by. \jo\.3 HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. PERIOD I. History of Joseph Smith, the Prophet. BY HIMSELF. VOLUME III. AN INTRODUCTION AND NOTES BY B. H. ROBERTS. PUBLISHED BY THE CHURCH. Deserkt ]N"rcwf*. SALT LAKK CITY. UTAH. 1905. Copyrighted by JOSEPH K. SMITH FOR THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS. 1905. TABLE OF CONTENTS. Volume III. INTRODUCTION. Enlightenment a Factor in Determining Responsibility for Conduct xvii The People of Missouri and the Saints xix The Question of Slavery xxii Political Fears xxvii The Saints and the Indians... xxix The Unwisdom of the Saints xxxii The Real Cause of the Mis- souri Persecutions xlvii Retri bution lxii CHAPTER I. THE PROPHET JOSEPH'S DEPARTURE FROM KIRTLAND AND ARRIVAL IN MISSOURI. Flight of the Prophet and Sid- ney Rigdon from Kirtland... 1 Brigham Young to the Proph- et's Rescue 2 The Bitterness of the Proph- et's Enemies 3 The Prophet's Arrival in Missouri 4 Trial of the Far West Presi- dency of the Church 5 Minutes of Proceedings in • Other Settlements than Far West 6 High Council Meeting at Far West 7 The Prophet's Reception in Zion 8 The Political Motto of the Church of Latter-day Saints 9 The Prophet's Answers to Questions on Scripture 10 The Prophet's Letter to the Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Kirtland 11 CHAPTER II. EXCOMMUNICATION OP OLIVER COWDERY AND DAVID WHITMER — THE WORK IN ENGLAND. Arrival of Sidney Rigdon at Far West .' 13 Minutes of a General Confer- ence of the Church at Far West 13 Minutes of the first Quarterly Conference at Far West 14 Demand on John Whitmer for the Church Records 15 Charges Against Oliver Cow- dery 16 Trial of Oliver Cowdery 17 Elder Cowdery's Letter 17 Charges Against David Whit- mer 18 Charges Against Lyman E. Johnson 20 The Work in England— Con- IV CONTENTS. ferenee in Preston 20 A Prophecy 21 Farewell Meetings with the American Slanders Reach Saints 21 England 22 CHAPTER III. READJUSTMENT AND SETTLEMENT OF AFFAIRS AT FAR WEST. Revelation Given at Far West 23 Revelation Given to Brigham Young at Far West 23 Revelation Given at Far West Making Known the Will of God Concerning the Build- ing up of that Place, and of the Lord's House 23 Minutes of the High Council.. 25 Sundrv Employments of the Prophet 26 The Prophet's Discourse on the Evils of Hasty Judg- ment 27 Arrival of Elder Parley P. Pratt at Far West 27 Death of Jas. G. Marsh 28 The Prophet's Answer to Sun- dry Questions 28 Elder Rigdon's Political Ad- dress 30 Trial of William E. M'Lellin and Dr. McCord 31 Remuneration of the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon for Tem- poral Labors in the Church 31 CHAPTER IV. SELECTION OF LANDS IN CALDWELL AND DAVIESS COUNTIES FOR SETTLEMENT — ADAM-ONDI-AHMAN. The Prophet Leaves Far West To Locate Settlements 31 The Prophet and Party Reach "Tower Hill" U Adam-ondi-Ahman 35 Council Called to Determine Location of Settlements 36 American Antiquities Discov- ered 36 Varied Movements of the Prophet's Company 37 Birth of Alexander Hale Smith 37 The Prophet's Return to Adam- ondi-Aham 38 Minutes of the Meeting which Organized the Stake of Zion called Adam-ondi-Ahman... 38 Description of Adam-ondi- Ahman 39 CHAPTER V. INDEPENDENCE DAY AT FAR WEST — SUNDRY EVENTS AND REVELATIONS- EPISTLE OF DAVID W. PATTEN. Celebration of Independence Day at Far West 41 The Officers 41 The Procession 41 The Oration 42 A Word from Elders Kimball and Hyde 43 Letter of Don C. Smith to the Prophet 43 Missing Revelations .'. 44 Revelation, Given atFarWest, JulyS, 1838 44 Revelation. Given July 8,1838, Making Known the Disposi- CONTENTS. tion of the Properties Tithed as Named in the Preceding Revelation 44 Revelation Given to William Marks, Newel K. Whitney, Oliver Granger and Others, at Far West,July 8, 1838.... 45 Revelation given at Far West, July 8, 1838, in Answer to the Question, Show unto us Thy Will, Lord, Concern- PAGE ing the Twelve 46 Minutes of a Meeting of the Twelve 47 The Disposition of Public Church Properties 47 Arrival of Saints from Canada 48 Publication of the Elders Journal 49 The Epistle of Elder DavidW. Patten 49 CHAPTER VI. THE BEGINNING OF TROUBLE IN CALDWELL AND DAVIESS COUNTIES. The Prophet Rests 55 Reproof of Canadian Brethren 55 A Citizen's Meeting at Far West 56 Judge Morin's Friendly Warn- ing 56 Peniston's Harangue 57 "Dick" Welding's Row 57 John L. Butter's Speech 58 Gathering of the Mob 58 Reports of Gallatin Trouble Reach Far West 58 Departure of the Prophet from Gallatin 58 The Prophet commends the Brethren for Standing for their Rights 59 Interview with Adam Black... 59 Adam Black's Agreement 59 Interview with Citizens of Mill Port 60 Treatise of Peace of Little Avail 60 Peniston's Affidavit 61 Reflections of the Prophet 61 Inquiry at Far West Concern- ing Gallatin Affairs 62 Resolutions .... 62 Chased by a Mob 63 The Prophet's Interview with the Sheriff of Daviess Coun- ty 63 Organization of Agriculture Companies 64 Affidavit of Adam Black 64 Comment on Adam Black 65 Proclamation of Governor Boggs 65 Conduct of John Corrill Re- proved 66 CHAPTER VII. INCREASING DIFFICULTIES BETWEEN THE SAINTS AND THE MOBS OF DAVIESS AND CALDWELL COUNTIES. The Prophet Leaves Far West to Found a City of 7ion 67 Excitement Among the Miss- ourians 67 The Prophet's Review of the Wrongs of the Saints 67 Site for City Selected 68 Rumors of Mobs Gathering.... 68 An Appeal to Gen. Atchison.. 69 Consultation with General Atchison 69 The Prophet and Sidney Rig- don Study Law 69 The Prophet and Lyman Wight to Submit to Trial 70 The Prophet's Affidavit on the Adam Black Incident 70 Judge King at Far West 72 VI CONTENTS. PAGE Start for the Place of Trial.... 72 The Trial at Raglin's 72 The Prophet and Lyman Wight Bound Over 73 A Committee of Inquiry from Chariton County 73 Rumors of an Attack upon "Diahman'' 74 Capture of Arms Intended for the Mob 74 PAGE The Mob Take Prisoners 75 Allred's Prisoners 75 Advice from Judge King 75 Judge King's ApparentDouble Dealing 75 Petition from Ray County 76 The Trial of Allred's Prisoners 76 The Citizens of Daviess Coun- ty to the Governor 76 Atchison Orders out the Militia 76 CHAPTER VIII. MOB MOVEMENTS IN CALDWELL, DAVIESS AND CARROLL COUNTIES — AR- RIVAL OP KIRTLAND CAMP AT PAR WEST. Trouble at De Witt Begins 77 Dryden's Report to the Gover- nor 77 Doniphan's Report to Atchis- on 78 The Prophet's Comment 79 Atchison's Report to the Gov- ernor 80 Marching Orders to the Mili- tia 81 Movements of the Militia 81 Excerpts of Atchison's Letter to the Governor 81 Petition of the Saints of De Witt to Governor Boggs 82 General Park's Report to Gov- ernor Boggs 83 Agreement to Buy Out the Mob 84 Extract of a Letter from Gen- eral Atchison to Governor Boggs 85 Mob Activities Shifted to De Witt 85 Arrival of Kirtland Camp at Far West 85 CHAPTER IX. THE ORGANIZATION AND JOURNEY OP KIRTLAND CAMP. Meeting of the Seventies The Report of the Presidents. To Move in a Body Not Thought Practicable The Subject Discussed Foster's Vision "God Wills It" Meeting of the 13th of March. Presidents pro tern appointed.. Power of Nominating Officers Vested in First Council The Constitution The Movement Commended... Hyrum Smith on Previous Movements Hyrum Smith Commends the Seventies S7 87 88 88 S9 89 89 90 90 93 94 94 Advantage of a Large Com- pany 95 Caution as to the Word of Wisdom 95 Practical Steps 95 Views of Oliver Granger et al 97 Admonitions 97 Sundry Meetings and the Ob- ject of Them 97 Difficulties Encountered 98 Assembling of the Camp 99 Solemn Reflections 99 The Start 100 Number in Camp 100 Sorrow at Parting 100 First Experiences 101 A Renewal of Covenants 101 CONTENTS. VII PAGE Incidents of a Day 101 Additional Camp Regulations 102 The First Deserter 103 The First Death 104 Nature of the Country Trav- ersed 104 Difficulties by the Way 105 Descriptions of Country 105 Sorrow for the "Deluded 1 ' Saints 106 Preparations for the Sabbath. 107 Public Worship 107 Some Left by the Way Re- joined the Camp 108 Prominent Elders Arrested.... 108 On the Headwaters of the Sci- ota and Sandusky 108 Instructions to Overseers 109 Reproofs Administered 110 The Council Relieved of Guard Duty Ill PAGE Threats of Arrest Made 113 A Case of Healing 113 Scarcity of Food 114 A Day of Rest 114 Camp at the Farm of the Gov- ernor of Ohio 114 Camp Labors 115 Admonitions 115 Through Springfield 115 Astonishment Created by the Camp 116 Abram Bond Disfellowshiped. 117 John E. Page's Company 117 Prayer for Rain 118 Rain 118 Some Leave the Camp 119 A Reproof 119 Elder Page Exhorts the Camp 120 Work on the Turnpike. 120 Renewed Diligence 121 An Assistant Council Ap- pointed 121 CHAPTER X. THE JOURNEY OF KIRTLAND CAMP (CONTINUED). Preaching of Joseph Young 123 An Increase of Interest in the Camp 124 Exhortations 124 Death of Horses 124 A Burial 124 More Employment 125 Showers 125 Charles Thompson Corrected. 125 Spirit of Union Manifested 126 Jonas Putnam Commended ... 127 Expulsion from the Camp 127 Further Investigation of Camp Members 128 Expulsion from the Camp 128 Religious Service 129 Births in Camp 130 Turnpike Contract Finished... 130 Arrangements for Renewal of the Journey 130 Gathering of the Absent 131 Preparation for the Journey.. 131 The Camp Resumes its Jour- ney 132 On the Indiana Line 133 Camp Enters the State of In- diana 133 Course of the Journey 134 A Sunday Journey 134 Death of Bathsheba Willey.... 135 Warning and Exhortation 135 Arrival at Terre Haute 136 In Illinois 137 Serious Difficulties Considered 137 Dissatisfaction iu Camp 137 Increased Sickness 138 Camp Passes Through Spring- field 139 More Departures from the Camp 140 First Tidings from Far West. 141 A Missouri Storm 142 Bad Roads 142 Re- organization of the Camp. 143 Proposition to Disband the Camp 144 Proposition Rejected 145 Arrival on Grand River 145 VIII CONTENTS. CHAPTER XI. EXPULSION OF THE SAINTS FROM DE WITT, CARROLL COUNTY, MISSOURI. PAGE Vexatious Persecution of Wil- lard Richards 149 Mob Movements at De Witt... 149 Scattering Fire Brands 150 Letter of General Lucas to Governor Boggs 150 The Prophet's Comment 151 Conference at Far West 152 News of Mob Violence from De Witt 152 The Prophet's Hopes of Peace Disappointed 152 The Prophet Arrives at De Witt 153 Continuance of Far West Con- ference 153 John Taylor Sustained as an Apostle 154 PAGE England 155 De Witt 155 Communication of Clark to Atchison on Affairs at De Witt 155 The Mobs' Appeal to Howard County for Help 156 General Clark's Endorsement of the Mob 157 The Governor's Answer to the Saiuts 157 House Burning: and Robbing:.. 157 Mob Leaders Made Command- ers of Militia 158 Hardships of the Saints 158 Proposals for the Departure of the Saints 159 A Sad Journey 159 CHAPTER XII. MOVEMENTS OF THE MOB UPON DE WITT — BATTLE OF CROOKED RIVER — EXTERMINATING ORDER OF GOVERNOR BOGGS. Plan of the Mob to Dispossess the Saints 161 Plans of Doniphan to Protect the Saints 161 State of Affairs in England.... 162 Organization for Defense 162 Mob Depredations at "Diah- man" 162 Affairs at Millport 163 Park's Order to Wight to Dis- perse the Mob 163 Strategem of the Mob 163 Beginning of William Clay- ton's Ministry 164 Vindication of the Prophet's Business Course in Kirtland 164 A Card 165 Crimes of the Mob Charged to the Saints 165 Departure of Orson Hyde from Far West 165 Return of the Prophet to Far West 165 The Saints Flock into Far West 166 Inflamatory Letters to the Governor 166 The Mail Robbed 166 The Course of King and Black 166 The Apostasy of Thomas B. Marsh 167 Communication of Woods and Dickson to Governor Boggs 168 The Prophet's Statement of the Buncombe Affair 169 Raid on the Pinkham Resi- dence 169 Crooked River Battle 170 List of Casualties — Death of Patten and O'Banion 171 The Prophet's Reflections on the Death of David W. Patten 171 E. M. Ryland's Letter to Messrs. Reese and Williams 172 Governor Boggs Order to Gen- CONTENTS. IX eral John B. Clark 173 Letter of Horace Kingsbury and John W. Howdenonthe Business Integrity of the Prophet and his Agents in Kirtland 174 Funeral of David W. Patten... 175 Governor Boggs' Exterminat- ing Order 175 Excitement in Upper Missouri 176 The Appeal of Atchison and Lucas to Goyernor Boggs, Asking his Presence at the "Seat of War" 176 CHAPTER XIII. MOB MOVEMENTS ABOUT FAR WEST — TREACHERY OF COLONEL HINKLE- SORROWFUL SCENES. The Prophet's Comments on Governor Boggs 178 General Clai-k 178 Doctor Sampson Avard 178 Avard's "Danites" 179 Avard's Manner of Proceeding 180 Avard's Instructions to his Captains ISO Revolt of Avard's Officers 181 Avard's Teachings Rejected.. 181 Avard Excommunicated 181 Distinction in Organization Pointed out 182 Gathering of the Mob at Rich- mond 182 Gen. Clark's Movements 182 Joseph Young's Narrative of the Massacre at Haun's Mills 183 AdditionalEvents of the Mass- acre 187 Atchison Withdraws from "Militia" 187 Arrival of more Mob Militia... 187 Preparations for a Battle 188 Col. Hinkle's Treachery 188 Reinforcement of the Mob 188 Betrayal of the Prophet et ah. 188 The Prophet and Companions Sentenced to be Shot 190 Robbings by the "Militia" 191 Excerpt fromGovernor Boggs' Communication to General Lucas 192 Citizens of FarWest Disarmed 192 High-Handed Procedure of the Mob 192 Avard's Treachery 192 Report of General S. D. Lucas to Governor Boggs 195 CHAPTER XIV. RIVALRY AMONG THE MILITIA GENERALS FOR POSSESSION OF THE PRISONERS — "TRIAL" AT RICHMOND. Rival Efforts for Possession of the Prisoners 200 The Prophet's Interview with a Lady 201 Arrival of the Prisoners in Independence 201 Overwhelming Numbers of Mob Militia 202 Severity in the Treatment of Prisoners Modified 202 Fifty-six Additional Prisoners 202 General Clark's Harangue to the Brethren 202 Progress of Affairs at "Diah- man." 205 The Prophet and his Fellow Prisoners sent to Richmond 205 Prisoners not Sufficiently Pro- tected by Guard 205 Meeting of the Prophet and Gen. Clark 205 The Prisoners Chained 206 CONTENTS. PAGE Form of Permit 20G General Clark Desires to try the Prophet by Court Mar- tial 20G General Clark's Report to Governor Boggs 206 Hardships Inflicted on the "Diahman" Saints 207 Casualties of the Mobbing 208 List of the Prisoners 209 The Villainy of Avard 209 List of Witnesses Against the Saints 210 Permit 210 Treatment of Witnesses for the Defense 211 Some Prisoners Discharged... 211 Misconception of the Church PAGE Organization 211 Ashby'sReport of Haun's Mills Massacre 212 Prisoners Discharged and Re- tained 212 LegalAdvice to Cease Defense 212 Mr. Arthur, Esq., to the Rep- resentatives from Clay County 213 Attested Copy of Mittimus Under Which Joseph Smith Jun., and Others, Were Sent from Judge King to the Jailer of Liberty Prison, in Clay County, Missouri 214 In Liberty Prison 215 Course of Wm. E. M'Lellin and Burr Riggs 215 CHAPTER XV. THE CASE OF THE SAINTS PRESENTED TO THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE — THE PROPHET'S COMMUNICATION TO THE SAINTS FROM LIBERTY PRISON. Report of Governor Boggs to the Legislature 217 Memorial of a Committee to the State Legislature of Mis- souri in Behalf of the Citi- zens of Caldwell County 217 Minutes of a High Council Held at Far West, Thursday, December 13, 1838 224 The Prophet's Letters to the Church 226 CHAPTER XVI. CASE OF THE "MORMONS" BEFORE THE MISSOURI LEGISLATURE — CLOSE OF THE YEAR 1838. Varied Reports as to the In- tentions of the Saints 234 Interview Between David H. Redfield and Governor Boggs 234 The Turner Committee Report to the Missouri Legislature 235 The Debate on the Petition.... 238 Nature of the Testimony 239 Minutes of the High Council at Far West 240 Return of Don Carlos Smith and George A. Smith 241 Redfleld's Report 242 Action of Missouri Legisla- ture 242 State Appropriation of $2,- 000 243 Course of the Minority in the Legislature 243 Course of the State Press 244 CONTENTS. XI CHAPTER XVII. PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING MISSOURI- LEGISLATURE. -ACTION OP THE STATE Reflections on the Opening Year 245 Anson Call Beaten 245 Storm in England 245 Missouri State Senate Reso- lutions on Mormon Difficul- ties 246 Other Provisions of the Bill .. 240 Proposition to Help the Poor. 247 The Prophet's Petition to the Missonri Legislature 247 Postscript to the Petition 248 PAGE Minutes of a Public Meeting at Far West 249 Minutes of the Second Meet- ing at Far West 250 List, of Names Subscirbed to the Foregoing 251 Activity of the Committee on Removal 254 Investigation Ordered 254 Minutes of a Meeting of the Committee on Removal 254 CHAPTER XVIII. THE EXILED SAINTS GATHER AT Ql INCY — PROPOSITION TO SETTLE AT COMMERCE. Minutes of a Conference of the Church held at Quincy ... 200 Application for Assistance 261 Persecution of Brigham Young 2G1 Petition to Help the Smith Family from Missouri 261 Arrrangements for Paying the Debts of the Saints 262 The Governor's Order to Re- turn the Arms Belonging to theSaints 262 Labors in the Interests of the Poor 263 Committee Resolutions 263 Action of the Democratic Commitee of Quincy 263 Determination of the Prison- ers^-to Escape 264 Sidney Rigdon's Departure from Prison 264 Importunities for the Release of the Prisoners 204 Meeting of Elder Israel Bar- low and Isaac Galland 265 Communication of Isaac Gal- land 265 Minutes of the Meeting of the Democratic Association of Quincy 267 Report 267 Document "A" 269 Statement of Sidney Rigdon.. 270 Miuutes of the Adjourned Meeting of the Democratic Association of Quincy 270 CHAPTER XIX. LETTERS TO THE PROPHET — AFFAIRS IN ENGLAND — PETITIONS. Edward Partridge's Letter to Joseph Smith, Jun., and Oth- ers Confined in Liberty Jail, Missouri 272 Letter from Don Carlos Smith to Joseph Smith, Jun,, and Others Confined in Liberty Jail, Missouri 273 Letter from William Smith to Joseph and Hyrum 274 XII CONTENTS. PAGE Minutes of a Meeting of the Cotnmitee on Removal 274 Minutes of the Adjourned Meeting of the Democratic Association of Quincy 275 Condition of Affairs in Eug- land 275 Charges of Elder Halsal Against Elder Willard Rich- ards 277 The Cause of Elder Richards' Troubles 277 The Petition of the Propbet et al. to Judge Thompkinsef aL 277 CHAPTER XX. SUNDRY MOVEMENTS IN THE INTEREST OF THE EXILED SAINTS — THE PROPHET'S LETTERS FROM LIBERTY PRISON. Minutes of the Conference at Quincy, Illinois 283 Departure of Mrs. Pratt 284 Action of the Committee of Removal 284 Letter of the Prophet to Mrs. Norman Bull 285 The Mission of Kimball and Turley to Governor Boggs.. 288 The Faulty Mittimus 289 The Prophet's Epistle to the Church, Written in Liberty Prison 289 CHAPTER XXI. STIRRING SCENES ABOUT FAR WEST — THE EPISTLE OF THE PROPHET AND HIS FELLOW PRISONERS. Judge King's Anger 30G Plot Against the Prophet's Life 30G The Truth of a Revelation Questioned 306 Turley's Defense of the Proph- et '.. 307 Colloquv Between Turley and John'Whitmer 307 Land Sales and the Clothing of Prisoners 308 The Prisoners Hurried iuto Daviess Countv 308 Peremptory Orders Considered 308 Action of the Committee 309 Arrival of Stephen Markbam in Gallatin 309 Judge Morin Favors the Proph- et's Escape 310 The Examination of Prisoners 310 Letter of Sidney Rigdon to the Prophet. Rigdon's Plan for the Impeachment of Mis- souri 310 Letter of Alanson Ripley to the Prophet 311 Letter of Don Carlos Smith to His Brother, Hyrnm Smith 313 Letter of Agnes Smith to Hy- rum and Joseph Smith 314 Attempt upon the Life of Stephen Markham 315 A ''True Bill" Found Against the Prisoners 315 Meeting of the Committee on Removal 315 Sale of Jackson County Lands 315 Vision of the Propbet for Markham's Safety 316 Escape of Markham 316 Jacob Stolling's Communica- tion to the Prophet 316 The Prophet's Comments 317 Isaac Galland's Communica- tion to the Quincy Argus... 317 Letters of Robert Lucas, Gov- ernor of the Territory of Iowa, Respecting tne Man- ner in which the Saints Might Hope to be Received and Treated in Iowa 317 CONTENTS. XIII PAGE Activity of the Committee on Removal 319 The Prophet and Fellow Pris- oners Start for Boone County 319 Letter of Elias Higbee to Joseph Smith, Junior, and Fellow Prisoners 319 The Prophet's Reasons for Es- caping from the Officers of the Law 320 Elder Kimball's Warning to the Committee 322 PAGE Attack on Theodore Turley.... 322, The Mob's Assault on Elder Kimball 322 The Mob Loots Far West 322 The Loss of Records, Ac- counts, etc 323 Flight of the Saints via Mis- souri River 323 Assistance for the Poor 323 Narrative of Amanda Smith Respecting the Massacre at Haun's Mills 323 CHAPTER XXII. THE PROPHET'S ACCOUNT OF HIS EXPERIENCES IN MISSOURI — FULFILL- MENT OF A PROPHETIC REVELATION — COMPLETE EXODUS OF THE SAINTS FROM MISSOURI. The Prophet and Companions Continue their Flight 327 The Leading Characters in the Persecution of the Saints... 327 Part of Governor Boggs in the Persecutions 328 Treatment of the Prophet by the Missouri Mob 328 Calm Assurance ot the Prophet Respecting his own Safety 328 Deportment of the Saints 329 Sure Reward of the Faithful Saints 330 The Saints not to Marvel at Persecution 331 The Crime of Missouri to be Viewed in the Light of the Civilized Age in which it was Committed 331 The Appeal of the Prophet to the People of the United States 332 Pursuit of Elder Markham 332 Letters of Governor Lucas of Iowa to Elder Rigdon 333 Letter of Governor Lucas to President Martin Van Buren Respecting the Latter day Saints 333 Letter of Governor Lucas to the Governot of Ohio In- troducing President Rigdon 33-1 Letter of W. W. Phelps to John P. Greene 334 Parley P. Pratt et al. Before the Grand Jury at Richmond 335 The Twelve en route for Far West 335 Minutes of Council Meeting Held at Quincy, Illinois.... 335 Seeking a New Location 336 Minutes of the Meeting 1 of the Twelve Apostles at Far West. April 20. 1839 336 The Revelation of April 8, 1838, Fulfilled 339 CHAPTER XXIII. SETTLEMENT IN COMMERCE, ILLINOIS. Seeking a New Location 341 Elder Taylor's Warning to the People of Quincy Against Impostors 341 Land Purchases 342 The English Saints Warned Against Isaac Russell 342 Isaac Russell's Letter to the XIV CONTENTS. PAGE Saints in England 343 Russell's Efforts Counteracted 344 Minutes of a General Confer- ence of the Church Held near Quincy, Illinois, May 4th, 5th and 6th, 1839 344 Certificate of Appointment... 346 Minutes of the 5th 346 Minutes of the 6th 346 John P. Greene's Letter of Appointment 347 Letter of Recommendation to Elder John P. Greene from Certain Citizens of Quincy.. 348 Sidney Rigdon's Letter of In- troduction to the President of the United States 349 PAGE The Prophet Settles at Com- merce 349 Sidney Rigdon's General Let- ter of Introduction 349 Letter of Recommendation to Oliver Granger from the First Presidency 350 Letter of R, B. Thompson to the First Presidency Com- plaiuing of the Conduct of Lyman Wight 352 Letter of Elder Parley P.Pratt to Judge Austin A. King.... 352 Letter of the First Presidency to the Quincy Whig Dis- claiming the Attitude of Ly- man Wight .'.. 354 CHAPTER XXIY. ADVENTURES OP THE PRISONERS REMAINING IN MISSOURI — THE PROPHET'S NARRATIVE OF PERSONAL EXPERIENCES IN MISSOURI. Rabbi Landau's Letter to His Prisoners Arrive atColumbia 364 Son 356 The Prophet and Vinson The Prophet'sLetter to W.W. Knight's Letter to Mark Phelps 35S Bigler 366 Indictment of Parlej 7 P. Pratt The Prophet's Letter to Ly- et al 360 man Wight, on the Matter of An Adventure by the Way.... 360 R. B. Thompson's Complaint 366 The Prophet's Letter to E. W. Letter of Appointment to Harris 362 Stephen Markham 367 Letter of the Prophet and Parley P. Pratt et al. Seek a Emma Smith to Judge Trial 368 Cleveland 362 The Prophet's Narration of The Prophet's Letter to Bish- his Personal Experiences op Whitney, Asking Him to in Missouri, 1838-9, which Settle at Commerce 363 he calls "A Bill of Damages The Twelve to go to England. 363 Against the State of Mis- Cruel Treatment of Parley P. souri on Account of theSuf- Pratt and Companions 363 feringand Losses Sustained Answer of the FirstPresidency Therein.'' 368 to R. B. Thompson on the Hj-rum Smith's Statement of Lyman Wight Affair 363 Sufferings and Damages Case of William Smith 364 Sustained in Missouri, and Parley P. Pratt and Fellow in Being Driven Therefrom. 369 CHAPTER XXV. COMMERCE— THE PROPHET'S HISTORY — DOCTRINAL DEVELOPMENT. First House Built by the Saints at Commerce 375 CONTENTS. XV PAGE Description of Commerce 375 Letter of Edward Partridge to the Prophet 376 Excitement at Columbia Prison, Mo 377 Visit of the Prophet with William Smith 377 Visit with Don Carlos Smith... 377 Ministry of the Prophet 378 PAGE Purchase of Lands in Iowa.... 378 Return of the Prophet to Com- merce 378 ThePvophet's Answer to Jacob Stollings 378 Kestoiation of Orson Hyde... 379 The Prophet's Instructions on Various Doctrines 379 CHAPTER XXVI. THE PROPHET'S MINISTRY IN THE VICINITY OP COMMERCE — ADDRESS TO THE TWELVE. The Prophet Testifies to the Book of Mormon 382 The Missouri Prisoners 382 Founding of Zarahemla 382 The Prophet with the Twelve and Seventy 382 The Prophet's Address to the Twelve 383 Mercy and Forgiveness 383 Humility and Brotherhood of the Twelve 383 Avard's Vain Glory 3S4 Be Honest, Sober, Vigilant 384 Beware of Treason 385 The Sign of Apostasy 385 The Prophet on Priesthood 385 Adam and the Presidency of the Priesthood 386 Eternity of the Priesthood 386 Adam's Place in the Order of Worthies 386 The Spirit of Man Eternal 387 The Nature of the Priesthood.. 387 The Restoration of the Priest- hood 387 Adam in the Valley of Adam- ondi-Ahman 388 Labors of the Patriarchs and Moses 388 Angels to have Part in the Work 389 The Kingdom of Heaven 389 Future Deliverance of the Saints 389 Importance of Revelation 389 A Vision and Prophecy 390 The Mission of Elijah 390 Blessings for the Saints in Stakes of Zion 390 Haste to Build up Zion 390 Peace in Zion and Her Stakes 391 The Prophet's Vision of Judg- ment 391 Visions 391 Angels 392 Powers of the Devil 392 The Gift of Tongues 392 CHAPTER XXVII. BAPTISM OP ISAAC GALLAND— EPISTLE OF THE TWELVE TO THE CHURCH. Baptism of Isaac Galland 393 Epistle of the Twelve to the Elders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to the Churches Scattered Abroad and to all the Saints 393 XVI CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXVIII. THE ESCAPE OF PARLEY P. PRATT AND HIS FELLOW PRISONERS FROM MISSOURI — THE CLOSE OF AN EPOCH. Parley P. Pratt's Account of His Escape from Missouri 399 APPENDIX TO VOLMME III. AFFIDAVITS OF HYRUM SMITH et al. ON AFFAIRS IN MISSOURI, 1831-39; OFFICIALLY SUBSCRIBED TO BEFORE THE MUNICIPAL COURT OF NAUVOO THE FIRST DAYOF JULY, 1843. Explanatory Note 403 kin 432 The Testimony of Hyrum Testimony of Brigham Young 433 Smith 404 Testimony of Lyman Wight... 337 Testimony of Parley P. Pratt 424 Testimony of Sidney Rigdon 449 Testimony of George W. Pit- INTB0DUCT10N TO VOLUME 111. Enlightenment a Factor in Determining Responsibility for Conduct. Volume Three concludes, for the present, the history of the Church in Missouri. I think it proper, therefore, that here should be considered the causes of the Missouri persecutions, which resulted in the expulsion of the entire Church from that state. There have been, of course, more extensive persecutions than those inflicted on the Saints in Missouri; but I doubt if there has ever been a persecution more cruel or terror-laden in its character. Viewed from the standpoint of its net results there were some fifty people, men, wo- men, and children, killed outright; about as many more were wounded or cruelly beaten, and many more perished indirectly because of the exposure to which they were subjected through the winters of 1833-4 and 1838-9. In round numbers it is estimated that between twelve and fifteen thou- sand people, citizens of the United States, after being dispossessed of their lands, were forcibly driven from the state. It is known that they paid to the United States government for land alone, three hundred and eighteen thousand dollars, which, at the minimum price of one dollar and a quarter per acre, would give them land holdings of over two hun- dred and fifty thousand acres, which represented for that day very large interests.* To this list of results must be added the more horrible one of several cases of ravishment at Far West; and also, after barely escaping from the sentence of death pronounced by a court martial, the cruel impris- onment through weary months of a number of Church leaders. In passing judgment upon such matters as these account must be taken of the age and country in which they occurred; likewise the pre- tensions to right views of life, and devotion to freedom on the part of the perpetrators of the injustice. Undoubtedly a heavier debt is in- curred to history, to humanity and to God, when the parties who resort to such acts of mob violence and injustice live in an enlightened age, and where the free institutions of their country guarantee both the free- dom and security of its citizens. * See "American Commonwealths," Missouri, (Houghton, Mifflin & Com- pany, 1888), p. 181. b vol. in XVIII INTRODUCTION. If in the jungle a man meets a tiger and is torn to pieces, no one thinks of holding the tiger to any moral accountability. Perhaps the hunt will be formed to destroy the beast, but that is merely to be rid of a dangerous animal, and prevent the repetition of the deed. If another meets a cruel death among savages in heathen lands, while some moral responsibility would hold against them, according to their degree of enlightenment, yet the fact that it was an act of savages would be held to reduce the degree of moral turpitude. And likewise even in civil- ized states, in localities to which the vicious may gravitate, when acts of violence are committed there, some allowance may be, and generally is, made for the ignorance and general brutality of the particular neigh- borhood. By this process of reasoning I think it will appear quite clear that moral responsibility, both on the part of individuals and communities or nations, increases in proportion to their enlightenment. If, therefore, this principle be kept in view, the persecution of the Latter-day Saints by the people of Missouri was a very heinous offense. True it may be said that the worst acts of cruelty were perpetrated by low, brutish men among the mob or in the militia — for these bodies were convertible from one to the other on shortest possible notice, and wholly as the exigencies of the enemies of the Saints demanded — but these were led and abetted by quite a different order of men: by law- yers, members of the state legislature, by county and district judges, by physicians, by professed ministers of the gospel, by merchants, by leading politicians, by captains, majors, colonels, and generals — of sev- eral grades — of the militia, by many other high officials of the state including the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and finally by the action of the state legislature which appropriated two hundred thousand dollars to defray the expenses incurred by the mob- militia in carrying out the Governor's order, exterminating the Saints from the state. These facts are made apparent in the pages of this and the two preced- ing volumes of the History of the Church. The facts cannot be ques- tioned. They are written out most circumstantially in the Prophet's story. Times, places, and names are given of the incidents related, and the more important of these may be corroborated by histories of these events other than our own. The persecutions then of the Latter-day Saints in Missouri, and their final expulsion from that state, were crimes against the enlightenment of the age and of the state where the acts occurred; a crime against the constitutions and institutions both of the state of Missouri and of the Uaited States; as also a crime against the Christian religion. All this we have in mind when speaking of the severity and cruelty of these compared with other persecutions. The state of Missouri was INTRODUCTION. XIX guilty of a greater crime when it persecuted the Latter-day Saints than states were which in the barbarous times of the dark ages persecuted their people; though when estimated in net results there may have been more murders and robberies, greater destruction of property, and more wide-spread suffering in the latter than in the former. It is in the light of the principle here laid down that I propose to review the causes of the persecutions of the Latter-day Saints in Mis- souri. The People of Missouri and the Saints. The people of the state of Missouri, and especially those living in western and upper Missouri, in the early decades of the nineteenth cen- tury, were chiefly from the states of the South — from Kentucky, Ten- nessee, Virginia, and the Carolinas. This is not stated as a matter of reproach, for among the American people there have been no better or nobler citizens of the Republic than the people of the states enumer- ated. I merely make the statement in order to present a fact, and be- cause other facts grow out of it. To say that Missouri was settled by emigrants from the states of the South carries with it the explanation why Missouri was one of the slave states, and her people attached to the social and industrial methods of life attendant upon that circum- stance. That is to say, they looked with contempt upon manual labor; regarding it as menial and proper only for slaves to perform. With that idea is closely related another; namely, that white people who from circumstances were compelled to perform manual labor, or who fol- lowed it from principle, in the eyes of the people of the South were of an inferior class; contemptuously characterized by some as "white trash," and by others, inclined to be more polite, as "poor whites." Freedom from manual labor gave to those of active dispositions in such communities an opportunity to follow the more desiiable voca- tions of professional life; the law, medicine, the Christian ministry, merchandizing and general business; or leisure for political or military activities; or the pursuit of pleasure, fishing, hunting, horse racing, and social life generally. These conditions naturally resulted in pride, often in arrogance, and a desperate sort of courage, which held honor high and weakness and cowardice in contempt; also something of intol- erance for those disposed to set themselves against such an order of things. The reader will recognize, of course, that I have so far in mind only the better element of the population, the least of the evils and some of the advantages resulting from such industrial and social conditions. There were, however, quite different and more serious results than any XX INTRODUCTION. yet noted arising from this system of society. While those disposed to activity and inclined to honorable pursuits might enjoy certain advan- tages from the system, on the other hand, it fostered man's natural in- clination to idleness and love of ease that comes of idleness; and fos- tered jealousy and bitterness against those more industrious and suc- cessful. In such a class the system led to ignorance, irreligion, and' criminal tendencies; constituting them a dangerous element in the com- munity. It was doubtless this class the Prophet Joseph had in mind when he said soon after his first arrival in western Missouri: "Our re- flections were great, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society in the East, and standing now upon the confines or western limits of the United States, and looking into the vast wilderness of those that sat in darkness. How natural it was to observe the degradation, leanness of intellect, ferocity and jealousy of a people that were nearly a century behind the times, and to feel for those who roamed about without the benefit of civilization, refinement, or religion! " Many of the positions in the higher walks of life, in western Missouri, were sought by the unworthy, the corruptible and the vicious — men who sought all the advantages of the southern ideals of life without possessing the refining virtues which for generations in the older states of the south made some of the evils of the social system that obtained there at least tolerable. Such were the Brazeales, the Wilsons, the Hunters, the Kavanaughs, the Likens, the Loveladys, the McCartys, the McCoys, the Pixleys, the Simsons, the Silvers, the Westons, the Gilliams,the Birches, the Blacks, the Bogarts, the Clarks, the Liveseys, and the Penistons. Another circumstance which influenced somewhat the character of western Missouri's population in the early decades of the nineteenth century, was the fact that these sections of the state constituted part of the frontiers of the United States, and here had gravitated a more or less lawless class which sought the security of proximity to the bound- ary lines of the United States, from whose confines they could make their escape in the event of being hard pressed for violations of law in the older states whence they had come, or in their new habitat. Such were the Lovels, the Hawkins, the Heatherleys and many others. The Latter-day Saints who settled in Missouri from 1831 to 1839 had come for the most part from the New England States and New York. There were, therefore, marked differences in character between them and the old settlers of Missouri ; differences of ideas as to industrial and social life; of moral and religious life. The Saints were descendants chiefly of the Puritans, and both by inheritance and training had fallen heirs to the Puritan's strict views of industry, religion and morality. The Puritans taught that all labor was honorable, and industry a duty. Re- INTRODUCTION. XXI ligion occupied a large share of their attention — entered in fact into all the affairs of life — though its duties meant largely a regular attendance upon church service; a strict observance of the proprieties while there; a rigid observance throughout of the Sabbath day. Neither work nor amusements were tolerated on that day. Iu the oldeu time among; some of their forefathers it had been unlawful to sit in Boston Common on the Sabbath or to walk in the streets of Boston, except to church. Once a man was publicly whipped for shooting a fowl on Sunday. A womau was threatened with banishment for smiling iu church. A per- son abseut from church for more thau one Sunday was in danger of being fined, whipped, or set in the stocks. Swearing was prohibited in nearly all the New England colonies, and a split stick was sometimes placed on the swearer's tongue.* Both food and dress were plain, and the latter, in some instances, was regulated by law. Amusements were few. Dancing and card-play- ing were forbidden, and there was little music. The state sought to take entire charge of the individual, and supposed that tendency toward im- morality could be stemmed by legislation. In early Connecticut no one under twenty was allowed to use tobacco, and none to use it more than once a day. The laws were severe and the penalties cruel. The stocks and whipping-post and pillory were in frequent requisition to correct moral delinquents. An offender might be made to stand on a stool in ■church with the name of his misdemeanor displayed on his breast. Among the common punishments were cropping or boring the ears and branding with a hot iron.f Of course in later years there was a general relaxation from these severities, and many of these customs and laws, by the time our gene- ration of Saints came on the scene, were obsolete. Still, the moral and spiritual atmosphere in which the Saiuts and their fathers had been reared was austere iu its moral character, and stood in marked contrast to the moral atmosphere of the South, where, in respect of such things as church attendance, religious observances, persoual liberty in eating, drinking and amusements, there was wider freedom. In the sparsely settled country of western Missouri, the descendants of the old cavaliers and their following, who settled the South, and the descendants of the Puritans, who settled the North, were to meet: and very naturally one may see in these antagonistic elements — aside from the cause of antagonism which will be found in the newly revealed re- ligion of the Latter-day Saints — natural causes of irritation between them founded in the differences of character, and their respective con- ceptions of industrial, moral, and religious duties. That the old settlers * "History of the United States," (Morris) p. 132. t Ibid, pp. 135-7, XXII INTRODUCTION. jn Missouri, even those friendly disposed towards the Saints, recog- nized the incompatibility of the two classes is evident from the public utterances of a mass meeting neld at Liberty, in Clay countv, when the Saints were urged to seek anew locality where they could live by them- selves. "They are eastern men, 1 ' said the address, "whose manners, habits, customs, and even dialect, are essentially different from our own. We earnestly urge them to seek some other abiding place, where the manners, the habits, and customs of the people will be more conso- nant with their own."* This difference of character between the Saints and the old settlers I account one of the causes of the Missouri persecutions. The Question of Slavery. The question of slavery in Missouri was a delicate one. It will per- haps be remembered that it was the application of the territory of Missouri for admission into the Union, 1818-19, that brought the ques- tion of slavery into one of its acute stages before the country; and in- augurated a long series of debates in the National Congress on the sub- ject. It was upon the admission of Missouri into the Union in 1821 that the great Compromise which bears the state's name settled, not the question of slavery itself, but, for the time, the agitation of it. That Compromise consisted finally in this: that while Missouri her- self was admitted with a clause in her constitution permitting slavery, and also prohibiting free people of color from immigrating into the state, slavery was forever to be prohibited in all territory of the United States north of the line thirty-six degrees and thirty minutes north lati- tude (the southern boundary line of the state of Missouri); and Mis- souri was required "by a solemn, public act" of her legislature, to de- clare that the clause in her constitution relating to the immigration of free negroes into the state, should never be construed to authorize the passage of any law by whifh any citizen of either of the states in this Union shall be exclude'd from the enjoyment of any of the privi- leges and immunities to which he is entitled under the Constitution of the United States. These historical facts are referred to here that the reader may be re- minded that slavery was a delicate question in Missouri; that her peo- ple were super-sensitive about it since she was the first territory upon which the National Congress sought to impose the prohibition of slavery as a condition precedent to her admission into the Union, which, up to that time, had been a matter left to the people of the territory seeking admission to determine for themselves. Of course this attempt at re- * HlSTORT OF THE CHURCH, Vol. II, p. 450. INTRODUCTION. XXIII striction of slavery was made by northern members of the national Con- gress.* All the sentiment for the restriction of slavery was in the North. In 1831 the sentiment for the positive abolition of slavery had made such progress in Massachusetts, that William Lloyd Garrison estab- lished in Boston "'The Liberator, " a paper which advocated "the im- mediate and unconditional emancipation of every slave in the United States.'' As a result of this agitation anti-slavery societies were formed and active measures taken to advoca.e these opinions by means of lec- tures and pamphlets. These extreme measures against slavery did not meet with the approval of all or even the majority of the people of New England, much less with the approval of the people of other northern states. Still this agitation arose and was chiefly supported in New England. It will not be difficult to understand, therefore, that any con- siderable number of people from that section of the Union immigrating into a slave state would arouse suspicion; especially when that immi- gration was into a slave state upon which, when as a territory she had made application for admission into the Union, prohibition of slavery was sought to be enforced by the northern members of the National Congress. Nor will it be sufficient to dispel this suspicion to aver that these particular immigrants from New England, and other northern states are not abolitionists; that they take no part with, and do not shaie the fanatical sentiments of, the abolitionists; that their objects and purposes are of an entirely different and larger character. The answer to all this was given in a public document drawn up to voice the sentiment of a great mass meeting of the people of Clay county — a people, be it remembered, who at the time (1836) were not unfriendly towards the Saints, but a people who a few years before had received the Saints into their homes, and given them shelter when they were exiles from Jackson county, and who, at the time of the utterance I am about to quote was published, were in a covenant of peace with the Saints, and the Saints in a covenant of peace with them — I say the answer to all disclaimers on the part of the Saints respecting their not being abolitionists was found in this public utterance: "They are eastern men, whose manners, habits, customs and even dialect are essentially different from our own. They are non-slavehold- ers, and opposed to slavery, which in this peculiar period, when aboli- tionism has reared its deformed and haggard visage in our land, is well calculated to excite deep and abiding prejudices in any community where slavery is tolerated and protected." I call attention to these facts that the student of the history of the Church may appreciate the weight of influence they would have in cre- • Mr. Tallmadge, a representative from the state of New York, offered the re- stricting provision. XXIV INTRODUCTION. ating popular sautitneat against the Saints; a matter which hitherto, if E may be permitted to say so, has not been fully appreciated. One can readily see what a potent factor this sentiment against New England and other northern states people would be in tbe hands of political demagogues and sectarian priests seeking to exterminate what they would respectively consider an undesirable element in politics and a religious rival. That both political demagogues and sectarian priests made the most of the opportunity which hostile sentiment in Missouri against abolition and abolitionists afforded, abundantly appears in the pages of the first volume of the Church History. That sentiment was appealed to from the first; indeed in the very first manifesto of the mob — known as "The Secret Constitution,"* — issued against the Saints in Missouri, it was a prominent feature. This was at Independence, in July, 1833. In that "Manifesto" the following passage occurs: "More than a year since, it was ascertained that they [the Saints] had been tampering with our slaves, and endeavoring to sow dissen- sions and raise seditions amongst them. Of this their Mormon leaders were informed, and they said they would deal with any of their mem- bers who should again in like case offend. But how specious are ap- pearances. In a late number of the Star, published in Independence by the leaders of the sect, there is an article inviting free negroes and mulattoes from other states to become Mormons, and remove and settle among us. This exhibits them in still more odious colors. It manifests a desire on the part of their society, to inflict on our society an injury that they know would be to us entirely insupportable, and one of the surest means of driving us from the country; for it would require none of the supernatural gifts that they pretend to, to see that the introduc- tion of such a caste amongst us would corrupt our blacks, aud instigate them to bloodshed.'' The article on "Free People of Color" referred to appeared in the Evening and Morning Star for July. The charge of sowing dissensions and inspiring seditions among the slaves, and inviting free negroes to settle in Missouri, had no foundation in truth. Concerning such people the Missouri laws provided that: If any negro or mulatto came iuto the state of Missouri, without a certificate from a court of record in some one of the United States, evidencing that he was a citizen of such state, on complaint before any justice of the peace, such negro or mulatto could be commanded by the justice to leave the state; and if the col- ored person so ordered did not leave the state within thirty days, on complaint of any citizen, such person could be again brought before the justice who might commit him to the common jail of the county, until • History of the Church, vol. 1, p. 374, et seq. INTRODUCTION. XXV the convening of the circuit court, when it became the duty of the judge of the circuit court to inquire into the cause of commitment; and if it was found that the negro or mulatto had remained in the state con- trary to the provisions of this statute, the court was authorized to sent- ence such person to leceive ten lashes on his or her bare back, and then order him or her to depart from the &tate; if the person so treated should still refuse to go, then the same proceedings were to be repeated and punishment inflicted as often as was necessary until such person departed. And further: If any person brought into the state of Missouri a free negro or mulatto, without the aforesaid certificate of citizenship, for every such negro or mulatto the person offending was liable to a forfeit of five hundred dollars; to be recovered by action of debt in the name of the state. The editor of the Star commenting upon this law said: "Slaves are real estate in this and other states, and wisdom would dictate great care among the branches of the Church of Christ on this sub- ject. So long as we have no special rule in the Church as to people of color, let prudence guide; and while they, as well as we, are in the hands of a merciful God, we say: shun every appearance of evil." Publishing this law and the above comment was construed by the old settlers to be an invitation to free people of color to settle in Jackson county! Whereupon an extra was published to the July number of the Star on the sixteenth of the month, which said: "The intention in publishing the article, "Free People of Color," was not only to stop free people of color from immigrating to Missouri, but to prevent them from being admitted as members of the Church. * * * * * To be short, we are opposed to having free people of color admitted into the State."* But in the face of all this the Missourians still claimed that the arti- cle was merely published to give directions aud cautions to be observed by "colored brethren," to enable them upon their arrival in Missouri, to "claim and exercise the rights of citizenship." "Contemporaneous with the appearance of this article" — the above article in the Star * In making the statement that it was the intention of the Star article not only to stop "free people of color" immigrating to Missouri, but also to "prevent them from heing admitted as members of the Church," the editDr of the Star, of course went too far; if not in his second article, explaining the scope and meaning of the first, then in the first article; for he had no authority to seek to prevent "free people of color" from heing admitted members of the Church. But as a matter of fact there were very few if any "free people of color" in the Church at that time. The "fears" of the Missourians on that head were sheer fabrications of evil dis posed minds. XXVI INTRODUCTION. — continued the charge published in the Western Monitor — "was the ex- pectation among the brethren, that a considerable number of this de- graded caste were only waiting this information before they should set out on their journey."* And this base falsehood was used to inflame the minds of the old settlers against the Saints. I do not refer to this question of slavery in connection with the per- secution of the Saints in Missouri in order to set it down as one of the causes of that persecution; because, as a matter of fact, the views of the Saints, and especially of the leading Elders of the Chureh on that question were such that they could never be truthfully eharged with being a menaee to that institution. The Prophet Joseph himself, at the time of the Jackson county troubles and subsequently, held very con- servative views on the subject of slavery, surprisingly conservative views when his own temperament and environment are taken into ac- count, of which fact any one may convince himself by reading his paper on the subject of abolition in Volume II of the Church His- tory, pages 436-40. Finally, it was given by the inspiration of God to the Prophet first to utter the most statesman-like word upon this vexed question of slavery, and had the nation and people of the Uuited States but given heed to his recommendations it would have settled the question in harmony with the convictions of the people of the North, and without injustice to the South. Here follows his statesman- like word, published through- out the United States in 1844 — eleven vears before Ralph Waldo Emer- son made substantially the same recommendation, and for which the phil- osopher received no end of praise: — ''Petition, also, ye goodly inhabitants of the slave states, your legis- lators to abolish slavery by the year 1850, or now, and save the aboli- tionist from reproach and ruin, and infamy and shame. Pray Congress to pay every man a reasonable price for his slaves out of the surplus revenue arising from the sale of the public lauds, and from the deduc- tion of pay from the members of Congress. Break off the shackles from the poor black man, and hire him to labor like other human be- ings; for an hour of virtuous liberty is worth a whole eternity of bondage."! But now to return to the course of the Missourians iu misrepresent- ing the views of the Saints on the subject of slavery. Notwithstanding the explicit denials through the "Evening and Morning StarP that the article on "Free People of Color 7 ' was intended to invite such a class into the state; and the further declaration that the Saints were opposed to such persons coming iuto the state; as also the fact that it is * Western Monitor for the 2nd of August, 1833. t Joseph Smith's "Views o£|the Powers and Policy of the Government of the United States," MiU. m S**"r, Vol. XXII. p. 743. INTRODUCTION. XXVII doubtful if there were any free negroes who were members of the Church — notwithstanding all this, their enemies continued to misrepre- sent them, and their views on the subject of slavery. They saw in the fact that many of them were from New England, where abolition senti- ment was rife, their opportunity to charge them with abolition sentiments and intention to interfere with slavery, with every prospect of having it quite generally believed — hence the charge was made and became a pretext if not a cause of acts of aggression upon the Saints, and as such is a factor that must be taken account of in these pages. Political Fears. I know of no circumstances which developed what the political faith of the Saints really was during their sojourn in the state of Missouri; and doubt if any data exists from which it could be determined whether a majority of them were Whigs or Republican- Democrats, as the party now designated as the Democratic party was then called. In fact, politics, local or national, concerned the Saints but very little during their stay in Missouri. Their minds were occupied by quite other, and I may say, larger and higher things; and their activities were con- cerned with other issues than those political. They were concerned about the redemption of Zion, her establishment, the proclamation of the Gospel, the salvation of men, the preparation of the earth for the incoming of that Kingdom whose King is the Lord. Their mission encompassed the whole world, it was not confined to the state of Missouri and her petty political affairs; nor even to the political affairs of the United States, important as they were. "Mormonism" was a world-move- ment, not merely a national one. It concerned itself with the deeper and broader subject of religion, rather than with the principles and methods of the administration of government, state or national. Still, in common with other people of the county, state and nation of which they were citizens, they possessed civil and political rights and privileges, accom- panied as such rights and privileges always are in a republic with cer- tain duties both to the state and themselves, among which the exercise of the elective franchise. As this made them a power in the commu- nity, their actual and prospective influence in the affairs of the coun- ties where they resided, and in the state, was a matter of frequent discussion among the old settlers in Missouri. I do not know that it was ever charged that they were Whigs, and that by acting with that party in Missouri they could wrest the control of the state from the Republican-Democratic party then in power; though that they were Whigs might have been inferred from the fact of their being chiefly from New England and other northern states; yet this was not charged. XXVIII INTRODUCTION. There was repeatedly expressed, however, a fear of their political power. In the document issued by the mob meeting at Independence on the 20th of July, 1833, it is said: "When we reflect on the extensive field in which the sect is operating, and that there exists in every country a leaven of superstition that embraces with avidity, notions the most extravagant and unheard of, and that whatever can be gleaned by them from the purlieus of vice and the abodes of ignorance, is to be cast like a waif into our social circle, it requires no gift of prophecy to tell that the day is not far dis- tant when the civil government of the county will be in their hands; when the sheriff, the justices, and the county judges will be Mormons, or persons wishing to court their favor from motives of interest or am- bition." It was an effort to prevent members of the Church from voting at an election at Gallatin, Daviess county, in August, 1838, which led to the commencement of those acts of hostility against the Saints which ended ultimately in their expulsion from that state. There was no political offense even charged against the Saints; only that if permitted to exercise the franchise they would in time obtain control of the counties where they resided, so rapidly were they increasing in num- bers; and the old settlers would lose the offices; and as these old settlers were dear lovers of office, it was political jealousy born of fear which prompted in part the acts of aggression against the Saints. When such jealousy is awakened, pretexts for the justification of its existence are not difficult to find, and in this instance the old settlers in Missouri relied upon the false charges of ignorance, superstition, and general unworthiness of the Saints to be considered good citizens of the state. The charge was not that they were all of one political faith; or that they voted solidly; or that they were under the political dictation of their religious leaders; or that religious influence was dragged into political affairs. None of these charges were made: it was simply a fear that the old settlers would lose the offices, and the new settlers, the Saints, being in the majority, would hold them. How much justi- fication there was for this "fear" may not be determined, since it was based upon no accomplished fact, but regarded as the natural outcome of the operation of the political system obtaining in the United States; namely, tlua right of the majority to choose the public officers; and if the Saints happened to be in the majority it was regarded as likely that they would elect their friends to office, among whom, at least, would have been some members of their own faith. How the matter would have terminated in the event of the Saints having been permitted to remain in Missouri — what would have been the political alignment of INTRODUCTION. XXIX the members of the Church I mean, no one can say. The only political utterance made by any Church leader was that given out by the Prophet Joseph soon after his arrival in Missouri, and called at the time "The Political Motto of the Church." I quote it: ''The Constitution oj our country formed by the Fathers oj Liberty; peace and good order in society; love to God, and good will to man. All good and wholesome laws; virtue and truth above all things, and Aristarchy [a govern- ment by good men] live J or ever: but woe to tyrants, mobs, aristocracy* anarchy and toryism, and all those who invent or seek out unrighteous or evasive law suits, under the pretext and color of law or office, either religious or political. Exalt the standard of Democracy! Down with that of priest- craft, and let all the people say Amen! That the blood of the fathers may not cry from the ground against us. Sacred is the memory of that blood which bought for us our liberty." This surely is sufficiently non-partisan, cosmopolitan and patriotic. Is it not of the essence of Americanism 1 ? And under such sentiments would not every member of the Church be able to perform his political duty in either of the great American parties then existing or afterwards to arise? It is not necessary to pursue this subject further. It is enough to say that the political fears of the old settlers of Missouri, though based upon conjecture as to what could or might happen, were real fears, and became one of the causes of the Missouri persecutions. The Saints and the Indians. The interest of the Saints in the American Indians grows out of the knowledge they have of their forefathers, revealed through the Book of Mormon. From the historical parts of that book they learned the origin of these Indians; that they are of the house of Israel: from the prophetic parts of the book they learn of their future, that it is to be glorious; that fallen as their fortunes now are, they will not always remain so; extinction is not their fate, but before many generations shall pass away they will become a white and a delightsome people, favored of God, and prominent in bringing to pass His purposes in the land of Zion — the two Americas. It was a mission to the Lamanites or Indians which first brought several of the Elders of the Church of Christ to western Missouri. When the people of Missouri learned in what esteem the Saints held the forefathers of the Indians, and also the Iudians themselves, both on account of their forefathers and the prom- ises of God to them, it was but reasonable that they should conclude there was — as indeed there is — a strong sympathy on the part of the Saints towards the Indians; and there was great reason to believe that this sympathy might become mutual. XXX INTRODUCTION. It was in this substratum of truth that the false accusations against the Saints were founded to the effect that they were seeking to enter into an alliance with the Indian tribes of the west for the purpose of driving the old settlers from their possessions in western Missouri, in order that the Saints with the Indians might possess the land to the exclusion of the "Gentiles." To appreciate the seriousnpss of this charge, it should be remem- bered that the Indian tribes formerly residing east o the Mississippi, about this time — during President Jackson's two presidential terms, 1829-1837 — were being transplanted into the country immediately west of Missouri, so that there were great numbers of these people — amounting to many thousands — being massed just beyond the bound- aries of the state. Many of the tribes were in no amiable mood either. In some instances the terms of the treaties by which they accepted lands in the Indian territory west of Missouri, for lands that consti- tuted their old homes in the East and South, wei'e forced upon them after — to them — disastrous wars; so that it might well be suspected that they would be ready to follow any leader who would hold out promise of regaining their lost possessions, or who would give them the hope of revenge upon their despoilers. Let these facts be considered and given their due weight, and the reader will not find it difficult to perceive what a potent factor against the Saints this charge of holding communication with the Indians for the purpose of dispossessing the people of western Missouri of their homes would be: and, as in the case of the slavery question, their ene- mies were not slow to see the advantage, and made the most of it. It was not until the agitation for the removal of the Saints from Clay county began,, however, 183C, that this charge of holding communica- tion with the Indians for the purposes already set forth, was publicly made. Then in the document adopted at the mass meeting setting forth the several reasons of the old settlers for asking the Saints to re- move from Clay county, this passage occurs: "In addition to all this, they are charged, as they have hitherto been, with keeping up a constant communication with our Iudian tribes on the frontiers; with declaring, even from the pulpit, that the Indians are a part of God's chosen people, and are destined by heaven to in- herit this land, in common with themselves. We do not vouch for the correctness of these statements; but whether they are true or false, their effect has been the same in exciting the community. In times of greater tranquility, such ridiculous remarks might well be regarded as the offspring of frenzied fanaticism; but at this time, our defenseless situation on the frontier, the bloody disasters of our fellow citizens in Florida and other parts of the South, all tend to make a portion of our INTRODUCTION. XXXI citizens regard such sentiments with horror, if not alarm. These and many other causes have combined to raise a prejudice against them, and a feeling of hostility, that the first spark may, and we deeply fear will, ignite into all the horrors and desolations of a civil war, the worst evil that can befall any country." Governor Dunklin, shortly after this, in answer to appeals made to bim by the Saints for protection, by tne execution of the law, on this charge of holding communication with the Indians, said:' 'Your neigh- bors accuse your people with holding illicit communication with the Indians, and of being opposed to slavery. You deny. Whether the charge or the denial is true, I cannot tell. The fact exists, and your neighbors seem to believe it true; and whether true or false, the con- sequences will be the same (if your opponents are not merely gascon- nading), unless you can, by your conduct and arguments, convince them of your innocence. If you cannot do this, all I can say to you is that in this Republic the vox populi is the vox Z>et." Of course this false accusation was emphatically denied by the Saints. In a public meeting held by the members of the Church to draw up a reply to the request of the people of Clay county, that the Saints remove from that county, they said: "We deny holding any communi- cation with the Indians, and mean to hold ourselves as ready to defend our country against their barbarous ravages as any other people. We believe that all men are bound to sustain and uphold the respective governments in which they reside, while protected in their inherent and inalienable rights by the laws of such governments; and that sedition and rebellion are unbecoming every citizen thus protected, and shonld be punished accordingly." In a communication signed by the Prophet Joseph and several other presiding officers of the Church, and addressed to the leading men of Clay county, referring to the Indian charge, this was said: "Another charge of great magnitude is brought against our friends in the west, that of keeping up a constant communication with the In- dian tribes on the frontier; with declaring, even from the pulpit, that the Indians are a part of God's chosen people, and are destined by heaven to inherit this land, in common with themselves. We know of nothing under the present aspect of our Iudian relations calculated to arouse the fears of the people of the Upper Missouri more than a com- bination of influences of this nature; and we cannot look upon it as being other than one of the most subtle purposes of those whose feel- ings are embittered agaiust our friends, to turn the eye of suspicion upon them from every man who is acquainted with the barbarous cru- elty of rude savages. Since a rumor was afloat that the western In- dians were showing sigus of war, we have received frequent private XXXII INTRODUCTION. letters from our friends, who have not only expressed fears for their own safety, in case the Indians should break out, but a decided deter- mination to be among the first to repel any invasion and defend the frontier from all hostilities. We mention the last fact because it was wholly uncalled for on our part, and came previous to any excitement on the part of the people of Clay county against our friends, and must definitely show that this charge is untrue.'' But all these denials went for nothing. As remarked by Governor Dunklin, whether the denial or the charge was true, people at a dis- tance, at least, might not tell; quite generally, however, the charge was believed, and helped to swell the volume of prejudice — already too great — against the Saints. Indeed, so potent a factor was this charge of holding illicit communication with the Indians, in arousing prejudice against the Saints, that it was used against them with great effect after their settlement in Utah, It was one of the charges made against them at the time the genpral government of the United States was induced by their enemies to send out an army to suppress a rebellion in Utah that had no existence except in the hate-frenzied minds of the detrac- tors of the Saints. "It is charged," said Stephen A. Douglas in a speech at Springfield, Illinois, on the I2th of June, 1857*— "It is charged * * * *" that the Mormon government, with Brigham Young at its head, is now forming alliances with Indian tribes in Utah and adjoining territories,, stimulating the Indians to acts of hostility, and organizing bands of his own followers, under the name of Danites or destroying angels, to prosecute a system of robbery and murders upon American citizens who support the authority of the United States, and denounce the in- famous and disgusting practices and institutions of the Mormon gov- ernment." The army came only to find the foregoing with other charges that had induced the general government to send it to Utah, untrue. But thi& is digression. Mormon communication with the American Indians for the purpose of despoiling the Gentiles and taking possession of their lands can never be set down as one of the causes of the Missouri persecution; for .such communication never took place — the charge of it was untrue. It was, however, one of a number of pretexts, and became a factor in creating public prejudice, which alone made possible the expulsion of the Saints from Missouri. The Unwisdom of the Saints. I come now to one of the most delicate subdivisions of this Introduc- * The speech appears in the Missouri Bepublican of June 18th, 1857. INTRODUCTION. XXXIII tion; namely, the unwisdom of the Saints. To appreciate this as a factor in the Missouri persecutions one needs to take into account not only human nature, but also human nature under the stress of religious impulse and influence. First, however, as to the facts involved. To the Saints of those times had been given a dispensation of the Gospel — a new revelation of it. They had been blessed with the spirit of faith to receive it. To them it was made known that God had again spoken from heaven; He had again conferred divine authority upon men to act in His name — many of the brethren, the majority of the male membership of the Church in fact, held that divine authority, the priesthood of God; the terms of man's salvation were restated; the spiritual powers and gifts of the Gospel were guaranteed anew and plenteously enjoyed by the Saints. To them was made known the truth of a new volume of scripture, the Book of Mormon. The knowledge imparted by that book was in itself, and especially to them, wonderful. From it they learned that the ancient inhabitants of the American con- tinents, the ruins of whose civilization challenged the curiosity of men and excited their wonder, were of the house of Israel; the American Indians were their fallen descendants and, of course, also of the house of Israel and heirs to the general promises made to that people, to say nothing of special promises made to them as direct descendants of the house of the patriarch Joseph, son of Jacob. Messiah in his resurrected and glorified state had visited America and its inhabitants shortly after His resurrection at Jerusalem, and established the Christian institution, — a Christian ministry, and a Christian Church, followed by a veritable golden age of peace, prosperity, and righteousness; and although the descendants of that ancient God-favored people were now fallen from the high estate of their fathers, yet were the promises and prophecies great concerning them. God would again visit them by His grace, they should be redeemed from their ignorance and barbarism, and they should yet be important factors in establishing a "New Jerusalem," the Zion of God on this land of America, given to the descendants of the ancient patriarch Joseph, whose descendants principally the Indians are. The Saints had been even so far favored as to have the place for the chief city of refuge and safety pointed out to them by revelation ; as also the site of its temple — Independence, Missouri; and they were required by the commandments of God to bear witness to the world of these things. In view of all this — the fact that they were made at once the depository and witnesses of these great revelations, is it not likely that they would regard themselves as a people peculiarly favored of God? And is it matter of astonishment if some among them, not pos- sessed of the soundest judgment, should run into an excess of zeal and give expression to unwise, as also to unwarranted conclusions? c vol III XXXIV INTRODUCTION. Moreover, the Lord had spoken of the future glory of Zion — of the city, the location of which the Elders were to testify; also of the glory of the temple, with its future cloud by day and pillar of fire by night; of the future union of this New- World Zion with the ancient Zion of Enoch, where the Lord will make His abode, "and for the space of a thousand years shall the earth rest;"* also of his covenant with them concerning Zion, both as pertaining to time and eternity, wherein He said: "I have made the earth rich; and behold it is my footstool, where- fore, again I will stand upon it; and I hold forth, and deign to give unto yoti greater riches, even a land of promise, a land flowing with milk and honey, upon which there shall be no curse when the Lord cometh: and I will give it unto you for the land of your inheritance, if you seek it with all your hearts. And this shall be my covenant with you.you shall have it for the land of your inheritance, and for the inher- itance of your children forever, while the earth shall stand, and you shall possess it again in eternity, no more to pass away."f The Lord said again concerning Zion: "Wherefore I, the Lord, have said, gather ye out from the eastern lands, assemble yourselves to- gether ye elders of my Church; go ye forth into the western countries, call upon the inhabitants to repent, and inasmuch as they do repent, build up churches unto me; and with one heart and with one mind, gather up your riches that ye may purchase an inheritance which shall hereafter be appointed unto you, and it shall be called the New Jeru- salem, a land of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the Saints of the Most High God; and the glory of the Lord shall be there, inso- much that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion. And it shall come to pass, among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor, must needs flee unto Zion for safety. And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another. And it shall be said among the wicked, Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; where- fore we cannot stand. "J These promises to the Saints respecting Zion; these descriptions given to them of her future sanctified and glorified state; their con- nection with a work so exalted and far-reaching, was apt to fire their minds with a zeal not always tempered with wisdom. It was in vain that limitations of time and conditions were placed upon these general descriptions of the future greatness and glory of the city of God; nor could they understand that their own relationship to these great things * Pearl of Great Price, pp. 44, 45, 1902 edition. t Doc. & Cov. Sec. 38. t Doc. arid Cov. Sec. 45. INTRODUCTION. XXXV was merely to lay the foundation of them, to locate the site of the future city and temple, and then bear witness of it to the world. Yet that their work in connection with the founding of Zion was chiefly this, is clearly to be seen in the revelations of God to them. The immediate and triumphant establishment of Zion, though ex- pected by many of the Saints, was nowhere contemplated in the revela- tions of God to the Church. That hope of immediate establishment and glorification of Zion was the result of faulty deductions from the revela- tions of God; but the Lord was not blind respecting the events about to take place on the land of Zion, nor did He hold out any false hope to His people had they but read His revelations aright. A few days before the first conference held by the Elders on the land of Zion, the Lord said to them through His Prophet: "Hearken, ye elders of my Church, and give ear to my word, and learn of me what I will concerning you, and also concerning this land unto which I have sent you: For verily I say unto you, blessed is he that keepeth my commandments, whether in life or in death; and he that is faithful in tribulation, the reward of the same is greater in the kingdom of heaven. Ye cannot behold with your natural eyes, for the present time, the design of your God concerning those things which shall come hereafter, and the glory which shall follow after much tribu- lation. For after much tribulation comes the blessings. Wherefore the day cometh that ye shall be crowned with much glory; the hour is not yet, but is nigh at hand. Remember this, which I tell you before, that you may lay it to heart, and receive that which shall follow. Behold, verily I say unto you, for this cause I have sent you that you might be obedient, and that your hearts might be prepared to bear testimony of the things which are to come; and also that you might be honored of laying the foundation, and of bearing record of the land upon which the Zion of God shall stand; * * * * and that the testi- mony might go forth from Zion, yea, from the mouth of the city of the heritage of God. * * * * And now, verily, I say, con- cerning the residue of the elders of my Church, the time has not yet come, for many years, for them to receive their inheritance in this land> except they desire it through the prayer of faith, only as it shall be ap- pointed unto them of the Lord. For, behold, they shall push the peo- ple together from the ends of the earth."* These statements, when rightly considered, dispel all notion of the im- mediate establishment of Zion. The Lord distinctly warns His servants against any such supposition. He predicts"tribulation"before the glory shall come. It is only after "much tribulation" that the blessings are * Doc. ifc Cov. Sec. 58. XXXVI INTRODUCTION. promised. He reminds them that He has "told them before" of this, and asks them "to lay it to heart," and gives them to understand that it will be "'many years'' 1 before some of the Elders of His Church will receive their inheritance in the goodly land. The Lord still further foreshadowed the trouble which afterwards overtook His people by urging them to make arrangements for the pur- chase of the whole region that had been designated as the center place of Zion. "For, behold, verily I say unto you, the Lord willeth that the disciples, and the children of men should open their hearts, even to purchase this whole region of country, as soon as time will permit. Be- hold, here is wisdom. Let them do this lest they receive none inherit- ance, save it be by the shedding of blood."* In this same month of August the Lord again said: "Behold, the land of Zion, I, the Lord, hold it in mine own hands; nevertheless, I, the Lord, render unto Caesar the things which are Caesar's: wherefore, I, the Lord, will that you should purchase the lands that you may have advantage of the world, that you may have claim on the world, that they may not be stirred up unto anger; for Satan putteth it into their hearts to anger against you, and to the shedding of blood; wherefore the land of Zion shall not be obtained but by purchase or by blood, otherwise there is none inheritance for you. And if by purchase be- hold you are blessed; and if by blood, as you are forbidden to shed blood, lo, your enemies are upon you, and ye shall be scourged from city to city, and from synagogue to synagogue, and but few shall stand to receive an inheritance, "t About a month after this word, the Lord said: "Behold the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind; and the willing and obe'dient shall eat the good of the land of Zion in these last days; and the rebel- lious shall be cut off out of tne land of Zion, and shall be sent away, and shall not inherit the land; for, verily, I say that the rebellious are not of the blood of Ephraim, wherefore they shall be plucked out. "J All this makes it very clear that while great things were promised concerning the establishment of Zion and the glory that is to be hers, yet all was predicated upon the faithfulness of the Saints in keeping the commandments of the Lord — in purchasing the lands that constituted the center place of Zion, and living upon them in all righteousness. This they failed to do. In a revelation given in November, 1831, a few months after the land had been dedicated unto the Lord for the gathering of His people, He thus complained of those who had assem- bled in western Missouri: * Doc. and Gov., Sec. 58, verses 52-3. t Doc. and Cov., Sec. 63. verses 25-31. t Doc. and Gov., Sec. 64, verses 34-36. INTRODUCTION. XXXVII "And the inhabitants of Zion shall also observe the Sabbath day to keep it holy. And the inhabitans of Zion also shall remember their labors, inasmuch as they are appointed to labor, in all faithfulness; for the idler shall be had in remembrance before the Lord. Now, I, the Lord, am not well pleased with the inhabitants of Zion, for there are idlers among them; and their children are also growing up in wicked- ness; they also seek not earnestly the riches of eternity, but their eyes are full of greediness. These things ought not to be, and must be done away from among them: wherefore let my servant, Oliver Cowdery car- ry these sayings unto the land of Zion. And a commandment I give unto them, that he that observeth not his prayers before the Lord in the season thereof, let him be had in remembrance before the judge of my people. These sayings are true and faithful; wherefore transgress them not, neither take therefrom."* In addition to these evils there were jealousies and bickerings among some of the brethren in Zion, and also between some of the Elders in Zion, and leading Elders in Kirtland. In the spring of 1832 the Proph- et visited the Saints in Jackson county, and there were reconciliations among the brethren, and forgiveness of sins obtained from the Lord;f but shortly after the Prophet's departure for Kirtland these ill feelings broke out again with renewed bitterness; carelessness as to keeping the commandments of God characterized the conduct of the Saints in Zion, and there arose some conf usion also in the government of the Church there, owing to conflicting claims of authority between traveling Elders and the standing ministry in the branches of the Church. This led to the following reproof from the Lord in a revelation given on the 22nd and 23rd of September, 1832: "And your minds in times past have been darkened because of un- belief, and because you have treated lightly the things you have re- ceived .which vanity and unbelief hath brought the whole Church under condemnation. And this condemnation resteth upon the children of Zion, even all: and they shall remain under this condemnation until they repent and remember the new covenant, even the Book .of Mor- mon, and the former commandments which I have given them, t not only to say, but to do according to that which I have written, that they may bring forth fruit meet for their Father's kingdom, otherwise there re- mained a scourge and a judgment to be poured out upon the children of Zion: for shall the children of the kingdom pollute my holy land? Ver- ily, I say unto you, Nay."§ * Doc. and Cov., sec. 68, verses 29-34. t See "History of the Church," Vol. I, ch. 19. + Including of course, and I may say especially including, the commandment to purchase the lands of Jackson county. § Doc. and Cov., sec. 84, verses 54-59. XXXVIII INTRODUCTION. When this revelation, given early in January, 1833, was sent to the Llders m Zion, it was accompanied also by a letter from the Prophet sharply reproving the brethren and Saints in Zion, in which the follow- ing passage occurs: "Let me say unto you, seek to purify yourselves, and also the inhab itants of Zion, lest the Lord's anger be kindled to fierceness. Repent repent, it is the voice of God to Zion; and strange as it may appear yet it is true, mankind will persist in self -justification until all their iniquity is exposed, and their character past being redeemed, and that which is treasured up in their hearts be exposed to the gaze of mankind I say to you (and what I say to you, I say to all), hear the warning voice of (rod, lest Zion fall, and the Lord swear in His wrath, 'Ihe inhabitants of Zion shall not enter into my rest.'' "* Hyrum Smith and Orson Hyde were appointed by a Council of the High Priests in Kirtland at this time, to write a letter of reproof and warning to the brethren in Zion. In this communication the conduct ot the Saints in Zion was reviewed in great plainness. The whole spirit of the communication may be judged by the following para- graph: ^ '•We feel more like weeping over Zion than rejoicing over her, for we know that the judgments of God hang over her, and will fall upon her except she repent, and purify herself before the Lord, and nut away from her every foul spirit. We now say to Zion, this once, in the name of the Lord, Repent! repent! awake! awake! put on thy beautiful gar- ments, before you are made to feel the chastening rod of Him whose anger is kindled against you. Let not Satan tempt you to think we want to make you bow to us, to domineer over you, for God knows this is not the case; our eyes are watered with tears, and our hearts are poured out to God in prayer for you, that He will spare you, and turn away His anger from you. * * * Therefore, with the feelings of inexpressible anxiety for your welfare, we say again Ee- pent, repent, or Zion must suffer, for the scourge and judgment must 'come upon her-. ,, j All this reproof and warning, however, only produced a partial repentance, and in July following acts of violence began to be perpe- trated upon the Saints by the old settlers of Missouri, and in the month of November, under circumstances of great cruelty, all the Saints were driven from Jackson county, and later more than two hundred of their homes, together with their public improvements, were destroyed When the Lord revealed to the Prophet Joseph why this affliction had befallen the people, He said: "Verily I say unto you concerning your * History of the Church, Vol. I p 316. t Ibid, pp 317-21. INTRODUCTION. XXXIX brethren who have been afflicted, and persecuted, and cast out from the land of their inheritance, I, the Lord, have suffered the affliction to come upon them wherewith they have been afflicted, in consequence of their transgressions; yet I will own them, and they shall be mine in that day when I shall come to make up my jewels. Therefore, they must needs be chastened and tried, even as Abraham, who was com- manded to offer up his only son; for all those who will not endure chastening, but deny me, cannot be sanctified. Behold, I say unto you, there were jarrings, and contentions, and envyings, and strifes and lustful and covetous desires among them; therefore, by these things they polluted their inheritances. They were slow to hearken unto the voice of the Lord their God, therefore the Lord their God is slow to hearken unto their prayers, to answer them in the day of their trouble. In the day of their peace they esteemed lightly my counsel; but in the day of their trouble, of necessity they feel after me. Verily I say unto you, notwithstanding their sins my bowels are filled with compassion towards them; I will not utterly cast them off; and in the day of wrath I will remember mercy.* From this it is very clear that the reason why the Saints were pre- vailed against by their enemies and driven from the center place of Zion, was because of their failure to live up to the high requirements made of them by the Lord. In subsequent efforts to redeem Zion, by attempting to return the exiles to Jackson county, the Saints in all parts of the land again failed to respond with sufficient promptness and fulness to the requirements of the Lord, for He commanded them again to consecrate money to purchase lands in Jackson county and in the counties roundabout, saying to the Church: "There is even now already in store a sufficient, yea even abundance, to redeem Zion, and establish her waste places, no more to be thrown down, were the churches who call themselves after my name willing to hearken to my voice. ''t . „ , , The Lord also commanded them to gather up their forces and to go in sufficient strength to possess the land, and maintain their inheritance against their enemies. This, however, they failed to do. Instead of raising five hundred men, as they were commanded to do,t they started from Kirtland in "Zion's Camp" with a company of only about one hun- dred and thirty men ,and twenty baggage wagons. This number was increased by additions en route to one hnndred and eighty-two men, but even this number fell far short of the strength required to accomplish the purpose for which the camp was organized. In the matter of rais- * Doc. and Cov., sec. 101, vereses 1-9. t Ibid, verse 75. J Ibid, sec. 103. XL INTRODUCTION. ing money for the purchase of lands the failure was more conspicuous than in raising men to take possession of them, and hence this effort to redeem Zion failed. Here let me pause in pointing out the unwisdom of the Saints, to make an explanation, lest there should be a misunderstanding of what is thus far set down respecting their transgressions, by reason of which they were prevailed against by their enemies. These transgres- sions, be it understood, were no violations of the laws of the land, nor did they consist in any acts of aggression or of trespass upon their Mis- souri neighbors. The old settlers of Missouri themselves are our wit- nesses here ; for in all their procedure in this Jackson county persecution there is no accusation made against the Saints of violations of the law. On the contrary, in their public utterances against the Saints and in justification of their own course, the old settlers declare — after express- ing their determination to rid their society of the Saints, peacefully if they could, but forcibly if they must — "that the arm oj the civil laic does not afford us a guarantee, or at least a sufficient one, against the evils which are now inflicted upon us, and seem to be inreasing by the said religious sect.' 1 ''* A more emphatic acknowledgement that the alleged offenses of the Saints were not cognizable by the laws, that the /Saints had not violated the laws of the land, could not be made. In their second manifesto the mob said: 'Iheevilis one that no one