PROVISIONS FOR THE ENLARGEMENT OF THE MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT OF
NAUVOO--SUNDRY ACTIVITIES OF THE PROPHET--KEYS OF KNOWLEDGE BY WHICH
ANGELIC ADMINISTRATIONS MAY BE KNOWN--THE PROPHET'S PARABLE, "THE LIONS
OF THE PRESS."
_Monday, January 30, 1843_.--Spent the day at home until six in the
evening, when I presided in the city council, where much business
was transacted, the most important of which was a bill reported by a
committee, [providing for the enlargement of the municipal government
of Nauvoo.]
[The enactment provided for certain officers in addition to those
named in the charter; namely, city engineer, market master, weigher
and sealer of weights and measures, a fire warden in each ward of
the city, a sexton and police officer to act under the direction
of the mayor as captain of the watch, and a supervisor of streets
and allies. It also provided for the preservation of good order
in the city, keeping clear streets and alleys, defining nuisances
and providing against them. Providing for the prevention of fires,
defining the duties of the city watch, and providing for a public
market place, etc., etc.--EDITORS.]
_Tuesday, 31_.--At home all day. A severe snowstorm.
_Thursday, February 2, 1843_.--Spent the day at home. The weather
extremely cold.
Towards evening I rode on to the hill to enquire about the caucus which
was held there the previous evening, Davidson Hibbard presiding, and
Brother Benjamin L. Clapp, chief speaker, reporting that Joseph and
Hyrum had attempted to take away the rights of the citizens, referring
{264} to the election of the last city council. I corrected the error
and returned home.
[Sidenote: Scripture Correction.]
"The Spirit maketh intercession for us with groanings and cannot be
uttered." It would be better thus:--"The Spirit maketh intercession for
us with striving which cannot be expressed."
_Friday, 3_.--This morning, read German; at eleven, walked out in the
city; returned at a quarter past twelve; read proof of "Doctrine and
Covenants," which is now being stereotyped.
Brother John Mayberry sent me a cow to assist in bearing my expenses at
Springfield.
_Saturday, 4_.--At home till one o'clock in the afternoon, when I
attended the general city election caucus at the Temple, where all
things were amicably settled and mutual good feelings restored to all
parties. Brother Clapp made a public confession for the speech which he
made at a former caucus.
I returned home at about four o'clock, and was visited by Amasa M.
Lyman. I told him that I had restored Orson Pratt to the quorum of
the Twelve Apostles, and that I had concluded to make Brother Amasa a
counselor to the First Presidency.
In the evening presided in the municipal court.
_Sunday, 5_.--At home, reading German.
[Sidenote: Result of City Election.]
_Monday, 6_.--Spent the forenoon at the election of mayor, aldermen and
councilors for the city, to serve during the next two years, at Brother
Hyrum Smith's office. Dined at home. One o'clock, afternoon, Thomas
Moore came in and enquired about a home. I blessed him and said, God
bless you for ever and ever! May the blessings of Abraham, Isaac and
Jacob rest upon you for ever and ever; and may you sit on thrones high
and lifted up, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
When I returned to the election, Joseph Smith was elected mayor by
unanimous vote. Orson Spencer, Daniel {265} H. Wells, George A. Smith,
and Stephen Markham were elected aldermen. Hyrum Smith, John Taylor,
Orson Hyde, Orson Pratt, Sylvester Emmons, Heber C. Kimball, Benjamin
Warrington, Daniel Spencer, and Brigham Young were elected councilors.
[Sidenote: A Stolen Record Secured.]
_Tuesday, 7_.--This forenoon attended a council of the Twelve Apostles
at the house of President Brigham Young. This afternoon I sent a search
warrant to Hyrum Kimball's for the purpose of obtaining a book of
patriarchal blessing; given by Father Joseph Smith, which was stolen
from Far West. The warrant was issued on the affidavit of Jonathan H.
Holmes, and the book obtained. In the evening Hyrum Kimball came to
my house for an explanation, and I informed him that the book was the
property of the Church; that it had been stolen, and after passing
through various hands, had been secured by Oliver Granger, while acting
as agent for the Church at Kirtland, and should have been given up by
him. I have since been informed that Sister Sarah, Hyrum Kimball's
wife, had procured the book of her brother, son of Oliver Granger, for
the purpose of returning it to the Church; but, being under a pledge to
her brother not to give up the book until he had seen her again, she
had neglected to mention it to me.
Elder Parley P. Pratt arrived home from England this evening.
[Sidenote: A Prophet not Always a Prophet.]
_Wednesday, 8_.--This morning, I read German, and visited with a
brother and sister from Michigan, who thought that "a prophet is always
a prophet;" but I told them that a prophet was a prophet only when he
was acting as such. After dinner Brother Parley P. Pratt came in: we
had conversation on various subjects. At four in the afternoon, I went
out with my little Frederick, to exercise myself by sliding on the ice.
{266} The public papers say that Point Petre, in Guadaloupe, was
totally destroyed, and ten thousand persons supposed to have been
killed by an earthquake.
_Thursday, 9_.--Part of the forenoon I spent at the Masonic Hall,
conversing with Mr. Rennick, of Keokuk, and trying to effect a
settlement with him. He promised to let me have some notes on a paper
maker in Louisville, towards paying me, and then went off contrary to
promise. I also had a conversation with Master Nye, and read several
letters, one from Judge Young, and directed the following in reply:
_Joseph Smith to Hon. R. M. Young (U. S. Senator)--Payment of Loan,
and Nauvoo Postoffice Matters_.
_Hon. R. M. Young, City of Washington:_
DEAR SIR:--I have this day received your favor of the 7th ult.,
covering one from John C. Walsh, and barely state in this, that I
shall despatch a messenger immediately to Quincy, to deposit the
$500 in the hands of General Leach, according to your instructions;
but seeing that I had little time to lose, I concluded to send
this by the first mail to inform you of my intentions. My next, in
which I shall enclose General Leach's receipt, together with my
obligations, will be mailed at Quincy, and may be expected three
days after you receive this.
I shall not be able to obtain George Miller's name as security,
he being at this time several hundred miles north of Nauvoo,
and is not expected back until spring. I can, however, obtain
the signature of Mr. Edward Hunter, late from Chester county,
Pennsylvania, who owns about twenty thousand dollars worth of
property in this vicinity, and probably as much more in the east,
which I presume will be entirely satisfactory to Mr. Walsh, instead
of Mr. Miller. Judge Higbee's name will be on the obligations.
When you receive this, you may expect the other three days later.
All the difference will be the time required to go from here to
Quincy and do the business.
Some time ago, a petition, signed by the principal inhabitants of
this city, praying the postmaster-general to remove the present
Nauvoo postmaster and appoint another in his stead, was put in the
hands of C. A. Warren, Esq., of Quincy, with a request that he
would hand it to you about the time you left for Washington. We
have not yet heard whether Mr. Warren handed it to you or neglected
to do so, but we feel extremely anxious to learn something on the
subject, as the citizens generally are suffering severely from
the impositions and dishonest {267} conduct of the postmaster and
those connected with the postoffice in this city. The petition was
accompanied by some affidavits, proving that letters had frequently
been broken open, money detained, and letters charged twice
over, &c, &c., at this office, the repeated occurrence of which
circumstances caused the people to be anxious for an immediate
change. It will be seen by the petition, that I was nominated for
the office. I can only say that, if I receive the appointment, I
shall do my utmost to give general satisfaction. Whoever may be
appointed, it is necessary, in my estimation, to have it done as
soon as circumstances will possibly admit.
Accept, sir, of my sincere acknowledgments for past favors, which
are not forgotten, and accept of the best wishes and sincere thanks
of yours respectfully,
JOSEPH SMITH.
By William Clayton, his agent.
Spent most of the day in conversation with Parley P. Pratt and others.
REVELATION. [A]
[Footnote A: See Doctrine and Covenants, sec. cxxix.]
_Three Grand Keys by which Good or Bad Angels or Spirits may
be Known--Revealed to Joseph the Prophet, at Nauvoo, Illinois,
February 9, 1843_.
There are two kinds of beings in heaven--viz., angels, who are
resurrected personages, having bodies of flesh and bones. For
instance, Jesus said, "Handle me and see, for a spirit hath not
flesh and bones, as ye see me have." 2nd. The spirits of just men
made perfect--they who are not resurrected, but inherit the same
glory. When a messenger comes, saying he has a message from God,
offer him your hand, and request him to shake hands with you. If
he be an angel he will do so, and you will feel his hand. If he be
the spirit of a just man made perfect, he will come in his glory;
for that is the only way he can appear. Ask him to shake hands with
you, but he will not move, because it is contrary to the order of
heaven for a just man to deceive; but he will still deliver his
message. If it be the devil as an angel of light, when you ask him
to shake hands he will offer you his hand, and you will not feel
anything; you may therefore detect him. These are three grand keys
whereby you may know whether any administration is from God.
[Sidenote: Items of the Prophet's Experience.]
A man came to me in Kirtland, and told me he had seen an angel, and
described his dress. I told him he had seen no angel, and that there
was no such dress in heaven. He grew mad, and went into the street
and commanded fire to come {268} down out of heaven to consume me. I
laughed at him, and said, You are one of Baal's prophets; your God does
not hear you; jump up and cut yourself; and he commanded fire from
heaven to consume my house.
When I was preaching in Philadelphia, a Quaker called out for a sign.
I told him to be still. After the sermon, he again asked for a sign.
I told the congregation the man was an adulterer; that a wicked and
adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and that the Lord had said
to me in a revelation, that any man who wanted a sign was an adulterous
person. "It is true," cried one, "for I caught him in the very act,"
which the man afterwards confessed, when he was baptized.
[Sidenote: Boston Conference.]
A conference was held at Boylston Hall, Boston, when fourteen
branches of the Church in Boston and the vicinity were represented,
comprising seven hundred and ninety-three members, thirty-three elders,
forty-three lesser officers, most of whom had been raised up in about
fifteen months. Elder George J. Adams, E. P. Maginn, Erastus Snow,
Erastus H. Derby, and others, took active parts in the conference.
[Sidenote: Interview with John. B. Cowan.]
_Friday, 10_.--After conversation with Mr. John B. Cowan, and others, I
reviewed the history of the mob in Hiram, Portage county, Ohio, on the
25th of March 1832, and my first journey to Missouri. At three o'clock,
afternoon, attended a council of the Twelve Apostles at my house. Of
the Twelve there were present Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson
Hyde, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor,
George A. Smith and Willard Richards. I requested that all business be
presented briefly and without comments, and told the council that I
had an interview with Mr. Cowan this morning; that he was delegated by
the inhabitants of Shokoquon (which is twenty miles above this place
on the river) to come to Nauvoo, and petition that "a talented Mormon
preacher take up his residence with them, they would find him a good
house and give him support, and {269} with liberty for him to invite as
many 'Mormons' to settle in that place as may please so to do." Council
decided that Brother John Bear go and preach to them.
I suggested that a general meeting be called in the city in relation
to the postoffice and other things, and instructed the council to call
Elder George J. Adams to Nauvoo, with his family, and to say that he
is ordered to come by the First Presidency, and that he preach no more
till he comes.
[Sidenote: Case of Oliver Olney.]
At five o'clock, I opened a mayor's court at my house, when John D.
Parker, deputy sheriff, presented Oliver Olney before the court for
stealing goods from the store of Moses Smith on the 23rd of January,
when Olney declared before the court that he had been visited many
times by the Ancient of Days; that he sat with him on the 9th, 10th and
11th of last June, and should sit in counsel again with him on Tuesday
next; that he had had a mission from him to the four quarters of the
world; that he had been and established the twelve stakes of Zion, and
had visited them all, except one in the south; that he had suffered
much for two or three years for want of clothing; that he despised a
thief, except when he stole to clothe himself; that he opened the store
of Moses Smith on the 23rd of January, and took out the goods then
present (several hundred pieces) hid them in the cornfield, and carried
them home from time to time, under the same roof with Mr. Smith, and
that no one knew anything about the robbery but himself.
Olney was once a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, but had been cut off a considerable time previous. He declared
that the Church never taught him to steal; and I have written his
voluntary confession here, that others may take warning and behave
themselves in such a manner that they shall not be cut off the Church;
for if they are the Spirit of the living God will depart from them, and
they may be left to a {270} worse spirit of delusion and wickedness
than even Oliver Olney, who never saw the Ancient of Days nor anything
like him. But on the testimony presented, I bound him over to the next
circuit court for trial, in the sum of five thousand dollars; and for
want of bail, he was committed to Carthage jail.
_Saturday 11_.--This day had an interview with Elder Rigdon and his
family. They expressed a willingness to be saved. Good feelings
prevailed, and we again shook hands together.
[Sidenote: The Prophet on Pay for Public Service.]
At ten o'clock attended the city council. I prophesied to James Sloan,
city recorder, that it would be better for him ten years hence, not to
say anything more about fees; and addressed the new council, urging
the necessity of their acting upon the principle of liberality, and
of relieving the city from all unnecessary expenses and burdens, and
not attempt to improve the city, but enact such ordinances as would
promote peace and good order; and the people would improve the city;
capitalists would come in from all quarters and build mills, factories,
and machinery of all kinds; new buildings would arise on every hand,
and Nauvoo would become a great city. I prophesied that if the council
would be liberal in their proceedings, they would become rich, and
spoke against the principle of pay for every little service rendered,
and especially of committees having extra pay for their services;
reproved the judges of the late election for not holding the polls open
after six o'clock, when there were many wishing to vote.
Dr. Robert D. Foster took an active part in electioneering for the
opposition ticket and obstructing the passage to the polls. The council
elected James Sloan, city recorder; Henry G. Sherwood, Marshal; William
Clayton, treasurer; approved W. W. Phelps as mayor's clerk; Dimick
B. Huntington, William D. Huntington, Lewis Robison and John Barker,
constables; Alanson Ripley, surveyor; James Allred, supervisor of
streets; Dimick B. Huntington, {271} coroner; James Sloan, notary
public; Theodore Turley, weigher and sealer; H. G. Sherwood, market
master; W. W. Phelps, fire warden; Sidney Rigdon, city attorney; and
Samuel Bennett, market inspector for the city.
A board of health was established, to consist of Joseph Smith, William
Law, William Marks and Samuel Bennett.
[Sidenote: Nauvoo Market Place Proposed.]
The council resolved that a market be established in the city. It was
proposed to build two markets. But I told the council that if we began
too large, we should do nothing; we had better build a small one at
once, to be holden by the corporation; and that if that would support
itself, we could go on to build another on a larger scale; that the
council should hold an influence over the prices of markets, so that
the poor should not be oppressed, and that the mechanic should not
oppress the farmer; that the upper part of the town had no right to
rival those on the river. Here, on the bank of the river, was where
we first pitched our tents; here was where the first sickness and
deaths occurred; here has been the greatest suffering in this city. We
have been the making of the upper part of the town. We have located
the Temple on the hill, and they ought to be satisfied. We began here
first; and let the market go out from this part of the city; let the
upper part of the town be marketed by wagons, until they can build a
market; and let the first market be established on the rising ground
on Main Street, about a quarter of a mile north of the river. Council
continued through the day.
Mother came to my house to live.
Elders Young and Richards wrote George J. Adams, notifying him to come
to Nauvoo, according to the decision of the council, and answer to the
charges of adultery which had been preferred against him, before the
First Presidency.
[Sidenote: The Prophet on "Millerism."]
_Sunday, 12_.--Seven or eight young men came to see me, part of them
from the city of New York. They {272} treated me with the greatest
respect. I showed them the fallacy of Mr. Miller's _data_ concerning
the coming of Christ and the end of the world, or as it is commonly
called, Millerism, [B] and preached them quite a sermon; that error was
in the Bible, or the translation of the Bible; that Miller was in want
of correct information upon the subject, and that he was not so much
to blame as the translators. I told them the prophecies must all be
fulfilled; the sun must be darkened and the moon turned into blood, and
many more things take place before Christ would come.
[Footnote B: Millerism here referred to is the sum of the doctrines
taught by William Miller, an American religious zealot who emphasized
in his religious teachings the Millennial Reign of Christ on earth,
which reign, he declared, as early as 1831, would commence in the year
1843. His predictions were based largely upon computations of time on
the prophecies of Daniel and the Book of Revelation. After the great
disappointment which came to his followers in 1843, they abandoned
all attempts at fixing the date on which the second advent of Christ
would take place, but otherwise continued to believe in the doctrines
advocated by Mr. Miller. "There are several divisions or sects of
Adventists, the principal of which are: the Advent Christians, the
largest; the Seventh-day Adventists, much smaller, but more compactly
organized; and the Evangelical Adventists, the smallest. The members
of the first two believe in the final annihilation of the wicked,
which those of the third reject. The second observe the seventh
day as the Sabbath, and believe in the existence of the spirit of
prophecy among them; they maintain missions in various parts of the
world, and a number of institutions at Battle Creek, Michigan, their
headquarters."--_Century Dictionary_.]
_Monday, 13_.--Elder Rigdon came in early in the morning, and gave a
brief history of our second visit to Jackson county, Missouri. I then
read awhile in German and walked out in the city with Elder Hyde,
returning at twelve o'clock. Brother John C. Annis called for counsel.
The marshal called, and informed me that Mr. Rollison was trying to
get the postoffice, and that Dr. R. D. Foster was the first to sign
the petition. I gave instruction about a bond for a part of a lot to
Brother John Oakley. A quarter before four, went to the printing office
with Brother W. W. Phelps.
I spent the evening at Elder Orson Hyde's. In the course of
conversation I remarked that those brethren who came here having money,
and purchased without the {273} Church and without counsel, must be cut
off. This, with other observations, aroused the feelings of Brother
Dixon, from Salem, Massachusetts, who was present, and he appeared in
great wrath.
I received the following communication:
_Rigdon's Suggested Petition as to Nauvoo Postmaster_.
_To the Hon. Mr. Bryant, Second Assistant Postmaster-General:_
We, your petitioners, respectfully beg leave to submit that as an
attempt is now, by certain individuals, being made to place the
postoffice in this place into the hands of William H. Rollison, a
stranger in our place, and one whose conduct since he came here,
has been such as to forbid our having confidence in him; and we do
hope and pray, both for ourselves, and that of the public, that he
may not receive the appointment of postmaster in Nauvoo, Illinois,
but that the present postmaster may continue to hold the office.
Brother Joseph Smith, if the foregoing can have a number of
respectable subscribers, I believe Rollison cannot get the office.
I should like to have it so as to send it on Sunday's mail.
Respectfully,
SIDNEY RIGDON.
_Tuesday, 14_.--Sent William Clayton to Quincy, and by him deposited
five hundred dollars with General Leach, for Mr. Walsh, for land which
lies between my farm and the city, agreeable to my letter to Judge
Young.
Read proof of the "Doctrine and Covenants" with Brother Phelps. Read in
German from half-past nine to eleven, forenoon. Had the stove removed
from the large room in my house into a small brick building which was
erected for a smoke house, designing to use it for a mayor's office,
until I could build a new one. Had much conversation with Mr. Cowan and
various individuals.
Sold Dr. Richards a cow.
_Wednesday, 15_.--This morning I spent some time in changing the top
plate of the office stove, which had been put together wrong. Read
a libelous letter in the _Alton Telegraph_, written to Mr. Bassett,
of Quincy, concerning Judge Pope, Mr. Butterfield, and the ladies
attending my late trial at Springfield; and published the following
letter in the_ Times and Seasons_:
{274} _Joseph Smith's Parable--the Lions of the Press_.
_Mr. Editor:_
SIR:--Ever since I gave up the editorial department of the _Times
and Seasons_, I have thought of writing a piece for publication,
by way of valedictory, as is usual when editors resign the chair
editorial. My principal remarks I intend to apply to the gentlemen
of the quill, or, if you please, that numerous body of respectable
gentlemen who profess to regulate the tone of the public mind in
regard to politics, morality, religion, literature, the arts and
sciences, &c., &c.,--viz., the editors of the public journals; or,
if you please, I will designate them the lions of the forest. This
latter cognomen, sir, I consider to be more appropriate because of
the tremendous noise that they make when they utter their voice.
It came to pass that, as I went forth like a young fawn, one day,
to feed upon the green grass in my pasture, an ass saw me and
brayed, and made a great noise, which a neighboring lion hearing,
roared, even as a lion roareth when he beholds his prey. At the
sound of his voice, the beasts of the field were alarmed, and the
lions in the adjoining jungles pricked up their ears and roared
in their turn; and behold all the lions of the forest, alarmed by
their noise, opened their mouths and uttered forth their voice,
which was as the roaring of a cataract, or as the voice of thunder;
so tremendous was their roaring, that the trees of the forest
shook, as if they were shaken by a mighty wind, and all the beasts
of the forest trembled as if a whirlwind were passing.
I lifted up mine eyes with astonishment when I heard the voice
of the lions, and saw the fury of their rage. I asked, is it
possible that so many lords of the forest, such noble beasts should
condescend to notice one solitary fawn that is feeding alone upon
his pasture, without attempting to excite either their jealousy or
anger? I have not strayed from the fold, nor injured the trees of
the forest, nor hurt the beasts of the field, nor trampled upon
their pasture, nor drunk of their streams. Why, then, their rage
against me? When lo! and behold! they again uttered their voices,
as the voice of great thunderings, and there was given unto them
the voice of men; but it was difficult for me to distinguish
what was said among so many voices; but ever and anon I heard a
few broken, incoherent sentences like the following: "Murder!
Desolation! Bloodshed! Arson! Treason! Joe Smith and the Mormons!
Our nation will be overturned! The impostor should be driven from
the state! The fawn will be metamorphosed into a lion--will devour
all the beasts of the field, destroy all the trees of the forest,
and tread under foot all the rest of the lions!"
I then lifted up my voice and said, Hear me, ye beasts of the
forest! and all ye great lions, pay attention! I am innocent of
the things {275} whereof ye accuse me. I have not been guilty of
violating your laws, nor of trespassing upon your rights. My hands
are clean from the blood of all men, and I am at the defiance
of the world to substantiate the crimes whereof I am accused;
wherefore, then should animals of your noble mien stoop to such
little jealousies, such vulgar language, and lay such unfounded
charges at the door of the innocent?
It is true that I once suffered an ass to feed in my pasture. He
ate at my crib and drank at my waters; but possessing the true
nature of an ass, he began to foul the water with his feet, and to
trample under foot the green grass and destroy it. I therefore put
him out of my pasture, and he began to bray. Many of the lions in
the adjoining jungles, mistaking the braying for the roaring of a
lion, commenced roaring. When I proclaimed this abroad many of the
lions began to enquire into the matter. A few, possessing a more
noble nature than many of their fellows, drew near, and viewing the
animal found that he was nothing more than a decrepit, broken down,
worn out ass, that had scarcely anything left but his ears and
voice.
Whereupon many of the lions felt indignant at the lion of Warsaw,
the lion of Quincy, the lion of Sangamon, the lion of Alton, and
several other lions, for giving a false alarm, for dishonoring
their race, and for responding to the voice of so base an animal
as an ass. And they felt ashamed of themselves for being decoyed
into such base ribaldry and foul-mouthed slander. But there were
many that lost sight of their dignity, and continued to roar,
although they knew well that they were following the braying of so
despicable a creature.
Among these was a great lion, whose den was on the borders of
the Eastern Sea. He had waxed great in strength. He had terrible
teeth, and his eyes were like balls of fire. His head was large and
terrific, and his shaggy mane rolled with majestic grandeur over
his terrible neck. His claws were like the claws of a dragon, and
his ribs were like those of a Leviathan. When he lifted himself
up, all the beasts of the field bowed with respectful deference;
and when he spake, the whole universe listened; and the cinders of
his power covered creation. His might, his influence, were felt to
the ends of the earth. When he lashed his tail, the beasts of the
forest trembled; and when he roared, all the great lions and the
young lions crouched down at his feet. [C]
[Footnote C: This alludes to the New York _Herald_, published
by James Gordon Bennett, who had been influenced by the
misrepresentation of affairs at Nauvoo, by John C. Bennett.]
This great lion lifting up himself and beholding the fawn afar off,
he opened his mouth, and, joining in the common roar, uttered the
following great swelling yelp:--
"_Joe Smith in Trouble_.--By a letter which we published on Sunday,
{276} from Springfield, Illinois, it appears that Joe Smith,
the great Mormon Prophet, has at last given himself up to the
authorities of Illinois. He is charged with fomenting or conspiring
to assassinate Governor Boggs, of Missouri, and is demanded by the
functionary of that state of the governor of Illinois. Joe has
taken out a writ of habeas corpus, denying the fact, and is now
waiting the decision of the court at Springfield. This will bring
Joe's troubles to a crisis. In the meantime, why does not Joe try
his power at working a miracle or two? Now's the time to prove his
mission, besides being very convenient for himself."
When I heard it, I said, "Poor fellow! How has thy dignity
fallen! and how has thy glory departed? Thou that once ranked
among the foremost of the beasts of the field, as the lord of the
forest!--even thou hast condescended to degrade thyself by uniting
with the basest of animals, and to join in with the braying of an
ass."
And now, friend B., allow me to whisper a word in thine ear. Dost
thou not know that there is a God in the heavens that judgeth--that
setteth up one and putteth down another, according to the counsel
of his own will? That if thou possessest any influence, wisdom,
dominion, or power, it comes from God, and to him thou art
indebted for it? That he holds the destiny of men in his power,
and can as easily put down as he has raised up? Tell me, when hast
thou treated a subject of religious and eternal truth with that
seriousness and candor that the importance of the subject demands
from a man in thy standing, possessing thy calling and influence?
As you seem to be quite a theologist, allow me to ask a few
questions. Why did not God deliver Micaiah from the hands of his
persecutors? Why did not Jeremiah "work a miracle or two" to help
him out of the dungeon? It would have been "very convenient." Why
did not Zachariah, by a miracle, prevent the people from slaying
him? Why did not our Savior come down from the cross? The people
asked Him to do it; and besides, He had "saved others," and could
not save Himself, so said the people. Why did He not prove His
mission by working a miracle and coming down? Why did not Paul, by
a miracle, prevent the people from stoning and whipping him? It
would have been "very convenient." Or why did the Saints of God
in every age have to wander about in sheep-skins or goat-skins,
being tempted, tried, and sawn asunder, of whom the world was not
worthy? I would here advise my worthy friend, before he talks of
"proving missions," "working miracles," or any "convenience" of
that kind, to read his Bible a little more, and the garbled stories
of political demagogues less.
I listened, and lo! I heard a voice, and it was the voice of my
Shepherd, saying, Listen, all ye lions of the forest; and all
ye beasts of the field, give ear. Ye have sought to injure the
innocent, and your {277} hands have been lifted against the weak,
the injured, and the oppressed. Ye have pampered the libertine,
the calumniator, and the base. Ye have winked at vice, and trodden
under foot the virtuous and the pure. Therefore hear, all ye lions
of the forests: The Lord God will take from you your teeth, so that
you shall no longer devour. He will pluck out your claws, so that
you can no longer seize upon your prey. Your strength will fail you
in the day of trouble, and your voice will fail, and not be heard
afar off; but mine elect will I uphold with mine arm, and my chosen
shall be supported by my power. And when mine anointed shall be
exalted, and all the lions of the forest have lost their strength,
then shall they remember that the Lord he is God.
JOSEPH SMITH.
I copy the following from the public prints:--
_Horrors of a British-Chinese War_.
An English officer, writing to his friend in England, from Ching
Keang Foo, says--"I never saw such loss of life and property
as took place here: we lost officers and men enough, but it is
impossible even to compute the loss of the Chinese; for when they
found they could stand no longer against us, they cut the throats
of their wives and children, or drove them into wells and ponds,
and then destroyed themselves. In many houses there were from eight
to twelve bodies, and I myself have seen a dozen women and children
drowning themselves in a small pond the day after the fight. The
whole of the city and suburbs are a mass of ruins: whole streets
have been burnt down." Oh, the horrors of Christian warfare!
About one o'clock in the afternoon I started for Shokoquon, with Mr.
John B. Cowan and Elders Orson Hyde and Parley P. Pratt, in sleighs.
When we came on the prairie, it was so extremely cold, I proposed
to Mr. Cowan to wait till tomorrow; but he chose to go forward, and
we arrived in safety at Mr. Rose's, where we had supper; and in the
evening I gave a long exposition of Millerism. That night I slept with
Mr. Cowan.
{278}