The Prophet's Mission to Canada.
[Sidenote: The Prophet Starts for Canada.]
_October 5_.--I started on a journey to the east, and to Canada, in
company with Elders Rigdon and Freeman Nickerson, [1] and arrived the
same day at Lamb's tavern, in Ashtabula; [2] and the day following,
the Sabbath, we arrived in Springfield, whilst the brethren were in
meeting, and Elder Rigdon spoke to the congregation. A large and
attentive congregation assembled at Brother Rudd's in the evening, to
whom we bore our testimony. [3] We continued at Springfield [4] {417}
until the 8th of October, when we removed to Brother Roundy's at Elk
Creek; and continuing our journey on the evening of the 9th, we arrived
at a tavern, and on the 10th, at Brother Job Lewis,' in Westfield [5]
where we met the brethren according to previous appointment, and spoke
to them as the Spirit gave utterance, greatly to their gratification.
[Sidenote: Letter to Saints in Zion.]
This day, October 10th, Elder Frederick G. Williams wrote as follows
from Kirtland to the Saints in Missouri:
_Dear Brethren_:--It is a long time since we have received any
intelligence from you, save a letter received by Brother Elliott
from Elder John Whitmer, which informed us that he had written
four letters since Elder Oliver Cowdery left, but we have not
received any of them, nor any others from Zion, except one from
Bishop Partridge, of August 13th, and have had no information, to
be depended upon, concerning the riot, and the situation of the
brethren in Zion; and considering that the enemy have commenced
intercepting our letters, I direct this to Mrs. Billings, thinking,
by so doing that you may get it. The brethren here are all engaged
in the work of the Lord, and are using every exertion in their
power for the welfare of Zion and for the promotion of the great
cause of our Redeemer. Immediately after the arrival of Oliver
Cowdery, we sat in council to know what should be done. The
decision of the council was, that measures should be immediately
taken to seek redress by the laws of our country, for your
grievances; accordingly two messengers were dispatched for that
purpose. (Let this suffice, for this may fall into the hands of the
enemy). We have not received any revelation for a long time (which
has been written), and none concerning the present situation of
Zion; but it has been manifested to Joseph, and communicated to
me by him, that the brethren in Zion should not sell any of their
inheritances, nor move out of the county, save those who signed the
agreement to go, and if it becomes necessary for those to move for
their personal safety, let them be directed by wisdom, and seek for
homes where the Lord shall open the way.
If Elder Phelps is obliged to move from that place, let him take
his family and Elder Cowdery's wife, and come to Kirtland, but not
to bring anything with him, except his bedding and clothing; and
let Elder Gilbert furnish him with the means to bear his expenses;
but it would not be expedient for Elder Phelps to come, provided
the prospect is favorable for a reconciliation to the extent that
the Saints are not obliged {418} to leave the county. We can do no
more for you than we are doing; but we have this great consolation,
that God will deliver Zion, and establish you upon the land of your
everlasting inheritance. Remember that this is only for the trial
of your faith, and he that overcomes and endures to the end, will
be rewarded a hundred fold in this world, and in the world to come
will receive eternal life; so, brethren, you have great reason to
rejoice, for your redemption draweth nigh.
Presidents Smith and Rigdon are absent on a mission, and we do not
expect their return until some time in November. They have gone
down the lake to Niagara, from thence they expect to go into Upper
Canada, as far as Long Point, and preach in all the most noted
places on their way.
We held a council meeting this morning, on the subject of building,
etc. It was decided by the council that we should discontinue the
building of the Temple during the winter, for want of materials;
and to prepare and get all things in readiness to recommence it
early in the spring. It was also agreed that we should set the
hands immediately to erect a house for the printing office, which
is to be thirty by thirty-eight feet on the ground; the first story
to be occupied for the School of the Prophets this winter, and the
upper story for the printing press.
Oliver Cowdery started for New York on the first of October for
the printing establishment, with eight hundred dollars. There will
be as many hands employed upon the house as can work, and every
exertion made to get the printing into operation, republish the
_Star_, commencing from the last number printed, to be conducted by
Oliver Cowdery (until an opportunity offers to transfer it again
to Zion, to be conducted by W. W. Phelps & Co., as usual), and
also publish a paper under the firm-name of F. G. Williams & Co.,
entitled the _Latter-day Saints' Messenger and Advocate_, which
will be forwarded to subscribers for the _Star_ by the first of
December. Oliver has written to you for the names and residences of
the subscribers for the _Star_, and if you have not sent them, we
wish you to send them immediately, that there may be no delay in
the papers going to subscribers as soon as they can be printed.
Bishop Whitney, also, started for New York at the same time, to
replenish his store in Kirtland, with money enough to pay all the
debts of both establishments, and expects to bring a larger supply
of goods than at any former time. Thus you see the goodness and
mercy of God in providing for His Saints. Not one week before
Bishop Whitney started, the way seemed hedged up, and ten or twelve
hundred dollars was the most that he had, and knew not where to
obtain the amount he wanted; but by a remarkable interposition of
Divine Providence, he was furnished with all he wanted, for which
let us raise our hearts in gratitude to God, and praise His holy
name, that He is a present help in every time of need.
{419} We have seen a letter, written to Sister Whitney, in Nelson,
that has a great deal to say about the gift of tongues, and the
interpretation which was given by way of prophecy, namely, "that
Zion would be delivered by judgments;" and that certain ones named,
would go to such and such places among the Lamanites, and "great
things would be done by them;" and also, that two Lamanites were at
a meeting, and the following prophecy was delivered to them:--"That
they were our friends and that the Lord had sent them there; and
the time would soon come, when they would embrace the Gospel;" and,
also, "that if we will not fight for ourselves, the Indians will
fight for us." Though all this may be true, yet, it is not needful
that it should be spoken, for it is of no service to the Saints and
has a tendency to stir up the people to anger.
No prophecy spoken in tongues should be made public, for this
reason:--Many who pretend to have the gift of interpretation are
liable to be mistaken, and do not give the true interpretation of
what is spoken; therefore, great care should be taken as respects
this thing, but, if any speak in tongues a word of exhortation,
or doctrine, or the principles of the Gospel, etc., let it be
interpreted for the edification of the Church.
When you receive this letter, I wish you to write immediately and
direct your letters to David Elliott, Chagrin, Cuyahoga county,
Ohio, and put this mark "X" on the back of it, if you do not wish
it broken open, and he will forward it to us; and you will please
to name in your letter, where and to whom we shall direct our
reply, and thus we may evade interception.
Yours in the bonds of love,
F. G. Williams.
[Sidenote: Distraction About Zion.]
At this time the evil and designing circulated a report, that Zion was
to be extended as far east as Ohio, which in some degree tended to
distract the minds of the Saints, and produced a momentary indecision
about removing thither, according to the commandments; but the report
was soon corrected, and the brethren continued to remove to Zion and
Kirtland.
[Sidenote: Narrative of Canada Journey Renewed.]
On the 11th of October, we left Westfield, and continuing our journey,
staid that night with a man named Nash, an infidel, with whom we
reasoned, but to no purpose. [6] On the 12th, {420} arrived at Father
Nickerson's, at Perrysburg, New York, [7] where I received the
following revelation:
_Revelation_. [8]
1. Verily, thus saith the Lord unto you, my friends Sidney, and
Joseph, your families are well; they are in mine hands, and I will
do with them as seemeth me good; for in me there is all power;
2. Therefore, follow me, and listen to the counsel which I shall
give unto you.
3. Behold, and lo, I have much people in this place, in the regions
round about, and an effectual door shall be opened in the regions
round about in this eastern land.
4. Therefore, I, the Lord, have suffered you to come unto this
place; for thus it was expedient in me for the salvation of souls;
5. Therefore, verily, I say unto you, lift up your voices unto this
people, speak the thoughts that I shall put into your hearts, and
you shall not be confounded before men;
6. For it shall be given you in the very hour, yea, in the very
moment, what ye shall say.
7. But a commandment I give unto you, that ye shall declare
whatsoever thing ye declare in my name, in solemnity of heart, in
the spirit of meekness in all things.
8. And I give unto you this promise, that inasmuch as ye do this,
the Holy Ghost shall be shed forth in bearing record unto all
things whatsoever ye shall say.
9. And it is expedient in me that you, my servant Sidney, should be
a spokesman unto this people; yea, verily, I will ordain you unto
this calling, even to be a spokesman unto my servant Joseph;
10. And I will give unto him power to be mighty in testimony;
11. And I will give unto thee power to be mighty in expounding all
Scriptures, that thou mayest be a spokesman unto him, and he shall
be a revelator unto thee, that thou mayest know the certainty of
all things pertaining to the things of my kingdom on the earth.
12. Therefore, continue your journey and let your hearts rejoice;
for behold, and lo, I am with you even unto the end.
13. And now I give unto you a word concerning Zion. Zion shall be
redeemed, although she is chastened for a little season.
14. Thy brethren, my servants Orson Hyde, and John Gould, are in
my hands; and inasmuch as they keep my commandments they shall be
saved.
{421} 15. Therefore, let your hearts be comforted, for all things
shall work together for good to them that walk uprightly, and to
the sanctification of the Church.
16. For I will raise up unto myself a pure people, that will serve
me in righteousness;
17. And all that call upon the name of the Lord, and keep His
commandments, shall be saved. Even so. Amen.
[Sidenote: At "Father" Nickerson's.]
On the day following (October 13th), Elder Rigdon preached to a large
congregation, at Freeman Nickerson's, and I bore record while the Lord
gave His Spirit in a remarkable manner.
[Sidenote: Through Upper Canada.]
_Monday, 14_.--Continued our journey towards Canada, and arrived at
Lodi, where we had an appointment, and preached in the evening to a
small assembly, and made an appointment for Tuesday, the 15th, at 10
o'clock a. m., to be in the Presbyterian meeting house. When the hour
arrived, the keeper of the house refused to open the doors, and the
meeting was thus prevented. We came immediately away, leaving the
people in great confusion, and continued our journey till Friday, the
18th, when we arrived at the house of Freeman A. Nickerson, in Upper
Canada, having passed through a fine and well-cultivated country,
after entering the province, and having had many peculiar feelings
in relation to both the country and people. We were kindly received
by Freeman A. Nickerson, who lived at Mount Pleasant, which was near
Brantford, the county seat of Brant county.
[Sidenote: Meeting at Brantford.]
_Sunday, 20_.--At 10 o'clock we met an attentive congregation at
Brantford; and the same evening a large assembly at Mount Pleasant, at
Mr. Nickerson's. The people gave good heed to the things spoken.
[Sidenote: At Colburn.]
_Tuesday, 22_.--We went to the village of Colburn; and although it
snowed severely, we held a meeting by candle-light on Wednesday
evening, and were publicly opposed by a Wesleyan Methodist. He was
very tumultuous, but exhibited a great lack of reason, knowledge, and
wisdom, and gave us no opportunity to reply.
{422} [Sidenote: At Waterford.]
_Thursday, 24_.--At the house of Mr. Beman, in Colburn, whence we left
for Waterford, [9] where we spoke to a small congregation; thence to
Mount Pleasant, and preached to a large congregation the same evening,
when Freeman A. Nickerson and his wife declared their belief in the
work, and offered themselves for baptism. Great excitement prevailed in
every place we visited. [10]
[Sidenote: Meetings and Baptisms at Mt. Pleasant.]
_Saturday, 26_.--Preached at Mount Pleasant; the people were very
tender and inquiring.
_Sunday, 27_.--Preached to a large congregation at Mount Pleasant,
after which I baptized twelve, and others were deeply impressed, and
desired another meeting, which I appointed for the day following.
_Monday, 28_.--In the evening, we broke bread, and laid on hands for
the gift of the Holy Ghost, and for confirmation, having baptized two
more. The Spirit was given in great power to some, and peace to others.
[11]
_Tuesday, 29_.--After preaching at 10 o'clock a. m., I baptized two,
and Confirmed them at the water's side. Last evening we ordained F.
A. Nickerson an Elder; and one of the sisters received the gift of
tongues, which made the Saints rejoice exceedingly. [12] Tuesday, the
29th of October, also we took our departure from Mount Pleasant, on our
return to Kirtland, and arrived at Buffalo, New York, on the 31st.
[Sidenote: Return to Kirtland.]
_Friday, November 1_.--I left Buffalo, New York, at 8 o'clock a. m.,
and arrived at my house in Kirtland on Monday, the 4th, 10 a. m., and
{423} found my family well, according to the promise of the Lord in
the revelation of October 12th, for which I felt to thank my Heavenly
Father.
[Sidenote: Action of Governor Dunklin on Petition.]
On the 8th of October Elders Phelps and Hyde had presented the petition
of the Saints in Jackson county to the Governor of Missouri, who at
that time gave them for an answer that the Attorney-General of the
State was absent, but promised that on his return he would inform
them of his conclusions by mail, addressed at Independence, whither
the brethren immediately returned. About the 28th of October, in
pursuance of Governor Dunklin's promise, the brethren in Zion received
the following communication from him in reply to their petition of
September 28:
City of Jefferson, Executive Department,
October 19, 1833.
_To Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Isaac Morley, John Corrill, A.
S. Gilbert, John Whitmer and others_:
Your memorial, soliciting my interposition against violence
threatened you, and redress for injuries received by a portion of
the citizens of Jackson county, has been received, and its contents
duly considered. I should think myself unworthy the confidence with
which I have been honored by my fellow-citizens, did I not promptly
employ all the means which the constitution and laws have placed at
my disposal, to avert the calamities with which you are threatened.
Ours is a government of laws; to them we owe all obedience; and
their faithful administration is the best guarantee for the
enjoyment of our rights.
{424} No citizen, nor number of citizens, have a right to take
the redress of their grievances, whether real or _imaginary_,
into their own hands. Such conduct strikes at the very existence
of society, and subverts the foundation on which it is based. Not
being willing to persuade myself that any portion of the citizens
of the state of Missouri are so lost to a sense of these truths as
to require the exercise of _force_, in order to ensure a respect
for them, after advising with the Attorney-General, and exercising
my best judgment, I would advise you to make a trial of the
efficacy of the laws. The judge of your circuit is a conservator of
the peace; if an affidavit is made before him by any of you, that
your lives are threatened, and you believe them in danger, it would
be his duty to have the offenders apprehended and bind them to keep
the peace. Justices of the peace in their respective counties, have
the same authority, and it is made their duty to exercise it. Take,
then, this course:--obtain a warrant, let it be placed in the hands
of the proper officer, and the experiment will be tested, whether
the laws can be peaceably executed or not. In the event they cannot
be, and that fact is officially notified to me, my duty will
require me to take such steps as will enforce a faithful execution
of them.
With regard to the injuries you have sustained by destruction of
property, etc., the law is open to redress; I cannot permit myself
to doubt that the courts will be open to you, nor [believe] that
you will find difficulty in procuring legal advocates to sue for
damages therein.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
Daniel Dunklin.
W. W. Phelps, Esq., Independence, Jackson County, Mo.
[Sidenote: Preparation for Asserting Rights.]
Immediately on receipt of the Governor's letter, the members of the
Church generally, (though they had lain idle since the outrage in
July), began to labor as usual, and build and set in order their
houses, gardens, etc. The brethren in Zion were also busily engaged
in devising means of redress for their grievances; and having
consulted with four lawyers from Clay county, then attending court in
Independence, they received from them the following letter on the day
written; which I will copy entire, that the principles by which the
lawyers of this generation are actuated may be recorded, as well as the
difficulties the Saints had to encounter in following the Governor's
instructions:
Independence, Oct. 30, 1833.
Gentlemen:--The first thing necessary to be done, under {425}
circumstances like ours, is to ascertain and fix upon the amount of
fee to be paid, and to secure the payment thereof by the necessary
papers: and then the responsibility of advising falls upon us.
We are now laboring under all the disadvantages of an engagement
without any of its advantages; it therefore becomes us to know
whether we can agree as to the fee or not; and that we should be
paid, too, according to the situation in which we place ourselves.
We have been doing a practice here among these people, to a
considerable extent, and by this engagement we must expect to lose
the greatest part of it, which will be to all of us a considerable
loss; besides that, the amount involved must be very considerable,
and the amount involved must be generally the criterion of the
fee. Taking all these matters into consideration we propose to you
to bring all the suits you may want brought, and attend to them
jointly throughout, for the sum of two hundred and fifty dollars
each, making for all four of us, the sum of one thousand dollars.
This may seem to be a large sum for a fee for lawyers in this
country, but the circumstances here involved make it necessary.
This matter must be attended to in the first place, and then such
advice, for the present, as may seem to be dictated by wisdom,
and be necessary we will give you; and in the proper time we will
bring the suits. If this proposal suits, you will please execute
notes, and send them to us; and if not agreed to, apprise us by
letter immediately, for we can be engaged on the opposite side in
all probability. We prefer to bring your suits, as we have been
threatened by the mob, we wish to show them we disregard their
empty bravadoes.
(Signed)
Wood,
Reese,
Doniphan,
Atchison.
[Sidenote: Counsel Employed.]
As a _dernier ressort_, the brethren accepted the foregoing
proposition, and Brothers Phelps and Partridge gave their note of one
thousand dollars, endorsed by Gilbert & Whitney. No sooner had this
news spread among the mob, than they began to congregate and prepare
for battle.
Footnotes.
1. Freeman Nickerson was born in South Dennis, Barnstable county,
Massachusetts, February 5, 1778. His Father's name was Eleazer
Nickerson, his mother's Thankful Chase Nickerson. Her father was a
seaman. In 1800 Freeman emigrated to Vermont, and settled in Windsor
county; and here he married Huldah Chapman, daughter of Eliphalet
and Abigail Chase Chapman, on January 10, 1801. He served in the war
of 1812 and was commissioned a lieutenant. He received the Gospel at
Dayton, Cattaraugus county, New York, in April, 1833, being baptized by
Elder Zerubbabel Snow, and was soon after ordained a Deacon. Brother
Nickerson performed a mission among the Saints in Kirtland and vicinity
in the early fall of 1833, and on the 5th of October started for Canada
in company with the Prophet and Sidney Rigdon, taking them on this
journey with his own team and conveyance.--"Obituary Record," (Ms.),
page 45.
2. Ashtabula is in Ashtabula county, Ohio, some forty miles northeast
of Kirtland.
3. While on this journey to Canada the Prophet kept a daily journal,
from which the narrative he gives in the text was evidently taken.
This journal is in the Prophet's own handwriting, and is one of the
interesting relics among the records of the Church. At various points
in the Prophet's narrative of this mission, I shall quote whatever may
be of interest in addition to the narrative given in the text. Of this
meeting at Rudd's the Prophet says: "Had a great congregation--paid
good attention. O God, seal our testimony to their hearts!"--(Page 6).
4. Springfield is in the western part of Erie county, Pennsylvania.
5. Westfield was in Chautauqua county, New York, near the shore of Lake
Erie.
6. The Prophet in his Journal also says under this date (11th of
October): "I feel very well in my mind. The Lord is with us, but have
much anxiety about my family."--(Journal page 7).
7. This was Brother Freeman Nickerson who was conveying them to Canada,
and this Perrysburg, Cattaraugus county, New York, was his place of
residence.
8. Doctrine and Covenants, sec. c.
9. Waterford is immediately south of Brantford, in the adjoining county
of Norfolk.
10. "The result is in the hands of God," adds the Prophet. (Journal,
page 14.) I also add the Prophet's entry for the 25th, which is omitted
in his narrative. Friday, 25th "This afternoon, at a Mr. Patrick's,
expect to hold a meeting this evening. People very superstitious. O
God, establish thy word among this people. Held a meeting this evening;
had an attentive congregation; the spirit gave utterance." (Page 14.)
11. "May God carry on His work in this place," adds the Prophet, "till
all shall know Him. Amen." (Page 16.)
12. "May God," adds the Prophet, "increase the gifts among them for
His Son's sake." (Journal, page 17.) On the 29th the Prophet's party
started for home. "May the Lord prosper our journey. Amen," he writes
in his Journal, page 17.
These excerpts from the Prophet's Daily Journal omitted from the
narrative made up from it, have been reproduced in these notes in order
that the deeply religious and prayerful nature of the Prophet might be
observed. They are indeed gems of expression, and exhibit the Prophet's
profound reliance upon God and his blessings. "O God, seal our
testimony to their hearts:" "I feel very well in my mind." "The Lord
is with us;" "The Lord gave His spirit in a remarkable manner to some
Saints, for which I am thankful to the God of Abraham," he exclaims.
"Lord bless my family, and preserve them," is a frequent prayer. "This
day we expect to start for Canada. Lord be with us on our journey.
Amen." And thus in all things he remembers the Lord, seeks the guidance
of His Spirit, trusts in Him, relies upon Him for success, and pleads
for the presence of His protecting power.
{426}