1833-1834.
FOUNDATION OF THE KIRTLAND TEMPLE LAID--JOSEPH GOES ON MISSION TO
CANADA--FIRST HIGH COUNCIL FORMED--ZION'S CAMP GATHERED--WILFORD
WOODRUFF A MEMBER.
During the year of trouble in Missouri, the Prophet Joseph Smith was
not idle. He could not be with the western Saints to share their
suffering, but he sent them many letters bearing counsel and the word
of the Lord when it came to him. He did not stay away on account of
fear. Once when he heard of the terrible cruelties of the mob his
generous heart was so moved that he wept aloud, "O, my brethren, my
brethren, would that I had been with you to share your fate. Almighty
God, what shall we do in such a trial as this!" Much evil is spoken of
Joseph Smith, but even his enemies say he was brave.
On the 23rd of July, 1833, the very day, you remember, that the mob,
carrying a red flag, gathered in Independence to make the Saints
promise to leave the country, the foundation stones of the Lord's house
were laid at Kirtland. In a former chapter you were told that the Lord
had a good reason for having part of the Church at Kirtland and part in
Missouri. You probably begin now to see what it is.
In the autumn of 1833 Joseph went on a missionary journey to New York
and Canada in company with Sidney Rigdon and Freeman Nickerson. They
left Kirtland October 5th and were gone just a month. Almost every
day they had a chance to preach and sometimes to baptize. Their work
was very successful, for they not only gained souls at the time but
prepared the ground for a future harvest.
One night way up there in Canada they held a meeting in the village of
Colburn. The snow fell heavily, but in spite of this the people came
together. It was a humble room lighted by flickering candles. Joseph
and Sidney tried to tell the people the message of life eternal, but
one man was there who made up his mind that they should fail. He was a
Wesleyan Methodist. When the meeting had begun he became very noisy. He
talked in a loud voice, but there was no sense in what he said. Joseph
and Sidney replied to him in an earnest, quiet way, speaking words of
truth and wisdom instead of falsehood as he had done, and of course
they overcame him.
At Mount Pleasant sixteen persons were baptized in two days, and the
signs promised by Jesus did follow the believers. The Holy Ghost rested
upon them, and under its influence one sister spoke in tongues. The
Saints were all glad when they saw that this was the same dear old
Gospel that our Savior preached.
When the Prophet returned to Kirtland he sent many messages to the
brethren and sisters in Missouri, but he himself was kept in Ohio,
and it was a very busy winter for him. In December Oliver Cowdery and
Bishop Whitney brought to Kirtland a new printing press, for although
the Saints could not publish the _Evening and Morning Star_ in Jackson
county, they did not intend to stop printing entirely. The new press
was set up. It was decided to publish the _Star_ again, and Oliver
Cowdery was made editor. The office was dedicated December 18th.
On the 17th of February, 1834, the first High Council of the Church was
formed at Kirtland. This was made up of twelve High Priests, and Joseph
and his two counselors presided over it. The purpose of such a body was
to try those who commit sin, for their standing in the Church, and also
that the Saints would have no need of going to law when any difficulty
arose among them. These men holding the Priesthood were called to hear
and discuss all cases, and then the president made his decision. If a
mistake was found in this, it could be changed. In ordinary trials two
members were appointed, one to speak on each side. If the case was more
difficult two were to speak on each side, and if very important three,
but no more than three could ever speak on a side.
Since that time many High Councils have been formed, and now, as you
all know, every stake in Zion has one. The President of the Church
can no longer preside because he has too many other duties, but the
president of each stake holds the position in the council of his stake.
These are very important because there are no money charges, and poor
men can have justice, as all men can, for the judgments are given
according to the laws of God.
Soon after this work was done Joseph began to seek volunteers for a
journey to Missouri. The Lord had commanded him in a revelation to
gather the young men and the middle-aged and to receive donations of
money from the Saints. He promised that if faith and purity were shown
by His people He would redeem Zion, and the money was taken that new
purchases of land might be made, and those in distress aided.
Joseph started in on this work February 26, 1834. He and Parley P.
Pratt traveled eastward from place to place, preaching and telling the
Saints that the Lord wished volunteers and money. They were successful
in many places. Sidney Rigdon and others went out also. They returned
after a month's work.
Soon after they reached Kirtland Joseph was called into court as
a witness against Doctor P. Hurlburt, an apostate, who had been
threatening to kill him. Of course it was a very unpleasant thing
for the Prophet and still there was nothing else to do. This man was
found guilty of threatening to murder, and on the 9th of April he was
put under two-hundred dollar bonds to keep the peace, and fined three
hundred dollars--to pay the costs of the court.
During the rest of this month Joseph was holding meetings and preparing
for Zion's Camp, as the men, who went to Missouri at this time, are
called. On the 1st of May over twenty men with four baggage wagons were
ready to leave Kirtland. They set out and traveled about fifty miles,
to New Portage, where they waited until the others came up.
President Wilford Woodruff was in this first party. He had been
baptized on the last day of the year 1833, at Richland, New York, and
on April 25th he came to Kirtland as a volunteer. Some of you readers
have probably heard him tell of his meeting Joseph and how he lent the
Prophet his sword to carry to Missouri as the leader of Zion's Camp.
President Woodruff served faithfully in this mission as he did on every
other during his life, and the friendship that began then between him
and Joseph will last throughout eternity.
Two days after the first party left Kirtland Joseph followed with the
main body of the Camp. When the two joined they numbered over one
hundred and fifty men. Joseph at once began to organize his little
band. Companies of twelve were formed, and each chose its own captain,
who gave the men under him their special duties. General officers were
also appointed.
The twenty wagons taken by the Camp were heavily loaded with provisions
and such things as the poor Saints in Missouri needed. No room was left
for the men; they had to walk along at the side. They had their guns,
pistols and other weapons, but these were only for self-defense. This
was a body of the Priesthood, called by God to go out, not for conquest
or plunder, but to protect and minister comfort to those in great need.