After I moved to Luck Creek I was a fortunate man and accumulated
property very fast. I look back to those days with pleasure. I
had a large house and I gave permission to all sorts of people to
come there and preach. Methodists, Baptists, Campbellites, and
Mormons all preached there when they desired to do so.
In 1837 a man by the name of King, from Indiana, passed by, or
came to my place, on his way to Missouri to join the Mormons. He
had been a New Light, or Campbellite preacher. I invited him to
stay at my place until the next spring. I gave him provisions for
his family, and he consented to and did stay with me some time.
Soon after that there was a Methodist meeting at my house. After
the Methodist services were through I invited King to speak. He
talked about half an hour on the first principles of the gospel
as taught by Christ and his apostles, denouncing all other
doctrines as spurious. This put an end to other denominations
preaching in my house.
That was the first sermon I ever heard concerning Mormonism. The
winter before, two elders, Durphy and Peter Dustan, stayed a few
days with Hanford Stewart, a cousin of Levi Stewart, the bishop
of Kanab. They preached in the neighborhood, but I did not attend
or hear them preach. My wife and her mother went to hear them,
and were much pleased with their doctrine. I was not a member of
any Church, and considered the religion of the day as merely the
opinions of men who preached for hire and worldly gain. I
believed in God and in Christ, but I did not see any denomination
that taught the apostolic doctrine as set forth in the New
Testament. I read in the New Testament where the apostle Paul
recommended his people to prove all things, then hold fast to
that which is good; also that he taught that though an angel from
heaven should preach any other gospel than this which ye have
received, let him be accursed. This forbid me believing any
doctrine that differed from that taught by Christ and his
apostles. I wanted to belong to the true Church, or none.
When King began to preach at my house I noticed that every other
denomination opposed him. I was surprised at this. I could not
see how he could injure them if they were right. I had been
brought up as a strict Catholic. I was taught to look upon all
sects, except the Catholic, with disfavor, and my opinion was
that the Mormons and all others were apostates from the true
Church; that the Mormon Church was made up of the off-scourings
of hell, or of apostates from the true Church. I then had not the
most distant idea that the Mormons believed in the Old and New
Testaments. I was astonished to hear King prove his religion from
the Scriptures. I reflected. I determined, as every honest man
should do, to fairly investigate his doctrines, and to do so with
a prayerful heart.
The more I studied the question, the more interested I became. I
talked of the doctrine to nearly every man I met. The excitement
soon became general, and King was invited to preach in many
places.
In the meantime Levi Stewart, one of my near neighbors, became
interested in this religion, and went to Far West, Missouri, to
investigate the question of Mormonism at headquarters. He joined
the Church there, and when he returned he brought with him the
Book of Mormon and a monthly periodical called the Elder's
Journal.
By this time my anxiety was very great, and I determined to
fathom the question to the bottom. My frequent conversations with
Elder King served to carry me on to a conviction that the
dispensation of the fullness of time would soon usher in upon the
world. If such was the case I wished to know it; for the
salvation of my never-dying soul was of far more importance to me
than all other earthly considerations. I regarded the heavenly
boon of eternal life as a treasure of great price. I left off my
frivolity and commenced to lead a moral life. I began trying to
lay up treasure in heaven, in my Father's rich storehouse, and
wished to become an heir of righteousness, to inherit in common
with the faithful children the rich legacy of our Father's
Kingdom.
During that year our child, Elizabeth Adaline, died of scarlet
fever. The night she lay a corpse I finished reading the Book of
Mormon. I never closed my eyes in sleep from the time I commenced
until I finished the book. I read it after asking God to give me
knowledge to know if it was genuine and of Divine authority. By
careful examination I found that it was in strict accord with the
Bible and the gospel therein contained; that it purported to have
been given to another people, who then lived on this continent,
as the Old and New Testaments had been given to the Israelites in
Asia. I also found many passages in the Bible in support of the
forthcoming of such a work, preparatory to the gathering of the
remnant of the House of Israel, and the opening glory of the
Latter-day work, and the setting up of the Kingdom of God upon
the earth for the reception of the Son of Man, and the millennial
reign of Christ upon the earth a thousand years; all of which, to
me, was of great moment. My whole soul was absorbed in these
things.
My neighbor Stewart, who had just returned from Missouri, brought
the most cheering and thrilling accounts of the power and
manifestations of the Holy Spirit working with that people; that
the spiritual gifts of the true believers in Christ were enjoyed
by all who lived faithfully and sought them; that there was no
deception about it; that everyone had a testimony for himself,
and was not dependent upon another; that they had the gift of
tongues, the interpretation of those tongues, the power of
healing the sick by the laying on of hands, prophesying, casting
out devils and evil spirits. All of which he declared, with words
of soberness, to be true.
Stewart had been my playmate and my companion in former years.
His word had great influence on me, and strengthened my
conviction that the Book of Mormon was true - that it was a star
opening the dispensation of the fullness of time. I believed the
Book of Mormon was true, and, if so, everything but my soul's
salvation was a matter of secondary consideration to me. I had a
small fortune, a nice home, kind neighbors, and numerous friends,
but nothing could shake the determination I then formed to break
up, sell out, and leave Illinois and go to the Saints at Far
West, Missouri.
My friends used every known argument to change my determination,
but these words came into my mind, "First seek the righteousness
of the Kingdom of God, then all things necessary will be added
unto you "; and again, "What would it profit a man to gain the
whole world and lose his own soul?" or, "What could a man gain in
exchange for his soul?" I was here brought to the test, and my
action was to decide on which I placed the most value - my
earthly possessions and enjoyments or my reward in future, the
salvation of my never-dying soul. I took up my cross and chose
the latter. I sold out and moved to Far West. I took leave of my
friends and made my way to where the Saints had gathered in Zion.
Our journey was one full of events interesting to us, but not of
sufficient importance to relate to the public. While on the
journey I sold most of my cattle on time to an old man, a friend
of Stewart's - took his notes, and let him keep them, which, as
the sequel shows, was fortunate for me.
We arrived at Far West, the then headquarters of the Mormon
Church, about the 4th day of June, 1838. The country around there
for some fifteen or twenty miles, each way, was settled by
Mormons. I do not think any others lived within that distance.
The Mormons who had been driven from Jackson, Ray, and Clay
counties, in 1833, settled in Caldwell and Daviess counties.
The night after our arrival at Far West there was a meeting to be
held there. Stewart said to me:
"Let us go up and hear them speak with new tongues and interpret
the same, and enjoy the gifts of the gospel generally, for this
is to be a prayer and testimony meeting."
"I want no signs," I said. "I believe the gospel they preach on
principle and reason, not upon signs - its consistency is all I
ask. All I want are natural, logical, and reasonable arguments,
to make up my mind from."
The Sunday after, I attended church in Far West Hall. The hall
was crowded with people, so much so that I, with others, could
not gain admittance to the building. I obtained standing room in
one of the windows. I saw a man enter the house without
uncovering his head. The Prophet ordered the Brother of Gideon to
put that man out, for his presumption in daring to enter and
stand in the house of God without uncovering his head. This
looked to me like drawing the lines pretty snug and close;
however, I knew but little of the etiquette of high life, and
much less about that of the Kingdom of Heaven. I looked upon
Joseph Smith as a prophet of God - as one who held the keys of
this last dispensation, and I hardly knew what to think about the
violent manner in which the man was treated who had entered the
house of God without taking his hat off. But this did not lessen
my faith; it served to confirm it. I was fearful that I might in
some way unintentionally offend the great and good man who stood
as God's prophet on the earth to point out the way of salvation.
We remained at the house of Elder Joseph Hunt, in Far West,
several days. He was then a strong Mormon, and was afterwards
first captain in the Mormon Battalion. He, as an elder in the
Church, was a preacher of the gospel; all of his family were firm
in the faith.
Elder Hunt preached to me the necessity of humility and a strict
obedience to the gospel requirements through the servants of God.
He informed me that the apostles and elders were our true
teachers, and it was our duty to hear, learn, and obey; that the
spirit of God was very fine and delicate, and was easily grieved
and driven from us: that the more humble we were, the more of the
Holy Spirit we would enjoy.
After staying in Far West about a week we moved about twenty
miles, and settled on a stream called Marrowbone, at a place
called afterwards Ambrosia. Sunday, June 17, 1838, I attended
meeting. Samuel H. Smith, a brother of the Prophet, and Elder
Daniel Cathcart preached. After meeting I and my wife were
baptized by Elder Cathcart, in Ambrosia, on Shady Grove Creek, in
Daviess County, Missouri. I was now a member of the Church, and
expected to live in strict obedience to the requirements of the
holy priesthood that ruled, governed, and controlled it. I must
do this in order to advance in the scale of intelligence unto
thrones, kingdoms, principalities, and powers, and through
faithfulness and fidelity to the cause receive eternal increase
in the mansions that would be prepared for me in my Father's
kingdom.
Neighbor Stewart and myself each selected a place on the same
stream, and near where his three brothers, Riley, Jackson, and
Urban, lived. On my location there was a spring of pure, cold
water; also a small lake fed by springs. This lake was full of
fish, such as perch, bass, pickerel, mullet, and catfish. It was
surrounded by a grove of heavy timber, mostly hickory and oak. We
could have fish sufficient for use every day in the year if we
desired.
My home on Ambrosia Creek reminded me of the one I had left on
Luck Creek, Illinois; but it was on more rolling land, and much
healthier than the Illinois home had proven to us. I knew I could
soon replace, by labor, all the comfort I had abandoned when I
started to seek my salvation. I felt that I had greatly
benefitted my condition by seeking first the Kingdom of Heaven
and its righteousness; all else, I felt, would be added unto me.
But still I knew I must be frugal, industrious, and use much
care. I improved my farm as rapidly as I could, and was soon so
fixed that we were very comfortably established.
Meetings were held three times a week; also prayer and testimony
meetings - at the latter sacrament was administered. In these
meetings, as well as in everything I was called upon to do, I
tried hard to give satisfaction. I was a devout follower from the
first. Whatever duty was assigned me I tried to discharge with a
willing heart and ready hand. This disposition, on my part,
coupled with my views of duty, my promptness and punctuality,
soon brought me to the notice of the leading men of the Church.
The motives of the people who composed my neighborhood were pure;
they were all sincere in their devotions, and tried to square
their actions through life by the golden rule - "Do unto others
as you would they should do unto you." The word of a Mormon was
then good for all it was pledged to or for. I was proud to
associate with such an honorable people.
Twenty miles northeast of my home was the settlement of Adam-on-
Diamond. It was on the east bank of Grand River, near the Three
Forks. Lyman White, one of the twelve apostles, was president of
that Stake of Zion. In July, 1838, Levi Stewart and myself
concluded to visit the settlement of Adam-on-Diamond. We remained
over night at the house of Judge Mourning. He was a Democrat. He
told us that at the approaching election the Whigs were going to
cast their votes, at the outside precincts, early in the day, and
then rush in force to the town of Gallatin, the county seat of
Daviess County, and prevent the Mormons from voting. The Judge
requested us to inform our people of the facts in the case, and
for us to see that the Mormons went to the polls in force,
prepared to resist and overcome all violence that might be
offered. He said the Whigs had no right to deprive the Mormons of
their right of suffrage, who had a right to cast their votes as
free and independent Americans.
The two political parties were about equally divided in Daviess
County. The Mormons held the balance of power, and could turn the
scale whichever way they desired. I had heard of Judge Mourning
as a sharp political worker, and I then thought he was trying to
carry out an electioneering job for his party.
We visited our friends at Adam-on-Diamond, and returned home.
While on this trip I formed the acquaintance of Solomon McBrier,
and purchased some cattle from him. He wished to sell me quite a
number, but as I did not want to be involved in debt I refused to
take them. I had a perfect horror of debt, for I knew that when a
man was in debt he was in nearly every respect a slave, and that
if I got in debt it would worry me and keep my mind from that
quiet repose so necessary for contemplating the beauties of
nature and communing with the Spirit regarding holy subjects.
Just before the election of August, 1838, a general notice was
given for all the brethren of Daviess County to meet at Adam-on-
Diamond. Every man obeyed the call. At that meeting the males
over eighteen years of age were organized into a military body,
according to the law of the Priesthood, and called The Host of
Israel. The first rank was a captain with ten men under him; next
was a captain of fifty - that is, he had five companies of ten;
next, the captain of a hundred, or of ten captains and companies
of ten. The entire male membership of the Mormon Church was then
organized in the same way.
This, as I was informed, was the first organization of the
military force of the Church. It was so organized by command of
God, as revealed through the Lord's prophet, Joseph Smith. God
commanded Joseph Smith to place the Host of Israel in a situation
for defense against the enemies of God and the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints.
At the same Conference another organization was formed - it was
called the Danites. The members of this order were placed under
the most sacred obligations that language could invent. They were
sworn to stand by and sustain each other; to sustain, protect,
defend, and obey the leaders of the Church, under any and all
circumstances unto death; and to disobey the orders of the
leaders of the Church, or divulge the name of a Danite to an
outsider, or to make public any of the secrets of the order of
Danites, was to be punished with death. And I can say of a truth,
many have paid the penalty for failing to keep their covenants.
They had signs and tokens for use and protection. The token of
recognition was such that it could be readily understood, and it
served as a token of distress by which they could know each other
from their enemies, although they were entire strangers to each
other. When the sign was given it must be responded to and
obeyed, even at the risk or certainty of death. The Danite that
would refuse to respect the token, and comply with all its
requirements, was stamped with dishonor, infamy, shame, disgrace,
and his fate for cowardice and treachery was death.
This sign or token of distress is made by placing the right hand
on the right side of the face, with the points of the fingers
upward, shoving the hand upward until the ear is snug between the
thumb and forefinger. I here pause, and ask myself the question:
"Am I justified in making the above statement?"
Those who think I am not should wait until they read the whole
story. It is my purpose and intention to free my mind and bring
to light some of the secret workings of the Priesthood.
To return to the election at Gallatin: The brethren all attended
the election. All things seemed to pass off quietly, until some
of the Mormons went up to the polls to vote. I was then lying on
the grass with McBrier and a number of others.
As the Mormons were going to the polls a drunken brute by the
name of Richard Weldorp stepped up to a little Mormon preacher by
the name of Brown and said:
"Are you a Mormon preacher?"
"Yes, sir, I am."
"Do you Mormons believe in healing the sick by laying on of
hands, speaking in tongues, and casting out devils?"
"We do," said Brown.
Weldon then said, "You are a liar. Joseph Smith is an impostor."
With this, he attacked Brown, and beat him severely. Brown did
not resent it, but tried to reason with him; but without effect.
At this time a Mormon by the name of Hyrum Nelson attempted to
pull Weldon off Brown, when he was struck by half a dozen men on
the head, shoulders, and face. He was soon forced to the ground.
Just then Riley Stewart struck Weldon across the back of the head
with a billet of oak lumber and broke his skull. Weldon fell on
me, and appeared lifeless. The blood flowed freely from the
wound. Immediately the fight became general.
Gallatin was a new town, with about ten houses, three of which
were saloons. The town was on the bank of Grand River, and heavy
timber came near the town, which stood in a little arm of the
prairie. Close to the polls there was a lot of oak timber which
had been brought there to be riven into shakes or shingles,
leaving the heart, taken from each shingle-block, lying there on
the ground. These hearts were three square, four feet long,
weighed about seven pounds, and made a very dangerous, yet handy
weapon; and when used by an enraged man they were truly a class
of instrument to be dreaded.
When Stewart fell the Mormons sprang to the pile of oak hearts,
and each man, taking one for use, rushed into the crowd. The
Mormons were yelling:
"Save him!" and the settlers yelled:
"Kill him!"
The sign of distress was given by the Danites, and all rushed
forward, determined to save Stewart, or die with him. One of the
mob stabbed Stewart in the shoulder. He rose and ran, trying to
escape, but was again surrounded and attacked by a large number
of foes.
The Danite sign of distress was again given by John L. Butler,
one of the captains of the Host of Israel. Butler was a brave,
true man, and a leader that it was a pleasure to follow where
duty called. Seeing the sign, I sprang to my feet and armed
myself with one of the oak sticks. I did this because I was a
Danite, and my oaths that I had taken required immediate action
on my part in support of the one giving the sign. I ran into the
crowd.
As I reached it I saw Nelson fighting for life. He was surrounded
by a large number who were seeking to murder him; but he had a
loaded whip, the lash wrapped around his hand, using the handle,
which was loaded with several pounds of lead, as a weapon of
defense. He was using it with effect, for he had men piled around
him in all shapes.
As I approached a man sprang to his feet. He had just been
knocked down by Nelson. As the man was rising Nelson gave him a
blow across the loins with the handle of his whip, which had the
effect of straightening out the villain on the grass and rendered
him an inoffensive spectator during the remainder of the play.
Capt. Butler was then a stranger to me, and until I saw him give
the Danite sign of distress I believed him to be one of the
Missouri ruffians who were our enemies. In this contest I came
near committing a serious mistake. I had raised my club to strike
a man, when a Missourian rushed at him and struck him with a
loaded whip, and called him a cursed Mormon. The man then gave
the sign, and I knew how to act.
Capt. Butler was attacked from all sides, but being a powerful
man he used his oak club with effect and knocked a man down at
each blow that he struck, and each man that felt the weight of
his weapon was out of the fight for that day at least. Many of
those that he came in contact with had to be carried from the
field for surgical aid. In the battle, which was spirited, but
short in duration, nine men had their skulls broken, and many
others were seriously injured in other ways. The severe treatment
of the mob by the Danites soon ended the battle.
Three hundred men were present at this difficulty, only thirty of
whom were Mormons, and only eight Mormons took part in the fight.
I was an entire stranger to all who were engaged in the affray,
except Stewart, but I had seen the sign, and, like Samson when
loaning against the pillar, I felt the power of God nerve my arm
for the fray. It helps a man a great deal in a fight to know that
God is on his side.
After the violence had ceased Capt. Butler called the Mormons to
him, and as he stood on a pile of building timber he made a
speech to the brethren. He said that his ancestors had served in
the War of the Revolution to establish a free and independent
government - one in which all men had equal rights and privileges;
that he professed to be half white and free born, and claimed a
right to enjoy his constitutional privileges, and would have his
rights as a citizen, if he had to fight for them; that as to his
religion, it was a matter between his God and himself, and no
man's business; that he would vote, and would die before he would
be driven from the polls.
Several of the Gentile leaders then requested us to lay down our
clubs and go and vote. This Capt. Butler refused, saying:
"We will not molest anyone who lets us alone, but we will not
risk ourselves again in that crowd without our clubs."
The result was the Mormons all voted. It is surprising what a few
resolute men can do when united.
It may be well for purposes of explanation to refer back to the
celebration of the Declaration of Independence on the 4th of
July, 1838, at Far West. That day Joseph Smith made known to the
people the substance of a Revelation he had received from God. It
was to the effect that all the Saints throughout the land were
required to sell their possessions, gather all their money
together, and send an agent to buy up all the land in the region
round about Far West, and get a patent for the land from the
Government, then deed it over to the Church; then every man
should come up there to the land of their promised inheritance
and consecrate what he had to the Lord.
In return the Prophet would set apart a tract of land for each
Saint - the amount to correspond with the number of the Saint's
family - and this land should be for each Saint an everlasting
inheritance. In this way the people could, in time, redeem Zion
(Jackson County) without the shedding of blood. It was also
revealed that unless this was done, in accordance with God's
demand, as required by Him in the Revelation then given to the
people through his Prophet, Joseph Smith, the Saints would be
driven from State to State, from city to city, from one abiding
place to another, until the members would die and waste away,
leaving but a remnant of the Saints to return and receive their
inheritance in Zion (Jackson County) in the last days.
Sidney Rigdon was then the mouthpiece of Joseph Smith, as Aaron
was of Moses in olden times. Rigdon told the Saints that day that
if they did not come up as true Saints and consecrate their
property to the Lord, by laying it down at the feet of the
apostles, they would in a short time be compelled to consecrate
and yield it up to the Gentiles; that if the Saints would be
united as one man, in this consecration of their entire wealth to
the God of Heaven, by giving it up to the control of the
Apostolic Priesthood, then there would be no further danger to
the Saints; they would no more be driven from their homes on
account of their faith and holy works, for the Lord had revealed
to Joseph Smith that He would then fight the battles of His
children, and save them from all their enemies; that the Mormon
people would never be accepted as the children of God unless they
were united as one man, in temporal as well as spiritual affairs,
for Jesus had said unless ye are one, ye are not Mine; that
oneness must exist to make the Saints the accepted children of
God; that if the Saints would yield obedience to the commands of
the Lord all would be well, for the Lord had confirmed these
promises by a Revelation which He had given to Joseph Smith, in
which it was said:
"I, the Lord, will fight the battles of my people, and if your
enemies shall come up against you, spare them, and if they shall
come up against you again, then shall ye spare them also; oven
unto the third time shall ye spare them; but if they come up
against you the fourth time, I, the Lord, will deliver them into
your hands, to do with them as seemeth good unto you; but if you
then spare them it shall be accounted unto you for righteousness."
The words of the apostle, and the promises of God, as then
revealed to me, made a deep impression on my mind, as it did upon
all who heard the same. We that had given up all else for the
sake of the gospel felt willing to do anything on earth that it
was possible to do to obtain the protection of God, and have and
receive His smile of approbation. Those who, like me, had full
faith in the teachings of God, as revealed by Joseph Smith, His
Prophet, were willing to comply with every order, and to obey
every wish of the Priesthood.
The majority of the people, however, felt like Ananias and
Sapphira - they dare not trust all to God and His Prophet. They
felt that their money was as safe in their own possession as it
was when held by the Church authorities. A vote of the people was
had to determine - the question whether they would consecrate
their wealth to the Church, or not. The vote was taken and was
unanimous for the consecration. I soon found out that the people
had voted as I have often known them to do in Mormon meetings
since then; they vote to please the Priesthood, then act to suit
themselves. I never thought that was right or honest; men should
vote their sentiments, but they do not at all times do so. I have
been the victim of such hypocrites.
The vote, as I said, was taken. It was done by a show of hands,
but not a show of hearts. By the readiness with which all hands
went up in favor of consecration it was declared that the people
were of a truth God's children, and, as such, would be protected
by Him. The Prophet and all his Priesthood were jubilant, and
could hardly contain themselves; they were so happy to see the
people such dutiful Saints.
Sidney Rigdon on that day delivered an oration, in which he said
the Mormons were, as a people, loyal to the Government, obedient
to the laws, and as such they were entitled to the protection of
the Government in common with all other denominations, and were
justified in claiming as full protection, in their religious
matters, as the people of any other sect; that the Mormons had
suffered from mob rule and violence, but would no longer submit
to the mob or unjust treatment that had so long followed them.
Now and forevermore would they meet force with force.
"We have been driven from Kirkland," said he; "from Jackson
County, the true Zion; and now we will maintain our rights,
defend our homes, our wives and children, and our property from
mob rule and violence. If the Saints are again attacked, we will
carry on a war of extermination against our enemies, even to
their homes and firesides, until we despoil those who have
despoiled us, and give no quarter until our enemies are wasted
away. We will unfurl to the breeze the flag of our nation, and
under that banner of freedom we will maintain our rights, or die
in the attempt."
At the end of each sentence Rigdon was loudly cheered; and when
he closed his oration I believed the Mormons could successfully
resist the world. But this feeling of confidence faded away as
soon as a second thought entered my mind. I then feared that the
days of liberty for our people had been numbered. First, I feared
the people would not give up all their worldly possessions, to be
disposed of by and at the will and pleasure of three men. In the
second place, I doubted the people being so fully regenerated as
to entitle them to the full and unconditional support and favor
of God that had been promised through the Revelation to Joseph
Smith, in favor of the Latter-day Saints. I knew that God was
able and willing to do all He had promised, but I feared that the
people still loved worldly pleasures so well that God's mercy
would be rejected by them, and all would be lost.
About three days after the proclamation of Rigdon had been made
there was a storm of rain, during which the thunder and
lightnings were constant and terrible. The liberty pole in the
town was struck by lightning and shivered to atoms. This evidence
from the God of nature also convinced me that the Mormon people's
liberties, in that section of the country, were not to be of long
duration.