THE WORK MOVES ON IN SPITE OF PERSECUTION AND APOSTASY--THE NAUVOO
TEMPLE FINISHED AND DEDICATED--THE SAINTS PREPARE FOR THEIR REMOVAL TO
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS.
The work of God was only expedited by the efforts made for its
overthrow. The Apostles continued to send out missionaries to the
nations, and hurried on the completion of the Temple.
Elder Rigdon, after his ineffectual attempt to seize the leadership of
the Church, had returned to Pittsburg, to nurse, as best he might, his
wounded pride and disappointed ambition. Many, like him, were
apostatizing and dividing into factions, but the main body of the
Saints, "taking the Holy Spirit for their guide," stood true to
Brigham and the Twelve. The Spirit was poured out mightily upon the
faithful, and the good work, in spite of persecution and apostasy,
went rolling on.
[Illustration: Residences of Church leaders in Nauvoo.]
It soon became evident to the enemy that the death of the Prophet, so
far from destroying, or even impeding Mormonism, had only given it
fresh impetus, an energy which they feared, if allowed to increase,
might prove irresistible. They therefore renewed the attack, Brigham,
Heber and the Twelve now being the especial objects of their animus.
Does not this fact, alone, tell where lay the authority?
The chief inciters of the opposition were the Laws, the Fosters, and
the Higbees, apostates who had betrayed and sacrificed Joseph and
Hyrum, with others who now joined them in their warfare against the
Twelve. The most strenuous efforts were made, generally under cover of
law, to get President Young into their power; and even his life, it is
said, was attempted by the midnight assassin. Knowing their fell
purpose, and remembering the fate of the martyrs, Joseph and Hyrum,
who had tested the virtue of official pledges and the protecting
majesty of the law in Illinois, Brigham and Heber wisely determined
not to be taken.
From their secret retreats, where they were compelled to hide, at
times, from the malice of their would-be destroyers, the Apostles came
forth, on the morning of Saturday, the 24th of May, 1845, to lay the
cap-stone on the south-east corner of the Temple. The edifice was in
due time completed and dedicated, and many of the Elders and Saints
received their endowments within its sacred walls.
The incident which gave rise to the story of "Bogus Brigham," with
which many of our readers are no doubt familiar, happened about this
time. The sheriff from Carthage was at the door of the Temple to
arrest President Young, who was inside the building. Bishop William
Miller, who resembled the President, throwing on Heber C. Kimball's
cloak, (mistaking it for Brigham's, which was of the same size and
color) sallied out and was arrested in his stead and taken to
Carthage. The _ruse_ worked so well that it was not discovered until
after their arrival at the anti-Mormon headquarters, where "Bill
Miller" was recognized, and the wrath and discomfiture of his captors
knew no bounds. The real Brigham was, of course, by that time, well
out of the way and laughing at the chagrin of his persecutors.
In the meantime, preparations were in progress for the exodus. The
anti-Mormons were clamoring for the removal of the entire community of
Latter-day Saints from the state, and they, seeing no alternative but
to comply with this outrageous demand, or experience a repetition of
the murderous scenes of Missouri, had resolved to again sacrifice
their homes and seek a land of peace and liberty in the wilds of the
savage west.
Before coming to the conclusion to thus expatriate themselves, the
Saints, through their leaders, had petitioned the President of the
United States, James K. Polk, and the Governors of all the states
excepting Missouri and Illinois, for aid and protection from the
efforts of those who were plotting their destruction. But the appeal
was in vain. The Church leaders then entered into negotiations with
their enemies, of the nature of which the following document will
testify:
"NAUVOO, ILLINOIS, Oct. 1st, 1845.
"_To Gen. J. Hardin, W. B. Warren, S. A. Douglas and J. A.
McDougal:_
"MESSRS:--In reply to your letter of this date, requesting us 'to
submit the facts and intentions stated by us in writing, in order
that you may lay them before the Governor and people of the
state,' we would refer you to our communication of the 24th ult.
to the 'Quincy Committee,' etc., a copy of which is herewith
enclosed.
"In addition to this we would say that we had commenced making
arrangements to remove from the country previous to the recent
disturbances; that we have four companies, of one hundred families
each, and six more companies now organizing, of the same number
each, preparatory to a removal.
"That one thousand families, including the Twelve, the High
Council, the trustees and general authorities of the Church, are
fully determined to remove in the spring, independent of the
contingencies of selling our property; and that this company will
comprise from five to six thousand souls.
"That the Church, as a body, desire to remove with us, and will,
if sales can be effected so as to raise the necessary means.
"That the organization of the Church we represent is such that
there never can exist but one head or presidency at any one time.
And all good members wish to be with the organization: and all are
determined to remove to some distant point where we shall neither
infringe nor be infringed upon, so soon as time and means will
permit.
"That we have some hundreds of farms and some two thousand houses
for sale in this city and county, and we request all good citizens
to assist in the disposal of our property.
"That we do not expect to find purchasers for our temple and other
public buildings; but we are willing to rent them to a respectable
community who may inhabit the city.
"That we wish it distinctly understood that although we may not
find purchasers for our property, we will not sacrifice it, nor
give it away, or suffer it illegally to be wrested from us.
"That we do not intend to sow any wheat this fall, and should we
all sell, we shall not put in any more crops of any description.
"That as soon as practicable, we will appoint committees for this
city, La Harpe, Macedonia, Bear Creek and all necessary places in
the county, to give information to purchasers.
"That if these testimonies are not sufficient to satisfy any
people that we are in earnest, we will soon give them a sign that
cannot be mistaken--WE WILL LEAVE THEM.
"In behalf of the Council, respectfully yours, etc.,
"BRIGHAM YOUNG, President,
"WILLARD RICHARDS, Clerk."
Agreeable to the terms of this covenant, which satisfied the
commissioners named, and for a time also satisfied the anti-Mormons
whom they represented, the Saints, trusting in God, and hoping little
from their cruel and inhuman oppressors, were now preparing for the
exodus of the Church and its pilgrimage to the Rocky Mountains--an
event foreseen and predicted by the Prophet Joseph in August, 1842.