MORMON EMIGRATION TO MISSOURI.
Mission to Missouri--Cause that led to
emigration--Settlement at Independence--Change in
operations--Gift of tongues--Rule for speaking and
interpreting.
Cowdery and those connected with his mission, after having made the
converts we have noticed at Kirtland in the autumn of 1830, proceeded on
still farther to the west, in order to convert the Indians. They at length
set down in the western part of Missouri.
The following extract from the volume already referred to, will explain the
cause that led the Mormons to think of emigrating to Missouri.
"The Mormons soon began to assemble in considerable numbers at and about
Kirtland, the supposed 'eternal inheritance,' and those who were able,
bought land; but the greater part of their dupes had thus far been the poor
and needy, and came there with a view of enjoying all things 'in common,'
as such doctrine had gone forth. Many, however, found out their mistake
after their arrival; and the revelation appeared to be only that the
prophet and some of his relations should be supported by the church. In
consequence of their inability to purchase lands adjoining head-quarters,
they were scattered about in several townships, much exposed to 'wild
beasts,' and subject to have their faith shaken by the influence of reason.
Several renounced it. They were daily running to the prophet with queries
and doubts which were constantly arising upon their minds. He generally
satisfied them by _explaining_; nevertheless, they annoyed him much and the
necessity of withdrawing them from the influences which surrounded them
became apparent; hence, their removal to Missouri, where they could, in
time, purchase all the land which they should need at a low rate, and
become a 'distinct people.'
"As before noticed, Cowdery and his companions, proceeded on to the west,
with the avowed intention of converting the Indians, under a command of the
Lord. On their way they tried their skill on several tribes, but made no
proselytes, although their deluded brethren at home could daily see them,
in visions, baptising whole tribes. They finally arrived at the western
line of the State of Missouri, late in the fall of 1830, with the intention
of proceeding into the Indian country, but were stopped by the agents of
the general government, under an act of Congress, to prevent the white
people from trading or settling among them. They then took up their winter
quarters in the village of Independence, about twelve miles from the State
line. Here they obtained employment during the winter. In the following
spring, one of them returned to Kirtland, with a flattering account of the
country about Independence. About the first of June, the prophet assembled
all his followers, for the purpose of a great meeting, at which time it was
given out that marvellous events were to take place. Here many new attempts
were made by Smith to perform miracles and otherwise to deceive his
followers. Previous to this time, it should be remarked, nearly all the
Mormonites had arrived from the State of New York, under a revelation, of
course, to take possession of the 'promised land.' There were in all about
fifty families. At the above mentioned meeting a long revelation was
manufactured, commanding all the leading men and Elders to depart forthwith
for the western part of Missouri, naming each one separately, informing
them that only two should go together, and that every two should take
separate roads, preaching by the way. Only about two weeks were allowed
them to make preparations for the journey, and most of them left what
business they had to be closed by others. Some left large families, with
their crops upon the ground, and embarked for a distant land, from which
they have not yet returned.
"On arriving at the village of Independence, they proceeded to purchase a
lot of land, upon which the prophet directed Rigdon and Cowdery to perform
the mock ceremony of laying the corner stone of a city, which he called
Zion. Of the future prosperity and magnificence of this city, many
marvellous revelations were had by the prophet and many more marvellous
conjectures formed by his disciples. Among others, it was said that it
would in a few years exceed in splendor every thing known in ancient times.
Its streets were to be paved with gold; all that escaped the general
destruction which was soon to take place, would there assemble with all
their wealth; the ten lost tribes of Israel had been discovered in their
retreat, in the vicinity of the North Pole, where they had for ages been
secluded by immense barriers of ice, and became vastly rich: the ice in a
few years was to be melted away, when those tribes, with St. John and some
of the Nephites, which the Book of Mormon had immortalized, would be seen
making their appearance in the new city, loaded with immense quantities of
gold and silver.
"The prophet and his _life-guard_ of Elders, stayed in their city about two
weeks. Revelations were had for a part of them to return to Ohio, a part to
stay and take charge of the city, and a part to commence preaching 'in the
region round about.' Much dissatisfaction was manifested by some as to the
selection of the site, and the general appearance of the country. Smith,
Rigdon and Cowdery returned to the old head-quarters in Kirtland. Their
followers immediately commenced selling their lands, mostly at a great
sacrifice, and made preparations for emigrating up the Missouri. All were
now anxious to sell, instead of buying more land in Ohio. A special command
was given to seventeen families, who had settled in one township, some
three months previous, to depart forthwith to the promised land, who obeyed
orders, leaving their crop to those who owned the land. Besides a great
variety of special revelations relating to individuals, and other matters,
a general one was given to the proselytes to sell their lands and other
property and repair to Missouri as fast as possible, but not in haste.
Accordingly, many went during the year, making sacrifices of property,
(those few of them who had any,) in proportion to their faith and their
anxiety to be upon their 'eternal inheritance.' In the mean time, thirty or
forty 'Elders,' were sent off in various directions in pursuit of
proselytes. This year passed off with a gradual increase, and considerable
wealth was drawn in, so that they began to boast of a capital stock of ten
or fifteen thousand dollars.
"Their common stock principles appear to be somewhat similar to those of
the Shakers. Each one, however is allowed to 'manage his own affairs in his
own way,' until he arrives in Missouri. There the Bishop resides; he has
supreme command in all pecuniary matters, according to the revelations
given by the prophet.
"The next year commenced with something like a change of operations.
Instead of selling their possessions in Ohio, they again began to buy up
improved land, mills and water privileges. It would seem that the Missouri
country began to look rather dreary to the prophet and his head men,
supposing that they could not enjoy their power there as well as in Ohio.
They could not think of undergoing the hardships and privations incident to
a new country. Besides, the people there were not much disposed to
encourage the emigration of such an army of fanatics--and their "Lamanite"
brethren, under Gen. Black Hawk, were about that time commencing a war upon
the whites.
"They therefore, continued to extend their impositions by sending abroad
every thing that could walk, no matter how ignorant, if they had learnt the
tales and vagaries of their leaders. All that were so sent, were dubbed
_Elders_ or _High Priests_, and furnished with a commission, purporting to
have been dictated by the Lord to the prophet. These requisites being added
to their credulity, they were of course inspired with all necessary
self-sufficiency, zeal and impudence. They were thus prepared to declare
that every thing which they stated or imagined, was absolutely true--for
the _Spirit_ had so informed them.
"During the year 1832, considerable progress was made in writing out, and
revising the Old and New Testaments, which the prophet pretended to do by
inspiration, or by the guidance of the Spirit. In this business, most of
his leisure hours were occupied, Rigdon acting as scribe. They say that the
Scriptures in their present form, retain but little of their original
purity and beauty, having been so often copied and translated by unskilful
hands. The whole of the old Bible is now said to be ready for the press, in
its amended form, and will be forthcoming, as soon as the state of their
finances will permit.
"On the opening of the year 1833, the 'gift of tongues' again made its
appearance at head-quarters, and from thence extended to all their branches
in different parts. Whether the language now introduced differed materially
from those practised two or three years previous, (and pronounced to be of
the Devil,) we have not been informed. It appears that this last device,
was all that was then lacking to make the system perfect. They had long
before professed to be fully endowed with the power of healing all manner
of diseases, discerning spirits, and casting out devils. But a succession
of failures had rendered them rather stale, and given distrust to many of
the faithful. A new expedient was therefore indispensably necessary, in
order to revive the drooping spirits of the deluded, and at the same time,
insure a new crop of converts. The scheme proved eminently successful.
Hundreds were soon convinced of the truth of the whole, by hearing of and
seeing the manner in which the 'tongues' were performed, although the trick
would seem more susceptible of discovery than any previous one. This gift
was not confined to the elders and high priests, who, in other respects,
were supposed to have a superabundant share of 'the spirit;' but nearly all
the proselytes, both old and young, could show their faith by speaking with
'tongues.'"
One would think from the following account that the Mormons had been taking
some hints from the school of Edward Irving.
Mr. Kilby, who was an elder among the Mormons, but afterwards came to his
senses and renounced the delusion, relates some very curious facts in
relation to their pretended gift of tongues. Two distinguished Mormon
preachers, Mr. Cahoon and Patton, gave a rule for speaking in unknown
tongues, and also for interpreting what was spoken by others.
"This rule, they said, was perfect--that as long as we followed it we could
not err. And so I believe; it was a perfect rule to lead men astray. The
rule, as given by Cahoon, is this: rise upon your feet and look and lean on
Christ; speak or make some sound; continue to make sounds of some kind, and
the Lord will make a correct tongue or language of it. The interpretation
was to be given in the same way." Subsequent to this there was a still
greater emigration to Missouri. Soon disturbances of various kinds arose.
We had prepared two chapters containing such facts as we were able to
collect, to exhibit the history of the Mormons in their residence in
Missouri, and the two wars in which they were engaged. But upon looking
over the pages which we had prepared we cannot make up our mind to tax the
reader with the details of these belligerent operations. The result of
their last resort to arms was their expulsion or emigration from Missouri
into Illinois, and the founding of their new city at Nauvoo where at
present is the principal Mormon settlement. There are some few remaining
facts to which we shall call the attention of the reader, in order to
illustrate still further the folly, and depraved character of some of the
prominent actors in this grand imposture.