That the writ being once returned to the Executive by the sheriff

of Hancock county was dead, and stood in the same relationship

as any other writ which might issue from the Circuit Court, and

consequently the defendant could not be held in custody on that

writ. The other point, whether evidence in the case was admissible

or not, he would not at that time decide, as it involved great

and important considerations relative to the future conduct of

the different states. There being no precedent, as far as they

had access to authorities to guide them, but he would endeavor

to examine the subject, and avail himself of all the authorities

which could be obtained on the subject, before he would decide that

point. But on the other, the defendant must be liberated.

[Sidenote: The Prophet Set Free.]

This decision was received with satisfaction by myself and the

brethren, and all those whose minds were free from {371} prejudice. It

is now decided that before another writ can issue, a new demand must be

made by the Governor of Missouri. Thus have I been once more delivered

from the fangs of my cruel persecutors, for which I thank God, my

Heavenly Father.

I was discharged about 11 a. m., when I ordered dinner for my company

now increased to about sixty men; and when I called for the bill, the

unconscionable fellow replied, "Only one hundred and sixty dollars."

About 2 p. m., the company commenced their return, traveled about

twenty miles, and camped by the wayside.

_Friday, 11_.--Started very early, arrived at La Harpe for dinner

and returned safely to Nauvoo by 4 p. m., where I was met by the

acclamation of the Saints.

Footnotes:

1. Don Carlos Smith and Robert B. Thompson were at this time editors

and publishers of the _Times and Seasons_, and the above letter was

doubtless written by Thompson as he is named as among those who

accompanied the Prophet to Monmouth, while Don Carlos Smith is not

named as being in the company.

{372}

CHAPTER XXI.

The Mission to Jerusalem--Progress of Orson Hyde in His Journey.

[Sidenote: Elder John E. Page--a Laggard.]

Elder George A. Smith met Elder John E. Page at Philadelphia, and

advised him to take up contributions to enable him to sail within

three days in the _Garrick_ for England, and overtake Elder Orson Hyde

and accompany him to Jerusalem, promising to use all the influence

and exertion in his power to assist him. Elder Page rejected the

proposition. Elder Smith subsequently learned that Elder Page had

sufficient money, without collections to have taken him through to

England.

_Tuesday, 15_.

_Letter from Elder Orson Hyde to President Joseph Smith--Recounting

Incidents of his Journey en Route for Jerusalem_.

London, June 15, 1841.

_President Smith_:

Sir--With pleasure I take my pen to write you at this time, and

through you to the _Times and Seasons_, and through it to the

Saints at large, and to all whom it may concern. May grace, mercy,

and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, rest

upon you abundantly, and enable you to serve Him acceptably, secure

to yourself that honor which cometh from above, guide the counsels

of the Saints in wisdom, that peace and good will may reign

predominant in Zion, and joy and gladness swell every grateful

heart. Most gladly would I embrace an opportunity of a personal

interview with you, did one offer, but such a favor is beyond my

reach at this time. I have just seen the 12th number of the _Times

and Seasons_, containing the minutes of your conference, the report

of the Presidency, the celebration of the {373} anniversary of the

Church and the laying of the foundation of the Temple. This, to me

was a precious gem; it brought tidings from my own country, and

from the place rendered doubly endearing from the fact that there

is the home of my wife and children.

I was sorry that Elder Page had been so tardy in his movements

that objections were made to him. Most gladly would I have hailed

him as a companion to the oriental continent; but my hopes of

that are fled. I shall go alone or find some other person, in all

probability, to go with me.

I have written a book to publish in the German language, setting

forth our doctrine and principles in as clear and concise a manner

as I possibly could. After giving a history of the rise of the

Church, in something the manner that Brother Orson Pratt did, I

have written a snug little article on every point of doctrine

believed by the Saints; I began with the Priesthood and showed that

the Saints were not under the necessity of tracing back the dark

and bloody stream of papal superstition to find their authority;

neither were they compelled to seek for it among the floating and

transient notions of Protestant reformers; but God has sent His

holy angel directly from heaven with this seal and authority, and

conferred it upon men with His own hands--quoting the letter and

testimony of Oliver Cowdery; next was on the use and validity of

the holy scriptures in the Church; next on faith, set forth from

the scriptures and the Book of Covenants; then on repentance,

baptism; laying on of hands; then the different offices of the

Church; next the power and authority of each one; and, in fine,

the whole order, doctrine and government of the Church. I have

not written it as a law binding on the _German Saints_; but have

taken this course to illustrate and set forth the true principles

of our doctrine to them, fully believing that it would meet with

the cordial approbation of those whom I have the distinguished

honor to represent, could they but see it. I have written a lengthy

preface and introduction to it. I here copy an extract from the

introduction: "When in the course of divine Providence it becomes

our duty to record one of those remarkable events which gives

birth to a new era, and lays the foundation for the renovation of

the moral world, it fills the mind with wonder, astonishment and

admiration. How welcome are the rays of the morning light, after

the shades of darkness have clothed the earth in gloom! So after

a long and tedious night of moral darkness under which the earth

has rolled, and her inhabitants groaned for the last fourteen

hundred years, an angel commissioned from the Almighty, descended

and rolled back the curtains of night from the minds of some and

caused the sunbeams of truth to enlighten, cheer, and warm the

hearts of many. Welcome, welcome to our earth, thou messenger of

{374} the Most High! and thrice welcome the tidings which thou

hast borne! O Gracious Father! I ask Thee, in the name of Thy holy

child, Jesus, to bless with Thy royal favor, the weak exertions

of Thy humble servant, and make this production a blessing to all

people who may be favored with a perusal of its pages. Wherever it

shall go let it be a messenger of conviction to the wicked, and a

harbinger of peace to the righteous. Let its contents be borne upon

every breeze, and wafted to the remotest climes. Let the angel of

the covenant go before it, and prepare its way. Let its heavenly

influence be distilled upon the rich and fertile soil of humble

and honest hearts. Go forth, therefore, little volume to other

nations and tongues, and may the Almighty speed your way, and like

a sharp, two-edged sword cut the way through the prejudices of

this generation; encamp with all thy virtues in the hearts of the

people, and there let thy principles be enthroned."

One thing I was pleased with, which I noticed in the _Times and

Seasons_--the remarks made on the use of intoxicating spirits. In

my heart they found a corresponding echo. I should not be willing

to indulge the thought for a moment that the Saints in Nauvoo would

quietly stand by and see a brother gorge himself with that strong

drink which makes a hell of his home, and rolls the fiery flood of

ruin over the affections of his once happy family. No! they will

dash from his lips the cup of wretchedness, and sharply rebuke

the homicide that sells to him the wine of wrath, and measures to

him his wife's tears. * * * May the lightnings of heaven forever

blast (I had almost said) those brewers of strong drink which send

forth their corrupt and poisonous streams to sweep down in their

filthy current men of sterling talents to an untimely grave. May

the Saints of God stand as far from them as Lot stood from Sodom in

its evil day. This dizzy flood has sometimes entered the house of

worship, invaded the sacred desk, and hushed in death forever the

voice that could plead like an angel, the cause of God and man.

I have just received a note from Dr. S. Hirschell, President Rabbi

of the Hebrew community of this country, in reply to a very polite

note which I sent him, requesting the indulgence of a personal

interview with him. But in consequence of a very severe accident

which befell him he is confined to his room, and unable at this

time to grant the asked indulgence. (His leg is broken.)

I have addressed to him a communication upon the subject of

my mission, a copy of which I transmit to you. It may not be

altogether uninteresting to the Saints and friends in America.

_Elder Hyde's Letter to Rabbi Hirschell_.

Rev. Sir:--I cannot but express my sorrow and regret at the {375}

misfortune under which you labor, in consequence of the severe

accident which befell you, and by which you are confined to your

room. Please accept, sir, the sincere wishes of a stranger,

that you may speedily recover from the injury you sustained in

consequence of the accident, and resume the labors which your high

and responsible station calls you to perform.

Feeling that I may not enjoy the privilege and happiness of a

personal interview with you, I hope you will indulge the liberty

which I now presume to take, in addressing a written communication

to you, embracing some of those things which I had fondly hoped

would have been the foundation of a mutual interchange of thought

between us. But as Providence has laid an embargo upon that

distinguished privilege, I must forego, at this time, the pleasure

of a verbal relation of those things pertaining to your nation,

with which my mind is deeply affected.

Since I have arrived to years of more mature reflection, and become

religiously inclined, the writings of the Jewish Prophets have won

my affections; and the scattered and oppressed condition of that

people has enlisted the finest sympathies of my heart. Believing,

therefore, that the words of Hosea, the Prophet, ii: 23, connected

with your magnanimity, will prohibit the indulgence of any

prejudices in your feelings against the author of this production,

in consequence of his not being able by any existing document or

record, to identify himself with your nation.

"About nine years ago, a young man with whom I had had a short

acquaintance, and one, too, in whom dwelt much wisdom and

knowledge--in whose bosom the Almighty had deposited many secrets,

laid his hand upon my head and pronounced these remarkable

words--'in due time thou shalt go to Jerusalem, the land of thy

fathers, and be a watchman unto the house of Israel; and by thy

hands shall the Most High do a great work, which shall prepare the

way and greatly facilitate the gathering together of that people.'

Many other particulars were told me by him at that time, which I do

not write in this letter. But sufficient is written to show that

divine appointment is claimed as the mainspring that has sent me

forth from the embraces of an affectionate family and kind friends,

as well as from the land that gave me birth."

My labors since that period have been bestowed upon the Gentiles

in various countries, and on both sides of the Atlantic, until

in the early part of March, 1840, I retired to my bed one night

as usual; and while meditating and contemplating the field of

my future labors, the vision of the Lord, like clouds of light,

burst into my view (see Joel ii:28). {376} The cities of London,

Amsterdam, Constantinople and Jerusalem, all appeared in succession

before me, and the Spirit said unto me, "Here are many of the

children of Abraham whom I will gather to the land that I gave to

their fathers; and here also is the field of your labors. Take,

therefore, proper credentials from my people, your brethren, and

also from the Governor of your state, with the seal of authority

thereon, and go ye forth to the cities which have been shown you,

and declare these words unto Judah, and say, blow ye the trumpet

in the land; cry, gather together, and say, assemble yourselves,

and let us go into the defensed cities. Set up the standard towards

Zion--retire, stay not, for I will bring evil from the north and a

great destruction. The lion is come up from his thicket, and the

destroyer of the Gentiles is on his way--he is gone forth from

his place to make thy land desolate, and thy cities shall be laid

waste, without an inhabitant. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem,

and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished--that her

iniquity is pardoned, for she hath received of the Lord's hand

doubly for all her sins. Let your warning voice be heard among the

Gentiles as you pass; and call yet upon them in my name for aid

and for assistance. With you it mattereth not whether it be little

or much; but to me it belongeth to show favor unto them who show

favor unto you." The vision continued open about six hours, that I

did not close my eyes in sleep. In this time many things were shown

unto me which I have never written; neither shall I write them

until they are fulfilled in Jerusalem.

It appears from the Prophets, that Jerusalem has none to

guide--none to take her by the hand among all the sons whom she

hath brought forth and reared. But these two sons are come unto

thee! the sons of strangers shall build up thy walls.

Permit me now, Rev. Sir, to trouble you with the reflections of a

mind that feels completely untrammelled from every party interest,

and from every sectarian influence.

When I look at the condition of your fathers in the days of David

and Solomon, and contrast that with the present condition of their

descendants, I am led to exclaim, "How are the mighty fallen." Then

they possessed a kingdom--a land flowing with milk and honey--then

the strong arm of Jehovah taught the surrounding nations to pay

tribute and homage to them--then their standard was raised high,

their banner floated on every breeze; and under its shade the

sons and daughters of Israel reposed in perfect safety; and the

golden letters of light and knowledge were inscribed on its folds.

But now, no kingdom--no country--no tribute of gain or honor--no

standard--no security: Their sceptre has departed! and instead of

that light and knowledge which once gave them a transient elevation

above other nations, the height of {377} their ambition is now

(with some honorable exceptions) the accumulation of sordid gain,

by buying and selling the stale refuse with which their fathers

would never have defiled their hands.

Why this wonderful change? Is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob

a just God? Most certainly He is. If, then, He is a just God, of

course He will mete out and apportion the chastisement or penalty

to the magnitude of the offense or crime committed. Allowing,

then, the law of Moses to be the standard by which actions are

weighed: were not idolatry and the shedding of innocent blood

the greatest sins which your fathers committed? And was not the

penalty inflicted upon them for that transgression, captivity in

Babylon seventy years? Have they ever been guilty of idolatry at

all since their return from Babylon? No! Have they been guilty of

shedding innocent blood, to that extent since their return, that

they were before they were taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar? The

Jew says, No! Very well; there will none deny, with any claim upon

your credulity, but that the disaster and overthrow that befell

the Jewish nation in the days of Vespasian, very far exceeded in

severity, in almost every particular, the disaster and overthrow

that befell them in the days of Nebuchadnezzar.

Now, then, if God be just and mete out and apportion the

chastisement or penalty to the magnitude of the offense or crime

committed, it follows, of course, that your fathers committed some

far greater crime subsequent to their return to Babylon, than ever

they before committed. Be that crime whatever it may; know ye that

for it, or because of it, the Roman armies were permitted to crowd

their conquests to the heart of your city--burn your temple--kill

your men, women and children, and disperse your remnant to the four

quarters of the earth. The fiery storm that burst upon your nation

at that time, and the traces of blood which they have ever since

left behind them in their flight and dispersion, together with the

recent cursed cruelties inflicted upon them in Damascus and Rhodes,

but too plainly declare that the strong imprecation which they

uttered on a certain occasion has been fulfilled upon them to the

letter. "Let his blood be on us and on our children." If condemning

and crucifying Jesus of Nazareth was not the cause of this great

evil, what was the cause of it?

Aware that I have written very plainly upon these points, that have

come within my notice, you believe me, sir, when I assure you,

that my pen is pointed with friendship, and dipped in the fountain

of love and good will toward your nation. The thoughts which it

records have proceeded from a heart grateful to the Almighty, that

the time has arrived when the day-star of your freedom already

begins to dispel the dark and gloomy clouds which have separated

you from the favor of your God. Ere long it will be said to you,

"Arise, shine, for thy light has {378} come, and the glory of the

Lord has risen upon thee."

The morning breaks, the shadows flee,

Lo! Zion's standard is unfurled;

The dawning of a brighter day

Majestic rises on the world.

The Gentile fulness now comes in,

And Israel's blessings are at hand:

Lo! Judah's remnant, cleansed from sin,

Shall in their promised Canaan stand.

Now, therefore, O ye children of the covenant, repent of all your

backslidings, and begin, as in days of old, to turn to the Lord

your God. Arise! arise! and go out from among the Gentiles; for

destruction is coming from the north to lay their cities waste.

Jerusalem is thy home. There the God of Abraham will deliver thee

(Joel ii: 32.) There the bending heavens shall reveal thy long

looked-for Messiah in fleecy clouds of light and glory, to execute

vengeance upon thine enemies; and lead thee and thy brethren of the

ten tribes to sure conquest and certain victory. Then shall thrones

be cast down, and the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of

our God. Then will they come from the east, west, north, south,,

and sit down in the kingdom of God with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

But the children of the kingdom (Gentiles) shall be cast out, and

the kingdom restored to Israel.

With sentiments of distinguished consideration, I have the honor,

sir, to subscribe myself,

Your most obedient servant,

Orson Hyde.

Rev. Dr. Solomon Hirschell, President Rabbi of the Hebrew Society

in England.

_Conclusion of Elder Hyde's Letter to the Prophet_.

It is very hard times in England. Thousands have nothing to do,

and are literally starving. Trade of all sorts is at the lowest

ebb. Very cold and dry. No harvest unless rain come soon. You will

discover that the greater part of the English brethren have always

worked under masters; and they have not so much notion of planning

and shifting for themselves, particularly in a strange country, as

the Americans. They want some one to be a kind of father to them,

to give them plenty of work, and plenty to eat; and they will be

content. They are a very industrious people whenever they can get

employment: and by a little fatherly care, they will soon get

way-wised to the country, and be enabled to shift for themselves. I

trust that exertions are made to give {379} employment to as many

as possible. You know the reasons there better than I do, and you

have received a specimen of the English Saints. Now if you have

any counsel to give concerning the gathering, in addition to that

already given, I shall be happy to receive and execute it, as far

as opportunity offers.

I shall not remain here long, it is true; but Brother Pratt is

here, and I shall return here some time if the Lord will.

I must now close by saying for one and all, God bless Zion for ever

and ever.

Your brother in Christ,

Orson Hyde.

{380}

CHAPTER XXII.

Sundry Events at Nauvoo and Throughout the World--The Mission of the

Twelve Noted by the Prophet.

[Sidenote: Press Misrepresentations.]

The newspapers of the United States are teeming with all manner of

lies, abusing the Saints of the Most High, and striving to call down

the wrath of the people upon His servants.

_Wednesday, 16_.--Elder Brigham Young and company arrived at Wheeling

at 4 p. m., and Sunday, 29th, visited the brethren at Cincinnati.

_Monday, 21_.--Hyrum Smith and William Law visited the Saints in

Chester county, Pennsylvania, on their mission east; and there met

Elder George A. Smith on his return home.

[Sidenote: Imprisonment of Theodore Curtis.]

_Tuesday, 22_.--Elder Theodore Curtis, having previously been arraigned

before a magistrate, and bound over in the sum of forty pounds, for

"blasphemy," _i. e_., preaching the Gospel, appeared at the court of

Sessions, at Gloucester, England, and after remaining five days [in

prison], was informed on inquiry, that no bill was found against him,

and he was suffered to go at large again after paying one pound and one

shilling cost. Thus we see that the same opposition to truth prevails

in other countries, as well as in this.

_Extract from a Letter in the "Juliet Courier"--Describing the

Prophet's Trial at Monmouth, and Affairs at Nauvoo_.

Monmouth, June, 1841.

My Dear Sir:--Before this reaches you, I have no doubt you will

have heard of the trial of Joseph Smith, familiarly known as the

{381} Mormon Prophet. As some misrepresentations have already gone

abroad, in relation to Judge Douglas' decision, and the merits

of the question decided by the judge; permit me to say, the only

question decided, though many were debated, was the validity of the

executive writ which had once been sent out, I think in September,

1840, and a return on it that Mr. Smith could not be found. The

same writ was issued in June, 1841. There can really be no great

difficulty about this matter, under this state of facts.

The judge acquitted himself handsomely, and silenced clamors that

had been raised against the defendant.

Since the trial I have been at Nauvoo, on the Mississippi, in

Hancock county, Illinois; and have seen the manner in which things

are conducted among the Mormons. In the first place, I cannot

help noticing the plain hospitality of the Prophet, Smith, to all

strangers visiting the town, aided as he is, in making the stranger

comfortable by his excellent wife, a woman of superior ability. The

people of the town appear to be honest and industrious, engaged

in their usual vocations of building up a town, and making all

things around them comfortable. On Sunday I attended one of their

meetings, in front of the Temple now building, and one of the

largest buildings in the state. There could not have been less

than 2,500 people present, and as well appearing as any number

that could be found in this or any state. Mr. Smith preached in

the morning, and one could have readily learned, then, the magic

by which he has built up this society, because, as we say in

Illinois, "they believe in him," and in his honesty. It has been

a matter of astonishment to me, after seeing the Prophet, as he

is called, Elder Rigdon, and many other gentlemanly men anyone

may see at Nauvoo, who will visit there--why it is, that so many

professing Christianity, and so many professing to reverence the

sacred principles of our Constitution (which gives free religious

toleration to all), have slandered, and persecuted this sect of

Christians.

_Saturday, 26_.--Elder Young and company arrived on the steamer

_Mermaid_, at the mouth of the Ohio river.

_Thursday, July 1_.--Elders Young, Kimball, and Taylor arrived at

Nauvoo, after an interesting mission to England. The accounts of their

missions are highly satisfactory.

During a heavy thunderstorm at Derby, England, hundreds of small fish

and frogs descended, and were picked up alive by the people.

{382} _Saturday, 3_.--The following is an extract from the

_Legion Minutes_:

The second regiment, first cohort, consisting of four companies,

was organized, and Captain George Coulson was elected colonel,

Josiah Ells lieutenant-colonel, and Hyrum Kimball major. On the

same day, the third regiment, second cohort, consisting of four

companies, was organized; Samuel Bent was elected colonel, George

Morey, lieutenant-colonel, and William Niswanger, major; and the

Legion was called out to celebrate our National Independence (the

4th being Sunday), and was reviewed by Lieutenant-General Joseph

Smith, who made an eloquent and patriotic speech to the troops, and

strongly testified of his regard for our national welfare, and his

willingness to lay down his life in defense of his country, and

closed with these remarkable words, "I would ask no greater boon,

than to lay down my life for my country."

An elaborate dinner was got up in the grove, of which I partook, in

company with the officers of the Legion, President Rigdon and many

others, with their ladies.

Elder Willard Richards left his family with his sisters at Richmond,

Massachusetts, and started for Nauvoo.

Elder Orson Pratt has published in New York an edition of his History

of the Coming Forth of the Book of Mormon, first printed in Edinburgh.

_Revelation given to Joseph Smith, in the house of Brigham Young,

in Nauvoo City, July 9, 1841_. [1]

Dear and well beloved Brother Brigham Young, verily thus saith the

Lord unto you, my servant Brigham, it is no more required at your

hands to leave your family as in times past, for your offering is

acceptable to me; I have seen your labor and toil in journeyings

for my name. I therefore command you to send my word abroad, and

take special care of your family from this time, henceforth and

forever. Amen.

_Monday, 12_.--Elder William Clayton was appointed clerk of the High

Council of Iowa, and John Patton recorder of baptisms for the dead in

Iowa.

At the urgent solicitations of the brethren at Zarahemla, {383} I had

consented, at a previous date, that they might baptize for the dead on

the Iowa side of the river.

[Sidenote: Liquor Selling Licensed in Nauvoo.]

I was in the City Council, and moved that any person in the City of

Nauvoo be at liberty to sell vinous liquors in any quantity, subject to

the city ordinances.

_Tuesday, 13_.--Elder George A. Smith returned from his mission in

England.

A treaty was signed between Turkey, Russia, England, France, Austria,

and Prussia, whereby the Dardanelles are closed to all foreign ships of

war, as long as the Ottoman Porte enjoys peace.

[Sidenote: Manna Rain in Aleppo.]

_Wednesday, 14_.--The following is translated from the Arabic, in the

_Malta Times_--"Aleppo, 3rd May. A great famine has happened in Aleppo,

Malitia, and Karbat, insomuch that many people died with hunger, and

others sold their sons and daughters to get bread to eat. But the

Almighty God rained upon them seed (manna), and fed them withal." "Of

the veracity of these words," adds the _Malta Times_, "extracted from

an Arabic letter, we are perfectly satisfied. The seed alluded to is

known in Malta, being nearly like 'hab' or 'dazz,' and which being kept

a little while becomes white, like 'semola' (very fine wheaten flour)."

Immense quantities of locusts have appeared in Spain this year,

devouring everything in their way; and a shower of flesh and blood is

reported in the southern part of the United States.

[Sidenote: Press Falsehoods.]

_Thursday, 15_.--Many of the newspapers are publishing lies about me

by the wholesale; should I attempt to enumerate them, I could write

nothing else; suffice it to say, every falsehood wicked men can invent,

assisted by their father the devil, is trumpeted to the world as sound

doctrine, which proves the words of Jesus, "They have persecuted me,

they will persecute you also."

{384} I spent considerable part of the day with several of the Twelve

Apostles.

_Letter of Elder Orson Hyde to President Smith--Detailing Events

while en Route to Jerusalem_.

Ratisbon On The Danube, July 17, 1841.

Dear Brother Joseph, and all whom it may concern: With pleasure I

take my pen to write to you at this time, hoping this communication

may find you as it leaves me, in good health and enjoying a

comfortable measure of the Holy Spirit.

On the twentieth of June last, I left London for Rotterdam in

Holland, after writing a lengthy epistle to you, and also the copy

of a letter addressed to the Rev. Dr. S. Hirschell, President Rabbi

of the Hebrews in London; which I hope you have received ere this;

the work of the Lord is steadily advancing in London under the

efficient and zealous labors of our worthy brother, Elder Lorenzo

Snow.

The fine steamer _Batavier_ brought me safely over the billows of a

tremendous rough sea in about thirty hours. Never did I suffer more

from sea sickness, than during this short voyage; but it was soon

over, and we landed safely in Rotterdam. I took my lodgings at the

London Hotel, at two florins per diem, about three shillings and

five pence sterling, or seventy-five cents. Here I called on the

Hebrew Rabbi, and proposed certain questions to him; but as he did

not understand a word of English, it was hard for me to enter into

particulars with him; I asked, him, however, whether he expected

his Messiah to come directly from heaven, or whether he expected

Him to be born of a woman on earth? He replied that he expected Him

to be born of a woman of the seed and lineage of David. At what

period do you look for this event? Answer. "We have been looking

a long time, and are now living in constant expectation of His

coming." Do you believe in the restitution of your nation to the

land of your fathers, called the land of _promise_? "We hope it

will be so," was the reply. He then added, "We believe that many

Jews will return to Jerusalem and rebuild the city--rear a temple

to the name of the Most High, and restore our ancient worship;

Jerusalem shall be the capital of our nation--the centre of our

union and the standard and ensign of our national existence. But we

do not believe that all the Jews will go there, for the place is

not large enough to contain them. They are now gathering there,"

continued he, "almost continually." I told him I had written an

address to the Hebrews, and was about procuring its publication

in his own language (Dutch), and when completed I would leave him

a copy. He thanked {385} me for this token of respect, and I bade

him adieu. I soon obtained the publication of five hundred copies

of the address, and left one at the house of the Rabbi--he being

absent from home, I did not see him.

After remaining here about one week, I took the coach for

Amsterdam, distance seven hours or about thirty English miles.

Rotterdam is a fine town of about eighty thousand inhabitants. The

cleanliness of its streets, the antique order of its architecture,

the extreme height of its buildings, the numerous shade trees

with which it is beautified, and the great number of canals,

through almost every part of the town, filled with ships of

various sizes from different parts of the world; all these, with

many other things not mentioned, contributed to give this place a

peculiarity resembled no where else in the course of my travels,

except in Amsterdam. Most of the business men here speak a little

English--some speak it very well.

In ascending the waters of the Rhine from the sea to Rotterdam,

the numerous windmills which I beheld in constant operation, led

me to think, almost, that all Europe came here for their grinding.

But I ascertained that they were grinding for distilleries, where

the floods of gin are made, which not only deluge our beloved

country, with fatal consequences, but many others. Gin is one of

the principal articles of exportation from this country.

In going to Amsterdam, I passed through a very beautiful town

called "The Hague," the residence of the King of Holland. I saw

his palace, which was guarded by soldiers both horse and foot. For

grandeur it bore here a faint resemblance to Buckingham Palace,

in London. But the beautiful parks and picturesque scenery in and

about the Hague, I have never seen equalled in any country.

I remained in Amsterdam only one night and a part of two days. I

called on the President Rabbi here, but he was gone from home. I

left at his house a large number of the addresses for himself and

his people, and took coach for Arnhem on the Rhine. Took boat the

same evening for Mainz. Traveling by coach and steam is rather

cheaper in this country than in the United States. We were three

days in going up the river to Mainz.

Holland and the lower part of Prussia are very low, flat countries.

The French and German languages are spoken all along the Rhine; but

little or no English. The Rhine is about like the Ohio for size,

near its mouth where it empties into the Mississippi. Its waters

resemble the Mississippi waters, dark and muddy. The scenery and

landscapes along this river have been endowed with art and nature's

choicest gifts.

I have been made acquainted with Europe in America, by books, to

a certain extent; yet now my eyes behold! It is impossible for

a written {386} description of a stranger's beauty to leave the

same impression upon the mind, as is made by an ocular view of

the lovely object. This is the difference between reading of and

seeing the countries of Europe. From Mainz I came to Frankfort

on the Maine by railroad--distance seven hours. From Frankfort I

came to this place--distance about thirty hours, where Napoleon

gained a celebrated victory over the Prussians and Austrians. The

very ground on which I now write this letter was covered by about

sixty thousand slain in that battle. It is called the battle of

Ackeynaeal.

It was my intention to have gone directly down the Danube to

Constantinople, but having neglected to get my passport vised

by the Austrian Ambassador at Frankfort, I had to forward it to

the Austrian Ambassador at Munich and procure his permission,

signature and seal before I could enter the Austrian dominions.

This detained me five days, during which time I conceived the idea

of sitting down and learning the German language scientifically.

I became acquainted with a lady here who speaks French and German

to admiration, and she was very anxious to speak the English--she

proposed giving me instruction in the German, if I would instruct

her in English. I accepted her proposal. I have been engaged

eight days in this task. I have read one book through and part of

another, and translated and written considerable. I can speak and

write considerable German already, and the lady tells me that I

make astonishing progress. From the past experience I know that

the keen edge of any work translated by a stranger, in whose heart

the spirit of the matter does not dwell, is lost--the life and

animation thereof die away into a cold monotony, and it becomes

almost entirely another thing. This step is according to the best

light I can get, and hope and trust that it is according to the

mind of the Lord. The people will hardly believe but that I have

spoken German before; but I tell them _nein_ (no). The German is

spoken in Prussia, Bavaria, and all the states of Germany, Austria,

the south of Russia, and in fine, more or less all over Europe.

It appears to me, therefore, that some person of some little

experience ought to know this language so as to translate himself,

without being dependent on strangers. If I am wrong in my movement

pray that the Spirit of the Lord may direct me aright. If I am

right, pray that heaven may speedily give me this language.

It is very sickly in Constantinople and Syria and Alexandria at

present. I would rather, therefore, wait until cool weather before

I go there. I might have written most of this letter in German, but

as you would more readily understand it in English, I have written

it in English.

With pleasure I leave the historical part of my letter to touch

a softer note, and give vent to the feelings of my heart. I hope

and trust that {387} the cause which you so fearlessly advocate,

is rolling forth in America, with that firm and steady motion

which characterizes the work of Jehovah. The enemies which we are

forced to encounter are numerous, strong, shrewd and cunning.

Their leader transfuses into them his own spirit, and brings them

into close alliance with the numerous hosts of precious immortals

who have been earlier taken captives by the haughty tyrant, and

sacrificed upon the altar of iniquity, transgression and sin. May

it please our Father in heaven to throw around thee his protecting

arms, to place beneath thee almighty strength ever buoy thy head

above the raging waves of tribulation, through which the chart

of destiny has evidently marked thy course. I am happy in the

enjoyment of the distinguished consideration with which heaven's

favor alone has endowed me, of bearing with you some humble part

in laying the foundation of the glorious kingdom of Messiah, which

is destined in its onward course to break in pieces and destroy

all others, and stand for ever. The friendship and good will which

are breathed towards me through all your letters, are received as

the legacy which noble minds and generous hearts are ever anxious

to bequeath. They soften the hard and rugged path in which heaven

has directed my course. They are buoyancy in depression--joy in

sorrow; and when the dark clouds of despondency are gathering thick

around the mental horizon, like kind angels from the fountain of

mercy, they dispel the gloom, dry the tear of sorrow, and pour

humanity's healing balm into my grieved and sorrowful heart. Be

assured, therefore, Brother Joseph, that effusions from the altar

of a grateful heart, are smoking to heaven daily in thy behalf; and

not only in thine, but in behalf of all Zion's suffering sons and

daughters. Though now far separated from you, and also from her,

who, with me, has suffered the chilling blasts of adversity, yet

hope lingers in this bosom, brightened almost into certainty by the

implicit confidence reposed in the virtue of that call which was

born on the gentle breeze of the Spirit of God, through the dark

shades of midnight gloom, till it found a mansion in my anxious and

inquiring heart, that my feet shall once more press the American

soil; and under the shade of her streaming banner, embrace again

the friends I love.

I never knew that I was in reality an American, until I walked out

one fine morning in Rotterdam along the wharf where many ships lay

in the waters of the Rhine. Suddenly my eye caught a broad pendant

floating in a gentle breeze over the stern of a fine ship at mizzen

half mast; and when I saw the wide spread eagle perched on her

banner with the stripes and stars under which our fathers were led

to conquest and victory, my heart leaped into my mouth, a flood

of tears burst from my eyes, and before reflection could mature a

sentence, my mouth involuntarily gave birth to these words, "I am

an American." To see the {388} flag of one's country in a strange

land, and floating upon strange waters, produces feelings which

none can know except those who experience them. I can now say that

I am an American. While at home the warmth and fire of the American

spirit lay in silent slumber in my bosom; but the winds of foreign

climes have fanned it into a flame.

I have seen some of the finest specimens of painting and

sculpture of both ancient and modern times. The vast varieties of

curiosities, also, from every country on the globe, together with

every novelty that genius could invent or imagination conceive,

which I have been compelled to witness in the course of my travels,

would be too heavy a tax upon my time to describe, and upon your

patience to read. I have witnessed the wealth and splendor of

many of the towns in Europe--have gazed with admiration upon

the widely-extended plains, her lofty mountains, her mouldering

castles, and her extensive vineyards: for at this season nature is

clad in her bridal robes, and smiles under the benign jurisprudence

of her Author. I have also listened to the blandishments, gazed

upon the pride and fashion of a world grown old in luxury and

refinement, viewed the pageantry of kings, queens, lords, and

nobles; and am now where military honor, and princely dignity,

must bow at the shrine of clerical superiority. In fine, my mind

has become cloyed with novelty, pomp, and show; and turns with

disgust from the glare of fashion to commune with itself in retired

meditation.

Were it consistent with the will of Deity, and consonant with the

convictions of my own bosom, most gladly would I retreat from

the oppressing heat of public life, and seek repose in the cool

and refreshing shades of domestic endearments, and bask in the

affections of my own little family circle. But the will of God be

done! Can the Messiah's kingdom but be advanced through my toil,

privation, and excessive labors, and at last sanctify my work

through the effusion of my blood! I yield, O Lord! I yield to thy

righteous mandate! Imploring help from thee in the hour of trial,

and strength in the day of weakness to faithfully endure until my

immortal spirit shall be driven from its earthly mansion to find a

refuge in the bosom of its God.

If the friends in America shall be edified in reading this letter

from Brother Hyde, I hope they will remember one thing; and that is

this, that he hopes he has a wife and two children living there;

but the distance is so great between him and them, that his arm is

not long enough to administer to their wants. I have said enough.

Lord, bless my wife and children, and the hand that ministers good

to them, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen. Adieu for the present.

Good rest on all the Saints throughout the world.

Orson Hyde.

{389} A violent and destructive hurricane swept over portions of

France, Germany, and Switzerland.

Death of Senator Little.

_Sunday, 18_.--This day was observed as a day of fasting and prayer by

the Saints in Nauvoo, that they might mourn with them that mourn, "and

weep with them that weep," on account of the death of Honorable Sidney

H. Little of the Senate, who was killed by jumping from a wagon last

Sunday, while his horse was unmanageable. Mr. Little was a patriot,

statesman, and lawyer.

Meeting was held in the grove, west of the Temple; Elders Sidney

Rigdon, John Taylor, and Geo. A. Smith preached.

_Monday, 19_.--Council of the Twelve, viz.--Brigham Young, Heber C.

Kimball, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, and George A. Smith met at Elder

Young's house, conversing with Lyman E. Johnson, who formerly belonged

to the quorum. President Rigdon and myself were with them part of the

time.

[Sidenote: General Funeral Sermon.]

_Sunday, 25_.--Attended meeting in the grove. Elders Orson Pratt and

George A. Smith preached in the forenoon. In the afternoon Elder Sidney

Rigdon preached a general funeral sermon, designed to comfort and

instruct the Saints, especially those who had been called to mourn the

loss of relatives and friends. I followed him, illustrating the subject

of the resurrection by some familiar figures.

Elder George A. Smith married Bathsheba W. Bigler. Don Carlos Smith

performed the ceremony, which was the last official act of his life, he

being very feeble at the time.

Brother William Yokum had his leg amputated by Dr. John F. Weld, who

operated free of charge; he was wounded in the massacre at Haun's Mill,

October 30th, 1838, and had lain on his back ever since; and now it was

found the only chance to save his life was to have his leg {390} cut

off. He was also shot through the head at the same massacre.

_Wednesday, 28_.--The Jewish quarter of Smyrna was burned. Three

thousand houses and eight synagogues were destroyed.

[Sidenote: The Prophet's Account of the Mission of the Twelve.]

_Sunday, August 1_.--All the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles who were

expected here this season, with the exception of Elders Willard

Richards and Wilford Woodruff, have arrived. We have listened to the

accounts which they give of their success, and the prosperity of

the work of the Lord In Great Britain with pleasure. They certainly

have been the instruments in the hands of God of accomplishing much,

and must have the satisfaction of knowing that they have done their

duty. Perhaps no men ever undertook such an important mission under

such peculiarly distressing and unpropitious circumstances. Most of

them when they left this place, nearly two years ago, were worn down

with sickness and disease, or were taken sick on the road. Several of

their families were also afflicted and needed their aid and support.

But knowing that they had been called by the God of Heaven to preach

the Gospel to other nations, they conferred not with flesh and blood,

but obedient to the heavenly mandate, without purse or scrip, they

commenced a journey of five thousand miles entirely dependent on the

providence of that God who had called them to such a holy calling.

While journeying to the sea board they were brought into many trying

circumstances; after a short recovery from severe sickness, they

would be taken with a relapse, and have to stop among strangers,

without money and without friends. Their lives were several times

despaired of, and they have taken each other by the hand, expecting it

would be the last time they should behold one another in the flesh.

However, notwithstanding their afflictions and trials, the Lord always

interposed in their behalf, and did not suffer them to sink {391} in

the arms of death. Some way or other was made for their escape--friends

rose up when they most needed them, and relieved their necessities;

and thus they were enabled to pursue their journey and rejoice in the

Holy One of Israel. They, truly, "went forth weeping, bearing precious

seed," but have "returned with rejoicing, bearing their sheaves with

them."

The minds of thousands are already prepared to hear of the sacking

of cities--the marching and countermarching of armies--the burning

of towns and villages--the flight of citizens--the rising of the

Indians--the commotion in Illinois--the distress in Iowa--the

consternation and flight of the Missourians, the exploits of mighty

chieftains, &c.--on account of the fooleries and lies which have been

trumpeted forth from the press in the United States.

_Thursday, 5_.--Letters from London, state that there are a

number--more or less--baptized every week.

There was a general election of members of Parliament last month.

Serious riots occurred in different parts of the kingdom between the

Whigs and Tories.

_Letter of William Smith to President Smith--Land Transactions_.

Chester County, Pennsylvania,

August 5th, 1841.

Brother Joseph:--I expect to leave here for the Jersey country next

week. Doctor Galland left for Nauvoo last week. In the Hotchkiss

business, Hyrum requested me to do all I could. Brother James

Ivins has received orders on you from Doctor Galland to the amount

of twenty-five hundred dollars. The property that he has given

these orders for, is well worth the money. I expect Mr. Hotchkiss

in new Jersey in a few days to receive this property, which is

Cook's Mills Tavern stand, attached to six acres of ground with

all the appurtenances. Some of the Jersey people think it worth

three thousand dollars. Now the question is, shall I let Mr.

Hotchkiss have this property for less than twenty-five hundred,

since that is the price you will have to pay at Nauvoo. Why I ask

this {392} question is--I have understood that Hotchkiss has said

that he would not allow over twenty-two hundred dollars. I got

hold of another small piece of land, worth five hundred; and if

Hotchkiss will take all at a fair price, I shall be enabled to

settle the amount of three thousand dollars soon. Please write me

an answer to the above question. The cause in these eastern lands

is flourishing, and we want more laborers; fifty doors opened for

preaching where there is but one laborer. I wish you would send us

help.

Yours in the bonds of the covenant,

William Smith.

Footnotes:

1. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxxvi.

{393}

CHAPTER XXIII.

The Death of Don Carlos Smith--His Life and Labors--Special Conference

at Nauvoo.

[Sidenote: The Death of Don Carlos Smith.]

_Saturday, August 7_.--My youngest brother, Don Carlos Smith, died

at his residence in Nauvoo this morning, at twenty minutes past two

o'clock, in the 26th year of his age. He was born 25th March, 1816,

was one of the first to receive my testimony, and was ordained to the

Priesthood when only 14 years of age. The evening after the plates of

the Book of Mormon were shown to the eight witnesses, a meeting was

held, when all the witnesses, as also Don Carlos bore testimony to

the truth of the latter-day dispensation. He accompanied father to

visit grandfather, Asael Smith, and relatives in St. Lawrence county,

New York, in August, 1830. During that mission he convinced Solomon

Humphrey, a licentiate of the Baptist order, of the truth of the work.

He was one of the 24 Elders who laid the corner stones of the Kirtland

Temple. In the fall of 1833, he entered the office of Oliver Cowdery

to learn the art of printing. On the 30th July, 1835, he married

Agnes Coolbrith, in Kirtland, Ohio. On the 15th January, 1836, he was

ordained President of the High Priests' quorum. He took a mission with

Wilber Denton in the spring and summer of 1836, in Pennsylvania and New

York. On the commencement of the publication of the _Elders' Journal_

in Kirtland, he took the control of the establishment until the

office was destroyed by fire in December, 1837, when, in consequence

of persecution, he moved his family to {394} New Portage. Early in

the spring of 1838 he took a mission through the states of Virginia,

Pennsylvania and Ohio, and raised means to assist his father; and

immediately after his return he started to Missouri with his family,

in company with father and family, and purchased a farm in Daviess

county. On the 26th September he started on a mission to the states

of Tennessee and Kentucky, to collect means to buy out the claims

and property of the mobbers in Daviess county, Missouri. During his

absence, his wife and two little children were driven by the mob from

his habitation, and she was compelled to carry her children three

miles, through snow three inches deep, and wade through Grand river,

which was waist deep, during the inclement weather. He returned about

the 25th of December, after a very tedious mission, having traveled

1,500 miles, 650 of which were on foot.

I extract the following from his journal--

On the 30th of September, 1838, in company with George A. Smith,

Lorenzo D. Barnes, and Harrison Sagers, I went on board the

_Kansas_ (which had one wheel broken); the Missouri river was

very low, and full of snags and sand bars. General Samuel Lucas

and Moses Wilson, of Jackson county, Colonel Thompson, from Platt

Purchase, and many others of the active mobbers were on board,

as also General David R. Atchison. On touching at De Witt, on

1st October, for wood, we found about seventy of the brethren,

with their families, surrounded by an armed mob of upwards of

two hundred. The women and children there were much frightened,

expecting it was a boat loaded with mobbers. We would have stopped

and assisted them, but being unarmed, we thought it best to

fulfill our mission. From this onward the "Mormons" were the only

subject of conversation, and nothing was heard but the most bitter

imprecations against them. General Wilson related many of his deeds

of noble daring in the Jackson mob, one of which was the following:

"I went, in company with forty others, to the house of Hiram Page,

a Mormon, in Jackson county. We got logs and broke in every door

and window at the same instant; and pointing our rifles at the

family, we told them, we would be d--d if we didn't shoot every

one of them, if Page didn't come out. At that, a tall woman made

her appearance, with a child in her arms. I told the boys she was

too d--d tall. In a moment the boys stripped her, and found it was

Page. I told them {395} to give him a d--d good one. We gave him

sixty or seventy blows with hickory withes which we had prepared.

Then after pulling the roof off the house, we went to the next

d--d Mormon's house, and whipped him in like manner. We continued

until we whipped ten or fifteen of the d--d Mormons, and demolished

their houses that night. If the Carroll boys would do that way they

might conquer; but it is no use to think of driving them without

four or five to one. I wish I could stay, I would help drive the

d--d Mormons to hell, Old Joe, and all the rest." At this I looked

the General sternly in the face, and told him, that he was neither

a republican nor a gentleman, but a savage, without a single

principle of honor, or humanity. "If," said I, "the 'Mormons' have

broken the law, let it be strictly executed against them; but such

anti-republican, and unconstitutional acts as these, related by

you, are beneath the brutes." We were upon the hurricane deck, and

a large company present were listening to the conversation. While

I was speaking, Wilson placed his hand upon his pistol, which was

belted under the skirt of his coat; but Cousin George stood by

his side, watching every move of his hand, and would have knocked

him into the river instantly, had he attempted to draw a deadly

weapon. But General Atchison saved him the trouble, by saying,

"I'll be d--d to hell if Smith ain't right." At this, Wilson left

the company crest-fallen. In the course of the conversation, Wilson

said that the best plan was to rush into the Mormon settlements,

murder the men, make slaves of the children, take possession of the

property, and use the women as they pleased.

A gentleman, present from Baltimore, Maryland, said he never was

among such a pack of d--d savages before: he had passed through

Far West, and saw nothing among the "Mormons" but good order. Then

drawing his pistols, he discharged them, and re-loading, said, "If

God spares my life till I get out of Upper Missouri, I will never

be found associating with such devils again."

Shortly after this we were invited to preach on board, Elder Barnes

and I preached. The rest of the way we were treated more civilly;

but being deck passengers, and having very little money, we

suffered much for food.

We continued our journey together through every species of hardship

and fatigue, until the 11th of October, when Elders Barnes and

Harrison Sagers left us at Paducah, after our giving them all the

money we had, they starting up the Ohio river, and we to visit the

churches in west Tennessee and Kentucky. Soon after this, Julian

Moses gave us a five-franc piece, and bade us farewell.

We soon found that the mob spirit was in Kentucky, as well as in

Missouri; we preached in a small branch of the Church in Calloway

county, and stayed at the house of Sister Selah Parker, which was

{396} surrounded in the night by about twenty armed men, led by

John McCartney, a Campbellite priest, who had sworn to kill the

first "Mormon" Elder who should dare to preach in that place.

The family were very much terrified. After trying the doors, the

mobbers finally went away. We visited a number of small branches in

Tennessee; the brethren generally arranged to be on hand with their

money, or lands for exchange in the spring. Brother Samuel West

gave us twenty-eight dollars to help defray our traveling expenses.

We also received acts of kindness from others, which will never be

forgotten.

About this time our minds were seized with an awful

foreboding--horror seemed to have laid his grasp upon us--we lay

awake night after night for we could not sleep. Our forebodings

increased, and we felt sure that all was not right; yet we

continued preaching until the Lord showed us that the Saints would

be driven from Missouri. We then started home, and, on arriving

at Wyatt's Mills, we were told that if we preached there it would

cost us our lives. We had given out an appointment at the house of

Mrs. Foster, a wealthy widow. She also advised us to give it up;

but, as she had no fears for herself, her property or family, we

concluded to fill our appointment. The hour of meeting came, and

many attended. George A. preached about an hour: during which time

Captain Fitch came in at the head of twelve other mobbers, who had

large hickory clubs, and they sat down with their hats on. When

George A. took his seat, I arose and addressed them for an hour and

a half, during which time, I told them that I was a patriot--that

I was free--that I loved my country--that I loved liberty--that I

despised both mobs and mobbers--that no gentleman, or Christian at

heart would ever be guilty of such things, or countenance them.

Whereupon the mob pulled off their hats, laid down their clubs, and

listened with almost breathless attention.

After meeting Mr. Fitch came to us and said that he was ashamed of

his conduct, and would never do the like again; that he had been

misinformed about us by some religious bigots, and begged of us to

forgive him, which we did.

We continued our journey to Columbus, Hickman county, Kentucky, and

put up with Captain Robinson, formerly an officer in the army, who

treated us very kindly, assuring us that we were welcome to stay

at his house until a boat should come, if it were three months.

We stayed nine days, during which a company of thirteen hundred

Cherokee Indians were ferried over the river.

We went on board the steamer _Louisville_, and had to pay all our

money for a deck passage. About ninety miles from St. Louis our

boat got aground, where it lay three days. We had nothing to eat

but a little parched corn. We then went on board of a little boat,

_The Return_, {397} which landed us in St. Louis the next morning.

Here we found Elder Orson Pratt, and learned that Joseph was a

prisoner with many others, and that David Patten was killed, and of

the sufferings of the Saints, which filled our hearts with sorrow.

The next morning we started on foot for home; at Huntsville, about

200 miles, we stopped at the house of George Lyman to rest. George

A.'s feet had now become very sore from walking.

We had not been long in Huntsville before the mob made a rally to

use us up, as they said, with the rest of the Smiths: and, at the

earnest request of our friends, we thought best to push on, and

started about ten at night. The wind was in our faces, the ground

slippery, and the night very dark; nevertheless we proceeded on

our journey. Traveling twenty-two miles, we came to the Chariton

river, which we found frozen over, but the ice too weak to bear us,

and the boat on the west side of the river. We went to the next

ferry, but finding there was no boat, and knowing that in the next

neighborhood a man's brains were beaten out for being a "Mormon,"

we returned to the first ferry, and tried by hallowing to raise

the ferryman on the opposite side of the river, but were not able

to awake him. We were almost benumbed with the cold, and to warm

ourselves we commenced scuffling and jumping: we then beat our feet

upon the logs and stumps, in order to start a circulation of blood;

but at last George A. became so cold and sleepy, that he could

not stand it any longer, and lay down. I told him he was freezing

to death; I rolled him on the ground, pounded and thumped him; I

then cut a stick and said I would thrash him. At this he got up,

and undertook to thrash me; this stirred his blood a little, but

he soon lay down again. By this time the ferryman came over, and

set us across the river, where we warmed ourselves a little, and

pursued our journey until about breakfast time, when we stopped at

the house of a man, who we afterwards learned was a leader of the

mob at Haun's Mill massacre. The next morning we started without

breakfast. Our route lay through a wild prairie, where there was

but very little track, and only one house in forty miles. The

northwest wind blew fiercely in our faces, and the ground was so

slippery that we could scarcely keep our feet, and when the night

came on, to add to our perplexity, we lost our way; soon after

which, I became so cold that it was with great difficulty I could

keep from freezing. We also became extremely thirsty; however, we

found a remedy for this by cutting through ice three inches thick

with a penknife. While we were drinking, we heard a cowbell; this

caused our hearts to leap for joy, and we arose and steered our

coarse towards the sound. We soon entered Tenny's Grove, which

sheltered us from the wind, and we felt more comfortable. In a

short time we came to the house of Whitford G. Wilson, where we

were made {398} welcome and kindly entertained. We lay down to rest

about two o'clock in the morning, after having traveled one hundred

and ten miles in two days and two nights. After breakfast I set out

for Far West, leaving George A. sick, with our hospitable friends.

When I arrived on the evening of December 25th, I was fortunate

enough to find my family alive, and in tolerable health, which

was more than I could have expected, considering the scenes of

persecution through which they had passed.

[Sidenote: The Visits of Don Carlos to Liberty Prison.]

Don Carlos visited us several times while we were in Liberty jail, and

brought our wives to see us, and some money and articles to relieve

our necessities. He took charge of father's family in his flight from

Missouri, and saw them removed to Quincy, Illinois.

[Sidenote: His Ministrations to the Sick.]

In June, 1839, he commenced making preparations for printing the _Times

and Seasons_. The press and type had been resurrected by Elias Smith,

Hyrum Clark, and others, from its grave in Dawson's yard, Far West,

where it was buried for safety the night that General Lucas surrounded

the city with the mob militia. The form for a number of the _Elders'

Journal_ was buried with the ink on it. The types were considerably

injured by the damp; it was therefore necessary to get them into use

as soon as possible, and in order to do this, Don Carlos was under

the necessity of cleaning out a cellar through which a spring was

constantly flowing, as the only place where he could put up the press.

Ebenezer Robinson and wife being sick, threw the entire burden on him.

As a great number of brethren lay sick in the town, on Tuesday, 23rd

July, 1839, I told Don Carlos and George A. Smith to go and visit all

the sick, exercise mighty faith, and administer to them in the name of

Jesus Christ, commanding the destroyer to depart, and the people to

arise and walk; and not leave a single person on the bed between my

house and Ebenezer Robinson's, two miles distant; they administered to

over sixty persons, many {399} of whom thought they would never sit up

again; but they were healed, arose from their beds, and gave glory to

God; some of them assisted in visiting and administering to others who

were sick.

Working in the damp cellar, and administering to the sick impaired his

health so that the first number of the _Times and Seasons_ was not

issued until November. He edited thirty-one numbers.

He was elected major in the Hancock county militia, and on the death of

Seymour Brunson, was made lieutenant-colonel.

He was elected on 1st February, 1841, a member of the City Council of

Nauvoo, and took the necessary oath on 3rd February, and on the fourth

he was elected brigadier-general of the second cohort of the Nauvoo

Legion.

[Sidenote: Personal Appearance of Don Carlos Smith.]

He was six feet four inches high, was very straight and well made, had

light hair, and was very strong and active. His usual weight when in

health was 200 pounds. He was universally beloved by the Saints.

He left three daughters, namely, Agnes C., Sophronia C., and Josephine

D.

[Sidenote: The Iowa Stake of Zion.]

President John Smith was unanimously acknowledged as the president of

the stake in Iowa, David Pettigrew, M. C. Nickerson, counselors. Elias

Smith was sustained as Bishop and Joseph B. Noble and Joseph Mecham as

his counselors.

A conference of the Church was held at Zarahemla, and the branches in

Iowa, so far as represented, consisted of 750 members.

Shocks of an earthquake felt at several places in Spain.

_Sunday, 8_.--A water-spout destroyed twenty houses of Portpatrick,

Scotland.

The funeral of Brother Don Carlos was attended by a vast concourse of

friends and relatives; he was buried with military honors.

{400} The Zarahemla conference appointed George W. Gee, Church

Recorder, and was addressed by Elders John Taylor and George A. Smith,

on building the Temple, and on temperance.

_Monday, 9_.--The steamboat _Erie_ was burned on Lake Erie, thirty

miles from Buffalo, and eight from the shore, two hundred persons on

board, of whom one hundred and seventy-five perished.

[Sidenote: New Mission Movement Planned.]

_Tuesday, 10_--I spent the day in council with Brigham Young, Heber

C. Kimball, John Taylor, Orson Pratt, and George A. Smith, and

appointed a special conference for the 16th instant. I directed them

to send missionaries to New Orleans; Charleston, South Carolina;

Salem, Massachusetts; Baltimore, Maryland; and Washington, District

of Columbia. I also requested the Twelve to take the burthen of the

business of the Church in Nauvoo, and especially as pertaining to the

selling of Church lands.

The department of English literature and mathematics, of the University

of the City of Nauvoo, is in operation under the tuition of Professor

Orson Pratt.

_General Orders, Nauvoo Legion_.

Headquarters, Nauvoo Legion,

City Of Nauvoo, Aug. 10, 1841.

It becomes our painful duty to officially notify the troops

of our command of the untimely decease of that noble chief,

Brigadier-General Don Carlos Smith--he fell, but not in battle--he

perished, but not by the weapons of war--at his burial you paid him

honor, but he is gathered to his fathers to receive greater honor.

In consequence of this afflicting dispensation of Divine

Providence, the commissioned officers of the staff and line will

wear crape on the left arm for thirty days. The commissioned

officers of the second cohort will convene at General Smith's

office, on Saturday, the 4th day of September, at 10 o'clock a. m.,

for the purpose of electing a brigadier-general, at which time and

place the court of appeals will sit.

The legion will assemble at the usual place of rendezvous, in

the city of Nauvoo, on Saturday, the 11th day of September, at

10 o'clock a. m., for the purpose of general parade. The militia

officers of the county of {401} Hancock, Illinois; and the county

of Lee, Iowa, are respectfully invited to attend. The adjutants

of regiments will form their respective regiments at 9 o'clock

and at 10 o'clock; the adjutant of the Legion will form the line

by regiments, and not by companies as heretofore. A special

court-martial will convene at the usual place, on Saturday, the

28th day of August, at 10 o'clock a. m., for the transaction of

business.

Joseph Smith, Lieutenant-General.

A shower of meteoric stones fell at Iwan in Hungary.

[Sidenote: Depression of the Times.]

Letters from various parts of England and Scotland show that numbers

are daily added to the Church; while shipwrecks, floods, houses

and workshops falling, great and destructive fires, sudden deaths,

banks breaking, men's hearts failing them for fear, shop-keepers and

manufacturers failing, because no man buyeth their merchandise, many

accidents on the railways, etc., betoken the coming of the Son of Man.

[Sidenote: Visit of the Sac and Fox Indians to Nauvoo.]

_Thursday, 12_.--A considerable number of the Sac and Fox Indians

have been for several days encamped in the neighborhood of Montrose.

The ferryman brought over a great number on the ferryboat and two

flat boats for the purpose of visiting me. The military band and a

detachment of Invincibles [part of the Legion] were on shore ready

to receive and escort them to the grove, but they refused to come on

shore until I went down. I accordingly went down, and met Keokuk,

Kis-ku-kosh, Appenoose, and about one hundred chiefs and braves of

those tribes, with their families. At the landing, I was introduced

by Brother Hyrum to them; and after salutations, I conducted them to

the meeting grounds in the grove, and instructed them in many things

which the Lord had revealed unto me concerning their fathers, and

the promises that were made concerning them in the Book of Mormon. I

advised them to cease killing each other and warring with other tribes;

also to keep peace with the whites; all of which was interpreted to

them.

Keokuk replied that he had a Book of Mormon at his {402} wigwam which I

had given him some years before. "I believe," said he, "you are a great

and good man; I look rough, but I also am a son of the Great Spirit. I

have heard your advice--we intend to quit fighting, and follow the good

talk you have given us."

After the conversation they were feasted on the green with good

food, dainties, and melons by the brethren; and they entertained the

spectators with a specimen of their dancing.

_Saturday, 14_.--Sir J. M. Brunel, the engineer, with fifty ladies and

gentlemen, made the first passage under the river Thames, England.

_Sunday, 15_.--My infant son, Don Carlos, died, aged 14 months, 2 days.

Conference met in Zarahemla, and was addressed by Elders Brigham Young

and George Miller on building the Temple in Nauvoo.

_Monday, 16_.--Elder Willard Richards arrived at Nauvoo this morning.

Ebenezer Robinson succeeded Brother Don Carlos as editor of the _Times

and Seasons_, with Elder Robert B. Thompson assistant editor.

_Minutes of a Special Conference at Nauvoo--Important Action in

Relation to the Twelve_.

At a special conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day

Saints, held in the city of Nauvoo, August 16, 1841, Elder Brigham

Young was unanimously appointed to preside over the conference, and

Elias Smith and Lorenzo D. Barnes were appointed clerks.

Singing by the choir; conference opened by prayer, by the president.

The object of the conference was then presented by the president,

who stated that President Joseph Smith (who was then absent on

account of the death of his child) had called a special conference

to transact certain items of business necessary to be done previous

to the October conference--such as to select men of experience to

send forth into the vineyard, take measures to assist emigrants

who may arrive at the places of gathering, and prevent impositions

being practiced upon them by unprincipled speculators. The speaker

hoped that no one would view him and his brethren as aspiring,

because they had come forward {403} to take part in the proceedings

before the conference; he could assure the brethren that nothing

could be further from his wishes, and those of his quorum, than

to interfere with Church affairs in Zion and her stakes. He had

been in the vineyard so long, he had become attached to foreign

missions, and nothing could induce him to retire therefrom and

attend to the affairs of the Church at home but a sense of duty,

the requirements of heaven, or the revelations of God; to which

he would always submit, be the consequence what it might; and the

brethren of his quorum responded, Amen.

A list of names of Elders and cities were read by the president,

and a few were selected by nomination, and designated as follows:

Voted that Elders Henry G. Sherwood go to New Orleans; Abraham O.

Smoot to Charleston, South Carolina; Erastus Snow and Benjamin

Winchester to Salem, Massachusetts; John Murdock to Baltimore,

Maryland; and Samuel James to Washington, D. C.

On motion of Vinson Knight, seconded by Samuel Bent, resolved: that

the quorum of the Twelve select the individuals to go and preach in

such places as they may judge expedient, and present the same to

the conference, with a view of expediting the business of the day.

The situation of the poor of Nauvoo City was then presented by

Bishops Knight and Miller, and a collection taken for their benefit.

After singing, conference adjourned until 2 o'clock p. m.

All of the Twelve present at the conference went and visited

President Joseph Smith to comfort him in his affliction.

Conference assembled at 2 p. m., and was addressed by Elders

Lorenzo D. Barnes and Henry G. Sherwood, concerning the spread of

the Gospel and the building up of the kingdom of God in these last

days.

President Joseph Smith now arriving, proceeded to state to the

conference at considerable length, the object of their present

meeting, and, in addition to what President Young had stated in

the morning, said that the time had come when the Twelve should be

called upon to stand in their place next to the First Presidency,

and attend to the settling of emigrants and the business of

the Church at the stakes, and assist to bear off the kingdom

victoriously to the nations, and as they had been faithful, and

had borne the burden in the heat of the day, that it was right

that they should have an opportunity of providing something for

themselves and families, and at the same time relieve him, so that

he might attend to the business of translating.

Moved, seconded and carried, that the conference approve of the

instructions of President Smith in relation to the Twelve, and that

they proceed accordingly to attend to the duties of their office.

Moved, seconded and carried unanimously, that every individual who

{404} shall hereafter be found trying to influence any emigrants

belonging to the Church, either to buy of them (except provisions)

or sell to them (except the Church agents), shall be immediately

tried for fellowship, and dealt with as offenders, and unless they

repent shall be cut off from the Church.

President Rigdon then made some appropriate remarks on speculation.

Moved, that the conference accept the doings of the Twelve,

in designating certain individuals to certain cities, &c.;

when President Smith remarked that the conference had already

sanctioned the doings of the Twelve; and it belonged to their

office to transact such business, with the approbation of the First

Presidency; and he would then state what cities should now be built

up--viz., Nauvoo, Zarahemla, Warren, Nashville, and Ramus.

_Resolved_: That this conference adjourn to the general conference

in October next.

Closed with prayer by President Young.

Brigham Young, President.

Elias Smith,

Lorenzo Barnes,

Clerks.

{405}

CHAPTER XXIV.

Hotchkiss Land Purchase Troubles--Death's Harvest, Oliver Granger,

Robert B. Thompson--Important Action Relating to the Twelve--The

Mission in Fox Island.

[Sidenote: The Founding of Warren.]

_Thursday, July 19, 1841_.--Elders Young, Kimball and Richards went to

Warsaw, and examined the town plat of Warren which is situated about a

mile south of the village of Warsaw, and made some arrangements with

the proprietors for building up the place.

The plat designed for the city of Warren is the school section, No.

16, and opposite the first permanent and good landing place on the

Mississippi River below the falls; which is about two miles below the

Warsaw landing, which is filling up with sand bars.

The brethren returned about eleven p. m., quite exhausted.

_Sunday, 22_.--I preached at the stand, on wars and desolations that

await the nations.

_Wednesday, 25_.--I received the following letter:

_Letter of Horace R. Hotchkiss to Joseph Smith--Land Affairs in

Nauvoo_.

Fair Haven, 24th July, 1841.

_Rev. Joseph Smith_:

Dear Sir:--I have this moment received a letter from Dr. Galland,

dated yesterday, at New York, in which he states his intention of

leaving for the west.

{406} It certainly was my expectation that I should again see him

before his departure, and be able to make some arrangement with him

respecting the interest due to myself, Mr. Tuttle and Mr. Gillet.

In this I am disappointed, and considering that a proposition for

effecting this object emanated from your brother Hyrum and the

doctor, [Isaac Galland] to which no allusion has since been made

by them or anybody else, I and Mr. Tuttle think that we have much

reason to be dissatisfied at this silence and apparent neglect.

Now, all the transactions relating to Nauvoo have by me and my

friends been entered into in the most perfect good faith, and will

continue to be conducted on the most honorable principles.

Permit me to ask whether this is a proper return for the confidence

we have bestowed, and for the indulgence we have extended?

If you have not already requested your brother Hyrum to call on me

when he arrives east, will you write him immediately, and say that

it is my urgent wish?

Relative to the Ivins note the Doctor has written me, and referred

to Mr. William Smith at New Egypt, on whom I shall call next week.

Your obedient servant,

Horace R. Hotchkiss.

I wrote the following answer:

_Letter of the Prophet to Horace R. Hotchkiss--Nauvoo Land

Transactions_.

Nauvoo, August 25, 1841.

_To Horace R. Hotchkiss, Esq., New Haven, Connecticut_:

Dear Sir:--Yours of the 24th ultimo came to hand this day, the

contents of which I duly appreciate. I presume you are well aware

of the difficulties that occurred before, and at the execution

of the writings in regard to the land transaction between us,

touching the annual payment of interest: if you have forgotten,

I will here remind you, you verbally agreed on our refusal and

hesitancy to execute the notes for the payment of the land, that

you would not exact the payment of the interest that would accrue

on them under five years, and that you would not coerce the payment

even then; to all this you pledged your honor; and upon an after

arrangement you verbally agreed to take land in some one of the

Atlantic States, that would yield six per cent interest (to you)

both for the principal and interest, and in view of that matter,

I delegated my brother Hyrum and Dr. Isaac Galland to go east and

negotiate for lands with our friends, and pay you off for the

{407} whole purchase that we made of you; but upon an interview

with you, they learned that you were unwilling to enter into an

arrangement according to the powers that I had delegated to them;

that you would not receive any of the principal at all, but the

interest alone, which we never considered ourselves in honor or in

justice bound to pay under the expiration of five years. I presume

you are no stranger to the part of the city plat we bought of you

being a deathly sickly hole, and that we have not been able in

consequence to realize any valuable consideration from it, although

we have been keeping up appearances, and holding out inducements

to encourage immigration, that we scarcely think justifiable in

consequence of the mortality that almost invariably awaits those

who come from far distant parts (and that with a view to enable us

to meet our engagements), and now to be goaded by you, for a breach

of good faith, and neglect and dishonorable conduct, seems to me to

be almost beyond endurance.

You are aware that we came from Missouri destitute of everything

but physical force, had nothing but our energies and perseverance

to rely upon to meet the payment of the extortionate sum that

you exacted for the land we had of you. Have you no feelings of

commiseration? Or is it your design to crush us with a ponderous

load before we are able to walk? Or can you better dispose of

the property than we are doing for your interest? If so, to the

alternative.

I therefore propose, in order to avoid the perplexity and annoyance

that has hitherto attended the transaction, that you come and take

the premises, and make the best you can of it, or stand off and

give us an opportunity that we may manage the concern, and enable

ourselves by the management thereof to meet our engagements, as was

originally contemplated.

We have taken a city plat at Warsaw (at the head of navigation

for vessels of heavy tonnage) on the most advantageous terms: the

proprietors waiting upon us for the payment of the plat, until we

can realize the money from the sales, leaving to ourselves a large

and liberal net profit. We have been making every exertion, and

used all the means at our command to lay a foundation that will now

begin to enable us to meet our pecuniary engagements, and no doubt

in our minds to the entire satisfaction of all those concerned,

if they will but exercise a small degree of patience, and stay a

resort to coercive measures which would kill us in the germ, even

before we can (by reason of the season) begin to bud and blossom in

order to bring forth a plentiful yield of fruit.

I am, with considerations of high respect,

Your obedient servant,

Joseph Smith.

{408} [Sidenote: Location and Character of the Hotchkiss Lands.]

The Hotchkiss purchase, to which the foregoing letters relate includes

all the land lying north of the White purchase to the river and thence

on the river south, including the best steamboat landing, but is the

most sickly part of Nauvoo.

[Sidenote: Death of Oliver Granger.]

Elder Oliver Granger died at Kirtland, Lake county, Ohio, aged

forty-nine years. He was the son of Pierce and Clarissa Granger, born

in the town of Phelps, Ontario county, New York, 7th February, 1794;

received a common school education, was two years a member of the

Methodist Church and was a licensed exhorter. On the 8th September,

1813, he married Lydia Dibble; in the year 1827, he in a great measure

lost his sight by cold and exposure; he was sheriff of Ontario county,

and colonel of the militia. He received the Gospel on reading the Book

of Mormon, which he providentially obtained, and was baptized at Sodus,

Wayne county, and ordained an Elder by Brigham and Joseph Young, they

being the first Elders he saw, and immediately devoted his time to

preaching and warning the people.

In the year 1833 he moved to Kirtland, and then took a mission to

the east with Elder Samuel Newcomb; returned and was ordained a High

Priest; took another mission in the spring of 1836 to New York with

John P. Greene; and after his return built up a branch at Huntsburg,

Geauga county, Ohio; also a branch at Perry, Richfield county, where he

baptized Bradley Wilson and his seven sons and their wives. When the

Church left Kirtland he was appointed to settle the Church business.

In June, 1838, he went to Far West, and returned in August of same

year; in October he again started, taking his family; he went seventy

miles into Missouri, and was driven back by the mob; in the spring of

1839 he went to Nauvoo; in 1840 removed to Kirtland with his family,

where he remained until his death.

{409} [Sidenote: Character.]

He was a man of good business qualifications, but had been for many

years nearly blind. His funeral was attended by a vast concourse of

people from the neighboring towns, although there were but few Saints

in the country.

_Thursday, 26_.

_An Epistle of the Twelve Apostles to the Saints Scattered Abroad

Among the Nations, Greeting_.

Nauvoo, August 26, 1841.

Beloved Brethren:--You will perceive by the minutes of a

conference, held in this city, on the 16th instant, that we have

returned from a mission which was required of us by the Lord, and

have now been called upon to assist in building up the stakes of

Zion, and of planting the Saints upon the lot of their inheritance;

and feeling as we do a humble reliance upon divine aid at all

times, in our unremitting desire to be useful to our fellow men,

and especially to the household of faith, that they may be prepared

for the great things which God is about to reveal, and which

speedily await this generation, we feel anxious to improve the

earliest opportunity to make known unto you the mind of the Spirit

concerning those things which require your more immediate attention.

It will be discovered, in the minutes before referred to, that we

have already begun to select such individuals as have been with the

Church and have had the opportunity of becoming acquainted with

the principles thereof to some extent; and to designate certain

towns and cities where they will locate themselves and build up

churches, inasmuch as the people are willing to receive them. These

generally will not take their departure from this to their several

stations, until after the October conference, previous to which

they will have the opportunity of receiving particular instructions

in relation to their mission, and of becoming more perfectly

acquainted with those principles which are necessary to be acted

upon in order that they may become highly useful in helping to roll

forth the kingdom of God in these last days.

All those Elders and Priests who are now in the vineyard, will

communicate with us immediately, and inform us of their situations,

designs, and all things relating to their ministry, and improve the

earliest opportunity of repairing hither, where they will have the

privilege of instruction from the First Presidency, and thereby

understanding principle and doctrine, not to be learned elsewhere,

and which is necessary for them to know, that they may become wise

stewards in their Master's house.

{410} We are engaged in a great work, and but little comparatively

can be known of the magnitude thereof, of the revelations of

heaven, and the order of the kingdom by the Saints, while they

are scattered to the four winds; and this being well understood

by the ancient prophets and apostles, was the reason why they so

often spoke of the gathering in the last days, and as this is

the place where the Elders are to receive instruction concerning

their ministry, so as to become successful ministers of the

dispensation of the fulness of times, so also this is the place

where the brethren may receive such instructions as are necessary

to constitute them a righteous and holy people, prepared for the

reception of the Lord Jesus; therefore, we say to all Saints who

desire to do the will of heaven, Arise, and tarry not, but come

up hither to the places of gathering as speedily as possible, for

the time is rapidly approaching when the Saints will have occasion

to regret that they have so long neglected to assemble themselves

together and stand in holy places, awaiting those tremendous events

which are so rapidly approaching the nations of the earth.

It will be recollected that in a recent communication from the

First Presidency, all places of gathering are discontinued,

excepting Hancock county, Illinois, and Zarahemla, in Lee county,

Iowa territory, opposite Nauvoo, and we would suggest to those

coming up the Mississippi particularly, and all others who are

disposed, to look at Warsaw, a beautifully located village about

twenty miles below Nauvoo, consisting of about five hundred

inhabitants, a steam flour and lumber mill; one mile below is a

section already surveyed, on which the town of Warren is to be

built, and every facility is now offered to the brethren, for the

immediate erection of houses, the location being very desirable at

the lowest point of the DesMoines rapids.

As we have been called upon to act as agents for the Church, it may

be expected that some one or more of our quorum may be found at

Nauvoo, Zarahemla, and Warren, ready to render every assistance in

our power, towards the location of immigrants; and that we shall

occasionally visit the other places of gathering, as necessity

requires.

We recommend to the brethren in England to emigrate in the fall or

winter; by so doing they will be likely to spare themselves much

affliction in becoming accustomed to this climate.

Further communications may be expected from the Twelve.

Brigham Young,

Heber C. Kimball,

Orson Pratt,

Willard Richards,

John Taylor,

Geo. A. Smith.

{411} [Sidenote: Death of Robert B. Thompson.]

_Friday, 27_.--Elder Robert Blashel Thompson died at his residence in

Nauvoo, in the 30th year of his age, in the full hope of a glorious

resurrection. He was associate editor of the _Times and Seasons_,

colonel in the Nauvoo Legion and had done much writing for myself and

the Church.

The following synopsis of his life is from the pen of his widow:

_Biography of Robert Blashel Thompson_.

Robert Blashel Thompson was born October 1st, 1811, in Great

Driffield, Yorkshire, England, was educated at Dunnington, in the

same county. He united with the Methodists at an early age and

preached what he believed to be the Gospel in connection with that

sect for a number of years. Emigrated to Upper Canada in 1834.

Embraced the Gospel there; being baptized and confirmed by Elder

Parley P. Pratt in May, 1836. Was ordained an Elder by Elder John

Taylor, at a conference held in Upper Canada, July 22nd, 1836.

Removed to Kirtland in May, 1837, where he married Mercy Rachel

Fielding, June 4th, 1837, and being appointed to take a mission to

Upper Canada, he returned the same month, and commenced preaching

in Churchville and the villages adjacent, baptized a considerable

number, continued his labors there until he was called upon to

remove to Missouri.

He arrived at Kirtland in March, and started from thence in company

with Hyrum Smith and family, arrived in Far West June 3rd, where

his daughter, Mary Jane, was born on the 14th of June. He remained

there until November, when he, with many of the brethren had to

flee into the wilderness to escape the fury of the mob, who swore

they would kill every man who had been engaged in the Crooked River

battle.

He stood near to Brother Patten when he [Patten] fell. With the

rest of the brethren he suffered much from exposure and lack of

food, He arrived at Quincy, I believe, in December, where he

engaged as clerk in the court house, and remained there until the

liberation of Joseph and Hyrum from prison; when the Saints settled

in Commerce, he removed there, and was engaged as a scribe to

Brother Joseph; he was also Church clerk.

When the Nauvoo Legion was formed, he received the office of

colonel and also aid-de-camp. In May, 1841, he became associated

with Don Carlos Smith in the editing of the _Times and Seasons_.

On the 16th of August he was seized with the same disease of which

Don Carlos had died on the 7th. The attachment between them was so

strong, it {412} seemed as though they could not long be separated.

He died on the 27th, leaving one child; was interred in the burying

ground on the 29th. By his special request no military procession

was formed at his funeral.

_Saturday, 28_.--At a conference held at Attica, New York, six

branches, ten Elders, seven Priests, five Teachers, two Deacons and one

hundred and forty-six members were represented.

_Tuesday, 21_.

_Minutes of a Council Meeting of the Twelve Apostles at the House

of Brigham Young, Nauvoo_.

At a council of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the house of

President Brigham Young, Nauvoo, August 31, 1841, for the purpose

of taking into consideration the situation of the Church, it was

resolved unanimously, that as we [the Twelve] have been called upon

by the voice of the conference to attend to the business of the

Church, assist the Trustee in Trust in his arduous duties, attend

to the settling of immigrants, &c.; we sensibly feel the great

responsibility that is resting upon us, and will do all in our

power to carry out the wishes of the Church, and prove ourselves

worthy of the trust imposed in us by the brethren.

_Resolved_ unanimously, that, so far as may be practicable, we will

attend to the counseling and locating of immigrants in person, and

at present we will appoint no agents for that purpose out of our

own body.

Voted, that Elder Willard Richards be requested to locate himself

for a season at Warsaw, or vicinity, for the purpose of selling

lots on the town plat of Warren, counseling the brethren, and

attending to such other business as may be necessary relating to

the Church. The foregoing vote was taken after hearing a favorable

report from Elders Young, Kimball, and Richards, of the quorum, for

building the town called Warren, they having visited the location,

accompanied by Mr. Mark Aldrich and other proprietors of the plat.

_Resolved_, unanimously, that we deeply feel for our beloved

President Joseph Smith, and his father's family, on account of the

great losses they have sustained in property by the unparalleled

persecutions in Missouri, as well as the other many persecutions

they have sustained since the rise of the Church, which has brought

them to their present destitute situation. Therefore, voted

unanimously, that we for ourselves, and the Church we represent,

approve of the proceedings of President Smith, so far as he has

gone, in making over certain properties to his wife, children, and

friends for their support, and that he {413} continue to deed and

make over certain portions of Church property which now exist, or

which may be obtained by exchange, as in his wisdom he shall judge

expedient, till his own, and his father's household, shall have an

inheritance secured to them in our midst, agreeably to the vote of

the general conference of the Church held at Commerce in October,

1839.

_Resolved_: that on account of the peculiar situation of the Church

hitherto, it has been expedient and necessary, that the deeds,

bonds, and properties of the Church should be, and have been taken

and holden by committees of the Church, and private individuals;

but that we now have a trustee-in-trust, viz., President Joseph

Smith, appointed according to the laws of the land. Therefore,

voted unanimously, that we advise the trustee-in-trust to gather up

all deeds, bonds, and properties belonging to the Church, and which

are now held either by committees or individuals, and take the same

in his own name as trustee-in-trust for the Church of Jesus Christ

of Latter-day Saints, as soon as such arrangements can be made

consistently with his various and multiplied cares and business;

and that we individually and collectively will use all diligence to

render him every assistance possible to accomplish this desirable

object.

Voted, that Elder Lorenzo D. Barnes proceed on his mission to

England without delay.

Voted, that Elder Harrison Sagers proceed immediately on his

mission to Jamaica, West Indies; and Elder Joseph Ball to South

America, according to their appointment on the 16th, and that they

accompany each other to New Orleans.

It was proposed, that Elder Simeon Carter go on a mission to

Germany; but the vote being taken, it was decided that his mission

be suspended for the present.

After much deliberation on the situation of the Church at home and

abroad, temporarily and spiritually, and in view of the poverty

and distress of many who had been robbed of all by unrelenting

mobbers, and of others who have sacrificed all they possessed to

assist those who had thus been robbed, and others who had borne

the burden in the heat of the day; it was voted unanimously, that

President Smith, as trustee-in-trust, be requested and instructed

by this conference in behalf of the Church, to extend relief to

such indigent suffering brethren, either by land or goods, as

the properties of the Church will admit, and his wisdom shall

judge expedient; so that no one shall be denied the privilege of

remaining in our midst and enjoying the necessaries of life, who

has been faithful in his duties to God and the Church.

Brigham Young, President.

Willard Richards, Clerk.

{414} _Wednesday, Sept. 1_.--The _New York Sun_ contains an account of

some singular phenomena; viz., a shower of flesh and blood, a pillar of

smoke, and a shower of manna.

_Thursday, 2_.--The town of Cartago, on the isthmus of Darien,

containing 10,000 inhabitants, destroyed by an earthquake.

[Sidenote: Changes of Officers in the Legion.]

_Saturday, 4_.--Colonel Charles C. Rich was elected brigadier-general

of the second cohort, to fill the vacancy of General Don Carlos Smith,

deceased, and Lieutenant-Colonel Titus Billings was elected colonel in

the place of Colonel Rich, promoted, and Major John Scott was elected

lieutenant-colonel in his place, and Captain Hosea Stout was elected

major in his place.

[Sidenote: Changes Among the Civil Officers of Nauvoo.]

The City Council elected Brigham Young councilor in place of Don Carlos

Smith, deceased; and John Taylor and Heber C. Kimball were elected

regents of the University, in place of Don Carlos Smith and Robert B.

Thompson, deceased.

Orson Pratt was elected professor of mathematics in the University of

the City of Nauvoo, and the degree of master of arts conferred on him

by the chancellor and board of regents.

A committee was instructed to purchase two blocks for a burying

ground; and the city recorder was instructed to procure a seal for the

corporation.

Elder Orson Spencer arrived in the city.

[Sidenote: The Prophet on Medicine.]

_Sunday, 5_.--I preached to a large congregation at the stand, on the

science and practice of medicine, desiring to persuade the Saints to

trust in God when sick, and not in an arm of flesh, and live by faith

and not by medicine, or poison; and when they were sick, and had called

for the Elders to pray for them, and they were not healed, to use herbs

and mild food.

[Sidenote: A Shower of "Flesh."]

_Tuesday, 7_.--Another shower of flesh and blood is reported in the

Boston papers to have fallen in {415} Kensington. "There had been a

drizzling rain during a great part of the day, until about 4 o'clock

in the afternoon, when the rain stopped and the dark clouds began

gradually to assume a brassy hue, until the whole heavens above seemed

a sea of fire. The sky continued to grow more bright until about

a quarter past five, when almost instantly it became of burnished

red, and in a few moments it rained moderately a thick liquid of

the appearance of blood, clothing fields and roads for two miles in

circumference in a blood-stained garment. The bloody rain continued for

about ten minutes, when it suddenly cleared away, and the atmosphere

became so intensely cold that overcoats were needed."

Elder Willard Richards went to Warsaw, and located himself, for the

purpose of counseling the Saints, and settling the town of Warren, and

the day following made sale of three city lots.

[Sidenote: British-Chinese War.]

The war between England and China continues. The English have fitted

out a new expedition to proceed against China with the utmost rigor,

and his celestial majesty on the other hand has issued orders for the

raising of a "grand army," and the extermination of the English.

_Wednesday, 8_.--Wars and rumors of wars, earthquakes, tempests,

pestilence, and great fires, connected with every kind of wickedness,

distress and destruction of property are heard in almost every land and

nation.

_Sunday, 11_.

_Extracts from Legion Minutes_.

The Legion was out for general parade, in conformity with a special

act of the court martial, and was reviewed by Lieutenant-General

Joseph Smith, who delivered a military speech to the troops in his

usual energetic style. The official returns of the Legion show the

aggregate to be 1,490 men.

Hosea Stout, Clerk.

{416} [Sidenote: The Coming of Edward Hunter to Nauvoo.]

_Monday, 13_.--Brother Edward Hunter, Sen, [1] of Chester county,

Pennsylvania, visited Nauvoo, and invested $4,500 in town lots and

farming land; paid me $2,000 in cash, and made arrangements to pay the

balance in two months.

Received an invitation from Brigadier-General Ezekiel W. Swazey, and

Colonel Amos B. Fuller, of the militia of Lee county, Iowa, to attend

the military parade tomorrow, at Montrose, as visitor. Generals Hyrum

Smith and John C. Bennett received a similar invitation.

_Tuesday, 14_.--Went over to Montrose, accompanied by Brothers Edward

Hunter and William A. Gheen. I was very courteously received by General

Swazey, the officers and militia.

[Sidenote: Bitterness of D. W. Kilbourn.]

Mr. D. W. Kilbourn attempted to get up an ill feeling by reading the

following proclamation at noon, during the recess of exercise, to a

considerable number of persons collected round his store, which I

insert verbatim--

{417} _Citizens of Iowa_:--The laws of Iowa do not require you to

muster under, or be _reviewed_ by _Joe Smith_ or _General Bennett_,

and should they have the impudence to attempt it, it is hoped that

every person having a proper respect for himself, will at once

leave the ranks.

This, however, had no effect whatever on the people.

Myself and brother were not in military uniform, but were treated with

every respect that visiting officers of our rank could be, through

the entire day. At the dismissal of the military, I went to Mr.

Kilbourn's store, and desired to have some conversation with him, but

was peremptorily ordered out of doors. This conduct greatly disgusted

his few friends, who upbraided Kilbourn with his ungentlemanly conduct,

and accompanied me to the ferry, where I left them, showing me every

manifestation of friendship.

_Tuesday, 21_.--The ship _Tyrean_ sailed from Liverpool to New Orleans,

with 204 Saints, bound for Nauvoo.

Her British Majesty's war steamer _Madagascar_, totally destroyed by

fire in the Chinese seas, and fifty-seven lives lost.

_Wednesday, 22_.--The High Council of Nauvoo adopted the following

preamble and resolution--

_High Council Resolution_.

Whereas this High Council in times past, had of necessity, and by

the advice and instruction of the First Presidency, to transact

business of a temporal nature for the Church, and thereby involve

itself with debts and other temporal burdens which, under other

circumstances would not have devolved upon it; and as the proper

authorities to which such temporalities belong are now organized

and acting in their proper places; therefore, be it

_Resolved_, that this High Council is prepared to transfer all

debts and temporal business; and that all business of a temporal

nature, be, and the same is in readiness to be transferred to the

proper authorities.

Alpheus Cutler stated [to the council] that he was going to the

pineries the ensuing winter, and nominated Elias Higbee, counselor_

pro tem_.

{418} [Sidenote: Lumber for the Temple.]

A company of the brethren started for the pinery, some five or six

hundred miles north, on the river, for the purpose of procuring lumber

for the Temple and Nauvoo House.

The Jews in Smyrna are suffering great persecutions on account of their

religion--"one was thrown into prison because a cat was missing"--say

the journals.

_Saturday 25_.--Hyrum Smith, son of Hyrum and Jerusha Smith, died, aged

seven years, four months, and twenty-eight days.

A conference was held at Vinal Haven, Fox Island; eight Elders, one

Priest, two Teachers, one Deacon, and one hundred and forty members

were represented, and the work is progressing.

I extract the following from Elder Wilford Woodruff's journal--

_The Work on Fox Island_.

We left Manitou Island, Lake Michigan, at 4 o'clock p. m., on the

steamer _Chesapeake_, which contained 300 passengers, six of whom

were members of the Church; a large quantity of freight and coal,

eighty cords of wood, eighty mules, besides pigs, chickens, geese,

ducks, &c.

We continued our journey towards Chicago without any interruption,

until half-past eleven p. m., when we were overtaken by a

tremendous storm of wind and rain; it blew a hurricane, and the

lake became as rough as it could be by the force of wind, and such

a scene as quickly followed I never before witnessed in my travels,

either by land or sea. The captain, officers, hands, and most of

the passengers expected to go to the bottom of the lake. To have

judged from outward appearances I should think there were twenty

chances of being lost to one of being saved, yet I did not once

expect to be lost, for I believed the Lord would by some means save

me and my wife and child, who were with me, from a watery grave.

We were some forty miles from land when the gale struck us, and I

was awakened from a sound sleep by the cry, "We are all lost." The

first thought that entered my mind was, "No, we shall not be lost."

I immediately leaped out of my berth and went on to the upper deck.

I saw we were in imminent danger of being wrecked; the bow of the

boat was heavily laden, and frequently engulfed by the heavy waves

that washed over her; there were judged to be fifty tons of water

at a {419} time on her bow; at one time her bow ran under water,

and some thought she would never rise; the water set the mules

and all the livestock afloat; washed away the partition; and the

mules, pigs, chickens, ducks, and geese, were all hurled in one

mass down into the steerage cabin, mixed pell mell with sixty Irish

passengers, men, women, and children; at that moment the roaring of

the wind, the rush of the waters, the peals of thunder, the flashes

of lightning, the braying of asses, the squealing of pigs, the

quacking of ducks, geese and chickens, the praying, swearing and

screaming of men, women and children, created a confusion of sounds

which rent the air, and sent a gloomy thrill through the heart.

We immediately went to work, and helped all the passengers out of

the water, and from among the beasts, upon the deck, so their lives

were preserved, while all the fowls, pigs, and part of the mules

were drowned or killed; many tons of water rushed through the boat,

until the water stood nearly to the boilers; it drove the firemen

from their places.

About this time when the boat was laboring against wind and tide

one of the wheel chains broke, and the boat rolled over on to one

side. I again heard the cry that "all was lost," but about thirty

of us caught hold of the two detached pieces of chain, and held

them together until the engineer mended them with wire.

It took three strong men to manage the wheel; while the boat lay

upon her side, it washed away a part of the state rooms; orders

were given to clear the boat of everything that was movable; all

the wood was fastened with stanchions, on the side that was down,

the stanchions were knocked out by the passengers, and forty cords

of wood tumbled into the sea at one surge; this caused the boat

to right up, and we expected every moment our state room would be

washed away. I left it three times with my wife and child, and

stepped upon the main deck, expecting to see it washed away; and to

add to the horror of the situation, we were wrapped in darkness, as

all the lanterns were dashed to pieces.

The men at the wheel labored hard for five hours to turn the boat

round, before they accomplished it, so that they could run before

the storm. At length daylight appeared, and with it a cessation of

the storm in a measure. We returned to Manitou Island at 4 o'clock,

being twenty-fours hours out, mostly in the storm.

_Thursday, 30_.--The following is a copy of a statement of expenses

consequent upon the arrest of Joseph Smith, upon demand from Governor

Boggs, and sent to the {420} deputy sheriff of Adams county, he having

officiated June, 1841.

Nauvoo, September 30, 1841.

_The Deputy Sheriff of Adams County_:

The following is a statement of my expenses, costs, and

liabilities, consequent upon my arrest and trial while in your

custody, to-wit--

To amount of fees in Esquires Ralston, Warren, and Co.......$250.00

To Esquires Little, Williams, Walker, and Browning............100.00

To seven days for self, horse, and carriage, at

$5.00............35.00

To money expended during that time, consequent upon the

arrest...60.00

To twelve witnesses, to-wit: Elias Higbee, John P. Greene, Amasa

Lyman, Darwin Chase, Francis Higbee, Chauncy Higbee, Reynolds

Cahoon, George W. Robinson, J. Younger, L. Woodworth, Vinson

Knight, and Robert B. Thompson, four days each; their time,

carriages, horses and expenses, at $5.00 each day...240.00

$685.00

Dear Sir:--You will please take such measures as to put me in

possession of the above amount, which is justly due me as above

stated; to say nothing of false imprisonment and other expenses.

This would have been presented earlier, but for the sickness and

death of Robert B. Thompson, my clerk.

Receive my respects, &c.,

Joseph Smith.

Per John S. Fullmer.

_Friday, October 1_.--Among the interesting relics of antiquity which

have been brought to light in these days, is the following sentence

from the _Courier des Etats Unis_:

_Sentence Rendered by Pontius Pilate, Acting Governor of Lower

Galilee, Stating that Jesus of Nazareth shall Suffer Death on the

Cross_.

In the year seventeen of the Emperor Tiberius Caesar, and the 25th

day of March, the city of the Holy Jerusalem, Anna and Caiaphas

being priests, sacrificators of the people of God, Pontius Pilate,

governor of Lower Galilee, sitting on the presidential chair of

the Praetory, condemns Jesus of Nazareth to die on the cross

between two thieves--the great and notorious evidence of the people

saying--1. Jesus is a {421} seducer. 2. He is seditious. 3. He is

an enemy of the law. 4. He calls himself falsely the Son of God.

5. He calls himself falsely the King of Israel. 6. He entered into

the temple, followed by a multitude bearing palm branches in their

hands. Order the first centurion, Quills Cornelius, to lead him to

the place of execution. Forbid to any person whomsoever, either

poor or rich, to oppose the death of Jesus.

The witnesses who signed the condemnation of Jesus are, viz.--1.

Daniel Robani. 2. Raphel Robani. 3. Capet, a citizen. Jesus shall

go out of the city of Jerusalem by the gate of Struenus.

The above sentence is engraved on a copper plate; on one side are

written these words--"A similar plate is sent to each tribe." It

was found in an antique vase of white marble, while excavating

in the ancient city of Aquilla, in the kingdom of Naples, in the

year 1820, and was discovered by the Commissaries of Arts attached

to the French armies. At the expedition of Naples, it was found

enclosed in a box of ebony, in the Sacristy of the Chartrem. The

vase in the Chapel of Caserta. The French translation was made

by the members of the Commission of Arts. The original is in the

Hebrew language. The Chartrem requested earnestly that the plate

should not be taken away from them. The request was granted as a

reward for the sacrifice they had made for the army. M. Denon,

one of the Savans, caused a plate to be made of the same model,

on which he had engraved the above sentence. At the sale of his

collection of antiquities, &c., it was bought by Lord Howard for

2,890 francs. Its intrinsic value and interest are much greater.

A few years ago, there was found at Catskill, in New York, a

shekel of Israel, of the time of our Savior. On one side was the

representation of a palm leaf, on the other a picture of the

temple, with the words underneath, "Holy Jerusalem," in the Hebrew

tongue.

Relics like these, properly authenticated, have about them an

inexpressible sacredness. [2]

Footnotes:

1. Edward Hunter was the second son and seventh child of Edward and

Hannah Hunter. He was born in Newtown Township, Delaware county,

Pennsylvania. June 22, 1793. His paternal ancestors were from the

north of England, and on his mother's side he was of Welsh extraction.

John Hunter, his great-grandfather, passed over to Ireland some time

in the seventeenth century and served as a lieutenant of cavalry

under William of Orange at the battle of the Boyne, where he was

wounded. He afterwards came to America and settled in Delaware county,

Pennsylvania, about twelve miles from Philadelphia. Edward Hunter,

Esq., the Bishop's father, was justice of the peace in Delaware county

for forty years. On his mother's side three generations back was Robert

Owen of North Wales, a man of wealth and character, a firm sympathizer

with Cromwell and the Protectorate, who on the restoration of Charles

the Second, refused to take the oath of allegiance, and was imprisoned

for five years. After his release he emigrated to America and purchased

property near the "City of Brotherly Love." Like the founder of that

city, Robert Owen was a Quaker. His son George sat in the state

legislature and held various positions of public trust (Whitney).

Edward Hunter finally settled in Chester county, Pennsylvania, where

he purchased an extensive farm, and married Ann Standley, daughter of

Jacob and Martha Standley. Here Mormonism found him in 1839, through

the preaching of some of the Elders laboring in that vicinity, and Mr.

Hunter extended to them the hospitality of his home. En route from

Washington to Nauvoo, in the winter of 1839-40, the Prophet Joseph

visited him, and for several days preached in the vicinity of the

Hunter homestead. Other prominent Elders of the Church also visited the

Hunter home, among them the Prophet's brother, Hyrum. Finally on the

8th of October, 1841, Edward Hunter was baptized by Elder Orson Hyde,

then on his way to Jerusalem. This brings the biography of the future

Bishop of the Church up to the time of his first appearance in Nauvoo,

on the 13th of September, 1841, and henceforth the events of his life

will be closely interwoven in the history of the Church.

2. To the sentiment here expressed by the Prophet, no one will withhold

his assent, but he will need to emphasize the phrase "properly

authenticated," because it is unquestionably the case that many

alleged early Christian documents of the character of the above are

spurious: and whether the above alleged formal sentence was really

rendered by Pontius Pilate or not, may not be determined. As remarked

by nearly all authorities upon this subject, it is probable that

Pilate made an official report to Tiberius of both the condemnation

and punishment of Jesus Christ. Rev. J. R. Beard, D. D., member of the

Historico-Theological society of Liepzig, and author of the article

"Pilate," in Kitto's Biblical Literature, says: "The voice of antiquity

intimates that Pilate did make such a report; the words of Justin

Martyr are: [second century] 'That these things were so done you may

know from the 'Acts' made in the time of Pontius Pilate.' A similar

passage is found a little further on in the same work [i. e. Justin's

apology]. Now when it is considered that Justin's Apology was a set

defense of Christianity, in the shape of an appeal to the heathen

world through the persons of its highest functionaries, it must seem

very unlikely that the words would have been used had no such document

existed; and nearly as improbable that these 'Acts' [of Pilate] would

have been referred to had they not been genuine." Dr. Lardner, who

has, perhaps, more fully discussed the subject than any other writer

upon it, decides that, "It must be allowed by all that Pontius Pilate

composed some memoirs concerning our Savior, and sent them to the

emperor." (See Lardner, Vol. vi, p. 610.) And yet this very author says

that the Acts of Pontius Pilate, "and his letter to Tiberius which we

now have, are not genuine, but manifestly spurious."

In Smith's Dictionary of the Bible, it is stated that "We learn from

Justin Martyr, Tertullian, Eusebius and others, that Pilate made an

official report to Tiberius of our Lord's trial and condemnation, and

in a homily ascribed to, though marked as spurious by his Benedictine

editors, certain 'acts' or 'comments' of Pilate, are spoken of as well

known documents in common circulation." (Article Pilate.) Then the

author of this article on Pilate--Rev. Henry Wright Phillott, student

of Christ Church, Oxford, adds: "That he, (Pilate) made such a report

is highly probable, and it may have been in existence in Chrysostom's

time; but the 'Acts of Pilate,' (Acta Pilati,) now extant in Greek, and

two Latin epistles from him to the emperor, are certainly spurious;"

and it is further said, "The number of extant 'Acta Pilati,' in various

forms, is so large as to show that very early the demand created a

supply of documents manifestly spurious, and we have no reason for

looking on any one of those that remain as more authentic than the

others."

Whether or not the above document in the text, purported to be Pilate's

formal sentence of death upon Jesus is among the early Christian

documents that are spurious, I am not able to determine by any works

at my command, and the modification in the sentence of the Prophet

above, which states, that "relics like these, _property authenticated_,

have about them an inexpressible sacredness," would rather indicate

the existence of doubt in his own mind as to the absolute certainty of

the above document being genuine; and I by no means consider that he

commits himself to the genuineness of the document by publishing it in

the annals of the Church. Such documents are only inexpressibly sacred

if the authentication is beyond question; and he does not here discuss

that question.

{422}

{423}

CHAPTER XXV.

The General Conference of the Church at Nauvoo--Doctrinal Sermon by the

Prophet--Baptism for the Dead--Angels and Ministering Spirits--Epistle

of the Twelve Reviewing Status of the Church.

[Sidenote: Suit Against Geo. M. Hinckle.]

George M. Hinckle, who robbed my house in Far West while I was in

prison, passing down the river with a flat boat, I commenced suit

against him before the District Court, now sitting at Burlington, Iowa.

I sent Elias Smith, and Geo. W. Gee to attend to the suit; but Hinckle

gave security, and got it put off till spring.

Day stormy and cold, a few assembled, but conference did not organize.

I received a letter from Benjamin Winchester, requesting to be

excused from accompanying Elder Erastus Snow on his mission to Salem,

Massachusetts, on account of ill health and pecuniary embarrassments,

and expressing his conviction that Elder John E. Page had means enough

to accompany Elder Orson Hyde to Jerusalem.

_Saturday, October 2, 1841_.

_Minutes of the General Conference of the Church Held at Nauvoo_.

Conference met in the Grove. The Presidency being absent laying the

corner stone of the Nauvoo House, the meeting was called to order

by President Brigham Young; the several quorums were arranged and

seated in order.

President Brigham Young opened conference by prayer.

The conference then made choice of President Joseph Smith to

preside, and Elias Smith and Gustavus Hills, Clerks. Meeting

adjourned until 2 p. m.

Prayer by Orson Pratt.

{424} _2 p. m_., President Joseph Smith opened the meeting. Choir

sung the 18th hymn.

The President then read a letter from Elder Orson Hyde, dated

Ratisbon, July 17, 1841, giving an account of his journey and

success in his mission, which was listened to with intense

interest; and the conference by vote, expressed their approbation

of the style and spirit of said letter. The President then made

remarks on the inclemency of the weather, and the uncomfortable

situation of the Saints with regard to a place of worship, and a

place of public entertainment.

The conference was then called upon by the President, to elect a

general Church clerk, in place of Robert B. Thompson, deceased.

James Sloan was nominated and elected.

Elder Lyman Wight nominated Bishop George Miller to preside over

the High Priests' quorum in place of Don Carlos Smith, deceased. He

was duly elected.

President Brigham Young then presented the business commenced at

the late special conference of the 16th of August with regard

to the appointment of suitable and faithful men to the several

important stations of labor in this and other countries.

Elder Lyman Wight addressed the conference on the importance of

order, uniformity of instruction, and unanimity of effort to spread

the work of the kingdom.

President Joseph Smith made some corrections of doctrine, quoting

I Cor. xii: 28, showing the principle of order and unity in the

offices of the Priesthood.

The Patriarch Hyrum Smith made remarks disapproving of the course

pursued by some Elders in counteracting the efforts of the

presidency to gather the Saints, and in enticing them to stop in

places not appointed for the gathering, particularly referring to

the conduct of Elder Almon W. Babbitt of Kirtland.

Elders Lyman Wight, and Henry W. Miller testified that they had

traveled in places where Elder Babbitt had been, on his return

from his visit to Nauvoo, [he had] taught doctrine contrary to the

revelations of God, and detrimental to the interests of the Church.

Moved and carried that Elder Almon W. Babbitt be disfellowshiped

until he shall make satisfaction.

Choir sang Hymn 124. Prayer by Elder George A. Smith.

Conference adjourned until tomorrow at nine o'clock.

_Sunday, 3_.

Conference assembled in Nauvoo according to adjournment; prayer by

Elder Heber C. Kimball.

President Joseph Smith, by request of the Twelve Apostles gave

instructions on the doctrine of baptism for the dead, which were

listened {425} to with intense interest by the large assembly. He

presented baptism for the dead as the only way that men can appear

as saviors on Mount Zion.