Church Activities
1850-1857
A Provisional Government
When the first settlers arrived in the Salt Lake Valley, they were
directed exclusively by Church authority. However, the people realized
that civil government must be inaugurated in their several settlements
after they were founded. As early as the fall of 1847 some municipal
officers were appointed, although no city government was effected at
that time. Before leaving Nauvoo, the authorities of the Church had
expressed the desire of organizing a civil government under the flag of
the United States. While on the plains they wrote to President James K.
Polk, under date of August 6, 1846, and "resolved" that as soon as they
were settled in the Great Basin they would petition the United States
for a territorial government, "bounded on the north by the British, and
south by the Mexican dominions, and east and west by the summits of the
Rocky and Cascade Mountains."
The First Political Convention
In February 1849, a call was issued for a political convention. The
people residing within the territory bounded by the Rocky Mountains,
the Republic of Mexico, the Sierra Nevada Mountains and the Territory
of Oregon, were invited to assemble at Great Salt Lake City, March 5,
1849. On that date a convention was held, and Congress was petitioned
to organize the Territory of Deseret.[1] A constitution was adopted and
a provisional government was set up.
The Territory of Utah
Other petitions were also sent to Washington, asking for statehood,
but the government was not willing to grant all that the inhabitants
of the Great Basin desired. Enemies and bitter apostates lent their
aid to defeat the project. In September 1850, Congress passed a bill
for the organization of the territory of Utah, which was approved by
the President. The people preferred the name "Deseret,"[2] but gladly
accepted what was offered them.
Territorial Officers Appointed
In September 1850, President Millard Fillmore appointed the federal
officers for the territory of Utah. Brigham Young was appointed
governor, a position he had held in the "Provisional State of Deseret."
Broughton D. Harris, of Vermont, was appointed secretary; Joseph
Buffington, of Pennsylvania, chief justice; Perry C. Brocchus, of
Alabama, and Zerubbabel Snow of Ohio--the latter a member of the
Church--associate justices; Seth M. Blair, attorney; and Joseph L.
Heywood, United States marshal. The two latter were residents of Utah.
Judge Buffington declined and Lemuel C. Brandebury, of Pennsylvania,
was appointed in his stead. In addition to these officers there were
three Indian agents. Four of these federal officers were members of the
Church. The appointment of President Young as governor, was due to the
influence of Colonel Thomas L. Kane, the staunch and faithful friend of
the Latter-day Saints.
The "Run-Away Officials"
Three of these officials came to Utah filled with prejudice, and one,
at least (Judge Brocchus), hoped that he might be elected to office
and represent the territory in Congress. He had no desire to stay
in the West. Together with Chief Justice Brandebury and Secretary
Harris, he determined to leave again for the East, and preparations
were made toward that end. These men complained of the smallness of
their salaries, and Governor Young and other citizens petitioned
Washington in their behalf. Harris declared "that he had private
instructions designed for no eye but his own, to watch every movement
and not pay out any funds unless the same should be strictly legal,
and according to his own judgment." When he decided to return to the
East he also determined to take with him the funds which he had brought
for territorial purposes. An attempt was made to prevent this action
by legislative enactment, but he was sustained by the two judges, and
carried the funds back to St. Louis, where he deposited them with the
assistant treasurer of the United States. It was in September, 1851,
when these officials left the territory.
Their Report to Washington
The three run-away officials reported in Washington that they were
compelled to leave Utah on account of the lawless acts and seditious
tendencies of Brigham Young and the majority of the residents.[3] They
accused Governor Young with a waste of public funds--which they had
refused to let him have--and referred to the existence of "polygamy"
among the "Mormons."
Governor Young's Defense
Anticipating the accusations of these officials, because of threats
made before their departure, Governor Young wrote to President
Fillmore, September 29, 1851, setting forth his own course and the true
condition in the territory. This letter was augmented by others from
Jedediah M. Grant, mayor of Salt Lake City, who was then in the East,
and Col. Thomas L. Kane.[4] Daniel Webster, secretary of state, ordered
these officials to return to their posts or resign; so resign they did.
Their Places Filled
The places of these men were later filled. Lazarus H. Reed, of New
York, was appointed chief justice for Utah; Leonidas Shaver, associate
justice, and Benjamin G. Ferris, secretary. Secretary Ferris did not
remain in the territory very long, but the two justices were respected
by the people who held them in high esteem.
The Deseret Evening News
In each of the settlements of the Latter-day Saints, before coming to
Utah, they had endeavored to publish magazines and periodicals for the
benefit of the Saints. In keeping with this custom a small wrought-iron
Ramage handpress, was purchased in Philadelphia and brought across the
plains by one of the early companies. In 1850, this press was put to
use, and the first newspaper published in the Rocky Mountains made its
appearance in Salt Lake City. This was the _Deseret News,_ the first
number of which was published June 15, 1850, with President Willard
Richards as editor. It was a small quarto, issued weekly, and has since
grown into one of the influential daily papers in the inter-mountain
country.
Announcement of the Plural Marriage Doctrine
August 28 and 29, 1852, a special conference was held in Salt Lake
City. One hundred and six elders were called to go on missions to
various fields, including the countries of Europe, Russia, India,
China, South Africa, Australia, Hawaii, and other islands of the sea,
as well as the states of the Union. On the second day the first public
announcement of the doctrine of plural marriage was declared. The
revelation given to the Prophet Joseph Smith, dealing with the new
and everlasting covenant and including the doctrine of marriage for
eternity and "plural wives," was read. Elder Orson Pratt delivered the
first public discourse on this principle, dealing with the subject
from a scriptural standpoint. He emphasized the fact that the practice
of plural marriage among the Latter-day Saints was not to "gratify
the carnal lusts and feelings of man," but was to be practiced in
all holiness. Moreover, that there was but one who held the keys of
this power, and there were "bounds and restrictions" which the Lord
had set, and all who obeyed this law should be in harmony with the
law, receiving the sanction of the one who held the keys. Following
the discourse of Elder Orson Pratt, President Brigham Young made some
remarks dealing with the history of the revelation.
Laying the Corner Stones of the Salt Lake Temple
In February, 1853, ground was broken for the foundation of the Salt
Lake Temple. Wednesday, April 6, the corner stones were laid with
solemn and impressive ceremonies. This was the beginning of the most
costly and imposing temple yet to be erected by the Church, and was to
take forty years in the building. Other temples had been built, but
the Saints had not been granted the privilege of enjoying blessings in
them for any length of time. In this far western country, they hoped
to build undisturbed, and have the opportunity of receiving their
own blessings therein and also labor for their dead. It was at first
proposed to build the temple of sandstone from Red Butte Canyon, and a
wooden track was laid from the city to the canyon for the purpose of
hauling the rock. It was finally decided to build of granite, which was
found in abundance in Little Cottonwood Canyon, some eighteen or twenty
miles south-east of the city.
A Solemn Assembly
On the morning of April 6, 1853, thousands of Latter-day Saints
assembled in conference. President Young made a few introductory
remarks saying that in a few years "we may have a place sufficiently
large to accommodate the Saints, although, twenty-three years ago, the
Church was organized with only six members." The choir sang and prayer
was offered by Elder John Taylor. The procession then formed and moved
to the foundation of the temple. The general authorities of the Church
and the authorities of the Salt Lake Stake, took their places around
the foundation and the ceremonies of laying the corner stones proceeded.
Dedication of the Corner Stones
The First Presidency, with John Smith the patriarch laid the first or
south-east corner stone, according to the pattern given by the Prophet
Joseph Smith. Following this ceremony President Young delivered an
oration, and near the close he said:
"We dedicate the south-east corner stone of the temple to the Most
High God. May it remain in peace till it has done its work, and
until He who has inspired our hearts to fulfil the prophecies of
his holy prophets, that the house of the Lord should be reared
in the 'tops of the mountains' shall be satisfied, and say it is
enough."
President Kimball then offered the prayer of dedication, and the
assembly gathered at the south-west corner stone, which was laid by the
Presiding Bishopric, followed by an oration by Bishop Edward Hunter,
and a prayer of dedication by Bishop Alfred Cordon. The north-west
corner stone was laid by the presidency of the high priests, and
President John Young of that quorum, delivered the oration. Elder
George B. Wallace offered the prayer of dedication. The last, or
north-east corner stone, was laid by the council of the twelve. Elder
Parley P. Pratt delivered an oration and the prayer of dedication was
offered by Elder Orson Hyde.
After benedictory remarks by President Young, the procession returned
to the Tabernacle and were dismissed.
President Young's Vision
In the afternoon service of that day, President Young spoke at length
in relation to temple building. In the course of his remarks he said:
"I scarcely ever say much about revelations, or visions, but
suffice it to say, five years ago last July [1847], I was here and
saw in the spirit the temple not ten feet from where we have laid
the chief corner stone. I have not inquired what kind of a temple
we should build. Why? Because it was represented before me. I never
looked upon that ground, but the vision of it was there. I see it
as plainly as if it was in reality before me. Wait until it is
done. I will say, however, that it will have six towers, to begin
with, instead of one. Now do not any of you apostatize because it
will have six towers, and Joseph only built one. It is easier for
us to build sixteen, than it was for him to build one. The time
will come when there will be one in the center of temples we shall
build, and on the top, groves and fish ponds."[5]
Success in Foreign Mission Fields
The missionaries sent out to various parts of the earth in 1849 and
succeeding years, met with varied success. The Church membership
in the British Mission, before heavy emigration set in, was about
twenty-eight thousand souls. Outside of Great Britain perhaps the
greatest success in any foreign field fell to the lot of Erastus Snow
and his companions, who introduced the Gospel in Scandinavia. Many
branches were raised up, especially in Denmark, where Elders Snow,
Peter O. Hansen, George P. Dykes and John E. Forsgren were laboring.
Elder Forsgren carried the Gospel into Sweden and, later (1851) Hans F.
Petersen and Hans Peter Jensen, to Norway. In each of these countries
the elders were successful, although little headway was made in Sweden
until 1853, Elder Forsgren having been banished soon after his arrival
there. In Denmark, persecution raged, and several of the elders were
brutally treated, while in Norway they were cast into prison. Elders
John Taylor and companions in France were able to make some converts,
but found it to be a hard field. Elders Lorenzo Snow, Joseph Toronto
and Thomas B. H. Stenhouse, in Italy, found conditions similar to those
the elders encountered in France. Meeting with no success in Genoa,
they moved to the Protestant valleys of Piedmont, where a few were
baptized. Finally Elder Stenhouse was sent into Switzerland to open
the door for the Gospel there, where many were waiting to embrace the
truth. The elders in India made a number of converts, but principally
among the English, and branches of the Church were organized in that
land. The message of salvation was also successfully carried into
Australia, by John Murdock and Charles W. Wandell; into South Africa,
by Elders Jesse Haven, Leonard I. Smith and William Walker; Hawaii, by
Elder George Q. Cannon and companions. In China the mission opened by
Elders Hosea Stout, James Lewis and Chapman Duncan, was a failure, and
Elders Parley P. Pratt and Rufus Allen returned from South America,
they being unable, because of political disturbances, to get a foothold
there. Elders Addison Pratt, Benjamin F. Grouard, James Brown and
others, were banished from the Society Islands, and the native Saints
were sentenced to hard labor for holding meetings. Elders Pratt and
Grouard, with Noah Rodgers, who died crossing the plains in 1846, had
successfully introduced the Gospel in those and other islands of the
Pacific in the day of the Prophet Joseph Smith.
The Foundation for Future Labors
These early missionaries laid the foundation for the preaching of the
Gospel in many foreign lands, which has been continued since that
time with wonderful results. Thousands of honest converts have gladly
received the message of salvation, and with the spirit of gathering
resting upon them, have come to Zion, as the prophets foretold, with
songs of everlasting joy.
The Hand-Cart Immigration
The early companies arriving in the Salt Lake Valley came with oxen,
mules and horses and heavy laden wagons. The people, however, quite
generally were under the necessity of walking across the plains by
the sides of their wagons. It became apparent that other and cheaper
methods would have to be employed to accommodate the increasing
immigration. As early as 1851, the First Presidency suggested the use
of handcarts as a means of making the journey from Iowa westward. In
fact, there were in the Salt Lake Valley at that time some who had
crossed the plains in that manner, with comparative comfort and safety,
and this had led to the suggestion of general travel in hand-cart
companies. It was not until about the year 1856, however, that the
idea was impressed upon the foreign Saints, and then after repeated
suggestions. When they did take hold of it they entered into the spirit
of hand-cart transportation with enthusiasm. Especially was this
the case with the members of the Church in the British Isles. With
handcarts, the British Saints could make the journey from Liverpool to
Salt Lake City for about forty-five dollars, coming by way of Boston or
New York to Iowa City, where they were fitted out to cross the plains.
To those who were scarcely able to raise means, or who did not care
to be indebted to the Perpetual Emigration Fund Company, this was a
decided advantage.
The First Hand-Cart Companies
The first hand-cart companies to cross the plains were led by Edmund
Ellsworth and Daniel D. McArthur. Ellsworth's company, numbering 266
souls, left Iowa City, June 9, 1856. McArthur followed two days later
with a company of 220. A third and smaller company of Welsh Saints,
under command of Edward Bunker, left on the 23rd. The members of these
three companies pushed their hand-carts containing all their worldly
possessions, over the plains, the mountains, and through rivers and
streams, a distance of about thirteen hundred miles. A few deaths
among the aged and infirm occurred on the way, but these companies
all arrived in Salt Lake City in good condition and happy to be in
Zion. The companies of Ellsworth and McArthur arrived on the 26th of
September, having been delayed by the breaking down of hand-carts
which were built of unseasoned timber, and therefore could not stand
the strain and the excessive heat of the summer sun. They were met and
welcomed by the First Presidency and a large concourse of citizens,
with a brass band, at the foot of Little Mountain, in Emigration
Canyon, and were escorted into the city where they received a royal
welcome. These two companies arrived with ninety-six hand-carts, five
wagons, twenty-four oxen, four mules, and twenty-five tents. October
2, Captain Edward Bunker's company arrived without having had serious
loss, and were also met with enthusiastic welcome.
The Willie and Martin Companies
Two other companies with hand-carts were fitted out in the summer of
1856. The members of these companies were mainly from Great Britain and
Scandinavia. They arrived in Iowa City, the starting point, near the
end of June and in the fore part of July, where they discovered that
the tents and hand-carts for their use, were not provided. Consequently
they were delayed until these necessary articles could be manufactured,
or purchased. The delay was dangerous, for the season was advancing,
and the journey across the plains should not have been undertaken as
late as the middle of July, when the first company was prepared to
start. This company under the command of James G. Willie, left Iowa
City, July 15, and Florence [Winter Quarters], Nebraska, on the 19th of
August. They were followed by the second belated company, the fifth of
the season, under the command of Edward Martin, about two weeks later.
The Question of Traveling Considered
While at Florence, the question whether they should pursue their
journey from that point, or go into winter quarters, was discussed.
The majority were in favor of continuing on the way, although there
were dissenting voices, because of the lateness of the season and
the dangers the journey entailed.[6] Nevertheless the decision was
reached and they determined to go on rather than remain on the plains
through the winter. They fully hoped to reach Salt Lake City before the
chilling blasts of winter should overtake them. This was a fatal error,
but one, of course, unexpected by most of the companies, for the winter
season set in much earlier than usual that year, and was most severe.
The Babbitt and Margetts Tragedies
The fore part of this hand-cart journey passed pleasantly enough for
such a trip, except for the breaking down of carts and feelings of
anxiety because of Indian raids. The Cheyennes were on the warpath
and had made attacks on a number of preceding immigration trains. In
September, while the handcart companies were on the Platte, Almon
W. Babbitt, secretary of Utah, and a number of his camp who were in
advance were killed. They were on their way to Utah from Washington,
with a train of government property. A short time later Thomas Margetts
and wife; James Cody, wife and child, who were on their way to England,
were killed by the marauding Indians. News of these massacres did not
tend to lighten the hearts of the hand-cart immigrants, but it did
serve to make them more vigilant. Even then, they were deprived of many
of their cattle, which were stolen by the red men.
Disasters on the Way
Notwithstanding all the difficulties and dangers in their path, these
two companies pressed on with all possible speed. In the fore part
of their journey, they made favorable daily progress, but as they
continued, and the roads became more rough and repairs were constantly
necessary, their progress was delayed. Due to the lightness of their
hand-carts and the hasty manner in which they were constructed of
unseasoned wood, they began to fall to pieces before the companies were
well on the journey, and to repair them required time.
While they were on the Platte, in the middle of September, the first
frosts of the season were encountered, which increased in severity
day by day. September 30, Captain Willie's company arrived at Fort
Laramie--five hundred miles east of their destination--and the next day
continued on their way. From this point on they encountered the hardest
part of their travel, and winter was fast approaching. Their rations
were growing less, and restrictions were placed upon them. What was
worse, due to the loss of conveyances and the heavy grades they had to
climb when they reached the mountains, they had to discard a portion
of their burdens. Articles of clothing and bedding had to be left on
the way, that progress might be made. Improperly clad and with poor
shelter, they were exposed to the piercing winds and bitter cold of the
early winter storms. This caused them severe suffering, and many of the
more delicate were placed in untimely graves along the way, without
proper ceremony and in compelling haste. Under such adverse conditions
they were forced to push on, and wait not for anything, for emergency
demanded haste, lest the grim and merciless winter embrace them in the
grasp of death.
The sufferings of the advance company were repeated, but with greater
severity, by the one which traveled in the rear. The Martin camp was
composed of a larger number of women and children, and the inclement
season, augmented by the many other difficulties encountered, caused
greater loss of life in their ranks.
Extreme Suffering on the Sweetwater
On the Sweetwater, these immigrants encountered extreme winter weather
and heavy snows. Death had occurred frequently during these stages of
the journey. After one of these severe storms fifteen members of the
camp died in one day, while others were severely injured.
A Party to the Rescue
Through reports from returning missionaries who passed these hand-cart
companies on the way, President Brigham Young learned that they were
on the plains. Fearing for their safety, he organized relief parties
and sent them out with provisions, clothing and bedding to help them to
reach the valley. An advance guard of two young men, Joseph A. Young
and Stephen Taylor, was sent in a light wagon to inform the weary and
stricken travelers that relief was on the way. As these young men
approached the hand-cart company led by Captain Willie, they appeared
as angels of mercy. "More welcome messengers never came from the
courts of glory," said John Chislett, "than these two young men were
to us. They lost no time, after encouraging us all they could to press
forward, but sped on further to convey their glad news to Edward Martin
and the fifth hand-cart company, who had left Florence about two weeks
after us, and who it was feared, were even worse off than we were. As
they went from our view, many a hearty 'God bless you,' followed them."
"Martin's Ravine"
As the rescuers pressed on their way they discovered the Martin company
in a ravine, between the Platte and the Sweetwater. The place has been
designated "Martin's Ravine," and here the sufferers had made their
camp. They had about given up all hope and were ready to succumb to the
rigorous and persecuting winter, when word was received that relief
was coming. The joy that filled the hearts of the survivors--for death
had charged such heavy toll that the ravine was like an overcrowded
tomb--is beyond the power of mortal pen to write.
The Arrival in the Valley
With the help of the brethren, and the supplies from the valley, the
survivors of these two belated trains arrived in Salt Lake City in
November. Captain Willie's company entered the city on the 9th, and
Captain Martin's three weeks later. Out of Captain Willie's company of
between four and five hundred souls, seventy-seven had perished. Of the
Martin company about one-fourth of the five hundred and seventy-six who
started found graves along the way.
Later Hand-Cart Immigration
Other companies with hand-carts crossed the plains in subsequent years.
And from the Salt Lake Valley missionaries employed hand-carts to help
them to their distant fields of labor. Never again, however, was a
condition permitted to arise such as that which overtook the companies
under Captains Willie and Martin in the fall of 1856.
The Passing of Prominent Men
During the period covered in this chapter, several prominent elders of
the Church passed away. Oliver Cowdery, who at the incipiency of the
work, stood with the Prophet Joseph Smith as the second elder of the
Church, and who, with the Prophet, held the keys of this dispensation,
as they were received from holy angels, passed away. He died March 3,
1850, at Richmond, Missouri. Only a few months before his death [See
Chap. 41] he returned to the Church after an alienation of several
years. Presiding Bishop Newel K. Whitney, who was also among the first
to embrace the Gospel, died in Salt Lake City, October 13, 1850. He
joined the Church in Kirtland in 1831, and passed through the trying
scenes of Ohio, Missouri and Illinois. He was ordained to be the
second bishop of the Church, and after the death of Edward Partridge,
was sustained as the presiding bishop. In 1848 he led a company of
immigrants to the Salt Lake Valley. Two of his sons, Horace K. and
Orson K., were members of the pioneer band, but their father remained
at Winter Quarters, where his services were required during those
trying times. He was succeeded as presiding bishop by Edward Hunter in
1851.
March 11, 1854, Willard Richards, second counselor to President Brigham
Young, died in Salt Lake City. He was born in Massachusetts, in 1804,
and was baptized by Brigham Young, December 31, 1836. The following
year he accompanied Elder Heber C. Kimball and others to England and
assisted in the opening of that mission. After his companions returned,
he remained as one of the presidency of the British Mission, in which
capacity he was laboring when the apostles went to that land. Having
been called to the apostleship, he was ordained in Preston, England,
by President Brigham Young and other members of the council of the
apostles, April 14, 1840. He returned to the United States in 1841,
and became the private secretary to the Prophet Joseph Smith, and
was with him in Carthage prison at the time of the martyrdom. From
1842 until his death he was Church historian and recorder and at the
reorganization of the First Presidency, was selected by President Young
as his second counselor. In this position he was succeeded by Elder
Jedediah M. Grant, and as historian, by Elder George A. Smith.
"Uncle" John Smith, the presiding patriarch of the Church, died in Salt
Lake City, May 23, 1854. He was a man of tried integrity and had served
in the councils of the Church from the time of his baptism until his
death. He was among the first of the Prophet's relatives to receive the
truth and through his influence others were converted. He was succeeded
in the office of patriarch, by John Smith, eldest son of the Patriarch
Hyrum Smith.
Elder Orson Spencer, a man of superior education, who served the Church
faithfully and well as a missionary for many years, was called to the
other side of the veil, October 15, 1855, while at St. Louis. He had
presided in the British Mission during one of the critical periods in
that land.
Jedediah M. Grant, second counselor to President Brigham Young, died
in Salt Lake City, December 1, 1856, after a brief illness. He was
a young man of forceful character and had been identified with the
Church since 1833. He was a member of Zion's Camp in 1834; was chosen
among the first seventies, and in that calling filled a number of
successful missions throughout the United States. He passed through the
persecutions of Missouri and Illinois, and arrived in the Salt Lake
Valley, in charge of the last company to cross the plains in 1847.
He was the first mayor of Salt Lake City, and when he was called to
be a counselor to President Young, was serving as one of the first
council of the seventies. He was succeeded as a counselor in the First
Presidency by Elder Daniel H. Wells.
The Assassination of Parley P. Pratt
Another death, occurring May 13, 1857, was that of Elder Parley P.
Pratt of the council of the twelve. In the autumn of 1856, Elder Pratt
left Salt Lake City with a company of missionaries, and crossed the
plains. That winter he labored in St. Louis, Philadelphia, New York and
other cities in the East. In the spring of 1857, he was in Arkansas.
While there he attempted to assist a Mrs. Hector H. McLean, who was
a member of the Church, to obtain possession of her children, she
having separated from her husband because of drunkenness and cruelty.
McLean accused Elder Pratt of alienating the affections of his wife and
attempting to abduct the children. A trial was held, and Elder Pratt
was acquitted of the charge. Shortly afterwards, as he was journeying
from Van Buren County where the court was held, intending to join an
immigrant company for Utah, he was overtaken by McLean who plunged a
bowie knife in his side. After Elder Pratt had fallen from his horse,
McLean shot him with a pistol. The assassin was never punished for
the foul deed. In this manner died one of the greatest expounders
of the latter-day faith, a poet and writer, whose works survive and
have done much to bring many to a knowledge of the Gospel. Although
their author's voice has long been stilled, his work yet speaks with
convincing power.
Notes
1. Col. Thomas L. Kane advised the Saints to petition for statehood,
rather than for a territorial form of government, pointing out that
they would be permitted to govern themselves in a state government, but
in a territory they would likely be subject to outside politicians,
who would not be in sympathy with them, and perhaps their enemies. The
people took his advice, but were not successful in obtaining their
desire. Even under territorial regulations they should have been
granted self government, through the appointment of officials from
their own communities, but this proved to be the exception during
the long history of Utah as a territory. And with a few honorable
exceptions, the officers sent to them from other parts, were broken
down politicians and men to whom political office was tendered as a
debt for party service. Many of them were extremely bitter against the
Saints, and resorted to falsehood and misrepresentation, in order to
bring the majority of the inhabitants of the territory into disrepute
at Washington and throughout the nation. Under such conditions conflict
was constant and inevitable.
2. Deseret is a Book of Mormon term meaning "honey bee."
3. These "lawless acts and seditious tendencies," evidently had
reference to certain remarks made by President Brigham Young, in a
discourse in which he said the United States looked on scenes of
mobbing, driving, and murdering of Latter-day Saints in Missouri and
Illinois, without interference, or taking steps to correct the evil,
but by silence gave sanction to such proceedings. Moreover for a rebuke
administered to Judge Brocchus, who at a special conference of the
Church in September, 1851, was privileged to speak and accused the
leaders of the Church of disloyalty, and reflected upon the virtue of
the women of the Latter-day Saints.
4. Following is a letter from Col. Thomas L. Kane to President Fillmore
in defense of Governor Brigham Young:
Philadelphia, July 11, 1851.
_My Dear Sir_: I have no wish to evade the responsibility of
having vouched for the character of Mr. Brigham Young, of Utah,
and his fitness for the station he now occupies. I reiterate
without reserve, the statement of his excellent capacity, energy,
and integrity, which I made you prior to his appointment. I am
willing to say I volunteered to communicate to you facts by which
I was convinced of his patriotism, and devotion to the interest
of the Union. I made no qualification when I assured you of his
irreproachable moral character, because I was able to speak of this
from my own intimate, personal knowledge.
If any shadow of evidence can be adduced in support of the charges
of your anonymous assailant, the next mail from Utah shall bring
you their complete and circumstantial refutation. Meanwhile I am
ready to offer this assurance for publication in any form you care
to indicate, and challenge contradiction from any respectable
authority.
I am, Sir, with high respect and esteem, your most obedient servant,
Thomas L. Kane.
The President.
5. _Millennial Star_ 15:488.
6. While the consideration of this momentous question was being
discussed the brethren were advised by Elder Levi Savage, who was
returning from a mission to Siam and Ceylon, that such a journey so
late in the season should not be undertaken, and it would be better to
go into winter quarters and wait until spring. He had been over the
route and knew the dangers they would likely encounter, but he was
overruled. According to the narrative of this fatal journey given by
John Chislett, when Elder Savage was overruled he said: "What I have
said I know to be true; but seeing you are to go forward, I will go
with you; will help all I can; will work with you, will rest with you,
will suffer with you, and if necessary, will die with you. May God in
his mercy bless and preserve us." These were noble sentiments worthy of
a place in the archives of time.
For a descriptive and comparatively full account of these journeyings
of the two belated pioneer companies of hand-carts, the reader is
referred to the _History of Utah_, by Orson F. Whitney, vol. 1:547.