Prediction of the Prophet's Grandparents--Agitation for the Removal of
the Saints from Clay County, Missouri.
The remainder of this month [April] and May also, was devoted to the
spiritual interests of the brethren; and particularly in devising ways
and means to build up Kirtland.
[Sidenote: Labors of Elder Heber C. Kimball.]
_May 10_.--Brother Heber C. Kimball came to me for counsel, to know
whether he should go into the vineyard to proclaim the Gospel, or
go to school. I told him he might do either that he should choose,
for the Lord would bless him. He chose to go into the vineyard; and
immediately went down through the State of New York, into Vermont,
his native State. He stopped a short time, and then returned to the
city of Ogdensburg, on the St. Lawrence river, where he built up a
church of twenty members. When about leaving that place, my father, and
uncle John Smith, came to him, and blessed the church with patriarchal
blessings. When they came to Brother Kimball, they were very much
depressed in spirits, for when they came through the town of Potsdam,
their brother, Jesse Smith, having a spite against them in consequence
of their religion, swore out an execution against my father, and levied
upon his horse and wagon; and to settle the affair, and get out of
his clutches, my uncle, Silas Smith, (who had returned to that place
on private business) stepped forward and paid {442} fifty dollars, in
order that they might pursue their journey home.
[Sidenote: Dealing with Sundry Transgressors.]
_May, 16_.--President Oliver Cowdery having preferred, to the High
Council, a charge of unchristianlike conduct against Wilkins J.
Salisbury, the Council assembled in the Lord's House, when it was
proved that he had so conducted himself as to bring unnecessary
persecution on me; that he had neglected his family, leaving them
without wood, without provisions, or telling them where he was going,
or when he would return; that he used strong drink and had been
intimate with other women.
Elder Salisbury confessed his propensity for tale-bearing, and drinking
strong liquor, but denied the other charges. The Council decided that
he could no longer be an Elder or member in the Church until there was
a thorough reformation.
Charges of unchristianlike conduct were also preferred against Sisters
Hannah Brown, and L. Elliot. They confessed they had been guilty of
telling falsehoods.
The Council reproved them, but permitted them to retain their standing
in the Church.
The Council then withdrew fellowship from Elder Charles Kelly. [1]
My cousin, Elias Smith, arrived from St. Lawrence county, New York,
with the information that his father and family, and Uncle Silas and
family, were on their way to Kirtland, and that my grandmother [Mary
Duty Smith, wife of Asael Smith] was at Fairport.
[Sidenote: Arrival of the Prophet's Relatives in Kirtland.]
_May 17_.--I went in company with my brother Hyrum, in a carriage
to Fairport, and brought home my grandmother, Mary Smith, aged
ninety-three years. She had not been baptized, on account of the
opposition of Jesse Smith, her eldest son, who has always been an enemy
to the work. She had {443} come five hundred miles to see her children,
and knew all of us she had ever seen. She was much pleased at being
introduced to her great grand-children, and expressed much pleasure and
gratification on seeing me.
My grandfather, Asael Smith, long ago predicted that there would
be a prophet raised up in his family, and my grandmother was fully
satisfied that it was fulfilled in me. My grandfather Asael died in
East Stockholm, St. Lawrence county, New York, after having received
the Book of Mormon, and read it nearly through; and he declared that I
was the very Prophet that he had long known would come in his family.
On the 18th, my uncle Silas Smith and family arrived from the east. My
father, three of his brothers, and their mother, met the first time
for many years. It was a happy day, for we had long prayed to see our
grandmother and uncles in the Church.
[Sidenote: Death of the Prophet's Grandmother.]
On May 27, after a few days' visit with her children, which she enjoyed
extremely well, my grandmother fell asleep without sickness, pain or
regret. She breathed her last about unset, and was buried in the burial
ground near the Temple, after a funeral address had been delivered
by Sidney Rigdon. [2] She had buried one daughter, Sarah; two Sons,
Stephen and Samuel; and her husband, who died October 30, 1830, and
left five sons and three daughters still living. At the death of my
grandfather, who had kept a record, there were one hundred and ten
children, grand children and great grand children. My uncle Stephen,
and aunt Sarah, were buried side by side in the burial grounds in
Royalton, Windsor county, Vermont. Stephen died July 25th, 1802, aged
seventeen years, three months, and eleven days.
[Sidenote: Case of Chas. Kelley.]
_May 23_.--The case of Elder Charles Kelly was again {444} brought
before the High Council, then in session, and it was proved that he
left his family in a destitute condition, about the time of the solemn
assembly, which, together with other unchristianlike conduct, led the
Council to decide that he be expelled from the Church.
Also Asael Perry was cut off from the Church for unchristianlike
conduct.
Job L. Lewis was excommunicated, for treating the Church with contempt.
_May 17_.--Died, in Kirtland, Miss Mary Smith, in the thirty-fifth
year of her age. The deceased was a member of the Church of Latter-day
Saints, and died in the triumphs of faith.
_June 2_.--President Phelps wrote a letter from Liberty, Missouri, to
President Oliver Cowdery, from which I make the following extracts:
_Letter from W. W. Phelps to the Brethren in Kirtland_.
Since I returned home to Missouri, I have been out on two
expeditions, examining the regions of the "Far West." Soon after
our return, Bishop Partridge and myself passed from Liberty to
the northwest corner of Clay county, and examined the mills and
streams, and country around Mr. Smith's, generally denominated
"Yankee Smith." It is customary, you know, for the sake of
_provincialism_, among nations, kindreds and people, to nick-name
[people] by their religion, or province or ancestry; so that
one can be distinguished by being an Israelite, a Canaanite, a
Christian, a "Mormon," a Methodist, or a Corn Cracker, or a Mighty
Hunter, &c., according to fancy or favor.
From Mr. Smith's, we proceeded north-easterly through some timber
and some prairie to Plattsburg, the county seat for Clinton county,
"a smart little town," containing from fifteen to twenty hewed
log cabins, and a two-story court house, thirty-two feet square.
This town is located on the west side of Horse and Smith's fork
of the Little Platte, contiguous to the timber on these streams,
twenty-five miles north of Liberty. The timber, mill, and water
privileges may answer a very small population, but for a large
population they would be nothing. There are now three stores, and
soon will be four. Clinton county is mostly prairie, with here and
there a few fringes or spots of timber on the creeks that run into
the Little Platte and Grand River.
{445} From this town we made the best course we could to the waters
of Grand River. We had a "sort of road" towards Busby Fork, then
we had to contend with naked prairie, patches of scrubby timber,
deep banked creeks and branches, together with a rainy morning, and
no compass; but with the blessing of the Lord, we came to "some
house" in the afternoon, and passed into Ray county. On Shoal
creek, where there is water, there are some tolerable mill sites;
but the prairies--those "old clearings," peering one over another,
as far as the eye can glance, flatten all common calculation as to
timber for boards, rails, or future wants, for a thick population,
according to the natural reasoning of men.
What the design of our heavenly Father was, or is, as to these
vast prairies of the Far West, I know no further than we have
revelation. The Book of Mormon terms them, the land of desolation;
and when I get into a prairie so large that I am out of sight of
timber, just as a seaman is "out of sight of land on the ocean,"
I have to exclaim--What are man and his works, compared with the
Almighty and His creations? Who hath viewed His everlasting fields?
Who hath counted His buffaloes? Who hath seen all His deer on a
thousand prairies? The pinks variegate these widespread lawns,
without the hand of man to aid them, and the bees of a thousand
groves banquet on the flowers, unobserved, and sip the honey-dews
of heaven. Nearly every skirt of timber to the state line on the
north, I am informed, has some one in it. The back settlers are
generally very honorable, and more hospitable than any people I
ever saw, you are in most instances, welcome to the best they have.
W. W. Phelps.
[Sidenote: Case of Preserved Harris and Isaac McWithy.]
The High Council assembled in the Lord's house in Kirtland on the 16th
of June, Presidents Sidney Rigdon, and Frederick G Williams presiding,
to investigate the charges of "A want of benevolence to the poor,
and charity to the Church," which I had previously preferred against
Brother Preserved Harris and Elder Isaac McWithy. After a full and
lengthy investigation, the Council decided that the charges were fully
sustained against Preserved Harris, and that the hand of fellowship be
withdrawn from him, until he shall see that the course he is pursuing
is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus.
In the pleas of the Councilors, in the case of Elder {446} McWithy,
they decided that the charges had been fully sustained; after which, I
spoke in my turn as accuser, and stated that I called on the accused,
in company with President Oliver Cowdery, for money to send up to Zion,
but could get none; afterwards saw him, and asked him if he would sell
his farm. He at first seemed willing, and wished to build up Zion. He
pleaded excuse in consequence of his liberality to the poor. We offered
him three thousand dollars for his farm, would give him four or five
hundred dollars to take him to Zion, and settle him there, and an
obligation for the remainder, with good security and interest. He went
and told Father Lyon that we demanded all his property, and so we lost
four or five hundred dollars; because the accused told him [Lyon] such
a story, [that] he calculated to keep it [the aforesaid four or five
hundred dollars] himself.
The accused, Elder McWithy, arose and said it was the first time
he had been called upon to clear himself before a High Council. He
complained of being called contrary to the rules of the Gospel, before
the Council. The president decided that as the case was now before the
Council; this plea could not now be urged, but should have been made in
the beginning. Elder McWithy pleaded that he had relieved the wants of
the poor, and did so many good things that he was astonished that he
should hear such things as he had heard today, because he did not give
all he had got to one man. If he had done wrong he asked forgiveness of
God and the Church.
During the quarter ending the 3rd of June, 1836, two hundred and
forty-four Elders', eleven Priests', three Teachers', and five Deacons'
licenses were recorded in the license Records, in Kirtland, Ohio.
[Sidenote: Departure of the Patriarch and John Smith on a Mission.]
_June 22_.--My father and Uncle John Smith started on a mission to
visit the branches of the Church in the Eastern States, to set them
in order, and confer on the brethren their patriarchal blessings. I
took my mother {447} and Aunt Clarissa (my Uncle John's wife,) in
a carriage, and accompanied them to Painsville, where we procured
a bottle of wine, broke bread, ate and drank, and parted after the
ancient order, with the blessings of God.
_June 28_.--Elder Warren Parrish wrote from Hickman county, Tennessee,
stating that:--
Many citizens of the county of Benton, and some of Carroll had
met in convention, headed by a Methodist priest, who was called
to the chair, and the county clerk appointed secretary. They drew
up resolutions to drive all the "Mormon preachers from their
coast," signed by the sheriff and many who were sworn to be civil,
peace-officers, also colonels, majors, &c. We enjoyed our meeting
unmolested at Brother Utley's, on Saturday, the 19th instant.
Hundreds had entered into the conspiracy. In the afternoon, a
little before sunset, a company of some forty or fifty men made
their appearance; some on foot, others mounted, two on a horse,
with guns, sticks, clubs, &c. They were led by a sheriff, colonel,
first and second major, other officers, and a Methodist priest,
with a gun on his shoulder.
The sheriff informed us that he had states' warrant for David W.
Patten, Warren Parrish, and Wilford Woodruff; issued on complaint
of the Methodist priest, Matthew Williams, chairman as above; who
swore that we had put forth the following false and pretended
prophecy; viz.: that Christ would come the second time before this
generation passes away; also that four individuals should receive
the Holy Ghost within four and twenty hours. The company consisted,
as we were informed, of Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians, liars,
drunkards, hog and horse thieves. So determined were they, to force
us off at that late hour, that it was with much difficulty we could
prevail on them to show us any lenity; however, they protracted the
time of our appearance at court until Tuesday by giving our bond,
with surety of two brethren, in the sum of one thousand dollars.
They intended to have led us into the woods, under the dark curtain
of night with the pretension of taking us before the magistrate
that they might the better execute their diabolical designs upon us.
On Tuesday, in company with about twenty brethren and warm friends,
who were ready and willing to lay down their lives for us, we went
before our rulers, and found about one hundred persons assembled,
armed with guns, pistols, dirks, clubs, sticks, &c. At a late
hour we prevailed on the sheriff to have the court called, which
consisted of three magistrates, one of whom was rejected from the
judgment-seat, because some of his family were members of our
Church.
{448} The sheriff, with leave of court, divested us of our arms,
consisting of walking sticks and a pocket knife. A man by the name
of Perkins, (who report says, had run his county for hog stealing,
and also had been guilty of concealing a stolen horse, for which he
had lost part of his nose,) was appointed by the court to act as
states' attorney; or in other words mob solicitor-general, to abuse
the innocent and screen the guilty.
After the conspirators had witnessed against us, the court refused
to hear any testimony on our part, being controlled by the bandits.
Perkins made a plea against us, but we were not permitted to reply.
The verdict of the court was, that they concluded that the charges
preferred against us had been sustained, and that we were bound
over to court for trial. Our accusers did not attempt to prove that
those who were promised the Holy Ghost did not receive it; and the
candid can judge whether he who prophesies that Christ will come
the second time in this generation, is a false prophet. Also our
complainant testified that these crimes were committed in 1834, and
it is a well known fact that Elder Woodruff, whose name is on the
warrant, (though not arrested,) was not in this state until 1835.
So much for an oath from a Methodist priest.
While the court was preparing our bonds, another warrant was
served on Elder Patten; the mob without, and the mob within, whose
intoxicating zeal had arisen to its zenith, were threatening our
lives, and seemed only to wait the dark shades of night, which were
fast gathering round, to cover them, while they should wreak their
hands in our blood; the influence of our friends, as instruments
in the hands of our God, kept this gathering storm from bursting
upon our heads. About this time the sheriff proposed to us that
if we would leave the county in ten days, and pay the cost, they
would set us at liberty; at the same time informing us it was the
only way to escape the hands of the mob, who were hardly restrained
from acts of violence. One of the brethren present offered to pay
the cost, and all advised us to accept the offer; which, in itself,
proved that we were innocent of any crime, although in its nature
most insulting.
(Signed) Warren Parrish.
_Minutes of a Public Meeting at Liberty, Missouri_.
On the 29th of June, a respectable number of the citizens being
previously notified of the meeting, met at the court-house, in
the town of Liberty, Missouri. On motion, John Bird was called to
the chair, and John F. Doherty appointed secretary. The object
of the meeting, was, by request of the chair, explained in a few
appropriate remarks, by Colonel Wood; when on motion of Colonel
William T. Wood, a {449} committee of nine was appointed to draft
resolutions expressive of the sense of this meeting; whereupon the
following gentlemen were chosen--namely: John Thornton, Esq., Peter
Rogers, Esq., Andrew Robertson, Esq., James T. V. Thompson, Colonel
W. T. Wood, Doctor Woodson, J. Moss, James H. Hughes, Esq., David
R. Atchison, Esq., and A. W. Doniphan, Esq., who retired and in a
short time returned and made, through their chairman, Colonel John
Thornton, the following unanimous report, which was read:
Report.
It is apparent to every reflecting mind that a crisis has arisen
in this country, that requires the deep, cool, dispassionate
consideration, and immediate action of every lover of peace,
harmony and good order. We cannot conceal from ourselves the fact
that at this moment the clouds of civil war are rolling up their
fearful masses, and hanging over our devoted country. Solemn, dark
and terrible. This painful state of things has been produced mainly
by the rapid and increasing emigration of that people commonly
called Mormons, during the last few months. It is known to all,
that in November, 1833, these people were expelled from their
homes in Jackson county, without money, without property, without
the means of subsistence for themselves, their wives and their
children, and like Noah's dove, without a resting place for their
feet.
They came to our county thus friendless and penniless, (seeking as
they said) but a temporary asylum from the storm of persecution
by which they were then buffeted. Their destitute and miserable
condition, at that inclement season of the year, excited the deep
sympathies of the philanthropic and hospitable citizens of this
county; and notwithstanding the thousand reports that were borne
on the wings of the wind, charging them with almost every crime
known to the laws of our country, yet our feelings of kindness and
sympathy for human suffering prevailed over every obstacle, and
they were received with friendship and treated with toleration, and
often with remarks of peculiar kindness. They always declared that
they looked not upon this county as their home, but as a temporary
asylum; and that, whenever, a respectable portion of the citizens
of this county should request it, they would promptly leave us in
peace as they found us.
That period has now arrived. Duty to ourselves, to our families,
and to the best interests of our country, requires at our hands, to
demand the fulfillment of that pledge. They are charged by those
who are opposed to them with an unfriendly determination to violate
that pledge. Their rapid emigration, their large purchases, and
offers to purchase lands, the remarks of the ignorant and imprudent
portion of them, that this country is destined by heaven to be
theirs are received and {450} looked upon, by a large portion of
this community, as strong and convincing proofs that they intend
to make this county their permanent home, the centre and general
rendezvous of their people.
These are some of the reasons why these people have become
objects of the deepest hatred and detestation to many of our
citizens. They are eastern men, whose manners, habits, customs,
and even dialect, are essentially different from our own. They
are _non_-slaveholders, and opposed to slavery, which in this
peculiar period, when abolitionism 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.
In addition to all this, they are charged, as they have hitherto
been, with keeping up a constant communication with our Indian
tribes on our frontiers, 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 do not
vouch for the correctness of these statements; but whether they
are true or false, their effect has been the same in exciting our
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 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.
We therefore feel it our duty to come forward, as mediators, and
use every means in our power to prevent the occurrence of so great
an evil. As the most efficacious means to arrest the evil, we urge
on the Mormons to use every means to put an immediate stop to the
emigration of their people to this county. We earnestly urge them
to seek some other abiding place, where the manners, the habits,
and customs of the people will be more consonant with their own.
For this purpose we would advise them to explore the territory of
Wisconsin. This country is peculiarly suited to their conditions
and their wants. It is almost entirely unsettled; they can
there procure large bodies of land together, where there are no
settlements, and none to interfere with then. It is a territory
in which slavery is prohibited, and it is settled entirely with
emigrants from the North and East.
The religious tenets of this people are so different from the
present churches of the age, that they always have, and always
will, excite deep prejudices against them in any populous country
where they may {451} locate. We, therefore, in a spirit of frank
and friendly kindness, do advise them to seek a home where they
may obtain large and separate bodies of land, and have a community
of their own. We further say to them, if they regard their own
safety and welfare, if they regard the welfare of their families,
their wives and children, they will ponder with deep and solemn
reflection on this friendly admonition.
If they have one spark of gratitude, they will not willingly plunge
a people into civil war, who held out to them the friendly hand of
assistance in that hour of dark distress, when there was few to
say God save them. We can only say to them if they still persist
in the blind course they have heretofore followed in flooding the
country with their people, that we fear and firmly believe that an
immediate civil war is the inevitable consequence. We know that
there is not one among us who thirsts for the blood of that people.
We do not contend that we have the least right, under the
Constitution and laws of the country, to expel them by force. But
we would indeed be blind, if we did not foresee that the first blow
that is struck, at this moment of deep excitement, must and will
speedily involve every individual in a war, bearing ruin, woe, and
desolation in its course. It matters but little how, where, or by
whom, the war may begin, when the work of destruction commences,
we must all be borne onward by the storm, or crushed beneath its
fury. In a civil war, when our homes are the theatre on which it
is fought, there can be no neutrals; let our opinions be what they
may, we must fight in self-defense.
We want nothing, we ask nothing, we would have nothing from this
people, we only ask them, for their own safety, and for ours, to
take the least of the two evils. Most of them are destitute of
land, have but little property, are late emigrants to this country,
without relations, friends, or endearing ties to bind them to
this land. At the risk of such imminent peril to them and to us,
we request them to leave us, when their crops are gathered, their
business settled, and they have made every suitable preparation to
remove. Those who have forty acres of land, we are willing should
remain until they can dispose of it without loss, if it should
require years. But we urge, most strongly urge, that emigration
cease, and cease immediately, as nothing else can or will allay for
a moment, the deep excitement that is now unhappily agitating this
community.
If the Mormons will comply with these friendly requisitions, we
will use every exertion among our own citizens, to arrest this evil
before it is forever too late; but if they are disregarded, we can
promise neither them nor ourselves, a long continuation of the
blessings of peace and harmony.
1st. Therefore be it Resolved by this meeting, that we view with
feelings of the deepest regret the present unhappy situation of our
country.
{452} 2nd. That it is the fixed and settled conviction of this
meeting that unless the people commonly called Mormons will agree
to stop immediately the emigration of their people to this county,
and take measures to remove themselves from it, a civil war is
inevitable.
3rd. That a committee of ten be appointed to make known to the
leaders of that people, the views of this meeting, and to urge upon
them the propriety of acceding to these propositions.
4th. The said committee consisting of Andrew Robertson, Michael
Arthur, Littlebury Sublet, John Baxter, James M. Hughes, W. J.
Moss, John Bird, Peter Rogers, W. T. Wood and J. T. V. Thompson,
who shall meet on the morrow at the house of Mr. Cowan, and confer
with the Mormons, and report at this meeting, as soon thereafter as
convenient, the reply of the Mormons to these requisitions.
5th. That if the Mormons agree to these propositions, we will use
every means in our power to allay the excitement among our own
citizens, and to get them to await the result of these things. That
it is the opinion of this meeting that the recent emigrants among
the Mormons should take measures to leave this county immediately,
as they have no crops on hand, and nothing to lose by continuing
their journey to some more friendly land. On motion of Wm. T.
Wood, the preamble and resolutions were unanimously adopted. Be it
resolved that this meeting adjourn until Saturday next.
John Bird, Chairman,
John F. Doherty, Secretary.
_Minutes of a Public Meeting of the Saints in Clay County,
Missouri, Held to Consider the Proposition of the Citizens of Clay
County that the Latter-day Saints Move into another Part of the
State_.
July 1, 1836. At a very large meeting of the Elders of the Church
of Latter-day Saints, assembled in Clay county, Missouri, W.
W. Phelps was called to the chair, and John Corrill appointed
secretary. The preamble and resolutions from a meeting of citizens
of the 29th ultimo, was read, and a committee of twelve, viz.,
Edward Partridge, Isaac Morley, Lyman Wight, Thomas B. Marsh, Elias
Higby, Calvin Bebee, Isaac Hitchcock, Isaac Higby, Samuel Bent,
Titus Billings, James Emmet, and R. Evans, were appointed, who
retired, and after a short time reported the following preamble and
resolutions:
_Resolved_, that we (the "Mormons," so called), are grateful for
the kindness which has been shown to us by the citizens of Clay
county since we have resided with them; and being desirous for
peace, and wishing the good rather than the ill-will of mankind,
we will use all honorable means to allay the excitement, and so
far as we can, remove any foundation for jealousies against us as
a people. We are aware that many rumors {453} prejudicial to us as
a society are afloat, and time only can prove their falsity to the
world at large.
We deny having claim to this, or any other county, or country,
further than we shall purchase the land with money, or more than
the Constitution and laws allow us as free American citizens. We
have taken no part for or against slavery; but are opposed to the
abolitionists, and consider that men have a right to hold slaves or
not, according to law.
We believe it just to preach the Gospel to the nations of the
earth, and warn the righteous to save themselves from the
corruptions of the world; but we do not believe it right to
interfere with bondservants, nor preach the Gospel to them,
nor meddle with nor influence them in the least to cause them
to be dissatisfied with their situation in this life; thereby
jeopardizing the lives of men. Such interference we believe to be
unlawful and unjust, and dangerous to the peace of every government
allowing human beings to be held in servitude.
We deny holding any communications 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 should
be punished accordingly. It is needless to enter into any further
detail of our faith, or mention our sufferings; therefore--
First. Resolved: For the sake of friendship, and to be in a
covenant of peace with the citizens of Clay county, and they to
be in a covenant of peace with us, notwithstanding the necessary
loss of property, and expense we incur in moving, we comply with
the requisitions of their resolutions in leaving Clay county, as
explained by the preamble accompanying the same; and that we will
use our exertions to have the Church do the same; and that we will
also exert ourselves to stop the tide of emigration of our people
to this county.
Second. Resolved: That we accept the friendly offer verbally
tendered to us by the committee yesterday, to assist us in
selecting a location, and removing to it.
Third. Resolved, unanimously: That this meeting accept and adopt
the above preamble and resolutions, which are here presented by the
committee.
Fourth. Resolved: That Thomas B. Marsh, Lyman Wight, and Samuel
Bent, be a committee to carry the minutes of these {454}
proceedings to the meeting of the citizens of Clay county, to
be held tomorrow at Liberty. The foregoing resolutions were
unanimously adopted by the meeting.
W. W. Phelps, Chairman,
John Corrill, Secretary.
_Minutes of the Second Meeting of the Citizens of Clay County_.
The citizens of Clay county met pursuant to adjournment. The
chairman and secretary resumed their stations, when the committee
appointed by the public meeting of the citizens at the court house,
in Liberty, on the 29th ultimo, reported through their chairman, W.
J. Moss, the foregoing preamble and resolutions of the Elders of
the Church of Latter-day Saints, on the 1st instant, whereupon it
was
_Resolved_, That this meeting do accept and receive the reply of
the Mormons to the resolution passed on Wednesday, the 29th of
June, as perfectly satisfactory.
Be it further _Resolved_ by this meeting, that we will use our
utmost endeavors to carry into effect the object contained in the
preamble and resolutions passed on Wednesday, the 29th, as agreed
to by the Mormons.
Be it further _Resolved_, That we urge it on our fellow citizens
to keep the peace towards the Mormons, as good faith, justice,
morality and religion require.
Be it further _Resolved_, That a committee of ten persons, two in
each township, be appointed to raise money by subscription to aid
those of the Mormons who may from necessity require it, to leave
this county.
_Resolved_, That Samuel Tillery Jeremiah Minger and Abraham
Shafer be appointed a committee to receive the pecuniary aid by
subscription for the purpose of aiding the poor persons that may
belong to the Mormons in removing from this county to their place
of abode, and that the Elders of the Church be requested to report
the above-named persons to the aforesaid committee, who will judge
of the proofs and facts entitling the Mormons to pecuniary aid, and
appropriate the funds accordingly.
_Resolved_, That the said committee be authorized to employ some
suitable person to accompany those that may wish to examine a
new country. It is also understood that if the money which may
be received by the committee is not appropriated for the purpose
above named, it shall be refunded back in proportion to the amount
subscribed.
_Resolved_, That the chair appoint five persons in each township to
carry the object of the above resolutions into effect.
The following gentlemen were then appointed in the different
townships. For Liberty township, John Thornton, Joel Turnham, Peter
{455} Rogers, John Bird, David R. Atchison; for Fishing River
township, Elisha Cameron, E. Price, G. Withers, M. Welton, James
Kazey; for Platte township, T. C. Gordon, S. Harris, W. Owen, L.
Rollins, I. Marsh; for Washington township, B. Riley, S. Crawford,
T. Findley, G. McIlvaine, P. Y. G. Bartee; for Gallatin township,
D. Dale, N. Nash, William Todd, B. Ricketts, R. Forboin.
Be it further _Resolved_, That this meeting recommend the Mormons
to the good treatment of the citizens of the adjoining counties.
We also recommend the inhabitants of the neighboring counties to
assist the Mormons in selecting some abiding place for their people
where they will be, in a measure, the only occupants; and where
none will be anxious to molest them.
_Resolved_, That the proceedings of this meeting be handed over to
the publishers of the _Far West_ with a request that it be printed,
which was severally read and unanimously adopted, and meeting
adjourned.
John Bird, Chairman,
John F. Doherty, Secretary.
Liberty, July 2nd, 1836.
_Letter from the Brethren at Kirtland to the Brethren in Missouri_.
Kirtland, July 25th, 1836.
_To W. W. Phelps and Others:_
Dear Brethern:--Yours of the first inst., accompanying the
proceedings of a public meeting held by the people of Clay county,
was duly received. We are sorry that this disturbance has broken
out, but we do not consider it our fault. You are better acquainted
with circumstances than we are, and, of course, have been directed
by wisdom in your moves relative to leaving the county.
We forward you our letter to Mr. Thornton and others that you may
know all that we have said. We advise that you be not the first
aggressors. Give no occasion, and if the people will let you,
dispose of your property, settle your affairs, and go in peace.
You have thus far had an asylum, and now seek another, as God may
direct.
Relative to your going to Wisconsin, we cannot say, we should
think if you could stop short, in peace, you had better do so. You
know our feelings relative to not giving the first offense, and
also of protecting your wives and little ones in case a mob should
seek their lives. We shall publish the proceedings of the public
meeting, with your answer, as well as our letter. We mean that the
world shall know all things as they transpire. If we are persecuted
and driven men shall know it.
Be wise; let prudence dictate all your counsels; preserve peace
with all men, if possible; stand by the Constitution of your
country; observe its principles; and above all, show yourselves men
of God, worthy {456} citizens, and we doubt not, the community, ere
long, will do you justice, and rise in indignation against those
who are the instigators of your sufferings and afflictions.
In the bonds of brotherly love we subscribe ourselves, as ever,
JOSEPH SMITH, Jun.,
SIDNEY RIGDON,
OLIVER COWDERY,
F. G. WILLIAMS,
HYRUM SMITH.
The letter to Mr. Thornton referred to above was as follows:
Kirtland, Geauga County, Ohio,
July 25, 1836.
_To John Thornton, Esq., Peter Rogers, Esq., Andrew Robertson,
Esq., James T. V. Thompson, Esq., Colonel William T. Wood, Doctor
Woodson, I. Moss, James H. Hughes, Esq., David R. Atchison, Esq,
and A. W. Doniphan, Esq_.:
Gentlemen:--We have just perused, with feelings of deep interest,
an article in the _Far West_, printed at Liberty, Clay county,
Missouri, containing the proceeding of a public meeting of the
citizens of said county on the subject of an excitement now
prevailing among you, occasioned either from false reports against
the Church of Latter-day Saints, or from the fact that said Church
is considered dangerous to the welfare of your country; and will,
if suffered among you under existing circumstances, cause the ties
of peace and friendship, so desirable among all men, to be burst
asunder, and bring war and desolation upon your own pleasant homes.
While rumor is afloat with her accustomed cunning, and while
public opinion is fast rising, like a flood tide against the
members of the Church, we cannot but admire the candor with which
your preambles and resolutions were clothed, as presented to the
citizens of Clay county on the 29th of June last; though, as you
expressed in your report to said meeting, "We do not contend that
we have the least right, under the Constitution and laws of the
country, to expel them by force." yet communities may be at times
unexpectedly thrown into a situation when wisdom, prudence, and
that first item in nature's law, self defense would dictate that
the responsible and influential part [of a community] should step
forward and guide the public mind in a course to save difficulty,
preserve rights and spare the innocent blood from staining the soil
so dearly purchased with the lives and fortunes of our fathers. As
you have come forward as "mediators" to prevent the effusion of
blood and save disasters consequent upon civil war, we take this
opportunity to present to you, though strangers, and through you,
if you wish, to the people of Clay county, our heart-felt gratitude
for every kindness {457} rendered our friends in affliction, when
driven from their peaceful homes; and to yourselves, also, for the
prudent course in the present excited state of your community; but
in doing this, justice to ourselves, as communicants of that Church
to which our friends belong, and duty towards them as acquaintances
and former fellow citizens, require us to say something to
exonerate them from the foul charges brought against them, to
deprive them of their constitutional privileges and drive them from
the face of society.
They have been charged, in consequence of the whims and vain
notions of some few uninformed [persons], with claiming that upper
country, [north-western Missouri], and that ere long they were to
possess it at all hazards and in defiance of all consequences. This
is unjust and far from having a foundation in truth; a thing not
expected or looked for--not desired by this society as a people,
and where the idea could have originated is unknown to us. We
do not, neither did we ever, insinuate a thing of this kind, or
hear it from the leading men of the society now in your country.
There is nothing in all our religious faith to warrant it, but on
the contrary, the most strict injunctions to live in obedience
to the laws and follow peace with all men; and we doubt not but
a recurrence to the Jackson county difficulties with our friends
will fully satisfy you, that at least heretofore such has been the
course followed by them, that instead of fighting for their own
rights they have sacrificed them for a season to wait the redress
guaranteed in the law and so anxiously looked for at a time distant
from this.
We have been, and are still, clearly under the conviction that
had our friends been disposed they might have maintained their
possessions in Jackson county. They might have resorted to the same
barbarous means with their neighbors, throwing down dwellings,
threatening lives, driving innocent women and children from their
homes, and thereby have annoyed their enemies equally at least; but
to their credit--and it must ever remain upon the page of time to
their honor--this they did not do. They had possessions, they had
homes, they had sacred rights, and more still, they had helpless,
harmless innocence, with an approving conscience that they had
violated no law of their country or their God to urge them forward;
but to show to all that they were willing to forego these for the
peace of their country they tamely submitted, and have since been
wanderers among strangers (though hospitable) without homes. We
think these sufficient reasons to show to your patriotic minds that
our friends, instead of having wish to expel a community by force
of arms, would suffer their rights to be taken from them before
shedding blood.
Another charge brought against our friends is that of being {458}
dangerous in societies "where slavery is tolerated and practiced."
Without occupying time here we refer you to the April (1836) number
of the _Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate_, printed at
this place, a copy of which we forward to each of you. From the
length of time which has elapsed since its publication, you can
easily see it was put forth for no other reason than to correct
the public mind generally, without a reference or expectation of
any excitement of the nature of the one now in your county. Why we
refer you particularly to this publication is because many of our
friends who are now in the West were in this place when this paper
made its appearance, and from personal observation gave it their
decided approbation, and declared those sentiments to be their own
in the fullest particular.
Another charge of great magnitude is brought against our friends
in the West, that of "keeping up a constant communication with
the Indian 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
Indian relations calculated to arouse the fears of the people of
the Upper Missouri more than a combination or influence of this
nature; and we cannot look upon it as being other than one of the
most subtle purposes of those whose feelings are embittered against
our friends to turn the eye of suspicion upon them from every man
who is acquainted with the barbarous cruelty of rude savages. Since
a rumor was afloat that the western Indians were showing signs of
war we have received frequent private letters from our friends
who have not only expressed fears for their own safety, in case
the Indians should break out, but a decided determination 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 also untrue.
Another charge against our friends and one that is urged as a
reason why they must immediately leave Clay county, is, that they
are making, or are likely to make the same "their permanent home,
the center and general rendezvous of their people." We have never
understood such to be the purpose, wish, or design of this society;
but on the contrary, have ever supposed that those who resided
in Clay county only designed it as a temporary residence until
the law and authority of our country should put them in the quiet
possession of their homes in Jackson county; and such as had not
possessions there could purchase to the entire satisfaction and
interest of the people of Jackson county.
{459} Having partially mentioned the leading objections urged
against our friends, we would here add, that it has not been done
with a view, on our part, to dissuade you from acting in strict
conformity with your preamble and resolutions offered to the people
of Clay county on the 29th ult., but from a sense of duty to a
people embarrassed, persecuted and afflicted; for you are aware,
gentlemen, that in times of excitement virtues we transformed into
vices; acts, which in other cases and other circumstances would
be considered upright and honorable, are interpreted contrary to
their real intent and made objectionable and criminal; and from
whom could we look forbearance and compassion, with confidence and
assurance, more than from those whose bosoms are warmed with those
pure principles of patriotism with which you have been guided in
the present instance, to secure the peace of your county and save a
persecuted people from further violence and destruction?
It is said that our friends are poor; that they have but little or
nothing to bind their feelings or wishes to Clay county, and that
in consequence they have a less claim upon that county. We do not
deny the fact that our friends are poor; but their persecutions
have helped to render them so. While other men were peacefully
following their vocations and extending their interests they have
been deprived of the right of citizenship, prevented from enjoying
their own, charged with violating the sacred principles of our
Constitution and laws, made to feel the keenest aspersions of
the tongue of slander, waded through all but death, and are now
suffering under calumnies calculated to excite the indignation and
hatred of every people among whom they dwell, thereby exposing them
to destruction and inevitable ruin.
If a people, a community, or a society can accumulate wealth,
increase in worldly fortune, improve in science and arts, rise to
eminence in the eyes of the public, surmount these difficulties, so
much as to bid defiance to poverty and wretchedness, it must be a
new creation, a race of beings superhuman. But in all their poverty
and wants we have yet to learn for the first time that our friends
are not industrious and temperate; and wherein they have not always
been the last to retaliate or resent an injury and the first to
overlook and forgive. We do not urge that there are no exceptions
to be found; all communities, all societies and associations
are cumbered with disorderly and less virtuous members--members
who violate in a greater or less degree, the principles of the
same; but this can be no just criterion by which to judge a whole
society; and further still where a people are laboring under
constant fear of being dispossessed; very little inducement is held
out to excite them to be industrious.
We think, gentlemen, that we have pursued the subject far enough,
and we here express to you, as we have in a letter accompanying
this {460} to our friends, our decided disapprobation to the idea
of shedding blood, if any other course can be followed to avoid
it; in which case, and which alone, we have urged upon our friends
to desist, only in extreme cases of self defense; and in this case
not to give the offense or provoke their fellow men to acts of
violence, which we have no doubt they will observe as they ever
have done; for you may rest assured, gentlemen, that we would be
the last to advise our friends to shed the blood of men or commit
one act to endanger the public peace. We have no doubt but our
friends will leave your county, sooner or later; they have not only
signified the same to us, but we have advised them so to do as fast
as they can without incurring too much loss. It may be said that
they have but little to lose if they lose the whole. But if they
have but little that little is their all, and the necessities of
the helpless urge them to make a prudent disposal of the same. We
are highly pleased with a proposition in your preamble, suffering
them to remain peaceably until a disposition can be made of their
land, etc., which, if suffered, our fears are at once hushed,
and we have every reason to believe that during the remaining
part of the residence of our friends in your county the same
feelings of friendship and kindness will continue to exist that
have heretofore, and that when they leave you, you will have no
reflection of sorrow that they have been sojourners among you.
To what distance or place they will remove we are unable to say;
in that they must be dictated by judgment and prudence. They may
explore the territory of Wisconsin, they may remove there, or they
may stop on the other side, of this we are unable to say; but be
they where they will we have this gratifying reflection, that they
have never been the first, in an unjust manner, to violate the
laws, injure their fellow men, or disturb the tranquility and peace
under which any part of our country has heretofore reposed; and we
cannot but believe that ere long, the public mind must undergo a
change, when it will appear to the satisfaction of all that this
people have been illy treated and abused without cause, and when as
justice would demand, those who have been the instigators of their
sufferings will be regarded as their true characters demand.
Our religious principles are before the world ready for the
investigation of all men, yet we are aware that all the persecution
against our friends has arisen in consequence of calumnies and
misconstructions without foundation in truth and righteousness.
This we have endured in common with all other religious societies
at their first commencement. Should Providence order that we rise
not as others before us to respectability and esteem, but be
trodden down by the ruthless force of extermination, posterity
will do us justice when our persecutors are equally low in the
dust with ourselves, to hand down to {461} succeeding generations
the virtuous acts and forbearance of a people who sacrificed their
reputation for their religion; and their earthly fortunes and
happiness to preserve peace and save this land from being further
drenched in blood.
We have no doubt but your very seasonable mediation in the time of
so great an excitement will accomplish your most sanguine desires
in preventing further disorder; and we hope, gentlemen, that
while you reflect upon the fact that the citizens of Clay county
are urgent for our friends to leave you, that you will also bear
in mind that by their complying with your request to leave they
are surrendering some of the dearest rights guaranteed in the
Constitution of our country; and that human nature can be driven
to a certain extent when it will yield no further. Therefore,
while our friends suffer so much and forego so many sacred
rights, we sincerely hope, and we have every reason to expect it,
that a suitable forbearance may be shown by the people of Clay
county; which, if done, the cloud which has been obscuring your
horizon will disperse and you be left to enjoy peace, harmony and
prosperity.
With sentiments of esteem and profound respect, we are, gentlemen,
your obedient servants,
Joseph Smith, Jun.,
Sidney Rigdon,
Oliver Cowdery,
Frederick G. Williams,
Hyrum Smith.
The following letter was received at Liberty, Clay county, Missouri, on
the 28th of July:
_Letter from Daniel Dunklin to the Saints in Missouri_.
City of Jefferson, July 18th, 1836.
_Messrs. W. W. Phelps and Others_:
Gentlemen:--The treatment your people have received, and are now
receiving, is of an extraordinary character, such as is seldom
experienced in any country by any people. As an individual I
sympathize with you, and as the executive of the state, deeply
deplore such a state of things. Your appeal to the executive is a
natural one; but a proper understanding of our institutions will
show you that yours is a case not for the special cognizance of
the executive. It is a case, or, I may say, they are cases of
individual wrongs. These, as I have before told you, are subjects
for judicial interference; and there are cases sometimes of
individual outrage which may be so popular as to render the action
of courts of justice nugatory, in endeavoring to afford a {462}
remedy. I would refer you to the charge of Judge Lawless, made to
the grand jury of St. Louis. Public sentiment may become paramount
law; and when one man or society of men become so obnoxious to that
sentiment as to determine the people to be rid of him or them, it
is useless to run counter to it.
The time was when the people (except those in Jackson county)
were divided, and the major part in your favor; that does not now
seem to be the case. Why is this so? Does your conduct merit such
censures as exist against you? It is not necessary for me to give
my opinion. Your neighbors accuse your people of 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 consequences will be the same (if your
opponents are not merely gasconading), 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 dei_.
Yours respectfully,
Daniel Dunklin.
Footnotes
1. Charles Kelly was a member of Zion's camp, also a member of the
first quorum of Seventy. His offenses are named at page 444.
2. "She died firm in the faith of the Gospel, although she had never
yielded obedience to any of its ordinances."--_Hist. of the Prophet
Joseph, by Lucy Smith, ch. 12_.
{463}