THE PROPHET ON THE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF JUDGE ELIAS HIGBEE--LIFE AND
RESURRECTION--EXPLANATION Of ELECTION DAY TROUBLES--GOVERNOR FORD'S
REFUSAL TO PLAY INTO THE HANDS OF MISSOURI--ANTI-MORMON AGITATION AT
CARTHAGE--ELDER JONATHAN DUNHAM'S REPORT OF HIS WESTERN EXPLORATIONS.
_Sunday, August 13, 1843_.--I went to the stand on Sunday morning,
August 13, 1843, and preached on the death of Judge Higbee, a synopsis
of which was reported by my clerk, Dr. Willard Richards.
_The Prophet's Remarks at the Funeral of Judge Higbee_.
BRETHREN AND SISTERS, you will find these words in II Peter iii:10,
11:--"But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in
the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the
elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also and the works
that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these
things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in
all holy conversation and godliness."
I am not like other men. My mind is continually occupied with the
business of the day, and I have to depend entirely upon the living
God for every thing I say on such occasions as these.
The great thing for us to know is to comprehend what God did
institute before the foundation of the world. Who knows it? It is
the constitutional disposition of mankind to set up stakes and set
bounds to the works and ways of the Almighty.
We are called this morning to mourn the death of a just and good
man--a great and mighty man. It is a solemn idea that man has no
hope of seeing a friend after he has lost him. But I will give
you a more painful thought. It is simple; for I never design to
communicate any ideas but what are simple; for to this end I am
sent. Suppose you have an idea of a resurrection, etc., etc.,
and yet know nothing at all {530} of the gospel, nor comprehend
one principle of the order of heaven, but find yourselves
disappointed--yes, at last find yourselves disappointed in every
hope or anticipation, when the decision goes forth from the lips of
the Almighty. Would not this be a greater disappointment--a more
painful thought than annihilation?
Had I inspiration, revelation, and lungs to communicate what my
soul has contemplated in times past, there is not a soul in this
congregation but would go to their homes and shut their mouths in
everlasting silence on religion till they had learned something.
Why be so certain that you comprehend the things of God, when
all things with you are so uncertain. You are welcome to all the
knowledge and intelligence I can impart to you. I do not grudge the
world all the religion they have got: they are welcome to all the
knowledge they possess.
The sound saluted my ears--"Ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto
the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an
innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church
of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge
of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus
the Mediator of the new covenant" (Hebrews xii, 22, 23, 24). What
would it profit us to come unto the spirits of the just men, but to
learn and come up to the standard of their knowledge?
Where has Judge Higbee gone?
Who is there that would not give all his goods to feed the poor,
and pour out his gold and silver to the four winds, to go where
Judge Higbee has gone?
That which hath been hid from before the foundation of the world is
revealed to babes and sucklings in the last days.
The world is reserved unto burning in the last days. He shall
send Elijah the prophet, and he shall reveal the covenants of the
fathers in relation to the children, and the covenants of the
children in relation to the fathers.
Four destroying angels holding power over the four quarters of the
earth until the servants of God are sealed in their foreheads,
which signifies sealing the blessing upon their heads, meaning the
everlasting covenant, thereby making their calling and election
sure. When a seal is put upon the father and mother, it secures
their posterity, so that they cannot be lost, but will be saved by
virtue of the covenant of their father and mother.
To the mourners I would say--Do as the husband and the father would
instruct you, and you shall be reunited.
The speaker continued to teach the doctrine of election and
the sealing powers and principles, and spoke of the doctrine
of election with {531} the seed of Abraham, and the sealing of
blessings upon his posterity, and the sealing of the fathers and
children, according to the declarations of the prophets. He then
spoke of Judge Higbee in the world of spirits, and the blessings
which he would obtain, and of the kind spirit and disposition of
Judge Higbee while living; none of which was reported.
Remarks by President Joseph Smith, on Sunday afternoon, August 13,
1843, reported by Dr. Willard Richards:
_The Prophet's Explanation of Election Day Troubles_.
President Joseph Smith complained of the citizens of Nauvoo. He
reproved some young men for crowding on to the ladies' seats on
the meeting ground, and laughing and mocking during meeting; and,
as mayor, he instructed the marshal to keep that portion of the
grove clear of young men. "The city is enlarging very fast. We have
many professedly learned men in this city, and the height of their
knowledge is not to know enough to keep in their place."
He then complained of the treatment he had received from Walter
Bagby, the county assessor and collector, who has exercised more
despotic power over the inhabitants of the city than any despot of
the eastern country over his serfs. I met him, and he gave me some
abusive language, taking up a stone to throw at me: I seized him
by the throat to choke him off. He then spoke of Esquire Daniel H.
Wells interfering when he had no business, and of the abuses he
received at the election on the hill. They got a constable by the
name of King. I don't know what need there was of a constable. Old
Father Perry said, "Why, you can't vote in this precinct."
King took me by the collar and told me to go away. (All our wrongs
have arisen under the power and authority of Democracy; and I have
sworn that this arm shall fall from my shoulder, and this tongue
cleave to the roof of my mouth before I will vote for them,) unless
they make me satisfaction, and I feel it sensibly. I was abused
and neglected at the ground, and there was not a man in the crowd
to say, "This is Brother Joseph, or this is the Mayor." He then
spoke of the grog shops, and the disturbance of the crowd in the
street by Moeser's grocery. "I have been ferreting out grog shops,
groceries, and beer barrels. I have warned the rum and beer dealers
to be scarce after this time, and the peace officers to watch the
grog shops and give me seasonable notice of any disorder. If they
are conducted as they have been, I will rip them up."
He then sat down, but resumed--"I had forgotten one thing. We have
had certain traders in this city, who have been writing falsehoods
{532} to Missouri; and there is a certain man in this city who has
made a covenant to betray and give me up to the Missourians, and
that, too, before Governor Carlin commenced his persecutions. That
man is no other than Sidney Rigdon. This testimony I have from
gentlemen from abroad, whose names I do not wish to give.
I most solemnly proclaim the withdrawal of my fellowship from this
man, on condition that the foregoing be true; and let the Saints
proclaim it abroad, that he may no longer be acknowledged as my
counselor: and all who feel to sanction my proceedings and views
will manifest it by uplifted hands.
There was a unanimous vote that Sidney Rigdon be disfellowshiped,
and his license demanded.
The Twelve Apostles held meetings in various parts of Philadelphia.
_Monday, 14_.--Rode out at nine a.m. At home at one p.m. In the
evening, attended the funeral of Lydia Walker, who died at my house
yesterday.
I copy from the _State Register_ as follows:--
_A Post-Election Denial of Governor Ford Menacing the Citizens
of Nauvoo_.
We have seen and heard a statement that Governor Ford had delayed
making a decision upon the demand of Missouri for the militia
to arrest Joseph Smith, until after the election, so as by
intimidation to compel the Mormons to vote the Democratic ticket.
The authors of this desperate and reckless slander take counsel
from their own corrupt hearts, and judge others by a knowledge of
what they would do in like case. No doubt but that they would do
this, and more too, if necessary, to secure the success of their
party; and hence their readiness to believe evil of others.
If, however, they had been in the least degree inclined to judge
correctly, they would have gone, as we have done, to the records
of the secretary's office, where they would have ascertained that
all these suspicions were groundless, and that the governor had
actually decided not to call out the militia eleven days before the
election.
The following letters we copy from the records in the office of the
secretary of state:--
[Mentioned in the above article from the _State Register_.]
{533} _Official Documents Proving that Governor Ford Decided
not to Call out Militia to Arrest Joseph Smith Previous to Late
Election_.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, July 26, 1843.
_To his Excellency, Thomas Reynolds, Governor of Missouri_:--
Sir,--The demand of Joseph H. Reynolds, Esq., the agent appointed
by you to receive Joseph Smith, Jr., for a detachment of militia to
assist in retaking said Smith, has been duly considered by me; and
I now, at the earliest moment, after coming to a conclusion on the
subject, proceed to lay before you the result of my deliberations.
The request for a military force is declined. The reasons which
have influenced me in coming to this determination will be
furnished to you at large, as soon as I can obtain leisure to do so.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully
Your obedient servant, THOMAS FORD.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS, August 14, 1843.
_To his Excellency, Thomas Reynolds, Governor of the State of
Missouri_:
SIR,--On the 26th day of July last, I had the honor to inform
you by letter that, after full consideration, I had come to the
conclusion to decline ordering out a detachment of the militia to
assist in retaking Joseph Smith, Jr., who was said to have escaped
from the custody of the Missouri agent; and in that letter I
engaged to furnish you with my reasons at large for coming to that
determination.
It appears that an indictment was found, at a special term of the
Daviess Circuit Court, Missouri, held on the 5th day of June last,
against Smith for treason. Upon this indictment, the governor
of Missouri issued a requisition to the governor of this state,
demanding the arrest and delivery of Smith. A writ was thereupon
duly issued by me for the apprehension and delivery of Smith
as demanded. This writ was put into the hands of an officer of
this state to be executed. The officer to whom it was directed
immediately arrested Smith, and delivered him to Joseph H.
Reynolds, the agent of Missouri, appointed to receive him. The writ
has been returned to me as having been fully executed.
After Smith was delivered into the hands of Mr. Joseph H. Reynolds,
it is alleged that he was rescued from his custody by the Municipal
Court of the city of Nauvoo.
Affidavits on both sides of the question have been filed before me,
and I also have additional information on the subject contained in
a report of Mr. Brayman, Esq., a special agent appointed by myself
to investigate and collect facts in relation to the whole matter.
{534} The undisputed facts of the case are, that Smith was arrested
near Dixon, in Lee county. He was immediately delivered over to Mr.
Reynolds. Smith immediately brought an action against Mr. Reynolds
for false imprisonment, and held him to bail in the sum of $400.
Mr. Reynolds being in a strange country and unable to give bail,
was taken into custody by the sheriff of Lee county and held as a
prisoner, whilst Reynolds held Smith as his prisoner.
The parties finally concluded to get out writ of habeas corpus,
and try the legality of the imprisonment in each case. The writs
were accordingly issued, returnable before the nearest judicial
tribunal in the circuit in which Quincy is situated; and thereupon
all parties proceeded in the direction of Quincy, Smith being in
the custody of Reynolds, and Reynolds himself in the custody of the
sheriff of Lee county.
On the road, during their progress, they were met by parties of
the citizens of Nauvoo, some or most of whom are said to have been
members of the Nauvoo Legion, though there is no evidence that they
appeared in a military capacity. There was no exhibition of arms of
any description, nor was there any military or warlike array, nor
was there any actual force used, though Mr. Reynolds testifies that
he felt under constraint, and that Smith, soon after meeting the
first parties of Mormons, enlarged himself from his custody.
Mr. Reynolds also testifies (and there can be no doubt of the fact)
that he was taken to Nauvoo against his will.
But whether he was taken there by the command of Smith and his
friends, or by the voluntary act of the sheriff of Lee county, who
had him in custody, does not appear by any testimony furnished by
Mr. Reynolds. The affidavit of the sheriff has not been obtained,
though there is an evidence on the other side to show that the
sheriff of Lee county voluntarily carried Mr. Reynolds to the city
of Nauvoo, without any coercion on the part of any one.
After arriving at Nauvoo, a writ of habeas corpus was issued by the
Municipal Court of that city, and Mr. Reynolds was compelled by the
authority of the court to produce Mr. Smith before that tribunal.
After hearing the case, the court discharged Smith from arrest.
There is much other evidence submitted; but the foregoing is the
material part of it to be considered on the present occasion.
Now, sir, I might safely rest my refusal to order a detachment of
militia to assist in retaking Smith upon the ground that the laws
of this state have been fully exercised in the matter. A writ has
been issued for his apprehension. Smith was apprehended and was
duly delivered by the officer of this state to the agent of the
state of Missouri appointed to receive him. No process, officer,
or authority of this state _has been resisted_ or interfered with.
I have fully executed the duty which the {535} laws impose on me,
and have not been resisted either in the writ issued for the arrest
of Smith or in the person of the officer appointed to apprehend
him. If there has been any resistance to any one, it has been to
the officer of Missouri, after Smith came to his custody; and
everything had been done on my part which the law warranted me in
doing.
Another objection to ordering a detachment of militia, arises out
of the militia laws of this state, the forty-third section of which
is as follows:--
"Whenever it may be necessary to call into actual service any part
of the militia of this state, on a requisition by the executive
of the United States, on an actual or threatened invasion of this
state, or any of the neighboring states or territories of the
United States, the commander-in-chief shall forthwith demand from
each division a detachment in proportion to the strength thereof,
except as hereinafter excepted, which order shall be delivered
by a special messenger to the several commandants of divisions,
specifying the number demanded from each division, the time and
place of rendezvous, if ordered to march; and if the same be
detached under any particular act of the United States, to endorse
the same on such order: Provided that whenever the safety of any
of the frontier settlements in this state shall, in the opinion
of the governor, require it, he may exempt the militia in such
settlements from being called into service, and make such further
provision for the defense as the necessity of the case may require;
which exemption shall be expressed in his orders to commandants
of the divisions, who, together with the commandants of brigades,
regiments, battalions, and companies, shall govern themselves
accordingly. And provided, also, that such militia men may be
required to serve as spies on their own frontiers; and that, on
actual invasion _or any extreme emergency_, the commander-in-chief,
commandants of divisions, brigades, battalions, and companies, may
call on the whole or any part of the militia under their respective
commands, as the nature of the case may require; who shall continue
in service, if necessary, until the militia can be regularly called
out."
The governor has no other authority, in calling out the militia,
than that which is contained in this section; by which it appears
that there must be either a requisition from the president, an
actual or threatened invasion, or some extreme emergency, to
warrant the governor in exercising this power. No one of these
contingencies has arisen. There has been no requisition from the
president; there has been no actual or threatened invasion of the
state; nor is this such an extreme emergency as is contemplated by
the law.
If we allow that force was exhibited and threatened to compel your
agent to carry his prisoner before the municipal court of Nauvoo,
that {536} the court there took cognizance of the cause without
jurisdiction and against the consent of your agent, it would amount
at most to a riot; and to a resistance of authority in a single
case, and that, too, under color of law and legal process. To
constitute an extreme emergency, so as to justify a call for the
militia, there ought, in my opinion, to be something more than a
mere illegal act--something more than a design to resist the law in
a single instance. The design ought to be general, as in treason,
rebellion, or insurrection; in which cases a universality of design
is essential to constitute the offense.
If a person resist a constable or sheriff, or other officer charged
with the execution of process, with an intention to resist the law
in that particular instance, such an act is a misdemeanor at most,
is indictable as such, and may be met by the _posse comitatus_. But
something more than a mere misdemeanor must have been contemplated
by the law. It would seem to me that it could never have been
intended that the governor should call out the militia in every
case, where a constable or sheriff may be resisted; and even in a
case of a riotous resistance it would not be an extreme emergency
without some military array, some warlike show, or some threatened
resistance to the government itself.
In this case, there has been no warlike array in the proceedings of
Smith and his friends, no exhibition of arms, and no actual force
of an illegal character. Mr. Reynolds was not subjected to illegal
imprisonment. He was arrested on lawful process; and although that
process may have been wrongfully obtained, yet his arrest was
not riotous or unlawful, but according to the forms of law. Mr.
Reynolds continued in the custody of the sheriff, by virtue of that
process, until he was taken to Nauvoo; and although he was taken
to that city against his will, and was by that means compelled to
take his prisoner there, yet was he taken by lawful process, by an
authorized officer who acted, so far as I have any evidence, freely
and voluntarily, in so doing. In no one aspect of the case can I
consider the present an extreme emergency, warranting a call for
the militia according to the provisions of law in this state.
Thus, sir, I have stated to you the principal reasons which have
influenced me in refusing to order a call of the militia. To my
mind they are entirely satisfactory, and I hope they will meet with
the approval of your Excellency and the citizens of Missouri.
I have the honor to be Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
THOMAS FORD.
_Tuesday, 15_.--Went in the evening to see Mr. La Forest exhibit feats
of strength.
{537} _Wednesday, 16_.--At ten a.m., attended the funeral of General
James Adams, who was buried with Masonic honors.
I sent Sidney Rigdon's affidavit to Governor Ford.
_Thursday, 17_.--I held mayor's court through the day, and tried
several suits.
Elders Parley P. Pratt and Orson Hyde started from Nauvoo for Boston,
_via_ Chicago.
Elder J. M. Grant wrote me a letter reporting the church in
Philadelphia to be in a prosperous condition.
_Friday, 18_.--Conversed with Mr. Swartout, of Quincy, and bought from
him thirteen quarter-sections of land. Visited the lumber yard.
Elders Young and Kimball visited Mount Holly, New Jersey.
_Saturday, 19_.--_"Great Meeting of Anti-Mormons!"_ At a public meeting
of the citizens of Hancock county, without distinction of party, held
at the Court House in Carthage, in pursuance of previous notice, on
Saturday, the 19th of August, A.D. 1843.
_Anti-Mormon Meeting at Carthage_.
Major Reuben Graves was called to the chair, and William D.
Abernethy appointed secretary. The object of the meeting was then
stated by Valentine Wilson in an animated address. The meeting was
afterwards addressed by Walter Bagby and also by Hiram Boyle, of
Adams county.
On motion of F. J. Bartlett, a committee of nine was appointed by
the chair to draft and report resolutions for the action of the
meeting.
F. J. Bartlett, Walter Bagby, Valentine Wilson, G. M. Swope, R. T.
Madison, J. A. Beebe, John Wilson, Henry Hunter, and John Cameron
were appointed that committee.
After a short absence the committee submitted the following:
REPORT.
Your committee respectfully requests to be excused from making a
formal report at this time, owing to the short time allowed them
and the importance of the business that has called us together,
and ask to be discharged from further duties and recommend that
a committee of six be appointed to draft resolutions and make a
report to an adjourned meeting.
{538} Whereupon the following gentlemen were appointed to compose
that committee,--viz.:
Walter Bagby, F. J. Bartlett, Stephen Owen, Stephen H. Tyler,
Valentine Wilson and Joel Weston.
The meeting then adjourned to meet again at this place on the 6th
of September next, at one o'clock p.m.
REUBEN GRAVES, Chairman. W. D. ABERNETHY, Secretary.
_Sunday, 20_.--I was at home all day. My brother Hyrum preached at the
stand, and Sidney Rigdon read a copy of a letter to show the people
that he was not guilty of treachery.
_Monday, 21_.--I received a letter from Mr. Patrick, covering one from
Mr. J. Hall, of Independence, Missouri, breathing hard things against
us as a people. I gave instructions to have them copied with some
additional remarks, and sent to Governor Ford. The following is a copy
of the letter, with the comments of the _Neighbor_ thereon.
_Letter of J. Hall, Missouri, on the Recent Arrest and Trial of
the Prophet_.
INDEPENDENCE, MO., July 23, 1843.
MY DEAR OLD FRIEND:--Your letter dated on the 12th, and mailed on
the 14th instant, is just at hand; and not being able to answer
your questions correctly or advise you judicially, in relation
to the Rockwell case until after I see him and some other of my
friends, I will postpone that part of this letter until tomorrow,
and in the meantime will say such things as I can write about
without much reflection.
Sheriff Reynolds, upon his return gave me his compliments from you
and for the first time I learned that you resided in Illinois. He
also gave a narrative of his adventures in your state, which was
anything but favorable, either to the reputation of your people
or yourself, as a law abiding people or a profound or honest
lawyer. Certainly there can be but little virtue in the community,
and little honesty in the officers or the law, who will trample
upon the forms of justice, the laws of the country and bid open
defiance to both in the manner that Sheriff Reynolds informs us
that you acted with him, after his arrest of the Mormon Prophet.
That the state courts have a right upon a writ of habeas corpus to
investigate the legality of all imprisonment within {539} their
respective chartered limits, whether such imprisonment is by the
authority of the United States or of a state, no sound lawyer,
perhaps, will doubt; but it is equally certain that no court upon
such a writ has any right to go beyond the forms and the _prima
facia_ evidence of the case. If the officers of courts and the
community are so corrupt as to disregard their own laws and trample
them under their feet, and liberate their criminals in defiance
of law, then it appears to me that the power of self government
is extinct; if Illinois by her own authority, cannot capture the
prophet, it will be but a small matter to raise volunteers enough
here to raze the city of Nauvoo to the ground; if Illinois fails
to deliver up Jo Smith, there will be something serious between
the two states. Missouri will have Jo Smith for trial or impose
as powerful restrictions as the Constitution will allow upon
the intercourse of the citizens of Illinois in Missouri. If the
governor of Illinois is so imbecile as to allow his warrant to
be disregarded by the Mormons, and permit the Prophet to go at
large, then let him be impeached, and a new, honorable, energetic
man be placed in his stead. I have it from a high source that
Missouri will hold the whole state responsible for the treatment
of our messenger, and for the delivery of the Prophet. Had you
liberated the Prophet by a regular writ of habeas corpus without
mistreating our Reynolds, I should have gloried in my acquaintance
with you; but to have done it in the manner it was done reflects
no honor either on yourself, your people, or your government. The
Mormons are only a lawless banditti, and I fear the pestilence
has contaminated the whole community; and if Reynolds' opinion be
correct, yourself among the rest, Holy Jo was not afraid of the
"injustice of our people;" it is the just punishment and their
violated laws that he fears.
I will now give you an impartial opinion of the prejudices against
Rockwell here, and my opinion of his guilt. There is not a man
in this community but believes him guilty. There is a chain of
circumstances against him so strong that no rational man can doubt
his guilt. I was at Boggs' house two minutes after the deed; it
is in sight of mine; and the insidiousness of the offense renders
it difficult to restrain the citizens from hanging him up without
judge or jury. So far, however, we have succeeded in quelling it;
but should he be discharged upon trial, the power of man cannot
save him. (More tomorrow.)
J. HALL.
_Editorial Comments of the "Nauvoo Neighbor" on the Foregoing
Letter_.[A]
[Footnote A: The editorial is by John Taylor.]
The foregoing letter was sent from J. Hall, of Independence,
Missouri, to a respectable lawyer of Dixon, Illinois, and by him
with an explanatory {540} letter enclosed and forwarded to General
Smith of this city; and after retaining copies, it was thought
advisable to forward both the originals to Governor Ford for his
consideration. By this proceeding it is not to be understood that
the citizens of Nauvoo fear that "_volunteers from Missouri will
raze Nauvoo to the ground_." There is too much honor and patriotism
in Illinois to allow such a barbarous and disgraceful transaction;
but it was done to apprize his Excellency of the mode and manner
of doing business in cases of emergency in Missouri, and to show
his Excellency how much responsibility he and the state were under
in case the Prophet should not be delivered up on the requisition
of Missouri, where, according to the nicest calculations of the
famous lawyer Hall, taking Rockwell's case for a sample, if he were
discharged upon his trial, "_the power of man could not save him_!"
As to the non-intercourse, or _"restrictions"_ which Missouri may
assume or _inflict_ over the citizens of Illinois, we have nothing
to say. The Latter-day Saints have seen Boggs' signature to such a
bill as that and many know the penalty.
There is little need of comment on Mr. Hall's famous letter; for to
us it seems to be of itself a _comment_ that makes honesty, virtue
and common sense blush, and law, liberty and republicism shudder!
We appeal to the liberal-minded and proud-hearted Americans,
whether such a spot upon the withering character of Missouri could
be removed, any more than an African could be washed white, or
a wolf be possessed of the innocence of a lamb, unless the Lord
interfered.
Talk of justice in Missouri! You might as well make a burning
limekiln or coal-pit an ice-house or hospital! The ice would melt
and the sick would suffocate, _the power of man could not save
them_! No wonder a negro could be burned alive in Missouri! No
wonder a criminal could be taken out of jail and murdered while
the sheriff held a respite in his hand, in Missouri; and no wonder
that a Mormon will not risk his life in Missouri; _the power of man
could not save him_, even if discharged by what is styled _a court
of justice_.
To glance at the whole without recurring to the many crimes of
the people of the state, officially or unofficially, whether it
be feeding prisoners on _human flesh_, or taking them out of jail
and _lynching_ them without mercy, to help justice beforehand, or
whether it be Boggs' exterminating order or even the present hint
at _restriction_ and assumption of _responsibility_, we are apt to
believe that the good sense and virtue of the citizens of Illinois
in general and the Mormons _especially_ like the _old experienced
rat will shun Missouri as a whitened heap under which there is
mischief concealed_.
Rode out with Mr. Moore. In the afternoon held mayor's {541}court, and
tried Frederick J. Moeser for breach of temperance ordinance. Fined him
$3 and costs.
Mary Ann Young, daughter of Elder Brigham Young, died, aged six years
and eight months, of dropsy around the heart.
Elders Brigham Young, Heber C. Kimball and George A. Smith arrived in
New York.
_Tuesday, 22_.--Held mayor's court, and fined Stephen Wilkinson for
selling spirits without a license.
We constantly hear rumors that the people of Carthage are determined to
raise a mob to drive the Mormons out of the state.
My brother Hyrum has gone to Plymouth.
_Wednesday, 23_.--I attended mayor's court and tried several suits.
Sent George J. Adams to Augusta to procure some articles for the temple.
Elders Orson Pratt and Wilford Woodruff arrived in New York,
accompanied by Elders Jedediah M. Grant and James Sloan.
_Thursday, 24_.--Engaged in land business, selling and making titles of
land and settling with several individuals.
_Friday, 25_.--My brother Hyrum in the office, conversing with me about
the new revelation upon celestial marriage.
Rain in gentle showers through the day, being the first of any amount
that has fallen in Nauvoo since the 1st of June. The earth has been
exceedingly dry, and the early potatoes nearly destroyed. Corn has been
stunted in its growth and even vines much injured by the drouth.
_Saturday, 26_.--Six hundred houses destroyed by fire in Kingston,
Jamaica; estimated damage, $1,500,000.
The U.S. Steam frigate _Missouri_ destroyed by fire.
Elder Jonathan Dunham returned from his exploring excursion west. The
following is extracted from his journal:
{542} _Extracts from Journal of Elder Jonathan Dunham while
Engaged on an Exploration in the Western Country_.[B]
[Footnote B: See this volume, page 509.]
_Saturday, July 16, 1843_.--Stayed all day at Zarahemla; all night
at Mr. Hawley's.
_Sunday, 17_.--Miss Daniels finished my tent, &c. Left Hawley's at
twelve o'clock, went fifteen miles and camped for the night. In the
morning our horses were gone; we hunted for them some time before
we found them.
_18th July_.--Left the camp at seven o'clock; traveled all day;
came within sixteen miles of the agency. Camped on the prairie.
_Tuesday, 19_.--Left the camp at six o'clock; passed the agent's
house, half-past twelve. Came to Sugar Grove creek; stopped, rested
our horses, took dinner, &c., at two o'clock p.m.; stopped at dark
on Mesquito creek, and stayed all night.
_Wednesday, 20_.--Started at six o'clock; traveled thirty miles;
fell in with the Sac Indians, who had been to the old Sac village
after corn. At night they got drunk and fought. We encamped at
dark, and stayed all night in the timber, on a bluff bank of the
Des Moines river.
Started late in the morning of Thursday, 21st. We traveled until
twelve o'clock: stopped in the round flat of the Des Moines
river (here another drunken Indian frolic which lasted all the
afternoon); left the ground at half-past two p.m. and went thirteen
miles; came within twenty miles of the garrison troops, or Sac
settlement, and encamped on the edge of the prairie.
_Friday, 22nd July_.--Left for the Sac village; at noon we got
parted from each other, and the Indians got drunk and quarreled;
and Captain Joe would not go any further. He lay down, was mad, and
I could not get him to go. So I left him and went towards the Sac
village. Stayed all night at the trading house.
_Saturday morning, 23rd July_.--Came to the Sac village, and waited
for Captain Joe to arrive with his party.
_Sunday, 24_.--Stayed at the Sac waiting for my pilot, who was sick
and lame in one knee, so that he could not travel.
_Monday, 25_.--This morning at Wapamuneto's; stayed until noon of
Tuesday, 26th; then Neotanah, my guide came, and we started off
immediately for Missouri; stayed on the prairie all night.
_Wednesday, 27_.--Traveled until noon; baited our horses; no water;
we had nothing to eat; continued our journey; it rained all the
afternoon; stayed all the night in the prairie; lay in the wet
grass.
_Thursday, 28_.--Started on our journey this morning early. Saw in
{543} the forenoon a herd of elk. The Indian went up the hollow
to shoot one, while I held the horses out of sight of the elk. He
crawled in the grass some fifty or sixty rods, and snapped four
times at them when they were lying down; he could not get his gun
off. The elk ran off a rifle shot and looked at him. He broke his
gun to pieces on the ground and threw it away down the hill, and
came back to me swearing mad. Went on until three o'clock, then
baited our horses and prepared for a shower that was apparently
nigh at hand. We went until sundown, then pitched our tents in
the grass; and such rain and thunder and lightning I never before
witnessed. Lay all night in the rain. Our tent blew over.
_Friday, 29th July_.--We dried our things by the fire, and
then went on about twenty-five miles; came to a village of the
Pottawatamies about sunset: found nobody at home; went into the
house of my guide; his wife was dead, and his son and wife gone to
the north on a buffalo hunt. We made a fire, and got something to
eat. Late in the night there came four Indians and one old squaw;
they brought some jerked venison and some half-boiled corn.
_Saturday morning, 30th July_.--We were sent for to the chief's
house. We went. The Indians, squaws and children came from every
quarter to see the man that had come with Neotanah. Breakfast was
ready for us as soon as we came in. This was the first time that
I ever ate at a wigwam amongst little and great, when the victuals
relished as it did at this time; but this is easily accounted for:
hunger will make anything that is eatable taste good. Stayed all
day at the chief's house. My rifle seemed to be the great wonder
amongst all Indians and squaws; it went the rounds, from one to
another, as if it had been one of the seven wonders of the world.
This Indian town stands on the creek called the Pottawatamie
Tour-se-pas. This creek is from three to eight rods wide, is deep,
and often flows its banks. Its length is sixty miles and it enters
into the Missouri river, thirty miles from Pottawatamie town.
_Sunday, 31_.--Nothing this day transpired worth mentioning. About
three o'clock p.m. a delegate from the Pottwatamie tribe returned
from Iowa river, where he met in council with two of the Sioux
and one Winnebago. He said the distance from the Pottawatamies to
Galena is five hundred miles.
_Monday, 1st August, 1843_.--This day I spent in looking up the
creek for a mill seat, and found one and two beds of iron ore.
_Tuesday, 2_.--This morning the chief of the warriors brought me
two cat fish, and left them in the wik-a-up where I stayed. I
cooked half of one of them, and it eat very good. The Indians all
are very kind to me, more so than I could expect. This tribe is
somewhat scattered, {544} through the timber up and down the creek;
but the main village or town stands on an eminence that overlooks
the whole of the rest of the Indian habitations. It appears to be
a healthy habitation. The water is good and the climate wholesome.
Some considerable timber, though no very great sawing timber,
except bass wood, black walnut, some cottonwood. This tribe have
been here for six years from Rock river.
The Pottawatamies this side of the Missouri river, they say, will
number 2,000 men, women and children. Thirty-four miles from the
Pottawatamie town to the Council Bluffs, 200 miles south lies
Fort Leavenworth; and about the same distance southeast lies Far
West. One hundred miles north is a buffalo country, where the
Pottawatamies hunt and catch buffalo.
_Wednesday, August 3_.--Council met at two o'clock. They own five
millions of acres of land. Last annuities, the number was 1,552
souls. Council arose at sunset, when the decision was made that
Neotanah should conduct me back again to the agency in Iowa, on the
nearest and most convenient route. The head chief was to conduct
me home; but in council a messenger arrived and brought news that
the superintendent of the annuities had arrived at the garrison,
Leavenworth, and the middle of August he would visit the chiefs at
Council Bluffs to pay them their money. Be said he was very sorry
that he could not conduct me to Nauvoo; he wanted to see the place
and the people. The interpreter appeared very friendly indeed, and
regretted much that he could not go with me home; but said he would
visit Nauvoo in the spring, as early as the weather and streams of
water would permit.
_Thursday, 4_.--This morning I discovered a little dissatisfaction
in some, which began to cause a division, that the same Indian that
conducted me to their nation should conduct me back again.
The Pawnees on the head of the Big Platte, 150 miles from Council
Bluffs.
About the 7th of July, (1843) the Sacs, 600 men, came against the
Pawnees, 160. They fought from daylight until noon, killed sixty
Sioux and about sixty-two of the Pawnees. The missionary went upon
the bluff and saw the battle. They offered no abuse to the whites.
_Friday, 5_.--Nothing of note passed.
_Saturday, 6_.--This day I took dinner with a friend, who had just
come from the buffalo hunt. His daughter cooked a johnny cake and
got some tea; had sugar a plenty, and buffalo meat. This, for the
first time that I had seen any corn meal, was pounded in a mortar,
and the finest sorted out and baked; but the manner in which it was
wet up and shortened was a caution to the hogs. But this all passed
over very well. I have no reason to complain, for they did the best
they knew {545} how. Severe hunger made all things relish well that
was eatable for dogs.
_Sunday, 7_.--Went down the creek to make some arrangements about
returning home. Saw some new Indians, and had to go and dine with
them; then, after dinner, went up town and stayed all night.
_Monday, 8_.--Went about eight or ten miles after wild honey; found
two trees, got the honey, and returned home by dark the same day.
_Tuesday, 9_.--This morning had breakfast of honey, and buffalo
meat dried and smoked; then, in about one hour and a half, boiled
corn and elk bone broth was served up. This was a great dish
amongst the Lamanites; but not so good a dish for me as I have seen
in past days in my own land and amongst my own people.
On the 8th instant a great feast was held at the Black Chief's,
called the buffalo feast, or after the buffalo hunt was over; and
all returned in safety and all their labors crowned with success.
An address was delivered by a subordinate speaker because the chief
was very ill. This address or sermon was lengthy and delivered
in great oratorical style. At the end of the last sentence the
congregation responded a loud amen; then they commenced eating
as the feast was prepared already. After the feast the singers
commenced to sing, and sang three songs, the dances commenced at
a loud whoop from the war chief. After dancing was passed off the
priest offered up a prayer to the Great Spirit for giving them good
hunting. The congregation then dispersed.
_Wednesday, 10_.--Another feast was prepared for the lower town,
who were absent at the first feast. This last feast held all night,
or the dance continued all night.
_Thursday, 11_.--I went to the lower town and visited them: they
also were very friendly. The town is situated on the east bank of
the river, about three miles below the middle town, and the middle
town about one mile below the upper town. The head chief lives in
the middle town and one chief in each of the other towns.
_Friday, 12_.--All was still and quiet, nothing going on worthy of
notice; all busy about their employment. The old men were lying on
their couches and smoking their pipes; the old women were making
sacks in which to gather their corn and beans and potatoes: the
young women were making mats to sleep on and weaving wampum belts
for the warriors; the young men were constantly riding from town to
town visiting and playing cards and gambling continually after the
return from their buffalo hunt, which lasted fourteen days.
When a hunter rides out for elk or deer, and returns with the
spoils, he rides to the door of his wigwam, where he finds his
wife sitting at work, and a kettle of corn and beans and a little
buffalo meat {546} or bones broken, or elk meat, all ready for him.
If not quite done, she steps to the next door and returns with his
wooden bowl and ladle full. The Indian throws off at the door his
meat in a great hurry, unharnesses his horse, lies down on some
skins or blankets and eats his food prepared for him, enough for
four white men.
The meat is left in charge with the squaw. He has no more care of
it. He has done his part in getting the meat and bringing it to his
house. The squaws then prepare and dry or smoke the meat. This they
call jerking the meat, so that it will not spoil. Meat prepared
this way is dried in the blood, and will keep year after year if
not eaten before. Nothing of notice occurred through the day.
I spent the forenoon in the town. In the afternoon I went to see
the Indian who was appointed by the council to conduct me home. He
was gone to the lower town on a drunken frolic. I stayed until he
came home, which was a little before sunset. I then returned to my
place of lodging. Soon after I had got to bed or laid down upon my
blanket, I heard the beating of a drum. An Indian came in, or came
to the door and said that we must all attend the feast or dance.
At an instant each one caught a bowl and ladle, and ran for the
place of gathering. I went with the crowd, though not equipped.
I had no bowl or ladle, but was made welcome as though I was an
Indian with the rest. A place was prepared for me to sit or lie
down as I chose; and as they all lay down, I laid down with the
rest, between two large warriors, who soon commenced smoking their
pipes. The music was continually playing. After smoking was past,
the war chief began to dance, and was followed by his braves with
a hideous yell as each fell into the dance. They passed around the
room three or four times, and then they were joined by the squaws.
They all and each one performed their parts well that was assigned
them, from the least to the greatest; and I think better time kept
by those that danced I never saw before. All was solemn and silent
as though they were going to be burnt at the stake,--except, when
the chief gave the whoop, they all answered with a yell that would
reach the very heavens. This dance continued about one hour while
the supper was preparing. They then all took supper; and after
supper, commenced dancing again as usual. This performance lasted
until about three o'clock in the morning when all went quietly to
their homes.
The next morning, the chief sent for me to take breakfast with him.
I immediately went. The two little girls were cooking, frying flour
pancakes. The chief's wife was busily engaged attending on her sick
child in s small booth built for that purpose out at the door.
These cakes above mentioned, fried by those little girls, were just
scorched {547} a little on either side, and the middle was dough.
As it was those cakes and sweetened water was a good breakfast.
_Saturday morning, 13_.--This morning the chief told me that in
consequence of being used in the manner I was, in coming to visit
them, they had come to the conclusion that they would not let
the same Indian go back with me that came with me, and that they
had selected in the first council, but after more investigation,
they concluded to make a new selection of men that would be more
respectable and could do honor to their nation, and have authority
to act for the tribe; and it would be satisfactory to the whole
nation, as the nation was much displeased with the conduct of
Neotanah, and in council gave him a severe flogging, and said that
he was not fit to go anywhere amongst the whites. They seemed to
express much regret and feeling of sorrow that I had received such
treatment from one that pretended to be a friend and an honorable
man of the Pottawatomies, for they consider themselves honorable
men.
While I now write, I have seven of the most honorable in the tribe
around me--the head chief and his counselors. One of them is aged,
his head is silvered o'er with age; while in his prime none could
endure more fatigue, none whose constitution was stronger than
his: but now he says, he is soon to go and shake hands with the
great Shaminyto (that is, God) that had made him, and had given him
strength to hunt, and in war to fight his enemies. Here the old
man would show the wounds received in battle, in fighting for his
nation, his wife and little ones. He said he had never fought but
on the defensive. Ninety-eight years, as near as he can remember,
he has seen; and now, he says, he wants to know how the Mormons
worship the great Shaminyto different from what he did; if the best
way, he wanted to get into it before he went on his journey to see
the great Shaminyto.
_Sunday, 14_.--There is no day known amongst these Indians. Every
day is alike unto them. They have no day of the month, neither day
of the week. All things move on one day after another. They count
their months by moons, and twelve moons make a year. They can tell
how many years they have lived in the west, and most of them can
tell how old they are, &c.
_Monday, 15_.--This morning the Indians arrived from Missouri,
and brought an interpreter, and one to go to the East or to the
Mississippi, to conduct me home and to see the big chief. Council
is to sit at nine o'clock this morning; but in consequence of
the head chief's child to be buried this morning, council will
be called immediately after dinner. The afternoon was spent in
business matters, writing, preparing for the journey to Nauvoo.
{548} _Tuesday, 16_.--This morning I went to see a squaw that was
bitten last night by a rattlesnake twice upon the top of her left
foot. She was in great pain all night, her foot and leg very much
swollen. In the afternoon the Indians all met for worship and to
prepare for drawing the blankets and money. They were as merry as
bees in a hive, old and young, from the grey head to the suckling
on a board. They had their meeting until one o'clock in the
morning. Danced and prayed and preached some.
_Wednesday, 17_.--They commenced again the worship about sunrise,
dressed in the richest and best style possible, except some few
who were employed in cooking for the rest. Here I will notice
that the most profound silence and good order that I ever saw
in any congregation whatever, small or great, was observed. All
that is wanting to make them the happiest people in the world is
the Gospel, a perfect knowledge of it, and to feel its power.
Their sectarian creeds and ceremonies would go to the moles and
bats soon. Although they labor with as much energy of body and
mind, and have as much zeal as the shaking Quakers, yet it is
heathen worship, like all other sectarian societies. Their idea
of the Supreme Being is much more consistent than many of the
holy enlightened sectarians; for the Indians believe in the Great
Shaminyto as having body and parts like unto a man.
_Thursday, 18_.--This morning, we started for Nauvoo. A long
and tedious journey to perform lay before us. We had no compass
to steer our course by: the sun rising in the morning was our
principal guide. Our course was due east. This course we intended
to follow as near as we could.
The place we left, Belle Vue, or Mosquito Creek, is in the same
latitude as Nauvoo. Therefore on our return, our course must be
east; and this direction we followed until we came to the Keosoqua,
on the Des Moines river. We traveled fifteen miles unto another
Indian village, stayed all night; and in the morning a council was
called, and we stayed all day.
_Friday, 19_.--At the village we got some provisions cooked, and
the chief's brother was sent as a delegate from the band. Our
company now consisted of four Indians, one squaw, one interpreter,
and myself, seven in number. The interpreter was a white man, half
English and half French, formerly from Canada; and since the last
war has lived with the Pottawatamies; married a squaw, sister to
the chief where we now are. We came to the conclusion to stay all
day on Friday, because two of our horses went back to where we
first started.
_Saturday, 20th of August_.--Left the village at ten o'clock.
Traveled all day until dark. Encamped on the battle-ground where
the Sioux and Pottawattamies and sixteen of the Oneidas fought. I
took up {549} one of their blankets to ride on. We started this
morning as soon as it was light enough to see to follow the trail.
_Sunday, 21_.--Came to the Naama river, or creek, at twelve
o'clock. Stopped and took dinner on a high bank. On this stream,
on either side, is a quantity of timber. Where we crossed is a
beautiful mill seat, &c. Traveled until dark, and encamped in the
weeds all night.
_Monday, 22_.--We started at daybreak; went until twelve o'clock;
stopped on the east bank of White Breast Creek and took dinner.
Here we found plenty of red plums, though not fully ripe; but my
comrades dined heartily upon them. This was a good hit for me: when
we came to eat dinner they could eat but little. By this means I
made out to get nearly enough to satisfy hunger, for I had eaten
nothing since the night before. We passed on until we came to
English creek. Stayed all night.
_Tuesday, 23_.--Started about sunrise without breakfast. Traveled
until two o'clock. Crossed the Des Moines river at Eddyville. There
I bought a loaf of wheat bread, a loaf of sweet cake and an apple
pie, and went up on the side hill to the Indian Spring, and there
we all took dinner. And this was a dinner indeed, good enough for
the king. I thought the best that I ever ate in may life; but being
so extremely hungry, it was delicious, &c. Came ten miles; stayed
all night at Mosquito creek; got two ears of green corn apiece and
roasted them.
_Wednesday, 24_.--This morning we started at day-light, then
ten miles from the old agency of the Sacs and Fox. We traveled
twenty-five miles beyond the agency, which made thirty-five miles,
then encamped for the night. Here we bought some bacon and half a
loaf of warm wheat bread.
_Thursday, 25_.--This morning some rain and showery. We took a
bite and then started for Nauvoo city; traveled until sunset, then
camped in the woods about twelve miles from Nauvoo. We killed one
grey squirrel, and eat a little dry buffalo meat, and lay down in
the rain all night.
In the morning we got a few potatoes and boiled them. I killed two
grey squirrels and the squaw burned off the hair and boiled them.
_Friday, 26_.--We traveled all day in the rain, and at night
reached the Mississippi river, and encamped on the bank, above the
Potter house.
_I have seen much delightful country, but the prospect for bee
hunting is not as good as I could wish_.
[N. B. The names of places and distances were procured from the
Indians and are not accurate.]
_August 27_.--The Quorum of the Twelve met with {550} the Saints in the
Columbian Hall, Grand Street, New York, in conference.
_Minutes of a Meeting of the Twelve in New York City_.
Meeting opened by prayer.
President Young arose and addressed the meeting in an interesting
manner upon the subject of the gathering, the building of the
Nauvoo House and Temple. He spoke of the Priesthood, and said that
it was a perfect system of government.
In the afternoon the conference reassembled; and Elder Kimball
spoke in parables--Gather in the wheat and the tares, thrash the
wheat and the mill will blow away the chaff. He said an elder could
get a people together and could get them to receive the work, if
he did not whip the sects so much. He compared such elders to a
shepherd who would call up a buck and a flock of sheep and hand
them a little salt; and just as they begin to eat, hit him with a
club across the head, and the sheep will run away.
Elder George A. Smith followed and bore testimony of the work.
Spoke of the elders spending their time in speaking about mysteries
and speculating about things beyond the grave which they did not
understand. Advised them to wait till God revealed hidden mysteries
to them before they undertook to preach them to the people. * * *
* Elder Smith counseled the elders to be wise enough to let such
things alone, in other words to tell the good things of the kingdom
which we have received and do understand, and wait patiently until
the Lord takes off the veil of darkness. He spoke of the collegiate
education he received from President Joseph Smith which was to
preach short sermons and make short prayers, which had done him
much good in life.
President Brigham Young said the scriptures had been mystified to
that degree that the greatest divines of the day are as ignorant
as the dumb ass concerning the things of God; comparatively they
don't know their right hand from their left. We try to revere
the scriptures and to make them so simple that the people can
understand them. Place a man in this room who is ignorant of
science, and take everything out that he can see and then ask him
if there is anything in the room. He will say, No, only we two. I
tell him there are millions of live animals in the room--that we
even breath them; and I will show him by the aid of the microscope
that there are live animals in a drop of water, which appear to be
eight feet long; but he won't believe it until he sees it through
the magnifying glass. So with the unbeliever in revelation. He does
not believe in God, in angels or in spirits, because he cannot
{551} see them; but let him have spiritual glasses, or obey the
commandments of God, get the Spirit of God, and then he can see the
truth.
A hymn was then sung.
Then several questions were asked as follows:
1. Can any officer in any branch of the Church say that his word is
law and shall be obeyed?
Answer: He can say that his word is law; but does that make it so?
Yes, if he has the law of God and delivers it: otherwise it is not.
2. Is it right for a priest to be appointed to accompany a teacher
to the house of each member, when his duty is set forth in the
Covenants?
Answer: Yes, any officer from a high priest to a deacon may visit
the Church or members, and be set apart for this purpose, if the
Church will receive it.
3. Can a branch of the Church make by-laws on the principle of
expediency, which are not specified in any revelation?
Answer: Yes, if they wish, they may make laws to stick their
fingers into their eyes; but it is like the man who habituated
himself to sticking his fingers into a knot-hole in a board
partition every morning, until custom compelled him to do it; for
having omitted it one morning he felt so curiously at the breakfast
table, that he could not eat. He then bethought himself, went
and put his finger into the knot-hole and returned with a good
appetite, and ate a hearty breakfast.[C]
[Footnote C: The answer is not as direct as one might wish it to
be, but certainly it is not favorable to the making of by-laws not
"specified in any revelation."]
Elder Young said that if elders or high priests are so situated
that they cannot get word from the Prophet or the Twelve Apostles,
they may get a revelation concerning themselves. The Twelve may
get a revelation in any part of the world concerning the building
up of the kingdom, as they have to establish it in all parts of
the world. So any person can ask the Lord for a witness concerning
himself, and get an answer, but not to lead the Church: that
belongs to the head of the Church.
Conference met at half-past ten o'clock, according to adjournment.
Meeting opened by singing. Prayer by Elder Jedediah M. Grant. The
congregation was then addressed by Elder Wilford Woodruff from
II Peter 1:20, 21: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the
scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came
not in old time by the will of man; but holy men of God spake as
they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
If the prophecies that had been fulfilled were fulfilled literally,
in like manner would those prophecies which are still unfulfilled
be fulfilled {552} literally. The gathering of the Saints, the
building up of Zion, the gathering of the Jews, the rebuilding of
Jerusalem, the establishing of the Church and kingdom of God in the
last days, and the preaching of the Gospel to all the world are
events looked for by the Latter-day Saints. And notwithstanding
these things are unpopular, and not looked for or believed in by
the world, yet we feel encouraged to persevere and press forward
in assisting to accomplish these great and glorious things, with
a firm belief that they will as truly be brought to pass and
perfected as those things were which were prophesied in ancient
days. He also bore testimony of the truth of the Book of Mormon,
Book of Doctrine and Covenants, and of Joseph Smith being a prophet
of God.
Elder Kimball gave his testimony, when the meeting took a recess
for two hours.
In the afternoon, after Elder John E. Page had addressed the
meeting, Elder George T. Leach was appointed to preside over the
Church in New York, in place of Elder L. R. Foster, who was about
to remove to Nauvoo. After which several children were blessed,
and the meeting adjourned until evening; at which time Elder
Orson Pratt addressed the people in an edifying manner concerning
the Book of Mormon, its history, what it was, &c.; that it was
a history of nearly one-half of the globe, and the people that
inhabited it; that it gave a history and names of cities that have
been of late discovered by Catherwood and Stephens; that it spoke
for the establishing of our government; and what is more highly
interesting, it reveals its final fate and destiny; so that, by
reading the Book of Mormon, you can clearly see what will befall
this nation, and what will be its final end.[D]
[Footnote D: This statement of Elder Orson Pratt's views is
doubtless faulty. The Book of Mormon does not predict what will
befall our nation, The United States, nor "its final end." But it
contains a conditional prophecy in relation to the two American
continents. These continents are a promised land. They are given,
according to the Book of Mormon, primarily to the descendants
of the Patriarch Joseph, son of Jacob, as an inheritance, but
the Gentile races are also given an inheritance in them with the
descendants of Joseph. The whole land, however, is dedicated to
righteousness and liberty and the people who possess it, whether
of the house of Israel or Gentile must be a righteous people and
worship "the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ." In that event
God stands pledged to preserve the land and the people thereof,
free from bondage of all other nations, and to bless them with
very great and peculiar blessings, guaranteeing to them freedom
and peaceful possession of the land forever. If the Gentile races
shall observe these conditions they and their children are to share
in the blessings of the land in connection with the descendants
of the Patriarch Joseph. But if they depart from justice, reject
righteousness and Jesus Christ, then judgments of destruction
decreed in the Book of Mormon, will overtake them until they are
wasted away. This is the decree of God respecting the western
hemisphere, and is one of the important messages that the Book
of Mormon has to deliver to the present generation. See Book of
Mormon II Nephi 1:5-12; also Ether 1:42; III Nephi 20:14-20; III
Nephi 20:27, 28; III Nephi 21:11-25; also "New Witness for God" Vol.
III, pp. 314-323. But it will be seen that these prophecies are
conditional, and therefore cannot be held to be predictions of what
the final end of our nation, the United States and other nations
of the American continents, will be, since it yet remains to be
demonstrated whether they will abide or violate the conditions upon
which they may possess the continents perpetually.]
{553} In that book you will find recorded the pure principles of
the gospel of Jesus Christ, as taught by Himself on the continent
of America, so plain that no two persons could disagree as to the
points of doctrine set forth. He then bore testimony of the truth
of Joseph Smith being a prophet of God, and that the Book of Mormon
was true; also that the Church of the Latter-day Saints was the
Church of God. He spoke about two hours; and after he closed five
children were blessed, and then the people were dismissed.
_August 27_.--I attended meeting at the stand at ten a.m., and made a
few remarks; the following report of which is by Dr. Willard Richards:
_Address of the Prophet--Sidney Rigdon's Status--The Priesthood
Expounded_.
Two weeks ago today something was said about Elder Sidney Rigdon,
and a vote was taken to disfellowship him and to demand his
license, on account of a report brought by Elder Hyde from Quincy.
He [President Smith] then read a letter from Thomas Carlin to
Sidney Rigdon as follows:
QUINCY, ILLINOIS, August 18, 1843.
DEAR SIR:--Yours of the 15th instant was received, but not in time
to answer it by return mail. You say that a Mr. Orson Hyde, on
board of the steamboat _Anawan_ a short time since, was told by an
officer of the boat that a Mr. Prentice, in the vicinity of Quincy,
said that some person in high standing in the Church of Latter-day
Saints in this place (Quincy) had an interview with you (me) said
he would use all the influence that his circumstances would admit
of to have Joseph Smith arrested and delivered into the hands of
the Missourians, &c. This interview is said to have taken place at
the time the first warrant was issued against Smith, and since the
last warrant was issued, that the same person had written to you,
(me) or had an interview with you, giving the same assurances. It
has been publicly said in this town that I (Sidney Rigdon) was the
person who had this interview or interviews and correspondence with
you. Now, sir, it gives me pleasure {554} to be perfectly able to
disabuse you. I have not seen you to my recollection, nor had any
correspondence with you, until the present, since 1839; and in all
the intercourse I have had with you I have always looked upon you
as one of the most devoted followers of Joseph Smith and one of the
pillars of the Church of Latter-day Saints. I never sought through
the aid of any person to entrap Joseph Smith. A faithful discharge
of my official duties was all that I attempted or desired.
Very respectfully Your obedient servant, THOMAS CARLIN.
[He, President Smith] then resumed: The letter is one of the most
evasive things, and carries with it a design to hide the truth. Has
any man been concerned in a conspiracy to deliver Joseph Smith to
Missouri? If so, who?
He then read the 7th chap. Hebrews. Salem is designed for a Hebrew
term. It should be Shiloam, which signifies righteousness and
peace: as it is, it is nothing--neither Hebrew, Greek, Latin,
French, nor any other language.
I say to all those who are disposed to set up stakes for the
Almighty, You will come short of the glory of God.
To become a joint heir of the heirship of the Son, one must put
away all his false traditions.
I prophesy and bear record this morning that all the combined
powers of earth and hell shall not and cannot ever overthrow or
overcome this boy, for I have a promise from the eternal God.
If I have sinned, I have sinned outwardly; but surely I have
contemplated the things of God.
Respecting the Melchizedek Priesthood, the sectarians never
professed to have it; consequently they never could save any one,
and would all be damned together. There was an Episcopal priest who
said he had the priesthood of Aaron, but had not the priesthood
of Melchizedek: and I bear testimony that I never have found the
man who claimed the Priesthood of Melchizedek. The power of the
Melchizedek priesthood is to have the power of "endless lives;" for
the everlasting covenant cannot be broken.
The law was given under Aaron for the purpose of pouring out
judgments and destructions.
The sectarian world are going to hell by hundreds, by thousands and
by millions.
There are three grand orders of priesthood referred to here.
1st. The King of Shiloam. (Salem) had power and authority over
{555} that of Abraham, holding the key and the power of endless
life. Angels desire to look into it, but they have set up too many
stakes. God cursed the children of Israel because they would not
receive the last law from Moses.
The sacrifice required of Abraham in the offering up of Isaac,
shows that if a man would attain to the keys of the kingdom of
an endless life; he must sacrifice all things. When God offers a
blessing or knowledge to a man, and he refuses to receive it, he
will be damned. The Israelites prayed that God would speak to Moses
and not to them; in consequence of which he cursed them with a
carnal law.
What was the power of Melchizedek? 'Twas not the Priesthood of
Aaron which administers in outward ordinances, and the offering
of sacrifices. Those holding the fullness of the Melchizedek
Priesthood are kings and priests of the Most High God, holding the
keys of power and blessings. In fact, that priesthood is a perfect
law of theocracy, and stands as God to give laws to the people,
administering endless lives to the sons and daughters of Adam.
Abraham says to Melchizedek, I believe all that thou hast taught
me concerning the priesthood and the coming of the Son of Man; so
Melchizedek ordained Abraham and sent him away. Abraham rejoiced,
saying, Now I have a priesthood.
Salvation could not come to the world without the mediation of
Jesus Christ.
How shall God come to the rescue of this generation? He will send
Elijah the prophet. The law revealed to Moses in Horeb never was
revealed to the children of Israel as a nation.
Elijah shall reveal the covenants to seal the hearts of the fathers
to the children, and the children to the fathers.
The anointing and sealing is to be called, elected and made sure.
"Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, but made like unto the Son of
God, abideth a priest continually." The Melchizedek Priesthood
holds the right from the eternal God, and not by descent from
father and mother; and that priesthood is as eternal as God
Himself, having neither beginning of days nor end of life.
The 2nd Priesthood is Patriarchal authority. Go to and finish the
temple, and God will fill it with power, and you will then receive
more knowledge concerning this priesthood.
The 3rd is what is called the Levitical Priesthood, consisting of
priests to administer in outward ordinance, made without an oath;
but the Priesthood of Melchizedek is by an oath and covenant.
The Holy Ghost is God's messenger to administer in all those
priesthoods.
{556} Jesus Christ is the heir of this Kingdom--the only begotten
of the Father according to the flesh, and holds the keys over all
this world.
Men have to suffer that they may come upon Mount Zion and be
exalted above the heavens.
I know a man that has been caught up to the third heavens, and can
say, with Paul, that we have seen and heard things that are not
lawful to utter.
Fifteen minutes past one, closed my address.
Sidney Rigdon said: "I never saw Governor Carlin but three times, and
never exchanged a word with any man living on the subject.[E] I ask
pardon for having done anything which should give occasion to make you
think so."
[Footnote E: i. e. of betraying Joseph Smith to Missouri.]
In the evening I attended council and prayer meeting with my brother
Hyrum, Newel K. Whitney, Willard Richards, William Law and William
Marks.
_Monday, 28_.--I was visited by a deputation of Pottawattamie Indians.
_Tuesday, 29_.--Elder Brigham Young paid a visit to James Arlington
Bennett, Arlington House, Long Island, and baptized and confirmed him
next day.
I held a mayor's court and tried several cases. Erastus H. Derby was
bound over to keep the peace for six months. Previous to the close of
the trial he gave up his license as an elder to the Church Recorder.
_Wednesday, 30_.--The _Nauvoo Neighbor_ publishes an article from the
_Boston Bee_, upholding the chartered rights of Nauvoo.
_Thursday, 31_.--I commenced removing into the Nauvoo Mansion.
(END OF VOLUME V.)
ERRATUM: At page 504 a line is omitted in the third paragraph, fourth
line. This should be inserted after the word "commanded;"_--and because
they did none other thing than that which they were commanded--_
[Transcriber's Note: in this edition, this change has been made.]
INDEX TO VOLUME V.
A
Adams, Judge James of Springfield, present at introduction of
endowments at Nauvoo, 1-2; warns Prophet of impending arrest, 433.
Adams, John Q., on right of petition, 283. and note.
Addresses to the Church of Latter-day Saints and the public generally,
Joseph Smith denounces John C. Bennett, 35-38.
Affidavits, John C. Bennett exonerating Prophet from accusation of
teaching immorality, 11; ditto, 38; ditto of Wilson Law _et al_.,
38-39; Lilburn W. Boggs of, Mo. 67; of City Council concerning John C.
Bennett, 67-8; of Hyrum Smith anent Bennett, 71-75; William Law anent
Bennett, 75-77; of Prophet's attorneys in Dixon arrest case, 476;
Joseph Smith on Missouri troubles, 493-5; of Caleb Baldwin, Lyman Wight
_et al._, 496-7.
Arsenal, one ordered built at Nauvoo, 430.
B
Barnes, Lorenzo D., death of in England, 20; eulogy of, 319-20.
Bennett, John C, evil designs of upon the Prophet, 4-5; exonerates the
Prophet from teaching immorality, 11; resigns his office as Mayor of
Nauvoo, 12; statement of before City Council on the character of Joseph
Smith, 13; notice given of disfellowship by First Presidency, Twelve
and Bishops 18; begs not to be exposed, 18 confesses to wickedness,
18-19 an expelled Mason, 22, 32; article on in _Times and Seasons_,
78-82, and notes; deposed as chancellor of University, 120.
Bennett, James Arlington, letters to the Prophet, 112; letter of
Prophet to, 156, _et seq_.; baptism and confirmation of, 556.
Boggs, Lilburn W., ex-Governor of Missouri, report of attempted
assassination of, 9; assassination of reported in Quincy Whig, 14.
_Boston Weekly Bee_, on Mormonism, 322; character sketch of the Prophet
in, 406-8; judgment of on Mormonism, 518-28.
Brayman, Mr., secret agent of Governor Ford, 493.
Brewster, James Collins, revelations of, 214-15.
Butterfield, Justin, counsel for the Prophet, Springfield trial,
215-223.
C
Call, Anson, on Joseph Smith's prophecy of removal of Saints to Rocky
Mountains, 85-6, and note.
Carlin, Governor, of Illinois, acknowledges proceedings against Joseph
Smith illegal, 91; duplicity of respecting Nauvoo affairs, 118-19.
Carthage, Hancock county, threats of mob violence at, 528.
Charts, phrenological, of Joseph Smith, 52-5; of Willard Richards,
58-60.
_Chicago Democrat_, account of Prophet's arrest in, 448-9.
Clark, Hyrum, appointed to take charge of emigration from England, 26.
Clayton, William, succeeds Willard Richards temporarily as clerk,
49; visit of to Governor Carlin, 118; messenger to warn Prophet of
impending arrest, 436; 438-9 _et seq._
Conferences, General, in England, 9-10; at Manchester, England,
21; special at Nauvoo, 136; at Boston, 268; at Augusta, Iowa, 318;
general at Nauvoo, April 6th, 1843, 327 _et seq._; special at Nauvoo,
appointing elders for missions, 347-352; Batavia, N. Y., 352; at
Kirtland, 352; at Vinalhaven, Fox Island, Maine, 360; special at
Nauvoo, 369; minutes of at Manchester, 418-19.
Conover, Peter W. his account of relief expedition, 450-1; reveals plot
against Prophet, 452-3.
Cob, Col., Indian, speech of, 358-9.
Council, High, Nauvoo, investigates charges against John C. Bennett,
21; minutes of, 119; case of Wilson Law and Nickerson, before, 280;
decision of in Hoyt case, 311; Coltrin vs. Matthews, 371-2; of the
Twelve _et al_., 131-2.
Cowan, John D., assists the Prophet, 299; appointed aid de camp, 364.
Cowdery, Oliver, Prophet's inquiry concerning, 368.
Court, Mayor's at Nauvoo, proceedings in, 365-68; orders of in case of
Joseph Smith, 474; approves copies of evidence before, 497.
D
Derby, Erastus H., assists the Prophet when in retirement, 90-95;
blessings of Prophet upon, 106-7.
De Wolfe, Episcopal minister, preaches at Nauvoo, 427.
Dixon, the Prophet at, 439.
Duncan, Joe, a horse, 60.
Dunham, Jonathan, aids the Prophet in seclusion, 90-109; appointed
superintendent to build arsenal, 430; starts on exploration expedition,
509; returns from expedition from the west, 541; extracts from his
journal--an expedition to the west, 542-549.
E
Editorials, _Times and Seasons_, on persecution, 98-103; on happiness,
134-36, and note; the Lions of the press, Joseph Smith, 274-7; On
Nauvoo charter _Wasp_, 306; _Times and Seasons_ on ancient records,
372-4; introducing _Nauvoo Neighbor_, 380-2; on proscription of the
Jews, 434; _Nauvoo Neighbor_, on recent Dixon arrest of the Prophet,
507.
Edwards, B. S. Esq., counsel for the Prophet, 221.
England, mission in, summary of work, 308.
_Epistles_, see _Letters_.
F
Ford, Governor, inauguration of--against Nauvoo charter, 200.
Foster, Robert D., charges preferred against for abusive language, 14.
G
God, government of, 61-66; Kingdom of, sermon on by the Prophet, 256-9.
Grant, Jedediah, M. questions the Prophet, 303.
H
Habeas Corpus, bill on in city council, 84; on habeas Corpus procedure,
87-8.
Higbee, Elias, death of, 420-21, and note.
Higbee, Francis M., complains of having wickedness exposed, 49:
statement of in denial of Bennett's charges, 77-78.
Higbee, Chauncey L., excommunicated by High Council, 18.
Hoge, Joseph P., candidate for Congress, conversation of with Prophet,
518-21; acknowledges power Nauvoo charter on habeas corpus, 524.
Huntington, Dimick B., elected coroner of Nauvoo, 18.
Hyde, Orson, return of from Jerusalem, 200; with the Prophet at Ramus,
correction of 323-5; appointed on mission to St. Petersburg, 488.
I
Illinois, State Register, on the Dixon arrest of the Prophet, was it a
political trick? 513-15.
Indians, visit of to Prophet, 365; interview with Pottawattamie chiefs,
479-80.
J
Johnson, Benjamin F., remarks of the Prophet to, 391.
K
Kilburn, Edward and D. W., charged with designs of bringing mob to
Nauvoo, 61.
Kimball, Hyrum, accused by the Prophet of making evil insinuations,
12-13.
Kimball, Heber C, takes initiative in organizing Young People's
Association, 320 _et seq._; remarks on Word of Wisdom, 428; dream of at
Cincinnati, 515-16.
Knight, Newel and Joseph, Prophet's friendship for, 125.
Knight, Joseph, Sen., esteem of Prophet for, 124-25.
Knight, Vinson, death of, 84.
L
Law, William, defense of the Saints by, 32-34; conversation with
sheriff, meeting of the Prophet, confidential friends, 89-90.
Legion, Nauvoo, trial and sham battle of, 3-5; officer's drill of, 369;
parade of, 383-4; script, copy of, 518.
Lyman, Amasa, appointed councilor to the Prophet, 255.
Letters, Joseph Smith to Horace R. Hotchkiss, 6-7; Joseph Smith to
Mr. Bartlett, editor _Quincy Whig_, 15; High Council to the Church in
Nauvoo and the Saints abroad, 15-17; Joseph Smith to Jeanette Richards,
40-41; Joseph Smith to Governor Carlin, 42-44; Geo. Miller to Gov.
Reynolds of Missouri, 46-48; Gov. Carlin to Joseph Smith, 49-51; Horace
R. Hotchkiss to Joseph Smith, 51: Joseph Smith to Horace R. Hotchkiss,
52; Joseph Smith to citizens of Hancock county, 55-56; Gov. Carlin
to Joseph Smith, 82; Joseph Smith to Gov. Carlin, 83; the Prophet to
Wilson Law, 93-5; Wilson Law to the Prophet, 96-7; Prophet to Emma
Smith, 103-5; Joseph Smith to Wilson Law, 105-6; James Arlington
Bennett to the Prophet, 112-14; Wilson Law to Joseph Smith, 114-15;
Emma Smith to Gov. Carlin, 114-15; Gov Carlin to Emma Smith, 130-31;
Emma Smith to Gov. Carlin, 132-4; the Prophet to the Saints at Nauvoo,
baptism for the dead, 142-44; William Law to _Times and Seasons_,
144; Female Relief Society to Gov. Carlin, 146-48; Prophet to the
Church, baptism for the dead, 148-53; Gov. Carlin to Emma Smith, 153-5;
Prophet to James Arlington Bennett, 156-9; Brigham Young to _Times
and Seasons_, 161-2; James Arlington Bennett to the Prophet, 162-4;
William Clayton to Saints of Nauvoo, 169; James Arlington Bennett to
J. G. Bennett, 170-2; Justin Butterfield to Sidney Rigdon opinion on
requisition of Missouri for Joseph Smith, 173-9; Geo. D. Watt to Joseph
Smith, 184-5; the Prophet to Horace R. Hotchkiss, 195-6; Orrin P,
Rockwood to the Prophet, 198; Gov. Ford to Joseph Smith, 204-6; Justin
Butterfield to Joseph Smith, 206; James Adams to the Prophet, 206; the
Prophet to Josiah Butterfield, 250; John C. Bennett to Sidney Rigdon
and Orson Pratt, 250-1; the Prophet to the _Wasp_, 259; Joseph Smith
to Hon, R. M. Young, 266; Sidney Rigdon to Mr. Bryant, 273; the Twelve
to the Church, 279-80; Sidney Rigdon to Alfred E. Stoakes, 280-1; the
Twelve to the Church, 293; Willard Richards to Mr. Bagby, 304; Joseph
Smith to Sidney Rigdon, 312-14; Sidney Rigdon to Joseph Smith, 314-16;
J. H. Reynolds to Newel K. Whitney, 352; Hugh L. Legare to Joseph
Smith--Canard, 363; H. R. Hotchkiss to Joseph Smith, 382; Brigham Young
to the Church in Philadelphia, 413; Samuel C. Owens to Gov. Ford, 422;
Gov. Ford to Sheriff Reynolds, 492; Willard Richards to Brigham Young
_et al._, 511-13.
M
Mack, Temperance, visits the Prophet, 119.
_Maid of Iowa_, river boat, purchase of, 386, 417-18; expedition of to
relief of the Prophet, 481-4.
Markham, Col. Stephen, elected colonel in Legion, 165; resigns as
alderman, 288; messenger to warn tee Prophet of impending arrest,
436-438-9 _et seq._; meeting of with the Prophet, 439; arms the
Prophet, 443; reveals existence of conspiracy, 451-2; messenger to Gov,
Ford, 484; report on movements at Springfield, 500.
Meetings, political, at Nauvoo, addressed by Prophet, 19; at Nauvoo,
Prophet denounces John C. Bennett at, 34-35.
Mission, British, progress of work in, 6,
Mission, Pacific Isles, 386; 404-5.
Miller, William, Second Adventist, teachings of, 272 and note; his "Day
of Judgment," 326 and note.
Missionaries, list of special, 485.
Mormon, Prophet's definition of, 399.
McFall, Gen. Hugh, denies signing military order, 164.
N
Nauvoo, division of into ten wards, 119-20 and note; municipal seal of,
194-5; division of into ten wards, 198-200; charter of considered in
Legislature, 294; repeal of part of by the house, 295; motto of, 305;
industries of menaced, 436-8; 4th of July celebration at, 433, 488-92;
public meeting at in relation to arrest of Joseph Smith, 474-6.
_Neighbor_, a Nauvoo Weekly, paper, 304; first number of issued, 380.
Newhall, J. B., lectures on Nauvoo, 431-2.
Nye, G. N., Master Mason, Prophet's remarks on, 370.
O
Olney, Oliver, trial of, 269.
Ordinances, on writs of _habeas corpus_, 57; ditto, 87-88; on returns
of, 161; regulating proceedings on, 185-192; on currency, 297;
concerning strangers in city, 457-8.
P
Page, Elder John E., unwisdom of, 521.
Pawpaw Grove, the Prophet at, 444-5.
Petitions, Nauvoo City Council to Governor Carlin, 68-70; Joseph Smith
for writ of _habeas corpus_, 461-65.
Philadelphia, meeting of Apostles at, 527.
Phelps, W. W., _vade mecum_, authority of, 253-4.
Pittsburg, Apostles at, 520-21, 523.
Pinery, lumber from for Temple, 45-6; expedition to started, 57.
Plates, Kinderhook, discovery of, 372-8 and notes.
Powers, lawyer in the service of the Prophet, 89, 91, 95.
Pope, Judge, decision on the Prophet's case at Springfield, 223-231;
modifications of his opinion, 244-45,
Pratt, Orson, missing from Nauvoo, 60; denies connection with John C.
Bennett, 167; exonerated by the Prophet, 252-255-6; rebaptism of, 256.
Pratt, Parley P., arrival of at Nauvoo from England, 354.
Pratt, Addison, sent to Society Islands, 404-5; 406.
_Prophet_, see Joseph Smith; Pagan, remarks of on Temple, 283-4.
Proclamations of Mayor Nauvoo, 310-11.
Q
_Quincy Whig_, account of assault on Boggs, 14-15; report of 4th of
July celebration at Nauvoo, in, 49.
R
Ralston, attorney for the Prophet, 89-91.
Rockwood, Albert P., assists the Prophet in retirement, 90; his account
of second relief expedition, 454-6.
Reynolds, agent of Missouri, arrests Prophet, 439 _et seq_; refuses to
submit to _habeas corpus_, proceedings at Nauvoo, 465.
Revelation to Joseph Smith, making known unfriendliness of Hyrum
Kimball, 12; on keys by which angelic administrations are made known,
267; on eternity of the marriage covenant written, 501-7.
Relief Society ladies addressed by the Prophet, 19-21; 23-25; ditto,
139-41.
Resolutions, Nauvoo mass meeting passes, 70.
Rich, Chas. C, in command of relief expedition, 486-8.
Rigdon, Eliza, strange experience of, 121-22.
Richards, Elder Levi, in charge of British Mission, 6.
Rigdon, Sidney, Prophet's interview with on Nauvoo scandals, 8, 46;
reaffirms faith, 121, 123; reports conspiracy against the Prophet, 168;
reconciliation of with Prophet, 270; alarmed by false reports, 369;
suspected by the Prophet; explanation of, 553, 4, 6.
Rockwell, Orrin P., Prophet's blessing on, 125; reward offered for
arrest of, 167; prophecy on, 305.
Roundy, Shadrach, the messenger to Governor Ford, 509.
S
Saints, to receive endowments, 2; English, condition of at Nauvoo, 25.
_Salem Advertiser_ and _Argus_ article on Nauvoo and the Prophet, 432-3.
Scandinavians, in Illinois, labor among, 395.
Seichrist, William, excommunicated from Baptist Church, 166.
Shokoquon, visit of Prophet to, 378.
Signs, in heaven, 301, 304, 309 and note, 310.
Smith, Emma, meets the Prophet in his seclusion, 89 92, 95; sentiments
of the Prophet towards, 107; illness of, 166, 167, 168, 182.
Smith, Hyrum, the Prophet's regard for, 107-8: bankruptcy of, 200.
Smith, Samuel H., prefers charge against R. D. Foster, 14; Prophet's
appreciation of, 109.
Smith, Geo. A., elected member of city council., 13.
Smith, William, elected member of Nauvoo city council, 13; remarks
of in Illinois Legislature, Nauvoo charters, 201-4; retires from
editorship of _Wasp_, 204.
Smith, Joseph, the Prophet, inaugurates endowment ceremonies at Nauvoo,
2, and note; suspects treachery of John C. Bennett, 4-5; for moral
reform in Nauvoo, 8; denies complicity in Boggs affair, 15; editorial
of on the gift of the Holy Ghost, 26-32; rides in Masonic procession,
41-2; sits for drawing of profile for lithograph, 44; reviews Nauvoo
legion, 56-57; predicts removal of Saints to Rocky Mountains, 85 and
note; arrest on charge of Governor Boggs Missouri, 86-7; reflections
of on Missouri procedure, 87; avoidance of officers, 89; courage and
calmness of while in seclusion, 97; exaltation of spirit of, 108-9;
appreciation of friends, 124-28; sudden appearance of from seclusion,
137; council of to the Church, 138-9; attempted arrest of, 145-6;
portrait of painted, 164-5; reward offered for arrest of, 167; advice
of to new arrivals in Nauvoo, 180-181; resigns as editor of _Times
and Seasons_, 193; responsible to the state as Trustee-in-Trust, 197;
petition of to Governor Ford to quash Carlin's writ, 201, 204-5; arrest
of by Wilson Law, 209; departure of for Springfield, 209-11; trial of
at Springfield, 212-245; explains prophetic calling, 215; views of on
negro race, 217-11; discharge of from arrest, 238; return of to Nauvoo,
246-248; discourse of on the Kingdom of God, 256-9; on John the Baptist
and the interpretation of scriptures, 260-2; studies German, 264, 272,
292; views on civic policy, 270-1; of the earth becoming Urim and
Thummim, 279 and note; remarks of to workmen on Temple, 284-7; views of
on constitution of power, 289; on sign of the Son of Man, 290-1: views
of on blood atonement. 296; remarks of on greatness, 298; dreams of,
301, 306; preaches at Ramus, 302; indictment found against in Missouri,
307; instructions of at Ramus. Ill, 323-7; remarks of on conditions
in Iowa, 334; on the second coming of the Christ, 386-7; expounds the
scriptures, 339 _et seq_; remarks of to newly arrived Saints from
England, 354 _et seq_; remarks of on death of Lorenzo D. Barnes,
360-3; on salvation through knowledge, 387; on the value of aged men
in council. 389; love of for Geo. A. Smith, 390; on the eternity of
the marriage covenant, 390; prophecy of on Stephen A. Douglas, 393-4
and note, 395-8; reproves self-righteousness, 401; characterization of
himself, 401; on calling and election. 402-3; on temperance societies,
404; discourse of on gathering of Israel--Godhead, 423-27; arrest of
at Dickson, 438 _et seq_; arrival of at Nauvoo under arrest, 458 _et
seq_; speech of at Nauvoo while under arrest, 465-73; speech of on 4th
of July, 489-90; address of at Nauvoo, love of fellowman, 498-500;
ditto, on marriage covenant, 510; on burden of his ministry, 516-18;
assault of on Mr. Bagly, 524; attitude of in politics, 526; remarks
of at funeral of Judge Higbee, 529; explains election day troubles,
531; suspects Sidney Rigdon of treachery, 553-4: expounds Melchizedek
Priesthood, 554-5.
Snow, Lorenzo, arrives in New Orleans with company of Saints, 252;
arrival of at Nauvoo with Saints, 353.
Society, Young Gentlemen's and Ladies' Relief, 330, 322.
T
Taylor, Father, Prophet in seclusion at home of, 169, 180.
Taylor, John, becomes editor of
_Times and Seasons_, 193; made editor of the _Wasp_, 204.
Tate, Elder H., labors of, 409.
Town, David, rebukes the Prophet's captors, 445.
_Truthiana_, a series of tracts, 318.
Twelve, the, to labor in Illinois, 160; council of in Nauvoo, 194;
ditto at home of Brigham Young, 265; ditto at Prophet's home, 268;
council of, at the Prophet's office, 369-80; record of the first, 412.
W
Wales, South, preaching in, 281-2, 312.
Walker, William, misleads Prophet's enemies, 91.
Walker, Cyrus, becomes counsel for the Prophet, 500; political speech
of at Nauvoo, 521, 524.
Wasson, L. D., report of from mission field, 81-84.
_Wasp_ becomes _Neighbor_, 304.
Webb, Elder E. M. reports movements of John C. Bennett, 364.
Weeks, William, appointed overseer of work on Temple, 553.
Whitney, Newel K., Prophet's friendship for, 108.
Wilson, Harman T., sheriff, of Hancock county, Ill., arrests the
Prophet, 439, _et seq_.
Winchester, Elder Benjamin, silenced by the Twelve, 8-9, 403;
investigation of, 409-12.
Woodruff, Elder Wilford, furnishes powder to expedition going to relief
of Prophet, 474.
Y
Yalrome, meetings at, 387-80.
Young, Brigham, preaches at Nauvoo on providing labor for the poor,
44; sickness of, 196; proclamation of to Saints, 248-9; bond executed
by, 414; credentials of, 416-17; starts on Eastern mission, 497; views
on prophecy, 521-22 and note; baptizes and confirms James Arlington
Bennett, 556.