AN INTERIM--BLIGHTED HOPES.
The work accomplished by the Prophet Joseph was considerable during his
stay in Missouri. On the first of July, with a few of the brethren, he
crossed the Missouri into Jackson County, "once more," he remarked, "to
set my foot on this 'goodly land.'" What contending emotions would be
awakened by such a visit! There, just to the west of the courthouse in
Independence, three years before, he had assembled with his brethren,
and dedicated a site for the temple of the Lord. Now and then they
would come to the ruined homes of the brethren; now in vision he might,
for a moment, see the future glory of Zion; then he would weep to think
of the saints stripped of all their earthly goods, and in the midst of
strangers whose bond of friendship was not strong.
On the third of July a High Council was organized by the Prophet, in
Clay County, of which David Whitmer was made president and W. W. Phelps
and John Whitmer, counselors. This council proceeded to discuss a
variety of subjects pertaining to the situation of The Church and its
members. They made a direct appeal to the people of the United States,
and to mankind everywhere, stating their wrongs and imploring their
assistance in securing and maintaining their rights. They declared
their devotion to the laws of their country, and their faith in God,
and the final establishment of Zion in Jackson County, and expressed a
desire to be at peace with all mankind.[A]
[Footnote A: History of Joseph Smith, Millennial Star, Vol. 15, p. 121.]
This High Council investigated some matters arising between the members
in The Church, and busied itself in setting in order The Church in
Missouri generally. On the twelfth of July the council appointed Edward
Partridge, Orson Pratt, Isaac Morley and Zebedee Coltrin to visit the
afflicted and scattered brethren in Missouri. They were not to hold
public meetings, as that would arouse too much popular prejudice; but
they were to work quietly, setting the saints in order and teaching
them the way of holiness, as the Lord by his Spirit might direct.
Subsequently a few elders were sent out to hold public meetings, "to
teach the disciples how to escape the indignation of their enemies, and
keep in favor with those who were friendly disposed." On the seventh of
August the council sent out about twenty elders to preach the gospel to
the world; and thus in these trying circumstances, these faithful men
continued to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
In the meantime, Joseph and a few of his brethren who had accompanied
him had arrived in Kirtland, having left the brethren in Missouri on
the ninth of July. On his return to Kirtland, the Prophet was charged
with aspiring to be "tyrant, pope, king, usurper of men, false prophet,
prophesying lies in the name of the Lord, taking consecrated moneys,"
etc., etc., "a catalogue," said Joseph, "as black as the author of it."
But High Council meetings were called, investigations were inaugurated;
the accusers were brought face to face with the accused; the character
of God's Prophet was vindicated, his accusers were made to hang their
heads in shame, and in the most public manner made known their errors
so that shortly the Prophet was, as he himself stated it, "swimming in
good, clear water with his head out."
No sooner had these difficulties been settled than the Prophet again
turned his attention to Zion. On the eleventh of August, 1834, he wrote
the brethren in Missouri concerning what had befallen him in Kirtland,
and also requested that another petition be written such as the High
Council would approve, asking the governor of Missouri to call on the
President of the United States to furnish a guard to protect the saints
in their homes in Jackson County (when they should be restored) from
the insults and violence of the mob. Copies of this petition were to
be placed in the hands of the elders going on missions through the
United States, and every effort was to be made to get signers; "that
peradventure," wrote Joseph, "we may learn whether we have friends or
not in these United States."
Lyman Wight was instructed to enter complaints to Governor Dunklin as
often as he should receive insults or injuries; and should mobs take
life or burn houses, and the people of Clay County refuse to protect
the saints, he was to collect the little army of brethren scattered
through Clay County, be sent over into Jackson County--it will be
remembered that the governor had expressed his willingness to escort
the saints back to their lands by aid of the State militia, though
holding that he had no authority of law to keep a military force under
arms for their protection--and do the best he could in maintaining
the ground. If the excitement continued to abate, then the saints
were to gather quietly together in the regions surrounding, and be
in "readiness to move into Jackson County _in two years from the
eleventh of September next [1836], which is the appointed time for the
redemption of Zion._ IF--verily I say unto you--IF The Church, with one
united effort, perform their duties--if they do this, the work shall be
complete." [B] If, on the other hand, The Church failed to gather up
the young men and means to redeem Zion by the appointed time, "behold,"
said the Prophet, "there remaineth a scourge for The Church, even that
they shall be driven from city to city, and but few shall remain to
receive an inheritance," [C]
[Footnote B: History of Joseph, Millennial Star, Vol. 15, p. 140.]
[Footnote C: Ibid.]
During the two years following, the Prophet was busily engaged in
setting in order the various quorums of the priesthood.
In the winter of 1834-5 the quorum of Twelve Apostles and the first
quorum of Seventies were organized, being chosen principally from among
those brethren who had gone up to Missouri in Zion's Camp.
But amid the busy scenes at Kirtland--while organizing these quorums
and instructing them in the duties of their respective callings;
attending the school for the elders; studying Hebrew under Professor
Sexias; translating some rolls of Egyptian papyrus containing the
precious Book of Abraham, which he purchased from M. H. Chandler;
attending to general duties and correspondence--amid all these busy
scenes, Joseph still had time to think of Zion and her redemption.
On the occasion of a large body of the priesthood being present at a
meeting in Kirtland, on the second of May, 1835, he moved that they
never give up the struggle for the redemption of Zion, so long as life
should last.
September following, the High Council met at the house of the Prophet
to take into consideration the redemption of Zion. It was the decision
of the council that the saints who had been expelled from Zion,
petition the governor of the State to reinstate them the following
spring, and they would either live or die on their lands, and Joseph
prayed that they might be successful in getting eight hundred or a
thousand emigrants to go up to settle in Zion. Still later, viz:
thirteenth of March, 1836, the First Presidency resolved to remove on
or before the fifteenth of May next to Zion; that their influence might
be more effectual in encouraging the saints to gather there. But events
of a strange character were to occur that would prevent the carrying
out of these resolutions. The saints did not comply with the conditions
upon which Zion was to be redeemed. They did not with a united effort
do their duty. They did not give of their means liberally, nor did
their young men volunteer readily to go up to Zion. Hence, they were
not entitled to the fulfillment of God's promise to redeem Zion; but
instead of this blessing, there was suspended over them the promised
scourge of being driven from city to city, because they failed to
keep the commandments; a scourge that has been executed to the
uttermost--but I will not anticipate the story.
The petitions the elders circulated throughout the States in their
travels, asking the people to petition the governor of Missouri to
reinstate the saints in their homes, met with a response that was
considerable. I cannot learn how many names were attached to this
petition, but when it was mailed on the ninth of December, 1835, the
package was large, the postage amounting to five dollars. But all
these efforts failed to move the State officials of Missouri to make
any effectual effort towards restoring the exiles to their own and
protecting them in the quiet possession of their property and lives.