DEFINITION OF THE WORD "MORMON"--DISCOURSE ON MAKING "CALLING" AND
"ELECTION" SURE--MISSION TO THE SOCIETY ISLANDS OPENED--CHARACTER
SKETCH OF THE PROPHET, "BOSTON BEE"--TRIAL OF BENJAMIN WINCHESTER.
_Saturday, May 20, 1843_.--Received of Ezra Oakley a certificate of
deposit in the Fulton Bank, New York, value five hundred dollars, and
gave receipt payable in lands or money ten days from date.
At court room, and adjourned the case of Samuel Fuller.
Corrected and sent to the _Times and Seasons_ the following:
_The Prophet's Definition of the Word "Mormon."_
_Editor of the Times and Seasons_:
SIR:--Through the medium of your paper I wish to correct an error
among men that profess to be learned, liberal and wise; and I
do it the more cheerfully because I hope sober-thinking and
sound-reasoning people will sooner listen to the voice of truth
than be led astray by the vain pretensions of the self-wise.
The error I speak of is the definition of the word "Mormon." It has
been stated that this word was derived from the Greek word _mormo_.
This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the plates
from which I, through the grace of the Lord, translated the Book of
Mormon. Let the language of the book speak for itself.
On the 523rd page of the fourth edition, it reads: "And now, behold
we have written this record according to our knowledge in the
characters which are called among us the Reformed Egyptian, being
handed down and altered by us, according to our manner of speech;
and if our {400} plates had been sufficiently large, we should have
written in Hebrew; but the Hebrew hath been altered by us also;
and if we could have written in Hebrew, behold, ye would have had
no imperfection in our record. But the Lord knoweth the things
which we have written, and also that none other people knoweth our
language; therefore He hath prepared means for the interpretation
thereof."
Here, then, the subject is put to silence; for "none other people
knoweth our language;" therefore the Lord, and not man, had to
interpret, after the people were all dead. And, as Paul said, "The
world by wisdom know not God;" so the world by speculation are
destitute of revelation; and as God in His superior wisdom has
always given His Saints, wherever he had any on the earth, the
same spirit, and that spirit, as John says, is the true spirit of
prophecy, which is the testimony of Jesus. I may safely say that
the word "Mormon" stands independent of the wisdom and learning of
this generation. * * * *
The word Mormon, means literally, more good.
Yours, JOSEPH SMITH.
Mr. Joseph H. Jackson representing himself as being out of employment
and destitute of funds, he desired I would employ him and relieve his
necessities. I took compassion and employed him as a clerk to sell
lands, so as to give him a chance in the world.
[Sidenote: The Prophet's Reproof of the People.]
_Sunday, 21_.--At half-past ten a.m. I arrived at the Temple, and had
to press my way through the crowd in the aisles to get to the stand,
when I remarked that there were some people who thought it a terrible
thing that anybody should exercise a little power. I thought it a
pity that anybody should give occasion to have power exercised, and
requested the people to keep out of the aisles; for if they did not, I
might some time run up and down and hit some of them; and called on two
constables to keep the aisles clear.
After singing and prayer, I read 1st chapter of 2nd Epistle of Peter,
and preached thereon. [The following synopsis was written by Dr.
Willard Richards.]
{401} _The Prophet's Discourse from II Peter, First
Chapter--Reproof of Self-Righteousness_.
I do not know when I shall have the privilege of speaking in
a house large enough to convene the people. I find my lungs
are failing with continual preaching in the open air to large
assemblies.
I do not think there have been many good men on the earth since
the days of Adam; but there was one good man and his name was
Jesus. Many persons think a prophet must be a great deal better
than anybody else. Suppose I would condescend--yes, I will call it
condescend, to be a great deal better than any of you, I would be
raised up to the highest heaven; and who should I have to accompany
me?
I love that man better who swears a stream as long as my arm yet
deals justice to his neighbors and mercifully deals his substance
to the poor, than the long, smooth-faced hypocrite.
I do not want you to think that I am very righteous, for I am not.
God judges men according to the use they make of the light which He
gives them.
"We have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto you do well to
take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place. We were
eye witnesses of his majesty and heard the voice of his excellent
glory." And what could be more sure? When He was transfigured on
the mount, what could be more sure to them? Divines have been
quarreling for ages about the meaning of this.
_The Prophet's Characterization of Himself_.
I am like a huge, rough stone rolling down from a high mountain;
and the only polishing I get is when some corner gets rubbed off by
coming in contact with something else, striking with accelerated
force against religious bigotry, priestcraft, lawyer-craft,
doctor-craft, lying editors, suborned judges and jurors, and the
authority of perjured executives, backed by mobs, blasphemers,
licentious and corrupt men and women--all hell knocking off a
corner here and a corner there. Thus I will become a smooth and
polished shaft in the quiver of the Almighty, who will give me
dominion over all and every one of them, when their refuge of lies
shall fail, and their hiding place shall be destroyed, while these
smooth-polished stones with which I come in contact become marred.
There are three grand secrets lying in this chapter, [II Peter i.]
which no man can dig out, unless by the light of revelation, and
which unlocks the whole chapter as the things that are written are
only hints {402} of things which existed in the prophet's mind,
which are not written concerning eternal glory.
I am going to take up this subject by virtue of the knowledge of
God in me, which I have received from heaven. The opinions of men,
so far as I am concerned, are to me as the crackling of thorns
under the pot, or the whistling of the wind. I break the ground; I
lead the way like Columbus when he was invited to a banquet, where
he was assigned the most honorable place at the table, and served
with the ceremonials which were observed towards sovereigns. A
shallow courtier present, who was meanly jealous of him, abruptly
asked him whether he thought that in case he had not discovered
the Indies, there were not other men in Spain who would have been
capable of the enterprise? Columbus made no reply, but took an
egg and invited the company to make it stand on end. They all
attempted it, but in vain; whereupon he struck it upon the table
so as to break one end, and left it standing on the broken part,
illustrating that when he had once shown the way to the new world
nothing was easier than to follow it.
Paul ascended into the third heavens, and he could understand
the three principal rounds of Jacob's ladder--the telestial, the
terrestrial, and the celestial glories or kingdoms, where Paul saw
and heard things which were not lawful for him to utter. I could
explain a hundred fold more than I ever have of the glories of the
kingdoms manifested to me in the vision, were I permitted, and were
the people prepared to receive them.
The Lord deals with this people as a tender parent with a child,
communicating light and intelligence and the knowledge of his ways
as they can bear it. The inhabitants of the earth are asleep:
they know not the day of their visitation. The Lord hath set the
bow in the cloud for a sign that while it shall be seen, seed
time and harvest, summer and winter shall not fail; but when it
shall disappear, woe to that generation, for behold the end cometh
quickly.
_Calling and Election to be Made Sure_.
Contend earnestly for the like precious faith with the Apostle
Peter, "and add to your faith virtue," knowledge, temperance,
patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity; "for if these
things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither
be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus
Christ." Another point, after having all these qualifications, he
lays this injunction upon the people "to make your calling and
election sure." He is emphatic upon this subject--after adding all
this virtue, knowledge, &c., "Make your calling and election sure."
What is the secret--the starting point? "According {403} as His
divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life
and godliness." How did he obtain all things? Through the knowledge
of Him who hath called him. There could not anything be given,
pertaining to life and godliness, without knowledge. Woe! woe! woe
to Christendom!--especially the divines and priests if this be true.
Salvation is for a man to be saved from all his enemies; for until
a man can triumph over death, he is not saved. A knowledge of the
priesthood alone will do this.
The spirits in the eternal world are like the spirits in this
world. When those have come into this world and received
tabernacles, then died and again have risen and received glorified
bodies, they will have an ascendency over the spirits who have
received no bodies, or kept not their first estate, like the
devil. The punishment of the devil was that he should not have a
habitation like men. The devil's retaliation is, he comes into this
world, binds up men's bodies, and occupies them himself. When the
authorities come along, they eject him from a stolen habitation.
The design of the great God in sending us into this world, and
organizing us to prepare us for the eternal worlds, I shall keep in
my own bosom at present.
We have no claim in our eternal compact, in relation to eternal
things, unless our actions and contracts and all things tend to
this end. But after all this, you have got to make your calling and
election sure. If this injunction would lie largely on those to
whom it was spoken, how much more those of the present generation!
1st key: Knowledge is the power of salvation. 2nd key: Make your
calling and election sure. 3rd key: It is one thing to be on the
mount and hear the excellent voice, &c., &c., and another to hear
the voice declare to you, You have a part and lot in that kingdom.
Judge Adams arrived at my house from Springfield.
[Sidenote: Complaint against Benjamin Winchester.]
_Monday, 22_.--Called at the office at nine, a.m., having received
letters from Sisters Armstrong and Nicholson, of Philadelphia,
complaining of the slanderous conduct of Benjamin Winchester; and I
directed the Twelve Apostles to act upon the matter.
This morning received a large hickory walking stick having a silver
head, with the motto "BEWARE."
Rode out to my farm; dined at Cornelius P. Lott's; {404} then rode to
the Lima road, and returned home at half-past seven, p.m.
Wrote the editor of _Times and Seasons_:
_The Prophet on Forming Temperance Societies_.
DEAR BROTHER:--In answer to yours of May 4th, concerning the
Latter-day Saints' forming a temperance society, we would say, as
Paul said--"Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers, but contend
for the faith once delivered to the Saints;" and as Peter advises,
so say we, "Add to your knowledge, temperance." As Paul said he
had to become all things to all men, that he might thereby save
some, so must the elders of the last days do; and, being sent out
to preach the Gospel and warn the world of the judgments to come,
we are sure, when they teach as directed by the Spirit, according
to the revelations of Jesus Christ, that they will preach the truth
and prosper without complaint. Thus we have no new commandment to
give, but admonish elders and members to live by every word that
proceedeth forth from the mouth of God, lest they come short of the
glory that is reserved for the faithful.
_Tuesday, 23_--In conversation with Judge Adams and others.
At eight a.m., rode out to visit the sick.
Two p.m. Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Parley P. Pratt, Orson Pratt,
Orson Hyde, Wilford Woodruff, John Taylor, George A. Smith, Willard
Richards and others met in the office.
Elder Addison Pratt was ordained a seventy and blessed and set apart
to go to the Society Islands, by President Brigham Young, assisted
by Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Parley P. Pratt,--that he should
be a swift messenger to the nations of the earth, have power over
the elements, and not fear when tempests arise. "Do not be hasty and
passionate, but acknowledge goodness in all, where you find it. Hearken
ye, they will say, one to another, to this man; and they will carry you
and give presents, etc., you shall have power over the ship's course,
and shall return again to this land and rejoice with your family, if
you are faithful."
{405} Elder Noah Rogers, of the Seventies, was blessed by the same
brethren, Elder Kimball being mouth. It was said that he might have
power to discern between good and evil, be filled with the power of
God, have faith to heal the sick, cast out devils, and cause the lame
to walk, and have the heavens opened, and have an appointment from on
high, even from God, if he was faithful. "Except thou art willing to be
led, thou shalt never lead. Thou shalt return to this place." He was
set apart to accompany Brother Addison Pratt to the Pacific Islands.
Elder Benjamin Grouard was ordained a seventy by the same brethren,
Orson Hyde mouth. Prayed that the angel of God might watch over him and
deliver him from his enemies and the tempests and troubles of the sea,
that he might perform the mission with honor to himself, and return in
safety.
Elder Knowlton F. Hanks was also set apart to the islands.
Reuben Hedlock, high priest, was blessed and set apart to go to England.
_Other Ordinations and Appointments_.
Elder John Cairnes was ordained high priest and set apart to
accompany Brother Hedlock.
President Young said to Brother Addison Pratt and his associates:
We commit the keys of opening the gospel to the Society Islands to
you, when all the Twelve said, Aye.
Elder Rogers was appointed president of the mission.
Reuben Hedlock's mission was to preside over the churches in
England, over the emigration, and over business in general, by vote
of the quorum.
Elder Young said he wanted the funds in Liverpool to pay the
passage of those who were expected to be sent for by Brother John
Benbow and his wife, on account of moneys lent by him to commence
the printing of the Book of Mormon, _Millennial Star_, Hymn Book,
etc., and to send the worthy poor to this country, and let Brother
Hedlock use what is necessary for his own convenience; and voted
unanimously that the foregoing be carried into execution.
Let the Books of Mormon be sold as fast as they can in England, and
the avails be retained by Elder Hedlock till further orders.
{406} Voted that Sister Ann Dawson and her family, William Bradbury
with his family, Brother Leech, of Preston, and his family, Brother
Anderson, of Stoke-upon-Trent, and all the poor Saints be brought
over to this country.
Voted on reading Elder Ward's letters of March 4th and 16th to
the First Presidency and Twelve, that the printing in England be
stopped, according to previous instructions, and Elders Thomas Ward
and Amos Fielding come to this place, and the funds referred to in
Elder Ward's letter be expended by Elder Hedlock, as before stated.
[Sidenote: First Contribution to the Nauvoo Museum.]
_Wednesday, 24_.--Elder Addison Pratt presented the tooth of a whale,
coral, bones of an Albatross' wing and skin of a foot, jaw-bone of a
porpoise, and tooth of a South Sea seal as the beginning for a museum
in Nauvoo.
I bought eleven quarter-sections of land from Judge Adams, and then
rode out on the hill.
I find in the _Boston Bee_ of this date a letter; and as it is so
remarkable that any editor will publish anything in the columns of
his paper concerning me or the Saints but slander, I take pleasure in
transcribing the following:
_A Character Sketch of the Prophet--His Doctrine of Inspiration_.
Sir, in bygone years, and long before I heard of the Prophet
Joseph Smith, and indeed before he had existence, I had formed
some very curious ideas about the ancient prophets. From reading
their history in the Bible, I supposed they must have been men of
no ordinary proportions; or, if so, that there was something about
them different from other men, by which they might be distinguished
at sight. As a matter of course, I thought they must have had
gray hairs for a covering to make them appear very dignified,
and beards as long as a Jew's; for if they shaved, it would show
that they were men; and could I have had the privilege of looking
at one, I should have expected to have seen him clad in sheep,
goat, bear or wolf skin, wandering about on the mountains like the
beasts he had robbed of their garment, lodging in the caves and
dens of the earth, and subsisting on the fruits and nuts of the
forest,--a being too holy, too sanctified, too exalted by his high
{407} calling, to appear in the habitations or among the society
of men, unless he had some important message to communicate direct
from heaven--some revelation or commandment to promulgate to his
fellows; and then he would just come forth and cry out, like the
beasts in the wilderness, with so much sacred sanctity, that
everybody would know he was a prophet, and if by nothing else, when
they saw his nails like birds' claws, and his hairs like eagles'
feathers and his hands and face as filthy as a baboon; for it never
occurred to me that clean hands, in administering before the Lord,
as mentioned in the scripture, meant anything more than a good
conscience; and I had never supposed but that a man could worship
God just as acceptably all covered with dirt, and filth and slime,
as though he had bathed in Siloam every hour, until I heard the
Mormon prophet lecturing his people on the subject of neatness and
cleanliness, teaching them that all was clean in heaven, and that
Jesus was going to make the place of His feet glorious; and if the
Mormons did not keep their feet out of the ashes, they could not
stand with Him on Mount Zion.
I had no thought before but that dirty people could get to heaven
as well as clean ones; and that if the priests ordered sacrifices
with polluted hands, the fire would cleanse both the offering and
the hands that offered it. I cannot say how much there may be in
scripture to contradict my views, neither can I vouch for it that
the churches of the day believe any such doctrine; for I never
belonged to any of them, but have rather been called an infidel. As
to that, I have not altered much. I like consistency, find it where
I may.
With all these curious notions I fell into the Mormon settlement,
and saw the prophet; but having never heard a Mormon preach, you
can imagine me not quite ready to receive all the impressions
incident to an interview with such a distinguished personage. But
I will give it as I find it, hit or miss the faith or feelings of
any one. I have had an interview since my last, and found anything
but the truth in the current reports. "The Prophet Joseph" (as he
is called among his people) said in a conversation with a gentleman
present, that he no more professed to be a prophet than every man
must who professes to be a preacher of righteousness or a minister
of the new testament.
To be a minister of Jesus, a man must testify of Jesus; and to
testify of Jesus, a man must have the spirit of prophecy; for,
according to John, the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.
If a man professes to be a minister of Jesus and has not the
spirit of prophecy, he must be a false witness, for he is not in
possession of that gift which qualifies him for that office; and
the difference between him and the clergy of this generation is, he
claims to be in possession of {408} that spirit of prophecy which
qualifies him to testify of Jesus and the Gospel of salvation; and
the clergy deny that spirit, even the spirit of prophecy, which
alone could constitute them true witnesses or testators of the Lord
Jesus, and yet claim to be true ministers of salvation.
In this, said he, I am honest, and they are dishonest, and that
is the difference between us. Were they true and honest witnesses
of Jesus Christ, they would acknowledge they have the testimony
of Him, and that is the spirit of prophecy; and every man who
possesses that spirit is a prophet.
I, said he, claim no more than what every servant of Christ must
possess to qualify him for his office, while the clergy of the 19th
century deny that which alone could constitute what they profess
to be. He said he did not profess to be a very good man, but
acknowledged himself a sinner like other men, or, as all men are,
imperfect; and it is necessary for all men to grow into the stature
of manhood in the Gospel.
I could not help noticing that he dressed, talked and acted like
other men, and in every respect exactly the opposite of what I had
conjured up in my imagination a prophet.
The Mormons have not yet completed their great Temple, and have no
commodious place of worship; but the apostles and elders preach in
private houses on the Sabbath and at other times, though I seldom
attended these latter meetings. But when the weather will admit
they meet in the grove, or on the rough floor of the basement of
the Temple, and then the prophet frequently preaches. On one of
these occasions I heard him preach concerning the prodigal son.
After naming his text, the prophet remarked that some one had
asked him the meaning of the expression of Jesus--"Among those
born of women, there has not arisen a greater than John;" and said
he had promised to answer it in public, and he would do it then.
It could not have been on account of the miracles John performed,
for he did no miracles; but it was--First, because he was trusted
with a divine mission of preparing the way before the face of the
Lord. Who was trusted with such a mission before or since? No
man. Second, he was trusted and it was required at his hands to
baptize the Son of Man. Who ever did that? Who ever had so great
a privilege or glory? Who ever led the Son of God into the waters
of baptism, beholding the Holy Ghost descend upon him in the sign
of a dove? No man. Third, John at that time was the only legal
administrator holding the keys of power there was on earth. The
keys, the kingdom, the power, the glory had departed from the Jews;
and John, the son of Zachariah, by the holy anointing and decree of
heaven, held the keys of power at that time.
{409} [Sidenote: Labors of Elder H. Tate.]
Elder H. Tate writes that in Cuba, Illinois, the people were anxious
to hear him, when the Rev. John Rigdon, a Campbellite preacher refused
to let him preach in the chapel, because Elder Tate was "sent by the
authority of Jesus Christ," saying, "That recommend will not do, for
the world has condemned it already;" but at Pekin, Elder Tate baptized
six in twelve days, and many more were favorable.
[Sidenote: Complaints against the Laws and Dr. Foster.]
Received a long letter from Thomas Rancliff, complaining of William and
Wilson Law and Dr. Foster's swindling him, which is another example
that people will not obey counsel, although it was so pointedly made
known to the people on the 13th of April last.
_Thursday, 25_.--Sent William Clayton to Carthage to redeem the city
lots on the Galland tract, which had been sold for taxes.
Dr. Imbert, Messrs. Chastan and Manlan, missionaries, with seventy
Christians were beheaded, and one hundred and eighty strangled in
Korea, East Asia.
The town of Tallahassee, Florida, was destroyed by fire.
_Friday, 26_.--At five p.m. I met in counsel in the upper room, with my
brother Hyrum, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Willard Richards, Judge
James Adams, Bishop Newel K. Whitney and William Law, and gave them
their endowments and also instructions in the priesthood on the new and
everlasting covenant, &c.
Wrote a letter of instructions to Reuben Hedlock.
_Saturday, 27_.--In the morning received visitors.
[Sidenote: Benjamin Winchester Investigated.]
At two p.m. I met brother Hyrum, the Twelve, Judge Adams, Bishop
Whitney and others, in council to investigate the conduct of Benjamin
Winchester, charges having been preferred against him by letter from
Sybella Armstrong and others in Philadelphia, Sisters Jarman and
Adams. George J. Adams and others gave their testimony, when they
disfellowshiped {410} Winchester, and took his license until he made
satisfaction to the aggrieved parties.
[Extract from Wilford's Woodruff's journal.]
_Elder Wilford Woodruff's Minutes of the Investigation of
Benjamin Winchester_.
A rainy day.
In the afternoon I met in council with the Twelve and First
Presidency, when the case of Benjamin Winchester was brought up on
trial for improper conduct, slandering the Saints in Philadelphia,
for rejecting the counsel of Hyrum, Joseph and the Twelve, and
tearing to pieces the Saints instead of building them up.
Hyrum pleaded for mercy, Joseph for justice, and the Twelve decided
according to testimony; and in all we had an interesting time.
Elder Winchester was refractory and out of order. President Joseph
Smith wished the Twelve or president of the quorum to call the
house to order.
Several letters were read touching the subject; after which Elder
Winchester made a lengthy speech trying to justify himself. Was
followed by President Hyrum Smith, who pleaded in behalf of
Winchester on the side of mercy.
Elder George J. Adams gave his testimony against Winchester; then
Elder Winchester followed Adams, and both spoke several times. Then
President Joseph Smith arose and rebuked Elder Winchester in the
sharpest manner; said he had a lying spirit and had lied about him,
and told him of many of his errors.
After hearing the testimony, Elder Brigham Young, president of
the quorum of the Twelve, said he had made up his mind, and his
decision was that Elder Winchester should give up his license and
cease preaching until he should reform.
President Hyrum Smith said he should not like to have such a
decision given without another trial and giving Elder Winchester a
chance to get more testimony if he could.
President Brigham Young said he should then prefer to have the case
turned over to the high council.
President Joseph Smith said it was not the business of the high
council. They could not try him. It belonged to the Twelve, and
them alone; for it was concerning matters abroad, and not in
Nauvoo. The high council was to try cases that belong to the stake,
and the Twelve to regulate the churches and elders abroad in all
the world; and Elder Winchester's case comes under the jurisdiction
of the Twelve and theirs alone.
{411} President Hyrum Smith urged that the case should be put off
until tomorrow. President Joseph Smith said that the case might be
put off until tomorrow at ten o'clock, if it would do anybody any
good.
President Brigham Young arose and spoke in the majesty of his
calling; and among other remarks, said that his mind was made up,
and that the remarks of Brother Hyrum or of Brother Joseph had not
altered it. As for himself, he would not sit upon the case another
day. He considered the course Brother Winchester had taken an
insult upon his office and calling as an apostle of Jesus Christ,
and he would not bear it. As for the rest of the Twelve, they might
do as they pleased. As for himself, he would not submit to it.
Benjamin Winchester has despised and rejected the counsel of the
Presidency and the Twelve--has said they had no jurisdiction over
him in Philadelphia, and to say where he should go, &c. But he and
others will find there _is_ power in the Twelve. We know through
whom we have received our power and who are our benefactors, and we
are thankful for it. Benjamin Winchester has never for the first
time received our counsel, but has gone contrary to it. No one
is safe in his hands. He calls Hyrum an old granny, and slanders
everybody. He says there is a contradiction between Hyrum and the
Twelve. There is no contradiction between Hyrum and the Twelve--is
there, Brother Hyrum? [Hyrum answered "No."]
After Brigham Young closed, President Joseph Smith said he would
give us a little counsel, if we saw fit to accept it. He thought
it proper for us to silence Elder Winchester, take his license and
have him bring his family to Nauvoo; and if he would not do that,
let him go out of the Church.
It was then moved and seconded that Elder Winchester be silenced,
and give up his license, and come with his family to Nauvoo. The
motion was carried unanimously.
Brother Joseph then addressed the Twelve, and said that in all
our counsels, especially while on trial of any one, we should see
and observe all things appertaining to the subject, and discern
the spirit by which either party was governed. We should be in a
situation to understand every spirit and judge righteous judgment
and not be asleep. We should keep order and not let the council
be imposed upon by unruly conduct. The Saints need not think
because I am familiar with them and am playful and cheerful, that
I am ignorant of what is going on. Iniquity of any kind cannot be
sustained in the Church, and it will not fare well where I am; for
I am determined while I do lead the Church, to lead it right.
Brother Joseph further remarked, concerning Elder Adams, that he
had given satisfaction to him concerning the thing whereof he was
{412} accused. He had confessed all wherein he had done wrong, and
had asked for mercy, and he had taken the right course to save
himself; that he would now begin anew in the Church.
After much instruction was given from Joseph, the council adjourned.
I then instructed the Twelve to investigate the condition of the whole
Philadelphia church while in council.
_List of Persons to be Helped to Immigrate to Nauvoo_.
Voted that the following persons be assisted to emigrate from
England--viz., Mrs. Elizabeth Pixton, Mrs. Sarah Taylor, Jeremiah
Taylor, Mrs. Mary Greenhalgh, Mrs. Elizabeth Clayton and two
children, Hugh Patrick and family, Mrs. Ann Farrar and three
children, Maria Barrows and children, Alice Bailey and two
children, William Player's family, Prudence Parr and six children,
Rebecca Partington.
A tremendous rain-storm all day, commencing with thunder in the morning.
A petition for the repeal of the parliamentary union, with
England--representing four hundred and fifty thousand persons--was sent
from Menagh, Ireland.
_Sunday, 28_.--Cold, rainy day.
[Sidenote: Endowments at Nauvoo.]
At five p.m. I met with brother Hyrum, Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball,
Willard Richards, Newel K. Whitney, and James Adams, in the upper room
to attend to ordinances and counseling. Prayed that James Adams might
be delivered from his enemies, and that Orrin P. Rockwell might be
delivered from prison, and that the Twelve be prospered in collecting
means to build the Nauvoo House.
[Sidenote: Record of the First Twelve in Relations with the Prophet.]
Of the Twelve Apostles chosen in Kirtland, and ordained under the hands
of Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and myself, there have been but two
but what have lifted their heel against me--namely Brigham Young and
Heber C. Kimball.
_Monday, 29_.--At nine a.m., I met in council with brother Hyrum,
Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, {413} Willard Richards, Newel K.
Whitney, and James Adams.
Singing, and prayer by Elder Brigham Young. Conversation, instruction
and teaching concerning the things of God. Had a pleasant interview.
Two p.m., in mayor's court. Tried a case--"The People vs. Thompson,"
for assault. Fined Thompson three dollars.
Gave instructions to have the account of the Lawrence estate made out.
Judge James Adams gave a deed of eleven quarter sections of land on the
prairie to the trustee-in-trust.
Six p.m., the Twelve Apostles met and directed the following to be
published in the _Times and Seasons_.
_Special Message to the Saints in Philadelphia_.
_To the Church in Philadelphia_:
All the members of that branch of the Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints which is located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
who are desirous of doing the will of heaven and of working out
their own salvation by keeping the laws of the celestial kingdom,
are hereby instructed and counseled to remove from thence without
delay and locate themselves in the city of Nauvoo, where God has a
work for them to accomplish.
Done at Nauvoo the 20th day of May, 1843, agreeable to the
instructions of the First Presidency.
By order of the quorum of the Twelve, BRIGHAM YOUNG, President of
the quorum.
WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk.
_Appointments by the Quorum of the Twelve_.
Elder James Sloan, to Ireland. Elder Benjamin Brown, accompanied by
Elder Jesse W. Crosby, to the province of Nova Scotia. Elder Edwin
W. Webb, to Galena. Elder Issac Chase, to the Eastern States, Elder
Stephen Abbott and Charles E. Spencer to Wisconsin territory, Elder
Issac Thompson to accompany them.
WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk.
Pleasant, but cool after the rain.
_Tuesday, 30_.--In the office from nine till noon examining {414}
Nauvoo stock, and transacting business with the Twelve Apostles, and
taking bonds from Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball, Orson Hyde, Orson
Pratt, Wilford Woodruff, and George A. Smith, of which I insert one as
follows:
_Form of Bond Executed by Brigham Young et al. to the Prophet_.
Know all men by these presents, that we, Brigham Young and John M.
Bernhisel, are held and firmly bound unto Joseph Smith, as sole
trustee-in-trust for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day
Saints, in the penal sum of two thousand dollars, lawful money of
the United States; for the payment of which sum, well and truly to
be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, assigns and administrators
firmly by these presents.
Dated at Nauvoo, this 30th day of May, 1843.
The condition of the above obligation is such that the above
bounden Brigham Young who has been appointed an agent to collect
funds for the Nauvoo House Association and for the Temple now
building in the city of Nauvoo, shall faithfully pay to the said
trustee-in-trust as aforesaid, all moneys that he may collect for
either house, then this obligation be null and void, otherwise to
remain in full force and virtue.
Signed, sealed and delivered the day and year first above written.
BRIGHAM YOUNG, [L. S.] JOHN M. BERNHISEL, [L. S.]
And directed that receipts be also written for the Nauvoo stock as
follows:
_Form of Receipt for Stock Certificate_.
Received May 30th, 1843, of Joseph Smith, Sole Trustee-in-Trust
for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, three hundred
stock certificates of Nauvoo House Association, numbering as
follows:
200 numbering 1 to 200 inclusive, dated Feb. 8, 1841, 36 numbering
125 to 160 inclusive, dated Feb. 5, 1841, 36 numbering 376 to 411
inclusive, dated Feb. 10, 1841, 28 numbering 5 to 32 inclusive,
dated Feb. 6, 1841,
300 shares value $15,000.
BRIGHAM YOUNG.
{415} Afterwards I superintended the preparation of papers to settle
the Lawrence business. My brother Hyrum baptized Jonathan C. Wright and
ordained him an elder.
_Wednesday, 31_.--Called at the office and court room before breakfast
and conferred with Dr. Richards on business.
City council met at ten a.m. and gave instructions to a committee to
draft an ordinance in relation to the ferry.
Rode out in the afternoon on the prairie with Mr. Houston, the Speaker
of the House of Representatives for Missouri, Judge Sylvester Emmons,
Lawyer Marr and O. C. Skinner, and William Clayton.
At six p.m. met with the city council, when the ordinance in relation
to the ferry passed its second reading.
Signed letters of recommendation to James Brown and Peter Haws to
collect funds in Mississippi and Alabama.
Elder Brigham Young moved out of his log cabin into a new brick house,
small, but comfortable and convenient.
The steamer _Amaranth_ landed at Nauvoo the Saints who had left
Liverpool in the _Yorkshire_ under the care of Elders Thomas Bullock
and Richard Rushton, all well; and also some Saints who had left there
more recently in the _Swanton_.
News arrived that General Charles Napier gained a brilliant victory
near Hyderabad, after a dreadful combat of three hours. The Belochee
army of twenty-two thousand men were completely overthrown by
twenty-seven hundred English troops, who sustained a loss of only two
hundred and fifty killed and wounded, including eighteen officers.
Four hundred and fifty clergymen have lately seceded from the Church of
Scotland, being nearly one-half of the whole number.
{416}