,< on the su=ect of the Ti'es and Seasons? the!
not ein, satisfied 2ith the 'anner in 2hich 5usta$us Hi&&s had conducted
the editoria& de*art'ent since the death of Roert "# Tho'*son#
Sunda!< H7#---.! rother H!ru' and E&der John Ta!&or *reached#
The T2e&$e 'et in counci& at )resident Youn,+s< and at four o+c&oc0<
re*aired to the a*tis'a& font in the ase'ent of the Te'*&e# E&ders
"ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C 1i'a&& and John Ta!&or a*ti4ed aout fort!
*ersons for the dead# E&der 3i&&ard Richards< 3i&ford 3oodruff and 5eor,e
A# S'ith confir'in,# These 2ere the first a*tis's for the dead in the
font# .onda!< HH#---The fo&&o2in, &etter fro' E&der Orson H!de< is fro'
the .i&&ennia& Star#
E&der Orson H!de+s Letter--His )ra!er of Dedication on the .ount of
O&i$es# ALE6ANDRIA< No$# HH< 78@7# DEAR "ROTHER )RATT(---A fe2 'inutes no2
offer for 'e to 2rite< and I i'*ro$e the' in 2ritin, to !ou#
I ha$e on&! ti'e to sa! that I ha$e seen Jerusa&e' *recise&!
accordin, to the $ision 2hich I had# I sa2 no one 2ith 'e in the $ision?
and a&thou,h E&der )a,e 2as a**ointed to acco'*an! 'e there< !et I found
'!se&f there a&one#
The Lord 0no2s that I ha$e had a hard ti'e< and suffered 'uch< ut I
ha$e ,reat reason to than0 Hi' that I en=o! ,ood hea&th at *resent< and
ha$e a *ros*ect efore 'e of soon ,oin, to a ci$i&i4ed countr!< 2here I
sha&& see no 'ore turans or ca'e&s# The heat is 'ost o**ressi$e< and has
een a&& throu,h S!ria#
I ha$e not ti'e to te&& !ou ho2 'an! da!s I ha$e een at sea< 2ithout
food< or ho2 'an! snai&s I ha$e eaten? ut if I had had *&ent! of the'< I
shou&d ha$e done $er! 2e&&# A&& this is contained in a for'er &etter to
!ou 2ritten fro' Jaffa#
I ha$e een at Cairo< on the Ni&e< ecause I cou&d not ,et a *assa,e
direct# S!ria is in a dreadfu& state--a 2ar of e/ter'ination is ,oin, on
et2een the Druses and Catho&ics# At the ti'e I 2as at "e!root< a att&e
2as fou,ht in the 'ountains of Leanon< near that *&ace< and aout 8DD
0i&&ed# Roeries< thefts and 'urders are dai&! ein, co''itted# It is no
unco''on thin, to find *ersons in the streets 2ithout heads# An En,&ish
officer< in ,oin, fro' St# Jean D+Acre to "e!root< found ten *ersons
'urdered in the street< and 2as hi'se&f ta0en *risoner< ut 2as rescued !
the ti'e&! interference of the *asha# The *articu&ars of a&& these thin,s
are contained in a for'er &etter#
An A'erican tra$e&er< ! the na'e of 5a,er< 2ho 2as a &icensed
'inister of the Con,re,ationa& or )res!terian church< &eft Jerusa&e' in
co'*an! 2ith 'e# He 2as $er! un2e&& 2ith the =aundice 2hen 2e &eft< and at
Da'ietta< 2e had to *erfor' si/ da!s >uarantine efore 2e ascended the
Ni&e# On our *assa,e u*< he 2as ta0en $er! i&& 2ith a fe$er< and eca'e
he&*&ess# I 2aited and tended u*on hi' as 2e&& as our circu'stances 2ou&d
a&&o2? and 2hen 2e &anded at "u&ac0< I ,ot four 'en to ta0e hi' to the
A'erican consu&s at Cairo< on a &itter? I a&so too0 a&& his a,,a,e there<
and assisted in *uttin, hi' u*on a ,ood ed--e'*&o!ed a ,ood faithfu&
Araian nurse< and the En,&ish doctor# After the *h!sician had e/a'ined
hi'< he to&d 'e that he 2as $er! &o2 2ith a t!*hus fe$er< and that it
2ou&d e doutfu& 2hether he reco$ered# Under these circu'stances I &eft
hi' to otain a *assa,e to this *&ace# After I had ,one on oard a oat<
and 2as =ust aout *ushin, off< a &etter ca'e fro' the doctor< statin,
that *oor .r# 5a,er died in aout t2o hours after I &eft hi'# He to&d 'e
efore 2e arri$ed at Cairo that he 2as t2ent!-se$en !ears of a,e< and his
friends &i$ed in Nor2ich< Connecticut< near Ne2 London< I thin0# There are
'an! *articu&ars concernin, his death< 2hich 2ou&d e interestin, to his
friends< ut I ha$e no ti'e to 2rite the' no2#
On Sunda! 'ornin,< Octoer H@< a ,ood 2hi&e efore da!< I arose fro'
s&ee*< and 2ent out of the cit! as soon as the ,ates 2ere o*ened< crossed
the roo0 1edron< and 2ent u*on the .ount of O&i$es< and there< in so&e'n
si&ence< 2ith *en< in0< and *a*er< =ust as I sa2 in the $ision< offered u*
the fo&&o2in, *ra!er to Hi' 2ho &i$es fore$er and e$er--
)ra!er of Orson H!de on the .ount of O&i$es# -O ThouK 2ho art fro'
e$er&astin, to e$er&astin,< eterna&&! and unchan,ea&! the sa'e< e$en the
5od 2ho ru&es in the hea$ens ao$e< and contro&s the destinies of 'en on
the earth< 2i&t Thou not condescend< throu,h thine infinite ,oodness and
ro!a& fa$or< to &isten to the *ra!er of Th! ser$ant 2hich he this da!
offers u* unto Thee in the na'e of Th! ho&! chi&d Jesus< u*on this &and<
2here the Son of Ri,hteousness set in &ood< and thine Anointed One
e/*ired#
-"e *&eased< O Lord< to for,i$e a&& the fo&&ies< 2ea0nesses<
$anities< and sins of Th! ser$ant< and stren,then hi' to resist a&& future
te'*tations# 5i$e hi' *rudence and discern'ent that he 'a! a$oid the e$i&<
and a heart to choose the ,ood? ,i$e hi' fortitude to ear u* under tr!in,
and ad$erse circu'stances< and ,race to endure a&& thin,s for Th! na'e+s
sa0e< unti& the end sha&& co'e< 2hen a&& the Saints sha&& rest in *eace#
No2< O LordK Th! ser$ant has een oedient to the hea$en&! $ision
2hich Thou ,a$est hi' in his nati$e &and? and under the shado2 of Thine
outstretched ar'< he has safe&! arri$ed in this *&ace to dedicate and
consecrate this &and unto Thee< for the ,atherin, to,ether of Judah+s
scattered re'nants< accordin, to the *redictions of the ho&! )ro*hets--for
the ui&din, u* of Jerusa&e' a,ain after it has een trodden do2n ! the
5enti&es so &on,< and for rearin, a Te'*&e in honor of Th! na'e#
E$er&astin, than0s e ascried unto Thee< O Father< Lord of hea$en and
earth< that Thou hast *reser$ed Th! ser$ant fro' the dan,ers of the seas<
and fro' the *&a,ue and *esti&ence 2hich ha$e caused the &and to 'ourn#
The $io&ence of 'an has a&so een restrained< and Th! *ro$identia& care !
ni,ht and ! da! has een e/ercised o$er Thine un2orth! ser$ant# Acce*t<
therefore< O Lord< the triute of a ,ratefu& heart for a&& *ast fa$ors<
and e *&eased to continue Th! 0indness and 'erc! to2ards a need! 2or' of
the dust#
-O Thou< 3ho didst co$enant 2ith Araha'< Th! friend< and 2ho didst
rene2 that co$enant 2ith Isaac< and confir' the sa'e 2ith Jaco 2ith an
oath< that Thou 2ou&dst not on&! ,i$e the' this &and for an e$er&astin,
inheritance< ut that Thou 2ou&dst a&so re'e'er their seed fore$er#
Araha'< Isaac< and Jaco ha$e &on, since c&osed their e!es in death< and
'ade the ,ra$e their 'ansion# Their chi&dren are scattered and dis*ersed
aroad a'on, the nations of the 5enti&es &i0e shee* that ha$e no she*herd<
and are sti&& &oo0in, for2ard for the fu&fi&&'ent of those *ro'ises 2hich
Thou didst 'a0e concernin, the'? and e$en this &and< 2hich once *oured
forth nature+s richest ount!< and f&o2ed< as it 2ere< 2ith 'i&0 and
hone!< has< to a certain e/tent< een s'itten 2ith arrenness and
steri&it! since it dran0 fro' 'urderous hands the &ood of Hi' 2ho ne$er
sinned#
-5rant< therefore< O Lord< in the na'e of Th! 2e&&-e&o$ed Son< Jesus
Christ< to re'o$e the arrenness and steri&it! of this &and< and &et
s*rin,s of &i$in, 2ater rea0 forth to 2ater its thirst! soi&# Let the
$ine and o&i$e *roduce in their stren,th< and the fi,-tree &oo' and
f&ourish# Let the &and eco'e aundant&! fruitfu& 2hen *ossessed ! its
ri,htfu& heirs? &et it a,ain f&o2 2ith *&ent! to feed the returnin,
*rodi,a&s 2ho co'e ho'e 2ith a s*irit of ,race and su**&ication? u*on it
&et the c&ouds disti& $irtue and richness< and &et the fie&ds s'i&e 2ith
*&ent!# Let the f&oc0s and the herds ,reat&! increase and 'u&ti*&! u*on
the 'ountains and the hi&&s? and &et Th! ,reat 0indness con>uer and sudue
the une&ief of Th! *eo*&e# Do Thou ta0e fro' the' their ston! heart< and
,i$e the' a heart of f&esh? and 'a! the Sun of Th! fa$or dis*e& the co&d
'ists of dar0ness 2hich ha$e ec&ouded their at'os*here# Inc&ine the' to
,ather in u*on this &and accordin, to Th! 2ord# Let the' co'e &i0e c&ouds
and &i0e do$es to their 2indo2s# Let the &ar,e shi*s of the nations rin,
the' fro' the distant is&es? and &et 0in,s eco'e their nursin, fathers<
and >ueens 2ith 'other&! fondness 2i*e the tear of sorro2 fro' their e!e#
-Thou< O Lord< did once 'o$e u*on the heart of C!rus to sho2 fa$or
unto Jerusa&e' and her chi&dren# Do Thou no2 a&so e *&eased to ins*ire
the hearts of 0in,s and the *o2ers of the earth to &oo0 2ith a friend&!
e!e to2ards this *&ace< and 2ith a desire to see Th! ri,hteous *ur*oses
e/ecuted in re&ation thereto# Let the' 0no2 that it is Th! ,ood *&easure
to restore the 0in,do' unto Israe&--raise u* Jerusa&e' as its ca*ita&< and
constitute her *eo*&e a distinct nation and ,o$ern'ent< 2ith Da$id Th!
ser$ant< e$en a descendant fro' the &oins of ancient Da$id to e their
0in,#
-Let that nation or that *eo*&e 2ho sha&& ta0e an acti$e *art in
eha&f of Araha'+s chi&dren< and in the raisin, u* of Jerusa&e'< find
fa$or in Th! si,ht# Let not their ene'ies *re$ai& a,ainst the'< neither
&et *esti&ence or fa'ine o$erco'e the'< ut &et the ,&or! of Israe&
o$ershado2 the'< and the *o2er of the Hi,hest *rotect the'? 2hi&e that
nation or 0in,do' that 2i&& not ser$e Thee in this ,&orious 2or0 'ust
*erish< accordin, to Th! 2ord---Yea< those nations sha&& e utter&!
2asted#-
-Thou,h Th! ser$ant is no2 far fro' his ho'e< and fro' the &and
ede2ed 2ith his ear&iest tear< !et he re'e'ers< O Lord< his friend( 2ho
are there< and fa'i&!< 2ho' for Th! sa0e he has &eft# Thou,h *o$ert! and
*ri$ation e our earth&! &ot< !et ahK do Thou rich&! endo2 us 2ith an
inheritance 2here 'oth and rust do not corru*t< and 2here thie$es do not
rea0 throu,h and stea&#
-The hands that ha$e fed< c&othed< or sho2n fa$or unto the fa'i&! of
Th! ser$ant in his asence< or that sha&& hereafter do so< &et the' not
&ose their re2ard< ut &et a s*ecia& &essin, rest u*on the'< and in Th!
0in,do' &et the' ha$e an inheritance 2hen Thou sha&t co'e to e ,&orified
in this societ!#
-Do Thou a&so &oo0 2ith fa$or u*on a&& those throu,h 2hose &iera&it!
I ha$e een ena&ed to co'e to this &and? and in the da! 2hen Thou sha&t
re2ard a&& *eo*&e accordin, to their 2or0s< &et these a&so not e *assed
! or for,otten< ut in ti'e &et the' e in readiness to en=o! the ,&or!
of those 'ansions 2hich Jesus has ,one to *re*are# )articu&ar&! do Thou
&ess the stran,er in )hi&ade&*hia< 2ho' I ne$er sa2< ut 2ho sent 'e
,o&d< 2ith a re>uest that I shou&d *ra! for hi' in Jerusa&e'# No2< O Lord<
&et &essin,s co'e u*on hi' fro' an une/*ected >uarter< and &et his as0et
e fi&&ed< and his storehouse aound 2ith *&ent!< and &et not the ,ood
thin,s of the earth e his on&! *ortion< ut &et hi' e found a'on, those
to 2ho' it sha&& e said< LThou hast een faithfu& o$er a fe2 thin,s< and
I 2i&& 'a0e thee ru&er o$er 'an!#+
-O '! Father in hea$enK I no2 as0 Thee in the na'e of Jesus to
re'e'er ;ion< 2ith a&& her Sta0es< and 2ith a&& her asse'&ies# She has
een ,rie$ous&! aff&icted and s'itten? she has 'ourned? she has 2e*t? her
ene'ies ha$e triu'*hed< and ha$e said< LAh< 2here is th! 5odB+ Her )riests
and )ro*hets ha$e ,roaned in chains and fetters 2ithin the ,&oo'! 2a&&s of
*risons< 2hi&e 'an! 2ere s&ain< and no2 s&ee* in the ar's of death# Ho2
&on,< O Lord< sha&& ini>uit! triu'*h< and sin ,o un*unishedB
-Do Thou arise in the 'a=est! of Th! stren,th< and 'a0e are Thine
ar' in eha&f of Th! *eo*&e# Redress their 2ron,s< and turn their sorro2
into =o!# )our the s*irit of &i,ht and 0no2&ed,e< ,race and 2isdo'< into
the hearts of her )ro*hets< and c&othe her )riests 2ith sa&$ation# Let
&i,ht and 0no2&ed,e 'arch forth throu,h the e'*ire of dar0ness< and 'a!
the honest in heart f&o2 to their standard< and =oin in the 'arch to ,o
forth to 'eet the "ride,roo'#
Let a *ecu&iar &essin, rest u*on the )residenc! of Th! Church< for
at the' are the arro2s of the ene'! directed# "e Thou to the' a sun and a
shie&d< their stron, to2er and hidin, *&ace? and in the ti'e of distress
or dan,er e Thou near to de&i$er# A&so the >uoru' of the T2e&$e< do Thou
e *&eased to stand ! the' for Thou 0no2est the ostac&es 2hich the! ha$e
to encounter< the te'*tations to 2hich the! are e/*osed< and the
*ri$ations 2hich the! 'ust suffer# 5i$e us< Ithe T2e&$eJ therefore<
stren,th accordin, to our da!< and he&* us to ear a faithfu& testi'on! of
Jesus and His 5os*e&< to finish 2ith fide&it! and honor the 2or0 2hich
Thou hast ,i$en us to do< and then ,i$e us a *&ace in Th! ,&orious
0in,do'# And &et this &essin, rest u*on e$er! faithfu& officer and 'e'er
in Th! Church# And a&& the ,&or! and honor 2i&& 2e ascrie unto 5od and
the La' fore$er and e$er# A'en#-
On the to* of .ount O&i$es I erected a *i&e of stones as a 2itness
accordin, to ancient custo'# On 2hat 2as ancient&! ca&&ed .ount ;ion<
I.oriahBJ 2here the Te'*&e stood< I erected another< and used the rod
accordin, to the *rediction u*on '! head#
I ha$e found 'an! Je2s 2ho &istened 2ith intense interest# The idea
of the Je2s ein, restored to )a&estine is ,ainin, ,round in Euro*e a&'ost
e$er! da!# Jerusa&e' is stron,&! fortified 2ith 'an! cannon u*on its
2a&&s# The 2a&& is ten feet thic0 on the sides that 2ou&d e 'ost e/*osed<
and four or fi$e feet 2here the descent fro' the 2a&& is a&'ost
*er*endicu&ar# The nu'er of inhaitants 2ithin the 2a&&s is aout t2ent!
thousand# Aout se$en thousand of this nu'er are Je2s< the a&ance ein,
'ost&! Tur0s and Ar'enians# .an! of the Je2s 2ho are o&d ,o to this *&ace
to die< and 'an! are co'in, fro' Euro*e into this eastern 2or&d# The ,reat
2hee& is un>uestiona&! in 'otion< and the 2ord of the A&'i,ht! has
dec&ared that it sha&& ro&&#
I ha$e not ti'e to 2rite *articu&ars no2< ut suffice it to sa! that
'! 'ission has een >uite as *ros*erous as I cou&d e/*ect#
I a' no2 aout to ,o on oard a fine shi* for Trieste< and fro'
thence I intend to *roceed to Re,ensur, and there *u&ish our faith in
the 5er'an &an,ua,e# There are those 2ho are read! and 2i&&in, to assist
'e#
I send !ou this &etter ! Ca*tain 3ithers< an En,&ish ,ent&e'an< 2ho
,oes direct to En,&and< on oard the Orienta& stea'er# He has co'e 2ith 'e
fro' Jerusa&e'# If I had 'one! sufficient I shou&d e a&'ost te'*ted to
ta0e *assa,e on oard of her to En,&and< ut this I cannot do#
On recei*t of this< I 2ish !ou to 2rite to 'e i''ediate&!< and direct
to Re,ensur,< on the Danue< "a!ern< or "a$aria# If !ou 0no2 an!thin, of
'! fa'i&! te&& 'e#
.! est res*ects to !ourse&f and !our fa'i&!< to "rothers Ada's and
Sno2< and to a&& the Saints in En,&and#
.a! ,race< 'erc! and *eace< fro' 5od our Father< and fro' the Lord
Jesus Christ< rest u*on !ou a&& fro' this ti'e< henceforth and for e$er#
A'en# Your rother in Christ< ORSON HYDE#
CHA)TER 66%II#
OFFICIAL DENUNCIATION OF THIE%ES AT NAU%OO--THE .ORAL LA3
OF THE CHURCH--A"ANDON.ENT OF RA.US AS A STA1E OF ;ION--"A)TIS.
FOR THE DEAD< AN E)ISTLE#
3ednesda!< H@#--E&der Jose*h Fie&din,< 2ho sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo&< on
the T!rean< 2ith HD@ Saints< arri$ed at 3arsa2 2ith his co'*an!? and
E&ders 3i&&ard Richards and John Ta!&or 2ent to 'eet the' and to ,i$e such
counse& as their situation re>uired#
Frida!< H:# Affida$it of H!ru' S'ith--Denouncin, Theft# 3hereas it
hath een inti'ated to 'e ! *ersons of credii&it! that there are *ersons
in the surroundin, countr!< 2ho *rofess to e 'e'ers of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< 2ho ha$e een usin, their inf&uence and
endea$ors to insti& into the 'inds of ,ood and 2orth! citi4ens in the
state of I&&inois< and the ad=oinin, states< that the First )residenc!<
and others in authorit! and hi,h standin, in said Church< do sanction and
a**roate the 'e'ers of said Church in stea&in, *ro*ert! fro' those
*ersons 2ho do not e&on, to said Church< and there! to induce *ersons to
aid and aet the' in the act of stea&in,< and other e$i& *ractices? I
therefore< here! disa$o2 an! sanction or a**roation ! 'e< of the cri'e
of theft< or an! other e$i& *ractice< in an! *erson or *ersons 2hate$er<
2here! either the &i$es or *ro*ert! of our fe&&o2 'en 'a! e un&a2fu&&!
ta0en or 'o&ested? neither are such thin,s sanctioned or a**roated ! the
First )residenc!< or an! other *erson in authorit! or ,ood standin, in
said Church< ut such acts are a&to,ether in $io&ation of the ru&es<
order< and re,u&ations of the Church< contrar! to the teachin,s ,i$en in
said Church< and the &a2s of oth 5od and 'an# I caution the un2ar!< 2ho
e&on, to the aforesaid Church< and a&& other *ersons< a,ainst ein, du*ed
or &ed into an! act or sche'e 2hich 'a! endan,er their character< &i$es<
or *ro*ert!< or rin, re*roach u*on the Church? and I certif! that I ho&d
'! *erson and *ro*ert! read! to su**ort the &a2s of the &and< in the
detection of an! *erson or *ersons 2ho 'a! co''it an! reach of the sa'e#
To 2hich I suscrie '! na'e< and testif!< this H:th da! of No$e'er<
78@7# HYRU. S.ITH#
S2orn to and suscried efore 'e this H:th da! of No$e'er< 78@7#
E"ENE;ER RO"INSON< J# )#
I attended cit! counci& and *resented a i&& for -an ordinance in
re&ation to Ha20ers< )ed&ars< )u&ic Sho2s< and E/hiitions< in order to
*re$ent an! i''ora& or oscene e/hiition<- 2hich *assed the counci& !
unani'ous $ote#
Sunda!< H8#--I s*ent the da! in the counci& 2ith the T2e&$e A*ost&es
at the house of )resident Youn,< con$ersin, 2ith the' u*on a $ariet! of
su=ects# "rother Jose*h Fie&din, 2as *resent< ha$in, een asent four
!ears on a 'ission to En,&and# I to&d the rethren that the "oo0 of .or'on
2as the 'ost correct of an! oo0 on earth< and the 0e!stone of our
re&i,ion< and a 'an 2ou&d ,et nearer to 5od ! aidin, ! its *rece*ts<
than ! an! other oo0#
.onda!< HN#--I ,a$e the fo&&o2in, affida$it< and *u&ished it in the
Ti'es and Seasons#
The )ro*het+s Denunciation of Thie$es#
CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< No$e'er HN< A#D# 78@7#
TO THE )U"LIC#
The occurrence of recent e$ents 'a0es it cri'ina& for 'e to re'ain
&on,er si&ent# The ton,ue of the $i&e !et s*ea0s< and sends forth the
*oison of as*s< the ears of the s*oi&er !et hear< and he *uts forth his
hands to ini>uit!# It has een *roc&ai'ed u*on the house to* and in the
secret cha'er< in the *u&ic 2a&0s and *ri$ate circ&e< throu,hout the
&en,th and readth of this $ast contineadth< that stea&in, ! the
Latter-da! Saints has recei$ed '! a**ro$a&? na!< that I ha$e tau,ht the
doctrine< encoura,ed the' in *&under< and &ed on the $an--than 2hich
nothin, is 'ore forei,n fro' '! heart# I disfe&&o2shi* the *er*etrators of
a&& such ao'inations--the! are de$i&s and not Saints< tota&&! unfit for
the societ! of Christians or 'en# It is true that so'e *rofessin, to e
Latter-da! Saints ha$e tau,ht such $i&e heresies< ut a&& are not Israe&
that are of Israe&? and I 2ish it to e distinct&! understood in a&&
co'in, ti'e< that the Church< o$er 2hich I ha$e the honor of *residin,<
2i&& e$er set its ro2s &i0e rass< and its face &i0e Stee&s a,ainst a&&
such ao'ina&e acts of $i&&ain! and cri'e? and to this end I a**end '!
affida$it of disa$o2a&< ta0en this da! efore 5enera& "ennet< that there
'a! e no 'ista0e hereafter as to '! rea& senti'ents< or those of the
&eaders of the Church< in re&ation to this i'*ortant 'atter#
STATE OF ILLINOIS< HANCOC1 COUNTY#
"efore 'e< John C# "ennett< .a!or of the Cit! of Nau$oo< *ersona&&!
ca'e Jose*h S'ith< )resident of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints Eco''on&! ca&&ed the .or'on ChurchF< 2ho ein, du&! s2orn accordin,
to &a2< de*oseth and saith< that he has ne$er direct&! or indirect&!
encoura,ed the *ur&oinin, of *ro*ert!< or tau,ht the doctrine of stea&in,<
or an! other e$i& *ractice< and that a&& such $i&e and un&a2fu& acts 2i&&
e$er recei$e his unreser$ed and un>ua&ified disa**ro$a&< and the 'ost
$i,orous o**osition of the Church o$er 2hich he *resides? and further this
de*onent saith not# JOSE)H S.ITH< )resident of the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-da! Saints#
S2orn to and suscried efore 'e< at '! office< in the cit! of
Nau$oo< this HNth da! of No$e'er< A#D# 78@7# JOHN C# "ENNETT< J# S# .a!or
of the Cit! of Nau$oo#
No2 it is to e ho*ed that none 2i&& hereafter e so rec0&ess as to
state that I< or the Church to 2hich I e&on,< a**ro$e of thie$in,--ut
that a&& the friends of &a2 and order 2i&& =oin in ferretin, out thie$es
2here$er and 2hene$er the! 'a! e found< and assist in rin,in, the' to
that condi,n *unish'ent 2hich such infa'ous cri'es so rich&! 'erit# JOSE)H
S.ITH< )resident of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints#
A conference 2as he&d in Ne2 Yor0 Cit!< E&der John E# )a,e *residin,?
in 2hich 2ere re*resented Ne2 Yor0 Cit! 7M E&ders H )riests< 7 Teacher< H
Deacons< 7MN 'e'ers# Fi$e ranches 2ere re*resented< inc&udin, G E&ders<
: )riests< 9 Teachers< 9 Deacons< 7@N 'e'ers# 9 E&ders< H )riests< 7
Teacher< 2ere ordained# There 2ere *resent at the conference< 7 A*ost&e< :
Hi,h )riests< 7: E&ders< 9 )riests< H Teachers< H Deacons#
Tuesda!< 9D#--Attended a counci& of the T2e&$e A*ost&es at )resident
"ri,ha' Youn,+s ho'e# )resident "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< 3i&&ard
Richards< Orson )ratt< L!'an 3i,ht< John Ta!&or< and 3i&ford 3oodruff 2ere
*resent#
It 2as $oted that Eene4er Roinson e so&icited to ,i$e u* the
de*art'ent of *rintin, the Ti'es and Seasons to E&der 3i&&ard Richards#
%oted< that if "rother Roinson does not co'*&! 2ith this
so&icitation< E&der Richards e instructed to *rocure a *ress and t!*e<
and *u&ish a *a*er for the Church#
.o$ed ! E&der Youn,< and seconded ! E&der 3oodruff< that L!'an
3i,ht and John Ta!&or *resent these reso&utions to "rother Roinson#
3ednesda!< Dece'er 7#--In $ie2 of the *roceedin,s of the 'eetin, of
the Church at Ra'us< on the 78th No$e'er< 2hen certain indi$idua&s 2ere
cut off fro' the Church for stea&in,< the T2e&$e issued the fo&&o2in,
e*ist&e(
3arnin, of the T2e&$e A*ost&es A,ainst Thie$es#
3e are ,&ad that the *er*etrators of the ao$e cri'e ha$e een cau,ht
in their ini>uitous *ractices? and 2e are on&! sorr! that an!od! shou&d
e found 2ho 2ou&d ai& the' out of *rison< for such indi$idua&s< if the
char,es are true< ou,ht to e 'ade an e/a'*&e of< and not e suffered to
run at &ar,e#
3e ha$e een infor'ed that so'e of the' ha$e een ta&0in, of 'o$in,
into this *&ace< ut 2e 2ou&d here infor' the' that *ersons 2hose conduct
has e/*osed the' to the =ust censure of an indi,nant *u&ic< can ha$e no
fe&&o2shi* a'on,st us< as 2e cannot< and 2i&& not countenance ro,ues<
thie$es< and scoundre&s 0no2in,&!? and< 2e here! 2arn the' that the &a2
2i&& e as ri,orous&! enforced a,ainst the' in this *&ace as in an! other<
as 2e consider such characters a curse to societ!< 2hose *esti&entia&
reath 2ithers the 'ora&s< and &asts the fa'e and re*utation of an!
*eo*&e a'on, 2ho' the! 'a! so=ourn# There is no *erson that is< and ou,ht
to e des*ised 'ore than the thief< ! an! res*ecta&e co''unit!? !et 'ore
es*ecia&&! ou,ht such *ersons to e ahorred 2ho ha$e ta0en u*on the' the
na'e of Christ< and thus 2ith the *rete/t of re&i,ion< and ,ar of
sanctit!< c&oa0 their nefarious *ractices#
3e ha$e een to&d that so'e indi$idua& or indi$idua&s ha$e< under
fa&se *retenses< een 2ishin, to *a&' their 2ic0ed and de$i&ish *rinci*&es
u*on the authorities of the Church< statin, that it 2as *art and *arce& of
the 5os*e& 2hich 5od had re$ea&ed< and that it is one of the '!steries
2hich the initiated on&! are ac>uainted 2ith# 3e 0no2 not ho2 to e/*ress
our ahorrence at such an idea< and can on&! sa! that it is en,endered in
he&&< founded in fa&sehood< and is the offs*rin, of the de$i&? and it is
at $ariance 2ith e$er! *rinci*&e of ri,hteousness and truth< and 2i&& da'n
a&& that are connected 2ith it< for a&& '!steries are on&! such to the
i,norant< and $anish as soon as 'en ha$e sufficient inte&&i,ence to
co'*rehend the'? and there are no '!steries connected 2ith ,od&iness and
our ho&! re&i,ion< ut 2hat are *ure< innocent< $irtuous< =ust< and
ri,hteous# If this Ithe fore,oin, *ractice of thie$in,J is a '!ster!< it
is the -'!ster! of ini>uit!#- 3e are at a &oss to 0no2 2ho cou&d e $i&e
enou,h to *ro*a,ate such ase and unfounded state'ents< and 2e 2ou&d sa!
to the Church< e2are of such 'enK Set the' do2n as the 2orst of
scoundre&s< and re=ect their fou& insinuations 2ith the indi,nation and
dis,ust that such unha&&o2ed and $i&e insinuations deser$e? for such 'en
are either a$o2ed a*ostates< or on the e$e of a*ostas!< or ha$e on&! ta0en
the na'e of re&i,ion to c&oa0 their h!*ocris!? 2e fear the &atter< in so'e
instances is the case< and that .ississi**i scoundre&s *a&' the'se&$es
u*on us to co$er their ,ui&t# 3e further ca&& u*on the Church to rin, a&&
such characters efore the authorities< that the! 'a! e tried< and dea&t
2ith accordin, to the &a2 of 5od< and de&i$ered u* unto the &a2s of the
&and#
It is scarce&! *ossi&e that an! $irtuous 'an cou&d e 'ade to
e&ie$e an! such state'ents< ho2e$er i,norant? !et &est throu,h fa&se
*retenses the innocent 'i,ht e dra2n into a snare< 2e 2ou&d >uote the
fo&&o2in, fro' the "oo0 of Doctrine and Co$enants< section @H< *ara,ra*h
8@< 8G< -And if an! 'an or 2o'an sha&& ro< he or she sha&& e de&i$ered
u* unto the &a2 of the &and# And if he or she sha&& stea&< he or she sha&&
e de&i$ered u* unto the &a2 of the &and#- A,ain< section @H< *ara,ra*h
HD< -Thou sha&t not stea&< and he that stea&eth and 2i&& not re*ent sha&&
e cast out#- The road &a2 of 5od is< -Thou sha&t not stea&<- and
thie$es< to,ether 2ith -&iars and 2hore'on,ers<- 2i&& e$entua&&! e found
2ithout the cit!< 2ith do,s and sorcerers# 3e need on&! sa! that if 2e
find such characters en,a,ed in their nefarious *ractices< 2hether in or
out of the Church< 2e sha&& ta0e the' u*< and dea& 2ith the' accordin, to
the &a2 of 5od and 'an? and 2e 2ish the Church to infor' us of such
de&in>uents< or the sin 2i&& &ie at their o2n door#
As there are ,an,s of roers u* and do2n this ri$er< fro' 2ho' 2e
ha$e suffered 'uch< ha$in, had 'an! horses< catt&e and other *ro*ert!
sto&en< 2e *ur*ose institutin, a *o&ice for the *rotection of our
*ro*ert!< and the ri,orous enforce'ent of the &a2s of our countr!? and
shou&d an!< 2ho ca&& the'se&$es Latter-da! Saints< e found in their
'idst< the! 2i&& e cut off fro' the Church< and handed o$er to the &a2 of
the &and#
3e ho*e that 2hat 2e ha$e 2ritten 'a! suffice< and ta0e this
o**ortunit! of e/*ressin, our decided and un>ua&ified disa**roation of
an!thin, &i0e theft in a&i its earin,s< as ein, ca&cu&ated to destro!
the *eace of societ!< to in=ure the Church of Jesus Christ< to 2ound the
character of the *eo*&e of 5od< and to sta'* 2ith eterna& infa'! a&& 2ho
fo&&o2 such diao&ica& *ractices? to &ast their character on earth< and
to consi,n the' to eterna& *erdition# "RI5HA. YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL<
)ARLEY )# )RATT< ORSON HYDE< 3ILLIA. S.ITH< ORSON )RATT< JOHN E# )A5E<
3ILLARD RICHARDS< LY.AN 3I5HT< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN TAYLOR< 5EOR5E A#
S.ITH#
Nau$oo< I&&inois< Dece'er 7< 78@7#
Thursda!< H#--I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation to Nanc! .arinda
H!de--
Re$e&ation#
%eri&! thus saith the Lord unto !ou '! ser$ant Jose*h< that inas'uch
as !ou ha$e ca&&ed u*on 'e to 0no2 '! 2i&& concernin, '! hand'aid Nanc!
.arinda H!de--eho&d it is '! 2i&& that she shou&d ha$e a etter *&ace
*re*ared for her< than that in 2hich she no2 &i$es< in order that her &ife
'a! e s*ared unto her? therefore ,o and sa! unto '! ser$ant< Eene4er
Roinson< and to '! hand'aid his 2ife--Let the' o*en their doors and ta0e
her and her chi&dren into their house and ta0e care of the' faithfu&&! and
0ind&! unti& '! ser$ant Orson H!de returns fro' his 'ission< or unti& so'e
other *ro$ision can e 'ade for her 2e&fare and safet!# Let the' do these
thin,s and s*are not< and I the Lord 2i&& &ess the' and hea& the' if the!
do it not ,rud,in,&!< saith the Lord 5od? and she sha&& e a &essin, unto
the'? and &et '! hand'aid Nanc! .arinda H!de hear0en to the counse& of '!
ser$ant Jose*h in a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er he sha&& teach unto her< and it
sha&& e a &essin, u*on her and u*on her chi&dren after her< unto her
=ustification< saith the Lord#
Saturda!< @#--I attended the cit! counci&< and s*o0e in defense of
the 'arsha&< in his not ser$in, a 2arrant< 2hen his &ife 2ou&d ha$e een
endan,ered#
A conference 2as he&d at Ra'us on the @th and Gth of Dece'er< 78@7<
o$er 2hich the )atriarch of the Church< H!ru' S'ith< *resided? Jose*h
Johnson acted as c&er0? "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< 3i&&ard Richards
and John Ta!&or< of the >uoru' of the T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ere *resent# It 2as
unani'ous&! reso&$ed ! the conference that the or,ani4ation of the Church
at Ra'us as a Sta0e e discontinued and that John La2son e *residin,
E&der o$er the ranch at Ra'us< and Jose*h Johnson< c&er0? and that
3i&&ia' 3i,ht'an< the "isho*< transfer a&& the Church *ro*ert! in Ra'us to
the so&e Trustee in Trust< Jose*h S'ith< )resident of the 2ho&e Church#
Sunda!< G#--I co''enced to *roof read the "oo0 of .or'on< *re$ious to
its ein, stereot!*ed? read si/t! *a,es#
In the e$enin, "rother 3i&ford 3oodruff and 2ife $isited 'e# 3e
con$ersed aout the .issouri trou&es< and the death of Da$id 3# )atten?
a&so his &ast re>uest#
Tuesda!< M#--The fo&&o2in, is a co*! of a &etter to La2!ers "ushne&&
and "ro2nin, of Auinc!(
Letter of the )ro*het to Es>uires "ro2nin, and "ushne&&--)a!'ent of
Notes#
Es>uires "ro2nin, and "ushne&&(
5ENTLE.EN(--Your &etter of the H9rd u&ti'o< concernin, t2o notes
*&aced in !our hands ! .essrs# Ha&sted< Haines and Co#< a,ainst '!se&f
and thirt!-one others< for co&&ection< 2as du&! recei$ed# In re*&!< I 'ust
infor' !ou< that I a' not in *ossession of 'eans< e&on,in, to 'e
indi$idua&&! to &i>uidate those notes at *resent? the reason is a**arent
to e$er! one? I need not re&ate to !ou the *ersecution I ha$e suffered<
and the &oss and confiscation of a&& '! effects at $arious ti'es as a
reason of '! inai&it!? !ou 0no2 it a&&< and so do the ,ent&e'en 2hose
notes !ou ho&d for co&&ection# "ut I 2ish !ou to sa! to the' that if the!
2i&& ,i$e 'e '! ti'e Eand no 'ore than I 'ust necessari&! ha$eF< the!
sha&& ha$e their *a! in so'e 2a! or other# I ha$e the 'eans at co''and in
the East< 2hich< 2ith a sufficient indu&,ence< 2i&& ena&e 'e to *a! the'
e$er! 2hit< ut un&ess this is ,ranted 'e< it 2i&& e i'*ossi&e for 'e to
do so# A&& I as0 of those ,ent&e'en and this ,eneration is that the!
shou&d not tie u* '! hands< nor th2art 'e in '! o*erations# If this is
,ranted 'e< I *&ed,e '! 2ord< !ea< '! sacred honor< that a&& that can in
fairness e de'anded at '! hands< either no2 or at an! ti'e sha&&
u&ti'ate&! e ad=usted to the satisfaction of a&& concerned# This is a&&
that I can sa! at this ti'e< or do< ho*in, that !ou 2i&& co''unicate to
.essrs# Ho&sted< Haines and Co# the contents< or at a&& e$ents the *ur*ort
of this &etter< to,ether 2ith '! sincere re,ard for their 2e&fare< and as
re,ards !ou< ,ent&e'en< I re'ain $er! res*ectfu&&!< Your oedient ser$ant<
JOSE)H S.ITH#
3ednesda!< 8#--The T2e&$e 2ho attended the Ra'us conference on the
@th instant returned 2ith near&! a thousand do&&ars 2orth of *ro*ert!<
consistin, of horses< 2a,ons< *ro$isions< c&othin,< etc#< for the Te'*&e<
2hich had een donated ! the Saints at Ra'us#
Frida! 7D#--I 2rote to Horace R# Hotch0iss< Es>#
The )ro*het+s Letter to .r# Hotch0iss--Co''erce Lands#
DEAR SIR(--Your &etters< dated Octoer< 77th and No$e'er Nth< 78@7<
ha$e oth een recei$ed< and that of the Nth of No$e'er is no2 efore 'e#
I a' ,&ad that !ou are *&eased 2ith the *roceedin,s of our &ast conference
re&ati$e to -.r# Hotch0iss *urchase<- concernin, 2hich there had een so'e
un*&easant fee&in, 2hich had ori,inated *art&! fro' a 'isunderstandin,
et2een us< and *art&! throu,h the inefficienc!< ne,&ect or sic0ness of
Dr# 5a&&and# I 2rote a &etter to !our friend and *artner< Es>uire Tutt&e<
so'e ti'e since< 2hich no dout !ou ha$e seen efore no2< and 2ith 2hich I
ho*e !ou are a&so satisfied# I ha$e handed !our re>uest to the editor of
the Ti'es and Seasons< 2ho 2i&& for2ard !ou the desired *a*ers# I a' ,&ad
that Ja'es I$ins sett&ed 2ith !ou the RH<GDD note< ut sorr! that !ou
suffered !ourse&f to &ose in the sa&e of the &and !ou had of hi'# As
re,ards the Coo0+s .i&& Ta$ern stand< and the one hundred and thirt!-se$en
acres of *ine &and< 2hich !ou *ro*ose to a&&o2 the Church three thousand
do&&ars for< I ha$e to sa! in re*&!< that I ha$e consu&ted< not on&! '!
o2n fee&in,s as so&e Trustee in Trust for the Church? ut a&so the
fee&in,s of those of the Church 2hose o*inions I can a&2a!s re&! u*on in
such 'atters< and the conc&usion is that thirt!-t2o hundred do&&ars is the
&east the *ro*ert! ou,ht to e so&d for# You can< therefore< ha$e it for
three thousand t2o hundred< 2hich is considera&! &ess than it cost the
Church? 2e are 2i&&in, to 'a0e a *artia& sacrifice in the *ro*ert!< ut
under the circu'stances< thin0 that !ou can afford to ,i$e us t2o hundred
do&&ars 'ore than !ou *ro*osed# The hea&th of our *&ace is at this ti'e
*rett! ,ood< and 2e ho*e it 'a! continue to i'*ro$e< 2ith the i'*ro$e'ents
of the cit!# I re'ain $er! res*ectfu&&! !ours< Pc#< JOSE)H S.ITH#
Saturda!< 77#--Late this e$enin,< 2hi&e sittin, in counci& 2ith the
T2e&$e in '! ne2 store on 3ater street< I directed "ri,ha' Youn,<
)resident of the T2e&$e A*ost&es< to ,o i''ediate&! and instruct the
ui&din, co''ittee in their dut!< and forid the' recei$in, an! 'ore
*ro*ert! for the ui&din, of the Te'*&e< unti& the! recei$ed it fro' the
Trustee in Trust< and if the co''ittee did not ,i$e heed to the
instruction< and attend to their dut!< to *ut the' in the 2a! so to do#
E&der 3i&&ard Richards has &eft 3arsa2 for Nau$oo< it ein,
considered unnecessar! for hi' to tarr! there an! &on,er#
Since I ha$e een en,a,ed in &a!in, the foundation of the Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< I ha$e een *re$ented in $arious 2a!s
fro' continuin, '! =ourna& and histor! in a 'anner satisfactor! to '!se&f
or in =ustice to the cause# Lon, I'*rison'ents< $e/atious and
&on,-continued &a2 suits< the treacher! of so'e of '! c&er0s< the death of
others< and the *o$ert! of '!se&f and rethren fro' continued *&under and
dri$in,< ha$e *re$ented '! handin, do2n to *osterit! a connected
'e'orandu' of e$ents desira&e to a&& &o$ers of truth? !et I ha$e
continued to 0ee* u* a =ourna& in the est 'anner '! circu'stances 2ou&d
a&&o2< and dictate for '! histor! fro' ti'e to ti'e< as I ha$e had
o**ortunit! so that the &aors and sufferin, of the first E&ders and
Saints of this &ast 0in,do' 'i,ht not 2ho&&! e &ost to the 2or&d#
Sunda!< 7H#--I *reached in the 'ornin, at Sn!der+s Hote&#
In the e$enin,< the T2e&$e 'et in counci& at "rother Heer C#
1i'a&&+s#
.onda!< 79#--I a**ointed 3i&&ard Richards recorder for the Te'*&e<
and '! *ri$ate Secretar! and ,enera& C&er0< and he co''enced his &aors in
'! ne2 office in the ric0 store#
So'e ti'e in the fa&& of 789N< Danie& S# 3itter< of the stea' 'i&& at
3arsa2< so&icited the First )residenc! of the Church to 'a0e a sett&e'ent
on the schoo& section No# 7:< one 'i&e south of 3arsa2< and the
so&icitations 2ere continued ! Danie& S# 3itter< .ar0 A&drich and others<
fro' ti'e to ti'e< ti&& the s*rin, or su''er of 78@7< 2hen artic&es of
a,ree'ent 2ere entered into et2een Ca&$in A# 3arren< Es>#< 3itter<
A&drich and others< o2ners of the schoo& section and the First )residenc!<
,i$in, the Saints the *ri$i&e,e of sett&in, on the schoo& section< 2hich
had een sur$e!ed and &aid out in to2n &ots< and ca&&ed 3arren< on certain
conditions< and 3i&&ard Richards 2ent to 3arsa2 on the 8th of Se*te'er<
and s*ent se$era& 2ee0s to *re*are for the rece*tion of i''i,rants# In the
'eanti'e the inhaitants of 3arsa2 atte'*ted to for' an anti-.or'on
societ!< and 2ere 'uch enra,ed ecause Es>uire Da$is E2ho had s*o0en
fa$ora&! of the SaintsF 2as a**ointed c&er0 of the count! ! Jud,e
Ste*hen A# Dou,&as#
In No$e'er t2o hundred and four Saints arri$ed at 3arsa2< fro'
En,&and< &ed ! Jose*h Fie&din,< and 2ere $isited on the H@th of No$e'er
! E&ders 3i&&ard Richards< and John Ta!&or of the T2e&$e< and counse&ed
to tarr! at 3arsa2 accordin, to the instruction of the First )residenc!#
Dece'er 79#--Isaac Dec0er< *residin, E&der at 3arsa2< stated to the
)residenc! of Nau$oo< that .r# 3itter had raised one do&&ar *er arre& on
f&our< and so&d the s2ee*in,s of his 'i&& to the Saints at RH#HG *er
hundred? and that 3itter and A&drich had foridden the rethren the
*ri$i&e,e of ,ettin, the o&d 2ood on the schoo& section< 2hich the! had
fu&& &iert! to ,et? that the *rice of 2ood on the 2harf had fa&&en
t2ent!-fi$e cents *er cord since the arri$a& of the Saints? that the
citi4ens had raised their rent< Pc#? and the First )residenc! decided that
the Saints shou&d re'o$e fro' 3arsa2 to Nau$oo i''ediate&!? and that the
*roceedin,s at 3arsa2 e *u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons#
This 'ornin, )resident Youn, de&i$ered the 'essa,e I ,a$e hi' on
Saturda! e$enin, to Re!no&ds Cahoon and E&ias Hi,ee< the Te'*&e
Co''ittee< in *resence of E&ders 1i'a&&< 3oodruff< and Richards#
E&der Richards ! &etter instructed the Saints at 3arsa2 to re'o$e to
Nau$oo# "A)TIS. FOR THE DEAD#
An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e A*ost&es to the Saints of the Last Da!s#
The ui&din, of the Te'*&e of the Lord in the cit! of Nau$oo< is
occu*!in, the first *&ace in the e/ertions and *ra!ers of 'an! of the
Saints at the *resent ti'e< 0no2in,< as the! do< that if this ui&din, is
not co'*&eted s*eedi&!< -2e sha&& e re=ected as a Church 2ith our dead?-
for the Lord our 5od hath s*o0en it#
"ut 2hi&e 'an! are thus en,a,ed in &aorin, and 2atchin, and *ra!in,
for this a&& i'*ortant o=ect< there are 'an!< $er! 'an! 'ore< 2ho do not
thus co'e u* to their *ri$i&e,e and their dut! in this thin,< and in 'an!
instances 2e are confident that their ne,&ect arises fro' a 2ant of *ro*er
understandin, of the *rinci*&es u*on 2hich this ui&din, is founded< and
! 2hich it 'ust e co'*&eted#
The chi&dren of Israe& 2ere co''anded to ui&d a house in the &and of
*ro'ise? and so are the Saints of the &ast da!s< as !ou 2i&& see in the
Re$e&ation ,i$en to Jose*h the Seer< Januar! 7N< 78@7< 2herein those
ordinances 'a! e re$ea&ed 2hich ha$e een hid for a,es< e$en their
anointin,s and 2ashin,s< and a*tis's for the dead? 2herein the! 'a! 'eet
in so&e'n asse'&ies for their 'e'oria&s< sacrifices< and orac&es in their
'ost ho&! *&aces? and 2herein the! 'a! recei$e con$ersations and statutes<
and =ud,'ents< for the e,innin, of the re$e&ations and foundations of
;ion< and the ,&or! and honor and adorn'ent of a&& her 'unici*a&s throu,h
the 'ediu' 2hich 5od has ordained#
In the sa'e re$e&ation the co''and is to -a&& the Saints fro' afar -
as 2e&& as those a&read! ,athered to this *&ace+ to arise 2ith one consent
and ui&d the Te'*&e? to *re*are a *&ace 2here the .ost Hi,h 'a! 'anifest
Hi'se&f to His *eo*&e# No one is e/ce*ted 2ho hath au,ht in his
*ossession< for 2hat ha$e !e that !e ha$e not recei$edB And I 2i&& re>uire
'ine o2n 2ith usur!< saith the Lord? so that those 2ho &i$e thousands of
'i&es fro' this *&ace< co'e under the sa'e &a2< and are entit&ed to the
sa'e &essin,s and *ri$i&e,es as those 2ho ha$e a&read! ,athered# "ut so'e
'a! sa!< ho2 can this e< I a' not there< therefore I cannot 'eet in the
Te'*&e< cannot e a*ti4ed in the fontB The co''and of hea$en is to !ou<
to a&&< ,ather? and 2hen !ou arri$e here< if it is found that !ou ha$e
*re$ious&! sent of !our ,o&d< or !our si&$er< or !our sustance< the
tithin, and consecrations 2hich are re>uired of !ou for this ui&din,< !ou
2i&& find !our na'es< tithin,s and consecrations 2ritten in the "oo0 of
the La2 of the Lord< to e 0e*t in the Te'*&e< as a 2itness in !our fa$or<
sho2in, that !ou are a *ro*rietor in that ui&din,< and are entit&ed to
!our share of the *ri$i&e,es thereunto e&on,in,#
One of those *ri$i&e,es 2hich is *articu&ar&! attractin, the notice
of the Saints at the *resent 'o'ent< is a*tis' for the dead< in the font
2hich is so far co'*&eted as to e dedicated< and se$era& ha$e a&read!
attended to this ordinance ! 2hich the sic0 ha$e een 'ade 2ho&e< and the
*risoner set free? ut 2hi&e 2e ha$e een ca&&ed to ad'inister this
ordinance< 2e ha$e een &ed to in>uire into the *ro*riet! of a*ti4in,
those 2ho ha$e not een oedient< and assisted to ui&d the *&ace for
a*tis'? and it see's to us unreasona&e to e/*ect that the 5reat Jeho$ah
2i&& a**roate such ad'inistration? for if the Church 'ust e rou,ht
under conde'nation< and re=ected 2ith her dead< if she fai& to ui&d the
house and its a**urtenances< 2h! shou&d not indi$idua&s of the Church< 2ho
thus ne,&ect< co'e under the sa'e conde'nationB For if the! are to e
re=ected< the! 'a! as 2e&& e re=ected 2ithout a*tis' as 2ith it? for
their a*tis' can e of no a$ai& efore 5od< and the ti'e to a*ti4e the'
'a! e a**ro*riated to ui&din, the 2a&&s of the house< and this is
accordin, to the understandin, 2hich 2e ha$e recei$ed fro' hi' 2ho is our
s*o0es'an#
Let it not e su**osed that the sic0 and the destitute are to e
denied the &essin,s of the Lord+s house? 5od forid? His e!e is e$er o$er
the' for ,ood# He that hath not< and cannot otain< ut saith in his
heart< if I had< I 2ou&d ,i$e free&!< is acce*ted as free&! as he that
,i$es of his aundance# The Te'*&e is to e ui&t ! tithin, and
consecration< and e$er! one is at &iert! to consecrate a&& the! find in
their hearts so to do? ut the tithin,s re>uired< is one-tenth of a&&
an!one *ossessed at the co''ence'ent of the ui&din,< and one-tenth *art
of a&& his increase fro' that ti'e unti& the co'*&etion of the sa'e<
2hether it e 'one!< or 2hate$er he 'a! e &essed 2ith#
.an! in this *&ace are &aorin, e$er! tenth da! for the house< and
this is the tithin, of their inco'e< for the! ha$e nothin, e&se? others
2ou&d &aor the sa'e< ut the! are sic0< therefore e/cusa&e? 2hen the!
,et 2e&&< &et the' e,in? 2hi&e there are others 2ho a**ear to thin0 their
o2n usiness of 'ore i'*ortance than the Lord+s# Of such 2e 2ou&d as0< 2ho
,a$e !ou !our ti'e< hea&th< stren,th< and *ut !ou into usinessB And 2i&&
!ou not e,in >uic0&! to return 2ith usur! that 2hich !ou ha$e recei$edB
Our 5od 2i&& not 2ait a&2a!s#
3e 2ou&d re'ind so'e t2o or three hundred E&ders< 2ho offered to ,o
on 'issions< so'e si/ 'onths< others one !ear< and so'e t2o !ears< and had
their 'issions assi,ned the' at the ,enera& conference to &aor on the
Te'*&e< that 'ost of their na'es are sti&& 2ith us< and 2e 2ish the' to
ca&& and ta0e their na'es a2a!< and ,i$e the' u* to the ui&din,
co''ittee#
"rethren< !ou ha$e as ,reat an interest at sta0e in this thin, as 2e
ha$e< ut as our .aster< e$en the .aster-ui&der of the Te'*&e< 2hose
throne is on hi,h< has seen fit to constitute us ste2ards in so'e *arts of
His househo&d? 2e fee& it i'*ortant for us to see to it that our .aster is
not defrauded< and es*ecia&&! ! those 2ho ha$e *&ed,ed their 2ord< their
ti'e< their ta&ents< to His ser$ices? and 2e ho*e this ,ent&e hint 2i&&
suffice< that 2e 'a! not e co'*e&&ed to *u&ish the na'es of those
referred to#
)roa&! so'e 'a! thin0 the! cou&d ha$e ,one on a 'ission< ut cannot
&aor< as the! ha$e no 'eans of oardin, the'se&$es< ut &et such re'e'er
that se$era& score of rethren and sisters in this cit!< offered at the
,enera& conference< to oard one or 'ore &aorers on the Te'*&e ti&& the
sa'e shou&d e co'*&eted< and ut fe2 of those as !et ha$e had the
o**ortunit! of oardin, an! one# To a&& such 2e 2ou&d sa!< !ou are not
for,otten< 2e ha$e !our na'es a&so< and 2e e/*ect soon to send so'eone to
!our ta&e< therefore *ut !our houses in order and ne$er e read! to
refuse the first offer of a ,uest#
Lar,e stores of *ro$isions 2i&& e re>uired to co'*&ete the 2or0< and
no2 is the ti'e for securin, it< 2hi&e 'eat is *&ent! and can e had for
one ha&f the $a&ue that it can at other seasons of the !ear< and the
2eather is coo& and suita&e for *ac0in,# Let the rethren for t2o hundred
'i&es around dri$e their fat catt&e and ho,s to this *&ace< 2here the! 'a!
e *reser$ed< and there 2i&& e a su**&! ti&& another fa$ora&e season
ro&&s around< or ti&& the end of the &aor#
No2 is the ti'e to secure food< no2 is the ti'e that the trustee is
read! to recei$e !our dro$es# Not the 'ai'ed< the &ean< the ha&t< and the
&ind< and such that !ou cannot use? it is for the Lord< and He 2ants no
such offerin,? ut if !ou 2ant His &essin,< ,i$e Hi' the est< ,i$e Hi'
as ,ood as He has ,i$en !ou# "eds and eddin,< soc0s< 'ittens< shoes<
c&othin, of e$er! descri*tion< and store ,oods are needed for the co'fort
of the &aorers this 2inter? =ourne!'en< stone cutters< >uarr!'en< tea's
and tea'sters for dra2in, stone and a&& 0inds of *ro$ision for 'en and
east< are needed in aundance#
There are indi$idua&s 2ho ha$e ,i$en nothin, as !et< either as
tithin, or consecration< thin0in, that the! sha&& e a&e to do a ,reat
dea& so'e ti'e hence if the! continue their *resent inco'e to their o2n
use< ut this is a 'ista0en idea# Su**ose that a&& shou&d act u*on this
*rinci*&e< no one 2ou&d do ou,ht at *resent< conse>uent&! the ui&din,
'ust cease< and this ,eneration re'ain 2ithout a house< and the Church e
re=ected? then su**ose the ne/t ,eneration &aor u*on the sa'e *rinci*&e<
and the sa'e in a&& succeedin, ,enerations< the Son of 5od 2ou&d ne$er
ha$e a *&ace on the earth to &a! His head#
Let e$er! indi$idua& re'e'er that their tithin,s and consecrations
are re>uired fro' 2hat the! ha$e< and not 2hat the! e/*ect to ha$e so'e
ti'e hence< and are 2anted for i''ediate use# A&& 'one! and other *ro*ert!
desi,ned for tithin, and consecrations to the ui&din, of the Te'*&e 'ust
hereafter e *resented to the Trustee in Trust< )resident Jose*h S'ith<
and entered at the recorder+s office< in the oo0 efore referred to? and
a&& recei*ts no2 ho&den ! indi$idua&s< 2hich the! ha$e recei$ed of the
ui&din, co''ittee for *ro*ert! de&i$ered to the'< 'ust a&so e for2arded
to the recorder+s office for entr!< to secure the a**ro*riation of said
*ro*ert! accordin, to the ori,ina& desi,n#
The E&ders e$er!2here 2i&& instruct the rethren oth in *u&ic and
in *ri$ate< in the *rinci*&es and doctrines set forth in this E*ist&e< so
that e$er! indi$idua& in the Church 'a! ha$e a *erfect understandin, of
his dut! and *ri$i&e,es# "RI5HA. YOUN5< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< ORSON )RATT<
3ILLIA. S.ITH< LY.AN 3I5HT< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN TAYLOR< 5EO# A# S.ITH<
3ILLARD RICHARDS# Nau$oo< I&&inois< Dece'er 79< 78@7#
CHA)TER 66%III#
1IRTLAND %S# NAU%OO--)OLITICAL ATTITUDE OF THE )EO)LE
OF NAU%OO DECLARED--)U"LICATIONS .OR.ON AND ANTI-.OR.ON FOR
78@7--CLOSE OF THE YEAR#
Tuesda!< Dece'er 7@< 78@7#--I co''enced o*enin,< un*ac0in,< and
assortin, a &ot of dr! ,oods in the second stor! of '! ne2 store< situate
on the north2est corner of &oc0 7GG# The =oiners and 'asons are !et at
2or0 in the &o2er *art of the ui&din,#
3ednesda!< 7G#--In re*&! to in>uiries concernin, A&'on 3# "aitt<
and the *rintin, *ress at 1irt&and< contained in a &etter 2ritten at
1irt&and< No$e'er 7:< 78@7< ! Lester "roo0s and ;eedee Co&trin< actin,
*residents< and Tho'as "urdic0< "isho* and counci&< to )resident Jose*h
S'ith and "ri,ha' Youn,< it 2as decided as fo&&o2s(
Decision in the Case of A&'on 3# "aitt and 1irt&and#
It re'ains for A&'on 3# "aitt to offer satisfaction< if he 2ishes
so to do< accordin, to the 'inutes of the conference# You are dout&ess
a&& 2e&& a2are that a&& the sta0es< e/ce*t those in Hancoc0 count!<
I&&inois< and Lee count!< Io2a< 2ere discontinued so'e ti'e since ! the
First )residenc!< as *u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons? ut as it a**ears
that there are 'an! in 1irt&and 2ho desire to re'ain there< and ui&d u*
that *&ace< and as !ou ha$e 'ade ,reat e/ertions accordin, to !our &etter<
to esta&ish a *rintin, *ress< and ta0e care of the *oor< Pc#< since that
*eriod< !ou 'a! as 2e&& continue o*erations accordin, to !our desi,ns< and
,o on 2ith !our *rintin,< and do 2hat !ou can in ri,hteousness to ui&d u*
1irt&and< ut do not suffer !ourse&$es to haror the idea that 1irt&and
2i&& rise on the ruins of Nau$oo# It is the *ri$i&e,e of rethren
e'i,ratin, fro' an! >uarter to co'e to this *&ace< and it is not ri,ht to
atte'*t to *ersuade those 2ho desire it< to sto* short#
The fore,oin, is an e/tract fro' '! &etter in re*&!#
The T2e&$e A*ost&es 2ere in counci& at E&der 1i'a&&+s#
Tuesda!< 7:#--3i&&ia' 3i,ht'an of Ra'us< de&i$ered to )resident
Jose*h S'ith< so&e trustee-in-trust< the deed to the unso&d and onded
&ots of &and in the to2n of Ra'us( 78@7? a&so the *&at of the -first
addition to Ra'us<- and the notes 2hich ha$e een recei$ed of indi$idua&s
2ho ha$e *urchased &ots< and the onds of 3i&&ia' .i&&er< Se*te'er H7<
78@D< and of Ute )er0ins< No$e'er H:< 78@D< and of 3i&&ia' J# )er0ins<
No$e'er M< 78@D< and of John F# Char&es< No$e'er 7:< 78@7< for &ots of
&and ad=oinin, Ra'us< and 2hich 'a! hereafter e added to the to2n *&ats
Ea *art of the &and inc&uded in 3i&&ia' .i&&er+s ond is inc&uded in the
first addition to Ra'us< and the notes 2ere transferred to the so&e
trustee-in-trust< for the enefit of the 2ho&e Church< ! a $ote of the
Ra'us conference< Dece'er @ and G< 78@7F< after a**&!in, sufficient of
said *ro*ert! to &i>uidate the c&ai's of those fro' 2ho' the to2n 2as
*urchased< and a&so *a!in, t2o notes ,i$en ! 3i&&ia' 3i,ht'an for 'one!
orro2ed to *a! for the ao$e *ro*ert!< $i4#< to L!'an )rentice R77#@G<
and Ja'es Cu''ins RGD#DD< and so'e other s'a&& de'ands a,ainst said
3i,ht'an 2hich ha$e een contracted for the enefit of the Church in
Ra'us#
Saturda!< 78#--I attended the cit! counci&< and stated circu'stances
2hich I had heard concernin, 'oocrac!< fro' a *erson &ate fro' .aco'e<
and re>uested an ordinance *assed< so that *ersons orderin, an! *erson to
&ea$e their *eacefu& ho'es cou&d e dea&t 2ith ri,orous&!? a&so *resented
the fo&&o2in,--E/*ressions of 5ratitude to Ja'es 5ordon "ennett and the
Ne2 Yor0 Hera&d#
Reso&$ed ! the cit! counci& of the cit! of Nau$oo< that the
hi,h-'inded and honora&e editor of the Ne2 Yor0 3ee0&! Hera&d< Ja'es
5ordon "ennett< Es>#< is deser$in, of the &astin, ,ratitude of this
co''unit!< for his $er! &iera& and un*re=udiced course to2ards us as a
*eo*&e< in ,i$in, us a fair hearin, in his *a*er< thus ena&in, us to
reach the ears of a *ortion of the co''unit!< 2ho< other2ise 2ou&d e$er
ha$e re'ained i,norant of our *rinci*&es and *ractices#
Reso&$ed< That 2e reco''end our fe&&o2 citi4ens to suscrie for the
Ne2 Yor0 3ee0&! Hera&d< and thus e found *atroni4in, true 'erit<
industr!< and enter*rise#
Sunda!< 7N#--The T2e&$e 2ere in counci& at E&der "ri,ha'
Youn,+s--'ornin,#
.eetin, at '! house in the e$enin,#
The su=oined 'inutes are fro' E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff+s =ourna&--
.inutes of a .eetin, of the T2e&$e in the House of the )ro*het#
E&der Heer C# 1i'a&& *reached at the house of )resident Jose*h
S'ith< on the *ara&e in the 78th cha*ter of Jere'iah< of the c&a! in the
hands of the *otter< that 2hen it 'arred in the hands of the *otter it 2as
cut off the 2hee& and then thro2n ac0 a,ain into the 'i&&< to ,o into the
ne/t atch< and 2as a $esse& of dishonor? ut a&& c&a! that for'ed 2e&& in
the hands of the *otter< and 2as *&ia&e< 2as a $esse& of honor? and thus
it 2as 2ith the hu'an fa'i&!< and e$er 2i&& e( a&& that are *&ia&e in
the hands of 5od and are oedient to His co''ands< are $esse&s of honor<
and 5od 2i&& recei$e the'#
)resident Jose*h arose and said---"rother 1i'a&& has ,i$en !ou a
true e/*&anation of the *ara&e<- and then read the *ara&e of the $ine
and its ranches< and e/*&ained it< and said< -if 2e 0ee* the co''and'ents
of 5od< 2e shou&d rin, forth fruit and e the friends of 5od< and 0no2
2hat our Lord did#
-So'e *eo*&e sa! I a' a fa&&en )ro*het< ecause I do not rin, forth
'ore of the 2ord of the Lord# 3h! do I not do itB Are 2e a&e to recei$e
itB NoK not one in this roo'# He then chastened the con,re,ation for their
2ic0edness and une&ief< Lfor 2ho' the Lord &o$eth he chasteneth< and
scour,eth e$er! son and dau,hter 2ho' he recei$eth<+ and if 2e do not
recei$e chastise'ents then 2e are astards and not sons#-
On the su=ect of re$e&ation< he said< a 'an 2ou&d co''and his son to
di, *otatoes and sadd&e his horse< ut efore he had done either he 2ou&d
te&& hi' to do so'ethin, e&se# This is a&& considered ri,ht? ut as soon
as the Lord ,i$es a co''and'ent and re$o0es that decree and co''ands
so'ethin, e&se< then the )ro*het is considered fa&&en# "ecause 2e 2i&& not
recei$e chastise'ent at the hand of the )ro*het and A*ost&es< the Lord
chastiseth us 2ith sic0ness and death# Let not an! 'an *u&ish his o2n
ri,hteousness< for others can see that for hi'? sooner &et hi' confess his
sins< and then he 2i&& e for,i$en< and he 2i&& rin, forth 'ore fruit#
3hen a corru*t 'an is chastised he ,ets an,r! and 2i&& not endure it# The
reason 2e do not ha$e the secrets of the Lord re$ea&ed unto us< is ecause
2e do not 0ee* the' ut re$ea& the'? 2e do not 0ee* our o2n secrets< ut
re$ea& our difficu&ties to the 2or&d< e$en to our ene'ies< then ho2 2ou&d
2e 0ee* the secrets of the LordB I can 0ee* a secret ti&& Doo'sda!# 3hat
,reater &o$e hath an! 'an than that he &a! do2n his &ife for his friend?
then 2h! not fi,ht for our friend unti& 2e dieB
E&der "ri,ha' Youn, said--one thin, &a! 2ith 2ei,ht on his 'ind? that
is< that 2e shou&d e *re*ared to 0ee* each co''and'ent as it ca'e fro'
the Lord ! the 'outh of the )ro*het< and as the Lord had co''anded us to
ui&d a te'*&e< 2e shou&d do it s*eedi&!#
.onda!< HD#--I co''unicated to the Ti'es and Seasons< as fo&&o2s--
The )ro*het on the Attitude of the Saints in )o&itics#
TO .Y FRIENDS IN ILLINOIS--The 5uernatoria& Con$ention of the state
of I&&inois has no'inated Co&one& Ada' 3# Sn!der for 5o$ernor< and
Co&one& John .oore for Lieutenant-5o$ernor< of the state of I&&inois<
e&ection to ta0e *&ace in Au,ust ne/t#
Co&one& .oore< &i0e Jud,e Dou,&as and Es>uire 3arren< 2as an inti'ate
friend of 5enera& "ennett &on, efore that ,ent&e'an eca'e a 'e'er of
our co''unit!? and 5enera& "ennett infor's us that no 'en 2ere 'ore
efficient in assistin, hi' to *rocure our ,reat chartered *ri$i&e,es< than
2ere Co&one& Sn!der< and Co&one& .oore# The! are ster&in, 'en< and friends
of e>ua& ri,hts< o**osed to the o**ressor+s ,ras*< and the t!rant+s rod#
3ith such 'en at the head of our State< ,o$ern'ent 2i&& ha$e nothin, to
fear# In the ne/t can$ass< 2e sha&& e inf&uenced ! no *art!
consideration< and no Cartha,enian coa&escence or co&&usion 2ith our
*eo*&e 2i&& e suffered to effect< or o*erate a,ainst 5enera& "ennett< or
an! other of our tried friends< a&read! se'i-officia&&! in the fie&d? so
the *artisans in this count!< 2ho e/*ect to di$ide the friends of hu'anit!
and e>ua& ri,hts< 2i&& find the'se&$es 'ista0en--2e care not a fi, for
3hi, or De'ocrat? the! are oth a&i0e to us< ut 2e sha&& ,o for our
friends< our tried friends< and the cause of hu'an &iert!< 2hich is the
cause of 5od# 3e are a2are that -di$ide and con>uer- is the 2atch2ord 2ith
'an!< ut 2ith us it cannot e done--2e &o$e &iert! too 2e&&--2e ha$e
suffered too 'uch to e easi&! du*ed--2e ha$e no cats*a2s a'on,st us# 3e
$oted for 5enera& Harrison ecause 2e &o$ed hi'--he 2as a ,a&&ant officer
and a tried states'an? ut this is no reason 2h! 2e shou&d a&2a!s e
,o$erned ! his friends# He is no2 dead< and a&& of his friends are not
ours# 3e c&ai' the *ri$i&e,e of free'en< and sha&& act accordin,&!#
Dou,&as is a 'aster s*irit< and his friends are our friends--2e are
2i&&in, to cast our anners in the air< and fi,ht ! his side in the cause
of hu'anit! and e>ua& ri,hts--the cause of &iert! and the &a2# Sn!der and
.oore are his friends--the! are ours# These 'en are free fro' the
*re=udices and su*erstitions of the a,e< and such 'en 2e &o$e< and such
'en 2i&& e$er recei$e our su**ort< e their *o&itica& *redi&ections 2hat
the! 'a!# Sn!der and .oore are 0no2n to e our friends? their friendshi*
is $ouched for ! those 2ho' 2e ha$e tried# 3e 2i&& ne$er e =ust&!
char,ed 2ith the sin of in,ratitude--the! ha$e ser$ed us< and 2e 2i&&
ser$e the'# JOSE)H S.ITH# Lieutenant-5enera& of the Nau$oo Le,ion#
Tuesda!< H7#--I recei$ed fro' Ed2ard Hunter a &etter on usiness< to
2hich I 2rote the fo&&o2in, re*&!--
The )ro*het+s Letter to Ed2ard Hunter--"usiness Affairs at Nau$oo#
NAU%OO< Dec# H7< 78@7#
.r# Ed2ard Hunter<
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--Yours of the HMth of Octoer ca'e to hand at a
&ate date< ut I a' no2 a&e to sa! to !ou that the *o2er of attorne! is
e/ecuted and sent u* to the c&er0+s office for the sea& of the state< and
2i&& e for2arded direct fro' the'? it is no2 on the 2a! 'ost *roa&!#
Your &etter did not arri$e ti&& after .r# )otter returned 2ith the
,oods< 2hich I recei$ed in safet!? and "rother )otter has started on a
'ission to the inhaitants of Ja'aica< one of the 3est India is&es#
I 2i&& acce*t the ,oods as !ou *ro*ose< on !our det< so far as it
,oes< and ans2er the re'ainder on the *a!'ents 2hich !ou 'ention< as the!
eco'e due#
I ha$e *urchased ninet! acres of ti'er &and in the $icinit! of
Nau$oo< a &itt&e u* the ri$er< and ha$e 'ade *ro*osa&s to .cFa&&< ut as
!et< a' 2aitin, for hi' to recei$e ans2ers fro' his corres*ondent in the
east# I sha&& e a&e to *urchase a&& the 2ood &and !ou 2i&& 2ant< in a
&itt&e ti'e#
As res*ects stea' en,ines and 'i&&s< '! o*inion is< 2e cannot ha$e
too 'an! of the'# This *&ace has suffered e/ceedin,&! fro' the 2ant of
such 'i&&s in our 'idst< and neither one nor t2o can do the usiness of
this *&ace another season# 3e ha$e no ,ood ,rain or oard 'i&& in this
*&ace? and 'ost of our f&our and &u'er has to e rou,ht t2ent! 'i&es?
2hich su=ects us to ,reat incon$enience#
The cit! is ra*id&! ad$ancin,< 'an! ne2 ui&din,s ha$e een erected
since !ou &eft us< and 'an! 'ore 2ou&d ha$e arisen< if ric0 and &u'er
cou&d ha$e een otained# There is scarce&! an! &i'its 2hich can e
i'a,ined to the 'i&&s and 'achiner! and 'anufacturin, of a&& 0inds 2hich
'i,ht e *ut into *rofita&e o*eration in this cit!< and e$en if others
shou&d raise a 'i&& efore !ou ,et here< it need e no discoura,e'ent
either to !ou or "rother "uc02a&ter< for it 2i&& e difficu&t for the
'i&&s to 0ee* *ace 2ith the ,ro2th of the *&ace< and !ou 2i&& do 2e&& to
rin, the en,ine# If !ou can *ersuade an! of the rethren 2ho are
'anufacturers of 2oo&&ens or cottons to co'e on and esta&ish their
usiness< do so#
I ha$e not ascertained definite&! as !et ho2 far the ,oods 2i&& ,o
to2ards &i>uidatin, Dr# Fosters+s note< or finishin, !our house? ut this
I can sa!< I 2i&& 'a0e the 'ost of it< and enefit !ou e$er! *ossi&e 2a!#
Your 'essa,e is de&i$ered to .rs# S'ith< and she 2i&& e ,&ad to ha$e
returns on her &etter of attorne!< as s*eedi&! as circu'stances 2i&&
*er'it< accordin, to the understandin, thereof#
I a' ha**! to hear of !our 2e&fare< and the hea&th of !our fa'i&!?
and a&so to infor' !ou that the hea&th of Nau$oo has 'uch i'*ro$ed since
&ast su''er< and considerin, the $er! 'i&d state of the 2eather 'ost of
the ti'e< it is e/ce&&ent#
.!se&f and fa'i&! are in hea&th< and our ene'ies are at *eace 2ith
as< as 'uch as can e e/*ected in this ,eneration# Shou&d an!thin, ne2
occur< 2hich 'a! e for our ad$anta,e< !ou 2i&& *&ease 2rite< and I 2i&&
do the sa'e# I re'ain< !ours in the 5os*e& of Christ< JOSE)H S.ITH#
)#S#--You 2i&& endea$or to ha$e the 'one! on !our &etter of attorne!
fro' .rs# S'ith< read! to furnish a fresh su**&! of ,oods ear&! in the
s*rin,# J# S#
3ednesda!< HH#
NAU%OO< Dece'er HH< 78@7#
Re$e&ation to John Sn!der and A'os "# Fu&&er#
The 2ord of the Lord ca'e unto Jose*h the Seer< $eri&! thus saith the
Lord< &et '! ser$ant John Sn!der ta0e a 'ission to the eastern continent<
unto a&& the conferences no2 sittin, in that re,ion? and &et hi' carr! a
*ac0a,e of e*ist&es< that sha&& e 2ritten ! '! ser$ants the T2e&$e
'a0in, 0no2n unto the' their duties concernin, the ui&din, of '! houses
2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto !ou< saith the Lord< that the! 'a! rin, their
,o&d and their si&$er< and their *recious stones< and the o/-tree< and
the fir-tree< and a&& fine 2ood to eautif! the *&ace of '! sanctuar!<
saith the Lord? and &et hi' return s*eedi&! 2ith a&& 'eans 2hich sha&& e
*ut into his hands< e$en so# A'en#
E&der A'os "# Fu&&er< of ;arahe'&a< stated to 'e that he had sett&ed
a&& his dets< 'ade a&& necessar! *ro$ision for his fa'i&!< and desired to
0no2 the 2i&& of 5od concernin, hi'#
Re$e&ation#
-%eri&! thus saith the Lord unto '! ser$ants the T2e&$e< &et the'
a**oint unto '! ser$ant A# "# Fu&&er a 'ission to *reach '! 5os*e& unto
the chi&dren of 'en< as it sha&& e 'anifested unto the' ! '! Ho&!
S*irit# A'en#-
This da! I co''enced recei$in, the first su**&! of ,roceries at the
ne2 store# Thirteen 2a,ons arri$ed fro' 3arsa2< &oaded 2ith su,ar<
'o&asses< ,&ass< sa&t< tea< coffee< Pc#< *urchased in St# Louis# The
ori,ina& stoc0 *urchased in Ne2 Or&eans ha$in, een detained at St# Louis
! one Ho&roo0< inn0ee*er< under fa&se *retenses#
This e$enin, I co''enced ,i$in, instructions to the scrie concernin,
2ritin, the *roc&a'ation to the 0in,s of the earth< 'entioned in the
re$e&ation ,i$en Januar! 7N< 78@7#
Frida!< H@#--This e$enin, I had a consu&tation 2ith )resident Youn,
and "isho* 3hitne! aout esta&ishin, an a,enc! in En,&and for the chea*
and e/*editious con$e!ance of the Saints to Nau$oo< and for our
con$enience in 'erchandise? and I said< -in the na'e of the Lord 2e 2i&&
*ros*er< if 2e 2i&& ,o for2ard in this thin,#-
E&der Tru'an 5i&&ett< Jun#< returned fro' a short 'ission to %an
"uren count!< Io2a< 2here he a*ti4ed fourteen< rin,in, RHD as a donation
to the ui&din, of the Te'*&e< fro' Sa'ue& .oore#
Saturda!< HG#--"ein, Christ'as< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< John Ta!&or< and their 2i$es< and 3i&&ard
Richards s*ent the e$enin, at Hira' 1i'a&&+s? and after su**er< .r#
1i'a&& ,a$e each of the T2e&$e A*ost&es a fractiona& &ot of &and &!in, on
the 2est side of his second addition to Nau$oo#
A&*heus 5ifford< a 'e'er of the Church since 7897< and a faithfu&
E&der in the Church Iit 2as he 2ho a*ti4ed Heer C# 1i'a&&J died at his
ho'e so'e fi$e 'i&es ao$e Nau$oo#
Conference .inutes--Ne2 Yor0 and .aine#
At a conference he&d in "ata$ia< 5enessee count!< Ne2 Yor0< 77
ranches< co'*risin, 7G E&ders< M )riests< M Teachers< @ Deacons< and HDM
'e'ers 2ere re*resented#
A conference 'et in the Uni$ersa&ist Church< in Ho*e< 3a&do count!<
.aine< 2hen Fo/ Is&ands< 2ith fi$e E&ders< 7 )riest< H Teachers< 7 Deacon<
and 7DD 'e'ers< a&so the .ain Land< 2ith : E&ders< H )riests< 9 Teachers<
7 Deacon< and :8 'e'ers 2ere re*resented? Otis Sha2< *resident< and
Ca&$in C# )end&eton< c&er0#
Sunda!< H:--The *u&ic 'eetin, of the Saints 2as at '! house this
e$enin,< and after )atriarch H!ru' S'ith and E&der "ri,ha' Youn, had
s*o0en on the *rinci*&es of faith< and the ,ifts of the S*irit< I read the
79th cha*ter of First Corinthians< a&so a *art of the 7@th cha*ter< and
re'ar0ed that the ,ift of ton,ues 2as necessar! in the Church? ut that if
Satan cou&d not s*ea0 in ton,ues< he cou&d not te'*t a Dutch'an< or an!
other nation< ut the En,&ish< for he can te'*t the En,&ish'an< for he has
te'*ted 'e< and I a' an En,&ish'an? ut the ,ift of ton,ues ! the *o2er
of the Ho&! 5host in the Church< is for the enefit of the ser$ants of 5od
to *reach to une&ie$ers< as on the da! of )entecost# 3hen de$out 'en fro'
e$er! nation sha&& asse'&e to hear the thin,s of 5od< &et the E&ders
*reach to the' in their o2n 'other ton,ue< 2hether it is 5er'an< French<
S*anish or -Irish<- or an! other< and &et those inter*ret 2ho understand
the &an,ua,e s*o0en< in their o2n 'other ton,ue< and this is 2hat the
A*ost&e 'eant in First Corinthians /i$( HM#
.onda!< HM#--I 2as in counci& 2ith "rothers "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< 3i&&ard Richards and John Ta!&or< at '! office< instructin, the'
in the *rinci*&es of the 0in,do'< and 2hat the T2e&$e shou&d do in
re&ation to the 'ission of John Sn!der< and the Euro*ean conferences< so
as to for2ard the ,atherin, of 'eans for ui&din, the Te'*&e and Nau$oo
House? that "ri,ha' 'i,ht ,o 2ith John Sn!der on his 'ission if he chose<
ut the o=ect of the 'ission cou&d e acco'*&ished 2ithout#
Tuesda!< H8#--I a*ti4ed Sidne! Ri,don in the font< for and in eha&f
of his *arents? a&so a*ti4ed Re!no&ds Cahoon and others#
Thursda! and Frida!< Dece'er 9Dth and 97st--Ca&$in A# 3arren< Es>#<
.ar0 A&drich and Danie& S# 3itter< $isited 'e at '! office< and after 'uch
e/*&anation and con$ersation concernin, 3arren and 3arsa2< In 2hich
Es>uire 3arren 'anifested the 0indest and 'ost confidentia& fee&in,s and
A&drich and 3itter e/*ressed their entire a**roation of *ast *roceedin,s
of the )residenc!< the! a&& a,reed that if I did not succeed in the ne/t
atte'*t to esta&ish and ui&d u* 3arren< that the! 2ou&d fu&&! e/cuse 'e
fro' a&& censure< and 2ou&d fee& satisfied that I had done a&& that cou&d
reasona&! e re>uired of an! 'an in a &i0e case< e the conse>uence 2hat
it 'i,ht to the'se&$es? and Es>uire 3arren fran0&! ac0no2&ed,ed that his
te'*ora& sa&$ation de*ended on the success of the enter*rise< and 'ade
&iera& *ro*osa&s for the enefit of the rethren< to he&* for2ard the
underta0in,# The *art! retired 'anifestin, the est of fee&in,< and
e/*ressin, the 'ost *erfect satisfaction 2ith their $isit< 2ith 'e and a&&
concerned#
Thursda! e$enin, at the office< 2hi&e con$ersin, 2ith Ca&$in A#
3arren< Es>#< aout the *roceedin,s at 3arsa2< I *ro*hesied in the na'e of
the Lord< that the first thin, to2ard ui&din, u* 3arsa2 2as to rea0 it
do2n< to rea0 do2n the' that are there< that it ne$er 2ou&d e ui&t u*
ti&& it 2as ro0en do2n< and after that 0ee* the' entire&! in the dar0
concernin, our 'o$e'ents< and to &et Shar* *u&ish 2hat he *&eases and ,o
to the de$i&< and the 'ore &ies he *rints the sooner he 2i&& ,et throu,h?
not u! hi' out or hinder hi'? and after the! ha$e een in the dar0 &on,
enou,h< &et a certain set of 'en ,o there 2ho 2i&& do as I te&& the'< a
certain 0ind of 'en< so'e of those ca*ita&ists fro' the Eastern States<
sa! fro' )enns!&$ania? 2ise 'en 2ho 2i&& ta0e the &ead of usiness< and ,o
ahead of those that are there efore the! 0no2 2hat 2e are aout< and the
*&ace 2i&& *ros*er< and not ti&& then#
The fo&&o2in, &ist sho2s so'e of the oo0s< *a'*h&ets< &etters< Pc#<
*u&ished for and a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints in 78@7#
.or'on Literature< E*ro et conF 78@7#
-A )roc&a'ation to the Saints Scattered Aroad- Januar! 7G< ! Jose*h
S'ith< Sidne! Ri,don< H!ru' S'ith#
T2ent!-three nu'ers of the -Ti'es and Seasons<- *u&ished at Nau$oo#
T2e&$e nu'ers of the -.i&&ennia& Star<- *u&ished in En,&and !
)ar&e! )# )ratt#
First Euro*ean edition of the "oo0 of .or'on< *u&ished in En,&and<
H7st Januar!< ! E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< and 3i&&ard Richards#
A third edition of the -%oice of 3arnin,- 2as *u&ished in
.anchester< En,&and< ! )ar&e! )# )ratt#
-A Letter to Aueen %ictoria of En,&and< Touchin, the Si,ns of the
Ti'es< and the )o&itica& Destin! of the 3or&d- in *a'*h&et for'< ! )ar&e!
)# )ratt< .anchester< En,&and#
Fi$e hundred co*ies of -An Address to the Here2s<- in the Dutch
&an,ua,e< ! Orson H!de# )u&ished in Rotterda'< Ho&&and< in Ju&!? ein,
the first *a'*h&et *ertainin, to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints< 2ritten in a forei,n &an,ua,e#
A *a'*h&et containin, 77: *a,es< 8 $o#< ! Orson H!de< containin, -A
S!no*sis of the Faith of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints-
addressed to the 5er'an nation in their o2n &an,ua,e#
A S'a&& Co&&ection of H!'ns< ! Christo*her .er0&e!#
-E$idences in )roof of the "oo0 of .or'on- a 2or0 of HG: *a,es< 9H
'o# )u&ished at "ata$ia< Ne2 Yor0< ! Char&es Tho'*son#
A &en,th! -Address to the Citi4ens of Sa&e'< .assachusetts< and
%icinit!<- ! Erastus Sno2< and "en=a'in 3inchester< Octoer#
-5os*e& Ref&ector<- a 'onth&! *eriodica&< ! "en=a'in 3inchester<
*u&ished in )hi&ade&*hia#
-)roc&a'ation and 3arnin, to the Inhaitants of A'erica<- ! Char&es
Tho'*son#
The editor of the -Ti'es and Seasons- noticed the fo&&o2in, -Fro' the
LU**er .ississi**ian<+ a series of &etters< entit&ed +Nau$oo .or'on
Re&i,ion<+ Pc#< the 2riter no dout intended to ,i$e a fair state'ent< and
in the 'ain did so? ut res*ectin, our faith Eon so'e *ointsF< the "oo0 of
.or'on< Pc#< he is 2ide of the 'ar0#-
An artic&e *u&ished in the -North Staffordshire .ercur!<- sho2in,
the difference et2een the "a*tists and Latter-da! Saints# Han&e!<
Feruar!< 7:< si,ned -A "a*tist#- Re*&ied to ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< 2ho
sho2ed the difference et2een the "a*tists and For'er-da!-Saints#
A se$ere artic&e a,ainst the Latter-da! Saints< 2hich fi&&ed se$era&
co&u'ns of fine *rint< 2as *u&ished in -Edinur,h Inte&&i,encer- of A*ri&
Mth< ta0en fro' the -Athenaeu'- on the su=ect of the -"oo0 of .or'on and
the Latter-da! Saints#- Re*&ied to ! )ar&e! )# )ratt# .a!#
.r# J# "# Ro&&o< of Edinur,h< Scot&and< *u&ished a *a'*h&et
entit&ed -.or'onis' E/*osed#- Re*&ied to ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< Ju&! 7D#
The -)reston Chronic&e- of A*ri& H@< *u&ished a &on, artic&e a,ainst
the Latter-da! Saints< 2hich 2as re*&ied to ! )ar&e! )# )ratt< in the
-.i&&ennia& Star<- Ju&! 7D#
A itter artic&e 2as *u&ished in the -Che&tenha' Free )ress- of
Au,ust H9rd< headed -Latter-da! Saints+ S2ind&e<- re*&ied to ! )ar&e! )#
)ratt in the -Star- of Octoer#
-A Fe2 )&ain Facts< Sho2in, the Fo&&!< 3ic0edness and I'*osition of
the Re$# Ti'oth! R# .atthe2s#- "! 5eor,e J# Ada's< "edford< En,&and#
The St# Louis< .issouri< -At&as- *u&ished a fa$ora&e artic&e
entit&ed< -The Latter-da! Saints#-
The -Ju&iet Courier- *u&ished a fa$ora&e account of the &ate tria&
of Jose*h S'ith# .on'outh< June#
The -)hi&ade&*hia Saturda! Courier- and the -)u&ic Led,er- on Ju&!
7D< *u&ished se$era& artic&es anathe'ati4in, the Latter-da! Saints#
A s&anderous *a'*h&et entit&ed -.or'onis' Un'as0ed<- ! A# 5ardner<
of Rochda&e< En,&and#
-The .or'ons--Arrest of Joe S'ith- 2as the headin, of an artic&e
*u&ished in the -Ne2 Yor0 Hera&d of Co''erce<- and co*ied in 'an! of the
Eastern *a*ers#
-The Christian .essen,er and Refor'er- *u&ished an account of the
Latter-da! Saints< co&&ected fro' the oo0 of Ed2ard D# Ho2e< of
)ains$i&&e< Ohio#
Tho'as Shar*< editor of the -3arsa2 Si,na&<- de$oted his entire ti'e
to s&anderin,< to &!in, a,ainst and 'isre*resentin, the Latter-da! Saints#
CHA)TER 66%III# 1IRTLAND %S# NAU%OO--)OLITICAL ATTITUDE OF THE )EO)LE OF
NAU%OO DECLARED--)U"LICATIONS .OR.ON AND ANTI-.OR.ON FOR 78@7--CLOSE OF
THE YEAR#
Au,ust H9rd< headed -Latter-da! Saints+ S2ind&e<- re*&ied to !
)ar&e! )# )ratt in the -Star- of Octoer#
-A Fe2 )&ain Facts< Sho2in, the Fo&&!< 3ic0edness and I'*osition of
the Re$# Ti'oth! R# .atthe2s#- "! 5eor,e J# Ada's< "edford< En,&and#
The St# Louis< .issouri< -At&as- *u&ished a fa$ora&e artic&e
entit&ed< -The Latter-da! Saints#-
The -Ju&iet Courier- *u&ished a fa$ora&e account of the &ate tria&
of Jose*h S'ith# .on'outh< June#
The -)hi&ade&*hia Saturda! Courier- and the -)u&ic Led,er- on Ju&!
7D< *u&ished se$era& artic&es anathe'ati4in, the Latter-da! Saints#
A s&anderous *a'*h&et entit&ed -.or'onis' Un'as0ed<- ! A# 5ardner<
of Rochda&e< En,&and#
-The .or'ons--Arrest of Joe S'ith- 2as the headin, of an artic&e
*u&ished in the -Ne2 Yor0 Hera&d of Co''erce<- and co*ied in 'an! of the
Eastern *a*ers#
-The Christian .essen,er and Refor'er- *u&ished an account of the
Latter-da! Saints< co&&ected fro' the oo0 of Ed2ard D# Ho2e< of
)ains$i&&e< Ohio#
Tho'as Shar*< editor of the -3arsa2 Si,na&<- de$oted his entire ti'e
to s&anderin,< to &!in, a,ainst and 'isre*resentin, the Latter-da! Saints#
CHA)TER 66I6#
THE O)ENIN5 OF THE YEAR 78@H--3HEREA"OUTS OF
THE T3EL%E A)OSTLES--CORRES)ONDENCE OF ELDER HYDE FRO. TRIESTE--RE)ORT
OF HI5H COUNCIL ON AFFAIRS IN NAU%OO--E%ENTS AND CONDITIONS IN
"RITISH .ISSION#
Saturda!< Januar! 7< 78@H#--I a,ain ha$e the *&easure to re*ort the
&ocation of the T2e&$e A*ost&es# "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson
)ratt< John Ta!&or< 3i&ford 3oodruff and 3i&&ard Richards are in Nau$oo#
5eor,e A# S'ith< in ;arahe'&a< Ohio# Orson H!de in >uarantine at Trieste<
Ita&!# )ar&e! )# )ratt in Li$er*oo&# L!'an 3i,ht in Ohio# 3i&&ia' S'ith in
Ne2 Jerse!# John E# )a,e so'e2here in the Eastern States#
I co''enced *&acin, ,oods on the she&$es of '! ne2 store< assisted !
"isho* Ne2e& 1# 3hitne! and others? and in the e$enin, attended cit!
counci&#
Fi$e hundred and t2e&$e Saints 2ere re*orted at the 5&as,o2
Conference of this date#
Se$era& of the T2e&$e s*ent the da! at S!&$ester "# Stoddard+s and in
the cit! counci&< 2hich &asted fro' : *#'# unti& 'idni,ht< on the tria& of
5usta$us Hi&&s#
Sunda!< H#--.eetin, at '! house< da! and e$enin,? "rother H!ru' and
E&der 3oodruff *reached#
Tuesda!< @#--I 2rote Dr# John .# "ernhise&< of Ne2 Yor0< on usiness#
Jose*h Duncan< candidate for 5o$ernor of I&&inois< 'ade an
inf&a''ator! s*eech a,ainst the Saints at Ed2ards$i&&e< a 'ass of
fa&sehoods#
3ednesda!< G#--3i&&ia' 3i,ht'an si,ned o$er and de&i$ered the to2n
*&at of Ra'us to 'e< as so&e Trustee in Trust for the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-da! Saints#
.! ne2 store 2as o*ened for usiness this da! for the first ti'e< it
2as fi&&ed 2ith custo'ers< and I 2as a&'ost continua&&! ehind the
counter< as c&er0< 2aitin, on '! friends#
I dictated a &etter to Ed2ard Hunter< 3est Nant'ea&< )enns!&$ania< as
fo&&o2s(
The )ro*het+s Letter to Ed2ard Hunter--Re*orts O*enin, of the Ne2
Store#
NAU%OO< Januar! G 78@H#
.r# Ed2ard Hunter#
"ELO%ED "ROTHER(--I a' ha**! that it is '! *ri$i&e,e to sa! to !ou
that the &ar,e ne2 ui&din, 2hich I had co''enced 2hen !ou 2ere here is
no2 co'*&eted< and the doors are o*ened this da! for the sa&e of ,oods for
the first ti'e# The foundation of the ui&din, is so'e2hat s*acious Eas
!ou 2i&& dout&ess reco&&ectF for a countr! store#
The *rinci*a& *art of the ui&din, e&o2< 2hich is ten feet hi,h< is
de$oted e/c&usi$e&! to she&$es and dra2ers< e/ce*t one door o*enin, ac0
into the s*ace< on the &eft of 2hich are the ce&&ar and cha'er stairs<
and on the ri,ht the countin, roo'? fro' the s*ace at the to* of the
cha'er stairs o*ens a door into the &ar,e front roo' of the sa'e si4e
2ith the one e&o2< the 2a&&s &ined 2ith counters< co$ered 2ith reser$ed
,oods#
In front of the stairs o*ens the door to '! *ri$ate office< or 2here
I 0ee* the sacred 2ritin,s< 2ith a 2indo2 to the south< o$er&oo0in, the
ri$er e&o2< and the o**osite shore for a ,reat distance< 2hich< to,ether
2ith the *assa,e of oats in the season thereof< constitutes a *ecu&iar&!
interestin, situation< in *ros*ect< and no &ess interestin, fro' its
retire'ent fro' the ust&e and confusion of the nei,horhood and cit!< and
a&to,ether is a *&ace the Lord is *&eased to &ess#
The *aintin, of the store has een e/ecuted ! Ed2ard .artin< one of
our En,&ish rethren? and the counters< dra2ers< and *i&&ars *resent a
$er! res*ecta&e re*resentation of oa0< 'aho,an! and 'ar&e for a
ac02oods esta&ish'ent#
The Lord has &essed our e/ertions in a 2onderfu& 'anner< and
a&thou,h so'e indi$idua&s ha$e succeeded in detainin, ,oods to a
considera&e a'ount for the ti'e ein,< !et 2e ha$e een ena&ed to secure
,oods in the ui&din, sufficient to fi&& a&& the she&$es as soon as the!
2ere co'*&eted< and ha$e so'e in reser$e< oth in &oft and ce&&ar#
Our assort'ent is to&era&! ,ood--$er! ,ood< considerin, the
different *urchases 'ade ! different indi$idua&s at different ti'es< and
under circu'stances 2hich contro&&ed their choice to so'e e/tent? ut I
re=oice that 2e ha$e een ena&ed to do as 2e&& as 2e ha$e< for the hearts
of 'an! of the *oor rethren and sisters 2i&& e 'ade ,&ad 2ith those
co'forts 2hich are no2 2ithin their reach#
The store has een fi&&ed to o$erf&o2in,< and I ha$e stood ehind the
counter a&& da!< dea&in, out ,oods as stead! as an! c&er0 !ou e$er sa2< to
o&i,e those 2ho 2ere co'*e&&ed to ,o 2ithout their usua& Christ'as and
Ne2 Year+s dinners< for the 2ant of a &itt&e su,ar< 'o&asses< raisins<
Pc#< Pc? and to *&ease '!se&f a&so< for I &o$e to 2ait u*on the Saints<
and e a ser$ant to a&&< ho*in, that I 'a! e e/a&ted in the due ti'e of
the Lord#
3ith senti'ents of hi,h consideration< I re'ain !our rother in
Christ# JOSE)H S.ITH#
Thursda!< :#--The ne2 !ear has een ushered in and continued thus far
under the 'ost fa$ora&e aus*ices< and the Saints see' to een inf&uenced
! a 0ind and indu&,ent )ro$idence in their dis*ositions and I&essed
2ithJ 'eans to rear the Te'*&e of the .ost Hi,h 5od< an/ious&! &oo0in,
forth to the co'*&etion thereof as an e$ent of the ,reatest i'*ortance to
the Church and the 2or&d< 'a0in, the Saints in ;ion to re=oice< and the
h!*ocrite and sinner to tre'&e# Tru&! this is a da! &on, to e re'e'ered
! the Saints of the &ast da!s<--a da! in 2hich the 5od of hea$en has
e,un to restore the ancient order of His 0in,do' unto His ser$ants and
His *eo*&e<--a da! in 2hich a&& thin,s are concurrin, to rin, aout the
co'*&etion of the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&< a fu&&ness of the dis*ensation
of dis*ensations< e$en the fu&&ness of ti'es? a da! in 2hich 5od has e,un
to 'a0e 'anifest and set in order in His Church those thin,s 2hich ha$e
een< and those thin,s 2hich the ancient *ro*hets and 2ise 'en desired to
see ut died 2ithout eho&din, the'? a da! in 2hich those thin,s e,in to
e 'ade 'anifest< 2hich ha$e een hid fro' efore the foundation of the
2or&d< and 2hich Jeho$ah has *ro'ised shou&d e 'ade 0no2n in His o2n due
ti'e unto His ser$ants< to *re*are the earth for the return of His ,&or!<
e$en a ce&estia& ,&or!< and a 0in,do' of )riests and 0in,s to 5od and the
La'< fore$er< on .ount ;ion< and 2ith hi' the hundred and fort! and four
thousand 2ho' John the Re$e&ator sa2< a&& of 2hich is to co'e to *ass in
the restitution of a&& thin,s#
Conference he&d at ;arahe'&a< at 2hich that sta0e 2as discontinued? a
ranch 2as or,ani4ed in *&ace thereof< and John S'ith a**ointed *resident#
3ednesda!< 7H#--The shi* Tre'ont sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& for Ne2
Or&eans 2ith the Saints< aout this ti'e#
The fo&&o2in, notice 2as *u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons(
Tithin,s and Consecrations for the Te'*&e of the Lord#
Fro' this ti'e the Recorder+s Office 2i&& e o*ened on the Saturda!
of each 2ee0 for the rece*tion of the tithin,s and consecrations of the
rethren< and c&osed on e$er! other da! of the 2ee0# This re,u&ation is
necessar!< to ,i$e the Trustee and Recorder ti'e to arran,e the "oo0 of
.or'on< trans&ation of the "i&e< H!'n "oo0< and Doctrine and Co$enants
for the *ress< a&& of 2hich the rethren are an/ious to see in their 'ost
*erfect for'< conse>uent&! the Saints shou&d e *articu&ar to rin, their
offerin,s on the da! s*ecified< unti& further notice< ut not re&a/ their
e/ertions to carr! on the 2or0#
The E&ders 2i&& *&ease ,i$e the ao$e notice in a&& *u&ic 'eetin,s
unti& the *&an is understood# 3ILLARD RICHARDS< Recorder for the Te'*&e#
NAU%OO< Januar! 7H 78@H# I rode south aout se$en 'i&es to '! 2ood
&and< acco'*anied ! "rother John Sanders and )eter .au,han<
and found a $ein of coa& aout ei,hteen inches thic0< a**arent&! of
,ood >ua&it! for the 2estern countr!#
E&der "en=a'in 3inchester 2as sus*ended ! the >uoru' of the T2e&$e
unti& he 'ade satisfaction for disoedience to the First )residenc!#
Thursda!< 79#--.! c&er0< 3i&&ard Richards< co''enced oardin, 2ith
'e#
The "ritish forces ha$in, e$acuated Cau&< the! 2ere attac0ed in the
)ass< a fe2 'i&es fro' the cit!< and after three da!s+ fi,htin,? the! 2ere
near&! a&& s&au,htered#
Saturda!< 7G#--I co''enced readin, the "oo0 of .or'on at *a,e G@(
A'erican stereot!*e edition Ethe *re$ious *a,es ha$in, een correctedF<
*ur*ose of correctin, the stereot!*e *&ates of so'e errors 2hich esca*ed
notice in the first edition#
Attended cit! counci&< and 2as a**ointed on co''ittee of 2a!s and
'eans and 'unici*a& &a2s#
Sunda!< 7:#--I *reached at '! house< 'ornin, and e$enin,<
i&&ustratin, the nature of sin< and sho2in, that it is not ri,ht to sin
that ,race 'a! aound#
.onda!< 7M#--Transacted a $ariet! of usiness in the cit!# .!se&f and
"rother 3i&&ard Richards dined 2ith Sister A,nes .# S'ith#
In the e$enin, I attended a counci& of the T2e&$e at '! office?
*resent< E&ders Youn,< 1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< Ta!&or< 3oodruff< 5eor,e A#
S'ith and Richards--a**ointed E&der A'os "# Fu&&er a 'ission to Chica,o<
accordin, to the re$e&ation of the HHnd of Dece'er< and E&der Henr!
Jacos to acco'*an! hi'# The counci& 2ere unani'ous&! o**osed to
Roinson+s son+s *u&ishin, the "oo0 of .or'on and other oo0s#
Tuesda!< 78#--This da! re$o0ed '! *o2er of attorne! ,i$en to Dr#
Isaac 5a&&and to transact usiness for the Church#
After transactin, a $ariet! of usiness< s&ee*in, an hour fro' odi&!
infir'ities< I read for correction in the "oo0 of .or'on< and deated in
the e$enin, 2ith the 'a!or IJohn C# "ennettJ concernin, the La'anites and
Ne,roes#
For an e/tract of a &etter fro' E&der Orson H!de< -Trieste< Januar! 7
and 78< 78@H<- see .i&&ennia& Star< $o&# II< *a,es 7::-7:N#
HI5HLY INTERESTIN5 FRO. JERUSALE.#
3e ha$e &ate&! recei$ed t2o &en,th! and hi,h&! interestin,
co''unications fro' E&der Orson H!de< dated at Trieste< Januar! 7st< and
78th< containin, a s0etch of his $o!a,es and tra$e&s in the East< his
$isit to Jerusa&e'< a descri*tion of ancient ;ion< the *oo& of Si&oa'< and
'an! other *&aces fa'ous in ho&! 2rit< 2ith se$era& i&&ustrations of the
'anners and custo's of the East< as a**&ica&e to Scri*ture te/ts< and
se$era& con$ersations he&d et2een hi'se&f and so'e of the Je2s<
'issionaries< etc#< in Jerusa&e'< to,ether 2ith a 'aster&! descri*tion of
a terri&e te'*est and thunder stor' at sea< 2ith a $ariet! of
'isce&&aneous ref&ections and re'ar0s< a&& 2ritten in an eas!< e&e,ant<
and 'aster&! st!&e< *arta0in, of the e&o>uent and su&i'e< and reathin, a
tone of that dee* fee&in,< tenderness< and affection so characteristic of
his 'ission and the s*irit of his ho&! and sacred office#
E&der H!de has ! the ,race of 5od een the first *roc&ai'er of the
fu&&ness of the 5os*e& oth on the continent of Euro*e and in far off
Asia< a'on, the nations of the East# In 5er'an!< Tur0e! EConstantino*&eF<
E,!*t< and Jerusa&e'# He has reared as it 2ere the ensi,n of the
&atter-da! ,&or!< and sounded the tru'* of truth< ca&&in, u*on the *eo*&e
of those re,ions to a2a0e fro' their thousand !ears+ s&u'er< and to 'a0e
read! for their returnin, Lord#
In his tra$e&s he has suffered 'uch< and has een e/*osed to toi&s
and dan,ers< to hun,er< *esti&ence and 2ar# He has een in *eri&s ! &and
and sea< in *eri&s a'on, roers< in *eri&s a'on, heathens< Tur0s< Aras<
and E,!*tians? ut out of a&& these thin,s the Lord hath de&i$ered hi'<
and hath restored hi' in safet! to the shores of Euro*e< 2here he is
tarr!in, for a &itt&e season< for the *ur*ose of *u&ishin, the Truth in
the 5er'an &an,ua,e< ha$in, a&read! *u&ished it in French and En,&ish in
the $arious countries of the East< and 2e hu'&! trust that his &aors
2i&& e a &astin, &essin, to Je2 and 5enti&e#
3e *u&ish the fo&&o2in, e/tract of his co''unication< and 2e sha&&
soon issue the 2ho&e fro' the *ress in *a'*h&et for'# It 2i&&< no dout<
'eet 2ith a read! sa&e? and 2e *ur*ose de$otin, the *rofits to his
enefit< to assist hi' in his 'ission# E/cer*ts fro' E&der H!de+s Letters#
-Su''onin, u*< therefore< 2hat &itt&e address I had< I *rocured a
$a&et d+*&ace< or &ac0e!< and *roceeded to the house of .r# Si'ons< a $er!
res*ecta&e Je2< 2ho 2ith so'e of his fa'i&! had &ate&! een con$erted and
=oined the En,&ish Church# I entered their d2e&&in,# The! had =ust sat
do2n to en=o! a dish of coffee< ut i''ediate&! arose fro' the ta&e to
'eet 'e# I s*o0e to the' in 5er'an and as0ed the' if the! s*o0e En,&ish#
The! i''ediate&! re*&ied LYes<+ 2hich 2as a $er! a,reea&e sound to '!
ear# The! as0ed 'e in 5er'an if I s*o0e En,&ish? I re*&ied< LYa< 'ein
Herr#+ I then introduced '!se&f to the'< and 2ith a &itt&e a*o&o,! it
*assed off as 2e&& as thou,h I had een introduced ! the *asha# 3ith that
,&o2 of 2ar'th and fa'i&iarit! 2hich is a *ecu&iar trait in the 5er'an
character< the! 2ou&d ha$e 'e sit do2n and ta0e a dish 2ith the'? and as I
e,an to re&ate so'e thin,s re&ati$e to '! 'ission< the s'i&es of =o!
2hich sat u*on their countenances es*o0e hearts not a&to,ether
indifferent# There 2ere t2o 'inisters of the Church of En,&and there# One
2as confined to his ed ! sic0ness< and the other< a 5er'an< and a Je2 !
irth< soon ca'e in# After an introduction< I too0 the &iert! to &a! o*en
to hi' so'e of our *rinci*&es< and ,a$e hi' a co*! of the co''unication to
the Je2s in Constantino*&e to read# After he had it< he said that '!
'oti$es 2ere undouted&! $er! ,ood< ut >uest >uestioned the *ro*riet! of
'! underta0in, fro' the fact that I c&ai'ed 5od had sent 'e# If< indeed< I
had ,one to Jerusa&e' under the direction of so'e 'issionar! oard or
societ!< and &eft 5od out of the >uestion a&to,ether< I shou&d ha$e een
recei$ed as a ce&estia& 'essen,er# Ho2 tru&! did our Sa$ior s*ea0< 2hen He
said< LI a' co'e in '! Father+s na'e< and !e recei$e 'e not? ut if
another 2ere to co'e in his o2n na'e< hi' !e 2ou&d recei$e#+ I re*&ied<
ho2e$er< that so far as I cou&d 0no2 '! o2n heart< '! 'oti$es 2ere 'ost
certain&! ,ood? !et< said I< no etter than the cause 2hich has rou,ht 'e
here# "ut he< &i0e a&& others 2ho 2orshi* a 5od L2ithout od! or *arts<+
said that 'irac&es< $isions< and *ro*hec! had ceased#
-The course 2hich the *o*u&ar c&er,! *ursue at this ti'e in re&ation
to the Di$ine econo'! &oo0s to 'e as thou,h the! 2ou&d sa!< LO Lord< 2e
2i&& 2orshi* Thee 2ith a&& our hearts< ser$e Thee 2ith a&& our sou&s< and
e $er! *ious and ho&!? 2e 2i&& e$en ,ather Israe&< con$ert the heathen<
and rin, in the 'i&&enniu'< if Thou 2i&t on&! &et us a&one that 2e 'a! do
it in our o2n 2a!< and accordin, to our o2n 2i&&? ut if Thou s*ea0est
fro' hea$en to interfere 2ith our *&an< or cause an! to see $isions or
drea's< or *ro*hes!< 2here! 2e are distured or interru*ted in our
2orshi*< 2e 2i&& e/ert a&& our stren,th and s0i&& to den! 2hat Thou
sa!est< and char,e it ho'e u*on the de$i& or so'e 2i&d< fanatic s*irit< as
ein, its author#+
-That 2hich 2as &oo0ed u*on ! the ancient saints as a'on, the
,reatest fa$ors and &essin,s< $i4#< re$e&ation fro' 5od and co''union
2ith Hi' ! drea's and ! $isions< is no2 &oo0ed u*on ! the re&i,ious
2or&d as the hei,ht of *resu'*tion and fo&&!# The ancient saints
considered their condition 'ost de*&ora&e 2hen Jeho$ah 2ou&d not s*ea0 to
the'? ut the 'ost orthodo/ re&i,ionists of this a,e dee' it >uite
heterodo/ to e$en ad'it the *roai&it! that He e$er 2i&& s*ea0 a,ain# O
'! sou&K &an,ua,e fai&s to *aint the asurdit! and ao'ination of such
hea$en-o**osin, and truth-e/c&udin, do,'as? and 2ere it *ossi&e for those
ri,ht sera*hs that surround the throne ao$e< and as0 in the sunea's of
i''orta&it!< to 2ee* o$er the inconsistenc! and irrationa&it! of 'orta&s<
the earth 'ust e ede2ed 2ith ce&estia& tears# .! hu'&e ad$ice to a&&
such is< that the! re*ent and cast far fro' the' these 2ic0ed traditions<
and e a*ti4ed into the ne2 and e$er&astin, co$enant< &est the Lord s*ea0
to the' in His 2rath< and $e/ the' in His sore dis*&easure#
-After so'e considera&e con$ersation u*on the *riesthood and the
rene2a& of the co$enant< I ca&&ed u*on hi' Ii#e# the aforesaid 5er'an-Je2
Church of En,&and 'inisterJ to e a*ti4ed for the re'ission of his sins<
that he 'i,ht recei$e the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host# L3hat+ said he< LI e
a*ti4edB+ LYes<+ said I< L!ou e a*ti4ed#+ L3h!<+ saith he< LI ha$e een
a*ti4ed a&read!#+ I re*&ied so'ethin, after the fo&&o2in,( You ha$e
*roa&! een s*rin0&ed< ut that has no 'ore to do 2ith a*tis' than an!
other ordinance of 'an+s de$ice? and e$en if !ou had een i''ersed< !ou
2ou&d not ha$e ettered !our condition< for !our *riesthood is 2ithout
*o2er# If< indeed< the Catho&ic church has *o2er to ,i$e !ou an
ordination< and ! that ordination confer the *riesthood u*on !ou< the!
certain&! had *o2er to nu&&if! that act< and ta0e the *riesthood fro' !ou?
and this *o2er the! e/ercised 2hen !ou dissented fro' their co''union< !
e/c&udin, !ou fro' their church# "ut< if the Catho&ic church *ossessed not
the *riesthood< of course !our c&ai's to it are as ,round&ess as the air!
*hanto's of heathen '!tho&o,!# So< $ie2 the >uestion on 2hich side !ou
'a!< there is no *ossi&e chance of ad'ittin, the $a&idit! of !our c&ai's
to it# "e it 0no2n< therefore< that ordinances *erfor'ed under the
ad'inistration of such a *riesthood< thou,h the! 'a! e$en e correct in
for'< 2i&& e found destitute of the sea& of that authorit! ! 2hich
hea$en 2i&& reco,ni4e His Io2nJ in the da! 2hen e$er! 'an+s 2or0 sha&& e
tried# Thou,h a *riesthood 'a! e c&othed 2ith the 2ea&th and honors of a
,reat and *o2erfu& nation and co''and the res*ect and $eneration of
'u&titudes 2hose e!es are &inded ! the thic0 $ei& of *o*u&ar o*inion<
and 2hose *o2ers of refection and dee* thou,ht are confused and &ost in
the ,enera& cr! of L5reat is Diana of the E*hesians<+ !et a&& this does
not i'*art to it the Di$ine sanction< or ani'ate it 2ith the s*irit of
&ife and *o2er fro' the oso' of the &i$in, 5od? and there is a *eriod in
future ti'e 2hen< in the s'o0in, ruins of "ae&+s *ride and ,&or!< it 'ust
fa&& and retire to the shades of for,etfu&ness< to the ,rief and
'ortification of its unfortunate $otaries#+
-In conse>uence of his ,reat $o&ui&it!< I 2as under the disa,reea&e
necessit! of tunin, '! $oice to a *rett! hi,h 0e!< and of s*acin, short
et2een 2ords< deter'inin, that neither his ,reatness or &earnin, shou&d
shie&d hi' fro' the shafts of a faithfu& testi'on!# "ut there is 'ore ho*e
of those Je2s recei$in, the fu&&ness of the ,os*e&< 2hose 'inds ha$e ne$er
een *oisoned ! the ane of 'odern sectarianis'< 2hich c&oses the 'outh
of Deit! and shuts u* in hea$en a&& the an,e&s< $isions< and *ro*hes!in,s#
.rs# 3hitin, to&d 'e that there had een four Je2ish *eo*&e in Jerusa&e'
con$erted and a*ti4ed ! the En,&ish 'inister< and four on&!? and that a
*art of the ,round for an En,&ish church had een *urchased there# It 2as
! *o&itica& *o2er and inf&uence that the Je2ish nation 2as ro0en do2n<
and her su=ects dis*ersed aroad? and I 2i&& here ha4ard the o*inion<
that ! *o&itica& *o2er and inf&uence the! 2i&& e ,athered and ui&t u*?
and further< that En,&and is destined in the 2isdo' and econo'! of hea$en
to stretch forth the ar' of *o&itica& *o2er< and ad$ance in the front
ran0s of this ,&orious enter*rise# The Lord once raised u* a C!rus to
restore the Je2s< ut that 2as not e$idence that He o2ned the re&i,ion of
the )ersians# This o*inion I su'it< ho2e$er< to !our su*erior 2isdo' to
correct if !ou sha&& find it 2ron,#
-There is an increasin, an/iet! in Euro*e for the restoration of that
*eo*&e Ithe Je2sJ? and this an/iet! is not confined to the *a&e of an!
re&i,ious co''unit!< ut it has found its 2a! to the courts of 0in,s#
S*ecia& a'assadors ha$e een sent< and consu&s and consu&ar a,ents ha$e
een a**ointed# The ri,orous *o&ic! 2hich has hitherto characteri4ed the
course of other nations to2ards the' no2 e,ins to e softened ! the oi&
of friendshi*< and 'odified ! the a&' of hu'anit!# The sufferin,s and
*ri$ations under 2hich the! ha$e ,roaned for so 'an! centuries ha$e at
&en,th touched the 'ain-s*rin,s of 5enti&e *o2er and s!'*ath!? and 'a! the
5od of their fathers< Araha'< Isaac< and Jaco< fan the f&a'e !
ce&estia& ree4es< unti& Israe&+s anner< sanctified ! a Sa$ior+s &ood<
sha&& f&oat on the 2a&&s of o&d Jerusa&e'< and the 'ountains and $a&&e!s
of Judea re$ererate 2ith their son,s of *raise and than0s,i$in, to the
La' that 2as s&ain#
-The i'*eria& consu& of Austria< at 5a&at4< near the 'outh of the
Danue< to 2ho' I had a &etter of introduction fro' his cousin in %ienna<
to&d 'e that in conse>uence of so 'an! of their Je2ish su=ects ein,
inc&ined< of &ate< to re'o$e to S!ria and )a&estine< his ,o$ern'ent had
esta&ished a ,enera& consu& at "e!root for their *rotection# There are
'an! Je2s 2ho care nothin, aout Jerusa&e'< and ha$e no re,ard for 5od#
Their 'one! is the ,od the! 2orshi*< !et there are 'an! of the 'ost *ious
and de$out a'on, the' 2ho &oo0 to2ards Jerusa&e' as the tender and
affectionate 'other &oo0s u*on the ho'e 2here she &eft her &o$e&! &itt&e
ae#-
3ednesda!< 7N#--I 2rote Dr# 5a&&and as fo&&o2s(
The )ro*het+s Letter to Isaac 5a&&and--On Sett&e'ent of Accounts#
DEAR SIR(--"! !our re*&! of the 78th instant to '! note of the 7Mth<
I a' &ed to conc&ude that !ou recei$ed '! co''unication in a 'anner
a&to,ether unintended ! 'e< and that there 'a! e no 'isunderstandin,
et2een us< and that !ou 'a! e satisfied that I did not intend< and that
I do not no2 intend an!thin,< on&! u*on the *rinci*&es of the strictest
inte,rit! and u*ri,htness efore 5od< and to do as I 2ou&d e done unto< I
2i&& state I ha$e eco'e e'arrassed in '! o*erations to a certain e/tent<
and *art&! fro' a *resentation of notes< 2hich !ou< as '! a,ent< had ,i$en
for &ands *urchased in the eastern states< the! ha$in, een sent to 'e# I
ha$e een o&i,ed to cash the'< and ha$in, no returns fro' !ou to 'eet
those de'ands< or e$en the trif&in, e/*enses of !our outfit< it has *&aced
'e in rather an un*&easant situation< and ha$in, a considera&e a'ount of
!our scri* on hand< enou,h< as I su**ose< to countera&ance the dets due
!ou< and &ea$e a a&ance in '! fa$or< to so'e e/tent< e$en if it 2ere
s'a&&? and as I 2as *ressed for funds< fro' the causes ao$e 'entioned< as
2e&& as others< I had ho*ed it 2ou&d e con$enient for !ou to &end 'e so'e
assistance at the *resent ti'e< and this 2as the reason 2h! I sent a
'essen,er to !ou as I did#
And no2< sir< that 2e 'a! ha$e no 'isunderstandin, in this 'atter< I
thin0 2e had etter ha$e a sett&e'ent< and if I a' o2in, !ou< I 2i&& *a!
!ou as soon as I can< and if !ou o2e 'e< I sha&& on&! e/*ect the sa'e in
return< for it is an o&d and trite 'a/i'< that short rec0onin,s 'a0e &on,
friends# 3ith this $ie2 of the 'atter< I 2ou&d re>uest !ou to ca&& as soon
as !ou *ossi&! can 'a0e it con$enient< and co'*are accounts< so that a&&
thin,s 'a! e understood 'ost *erfect&! et2een us in future ti'e< and
that a&& occasion for un*&easant fee&in,s< if an! such there e< 'a! e
entire&! o&iterated# I re'ain< sir< 'ost res*ectfu&&! !ours< Pc#< JOSE)H
S.ITH#
Read in the "oo0 of .or'on< and in the e$enin, $isited "isho*
.i&&er+s 2ife< 2ho 2as $er! sic0< and the "isho* asent< co&&ectin, the
funds for ui&din, the Te'*&e and Nau$oo House#
Thursda!< HD#--I attended a s*ecia& conference of the Church at 7D
o+c&oc0 a#'#< concernin, Dr# 5a&&and# The conference $oted to sanction the
re$ocation of Dr# 5a&&and+s a,enc!< dated the 78th of Januar!< as
*u&ished in the Ti'es and Seasons< and a&so instructed the
trustee-in-trust to *roceed 2ith Dr# 5a&&and+s affairs in re&ation to the
Church< as he sha&& =ud,e 'ost e/*edient#
Si/ o+c&oc0 e$enin,< attended a s*ecia& counci& in the u**er roo' of
the ne2 store#
5eor,e 3ashin,ton 5ee died toda!#
Frida!< H7#--I read the "oo0 of .or'on< transacted a $ariet! of
usiness in the store and cit!< and s*ent the e$enin, in the office 2ith
E&ders Ta!&or and Richards< inter*retin, drea's< Pc#
The *residents of the different >uoru's 'et 2ith the Hi,h Counci& at
"rother H!ru'+s office< to recei$e instructions< accordin, to a**oint'ent
of the counci& on the 78th#
)resident Jose*h Youn, stated the reasons 2h! the >uoru' of Se$enties
had ,ranted &icenses? that he a**&ied to )resident Jose*h S'ith for
*er'ission< on the so&icitations of the >uoru's? that their reasons for so
doin, 2ere ecause &icenses cou&d not e otained fro' the Church c&er0#
)resident Jose*h "utterfie&d testified to the sa'e< and the counci& 2as
satisfied 2ith the testi'on!# The counci& 2as then addressed ! )resident
H!ru' S'ith on the 3ord of 3isdo'#
Saturda!< HH#--I 2as $er! us! in a**raisin, tithin, *ro*ert!< and in
the e$enin, re$ised the ru&es of the cit! counci&< attended counci&< and
s*o0e on their ado*tion< and 2as e&ected 'a!or< *rote'# of the cit! of
Nau$oo#
Sunda!< H9#--S*ent the da! 'ost&! at the office< and on the
*resentation of char,es ! E&der 3i&&ia' Dra*er< Jun#< si&enced E&der
Danie& 3ood< of )&easant %a&e< for *reachin, that the Church ou,ht to
unsheath the s2ord< and E&der A# Lit4 for *reachin, that the authorities
of the Church 2ere done a2a!< Pc#< and cited hi' to a**ear efore the Hi,h
Counci& of Nau$oo for tria&#
.onda!< H@#--Rec0oned 2ith 3i&&ia' and 3i&son La2 in the countin,
roo'< and e/a'ined the &ots on 2hich the! are aout to ui&d a stea'<
,rain< and sa2'i&&#
Tuesda!< HG#--Si,ned deeds for &ots< to La2? transacted a $ariet! of
usiness in the cit! and office# In the e$enin, deated 2ith John C#
"ennett and others to sho2 that the Indians ha$e ,reater cause to co'*&ain
of the treat'ent of the 2hites< than the ne,roes< or sons of Cain#
NAU%OO LE5ION HEADAUARTERS< NAU%OO LE5ION< CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS<
Januar! H9rd< 78@H#
5enera& Orders# A&& the *u&ic ar's 2i&& e re>uired to e in the
est *ossi&e condition< at the ,enera& ins*ection and *arade< on the Mth
of .a! *ro/i'o< and no deficienc! 2hate$er 2i&& e countenanced<
o$er&oo0ed< or suffered to *ass 2ithout fine< on that occasion# A&&
*ersons< therefore< ho&din, said ar's< 2i&& ta0e notice< and ,o$ern
the'se&$es accordin,&!? and in order that the ,enera& ins*ection 'a! *ass
off in a tru&! 'i&itar! st!&e< a&i0e honora&e to the Le,ion< and
credita&e to the citi4en so&diers< the ri,adiers are re>uired to attend
the atta&ion *arades 2ithin their res*ecti$e co''ands< and ins*ect said
ar's in *ro*ria *ersonae< *rior to the ,enera& *arade# )ersons
disre,ardin, these ,enera& orders< 2hether officers or *ri$ates< 2i&& find
the'se&$es in the $ocati$e# The in$inci&es ECa*tain Hunter+s co'*an! of
&i,ht infantr!F< 2i&& e detai&ed for fati,ue dut!< on escorts and s*ecia&
ser$ice< and 2i&& ta0e *ost ! assi,n'ent< and recei$e their orders direct
fro' the 'a=or ,enera&< throu,h his hera&d and ar'or earer# His
E/ce&&enc! the 5o$ernor of I&&inois< the circuit =ud,e of the =udicia&
circuit< and the 'e'ers of the ar< the officers of Hancoc0 count!<
Co&one& 3i&&ia's and Co&one& De'in,< 2ith their res*ecti$e fie&d and staff
officers of the I&&inois 'i&itia< and 5enera& S2a4e! and Co&one& Fu&&er
2ith their res*ecti$e fie&d and staff officers< and Ca*tain Da$is and
A$er!+s co'*anies of ca$a&r! of Io2a 'i&itia< are res*ectfu&&! in$ited to
attend and *artici*ate in the ,enera& *arade on the Mth .a!# JOSE)H S.ITH<
Lieutenant 5enera&#
3ednesda!< H:--Rode out to orro2 'one!< to refund for 'one! orro2ed
of John "eno2< as outfit for Dr# 5a&&and in his a,enc!# Transacted a
$ariet! of usiness< e/*&ained scri*ture to E&der Orson S*encer in '!
office< read in the "oo0 of .or'on in the e$enin,# 3rote a &on, &etter to
Ed2ard Hunter< 3est Nant'ea&< on te'*ora& usiness#
The Church is in a *ros*erous condition< and the Saints are e/ertin,
the'se&$es to ui&d the Te'*&e# The hea&th of the cit! is ,ood#
U*2ards of t2ent!-three $esse&s 2rec0ed on different *arts of the
"ritish coast#
Thursda!< HM#--Attended to a*tis' in ,enera&? in the afternoon< in
counci& 2ith the recorder< and ,a$e so'e *articu&ar instructions
concernin, the order of the 0in,do'< and the 'ana,e'ent of usiness?
*&aced the car*et ,i$en ! Car&os 5ran,er on the f&oor of '! office? and
s*ent the e$enin, in ,enera& counci& in the u**er roo'#
In the course of the da!< "ri,ha' Youn,< and Ja'es I$ins returned<
and ,a$e a fa$ora&e re*ort fro' Dr# 5a&&and< 2ith his &etter of attorne!<
&etters and *a*ers 2hich he had recei$ed of 'e and the Church#
Frida!< H8#--3hi&e I 2as at '! office< E''a and Sister 3hitne! ca'e
in and s*ent an hour#
I recei$ed the fo&&o2in, re$e&ation to the T2e&$e concernin, the
Ti'es and Seasons< ,i$en Januar! H8< 78@H--
Re$e&ation# %eri&! thus saith the Lord unto !ou< '! ser$ant Jose*h<
,o and sa! unto the T2e&$e< that it is '! 2i&& to ha$e the' ta0e in hand
the editoria& de*art'ent of the Ti'es and Seasons< accordin, to that
'anifestation 2hich sha&& e ,i$en unto the' ! the *o2er of '! Ho&!
S*irit in the 'idst of their counse&< saith the Lord# A'en#
I a&so decided that E&der John Sn!der shou&d ,o out on a 'ission< and
if necessar! so'e one ,o 2ith hi' and raise u* a church< and ,et 'eans to
,o to En,&and< and carr! the e*ist&e re>uired in the re$e&ation of
Dece'er HHnd? and instructed the T2e&$e< "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&<
3i&ford 3oodruff and 3i&&ard Richards ein, *resent< to ca&& E&der Sn!der
into their counci& and instruct hi' in these thin,s< and if he 2i&& not do
these thin,s he sha&& e cut off fro' the Church< and e da'ned#
E&ias Hi,ee< of the te'*&e co''ittee< ca'e into '! office< and I
said unto hi'? The Lord is not 2e&& *&eased 2ith !ou? and !ou 'ust
strai,hten u* !our &oins and do etter< and !our fa'i&! a&so? for !ou ha$e
not een as di&i,ent as !ou ou,ht to ha$e een< and as s*rin, is
a**roachin,< !ou 'ust arise and sha0e !ourse&f< and e acti$e< and 'a0e
!our chi&dren industrious< and he&* ui&d the Te'*&e#
E&der Sn!der had a**eared $er! ac02ard aout fu&fi&&in, the
re$e&ation concernin, hi'< and fe&t that he cou&d not do it un&ess the
T2e&$e 2ou&d furnish hi' 'eans< 2hen he 2as 'ore a&e to furnish his o2n
'eans< as a&& the E&ders 2ere o&i,ed to do 2hen the! 2ent on 'issions< or
,o 2ithout#
The Hi,h Counci& heard and acce*ted the re*ort of their co''ittee of
the 78th instant< as fo&&o2s--
Re*ort of Hi,h Counci& Co''ittee# The Hi,h Counci& of the Church of
Jesus Christ to the Saints of Nau$oo< ,reetin,--DEAR "RETHREN(--As
2atch'en u*on the 2a&&s of ;ion< 2e fee& it to e our dut! to stir u* !our
'inds< ! 2a! of re'e'rance< of thin,s 2hich 2e concei$e to e of the
ut'ost i'*ortance to the Saints#
3hi&e 2e re=oice at the hea&th and *ros*erit! of the Saints< and the
,ood fee&in, 2hich see's to *re$ai& a'on, the' ,enera&&!< and their
2i&&in,ness to aid in the ui&din, of the -House of the Lord<- 2e are
,rie$ed at the conduct of so'e< 2ho see' to ha$e for,otten the *ur*ose for
2hich the! ha$e ,athered#
Instead of *ro'otin, union< the! ha$e a**eared to e en,a,ed in
so2in, strifes and ani'osities a'on, their rethren< s*readin, e$i&
re*orts< rother ,oin, to &a2 2ith rother for tri$ia& causes< 2hich 2e
consider a ,reat e$i&< and a&to,ether un=ustifia&e< e/ce*t in e/tre'e
cases< and then not efore the 2or&d#
3e fee& to ad$ise ta0in, the 2ord of 5od for our ,uide< and e/hort
!ou not to for,et that !ou ha$e co'e u* as sa$iors u*on .ount ;ion<
conse>uent&! to see0 each other+s ,ood--to eco'e one< inas'uch as the
Lord has said< -E/ce*t !e eco'e one< !e are not 'ine -
Let us a&2a!s re'e'er the ad'onition of the A*ost&e---Dare an! of
!ou< ha$in, a 'atter a,ainst another< ,o to &a2 efore the un=ust< and not
efore the SaintsB Do !e not 0no2 the Saints sha&& =ud,e the 2or&dB and if
the 2or&d sha&& e =ud,ed ! !ou< are !e un2orth! to =ud,e the s'a&&est
'attersB 1no2 !e not that 2e sha&& =ud,e an,e&sB ho2 'uch 'ore thin,s that
*ertain to this &ifeB If< then< !e ha$e =ud,'ents of thin,s *ertainin, to
this &ife< set the' to =ud,e 2ho are &east estee'ed in the Church# I s*ea0
to !our sha'e# Is it so< that there is not a 2ise 'an a'on, !ouB no< not
one that sha&& e a&e to =ud,e et2een his rethren# "ut rother ,oeth to
&a2 2ith rother< and that efore the une&ie$ers# No2 therefore there is
utter&! a fau&t a'on, !ou ecause !e ,o to &a2 one 2ith another# 3h! do !e
not rather ta0e 2ron,B
2h! do !e not rather suffer !ourse&$es to e defraudedB Na!< !e do
2ron,< and defraud< and that !our rethren# 1no2 !e not that the
unri,hteous sha&& not inherit the 0in,do' of 5odB "e not decei$ed? neither
fornicators< nor ido&aters< nor adu&terers< nor effe'inate< nor ausers of
the'se&$es 2ith 'an0ind< nor thie$es< nor co$etous< nor drun0ards< nor
re$i&ers< nor e/tortioners< sha&& inherit the 0in,do' of 5od- EI Cor#
:(7-7DF# 3ho< oser$in, these thin,s< 2ou&d ,o to &a2 distressin, his
rother< there! ,i$in, rise to hardness< e$i& s*ea0in,< strifes and
ani'osities a'on, those 2ho ha$e co$enanted to 0ee* the co''and'ents of
5od--2ho ha$e ta0en u*on the' the na'e of Saints< and if Saints are to
=ud,e an,e&s< and a&so to =ud,e the 2or&d--2h! then are the! not co'*etent
to =ud,e in te'*ora& 'atters< es*ecia&&! in tri$ia& cases< ta0in, the &a2
of the Lord for their ,uide< rother&! 0indness< charit!< Pc#< as 2e&& as
the &a2 of the &andB "rethren< these are e$i&s 2hich ou,ht not to e/ist
a'on, us# 3e ho*e the ti'e 2i&& s*eedi&! arri$e 2hen these thin,s 2i&& e
done a2a!< and e$er!one stand in the office of his ca&&in,< as a faithfu&
ser$ant of 5od< ui&din, each other u*< earin, each other+s infir'ities<
and so fu&fi&& the &a2 of Christ#
3i&&ia' .ar0s< )resident? Sa'ue& "ent< Le2is D# 3i&son< Da$id
Fu&&'er< Tho'as 5ro$er< Ne2e& 1ni,ht< Leonard So!< Ja'es A&&red< E&ias
Hi,ee< 5eor,e 3# Harris< Aaron Johnson< 3i&&ia' Huntin,ton< Sen#< Danie&
Carrier< Austin Co2&es< Char&es C# Rich< Counse&ors#
Attest( Hosea Stout< C&er0#
Sir Roert Sa&e Ico''ander of the "ritish forces in Af,hanistanJ
recei$ed a &etter fro' Sha-Shoo=ah< re>uirin, hi' to e$acuate Je&&a&aad<
2ith 2hich he refused to co'*&!#
Saturda!< HN#--I 2as 'uch en,a,ed 2ith the tithin,s? in the afternoon
in '! office< counse&in, $arious indi$idua&s( and in the e$enin, in
counci& 2ith "rothers Youn,< 1i'a&&< Richards and others< sho2in, forth
the 1in,do' and the order thereof concernin, 'an! thin,s< and the 2i&& of
5od concernin, His ser$ants#
Letter of 5# 3a&0er to E&der "ri,ha' Youn, et a&#--Affairs in En,&and
since De*arture of the A*ost&es#
.ANCHESTER< EN5LAND< Jan# HN< 78@H#
To )resident Youn,< E&ders 1i'a&& and Richards#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN(--Soon after !our de*arture< a c&er,!'an of the
church of En,&and ca&&ed u*on '! e'*&o!er< to re>uest that he 'i,ht ha$e
an inter$ie2 2ith 'e< as he had a 2ish to *ro*ound certain >uestions to
'e? u*on his re>uest ein, co'*&ied 2ith< 2e retired to a *ri$ate roo'<
2hen he *roduced a &on, &ist of >uestions< 2ritten do2n< o**osite to 2hich
he 2rote '! ans2ers# The rise of the Church< )riesthood< doctrines
offices< sacra'ents< Pc#< 2ere the *rinci*a& >ueries he ad$anced# 3hen he
de'urred to an! of our *rinci*&es I 2as *roceedin, to e/*&ain< he cut '!
discourse short ! sa!in, he 2ou&d not ho&d an! contro$ers!< his o=ect
ein, on&! to otain infor'ation# After the dis*osa& of his >ueries< he
2ished to e infor'ed 2here he cou&d otain the 2ho&e of the *u&ications
of the Latter-da! Saints< as he 2ished to e in *ossession of the'? I
infor'ed hi' at @M O/ford street< .anchester< and he *ro'ised to send for
the'#
Soon after the $isit of this re$erend ,ent&e'an< I had reason to
sus*ect that under'inin, o*erations 2ere in *ro,ress a,ainst 'e< I
therefore tendered '! resi,nation to the directors< ut the! 2ou&d not
acce*t it? and $er! soon after a *u&ic accountant 2as e'*&o!ed ! the' to
in$esti,ate their accounts for se$era& !ears ac0< and I 2as ha**! to e
a&e to ans2er satisfactori&! e$er! >uestion that 2as as0ed of 'e
res*ectin, the'#
After this another 'inister sent a &en,th! artic&e e/tracted fro' an
A'erican *a*er< *ur*ortin, to e the *roduction of a .r# Anthon< 2ith a
re>uest that I 2ou&d -read< 'ar0< &earn< and in2ard&! di,est- the sa'e# I
re*&ied to the state'ents of .r# Anthon< and after dis*osin, of the'
*ara,ra*h for *ara,ra*h< I to&d hi' that I 2as o&i,ed ! his fa$orin, 'e
2ith it< inas'uch as it satisfied '! 'ind< and 2as confir'ator! of the
*rediction of Isaiah ein, fu&fi&&ed< seein, that .r# Anthon ad'itted that
-the 2ords of the oo0 2ere de&i$ered to the &earned<- Pc# I then
*roceeded to contrast the church of En,&and 2ith churches esta&ished !
the A*ost&es? ut he has not ac0no2&ed,ed the recei*t of '! &etter as !et#
The c&er,! are ui&din, ten ne2 churches in this to2n and nei,horhood<
and are e'*&o!in, additiona& curates to ,o round to the houses of their
*arishioners< to coerce or inti'idate the' into an attendance u*on their
ser$ices in fu&fi&&'ent of the 2ords of )au&< In the &ast da!s *eri&ous
ti'es 2i&& co'e< Pc#< that the! 2ou&d ha$e a for' of ,od&iness< ut den!
the *o2er< and 2ou&d cree* into houses to &ead ca*ti$e si&&! 2o'en<- Pc#
ESee II Ti'oth!< 7st cha*ter< 7st to 8th $erses#F These curates 'a0e
re*eated $isits ,enera&&! 2hen the heads of fa'i&ies are fro' ho'e< and
ta0e s*ecia& care to en>uire 2here the fa'i&! are e'*&o!ed< and 2hat *&ace
of 2orshi* the! attend< Pc#< and &ea$e tracts for the fa'i&! to read#
One of the Re$# Hu,h Sto2e&&+s curates has *aid se$era& $isits to '!
house< ut a&2a!s in '! asence< a&thou,h he 2as re>uested to ca&& 2hen I
2as at ho'e< and infor'ed of the ti'e 2hen he 'i,ht 'eet 2ith 'e#
The fo&&o2in, discourse too0 *&ace in our o2n nei,horhood( Curate(
3hat re&i,ion 'a! !ou e< '! ,ood 2o'anB I a' a church2o'an< sir# 3hat
church do !ou usua&&! attendB I ne$er attend an!< sir#
After re*ri'andin, the 2o'an for *retendin, to e one of his f&oc0<
2hi&e she asented herse&f fro' the fo&d< he 2ent to the house of a *oor
2o'an 2ho had &ate&! =oined the Saints# I a' a 'inister of the Church of
Jesus Christ in En,&and< and ha$e ca&&ed to in>uire 2hat schoo& !ou send
!our chi&dren to< and 2hat re&i,ion !ou *rofessB The 2o'an re*&ied she 2as
a -Latter-da! Saint#- -OhK de&usion< de&usionK -he re=oined< and e,an to
rai& a,ainst the Saints< 2hereu*on she handed hi' the "i&e< and re>uested
hi' to read the *&ace 2here she casua&&! o*ened to< na'e&! the third
cha*ter of .icah< and to *reach a discourse fro' that *art of the "i&e?
ut he retreated fro' efore her and has not trou&ed her since#
The Lord "isho* of Chester and the )rotestant c&er,!'en< ha$e hired a
*erson of the na'e of "rind&e! to ,o aout &ecturin, a,ainst the Saints<
and ha$e co''enced a 'onth&! *eriodica& in 2hich the fou& s&anders hea*ed
u*on the Saints in A'erica and e&se2here are retai&ed out to satisf! the
'a&ice of the ene'ies of truth# The .anchester Courier has had se$era&
artic&es a,ainst our societ! and *rinci*&es< and the o&d S*au&din, ro'ance
has een resuscitated for the occasion#
The Re$# Char&es "urton< Doctor of La2s< 'inister of -A&& Saints<-
has een se$era& ti'es to see 'e &ate&!< and u*on one occasion in$ited 'e
to his house< 2here I 2ent and discussed our *rinci*&es for se$era& hours<
unti& he 2as ,&ad to 2ithdra2 fro' the contest? I found hi' i,norant in a
,reat 'easure of 2hat the "i&e contains res*ectin, the &atter-da!s# He
ad'itted that the Saints 2ou&d rei,n on earth#
The ,reat 2or0 of the Lord is sti&& *ro,ressin, in s*ite of a&& the
o**osition of &!in, *riests and their au/i&iaries of the ne2s*a*er *ress#
I a*ti4ed E&i4aeth S'ith< 2ho resided 2ith us 2hen !ou 2ere in En,&and<
and she *ur*oses co'in, out to A'erica a&on, 2ith us#
There is $er! ,reat distress a'on, the o*erati$es and the *oor
,enera&&!< and ,reat e/cite'ent res*ectin, the a,itation of the re*ea& of
the corn &a2s# 5reat fires ha$e fre>uent&! occurred at the co''ence'ent of
this !ear? a &ar,e carrier+s 2arehouse 2as consu'ed ! fire< aout fro'
HDD<DDD to 9DD<DDD ER7<DDD<DDD to R7<GDD<DDDF 2orth of cotton and ,rain<
Pc#< destro!ed# It 2as the Union Co'*an!+s carr!in, 2are house<
)iccadi&&!# There is ,reat de*ression in a&'ost e$er! ranch of
'anufactures< and ,reat *er*&e/it!? and I a' dai&! 'ore and 'ore con$inced
that the ti'e is not far distant 2hen "a!&on the ,reat 2i&& e fa&&en and
eco'e a deso&ation< and the 0in,s and the 'erchants of the earth 2i&&
2ee* and 'ourn o$er her< and she 2i&& e cast do2n< e$en as a ,reat
'i&&-stone cast into the sea< and 2i&& e found no 'ore at a&&#
I o*ened a *&ace for *reachin, at "&a0es&e!< aout si/ 2ee0+s a,o?
and there 2ere three a*ti4ed and confir'ed there &ast 2ee0# I 2as 2ith
E&der John "rotherton at .idd&eton on Sunda! &ast< 2here he and E&der
Hard'an had otained a roo' to *reach to the Chartists# 3e ha$e a&so a
*&ace o*ened at Disur! and Heaton#
Aout three 2ee0s a,o there 2as a &etter inserted in the .anchester
Courier< ! a 2riter 2ho si,ns hi'se&f R )#< ca&&in, u*on the c&er,!'en of
the church of En,&and< and the res*ecta&e inhaitants< and the 'ost
res*ecta&e and inte&&i,ent of the *o&ice< to attend oar 'eetin,s at the
Car*enters+ Ha&&< as the! had fond&! ho*ed that the s!ste' 2ou&d ha$e
fa&&en to the ,round ! the 2ei,ht of its o2n asurdit!? ut the! found
that there 2as 'ethod and consistenc! in the a**arent 'adness of these
de&uded *eo*&e< and that e/*erience had tau,ht the' that such e/*ectations
2ere $ain( as the! had oser$ed that there 2as considera&e consistenc!
dis*&a!ed< and 'ethod attendin, our arran,e'ents< there ein, an
e'i,ration office esta&ished in this to2n< Pc# The 2riter sus*ected there
2as a ,enuine A'erican tric0 ein, *racticed ! the interested *arties at
the head of the s!ste'< to deco! the i,norant and un2ar! to *erish in the
s2a'*s of Ne2 Or&eans< and that the! 2ere drainin, the countr! of their
est artists? and it 2as hi,h ti'e so'e ste*s 2ere ta0en to *ut a sto* to
such *ractices#
3e ha$e since disco$ered that the 2riter is no other than Roert
)hi&i*s< Es>#< an e/tensi$e 'anufacturer and 'erchant< rother to
.ar0 )hi&i*s< Es>#< another ,reat 'anufacturer and 'e'er of *ar&ia'ent
for the "orou,h of .anchester# The editor of the Courier has een *&a!in,
u*on the sa'e strin, for se$era& 2ee0s since< and fee&s satisfied that
fro' the e/*osure he has ,i$en the 2ho&e s!ste'< it 'ust ine$ita&! die
a2a!# He 2as therefore satisfied 2ith ha$in, done his dut!< and cou&d
safe&! &ea$e the' to the 'ana,e'ent of the *ro*er *arties< and reco''end
the *o&ice to do their dut!# It a**ears that the ,a&&ant officer at the
head of the *o&ice ESir Char&es Sha2F< has too 'uch discretion and ,ood
sense to e set on &i0e a do, to 2orr! out a societ! of Christians<
ecause the editor of the )use!ite Orac&e *ointed the fin,er of scorn at
the'< ecause the! dared to 2orshi* 5od accordin, to the dictates of their
o2n consciences# I shou&d ha$e &i0ed $er! 2e&& for the *o&ice to ha$e een
there on Sunda! &ast< for three *ersons had to e *ut out ! the rethren
for disturin, the 'eetin, in the sacra'ent ser$ices#
I re'ain< e&o$ed rethren< !our rother and fe&&o2 &aorer< 5#
3AL1ER#
)# S#--I o'itted to sa! that the 2riter in the *a*er a&&uded to<
infor'ed the *u&ic that he 2as endea$orin, to otain infor'ation
res*ectin, the 'o$e'ents of the *eo*&e# He had *re$ious&! sent a *erson to
E&der )ratt to ,et hi' to state so'ethin, in 2ritin, res*ectin,
e'i,ration< and after the *u&ication of the &etter efore referred to< he
a,ain sent to E&der )ratt for additiona& infor'ation in 2ritin,# I
ha**ened to e at E&der )ratt+s 2hen he 'ade the second a**&ication< and I
to&d E&der )ratt that he 2as the indi$idua& 2ho had *u&ished the &etter
in the Courier# E&der )ratt sent hi' another &etter containin, the
re>uired infor'ation? and a&so stated that he had no o=ection to su'it
to hi'< or to the ,o$ern'ent of this countr!< or an! of its de*art'ents<
the re&i,ious *rinci*&es of our societ!< our *&ace of e'i,ration< and
indeed the 2ho&e of our 'o$e'ents in this and other countries< for the
strictest in$esti,ation#
The 'anufacturers are e$ident&! e,innin, to e =ea&ous of the
'echanics and 2or0'en e'i,ratin, 2ith *eo*&e ha$in, so s!ste'atic an
or,ani4ation as the Latter-da! Saints dis*&a! in their arran,e'ents in
this to2n# I re'ain !ours< Pc# 5# 3#
CHA)TER 666#
E.I5RATION OF THE SAINTS FRO. EN5LAND TO NAU%OO--THE "OO1
OF A"RAHA.#
Sunda!< Januar! 9D< 78@H#--I *reached at '! house 'ornin, and
e$enin,< concernin, the different s*irits< their o*erations< desi,ns< Pc#
.onda!< 97#--Assisted in a**raisin, the tithin,s of Saturda! 2ith
E''a# Recei$ed 'an! ca&&s# Read in the "oo0 of .or'on# After dinner
$isited "rother Chase 2ho 2as $er! sic0< and in the e$enin, 2as in counci&
2ith "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< 3i&ford 3oodruff< and
3i&&ard Richards concernin, "rother Sn!der and the *rintin, office? s*ent
the e$enin, $er! cheerfu&&!< and retired aout ten o+c&oc0#
Tuesda!< Feruar! 7#--T2o &ar,e stones< for door si&&s< for the
Nau$oo House< 2ere &anded# The fo&&o2in, artic&e is fro' the .i&&ennia&
Star of this date(
E.I5RATION#
In the 'idst of the ,enera& distress 2hich *re$ai&s in this countr!
on account of the 2ant of e'*&o!'ent< the hi,h *rice of *ro$isions< the
o**ression< *riestcraft< and ini>uit! of the &and< it is *&easin, to the
househo&d of faith to conte'*&ate a countr! reser$ed ! the A&'i,ht! as a
sure as!&u' for the *oor and o**ressed<--a countr! e$er! 2a! ada*ted to
their 2ants and conditions--and sti&& 'ore *&easin, to thin0 that
thousands of the Saints ha$e a&read! 'ade their esca*e fro' this countr!<
and a&& its auses and distress< and that the! ha$e found a ho'e< 2here<
! *erse$erin, industr!< the! 'a! en=o! a&& the &essin,s of &iert!<
*eace and *&ent!#
It is not !et t2o !ears since the Saints in En,&and< in oedience to
the co''and of their hea$en&! Father< co''enced a ,enera& *&an of
e'i,ration to the &and of ;ion#
The! 2ere fe2 in nu'er< ,enera&&! *oor< and had e$er! o**osition to
encounter< oth fro' a 2ant of 'eans and fro' the ene'ies of truth< 2ho
circu&ated e$er! fa&sehood ca&cu&ated to hinder or discoura,e the'#
Ne2s*a*ers and tracts 2ere *ut in circu&ation< ser'ons and *u&ic s*eeches
2ere de&i$ered in aundance< to 2arn the *eo*&e that Nau$oo 2as a arren
2aste on the sea shore--that it 2as a 2i&d and uninhaited s2a'*--that it
2as fu&& of sa$a,es< 2i&d easts and ser*ents--that a&i the En,&ish Saints
2ho shou&d ,o there 2ou&d e i''ediate&! so&d for s&a$es ! the &eaders of
the Church--that there 2as nothin, to eat< no 2ater< and no 2a! *ossi&e
to otain a &i$in,? that a&& 2ho 2ent there 2ou&d ha$e their 'one! ta0en
fro' the'< and the'se&$es i'*risoned< Pc# "ut not2ithstandin, a&& these
thin,s< thousands ha$e e'i,rated fro' this countr!< and no2 find
the'se&$es co'forta&! situated< and in the en=o!'ent of the co'forts of
&ife< and in the 'idst of societ! 2here 5od is 2orshi*ed in the s*irit of
truth and union< and 2here near&! a&& are a,reed in re&i,ious *rinci*&es#
The! a&& find *&ent! of e'*&o!'ent and ,ood 2a,es< 2hi&e the e/*ense of
&i$in, is aout one-ei,hth of 2hat it costs in this countr!# For
instance--eef and *or0 costs aout one *enn! *er *ound< f&our fro' Hs to
9s for fort! *ounds< and Indian 'ea& aout one shi&&in, for si/t! *ounds?
utter fro' @d to :d *er *ound< 2hi&e 'i&0 co2s are to e had in *&ent!
for aout f9 *er head< and other thin,s in *ro*ortion# .i&&ions on
'i&&ions of acres of &and &ie efore the' unoccu*ied< 2ith a soi& as rich
as Eden< and a surface as s'ooth< c&ear< and read! for the *&ou,h as the
*ar0 scener! of En,&and#
Instead of a &one&! s2a'* or dense forest fi&&ed 2ith sa$a,es< 2i&d
easts and ser*ents< &ar,e cities and $i&&a,es are s*rin,in, u* in their
'idst< 2ith schoo&s< co&&e,es< and te'*&es# The 'in,&ed noise of
'echanis'< the ust&e of trade< the son, of de$otion< are heard in the
distance< 2hi&e thousands of f&oc0s and herds are seen ,ra4in, *eacefu&&!
on the *&ains< and the fie&ds and ,ardens s'i&e 2ith *&ent!< and the 2i&d
red 'en of the forest are on&! seen as the! co'e on a friend&! $isit to
the Saints and to &earn the 2a! of the Lord#
Se$era& &ar,e shi*s ha$e een chartered ! the Saints durin, the
*resent fa&& and 2inter< and ha$e een fi&&ed 2ith e'i,rants< 2ho ha$e
,one forth 2ith son,s of =o!? and so'e of the' ha$e a&read! arri$ed safe&!
in the *ro'ised &and< 2hi&e others are< dout&ess< sti&& tossin, u*on the
ocean#
The e/*ense of *assa,e and *ro$isions to Ne2 Or&eans has< at no ti'e
this season< e/ceeded f@< and it is ,enera&&! as &o2 as three *ounds
fifteen shi&&in,s# This is re'ar0a&e 2hen 2e ref&ect that each *assen,er
has *ro$isions and 2ater *ro$ided in *&ent! for ten 2ee0s# "ut it is
otained at this &o2 *rice ! a union of effort a'on, the Saints< and !
the faithfu& and *erse$erin, e/ertions of their a,ents# For instance the!
*urchase *ro$isions ! the >uantit!< and dut! free< and the 'o'ent the!
id fare2e&& to their nati$e shores the! hoist the F&a, of Liert!--the
Ensi,n of ;ion--the stars and stri*es of the A'erican Union? and under its
*rotection the! co'*&ete&! and *ractica&&! nu&&if! the read ta/# The! eat
free read< free tea< free su,ar< free e$er!thin,< and thus acco'*&ish a
=ourne! of fi$e thousand 'i&es on the sa'e 'one! that is 2ou&d cost to
feed the' for the sa'e &en,th of ti'e in En,&and#
3ho that has a heart to fee&< or a sou& to re=oice< 2i&& not e ,&ad
at so ,&orious a *&an of de&i$eranceB 3ho 2i&& not hai& the 'essen,ers of
the Latter-da! Saints as the friends of hu'anit!--the enefactors of
'an0ind#
Thousands ha$e ,one< and 'i&&ions 'ore 'ust ,o< The 5enti&es as a
strea' to ;ion f&o2#
Yes< friends< this ,&orious 2or0 has ut =ust co''enced? and 2e no2
ca&& u*on the Saints to co'e for2ard 2ith united effort< 2ith *erse$erin,
e/ertion< and 2ith union of action< and he&* !ourse&$es and one another to
e'i,rate to the Land of )ro'ise#
In this 2a! 2e sha&& not on&! rin, aout the de&i$erance of tens of
thousands< 2ho 'ust other2ise suffer in this countr!< ut 2e sha&& add to
the stren,th of ;ion< and he&* to rear her cities and te'*&es---to 'a0e
her 2i&derness &i0e Eden< and her desert &i0e the ,arden of the Lord<-
2hi&e the !oun, 'en and the 'idd&e a,ed 2i&& ser$e to increase her
&e,ions--to stren,then her u&2ar0s--that the ene'ies of &a2 and order 2ho
ha$e sou,ht her destruction< 'a! stand afar off and tre'&e< and her
anner eco'e terri&e to the 2ic0ed#
Ye chi&dren of ;ion< once 'ore 2e sa!< in the na'e of Israe&+s 5od<
arise< rea0 off !our shac0&es< &oose !ourse&$es fro' the ands of !our
nec0< and ,o forth to inherit the earth< and to ui&d u* 2aste *&aces of
'an! ,enerations#
A&& 2ho 2ou&d ,o efore Se*te'er ne/t< shou&d ,o in the ear&! *art
of .arch< as it is as &ate as is ad$isa&e to $enture ! 2a! of No2
Or&eans< on account of the e/tre'e heat of su''er? and to ,o ! Ne2 Yor0
or Aueec< 2i&& e dou&e the e/*ense# E/*erience has tau,ht us that an
e'i,rant can ,o fro' Li$er*oo& to Ne2 Or&eans< and fro' thence 7<GDD 'i&es
u* the ri$er to Nau$oo for so'ethin, &i0e fG *er head< inc&udin, a&&
*ro$isions and e/*enses? 2hi&e ! 2a! of Ne2 Yor0 or Aueec it 2i&& cost
fro' ten to thirteen *ounds? and esides there is another consideration<
and that is< ,oods 2i&& cost ut a trif&e for frei,ht u* the .ississi**i
on a stea'er< 2hi&e the e/*ense 2ou&d e i''ense the other 2a!#
Therefore the Saints 2i&& *&ease ta0e notice< that after the 7Dth of
.arch ne/t< e'i,ration had etter entire&! cease< ti&& aout the HDth of
Se*te'er fo&&o2in,# If thousands shou&d 2ish to ,o et2een this ti'e
and the 7Dth of .arch< the! ha$e on&! to furnish us 2ith their na'es and
aout f@ *er head Echi&dren under fourteen !ears ha&f *riceF< and 2e 2i&&
*ro$ide the' *assa,e and *ro$isions< for the $o!a,e< and return the
o$er*&us< if an!< at Li$er*oo&#
3e 2ou&d a,ain ur,e u*on e'i,rants the i'*ortant fact that if the!
'a0e 0no2n to us their intentions< and send their 'one! and na'es so'e
2ee0s eforehand< it 2i&& e a ,reat con$enience< and sa$e confusion<
trou&e and e/*ense# A&& a**&ications shou&d e addressed to .essrs# )ratt
and Fie&din,< 9: Cha*e& street< Li$er*oo&< or to the Star office< @M
O/ford street< .anchester#
3e do not 2ish to confine the enefit of our e'i,ration *&an to the
Saints< ut are 2i&&in, to ,rant a&& industrious< honest< and
2e&&-dis*osed *ersons 2ho 'a! a**&! to us the sa'e infor'ation and
assistance as e'i,rants to the 2estern states< there ein, aundant roo'
for 'ore than a hundred 'i&&ions of inhaitants#
3ednesda!< H#--Sister Laura )he&*s< 2ife of .orris )he&*s< died< a,ed
9: !ears# She 2as dri$en fro' Jac0son count! in 7899< 2as in the
*ersecution of .issouri< In 7898< and 2ent fro' Io2a to .issouri to assist
in &ieratin, her husand< and 2as &eft in the *rison !ard 2hen he 'ade
his esca*e< 2i&&in, to suffer a&& the auses a sa$a,e horde cou&d inf&ict
u*on her to set her co'*anion free fro' the ,ras* of his 'urderous
ene'ies# Her rest is ,&orious#
I s*ent the da! in counci& 2ith Dr# Isaac 5a&&and and Ca&$in A#
3arren< Es>#
Thursda!< 9#--In counci& 2ith Ca&$in A# 3arren< Es>#< concernin, a
sett&e'ent 2ith the estate of O&i$er 5ran,er< and de&i$ered hi' the
necessar! *a*ers#
E&der 3oodruff too0 the su*erintendence of the *rintin, office< and
E&der Ta!&or the editoria& de*art'ent of the Ti'es and Seasons? and he
co''enced ! ta0in, an in$entor! of the esta&ish'ent this da!#
Frida!< @#--Instructed that an in$oice of Dr# 5a&&and+s scri* e
'ade# C&osed a contract 2ith Eene4er Roinson for the *rintin, office on
the corner of "ain and 3ater streets< a&so the *a*er fi/tures<
oo0inder!< and stereot!*e foundr!< ! *ro/!< na'e&!< 3i&&ard Richards<
cost et2een M<DDD and 8<DDD do&&ars# In the e$enin, attended a deate# At
this ti'e deates 2ere he&d 2ee0&!< and entered into ! 'en of the first
ta&ents in the cit!< !oun, and o&d< for the *ur*ose of e&icitin, truth<
ac>uirin, 0no2&ed,e< and i'*ro$in, in *u&ic s*ea0in,#
Saturda!< G#--E&der Danie& 3ood< 2ho had een si&enced ! )residents
S'ith and Youn,< on a co'*&aint for teachin, fa&se doctrine< ca'e efore
the Hi,h Counci& at Nau$oo< and *ro$ed that he had not tau,ht fa&se
doctrine< ut had een co'*&ained of ! those 2ho had *re=udice and
hardness a,ainst hi'< and 2as restored to his for'er standin, in the
Church#
This ein, Tithin, Da!< u*2ards of R7<DDD 2orth of *ro*ert! 2as
recei$ed#
The shi* Ho*e sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& for Ne2 Or&eans 2ith HMD Saints#
Sunda!< :#--E&ders "ri,ha' Youn, and Heer C# 1i'a&& 2ent to La
Har*e to ho&d a t2o-da!s 'eetin,#
Fro' this ti'e I 2as en,a,ed in counse&in, the rethren and attendin,
to the co''on $ocations of &ife and '! ca&&in,< readin, the "oo0 of
.or'on< Pc#
Thursda!< 7D#--I 2as sic0 and 0e*t '! ed#
The 2ar continues to ra,e et2een En,&and and China#
Frida!< 77#--I 2as con$a&escent< and 2a&0ed t2ice to the store#
Saturda!< 7H#--An ordinance re,u&atin, 2ei,hts and 'easures 2as
*assed< a&so an ordinance re,u&atin, auctions< ! the cit! counci& 2hich I
attended# Durin, the sittin, of the counci& the su=ect of our chartered
ri,hts 2as discussed#
In the afternoon< *&ead in an action of s&ander efore the 'a!or< in
eha&f of the cit! a,ainst L!'an O# Litt&efie&d< and otained =ud,'ent of
RGDD onds to 0ee* the *eace#
Sunda!< 79--In counci& 2ith the 'a!or< "rother H!ru' and E&der
3i&&ard Richards< and $isited Sa'ue& "ennett E2ho 2as sic0F in co'*an!
2ith 3i&&ia' La2 and 2ife#
.onda!< 7@#--S*ent the da! at '! office< transactin, a $ariet! of
usiness< and continued to do the sa'e fro' da! to da! ti&& the 7Mth#
Thursda!< 7M#--I attended a s*ecia& session of the cit! counci&< 2hen
an ordinance 2as *assed authori4in, and re,u&atin, 'arria,es in the cit!
of Nau$oo#
Letter of A&fred Cordon to Jose*h S'ith--Re*ortin, Affairs in
En,&and#
HANLEY< STAFFORD COUNTY< EN5LAND< Feruar! 7M< 78@H#
)RESIDENT JOSE)H S.ITH(--The 2or0 in 2hich 2e are en,a,ed ro&&s on in
this &ands and in s*ite of a&& its ene'ies< 'o$es on2ard in 'a=est! and
*o2er? there are 'an! 2ho de$ote a&& their ti'e and ta&ent in endea$orin,
to o$erthro2 it? ut I disco$er that the! can -do nothin, a,ainst the
truth ut for the truth#- .an! tracts ha$e een *u&ished a,ainst us<
containin, a&& 'anner of &ies< ut in the end ,ood 2i&& e the resu&t# -He
that 0no2eth 5od< heareth us#- So'e of the too&s of Satan are doin, 'ore
in s*readin, the truth than 2e are a&e to do? one in *articu&ar< a .r#
"rind&e!< is *u&ishin, a *eriodica& sho2in, the -errors and &as*he'ies-
of -.or'onis'?- and in order to do this< he *u&ishes 'an! of the
re$e&ations of 5od ,i$en to us< and throu,h this 'eans< the testi'on! is
$isitin, the 'ansions of the hi,h and 'i,ht! ones--the -re$erends< ri,ht
re$erends- and a&& the no&e cha'*ions of sectarians recei$e the' as a
*recious 'orse&? and the! are read 2ith 'uch interest? 2hereas< if 2e had
sent the'< the! 2ou&d ha$e een s*urned fro' their d2e&&in,s< and 2ou&d
not ha$e een considered 2orth readin,#
The state of this countr! is $er! a2fu&< and is< accordin, to
*ros*ects< on the e$e of a 'i,ht! re$o&ution? a&& confidence is ,one
et2een 'aster and 'an< and 'en are afraid of each other? *eace is fast
re'o$in, fro' this &and? in the course of the &ast fe2 da!s< in 'an! *arts
of this is&e< the! ha$e een urnin, the effi,! of the ,reat 'en of this
nation--*o$ert!< distress and star$ation aound on e$er! hand# The ,roans<
and tears and 2retchedness of the thousands of *eo*&e are enou,h to rend
the hearts of de'ons( 'an! of the Saints are sufferin, 'uch throu,h hun,er
and na0edness? 'an! 2ith &ar,e fa'i&ies can scarce&! ,et read and 2ater
enou,h to ho&d the s*irit in the taernac&e? 'an!< $er! 'an!< are out of
e'*&o!'ent< and cannot ,et 2or0 to do< and others that do 2or0 hard
fourteen or fifteen hours *er da!< can scarce&! earn enou,h to ena&e the'
to &i$e u*on the earth# Sure&! there is need of de&i$erance in ;ion< and I
a' read! to e/c&ai'< than0s e to Th! na'e< O Lord< for re'e'erin, Th!
co$enantsK and that the -set ti'e to fa$or ;ion has co'e<- and that He has
chosen the 2est for a refu,e for His *eo*&e#
3ishin, !ou a&& success< I re'ain< !ours in the ne2 and e$er&astin,
co$enant# ALFRED CORDON#
Frida!< 78#--I attended an ad=ourned cit! counci&< and s*o0e at
considera&e &en,th in co''ittee of the 2ho&e on the ,reat *ri$i&e,es of
the Nau$oo Charter< and es*ecia&&! on the re,istr! of deeds for Nau$oo<
and *ro*hesied in the na'e of the Lord 5od< that Jud,e Dou,&as and no
other =ud,e of the Circuit Court 2i&& e$er set aside a &a2 of the cit!
counci&< esta&ishin, a re,istr! of deeds in the cit! of Nau$oo#
Saturda!< 7N#--I 2as en,a,ed in the Recorder+s Office Ein the first
stor! of the "ric0 StoreF< on the tithin,s< and in counci& in '! office
2ith E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&& and others#
A se$ere shoc0 of an earth>ua0e thre2 do2n a&& the *ara*ets<
astions< and ,uard houses constructed ! Sir Roert Sa&e< and de'o&ished
a third *art of the to2n of Je&&a&aad< India#
Sunda!< HD#--I attended the 'eetin, on the hi&&# Aout this ti'e the
shi* John Cu''ins sai&ed fro' Li$er*oo& for Ne2 Or&eans 2ith Saints# The
Tre'ont sai&ed on the 7Hth of Januar! 2ith 7@9 *assen,ers< 'ost&! Saints#
The e/*enses of *assa,e fro' Li$er*oo& to Ne2 Or&eans a$era,es fro' f9<
7Gs to f@< inc&udin, *ro$isions#
.onda!< H7#--I 2as $isitin, in the cit! in the 'ornin,< and
transactin, a $ariet! of usiness at the office in the afternoon and
e$enin,#
Announce'ent of the Trustee in Trust for the Church Res*ectin, 3or0
on the Te'*&e#
TO THE "RETHREN IN NAU%OO CITY( 5REETIN5--It is hi,h&! i'*ortant for
the for2ardin, of the Te'*&e< that an e>ua& distriution of &aor shou&d
e 'ade in re&ation to ti'e? as a su*eraundance of hands one 2ee0< and
none the ne/t< tends to retard the *ro,ress of the 2or0( therefore e$er!
rother is re>uested to e *articu&ar to &aor on the da! set a*art for
the sa'e< in his 2ard? and to re'e'er that he that so2s s*arin,&!< sha&&
a&so rea* s*arin,&!< so that if the rethren 2ant a *&entifu& har$est<
the! 2i&& do 2e&& to e at the *&ace of &aor in ,ood season in the
'ornin,< rin,in, a&& necessar! too&s< accordin, to their occu*ation< and
those 2ho ha$e tea's rin, the' a&so< un&ess other2ise ad$ised ! the
Te'*&e Co''ittee# Shou&d an! one e detained fro' his &aor ! una$oida&e
circu'stances on the da! a**ointed< &et hi' &aor the ne/t da!< or the
first da! *ossi&e#
N#"--The ca*tains of the res*ecti$e 2ards are *articu&ar&! re>uested
to e at the *&ace of &aor on their res*ecti$e da!s< and 0ee* an accurate
account of each 'an+s 2or0< and e read! to e/hiit a &ist of the sa'e
2hen ca&&ed for#
The heart of the Trustee is dai&! 'ade to re=oice in the ,ood
fee&in,s of the rethren< 'ade 'anifest in their e/ertion to carr! for2ard
the 2or0 of the Lord< and rear His Te'*&e? and it is ho*ed that neither
*&antin,< so2in,< or rea*in, 2i&& hereafter e 'ade to interfere 2ith the
re,u&ations hinted at ao$e# JOSE)H S.ITH< Trustee in Trust#
An Additiona& 3ord fro' the T2e&$e#
RECORDERS OFFICE Fer# H7< 78@H#
3e 2ou&d a&so sa! to a&& the churches< that inas'uch as the! 2ant the
&essin,s of 5od and an,e&s< as a&so of the Church of Jesus Christ< and
2ish to see it s*read and *ros*er throu,h the 2or&d< and ;ion ui&t u* and
truth and ri,hteousness *re$ai&<--&et a&& the different ranches of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints in a&& the 2or&d< ca&&
'eetin,s in their res*ecti$e *&aces and tithe the'se&$es and send u* to
this *&ace to the Trustee in Trust< so that his hands 'a! e &oosed< and
the Te'*&e ,o on< and other 2or0s e done< such as the ne2 trans&ation of
the "i&e< and the record of Father Araha' *u&ished to the 2or&d#
"e&o$ed rethren< 2e as the 'essen,ers of the Lord fee& to ca&& u*on
!ou to he&* ro&& on the 'i,ht! 2or0< it is our dut! so to do< and it is
!our reasona&e ser$ice--and the Lord 2i&& &ess !ou in so doin,#
3e suscrie ourse&$es !our hu'&e ser$ants< and standard earers to
the 2or&d# "RI5HA. YOUN5< )resident< 3ILLARD RICHARDS< C&er0 of the
T2e&$e#
Tuesda!< HH#--Attended to a $ariet! of usiness as usua&#
3ednesda!< H9#--Sett&ed 2ith and *aid "rother Chase< and assisted in
the countin, roo' in sett&in, 2ith Eene4er Roinson< $isitin, the
*rintin, office< and ,a$e Reuen Hed&oc0 instruction concernin, the cut
for the a&tar and ,ods in the Records of Araha'< as desi,ned for the
Ti'es and Seasons#
Thursda!< H@#--En,a,ed in counci& 2ith the rethren< attended to
usiness at the ,enera& office# In the afternoon e/*&ained the records of
Araha' to the recorder# Sisters .arinda< .ar!< and others *resent to hear
the e/*&anations#
Letter of the )ro*het+s to an Un0no2n "rother on Tithin,#
NAU%OO< Fe# H@< 78@H#
"ELO%ED "ROTHER--Yours of the H@th is recei$ed< in re&ation to
certain tithin,s of !our nei,horhood ein, transferred to !our account<
2hich !ou ho&d a,ainst the Church to the a'ount of R9DG< inc&udin, R7GD of
!our o2n#
There are no recei*ts issued for *ro*ert! recei$ed on tithin,? ut an
entr! is 'ade in the "oo0 of the La2 of the Lord< and *arties &i$in, at a
distance notified of the sa'e#
If the *arties na'ed 2i&& *a! !ou the su' s*ecified in !our &etter<
and !ou 2i&& endorse the sa'e< i#e# R9DG< on the o&i,ation !ou ho&d
a,ainst the Church< and ,i$e 'e notice accordin,&!< 2ith a schedu&e of
indi$idua&s+ na'es and *a!'ents< the sa'e sha&& e entered to their credit
on tithin,# Yours< Pc# JOSE)H S.ITH< 3ILLARD RICHARDS< Scrie#
Frida!< HG#--En,a,ed in counse&in, and ,enera& usiness#
Saturda!< H:#--At the recorder+s office en,a,ed in the tithin,< and
at the court at the office of the )atriarch#
Sunda!< HM#--En,a,ed in counse&in, the Saints#
.onda!< H8#--I offered a sett&e'ent to Father Sno2 ! Jen0ins+ notes<
2hich he dec&ined< choosin, to ta0e &and in Ra'us?*aid "rother Roert
)ierce RH<MDD< the a&ance due hi' for a far' Dr# 5a&&and ou,ht of
"rother )ierce in "rand!2ine To2nshi*< Chester count!< )enns!&$ania< for
RG<DDD< na'e&! a deed for &ot H< &oc0 N@< R7<7DD< and &ot 7< &oc0 NG<
R8DD< and &ot @< &oc0 M8< R8D:< the re'ainder ha$in, een *re$ious&!
*aid# The ond 2as cance&&ed and ,i$en u*< and "rother )ierce e/*ressed
his satisfaction of the 2ho&e< in the Ti'es and Seasons< as fo&&o2s--
Note of Roert )ierce--E/*ressin, Satisfaction at Financia&
Sett&e'ent#
NAU%OO< Fe# H8< 78@H#
)resident Jose*h S'ith#
DEAR SIR--I fee& an/ious to e/*ress '! fee&in,s concernin, the
usiness transactions et2een the Church and '!se&f? as it is 2e&& 0no2n
to 'an!< that Dr# 5a&&and< as a,ent for the Church< *urchased '! far'
2hi&e I 2as &i$in, in "rand!2ine To2nshi*< Chester count!< )enns!&$ania<
and 'an! su**osed< or *retended to su**ose< I 2ou&d ,et nothin, in return?
ut I 2ish to sa! to a&& '! o&d friends and ene'ies in )enns!&$ania<
throu,h the 'ediu' of the Ti'es and Seasons< that I ha$e recei$ed '! *a!
in fu&& fro' the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints< throu,h
!ourse&f< sir< as their trustee in trust< accordin, to the ori,ina&
contract? and that fro' '! ac>uaintance 2ith !ourse&f< and those rethren
2ho are assistin, !ou in the ,reat and increasin, usiness of the Church<
I ha$e the fu&&est confidence in a&& the transactions of the Church< and I
re>uest those *a*ers in )hi&ade&*hia< 2ho *u&ished concernin, '! sa&e and
&oss< 2ith such itter &a'entations< to *u&ish this a&so#
I a'< sir< !our rother and 2e&&-2isher< RO"ERT )IERCE#
Thursda!< .arch 7< 78@H#--Durin, the forenoon I 2as at '! office and
the *rintin, office< correctin, the first *&ate or cut of the records of
Father Araha'< *re*ared ! Reuen Hed&oc0< for the Ti'es and Seasons< and
in counci& in '! office< in the afternoon? and in the e$enin, 2ith the
T2e&$e and their 2i$es at E&der 3oodruff+s< at 2hich ti'e I e/*&ained 'an!
i'*ortant *rinci*&es in re&ation to *ro,ressi$e i'*ro$e'ent in the sca&e
of inte&&i,ent e/istence#
I co''enced *u&ishin, '! trans&ations of the "oo0 of Araha' in the
Ti'es and Seasons as fo&&o2s--
THE "OO1 OF A"RAHA.#
TRANSLATED FRO. THE )A)YRUS< "Y JOSE)H S.ITH#
A Trans&ation of so'e Ancient Records that ha$e fa&&en into our
hands< fro' the Cataco's of E,!*t< *ur*ortin, to e the 2ritin,s of
Araha'< 2hi&e he 2as in E,!*t< ca&&ed the "oo0 of Araha'< 2ritten ! his
o2n hand u*on *a*!rus#
In the &and of the Cha&deans< at the residence of '! father< I
Araha'< sa2 that it 2as needfu& for 'e to otain another *&ace of
residence< and findin, there 2as ,reater ha**iness< and *eace and rest for
'e< I sou,ht for the &essin,s of the fathers< and the ri,ht 2hereunto I
shou&d e ordained to ad'inister the sa'e? ha$in, een '!se&f a fo&&o2er
of ri,hteousness< desirin, a&so to e one 2ho *ossessed ,reat 0no2&ed,e<
and to e a ,reater fo&&o2er of ri,hteousness< and to *ossess a ,reater
0no2&ed,e< and to e a father of 'an! nations< a *rince of *eace? and
desirin, to recei$e instructions and to 0ee* the co''and'ents of 5od< I
eca'e a ri,htfu& heir< a Hi,h )riest< ho&din, the ri,ht e&on,in, to the
fathers? it 2as conferred u*on 'e fro' the fathers? it ca'e do2n fro' the
fathers< fro' the e,innin, of ti'e< !ea< e$en fro' the e,innin,< or
efore the foundations of the earth< to the *resent ti'e< e$en the ri,ht
of the first orn< or the first 'an< 2ho is Ada'< our first Father<
throu,h the fathers< unto 'e#
H# I sou,ht for 'ine a**oint'ent unto the )riesthood accordin, to the
a**oint'ent of 5od unto the fathers< concernin, the seed# .! fathers
ha$in, turned fro' their ri,hteousness< and fro' the ho&! co''and'ents
2hich the Lord their 5od had ,i$en unto the'< unto the 2orshi*in, of the
,ods of the heathen< utter&! refused to hear0en to '! $oice? for their
hearts 2ere set to do e$i&< and 2ere 2ho&&! turned to the ,od of E&0enah<
and the ,od of Linah< and the ,od of .ah'ac0rah< and the ,od of 1orash<
and the ,od of )haraoh< 0in, of E,!*t< therefore the! turned their hearts
to the sacrifice of the heathen in offerin, u* their chi&dren unto their
du' ido&s< and hear0ened not unto '! $oice< ut endea$ored to ta0e a2a!
'! &ife ! the hand of the *riest of E&0enah--the *riest of E&0enah 2as
a&so the *riest of )haraoh#
9# No2 at this ti'e it 2as the custo' of the *riest of )haraoh< the
0in, of E,!*t< to offer u* u*on the a&tar 2hich 2as ui&t in the &and of
Cha&dea< for the offerin, unto these stran,e ,ods< 'en< 2o'en and
chi&dren# And it ca'e to *ass that the *riest 'ade an offerin, unto the
,od of )haraoh< and a&so unto the ,od of Sha,ree&< e$en after the 'anner
of the E,!*tians# No2 the ,od of Sha,ree& 2as the Sun# E$en the
than0-offerin, of a chi&d did the *riest of )haraoh offer u*on this a&tar<
2hich stood ! the hi&& ca&&ed )oti*har+s hi&&< at the head of the *&ain
of O&ishe'# No2< this *riest had offered u*on the a&tar three $ir,ins at
one ti'e< 2ho 2ere the dau,hters of Onitah< one of the ro!a& descent<
direct&! fro' the &oins of Ha'# These $ir,ins 2ere offered u* ecause of
their $irtue? the! 2ou&d not o2 do2n to 2orshi* ,ods of 2ood< or of
stone< therefore the! 2ere 0i&&ed u*on this a&tar< and it 2as done after
the 'anner of the E,!*tians#
@# And it ca'e to *ass that the *riests &aid $io&ence u*on 'e< that
the! 'i,ht s&a! 'e a&so< as the! did those $ir,ins< u*on this a&tar? and
that !ou 'a! ha$e a 0no2&ed,e of this a&tar< I 2i&& refer !ou to the
re*resentation at the co''ence'ent of this record# It 2as 'ade after the
for' of a edstead< such as 2as had a'on, the Cha&deans< and it stood
efore the ,ods of E&0enah< Lina< .ah'ac0rah< 1orash< and a&so a ,od &i0e
unto that of )haraoh< 0in, of E,!*t# That !ou 'a! ha$e an understandin, of
these ,ods< I ha$e ,i$en !ou the fashion of the' in the fi,ures at the
e,innin,< 2hich 'anner of the fi,ures is ca&&ed ! the Cha&deans
Rah&eenos< 2hich si,nifies hiero,&!*hics#
G# And as the! &ifted u* their hands u*on 'e< that the! 'i,ht offer
'e u* and ta0e a2a! '! &ife< eho&d I &ifted u* '! $oice unto the Lord '!
5od? and the Lord hear0ened and heard< and he fi&&ed 'e 2ith a $ision of
the A&'i,ht!< and the an,e& of his *resence stood ! 'e< and i''ediate&!
un&oosed '! ands< and his $oice 2as unto 'e< Araha'K Araha'K eho&d '!
na'e is JEHO%AH< and I ha$e heard thee< and ha$e co'e do2n to de&i$er
thee< and to ta0e thee a2a! fro' th! father+s house< and fro' a&& th!
0insfo&0< into a stran,e &and that thou 0no2est not of< and this ecause
the! ha$e turned their hearts a2a! fro' 'e< to 2orshi* the ,od of E&0enah<
and the ,od of Linah< and the ,od of .ah'ac0rah< and the ,od of 1orash<
and the ,od of )haraoh< 0in, of E,!*t? therefore I ha$e co'e do2n to $isit
the'< and to destro! hi' 2ho hath &ifted u* his hand a,ainst thee< Araha'
'! son< to ta0e a2a! th! &ife# "eho&d I 2i&& &ead thee ! '! hand< and I
2i&& ta0e thee to *ut u*on thee '! na'e< e$en the )riesthood of th!
father? and '! *o2er sha&& e o$er thee? as it 2as 2ith Noah so sha&& it
e 2ith thee< ut throu,h th! 'inistr! '! na'e sha&& e 0no2n in the earth
for e$er< for I a' th! 5od#
:# "eho&d )oti*har+s Hi&& 2as in the &and of Dr< of Cha&dea? and the
Lord ro0e do2n the a&tar of E&0enah< and of the ,ods of the &and< and
utter&! destro!ed the'< and s'ote the *riest that he died? and there 2as
,reat 'ournin, in Cha&dea< and a&so in the court of )haraoh< 2hich )haraoh
si,nifies 0in, ! ro!a& &ood# No2 this 0in, of E,!*t 2as a descendant
fro' the &oins of Ha'< and 2as a *arta0er of the &ood of the Canaanites
! irth# Fro' this descent s*ran, a&& the E,!*tians and thus the &ood of
the Canaanites 2as *reser$ed in the &and#
M# The &and of E,!*t ein, first disco$ered ! a 2o'an< 2ho 2as the
dau,hter of Ha'< and the dau,hter of E,!*tus< 2hich< in the Cha&dean<
si,nifies E,!*t< 2hich si,nifies< that 2hich is foridden# 3hen this 2o'an
disco$ered the &and it 2as under 2ater< 2ho after2ards sett&ed her sons in
it( and thus fro' Ha'< s*ran, that race 2hich *reser$ed the curse in the
&and# No2 the first ,o$ern'ent of E,!*t 2as esta&ished ! )haraoh< the
e&dest son of E,!*tus< the dau,hter of Ha'< and it 2as after the 'anner of
the ,o$ern'ent of Ha'< 2hich 2as *atriarcha&# )haraoh ein, a ri,hteous
'an< esta&ished his 0in,do' and =ud,ed his *eo*&e 2ise&! and =ust&! a&&
his da!s< see0in, earnest&! to i'itate that order esta&ished ! the
fathers in the first ,enerations< in the da!s of the first *atriarcha&
rei,n< e$en in the rei,n of Ada'< and a&so of Noah< his father< 2ho
&essed hi' 2ith the &essin,s of the earth< and 2ith the &essin,s of
2isdo'< ut cursed hi' as *ertainin, to the )riesthood#
8# No2 )haraoh ein, of that &inea,e ! 2hich he cou&d not ha$e the
ri,ht of )riesthood< not2ithstandin, the )haraohs 2ou&d fain c&ai' it fro'
Noah< throu,h Ha'< therefore '! father 2as &ed a2a! ! their ido&atr!? ut
I sha&& endea$or hereafter to de&ineate the chrono&o,!< runnin, ac0 fro'
'!se&f to the e,innin, of the creation< for the records ha$e co'e into '!
hands 2hich I ho&d unto this *resent ti'e#
N# No2< after the *riest of E&0enah 2as s'itten< that he died< there
ca'e a fu&fi&&'ent of those thin,s 2hich 2ere said unto 'e concernin, the
&and of Cha&dea< that there shou&d e a fa'ine in the &and# Accordin,&! a
fa'ine *re$ai&ed throu,hout a&& the &and of Cha&dea< and '! father 2as
sore&! tor'ented ecause of the fa'ine< and he re*ented of the e$i& 2hich
he had deter'ined a,ainst 'e< to ta0e a2a! '! &ife# "ut the records of the
fathers< e$en the *atriarchs< concernin, the ri,ht of )riesthood< the Lord
'! 5od *reser$ed in 'ine o2n hands< therefore a 0no2&ed,e of the e,innin,
of the creation< and a&so of the *&anets< and of the stars< as the! 2ere
'ade 0no2n unto the fathers< ha$e I 0e*t e$en unto this da!< and I sha&&
endea$or to 2rite so'e of these thin,s u*on this record< for the enefit
of '! *osterit! that sha&& co'e after 'e#
7D# No2< the Lord 5od caused the fa'ine to 2a/ sore in the &and of
Ur< inso'uch that Haran< '! rother died< ut Terah< '! father< !et &i$ed
in the &and of Ur of the Cha&dees# And it ca'e to *ass that I< Araha'<
too0 Sarai to 2ife< and Nehor< '! rother< too0 .i&cah to 2ife< 2ho 2ere
the dau,hters of Haran# No2 the Lord said unto 'e< Araha'< ,et thee out
of th! countr!< and fro' th! 0indred and fro' th! father+s house unto a
&and that I 2i&& sho2 thee# Therefore I &eft the &and of Ur< of the
Cha&dees< to ,o into the &and of Canaan? and I too0 Lot< '! rother+s son<
and his 2ife< and Sarai< '! 2ife< and a&so '! father fo&&o2ed after 'e<
unto the &and 2hich 2e deno'inated Haran# And the fa'ine aated? and '!
father tarried in Haran and d2e&t there< as there 2ere 'an! f&oc0s in
Haran? and '! father turned a,ain unto his ido&atr!< therefore he
continued in Haran#
77# "ut I< Araha'< and Lot< '! rother+s son< *ra!ed unto the Lord<
and the Lord a**eared unto 'e< and said unto 'e< arise< and ta0e Lot 2ith
thee< for I ha$e *ur*osed to ta0e thee a2a! out of Haran< and to 'a0e of
thee a 'inister< to ear '! na'e in a stran,e &and 2hich I 2i&& ,i$e unto
th! seed after thee for an e$er&astin, *ossession< 2hen the! hear0en to '!
$oice< for I a' the Lord th! 5od? I d2e&& in hea$en< the earth is '!
footstoo&? I stretch '! hand o$er the sea< and it oe!s '! $oice? I cause
the 2ind and the fire to e '! chariot? I sa! to the 'ountains de*art
hence< and eho&d the! are ta0en a2a! ! a 2hir&2ind< in an instant<
sudden&!# .! na'e is Jeho$ah< and I 0no2 the end fro' the e,innin,<
therefore< '! hand sha&& e o$er thee< and I 2i&& 'a0e of thee a ,reat
nation< and I 2i&& &ess thee ao$e 'easure? and 'a0e th! na'e ,reat a'on,
a&& nations< and thou sha&t e a &essin, unto th! seed after thee< that
in their hands the! sha&& ear this 'inistr! and )riesthood unto a&&
nations? and I 2i&& &ess the' throu,h th! na'e? for as 'an! as recei$e
this 5os*e& sha&& e ca&&ed after th! na'e< and sha&& e accounted th!
seed< and sha&& rise u* and &ess thee< as their father< and I 2i&& &ess
the' that &ess thee< and curse the' that curse thee< and in thee Ethat
is< in th! )riesthoodF< and in th! seed Ethat is th! )riesthoodF< for I
,i$e unto thee a *ro'ise that this ri,ht sha&& continue in thee< and in
th! seed after thee Ethat is to sa!< the &itera& seed< or the seed of the
od!F sha&& a&& the fa'i&ies of the earth e &essed< e$en 2ith the
&essin,s of the 5os*e&< 2hich are the &essin,s of sa&$ation< e$en of
&ife eterna&#
7H# No2< after the Lord had 2ithdra2n fro' s*ea0in, to 'e< and
2ithdra2n his face fro' 'e< I said in '! heart< th! ser$ant has sou,ht
thee earnest&!< no2 I ha$e found thee# Thou didst send thine an,e& to
de&i$er 'e fro' the ,ods of E&0enah< and I 2i&& do 2e&& to hear0en unto
th! $oice< therefore &et th! ser$ant rise u* and de*art in *eace#
So I< Araha'< de*arted as the Lord had said unto 'e< and Lot 2ith
'e< and I< Araha'< 2as si/t! and t2o !ears o&d 2hen I de*arted out of
Haran# And I too0 Sarai< 2ho' I too0 to 2ife 2hen I 2as in Ur in Cha&dea<
and Lot< '! rother+s son< and a&& our sustance that 2e had ,athered< and
the sou&s that 2e had 2on in Haran< and ca'e forth in the 2a! to the &and
of Canaan< and d2e&t in tents< as 2e ca'e on our 2a!? therefore< eternit!
2as our co$erin,< and our roc0< and our sa&$ation< as 2e =ourne!ed fro'
Haran ! the 2a! of Jershon< to co'e to the &and of Canaan#
79# No2 I< Araha'< ui&t an a&tar in the &and of Jershon< and 'ade
an offerin, unto the Lord< and *ra!ed that the fa'ine 'i,ht e turned a2a!
fro' '! father+s house< that the! 'i,ht not *erish? and then 2e *assed
fro' Jershon throu,h the &and< unto the *&ace of Seche'# It 2as situated
in the *&ains of .oreh< and 2e had a&read! co'e into the orders of the
&and of the Canaanites< and I offered sacrifice there in the *&ains of
.oreh< and ca&&ed on the Lord de$out&!< ecause 2e had a&read! co'e into
the &and of this ido&atrous nation#
7@# And the Lord a**eared unto 'e in ans2er to '! *ra!ers< and said
unto 'e< unto th! seed 2i&& I ,i$e this &and# And I< Araha' arose fro'
the *&ace of the a&tar 2hich I had ui&t unto the Lord< and re'o$ed fro'
thence unto a 'ountain on the east of "ethe&< and *itched '! tent there?
"ethe& on the 2est< and Hai on the east? and there I ui&t another a&tar
unto the Lord< and ca&&ed a,ain u*on the na'e of the Lord#
7G# And I< Araha'< =ourne!ed< ,oin, on sti&& to2ards the south? and
there 2as a continuation of a fa'ine in the &and< and I< Araha'<
conc&uded to ,o do2n into E,!*t< to so=ourn there< for the fa'ine eca'e
$er! ,rie$ous# And it ca'e to *ass 2hen I 2as co'e near to enter into
E,!*t< the Lord said unto 'e< eho&d Sarai< th! 2ife< is a $er! fair 2o'an
to &oo0 u*on< therefore it sha&& co'e to *ass< 2hen the E,!*tians sha&&
see her the! 2i&& sa!< she is his 2ife? and the! 2i&& 0i&& !ou< ut the!
2i&& sa$e her a&i$e( therefore< see that !e do on this 2ise< &et her sa!
unto the E,!*tians she is th! sister< and th! sou& sha&& &i$e# And it ca'e
to *ass that I< Araha'< to&d Sarai< '! 2ife< a&& that the Lord had said
unto 'e? therefore< sa! unto the'< I *ra! thee< thou art '! sister< that
it 'a! e 2e&& 2ith 'e for th! sa0e< and '! sou& sha&& &i$e ecause of
thee#
7:# And I< Araha'< had the Uri' and Thu''i'< 2hich the Lord '! 5od
had ,i$en unto 'e< in Ur of the Cha&dees? and I sa2 the stars< that the!
2ere $er! ,reat< and that one of the' 2as nearest unto the throne of 5od(
and there 2ere 'an! ,reat ones 2hich 2ere near unto it( and the Lord said
unto 'e< these are the ,o$ernin, ones? and the na'e of the ,reat one is
1o&o< ecause it is near unto 'e? for I a' the Lord th! 5od# I ha$e set
this one to ,o$ern a&& those 2hich e&on, to the sa'e order as that u*on
2hich thou standest# And the Lord said unto 'e< ! the Uri' and Thu''i'<
that 1o&o 2as after the 'anner of the Lord< accordin, to its ti'es and
seasons in the re$o&utions thereof< that one re$o&ution 2as a da! unto the
Lord< after His 'anner of rec0onin,< it ein, one thousand !ears accordin,
to the ti'e a**ointed unto that 2hereon thou standest? this is the
rec0onin, of the Lord+s ti'e< accordin, to the rec0onin, of 1o&o#
7M# And the Lord said unto 'e< the *&anet 2hich is the &esser &i,ht<
&esser than that 2hich is to ru&e the da!< e$en the ni,ht< is ao$e< or
,reater than that u*on 2hich thou standest in *oint of rec0onin,< for it
'o$eth in order 'ore s&o2( this is in order< ecause it standeth ao$e the
earth u*on 2hich thou standest< therefore the rec0onin, of its ti'e is not
so 'an! as to its nu'er of da!s< and of 'onths and of !ears# And the Lord
said unto 'e< No2 Araha'< these t2o facts e/ist< eho&d thine e!es see
it? it is ,i$en unto thee to 0no2 the ti'es of rec0onin,< and the set
ti'e< !ea< the set ti'e of the earth u*on 2hich thou standest< and the set
ti'e of the ,reater &i,ht< 2hich is set to ru&e the da!< and the set ti'e
of the &esser &i,ht< 2hich is set to ru&e the ni,ht#
78# No2 the set ti'e of the &esser &i,ht< is a &on,er ti'e as to its
rec0onin, than the rec0onin, of the ti'e of the earth u*on 2hich thou
standest? and 2here these t2o facts e/ist< there sha&& e another fact
ao$e the'? that is< there sha&& e another *&anet 2hose rec0onin, of ti'e
sha&& e &on,er sti&&? and thus there sha&& e the rec0onin, of the ti'e
of one *&anet ao$e another< unti& thou co'e ni,h unto 1o&o< 2hich 1o&o
is after the rec0onin, of the Lord+s ti'e? 2hich 1o&o is set ni,h unto
the throne of 5od< to ,o$ern a&& those *&anets 2hich e&on, to the sa'e
order as that u*on 2hich thou standest# And it is ,i$en unto thee to 0no2
the set ti'e of a&& the stars< that are set to ,i$e &i,ht< unti& thou co'e
near unto the throne of 5od#
7N# Thus I< Araha'< ta&0ed 2ith the Lord face to face< as one 'an
ta&0eth 2ith another? and He to&d 'e of the 2or0s 2hich His hands had
'ade? and Re said unto 'e< .! son< '! son< Eand His hand 2as stretched
out<F eho&d< I 2i&& sho2 !ou a&& these# And e *ut His hand u*on 'ine
e!es< and I sa2 those thin,s 2hich His hands had 'ade< 2hich 2ere 'an!?
and the! 'u&ti*&ied efore 'ine e!es< and I cou&d not see the end thereof?
and He said unto 'e this is Shinehah 2hich is the sun# And He said unto
'e< 1o0o< 2hich is star# And He said unto 'e< O&ea< 2hich is the 'oon#
And He said unto 'e< 1o0auea'< 2hich si,nifies stars< or a&& the ,reat
&i,hts 2hich 2ere in the fir'a'ent of hea$en# And it 2as in the ni,ht ti'e
2hen the Lord s*a0e these 2ords unto 'e( I 2i&& 'u&ti*&! thee and th! seed
after thee< &i0e unto these? and if thou canst count the nu'er of sands
so sha&& e the nu'er of th! seeds#
HD# And the Lord said unto 'e< Araha'< I sho2 these thin,s unto
thee< efore !e ,o into E,!*t< that !e 'a! dec&are a&& these 2ords# If t2o
thin,s e/ist< and there e one ao$e the other< there sha&& e ,reater
thin,s ao$e the'? therefore 1o&o is the ,reatest of a&& the 1o0auea'
that thou hast seen< ecause it is nearest unto 'e? no2 if there e t2o
thin,s< one ao$e the other< and the 'oon e ao$e the earth< then it 'a!
e that a *&anet< or a star 'a! e/ist ao$e it< Eand there is nothin, that
the Lord th! 5od sha&& ta0e in His heart to do< ut 2hat He 2i&& do it?F
ho2eit that He 'ade the ,reater star? as< a&so< if there e t2o s*irits<
and one sha&& e 'ore inte&&i,ent than the other< !et these t2o s*irits<
not2ithstandin, one is 'ore inte&&i,ent than the other< ha$e no e,innin,<
the! e/isted efore? the! sha&& ha$e no end< the! sha&& e/ist after< for
the! are ,no&au' or eterna&#
H7# And the Lord said unto 'e< these t2o facts do e/ist< that there
are t2o s*irits< one ein, 'ore inte&&i,ent than the other< there sha&& e
another 'ore inte&&i,ent than the!( I a' the Lord th! 5od< I a' 'ore
inte&&i,ent than the! a&&# The Lord th! 5od sent His an,e& to de&i$er thee
fro' the hands of the *riest of E&0enah# I d2e&& in the 'idst of the' a&&?
I< no2< therefore< ha$e co'e do2n unto thee< to de&i$er unto thee the
2or0s 2hich '! hands ha$e 'ade< 2herein '! 2isdo' e/ce&&eth the' a&&< for
I ru&e in the hea$ens ao$e< and in the earth eneath< in a&& 2isdo' and
*rudence< o$er a&& the inte&&i,ences thine e!es ha$e seen fro' the
e,innin,? I ca'e do2n in the e,innin, in the 'idst of a&& the
inte&&i,ences thou hast seen#
HH# No2 the Lord had sho2n unto 'e< Araha'< the inte&&i,ences that
2ere or,ani4ed efore the 2or&d 2as? and a'on, a&& these there 2ere 'an!
of the no&e and ,reat ones< and 5od sa2 these sou&s that the! 2ere ,ood<
and He stood in the 'idst of the'< and He said< These I 2i&& 'a0e '!
ru&ers? for He stood a'on, those that 2ere s*irits< and he sa2 that the!
2ere ,ood? and He said unto 'e< Araha'< thou art one of the'< thou 2ast
chosen efore thou 2ast orn# And there stood one a'on, the' that 2as &i0e
unto 5od< and he said unto those 2ho 2ere 2ith Hi'< 3e 2i&& ,o do2n< for
there is s*ace there< and 2e 2i&& ta0e of these 'ateria&s< and 2e 2i&&
'a0e an earth 2hereon these 'a! d2e&&? and 2e 2i&& *ro$e the' here2ith< to
see if the! 2i&& do a&& thin,s 2hatsoe$er the Lord their 5od sha&& co''and
the'? and the! 2ho 0ee* their first estate< sha&& e added u*on? and the!
2ho 0ee* not their first estate sha&& not ha$e ,&or! in the sa'e 0in,do'
2ith those 2ho 0ee* their first estate? and the! 2ho 0ee* their second
estate< sha&& ha$e ,&or! added u*on their heads for e$er and e$er#
H9# And the Lord said( 3ho' sha&& I sendB And one ans2ered &i0e unto
the Son of .an( Here a' I< send 'e# And another ans2ered And said( Here a'
I< send 'e# And the Lord said( I 2i&& send the first# And the second 2as
an,r!< and 0e*t not his first estate< and at that da! 'an! fo&&o2ed after
hi'# And then the Lord said( Let us ,o do2n? and the! 2ent do2n at the
e,innin,< and the! Ethat is< the 5odsF< or,ani4ed and for'ed the hea$ens
and the earth# And the earth< after it 2as for'ed< 2as e'*t! and deso&ate?
ecause the! had not for'ed an!thin, ut the earth? and dar0ness rei,ned
u*on the face of the dee*< and the S*irit of the 5ods 2as roodin, u*on
the face of the 2aters#
H@# And the! Ethe 5odsF< said? Let there e &i,ht< and there 2as
&i,ht# And the!< the 5ods< co'*rehended the &i,ht for it 2as ri,ht? and
the! di$ided the &i,ht< or caused it to e di$ided fro' the dar0ness< and
the 5ods ca&&ed the &i,ht da!< and the dar0ness the! ca&&ed ni,ht# And it
ca'e to *ass that fro' the e$enin, unti& 'ornin, the! ca&&ed ni,ht? and
fro' the 'ornin, unti& the e$enin, the! ca&&ed da!? and this 2as the
first< or the e,innin, of that 2hich the! ca&&ed da! and ni,ht#
HG# And the 5ods a&so said( Let there e an e/*anse in the 'idst of
the 2aters and it sha&& di$ide the 2aters fro' the 2aters# And the 5ods
ordered the e/*anse< so that it di$ided the 2aters 2hich 2ere under the
e/*anse< fro' the 2aters 2hich 2ere ao$e the e/*anse< and it 2as so< e$en
as the! ordered# And the 5ods ca&&ed the e/*anse hea$en# And it ca'e to
*ass that it 2as fro' e$enin, unti& 'ornin, that the! ca&&ed ni,ht? and it
ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro' 'ornin, unti& e$enin, that the! ca&&ed da!?
and this 2as the second ti'e that the! ca&&ed ni,ht and da!#
H:# And the 5ods ordered< sa!in,( Let the 2aters under the hea$en e
,athered to,ether unto one *&ace< and &et the earth co'e u* dr!< and it
2as so< as the! ordered? and the 5ods *ronounced the dr! &and earth and
the ,atherin, to,ether of the 2aters< *ronounced the! ,reat 2aters( and
the 5ods sa2 that the! 2ere oe!ed# And the 5ods said( Let us *re*are the
earth to rin, forth ,rass? the her !ie&din, seed? the fruit tree
!ie&din, fruit after his 0ind< 2hose seed in itse&f !ie&deth its o2n
&i0eness u*on the earth? and it 2as so< e$en as the! ordered# And the 5ods
or,ani4ed the earth to rin, forth ,rass fro' its o2n seed< and the her
to rin, forth her fro' its o2n seed< !ie&din, seed after his 0ind< and
the earth to rin, forth the tree fro' its o2n seed< !ie&din, fruit< 2hose
seed cou&d on&! rin, forth the sa'e< in itse&f after his 0ind? and the
5ods sa2 that the! 2ere oe!ed# And it ca'e to *ass that the! nu'ered the
da!s( fro' the e$enin, unti& the 'ornin, the! ca&&ed ni,ht# And it ca'e to
*ass fro' the 'ornin, unti& the e$enin, the! ca&&ed da!? and it 2as the
third ti'e#
HM# And the 5ods or,ani4ed the &i,hts in the e/*anse of the hea$ens<
and caused the' to di$ide the da! fro' the ni,ht? and or,ani4ed the' to e
for si,ns< and for seasons< and for da!s< and for !ears and or,ani4ed the'
to e for &i,hts in the e/*anse of the hea$en< to ,i$e &i,ht u*on the
earth? and it 2as so# And the 5ods or,ani4ed the t2o ,reat &i,hts< the
,reater &i,ht to ru&e the da!< and the &esser &i,ht to ru&e the ni,ht<
2ith the &esser &i,ht the! set the stars< a&so? and the 5ods set the' in
the e/*anse of the hea$ens< to ,i$e &i,ht u*on the earth< and to ru&e o$er
the da! and o$er the ni,ht< and to cause to di$ide the &i,ht fro' the
dar0ness# And the 5ods 2atched those thin,s 2hich the! had ordered< unti&
the! oe!ed# And it ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro' e$enin, unti& 'ornin,
that it 2as ni,ht? and it ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro' 'ornin, unti&
e$enin, that it 2as da!? and it 2as the fourth ti'e#
H8# And the 5ods said< Let us *re*are the 2aters to rin, forth
aundant&! the 'o$in, creatures that ha$e &ife? and the fo2& that the! 'a!
f&! ao$e the earth< in the o*en e/*anse of hea$en< And the 5ods *re*ared
the 2aters that the! 'i,ht rin, forth ,reat 2ha&es< and e$er! &i$in,
creature that 'o$eth< 2hich the 2aters 2ere to rin, forth aundant&!
after their 0ind? and e$er! 2in,ed fo2& after their 0ind? and the 5ods sa2
that the! 2ou&d e oe!ed< and that their *&an 2as ,ood# And the 5ods
said< 3e 2i&& &ess the' and cause the' to e fruitfu& and 'u&ti*&!< and
fi&& the 2aters in the seas< or ,reat 2aters? and cause the fo2& to
'u&ti*&! in the earth# And it ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro' e$enin, unti&
'ornin, that the! ca&&ed ni,ht? and it ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro'
'ornin, unti& e$enin, that the! ca&&ed da!? and it 2as the fifth ti'e#
HN# And the 5ods *re*ared the earth to rin, forth the &i$in,
creature after his 0ind< catt&e< and cree*in, thin,s< and easts of the
earth after their 0ind? and it 2as so as the! had said# And the 5ods
or,ani4ed the earth to rin, forth the easts after their 0ind< and catt&e
after their 0ind< and e$er!thin, that cree*eth u*on the earth after its
0ind? and the 5ods sa2 the! 2ou&d oe!# And the 5ods too0 counse& a'on,
the'se&$es< and said( Let us ,o do2n< and for' 'an in our i'a,e< after our
&i0eness< and 2e 2i&& ,i$e the' do'inion o$er the fish of the sea< and
o$er the fo2& of the air< and o$er the catt&e< and o$er a&& the earth< and
o$er e$er! cree*in, thin,< that cree*eth u*on the earth# So the 5ods 2ent
do2n to or,ani4e 'an in their o2n i'a,e< in the i'a,e of the 5ods< to for'
the! hi' 'a&e and fe'a&e< to for' the! the'? and the 5ods said 3e 2i&&
&ess the'# And the 5ods said< 3e 2i&& cause the' to e fruitfu&< and
'u&ti*&! and re*&enish the earth< and sudue it< and to ha$e do'inion o$er
the fish of the sea< and o$er the fo2& of the air< and o$er e$er! &i$in,
thin, that 'o$eth u*on the earth# And the 5ods said< "eho&d< 2e 2i&& ,i$e
the' e$er! her earin, seed that sha&& co'e u*on the face of a&& the
earth< and e$er! tree 2hich sha&& ha$e fruit u*on it< !ea the fruit of the
tree< !ie&din, seed to the' 2e 2i&& ,i$e it< it sha&& e f-r their 'eat?
and to e$er! east of the earth< and to e$er! fo2& of the air< and to
e$er!thin, that cree*eth u*on the earth< eho&d 2e 2i&& ,i$e the' &ife<
and a&so 2e 2i&& ,i$e to the' e$er! ,reen her for 'eat< and a&& these
thin,s sha&& e thus or,ani4ed# And the 5ods said< 3e 2i&& do e$er!thin,
that 2e ha$e said< and or,ani4e the'? and eho&d< the! sha&& e $er!
oedient# And it ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro' e$enin, unti& 'ornin, that
the! ca&&ed ni,ht? and it ca'e to *ass that it 2as fro' 'ornin, unti&
e$enin, that the! ca&&ed da!< and the! nu'ered the si/th ti'e#
9D# And thus 2e 2i&& finish the hea$ens and the earth< and a&& the
hosts of the'# And the 5ods said a'on, the'se&$es< On the se$enth ti'e< 2e
2i&& end our 2or0< 2hich 2e ha$e counse&ed? and 2e 2i&& rest on the
se$enth ti'e fro' a&& our 2or0 2hich 2e ha$e counse&ed# And the 5ods
conc&uded u*on the se$enth ti'e< ecause that on the se$enth ti'e the!
2ou&d rest fro' a&& their 2or0s< 2hich the!< the 5ods< counse&ed a'on,
the'se&$es to for'< and sanctified it# And thus 2ere their decisions< at
the ti'e that the! counse&ed a'on, the'se&$es to for' the hea$ens and the
earth# And the 5ods ca'e do2n and for'ed these< the ,enerations of the
hea$ens and of the earth< 2hen the! 2ere for'ed< in the da! that the 5ods
for'ed the earth and the hea$ens< accordin, to a&& that 2hich the! had
said< concernin, e$er! *&ant of the fie&d< efore it 2as in the earth< and
e$er! her of the fie&d< efore it ,re2? for the 5ods had not caused it to
rain u*on the earth< 2hen the! counse&ed to do the'? and had not for'ed a
'an to ti&& the ,round? ut there 2ent u* a 'ist fro' the earth< and
2atered the 2ho&e face of the ,round# And the 5ods for'ed 'an fro' the
dust of the ,round< and too0 his s*irit< that is the 'an+s s*irit< and *ut
it into hi'< and reathed into his nostri&s the reath of &ife< and 'an
eca'e a &i$in, sou&#
97# And the 5ods *&anted a ,arden< east2ard in Eden< and there the!
*ut the 'an< 2hose s*irit the! ad *ut into the od!< 2hich the! had
for'ed# And out of the ,round 'ade the 5ods to ,ro2 e$er! tree that is
*&easant to the si,ht< and ,ood for food? the tree of &ife a&so< in the
'idst of the ,arden< and the tree of 0no2&ed,e of ,ood and e$i&# There 2as
a ri$er runnin, out of Eden< to 2ater the ,arden< and fro' thence it 2as
*arted and eca'e into four heads# And the 5ods too0 the 'an and *ut hi'
in the ,arden of Eden< to dress it and to 0ee* it? and the 5ods co''anded
the 'an< sa!in,( Of e$er! tree of the ,arden thou 'a!est free&! eat< ut
of the tree of 0no2&ed,e of ,ood and e$i&< thou sha&t not eat of it? for
in the ti'e that thou eatest thereof< thou sha&t sure&! die# No2 I<
Araha'< sa2 that it 2as after the Lord+s ti'e< 2hich 2as after the ti'e
of 1o&o? for as !et< the 5ods had not a**ointed unto Ada' his rec0onin,#
9H# And the 5ods said< Let us 'a0e an he&*'eet for the 'an< for it is
not ,ood that the 'an shou&d e a&one< therefore 2e 2i&& for' an he&*'eet
for hi'# And the 5ods caused a dee* s&ee* to fa&& u*on Ada'? and he s&e*t<
and the! too0 one of his ris< and c&osed u* the f&esh in the stead
thereof< and of the ri 2hich the 5ods had ta0en fro' 'an< for'ed the! a
2o'an< and rou,ht her unto the 'an# And Ada' said this 2as one of '!
ones< and f&esh of '! f&esh< no2 she sha&& e ca&&ed 2o'an< ecause she
2as ta0en out of 'an? therefore sha&& a 'an &ea$e his father and his
'other and sha&& c&ea$e unto his 2ife< and the! sha&& e one f&esh# And
the! 2ere oth na0ed< the 'an and his 2ife and 2ere not asha'ed# And out
of the ,round the 5ods for'ed e$er! east of the fie&d< and e$er! fo2& of
the air< and rou,ht the' unto Ada' to see 2hat he 2ou&d ca&& the'< and
2hatsoe$er Ada' ca&&ed e$er! &i$in, creature< that shou&d e the na'e
thereof# And Ada' ,a$e na'es to a&& catt&e< to the fo2& of the air< to
e$er! east of the fie&d? and for Ada'< there 2as found an he&*'eet for
hi'#
CHA)TER 666I#
THE 3ENT3ORTH LETTER#
C7 .arch 7< 78@H#--At the re>uest of .r# John 3ent2orth< Editor and
)ro*rietor of the Chica,o De'ocrat< I ha$e 2ritten the fo&&o2in, s0etch of
the rise< *ro,ress< *ersecution< and faith of the Latter-da! Saints< of
2hich I ha$e the honor< under 5od< of ein, the founder# .r# 3ent2orth
sa!s that he 2ishes to furnish .r# "asto2< a friend of his< 2ho is 2ritin,
the histor! of Ne2 Ha'*shire< 2ith this docu'ent# As .r# "asto2 has ta0en
the *ro*er ste*s to otain correct infor'ation< a&& that I sha&& as0 at
his hands< is< that he *u&ish the account entire< un,arnished< and
2ithout 'isre*resentation#
I 2as orn in the to2n of Sharon< 3indsor Count!< %er'ont< on the
H9rd of Dece'er< A#D# 78DG# 3hen ten !ears o&d< '! *arents re'o$ed to
)a&'!ra< Ne2 Yor0< 2here 2e resided aout four !ears< and fro' thence 2e
re'o$ed to the to2n of .anchester# .! father 2as a far'er and tau,ht 'e
the art of husandr!# 3hen aout fourteen !ears of a,e< I e,an to ref&ect
u*on the i'*ortance of ein, *re*ared for a future state< and u*on
in>uirin, IaoutJ the *&an of sa&$ation< I find that there 2as a ,reat
c&ash in re&i,ious senti'ent? if I 2ent to one societ! the! referred 'e to
one *&an< and another to another? each one *ointin, to his o2n *articu&ar
creed as the su''u' onu' of *erfection# Considerin, that a&& cou&d not e
ri,ht< and that 5od cou&d no e the author of so 'uch confusion< I
deter'ined to in$esti,ate the su=ect 'ore fu&&!< e&ie$in, that if 5od
had a Church it 2ou&d not e s*&it u* into factions< and that if He tau,ht
one societ! to 2orshi* one 2a!< and ad'inister in one set of ordinances<
He 2ou&d not teach another< *rinci*&es 2hich 2ere dia'etrica&&! o**osed#
"e&ie$in, the 2ord of 5od< I had confidence in the dec&aration of
Ja'es---If an! of !ou &ac0 2isdo'< &et hi' as0 of 5od< that ,i$eth to a&&
'en &iera&&!< and u*raideth not? and it sha&& e ,i$en hi'#- I retire to
a secret *&ace in a ,ro$e< and e,an to ca&& u*on the Lord? 2hi&e
fer$ent&! en,a,ed in su**&ication< '! 'ind 2as ta0en a2a! fro' the o=ects
2ith 2hich I 2as surrounded< and I 2as en2ra**ed in a hea$en&! $ision< and
sa2 t2o ,&orious *ersona,es< 2ho e/act&! rese'&ed each other in features
and &i0eness< surrounded 2ith a ri&&iant &i,ht 2hich ec&i*sed the sun at
noon da!# The! to&d 'e that a&& re&i,ious deno'inations 2ere e&ie$in, in
incorrect doctrines< and that none of the' 2as ac0no2&ed,ed of 5od as His
Church and 0in,do'( and 2as e/*ress&! co''anded -to ,o not after the'<- at
the sa'e ti'e recei$in, a *ro'ise that the fu&&ness of the 5os*e& shou&d
at so'e future ti'e e 'ade 0no2n unto 'e#
On the e$enin, on the H7st of Se*te'er< A#D# 78H9< 2hi&e I 2as
*ra!in, unto 5od< and endea$orin, to e/ercise faith in the *recious
*ro'ises of Scri*ture< on a sudden a &i,ht &i0e that of da!< on&! of a far
*urer and 'ore ,&orious a**earance and ri,htness< urst into the roo'
indeed the first si,ht 2as as thou,h the house 2as fi&&ed 2ith consu'in,
fire? the a**earance *roduced a shoc0 that affected the 2ho&e od!? in a
'o'ent a *ersona,e stood efore 'e surrounded 2ith a ,&or! !et ,reater
than that 2ith 2hich I 2as a&read! surrounded# This 'essen,er *roc&ai'ed
hi'se&f to e an an,e& of 5od< sent to rin, the =o!fu& tidin,s that the
co$enant 2hich 5od 'ade 2ith ancient Israe& 2as at hand to e fu&fi&&ed<
that the *re*arator! 2or0 for the second co'in, of the .essiah 2as
s*eedi&! to co''ence? that the ti'e 2as at hand for the 5os*e& in a&& its
fu&&ness to e *reached in *o2er< unto a&& nations that a *eo*&e 'i,ht e
*re*ared for the .i&&ennia& rei,n# I 2as infor'ed that I 2as chosen to e
an instru'ent in the hands of 5od to rin, aout so'e of His *ur*oses in
this ,&orious dis*ensation#
I 2as a&so infor'ed concernin, the aori,ina& inhaitants of this
countr! and sho2n 2ho the! 2ere< and fro' 2hence the! ca'e? a rief s0etch
of their ori,in< *ro,ress< ci$i&i4ation< &a2s< ,o$ern'ents< of their
ri,hteousness and ini>uit!< and the &essin,s of 5od ein, fina&&!
2ithdra2n fro' the' as a *eo*&e< 2as 'ade 0no2n unto 'e? I 2as a&so to&d
2here 2ere de*osited so'e *&ates on 2hich 2ere en,ra$en an arid,'ent of
the records of the ancient )ro*hets that had e/isted on this continent#
The an,e& a**eared to 'e three ti'es the sa'e ni,ht and unfo&ded the sa'e
thin,s# After ha$in, recei$ed 'an! $isits fro' the an,e&s of 5od unfo&din,
the 'a=est! and ,&or! of the e$ents that shou&d trans*ire in the &ast
da!s< on the 'ornin, of the HHnd of Se*te'er< A#D# 78HM< the an,e& of the
Lord de&i$ered the records into '! hands#
These records 2ere en,ra$en on *&ates 2hich had the a**earance of
,o&d< each *&ate 2as si/ inches 2ide and ei,ht inches &on,< and not >uite
so thic0 as co''on tin# The! 2ere fi&&ed 2ith en,ra$in,s< in E,!*tian
characters< and ound to,ether in a $o&u'e as the &ea$es of a oo0< 2ith
three rin,s runnin, throu,h the 2ho&e# The $o&u'e 2as so'ethin, near si/
inches in thic0ness< a *art of 2hich 2as sea&ed# The characters on the
unsea&ed *art 2ere s'a&&< and eautifu&&! en,ra$ed# The 2ho&e oo0
e/hiited 'an! 'ar0s of anti>uit! in its construction< and 'uch s0i&& in
the art of en,ra$in,# 3ith the records 2as found a curious instru'ent<
2hich the ancients ca&&ed -Uri' and Thu''i'<- 2hich consisted of t2o
trans*arent stones set in the ri' of a o2 fastened to a reast *&ate#
Throu,h the 'ediu' of the Uri' and Thu''i' I trans&ated the record ! the
,ift and *o2er of 5od#
In this i'*ortant and interestin, oo0 the histor! of ancient A'erica
is unfo&ded< fro' its first sett&e'ent ! a co&on! that ca'e fro' the
To2er of "ae&< at the confusion of &an,ua,es to the e,innin, of the
fifth centur! of the Christian Era# 3e are infor'ed ! these records that
A'erica in ancient ti'es has een inhaited ! t2o distinct races of
*eo*&e# The first 2ere ca&&ed Jaredites< and ca'e direct&! fro' the To2er
of "ae&# The second race ca'e direct&! fro' the cit! of Jerusa&e'< aout
si/ hundred !ears efore Christ# The! 2ere *rinci*a&&! Israe&ites< of the
descendants of Jose*h# The Jaredites 2ere destro!ed aout the ti'e that
the Israe&ites ca'e fro' Jerusa&e'< 2ho succeeded the' in the inheritance
of the countr!# The *rinci*a& nation of the second race fe&& in att&e
to2ards the c&ose of the fourth centur!# The re'nant are the Indians that
no2 inhait this countr!# This oo0 a&so te&&s us that our Sa$ior 'ade His
a**earance u*on this continent after His resurrection? that He *&anted the
5os*e& here in a&& its fu&ness< and richness< and *o2er< and &essin,?
that the! had A*ost&es< )ro*hets< )astors< Teachers< and E$an,e&ists? the
sa'e order< the sa'e *riesthood< the sa'e ordinances< ,ifts< *o2ers< and
&essin,s< as 2ere en=o!ed on the eastern continent< that the *eo*&e 2ere
cut off in conse>uence of their trans,ressions< that the &ast of their
*ro*hets 2ho e/isted a'on, the' 2as co''anded to 2rite an arid,'ent of
their *ro*hecies< histor!<Pc< and to hide it u* in the earth< and that it
shou&d co'e forth and e united 2ith the "i&e for the acco'*&ish'ent of
the *ur*oses of 5od in the &ast da!s# For a 'ore *articu&ar account I
2ou&d refer to the "oo0 of .or'on< 2hich can e *urchased at Nau$oo< or
fro' an! of our Tra$e&in, E&ders#
As soon as the ne2s of this disco$er! 2as 'ade 0no2n< fa&se re*orts<
'isre*resentation and s&ander f&e2< as on the 2in,s of the 2ind< in e$er!
direction? the house 2as fre>uent&! eset ! 'os and e$i& desi,nin,
*ersons# Se$era& ti'es I 2as shot at< and $er! narro2&! esca*ed< and e$er!
de$ice 2as 'ade use of to ,et the *&ates a2a! fro' 'e? ut the *o2er and
&essin, of 5od attended 'e< and se$era& e,an to e&ie$e '! testi'on!#
On the :th of A*ri&< 789D< the -Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints- 2as first or,ani4ed in the to2n of Fa!ette< Seneca count!< state
of Ne2 Yor0# So'e fe2 2ere ca&&ed and ordained ! the S*irit of re$e&ation
and *ro*hec!< and e,an to *reach as the S*irit ,a$e the' utterance< and
thou,h 2ea0< !et 2ere the! stren,thened ! the *o2er of 5od< and 'an! 2ere
rou,ht to re*entance< 2ere i''ersed in the 2ater< and 2ere fi&&ed 2ith
the Ho&! 5host ! the &a!in, on of hands# The! sa2 $isions and *ro*hesied<
de$i&s 2ere cast out< and the sic0 hea&ed ! the &a!in, on of hands# Fro'
that ti'e the 2or0 roi&ed forth 2ith astonishin, ra*idit!< and churches
2ere soon for'ed in the states of Ne2 Yor0< )enns!&$ania Ohio< Indiana<
I&&inois< and .issouri? in the &ast na'ed state a considera&e sett&e'ent
2as for'ed in Jac0son count!+ nu'ers =oined the Church and 2e 2ere
increasin, ra*id&!? 2e 'ade &ar,e *urchases of &and< our far's tee'ed 2ith
*&ent!< and *eace and ha**iness 2ere en=o!ed in our do'estic circ&e< and
throu,h< out our nei,horhood? ut as 2e cou&d not associate 2ith our
nei,hors E2ho 2ere< 'an! of the'< of the asest of 'en< and had f&ed fro'
the face of ci$i&i4ed societ!< to the frontier countr! to esca*e the hand
of =ustice<F in their 'idni,ht re$e&s< their Saath rea0in,< horse
racin, and ,a'&in,? the! co''enced at first to ridicu&e< then to
*ersecute and fina&&! an or,ani4ed 'o asse'&ed and urned our houses<
tarred and feathered and 2hi**ed 'an! of our rethren< and fina&&!<
contrar! to &a2< =ustice and hu'anit!< dro$e the' fro' their haitations?
2ho< house&ess and ho'e&ess< had to 2ander on the &ea0 *rairies ti&& the
chi&dren &eft the trac0s of their &ood on the *rairie# This too0 *&ace in
the 'onth of No$e'er< and the! had no other co$erin, ut the cano*! of
hea$en< in this inc&e'ent season of the !ear? this *roceedin, 2as 2in0ed
at ! the ,o$ern'ent< and a&thou,h 2e had 2arrantee deeds for our &and<
and had $io&ated no &a2< 2e cou&d otain no redress#
There 2ere 'an! sic0< 2ho 2ere thus inhu'an&! dri$en fro' their
houses< and had to endure a&& this ause and to see0 ho'es 2here the!
cou&d e found# The resu&t 2as< that a ,reat 'an! of the' ein, de*ri$ed
of the co'forts of &ife< and the necessar! attendances< died? 'an!
chi&dren 2ere &eft or*hans< 2i$es< 2ido2s and husands< 2ido2ers? our
far's 2ere ta0en *ossession of ! the 'o< 'an! thousands of catt&e<
shee*< horses and ho,s 2ere ta0en< and our househo&d ,oods< store ,oods<
and *rintin, *ress and t!*e 2ere ro0en< ta0en< or other2ise destro!ed<
.an! of our rethren re'o$ed to C&a! count!< 2here the! continued
unti& 789:< three !ears? there 2as no $io&ence offered< ut there 2ere
threatenin,s of $io&ence# "ut in the su''er of 789: these threatenin,s
e,an to assu'e a 'ore serious for'< fro' threats< *u&ic 'eetin,s 2ere
ca&&ed< reso&utions 2ere *assed< $en,eance and destruction 2ere
threatened< and affairs a,ain assu'ed a fearfu& attitude< Jac0son count!
2as a sufficient *recedent< and as the authorities in that count! did not
interfere the! oasted that the! 2ou&d not in this? 2hich on a**&ication
to the authorities 2e found to e too true< and after 'uch *ri$ation and
&oss of *ro*ert!< 2e 2ere a,ain dri$en fro' our ho'es#
3e ne/t sett&ed in Ca&d2e&& and Da$iess counties< 2here 2e 'ade &ar,e
and e/tensi$e sett&e'ents< thin0in, to free ourse&$es fro' the *o2er of
o**ression< ! sett&in, in ne2 counties< 2ith $er! fe2 inhaitants in
the'? ut here 2e 2ere not a&&o2ed to &i$e in *eace< ut in 7898 2e 2ere
a,ain attac0ed ! 'os< an e/ter'inatin, order 2as issued ! 5o$ernor
"o,,s< and under the sanction of &a2< an or,ani4ed anditti ran,ed throu,h
the countr!< roed us of our catt&e< shee* ho,s< Pc#< 'an! of our *eo*&e
2ere 'urdered in co&d &ood< the chastit! of our 2o'en 2as $io&ated< and
2e 2ere forced to si,n a2a! our *ro*ert! at the *oint of the s2ord? and
after endurin, e$er! indi,nit! that cou&d e hea*ed u*on us ! an inhu'an<
un,od&! and of 'arauders< fro' t2e&$e to fifteen thousand sou&s< 'en
2o'en< and chi&dren 2ere dri$en fro' their o2n firesides< and fro' &ands
to 2hich the! had 2arrantee deeds< house&ess< friend&ess< and ho'e&ess Ein
the de*ths of 2interF to 2ander as e/i&es on the earth< or to see0 an
as!&u' in a 'ore ,enia& c&i'e< and a'on, a &ess ararous *eo*&e# .an!
sic0ened and died in conse>uence of the co&d and hardshi*s the! had to
endure? 'an! 2i$es 2ere &eft 2ido2s< and chi&dren< or*hans< and destitute#
It 2ou&d ta0e 'ore ti'e than is a&&otted 'e here to descrie the
in=ustice< the 2ron,s< the 'urders the &oodshed< the theft< 'iser! and
2oe that ha$e een caused ! the ararous< inhu'an< and &a2&ess
*roceedin,s of the state of .issouri#
In the situation efore a&&uded to< 2e arri$ed in the state of
I&&inois in 789N< 2here 2e found a hos*ita&e *eo*&e and a friend&! ho'e?
a *eo*&e 2ho 2ere 2i&&in, to e ,o$erned ! the *rinci*&es of &a2 and
hu'anit!# 3e ha$e co''enced to ui&d a cit! ca&&ed -Nau$oo<- in Hancoc0
count!# 3e nu'er fro' si/ to ei,ht thousand here< esides $ast nu'ers in
the count! around< and in a&'ost e$er! count! of the state# 3e ha$e a cit!
charter ,ranted us< and charter for a Le,ion< the troo*s of 2hich no2
nu'er 7<GDD# 3e ha$e a&so a charter for a Uni$ersit!< for an A,ricu&tura&
and .anufacturin, Societ!< ha$e our o2n &a2s and ad'inistrators< and
*ossess a&& the *ri$i&e,es that other free and en&i,htened citi4ens en=o!#
)ersecution has not sto**ed the *ro,ress of truth< ut has on&! added
fue& to the f&a'e< it has s*read 2ith increasin, ra*idit!# )roud of the
cause 2hich the! ha$e es*oused< and conscious of our innocence< and of the
truth of their s!ste'< a'idst ca&u'n! and re*roach< ha$e the E&ders of
this Church ,one forth< and *&anted the 5os*e& in a&'ost e$er! state in
the Union? it has *enetrated our cities< it has s*read o$er our $i&&a,es<
and has caused thousands of our inte&&i,ent< no&e< and *atriotic citi4ens
to oe! its di$ine 'andates< and e ,o$erned ! its sacred truths# It has
a&so s*read into En,&and# Ire&and< Scot&and< and 3a&es< 2here< in the !ear
78@D< a fe2 of our 'issionaries 2ere sent< and o$er fi$e thousand =oined
the Standard of Truth? there are nu'ers no2 =oinin, in e$er! &and#
Our 'issionaries are ,oin, forth to different nations< and in
5er'an!< )a&estine< Ne2 Ho&&and< Austra&ia< the East Indies< and other
*&aces< the Standard of Truth has een erected? no unha&&o2ed hand can
sto* the 2or0 fro' *ro,ressin,? *ersecutions 'a! ra,e< 'os 'a! co'ine<
ar'ies 'a! asse'&e< ca&u'n! 'a! defa'e< ut the truth of 5od 2i&& ,o
forth o&d&!< no&!< and inde*endent< ti&& it has *enetrated e$er!
continent< $isited e$er! c&i'e< s2e*t e$er! countr!< and sounded in e$er!
ear< ti&& the *ur*oses of 5od sha&& e acco'*&ished< and the 5reat Jeho$ah
sha&& sa! the 2or0 is done#
3e e&ie$e in 5od the eterna& Father< and in His Son Jesus Christ<
and in the Ho&! 5host#
3e e&ie$e that 'en 2i&& e *unished for their o2n sins< and not for
Ada'+s trans,ression#
3e e&ie$e that throu,h the atone'ent of Christ a&& 'an0ind 'a! e
sa$ed ! oedience to the &a2s and ordinances of the 5os*e&#
3e e&ie$e that the first *rinci*&e and ordinances of the 5os*e& are(
E7F Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? EHF Re*entance? E9F "a*tis' !
i''ersion for the re'ission of sins? E@F La!in, on of hands for the ,ift
of the Ho&! 5host#
3e e&ie$e that a 'an 'ust e ca&&ed of 5od ! *ro*hec! and ! the
&a!in, on hands< ! those 2ho are in authorit!< to *reach the 5os*e& and
ad'inister in the ordinances thereof#
3e e&ie$e in the sa'e or,ani4ation that e/isted in the *ri'iti$e
Church< $i4( a*ost&es< *ro*hets< *astors< teachers< e$an,e&ists< etc#
3e e&ie$e in the ,ift of ton,ues< *ro*hec!< re$e&ation< $isions<
hea&in,< inter*retation of ton,ues< etc#
3e e&ie$e the "i&e to e the 2ord of 5od< as far as it is
trans&ated correct&!? 2e a&so e&ie$e the "oo0 of .or'on to e the 2ord of
5od#
3e e&ie$e a&& that 5od has re$ea&ed< a&& that He does no2 re$ea&<
and 2e e&ie$e that He 2i&& !et re$ea& 'an! ,reat and i'*ortant thin,s
*ertainin, to the 0in,do' of 5od#
3e e&ie$e in the &itera& ,atherin, of Israe& and in the restoration
of the Ten Tries( that ;ion 2i&& e ui&t u*on this Ithe A'ericanJ
continent? that Christ 2i&& rei,n *ersona&&! u*on the earth? and that the
earth 2i&& e rene2ed and recei$e its *aradisiaca& ,&or!#
3e c&ai' the *ri$i&e,e of 2orshi*in, A&'i,ht! 5od accordin, to the
dictates of our o2n conscience< and a&&o2 a&& 'en the sa'e *ri$i&e,e< &et
the' 2orshi* ho2< 2here< or 2hat the! 'a!#
3e e&ie$e in ein, su=ect to 0in,s< *residents< ru&ers and
'a,istrates< in oe!in, honorin,< and sustainin, the &a2#
3e e&ie$e in ein, honest< true< chaste< ene$o&ent< $irtuous< and
in doin, ,ood to a&& 'en? indeed 2e 'a! sa! that 2e fo&&o2 the ad'onition
of )au&< -3e e&ie$e a&& thin,< 2e ho*e a&& thin,s< 2e ha$e endured 'an!
thin,s< and ho*e to e a&e to endure a&& thin,s# If there is an!thin,
$irtuous< &o$e&!< or of ,ood re*ort< or *raise2orth!< 2e see0 after these
thin,s# Res*ectfu&&!< Pc#< JOSE)H S.ITH
CHA)TER 666II#
THE "ENNETT-DYER CORRES)ONDENCE--THE )RO)HET+S DISCOURSE ON THE SU"JECT
OF THE RESURRECTION< AND THE SAL%ATION OF CHILDREN--E)ISTLE OF THE
T3EL%E TO THE SAINTS IN EN5LAND CONCERNIN5 THEIR E.I5RATION TO A.ERICA#
3ednesda!< .arch H#--I read the *roof of the Ti'es and Seasons< as
editor for the first ti'e< No# N< %o&# III< in 2hich is the co''ence'ent
of the "oo0 of Araha' *aid ta/es to .r# "a,!< in the ,enera& usiness
office for count! and state *ur*oses< ut refused to *a! the ta/es in the
cit! and to2n of Co''erce< as the de'and 2as i&&e,a&< there ein, no such
*&ace 0no2n in &a2< the cit! and to2n of Co''erce ha$in, een inc&uded in
the cit! *&at of Nau$oo< ut continued ! our ene'ies on the ta/ &ist for
the *ur*ose of ,ettin, 'ore 'one! fro' the Saints? I co''enced a
sett&e'ent 2ith 5i&ert 5ran,er on the estate I1irt&andJ of his father<
O&i$er 5ran,er? and continued in '! office ti&& nine in the e$enin,<
ha$in, recei$ed a $isit fro' 5enera& Dud&e! of Connecticut#
Thursda!< 9#--I attended counci& in the ,enera& usiness office Eo$er
the storeF at nine o+c&oc0 a#'#
In the afternoon< continued the sett&e'ent 2ith 5i&ert 5ran,er< ut
fina&&! fai&ed to effect an!thin,< e/ce*t to ,et Ne2e&+s note# 5ran,er
refused to ,i$e u* the *a*ers to 'e< 2hich he had recei$ed of his father<
the sa'e ein, Church *ro*ert!< a&thou,h I *resented hi' deeds< 'ort,a,es
and *a*er to the a'ount of so'e thousands a,ainst his father< 'ore than he
had a,ainst the Church#
I a&so 2rote Hira' "arne!< Es>#< of Ne2 Yor0 in re*&! to his &etter
of the H@th of Januar!< offerin, hi' one hundred do&&ars *er acre< for his
t2ent! acres of &and in this cit!< &!in, so'e2here et2een the Hotch0iss
*urchase on the north< and 5a&&and+s *urchase on the south< or to ta0e an
a,enc! to se&& the sa'e#
Frida!< @#--At '! office e/hiitin, the "oo0 of Araha' in the
ori,ina& to "rother Reuen Hed&oc0< so that he 'i,ht ta0e the si4e of the
se$era& *&ates or cuts< and *re*are the &oc0s for the Ti'es and Seasons?
and a&so ,a$e instruction concernin, the arran,e'ent of the 2ritin, on the
&ar,e cut< i&&ustratin, the *rinci*&es of astrono'!< 2ith other ,enera&
usiness#
Attended cit! counci&< and 'o$ed -that 2hen *ro*ert! is so&d at
sheriff+s< 'arsha&+s or consta&e+s sa&e under ordinance of this cit!< the
*ersons ha$in, their *ro*ert! so&d sha&& ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of redee'in,
the sa'e< ! *a!in, the *rinci*a& and fifteen *er cent on *rinci*a&< 2ith
cost and char,es< 2ithin thirt! da!s after sa&e#-
Saturda!< G#--Attended the cit! counci&< and s*o0e at considera&e
&en,th on the *o2ers and *ri$i&e,es of our cit! charter? a'on, other
usiness of i'*ortance< the office of re,istrar of deeds 2as esta&ished
in the cit! of Nau$oo< and I 2as chosen re,istrar ! the cit! counci&#
Sunda! :#--I *reached at E&der Orson S*encer+s near the Te'*&e#
.onda!< M#--At the ,enera& usiness office# )eter .e&&in,< the
)atriarch fro' En,&and< rou,ht to the office cash R79#@M 7QH< and
c&othin, R:G fro' )ar&e! )# )ratt and A'os Fie&din,< of En,&and? I
transacted 'uch ,enera& usiness and 2rote the 'a!or as fo&&o2s(
Letter or the )ro*het to John C# "ennett--on "ennett+s Corres*ondence
Anent S&a$er!#
EDITOR+S OFFICE< NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< .arch M< 78@H#
5enera& "ennett(
RES)ECTED "ROTHER(--I ha$e =ust een *erusin, !our corres*ondence
2ith Doctor D!er< on the su=ect of A'erican s&a$er!< and the students of
the Auinc! .ission Institute< and it 'a0es '! &ood oi& 2ithin 'e to
ref&ect u*on the in=ustice< crue&t!< and o**ression of the ru&ers of the
*eo*&e# 3hen 2i&& these thin,s cease to e< and the Constitution and the
&a2s a,ain ear ru&eB I fear for '! e&o$ed countr!--'o $io&ence<
in=ustice and crue&t! a**ear to e the dar&in, attriutes of .issouri< and
no 'an ta0eth it to heartK O te'*oraK O 'oresK 3hat thin0 !ou shou&d e
doneB Your friend< JOSE)H S.ITH
Corres*ondence et2een Dr# C# %# D!er and 5enera& J# C# "ennett#
CHICA5O< Januar! 9< 78@H#
DEAR SIR(--I a' not sure that I a' not indeted to !ou for !our &ast
&etter< not ha$in, ans2ered it< as I re'e'er# "ut as I ha$e een $er!
sic0 durin, the &on, inter$a& of '! si&ence< !ou 2i&& readi&! e/cuse an!
a**arent ne,&ect on '! *art# I than0 !ou for !our *a*er sent 'e< the Ti'es
and Seasons< and ha$e ,ot 'uch infor'ation fro' it< and since that< fro'
other sources< in re&ation to the outra,es co''itted u*on the Latter-da!
Saints ! the authorities as 2e&& as the *eo*&e of the state of .issouri?
and '! &ood oi&ed 2ith indi,nation to see the 2ho&e Christian 2or&d--and
the 2ho&e *o&itica& 2or&d< too< &oo0 ta'e&! on< and ne$er raise a 2arnin,
$oice--a $oice of e/*ostu&ation< nor e$en ,i$in, the facts in the caseK O
2hat outra,es 2i&& not e a&&o2ed or 2in0ed at ! those in authorit!< and
the *eo*&e ,enera&&!< if the! ha**en to e inf&icted u*on those 2ho ear
an un*o*u&ar na'e< es*ouse an un*o*u&ar cause< and are *oor and oscureK
It see's as if 2e had a,ain fa&&en u*on the 'idd&e a,es< 2hen the
*ri$i&e,ed c&asses cou&d *our out their s!'*athies ! the hour< and the
$er! circu'stantia& and 'inute detai&s of the &oss of the &ife< or an!
other serious e$i& that efe&& one of their o2n nu'er? ut the! cou&d
2rite IofJ of hear 2ithout e'otion< and e$en 2ith satisfaction and =o!<
the histor! of the 'assacre of a thousand defense&ess 2o'en and chi&dren<
if the! e&on,ed to the co''on sort of *eo*&e# Just read< for e/a'*&e<
.ada'e de Se$i,ne+s account in a &etter to her dau,hter< dated -Au/
Rochers<- 9D Oct#< 7:MG< in the second $o&u'e of De To>uer$i&&e+s
De'ocrac! in A'erica# 3hat< '! dear sir< do !ou thin0 of the treat'ent
2hich the su=ect of A'erican s&a$er! recei$es at the hands of the
A'erican *ress--a'on,st the *eo*&e ,enera&&!< and es*ecia&&! in the ha&&s
of Con,ressB 3hat thin0 !ou of the sentencin, of three 'en fro' the Auinc!
.ission Institute in this state< a short ti'e since< to t2e&$e !ears
confine'ent in the *enitentiar! of .issouri< for no cri'e at a&&< or on&!
such as 5od 2ou&d re,ard as a $irtueB )&ease &oo0 into this 'atter< and
see if !ou cannot =oin 2ith the ene$o&ent and fear&ess< and ca&& the
attention of the nation or the state< to these outra,es of .issouri< I
send !ou a *a*er< and 'ar0 one of the *ieces for !our *erusa&# "ead it# I
do not 0no2 2hether !ou ha$e e/a'ined the 2ho&e su=ect of A'erican
s&a$er!? ut if !ou ha$e not< I eseech !ou to do so< and &et 'e hear fro'
!ou# Is it not sinB Yes# Then is it not ri,ht to re*ent of itB Yes# 3henB
5od a&&o2s not a 'o'ent# Is not re*entance and aandon'ent of sin safe< so
&on, as 5od co''ands< and stands read! to &oo0 after the conse>uencesB
Certain&! so# 3e&&< can an! court< either state or nationa&< ro 'e of
&iert! for t2e&$e !ears Ee$en a,ainst their o2n state &a2sF< for actin,
*recise&! in accordance 2ith the &etter and s*irit of the Constitution of
the United States< and the *rece*ts of Jesus ChristB Is it to e su'itted
to ta'e&!< that three 'en sha&& e i''ured in a dun,eon for t2e&$e !ears<
torn fro' their fa'i&ies and friends< and fro' societ! and usefu&ness< for
are&! teachin, a fe&&o2 ein, ho2 to ,o to a *&ace 2here he 'a! &earn the
sciences--ha$e his o2n 2a,es< a!e< and his o2n *ersonB Let 'e hear fro'
!ou# Ha$e 2e not a ri,ht to s!'*athi4e 2ith each otherB
I a'< $er! sincere&!< !our friend and oedient ser$ant< CHARLES %#
DYER# 5en# John C# "ennett# Nau$oo< Hancoc0 count!< I&&inois#
NAU%OO< ILL#< Januar! HDth< A# D# 78@H#
DEAR SIR(--Yours of the 9rd inst#< acco'*anied ! the 5enius of
Liert!< containin, the address of A&$in Ste2art< Es>#< is efore 'e< and
I sei4e u*on this< the first< o**ortunit! to re*&!#
You refer 'e to .ada'e de Se$i,ne+s &etter to her dau,hter< dated
-Au/ Rochers<- 9Dth Oct#< A# D# 7:MG< in the second $o&u'e of De
To>uer$i&&e+s De'ocrac! in A'erica? and as0 'e to e/a'ine the su=ect of
A'erican s&a$er!# I ha$e done so+ I ,a$e it a fu&& and fair in$esti,ation
!ears a,o--I s2ore in '! !outh that '! hands shou&d ne$er e ound nor '!
feet fettered< nor '! ton,ue *a&sied--I a' the friend of &iert!<
-Uni$ersa& &iert!<- oth ci$i& and re&i,ious# I e$er detested ser$i&e
onda,e# I 2ish to see the shac0&es fa&& fro' the feet of the o**ressed<
and the chains of s&a$er! ro0en# I hate the o**ressor+s ,ras*< and the
t!rant+s rod? a,ainst the' I set '! ro2s &i0e rass< and '! face &i0e
stee&? and '! ar' is ner$ed for the conf&ict# Let the sons of thunder
s*ea0< achie$e $ictories efore the cannon+s 'outh< and eard the &ion in
his den? ti&& then the cr! of the o**ressed 2i&& not e heard? ti&& then
the 2ic0ed 2i&& not cease to trou&e< nor the 2ear! ond'an e at rest#
5reat 5od< has it co'e to this--that the free citi4ens of the so$erei,n
state of I&&inois can e ta0en and i''ured 2ithin the 2a&&s of a .issouri
*enitentiar! for t2e&$e &on, !ears< for such a cri'e as 5od 2ou&d re,ard
as a $irtueK si'*&! for *ointin, onds'en to a state of &iert! and &a2K
and no 'an ta0e it to heartB Ne$er< no ne$er< no ne$erK Let the friends of
freedo' arise and utter their $oice< &i0e the $oice of ten thousand
thunders--&et the' ta0e e$er! constitutiona& 'eans to *rocure a redress of
,rie$ances--&et there e a concerted effort< and the $ictor! is ours# Let
the road anners of freedo' e unfur&ed< and soon the *rison doors 2i&&
e o*ened< the ca*ti$e set at &iert!< and the o**ressed ,o free# .issouri
2i&& then re'e'er the unoffendin, .or'ons in the da!s of their ca*ti$it!
and onda,e--2hen 'urder and ra*ine 2ere her dar&in, attriute<--2h!< '!
heart is fi&&ed 2ith indi,nation< and '! &ood oi&s 2ithin 'e< 2hen I
conte'*&ate the $ast in=ustice and crue&t! 2hich .issouri has 'eted out to
that ,reat *hi&anthro*ist and de$out Christian< 5enera& Jose*h S'ith< and
his honest and faithfu& adherents--the Latter-da! Saints< or .or'ons? ut
the ti'e has *assed< and 5od 2i&& a$en,e their 2ron,s in His o2n ,ood
ti'e# Dr# D!er< *ut !our hand u*on !our heart< and re'e'er ;ion# Just
in$esti,ate the 2ron,s 2hich our *eo*&e ha$e suffered in their
un*recedented *ri$ations< the confiscation of their *ro*ert!< and the
'urder of their friends--the *ersecutions of the 3a&denses in for'er a,es
2ere not to e co'*ared to it< and histor! affords not a *ara&&e&# No2 &et
us 'a0e a stron,< concerted< and $i,orous effort< for Uni$ersa& Liert!<
to e$er! sou& of 'an--ci$i&< re&i,ious and *o&itica&# 3ith hi,h
considerations of res*ect and estee'< suffer 'e to suscrie '!se&f< Yours
res*ectfu&&!< Char&es %# D!er< .# D# JOHN C# "ENNETT#
)# S# 5en# S'ith infor's 'e that there are 2hite s&a$es in .issouri
E.or'onsF in as a=ect ser$itude as the &ac0s< and 2e ha$e< as !et< no
'eans of redressK 5od ,rant that the da! of ri,hteous retriution 'a! not
e *rocrastinated# J# C# "#
Letter of John C# "ennett to Jose*h S'ith--Anent the D!er-"ennett
Corres*ondence#
.AYOR+S OFFICE< CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< .arch 8< A# D#< 78@H#
Estee'ed Friend(
Yours of the Mth inst# has een recei$ed< and I *roceed to re*&!<
2ithout undue e'otion or *erturation# You as0< -3hen 2i&& these thin,s
cease to e< and the Constitution and the &a2s a,ain ear ru&eB- I
re*&!--once that no&e ird of Jo$e< our ,rand nationa& e'&e'< soared
a&oft< earin, in her *roud ea0 the 2ords -Liert! and La2<- and that 'an
that had the te'erit! to ruff&e her feathers< 2as 'ade to fee& the *o2er
of her ta&ons? ut a 2i&! archer ca'e< and 2ith his $eno'ed arro2 di**ed
in U*as+ richest sa*< shot the f&o2in, &ae& fro' the ea,&e+s i&&--it
fe&& in$erted< and the ird 2as sic0< and is--the &ae& soon 2as tra'*&ed
in the dust--the ea,&e ound and ca,ed# The *icture is no2 efore !ou in
o&d re&ief# 3hat thin0 !ou shou&d e doneB The 'aster s*irits of the a,e
'ust rise and rea0 the ca,e< restore the &ae&< unind the ird< and &et
he+ to2er unfettered in the air--then 2i&& the nation ha$e re*ose< and the
*resent 'inions of *o2er hide their faces in the dust# .an! of .issouri+s
no&e sons detest her acts of crue&t! and cri'e< and ,&ad&! 2ou&d the!
2i*e the' fro' the escutcheon of her fa'e< and 2i&&? !es the! 2i&& &end a
he&*in, hand--and a&& 'ust he&*< for the ti'e is at hand--and if 'an<
ree&&ious< co2ard&!< fa&terin, 'an< 2i&& not do the 2or0< the thunderin,s
of Sinai 2i&& 2ind a* the scene--the &ood of the 'urdered .or'ons cries
a&oud for he&*< and the restoration of the inheritances of the Saints? and
5od has heard the cr!--and the 'ora& att&e 'ust e fou,ht< and the
$ictor! 2on< he 2ho ans2ers ! fire 2i&& cause s2ord and f&a'e to do their
office< and a,ain 'a0e the Constitution and the &a2s *ara'ount to e$er!
other consideration--and I s2ear ! the Lord 5od of Israe&< that the s2ord
sha&& not de*art fro' '! thi,h< nor the uc0&er fro' '! ar'< unti& the
trust is consu''ated< and the h!dra-headed< fier! dra,on s&ain# This done
the *roud southron 2i&& no &on,er oast of i&&-,otten ,ain< or 2ash his
hands in the &ood of the innocent< or i''ure the free'en of the *rairie
State 2ithin .issouri+s su&&ied< *oisoned< death&! *rison 2a&&s# Let us
a&2a!s ta0e refu,e under the road fo&ds of the Constitution and the &a2s<
and fear no dan,er< for the da! of $en,eance 2i&& assured&! co'e 2hen the
O'ni*otent hand of the 5reat 5od 2i&& effect the restitution of the
tro*hies of the ri,and $ictories of .issouri< and a,ain *&ace the Saints
on hi,h# Yours res*ectfu&&!< JOHN C# "ENNETT# 5enera& Jose*h S'ith#
Tuesda!< 8#--Reco''enced trans&atin, fro' the Records of Araha' for
the tenth nu'er of the Ti'es and Seasons< and 2as en,a,ed at '! office
da! and e$enin,#
3ednesda!< N#--E/a'inin, co*! for the Ti'es and Seasons< *resented !
.essrs# Ta!&or and "ennett< and a $ariet! of other usiness in '! office<
in the 'ornin,? in the afternoon continued the trans&ation of the "oo0 of
Araha'< ca&&ed at "isho* 1ni,ht+s and .r# Da$is+< 2ith the recorder< and
continued trans&atin, and re$isin,< and readin, &etters in the e$enin,<
Sister E''a ein, *resent in the office#
I a&so 2rote Ed2ard Hunter< as fo&&o2s--
Letter of the )ro*het to Ed2ard Hunter--"usiness Transactions#
DEAR SIR(--I !esterda! had the *&easure of recei$in, !our &etter of
Feruar! 7D# A' 'uch *&eased that !ou ha$e effected a sa&e< and are so
soon to e 2ith us< Pc#
I ha$e *urchased the &ands !ou desired< and 2i&& use '! inf&uence to
ha$e the i'*ro$e'ents 'ade 2hich !ou 2ish# "rother 3ei&er recei$ed !our
&etter and sa!s he 2i&& do 2hat he can to ha$e a&& done#
The ei,ht hundred do&&ars for the Te'*&e and Nau$oo House< I 2ish !ou
to rin, in ,oods< for 2hich I 2i&& ,i$e !ou stoc0 and credit as soon as
recei$ed#
I 2ish !ou to in$est as 'uch 'one! as !ou *ossi&! can in ,oods< to
rin, here< and I 2i&& *urchase the' of !ou 2hen !ou co'e< if 2e can a,ree
on ter's? or !ou can ha$e '! ne2 ric0 store to rent# I 2ish the usiness
0e*t u* ! so'e one in the ui&din,< as it is a $er! fine house< and cost
'e a handso'e a'ount to ui&d it# So'e ei,ht or ten thousand do&&ars 2orth
of ,oods 2ou&d e an ad$anta,e to this *&ace? therefore< if !ou or so'e of
the rethren< 2ou&d rin, the' on< I ha$e no dout ut that I can arran,e
for the' in so'e 2a! to !our or their ad$anta,e#
As to 'one! 'atters here< the State "an0 is do2n< and 2e cannot te&&
!ou 2hat an0 2ou&d e safe a 'onth hence# I 2ou&d sa! that ,o&d and
si&$er is the on&! safe 'one! a 'an can 0ee* these ti'es< !ou can se&&
s*ecie here for 'ore *re'iu's than !ou ha$e to ,i$e? therefore there 2ou&d
e no &oss and it 2ou&d e safe# The an0 !ou de*osit in 'i,ht fai& efore
!ou had ti'e to dra2 out a,ain#
I a' no2 $er! usi&! en,a,ed in trans&atin,< and therefore cannot
,i$e as 'uch ti'e to *u&ic 'atters as I cou&d 2ish< ut 2i&& ne$erthe&ess
do 2hat I can to for2ard !our affairs# I 2i&& send !ou a 'e'orandu' of
such ,oods as 2i&& suit this 'ar0et# Yours affectionate&!< JOSE)H S.ITH#
Thursda!< 7D#--5a$e instructions concernin, a deed to Ste*hen
.ar0ha'< Shadrac0 Round!< and Hira' C&ar0< and &etter of attorne! fro'
.iss S'ith to Ed2ard Hunter< and did a ,reat $ariet! of usiness?rode out?
and in the e$enin, attended tria& at "rother H!ru'+s office< the Cit! of
Nau$oo $ersus A'os Da$is< for indecent and ausi$e &an,ua,e aout 'e 2hi&e
at .r# Da$is+ the da! *re$ious# The char,es 2ere c&ear&! sustantiated !
the testi'on! of Dr# Foster< .r# and .rs# Hiard< and others# .r# Da$is
2as found ,ui&t! ! the =ur!< and ! the 'unici*a& court< ound o$er to
0ee* the *eace si/ 'onths< under R7DD ond? after 2hich I retired to the
*rintin, office 2ith E''a< and su**ed 2ith the T2e&$e and their 2i$es< 2ho
2ere s*endin, the e$enin, 2ith Sister H!de#
Frida!< 77#--E/tract fro' the Le,ion .inutes#
The Nau$oo Le,ion 2as on *arade< co''anded ! Lieutenant-5enera&
Jose*h S'ith in *erson# Se$era& of the T2e&$e A*ost&es rode in the ,enera&
staff as Cha*&ains# The &ine 2as for'ed at ten o+c&oc0< a#'#< and soon the
Le,ion 'arched fro' their usua& *&ace of *arade< e&o2 the Te'*&e< to
3ater-street< in front of 5enera& S'ith+s house< 2here the troo*s 2ere
ins*ected< and after a recess 'arched 2est on the an0 of the ri$er< and
ta0in, a circuitous route< resu'ed their usua& *ost on the *arade ,round<
and c&osed the da! in ,ood order and 2ith ,ood fee&in,s< and to the fu&&
satisfaction of the Co''ander-in-Chief#
E/tract of Hi,h Counci& .inutes#
In the e$enin, )resident S'ith attended the tria& of E&der Francis
5&adden "isho*< at his Ethe *resident+sF house# E&der "isho* a**eared
efore the Hi,h Counci& of Nau$oo on co'*&aint of ha$in, recei$ed<
2ritten< and *u&ished or tau,ht certain -re$e&ations- and doctrines not
consistent 2ith the Doctrine and Co$enants of the Church# .r# "isho*
refusin, to *resent the 2ritten -re$e&ation- the .a!or< EJohn C# "ennettF
issued his 2arrant and rou,ht the' efore the counci&< 2hen *arts of the
sa'e 2ere read ! .r# "isho* hi'se&f to counci&< the 2ho&e 'ass of 2hich
a**eared to e the e/tre'e of fo&&!< nonsense< asurdit!< fa&sehood and
o'astic e,otis'--so 'uch so as to 0ee* the Saints &au,hin,< 2hen not
o$erco'e ! sorro2 and sha'e# )resident Jose*h e/*&ained the nature of the
case and ,a$e a $er! c&ear e&ucidation of the tendenc! of such *ro*hets
and *ro*hes!in,s< and ,a$e .r# "isho* o$er to the uffetin,s of Satan
unti& he sha&& &earn 2isdo'# After a fe2 a**ro*riate oser$ations fro'
)atriarch H!ru' and so'e of the counci&< the counci& $oted unani'ous&!
that Francis 5&adden "isho* e re'o$ed fro' the fe&&o2shi* of the Church?
)resident Jose*h ha$in, *re$ious&! co''itted the -re$e&ation- ao$e
referred to< to the f&a'es#
Saturda!< 7H#--I *resided o$er a court-'artia& of the officers of the
Nau$oo Le,ion at '! o2n house< for the *ur*ose of decidin, u*on the ran0
and station of the se$era& officers< and the 'ore *erfect or,ani4ation of
the Le,ion#
Sunda!< 79#--I 2as 2ith '! fa'i&!#
.onda!< 7@#--Transacted a ,reat $ariet! of usiness at the office#
Tuesda!< 7G#--I officiated as ,rand cha*&ain at the insta&&ation of
the Nau$oo Lod,e of Free .asons< at the 5ro$e near the Te'*&e# 5rand
.aster Jonas< of Co&u'us< ein, *resent< a &ar,e nu'er of *eo*&e
asse'&ed on the occasion# The da! 2as e/ceedin,&! fine? a&& thin,s 2ere
done in order< and uni$ersa& satisfaction 2as 'anifested# In the e$enin, I
recei$ed the first de,ree in Free .asonr! in the Nau$oo Lod,e< asse'&ed
in '! ,enera& usiness office#
So'e ti'e *re$ious to this I.arch 7GthJ Sister E&i4aeth .or,an died
at London 2ithout 'edica& aid< after ca&&in, for the E&ders< Pc#< 2hich
created 'uch e/cite'ent< and a coroner+s in>uest 2as ca&&ed ! .r# "a0er<
2ho rou,ht in a $erdict of -natura& death#-
The )ro*het "eco'es Editor of the Ti'es and Seasons#
This *a*er co''ences '! editoria& career( I a&one stand res*onsi&e
for it< and sha&& do for a&& *a*ers Ii#e# Nos# of the Ti'es and Seasons<
sons<J ha$in, '! si,nature hencefor2ard# I a' not res*onsi&e for the
*u&ication or arran,e'ent of the for'er *a*er? the 'atter did not co'e
under '! su*er$ision# JOSE)H S.ITH#
3e e/tract the fo&&o2in, fro' the Ne2 Yor0 Triune(
Honor A'on, Thie$es#
-The *a!'aster of the .issouri .i&itia< ca&&ed out to *ut do2n the
.or'ons so'e t2o !ears since< 2as su**&ied 2ith 'one! so'e ti'e since< and
started for 3estern .issouri< ut has not !et arri$ed there# It is feared
he has ta0en the Sa&ine s&o*e#-
3e are not sur*rised that *ersons 2ho cou&d 2anton&!< ararous&!<
and 2ithout shado2 of &a2< dri$e fifteen thousand 'en< 2o'en and chi&dren
fro' their ho'es< shou&d ha$e a'on, the' a 'an 2ho 2as so &ost to e$er!
sense of =ustice< as to run a2a! 2ith the 2a,es for this infa'ous deed? it
is not $er! difficu&t for 'en 2ho can &o2 out the rains of chi&dren? 2ho
can shoot do2n and he2 to *ieces our ancient $eterans 2ho fou,ht in
defense of our countr!< and de&i$ered it fro' the o**ressor+s ,ras*? 2ho
cou&d de&ierate&! and in co&d &ood< 'urder 'en and ro the' of their
oots< 2atches< Pc#< and 2hi&st their $icti's 2ere !et 2e&terin, in their
&ood< and ,ra**&in, 2ith death< *roceed to ro the 2ido2s+ houses# .en
2ho can de&ierate&! do this< and stea& near&! a&& the horses< catt&e<
shee*< ho,s< and *ro*ert! of a 2ho&e co''unit!< and dri$e the' fro' their
ho'es en 'asse< in an inc&e'ent season of the !ear< 2i&& not find 'an!
>ua&'s of conscience in stea&in, the *a! of his rother thie$es< and
ta0in, the -Sa&ine s&o*e#- The $er! idea of 5o$ern'ent *a!in, these 'en
for their &ood! deeds< 'ust cause the sons of &iert! to &ush< and to
han, their har*s u*on the 2i&&o2< and 'a0e the &ood of e$er! *atriot run
chi&&#
The *roceedin,s of that state ha$e een so ararous and inhu'an that
our indi,nation is aroused 2hen 2e ref&ect u*on the scene# 3e are here
re'inded of one of the *atriotic deeds of the ,o$ern'ent of that state<
2ho after the! had roed us of e$er!thin, 2e had in the 2or&d< and ta0en
fro' us 'an! hundred thousand do&&ars+ 2orth of *ro*ert!< had their
s!'*athies so far touched Ea&ias their ,ood na'eF that the! $oted t2o
thousand do&&ars to the re&ief of the -sufferin, .or'ons<- and choosin,
t2o or three of her no&est sons< to carr! the' hea$en&! oon< these
an,e&s of sa&$ation ca'e in the *&entitude of their 'erc! and in the
di,nit! of their office to Far 3est# To do 2hatB To feed its hun,r! and
c&othe its na0ed 2ith the RH<DDDB %eri&! na!K ut to ,o into Da$iess
count! and stea& the .or'ons+ ho,s E2hich the! 2ere *rohiited the'se&$es
fro' otainin, under *ena&t! of deathF to distriute a'on, the destitute<
and to se&& 2here the! cou&d otain the 'one!# These ho,s thus otained
2ere shot do2n in their &ood and not other2ise &ed? the! 2ere fi&th! to
a de,ree# These< the .or'ons< o2n ho,s< and a fe2 ,oods< the s2ee*in,s of
an o&d store in Liert! 2ere 2hat these *atriotic and no&e-'inded 'en
,a$e to the -*oor .or'ons<- and then circu&ated to the 2or&d ho2
s!'*athetic< ene$o&ent< 0ind and 'ercifu& the Le,is&ature of the State of
.issouri 2as< in ,i$in, t2o thousand do&&ars to the -sufferin, .or'ons#
Sure&! -the tender 'ercies of the 2ic0ed are crue&#-
3ednesda!< .arch 7:#--I 2as 2ith the .asonic Lod,e and rose to the
su&i'e de,ree#
Thursda!< 7M#--The Hi,h Counci& 2ithdre2 the hand of fe&&o2shi* fro'
E&der O&i$er O&ne! for settin, hi'se&f u* as a *ro*het< and too0 his
&icense# I assisted in co''encin, the or,ani4ation of -The Fe'a&e Re&ief
Societ! of Nau$oo- in the Lod,e Roo'# Sister E''a S'ith< )resident< and
Sister E&i4aeth Ann 3hitne! and Sarah .# C&e$e&and< Counse&ors# I ,a$e
'uch instruction< read in the Ne2 Testa'ent< and "oo0 of Doctrine and
Co$enants< concernin, the E&ect Lad!< and sho2ed that the e&ect 'eant to
e e&ected to a certain 2or0< Pc#< and that the re$e&ation 2as then
fu&fi&&ed ! Sister E''a+s e&ection to the )residenc! of the Societ!< she
ha$in, *re$ious&! een ordained to e/*ound the Scri*tures# E''a 2as
&essed< and her counse&ors 2ere ordained ! E&der John Ta!&or#
Frida!< 78 and Saturda! 7N#--At ho'e and at '! office en,a,ed in
usiness< te'*ora& and s*iritua&#
Sunda!< HD#--I *reached to a &ar,e asse'&! in the ,ro$e near the
Te'*&e on the 2est# The od! of a deceased chi&d of .r# 3indsor )# L!on
ein, efore the asse'&!< chan,ed '! desi,n in the order of '! re'ar0s#
IThe fo&&o2in, is a rief s!no*sis of the )ro*het+s re'ar0s< ! E&der
3i&ford 3oodruff(J
The )ro*het+s Ser'on on Life and Death? the Resurrection and the
Sa&$ation of chi&dren#
)resident S'ith read the 7@th cha*ter of Re$e&ation< and said--3e
ha$e a,ain the 2arnin, $oice sounded in our 'idst< 2hich sho2s the
uncertaint! of hu'an &ife? and in '! &eisure 'o'ents I ha$e 'editated u*on
the su=ect< and as0ed the >uestion< 2h! it is that infants< innocent
chi&dren< are ta0en a2a! fro' us< es*ecia&&! those that see' to e the
'ost inte&&i,ent and interestin,# The stron,est reasons that *resent
the'se&$es to '! 'ind are these( This 2or&d is a $er! 2ic0ed 2or&d? and it
is a *ro$er that the -2or&d ,ro2s 2ea0er and 2iser?- if that is the case<
the 2or&d ,ro2s 'ore 2ic0ed and corru*t# In the ear&ier a,es of the 2or&d
a ri,hteous 'an< and a 'an of 5od and of inte&&i,ence< had a etter chance
to do ,ood< to e e&ie$ed and recei$ed than at the *resent da!( ut in
these da!s such a 'an is 'uch o**osed and *ersecuted ! 'ost of the
inhaitants of the earth< and he has 'uch sorro2 to *ass throu,h here# The
Lord ta0es 'an! a2a!< e$en in infanc!< that the! 'a! esca*e the en$! of
'an< and the sorro2s and e$i&s of this *resent 2or&d? the! 2ere too *ure<
too &o$e&!< to &i$e on earth? therefore< if ri,ht&! considered< instead of
'ournin, 2e ha$e reason to re=oice as the! are de&i$ered fro' e$i&< and 2e
sha&& soon ha$e the' a,ain#
3hat chance is there for infide&it! 2hen 2e are *artin, 2ith our
friends a&'ost dai&!B None at a&&# The infide& 2i&& ,ras* at e$er! stra2
for he&* unti& death stares hi' in the face< and then his infide&it! ta0es
its f&i,ht< for the rea&ities of the eterna& 2or&d are restin, u*on hi' in
'i,ht! *o2er? and 2hen e$er! earth&! su**ort and *ro* fai&s hi'< he then
sensi&! fee&s the eterna& truths of the i''orta&it! of the sou&# 3e
shou&d ta0e 2arnin, and not 2ait for the death-ed to re*ent< as 2e see
the infant ta0en a2a! ! death< so 'a! the !outh and 'idd&e a,ed< as 2e&&
as the infant e sudden&! ca&&ed into eternit!# Let this< then< *ro$e as a
2arnin, to a&& not to *rocrastinate re*entance< or 2ait ti&& a deathed
for it is the 2i&& of 5od that 'an shou&d re*ent and ser$e Hi' in hea&th<
and in the stren,th and *o2er of his 'ind< in order to secure His
&essin,< and not 2ait unti& he is ca&&ed to die#
The doctrine of a*ti4in, chi&dren< or s*rin0&in, the'< or the! 'ust
2e&ter in he&&< is a doctrine not true< not su**orted in Ho&! 3rit< and is
not consistent 2ith the character of 5od# A&& chi&dren are redee'ed ! the
&ood of Jesus Christ< and the 'o'ent that chi&dren &ea$e this 2or&d< the!
are ta0en to the oso' of Araha'# The on&! difference et2een the o&d and
!oun, d!in, is< one &i$es &on,er in hea$en and eterna& &i,ht and ,&or!
than the other< and is freed a &itt&e sooner fro' this 'isera&e< 2ic0ed
2or&d# Not2ithstandin, a&& this ,&or!< 2e for a 'o'ent &ose si,ht of it<
and 'ourn the &oss< ut 2e do not 'ourn as those 2ithout ho*e#
.! intention 2as to ha$e s*o0en on the su=ect of a*tis'< ut ha$in,
a case of death efore us< I thou,ht *ro*er to refer to that su=ect# I
2i&& no2< ho2e$er sa! a fe2 Araha'# The on&! difference et2een the o&d
and !oun, d!in, is< one &i$es &on,er in hea$en and eterna& &i,ht and ,&or!
than the other< and is freed a &itt&e sooner fro' this 'isera&e< 2ic0ed
2or&d# Not2ithstandin, a&& this ,&or!< 2e for a 'o'ent &ose si,ht of it<
and 'ourn the &oss< ut 2e do not 'ourn as those 2ithout ho*e#
.! intention 2as to ha$e s*o0en on the su=ect of a*tis'< ut ha$in,
a case of death efore us< I thou,ht *ro*er to refer to that su=ect# I
2i&& no2< ho2e$er sa! a fe2 2ords u*on a*tis'< as I intended#
5od has 'ade certain decrees 2hich are fi/ed and i''o$a&e( for
instance<--5od set the sun< the 'oon< and the stars in the hea$ens< and
,a$e the' their &a2s< conditions and ounds< 2hich the! cannot *ass<
e/ce*t ! His co''and'ent? the! a&& 'o$e in *erfect har'on! in their
s*here and order< and are as &i,hts< 2onders and si,ns unto us# The sea
a&so has its ounds 2hich it cannot *ass# 5od has set 'an! si,ns on the
earth< as 2e&& as in the hea$ens? for instance< the oa0 of the forest< the
fruit of the tree< the her of the fie&d--a&& ear a si,n that seed hath
een *&anted there? for it is a decree of the Lord that e$er! tree< *&ant<
and her earin, seed shou&d rin, forth of its 0ind< and cannot co'e
forth after an! other &a2 or *rinci*&e# U*on the sa'e *rinci*&e do I
contend that a*tis' is a si,n ordained of 5od< for the e&ie$er in Christ
to ta0e u*on hi'se&f in order to enter into the 0in,do' of 5od< -for
e/ce*t !e are orn of 2ater and of the S*irit !e cannot enter into the
0in,do' of 5od<- said the Sa$ior# It is a si,n and a co''and'ent 2hich 5od
has set for 'an to enter into His 0in,do'# Those 2ho see0 to enter in an!
other 2a! 2i&& see0 in $ain? for 5od 2i&& not recei$e the'< neither 2i&&
the an,e&s ac0no2&ed,e their 2or0s as acce*ted< for the! ha$e not oe!ed
the ordinances< nor attended to the si,ns 2hich 5od ordained for the
sa&$ation of 'an< to *re*are hi' for< and ,i$e hi' a tit&e to< a ce&estia&
,&or!? and 5od had decreed that a&& 2ho 2i&& not oe! His $oice sha&& not
esca*e the da'nation of he&&# 3hat is the da'nation of he&&B To ,o 2ith
that societ! 2ho ha$e not oe!ed His co''ands#
"a*tis' is a si,n to 5od< to an,e&s< and to hea$en that 2e do the
2i&& of 5od< and there is no other 2a! eneath the hea$ens 2here! 5od
hath ordained for 'an to co'e to Hi' to e sa$ed< and enter into the
0in,do' of 5od< e/ce*t faith in Jesus Christ< re*entance< and a*tis' for
the re'ission of sins< and an! other course is in $ain? then !ou ha$e the
*ro'ise of the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host#
3hat is the si,n of the hea&in, of the sic0B The &a!in, on of hands
is the si,n or 2a! 'ar0ed out ! Ja'es< and the custo' of the ancient
Saints as ordered ! the Lord< and 2e cannot otain the &essin, !
*ursuin, an! other course e/ce*t the 2a! 'ar0ed out ! the Lord# 3hat if
2e shou&d atte'*t to ,et the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host throu,h an! other
'eans e/ce*t the si,ns or 2a! 2hich 5od hath a**ointed--2ou&d 2e otain
its Certain&! not? a&& other 'eans 2ou&d fai&# The Lord sa!s do so and so<
and I 2i&& &ess !ou#
There are certain 0e! 2ords and si,ns e&on,in, to the )riesthood
2hich 'ust e oser$ed in order to otain the &essin,# The si,n of )eter
2as to re*ent and e a*ti4ed for the re'ission of sins< 2ith the *ro'ise
of the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host? and in no other 2a! is the ,ift of the Ho&!
5host otained#
There is a difference et2een the Ho&! 5host and the ,ift of the Ho&!
5host# Corne&ius recei$ed the Ho&! 5host efore he 2as a*ti4ed< 2hich 2as
the con$incin, *o2er of 5od unto hi' of the truth of the 5os*e&< ut he
cou&d not recei$e the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host unti& after he 2as a*ti4ed#
Had he not ta0en this si,n or ordinance u*on hi'< the Ho&! 5host 2hich
con$inced hi' of the truth of 5od< 2ou&d ha$e &eft hi'# Unti& he oe!ed
these ordinances and recei$ed the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host< ! the &a!in, on
of hands< accordin, to the order of 5od< he cou&d not ha$e hea&ed the sic0
or co''anded an e$i& s*irit to co'e out of a 'an< and it oe! hi'? for the
s*irits 'i,ht sa! unto hi'< as the! did to the sons of Sce$a( -)au& 2e
0no2 and Jesus 2e 0no2< ut 2ho are !eB- It 'attereth not 2hether 2e &i$e
&on, or short on the earth after 2e co'e to a 0no2&ed,e of these
*rinci*&es and oe! the' unto the end# I 0no2 that a&& 'en 2i&& e da'ned
if the! do not co'e in the 2a! 2hich He hath o*ened< and this is the 2a!
'ar0ed out ! the 2ord of the Lord#
As concernin, the resurrection< I 2i&& 'ere&! sa! that a&& 'en 2i&&
co'e fro' the ,ra$e as the! &ie do2n< 2hether o&d or !oun,? there 2i&& not
e -added unto their stature one cuit<- neither ta0en fro' it? a&& 2i&&
e raised ! the *o2er of 5od< ha$in, s*irit in their odies< and not
&ood# Chi&dren 2i&& e enthroned in the *resence of 5od and the La' 2ith
odies of the sa'e statureC that the! had on earth< ha$in, een redee'ed
! the &ood of the La'? the! 2i&& there en=o! the fu&&ness of that
&i,ht< ,&or! and inte&&i,ence< 2hich is *re*ared in the ce&estia& 0in,do'#
-"&essed are the dead 2ho die in the Lord< for the! rest fro' their &aors
and their 2or0s do fo&&o2 the'#-
The s*ea0er< efore c&osin,< ca&&ed u*on the asse'&! efore hi' to
hu'&e the'se&$es in faith efore 5od< and in 'i,ht! *ra!er and fastin,
C It 'ust e re'e'ered that the ao$e re*ort of the )ro*het+s
re'ar0s< as a&so the re*ort of the 1in, Fo&&ett ser'on E*reached in A*ri&<
78@@< and 2hich 2i&& a**ear in %o&u'e % of this histor!F< 2here the sa'e
'atter of infants ein, enthroned in *o2er 2hi&e re'ainin, of the sa'e
stature as 2hen on earth< and at the ti'e of their death< is
'entioned--2ere re*orted in &on, hand and fro' 'e'or!< so that the! are
$er! &i0e&! to contain inaccuracies and con$e! 2ron, i'*ressions# This
'atter of chi&dren after the resurrection re'ainin, of the sa'e stature as
at their death is 2e&& 0no2n to e such an error# The 2riter of this note
distinct&! re'e'ers to ha$e heard the &ate )resident 3i&ford 3oodruff<
2ho re*orted the ao$e ser'on< sa!< that the )ro*het corrected the
i'*ression that had een 'ade ! his 1in, Fo&&ett ser'on< that chi&dren
and infants 2ou&d re'ain fi/ed in the stature of their infanc! and
chi&dhood in and after the resurrection# )resident 3oodruff $er!
e'*hatica&&! said on the occasion of the su=ect ein, a,itated aout
7888-N< that the *ro*het tau,ht suse>uent&! to his 1in, Fo&&ett ser'on
that chi&dren 2hi&e resurrected in the stature at 2hich the! died 2ou&d
de$e&o* to the fu&& stature of 'en and 2o'en after the resurrection? and
that the contrar! i'*ression created ! the re*ort of the )ro*het+s 1in,
Fo&&ett ser'on 2as due to a 'isunderstandin, of his re'ar0s and erroneous
re*ortin,# In addition to this *ersona& reco&&ection of the 2riter as to
the testi'on! of the &ate )resident 3i&ford 3oodruff< the fo&&o2in,
testi'on! of E&der Jose*h Horne and his 2ife< .# Isae&&a Horne< on the
sa'e su=ect is i'*ortant# The state'ents here co*ied 2ere de&i$ered in
the *resence of )resident An,us .# Cannon< of the Sa&t La0e Sta0e of ;ion<
and E&der Arthur 3inter< at the residence of "rother Horne< in Sa&t La0e
Cit!< on No$e'er 7N< 78ND< and 2ere re*orted steno,ra*hica&&! ! Arthur
3inter< the Church officia& re*orter#
Sister .# Isae&&a Horne said( -In con$ersation 2ith the )ro*het
Jose*h S'ith once in Nau$oo< the su=ect of chi&dren in the resurrection
2as roached# I e&ie$e it 2as in sister Leonora Cannon Ta!&or+s house#
She had =ust &ost one of her chi&dren< and I had a&so &ost one *re$ious&!#
The )ro*het 2anted to co'fort us< and he to&d us that 2e shou&d recei$e
those chi&dren in the 'ornin, of the resurrection =ust as 2e &aid the'
do2n< in *urit! and innocence< and 2e shou&d nourish and care for the' as
their 'others# He said that chi&dren 2ou&d e raised in the resurrection
=ust as the! 2ere &aid do2n< and that the! 2ou&d otain a&& the
inte&&i,ence necessar! to occu*! thrones< *rinci*a&ities and *o2ers# The
idea that I ,ot fro' 2hat he said 2as that the chi&dren 2ou&d ,ro2 and
de$e&o* in the .i&&enniu'< and that the 'others 2ou&d ha$e the *&easure of
trainin, and carin, for the'< 2hich the! ad een de*ri$ed of in this
&ife#
-This 2as so'eti'e after the 1in, Fo&&ett funera&< at 2hich I 2as
*resent#-
"rother Jose*h Horne said( -I heard the )ro*het Jose*h S'ith sa! that
'others shou&d recei$e their chi&dren =ust as the! &aid the' do2n< and
that the! 2ou&d ha$e the *ri$i&e,e of doin, for the' 2hat the! cou&d not
do here< the )ro*het re'ar0ed# -Ho2 2ou&d !ou 0no2 the' if !ou did not
recei$e the' as !ou &aid the' do2nK- I a&so ,ot the idea that to ca&& u*on
the na'e of the Lord< unti& the e&e'ents 2ere *urified o$er our heads< and
the earth sanctified under our feet< that the inhaitants of this cit! 'a!
esca*e the *o2er of disease and *esti&ence< and the destro!er that rideth
u*on the face of the earth< and that the Ho&! S*irit of 5od 'a! rest u*on
this $ast 'u&titude#
At the c&ose of the 'eetin,< )resident S'ith said he shou&d attend to
the ordinance of a*tis' in the ri$er< near his house< at t2o o+c&oc0< and
at the a**ointed hour< the an0 of the .ississi**i 2as &ined 2ith a
'u&titude of *eo*&e< and )resident Jose*h S'ith 2ent into the ri$er and
a*ti4ed ei,ht! *ersons for the re'ission of their sins< and 2hat added
=o! to the scene 2as< that the first *erson a*ti4ed 2as .# L# D# 3asson<
a ne*he2 of .rs# E''a S'ith--the first of her 0indred that has e'raced
the fu&&ness of the 5os*e&#
At the c&ose of this interestin, scene< the ad'inistrator &ifted u*
his hands to2ards hea$en< and i'*&ored the &essin, of 5od to rest u*on
the *eo*&e? and tru&! the S*irit of 5od did rest u*on the 'u&titude< to
the =o! and conso&ation of our hearts#
After a*tis'< the con,re,ation a,ain re*aired to the ,ro$e< near the
Te'*&e< to attend to the ordinance of confir'ation< and< not2ithstandin,
)resident S'ith had s*o0en in the o*en air to the *eo*&e< and stood in the
2ater and a*ti4ed aout ei,ht! *ersons< aout fift! of those a*ti4ed
recei$ed their confir'ation under his hands in the after *art of the da!#
3hi&e this 2as *ro,ressin,< ,reat nu'ers 2ere ein, a*ti4ed in the
font#
After this< I a*ti4ed a &ar,e nu'er in the font '!se&f#
An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints in its %arious "ranches and Conferences in Euro*e#
5reetin,(
"ELO%ED "RETHREN#--3e fee& it our *ri$i&e,e and a dut! 2e o2e to the
,reat and ,&orious cause in 2hich 2e ha$e en&isted< to co''unicate to !ou
at this ti'e< so'e *rinci*&es 2hich if carried into effect< 2i&&
faci&itate the ,atherin, of the Saints< and tend to a'e&iorate the
condition of those 2ho are stru,,&in, 2ith *o$ert! and distress< in this
da! 2hen the usua& 'eans of su**ort see' to e cut short to the &aorin,
c&asses< throu,h the de*ression that e$er!2here *re$ai&s in the ,enera&
usiness 'art of the ci$i&i4ed 2or&d# Our situation is such in these &ast
da!s< and our sa&$ation s*iritua&&! is so connected 2ith our sa&$ation
te'*ora&&!< that if one fai&< the other necessari&! 'ust e serious&!
affected< if not 2ho&&! destro!ed# 5od has 'ade us socia& ein,s? He has
endo2ed us 2ith ca*acities for en=o!in, each other+s societ!< and it is
our dut! to rin, those *o2ers and *ri$i&e,es into e/ercise< so far as 2e
can< and for this it is our dut! to stri$e ! a&& &a2fu& and e/*edient
'easures 2ithin our reach#
3hi&e 2e re'ain in this state of e/istence< 2e need food and rai'ent<
haitations and societ!< and 2ithout these our en=o!'ents 'ust e ,reat&!
&i'ited< and the rea& o=ect of our e/istence di'inished< if not 2ho&&!
destro!ed# Thou,h the Saints shou&d *ossess a&& the co''on ,ifts of the
S*irit of 5od< and !et re'ain destitute of those co'forts so 'uch needed
for the sustenance of their odies< the! 2ou&d e co'*arati$e&! 'isera&e?
ut 2hen the! arri$e at that state of *erfection< and are c&othed u*on
2ith the 'ore s*ecia& ,ifts and *o2er of increasin, the 2ido2+s oi& and
'ea&< or if recei$in, their food fro' the ra$ens< &i0e E&i=ah< the! 2i&&
not need to esto2 so 'uch attention on e$er! trif&e of the *assin,
'o'ents< as the! no2 do? and unti& that *eriod arri$es the! 2i&& reco&&ect
that to e in the e/ercise of the fu&&ness of s*iritua& &essin,s the!
'ust e 2atchfu& and carefu& to *ro$ide thin,s honest in the si,ht of a&&
'en for the sustenance and co'fort of a&& these frai&< *erisha&e odies#
That 2e 'a! e instru'ents in the hands of 5od of thus *ro'otin, !our
*resent and future te'*ora& and s*iritua& 2e&fare< 2e 2rite !ou at the
*resent ti'e#
.an! of !ou are desirous of e'i,ratin, to this countr!< and 'an! ha$e
not the 'eans to acco'*&ish their 2ishes< and if 2e can assist !ou ! our
*ra!ers and our counse&s to acco'*&ish the desires of !our hearts in this
thin,< so far 2e 2i&& re=oice and e satisfied# You not on&! 2ish to
e'i,rate to this section of the earth< ut !ou desire a&so to ha$e so'e
&auda&e 'eans of co'forta&e susistence after !ou arri$e here< and this
a&so is i'*ortant# Ho2 then< sha&& these thin,s e acco'*&ished and !our
sou&s e satisfiedB 3e ans2er< ! united understandin, and concert of
action#
You a&&< or 'ost of !ou< ha$e trades or different 0inds of usiness<
2ith 2hich !ou ha$e een &on, fa'i&iari4ed< and in 2hich !ou 2ou&d &i0e to
continue for the *ur*ose of *rocurin, a susistence? and a ,reat
*ro*ortion of !our occu*ation is such that no e'*&o!'ent can e had in
this cit! or $icinit!? for instance( there are no cotton 'anufactories
esta&ished here< and 'an! of !ou 0no2 no other usiness# You 2ant to co'e
here< and 2hen here< 2ant to continue !our &aors in !our accusto'ed
ranches of usiness? ut !ou ha$e no 'eans to ,et here< and 2hen here
there are no factories< and !et factories are needed here< and there 2ou&d
e a read! 'ar0et for a&& the farics 2hich cou&d e 'anufactured#
No2 co'es the concert of action? if the Church 2i&& arise united&!?
if the rethren 2i&& indi$idua&&! fee& that the ,reat 2or0 of the Lord is
de*endin, on the'se&$es as instru'ents to assist in carr!in, it for2ard?
and 2i&& unite a&& their 'eans< faith and ener,!< in one ,rand 'ass< a&&
that !ou desire can s*eedi&! e acco'*&ished# A short ti'e on&! 2i&&
e&a*se efore !ou !ourse&$es 2i&& e astonished at the resu&t< and !ou
2i&& fee& that !our desires are 'ore than rea&i4ed#
3hi&e the Saints are united< no *o2er on the earth< or under the
earth can *re$ai& a,ainst the'? ut 2hi&e each one acts for hi'se&f< 'an!<
$er! 'an!< are in dan,er of ein, o$erthro2n# 5od has *ro'ised a&& thin,s
to those 2ho &o$e Hi' and 0ee* His co''and'ents? then 2h! e afraid that
one shou&d ,et a &itt&e 'ore than another< or that one shou&d ,ain< for a
&itt&e 'o'ent< 2hat another 'i,ht &ose? 2hen Jesus has *ro'ised that the
faithfu& sha&& e one 2ith Hi'< as He is one 2ith the Father< and sha&&
*ossess a&& thin,s in the due ti'e of the Lord? not ! stea&th< not !
force< not ! the s2ord< ut ! the ,ift of the Father< throu,h
faithfu&ness to His co''ands? and the 'ore the! sha&& suffer< 2hi&e the!
2or0 in ri,hteousness on the earth< the ,reater 2i&& e their re2ard< the
'ore ,&orious their 0in,do'< the 'ore e/tended their *o2er< 2hen the!
sha&& arri$e in the ce&estia& *aradise#
1no2in, and fee&in, these thin,s as 2e do< and ha$in, res*ect unto
the reco'*ense of re2ard to e re$ea&ed hereafter< re,ard&ess of a&&
necessar! *ri$ation and &aor to acco'*&ish 2hat our .aster has ,i$en us
to do< and desirin, not to *ossess the 0in,do' a&one< ut that a&& the
honest in heart shou&d e united 2ith us in the ,reat and ,&orious 2or0 of
ui&din, u* ;ion and her sta0es< 2e 2i&& ca&& u*on !ou< dear rethren< to
unite 2ith us< a&& 2ith one accord< to do 2hatB To do the $er! thin,s !ou
desire shou&d e done? to con$e! !ou to the *&ace 2here !ou are< and then
*ut !ou in *ossession of a&& the 'eans !ou 'a! need for !our su**ort? so
that !ou 'a! en=o! the fu&&ness of the &essin,s e&on,in, to the sons and
dau,hters of ;ion+s 1in,#
Had 2e 'eans 2e 2ou&d not as0 !our aid? 2e 2ou&d ,&ad&! send the
shi*s of Tarshish to ear !ou across the ,reat 2aters< 2e 2ou&d rin, !ou
to our ho'es< to our firesides? 2e 2ou&d *ro$ide !ou haitations< &ands
and food< 2hen !ou arri$e a'on, us# Our hearts are &ar,e enou,h to do a&&
this< and a ,reat dea& 'ore? ut 2e ha$e not the 'eans? 2e ha$e to &aor
for our o2n susistence< as 2e&& as attend to those thin,s 2hich are &aid
u*on us of the Lord< and 2hich concern the 2ho&e Church as 'uch as
ourse&$es#
It is not the 2i&& of hea$en that an! one shou&d e *ut in *ossession
of a&& thin,s 2ithout stri$in, for the'# 3here 'uch is ,i$en< 'uch is
re>uired? and he 2ho has ut one ta&ent< 'ust e as di&i,ent in the use
thereof as he that has ten< or he 2i&& &ose his ta&ent and his &essin,?
and it eco'eth hi' 2ho hath ut one< fi$e or ten< to use the' in the 'ost
econo'ica& 'anner *ossi&e< or he 2i&& not ha$e enou,h to rin, hi'
hither? and that he 2ho hath fi$e *ounds 'a! ha$e enou,h and to s*are to
hi' 2ho hath ut one< or in other 2ords to he&* the rethren to acco'*&ish
2ith a &itt&e 2hat other2ise 2ou&d re>uire 'uch 'ore than the! can
co''and< is the o=ect of this E*ist&e#
Had 2e the 'eans 2e 2ou&d send $esse&s of our o2n< &aden 2ith f&our<
'eats< fruits< and a&& sea stores necessar! for the co'fort of the
rethren on the 2ater< so that the! 2ou&d ha$e nothin, 'ore to do than ,o
on shi*oard< and &and at Ne2 Or&eans? fro' thence 2e 2ou&d ta0e the' on
our stea'ers< and rin, the' to this *&ace< for this is the est *&ace for
the Saints to sto* at for the *resent#
There 'a! e other *&aces 2here indi$idua&s 'i,ht ha$e the *ros*ect
of addin, at once< 'ore ra*id&! to their *ecuniar! interest< than the!
cou&d here? ut 2e can on&! sa!< it is the 2i&& of the Lord that the
Saints ui&d Nau$oo< and sett&e therein or in the $icinit!? and 2e 0no2
assured&! that those 2ho ,i$e heed to e$er! 2ord that *roceedeth out of
the 'outh of the Lord< 2i&& e richer e$entua&&!--and not far
distant--than those 2ho 'a! see' to *ros*er 'ore ! fo&&o2in, their o2n
inc&inations#
"rethren< 2e 2ish not to contro& !ou or !our 'eans? it is not for our
*eace or interest? na!< rather< it is a source of &aor< trou&e and
an/iet! to ha$e ou,ht to do 2ith the *ecuniar! usiness of the Church<
2hich 2e 2ou&d ,&ad&! a$oid< cou&d 2e do it< and do our dut!--cou&d 2e do
it< and the thin,s desired e acco'*&ished< and 2e stand ,ui&t&ess 2here
5od hath *&aced us--and for this reason 2e desire to 'a0e such
arran,e'ents as 2i&& 'ost tend to &ea$e the usiness in !our o2n hands< or
in the hands of those 2ho' !ou sha&& se&ect? 'en of !our o2n ac>uaintance<
in 2ho' !ou can re*ose confidence that the! 2i&& e/ecute their trust in
ri,hteousness# And that our *&ans 'a! e understood ! !ou< and carried
into e/ecution< 2e ha$e sent unto !ou our e&o$ed rother< E&der John
Sn!der< the earer of this E*ist&e< and other E*ist&es a&so< *re$ious&!
2ritten ! us to !ou? and 2e eseech !ou< rethren< to recei$e hi' as a
ser$ant of the .ost Hi,h< authori4ed accordin, to the order of the 0in,do'
of hea$en< and assist hi' ! a&& &a2fu& 'eans in !our *o2er< to e/ecute
the 'ission entrusted to hi'? for ,reat e$ents de*end u*on his success?
ut to none 2i&& the! e ,reater than to !ourse&$es#
Our authorit! forth us sendin, "rother Sn!der to !ou< is found in the
-"oo0 of the La2 of the Lord<- *a,e 9:< as fo&&o2s--
-Nau$oo< Dece'er HH< 78@7# The 2ord of the Lord ca'e unto Jose*h the
Seer? $eri&! thus saith the Lord--Let '! ser$ant John Sn!der ta0e a
'ission to the Eastern continent< unto a&& the conferences no2 sittin, in
that re,ion< and &et hi' carr! a *ac0a,e of e*ist&es that sha&& e 2ritten
! '! ser$ants the T2e&$e< 'a0in, 0no2n unto the Saints their duties
concernin, the ui&din, of '! houses< 2hich I ha$e a**ointed unto !ou<
saith the Lord< that the! 'a! rin, their ,o&d< and their si&$er< and
their *recious stones< and the o/ tree< and the fir tree< and a&& fine
2ood to eautif! the *&ace of '! sanctuar!< saith the Lord< and &et hi'
return s*eedi&!< 2ith a&& 'eans 2hich sha&& e *ut into his hands< e$en
so# A'en#
In this re$e&ation< the rethren 2i&& disco$er their dut! in re&ation
to the ui&din, of the Te'*&e of the Lord in Nau$oo< and the Nau$oo House?
and 2e ca&& u*on the' 2ith united cr! to ,i$e heed unto the thin,s
2ritten< and he&* to ui&d the houses 2hich 5od has co''anded< so that
"rother Sn!der 'a! s*eedi&! return 2ith 'eans to stren,then the hands of
the &aorers< and adorn and eautif! the Taernac&e of Jeho$ah#
"rethren< 2hi&e !ou are thus *re*arin, to send u* !our offerin,s to
this *&ace< if !ou 2i&& act in concert 2ith our 2e&& e&o$ed rother<
E&der )ar&e! )# )ratt< and the re,u&ar&! constituted authorities of the
Church in En,&and? and co&&ect as ,reat an a'ount of cotton< &inen< and
2oo&&en ,oods< si&0s< cut&er!< and hard2are< Pc#< e$en a&& the $arieties
of ,oods 2hich 'i,ht e usefu& in this countr!< and 2hich can e otained
! the rethren in this ti'e of 'onied scarcit!< and for2ard the sa'e to
us ! "rother Sn!der< or !our o2n a,ent< in co'*an! 2ith hi'< or
other2ise< and at other ti'es< 2e 2i&& *a! !ou for those ,oods< in &ands<
in or out of the cit!< in houses< catt&e< and such 0ind of *ro*ert! as !ou
'a! need? and 2ith those ,oods 2e 2i&& *urchase &ands< Pc#< f&our< 'eat<
and a&& thin,s necessar! for a sea $o!a,e< 2hich can e had chea*er here
than in En,&and< and charter shi*s< and for2ard the sa'e to En,&and< or
such *&aces as e'i,ration 'a! re>uire< and rin, ac0 in return a shi*
&oad of e'i,rants< at a chea*er rate than the! can no2 e'i,rate? 2hi&e< at
the sa'e ti'e< those 2ho re'ain can continue to co&&ect and for2ard
'erchandi4e as efore< 2hich 2i&& ,i$e us the 'eans of continuin, our
*urchases here< of 0ee*in, shi*s *assin, and re*assin,< and of ui&din,
'anufacturin, esta&ish'ents read! for the rethren 2hen the! arri$e in
our 'idst#
3hi&e the ,reat de*ression of the 'one!ed institutions continues as
it no2 is< the *eo*&e are co'*e&&ed to resort to a&& &auda&e 'easures to
effect those e/chan,es of *ro*ert! 2hich are necessar! to acco'*&ish their
desi,ns in re'o$in, fro' one *&ace to another< and fro' one 0in,do' to
another? and ! a faithfu& e/ecution of the *&ans *ro*osed ao$e< 'uch<
$er! 'uch< 'a! e effected in e'i,ration 2ithout the and of cash< or 2ith
$er! &itt&e< at the 'ost? and ,oods 'a! e otained to ad$anta,e for
houses and &ands 2hich the rethren 'a! ha$e to dis*ose of< and in *a!'ent
of dets due the'< 2hen it 2ou&d e i'*ossi&e for the' to se&& for cash
at an! *rice< or ,et their *a! for dets due the' e$en at a ,reat
discount< and thus thousands and tens of thousands 'a! e 'ade to re=oice
in this &and of *&ent!< 2hi&e< 2ere it not for a concert of action< the!
'i,ht re'ain 2here the! are for !ears< or ne$er ha$e the o**ortunit! of
a**earin, a'on, us on this side the ,reat 2aters< unti& the 'ornin, of the
first resurrection#
"ut< rethren< 2e 2ant to see !ou here# 3e &on, to see a&& here 2ho
2ant to e here< and none others< for 2e desire the increase of those 2ho
&o$e 5od and 2or0 ri,hteousness< that ;ion+s cords 'a! e &en,thened< and
her sta0es stren,thened? thou,h the countr! is free to a&& 2ho 2i&& aide
her &a2s< and 2e ha$e no dis*osition to cast out an! fro' our 'idst 2ho
2i&& su'it thereto#
For 'an! *articu&ars in re&ation to the ti'es and course of
e'i,ration< and 'an! other i'*ortant ite's connected 2ith the ,enera& and
*articu&ar interest of the Church< 2e 2ou&d refer !ou to our for'er
e*ist&es< as to enter into a *articu&ar and 'inute detai& of a&& ite's
referred to in this e*ist&e< 2ou&d e i'*ossi&e# "rother Sn!der 2i&&
enter into the su=ect 'ore 'inute&!< and 2ith the assistance of the
*residenc! a'on, !ou< 2i&& unfo&d the sa'e< so that no one need
'isunderstand#
The rethren need not su**ose that this thin, is of our o2n
i'a,ination< si'*&!? or that the resu&t thereof< if fu&&! carried into
e/ecution< 2i&& e of doutfu& character# 3e ha$e een ,uided ! the
S*irit of the Lord in our de&ierations concernin, the 'atter? and ha$e
een instructed ! the )ro*het of the .ost Hi,h< e$en Jose*h< the Seer and
Re$e&ator< for the Church< 2hose instructions to us are as the $oice of
the Lord< and 2hose ad'onitions 2e e$er re,ard as true and faithfu&< and
2orth! the confidence of a&& 2ho *rofess the 5os*e& of Jesus Christ#
3e ha$e een 2ith hi' in *ros*erit! and ad$ersit!< in sic0ness and
hea&th< in *u&ic and *ri$ate< in a&& situations 2here 'en 'a! reasona&!
associate 2ith each other< and 0no2 that his 2ords are true< his teachin,s
sacred< his character unsu&&ied a'on, 'en of truth< and that he is 2hat
the Church ac0no2&ed,e hi' to e< a 'an of 5od< and the s*o0es'an of the
.ost Hi,h unto His *eo*&e? and 2e ear this testi'on! unto the 2or&d<
ca&&in, on a&& the honest in heart to u*ho&d hi' ! their faith and
*ra!ers< that he 'a! &i$e &on,< en=o! 'uch< and acco'*&ish ,reat thin,s
for the 0in,do' 2hich he has een the honored instru'ent of esta&ishin,
on the earth in these &ast da!s< e$en that he 'a! &ead a ,reat 'u&titude
into the ce&estia& 0in,do'#
That the Saints 'a! en=o! the teachin,s of the )ro*het? those
teachin,s 2hich can e had on&! at this *&ace< so that the! 'a! ,o on fro'
0no2&ed,e to 0no2&ed,e e$en to *erfection< the! 2ant to co'e u* hither?
and that the *&ans efore su,,ested 'a! ! faci&itated< &et so'e
indi$idua&s 2ith ca*ita& co'e i''ediate&! and ui&d factories--indi$idua&s
2ho ha$e the 'eans< understand the usiness< and are ca*a&e of
su*erintendin, the concerns thereof#
There is e$er! natura& ad$anta,e at this *&ace for faci&itatin, such
an order of thin,s? 2ater< 2ood< and coa& in aundance< and it on&! 2ants
the hand of the &aorer to rin, the' forth in for' suited to their
se$era& uses? and< 2hi&e the ,o&d and the si&$er are secreted ! the hands
of un*rinci*&ed s*ecu&ators< &et us ,o for2ard and acco'*&ish 2ithout ,o&d
or si&$er< that 2hich 'i,ht e 'ore easi&! and e/*editious&! done 2ith it#
Let the rethren e$er re'e'er the ad'onitions 2e ha$e so often
,i$en< that ;ion is not to e ui&t u* 2ithout &aor< fati,ue< and tria&
of the faith of 'an!? that 2hen John sa2 the ,reat co'*an! on .ount ;ion<
he sa2 those 2ho had co'e u* throu,h ,reat triu&ation? he a&so sa2 those
2ho had endured ,reat triu&ation after the! had arri$ed< and efore the
0in,do' 2as co'*&eted#
The Saints of this da! are of the nu'er John sa2< and those--and
those on&! 2ho are 2i&&in, to endure triu&ation< as ,ood so&diers<
2ithout 'ur'urin,--2i&& e$entua&&! find their na'es enro&&ed in the La'+s
"oo0 of Life< and otain an inheritance in the Ho&! Cit!#
To a&& those 2ho are desirous of sharin, in the *o$ert! and
sufferin,s incident to ne2 countries and the chi&dren of the 0in,do'< 2e
2ou&d sa!< co'e u* hither< and he&* us to ear the urden< and !ou sha&&
share the riches< ,&or! and honors of the 0in,do'# And those 2ho are not
2i&&in, to suffer aff&ictions< &osses< crosses< and disa**oint'ents 2ith
the *eo*&e of 5od< 'a! as 2e&& sta! a2a! and e destro!ed< as to co'e here
and *erish< for *erish the! 'ust 2ho cannot aide a ce&estia& &a2< and
endure to the end in a&& 'ee0ness< *atience< and faithfu&ness#
Inas'uch as E&der Le$i Richards has as0ed for counse&< 2e 2ou&d
reco''end hi' to return to Nau$oo< as soon as circu'stances sha&& *er'it#
)ra!in, that !ou 'a! e &essed 2ith 2isdo'< inte&&i,ence< and
*erse$erance< in e$er! ,ood 2ord and 2or0< so that !ou 'a! acco'*&ish !our
desires< and he&* to ro&& on the ,reat 2or0 in 2hich !ou ha$e en&isted< 2e
suscrie ourse&$es !our rethren and fe&&o2 &aorers in the 0in,do' of
*atience# A'en# "RI5HA. YOUN5< )resident# HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< 3ILLIA. S.ITH<
ORSON )RATT< JOHN E# )A5E< LY.AN 3I5HT< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN TAYLOR<
5EO# A# S.ITH# 3ILLARD RICHARDS< C&er0# Cit! of Nau$oo< Hancoc0 Count!<
I&&inois< .arch HD< 78@H#
CHA)TER 666III#
A .ASON+S ESTI.ATE OF NAU%OO AND THE )RO)HET--OR5ANI;ATION OF
THE FE.ALE RELIEF SOCIETY---TRY THE S)IRITS---THE )RO)HET+S EDITORIAL#
.onda!< .arch H7< 78@H#--I co''enced a sett&e'ent 2ith 3i&&ia' .ar0s<
2ho had &oaned 'one! and *ro*ert! to the Church at $arious ti'es#
Tuesda!< HH#--I 2as at the ,enera& usiness office throu,h the da!<
and at ho'e in the e$enin,#
The fo&&o2in, is fro' the Ad$ocate< *rinted at Co&u'us< the
residence of 5rand .aster Ii#e# ,rand 'aster 'asonJ Jonas(
NAU%OO AND THE .OR.ONS#
.R# EDITOR#--Ha$in, recent&! had occasion to $isit the cit! of
Nau$oo< I cannot *er'it the o**ortunit! to *ass 2ithout e/*ressin, the
a,reea&e disa**oint'ent that a2aited 'e there# I had su**osed< fro' 2hat
I had *re$ious&! heard< that I shou&d 2itness an i'*o$erished< i,norant
and i,otted *o*u&ation< co'*&ete&! *riest-ridden< and t!ranni4ed o$er !
Jose*h S'ith< the ,reat *ro*het of these *eo*&e#
On the contrar!< to '! sur*rise< I sa2 a *eo*&e a**arent&! ha**!<
*ros*erous and inte&&i,ent# E$er! 'an a**eared to e e'*&o!ed in so'e
usiness or occu*ation# I sa2 no id&eness< no inte'*erance< no noise< no
riot--a&& a**eared to e contented< 2ith no desire to trou&e the'se&$es
2ith an!thin, e/ce*t their o2n affairs# 3ith the re&i,ion of these *eo*&e
I ha$e nothin, to do? if the! can e satisfied 2ith the doctrines of their
ne2 re$e&ation< the! ha$e a ri,ht to e so# The Constitution of the
countr! ,uarantees to the' the ri,ht of 2orshi*in, 5od accordin, to the
dictates of their o2n conscience< and if that can e so easi&! satisfied<
2h! shou&d 2e 2ho differ fro' the' co'*&ainB "ut I *rotest a,ainst the
s&anders and *ersecutions that are continua&&! hea*ed u*on these *eo*&e# I
cou&d see no dis*osition on their *art to e other2ise than a *eacea&e
and &a2-aidin, *eo*&e< and a&& the! as0 of the countr! is to *er'it the'
to &i$e under the *rotection of the &a2s< and to e 'ade a'ena&e for
their $io&ations# The! 'a! ha$e a'on, the' ad and des*erate characters<
and 2hat co''unit! has notB "ut I a' satisfied the .or'on *eo*&e< as a
od!< 2i&& ne$er e the a,,ressors or $io&ators of the &a2#
3hi&e at Nau$oo I had a fine o**ortunit! of seein, the *eo*&e in a
od!# There 2as a .asonic ce&eration< and the 5rand .aster of the state
2as *resent for the *ur*ose of *u&ic&! insta&&in, the officers of a ne2
&od,e# An i''ense nu'er of *ersons asse'&ed on the occasion< $arious&!
esti'ated fro' fi$e to ten thousand *ersons< and ne$er in '! &ife did I
2itness a etter-dressed or a 'ore order&! and 2e&&-eha$ed asse'&a,e?
not a drun0en or disorder&! *erson to e seen< and the dis*&a! of taste
and eaut! a'on, the fe'a&es cou&d not 2e&& e sur*assed an!2here#
Durin, '! sta! of three da!s< I eca'e 2e&& ac>uainted 2ith their
*rinci*a& 'en< and 'ore *articu&ar&! 2ith their )ro*het< the ce&erated
-O&d Joe S'ith#- I found the' hos*ita&e< *o&ite< 2e&&-infor'ed and
&iera&# 3ith Jose*h S'ith< the hos*ita&it! of 2hose house I 0ind&!
recei$ed< I 2as 2e&& *&eased? of course on the su=ect of re&i,ion< 2e
2ide&! differed< ut he a**eared to e >uite as 2i&&in, to *er'it 'e to
en=o! '! ri,ht of o*inion< as I thin0 2e a&& ou,ht to e to &et the
.or'ons en=o! theirs? ut instead of the i,norant and t!rannica& u*start<
=ud,e '! sur*rise at findin, hi' a sensi&e< inte&&i,ent< co'*aniona&e
and ,ent&e'an&! 'an# In fre>uent con$ersations 2ith hi' he ,a$e 'e e$er!
infor'ation that I desired< and a**eared to e on&! *&eased at ein, a&e
to do so# He a**ears to e 'uch res*ected ! a&& the *eo*&e aout hi'< and
has their entire confidence# He is a fine &oo0in, 'an aout thirt!-si/
!ears of a,e< and has an interestin, fa'i&!#
The incor*orated &i'its of Nau$oo contains< it is said< aout se$en
thousand *ersons? the ui&din,s are ,enera&&! s'a&& and 'uch scattered#
The Te'*&e and Nau$oo House< no2 ui&din,< 2i&& *roa&!< in eaut! of
desi,n< e/tent and durai&it!< e/ce& an! *u&ic ui&din, in the state< and
2i&& oth e enc&osed efore 2inter#
Fro' a&& I sa2 and heard< I a' &ed to e&ie$e that< efore 'an!
!ears< the cit! of Nau$oo 2i&& e the &ar,est and 'ost eautifu& cit! of
the 2est< *ro$ided the .or'ons are un'o&ested in the *eacea&e en=o!'ent
of their ri,hts and *ri$i&e,es< and 2h! the! shou&d e trou&ed 2hi&e
actin, as ,ood citi4ens< I cannot i'a,ine? and I ho*e and trust that the
*eo*&e of I&&inois ha$e no dis*osition to distur unoffendin, *eo*&e 2ho
ha$e no dis*osition ut to &i$e *eacea&! under the &a2s of the countr!<
and to 2orshi* 5od under their o2n $ine and fi, tree#--AN O"SER%ER< Ada's
Count!#
E/tract fro' a Letter fro' E&der E# )# .a,inn< Sa&e'< .assachusetts#
I a' on a $isit to assist E&der Erastus Sno2 in his successfu& and
e/tended fie&d of &aor in this ranch# Si/t!-fi$e ha$e een oedient to
the faith of the 5os*e&< and hundreds of others a&'ost *ersuaded# In
"oston near fort! ha$e oe!ed throu,h the faithfu& &aors of E&der Free'an
Nic0erson# I ha$e een asent fro' )eterorou,h t2o 2ee0s? ha$e *reached
three or four ti'es in "oston< Sa&e'< .ar&ehead< Che&sea< Pc#< and
*ur*ose returnin, to )eterorou,h ne/t Sunda!< 2here I ha$e een &aorin,
2ith ,ood success< thirt!-si/ ha$e oe!ed since &ast fa&&? at Ne2 Sa&e'<
.assachusetts< thirt!-fi$e to fort! ha$e oe!ed since Au,ust &ast?
Le$erett< ei,hteen or t2ent!? 5i&su'< Ne2 Ha'*shire< t2ent! to thirt!# I
ha$e *reached fro' one to three ti'es e$er! da!< and cannot fi&& one in
t2ent! of the ca&&s for *reachin,? there is the ,reatest e/cite'ent in
this countr! that I e$er ehe&d durin, '! tra$e&s since I &eft Nau$oo--a
*eriod of near three !ears< in 2hich I ha$e tra$e&ed throu,h ei,hteen
states and "ritish *ro$inces#
3ednesda!< H9#--In counci& 2ith Heer C# 1i'a&&< 3i&&ard Richards
and others at '! office#
Thursda!< H@#--I attended ! re>uest< the Fe'a&e Re&ief Societ!<
2hose o=ect is the re&ief of the *oor< the destitute< the 2ido2 and the
or*han< and for the e/ercise of a&& ene$o&ent *ur*oses# Its or,ani4ation
2as co'*&eted this da!# .rs# E''a S'ith ta0es the *residentia& chair? .rs#
E&i4aeth Ann 3hitne! and Sarah .# C&e$e&and are her counse&ors? .rs#
E&$ira Co&e is treasurer< and our 2e&&-0no2n and ta&ented *oetess< .iss
E&i4a R# Sno2< secretar!# There 2as a $er! nu'erous attendance at the
or,ani4ation of the societ!< and a&so at the suse>uent 'eetin,s< of so'e
of our 'ost inte&&i,ent< hu'ane< *hi&anthro*ic and res*ecta&e &adies? and
2e are 2e&& assured fro' a 0no2&ed,e of those *ure *rinci*&es of
ene$o&ence that f&o2 s*ontaneous&! fro' their hu'ane and *hi&anthro*ic
oso's< that 2ith the resources the! 2i&& ha$e at co''and< the! 2i&& f&!
to the re&ief of the stran,er? the! 2i&& *our in oi& and 2ine to the
2ounded heart of the distressed? the! 2i&& dr! u* the tears of the or*han
and 'a0e the 2ido2+s heart to re=oice#
Our 2o'en ha$e a&2a!s een si,na&i4ed for their acts of ene$o&ence
and 0indness? ut the crue& usa,e that the! recei$ed fro' the ararians
of .issouri< has hitherto *re$ented their e/tendin, the hand of charit! in
a cons*icuous 'anner? !et in the 'idst of their *ersecution< 2hen the
read has een torn fro' their he&*&ess offs*rin, ! their crue&
o**ressors< the! ha$e a&2a!s een read! to o*en their doors to the 2ear!
tra$e&er< to di$ide their scant *ittance 2ith the hun,r!< and fro' their
roed and i'*o$erished 2ardroes< to di$ide 2ith the 'ore need! and
destitute? and no2 that the! are &i$in, u*on a 'ore ,enia& soi&< and a'on,
a &ess ararous *eo*&e< and *ossess faci&ities that the! ha$e not
heretofore en=o!ed< 2e fee& con$inced that 2ith their concentrated
efforts< the condition of the sufferin, *oor< of the stran,er and the
father&ess 2i&& e a'e&iorated#
3e had the *ri$i&e,e of ein, *resent at their or,ani4ation< and 2ere
'uch *&eased 2ith their 'odus o*erandi< and the ,ood order that *re$ai&ed#
The! are strict&! *ar&ia'entar! in their *roceedin,s#
An earth>ua0e at Fa&'outh this 'ornin,#
Frida!< HG#--Attendin, to a $ariet! of usiness? counse&in,< Pc#
Saturda!< H:#--E&der John Sn!der recei$ed his fina& instructions fro'
the )resident< and recei$ed his &essin, fro' E&der "ri,ha' Youn,< 2ith
the &a!in, on of the hands of )resident Jose*h S'ith< John E# )a,e and
3i&&ard Richards< and started for En,&and this da!#
Sunda!< HM#--After s*ea0in, to the Saints for so'e ti'e on the
su=ect of a*tis' for the dead< I a*ti4ed one hundred and se$en
indi$idua&s#
IThe fo&&o2in, rief e/tract is fro' E&der 3oodruff+s =ourna&#J
S!no*sis of the )ro*het+s Ser'on on "a*tis' for the Dead#
This 2as an interestin, da!# A &ar,e asse'&! 'et in the ,ro$e near
the Te'*&e# "rother A'asa L!'an addressed the *eo*&e in a $er! interestin,
'anner# He 2as fo&&o2ed ! Jose*h< the Seer< 2ho 'ade so'e hi,h&! edif!in,
and instructi$e re'ar0s concernin, a*tis' for the dead# He said the "i&e
su**orted the doctrine< >uotin, 7 Cor#< /$( HN( -E&se 2hat sha&& the! do
2hich are a*ti4ed for the dead< if the dead rise not at a&&< 2h! are the!
then a*ti4ed for the deadB- If there is one 2ord of the Lord that
su**orts the doctrine of a*tis' for the dead< it is enou,h to esta&ish
it as a true doctrine# A,ain? if 2e can< ! the authorit! of the
)riesthood of the Son of 5od< a*ti4e a 'an in the na'e of the Father< of
the Son< and of the Ho&! 5host< for the re'ission of sins< it is =ust as
'uch our *ri$i&e,e to act as an a,ent< and e a*ti4ed for the re'ission
of sins for and in eha&f of our dead 0indred< 2ho ha$e not heard the
5os*e&< or the fu&&ness of it#
After 'eetin, c&osed< the con,re,ation a,ain asse'&ed u*on the an0s
of the ri$er< and Jose*h< the Seer< 2ent into the ri$er< and a*ti4ed a&&
that ca'e unto hi'#
I a&so 2itnessed the &andin, of 7MD En,&ish rethren fro' the stea'er
Arie&< under the *residenc! of E&der L!'an 3i,ht? a&so aout R9<DDD 2orth
of ,oods for the Te'*&e and Nau$oo House#
.onda!< H8#--I 2as at the office# Recei$ed )ar&e! )# )ratt+s
donations fro' En,&and< and attended to a $ariet! of usiness? as a&so on
the HNth and 9Dth#
The fo&&o2in, e/tract is fro' a &etter recei$ed fro' E&der Loren4o D#
"arnes--
"RISTOL< .arch H8< 78@H#
Letter of Loren4o D# "arnes to )ar&e! )# )ratt--Re*ortin, Laors#
E&der )ratt(
.UCH ESTEE.ED "ROTHER(--I a' ha**! to e a&e to state to !ou that I
arri$ed here in safet! and in hea&th on Saturda!< the H:th instant< after
'a0in, a tour throu,h a nu'er of churches on '! 2a! fro' Che&tenha'<
2hich *&ace I &eft in the e$enin, of the 7@th? $isited the church at Lea?
in the nei,horhood of 2hich I *reached t2ice# I then 2ent to 5ar2a!<
2here I *reached fi$e ti'es to o$erf&o2in, con,re,ations? fro' thence
$isited Aer,a$enn!< and *reached three ti'es# The 2or0 a**ears to e u*on
the on2ard 'arch in a&& these *&aces# .an! are in>uirin, after truth and
e'racin, it# The rethren and friends a**eared $er! an/ious for 'e to
tarr! &on,er< ut ein, desirous to co''ence '! &aors in this cit!< I
too0 '! &ea$e on Saturda!< the H:th< and ca'e $ia Ne2*ort< ! the *ac0et
to this cit!< and *reached three ti'es !esterda!# There a**ears to e a
,ood fee&in, 'anifested here at *resent# In the e$enin, our ha&& 2as >uite
fu&&< and the *eo*&e &istened $er! attenti$e&!? *ersons of res*ecta&e
a**earance 2ere *resent# 3e intend ,ettin, a &ar,e ha&&< and *uttin, out
i&&s short&!# Enc&osed is an order for ten shi&&in,s< it ein, a donation
for the ui&din, of the Te'*&e at Nau$oo< 'ost&! fro' the ranch of the
Church at Fro,'arsh# Yours in the onds of the ne2 co$enant< LOREN;O D#
"ARNES#
3ednesda!< 9D#--I 'et 2ith the Fe'a&e Re&ief Societ!< and ,a$e the'
so'e instructions< of 2hich the fo&&o2in, rief s0etch 2as re*orted !
.iss E&i4a R# Sno2--
S!no*sis of the )ro*het+s Re'ar0s to the Fe'a&e Re&ief Societ!#
)resident Jose*h S'ith arose# S*o0e of the or,ani4ation of the Fe'a&e
Re&ief Societ!? said he 2as dee*&! interested< that it 'i,ht e ui&t u*
to the .ost Hi,h in an acce*ta&e 'anner? that its ru&es 'ust e oser$ed?
that none shou&d e recei$ed into it ut those 2ho 2ere 2orth!? *ro*osed a
c&ose e/a'ination of e$er! candidate? that the societ! 2as ,ro2in, too
fast# It shou&d ,ro2 u* ! de,rees< shou&d co''ence 2ith a fe2
indi$idua&s< thus ha$e a se&ect societ! of the $irtuous< and those 2ho
2ou&d 2a&0 circu's*ect&!? co''ended the' for their 4ea&< ut said
so'eti'es their 4ea& 2as not accordin, to 0no2&ed,e# One *rinci*a& o=ect
of the institution 2as to *ur,e out ini>uit!? said the! 'ust e e/tre'e&!
carefu& in a&& their e/a'inations< or the conse>uences 2ou&d e serious#
A&& difficu&ties 2hich 'i,ht and 2ou&d cross our 2a! 'ust e
sur'ounted# Thou,h the sou& e tried< the heart faint< and the hands han,
do2n< 2e 'ust not retrace our ste*s? there 'ust e decision of character<
aside fro' s!'*ath!# 3hen instructed< 2e 'ust oe! that $oice< deser$e the
&a2s of the 0in,do' of 5od< that the &essin, of hea$en 'a! rest do2n u*on
us# A&& 'ust act in concert< or nothin, can e done< and shou&d 'o$e
accordin, to the ancient )riesthood? hence the Saints shou&d e a se&ect
*eo*&e< se*arate fro' a&& the e$i&s of the 2or&d--choice< $irtuous< and
ho&!# The Lord 2as ,oin, to 'a0e of the Church of Jesus Christ a 0in,do'
of )riests< a ho&! *eo*&e< a chosen ,eneration< as in Enoch+s da!< ha$in,
a&& the ,ifts as i&&ustrated to the Church in )au&+s e*ist&es and
teachin,s to the churches in his da!--that it is the *ri$i&e,e of each
'e'er to &i$e &on, and en=o! hea&th# He then &essed the Saints#
.onda!< 97#--In counci& at '! office 2ith E&ders
"ri,ha' Youn,< John Ta!&or< 3i&&ard Richards< Pc< and 2rote an
e*ist&e to the Fe'a&e Re&ief Societ!< and s*o0e to the societ! in the
afternoon#
Frida!< A*ri& 7< 78@H#--I 2as en,a,ed in the ,enera& usiness office#
-Tr! the S*irits---The )ro*het+s Editoria& in the Ti'es and Seasons#
Recent occurrences that ha$e trans*ired a'on,st us render it an
i'*erati$e dut! de$o&$in, u*on 'e to sa! so'ethin, in re&ation to the
s*irits ! 2hich 'en are actuated#
It is e$ident fro' the A*ost&es+ 2ritin,s< that 'an! fa&se s*irits
e/isted in their da!< and had -,one forth into the 2or&d<- and that it
needed inte&&i,ence 2hich 5od a&one cou&d i'*art to detect fa&se s*irits<
and to *ro$e 2hat s*irits 2ere of 5od# The 2or&d in ,enera& ha$e een
,ross&! i,norant in re,ard to this one thin,< and ha$e shou&d the! e
other2ise--for no 'an 0no2s the thin,s of 5od< ut ! the S*irit of 5od#-
The E,!*tians 2ere not a&e to disco$er the difference et2een the
'irac&es of .oses and those of the 'a,icians unti& the! ca'e to e tested
to,ether? and if .oses had not a**eared in their 'idst< the! 2ou&d
un>uestiona&! ha$e thou,ht that the 'irac&es of the 'a,icians 2ere
*erfor'ed throu,h the 'i,ht! *o2er of 5od< for the! 2ere ,reat 'irac&es
that 2ere *erfor'ed ! the'--a su*ernatura& a,enc! 2as de$e&o*ed< and
,reat *o2er 'anifested#
The 2itch of Endor is a no &ess sin,u&ar *ersona,e? c&othed 2ith a
*o2erfu& a,enc! she raised the )ro*het Sa'ue& fro' his ,ra$e< and he
a**eared efore the astonished 0in,< and re$ea&ed unto hi' his future
destin!# 3ho is to te&& 2hether this 2o'an is of 5od< and a ri,hteous
2o'an--or 2hether the *o2er she *ossessed 2as of the de$i&< and she a
2itch as re*resented ! the "i&eB It is eas! for us to sa! no2< ut if 2e
had &i$ed in her da!< 2hich of us cou&d ha$e unra$e&&ed the '!ster!B
It 2ou&d ha$e een e>ua&&! as difficu&t for us to te&& ! 2hat s*irit
the A*ost&es *ro*hesied< or ! 2hat *o2er the A*ost&es s*o0e and 2or0ed
'irac&es# 3ho cou&d ha$e to&d 2hether the *o2er of Si'on< the sorcerer<
2as of 5od or of the de$i&B
There a&2a!s did< in e$er! a,e< see' to e a &ac0 of inte&&i,ence
*ertainin, to this su=ect# S*irits of a&& 0inds ha$e een 'anifested< in
e$er! a,e< and a&'ost a'on,st a&& *eo*&e< If 2e ,o a'on, the *a,ans< the!
ha$e their s*irits? the .oha''edans< the Je2s< the Christians< the
Indians--a&& ha$e their s*irits< a&& ha$e a su*ernatura& a,enc!< and a&&
contend that their s*irits are of 5od# 3ho sha&& so&$e the '!ster!B -Tr!
the s*irits<- sa!s John< ut 2ho is to do itB The &earned< the e&o>uent<
the *hi&oso*her< the sa,e< the di$ine--a&& are i,norant# The heathens 2i&&
oast of their ,ods< and of the ,reat thin,s that ha$e een unfo&ded !
their orac&es# The .ussu&'an 2i&& oast of his 1oran< and of the di$ine
co''unications that his *ro,enitors ha$e recei$ed# The Je2s ha$e had
nu'erous instances< oth ancient and 'odern< a'on, the' of 'en 2ho ha$e
*rofessed to e ins*ired< and sent to rin, aout ,reat e$ents< and the
Christian 2or&d has not een s&o2 in 'a0in, u* the nu'er#
-Tr! the s*irits<- ut 2hat !B Are 2e to tr! the' ! the creeds of
'enB 3hat *re*osterous fo&&!--2hat sheer i,norance--2hat 'adnessK Tr! the
'otions and actions of an eterna& ein, Efor I contend that a&& s*irits
are suchF ! a thin, that 2as concei$ed in i,norance< and rou,ht forth in
fo&&!--a co2e of !esterda!K An,e&s 2ou&d hide their faces< and de$i&s
2ou&d e asha'ed and insu&ted< and 2ou&d sa!< -)au& 2e 0no2< and Jesus 2e
0no2< ut 2ho are !eB- Let each 'an of societ! 'a0e a creed and tr! e$i&
s*irits ! it< and the de$i& 2ou&d sha0e his sides? it is a&i that he
2ou&d as0--a&& that he 2ou&d desire# Yet 'an! of the' do this< and hence
-'an! s*irits are aroad in the 2or&d#-
One ,reat e$i& is< that 'en are i,norant of the nature of s*irits?
their *o2er< &a2s< ,o$ern'ent< inte&&i,ence< Pc#< and i'a,ine that 2hen
there is an!thin, &i0e *o2er< re$e&ation< or $ision 'anifested< that it
'ust e of 5od# Hence the .ethodists< )res!terians< and others fre>uent&!
*ossess a s*irit that 2i&& cause the' to &ie do2n< and durin, its
o*eration< ani'ation is fre>uent&! entire&! sus*ended? the! consider it to
e the *o2er of 5od< and a ,&orious 'anifestation fro' 5od--a
'anifestation of 2hatB Is there an! inte&&i,ence co''unicatedB Are the
curtains of hea$en 2ithdra2n< or the *ur*oses of 5od de$e&o*edB Ha$e the!
seen and con$ersed 2ith an an,e&--or ha$e the ,&ories of futurit! urst
u*on their $ie2B NoK ut their od! has een inani'ate< the o*eration of
their s*irit sus*ended< and a&& the inte&&i,ence that can e otained fro'
the' 2hen the! arise< is a shout of -,&or!<- or -ha&&e&u=ah<- or so'e
incoherent e/*ression? ut the! ha$e had -the *o2er#-
The Sha0er 2i&& 2hir& around on his hee&< i'*e&&ed ! a su*ernatura&
a,enc! or s*irit< and thin0 that he is ,o$erned ! the S*irit of 5od? and
the Ju'*er 2i&& =u'* and enter into a&& 0inds of e/tra$a,ances# A
)ri'iti$e .ethodist 2i&& shout under the inf&uence of that s*irit< unti&
he 2i&& rend the hea$ens 2ith his cries? 2hi&e the Aua0ers Eor FriendsF
'o$ed as the! thin0< ! the S*irit of 5od< 2i&& sit sti&& and sa! nothin,#
Is 5od the author of a&& thisB If not of a&& of it< 2hich does He
reco,ni4edB Sure&!< such a hetero,eneous 'ass of confusion ne$er can enter
into the 0in,do' of hea$en#
E$er! one of these *rofesses to e co'*etent to tr! his nei,hor+s
s*irit< ut no one can tr! his o2n< and 2hat is the reasonB "ecause the!
ha$e not a 0e! to un&oc0< no ru&e 2here2ith to 'easure< and no criterion
2here! the! can test it# Cou&d an! one te&& the &en,th< readth or hei,ht
of a ui&din, 2ithout a ru&eB test the >ua&it! of 'eta&s 2ithout a
criterion< or *oint out the 'o$e'ents of the *&anetar! s!ste's< 2ithout a
0no2&ed,e of astrono'!B Certain&! not? and if such i,norance as this is
'anifested aout a s*irit of this 0ind< 2ho can descrie an an,e& of
&i,htB If Satan shou&d a**ear as one in ,&or!< 2ho can te&& his co&or< his
si,ns< his a**earance< his ,&or!B--or 2hat is the 'anner of his
'anifestationB 3ho can detect the s*irit of the French *ro*hets 2ith their
re$e&ations and their $isions< and *o2er of 'anifestationsB Or 2ho can
*oint out the s*irit of the Ir$in,ites< 2ith their a*ost&es and *ro*hets<
and $isions and ton,ues< and inter*retations< Pc#< Pc# Or 2ho can dra,
into da!&i,ht and de$e&o* the hidden '!steries of the fa&se s*irits that
so fre>uent&! are 'ade 'anifest a'on, the Latter-da! SaintsB 3e ans2er
that no 'an can do this 2ithout the )riesthood< and ha$in, a 0no2&ed,e of
the &a2s ! 2hich s*irits are ,o$erned? for as -no 'an 0no2s the thin,s of
5od< ut ! the S*irit of 5od<- so no 'an 0no2s the s*irit of the de$i&<
and his *o2er and inf&uence< ut ! *ossessin, inte&&i,ence 2hich is 'ore
than hu'an< and ha$in, unfo&ded throu,h the 'ediu' of the )riesthood the
'!sterious o*erations of his de$ices? 2ithout 0no2in, the an,e&ic for'<
the sanctified &oo0 and ,esture< and the 4ea& that is fre>uent&!
'anifested ! hi' for the ,&or! of 5od< to,ether 2ith the *ro*hetic
s*irit< the ,racious inf&uence< the ,od&! a**earance< and the ho&! ,ar<
2hich are so characteristic of his *roceedin,s and his '!sterious
2indin,s#
A 'an 'ust ha$e the discernin, of s*irits efore he can dra, into
da!&i,ht this he&&ish inf&uence and unfo&d it unto the 2or&d in a&& its
sou&-destro!in,< diao&ica&< and horrid co&ors?for nothin, is a ,reater
in=ur! to the chi&dren of 'en than to e under the inf&uence of a fa&se
s*irit 2hen the! thin0 the! ha$e the S*irit of 5od# Thousands ha$e fe&t
the inf&uence of its terri&e *o2er and anefu& effects# Lon, *i&,ri'a,es
ha$e een underta0en< *enances endured< and *ain< 'iser! and ruin ha$e
fo&&o2ed in their train? nations ha$e een con$u&sed< 0in,do's o$erthro2n<
*ro$inces &aid 2aste< and &ood< carna,e and deso&ation are hai&i'ents in
2hich it has een c&othed#
The Tur0s< the Hindoos< the Je2s< the Christians< the Indian? in fact
a&& nations ha$e een decei$ed< i'*osed u*on and in=ured throu,h the
'ischie$ous effects of fa&se s*irits#
As 2e ha$e noticed efore< the ,reat difficu&t! &ies in the i,norance
of the nature of s*irits< of the &a2s ! 2hich the! are ,o$erned< and the
si,ns ! 2hich the! 'a! e 0no2n? if it re>uires the S*irit of 5od to 0no2
the thin,s of 5od? and the s*irit of the de$i& can on&! e un'as0ed
throu,h that 'ediu'< then it fo&&o2s as a natura& conse>uence that un&ess
so'e *erson or *ersons ha$e a co''unication< or re$e&ation fro' 5od<
unfo&din, to the' the o*eration of the s*irit< the! 'ust eterna&&! re'ain
i,norant of these *rinci*&es? for I contend that if one 'an cannot
understand these thin,s ut ! the S*irit of 5od< ten thousand 'en cannot?
it is a&i0e out of the reach of the 2isdo' of the &earned< the ton,ue of
the e&o>uent< the *o2er of the 'i,ht!# And 2e sha&& at &ast ha$e to co'e
to this conc&usion< 2hate$er 2e 'a! thin0 of re$e&ation< that 2ithout it
2e can neither 0no2 nor understand an!thin, of 5od< or the de$i&? and
ho2e$er un2i&&in, the 2or&d 'a! e to ac0no2&ed,e this *rinci*&e< it is
e$ident fro' the 'u&tifarious creeds and notions concernin, this 'atter
that the! understand nothin, of this *rinci*&e< and it is e>ua&&! as *&ain
that 2ithout a di$ine co''unication the! 'ust re'ain in i,norance# The
2or&d a&2a!s 'istoo0 fa&se *ro*hets for true ones< and those that 2ere
sent of 5od< the! considered to e fa&se *ro*hets< and hence the! 0i&&ed<
stoned< *unished and i'*risoned the true *ro*hets< and these 'ade to hide
the'se&$es in deserts and dens< and ca$es of the earth<- and thou,h the
'ost honora&e 'en of the earth< the! anished the' fro' their societ! as
$a,aonds< 2hi&st the! cherished< honored and su**orted 0na$es< $a,aonds<
h!*ocrites< i'*ostors< and the asest of 'en#
A 'an 'ust ha$e the discernin, of s*irits< as 2e efore stated< to
understand these thin,s< and ho2 is he to otain this ,ift if there are no
,ifts of the S*iritB And ho2 can these ,ifts e otained 2ithout
re$e&ationB -Christ ascended into hea$en< and ,a$e ,ifts to 'en? and He
,a$e so'e A*ost&es< and so'e )ro*hets< and so'e E$an,e&ists< and so'e
)astors and Teachers# And ho2 2ere A*ost&es< )ro*hets< )astors< Teachers
and E$an,e&ists chosenB "! *ro*hec! Ere$e&ationF and ! &a!in, on of
hands(--! a di$ine co''unication< and a di$ine&! a**ointed
ordinance--throu,h the 'ediu' of the )riesthood< or,ani4ed accordin, to
the order of 5od< ! di$ine a**oint'ent# The A*ost&es in ancient ti'es
he&d the 0e!s of this )riesthood--of the '!steries of the 0in,do' of 5od<
and conse>uent&! 2ere ena&ed to un&oc0 and unra$e& a&& thin,s *ertainin,
to the ,o$ern'ent of the Church< the 2e&fare of societ!< the future
destin! of 'en< and the a,enc!< *o2er and inf&uence of s*irits? for the!
cou&d contro& the' at *&easure< id the' de*art in the na'e of Jesus< and
detect their 'ischie$ous and '!sterious o*erations 2hen tr!in, to *a&'
the'se&$es u*on the Church in a re&i,ious ,ar< and 'i&itate a,ainst the
interest of the Church and s*read of truth# 3e read that the! -cast out
de$i&s in the na'e of Jesus<- and 2hen a 2o'an *ossessin, the s*irit of
di$ination< cried efore )au& and Si&as< -these are the ser$ants of the
.ost Hi,h 5od that sho2 unto us the 2a! of sa&$ation<- the! detected the
s*irit# And a&thou,h she s*a0e fa$ora&! of the'< )au& co''anded the
s*irit to co'e out of her< and sa$ed the'se&$es fro' the o**roriu' that
'i,ht ha$e een hea*ed u*on their heads< throu,h an a&&iance 2ith her< in
the de$e&o*'ent of her 2ic0ed *rinci*&es< 2hich the! certain&! 2ou&d ha$e
een char,ed 2ith< if the! had not reu0ed the e$i& s*irit#
A *o2er si'i&ar to this e/isted throu,h the 'ediu' of the )riesthood
indifferent a,es# .oses cou&d detect the 'a,ician+s *o2er< and sho2 that
he Ihi'se&fJ 2as 5od+s ser$ant--he 0ne2 2hen he 2as u*on the 'ountain
Ethrou,h re$e&ationF that Israe& 2as en,a,ed in ido&atr!? he cou&d de$e&o*
the sin of 1orah< Dathan and Aira'< detect 2itches and 2i4ards in their
*roceedin,s< and *oint out the true *ro*hets of the Lord# Joshua 0ne2 ho2
to detect the 'an 2ho had sto&en the 2ed,e of ,o&d and the "a!&onish
,ar'ent# .ichaiah cou&d *oint out the fa&se s*irit ! 2hich the four
hundred *ro*hets 2ere ,o$erned? and if his ad$ice had een ta0en< 'an!
&i$es 2ou&d ha$e een s*ared< EII Chronic&es /$iiiF E&i=ah< E&isha<
Isaiah< Jere'iah< E4e0ie&< and 'an! other *ro*hets *ossessed this *o2er#
Our Sa$ior< the A*ost&es< and e$en the 'e'ers of the Church 2ere endo2ed
2ith this ,ift< for< sa!s )au&< EI Corinthians /iiF< -To one is ,i$en the
,ift of ton,ues< to another the inter*retation of ton,ues< to another the
2or0in, of 'irac&es< to another *ro*hec!< to another the discernin, of
s*irits#- A&& these *roceeded fro' the sa'e S*irit of 5od< and 2ere the
,ifts of 5od# The E*hesian church 2ere ena&ed ! this *rinci*&e< -to tr!
those that said the! 2ere a*ost&es< and 2ere not< and found the' &iars<-
ERe$e&ation ii( H#F
In tracin, the thin, to the foundation< and &oo0in, at it
*hi&oso*hica&&!< 2e sha&& find a $er! 'ateria& difference et2een the od!
and the s*irit? the od! is su**osed to e or,ani4ed 'atter< and the
s*irit< ! 'an!< is thou,ht to e i''ateria&< 2ithout sustance# 3ith this
&atter state'ent 2e shou&d e, &ea$e to differ< and state that s*irit is a
sustance? that it is 'ateria&< ut that it is 'ore *ure< e&astic and
refined 'atter than the od!? that it e/isted efore the od!< can e/ist
in the od!? and 2i&& e/ist se*arate fro' the od!< 2hen the od! 2i&& e
'ou&derin, in the dust? and 2i&& in the resurrection< e a,ain united 2ith
it#
3ithout atte'*tin, to descrie this '!sterious connection< and the
&a2s that ,o$ern the od! and the s*irit of 'an< their re&ationshi* to
each other< and the desi,n of 5od in re&ation to the hu'an od! and
s*irit< I 2ou&d =ust re'ar0< that the s*irits of 'en are eterna&< that
the! are ,o$erned ! the sa'e )riesthood that Araha'< .e&chi4ede0< and
the A*ost&es 2ere( that the! are or,ani4ed accordin, to that )riesthood
2hich is e$er&astin,< -2ithout e,innin, of da!s or end of !ears<---that
the! a&& 'o$e in their res*ecti$e s*heres< and are ,o$erned ! the 2i&& of
5od? that 2hen the! a**ear u*on the earth the! are in it *roationar!
state< and are *re*arin,< if ri,hteous< for a future and ,reater ,&or!?
that the s*irits of ,ood 'en cannot interfere 2ith the 2ic0ed e!ond their
*rescried ounds< for -.ichae&< the Archan,e&< dared not rin, a rai&in,
accusation a,ainst the de$i&< ut said< -The Lord reu0e thee< Satan#-
It 2ou&d see' a&so< that 2ic0ed s*irits ha$e their ounds< &i'its<
and &a2s ! 2hich the! are ,o$erned or contro&&ed< and 0no2 their future
destin!? hence< those that 2ere in the 'aniac said to our Sa$ior< -Art
thou co'e to tor'ent us efore the ti'e<- and 2hen Satan *resented hi'se&f
efore the Lord< a'on, the sons of 5od< he said that he ca'e -fro' ,oin,
to and fro in the earth< and fro' 2anderin, u* and do2n in it?- and he is
e'*hatica&&! ca&&ed the *rince of the *o2er of the air? and< it is $er!
e$ident that the! *ossess a *o2er that none ut those 2ho ha$e the
)riesthood can contro&< as 2e ha$e efore ad$erted to< in the case of the
sons of Sce$a#
Ha$in, said so 'uch u*on ,enera& *rinci*&es< 2ithout referrin, to the
*ecu&iar situation< *o2er< and inf&uence of the 'a,icians of E,!*t< the
2i4ards and 2itches of the Je2s< the orac&es of the heathen< their
necro'ancers< soothsa!ers< and astro&o,ers< the 'aniacs or those *ossessed
of de$i&s in the A*ost&es+ da!s< 2e 2i&& notice< and tr! to detect Eso far
as 2e ha$e the Scri*tures for our aidF so'e fe2 instances of the
de$e&o*'ent of fa&se s*irits in 'ore 'odern ti'es< and in this our da!#
The -French )ro*hets- 2ere *ossessed of a s*irit that decei$ed? the!
e/isted in %i$aris and Dau*han!< in ,reat nu'ers in the !ear 7:88? there
2ere 'an! o!s and ,ir&s fro' se$en to t2ent!-fi$e? the! had stran,e fits<
as in tre'&in,s and faintin,s< 2hich 'ade the' stretch out their &e,s and
ar's< as in a s2oon? the! re'ained a2hi&e in trances< and co'in, out of
the'< uttered a&& that ca'e in their 'ouths Isee "uc0+s Theo&o,ica&
Dictionar!J#
No2 5od ne$er had an! *ro*hets that acted in this 2a!? there 2as
nothin, indecorous in the *roceedin, of the Lord+s *ro*hets in an! a,e?
neither had the a*ost&es< nor *ro*hets in the a*ost&es+s da! an!thin, of
this 0ind# )au& sa!s< -Ye 'a! a&& *ro*hes!< one ! one? and if an!thin, e
re$ea&ed to another &et the first ho&d his *eace< for the s*irit of the
*ro*hets is su=ect to the *ro*hets?- ut here 2e find that the *ro*hets
are su=ect to the s*irit< and fa&&in, do2n< ha$e t2itchin,s< tu'&in,s<
and faintin,s throu,h the inf&uence of that s*irit< ein, entire&! under
its contro&# )au& sa!s< -Let e$er!thin, e done decent&! and in order<-
ut here 2e find the ,reatest disorder and indecenc! in the conduct of
oth 'en and 2o'en< as ao$e descried# The sa'e ru&e 2ou&d a**&! to the
fa&&in,s< t2itchin,s< s2oonin,s< sha0in,< and trances of 'an! of our
'odern re$i$a&ists#
Johanna Southcott *rofessed to e a *ro*hetess< and 2rote a oo0 of
*ro*hecies in 78D@< she eca'e the founder of a *eo*&e that are sti&&
e/tant# She 2as to rin, forth< in a *&ace a**ointed< a son< that 2as to
e the .essiah< 2hich thin, has fai&ed# Inde*endent of this< ho2e$er<
2here do 2e read of a 2o'an that 2as the founder of a church< in the 2ord
of 5odB )au& to&d the 2o'en in his da!< -To 0ee* si&ence in the church<
and that if the! 2ished to 0no2 an!thin, to as0 their husands at ho'e?-
he 2ou&d not suffer a 2o'an -to ru&e< or to usur* authorit! in the
church?- ut here 2e find a 2o'an the founder of a church< the re$e&ator
and ,uide< the A&*ha and O'e,a< contrar! to a&& ac0no2&ed,ed ru&e<
*rinci*&e< and order#
Je'i'ah 3i&0inson 2as another *ro*hetess that fi,ured &ar,e&! in
A'erica< in the &ast centur!# She stated that she 2as ta0en sic0 and died<
and that her sou& 2ent to hea$en< 2here it sti&& continues# Soon after<
her od! 2as reani'ated 2ith the s*irit and *o2er of Christ< u*on 2hich
she set u* as a *u&ic teacher< and dec&ared that she had an i''ediate
re$e&ation# No2 the Scri*tures *ositi$e&! assert that -Christ is the first
fruit< after2ards those that are Christ+s at His co'in,< then co'eth the
end#- "ut Je'i'ah< accordin, to her testi'on!< died< and rose a,ain efore
the ti'e 'entioned in the Scri*tures# The idea of her sou& ein, in hea$en
2hi&e her od! 2as I&i$in,J on earth< is a&so *re*osterous# 3hen 5od
reathed into 'an+s nostri&s< he eca'e a &i$in, sou&< efore that he did
not &i$e< and 2hen that 2as ta0en a2a! his od! died? and so did our
Sa$ior 2hen the s*irit &eft the od!< nor did His od! &i$e unti& His
s*irit returned in the *o2er of His resurrection# "ut .rs# 3i&0inson+s
sou& I&ifeJ 2as in hea$en< and her od! 2ithout the sou& Ior &ifeJ on
earth< &i$in, I2ithout the sou&< orJ 2ithout &ifeK
The Ir$in,ites< are a *eo*&e that ha$e counterfeited the truth<
*erha*s the nearest of an! of our 'odern sectarians# The! co''enced aout
ten !ears a,o in the cit! of London< in En,&and? the! ha$e churches for'ed
in $arious *arts of En,&and and Scot&and< and so'e fe2 in U**er Canada#
.r# Ir$in,< their founder< 2as a &earned and ta&ented 'inister of the
Church of Scot&and< he 2as a ,reat &o,ician< and a *o2erfu& orator< ut
2itha& 2i&d and enthusiastic in his $ie2s# .o$in, in the hi,her circ&es<
and *ossessin, ta&ent and 4ea&< *&aced hi' in a situation to eco'e a
cons*icuous character< and to raise u* a societ! si'i&ar to that 2hich is
ca&&ed after his na'e#
The Ir$in,ites ha$e a*ost&es< *ro*hets< *astors< teachers<
e$an,e&ists< and an,e&s# The! *rofess to ha$e the ,ift of ton,ues< and the
inter*retation of ton,ues< and< in so'e fe2 instances< to ha$e the ,ift of
hea&in,#
The first *ro*hetic s*irit that 2as 'anifested 2as in so'e .isses
Ca'*e&& that .r# Ir$in, 'et 2ith< 2hi&e on a =ourne! in Scot&and?
the! had I2hat is ter'ed a'on, their sectJ -utterances<- 2hich 2ere
e$ident&! of a su*ernatura& a,enc!# .r# Ir$in,< fa&&in, into the co''on
error of considerin, a&& su*ernatura& 'anifestations to e of 5od< too0
the' to London 2ith hi'< and introduced the' into his church#
The! 2ere there honored as the *ro*hetesses of 5od< and 2hen the!
s*o0e< .r# Ir$in, or an! of his 'inisters had to 0ee* si&ence# The! 2ere
*ecu&iar&! 2rou,ht u*on efore the con,re,ation< and had stran,e
utterances< uttered 2ith an unnatura&< shri&& $oice< and 2ith thri&&in,
intonations the! fre>uent&! 'ade use of a fe2 ro0en< unconnected
sentences< that 2ere a'i,uous< incoherent< and inco'*rehensi&e? at other
ti'es the! 2ere 'ore c&ear&! understood# The! 2ou&d fre>uent&! cr! out<
-There is ini>uit!K There is ini>uit!K- And .r# Ir$in, has een &ed< under
the inf&uence of this char,e< to fa&& do2n u*on his 0nees efore the
*u&ic con,re,ation< and to confess his sin< not 0no2in, 2hether he had
sinned< nor 2herein< nor 2hether the thin, referred to hi'< or so'eod!
e&se# Durin, these o*erations< the odies of the *ersons s*ea0in, 2ere
*o2erfu&&! 2rou,ht u*on< their countenances 2ere distorted< the! had
fre>uent t2itchin,s in their hands< and the 2ho&e s!ste' 2as *o2erfu&&!
con$u&sed at inter$a&s( the! so'eti'es< ho2e$er< Eit is su**osedF s*o0e in
correct ton,ues< and had true inter*retations#
Under the inf&uence of this s*irit the church 2as or,ani4ed ! these
2o'en? a*ost&es< *ro*hets< Pc# 2ere soon ca&&ed< and a s!ste'atic order of
thin,s introduced< as ao$e 'entioned# A .r# "a/ter Eafter2ards one of
their *rinci*a& *ro*hetsF u*on ,oin, into one of their 'eetin,s< sa!s< -I
sa2 a *o2er 'anifested< and thou,ht that 2as the *o2er of 5od< and as0ed
that it 'i,ht fa&& u*on 'e< and it did so< and I e,an to *ro*hes!#- Ei,ht
or nine !ears a,o the! had aout si/t! *reachers ,oin, throu,h the streets
of London< testif!in, that London 2as to e the *&ace 2here the -t2o
2itnesses- s*o0en of ! John< 2ere to *ro*hes!? that Ethe!F -the church
and the s*irit 2ere the 2itnesses< and that at the end of three !ears and
a ha&f there 2as to e an earth>ua0e and ,reat destruction< and our Sa$ior
2as to co'e# Their a*ost&es 2ere co&&ected to,ether at the a**ointed ti'e
2atchin, the e$ent< ut Jesus did not co'e< and the *ro*hec! 2as then
a'i,uous&! e/*&ained a2a!# The! fre>uent&! had si,ns ,i$en the' ! the
s*irit to *ro$e to the' that 2hat 2as 'anifested to the' shou&d ta0e
*&ace# .r# "a/ter re&ated an i'*ression that he had concernin, a chi&d# It
2as 'anifested to hi' that he shou&d $isit the chi&d< and &a! hands u*on
it< and that it shou&d e hea&ed? and to *ro$e to hi' that this 2as of
5od< he shou&d 'eet his rother in a certain *&ace< 2ho shou&d s*ea0 unto
hi' certain 2ords# His rother addressed hi' *recise&! in the 2a! and
'anner that the 'anifestation desi,nated# The si,n too0 *&ace< ut 2hen he
&aid his hands u*on the chi&d it did not reco$er# I cannot $ouch for the
authorit! of the &ast state'ent< as .r# "a/ter at that ti'e had &eft the
Ir$in,ites< ut it is in accordance 2ith 'an! of their *roceedin,s< and
the thin, ne$er has een atte'*ted to e denied#
It 'a! e as0ed< 2here is there an!thin, in a&& this that is 2ron,B
7st# The church 2as or,ani4ed ! 2o'en< and -5od *&aced in the Church
Efirst a*ost&es< secondari&! *ro*hetsF< and not first 2o'en? ut .r#
Ir$in, *&aced in his church first 2o'en Esecondari&! a*ost&es< and the
church 2as founded and or,ani4ed ! the'# A 2o'an has no ri,ht to found or
or,ani4e a church--5od ne$er sent the' to do it#
Hnd# Those 2o'en 2ou&d s*ea0 in the 'idst of a 'eetin,< and reu0e
.r# Ir$in, or an! of the church# No2 the Scri*ture *ositi$e&! sa!s< -Thou
sha&t not reu0e an E&der< ut entreat hi' as a father- not on&! this< ut
the! fre>uent&! accused the rethren< thus *&acin, the'se&$es in the seat
of Satan< 2ho is e'*hatica&&! ca&&ed -the accuser of the rethren#-
9rd# .r# "a/ter recei$ed the s*irit on as0in, for it< 2ithout
attendin, to the ordinances< and e,an to *ro*hes!< 2hereas the scri*tura&
2a! of attainin, the ,ift of the Ho&! 5host is ! a*tis'< and ! &a!in,
on of hands#
@th# As 2e ha$e stated in re,ard to others< the s*irit of the
*ro*hets is su=ect to the *ro*hets? ut those *ro*hets 2ere su=ect to
the s*irits< the s*irits contro&&in, their odies at *&easure#
"ut it 'a! e as0ed ho2 .r# "a/ter cou&d ,et a si,n fro' a second
*ersonB To this 2e 2ou&d ans2er< that .r# "a/ter+s rother 2as under the
inf&uence of the sa'e s*irit as hi'se&f< and ein, su=ect to that s*irit
he cou&d e easi&! 'ade to s*ea0 to .r# "a/ter 2hate$er the s*irit shou&d
dictate? ut there 2as not *o2er in the s*irit to hea& the chi&d#
A,ain it 'a! e as0ed< ho2 it 2as that the! cou&d s*ea0 in ton,ues if
the! 2ere of the de$i&K 3e 2ou&d ans2er that the! cou&d e 'ade to s*ea0
in another ton,ue< as 2e&& as their o2n< as the! 2ere under the contro& of
that s*irit< and the de$i& can te'*t the Hottentot< the Tur0< the Je2< or
an! other nation? and if these 'en 2ere under the inf&uence of his s*irit<
the! of course cou&d s*ea0 Here2< Latin< 5ree0< Ita&ian< Dutch< or an!
other &an,ua,e that the de$i& 0ne2#
So'e 2i&& sa!< -tr! the s*irits- ! the 2ord# -E$er! s*irit that
confesseth that Jesus Christ is co'e in the f&esh is of 5od< and e$er!
s*irit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is co'e in the f&esh is not
of 5od#- John @(H< 9# One of the Ir$in,ites once >uoted this *assa,e
2hi&st under the inf&uence of a s*irit< and then said< -I confess that
Jesus Christ is co'e in the f&esh#- And !et these *ro*hecies fai&ed< their
.essiah did not co'e? and the ,reat thin,s s*o0en of ! the' ha$e fa&&en
to the ,round# 3hat is the 'atter hereB Did not the A*ost&e s*ea0 the
truthB Certain&! he did--ut he s*o0e to a *eo*&e 2ho 2ere under the
*ena&t! of death< the 'o'ent the! e'raced Christianit!? and no one
2ithout a 0no2&ed,e of the fact 2ou&d confess it< and e/*ose the'se&$es to
death< and this 2as conse>uent&! ,i$en as a criterion to the church or
churches to 2hich John 2rote# "ut the de$i& on a certain occasion cried
out< -I 0no2 thee< 2ho thou art< the Ho&! One of 5odK- Here 2as a fran0
ac0no2&ed,'ent under other circu'stances that -Jesus had co'e in the
f&esh#- On another occasion the de$i& said< -)au& 2e 0no2< and Jesus 2e
0no2---of course< -co'e in the f&esh#- No 'an nor set of 'en 2ithout the
re,u&ar constituted authorities< the )riesthood and discernin, of s*irits<
can te&& true fro' fa&se s*irits# This *o2er the! *ossessed in the
A*ost&es+ da!< ut it has de*arted fro' the 2or&d for a,es#
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints has a&so had its
fa&se s*irits? and as it is 'ade u* of a&& those different sects
*rofessin, e$er! $ariet! of o*inion< and ha$in, een under the inf&uence
of so 'an! 0inds of s*irits< it is not to e 2ondered at if there shou&d
e found a'on, us fa&se s*irits#
Soon after the 5os*e& 2as esta&ished in 1irt&and< and durin, the
asence of the authorities of the Church< 'an! fa&se s*irits 2ere
introduced< 'an! stran,e $isions 2ere seen< and 2i&d< enthusiastic notions
2ere entertained? 'en ran out of doors under the inf&uence of this s*irit<
and so'e of the' ,ot u*on the stu'*s of trees and shouted< and a&& 0inds
of e/tra$a,ances 2ere entered into ! the'? one 'an *ursued a a&& that he
said he sa2 f&!in, in the air< unti& he ca'e to a *reci*ice< 2hen he
=u'*ed into the to* of a tree< 2hich sa$ed his &ife? and 'an! ridicu&ous
thin,s 2ere entered into< ca&cu&ated to rin, dis,race u*on the Church of
5od< to cause the S*irit of 5od to e 2ithdra2n< and to u*root and destro!
those ,&orious *rinci*&es 2hich had een de$e&o*ed for the sa&$ation of
the hu'an fa'i&!# "ut 2hen the authorities returned< the s*irit 2as 'ade
'anifest< those 'e'ers that 2ere e/ercised 2ith it 2ere tried for their
fe&&o2shi*< and those that 2ou&d not re*ent and forsa0e it 2ere cut off#
At a suse>uent *eriod a Sha0er s*irit 2as on the *oint of ein,
introduced< and at another ti'e the .ethodist and )res!terian fa&&in,
do2n *o2er< ut the s*irit 2as reu0ed and *ut do2n< and those 2ho 2ou&d
not su'it to ru&e and ,ood order 2ere disfe&&o2shi*ed# 3e ha$e a&so had
rethren and sisters 2ho ha$e had the ,ift of ton,ues fa&se&!? the! 2ou&d
s*ea0 in a 'utterin, unnatura& $oice< and their odies e distorted &i0e
the Ir$in,ites efore a&&uded to? 2hereas< there is nothin, unnatura& in
the S*irit of 5od# A circu'stance of this 0ind too0 *&ace in U**er Canada<
ut 2as reu0ed ! the *residin, E&der? another< a 2o'an near the sa'e
*&ace< *rofessed to ha$e the discernin, of s*irits< and e,an to accuse
another sister of thin,s that she 2as not ,ui&t! of< 2hich she said she
0ne2 2as so ! the s*irit< ut 2as after2ards *ro$en to e fa&se? she
*&aced herse&f in the ca*acit! of the -accuser of the rethren<- and no
*erson throu,h the discernin, of s*irits can rin, a char,e a,ainst
another< the! 'ust e *ro$en ,ui&t! ! *ositi$e e$idence< or the! stand
c&ear#
There ha$e a&so een 'inisterin, an,e&s in the Church 2hich 2ere of
Satan a**earin, as an an,e& of &i,ht# A sister in the state of Ne2 Yor0
had a $ision< 2ho said it 2as to&d her that if she 2ou&d ,o to a certain
*&ace in the 2oods< an an,e& 2ou&d a**ear to her# She 2ent at the
a**ointed ti'e< and sa2 a ,&orious *ersona,e descendin,< arra!ed in 2hite<
2ith sand! co&ored hair? he co''enced and to&d her to fear 5od< and said
that her husand 2as ca&&ed to do ,reat thin,s< ut that he 'ust not ,o
'ore than one hundred 'i&es fro' ho'e< or he 2ou&d not return? 2hereas 5od
had ca&&ed hi' to ,o to the ends of the earth< and he has since een 'ore
than one thousand 'i&es fro' ho'e< and is !et a&i$e# .an! true thin,s 2ere
s*o0en ! this *ersona,e< and 'an! thin,s that 2ere fa&se# Ho2< it 'a! e
as0ed< 2as this 0no2n to e a ad an,e&B "! the co&or of his hair? that is
one of the si,ns that he can e 0no2n !< and ! his contradictin, a
for'er re$e&ation#
3e ha$e a&so had rethren and sisters 2ho ha$e 2ritten re$e&ations<
and 2ho ha$e started for2ard to &ead this Church# Such 2as a !oun, o! in
1irt&and< Isaac Russe&< of .issouri< and 5&adden "isho*< and O&i$er O&ne!
of Nau$oo# The o! is no2 &i$in, 2ith his *arents 2ho ha$e su'itted to
the &a2s of the Church# .r# Russe&& sta!ed in Far 3est< fro' 2hence he 2as
to ,o to the Roc0! .ountains< &ed ! three Ne*hites? ut the Ne*hites
ne$er ca'e< and his friends forsoo0 hi'< a&& ut so'e of the &ood
re&ations< 2ho ha$e since een near&! destro!ed ! the 'o# .r# "isho* 2as
tried ! the Hi,h Counci&< his *a*ers e/a'ined< conde'ned and urned< and
he cut off the Church# He ac0no2&ed,ed the =ustice of the decision< and
said -that he no2 sa2 his error< for if he had een ,o$erned ! the
re$e&ations ,i$en efore< he 'i,ht ha$e 0no2n that no 'an 2as to 2rite
re$e&ations for the Church< ut Jose*h S'ith<- and e,,ed to e *ra!ed
for< and for,i$en ! the rethren# .r# O&ne! has a&so een tried ! the
Hi,h Counci& and disfe&&o2shi*ed< ecause he 2ou&d not ha$e his 2ritin,s
tested ! the 2ord of 5od? e$ident&! *ro$in, that he &o$es dar0ness rather
than &i,ht< ecause his deeds are e$i&#
CHA)TER 666I%#
S)ECIAL CONFERENCE OF THE CHURCH AT NAU%OO--THE )RO)HET+S RE)ROOF
OF THE 3IC1ED--E)ISTLE OF THE T3EL%E TO THE SAINTS IN 1IRTLAND--STATUS
OF THE CHURCH#
Saturda!< A*ri& H#--I *aid Hu,h Rhodes R7<7GD for a far'#
The fourth re,i'ent of the second cohort of the Nau$oo Le,ion<
consistin, of four co'*anies< 2as or,ani4ed< Jonathan Dunha' 2as e&ected
co&one&< Ja'es "ro2n< &ieutenant-co&one&< and Jesse )# Har'on< 'a=or of
the sa'e#
.onda!< @#--Transacted usiness at '! house 2ith Josiah "utterfie&d<
concernin, the La2rence estates? and c&osed a sett&e'ent 2ith 3i&&ia'
.ar0s in the countin, roo'< and *aid hi' off< *rinci*a& and interest to
the &ast farthin,< for a&& that '!se&f or the Church had had of hi'#
Tuesda!< G#--Sett&ed 2ith "rother Nis2an,er#
3ednesda!< :--The first da! of the thirteenth !ear of the rise of the
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da! Saints# A s*ecia& conference had een
a**ointed at the cit! of Nau$oo< ut it 2as so 2et and co&d< that it 2as
not *rudent for 'e to ,o out< as '! hea&th 2as not ,ood< and I s*ent the
da! 2ith '! fa'i&!# "rother H!ru' and E&ders "ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C#
1i'a&&< and 3i&&ard Richards ca&&ed on 'e in the 'ornin,< and I ,a$e the'
instructions ho2 to or,ani4e and ad=ourn the conference# "efore the! &eft<
"rother H!ru' and the T2e&$e *resent ore testi'on! that the! had ne$er
heard 'e teach an! *rinci*&es ut those of the strictest $irtue< either in
*u&ic or *ri$ate#
CONFERENCE .INUTES#
S*ecia& Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-da!
Saints#
Cit! of Nau$oo< A*ri& :< 78@H#
The da! ein, 2et< the First )residenc! did not attend< and E&der
)a,e addressed those *resent u*on the su=ect of the char,es a,ainst hi'<
and said he -cou&d e ha**! to ha$e an o**ortunit! of &a!in, his state'ent
efore the conference at a con$enient ti'e# )resident 3i&&ia' La2< 5enera&
"ennett< *resident *rote'< and )resident H!ru' S'ith a&& s*o0e u*on the
su=ect of 'i&itar! affairs< sho2in, the necessit! of a 2e&& or,ani4ed and
efficient force? that as 2e 2ere ound to ser$e our countr!< if re>uired<
in co''on 2ith a&& ,ood citi4ens< 2e ou,ht not to e ehind an! of our
nei,hors in *oint of ,ood order< neat unifor's and e>ui*'ents< and a 2e&&
or,ani4ed and thorou,h&! disci*&ined &e,ion#
Thursda!< A*ri& M#--Conference 'et# )resident Jose*h S'ith had the
se$era& >uoru's *ut in order and seated# He then 'ade so'e $er!
a**ro*riate re'ar0s concernin, the duties of the Church< the necessit! of
unit! of *ur*ose in re,ard to the ui&din, of the houses< and the
&essin,s connected 2ith doin, the 2i&& of 5od< and the inconsistenc!<
fo&&!< and dan,er of 'ur'urin, a,ainst the dis*ensations of Jeho$ah#
He said that the *rinci*a& o=ect of the 'eetin, 2as< to rin, the
case of E&der )a,e efore the'? and that another o=ect 2as< to choose
!oun, 'en and ordain the'< and send the' out to *reach< that the! 'a! ha$e
an o**ortunit! of *ro$in, the'se&$es< and of endurin, the tarrin, and
featherin,< and such thin,s as those of us 2ho ha$e ,one efore the' ha$e
had to endure#
E&der )a,e< ha$in, arri$ed< 2as ca&&ed u*on< and addressed the
con,re,ation in re&ation to the non-*erfor'ance of his 'ission to
Jerusa&e'# He said that 2hen he started 2ith E&der H!de< =o! fi&&ed their
hearts< and the! 2ere a2are of the res*onsii&it! of their 'ission# E&der
H!de+s $ision 2as that he shou&d e in Jerusa&e' a&one< E&der )a,e
considered E&der H!de to e his father and ,uide in the 'ission< and fe&t
it his dut! to su'it to E&der H!de+s o*inion in a&& thin,s? no E&ders
e$er 2ere 'ore in concert on a 'ission than the! 2ere 2hi&e to,ether# The!
'ade a co$enant in Auinc! to stand ! each other 2hi&e on the 'ission< and
if the! 2ere insu&ted or i'*osed u*on the! 2ou&d stand ! each other< e$en
unto death< and not se*arate un&ess to ,o a fe2 'i&es to *reach a ser'on<
that a&& 'one!s shou&d ,o into one *urse< and it did so#
E&der H!de< in Indiana< first said he 2ou&d ,o to $isit "rother
1ni,ht< and that E&der )a,e shou&d sta! and *reach? he assented< and 2ent
and returned to Indiana*o&is# E&der )a,e had a 'are ,i$en hi' on account
of oth# E&der H!de then too0 the 'are< 2ent on< &eft his &u,,a,e 2ith
E&der )a,e? 2hi&e a2a! he so&d the 'are for R@D< and recei$ed R:D 'ore as
a donation fro' the 'an to 2ho' he had so&d the 'are? he returned< the!
*reached at Da!ton and recei$ed a handso'e contriution# E&der )a,e
*reached si/teen 'i&es off< and raised a ranch# E&der H!de 2ent to
Cincinnati< re$ised the -.issouri )ersecutions<- ,ot H<DDD co*ies *rinted<
*aid for the'< and too0 *art of the' 2ith hi'< and &eft a &ar,e o/ fu&&<
and aout 7GD &oose co*ies 2ith E&der )a,e# E&der H!de started for
)hi&ade&*hia< *ur*osin, to $isit churches on the 2a!? he &eft E&der )a,e
RH9#97# E&der )a,e returned to Da!ton and .i&ton< and so&d oo0s< 2ith the
intention of fo&&o2in, E&der H!de as soon as *ractica&e? ut he sta!ed a
da! or t2o too &on,< and the ri$er c&osed ! the frost< fro' one to t2o
2ee0s ear&ier than usua&# E&der H!de to&d hi' that it 2as *ossi&e the!
'i,ht e fro' one to t2o !ears efore the! 2ou&d &ea$e A'erica< as it
2ou&d ta0e u*2ards of R7<DDD each to ta0e the' to Jerusa&e' and ac0< that
it 2ou&d e s&o2 ,&eanin, in En,&and< and assi,ned this as a reason for
not i''ediate&! fo&&o2in, E&der H!de< thin0in, that he 2ou&d e sure of
seein, hi' in the s*rin,# E&der )a,e accused hi'se&f of not usin, etter
econo'! in *roceedin, on his =ourne!#
There ca'e out a *iece in the *a*er< statin, the dis*&easure of the
Lord res*ectin, E&der H!de and E&der )a,e< he sat do2n and 2rote a *iece
to *ut in the *a*er< ac0no2&ed,in, the =ustice of the char,e ut 2isdo'
*re$ented its ein, *u&ished? *reached aout 3ashin,ton< Pc#< ,athered
funds for the 'ission in 3estchester and in )hi&ade&*hia#
E&der H!de raised funds on eha&f of the 'ission< ! a**&audin, E&der
)a,e+s ta&ents< 2isdo'< Pc#< ut the! 2ere disa**ointed in hi' 2hen the!
sa2 hi'? he raised funds for the 'ission< the 'ost &iera& 2as in
)hi&ade&*hia# He intended to sai& on the HGth of Ju&!< ut the rethren
said that if he 2ou&d re'ain t2o 2ee0s< the! 2ou&d raise funds for hi'?
the! found that it 2ou&d ta0e &on,er< and he decided to sta! a 'onth< he
then recei$ed a co''and throu,h a &etter fro' )resident H!ru' S'ith to an
officia& character in )hi&ade&*hia< re>uestin, hi' to return? he 2rote to
ascertain the reason ut did not ,et an ans2er< he 2as then ca&&ed in !
)resident Jose*h S'ith and E&der "ri,ha' Youn,#
E&der H!de 2ou&d often rene2 the co$enant et2een the' to ne$er *art
2ith each other in that 'ission# E&der )a,e had no &a'e to attach to
E&der H!de? he su**osed he had done ri,ht< ut if he had een in his
*&ace< he 2ou&d ha$e tarried for hi' unti& the s*rin,# The re*orts of his
ha$in, a*ostati4ed< Pc#< returned e$en fro' this *&ace to Ne2 Yor0# .an!
re*ro$ed hi' for &ea$in, Cincinnati for Da!ton#
)resident Jose*h S'ith then arose and stated that it 2as 2ron, to
'a0e the co$enant referred to ! hi'? that it created a &ac0 of confidence
for t2o 'en to co$enant to re$ea& a&& acts of secrec! or other2ise< to
each other< and E&der )a,e sho2ed a &itt&e ,rann!is'# He said that no t2o
'en< 2hen the! a,reed to ,o to,ether ou,ht to se*arate< that the )ro*hets
of o&d 2ou&d not< and >uoted the circu'stance of E&i=ah and E&isha< H
1in,s ii#< 2hen aout to ,o to 5i&,a&< a&so 2hen aout to ,o to Jericho<
and to Jordan< that E&isha cou&d not ,et c&ear of E&i=ah< that he c&un, to
his ,ar'ent unti& he 2as ta0en to hea$en? and that Eider )a,e shou&d ha$e
stuc0 ! E&der H!de< and he 'i,ht ha$e ,one to Jerusa&e'< that there is
nothin, $er! ad in it< ut ! the e/*erience &et us *rofit? a,ain the
Lord 'ade use of E&der )a,e as a sca*e ,oat to *rocure funds for E&der
H!de# 3hen E&der H!de returns< 2e 2i&& reconsider the 'atter< and *erha*s
send the' ac0 to Jerusa&e'? 2e 2i&& fe&&o2shi* E&der )a,e unti& E&der
H!de co'es< and 2e 2i&& then 2e&d the' to,ether and 'a0e the' one# A $ote
2as then *ut and carried that 2e ho&d E&der )a,e in fu&& fe&&o2shi*#
%oted that E&der )a,e e sent to )ittsur,h#
Sun, a h!'n--ad=ourned for one hour and a ha&f< at one o+c&oc0#
.et a,reea&e to ad=ourn'ent--choir sun, a h!'n--*ra!er ! E&der H#
C# 1i'a&&#
E&der L!'an 3i,ht ca&&ed to 0no2 if there 2ere an! *resent of the
rou,h and 2ea0 thin,s< 2ho 2ished to e ordained< and ,o and *reach< 2ho
ha$e not een efore ordained# E&der L!'an 3i,ht then addressed those 2ho
intended to e ordained< on the su=ect of their dut! and re>uire'ents to
,o and *reach#
)resident H!ru' S'ith s*o0e concernin, the E&ders 2ho 2ent forth to
*reach fro' 1irt&and< and 2ere after2ards ca&&ed in for the 2ashin, and
anointin, at the dedication of the House< and those 2ho ,o no2 2i&& e
ca&&ed in a&so< 2hen this Te'*&e is aout to e dedicated< and 2i&& then
e endo2ed to ,o forth 2ith 'i,ht! *o2er< ha$in, the sa'e anointin,< that
a&& 'a! ,o forth and ha$e the sa'e *o2er< the first< second< and so on< of
the Se$enties< and a&& those for'er&! ordained# This 2i&& e an i'*ortant
and eneficia& 'ission< and not 'an! !ears unti& those no2 sent 2i&& e
ca&&ed in a,ain# He then s*o0e in contradiction of a re*ort in circu&ation
aout E&ders Heer C# 1i'a&&< "ri,ha' Youn,< hi'se&f< and others of the
T2e&$e< a&&e,in, that a sister had een shut in a roo' for se$era& da!s<
and that the! had endea$ored to induce her to e&ie$e in ha$in, t2o 2i$es#
A&so cautioned the sisters a,ainst ,oin, to the stea'oats#
)resident Jose*h S'ith s*o0e u*on the su=ect of the stories
res*ectin, E&ders 1i'a&& and others< sho2in, the fo&&! and inconsistenc!
of s*endin, an! ti'e in con$ersin, aout such stories< or hear0enin, to
the'< for there is no *erson that is ac>uainted 2ith our *rinci*&es 2ho
2ou&d e&ie$e such &ies< e/ce*t Shar*< the editor of the 3arsa2 Si,na&#
"a*tis's for the dead< and for the hea&in, of the od! 'ust e in the
font< those co'in, into the Church< and those re-a*ti4ed 'a! e a*ti4ed
in the ri$er# A o/ shou&d e *re*ared for the use of the font< that the
c&er0 'a! e *aid< and a oo0 *rocured ! the 'one!s to e *ut therein< !
those a*ti4ed< the re'ainder to ,o to the use of the Te'*&e#
Sun, a h!'n#
Ordinations to ta0e *&ace to'orro2 'ornin,# "a*tis's in the font
a&so#
There 2ere HMG ordained to the office of E&der< under the hands of
the T2e&$e< durin, the Conference#
Frida! 8# Conference asse'&ed# Sun, a h!'n# )ra!er ! E&der Heer C#
1i'a&&#
E&der )a,e then addressed the asse'&! u*on se$era& su=ects? 'ade
'an! interestin, re'ar0s concernin, ein, ca&&ed to the 'inistr!< &aor in
the $ine!ard< Pc# S*o0e of his o2n tra$e&s and the fruits of his &aors as
an encoura,e'ent to the !oun, E&ders 2ho 2ere ,oin, into the $ine!ard#
)resident Jose*h S'ith said the a*tis's 2ou&d e attended to< a&so
the ordinations#
Sun, a h!'n#
E&der John Ta!&or *reached a ser'on 2hi&e the ordinations and
a*tis's 2ere ,oin, on< on the su=ect of infide&it!< sho2in, that the
ar,u'ents used a,ainst the "i&e 2ere rationa&&!< scientifica&&!< and
*hi&oso*hica&&! fa&se#
The stand 2as occu*ied in the afternoon ! E&der A'asa .# L!'an< 2ho
2as fo&&o2ed ! E&der 3i&&ia' S'ith? then the Conference c&osed ! the
enediction of )resident Jose*h S'ith# JA.ES SLOAN< C&er0#
Saturda!< N#--In the 'ornin, I attended the funera& of "rother
E*hrai' .ar0s< and in the e$enin, attended cit! counci&#
IThe fo&&o2in, rief s!no*sis of )resident S'ith+s re'ar0s is fro'
E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff+s =ourna&(J
Re'ar0s of the )ro*het at the Funera& of E*hrai' .ar0s#
The Saints in Nau$oo asse'&ed at the house of )resident .ar0s< at an
ear&! hour in the 'ornin,< to *a! their &ast res*ects to the od! of
E*hrai' .ar0s< son of )resident 3i&&ia' .ar0s< 2ho died on the e$enin, of
the Mth# A &ar,e *rocession for'ed and 2a&0ed to the 5ro$e< 2here a
nu'erous con,re,ation had asse'&ed# )resident Jose*h S'ith s*o0e u*on the
occasion 2ith 'uch fee&in, and interest# A'on, his re'ar0s he said< -It is
a $er! so&e'n and a2fu& ti'e# I ne$er fe&t 'ore so&e'n? it ca&&s to 'ind
the death of '! o&dest rother< A&$in< 2ho died in Ne2 Yor0< and '!
!oun,est rother< Don Car&os S'ith< 2ho died in Nau$oo# It has een hard
for 'e to &i$e on earth and see these !oun, 'en u*on 2ho' 2e ha$e &eaned
for su**ort and co'fort ta0en fro' us in the 'idst of their !outh# Yes< it
has een hard to e reconci&ed to these thin,s# I ha$e so'eti'es thou,ht
that I shou&d ha$e fe&t 'ore reconci&ed to ha$e een ca&&ed a2a! '!se&f if
it had een the 2i&& of 5od? !et I 0no2 2e ou,ht to e sti&& and 0no2 it
is of 5od< and e reconci&ed to His 2i&&? a&& is ri,ht# It 2i&& e ut a
short ti'e efore 2e sha&& a&& in &i0e 'anner e ca&&ed( it 'a! e the
case 2ith 'e as 2e&& as !ou# So'e ha$e su**osed that "rother Jose*h cou&d
not die? ut this is a 'ista0e( it is true there ha$e een ti'es 2hen I
ha$e had the *ro'ise of '! &ife to acco'*&ish such and such thin,s< ut<
ha$in, no2 acco'*&ished those thin,s< I ha$e not at *resent an! &ease of
'! &ife< I a' as &ia&e to die as other 'en#
I can sa! in '! heart< that I ha$e not done an!thin, a,ainst E*hrai'
.ar0s that I a' sorr! for< and I 2ou&d as0 an! of his co'*anions if the!
ha$e done an!thin, a,ainst hi' that the! are sorr! for< or that the! 2ou&d
not &i0e to 'eet and ans2er for at the ar of 5od< if so< &et it *ro$e as
a 2arnin, to a&& to dea& =ust&! efore 5od< and 2ith a&& 'an0ind then 2e
sha&& e c&ear in the da! of =ud,'ent#
3hen 2e &ose a near and dear friend< u*on 2ho' 2e ha$e set our
hearts< it shou&d e a caution unto us not to set our affections too
fir'&! u*on others? 0no2in, that the! 'a! in &i0e 'anner e ta0en fro' us#
Our affections shou&d e *&aced u*on 5od and His 2or0< 'ore intense&! than
u*on our fe&&o2 ein,s#
Sunda!< A*ri& 7D#--I *reached in the 5ro$e< and *ronounced a curse
u*on a&& adu&terers< and fornicators< and un$irtuous *ersons< and those
2ho ha$e 'ade use of '! na'e to carr! on their ini>uitous desi,ns#
IThe fo&&o2in, rief s!no*sis of the )ro*het+s re'ar0s is fro' the
=ourna& of E&der 3i&ford 3oodruff(J
S!no*sis of Re'ar0s of the )ro*het--Re*roof of a&& 3ic0edness#
Jose*h the Seer arose in the *o2er of 5od? re*ro$ed and reu0ed
2ic0edness efore the *eo*&e< in the na'e of the Lord 5od# He 2ished to
sa! a fe2 2ords to suit the condition of the ,enera& 'ass< and then said(
I sha&& s*ea0 2ith authorit! of the )riesthood in the na'e of the Lord
5od< 2hich sha&& *ro$e a sa$or of &ife unto &ife< or of death unto death#
Not2ithstandin, this con,re,ation *rofess to e Saints< !et I stand in the
'idst of a&& I0inds ofJ characters and c&asses of 'en# If !ou 2ish to ,o
2here 5od is< !ou 'ust e &i0e 5od< or *ossess the *rinci*&es 2hich 5od
*ossesses< for if 2e are not dra2in, to2ards 5od in *rinci*&e< 2e are
,oin, fro' Hi' and dra2in, to2ards the de$i&# Yes< I a' standin, in the
'idst of a&& 0inds of *eo*&e#
Search !our hearts< and see if !ou are &i0e 5od# I ha$e searched
'ine< and fee& to re*ent of a&& '! sins#
3e ha$e thie$es a'on, us< adu&terers< &iars< h!*ocrites# If 5od
shou&d s*ea0 fro' hea$en< he 2ou&d co''and !ou not to stea&< not to co''it
adu&ter!< not to co$et< nor decei$e< ut e faithfu& o$er a fe2 thin,s# As
far as 2e de,enerate fro' 5od< 2e descend to the de$i& and &ose 0no2&ed,e<
and 2ithout 0no2&ed,e 2e cannot e sa$ed< and 2hi&e our hearts are fi&&ed
2ith e$i&< and 2e are stud!in, e$i&< there is no roo' in our hearts for
,ood< or stud!in, ,ood# Is not 5od ,oodB Then !ou e ,ood? if He is
faithfu&< then !ou e faithfu&# Add to !our faith $irtue< to $irtue
0no2&ed,e< and see0 for e$er! ,ood thin,#
The Church 'ust e c&eansed< and I *roc&ai' a,ainst a&& ini>uit!# A
'an is sa$ed no faster than he ,ets 0no2&ed,e< for if he does not ,et
0no2&ed,e< he 2i&& e rou,ht into ca*ti$it! ! so'e e$i& *o2er in the
other 2or&d< as e$i& s*irits 2i&& ha$e 'ore 0no2&ed,e< and conse>uent&!
'ore *o2er than 'an! 'en 2ho are on the earth# Hence it needs re$e&ation
to assist us< and ,i$e us 0no2&ed,e of the thin,s of 5od#
3hat is the reason that the )riests of the da! do not ,et re$e&ationB
The! as0 on&! to consu'e it u*on their &ust# Their hearts are corru*t< and
the! c&oa0 their ini>uit! ! sa!in, there are no 'ore re$e&ations# "ut if
an! re$e&ations are ,i$en of 5od< the! are uni$ersa&&! o**osed ! the
*riests and Christendo' at &ar,e? for the! re$ea& their 2ic0edness and
ao'inations#
.an! other re'ar0s of interest 2ere 'ade#
.onda!< 77#--I 2as at the &od,e and at ho'e#
The fo&&o2in, is fro' the 3est .essen,er#
A .ETEOR FALLS#
.r# Horace )a&'er 2ho 2as on his 2a! fro' Dun0ir0 to 3estfie&d< aout
three o+c&oc0 this 'ornin,< states that 2hen aout three 'i&es fro'
Dun0ir0< he 2as sudden&! surrounded ! a *ainfu& $i$id &i,ht *roceedin,
fro' a >uantit! of =e&&!-&i0e sustance< 2hich fe&& on and aout hi'<
*roducin, a su&*hurous s'e&&< a difficu&t! of reathin, and a se$ere
sensation of heat# As soon as he cou&d so far reco$er fro' his
astonish'ent as to &oo0 u*< he sa2 the od! of a terrific 'eteor *assin,
ao$e hi'< and a**earin, to e aout a 'i&e hi,h# Its si4e a**eared to e
three or four feet in dia'eter< and near&! a 'i&e in &en,th# Its
di'ensions soon $aried< eco'in, at first roader< and then di'inishin, to
one fourth &ess than its for'er si4e< 2hen it a**arent&! se*arated in
*ieces< and fe&& to the earth? and i''ediate&! after he heard the
e/*&osion< 2hich he sa!s 2as tre'endous#
3hen .r# )a&'er arri$ed at 3estfie&d< his face had the a**earance of
ein, se$ere&! scorched< and his e!es 2ere 'uch affected< and he did not
reco$er for t2o or three da!s# .r# )a&'er is re*uted to e a 'an of
inte,rit! and te'*erate haits? and his stor!< thou,h 'ar$e&ous< is
,enera&&! e&ie$ed#
The 'eteor 2as seen ! se$era& other *eo*&e< 2ho s*ea0 of &u'inous
odies ein, detached fro' it# Its *ro,ress 2as attended ! a noise
si'i&ar to that of a train of cars on a rai&road#
A 'an 2ho sa2 it fro' Sa&e' re*resents it to ha$e een of di'ensions
'uch &ar,er than descried ! .r# )a&'er# The re*ort of the e/*&osion 2as
heard a&so at "uffa&o#
Tuesda!< 7H#--I attended the 'eetin, of the &od,e# The T2e&$e< na'e&!
"ri,ha' Youn,< Heer C# 1i'a&&< Orson )ratt< 3i&&ia' S'ith< 3i&ford
3oodruff< John Ta!&or< John E# )a,e< and 3i&&ard Richards< c&er0<
asse'&ed in the &od,e roo' at four o+c&oc0 *#'#< and a**ointed John
Ta!&or< "ri,ha' Youn, and Heer C# 1i'a&& a co''ittee to 'a0e
arran,e'ents for the *a!'ents due fro' )resident S'ith as Trustee in
Trust< to .r# 3i&0ie< and $oted that Rando&*h A&e/ander ,o on a 'ission
south to *reach the 5os*e&# A&so $oted that the T2e&$e unite their
inf&uence to *ersuade the rethren to consecrate a&& the o&d notes< deeds<
and o&i,ations 2hich the! ho&d a,ainst each other to the ui&din, of the
Te'*&e in Nau$oo< and that 3i&&ard Richards 2rite an e*ist&e in the na'e
of the T2e&$e on that su=ect< and *u&ish it in the Ti'es and Seasons<
2hich he did as fo&&o2s(
An E*ist&e of the T2e&$e to the Saints in A'erica< 5reetin,#
"ELO%ED "RETHREN( 3e ha$e 2hereof to con,ratu&ate !ou at the *resent
ti'e< as 2e ha$e the o**ortunit! fro' da! to da! to 2itness the *ro,ress
of the ui&din, of the Te'*&e of the Lord in this cit!< and 2hich is and
'ust e acco'*&ished ! the united e/ertions of the &aors of the rethren
2ho reside here< and the tithin,s and contriutions of those 2ho are
scattered aroad in the different states#
In this ,&orious o=ect the hearts of a&& the faithfu& are united<
the hands of the &aorer are 'ade stron, continua&&!< and the *urse
strin,s of the 'ore o*u&ent are un&oosed fro' ti'e to ti'e< to su**&!
those thin,s 2hich are necessar! for u*raisin, the stones of this no&e
edifice? and it 'a! tru&! e said that the &essin, of the Lord is u*on
His *eo*&e? 2e ha$e *eace 2ithout and &o$e 2ithin the orders of our
eautifu& cit!? eautifu&< indeed< for situation is Nau$oo( the cro2n of
the ,reat $a&&e! of the .ississi**i< the =o! of e$er! honest heart#
A&thou,h a&& thin,s are 'ore *ros*erous concernin, the Te'*&e than at
an! for'er *eriod< !et the Saints 'ust not su**ose that a&& is done< or
that the! can re&a/ their e/ertions and the 2or0 ,o on# It is a ,reat 2or0
that 5od has re>uired of His *eo*&e< and it 2i&& re>uire &on, and
un2earied di&i,ence to acco'*&ish it? and redou&ed di&i,ence 2i&& e
necessar! 2ith a&&< to ,et the ui&din, enc&osed efore another 2inter< so
that the =oiner can e e'*&o!ed durin, the co&d 2eather? and 2e 2ou&d
a,ain ca&& u*on a&& the Saints aroad to unite in 'a0in, their de*osits in
an0s 0no2n to e ,ood and safe< and for2ard their certificate to the
Trustee in Trust< as s*eedi&! as *ossi&e? 2hen trust! 'en are not co'in,
i''ediate&! to this *&ace 2ho can rin, !our offerin,s# A&& 2i&& 2ant the
*ri$i&e,es and &essin,s of the sanctuar!< 2hen it is co'*&eted? and a&&
can ha$e their 2ishes? ut the! can otain the' on&! ! faithfu&ness and
di&i,ence in stri$in, to ui&d#
3e *raise our 5od for the &iera&it! that has hitherto een
'anifested? 'an! ha$e ,i$en 'ore than 2as re>uired of the'< 'an! ha$e
,i$en their a&&< ut the! ha$e done it cheerfu&&!? the! ha$e done it
$o&untari&!? and the! sha&& ha$e a ,reat re2ard? for the &essin,s of
hea$en and earth sha&& e 'u&ti*&ied unto such? e$en the &essin,s of that
)riesthood 2hich hath neither e,innin, of da!s nor end of &ife#
3hi&e there are those 2ho of their aundance ha$e ui&t unto
the'se&$es fine houses< and 2ho ride in fine carria,es and on horseac0<
and re,a&e the'se&$es 2ith the ,ood thin,s of the &and< and at the sa'e
ti'e the! ha$e &eft the Lord+s house untouched< or< if touched at a&&<
ha$e touched it so &i,ht&! as scarce to &ea$e the *rint of their &itt&e
fin,er( their re2ard 2i&& e accordin, to their deeds< and un&ess the!
s*eedi&! re*ent< and co'e u* 2ith their aundance to the he&* of the Lord<
the! 2i&& find in the end that the! ha$e no *art nor &ot in this 'atter?
their ,o&d and si&$er 2i&& eco'e can0ered< their ,ar'ents 'oth eaten< and
the! 2i&& *erish in their o2n s&othfu&ness and ido&atr!< &ea$in, none to
'ourn their asence#
"ut< rethren< the Te'*&e 2i&& e ui&t# There are hundreds and
thousands 2ho stand read! to sacrifice the &ast farthin, the! *ossess on
the earth rather than ha$e the ui&din, of the Lord+s house de&a!ed< a&&
2hi&e this s*irit *re$ai&s no *o2er eneath the hea$ens can hinder its
*ro,ress( ut 2e desire !ou a&& to he&* 2ith the ai&it! 2hich 5od has
,i$en !ou? that !ou 'a! a&& share the &essin,s 2hich 2i&& disti& fro'
hea$en to earth throu,h this consecrated channe&#
This is not a&&# It 2i&& e in $ain for us to ui&d a *&ace 2here the
Son of .an 'a! &a! his head< and &ea$e the cries of the 2ido2 and the
father&ess< unheard ! us< ascendin, u* to the or*han+s 5od and 2ido2+s
Friend# It is in $ain< 2e cr! Lord< Lord< and do not the thin,s our Lord
hath co''anded? to $isit the 2ido2< the father&ess< the sic0< the &a'e<
the &ind< the destitute< and 'inister to their necessities? and it is ut
reasona&e that such cases shou&d e found a'on, a *eo*&e 2ho ha$e ut
recent&! esca*ed the fur! of a re&ent&ess 'o on the one hand< and
,athered fro' the ha&f-star$ed *o*u&ation of the scattered nations on the
other#
Neither is this a&&# It is not sufficient that the *oor e fed and
c&othed< the sic0 'inistered unto< the Te'*&e ui&t--no< 2hen a&& this is
acco'*&ished< there 'ust e a !ear of Jui&ee( there 'ust e a da! of
re=oicin,< there 'ust e a ti'e of re&ease to ;ion+s sons< or our
offerin,s< our e/ertions< our ho*es< and our *ra!ers 2i&& e in $ain< and
5od 2i&& not acce*t of the doin,s of His *eo*&e#
On these da!s of dar0ness 2hich o$ers*read our hori4on? 2hen the 3o&f
2as ho2&in, for his *re! around the streets of 1irt&and? 2hen the ur,&ar
2as co''ittin, his 'idni,ht and 'idda! de*redations in Jac0son count!?
2hen the heart&ess *o&itician 2as thrustin, his en$ious darts in C&a!
count!--and 2hen the sa$a,e 2ar 2hoo*< echoed and re-echoed throu,h Far
3est< and ;ion+s no&est sons 2ere chained in dun,eons< and her
defense&ess dau,hters dri$en ! a horde of sa$a,es< fro' their once
*eacefu& ho'es< to see0 a she&ter in a far distant &and--'an! of the
rethren ste**ed for2ard to their rescue< and not on&! e/*ended a&& the!
*ossessed for the re&ief of sufferin, innocence< ut ,a$e their notes and
onds to -otain 'ore 'eans< 2ith 2hich to he&* those 2ho cou&d not esca*e
the o$er2he&'in, sur,e of anish'ent fro' a&& that the! *ossessed on
earth#-
Death< 2ounds< and sic0ness< fro' the 'o< and the co&d and
she&ter&ess situation of the rethren< fo&&o2ed in >uic0 succession? and
a&& the 'eans 2hich cou&d *ossi&! e otained fro' each other< in
addition to the no&e charities of the citi4ens of I&&inois< 2ere rou,ht
into re>uisition to sustain a re'nant of the Saints< 2ho no2 'ost&!
inhait this *&ace#
To acco'*&ish this< the )resident and "isho*s &oaned 'one! and such
thin,s as cou&d e otained< and ,a$e their o&i,ations in ,ood faith for
the *a!'ent of the sa'e? and 'an! of the rethren si,ned 2ith the' at
different ti'es and in different *&aces< to stren,then their hands and
he&* the' carr! out their desi,ns? fu&&! e/*ectin,< that< at so'e future
da!< the! 2ou&d e ena&ed to &i>uidate a&& such c&ai's< to the
satisfaction of a&& *arties#
.an! of these c&ai's ha$e a&read! een sett&ed? 'an! ha$e een ,i$en
u* as cance&&ed ! those 2ho he&d the'< and 'an! !et re'ain unsett&ed# The
Saints ha$e had 'an! difficu&ties to encounter since the! arri$ed at this
*&ace# In a ne2 countr!< destitute of houses< food< c&othin,< and near&!
a&& the necessaries of &ife< 2hich 2ere rent fro' the' ! an unfee&in,
'o--ha$in, to encounter disease and difficu&ties unnu'ered< it is not
sur*risin, that the Church has not een a&e to &i>uidate a&& such c&ai's<
or that 'an! indi$idua&s shou&d !et re'ain in$o&$ed< fro' the fore,oin,
circu'stances? and 2hi&e thin,s re'ain as the! are< and 'en re'ain su=ect
to the te'*tations of e$i& as the! no2 are< the da! of re&ease< and !ear
of =ui&ee cannot e? and 2e 2rite !ou es*ecia&&! at this ti'e< rethren<
for the *ur*ose of 'a0in, a fina& sett&e'ent of a&& such c&ai's< of
rother a,ainst rother? of the rethren a,ainst the )residenc! and
"isho*s< Pc#? c&ai's 2hich ha$e ori,inated out of the difficu&ties and
ca&a'ities the Church has had to encounter< and 2hich are of &on,
standin,< so that 2hen the Te'*&e is co'*&eted< there 2i&& e nothin, fro'
this source to *roduce =ars< and discords< strifes and ani'osities< so as
to *re$ent the &essin,s of hea$en descendin, u*on us as a *eo*&e#
To acco'*&ish this 'ost desira&e o=ect< 2e ca&& on a&& the rethren
2ho ho&d such c&ai's< to rin, the' for2ard for a fina& sett&e'ent? and
a&so those rethren 2ho ha$e indi$idua& c&ai's a,ainst each other< of &on,
standin,< and the *ro*ert! of the detor has een 2rested fro' hi' !
$io&ence< or he has een unfortunate< and &an,uished on a ed of sic0ness
ti&& his 'eans are e/hausted? and a&& c&ai's 2hatsoe$er et2een rother
and rother< 2here there is no reasona&e *ros*ect of a =ust and e>uita&e
sett&e'ent *ossi&e< that the! a&so ! so'e 'eans< either ! ,i$in, u*
their o&i,ations< or destro!in, the'< see that a&& such o&d affairs e
ad=usted< so that it sha&& not ,i$e occasion for difficu&ties to arise
hereafter# Yes< rethren< rin, a&& such o&d accounts< notes< onds< etc#<
and 'a0e a consecration of the' to the ui&din, of the Te'*&e< and if
an!thin, can e otained on the'< it 2i&& e otained? and if nothin, can
e otained< 2hen the Te'*&e is co'*&eted< 2e 2i&& 'a0e a urnt-offerin,
of the'< e$en a *eace-offerin,< 2hich sha&& ind the rethren to,ether in
the onds of eterna& *eace< and &o$e and union? and =o! and sa&$ation
sha&& f&o2 forth into !our sou&s< and !ou sha&& re=oice and sa! it is ,ood
that 2e ha$e har0ened unto counse&< and set our rethren free< for 5od
hath &essed us#
Ho2 can 2e *ros*er 2hi&e the Church< 2hi&e the )residenc!< 2hi&e the
"isho*s< 2hi&e those 2ho ha$e sacrificed e$er!thin, ut &ife< in this
thin,< for our sa&$ation< are thus encu'eredB It cannot e# Arise< then<
rethren< set the' free< and set each other free< and 2e 2i&& a&& e free
to,ether< 2e 2i&& e free indeed#
Let nothin, in this e*ist&e e so construed as to destro! the
$a&idit! of contracts< or ,i$e an! one &icense not to *a! his dets# The
co''and'ent is to *a! e$er! 'an his dues< and no 'an can ,et to hea$en 2ho
=ust&! o2es his rother or his nei,hor< 2ho has or can ,et the 'eans and
2i&& not *a! it? it is dishonest< and no dishonest 'an can enter 2here 5od
is#
3e re'ain< !our rethren in the 5os*e& of )eace< "RI5HA. YOUN5<
)resident< HE"ER C# 1I."ALL< ORSON )RATT< 3ILLIA. S.ITH< JOHN E# )A5E<
LY.AN 3I5HT< 3ILFORD 3OODRUFF< JOHN TAYLOR< 5EO# A# S.ITH< 3ILLARD
RICHARDS< C&er0#
.i&itar! A**oint'ents#
Ja'es Ar&in,ton "ennett< of Ar&in,ton House< Lon, Is&and< is here!
a**ointed Ins*ector-5enera& of the Nau$oo-Le,ion< 2ith the ran0 and tit&e
of .a=or-5enera&? his *&ace to e su**&ied 2hen asent< ! the
.a=or-5enera& of the Le,ion# JOSE)H S.ITH< Lieutenant-5enera&# Cit! of
Nau$oo< I&&inois< A*ri& 7Hth< A# D# 78@H#
CHA)TER 666%#
THE 5ENERAL "AN1RU)T LA3--THE DOCTRINE OF "A)TIS. FOR THE
DEAD--THE )RO)HET+S ADDRESS TO THE FE.ALE RELIEF SOCIETY--THE 1EYS
OF THE )RIESTHOOD AND THE NAU%OO TE.)LE#
3ednesda!< A*ri& 79#--I introduced .essrs# "ac0enstos< Sti&es< and
Roinson into the Lod,e Roo' in the 'ornin,< and Sa'ue& H# S'ith< 3i&&ia'
S'ith< and %inson 1ni,ht in the e$enin,#
Aout 7GD Saints< fro' En,&and &anded in Nau$oo fro' the stea'er
Louisa< and aout :D fro' the A'aranth#
Thursda!< 7@#--Ca&$in A# 3arren< Es>#< &a2!er< fro' Auinc!< arri$ed<
and co''enced an in$esti,ation of the *rinci*&es of ,enera& inso&$enc! in
'! eha&f accordin, to the statutes? for the United States Con,ress had
*re$ious&! instituted a ,enera& an0ru*t &a2< ! 2hich an! indi$idua& 2ho
2as o2in, to a certain a'ount 'ore than he 2as a&e to *a!< cou&d 'a0e out
a schedu&e of his *ro*ert!< and of dets due fro' hi'se&f< and ! a
s*ecified *rocess< *ass the sa'e in the hands of a co''issioner<
,o$ern'ent a,ent< or -assi,nee<- 2ho cou&d 'a0e a di$idend of a&& his
effects< and *a! his creditors 2hate$er *ercenta,e his *ro*ert! a'ounted
to< and then the indi$idua& 2as at &iert! to start ane2 in the 2or&d< and
2as not su=ect to &i>uidate an! c&ai's 2hich 2ere he&d a,ainst hi'
*re$ious to his inso&$enc!< a&thou,h his *ro*ert! 'i,ht not ha$e *aid ut
the &east *ercenta,e< or none at a&&#
The =ustice or in=ustice of such a *rinci*&e in &a2< I &ea$e for the'
2ho 'ade it< the United States# Suffice it to sa!< the &a2 2as as ,ood for
the Saints as for the 5enti&es< and 2hether I 2ou&d or not< I 2as forced
into the 'easure ! ha$in, een roed< 'oed< *&undered< and 2asted of
a&& '! *ro*ert!< ti'e after ti'e< in $arious *&aces< ! the $er! ones 2ho
'ade the &a2< na'e&!< the *eo*&e of the United State< there! ha$in, een
o&i,ed to contract hea$! dets to *re$ent the utter destruction of
'!se&f< fa'i&! and friends< and ! those 2ho 2ere =ust&! and &e,a&&! o2in,
'e< ta0in, the ad$anta,e of the sa'e act of an0ru*tc!< so that I cou&d
not co&&ect '! =ust dues< thus &ea$in, 'e no a&ternati$e ut to eco'e
su=ect a,ain to stri**in, 2astin,< and destitution< ! $e/atious 2rits<
and &a2 suits< and i'*rison'ents< or ta0e that course to e/tricate '!se&f<
2hich the &a2 had *ointed out#
Frida!< 7G#--Editoria& fro' the Ti'es and Seasons(
"A)TIS. FOR THE DEAD#
The ,reat desi,ns of 5od in re&ation to the sa&$ation of the hu'an
fa'i&!< are $er! &itt&e understood ! the *rofessed&! 2ise and inte&&i,ent
,eneration in 2hich 2e &i$e# %arious and conf&ictin, are the o*inions of
'en concernin, the *&an of sa&$ation< the re>uisitions of the A&'i,ht!<
the necessar! *re*arations for hea$en< the state and condition of de*arted
s*irits< and the ha**iness or 'iser! that is conse>uent u*on the *ractice
of ri,hteousness and ini>uit! accordin, to their se$era& notions of $irtue
and $ice#
The .ussu&'an conde'ns the heathen< the Je2< and the Christian< and
the 2ho&e 2or&d of 'an0ind that re=ect his 1oran< as infide&s< and
consi,ns the 2ho&e of the' to *erdition# The Je2 e&ie$es that the 2ho&e
2or&d that re=ects his faith and are not circu'cised< are 5enti&e do,s<
a&& 2i&& e da'ned# The heathen is e>ua&&! as tenacious aout his
*rinci*&es< and the Christian consi,ns a&& to *erdition 2ho cannot o2 to
his creed< and su'it to his i*se di/it#
"ut 2hi&e one *ortion of the hu'an race is =ud,in, and conde'nin, the
other 2ithout 'erc!< the 5reat )arent of the uni$erse &oo0s u*on the 2ho&e
of the hu'an fa'i&! 2ith a father&! care and *aterna& re,ard? He $ie2s
the' as His offs*rin,< and 2ithout an! of those contracted fee&in,s that
inf&uence the chi&dren of 'an-< causes -His sun to rise on the e$i& and on
the ,ood< and sendeth rain on the =ust and on the un=ust#- He ho&ds the
reins of =ud,'ent in His hands? He is a 2ise La2,i$er< and 2i&& =ud,e a&&
'en< not accordin, to the narro2< contracted notions of 'en< ut<
-accordin, to the deeds done in the od! 2hether the! e ,ood or e$i&<- or
2hether these deeds 2ere done in En,&and< A'erica< S*ain< Tur0e!< or
India# He 2i&& =ud,e the'< -not accordin, to 2hat the! ha$e not< ut
accordin, to 2hat the! ha$e<- those 2ho ha$e &i$ed 2ithout &a2< 2i&& e
=ud,ed 2ithout &a2< and those 2ho ha$e a &a2< 2i&& ! =ud,ed ! that &a2#
3e need not dout the 2isdo' and inte&&i,ence of the 5reat Jeho$ah? He
2i&& a2ard =ud,'ent or 'erc! to a&& nations accordin, to their se$era&
deserts< their 'eans of otainin, inte&&i,ence< the &a2s ! 2hich the! are
,o$erned< the faci&ities afforded the' of otainin, correct infor'ation<
and His inscruta&e desi,ns in re&ation to the hu'an fa'i&!? and 2hen the
desi,ns of 5od sha&& e 'ade 'anifest< and the curtain of futurit! e
2ithdra2n< 2e sha&& a&& of us e$entua&&! ha$e to confess that the Jud,e of
a&& the earth has done ri,ht#
The situation of the Christian nations after death< is a su=ect that
has ca&&ed forth a&& the 2isdo' and ta&ent of the *hi&oso*her and the
di$ine< and it is an o*inion 2hich is ,enera&&! recei$ed< that the destin!
of 'an is irretrie$a&! fi/ed at his death< and that he is 'ade either
eterna&&! ha**!< or eterna&&! 'isera&e? that if a 'an dies 2ithout a
0no2&ed,e of 5od< he 'ust e eterna&&! da'ned< 2ithout an! 'iti,ation of
his *unish'ent< a&&e$iation of his *ain< or the 'ost &atent ho*e of a
de&i$erance 2hi&e end&ess a,es sha&& ro&& a&on,# Ho2e$er orthodo/ this
*rinci*&e 'a! e< 2e sha&& find that it is at $ariance 2ith the testi'on!
of Ho&! 3rit< for our Sa$ior sa!s< that a&& 'anner of sin and &as*he'!
sha&& e for,i$en 'en 2here2ith the! sha&& &as*he'e? ut the &as*he'!
a,ainst the Ho&! 5host sha&& not e for,i$en< neither in this 2or&d< nor
in the 2or&d to co'e< e$ident&! sho2in, that there are sins 2hich 'a! e
for,i$en in the 2or&d to co'e< a&thou,h the sin of &as*he'! Ia,ainst the
Ho&! 5hostJ cannot e for,i$en# )eter< a&so< in s*ea0in, concernin, our
Sa$ior< sa!s< that -He 2ent and *reached unto the s*irits in *rison< 2hich
so'eti'es 2ere disoedient< 2hen once the &on, sufferin, of 5od 2aited in
the da!s of Noah<- EI )eter iii( 7N<HDF# Here then 2e ha$e an account of
our Sa$ior *reachin, to the s*irits in *rison< to s*irits that had een
i'*risoned fro' the da!s of Noah? and 2hat did He *reach to the'B That
the! 2ere to sta! thereB Certain&! notK Let His o2n dec&aration testif!#
-He hath sent 'e to hea& the ro0en hearted< to *reach de&i$erance to the
ca*ti$es< and reco$erin, of si,ht to the &ind< to set at &iert! the'
that are ruised#- ELu0e i$( 78# Isaiah has it---To rin, out the
*risoners fro' the *rison< and the' that sit in dar0ness fro' the *rison
house#- EIsaiah /&ii( M It is $er! e$ident fro' this that He not on&! 2ent
to *reach to the'< ut to de&i$er< or rin, the' out of the *rison house#
Isaiah< in testif!in, concernin, the ca&a'ities that 2i&& o$erta0e the
inhaitants of the earth< sa!s< -The earth sha&& ree& to and fro &i0e a
drun0ard< and sha&& e re'o$ed &i0e a cotta,e? and the trans,ression
thereof sha&& e hea$! u*on it? and it sha&& fa&& and not rise a,ain# And
it sha&& co'e to *ass in that da!< that the Lord sha&& *unish the host of
the hi,h ones that are on hi,h< and the 0in,s of the earth u*on the earth#
And the! sha&& e ,athered to,ether< as *risoners are ,athered in the *it<
and sha&& e shut u* in the *rison< and after 'an! da!s sha&& the! e
$isited#- Thus 2e find that 5od 2i&& dea& 2ith a&& the hu'an fa'i&!
e>ua&&!< and that as the antedi&u$ians had their da! of $isitation< so
2i&& those characters referred to ! Isaiah< ha$e their ti'e of $isitation
and de&i$erance< after ha$in, een 'an! da!s in *rison#
The ,reat Jeho$ah conte'*&ated the 2ho&e of the e$ents connected 2ith
the earth< *ertainin, to the *&an of sa&$ation< efore it ro&&ed into
e/istence< or e$er -the 'ornin, stars san, to,ether- for =o!? the *ast<
the *resent< and the future 2ere and are< 2ith Hi'< one eterna& -no2?- he
0ne2 of the fa&& of Ada'< the ini>uities of the antedi&u$ians< of the
de*th of ini>uit! that 2ou&d e connected 2ith the hu'an fa'i&!< their
2ea0ness and stren,th< their *o2er and ,&or!< a*ostasies< their cri'es<
their ri,hteousness and ini>uit!? He co'*rehended the fa&& of 'an< and his
rede'*tion? He 0ne2 the *&an of sa&$ation and *ointed it out? He 2as
ac>uainted 2ith the situation of a&& nations and 2ith their destin!? He
ordered a&& thin,s accordin, to the counci& of His o2n 2i&&? He 0no2s the
situation of oth the &i$in, and the dead< and has 'ade a'*&e *ro$ision
for their rede'*tion< accordin, to their se$era& circu'stances< and the
&a2s of the 0in,do' of 5od< 2hether in this 2or&d< or in the 2or&d to
co'e#
The idea that so'e 'en for' of the =ustice< =ud,'ent< and 'erc! of
5od< is too foo&ish for an inte&&i,ent 'an to thin0 of( for instance< it
is co''on for 'an! of our orthodo/ *reachers to su**ose that if a 'an is
not 2hat the! ca&& con$erted< if he dies in that state he 'ust re'ain
eterna&&! in he&& 2ithout an! ho*e# Infinite !ears in tor'ent 'ust he
s*end< and ne$er< ne$er< ne$er ha$e an end? and !et this eterna& 'iser! is
'ade fre>uent&! to rest u*on the 'erest casua&t!# The rea0in, of a
shoe-strin,< the tearin, of a coat of those officiatin,< or the *ecu&iar
&ocation in 2hich a *erson &i$es< 'a! e the 'eans< indirect&! of his
da'nation< or the cause of his not ein, sa$ed# I 2i&& su**ose a case
2hich is not e/traordinar!( T2o 'en< 2ho ha$e een e>ua&&! 2ic0ed< 2ho
ha$e ne,&ected re&i,ion< are oth of the' ta0en sic0 at the sa'e ti'e? one
of the' has the ,ood fortune to e $isited ! a *ra!in, 'an< and he ,ets
con$erted a fe2 'inutes efore he dies? the other sends for three
different *ra!in, 'en< a tai&or< a shoe'a0er< and a tin'an? the tin'an has
a hand&e to so&der to a can< the tai&or has a uttonho&e to 2or0 on so'e
coat that he needed in a hurr!< and the shoe'a0er has a *atch to *ut on
so'eod!+s oot? the! none of the' can ,o in ti'e< the 'an dies< and ,oes
to he&&( one of these is e/a&ted to Araha'+s oso'< he sits do2n in the
*resence of 5od and en=o!s eterna&< uninterru*ted ha**iness< 2hi&e the
other< e>ua&&! as ,ood as he< sin0s to eterna& da'nation< irretrie$a&e
'iser! and ho*e&ess des*air< ecause a 'an had a oot to 'end< the
utton-ho&e of a coat to 2or0< or a hand&e to so&der on to a sauce*an#
The *&ans of Jeho$ah are not so un=ust< the state'ents of ho&! 2rit
so $isionar!< nor the *&an of sa&$ation for the hu'an fa'i&! so
inco'*ati&e 2ith co''on sense? at such *roceedin,s 5od 2ou&d fro2n 2ith
indi,nance< an,e&s 2ou&d hide their heads in sha'e< and e$er! $irtuous<
inte&&i,ent 'an 2ou&d recoi&#
If hu'an &a2s a2ard to each 'an his deserts< and *unish a&&
de&in>uents accordin, to their se$era& cri'es< sure&! the Lord 2i&& not e
'ore crue& than 'an< for He is a 2ise &e,is&ator< and His &a2s are 'ore
e>uita&e< His enact'ents 'ore =ust< and His decisions 'ore *erfect than
those of 'an? and as 'an =ud,es his fe&&o2 'an ! &a2< and *unishes hi'
accordin, to the *ena&t! of the &a2< so does 5od of hea$en =ud,e
-accordin, to the deeds done in the od!#- To sa! that the heathens 2ou&d
e da'ned ecause the! did not e&ie$e the 5os*e& 2ou&d e *re*osterous<
and to sa! that the Je2s 2ou&d a&i e da'ned that do not e&ie$e in Jesus
2ou&d e e>ua&&! asurd? for -ho2 can the! e&ie$e on hi' of 2ho' the!
ha$e not heard< and ho2 can the! hear 2ithout a *reacher< and ho2 can he
*reach e/ce*t he e sent?- conse>uent&! neither Je2 nor heathen can e
cu&*a&e for re=ectin, the conf&ictin, o*inions of sectarianis'< nor for
re=ectin, an! testi'on! ut that 2hich is sent of 5od< for as the *reacher
cannot *reach e/ce*t he e sent< so the hearer cannot e&ie$e 2ithout he
hear a-sent- *reacher< and cannot he conde'ned for 2hat he has not heard<
and ein, 2ithout &a2< 2i&& ha$e to e =ud,ed 2ithout &a2#
3hen s*ea0in, aout the &essin,s *ertainin, to the 5os*e&< and the
conse>uences connected 2ith disoedience to the re>uire'ents< 2e are
fre>uent&! as0ed the >uestion< 2hat has eco'e of our fathersB 3i&& the!
a&& e da'ned for not oe!in, the 5os*e&< 2hen the! ne$er heard itB
Certain&! not# "ut the! 2i&& *ossess the sa'e *ri$i&e,e that 2e here
en=o!< throu,h the 'ediu' of the e$er&astin, *riesthood< 2hich not on&!
ad'inisters on earth< ut a&so in hea$en< and the 2ise dis*ensations of
the ,reat Jeho$ah? hence those characters referred to ! Isaiah 2i&& e
$isited ! the )riesthood< and co'e out of their *rison u*on the sa'e
*rinci*&e as those 2ho 2ere disoedient in the da!s of Noah 2ere $isited
! our Sa$ior--2ho *ossessed the e$er&astin, .e&chisede0 )riesthood--and
had the 5os*e& *reached to the'< ! hi' in *rison?
and in order that the! 'i,ht fu&fi&& a&& the re>uisitions of 5od<
&i$in, friends 2ere a*ti4ed for their dead friends< and thus fu&fi&&ed
the re>uire'ent of 5od< 2hich sa!s< -E/ce*t a 'an e orn of 2ater and of
the S*irit< he cannot enter into the 0in,do' of 5od<- the! 2ere a*ti4ed
of course< not for the'se&$es< ut for their dead#
Chr!sostu' sa!s that the .archionites *racticed a*tis' for their
dead# -After a catechu'en 2as dead< the! had a &i$in, 'an under the ed of
the deceased? then co'in, to the dead 'an< the! as0ed hi' 2hether he 2ou&d
recei$e a*tis'< and he 'a0in, no ans2er< the other ans2ered for hi'< and
said that he 2ou&d e a*ti4ed in his stead? and so the! a*ti4ed the
&i$in, for the dead#- The church of course at that ti'e 2as de,enerate<
and the *articu&ar for' 'i,ht e incorrect< ut the thin, is sufficient&!
*&ain in the Scri*tures< hence )au&< in s*ea0in, of the doctrine< sa!s<
-E&se 2hat sha&& the! do 2hich are a*ti4ed for the dead< if the dead rise
not at a&&B 3h! are the! then a*ti4ed for the deadB- E7 Cor# /$( HNF#
Hence it 2as that so ,reat a res*onsii&it! rested u*on the ,eneration in
2hich our Sa$ior &i$ed< for< sa!s he< -That u*on !ou 'a! co'e a&& the
ri,hteous &ood shed u*on the earth< fro' the &ood of ri,hteous Ae& unto
the &ood of ;acharias< son of "arachias< 2ho' !e s&e2 et2een the te'*&e
and the a&tar# %eri&! I sa! unto !ou< a&& these thin,s sha&& co'e u*on
this ,eneration#- E.atthe2 //iii( 9G< 9:F# Hence as the! *ossessed ,reater
*ri$i&e,es than an! other ,eneration< not on&! *ertainin, to the'se&$es<
ut to their dead< their sin 2as ,reater< as the! not on&! ne,&ected their
o2n sa&$ation ut that of their *ro,enitors< and hence their &ood 2as
re>uired at their hands#
And no2 as the ,reat *ur*oses of 5od are hastenin, to their
acco'*&ish'ent< and the thin,s s*o0en of in the )ro*hets are fu&fi&&in,<
as the 0in,do' of 5od is esta&ished on the earth< and the ancient order
of thin,s restored< the Lord has 'anifested to us this da! and *ri$i&e,e<
and 2e are co''anded to e a*ti4ed for our dead< thus fu&fi&&in, the
2ords of Oadiah< 2hen s*ea0in, of the ,&or! of the &atter-da!( -And
sa$iors sha&& co'e u*on .ount ;ion to =ud,e the re'nant of Esau< and the
0in,do' sha&& e the Lord+s#- A $ie2 of these thin,s reconci&es the
Scri*tures of truth< =ustifies the 2a!s of 5od to 'an< *&aces the hu'an
fa'i&! u*on an e>ua& footin,< and har'oni4es 2ith e$er! *rinci*&e of
ri,hteousness< =ustice and truth# 3e 2i&& conc&ude 2ith the 2ords of
)eter( -For the ti'e *ast of our &ife 'a! suffice us to ha$e 2rou,ht the
2i&& of the 5enti&es#- -For< for this cause 2as the 5os*e& *reached a&so
to the' that are dead< that the! 'i,ht e =ud,ed accordin, to 'en in the
f&esh< ut &i$e accordin, to 5od in the s*irit#-
I continued usi&! en,a,ed in 'a0in, out a &ist of detors and an
in$oice of '! *ro*ert! to e *assed into the hands of the assi,nee<
unti&--
Saturda! e$enin, the 7:th#--On this da! the first nu'er of The 3as*<
a 'isce&&aneous 2ee0&! ne2s*a*er 2as first *u&ished at '! office< 3i&&ia'
S'ith< editor< de$oted to the arts< sciences< &iterature< a,ricu&ture<
'anufacture< trade< co''erce< and the ,enera& ne2s of the da!< on a s'a&&
sheet< at R7#GD *er annu'#
Sunda!< 7M#--S*ent the da! 2ith '! fa'i&! at ho'e#
.onda!< 78#--In conse>uence of the utter annihi&ation of our *ro*ert!
! 'o $io&ence in the state of .issouri< and the i''ense e/*enses 2hich
2e 2ere co'*e&&ed to incur< to defend ourse&$es fro' the crue&
*ersecutions of that state< 2e 2ere reduced to the necessit! of a$ai&in,
ourse&$es of the *ri$i&e,es of the ,enera& an0ru*t &a2? therefore I 2ent
to Cartha,e 2ith '! rothers H!ru' and Sa'ue& H# S'ith< and se$era&&!
testified to our &ist of inso&$enc! efore the c&er0 of the count!
co''issioners+ court# Sidne! Ri,don and 'an! 'ore rethren 2ere at
Cartha,e the sa'e da! on usiness# .! c&er0< Dr# Richards< 2ent 2ith us#
Aout this ti'e a disturance ro0e out in Rhode Is&and ! a *art of
the inhaitants< 2ishin, to chan,e their Constitution< and 'a0e it &i0e
those of other states in the Union< 2hich created 'uch confusion and an,r!
fee&in, in that state< and e/cite'ent in other states#
Tuesda!< 7N#--Rode out and e/a'ined so'e &and near the northern
&i'its of the cit!< Pc#
3ednesda!< HD#--Assisted in sur$e!in, so'e &and in section HG< 2hich
I so&d to 3i&&ia' Cross#
Thursda!< H7#--Frida! and Saturda! 2as en,a,ed in te'*ora& and
s*iritua& affairs at ho'e< the office< Pc#
Frida!< HH#--Ja'es Ar&in,ton "ennett Honored# Honorar! De,ree#
Ordered ! the chance&&or and re,ents of the Uni$ersit! of the Cit! of
Nau$oo< that the honorar! de,ree of L# L#
D# e< and the sa'e here! is< conferred on 5enera& Ja'es Ar&in,ton
"ennett< of Ar&in,ton House< Ne2 Yor0#
)assed A*ri& HH< 78@H# JOHN C# "ENNETT< Chance&&or< 3ILLIA. LA3<
Re,istrar#
Sunda!< H@#--)reached on the hi&& near the Te'*&e< concernin, the
ui&din, of the Te'*&e< and re*ro$ed the 'erchants and the rich 2ho 2ou&d
not assist in ui&din, it#
.onda!< HG< Tuesda!< H: and 3ednesda!< HM#--I 2as en,a,ed in readin,<
'editation< Pc#< 'ost&! 2ith '! fa'i&!#
Thursda!< H8#---Re*ast .i&itaire# -
5enera& Jose*h S'ith and &ad!< *resent their co'*&i'ents to the
officers Eand their res*ecti$e &adiesF of the conso&idated 5enera& Staff
of the Nau$oo Le,ion< that is to sa!< his *ersona& staff< .a=or-5enera&
"ennett+s staff< inc&udin, the and< "ri,adier-5enera& La2+s staff< and
"ri,adier-5enera& Rich+s staff< and res*ectfu&&! so&icit their co'*an! at
a Re*ast .i&itaire< at his >uarters on the Mth da! of .a! *ro/i'o< at one
o+c&oc0 * '#
5enera& "ennett has een ordered to issue a *ro,ra''e of the
o*erations and fie&d e/ercises of the da!< 2hich 2i&& a**ear in a'*&e
for'< and due season#
A*ri& H8< A# D# 78@H#
HEADAUARTERS< NAU%OO LE5ION< CITY OF NAU%OO< ILLINOIS< A*ri& H8<
78@H#
5enera& Orders--
The Lieutenant-5enera& directs that a *ro,ra''e 'i&itaire issue fro'
the office of his co''andin, ,enera& for the Mth of .a! *ro/i'o< 2hich I
no2 *roceed to consu''ate#
7st# The Ad=utants 2i&& for' the &ines of their res*ecti$e re,i'ents<
and the Co&one&s of the &ine assu'e co''and at nine o-c&oc0< a#'#
Hnd# The Ad=utant-5enera& 2i&& for' the &ine of the Le,ion< and the
"ri,adier-5enera&s assu'e the co''and of their res*ecti$e cohorts at
ha&f-*ast nine o+c&oc0 a#'<
9rd# The .a=or-5enera& 2i&& assu'e the co''and of the Le,ion at ten
o+c&oc0 a#'#
@th# At a >uarter *ast ten o+c&oc0 a#'#< the Lieutenant-5enera& 2i&&
e escorted to the fie&d at the re$ie2 station#
Gth# 5enera& re$ie2 and ins*ection 2i&& fo&&o2< acco'*anied ! such
e$o&utions and e/ercises as the ti'e 2i&& ad'it of#
:th# At ha&f-*ast t2e&$e o+c&oc0 *#'# the forces 2i&& e dis'issed
unti& a >uarter efore t2o o+c&oc0 *#'#
Mth# At t2o o+c&oc0 *#'# the .a=or-5enera& 2i&& resu'e the co''and
and *erfor' such 'i&itar! 'o$e'ents and fie&d e/ercises as the
Lieutenant-5enera& 'a! direct#
8th# At three o+c&oc0 *#'# the cohorts 2i&& se*arate and for' the
&ine of att&e< the "ri,adiers assu'e their res*ecti$e co''ands and
5enera& La2+s co''and 2i&& 'a0e a descent u*on that of 5enera& Rich+s in
order of sha' att&e#
Nth# At ha&f-*ast three o+c&oc0 *#'# the cohorts 2i&& resu'e their
*ositions in the &ine of the Le,ion< and a sha' att&e 2i&& e fou,ht
et2een the 'ounted rif&e'en under the i''ediate co''and of Lieutenant
5enera& S'ith and the In$inci&es under the i''ediate co''and of
.a=or-5enera& "ennett#
7Dth# At ha&f-*ast four o+c&oc0 *#'# the forces 2i&& e dis'issed for
the da!#
77# E$er! officer< 'usician and *ri$ate 2i&& e re>uired to e at
their res*ecti$e *osts at the hours s*ecified throu,hout the da!< under
the 'ost se$ere *ena&ties of the &a2# JOHN C# "ENNETT# .a=or-5enera&#
At t2o o+c&oc0 I 'et the 'e'ers of the -Fe'a&e Re&ief Societ!<- and
after *residin, at the ad'ission of 'an! ne2 'e'ers< ,a$e a &ecture on
the )riesthood< sho2in, ho2 the sisters 2ou&d co'e in *ossession of the
*ri$i&e,es< &essin,s and ,ifts of the )riesthood< and that the si,ns
shou&d fo&&o2 the'< such as hea&in, the sic0< castin, out de$i&s< Pc#< and
that the! 'i,ht attain unto these &essin,s ! a $irtuous &ife< and
con$ersation< and di&i,ence in 0ee*in, a&& the co''and'ents? a s!no*sis of
2hich 2as re*orted ! .iss E&i4a R# Sno2< as fo&&o2s(
Re'ar0s of the )ro*het to the Re&ief Societ!#
)resident S'ith arose and ca&&ed the attention of the 'eetin, to the
7Hth cha*ter 7st Corinthians---No2 concernin, s*iritua& ,ifts< I 2ou&d not
ha$e !ou i,norant#- Said that the *assa,e in the third $erse< 2hich reads<
-No 'an can sa! that Jesus is the Lord< ut ! the Ho&! 5host<+ shou&d e
trans&ated -no 'an can 0no2 that Jesus is the Lord< ut ! the Ho&!
5host#- He continued to read the cha*ter< and ,i$e instructions res*ectin,
the different offices< and the necessit! of e$er! indi$idua& actin, in the
s*here a&&otted hi' or her< and fi&&in, the se$era& offices to 2hich the!
are a**ointed# He s*o0e of the dis*osition of 'an! 'en to consider the
&o2er offices in the Church dishonora&e< and to &oo0 2ith =ea&ous e!es
u*on the standin, of others 2ho are ca&&ed to *reside o$er the'? that it
2as the fo&&! and nonsense of the hu'an heart for a *erson to e as*irin,
to other stations than those to 2hich the! are a**ointed of 5od for the'
to occu*!? that it 2as etter for indi$idua&s to 'a,nif! their res*ecti$e
ca&&in,s< and 2ait *atient&! ti&& 5od sha&& sa! to the'< -Co'e u* hi,her#-
He said the reason of these re'ar0s ein, 'ade 2as< that so'e &itt&e
foo&ish thin,s 2ere circu&atin, in the societ!< a,ainst so'e sisters not
doin, ri,ht in &a!in, hands on the sic0# Said that if the *eo*&e had
co''on s!'*athies the! 2ou&d re=oice that the sic0 cou&d e hea&ed? that
the ti'e had not een efore that these thin,s cou&d e in their *ro*er
order? that the Church is not fu&&! or,ani4ed< in its *ro*er order< and
cannot e< unti& the Te'*&e is co'*&eted< 2here *&aces 2i&& e *ro$ided
for the ad'inistration of the ordinances of the )riesthood#
)resident S'ith continued the su=ect< ! >uotin, the co''ission
,i$en to the ancient A*ost&es in .ar0< 7:th cha*ter< 7Gth< 7:th< 7Mth 78th
$erses< -5o !e into a&& the 2or&d< and *reach the 5os*e& to e$er!
creature# He that e&ie$eth and is a*ti4ed sha&& e sa$ed? ut he that
e&ie$ed not sha&& e da'ned# And these si,ns sha&& fo&&o2 the' that
e&ie$e( In '! na'e sha&& the! cast out de$i&s? the! sha&& s*ea0 2ith ne2
ton,ues? the! sha&& ta0e u* ser*ents? and if the! drin0 an! dead&! thin,<
it sha&& not hurt the'? the! sha&& &a! hands on the sic0< and the! sha&&
reco$er#-
No 'atter 2ho e&ie$eth< these si,ns< such as hea&in, the sic0<
castin, out de$i&s< Pc#< shou&d fo&&o2 a&& that e&ie$e< 2hether 'a&e or
fe'a&e# He as0ed the Societ! if the! cou&d not see ! this s2ee*in,
*ro'ise< that 2herein the! are ordained< it is the *ri$i&e,e of those set
a*art to ad'inister in that authorit!< 2hich is conferred on the'? and if
the sisters shou&d ha$e faith to hea& the sic0< &et a&& ho&d their
ton,ues< and &et e$er!thin, ro&& on#
He said< if 5od has a**ointed hi'< and chosen hi' as an instru'ent to
&ead the Church< 2h! not &et hi' &ead it throu,hB 3h! stand in the 2a!
2hen he is a**ointed to do a thin,B 3ho 0no2s the 'ind of 5odB Does He not
re$ea& thin,s different&! fro' 2hat 2e e/*ectB He re'ar0ed that he 2as
continua&&! risin,< a&thou,h he had e$er!thin, earin, hi' do2n< standin,
in his 2a!< and o**osin,? not2ithstandin, a&& this o**osition< he a&2a!s
co'es out ri,ht in the end#
Res*ectin, fe'a&es ad'inisterin, for the hea&in, of the sic0< he
further re'ar0ed< there cou&d e no de$i& in it< if 5od ,a$e His sanction
! hea&in,? that there cou&d e no 'ore sin in an! fe'a&e &a!in, hands on
and *ra!in, for the sic0< than in 2ettin, the face 2ith 2ater? it is no
sin for an!od! to ad'inister that has faith< or if the sic0 ha$e faith to
e hea&ed ! their ad'inistration#
He re*ro$ed those that 2ere dis*osed to find fau&t 2ith the
'ana,e'ent of the concerns of the Church< sa!in, 5od had ca&&ed hi' to
&ead the Church< and he 2ou&d &ead it ri,ht? those that underta0e to
interfere 2i&& e asha'ed 2hen their o2n fo&&! is 'ade 'anifest? that he
ca&cu&ates to or,ani4e the Church in its *ro*er order as soon as the
Te'*&e is co'*&eted#
)resident S'ith continued ! s*ea0in, of the difficu&ties he had to
sur'ount e$er since the co''ence'ent of the 2or0< in conse>uence of
as*irin, 'en# -5reat i, E&ders<- as he ca&&ed the'< 2ho had caused hi'
'uch trou&e? to 2ho' he had tau,ht the thin,s of the 0in,do' in *ri$ate
counci&s< the! 2ou&d then ,o forth into the 2or&d and *roc&ai' the thin,s
he had tau,ht the'< as their o2n re$e&ations? said the sa'e as*irin,
dis*osition 2i&& e in this Societ!< and 'ust e ,uarded a,ainst? that
e$er! *erson shou&d stand< and actin the *&ace a**ointed< and thus
sanctif! the Societ! and ,et it *ure# He said he had een tra'*&ed under
foot ! as*irin, E&ders< for a&& 2ere infected 2ith that s*irit? for
instance< John E# )a,e and others had een as*irin,? the! cou&d not e
e/a&ted< ut 'ust run a2a! as thou,h the care and authorit! of the Church
2ere $ested 2ith the'# He said he had a sut&e de$i& to dea& 2ith< and
cou&d on&! cur hi' ! ein, hu'&e#
As he had this o**ortunit!< he 2as ,oin, to instruct the &adies of
this Societ!< and *oint out the 2a! for the' to conduct the'se&$es< that
the! 'i,ht act accordin, to the 2i&& of 5od? that he did not 0no2 that he
shou&d ha$e 'an! o**ortunities of teachin, the'< as the! 2ere ,oin, to e
&eft to the'se&$es? the! 2ou&d not &on, ha$e hi' to instruct the'? that
the Church 2ou&d not ha$e his instructions &on,< and the 2or&d 2ou&d not
e trou&ed 2ith hi' a ,reat 2hi&e< and 2ou&d not ha$e his teachin,s Iin
*ersonJ#
He s*o0e of de&i$erin, the 0e!s of the )riesthood to the Church< and
said that the faithfu& 'e'ers of the Re&ief Societ! shou&d recei$e the'
in connection 2ith their husands< that the Saints 2hose inte,rit! has
een tried and *ro$ed faithfu&< 'i,ht 0no2 ho2 to as0 the Lord and recei$e
an ans2er? for accordin, to his *ra!ers< 5od had a**ointed hi' e&se2here#
He e/horted the sisters a&2a!s to concentrate their faith and *ra!ers
for< and *&ace confidence in their husands< 2ho' 5od has a**ointed for
the' to honor< and in those faithfu& 'en 2ho' 5od has *&aced at the head
of the Church to &ead His *eo*&e? that 2e shou&d ar' and sustain the' 2ith
our *ra!ers? for the 0e!s of the 0in,do' are aout to e ,i$en to the'<
that the! 'a! e a&e to detect e$er!thin, fa&se? as 2e&& as to a&& the
E&ders 2ho sha&& *ro$e their inte,rit! in due season#
He said if one 'e'er eco'es corru*t< and !ou 0no2 it< !ou 'ust
i''ediate&! *ut it a2a!< or it 2i&& either in=ure or destro! the 2ho&e
od!# The s!'*athies of the heads of the Church ha$e induced the' to ear
a &on, ti'e 2ith those 2ho 2ere corru*t unti& the! are o&i,ed to cut the'
off< &est a&& eco'e conta'inated? !ou 'ust *ut do2n ini>uit!< and ! !our
,ood e/a'*&es< sti'u&ate the E&ders to ,ood 2or0s? if !ou do ri,ht< there
is no dan,er of !our ,oin, too fast#
He said he did not care ho2 fast 2e run in the *ath of $irtue( resist
e$i&< and there is no dan,er? 5od< 'en< and an,e&s 2i&& not conde'n those
that resist e$er!thin, that is e$i&< and de$i&s cannot? as 2e&& 'i,ht the
de$i& see0 to dethrone Jeho$ah< as o$erthro2 an innocent sou& that resists
e$er!thin, 2hich is e$i&#
This is a charita&e Societ!< and accordin, to !our natures? it is
natura& for fe'a&es to ha$e fee&in,s of charit! and ene$o&ence# You are
no2 *&aced in a situation in 2hich !ou can act accordin, to those
s!'*athies 2hich 5od has *&anted in !our oso's#
If !ou &i$e u* to these *rinci*&es< ho2 ,reat and ,&orious 2i&& e
!our re2ard in the ce&estia& 0in,do'K If !ou &i$e u* to !our *ri$i&e,es<
the an,e&s cannot e restrained fro' ein, !our associates# Fe'a&es< if
the! are *ure and innocent< can co'e in the *resence of 5od? for 2hat is
'ore *&easin, to 5od than innocence? !ou 'ust e innocent< or !ou cannot
co'e u* efore 5od( if 2e 2ou&d co'e efore 5od< 2e 'ust 0ee* ourse&$es
*ure< as He is *ure#
The de$i& has ,reat *o2er to decei$e? he 2i&& so transfor' thin,s as
to 'a0e one ,a*e at those 2ho are doin, the 2i&& of 5od# You need not e
teasin, !our husands ecause of their deeds< ut &et the 2ei,ht of !our
innocence< 0indness and affection e fe&t< 2hich is 'ore 'i,ht! than a
'i&&stone hun, aout the nec0? not 2ar< not =an,&e< not contradiction< or
dis*ute< ut 'ee0ness< &o$e< *urit!--these are the thin,s that shou&d
'a,nif! !ou in the e!es of a&& ,ood 'en# Achan Isee Joshua $ii#J 'ust e
rou,ht to &i,ht< ini>uit! 'ust e *ur,ed out fro' the 'idst of the
Saints? then the $ei& 2i&& e rent< and the &essin,s of hea$en 2i&& f&o2
do2n--the! 2i&& ro&& do2n &i0e the .ississi**i ri$er#
If this Societ! &isten to the counse& of the A&'i,ht!< throu,h the
heads of the Church< the! sha&& ha$e *o2er to co''and >ueens in their
'idst#
I no2 de&i$er it as a *ro*hec!< if the inhaitants of this state<
2ith the *eo*&e of the surroundin, countr!< 2i&& turn unto the Lord 2ith
a&& their hearts< ten !ears 2i&& not ro&& round efore the 0in,s and
>ueens of the earth 2i&& co'e unto ;ion< and *a! their res*ects to the
&eaders of this *eo*&e? the! sha&& co'e 2ith their 'i&&ions< and sha&&
contriute of their aundance for the re&ief of the *oor< and the ui&din,
u* and eautif!in, of ;ion#
After this instruction< !ou 2i&& e res*onsi&e for !our o2n sins? it
is a desira&e honor that !ou shou&d so 2a&0 efore our hea$en&! Father as
to sa$e !ourse&$es? 2e are a&& res*onsi&e to 5od for the 'anner 2e
i'*ro$e the &i,ht and 2isdo' ,i$en ! our Lord to ena&e us to sa$e
ourse&$es#
)resident S'ith continued readin, fro' the ao$e-'entioned cha*ter<
and to ,i$e instructions res*ectin, the order of 5od< as esta&ished in
the Church< sa$in, e$er!one shou&d as*ire on&! to 'a,nif! his o2n office
and ca&&in,#
He then co''enced readin, the 79th cha*ter---Thou,h I s*ea0 2ith the
ton,ues of 'en and an,e&s< and ha$e no charit!< I a' eco'e as soundin,
rass< or a tin0&in, c!'a&?- and said< don+t e &i'ited in !our $ie2s
2ith re,ard to !our nei,hor+s $irtue< ut e2are of se&f-ri,hteousness<
and e &i'ited in the esti'ate of !our o2n $irtues< and not thin0
!ourse&$es 'ore ri,hteous than others? !ou 'ust en&ar,e !our sou&s to2ards
each other< if !ou 2ou&d do &i0e Jesus< and carr! !our fe&&o2-creatures to
Araha'+s oso'# He said he had 'anifested &on,-sufferin,< forearance and
*atience to2ards the Church< and a&so to his ene'ies? and 2e 'ust ear
2ith each other+s fai&in,s< as an indu&,ent *arent ears 2ith the foi&es
of his chi&dren#
)resident S'ith then read the Hnd $erse---Thou,h I ha$e the ,ift of
*ro*hec!< and understand a&& '!steries< and a&& 0no2&ed,e? and thou,h I
ha$e a&& faith< so that I cou&d re'o$e 'ountains< and ha$e not charit!< I
a' nothin,#- He then said< thou,h a 'an shou&d eco'e 'i,ht!< do ,reat
thin,s< o$erturn 'ountains< *erfor' 'i,ht! 2or0s< and shou&d then turn
fro' his hi,h station to do e$i&< to eat and drin0 2ith the drun0en< a&&
his for'er deeds 2ou&d not sa$e hi'< ut he 2ou&d ,o to destructionK As
!ou increase in innocence and $irtue< as !ou increase in ,oodness< &et
!our hearts e/*and< &et the' e en&ar,ed to2ards others? !ou 'ust e
&on,-sufferin,< and ear 2ith the fau&ts and errors of 'an0ind#
Ho2 *recious are the sou&s of 'enK The fe'a&e *art of the co''unit!
are a*t to e contracted in their $ie2s# You 'ust not e contracted< ut
!ou 'ust e &iera& in !our fee&in,s# Let this Societ! teach 2o'en ho2 to
eha$e to2ards their husands< to treat the' 2ith 'i&dness and affection#
3hen a 'an is orne do2n 2ith trou&e< 2hen he is *er*&e/ed 2ith care and
difficu&t!< if he can 'eet a s'i&e instead of an ar,u'ent or a 'ur'ur--if
he can 'eet 2ith 'i&dness< it 2i&& ca&' do2n his sou& and soothe his
fee&in,s? 2hen the 'ind is ,oin, to des*air< it needs a so&ace of
affection and 0indness#
You 2i&& recei$e instructions throu,h the order of the )riesthood
2hich 5od has esta&ished< throu,h the 'ediu' of those a**ointed to &ead<
,uide and direct the affairs of the Church in this &ast dis*ensation( and
I no2 turn the 0e! in !our eha&f in the na'e of the Lord< and this
Societ! sha&& re=oice< and 0no2&ed,e and inte&&i,ence sha&& f&o2 do2n fro'
this ti'e henceforth? this is the e,innin, of etter da!s to the *oor and
need!< 2ho sha&& e 'ade to re=oice and *our forth &essin,s on !our
heads#
3hen !ou ,o ho'e< ne$er ,i$e a cross or un0ind 2ord to !our husands<
ut &et 0indness< charit! and &o$e cro2n !our 2or0s hencefor2ard? don+t
en$! the finer! and f&eetin, sho2 of sinners< for the! are in a 'isera&e
situation? ut as far as !ou can< ha$e 'erc! on the'< for in a short ti'e
5od 2i&& destro! the'< if the! 2i&& not re*ent and turn unto hi'#
Let !our &aors e 'ost&! confined to those around !ou< in the circ&e
of !our o2n ac>uaintance< as far as 0no2&ed,e is concerned< it 'a! e/tend
to a&& the 2or&d? ut !our ad'inisterin, shou&d e confined to the circ&e
of !our i''ediate ac>uaintance< and 'ore es*ecia&&! to the 'e'ers of the
Re&ief Societ!# Those ordained to *reside o$er and &ead !ou< are
authori4ed to a**oint the different officers< as the circu'stances sha&&
re>uire#
If !ou ha$e a 'atter to re$ea&< &et it e in !our o2n ton,ue? do not
indu&,e too 'uch in the e/ercise of the ,ift of ton,ues< or the de$i& 2i&&
ta0e ad$anta,e of the innocent and un2ar!# You 'a! s*ea0 in ton,ues for
!our o2n co'fort< ut I &a! this do2n for a ru&e< that if an!thin, is
tau,ht ! the ,ift of ton,ues< it is not to e recei$ed for doctrine#
)resident S'ith then ,a$e instruction res*ectin, the *ro*riet! of
fe'a&es ad'inisterin, to the sic0 ! the *ra!er of faith< the &a!in, on
hands< or the anointin, 2ith oi&? and said it 2as accordin, to re$e&ation
that the sic0 shou&d e nursed 2ith hers and 'i&d food< and not ! the
hand of an ene'!# 3ho are etter >ua&ified to ad'inister than our faithfu&
and 4ea&ous sisters< 2hose hearts are fu&& of faith< tenderness< s!'*ath!
and co'*assion# No one# Said he 2as ne$er *&aced in si'i&ar circu'stances
efore< and ne$er had ,i$en the sa'e instruction? and c&osed his
instructions ! e/*ressin, his heart-fe&t satisfaction in i'*ro$in, this
o**ortunit!#
The S*irit of the Lord 2as *oured out in a $er! *o2erfu& 'anner<
ne$er to e for,otten ! those *resent on this interestin, occasion#
Frida!< HN#--A cons*irac! a,ainst the *eace of '! househo&d 2as 'ade
'anifest< and it ,a$e 'e so'e trou&e to counteract the desi,n of certain
ase indi$idua&s< and restore *eace# The Lord 'a0es 'anifest to 'e 'an!
thin,s< 2hich it is not 2isdo' for 'e to 'a0e *u&ic< unti& others can
2itness the *roof of the'#
Saturda!< 9D#--I recei$ed a $isit fro' Jud,e Ja'es Ada's< of
S*rin,fie&d< and s*ent 'ost of the da! 2ith hi' and '! fa'i&!# Si,ned
deeds to Ja'es and Char&es I$ins< and 'an! others#
Sunda!< .a! 7< 78@H#--I *reached in the ,ro$e< on the 0e!s of the
0in,do'< charit!< Pc# The 0e!s are certain si,ns and 2ords ! 2hich fa&se
s*irits and *ersona,es 'a! e detected fro' true< 2hich cannot e re$ea&ed
to the E&ders ti&& the Te'*&e is co'*&eted# The rich can on&! ,et the' in
the Te'*&e< the *oor 'a! ,et the' on the 'ountain to* as did .oses# The
rich cannot e sa$ed 2ithout charit!< ,i$in, to feed the *oor 2hen and ho2
5od re>uires< as 2e&& as ui&din,# There are si,ns in hea$en< earth and
he&&? the E&ders 'ust 0no2 the' a&&< to e endo2ed 2ith *o2er< to finish
their 2or0 and *re$ent i'*osition# The de$i& 0no2s 'an! si,ns< ut does
not 0no2 the si,n of the Son of .an< or Jesus# No one can tru&! sa! he
0no2s 5od unti& he has hand&ed so'ethin, and this can on&! e in the
ho&iest of ho&ies#
.onda!< H#--The fo&&o2in, Editoria& a**eared in the Ti'es and
Seasons(
THE TE.)LE#
This no&e edifice is *ro,ressin, 2ith ,reat ra*idit!? strenuous
e/ertions are ein, 'ade on e$er! hand to faci&itate its erection< and
'ateria&s of a&& 0inds are in a ,reat state of for2ardness< and ! ne/t
fa&& 2e e/*ect to see the ui&din, enc&osed? if not the to* stone raised
2ith -shoutin, of ,race--,race unto it#- There ha$e een fre>uent&!<
durin, the 2inter< as 'an! as one hundred hands >uarr!in, roc0< 2hi&e at
the sa'e ti'e 'u&titudes of others ha$e een en,a,ed in hau&in,< and in
other 0inds of &aor#
A co'*an! 2as for'ed &ast fa&& to ,o u* to the *ine countr! to
*urchase 'i&&s< and *re*are and sa2 &u'er for the Te'*&e and the Nau$oo
House< and the re*orts fro' the' are $er! fa$ora&e( another co'*an! has
started< this &ast 2ee0< to ta0e their *&ace and to re&ie$e those that are
a&read! there( on their return the! are to rin, a $er! &ar,e raft of
&u'er< for the use of the ao$e-na'ed houses#
3hi&e the us! 'u&titudes ha$e thus een en,a,ed in their se$era&
$ocations *erfor'in, their dai&! &aor< and 2or0in, one-tenth of their
ti'e< others ha$e not een &ess for2ard in rin,in, in their tithin,s and
consecrations for the sa'e ,reat o=ect# Ne$er since the foundation of
this Church 2as &aid< ha$e 2e seen 'anifested a ,reater 2i&&in,ness to
co'*&! 2ith the re>uisitions of Jeho$ah< a 'ore ardent desire to do the
2i&& of 5od< 'ore strenuous e/ertions used< or ,reater sacrifices 'ade
than there ha$e een since the Lord said< -Let the Te'*&e e ui&t ! the
tithin, of '! *eo*&e#- It see'ed as thou,h the s*irit of enter*rise<
*hi&anthro*! and oedience rested si'u&taneous&! u*on o&d and !oun,< and
rethren and sisters< o!s and ,ir&s< and e$en stran,ers< 2ho 2ere not in
the Church< united 2ith an un*recedented &iera&it! in the acco'*&ish'ent
of this ,reat 2or0? nor cou&d the 2ido2< in 'an! instances< e *re$ented<
out of her scant! *ittance fro' thro2in, in her t2o 'ites#
3e fee& at this ti'e to tender to a&&< o&d and !oun,< oth in the
Church and out of it< our unfei,ned than0s for their un*recedented
&iera&it!< 0indness< di&i,ence< and oedience 2hich the! ha$e so
o**ortune&! 'anifested on the *resent occasion# Not that 2e are *ersona&&!
or indi$idua&&! enefitted in a *ecuniar! *oint of $ie2< ut 2hen the
rethren< as in this instance< sho2 a unit! of *ur*ose and desi,n< and a&&
*ut their shou&der to