1. Persecution.--From the very commencement the work of the Lord
in these last days met with the most violent opposition. No sooner did
Joseph Smith declare that he had received a revelation from God than it
brought upon him the ridicule and wrath of many who heard of it. The
stream of hatred grew broader and deeper as the work progressed. Joseph
himself endured many vexatious persecutions, and those who believed in
his teachings were doomed to share them. The first general persecution
of the church, however, occurred in Missouri.
2. The people among whom the Saints settled in Jackson county,
Missouri, were ignorant, jealous, bigoted, and superstitious. They were
also given to Sabbath-breaking, drunkenness, profanity, horse racing
and gambling. It will be seen at once, therefore, that there could be
but little fellowship between them and the Saints. (See note 1, end of
section.) Moreover, they were principally from the Southern states, and
slaveholders; and as the Saints were from the free states of the north,
they were inclined to be suspicious of them. It was an easy matter
therefore, for demagogues to persuade the Missourians that it was the
design of the Saints to supplant them in the possession of the country.
3. Expulsion of the Saints from Jackson County.--The saints
themselves were not as prudent as they should have been. Many boasted
that God would destroy the wicked and give their possessions as
inheritances unto the righteous. {331} Many more failed to live up to
the moral precepts of the gospel, and were disobedient to the counsels
of the Lord. This gave the wicked great power over them, and the result
was that the jealously and wrath which had been burning for some time
in the hearts of the old settlers finally broke out into deeds of
violence. Almost the entire population about Independence arose and
drove the Saints from the county under circumstances of the utmost
cruelty.[83] Twelve hundred people were driven from their possessions;
and about two hundred of their homes and one grist mill were burned.
This was in the fall and winter of 1833-34. [See note 2, end of
section.]
4. Zion's Camp.--The excited Saints found a temporary abode in
Clay County--the next county north of Jackson--and in the meantime the
Lord commanded the Prophet Joseph to gather up the strength of the
Lord's house--the young and middle-aged men in the church--for the
purpose of going to the assistance of their brethren in Missouri, and
to redeem Zion.[84] In the spring of 1834, therefore, about one hundred
and fifty of the brethren from the churches in the eastern states
assembled at New Portage, Ohio, about fifty miles from Kirtland; and
this number was increased to about two hundred by the time the camp
reached Missouri. They took with them money to purchase lands, food
and clothing to assist their destitute brethren, and it was also the
determination of the camp to help their exiled friends maintain their
possessions when the governor of Missouri re-instated them upon their
lands.[85] But en route to Missouri the brethren did not live up to the
requirement made of the camp. Some of them were disobedient, {332} even
rebellious towards the prophet, and the Lord was not well pleased with
them.
5. As the camp approached Jackson county it was met by
delegations inquiring into their designs for approaching Jackson
county. Various reports had been spread abroad in respect to their
intentions, and some of them were of a character to create alarm. In
order to correct these false reports the brethren made the following
statement:
In the first place it is not our intention to commit hostilities
against any man, or set of men; it is not our intention to injure
any man's person or property except in defending ourselves. * * *
It is our intention to go back upon our lands in Jackson county by
order of the executive of the state, if possible. We have brought
our arms with us for the purpose of self-defense, as it is well
known to almost every man of the state, we have every reason to put
ourselves in an attitude of defense, considering the abuse we have
suffered in Jackson county. We are anxious for a settlement of the
difficulties existing between us, upon honorable and constitutional
principles.[86]
6. The brethren also made a proposition to submit their losses to
a committee of impartial arbitrators, and another to buy out those of
the old settlers who could not live with them. But before matters were
brought to an investigation and adjustment the Lord in a revelation to
the prophet,[87] gave instructions which led to the abandonment of any
attempt at that time to redeem Zion.
7. The Lord in this revelation declared that Zion might have
been redeemed by that time, had it not been for the transgressions
of his Saints. They had not been obedient to the requirements made
of them. They had withheld their means, and in their hearts had said
concerning the Saints in Zion, "Where is their God? Behold he will
deliver them in time of trouble, otherwise we will not go up unto Zion,
and we will keep our {333} moneys." Besides these evidences of a want
of faith, they lacked that unity required by the law of the celestial
kingdom, and it is only through the observance of that law that Zion
can be redeemed. The Lord, therefore, commanded the elders to wait
a season for the redemption of Zion, until the Saints should obtain
more experience, learn obedience, and until means could be raised
to purchase all the lands in Jackson county that could be purchased
and also in the surrounding counties; and until the Lord's army had
become very great, and sanctified before him. And when this was done
the Lord promised to hold his people guiltless in taking possession of
that which was their own; and they should possess it forever. He had
permitted the elders composing the camp to come thus far, for a trial
of their faith; and now he had prepared a great endowment for them in
the house which he had commanded to be built in Kirtland. Those who
could stay in Missouri were to do so, but those who had left their
families in the east were at liberty to return. In obedience to the
commandment to await for a season the redemption of Zion, the Camp of
Zion was disbanded early in the morning of the 25th of June. A number
remained in Missouri, but the most of the camp returned to the east.
8. Relieved now of the immediate responsibility of redeeming
Zion, the brethren who returned from Missouri and the churches in the
east devoted their attention to building up Kirtland as a stake of
Zion, and completing the temple, the foundation of which had been laid
about a year before.[88] The declaration of the Lord in that revelation
given on Fishing river, Missouri, to the effect that he had prepared
a great endowment for the faithful elders in the house which he had
commanded them to build in Kirtland, hastened the work, as they were
anxious to receive those spiritual blessings.
9. High Councils.--Meantime the Lord had given many {334}
important revelations in respect to the priesthood and the organization
of the church. In February, 1834--a few months previous to Zion's
Camp starting for Missouri--the first high council of the church was
organized. This council was appointed by revelation for the purpose of
settling important difficulties that might arise in the church, and
which could not be settled in the bishops' courts to the satisfaction
of the parties.
10. The high council is composed of twelve high priests, presided
over by one or three presidents, as circumstances may determine. The
high council cannot act unless seven of its members are present; but
seven have the power to appoint other high priests to act temporarily
in the place of absent councilors. Whenever a high council is
organized, the twelve members draw lots for their places. Those who
draw the even numbers--two, four, six, eight, ten, twelve--are to stand
in behalf of the accused; those drawing the odd numbers in behalf
of the accuser. In every case the accused has a right to half the
council to prevent injury or injustice. The councilors who represent
the accused and accuser respectively, do not become partisans bent on
winning their case irrespective of its righteousness or justice; on
the contrary, every man is to speak according to equity and truth; and
aside from that is merely to see that each party to the issue involved
has justice accorded him, and that he be not subjected to insult or
injury. [Note 3, end of section.]
11. Whenever the council convenes to act on any case, the twelve
councilors are to consider whether it is very difficult or not. If
it be not a difficult case, then only two of the councilors, one for
the accused and accuser respectively, are appointed to speak. But if
the case is accounted difficult, then four are appointed to speak; if
still more difficult, six; but in no case are more than six to speak.
In all cases both the accuser and accused are to have the privilege of
speaking for themselves, {335} after the evidence is all in and the
councilors appointed to speak have all spoken.
12. The evidence all in, the speakers for the accused and the
accuser having spoken, as also the accused and the accuser, the
president gives a decision according to the understanding he has of
the case and calls upon the twelve councilors to sustain it by vote.
But should the councilors who have not spoken, or any one of them,
discover an error in the decision of the president, they have the
right to manifest it and the case has a re-hearing. If after a careful
re-hearing, additional light is thrown upon the case, the decision
is altered accordingly. "But in case no additional light is given,
the first decision shall stand, the majority of the council having
power to determine the same." [89] Such are the general outlines of the
organization of a high council and the manner of procedure before it.
[Notes 4 and 5, end of section.]
13. Different Kinds of High Councils.--There are three kinds of
high councils in the church. They are similar in organization, and the
manner of procedure is practically the same before them all; but they
differ in authority and jurisdiction.
_I. The Traveling High Council_.--This Council consists of the twelve
apostles of Jesus Christ. They are a traveling presiding high council;
and, laboring under the first presidency of the church, they have the
right to build up the church, and regulate all the affairs of the
same in all the world.[90] Whenever they sit as a high council, there
is no appeal from their decisions--that is, they can only be called
in question by the general authorities of the church in the event of
transgression.[91]
_II. The Standing High Councils at the Stakes of Zion_.--The church
is divided into branches or wards with appropriate officers; and
these branches, wards, and settlements of the Saints are grouped
for convenience into stakes of Zion. In {336} each stake there is a
standing high council, limited in its jurisdiction to the affairs of
that particular stake where it is located.
_III. Temporary High Councils_.--The high priests abroad, that is,
outside of the organized stakes of Zion, whenever the parties to a
difficulty, or either of them request it, and the high priests abroad
deem the case of sufficient importance to justify such action, are
authorized to organize a temporary high council to try the case,
appointing one of their own number to preside over the council during
its continuance. Otherwise the council is to be organized after the
pattern and proceed in the same manner as those at the stakes of Zion.
"It shall be the duty of said council to transmit immediately, a copy
of its proceedings, with a full statement of the testimony accompanying
their decision, to the high council of the seat of the first presidency
of the church. Should the parties, or either of them, be dissatisfied
with the decision of said council, they may appeal to the high
council of the seat of the first presidency of the church, and have a
re-hearing, which case shall then be conducted according to the former
pattern written, as though no such decision had been made." [92]
14. Organization of the Quorum of Twelve Apostles.--As early
as June, 1829, the Lord revealed that there would be twelve especial
witnesses or apostles called to preach the gospel to the nations of the
earth. But it was not until several months after the prophet returned
from the Zion's Camp expedition that such a quorum was organized. In
the month of February, 1835, however, a general conference was called,
and the three especial witnesses to the Book of Mormon selected the
men--under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, for they were appointed
to that mission by revelation--who were to {337} constitute the quorum
of the twelve apostles[93] or especial witnesses.
15. Organization of Quorums of Seventies.--In the same
month--February, 1835--the first quorum of seventies was organized
by the Prophet Joseph and his two counselors and others. Shortly
afterwards the second quorum was also organized. These quorums, as
would be inferred from their being called seventies' quorums, consist
of seventy men. Seven presidents preside over each quorum, and the
first seven presidents--the presidents of the first quorum--preside
over all the quorums of seventy in the church.
16. About a month after the organization of these quorums--28th
of March, 1835--a revelation was given,[94] in which the duties of the
apostles and seventies are made clear, as well as the duties of other
officers.[95] We have now, however, reached a point in the historical
development of the church of Christ where we can consider it as a
system of ecclesiastical government; and to that consideration the next
section is devoted.
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NOTES
1. Character of the Old Settlers in Jackson County.--Speaking
of his arrival in Independence and meeting with Oliver Cowdery and
other brethren there, the Prophet Joseph says: "It seemed good and
pleasant for brethren to meet together in unity. But our reflections
were great, coming as we had from a highly cultivated state of society
in the East, and standing now upon the confines and western limits
of the United States, and looking into the vast wilderness of those
that sat in darkness; how natural it was to observe the degradation,
leanness of intellect, ferocity and jealousy of a people that were
nearly a century behind the time and to feel for those who roamed about
without the benefit of civilization, refinement or religion; yea, and
to exclaim in the language of the prophets, 'when will the wilderness
blossom as a rose? When will Zion be built up in her glory, and where
will thy temple stand, unto which all nations shall come in the last
days?'"--Missouri Persecutions--Roberts.
2. Persecution in Jackson County.--The month of November, 1833,
was big with important events for the members of the Church in Jackson
County. That month witnessed the expulsion of twelve hundred American
citizens from their homes which they had purchased from the general
government. The events of that month branded the sovereign state of
Missouri with an infamy that will cling to her as long as the name
is remembered on earth or in heaven; and when her officials of that
period shall stand before the bar of God, gouts of blood will be found
on their ministerial vestments--it will be the stain, too, of innocent
blood! * * * Early in the spring the mob burned the houses belonging
to the Saints. According to the testimony of Lyman Wight (_Times and
Seasons_ for 1843, p. 264), two hundred and three dwelling houses and
one grist mill were so destroyed.--Missouri Persecutions--Roberts.
3. Fair Dealing in High Councils.--The council should try no case
without both parties being present, or having had an opportunity to
be present; neither should they hear one party's complaint before his
case is brought up for trial; neither should they suffer the character
of any one to be exposed before the high council without the person
being present and ready to defend him or herself; that the minds of the
councilors be not prejudiced for or against any one whose case they may
possibly have to act upon.--Joseph Smith, Hist. under date of July 11,
1840.
4. Order in High Councils.--In ancient days councils were
conducted with strict propriety; no one was allowed to whisper, be
weary, leave the room or get uneasy in the least until the voice of
the Lord by revelation, or the voice of the council by the spirit was
obtained. * * * It was understood in ancient days that if one man {339}
could stay in the council, another could; and if the president could
spend his time, the members could also.--Joseph Smith, Hist. under date
of Feb. 12, 1834.
5. Just Judgment Demanded in High Councils.--No man is capable
of judging a matter in council unless his own heart is pure; and we
frequently are so filled with prejudice, or have a beam in our own eye,
that we are not capable of passing right decisions. * * * Our acts are
rendered, and at a future day they will be laid before us; and if we
should fail to judge right, and injure our fellow beings, they may be
there perhaps, and condemn us. There they are of great consequence, and
to me the consequence appears to be of force beyond anything which I am
able to express.--Joseph Smith, Hist. under date of Feb. 12, 1834.
REVIEW.
1. What can you say of the opposition which the work of God has met
with in these last days?
2. Where did the first general persecution begin?
3. What was the character of the people in western Missouri? (Note.)
4. Relate the expulsion of the Saints from Jackson county.
5. What event brought Zion's Camp into existence?
6. Relate its history.
7. What prevented Zion's Camp from redeeming Zion?
8. When was the first high council organized?
9. For what purpose are such councils organized?
10. Describe the high council.
11. What are the privileges of the accused and accuser before the
council?
12. What rule obtains as to the decision of the president of the
council?
13. What is to be the course of the high council in respect to
deportment, fair dealing and judgment? (See notes 3, 4 and 5.)
14. How many kinds of high councils are there?
15. Describe each.
16. When did the Lord first reveal that there would be a quorum of
twelve apostles called?
17. When and in what manner were the members of this quorum selected?
18. When were seventies' quorums first organized?
19. State what you can concerning the presidency of the seventies'
quorums.
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